Movie Reviw: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Ok, lets just get to the point. Yes it is a good film to watch. A very good throwback to the classic Indiana Jones movies where the last film was 19 years ago. Should you go out of your way to spend 100+ php to see it in a movie theater, Yes. its definitely one of those movies you must see in a cinema rather than waiting for the official dvd release. Is it worth the money? Well yes and no. If you want to know more then just read on, if not you have my opinion about the movie, and i suggest you watch it.

Ok, now on to my long winded review. First off, i dont remember much of the old series. i've watched them only a couple of times in the past and i haven't reviewed the old Indiana films for quite some time. But i do remember exactly how the movie felt and the energy and excitement it generated when i first watched them. I can honestly say that this does not disappoint. A classic throwback to the old Indiana Jones movies. Accurately capturing the flow of the past films. Doing the same style of humor, and the same type of exciting action sequences. in a way this is the movies strong point, on the other hand, this is also the movies bad point. I am not sure if it was the movie itself or just me growing up, but it did feel a bit outdated and childish in some points of the movie. But when you look at it in another perspective, i guess all the Indiana Jones films where like that.

Set now in 1954, i think, after the second world war and the cold war was beginning (or has begun), it isn't the Germans that are giving Mr. Jones the hard time, it is now the Russians, or more precisely the physic division of the KGB. The film started out great. It was like landing in the middle of the film, now origins, no pre-setup of plots, just right down to business. Mr. Jones being manhandled out of the back of a vehicle in "Area 51" or so was written on huge door, or gate, whatever. Oh yeah, there was a few min in the beginning of the film, well best i could say, as a filler, i'm guessing it was there to help the audience settle in before they start the action. In which case i should give a fair warning now, If you havn't watched it yet, you might not want to read thru since i'll be posting stuff here that might ruin the movie experience. If your not so concerned about it, then read on.

Where was i? oh yeah, i was a great start to the movie. With out going into much detail, same old routine, something big happens, something was stolen, and its up to Mr. jones to save the day. Please insert comedy sequences and action scenes in between the points. Hahahaha. Just kidding, but frankly i really dont want to go into the details. I will however will go into my usual rants about the movie.

First off is, well' i've said earlier, the movie felt outdated. The comedy sequences were predictable. yes they were different, but they were only different in the way it was acted out. A bit of the rehash of the old jokes that never lost their appeal. Second, the plot this time was somewhat a stretch. without going into the details, what Mr. jones was searching for and what he discovered was really a stretch for me. After watching the film, you might say to me, "but all the plots of Indiana Jones movies were a stretch" but still, for me, this one was a way bigger stretch. Third, well considering the age of Harrison ford, you can definitely tell that its not him anymore doing the action sequences. There are times when you will notice it, but even the times when you don't you'll still doubt your thoughts cuz Harrison's Age is in the back of your mind. for god sakes hes like 65 now.

But after all these things, it shouldn't keep you away from watching this movie. After all the high tech, overly computer generated action sequences we've come to enjoy, watching George Lucas and Steven Spielberg create such an enjoyable film is like a breath of fresh air. The die hard fans are, for sure, loving this movie and so should you.

My Rating: 8.5/10 (great throwback to old style movie making. You'll ride the edge of your seats and laugh at the same time)
Replayability: 4 (its a scale on how many times I can watch the movie over and over before your tired of it.)

Marvel Movie Madness

As i sit here in my chair, still a bit high on the Iron Man movie, I decided to search the internet for information about the Iron Man movie 2. I was told that the iron man movie was already in production and was set to be shown summer of next year. Given this information, i decided to check if this information was true, so where else do i go, of course the internet.

As i surf, and read thru reviews and blogs, I have come to find out that in fact there is an Iron Man 2 and a 3 in production but it hasn't started yet. But there is already a release date for the Iron man Movie 2 scheduled for April 30, 2010. Yes i know its still a long way, but considering the fact that this was a great film, i believe that it is better to wait a while to savor the movies and not get saturated by all the hype and excitement.

But this post isn't just about the Iron Man Movies that is for sure to come, but as of the title suggest its about the Movie Madness that Marvel has gotten into. while reading and searching for information about the Iron Man movies, i have come across some factual, and rumored information about what is Marvel comics is up to. this is a mix between Iron Man trivia and facts and some facts and rumors of Marvel next line up of movies. Let us begin..

• Marvel Studios announced Monday it will release "Iron Man 2" on April 30, 2010, following the success of the first in the comic-book franchise, which pulled in $165 million million domestically and $342.1 million worldwide.
• Robert Downey's character, Tony Stark, makes an appearance in next month's "The Incredible Hulk," movie.
• the Hulk could turn up in "Iron Man 2," Marvel Studios Chairman David Maisel said during a conference call to discuss the company's earnings. "The Avengers" consists of a rotating roster of Marvel heroes — including original members Iron Man, the Hulk, Ant-Man and Thor — that could see the return of virtually any of the franchise's characters.
• Avengers movie just may BE Iron Man 3!!! Jon Favreau (interview) - "I think [The Avengers] would be a very smart third film in the Iron Man series." There will be an Avengers movie in the works, but if it is in fact joined in with the Iron Man movie 3 or a stand alone movie, only time will tell.
• Captain America’s trademark red, white and blue shield appears near the 1 hr 30 min mark in the film at the point where Pepper Potts comes in on Tony trying to get out of his damaged armor. The line you want to watch out for is, ”Let’s face it, this is not the worst thing you’ve caught me doing.” (movie hint anyone?)
• There is a Thor movie in the works. Tho there was a scheduled date release, sometime 2010, it has been put on hold. apparently the $300 million dollar script, handed down by chosen director Matthew Vaughn, i still in discussion with Marvel Studios along with him insisting a total unknown to play the lead role. Time will tell if this pushed thru.
• There is a Wolverine movie prequel to the X-Men movie. Still being played by Hugh Jackman, the movie starts production Nov 2008.
• There will be another Punisher movie titled Punisher: War Zone domming out this Dec 2008 having Ray Stevenson as the lead role of Frank Castle.
• As stated above, there will be an Ant Man movie being scheduled for production. As of the moment, there is still no news on who will direct it and star in the lead role.
• The first Avenger is finally getting his shot on the Hollywood box office. Captain America the movie is in the pipeline for the next big film for marvel. Directed bu Nick Cassavetes, it is set to show on May 6, 2011. just in the rumor bin, it is said that Matthew McConaughey is Marvel Studio’s top choice to play the lead role in Captain America, well thats just a bad choice. I can never see Captain America in cutoff jeans and a sleeveless shirt.
• And the last news i was able to get is the Nick Fury movie. obviously staring Samuel L Jackson due to the cameo in the Iron Man Movie. There is still no news on when will the production start. There has no news about script and director but for sure it will happen.
  

As you can see from the list, you can surmise where the Marvel Studios direction is taking us. After their ground breaking first trilogy the X-Men movies, Marvel has decided to give us another group that would satisfy a huge group of fans. they just didn't announce a major movie being made but thought ahead making smaller (smaller, yeah right) movies first as an introduction to the major movie which in fact is the Avengers. Making individual Movies is a great idea, then combining them all for the major group is splendid. But heres a thought, in the end, after making the movies and before the major one, if each individual movie cost in the region of $100 million to make, what will be the budget of the Avengers movie when it is consisted of 6 or more major characters, not to mention that some of these characters have Big Name stars that command a hefty salary. Aside from the budget, another thought has crossed my mind. There have been numerous movies, mostly B-grade ones, about some of these characters, For this plan to work, I mean the success of the Avengers Movie, each individual movie must in turn, create a killing in the box office, or at the very least create that major buzz that will influence the next movie coming out. Looking at that perspective, this is a tough and long climb for marvel studios. all i can say is that Iron Mans done, it made a killing at the box office, i guess thats one down, and a few more to go...

GoGo Speed Racer Go!

Well its here, the third blockbuster for the season is finally showing. Speed Racer, by the Wachowski brothers, creator of the Matrix Trilogy has been playing in theaters in the Philippines for 3 days now and i have just come back from the movie theaters finished from watching the film.

I really don't know where to start. I've been waiting to watch this film not because i am a fan, nor i believe it is a very good movie. I could say that there are only two reasons why i watched this film. the first is because i was interested in the visual effects of the film. Truly, people might not notice but the trailers really sell every film out there. Its the draw getter for people to get interested and eventually watch the film. Sad to say that i am one of the sheep that were actually drawn to the film because of the trailer. the second reason, and probably the most important, its a Wachawski movie. Directed by those brothers that gave us, in my opinion, the most important film for out generation, the Matrix (matrix 2 and 3 were ok, but for me, a bit like a filler to say they made a trilogy). The first one will always be the best of the three. But enough of the matrix, and lets start talking about the movie in review, Speed Racer.

I have read a lot of reviews about this film and a majority of them has given a thumbs down on it , at the very most an average rating. They rant about how the movie was a feat of visual entertainment, and how it captured the feel of the 60's anime, but it failed to capture the essence of the anime. Some disliked the storyline, some opposed the script, and some ranted a lot about how the movie was confusing and had no point whatsoever. I do share some of their opinions, but overall it was a great film. To rate this film, i think i have to consider the kinds of people who will watch it. I believe that i can put these people three categories.

The first, and the most common, are the average run of the mill people. People who come to the theater to be entertained and nothing more. These are the people who would, for example, talk about the matrix film, as a great action film, and nothing more, not taking to account the fact that the story had a deeper meaning and would not appreciate the complexity of the story. These are the kinds of people who would hear the line "there is no spoon" and think nothing of it. Well this category of people will definitely enjoy this film. There is no lack of action, and visual stimulation in the movie. A stunning array of colors vividly portrayed on the big screen. Tully as most critics would say, Like a modern day anime, coming to life in the silver screen. Full of action, and no shortage of slow motion in places that would cater for a second look, visually done in a manner not seen so often, truly an action filled movie, especially if you like racing.

The second category of people are, well i could say, are the intellectual type. These are the kinds of people that would normally chose what they watch, looking for depth, story, and a good script, or could possibly just professional critics. I should say this now, If your reading this, critics are not Gods, altho some of them think they are, they are not. Look, critics are there to give their "opinion" on a certain thing, place, movie, series, or event. OPINION, take that word to heart, cuz its their personal opinion about the specific topic. Just because they say its no good, doesn't mean that it is really no good. Go out and experience it yourself and make up your damn mind about it. Where was i, oh yeah, this category of people will really not like this film. Its a Wachowski brothers film i know, but if your going to compare this to, lets say, the matrix, then your way off base. The First film was full of originality, plots, and storylines with deeper meanings, Speed Racer is a live action movie based on a Japanese cartoon series in the 60 about a bout, his car, and a few races. There isn't much depth there i would say. This is why i believe that most movie critics have given this movie a poor rating. But, in my OPINION, these critics failed to see the beauty of the structure of the film, I'll be talking about this later in detail.

The Third category of people are somewhere in between these two. People who could appreciate what a stunning visual masterpiece this is, full of action and innovative cinematography. People who love a good action movie as the next guy but is intelligent enough to understand the complexity of the storyline. To appreciate how the story was told, simple as it was, this movie was expressed in a very artistic way. Yes i know that it has a simple story structure, but this is where the critics got it wrong, and a lot of people got confused while watching the film. You do remember that this is the Wachowski brothers were talking about. IF you were them, and you have this huge expectation coming from people who watch your anticipated film, how would you present a simple story to an audience expecting something they have come to expect as mind blowing. Well you break up the story and present it piece by piece using flashbacks and foreshadowing. Yes i would be the first one to acknowledge this, the movie was confusing at some parts, this is because the answers to whatever question you have have been distributed all across the film, not presented after the question but sometime in the beginning or somewhere else in the story. This is what i believe the critics missed. Although it would come to most people as a garbled story, but if you would open your mind, absorb everything you hear, and at the end of the film organize your thoughts, you would realize that it was beautifully done. As an example of this is sometime in the beginning of the film, there will be a scene where speed, as a young boy, will show his red socks to his older brother during a flashback. The reason for this would only be explained sometime 2/3 of the movie. But in the end, after you have accumulated your thoughts, answered your questions, you will come to realize, just as i have, that its weakest point was the story. Sad to say, although the story made sense and somewhat realistic (I'm using realistic loosely), beautifully presented, and with the flashbacks and foreshadowing made the story deeper that it was, it was in fact simple. There was some attempt by the Wachowskis to give a deeper meaning, having to explain the corruption and the deeper motivation of the races, giving you a glimpse of what might be the "real" case in our so called world of racing, in the end it was drowned by the "beautiful" way the story was presented.

So i guess its time for the verdict. To start it of, you should watch this film, no if, thens or buts about it. You can be a person from any of the categories that i have listed and you would still walk away with something thrilling from this film. It is nothing short of a work of art, animated, filmed with live people, enhanced, and presented on the big screen. Just the sheer visual effects alone will make you cheer and ride the edge of your seat. Beautifully done, and nothing less, visually anyway, from the Wachowski brothers, who again has not failed to present a stunning treat for the eyes.

My Rating: 7.5/10 (Its the story that failed to get me to give a higher rating. Lets just say that 5 points of that were the visuals alone.)
Replayability: 3 (its a scale on how many times I can watch the movie over and over before your tired of it.)

Iron Man Movie Review

Ok, to start things off, i would want to say that i am NOT an Iron Man aficionado. I do like comics but frankly there are too many comic characters out there to know everything about everyone.

I do know the basics. Tony Stark, creator of the Iron Man suit, part of the Avengers team, Rich dude, playboy, similar to Bruce Wayne in some aspects of his secret identity, also the CEO of Stark Enterprises, largest company that makes weapons, blah blah blah. Other than these, i couldn't say much about the original storyline and if they did change anything or how heavily modified was the storyline.

I'm sure there will be people out there, the comic geeks, that would point out the many differences with the comic character and story, opposed to the movie. I am not one of them. But i do like movies and i consider my self, kinda like a bit of a movie geek, so i wouldn't bore you with any of the nonsense of slight differences, with the movie and the comics. I would rather want to talk about the movie itself and how good it is, and if it is good enough to watch on the big screen.

Having said that, ARE YOU FRICKIN' KIDDING ME? good enough to watch on the big screen... Hell Yeah!. Look, good or bad, these are one of the movies that you have to watch on the Big Screen. Honestly, even if you are not a fan, it is a truly enjoyable movie.

Hmmmm... where to start... without having to blurb about the storyline, hmmm... Ok, my first review was on the movie Forbidden Kingdom, that was a disappointment. This, i have to say was very well made. Story wise, it flowed from scene to scene. No hiccups, no boring parts that make you wonder. The plot and the story were solid, and nothing felt like it was rushed or edited heavily. As expected from a movie series, yes i said series, as to be expected with movies derived from comic books, this will definitely have a continuing story, heck even the Incredible Hulk got a second chance and the first one didn't do so good. As i was saying, as expected from a movie series, the first one was about the background story, so no heavy, crazy, over the top fighting, i'm guessing that will come along in the next movie or so.

The movie goes about the story of Tony Stark and the trial and tribulations he goes thu to create the Iron Man suit. Along the way you will enjoy a lot of witty humor coming from tony Stark himself. I really don't know if the Tony Stark character from the comic book has the same witty humor, but the injection of humor into the movie is well received. It was place very well, it didn't feel forced or unexpected, I laughed quite a bit i would say.

The next thing i noticed was, knowing full well that a lot of the scenes involve a lot of CG (computer Graphics), well i would say that the technology is getting better. There were some parts that you would definitely notice the CG but overall unnoticeable. Maybe if you would watch it over and over again, you'll notice it all but i could say, in the first time you watch it, you will be drawn to the movie wont think much about it.

Just an edited insert here, i just remembered a few parts of the movie. Aside from the various injected humor in the film, there was a part there that shocked me. Well not shocked, but it amused me in the sense that while watching the film, and having one of the characters saying the line around 3 times, it only dawned upon me during the ending when he said the line that made me hit my head and say, "crap, i didn't realize that". I'm sure the comic geeks would have noticed it earlier. something to do with the strategic homeland intervention, espionage logistics directorate. Well if you didn't get that, just watch the movie. Also, as the comic book goes, and the numerous suits that Tony Stark has, well you can see the start of that in the movie, sometime nearing the end of the movie, you'll be able to glimpse of another suit being made, which i guess would mean another movie.

The last thing i want to say are the characters. Robert Downey Jr did a great job portraying Tony Stark. If it was up to par with the personality of the comic character, well comic geeks will have to tell you that. But as for the movie, he was great, believable enough that you really think that he was a playboy billionaire CEO. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Pepper Potts, the loyal assistant of Tony Stark, well all i can say that she did a great job, but i wasn't really happy about having another love interest in a movie. I could honestly say i just was a little ticked off seeing yet again another love interest in a movie. You'll never get rid of em, it would say that they will always put them there.

Over all, this is a great movie to watch. In fact, I'm watching this again on Sat. And probably watch it again sometime next week. Action, a good story, CG, and of course a small dose of love. Oh well you can have everything.

My Rating: 8.5/10 (its not a 9 but its not an 8 either, its a scale to 10 but i rarely give a 10, so far the only thing i would rate a 10 is "The Matrix" so usually 9 is the highest)
Replayability: 4 or 5 (its a scale on how many times I can watch the movie over and over before your tired of it.)

The Forbidden Kingdom Movie Review

At last, the Blockbuster summer movies has begun in the Philippines. To kick off the beginning of the lot is the movie starring 2 of Asia's biggest martial arts stars, Jacky Chan and Jet Li. If you've been living under a rock, then the movie is The Forbidden Kingdom.

The Synopsis is "An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself traveling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King." (taken from IMDB)

If your into the martial arts scene, the story of the monkey king has been a favorite legend in the Asian cinema spawning countless movies, shows and even cartoon/anime Series. I cant say that the idea for the film isn't really original, altho I'm hard pressed to think of the title that is similar to this one, i am fairly certain that the plot of an unsuspecting foreigner being thrown into a situation where he must save the world, has been used before. Setting that aside, sometimes it isn't the originality of the plot line of a movie that is important (altho it is very welcome), it is how the story is presented that makes a big difference. You can have the most original story and plot, but if presented in a bad way makes it just a bad movie. the flip side is also true, you can have a common plot and story, but if presented wonderfully, it makes a great movie, The Forbidden Kingdom kinda hovers in the middle.

I was waiting for this movie for quite some time now, and was amped to find out it was showing and i was one of the first people in the cinema to watch it. Well i can say I'm a bit disappointed. I'm not really sure if i just had such high hopes for the film, or it was poorly made. All i can think about while watching the film was this could have been done better. It also felt like the story was rushed a bit and i had the feeling that the story was moving too fast like there were missing parts that were cut, basically the storyline didn't move smoothly.

On the good side, it isn't a bad movie, it was very entertaining, there were moments that i really enjoyed. I was hoping for more fighting scenes but it was adequate enough especially for those who just want to see Jet Li and Jacky Chan fight off. Not to kill any dreams, but you wont find out who's better, they kinda end in a draw. Over all, if you like Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, or are a fan of either these stars, you should go see this film.

My Rating: I'll probably give this movie a 6.5 / 10
Replayability: 2 Times (This is my Rating, Basically how many time you can watch the movie one after another )