Insidious Film Review

Director: James Wan

Starring: Rose Byrne, Patrick Wilson, Barbara Hershey

Insidious is about a boy who succumbs into an unexplainable comatose which leads to supernatural events involving the devil himself.

You can easily tell the similarity of its style to Paranormal Activity, though less canted in shots. That being said, it was mostly the shots that made the film scary. It was a bit slow-paced but I love how subtle each scene was presented in the first half of the film.

Rose Byrne was amazing as usual but the rest of the cast were such a waste. The evil “lurkers” acted much better than the rest of them. Patrick Wilson always reminds me of a one dimensional theater actor.

It actually felt like I was watching two different films forcibly joined together with all the dream sequences of Rose Byrne and Barbara Hershey and the idea of having spirit questors to fight off the evil spirits.

The latter part of the film started to become unbearable but I opted to finish it hoping that the film could redeem itself and fortunately, it did. The last few scenes were scary and give you that creepy feeling as if someone’s about to get you while you sleep.

If you are into the supernatural horror genre, you should go and watch it but do not expect it to be that good for it may disappoint you big time.

My rating is 6/10

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Water For Elephants Film Review

Robinson Galleria, Cinema 7 P171

Director: Francis Lawrence

Starring : Reese Whiterspoon, Robert Pattinson, Christoph Waltz

I actually have not read the book version of this film so prior to watching this film; I do not have the slightest idea about it. I just thought that its trailer look promising and I love the leading actors in it.

Water for Elephants is about the young Cornell Veterinary undergrad Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) who found himself in the midst of the Circus world as the inhouse veterinarian and fell in love with Marlena (Reese Whiterspoon) , the wife of the circus’s owner August (Christoph Waltz) who gave him special treatment but is greed for money and is cruel to his crew.

Jacob and Marlena had the same passion for animals and their love ensues until August suspect them having an affair. The two escape by jumping off the circus's train but August easily discovered them. Marlena appeared in her last show as August’s wife and Benzini’s Circus star attraction when that fateful fight ensues that would change hers and Jacob’s life forever.

I thought Christoph Waltz was amazing as the villain August and was very much effective as the cruel Circus head master. His acting here reminds me of his award- winning Col. Hans Landa portrayal in Inglorious Basterds. He’s got that subtle darkness in him that lures you to hate him terribly. Pattinson was rather disconnected into this film. I didn’t feel enough emotion from him, there was too -much “Edward Cullen-ish” in his acting which isn’t good at all. Reese on the other hand kinda disappoint as the circus’ star attraction. For a short period of time, how could someone be so inlove with a perfect stranger???? Moreover, there was no chemistry between Reese and Robert at all. I also thought that the dialogues were a bit off.

However, the cinematography and the musical score are to die for. The scenery are exquisitely shot and the music was perfectly rendered. It thought the whole film was trying to be melancholic but failed into that category and leaves the audience into deep thinking – what the heck was that???!!!!

I’ll give it a 5/10 ratings.

- paddylast

Thor Film Review

Cinema: Gateway Cineplex 3 / P181 May 1, 2011

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman,Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Kat Dennings

I am not a big fan of any Marvel characters or any Nordic myths, which means I don’t have the brightest idea about Thor. I just know that he is the God of Thunder from word of mouth. Upon seeing the film’s trailer, I’d say that I was quite impressed by it and was excited to catch the film in the cinema.

Last Sunday, I was finally able to catch it and true enough, it didn’t disappoint me one bit. The film was basically about Thor who is vanished by his Father from his kingdom to teach him a lesson –from then one, events took place to regain what he had lost.

The film was actually a typical superhero film for me. There’s the hero, his love interest, the goody-goody thing that he does and of course, the bad guys. Chris Hemsworth in my opinion was perfect for the role. He was very charming and looks great. Whilst Natalie Portman maybe a great addition to the cast as the Scientist Jane Foster, I find her character excessively flirty and not being there at all. Darcy, her assistant had stolen the scenes from her by delivering the humor of the film along with the lead character, Thor.

The best part about the film is its visuals. I daresay that it’s the best film I’ve seen this year so far - for this technical aspect alone. It has the perfect formula of a good film. Okay lines, kinda great characters and stunning visual effects. One will be able to understand and enjoy it thoroughly.

I’ll give it a 9.5/10 ratings.

-paddylast

Beastly Film Review

Director – Daniel Barnz

Starring – Vanessa Hudgens, Alex Pettyfer, Mary Kate Olsen, Neil Patrick Harris

Sucker Punch and I Am Number Four, both films unanimously lured me to watch this film starred by Vanessa Hudgens and newcomer Alex Pettyfer. It is the modern re-telling of the classic Beauty and the Beast, which tells the story of Kyle Kingston (Alex Pettyfer), an arrogant young man who thinks that he, could get anything because he was blessed with good looks. After humiliating his classmate Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen) who is actually a witch, she casted a spell to disfigure him. The only cure is for him to find love in about a year or he would stay that way forever.

The film was actually the biggest disappointment for me this year so far in terms of the storyline. It didn’t quite work for me because it was very much predictable and was badly written. Every scene felt forced and there was no chemistry at all between Hudgens and Pettyfer. I thought Vanessa’s performance here was a far cry from her performance in Bandslam that I considered her best performance to date. I almost wished that she played Kendra and Mary Kate played her character. Neil Patrick Harris who played Kyle’s blind tutor seemed off to even be part of the film. Another actor could have played it better in my opinion.

The score was actually impressive but other than that, it lacks everything that you’ll be looking for a worthwhile film to spend your money into. It was a film that you may enjoy if you’re a big fan of its actors but as for the rest, it’ll just be a good two (almost) hours that you shouldn’t be wasting.

Rating: 4/10

Please Visit the Official Pinoy Exchange Reviews for more movie reviews!

-paddylast

Let Me In Film Review

On DVD

Director: Matt Reeves

Based On: Let The Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist

Starring: Chloe Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee

This film is about a bullied boy who befriends a new girl in his neighborhood. She encourages him to fight back to his bullies and he discovered that she’s no ordinary girl – she’s a young vampire lusting for blood and is looking for a new companion.

This film was actually one of my must-watch films on my list. I love Chloe Moretz playing the young vampire, Abby. I thought she’s fantastic as the young and lonely vampire. You can feel her sadness and that vicious persona in her eyes.

The boy, Kodi Smit-McPhee was as good delivering a superb performance, which is rather a reminiscent of his performance in The Road.

I love that the film is not predictable and went more violent in comparison to the original Swedish version. There is such a subtlety in the film that lures you into watching its entirety. It’s a great remake that can stand on its own without the merit of the first one. My rating for this film is 9/10 for giving me the creep that I’m expecting from it.

-paddylast

From Prada To Nada Film Review

On DVD

Director: Angel Gracia

Starring: Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Wilmer Valderrama, Nicholas D’Agosto, Kuno Becker

This riches to rags film is a re-imagining of Jane Austen’s Sense And Sensibility. Siblings Norah and Mary were orphaned by their father and are left with almost nothing but their belongings. Their estranged stepbrother bought their house and they and had no other choice but to live with their Aunt in a Mexican Town at East Los Angeles.

There, they needed to adjust with their new lifestyle. Learn their culture and discover a whole lot more about love and family.

I actually enjoyed watching this film. Camilla Belle who played Norah was definitely the star of the film. Both leads are not Oscar Material and dialogues are a bit awkward and lame but they pretty much complimented each other.

It was a feel good and a very ordinary film that will leave you smiling right after watching it.

I would give it a 7/10 Ratings.

-paddylast

Breaking Dawn: Illustrations of Bella Swan's Wedding Dress And As A Vampire

Out of all the Twilight Saga books by Stephenie Meyer, Breaking Dawn has got to be the most interesting one for me. The story is rich, the characters are cooler and it's such a superb ending for the saga about Bella and the Cullens. I came across this blog regarding Bella as a Vampire and her wedding dress. Both are illustrations that will appear on the The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide. As Twilight fans, we all know how Bella will have this extravagant wedding and her Vampire transformation would be a very interesting one since it would also be the time that she would give birth to her half human, half vampire daughter with Edward. Oops! Spoiler much?? Anyhoo, here are the illustrations courtesy of http://shelf-life.ew.com

What do you think?

The History Maker: The Femme Fatale Britney Spears

I'm so proud that Pop Queen Britney Spears has proven once again that she's one of the most powerful and legendary acts in the music industry in all of history by securing her sixth number one album through the critically acclaimed FEMME FATALE. This made Spears the only female artist in history to have six albums debuts at number one! Now that's what you call a LEGEND.

Out of all her albums, this one would challenge the BLACKOUT album as one of her best to date -- record-wise.

My favorite tracks off the album are:

How I Roll - This is my number 1 favorite. It kinda reminds me of Brave New Girl but way better! I love how you can dance with it and do the dougie! LOL

Till The World Ends - The video was just released today and I uber loved it. It's basically I'm A Slave 4 U 2.0 but the beat of this song is just crazy!!! Thank you Ke$ha for writing this for the Queen.

Big Fat Bass - This party perfection beat penned and produced by Will.I.Am has got to come out as a single. It's techno-electropop vibe is too addictive, you should all listen to it!

Hold It Against Me - I love that she chose this as her first single. When I first listened to it, I'm like --oh my, watch out wannabes' Britney is coming after you.

Criminal - This song kinda brings me back to the past. I love its lyrics and how sexy the sound is. "Mama I'm inlove with a criminal" -- how can you go wrong with this line??

Overall, I just have to paraphrase what Britney said about this album --it's definitely her best album to date!!!!

I posted like a week ago about the Grand Album Launch that we'll ba having here in Manila for the FEMME FATALE Album. I just haven't collected all the pictures but I will be posting it late this month. Better late than never right?

Anyhoo, let me promote the Pinoys Heart Britney Page guys. If you're a Pinoy Britney Fan or a simply a Britney Fan, like our page on Facebook. Pinoys Heart Britney and follow us on Twitter here PHB

I'm hoping against hope that Britney will include Manila on her tour!!! Pleaseeee!!!!

-paddylast

Hop Film Review

I was able to catch the advance screening of HOP last night in Glorietta 4 Cinema 3 with my friend D courtesy of pinoyexchange where I wrote a review of the film. Here's what I thought of it --this review was first posted on the official PEx Movie Review thread.

The film focuses on E.B.--son of the Easter Bunny--who dreams of becoming a drummer instead of taking over his father’s job, and Fred, a happy go lucky human who accidentally injures E.B. and eventually helps him overcome the evil plan of the Easter chick Carlos to destroy Easter.

This film does not really require a great deal of dissection. We could easily relate with E.B’s character, someone who dreams big but is caught in an inevitable obligation; while Fred is someone who’s always yearning for something else in life without actually having any clue on what that is.

I thought the whole film was a bit slow, though it is highly entertaining especially to the kids who truly enjoy the antics of the very cute E.B. as well as the chicks’ characters. It is incomparable to Toy Story or Shrek or even the most recent film Rango, but it has the elements of a good film.

Its trailer alone is fun to watch but after watching the whole film, you’ll see that the story lacks depth. But hey! Who needs depth if you can just laugh along with the kids in the cinema?

I’m giving it a 7.5/10 rating.

Visit PinoyExchange Movie Review for more Film Reviews

-paddylast

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