Top 10 Biggest Box Office Headlines of 2010

Taking a careful look at each ledger, tally sheet and budgetary report to come out of Hollywood, NextMovie comes up with the top 10 biggest box office headlines of 2010:  http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/biggest-box-office-news-2010/

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10 Best Movie Quotes of 2010

The most memorable movie lines require three things: They must sound like something a real person would, you know, actually say; they must be smarter, funnier and snappier than what a real person would actually say (this sounds like it would contradict the first point, but it doesn't); and they must have a great actor to give them a great delivery.

Check out this article on MTV Movies for the 10 best movie quotes of 2010:

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/12/30/best-movie-quotes-2010/

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Note: "Black Swan"

"Black Swan" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-black-swan/ It will be posted on the blog next week.

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"Tron: Legacy"

While I've never seen the original "Tron" (1982) and I don't play video games, my interest in "Tron: Legacy" was piqued after I attended the experimentally interactive panel at Comic-Con this past summer.

During the panel, Skywalker Sound was on hand. We were instructed to recite certain words (DE-REZ, RIN-ZLER) that appeared on the screen and stomp our feet. These noises from 6,000 plus audience in Hall H were recorded live to hopefully be used later as the chants of the spectator crowds circling the glassy gladiator arena.

In "Tron: Legacy," Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), a direction-less and daredevil son of former Encom software engineer and CEO Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), receives startling news from Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), his father’s old partner. Alan has been paged from a disconnected number located in the long-closed video game arcade where his father used to work 20 years ago. While skeptical, Sam stops by the dust-covered arcade to investigate and gets transported into the virtual world that his missing father has engineered and discovers his entrapment.

Kevin's vision to create an ideal utopia has backfired; there's no such thing as perfection in the "real world". His doppelganger Clu (a digitized, younger version of Jeff Bridges), assisted by his right-hand soldier, Rinzler (Anis Cheurfa), takes control and builds an army of programs with the intention of getting out and moving into our world. The "real" Kevin now resides mountains away in a sterile shelter within the grid. Reunited with his son and aided by a cyber warrior named Quorra (Olivia Wilde), Sam and Kevin plot for an escape. Michael Sheen makes a cameo as a caricature club owner (Zuse), whose motive is soon known.

I'm not sure how some could compare "Tron: Legacy" with groundbreaking "Avatar."  For me there's no comparison; "Avatar" has the whole package. In another universe, last year's "Star Trek" excels on its storytelling and characterizations. In "Tron: Legacy," the philosophical-technical babbles are not easily understood. And the lack of human elements makes the frigid atmosphere even harsher. Bridges is the only one who manages to instill warmth into his character.

After a while, the ever-glowing splash of neon colors against the dark and whitewashed background become monotonous and tire the eyes. The races and battles turn into somewhat of a blur. The closing sight of natural sunlight off the grid is truly welcoming to sore eyes. "Tron: Legacy" is technically 'trontastic,' but nothing else.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-tron-legacy/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/28zc3tv

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/26pgv7g

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Upcoming Movies: January 2011

[Note: "Black Swan" review will be up soon]

1/14 - "The Green Hornet" (http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thegreenhornet/)

1/21 - "The Company Men" (http://www.thecompanymenfilm.com/)
1/28 - "The Mechanic" (http://www.themechanicmovie.com/)

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Just For Fun: Christmas Favorite

Your favorite Christmas cartoon special can say a lot about you. Santa or Grinch, Frosty or Rudolph - who you like defines your personality in some ways. 

Check out this article on Newsweek:

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/12/06/frosty-vs-rudolph-what-christmas-specials-say.html.html

Happy Holidays!

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Note: "Tron: Legacy"

"Tron: Legacy" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-tron-legacy/  It will be posted on the blog next week.

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Movie Trivia: "Two Roles, One Actor"

[Note: "Tron: Legacy" review will be up on Tuesday]

This year Jeff Bridges play two roles in "Tron: Legacy (Kevin Flynn and 'Clu') and Armie Hammer in "The Social Network" (Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss).  

Check out this article on Yahoo to see movies where actors play against themselves:

http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/collections/gallery/3155/two-roles-one-actor#photo0

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"The Tourist"

Angelina Jolie. Johnny Depp. Venice. Va-va-voom, right? Not quite. Billed as a romantic thriller, "The Tourist" fails to ignite the thrill or the romance.

After receiving a note from her unseen lover, Alexander Pearce, Elise Clifton-Ward (Jolie) boards a train from Paris to Venice. She hasn't seen him in two years and meeting him in Venice for a rendezvous. Trouble is, Alexander is a wanted man. Formerly a personal banker to mobster billionaire Reginald Shaw (Steven Berkoff), he has stolen 2.3 billion euros from him and is wanted in 14 countries. The government spends 8 millions in sting operation to recoup 744 millions in back taxes.

On the train, Elise approaches a stranger, Frank Tupelo (Depp) and strikes up a flirtatious conversation. She needs him as decoy to distract the army of men in black, hit men and Interpol alike, in pursuit of her paramour. A brokenhearted math teacher from Wisconsin with the same height and weight as Alexander, he's the perfect cover to be dragged into this trap.

Soon enough, Elise and Frank dodges bullets and evades chases through the Venetian canals - although not for long. Who's going to get to them first? The gangsters or the agents? Are Scotland Yard's Inspector John Acheson (Paul Bettany) and Chief Inspector Jones (Timothy Dalton) running in circles or closing in? Is the mysterious man (Rufus Sewell) leading a trail for capture? When Elise confesses that Frank is part of the plan, which plan is it? And just where is Alexander Pearce?

As Elise, impeccably styled Jolie acts like a porcelain doll and struts like a runway model. She seems to draw glances and whispers from everyone on her path. Perhaps the biggest surprise is that she and Depp have zero chemistry together. It pains me to say that Depp, known for his versatility, is miscast here as the bewildered 'average Joe,' and mismatched with polished Elise. Although toward the end I could see why he's interested in this role.

The dreadful dialogues and plot holes do not help. The bumbling actions are likely intentional, but they appear out of frame compared to those in an over-the-top movie like this year's rambunctious "Red." When the final twist is disclosed, there's no masterful reveal that would induce the kind of gasp as one would expect, which is another blow considering it's written by one of the writers who penned the unusual "The Usual Suspects" (Christopher McQuarrie).

It's not clear whether the movie intends to be a romantic thriller, action spy or caper comedy. It certainly doesn't live up to its potentials. "The Tourist" is pretty to gaze at for its glamorous superstars and setting, but that's pretty much it.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-tourist/ 

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/25hjamw

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2010: The Year In Films

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Golden Globe Nominations & "Best Film"

Golden Globe nominations are out: http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/golden-globe-nominations-2011-announced/

I've been asked what I think about "The Best" film of the year... "The Social Network" (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/the-social-network). In second place (actually, if I could pick two, they're tied for first place for different reasons), "Inception" (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/inception-0).

I haven't seen "Black Swan," so that may be rounding up the top three.

As far as the most entertaining movie of the year, it's "Red" (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/red) for me. In second place is "A-Team" (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/the-a-team-85). Of course, the 'geek' in me is also leaning toward "Iron Man 2" (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/iron-man-2-514)

[Side note: if you read the blog, the reviews are in their original versions. They're reviewed by an editor before being published on the San Diego Entertainer Magazine, so occasionally they may be very slightly different].
__________________________________

***HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY*** http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/holiday-giveaway

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Note: "The Tourist"

"The Tourist" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-tourist/  It will be posted on the blog next week.

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"The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

'Narnia: Dawn Treader' is a magical voyage that shows that we have to defeat the "evil" in us - greed; for superficial beauty, wealth and power.

_________________________________________

My fellow columnist at SD Entertainer, child film critic Perry Chen*** specializing in kid-friendly movies, gives 'Dawn Treader' a 3.5 "stafish" rating. Full review is available at: http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-chronicles-narnia-voyage-dawn-treader-exploration-journey/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/232az8w

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***At 10, Perry Chen is the youngest award-winning entertainment critic, TV personality, Annie Awards presenter, filmmaker/animator, and radio host, reviewing movies and entertainment from a child’s perspective. He has been interviewed by Katie Couric (CBS Evening News) and Liane Hansen (NPR). He has interviewed Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera, director & producer of Pixar's "Up." Perry is currently partnering with an Oscar-nominated animator, Bill Plympton, in a new animation about the Holocaust (2011 release).

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Holiday Giveaway

CSN Stores Group (http://www.csnstores.com/) is going to offer one reader of this blog a $35 gift certificate in time for the holidays. From cookware & serveware, bed & bath, briefcase & suitcase, furniture & fixture, home & garden, to travel accessories, CSN Stores has 200+ stores online with a convenient checkout.

In addition, a second reader will receive a FREE movie pass from UltraStar Theaters.
Entry requirement: Post a link to The MovieMaven blog (http://themoviemaven.posterous.com) on your Facebook OR Twitter OR blog (your choice) with a quick (1-2 lines) blurb, OR tell a friend to subscribe and send an e-mail (indotransserv@gmail.com).

Deadline is December 16, 2010, 11:59 p.m. PST.

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"The Next Three Days"

If you believe the unbelievable turn of Russell Crowe's mild-mannered professor-turned-expert criminal character and just-in-time luck, "The Next Three Days" is an awesome "prison break" movie!

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2bsxqa6

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"Hemingway's Garden of Eden"

"Hemingway's Garden of Eden" is not on my original list of December movies, but I'll be attending the press screening.

Based on a novel by Ernest Hemingway:

"Set in the jazz age years, prior to the depression, the story follows a successful young American writer, David Bourne (Jack Huston), and his beautiful new wife, Catherine (Mena Suvari), on their extended honeymoon in Europe. Catherine soon becomes restless and starts to tests her husband's devotion, pushing him to the limits of her imagination. Already unsure of the games his wife is playing, David is both uncomfortable and curious when she brings a sultry Italian girl, Marita (Caterina Murino), to spice things up. As the erotic game reaches new levels, the events that follow will change their lives forever."

"Hemingway's Garden of Eden" opens on limited release on December 10, 2010.  

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"Love & Other Drugs"

[From advanced press screening]

If you catch the "Love & Other Drugs" trailer recently and expect to see a cute story of boy meets girl... beware. It's a hard R-rated romcom - more on the comedy side but with doses of sappiness - for adult audience. It shouldn't be confused with a mild PG-13 romcom.

Jake Gyllenhaal (Jamie Randall) and Anne Hathaway (Maggie Murdock) reunite after their distinctive roles in "Brokeback Mountain." Jamie as a smooth-talker drug rep and a player among the ladies, and Maggie as a carefree artist with Parkinson's disease.
 After an eye-popping encounter during an examination in a doctor's office (Hank Azaria), Jamie and Maggie seem inseparable while maintaining a non-committal relationship. Smitten and bitten by a love bug, the two share caring and heartbreaking moments. What started as a purely physical relationship is becoming real.

Things are complicated by Jamie's fast-track career to the top of the pharmaceutical industry and Maggie's incurable condition. They recognize the true person and potential behind the other's persona. Love may be the ultimate drug of all.

With product placements as co-star, it makes you question whether a certain drug prescribed to a patient is the best choice or because it's the one gets peddled by overzealous reps, with the likes of Jamie (and his boss, played by Oliver Platt) and Trey Hannigan (Gabriel Macht), to medical offices and hospitals. Josh Randall (Josh Gad), Jamie's wealthy, geeky brother cheers on and tags along for the ride with his gross-out gags. 

The movie relies heavily on the couple's chemistry and all-around, in-your-face saucy antics and lewd humor. Its attempts to equally appeal to both male and female audiences come across as fragmented. Nevertheless, Hathaway deserves kudos for her sensitive portrayal amidst all the excessively gratuitous shots and crudeness. Gyllenhaal wears both aggressive and lovesick look well.  

Personally, raunchy comedy is not my "cup of tea," but those who are into movies like "Knocked Up" or "40-Year Old Virgin" may find it just plain fun. 

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-love-drugs/ 

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/25w4mo4

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Press Screening: "Love & Other Drugs"

Note: Original post dated 11/22/10 got deleted.

I attended the press screening a few weeks ago as a backup reviewer for SD Entertainer. The review has been submitted but the site is down due to a technical glitch.

"Love & Other Drugs" opens nationwide on November 24.
_______________________

11/24/10 *Update* http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-love-drugs/

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"Tangled"

"Tangled" is a fun fairy tale with a modern twist and a message to follow our dream.  The mass of bright lanterns floating in the night skies is magical.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2fdy7l8

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My fellow columnist at SD Entertainer, child film critic Perry Chen*** specializing in kid-friendly movies, gives "Tangled" a 4.5-"stafish" rating. Full review is available at: http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-tangled/

***At 10, Perry Chen is the youngest award-winning entertainment critic, TV personality, Annie Awards presenter, filmmaker/animator, and radio host, reviewing movies and entertainment from a child’s perspective. He has been interviewed by Katie Couric (CBS Evening News) and Liane Hansen (NPR). He has interviewed Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera, director & producer of Pixar's "Up." Perry is currently partnering with an Oscar-nominated animator, Bill Plympton, in a new animation about the Holocaust (2011 release).

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"Faster"

*Press Screening*

"The Rock" is back in furious form (no "Tooth Fairy" here) and it's good to see what he does best.  

Having been released from prison after 10 years, muscle-bound "Driver" (Dwayne Johnson) sprints toward freedom and finds his ride.  He single-mindedly hunts and guns down those who set up and ambushed his gang after a bank robbery getaway and executed his brother in cold blood.

With high-strung "Killer" (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), deadbeat "Cop" (Billy Bob Thornton) and inquisitive "Detective" (Carla Gugino) in pursuit, it's a race for Driver to finish his job. Telemarketer, sex offender, strip club bouncer, priest (and eventually leader) have nowhere to hide. "God can't save you from me," as Driver states with a straight face.  

It's a stark story (the main characters don't even have names). There's no confusion or hesitation as far as what Driver sets out to do, although Cop may have his own reason to chase other than justice. In a supporting role as Cop's wife, Moon Bloodgood holds a connection that shouldn't be dismissed. Killer provides a tad of flash with his "movie-star" good looks, cash, requisite sports car and beautiful woman (Maggie Grace).

"Faster" is a Dwayne Johnson movie; kill first and talk later. It's nothing more, nothing less and that's what I expected.

"Faster" opens nationwide on November 24.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-faster/

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-faster/
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/25bgrf7

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"Unstoppable"

Tony Scott-Denzel Washington's collaborations ("The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3," "Deja Vu," "Man on Fire") mirror those of superbly recurring director-actor combo, Martin Scorsese-Leonardo DiCaprio and Tim Burton-Johnny Depp. They work together so well that you can bet you'll get a stellar work on the screen.

"Unstoppable" is inspired by a true event in 2001 where a train departed from a railyard in Ohio, unmanned for 66 miles. There was no casualty in that incident, but the movie steps up the suspense by taking on the "what-if?" scenario.

There is an air of resentment when veteran railroad engineer Frank Barnes (Washington) meets his junior, Will Colson (Chris Pine, "Star Trek") on his first day on the job as a rail conductor. The situation reflects an all too real "new economy" where some baby boomers are forced to retire and replaced by their younger counterparts. As a new kid on the block, the one who gets the job based on nepotism no less, Will isn't eager to hear the ridicules and sarcastically shoots back.

Fright hits the rail center managed by Connie Hooper (Rosario Dawson) when a freight train, loaded with tons of toxic chemicals, accidentally runs sans its engineer (Ethan Suplee) at full-throttle speed. Unless stopped or derailed, this "missile on wheels" (with the size of the Chrysler building) will continue to barrel down past the farmlands and small towns, and eventually through an elevated curvy track toward a densely populated city of Stanton (population of 752,000). 'Galvin' (Kevin Dunn), Connie's supervisor at corporate (and his higher-up), more concerned about the company's potentially plummeting stock prices, leads the botched attempt to stop the train on its track.

With the unmanned train picking up speed to 75 mph and the possibility of failed derailment ahead, Frank and Will take the hazardous matter into their own hands. While they don't necessarily turn into buddies, they've developed a rapport. They talk about their families - widower Frank with two teenage daughters working their way through college, and Will as a father of a toddler son with a wife who has filed a restraining order against him.

Frank and Will are ordinary people placed in an out-of-ordinary situation who decide to do the extraordinary. They pursue the train with the plan to attach their locomotive from reverse and slow it down to a halt. The most nail-biting moment happens when Will, stormed by gravels, is missing from view. Frank's jumping from the back of one car to another is pure adrenaline rush. With a last-minute assistance from another railyard personnel, 'Ned' (Lew Temple), driving a pickup truck parallel to the track, Will and Frank put an end to this treacherous trajectory at last.

The undercarriage shots of the speeding metal and rumbling of locomotive commotions strike a contrast with the wooded greens and tranquility of rural Pennsylvania. Washington's fist-pumping scene atop the train is triumphantly iconic.

The efficient, edge-of-your seat execution can be attributed to its capable cast and crew. The simplistic story about a runaway train in "Unstoppable" is, plain and simple, unstoppably good.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-unstoppable/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/36mhajw

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/323peka

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Black Friday: Movies-TV Deals

Look for favorite DVDs to be priced as low as $1.99 and blu-ray discs $5 in "Movies & TV Lightning Deals," running November 22-29 (Thanksgiving week through Cyber Monday) on Amazon.  

"Movies & TV Lightning Deals" are available at limited quantity and time-specific (different DVDs are only available within 4-hour window and must be purchased within 15 minutes once you put it in your shopping cart).  

***Bookmark "Movies & TV Lightning Deals" page and check back daily for selections and specially discounted prices: http://tinyurl.com/2f7fm7p

"Regular" deals are also available at: http://tinyurl.com/2f24x9t  

Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S.  Movie DVDs and online streaming sites are now posted on the right-hand side of the blog.

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Upcoming Movies: December 2010

12/3 - "Black Swan" (ltd.) (http://www.foxsearchlight.com/blackswan/)
12/10 - "The Tourist" (http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thetourist/), "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," (http://www.narnia.com/us/), "The Company Men" (http://www.thecompanymenfilm.com/)
12/17 - "Tron: Legacy" (http://disney.go.com/tron/)
12/22 - "Gulliver's Travels" (http://www.gulliverstravelsthemovie.com/)

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Note: "Unstoppable"

"Unstoppable" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/movie-review-unstoppable/  The review will be posted on the blog next week.

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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Top Money-Saving Sites

Potential discounted movie tickets are available at:
Bulk Tix - http://www.bulktix.com/
Discount Movie Passes - http://www.discountmoviepasses.com/
Get1Free - http://www.get1free.com/
MovieBuzzed - http://www.moviebuzzed.com/
Movie Ticket Savings - http://www.movieticketsavings.com/

Of course, the most convenient way is to always carry your frequent movie-goer card from your favorite theater and accumulate those points for free tickets and concession food & beverage.

On a separate note, non-movie daily bargain links (50-90% off) are now listed under "Hot Deals" on the right-hand side of the blog by "Top Resources." I personally have used the majority of these sites for all kinds of services and saved tons.

Happy savings!

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Just For Fun: Movie Personality

What's your movie personality?  Action?  Drama?  Adventure?  Romance?  Comedy?  Horror?  Take a quiz and find out!

http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/Movie-Personality-Quiz.aspx
http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=1471
http://www.funquizcards.com/quiz/movies/find-your-movie-personality.php

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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"Megamind"

"Megamind" tackles nature vs. nurture, expected roles, society obligations vs. free will. It bucks the traditional story of good winning over evil; the good guy beats the bad guy and gets the girl in the end.
While Metroman crash-landed from space into luxury on earth, Megamind into prison. Would Metroman live up to the superhero hype and Megamind be forever destined for villainy? What happens when there's a new evil in town?
Big blue-headed and lanky Megamind (Will Ferrell), and his relationships with fishy minion-guardian and reporter Roxanne Ritchie (Tina Fey), are front and center. Metroman, as flashy hero as he's introduced, turns out to be no more than a minor role in their playing (or fighting) ground called Metro City.
The physical contortions and the bells and whistles are fun to watch, but the jokes are wickedly funny. Like "The Incredibles," the lines are written for adults. I don't think kids would understand the "big words" banters or a play of on the slogan used in the Obama political campaign.
In the world of heroes vs. villains, mistaken identity, and lifelong rivalry, the story has an original twist. "Megamind" is mega-fantastic!

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My fellow columnist at SD Entertainer, child film critic Perry Chen*** specializing in kid-friendly movies, gives "Megamind" a 4-"stafish" rating.  Full review is available at:  http://tinyurl.com/28a9sxs

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/26y22og

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/29lvu8g

***At 10, Perry Chen is the youngest award-winning entertainment critic, TV personality, Annie Awards presenter, filmmaker/animator, and radio host, reviewing movies and entertainment from a child’s perspective. He has been interviewed by Katie Couric (CBS Evening News) and Liane Hansen (NPR). He has interviewed Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera, director & producer of Pixar's "Up." Perry is currently partnering with an Oscar-nominated animator, Bill Plympton, in a new animation about the Holocaust (2011 release).

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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Movie Trend: Big Brother

Movie theaters soon to begin watching you.  One company is developing a system that will watch moviegoers to help analyze their reactions for film directors, cinema advertisers, and theater chains.

Read full story at Moviefone:

http://tinyurl.com/38j8f4s

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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Top Resources

Top movie-related sites are now posted on the right-hand side of the page under "Top Resources" at http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/  Informative, interesting, fun resources - including but not limited to free advance screenings, pop culture convention, upcoming trailers, bloopers, spoilers, studio tours, star-studded premieres, be in a movie as an extra.

Comic-Con - http://www.comic-con.org/
Film Metro - http://www.filmmetro.com/
GoFoBo - http://www.gofobo.com/
Wild About Movies - http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/
Be In A Movie - http://www.beinamovie.com/
Coming Soon - http://www.comingsoon.net/
Hollywood Tickets - http://www.hollywoodtickets.com/
Movie Bloopers - http://www.moviemistakes.com/
MovieFone - http://www.moviefone.com/
Movie Spoilers - http://www.themoviespoiler.com/
The Oscars - http://oscar.go.com/
Seeing-Stars - http://www.seeing-stars.com/Calendar/index.shtml

***Top non-movie sites for daily bargains are now listed under "Hot Deals" at http://themoviemaven.posterous.com

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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"Hereafter"

I was dragging my feet to see "Hereafter."  I'm not into paranormal or supernatural story, but the trailer looks mystifyingly interesting, and the director's name attached to it, Clint Eastwood ("Mystic River," "Million Dollar Baby"), is hard to ignore. 

The introductory pieces, giving glimpses into the lives of three characters in different countries (famed French journalist Marie LeLay, Cécile De France; jaded San Franciscan psychic-turned-factory worker George Lonegan, Matt Damon; English twin boys Marcus/Jason, Frankie/George McLaren), start dramatically.

The most powerful opening is arguably Marie's, who nearly dies during her vacation in Indonesia after the destructive tsunami wipes out villages and thousands of people.  However, the twin boys' situation, at the hands of an addicted, irresponsible mother, (Lyndsey Marshal) and the needless accident, is insufferable. 

In another continent, George undeniably feels that being able to connect with the deceased is a curse, as seen from his failures of having normal relationships.  The price of having this "gift," including the ability of making money out of it, might be unduly high.  Knowing everything about someone's past, even a love interest (Bryce Dallas Howard), may not be as it's cracked up to be. 

"Hereafter" is steadily slow, but never loses my attention.  There's a pensive aura throughout, but not necessarily depressive.  The trailer makes us believe that this is a "supernatural" film, which may demystify questions such as:  What happens when we die?  Will we see bright white lights?  Does everything fade into black?  Are we truly gone?   Are we watching over the people we leave behind?  Can someone really communicate with the departed and relay the message to the living?  While the trailer may beg these questions, "Hereafter" is largely a drama - with a supernatural element. 

"Hereafter" shows how an everyday act - something that you're doing or not doing - can result in an incident that changes the course of your life, and link you to another human being that you would never have otherwise.  It shows that no matter how precious (or how awful) someone had been to you, life goes on and somehow you'd have to find a way to cope and move on.  Don't go in expecting insight into the afterlife; "Hereafter" mostly deals with here and now. 

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/22tu42x

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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2011 Comic-Con

If you're going to next year's Comic-Con (July 21-24, 2011) and didn't get your ticket in advance at the convention this past July, just a reminder that registration is open to the public this Monday, November 1 at 9 a.m. PDT.  With 125,000 of visitors, the world's largest pop-culture event has been sold out in the last few years.  Even if you're still in the "thinking about it" stage, GET YOUR PASS NOW!  If you don't, you WON'T get in.

http://comic-con.org/

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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Note: "Hereafter"

"Hereafter" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/

The review will be posted on the blog next week.

Posted via email from The MovieMaven

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"RED"

After thrilling times at the last two movies led by Bruce Willis (“Live Free or Die Hard,” “Surrogates”), I was expecting more of the same with “Red” (Retired Extremely Dangerous). While it’s not as preposterously outrageous as “A-Team,” I haven’t had this much brainless fun with a movie since early this summer!

Powered up by an all-star, veteran cast having a rollicking good time, the graphic novel adaptation of “Red” is running wild. Fierily carefree, these retired oldsters could easily beat their younger counterparts by a round of shots and some.

When I saw Bruce Willis stumping for the movie at Comic-Con this year, I was surprised to learn about the Helen Mirren bit. At that time, I never heard of “Red” before (I was there waiting for Angelina Jolie to make an appearance on the “Salt” panel). All doubts were erased when the trailer was shown. With a stern, rifle-totting Mirren looking more than competent to kick butt and her muttering “I kill people, dear,” I was instantly sold.

On the heels of being assailed in his own home in the dark of the night, tough-looking, soft-spoken Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) rushes out to find Sarah Moss (Mary-Louise Parker), an employee of Department of Pension whom he has romantic interest in. Previously he’s been ripping off his checks so that he could call and chat with her, while she’s been chatting him up about foreign travels and romance novels.

Willis does seem like the kind of CIA operative who takes down drug lords, terrorists and governments. Parker is impeccable with her wide-eyed, nutty expressions and comedic timing. There’s a hysterical exchange at her place when the two first meet in person. And the conversation in the car about their “first date” is positively gut-busting. The coolest, singular scene involves Willis stepping out of a spinning car and onto his feet firing.

Together Frank and Sarah drive across the country to find his former CIA buddies; Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman), Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) and “Victoria” (Helen Mirren).
With CIA agents William Cooper (Karl Urban) and Cynthia Wilkes (Rebecca Pidgeon) hot on their trails, the team is racing against time to uncover war crimes involving a top-ranking U.S. government official. Richard Dreyfuss makes a cameo as Alexander Dunning, a man with ties to the White House, and his role in the conspiracy becomes clear toward the end.

Willis rocks with his break in-and-out of CIA headquarters and dragged-out fist fights. Malkovich is an absolute riot as the eccentric paranoid Marvin. You’ve never seen an underground compound until you see Marvin’s! Definitely do not call him an “old man” and take it easy with the grenade or bazooka. Freeman, initially seen living in a retirement home, might be the closest one to being a mellow retired agent – although don’t count him out yet (or underestimate his punch!) Armed and dangerous Mirren does her part and fits right in with the boys, all the while connecting with an old flame.

“Red” is the summer blockbuster that we never had… it’s over-the-top, comically combustible ride that we don’t ever want to stop.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/3yzasch

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/2ego3dt

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Upcoming Movies: November 2010

11/05 - "Megamind" (http://www.megamind.com/), "Fair Game" (http://www.fairgame-movie.com/)
11/10 - "Morning Glory" (http://www.morningglorymovie.com/)
11/12 - "Unstoppable" (http://www.unstoppablemovie.com/), "Skyline" (http://www.iamrogue.com/skyline/)
11/19 - "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1" (http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthedeathlyhallows/)

11/24 - "Tangled" (http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/tangled/)

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Missing Review: "Gamer"

"Gamer" is officially one of the most atrocious movies I've ever seen. Forget the gore-fest, crass acts and underground raves-like; the ultra-dizzying camera cuts and shakes, fever-pitch noises, stark blinding colors are seizure-inducing. While the premise is positively intriguing, there's no redeeming quality whatsoever. Even Gerard Butler can't save this wearisome, senseless mayhem (and it's the villain, Michael C. Hall, who keeps me from walking out of the theater - not Butler). This is a 90-minute movie that felt like 2+ hours. The game's way over before the credit rolls!

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2avjb2e

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Missing Review: "Australia"

A sweeping tear-jerker across the outback. With overly long running time (2 hours and 45 minutes!), uneven pacing, subplots-juggling, climatic non-ending and anti-climatic ending, it's still worth seeing if you're a romantic at heart and may be appeased by the pairing of Australia's own glamorous stars (Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman).  

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/26h6h9w

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Missing Review: "The Punisher" & "Punisher: War Zone"

"The Punisher" (Thomas Jane) /"Punisher: War Zone" (Ray Stevenson) is a real hard-core, gory to the bone - but it's true to its vengeful comic roots. With the massacre of all his family members forever engraved on his mind, Frank Castle (aka "the Punisher") is one vigilante who knows no bounds. When it comes to disassembling his foes, cruelty doesn't faze him. It's brutally awesome!

DVD (2004): http://tinyurl.com/2b93yq5

DVD (2008): http://tinyurl.com/2ak6th5

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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***FREE Advance Movie Screenings***

For a list of upcoming FREE movie screenings and to print your passes, sign up at:

Film Metro - http://www.filmmetro.com/

GoBoFo - http://www.gofobo.com/

Wild About Movies - http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/

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***Special Note: Future Movie Reviews***

Due to a recent agreement with the San Diego Entertainer Magazine and because the publication is indexed by Google News, future movie reviews (as long as I'm a contributing writer and columnist for the publication) will be posted after they're published there (in order to avoid simultenaous duplication). Reviews will be posted on the blog after they "fall off" of SD Entertainer's front page or later.

The latest updates are available at http://www.sdentertainer.com/author/naryani (or simply http://www.sdentertainer.com early/mid-week post opening weekend), although there will be instances where brief reviews will appear on the blog only (publications typically have a 350-word requirement). As a comparison, "Avatar" (a favorite of mine) is just under 250 words. "A-Team" is around 350 words and "The Social Network" is close to 950 words.

"Red" has just been submitted for approval and should be up in the next day or two.

On a separate note, while the majority of reviews from years past have been "recovered," some are still missing (although not every movie is reviewed; with the mass number of movies watched, it wouldn't be humanly possible :-P). If found or recalled from memory, "mini" reviews of older movies may appear on rare ocassions.

Lastly, as 2010 is drawing to a close, I'm looking back to the last decade and putting together a list of movies that have made the most impression in my mind. Stay tuned!

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"Waiting for Superman"

Last week I was offered a free pass by Perry Chen*** to see the premier of a documentary film by David Guggenheim, "Waiting for Superman." School reform is stonewalled by rigid, varied federal, state, city, district bureaucracies. "No Child Left Behind" only produces 20-30% of students competent at their grade level. It's virtually impossible to get rid of bad teachers due to strict union rules. And incompetent teachers hardly ever lose their licenses compared to lawyers or doctors. Keeping an inmate alive in prison for a year costs more than double than sending a child to a public school. 'Superman' is a disgraceful, macro-and-microscopic portrait of our broken school system.  

***At 10, Perry Chen is the youngest award-winning entertainment critic, TV personality, Annie Awards presenter, filmmaker/animator, and radio host, reviewing movies and entertainment a child’s perspective. He has been interviewed by Katie Couric (CBS Evening News) and Liane Hansen (NPR). He has interviewed Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera, director & producer of Pixar's "Up." Perry is currently partnering with an Oscar-nominated animator, Bill Plympton, in a new animation about the Holocaust (2011 release).

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2fqos64

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"The Social Network"

Along with "Inception," "The Social Network" is one of my most anticipated films of the year, which turns out to be equally phenomenal. A controversial cultural phenomenon, Facebook has revolutionized the way people connect and communicate on a global (and personal) level.

David Fincher ("The Fight Club," "Se7en," "Zodiac," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") and Aaron Sorkin ("A Few Good Men," "The West Wing," "Charlie Wilson's War") have teamed up to tell the story behind the founding of Facebook and the meteoric rise of its founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Clear direction, brisk script, snappy dialogues and canny acting make this fact-based fiction, pieced together from depositions of two lawsuits, a compelling character study and social experimentation.

In 2003, 19-year old Mark (Jesse Eisenberg) is inebriated and upset. He has just been dumped by his girlfriend, Erica Albright (Rooney Mara), in a bar, and he can't get to the most exclusive, final clubs at Harvard. In his dorm room, he spitefully blogs about Erica and hacks into the school's directory of houses. The result is facemash.com, a website that rates the hotness of female students. It results in 22,000 votes in two hours and crashes the university network. All of a sudden, Mark, a genius, nerdy techie, becomes one of the 'cool' kids on the block. Never mind that he gets grilled by the ad board and receives six months of academic suspension.

Mark's notoriety draws the attention of twin rowing athletes and future Olympians, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (Armie Hammer and Josh Pence), and a partner Divya Narendra (Max Minghella). They approach him to do programming work on an online dating site called Harvard Connection (later changed to Connect U). Meanwhile, a light bulb goes off; their conversation about the concept of the site becomes the inspiration of his own site.

Mark turns to his best friend, Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield), for assistance on the business end as co-founder and CFO. Eduardo is onboard and bankroll the future company with $1,000 of seed money. Bidding his time for more than 40 days, Mark works tirelessly - on his own project - and appears to have neglected the Harvard Connection site. His site is shortly known as The Facebook, where Harvard students can post their profile and pictures, and exclusively connect with one another. "Facebook me" or 'friend' me becomes the hottest invitation on campus. It's also interesting to see how the "relationship status" (who's hooking up and breaking up) comes about. Realizing that Mark has taken their initial idea and spins it around into something of his own, the Harvard Connection trio fume and pursue legal actions.

Like wildfire, The Facebook's expansion is inevitable. Ivy-league schools, and soon other universities, are onboard. Conflicts soon ensue. Eduardo, thinking like a "normal" businessman, attempts to garner advertisers' money to further fund the site. In the meantime, it just so happens that Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake), the nearly broke founder of music-sharing site Napster (sued by the music industry), finds The Facebook by accident and connects with Mark. The two find themselves on the same wild wavelength, with Mark looking up to Sean as the more experienced business partner.
Sooner than later, at Sean's suggestion, Mark moves his company to Palo Alto, Calif., where the movers and shakers of leading edge technology and venture capitalists reside, for the summer. He recruits the brightest and craziest interns through programming competitions and rounds of beer shots. Eduardo, however, remains in New York for an internship in the beginning, while willingly putting up $18K for the business.

When an angel investor, Peter Thiel (Wallace Langham), co-founder of PayPal, invests $500K in the company, everything is moving like a speeding bullet train. While Mark and the other co-founders, publicist Chris Hughes (Patrick Mapel) and programmer Dustin Moskovitz (Joseph Mazzello), steadfastly maintain their respective stocks in the company, Eduardo, finds himself blindsided and left behind. His shares (originally 30% when he co-founded the company) are so diluted and dwindle down to virtually nil, and his name removed from the masthead.

For all intents and purposes of the film, Eisenberg is on the mark. His mind and mannerisms depict Mark's brilliance, arrogance and irreverence like one-of-a-kind wunderkind that he is. It's enough to make me ponder - if Mark didn't have that kind of temperament and acted the way he did, would he ever become "The Mark Zuckerberg?" It's probably true that "you don't get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies." Garfield's portrayal of Eduardo, as the more logical and rational one (by ordinary standard), is sympathetic. On a side note, after Tobey Mcguire is out of the picture, I wasn't looking forward to Garfield being 'Spidey' in the upcoming reboot of "Spiderman," but I certainly am now. Timberlake portrays Sean with smugness and obnoxiousness convincingly.

"The Social Network" is a story about a socially inept kid sitting on a sideline, striving to fit in and wanting to be popular. It's a story about friendships, loyalty, distrust, betrayal, ambition, invention, connections, opportunities and success beyond any imagination.

Mark Zuckerberg, at the age 26, is the most famous face of generation Y and the youngest billionaire in the world. It may take another lifetime to see another Zuckerberg, if ever. In the end, he settles with the Winklevoss duo for 65 millions. Saverin receives an undisclosed sum of settlement and has his name reinstated as co-founder. Later on he reportedly ends up owning 5% shares.

The Facebook, or now is simply known as 'Facebook,' is valued at 25 billion. From zero to 1,000 to 1 million members, it grows exponentially into 500 million members in 207 countries.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2cnl2wl

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"Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps"

With "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" Oliver Stone provides a blast from the past that has never been so relevant to the state of times.

Serving an eight-year sentence on the charges of insider trading and securities fraud, Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) is released in 2001 with no one to greet him at the door of freedom. Fast forward to 2008, Gordon has milked his experience, and is now a sought-after book author ("Is Greed Good?") and speaker. Never missed a beat, he foretells the great financial crisis of 2008 and promotes his book in front of the "ninja generation" (lost generation facing chronic unemployment).

Douglas is back at the top of his game with his sharp and smarmy Gekko persona. He projects an authoritative presence that dominates the screens he shares with estranged daughter, journalist Winnie (Carey Mulligan) and soon-to-be fiance, stockbroker Jake Moore (Shia LeBouf).

Winnie blames Gordon for what he's done and the lost of her brother who overdosed and died. LeBouf (who wouldn't be on my roster for playing this role), known for his blockbuster "Transfomer" and "Indiana Jones" movies, doesn't pull off the financial whiz look believably. But he's surprisingly good with his love-hate dynamic with Gordon and shrewd trading efforts in bridging a father-and-daughter reconciliation. Young and idealist, he specializes in green energy idolizes his mentor, Louis Zabel (Frank Langella).

Mulligan plays off Douglas well as the emotional anchor in the relationship. When it comes to his infamous father, she knows that nothing is neither straightforward nor simple.

Has prison changed Gordon? Does he truly want to reconcile with her daughter? When confronted with dollar signs to the tune of $100 million, is time really the primary asset in life or is it too high of a price? What does Winnie know that Jake doesn't? Can Jake be trusted or does he have his own agenda?

In the meantime, years of reckless excess and abandonment slowly but surely spirals Wall Street out-of-control. The Manhattan skyline is marvelously outlined, following the ups and downs of the market. Greed gets greedier (and apparently legal) because everyone is now "drinking from the same koolaid." Mortgage-backed securities, leveraged debts, government bailout make their way into our vocabularies.

"Pious piranha" Bretton James (Josh Brolin) pushes Zabel's firm over the edge, along with its chief. He offers to buy out the shares at $3 each during a terse Federal Reserve meeting, plunging from $79 per share in the month prior. Together with Gordon, Jake worms its way into Bretton's side and plots for revenge (although it can be said that his illegal dealing is ultimately his own downfall).

The complexity of the transactions may not be easily understood in laymen terms (then again, had they made sense, we probably wouldn't have been in this mess in the first place!), but the story centers on money manipulation as much as family relationships. 'Wall Street' may not rock the charts, but it's pretty much right on the money as far as entertainment value goes.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2dx99am

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"The Town"

Ben Aflleck goes back to his roots and puts on a director's cap with "The Town," a gritty realist crime drama that has become the talk of town. After his directorial debut of powerfully shocking "Gone Baby Gone" and a second solid return, he proves that directing is in the cards for him(perhaps more so than acting).  

Set in Charlestown, a rough blue-collar suburb of Boston, the town has been a breeding ground for criminals for generations; murderers, armed robbers, carjackers. Mafia head (Pete Postlethwaite) brazenly conducts businesses behind innocuous storefront and strong-arms even hard-core perpetrators.

Having a convicted killer felon as a father (Chris Cooper) and a mother who left him (there's more than meets the eye) at six years old, Doug MacRay (Affleck), goes back to town after his short career in pro-hockey ended before it began. He joins the brotherhood of crimes; James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker"), Albert Magloan (Slaine) and Owen Burke (Desmond Eden). Sleazy sister Krista Coughlin (Blake Lively, "Gossip Girl") with a kid, presumably Doug's, rounds up the main players. While the story revolves around Doug and this may be Affleck's film, Jeremy is the star here. His trigger-happy James can turn predictable into unpredictable.

Doug's fate seems to be sealed in crime, until he falls for and pursues a relationship with a bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall), whose bank he has robbed, and is blissfully unaware about the real identity of her new guy. Complications soon arise as the FBI (Jon Hamm and Titus Welliver) is closing in and Claire is clued in.

The Bostonian fast-talks among tightly-knit characters occupies a lot of screen time, but it's evenly enthralling. There's a stretch of chase-and-getaway sequences that will keep your pulse racing. And the rapid-fire shootouts during the Fenway heist to the finish is adrenaline-pumping good.

Doug is clearly a bad guy; there's no shade of gray about it. I don't normally root for the bad guy, but somehow I found myself pulling for an escape route for him - and to give him an earnest chance to truly turn his life around. The ending, which could have swerved differently, is as realistic as it can be and it's just "right" at different levels.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2dmscnq

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"The American"

I don't know how to make of "The American." It's not an action spy movie and it's not a suspense thriller either. If you're expecting a fast-paced flashy "James Bond," a gritty "Bourne," or even an international intrigue like "The International" (starring Clive Owen), you'd be sorely disappointed. It's simply not that kind of movie. The trailer is misleading, unfortunately. It's a foreign film set in a foreign country, which happens to star George Clooney, as yes, the only American.

Jack (or Edward - who knows), a former assassin-for-hire, lives a secluded life in a remote, picturesque Italian village on a hill. Constantly fearing for his life, he's persistently paranoid and always looking over his shoulder - for good reason. It seems that his past has caught up with him; other gun-trotting, shadowy figures are tracking him down. Although it can be said that when Jack's on the job, he doesn't leave anything behind.

For whatever reason, he agrees to accept a one last assignment from his obscured employer. And this time, he doesn't even have to kill. His job is to build a custom-made weapon, a compact rifle with machine gun capability. He's had exchanges with the buyer, a femme fatale with ever-changing hairdo (Thekla Reuten), to ensure that the specs will be precisely as ordered. Along the way, he has lurid encounters with a prostitute (Violante Placido), and somehow lust turns into love. He also befriends a priest (Paolo Bonacelli) with a sordid past.

"The American" is more like a character-centric drama (or rather, lack of the latter) with a languorous pace. It's been dubbed as a "character study" or "mood film." I am actually one of those who believe there's a beauty in silence and subtleties, but here the story just isn't there for me.

We're subjected to almost-still pictures of the day in-and-out in the life of a one-dimensional character. It's as if someone takes a camera, points and shoots at the minutiae of what someone does from the moment he wakes up in the morning until he goes to bed at night - only against the backdrop of majestic vistas.

For a character-centric film, it lacks a lot - background, history, motivations, emotions, meaningful connections - in other words, all the dimensions that would make Jack's character compelling. Whilst the ending exposes the purpose of his last job and hits the intended target with a bulls eye accuracy, I'm afraid that it's a little too late to care when everything comes to a disastrous end.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2bemwgd

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"Eat Pray Love"

Having never read Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir, "Eat Pray Love," I came in with a clean slate, although I couldn't help looking forward to this adaptation with all the surrounding build-up. At the very least, this film should bear resemblance to Diane Lane's sunny journey in "Under the Tuscan Sun," or as pleasant and heartwarming as this year's travelogues, "Leap Year" and "Letters to Juliet."

World-travel, on its own, has always had an amazing appeal to me - learning about different routes of life, history, art, culture, architecture, people, food, and experiencing the kindness of strangers along the way. Born and raised in Indonesia, I was one of those kids who dreamed of traveling around the world and believed that there's something more out there for me.

While the story has all the ingredients of a best-seller book, the film is overwhelmingly underwhelming, not to mention running long past its time for this type of tale. Broken down into three segments (or four, if you count the prologue in New York) - Italy, India, Bali - it sweeps the details of Gilbert's (Julia Roberts) life events under the glossy cover.

Roberts (bless her heart), with her warmth and down-to-earth vibe, does the best she could and hopes that we would root for her. The backstory with the husband (Billy Crudup) doesn't depict the struggles and fights, those irreconcilable differences in a marriage that would lead to her exit. Instead, it's as if Gilbert wakes up one day, decides she's fallen out of love and is done for. I'd attribute it to Roberts that her desperate prayer, in which she asks for guidance from above to tell her what to do, to be believable. That's just about the only moment where I could feel her emptiness about her life.

Hopping into an affair right after with a young Broadway actor that looks like James Franco doesn't help with the image, however. Although one might argue that it is in her character; all her life she's always in one form of relationship or another. Similarly, this relationship isn't detailed here as well and Gilbert takes flight.

The film fails to mention that Gilbert has pitched the idea to trot around the globe to the publisher, and that she has received an advance to pay for the trip. It does beg the question whether she'd still go forward without. It makes the reality less 'authentic' than if she would go for broke and embark on the quest just because. A soul-searching journey, the longing to discover more about oneself and something greater, resonates well especially these days, where it's easy to become disillusioned.

Italy embodies the "eat" portion and a feast for foodies. Aside from the historic ruins and language, the parade of good food and fine wine showcases Italy as a culinary marvel. The hilarious hand-gestures and wee-hours of the morning of Thanksgiving dinner highlight this sojourn. It is true that there's a difference between pleasure and merely entertainment.

India, "pray," is the hard one. From the slum to the ashram, it's certainly a contrast to Italy. India is where the human connections seem most genuine. There's a moment in time where Gilbert connects with an Indian girl being thrown into an arranged marriage. There are meaningful walks and talks with Richard (Richard Jenkins), an American from Texas who shares about his painful past and relationship with his family.

And here Gilbert learns that just because she is at the center of a sacred place, it doesn't necessarily mean that she would feel more present. All the meditation and devotion won't do anything as long as she's in the pity-party mode, can't be still with herself and at peace with everything. Harmony and happiness are not to be pursued; they're already inside if only she could clear her mind and heart, trust and let things happen.

The beauty of Bali is shown through the rain-forests, terraced rice paddies and tropical flowers. Gilbert re-connects with Ketut Liyer, a Balinese palm-reader and healer who tells her in the beginning when she's there on assignment that she would return. She gets to know Wayan, a divorced woman with her little daughter, who grounds up traditional herbs to mend the wound on her leg after her bike was nearly run over by a jeep-driving Brazilian, Felipe (Javier Bardem), her soon-to-be export-importer lover and husband. What follows, donating a large sum of donation to Wayan so that she could buy a house, falling in love with Felipe and committing to the relationship, seem a little out of nowhere and rushed.

In the end, "Eat Pray Love" is passable but not palatable enough. When the transition process and interactions among the characters are not believable, it's hard to care. Instead of genuine emotional healing and spiritual awakening, Gilbert is simply swimming along from a river of events to another. "Eat Pray Love" is more of a romanticized travelogue, rather than a truly transformative one.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/28mc3lm

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"Inception"

Inventive and imaginative... it's breathtakingly brilliant! It's the kind of conception that can only come from a mastermind such as Christopher Nolan. "Inception" lives up to the heightened expectations and more. Just like "The Dark Knight," Nolan takes it to the next level and surpasses it. And I've got to hand it to Leonardo DiCaprio. He's played a pivotal role in "Catch Me If You Can," "The Aviator," "The Departed," "Shutter Island," and now he can add "Inception" to his impressive body of work.

The vision, plots, characters, set design, special effects, visuals, score come together like a grand symphony led by a expert conductor. Its dreamlike storytelling is hypnotic; it draws you in and not only keeps you in that world till the end, but it still leaves intrigue that lets it open for interpretation.

DiCaprio (Dom Cobb) leads his team of extractors, specializing in invading people's dreams and extracting their ideas and secrets. The team is composed of protege-architect Ariadne (Ellen Page) who constructs dreams, second-hand man Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who monitors the process, shape-shifting Eames (Tom Hardy) who can place himself in a dream and morphs into anyone, chemist Yusuf (Dileep Rao) who finds a way to induce simultaneous jolt out of the dreamers from the slumber state. If you wonder what Page is doing in this eclectic, but decidedly "adult" ensemble, halfway through the film it's clear why she's chosen. She's a real standout in this role.

The plan is to pull off this one last heist for a mysterious magnate Saito (Ken Watanabe), who can place a phone call to clear his name as a murderer so that he can return to the United States and reunite with his kids. Unlike all the other extractions, this project requires him to do the opposite; plant an idea in a tycoon's heir Robert (Cillian Murphy) to break up his belated father's empire.

Insanely intense, its multi-dimensions would command your full focus to decipher each dimension of complexity. In order for an idea to be planted successfully, it has to grow organically in the mind and consume that person. And what makes it complicated is that certain people have natural defenses that would reject this invasion of the mind.

"Inception" takes us into the abstract worlds beyond imagination. You step into different levels of subconscious hidden behind the dreams within dreams. The further up you go, the more risk it carries. In the extraction project if one dies, one would wake up. In the plantation project, however, it's a whole different rule. One could enter the limbo stage or nightmarish dream state, gets trapped for decades, and grows old there.

The realm of dreams (or nightmares) is naturally entrancing. I've had lucid dreams where I'd remember that I'm in a dream. I've had a series of dreams where the next dream would pick up exactly where it leaves off in different times. What strikes a cord is that we don't know how we end up in our dreams; we just arrive there and everything feels so real.

What would happen if you wake up but feel like the "real world" that you're awaken to is indeed the dream world? And that you couldn't wait to go back to the "dream world" because that's where reality is? What would happen if you begin to question our existence? What would you do if you truly don't know which world is reality because they both feel equally real? And if you could choose, would you rather live if a wonderful world of lies if it's better than reality?

The heartwrenching backstory hauntingly reveals the depth of Cobb's relationship with his late wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) and why he can't design the labyrinth of the dreams himself. He even can't allow himself to know the ins and outs of the construction for a certain reason. Powerfully chilling scenes provoke the mind and evoke strong emotions.

Visuals like inversely perpendicular city blocks and structures, mirrored gates, crumbling cliff walls, raising bridge, tumbling base, gravity shift, watery destructions, fiery explosions are surreally realistic. The zero-gravity floating and fighting sequences, with an ominously glorious score playing in the background, are nothing short of mesmerizing. Parallel levels of dream worlds crisscrossed with simultaneous movements. Floating, falling, breaking, chasing, exploding. Slow and agonizing moments are juxtaposed with fast and furious ones.

Mind-bending and time-twisting, disguised by dreams, "Inception" deals with reality, guilt, forgiveness and redemption. It's a thinker's film that packs as much punch as an action movie. An amazingly ambitious filmmaking, "Inception" is one-of-a-kind.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2fzkjfp

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/24r7k8e (blu-ray)

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"Special Highlight: Comic-Con"

As people began to gather their belongings and were leaving, ending the last day of hysteria in Hall H, we're asked if we'd be willing to stay just for a few more  minutes to "see something." We're expecting a trailer or something and there it was on the screen, a play on "The Avengers" logo... AND then ... the intro of Samuel Jackson aka Nick Fury, who strolled onto the stage and took the podium! The audience went wild!

Wait, wait... don't go yet! He started rattling off *names* one by one... Oh yeah, the CAST of "The Avengers." Scarlett Johansson aka "Black Widow," Clark Gregg (the agent who finds Thor's hammer), "Chris Hemmworth aka "Thor," Chris Evans aka "Captain America"... AND :::drumroll please" RDJ aka "Iron Man" himself (everyone just about *lost* it at this point!) in his typical "I.privatize.world peace" flair and rockstar suit.  He officially announced Mark Ruffalo as the "Hulk" (recast). If you've seen RDJ in person before, you'd know that he's just like his alter-ego Tony Stark, a real entertainer and crowd-pleaser. He asked whether we had seen "Inception;" he thought it's the most ambitious film he had ever seen - until he found out that Marvel was going to make the "Avengers."  Somehow during the thousands of the blitz I missed the announcement of another guy being Hawkeye, Jeremy Renner. 

They all stood shoulder-to-shoulder in front of the table on stage and pose along for pics.  WOW... this last stunt almost brought down the house!

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"Salt"

"Salt" premiers with high expectations partly (or probably, mainly) due to Angelina Jolie. I love spy-thriller movies but couldn't recall seeing one with a female lead. Jolie is, without a doubt, the obvious choice for the role. There are very few female stars who could open a blockbuster action movie. Milla Jovovich is one, Kate Beckinsale is another, but they're more fantasy-based. It would be unfair to compare "Salt" to "Wanted," as that, is fantasy-based too (bullet-bending, anyone?), as with "James Bond."

A fairer comparison would be the "Bourne" starring Matt Damon. While "Salt" didn't blow me away like "Bourne," it's a good, old-fashioned spy-thriller with a throwback to the Cold War era. And Jolie, with her physical prowess and photogenic presence, pulls off a secret agent like a pro. There are scenes that elicit oohs-and-aahs, specifically with the ways she uses a gun without shooting or chain link from her handcuff to disarm someone.

There have been female undercover operatives who are worth their salt (no pun intended). Valerie Plame is arguably the most famous case in recent history. Clandestine work is inherently alluring and I wish Salt's motivations are explored further in place of (still) over-the-top violence. In real life Salt would have bruises and broken bones all over during the continuous chase and shootout scenes, or even fall into a certain death.

I do appreciate purposeful acts that may seem minor are built in to give a touch of realism. You can't help but notice the way she removes her stilettos before taking off running or jumping sideways gradually down through the elevator shaft instead of leaping straight down like a superhuman. Adding flashback scenes to her training days at Langley and exploring the relationship with her handler would add more depth to the story.

So just who is Evelyn Salt? What's her allegiance? Is she a CIA agent gone rouge? What about her husband? Does she really get framed? If so, by whom and for what purpose? How would she prove herself on the haunt? Or could it be that she is indeed a double agent?

All of these questions surprisingly get answered in the end. And the closing scene doesn't tie everything up; instead, get ready for a sequel!  "Salt" is a relatively tasty summer treat.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/25cg375

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2bab22c (blu-ray)

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"Jonah Hex"

Incorrigible - non-existent character development with a story that's barely there. Now, I'm a fan of putting slices of a storyline together, but the execution is dicey (or a lot left on the cutting flor). Not to mention loud, LOUD. There's SO much meaningless firepower. If you expect this to be a unique sci-fi western, beware! It's western (with a sliver of supernatural element). It's a shame that it wastes talents such as Josh Brolin and John Malkovich. If you're going in and hoping to see a lot of Megan Fox, don't bother. She has minor scenes and her "acting" leaves much to be desired. That said, I came with such low expectations that I ended up enjoying it mildly.  

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2e9u3j7

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"The A-Team"

Preposterously outrageous, "A-Team" is A-AWEsome! Big, bold, bawdy death-defying stunts that stun.

To those in the audience who are not familiar with the TV series from the 1980s, the movie opens with Mexico, providing about the background of the band formation of the fearless foursome. Liam Neeson as Hannibal is the brain of the operations; Bradley Cooper as 'Face' is easy-on-the-eyes all-around go-to guy; Quinton Jackson as Barracus is the big brawn with a teddy-bear heart and a flying-phobe; and Sharlto Copley (virtually unknown prior to last year's "District 9") is the insanely frenzied super-pilot. The buddy-chemistry cranks up the scenes; I was bowled over with laughter.

8 years and 80 missions later, they go to Baghdad on a black ops mission to recover millions in money plates. Predictably, they're setup by a conspiracy - without anyone in authority who could vouch for said mission, and subsequently find themselves court-marshalled and imprisoned. Chaos ensues. There's the army (Gerald McRaney), CIA (Patrick Wilson), mercenaries (Brian Bloom), Arab figure, Face's former flame (Jessica Biel). Who double-crosses who? Who's friend and who's foe? Who dunnit?

None will argue that the plot is muddled, the "strategies" are flawed, or that such actions are implausible to execute. Never fear - the plans of distraction, diversion and division launch the fireworks and that's all it matters. Commandeering a flying tank while shooting out drones in the sky? Sniper-shooting a building window and breaking into a room at hundreds of feet in the air? Skidding down a skyscraper among shards of glass? No big deal.

This is one of those "mission impossible" movies that thrives on the thrill of the skills in pulling off such impossible missions on accelerated speed, and dodging dramatic crashes and blasts. It propels 'cool' to the next level. No brain power required - enjoy the ride!

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/24x5jgm

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"Prince of Persia: Sands of Time"

A popcorn epic blockbuster fits for a prince (or princess). PoP has Jerry Bruckheimer's signature all over it. BIG FUN! For me it's "Pirates of the Carribean" part 1 all over again, only without Johnny Depp in it.

Jack Gyllenhaal more than makes up for it! Rogue and buff but agile and versatile, he looks and acts the part of a dashing prince, romantic hero, Dastan. As Dastan, he dexterously climbs up castle walls, leaps through rooftops, squeezes into tight spaces, gallops on horses through the desert, bungee-jumps, sword-fights with the best of them, not to mention outwits and outcharms the rest. He is the quintessential "good guy" and a parkour master to boot (for those of you who are not familiar with parkour, I'd suggest watching "District B:13" starring real-life parkour founders).

As a street kid, he was adopted by the King of Persia, who was impressed by his good heart and bravery. After deftly devising a strategy to conquer Alamut, a staggered village-city suspected for harboring a "weapon of mass destruction" (a jab at the previous administration), the king ends up dead and he's accused for the murder and going after the crown.

On the run for his life from his royal brothers and the Persian army and trying to clear his name, he and Princess Tamina (Gemma Arteton), the ruler of the conquered city and protector of the magical dagger, reluctantly end up on the rides of their lives together. Anybody who possesses the dagger has the potential to rule the world because it could reverse time if the jewel atop the dagger is pressed.

Honestly, I was surprised that the movie was an adaptation of a video game. The story works because all the elements are there. Fantasy. Action. Adventure. Humor. Romance. It's a "logical" fantasy with a sense of realism in a sublime set pieces and complemented with spectacular special effects. A heroic, dashing prince with a beautiful heroine, spirited princess working together for the greater good. A villain with a familiar face and familial ties to the prince (Ben Kingsley), along with snake-equipped dark forces. A sarcastic, shady sheik (Alfred Molina) in the business of ostrich racing as a sidekick with his knife-thrower sidekick. The chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Arteton is incredible that the romantic banters look so believable. The way they challenge each other, fight with one another, and join forces together come out as natural as their mutual attraction.

Exhilaratingly entertaining, PoP earns a fan who will be one of the first in line for (hopefully) the next installments of a trilogy!

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2foa54s

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/249wc7m (blu-ray)

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"Letters to Juliet"

'Juliet' is simply lovely. It has all the romantic elements of a true love that endures through time.  

Amanda Seyfried, fresh off her lead role in "Dear John," is ever-effervescent with the girl-next door look. A fact-checker with the New Yorker and an aspiring writer, Sophie travels to Verona, the city of love, with her self-absorbed fiancé, Victor (Gael Bernal Garcia) on a "pre-honeymoon"/business trip where he's there to meet with suppliers for his new restaurant. Watching the interactions between the two, I had a hard time imagining what made them a couple in the first place. They have nothing in common and live on a separate page.

While sightseeing, Sophie arrives at Juliet's courtyard (a real tourist attraction) where women (and men) leave love letters. The "secretaries of Juliet" open the letters and answers them on behalf of 'Juliet.' Curiosity gets the better of Sophie when she stumbles upon an old letter hidden in one of the wall crevices. She joins the ladies and feels compelled to answer the letter. She ends up meeting the woman who wrote it... 50 years ago, Claire (Vanessa Redgrave). Claire was torn after leaving her first love behind, Lorenzo, and going back home to London to be married to another in order to avoid the disapproval of her parents.

The letter arrives at Claire's family home. Upon reading a thought-provoking response, with her grandson in tow, Charlie (Chirstopher Egan), Claire rushes to Verona on a quest to find her Lorenzo. And so the adventure of love begins. Even after the location parameter is established, there are multiple dozens of men bearing the name Lorenzo Bartolini. There are some humorous scenes where the men seem to be quite taken by Claire's charm and warmth. The lush landscape of the Italian wine country bathing in sunlight is a natural canvas for a romance. It reminds me of another movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" starring Diane Lane.

After an encounter with a tombstone of Lorenzo, hope is fading fast. Maybe this is crazy after all. Could this be her Lorenzo? And if not, what if he didn't remember Claire? What if he's gravely ill? Or what about a wife who might possibly fly off the handle? What if...

After an emotional blowout between Sophie and Charlie in that graveyard, the trio are turning around to leave when Claire spots a young boy working in the farm with a connection to the princely owner of the vineyard, Lorenzo Bartolini (Franco Nero, Redgrave's real-life husband). Her long-lost love, Lorenzo. A seemingly chance encounter leads to the reunion of the century. Can fate be evaded? Can destiny be denied? Can soulmates reunite against all odds? The eyes, whom some say are windows to the soul, reveal the genuine connection and depth of emotions. It will warm your heart and make you believe that when something is meant to be, it will be, at the time that is deemed "right." And interestingly, in real life, Redgrave and Nero had on and off relationships for many years before they were finally married several years ago.

In the meantime, friendship grows between Sophie and Charlie. Initially "hating" each other, something's blossoming during this road trip. As stuck-up Charlie as he seems in the beginning, they both connect through sincere interest and appreciation for one another and deeper connection through the loss on the family end. While the chemistry doesn't hold a candle to the older couple, it's cute enough.

This is one of those stories, while predictable, it's a journey worth traveling. And the destination is a beautiful ending.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/2aa7czd

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"Iron Man 2"

It's out of this world ROCKED!!! 

"I.privatize.world peace" sums it all.

The novelty of "Iron Man" hasn't worn off on me. While it would never be the same as witnessing the first scene of Iron Man soaring into space and the joy of the trial and error, Iron Man is still the only one of its kind that is as grounded in future reality as it could be.

Tony Stark is one of the rare exceptions of being a publicly known superhero. And possessing the traits of a superhero, he does not. Robert Downey Jr. doesn't disappoint in the sequel wherein the world knows him not only as the billionaire weapon manufacturer extraordinaire, but more pivotally as The Man in armored suit.

RDJ is the brain, heart and soul of Iron Man. It makes me wonder whether the script was written to be specifically tailored to him. Bold and brash, he's got that smug and swagger that commands the world over. Naturally narcissistic and sarcastic, oversized just doesn't cover it as far as his ego goes. Never known for subtleties, his flashy style and fast-paced lifestyle suits him just fine - even in his quest to discover the new energy source since the arc-core machine that keeps his heart beating is also slowly poisoning his blood.

RDJ's personality carries every single scene that he's in. Numerous outrageously riotous one-liners bring on continuous giggles and laugh out-louds. Be it frivolous or witty or sarcastic, Stark goes toe-to-toe with the newly minted CEO of Stark Industries aka love-interest Pepper Pots, newly appointed eye-candy secretary with an ulterior motive aka Black Widow, Hammer the competitor with an ambitiously ambiguous agenda, or Nick Fury from yes, the upcoming Avengers team (sidenote: the geeks in us would notice Captain America's shield and Thor's hammer). Everyone seems to have so much fun and it shows. I don't recall ever laughing so hard for so long in a non-comedic movie!

And Whiplash... what an entrance! I totally didn't expect the Monaco mayhem to happen early. With connected past through their fathers, he's a worthy adversary. The Grand Prix thrill of the peril where Whiplash faces off with Stark sans suit is the stealer of the movie (and the manner in which Stark ends up donning his suit is a real treat), even more so than the last sequence of dash, smash and blast of the battle of the war machines in the end. Although the mass zig-zag laser cut or the armed superobots is the incredible icing on the metal. If there's a "flaw" in all these, Don Cheadle as war machine is too flawless to be believable. Not anyone clad in the suit is "Iron Man."

One might argue that this "Iron Man" lacks heart, but I tend to think that it's just as it's supposed to be. "Iron Man" doesn't take itself seriously; it's a nonstop joyride starring a wisecracked eccentric, atypical superhero, and it deftly delivers.

DVD:  http://tinyurl.com/2vmrzbp

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