I Am Number Four Film Review

Director: D.J Caruso

On DVD

Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Dianna Agron, Timothy Olyphant, Callan McAullife

Watching this film is like watching an episode of TV series’ Roswell meets DarkAngel. John was from planet Lorien along with his guardian and is being hunted by the Mogadorians who are killing the remaining nine “special Loriens” in chronological order. They’ve already killed Number 1, 2 and 3 and John’s next. Now, he needs to change his identity (for the nth time) and try not to be killed.

I was quite impressed by the film’s premise but thought that the acting of its actors are very weak specially Dianna Agron’s character who played John / Number 4’ s love interest. It was a bit Glee-ish and disconnected. Alex Pettyfer playing the title role was very enigmatic on screen but needs more depth. There are unnecessary and prolonged scenes that I find distracting. I love that they showed Number Six, though, and I’m hoping that the producers aren’t going to kill her for the upcoming ‘I Am Number…” franchise (if there’ll be any.)

It is not technically good but it was a very enjoyable film because it has the story to keep you curious and wait for the next one. For this alone, I’ll be giving the film a 6.5/10 ratings.

-paddylast

Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Grand Launching In Manila!

Calling all my fellow Britney Spears fans to join us celebrate the grand launching of the 7th Studio Album of Pop Royalty Miss Britney Spears entitled "FEMME FATALE"

The grand launching will take place at the SM Megamall Event Center on the 2nd of April, 4PM.

Please confirm your attendance thru this Facebook Page:

http://on.fb.me/hR5haN

Let's all make this album her 6th number one album!!!!

See you there!!!

-paddylast

Rango Film Review

Eastwood Mall, Cinema 6

March 11, 2011

P180.00

Director: Gore Verbinski

Starring

Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin

Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Winstone, Timothy Olyphant

I've been dying to watch this film since I saw it's funny trailer last year and I'm so glad that this Johnny Depp led animated film didn't disappoint.

Rango was initially an unnamed chameleon who's got no friends but some toys and a dead cricket. He got stranded in a Nevada dessert where he met the female lizard named Beans who took him to the Dirt Town populated by desert animals .

Here, Rango presented himself as a tough drifter who killed several "drifters" with one bullet and eventually killing the feared hawk accidentally who tried to prey him earlier in the film. Because of this, the town mayor appoints him to be the town's sheriff.

Meanwhile, the water reserved of the town are dangerously low and has been robbed mysteriously. Rango stepped up to find the robbers and came to a conclusion that it could be the mayor who's actually behind the robbery recalling the mayor's words that whoever controls the water, controls everything. With this, he devices a plan to confront the mayor but was confronted by the rattlesnake through the sly mayor's command and made him admit all his lies. Rango was asked to leave the town but came back after realizing that he needs to help the town's inhabitants.

I totally love this film, the music and the graphics are impeccable. Rango is such an adorable chameleon, watching him reminds me of Colin Firth in A Single Man for some reasons. The whole thing about the "water" issue was the main focal point of the film; though I find it a bit prolonged (not draggy) , it was still good, I mean the scenes are perfectly narrowed into a cohesive yet dynamic collection of dialogues, music and animation.

The social relevance of it was subtly presented in such a way that you can laugh about it but it'd also make you think deeper on what the "issue" is about. Is it about Oil? Money? Naturally, whoever control these stuffs controls everything. It has this powerful message that politically slap everyone's consciousness that YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

So there, this film is not only for kids and kids alike but for everyone who's looking for a good laugh and some good insights about life, friendship and corny as it may sound, the society.

I'd give this a 9.5 ratings.

-paddylast

Red Riding Hood Film Review

Trinoma Mall, Cinema 1
Press Screening, 03.08.2010

Last night, I was able to catch the press screening of the Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried, Billy Burke and more... I will be re-posting the Pinoy Exchange review once they posted it.

Red Riding Hood is the tale of a young lady named Valerie (Amanda Seyfried) who is in love with the woodcutter Peter (Shiloh Fernandez) but was arranged to marry the wealthy Henry (Played by Max Irons). Unwilling to marry Henry, Valerie and Peter plan to runaway just when her sister was found slaughtered by the wolf that has been lurking around their village for years. With this, famed wolf hunter Father Solomon (Gary Oldman) was asked to kill the beast.

As the death toll rises, Father Solomon warns the villagers that the beast maybe one of them. Valerie then discovers that she has a special connection with the wolf, suspecting that the creature could be someone she loves.

The start was very fast-paced. From the moment that they found out that Valerie’s sister was slaughtered, the villagers plotted to kill the wolf themselves but were unsuccessful that it even causes more deaths. With Father Solomon’s arrival, which kind of gave me that “Van Helsing Just Arrived” vibes, it was apparent that he’ll be the one to actually create havoc in the village rather than the wolf itself. I just don’t get his character. Why is he bossing around people in the village when in fact it is obvious that it was not the majorities who called for him to be summoned and kill the beast?

When the wolf arrived and cornered Valerie and talked to her, the guessing game furiously started as everybody she loves was a suspect. That guessing part was almost good and suspenseful; I just wish that there’s more action to the narrative rather than just a plain explanation because it kind of lacks the connection. The big reveal was almost anti-climactic but it was still good given that it was not too much of a giveaway.

In conclusion, I think the film was trying too hard to be darker than what it shows in its trailer and was not very successful. It was still a good two hours guessing who the werewolf is and lamenting how some scenes could’ve been executed better.

Overall, I’d give it a 6/10 rating.

-this is an excerpt of my review courtesy of PinoyExchange Official Movie Reviews. -please visit link for a more detailed review and join in the community as well.

-paddylast

The Adjustment Bureau Film Review

03.05.2011 1:15Am

Gateway Cineplex

P180 LFS w/D

Director: George Nolfi

Starring: Matt Damon and Emily Blunt

I've been waiting for this film for like forever since I saw it's trailer last year. With it's interesting premise and the amazing duo of Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, I am more than excited to see it!

The Adjustment Bureau was based on the short story written by Philip K. Dick entitled, "The Adjustment Team." It's a romance / mystery film that tackles the choices that we make in life. The Adjustment Bureau pertains to a group of men wearing hats who introduces themselves as the watchdog of every people's plan or destiny. Making sure that what is written in the "book" of their life happened as it is. David Norris played by Matt Damon is running for the United States senate. He loses and met the girl who changed the rest of his life. Both fell for each other but the Adjustment Bureau told Matt that meeting Elyse again(Emily Blunt) is not part of his plan. A plan made and written by whom they call the "Chairman."

With David not agreeing at all to let go of Elyse, he devices a plot to change that plan by the help of Harry who is a part of the Adjustment Bureau who feels responsible for what has happened to David, unable to intercept the meeting of David and Elyse for the second time which is not supposed to happen in the first place. David decided to tell Elyse everything and run for their life in hopes of being together notwithstanding what has been planned for them.

It was truly an interesting premise but it just didn't live up to it's promise. It is not "Inception-mind boggling" but it is more of a version of "Inception minus the dreams." In short, it lacks narrative which is supposed to carry on the whole film. I have to admit though, that Matt Damon and Emily Blunt's chemistry was undeniable that you can truly feel their love and the intensity of their emotion.

Analyzing the film now, I was thinking that it may pertain to different aspects of life such as freewill, choices, destiny, faith, fate. The film was like telling us "You cannot control your destiny because It's already been written but it also delivers the message that you're the one who's making all the choices regarding your destiny thus you're really the one controlling it." Absolutely crazy right? I mean, it's up to one's belief of destiny or life as it is, whichever you'd take.

I thought the whole first and second half of the film was a tad bit draggy. It's a bit long to be honest and I only enjoyed the first ten and the last 20 minutes of the film. I would still recommend it though, it's still a good film to lounge over for a couple of hours.

I'll give it a 6.5/10 ratings.

-paddylast