July 2, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Nadia Shami

I have never read the book. I only know about the Edward-Bella-Jacob love triangle by watching the films. Well, in fact I have tried listening to New Moon audio book that’s why I was a little confident in explaining to my friends the vague parts of the film.

It takes a week to finish one audio book; but it takes a year to wait before you can watch each movie.

Twilight phenomenon started in 2008. When I heard the news that Twilight was coming out on theaters on November of that year, I already saw a lot of people reading the book. Okay, so what is the point of watching it when there’s a book already or vice-versa? Seeing people reading the book never enticed me to read also.

November came, Twilight was already showing; it was on its second week, and I am not still watching. However, one day, I had to end my intrigue. I heard my friends talking about the movie: criticizing the actors, some scenes etc. Now what, how come these people can’t over it? So I watched.

After watching the film, I finally knew who Edward, Bella and Jacob were. And from that time on, I became a fan of–Jacob. I not trying to say the Edward’s no good for Bella, but I think for a guy he is too mushy and dramatic. Okay enough of it.

Let us skip New Moon and talk about Eclipse.

Man, the movie was superb! I was in awe while watching the film. Yes, you may say “how come you’re amazed when it’s the most uninteresting book of the Saga?”

I do not think so. I think it was the best because for some reason, true love was portrayed in the film. It was in this film where Edward showed his unconditional love for Bella–actually, not only Edward but Jacob too!

In this film, there was an air of seriousness. No more boy-next-door and teenybopper scenes where only the “good looks” of Edward and Jacob were shown. Here, the real theme of the whole Twilight thing was established–both guys were expressing their deep love for Bella.

But, say, the negative parts of this film is that there were a lot of chattering. Bella talks about how she wants Edward to change her into a vampire. Edward talks about how he won’t have sex with her until they’re married. Jacob talks about how much he loves Bella. Bella talks about how she doesn’t love Jacob. Bella’s dad talks about how he doesn’t trust Edward. And the Cullens talk about Victoria’s nefarious plans to wipe them out.

A whole lot of chattering or not–the film was able to deliver a lesson. And this is where I begin to love Edward’s character. Old school as it may seems, but its definitely the right thing to do.

*moment of silence* I guess I should leave you hanging, because the rest of the story is for you to find out. Enjoy the film!

Article Source: Nadia Shami

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

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July 1, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Tatta Matt

Unarguably the best among the three; Toy Story franchise returns with it’s final edition in a 3D avatar for one last time. Directed by Lee Unkrich and produced by Disney Pixar, Toy Story 3 - one of the most loved animated movie - runs for 1 hour 45 minutes, making it a short and sweet adventure tale of lifeless toys, that speak a mind of their own.

Andy the kid, who once had a huge collection of toys in his room, has now grown up into a hand-some teenager, soon he will join college and it is time for him to put his beloved toys away, though they are still in perfect shape. Woody the sheriff is hopeful that Andy will tuck them away safely in the attic so that when he has kids of his own, they’ll play with the toys someday, but Wood’s and his friends’ dreams are short-lived, for, Andy’s mother is of the opinion that the toys be discarded as nobody would play with them once Andy leaves home.

As Andy picks up Woody and Buzz Light Year, his heart skips a beat yet again for the two of his favorite toys and he wants to take them to college with him. So he puts the two in a box, which he would take away to college and others in a bag that his mom will donate to a nearby kid’s day care centre. His mom mistakenly picks up the other bag, thinking it is trash and throws it out of the house. Woody is now in a fix. He has to save his friends. Off he jumps the window, saves his friends form trash van and they all crash land in the box that is to be donated to Sunnyside Day care.

Sunnyside Day care is now altogether new and fascinating home for the toys and an unknown place where they are accorded a warm welcome by other toys. But their grief of being discarded by Andy still looms, until they meet Losto - the Pink Bear. Woods tries to convince his friends to return to Andy, but the toys have now taken a disliking for him and decided to stay back at the day care center, with different kids each day, playing with them all day long. The unruly kids of the day care get the better of Andy’s toys and it is now Lotso has trapped them. Someone’s arm is missing, while someone else’s nose goes for a toss! The toys are in an utter mess and now want to break free.

Then on begins their adventure journey through the day care center with loads of twists and turns. How they manage to save their life and whether Andy takes all of them to college is a must watch, the plot of the story flows smoothly throughout and does not give way to confusion. Even if you haven’t seen the earlier two installments; it doesn’t confuse you a bit. You get the gist of the story the moment it begins to roll on screen. Also the romantic angle of a heart broken Barbie and Ken is well picturized. All toys play their characters well on the screen and it goes for voice over artists behind the scenes.

All in all… Toy Story is a must watch for people of all ages. Go Watch it.

The author has an online tips blog, where he writes on a variety of topics regularly. The above article is a Movie Review on Toy Story 3.

Article Source: Tatta Matt
Movie Review: Toy Story 3

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June 29, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Katherine Reid

The Karate Kid has a lot more kung fu than karate, but it’s based on the original movie from 1984 so the producers decided to keep the name for nostalgia’s sake. Unlike the original, this Karate Kid was shot in China. You get a great sense of the atmosphere on the streets of Beijing, and when Dre and his class visit the Forbidden City, you feel like you’re sightseeing too. The teachings of Mr. Han can fall a little flat because of bad dialogue, but when Dre finally enters the ring for the last fight, you can’t help but cheer.

The story of the new Karate Kid is slightly changed from the original. In the 2010 Karate Kid, Dre Parker and his mother move to China, when she gets a new job after losing faith in Detroit’s failing economy. Dre is immediately targeted by a tough gang of kung-fu kids led by a strong fighter named Cheng.

Dre might be fast, but he’s left defenseless against the martial art skills of Cheng and his gang. The beatings continue every day during school and afterward and Dre starts to wish he’d never come to China.

Luckily for Dre, not that all of China is bad. There is Mei Ying, the pretty aspiring violinist who befriends Dre early on. Unfortunately, Mei Ying also happens to be Cheng’s childhood friend and he doesn’t take kindly to Dre consorting with his longtime crush. The gang seems to come on even harder whenever they spot Dre and Mei Ying hanging out.

But one day, all that changes. The bullies chase Dre home and surround him. He’s just about to pass out from the beatings when his apartment maintenance man, Mr. Han breaks up the fight and shows the gang a thing or two about real kung fu.

Dre asks Mr. Han to teach him kung fu, but Mr. Han isn’t looking for a student. Instead, Mr. Han takes Dre to the kung fu academy where Cheng and the other bullies train so they can make peace. But the bullies don’t want to make peace. Instead their teacher challenges Dre to enter the kung fu tournament. Mr. Han promises to teach Dre the ways of kung fu and their training begins.

http://www.kidzworld.com

Article Source: Katherine Reid

Movie Review: The Karate Kid, 2010

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June 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Shaz Ferouz

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz are back in this year’s summer action comedy Knight and Day. It’s the second movie both of these A list Hollywood actors have acted in after the 2001 film Vanilla Sky. Which was a pretty frigging weird movie if you recall. Formally titled “Wichita” and “Trouble man”, this film originally slated Chris Tucker and Eva Mendes as the two lead roles. Apparently Chris Tucker didn’t want to do the Movie unless Jackie Chan was included as well. He also insisted they changed the title to Rush Hour 4 for some reason. Seriously though I think it just came down to the fact that nobody would buy Tucker as a spy. This movie is far fetched as it is.

Anyway Tom Cruise plays a spy *que Mission Impossible Music*, not exactly like Ethan Hunt however he plays a less serious, cornier version of his Mission Impossible character called Roy Miller. Da Da Da Duh Dum. Cameron Diaz plays June Havens who unwittingly gets entangled with him at an airport and now her life is in danger.

I did like how the movie started but it slowly spiraled down a path of big smiles, unrealistic action and predictable humor. The only saving factor for this movie was the fact that Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz were acting in it. These two A list actors took what would have been a B grade movie and turned it into something that’s actually semi watchable. I’m actually a little surprised both of them agreed to take the roles.

It was entertaining at some parts though and shot in various locations around the world. So if you’re in the mood for a generic Hollywood action adventure where the bad guys have such terrible aim that even after thousands of bullets have been fired hitting everything in site but still managing some how to miss main characters, this might be your movie. Otherwise you might want to save your money for Toy Story 3. I hear that might be a good one.

I rate this movie 2.5 out of 5

For more, Movie News, Previews, Entertainment News and Videos check out Dotcom.my.

Article Source: Shaz Ferouz

Movie Review: Knight and Day

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June 24, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Vikram Gill

Overdose of action from start to finish. There is all sorts of action sequences, you’ll see fist fight, gun fight, explosions in excess, airplane escapes, even a tank firing in mid air. It will satisfy your senses if you are a fan of action flicks.

Beginning action scenes shot in Mexico have been roughly done. There is too much shaking of the camera and its not quiet clear as what exactly is happening. Soon after the chopper chase sequence is breathtaking, the outcome even better.

There are few unbelievable moments but carried out convincingly well. The scene when they fly a falling tank with a balloon by firing from the main gun to get elevation and avoid the hard fall. Its impossible but they definitely made a believer out of me.

Humor quotient have not been forgotten and we do see funny moments from time to time. In one scene shot in a hospital, we see patients watching a 3D movie with their glasses on and when a car actually crashing into their room, they appreciate the 3D affects. But the most humor we get is from BA. His fear of flying and calling everyone ‘You Fool’ are comical every single time.

Storyline is just average and it feels like the director only wants us to see the carnage. One thing, which is very interesting, is when the team discusses the plan and on parallel we see it being carried out to perfection. Side by side narration is a must have when everything we see is blowing up.

Dialogues are the usual, the line ‘I love it when a plan comes together’ have been repeated sufficient times. Mostly I believe the actions have been created on the computers but animation is realistic except barring some scenes in the end. The whole shipyard crumbling down was a bit too much.

Bollywood movie reviews and ratings at http://www.filmyreview.com

Article Source: Vikram Gill

Movie Review: The A-Team

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June 23, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Shaz Ferouz

Based on the 2003 video game of the same and starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan, Gemma Arterton as Princess Tamina and Ben Kingsley as Nizam. It was directed by Mike Newell and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

I was a little unsure about Jake playing a macho character though. You know, cause of the whole Brokeback Mountain thing. He actually does resemble the Video Game character however and has a “Persian-ish” kind of look so maybe it was a good choice? Well as it turns out he didn’t do such a bad job.

Gemma Arterton as Princess Tamina plays a very good heroine and I expect bigger and better things for her in the future. She’s really cute. Ben Kingsley is making a bit of a come back and after “A Sound of Thunder” I’m sure he’s glad he still gets decent parts in movies.

This film is exactly what you think it’ll be. If I didn’t know anything about who distributed and produced it I would still say Disney and Bruckheimer five minutes into the movie. It was funny, action packed and cheesy in just the right amount to make it so very Disney. The general plot of the movie is that a mystical dagger that contains the sands of time has the power to reverse time. No Delorean, no 1.21 gigawatts, no 88 MPH. Doc brown didn’t need all that apparently.

Like most time travel movies though you some how know, especially since its Disney, that if any of the lead characters die, they might just come back to life through some clever time travel. I mean it’s Disney. Happy endings are compulsory. None of that bad guys get away with it at the end kind of stuff. So thus you might be able to guess the ending once you find out what exactly it is the bad guys in this film want to do.

The bad guys in this case are the Hassansins. I know what you’re thinking. Isn’t that just assasins with a H? I actually thought it was Hollywood playing on stereotypes again. Like take a middle eastern sounding name like Hassan combine it with a scary proffession like assasins and you get Hassansins! Like Mustafa + Savages= Mustavages, or Anwar + Warriors = Anwarriors or Ali + Gangster = uh? Ali G? Oh I lost it on the last one. Thats what I thought it was. Lets face it, it wouldn’t be the first time right? It turns out however that “Hashshashins” were the Persian designation of the Nizari branch of the Ismaili Shia Muslims during the Middle Ages and is thought from which the word assassin originated from. So um My bad.

Thought that little piece of trivia was worth mentioning. I would watch it again and that doesn’t happen for many movies. It does its job as an entertaining action adventure while pleasing most of the fans of the video game I’m sure.

My movie review rating 4/5.

For more, Movie News, Previews, Entertainment News and Videos check out Dotcom.my.

Article Source: Shaz Ferouz

Movie Review: Prince of Persia, The Sands of Time

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June 22, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Christopher M Brown

In a nutshell, better than Shrek 3.

The best part about catching this movie was going together with my kids. Although the ticket prices can be a killer, I have reduced that slightly with a discount offered by one of the credit card promotions. I was actually wondering how they would be able to continue this franchise to part 4 since 3 was abysmal. If my kids weren’t involved, I probably would not have gone.

Thankfully, the movie was much better than I thought. I even got to reacquaint with an old children’s character, namely Rumpelstiltskin. I had forgotten about him. I even forgot the story, which he was based. I knew that they had changed his story quite a bit for the movie though, so right after the movie, I read up on his story again and now I can’t forget it.

The start of the story is about married life for Shrek. The daily routine he goes through actually becomes mind numbing for him. Of course, for the movie, the daily family scenes are highly exaggerated. No self respecting father could ever agree with that family life would get to the point where he got sick of it, if he knew how to manage and love his family. But for the scope of the movie, it served its purpose to compel Shrek to sign the magical contract.

The way they expanded the scope of Rumpelstiltskin is very good indeed. It definitely gave much more breadth to the movie and even the comedy worked. Except for the angry hair, which seemed to be inserted like an afterthought. I thought having the replacement day contract was a good way to explore the alternative world and give this franchise a fresh breath of air. Finally, at the end of it all, any father would have breathed a sigh of relief. All fathers should go through this experience once to re-appreciate their family. As they say in the movie, you don’t know what you have until you lose it.

Check out Portable Folding Bed here.

My name is Christopher Brown and I love to bring my kids out to the movies. Check out http://www.singlefoldingbed.com/portable-folding-bed.

Article Source: Christopher M. Brown

Movie Review: Shrek Forever After

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June 16, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Andre Barde

How To Train Your Dragon is a 2010 release by DreamWorks animation based on a 2003 book by the same name. The film has seen great success at the box office which is usually the norm with well produced CGI animation films. The movie has also found credence with critics who write glowing reviews of a tale of acceptance and understanding, and just plain old fun. How To Train Your Dragon takes place in a whimsical Viking Community that has a big problem, with big flying, fire-breathing dragons.

How to Train Your Dragon tells the tale of young Viking named Hiccup who lives in a village that’s turmoiled by monstrous dragons who terrify the community. Shortly before enlisting in his villages dragon slayer training, Hiccup shoots down a young dragon with a cannon gun that he built himself, although no one in the village believes him. Hiccup who is supposed to kill the young dragon, eventually befriends the beast which leads to comical effects. The film is beautiful animated and is wonderfully voice acted by some of today’s hottest Hollywood actors including Jay Baruchel, America Ferrara, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig, and T.J. Miller.

Critics and audiences totally love How to Train Your Dragon and so do I! Like many CGI animated films over the past decade this film appeals to children as well as adults. It gives families rare chances to equally enjoy an event they both can take part in. How to Train Your Dragon adds a little humor and adventure to a normally safe film genre while still maintaining a PG rating, a rare feat that’s portrayed in its critical and audience acclaim. The 3-D effect is well done and not overall over bearing. Also being available in 3-D format helped this film reach over $100 million at the box office in only a few weeks of release.

I can only give glowing praise for this film which incorporates many aspects of cultures American audiences are familiar with. Dragons are cool, and so are Vikings, add a little kid flair, and you have a knockout movie that satisfies many genres and broad audiences. With its fast action paced high flying dragon races and hilarious humor you will not be disappointed by spending your hard earned cash on this great film.

At SeekingMovies.com, you can enjoy thousands of movies with HD trailers and detailed movie-specific information. You are also able to take a look at the latest news in the movie entertainment world as well as comment and share reviews on our Movies Forum. SeekingMovies.com also has all the free trailers and movie screenings updated automatically on a weekly basis for your convenience.

Article Source: Andre Barde

Movie Review: How to Train Your Dragon

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June 8, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Todd Murphy

BOTTOM LINE: Surprisingly entertaining popcorn flick with some fun action, humor and mystery, only let down by some lapses in to predictable cliché and an emphasis on noise over story.

THE GOOD: On paper, this film seemed like another disposable Jerry Bruckheimer adventure production but in the capable hands of Mike Newell, “Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time” is surprisingly entertaining, making use of its history through the video games quite well (which is no doubt a result of game creator Jordan Mechner’s involvement in the writing duties). Jake Gyllenhaal plays Prince Dastan, a street boy adopted by the King of Persia as one of his own sons. When he perpetrates a successful raid on a holy city, not all is at it seems, and as he digs deeper, he suddenly becomes thrusts in to a plot which sees the King murdered, and himself a fugitive on the run. In essence, this story follows this basic plot structure of the various iterations of the video games, and as a result, we get to see a lot of action scenes of the Prince running, jumping and performing acrobatic stunts across roof tops and fighting bad guys. There is a decent enough story to follow as well with “The Sands Of Time” having the power to turn history backwards for whoever activates the dagger containing the sand, thus giving its bearer the ability to change history and the world. The cast performs very well, with Jake Gyllenhaal being the ultimate surprise as he manages to carry the titular role quite successfully. Gemma Arterton matches Gyllenhaal with her feisty yet feminine performance as Princess Tamina. Ben Kingsley seems destined to be the bad guy by default and does an amicable job, while Alfred Molina brings some good humor to the piece as a pirate. “Prince of Persia: The Sands Of Time” is a beautifully shot, and entertaining piece of popcorn which is worth parking your brain at the door for a few hours for.

THE BAD: The problem with films like this is that the inevitable clichés come out. Mike Newell manages to keep them at bay for the most part, but they are still present, largely because this is still at its core a mass-produced piece of entertainment. The romance angle for example is clumsily set up and just there for effect and the female audience; the characters are quite two dimensional as written, and it is only the cast that really makes them worth watching. Another problem is the way this film is edited; the emphasis is too much on moving on to the next action scene and creating as much noise as possible. If the filmmakers had taken the time to install a sense of rhythm, and even a few moments of quiet, this film would have been more dramatic and become a proper film rather than as the previously mentioned mass-produced piece of entertainment. The elements were there to make this film more than what it ultimately is, but perhaps Jerry Bruckheimer does not care as at the end of the day, this film has been designed, and will no likely doubt, appeal to the young male audience who will go and see it again and again.

For the original review, follow this link: http://www.allaboutmovies.net/filmreviewprinceofpersiathesandsoftime.htm

Todd Murphy is a staff reviewer at the film/DVD review web site, http://www.allaboutmovies.net - for all the latest reviews on the newest releases.

Article Source: Todd Murphy

Film Review: Prince of Persia the Sands of Time (2010)

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May 28, 2010 by jameslucas.

By Simon Arseneau

The theory is that Shrek Forever After is to be the last movie starring everyone’s favourite green ogre voiced by Mike Myers. The title sounds pretty finale, but then again there are five movies called Final Destination, so you know. Still, whether or not this is the end, the fact is that this is a pretty good chapter in the life of Shrek and company.

Shrek is now living in his swamp with his wife Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and his three kids while his friends Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) drop in for a visit every day. On paper, he has a good life: a good house, nice kids, a great wife and a few pals. Yet, married life is getting to Shrek. He has no time for himself, Fiona keeps asking him to unclog a sewage pipe, the kids need their diapers changed, and Donkey keeps coming home uninvited with his half-donkey half-dragon mutant kids for play dates. (I still think these offsprings are the weirdest fairy tale creatures ever animated and quite frankly are a little disturbing to look at. Come on! A donkey plus a dragon? What do you tell the kids when they ask where mutant Donkey-Dragons come from?) To top it all off, a tour bus, or in this case tour carriage, keeps driving by while a guide is explaining to a bunch of tourists that in this swamp there lives a harmless ogre who is now married to a princess and neither of them would ever hurt a fly. Step right up folks! Watch the amazing harmless green muscle mountain! After a few days, that becomes annoying.

Eventually, Shrek snaps at his children’s birthday party and leaves wishing he had never rescued Fiona in the first place. They say “beware what you wish for” but in a world populated with fairy tale creatures, that should be a law. Little does Shrek know that there is an evil little gnome, troll, or whatever the hell he is, called Rumpelstiltskin who knows about Shrek’s troubles and gives an offer he should probably refuse, but doesn’t because otherwise there would be no movie.

Shrek therefore signs a deal that makes him feared by all of mankind once again for one full day, in exchange for a day of his past. What Rumpel neglected to tell him, clever ego-tripping maniac that he is, is that the day Shrek gave away completely alters the past and creates a new present. Shrek is now wandering through a parallel universe where Rumpel in now king, ogres are hunted by witches, Donkey never met Shrek, and Puss in Boots needs help from Jennie Craig. The only way out: Shrek must once again woo Fiona and give her a kiss that will prove he is her true love. Hey, it worked before.

Despite a plot that is clearly inspired by Its a Wonderful Life (how corny was that particular masterpiece) this last Shrek movie has some funny moments and decent action scenes. A particularly inspired casting choice is Craig Robinson as Cookie, the cook for the ogre rebels fighting Rumpel. His chief concern is how close his food stand will be to the battle field once the fighting is over. Apparently, there is nothing like a little ass-whooping to make a bunch of ogre warriors hungry. Eddie Murphy still delivers some pretty good lines every now and then, and his character has a nice chemistry with Antonio Banderas’ character. It probably can’t be called on screen chemistry since these two actors are heard but never actually seen on screen.

The surprising thing is how good Walt Dohnr is at voicing Rumplestilskin. If you have no clue as to who Walt Dohnr is, that is not surprising since so far his body of work consists of supporting voices for Shrek the Third, and writing and art department credits on a few other animated movies. He voices Rumple as an evil egocentric who has the ability to suck you into a bad deal. Sounds like a salesmen on Wall Street.

The fact that DreamWorks gave the role of the villain to what is essentially an unknown actor confirms what I have been suspecting for a long time: Mike Myers is grossly overpaid for this particular role.

Article Source: Simon Arseneau

Shrek Forever After

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