This is really off topic, but it’s more important than what I’ve been posting.
I urge everyone to join Crowdrise, or at least, donate or volunteer to charities especially to Gulf Coast recovery programs. The one I advocate for is “Support Oil Spill Recovery for Gulf Coast Reserves”. Your donations will be used to fund the costs for cleanup and restorations. Please follow this link to help: http://www.crowdrise.com/gulfcoastresearchreserves/fundraiser/lanzvasallo
Thank you.
Everyone is affected by this massive oil spill, and the animals are helpless.
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel, Emily Watson, Mary-Louise Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tyler Patrick Jones
Will Graham (Edward Norton) works for the FBI and he is the one who puts Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) behind bars. Due to physical and emotional trauma, Will decides to retire and live in Florida with his wife, Molly (Mary-Louise Parker) and young son, Josh (Tyler Patrick Jones). However, after his old boss Jack Crawford (Harvey Keitel) comes to ask for his help in investigating a gruesome murder of two families by a man they nickname as the Tooth Fairy (Ralph Fiennes), Will finds himself back in the very place and situation he has turned away from.
The main characters interest me, but I am most interested with Will. He is a smart man who doesn’t want to be in the middle of anything big. He only wants to do his job; he doesn’t think maliciously of anyone, but he can think the way a criminal does. This scares him. He doesn’t want this kind of skill because he doesn’t want to be remotely similar to any of the murderers or cannibals he pursues. I believe that he could’ve caught the Tooth Fairy with a solo investigation, but he still seeks Hannibal’s help. I think he just doesn’t try hard enough because he refuses to believe that he has the capacity to think like a person he has vowed to keep away from society. He doesn’t want to exercise thinking like a deranged, twisted criminal. And I like how he keeps a poker face even though he sweats in fear.
I don’t usually watch horror/thriller movies probably because they either disappoint me or freak me out entirely. I’m just not a fan of scaring myself for the heck of it, so if I do watch and enjoy a thriller film, it would be because the plot interests me. I don’t know how Red Dragon fares compared to other good thrillers, so I still can’t completely tell if I can take such genre, but I do know that I find the movie exciting. It’s not gory, and not in-your-face scary. It actually has more story than effects, and that’s how I appreciate a movie. As I watch this film, my senses are heightened, but I am more impressed that it never stops engaging me.
Starring (Voices): Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, Walt Dohrn, Craig Robinson, Jane Lynch
Shrek (Mike Myers) is tired of his new, laid-back life as a family man. He misses those days when he can scare anyone; back when all he has to think of is himself. He wishes to be the ogre he once was, even for just one day. Enter Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) who gives Shrek a contract wherein Shrek can be an ogre for a day in exchange for another day of Shrek’s life. Rumpel chooses a day that Shrek could barely remember, one from his childhood. However, it turns out that Rumpel is sleezy and has a sinister plan after all…
My sister loves Shrek Forever After because she says that it feels relevant. Shrek is an ogre feared by everyone, or at least he used to. Now he is a family man forced to postpone relaxation and me-time for household chores. His days of terrorizing the townsfolk are replaced with play dates, and worse, he has to share all of his personal time with tourists trying to take pictures of the famous ogre and his home. What Shrek is going through is a mid-life crisis similar to most other people’s, except his has magical creatures involved. That’s what makes the movie relevant. It takes a fun twist to It’s A Beautiful Life and it’s relatable.
Still, my favorite Shrek movies are the first and the second. Those two films have the freshness factor, something the third obviously doesn’t have; the fourth tries hard to have it, but never quite gets there. At least the fourth has heart though. I also commend the song choices, they’re definitely something the older audience will enjoy. As for the characters, Puss and Donkey (my favorites) are still the most lovable comic reliefs. Those two have become as important as Shrek and Fiona themselves. After the movie ends, I can’t help but feel a little sad that that has been the last, but I agree that it has to end. Shrek Forever After is not as funny as the first two, but it still is a good movie to tie up the series. Although, it seems to me that the whole contract between the King and Queen, and Rumple contradicts the original deal between the King and Fairy Godmother.
I’m glad that I am able to watch the culmination of the Shrek saga in the theaters. I have seen each Shrek movie in the cinemas and I feel that to be an accomplishment. My sister and I have seen this one in 3D, and to be honest, it doesn’t make much difference – except for the price. So if you haven’t seen it yet, 2D will be fine. I will miss Shrek, but I’d rather re-watch the four movies than have Dreamworks make a new one. Although, I may be open to Puss In Boots spin-offs.
Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington) is a professor at Wiley College. He trains four students to be able to debate any student, from any school. Tolson is an idealist who believes that through education, these students will be able to pursue greatness and a change in humanity.
The movie is like an interesting lecture from your favorite teacher. Your teacher may not be doing much, probably just standing behind a podium; occasionally pacing back and forth perhaps. He doesn’t need tricks or visual aids, all he needs is his voice to engross you for two hours, and after you leave his classroom, you have a pumped up feeling, like you’re ready to do something productive.
This movie is supposed to be based on a true story, but like any Hollywood true story, it has been fictionalized to an extent. Still, I like true stories; that’s always a plus point whenever I watch a movie. I like them because they’re intriguing. Real life isn’t always as interesting as fiction and the imagination, so when a film is made based on a real-life event, that’s saying a lot. I’ve already reviewed a couple of based-on-true-stories: Amazing Grace and 21, and I can say that this film, The Great Debaters, is the best presented. The film has applied the tried and tested formula for an inspirational and a to cheer-for story. Not surprisingly, that is the movie’s flaw too. The flow of the story can be a little too familiar, however, the play of words makes up for it. Most sports movies build up the momentum with great speeches, with this movie, the entire thing is great speeches. Still, it doesn’t feel like an overkill; the movie does a great job keeping the balance. Overall, I find the movie good; there may be a few times when I wish the filmmakers didn’t play so safe, but what the heck, it works anyway.
Starring: Jake Gyllanhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Richard Coyle, Toby Kebbell, William Foster
Young Dastan (William Foster) is an orphan living in the streets. He catches the eye of the king of Persia (Ronald Pickup) when he defends a friend from an abusive guard. The king adopts him and treats him as the youngest prince; Dastan then lives in the palace with the king, the two princes, and Nizam (Ben Kingsley), the king’s brother. Fifteen years later, the three princes, Tus (Richard Coyle), Gasiv (Toby Kebbell) and Dastan (Jake Gyllanhaal), are divided after Dastan is framed for the murder of the king. Dastan has to clear his name, and keep in his possession a dagger than everyone, including the princess Tamina (Gemma Arterton) of Alamut, is trying to get from him.
Sword fights are better than gun fights. Hands down. The Prince Of Persia is laden with swords, knives and acrobats. It doesn’t steer away from its video game origin, in fact I think it embraces it, and that makes it extra special. The slow-motion, hazy tumbles and knife throws give that feel, and every fight sequence in the movie seems to be harder than the previous – like levels in a video game. I love the choreography; I couldn’t get enough of the leaps, also the set designs are wonderful, and that’s what big-budgeted films are good for. As for the flow of story, it certainly has predictable cliches, which is probably why swashbuckling action and government-hating humor are put to compensate.
I like the movie, but there are some points that I dislike about it. One is the script, sometimes it works, sometimes it’s cheesy. Also, I’m not familiar with the video game, so I don’t know if it’s the video game’s original idea or the movie’s to put a push button on the magic dagger, anyway though, I don’t like it. It makes the idea of a magic dagger useless. I mean, if it’s a magic dagger, shouldn’t it be used as a dagger? If it’s just something with a button, it can be anything with a button, like something cute, a ring or a bracelet maybe; something the original protector (a little girl) will appreciate. And I think that the button is too simple and not majestic enough. Aside from that, I think the ending is too Disney; it oversimplifies the whole thing. Still, the film is a delight to watch and is most likely the best based-on-a-video-game movie.
I’ve been busy lately. I still watch at least one movie a day, but I can’t keep up with the reviews so much. For these past days, I’ve seen The Godfather, Red Dragon, Secondhand Lions, some John Wayne movies and others. I’m hoping that I’ll have more time for blogging next week because the backlog is ticking me off.
Starring: Edward Norton, Barry Pepper, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rosario Dawson, Brian Cox
I have been liking my list of movies lately, but 25th Hour raises the bar higher. I haven’t seen any of Spike Lee’s other movies, nor have I read the book of the same title by David Benioff, so I couldn’t compare the movie unlike most other reviews I’ve read. But that’s a good thing I suppose, because without preconceived notions, I accept and appreciate the film for what it gives – no more, no less.
The film follows the last 24 hours of Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) before he will be sent to Otisville jail for 7 years. Monty has been a drug dealer since high school, and he has become rich, affluent and untouchable. He knows that everything will change in prison, and he especially has one particular worry. As Monty’s last day as a free man goes on, his thoughts, doubts, anger and hate are shown. Also, his two best friends, Jacob (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Francis (Barry Pepper), are introduced. They have their own personal crises, and different coping mechanisms; they even quarrel at times because of their conflicting ideas, but Monty equally needs them both. Monty’s dad, James (Brian Cox), and Naturelle (Rosario Dawson), Monty’s girlfriend, are also key characters. They have been recipients of Monty’s favors, and they also share the guilt. Another important character is Doyle – a dog Monty rescues a few years before.
I really, really wish that this film had been one of the those we had to write a paper about in school. I would’ve had a blast doing it. Right now, I don’t think I could put my full-length review here as it would be too long and too in-depth. Know however, that this may be the best film I’ve seen from when I started this challenge. I absolutely recommend it.
Here is a monologue from the film. It wouldn’t really be a spoiler, but if you want a greater surprise, you may skip it. (Caution though, the F word is said like, twice in every sentence. =P)
Starring: Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, Laurence Fishburne
Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is a very smart and hardworking student of MIT and all he wants is to study at Harvard Medical School. He begins to think of ways to earn $300,000 for his studies when he learns that his unexciting lifestyle might cost him his shot at a scholarship, but he knows that earning that much is near impossible. A fellow student, Jason Fisher (Jacob Pitts) approaches him and he discovers that a few students, under the guidance of Prof. Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), learn to count cards, give signals, and disguise themselves so they can go to Las Vegas and win at Blackjack. They are winning big every time, however, security agent Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne) is getting wary of them.
The movie has a really interesting premise, but it is hidden behind excessive drama. It could’ve been great and cult classic-ish if only it steered away from juvenile attempts to thrill. Sometimes, especially with the first parts, I feel like I am watching a Disney movie or a teenybopper comedy. But eventually, it starts to have its moments, I’ll give it that, and Kevin Spacey is great. I can’t get over the thought though that it must think the audience is gullible and has never been to Vegas.
The film is loosely based on a book (Bringing Down The House: The Inside Story Of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas For Millions by Ben Mezrich), which is loosely based on a true story. I don’t know where the screw-up happens, but if this movie is exactly how the true story has happened, I’d wonder how MIT students smart enough to count cards, be so stupid to sit close to each other ALL the time and have conspicuous hand signals. Oh well, perhaps the movie is just too morally responsible that it doesn’t want to give any ideas to would-be cheaters.
This German film is the most fun I’ve had watching someone run. It really is like a video game that lets the character re-play a level or go back to the checkpoint. It is divided into three acts, with each act having the time frame of 20 minutes.
The plot is easy: Lola (Franka Potente) has to find a way to get 100,000 DM or else her boyfriend, Manni (Mortiz Bleibtreu) may be killed. That’s it.
This film is so simple, yet so clever. It takes creativity to make such an abstract idea and make it into a clear and easy to follow film, and Run Lola Run is creative indeed. The movie touches on the thought of how changing small events can have big repercussions not just for the individual involved, but even for strangers around him/her. In a sense, it’s like The Butterfly Effect (2004) except it’s genius and not silly.
