After Earth - 2013

Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Drama

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Writer: Gary Whitta, M. Night Shyamalan

Producer: Columbia Pictures, Overbrook Entertainment, Blinding Edge Pictures

Cast: Jaden Smith, Will Smith, David Denman, Sophie Okonedo, Zoe Kravitz, Glenn Morshower, Kristofer Hivju, Sacha Dawan, and more

Tagline: Danger is real. Fear is a choice.


I didn't realise this was an M.Night Shymalan ... until I saw the credits... on the first opening scene! Wooot.

One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity's escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind's new home.  Cypher Raige returns from an extended duty to his family and ready to father his son, Kitai, but then a crash landing leaves Kitai Raige and Cypher stranded on Earth, a millennium after events forced humanity's escape. With Cypher injured, Kitai must embark on a perilous journey to signal for help.

I loved the film!

I first read about the film about an article saying this film's got something to do with Will Smith's dedication to Scientology. Well, it pretty much looks like it.

Scientology or not... it strikes a chord for us who just attended IkePono. This reminds me of the Pono battle. How to just connect with your pono, thus eliminating fear. Specially, the ending.

The kneeling part is one way of getting grounded, and being in touch with self and going back to Pono.

Also, it has elements of LES (Doc Andre's seminar), about staying in the present moment, becoming aware of everything around you. And a bit of a Peaceful Warrior. Elements of Workshop:Courage and Aletheia was also shown.

This is once again something about the future, yes, another apocalyptic view, about fathers and sons, childhood traumas, getting out of the box, relying on intuition, and well, pretty much the journey of the hero. :)

Photo source: HD Wallpapers

Warm Bodies - 2013

Category: Movie

Genre: Comedy / Horror / Romance

Director: Jonathan Levine

Writer: Jonathan Levine, Isaac Marion

Producer: Summit Entertainment, Make Movies, Mandeville Films

Cast: Nicolas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Analeigh Tipton, Rob Corddry, Dave Franco, Cory Hardrict

Tagline:  Bros before brains

The world's population is slowly becoming an undead horde, however R, is a young and odd zombie who thinks. While feeding on humans one day, R meets Julie (still human) and suddenly has an urge to protect her. What happens is the start of a very strange and warm relationship that allows R to begin having his human side back. Soon, this strange phenomenon is spreading in the undead population.... which brings about another issue they have to challenge that would threaten their friendship.

 ---------

Okay, seems like today is filled with really interesting films that is infused with something deeper.

This film may seem comedic on the surface but if you actually look past or go "exhume" the film... you get to see that it's actually deep.


Being a Zombie is a metaphor for people living a life without color, without passion, and a life that takes it as it is with no questions, cautionary. It's also a life where one forgets who he/she really is.

Being a bonie on the other hand are people who gave up or can be that part of self which buys fear, our shadow, the dark force.

This is actually beyond apocalyptic but is actually an awakening veiled.

There are many references to remembrance, forgetting, triggers, and the 100th monkey concept plays as well, and that change can often just come from one person and a small group of individuals who are crazy enough to challenge the norm and who does not fit the "norm".

Also, music plays an important role to the person here...

And this also shows that whenever there's change, there's always a counter-force, when your Imaginal self steps in.

this movie reminds me of this: "“Burnout is nature's way of telling you, you've been going through the motions your soul has departed; you're a zombie, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. False optimism is like administrating stimulants to an exhausted nervous system. ” - Sam Keen

Magnifico - 2003

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Family

Director: Maryo J. Delos Reyes

Writer: Michiko Yamamoto

Producer: Violett Films Production

Cast: Jiro Manio, Lorna Tolentino, Albert Martinez,  Gloria Romero, Celia Rodriguez, Marc Gil , Tonton Guiterriez, Amy Austria, Cherry Pie Picache, Danilo Barrios, Susan Africa, and more

Tagline:


Magnifico may not be good in school and belongs to an unfortunate and poor family, he has a big heart and has this positivity that permeates him everywhere he goes. He has not only helped his family, but the community he lives in.


T_T

It's a heartwarming story about a kid who has touched the lives of many people in their neighborhood. It's a simple story, very close to Filipino culture and Filipino values with Filipino issues as well.

Thanks to my friend Juna who recommended that I watch the film.

I think we'd fare really well if we make good films like these. Inspiring. Simple. Touches us and stirs our heart.This is good drama, compared to other dramas that is often fed to the masses.

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

Category: Books

Genre: Sci-Fi

Author: Suzanne Collins


Once again, Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, has survived. Even though District 12 has been destroyed after the operations at the arena. Gale has escaped, while the family of Katniss remains safe and is heading for District 13. They do exist. Peeta was captured by the Capitol.

The success of the rebellion is on Katniss', and to accept responsibility and to be willing to save countless lives for the future of Panem.

Finally, I finished the whole trilogy!

But, the last book has this nagging effect on me. Is it separation anxiety? Or maybe because, I wanted something more? The Gale part at the end also nags me!!! Why, is there no flashback of Gale? :(( I know, it's all Katniss' side that we are reading. But, but, I would've wanted something more from Gale.

I didn't get to sleep when I finished reading the book though, because I was imagining Panem and all that still. This book, still manages to keep you on the edge, making you want to finish the whole book in one seating. I stayed until the wee hours of the morning, just to finish the whole thing.

And Alas! The Hunger Games is over and done with.

Photo Source: FVHS 

Rating: 4 & Half Stars

Cloud Atlas - 2012

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Mystery / Sci-Fi

Director: Tom Tyker, Andy Wachowski

Writer: David Mitchell, Lana Wachowski

Producer:
 
Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgees, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Keith David, James D'Arcy, Xun Zhou, David Gyasi, Susan Sarandon, Robert Fyfe, Martin Wuttke and more

Tagline: Everything Is Connected

This film is based on a novel by David Mitchell. It's an exploration of how each action of individual lives impacts one another in the past, present and future. Everything is indeed connected in this film.


It has been quiet sometime that I have waited to watch this film. When I saw the trailer... all i can say was: "I should not miss this! and I know this film will be epic!" True enough, it is indeed considered an epic... and one of the best films in 2012! It was even considered ambitious because the novel is supposed to be "unfilmable". But, they did it!!

I watched this with my whole family.

You should not blink when you are watching this. Each scene is equally important as it weaves through the whole story. Six stories are being interwoven to create the whole magical tapestry that is Cloud Atlas.  This film will take you anywhere, and you will find yourself in unexpected scenes, oftentimes delving to deja-vu.

It is visually stunning, the make-up were good although I'm sure the make-up artists had their own challenging moments by changing an actor's features to fit a certain race, age and era.

It was quiet gory, well not exactly too much, just a few disturbing scenes. The love affair between Somni and Keanu was the one I liked best. There's something about being protected... that makes me go ... swoonybeanoo.

Also, the musical score is one of the best. I loved the Cloud Atlas sextet.  As I am writing this the soundtrack is actually playing at the background.

Cloud Atlas is something different among other movies. It emanates creativity and a whole range of imagination. It's epic, and even layered and you'd be expecting most people to watch it again over and over. :) (I still have to read the novel though.. our local bookstores ran out of it... even before the movie was released. Gah! Maybe im settling with an ebook or whatever. )

Photo Source: David Belbin

The Help - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama

Director: Tate Taylor

Writer: Tate Taylor, Kathyrn Stockett

Producer: Dreamworks SKG, Reliance Entertainment, Participant Media

Cast: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Howard, Jessica Chastain, Cicely Tyson

Tagline: Change begins with a whisper.

Skeeter (Emma Stone) an aspiring writer and a southern society girl during the civil rights movement (1960s), set in Mississipi decides to write a book detailing the African-American maids' point of view about the white families that they work with and the hardship that they all go through on a day to day basis.


It's a very moving story about racism and the challenges about the "colored" maids in the past. I love the story. Simple but moving.  I like Emma Stone! All the acting in the film were all superb!
It's a beautiful film, one that is made realistic and able to depict what happened in the 1960s. It has a bit of funny moments included and can make you cry in some. Definitely, an Oscar worthy film. :)

Photo Source: Studio Briefing

Matrix Revolutions - 2003

 Category: Movie

Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Writer: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski

Producer: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Mary Alice, Helmut Bakaitis, Monica Bellucci, Ian Bliss, David Bowers and more

Tagline:  Everything that has a beginning has an end.

 The human city of Zion is now preparing to defend itself against the oncoming massive invasion of the machines and the chances of surviving is nil. While Neo on the other hand fights to end the war at a different level while he opposes Agent Smith.

Choices and Beliefs was the message. Matrix sure is one layered film, there are references of the one, and symbolism used in the film splashed all over. It was quite a good way to end, and this part showed more action and keeps you on the edge. Eeep. Flesh vs. Machines? Eeeeep. Anyhoo, film wise, it has good special effects.

photo source: Matrix Fans

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi

Writer: Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci

Director: Michael Bay

Producer: Dreamworks SKG, Paramount Pictures


Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, Ramon Rodriguez, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, Isabel Lucas, John Benjamin Hickey, Matthew Marsden, Andrew Howard and more.

Tagline: Only one team will transform your summer

Sam Witwicky(Shia LaBeouf) leaves the Autobots behind for a normal college life. The Decepticons once again makes trouble in Shanghai, and Sam begins to see some symbols and glyphs imprinted on his mind. Decepticons knows about this and hunts for Sam.


I thought I saw this part, but was surprised I didn't get to watch this part. Also, I can't find my review for the first part of this film. I love the soundtrack! I enjoyed it. Although, there was too much metal and believe me it wasn't eye candy but then the action scenes got me till the end. The thing that was kind of off was the romance part... it just wasn't working.

Well, whatdya say,... I just love em Transformers! :)

Photo Source: English Moviez

Just A Kiss - 2002

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Fantasy

Director: Fisher Stevens

Writer: Patrick Breen,

Producer: GreeneStreet Films

Cast: Ron Eldard, Marley Shelton, Patrick Breen, Sanjiv Jhaveri, Kyra Sedgwick, Marisa Tomei, Kelly Cole, Zoe Caldwell, Peter Dinklage and more

Tagline: Every kiss has a story



 A group of Thirty-ish couples having problems with fidelity... and what happens when you kiss the wrong person... at the wrong time.

Its a weird, disturbing film. Of black magic and of lust and affairs. It left me feeling ermmm.... disoriented. harhar. not really a light film. and for awhile there I thought it would be something that would be fun and light. Boy, I was wrong. I don't pretty fancy it. NO. Never.

But to give a fair review, it actually succeed in playing out "black humor" or dark humor. Pretty much what happens in reality in the modern world, but its not the world I fancy living in. :) Okay that's getting personal. Haha. Anyway, it was genius in a sense that it plays with your "egoistic" emotions. Well the general romantic love people understand to be....  And yeah things like infidelity can really just start out by "just a kiss". And how kissing a person that you shouldn't be kissing can cause a chain reaction with who is going out with who and all that... complicated world!

Worth watching if you are not expecting light... :)

I AM - 2010

Category: Movie

Genre: Documentary

Director: Tom Shadyac

Producer: Flying Eye Productions, Homemade Canvas Productions, Shady Acres Entertainment

Stars: Tom Shadyac, Desmond Tutu, Lynne Mctaggart, Noam Chomsky


Tagline:  The Shift is about to hit the fan


With all the documentaries we saw, there is really nothing new to the concept Tom Shadyac is giving. However, this video is really great in a sense that it would really support those who are still waking up. Also, it shows his journey of seeking for the truth. What makes it even more interesting is that he is the man behind successful Hollywood Films, like Ace Ventura, Liar, Liar and more.

With his Hollywood Life and feeling empty and meaningless, he began searching for the truth after a biking accident. Going back to the essentials and thought of having a documentary with 2 Questions:

"What's Wrong with the World?" and "What can we do about it?"

Simple. Also very good film for the youth.

I like how he ended it.. :)

Limitless - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi

Writer: Leslie Dixon and Alan Glynn

Director: Neil Burger

Producer: Relativity Media, Virgin Produced, Rogue

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Robert de Niro, Abbie Cornish, Andrew Howard, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth, Tomas Arana, Robert John Burke and more

Tagline: What if a pill could make you rich and powerful?

This is about a desperate writer Eddie named Morra (Cooper), who was rejected by his girlfriend Lindy (Abbie Cornish) and confirms his belief about himself about not having a future. One day an old friend introduces to him an experimental drug called NZT, that allows him to be laser focused and more confident than any man alive and allows him to use 100 percent of his mind. As he becomes into the perfect version of himself, and begins to rise in the top of the financial world, he begins to draw the attention of Carl Van Loon (De Niro), a business mogul.

I was actually intrigued by the concept, a pill that can allow you to tap the untapped potential of the human brain. Of course, the ideal way would be achieving it through Self Mastery.... but then in a very Western way of thinking, they would always come up with a "pill solution" for everything. It's quite thrilling but it could use room for some improvement here and there and it would be a spectacular blockbuster! :) But, nevertheless, it was a good concept and I enjoyed it. :)

In Time - 2011

Category: Movie

Genre: Sci-Fi

Director: Andrew Niccol

Writer: Andrew Niccol

Producer: Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures

Cast: Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy, Shyloh Oostwald, Johnny Galecki, Colin McGurk, Olivia Wilde, Will Harris, Michael William Freeman, Jesse Lee Soffer and more



Tagline: Time Is Power. / His crime wasn't stealing time. He was giving it away.

In a future where TIME has become the ultimate currency. A person stops aging at 25, but: a person is genetically-engineered to live only one more year, unless one can buy his/her way out of it. The rich "earns" decades at a time, becoming essentially immortal. A man who was "rich"


It's a unique film. Well, at least the concept. However the storyline is somewhat similar to Robin Hood meeting Wall Street. It's about a system collapsing where power and money is kept to a few. Quite dramatic in some moments. It could have been improved though... acting, chemistry and lines....

Network - 1976

Category: Movie

Genre: Classic

Director: Sidney Lumet

Writer: Paddy Chayefsky

Producer: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), United Artists and more

Cast: Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, William Holden, Robert Duvall, Wesley Addy, Ned Beatty, Arthur Brughardt, Bill Burrows, John Carpenter, Jordan Charney and more

Tagline: Prepare yourself for a perfectly outrageous motion picture!

The corporate structure of the UBS Television network is changing. Meanwhile, Howard Beale, the aging news anchor of UBS, is losing his once strong ratings share and so UBS decides to fire him. Beale reacts to it in an unexpected way which affected the ratings of the network.

Saw a trailer of this movie over youtube, actually a clip and i found it interesting and decided to check it out. Indeed it is a classic. It deals with the subject of television and programming and how it is far becoming a source of mass madness. Also it is also how TV networks are working right now....

Its also an answer to the question of: "How can one individual influence society when the individual is influenced by society itself."

It is tricky right? :)

Classic and needs creative thinking whenever you watch this film. I love the script! :)


LINES I LIKE...

Howard Beale: I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a depression. Everybody's out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel's worth, banks are going bust, shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there's nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there's no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit watching our TV's while some local newscaster tells us that today we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that's the way it's supposed to be. We know things are bad - worse than bad. They're crazy. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don't go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, 'Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone.' Well, I'm not gonna leave you alone. I want you to get mad! I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot - I don't want you to write to your congressman because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street. All I know is that first you've got to get mad. You've got to say, 'I'm a HUMAN BEING, God damn it! My life has VALUE!' So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"


Max Schumacher: You need me. You need me badly. Because I'm your last contact with human reality. I love you. And that painful, decaying love is the only thing between you and the shrieking nothingness you live the rest of the day.
 Diana Christensen: Then, don't leave me.
 Max Schumacher: It's too late, Diana. There's nothing left in you that I can live with. You're one of Howard's humanoids. If I stay with you, I'll be destroyed. Like Howard Beale was destroyed. Like Laureen Hobbs was destroyed. Like everything you and the institution of television touch is destroyed. You're television incarnate, Diana. Indifferent to suffering; insensitive to joy. All of life is reduced to the common rubble of banality. War, murder, death are all the same to you as bottles of beer. And the daily business of life is a corrupt comedy. You even shatter the sensations of time and space into split seconds and instant replays. You're madness, Diana. Virulent madness. And everything you touch dies with you. But not me. Not as long as I can feel pleasure, and pain... and love.
Max Schumacher: And it's a happy ending: Wayward husband comes to his senses, returns to his wife, with whom he has established a long and sustaining love. Heartless young woman left alone in her arctic desolation. Music up with a swell; final commercial. And here are a few scenes from next week's show.

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.

Before Sunrise - 1995

Category: Movie

Genre: Drama / Romance

Director: Richard Linklater

Writer: Richard Linklater / Kim Krizan

Tagline: Jump on and live a Eurorail journey you will never forget!

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy

Overview and Review of the movie Sunrise writted and directed by Richard Linklater.

First off, I'd like to thank an angel, Xan for sharing me this film.

Jesse(Ethan Hawke) an American tourist and Celine(Julie Delpy), a French student met by chance on the train from Budapest to Vienna. Sensing that they have a certain connection and the great, Jesse asks Celine to jump off the train and spend the day with him in Vienna, and she agrees. They were just passing the time before Jesse's scheduled flight the next morning.

Do you think its ever possible to intimately connect to a stranger for over a day? What is this special thing that bonds these two stranger so strongly?

I find it raw and very real and it was brilliant that those emotions are so evident in film and you don't get that nowadays. And the connection that the two actors have in the movie, you can feel it as well. The whole movie actually revolved around the two of them just conversing. It wasn't boring, because the lines were all good. And to say "good" is an understatement. I can identify with the characters, the emotions, the ideals, the philosophies. This touched my heart and I can almost feel what I felt when sharing that with someone. :) *brings back memories* *made me cry and sends shivers to my spine* Very good screenplay.

This also reminds me I need to get on the EURORAIL one of these days... mhmm.. :)


Just watch it and experience for yourself. :)

The Aviator - 2004

Category: Movie

Genre: Biography / Drama

Writer: John Logan

Director: Martin Scorsese

Producer: Forward Pass, Appian Way and more.

Tagline: For some men, the sky was the limit. For him, it was just the beginning.

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Adam Scott,

Overview and Review of The Aviator directed by Martin Scorsese.

I heard about this movie when Dr. Andre mentioned it in one of his seminars, a movie about one of the richest man in the world. The movie begad as a young Hughes directs one of Scorsese's favorite films, Hell's Angels. Hughes was an obsessed man when it comes to details from the planes to cloud formations which can prolly drive you crazy. He also makes controversial huge budget films. This was a movie on his life from the 1920s to 1940s.

Interesting and good cinematography as well, but it was a long movie for me. A good autobiography at that. Maybe, I watched it a the wrong time. I was helluva sleepy. Good performance of the actors and actresses. And, i think the movie was in a hurry in the end.

Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom

Category: Books

Genre: Based on a True Story

Author: Mitch Albom

Overview and Review of Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.

Morrie was a college professor, who gave his all whenever he teaches. This book tells the true story of Morrie Schwartz and his relationship with his student, Mitch Albom. Both the film and the book chronicle the lessons about life that Mitch learns from his professor, who is dying from ALS. Mitch and Morrie calls each other "Tuesday People".

This book is very inspiring and actually helped a lot of people appreciate Life and Death. Here, it talks mostly about the things we forget about or take for granted when we are still alive. You would cherish this book because of the wisdom and depth it brings. It talks about the things that matters most and would remind you to look and appreciate them before it's too late. It talks about Death, Family, Emotions, Wealth, Fame, Fear of Aging, Marriage, Culture, Community, Giving, Forgiveness and saying Goodbye in the physical level.

Heartwarming. A must read.

Eagle Eye - 2008

Category: Movies

Genre: Technology Thriller

Director: DJ Caruso

Writers: John Glenn, Hillary Seitz, Dan Mcdermott & Travis Wright.

Producers: Pete Chiarelli - co-producer Patrick Crowley - producer James M. Freitag - associate producer Alex Kurtzman - producer Edward McDonnell - producer Rizelle Mendoza - associate producer Roberto Orci .- producer Steven Spielberg - executive producer

Tagline:

If you want to live you will obey

Casts: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Michael Chiklis, Anthony Mackie, Ethan Embry, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Azizi, Cameron Boyce, Lynn Cohen, and more.

Overview and Review of Eagle Eye directed by D.J. Caruso.

Jerry (Shia LaBeouf) and Rachel(Michelle Monaghan) are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family through a series of blackmails, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, using the technology of everyday life (cellphone, nearby phone booths, cellphones of other people, electronic billboards and more) to track and control their every move.

Rachel Holloman: Do you think they could derail a train?

Jerry Shaw: They changed every traffic light to get us here. The woman, she called me on a stranger's cell phone who happened to be sitting next to me - never met the guy in my life. And then they broke me out of maximum security custody in a way I'm not even going to describe to you because it sounds crazy, and then they lift us off the face of the earth and drop us into this shitpile. She could probably derail a train, she could probably turn a train into a talking duck.

This is a "you can run but you can't hide" situation and another of those "what if's". Although the plot may sound unrealistic but it sure is one great entertaining movie what with Shia spearheading the lead. It's smart and it has this near relation to "I-Robot". Yes, kinda I-robot-ish. So there goes the originality on this one... but it's different all on its own. But, I enjoyed every bit of the movie, it has this intensity which can give you the edge. So, I'm giving it credit. It's also one case of where "technology" can go wrong even though how sophisticated that technology is. CGI is great. Actors did a great job.

Just watch it.

Snow Wolf - Glenn Meade

Category: Books

Genre: Suspense

Author: Glenn Meade

Overview and Review of the book Snow Wolf written by Glenn Meade.
read: July 9, 2008

An American journalist arrives in present-day Moscow to investigate his father's suicide and learned that his father was involved with a CIA mission that is so sensitive that both the USA and Russian government would do anything to keep it hidden.

Here, President Eisenhower makes the most audacious decision when he heard that Joseph Stalin's mental health is rapidly deteriorating: to sanction the OPERATION: Snow Wolf. Which would involve Two CIA agents, to travel across Moscow to assassinate the world's most powerful despot. Quite by chance, however, from the moment they land on Soviet soil, the KGB gets wind of the plan.

Thrilling and a nice book to bring when you are traveling. You can get a dose of history on this lot involving Eisenhower and Stalin. Features real people and fiction in one story, perfectly weaved. With a couple of twists and turns you would enjoy.

Mean Creak - 2004

Category: Movies

Genre: Drama

Director and Writer: Jacob Aaron Estes


Tagline: Beneath the surface, everyone has a secret.

Cast: Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck, Carly Schroeder

Overview and Review of Mean Creek directed by Jacob Aaron Estes

When Sam (Rory Culkin) got beaten up by a bully named George (Josh Peck), Sam's older brother Rocky (Trevor Morgan) and two of his friends Clyde (Ryan Kelley) and Marty (Scott Mechlowicz) planned to get back at George.

They came up with a plan to pretend it's Sam's birthday and "invite" George on a boat trip in which they would dare him to strip, jump in the lake, and run home naked. Along the way Sam, his girlfriend Millie (Carly Schroeder), Rocky, and Clyde sees that George is not really "that" bad after all but a kid who lacks attention, they wanted to call off the plan, but Marty refuses.

It looks kind of like an "Indie" film to me, which I am guessing it is.

An intelligent movie with great young actors. Very believable. It is also engaging, gets you hooked to the story. The story itself is unique and provoking at the same time. It's also quite disturbing and another one of those "what if's" situations. What if I'm there? this and that.
The lines are all good and pretty realistic. The actors may be young but this is a nice "grown-up" story you would learn a lot from. The acting, writing and directing were all good.

Some of the Memorable Lines in the Film:

Sam: You know, if we hurt him, we'd be just as bad as him.
Rocky: We need to hurt him without really hurting him.