The Kids Are All Right Film Review

On DVD.

Director: Lisa Cholodenko

Annette Bening

Julianne Moore

Mark Ruffalo

Mia Wasikowska

Josh Hutcherson

The Kids Are All Right has got to win something at the Oscars. This was my first reaction immediately after watching the film on DVD. It goes to show that you don’t really need to spend millions to create something as refreshing and as grandiose (story-wise) as this film. It is definitely a very, very good watch. It’s fresh, raw and very well acted.

Plot: Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore) are lesbian couple who have each given birth to a child using the same sperm donor. Their youngest child Laser (Josh Hutcherson) was eager to meet his sperm donor Father but was very young to contact the facility so he asked his 18-year old sis Joni (Mia Wasikowska) to make the call and have them meet their biological father Paul played by Mark Ruffalo. The meeting went well and that’s the beginning of Paul’s entrance to the family.

Jules have a landscaping businnes and Paul asks her to landscape his garden. Jules immediately said yes but Nic thinks that it's not a very good idea since they are initially uncomfortable with the idea of Paul spending time with the kids. While doing the work at Paul's garden, Jules was very thankful and suddenly kissed Paul which end up in bed and they begin to have an affair.

At the dinner in Paul's house, Nic discovered the affair when she found Jule's hair in Paul's bathroom and bed. She confronted Jules and regretfully admits the affair. Nic was distraught so as the kid who are angry at Paul and Nic.

Jules eventually addressed her family and begs for forgiveness. Joni went to college and Laser told his Mom's not to break up because they're too old. Both giggles at Laser's comments and the film ended showing them smiling at each other.

The dinner at Paul's house would have to be one of my favorite scenes in the film! Annet Benning has got to win the Oscars! She is FANTASTIC! While watching this film, I am a little bit embarrassed by Nic’s actuation –it was just amazing! I cried when Jules had her speech in front of the family apologizing, explaining marriage and all! With the line“Sometimes you hurt the one you love the most” which is indeed true. The whole ensemble was great except for Mark Ruffalo’s who’s presence I didn’t feel that much. I find no depth at all –or am I supposed to look for one? LOL.

I’d give this a 9.5/10 ratings.

A Serbian Film Review

"Srpski film"

Director: Srđan Spasojević

Starring: Sergej Trifunović, Srđan Todorović

I wasn't aware of this film until recently when I discovered it from a forum where I am a very active poster. It just pique my curiousity because according to some posters, it was one of the most disturbing films they've ever seen. I'm like, more disturbing than Gigli (?) hahaha. When I read its synopsis in IMDb, I immediately felt sick but I was still interested to watch it. I downloaded the movie from the net and watched it right away.

Watching it could get a bit draggy if not for the gory scenes depicted each time I blink my eyes. It's beyond gory to be honest. The torture sex scene, the baby scene, the rape are beyond comprehension. It is an intelligent film if you go beyond its visuals. From where it was filmed, you could easily tell that it's beyond art that pushes this film to be as fantastic as it is --that is -- concept wise.

(a screencap of probably the most heart wrenching and disturbing scene in the film history)

Is it disturbing? Yes. Is it too gory to watch? Yes. Is it worth your time? Yes. Watch it, you'd actually enjoy it. Savor the experience. Feel the pain, feel it's tragic storyline, after-which-- you'll never be the same again.

Ratings: 8.5/10

-paddylast

Paranormal Activity 2 Film Review

Trinoma Mall
Nov.7, 2010
P160 with Dee.

Director: Tod Williams
Starring
Katie Featherston
Micah Sloat
Brian Boland
Sprague Grayden
Molly Ephraim
Tim Clemens

I wasn't really planning to watch this film last night but I got curious with its trailer. I don't find the first one scary at all and I'd like to know if this one's actually better than the first one. Well, I'd say the scenes are better which are more subtle yet creepier. The film's actually about Katie's (the protagonist from the first film) sister who is also terrorized by the demon (apparently because of her first born male) --it's a good premise. Lots of startling scenes and the actors are actually --well, good.

I'd give it an 8.5/10 ratings.

-paddylast

Eat, Pray, Love Film Review

Gateway Cineplex 3

October 09, 2010

with Malcolm

Director: Ryan Murphy

Starring: Julia Roberts, Billy Crudup, James Franco, Javier Bardem, Viola Davis, Richard Jenkins, Christine Hakim

It was after the Oscar this year when I found out that Julia Roberts will have another film (other than Valentine's Day -where she shared the screen with practically everyone in Hollywood) for which she top-billed the role of the writer Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote the book where the movie was based. I've been waiting for this film for like forever and It was only shown here two months after it's release in the States.

Was it worth the wait? I'd say Yes because Julia is simply one of my favorite actresses and seeing her being "Julia" again even though she's playing a real life character makes me love her even more. The film was engaging and funny at times--not very moving at all but it would make you think something about life. About freedom, choices --what exactly do you want to do in life?

My only problem with this film was that it tends to be a bit draggy. It was 2 hours and 22 minutes long and I'm like --Okay, so when does she go to India? My favorite part would have to be her Italian escapade. It makes me want to go to Rome --and seriously, I HAVE TO GO TO ITALY!

James Franco was very charming as usual but I did not really connect with his character while Javier Bardem on the otherhand was such a darling to watch!

I'd probably recommend this film to people who loves watching long "Julia Robert" films --I'm not expecting too much from this film because I really haven't read the book (which I ought to do soon) --but I'd say I really did enjoy it --it was really a feel good film.

Ratings: 7.5/10

Who's Playing Renesmee Cullen?

Young Actress Mackenzie Foy is said to play the half-human half-vampire child of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan of Twilight Saga's fourth installment, the Breaking Dawn. I kinda like this girl's look--pale and cute. She's good enough for me to play Renesmee Cullen. As a Twilight Saga fan, I'm pretty excited to see where Director Bill Condon would cut this first part of the saga's last installment. I hope he'd cut it after Bella gives birth to Renesmee. :)

Here's my Renesmee interpretation using Mackenzie's pic.

Updated

Apparently there will be five young actresses that will play the half-vampire, half-human child of Edward and Bella named Renesmee that we’re going to see on the second part of the last installment of the Breaking Dawn that will be shown November of next year.

MacKenzie Foy will be the first Renesmee and she will have Rachel St. Gelais, Sierra Pitkin, Eliza Faria and Christie Burke as Renesmee in stages of her accelerated growth.

I apologize for my poor editing skills J

Sierra Pitkin

Eliza Faria

Rachel St. Gelais

Christie Burke

Charlie St.Cloud Film Review

SM Megamall Cinema 10

September 27, 2010 7PM

with Malcolm.

Directed by Burr Steers

based on the novel of Ben Sherwood (novel)

Starring

Starring

Zac Efron

Kim Basinger

Ray Liotta

Amanda Crew

Charlie Tahan

I was once again lucky enough to get invites to a red carpet premiere of a film, this time for Charlie St.Cloud starring Zac Efron which will have a wide release on September 29. I was quite surprised with how Zac Efron matured as an actor. I'd say I'm very much impressed with his Charlie St.Cloud persona where you could easily feel his pain for losing his brother.

Charlie Tahan who played his kid brother Sam was very good as well. The over-all presentation of the film was good. Nice sceneries, very melancholic, great camera shots though, it's a bit predictable because I easily pointed out to my friend during the film that Tess (his love interest)

was probably dead or may be dead.Don't worry though, she didn't die. Charlie have this thing about seeing dead people like his friend Sullivan and kid brother Sam.There was also a foreshadowing of Tess being/maybe "dead" when Charlie found her in her father's graveyard with her head bleeding -- and her "come find me" note to Charlie.

I would give a good recommendation for the film not because it is that great but because it is a feel good film which will make you realize that "sometimes we have to let go of some things in order for us to move on" and how people are getting second chances for a reason.

I'll give it a 7.5/10 ratings.

-paddylast

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Film Review

Gateway Cineplex Cinema 5-3D

September 24, 2010

with Malcolm.

P270.00

Directed by Zac Snyder

Starring

Jim Sturgess

Geoffrey Rush

Emily Barclay

Anthony LaPaglia

David Wenham

Ryan Kwanten

Helen Mirren

Sam Neill

Hugo Weaving

I've high expectations for this film and I was just a bit disappointed with it's lack of excitement. I love that it's almost in full 3D and I enjoyed it visually but was ultimately let-down by the whole story. I can't find the 'spunk' that I saw in its trailer. Graphics are exemplary --the best thing about it is its musical score. It's not that bad of a film and I would consider watching it for the second time but I still won't enjoy it as much as my friend Malcolm did. The audience' consensus was like "It was just an OK film."

Ratings: 6.5/10

-paddylast

M. Night Shyamalan' Devil Film Review

SM Megamall Cinema 6

September 21, 2010

Red Carpet Premiere

with Dominic

Director by John Erick Dowdle

Produced by M. Night Shyamalan, John Erick Dowdle, Drew Dowdle and Sam Mercer

Starring Chris Messina, Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem

Woodbine

I've got a couple of invites for the premiere night of "Devil," being the first of The Night Chronicles Trilogy by its producer Mr.Shyamalan. (thanks PEX) I wasn't expecting much for this film since I'm not really a big fan of this genre.

I find the whole film a bit stereotypical with the Devil taking advantage of one man's soul and the protagonist redeeming himself in the end --which eventually prevents the devil from taking his soul.

It was a bit draggy at the beginning and it just continue to build up by the time everyone in the audience have guessed who really the devil was with it's premise of five people being trapped inside an elevator and one of them is the Devil.

So Who is the Devil?

I'd give it a 6.5/10 ratings.

Just watch out for it on DVD.

Resident Evil: Afterlife Film Review

Gateway Cineplex

September 9, 2010

with D. P171.00

Director: Paul W. S. Anderson

Starring: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Wentworth Miller, Kim Coates, Spencer Locke, Shawn Roberts, Boris Kodjoe

If not for Milla Jovovich, I wouldn't even give this 4th installment of Resident Evil any good credits --if there's even any. I was so disappointed that I started to think "What's 'effin happening to Hollywood?." Where are the good 'ol action/ horror/ thriller films? Where's the subtance of this film? Why the repetitive scenarios? Why the Matrix rip-off? Why Oh Why??????

It's just all too

And can I just add how comical it was to have Michael Scofield (ehem, I mean Wentworth Miller) to play Chris Redfield -- Claire's brother.

Two reasons to love this film: Milla Jovovich and Ali Larter.

Ratings: 3.5/10

-paddylast

Despicable Me Film Review

Gateway Cineplex 7
P181 with D.


Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, Sergio Pablos

Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Elsie Fisher

Watching this film was truly a delightful experience because it's dubiously funny, free-spirited and well --very touching.

There's a lot of good things to talk about this film.

First, there's Gru - claiming to be a super villain (Steve Carell is genius!), how I love his accent! Gru is such a character to watch -- a very tender soul inside but a funny and kind of evil in a weird/ humorous way in person.

and then the Minions, they are just the cutest thing ever - they're funny, smart and dependable! LOL

There's the three orphan girls namely Margo, Edith and Agnes -- they're just so adorable!

There are tons of good scenes in this film but my favorite would have to be the part when they went to the Super Silly Fun Land and Gru got that Fluffy Unicorn toy for Agnes! It was just so hillarious!


I could watch this film a million times and still laugh and be moved by it. It's a perfect family movie!


I'd give a deserving 9 /10 ratings for this film.

-paddylast

The Last Exorcism Film Review

Eastwood Cinema 3
P181 with malcolm

Director: Daniel Stamm

Starring

Patrick Fabian

Iris Bahr

Louis Herthum

Ashley Bell

Last night my friend Malcolm and I were choosing to watch between Despicable Me and The Last Exorcism and we opted to watch the latter thinking that It'd only be release for a limited time. Just how we regretted choosing this film!It's probably one of the worst films I've seen in ages -- It's "Paranormal Activiy" gone bad.

What's so wrong about this film?

- The Trailer was way better than the film. You'd wish it was as short as the film's teaser.

- The film was trying too hard to scare with a little success. (meh-- because It ain't scary at all.)

positive?

There are a couple of startling scenes but that's just the consolation you would get from watching it. Actors were good specially the girl playing Nell (Ashley Bell)

Ratings: 4.5/10

-paddylast

Mamarazzi Film Review

SM Megamall Cinema 12

P160 with D

Director: Joel Lamangan

Starring

Eugene Domingo

John Lapus

Diether Ocampo

Carla Abellana

Andi Eigenmann

AJ Perez

I wasn't so keen to watch this film in the cinema but I figured that It would be a great pass time since it was top billed by Eugene Domingo. I was expecting to laugh from start to finish and I just did. The comedy isn't fresh at all but Eugene's take on acting is beyond amazing. She's a really,really funny and intelligent woman. It's not a smart film but it's a "fun" one. The only "annoying" or "anti-climactic" scene in the film was the dance sequence in the ice-skating rink. WTF was that?? It's so out of nowhere-- it's like audience were given 10 minutes break from the film to do what they want to do (pee, buy snacks, nap if you could). It was way off --so random, corny and uncomfortable.

John Lapus gave a very good support as well as Diether Ocampo and Carla Abellana. AJ Perez, Andi Eigenmann and Arron Villaflor are just eye candies in the film and they did that role --well, okay.

If you're looking for a good laugh, then you should catch this one. For good direction-- go catch Salt / Inception -- I think they're still showing.

I'd give it a 7.5/10 ratings.

-paddylast