Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Taking of Pelham 123 - 2009


Category: Movie

Genre: Thriller / Suspense


Director: Tony Scott


Writer: Brian Helgeland, John Godey.


Tagline:


Cast: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, Luis Guzman, Victor Gojcaj, John Turturro, Michael Rispolli, Ramon Rodriguez, James Gandolfini, John Benjamin Hickey, Alex Kahluzsky and more.


Overview and Review of The Taking of Pelham 123 directed by Tony Scott.

Four armed men hijacked a subway train(Pelham 123) in Manhattan , New York. The leader calls himself Ryder(John Travolta) and he connects by phone with Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) who was a dispatcher watching the line. Garber was a supervisor in MTA but was demoted while under investigation since he was accused for bribery. Ryder demands $10 million within an hour and he would kill a hostage every minute after an hour till the money arrives.

I read that this was a movie remake of 1974 film. I like the character of Walter Garber. I haven't seen the original film, so i can't say anything about it. The movie is intense all through out and provided good action. For people who wants to see a good suspense in a subway, this is a good movie for that. :)

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Legally Blondes - 2009

Category: Movies Genre: Chick Flick / Teens / Director: Savage Steve Holland Writer: Amanda Brown, Chad Gomez Creasey Cast: Milly Rosso, Becky Rosso, Christopher Cousins, Brittany Curran, Lisa Banes, Curtis Armstrong, Rose Abdoo, Bobby Campo, Chad Broskey, Chloe Bridges, Kunal Sharma, Christoph Sanders, Tanya Chisholm and more. Overview and Review of Legally Blondes directed by Savage Steve Holland.

The youngest twin cousins of Elle Woods (from Legally Blonde 1 and 2) namely, Annie and Izzy Woods are moving from England to California. In California, they went to the same school Elle Woods attended, a very strict Prep School for rich kids. But, the two cousins got on partial scholarship. They made friends and enemies out of the place.

I had trouble with getting used to the accent of the two twins. For awhile, I thought they were speaking different language. The storyline of the movie Legally Blonde 1 and 2 are the same with this one, the only difference is that it is in High School.

This one is a good movie for teenies but not for people who wants to waste time. oh well. :P

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I Love You, Beth Cooper - 2009


Category: Movie

Genre: Chick Flick / Teens / Love


Director: Chris Columbus

Writer: Larry Doyle


Tagline: Five Little Words Can Change Your Life


Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack T. Carpenter, Lauren London, Lauren Storm, Shawn Roberts, Jared Keeso, Brendan Penny, Marie Avgeropoulus, Josh Emerson, Alan Rock


Overview and Review of I Love You, Beth Cooper Directed by Chris Columbus.

Dennis Cooverman(Paul Rust) has this outstanding love for Beth Cooper(Hayden Panettiere) the head cheerleader, of their school. Convinced by his best friend Rich Munsch(Jack T. Carpenter) that it was a now-or-never thing to admit his outstanding love to Beth Cooper when he gives out his Valedictorian Speech during Graduation Day. But, he also offended a few people in the speech among them was Beth Cooper's army boyfriend, Kevin (Shawn Roberts). After the speech would be the start of a wild adventure that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

It was an-a-ok film. One film for teens who are about to leave high school. It's fun.. although i find it a bit korny and predictable most of the time.. but, well.. it was a decent enough movie... just enjoy the reckless driving and the wild adventure they all have.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Australia - 2008


Category : Movie

Genre: Adventure / Drama / History

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Writers: Stuart Beattie, Baz Luhrmann


Producers: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Bazmark Films, Screenwest

Tagline: The moment they came together was the moment the world blew apart.


Cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman, Brandon Walters, David Gulpill, Tony Barry, David Wenham, Wa Yuen, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown, Ben Mendelsohn, Jacek Koman, Sandy Gore, Arthur Dignam,


Overview and Review of the movie Australia directed by Baz Lyhrmann

Before the beginning of World War II, an English aristocrat named Sarah Ashley(Nicole Kidman) inherits a huge cattle station in northern Australia when her husband Lord Maitland Ashley died. English cattle barons King Carney wants to take her land, and when she found out about this she joins forces with Drover (Hugh Jackman) to drive 2,000 head of cattle across the country's most unforgiving land.

It was a bit long but I was hooked to the story. I love all the characters. I am even attracted to Drover's personality. *sigh.. swoons* I like the soundtrack which was specifically made for the movie, great screenplay..
I love the accent. I love the kid's singing. Every character was engaging. I specially enjoyed King George and Nallah

One of the best movie's ive seen so far..

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Bright Star - 2009


Category: Movie

Genre: Romance / Drama


Director: Jane Campion


Writer: Jane Campion


Tagline: A thing of beauty is a joy forever. / First Love Burns Brightest


Cast: Ben Whishaw, Abbie Cornish, Paul Schneider, Kerry Fox, Edie Martin, Thomas Sangster, Claudie Blakley, Gerard Monaco, Antonia Campbell Hughes, Samuel Roukin and more


Overview and Review of the movie Bright Star directed and written by Jane Campion.

This is a movie about the secret love affair between 18th century poet, John Keats (Ben Whishaw), and Frances "Fanny" Brawne (Abbie Cornish). Fanny is a seamstress and is obsessed with fashion while John is into poetry and literature. They weren't both impressed with each other at first with their varied interest.

Fanny says: "my stitching's have done better than what you mares do with your scribblings put together."

Fanny hears that Keats was nursing his sick younger brother, Tom who had Tuberculosis , and her efforts to help touched John Keats and then later she asked him to teach her about poetry.

Fanny's mother grew alarmed and Keat's friend Mr. Charles Brown tried to tell the two lovers how it's not wise to fall in love with each other. Mr. Charles Brown constantly reminds them of that and he appears to be an antagonist between the romance. But, it was a love that has outer complications. Such as, John Keats being broke and cannot marry someone yet. He has to make a living. Tis and Tat.

The story is very simple, but somehow the movie romanticized the ordinary. It is very engaging. And it makes you love everything about it specially the way everything was spelled out in "simple elegance". I just love the cinematography. I love the beautiful cinematic scenes. Those flowers, the laughter, the butterflies, the fields of lavender, the trees, the winter, the spring. The transitions were good and romantic. The powerful sensation and scenes the young lovers had were very poignant. There would be times were there were no dialogues needed. Just raw emotion and the scene. This is how a simple... story should be delivered. :)

Both Ben Whishaw and Abbie Cornish did a brilliant great job depicting the characters. Scenes were very authentic, charming and endearing.

I like how Fanny's siblings were depicted, the olden way. They were always chaperoned. And the guy was a gent to respect that. Not everyone respects that these days. Only a chosen few. Margaret "Toots" was a sweet young sister. So innocent. And his brother Samuel was gallant and noble enough.

For people who loves poetry and romance coupled with tragedy.. this movie is for you.

Lines I enjoyed:

Fanny: You know I'd do anything for you...
Keats: I have a conscience..

Keats: There's a holiness to a heart's affection that you know nothing about!

Keats: Forever young, Forever panting.

Keats: I almost wish we were butterflies and could live three summer’s days – three such days with you could fill with more delight than 50 common years ever contain


Friday, April 16, 2010

Camp Rock - 2008


Category: TV Movie

Genre: Teens / Musical

Director: Matthew Diamond


Writer: Karin Gist, Regina Hicks,


Tagline: This s
ummer is gonna Rock!

Cast: Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, Meaghan Jette Martin, Maria Canals-Barrera, Alyson Stoner, Julie Brown, Daniel Fathers, Anna Marie Perez de Tagle, Jasmine Richards, Jordan Francis, Roshon Fegan and more.


Overview and Review of the movie Camp Rock directed by Matthew Diamond.


This tv movie centered on a girl named Mitchie Torress (Demi Lovato) who wanted so much to go to a summer musical camp called "Camp Rock". She loves music and is a closet singer/composer. Her mom who got a job to cater to the Camp finally got her in on a discount.

On the other hand, Connect 3 band members Nate (Nick Jonas) and Jason (Kevin Jonas) accompanies Shane Gray (Joe Jonas) to go to Camp Rock to teach dance class as penance for misbehaving in public.

It's a nice good, teenie story. But, i think i'm way too old for these movies. Those teens who are into the Jonas Brother's would sure enjoy this. Same ol plot something you can figure out. :) Entertaining, still. ;)

Some Quote...

Shane Gray: So here's some advice. It's not all about your image. None of it means anything unless people see who you really are. And your music has to be who you really are. It's gotta show how you feel, or it doesn't mean anything.


Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A Moment To Remember - 2004

Nae meorisokui jiwoogae - Korean Title

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Romance


Director: John H. Lee


Writer: Yeong-Ha Kim / John H. Lee


Producer: CJ Entertainment, Sidus Pictures

Cast: Woo-sung Jung, Ye-jin Son, Jong-hak Baek, Sun-jin Lee, Sang-gyu Park, Hyi-Ryeong Kim, Bu-Seon Kim.

This movie was based on a Korean TV series Pure Soul.

Su-Jin is exiting an affair with a married man, and Chol-Su is working for Su-Jin's father as a foreman, and when they finally meet for the second time, Su-jin felt it was something that's meant to be.

Their love is affectionate although the guy tends to be a cynic sometimes while Su-jin is ever the sweet, fun-loving girl and then they both got married and their love is almost too good to be true... Su-Jin suddenly contracts Alzheimer's disease which runs in her family, and the tragic struggle they face both is threatening and at the same strengthening their love....

It's about falling in love, letting go of past mistakes, starting a new life, losing one's memory, dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer's.

Made me cry big time! Its amazing how Koreans are experts at pulling your heartstrings. The cinematography was great and I love how they focused on the moments together with the couple and it makes everything so special and endearing.

Both actors did a very good job. You get attached to the two and their sweet moments together. *sigh**swoons*

Lines I Love:

Cheol-Su: When a memory's gone.... so is the soul.

Su-jin's mom: A haircut doesn't help you forget the past. Time will heal everything.

Su jin's dad: To forget easily is a gift. Let go of your past mistakes and make a fresh start.

Cheol-Su: If we live together, will we die together too? People come and go. Thats life.


Su-jin's Dad: Carpentry is a holy vocation. You know what's the difference of a real carpenter and the sham ones? The sham ones always complains at the shop. The real ones, sees the texture. What's the texture? Same thing with people. You were all wrong. I saw your texture.

Su-jin: Forgiving isnt that hard. It's like giving the person a plain old room. A true carpenter is the one that can build his home with a heart. But in this house that you built, you gave all the rooms away to your mother and your hate. Forgiving is giving your hate just a little room in your heart.

Su-jin:
What good is love if i'll forget everything?
Cheol-Su: I'll remember everything for you! If you forget everything, ill pop out from nowhere and hit on you everyday. It's like permanent dating.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Clash of the Titans - 2010


Category: Movie

Genre: Epic / Mythology

Director: Louis Leterrier

Writer: Travis Beacham / Phil Hay

Tagline: The Clash Begins 2.4.2010

Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Flemyng, Gemma Arterton, Alexa Davalos, Tine Staplefeldt, Mads Mikkelsen, Luke Evans

Overview and Review of the movie Clash of the Titans directed by Louis Leterrier.

This is about a war exploding between the gods and man. This was set in the city of Argos in Greece with King Cepheus(Vincent Regan) and Queen Cassiopeia(Polly Walker). Perseus (Sam Worthington) who was raised as a fisherman was brought to Argos since he was the only survivor of the recent attack done by Hades which killed his human family. The family who fostered him. Perseus later finds out he is actually a demi-god. Perseus wants to avenge the death of his family. However it is already Perseus' destiny to rescue the city of Argos from the avenging Hades and the monster Kraken. Perseus then leads a band of soldiers on a quest to defeat Hades.

I enjoyed the movie. Although, i have to say it did focus on the action scenes and the graphics that it lacked the connection between Perseus and the audience. The depth of Perseus` character wasn't depicted well. It's not a dragging movie but it's too much of a "rush". I was thinking they'd do battle against the gods. it was more of like Hades vs. Perseus. Not, gods and men. Oh well.

I'm not well versed in mythology but i knew there were a few alterations to the original mythology. And i heard, Kraken is not even Greek mythology at all. Although, the narration was good. At least, you get oriented to where the movie was headed.

Oh and it's a clean movie. No kissing scene or any sexual content. At least, the one I saw. Lol.

All in all? It's an average film. Entertaining, yes. Story wise, not really.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind - 2004


Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Love


Director: Michel Gondry

Writer: Charlie Kaufman, Michel Gondry


Tagline: I already forget how I used to feel about you.


Cast: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Gerry Robert Byrne, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, Thomas Jay Ryan, Mark Ruffalo, Jane Adams, David Cross, Tom Wilkenson, Ryan Whitney.


Overview and Review of the movie Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind directed by Michel Gondry.


Joel (Jim Carrey) wakes up on a Valentine's day and heads off to a beach in Montauk instead of heading for work. He then, meets a lady named Clementine(Kate Winslet) whose hair was dyed blue and chats up in a train. They did not know that they were lovers in the past. Clementine erased her memory about Joel and when Joel found out he also had his memories of Clementine erased. But, as the memories were being played in order to be erased he later realized he doesn't want to lose the memory of Clementine and him together.

What a lovely movie, this is. Sometimes, in the midst of aridity and disenchantment of a romantic relationship and day to day living, you tend to forget the good feeling you had together. Being happy when you were together. It's amazing, yes one can have his memory erased but still even if they don't recognize each other, the feeling - the connection will always be there. This just goes to show: "What God has brought together, let no one put asunder."

I like this quote:

Joel: Constantly talking, isn't necessarily communicating.

Joel: Is there any risk of brain damage?
Dr. Howard: Well, technically speaking, the operation is brain damage, but it's on a par with a night of heavy drinking. Nothing you'll miss.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Confessions of a Shopaholic - 2009


Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Chick Flick

Director: P.J. Hogan

Writer: Tracey Jackson, Tim Firth and more

Tagline: All she ever wanted was a little credit...

Cast: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Fred Armisen, Leslie Bibb, Lynn Redgrave, Robert Stanton

Overview and Review of the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic directed by P.J. Hogan.

Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) from New York a journalist, a certified "shop-aholic" who happens to be a compulsive liar and is currently into deep with her debts because of her credit cards. She always dreams of working in a fashion magazine named "Alette" but landed in a financial magazine called "Successful Saving" run by Luke Brandon (Hugh Dancy) and gave her a column called: "The Girl in the Green Scarf". And she's becoming a sensation in all of the business people and making waves.

It's a nice cute story about "shopping". Rebecca sure made a poetic description of shopping and you can see how she loved it. :) It's fun and entertaining. I like the scene with Rebecca's dad at the freezing lake.

Im liking the actor.. and I love the poetic descriptions of shopping. :P Yay!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde - 2003


Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Chick Flick


Director: Charles Herman Wurmfeld

Writer: Amanda Brown / Eve Ahlert


Tagline: This summer. . . justice is blonde.


Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Sally Field, Regina King, Jennifer Coolidge, Bruce McGill, Dana Ivey,Mary Lynn Rajskub, Jessica Cauffiel, Alanna Ubach, J Barton, Stanley Anderson


Overview and Review of the movie Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde directed by Charles Herman Wurmfeld and written by Amanda Brown and Eve Ahlert.


Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) is a Harvard lawyer pushing for a bill that is against animal testing and heads to Washington D.C. to pass the bill. She then simultaneously, plans her wedding while trying to pass the bill.

It's a chick flick very entertaining to ages 13 and above. Not exactly that uh great... but... well.. that's it. :) I'm sure the lawyers won't enjoy this. But, i had a fun time.. it's like dolly-fying the law scene or Washington D.C. in this case. :)

I like the quote: "An honest voice is louder than a crowd's"

Quotes from IMDB:

Elle: Hello, Patriots! I don't think I've been this excited since Gucci became a publicly-traded company.
Timothy McGinn: Oh my God, it's capital Barbie.
Reena: She's so... shiny.

Emmett: You fall asleep during the West Wing.
Elle: Yeah, but have you seen what they're wearing?

Emmett: You know what I thought when I first met you?
Elle: God, that woman wears a lot of pink?

Elle: So speak up, America. Speak up for the home of the brave. Speak up for the land of the free gift with purchase. Speak up, America!

Elle: Paulette, I taught Bruiser to shop online, I think I can handle congress.

Stanford Marks: You're the girl with the perfumed poo-poo bags, aren't you?
Elle: Actually I'm the woman with the scented waste receptacles, but yes

Friday, April 2, 2010

The Ice Limit - Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child



Category: Books

Genre: Thriller / Sci-Fi


Author: Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child


Overview and Review of the Ice Limit written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. :)

This book began about Rene Masangkay(a Filipino) finding the largest meteorite, entombed in an island called "Isla Desolacion" near Cape Horn in Chile for millions of years but died in the process. This attracts the attention of a billionaire, Palmer Lloyd, a collector of many rare, valuable things who was also building a museum.

Lloyd then hires Eli Glinn, the President of EES (Effective Engineering Solutions, Inc.) to move the meteorite from Chile to the US. It will make the history, because at 4,000 tons it will be the heaviest object ever moved by mankind. Glinn, was perfect for the job since he is known for never ever failing. The effort to move the meteorite will be the most expensive, secretive and sophisticated salvage mission ever. Lloyd also got Sam Mcfarlane a meteorite expert to get it on the project. Since he was Rene Masangkay's ex partner.

Along the way a disgraced Chilean navy officer is out to stop the expedition, while a brutal Pacific storm is raging toward them.


What is the Ice Limit?
The Ice Limit - is where freezing water around Antarctica meet the warmer northern waters of the Atlantic and Pacific. Oceanographers call it the Antarctic Convergence. It's known for impenetrable fogs and of course extremely dangerous ice.

I enjoyed the book in between. I have been so busy it took me a long time to finish this. But, nevertheless it was interesting and thrilling. It was well-researched, you'd get to know things about Engineering, Geology, and all that. It's a great scientific adventure of high seas, high risks and high thrill. This one is not to be missed. :)

Echelon Conspiracy - 2009


Category: Movie

Genre: Mystery / Information Technology

Director: Greg Marcks

Writer: Michael Nitsberg, Kevin Elders

Tagline: Security comes at a price...

Cast: Shane West, Edward Burns, Ving Rhames, Jonathan Pryce, Tamara Feldman, Yuriy Kutsenko Surgey Gubanov, Martin Sheen, Ilan Goodman, Todd Jensen, Steven Elder, Sandra De Sousa.

Overview and Review of Echelon Conspiracy Directed by Greg Marcks.

Max Peterson(Shane West) is a techno-computer engineer who travels around the globe to install security systems on mainframe computers. In Bangkok, Thailand on one of his jobs he receives an anonymous gift: a state of the art mobie phone which sends messages that gives him insider trader information.

Max soon finds himself pursed by hit men, the casino's security chief, and an FBI operative. Who is sending Max messages? Previous recipients of similar windfalls have all winded up dead. After a couple of close scrapes, Max realizes he's in danger, so he tries to find out the root of the conspiracy - which seems to have access to every security camera in the world - before he's the next victim.

I enjoy conspiracy theories but I think this pretty much looks like a rip off of "Eagle Eye" and "I-Robot". This is my first time to see "Shane West" after the "A Walk to Remember" movie. He played the part well. This movie is not exactly that good "story wise" but well, it is entertaining alright.

If you like technology coupled with spies and conspiracy theories this is one movie you can watch. :)

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Before Sunset - 2004


Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Romance


Director: Richard Linklater


Writer: Richard Linklater, Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy


Tagline: What if you had a second chance with the one that got away?


Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Vemon Dobtcheff

Overview and Review of the movie Before Sunset directed by Richard Linklater and written by Ethan, Julie and Richard. :)
A sequel to the movie Before Sunrise....

Jesse(Ethan Hawke), who is now an author of a best selling book from the US, and Celine(Julie Delpy), a Frenchwoman working as an activist for an environment protection organization, met nine years ago on the train from Budapest to Vienna, and they meet again when Jesse arrives in Paris for a reading of his new book at a bookstore.

As they have only a few hours until his plane leaves, they stroll through Paris, talking about their experiences, views and about the "connection" they have for each other.

I've noticed they were much wiser and were talking almost Zen-like, about living in the moment. That the happiness is in the doing, not the destination. They still have the connection and they conversed real good, it was as if they've shared their whole lives together. and yet, to think they've only been physically together once... and never shared numbers or anything.

This movie also got me to thinking about marriage and all that. Specially, when Jesse was talking about his: " I feel like I'm running a small nursery with someone I used to date." I clearly dont want to marry someone who is not IN LOVE with me. *Sigh* I also like this line: "I'd rather be alone than be with someone else and feel lonely."

It's a nice, unique movie. And I like the ending.... it was an open one.. like they did before. Brilliant movie, I have to say. Brilliantly simple! Engaging, although might have been boring to some. ;)

Also.. it was also literally exactly after 9 years when this was movie was released... Before Sunrise was 1995. Yay!

Lines I Love:

Celine: They enjoy the goal but not the process. But the reality of it is that the true work of improving things is in the little achievements of the day.

Celine: You can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful specific details.

Jesse: At least now we don't have to pretend that each new sexual experience is a life-altering event.
Celine: I know. By now, you know, you've stuck it in so many places, it's like about to fall off.
Jesse: Yeah, you know, and I can't realistically expect that you've become anything but a total ho, at this point.
Celine: Yeah, thank you.

Jesse: I heard this story once about when the Germans were occupying Paris and they had to retreat back. They wired Notre Dame to blow, but they had to leave one guy in charge of hitting the switch. And the guy, the soldier, he couldn't do it. You know, he just sat there, knocked out by how beautiful the place was. And then when the allied troops came in, they found all the explosives just lying there and the switch unturned, and they found the same thing at Sacre Couer, Eiffel Tower. Couple other places I think...
: Is that true?
Jesse: I don't know. I always liked the story, though.

Jesse: You want to know why I wrote that stupid book?
Celine: Why?
Jesse: So that you might come to a reading in Paris and I could walk up to you and ask, "Where the fuck were you?"
Celine: [laughing] No - you thought I'd be here today?
Jesse: I'm serious. I think I wrote it, in a way, to try to find you.
Celine: Okay, that's - I know that's not true, but that's sweet of you to say.
Jesse: I think it is true.

Jesse: Oh, God, why weren't you there, in Vienna?
Celine: I told you why.
Jesse: Well, I know why, I just - I wish you would have been. Our lives might have been so much different.
Celine: You think so?
Jesse: I actually do.
Celine: Maybe not. Maybe, we would have hated each other eventually.
Jesse: Oh what, like we hate each other now?
Celine: You know, maybe we're - we're only good at brief encounters, walking around in European cities in warm climate.

Jesse: Oh, God, why didn't we exchange phone numbers and stuff? Why didn't we do that?
Celine: Because we were young and stupid.
Jesse: Do you think we still are?
Celine: I guess when you're young, you just believe there'll be many people with whom you'll connect with. Later in life, you realize it only happens a few times.
Jesse: And you can screw it up, you know, misconnect.