Malawski's Movie Mania

From beloved children’s author Roald Dahl and ultra successful filmmaker Steven Spielberg, comes an adaptation of one of Dahl’s most  famous children’s novels, “The BFG”, or if you want to be more technical, “ Big Friendly Giant .” Spielberg, who is no stranger in the director’s chair, he has directed films like this before, he also helmed another film involving an unlikely friendship in 1982’s “E.T”. What makes this film different from that popular film is the BGF has more magic at its core. Reuniting with  Spielberg  once again for the film’s title role is  Mark Rylance  previously seen in the  Oscar  nominated film, also directed by  Spielberg, (Bridge of Spies). Rylance  makes a whimsical and emotional performance while opposite child star  Ruby Barnhill , who is a natural, serious, yet funny and an effective talent in this film.  Scoring the film is a man who needs no introduction,  John Williams , who by the way has ...

Based on the real-life events of a man, Hugh Glass.  He is trapped and left for dead in a winter forest after being brutally abused by a bear. Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the lost soul and does it so very powerfully. He is challenged by the wonders of nature physically and mentally. Besides being left crippled for days, Hugh then becomes extremely angry at the fact that the people who abandoned him left his son to die out in the cold forest as well!    DiCaprio portrays this role so exceptionally. It's gripping. There's a huge sense of a dramatic on screen personality to his character. His role is highly well-worth praising. Also, Tom Hardy deserves some praise for his supporting role as the antagonist of the film. He portrays a sly, cunning, sneaky man who doesn't like DiCaprio's character.  Director Alejandro G Inarritu who helmed the Oscar-winning Birdman is a visual magician. He knows more about the story the audience might not even know.  Based on the rea...

After 13 years, and the success of  Disney/Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” , comes the return of all your favorite characters from the 2003 hit film. The difference between this sequel and the first film is that there’s a bigger emotional tone than in the previous film. Andrew Stanton, who directed the predecessor to “ Finding Dory”  makes this new film funny on many levels, but relies more on the emotional aspect. As the previous movie had more of a comedic effort, but had a less emotional tone.  Ellen DeGeneres returns as the loveable amnesiac blue-tang, with Albert Brooks reprising the cautious, worrisome clownfish father, Marlin. Due to voice changes and several years, the adorably cute “Nemo” Marlin’s son, was recast for this film and is now voiced by newcomer Hayden Rolence.  Also starring in “ Finding Dory”  are: Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton, Ty Burrell, Idris Elba and Ed O’Neill. All do a terrific job voicing their roles with passion and hea...

For two decades, E.T and planet Earth have had the chance to prepare for the next armageddon, and that time has arrived once more. The sequel to the 1996 film “ Independence Day ”, “ Independence Day: Resurgence ” is nothing more than special effects with a wishy-washy cast, as this sequel lacks with depth, emotional tone, and corny styled dialogue. Roland Emmerich returns to helm the sequel, and while he has several credits underneath his belt for films being “every man for himself” types of movies, therefore as a result Resurgence counts as this kind of film. While it's enjoyable to watch with an overwhelming amount of CGI and other special effects, Emmerich relies on those aspects more so than the cliche and corny styled screenplay. For those who are fans of veteran actors from the original film, like Jeff Goldblum & Bill Pullman, their presence on screen is just not enough, or just plain dull and rustic. Same goes for “ The Hunger Games ” star Liam Hemsworth who is a u...

As if  Pixar  couldn’t top it again after their successful Academy Award winning “ Toy Story ”, with another community of beings living in peace and harmony, this time around it’s world of talking bugs. The film is similar to  Dreamworks Animations  " Antz"  because it just so happens that these two motion pictures are both about insects.  With a bold and zealous attitude at erecting a fictitious world in which bugs are in contrast to humans. Directors John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton made something with heart and profound curiosity when approaching this movie, which is certainly fascinating. All throughout  “a bug’s life”  the animation is utterly spectacular when analyzed carefully. The film’s  sense of wonder and curiosity is what makes the film stand out. A bug’s life, a tale of wonder, curiosity, and  discover, also has morals to be understood like: Big things come in small packages. This message can relate to all age groups....

In a world where a child’s favorite toy such as an Etch-A-Sketch or an R.C. Car comes to life when their “owner” isn’t present, the first computer animated film ever made, “Toy Story” is an instant delight for kids and adults alike. “Toy Story” has become a stepping stone in the animated film genre. Brilliantly voiced with an all-star cast, and judging from the stubbornness of Tom Hanks’  Woody the Cowboy doll to Tim Allen’s confused and naive space-ranger, Buzz Lightyear, Pixar couldn’t have done any better when casting these characters. When families watch this film, you will see the heart and soul the actors put in during its production. The animation in the movie is nothing short of beautiful. Director John Lasseter, screenwriters Joss Whedon and Andrew Stanton have all crafted a heartwarming piece of art, from pen to paper and from computer to the theaters, their talents paid off. “Toy Story” flows so eloquently throughout its entirety. The stories of each individual charac...

A tale of triumph, loss, and friendship: “Finding Nemo” is a heartwarming, one of a kind film. Two disabled fish learning who they are and how to navigate the ocean blue, “Finding Nemo” is a beautiful, riveting story, with lots of clever humor. “Finding Nemo” will inspire and entertain audiences for countless years to come.  Terrific job well done at the executed animation, which some will find spectacular. Others will enjoy the characters and the humors aspects of the film. Andrew Stanton, director of “Finding Nemo” made something both inspiring and humorous at the same time.     The crafted characters seen in the movie are etched with precise precision, it’s as if some of them are real. A talented ensemble consisting of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, and Willem Dafoe, all do a superb job at their craft.          “Finding Nemo” is a phenomenal and thrilling achievement in animation, and it'll have a lasting effect on those with disabili...

The follow up to 2014’s “Days of Future Past” and the ninth X-Men feature film, is an action packed, visual spectacle, but lacks going into more depth of telling a story. The performances in the film are great but can be a little too dramatic for the situation at hand: defeating the bad guy. The cast led by: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner, Jennifer Lawrence and Evan Peters, is a wonderful team effort to destroy Oscar Isaac’s En Sabah Nur otherwise known as Apocalypse, the title character and the world’s first mutant. Isaac’s turn at being the bad guy is good but also annoying in some circumstances. His voice as the terrifying character has voice enhancers to make it sound really eerie and utterly creepy. A dry tone screenplay crafted by Simon Kinberg and useless non-action parts in this film do make up for the film to show its glory. Evan Peters shines as the speed demon mutant and the film’s comic relief Quicksilver. Other enjoyable moments that make up for A...

“The Shallows” stars Blake Lively (The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants), in this powerful and dramatic, thrilling film about a medical student (Lively),whotakes a day at the beach to surf some massive waves. After a while, her character is suddenly attacked by a monstrous Great White Shark. Her character must endure tremendous amounts of pain and suffering to survive the deadly encounter and get help. Lively excels most at a dramatic aspect, therefore she delivers a powerful performance. Spanish director Jaume Collet-Serra who’s no stranger to directing dramatic films, does a splendid and riveting job at the approach made to execute this movie. Although the film has scenic wonders, the gore and other obscene special effects, which are without a doubt a realistic cause for nausea. “The Shallows” is a suspenseful modern day version of the 1975 summer blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws”. Rate: C+ Directors: Jaume Collet-Serra and written by Anthony Jaswinski. Starring: Blake L...

Following the success of Tim Burton’s quirky and unique remake of “Alice In Wonderland”, “Alice Through The Looking Glass” is a colorful feat, but also bleak and sloppy. From the odd mind of Tim Burton, (now producing the film), brings a magical, enchanting film that is a step backwards from the 2010 blockbuster. The performances in this film are nowhere near as jaw dropping, breathtaking and spectacular because of the film’s godawful screenplay written by Linda Woolverton (Maleficent). With a usually talented ensemble this film is garbage when it comes to seeing stellar and outstanding performances from the talents of: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, and the late-great, Alan Rickman. “Through The Looking Glass” displays flamboyant and extravagant costumes without a doubt, just like it’s predecessor. That is what makes the film enjoyable as a distraction from a terrible script. The film also has to offer stunning eye-popping visuals as another diversion for audien...

Based on the flightless bird slinging app of the same name, “Angry Birds” makes its mesmerizing and colorful adaptation onto the silver screen. Angry Birds’ theatrical adaptation is a rare children’s film that has lots of witty humor that even parents will enjoy. What makes this movie such an enjoyable family motion picture is its pizzazz and blazing colors that dazzle through the entirety of the film. The film also does a terrific job at fabricating animation that looks realistic. Directors Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly shine in their directorial debut. They both excel at the art behind the film’s color, character depiction, and humor. These qualities never fade and stay consistent through the whole film. Kudos to the film’s casting director because the cast was brilliantly voiced in the movie. With voices only the ensembles voices resonate with their characters. With having received multiple accolades since its launch in 2009, and over two billion downloads, Angry Birds is a lo...