X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

3 stars (out of 4)

Released 2014

The film begins with an apocalyptic scenario: mutants and their sympathizers are facing certain extinction, having no effective defense against the highly evolved Sentinels sent to kill them. In desperation, Wolverine (actually, his consciousness) is sent 50 years to the past in order to change a key event which triggered the development of the current situation.

Admittedly, it’s been a long time since I watched First Class, but I recall that movie having a more complicated plot and being heavier on the philosophy. This one was more straight-up action. And time travel.

I thought it was really creative the way the casts from both the X-Men trilogy and First Class were incorporated into this story.

Just in brief: the action scenes were stunning, the Sentinels were truly frightening, and there was a satisfying amount of humour. Quicksilver only had a small part in the film, but he really made it count. And it’s not that I was necessarily rooting for him, but Magneto was so cool.

The Snow White Murder Case

3 stars (out of 4)

Released 2014 (Japan) – Closing night film of 2014 Toronto Japanese Film Festival

At the base of the story is a classic whodunit that arises when a beautiful office worker is brutally murdered. Instead of focusing on the police investigation, the film explores the spreading of information and misinformation through irresponsible news reports and the prevalent use of social media.

A few provocative tweets can affect the public’s perception of a person. And innocent past events can suddenly seem damning if you are suspected of committing a crime.

In this day and age of hurtful and judgemental internet comments by anonymous users, The Snow White Murder Case serves as a reminder that we need to keep an open mind and not assume that everything we might believe to be true is actually the truth.