Hansel & Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft (2013)

***** This is a public service announcement *****

Avoid this movie like THE PLAGUE.

This movie has a budget of USD $1,000,000.

That is the same amount of reasons why you SHOULD NOT watch this.

Calling this BAD is an insult to the word BAD!!?!

I believe Film Student's projects are much MUCH better then this DOO DOO.

You have been warned kiddies. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: May 26 2013, 02:20 PM

Eh. I thought H&G wasn't that bad. Nothing I would pay to watch but ahem, it was okay. More blood and splatter than I thought. Renner and Arteton were miscast though.

But no way this thing cost only $1 million!

This post has been edited by QuickFire: May 26 2013, 01:04 AM

... I think you mean Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013), which isn't bad and like you I kinda like! What I was reviewing was Hansel & Gretel: Warriors of Witchcraft (2013) a piece of dog doo doo....

Turner & Hooch (1989)

Tom Hanks is probably one of the most prolific actor of our time.

He had done many entertaining and big movies.

Having said that he also several... how can I word this, superfluous comedies in the 1980s...

One of them is this and the other that comes to mind is Splash...

I'm sure if I have the time, I can think of more, but onwards with the review.

This movie is NOT reference material, when it comes to HD.

I do have to confess, that I'm a dog person and as superfluous as this movie is, I like it.

It is silly, it is predictable and most importantly, it has a happily every after ending.

It's the 80s kiddies, just go with it and you'll enjoy this!

Oh, 80s was also a time where there was alot of ideas pinching because in the same year, James Belushi was in another movie called K-9!!

Okay, movie just finished, I was wrong, the movie do not have a happily every after ending... but it is okay...

Watch it and you'll know what I mean.

My Two Sen

Cloud Atlas.

A movie that shows 6 timelines that have to do with writing and story telling on an epic scale, interwoven into each other seamlessly, spanning over 500 years. It's beautiful, exciting, gory, funny, simply fantastic. It has a beautiful score that doesn't sound like the generic Hans Zimmer score that's everywhere these days.

Written and directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run, The Perfume) and the Wachowski brothers - uhm, scratch that - siblings (The Matrix).

The make-up wasn't always that convincing... they used the same actors in all the different timelines. I felt like their acting was hindered by being underneath thick prosthetics, for example when they turned a Korean actress into an English lady. Sometimes it was so convincing though that I didn't even notice who the actor was. And in any case they had good reasons of doing so.

8/10.

This post has been edited by kadajawi: May 27 2013, 04:07 AM

Fast & Furious 6 (2013)


Caught this over the weekend. My verdict is : it's a fun movie and fits the franchise. Is it worth the ticket? Well, if you're a fan of the series and don't care much for overly complicated plot or physics, then go watch this by all means. If you are a physics nut that wants realism then forget it.

Furious 6, as the title sequence labels it, re-unites Dominic Torreto (Vin Diesel), Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker), Mia Torreto (Jordana Brewster) and their team. It also sees Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson reprising his role as the 'tough-as-nails' DSS agent Hobbs. This movie takes place about 1 year after FF5 left off. Using the money gotten from the heist in FF5, the members of the team are now scattered across the globe, each doing their own thing. Dom is living a quiet life with Elena (the female Brazilian cop from FF5) and Brian is playing daddy to his son with Mia in a serene house overlooking the sea.

Their idyllic lives are then shattered when Hobbs turns up in Dom's front porch bearing a file and photo. Hobbs asks Dom to assemble his team and help out. Dom refuses at first until he saw that it was Letty in the pic. Dom then agrees to help Hobbs and together with Brian, they assemble the team. Brian negotiates for full pardon of their previous crimes for all in the team and Hobbs agrees if they manage to bring down the bad guy in this movie, Owen Shaw.

This time Dom and gang are on the right side of the law but they are up against Shaw who is no two bit criminal. He's an cunning and cold mastermind that hijacks military convoys for top secret components. Shaw has also got Letty (who has lost her memories) working for him. The 2 opposing teams clash in a game of cat and mouse played out using cool and fast cars on the streets. Dom in interested in getting Letty back. Brian is trying to make amends for almost causing Letty's death in FF4 while Hobbs is only interested in apprehending Shaw.

The climax sees the gang going up against a tank and later against an huge cargo aircraft on what seems like the longest runway on the face of the earth. My advise is to throw logic out the window, sit back and enjoy the ride. The action sequences are great to watch and the team is back with their familiar characters.

Oh and stay back for a while during the credits and catch the teaser for the upcoming Fast & Furious 7 with one familiar action star making his debut in the Fast and Furious franchise.

This post has been edited by shootkk: May 27 2013, 10:22 AM

fast 6 watched on saturday:
testosterone overdose movie like expendables
action packed all the way
common sense and logic non-existence
still prefer fast 5 because

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

I'm only 20 mins into the movie, and already I'm bowled over

WHAT A SPECTACLE!!!

Now I really wish I had watched this in the cinema, in 3D...

Sam Raimi and James Franco.

I do believe Sam is trying to make up to James for NOT giving him the lead in Spidey!!

This movie cost USD 215,000,000 to make, and it really REALLY shows!

No don't get me wrong, the first Wizard of Oz, was made by MGM (the biggest movie company of during the time) and it is now a classic. Disney had always been "envious" of that.

They made Return to Oz (1985) a supposed sequel but the general public never really "warmed" to it.

To amend that, the have since release this.

Having said that, I really have a feeling that Sam Raimi is trying to pull a Tim Burton... Only brighter...

Okay. let me finish this movie and I'll be back!!

**** Update 7th June 2013 ****

My, intermission are long ain't it!!

I have managed to finished OZ the Great and Wonderful

As prosaic as James Franco was hosting the Academy Awards, he is always quite animated in his movie.

Is he a Great and Powerful OZ??

Not really... and THAT is not a bad thing (watch the movie, and you will know what I mean).

I don't think L. Frank Baum wrote this story.

His works most likely, inspired it.

If you have watched MGM's The Wizard of Oz (1939) and like that.

You will definitely LOVE this.

So much homage and attention to details are paid tribute to that movie... Inspired really.

A true prequel to The Wizard of OZ.

A word of caution. Although this is a prequel, if you have not watched The Wizard of Oz (1939) before, do watch THAT first before you watch this.

I think that would be better sequencing (eg. will not spoil The Wizard of Oz for you)

As AVFAN had stated, a true Family viewing indeed!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 7 2013, 03:31 PM

The Heir Apparent: Largo Winch (2008)

Can you say, multiple personality??

This is apparently a very well received comic book in France, which had been adapted to this movie.

Also, not the first attempt, before this movie, a TV series ans TV movie were made.

So... being French, it does not conform to the norm Hollywood formula.

Unfortunate for this movie, THAT is not a good thing...

It tried to hard to be everything to everyone!!?!

Meaning??

It tried to be James Bond for James Bond fans.

It also tries to be Jason Bourne to Jason Bourne fans and etc, etc... You catch my drift...

Tomer Sisley is the lead, cannot say I've seen him in anything before, but then I'm not a big European cinema viewer...

He does, I suppose, have some leading man quality looks and German!!

Lead actress, really not much to say.

Story, I know people who reads my reviews will know that I ALWAYS complain about not having enough story in a movie... I'm gonna do a 180 degrees turn around here and say, this movie has TOO MUCH story!! So much so by the end, all I can say is.... meh...?

The worst thing about this movie is the editing.

The past and present is so badly cut together, you can hardly tell them apart, making following and relating to the characters a chore...

Many a time, I was tempted to just stop viewing this movie...

Filmed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the landscape is different.

Not much else I can say...

For what's it's worth....

My Two Sen

Star trek into darkness

#Spoiler Alert

It is highly entertaining, with plot twists and amazing acting from the cast. CG blends in nicely in this sci fi action thriller. It even indirectly asks questions to the audience relating to choices in life. With me scrambling for the Star Trek 2009 movie after I've exited the cinema, this movie had certainly impressed me in ways I didn't expect.

9.5/10

This post has been edited by LiMi: Jun 3 2013, 07:30 PM

Great review but spoiler filled..LOL. I AM KHAN!!!

Best film of 2013 for me. I like that the trailer didn't reveal much, not showing all the goods and when you watch it at the movies, you get blown away. The action sequence were grand and spectacular. The story were engaging and nicely paced..I liked the plot twists. Cumberbatch was a brilliant villain and the stand out performer..definitely better than Nero (Bana) in the first film.

Like you, when i went home, i straight away went to rewatch the The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek (2009).

9/10 for me! Brilliant!

This post has been edited by lerijiso: Jun 3 2013, 05:51 PM

Im not so pro to be able to review without spoilers Added spoilers

true, the trailer actually serves to confuse you at some scenes, portraying Harrison as the clear cut bad guy. In reality it's not quite.

This post has been edited by LiMi: Jun 3 2013, 07:33 PM

BandSlam (2009)


Do you like romantic comedy? Do you like music? Do you like high school movies? If you said 'yes' to all three questions then go watch Bandslam. This is a 2009 movie. Yes. It's been quite a while but a good movie's still a good movie, right?

Starring Vanessa Hudgens (of High School Musical fame), Aly Michalka and Gaelan Connell in the leads, Bandslam is the story about 3 persons that forms an unlikely relationship around music.

Will Burton (Gaelan Connell) is the boy that is the target of all bullies in high school. He's not good looking. He's a bit of a geek and the popular guys and gals avoid him like the plague. He ends up moving to another state and a new high school and tries to start life anew.

There, he meets Sa5m (Vanessa Hudgens) whose name is pronounced as Sam because the 5 is silent. Sa5m is also an outcast of sorts in the school and Will realises that he and Sa5m has to do Social Studies class project together. Will also learns that in his new high school, Bandslam is a big thing. Bandslam is a competition for high school bands and the winner gets a recording contract.

Will also crosses paths with Charlotte, a senior in the school. Charlotte is pretty, sexy and popular and was once the captain of the cheerleaders. Charlotte approaches Will and befriends him much to Will's surprise. It turns out that Charlotte is the vocalist for a band of her own that is made up of the rejects of Charlotte's ex-boyfriends's band called 'Ben Whitley and the Glory Dogs'. Will, who knows a lot about music, gets strongarmed by Charlotte into managing her band.

Will gathers a few other people to join Charlotte's band and they start to sound pretty good. Meanwhile he finds himself falling for Sa5m. They decide to join Bandslam also with their new band called 'I Can't Go On, I'll Go On'. As the competition draws near, Will and Sa5m's relationship is put to the test and Charlotte's ditches the band last minute when her father passes away. Is this the end for Will's band or will Will find the will to go on?

This movie features a lot of good music and some of them are performed by Aly Michalka and Vanessa Hudgens themselves. The story is also heartwarming and the acting feels real. The leads are quite convincing in their roles. There's some laughs throughout and the movie is never boring despite it not being an action movie.

Recommended.

The Guillotines 血滴子 (2012)

Okay, before being tarred and feathered, please let me write the review first!!!

Seriously!!

First things first, this is NOT by far a good movie...

Heck! It isn't even a fair movie...

And it is a damn shame.

In the seventies, Shaw Brothers made several well accepted Flying Guillotines movies.

And the main thing people go to watch, is the flying guillotine...

In this movie, they spent too much time making the mechanics of the object too complex (and impossible). The term flying guillotine as people who use the weapon.

They tried to make the movie about the people, and frankly, I thought is was refreshing, but unfortunately, the execution was just a mess...

It was ugly.

The kind of ugly that switching the lights off would not help....

In short, fair story, HORRIBLE movie

They even tried the Jesus in the Desert scene... I KID you not...

My Two Sen

After Earth (2013)

Hmm.... Hate is in the air...

I watched this movie this afternoon, and here is a few observations

The Good

The Production design for this movie is inspirational... All their designs, from the residence to space ship looks "organic" in design (eg inspired by nature)

Jaden Smith survival suit is way cool

The super structure of the space craft look like "bone" structure.

Residential look like termites mount, and the material used looks like things that can be recycled over and over again.

M. Night Shyamalan's work in The Last Air Bender, although huge criticized the world over, kind make the look of this movie work. The digital camera work and the CGI (Earth and fantastic future creatures) is seamless. Very good work.

The Bad

The father and son story is actually not bad, but seems a little.... forced. M. Night Shyamalan made a movie for his kids, in The Lady in the Water (widely hammered). Apparently Will Smith thinks he can write too... Not enough depth, by far...

The Ugly

I'm not gonna say that Jaden Smith is terrible, I think he needs to work at his skills, if acting is truly his passion. Having a famous father does not help. I find myself over picking, because he is Will Smith's son... He has to learn to how to sell the scene. Based on past record, M. Night Shyamalan was able to get an amazing performance for Haley Joel Osment (11 at the time) in The Sixth Sense. But then, he got terrible work from Noah Ringer (The Last Air Bender)

Jaden Smith is 15, and Nada, zilch and nothing...!! It is heart breaking... I can also feel Will Smith pulling back so that his son can shine, but...

I notice people like giving out stars in this column.

If I were to give out stars for this movie, it would be 4.5 stars out of 10...

My Two Sen

Now You See Me (2013)

Ah, Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson reunion after the Zombieland (2009)!

I'm wondering why Dave Franco gets into so many big films (this and the Fright Night (2011) remake) and originally, I thought maybe he has a great agent.

After a quick search turns out his is James Franco's brother!!

He is under used but good here!!

Louis Leterrier proves that he can make a good movie (Clash of the Titans [2010] *groan*)!!

Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (producers) are fast becoming my favorite producers, being involved in works like Eagle Eye (2009), Star Trek (2009), Fringe (2009), Hawaii Five-0 (2010) & Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) (they are usually J.J. Abrams partners in crime and surprisingly, NOT involved in Star Wars 7)

Let's take notes

1) Story
2) Production
3) Casting (Although I do believe that some characters are under used/develop, you will be very surprise who)

8.5 stars out of ten!

So, what are you waiting for, run, DON'T walk, to you nearest cinema and watch this.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 10 2013, 12:03 AM

Man of Steel (2013)

This movie has more action in it first 15 mins compare to many other action films!!!

I kid you NOT!!

Casting:

Russell Crowe
Kevin Costner
Diane Lane
Cooper Timberline + Dylan Sprayberry who looks like Henry Cavill only younger!!

I feel a few miscast (please refer to peeves)

Story:

I am actually very VERY familiar with the superman storyline, from the comic books (Curt Swan - John Bryne period), TV series from Superman (1941), Adventures of Superman (1952–1958), Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993), Smallville, to the animation to all the motion pictures....

Trust me, I know the superman material....

I actually like Superman Returns (2006) by Bryan Singer (don't kill me), So what do I think of this script!! In a word, EPIC!!

Huge, HUGE storyline.

Planet Krypton never looked so alien. Although homage was paid to the old Curt Swan series (I know most of you young'un have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about).

Director Zack Snyder also paid homage to alot of big movies (Avatar and Matrix comes to mind)... and have to add, it actually added to the movie.

I do have a few peeves about it (please refer to peeves)

Action

One word. Big. really REALLY BIG. Smallville and Metropolis will never be the same...

Peeves



This movie is gong to make so much money, it is NOT going to be funny.

Bring on the Justice League!!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 14 2013, 02:00 AM

World War Z (2013)

I have chosen a bad time to watch this.

Am in a bit of a rut and this movie is very VERY BLEAK!!

From a script to a movie, there are actually very little wrong with this movie.

It is not creative or original by any sense (eg. you could have plugged this at the beginning of any Resident Evil movies, and it would work), I would however give points to this movie for grounding it to reality!

If a 'viral' outbreak happens, however developed a nation is, things will spiral down very VERY quickly (unless you are living in Japan [Fukusima anyone??])

Surprisingly, this movie is not as gory as I thought it would be. Maybe Brad Pitt is going the way of Mark Walhberg. He is now a family man and he wants to be in movie that would not shock his children too much.

Even the solution of the movie, isn't terribly original, but have to emphasize it is grounded in reality...

Good movie, bad timing (for me)

My Two Sen

Freaking love this movie, even watching the trailers multiple times since early 2013, still managed to be good. Sad that TGV cut off pretty early. Only bad part was the script, it was down-right a nightmare. 9/10 and Isla Fisher is hot! And i was waiting for you to add the movie quote.

Sorry... movie quote...

You must understand, I'm old and infirm... what movie quote...