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Sunday, April 18, 2010

"National Treasure: Book of Secrets"

Good frolicking fun, heart-pounding thrill. It's a lot more preposterous, far-fetched than the first one. The first one was more rooted in 'history,' considerably more complex, got clues after clues that led to a more complicated puzzle. This one is much simpler, has far less clues, bigger plot holes and more fantasy-based. But it's all good; highly entertaining fantasy action adventure. Perfect escapism for the holiday.  

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"Enchanted"

Dazzling, delightful, magical.  It's nice to escape to and believe in a fairy tale world, even if just for a couple of hours.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/y73z62q

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"Lions for Lambs"

I came in with low expectations considering the reviews, but came out speechless. There were a few profound moments in the film where I was just moved, inspired. Right or wrong, these characters act with the courage of their convictions. Continuous dialogues, debates from different angles that you have to keep up with. I was enraptured throughout; those are some intelligent, engaging, meaningful dialogues that really makes you THINK.  

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"Gone Baby Gone" & "Rendition"

Provocative, gripping, harrowing, thought-provoking. Gets to you from the start and never let go. Deals with complex moral dilemma... how far are you willing to take it when faced with the impossible? What do you do if what's legally right differ from morally right? Does the truth weigh more than peace or happiness? Does the end justify the means?

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"Michael Clayton"

Sharp, compelling, mature of corporate misdeeds. It's slow-burning with quiet intensity that gains strength over time, pulls you in and grips you till the end.

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Saturday, April 17, 2010

"August Rush"

Lovely, sweet, poignant. It's a tearjerker. I was misty-eyed more times than I can remember. It's a wonderful change from all the visual feast and thinking type of films of late, to be swept away and really... listen, genuinely feel, and believe. The music is eclecticly grand and soul-stirring and and evokes heartfelt emotions.  

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"Live Free or Die Hard"

Wow - most satisfying action movie I've seen in years! This is classic John 'Die Hard' McClane; Bruce Willis still got it. They don't make these types of action movies anymore. Having been overloaded with digital effects, do you know how *refreshing* it is to see good ol' fashioned stunts again? Fast-paced, heart-pounding, non-stop action, chases and explosions. Great plots (not to mention relevant in this day and age), great characterizations, great humor, great villains, great buddy chemistry... oh, did I mention GREAT stunts??? Absolutely exhilarating.

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"Ocean Twelve"

Slick, sly, stylish. Outraregously fun. Revenge is sweeet. Doesn't take itself seriously, but tight script and well-executed with full starpower.

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"Mr. Brooks"

Edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller (suspension of disbelief required!) with enough twists and turns to keep it suspenseful. Superb acting by the two main personalities. Complex, dark, disturbing. Rarely a dull moment.

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"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer"

Truly fantastic, super cool (Silver Surfer, anyone?), fun... fun... fun. No heavy drama, no character development, no complicated plot, no depth in the story. It's most lighthearted, lightweight superhero stories. Easy breezy... just how 'Fantastic' should be.  

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"Stardust"

Wondrous magical fantasy. Grand escapism of a fairytale in epic proportion. A bewitching blend of adventure, action, fantasy, romance and humor with lavish cinematography and costumes. It's got kings, princes, pirates, witches, spells, swashbuckling, unicorn, flying ship, fallen star. Forget about "Lord of the Rings." Forget about "The Chronicles of Narnia." "Stardust" towers over them all. A shining example of how an epic fantasy should be like. BEST movie of the year. Most spellbinding movie of its genre in years!

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"Bourne Ultimatum"

Phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. Super high rush of globe-trotting and in confined spaces alike. Skillfully acted, directed, and (sometimes impossibly) shot. Bourne comes back and finishes what he's started with much gusto and bravado. Most spectacular chases, crashes and (hand-to-hand) combats. Bond who? Much superior than 'Identity' and 'Supremacy.' What a fitting, clever way to end this super-spy trilogy.  

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"Ratatouille"

Delightful, delectable, dazzling. Such a brilliant, accomplished animation. The cityscape, ins and outs of Paris, France. Sumptuous delicacies. Exquisite designs. Look so real. As with other Disney-Pixar stories, there's a heart there. Real heartwarming, uplifting.

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Sunday, April 11, 2010

"The Guardian"

A different breed of heroes, but the makeup is similar to "Top Gun" or "G.I. Jane."  

The picture is framed with stereotyped roles, cliched lines and requisite scenes, but it works as a whole. An inspiring remembrance to the sacrifices in the lives of the U.S. Coast Guards, those who risk their lives at sea so "Others may live."

Heartpounding suspense, hearty laughter and emotional tears. The rescue scenes are nail-biting. The special effects realistically illustrate the volatility of the vast sea.

Both Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher play their respective roles, as the wise weathered mentor and young brass, real well. They connect and establish instant rapport from the onset.

The ending could go either way, but this one actually fits. Not necessarily happily-ever-after or dramatically-angst-filled, it's truly a fitting end for the lifelong journey of a legend.

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"The Illusionist"


Stunningly spellbinding. Every single performance is engaging. The pacing is perfect. The illusion is deftly weaved into the story and blends well with reality.

I knew something was up, but was kept on suspense till the end, trying to figure out how the main characters could possibly pull off the biggest deception of the century, shake the foundation of society, and unveil a royal treason.

Edward Norton (Magician) and Paul Giamatti (Inspector) give strong performances. Equally strong is Rufus Sewell (Crown Prince). Jesicca Biel (Socialite) is adequate in her role.

The battle of wit and intelligence, mystery and intrigue, romance and illusion is a magical combo. Definitely one of the most satisfying films of the year!

"The Departed"

Fast-paced, intense, unpredictable. The acting is all-around top-notch. Jack Nicholson, Mark Whalberg, Martin Sheen, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio work tremendously well as partners and adversaries.

Edgy characters find themselves in dicey situations and we have no idea if they would get caught, live or die. The actions are honestly brutal and bloody. The dialogues are crude, but sharp and witty. The web of camouflage entangles everyone in it.

I wasn't too enamored with the ending; it provides a closure but not entirely satisfying. This is one of those films where it could have ended one way yet goes into another direction and then another. Overall, a brilliant masterpiece from a masterful director. Just be forewarned, allow extra time out; it runs for 2.5 hours.  

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Saturday, April 10, 2010

"Pirates of the Carribean 2: Dead Men's Chest"

Count me in as one of those who's Disappointed (with a capital 'D')... I was expecting an exhilarating adventure in the high seas. I remember how surprisingly refreshing the first one was. Colorful characters in a real frolicking fun, I was charmed and captivated. So I had extremely high expectations for the sequel. I wanted to be *escape* to that world again.  

It's still a feast to the eyes; the special effects, sets, costume and makeup are grandiosely commendable. And Depp still gave the same flippantly flamboyant, irreverently eccentric, drunkenly hysterical performance as the now-iconic Captain Jack Sparrow.

Instead of an enjoyable cinematic experience in epic proportion, it's one big bore overall. Basking in rich imagery and being enhanted in choppy action sequences doesn't make it up.

The plot's convoluted. Its undue reliance on the mechanics of the impressive-looking fantasy sea creatures made it cumbersome after a while. Some parts were laugh-outloud funny, but some scenes were just plain tedious. They could have cut 30 minutes and it would have no impact to the story.

Overall, *something* was missing... the FUN.

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"Shawshank Redemption"


I've just had the fortune of watching "The Shawshank Redemption." So I was late by a little over a decade, but it felt like I found a treasure.  What an inspiring masterpiece! It's a phenomenal story of human strength, spirit, survival and triumph. It reminds me of what sheer focus, determination, patience, faith and hope can achieve.

"District b13"


Fascinating. Just like how I found Equilibrium's Gun-Kata revolutionary a few years back, Parkour is awe-inspiring. Such agile, light, fluid movements.

The two main actors are true star athletes. They ARE their own stuntmen and master of martial arts. And Parkour actually exists; it's not some kind of make-believe in the world of cinema. The style is refreshing compared to the overused wirework or CGI. Most of the stunts are dangerously and breathtakingly real.

If you're an action/martial arts fan, this is a MUST-SEE. Don't go for the plots or the acting; the constant chases and duels alone are worth the admission price and then some. Surprisingly, BOTH the critics and the general public are in agreement on this one!


Sunday, April 4, 2010

"Superman Returns"


Get swept away and witness the most anticipated return of the most beloved superhero of all-time! "Superman Returns," at the helm of director Bryan Singer ("X-Men" and "X-Men 2"), has garnered critical applause and wholesome reviews from early screenings. This rendition of "Man of Steel" may prove to have the most heart of all.

Dramatically speaking, it took my breath away. There are so many scenes that I really liked. The special effects are awe-inspiring. It's actually the first time that I truly believe a man CAN fly (and do all that stuff).

The original score is inspiring and nostalgic The cinematography is gorgeous. The sets, futuristic and gothic Daily Planet and ornate Fortress of Solitude, are stunning. The costume, I actually prefer the old one, minus the yellow "S" on the cape. I like the brighter red and wider "S" on the chest.

Brandon Routh is striking.  He's a fine Superman, although less as Clark Kent. His version of Clark is more reserved and quiet than endearing and clumsy. But the poise, presence, courageousness, charm and confidence of Superman is all there. And his glorious stance for truth, justice and everything that is good in the world. His gallant, soulful portrayal as the lone superhero is flawless and utterly convincing.

I liked how they pay homage to the phrase, “It’s a bird, it’s plane…” I felt that Reeve's spirit was there. And I must say one more thing. I don't know anything about George Reeves, but I've seen Christopher Reeve and Dean Cain in their portrayal's of this heroic icon. I don't remember Superman being "graceful." Watch how stately Routh's Superman soars, moves, turns and lands, it's all beautifully choreographed. Regal, royal-like, ethereal. I was awe- struck by the way he took considerable care in portraying this larger- than-life character.

There's a mention about how similar yet different Routh to Reeve is. And I agree. You notice he's a splitting image of Reeve, it's uncanny. His face, voice, mannerisms. I had never imagined that there would be another man looking like Reeve. But if you watch closely, you'll also notice that he brings in a different flair and makes this dignified hero his own. Storyline aside, he brings in that quiet, inner strength, sensitivity and tenderness; a "soft-spoken" persona. To me, Routh makes the movie.

Kate Bosworth performs Lois Lane just fine. Less mature (partly because of her youth), at times comes across as whiny than worldly and fragile than fearless, a little on the lukewarm side, but she isn't disappointing. Not too fond of the bland kid though; I thought he should have been cuter, more mischievous and energetic.

Not too keen about the asinine plot of Lex Luthor, and I do agree that Kevin Spacey should have been given more screentime, but the ones that he's in are menacingly good and hilarious. Parker Posey is a perfect sidekick and should have been give more to do.

Overall, it's an elegant blend of action, fantasy and romance. "Batman Begins" may be the better film, but Superman will always be my superhero. All I can say is... he is BACK!  

"Click"

Hysterically funny physical comedy and moving piece of high drama. The jokes are crude, excessive and tiresome. But somehow the flick clicks (pardon the pub). The first act is preditably entertaining. But when the story takes a dramatic turn, it surprisingly packs an emotional wallop. The underlying message is loud and clear. It takes the audience along for the heartrending journey of a lost soul. It becomes one of those stories that makes us question ourselves, "Would you do it if you could?"  

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/y8e5she

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"The Devil Wears Prada"

Fashionably fun, frothy, fabulous. Light, glossy, entertaining, like a fashion magazine, it boasts fine acting from key and supporting roles. Merryl Streep plays the glitzy, pitch-forked diva to perfection; sharp yet understated. Anne Hatheway gives an endearing performance as an aspiring, bright-eyed new grad. Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt steal the scenes and hit all the right notes. Nothing exceptional, but it's a chic gateway to the glamorous world of high couture. Makes me want to hop on a plane to New York & Paris!  

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/ya3wdxs

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"Crash" & "The Constant Gardener"

One far-flung and the other tightly knit - both are profound, spellbinding, thought-provoking, emotionally-shattering stories with epic-level impact.  

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/ycucyuy
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/yc43ccb

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"The Lake House"

Slow, shimmering, it's a delicate dance of romance that tortures and tantalizes. I liked how it all wondrously ties up together in the end. Somehow, it just makes sense. The likeable stars are the saving grace of the plot-holed story. Moving at a snail pace at times, the genuine chemistry between Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock sustains the magic. Simply sweet, charming. Adored them both together since their speedy coupling on a moving bus. Their earnest performances makes me believe that these two really do belong together and their desires to be together could conquer that little problem called time-travel.

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