Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 3
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A tough cop (Jean-Claude Van Damme) joins border patrol to hunt down a drug trafficker group, who were ex-US marines.
What's good: The beginning 3 minutes.
What's bad: Nothing new. Typical van damme movie. Fight scenes are boring too.
Bottom line: I was hoaxed by the high review stars on Amazon, and this movie is not any better than any old Van Damme movies. The movie is not at all intense and fighting is not at all interesting. Don't waste your time on this one.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Atonement
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 5
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Two lovers (Keira Knightley, James Mcavoy) were separated because of wrongful accusement by Keira Knightley's little sister (Saoirse Ronan) who also had a crush on Robbie (James Mcavoy).
What's good: The three main actors have done a good job portraying their characters.
What's bad: Although the movie is set in the war time environment and trailer/advertisement is heavy with war scenes, there was no gun fights, as a matter of fact, you don't see a single German soldier in this movie, hence any encounter.
Bottom line: A typical romance/love story in a historical/war environment. Nothing new. Maybe good as a date movie but nothing to sing home about.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Two lovers (Keira Knightley, James Mcavoy) were separated because of wrongful accusement by Keira Knightley's little sister (Saoirse Ronan) who also had a crush on Robbie (James Mcavoy).
What's good: The three main actors have done a good job portraying their characters.
What's bad: Although the movie is set in the war time environment and trailer/advertisement is heavy with war scenes, there was no gun fights, as a matter of fact, you don't see a single German soldier in this movie, hence any encounter.
Bottom line: A typical romance/love story in a historical/war environment. Nothing new. Maybe good as a date movie but nothing to sing home about.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
30 Days of Night
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 6
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Vampires descend on the Northern most town in Alaska and the local Sheriff (Josh Hartnett) tries to save the remaing few folks.
What's good: A refreshing concept of vampires take advantage of an arctic town when the sun does not rise for a month.
What's bad: The movie is light on actions. For Vampire movies, the best comes to mind as the Blade series. This one is more of an average vampire movie.
Bottom line: Like I Am Legend, Josh Hartnett carries the movie like Will Smith does for that film. But overall it is a so so movie, watchable but not enjoyable.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Vampires descend on the Northern most town in Alaska and the local Sheriff (Josh Hartnett) tries to save the remaing few folks.
What's good: A refreshing concept of vampires take advantage of an arctic town when the sun does not rise for a month.
What's bad: The movie is light on actions. For Vampire movies, the best comes to mind as the Blade series. This one is more of an average vampire movie.
Bottom line: Like I Am Legend, Josh Hartnett carries the movie like Will Smith does for that film. But overall it is a so so movie, watchable but not enjoyable.
I Am Legend
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 5
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: American version of 28 Weeks Later. Will Smith as the only survivor of a virus that wiped out New York City. He strives for living a SINGLE life while finding the cure.
What's good: It is interesting to see New York City as a deserted place. Will Smith definitely makes the movie less boring.
What's bad: The movie is light on the zombies and action sequences.
Bottom line: Having watched 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, I have to say I Am Legend is nothing new and the movie comes short in terms action, horror, and storyline. But being a big budget movie with a big star, a typical guy will watch it so you can say I watched it, but you won't end up satisfied.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: American version of 28 Weeks Later. Will Smith as the only survivor of a virus that wiped out New York City. He strives for living a SINGLE life while finding the cure.
What's good: It is interesting to see New York City as a deserted place. Will Smith definitely makes the movie less boring.
What's bad: The movie is light on the zombies and action sequences.
Bottom line: Having watched 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, I have to say I Am Legend is nothing new and the movie comes short in terms action, horror, and storyline. But being a big budget movie with a big star, a typical guy will watch it so you can say I watched it, but you won't end up satisfied.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Hitman
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 6
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: A professional hitman was sent to assassinate the Russian president and gets complicated with the situation and a woman he was sent to kill also.
What's good: The movie has some sleek moments in terms of killing and gun violence.
What's bad: The movie is rather shallow in terms of character development and emotion. Maybe the director purposedly was trying to keep the main hitman character cool and aloof. The bar code thing at the back of their heads or their upbringing as a professional hitman was non-relevant in this movie, so don't think you are going to see some cool concept.
Bottom line: For a typical guy, this movie is another good action movie for some brainless eye-candy moments, but it comes short in terms of storyline or characters. Nothing comparable to Bourne series.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: A professional hitman was sent to assassinate the Russian president and gets complicated with the situation and a woman he was sent to kill also.
What's good: The movie has some sleek moments in terms of killing and gun violence.
What's bad: The movie is rather shallow in terms of character development and emotion. Maybe the director purposedly was trying to keep the main hitman character cool and aloof. The bar code thing at the back of their heads or their upbringing as a professional hitman was non-relevant in this movie, so don't think you are going to see some cool concept.
Bottom line: For a typical guy, this movie is another good action movie for some brainless eye-candy moments, but it comes short in terms of storyline or characters. Nothing comparable to Bourne series.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
No Country For Old Men
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 8
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: An able veteran coincidentally picked up a suitcase of $2 million from a drug deal gone bad and tries hard to get away from his chasers, especially the maniac killer (Javier Bardem, best supporting actor).
What's good: The movie is very intense. Javier Bardem did a great job acting out a crazy and cold hearted killer.
What's bad: The movie is a little dark and gloomy, but I guess it suits the theme.
Bottom line: You are holding your breath till the end ever since Josh Brodin picked up that suitcase. The movie falls into somewhat a horror/chase/action movie, so it is definitely a typical guy's movie. I think Javiar Bardem really made the movie special.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: An able veteran coincidentally picked up a suitcase of $2 million from a drug deal gone bad and tries hard to get away from his chasers, especially the maniac killer (Javier Bardem, best supporting actor).
What's good: The movie is very intense. Javier Bardem did a great job acting out a crazy and cold hearted killer.
What's bad: The movie is a little dark and gloomy, but I guess it suits the theme.
Bottom line: You are holding your breath till the end ever since Josh Brodin picked up that suitcase. The movie falls into somewhat a horror/chase/action movie, so it is definitely a typical guy's movie. I think Javiar Bardem really made the movie special.
Dan in Real Life
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 9
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: Steve Carell as a widowed father of 3 teenage daughters bumped into an inconvenient love during an extended family reunion.
What's good: The movie is a love story. Steve Carell did a good job - you will really feel for him. Juliette Binoche is lovely.
What's bad: The movie was very good in the first half and development of 2nd half kind of falls into usual love/comedy storyline.
Bottom line: I have to say I was very touched and moved by the movie. Rather than a comedy, I think this is a good love and family story that every adult can feel associated to. Even for a typical guy, this movie is good. I even think this movie is much better than The 40 Year Old Virgin.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: Steve Carell as a widowed father of 3 teenage daughters bumped into an inconvenient love during an extended family reunion.
What's good: The movie is a love story. Steve Carell did a good job - you will really feel for him. Juliette Binoche is lovely.
What's bad: The movie was very good in the first half and development of 2nd half kind of falls into usual love/comedy storyline.
Bottom line: I have to say I was very touched and moved by the movie. Rather than a comedy, I think this is a good love and family story that every adult can feel associated to. Even for a typical guy, this movie is good. I even think this movie is much better than The 40 Year Old Virgin.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Saw IV
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 7
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: Yet another Jigsaw's game as he manipulates the swot team captain as he tries to rescue his colleagues.
What's good: Saw franchise continues on and this fourth installment is not disappointing though starting to show its age. The opening scenes of coronary officer opening up of Jigsaw's corpse were very gory - I've never seen such scenes in all the horror movies I've seen
What's bad: The games or plots continue to be clever though not new. I am expecting to see some new twists or scenery, but this installment did not break out. It did provide explanations of why Jigsaw has turned to a serial killer monster.
Bottom line: If you are a Saw fan, watch this movie.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch It
Story Line: Yet another Jigsaw's game as he manipulates the swot team captain as he tries to rescue his colleagues.
What's good: Saw franchise continues on and this fourth installment is not disappointing though starting to show its age. The opening scenes of coronary officer opening up of Jigsaw's corpse were very gory - I've never seen such scenes in all the horror movies I've seen
What's bad: The games or plots continue to be clever though not new. I am expecting to see some new twists or scenery, but this installment did not break out. It did provide explanations of why Jigsaw has turned to a serial killer monster.
Bottom line: If you are a Saw fan, watch this movie.
Lust, Caution
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 3
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip It
Story Line: A young lady hooks up with enemy's top official to set up for his assassination and gets entangled in the relationship.
What's good: The leading actress, Tang Wei, is a pretty and budding fine actress and did a good job in this film.
What's bad: No action, no plot, no intense moment, no character. The sex scenes are a turn off than a turn on. Ang Lee is a very good director, and this movie is his continued exploration or depiction on human sexuality or relationship. I can tell he spends his camera shots on close up on the characters feeling or emotion, maybe the original story was written this way, which I don't like the story at all.
Bottom line: The movie does provoke a couple thoughts, but more or less on the ground of disgust or piss-off after watching this movie. If it is a movie for the artsy or for the thoughtful, this is at least not a typical guy's cup of tea. I gave a big thumb down upon watching this movie. The movie drags on and is very long, at least Ang Lee did a good job not making me turning the movie off or dosing off.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip It
Story Line: A young lady hooks up with enemy's top official to set up for his assassination and gets entangled in the relationship.
What's good: The leading actress, Tang Wei, is a pretty and budding fine actress and did a good job in this film.
What's bad: No action, no plot, no intense moment, no character. The sex scenes are a turn off than a turn on. Ang Lee is a very good director, and this movie is his continued exploration or depiction on human sexuality or relationship. I can tell he spends his camera shots on close up on the characters feeling or emotion, maybe the original story was written this way, which I don't like the story at all.
Bottom line: The movie does provoke a couple thoughts, but more or less on the ground of disgust or piss-off after watching this movie. If it is a movie for the artsy or for the thoughtful, this is at least not a typical guy's cup of tea. I gave a big thumb down upon watching this movie. The movie drags on and is very long, at least Ang Lee did a good job not making me turning the movie off or dosing off.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Beowulf
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 4
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip It
Story Line: A warrior fights a monster and then faces the monster's mother, who is Angelina Jolie.
What's good: Angelina Jolie makes the movie watchable. The dragon fighting scene towards the end was good.
What's bad: I almost wanted to turn the movie off within 5 minutes. It is very much cartoon like. The movie is made through a few actors wearing computer nodes all over their face and body and acting on a blank set, then computer graphics does the rest of the work. The actual people look cartoonish in the movie.
Bottom line: Don't think you are going to see something similar to Lord of Rings. If you are into watching cartoons, this is good. It took me a long while trying to get used to this cartoonish movie watching.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip It
Story Line: A warrior fights a monster and then faces the monster's mother, who is Angelina Jolie.
What's good: Angelina Jolie makes the movie watchable. The dragon fighting scene towards the end was good.
What's bad: I almost wanted to turn the movie off within 5 minutes. It is very much cartoon like. The movie is made through a few actors wearing computer nodes all over their face and body and acting on a blank set, then computer graphics does the rest of the work. The actual people look cartoonish in the movie.
Bottom line: Don't think you are going to see something similar to Lord of Rings. If you are into watching cartoons, this is good. It took me a long while trying to get used to this cartoonish movie watching.
Legend of Black Scorpion (The Banquet)
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 4
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip It
Story Line: Zhang Ziyi as the emporess in this fight to gain the emperor position among different relatives.
What's good: The movie boasts a very strong cast, director, music score, singer, and even Lang Lang as piano, and the supergirl as singer. All are very famous in China.
What's bad: This movie has the flu of typical modern mainland Chinese blockbuster movie, which is too much emphasis on art, looks and styling. Kung Fu fighting scenes are few. Maybe the director purposedly wanted to make it an opera like than movie like.
Bottom line: The movie is very much like another movie "Curse of the Golden Flower" with Chow Yun-fat in it. Both movies are more focused on styling than essence. Not for a typical wanting to see some action.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip It
Story Line: Zhang Ziyi as the emporess in this fight to gain the emperor position among different relatives.
What's good: The movie boasts a very strong cast, director, music score, singer, and even Lang Lang as piano, and the supergirl as singer. All are very famous in China.
What's bad: This movie has the flu of typical modern mainland Chinese blockbuster movie, which is too much emphasis on art, looks and styling. Kung Fu fighting scenes are few. Maybe the director purposedly wanted to make it an opera like than movie like.
Bottom line: The movie is very much like another movie "Curse of the Golden Flower" with Chow Yun-fat in it. Both movies are more focused on styling than essence. Not for a typical wanting to see some action.
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