37. Matilda (2/5)

I remember way back during my younger years, one of my cousins love this movie too much. I remember visiting their house, and he always want us to watch Matilda or Jumanji with him. Well since we visit there not to just to watch the movie- we always stop the movie on the middle part then eat dinner and talk with the other relatives. I watched the first parts too much without even finishing the movie. So, I downloaded it now.

Story/Screenplay/Script: This is again an adaptation from a book. The book was written by Roald Dahl, also the writer of Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Seems like Roald has the talent in making children stories. There is the fantasy/adventure mystifying tone on his writing that surely touches the kids and the kid at heart. But then the screenplay writers Nicholas Kazan ans Robin Swicord was able to make it appealing as well. 


The ending was just a little bit unexpected. Not in a happy sense, but in an awkard sense. I don't know how to take the fact that her biological parents just agreed to leave her. It is good for Matilda, but kinda awkward.


One more short observation: The antogonist is so flat and not dynamic. Well I guess that's how children shows were before, maybe even now. They don't explain the back story why the antagonist is bad. They are simply PLAIN BAD.

Acting/Directing: I watched this movie with my brother and he is right, the protagonist reminds me of Zooey Deschanel. Matilda's character perfectly fits to what we probably imagine Zooey was as a kid. Unique, weird but very charming-- it suited Mara Wilson perfectly. I also searched about Mara Wilson's whereabouts now, and she is now on her 20s. She looks so different now. This is directed by Danny Devito, and he also acted on the movie as Matilda's father.

Cinematography: I guess it also boils down on the director. The cinematography is simple and it well suited the kids. The characters (specially the kids on the classroom) movements are synchronized, makes you feel you are watching a theater play. I also recognize that the background at the sala is so colorful, and I don't like the mixture of colors, it makes me puke because of the contrast. I think it is more of a preference.

And of course, the scenes that involved throwing people on the air is obviously done more than 10 years ago.  

Scenes I like the most:

1. Matilda going to the library with book on her wheelbarrow

2. The scene when the kid was thrown out by the flowers

3. The scene when Matilda played a trick on the antagonist, fooling her that a ghost is haunting her.

4. The cat and mouse chase of Matilda, the teacher and the terror principal at their house
5. Matilda practicing her powers on their house with a cool, catchy music background

I rate this movie 2/5

36. Eat, Pray, Love (2/5)

Story/Screenplay/Script: We had heard this story everywhere-- a protagonist wanting to find herself and find happiness. There is nothing wrong with the story plot-- only that, since it was used a lot of times, maybe we need to add more details to it, like an unexpected twist, or something that would surprise many. I kept on saying that I love long, profound, boring movies... but too much of it is not good as well. It makes life boring and lifeless, we need action too! Yea!


Oh well, I know I would like the book better. I love the EATing part, as in colorful food is simply attractive. But the story feels flat, feels draggy too. 

Acting/Directing: This is directed by Ryan Murphy, and being innocent that I am, it took my attention that he had directed and written GLEE too. Well, seems like the two are seemingly different contrasting type of product eh? It is hard to digest that the creator of Glee directed Eat Pray Love as well. 


There is only small room for the characters to show their acting skills, so it is hard to determine if they did a job well done on the acting part. I was just moved on the part when Julia Roberts is still with her first husband. It is sad because I am more moved on her husband's lines. The part where Julia Robert asked his husband to choose one dream. The Guy said: I chose one-- I CHOSE YOU! Wow, that should be really sweet isn't it? 

Cinematography: Great. I really love the EATING PART the most. And, I mean, it is given that cinematography should be great... the scenery and the travelling part is enough for them to shoot great shots. 

I give this movie 2/5

35. Lion King (3/5)

Lion King is definitely a classic. I am not even sure if I had watched this on a movie theatre when I was a kid, but watching it recently was like watching it for the first time. Because of this I would include it here.

I actually watched this movie 2 times this week. First was alone, the second was just this morning with my brother Egon. It is funny how your reaction could be different by watching the movie the 2nd time around. Being an amateur myself, there are things that I haven't noticed the first time. Your feelings regarding watching the movie might differ too. I find it more entertaining the second time.

Now, I'll talk about my total reaction: at first, I was like WOW. I'll rate this movie PERFECT! As in, it feels like every element of the movie is placed on their rightful places. It feels like it is a total production, I can't help but feel that the creators of this movie conceptualized for 10 years or so! But then as the story progresses, you will feel that since everything is  perfect, everything is predictable. I know that this is intended for kids, and this was showed 1994... so, I am again unfair to review from a contemporary point of view.

Story/Screenplay/Script: The story is actually simple. It was perfect, so perfect that you feel there is nothing new, no surprises. I hate it, I remember what Sir Ricky had said: as a writer, we must produce something like 2+2=7 instead of 2+2=4. We need to surprise the audience! But then since this movie is old, I am so unfair. I think the formula should not apply to this type of movies.


But then, I SAY THIS MOVIE IS DEFINITELY A CLASSIC! Saw at IMDb that there is a lot of writers that had collaborated to produce the story, it must be hard to conceptualize for a Disney cartoon that time. They might have brainstormed throughly, thinking of the children's point of view. Everyone should watch this, new born kids should watch it once they turn toddlers. Even adults who haven't watched it during their younger years. By watching this movie, makes you a part of the movie's classical success.

Acting/Directing: This is directed by Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers. I don't know about directing animation, but everything was superb. I recognized there were a lot of extreme long shots, which is good because it is used to establish and it is really visually appealing. 


Character development was amazing, all characters are unique and unforgettable in their own ways. Who would forget TIMON AND PUMBA? I was shocked, I don't have an idea that they came from LION KING!


I just want to react on Simba's character. It is not a criticism, it is more of just an observation. It feels that since Simba grew in the forest with Timon and Pumba, when he grew up as a lion-- he lacks maturity. He is still the kid inside.

Music: FREAKING AWESOME!!! The song CIRCLE OF LIFE was amazing, and it was a great idea that they placed it on the first part. It established a great impact on the start, like a whooping fireworks. Personally, it made me realize how great the relationship of every living soul in the planet. Like you wanted peace and unity for every living thing. Addition to this wonderful song would be HAKUNA MATATA, which is for me the best feel good song. 





This picture reminds me of the song "CIRCLE OF LIFE"





Timon and Pumba

Scenes I like the most: 
1. The song numbers. Hakuna matata and Circle of Life
2. The scene when King Musafa saved Simba from the stampede. 
3. The star gazing scene


Other comments: Watching it with my brother: I learned about the HIDDEN MICKEY on Disney animation. I just told him that I read somewhere that Lion King has the word SEX on some parts/scenes of the movie. I said it is kinda scary, people putting subliminal messages on cartoons intended for kids. He then said that it is not supposed to be scary, it is the same with almost all animations- it is because animators simply just wanted to stake his claim over the scene he had animated, something like that. Like a trademark or something. Oh well, just a trivia, you might want to research it on the net. click on http://www.eeggs.com/items/1182.html





Another thing, I hope DISNEY COULD MAKE ANOTHER 2d cartoon like this, with music that people would forever cherish.


I give this movie 3/5

34. The King's Speech (5/5)

First and foremost, I bought a pirated DVD of King's Speech last month and it is not working good. I tried watching it in spite scenes that are blurry, but sometimes trying is not enough my friend. I failed to really understand the movie. Because of this, I downloaded a torrent file of the movie just recently. With clear copy movie experience, not just that I understood the movie, I also mighty hell enjoyed it.

Story/Screenplay/Script:

I think it is better to review about the story first before anything else because it holds the core of the movie. To start with, I was moved knowing that David Seidler (the screenplay writer of this movie) is now the oldest title holder for best original screenplay for Oscars. I mean, who would disagree on giving him the award? The story is very unique- the idea of making a story out of a royalty's impediment could catch the audience attention alone, what more if you added more to it? Yes, we might had watched a lot of royalty movies and their struggles in ruling their empire, but this one is different because it showed to us the speech defect of the Duke. It magnified to one specific internal problem, and played around with emotions and the responsibility of being a ruler. It showed to us the inside struggle, and how it is hard for him as a royalty to accept his impediment and overcome it. We had a view of the inner obstacle and it was a different view indeed.

One more thing, I love the friendship that was built between King George VI and Leonel Louge (the speech instructor). The development was slow, but it was established good. It is nice knowing a royalty had developed a tight bond with a simple person like Leonel.

David Seidler (oldest title holder for best original screenplay for Oscars)

What I would also like to react about is the story behind David Seidler's production of this masterpiece. He had a speech defect himself as a kid, and he had overcome it as well. It is just fair to say that there is a plus factor if you felt and experience the same things with the character you are writing about. Somehow, putting a part of yourself on the character produces magnificent effects, making it more believable and real. It is really touching for David to write something like this, it feels like sharing his own success story from speech difficulty.

 Also, honestly, I read on some reviews that the movie is witty. I don't know about British wittiness, but at first I didn't find the movie funny at all. I was so focused on the feelings of the character that I haven't recognized the witty side of the script. It must be the culture barrier thing for me because I simply regarded everything as unique and simple characterization from the actors. As for example, I find Geoffrey Rush's portrayal of Lionel Logue (the speech instructor) quirky and with attitude, but then I just considered it as his character, thus not making the genre of the whole movie funny perse. 

 Acting/Directing: I know, everyone would agree how great Colin Firth's portrayal of King George VI (AKA Bertie) had been. As I remember the movie, I can't help but really feel the pride resisting to burst from the protagonist. There are a lot of times that I can't help but laugh, and relate myself to the King George. I know the feeling of being prideful, so I am really moved. The character also reminded me of my father. The mere fact that I relate so much with the protagonist is already enough proof that Colin Firth did a job well done.

And stupid of me to not point this out first-- it is hard to act as a person with speech defect! It was really believable, sometimes you can't help but also mutter and choke words while he says something. You can really feel the difficulty in speaking and the devastation on not able to speak properly!

And again, I like the character of Lionel Logue (acted by Geoffrey Rush). I like his character in the story, and I love how it was acted.







Colin Firth as Duke Bert and Geoffrey Rush as speech instructor Lionel Logue

Cinematography: It is great. The cut to cut scenes, the establishing shots are good, the framing of the shots are splendid. On one of my favorite scenes, I noticed that the camera was just placed in one place, the actors always on the middle of the shot. It was great, and it fits the type of shot. 

Music: Feels orchestraic to me, I don;t know if I remember too well-- but it feels that there are orchestra music used.

Scenes I like the most:
1. The part when they had sessions at Leon's house, transitioning to one session to another. Those were cool series of scenes all together. Light to watch.
2. All the scenes that pertains to Bert's (King George VI) speaking in front of many people. Specially the first and the LAST ONE.
3. Waaaaaaaaaaah! THE SCENE WHEN LIONEL SAID THAT ALBERT HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BE KING! Such attitude from Lionel, I love that scene so much, it made me teary eyed!
4. The scene when Albert is reading the piece "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" while listening to music

Other comments: No other comments, I think I had already exhausted everything. Whew, this is hard. My reviews are becoming detailed and I don't know if I can do this consistently! Soon as I get a job I won't be able to do this no more! This is all for my growth... it is hard to review but this is all for you Nek. :)


I give this movie 5/5

33. The Fighter (3.5/5)

The Fighter is a movie about Micky Ward, an aspiring boxer and his struggle in achieving it.

As far as I wanted to give a detailed blog about this movie: I cannot. I wouldn't force myself. From now on, I'll divide my blogs in to categories for me to easily review

Acting/Directing: This movie is directed by David O. Russel, and I don't know why I cannot comment that much. I had watched the movie about 3 days ago, so I think that effected my emotions while writing this. I just want to comment on Christian's Bale performance. He had won the best supporting actor for Golden Globe Awards for playing the role of Dicky Eklund on this movie, and I can say he had portrayed it quite well. The truth of the matter, I hated his character and that also affected my liking of him. It feels like he is really pathetic and a drug addict in real life. But the mere fact I hated him and I believed on his character just proves how great he was on his performance. I cannot comment that much of Mark Wahlberg who acted as Micky, but I think this is a good break for him. Somehow, the characterization from the written story or script affects the acting, and since I find Micky's character simple, there is only little room for Mark to show off his acting skills.

But Oh! I almost forgot! I love Mark Wahlberg acting too! The time when Micky's love interest Charlene Flemming (played by Amy Adams) came in to Micky's life: which is also, coincidentally, the time he lost a match. The feeling of confidence stooping down was effectively portrayed by Mark, and I just wanted to hug him and comfort him that time. Hahahaha. I love Charlene's character on the story  and the mother Alice ward was portrayed by Melissa Leo perfectly! Just like how Christian Bale gave justice to Dicky's role, Melissa was so great on her characterization that I hated Alice so much! Haha!




Christian Bale as Dickt Eklund 


Cinematography: As I remember, I love the idea of filming a documentary as a part of the movie. It added to the realness somehow. I cannot remember a lot of things, but I think the cinematography was ok.


Story/Screenplay/Script: It somehow has a real feel on it. I want to comment on the story, it feels good to tell the story inside of a boxer's life. I mean, people just see boxers as fighters on TV, but having a glimpse of what is really happening and their struggles is quite a revelation to us, the audience. The interlinking of feelings somehow gives us the feel of how complicated feelings and relationships could be. As for example, the character of Micky at first was always dependent on his brother and his mother. But then here comes his love interest. That is the point where the relationships of the characters interlinked and got real-life complicated. If you are Micky, always dependent to your brother, (when in fact you know he is a drug addict) you still want him as a trainor as a respect for him. It is like balancing love over family, over your dreams.

I just love the honesty and realness of the character's lives.

Music: Honestly, I might not be paying attention, but I don't have comments on the music.


Scenes I like the most: Dicky jumping from his window every time someone needs him.
The scene when Dicky was watching his documentary with his inmates
the scene when Micky, almost lost but won!


Other comments: Well, wahh! Here in the Philippines, almost everyone watched Manny Pacquiao's progress in all of his matches.This is the reason why I think I was not really engrossed to the movie. We already felt the tension of each boxing match, wishing him to win. Somehow, the plot is familiar to us Filipinos-- but the family as a burden and not as a support, just added to the complexity of the story, making it a little bit different.

And, I had watched Hajime No Ippo (KO), the anime that deals with different possible stories for different boxers. So, somehow, the story's plot is really familiar to me.

So, in conclusion, I love the movie, but it doesn't give me a lasting feeling of creeps that I would carry forever. I give this movie 3.5/5

32. Legend of the Guardians (3.45/5)

"What difference does it make what I call myself?"


"What did you expect? Some title album with gleaming armor and battle claws, the moon rising behind him? Well, this is what it looks like when you ACTUALLY fought in battle. It's not glorious, it's not beautiful, it is not even heroic. It's merely doing what is right and doing it again and again, even if someday you'll look like this." -wise old Ezylryb



This movie gives us a glimpse on what Hedwig (Harry Potter's pet) world was before it got involved to the world of magic and wizardry. Haha, just joking. Ok, now, I'll really try to write good reviews, something formal. (Goodluck, nyahaha!)

Well, Legends of the Guardians is really visually appealing, in fact I consider it one of the most visually appealing animation so far. Super great job to Zack Snyder, I bow to you! But there is just something lacking in spite the great appearance.

Well, as an analysis, animation movies are generally made for children. What's lacking on this movie is the usual funny character that we find in most of animation movies. I admire Soren's (the main character) pureness, and the "I believe in my dream no matter what" character, but his very kind and serious attitude made him a little bit of boring and colorless. That being said, children might find the movie a little less appealing than those animated movies with exagerrated movements and funny main characters. This might be again, my own opinion.

I wanted to point out that it is hard for me to distinguish at some point who is who. It could be because the color choice for the feathers are limited in to black, brown, gray and white only, plus there are scenes that are the same from their feather's color. There is so much brown every where, the background is mostly brown, or white... so it is hard to pin point at some point who is who for me. I might be stupid, but I find it hard to catch up on the characters.

But I love the character design of Eglantine! So cute and cuddly, I want to keep her a pet! Soren too! I love Soren, he is so cute and white, just like my dog! :))



A picture of cute, little Eglantine

I also found out that the story is from a children's book written by Kathryn Lasky. Just knowing that fact, we can say that the screenplay was well written. A job paid off for John Orloff and Emil Stern!

The music is OK, I was a  fan of Adam Young before, but then when you hear his songs all over and over again you won't find it entertaining anymore. One piece of advice: Do not listen to Adam Young all over and over again, it will destroy your amazement to his songs.

I also love the scene when Soren dashes towards the fire. The scene is so boosted with colors, the fire feels so alive and moving.  

=================================

But what I wanted to point out is the scene where Soren discovered that the old man in front of him is actually the hero on the history book he really adored. He was surprised to see what he looks like, expecting him to look powerful and strong.

I'll put again the phrase here:

"What did you expect? Some title album with gleaming armor and battle claws, the moon rising behind him? Well, this is what it looks like when you ACTUALLY fought in battle. It's not glorious, it's not beautiful, it is not even heroic. It's merely doing what is right and doing it again and again, even if someday you'll look like this." -wise old Ezylryb




This phrase made me teary eyed. It made me feel proud of wise old Ezylryb. Those words from him made him more than a hero. I realized there is no point in getting a name, there is no point in getting famous. The true hero is a person with heart, a person who just do what he think is right and keeps on doing it, without MERIT. The wrong thing about people is that we usually overrate heroes. The thing is, we forgot that it is simply about sacrifice and thinking about the welfare of the many over your own


I give this movie 3.45/5

31. Udaan (4/5)

Director/Writer: Vikramaditya Motwane.
Lead actor: Rajat Barmecha (playing the role of Rohan Singh)

This a dramatic movie that I guess a lot of people will relate to. The Philippines is a very patriarchal society, so a lot of Filipino citizens might have something to say about the movie.

Somehow, I can relate to the protagonist, Rohan Singh, so young and wanting to live his dreams. But dreaming is always hard, there are obstacles on the way-- including parents, and family matters. I love his depth as a character! I admire guy who writes, because it is true that the profession of writing is mostly associated to women. Specially that what he writes are poetry and stuffs that are really emotional. I love how he stood out and told the world he would like to write.

Well for me, it took long before I really accepted that writing is one of my aspirations in life. I always wanted writing, but somehow I am embarrassed when I need to say it. But as times goes by, I learned to be proud and say it to more people. My parents never said something about not pursuing it because I don't really tell them much about it. But sometimes, being a half-baked writer, and having money problems in the family is not a really good combination.

Going back to the movie, I find the actor really cute, but I wanted to point out how girly his lips are!!!



Notice it! See? But he is cute though, but there are times that I feel he is really girly- and because of that, the more I get intrigued.

Scenes i like: The first scene was great, young kids goofing around to watch an x-rated film. I want to go back to highschool and experience that! I was never called to get scolded by the principal! I want to know the feeling! Hahaha, I want to do little mischiefs that would not actually affect humanity! You know, just for the sake of having fun! Hehe.

The scene where his father burned his notebook. Hell, he should have punched the wits out of that old man, because if it was me, I'll certainly do so!

And the scene at the hospital where Rohan was telling stories to the old people.

Waaaa, there are a lot of touching scenes. As in.

The best scene for me, is the running away scene, there is just one thing missing though-- he should flashed a FUCK YOU Finger when he already knows his dad won't be able to catch him. Hahaha! That would be very contemporary!

To sum it up, the movie as again very real and dramatic. I love it.

I would really love to do detailed in-depth reviews, but I don't have time. I might just find ways to make things easier for me like breaking the next reviews in to three parts. Ah, let us see.

As for now, I give this movie 4/5!

30. Blue Valentine (4/5)

This movie has an Indie feel on it, it is so real and truthful you will feel it sting.

Story is simple. It is about two people falling in and then out of love. In spite the simplicity, you will feel so attached to the characters you will end up sympathizing with them. The story is actually set on the present time where Cindy (played by Michelle Williams) is not anymore in love with her husband Dean (played by Ryan Gosling). Series of flashbacks are done to compare the present times to the old days when the love feels great and is still fresh.

I can say that the script is well done, very poignant-- and as I told awhile ago, it feels so real it stings. I like the scene where Ryan Gosling was such  a loser, (reminds me of myself sometimes) getting angry at the hospital, and the script when he said something like: "You promised Cindy, you said for better or for worse. Now, this is my worse." I also love the scene when they where just starting to fall in love with each other-Cindy was dancing, while Dean play his music instrument. I love how romantic Dean's lines were, as in wow, the talk on the bus, everything. But I understand Cindy too. You will appreciate a family guy like Dean, but in the end you want a guy who has big dreams too. That is freaking important for me, and I hope for others as well.

 It doesn't have a happy ending, but it makes me feel profound (again). I love movies who shows the real normal reality, not the reality of extreme killings, massacre, or something grave, but reality that happens to normal people that we don't usually represent in films. Moral lesson is: people could always fall out of love. True love does exist, but then people are forever changing. The challenge is to keep falling in love while people change. (I read a quote similar to this somewhere)

I just admired the realness. Will quote again the director for me to remember it: Derek Cianfrance. He is also one of the writers.


I give this movie 4/5, I would like to create a movie like this someday.

29. Black Swan (4.5/5)

Waaaaaaaaaaaaah.

This movie is literally insane. Haha.

I will keep on saying it here that psychological thrillers and suspense are not my type of movies, but maybe after watching and watching, I might just learn to like it.

Black swan is like a horror movie. But what I wanted to point out is that it has a great story with strong resounding moral lesson: No one is perfect, and that what makes life beautiful. Pursue what you want, but don't be unhealthily obsessed. Failure is natural, and it is the best thing to learn from. There is more to life-- enjoy while dreaming, and pursuing it!

I again, have no right to review movies like this because I haven't watched a lot of this kind. All I can say is that although I find Natalie Portman yea, let us say-- beautiful yet boring, her acting in this movie is superb. The weak personality of the protagonist at the start was really reflected on Natalie's acting prowess, and the hell, her portrayal of the Black Swan on the end gives me goosebumps!!!!!!! Freaking GOOSEBUMPS!!!!

Another thing, I love the plot blocking and the mis-en-scene. I love theater and the effort in putting in the props and the lighting and all, so I guess that affected my liking for this movie. I want to remember the name of the director Darren Aronofsky, he is really great in depicting the darkness of the genre in the movie. The movie is not long, every minute is worth to watch.

... and the seductive scenes. Whoa, there is even a scene where Mila Kunis was doing Natalie! Waaaa?!?

And Vincent Cassel's acting was great too, the steaming scenes were really effective, and his role makes me want to fume about the reality of higher ups taking advantage of the high aspiring lower employees.

I give this movie 4.5/5, fuck the hell I won't easily forget this movie! :) Waaaaaaa

28. 127 hours (4/5)

Watching this movie makes me want to watch the Slumdog Millionaire again.

Danny Boyle had successfully made the movie stretched out without being boring. Honestly, if you are claustrophobic you won't like this movie. But then, Danny Boyle's storytelling was so effective. I read a review saying that Danny Boyle was able to film the unfilmable, which is really true because the movie could be summarized in 5 sentences, and there is only one character stuck on the canyon! That is a great challenge for the screenplay writer, and the screenplay writer (one of them is also Danny Boyle) of this made it possible.  The editing is really great, as in I can't help but react, specially on the first parts. The music is also amazing! James Franco also made justice to the role, he was able to create the adventurous happy go lucky aura at the first part of the movie, then the calm character on the part when he got stuck, and the desperate almost loosing it characterization on the 3-5th day of doom. He is also handsome as ever,

I find myself putting myself on the protagonist character-- thinking of ways how to get my hand out of that big rock. First thing, I thought of getting a pen and scrapping the rock out, which is similar with his knife attempt. i thought of water too, it happen on the film as well but through a dream.

What also added to the film's success is that the thought of it being a true to life story. Aron Ralston is such a great character in real life, I am not sure if I have the courage to cut my arm like that.

Moral lesson: ALWAYS TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOU ARE GOING! HAHA!


I give this movie 4/5

27. Lovely Bones (5/5)

Kill me now because of my preference.

I clearly stated that I wanted movies that makes me feel profound. The Lovely Bones is an adaptation from a novel by Alice Sebold. I haven't read the book yet, and I know that the novels are always better than the movie. But then, if not for the reviews I have read I MIGHT HAVE OR I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN THIS MOVIE A PERFECT SCORE.

The movie is somehow a break from the crime and investigative movies I had watched recently. This movie, is again-- a movie that is under investigative type. But what I wanted about this movie is that unlike the usual suspense investigative movies, this movie focused on the internal perspective of the murdered girl.

What I wanted to point out, is that in some sense, the movie had done a magnificent job on building the sweetness and innocent character of Susie Salmon, the 14th year old protagonist. Most of the audience now wanted action, wanted intellectual, investigation processes like CSI. The thing is, the way they portrayed Susie Salmon's perspective of the IN BETWEEN world, the beautiful imagery, would like to in still on the audience the gravity of crime the murderer had done. You will feel what a waste he had done to the kid's life-- there are just so much ahead for her, if only she wasn't killed.

I might have been a product of Philippine films, I love happy endings. I prefer happy endings, and although Roger Ebert also argued about the concept of heaven on his reviews at rotten tomato, it is always good to feel that there is a beautiful place after life.

I love the scene wherein Susie narrated the names of the sweet little girls murdered like her. So dramatic, gives me creeps.

I adore Peter Jackson's visual eye for picturesque scenes.

I won't be elaborating, someday maybe I'll be like Roger Ebert, and the other critics who really have detailed reviews. I'm not ready for that yet. Maybe after 5 years. :)

Gah, gonna stick to my preference-- I am easily enthralled by movies that are narrated by the protagonist. I love inner depth and perspective. I give this movie 5/5, what the hell I am not a professional critic! I am just a sappy, poetic, boring, trying hard visually romantic person. Hehe :)

26. Thirst (1.75/5)

After watching Running on Empty, we decided to watch a movie that is fast-faced and full of action.

It will awaken you in a lot of reasons. First, there are so much blood exposure on the movie. It could be disturbing at some points too, but it is fun watching with other people. I like the idea of the protagonist surviving the disease because vampire's blood is transfused in him.

This movie is horrifying the sense that they visually show how the vampire thirst for blood. Another thing, there are sex scenes on the movie. The combination of thirst for blood and the thirst for carnal desire by the woman heightens the awakening senses of the audience.

Honestly, there are parts that I don't understand because my attention was diverted on the middle part specially when it turns out the the woman is a deranged lunatic. It made the movie more complicated, and more disturbing.

But the shots are good, and the suspense is great. The movie is too long though, my attention was split in to two when I was copying Black Swan from my co-workshopper.

I'm not a fan of vampire love story, I don't like dark movies. I don't even adore Twilight. I find vampires boring, cold and lifeless.

I give this movie 1.75/5 because of preference

25. Running on Empty (1.75/5)

I watched this with some of my co-workshoppers at Sir Ricky's house. I looked at IMdb.com, and this movie is almost as old as me! It was showed 1988, so technically I am 1 year older than this movie.

Again, we cannot blame but notice the slow paced story telling of the movie. I cannot comment more, I have no right. The story is about the Pope family and how they lived their lives while hiding from the FBI. Honestly, I did not get the exact reason why they are hiding, but what I understood is that the parents did something, like set a nuclear/chemistry lab on fire. The story actually encircles about Danny Pope and how hard it was to live for him as a free young adult.

I think it is not fair to include old movies on my movie challenge. But then again, I am not a professional critic-- so I have the freedom to rate!

I love the ending, it is dramatic. If you are Danny Pope, it is so hard to choose between your family and your freedom. But then, you need to grow up, and accept that in life, you need to get out of your comfort zones from time to time to learn and grow more.


I give this movie a 1.75/5. I am so unfair. I now hate rating the movies. 

24. Princess Mononoke (3.80/5)

This is another movie from our DOWNLOADED movie file folder.  It is an old anime, and it is still good. Of course, it could not compare with the effects and animation quality of current Japanese animation, but story-wise it could still compete.

Somehow, I recognized a formula for animes that became popular, usually it involves a protagonist that wants something, like being the BEST or number one on one activity like being a ninja, being a pirate, being a hunter, being a baker, a boxer, a tennis player, etc, and then fight scenes are always a part of getting what s/he wants to prove his/her improvements to get the NAME s/he wanted. There are names for the moves or power, and normally there are worlds involve, like the spiritual world and the mortal world. It usually involves the main character reaching for his/her dreams too. But this is not true in all Japanese animation, there are a lot of exceptions, I am just reacting on the anime that works for the mainstream audience. 

On the movie generally, it is about a prince who gets a curse from battling a demon. He was then somehow banished from his town and was given a task to find his own cure. He wanders and finds out about Princess Mononoke, a human that grew in the loving arms of a white fox god. This movie teaches you to give respect to the other spirits, and also accept people the way they are. One thing I also love about anime is the values that they portray, especially about greed and power. This movie also shows the same value as the monk and the woman wanted to get the NAME as the most powerful being. But then they were not successful, and realizes that they cannot get it.

I also love how women are portrayed as strong beings on the movie. They don’t succumb to the usual patriarchal thinking. They have their own voice, their own brains to think.

I give this movie a 3.80/5. 

23. The Secret in their eyes (4/5)

I got this movie from Sir Ricky’s house again. I heard about this movie from different people, and all of them think that the movie is greatI heard that this movie won the best foreign movie for 2009. I am excited to watch it!

Ok, kill me now… but as I am watching the movie… I doubted if I was really watching the right movie. The front cover was in another language, so I can’t help but hesitate. I don’t love the movie, I like it, but not so head over heels about it.

The movie is about Benjamin Esposito, and how his heart desire to give justice to the Morales case he worked on during his younger years. This movie actually reminds me of Memories of Murder, a Korean movie I had included for the challenge. It has the same plot, the investigative similar plot, even the same feeling of the protagonist, empathizing to the victims after all the years because of an unsolved case.  The big difference is that on “The Secrets in their Eyes”, they know who the criminal is, but in spite it, they cannot fully get justice and have the criminal get its rightful punishment. 

I guess the movie lacks a good soundtrack.  It may again boils down to MY PREFERENCE… but they could have made the audience feel the emotions of the character more. I am also not convinced that Esposito is in love with his superior. I really do not feel he loves her. They should have focused on that, like placed a great music background on it or something. I don’t mean to be sappy, but it lacks that emotional element. I feel the same way with the criminal over the girl he raped and killed. I think it is the director’s fault. They should have short moments, even just to show facial expression, or great emotions.

Waaaaah, am I UBERLY thinking like a Soap Opera writer already? I think not. It just boils to my preference. I told this to Ate Shawe, and I said to her that I love Vera Drake more than this movie. She thinks that the movie Vera Drake is so simple--- but for me Vera Drake is a very good movie.

I love the realness of the story. Funny, there is a little bit of nudity scene. I didn’t expect that, but it is a great scene. The scene I am talking about is the scene wherein the women tested the criminal’s pride, and manhood. This was done effectively as the criminal can’t resist but save his pride over his clean name.

I also love the ending, it was awesome, but then—sad because again, I am not convinced that Esposito is in love with the girl. What I also love about this movie is that even though the movie played with time, the story is clear and not confusing. It is well written, KUDOS!  It is very clean, no mess, no loop holes—with my dumb mind, I easily understood the story in spite its complexity.

I need to also comment on the script about passion: IT IS HELLA GREAT! But I don’t know if it is the delivery, it feels empty—but the words are great. If I am reading a book I think it will make a mark on me better. Another thing—about the eyes... it is a very, very great idea but it feels lacking again!

(WHO AM I TO REACT LIKE THIS? FEELS LIKE I AM really AN ASPIRING DIRECTOR, not a writer! But I believe writing is the corest of the core. I WANT TO BE A GOOD WRITER! IT IS A NEED! It is the core of all learning if you want to be a filmmaker J)


4/5 for this movie! 

22. Dan in Real Life (2.30/5)

Being consciously aware about my movie challenge, I wanted to watch the movies left on the DOWNLOADED movies folder on our PC. I thought “Dan in Real Life” is a documentary, but when I played it, it is another chick flick, with a father protagonist. Good. I can relax, watch and not be bombarded by confusing plots.

It was a nice movie. The story is about Dan, a columnist, and a father of three girls. He feels like a loser, unable to find another lover, and make her children listen to him. Things turn in to a different light when on their family annual get together event; he goes to the town’s library and meets a girl. There and then he knew she is the one, and asked her to have a short talk while having coffee. It turns out that the woman is his brother’s new girlfriend, thus creating an interesting plot. You’ll feel the itch of Dan to talk to her while they do activities with Dan’s family members, plus the girl being with his brother. You’ll also feel the curiosity on how they would reason out their love even though they barely knew each other. 

I think what the movie would like to say is that--- you can fall in love with anyone, and if s/he is the one… you just simple know. Time spent together is not even a question. However small of time you had known each other, you will just feel the chemistry. If this happens-- Go for it. I do not know if this works in real life, somehow the movie is so high thinking of love, therefore idealistic. I think I need to know more people and listen to their love stories. If I find a relationship that worked within this type of circumstance, I will definitely admire them.

 Another thing that I love on this movie is the closeness of the family members. It is cool that close family ties is also presented on an American movie.

So, for the fun and light feeling while watching, I give this movie—2.30/5

21. 17 Again (2.95/5)

This review is another result of wanting to watch something light and fun. I don’t adore Zack Efron as much as the fanatics routed for him in HS Musical movies, and other movies like Hairspray etc. Ironically, on this movie… I find him, cute and irresistible.

The concept of the movie might have been used for a lot of movies. This concept that I am talking about is the concept wherein a person’s thought and soul is interchanged to another person, or being transported either on the character’s past or future bodies. Examples of these movies are—Freaky Friday (even though I haven’t watched it yet) “13 going 30”, even locally we have it, who would forget “Here Comes the Bride?” We can also consider the movie “Click,” and the list goes on. But what is great about this movie is that--- it is a great and challenging role for Zac Efron. It is kinda something new for him, not in the sense that he needs to act manly, but it is somehow new to his traditional HIGHSCHOOL king character.

To further elaborate about the character: It is also good because being that a chick flick of a movie, it is ruled out by a guy character, and guy supporting actors. To be specific, the movie is about a father, and how he rediscovers the importance of his role and rekindles the love for his wife and his family. It is somehow a chickflick, but since it is about a father’s life, the story covers more audience—the kid group, the chick flick lovers (young women), and basically the father, therefore the whole family.

On Zac Efron, I like the idea that it is so awkward to see a young hot guy acting as if he is really a 35-45 year old guy. Great challenge for him, and if we are going to think of it—if this happens in real life, imagine how the mother would feel! A HOT YOUNG GUY APPEARING TO FLIRT YOU! Lucky, old woman! They had portrayed the idea in a funny way, and not in a yucky sexual way. Funny, thinking of an in denial, don’t want to be cougar! Haha.

Yea, I love this movie. Makes me want to watch it if you are stressed at work or at school and you just want to lighten up.  It is really light and fun.

I give this movie a 2.95

20. Mulan 2 (1.75/5)

Last 2-3 months a go, I bought a pirated DVD. It is a compilation of Disney Cartoons, and few animation. I had watched Mulan 1, maybe Decemeber or January, and it was a good, women empowering movie. It is a movie about following your heart, and breaking the rules if you feel strangled and choked. It is about believing on what you think is right, and standing for your own beliefs and philosophy.

So, last night- trying to find a light movie to watch, I popped in the DVD and chose MULAN 2. MULAN 1 is better, this one also gives the same moral lesson which is- follow what your heart desire, but in a more romatic sense. Thinking of the target audience, this might not be a good story for them. But Kudos for the music, children loves that! But nothing compares to the first MULAN's song: Reflection. It is the best, and I think a lot could relate to the song, even the adults.

I want to point out the character of Mushu on the story, he is kind of inconsistent. The story actually revolves around Mushu trying to seperate Mulan and General Lee Shang, and their travel for arranging the 3 daughters of the king to the Qui Gon kingdom. I hate Mushu's character, being selfish. He was developed as a good character, a friend on MULAN1, then suddenly, his character stooped low on MULAN2. As in YUCK.

Also, ironically, and almost close to impossible, these 3 princesses fell in love to the 3 men (Chien-Po, Ling, and Yao) who is helping them through out the journey to the other kingdom-- in a matter of what? 1 or 2days? I know it is a children's movie, but then the emotions of the characters are so plain, and non-complex. So, it is true then that most fairy tales are more of external scenes, more of movements to enchant the kids. It is only lately that animation became even suitable for adults-- specially pixar movies, because they now made the characters more dynamic, the story more complex and related to humanly emotions.

I give this movie a 1.75/5

  

19. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (5/5)

Benjamin Button: [Voice over; letter to his daughter] For what it's worth: it's never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. If you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again. 

I don't know totally why, but I wanted to give this movie a perfect score. Maybe, if we are going to talk about preference, I love movies that are slow and profound, makes me clear my head and think about deeper things.

At some points, I love this movie because it made me realize about a lot of things. That everyone one of us are different and odd, and how lucky we are to find a safe place in this world. It also made me realize the value of time, the value of death and life. We are all aging, and it is a scary thing. So, we need to enjoy our lives to the fullest I quoted what Benjamin had written for her daughter, and I was captivated on his words.

The director of the film is David Fincher, the same director of one of my favorite movie: The Fight Club. These two movies are both written not by the director, but I love the two movies. It sometimes boils into how it was directed, the two movies could be a flop if not for the director and the screen writer. But it is good that they had chose a nice material to start with.

I also love the scene where Daisy bumped in to a car. It was a superb idea. I don't know if it was the idea of the screen writer or the director but it was effective and nice. 

I give this movie a 5/5, sorry its my preference, and maybe the effect of watching the movie gives me peace, and just what I said- profoundness.  :) The colors, the lighting, the music background also reminds me of Harry Potter I don't know why. 

And, Brad Pitt is uberly handsome at some angles too. :))

18. Comrades, Almost a Love story (3/5)

I had watched it maybe 2 months ago, as a requirement. This is an old movie, so I can't help but again compare it to the fast paced movies now. But then, there are scenes and elements I want in the movie.

I love the scene where they had their first kiss. You can feel the longing, and the anticipation. Truth of the matter, part of me thought something sexual will happen with them... but is always dumping that fact and kept on saying to myself-- hey, the guy, Jun's (Leon Lai) character is so meek and shy, so childish and weakling, that I have the doubts he would jump on that affair. I am not a fan of affairs, I don't approve nor understand it.   But then, who am I to react as if I never made a sin? I may be loyal, but I am in a way, A SINNER TOO. This movie is real, gives us the reality that humans could fall in love even though it is all wrong. That's the power of love :)

Cool scene, when Jun (Leon Lai) was helping Qiao (Maggie Chueng) put some jackets on. And then, because the place is so crowded, they can't help it but kiss. After the long scene of putting the jacket on, they end up kissing--- and Jun getting off the jackets one by one! I love that scene. So captivating, dreading-- you just want to say, get it on already! :)

I give this movie a 3/5

(I feel hypocrite rating the movies low, who am I to rate them low?)

17. August Rush (3.90/5)

Watched this movie with some of my co-workshoppers at Sir Ricky's house. 

At first, I thought I would be giving this movie a perfect score. I'm a sucker for music related movies and I love kids, so I thought this would really capture my heart. But, yea.. I want to say sorry for those who feel this is the best movie... it is very very very nice, and cute, and feel good... but, Sir Ricky is correct-- the movie is so soapy. Everything is placed on the movie for a reason, and of course, the story is predictable. If you want to be happy watch this. It is the best movie for families. 

Oh, I love Freddie Highmore! He acts so brilliantly, and there is this charm in him that you can't resist. He acted for movies like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Never Land.. and really, he is really mesmerizing.

Also, his father on the movie is also handsome! Jonathan Rhys Meyers! Oh what blue eyes you have! :)

I love the music, the fact that the character is so positive. I love how pure his happiness whenever he plays music. That's what you call passion! :)

This movie just wanted me to learn how to play the freaking drums again!!! And perform on stage! 

I give this movie a 3.90/5

16. The Prestige (3.45/5)

This is again a great movie. The story is great, there are just times that I want to hasten up the story. I don't know, it could be because I cannot understand some of what they are saying because of the accent, maybe the audio from our computer's speaker is so low, or maybe I just need subtitles? 

Well. There is no bad comment on the story, the acting is good. But... there is just this one element that makes the movie boring. 

There are too much talkies, few actions. It could have been better if they had use whooping music backgrounds, cool shots. But the story is good, and there is a great moral lesson in the end. I just feel a little disappointed because they could have made it more effective. If the moral lesson is compared to an arrow, I can say that it struck my chest, but only 1/4 of my heart. 

AWW! I hate it, the story is great, why do I find it boring??

Lesson of the movie: Passion is healthy, obsession is unhealthy. Specially if your motives are so selfish, and would harm other people. Imagine Angier wanting to surpass Alfred's trick, where in fact it is just so simple. Sometimes, the want to be best is unhealthy, passion changing in to greed, in to revenge. Angier made a fool of himself, wasting money, wasting time, and wasting the better part of life.

Cristopher Nolan really has the talent in making suspense movies. It's just that-- he needs to lessen the talkies. The story of inception is super great, and good thing the structure of the backgrounds leaves the audience mesmerized. But he also needs to make the story simpler.. or easier to understand. He likes flashblacks, and the time is always distorted. Sometimes, you can't help but get confused if the scene happening is on the present time or on the past.

I need to rewatch this movie on a TV screen, watching it on a computer screen with internet connection gives me a lot of distractions! Waaaa. Attention span, getting shorter! Haaaizz.

I give this movie a 3.45/5

15. Silence of the Lambs (2.75/5)

Not my typical of movie if you ask me. I hate suspense/thrillers and horrors! But if you are an inspiring writer/filmmaker you need to watch everything!'

Sir Ricky had been mentioning this movie so I watched it. It was a thriller alright, but it is an old movie that was produced on the year of 1991. What? Almost 20 years ago! Wooooot woooot!

But then, it is a good movie. Story-wise, it is thrilling. You can't help but think the possibilities that such sick person exist. The gay guy (Bufallo Bill) who kills women to rip off their skin and use it to create a garment! SICK! And the character of Hanibbal Lecter, so sick as well. 

Really, not my type of movie. But I want the cinematography, specially the scene where Hannibal is caged, and the bars between Clarice and him disappears as the camera zooms. This was pointed out by Sir Ricky, its  more of a symbolism that their secrets are slowly revealed as Clarice opens up to Hannibal Lecter.

OH! Just googled, so there are prequels for this movie! Hmmmm. To Download or not to download? I'll download it too, and watch it before the year ends!

I give this movie a 2.75/5-- it is superb, well right superb, but not my type of movie. :)) I want movies with moral lessons, the movie is just down straight SICK. Hahaha

14. The Green Hornet (1.75/5)

Now, this movie I had watched with my former officemate Dothy. I rarely watch movies at cinema houses because I find it expensive, and I can't rewind or pause the movie if I wanted to.

Now, this is not your typical super hero movie. Weird seeing a sidekick way cooler than the hero himself. I wonder if this is the original story of Green Hornet.

I found Seth's character obnoxious, but then it gave me (probably the audience too) the realization that super heroes (or maybe media people, super stars, heroes on our country's histories) are not perfect as how media or books portray them. They are after all just humans. They have flaws, and maybe not at all heroes. 

I give this movie a 1.75/5

13. Sky Kids (3.69/5)

This movie had been lying around the house for quite sometime now. But its only until now that I decided to watch this movie. 

It is quite adventurous! I love it, reminds me of Huckleberry Finn, Tom Sawyer, Peter Pan. Stories that involves young boys wanting to explore and do some stuff, play and learn. 

 I love the flying scene, the scene where the two kids are left alone on the plane. With no experience of flying/operating the plane, they tried their best to have a safe landing. That's one of the coolest part! You can feel the anticipation, the panic, the want to successfully operate it. You feel that you are with them! It feels like an adventure on the sky! Also reminds me of Harry Potter 2 I think, where the Weasley's car turned into a flying vehicle!

The best part is the free falling part! OH I WANTED TO KNOW HOW IT FEELS FALLING FROM A HIGH ALTITUDE!

I love how this movie brought up the feeling of being a adventurous kid again! I want to fly a plane!! Smile!  :)

I give this movie a 3.69/5!! Awesomeness for the scenes I mentioned, but aside from that I think the story is simple. Very simple. :) People could summarize the story in 10 or less sentences. 

12. 3 idiots (3.95/5)

Uhm, didn't expect that this movie will go like that. This is a feel good movie, and I think it could also work as a TV series. :) I can make this movie stretch into an episodic type. I am amazed, I realized a lot of things. Somehow, my adventure side got lost because of fear- I was even thinking that it is so unfair, Rancho only acts that way because he is rich! Suddenly, it is revealed that he is just a gardener's son who likes to learn... so, it only means...  

Yea, so much to analyze.. I want to ask where is his parents? But the point being-- I really want to embark on a great adventure someday! Someday, when I am sure my parents is all fine, and wouldn't worry about my whereabouts. And probably when I am brave and strong enough. BEFORE I TURN 25!!!

ALL IS WELL. DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO! 

My new inspiration aside from Barney from HIMYM, would be Rancho from this movie the 3 idiots! :))

I rate this movie 3.95/5! The movie is so long! But I love the song and dance number and the majestic scenery at the end! :))