Zestful One

[Movie Review] Babylon A.D. (no spoilers)

Posted by IcedNyior on August 28, 2008  |  6 Comments

Short intro of the movie : Toorop (Vin Diesel) is a mercenary surviving in the very run down land of Russia. His appearance is of one that has seen many things in his life and killed many people, hardened with scars on his face. He is then assigned to deliver a girl from a convent in Khazakstan to New York. She looks innocent but something lurks between those glassy eyes. What is her secret? And who are these people that are after her?

Have you guys seen the trailer for this? Vin Diesel with his growly voice fighting, Michelle Yeoh with her flying kicks and that awesome awesome scene with where the missle exploded around the girl (Melanie Thierry) and the flames just swirled around her without hurting her.

Well, this is yet another case of trailer-is-better-than-the-movie. In the beginning the movie was exciting, with the fighting and the shooting but after that, it was all just boring. And the ending? This is the movie that will make you go “What? That’s it?!?!”

Interesting story but the ending was such a dissapointment. Even the director himself Mathieu Kassovitz isn’t happy with the movie. He said there were too many cuts. So much so that even Vin Diesel joked “”Am I even in the movie any more, or am I on the cutting room floor?” [Source] Its sad when even the director and actors themselves aren’t too pleased with the movie.

My rating : 1.5 of 5 stars :(

Much thanks to Miu [review] for getting tickets to the premiere :) and even getting one extra for me at the very last minute. Hurley [review] and UncleFrog [review] was there tho I didn’t see them (and uncle sombong dowan to tegur me :().

Oh yea, did u guys notice the RELA ppl patrolling the cinema? Hoping to catch some people recording I think. Pls, who would want to show a cam version of such a lousy show.

[Review] Lions for Lambs

Posted by IcedNyior on November 12, 2007  |  2 Comments

Synopsis : Two determined students at a West Coast University, Arian and Ernest, follow the inspiration of their idealistic professor, Dr. Malley (Robert Redford), and attempt to do something important with their lives. But when the two make the bold decision to join the battle in Afghanistan, Malley is both moved and distraught. Now, as Arian and Ernest fight for survival in the field, they become the string that binds together two disparate stories on opposite sides of America. In California, an anguished Dr. Malley attempts to reach a privileged but disaffected student, who is the very opposite of Arian and Ernest. Meanwhile, in Washington D.C. the charismatic Presidential hopeful, Senator Jasper Irving (Tom Cruise), is about to give a bombshell story to a probing TV journalist (Meryl Streep) that may affect Arian and Ernest’s fates. As arguments, memories and bullets fly, the three stories are woven ever more tightly together, revealing how each of these Americans has a profound impact on each other–and the world.

I found this movie to be such an eyeopener. At first it appears to be three separate stories but as the movie progresses, it shows how interlinked the stories are. Its essentially a political drama, with Senators trying to convince journalists about their ‘big plan to save the world’, journalists who oppose and question the actions of the senators and the general public – how they feel about the situation and what do they do about it.

Loads of talking and debating in this movie. Hardly any action scenes so most some will find it boring – to be sure. Go if you’re interested in political dramas and keep abreast of the political issues. It centers around Americans and the war in Afghanistan.

“If you don’t stand for something, you might fall for anything” – Anything that the media, govn or people feed you. Profound words which are shown and explained in this movie.

Rating : (*)(*)(*)+Half

Review : Whisper

Posted by IcedNyior on September 29, 2007  |  1 Comment

All Max Truemont (Josh Holloway) wants is a chance to make a fresh start with his fiancee Roxanne (Sarah Wayne Callies) … but a bank loan is not easy to get when you’re a felon who’s previously been convicted of manslaughter. Max’s last resort – and only remaining choice – is to team up with two shady associates hired by an absent mastermind to kidnap the son of one of the richest women in the state. As they await ransom instructions, the group begins to turn on each other as past suspicions, betrayals and secrets inexplicability come into play. When the escalating events take a horrific turn, it soon becomes apparent to Max that the child may not be the innocent he first appeared to be.

I watched Whisper at Cineleisure after buka puasa the other day. It stars Josh Holloway – who acted as Sawyer in Lost – and Sarah Wayne Callies who acted as Dr Sara Tancredi in Prison Break. This movie is a thriller which didnt quite make the cut. Yes there was some suspense and shocking parts where I did jump in my seat, but it lacked the climaxing not *that* kinda of climax moment.

Josh Holloway seriously needs to work on his emotions face. Come on! Expressionless ok! Like a poker face. His lines all lack meaning and feeling. Sarah Callies always seems to have that deer-caught-in-headlights look. Why lahhh whyy?? I cant help thinking about her role as Sara Tincredi (and also the very yummy Wentworth Miller) – same damsel-in-distress-omg-i-need-help kind of character. But Blake Woodruf as David (the kid who got kidnapped) was superb with his haunting eyes and sharp stare.

The basic plot of the movie could be improved to be better. There should more background information about the characters and how they got to that point. And Roxanne’s role should be expanded more – she is basically just there for show in the movie, to fill in the vacancy for a female character. I guess, the only interesting twist in the storyline was the secret Rox has which is only revealed at the end of the movie.

Rating : (*) star