Wanted

Movie Title: Wanted

Genre: action/fantasy

Starring:
James McAvoy

Angelina Jolie

Morgan Freeman

Review:

It's summer in the US. And Wanted is just one of the many movies that aims to thrill, entertain, and nothing more. It's one of those movies that defies logic and dares you to suspend your disbelief for a little less than two hours. But is it fun? Hell, yeah. You could very well be a Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), stuck in your cubicle and doing nothing more than keying in numbers in the computer all day long. And when you check your name on Google, nothing relevant to you comes up. This is why watching this movie is almost living out a fantasy, albeit vicariously. Who knew you could actually shoot the wings out of an innocent fly? Who knew your aim is so extraordinary, you could almost tell the bullets which way to go? These and more will make you want to root for the unlikely hero. And Angelina Jolie makes a strong case here as to why the Brad Pitts of the world are crazy about her. She doesn't even have to say much. Her eyes (and the rest of her body) do most of the talking.

reviewed by: Avid

Rating: 7.5
10 - worth dying for!
9 - magnificent; don't miss it!
8 - great movie; worth your time
7 - good movie; very entertaining
6 - passable, if you don't have anything important to do
5 - not worth your time
4 and below - i never knew such movies existed

Ironman

Movie Title: Ironman

Genre: action/adventure

Starring:
Robert Downey Jr.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Terrence Howard
Jeff Bridges

Review:

The superhero movie
It's not often that I go see a movie without having seen its trailer. And it's even rarer that I haven't seen one of a highly anticipated blockbuster like Iron Man. So, what made me decide to see this movie? Mmmm, none other than Robert Downey Jr. I saw him on TV a few days ago, and said something like he would often argue with director Jon Favreau just so not to make the script sound so cheesy. He said it with such a straight face that you'll believe him. And I can believe him as "Iron Man," even as he says in the film, he's not the superhero type. He is not. Unlike the red suit he wears in the film, it's the orange suit that he wore once in real life that sticks in your memory. Still, his acting chops is what elevates Iron Man from your typical superhero movie. You believe he can control all those robotic devices and make weapons from the crudest piece of metal to the most advanced technologies. The blaring musical score obviously wants to attract the typical teenage male, but the movie's special effects seem to improve on what most of us have already seen in Transformers. Is this the best superhero movie since Batman Begins? The answer is a resounding "yes". If you're patient enough to wait until the very end of the roll of credits, there is a teaser of what is yet to come.

reviewed by: Avid

Rating: 8.5
10 - worth dying for!
9 - magnificent; don't miss it!
8 - great movie; worth your time
7 - good movie; very entertaining
6 - passable, if you don't have anything important to do
5 - not worth your time
4 and below - i never knew such movies existed

The Savages

Movie Title: The Savages

Genre: drama

Starring:
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Laura Linney

Review:

Keeping up with The Savages

The moment I knew this movie was finally being released in a theater near me, I immediately made plans to see it before it disappeared. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney play siblings, struggling to juggle the demands of their careers and the responsibilities of looking after their ill father, played magnificently by Philip Bosco. How they cope with having to be together for someone who abandoned them when they were kids is essentially what the movie is all about. The movie is peppered with comedic moments, as if to ease the long-running tension surrounding the three main characters. The movie is a must-see for the sterling performances, as well as for its poignant portrayal of relationships gone wrong and still worth saving. If you liked You Can Count on Me, that other brother-sister movie in which Linney also got an Oscar nod, you will love this one.

reviewed by: Avid

Rating: 9.0
10 - worth dying for!
9 - magnificent; don't miss it!
8 - great movie; worth your time
7 - good movie; very entertaining
6 - passable, if you don't have anything important to do
5 - not worth your time
4 and below - i never knew such movies existed

Over Her Dead Body

Movie Title: Over Her Dead Body

Genre: romantic comedy

Starring:
Paul Rudd
Eva Longoria Parker
Lake Bell
Jason Biggs

Review:

I somehow enjoyed the movie, though at some point I find it very typical. I really had some good laughs, but it lacks the uniqueness and the x-factor that I’m looking for. The story is really simple and.. that’s it, too simple. If you’re looking for a very light movie that just entertains you, you might consider grabbing it. But if you’re for a more meaningful and a thinker-type of movie, leave it alone.

reviewed by: Geli

Rating: 6.5
10 - worth dying for!
9 - magnificent; don't miss it!
8 - great movie; worth your time
7 - good movie; very entertaining
6 - passable, if you don't have anything important to do
5 - not worth your time
4 and below - i never knew such movies existed

The Brave One

Movie Title: The Brave One

Genre: action

Starring:
Jodie Foster
Terrence Howard
Nicky Katt

Review:
This is a typical vigilante type of movie. But the actors and actresses’ performances made the difference. This is about an inner struggle of a woman for revenge. It was really interesting from start to finish, but it still left a feeling of emptiness and guilt on the side of the main character. But it will remind you that vengeance is not always the answer.

reviewed by: heart

Rating: 7.5
10 - worth dying for!
9 - magnificent; don't miss it!
8 - great movie; worth your time
7 - good movie; very entertaining
6 - passable, if you don't have anything important to do
5 - not worth your time
4 and below - i never knew such movies existed

Beowulf

Movie Title: Beowulf

Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy

Starring:
Robin Wright Penn
Anthony Hopkins
Ray Winstone

Review:
When I saw this on the newspaper on the movies section, I never thought it was animated. I thought it was some kind of “300” or “Apocalypto” movie, which made me really curious and excited. It also came in 3D animation in some selected movie houses, although I just watched it in DVD. The animation or CGI was superb; it almost seemed like the real thing! Even the voices were from big stars including Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie. What amazed me more are the facial expressions of the characters, which really expressed emotions. The sound effects were also stunning which made the movie engrossing. Although there are parts in the story where you get to hate the main character because of his arrogant and haughty behavior. Generally, the movie is great. If you’re the type of person who enjoys action/adventure, then no doubt you’ll enjoy this.

reviewed by: Shinra

Rating: 8.5
10 - worth dying for!
9 - magnificent; don't miss it!
8 - great movie; worth your time
7 - good movie; very entertaining
6 - passable, if you don't have anything important to do
5 - not worth your time
4 and below - i never knew such movies existed

Babel

Movie Title: Babel

Genre: drama

Starring:
Brad Pitt
Cate Blanchett
Gael Garcia Bernal

Review:
This movie is a real heart breaker. It can show you how tragic life can be. If you’re the type of person who is prone to heart attacks, stay away from this movie. Well, ok, that’s exaggerated. But I must admit this movie kept me at the edge of my seat. However it also has its dramatic moments that will touch your heart. What I liked about the plot is it’s hard to guess what would happen next. Another thing is, it features 3 different cultures which gives you a feeling of involvement whichever part of the globe you are.

FYI: this film gathered 7 Oscar nominations including best director, best original screenplay, best film editing and best original score.

Rating: 8.0
10 - worth dying for!
9 - magnificent; don't miss it!
8 - great movie; worth your time
7 - good movie; very entertaining
6 - passable, if you don't have anything important to do
5 - not worth your time
4 and below - i never knew such movies existed