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San wa (2005)
Jackie;s still the crowd -pleaser
Jackie Chan's movies are always safe and wholesome entertainment that try to be crowd pleasers. The myth is no different. Here, he has teamed up with director Stanley Tong ( of RUMBLE IN THE BRONX ) and ( CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON ) scribe Wang Hui Ling to make a tomb-raider story that zips between China's Qing Dynasty era and the present day. Jackie plays Jack, an Indian Jones style archaeologist who has recurring dreams about Korean princess OK-Soo ( Kim Hee Soon ) who is sent to be the bride of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang. In the dreams, Jack is General MEng-Yi, whose mission is to protect the princess from rebels and escort her safely to the emperor. Of course, along the way, General Meng-Yi falls in love with her, and gets involved in dastardly court intrigues and conspiracies. Back to the present day, Jack gets a visit form his scientist friend, William ( Tony Leung Ka Fai ) who wants him to go to Dasar in India to check out a temple that seems to defy the force of gravity. William believes he is on the verge of a breakthrough in levitation -- and he needs Jack's help to 'smoothen' the way for him. In Dasar, they stumble on a magical gemstone and an ancient sword -- and invariably become relic robbers. However, those who have seen enough of JAckie Chan flicks would realise that this 'travelogue' segment is merely an excuse to introduce Bollywood sex siren Mallika Sherawat as Samantha, a yoga student who rescues Jack and helps him to flee his pursuers. Expectedly, Mallika provides a sensual dance number and one of the most 'memorable' comedy sequences that takes place in a rat glue factory in India. Another travelogue sequence takes us to a huge mountain cavern--ostensibly the mausoleum of the Qin emperor--where more anti gravity fighting (read wire-fu) scenes occur. The constant shuttling between the Qin Dynasty and present day is tiresome and it does not help the flow of the story or the plot. And the climax is unexpectedly bloody for a Jackie Chan flick. Jackie and director Tong seem to have joined the bandwagon of styled kungfu films like Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Zhang Yimou's HERO but Tong is unable to stage the battle sequences for maximum effect. Its slow motion scenes are more laughable than engaging. However, The Myth maintains its element of fun and adventure and these are what most of Jackie Chan's fans expect.
Flightplan (2005)
More Room for Panic Here
Flightplan is a lot like Panic Room, only that there is a lot more room to panic on a double decker aircraft. Like her previous hit, Panic Room, Jodie Foster again plays a mother who has to use her courage and intelligence to defend her daughter against men who hold all the cards. The only difference here is that she does not know who her enemies are until the end of the movie. Foster is Kyle Pratt, a jet propulsion engineer who has been working in Germany to help design the very airplane she is now taking to cross the Atlantic. Kyle, who is travelling with her six year old daughter Julia ( Marlene Lawston ) is taking her husbands body back to the US for burial. Kyle and her daughter fall asleep soon after takeoff but when she wakes up a few hours later, Julia is nowhere to be found. At first, Kyle looks around the plane calmly for her little girl, her intimate knowledge of the aircraft helps but Julia is still missing. Then she starts to panic when in flight air marshall Gene Carson ( Peter Sarsgaad) and the crew suggest that Julia has not boarded the plane ! After all, Julia's name is not on the passengers list and her backpack and boarding pass are nowhere to be found. Is Kyle delusional after the death of her husband who fell off a building? Is she imagining that she had brought her daughter in board? Flightplan, directed by Robert Schwentke (from screenplay by Peter A. Dowling and Billy Ray), keeps us guessing for the most part of the movie. The flight captain (played by Sean Bean) believes Kyle's story at first, but even he starts to dismiss her off as a madwoman when she gets hysterical. There are shades of Sept 11 when an Arab suspect is thrown into the fray but connoisseurs of movie thrillers are not going to be fooled by such an obvious red herring. Some people may find 'plot holes' and lapses in logic in the twist at the end of the movie, but if you are prepared to allow the scripters a bit of leeway, you too will enjoy this suspenseful thriller that recalls Alfred Hitchcoc's THE LADY VANISHES. Of course, the acting kudos go to FOster, Sarsgaad, and Bean for the way they lead us on in this nightmare flight. Foster has aged a lit since the 2002 Panic Room but she is no less convincing as a desperate mother in search of her child. We cant help but root for her as she does everything in her power to find her. Sarsgaad is cool as the patient air marshall, while Bean is very effective as a man who knows what he is doing. Director Schewentke puts every inch of the aircraft to good use---to enhance its complexity and claustrophobic constraints.
Red Eye (2005)
Tension at 30,000 feet high
The opening 10 minutes of Red Eye lulls us into thinking that we are watching a romantic movie. Then, when director Wes Craven starts to unravel the plot, he piles on the tension and creepiness so relentlessly that we cant help but be drawn into it....
The action starts at a Texas airport where Lisa Reisert ( Rachel McAdams ) manages to snag a seat on the 'Red Eye' to Miami after her scheduled flight was cancelled due to bad weather. ( Red Eye flights are those that takes off between 2am and 6am )
As she relaxes with a drink at the airport bar, she gets into a nice chat with a suave guy named Jackson Rippner ( Cillian Murphy ).
Lisa, a hotel receptionist, is apparently attracted to Jackson and when she finds that he has the seat next to hers on the plane, who can blame her for thinking that romance is in the air ?
However, while having a heart-to-heart talk with him after a bumpy take off, she realizes that the air turbulence they are facing is nothing compared to what she is about to endure.
They had not met by chance, definitely, JAckson confesses that he is a terrorist and he needs Lisa's help to move a VIP guest ( Jack Scalia as Charles Keefe, director of US Homeland Security ) to another room at her hotel.
All she needs to do is to call her assistant Cynthia (Jayma Mays) on the phone to make the switch. And if she does not do as he says, her father (Brian Cox) will be killed ! At best, the terrorist plot is flimsy-concocted (by screenwriter Carl Ellsworth) and it looks even more ridiculous when it is carried out. However, the movies is not about the act of terror by an unnamed group; it is a classic damsel-in-distress gimmick set up mostly in the confines of an airplane. And when the plane lands, all hell breaks loose.
This B-movie works because the second string leads have well written roles to play and display their talents.
McAdams, who appeared in Mean Girls and the recent Wedding Crashers, is utterly convincing as the vulnerable yet glutsy Lisa. And with such great looks, she is definitely heading into Hollywoods A-List soon.
Murphy, last seen as Scarecrow in Batman Begins, is chilling as Jackson Rippner while newcomer Jayma Mays is marvelously giddy as Lisa's wide eyed assistant.
Director Craven, who is more famous for his horror thrillers, has cleverly broken the plot into an intriguing three act set up. The first two parts, at the airport and on the plane, are a protracted but engaging build up but he justifies them with a taut, climactic ending.
This is how B-movie thrillers should be made.
Unleashed (2005)
Fusion of the East and West
Unleashed is like a cinematic version of the popular 'fusion food' --it marries the best of the East and West.
Martial arts of the East, embodied in Jet Li, is fused with the PYGMALION-type drama led by no less a thespian than Morgan Freeman.
This unusual mix, written by French film maker Luc Besson and directed by Louis Leterrier, may not go down well with purist, but no one can complain that it is all action and no substance.
And with the fighting sequences choreographed by the renowned Yuen Wo Ping , it should be entertaining enough to appeal to the Masses.
With Freeman's support, Li even manages to blossom as an actor instead of just an action hero. Li plays 'Danny The Dog', a prize fighter who has been trained from childhood to be a killing machine by an Irish mobster named Bart ( Bob Hoskins at his sinister best ).
When he is 'under control' , Danny wears a collar and is kept in a cage, just like an obedient house pet that has scraps of food thrown at it. However, when the collar is released, he turns into a savage killer ! This passive savage split takes a twist when Danny, after surviving a car accident, wakes up in the home of blind piano tuner Sam ( Freeman ) and his stepdaughter Victoria ( Kerry Condon ) who showered him with kindness, just like they would a lost puppy.
Soon, Sam and Victoria not only treat Danny like family, but Victoria also teaches him to play the piano.
And as Danny listens to the music, memories of his childhood with his mother,also a pianist, come flooding back.
Of course, this idyllic family setting is just a short respite for Danny. One of Bart's henchmen soon finds him and he is taken back to his cage and collar, setting the stage for a feast of bone crunching and martial arts.
Danny, after having experienced tenderness and love, has sworn off killing people but how could Big Bad Bart let him off so easily ? Jet Li always been more comfortable with gravity defying stunts than delivering lines. He is still awkward in the 'close up' scenes with Condon and we cant help wondering if that is the reason their 'romance' is not developed.
Anyway, Condon is totally believable as the 18 year old pianist who sees Danny as a welcomed 'distraction' in her life.
The most memorable performance here belongs to Hoskins. His fiery , venom spitting sequences are in sharp contrast to Freeman's serene fatherly figure. And int the end, we see Bart as the real savage animal--- as if he is taken over the traits from Danny.
This is one fusion food one can take as a dessert.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Special Guide To The Galaxy
If you are a fan of Douglas Adams Hitchhiker series, then you would know where this movie came from originally. Therefore, i am reviewing the movie as a sci-fi fantasy adapted from his five book trilogy which had its beginnings on British radio.
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy or H2G2 , began in 1978 as a BBC radio series that spawned a novel, a TV series and four more books which Adams called a 'trilogy of five parts'. It was also make into a stage play,comic books and a computer game.
The movie version of H2G2 had been in the works for more than 20 years. Through the 80's and 90's, Adam wrote a few screenplay drafts. His latest, which was revised by Karey Kirkpatrick after Adam's death of a heart attack in 2001, is the basis of this movie.
The story opens in England where Arthur Dent ( Martin Freeman ) wakes up one day to find bulldozers coming to flatten his house to build a road.
Soon, he learns that his buddy, Ford Prefect ( Mos Def ), is actually an alien visiting Earth to do a research for hitchhiker's guide, and that he uses a bath towel to fend off trouble.
However, Ford has more bad news for Arthur : He has just discovered that the Vogons, an alien race that looks like cousins of Jabba The Hut, are coming to destroy the Earth.
The good news is that Ford will help 'beam' Arthur on to passing spaceships and hitchhike across the galaxy. As lick would have it, they land on a huge vogon craft ; and we learn that the bureaucratic Vogons are not really a cruel race. They just live red tape and read their poetry which is so bad that it can torture listeners to death.
Arthur and Ford quickly transfer to another ship commanded but the galaxy's president Zaphod Beeblebrox ( Sam Rockwell ) who has another face concealed under his tunic. Also on board are an Earthling named Trillian ( Zooey Deschanel ) and Marvin the android ( voice by Alan Rickman ) Other highlights include a Japanese schoolgirl with five torsos and a pair of white socked legs, and a meeting with Humma Kavula ( John Malkovich ) the galactic preacher.
Under the directorial debut of Garth Jennings, the point of the movie is not to make too much of a point.
I believe it just tries to be cute. The sets, creature make-up and dialogue are all designed to look cute even if it had no dramatic impact.
And if you cannot find anything amusing about the movie, Don't PANIC . Just imagine that somewhere, in a distant galaxy, some dolphins are laughing at the way they are portrayed. Think about it......
Batman Begins (2005)
Rebirth Of The Dark Knight
Yeah folks, forget the previous Batman movies. There is a new Dark Knight in town and this one seems set to rekindled major interest and probably start a scramble for the DC comics and Bat merchandise. Batmman Begins reboots the franchise,taking us back to the origin of the Caped Crusader; and making us grasp for more.
Indeed, this is one Batman movie that its fans would definitely like--and one that would make Batman seem 'logical' to non-comic book readers. The movie works on many levels. On the narrative level, we see why Bruce Wayne ( Gus Lewis ) is scared of bats as a boy, and later blames himself for the death of his parents.
As an adult, Bruce ( Christian Bale ) learns to deal with his fear. Dumping Princeton and girlfriend Rachel ( Katie Holmes ), he leaves for the Himalayas where he meets Henri Ducard ( Liam Neeson ) and Ra's Al Ghul ( Ken Watanabe ) and learns the nimble skills of the ninja.
When he returns to Gotham City, he is told by his butler Alfred ( Michael Caine ) that he has been declared dead and that Wayne Enterprises has a new CEO ( Rutger Hauer ). More importantly, Bruce discovers that Gotham City is overrun by crime lord Carmine Falcon ( Tom Wilkinson ) whose 'henchman' Dr. Crane ( Cillian Murphy as The Scarecrow ) makes a mockery of law and justice in the city.
And when Rachel, now an assistant District Attorney, is caught in the fray, Bruce decides to do something about it. He sees his company scientist Lucius Fox ( Morgan Freeman in a role similar to Bond's Q ) about a body Armour ( think Batsuit ) and a multi-terrain vehicle that comes in black ( Batmobile ).
On the thematic level, the most compelling issues are how Bruce deals with fear, revenge, love and lust for power. On these scores, Alfred doubles as his guide and conscience, instead of just a butler.
In the F/X and action department, director Christopher Nolan is careful not to let the stunts and effects overwhelm this character driven film. The bat-mobile here is more adaptable than that in the comic books but it is the people like Detective Gordon ( an unrecognizable Gary Oldman ) and Rachel who make Gotham City come alive.
Indeed, the production is first class. Gotham City pulsates with vivid details of buildings and lights. One of the few areas of the movie that is undeveloped is the relationship between Bruce and Rachel. They never seem to 'click' in the way Clark Kent did with Lois Lane in Superman , or like Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson in Spiderman.
Still, Bale has shown himself to be definitive Batman ; as a poor rich guy caught between justice and revenge ; instead of just another CAped Crusader from the comic books. Embrace the force of the Dark Knight.
Madagascar (2005)
Even Funnier Than Shark Tale
From the makers of shark tale and Shrek films, we have another laugh riot in MADAGASCAR. Well developed characters, a huge dose of scathing wit and infectious fun.
This tale is about a bunch of animals at the central park zoo in new york who are suddenly hit by 'freedom fever' spread by the crazy penguins. Alex the lion (voice of Ben Stiller) and zebra named Marty
( voice of Chris Rock ) are the best of friends who are also the star attractions at the zoo. Alex loves to impress the crowds with his antics every day and for that, he is rewarded with chunks of steaks, his favorite food. At night, he hangs out with Marty, Gloria the hippo ( Jada Pinkett Smith )and Melman the hypochondriac giraffe ( David Schimmer ). The four friends lead a relatively carefree life as celebrities, having no idea what life is like outside the zoo or in the wild. Things change when Marty turns 10 and encounters a group militant penguins trying to dig their way out to the Antartica. This sets Marty pondering about his lot in life....like, how he would have fared in the wild, and whether he is white with black stripes or black with white stripes. These thoughts egg him so much that he breaks out and heads for Grand Central Station where he plans to go to Connecticut--the only area with wide spaces that he knows of ! His worried pals takes off after him and after being caught and put in a ship, they end up........you guess it : MADAGASCAR !!
It is here that the tone of the movie gets even wilder and wackier. The four 'zoosters' find themselves in the land of the lemurs who love techno dancing and partying---sounds familiar eh?... The lemurs biggest problem is that the coyote like 'fossas' would gate-crash their party and threaten their lives.
Now, there is a new king in this jungle--and Alex is invited to be their protector. However, as the new 'predator', Alex starts seeing his friends as potential food....
All in a good animation movie. It is fresh and inventive and the the graphics well detailed. Directors Eric DArnell and TOm Mcgrath keep the going as lighthearted as possible without being preachy. It is also about friendship triumphing over rudimentary instincts---and any child would understand easily. All of the voice cast intelligently bringing these characters alive.
Check this one out guys !!!
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Awards are for sure for this movie
If a man can write and direct a super movie like star wars of many episodes and years later he writes again and does a prequel of it is astonishing. It takes a genius man to write and direct the prequel of the mega blockbuster movie of all time. I'm sure he will receive standing ovations at the awards later, you can count on that.
As we all know in this Revenge Of The Sith is where all the answers to How Darth Vader got its name; Why he even wore that particular costume-how did he lost his body parts; Why was the twins separated; Why Yoda went into asylum,How did the events of all these nature came into place is brilliantly screened into this episode. A well done and excellent prequel of this mega movie. Star Wars fans will not be disappointed for sure. All the answers are in this movie itself. Maybe most of us have predicted it but you guys out there have got to watch this movie. The actors were very good in making this movie a success, Hayden Christiensen,Natalie Portman,Mcgregor,Samuel L Jackson and the rest of the actors had done a great job bringing the characters alive all throughout the entire feature film saga. A moderate way of saying it.
In my opinion,Star Wars will be the movie of the century; a movie that will be talked about in years and years to come and GEORGE LUCAS name will be in history books as the man who created each and every STAR WARS movie. THE MAN BEHIND STAR WARS.
All in a great movie. Prequels and Sequels.
Sahara (2005)
Not Good Enough
I seriously think that this movie is more of a teenage movie rather than an adult movie. Don't get me wrong here, its just that the movie is not anything like indiana jones cross james bond, it is more like a normal action adventure in the dessert movie with 3 main characters. The plots are okay though and the suspense,comedy and actions are well placed but there is just not enough sparkle or a solid body for this movie to be a big hit, its just another normal play act dessert hunts like the ones we see at universal studios ( for those who have been there), I'm just voicing out my opinion as a viewer. The movie could have been made better with a bit of more added twist of story or maybe even some off the road moment or even by using more comedy scenes with a pinch of sex to make more exciting or so. Not all will agree with me but i guess i have the freedom to voice out anyway. Stories like these nowadays only attracts and appeal to younger generations mostly if I'm not mistaken. Fewer adults would like it; unless the purpose is only to watch Matthew or Penelope Cruz in it. Well, you can judge the movie yourself anyway, this comment of mine is merely just an opinion from individuals.
Layer Cake (2004)
Another Story like Snatch
Layer Cake, it would sound like a cooking documentary or some sort of pastry cooking video, but its not, its a movie and its something like the movie SNATCH (which i enjoyed watching), this movie is full of expectations,suspense, and it could confuse you as well, but overall it is brilliantly directed, it has the WTF mode on throughout the movie, branded as one of the movie which resembles SNATCH, this movie is about one hired killer but involves many clicks of people throughout the film, and the perspective of this movie makes you think and try to figure out who done who and what is what, generally, it is interesting if you like these kind of movies. The characters are brilliantly played out by these actors, the director did well in mixing suspense and comedy and brutal killings into a story which excites viewers, but there is only one thing that could make viewers lost is that the characters name has nicknames and could possibly confuse viewers and sometimes viewers are lost due to this matter. While it is a good movie to watch, it is not the best i have seen just yet. If you want an action movie and if you liked the movie SNATCH, then you would like this movie. I'm giving this movie a 7 out of 10.
Constantine (2005)
Constantine
For those with weak hearts, please beware of sudden shock of frighteners along this movie, it really can shock you if you are concentrating watching the movie like any other movie goers do. Seeing Keanu Reeves act in this movie and differentiate his previous role in Matrix is astounding. The Matrix aura thats within him as people know are brilliantly diminished by his role as Constantine. This role suits him nicely and the same can be said to Rachel Weiss. Good directing skills and implementations of HELL and HEAVEN elements into this movie adapted from a comic book. Brilliant ideas came out from this movies as i can see it. It comes in, in a different vibe, a hell and heaven vibes so as to speak. In terms of story wise, its OK but more could be done to really spark the movie more in between those fights. The fights sequence and CG's are superbly brilliantly done. Excellent cinematography. Hope Keanu Reeves will get credits for this one as well but i doubt it could as it wasn't that of a strong movie as was his last. Overall, its a entertaining movie to watch with families and friends, but not with your grandparents with all those shocking scenes powered up with DTS / THX and surround sounds. Hope to see more to come.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Million Dollar Baby
Clint Eastwoods latest movie Million Dollar Baby have been awarded in the Oscars. What more to say. I've seen all of Clint Eastwood movies whether he directed it or in which he acted in it himself. This particular movie evolves around a boxing center where all boxing champions wanna be are training their butts off in pursuing their dreams, there are exceptionally a few funny moments in this movie but the main character comes with Hilary Swank as the main focus. Quite long semi heavy drama; but worth watching. Could have been cut short but hey, its not my movie. Overall a good movie to watch. Makes you understand more on human nature and how to deal with it when it comes and should it come. Indirectly, its just another story of a trainer, apprentice, manager in boxing center and going through a boxing match championship with a twist of gender in between. Not quite the ending one would expect in any movies watched. Kudos to Clint Eastwood for his million dollar baby.
Quill (2004)
Quill
This is an emotional movie, very heartwarming. A true life story cycle of a guide dog. I've seen it and it warms you up directly for animal lovers and indirectly for non animal lovers. Overall, a good cinematography but more can be add on. They should make more films like this, where they can show us how it looks like in the eyes of these superb creatures created by god for a purpose. Directorship is of this film is good and the director emphasize on balancing the act of both animals and humans in this film. At least, I know now how an animal feels when things like this happens. It just warms your heart when watching this film. In words, its a good movie to watch with your girlfriend who will definitely hold your hand whilst watching this movie.