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4.5/5
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Escape From Mogadishu
(2021)
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Diva Velez
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Surpassing himself with breathtaking action, bolstered by an outstanding ensemble cast, ESCAPE FROM MOGADISHU denotes a new progression in Director Ryoo Seung-wan's work, and I can't wait to see where he goes next
Posted Dec 31, 2021
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2.5/5
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It: Chapter Two
(2019)
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Diva Velez
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Laden with underwhelming effects, a half-baked script, and surprisingly flat performances (Save Messrs. Hader and Ransone), IT: CHAPTER 2's too-long sequel fails to deliver any of the first film's surreal, genuinely creepy, under-the-skin scares
Posted Sep 15, 2019
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3.5/5
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Godzilla: King of the Monsters
(2019)
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Diva Velez
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GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS, a pure blast of summer fun, is miles ahead of its disappointing predecessor. Beautiful renderings of the classic Godzilla A-team in exciting battles make one wish the filmmakers had jettisoned the lame human subplot.
Posted Jun 02, 2019
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3/5
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Avengers: Endgame
(2019)
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Diva Velez
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Messrs. Downey, Evans, et al, give their all to lift up the overlong AVENGERS: ENDGAME from its sloppy script and poor pacing, to leave their fans with unforgettable memories of their fractured, flawed, courageous heroes.
Posted Apr 26, 2019
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2.5/5
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Captain Marvel
(2019)
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Diva Velez
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While not the worst of the MCU, CAPTAIN MARVEL is so much less than it should've been. Even Goose the Flerken can't save it from a lacking lead performance, dull action, awful VFX, and a clichéd, amateurish script.
Posted Mar 09, 2019
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3.5/5
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Dragon Ball Super: Broly
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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DRAGON BALL SUPER: BROLY's pulse-pounding action and slam-bang excitement allows viewers to forgive its choppy script and subpar art. Diehard fans will enjoy a reunion with their fave Saiyans and Broly's official entrée into the Dragon Ball canon.
Posted Jan 16, 2019
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5/5
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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There's simply nothing like SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE. Dazzling and magical, it's a stunning benchmark in animated film, and becomes the new standard in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for storytelling and pure entertainment.
Posted Dec 16, 2018
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3.5/5
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Bohemian Rhapsody
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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Wildly uneven, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is still very entertaining. Excellent performances by stars Lee, Hardy, Mazzello, Boynton and an Oscar nom worthy Rami Malek moors the clunky script and reminds us of the magnificence that was Freddie Mercury.
Posted Nov 05, 2018
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2.5/5
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Venom
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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VENOM should've been a fantastically violent exploration of id and insanity, but mostly it should've been a good time. It is none of those things. By trying to keep a foot in the kiddie camp, VENOM tries to have it all, and loses everything.
Posted Oct 08, 2018
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4.5/5
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The Children Act
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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THE CHILDREN ACT is a masterful, compelling study of intricate nuances of passion and abstention; of the heartbreak of chances not taken, and kindred souls that cannot meet. Embrace this film for the joy of a perfect Emma Thompson performance.
Posted Sep 21, 2018
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3.5/5
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The Spy Gone North
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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Once the action gets underway, THE SPY GONE NORTH moves as sleek and sharp as a shark through water, thanks to its tense thrills and excellent performances. Smart, and loaded with edge-of-your-seat suspense, it is terrific summer movie viewing.
Posted Aug 13, 2018
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3/5
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Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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ALONG WITH THE GODS: THE LAST 49 DAYS has much to thank Don Lee, Ju Ji-hoon and Kim Hyang-gi for. Throwing the movie over to their wonderful performances saved the film from being completely irredeemable, and improved it over the original.
Posted Aug 09, 2018
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3/5
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Solo: A Star Wars Story
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY is well-rendered, fun, and exciting, hitting many of the nostalgic touchstones of those earliest films, while introducing a story all its own, and well worth your summer box-office bucks.
Posted May 26, 2018
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3.5/5
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Deadpool 2
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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More disciplined than its sire, DEADPOOL 2 doesn't let up on its outrageous laughs, including clever in-jokes, meta references and over-the top action excitement; while introducing new heroes and giving the returning guard a bit more depth.
Posted May 20, 2018
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3.5/5
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Avengers: Infinity War
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is nearly spread too thin by its massive amount of plot and characters. It redeems itself by being full of surprises and foreboding; focusing on the heroes' relationships and real peril in fierce, unrestrained action.
Posted Apr 25, 2018
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4/5
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Ready Player One
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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Escapist fun made for mandatory repeat viewings to try to catch all the characters and icons hidden throughout. With READY PLAYER ONE, Spielberg has crafted an electronic Wonderland that is a love song to fandom and pop culture itself.
Posted Mar 31, 2018
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3.5/5
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Black Panther
(2018)
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Diva Velez
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BLACK PANTHER is an incredible and important moment that will mean very much to very many, and is, at its core, simply a great time at the movies, with the potential to be even more in well-deserved sequels.
Posted Feb 18, 2018
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5/5
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1987: When the Day Comes
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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Heartbreaking and inspiring, dark and illuminating, 1987: WHEN THE DAY COMES shows us how the power and beauty of cinema can capture a moment in time, and its ability to frame and glorify the human spirit.
Posted Jan 15, 2018
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2.5/5
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Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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Despite its all-star cast and should-have-been-fun fantasy setup, ALONG WITH THE GODS: THE TWO WORLDS terrible script, awful pacing, and lacklustre visual effects render it a joyless, dreary slog.
Posted Jan 11, 2018
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3/5
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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Its scattered pacing and tangled subplots doesn't make THE LAST JEDI a failure, but neither is it a celebration - or more importantly, an elevation - of anything other than the legacies of the late Carrie Fisher, and justly revered Mark Hamill
Posted Dec 18, 2017
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3.5/5
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Gold Star
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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Painterly and lyrical, GOLD STAR is a rare glimpse into the heart of an artist, and her inspiring catharsis in the face of heartbreaking loss.
Posted Dec 02, 2017
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4.5/5
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Coco
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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After its spectacular visuals and music, its true and celebrational inclusion of Mexican culture; what stays with us about COCO, is the loving heart of a family, and the strength of a little boy who won't give up his dream.
Posted Dec 01, 2017
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4.5/5
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Thor: Ragnarok
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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I can't tell why I love THOR: RAGNAROK more: Is it because it heralds the long-awaited global domination of director Taika Waititi, or simply because it's such great fun and truly one of the top Marvel movie entries? Why not both?
Posted Nov 04, 2017
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4.5/5
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Boys for Sale (Baibai bôizu)
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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A scintillating plunge into the Tokyo sex trade. BOYS FOR SALE's frank, open conversation with straight male-for-male prostitutes answers many questions we wanted to know, but were afraid to ask, making it of the standout documentaries of the year
Posted Oct 25, 2017
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3.5/5
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Tokyo Ghoul
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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While not flawless, TOKYO GHOUL is an entertaining, rollicking ride that doesn't disappoint die-hard fans of the original manga series and anime, or those simply looking for a fun night at the movies.
Posted Oct 22, 2017
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3/5
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Battle of the Sexes
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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Despite great turns by Stone and Carell, BATTLE OF THE SEXES would have done better with a wittier, nuanced script and less clunky, anachronistic forecasting.
Posted Sep 25, 2017
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3.5/5
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England Is Mine
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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Sensitive and unironic, Jack Lowden shines in ENGLAND IS MINE with his depiction of the boy who would become Moz. While unable to access to the music so important to its subject's story, the film admirably finds the heart of our star.
Posted Aug 31, 2017
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3/5
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A Taxi Driver
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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An eye-opening look at a tragic moment in time, A TAXI DRIVER veers dangerously into schmaltz, but is kept afloat by the fluid, feeling performance of the innately watchable Song Kang-ho.
Posted Aug 15, 2017
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2/5
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The Battleship Island
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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That BATTLESHIP ISLAND is heartfelt piece of patriotic fanservice doesn't keep the film from being an undisciplined, scattered, overlong mess, and the worst movie Director Ryoo Seung-wan has made.
Posted Aug 04, 2017
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5/5
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Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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A remarkable story of David vs. Goliath come to life. Important and inspiring for these times, to see that even in the face of overwhelming odds, everyday teenagers made change possible by forcing one of the mightiest nations on the planet to take notice.
Posted May 30, 2017
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3.5/5
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Alien: Covenant
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant is every bit a shriek-worthy, blockbuster thrill ride, but with the intelligence, wit and stunning visuals that restore our expectations. It's not perfect, but makes up for a lot of transgressions.
Posted May 18, 2017
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3/5
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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The tepid Vol. 2 survives mostly on our affection for the characters we met in the first film, but without that intro, it's a middling slog with precious little of the freshness or audacity that made the original such a standout.
Posted May 07, 2017
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4.5/5
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Your Name
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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With smart, romantic, character-driven fare that feels more like a live-action piece captured as art, the sparkling, brilliant Your Name shows Director Makoto Shinkai is staking his own place in the pantheon of great animators.
Posted Apr 05, 2017
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1.5/5
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Ghost in the Shell
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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As if its disregard for its own story's world and culture wasn't enough, Ghost in the Shell is just terrible; from its eyestrain-inducing visuals, to its low-rent acting, to some of the most boring action ever framed in a Hollywood film.
Posted Mar 31, 2017
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4/5
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Logan
(2017)
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Diva Velez
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This is the X-Men movie - and the Wolverine - I've been waiting for. Violent, thrilling, funny, heartbreaking; everything's up for grabs and it leaves us breathless. Logan inflicts emotional wounds on the audience, yet keeps us wildly entertained.
Posted Feb 28, 2017
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4/5
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Trading emotion and depth for sci-fi magic and bombast, Rogue One is the start of a darker, more grown-up direction for the saga, and I applaud it.
Posted Dec 16, 2016
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4/5
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We Are X
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Riveting and exhilarating, We Are X shines an overdue and definitive spotlight on the myth, madness and music of the phenomenon of X Japan, Asia's greatest rock band, that most in the west have yet to discover.
Posted Oct 25, 2016
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3/5
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Jack Reacher: Never Go Back
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Jack Reacher: Never Go Back sports a minimum of action bombast, but is still entertaining mainly due to the considerable charm of its leads
Posted Oct 21, 2016
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2.5/5
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Operation Chromite
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Operation Chromite's dull-witted script, lack of thrills, and unimpressive visuals wastes a great cast and tense historical setting to fail as entertainment.
Posted Aug 13, 2016
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1/5
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Sausage Party
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Puerile and self-indulgent without a real laugh to be found. I have no idea how this gets released by a major studio, while Ralph Bakshi has to go to Kickstarter for a Vimeo release. Just say no.
Posted Aug 13, 2016
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3/5
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Suicide Squad
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Is Suicide Squad the worst superhero flick, ever? Not remotely. It starts with style and laughs before descending into a mud pit of clichés and dull action. Worth seeing for Viola Davis' mighty Amanda Waller as the spinoff I now want most.
Posted Aug 04, 2016
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3.5/5
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Love, Lies
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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While not perfect, Love, Lies is a worthy discovery of a time and culture in Korean history not often seen on western screens. Its fine acting, heady romance and truly gorgeous visuals make it a pleasure to watch.
Posted Jun 15, 2016
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3/5
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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While clunkier and goofier than its predecessor, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows still entertains, packing in high-flying action, laughs and unabashed affection and homage to the characters we know and love.
Posted Jun 02, 2016
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2.5/5
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X-Men: Apocalypse
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Its ham-fisted, overemotional script, completely bereft of charm or ingenuity, its unremarkable villain and second-rate special effects make X-Men: Apocalypse the least successful of the recent Marvel entries.
Posted May 17, 2016
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4/5
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Captain America: Civil War
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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The fun and excitement of Captain America: Civil War carries it through a slow start and weak premise. It sets up great expectations for new chapters, and after this epic fracturing of their Avengers friendship, we want to know where they go from here.
Posted May 07, 2016
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4.5/5
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The Jungle Book
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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A thrilling story full of exciting action, heartfelt emotion, outstanding 3D visual effects with one of the scariest villains to prowl across a movie screen make The Jungle Book one of Disney's best live action films.
Posted Apr 17, 2016
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3/5
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Rescue Dogs: The Movie
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Childish and silly, but perhaps it's the kind of silly that the youngest audience members will enjoy. The rest of us can consider instead the heart and goodwill meant by Rescue Dogs' production.
Posted Apr 05, 2016
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1.5/5
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I Saw the Light
(2015)
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Diva Velez
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Reduces Hank Williams' legacy to a boring, clichd, chicken-fried soap opera that gives us no answers or insight into either the man or his music. Why was this film was even made? I Saw the Light should've stayed in the dark.
Posted Mar 26, 2016
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3.5/5
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The Boy and the Beast
(2015)
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Diva Velez
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The Boy and the Beast's story of a child in an anthropomorphic Wonderland, finding a family with the gruff, bearlike creature, its rollicking action and humour all mark another great Hosoda animation, that sadly loses momentum in a flat second half
Posted Mar 08, 2016
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3/5
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Like for Likes
(2016)
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Diva Velez
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Playing like a lukewarm Korean TV drama, we're offered a charming ensemble and not one, but three, paper-thin, crowd-pleasing, romantic plots, combining for a Valentine's Day trifle perfect for first dates or girlie gatherings.
Posted Feb 29, 2016
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