Director: Rob Minkoff
Writer: John Fusco
Producers: Casey Silver
Starring: Jet Li as Monkey King/Silent Monk, Michael Angarano as Jason Tripitikis, Jackie Chan as Lu Yan/Old hop, Yifei Liu, as Golden Sparrow/Chinatown girl, Collin Chow as Jade Warlord and Morgan Benoit as Lupo(IMDb). Rated PG-13.
Jason was visiting is usual spot in South Boston for kung-fu flicks, and as he was looking at some movies, he noticed something in the back-room through the cracked door. After walking in the back-room, he picked up a staff, and as he marveled at it, Old hop told him, the staff awaited to be held by a specific person. As Jason traveled back from the store, he encountered Lupo, a bully who noticed the kung-fu videos Jason had, and from noticing this, Lupo and his gang forced Jason to take them to Old hop's store to rob it, and as the attempt was made, a struggle broke out resulting in Old Hop being shot while Jason ended up with the staff and ran, but only to have fallen from a roof-top, to end up traveling to a magical place where he met master Yen, who tells him he must return the staff to the Monkey King, who is the only one that can defeat the Jade Warlord.
Surprisingly this movie was very funny. The infusion of witty jokes and comical scenes made this movie much more enjoyable beyond the stunning martial arts choreography. I did not think Jet Li cold be so jocular, but he can be, and he did so convincingly in his performance as the Monkey King. The desert scene was hilarious.
The fight scene between Jackie Chang and Jeti Li was satisfactory, and balanced. Seemingly, the fight was choreographed with neither one gaining an advantage over the other. Over all, the fight scenes were not groundbreaking, but they were very entertaining, and gladly so, because it is very disappointing to go see a kung-fu flick with very little martial arts. The fighting was very clean, marked by a molecular amount of bloodshed which gave the impression the film was PG instead of PG-13. One final note regarding the fight scene between Li and Chan, I am glad it was a draw, as it would have broken my heart to see one of them defeated.
In conclusion, this movie was fun to watch, and it is safe for the kids as there is very little offensive language, and blood shed. This film did not introduce anything new or spectacular but it was enjoyable. According to Movies.com, the fans gave it a B+, critics gave it a B-, and I will give it a C+. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Smart People: Double Parked
Director: Noam Murro
Writer: Mark Poirier
Producers: Michael Costigan, Bridget Johnson, Michael London, Bruna Papandrea.
Starring: Dennis Quaid as Lawrence Wetherhold, Sarah Jessica Parker as Janet Hartigan, Thomas Haden Church as Chuck Wetherhold, Ellen Page as Vanessa Wetherhold, and Ashton Holmes as James Wetherhold(IMDb). Rated-R.
Lawrence Wetherhold is an English professor who is best described as disgruntled or grumpy. One day his car was towed. This was unfortunate indeed, because Wetherhold had a book inside his car that he was trying to get published. After failing to bribe the student at the university impound, Wetherhold secretly climbed over the impound fence to retrieve the case in which his book was kept. Much to Wetherhold's surprise, the student working at the impound chased after him, and while he was climbing over the fence to make a getaway he falls on his back and suffers from a seizure. Moments later, he is in the hospital, where he meets the lovely Dr. Hartigan.
Essentially this film is primarily about brilliant academicians who are very motivated, with the exception of Chuck, and very unhappy. I'm not sure if this film was advancing the moral, that a life of achievement does not equate to happiness, but perceivably it appeared to be the main point of the film. The goal for these characters was to admit they were unhappy, and then place themselves on the path that lead them to happiness. Amongst the major characters, Chuck seemed the happiest, but that is debatable considering he had no job. While Chuck had the ability to stay relatively inviolable in his time of struggle, one gets the impression that he wanted more from life. From the general direction of the film, one can gather, these people will certainly not be happy overnight, but perhaps they will be in due time.
The acting was great. All the characters were well casted, but one small detail did bother me however. Denis Quaid is in great shape, and his character's little beer belly did not seem real at all. In any event, this is a very original story with an unconventional script that was characterized by erudite dialogue, enveloped by the reality that smart, loving families are not necessarily perfect and happy families. This film was joyfully insightful; I give a it B-. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Writer: Mark Poirier
Producers: Michael Costigan, Bridget Johnson, Michael London, Bruna Papandrea.
Starring: Dennis Quaid as Lawrence Wetherhold, Sarah Jessica Parker as Janet Hartigan, Thomas Haden Church as Chuck Wetherhold, Ellen Page as Vanessa Wetherhold, and Ashton Holmes as James Wetherhold(IMDb). Rated-R.
Lawrence Wetherhold is an English professor who is best described as disgruntled or grumpy. One day his car was towed. This was unfortunate indeed, because Wetherhold had a book inside his car that he was trying to get published. After failing to bribe the student at the university impound, Wetherhold secretly climbed over the impound fence to retrieve the case in which his book was kept. Much to Wetherhold's surprise, the student working at the impound chased after him, and while he was climbing over the fence to make a getaway he falls on his back and suffers from a seizure. Moments later, he is in the hospital, where he meets the lovely Dr. Hartigan.
Essentially this film is primarily about brilliant academicians who are very motivated, with the exception of Chuck, and very unhappy. I'm not sure if this film was advancing the moral, that a life of achievement does not equate to happiness, but perceivably it appeared to be the main point of the film. The goal for these characters was to admit they were unhappy, and then place themselves on the path that lead them to happiness. Amongst the major characters, Chuck seemed the happiest, but that is debatable considering he had no job. While Chuck had the ability to stay relatively inviolable in his time of struggle, one gets the impression that he wanted more from life. From the general direction of the film, one can gather, these people will certainly not be happy overnight, but perhaps they will be in due time.
The acting was great. All the characters were well casted, but one small detail did bother me however. Denis Quaid is in great shape, and his character's little beer belly did not seem real at all. In any event, this is a very original story with an unconventional script that was characterized by erudite dialogue, enveloped by the reality that smart, loving families are not necessarily perfect and happy families. This film was joyfully insightful; I give a it B-. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Street Kings: Clean Your Mouth Out With Buck Shot
Director: David Ayer
Writers: James Ellroy, Kurt Wimmer
Producers: Lucas Foster, John Ridley, Erwin Stoff.
Starring: Keanu Reeves as Tom Ludlow, Forest Whitaker as Captain Jack Wander, Chris Evans as Paul Diskant, Martha Higareda as Grace Garcia, Cedric The Entertainer as Scribble, Jay Mohr as Sgt. Mike Clady, Terrence Crews as Terrence Washington, Common as Coates, The Game as Grill, and Amaury Nolasco as Cosmo Santos(IMDb). Rated-R.
Tom Ludlow is a veteran detective who does not operate by usual police procedure. In secretive cooperation with Captain Wander, Ludlow often has a license to operate above the law. Ludlow's former partner Terrence Washington, has taken the righteous path, and no longer involves himself in the shady dealings of the police underworld, so he began working with internal affairs to fight the corruption. Captain Wander warns Ludlow that Washington is trying to rat him out, but in a store robbery Ludlow and Washington are caught in the cross fire that involves 3 suspects, one of which is a cop.
From the opening scene I was engaged by the film by Ludlow's action to grab his gun moments after he wakes up. That scene provided the audience a clue of the type of cop Ludlow was. Being a cop was his life, and he fit the motif of the tough cop who lived for alcohol and catching the bad guys with a vigilante flair. Ludlow was a semi honorable cop, and for that reason it appeared movie watchers were in supportive of him executing vigilante justice.
The pace of the film was really good. The story did not lag at all, and the dialogue between the characters helped provide a clear explanation of how each character played a role in the over all goal of the film. Certain parts of this film were predictable, especially the general outline of the events leading the ultimate confrontation in the film, but it was still an entertaining police drama
with funny moments. The end of the film was not as climactic as I would have liked, but it was descent. According to Movies.com, critics gave it a C+, and the fans gave it B+, and I will side with the critics and give it a C+. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Writers: James Ellroy, Kurt Wimmer
Producers: Lucas Foster, John Ridley, Erwin Stoff.
Starring: Keanu Reeves as Tom Ludlow, Forest Whitaker as Captain Jack Wander, Chris Evans as Paul Diskant, Martha Higareda as Grace Garcia, Cedric The Entertainer as Scribble, Jay Mohr as Sgt. Mike Clady, Terrence Crews as Terrence Washington, Common as Coates, The Game as Grill, and Amaury Nolasco as Cosmo Santos(IMDb). Rated-R.
Tom Ludlow is a veteran detective who does not operate by usual police procedure. In secretive cooperation with Captain Wander, Ludlow often has a license to operate above the law. Ludlow's former partner Terrence Washington, has taken the righteous path, and no longer involves himself in the shady dealings of the police underworld, so he began working with internal affairs to fight the corruption. Captain Wander warns Ludlow that Washington is trying to rat him out, but in a store robbery Ludlow and Washington are caught in the cross fire that involves 3 suspects, one of which is a cop.
From the opening scene I was engaged by the film by Ludlow's action to grab his gun moments after he wakes up. That scene provided the audience a clue of the type of cop Ludlow was. Being a cop was his life, and he fit the motif of the tough cop who lived for alcohol and catching the bad guys with a vigilante flair. Ludlow was a semi honorable cop, and for that reason it appeared movie watchers were in supportive of him executing vigilante justice.
The pace of the film was really good. The story did not lag at all, and the dialogue between the characters helped provide a clear explanation of how each character played a role in the over all goal of the film. Certain parts of this film were predictable, especially the general outline of the events leading the ultimate confrontation in the film, but it was still an entertaining police drama
with funny moments. The end of the film was not as climactic as I would have liked, but it was descent. According to Movies.com, critics gave it a C+, and the fans gave it B+, and I will side with the critics and give it a C+. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
The Ruins: Don't Feed The Plants
Director: Carter Smith
Writer: Scott B. Smith
Producers: Chris Bender, Stuart Cornfeld, Ben Stiller
Starring: Jonathan Tucker as Jeff, Jena Malone as Amy, Laura Ramsey as Stacy, and Joe Anderson as Mathias(IMDb). Rated-R.
Jeff, Stacy, Eric, and Amy are hanging out by the pool in some hotel in Mexico when they meet a guy named Mathias who tells them about a temple ruin.Wanting some last minute excitement before they leave Mexico, they decide to go with Mathias to the ruin. Upon reaching the location they are met by native men with guns and bow and arrows who surround them and prevent them from leaving the site. They are forced to climb to the apex of the ruin and there the group discovers why they are prevented from leaving.
Admittedly I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Seriously, I did not expect it to be that good, well for what it was. My interests was preserved during the entire film. The most prominent element of the film was the acting talent. This was an intense horror film that featured desperation, and the actors were great at making movie watchers feel their characters' sense of urgency.
The evil that hunted or haunted the group on the ruin was subtle in its presentation but yet its presence as a force of death was effective without being too corny. Given the nature of the evil, presenting this evil in subtlety was just right. One of several setbacks though however, was that the history of the evil that existed on the ruin was not explained. And the other setback was, if the native men with guns knew the evil so well why didn't they just burn it. If the history of the evil that haunted the ruin was explained, these questions would not be an issue. Despite these setbacks this movie will keep your attention with gore, suspense and the element of desperation. Very very entertaining, and in closing Laura Ramsey was great! I give this movie a C+. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Writer: Scott B. Smith
Producers: Chris Bender, Stuart Cornfeld, Ben Stiller
Starring: Jonathan Tucker as Jeff, Jena Malone as Amy, Laura Ramsey as Stacy, and Joe Anderson as Mathias(IMDb). Rated-R.
Jeff, Stacy, Eric, and Amy are hanging out by the pool in some hotel in Mexico when they meet a guy named Mathias who tells them about a temple ruin.Wanting some last minute excitement before they leave Mexico, they decide to go with Mathias to the ruin. Upon reaching the location they are met by native men with guns and bow and arrows who surround them and prevent them from leaving the site. They are forced to climb to the apex of the ruin and there the group discovers why they are prevented from leaving.
Admittedly I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. Seriously, I did not expect it to be that good, well for what it was. My interests was preserved during the entire film. The most prominent element of the film was the acting talent. This was an intense horror film that featured desperation, and the actors were great at making movie watchers feel their characters' sense of urgency.
The evil that hunted or haunted the group on the ruin was subtle in its presentation but yet its presence as a force of death was effective without being too corny. Given the nature of the evil, presenting this evil in subtlety was just right. One of several setbacks though however, was that the history of the evil that existed on the ruin was not explained. And the other setback was, if the native men with guns knew the evil so well why didn't they just burn it. If the history of the evil that haunted the ruin was explained, these questions would not be an issue. Despite these setbacks this movie will keep your attention with gore, suspense and the element of desperation. Very very entertaining, and in closing Laura Ramsey was great! I give this movie a C+. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Leatherheads: Go Bulldogs!
Director: George Clooney
Writers: Duncan Brantley, Rick Reilly
Producers: George Clooney,Grant Heslov, Casey Silver
Starring: George Clooney as Jimmy "Dodge" Connelly, Renee Zellweger as Lexie Littleton, John Krasinski as Carter Rutherford, Jonathan Price as C.C Frazier, and Stephen Root as Suds(IMDb). PG-13.
The year is 1925. Dodge Connelly wanted to save his dissolved bankrupt professional football team, but he had no way of doing so until he realized in an epiphany that he if could convince the college football war hero, Carter Rutherford to become a pro he could save his already defunct football team. After completing the deal with Rutherford's manager C.C Frazier, all is going well until news surfaces from one of Rutherford's former war buddies that he is not as big of a war hero everyone thinks, and the reporter Lexie Littleton is under pressure from her boss to expose this. Exposing this fact about Rutherford's service record is problematic for Frazier because there is plenty of money to be made from Rutherford's public persona.
A very stylish, well crafted film that has plenty to offer the movie goer who enjoys films that are historically derived. The character Dodge Connelly is based J0hnny "Blood" Mcnally, a professional NFL player who was active between 1925-1938. Production wise the film had tons of style from the clothe, to the stadium, and to the transportation. The milieu and character of the 1920's was well conveyed.
I liked a lot of things about this film, but something was not right. I could not detect what it was.The script was witty.The pace of the film was right. The acting was awesome but something was missing. Well to begin with, the climax of the film did not occur until the end of the middle of the film. A majority of the film suffered from existential problems in that it questioned its purpose for existing. I felt the film was lost in the wilderness its own craftiness. The Production was great but it had too much of a factor in supporting the movie's livelihood.
The film was also anti-climatic. Comedic but not comedic enough, most of the scenes were witty and funny but they did not hit the mark quite right as they were not efficacious in making an impact. The suicide attempt scene involving the police foot chase was one key example of how other scenes functioned in the opposite direction of making a strong impressive closure. According to Rottentomatoes.com, 54% of critics gave the film a positive review. Metacritic.com reported an average score of 57 out of 100 based on 32 reviews. And according to Movies.com, fans gave it a B, critics gave it a B-, and I will give it a C+. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
Writers: Duncan Brantley, Rick Reilly
Producers: George Clooney,Grant Heslov, Casey Silver
Starring: George Clooney as Jimmy "Dodge" Connelly, Renee Zellweger as Lexie Littleton, John Krasinski as Carter Rutherford, Jonathan Price as C.C Frazier, and Stephen Root as Suds(IMDb). PG-13.
The year is 1925. Dodge Connelly wanted to save his dissolved bankrupt professional football team, but he had no way of doing so until he realized in an epiphany that he if could convince the college football war hero, Carter Rutherford to become a pro he could save his already defunct football team. After completing the deal with Rutherford's manager C.C Frazier, all is going well until news surfaces from one of Rutherford's former war buddies that he is not as big of a war hero everyone thinks, and the reporter Lexie Littleton is under pressure from her boss to expose this. Exposing this fact about Rutherford's service record is problematic for Frazier because there is plenty of money to be made from Rutherford's public persona.
A very stylish, well crafted film that has plenty to offer the movie goer who enjoys films that are historically derived. The character Dodge Connelly is based J0hnny "Blood" Mcnally, a professional NFL player who was active between 1925-1938. Production wise the film had tons of style from the clothe, to the stadium, and to the transportation. The milieu and character of the 1920's was well conveyed.
I liked a lot of things about this film, but something was not right. I could not detect what it was.The script was witty.The pace of the film was right. The acting was awesome but something was missing. Well to begin with, the climax of the film did not occur until the end of the middle of the film. A majority of the film suffered from existential problems in that it questioned its purpose for existing. I felt the film was lost in the wilderness its own craftiness. The Production was great but it had too much of a factor in supporting the movie's livelihood.
The film was also anti-climatic. Comedic but not comedic enough, most of the scenes were witty and funny but they did not hit the mark quite right as they were not efficacious in making an impact. The suicide attempt scene involving the police foot chase was one key example of how other scenes functioned in the opposite direction of making a strong impressive closure. According to Rottentomatoes.com, 54% of critics gave the film a positive review. Metacritic.com reported an average score of 57 out of 100 based on 32 reviews. And according to Movies.com, fans gave it a B, critics gave it a B-, and I will give it a C+. Stay tuned, Movieporium.blogspot.com.
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