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Reviews
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
The Pursuit of Cheesiness
When I first saw the trailer for this film I thought to myself that it had a lot of promise. I was totally disappointed because after watching this crap they should change the title to the Pursuit of Money because that is what it really is. It hides behind a persona that it's a sensitive and touching look at a man's struggle to change his financial circumstances. It really is not. Will Smith is a terrible actor in the sense that he tries too hard to impress that he leaves the audience exactly with that. He's trying too hard. Casting his own son in the film takes it a notch lower. What is it with Hollywood and nepotism these days? Can't they find a good child actor not related to anybody in this movie? Its not that making a film about struggling to make money is bad. Its making a film about struggling to make money and making it look deep and life affirming now that's really bad. While watching this film I kept trying to find an inner meaning other than what was already the shallow plot. There isn't. In my opinion, they should just call a spade a spade. This film is like Wall street minus the sex and drugs. At least Wall street wasn't trying to hide under a veneer of being a "sensitive" film. It was brute and shallow and that made it a very powerful film. In the Pursuit of Happyiness it was just merely shallow.
Lady in the Water (2006)
What was he thinking?
The first time I saw the trailer for this film was about year ago inside a movie house. It showed a lot of promise, I was even mesmerized as it used Josh Groban's Mi Mancherai to great effect which left the viewer with such a teaser that I could not wait to know more about the film and its plot. Soon after wards a lot of internet hype went into this film based upon the fact that a lot of people are anticipating M. Night Shyamalan's movies. With the lackluster "The Village" as this film's predecessor it was time to look into a refreshing albeit familiar direction one expects of M. Night and after a year or so of waiting I finally saw it tonight. It is by far, the most unimaginative of all of M. Night Shyamalan's films and to me the most self-indulgent. Most of the time the film seems to be trying too hard to put that mystery and suspense that it feels contrived. I have also noticed a shift in his story telling style particularly his use of a lot of "Hollywood special effects" instead of the use of natural surroundings to create that distinct Shyamalan style of storytelling suspense which I loved and saw in his previous films. This feels like a sell out film and I think a wee bit egotistical to put himself as an important though not central character instead of his usual cameo appearance. This I think was the most detrimental to an already obtuse storyline. In closing, I think he should go back to the style that he became famous for and not try too hard to get lost in his own myth and persona.
Two for the Money (2005)
This is a bad bet
This is by far probably the worst film Al Pacino could have starred in. The movie had no real plot. It kind of careens into 24 different directions. It seems that the target audience for this film are people from gambler's anonymous.Mat Mcconaughey's character is not believable enough to be Pacino's protégé'. So he won a few bets for some degenerate clients as a sideline to a shitty job recording on a 900 service. Does that automatically supposed to convince an audience of his skills? It was just plain stupid to think of. The trailer did promise to show us how he makes his sure-shot picks but after going through the whole film I have yet to see what skill if any he ever had. If you want skill try looking at Robert de Niro's character in Casino now that is showmanship. At some point in the film, Mat's character picks his winning bets at a flip of a coin. Anybody could do that. Al Pacino seems to talk a lot and I mean blabber mouth in your face dialog. I think that style started with Scent of a Woman and worked for him because he finally won an Oscar but now I think its just irritating. He seems to be always sermonizing. He does do a mean act of portraying a man having unstable angina (that's an impending heart attack) its typically reminiscent of his acting in Godather part 3 which he plays the aging,diabetic mafia don corleone but other than that Pacino's talent is wasted on this film. Rene Russo is just plain eye candy for this film. She's kept in shape and shows it off in the tight clothes she wears throughout. This film is plain crap. Do not waste your money on it. It is much worse than the gambling picks of Mats character in the film.
Cinderella Man (2005)
A triumph of the human spirit!
At first, I was a bit hesitant to watch this film because I thought it would be just another boxing movie. After all, we have been inundated lately with million dollar baby but after seeing the 1st few minutes of this film I knew that this was just not your ordinary boxing triumph film. This was a real story with real characters. Not the card board cut outs that we're used to that Hollywood dishes out. This was truly an inspiring story that will reach the heart of any person who watches it. It touches the heart with the superb performances of Russell Crowe, Renee Zelweger & Paul Giamatti (who I think will win the Oscar this time. I thought he was robbed of it last year.)The story of Jimmy Braddock should serve as an example to all of us as a testament to perseverance against adversity and a triumph of the human spirit. Truly an awe inspiring film. This has Oscar written all over it.
The Great Raid (2005)
Don't Expect Too Much
The Great Raid is by far one of the worst films I have seen this year. It is told in a very formulaic way where you can expect what happens next quite easily. Director John Dahl fails miserably to put into perspective the story by giving us just the token scenes of abuse, death, destruction and rescue. He fails to connect the viewer to the P.O.W.s plight in the Japanese internment camps and instead tries to give us a very sanitized version of the events that happened during the waning days of the war. He also tries to intermix into the story a love angle between one of the prisoners and a woman who works as a nurse by day and a guerilla leader by night. There is just no connection with any of the characters in this film. It felt hastily done and low budget. In my opinion, it could have been done better by putting more emphasis on character development and not just going through the motions of telling the story. Examples of films with low budgets but were done exquisitely and told beautifully are the anti-war films "A Midnight Clear", "Saints and Soldiers" and the HBO original "When Trumpets Fade"
On a positive note, Filipino actor Cesar Montano proves his mettle to an international audience by providing a respite from the wooden performances of his Hollywood co-actors. He manages to make the most of the token scenes given to him & comes out with a stellar performance and even achieves to steal some fire from his scenes with James Franco and Benjamin Bratt.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
The Saga Comes Full Circle
Warning:Possible Spoiler I have just been to the premiere of Star WarsEpisode III: Revenge of The Sith. It came a few hours ahead of the world premiere here in the Philippines and I must say it was well worth the wait. The fans were everywhere and people clapped as the green LucasFilm Ltd. logo flashed on the screen and you knew in a few seconds that famous soundtrack of John Williams would herald the famous introduction sequence that dazzled an entire generation and left a cult following that would be studied for generations. George Lucas really came out with the chapter that would end all chapters with this final installment. A lot of questions have been answered that were left obtuse or to the imagination in the sequels (episodes IV,V,VI). I felt again the child in me that I thought was lost by my adulthood as i hummed to the famous sound of saber battles that were nothing short of excellent. This really is the darkest of all the episodes as we witness the seduction of Anakin Skywalker to the Dark side & transform to become the Sith lord Darth Vader in all his glory. The sad demise of many in the Jedi order and the rise of the evil galactic empire. Star Wars fans get ready for the ultimate chapter. May the force be with you.
The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
This film is El Crappo
Warning:spoilers
There was so much hype surrounding this film that one actually had to see it. The stellar cast provided much of the brouhaha and the exciting teaser trailer left you yearning for more. When I watched it I felt like I was in a roller-coaster not because of an intriguing plot but because of the really bad directing as seen in the "hand-held" style of camera pacing which leaves the viewer wanting to throw up. Its utterly shallow, decadently predictable and utterly a waste of time. If you've seen the trailer, that's the movie. The car chase in the end of the film which many critics say was awesome was well not enough to make up for the 1 1/2 hours of total hell to get to the ending.
Love Actually (2003)
I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes...
I have seen so few movies that capture the many facets of love. This is ONE of those films. It is a poignant montage of the many loves we encounter in life and it is delivered in a very funny and heartwarming way by the finest ensemble of UK actors lead by Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kiera Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson and the very funny Bill Nighy who really knocked my pants off with his rendition of love is all around retitled :Christmas is all around'. With a soaring soundtrack by Craig Armstrong there is really nothing you can hate in this movie. It is a very modern view of love and relationships in the 21st century. In this day and age when most romantic comedies are simply shallow, Love actually delves deeper (but not to the point of being boring) into the more wonderful circumstances that surround the feeling of being in love in all its many forms be it puppy love, forbidden love, blind love, familial love, etc. its all here. Indeed, when I finished watching it I really felt that love actually is all around
Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. 10/10 Excellent romantic comedy.
The Alamo (2004)
Avoid this like a root canal
When I first saw the trailer I was a bit apprehensive about watching it in actuality but the historical significance of the film is what actually brought me to buy the ticket for this movie. There is not much to play around with the story since the subject matter is based on a historical event. There are 2 previous versions of The Alamo listed in IMDB, one made in 1960 and the earlier was in 1936 anything before that was probably the event itself. Kidding aside, I haven't seen the earlier films hence I cannot make a good comparison. This 2004 version is in my opinion too Hollywood for my taste because they are sticking to the tried and true formula typical of movies made in Hollywood in the last ten years or so. There is the typical `braveheart' scene where Gen. Houston played by Dennis Quaid pep talks his men before the obvious slaughter of the Mexican army. There was a bit of an overkill in the final minutes of the movie where Houston's men began wantonly killing Sta. Ana's troops as they retreat from their `Waterloo' so to speak. Jason Patric as knife fighter James Bowie wasn't too convincing as he tried to play the funny guy against Patric Wilson's serious character William Travis. Billy Bob Thornton as the legendary Davy Crockett seemed like a traveling court jester in this movie, I almost thought he would burst into song somewhere in the film but I'm glad he didn't. Overall, I felt this film failed to develop the characters to a respectable level and heavily relied on the battle scenes to carry it through, sad to say it could have been made better, if they had a good script to begin with. If your interested in historical films about America and its wars in the 19th century I would recommend watching the Oscar winning film Glory.
MacArthur (1977)
Insensitive and politically incorrect movie
This Film was done in really poor taste. The script was really bad. I feel really sad for the late Gregory Peck who took on the title role of this B-movie adaptation of one of history's greatest generals. The movie was politically incorrect and downright insensitive to the others who fought the Japanese in World War 2. There was a scene where I almost vomited, it showed Macarthur in a bunker in Corregidor island talking to the troops like a seasoned politician when he comes across a wounded, one legged Filipino soldier. The soldier bleeding and dying manages to sit up straight upon seeing the general and says : `no papa, no mama, no uncle sam' and Macarthur gives his little pep talk that Americans `would never abandon' the Philippines. The scene ends with the soldier being invigorated by Macarthur's words and gives him a smart salute. I mean if there was a more condescending scene portraying the U.S. as the great white savior of the world please tell me because this one takes the cake. It showed that Filipinos are damsels in distress incapable of honor and have to rely on the great Americans solely for redemption. It blatantly and purposely overshadowed the contributions of the members of the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces of The Far East), these are Filipino volunteers that were integrated in the US military during world war 2, who died side by side with the Americans fighting the Japanese, who walked side by side with Americans in the death march of Bataan and defended Corregidor island by launching a guerilla offensive after Macarthur left for Australia with his famous `I shall return' speech. My late grandfather, a Filipino world war 2 veteran and USAFFE soldier was one of the many who fought the Japanese with honor and love for the home country. I think this movie does not give honor to them and to the thousands of others that Macarthur relied on for intelligence preparations for his famous return in the Leyte gulf landing.
Chasing Liberty (2004)
Avoid it like a root canal
This movie is a terrible vehicle for mandy moore. It is predictable, there is no chemistry between the lead actors and the acting is just simply terrible and unbelievable. My greatest regret was watching this in an expensive cinema and not walking out during the 1st 15 minutes to get a refund. Why did they cast anabella sciorra (Agent Morales) who is obviously italian as a hispanic? There was a scene where she spoke italian as if she was one of the locals. I guess it would have been more believable if she just was cast as what she really was ethnically(an italian). Mandy Moore was just going through the motions(she can't obviously act) her part was a no brainer anyway. Mark Harmon as the president is utterly stupid. If you want to lose brain cells then enjoy otherwise, avoid it like a root canal.
A Room with a View (1985)
A passionate triumph!
The first time I saw A Room with a View it left me weeping in tears at it's sheer beauty. It is a hopeless romantic's dream come true. James Ivory painted a beautiful, romantic landscape that will melt anybody's heart. Plus, Puccini's O Mio Babbino Carro from Gianni Schicchi played to great effect. Watching this film makes one wish of falling in love in Italy at the turn of the century. Simply magical. Watch it with someone special.
Trollflöjten (1975)
Loved It
I first saw Ingmar Bergman's version of W.A. Mozart's (1756-1791) Die Zauberflote on betamax way back in the 90's. I really fell in love with Mozart's works after that. This terrific 1975 rendition is magical and stays true to what Mozart probably intended it to be. A great opera singspiel.
Lost in Translation (2003)
One of the most poignant films in years. A modern day Breakfast at Tiffany's and Casablanca
Sofia Coppola has made a film that could blow away all contenders for this year's Oscar race. Lost in Translation is a film that embodies purity, sensitivity, peace, heartache, friendship, companionship, loneliness and love. Everything about this movie is perfect. From the cast and crew to the locations and script. Filled with a lot of memorable scenes and lines that could embody this generation. It is definitely this year's best picture. A perfect 10.