Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 4
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: A guy (Brian Bloom) faces a tough choice when LA is under chemical bomb attack and his wife (Rory Cochrane), contaminated, comes back right at the door of his sealed-off home.
What's good: The story resounds with people, in a world full of terrorism. It brings up people's conscience when facing life/death and loved ones. Storyline is good.
What's bad: As an independent and low budget movie, you don't see special effects or big production scenes. You see more flash lights than actual soldiers in camaflouge or quarantine suits.
Bottom line: The movie has a good storyline, and it keeps you want to keep watching to see what happens in the end.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Trigger Man
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 0
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Three New York City guys went hunting in Pennsylvania and became hunted.
What's good: Nothing.
What's bad: Your own home video is probably better shot than this film. The shots are very very shaky, probably shot by a cheap video camera, hand held. You probably will get a head-ache within 5 minutes. But actually you will probably fast forward within 2 minutes. This is not a movie. It is a home video by an amateur.
Bottom line: Don't let the DVD cover fool you. I very rarely give a 0 rating, but this movie (if you can even call it) is definitely the worst movie I have ever seen in my life (in fact, I saw it for a couple minutes, fast forwarded, watched another few minutes, fast forward to the scene when they got shot, knew it is not going to get any better, and turned off, with a motion-sickness headache).
I am not going to put a link to Amazon on this junk!
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Three New York City guys went hunting in Pennsylvania and became hunted.
What's good: Nothing.
What's bad: Your own home video is probably better shot than this film. The shots are very very shaky, probably shot by a cheap video camera, hand held. You probably will get a head-ache within 5 minutes. But actually you will probably fast forward within 2 minutes. This is not a movie. It is a home video by an amateur.
Bottom line: Don't let the DVD cover fool you. I very rarely give a 0 rating, but this movie (if you can even call it) is definitely the worst movie I have ever seen in my life (in fact, I saw it for a couple minutes, fast forwarded, watched another few minutes, fast forward to the scene when they got shot, knew it is not going to get any better, and turned off, with a motion-sickness headache).
I am not going to put a link to Amazon on this junk!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Death Sentence
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 7
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch
Story Line: A white-collar father (Kevin Bacon) who lost his son to a street gang (Garrett Hedlund) decides to take justice in his own hands and eventually led to an all-out-war with the gang.
What's good: Action packed, the movie flows well. Kevin Bacon did a good job, portraying a desk executive evolving into a gang-buster.
What's bad: The director might have shot a couple too many shots romanticizing gangsters (i.e. slow motion shots as the gang members march forward - typical Hongkong style).
Bottom line: The director, James Wan, who did Saw, continues his good work in this movie. For a typical guy, this action movie will not disappoint.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch
Story Line: A white-collar father (Kevin Bacon) who lost his son to a street gang (Garrett Hedlund) decides to take justice in his own hands and eventually led to an all-out-war with the gang.
What's good: Action packed, the movie flows well. Kevin Bacon did a good job, portraying a desk executive evolving into a gang-buster.
What's bad: The director might have shot a couple too many shots romanticizing gangsters (i.e. slow motion shots as the gang members march forward - typical Hongkong style).
Bottom line: The director, James Wan, who did Saw, continues his good work in this movie. For a typical guy, this action movie will not disappoint.
The Hunting Party
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 4
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Three journalists (Richard Gere, Terrance Howard) waded into Bosnia backcountry attempting to capture an infamous Bosnia war criminal "The Fox" (Ljubomir Kerekes).
What's good: The plot starts promising.
What's bad: What can three journalists with no gun can do?
Bottom line: The story is novel. Richard Gere and Terrance Howard are good actors. However, as the movie goes on, the story wears thin. The action is very little.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Three journalists (Richard Gere, Terrance Howard) waded into Bosnia backcountry attempting to capture an infamous Bosnia war criminal "The Fox" (Ljubomir Kerekes).
What's good: The plot starts promising.
What's bad: What can three journalists with no gun can do?
Bottom line: The story is novel. Richard Gere and Terrance Howard are good actors. However, as the movie goes on, the story wears thin. The action is very little.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 2
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Alien and Predator are at it again. This time another Predator comes to earth to track down Aliens, which populates quite fast.
What's good: Nothing.
What's bad: The movie scenes are mostly shot dark and both predator and aliens are all black, so basically you are literally watching a dark movie. On top of that, there is not much action and no plot at all. The cast are all no names and give very mediocre performances.
Bottom line: While I like the first Alien vs Predator, this second installment is a total failure.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Alien and Predator are at it again. This time another Predator comes to earth to track down Aliens, which populates quite fast.
What's good: Nothing.
What's bad: The movie scenes are mostly shot dark and both predator and aliens are all black, so basically you are literally watching a dark movie. On top of that, there is not much action and no plot at all. The cast are all no names and give very mediocre performances.
Bottom line: While I like the first Alien vs Predator, this second installment is a total failure.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Storm Warning
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 5
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Australian version of a couple took a "wrong turn" (this time boating in a remote bay) and bumped into West Virginian type hillbillies.
What's good: Even though the plot is nothing new, I kind of enjoyed the movie. There are enough suspense, blood and gore. Nadia Farès as the lead female character at least make you want to find out what happens next, instead some stupid dumb chicks you find in a lot of horror movies.
What's bad: Plot is nothing new.
Bottom line: Not a bad horror movie. If you are in a horror movie mood and has nothing else to choose, this movie serves the purpose.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Australian version of a couple took a "wrong turn" (this time boating in a remote bay) and bumped into West Virginian type hillbillies.
What's good: Even though the plot is nothing new, I kind of enjoyed the movie. There are enough suspense, blood and gore. Nadia Farès as the lead female character at least make you want to find out what happens next, instead some stupid dumb chicks you find in a lot of horror movies.
What's bad: Plot is nothing new.
Bottom line: Not a bad horror movie. If you are in a horror movie mood and has nothing else to choose, this movie serves the purpose.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Reservation Road
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 4.5
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A father (Joaquin Phoenix) who lost his son in an hit-and-run accident deals with aftermath and tries to find the killer (Mark Ruffalo), who happens to be a father also and struggles with the aftermath also.
What's good: Good depiction of how parents try to cope with the tragedy of losing their child.
What's bad: Not much suspense - pretty straight forward story. Jennifer Connelly as the mother has limited role.
Bottom line: The movie does have its touching moments - I recommend you watch it if you are a parent. Otherwise, it feels almost like a TV drama.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A father (Joaquin Phoenix) who lost his son in an hit-and-run accident deals with aftermath and tries to find the killer (Mark Ruffalo), who happens to be a father also and struggles with the aftermath also.
What's good: Good depiction of how parents try to cope with the tragedy of losing their child.
What's bad: Not much suspense - pretty straight forward story. Jennifer Connelly as the mother has limited role.
Bottom line: The movie does have its touching moments - I recommend you watch it if you are a parent. Otherwise, it feels almost like a TV drama.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Feast of Love
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 3
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A couple love and affair stories. Coffee shop owner Bradley (Greg Kinnear) has tough luck finding love. Two young fellows fell in love at the first sight even facing difficulties in fate. A professor (Morgan Freeman) observes but struggles to find meanings in life after losing his own son.
What's good: Not much. Maybe the ending brings some meaning to the whole film.
What's bad: The stories are so so and cast do not stand out including Greg Kinnear. I found the two young lovers (Toby Hemingway and Alexa Davalos) are doing a better job.
Bottom line: There are better love stories to watch - skip this one..
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A couple love and affair stories. Coffee shop owner Bradley (Greg Kinnear) has tough luck finding love. Two young fellows fell in love at the first sight even facing difficulties in fate. A professor (Morgan Freeman) observes but struggles to find meanings in life after losing his own son.
What's good: Not much. Maybe the ending brings some meaning to the whole film.
What's bad: The stories are so so and cast do not stand out including Greg Kinnear. I found the two young lovers (Toby Hemingway and Alexa Davalos) are doing a better job.
Bottom line: There are better love stories to watch - skip this one..
P2
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 3
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A young lady working late on Christmas Eve found herself trapped in the parking garage below the building.
What's good: Angela (Rachel Nichols) is pretty and sexy. Horror in the underground garage is a pretty novel concept.
What's bad: Tom (Wes Bentley) is pretty also but not creepy, which makes the film less horrifying, though some other people may think this is new kind of freakness, but I don't think so. Only a couple gore scenes.
Bottom line: Not very scary. Was able to watch till the end. Not too bad but an average horror/slasher movie. Should be PG-13 at most - don't let the dvd cover fool you. Skip it.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A young lady working late on Christmas Eve found herself trapped in the parking garage below the building.
What's good: Angela (Rachel Nichols) is pretty and sexy. Horror in the underground garage is a pretty novel concept.
What's bad: Tom (Wes Bentley) is pretty also but not creepy, which makes the film less horrifying, though some other people may think this is new kind of freakness, but I don't think so. Only a couple gore scenes.
Bottom line: Not very scary. Was able to watch till the end. Not too bad but an average horror/slasher movie. Should be PG-13 at most - don't let the dvd cover fool you. Skip it.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Outpost
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 2.5
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A mercenaries team was sent to retrieve something mysterious from a former Nazi underground bunker.
What's good: The beginning 15 minutes build some pretty good suspense. Ray Stevenson looks a little like Sean Connery, which lends some credibility.
What's bad: Once contact has been made with the Nazi soldier zombies, the $1 million low budget movie really shows its constraint in action, special effects or horror/gore. You will mostly see the guys keep shooting to nowhere and some zombie shadows in the distance.
Bottom line: Not really a good horror or action movie. Skip it.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: A mercenaries team was sent to retrieve something mysterious from a former Nazi underground bunker.
What's good: The beginning 15 minutes build some pretty good suspense. Ray Stevenson looks a little like Sean Connery, which lends some credibility.
What's bad: Once contact has been made with the Nazi soldier zombies, the $1 million low budget movie really shows its constraint in action, special effects or horror/gore. You will mostly see the guys keep shooting to nowhere and some zombie shadows in the distance.
Bottom line: Not really a good horror or action movie. Skip it.
Monday, April 7, 2008
American Gangster
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 5
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is a new prosperous drug lord in Harlem and Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is one of the rare uncorrupted cops who is determined to bring him down.
What's good: Denzel Washington again does a great job portraiting Frank Lucas' rise and his way handling business. Russell Crowe is more a supporting role.
What's bad: The movie should be rather named The Life of American Gangster. It portrays the drug lord's life and business dealing, but no action or tense moments in this movie. Movie is rather long too, almost 3 hours.
Bottom line: The movie comes a little short of Godfather, and lacks action or intensity as a good gangster movie. If you want to watch Denzel or Russell or big name movie, then go ahead, otherwise, find a better movie.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch when no other choice
Story Line: Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) is a new prosperous drug lord in Harlem and Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) is one of the rare uncorrupted cops who is determined to bring him down.
What's good: Denzel Washington again does a great job portraiting Frank Lucas' rise and his way handling business. Russell Crowe is more a supporting role.
What's bad: The movie should be rather named The Life of American Gangster. It portrays the drug lord's life and business dealing, but no action or tense moments in this movie. Movie is rather long too, almost 3 hours.
Bottom line: The movie comes a little short of Godfather, and lacks action or intensity as a good gangster movie. If you want to watch Denzel or Russell or big name movie, then go ahead, otherwise, find a better movie.
Into the Wild
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 7
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch
Story Line: Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) as a young college graduate but denounces his parents and society and treks across the country with final stop in the wilderness of Alaska.
What's good: Almost immediately you become liking this young man and you are accompanying him on his journey to find out about life, love, freedom and happiness. Emile Hirsh did a good job portraying this real life story. Supporting actors are all doing a good job.
What's bad: The going back and forth is mostly good but I wonder if a straight forward story-telling will be better as we go on the life exploring journey with Alex Supertramp (the new name the main character adopts).
Bottom line: At first the movie may not provoke a big impact or sleepless night, but it retains its place in your mind, as you are subtly thinking about this philosophical or social study of a man. It makes you want to read some more about Alex and his venture, especially his days in Alaska and what really happens at the end. I recommend watching it if you are a parent, a serious movie watcher, or a young adult who is a little confused with life or hates everyone. But if you are a typical guy who doesn't give a damn, then this movie is a skip.
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Watch
Story Line: Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) as a young college graduate but denounces his parents and society and treks across the country with final stop in the wilderness of Alaska.
What's good: Almost immediately you become liking this young man and you are accompanying him on his journey to find out about life, love, freedom and happiness. Emile Hirsh did a good job portraying this real life story. Supporting actors are all doing a good job.
What's bad: The going back and forth is mostly good but I wonder if a straight forward story-telling will be better as we go on the life exploring journey with Alex Supertramp (the new name the main character adopts).
Bottom line: At first the movie may not provoke a big impact or sleepless night, but it retains its place in your mind, as you are subtly thinking about this philosophical or social study of a man. It makes you want to read some more about Alex and his venture, especially his days in Alaska and what really happens at the end. I recommend watching it if you are a parent, a serious movie watcher, or a young adult who is a little confused with life or hates everyone. But if you are a typical guy who doesn't give a damn, then this movie is a skip.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Ballistic Kiss
Rating (1-10, 10 being highest): 2
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Donnie Yen as a cop goes out as a cop and fights Hongkong gangs.
What's good: N/A.
What's bad: What a big difference 10 years makes. This movie, made in 1999, might be good action movie when it came out, but now well into 21st century, the movie's actions are so out-dated. The movie studio wrapped this old movie in DVD format, so the sound was horrible too.
Bottom line: I turned off within 3 minutes. As much as I like Donnie Yen's recent movies, this old movie is too out-dated..
Quick Rating: (skip, watch, watch when no other choice): Skip
Story Line: Donnie Yen as a cop goes out as a cop and fights Hongkong gangs.
What's good: N/A.
What's bad: What a big difference 10 years makes. This movie, made in 1999, might be good action movie when it came out, but now well into 21st century, the movie's actions are so out-dated. The movie studio wrapped this old movie in DVD format, so the sound was horrible too.
Bottom line: I turned off within 3 minutes. As much as I like Donnie Yen's recent movies, this old movie is too out-dated..
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