Wow. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was all excited about getting 1000 views on my little blog. Cuteviv apparently, didn't forget about my little offer for the 2000th person to click in. I hadn't even realised that I was closing in on 2000! But here we are, 4 months into this little blog, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank all of you for your support. As promised, a little gift will be going out to Cuteviv soon; just a small gesture to show my appreciation.
Thanks everyone for the support and love shown to this little blog. I'll appreciate it even more if y'all help me to spread the love more! HAHAHA....And you know what? Let's keep this going! Until further notice, I will send out a small token of my appreciation for every 1000th page viewer. The next gift will be given at 3000 page views. Same rules. First person to send a comment that they are the first comment on or after 3000 page views will get a little gift as token of my gratitude. Thanks again for all your continued support. Hope to send my next little gift soon!
~Cheers.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Movie: Source Code (2011)
Rating: B+
Why do some people have to go bugger up the ending of a perfectly good movie?!
Directed by newcomer Duncan Jones, Source Code is a smart, quantum sci-fi version of Groundhog Day. If this is Jones' first crack at a major motion picture, I can't WAIT to see what else he's got up his sleeve. As with most fast paced, science fiction movies, you're not going to get Oscar worthy performances. But the movie was well thought out, well written, and well paced. The movie does ask for some suspension of disbelief, but don't all science fiction movies?
Near the end of the movie, there's a scene where Jake Gyllenhaal kisses Michelle Monaghan. When you see this, RUN. Get out of the chair, and bolt for the door. They ruin a perfectly good movie from that point forward. Stupid "Spielbergian" need to wrap up movies in a neat little bow. Had they cut that out, I probably would have given this movie an A.
Oh...and if you need another reason to watch this movie? Russell Peters is in it. That's right, "Do da wite fing" and watch this movie. Well....if you want =)~
~Cheers.
Why do some people have to go bugger up the ending of a perfectly good movie?!
Directed by newcomer Duncan Jones, Source Code is a smart, quantum sci-fi version of Groundhog Day. If this is Jones' first crack at a major motion picture, I can't WAIT to see what else he's got up his sleeve. As with most fast paced, science fiction movies, you're not going to get Oscar worthy performances. But the movie was well thought out, well written, and well paced. The movie does ask for some suspension of disbelief, but don't all science fiction movies?
Near the end of the movie, there's a scene where Jake Gyllenhaal kisses Michelle Monaghan. When you see this, RUN. Get out of the chair, and bolt for the door. They ruin a perfectly good movie from that point forward. Stupid "Spielbergian" need to wrap up movies in a neat little bow. Had they cut that out, I probably would have given this movie an A.
Oh...and if you need another reason to watch this movie? Russell Peters is in it. That's right, "Do da wite fing" and watch this movie. Well....if you want =)~
~Cheers.
Monday, 18 April 2011
Movie: Hanna (2011)
Rating: B-
2011 has been rather slow. I've had to wait until NOW (April 16th) to finally find a movie that's really intrigued me enough to want to watch it. I never thought however, that a young actress that I never heard of...scratch that...a young actress whose name I can't even pronounce....scratch that... well, BOTH statements are correct...I never thought of a young actress whose name I can't pronounce and that I've never heard of would be so charismatic and captivating.
Saorise Ronan, whom apparently was in was in Atonement with Kiera Knightley (among other films), stars in this coming-of-age thriller. An fairly interesting concept that dances around a Grimm theme, the movie moves along at a fairly good clip, but I really wish that they would have found more depth in the characters and the stories. Hanna only grazes the surface of a story that could be so much more, but instead leaves too many loose ends and unanswered questions.
While the performances of Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett give gleaming performances, there's just simply not enough depth in the characters for us to care about either of them. I really think that if Joe Wright would have less attention to spinning cameras and more attention to scratching more than just the surface, this would have been a MUCH better movie.
Despite fight scenes that were too slow for the post-Jason Bourne era; Hanna is fairly delicious from start to finish, but leaves you hungry for more substance.
~Cheers.
2011 has been rather slow. I've had to wait until NOW (April 16th) to finally find a movie that's really intrigued me enough to want to watch it. I never thought however, that a young actress that I never heard of...scratch that...a young actress whose name I can't even pronounce....scratch that... well, BOTH statements are correct...I never thought of a young actress whose name I can't pronounce and that I've never heard of would be so charismatic and captivating.
Saorise Ronan, whom apparently was in was in Atonement with Kiera Knightley (among other films), stars in this coming-of-age thriller. An fairly interesting concept that dances around a Grimm theme, the movie moves along at a fairly good clip, but I really wish that they would have found more depth in the characters and the stories. Hanna only grazes the surface of a story that could be so much more, but instead leaves too many loose ends and unanswered questions.
While the performances of Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett give gleaming performances, there's just simply not enough depth in the characters for us to care about either of them. I really think that if Joe Wright would have less attention to spinning cameras and more attention to scratching more than just the surface, this would have been a MUCH better movie.
Despite fight scenes that were too slow for the post-Jason Bourne era; Hanna is fairly delicious from start to finish, but leaves you hungry for more substance.
~Cheers.
Wednesday, 13 April 2011
Movie: The Fighter (2010)
Rating: A-
Christian Bale is one crazy actor, and totally dedicated to his craft. The guy is 6'2" and over the past 7 years, has distorted his body again and again and again. In 2004, he dropped his weight down to 120lbs. for his role in The Machinist. In 2005, he brought it up to 190lbs for Batman Begins. 2006, back down for Rescue Dawn. Back up for The Dark Knight in 2008. Back down again for The Fighter in 2010 (He'll be back up for Dark Knight Rises for 2012 and rumoured to lose again, for Concrete Island).
Bale says that he was willing to put his body through such extremes because he worries that he won't be taken seriously as an actor. "I didn't really take acting classes, I didn't go to drama school or anything -- I always felt like I had to make up for it!" He doesn't have anything he needs to make up for anymore after his performance in The Fighter. He won Best Supporting Actor for both the Oscars and the Golden Globes.
Brilliantly done all around, but I'm giving Bale all the credit. I'm not even going to bother talking about Mark Wahlberg, or Melissa Leo, or Amy Adams. Bale steals the show as Dicky Eklund and is all the reason anyone really needs to watch this. Amazing.
~Cheers.
Christian Bale is one crazy actor, and totally dedicated to his craft. The guy is 6'2" and over the past 7 years, has distorted his body again and again and again. In 2004, he dropped his weight down to 120lbs. for his role in The Machinist. In 2005, he brought it up to 190lbs for Batman Begins. 2006, back down for Rescue Dawn. Back up for The Dark Knight in 2008. Back down again for The Fighter in 2010 (He'll be back up for Dark Knight Rises for 2012 and rumoured to lose again, for Concrete Island).
Bale says that he was willing to put his body through such extremes because he worries that he won't be taken seriously as an actor. "I didn't really take acting classes, I didn't go to drama school or anything -- I always felt like I had to make up for it!" He doesn't have anything he needs to make up for anymore after his performance in The Fighter. He won Best Supporting Actor for both the Oscars and the Golden Globes.
Brilliantly done all around, but I'm giving Bale all the credit. I'm not even going to bother talking about Mark Wahlberg, or Melissa Leo, or Amy Adams. Bale steals the show as Dicky Eklund and is all the reason anyone really needs to watch this. Amazing.
~Cheers.
Sunday, 10 April 2011
Movie: Bruce Lee, My Brother (2010)
Rating: C+
Most people have heard of Bruce Lee. Several biopics have been made over the years talking about this superstar, his life, and how it was cut short. Most however, gloss over his childhood focusing instead on his time in the US. This rendition, based off of memoirs, written by his brother, talks about him and his family growing up, and how he got his start in Hong Kong.
The movie stars some relatives unknowns along with Tony Leung (梁家輝）and Christy Chung (鍾麗緹) as Bruce's parents. The movie is largely superficial, talking about Bruce and his buddies getting into trouble, and how he breezes into fame. But it's a feel good story and not a documentary. It doesn't talk about any personal demons he had or anything like that. But just gives you an overview of how he grew up.
If anyone knows anything about Hong Kong biopics, it is to believe no more than 20% of what's presented to you. This movie, is the same. Not a GREAT movie by any stretch of the imagination, but gives you certain insights to how Bruce grew up, his family, and life in Hong Kong in the 60s. Also, a great job by Tony Leung, and the kid the plays Bruce as a child? Brilliant.
~Cheers.
Most people have heard of Bruce Lee. Several biopics have been made over the years talking about this superstar, his life, and how it was cut short. Most however, gloss over his childhood focusing instead on his time in the US. This rendition, based off of memoirs, written by his brother, talks about him and his family growing up, and how he got his start in Hong Kong.
The movie stars some relatives unknowns along with Tony Leung (梁家輝）and Christy Chung (鍾麗緹) as Bruce's parents. The movie is largely superficial, talking about Bruce and his buddies getting into trouble, and how he breezes into fame. But it's a feel good story and not a documentary. It doesn't talk about any personal demons he had or anything like that. But just gives you an overview of how he grew up.
If anyone knows anything about Hong Kong biopics, it is to believe no more than 20% of what's presented to you. This movie, is the same. Not a GREAT movie by any stretch of the imagination, but gives you certain insights to how Bruce grew up, his family, and life in Hong Kong in the 60s. Also, a great job by Tony Leung, and the kid the plays Bruce as a child? Brilliant.
~Cheers.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Movie: Megamind (2010)
Rating: C-
There was still 8hours on my flight back from Hong Kong, and I had run out of movies to watch. I had watched every single movie that I had wanted to see, and the fat snoring guy in the aisle seat had no intention of waking up. Flipping through the pages of movie selections, I came across a big blue head. No, it wasn't the Smurfs. It was......MEGAMIND
Unfortunately, it starred Will Farrell. While some love his antics, I find him fairly annoying. Especially when he starts shouting and yelling. There seemed to be a lot of it here. The movie was amusing enough, with some small chuckles here and there, but it never gave you reason for bellyaching laughter. And the same goes for the movie as a whole. Mildly entertaining, but entirely formulaic. Nothing inspiring and nothing new.
While you do finish with a smile, it just seems to be a waste of such an all star cast. Tina Fey, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, David Cross, and even Ben Stiller. And yet, none of their performances were memorable. And I hate to say it, but if it weren't for Will Farrell, Megamind would have been a MegaDisaster.
~Cheers.
There was still 8hours on my flight back from Hong Kong, and I had run out of movies to watch. I had watched every single movie that I had wanted to see, and the fat snoring guy in the aisle seat had no intention of waking up. Flipping through the pages of movie selections, I came across a big blue head. No, it wasn't the Smurfs. It was......MEGAMIND
Unfortunately, it starred Will Farrell. While some love his antics, I find him fairly annoying. Especially when he starts shouting and yelling. There seemed to be a lot of it here. The movie was amusing enough, with some small chuckles here and there, but it never gave you reason for bellyaching laughter. And the same goes for the movie as a whole. Mildly entertaining, but entirely formulaic. Nothing inspiring and nothing new.
While you do finish with a smile, it just seems to be a waste of such an all star cast. Tina Fey, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, David Cross, and even Ben Stiller. And yet, none of their performances were memorable. And I hate to say it, but if it weren't for Will Farrell, Megamind would have been a MegaDisaster.
~Cheers.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Movie: 127 Hours (2010)
Rating: B+
When you only have 1 actor for the bulk of a movie that runs 93min long, you better cross your fingers, beg and pray that he can act and carry your vision. I would never have guessed that James Franco would be the one to pull it off.
I think I would have enjoyed the movie a little bit better if Kate Mara had a bigger role. Haha. Personal preference. Despite this, I was floored by Franco's performance. What a difference from the spoiled rich brat he played in the Spiderman series! I can't quite decide if I want to take Franco seriously as an actor yet, but this film certainly doesn't hurt.
This is a based on true events movie about a guy whose arm is trapped under a boulder for 127 hours. Don't expect a whole lot to happen in these 93 minutes. Instead, you're watching Franco's performance as he deteriorates and becomes more and more desperate. And does the job quite well.
~Cheers.
When you only have 1 actor for the bulk of a movie that runs 93min long, you better cross your fingers, beg and pray that he can act and carry your vision. I would never have guessed that James Franco would be the one to pull it off.
I think I would have enjoyed the movie a little bit better if Kate Mara had a bigger role. Haha. Personal preference. Despite this, I was floored by Franco's performance. What a difference from the spoiled rich brat he played in the Spiderman series! I can't quite decide if I want to take Franco seriously as an actor yet, but this film certainly doesn't hurt.
This is a based on true events movie about a guy whose arm is trapped under a boulder for 127 hours. Don't expect a whole lot to happen in these 93 minutes. Instead, you're watching Franco's performance as he deteriorates and becomes more and more desperate. And does the job quite well.
~Cheers.
Sunday, 3 April 2011
Movie: Cleopatra (1963)
Rating: B.....and C-
I've always been a fan of the classics. In my case, it simply means that I've always WANTED to watch them. Unfortunately, never really found the right opportunity to watch them. But after the recent passing of Elizabeth Taylor, I decided that it was high time I watched one of the most expensive movies ever made at the time, and a movie, that for the first time ever, gave an actress $1,000,000 in salary.
Critics have mostly bashed this movie, and quite honestly, I don't blame them. However, regardless of whatever the Academy was smoking, this film WAS nominated for Best Picture for the Oscars. As the trailer points out, Cleopatra is indeed a spectacle to watch. It is lavish and opulent, over the top and stunningly beautiful. It doesn't unfortunately, take away from the fact that this movie is 4, yes count'em.... FOUR HOURS LONG! It was long enough that it actually included an intermission!
Cleopatra is actually 2 movies in one. The first tells the story of Cleopatra's ambitious affair with Julius Caesar, played brilliantly by Rex Harrison.The script was witty, smart, and the movie itself was as ambitious as Cleopatra's plan to rule the world. The second, tells the story of Cleopatra's torrid affair with Marc Antony (Richard Burton). But I felt that this is where the movie ran out of steam. The chemistry between Taylor and Burton was obvious; heck, their affair off the screen (and eventual marriage.....twice...) became as talked about as their affair on screen! Directionless chatter and drivel, coupled with poorly orchestrated battle scenes made the 2nd half of the movie arduous to watch, and tedious to sit through.
While Cleopatra isn't required viewing, Elizabeth Taylor shines and shows why she nearly single handedly changed America's rating system for movies. And I can't see very many movies today that will invest money into such brilliant hubris and opulence.
~Cheers.
I've always been a fan of the classics. In my case, it simply means that I've always WANTED to watch them. Unfortunately, never really found the right opportunity to watch them. But after the recent passing of Elizabeth Taylor, I decided that it was high time I watched one of the most expensive movies ever made at the time, and a movie, that for the first time ever, gave an actress $1,000,000 in salary.
Critics have mostly bashed this movie, and quite honestly, I don't blame them. However, regardless of whatever the Academy was smoking, this film WAS nominated for Best Picture for the Oscars. As the trailer points out, Cleopatra is indeed a spectacle to watch. It is lavish and opulent, over the top and stunningly beautiful. It doesn't unfortunately, take away from the fact that this movie is 4, yes count'em.... FOUR HOURS LONG! It was long enough that it actually included an intermission!
Cleopatra is actually 2 movies in one. The first tells the story of Cleopatra's ambitious affair with Julius Caesar, played brilliantly by Rex Harrison.The script was witty, smart, and the movie itself was as ambitious as Cleopatra's plan to rule the world. The second, tells the story of Cleopatra's torrid affair with Marc Antony (Richard Burton). But I felt that this is where the movie ran out of steam. The chemistry between Taylor and Burton was obvious; heck, their affair off the screen (and eventual marriage.....twice...) became as talked about as their affair on screen! Directionless chatter and drivel, coupled with poorly orchestrated battle scenes made the 2nd half of the movie arduous to watch, and tedious to sit through.
While Cleopatra isn't required viewing, Elizabeth Taylor shines and shows why she nearly single handedly changed America's rating system for movies. And I can't see very many movies today that will invest money into such brilliant hubris and opulence.
~Cheers.
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