Summer Leftovers

You cannot believe how much I embrace the age of Netflix and iTunes where you could watch a film literally everywhere and without having to buy a DVD. I fucking love digital download. Let me rephrase this: I fucking love "digital" download. So, anyway, this week I caught up with the summer films I missed, which means a whole lot of hours devoted to watching a screen. But dude, that is the life. Not spending countless hours on meaningless lectures in university and dealing with too much stupid along the way.


The Heat
The Sandra Bullock/Melissa McCarthy buddy cop comedy is actually not among my watchlist in the summer. I find it too comedic for my taste, just like how Identity Thief didn't spark any interest in me. However, I find The Heat to be quite entertaining and funny at times, but didn't last that long in my memory. Melissa McCarthy stole the film for me, she's just too funny. But Sandra Bullock didn't do a bad job either, she can equal McCarthy and in a few times, top McCarthy. The jokes on the albino guy are the best in the film (although highly inappropriate, but that what makes it funny right?). The Heat: rated 3/4

The Conjuring
Finally I got to see one of two James Wan's horror films this year. The film got my attention after the news told that the film got an R rating just because it was too creepy and scary. The film is incredibly well-made, the main actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga are already used to this kind of environment (Wilson in Insidious and Farmiga in Bates Motel series). The child actors are okay too (in the sense that they are not annoying). What sucks is that this film is NOT that scary. Maybe I set a really high expectation on this film that I ended up disappointed. I bet Insidious Chapter Two is far more terrifying than this. The Conjuring: rated 3/4

The Internship
Some regard this as a semi-sequel to the superbly funny Wedding Crashers with both Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn. The story follows the two of them chasing jobs at Google via a summer internship. They became misfits and worse, ended up with other misfits. The film is funny and kinda dirty (just like my preference), but not as funny as Wedding Crashers. But the story is good enough. Although some logic are just fucked up like how come Wilson and Vaughn's characters know The Hunger Games but not Harry Potter or X-Men? In this world nowadays, even my mother and father knows about them. And it's great to see Will Ferrell here although once again, not as funny as Wedding Crashers. AND THERE'S ROSE BYRNE AND JESSICA SZOHR. YES. Anyway, The Internship: rated 3/4 (but funnier than The Heat)

White House Down
I actually can see this film in the theaters in Japan but I decided to skip this. Mostly because the trailer for this film was off-putting for me. The trailer showed a strange mix of action and comedy that didn't appeal me. But hey, in the actual film, it works! White House Down might not be listed as anyone's favorite this year, but the film is a great time. There's an equal amount of action and comedy along with great actors and great destruction. It seems that after G.I. Joe Retaliation fucked up with Channing Tatum, I get to appreciate his role more, especially in this film. Tatum and Foxx are a great pair, supported by stunning cast that includes child actor/young Talia Al-Ghul Joey King, Jason Clarke and James Woods. This film doesn't disappoints but it's just not that great in terms of quality. White House Down: rated 3/4

*BONUS: WHD versus OHF
Olympus Has Fallen may the better film in overall but White House Down has that irresistible and spot-on casting. White House Down may have a greater action but Olympus Has Fallen has that gore action. I bet if they teamed up and made Olympus House Down the result would be..............  disastrous. No just kidding, it could be better than both films. See you next year for the battle of the Hercules films.

Monsters University
This is also the other film that I can see in Japanese theaters but I would definitely waste 1k yen because animated films are dubbed in Japan. The film itself is the second top grosser only after Miyazaki's The Wind Rises. The film itself is a pleasant surprise because I honestly have very low expectations for anything other than an original Pixar film except Toy Story films. The story is your usual heartfelt Pixar although not the 'back-to-form' Pixar, but an acceptable 'getting-there' Pixar. Love the voiceworks especially when you recognize Nathan Fillion's voice right away. Honorable mentions (not mentioning the Monsters regulars--Crystal, Goodman, Buscemi because they are already greats), Charlie Day as Art and Helen Mirren as Dean Hardscrabble. Monsters University: rated 3.5/4.

Man most of em are rated 3/4. is it me that's hard to please, or is it them?
Actually there are many leftovers that I haven't watched, but then again they are THE leftovers.

7 Years of Tradition

This may not mean much to other people but this tradition means a lot for me. I have no idea why. It all started back in 2006, when one of my best friends had a birthday party and decided to watch Casino Royale. It's not a big deal but I already watched the film days prior with my family. From that year, every year I watched at least one film twice in the cinemas. 7 years of tradition. Never thought I would be that committed even until in Japan, where cinema tickets are highly overpriced. Let's go back to 7 years ago. [This post is sponsored by Breaking Bad as I wrote this listening to my BB playlist, most importantly Badfinger's Baby Blue]

2006: Casino Royale
The film that started this tradition. It's a darker, Bourne-esque James Bond reboot with Daniel Craig in his first outing as James Bond.

2007: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Same scenario, but different order. Watched this first on my friend's birthday and then re-watched it again with my family. The film got better everytime you see it. The best of the series.

2008: The Dark Knight
Again, same scenario with Casino Royale. I'd watch this a thousand times if I could.

2009: Avatar and Up
Avatar is the only film that I watched three times in the cinemas, but to my defense, I watched different versions every time I watched it. The first time was in 3D, and then 2D. And then a couple of months later in 2010, I spent 3 hours of my life for the special edition. And for the fourth time, I watched the extended version on DVD. The biggest shame is that on 2012, they released it on IMAX 3D but I already went to Japan. Whereas Up has the same scenario with TDK and Casino Royale.

2010: Toy Story 3 & Tron Legacy
I was obsessed with these two films back then. To be honest, I have never watched Toy Story 3 without tears flooding. That two times I watched in the cinemas, that two times I cried like a baby, literally. As for Tron Legacy I was crazy about the film and Olivia Wilde's Quorra. I even attended the Tron Night event months before, for approximately 20 minutes preview of the film.

2011: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II, Fast Five, Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, and Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part I
Yeah I know. Baby boom. Bada boom. Mostly because I watched the films with my family and then with my x. Except for Harry Potter which I was incredibly obsessed at that time. Also note that the year 2011 was the year that Hollywood films were boycotted for about 6 months. Take this boom as redemption for me.

2012: The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, and The Hunger Games
I watched TDKR twice because the other viewing was to feel the fire rising in IMAX. It was my New Year's resolution: to watch TDKR in IMAX. Whereas Prometheus was one of my 2012 favs and it's my first IMAX film. For THG, I was obsessed with the amazingness of the film and of course Jennifer Lawrence's breathtaking performance. Literally, I can't stop thinking about the film right after I first watched it.

2013: Man of Steel
It's a bit tricky now that I'm in Japan. There are films that I really want to re-watch right after watching it, like Tom Cruise's Oblivion, the Pirates' team's The Lone Ranger and ultimately Pacific Rim. However there are things to consider: money and time. It's expensive to watch a film twice in the cinemas and it's hard to squeeze a film in your tight schedule. But then, Man of Steel compelled me to watch again. Even after a month of its initial release in Japan. The film gets better after second viewing and you get to discover overlooked details like the Wayne logo on a satellite.

Here's to the continuation of this (for you-unimportant) tradition. CHEERS.
Achtung: no new film reviews in October. But still there will be posts.

Update Aug 8, 2015
The tradition is very much alive. 2014 entries: Godzilla & Interstellar. 2015 entries: Kingsman: The Secret Service, Cinderella, and Jurassic World.

The Bourne Apocalypse

Elysium is my last on the list for summer movies in Japan. The film is Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to his brilliant District 9 and now it stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. It is also the last of the 'scorched-Earth' films of 2013, after Oblivion and After Earth. Basing it on the premise and D9, it is fair to say that we expected a different kind of sci-fi film. A more grounded, yet socially relevant theme is expected to be employed in the film.

The story takes place in Los Angeles, year 2154 after the Earth became overly populated and polluted. The rich lives in some kind of sustainable, livable and highly exclusive space station named Elysium. The world is also overly reliant on droids and robots. Enter Max Da Costa, one of the 'slum people' who are left to live on Earth breathing on dust and dirt. After an accident happened, Max has to reach Elysium in order to save himself by getting himself on the high-tech, 100% curing medical equipment up in the rich people's place.

It's safe to say that Elysium lands second place among 2013's 'scorched earth films', definitely ahead of Shyamalan's After Earth. Elysium is also a decent sci-fi too, if you're willing to overlook the glaring plot holes. So good news first, the film has Matt Damon in one of his bests. Starting from the brave physical transformation to the performance on screen. Although intriguing, it's hard to see Eminem in that same kind of dedication. The actors are basically one of the strongest driving force, with amazing work from Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley. And also the surprise appearance from William Fichtner. The other driving force is Neill Blomkamp himself, with his vision and story. There are also some exciting camera works too during action scenes. Plus, the music by Ryan Amon is a perfect fit and quite surprising to have that kind of music comes from an unknown composer. I was expecting Harry Gregson Williams for some reason (it sounds Zimmer-y but he's too busy).

Now the bad part: the logic of Elysium is all over the place. Firstly, how does the Elysium work? It looks amazing yet there seems to be no gravity and pressurized atmosphere. Plus with all the problems with Earth-settlers coming to Elysium, there are no space-bound security. And people on Elysium does not stay at home. Second, Max's exoskeleton is not as awesome as promoted in the trailers. The ending is also one big plot hole. [spoiler alert] Now everyone has the MedBays, so no one will die? What a way to fight overpopulation. One more thing, Sharlto Copley's Kruger is arguably worse than Bane, and he does not even wear a mask. Also on Kruger, when he went to the MedBay, the thing restores Kruger's beard too. That's the simplest offense that shouldn't have happened. Also when Max has his exoskeleton suit on, no one seems to give the tiniest damn. It's like common fashion. Despite all the problems, Elysium is a good time at cinema. Come for the actors, setting and action, but don't settle for basic sci-fi rules and common logic. Let's hope Blomkamp's Chappie isn't as laughable as the title. Elysium: rated 3/4.


I may not be watching films in the cinemas on October because apparently The Conjuring isn't playing in my city and Diana turns out to be so bad (the rest of the movies on October is either bad or I already watched, like RIPD--Jap-titled Ghost Agents and Now You See Me--Jap-titled Grand Illusion). Though it's safe to say that I'll be back reviewing films on November with Carrie remake. Though I would be very sure, to post something in October too, probably relating to the end of Breaking Bad and pilot season.

2K13 Summer Recap

Top 3 Films

1. Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim brings all those awesomeness and the joy of summer movies in a super intense two hours of robots fighting monsters. The action is crazy great, the actors are awesome and they definitely cancelled the apocalypse. What really sucked for me about this film is that I didn't get the chance to see this film in its full on awesomeness in IMAX 3D. Everything just falls into place in this film. Everything is perfect. I can't talk bad about this film, really. Best of the summer






2. Star Trek Into Darkness
Star Trek reboot in 2009 was one of the finest reboot ever made by Hollywood. The cast is young and hip and perfect. It has great action, great sci-fi concept, great story too. And now four years later, all of that still stands strong. Add Sherlock star, Benedict Cumberbatch to bring menace to everyone in the galaxy and you'll get a really cool film out of it. For me, Into Darkness is better in Captain Kirk's story while as a whole it's still on par with the 2009 film, which means it's far from bad.





3. Man of Steel
Chris Nolan had his magic touch in the Batman saga for three films. Who's to say he's not going to extend that magic to most recognizable superhero in the universe? The result is a darker take on the king of superheroes. Henry Cavill is definitely Superman and kids will forever recognize him as Superman. The film has amazing supporting cast and a more-than-enough action set pieces. Since it's a different take from the Superman we know, people dismissed the film as untrue to the mythology while it's just the beginning of something great in the years to come.




Honorable mention: Gore Verbinski's fun adventure that not enough people see, The Lone Ranger

Most Surprising Film
World War Z
World War Z has troubles almost as many as the troubles my country has on a regular basis. However, those troubles proved to be an extra promotion point. People become aware of Brad Pitt starring in a zombie film. The promotion for this film is also quite intense, delivering promises of a great zombie thriller. And yes, baby, it delivers. Apart from the out-of-place climax, the film is definitely one of the best zombie films out there and Brad Pitt may make long hair hip for men (hope not).





Most Underwhelming Film
The Hangover Part III
I'm a fan of raunchy, dirty comedy. Like a super fan. The first two Hangover films has all the qualities I want in a comedy film. It's offensive, it's crazy, it's fun and for Hangover films, it's unexpected! However, say goodbye to all those qualities for the third part of the Wolfpack's night of mayhem. The film is nowhere offensive and crazy. I laughed only twice or three times during the whole film. It's so safe that it could be rated PG-13. The biggest fun I had when watching this was during the post credits scene.





Honorable mentions:
- Shyamalan & the Smiths' cheap looking, yet passable sci-fi After Earth. It's not on the top of the disappointing films because we already have no expectations for it to be great.
- Shane Black's awful black comedy script and please-kill-me-now-it's-so-bad twist on Iron Man 3. It's not as disappointing as Hangover 3 because it still has its great moments in the film.


Next week: Elysium review!!
Ah and yes, if you noticed, I changed the layout of the blog since the black-white-red was so 2009.

Re-Origins

Once again a ridiculous movie scheduling in Japan where a film set in Japan opened later in Japan than anywhere in the world*. The Wolverine is the sequel to the prequel of the original trilogy which is actually a sequel to the original X-Men trilogy. In other words, a sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine but actually a sequel to X-Men The Last Stand. It stars as usual Hugh Jackman but with more unknown actors who are mostly Japanese. Besides Hiroyuki Sanada, I have never heard of the other Japanese actors before. The film is directed by James Mangold who made Knight and Day.

The story starts when USA bombed Nagasaki during WW2, Logan/Wolverine saved Yashida, a Japanese commander from the atomic bomb. Many years later, Yashida searched for Logan to say thank you and stuff. So, the physically wounded Logan who have nightmare after killing Jean Grey in The Last Stand, goes to Japan. There he actually faces danger and this time he's alone without the help of the X-Men.

While The Wolverine is definitely an improvement from X-Men Origins, it does not improve much. It shows that a solo Wolverine film isn't as compelling as the full mutant gang. The story is quite nice, but not in the scale of an expected superhero film, especially a big summer release too. But Hugh Jackman is always awesome as Wolverine. Apart from Viper and Wolverine, the film lacks mutants to make it more 'superhero'. It's just like a normal film, nothing special. Also, being in Japan makes me have a different perspective on the film. Yashida, the soldier who's rescued by Wolverine, isn't worth the rescue. Sure, he saved all the POWs but he didn't honor the bushido code, all that suicide shit y'know. In simpler words: he's a fucking chicken. And also the Hollywood bullshit ensues, Yukio drives all the way from Tokyo to Nagasaki and back in one day. WHAT THE FUCK.

Anyway, let's get to the good parts. The action is cool and quite crazy. Marco Beltrami did a great job scoring the film, it is definitely one of the high points of the film. It's kind of pleasing to have Famke Janssen as Jean Grey back although it's more like a cameo role despite her top-billing. Hiroyuki Sanada is appearing in many films lately, this year he still has 47 Ronin and the great-looking The Railway Man with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. Tao Okamoto is definitely the best Japanese girl I've seen, although her acting still needs brushing. And the post-credits scene is jaw-dropping, shoe-stopping amazing. Psyched and pumped for X-Men: Days of Future Past next year! It's on the top of my 2014 summer films. And please tell me, if I missed the Stan Lee cameo because I didn't see him at all in the film. The Wolverine: rated 3/4.

*Japan's scheduling, for once, is for a reason. If they released the film in July it would be too close to the atomic bomb memorial in early August.

Later today, summer re-cap
Next week: Neil Blomkamp's Elysium.