Sam Raimi directed one of the coolest Hollywood horror movies in years with Drag Me To Hell. He’s also notched up quite a reputation for producing some of the more entertaining horror movies in recent years, like The Grudge remake, 30 Days of Night and The Messengers. So I’m looking forward to the new horror movie Raimi will be producing.
Raimi has officially signed on as producer for the supernatural horror movie Refuge. The movie will revolve around a town that is being attacked by a Yeti.
I’m looking forward to this movie.
Half-Blood Prince Delivers
I saw “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” yesterday and as can be expected it was good. My main problem with the movie though is that it just left me hanging! I haven’t read “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and since I do enjoy the movies a lot don’t plan on reading it until I’ve seen the last film. I know I’ve got it backwards but it’s just more exciting to watch without knowing what’s going to happen next. I do love reading but this time the film adaptations are just so good (despite minor scenes) that I don’t think it would do a disservice to the book by watching the film before reading it.
Anyway, back to the “Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince.” What I liked about the movie (let’s not discuss the story anymore because we all know it’s good) is that it delivered. The CG was spectacular, a lot better than in the last movie “Order of the Phoenix” where we were introduced to Hagrid’s giant half-brother, Grawp. Grawp was adorable but like the centaurs was obviously CG. In contrast I don’t remember any part of the “Half-Blood Prince” looking unrealistic. Watching the film makes you think that everything is being shot as is.
The actors/actresses did not disappoint as well. The cast has obviously grown not just in age but in maturity in their acting skills. Those that stood out to me were Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), who was able to embody his very conflicted role, Rupert Grint (Ron Weasly), though I must be biased because Ron is my favorite character, and Frank Dillane (older Tom Riddle), who just sent shivers down my spine…he was so creepy! Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) did a good job as ever showing as Harry growing to be more than a boy. Others who did not stand only because in relation to their own achievements as actors (they always do an excellent job) are Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix), Alan Rickman (Snape) and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore). Cutest character in this movie is the same one in the last movie – Luna Lovegood (played by Evanna Lynch). She’s so cute I can’t help but wish Harry would just hook up with her instead of Ginny.
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen Falls Flat
Got vetoed and ended up watching “Transformers Revenge of the Fallen” instead of “My Sister’s Keeper”. So did I end up enjoying myself? Yes. Did it live up to the hype? I’m not quite sure. Will it keep on topping the box office? Hell, yeah!
“Transformers Revenge of the Fallen” was a fact-paced action-filled movie with such loud booms that my seat vibrated time and again. It was definitely entertaining and did deliver on the promise that it will provide plenty of action and lots of visual effects. My problem with the movie though was that I actually found the action scenes a bit too much. There were way too many action scenes that the storyline, though an interesting one, seemed like an excuse just to make a blockbuster action movie at times. Not only were there too many action scenes but the action scenes though they really looked great, were often too confusing. Half the time I couldn’t distinguish whether the Decepticons or the Autobots were getting blasted.
I did like the concept because it was great to learn more about the Primes and the history of the Transformers. The problem was that I would have liked the movie to be a bit more cerebral giving us more insight to the history and not coming up with lame symbols that looked senseless when Sam (Shia LeBouf) explained why Einstein’s theory was all wrong.
As for the actors the ones that did entertain were mostly the CG twins and the Decepticon that fell in love with Mikaela (Megan Fox). I liked Sam and Mikaela’s characters in the first Transformers movie but this time their characters seemed a bit lacking in substance this time. Megan Fox managed to be as sexy as ever but this time around it just fell flat, like they were just shooting scenes to show how sexy she was, it wasn’t funny, cool, nor significant, like in the first movie when her sexiness underlined the reason why Sam had the hots for her. Sam’s character also managed to seem a little shallow with his wanting to be normal problems. The Sam before meeting the Transformers is permitted to be shallow but who would still be totally wrapped up in oneself after such experiences? The characters I did like this time around were Agent Simmons (John Turturro), Leo (Ramon Rodriguez), and of course Sam’s mom (Julie White), who provided the laughs in the movie.
With all my criticism about the movie would I say that it wasn’t worth watching on the big screen? Definitely, not. It just didn’t deliver for me but it was still entertaining. If you plan on watching it at least watch it on the big screen to be able to enjoy the visual and sound effects, because it is the kind of movie where you can do without watching it at all if not for that. Watch it because of the CGI. Watch it because the first movie just compels you to watch this one. But don’t expect to be blown away by this film.
Mixed Feelings on Night at the Museum 2
It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to a movie theatre packed with kids and I must say that I did enjoy hearing them laugh. I think I enjoyed the sound of laughter more than I did the movie. That doesn’t mean though that Night at the Museum 2 wasn’t funny because it did have some good moments even if I did have to fight boredom towards the middle of the film. Thankfully Kahmunrah was there to destroy the world and save the movie because for me he provided the biggest laughs. Hank Azaria really did a great job with all the three characters he played, i.e. Kahmunrah, The Thinker, Abe Lincoln. The rest of the cast did their jobs pretty well too though I was a bit disappointed with how little they made use of Robin William’s talent.
As for the plot of the story there isn’t much you can say about it because there’s really not much of a story beyond Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) running around, in, and under the Smithsonian trying to save his wax friends and the world from Kahmunrah. The attempt to add depth to the story by giving us a lesson on doing what we love was more like an afterthought just so we can say that the movie had a story beyond trying to get some good laughs out of the audience. The ending was fun but ruined by the oh so corny appearance of the reincarnation/complete opposite of Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams).
All in all the movie was funny enough but I could have lived without seeing it on the big screen.
Thumbs Up for The Soloist
The Soloist is earning is getting great reviews and you can add mine to that. The film is based on a true story. It centers around the friendship developed between LA Times journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) and a musically gifted but mentally ill Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx).
Nathaniel Ayers once studied at Julliard but due to a mental breakdown cannot cope with the strict code that society enforces and so ends up living in the streets, which is where Lopez finds him and befriends him. Being a journalist, Lopez of course started writing human-interest stories about Ayers but also starts on a quest to save Ayers. As time goes by Lopez realizes that his friendship with Ayers is the one that’s opening his eyes and making him see the richness of life. A movie about life and friendship that tackles the hard issues of homelessness and mental illness, the Soloist may lack the fast-pace of action flicks and will not awe you with effects but it is thoughtful and moving.
As for the acting, Robert Downey Jr was able to perfectly capture the character showing us the depth of emotions of the deeply troubled journalist. Jamie Foxx was equally perfect giving such a great performance that watching it you’ll forget that it is just acting. His portrayal of Ayers could just break your heart. Extra props to Jamie Foxx as well for his patience in learning to play the violin because it sure did pay off, even classical music enthusiasts agree that he was very convincing when he played the violin and the cello.
The movie is a must-see if you wish to see a quality film that is more than just about effects. This one you must see for the story and superb acting.