The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk, 2.5 out of 4 stars

The Hulk confront with Blonsky (Tim Roth) in "The Incredible Hulk".

The Incredible Hulk, it is a reboot of the Hulk franchise. This film is directed by Louis Leterrier who brought you his masterpiece, "Transporter 2" in 2005 and Edward Norton as Bruce Banner and Liv Tyler as Betty Ross. Many people will think that Ang Lee's version of "Hulk" which don't have "The" in front, are too much talking and less smashing. I also agree with that. For hulk fans, will love this one. This version of hulk are more smashing and less talking. First of all, the story from this version are too simple and don't have the character development at all. In this version, Edward Norton became hulk just because of Gamma Radiation accident. But from Ang Lee's version, Bruce become hulk because of his father do an experiment on himself to improve human DNA, after his wife get birth Bruce, his father trying to find cure to help Bruce but his research has been shut down by Betty's father. After few years, Bruce are accidentally get a high dose of radiation to safe his partner in the lab, and the radiation intertwined Bruce's DNA, and when Bruce get angry he will transform to hulk. For the latest version, the story is simple, it is about Bruce had an accident in the lab and make him become a hulk, he then escape to Brazil. There, he trying to find a cure for his condition. Then his location has been discovered, Betty Ross's father send a group of soldier to capture Bruce and there is a long and unnecessary foot chase sequence, and a few mindless action sequences. After that, in order to capture Bruce, one of the soldier, Blonsky are volunteered to have injection. There is one question, they know that Bruce have an injection and become a hulk, why they still let Blonsky to have the injection although it is a small injection? Then there will be a long fight between hulk and Blonsky, the fighting sequences are great and very exciting until you can see the hulk can cast skills which you can see in the video games. The beginning of the fighting sequences are a bit similar with the fighting scene from "Matrix Revolutions". The visual effects are great in this film, it shows the very details of hulk, explosions and more. It's great! Besides that, in Ang Lee's version of hulk, it explain more inside about Bruce, for example his bad childhood memory, emotion, mindset, and others. It almost like a bit psychology film, and his friends Betty Ross are trying to help him, but his father won't let her. In the latest hulk film, it doesn't explain more. It doesn't explain the feeling when he become hulk, unlike Ang Lee's version of hulk, it shows Bruce feelings, he said "Even now I can feel it, buried somewhere deep inside, watching me, waiting...but you know what scare me the most? When I can't fight it anymore, when it takes over, when I totally lose control....I like it." Although the action sequences are too over the top, but the story focus all of the character in the film. Other than that, in the latest hulk, it focus more in the relationship between Betty Ross and Bruce. When the story is about them both, it is quite touching, and sometimes funny. Woow, when both of them almost having sex together, Bruce want to stop it to avoid him to become hulk. Because when he become more excited, he will become hulk. Overall, I think it is an unnecessary reboot of hulk franchises, they should make it a sequel, but I personally like both version of hulk. This film is a movie that can make hulk fans happy because it has a lot more action sequences than 2003 "Hulk", but it is not a great summer movie blockbuster.

The Children of Huang Shi

The Children of Huang Shi, 2 out of 4 stars

Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Radha Mitchell in "The Children of Huang Shi"

The Children of Huang Shi, directed by Roger Spottiswoode who brought you "Tomorrow Never Dies" in 1997. This movie is about a journalist George Hogg (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and a nurse (Radha Mitchell), together they saved a lot of orphaned children with the help from a leader of Chinese partisan group (Chow Yun-Fat) during the Japanese occupation of China in world war two. After that, they make their way across mountain and desert to the safety place and build a new home. This movie is not as good as I expected. First of all, this is a dramatic movie, the first 20 minutes of the running time it seems like a lame action movie. After that, it becomes a great story telling movie. This movie provides a great story but the dramatic scene are not tension at all. It gives the audiences a very flat feelings, and it doesn't have the energy. Some part of the film contain unnecessary dialouge, and the acting are very stone. This movie also told a love story between George Hogg and the nurse, but there is a lack of chemistry between both of them. Because of that, the love story felt a bit boring. I quite admire Michelle Yeoh, her acting is great although she done a small role in the movie. Other than that, the photography and cinematography is very good. It shows a lot of great environment across the China. Besides that, it also shows the Chinese culture and civilization during that years. Zhao XiaoDing who is an Academy Award nominee cinematographer for his work in "House of Flying Daggers", he done a great job in this part. Overall, it is a movie that have a great story but don't have the heart that can generate energy, and feelings.

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! 4 out of 4 stars

Horton (voiced by Jim Carrey) : I have to think light. I'm light as a feather!

Horton Hears a Who! is based on the book of the same name by Dr Seuss. This movie is directed by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino. The story is about an elephant, Horton (Jim Carrey), he is very caring to his friends and he is very imaginative. One day, there is a very very tiny dust which looks like a seed past by him. Then he heard a scream from it. He later found out that actually there is a city which called City of Whoville and there are creatures live inside the city. So, Horton made a decision and make his way through the jungle to the Mountain Nool to put the speck in a safety place. First of all, I like the story of the film which is very unique and suitable for kids. Dr. Seuss has a great imagination by writing this story. Besides that, it is very fantasy, very touching at some part of the film, it told us that we're living in such a strange universe, our world is just a speck and the last second half of the film is almost like a musical film. Moreover, this movie contain a lot of joke which make the audiences laugh from the beginning until the end and it feels comfortable when you watching it. The visual effects used in this film is not bad, it reminds me of "A Bug's Life" which is very colorful, classic and well drawn. The character in this film is very cute and very adorable. Secondly, Jim Carrey which is a very talent actor, done a very great job in the voice of Horton. After making so many comedy movies, he prove himself again that he can make us laugh by making some funny voice instead of acting. Overall, it is a very colorful, funny, and enjoyable film. An animation which have a great story and provide you a great cinematic experience.

The Bank Job

The Bank Job, 4 out of 4 stars

Jason Statham (right), and Saffron Burrows (second left) star in this classic and smart British heist thriller in "The Bank Job".

The Bank Job, is a British crime film directed by Roger Donaldson who also direct "The Recruit" in 2003. This movie is based on a true story. It is 1971 real life Bank robbery in Baker Street, London. The story is about a guy named Terry Leather (Jason Statham) who is a owner of a car sales garage. Unfortunately, his garage always been harassed by two debt collectors. So, one day Martine (Saffron Burrows) who is his old girlfriend give him an opportunity to rob a bank so that in future he will never worry about the debt again. Then Terry hire his crew to rob the bank. After robbing the bank, what they didn't know is actually Martine is working with MI5 so that she won't go to jail because of smuggling heroin into Britain. The purpose of MI5 recruit Martine is they want the content of a certain safe deposit box in that bank which content a lot of dirty secret, the secret include the corruption of a British Government, Royal Family and others. First of all, this is a smart and great story telling film, it contain a very smart plot and dialouge. You will be enjoy this movie from the beginning until the end of the movie. There will be a small plot twist which I think is alrite, and this movie will give you a lot of surprise in every minutes of running time. Some part of the film will give some audiences a bit confuse, especially the first half of the movie. Besides that, it also have some dark humor. Besides that, it also contain a few very old-fashioned action sequences and some nude scene. Moreover, the acting is very great when it comes to Jason Statham, his acting is very similar with his previous film "Crank" which he really put his full potential in this movie and he brings this true story alive and makes this movie very energetic. I really enjoy watching this movie. Overall, a smart and well-paced classic British heist flick. Really enjoyable. Highly recommended.