Back-to-Back Will Smith Movies on Sunday

Got a triple-action treat from Will Smith today. Watched his old movies from late 90's and early 2000's. I don't remember his full movie that I first watched but I'm sure it wasn't one of the MIB or Bad Boys films but I remember watching 'Wild Wild West' in 1999 with Kevin Klein and Salma Hayek, I remember him and Sisqo then rapping the soundtrack of it on MTV (I was in 3rd year high school then). Since then he became such a huge movie star and seen him in many films which include "I Robot", Shark Tale", "The Pursuit of Happyness", "I Am Legend", "Hancock", "Seven Pounds" and last December I was able to watch "Enemy of the State". With this number of films on his record I still missed a lot of his hits which include "Bad Boys I and II", "Hitch", "Ali" including the other three movies which I just saw today.

Independence Day (1996)

I first watched "Independence Day" after taking breakfast early this morning. It's a 1996 action-thriller film directed by Roland Emmerich (The Day After Tomorrow, 2012). When a city-like alien space ship positioned itself on the skyline the people of America was puzzled but when it started to attack and destroy all the cities, the President of America (Bill Pullman) must unite with his people together with the marine pilot Capt. Steve Hiller (Will Smith) and an electronics and computer expert David Levinson (Jeff Goldblum) to defeat the aliens and draw them away from planet Earth. It was breath-taking. I was surprised that the movie '2012' was almost a copycat of this film, no wonder most critics were unhappy with Roland's latest film. (My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars)

Men In Black (1997)

Watched this film after lunch. Though I have watched this before in cable channels, I didn't really get the gist of it since I wasn't able to watch it in full (and I don't like watching movie in cable channel or online streaming, I prefer in DVD or playing from my hard drive). Just like "Independence Day", Men In Black is also about aliens, only they co-exist with humans and Agent Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent J (Will Smith) maintain their peaceful living on earth without letting the human race know that they really exist. These aliens should really behave 'coz if they don't MIB will turn them into tons of green slime. Though the film was a bit short and less action, it was funny and considering it was released in the 90s the special effects were really cool. (My rate 3 out of 5 stars)

Men In Black II (2002)

Watched this sequel MIB II right after the first part. It was released five years after the first movie and was directed by the same director, Barry Sonnenfield (who will be back with MIB III sometime next year). Agents Jay was back in action fighting aliens but couldn't do it alone. He had to restore the memory of Agent Kay as he resigned the job before the first movie ended. With the help of Frank (the talking dog) and the four alien-worms MIB should defeat Serleena before she conquers The Light of Zartha and destroys the world. Added cast was Lara Flynn Boyle, the 'Jackass' star Johnny Knoxville and Rosario Dawson (who later worked with Will Smith again in 'Seven Pounds'). The film is funnier than the first one because of Frank, and Will got more of the spotlight here compare to his parter. But the film was still vague and it got lesser actions this time (2.5 stars out of 5)

'It's Kind of a Funny Story' is a kind of a good movie too

"He is not busy being born is busy dying" as what Bobby (Zach) said which was quoted from Bob Dylan song according to the film 'It's a Kind of a Funny Story'. It was a pretty cool light-comedy-drama film starred by Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover, Up in the Air) with Emma Roberts (Hotel for Dogs, Valentine's Day), Viola Davis (Eat Pray Love, Doubt, Law Abiding Citizen) and Kier Gilchrist. The movie talks about how beautiful life is when much appreciated and how little things we really wanna do can add up to make it more meaningful. Simple things like art, music and letting people that you love know how you feel (bad or good) can save you from getting your mind too messed up (that you wanna kill yourself sometimes). We often feel depressed and frustrated because we don't see the beauty of the things we have and the people we love 'coz its presence and simplicity blind us and it takes other people to show it to us.

Zach Galifinakis is really an awesome actor, his funny acts are effortless and he showed some serious faces here too which shocked me. Viola Davis is adorable as always, since seeing her from 'Doubt' I can't help but to get impressed with her performance in each movie she's in, she's just so natural and pleasing. Emma Roberts and Kier Gilchrist also did a pretty good performance especially when their together. Not the best movie of 2010 and you won't be laughing throughout the film but it does keep you smiling 'til it ends. It was simple but inspiring in someways. Directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck who also directed the critically-acclaimed movies like 'Sugar' and 'Half Nelson' which I haven't seen yet but I will because of this film.

My Rating (3.5 stars out of 5)

US Box Office Gross: $6.4 million (only released in US)

Production Budget: $8 million

'Love and Other Drugs' is not addictive but it surely keeps you high for a moment

The film centers on Jamie (Jake Gyllenhaal) who works as a pharmaceutical representative for Pfizer and finds himself falling in love with an artist Maggie (Anne Hathaway) who is sick with Parkinson's Disease. Started as a casual affair 'til everything went serious. Though Maggie is into him, her disease holds her back while Jamie gives up everything for her, even his own dreams. The film was funny and a bit dramatic. It also got several sex scenes of Anne and Jake so that film is basically not for everyone.

What amazed me about the movie is Jake's character, he has everything and he can have what every man on earth desires but he gave up everything to be with someone he loves. I can say it's really a brave thing to do, it takes a lot of courage to do that. I really like the part when he said "Sometimes the thing you most want doesn't happen and sometimes the thing you never expect does happen...you meet thousands of people none of them really touch you and then you meet one person and your life is changed forever.." Most us men (guilty of this too) always wish to have fun and always wanna runaway from responsibilities and Jamie was like that 'til he met Maggie.

The movie is not the best love story ever but it's a good one. It was a pretty light comedy-drama. You don't need to feel so sad about it or too happy giggling with their lame and cheesy lines. It was just enough and worth remembering. I don't know how director Edward Zwick pulled off something like this albeit previous films he did like Defiance, Blood Diamond, and The Last Samurai.

And by the way, here is one more line from Jamie, who knows this will work for you or for me.

"Let's just say in some alternate universe there is a couple just like us, only she is healthy and his perfect, and their world is about how much money they're gonna spend on vacation, who is in bad mood that day, or whether they feel guilty about having a cleaning lady...I don't wanna be those people, I want us..you..this.."

My Rating (3.5 out 5 stars)

World Wide Box Office Gross: $84.8 million

Production Cost: $30 million

Movie Everyday : "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader"

"Extraordinary things can only happen to extraordinary people, maybe it's the sign that you got an extraordinary destiny, something greater than you can imagine" that's what Reepicheep said to Eustace when he turned into a dragon in the third film adapted from C.S. Lewis' book "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (the fifth book in chronological order). Like the previous two films 'Dawn Treader' is magical and full of adventures.

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader brings back Lucy, Edmund, Caspian and Reepicheep (talking rat) from the last film, and accompanied by their cousin Eustace who always disbelieves everything they say about Narnia. As they sailed on a Dawn Treader (ship) against the current of the Narnian's sea from island to island, the main characters have to battle sea monsters and their own greatest enemy which is themselves and their own fears while looking for the Seven Lost Lords.

What's good about this sequel is that most of the characters from the last film were still in it though Susan and Peter were just shown for one or two flashbacks (as their characters were in America). Aslan and White Queen were also shown in some of the scenes. Noticeably the film is a lot shorter compare to its predecessors and wasn't co-produced by Walt Disney anymore which resulted to not-much-good box-office return. Produced with $150 millions but only reached $100 million in North America (though they collected $367 worldwide) which considered to be a boxoffice failure. But despite all these I still recommend the film, it's a family treat especially for kids which can benefit from a fantastic imagination and a lot of lessons for their take away.

My rating (3 stars out of 5)

Worldwide Gross: $366.7 Million

Production Budget: $155 Million

Movie Everyday - Paranormal Activity 2

Today's movie is 'Paranormal Activity 2'

Genre: Horror - Supernatural

Katie Featherson is back this time with the new director, Tod Williams. It's the prequel of the first movie, so it happened that Kristi (Katie's sister) was also haunted with the same demon that terrorized her and Micah on the first film. The movie was a bit dull and sadly it didn't live up to it's predecessor, it was not just so scary at all despite having the same concept. I wonder how would it turn out to be like if it was directed by Oren Peli (the director of the first movie). It could have been a lot scarier than the first one.

I just don't know what they have to offer on the final movie coming out this year (also directed by Tod Williams) and I'm not excited to watch it (though I like to see Molly Ephraim again on the sequel).

My Rating (2.5 stars out of 5)
Worldwide Box Office: $171.6 Million
Production Budget: $3 Million

'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' is a small comedy film with huge laughs!

Been snubbing the film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" since it came out last 2002. It was because I found the title so weird and the only actor I know in the film is Joey Fatone of the N'sync of 90's boy-band as one of the supporting acts. It didn't interest me at all until yesterday when I was looking for a feel-good-movie to watch. And as soon as I started watching the film I can't help but to be impressed with how everything was seriously presented but really really funny. Thought it got a typical plot for rom-com films it was smartly written which really sets aside from dull and corny films of the same genre. And by the way to give justice to what I'm saying about this film, I've watched two other romantic comedy films today (Bewitched (2005) and Life as We Know It) but they were nothing compare to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. I got my self laughing the whole time especially with Toula's father and his mother.

After watching the film, I did a little research about it, it was written and starred by Nia Vardalos (who also starred in My Life Ruin) and she was nominated in Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for the film as well as in Golden Globe for Best Comedy Film. And wait there is more, the film was just produced with just $5 million but grossed around $369 million world wide (see boxofficemojo.com) and it's the highest romantic comedy film in North America with $241 million since 2002. Pretty amazing right?..'til next great movie experience, good eve everyone!

'The King's Speech' will leave you speechless!

Do you still recall the feeling you get after listening to a beautiful and inspiring speech? It's a warm feeling that makes you smile everytime you get reminded of it. And most especially it changes the way how you see things, gives you hope and makes you believe in something, even if it's almost impossible to happen.

That's the kind of feeling that the film 'The King's Speech' gives you. It will leave you speechless as it ends and before you knew it you find yourself applauding along with the crowd. Such a wonderful movie. If there would one movie that deserves the Oscar Best Film besides 'Inception' and 'The Social Network' it would be this film. And maybe a month from now, the more members of Academy would have the chance to watch it, the closer it gets to grabbing the Oscar statuette.

The King's Speech is based from a true story of King George VI (starred by Colin Firth) and his stammering problem. Pressured from the sudden ascension to the throne and to give a speech to the people of Britain, his wife Queen Elizabeth (starred by Helena Bonham Carter) looked for a speech therapist to help him out with his speech problem. Queen Elizabeth disguised as a regular citizen and hired Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Lionel is known for his conventional way of teaching where trust and equality are important. No special treatment even for royalties. Their differences somehow clashed, especially when the two just started out but friendship bloomed eventually between the two and remained friends for the rest of their lives.

This is just the second movie of the British Director Tom Hooper. His first film is 'The Damned United' last year (which is also a good movie and one of my all time favorites by the way). From directing TV shows and series, his works are now being recognized internationally which he really deserves. 'The King's Speech' is one of the strongest front-runners for this year's Oscar Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor for Colin Firth and if I am to decide, it has already won.

'127 Hours' another triumphant story from Danny Boyle

I can still hear my heartbeat slowing down. It was beating too fast a few minutes ago while watching the last few scenes of Danny Boyle's 127 Hours. It was really intense. James Franco (Spider Man, Eat Pray Love, Pineapple Express) did his best performance of his career so far.

127 Hours is based from a true-to-life story of Aaron Ralston (starred by James Franco), an adventurous man that got himself trapped in a deserted canyon in Utah when a rock crashed on his right arm locking him inside the hollow canyon. Trapped for 127 hours with nothing but a camcorder, a tumbler of water, a pocket knife and some climbing tools. Left with hopeless chance of getting rescued after being trapped for several days, Aaron must rely on his own survival instinct to get through.

The plot was pretty common for a film and you probably know what would he do in the end just to survive, but the film is not just about survival. It's about looking to someone's life or your own life why you end up in such situation and how you would give up anything to turn things around. One of the best scenes in the film is when Aaron was so weak and hallucinated, he saw all the people that he loves on a couch smiling at him which was significantly emphasized at the end of the film. It was indeed a triumphant true story.

The movie could have been boring if not because of the beautiful musical scoring of the Oscar award winner A.R. Rahman. The same person who was responsible for the scoring of Danny Boyle's Oscar film Slumdog Millionaire. All through out the film, background music and sound effects made the movie symphonic which plays pretty well with James acting. What made his effort worth remembering is that there was no supporting cast to back him up in most scenes. There was no interactions with anybody so he had to act alone. There was even one scene where he had to show his emotions without any words at all which was really outstanding. It reminds me of Tom Hanks solo performance in the film "Cast Away". And if with luck he might gain his first Oscar nomination for this performance. 127 Hours may not be an Oscar piece like Boyle's previous film but it was equally beautiful and it sure gives you the same pretty light feeling of triumph as the movie concludes.

'Little Fockers' comes with little fun

Me and my friends decided to have fun and headed out to cinemas to watch the Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro starrer, Little Fockers. With too much expectation in mind, we were all excited to LOL with the movie. But unfortunately the movie has little fun to offer. The movie is predictable and the old trademark of the first two movies is absent. I was expecting it to revolve around "Circle of Friends" and "I'm watching You" of De Niro and Stiller famous tangle. But they tried to focus the spotlight on young Fockers, the twin offspring of Greg (Stiller) and Pam (Teri Polo). It was worth of a try though, only it didn't much play off. The character name of Jessica Alba, which is Andi Garcia is really funny, but it's just the name, that's it, not even her character as a whole added to the fun.

However, there is still a reason or two for you to have fun watching it and one of it would be seeing Dustin Hoffman in the film. He is the funniest Fockers in it. Though his scenes were few, they were all smartly acted, his Mexican dance move is just unforgettable. Barbara Streisand just did pretty good too. She brings the fun and regulates the corniness in all scenes she's in.

I did enjoy that day. But not really because of "Little Fockers". Yes I have to admit I laughed hard in some scenes but what made my day complete, it's because I spent it with friends and with the woman that is so dear to me. Wish we had more time together that day. Anyway, 'til next movie experience.

'Never Let Me Go' is Gripping and Moving

I have never watched any movie like "Never Let Me Go" before. It was gripping and moving.

It's an adaptation of a novel of the same title which I first heard before watching the film but never got the chance to read it. Though books are complete and original, I still prefer watching the movie version over reading it or sometimes I read the book after watching the film then watch it again after finishing it. It's nice to see how things come to life in a movie. I'm enjoying the beautiful scoring that makes each scene more intense and I really admire the actors in it while portraying the role.

Just a heads up, the movie is not made out of eye-popping special effects, no action or high-octane scenes but purely drama about life, love and letting go presented uniquely in a different situation. 'Never Let Me Go' is a sci-fi, romantic - drama that is set in 1970s in England. It's a tale of three people who learned to live their lives according to what they were raised for. Created out of science and eventually would die for it. While most of us grow up freely with hopes and dreams of what we want to be, Kathy, Ruth, Tommy and the rest of the students of Hailsham are deprived with it. They were raised to be donors (of their body parts). They were clones of their originals (this is far from clone-movie of Michael Bay's 'The Island' by the way) that got only a lifespan up to four donations. With little knowledge on how it came to be they moved on without questions. The three were inseparable, Ruth and Tommy became lovers but Kathy is secretly into him. What Kathy didn't know that Tommy had been in love with her ever since they were young. After studying in Hailsham, the three were exposed to real world with normal people but still bind with the rules. They soon learned about the Deferral where donation could be put back to three or four years and donors would have the chance to live together normally as long as they can prove that they are really in love with each other. And with this, the three lives became more interwoven, and whose gonna end up with whom? that's the twist of the story. The end would actually determine if you really like the movie or not. In my case, the ending was just fine, I'd prefer it that way.

It was beautifully acted and Romanek's way of transitioning from one scene to another was pretty smooth. The scoring was simple but really played off (I always look into film's scoring, it's the most important component next to acting as it brings life to the film as whole). The song Never Let Me Go that was played several times in the film which obviously where the movie title based from, was just in tune with one of the most intense scenes in the film (apparently not just local Filipino films are using the song title in the film as its movie title).

Starred by two of the young and talented British actresses, Oscar Best Actress nominees Carey Mulligan (An Education, Wallstreet: Money Never Sleeps ) as Kathy and Kiera Knightly (Pride and Prejudice, Pirates of Caribbean Trilogy) as Ruth with new comer Andrew Garfield (The Social Network,New Spiderman Movie) and based from the novel of Kazuo Ishuguro and directed by Mark Romanek, 'Never Let Me Go' will show you that sometimes no matter how hard it is, letting go is just the only way. It's really up to us on how to make each and every second we live worthwhile, especially with the ones we love.