Legend (2015)

       I saw first the trailer of this film and I was shocked that you'll see not one but two Tom Hardy's in one flick! Based on a true story?! I don't how he pulled it off but I hope it will show here.

Months later, it was shown here but sorry, my source got first. hahaha I thought of watching it in the cinemas but hmmm, save some money first. 

Gladly, I did the later part. But it doesn't mean I totally shun this movie in cinemas. I mean, you can still watch it in the cinema but I don't know if it's really worth it. 

Let's go straight with the flaws. One, the film moves very fast. I mean, most good or great gangster flicks have a bit slow story development but it has great origins. Like for Scarface, who has a bit of origin, but it works. You know right away his drive to be a gangster. This one, it goes straight to the twins having a pub and running their gang. I hope if they just made it longer, they can do it 2 films or at least 2 and a half hours. 

Two, despite a great cast, you can only choose like 3 characters you can  like or even follow. One good example, Taron Edgerton's character. Damn, I am interested in his role but he has only small lines and not really important in the film. How about the investigator following the twins? I hope they did expand the list of  characters surrounding the twins. 

Third issue, for a gangster film, it has small amount of action scenes. Although those scenes were intense and so packed, it was short and few. I hope there were more, a bit more, but unfortunately, even some shocking scenes, it was short and more dialogue driven. Some time in the film, I almost got confused, especially with the british dialogue. 

However, two things stand out in this film. First one, the simple plot. Although some great gangster flicks have some complex plot. This one, it only centers to the twins, how they work and how the people around them got influenced. I just feel sad to the exwife of Reggie, to her demise. Anyway, the flow of the story was good and I hope they kinda fixed it more or further. Second thing I loved was Tom Hardy's performance! I checked in the internet how the Kray Twins look like, Tom's prescence kinda got it because the twins were damn big. Not only that, how Tom acted not only for one role, but two roles at the same time. I don't what trick or CG they done it but Tom should have at least gave credit for that. One was a very psychotic, Ron Kray which I love more than Reggie. I love more Ron because Tom Hardy can really act psychotic and yeah, gay. From Bronson and Rock and Rolla right? So he just mixed those roles with a dash of 60's gangster boss. Although I felt for Reggie's character, that he won't do anything bad to his twin brother, even he's damn crazy. One scene I was kinda attached to it was their fight in the bar. After that scene, I kinda looked to Algerro and said to myself, damn.. I don't know what to do if I'm in that situation. Emily Browning's character, even with the poor writing and bad ending for her, I love her looks, very classical and what she did. It was just right for her. 

Ah yes, I think, without Tom Hardy's acting performance, the film failed big time. It will be  waste watching it in the cinema. But great thing, I think that's the worth of the ticket, one of his best performances. 

Oh, after watching the film, better to search the news about the twins, and oh boy, I was shocked. They edit a lot to  fit into one film. Kinda shocked about those twins. If some of the facts shown in the film were shocking, do a lot of research then. 

Are they really a legend? 

Damn those bloody twins. That's all I can say. 

Deadpool

Wow, after almost 2 hours of watching this flick.. Two things I learned. First, Ryan Reynold's career will be revived. Another thing, it's going to be like Iron Man 1 or Dredd film feeling. So damn right hero flick! hahaha After the first trailer shown last year, I was curious that Marvel will release a foul mouthed, violent hero flick?! Another surprise to me, was this anti-hero, it's a fan favorite which I don't have an idea of. That says, I'm kinda not really into comic book world these days or perhaps years. Although I love how he looks, I almost mistaken this hero to Snake Eyes or Spawn.

Anyway, no idea, but what I know, Ryan Reynolds will be it and he's on the slump for the past years, especially got married so hmmmm he needs a big break. After watching a lot of teasers, commercials, spots and red band trailers.. Long and behold, the time has come. 

Although it has some big flaws. Like Iron Man 1, it has really a weak villain. I mean, sorry to spoil but it just after Deadpool met him and got what he wanted, no other clues or whatsoever how the villain done it. Damn.. But I love the actor, gotta watch Transporter Refueled even it's bad. hehe Another big flaw, yes, even it was shown very unconventional hero flick, the last parts were kinda generic. Geez, I hope there were different or unusual but yeah, the setting of the last parts and how the plot went.. Just generic including Gina Carano's character. She's stronger than the main villain! hehe Weird. Anyway.. I forgot the other thing, it has a lot of great action scenes but I felt, it can do more of it. 

Don't worry, I haven't told of course, not only good but great parts of the film! First great part, I can't believe how much creative freedom they got by just looking at that opening sequence! I was shocked and can't help wonder, what will I be watching? hehe But believe me, just follow what it says, and it's true. That's all I can say. Another thing, speaking of the opening sequence.. I loved the editing for this film. It's not really the usual hero origin stuff, I mean they shown like a crazy plot sequence so audience won't be like bored or kinda pre emptive the film as it progresses. I loved how it presented the 3/4 parts of the film. Very unusual yet very satisfying! The use of CGI in this film, very sync. I mean, a lot of super hero films where they used CGI very rushed but in this film, it's quite real. Case in point? Colossus! At last, a very great presentation of that hero and I liked his portrayal. I had fun and can't believe that dude was in CG. 

Another great thing, the cast of this film. Even Gina Carano is good at this film, even her character was not in form and yes Ed Skrein, that dude, kinda looks and acts good in screen huh. How about the main cast? Deadpool's land owner very caring but high. haha Wade's bar owner best friend, kinda wisecracking and I felt he's really his best friend despite bad mouthing Wade. How about Wade's girl? Without those, ehem scenes, she's just right in the role. Lastly, Ryan Reynolds! I mean, at last, he can stick to this character for a long time and he's like what Robert Downey did in Iron Man. Ryan nailed it and he'll be Deadpool for a very long time!!! I know he followed the script well, but some of it, I felt he improvised those lines. Damn, I can't believe he's a good comedic actor. Well, I knew his roots were comedy but I can say Deadpool is attached to Ryan. No one else. The body, physical skills and the cracking of jokes, definitely nailed it!

Yes, the last thing made this film great, was the screenplay/script! I can't think of a superhero flick, what more of a graphic novel adaptation in a film, that I really laughed out loud! I knew audiences got some great laughs at some of the scenes, but for me, some of the crude jokes or references, I got it right away. Especially one great example, the last scene when Deadpool visited Xavier's school, he spoke the line why he got only those two to help him.. I was laughing. hehe And Deadpool's choice of songs and OST then his jokes not only about the story but the studio, his past ehem roles, even Hugh Jackman! I mean, it's like watching and stand up comedy hero action flick. Damn, Deadpool won't just stop talking! hahaha He gave puns left and right, front and back, every part of the film. Geez. hehe 

This film, proves that Marvel can do good when it comes to dark themed or adult themed comics. I mean they were able to do it in Blade then that's it. They tried it in Ghost Rider but they went to the safe route. In Punisher, they can't hold together. They tried it with Spiderman, it went awry.. I mean, I'm not asking they do it in all their characters like what DC's going to do, but some characters, they just need to do it in the most correct way or real way. Look at Daredevil/Jessica Jones, despite I'm not watching those series but with the snippets I'm seeing, they are doing right. So Marvel, I hope they do a lot of these flicks.. I hope Deadpool, won't be their last!

The post credits? Oh, the 80's dudes will love this. I did not get it at first but I just remembered... It came from one of the legendary teen flicks! Yes, this film has a lot of references from old and new flicks. 

It's almost a classic but it just fell short due to character development and yes, he's very anti hero. Like the last fight scene, after that serious talk of Colossus, then he just.. Anyway, it's very unconventional and fun. =)

Oh yes, please, do not bring your kids, by any chance or any rate let them peak this film. Please.. Even 16 year olds, do not watch this. Stay away!!!! 
"Let's make some f*cking chimichangas!!!"

Boruto: Naruto the movie

I haven't watched a naruto episode after well, naruto shippudden, so many years ago. I like the series but what turned me off at that time was the long battle sequences and it's turning like DBZ syndrome. Too long and exhausting. Except for one piece! hehehe

However, years later and after that news finally the series has ended. I kinda decided to look back and see what happened to this series. Most surprisingly, it released two more anime films! I saw the Naruto the last movie, but only some snippets. I can say, that's the Naruto I want to be, more serious and light fun and also, direct to the point story.

Now at this new movie, I gave this a chance for two reasons alone. First, half the price discount! I love the epass movie card. hehe Another thing, I'm interested in the new story, like the new generation of ninjas in the story like the titular character above. 

Four things I love this anime, first the film was made for the fans. I was kinda surprised with the reception of the fans roaring, especially at those big fight scenes of Naruto and Sasuke. That reaction alone shows how they love the film. I also like they simplify the story, although I want to see what happened to other characters.. The film moved forward and focus in the new blood. 

Second thing, I loved how the older characters matured like Naruto and others. I'm surprised that the love teams from the start of Naruto really end up as couples. I am smiling at Naruto's character that he's serious than ever and of course stronger. Sasuke despite that cool one handed ninja stance, he kept that personality and became of course friends and becoming a teacher now. Other characters, got older but likeable. I wish the other characters showed up like the old Hokages. I love the new characters, and they are scary stronger. I know Boruto is really strong, especially on what he shown here but I'm interested with Sarada. She is smarter and thinks ahead plus the combination of her parents skills. Damn.. That's one of hell lady! 

Third thing, the animation here although not very detailed but it was clean and not rushed. It's consistent all through out the film and the big fight scenes, rocks! Damn because of those fight scenes, I want to start and finish Naruto. hehe 

Last thing, the future of the story. I mean, with the great kids shown up in this film, the creator can easily think of great stories about it moving forward! He can do a love story between Sarada and Boruto in the future or how Boruto grows to be like his father. I can say that Boruto will be stronger but he'll not be like a hokage because simply he doesn't want to. This storyline has a lot of great potential to be a hit again but since the creator wants to take a rest.. Then, he needs to rest. hehe

Two minor flaws, one is the villain which I hope they created a different villain. Absorbing the techniques and just throwing back? I think the creator kinda rushed creating the villains for this film. 

One more thing, I hope it shows more screen time how Naruto taking care his family until Boruto grows up in this film. I know that gap can be skipped but if they inserted that part in a gist or alot some time to it, then this film will be memorable. I mean it's a waste that Hinata speak less in this film as a great mom. She's known to be quiet and in this film, spoke some lines so it's sad and it's interesting how Naruto's own family to become like that. 

I hope that gap have added in this film, at least 15-20 mins. 

This film serves a great foundation for future series or films on what they are planning. It's evident that if they push through with this arc, then it's a great start to have Naruto's presence and story end.

His story ends and a great story starts, that will be under Boruto.

Another flaw, Boruto sounds like food. Burrito! hehe Damn, he should have a different name!

Hmmmm like Danda Rin! hahaha Kidding. Sorry, I just watched that insane jdrama. I can't stop thinking that series, don't know why. Anyway.. 

Boruto is both nice and scary name.  

flashbacks: CTV 31

Binabasa ko yun wiki, RMN pala may ari noon. Sayang. hehe Grabe, ngayon ko lang naisip, besides sa betamax, VHS na marami kami noon.. One of the reasons I became a film lover was this channel. Yes, di ko alam para malamang kaunti lang nakakapanood ng channel na to dati. High school ako noon at siyempre adik pa sa TV at wala pang cable.

Tapos siyempre habang naghahanap ka na pinapanood at ang pinakamalayo pang channel noon eh studio 23 pa, at may SBN 21 pa pala, bigla ako napunta sa channel na to. May E! tv shows na pinapalabas at mga trailers na pinapakita. Aba, mapanood nga. Akalain mo in sync pala sa states. Kasi ilan linggo lang yun mga trailers, mapapanood mo na dito sa pinas. Then, hollywood stories, tapos yun talk shows, naalala ko David Letterman, di ko unang nakita. Ngayon ko lang naalala. hahaha

Nung nakita ko yun ibang shows nakalagay sa wiki eh parang di ko nakita. Iskul Bukol may reruns pa noon sa channel 13 ata. At yun game shows, studio 23 at the usual channels.

Pero di ko makakalimutan, dito ko nakita yun my fave flick 2001: a space odyssey. Grabe, static pa yun signal noon, pinagtyagaan ko at yun na, di ko na makalimutan. Dahil dun hinanap ko at now, I have it, I watched it all over again and it's my favorite. Thanks to this station! hehe Not only that, may mga napanood ako na they do movie festival every week. Yun nga, Akira Kurosawa week! Seven Samurai, Rashomon, Ran, yun iba di ko napanood. Grabe in local UHF tv. hehe Galing sabi ko, sana magtagal. Tapos yun ibang hollywood classics napalabas nila, di ko lang sure yun mga titles pero sure ako may hollywood tapos pinoy din na black and white.

Grabe, yun lang sabi due to budget and low ratings which totoo nga, nawala na siya. And lalo na ngayon, may mobile na at cable, malamang malulugi sila lalo. But thanks to this station, I love the movie classics, black and white perhaps napagtyagaan ko. Kurosawa of course and yes, my love, 2001! Naalala ko, one and only time, dito ko napanood yun sequel niya na 2010, kaso di ko na collection ngayon, not worth it. Kahit nung time na yun, di ko siya trip. hehe Naging narrative driven kasi, not unlike the great one. 

Wow, talagang flashback to. Grabe, naisip ko nga dati, pagwala ako mapanood na matino sa ibang channel like 2, or 7... Dito na lang ako, hanggang mag sign off. 
Ah, those days na wala pang work, just study, study, play and watch tv. 

Watching CTV 31. =)

classics: Talking Heads Stop Making Sense

 The only song I knew from Talking Heads is burning down the house. I have no idea about them and when I'm just searching in imdb.com about them and they have a film. Directed by Jonathan Demme of Silence of the Lambs, comes this wonderful rock concert film. Can you believe this was released as free in some film, I don't that's what imdb.com says. Fantastic free film. 

The only thing I did not like or a minor flaw about this flick, was no backstage footages which most concert specials have. But I don't mind anyway about those backstage or backstory scenes, music matters.

What I love about this film was the pace of it. I mean it started slow and as the band is setting up and tuning, the sounds is getting better. Song after song, the energy is getting high, performance becoming great and you see the effort that this band do every song. Another thing, the less crowd shots. I mean I did not mind really the crowd, I'm just envy them watching this kind of concert of those days. You can see that Talking Heads made songs that not only was catchy but more of an art and poetic. I am surprised that David Byrne was that good of writing or creating songs. Don't forget the bass lady, and great drummer then you add the other members from rhythm and synths, with great back up singers which I saw already in 20 feet of stardom documentary. Without the crowd shots, the focus was at this band and I know already why they were one of the best bands. 

Another of course, the band itself, how they sang the songs, especially thank you for sending an angel which was way better in this film than the original song. Psycho Killer, wow! Simply fantastic different style. Burning down the house, and This must be the place were really nostalgic, especially the latter which I thought I'm watching MTV. All other songs made impact and my favorite of all, Once in a lifetime. I can't believe that song is not only great but how they performed it. A lot of artistry and emotions. Great song, very ironic.  Don't forget the big suit worn in that concert. Kinda weird but fun. I want that!

Lastly, give credit to the Director and crew with special credit to David Byrne for the set up of the stage and even the lights used for the songs. Damn, if all rock concerts not really the same set up but just the vibe and energy they bring for each song, that concert is worth watching. Only few can do that these days, I can say the Killers, or Radiohead and some, but well, I know.. 

Stop making sense.

It's sad that this band did not really stay together long, a common stigma for those other great bands. 

classics: The Raid 2: Berandal

As a rookie cop, doing everything to not only finish the mission but also to survive was already a harsh ordeal. What more if you discovered that all your efforts will go to waste and there is a bigger problem to deal with it. It's sad but that's how the story goes in this epic sequel of one of a hell action movie!!!

At first, the story is simple but as go into the end, it became complex and you'll ask, how this story will end? 

Let's put it this way, hmmmmm I watched it twice and although it has some flaws or goofs but that's very forgivable. I have only one minor problem in the future, the director said Raid 3 will start and end 3 hours before this movie ends. I don't know how he will do it but simply this is the end. Of course, you want to see Rama going back to his family alive and all the goons are freaking dead but if the ending suggests cut scene, that's fine. 

However, like I said it has many minor flaws and some weird factors in the film but that's forgivable due to the major assets of the film that cover the shortcomings.


Here in my country, the title is simply The Raid 2. If you are going to ask me, if you need to watch Raid Redemption or Raid 1, after watching this one, I don't think you need to watch the first one.  Reason why? Well, first of the scenes of the film already discredit the first film. But of course, you need to watch the great first film, it's not bad but on how they made this film, I thought well, I don't think I need to watch it again. 

Fantastic things for this flick that made it as a classic.. First thing camera used and photography are top notch. I mean, I don't know how they get close to such fight scenes, one great example. The toilet fight scene is kinda sick, how on earth they get such close shots of that fight. Another example is the taxi scene, which is short yet heart stopping, I don't know how they got the top shot of it. Those examples are only the small ones, better yet check the bigger scenes. Great use of the camera and yes, Red Camera used it perfectly.

Another great thing, the sound effects used in the film. I watched many martial arts or action films now and then, but I can't imagine how they got the perfect sound for every blow, bone crushes, the gore, guns blazing, the cars, the weapons used or even the musical score used. The sound is such perfectly done and it helped really give me thrills and shrieks, one great example.. The car chase scene! Until the last second of that scene, it's crazy and great. The fight chreography helped or the car racing but the sound really made it great. 

One aspect also helped this film great is the actors. I mean most of the action films, few can really act and most of the actors fight. This one, has a great balance of ones who can act like the character Uco and Bangun and yeah the japanese actors. Mix it with great real martial artists but trained to act or the other way around. Iko Uwais I think already surpassed Tony Jaa and might be better if he start doing other kind of films. Then even the bosses, the old cop, Bejo is the rising crime lord which looks fashionable, Prakoso an unusual turn of having fighting and acting as the good henchman. Eka is also a surprise especially at the end. Actually all those characters you see in the poster done great job of acting for their roles. Don't forget which I'm surprised that they are siblings in the story, bat boy and hammer girl! 

Second great part of the film, one of the sickiest, craziest, real fight scenes. I mean, it's usual for a martial arts film that some scenes where kinda planned or worse they put CGI already and sometimes they put it wrong. Here, I know it has choreo but I don't know how many times they practiced it but looks real to me. They said that to make real, they reduced speed and strength to really show the blows or pain in the film. Except of course for the knives, bat and the hammer. But seriously, from the first fight scene until the end, wow, kinda addictive. With the sound effects and other factors plus with great fight choreo, they show it in an awesome way. I think Silat martial arts are deadly than ours or it's the same level with other martial arts, but great thing arnis was used here. I'll put Silat maybe on top of Muay thai because of the punching and elbow techniques used, in close range, deadly sh*t. The second half of the film, simply martial arts epic madness. Kitchen is a great place to fight. Kidding. Oh I almost forgot, despite less gun use in the film, it's still great. I mean usual action flicks uses high grade guns, here they use simple ones, baretta and shot gun but it was used in a most practical and scary way. That car chase scene says it all. 

Lastly, give credit to the screenplay and director which is one dude. Gareth Evans not the Godzilla guy, really made this film a classic. I mean, despite some flaws such as the snow scene, or the last factory scene which I'm surprised the dudes doesn't have guns. Or maybe the taxi chase which they can just use a gun to kill Rama but they did not use it for martial arts purposes. I don't know the reason but the director was able to create adrenaline to really forget those mistakes and just watch the film. I did not feel bore despite it has drama scenes and it's two and a half hours long! Wow.. Few films can do such feeling of forgetting the passage of time. He's damn great and I only hope two things like other upcoming directors should do. Do other genre or flicks with such style and another thing for this dude. If bourne is like this, that will be great! This director should do Bourne or James Bond or other action franchises. He can do it anyway in a small budget. It looks big budgeted film, but well it's small budget. Especially the first film which he admitted the reason he done the first film other than this one, due to budget constraints. Wow.. 

I wonder, when you look the scenary of the film, I thought it's in the Philippines, well with the same taxi cars or even eatery and the looks of the actors, we have more good looking actors or better acting but unfortunately, we don't have really martial artist actor that can somewhat do the same. Or even match what the Thais are doing. Geez, we are so behind. 

But well, can't wait for the home release and I really love that fighting pose in the kitchen scene. Some what iconic. 

I watched it despite poor dubbing, delayed release by 2 weeks and more cuts than the director did already. It means the true cut is epic!

Simply this film made some of the classic martial arts and action flicks became basic or forgotten, crappy, whatever.. Or even most recent flicks. 

Oh don't forget Rama is kinda lucky and strong. Iconic character. Will do everything for his family. One undercover cop against everyone, The Raid indeed.. 

By the way, just got the real copy, can't believe from start to finish, it has a lot of cuts!!!! Dubbing is correct, sync with subs and with the cuts.. Instant classic!!! It's like Mad Max 2, you'll forget there was a first one!

Movie Lib 2

Almost 900++ movies.. and counting..

Almost around 10000++ songs..

Ah may mga apps pa and some stuff around a hundred.

6 months of managing such storage.

Countless years and huge hours of waiting,,

1TB is not enough. hahahaha

Grabe, ngayon namomoproblema ako san ko na ilalagay yun iba. 

It's not done yet!

I can say, 50% na mga gusto ko makuha na flicks nakuha ko na. Dumami lang kasi sa kakavisit sa mga trusted movie sites. hehehe Imdb.com addict. hahaha

Siyempre wag kalimutan ang mga reliable sites. Ehem alam na.

Still 10-15%  pa din ang number kung sa lahat na nakuha ko eh napanood ko na. Wala pang sa one third. Lalo ngayon busy sa ibang bahay and errands. Nadelay na din ang mga film fest ko. 

Pero, pag nabawas bawas na ang mga pest.. Kailangan makita na yun mga flicks. hehe 

Toshiba na yun target ko na external HDD, 500gb muna. Tight budget. Pero pagtagal, malamang kukuhan ako backup na HDD, 3TB na para matapos na yun backup sa DVD. hehe Mahirap kasi magayos ng mga DVD na files. Marami at magulo. 

WD is kinda good, as reviewed pero one news came out na Toshiba HDD na ang most reliable and stable due to the report na less instance na magcrash na HDD. WD eh nasa gitna at mabuti di na ko Seagate fan. hahaha

Well, I'll keep getting the films I want to watch, more classics, indies, world or art or indie flicks around the globe, pinoy flicks which are always hard, controversial ones which kinda gives you a thrill. hehe Memorable siyempre at ngayon, Anime siyempre, classic series, OVA and movies! Japan flicks, kinda drawn to it which I'll explain later. =)

My library is still one file, thanks sa excel, naayos yun problem ko sa classifying. hehe

Para pag may humingi, pili na lang ha. 

I want to thank.. Hmmm my bizarre internet connection plus those best source sites. Alam na nila kung sino sila. At sana di sila mawala! hahahaha

Next time, how big this library will be? Bigger than the Lourdes Library? 

Yeah right. 

Gravity

Is it a wonderful feeling that you'll go to space and view earth from above. A breathtaking spectacle.. Gives you peace and some delight, no, great delight! However, you're not there for sightseeing, but for damn work. Sad isn't it? Well, that happened in this film. No spacewalking for long or even stare too much at space because time is simply running out...


What really captivate me really watching this film is the visual experience. That first long shot was really cool. Then you add some clever and casual dialogue, it's simply amazing how that scene keeps you glued in.

Then the shots looking at earth was quite breathtaking. I mean, it's a natural to really just stare at that one big blue earth that brings you certain calmness. It's like when you're in a high mountain and look below you, then look sideways, that's heaven. Unless you have fear in heights. 

Of course, as much this film is a visual and thriller fest, it has some downs. There were times that you feel bored because as much you know outer space is silent, there were moments that wonder will they really get out of there after all the ruckus? Or some moments kinda repeat itself, mostly at times were Dr. Ryan's wondering and gasping for dear life. Lastly, plot is quite simple. No complications or even hard thinking, they even compare this at least to 2001 which I simply disagree. In the intellectual part of this film? It won't even dent the intellectual shield or mystery of 2001 with this film. Nah, not a chance. 

However, its still a great film. First was the direction of the film, as Cuaron done another marvelous job of combining a great visual work with such thrilling ride, especially that sequence at the first where the first debris came in. Actually those scenes with the debris falling down were great! Combine that with great actors. Well, they were 2. I did not count the dead guy because after some lines, unfortunately dead. After winning an Oscar, I kinda like Sandra Bullock. Not only with that great figure for this film but how she kept the show running with her emotions and will to survive. From start to finish, she is indeed the star of this film. But I hope, hmmmm other actresses got this role.. Except Lindsay Lohan. hehe 

Ah George Clooney also done a great job, cool dude with that smitten attitude, the sad part and sorry for the spoilers, I hate when his character just died. But come to think for it, he will steal the spotlight from Sandra which nah, I felt his character needs to die. It just maybe died all of a sudden. I hope it happened at least before that earth dive. I don't know it's just his character died all of a sudden. Sound editing, keeps you in the edge of the seat especially those space walk sequences.. Ah don't forget how realistic those space stations done here, very updated despite the plot is in the future. I love the spacesuit, cool boosters! hehe. Despite my rant above, it helped that the story or the film was short, because if it's like 2 damn hours with no other great sidestory or effects, I might fall asleep after the first hour. No kidding.. With a lot of talking or screaming or dazing, this film is good for those having insonmia. Great job of keeping it short yet pulsating film.

Another bonus thing I loved, 10 bucks! Thanks to my team mate's passes, it's more than 10 bucks, or I can value this the regular price or even watch this in Imax. But 10 bucks, is 10 bucks. I'm short at the time watched this film and wow.. I love 10 bucks. hehe

It's a sleeper hit, it exceeded my expectations after watching the first trailer and yeah one of the best of the year. 

I wonder, what is it if I just float around the space? Just in a daze.. I won't scream nor frown.. Just look..

At that beautiful earth, a massive blue sphere..

Full of life. Full of mystery. 

Full of gravity.

classics: Being John Malkovich

Have you thought of being in someone's body in 5 minutes and see, feel of that person? 

Me? Nah, because I am contented in what I am or so, but if it's for fun... Why not?

This film well, it caught my attention from the title itself. I mean, you can be Being Tom Cruise, or Being Julia Roberts or Being whatever celebrity they can think of, but they ended up with John Malkovich. I want to know as well at that time, does John Malkovich really show in this film? 

Story goes that Craig a puppeteer, well trying to make ends meet buy doing puppeteering in the streets but ran out of luck. He decided to work with a legal company to sort files thanks to his fast hands. As he doing the job one day, he accidentally discovered a secret room and he went in. He was surprised that it's a portal going to the body of John Malkovich, one of the great character actors in film, then seeing what he's doing or even thinking. He informed this discovery first to one of Craig's acquaintances Maxine, a seductive office worker near at Craig's office. They thought of making this discovery a money making business. After some occassions, Craig said this to Lotte, his wife, and became addicted in going to the portal. One of her visits to the portal, she became in love with Maxine then Maxine also felt the same way with Lotte. As much I want to say the plot, after this, all bizarre, confusion broke lose between Craig, Maxine, Lotte and yes, don't forget John Malkovich.

The only flaw, but it's a minor flaw that easily can look over with is the relationship between Lotte and Maxine. A casual moviegoer may get confused or turned off with that relationship in the movie but for me, it was well written and really helped how the movie going until the end. Of course, in the end they really end up together, suprisingly with a child. 

First I commend the actors who played in this film. Starting with Cameron Diaz, that I hope if she wants a growth in her career, she needs to do a lot of this kind of indie films. I haven't seen a film that she done this kind of roles recently so I hope she can do more. In this film, you can sense that she has a knack for weird or deep roles so I hope she does more. John Cusack, damn... He's previous roles were good but I don't know why in his recent films were kinda lost already. He's great in this film, not only because of his weird puppeteer role but also his feeling towards on what's happening around him. I just hope he can back on track on doing this films. He really took a back seat in his recent films. 

Catherine Keener, wow.. I discovered her in 40 year old virgin as that hot mom dating Steve Carell's character.. Here, damn hot. =) She's one of the 2 main culprits or reasons that made this film memorable to me. I mean, she got an Oscar nomination for this role of seductive, vulnerable and lovely lady who doesn't care what others say. I love the scenes where she was able to seduce John and she was thinking that Lotte is in John's being, so that is quite hard to act. Damn, at the end she got what she wanted. At that film, she doesn't look 40.

John Malkovich! Of course, why if you love him as an actor these times, then you gotta love him in this flick. He's well, 80% percent of the time he's real John Malkovich, then the remaining 20% was how he reacted in the flow in the story. You can say he's quite submissive in this film because 90% of the time, he doesn't know the portal inside of his body. I love his first scenes where he is a casual guy, very calm and thankful what he is. This is the best film for him. Sad to say, yeah, he did not win any award for his role. Geez. 

Give kudos to the supporting cast, the old boss, even some interesting cameos as well, it's a gem that those supporting characters done their parts in an effective way. 

Direction by Spike Jonze should have a credit here, despite the bizarre, crazy idea of the film, he was able to pull it off because of his demand maybe to make the film simple to digest. Even with a lot of things happening, he did not like go into deeper for each character of situation in the film. I loved how he arrange the sequence of the events, well give that credit to editing too, that the viewer is not lost after one thing to another. For instance, how Craig dominated John Malkovich for sometime then shifted until the end.  

Writer Charlie Kaufman made this film a great one. Well, I just watched Adapation, althought it's also a great one, but this one is better. It is also way better than Confessions of a Dangerous mind, he even dissed it because George Clooney made changes of the script. But yeah, this one I don't think any other film tried to really copy or at least imitate what he did in this film. I love the script he done for this film, deep yet simplified. You can hear in his films, he loves poetry and he always put that poetry fit for a film. The only difference of this film to Eternal Sunshine is why Eternal Sunshine is the best film written by him, that film focuses to love, unlike this one, there is love but it shows more of the consequences of being somebody else. But anything else, I can't take away anything what he done for this film, but it's more how he was able to pull off a beautiful bizarre idea into something interesting to watch. 

It's worth for keeps in this film, I wondered if I have that discovery, I wish I could be someone like me with better attributes. 

I'm not into dreaming of somebody else famous. Geez, I don't really like that. =)

Taken 2

I can't believe that as much I want to give at least good credit for this flick, it seems, it earned big. It fooled a lot of people as the box office reports says and the long line I saw here at SM.. Everybody was kinda ecstatic about it. Geez, anyway, I should have watched End of Watch instead.

Of course, everybody loves the first Taken, like me.. Can't deny the surprising action role by Liam Neeson about saving his daughter from human trafickers.. I thought, well a second one should be done, at least it's either Brian is into something in trouble again through a different situation or discover how he learned those "skills" from his past missions. Sort of a prequel..

Sad to say, none of them happened in this sequel. I am surprised that they claim it has a bigger budget which I felt not, it doesn't look like one.. Except maybe for those grenades, and a lot of car crashes and one explosion. 

Well, destination was Turkey which I thought cheaper doing a flick there than in Paris. 

The sad part was the plot itself, Brian and exwife was taken this time by the father of those kidnappers in the first taken and thinking of brining their corpse in their son's graves! For short, they somewhat want revenge. Oh well, another sad part as much Maggie Grace looks better this time, quite hot frankly, all she did was to run, get some clothes and drive like hell.. Then Famke Jansen, she did was scream, breathe, more breathing, fake dead and yeah, alive. Such beautiful women and good actresses wasted their well talents in this flick. I hope the writing and screenplay allowed them to do more. 

Poor directing, as a good name shows as Olivier Megaton, it has a bad reputation of making bad flicks. Transporter 3, Columbiana and this one.. Luc Besson shouldn't give anymore damn scripts or projects for the mean time to this director. Let's say, Luc should go back into directing, action ones, not drama ones. Poor pace, less gore or not even blood, and yes, action scenes were fuzzy.. Even the car chase as well, maybe since the cars and SUV were high end brands, even the cab was a benz, the budget went to those cars.

Anyway, the only saving grace of this film was Brian, give credit to Liam Neeson. His moves still stands, going from the first Taken and I love what he said in the end, it made me laugh. It's like he is letting the main villain live, go home and stop the nonsense anyway since he can beat the hell out of them. If not, he will go on killing and he's tired of it. That was top notch acting with a poor script. 

Well, I can't cry over that 180php was gone into thin air, not really that much. I rather watch well, the first one all over again and enjoy every scene at that flick. Not in this one.

Yes, sad to say, they are now thinking for a third one.. 

What will be this time? Maybe Brian's buddies will be taken this time and needs his help. 

Ah definitely, he will find the villians, he will search for them.

Of course, he will kill them.