Watchmen

Watchmen, 3.5 out of 4 stars

Laurie Jupiter (Malim Akerman), Doctor Manhattan (Billy Crudup) and Rorshach (Jackie Earle Haley) in "Watchmen". They're not a superhero, they're just an ordinary men who trying to balance the imbalance.

Before I have a further writing, the first thing I must tell you all is "Watchmen" is not a superhero movie and there is a reason in it. "Watchmen" is an adaptation based on comic book as the same name by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. This movie is directed by Zack Snyder who brought you his visually stunning "300" in 2007. The beginning of the movie shows that how the superheroes who call themselves Watchmen, Edward Blake the comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), Adrian Veidt the Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), Dr. Jon Osterman the Doc. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Walter Kovacs the Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), Daniel Dreiberg the Night Owl (Patrick Wilson), and Laurie Jupiter the second Silk Spectre (Malim Akerman) are formed and they're working for the government. Then it shows the historical event which have a connection with the Watchmen for example the assassination of JFK and much more. Then the movie jump to the scene where the policemen are investigating the murder of Edward Blake. Rorschach believe that someone are trying to eliminate the masked hero in the city. So he's trying to convince and warned his retired teammate. All of them reunite and trying to investigate the murder but in the end it end up nothing. So Rorschach investigate the murder alone but he himself is framed for murder. After being rescued and escape from the prison, Rorschach found out that the whole situation are just a deception. First of all, it's really hard for me to truly explaining the plot because it is a 2 hour and 45 minutes long movie and I don't want to be a spoiler. This is a great movie, because it is very similar with the previous 2008 hits "The Dark Knight". It has a lot of value in this movie, of course "The Dark Knight" is much more entertaining than this one, but the value which trying to give is much more deeper than "The Dark Knight". The word "deeper" in the sentence means it is much more difficult for some certain people to understand the whole movie. I watch this movie with my friends and we all concentrate watching it because if you want to truly understand the whole value in this movie, you can't even miss a small part from it and we notice that a lot of people who watch half way end up walking away from the cinema. Other than that, I envy the character development of each character in the movie. It really takes it's time and carefully explain each of the character mindset. For example, in the movie Rorschach is a person who think that people who commits crime must face punishment and dead. Other than that, America citizen think that Doc. Manhattan is a god, but he tell himself that he's not a god, the whole universe is so big, to them I'm just a termite. Throughout the film, it shows that he's not interested in saving the world because he just a termite, why he want to care about the people who will die or alive, and the thing he did previously is nothing. This indicate that, what we really did in our life is nothing. He also stated that, everything doesn't has an end. It means that if you stop a war, no matter what it will happen again, just like economic recession, They're just an ordinary person who trying to balance the imbalance. Talk about "balance", I think you all know what I mean. As for the Edward Blake the comedian, the movie explain to us that he's just a guy who makes people laugh but in real life, he is very sad and depress. This indicate that for him, life is a joke. Of course for some people will spawn a very sensitive question, "What is the purpose of living in this world?" Maybe I'm the one who think too much. Yes, my friend also think a little too much, after watching this movie, we had a conversation about this topic and it's never end. Because of this conversation, we're finally and truly know the whole meaning of this movie. It doesn't have ending. Other than that, in my opinion this movie doesn't have a villain. For example Adrian Veidt the Ozymandias, many people will think that he's a villain. For me he's not. He is a person who think that killing a million will safe a billion. This kind of thinking which may apply in certain situation in real life. Besides that, there are two scene which I think is very meaningful, which is the scene where Rorschach having a conversation with a Psychologist and the scene where the psychologist looking up to the sky before the chaos (I won't tell you what it is) happen. It explain to us that you think you've seen everything? we actually haven't seen anything yet. This movie also contain a lot of humor and of course blood and gore. The director in his previous movie "300" he uses a lot of chroma key technique, in this movie he uses a few. But the result is good, he is a talented director who know how to use a great visual to explain to us the dark side and the bright side of the story. I like the way he uses the yellow smiley to uncover the meaning of the movie. This is a 2 hour and 45 minutes long movie and I think it is very rich with values and in order to fully understand the whole meaning, it worth to see a second times. Actually, I'm planning to watch it a second time. Do I encourage you all to watch this movie? For certain people I will and for some people I will not. You have a question? Do ask me. But in the end, just don't think too much.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, 1.5 out of 4 stars

Kristin Kreuk as Chun-Li in "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li". Does she look like a street fighter? No, she just a girl who know how to fight well, that's all.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li is an action film based on Street Fighter video games and the story is about the character Chun-Li's history and more. The film is directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak who previously directed "Romeo Must Die" in 2000, "Cradle 2 the Grave" in 2003 and "Doom" in 2005. The film begins with Chun-Li as a child, she was interested learning Wushu from her father. So, her father teach her a lot of Wushu and some dicipline. Her father is a businessman. One day, her father has been attacked by Bison (Neal McDonough) and Balrog (Michael Clarke Duncan). Years later, Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) now is a popular pianist. One day, she received a scroll with an Ancient Chinese text in it. After a while Chun-Li found out that she must find a man named Gen (Robin Shou). After Chun-Li met Gen, Gen told her that he can find her father who has been trapped in Bison's prison. So, Chun-Li must learn some martial arts and learn how to control her anger in order to safe her father. First of all, this is one of the worst movie so far in 2009. There will be a lot of street fighter fans who really felt disappointing after watching this. The whole movie doesn't focus on Chun-Li at all. Chun-Li doesn't has a lot of screen time in this movie. It shows that Chun-Li is not a street fighter at all. She just a girl who know how to fight well, that's all. Besides that, the story telling is not good, it too focus on both of the investigators, Nash (Chris Klein) and Maya (Moon Bloodgood) who investigate some murderer in that particular places, and in the end they team up with Chun-Li to fight Bison. It just pointless. And the dialogue between both of them are stupid and very unnecessary. Besides that, the movie is just 1 hour and 30 minutes long. Audiences don't want to hear both of them just talking crap, but what they want is to see a lot of action. Other than that, I personally think that Kristin Kreuk is just a miscast. She can't speak mandarin well. It feels very weird when you see it. From the beginning of the movie, Chun-Li as a child and she can speak mandarin very well. But why when she become teenager she can't speak well? It just wrong. Despite that, there will be a few of fighting scene which I think is not intense enough. The fighting scene is not unique and no excitement at all. And also there will be a lot of gun fighting scene which is more than fighting scene. The gun fighting scene also very unnecessary in the movie, it just too long and pointless. Or should I say the whole movie is pointless. Some of the action scene are dragged too long just for making the movie long enough to see. I personally don't know what is wrong with the director, his previous work for example "Romeo Must Die", the fighting scene is very unique and very fresh although it looks very fake, at least it has a lot of fun. There is one thing that I can promise you which is you can't get any fun from this movie. Overall, "This movie contain a lot of cheesy dialogue, draggy, pointless, and in the end it just wasting of your time."

Punisher: War Zone

Punisher: War Zone, 2.5 out of 4 stars

Dominic West as Jigsaw in "Punisher: War Zone", and you don't want to mess with him because he will cut your throat by using a wine glass.

Many people thought "Punisher: War Zone" will be another bad movie since "Max Payne", but it's not. This movie is better than I thought it might be. I'm quite surprise actually. This movie is directed by Lexi Alexander. The film begins with Billy Russoti (Dominic West) are having a party with mob boss Gaitano Cesare. Then Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson) has infiltrates the party. Russoti escaped to the recycling plant. Castle then infiltrates the recycle plant and accidentally killed an undercover agent, Donatelli. He died on the spot. After having a fight with Russoti, Castle thrown Russoti in to a glass crushing machine and Russoti ended up disfigured. After recovered from injured, Russoti called himself 'Jigsaw' then regroup his gang and frees his brother Looney Bin Jim (Doug Hutchison) to have a revenge on Castle. On the other side, Castle team up with his partner, Microchip (Wayne Knight) to investigate the next target of Jigsaw. After that, Castle found out that in the past Donatelli has in charge of Jigsaw's money. So, Castle must quickly prepare everything and stop Jigsaw from harming Donatelli's family before it's too late. First of all, this is not a bad movie actually. This movie delivers a lot of fun. Fun means a lot of action. The action sequences in this film is unique and stylish. Other than that, the action sequences sometimes contain a few humor in it. There is a few part where makes me laugh out loud and I really enjoy the laugh. Besides that, there is a lot of action film which using shaky camera technique for the action scene so that the action scenes are intense, but this film doesn't have it. The film cinematography is good. It doesn't use shaky camera technique for the action scene but still the action scenes are very eye popping and intense. Besides that, the performance delivered by Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle is great. He is a perfect fit for this character. Although the overall acting is acceptable, but his performance is great, he really shows the characteristic of Frank Castle. In my opinion his performance is better than Thomas Jane as Frank Castle. Other than Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle, Dominic West's performance as Jigsaw also very good. His acting is very top notch and really put effort in it. Wow, this film seems great huh? Although it is a good movie but in my opinion, the story telling in this film is not very well. Sometimes it's too focus on other character which is not important instead of Castle. What safe this movie is Donatelli's wife and kid. If both of them doesn't exist in this movie, the movie will be suck. Besides that, this movie is just too much blood and gore. There is a lot of blood and gore, for example a wood impaled a person eye, Jigsaw piercing a guy's throat by using a wine glass, Looney eating a guy's kidney and more. This is a short review actually because I don't know what to write about this movie anymore. So the overall for this film, "This is a good action movie which gives you adrenaline rush, but it is bad when it comes to plot and character development."

Frost/Nixon

Frost/Nixon, 3.5 out of 4 stars

Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) and David Frost (Michael Sheen) in "Frost/Nixon".

After the disappointment of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", here is another Academy Awards nominated historical drama based on the real interviews of David Frost and former President of United States, Richard Nixon. This film is directed by Ron Howard who brought you his masterpiece "Cinderella Man" in 2005. He also the one who direct "The Da Vinci Code" in 2006. The film begins with some reports and news about the Richard Nixon who involve in Watergate Scandal. I'm not gonna to tell you what it is because it is a sensitive issue and I myself also not really deep inside the story of Watergate Scandal. Then the film cut to the scene where Richard Nixon (Frank Langella) making his resignation speech. On the other side, David Frost (Michael Sheen), he is just finishing his talk show "Frost Over Australia". At the back stage, he's watching the television which shows Nixon is leaving the White House. So, he ask his producer to have a interview with Nixon. After Nixon accept the interviews, Frost hired two investigators Bob Zelnick (Oliver Platt) and James Reston Jr. (Sam Rockwell) to find some information mostly on Watergate Scandal. So, the climax of the film is the Frost/Nixon interviews. The interviews that place at the house of Frost's friends. The purposes of this interviews is to give Nixon the trial he never had. First of all, this is a great movie, as I say the climax of the film is the intervies so this film mostly focus on the Frost/Nixon interviews. And the director handle the plot progression very well. It doesn't feel bored or tedious. Besides that, the whole set is just simple but very absorbing. Other than that, the screenplay is amazing although some conversation is fiction. This movie doesn't need any character development. It just need a great screenplay to reflect the characteristics of the character and their mindset. And there is no good guy or bad guy in this movie. It is a very thoughtful film and I like it. Throughout the film, I enjoy every minutes of it, and the interviews between both of them is just thrilling and awesome. The acting is just top notch especially Michael Sheen and Frank Langella. They really understand the role of each real life character and bring it to the screen and they did it very well. Despite that, I really wish I give this movie a 4 stars rating, but I think this movie lack of some important imformation about the Watergate Scandal. It doesn't explain much about it. So, people who really have no idea about Watergate Scandal, they will not fully understand the whole movie. Overall, "This movie is very well crafted and exciting. Genuinely gripping."

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 2.5 out of 4 stars

Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) and Daisy (Cate Blanchett) finally meet each other and they are falling in love in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button".

The 81st Academy Awards is over, and "Slumdog Millionaire" won 8 awards. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" just won 3 awards. I really have a high hope for this movie until yesterday. Do I like this movie? Yes, but I like this movie as much as I hate this movie. Is it a really nice movie? Yes it is, and of course there is a reason why I hate it. This movie is directed by David Fincher who brought you "Panic Room" in 2002 and "Zodiac" in 2007. I'm quite surprise that he is also the one who directed "Alien 3" in 1992. The story begins with a baby was born and his appearance are different from other child. He looks very old just like an old man. When the baby was born, the father quickly abandon the baby at the nursing home. Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) who work at the nursing home decide to take this baby as her son and named him Benjamin Button. When Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) was still a kid, he meets Daisy. Both of them always playing together and even Daisy's grandmother teach Benjamin how to play piano. Througout the story, Benjamin begins to grow younger and younger. The rest of the story is all about how he live his life and how he gets his first love, and the person he met when he is working at the tugboat. Then he also get caught in World War II, and how he survive it. Besides that, the story also explain to us how Benjamin meets Daisy (Cate Blanchett) and there is a love story between both of them. Yes, this movie has a great story. The story telling is amazing throughout the whole film. The plot progression is very well done and very smooth. When I watch this movie, I totally get caught in to the story. The good thing about this movie is it really shows the timeline that exactly when the World War II strike the whole world, and when the first America rocket was launch and others. Besides that, the acting is really good especially Cate Blanchett, she really shows the emotional part of her character in the movie, and she did it well. Other than that, the cinematography and the set design is very well done although I think "The Dark Knight" should win Best cinematography in the Academy Awards. This is why I like this movie. But before you have a further reading, first I have to tell you the next thing that I write will contain a small spoiler. Why I hate this film? I keep telling myself this is a great movie, it is very beautiful made movie. Until when I see the ending, I totally lose hope for this film. Why? Because the ending is not logic at all. It doesn't apply the "Logic" for the ending. Okay, I'll make it straight. People born as a baby and die as a person. We die when we're old and of course as we know Benjamin die when he looks younger. But, Benjamin born as a baby also, and how come he die as a baby? Human body cannot shrink until become a baby. This is impossible, and the whole concept is wrong. Yes, it is a fantasy movie, but for me it really leaps beyond fantasy barrier. And it is totally wrong!! I mean it! The ending is ruining the whole movie. Despite that, the whole movie only care about the story telling but it didn't care much about the character inside the story. I think I should stop by now. There will be a lot of people who like this film, but in the end it still depends on what you want or hope from this film. And let me tell you, there is no lesson to be learn from this film. Overall for this film, "This is a great drama with a great story telling but it leaps beyond the fantasy barrier and end up too unrealistic."

Revolutionary Road (2008)

Revolutionary Road, 4 out of 4 stars

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in "Revolutionary Road". Which road will you choose? A road to where you live with a normal life and you have a job to support your family or a life that your wife will support you and the family so that you can discover what you truly want?

Academy Award nominations: Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Supporting Actor

"Titanic" is the story about two person with different social classes who fall in love with each others. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet previously work together in "Titanic" now act as husband and wife in "Revolutionary Road". This film is directed by Kate Winslet's real life husband, Sam Mendes who brought you a psychology war film "Jarhead" in 2005. The film begins with a party, Frank Wheeler (Leonardo DiCaprio) meets April (Kate Winslet). Both of them talking with each others about their future undertaking. After that, the film skip to the scene where Frank attend to a show. I'm not gonna to tell you what happens next. The film shows that both of them are husband and wife and they have a childrens. The films also shows that Frank have a job. He work as a salesman in "Knoxx". His life seems very miserable because he is not interested in this work, but he's good at it. So, one day during Frank's birthday, April tells Frank that they'll move to Paris to start a new life where April work as a secretary and she will support Frank. Of course there is a reason in her decision. Their friends heard about it and think that their decision are immature and totally unrealistic. Why April make this decision? And how Frank react by this decision? This film will explain it all. I will not tell you the whole story because I think it is very interesting and I won't spoil it. First of all, the story is simple and easy to understand, it is about life. What kind of decision we make now will affects our future undertaking. Besides that, I really like this movie is because it gives us a lot of freedom to get inside the character mindset, and it gives us a lot of time to think what they think. Honestly it's hard for me to think about April's mindset and I think April's decision is immature. Besides a great story, the director done a great job in plot progression and the character development is great throughout the whole film. The acting is very top notch especially Leonardo DiCarpio. His acting is great and I really dissapointing he didn't nominate for best actor in Academy Awards. This is a drama genre film, and I really enjoy watching it. "This movie is simply one of the year's best film."

Bolt (2008)

Bolt, 3.5 out of 4 stars

Bolt (John Travolta) and Penny (Miley Cyrus) in "Bolt".

Academy Award nominations: Best Animated Feature

Three weeks just passed. I spent my three weeks celebrating Chinese New Years with my friends and family. Now, I had to get back here and write some reviews for the Academy Awards nominated film in this few days. First, I would like to review "Bolt". Why? Because this movie is cute. "Bolt" is directed by Chris Williams and Byron Howard. The story is about a dog named Bolt (John Travolta). It has been modified by Penny's father and it has super powers. One day, Penny's father has been kidnapped by Doctor Calico (Malcolm McDowell). So, Penny (Miley Cyrus) and Bolt have to establish a plan to save her father. Before I continue writing the plot, I had to write Spoiler warning right? But I'm not doing it because I'm not going to tell you the plot anyway. So, it will be a short review. First of all, what I need to say is "Why so serious?". This film is for kids and family. The beginning of the film is just look very serious. For us, it is a joke but for kids it just not funny. It feels like you're watching a spy thriller animation. It's just not a big deal anyway. After few minutes running times, the film totally change from action packed to comedy. It happens too fast. Besides that, the story is quite nice actually. The story really have some great value which is we must face the truth instead of escaping it. Other than that, friendship is very important in our life and we must appreciate it. Besides that, I have a friend who told me this film is just "Okay" because she think that the Rhino (Mark Walton) ain't cute because of the voices are too rough. For me the voice is perfect, it really fits for that character, because the voices define the characteristic of each character inside the film. The plot progression for this film is very smooth, and the character development is very good. The audiences sure will enjoy watching it. Overall,"This is a movie which suitable for all ages and contain lot's of fun!"

Pineapple Express (2008)

Pineapple Express, 3 out of 4 stars

Seth Rogen and James Franco have a great chemistry in "Pineapple Express".

What is the meaning of Pineapple Express? Does it mean newspaper? Of course not, wait until you see it and you'll be surprised. "Pineapple Express"directed by David Gordon Green who brought you "Undertow" in 2004. From the beginning, the film introducing the year of 1937 in United States of America, then two men including the general are walking towards a secret underground basement. Inside the basement, there are scientists who conduct an experiment. From there you'll noticed that why the "Pineapple Express" is illegal. Then the film introduce Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) who work as a process server. Everyday, he travels around and deliver the subpoena to the people who live and work nearby. After working, he went to visit his friend Saul Silver (James Franco) who also his drug dealer. At nite, when he was about to send the subpoena to one person, he witness Ted Jones (Gary Cole) and a female police officer commit a murder, he panics and run away from the scene. Unluckily, he leaves a rouch which contain drugs on the scene. Ted Jones is a drug lord, so he and the female police officer are trying to find out Dale Denton's dealer so that they will easily reach Dale and kill him. So, Dale Denton and Saul Silver have to run for their life in order to safe themselves. In their escape journey, they also find out the story behind the murder and find out the secret basement where the scientist close down long time ago. First of all, this is an action comedy movie which is very unique and delightful. The plot progression in this film is very smooth, so when you watch it, you really enjoy it in every minutes. Of course, it has a little bit action sequences in it, so the first half of the film is comedy, and the second half is action comedy. The acting is very top notch and funny especially the acting delivered by James Franco. I like his acting in this movie, his expression in this movie is very realistic and natural. Besides that, the audiences can really noticed that everyone in this film are very enjoying when they're acting. Other than that, the director done a great job in the character development. From the beginning of the movie, the director used the black and white technique to show the year of the 1937 which I think it is very suitable for this film, because it really attracted the audiences, and makes us wonder what are they doing during that time. It sounds like this movie is very perfect, then why I gave it 3 out of 4 stars? I think this is a very funny movie, and the director who previously direct the thriller and drama genre film done a great job in making comedy. But he did this film too casual. The whole movie is too casual. Because it's too casual, some part of the film cannot lift up the mood at all. Besides that, the director cannot manage the action sequences very well at the final part of the film. The action sequences is a little bit too long and very unnecessary. Other than that, the screen time for the character Red (Danny R. McBride) is too few. It doesn't shows his characteristic in detail. I have nothing to say about this movie, so I hope that you'll know what is pineapple express means. Overall, this is a movie which the audiences can enjoy every minutes of it from the beginning until the action packed ending.

Yes Man (2008)

Yes Man, 2.5 out of 4 stars

Zooey Deschanel as Allison and Jim Carrey as Carl the man who always say "Yes!!" in the movie "Yes Man". What would I say? I just say "Yes" and "No".

Yes yes yes this is an American comedy movie starring Jim Carrey, no no no I don't like the first half of the movie. Just say yes but only if you really want to. "Yes Man", directed by Peyton Reed who brought you "The Break-Up" in 2006. This movie is about the life of Carl Allen (Jim Carrey) who spends his life working in the bank as a loan approval officer. After working, he spends all his time watching DVD at home (Almost like me, and I really hope he enjoy watching "Saw" movie.) One day, his friend Nick (John Michael Higgins) wants him to enjoy life and don't be lifeless, so he took Carl to attend a show called "Yes!" From there he met Terrence Bundley (Terence Stamp) and start from that day, Carl promise them to say "yes" to everything. Because he like to say yes, he really has a positive starts, he meets Allison (Zooey Deschanel) in the process and everything started to be perfect. So, he attend the flying lessons, attend Korean language lessons, learn to play guitar and so on. Besides that, he also approved all the loan that went through him. But, saying too much "yes" without knowing the reason also will cause some consequences. So, Carl has to find out the meaning of saying "yes" so that he can impress his love one and continue his wonderful life by saying "yes" and "no" or something else (I'm not telling you). After I watch this movie, I can't resist to say no for the first half of the movie because I've been brain wash by the word "yes". So I have to get this opportunity to say "No!". No, I don't like the first half, maybe is because Jim Carrey said too much "No". It makes the first half very down fall and felt a little bit boring. Despite that, there is a few part which I think is funny, the part where he going to the store to buy the "Transformers" DVD, and the part where he watching "Saw". Besides that, I have to say no to the plot progression. The plot progression is going flat. So the whole movie is just flat, this is because the story is simple and predictable. This film still can survive is because it contains a love story. When you apply the "Yes" and "No" principles in the love story, that will be great and I'm glad the director did it right this time. Other than that, Jim Carrey's acting is nice, he knows how to make the audiences laugh and he knows how to make that situation becomes funny and hilarious, I like the part where he's playing guitar while singing. But I'm tired of his repetitiveness. For the second half of the film, it becomes more fun and delightful from the beginning to the end. The second half try to send us the message about the meaning of the "Yes", and must be brave to say "No" of course in some situation. Just say "Yes" if you really want to. Despite I said "no" for the first half, this film is still delightful and funny to watch.

Space Chimps (2008)

Space Chimps, 2.5 out of 4 stars

Luna (Voiced by Cheryl Hines, Ham III (Voiced by Andy Samberg) and Titan (Voiced by Patrick Warburton) in "Space Chimps" and looks like they have a great time working together.

Space Chimps is an 1 hour 21 minutes long movie, so this movie is short and of course this will be a very short review. This computer-animated film is directed by Kirk De Micco. This film is the story about a chimp, Ham III (Voices of Andy Samberg) a grandson of the first chimpanzee in space. Ham III is a circus performer. He always perform a stunt to impress human. One day, a 3.7 billion NASA probe has disappeared. So, the agency from NASA recruit Ham III and his crew member Luna (Voices of Cheryl Hines) and Titan (Voices of Patrick Warburton) and send them to space to investigate and retrieve the probe. During their travel, they find out that there is planet which contain life forms. From there, they get to know their new friends and help them to defeat an evil on that planet. First of all, this film is short, so that's mean the plot progression is very too quick. When you watch it, you won't enjoy every minutes of the film because some part you don't even have time to enjoy. Other than that, some of the jokes is quite hilarious, this is why I gave it credits. The jokes are quite funny and some are quite lame. But it still hilarious. This is not a very beautiful made film, of course it is not as beautiful as "Wall-E" and other animation in recent year. It uses a very simple techniques to make this movie. It doesn't look colorful and eye catching. Besides that, the story is quite simple and easy to follow, but the story will be mention a few topic that everybody talks about nowadays, which is "Is there any lifeforms from other planet?" and much more which is maybe one day chimps will be smarter than us, you never know (Hope not). And the story is predictable. For this kind of movie, you won't enjoy every part of it, but it still very comfortable to watch it. Other than that, this movie lack of some music, that's why some part of the movie is not intense and feels nothing. Overall, this is a movie which it doesn't reach the standard of the other animation film in recent year, but it is still a watchable animation.

Transporter 3 (2008)

Transporter 3, 2 out of 4 stars

Jason Statham as Frank Martin in "Transporter 3".

I'm going all the way back yet again. Now Frank Martin really has another job to do in Transporter 3. This film is directed by Olivier Megaton. This is a third installment in Transporter trilogy and I think this is the weakest in the trilogy. The film begins with a transport ship which travel through a big ocean, then the two workers inside are trying to open the drums in the container. After they opened it, they realize that inside the drums is the toxic waste. The captain of the ships then throw the dead bodies to the sea. Then the film cut to the scene where Frank Martin (Jason Statham) and Tarconi (Francois Berleand) are fishing together. Then the film introduced Minister Leonid Vasilev (Jeroen Krabbe), head of the Environmental Protection Agency. He has a plan to save the environment, but he has been forced to work with Johnson (Robert Knepper). At that night, Frank was alone in his house, then he is knocked out by some one. After that, he wake up in a room. Then Johnson tell him that he would like to hire him to do a job. Frank has forced to take the job but in one condition that he only drive his own car. So, Johnson mention to him that the metal device around his wrist is a bomb, if he's at 75 feets away from the car, the bomb will explode. So, Frank has to transport the package to many other places. In order to survive, he must protect the daugther of Vasilev, Valentina (Natalya Rudakova) who has been kinapped and he has to make sure that he's always stay with the car. But soon, he'll find out that Valentina is the package that he's transporting. This is a disappointing sequel. I can say Yes to the action. There will be a lot of action. But, the filming style (Such as camera view, angle, movement and shot) for this film is very bad and it's not suitable for this movie. It makes the action sequences looks very fake, lacks of energy and not intense enough. When you watch the action sequences, it cannot give you the adrenaline rush. The car chase sequences also feels a bit lame and unecessary. Why it feels lame? It is because I don't like the camera angle while shooting the scene, it really makes the sequences lack of energy and don't have the feeling of need for speed. It feels like you're watching Hong Kong movie style of car chase. The only watchable part is the train action scenes. Besides that, the story is quite good actually, there is a plot twist and it's quite predictable, because of this, it's really makes this film not a bad movie. The acting is normal, Jason reprise his role as Frank Martin and he really knows how to kick their ass. But, he's acting is not as good as "Transporter 2" and lack of energy also. Talking about "Transporter 2", there is a lot of stylish action, the intensity of the action makes the film more eye candy. It makes us think "Is it possible to do it?" That's is why many people like it. Then talk about this one, some action is unique, but still it lacks of energy. And people will say "I'm tired of it". This wil be a short review because I had nothing to say about this movie. I give this film 2 stars is not because the movie is bad, this movie is not a bad movie, it just lack of energy and misuses some of the cinematic techniques to lift up the movie.

The Worst Films 0f 2008

Now is the time for me to decide the movie which I personally think is the worst of 2008. Of course, it is from top 10 to top 1. People who really like the movies which I listed below, please put the blame on me (Just kidding). Of course, the movie which I never seen before is not included.


10.) Jumper
9.) What Happen In Vegas
8.) College Road Trip
7.) The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
6.) Witless Protection
5.) Bangkok Dangerous
4.) Superhero Movie
3.) Max Payne
2.) Babylon A.D.
1.) Meet The Spartans

So, how was it? I did write reviews for some movie that I mentioned above. Others is not available. So, I will do a quick one. First, "Jumper" directed by Doug Liman who brought you his masterpiece, "The Bourne Identity". I'm very disappointed with his latest film. He cannot manage the action sequences well and fit into the movie with the character. Some of the character in the movie are lack of purposes. And there will be a plot hole in the movie, and the acting are bad. Actually I thought "21" will be in top 10. I really think about it and I choose "Jumper" as top 10. Second, "Bangkok Dangerous" directed by The Pang Brothers who also direct "Bangkok Dangerous" (Thai version) in 1999. This movie is about a hitman who going to Bangkok to have an assignment, kill people. I really enjoy this year summer movie, because there is a lot of movie which is more humanized and more focus on human mindset and characteristic. But, I hate this movie is because this movie is too humanized. The real hitman doesn't know how to love just like the movie "Hitman", he even doesn't want to make love with the girl. And the movie is too focus on the relationship between the hitman and the girl. It doesn't look dangerous enough. In the end, the movie feels very lame. Finally, "Babylon A.D." directed by Mathieu Kassovitz. I don't know why this movie existed. First, Vin Diesel doesn't look cool (he looks dirty and smelly) in the movie. Second, after you watch this movie, you'll feel like the director made this movie is for fun. The action sequences in this movie is not related with the story line at all. All I can say is the director is ruining his own movie. Such a waste.
Woow...I just want to stop it. The comments above is just my opinion. So don't be angry and enjoy the upcoming movie in 2009.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)

High School Musical 3: Senior Year, 2.5 out of 4 stars

Zac Efron as Troy, Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella and they have spent a sweet time together in the third installment of High School Musical franchise "High School Musical 3: Senior Year".

It's just too late for me to review this movie, I wanted to review it because this is a better movie than I thought it might be. That's mean High School Musical 2 is suck. So, it is better this time? Yes of course. For the third installment of the franchise, luckily they did it right this time. This film is directed by Kenny Ortega who also direct the first High School Musical in 2006. Now, the third installment is about senior year, is there any sequel in the future? I don't know. just wait and see. The film begins with a basketball Championship competition between Wildcats and West High Knights. Wildcats almost lose the game. So Wildcats team leader Troy (Zac Efron) raised his team spirit by singing "now or never". After that, they win the game. (It is possible to sing so steady and smooth while playing the basketball?) After the basketball match Troy has a party at his house, then Troy and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) are singing "Right Here, right now". They're thinking about their future undertaking and they hope that the last few months at their high school would not end. So the rest of the movie is about how they spent the last few months at the high school, the relationship between Troy and Gabriella and what is the plan they're organizing for the prom night and what would they do during the graduation ceremony. First of all, I like the songs from this movie. It's quite comfortable to hear them sing in this movie. The songs is very touching and it gives the movie some lift up energy. There will be many kind of songs in this film, this is why I like this movie. They do a lot of changes and make this film looks charming and feels very different from it predecessors. The story is good anyway but not as good as the first one. The acting in this film is not professional enough. I doesn't really like the acting actually. The actors and actress especially Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, from some part of the movie, their acting is very stone and emotionless. Other than that, I'm not really admire the choreography from this movie. There is one part where Troy is angry and confused after having conversation with his dad, then he dancing and storming around at the hallways while singing "Scream". For me, the choreography is a bit similar with Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity" and Jennifer Lopez's "I'm Glad". Even the camera technique they're using also a bit similar with the "Virtual Insanity" MTV. Besides that, the ending of this movie is a little bit too fast and less contain. Anyway, after I watch this movie, I'm not disappointing but quite surprising because it is still a watchable musical performing arts genre film and it is better than the second installment from the franchise.

Body of Lies (2008)

Body of Lies, 3 out of 4 stars

Crowe as Hoffman and DiCaprio as Ferris in "Body of Lies"

Body of Lies, directed by a masterful director Ridley Scott who brought to you his masterpieces "Alien" (1979), "Gladiator" (2000), "Black Hawk Down" (2001), "American Gangster" (2007) and more. This is a spy thriller film based on the novel of the same name by David Ignatius. The film begins with a bunch of anti-terrorist squad team prepare to engage the terrorist at the small apartment. Then the terrorists suicide by bombing themselves. The film cut to the scene where Roger Ferris (Leonardo DiCaprio) a CIA operative in Iraq is getting the lead to a terrorist called Al Salim. Then the film introduce Ed Hoffman (Russel Crowe) Ferris's handler who trying to explain nowadays the CIA are hard to track down the terrorists, because they know the CIA has a great technology. So all the terrorist turn off their phones, shutting down their email, and using the old method of communicating face-to-face and others. By tracking the terrorist Al Salim, Ferris lost his friend in a car chase. Then Ferris went to Jordan and meet Hani Salaam (Mark Strong), head of the Jordanian General Intelligence Department. He told Ferris make sure he didn't lie to him. In order to find out who is Al Salim, Ferris meet a Jordanian Architect, Omar Sadiki. By using him as a bait, the CIA make a fake terrorist attack at Turkey so that Al Salim will try to find out who is the one who conduct the attack. Besides using Omar Sadiki as a bait, Ferris will soon find out he himself also will become a bait and he has to figure the way out in order to save himself. First of all, in my opinion this is really a great spy thriller film made by Ridley Scott. The story of this film is great, it contains a strong muslim element in it. Of course, it is a very sensitive topic but Ridley done a great job in making it balance between the topic and the film, and sometimes it makes you not to believe in CIA in some situation. The plot progression is almost perfect, only the first 30 minutes of the film which is I think is a little bit too fast. It makes the film a bit confusing because many thing happens at a lot of location. Besides that, Ridley done a great job by choosing a great actors who has a ability to act very well in every scene of the movie. Other than that, this film contains a bit action sequences which is very realictic and not too over the top. Ridley is a director who knows how to get a great shot and put it into a movie. I like the cinematography in this movie, Alexander Witt done a great job in lighting and others. Because of that, the movie looks cool, intense and has a unique style. Other than that, the composer Marc Streitenfeld also done a good job in composing the score in the movie. The score which he composed helped to support the film intensity and style. All I can say is this movie really deliver the thrills. Overall, "It is a great spy thriller film that can make you believe in everything the terrorist did nowadays. It's not perfect but it really delivers the thrills."

The Spirit (2008)

The Spirit, 2.5 out of 4 stars

Gabriel Macht as the spirit in "The Spirit" Is he a ghost? Find out yourself.

The Spirit, directed by Frank Miller, who brought you his real masterpiece, "Sin City" in 2005. This film is an adaptation from a comic book of the same name. The story is about the spirit (Gabriel Macht) who find his nemesis known as Octupus (Samuel L. Jackson) who wants to find a mystical blood of Heracles or Hercules so that he will become immortal. On that day, a woman named Sand Saref (Eva Mendes) an ex- girl friend of the spirit discovered two chests at the pond. One of the chests contain the blood of Heracles, so Octupus and his thugs make their way to find Sand Saref in order to get the chest. In order to protect his ex- girl friend, the spirit has to stop Octupus before he reaching her. So, first of all I heard a lot of bad reviews about this movie from my friends, from my friends' friend and others. In my opinion, this movie isn't bad enough to make it the worst of 2008, actually. I like Frank Miller movies, I like the way he present the movie and the way he makes the joke in the movie. Of course, I'm quite disappointed about this movie. Why? Because "Sin City" is really perfect. In "Sin City", he used a lot of comical style in it. Because of this, when you watch "Sin City", you feels like the comic is coming to real life. But, in "The Spirit", he used a few comical style. I expect he use more comical style in this film but he didn't. But still, the movie came out with a style that follows "300" and more. The only things that I really admire from this movie is the introduction and the ending. Frank Miller done a great job in it. Besides that, this film contain a very strong women characteristic in it. It makes the film looks very stylish and colorful. Besides that, it shows that women are very important for the spirit. The director handle the women character very well and I envy that. The only flaws is the story telling. This movie has "Sin City" style but don't have "Sin City" style of story telling. The story of this film is kind of weird but I like that (Because Frank Miller's movie also kind of weird) but the plot progression in this film is very bad. It make this film feel very boring and tedious. For me, I still can accept it but for the audiences maybe they can't. Despite a bad plot progression, this film is sometimes funny and hilarious. But some part of the jokes are not suitable in that particular situation. Overall for this film, "Frank Miller's latest film is boring and tedious, despite that it's still consider a good movie which has a great visual style and with a great weird presentation."