MOVIE REVIEW : JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (2008 - English)

Category : Action, Adventure / Starring : Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem

Science professor Trevor (Fraser) loses his brother in their finding of the center of the earth, being strong believers that the place actually does exist, following the science fiction novel written by Jules Verne. Years after the lost, Trevor's nephew pays him a visit one day, and before they know it both of them find themselves inadvertently stumbling upon what would be considered the myth-buster that the place deep beneath the earth does not exist. 

Journey To The Center Of The Earth_Brendan Fraser & Josh Hutcherson

In Klang Valley they only show this movie on a 3D screens at GSC Cinemas @ Mid Valley. I decided that if I were to watch this movie, I would watch it 3D. I saw the trailer on normal screens and it appeared more like a children's movie to me. So 3D it was. Having to wear the uncomfortable 3D specs for one a half hours was of course slightly uneasy, but it did not give me any headaches like some would think so. 

Journey To The Center Of The Earth_Brendan Fraser, Anita Briem & Josh Hutcherson

This is purely a visual movie. We get to witness all the wonders hidden beneath the surface of the earth, from mesmerizing oasis to fleets of glowing birds, to some scary surprises as well including man-eating plants and dinosaurs. Watching it on 3D screens to me would definitely be a better experience.

Journey To The Center Of The Earth_Anita Briem & Brendan Fraser

Simple plot, small scale of casting, and minimal acting skills required, but obviously a visual pleasure, some great excitements in store, all in all a good movie during your family outing.

Journey To The Center Of The Earth_Brendan Fraser

The movie trailer:

Rating : C+

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MOVIE REVIEW : HANCOCK (2008 - English)

Category : Action, Adventure, Comedy / Starring : Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman

Not many people don't like Will Smith. He has shown great testimonials in his acting career since early days of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I particularly liked him in Independence Day, Hitch and I Am Legend. Hancock was definitely everyone's anticipation. Not only is it a mega-action blockbuster, but what makes it different is, the hero is not the everyday hero we see. He is slouchy, irresponsible and reckless!

Hancock_Will Smith

I guess the trailer for this movie is amazing. It just intrigues the audience, including watching a superhero (Smith) trying to save a dying whale stranded by the beach by throwing it back into the sea, only to smash right onto a sailing boat. We aleady have so many movies made on comic superheroes, having a hero that is totally opposite of the usual mould would be a pleasant change.

Hancock_Will Smith & Jason Bateman

Hancock (Smith) is an edgy, irresponsible, rude and sarcastic wanderer, lives his life recklessly, not caring about his tomorrow, but also happens to be bestowed with super powers. Although consciously allowing his life in total wreck, Hancock still does his part in saving the world, only in all the wrong and careless ways. Although able to save lives, his attempts all ended up with catastrophic damages in their wake, creating more angry public than thankful. The public soon decides that they have had enough of Hancock's recklessness and wants him gone for good.One day Hancock saves the life of Ray Embrey (Bateman), a PR Executive who decides to take Hancock in as his next project, to turn Hancock's negative reputation around, despite his own wife's (Theron) hesitation.  

Hancock_Will Smith & Charlize Theron

Perhaps I was expecting really another mind-blowing action blockbuster from Smith this time, I wasn't really astounded when I left the cinema. It was only OK for me. It lacked content in its storyline, and there was certainly no great climax. The twist they inserted on Charlize Theron was great though (sorry people, you have to watch it to find out yourself, 2M1F as you know do not give out spoilers).

The movie trailer:

Rating : B-

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MOVIE REVIEW : WANTED (English)

Category : Action/Adventure, Thriller / Starring : James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Kristen Hager

The trailer for this movie was definitely a bomb. Many also went to the movies to witness the ever-mesmerizing Angelina Jolie showing off her captivating stunts in this action movie, adapted from Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series. It tells the story of Wes (James McAvoy), a noboby going through his day-to-day routine with no ambition, emotions and proper directions. Just when this disengaged slacker thinks his life is going to amount to nothing, Fox (Angelina Jolie) appears and changes his life to the farthest extreme by breaking the secret to him that he is actually the son of an assasin, a well-respected icon in the secret society called Fraternity, led by Sloan (Morgan Freeman).

Wanted_McAvoy

To me the best part of the movie was the transformation of McAvoy's character from a nobody to a highly efficient assasin. The gruelling yet comical training process was great to watch. Behind the out-of-this-world action stunts boasted in this movie, I actually did not like how they're pushing too hard to be extreme in this movie. At one end, it is definitely fun to watch these stunts, but halfway through the movie, to me it just seems a bit all to corny and trying too hard. Plus there are few loose ends in the plot that were not managed well at all in the story.

Wanted_Angelina Jolie

What probably saved this movie as well for me was the casts. Angelina is in her usual realm, being sexy, provocative, wild and fiesty. Morgan Freeman as we know makes every role he plays work. James McAvoy is great as well for his role, being this nerdy and always-apologizing loser who goes through life with no purpose, and watching him transform towards the end is quite entertaining.

Rating : C

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MOVIE REVIEW : CLEAN, SHAVEN (English)

Category : International Screens, Drama, Alternative / Starring : Peter Greene, Molly Castelloe, Megan Owen, Robert Albert II

This is an alternative, low-budget 2003 movie that depicts the disturbing world of a schizophrenic. Peter Winter (Peter Greene) is suspected of murder but rather than running away, he is chasing time to track down his daughter, after his release from the mental institution.

This movie is definitely unique and not for everyone. It uses a lot of visual and aural exaggerations to bring us into the disturbing mind of a schizophrenic man. Peter Greene is very convincing in his character. The character succumbs increasingly to hallucinations and self-mutilation, and throughout the movie we see him constantly showering and shaving himself to be hair-free and clean, peeling his own fingernail off with a blade, covering up mirrors and any other objects that he could see himself in the reflection. Yes, it is hypnotically intensed and disturbing, so for the faint-hearted, please avoid this movie.

To watch the movie trailer CLICK HERE

And here's a scene from the movie:

Rating : C

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MOVIE REVIEW : THE RETURN (Russian)

Category : International Screens, Foreign, Drama/Family / Starring : Vladimir Garin, Ivan Dobronravov, Konstantin Lavronenko, Natalia Vdovina

The Return is a 2003 Russian film that tells a story of two tennage Russian boys, Ivan and Andrey, whose father returns home suddenly after a twelve year absense. Ivan and Andrey set out on a fishing trip to a remote island led by their father. The trip witnesses a journey of emotions for all three of them. Their taciturn father is constantly throwing his weight around, in his desperate efforts to show authority, and brutal efforts to make up for the missing twelve years he has left behind with his children. Andrey is ecstatic about the reunion and is constantly trying hard to please his father. Ivan is the more scpetical and unforgiving younger brother, unwilling to just accept the return without any explanation.

The Return_Konstantin Lavronenko

This movie is the winner of the Venice Film Festival, European Film Award and International Cinephile Society in 2003. Ivan Dobronravov is a treat to watch, displaying an array of anger and frustrations in his attempt to break free from the awkward fishing trip which he is forced to follow until the end. The story also boasts quite a set of beautiful sceneries in the background.

Th Return_ Ivan Dobronravov & Vladimir Garin

There is a slight mystery built into the plot, mainly on the actual reasons of the father's disappearance and return. We see a few scenes suggesting his intention of hiding the actual truth, and be prepared for an ending that will still need your own imagination and interpretation to weave your conclusions. To me the film worked mostly in depicting the compelling ties among the three during the trip.    

Rather than showing the movie's trailer, I'm going to show one of my favourite scenes from the movie, where Ivan breaks down in his frustration towards his father's dictatorial nature and his own unwillingness to forgive him:

Rating : B+

A movie recommendation from 2M1F

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MOVIE REVIEW : THE HAPPENING (English)

Category : Thriller, Suspense / Starring : Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Spencer Breslin, Ashlyn Sanchez 

What I know about M. Night Shyamalan is, his movies could either go both ways, really good or really bad. The plots in his stories are often so weird, that you need a really, really good ending to tie those knots well. Take Six Sense for example, everybody loved it, the ending was just shocking and left everyone feeling 'Wow!'. But if you take The Sign on the other hand, I hated it, it was boring and the ending was not impressive at all.

The Happening_A Scene From The Movie

Hmmm...it's not going to be easy to blog about this movie without giving any spoilers. So, I decided I won't be saying much. Basically, the story starts well, two ladies sitting in the park one afternoon, suddenly every moment and human being around them takes a halt and freezes, and one of the ladies takes her hair pin and kills herself by stabbing it into her neck. Yes, bizzare. But we know it's M. Night Shyamalan. And the incidents continue. One by one people started committing suicide in the most bloody and cruel ways.

The Happening_Ashlyn Sanchez, John Leguizamo & Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel are a couple trying to run for their lives, away from this epidemic. Throughout the movie I was trying hard to remember who this familiar looking lady was acting as Wahlberg's wife. It was only after the movie when I googled on Zooey Deschanel, that I found out she was the one who acted as the eccentric side-kick to Kate Hudson in Failure To Launch. I must say I wasn't very impressed with Zooey in this movie. Although her character was supposed to be somewhat weird & timid, she was just expression-free throughout the movie. It just didn't work me. People are running desperately for their lives, dying one by one without knowledge of the reason why it is happening. Having her stiffed, doll face just doesn't work.

The Happening_Zooey Deschanel & Mark Wahlberg

The ending is not as shocking as Six Sense, but it is bizzare enough. Not sure many people will be willing to accept it as a good explanation of why the epidemic takes place, but it was alright for me. There were many bloody scenes, so don't watch it if you're one of those who can't take it.

The movie trailer:

Rating : C+ 

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MOVIE REVIEW : MARGOT AT THE WEDDING (English)

Category : Drama, Family / Starring : Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black, Zane Pais

This was featured as our Movie Anticipation earlier. Nicole Kidman pairs up with Jennifer Jason Leigh, and strangely includes comedian Jack Black in this heavy drama about the reunion between two sisters which inflicts conflicts upon conflicts, slowly revealing the imploding family's discording ties.

Margot At The Wedding_Nicole Kidman & Zane Pais

We first see Margot (Kidman) arriving with her overly-matured adolescent son, Claude in the small town to witness the wedding of her sister Pauline (Leigh), whom she has not spoken to for years. The moment Margot sets foot into the town, she starts causing a stir with her razor-tongued bluntness and her forceful nature to set things the way she deems right. Pauline's husband-to-be Malcolm (Black) is a total disappointment, turns out to be a loser with no job but possesses perculiar aspirations. Margot cannibalizes her way through at everyone throughout the story, demeaning Malcolm's non-worthiness to be with her sister, ridiculing Pauline's inabilities to make the right decisions and reprimanding their next-door neighbour's parenting skills.

Margot At The Wedding_Nicole Kidman & Jennifer Jason Leigh

It is a bit weird watching Jack Black in a heavy drama like this. Nicole and Jennifer are as usual, able to deliver powerful performances in their roles. Nicole's role is the most complicated one, hard-headed and forceful, yet vulnerable emotionally and we see her moments of verging a break down. She delivered 'Margot' in such a believeable way. Although Jack's role is the usual comedic loser, he still came off a little aloof amidst all the heavy drama moments, to me at least. And adding a nude scene of him does not help his credibility either! LOL

Margot At The Wedding_Jack Black

Definitely a heavy drama, don't watch it if you're not a drama fan.

The movie's trailer:

Rating : B

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MOVIE REVIEW : THE INCREDIBLE HULK (English)

Category : Action/Adventure, Comic Heroes / Starring : Edward Norton, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler and William Hurt

After Eric Bana's unimpressive version of the Marvel Comic icon the Incredible Hulk in 2003, I wasn't keen at all to watch this movie. The only thing that captured my attention was the cast ensemble. Edward Norton chooses interesting roles in his career. Tim Roth is definitely a treat to watch, he can act in everything. Liv Tyler and William Hurt are also a bonus. So I went along with my friend to watch it.

The Incredible Hulk_Edward Norton As The Hulk

The plot about Bruce Banner being on the run as a refugee from the US military which wants him for their own to manipulate and exploit his powers are pretty much unchanged. The movie does start off well, keeps us intrigued, and having a good actor like Edward Norton definitely helped. His version of Bruce Banner worked much better for me as compared to Eric Bana's. I always remembered the intelligent Bruce Banner, in constant fear, defenseless and always pushed to desperation, seems so much better portrayed by Norton.

The Incredible Hulk_Tim Roth As Emil Blonsky

The thing that worried me most was how cartoonish the hulk was going to look, as I was terribly disappointed with how the first movie turned out. This time round it looked more realistic than the first, but it still leaves us feeling like we're watching a cartoon whenever the hulk appears. I quite like the stunts carried out in this action movie though. Tim Roth plays the villain who is in total hunger for power and control as he decides to make himself turn into the second monster to battle the hulk. Once again he does a good job in delivering his role as the freak with relentless desire to win and bring down Banner.

The Incredible Hulk_Liv Tyler & Willian Hurt

William Hurt plays the leader of the US military that is obsessed with the never-ending chase after Banner, and Liv Tyler plays his daughter who happens to fall in love with Banner. Overall I would still say it's a good watch for action movie lovers, especially if you fancy comic heroes. It did manage to keep me interested until the end, and I'm not much of an action/comic hero fan.

The movie trailer:

  Rating : C+

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MOVIE REVIEW : LARS AND THE REAL GIRL (English)

Category : Drama, Comedy / Starring : Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider

I wasn't exactly excited when I saw the poster for this movie. Another Ryan Gosling movie, yay, but the poster? Hmm.... And the synopsis, about some blown up doll, plus it's comedy? Not exactly my cup of tea. But I knew I had to watch it, he's a good actor, there must be something about this movie that made him chose to do it.

Lars And The Real Girl_The Loveable Introvert Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling acts as Lars, an introvert who has lived most of his life in solitude. He goes to work and goes to church like everybody else, but he has not been able to embrace life fully like the rest, not able to start a normal relationship with a girl, gets totally irritated when people touch him, and spends all his time couped up living in his brother, Gus (Paul Schneider) and his wife Karen's (Emily Mortimer) garage. But one thing's for sure, Lars is kind-hearted, a sweet-heart loved by everyone in the town.

Lars And The Real Girl_Emily Mortimer & Paul Schneider

One day Lars decides to welcome a guest into his home, for the first time ever. Both Gus and Karen are jumping off their feet until they realize the guest Lars brings to their home for dinner is a plastic blown-up doll which he ordered from the internet! Lars names the doll Bianca and treats her like a real person, starting a real relationship with her.

Lars And The Real Girl_Paul Schneider, Emily Mortimer & Ryan Gosling

Upon the doctor's advice to go along with Lars' delusion on his newly developed relationship with Bianca, we soon see not only Gus and Karen, but the whole town including the church's bishop, playing along with it, treating Bianca like a real person. This journey slowly reveals Lars emotional baggage and explains to us why he has become what he is today.

I particularly like the conversations Lars has with the doctor, which was pretty compelling. As usual Ryan is a treat to watch, he has obviously gained weight for this role. Emily Mortimer was also fun to watch. The movie ended up making you really feel for the character Lars, rather than being just another comedy.

The movie trailer:

Rating : B

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MOVIE REVIEW : FRACTURE (English)

Category : Drama, Suspense, Crime / Starring : Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn

Fracture_Poster

As you know my preference for movies depend very largely on its casts and Fracture is one of those with the perfect recipe, having both of my favourites, Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling. This is not a new very movie anymore but I thought I'd still have it posted.

The movie started off well, with a heavy mystery. Hopkins shoots his own wife in their home after finding out she is having an affair. When a hostage negotiator called Rob enters the crime scene, Anthony confesses his murder, but Rob is rather more disturbed when he finds out that the woman lying on the floor is the woman he has been having an affair with behind Hopkins.

Fracture_Anthony Hopkins

Hopkins as usual delivers his role with flawless suavity. He gets a chance again to show us that darker and meaner side of him when we saw him in The Silence of The Lambs. He is poised in every move in his sinister mastermind behind this murder, and we definitely watch this movie mainly because of him.

Gosling plays a hot shot attorney who is about to take his next big leap into a new job in a renowned corporate law firm. He confidently takes Hopkins case, which seems like a slam-dunk case with Hopkin's confession. Gosling is later taken for a shocking ride, unaware of Hopkin's clever contrive, which could not only cost him to lose one of his first few defeats in court, but also the new lucrative job he is about to start.

Fracture_Ryan Gosling

The suspense in this movie is not built on what will happen next in the story, but rather have us guessing what is it in Hopkin's plan that he has so cleverly and confidently laid out which would make him walk out free even after a confession to his wife's murder. Perhaps some may not find this movie as suspenseful as they wished for. We already know what has happened, woman's dead and Hopkins has confessed, no twist about that. But it is the details of his masterplan that forms the guessing-game here.

The movie's trailer:

 Rating : B-

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