Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor


Rating:★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
I loved The Mummy I and II, so I was looking forward to the next installment of this movie and I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that they have made the third installment when I saw the trailer about 6 weeks ago. It was a highly effective trailer and gave me a lot of ideas of what to expect. A mindless-fun-decent-action-popcorn movie.

First of all, the plot follows the same logic used in the previous movies. But like so many sequels, the story line becomes repetitive. A lot of events repeat themselves, and a pivotal moment from one of the prequels occurs again...just with a different character. Rachel Weisz is greatly missed in here since she shares an amazing chemistry with Fraser. While in this movie, Fraser is never able to connect with Bello who tries to be cheerful but comes off looking rather silly as the smart girl. She is great in action scenes, but she looks uncomfortable when she has to share a scene with Fraser. The same can be said for Luke Ford, who makes a very unconvincing action hero-sidekick next to Fraser. Again they have no chemistry what so ever as father and son. And seriously, although Alex O’ Conell seems to be aging well, his parents seem to never aged even a bit which raised questions in my head: Have they been drinking from the water of the Shangri La? Or did the make-up artist is just too lazy to add wringkles or even grey hairs to make them look appropriate for their ages? Despite the lack of chemistry between Bello-Fraser-Ford, fortunately, John Hannah doesn’t disappoint and brighten the movie with his one liners and witty charm. Michelle Yeoh and Jet Li are great in this movie. It is refreshing to see Jet Li portraying an evil character and it really pays off when he is actually on screen.

The jokes, although cornier than the previous films, were still able to make me chuckles. The cinematography is great. The scenery of the Himalayan mountains, the sandy desert, and the Shangri La green land with its waterfalls are beautiful. The action in the film is good, as well. The gun fights, sword fights, old school warfare, and new warfare are justly balanced. One scene I liked (and wish would have lasted longer) was the sword battle between Jet Li and Yeoh. Seeing Li and Yeoh able to cut each other, even just a little, is one of the few high points in the movie. The trademarked silly battle scene, which made me giggle more than once, was also still presented. It was really amusing to see a huge army of terracota soldiers run forward and get shot at by guns. There is also one unintentionally silly action sequence when Fraser thought it would be smart to take on Jet Li in hand to hand combat. The idea is just hilarious!

All in all, The Mummy: The Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor is your typical summer flick movie which is filled with laughs, car chases, special effects, and mummies. If you're stressed out, bored, or just want to see another movie after seeing the really dark and complex tale of The Dark Knight and just wanna check your brain at the door and have fun then this movie is for you.

The Dark Knight (2008)


Rating:★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
Okay, so I’ve been waiting to see this movie for a while now ever since I’ve been subjected to the enormous amounts of hype and marketing for the Dark Knight, the tragical death of Heath Ledger, and his posthumous Oscar nomination rumours. And since a movie rarely can lived up to its hype and expectation and especially with The Dark Knight being a sequel, I have to say that I didn’t have much expectation from this movie, other than to see Ledger’s final performance. And sadly it was right to not have much expectation of this movie. It is a good action movie, but it just not that great.

One thing for sure, The Dark Knight truly lived up to its title. The movie is indeed 'dark', and does have many dark overtones. The cinematography is made so dark and sinister that really did suit the mood for the film. Gotham City must have topped the list of unsafest places in America to live. Not only does it seem to have a high nightly violence rate but also all the crazies seem to settling down there too and thus make Dark Knight to be one of the most complex, violent and disturbing comic-book films I've ever seen. It has some of the most graphic violence for a film of its rating and I believe that putting Batman's face on the poster is probably the only thing that saved it from an MA rating. You definitely shouldn’t bring kids to see this movie.

The highlight of this movie is definitely Ledger’s performance as the sadistic Joker which was absolutely disturbing and scary yet simply amazing. I would not want to meet the Joker in a dark alley, and whatever happen, never.. I repeat, never ask him how he got his smile, especially, when he has a knife in his hand. When Ledger appeared in this movie, I completely didn’t recognize him. His voice is distinctly altered, kinda pedophile-like tone that sends shivers down the spine. His face looks both nightmarish and bizarrely funny because of the make-up. And he seems to get lost in his role. You don't see Heath Ledger playing the Joker while watching this movie. You see the Joker. He plays the role with such a level of madness that you are terrified by his very presence. He gets inside your head with his sick jokes and makes you chuckle at things that will left you wondering why you are laughing in the first place. Apart from Ledger, I have to say that the other actors also play their role well. Christian Bale managed to portray Batman’s inner struggle really well, although unfortunately the cheesy raspy-voice returns with a vengeance. Maggie Gyllenhaal gives Rachel Dawes a more matured personality than Katie Holmes’s performance in the first movie. Aaron Eckart makes the transformation between Harvey Dent and Two Face very smooth and believable. Michael Caine is an excellent Alfred. Morgan Freeman, as usual, gives a charming performance and delivers the best quote in the movie: "So, you're saying that you think your billionaire boss is a vigilante who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare fists. And you want to blackmail this man?".

As for the downfalls, Christian Bale's Batman voice got irritating a couple of times especially when he’s having a full conversation. The ending sequence with the bat and the joker was a let down for me. And the movie is way too long. While it never drags, I think they could have trimmed the fat. The film takes on several different subjects, tragically all at once, creating a distorted and unspectacular experience that gives part of what you want but will leave you unmoved. When The Dark Knight feels like it might be ending, the anxiety then mounts again with a new problem that is triggered with lame plot devices. It kinda gave me the same experience as watching ’sinetron’. With 45 minutes left, I was already burned out and trying to sleep in my comfy chair.

Hancock (2008)


Rating:★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
I saw Hancock on its first day in Indonesia so I went into it having seen hardly any trailers for it thus didn't really know what to expect. Well, except for Will Smith’s performance, and since I’m a sucker for Will Smith, I could bear any movie as long as he starred in it. So I have to point out first, that my comment may be biased based of this reason alone.

In a nutshell, Hancock is full of laugh out loud comedy and perfect action. The most part of the movie is unpredictable and keeps you guessing. It gives a different vibe on the normal superhero movie. Unlike other typical superhero flick where the main character usually dealt with his inner struggles, Hancock break the mold by having a hero who doesn't follow the rules, who isn't ridiculously polite with a fancy costume. He has a bad attitude and uses his powers to do what what he likes, though not to do bad things. The bad guys are the bad guys! The bank robbers, purse snatchers, thugs, and crooks are the people Hancock is battling against, not some made up villain that can easily match the good guy.

I have to say that if it isn’t for the three main characters (Smith esp, told u I’m biased) this movie probably will be a below average movie. As for Will Smith, it's his charisma, charm, and solid likability that carries the film. He can make you laugh, cheer, cry, and even root for his character (who is a total jerk, btw) no matter what kind of trouble he may cause. Charlize Theron gives a solid performance, and certainly an eye candy for any guy who watch this movie. And although Bateman’s performance is a tad one-dimensional, at least he is still likeable.

The downside of this movie is probably the final part.The mood tends to stray from the comical first part of the movie that previously sets the whole mood of the story. And although the story appears to get more philosophical towards the end, it also left you with a feelling that everything seems to be forced and the explanation of the hero’s weakness has fall in the realm of absurdness. It seems like the writer has a very good idea about what they want to tell, but the execution of the idea couldn’t deliver it. Despite all these, at the end of the day, Hancock is a fun, mostly fast-paced popcorn flick. And if you are Smith’s fan, you shouldn’t miss it.

Wanted (2008)


Rating:★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure
The theme of Wanted is all about taking charge of your life and making your own choices. It reminds me of a really well known quote in my campus about choices: life is filled with choices, and every choice has its own consequence. But watching Wanted was like watching a series of bad events resulting from a wrong choice. When everything seems to get better and better, it then hit a turning point and go downhill from then on. It’s like a stack of cards that have been stacked up to make a beautiful pyramid but with a single breath came smashing down piece after piece. The action went from one bad thing to another. It keeps you guessing, giving these characters situations which seem impossible to get out off. The action send your eyes and mind into a frenzy. While the sound was continually attacking your ears. There is a handful of story to be told in here but I don’t really see what is the point of telling it anyway. The language used in here is quite unnecessary, I mean I think the obscenities were just squeezed in here to give an edge to the movie. It's like going back to junior high, where every kid thinks that it's cool to swear, when it's not. And there really isn't’t anything to be talked about the acting except for the fact that Morgan Freeman is in here and his charisma almost make this movie passable to watch. The only good thing about this movie is that the cinematography and the action scenes are jaw-dropping. But after the credit rolls, I was left confused about what’s actually happened in that movie?

Monday, August 4, 2008

Jason Castro - Clumsy




Jason Castro on Chris Rice's Clumsy. Okay, so this is an old video, but since 'clumsy' is officially my current life soundtrack (check my post on chris rice - clumsy), i decided to post this video anyway. Plus, I haven't seen Jason Castro since the American Idol final result show.. :)

Chris Rice - Clumsy


You think I’d have it down by now
Been practicin’ for thirty years
I should have walked a thousand miles
So what am I still doin’ here
Reachin’ out for that same old piece of forbidden fruit
I slip and fall and I knock my halo loose
Somebody tell me what’s a boy supposed to do?
I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah
I’m gonna get it right this time
I’ll be strong and I’ll make You proud
I’ve prayed that prayer a thousand times
But the rooster crows and my tears roll down (again)
Then You remind me You made me from the dust
And I can never, no never, be good enough
And that You’re not gonna let that come between us
I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah
From where I stand
Your holiness is up so high I can never reach it
My only hope is to fall on Jesus
I get so clumsy
I get so foolish
I get so stupid
And then I feel so useless
But You’re sayin’ You love me
And You’re still gonna hold me
And that You wanna be near me
‘Cause You’re makin’ me holy
You’re still makin’ me holy, yeah
--------------------------------------------------
I feel like this song has became the soundtrack of my life this past few weeks since it is one of those songs that deals with my human weaknesses while striving to be holy. It's also a song that keep reminding me on how I make sooooo many mistakes in life but God still loves me through it all...

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Future American Idol - 3 year old HERO




The next American Idol? Footage of the 3 years old Hero singing the infamous "Hey Jude". Got the link from my friend a couple of weeks ago and I decided to share it here then, but just remembered it recently. I really love the way he screams the "better better better better AHHHHHHHHH!-- na, na, na, na na na na" haha.. cute!!