Monday, October 25, 2010

Brideshead Revisited - 2008


Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Romance

Director: Julian Jarrold

Writer: Andrew Davies, Jeremy Brock

Producer: Ecosse Films, BBC UK, UK Film Council and more

Tagline: Privilege. Ambition. Desire. At Brideshead Everything Comes at a Price.

Cast: Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Thomas Morrison, David Barrass, Anna Madeley, Sarah Crowden, Stephie Carlile, Peter Barnes, Hayley Atwell, Patrick Malahide, Richard Teverson, Joseph Beattle, and more.

Summary and Review of the movie Brideshead Revisited.


This movie was based on a popular novel and also a miniseries. I haven't read the book nor watched the miniseries.

The movie began with Charles Ryder (Matthew Goode) at wartime stationed in Brideshead narrated about his memories of the place.This is a story of friendship, forbidden love, religiosity, homosexuality set in England prior to the Second World War.

I really did not quite get the film. I was not involved with the whole thing. Maybe, I should read the book and understand what it really is about. But, a lot of people have raved about this and all.
Not exactly my cup of tea.

Quotes:

Charles Ryder: [Internal monologue while walking out of Brideshead Castle] If you asked me now who I am, the only answer I could give with any certainty would be my name: Charles Ryder. For the rest: my loves, my hates, down even to my deepest desires, I can no longer say whether these emotions are my own, or stolen from those I once so desperately wished to be. On second thought, one emotion remains my own. Alone among the borrowed and the second-hand, as pure as that faith from which I am still in flight: Guilt.

Boy Markaster: What do you want to be an artist for? I mean, what's the point of it? Why don't you just buy a bloody camera and take a bloody photograph and stop giving yourself airs? That's what I want to know.
Charles Ryder: I don't give myself airs.
Boy Markaster: Uh, yes, you do. And anyway you haven't answered my question. Come on! Answer! Answer! Answer!
Charles Ryder: Because, a camera is a mechanical device which records a moment in time, but not what that moment means or the emotions that it evokes. Whereas, a painting, however imperfect it may be, is an expression of... feeling. An expression of love. Not just a copy of something.

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Devil Wears Prada - 2006


Category: Movie

Genre: Chick Flick


Director: David Frankel

Writers: Aline Brosh Mckenna, Lauren Weisberger,


Producer: Fox 2000 Pictures, Dune Entertainment,


Tagline: Hell on Heels


Cast: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Adrian Greiner, Tracie Thoms, Rich Sommer, Daniel Sunjata, David Marshall Grant, James Naughton and more

Summary and Review of the Movie The Devil Wears Prada.


In New York, the simple and naive Andrea Sachs who just graduated from journalism begins looking for a job. The dreams of Andrea becoming a journalist, becomes a professional challenge when she landed on a job as second assistant to the sophisticated Miranda Priestly. She is the ruthless and merciless executive of the Runway fashion magazine. Eventhough a lot of girls would die to get into her shoes and be Miranda's assistant, Andrea finds it hard to balance her friends, career and her dreams.


It's my second time to watch this movie, but i wasn't able to write a review when I watched this years back. This is one of the movies I would recommend to watch with girlfriends. :) If you are into fashion or writing you would enjoy this movie. Meryl Streep really did her part well as a nasty boss. Great. Great.

Although there's really nothing new on the plot... but.. well this sure entertained me. :)

Quotes I find Funny:

Miranda Priestly: By all means move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

Richard Sachs: What does she want you to do, call the National Guard and have her airlifted out of there?
Andy Sachs: Of course not. Could I do that?

Andy Sachs: That's not what I... no, that was different. I didn't have a choice.
Miranda Priestly: No, no, you chose. You chose to get ahead. You want this life. Those choices are necessary.
Andy Sachs: But what if this isn't what I want? I mean what if I don't wanna live the way you live?
Miranda Priestly: Oh, don't be ridiculous. Andrea. Everybody wants this. Everybody wants to be us.

Andy Sachs: She's not happy unless everyone around her is panicked, nauseous or suicidal.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

I Robot - 2004



Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi / Future

Director: Alex Proyas

Writer: Jeff Vintar and Akiva Goldsman, Isaac Asimov

Producer: Twentieth Century Fox, Mediastream Vierte Film, Davis Entertainment, Laurence Mark Productions, Overbrook Entertainment, Canlaws Productions

Tagline: Laws are made to be broken.


Cast: Will Smith, Bridget Moynahan, Shia Labeouf, Alan Tudyk, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood, Adrian Richard, Chi Mcbride, Jerry Wasserman, Fiona Hogan, Peter Shinkoda, David Haysom, Scott Heindi, Sharon Wilkins, Craig March and more.



This movie is set on year 2035, wherein robots are everyday objects and are programmed to live alongside humans. Detective Del Spooner (a Chicago technophobic cop) is being called out to investigate the apparent suicide of the scientist behind U.S. Robotics, Dr. Alfred Lanning.


It was my Nth time to watch this movie, but I never got around to review this one. I own a copy of this movie and its a wonderful movie about purpose. I like the acting of Will Smith here (funny and charming). And of course fell in love with the robot Sonnie. :)

I like the message of the story actually. Not just about laws being broken (regarding the 3 laws of robotics invented by Isaac Asimov), but about having a purpose. It's a great mix of a Hollywood movie with action and philosophy. Pretty much like The Matrix but also different.....

I really like the twist of the movie. And the part where you have to guess whether Sonny was a good guy or not....


Quotes I Like:

Del Spooner: Human beings have dreams. Even dogs have dreams, but not you, you are just a machine. An imitation of life. Can a robot write a symphony? Can a robot turn a... canvas into a beautiful masterpiece?
Sonny: Can you?

Sonny: What does this action signify? [winks]
Sonny: As you walked in the room, when you looked at the other human. What does it mean?
[winks]
Detective Del Spooner: It's a sign of trust. It's a human thing. You wouldn't understand.

Detective Del Spooner: I thought you were dead.
Sonny: Technically I was never alive, but I appreciate your concern.

Sonny: What about the others? Now that I've fulfilled my purpose, I don't know what to do.
Detective Del Spooner: I think you'll have to find your way like the rest of us, Sonny. That's what Dr. Lanning would've wanted. That's what it means to be free.

Friday, October 15, 2010

The Siege - 1998


Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Crime / Drama

Director: Edward Zwick

Writer: Lawrence Wright

Tagline:

Cast: Denzel Washington, Bruce Willis, Annette Bening, Tony Shalboub, Sami Bouajila, Ahmed Ben Larby, Mosleh Mohamed, Lianna Pai, Mark Valley, Jack Gwaitney, David Proval and more.

A series of escalating terrorist attacks were made in New York City after the US Military abducted an Islamic religious leader. The head of the FBI's Counter-Terrorism Task Force, Anthony Hubbard (Denzel Washington), would team up with a CIA operative named Elise Kraft(Annette Bening) to hunt down all the terrorist cells responsible for the series of attacks. Meanwhile, the threat of using the "Martial Law" for New York is threatening the rest of the people.

This one is one good objective film. All of the elements are here. From the terrorists, to the innocent ones, the lawmakers, the good people and the people who are so greedy of power. It's a well-made suspense film.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Bronx Tale - 1993


Category: Movie

Genre:
Crime, Drama, Family

Director:
Robert De Niro

Writer:
Chazz Palminteri

Producer: Price Entertainment, Penta Entertainment, Tribeca Productions

Tagline:
One man lives in the neighborhood, another man owns it. A devoted father battles the local crime boss for the life of his son.

Cast:
Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Lilo Brancato, Francis Capra, Taral Hicks, Kathrine Narducci, Clem Caserta, Alfred Sauchell Jr., Frank Pietrangolare, Joe Pesci, Robert D`Andrea, Fred Fishcer, Dave Salerno, and more.



Summary and Review of the movie A Bronx Tale.

Sonny the gangster is the big man in Calogero's Bronx neighborhood. Calogero always admired Sonny. One day, Calogero witnessed a shooting wherein he was asked to testify against Sonny but he did not implicate Sonny. It started a lasting bond between the gangster and Calogero which his father, a bus driver named Lorenzo disapproves.


It's quite a slow movie, but I like it. It's simple. No need for effects but the story gets to you. Each character gets to you. It's deeply moving. And I think this movie is one of the best underrated movies. About wasted talents, father and son, friendship, loyalty, and more.

Quotes I Like:

Lorenzo: The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.
Calogero: Sonny and my father always said that when I get older I would understand. Well, I finally did. I learned something from these two men. I learned to give love and get love unconditionally. You just have to accept people for what they are, and I learned the greatest gift of all. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent, and the choices that you make will shape your life forever. But you can ask anybody from my neighborhood, and they'll just tell you this is just another Bronx tale.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

A Cool, Dry Place - 1998



Category: Movie

Genre:
Family / Drama

Producer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, 20th Century Fox (Far East), 20th Century Fox de Argentina, Gativideo.

Director:
John N. Smith

Writer: Michael Grant Jaffe (novel), Matthew McDuffie.

Tagline:
Love, Sex and Starting Over..

Cast:
Vince Vaughn, Monica Potter, Joey Lauren Adams, Bobby Moat, Devon Sawa, Todd Louiso, Jenny Robertson, Siobhan Fallon and more.


Overview and Summary of the movie A Cool, Dry Place.


After Russell's(Vince Vaughn) wife abandoned him in Chicago, he moved in to rural Kansas and tries his best to balance his work as an attorney while caring for his five year old son Calvin(Kevin Moat) and his sideline as a high school basketball coach.

Just as he starts to develop a new relationship with a veterinarian's assistant, his ex-wife suddenly reappears and wants to re-assert herself in her husband and son's life. On top of the romantic conflict, he is also suddenly presented with the opportunity of a lifetime to join a major firm in Dallas.

This is a heartwarming Father and Son story. I loved Kevin Moat's acting! What a cute child he is. I find their bond in the movie cute. The movie might seem mellow but I think this is one of those movies which were underrated. It has a few funny parts too. This movie made me teary eyed too.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Sex and the City 2 - 2010


Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Drama / Romance


Director: Michael Patrick King


Writer: Michael Patrick King and Candace Bushnell

Taglines: Carrie On.


Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, David Eigenberg, Evan Handler, Jason Lewis, Lewie Garson, Mario Cantone, Alexandra Fong, Liza Minnelli, Max Ryan, Lynn Cohen, Parker Fong, Alice Eve and more.


Overview and Summary of Sex and the City 2.


It has been two years since Carrie Bradshaw married "Mr.Big". At the same time Charlotte must deal with her two young daughters. Carrie on the other hand must deal with the differences he and Big has overtime. Miranda is at the same time coping with a new boss that attacks her most of the time when she speaks out, while they all wrestle with the pressures of life, love and careers in Manhattan, Samantha bags the fashionable foursome an all-expense paid trip to Abu Dhabi as a public relations agent.

After watching Knight and Day, i shifted to this movie onboard Singapore Airlines. Since, I am heading to United Arab of Emirates, it's quite fitting to watch a movie set in one of those states. At least, I got a preview of what lies ahead of me. I always loved the friendship of the foursome. It was nice seeing them going through the normal motions of life and sticking up for each other and the clothes! :) I love the scene where they sang "I am Woman" on the stage. It was one of the best scenes with them. But, somehow it lacked the plot and I think the "Samantha" character went overboard with her being vulgar in a different country. I don't think someone could be as bold as that - in their own country, yes but not on a different country specially the Middle East.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Knight and Day - 2010


Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Comedy


Director: James Mangold


Writer: Patrick O'Neil


Producers: Twentieth Century Fox Films, New Regency Pictures, Pink Machine, Regency Enterprises, Tree Line Films, Wintergreen Productions

Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Jordi Molla, Viola Davis, Paul Dano, Falk Hentschel, Marc Blucas, Lennie Loftin, Maggie Grace, Rich Manley, Dale Dye, Celia Weston and more.



Summary and Overview of the Movie Knight and Day.



June Havens(Cameron Diaz) suddenly finds her everyday life tangled up with that of a secret agent named Roy Milner (Tom Cruise) aboard a plane one day. June tried to get off the mess but realized she needs him and off they went to a series of misadventures. Their will to stay alive stretches across the globe, and they soon learn that all they can count on is each other.

I watched this while I was on board Singapore Airlines on the way to Dubai. :) Good thing the Kris entertainment set on board was jam packed with good movies. This was good company for a 7 hour flight. It was comical and pretty far fetched but that's what funny movies slash action movie with a dose of the spy element always is. It doesn't ask a lot from us the audience but makes you want to just enjoy the spy-filled-tainment ride. ;)

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Resident Evil: After life - 2010


Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi/Future/Action

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Writer: Paul W.S. Anderson

Producer: Constantin Film Production, Davis Films and Impact Pictures

Tagline: She's back and she's bringing a few of her friends.

Cast: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Wentworth Miller, Kim Coates, Shawn Roberts, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Spencer Locke, Boris Kodjoe, Sienna Guillory, Kacey Barnfield, Norman Yeung and more.

Summary and Overview of the Movie Resident Evil: After Life.

The Earth was ravaged by a virus infection, turning its human victims into the "Undead". Alice (Milla Jovovich), is still on her journey to find the survivors and thus lead them to safety. It's first scene was shot in Tokyo. Alice and some of the survivors later got a radio transmittal about calling them all aboard to a ship called "Arcadia". Along the way, she finds an old friend and they both went to Los Angeles to find a few more survivors on top of the prison with thousands of Undead waiting to break down the barricade.

I don't think I saw all of the Resident Evil Series... I think I've only seen one of it. Oh well. It was uhmm grossly entertaining. If you know what I mean? With all those ghastly mutations the freaky Umbrella Corporation can experiment on. But, like I said, it was entertaining. Entertaining enough to get a 3 from me. :) I can't get over the fact that Luther was left there. Still Alive. :(

and somehow the movie did lack something. Oh well. Still getting a three for making me shut my eyes. :P