Movie Review - Attack the Block (RECOMMENDED)

Attack the Block (2011) is Recommended.

Entertaining Sci-fi With a Touch of "Die Hard"

"Attack the Block" reminds me a bit of the good old Bruce Willis times of "Die Hard". It is a story well-crafted and well-presented, a science fiction flick revolving around a group of gangsters in Britain. This is yet another just-for-fun film and taking this too seriously will probably land you in major disappointment.

If you're looking for pure fun, this is definitely the right kind of story to provide you with that, with a slight touch of "Die Hard" for me as well, since most of the movie takes place in a residential block. Other than the intense one hour and a half, it is also a story about the hardships of these teenagers, their friendships, and of course, gangs. But those elements aren't over-emphasized, nor do they interfere with the entertainment the plot has to offer. As I said, the theme of this movie is not too serious. As long as you love science fiction with aliens and an exciting adventure through the eyes of a bunch of teenagers, this shouldn't go wrong for you.

Visuals and sounds are not too captivating, but they remain sufficient. Violence is indeed involved but it is no doubt not among the most violent kind of movies I've seen, though I would only recommend this for 15-16 or above.


Final Rating: (7/10) / B+

Movie Review - The Sitter (7/10)

Being Unoriginal and Predictable Is Not Necessarily Bad 
Also posted on 27 December 2011 on imdb.com

As the what title suggests, I don't expect anyone looking forward to watching a drama-comedy that has depth. This is more of a pure comedy and an entertaining one at that for me, so I'd consider it successful.

And yes, The Sitter is quite unoriginal and what movie-goers call "predictable". I admit it's a kind of fun to try to expect the unexpected, but a predictable story does not equal a bad story. In fact, from the beginning of the 80 minutes or so until the end I'd been kept entertained and I honestly didn't experience much boring moments.

Other than its comedic scenes, the movie does have attempts to include moving scenes that make the audience learn something. I would say those attempts are not highly effective but not at all futile efforts.

The best way to conclude The Sitter is to say that it is a good comedy for young adults or above. Language and inappropriate behavior are main reasons this may not be suitable for children or younger teens. The Sitter is an enjoyable movie that is funny and does not require too much thinking to understand.

We give this a 7 out of 10.

Movie Review - 50/50 (8/10)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt Is Good Like Usual

Originally posted on 26 December 2011 on imdb.com

This will be a 3-part review.

1. As a "Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie-lover" I'm glad to say that this time Joseph Gordon-Levitt has done it again. 50/50 is successful mostly due to his stunning portrait of a young man diagnosed with cancer. Upsettingly, it seems to stop there. His strong performance aside, the rest of the cast does not offer many surprises.

2. The story does not try to be "big" or have the kind of intention to cater for a very wide array of audience groups. Nevertheless, it is still successful. The script is nicely written depicting the start to finish of a man's physical and psychological battle with a rare case of cancer. 50/50 feels like a nice little independent film and is presented throughout with that spirit.

3. If it were earlier in the year, I might say this can score a few Oscar nods. However, at the current stage almost close to the end of the race, I can only say the only possible category in which 50/50 can get a nomination is probably Best Original Screenplay, and it is not even very safe. While the Best Adapted Screenplay this year seems to have solid locks like Hugo, Descendants, Moneyball, we are still not very sure whether the Academy will nominate Young Adult or Bridesmaids over 50/50 beside the locks like Artist and Midnight in Paris. I'd be happy to see this get recognized, but with the Academy nowadays, I guess you never know. We'll just wait and see.

Movie Review - Melancholia (7/10)

Last night's Christmas was great fun. I'm looking forward to the next year. I'm sure you had a good time too. Anyway, here's another movie review for a movie released earlier this year.

The New "Armageddon" Is Different 
Originally posted on 18 December 2011 on imdb.com

Okay this should be a brief review, mostly because I cannot find much to say. The thing is that this new "Armageddon" is definitely different and one of its kind.

First, the good: The story of a possible collision between Earth and the planet of Melancholia is presented simply enough, and in a somewhat artistic way. The collision is not unheard of; it is known by the characters. Making use of that, the plot covers the reactions focusing on the lives of a few characters. The acting performed by the cast is amazingly done, and I quite like the way the ambient music and the cinematography reinforces the message of the approaching Melancholia throughout.

And the bad: Some scenes are found to be quite long and boring, and sometimes the lack of conversation is also a problem. With the film divided into the two chapters, the first part is relatively more rich in contents or interactions and less sentimental, while the latter part is quite the exact opposite. In spite of the problem of the boredom I mentioned, I still find the second chapter much more intriguing while the first falls flat.

The conclusion: Melancholia is one of the one-of-a-kind films out there and it describes a doomsday scenario relying on a more artistic approach instead of the totally "commercial feeling" of Armageddon. Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed Armageddon, but I am not going to make too much comparison, as they are in two completely different categories though the plot is somewhat similar.

Oscar Predictions and My Personal Top 10 of the Year

Below are my predictions for the 2012 Academy Award nominees in several categories (I'm no expert so I won't be guessing categories like Best Live Short or Best Animated Short). At this stage, I am only predicting the nominees. After the official nominations, I will start to predict winners. As I've said before the list will be familiar and similar to the others out there. After the SAG, the Golden Globes and all the critic picks, it is almost certain that some pictures or actors are locks in the race.

Best Picture:
1. The Artist - lock
2. The Help - lock
3. Hugo - lock
4. The Tree of Life
5. The Descendants - lock
6. Midnight in Paris
7. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
8. War Horse

Best Actor in a Leading Role:
1. George Clooney (The Descendants) - lock
2. Brad Pitt (Moneyball) - lock
3. Jean Dujardin (The Artist) - lock
4. Michael Fassbender (Shame)
5. Leonardo DiCaprio (J. Edgar)


Best Actress in a Leading Role:
1. Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady) - lock
2. Viola Davis (The Help) - lock
3. Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)
4. Charlize Theron (Young Adult)
5. Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin)


Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
1. Brad Pitt (The Tree of Life)
2. Christopher Plummer (Beginners) - lock
3.Max von Sydow (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close)
4. Ben Kingsley (Hugo)
5. Albert Brooks (Drive) - lock

Best Actress in a Supporting Role:
1. Carey Mulligan (Shame)
2. Jessica Chastain (The Help) - lock
3. Octavia Spencer (The Help) - lock
4. Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)
5. Bérénice Bejo (The Artist)

Best Director:
1. Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) - lock
2. Steven Spielberg (War Horse)
3. Martin Scorsese (Hugo) - lock
4. Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris) - lock
5. Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life) - lock

Best Original Screenplay:
1. Midnight in Paris - lock
2. The Artist - lock
3. Bridesmaids
4. Young Adult
5. Win Win

Best Adapted Screenplay:
1. The Descendants - lock
2. Hugo
3. Moneyball
4. The Help - lock
5. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Best Animated:
1. The Adventures of Tintin
2. Arthur Christmas
3. Puss in Boots
4. Rio
5. Rango


Best Visual Effects:
1. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2
2. Rise of the Planet of Apes
3. Hugo
4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon
5. Super 8

Best Sound Editing:
1. Hugo
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
3. Super 8
4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Best Sound Mixing:
1. Hugo
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
3. Super 8
4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Best Costume Design:
1. War Horse
2. Hugo
3. The Artist
4. The Help
5. My Week with Marilyn

Best Makeup:
1. The Iron Lady
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
3. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Best Cinematography:
1. War Horse
2. The Artist
3. Hugo
4. The Tree of Life
5. Drive

Best Film Editing:
1. War Horse
2. Hugo
3. The Artist
4. The Tree of Life
5. Drive

Best Score:
1. Hugo
2. War Horse
3. The Artist
4. Drive
5. The Tree of Life

That's the list. Comments?

The Academy Awards is an honor every movie wants to obtain, but after all it is still a preference of the Academy voters. Everybody can have their own choices. That said, below are my personal top ten movies of the year.

I fell in love with these:
1. The Help
2. Hugo
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
4. Super 8

These are very good too:
5. Crazy, Stupid, Love
6. The Tree of Life
7. Real Steel
8. Drive

And finally:
9. Win Win
10. That's What I Am

Movie Review - Tree of Life (9/10)

An Enjoyable Ride for me, Certainly not for Everyone
Originally posted on 21 October 2011 on imdb.com

 The prerequisite of granting "The Tree of Life" a proper rating is the initial recognition of this as a movie. If I am to say this is a highly kaleidoscopic and sophisticated art piece, I bet most of you will nod. Nevertheless, not many will agree to this being a film to be shown in the cinema.

I am in no position to judge nor to logically refute the different points of views of others, but I would ask this: Who are we to determine the definition of "movies"? This is certainly a movie out the ordinary "boundary" of movie making. The main concern is the long length which may make the movie a bit tedious for some. Another concern is the "unnecessary" inserted section of the Discovery Channel. But is it really unnecessary? Well, I honestly do not know. But I personally have no problem with that, though I have no idea what the purpose is and why it needs to last almost 15 minutes.

If you view this as a film, the plot is quite good. It is about a young boy losing his innocence and it also discusses our attitudes towards life. Christian overtones are spread throughout, and at the very beginning of the film, it is stated that a man has two ways through life, which are the way of nature and the way of grace. Frankly speaking, I find this to be quite deep and I do not really fully understand the concept of this, let alone comprehend the whole point or the ultimate message of this picture.

The plot alone is sufficient to make this an excellent movie. I certainly fail to understand it fully. I simply do not see the point of load of things in the movie, and I believe many of you feel the same way. I don't know if it is the director's intention to make us leave the cinema with all these never-to-be-answered mysteries or is it just me that fails to understand what the hidden message is. Or maybe there just isn't any. Maybe it wants us to think whatever we want to think and learn whatever we can learn. Either way, for now, I will see this film as a little combination of arts and a drama with a good story.

Movie Review - Crazy, Stupid, Love (9/10)

Comedy of Modern Love; Crazy, Stupid, Love is Crazily Amazing
Originally posted on 19 October 2011 on imdb.com

 

"Crazy, Stupid, Love" is one of the top comedies this year. Depicting the story of a mid-aged father amid a marital crisis, this film prevails as both as a drama and comedy.

The first great thing is the unpredictability of the plot. You never know what happens next as the story unfolds. There are a lot of twists for dramatic and comedic effects and they unravel very well as the storyline develops. With its appropriate pace and distinctive style of portrait, it has the ability to make the audience burst out laughing and sobbing.

The second plus is that the film is full of moments that a lot of people may actually experience in their lives. It is an excellent drama because it takes you through a roller coaster of emotions. What's better is that it makes you feel everything in a relaxing environment most of the time. Sometimes, it can be depressing, and sometimes cheering, but most vitally, it is nothing too serious and deep. After all, this is a comedy and even you are supposed to feel the sadness of the characters you can laugh at the same time.

The message is clear and a great one too. Love is uncertain and unpredictable, but that does not mean we should give up on it. It's quite the opposite. Once you find the one true love, you must hold on to it and keep trying despite the hardship.

This is highly recommended. It's a realistic drama with loaded fun moments and along with a great message and lesson for us all.

Movie Review - Bridge to Terabithia (2007) (8/10) and The Cure (1995) (10/10)

Bridge to Terabithia (2007) - A Pleasant Surprise

Originally posted on 18 October 2011 on imdb.com

Summary: A preteen's befriends a new girl at school and together they experience things that you cannot imagine.

This is a pleasant surprise! I don't want to spoil anything so I will just say that this movie is a lot more than what it looks. There is depth under the solid digital special effects. You should be happy with the visual aspects, but more importantly, you are bound to learn a great lesson from this, no matter you are an adult or a kid. This is a well-balanced piece of fantasy drama about friendship. This kind of friendship is not ordinary. It is not formed in ordinary ways, and it is not proved in ordinary ways, but it is true and solid and honest.

The Cure (1995) - Deeply Touching Tale About Two Friends 
Originally posted on 18 October 2011 on imdb.com

  
"The Cure" is one of the few movies I gave a flawless score. It is one of the most deeply touching movies of all time. The story is so well-developed that we witness gradual shifts from absolute happiness to absolute sadness. In the process of this, however, it manages to attach an important message throughout the movie, which is the message of hope. The script is powerful enough to make the audience laugh and cry, and sometimes both at the same time. The acting is simply superb from two amazing boy actors, strengthening the power of this masterpiece.

"The Cure" is a masterpiece that combines simplicity, funny elements, deeply touching moments, the essence of having hope and the power and meaning of friendship. It is going to leave a mark in your heart that you will carry forever.

Movie Review - Dolphin Tale (7/10)

3D Fun - Brief Review on "Dolphin Tale"
Originally posted on 14 October 2011 on imdb.com

 "Dolphin Tale" is definitely a good movie for the whole family. Both children and adults will enjoy this. It may not have much depth but it is the sort of movie that can entertain people at all ages. The story is linear and simple. Basically it is about a boy who develops a bond with a dolphin named Winter and is dedicated to helping the dolphin with a lost tail to swim again. The story does build on simplicity but it still manages to be touching at certain moments. The story develops at a moderate pace. There are some underwater scenes in the film and the effects are nicely done. This film also does not disappoint people who have paid for 3D tickets.

Movie Review - Spy School (2008) (6/10) and Star Kid (1997) (5/10)

Spy School (2008) - Fun Family Film 
Originally posted on 18 October 2011  on imdb.com

 Is it that bad? No, not at all. In fact, as a kids film it is above average. There are good films in all categories and this is a very outstanding one in its.

First, it's a good family comedy. Surely parents will have a good time with their kids watching this. It is a nice little family film with a nice plot and there is something to learn from as well.

Compared to the Spy Kids series, this lacks action and effects. But it makes up for that with an unpredictable plot, and I like that very much. The story development is smooth and the acting is good.

Towards the climax in the end it gets pretty intense and there are quite some unexpected twists.

To conclude, this is really an enjoyable piece of family comedy.

Star Kid (1997) 
Originally posted on 8 October 2011 on imdb.com

The plot is fine. There are fun elements and the story is complete, though there are not really any big surprises. For those of you who do not know, this is a film about a weak kid who gets bullied at school and he encounters a robot suit from outer space that he can fit into and become "strong".

The acting is fine. Both the young and the adult actors delivered fine performances.

The special effects look quite cheap. It is probably a problem originated from the budget.

It gets more and more boring towards the end, and the climax is not at all rewarding. The ending is far too cheesy.

The look of the robot does not really impress me. It is sort of creepy for me. I would go with better design.

Still, it is a good family film for a Sunday afternoon if all you are looking forward to is some robot fun and nothing more. I am sure this film has done enough to impress the kids.

Movie Review - Submarine (8/10)

Submarine is Excellent 
Originally posted on 7 October 2011  on imdb.com

 I had planned to watch Submarine for quite a while, but I was always somehow more interested in the other films and ended up going to the other movies. I thought this was just another regular coming-of-age film, and just so you know I have seen quite a lot of those recently. I finally got to chance to watch it yesterday and I realize I was so, so wrong. Submarine is nothing but a surprise of pleasant delight.

Submarine diverts into two aspects in terms of plot. It follows the life of Oliver Tate. On one hand, he is dealing with his parents' worsening relationship. On the other hand, he develops a romantic relationship with another girl at school. The style of the storytelling is unique and fresh. Occasional unusual scenes manage to boost the entertainment.

The acting is great. Craig Roberts is exceptionally amazing. A comprehensive and accurate display of emotions is attained, while the performance is highly believable and not overdone.

This great work is a very successful combination of comedy and drama. It is both sentimental and humorous. The story develops very well and in the process it manages to bring laughter, and for me, a lot of laughter. It balances itself very well for it to be both funny and moving.

Another attraction is the music. A number of original songs appear in the film. They are written and performed by Alex Turner, the leader singer of the band Arctic Monkeys. I enjoyed all of them while watching the film. They just fit so perfectly well into the scenes and the style just felt so right.

Submarine presents me a very breath-taking 100-minute ride and I am glad I decided to watch this. No one should miss this hilarious comedy and great drama, and the good music!

Movie Review - Is Anybody There? (2008) (7/10)

Little British Drama with Great Performances
Originally Posted on 20 October 2011 on imdb.com

 Set in the 1980s seaside England, this film is a great coming-of-age story with authenticity and may give a sense of nostalgia for some.

Bill Milner plays 10-year-old Edward, who is a curious child full of questions about ghosts and death. This story is about Edward's childhood in a old people's home run by his parents. As the story develops, Edward develops a special bond with Clarence, played by the amazing Michael Caine.

The start of the movie gives us a nice description of Edward's life and introduces us to a lot of characters in the house. The ghost hunting parts make the film a bit far-stretched from its theme but the films gets a lot better later. We get to know Clarence more, and we can see his life portrayed by Michale Caine's outstanding performance. Caine's acting is a great strength of the film, and it totally brings out Clarence's character to the audience. Milner also does a good job acting a kid full of curiosity and inner kindness. Clarence has a huge regret in his life. It is about his wife. We can see Edward's kindness as he tries to help him heal that wound in his heart.

This film is an invaluable lesson about life and death. The bond a young kid and an old man share can be very special. As the scenes move on, Edward is seen to grow and learn a lot of things from Clarence. It is incredible to see that this film succeeds in displaying that quality of life experience. The young have a lot to learn from the old who have much more experience in their life. The other way around, old people who are sometimes not their old self anymore can often use that energy from the young.

This film covers a lot of things and I am sure different people can learn different things from it. Anyway, people looking for an exciting drama is not going to like this. But if you are looking for is an inspiring drama that gives you something to think about, this is a good choice for you. For me, Caine's performance alone is enough to make the time worthwhile.

Movie Review - Last Ride (2009) (9/10)

Rare and Distinctively Moving Drama 
Originally posted on 13 November 2011 on imdb.com

First I must say that this is a drama that can make most people sad, so do think twice about watching this and pick the right mood for it. But the fact that it brings depression does not mean it is not a good movie. On the contrary, it is a brilliant one.

A very dark story is what this film presents. It is about a Dad and a son's journey, and the Dad is a fugitive from justice. I do not want to ruin the story but I can conclude that the story is not at all difficult to understand. The audience may have some questions in the beginning but they are answered as the film develops, through recalling of past memories by the characters.

The movie is realistic and believable, thanks to an incredible script, well-written dialogue and brilliant performances. The two main characters are very professional and amazing at their roles.

This movie makes the audience think about a lot of things. Given by the dark plot is a valuable lesson for us all. There is superb character development. The relationship of the father and the son is indeed the main focus. We see the son's mixed love and hate towards his Dad, and the father's deep concern for his son in spite of his violent nature. It raises a lot of thoughts in our mind, like how parents should treat their kids and what "the right thing to do" is.

I would like to point out another achievement of this movie. The film takes place across Australia, and the scenery is simply "wow". This movie does not hold back aspects of the country's natural beauty. The audience has the chance to see a whole lot of wonders: the desert, the forest, mountains, even a frozen lake.

"Last Ride" is a drama dealing with extremely dark themes and there are scenes that may be disturbing for some throughout the whole movie. This is definitely not the kind of movie that we watch and have a blast, and it is one-hundred percent not suitable for young children. Nonetheless, it is very successful in its realistic portrait and its powerful performances, and is highly recommended as a thought-provoking and touching drama.

Movie Review - Judy Moody (3/10)

Below Average, Strictly Kids-type (or perhaps nobody-type) Picture
Originally posted on 18 October 2011 on imdb.com

As the title suggests, this is a film supposedly meant for summer fun, but I can say it is a pretty bad one at that. I had strong reasons not to watch this in cinema, two of which being the majority of negative reviews and unpleasant comments from people I know. Now that I have finally got my copy and seen it, I am so glad that I decided not to get dragged to watch this.

The story is about how a preteen girl spends a summer with a plan to score "thrill points" and how it goes all wrong. Well, the idea is not that bad, not at all.

But the movie just fails to deliver anything as a whole. I personally find Judy Moody a bit creepy, and the way she acts and looks simply does not "fit in" to the group compared to other kids. A younger actress would be a lot better. Well, maybe it's just me.

A nice story with some fun moments would have made up for that creepiness anyway. Sadly that is not the case. I cannot really say the plot has anything unfitting and fatally incorrect in it. It is just nothing special and nothing fun. This summer is really a bummer for the kids.

There are loads of kids movies out there to learn from, to borrow ideas from. The story can be simple and fun, in the typical style of kids movies, and adults can be happy to see that their kids have fun while having something to learn from in the end. But no. There is absolutely nothing in this for kids to learn from, let alone have fun.

It's probably not the worst kids movie I've seen, but it's truly close. For me, I don't think it is worth one and a half hour of your time on this.

Movie Review - Hugo (Cabret) (10/10)

Visually Overwhelming, Touching Story and a Nostalgic Journey, a Clear Visual Effects Winner
Originally posted on 11 December 2011 on imdb.com

Wow. I was totally blown away. "Hugo" is nothing like what I expected. I thought it was a children-only film but it turned out to be much, much more.

Visually, this is one of the movies with the best effects up to date, not to mention the 3D which is the best I've seen. Centering around a train station and Paris, the environment is simply stunning. I think the visual achievement of this movie has brought visual effects in movies to a whole new level. The background music is incredible too.

But it doesn't stop there. The amazing scenery is supported by a great plot which revolves around a orphan boy and a teenage girl. A story of passion and courage is unraveled.

"Hugo" is a beautiful art piece that should be well remembered. Let's hope it make it into the five nominees for visual effects and hopefully also other awards.

Movie Review - Terri (6/10)

With John C. Reilly: A fine coming-of-age drama; not really a comedy 
Originally Posted on 7 October 2011  on imdb.com

Terri tells the story of 15-year-old teenage boy Terri, who is said to possess a "good heart". The entire story focuses on the self-discovery of Terri and his adjustment to harsh circumstances and life when categorized as a "monster".

The characters are intriguing. First, we have Terri, an obese teenager who seems to have already got used to being seen as one of the freaks at school and at the same time striving constantly and desperately to figure out his life. Then, there is Mr. Fitgerald, who becomes interested in Terri and tries to help him. Now you may ask why. What's the motivation? Revealed later is the equally miserable and chaotic life of Fitgerald, which probably unravels the reason and intention behind his willingness and determination to assist Terri. Further in the story we get to meet Chad and Heather, the former being an eccentric misfit and the latter being a troubled teenage girl. The story is about how their paths cross.

The overall acting, though nowhere near superb, is undoubtedly adequate to consolidate the plot. Jacob Wysocki as Terri, Bridger Zadina as Chad and Olivia Crocicchia as Heather manage to deliver sufficient performances for their parts. John C. Reilly, nevertheless, gives the audience a highly believable and realistic performance which indeed gains the movies a huge plus. It does not come as a shock that his scenes turn out to be the more interesting scenes in the film.

The storyline does not really land any surprises for the viewers. Despite its difference from other similar coming-of-age films, the film does not summon enough good elements to form a overall highly entertaining experience. It is disappointing to see such potential in character development gone to waste on account of the plot. While the completeness and character uniqueness in this film are definitely enough to bring about a fine piece of teenage growing-up tale, the story fails to transform it into something we call excellent and memorable.

Terri is not your typical coming-of-age film. It's a film off the mainstream and is portrayed with its own off-the-track style and its not-so-ordinary characters. There is a degree of eccentricity and depth in them that makes them appealing, and pulls them away from the main crowd of "normal" teenagers. The plot does not center on a very specific event. It does not concentrate on achieving a certain goal. It is just a simple story about adjusting to everyday life, with attractive characters, too.

Terri is also not your typical comedy. In fact, It is not really a comedy. It is a drama describing teenage problems. It is a drama about growing up and realizing how to live. And that is what it should be - a coming-of-age drama, not a comedy.

The movie starts off with longer scenes and less dialogue and may be a bit tedious, that is, until Reilly enters. As I have mentioned above, I find his scenes easily being the spotlights of the film, while the others fall flat a little.

In life, we do the best we can. Terri is a story about a trouble youngster coming of age. Though it may be not the best film, it is not at all a poorly written indie piece. The film puts an emphasis on Terri's "good heart", and this is in a way confirmed near the end of film. If you are looking for an atypical teenage drama, Terri is recommended. But if you want your typical laughter-generating comedy, don't even bother to watch this.

Movie Review - Good Luck Charlie The Movie (5/10)

Fun - Just Not One Of Disney's Best 
Originally Posted on 4 December 2011 on imdb.com

"Good Luck Charlie: The Movie" is definitely not the worst kind of family comedy, though I have to admit I personally prefer the show to this. Still, it makes a great addition to the series as a little Christmas movie. I didn't plan to catch this in the first place. Then I decided I might as well watch this after I tuned to the Disney Channel looking for some fun after some serious work.

First of all, the story is a mix of unoriginal ideas. It wasn't boring. Not at all. Just unoriginal. A vehicle going downhill with a broken brake and some typical war games, these all sound familiar. So you should not expect anything fresh or special, but it is still fun for me. There aren't exactly any particular moments or scenes that I find dull or highly intriguing, but trust me, it is not a mess. The story fits together and is presented well.

Some scenes near the end of the movies are good, and I liked the ending too. And yes, there was the surprise which I am not going to ruin here. But I do hope that Disney will maintain the consistency and keep that "surprise" valid for upcoming episodes on the show.

I guess there is not a single reason for me to say this is a bad movie, but it really could've been much better, so I think I will put this in the middle of the scale. This is by no means a poor family comedy, considering there are "better" choices out there. If you're afraid of replaying awful memories of this year's little Miss Judy Moody, don't worry. This is a lot, a lot and a lot less disturbing.

Movie Review - Carnage (8/10)

Character Development Well Portrayed In A Little Drama,  
Originally Posted on 13 December 2011 on imdb.com

We have four Oscar-winning or nominated actors and actresses as the cast in "Carnage", and you will not be disappointed. The plot is not much of a focus in this movie; it only helps fulfill the purpose of depicting the four main characters in detail.

After a school violence incident, parents of the two involved kids gathered at a house to discuss what they should do about this. Ethan, the one who got hit, is the son of Penelope (Jodie Foster) and Michael (John C. Reilly). And Zachary, the one who hit Ethan, is the son of Nancy (Kate Winslet) and Alan (Christoph Waltz).

What do not matter here are the incident itself and the true goal or purpose of the meeting. The incident was not even clearly described; What started the incident was only vaguely stated. What matters is that what is derived from this meeting seemingly regarding the two children is actually a character showcase of four Oscar-level actors and actresses.

As the plot unfolds, we are drifting away from the school incident about the kids (though it was still mentioned from time to time) and are getting into the more personal lives of the four parents. So there is not much depth in the plot to speak of, but rather the depth of the characters that has transformed into the outcome of fascinatingly solid performances.

Penelope was the "calm" one, or at least she had been pretending to stay that way until the point at which she could not stand it anymore. She was also the one who believed in justice and had a clear viewpoint on right or wrong. Throughout the discussion, she had established Ethan, her son, as a passive victim and that Zachary was completely at fault.

Michael was the one that did not seem to care much. His character often revolved around his deliberate abandonment of a hamster and it was an act that grew into a heated argument in some of the scenes. His marriage with Penelope was another point of interest, not only for him and his wife, but also for the conversation as a whole.

Nancy, as Penelope referred to, was the "fake" one. She seemed to be an upright and noble woman until it was later revealed that her marriage with her husband was nowhere near flawless. Kate Winslet did well playing Nancy, letting the audience witness the change in her. As she started pouring alcohol down her stomach, the image gradually deteriorated, replaced by an utter loss of control in her real self.

And we must not miss Alan, who was the "phone guy". His character was best characterized by his mobile phone, which was his "toy" and his connection to work and possibly his "everything". And you cannot imagine the number of laughs triggered by the phone brought to the audience. I am not sure if "workaholic" is the accurate word of description but the phone was more than an indicator of that as it also turned out to be a problem in the marriage and for all the four people in the living room.

The film is relatively short. The ending might seem incomplete without a resolution of the schoolyard brawl, but since the plot is not really the element of the most significance, and in the end the characters were successfully and comprehensively well-developed, it is not to be considered an imperfection.

It is a good mix of comedy and drama which serves as a platform for the potential of four over-achieving stars. It is a film that manages to construct several comedic moments while cleverly tackling the studies of characters in a realistic level and in depth. This is not the ordinary kind of comedy but this is as good, perhaps better.

Last but not least, since we are nearing the Academy Awards. I am sure all of the performances deserve nominations. After all, they are veterans who have been around for some time and there were really excellent performances given. It should turn out that more than one will be nominated, or none will be, for the Academy may conveniently overlook this with the excuse that this is not "serious" enough and too short, which is a decision that I will not appreciate should it happen.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - RPG of the Year

Amazing is what The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is; it is hell of a game that gives you satisfaction on multiple levels. GameSpot and IGN have named this RPG of the year, which is another guarantee that this game is incredibly good.

Indeed, the best about The Elder Scrolls is its open-world gameplay. There is absolutely no way that two players can have the exact same experience. In fact, right after you have created your character, you will start making decisions soon enough. So be careful about your choices, because every one of them matters. Different races selected may also alter the entire experience and people's responses to you.

Skyrim is no doubt rich in content. Its side quests and main story line can take weeks, if not months, to be totally completed, not to mention the randomly generated quests along the way. This is a world that makes you feel you are really living in it and you are truly interacting with it. It can be a pretty addictive odyssey.

Not only does Skyrim have much, the things are also organized and presented in a user-friendly way. With the million active quests, you still won't lose your way. Just highlight some active quest(s) and you will be guided. The user-interface is highly user-friendly, and I love the "favorite" which can be used to add pretty much anything to your favorite list for easy access. This has saved me loads of time from browsing through the countless objects in the enormous world of Skyrim.

And yes, marriage is allowed. I've tried it myself. It's nothing big really but it's fun. You can even ask your spouse to move in with you and their business can also earn you income. Of course, if you're the kind who wants to mess things up like killing everyone on sight in Fallout 3, you can blow up your spouse with a fireball or something, though I recommending doing it inside your own house to avoid attention.

If you're looking for a almost flawless RPG to indulge in, a world where you can do many, many things, then Skyrim is a very good choice. It's an understatement to say it's the game of the year, because it's more like one of the best RPG of the decade.

So join the Rebellion or the Imperial, fight some dragons, kill some bad-ass characters or be a prestigious mage in the land of Tamriel.

Here's my guess for the five nominees of Academy Awards for Visual Effects

I think the five of them will be:
1. Rise of the Planet of Apes
2. Hugo
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2
4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon
5. Super 8

The first four are very possible to me. I'm a bit unsure about Super 8 for Visual Effects, though I'm quite positive that Super 8 be a a strong contender for Sound Editing and Sound Mixing.  Perhaps it'll be The Tree of Life instead for Visual Effects, or probably Real Steel. Thoughts?

5 Reasons to be excited about the upcoming Ender's Game movie

1. It is one of the most beloved books of all time. Its story depicting a sci-fiction adventure and a deeper dark story about the growth of a child is highly effective and exciting. The only difficulty should be capturing the thoughts in the mind of Ender, which is key to the development of the plot.

2. We may have Harrison Ford (not confirmed yet) as Graff, which is one beloved sci-fi actor in this century. His portrayal of this significant figure in the book will be a huge bonus to the movie.

3. There's only one reason why making this movie is so delayed - Orson Scott Card wants the movie to stay true to the book. So we should probably be realistic about the ages of the actors. I am sure it is a good compromise to use older kids with better acting skills instead of gathering an ensemble of eight-year-old newbies. I'm looking forward to great performances.

4. Asa Butterfield, the "Hugo" star, has been confirmed to play the title character of Ender. His performance in the Martin Scorsese film definitely proved himself a superb actor and proved himself mature enough to take up the role of Andrew "Ender" Wiggin. We also have Brendan Meyer as the Stilson, which is a relatively small yet essential part because it shaped Ender's life. Veteran and Oscar-winning Ben Kingsley is also rumored to have the part of Mazer Rackham, which is also good news

5. Finally, with Gavin Hood (Wolverine and Oscar-winning Tsotsi) as director and a co-writer of the screenplay alongside Orson Scott Card himself, the movie should be fine.

Ender's Game is also one of my favorite books, so let's hope that the movie will turn out to be a charm two years from now.

'Tis the season for the Oscars

Only two months from that yearly highest-honored ceremony, and this seems the time of the year when movie critics are the busiest. This is also the time for thousands of Oscar nominee predictions to land everywhere. I'll post my share of ideas in a few days, but I'm sure that it will probably be somewhat familiar and similar to the other guesses out there, probably only minor differences.


IMDB has more for you on its "Road to the Oscars" and other related news.

Movie Review - The Island on Bird Street (1997) (9/10)

Masterpiece 

Originally posted on 21 October 2011 on imdb.com

I came to know the existence of this in the movie recommendations when I saw "Hope and Glory" earlier. And while "Hope and Glory" is the much more well-known one and is well-acclaimed along with several Academy Award nominations, "The Island on Bird Street" is my personal favorite.

"Hope and Glory" is not like other ordinary war films. It has taken an alternative approach in the portrait of the war time.

Still, both films share a lot of similarities. Both are set in the WWII, and both have a child as the protagonist.

"Hope and Glory", however, seems to have a lighter theme throughout and concentrates rather on seeking happiness under hard times than on the fear and the harrowing experiences. The film gives us a different view on the war through a child's eyes, with the innocence, the curiosity, and the inherent purity.

While I do like such a distinctive way of storytelling and realistic display, "The Island on Bird Street" does more for me.

With darker overtones, this is closer to the type of the usual war movies. It is special and different in terms of its unique and original plot. Based on the real experiences of the author, "The Island on Bird Street" is adapted from a book which is an autobiography. Like in "Hope and Glory", the audience can see the WWII through a child's eyes.

Nevertheless, this film has a much higher extent of focus. We follow Alex, a Polish boy, throughout the whole movie. As his father was taken away by the Nazis and his uncle killed for trying to save him, he was left on his own and the adventure began. He was determined to wait for the return of the father so he stayed in the same place, gathered resources, and built a temporary shelter. He later got to meet some other people and as the story progresses, we get to discover Alex's true nature and a lot more of his qualities are revealed.

Like any other ordinary children, Alex was scared of the German troops and spent most of the time avoiding them while safely finding food and water. He also loved his family and valued it very much. But when the circumstances required him to, he could also be very brave and a character of great independence. He was also very kindhearted and determined.

"The Island on Bird Street" is brilliant because it has beautifully captured all the important moments in a distant memory.

The scenes form a thrilling adventure as we closely follow Alex. When he gets scared, the audience gets scared for him. When he gets happy, the audience gets happy for him. This movie has the ability to make the audience connect with the main character, and while enjoying an exciting adventure of fear, the audience gets to know Alex better and better as the plot develops.

In some other parts of the movie there is also a display of kindness by other people. The interaction between Alex and the other characters was superb. The whole story is a very believable and realistic experience for the audience. It also tells us that despite the sorrow of living in such hard times, it is still essential for people to stay together and help one another, and never give up that faint spot of hope left in your heart, and that was what Alex did. The movie has allowed us to see the usually hidden kind nature of human beings when it comes to wars.

The young boy Jordan Kiziuk who played Alex has given the audience an amazing performance in the movie. He had been through a lot of emotions through the film and his acting was splendid. The audience can sense the fear and the hope inside of him, and his determination in believing that his father would return. The power of his acting makes the film a piece of astonishment to watch. The other characters are very good too, giving all sorts of very believable and well-done performances.

"The Island on Bird Street" is a vivid and true story about the adventure of a Polish boy in the WWII. The adventure itself is very exciting, and the acting is over the top. The connection between the audience and the characters is very strong. The audience is able to touch the fear and feel the hope of Alex, and embark on a ultimately moving journey of thrill, depression, faith and much more.

I will definitely recommend this to my family and friends, and I hope you will too. I do not understand why this movie is so unnoticed, carrying only a couple hundred votes. This movie is certainly a great war movie at the masterpiece level.