What I loved most: Kirsten Stewart's acting

What I really hated: Cheesy dialogues

This movie adaptation of the bestseller vampire romance by Stephanie Meyers is all about the thrill and angst of first love. It explores the complications, inner turmoil and anxiety over the delicate budding relationship between Bella Swan and the vampire, Edward Cullen. Kirsten Stewart makes a believable and strong heroine, portraying her character with the requisite insecurity and awkwardness. Robert Pattinson makes for good eye candy and adds a touch of sensuality and otherworldiness to his role. The two leads enjoy great chemistry together and on screen they truly sizzle. Therefore, it is a pity that the plot suffers a lack of pacing in the first half that often leaves the film going nowhere and bordering on becoming vapid. Besides the two leads, the secondary cast are not given much screen presence to leave an impression and some potential actors are severely under utilized. The visual effects are rather cheesy as well, and so are some of the dialogue. However, all this is no fault of director Catherine Hardwicke as she is just staying faithful to the original material. Besides the two leads making calf eyes and intimate touches with each other, audience can also enjoy the scenic and picturesque town of Forks featured in the film which has a deep beauty that almost rival the touching love story.

What I loved most: Action choreography

What I really hated: Acting

This is one of the films I went against my better judgment to watch and it turned out to be surprisingly good. Despite banal reviews, I watched it with a group of friends at a midnight screening. We were kept enthralled and fixated by the intense and swift action sequences which unfold one after another. The resounding impact and forceful blows can be clearly felt by the THX equipped theatre we were in. Our eyes were glued to the screen as various martial artists in the film engaged in nerve wrecking and brutal fistfights that will leave you at the edge of your seat. The story is about the life story of the titular martial arts master and his quest to invoke unity in the people of China to stand up against oppression during the Japanese occupation. Donnie Yen does a surprisingly good portayal of Ip Man, infusing his character with wry humour and staunch dignity. However, besides him, the secondary characters fade into the background with little screen presence and narrative importance. Still, even if you are not a martial arts fan, you can enjoy this simple story about honour, humility and unity.

What I loved most: Sweet and affecting storyline

What I really hated: nothing

Pixar's latest offering revolves around a charming and adorable robot by the name of Wall-E, whose main objective on the abandoned earth is to recycle mountains of trash left behind by humans who have left for space to seek refuge from the environmental catastrophe they have spawned. The hero here may have a body of metal, but the heart and soul of a human, and it's due to the many humane qualities attributed to wall-E that we feel so much for his character; how much he yearns for companionship and affection and how he shares human's fondness for music. The introduction of Eve, a space robot sent by humans to scavenge for live-form on earth, sparks off the one of the most sentimental and touching romances on screen for a long time, putting other weepy and maudlin melodramas to shame.

What I loved most: Joker

What I really hated: Nil

This stupendous sequel to the dark and brooding 2005's 'Batman Begins' surpasses its predecessor in every aspect. The stellar cast is really something to behold. Christian Bale reprises his role as the frivolous billionaire playboy who leads a double life as an angsty and tormented vigilante, in hopes that his efforts would eradicate all criminal activities in the corrupted Gotham city. Things were looking up until a diabolical and manical fiend in the peevish form of Heath Ledger's joker appears, to wreck havoc and chaos once again in Gotham city. Swift, forceful fistfights and exhilarating chase sequences ensue, with the rest of the fantastic cast lending laudable support. Michael Caine emanates wisdom and soothing presence as Bruce's confidante and assistant. Morgan Freeman's wry humour makes him a perfect complement to Bale's acerbic wit. By a stroke of casting genius, the insipid and ho-hum Katie Holmes has been replaced by a delectable Maggie Gyllenhaal, whose character is entangled in a love triangle involving Bruce and the local D.A played by Aaron Eckhart. The latter goes on to become the menacing two-face on a quest for vengence to mete out retributions at the whims of luck and fate. This summer blockbuster succeeds not because of flashy gadgets or top notch visuals, but on something more elemental, the in-depth character analysis and its plaintively tragic plot. This chillingly unnerving and disturbing crime drama forces the audience to confront issues of moral ambiguities and amoralistic self-preservation which is all the more unsettling when we are present in these troubled times.

What I loved most: Set pieces

What I really hated: Character of Xiao Qiao

This film is undeniably one of the best Chinese production to date. With its lavish sets and stunning visuals, it looks set to take on the entertainment scene by storm. The story continues from the cliffhanger climax of the first part when Viceroy Zhou and his ally Zhu Ge Liang are preparing a full onslaught against their major nemesis Cao Cao and his hundred thousands worth of troops. The introduction is very well done and concise, giving a brief yet elaborate overview of the major highlights of the first part. This sequel surpasses the first in terms of pacing and the witty and meaningful dialogue is well penned and sophisicated. The acting and the cast is top-notch and could not have been better, with everyone having a pivotal and consequential role which brings about the narrative flow. The battle sequences in the first were awesome and it is astounding to know that the production team has outdone itself by crafting battle scenes which are even more intense and awe-inspiring than the first. The only grievance it has is that it does suffer from some historical glitches but none too serious to affect the plot. Nonetheless, it is truly an affecting and religious experience and I look forward to reliving it on the big screen again some time soon.

What I loved most: Extensive CG used on Brad Pitt

What I really hated: Editing

Set in 1915, this is the life story of Benjamin Button, who was abandoned as an infant to the care of a motherly housekeeper at a retirement home and his endeavour thereafter. This story is about life, with a twist. In the beginning, a clockmaker bemoaned the demise of his son during war and created a clock which ran backward, as a symbol of his grief and sentiment of how better life would be if time was reversed. In the case of Benjamin Button however, the tragedy is multiplied tenfold. Even though he led a rich and illustrious life, peppered with momentous events which included his participation in the historic Pearl Harbour battle, he was forced to survive the inevitable death of his loved ones. His quest for life and thirst for adventure was what kept him going as he knew that at the end of the day, he was an anomaly and this aberration was going to separate and isolate him. He was fated to interact with people for only short periods of time before they left or passed on to the afterlife. Despite each of them leaving a lasting impression on him, he was set for a life of solitude until the love of his life Daisy entered and changed the course of his life forever. Their love story turned out to be bittersweet with Benjamin leaving Daisy as he could not bear to burden her with his retrogradation. The final reel depicting a withered and wizened Daisy caring for Benjamin as he regressed into infancy was infinitely tender and heart-wrenching, with unspoken regret and heart-felt bereavement. This film explores the wonders of life but does not explain the mystery of it, its underlying message being that life is too short for you to dwell over the past; living life to the fullest is the only way to prevent the tides of time from drowning us in sorrow and regrets. As Benjamin Button says, "We are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss." Don't miss this.