Marley and Me : Movie Review

"A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his."

Starring:
Owen Nilson - John Grogan
Jennifer Aniston - Jen Grogan
Eric Dane - Sebastian

Directed by: David Frankel

A down to earth husband. A caring wife. Their growing family. And the world's worst dog. This is a family movie - in the truest sense.

If you think the movie is plainly about a naughty puppy, you're wrong. Marley & Me is a simple story of an American couple who depicts the ups-and-downs of marriage. Their pet dog, Marley, is a total nuisance at first but matures and develops into becoming a member of the family.

This is an easy-going film based from a book that will appeal to newly weds and pet lovers like Gilbert. More to that, the film teaches valuable life lessons about painful decision of letting go, unconditional love for your family and giving up to ultimately gaining more.

The scenes are realistic, some of which are hilarious. I can so relate to Jen Grogan who has a list of all her life plans. I was laughing so hard when she said something like this to John after their wedding: "Number one, to find a sweet, sexy, kind and intelligent man. [Of course, John is proud of himself when Jen continued] Number two, to marry you instead."

Another funny moment was when Marley runs and dives into a pool of a nice house, John pretended to be disappointed and asked the people around "Whose dog is that?"

The ending on the other hand is a bit heart breaking. I recommend you bring a box of tissue when you watch it!

Four out of Five stars for me.

Slumdog Millionaire : Movie Review

"You are not a liar, that's for sure. You are too truthful."

Starring:
Dev Patel - Jamal
Freida Pinto - Latika
Madhur Mittal - Salim

Directed by: Dan Boyle and Loveleen Tandan

Slumdog Millionaire wowed me from start to finish. Although surrounded by the chaotic slums of Bombay, the comedy drama was depicted with an amazing cast (especially the child actors), upbeat music, fast movement, outstanding light, and vivid colors.

Jamal's story as seen through his eyes is more interesting than I have expected. Despite being an orphan at a young age and until he becoming a hardworking man, he never lost his sense of fairness and respect. His growing years are tragic yet still beautiful with an abundant hope of finding Latika.

The story highlights both beauty and horrors of street life in Bombay (which is very similar in the Philippines), brotherhood, righteousness, and above all, love in the face of obstacles.

Go and watch this film. You won't be disappointed.

Five out of Five stars for me.

Watchmen : Movie Review

"You guys don't understand. I am not stuck in here with you, you guys are stuck in here with me." -Rorschach

Starring:
Jackie Earle Haley - Rorschach
Patrick Wilson - Nite Owl II
Billy Crudup - Dr Manhattan
Malin Akerman - Silk Spectre II
Matthew Goode - Ozymandias
Jeffrey Dean Morgan - The Comedian

Directed by: Zack Snyder


Make sure you don't watch this with your kids just because it's a "superhero" flick. There is an explicit sex scene in the middle part of the movie aside from the intense violence and frontal nudity (Dr Manhattan) throughout the film.

The story line and flashbacks are confusing. Almost like each character is telling their own story so I don't know which one to follow. The first fight scenes at the start where the Comedian gets killed is portrayed very well. Then the film gets slow, boring and complicated until the end. The graphic scenes are excellent but not new.

A bright spot I think is Rorschach's character who could be quite a ferocious, scary man especially when he was provoked in prison. He is borderline psycho yet he certainly has a solid view on what's good and bad. Rorschach was sure the Comedian's death is a sign that all superheroes' lives (including his own) will grow short. But then, all his good intentions and his body disappeared in air, leaving splatter of blood in the last part of the movie.


On a lighter note, I like Silk Spectre II's costume! It was a relief to see a brave and sexy heroine from time to time in a violent movie.

I haven't read the book so I'm not sure if the graphic novel was way better than the movie. Maybe this is also the reason I don't understand how people could give a two thumbs up for this film.

Well, maybe, just maybe - I'll read the Watchmen novel so this could make more sense to me.

Two out of Five stars for me.

Changeling: Movie Review

"Never start a fight... but always finish it."

Starring:
Angelina Jolie - Christine Collins
John Malkovich - Rev Gustav A Brieglab
Michael Kelly - Detective Lester Ybarra

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Changeling is about the mysterious disappearance of a boy, the courage of an average woman to challenge the corrupt police force and the capture of an insane serial child killer.

Angelina's performance was fantastic. Her unconditional love and quest to find her missing son is indeed remarkable. The injustice and abuse of political power is also ancient but it was well portrayed in this film that I had to close my eyes at some scenes. There were some gruesome events in the lives of abused women and innocent children.

It's interesting, engaging, and definitely an eye opener but I have to admit, I was truly sad after watching it. The movie was heartbreaking but what's more depressing is that it is based on a true story in the late 1920s.

We searched for the life of Caroline Collins to find out if she was reunited with her lost son years after. Sigh. Well, one thing is for sure: No matter what her troubles were, she always had the hope in her heart.

This is one of those movies where you don't get to smile while viewing the final credits.

Four out of Five stars for me.

Who will be the new Wonder Woman?

This is one of common questions you'd hear from Superhero movie fanatics.

Lynda Carter's portrayal of Wonder Woman was a huge success so choosing the new star for this film could be harder than we thought.

The new Wonder Woman movie is slated for a 2011 release. Several actresses have been added to the list of the Hollywood stars eyed to play the heroine role. Check out these photos of those rumored to step into Lynda Carter's boots.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Kate Beckinsale

Angelina Jolie

Alana de la Garza


Katie Holmes


Beyonce

Megan Gale

Anne Hathaway

Jessica Biel

Sandra Bullock

Megan Fox

Nothing is final yet as reports said they want a younger actress suitable for the movie. I'm a big Wonder Woman fan. Whoever will be chosen, I hope she could give justice to the role.

Seven Pounds: Movie Review

"I did something bad once and I'm never gonna be the same."

Starring:
Will Smith - Ben/Tim Thomas
Rosario Dawson - Emily Posa
Woody Harrelson - Ezra Turner
Michael Ealy - Ben's Brother

Directed by: Gabriele Muccino

I have to admit that we decided to watch this movie only because of its mysterious movie trailer.

I'm glad we did.

The story revolves around a compassionate IRS agent names Ben Thomas and his quest to track seven individuals who are in desperate need of help. The start of the film will glue you to your screen as it slowly unveils his intentions to make up for something he has done in the past. Seven Pounds highlights true feelings, sacrifice, forgiveness and selflessness.

Gilbert and I were strongly moved by this movie. We were sobbing! It is indeed an intense, mind boggling, rare and fantastically acted movie - definitely must see! It started slow but it ended with a sweeping conclusion. And if this movie won't touch the deepest part of you, you're not normal.

Five out of Five stars for me.

Australia Movie Review

"Just because it is, doesn't mean it should be."

Starring:
Nicole Kidman - Lady Sarah Ashley

Hugh Jackman - The Drover
David Wenham - Neil Fletcher
Brandon Walters - Nullah

Two thumbs up for Director Baz Luhrmann. Australia is a right blend of romance, adventure, comedy and drama. It's like watching three stories in one movie: first, the social justice for the half-caste or aboriginal generation; second, the epic romance of Lady Ashley and the rugged Drover; and third, the world war/Darwin bombing.

A young half-caste boy named Nulla tells the story of uppercrust Brit Lady Ashley who arrives in the wilds of Australia to look for her skirt-chasing husband, only to find herself caught in a land struggle with a ruthless competitor. With the help of the untamed cattle Drover and some loyal employees, Lady Ashley tries to lead her herd on a grueling trek to Darwin. Their journey gets more complex after they arrive at the cattle station.

The movie is unbelievably almost three hours long but I had a great time watching every scene. The erotic chemistry between the funny, charming Nicole and the hunky Hugh is simply amazing.

It's an overload of characters, events and styles but Luhrmann glued it together and delivered a big-hearted melodramatic entertainment.

Four out of Five stars for me.