After the Wedding

After the Wedding (2007)

Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Rolf Lassgård ...
Director: Susanne Bier
Genre: Drama / Foreign
Language: Danish
Subtitles: English

R: For some language and a scene of sexuality

My Rating:

4 / 5 stars: A heart wrenching story but incredibly captivating and a very good movie. The film was done nicely and it has an outstanding cast giving brilliant performances. It focuses on different emotions that will surely tear you up. There's a scene that really had a strong impact on me, that I suddenly felt a lump growing in my throat, tears filled my eyes and i force to stop them from falling, but my silent tears began flowing freely down my cheek. This is indeed a poignant drama that really got me hooked.
I highly recommend this movie.

Synopsis:
To save the failing orphanage he runs in India, Danish transplant Jacob Petersen (Mads Mikkelsen) returns to his homeland to meet a self-indulgent businessman named Jorgen who's offered a generous donation -- and who represents everything the noble-minded Jacob abhors. Complicating matters further are the unusual strings Jorgen has attached to his so-called gift. Rolf Lassgard co-stars in this Oscar-nominated emotional powerhouse of a drama.

DISTURBIA

Disturbia (2007)
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Carrie-Anne Moss, Aaron Yoo, David Morse
Director: D.J. Caruso
Genre: Thrillers
PG-13: For sequences of terror and violence, and some sensuality.

My Rating:
3 /5 stars - This is just a subtle teen thriller movie with some few thrills and comical scenes. The most distressing and horrifying part of the film was the tragic "car crash" sight that made my jaw drop with shock, literally.

Aaron Yoo caught my attention during the classroom scene. I liked the way he delivered his speech in flawless Spanish. Muy Perfecto!

(Trivia: Aaron is of Korean ethnicity and speaks Korean, English and German. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.)


Synopsis:
After Kale's (Shia LaBeouf) father accidental death, he became a troubled teen and find himself sentenced to house arrest, begins watching his neighbors out of boredom -- only to discover evidence that a serial killer lives a stone's throw from his home.

BREACH (2007)

Breach (2007)
Starring: Chris Cooper, Ryan Phillippe
Director: Billy Ray
Genre: Drama/History
PG13: for violence, sexual content and language

My Rating:
3.5 /5 - A movie based on a real-life story about an FBI agent convicted of spying for the Soviet Union and allegedly a sexual deviant (an ironic fate for such a conservative religious fanatic). I feel sorry for this man. Surprisingly intense and interesting film that keeps me entertained. Chris Copper performance here is truly remarkable.

If you want to know more about the life story of Robert Philip Hanssen, there's a book about him tiltled "The Bureau and the Mole" by David A. Vise (author).

Synopsis:
Soon after landing a plum job working for FBI operative Robert Hanssen (Chris Cooper), Eric O'Neill (Ryan Phillippe) realizes he's been brought in to spy on his boss, who's suspected of selling secrets to the Soviets.

THE KILLING FLOOR

The Killing Floor (2007)
Starring: Marc Blucas, Shiri Appleby and Reico Aylesworth
Director: Gideon Raff
Genre: Mystery and Suspense

My Rating:
2.5 / 5 - A thriller film with some pretty tense scenes and a twist at the end. But I still find the story a bit bland and lacks depth.

Synopsis:

A literary agent moves into a penthouse apartment. Soon after the move, he receives crime scene photographs that seem to have taken place in his new apartment. Next he receives a series of stalker videotapes that document his every move.

Movies!

My hubby and I had a movie marathon this week. We had watched the following movies:

Mr. Brooks (2007)

Starring: Kevin Costner, Demi Moore
Director: Bruce A. Evans
Genre: Thrillers/Murder/Serial Killer

R: For strong bloody violence, some graphic sexual content

My Rating: 3/5 - It may not be the best film ever made, but I was entertained throughout the whole movie. No boring moments. Terrific performances by Costner and Hurt.

************

The Reaping (2007)
Starring: David Morrissey, Hilary Swank ...
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Genre: Horror / Thriller
R: for violence, disturbing images and some sexuality.

My Rating:
2.5 / 5 - A little creepy and has a big twist at the end. The reedeming grace from the movie is Hilary swank and the visual effects.

************

Zodiac (2007)
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo ...
Director: David Fincher
Genre: Thrillers / Crime
R: For some strong killings, language, drug material and brief ...

My Rating:
3.5 / 5 -Intriguing. Based on the true investigation of the infamous Zodiac killer during the '60s and '70s but the case remains unsolved.

***********

The Number 23 (2007)
Starring: Jim Carrey, Virginia Madsen ...
Director: Joel Schumacher
Genre: Thriller / Mystery / Murder
R: For violence, disturbing images, sexuality and language.

My Rating: 3/5 - When I saw the trailer, I thought this movie was about paranormal phenomena but it boils down into just a psychological thriller. A little spooky sometimes. Jim Carrey is a lot different here. There's intrugue and twist that keeps me thinking. I even found myself counting my name and my birthday if it ends up on number 23. Lucky it's not.

************

Premonition (2007)
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Julian McMahon ...
Director: Mennan Yapo
Genre: Drama / Thrillers
PG-13: For some violent content, disturbing images, thematic material ...

My Rating: 3/5 - Several questions kept popping into my head. A little tricky at first and I got confused slightly around the middle of the film but managed to get back. The ending was extremely predictable.

************

Captivity (2007)
Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Daniel Gillies ...
Director: Roland Joffé
Genre: Thriller / Serial Killer
R: for strong violence, torture, pervasive terror, grisly images, language and some sexual material.

My Rating: 2 /5 - The film story lacks sensibility. There's no point in watching a movie when you already know what will happen next.

************

The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

Starring: Kathleen Quinlan, Vinessa Shaw ...
Director: Alexandre Aja
Genre: Horror
R: for strong gruesome violence and terror throughout and for language.

and

The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007)
Starring: Lee Thompson Young, Reshad Strik ...
Director: Martin Weisz
Genre: Horror/Suspense, Cannibalism,
R: for strong gruesome violence and terror throughout and for language.

My Rating:
2.5 / 5 - The Hills Have Eyes (2006)
2/ 5 - The Hills have Eyes 2 (2007)

It's a fast paced horror flick. I admit these two movies are the most violent, gross, brutal I've ever seen. I was obviously more disgusted than scared of the mutant freaks. Well, there are some scenes that scared me out of my seat a few times but not absolutely scariest.

STOLEN LIFE (2005)

Stolen Life (2005)
Starring: Xun Zhou, Ming Cai ...
Director: Shaohong Li
Genre: Drama
Language: Mandarin with English Subtitle

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 - Over a million teenage girls get pregnant every year and ends up with a broken dream and a broken heart. The storyline is simple but the message contains lessons on life that needs to be told. An important wake-up call for young people to resist temptations (sexual desire) and avoid early marriages. I recommend this movie especially for highschoolers and teenagers to watch this film. I hope the story will help enlighten them.

Synopsis:
Yanni, a young woman raised by emotionally distant relatives in Beijing unexpectedly gets accepted to college. Filled with aspirations and visions of independence, she promptly packs her suitcase to move to the dorms. As she heads to the univerisity, she crashes into a new life of love, deception, and adult choices. Filmmaker Li Shaohong follows Yanni into Beijing’s gritty underworld, chronicling Yanni’s determination to confront her treacherous love and her ultimate goal to survive.

*Stolen Life was featured at the Tribeca Film Festival where Robert De Niro presented filmmaker Li Shaohong with the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature.

*Stolen Life is part of the Global Film Initiative’s Global Lens series, which includes eight feature films and a collection of five short films from developing-world countries.

*Stolen Life was selected by an advisory committee consisting of high school educators, a high school student, and representatives from UW-Madison's Language Institute and Arts

(source: Language Institute)

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD IV AND TRANSFORMERS

Ed and I watched these two movies last Sunday.

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD 1V (2007)
Starring: Bruce Willis, Jeffrey Wright, Justin Long, Maggie Q...
Director: Len Wiseman
Genre: Action/Adventure, Terrorism
PG-13

My Rating: 4/5 - Action and thrilling stunts keeps going and never ends. I absolutely loved It!

Synopsis:
John McClane (Willis) takes on an Internet-based terrorist organization who is systematically shutting down the United States.

**********

TRANSFORMERS (2007)
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox ...
Director: Michael Bay
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure
PG-13, for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language.

My Rating: 3.5 / 5 - I'm not a huge fan of Transformers, but this movie is quite enjoyable.

The striking visual effects is amazing! Overall this movie did not disappoint me. I'm now a fan of Bumblebee and Optimus Prime.

The sci-fi saga "Transformers," DreamWorks and Paramount's big-screen take on the Hasbro toys, debuted with $67.6 million in ticket sales in its first weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday. That gave it $152.5 million since opening with preview screenings Monday night.

Synopsis:
Based on the popular toys that transform from machines into giant robots, this live-action movie from Pearl Harbor director Michael Bay finds the planet Cybertron inhabitants engaging in a secret war for control of Earth's natural resources, which they desperately need for fuel. Able to disguise themselves as cars, airplanes, boats and more, the transformers prove a tough enemy in this film.

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA

Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Starring: Annasophia Robb, Josh Hutcherson ...

Director: Gabor Csupo
Genre: Children & Family / Drama
PG: For thematic elements including bullying, some peril and mild language

My Rating: 2/5 - The trailer and ad was misleading. I thought this was a fantasy adventure movie. Even though this story has mostly positive ratings, I didn't like it at all except for the special effects. I would say this film had very little to offer especially for children.

Synopsis:
New classmate Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) unlocks a world of fantasy and imagination for fifth-grader Jesse Aaron (Josh Hutcherson) in this magical adventure based on Katherine Paterson's best-selling book. Rivals at first, the two outcasts eventually become friends and create the make-believe kingdom of Terabithia, where they reign supreme and plot vengeance against the school bullies.

FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Starring: Michael Chiklis, Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba & Chris Evans ...
Director: Tim Story
Genre: Action and Adventure
PG, for sequences of action violence, some mild language and innuendo
My Rating: 2.5/5 - Not so fantastic.

Synopsis:

This sequel to the 2005 blockbuster follows Fantastic Four superheroes Reed (Ioan Gruffudd), Sue (Jessica Alba), Johnny (Chris Evans) and Ben (Michael Chiklis) as they battle the enigmatic Silver Surfer (Doug Jones), who travels the earth preparing it for total destruction. Director Tim Story's comic book adventure introduces viewers to the space-faring explorer Silver Surfer, created in 1966 by legendary Marvel writers Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. (source)

VACANCY (2007)

Vacancy (2007)
Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Luke Wilson
Director: Nimrod Antal
Genre: Horror / Suspense
R: For brutal violence and terror, brief nudity and language
My Rating: 2.5 / 5 - This movie keeps me on the edge of my seat.

Synopsis:
This riveting thriller features Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale as a couple whose car breaks down, stranding them at a very dangerous hotel. The film gradually leads to horror when the hotel turns out to be a snuff film operation, with cameras everywhere lots of truly horrific videos of past murders. The couple needs to think fast before they become the next victims. [more]

Hostel Part II (2007)

Hostel Part 2 (2007)
Starring: Jay Hernandez, Lauren German
Director: Eli Roth
Genre: Horror / Suspense
R: For sadistic scenes of torture and bloody violence, terror...
My Rating: 2/5. I had high hopes for this movie, but it was a bit of a let down than the original.

Synopsis:
Three young Americans studying in Rome set off for a weekend trip when they run into a beautiful model from one of their art class. Also on her way to an exotic destination, the gorgeous European invites the coeds to come along, assuring they they will be able to relax and rejuvenate. [more]

Fracture (2007)

I watched this movie recently in the theater...

FRACTURE (2007)
Starring: Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Genre: Thriller, Legal/Crime Suspense
R- for language and some violent content
My Rating: 3.5 / 5
Link: The Official Site

THE MESSENGERS (2006)

I just recently watched...

THE MESSENGERS (2006)
Starring: Graham Bell and John Corbett
Director: Pang Brothers
Genre: Horror
My Rating: 2.5 / 5 - A typical Japanese horror done in Western setting. It reminds me of the movie Ju-on.

The Story with Spoiler:

At the movie's beginning, a frightened woman is with her son, telling him that he has to be strong and that everything is going to be okay. She hears something coming towards the door and makes her son hide under the bed. The door bursts open and something throws the woman against the wall. The son, terrified, runs out of the room and into his sister, who is also scared. She grabs him and runs down the stairs. The boy hides under a table, but his sister is caught and dragged away, down into the cellar. The boy runs into the kitchen and hides in a cabinet, but he is soon found and killed as well.

Five years later, a new family is moving into the house from the city, hoping to start a sunflower farm. The main character Jess Solomon (Kristen Stewart) is angry about having to move away from her friends. She once got into a car accident with her toddler brother because she was drunk, and he became a mute. Her brother, Ben, sees things the others cannot see...the past owners of the house. Jess' father, Roy, hires a man named John Burwell to work on his sunflower farm for him. The house always seems to have crows flying around it; some crows even attack Roy. Jess has an encounter with one of the ghosts, the mother, in the closet. She calls 911 and the authorities come, only to find a terrified Jess. They dismiss it as a false alarm. Jess' parents do not believe her either. While Ben has seen what happened, being very young and mute he cannot confirm what happened. Only Burwell supports her, and teenage boy Bobby from town she befriends.

She later finds out more details about the Rollins family that lived in the house and suddenly left, and sees a picture of them, with John in it. As it turns out, the man who killed the past owners of the house in a fit of madness is actually John, who was the head of the Rollins family. Jess takes Bobby to the house to check the cellar together.

Meanwhile John is attacked by crows representing the killed family's avengers. He turns insane and attacks Jess, her family, and Bobby. John calls Jess' mother, Denise, "Mary" and Ben "Michael," finally attacking Jess and Roy. John is absorbed into the cellar floor as the spirits grab him and pull him in.

There is a happy ending with Ben speaking again, and Bobby working on the farm.

(story source: wikipedia)

Curse of the Golden Flower

We watched this movie last Sunday. Curse of the Golden Flower is an intensifying and intricate web of passion, deceit, betrayal, murder and schemes to power that entangles the Royal Family.

Hong Kong Actor Chow Yun Fat plays as Emperor Ping, while Chinese Actress Li Gong, who has starred in many Zhang Yomou's films in the past, plays Empress Phoenix. Liu Ye plays Crown Prince Wan, Taiwanese singer Jay Chou stars as Prince Jai, and Qin Junjie is Prince Yu, the youngest prince. The Imperial Doctor is played by Ni Dahong, his wife by Chen Jin, and their daughter, Jiang Chan, by Li Man. I must say all the actors did a superb and outstanding job of making the story come to life.

It features many lengthy dazzling fighting scenes. The choreography is spectacular.

And a stunning array of Chinese Costumes that is visually extravagant.

Despite the lackluster and tragic ending, I was just totally thrilled and engrossed in the story.

This movie is an Academy Award-nominated 2006 Chinese historical drama film directed by Zhang Yimou.

X-MEN 3 and The Da Vinci Code

Last Sunday, we watched X-MEN: The Last Stand at SM South. The story was about the discovery of a miracle drug to treat unwanted mutations and the battle between the heroic group of X-Men and the group of mutants. I liked it and it's an eye-filling sci-fi / action/ adventure film.

--------------

Then we moved to Alabang Town Center just to watch the controversial hyped-thriller movie "The Da Vinci Code". Directed by Ron Howard, starring; Tom Hanks as Harvard professor Robert Langdon, Audrey Tatou as cryptographer Sophie Neve, and Sir Ian McKellen as Leigh Teabing. The movie was based on the popular novel by Dan Brown, that explores the legend of the Holy Grail and the role of Mary Magdalene in the history of Christianity. From a religious point of view, some critics consider it sacrilegious, and decry the many negative implications about the Catholic Church and Opus Dei. That's why it became an issue here in the Philippines. It was even rated "R-18" but in other countries it was rated PG-13 only.

The Movie:

It started when a curator was murdered inside the Louvre museum. To crack the case and arrive at the truth, Robert and Sophie must look to the works of Leonardo da Vinci. That will lead them to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society (Opus Dei) for two thousand years -- which could shake the foundations of Christianity.

I think the most controversial part of the movie was when Leigh Teabing told Sophie Neveu regarding the painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci tha... "The figure at the right hand of Jesus is supposedly not the apostle John, but Mary Magdalene and was in fact pregnant with his child at the time of his crucifixion. And the absence of a chalice in the painting supposedly indicates that Leonardo knew that Mary Magdalene was actually the Holy Grail (the bearer of Jesus' blood)."

Let's just say, Jesus really married Mary Magdalene and they had children. My question is ... "Does it make him a lesser God or a non-worthy God?" My answer is NO.

For me, the movie is just an average Hollywood thriller. And I didn't see anything that will compromise my faith in God or make me confuse at all. And what's the hype about? The book of Dan Brown is even under the "FICTION" category.

And as what Robert Langdon said in the movie:

"WHAT REALLY MATTERS IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE"

AND THAT'S WHAT I STAND UP FOR.