Cloud Atlas (2012)

Have we met?

Several different stories from different time periods, past, present and are woven together.  Each story is bound to the other by common elements - a piece of music, a birthmark.  I read the book of the same name by David Mitchell and have been jonesing to see this ever since I heard it was being translated to the big screen.  And the filmmakers didn't disappoint.  Cloud Atlas could have been really good (which it is) ot not so good.  Everything about this film was great - the acting, the sets, the cinematography, the FX, everything.  One mark of a truly good film is wanting to see it again.  And I lay down to sleep last night, all I could think about was this film and how I wish to see it again. 

Cloud Atlas earns its 4 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski
Writer: Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski
Starring: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae (The Host), and Hugh Grant
Rotten Tomatoes: 63%
Metacritic: 55 out of 100

Mother (2009)

That's one mean mother!
When a mentally handicapped man is accused of a crime, his mother comes to his aid.  The son played by Bin Won (The Man from Nowhere) and his mother played by Hye-ja Kim give standout performances.  Mother asks the question, what lengths will a parent go to for their child?  Joon-ho Bong director of The Host brings great visuals, a great plot that twists and turns, and great acting.

This Mother earns her 5 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director:  Joon-ho Bong
Writer:  Joon-ho Bong, Eun-kyo Park
Starring:  Hye-ja Kim, Bin Won and Ku Jin
Rotten Tomatoes -  95%
Metacritic - 79 out of 100