Thursday, December 22, 2011

RISE! (not the apes)

I don't actually do trailer reviews. Trailer breakdowns and reviews usually ruin the actual film. Well it's not a trailer review, I'm just posting The Dark Knight Rises trailer because it's a sin not to embrace this! Let's fast-forward to July 2012!



"After you watched this movie, you have my permission to die" - Bane


I'd like to say a few words about some trailers as well :)
- G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Solid crap. Returning cast: 3 - one is Channing Tatum, going to be killed off in the movie anyway, one we never see the face and the other is resurrected from the dead. What's a sequel without its returning cast? Instead we get to see Dwayne Johnson's crappy-ass smile and Bruce Willis perfect bald head. At least, I want to see Rachel Nichols and Sienna Miller in their tight suits.
- The Hobbit
Epic trailer, with the dwarves singing a song that makes your heart pound. Only complaint: too early for a trailer which makes us wait for a full year until December 2012.
- Wrath of the Titans
Yeah! a true action movie starring Sam Worthington now with longer hair fighting monsters with rock music. But no Gemma Arterton? damn.
- Snow White and the Huntsman
SUPER COOL TRAILER. nuff said.
- Mirror Mirror
Super crappy trailer. nuff said, direct-to-dvd material.

Mission Accomplished

Prior to seeing the fourth Mission: Impossible, I immersed myself to a Mission: Impossible marathon. The first one by Brian DePalma was fun and classic. John Woo's version took itself too far with all those slow-motion and strange story but still enjoyable. My personal best is the 2006 J.J. Abrams version, simply action film. Judging from the trailers, the fourth film looks cool but I see no Luther in the trailer so I was expecting a surprise in the film. This is a movie you can't refuse, although it is a choice should you choose to accept this.

Simply put the story is about Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) along with other three agents Benji Dunne (Simon Pegg from the third M:I), Jane Carter (Paula Patton) and the mysterious Brandt (Jeremy Renner). This group of agents is the last active part of the disavowed IMF. Disavowing IMF is only a small part of a bigger plan to put Russia and USA in a nuclear war (so old school). It is up to the four agents to stop the biggest mastermind of this crime before the world gets in World War 3.

The story is soooo flat :| I enjoyed the spectacular yet unclear story about the Rabbit's Foot in M:I 3 but this one's too easy. The only interesting bit about the story is (sadly) about Brandt. Initially, I don't like Jeremy Renner in this movie because after The Hurt Locker, he stars in too many films, such as Hansel & Gretel with Gemma Arterton, The Avengers as Hawkeye and the most irritating the Jason-Bourne-without-Jason-Bourne film, Bourne Legacy. And the rumors that Renner will take the franchise after Tom Cruise left is even more annoying. However, he seemed to be a great asset for the film. The best scene in this film is the Dubai scene and the world agrees with that so I'm not gonna discuss that. Despite the flat story, this film will kick James Bond's ass. The gadgets and globe-trotting story overwhelms James Bond's standards, especially with Bond's new direction after Casino Royale. Tom Cruise is as usual, is best when in action-mode. Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner (surprisingly) is funny and adds the humor to the film. Paula Patton is jaw-dropping. I think it's mandatory for female agents to have a superb eye-catching dress in a party. However, I like Lea Seydoux's character Moreau better. I have a thing for crazy women assassin, I think (let's forget this sentence). And where is Luther? Mission: Impossible is attached to Ving Rhames' face! The sub story with Julia (Ethan's wife, Michelle Monaghan) is quite good so I dismissed all my complaints about not having her in action anymore. Apart from the story, I'm more disappointed with the villain, played by Michael Nyqvist (Blomkvist in the original Millenium trilogy). The villain is easy for Mission: Impossible standard (reference: double-faced IMF agent, rogue IMF agent, sadistic black market arms-dealer. but a crazy war-lover activist? no). I thought Abduction was so bad that it wastes Nyqvist's quality, but this doesn't improve that. It's time for Nyqvist to have a decent Hollywood role. Maybe he should learn from Noomi Rapace who signed on to some good looking films and in good looking roles (Sherlock Holmes 2 and Prometheus, for a start). Bottom line, it's a fun film but it wouldn't hurt to include Luther Stickell and a better story. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol: rated B-

Friday, December 16, 2011

Sorry! Introducing New Feature

I know no one's reading my blog, so for all those ghosts who read my blog daily, I apologize for not posting in such a long time (4 months! I thought I'm dead already!) But now I'm going to start again reviewing some of review-worthy films. Well, for a bit--here are two-sentence-review for 10 movies during my 4-month-vacuum:

10. Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Seriously great action portrayed by CGI since Avatar. And yes, I think Andy Serkis is brilliant as Caesar. B

09. Abduction
You know it's a problem when you're rooting for the villain than the hero. Taylor Lautner is disgusting and he cannot act (I'm hearing Razzies--I'm putting this on review because I hate this so much). F


08. Crazy, Stupid, Love
Fun, heartfelt, and incredibly surprising. This is one of the best films of the year. All of the casts are adorable! A-


07. 50/50
Amazing story supported by talented casts, and Seth Rogen is not irritating here. A-


06. Real Steel
While the story seems to be rushed, it did give you a great feeling when you left the theater. Hugh Jackman is as usual, cool and Dakota Goyo is promising. B+


05. Johnny English Reborn
Not as funny and fun as the first one. Rowan Atkinson never fails to entertain you though. B-


04. The Smurfs
Great animation for the blue creatures and it's highly fascinating if you're under 5 years old. D+


03. Warrior
Amazing film. Great performance by all actors. Superb story. A-


02. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Bloated and slow-paced, in order to split it into two parts. Better than New Moon though. C


01. The Adventures of Tintin
This is what I call great entertainment. It also brings back childhood memories :) However, not so faithful to the book particularly The Red Rackham's Treasure. B+