Sherlock Holmes...

SHERLOCK HOLMES
My first, post-Avatar movie for 2010!
I was never that much of a fan of director Guy Ritchie. So when I heard that he was helming a new version of Sherlock Holmes (I actually heard that there was going to be two versions : one Holmes will be the usual, thinking sleuth, while the other was going to be more action-oriented; Ritchie got to do the latter project), I was a bit apprehensive. For some reason, when I think of Guy Ritchie, I think of gangster movies (truth to be told, I haven't seen any of his films except for RocknRolla), and the idea of him doing a more, shall we say, commercial movie wasn't sitting all that well for me in my head. But, I have to say, Sherlock Holmes is a pretty terrific thrill ride!
I've not read any Sherlock Holmes books, so I'm not quite familiar with the character. Other than the fact that he is "the world's greatest detective". Now I may not be knowledgeable with Holmes or any of the characters that reside in his world, but I do know that he was never really regarded as the action hero type. That's why I was surprised with this particular treatment of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's super sleuth. Pleasantly surprised that is. I guess credit should really go to Robert Downey, Jr., who manages to balance and portray Holmes as a very skilled fighter, as well as a near self-destructive and brilliant individual rather perfectly!
The chemistry between Downey, Jr. and Jude Law (who plays Holmes' right-hand man, Watson), as well as the lovely Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler, the only woman who has managed to bewitch and outwit Holmes -- does she exist in the Holmes books?) is apparent on the big screen. And, of course, the movie also features one of my favorite actors (the main reason why I actually wanted to see Sherlock Holmes), Mark Strong.
The biggest surprise for me about the movie? To find out that it was geared as a "franchise type of a movie". So, maybe in the sequel, we'll find out if the identity of the actor who plays Holmes' nemesis, Professor Moriarty, will be revealed. I thoroughly enjoyed Sherlock Holmes and can't wait for the next installment.
A

Superman Will Return...But With A Different Cast And Direction...

I was just surfing the 'net and discovered that Warner Bros has confirmed that there will be no sequel to Bryan Singer's Superman Returns. Apparently, Singer's take on the Man of Steel didn't capture everyone's imaginations, as studio execs were disappointed by the movie's performance at the box-office; it earned somewhere around 215 million dollars, but it was still way short of even recuperating the money spent to make it which, reportedly, cost 300 million dollars! If it had done well at the box-office, then we would have seen a new Superman movie last December of '08 or some time this year.
Instead, Warner Bros will now be taking its cue from the recent Incredible Hulk (which I read also underperformed, raking in 'only' 112 or 115 million dollars; the movie cost $150 million to make), and the next Superman movie will be a "reboot" or "re-imagining" of the franchise, and will recast the role of the Last Son of Krypton with an actor who does not look anything like the late Christopher Reeve (awww, poor Brandon Routh). According to the studio, "Superman reboot" will serve to "(re-)introduce the character to a new generation".
I feel a little terrible about this bit of news, because I'm one of the few who actually did like Superman Returns. Although I do like the fact that Kate Bosworth will be replaced; I've always felt that she was miscast, that she didn't do the Lois Lane character justice. But, besides Routh not coming back, I also feel bad that Kevin Spacey will not be reprising his role as evil genius and Superman arch-enemy Lex Luthor; like Gene Hackman, Spacey was terrific as Luthor. Too bad.
Besides the perfect casting of Routh and Spacey, I loved how Bryan Singer remained faithful to the original 1978 Superman movie (starring Chris Reeve, Gene Hackman and Margot Kidder - it's probably the movie that everyone is mostly familiar with when it comes to the Man of Steel) -- and I don't just mean with the Routh casting, but also with the film's score, using the John Williams theme. Heck, even going as far as to having the whole Superman-flying-out-into-space-with-the-Earth-serving-as-background to extro the movie. You could also sense Singer's love for the Superman character and its mythology (e.g. cameos of the actors that played the original Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane, the scene that pays tribute to the cover of the comic book with Superman's first appearance), so it is such a shame that we won't get to see a continuation to the events or story set in motion by Singer in Superman Returns (maybe one that features a battle with Doomsday, resulting in a tragic and cliffhanger ending ala-X-Men 2, leading up to the next Superman movie).
Frankly, it's Warner Bros' fault for shelling out such a huge amount to make Superman Returns. Just imagine, if they had spent 150 million, then they would have made back their money and then some!
But here's the real kicker : after the success of The Dark Knight, Warner Bros says that the next Superman movie will also have a "darker tone" to it. I'm "iffy" about this plan. As much as I loved Christopher Nolan's dark treatment to Batman, not every super-hero movie should be grim/serious/gritty. It depends on the comic book character (that you're going to bring onto the big screen). Sure, make the movie more "adult", but not necessarily "dark" just because it worked on The Dark Knight. "Batman dark" is not Superman.
According to some reports, the studio says that the reason why Superman wasn't a "hit" was because the title character is too much of a boy scout, and is unrelatable to most people. Seriously, who can really relate to an alien from Krypton with superpowers? Hello! Superman is imaginary! I don't think that's the problem. It just takes a good story (which the movie had), care and respect to and love for the character(s) from the director (and Singer had that), and to not get carried away with the amount of money they'll spend to make the movie (which I'm sure Warner Bros has learned in regards to the Superman franchise); stick to a more "realistic" budget (with "realistic" being around 150 million dollars these days to make a special effects-laden movie like Superman).
Well, I certainly hope their plans for the next Superman movie works out.











And also...
Warner Bros will be following in the footsteps of rival company, Marvel Entertainment, and has shelved their plans to make Justice League of America for now. Thank God, because the idea of George Miller (known for the Mad Max movies) directing, didn't sit well with me. Instead, they will be concentrating on stand-alone movies of the DC comics characters (The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, etc) that they own (the rights to), and possibly even have a "web of continuity" with their next batch of super-hero movies that are in the works, ala-Iron Man and Incredible Hulk, which they hope to build or lead up to a Justice League of America movie (which is what Marvel started with said two films, and is supposedly doing with their next batch of movies, beginning with Captain America : The First Avenger, and so on, which will lead up to the much-anticipated Avengers movie).

'Nuff said.

Watchmen...

WATCHMEN
It's been a "slow year" in movies for me for the most part; meaning, there hasn't really been a whole lot of films that have excited me all that much. 'Til now.
I can't stop gushing as to how incredible this movie is! I've actually never read the graphic novel. I've got a copy of the trade paper back edition that's sorta been gathering dust for awhile now; it's just that I refused to read it, ever since hearing about the plans to make a movie oh-so-many-years-ago, until I got to watch the movie. Watchmen has been languishing in production hell for the longest time. But, finally, the movie is here!
Is it any good? I believe I already answered that question. Is it worth the more-than-two-and-a-half-hours-running-time? Heck, yeah!
300 director Zack Snyder has created a truly superb film with this one. I'm still not sure though just how faithful he remained to the graphic novel (since, like I said, I've yet to read it). The written material came out way back in the 80s, truly ground-breaking for superhero books at the time, and is considered to be one of the greatest graphic novels of all time. I honestly don't know who could have helmed the movie any better (and give it the respect and care it needed) than Snyder. And, in a somewhat ironic way, I'm also glad that Watchmen languished in limbo for as long as it did, and that it only materialized on the big screen just now, because I think it would have not made as of much of an impact (at least for me) as it does now (with the current technology, advancement in special effects and the style or changes that film making has gone through the past couple of decades).
I'm hoping that the movie-going public will be smart enough to appreciate Watchmen for what it is...a good movie. And not just another superhero movie without any stars attached to it. The only way I see this movie not becoming a hit is that if it gets seen by people who are, shall we say, "close-minded" when it comes to the superhero genre; people who only go for superhero movies if it is (a) Batman, Superman, or Spider-Man.
Watchmen may not have any characters that are well-known (unless you've read the graphic novel, then it is a safe assumption to make that most people have never heard of Rorschach or even the Watchmen), but that is probably the best thing about it; you don't have any "imaginative restrictions/expectations". What I'm trying to say is that with, say, Superman, there is only so much you can do with the mythology of the character. He is, without a doubt, a very well-known (comic book) character. And because of that, most people already have an "image" of who he is and what he's about. For example : even though Superman did have sex (check Superman 2), you will never actually get to see the Man of Steel in the act of having sex. With Watchmen, and not just because it actually happened in the graphic novel, you get to see heroes having sex. Like normal people. Even going as far as having "performance problems". Like some normal people. You have "heroes" that are psychopaths and would-be rapists. You don't usually get to see super-heroes with these kinds of attributes. And that's because Watchmen is not your typical super-hero movie. Again, that's one of the things that makes this a great super-hero movie.
Watchmen is not for the kiddies. So for the adult movie-going public who have longed for a very mature super-hero flick, well this is it!
So who watches the Watchmen? I certainly hope that it would be you.
Now I gotta find the time and read my Watchmen graphic novel.
A

'Nuff said.

My Fave Flicks For '08...

It's been awhile (an understatement). I want to try and see if I can get back on the saddle again so to speak, and indulge in my "wannabe-movie critic" persona via my outlet; my little ol ' blog, "Reel Deal".
And what better way to kick off my return from my long absence than to recount my favorite movies from last year?

THE DARK KNIGHT
Instead of doing the usual "countdown-to-number-one" style (meaning from, say, number ten, counting down to number one) in enumerating what I think are the best films from last year, let me already start at the top. And, without a doubt, The Dark Knight is the best movie I'd seen for '08! Although, I have to admit, the first time I watched it, because I had very high expectations for the film, I wasn't all praises for it - 'til after I saw it a second time; and by then, I couldn't stop watching it over and over. I had several repeat screenings of TDK, which totaled to around twenty (or a little over that).
The Dark Knight has proven (again) that films based on a (super-hero) comic book can be made into a movie that's taken seriously, and not just some watered-down, "campy film". In fact, this is the way super-hero movies should be made : gritty, serious, and something that isn't (just) necessarily for kids.
The movie is filled with superb performances all around, especially that of the late Heath Ledger. I know that everyone has already shouted about his "Oscar-worthy" performance to the high heavens, but, I don't care, I'll ring that bell as well and jump on board the Ledger bandwagon. Before Heath, it was assumed that the greatest Joker performance would belong to Jack Nicholson (as he was excellent in visionary director Tim Burton's Batman). In fact, when I first heard that Ledger was cast as Batman's arch-nemesis, The Clown Prince of Crime, my reaction was that of doubt. I was going "What the heck was (director) Christopher Nolan THINKING?!?" But now, I've seen the error of my ways and have nothing but "I'm not worthy" praises. Hehe.
Ledger's Joker was his own. I especially loved how Nolan (or whoever came up with the idea) decided to make the Joker a "normal" criminal (well, as normal as insane criminals go that is) - meaning, there was nothing supernatural involved in how he became the Joker (as opposed to falling into a into a giant vat of chemicals, resulting in his pasty-white skin) - and that his "permanent smile" was nothing more than a scar (and Ledger's Joker gives the audience two versions on how he got it - in short, never really revealing the true origin for the scar - which i also loved; the whole flicking-of-the-tongue-to-graze-the-scar added to the uniqueness of Ledger's Joker as well). Heath was just...chilling as The Joker. In fact, there was this one scene in the movie in particular that gave me goosebumps : the scene where Joker, via a videotape, tortures a faux Batman, and he shouts "LOOK-AT-ME!!" Whew. That sent a chill down my spine.
Even Aaron Eckhart did justice to the role of Two-Face. He also has one of those "Oscar-moments" in The Dark Knight, and it was right after the accident that turns him into his villainous alter-ego, in the hospital, as he comes face to face with Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman). I was also worried that adding Two-Face to the mix would overcrowd the movie, plot-wise, as sequels often have the mistake of committing that particular "crime" (the need to have more of everything, just to be able to top its predecessor or the movie that came before it), but you realize, after watching The Dark Knight,that he is integral to the story as well.
But there are actually a lot of things happening in The Dark Knight, plot-wise. Fortunately, in the capable hands of director Christopher Nolan, you don't get to feel overwhelmed by the plot(s)/sub-plots of the movie. The running time, which is around two and a half hours (or two hours and forty minutes), is enough time for Nolan to wrap things up neatly, without it feeling like everything was rushed.
Now The Dark Knight may not be the kind of movie that a film critic would consider as the top pic for '08, but hey, I'm not a movie critic. In my opinion, this was the number one movie (that I'd seen anyway) from last year.
Besides The Dark Knight, other films from the previous year worth mentioning as part of my "Best Movies of 2008" list are :

SWEENEY TODD
Forget all the blood and gore (because there's a lot of it in this movie), this latest Tim Burton masterpiece is just that - a masterpiece. Despite its dark theme and look, it just somehow feels so colorful and beautiful to look at.
I heard that the studio didn't have Johnny Depp as their first choice to play the title character, but director Burton insisted that he was the right actor for the part. Though Depp may not exactly have a professional background when it comes to singing (and his vocal chops, as well as that of co-star Helena Bonham-Carter, is obviously not a match to some of his other, more seasoned singing co-stars), he still pulls off the right key in his "musical scenes."
Already considered to be, currently, one of the greatest actors in Hollywood, Depp has had the reputation of taking roles that are usually out of the norm, and this is no different. And just like most of his other "unusual" roles (Willy Wonka, Captain Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, etc), he convincingly succeeds as The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Sweeney Todd is not a feel-good movie, and yet, it is just so much fun to watch.

I AM LEGEND
*warning : spoiler up ahead*
I never got to see the original and the first adaptation of Richard Matheson's book The Last Man On Earth. All I know about that movie is that it starred Vincent Price. The only other remake (or adaptation) that I'd seen was The Omega Man, starring Charlton Heston (I saw it on tv in the 80s, when I was a kid), and my only memory about that movie, other than Heston's character dying in the end, was that I was so depressed; I was probably too young to "appreciate" it and should not have seen a movie like that.
So after several failed attempts to bring back Matheson's book to the big screen (one of said attempts involved Arnold Schwarzenegger starring in it), along comes director Francis Lawrence, hot on the heels of his success on Constantine. And he's made one superb movie in I Am Legend!
Will Smith is terrific in this movie as Robert Neville, the lone survivor in New York City, who struggles to find a cure for a plague that kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters. Smith is convincing as a man wrought with guilt, as he literally takes the world on his shoulders and tries to save it from man's mistake and "over-eagerness" to play God (you know, the usual - create-a-cure-that-turns-out-to-be-humanity's-downfall). I know it's just a movie, but it does feel like a "realistic" look at a post-apocalyptic world, and of one man's struggle to survive from his lone existence (I mean, if you were the last person on Earth, wouldn't you go insane?), trying to keep some semblance of a normal life (e.g. putting up mannequins, pretending that they were actual people he could talk to as he goes about some of his daily routines, one of them being a visit to the video store to rent out DVDs).
One of my favorite parts in IAL, and one of the most heart-pounding scenes, was when Neville goes into this building filled with the movie's antagonist, the so-called "Darkstalkers" (the monstrosities that man is turned into because of the plague), to go after his only companion, a German Shepard named Sam. Director Lawrence decided that the only lighting that he'd use in the scene was the one mounted on Smith's machine gun. And so it made that scene even scarier.
It's got action, suspense, and heart-wrenching drama courtesy of the excellent Will Smith. I Am Legend was the first movie I got to see for 2008, and I'm glad I was able to start off my movie-watching that year with a bang.

IRON MAN
Of course, not all my choices for (my) fave flicks of '08 are all doom-and-gloom or "serious" movies; though not better than The Dark Knight, Iron Man was definitely the movie that i had the most fun watching.
I gotta admit, just like with Christopher Nolan's casting choice with the late Heath Ledger as The Joker, when I first heard that Robert Downey,Jr. was going to play the Golden Avenger, I was skeptical too. Was this going to be ala-Michael Keaton as Batman (cool in costume, but as alter ego Bruce Wayne, blech)? He's never struck me as the big screen leading man/super-hero type (I kept thinking more "comedian"; I also heard that there would be a lot of humor in the movie, which had me thinking "Oh no, this is gonna turn out to be too silly). In fact, even director (and co-star in the movie) Jon Favreau wasn't exactly jumping for joy in the beginning about Downey,Jr. being cast as well. Actually, Favreau was the other reason why I was thinking that Iron Man would be a so-so movie. I mean, he's never really directed a big-budget movie of this magnitude, let alone directed any film that's wowed me (well, those that I've seen anyway). But, just like me and everybody else, Favreau did eventually change his mind about Robert Downey,Jr. After watching Iron Man (about twenty times or more), I still can't help but be amazed at the perfect casting choice of Downey, Jr. as Iron Man, specifically that of his alter ego Tony Stark. He is Tony Stark! Can you seriously imagine Tom Cruise in the role now (because when news first got around that an Iron Man movie was going to be made, there were reports that he was up for the part)? No. It's a casting coup that kind of reminds me of Brandon Routh getting the part of Superman. Perfect.
One adjective that is best used to describe Iron Man is cool. And seeing the armor on the big screen definitely gave all the geeks 'round the world (I do fall under that category too) something to rejoice about. With this kind of movie, it's a given that you'll see a lot of CGI. But one of the (other) things I have to give Favreau credit for is his insistence in building and using an "actual armor", rather than simply rely on all-out CGI for when Robert Downey Jr. is in his Iron Man suit. Which was good, because it made seeing Shell Head (for those who aren't familiar with "comic book speak", that's one of the nicknames of Iron Man) on the big screen in full body armor way cool beyond words. Can't wait for the sequel.
And, oh yeah -- even before news about it got out on the 'net, I was probably one of the very first people (the only person perhaps?) who noticed Captain America's (unfinished) shield in Tony Stark's workshop. I just had to mention that. It's a geek pride thing.

KUNG-FU PANDA
I also happen to love watching cartoons, and there were a few that I got to see last year : Horton Hears A Who, Wall-E and Kung-Fu Panda. Horton (which featured the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell) was very funny, and Wall-E was sweet, but I pick Kung-Fu Panda as my favorite animated film of 2008 because, besides the fact that it was also very funny, it was the one that really stuck to my mind more than Horton (which I hear will have a sequel) and Wall-E. This a movie that both the kids and adults can enjoy. The characters are memorable, with Jack Black born to voice the role of Po, a porky panda who daydreams of one day joining the ranks of The Furious Five, a group of animal martial artists that he idolizes. Kung-Fu Panda could/should become the next big animated movie franchise.

THE INCREDIBLE HULK
Just like with Robert Downey, Jr., I wasn't all that thrilled at first when I heard that Edward Norton was taking over Eric Bana's shoes to play Bruce Banner. I mean, sure, Norton is a good actor, but I've never really been that big a fan. But Just like with Iron Man and The Dark Knight, after watching The Incredible Hulk, Norton did prove me as well as other "ubelievers" out there that we wrong; that he was right for the role of the troubled scientist, Banner, who is still trying to find a cure to the genetic accident that tranforms him into the titular character.
The Hulk movie (directed by Ang Lee) that preceded this one wasn't actually all that bad (I kinda liked it). But a lot of fans did voice out their disappointment over it (too much angst, not enough screen time of the Hulk, etc), and comic-book-giant-now-successful-superhero-movie-making-company Marvel wasn't exactly all too thrilled with the way the Ang Hulk turned out as well. So this time around, they've done away with the artsty-fartsy directing and storytelling, hired French director Louie Letterier (Danny The Dog, The Transporter 2), and made sure there were lots of action and a lot of The Hulk! Marvel says that The Incredible Hulk isn't quite a remake or retelling of the first Hulk movie, as the movie doesn't really recount too much about the how and why's of the Hulk's origin anymore, except in a bit of a montage at the beginning. And then, it was pretty much full steam ahead!
Other major characters have also been recast, with William Hurt as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (way better than Sam Elliott's cowboy-like portrayal -- Ross in Incredible... is a bitter and battle-hardened individual, whose obsession with the Hulk can sometimes blind him, even endangering his own daughter) and Liv Tyler as Betty Ross (Tyler wasn't terrible, but I still somehow prefer Jennifer Connely as the love of Bruce Banner's life). Miscast though is Tim Roth as Emil Blonsky, who turns into the very bad-ass Abomination ; he just seems too short. I guess thank goodness then for the CGI that renders the Abomination, as he does look like someone (or something) that could kick Hulk's butt.
There are fun cameos, from Stan Lee (no Marvel movie is complete without a cameo from Stan "The Man" Lee after all, the man responsible for creating Hulk, Spider-Man, The X-Men, Captain America and many more iconic comic book superheroes) and from Lou Ferrigno (fyi, he is the original actor who first played the green goliath on the small screen, back in the days when there were no CGIs). And does Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man also make a cameo in the movie (there were all those rumors before The Incredible Hulk came out about Stark making an appearance)? Well, I'm not going to spoil it for those who somehow have not yet seen the movie.
And, as a geek, one of my favorite parts from the film, other than the funny scene where Banner screws up the classic Hulk line "You wouldn't want to see me angry" in another dialect, is when audiences get to hear Hulk utter a line associated with him, "Hulk...SMASH!" (I couldn't help but feel giddy with excitement when Hulk uttered those words on the big screen... I knew it was coming, and with a big, geeky smile on my face, I silently said those words along with the Hulk)
The action is loud and fierce, particularly the final battle between Hulk and Abomination. The Incredible Hulk is... well, incredible.

Other films worth mentioning...
ATONEMENT -- excellent, heart-breaking tearjeker-of-a-movie.
JUNO -- "the little movie that could..." ; adorable, funny and heart-warming.
KITE RUNNER -- good ol' fashioned drama.
BODY OF LIES -- scene-stealer Mark Strong is more than enough reason alone to see this movie.
THE MIST -- the twist at the end will have your jaws drop.
CLOVERFIELD -- except for the almost-nausseating camerawork, this is good "monster movie" fun.
QUARANTINE -- just like Cloverfield, it's shot ala-(faux)documentary style, so the camerawork will also most likely have you hurling chunks, but this will scare the piss out of you.

'Nuff said.

Pathfinder, Rocky Balboa

PATHFINDER. A thousand years in the past, a Viking boy is left behind after his clan battles a Native American tribe. Despite his lineage, the boy is raised by the very same Native Americans that his kinsmen set out to destroy. He grows up to become Ghost -- and as the Vikings return to stage another massacre (they want to cleanse the island before they inhabit it), he wages a personal war against them to stop the trail of death and destruction. The title and trailer were just too corny for me (and yet, I still watched it), and when you see Pathfinder, that's exactly the adjective you'll be thinking of. The movie neither has an interesting story or good acting. Even (a lot of) the lines are so predictable that you can see someone saying it a mile away. If you're looking for an action flick, it's best to stay away from this one. Better yet, go see 300 instead.

ROCKY BALBOA. I remember a couple of friends of mine several weeks ago telling me that Rocky Balboa sucked. Which brings to mind how I thought that Stallone was absolutely nuts in making another Rocky movie when he told Conan O'Brien at a guesting over a year ago (promoting The Contender) that he was planning to make one more in the movie franchise. But I take back what I said about Sly making a huge mistake -- and I don't agree with my friends' assessment of the film -- because, as it turns out, writer, director and star Stallone has managed to create a superb film. I think what will turn off a lot of people about the movie after they've seen it is the fact that it's not an all-out fisticuffs Rocky movie that most have gotten used to seeing. Well, what do you expect? Stallone isn't exactly in his 30s anymore. And it's not like he can travel back in time and change his age. Plus, this latest Rocky flick is more drama than anything -- probably another turn off for most hard core Rocky fans (or fans of pugilistic-themed movies). It was touching to see Sly deal with his character's age, as it made Balboa even more human (as opposed to memorable action heroes never being allowed to grow old in Hollywood). If you love underdog stories, then this is perfect -- you won't be able to help yourself from cheering on The Italian Stallion, particularly when he trains (with the expected theme accompaniment of course) to get in shape for his big fight against World Champ Mason Dixon (real-life boxing champ Antonio Tarver). It's when Balboa steps into the ring with and against Dixon that the movie falters for me, as it becomes some sort of sports drink video. But, nonetheless, this is a terrific and touching movie. You'll be humming Rocky's rousing theme "Gonna Fly Now" again and again after watching this flick. I just hope that Stallone doesn't go through with his other crazy and rumored idea of making another Rambo movie.

Bridge To Terabithia, King of Scotland, 300, ...Happyness, Flushed Away, ...Iwo Jima, Hitcher, It's A Boy Girl... , ...Shepherd, Notes..., Dreamgirls

BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA. Since I wasn't familiar with the fact that this film was actually based on a book by Katharine Patterson, I thought that, after seeing the trailer, Bridge was a fantasy movie in the same vein as, say, The Chronicles of Narnia -- but, apparently, the premise was more reality than anything else -- about the very real childhood friendship between two kids, Jesse (Josh Hutcherson from one of my all-time fave flicks, Little Manhattan) and Leslie (Charlie and The Chocolate Factory's Anna Sophia Robb). Because I was expecting it be some fantasy romp, I gotta say that I was a bit disappointed by how the movie turned out. But nonetheless, it's a sweet story, and the bond between the two kids are probably (very) relatable to a lot of people, as we watch them trying to come into their own. It's best to have a lot of tissue on-hand, as this is quite the tear-jerker. Sniff.

THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND. Based on the events of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime, as seen by his personal physician in the 1970s, this is a superb movie. Forest Whitaker delivers a tour de force performance as Amin, and he deserves winning the awards for it, including The Oscar. He's so charismatic (and scary-as-hell), that you can understand why James McAvoy's physician - the fictitious Nicholas Garrigan - is drawn to him, as well the people around Whitaker's Amin (well, for those who didn't know any better). It's an exciting flick, and downright brutalizing towards the end (it will make your heart race). Even though I won't be in any rush to go see it again, without a doubt, King is one of the best films I've seen for this year.

300. Holy crap. And I mean that in a good way. That was exactly the expression that came out of my mouth after I stepped out of the theatre (well, it was a lot worse actually, as I tend be pretty foul-mouthed -hehe) -- I was so impressed by this movie! Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller, 300 is about the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. -- about King Leonidas (Phantom of The Opera's Gerard Butler), who takes 300 warriors on a fight-to-the-death to protect Sparta from the invading forces of Persia. Since is this based on a graphic novel, don't expect it to be an "historic movie" -- instead, enjoy it for what it is -- a very visually stylish action movie. It's very testosterony though, so methinks that this isn't probably something a lot of the ladies will enjoy. But notwithstanding, this is definitely an epic movie worth seeing over and over!

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS. Yes, with a Y. Based on a true story about something everyone can relate to : succeeding in life. Will Smith is Chris Gardner, a struggling medical salesman who decides to apply at a six-month long internship at Dean Witter, an internship that eventually rewards only one of twenty interns for an actual job. The twist is that the internship is unpaid. Which adds to the drama that is already Gardner's life -- his wife leaves him, he and his son are evicted from their home and have to sleep at a homeless shelter, etc. Because it's a rags-to-riches flick, you expect the protagonist to go through a lot, before the big pay-off -- and he does (go through a lot) -- but I didn't exactly get the satisfactory feeling one should get after watching a movie like this. Maybe it's because most of those moments where Gardner realizes that he can really make it (in life) happens like some sort of afterthought, instead of sweet, small victories to relish. It makes for some good drama, but Pursuit isn't really anything exceptional.

FLUSHED AWAY. This underperformed at the U.S. movie box-office from what I remember, and it's something that'll pretty much get unnoticed here as well, given that it's a cartoon -- which is a shame, because this is absolutely funny! Flushed Away has an actual story, with Hugh Jackman as Roddy, a sheltered-but-happy-with-his-life-or-so-he-thought aristocratic pet rat who gets flushed down the toilet and discovers that there's an entire world in the pipes below London. The animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit packs Flushed Away with a lot of laughs and really funny characters, especially the evil frog voiced by Sir Ian McKellan, and his cousin Le Frog (Jean Reno). The kids will enjoy this because of the animation and all the sight gags -- but the young once will (enjoy it) as well. Did I already mention that it's very funny?

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA. First of all, I have to just mention that I like(d) Memoirs of A Geisha -- but my biggest disappointment with the Hollywood- produced movie was the fact that the actors who played, and were actual, Japanese in the movie were talking in english -- and, for me, it would have been more authentic if they spoke in Japanese. On that note, I have to give credit to director Clint Eastwood for not going Hollywood, in the sense that the Japanese actors and extras in the flick spoke in Japanese, rather than english just to make it "easier" for the viewing audience (although watching subtitled movies in cinemas can be a problem, as you can't really hit pause or rewind, which doesn't help if you're a slow reader or missed or didn't understand something). This time around, Eastwood's film companion to his World War II drama Flags of Our Fathers (an excellent movie by the way) focuses on the ones fighting on "the other side" - the Japanese soldiers who fought the pivotal battle of Iwo Jima. With Letters, we get to see the stronger sense of what it meant for the Japanese to fight this war, and the nature of sacrifice they were willing to make and made for national pride. Not as superb as Flags, as Letters does get a bit dragging in some parts, but the film still does hold its own in the drama department.

THE HITCHER. One of those movies that I forced myself to watch because I wanted to go see something that I haven't (seen), and there wasn't anything else showing. An unnecessary remake of a flick that really wasn't a classic, cult film or otherwise, to begin with (the original starring Rutger Hauer and C.Thomas Howell). Sean Bean is in the Rutger Hauer role as, obviously, The Hitcher, who terrorizes collegiates Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton after they refuse to give him a lift. Considering the ease and frequency with which Bean's Hitcher kills, he might as well have superpowers, and it becomes quite laughable. This is a forgettable, not-even-close-to-being-scary "thriller".

IT'S A BOY GIRL THING. Another waste of my hundred thirty pesos. A predictable and irritating-more-than-funny, should-have-been(because it feels like it)-straight-to-video (teeny bopper) movie. Nell (The O.C.'s Samaire Armstrong) and Woody (Kevin Zegers - who looks so, uh, purtee that he's not really that believable as a jock) are neighbors who don't exactly like each other. They bicker a lot and, one day, at a class field trip to a museum, the two end up magically swapping bodies and are forced to deal with each other and their lives, and discover that they actually feel something else for each other (three guesses as to what). I like Samaire Armstrong, she's a cutey, even if she can't exactly act to save her life (and she's teetering on the edge of irritating in this movie), and she's pretty much why I gave this flick a try -- but that still doesn't change the fact that this is crap.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Robert DeNiro takes the director's chair (as well as have a cameo) and gives us a docudrama about the birth of the CIA - minus the car chase or doomsday device that one would normally or probably find in a movie of this genre. What Shepherd does have is a stellar cast, with an excellent Matt Damon as Edward Wilson, a morally upright young man who values honor and discretion, qualities that help him to be recruited for a career in the newly-founded Office of Strategic Services (OSS, the predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency). Of course, as it is inevitable, while working there, his ideals gradually change into suspicion, and his distrust of everyone around him increases to no end. Damon presents Wilson as a complete mystery, almost a ghost even without ever leaving the frame. This is a superb movie, and it won't bore you - which is hard to believe, considering that it's almost a 3-hour film.

NOTES ON A SCANDAL. Dame Judi Dench does her Jennifer Jason Leigh, Single White Female impression on Notes, as a domineering and solitary teacher named Barbara Covett who rules over her class with an iron fist. She keeps a diary, lives alone with no friends and confidants, but is obssessed in finding the perfect friend. Cue the new and attractive art teacher Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett), who appears to be the kindred spirit and loyal friend that Barbara has always been searching for. But when she discovers that Sheba is having an illicit affair with one of her young students, their "budding relationship" takes an ominous turn. It's interesting to see Dench play a loon (I don't think I've ever seen a movie with her in this kind of a role) -- unfortunately, for me, that's about the only interesting thing about Notes. Somehow, it felt more strange than scary. And the score by Philip Glass is just so damn distracting.

And finally...
DREAMGIRLS. From the first seconds of the film, you can already tell that you're in for the time of your life. The Broadway musical finally comes to the big screen, and it does not disappoint. The movie follows the story of a 1960s trio, The Dreamettes. The premise is actually conventional -- not that it matters though, because this slick flick - with Bill Condon's energetic direction - is all about the spectacularly staged musical numbers. And the showstopper that everyone is looking forward to? Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson more than delivers as she cranks it up when she sings And I'm Telling You (I actually found myself welling up during the scene). Co-star Beyonce has her moment,too, when she sings Listen. Truth be told, I've never been impressed with Beyonce (obviously, I was never a huge fan) -- I mean, sure, she can sing and dance, and she's bootilicious, but it wasn't until this movie, and the song Listen that have made me changed my mind about her. Besides wanting to watch it over and over, Dreamgirls will also make you want to go and buy its soundtrack.

Whew.
'Nuff said.

The Number 23, Ghost Rider, The Messengers, Catch & Release

THE NUMBER 23. Truth be told, ever since director Joel Schumacher ruined the Batman movie franchise with Batman and Robin (thank goodness for Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale), I'd grown a bit biased towards Schumacher's films -- that when he comes out with a new movie, I'd always think to myself "jeez, is he ruing this movie too?" -- but, notwithstanding, I'll still go and see it. Like this one. I honestly don't know if it's true, but one of the things that this flick is trying to show is that there's an obsession with the number 23 (the Titanic sank on 4/15/1912-add up the dates and you get 23; Shakespear was born and died on April 23 -- the list goes on...) -- and the subject matter is supposed to send chills down your spine. Unfortunately, it doesn't work for me. I know that as he gets older, Jim Carrey will probably try to stay away from doing the physical comedies that he's known for, and try (even) more serious roles -- but this doesn't work for me -- the parts where Carrey is trying to be serious about something becomes unintentionally funny (i.e. : there was a scene where Carrey and family are in a pick-up truck and they come across this supposedly "supernatural" dog on the road, and there's a "let's-play-chicken" face-off between both parties, and it was uncomfortably funny - and it shouldn't have been, funny that is -- the movie audience who were also watching the same time I was were giggling and laughing when they shouldn't have, so methinks that was a bad sign). Ho-hum.

GHOST RIDER. Nicolas Cage has been itching to play a superhero for as long as I can remember (I'm still thanking my stars and garters that the Tim-Burton-Nicolas-Cage pairing for the planned Superman movie fell apart - as we all know, the movie eventually got made, with Bryan Singer at the helm, and Brandon Routh donning the red cape and blue tights -- I mean, can you honestly imagine Cage as the Man of Steel?) -- and now he finally gets his chance as Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who accidentally makes a deal with Mephistopheles(Peter Fonda) and sells his soul to save his father from cancer. In exchange, Blaze becomes the Ghost Rider, to do battle with Blackheart, Mephistopheles' son who's out to turn the world into (his) Hell. I'm a comic book geek or fanboy (or at least I used to be, since I haven't bought a comic book in - how long has it been? - I think, over five years), and the Johnny Blaze portrayed by Cage in this big-screen adaptation of the Marvel comic book-based character is nothing like the way he is (or at least the way I remember him to be) in the comic -- Nicolas Cage's accent is erratic, has a funny-looking hair piece, and has given Blaze a couple of quirks : listens to The Carpenters to relax, and downs jellybeans from a martini glass. Sheesh. In my opinion, Cage is miscast (kind of reminds me of Ben Affleck being miscast as Daredevil in the big-screen treatment of the Marvel comic character back in 2003). Peter Fonda looks bored. Eva Mendes (Cage's love interest in the movie) is just pure eye candy. And Wes Bentley (as Blackheart) is a boring, Tobey Maguire look-alike bad guy. Blech.

THE MESSENGERS. The Pang Brothers, directors of Jian Gui(The Eye), makes their Hollywood film debut with The Messengers, a story about an ominous darkness that invades a seemingly serene sunflower farm in North Dakota, and the Solomon family (Dylan McDermott, Penelope Ann Miller and Kristen Stewart) are smack-dab in the middle of it all. I heard from my friends who've seen it that it was boring, so I opted not to watch it. But to my surprise, it was already over a week and it was still showing in cinemas, so I thought what the heck, might as well see it. It's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. The skittering stop-motion ghosts are fine, but somehow didn't offer the scares I thought and hoped it would. Maybe it's because I've seen a lot of these types of on-screen ghosts, that it didn't offer anything new for me. It's a stylish horror flick, and probably will do nicely for those who love J(apanese)-horror movies but hate the subtitles, but it doesn't really offer a lot in the scares department. And what is up with John Corbett -- I thought he said he was retiring from making movies?

CATCH AND RELEASE. What can I say? I love Jennifer Garner--I haven't seen a Garner movie that I haven't liked (yes, including the half-baked Daredevil spin-off Elektra - hehe). Yet. I like this one,too. Here, Garner is Gray Wheeler, who, after the sudden death of her fiance, finds comfort in the company of his friends : light-hearted comic Sam (Kevin Smith), the very-responsible Dennis (Sam Jaeger), and childhood buddy Fritz (Timothy Olyphant), an irresponsible playboy that she'd always pegged as the least reliable person in the world. In the course of the movie, Gray gets to discover new sides to the men that she thought she knew, including her late fiance. It's a good light fluff piece, albeit predictable. But it's a Jennifer Garner movie -- so that made it better for me by leaps and bounds. I liked the soundtrack as well.

'Nuff said.