Arbitrage

There's nothing really new about this drama-thriller film Arbitrage but it got all the right ingredients of becoming one of the best thriller films of all time. Mr. Robert Miller (Richard Gere),a  multi-millionaire who owns several companies desperately tried to complete a sale before getting noticed on his fraudulent act. He tried to weigh this with his infidelity to a young French-girl who later resulted to a tragic accident. The movie revolves around these two acts that he is trying to walk away from, sacrificing innocent people around him including his family. What I like most about the film is a strong script and genuine acting from the cast. It was unexpectedly moving too, the short scene of Mrs. Miller and her daughter Brooke touched me, and the life of the accomplice Jimmy Grants also added to the great story, creating twist and turn to Robert's fate.

Great mixed stories of infidelity and fraud in a Wallstreet-like setting has set this indie movie a total sold out for people loving its genre. The performances from the cast were outstanding, lead by Richard Gere who should really get an Oscar-nod this time. Susan Sarandon as always as one of the best actresses, she never fails to impress me even in this little role as Gere's wife. I've seen a completely different Brit Marling in this movie compare to her previous role in Another Earth, her work as Gere's smart daughter showcases her real versatility, I'd love to see more of her and hopefully in hugely-produced and widely-distributed ones. Also starred Tim Roth, written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki. This is surely one of my favorite movies of the year, I'm giving it a healthy rating of 4.5/5

Rurouni Kenshin (Live Action)

I wasn't aware of the live action version of this famous manga and anime Rurouni Kenshin 'til it started to be shown here in our local cinema this December. I was reluctant to believe when one of my peers asked me about the film since I hadn't heard about it 'til it was shown (I thought it was just some web series or fan-based videos online). I'm not a fan of the manga nor its anime series, though I have come across an episode or two of its TV adaptation I lacked background about what the story is all about. So earlier today I took time watching the movie version of it, it was a little over two hours of non-stop sword-clashing  and  and I kinda like it.

The movie centers on a former assassin Himura Kenshin who wanders the city of Japan trying to forget about what he really was, a murderer. With too much blood on his hand he tried helping people as an atonement to the crimes that he committed, this time without killing them. He later met Kamiya Kaoru, the owner of the fencing school that was owned by her father. Her school discourages the use of sword for fighting and doesn't believe in killing. As Kenshin seeks a new life, with the help of Kaoru he remains true to his pledge of not using his sword to kill under any circumstances.

The film goes from slow-paced drama to a non-stop sword-clashing action. Fight scenes were beautifully choreographed and managed to show some blood without appearing it be gory as young adults are expected audience. The score and music sounded a little off sometimes but mostly it was great, especially towards the end of it. What amazed me are the characters, they looked like the ones in manga or in tv series which somehow added to your viewing interest. While I couldn't really speak on how this film as an adaptation I would just based my review from the movie itself and I could say it's among those samurai films that you'll surely appreciate. It wasn't moving nor life-changing but it wasn't a waste of time either. (Rating 3.5/5) 

Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas is one of those movies that requires serious attention for you to fully realize its significance. It was more than a film or a published material that will continually haunt you even after seating through it for almost three hours. Adding to its beautifully narrated story is mesmerizing visual effects and scores. Actors were amazing for taking multiple roles, it was like watching multiple films in a one show and if you don't really know them you won't realize that it was them all along. 

The film is about how people from the past, present and future interconnected to each other. How a single piece of work inspires and changes one's belief. It has six main stories presented in six different times. With multiple story lines, the film goes from the present time back to 1800 then to the far future of 2044. It was carefully edited so following the story wasn't that difficult and at the end of, it will leave you so moved that you want to watch the movie again.  

From the time I've seen the first trailer of the film it has already gained my curiosity but I didn't know that I'll get so hooked up to it. There maybe some obvious unlikable stuff in it, like the make-up maybe which I think was overdone, and some plot that were vague or  something that wasn't agreeable but it wasn't that much. In general Cloud Atlas is lovable, this is one the films that you want to see stocked on your shelves and seeing it there among others brings you joy and reminds you the beautiful feeling when you first watched it. Starred by Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Sturgess, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw and Susan Sarandon. Adapted from the novel of the same title, written and directed by Andy and Lana Wachosky (who also wrote and directed The Matrix trilogy) and Tom Tykwer. 

The Next Tree Days - A Movie Review

'The Next Three Days' is one huge film not just because of Oscar winner Russell Crowe is in it but also because it's written and directed by his fellow Oscar winner Paul Haggis whose works in the past were Oscar favorites. He is known for his work for 'Crash' which won the Oscar Best Picture in 2004, he also won the Best Original Screenplay and was nominated for Best Director. He has two other Oscar nominations which include two Best Screenplay for both Clint Eastwood films, the Best Picture "Million Dollar Baby" and "Letters to Iwo Jima". He also wrote the the latest James Bond film "Casino Royale" in 2008. Russell Crowe on the other hand won Best Actor for "Gladiator in 2001 and got two other nominations for "The Insider" and "A Beautiful Mind". The two joined forces last November hoping for another Oscar buzz. But unluckily the movie didn't turn out to be as planned. It was a boxoffice flop 'coz it was released along with the latest Harry Potter film, and got mixed reviews from critics. Judging from all these you won't be expecting too much from the film as you start playing it but don't be surprised if you'll get yourself glued to every scene after its first 25 mins.

John Brennan (Crowe) was a college teacher whose wife (Elizabeth Banks) was sent to prison when her boss was found dead after a serious argument with her. After three years, justice seemed unclear and John left with no choice but to plan on how to have his wife escaped with the help of a prison-break expert (Liam Neeson). Filled with edge-of-the-seat scenes, one after the other. Paul Haggis didn't waste any scene and took his time showing every detail that justified the implausible plot. Elizabeth Banks' performance was at her best so far, and Crowe as always is one of the finest actors in Hollywood, he never failed me, though I was a bit unhappy with "Robin Hood" I didn't really take it out on him, it was the story itself the made it boring which Ridley Scott didn't carefully work on.

One strong point of the film which made the thriller effective is how Director Paul Haggis played with audience's thoughts (those who are really watching closely) and that's when John Brennan's well thought-out plans worked, it was so smooth that it would appear like you know what would happen next. For those who want to watch the film, just a little tip, listen to Liam Neeson's character in the film, every word he said, his advised to Russel Crowe in the bar set all the thrilling mood, it was also the turning point of the film, so you have to start paying more attentions for the next scenes after that.

Most movie critics were not satisfied with this thriller film, but some of them really did find it gripping and terrific and I belong to the latter group who had seen every bit of the film that most of them missed. It was indeed an enjoyable ride, it was like watching Liam Neeson's "Taken" with a bit of Hilary Swank's "Conviction" drama.(4 out of 5 stars)

'Bulong' shows a new face of local horror and it's enjoyable

Had a little bonding time with my younger sister and my niece last Monday in a movie house in SM Megamall. We laughed our heads off with Vhong Navarro and Angelica Panganiban's horror-comedy film "Bulong". Apart from being so funny, the plot was pretty new, though it involved 'kulam' and 'demonyo' theme but the story as a whole was presented in a unique way,far better than the previous horror films produced locally. It was beautifully acted. Vhong surely never fails to make you laugh and we always see him doing that for a quite a while now and he is getting better each time but to my surprise Angelica did as great as he did. She is even better as comedienne than a serious actress I supposed. Chito S. Roño scared our asses off with 'Feu Shui' and "Sukob" and this time he will give you a fright that you won't forget that you find yourself bursting with laughter almost in every scene. Though the effects were really poor (as expected with low-tech and limited production budget) and the scoring was a bit unpolished but the film was very enjoyable. You'll leave the cinema smiling and you won't mind if a friend of yours will invite you to watch it again and again.

A decent horror flick..better than 'Shelter' and 'Paranormal Activity 2'

Vanishing on 7th Street is a horror film that combines supernatural, mystery and apocalyptic style of scaring people who are really into scary movies which is somehow a bit of unique style considering horror films nowadays are either about exorcism or ghost stories with long hair and black eyes (lol). With decent performances from Thandie Newton, Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo, the film is just as good as it is. It's not really scary but thrilling, and though some happenings remained unanswered until the end, the film ended just fine. Nothing really especial about it though (except for the plot perhaps) but it was satisfying 'coz it's not predictable and you would really wanna seat though it once you started.

Four group of people found themselves in a bar as they looked for the people they love. They were just four of the few people left in 7th Street alive as others were vanished mysteriously in the dark (with their clothes and other stuff they wear left behind). As soon as they realized that the darkness devoured these people and power is running out, they have to do all things necessary to keep at least a spark of light with them to survive. Directed by Brad Anderson, who directed Christian Bale's The Machinist, Vanishing on 7th Street, though it could have been better, it's a good horror flick that I have watched this year so far, compare to non-sense 'Shelter' and 'Paranormal Activity 2'. (3 out 5 stars)

"Due Date" is as funny as Hangover

My first movie of the month of February is from Todd Phillip's Due Date which features the new comedy duo, the star of Hangover Zach Galifianakis and Mr. Tony Stark himself Robert Downey Jr. They were really both funny, I got myself laughing the whole time.

A father-to-be Peter (Downey Jr.) bumped into an aspiring actor, Ethan (Galifianakis) who wanted to make in it Hollywood. Both were heading to LA. While on the airport their stuff was switched and was confiscated because of some weeds and was enough for the two to be on the No-Fly list. The two had to take the road together unfortunately and that's where all the fun and catastrophes begun. Supported by the power casts which include Michelle Monaghan (Eagle Eye, Maid of Honor), Jamie Foxx (The Kingdom, Law Abiding Citizen), Danny McBride (Up In The Air, Land of The Lost) and Juliet Lewis (Conviction, The Switch) and Todd Phillip was in the film too (with Juliet Lewis and Zach Galifinakis scene).

The movie didn't much live up to Todd Philip's previous film, The Hangover, but the film was not a disappointment either when it comes to box office gross. The critics got mixed reviews too and Rottentomatoes was a bit unhappy with it, gathering only 42% (as opposed to be at least 60% to be considered to be as a good film) but for me I enjoyed it just like I enjoyed "The Hangover" because the lead actors didn't fail me at all. 'Till next movie experience, good eve everyone!

Little Trivia: This film is the third movie of Director Todd Philip with Juliet Lewis in it, the first one was 'Starsky and Hutch' followed by 'Old School'. They're working on the fourth one now which is "The Hangover 2" with Zach Galifianakis who had two movies together (Hangover and Due Date)

My Rating (3.5 stars out 5)

World Wide Box Office Gross: $209.7 million

Production Budget: $65

'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