Movie Review: Contagion

Contagion, a thriller about a deadly disease that rapidly spread across the globe being transmitted through fomite transmission and killed millions in a matter of days. As the disease spread epidemically, a group of international doctors races to find a cure and control the paranoia that was spreading faster than the virus.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh  (Erin Brockovich, Ocean's Eleven), the American thriller stars an ensemble cast led by Matt Damon as Mitch Emhoff, a Minneapolis man who's wife Beth (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) returned from a business trip from Hong Kong and dies but not before spreading the unknown disease along the way and even killing her son, Mitch. Meanwhile, deaths were being recorded from Asia to Europe and the World Health Organization sent Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard), an epidemiologist to Hong Kong to find out where the sickness originated. Meanwhile, Dr. Ellise Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) of the CDC sent Dr. Erin Mears (Kate Winslet), an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer to Minneapolis to begin their own investigation as CDC scientist Dr. Ally Hextall (Jennifer Ehle) figures out a vaccine before the disease spreads and kills more.

The movie is quite interesting but I expected more ump to the movie. The story line was easy to follow even though the movie was quite slow and could almost not be considered as a thriller. The plot lines were more involved with conspiracies ranging from biological warfare to government conspiring with pharmaceutical companies (sub-plot with Jude Law as Alan Krumwiede, a freelance journalist). Acting was excellent across the board and cinematography was amazing. But the film just did not even got near the level of expectation I had.

"The average person touches their face three to five times every waking minute... " 

Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes is a movie about the fictional and legendary detective penned by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and played by Robert Downey Jr. Together with his trusted colleague, Dr. Watson, played by Jude Law, they set out to solve a riddle in order to stop Sir Blackwood, portrayed by Mark Strong, from his sinister ploy to control England and the United States.

The story starts off with Holmes and Watson catching Lord Blackwell before he kills his sixth victim. This was suppose to be their last job together as Dr. Watson was moving in with his soon to be fiancee Mary Morstan, portrayed by Kelly Reilly. Blackwell's last wish was to talk to Holmes before his execution during which he informed Holmes that killing him is just the beginning of his sinister plot and warn him that he would have three more killings and he wont be able to solve this riddle. This made Holmes very weary yet unworried as he does not believe in black magic.

Blackwell was executed and Dr. Watson pronounced him death. Yet he rose up from the grave which sent fears throughout the people of London. Now, Holmes and Watson must solve the riddle that Blackwell told him in order to stop what he was planning. To further complicate the matter, Irene Adler portrayed by Rachel McAdams, the only woman ever to have bested Holmes twice and maintained a relationship with him, shows up asking for help in looking for Reordan, portrayed by Oran Gurel, a mad scientist, who has concocted an evil machine. Later, Holmes finds out that Adler was hired by Professor James Moriarty.

I must say that this movie exceeded my expectations. The only drawback would be how the movie portrayed Holmes against the Holmes in the novel. Yet Robert Downey Jr proved once again how versatile he can be. I also have to give kudos to Jude Law who was also brilliant in portraying Watson. Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong did an excellent portrayal of their character as well. I also like how the characters complimented each other - Holmes wittiness combined with Watson's strength.

The movie was brilliantly created and had action, romance and laughter, wrapped all together in one package. The storytelling was superb, it doesn't keep you on the edge of your seats but it will keep you glued to the screen. I especially like the flash forward scenes where Holmes plots his set of calculated moves. The scenery was excellent with the depiction of old London during the industrial revolution. Overall, I would definitely recommend you to go see this in the theaters.