bee movie

Bee Movie

As promoted "Bee Movie" is a comedy that will change everything you think you know about bees. Right after graduating from college, a bee by the name of Barry B. Benson finds himself disillusioned with the prospect of having only one career choice – collecting honey. As he ventures outside of the hive for the first time, he decided to break one of the cardinal rules of the bee world and talks to a human, a New Yorker florist named Vanessa. He is shocked to discover that the humans have been stealing and eating the bees' honey for centuries, and ultimately realizes that his true calling in life is to set the world right by suing the human race for stealing their precious honey. This is an ingredient for fun and lasting family flick.

The synopsis given for Bee Movie tells: “Barry B. Benson, a bee who has just graduated from college, is disillusioned at his lone career choice: making honey. On a special trip outside the hive, Barry’s life is saved by Vanessa, a florist in New York City. As their relationship blossoms, he discovers humans actually eat honey, and subsequently decides to sue us.”

Cast : Jerry Seinfeld, Renee Zellweger, Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, Chris Rock directed by Simon J. Smith
Director : Steve Hickner,Simon J. Smith
Writers: Spike Feresten, Barry Marder,
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Keywords: Multiple Cameos, Scatological Humor , Individualism, Egg, Teamwork
Country: USA
Language: English
Company: DreamWorks Animation
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for mild suggestive humor, and a brief depiction of smoking.
Release Date: 2 November 2007 (USA)

Seinfeld also had a lot of input in Bee Movie. He dreamed up the concept, cowrote the script (with Feresten, among others, hence that TV appearance), produced the movie and voiced Barry B. Benson, the talking winged insect who falls for a human florist who sounds just like Renée Zellweger (thanks to voiceover artist Renée Zellweger).

The A-list Bee Movie—it cost a reported $150 million to make—is Seinfeld's first major Hollywood venture since his TV alter ego ended up in a Massachusetts jail on the last episode of Seinfeld back in 1998 (out on DVD on Nov. 6, by the way, along with the rest of the final season).

According to Jeff Bock, of the box-office tracking firm Exhibitor Relations, the film should start Seinfeld's big-screen career right at the top. Bock's predicting a $40 million-plus opening weekend, enough to best Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe's American Gangster, also opening Friday, and kick-start the holiday movie season.

Funny thing is, Bock thinks Seinfeld's swarm of activity probably will help Bee Movie's bottom line "a little bit," but that the movie would have been big even if its star had decided to spend the fall at home with his family.

"With these types of films, DreamWorks has solidified itself as one of the top [animation studios]," Bock says of the company behind the Shrek franchise. "Any film they come out with is going to be huge, no matter what."

Just in case, though, Seinfeld's also doing Larry King Live on Thursday.

Dan in a Real Life

Dan in a Real Life

Dan Burns (Carell) is a single father who dedicates his life to his children, but one day he meets Marie (Binoche) at a bookstore. but then Dan finds out that Marie is actually dating his brother, Mitch Burns (Cook).

he ads for Dan, starring Steve Carell as a widowed dad who falls for his bro's girlfriend (Juliette Binoche), show the actor with his head on a plate of pancakes. It's an appropriate metaphor, since the recipe here is to stack up the awkward, comedic situations and to top it all off with sap. Carell and Binoche do make a sweet couple, but this rom-com fare—albeit tasty at times—isn't as substantial as it should be.

The Bigger Picture: Meet the boisterous Burnses. Every autumn, this close-knit clan gathers at the Rhode Island home of Nana and Poppy Burns (Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney) for bonding time and gobs of family activities. These guys have crossword puzzle tournaments, perform talent shows, make crafts, play games, bowl, bake, sing and Jazzercise together! It's all a little too precious and movie-ish. It's also somewhat disappointing, given that writer-director Peter Hedge's previous films—What's Eating Gilbert Grape, About a Boy and Pieces of April—depict edgier, more complex family relationships. That's real life!

Dan, an advice columnist, arrives at this New England lovefest with his three rebellious daughters. Taking a break from all that togetherness, he wanders into a local bookstore where he meets Ms. Right, er, Marie (Binoche), who suddenly makes Dan feel like a man again. But—bummer for him—this alluring, articulate woman turns out to be the new girlfriend his brother Mitch (Dane Cook) proudly introduces to the family.

During the long weekend, Dan and Marie attempt to avoid each other, even as their mutual attraction grows. But then—as is the movie's repetitive pattern—desperate Dan does dumb stuff to embarrass himself and to confound his family, and then the lonely loser stares off sadly as everyone bustles around him.

Don't look for big yuks here. Dan is more understated than you might expect, though it occasionally detours into sitcomland. Fortunately, Carell can handle these wrong turns and tone shifts, but like the film, he's better in quieter moments, revealing a charming vulnerability and earnestness. Though this doesn't serve as satisfactory recompense for the sins of Evan Almighty, Carell does demonstrate why he's one of our more winning seriocomic actors.

The 180—a Second Opinion: Sure, Binoche is luminous, and anyone would fall in love with her. But we never get to know Marie very well. Neither does Dan actually, since during their fateful bookstore meeting, he talks only about himself for hours and hours as she attentively listens. Typical self-involved dude, right?

Things We Lost in the Fire

Things We Lost in the Fire

All in all Del Toro fans will love this film. He is true to form and again delivers an amazing performance as a recovering heroin addict touched by the family of his best and only friend finds life anew. With a running time of over 2 hours, I did find myself wondering if this film really needed to be that drawn out, but extreme close-ups and lamenting of a lost one is no quick and dirty Hollywood stunt fest. 'Things we lost in the Fire' does a great job if you don't mind melancholy, and heart-string tugging. Some of the kids lines I found to be forced and cliché but their cute faces will (almost) make you forget about their bad acting almost right away and just make you sit back and relax.

I also hoped for more screen time for Alison Lohman. Her talent is always the bright star in any movie she's in. Halle Berry did well but I am still waiting for her to top her performance in 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge'. That all said, bring some tissues, this one's for the girlfriend.

Accurate depiction of drug addiction and recovery. I highly recommend this movie. Del Toro is a force on-screen and this film is the result of it. Omar Berry is a very understated actor whom i hope to see more of in the future. I've never liked Duchovny, but I think he was perfectly cast in the role of Halle's husband. My only negative is the over use of very close zooms on the eyes and other features of the actors. It was good, but overused which sometimes can be irritating.

Considering the surprising amount of humor in the movie, I'd love to see Benicio del Toro in a comedic role. As much as I love to see Halle Berry naked, I'm glad she was not nude in this movie. It would have been gratuitous and would have detracted from the quality acting.

Gone Baby Gone

Gone Baby Gone

The people of law said vows to their duties, responsibilities and commitments. For they believe that doing their job well and clean proves them right and makes them less evil. No matter how the process is done, the outcome shall be “good”, or, the other way around.

Patrick Kenzie takes over a case about a 4-year old girl gone missing in Boston. Together with her girlfriend and partner Angie, they talked to Helene the mother of Amanda which turns out she stole $130,000 from a drug lord together with his boyfriend Skinny Ray. Helene confesses she hid the money in Ray's backyard but latter in time, when Kenzie and Angie gets to his house, they found him beaten and shot to death. The investigators retrieves the money, together with two more cops, Remy and Nick, they set a trade and ransom for Amanda.

However, the trade is botched and Amanda drowns in the quarry. Kenzie and Angie is now affected and blames themselves for the death of Amanda. Chief Doyle who also lost a child in a similar heist, steps downs from his position and retires. Another case comes up to Kenzie regarding child abduction as he involves his drug lord friend as an informant about some pedophiles. With the help of the earlier two police men Nick and Remy, they raid a house where Kenzie suspects that the abducted bot is there. To his dismay, he found the kid dead in the bath tub, in disgust he vomited and shoots the pedophile in the back of the head and Nick was shot by another pedophile as well.

After a while in the hospital, Remy confesses about his corruptive schemes and and heroin planting at a crime scene to blame an abusive father, Kenzie finds out that Remy knows Skinny Ray even before the Amanda case began. Willed and driven to do the right thing, Kenzie met up with an old friend, Lionel. Again, Kenzie discovers another corruptive being, Lionel confessed that Remy and him took away Amanda from her abusive mother to teach her a lesson however, his wife turned the disappearance into a media market and this resulted the fake trade at the quarry.

Downhearted Kenzie drives up to Chief Doyle's house with Angie only to find out that Amanda is there alive and healthy living with Doyle and his wife. Still, Kenzie calls on the State Police to retrieve Amanda and have Doyle arrested. Complications come up as Angie tells him not to do so but Kenzie reasons out that he will stick to his convictions and return Amanda to his mother. Angie hates Kenzie and this resulted their break-up.

Amanda is reunited with her mother once again. Kenzie sees Helene leaving on a date without someone to watch over Amanda while she's gone. Kenzie volunteers to baby sit and watches over her.

Based on a novel by Dennis Lehane, Ben Affleck directed, co-produced, co-wrote this film where his brother Casey Affleck stars in. Together with Casey Affleck is Michelle Monghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris and John Ashton. Released in October 19, 2007 in USA and soon to be released in UK.

30 Days of Night

30 Days of Night

This is the story of an isolated Alaskan town that is plunged into darkness for a month each year when the sun sinks below the horizon. As the last rays of light fade, the town is attacked by a bloodthirsty gang of vampires bent on an uninterrupted orgy of destruction. Only the small town's husband-and-wife Sheriff team stand between the survivors and certain destruction. Written by Risin' Outlaw

30 Days of Night as you can probably guess, is about just that. A town in small rural Alaska, the northern-most town in the US, experiences a phenomenon where darkness sets upon the town for an entire month, and leaves most residents scrambling to get out. But unfortunate for those who stayed, a pack of hungry vampires has found the town and decides they should get fed. And as the dead begin to outnumber the survivors, it becomes very clear that those who can stay alive need to wait out until the sun finally comes up.

The sheer idea for the film, having the town being draped in darkness for a month, is nothing short of astounding. Yes, it was lifted and is based on a graphic novel, but compared to your typical vampire-related horror flick, it is quite the step up. And as the film sets itself up for the feeding frenzy, it really continues to breathe originality and a blazing sense of imagination. Some of the things happening may not strike you as being particularly relevant at first (or even, who would do some of these things), but as the film moves along, it just all feels so right. And with a very sombre and coked-out character only referred to as The Stranger (Ben Foster) making bizarre predictions of the inevitably obnoxious death scenes soon to come, the film really feels like it is going to jump past the clichés, the terrible American horror norm, and become something extraordinary and memorable.

But then the film betrays itself. It takes far too long to set up the motivations of the main character, Sheriff Eben Oleson (Josh Hartnett), his separated wife Stella (Melissa George), and even more time on supporting characters like the burly Beau Brower (Mark Boone Junior). I just got far too restless, and even more so when I realized only a few of these characters would make it to the final frame of the film. Why should we care about these characters when these laggy scenes just do nothing but introduce their one-dimensional selves, and not much else? It felt kind of like overkill, but also like the film was trying to compensate for having such a great idea, but no idea as to how to flesh it out.

And when the survival scenes begin to kick in, it becomes even more of a hit and miss. Some scenes are genuinely terrifying and suspenseful, watching the characters try to cope with decisions of wanting to save their fellow townspeople, or just sit in genuine fear of not wanting to be the next victim. But then others drag on with meaningless drivel about absolutely nothing. It just cannot find the balance it needs to survive this pitfall of the idea for the film, and just does not seem to want to attempt more than a handful of times to try and amend it. And do not even get me started on the preposterous ending, which seems ripped out of an entirely different movie altogether (sad to say, it is almost shot-for-shot intact from the graphic novel).

But while the film does have its share of story and pacing problems, the scenes with the vampires attacking are just plain stellar. There are more than a handful of quick cuts, but the majority of the scenes involving them eating their dinners are stylistically beautiful. There are some shots that are just so majestic and so powerful, that one wonders if they are actually in the same horror movie, or if they randomly started splicing in some art-house horror. The tracking shots, the close-ups, the long shots, they are all here, and are all so brilliantly played that the style just takes anything the movie has going for it, and catapults it right into the stratosphere. And even as the violence gets even more senseless and even more graphic, you cannot help but watch in awe at the visuals captured by the camera (and by CGI). Their exquisiteness is enough to make me pray that other mindless (or near mindless) horror flicks take note, and start creating similar if not better visuals. The music is above and beyond top notch as well, giving the film a really heightened sense of style and intense violence (albeit, nowhere near as blood-soaked as I had originally assumed it would be).

The cast, for the most part, is alright. Hartnett has seen better days, and for some reason, seems to be struggling as the lead here. Maybe he had something else on his mind? Some of the scenes he is in just do not completely jive, and when they do, there is awkwardness to all of them. I do not like to even imagine saying it, but it looked like he had more heart to show off in Pearl Harbor, then he does here. George on the other hand, does an infinite amount better, continuing much in the same way she did in the very poor remake of The Amityville Horror. She had an aura around her there that felt like she was above the material, and the same aura appears here. Foster, for his limited amount of screen time, does a great deal of delivering dread and despair for a few of the characters. I wish he had more scenery to chew.

But it is John Huston, more of a classically refined actor, who owns as the vampire leader. He does not speak any English (he communicates in the vampiric language and through grunts and body motions), but that does not stop him from being almost downright terrifying. Seeing this guy at work was a real pleasure, and I just wish the rest of the film was as well done as his performance is.

Nagging issues aside, 30 Days of Night is a decent horror film with aspirations of being better than it is. Watch it for the visuals, and forget about the plot

Michael Clayton

Michael Clayton

Our conscience plays big roles in our daily life. May it consist of simple facts or logical reasoning, it affects our every move. Sometimes, we are dumb founded about what we are thinking of, talking about and doing that it turns out to unexpected events, events that could be a threat to our lives and others as well.

A fixer in a prestigious law firm, Michael Clayton wakes up every morning with intentions to fulfill his duties as a lawyer, a colleague and a friend. When a colleague and friend of Clayton, Arthur Edens, had a mental breakdown and jailed in Milwaukee, Clayton discovers that Edens had been diagnosed with mental illness and he is not taking his medication. Clayton plans to bring back Edens to New York to receive and under go mental treatment, but Edens sneaks away and goes back to New York on his own.

Back in New York, Karen Crowder, U-North's Chief counsel and a client discovers that Edens is keeping a file and internal memorandum that proves U-North's liability for releasing cancer-causing chemicals – with a lawsuit. Crowder hires two spies to spy on Edens and to her surprise, Edens was building a case against U-North, their own client. A threat to Crowder, she had Edens put to death and made it look like a suicide

Clayton becomes suspicious as he breaks into Edens' apartment and discovers a receipt for a copy store. Clayton retrieves the copies that Edens had made and it turns out that Edens has assembled documents to present a case against U-North. In the scene again, two hit men were following Clayton as they informed Crowder that such documents are in Clayton's possession. Again, Crowder had him followed around and soon to be killed.

Clayton realizes the danger and threat that Crowder had set upon on him and he leaves the firm immediately. The hit men attempted to install a tracking device and a bomb in Clayton's car but failed to install the tracking device properly. On the road while driving, Clayton stops on the side of the road when he struck a pedestrian. His car explodes and it made the hit men satisfied seeing the explosion from a distance. Clayton throws his cell phone, wallet and watch in the fire to make him look dead.

At U-North, Crowder makes an argument with the firm as she steps out of the meeting, Clayton appears and confronts her making her admit and dealing with the death of Eden and made an attempt on his own life. Clayton demands to be paid for silence and he agrees to $10 million. Clayton walks away and police officers converge on Crowder. Clayton reveals for having a phone in his pocket and his NYPD brother happened to be listening on the other end of the line.

Michael Clayton now gave justice to the death of his ill friend and remained loyal to himself and keeps the dedication to his work.

Michael Clayton is directed by Tony Gilroy, produced by Sydney Samuels, Steve Samuels and Jennifer Fox. Distributed by Warner Bros, the film was released in October 5 2007 in USA and UK. Starring in the film is George Clooney as Michael Clayton, together with Tom Wilkinson and Tilda Swinton.

jumper

Jumper

A genetic anomaly allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between “Jumpers” and those who have sworn to kill them.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Release Date: February 15th, 2008 (wide)
Distributors: 20th Century Fox Distribution

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Bell, Diane Lane, Katie Boland
Directed by: Doug Liman
Produced by: Vince Gerardis, Ralph Vicinanza, Marc S. Fischer

Potential to be the coolest, top notch, and most interesting movie that will come out in 2008. Or, it may be the most undeserving flop. The Jumper is a fantastic sci-fi thriller, based on the novel, about a genetic anomaly that allows a young man to teleport himself anywhere.

He discovers this gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between “Jumpers” and those who have sworn to kill them.

How can it fail you may ask? Will fans still flock to see Hayden Christensen after his disastrous performance in the Star Wars series? Lets face it, Hayden Christensen can’t act… he’s incredibly boring and dull. Ah, but this movie could be the change he needed to demonstrate his abilities.

Samuel Jackson, Jamie Bell, Diane Lane and Rachel Bilson also star in Jumper.

Why Did I Get Married

Why Did I Get Married?

Marriage is defined as an interpersonal relationship concerning the government, social and religious recognition. The reason why people marry is because of legal, social and economic stability; also to form a family and procreation; education and nurturing of children; legitimizing sexual relations and most of all, public declaration of love. In modern times, people rush into marriage to spend the rest of their life with their loved ones. But what if when the time comes marriage is just about responsibilities, arguments, infidelity and all that? I believe that is the true concept of marriage, for all times.

Very well known as a playwright, writer, director and actor, Tyler Perry had been writing books, plays and movies most likely talking about married life. One of these written works is Why Did I Get Married? mainly focusing on truths, lies, ups and downs of marriage. His works are also known as morality plays.

Why Did I Get Married is a film about eight married college friends getting over the difficulty of maintaining a solid relationship in modern times. When everything is going fine and they are living their daily normal marriage life, something goes wrong. During their long-week reunion in Colorado, a seductress comes in their way and the couple's infidelity comes to light. Like any other secrets, it will always be revealed, it happened and the couples started questioning themselves, “Why did I get married?” Over the week, arguments are battling around, considering the thought of betrayal and forgiveness and self examination. This is the ultimate test of their married lives and it is up to them to fight it, or simply let go.

Directed, produced and written by Tyler Perry, he also stars as Terry, alongside with Janet Jackson, Jill Scott and more. The film was released in October 12 in the US and Canada. Prior to the premier of the movie, there was no advanced screening for critics. The movie turned out successful ranking #1 in the box office during its opening week.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

As Nietzsche once said, Stupidity in a woman is unwomanly. This is in fact a true statement that women make highs higher and lows less frequent. A perfect example is Elizabeth of England, her reign had lead England to a golden age and being the most powerful country in Europe after the defeat of Spain.

In 1585 King Philip II sees England as a threat, due to different religious beliefs and a threat to his own power. The pessimist King Philip II considers his young daughter a traitor for having a miniature of Elizabeth I, Queen of England. On the other hand, Philip II declares a war against England but the Queen declines it. In England, Elizabeth I is being pressured to marry as she is aging with no child to be her successor.

As always, Elizabeth refuses to take someone's hand in marriage but sees another prospect in mind, Walter Raleigh from the New World known as India. Elizabeth finds Raleigh attractive and asks Bess to observe him. Bess also finds him attractive and begins an affair with the explorer secretly. Elizabeth, concerned about her leadership, seeks an astrologist for guidance and advice. Two empires will go to war, but one will win and one will lose, not mentioning who will fall. Elizabeth ponders on the fate of her country as she detests war again Spain. In the meantime, Bess confesses that she is pregnant with Raleigh's child, the enraged queen bullies her and sends Raleigh to prison. Feeling betrayed, Elizabeth reminds Bess that she cannot marry without royal consent.

As a leader, Elizabeth seeks the loyalty of her people. For having a Protestant belief, Catholics are being hunted, tortured and murdered, including the brother of her adviser and the cousin of Bess. Not to mention, she also seeks the loyalty of her family - her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots had threatened her that she will place herself on England's throne and rule over England. Elizabeth had her cousin executed and her son beheaded. Now, the only threat to England is Spain.

Elizabeth finally goes against the Spanish army joining her men in battle right after she forgives Bess and sets Raleigh free. The amount of the Spanish army outnumbered the English but strategy never runs out for the Queen, The men light their ship on fire before retreating to the water below and being rescued by another one of their own ships. The English watch as the Spanish Armada sinks in flame. A history in the making occurs, Spain's loss proves to be the greatest in naval Spanish history.

The forgiven Bess and Raleigh awaits for their child's birth as Elizabeth blesses the child.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is the sequel to the film Elizabeth of 1998 also starring Cate Blanchett and directed by Shakhar Khapur, written by William Nicholson and Micahel Hirst and produced by Working Title Films. Co-starring Cate Blanchett is Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush, Rhys Ifans and Abbie Cornish. The Golden Age was released in the US on October 12 and will be released in UK in November 2.

Beowulf

Beowulf

Beowulf is an Anglo Saxon (Old English) epic filled with elements of German folklore along with Christian statements. As part of the earliest society, heritage, fate and destiny is governed. The belief that fate controls him is a central factor in all of Beowulf's actions.

In the peaceful and flourished kingdom of Heorot, a celebration is being held by King Hrothgar, his wife Queen Wealtheow, his warriors, family and all towns men. While Grendel, being an outcast of society is deeply enraged and angered by the noise of the singing and celebration of the crowd. Momentarily while everyone in the kingdom is sleeping, Grendel attacks Hrothgar's warriors. Helpless and nowhere to run to, Hrothgar and his people left Heorot. Determined to help, Beowulf from another kingdom helps Hrothgar. Together with Beowulf's few men, they wait for Grendel's return. Almost asleep, Grendel attacks Heorot hurting one of Beowulf's men. Trying to defeat Grendel with human weapons, all of it breaks and Beowulf grabs his arms and tears it apart from his shoulder and Grendel runs to his home in the marshes to die.

While celebrating Grendel's death, Grendel's mother attacks Heorot once again for a killing as she ends up killing Hrothgar's best warrior. Beowulf together with his men once again gets ready to attack Grendel's mother by the lake where she lives. At this moment, Hrothgar gives Beowulf an armor and a giant sword called Hrunting. Beowulf ready for the battle dives in the lake for an attack but Grendel's mother quickly detects him and drags him down at the bottom of the lake. In a cavern where Grendel's dead body lies, Grendel's mother and Beowulf engage in fierce combat. Finishing the battle, Beowulf beheads Grendel's mother and retrieves Grendel's head to present to Hrothgar. Beowulf is given gifts by the King and he goes home to his own kingdom.

Due to his bravery and strength, Beowulf becomes king to his homeland and to his own people. Not knowing another battle awaits him on the latter part of his life.

Screen play written by Neil Gaiman and Roger Avary, directed by Robert Zemeckis, Beowulf is set to be released on November 16, 2007 in USA, UK and Italy. Screening continues until April 5 2008 in other countries. Starring Ray Winstone, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Crispin Glover and Sebastian Roche. Originally given the rating of PG-13, after seeing trailers, MPAA rated it R for nudity, violence and sexual material.

Rendition

Rendition

World wide terrorism is definitely feared by many, particularly by the US government as they point out fingers to Middle Easterners. Two powerful countries keep their silent wars going on while, unknowingly, innocent people are being affected. Take the 9/11 incident as an example, it is still a conspiracy theory to most likely everyone if Iran triggered this or the US itself, resulted to death and destruction to many. Paranoia had also occurred to Americans which resulted to discrimination, specifically racism. Can this be called power tripping of the authority or simply ignorance of the citizens?

Anwar El-Ibrahim is an Egyptian scheduled to fly from South Africa to Washington DC. Far from his knowledge, Anwar is a terrorist suspected by the US government and CIA, due to baseless speculations, he disappears from his flight. His American wife Isabella travels to Washington to learn and look for answers how her husband disappeared and why. Meanwhile, in an unknown detention facility, Anwar is being kept as he is being interrogated by CIA analyst Douglas Freeman. Freeman does his assignment when forced due to save thousands of lives and penetrate an innocent man's life.

Unorthodox interrogation takes place and quickly replaced with sophisticated torture that results to Anwar's struggle.

Rendition is a 2007 thriller film starring Reese Witherspoon, Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep, Peter Sarsgaard Alan Arkin and introducing Omar Metwally. Directed by Gavin Hood and written by Kelley Sane, Rendidtion will be released in theaters October 19 in the US, Canada and United Kingdom. Screening continues in other countries until early 2008. Filming took place in Morocco, Cape Town, Washington and most of the time in California in Anaheim. Rendition is a film about deception, discrimination and racism. Rated R for torture, violence and language usage.

Hairspray

Hairspray

Discrimination and racism is definitely 2 of the undying issues going around the world, not to mention, this comes to be a crisis those concerned. Particularly in America, racism is based on the color and physical features of the people they discriminate. Not only in racism most people discriminate, but also their sizes. Often than not, plus sized or simply overweight men and women gets discriminated for not having a pleasant appearance to media, preferably in television.

Hairspray is a musical film adapted from the 2002 Broadway musical and adapted from the 1988 comedy film of John Waters with the same title. Adapted from film and musical, Hairspray is choreographed and directed by Adam Shankman. Hairsparay stars big names in Hollywood such as John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, Brittany Snow and not mention the new comer Nikki Blonsky as the main character.

In a 1962 setting in Baltimore, Maryland, a pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad aspires to be one of the Council Kids in her favorite TV program The Corny Collins Show. Some of the teenagers in the show also attends the school of Tracy and her best friend Penny, including the snobby Amber and her boyfriend Link whom Tracy's madly in love with. Corny Collins and his Council kids are white and black kids are only allowed on the show on Negro Day hosted by the local radio disc jockey “Motormouth” Maybelle which only shows on the last Tuesday of every month.

One day, Corny Collins announces that there will be an audition in search for replacement of one of his Council Kids to be held during the next day during school hours. However, the station manager Velma turns down Tracy in the audition for being overweight as she is sent to detention for skipping school. In detention, where all black kids hang out and dance, Tracy meets Maybelle's son Seaweed, who teaches her R&B dance moves that will secure Tracy a spot in the Corny Collins show.

Tracy becomes one of Corny's most popular Council Kids at the same time becomes a threat to Amber's rise to fame in the Miss Hairspray Teenage pageant, not to mention to Amber's courtship with Link. Link increasingly becomes so fond of Tracy and less so of Amber. In a party, Maybelle announces that Velma canceled Negro Day as Tracy suggests that they conduct a protest march the next day, a day before the pageant. On the day of the protest march, Velma sets up a roadblock to stop the march and arrest the protesters but Tracy managed to escape and joins the pageant.

The greedy and insecure Velma places policemen around and inside the station in order to stop Tracy from entering the building and joining the pageant. To her dismay, Tracy sneaks in with Penny, the detention kids, and all people concerned but the undying schemes of Velma continues. Velma switches the tallies from the pageant's phone line so that Amber is guaranteed to win. In the nick of time, Tracy reaches the stage to dance as Link joins her and pulls Inez to dance with them.

Surprisingly, Inez receives most votes and wins the pageant capturing the heart of The Corny Collin's Show. Disappointed Velma screams out her frustration as she tells daughter Amber about her tally-switching scheme and broadcasts it on air, unknowingly. The busted Velma gets fired while the celebration of the show ends with a kiss from Link and Tracy.

stardust

Stardust

Up in the heavens, the sky, clouds, sun, moon and stars are visible for always. In the naked eye, it is something glorious, bright and plain beautiful. In science, they are mixture of matter like gases, plasma, balls of fire, gravity and the like. In magic, heavenly creatures could be anything, royalty, witch craft, magic and drama. Seeing this movie reminds me of the a song that goes like “Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, save it for a rainy day. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away...” People associate falling stars as something to grant their wishes, but differ this young lover, Tristan. Tristan promises his loved one to bring back a falling star to her and she shall grant his heart's desire.

In an English town called Wall, a wall is built to separate the mortal town Wall and the magical kingdom called Faerie. After a young man named Dunstan Thorne crosses a portal to the magical realm, he meets a young lady and makes love to her. Una is the slave of the witch Ditchwater Sal. After a night of pleasure, the two separate ways and went on with their lives. Nine months later, a baby in a basket appears in front of Dunstan's doorsteps, Una sends him their infant son Tristan.

Eighteen years later at the other side of the wall, in the land of Faerie, the king of Stormhold is dying and his seven sons fight for who will be the next king. Though four of them left alive (Primus, Septimus, Secundus and Tertius), Secundus is recently killed by the tricks of the sly Septimus. The king orders them to get the ruby he tossed in the heavens. This ruby knocks a star down and falls to the grounds of Faerie.

While wooing and capturing the affection of the grown Tristan's love Victoria, he promises that he will cross the wall and retrieve the fallen star in exchange of his heart's desire. Victoria promised that he will wait for him as she is willing to grant his heart's desire. Tristan packs up and crosses the wall to start his search not knowing grave danger awaits him and the falling star. On his journey he bumps into a young lady named Yvaine who turns out to be the star. Tristan resolves to take her back to Victoria but Yvaine escapes him with a help of a Unicorn.

Along the way around Faerie, there are many people that want to put their hands on the star. One of them is Lamia, one of the three witches; Primus, but dies in ambush; Tertius, but poisoned by Septimus; and Septimus, the only remaining son and putative heir to the throne. Persistent to retrieve the star, Tristan rushes and takes Yvaine away from Septimus and Lamia as Tristan and Yvaine ends up standing in the clouds lost in their way home. Tristan and Yvaine are captured by the “notorious” Captain Shakespeare on a flying pirate ship but he reveals that he is a flamboyant drag queen who shuns killing. After a good contact, Shakespeare helps them to go back to Wall but Sal captures them and turns Tristan into a mouse. Weeping, Yvaine confesses his undying love for Tristan and shocked, Sal turns him back to human form. Confrontation happened and a night not to forget takes place.

In a battle between Lamia kills Sal and abducts Una and Yvaine. Septimus and Tristan both pursue Lamia as Lamia's two sisters die and kills Septimus. As Lamia is about to kill Yvaine, she weeps for there is noi use for Eternal Youth and Beauty without her sisters. Tristan and Yvaine embraced and an explosion killed Lamia. Una reveals that she is the only daughter of King Stormhold and Tristan is his son and the heir to the thrown. Tristan turns king and Yvaine as her queen.

Story based from the 1998 novel by Neil Gaiman, Stardust was released in the US in August 10, 2007. Directed by Matthew Vaughn and Narrated by Ian McKellen, the cast includes Charlie Cox as Tristan, Claire Danes as Yvaine, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller, Rupert Everett, Peter O'Toole and whole lot more. Filming took place in Wester Ross, Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye for the Faerie and in Elm Hill in Norwich for Wall.

Sweeney Todd

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Revenge is one of the worst elements that corrupts human beings. As it may lead to hell, lead to the loss of someone's sanity and humanity. As for revenge, it may leave you nothing.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street is adopted from the musical by Stephen Sondheim. The musical is based on the 19^th century legend of Sweeney Todd and the 1973 play by Christopher Bond. Johnny Depp stars as Sweeney Todd formerly known as Benjamin Barker. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton working the sixth time around, Depp portrays the role of a barber having escaped a fifteen year imprisonment for wrong charges by the Judge Turpin, played by Alan Rickman. Included in the cast is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Nellie Lovett, former land lady and owner of “the worst meat pie” bakeshop; Laura Michelle Kelly as The Beggar Woman and Jane Wisener as Johanna.

Benjamin Barker returns to London as Sweeney Todd to search for his wife and daughter. Through Mrs. Lovett, he finds out that his wife Lucy poisoned herself and daughter Johanna is being kept by Judge Turpin as a ward. Mrs. Lovett has kept the barber's razors and restores them to the owner. Wanting to take revenge on Judge Turpin, one by one he murders people that will bring him closer to the judge. First of his victims is Pirelli, his rival barber that threatened Todd to reveal his real identity. Seeing the grown Johanna, the Judge is tormented by his lust for his ward and announces he will marry her. Persistent to gain her affections, the Judge plans to go to the barber for a shave. This caused Anthony Hope to elope with Johanna, accidentally informing Todd. Furious and deranged Todd keeps Johanna in an asylum. Mrs. Lovett on the other hand suggests that she use the corpse as meat in her meat pies every time Todd kills. This broadened the target o f Todd and at the same time, inspired with the practicality of Mrs. Lovett.

As the neighbors get suspicious of the prospering business of Mrs. Lovett, a beggar lady comes up to Todd to warm him. Worried that the beggar lady knows too much, Todd slits her throat as her body goes down to the bakeshop uttering her last words “Hey, don't I know you, Mister?”. Judge Turpin enters the barbershop and asks for a shave, Todd reveals his true identity, slits Turpin's throat and the body goes down the bakeshop. As Todd leaves the parlor to kill another suspicious being Tobias, the butcher that Lovett hired, Todd sees Mrs. Lovett distraught and struggling seeing the Beggar Lady and Turpin dead, Todd realizes that the Beggar Woman is Lucy his wife. Mrs. Lovett being accused of having deceived Todd, admits that Lucy poisoned herself but it only drove her insane and not caused her death. It was Todd that caused her death. Todd calms Mrs. Lovett down and allures her as a ploy then traps her in the oven. Driven nearly insane, Todd weeps next to his wife as Tobias kills the compliant barber with his own razor. Tobias has lost his mind and he couldn't stop grinding the meat grinder.

Produced by DreamWorks, Warner Bros, MacDonald/Parkes Productions ans Zanuck Company Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is set to be released on December 21 in the US for a limited time. In South American countries and Asian countries, release date starts as soon as January 17, 2008.

The Heartbreak Kid

The Heartbreak Kid

The most important quality of man is one's personal independence in decision-making matters. Whatever other people say, in the end it is still us who decides for ourselves. These decisions lead only to two results – magic or tragic. A decision could be magical when we get the results that we have always wanted from the very beginning. Otherwise it is tragic if the results yield are far off from our expectations.

One of the hardest decisions we make in life is related with our love life. This is not the petty boyfriend – girlfriend thing, this is more on the serious stuff. This is the matter of settling down, in the hopes of starting one's own family. Indeed, entering the state of marriage is like making an oath as strong as the oak tree.

Come the 5^th of October this year (2007), a romantic comedy movie regarding the importance of decision-making in enter marriage life will hit the theaters. Entitled The Heartbreak Kid, the movie was written by Leslie Dixon and directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly. The important cast comprise of Ben Stiller as Eddie Cantrow, Michelle Monaghan as Miranda, Malin Akerman as Lila, Jerry Stiller as Doc, Rob Corddry as Mac, Carlos Mencia as Uncle Tito, and Danny McBride as Martin. Also note that the original “Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Micheals will have a cameo appearance in the film.

The story revolves around the bachelor Eddie Cantrow and his exploits of single hood. Believing that he already had too much of blessed singleness, he decided that his life needs a new path – that is the path to settling down. The once foreign word is now a part of his vocabulary.

Eddie tried his luck by dating the sexy and incredible TV personality in Lila. They barely knew each other. In the courting state, it was all best foot forward. Six weeks of dating have been really good for the both of them. Asking the guidance of his dad and best friend, Eddie tied the knot with Lisa.

Everything went well according to plan. It seemed like it was good as it lasted. The couple then had their honeymoon in the south of the border, Mexico. During their honeymoon, Eddie got to know the other side of Lila. He was disoriented and wanted out of the relationship already.

At the same time, he also met another girl during their stay in sunny Mexico. The girl goes by the name of Miranda. As he tries to get to know Miranda, he was also balancing how to please and make at ease his wife, Lila. Eddie is torn between two women. One is his wife, who was different from what he truly expected, and the other is his new found friend and true soul mate.

The Heartbreak Kid have a lesson for the bachelors. That is to take their time before making a decision with regards to settling down. Once you are in, there's no coming back – except maybe for divorce or annulment. The decision in settling down has its pros and cons, whether we like it or not. Its not like we are in love everyday.

With this movie, Ben Stiller affirms that he is one of the sensible comedians out there. He played the role of a lost good guy in this film, lost between the fear of not having a family and finding the right woman without rushing the process. Just like in his other movies such as “There's something about Mary” and “Meet the Fockers,” Ben really showed how to mix sensible stuff with comedy. He makes us laugh, yet he teaches us the lesson too.

breach

Breach

The United States of America, if not considered a hegemony, is one of the most powerful nations in the world. It is a bastion of economic and military power. With great power also comes sensitivity that the nation has to endure. Remember, history have taught us, time and again, that once great nations have the tendency to fall down. See the examples of Rome, Greece, and Great Britain among others.

This led me to the notion of national security. Speaking of delicate matters, national security should be at the forefront of the agenda. The United States has a government that is delicate on this matter, that's why there is the Central Information Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the National Homeland Security. These three agencies alone put forward the aim of the government to make the United States a real safe nation.

Even with these government agencies, national security is still breached. And it was done from within. This year (2007), the film Breach is based on a true story regarding FBI personnels Robert Hanssen and Eric O'Neill. Hanssen was a former FBI agent nabbed for selling information to the Soviet Union. O'Neill was the man in charge of tracking him down, serving as his assistant.

Written and directed by Billy Ray, Breached was out last February 16 in United States theaters and on August 31 in Untied Kingdom theaters. It will be distributed under the license of Universal Pictures. The cast includes Chris Cooper as Robert Hanssen, Ryan Philippe as Eric O'Niell, Laura Linney as Kate Burroughs, Caroline Davhernas as Juliana O'Niell, and Gary Cole as Richard Garces among others.

The plot revolves around a senior FBI agent in Robert Hanssen and an aspiring apprentice in Eric O'Niell. Agent Hanssen is in the FBI for about 25 years now, and is nearing his retirement. Eric O'Niell is still to be promoted as an agent. The latter served as a clerk and secretary of the former, before being promoted as a full time agent.

Hanssen had been under the suspicious eyes of the same agency where he works. The reason that was flaunted is because of sexual perversion. But the real reason is different. He is to be observed due to some allegations that he is a spy providing the necessary information for the former Soviet Union.

Along the way, the two became real close to each other. Hanssen, a devoted Catholic, taught O'Neill to be more involved in his faith. Their families also bonded along the way. Hanssen opened things up for the newbie. He taught him some FBI stuff. The two seemed to click it off the bat.

On the side, O'Neill was doing his job. He was tasked to write down everything that Hanssen is doing. Also he was tasked to take hold of Hanssen's PDA so that the FBI would know if he was having communications with the Russians. In the end, he took hold of the PDA gadget and proved that his senior is really an informant of the Russians.

Hanssen was apprehended by the FBI for spying for the enemy. O'Neill resigned before becoming an FBI agent. The movie ended with both of them in the same elevator, where Hanssen told O'Neill to pray for him. They still are in good terms.

The movie is considered as top caliber and the real life case is dubbed as “one of the worst spy cases in US history.” Chris Cooper once again played a complex role. Another applause for the former Oscar Award winner.

Knocked Up

Knocked Up

A long time ago, a friend of mine told me that he is the product of a Friday night, a bottle of alcohol, and the backseat of a car. That was so honest of my buddy. He knows he was conceived out of wedlock. This is reality that some people face nowadays. Teenage pregnancy happens at the most unexpected time. Like it or not, this is the consequence of unsafe sex.

June this year (2007), a somewhat satire-like comedic film entitled Knocked Up will be released focusing on a young woman getting pregnant with a stranger after a couple of rounds of alcohol. Written and directed by Judd Apatow, Knocked Up main casts include Seth Rogen as Ben Stone, Katherine Heigl as Alison Scot, Paul Rudd as Pete, and Leslie Mann as Debbie.

The plot of Knocked Up focuses on Ben Stone, a 23 year old bum who does nothing but party, and Alison Scot, a career oriented woman whose a few years older than the former. Ben is an IT specialist whose latest work is a pornographic site that features the moments of skin exposure in movies. Alison works in E! Television network. Her career was on the rise, while Ben's path was taking him nowhere but making him the king of perverts.

One night, they saw each other in a club. Alison was there to promote one of E! Television's show, while Ben was there for the party itself. The two shared some drinks. At the end of the night, they hooked it up together – having a wonderful evening. The two separated the next morning.

Thinking that he got what he wanted without baggage, Ben was knocked off his feet when Alison told him she was pregnant with his baby. The two then bonded together. They became close and Ben asked Alison for marriage. In the beginning, it was good while it lasted. The latter part exposed the weaknesses of Ben as an irresponsible partner.

Alison, having grown tired of Ben's irresponsibility and seeing the failed relationship of her sister Debbie to Pete, decides to kick Ben out for awhile. Ben, in turn, teamed up with Pete. They went on a road trip to Las Vegas. In this trip, both Ben and Pete experienced other stuff, including drugs. They were like having their hippie stages.

In the process, the two men learned to stand up with their responsibilities. They went home and tried to patch things up with their wives. Pete got it immediately right with Debbie. Ben had a little rough time before patching things up with Alison. The couples were together once again, trying to make their once failed relationship work.

Ben got a job as a web designer. He then rented an apartment, that was good enough for the three of them, including the baby. Alison gave birth, and they moved in to the apartment. It was a happy ending for the accidental couple.

Knocked Up, a financial success, is summer's breakout movie. It really Knocked up the coffers of movie viewers. The film budget is only $30 Million yet it earned a whopping $148.6 Million. The exceptional acting of Seth Rogen also led him to earn a role in “The Green Hornet,” a movie to be released around next year (2008). Katherine Heigl has also some good news. She is engaged to musician Josh Kelley. In fact, she was even quoted that the plastic belly she used in shooting Knocked Up could be substituted for the real thing.

Lust Caution

Lust, Caution

Political killings have been rampant throughout the political world may it be during election periods or simply during their reign. These assassinations may be done by hit-men and “accidental” happenings, not to mention lustrous acts. Seduction is said to be the most interesting game, but how interesting can it get when the seducer falls in love with the victim and disrupts the assassination mission? Unlike addicting vices, how hazardous it can be, it is somewhat deadly as love. But at least such vice comes with a warning, Caution.

Adapted from the 1950 short story by Eileen Chang, Lust, Caution of 2007 is the product of the loosely-believed actual event that happened in 1939-1940 during the World War II era involving Shanghai and Hong Kong. The story depicts a group of Chinese students plotting to kill a Japanese collaborator, with lust and seduction as their bait.

Wong Chia Chi is a freshman college students who gets involved in acting and joins a drama club, when a close friend and a schoolmate, Kuang Yu Min asks her to play a dangerous role in real life. That is to allure a powerful Japanese collaborator and formulate an assassination. As Wong pretends to be Mrs. Mak and befriends Mrs. Yee, the wife of the Japanese collaborator, twisting and covetous event happens under the mahjong table. However, the plan fails for unexplainable reasons that occurred between Yee and Wong. After few years living at peace when Wong moved to Hong Kong, Kuang suddenly shows up and re-enters her life to ask to resume with their deadly plan. This leaves Wong puzzled with her identity as pushes herself through the limit. Dazed, Wong now questions her attachment, whether is it for the mission or for the man she had seduced and had an affair, more than once.

Financed and produced by Focus Features and River Road Productions, director of Academy award winning movies Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee directs and co-produces Lust, Caution. Receiving the rating R for graphic sexual content, Lust, Caution premiered at the Venice Film Festival and set to release on September 28 in USA, September 25 in Taiwan, October 26 in China and January 4 in UK. Casted in the film are actors Tony Leung as Mr. Yee, Wei Tang as Wong Chia Chi, Joan Chen as Mrs. Yee and Lee-Hom Wang as Kuang Yu Min.

number 23

The Number 23

Novel turned films are already a common sight in the movie industry. It could happen in any form like drama, romance, non-fiction and the like. What I find more interesting are the suspense filled novels turned movie. The Number 23 is one of the latest suspense filled novel turned into a movie.

Released February 23^rd this year (2007) in the United States and the United Kingdom, the movie was directed by Joel Schumacher and distributed under the license of New Line Cinema. The movie is based on the writings of Robert Anton Wilson, whose work is consistent with the 23 enigma. The Number 23 stars Jim Carrey as Walter Sparrow, Virgina Madsen as Agatha Sparrow, Logan Lerman as Robin Sparrow and Danny Huston as Isaac French.

The Number 23 is a fictional suspense story that evolves around the Sparrow couple in Walter and Agatha. Walter Sparrow works as an animal control officer, his specialty is the handling of strayed dogs. His wife, Agatha, is a cake shop owner.

The movie started on the birthday of Walter Sparrow. He got a call from one of the businesses in the area, complaining that there is a strayed dog named Ned. He responded to the call and eventually accomplished his mission. From the mission he met his wife, who had been waiting for him in a bookstore called A Novel Fate.

During Agatha's wait, she read a book entitled The Number 23 by an unknown author under the pen name of Topsy Kretts. Agatha liked the book, and she bought the copy for her husband as her birthday gift. Once Walter read the book, there was no stopping anymore. He thought that there are similarities between him and the main character of the novel named Fingerling.

Walter saw a lot of commonalities between him and the character played by Fingerling. Walter was soon consumed by the thought that the novel was not fictional, and that it truly happened in real life. He was looking for The Number 23 signs everywhere. Walter even admitted to his wife about his obsession, but it was only laid to rest.

It was just the beginning. A lot of things have happened after. That. In fact, he even holed him up in a hotel, just to have an answer to the questions brought about by the novel. Deep inside, Walter was puzzled by the events written in the novel. But there was one thing that mattered most in the end. He discovered that he was the author of the same novel – and the events in the novel really happened in his life.

It may be real surprising to see Jim Carrey in a suspense filled film. He is a fixture of the comedy genre. It will be very surprising for the avid movie viewer to see him in a psychological thriller role. He is an outstanding comedian. Surely, he will have a different grade in a more serious role. The judgment is up to the viewers, The Number 23 is an opening to a new Jim Carrey look.

trade

Trade (2007)

Migration, in the common use of the word, means massive human movement from one place to the other. Commonly, this movement is seen on the brighter side. It is associated with human development and economic prosperity. The negative effects is often forgotten. It is as if there are no consequences in migration.

From the workforce point of view, one of the consequences of migration is brain drain. This happens when the best graduates of country A goes to the more prosperous country B. What's left to the former are less competitive people. Focusing more on the humanitarian side, one of the consequences of migration is human trafficking. Sex trade is one of the notorious activities happening on a global scale.

The movie Trade, premiered January and released September 2007, focused on the aspect of illegal human trafficking in line with commercial sex and underage prostitution controlled by international crime groups. The movie is based on the New York Times cover story entitled “Girls Next Door” last 24 January 2004 that featured sex slaves.

Trade, set in Mexico, is a story about two siblings in Jorge and Adriana. The story began when the 13 year old Adriana was abducted, together with a little Thai boy and the Polish woman Veronica, by the Russian gang whose business is into sex trafficking. They capture these people with the intention of selling them in the sex market – the headquarters based in New Jersey.

The 17-year old Jorge, upon knowing her sister's fate, find ways and means to enter the United States just to save her sister. He was able to elude the border police. Needing a big help, he met a Texan police in Ray who is also out to capture those people behind this illegal industry. The two worked together to get back Adriana. It was a tall order, but they eventually succeeded in their drive.

The movie stars Kevin Kline as Ray, Alicja Bachleda-Curus as Veronica, Paulina Gaitan as Adriana, and Cesar Ramos as Jorge. Among the movie's main cast, Kevin Kline stood tall above everyone. He recently opened the film in the United Nations main offices in New York City. People applaud him, and the film in general. It was even reported that 5% of the profits will go directly to the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime. The film's true purpose is to serve an eye opening regarding the black market of sex trade.