The Kurly Review

Toxic!!!

2008-07-13T17:52:00.002+08:00

It's been really friggin heavy at work lately, so much so that I haven't been as vigilant to the one passion (other than the wifey that is...) that rocks my boat

MOVIES!!!

Being blockbuster season, I must confess to have watched most of the pop-corn flicks the past couple of months. I'm trying to get some of that stuff into my usual movie review schtick so that I can post it up here in the near future. Hope you guys drop by again soon.

Iron Man... it's FAVREAU-lous!!!

2008-05-01T00:23:00.026+08:00

The man in the iron mask... and iron gloves... and iron boots... and iron underwear... and iron...

Comic book flicks are here to stay. Yep, that's one film genre that's definitely earned it's niche in the industry. The past few years have proven that bringing two-dimensional people in tights can be very lucrative to the high and mighty powerbrokers residing on Mount Hollywood. Marvel Entertainment has definitely benchmarked this trend by steadily transitioning their more popular characters from the funny books to the big screen. With the unquestionable financial success of their Spider-Man franchise, Marvel now presents to the moviegoing public.... IRON MAN.

can you tell which one is Moe, Larry and Curly?... nyuk nyuk nyuk nyuk!!!

Iron Man tells the story most comic book geeks know by heart: Billionaire-Industrialist-Playboy meets with a life-altering accident which brings him to see the light. After being given a second crack at life, said Billionaire-Industrialist-Playboy devotes his time and effort to fighting crime while wearing brightly colored duds. Yep... in another lifetime, that would have been enough for a great movie, but these days a good flick, especially a comic book flick will live or die at the hands of it's director. Thank God for Jon Favreau!

right before he turned to directing films, favreau was a closet serial killer

Jon Favreau is definitely one of the major assets Iron Man has in it's favor. The Fav's love for the genre has enabled the flick to be more than just a hack-movie. He made it FUN. The choice of having Robert Downey Jr. play Tony Stark (our Billionaire-Industrialist-Playboy per se) was inspired right from the beginning. Downey's wit and humor enabled him to flesh-out the title role in a way that is engaging for both moviegoers and comicbook fanboys alike. Kudos to the whole crew for making this flick watchable from start to finish.

"a cool exec with a heart of steel"... hmm... howabout a heart of arc-based energy?

As with most comic book films, getting the first one off the ground would arguably be the hardest (especially if you're gunning for sequels or spinoffs), but Fav's did his homework and brought the story of Iron Man into the 21st century. More importantly, the story was well thought of and paced at just the right speed which gives newbies to Iron Man enough leeway to absorb the what's and why's of the plot. Action-wise, the film makes great use of CGI especially with the flight sequences and good-guy/bad-guy encounters.

"woooo!!!! I can fly!!!".... "but how do I scratch my butt?"

Some supporting characters weren't as developed as they should have been. One good example would be Terrence Howard's portrayal of Jim Rhodes, Stark's best friend and military liaison. I have nothing against the guy, but man!!! This dude's enthusiasm level in the film could have done with a liiiiiittle bit more juice. Jeff "the Dude" Bridges' Obadiah Stone character fared better, especially with that chrome-dome 'do. Gwyneth Paltrow who plays Pepper Potts, Stark's assistant and confidant, had a little bit more screentime which helped define her rapport and relationship with Downey's Stark.

I don't know about Moe and Larry... but I've got your Curly right here!!!

But the defining victory in this movie (at least for me, that is...) is having seen Jon Favreau's dedication to the mediums which he hopes to bridge. DC has it's Nolan.... now Marvel has it's Favreau.

Reign Over Me

2007-11-16T10:56:00.000+08:00

You know how I know we're Gay?.... we're two grown men walking side by side on an empty street and looking at each other funny...

How do we deal with loss? Some go through the whole multi-step process: anger, resentment, bargaining, self-pity, acceptance... or whatever the heck ELSE that goes along with it (there are so many steps being added that I'm not sure HOW high the ladder is these days). Now there are SOME people that just don't handle loss all too well. There are those, when faced with loss, teeter on the edge of sanity and can't help but gaze out into the madness beyond. For these individuals who face a loss so great, redemption may be a little hard... and complicated to obtain.

why am I smiling?!? methinks my goofy hair has something to do with it...

Take Charlie Fineman in the movie Reign Over Me... Charlie Fineman (portrayed by a very "Bob Dylan-esque" Adam Sandler) lost his wife and children during the 911 terror attack. Charlie's tragic loss sends him spiralling into a state of grief and despair... which in turn causes him to live in a pale reflection of the almost perfect life he once had with his family. The story gets rolling as a former college roommate, Alan Johnson (played by the always entertaining Don Cheadle) spots Charlie on the street and having heard about Charlie's loss, sets out to re-kindle the friendship between them. This chance encounter did not turn out well for Alan when he discovers that Charlie has been reduced into a gibbering (yep... "Gibbering" IS a word... in MY dictionary at least... HA!), scooter-riding, anti-social, ipod-freak... he makes it his mission to help lift his friend out of the pit of gloom that Charlie has gotten comfortable residing in.

maaan.... I wonder why I cant seem to pick up chicks with my ride?

The cast also includes Jada Pinkett-Smith who plays Cheadle's wife Janeane; Liv Tyler as hottie-shrink Angela Oakhurst and Saffron Burrows as Donna Remar: a gal with issues of the "oral" persuasion who, at different points in the film, develops a fascination with Sandler's character Charlie and Cheadle's Johnson... (Cheadle's Johnson?!?!?! watch the flick... you'll see what I mean... I hope...)

I swear to God Charlie... If you don't take a bath soon, I'm gonna throw you in the Goddamn river!

Reign Over Me is indeed a bold move in attempting to depict what is possibly a very real aftershock of 9-11. Sandler, although not the usual bone-head goof that we are accustomed to seeing on the screen, pulls off a memorable performance. Director Mike Binder manages to paint a deeper image of Adam Sandler as a grieving family man lost in the aftermath of tragedy.

Stardust

2007-11-11T21:31:00.000+08:00

hmmm... I've been a very baaaaad girl... (what can you expect from "wicked witches"?)

The best thing about fairy tales is the magical aspect of the story. It has the ability to transport you to places where the possibilities are as endless as your imagination dictates. This is the main reason I am such a fan of Neil Gaiman. His penchant for highly imaginative stories has earned him a cult following all over the world and revived this particular kurly fan's belief in the inspiring powers of an honest-to-goodness fairy tale.

abra-cadabra!!!!

Stardust was originally an illustrated novel that Gaiman did with artist Charles Vess. Although the film is a bit of a "toned-down" version of their original novel, it nevertheless gives us a glimpse of the magical universe that Gaiman has been known for crafting. Targetting family as it's primary audience, Stardust gives us an enchanting journey of discovery for the hero Tristan (as played by newcomer Charlie Cox). The story moves forward as good-natured Tristan tries to win the good graces of the local beauty Victoria (Sienna Miller) by volunteering himself to retrieve a falling star that plummets from the heavens onto the lands bordering their native town of Wall.

Tristan: To prove that I love you... I'm going to get you your own "fallen star"!

Victoria: Did you spike the drinks or somethin? ARE YOU FRIGGIN NUTS? what the heck is in this drink anyway?

Tristan's adventure starts upon crossing the borders of Wall into the magical realm of Stormhold. Upon reaching the "star" and coming to terms that the said heavenly body is in fact a beautiful woman in the person of Yvaine (Claire Danes), Tristan realizes that doing this particular deed for love isn't going to be all that simple. He meets up with various characters, each of whom have their own vested interest in the fallen star. From murderous princes to evil witch queens, Tristan must somehow shed his awkward nature and find the "hero within" (yeah... it's cliche, but believe me... it still works!) in order to make it back to Wall and prove his deed to his so-called "true love" Victoria.

From ZERO...

...to ZERO...

...and FINALLY... a HERO...

Good call on casting Michelle Pfieffer as the witch-queen Lamia bent on gaining the secret of the fallen star, although it's Robert De Niro who ends up stealing the show with his suprisingly amusing antics. 'Ol Bobby never ceases to amaze me as he pulls a comedic "fast one" on the audience with his portrayal of Captain Shakespeare, an airship captain who helps young Tristan and Yvaine on their journey back to the town of Wall.

are you talkin' to me??? .....and who are you calling a "whoopsie"?!?!?

The movie provides a good show for the kiddies and the kids-at-heart (that would be me of course... HA!) as well as those people out there who enjoy adventure with a good helping of romantic mush on the side. One particular scene that kurled this humble auteur's ticker (and which I would particularly encourage you to look out for...) would be the one where Yvaine professes her feelings to a currently incapacitated Tristan about their whole adventure together... classic dialogue if I say do so myself... which I do... ummmm.... whatever... just see for yourself, you'll get it... I hope...

watch where you're putting those hands mister!!!!!!

All in all, Stardust a flick for the whole family, and yes... you can even bring your silly relatives (the more the merrier I would think so...).

did I tell you that Michelle Pfieffer was perfectly cast as Lamia the Witch Queen?

I did? well... she IS... I mean perfect... cast that is...

oh dagnabbit!...

aint she a beaut? =)

Now scoot! Go see it already will ya? =)

Shoot Em Up... or "boys having fun with guns..."

2007-09-27T23:33:00.000+08:00

"Honey?... I think I'm going to be a little late... I have to take care of a couple of things first..."

Its amazing what kind of stew you can end up with when you combine just the right ingredients. For example: get a perpetually pissed-off loner whose violent tendencies go nuclear at the slightest provocation, add an unbelievably hot prostitute with a matriarchal fetish, mix in one bad ass killer trying to make it home in time for his kid's birthday and one freshly orphaned baby with an ear for heavy metal music. Add them all together and simmer for a little less than 90 minutes in a broth of guns, bullets and carrots (yup! don't forget the carrots)... and what have you got?..... Shoot Em Up.

One of this year's eagerly anticipated action flicks, Shoot Em Up doesn't try to live up to anything other than it's name. Written and directed by Michael Davis (100 girls, Monster Man), the film stars Clive Owen as the mysterious crack-shot "Mr. Smith" who reluctantly plays midwife (yes... midwife) and protector to the previously described rock and roll infant. The said infant which is mysteriously being hunted by a gang of killers led by "Hertz", a ruthless executioner played with exemplary pomp and flair by Paul Giamatti. Onscreen sex-siren Monica Bellucci plays "Donna Quintano", an emotionally scarred prostitute who gets mixed up in the mayhem when Smith asks her help in taking care of the enigmatic baby. What follows is almost an hour and a half's worth of gunfights, car chases, blood, gore, sex; all of which are summed up in two words: mindless fun.

I'm a British nanny, and I'm dangerous

The movie doesn't concentrate into the plot all that much. And I would hazard a guess that that was the whole point! Shoot Em Up is basically one big outrageous action sequence being held together by a weak story. The funny thing about that idea is... it works great that way! In this particular case, the gunfights, the car chases and most everything else in the flick are done in exaggerated proportions, most of the time resulting in over-the-top delivery. The body count alone pays homage to all the classic one-man-army flicks that popularized the invincible gun-wielding hero (Rambo, Commando, etc) of yesteryear. Even dialogue is limited to barely grounding the plot and concentrates mostly in delivering amusing one-liners particularly those exchanged by the characters of Giamatti and Owen. The inclusion of Monica Bellucci wasn't based on her acting prowess (although she did have her share of nominations, awards and accolades for her other works in the past), rather it was because of what she is... one of the hottest babes around... and I think we can all agree on that. She brings the "hotness" factor that is a must-have for any decent action flick.

"What's up Doc?"

"You wascally wabbit..."

"You are the angriest man in the world..."

"If I remember right, you used to like it like that..."

Once in a while, it's refreshing to find a film that delivers with as little pretense of what it was intended to achieve. The film promises to let you lie back and just enjoy good old fashioned action without the usual disguise of a complicated story. And at the end of a long and tiring day, what better way to help you relax than a good old fashioned...

yup, you guessed it...

Shoot Em Up.

Fables... not your usual bedtime stories kiddies...

2007-09-24T23:49:00.000+08:00

Most of us when we were but wee lads and lassies, have either read or been told stories filled with magic and monsters, of mighty heroes and evil beasts, of handsome princes and damsels in distress, of knights in shining armour and fire-breathing dragons, of wishes that come true and the ultimate realization of every young romantic... the happily-ever-after. These were stories of "once upon a time..." and "in a land far far away..." that usually finishes off with "and the moral of the story is...".

Fairy Tales... Fables...

Who hasn't heard the story of Snow White and her diminutive companions? Or of the 3 little pigs and their encounter with the Big Bad Wolf? Do you still remember the infamous Jack and his adventures after scaling the giant Beanstalk? How about Goldilocks and the 3 Bears? Timeless tales each and every one, with the ability to entrance readers and listeners as each new generation rolls along.

Cut to the dawn of the new millenium, writer Bill Willingham introduces a new twist on everybody's favorite fairy tales. He writes the regular monthly comic book aptly titled: Fables. Aimed for more mature readers, Fables is a fresh take on those same children's classics we all know and grew up on.

for those who want to catch up on the previous issues... Fables is also available in Trade Paperback editions

Published by Vertigo (sister company of publishing giant DC Comics), Fables took classic fairy tale characters and inserted them into the "real" world. After a mysterious enemy known only as the Adversary systematically conquers the storybook Homeland, the creatures of story and folklore are forced to abandon their respective worlds and journey into ours. The fables (coined by Willingham to denote these characters of myth) establish their own secret community in New York and name it... Fabletown (what else?). With the use of magic provided by their resident witches and wizards, Fabletown manages to look like any ordinary community in New York... at least on the outside. A rural compound located at upstate New York houses The Farm where the more "imaginative" looking fables take up residence which is also protected by the same magic that guards its urban counterpart from Mundane (as the people from our world are called by the fables) eyes.

As far as characters go, Willingham took great creative liberties in re-imagining the histories of the Fabletown residents. The principal players include Snow White long since divorced from the philandering Prince Charming (who was also divorced by succeeding wives Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty), is now the deputy mayor of the community. She manages the day to day workings of Fabletown. The Big Bad Wolf who now goes by the name Bigby has reformed his ways and works for the town as it's resident security officer and sheriff. Now able to change from wolf to human form at will, Bigby Wolf makes sure that everybody in Fabletown keeps the peace. Jack Horner who is more commonly known as-each-and-every "Jack" character in the stories is still trying his luck in any get-rich-quick scheme that comes to mind. Goldilocks is all grown up and still living with the 3 Bears at Fabletown's upstate Farm, although she has developed somewhat of a political left-wing mindset. Bluebeard is one of the town's benefactors seeing that he is one of the few fables that managed to escape into our world with his wealth intact. Many more characters are introduced in the course of the series whose classic and traditional backgrounds are cleverly made-over by Willingham's humorous takes

Bigby Wolf and Snow White

Bill Willingham manages to take these characters and breathe new life into them by portraying their more human side, be it dark or innocent, or even light and amusing. He plays with the idea of how such a diverse group of storybook characters can co-exist in the same reality. How does Little Red Riding Hood feel about having to live in a place where her mortal enemy The Big Bad Wolf is the peacekeeper? Or how would you even try to begin to get Dragons and Giants go about un-noticed in such a media friendly world like ours? How about the sorry predicament most of the fable community are forced to endure? Back in their own respective lands, most of the fables were wealthy and lived in relative luxury. The onset of their relocation to this Mundane world of ours forced them to work to be able to make ends meet. Case in point, although Beauty and the Beast may be Fabletown's poster couple for married bliss, they still have to work their butts off to put food on the table. Beauty works as a clerk in a bookstore and Beast does boiler room maintenance work for the Fabletown buildings. Cinderella, now estranged from Prince Charming, ironically has her own little shoestore which she has to manage herself. The immersion of the fables in these all-too-human experiences often results in entertaining situations.

Such is the picture that Bill Willingham paints for the followers of this innovative book. And by pictures, this book ain't some hole-in-the-wall operation in terms of the visuals either. The art team has included pencillers Lan Medina, Steve Leialoha, Craig Hamilton and industry veteran Mark Buckingham. The series has garnered 7 Eisner Awards from 2003 to 2006 that included "Best New Series", "Best Serialized Story" and "Best Cover Artist". Truly a title that is worth looking into, Fables will give readers a chance to revisit their childhood heroes and share new adventures set in our own backyard. Yep... these may not be the bedtime stories that we were used-to... but they make for one heck of an interesting alternative read.

Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange

2007-09-01T23:34:00.000+08:00

time for a taste of the good 'ol ultra-violence ya droogs!

I have to admit that A Clockwork Orange is one of the few films of Stanley Kubrick that yours truly has ever had the privelage to watch. As with the films of his that I HAD watched, A Clockwork Orange proved to be one fantastic film experience.

Set in near-future Britain (or what passed for it during the early 70's), the film tells the story of teenage hooligan Alex De Large (as played by a very young Malcolm McDowell) and his less than admirable exploits in the world of, as the film would put it... "ultra-violence".

Naughty, naughty, naughty! You filthy old soomka!

"Ultra-Violence" in this case, is by no means an exaggerated term. Alex and his cohorts participate in all sorts of horrendous acts. Then again, the people from the 70's would probably be as equally horrified with what kids today are capable of... but that's another film discussion all in itself already. Garbed in their trademark derby hats and crotchguard-over-white-overalls, these hoodlums engage in most everything illegal in order to satisfy their need for the ultimate rush... hallucinogens, gang-fights, theft, rape... any horrific crime you can think of, they've either already done it or will very likely consider to do it. The plot intensifies when Alex's so called partners-in-crime (his droogs - as the film's quirky lingo so aptly states) decide that its time for a change in leadership of their merry bunch of misfits. In a freak robbery gone sour, Alex accidentaly kills the owner of a house they planned to pillage and ends up being deserted by his so-called friends to the mercy of the police. Once inside prison, Alex decides to do whatever is necessary to ensure that he gets out in the shortest amount of time... and that means participating in the experimental "rehabilitation" program sponsored by the state.

There was nothing I hated more than to see a filthy old drunkie, a-howling away at the filthy songs of his fathers and going blurp blurp in between as if it were a filthy old orchestra in his stinking rotten guts. I could never stand to see anyone like that, especially when they were old like this one was.

Although the movie outlines violence prevalent in the time period to which the story takes place, one cant help but sympathize with the predicament Alex has gotten himself into. Generally an intelligent character actor, Malcolm McDowell portrays Alex as a charming and charismatic individual. His appreciation of Beethoven's 9th Symphony (or in Alex's words: "the 9th, by Ludwig Van") might reflect one of the few things that are still innocent and good in a mind as deeply disturbed as his. The street-talk that Alex and his droogs consistently spew at each other is a bit hard to understand at first (or would the british have no problem with this? hmmmm....), but during the course of the film, the viewer gets an appreciation of it's almost lyrical and poetic qualities.

What you got back home, little sister, to play your fuzzy warbles on? I bet you got, say, pitiful, portable picnic players. Come with uncle and hear all proper! Hear angels' trumpets and devils' trombones. You are invited!

The highlight of the movie has to be when Alex is actually rehabilitated. Once the transformation from Mr. Hyde to Dr. Jekyll takes place, the ramifications of such a radical personality change will make one wonder on whether human nature should be a thing to be so-lightly toyed with.

probably one of the most chilling images in 20th century cinema...

Recommended for mature viewers, A Clockwork Orange gives us a glimpse of the horrific side of human nature and the consequences we must face when it is left unchecked. Kudos to Mr. Kubrick for giving us such a unique vision of the duality that reside in each and every one of us.

Big Trouble In Little China

2007-08-17T01:32:00.000+08:00

What do you get when you mix-in Magic, Mayhem and a Menagerie of characters brought to life by the legendary Director John Carpenter? Well, throw-in an insane amount of humor and one fast-talking hero in the person of Jack Burton and you've got yourself a recipe for a cult classic...... John Carpenter's Big Trouble In Little China.

"Just remember what ol' Jack Burton does when the earth quakes, the poison arrows fall from the sky, and the pillars of Heaven shake. Yeah, Jack Burton just looks that big old storm right in the eye and says, 'Give me your best shot. I can take it' "

A fun filled roller coaster ride loaded with 80's camp makes Big Trouble In Little China a must-see for Kurt Russell fans. Russell plays Jack Burton, a wise-cracking Trucker who, while trying to collect on a debt, accidentally gets involved in a supernatural battle between good and evil. This flick has it all, great action sequences, hotties galore (Kim Cattrall in her prime... rowrrrrr!), great special effects.... hey! it's the 80's! shooting lightning bolts from the fingertips was way cool back then!...

"you know what?.... this kinda tickles...."

"tickles?... I have yer 'tickles' right here old man!!!"

Filled with an array of fantastic villains, this movie will surely tickle the imagination. We've got an evil sorcerer in the person of Lo-Pan (as played beautifully by Hong Kong superstar James Hong); his minions, the Three Storms (brought to life by erstwhile kung-fu professionals Carter Wong, Peter Kwong and James Pax) and a whole slew of monsters and supernatural creatures that will keep Jack Burton and the gang on their toes in this thrill-a-minute action-adventure classic!

"I AM LO-PAN!!!!... and I need.... breath mints"

"heads up boss!!!...breath mints comin' up!!!"

So, do yourself a favor... get the popcorn ready, put the beers on ice, fluff up that favorite couch of yours and get ready for some whiz-bang entertainment.... Jack Burton style!

A Comicbook Orange: Frank Miller Time

2007-08-16T20:13:00.000+08:00

I just had to post this... take a look at a brief history of one of the greatest innovators in the comic book industry... FRANK MILLER!!!!

Children Of Men

2007-08-15T22:33:00.000+08:00

The name's Owen... Clive Owen...

Set against a backdrop of a world gone mad... a world of the not too distant future where society is dealing with imminent extinction due to global widespread infertility... one man must rise against his personal tragedies to ensure the safety of possibly the last remaining hope for the survival of humanity.

This sleeper of a film manages to hit just the right chords with viewers in respect to present day issues. With the world as we know it relatively spiralling out of control, Children of Men poses the important question: "how will humankind react when faced with the possibility of our extinction as a species?". Director Alfonso Cuaron takes the viewers on a journey through the looking glass, giving us a glimpse of a twisted world which may one day be.... our own.

Good lord!!! they've just blew up the last good place to buy coffee!!! we're all doomed!!!

The film highlights an excellent performance by Clive Owen. This one time frontrunner for the James Bond role shines throughout the movie as Theo, an ex-political activist inadvertently tasked with transporting Kee (played by relative newcomer Claire-Hope Ashitey) and the wondrous secret she bears. Julianne Moore and Michael Caine also churn-in wonderful acting prowess as Theo's wife and best friend respectively.

"could you spare some change? I just got fired from Wayne Manor"

"Get away from me you crazy old hippie!"

Recommended for mature viewers, Children Of Men will get one to question the moral direction our planet is hurtling towards. Fictional this story may be, but one cant help but wonder: is humanity it's own worst enemy?... or are we capable of nurturing hope for our own future?

Yipee-Ki-Yay Motherbleepfubleepkr

2007-07-23T23:30:00.000+08:00

"That Maggie Q sure looks hot..."
"Shut up chrome dome... she goes for younger guys!"

Yes!!!! *bleep* John Mc*bleep*Clane is back! Our erst*bleep*while wrong-place-at-the*bleep*-wrong-time *bleep* NYC cop is once again *bleep* thrust into a *bleep* situation where he's up against... *bleep*... HEY!!! waittaminit....

Okay... I think I got it under control now, (just remembered that this was a PG-13 flick, read: no F-Bombs!) .... okay, where was I? Oh right...

John McClane IS back and he's still the king of the wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time scenario. Director Len Wiseman (of the recent "Underworld" series) brings our favorite tough-as-nails NYC cop into the millenium by pitting him against a group of cyber-terrorists bent on taking the country hostage through a series of internet-based attacks aimed at crippling the computer and technological capabilities of the good 'ol US of A.

Bruce Willis reprises his role as John McClane, ever wise-cracking cop who has a knack for really bad timing. This time however, he is joined by Justin Long (Dodgeball, Waiting) who plays Matt Farrell, a whiz kid hacker who just might be the key in pulling the curtains down on the bad guys. McClane's daughter Lucy also makes an appearance in this installment; played by a very hot Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Sky High), finally we get to see if the apple falls far from the tree. The cast is rounded off by Thomas Gabriel as played by Timothy Olyphant (Seth Bullock of Deadwood fame) along with his trusted aide Mai Lihn played by the ever magnificent Maggie Q (Mission Impossible 3) as the cyber terrorist baddies hell bent on bringing America's Internet and Telecommunications capabilities to its knees.

Lets get to the nitty gritty people... this is not a "thinking" movie; lets get that out of the way right off the bat. The Die Hard series wasnt known for having oscar-worthy plot material. The script has so many holes that it could be mistaken for swiss cheese. But then again, like a lot of fans out there, from time to time... I get that strong craving for cheese and that it dont matter if it's riddled with holes or not.

But holes it does have. First off, although Maggie Q was a joy to watch on-screen, her partner Timothy Olyphant somewhat fell short of my expectations for a Die Hard villain. It might be a typical case of mis-casting but I somehow cant help but compare him to the great Alan Rickman. But then again the first installment in any successful movie series is really tough competition. Although Hans Gruber (Rickman) was hardly the perfect villain in all of celluloid, he was nevertheless one of the most formidable adversaries for our erstwhile hero McClane. Olyphant, in his zeal to be cold and methodical, doesnt give audiences the menacing aura for them to connect with.

Or maybe that's because of the lack of F-Bombs in this incarnation.

That brings me to my second point: Hollywood, in its typical blockbuster fashion has toned down the angst and Mclane's token bad-ass-ness (is that even a word?) in exchange for getting more viewers into the cinemas. Although a credible marketing ploy, I cant help but wonder if this is another indication of MPAA influence over the freedom of artistic expression. hmmm... too deep? well, it could just be this humble reviewer's penchant for FRIGGIN' CUSSWORDS in action movies that made me feel a little less comfortable with a Fu*bleep*kless McClane script... (dang! this is a PG-13 review... gotta remember that).

One of the things that remained constant anyhow were the action sequences that the previous flicks were known for. Viewers are taken for a thrill-a-minute ride from start to finish; signed, sealed and McClane-Express delivered! Although CGI were used in several sequences, the result still gives its trademark "WOW" effect. It really doesnt matter if Bruce Willis is a balding 52 year old veteran, he can still make those stunts look believable.

Although generally looking like a big chunk of swiss cheese, Die Hard 4.0 comes through in its intent on giving viewers a fun movie to watch on the big-screen. For those who missed John McClane, Die Hard 4.0 is still a welcome return of a great action classic. I didnt watch it expecting a mind blowing story... I watched it to see things go BOOM! And Boom it went... John Fu*Bleep*kin McClane style!

Yipee-Ki-Yay Mofo....

Tuesdays we "Roll Out"...

2007-07-10T23:30:00.000+08:00

Prime: This is it Megatron... One shall stand... One shall fall!;

Megatron: not if I out-stare you do-gooder!

Like most typical boys in the early eighties, yours truly was very much into cartoons. I was enchanted by the way these hand drawn images were made to move and depict feats only possible in the mind's eye. From the early Disney flicks that I watched on Betamax (precursor to the VHS format, for those not in-the-know), to the early saturday morning cartoon marathons made me anticipate the weekends all the more. But there was one particular cartoon series that got me excited over everything else. At the time, it was'nt shown during weekends. It was oddly placed at a primetime slot (on a Tuesday no less!) at one of the leading TV networks... The Transformers.

I remember having watched the first episode of Transformers (sometime in 1984 I think), literally glued to my seat in front of the boob-tube; I didnt even dare to go take a piss during commercial breaks for fear of missing out on what came next. The story was fairly simple, millions of years ago in the farthest reaches of space, a war was going on in the technologically advanced planet of cybertron. This war was unique due to the fact that its participants were'nt your typical flesh and blood alien entities. Instead, the warring factions were sentient robots who morphed or "transformed" into different vehicles, equipment, weapons etc. On one side was the heroic Autobots and on the other the destructive Decepticons. At the end of that first episode, I kept thinking to myself... "the next episode is still a week away... why cant it be Tuesday everyday?"

Fast forward to a couple of years later, the first Transformers animated Movie came out in 1986. It was all the eye candy a kid like me was hoping for and more. It had excellent animation (far superior to the regular series) and a great soundtrack ( to this day I cant forget the line from stan bush's song "The Touch": "You've got the Touch... You've got the Poweeeer!!!"--- okay, THAT was weird... heh heh). Sadly, it also gave me one of the earliest shockers of my youth, it featured the death of Autobot leader Optimus Prime: one of the most noble characters in cartoon history. Although the series continued after the movie... it wasnt the same for yours truly. I watched a couple of episodes of the continuing series but something was missing... It didnt have Prime in it. Sadly, I let go of my infatuation with the Transformers. I think that was when I realized that it couldnt be "Tuesday" forever. With a heavy heart, I moved on with the rest of the week.

But then as fate would have it, almost 20 years later, the recent boom in big-screen translations of early TV hits prompted the powers-that-be (in the name of Steven Speilberg and Michael Bay) to conceptualize a LIVE ACTION TRANSFORMERS film based on the hit cartoon series! I cannot even begin to describe the elation that started to swell up within this 30 year old fanboy. It was like having a long lost friend call on you after years of separation. From the first gossip that spread on the internet, to the teaser trailers that cleverly did not show too much of the material... I was hooked once more! I thought to myself... Tuesday's back!!!

The present incarnation of the movie stars Shia Lebeouf as Sam Witwicky, your typical teenager dealing with the normal shtick of growing up and who is on the verge of buying his first car. Little does he know just how important he will be in the coming conflict. Lebeouf is joined by rising star Megan Fox as Mikaela, the token hottie who at first doesnt notice Sam in school but is inadvertently cast alongside our teenage hero in a battle of robotic proportions. The story is centered on a mysterious cube known as the "All-Spark", the source of conflict of the Autobots and Decepticons. Having found clues that the "All-Spark" may be here on Earth, events unfold that warrant a final confrontation between these robotic entities. Whoever posesses the "All-Spark" will ultimately decide the fate of the universe.

Mostly aimed at *ahem* my generation, Michael Bay's Transformers succeeds in bringing into the fold newbies to the genre. Good word-of-mouth played a pivotal part in the apparent box office success of this film. Although most fans were a bit hesitant that Bay was on the helm of translating a much loved classic onto the big screen, the finished product and its mind-blowing visuals ultimately allayed their fears.

Fans are treated to fast-tracked action sequences that have come to be a trademark of Michael Bay. Although this aspect has been the source of scrutiny in Bay's recent flicks; in this particular case it actually fits! Admittedly some sequences got to be a little confusing at first because some of the autobots and decepticons tend to look the same in robot mode. But as a whole, it was still absolutely thrilling to see these "iconic" characters come to life and interact with real live people (oh, the wonders of technology!). A friend told me that one particular scene stood out when they watched it: the very first time that the Autobots met with Sam and Mikaela in the alley. That was the first time that viewers saw the whole heroic gang transform into their robot forms... and yes... I got goosebumps the first time Optimus Prime transformed from a Semi into the colossus we all know and love.

One aspect that probably helped the film's success would have been the "nostalgia factor" (Watch out for the one-liners used in Bay's movie that were picked up from either the original cartoon series or the first animated flick). Speilberg and Bay counted on this for the movie's success and their gambit paid off. As of this writing, Transformers has already surpassed Spider-Man 3 as this year's big winner for the highest grossing movie in its first 7-day run in the US. With this development, fans are almost assured of a sequel or three in the coming years.

At least THIS kurly fan hopes so, because I cant help but hope..... that somehow... "Tuesday is just around the corner" :)

Spider-man 3: All Webbed Up

2007-05-04T17:55:00.000+08:00

Ever since Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced Spider-Man in 1962, readers have been privy to the ups and downs in the life of the wise-cracking wallcrawler. In Amazing Fantasy #15 (the ill fated comic book’s final issue), Stan Lee presented us with Peter Parker, a bright high school student facing the all-too-familiar struggles of growing up, dealing with the school bully, getting a date, studying for exams, and even taking out the trash. Peter’s accidental bite from a radioactive spider (and his subsequent transformation into Spider-Man) notwithstanding, he still dealt with similar issues while living up to the responsibility of helping those in need of his special abilities. As Spider-Man, he faced super-powered villains out to do harm time and again; but as Peter Parker, he also faced the dilemma of earning enough money to pay rent for a run-down apartment. Peter works as a freelance photographer (showing readers that not all superheroes have glamorous millionaire-playboy alter-egos), and beating the bad guy doesn’t necessarily mean getting enough work done to come up with the rent on time.

"Mint-Condition" First Editions of this comic book are valued above $50,000!

Therein lies this spider's appeal; Stan Lee inadvertently scored a hit by providing ground-breaking characterizations that endeared Spider-Man (and his alter-ego, Peter Parker) to a new generation of comic book fans.

Enter 2007; almost half a century since the character’s creation, Spider-Man continues to delight fans both old and new, in the comic book and more recently, in the big screen. In the third installment of the highly successful movie franchise, Spider-Man is at the top of his game; loved by the denizens of New York, and finally together with Mary Jane, he’s making great strides in his studies at the university. Peter Parker has seemingly achieved balance in his otherwise extra-ordinary double-life.

Alas, there wouldn’t be much of a movie without adversity. The movie centers on the existence of a dark side in everyone. The appearance of an alien symbiote and the ensuing bond that it makes with Spider-Man gives us a glimpse of a Peter Parker uninhibited by his heroic morals. This presents Spider-Man with the question on how a true Hero will face the ramifications of his actions.

"do you think Black makes me look thin????"

Several sub-plots (some derived from the first two films) are also tackled:

- His best friend Harry, who in the previous film attempted to destroy Spider-Man, now knows about Peter’s double life. Believing himself betrayed, Harry is now more determined than ever to exact his revenge on whom he believes to be his father’s killer. He will stop at nothing to obtain vengeance on Spider-Man… even to the point of recreating the process that transformed his father into the Green Goblin.

"Dad...when I grow up... I wanna be just like you...

- Peter’s romantic life is now also put to the test. Mary Jane is having a hard time with her own career as an aspiring actress and Spider-Man’s recent popularity may have enabled Peter to overlook MJ’s growing need of a sympathetic partner. The introduction of Gwen Stacy as Peter’s classmate and lab partner can only generate even more friction in his already complicated relationship with Mary Jane.

"hmmmm... redhead or blonde?...redhead or blonde?...can't...choose...head...hurts...gonna...explode....aaaarghhh!...

- The introduction of two more villains spice up the spider-stew as the Sandman and Venom enter the fray. One may have a connection to the death of Peter’s Uncle Ben and the other harbors a hate for Peter Parker that only his destruction will satisfy. Only mayhem can ensue when these super-powered hooligans cross paths with the web-spinner.

The myriad plotlines may have ultimately been the movie’s only downside.

Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed the film (fanboy that I am of course)! I just couldn’t shake the feeling that the story would have been much more enjoyable if the sub-plots weren’t forcibly incorporated. Characterization is one thing, but one important difference when you’re doing it in comic books is that you get to have several issues to delve into it properly. Unfortunately, you don’t have that kind of luxury when you compress it in a 2 ½ hour movie. The plot-shifts prevalent in the film take the viewer on a roller coaster ride; shifting from intense action scenes (love those aerial battles!) to Pete’s dealing with the numerous issues surrounding his personal life. The stories that were mashed together in this particular installment (in my opinion) were enough for 2 films!

In any case, were sure to have a part 4… and a part 5… and a part whatever. Judging by the Gazillions Spider-Man 3 is making (and will probably end-up making), the producers aren’t going to stop milking this particular cow anytime soon. The advent of Spidey’s more classic villains for future installments is the topic of every fanboy in town these days (The Lizard and Kraven the Hunter would be my personal votes). Let’s just hope that the producers learn from the lessons of having too much going on at once so that the next movie will be even better.

In closing, fanboys like me (criticizing the finer points of the story notwithstanding) still admit to Spider-Man 3 giving “normal folk” the much needed “escapism” that these movies are supposed to provide. So, till next time…. Here’s web in yer eye!

HEROES in the making....

2007-04-26T12:23:00.000+08:00

could anybody tell us where the nearest superhero tailor would be?

“Are you on the list?”

Thus goes the tagline for the NBC hit series “Heroes”. The show’s first season has been an instant hit with viewers ever since it first aired last year. Hollywood is finally cashing-in on the recent Live-Action-Superhero-Movie craze. In light of the numerous innovations in special effects (CGI and otherwise), it really is a time to rejoice for fanboys who have been longing for their 2 dimensional heroes to be brought to life on the big screen (or in this case, the boob-tube).

“Heroes” tells the story of a diverse group of individuals from all over the world, gifted with abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Now before you think “Superfriends” or “X-Men”, one of the more important characteristics of “Heroes” (which makes it stand out from the normal comic book fanfare), is that it is set in a world that is strikingly like the one which we live in today. These people could be our neighbors… our friends… the man sitting beside you on the bus…. the grocer…. the newspaper vendor… heck, you could be one of them but not know it yet. Just imagine: the ability to fly, to read peoples minds, to manipulate time and space… all of these “fantastic powers” given to ordinary individuals not unlike you or me, living out ordinary lives and dealing with everyday problems like normal folk do. What would they do with these abilities? What would you do if you were in their place? Do these extra-ordinary abilities automatically make them “heroes”? If called upon, will they save the world? Can they?

Genetics plays a pivotal part in the story of “Heroes”. Relying on the premise that humanity is in continuous genetic evolution, and it is only a matter of time before the human body develops abilities beyond what we consider “normal”.

The key plotline of the series lies with Chandra Suresh, an eminent Indian Genetics Professor. Believing that human beings are beginning to ascend the evolutionary ladder, Chandra makes it his plight to locate these genetically gifted individuals in order to learn about their abilities and their role in inspiring hope and change for the future. Believing that the answers and the people he is looking for may be found in America, Chandra relocates to the West to obtain proof of his incredible theories.

But then, tragedy rears its ugly head.

During his research in America, Chandra is killed in an apparent accident. When word reaches Chandra’s son Mohinder, himself an up-and-coming Geneticist, he doesn’t believe that his father’s death was accidental. Instead, Mohinder believing that events relating to research on genetic mutation was the cause of his father’s demise, sets out to continue his father’s search for individuals with gifted abilities. Using a list of potential candidates resulting from Chandra's work, Mohinder follows his father's footsteps in search of the future of mankind.

“Heroes” presents us with a variety of individuals who have “special abilities” at the same time projecting that they are as normal as everyone else. Familiarity wafts through the air as we discover some of the primary characters of the series:

Nathan Petrelli – running for congressman, Nathan will do anything necessary to win. He has high dreams for himself and for his family. Will his ability enable him to win the election and help him soar into new heights of greatness? Or will it be the catalyst of his downfall?

Peter Petrelli – Nathan’s younger brother. Still on the road of professional self-discovery (to the disappointment of elder Nathan), Peter’s empathic nature and willingness to help others may very well be the abilities that sets him apart from normal people….or is it? Peter’s journey of self-discovery may end up being his own journey….into destiny!

Hiro Nakamura – Star Trek fan, comic book geek, and all around nice guy; Hiro spends his time in his father’s company as an ordinary day-in day-out employee. But what if Hiro finds out that he can do something else.....with time itself?

Matt Parkman – Beat-Cop Matt Parkman has taken the detective’s exam several times and consistently flunked each and every one. Matt’s depression with repeated failure to achieve Police Detective Level is putting a strain on his marriage. Will the discovery of his own special ability enable him to understand the minds of the criminals he seeks to apprehend....or will it unlock secrets to his family life he wished he was not privy to?

Sylar – a mysterious serial killer that has baffled the FBI because of the seemingly random victims that he targets. His vicious methods of killing may be the result of a seriously disturbed psyche….or is something else going on inside his head?

Niki Sanders & Family – a struggling single parent, Niki has had to take on the burden of bringing up her son Micah alone. Having her husband D.L. in prison doesn’t help her predicament much. She has had to rely on her strength of will to survive the difficulties that come their way. In the end…maybe her will isn’t the only thing about her that has strength….

Isaac Mendez – a substance addict, Isaac has been making a splash in the art scene with his fantastic paintings, but only does so when he’s high on drugs. Do his paintings truly capture the imagination….or is it possible that they depict something more?

Claire Bennet – Claire has been your average girl next door. Being in high school and keeping up with her studies while maintaining her position at the cheerleading squad is pressure enough for any teenager. But what happens when the average girl next door turns out to be not-so-average after all?

Many more characters will be introduced into the series as the story unfolds. Which of them will play a part in saving the world? I’m afraid that’s still anybody’s guess. Each one of them has their own story to tell and in those tales, we may find what binds their fates together. However diverse and unique each of them may be, the idea that they may be any one of us living out their lives in the world we live in, still sends a chill up my spine. So, ask yourself a question……

“Are you on the list?”

Attack of the Nipple People

2007-04-13T17:51:00.000+08:00

brrrrrr..... is it me? or is it getting cold out here?.... my nipples are hard as rocks...

“Madness?...This…….Is…….. SPARTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

That one scene where Leonidas, the Spartan king, sends the Persian Messenger to meet his maker convinced me that this movie was going to be one for the books. Gerard Butler, who plays Leonidas in the blockbuster hit “300”, certainly has come a long way. Fans might remember him playing the titular bloodsucker in “Dracula 2000”, or being second fiddle to Christian Bale in “Reign of Fire”. He was also lucky enough to bump uglies with Angelina Jolie in the forgettable “Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life”. And if you didn’t catch him beneath the make-up, he was also the disfigured star of the movie treatment of “The Phantom of The Opera”.

The movie tells the story of the Battle of Thermopylae where 300 noble Spartan warriors fought & died to protect their homeland from the massive conquering armies of the Persians. This shining example inspired the divided Greek tribes and kingdoms to unite in defense of their country.

300 had me on the edge of my seat. Frankly speaking, every time Leonidas makes a speech or even when he screams out a battle-cry, I was on the verge of pulling out my sword and hacking me some bad guys with it. (hmmmm…. That didn’t sound right…. Meh…. You get my meaning anyway). Kudos to Mr. Butler for playing the part with heart.

The advent of new movie-making technology enables the moviegoer a breath of relief. In light of the recent slump of Hollywood in giving audiences something other than crappy sequels and remakes, “300” couldn’t have come at a better time. The movie is based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. The stunning visuals from the graphic novel were successfully recreated by Director Zach Snyder on the big screen using computer animation and breakthrough “green-screen” technology. Tapping from an innate love for the comic book medium, Snyder fulfilled his long time dream of bringing one of the classic Frank Miller novels to life.

The cool thing is, even if you’re not a comic book aficionado, you won’t have any trouble enjoying the film. Plain & simple, “300” has the basic ingredients of a great blockbuster movie: a fast paced story line, memorable characters, classic one-liners, and best of all… plenty of good old “hack and slash”. So if you’re looking for that particular “Oomph” in your action film, “300” has definitely got it…. In spades.