The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) Rating: N/A "A butcher house"

First of all, I am afraid, Afraid to say anything bad about it, afraid to comment anything shit about it. Just afraid because I don't want any anonymous comments attack by fan boys. Just be serious score on IMDB of 8.8 with 75% giving perfect 10?!?!?!?.  Well not only that, user reviews talking bad about it also bombarded by disapproval. Just for a case one of the review received 5 out of 61. which means around 56 users said screw his review. Almost all critic reviews praised the movie giving perfect five stars labeling it genious. Well, I don't have anything to said about it, they are the master. Thus this time I will not rate it.

So to begin, The Raid 2 started with gruesome Rama's brother being dragged to nowhere farm and bla bla. BAM!!!! his head was smoked. Poor guy only had around 5 minutes screening time. then after that cutting to Rama in small wooden cabin in nowhere land. Conversed a couple lines then BAM!!!!!!!! The guy in raid 1 with ridiculously white hair that looked like he used bucket of paint as a shampoo being shot in the head. The story just flow on then until Rama ended up in prison after some sort of agreeing with the chief to work undercover in approaching the big mafia. Then SLAM!!!! A big fight CRACK!! SCREAM! SHOUT!! Raining blood. Then Rama went out of prison - - hmm. Then the story go on with gruesome bloody fight. Yeah mean really really bloody with cracked bones, grilled faced, skewered neck and a sprinkle of family drama. The Raid 2 is packed with martial fight scenes with BLOOD as the main ingredients. Is just like Gareth Evans (Director) said "well the fight is good, lets add some blood; well the talking is enough, lets add some blood; well lets pour the film with blood so we don't have to do it in post production". The fight is great I have to admit it. But it will be greater without the shaky camera. So the art of Silat can be clearly seen and admired. I understand that they have to hide the fakeness with shaky camera. But its a shame that the gruesome stabbing and slashing are standing out more than the art of Silat fight.

The plot and character is lacking. Starting of with Rama and then moved to Uco for the almost half of the movie and then back to Rama as the hero of the day. Other than that have to praise Oka Antara as Eka that executed it very well than the rest of the cast. As well as Kenichi Endo as Goto. They both really stand out from the crowd. But for Rama, I just don't really get it. A love-able and humble husband, A dedicated cop or just physco maniac with ambition for blood and revenge. The plot is predictable as you watched the first installment. Its just like Evans trademark to leave a twisting plot at the end of the movie. Unfortunately this time the same formula did not turn to the same result. Perhaps a miscalculation or something. Its just did not have the kick like the first installment.

Well on top of that, the raid 2 is the debut of Indonesian film that really stand out from that local creepy lame horror movie that have ridiculous name like "Pocong having grandchild".  The Raid 2 will give such entertainment and enjoyment for the blood thirsty fans. The Raid 2 is the first Indonesian action genre movie to be distributed across the globe. You like violence movie then this is a must. A must to watch in the silver screen. There are a lot of improvements from the Raid 1 like more lively dialogue , a vast setting from city to old house to warehouse. But please, please don't bring any children. REMEMBER R++++ no children for this movie. PLEASE!. You don't want to traumatize with scene of bloody piece of brain dangling from the blown skull. For faint heart, stay out of this. At the end, I like Raid 1 but not Raid 2.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Psst: There are a lot of deleted scenes, if you are eager to look for more blood. Just search it in youtube. You can also find it in the trailer. Like the guy shooting someone head on escalator. and this gang war scenes. 

10/06/2014 update====>

Recently received a letter of complain from GOOGLE saying that I infringed a copyright law on this particular post "The Raid 2" which I do not even know what have I been infringing. Posting a poster that I took from wikipedia? Sharing a video that clearly stated trailer from youtube? 

Been checking it out on chillingeffects.org. Here is the details =>
http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512c/notice.cgi?NoticeID=1736067
The complaint was sent by Madman Entertainment Pty Ltd 
So to take matter no further, I deleted the posters and video that I shared on the 

Only God Forgives (2013) Rating: 0.5 / 5 "May we forgive this movie"

Cut nonsense parts and you only get a 30 minutes movie summarized for you. Nicolas Refn latest art piece is a hell a boring, bloody violence and nonsense movie. Refn pulled it out with "Drive" but repeating the same trick for the second time on "Only God Forgives" just simply not bringing the magic out. Perhaps, Refn might have forgotten about the simplest basic magic rule which is -never do the same trick twice-.  90 minutes of piecing a random art piece and very little dialogue might be appealing for someone but majority will dislikes and would probably walk-out from the cinema half-of-the movie. Especially when you will be served a 60 minutes of scene that should have been left out.

Ryan Gosling ;is the name that lifts the movie prospect. People come to see him after a positively praised for the collaboration with Refn on "Drive". Indeed many loves it and expecting that Ryan will show the magic the second time . Unfortunately, the magic does not even excite me a little.

The writing is nonsense, Compared it to artistic movie "Tree of Life- Terrence Malick" I would rather spend 120 minutes on it rather than 90 minutes of Only God Forgives. I might admit that some scenes are beautifully shot and executed but seriously do the cop has to sing every time he executed a criminal? Okay, lets cut his hand, lets split his chest, oh wait, lets booked a whole room for karaoke bonanza to celebrate it. As well, surprisingly the cop always has a dagger ready to be pulled out of a thin air.  If only if they cut all the nonsense part and make it a short movie. If Only IF- -; The whole movie is just like plugging various beautifully shot and ridiculous singing scene to make it worth for the big screen in theater.

Dark Shadows (2012) Rating : 2.5 / 5 "A lot of empty hole"

A lot of missing part and half hearted plot but with a good character execution, great costumes and great settings. Dark Shadows has a lot of holes that needed to be filled. The story is too rush, the mystery is not intriguing enough, the plot is nothing but a plug in plug out plot to make the story seems longer. However, from all the bad side, what makes the movie good enough to compete in the movie market is the cast. Johnny Depp "Barnabas Collins" is good, so do Helena Bonham Carter "Dr. Julia" and Eva Green the antagonist "Angelique Bouchard". They do really perform the best portraying the weird characters. The setting is amazing, Tim Burton is good in bringing a classic tale to new adapted darker theme just like what he did in Alice in wonderland. The costume perfectly fit the 70s time as well as the old fashion imperial age Barnabas Collins costume. Really love the way each setting and costume is crafted with full passionate. Well the comedy is not as hilarious as I could imagine. Dark Shadows is a remake of 70s  horror comedy soap opera, perhaps that is why you will find a lot of empty mysteries left behind because you just simply cannot squished all the story into  113 minutes movie.

There is absolutely a lot of mysteries being left out just to rush it to the end. Starting from the Dr. Julia, to mysteriously behaving teenage girl "Carolyn  Stoddard" and sad lonely young boy "David Collins". They are all just a plug in plug out plot to make the story longer. The ghost in the mansion is just lame. Barely anything being told about it. The nanny doesn't even solved the mystery why the Barnabas loves ghost is talking to her. Firstly the attention is being brought to the nanny "Victoria Winters" in the first part of the movie, leaving the audience with a great expectation that Barnabas Collins will be mystery. Then, reaching the half of the movie, the main attention turns to Barnabas Collins leaving out the nanny as a supporting character. But for ever what reason, suddenly Victoria Winters fell in love with Barnabas Collins while the whole story is telling about how Barnabas Collins is going to restore the family wealth. Overall the plot and storyline is weak. 

On the other side, the collaboration of Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp is great. Just like in Alice in Wonderland portraying a funny weird character, they also did it in Dark Shadows. Bonham as Dr. Julia and Johnny as the vampire "Barnabas Collins". They executed the character very well. Don't forget the antagonist Eva green, she does make Angelique as annoying and evil as it is but not neglecting the heart that the character is still in love with Barnabas Collins. The other characters are lacking of character development, perhaps not enough time to tell it. Or the writer just assume that everyone watching the movie has lived through 70s or at least have watched part of the Opera soap. Unfortunately, I haven't watched it and I feel a lot of empty plot being left out or just merely plugged in for a short amusement.

The setting is amazing, a lot of Tim Burton themed setting to please audience eyes. Barnabas Collins mansion is creepy magnificent huge and glamorous. The imperial design could still be felt in the mansion. In the town, the 70s atmosphere is surely convincing enough with the car, costume and architect. The forest is as dark as what you can find in Alice in wonderland. Tim Burton is the amazing in creating a new theme to fit the current taste of movie goers which is a little bit darker and serious. Quite amazed by the ghost scene that brings out the nanny from her room to the hall but disappointed heavily on the story line. Well directed movie as I can say. Well, here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

Avengers (2012) Rating: 4 / 5 "Making Transformers looks like amateur"

Avengers is good. In fact, with the same theme like Transformers, Avengers make Transformers look like an ordinary movie. Unlike Transformers which largely focusing on big action, big explosions and loud action scene but less on humane aspect, Avengers do put extra bit in it to distinguish itself from transformers. It involves deeply the characters in the story rather than plotting them in different action scene. Despite them working together as a big team, it is quite amazing to see all the actors playing the character really stays in the character like what they did in the individual movie. Yes, Tony Stark is just what a  Tony Stark looks like in Iron Man "an arrogant rich man with intelligence mind". There is nothing complicated and special about the premise of the movie, but the way they put it together and gives each character a proportionate scene makes it a very well balanced Avengers.

The setting is amazing. Located right in the middle of the city just like Transformer 3. The scale of destruction and explosion is as well a tight contender of Transformer 3. Some special effect like floating Battleships and flying monsters are flawless and acceptable. The battle-scene on the lifted road reminded me on the scene in "The legend" where Will Smith character trapped himself. Is it the same setting? Perhaps so. 

The ability of the writer to give a well balanced action scene for each character is amazing. Despite Nick Fury looks like supporting character, all the heroes have the chances in all the fighting scene. One hero does not overwhelmed other hero, in fact they are being developed in each plot to create the Avengers.  Even though, Hawk-eye and Black Widow do not really have  super power, their role is just as crucial as Thor, Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America. On the other words, each character role is just as important as it is. Except Nick Fury that suppose to lead but end up being set aside for the super hero bonanza. 


The storyline has lifted the movie and distinguished it from movie like Transformer that only focus on the action and less character developing. Mark Ruffalo make the green monster "Hulk" alive. Mark executed the character very well, as if he is portraying it seriously. A emotional connection could be felt from the way he executed the line. Especially the part when he told that he tried to kill himself but then the green Hulk puked it out the bullet.  

Here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

The Cold Light of Day (2012) Rating: 2.5 / 5 "Not Bad"

To start with, The Cold Light of Day is not a great movie but as well not a bad movie. Just lack of emotional connection and uninteresting plot make it looks like straight to DVD movie or TV movie at least. Bruce Willis appearance just merely an accessories to make the movie seems to be interesting.  "A marketing strategy" perhaps. Unlike Catch 44 or Expendables, Bruce Willis did  not give any plus to Cold Light of Day. In fact, Bruce Willis character "Martin Shaw" is set to be forgotten in the first 30 minutes as it turns to saving family matter rather than discovering what Martin Shaw really is. A very conflict of intention from the writer isn't it? Sigourney Weaver "Carrack" as an antagonist is just ordinary. There is nothing special on the character Jean Carrack, in fact Jean Carrack is just like any other supporting character that you can find in agency themed movie like 24.

The plot of the story is okay, although some of the plot will tingle your sense of curiosity with several twisting, it fails to finish the execution. Hence, leaving the us either with half full glass of water. Just like eating a dinner but missing a closing sweet dessert. Yet, I have to praise the effort of it. At least it is acceptable but not extra-ordinary action thriller.  I think the story line is lacking of some crucial part which is Martin Shaw. If only the writer did push up the mystery element of Martin Shaw, The Cold Light of Day could have touched the high bar. Yet, in term of entertainment, the movie is a perfect choice for your weekend outing fun with your friends and family. However, if you expected it more like 24, Die Hard or Bourne, be prepared to be disappointed.

Bruce Willis as I said is just an accessories, perhaps without him, Cold light of Day would be straight to DVD action thriller. I don't know why Bruce have been in several movies with only short appearance lately or is not the main character. Age might have been restricting him to do more than he used to be. Reaching 57 years must be hard to perform his own stun and heavy action scene.  Well, expecting him to be back in hardcore action movie like Die Hard. Hope that the upcoming Kane & Lynch game adaptation movie (2013) won't let Bruce Willis fans down.


The action scene is intense enough, some of it might lift you up from the seat. Some it is perfectly shot and I like the anti-climax scene where the Shaw car was flipped over during the chase. The cinematography "rotating shot" is brilliant. As well as the main character falling from the roof scene.

Here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

Mirror Mirror (2012) Rating : 2 / 5 "Half baked"

Mirror Mirror Poster

The question I have been asking myself about the movie is "Is this another parody of Epic Movie or Disaster Movie?" Despite astonishing great costumes, eye catching settings and involvement of A list star "Julia Robert and Sean Bean", Mirror Mirror failed terribly to impress. The weak story which largely contributed to it. Mirror Mirror tried to set aside from the original classic Snow White fairy tale but failed miserably to fully baked the story. Beside having a weak story, the main focus is unclear either to make it into fun children and family movie or teenager movie. Unlike Alice in Wonderland (2010) that famously praised for dark version of fairy tale that targeted teens or Enchanted (2007) which is fun musical fairy tale adaptation that targeted children and family, Mirror Mirror is like another parody movie about a Snow White which is unclear whether for either teenagers or children. Lacking of creativity is what I can say.

Julia Roberts performance is not so good this time. Comparing her to Helena Bonham Carter portraying antagonist queen in Alice in Wonderland (2010), Julia Roberts is far behind. Perhaps, it was lacking character building that resulted in Julia Roberts unable to fully expressed it. The antagonist in Mirror Mirror does not have a strong character. It is more into an annoying queen rather than purely evil queen like classic Snow White. I know they tried to make Mirror Mirror into modern adaptation not a fully copy and paste stuff, however at least put some effort on it and make the queen just as bad as what she should be rather than become half baked Witch.

Left: Julia Roberts; Right: Helena Bonham Carter

The story is rather weak, is it about the Snow white, the seven dwarfs, the queen, the prince or the lost king? Well, the story started with the queen stating that this is her story but thenI barely know anything about the queen. Why she hates Snow White so much and how evil she is. It is unclear whether the queen is obsessed with the beauty or the greed of power. The whole story is like jumping from one perspective to another without fully describing it. I think that the writer must be fully assuming that everyone have read about the Snow White so he doesn't need to explain it too much or get into more detail. In spite of the title "Mirror Mirror", the whole story is not about it.  It is about how Snow White finally married to the Prince. On the other hand, the jokes, the funny act and some of the line is corny and childish. I have admit that some of the scene did make me laugh, but I am still disappointed with the movie. I was expecting more like Alice in Wonderland or at least make it fun like Enchanted. The monsters in the forest and the king lost in the darkness is added to the movie just to make it interesting while the whole movie barely talked about it. The prince? I have only one word to describe it "Lame". Moreover,the true love kiss plot is insulting to the magical classic fairly tale. The post-scene along the credits are unnecessary.

However, on all the bad side. I have to praise the costumes and the settings. The dresses are very elegant, built for perfection. The whole costumes are designed to fit perfectly in fairy tale movie. The settings are fabulous as well. Taking you across the land from the high land castle to the low land town separated by frozen lake. Each scene is beautifully crafted. Even the details of the hall from the floor to the gold tainted ceiling. Thumbs up for both costumes and the settings.
Well, here is the trailer for you to watch =>

Foster (2011) Rating: 3 / 5 "It's all about Maurice Cole"

Copyright SC Films

Foster alone without Maurice Cole is not so good. Let me tell you, this kid is absolutely brilliantly amazing. Foster is about a grieving parents thinking of adopting a child after serious traumatic incident that prevent the wife from having a baby. Well, in fact the main attention of the movie is not really about those grieving parents. Unlike Rabbit Hole 2010 (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) that bring you along the grieving stage of parents, Foster is focusing on this special character called Eli which is portrayed by brilliant young actor Maurice Cole.  At first, I thought that this is going to be another Rabbit Hole movie that giving you a slow and sad 90 minutes ride, but I was undoubtedly wrong. In fact, Foster character 'Eli' is getting intriguingly interesting as it gets to the end.  However, there is lack of emotional connection of the couples between the audiences, Zooey (Collette)  and Alec (Gruffudd). Besides, the story plot is too simple that I could predict how it is going to end in the first 20 minutes.

Foster doesn't get you deeply into the couples, Zooey and Alec, as I said the main attention on that little character Eli. It is sometime confusing that the writer is trying to show you the sadness of the couple while at the same time having a fun Eli along the movie. At the end, the movie is all about drama comedy unlike Rabbit Hole. I think that Foster must be heavily inspired by Nanny McPhee. I would not tell you much more as it would be a spoiler. The plot of the movie is so simple and I bet that you would have guessed it half way of the movie. Despite the easily predicted ending, Foster gives you an amazing ending. They do know how to finish a story.

Eli requesting CNN Channel

In fact, the story just ordinary. The one that makes this movie different from any other movie is this character Eli. Eli is a boy with a very mature mind. It would be very difficult for a child to portrayed such character, however Cole makes it so easy like a snapped of a finger.  Having to wear a mini suit all the time and talked like an adult, Cole have done a good job for his age. Eli unexpectedly become the foster child of the couples do surely giving Alec a hard time in adjusting at the beginning. Despite the strange feeling, Alec learned a lot from the Eli. The interesting part is when the character Eli asking for a CNN channel and watched it while sipping a mug of milk.

I don't have much to say about Foster. All I can say is that Foster is a good movie for you to spend with your family. After all, it is not the couples you are following, it is Eli. So you won't have to prepare a box of tissue while watching the movie.

21 Jump Street (2012) Rating: 3.5 / 5 "Hilarious"

21 Jump street is a good movie choice for your weekend entertainment. Hilariously scripted and perfectly executed by Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. Haven't seen any TV series popularized by our beloved actor "Johnny Depp", 21 Jump street is following its predecessor as a teenage movie choice. Surely 21 Jump street did really lifted up the spirit of Action comedy genre that is purely for entertainment only. Majority of movie in this genre has been a "A pass by entertainment" where people watched and doesn't expect much about it then people just stopped talking about it. Some action comedy movies beside 21 Jump street that makes people coming back for the sequel is Rush Hour (Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker), the other doomed action comedy is Killer (Asthon Kutcher and Katherine Heigl). Well, Triple X (Vin Diesel) was a good action comedy genre before it was ruined in the second movie starring "Ice cube".

Triple xXx does really show the movie industry that casting does really matter for action comedy genre. 21 Jump street do have a good cast. I was firstly doubted Channing Tatum joining the set making the same mistake like Ice cube in Triple X: State of union which brought the franchise on the knee. However Tatum executed the character "Greg Gengko" fairly well. On the other hand, Jonah Hill is fantastic. Even though, Hill is 28 now, he did really put his best in Morton Schimdt. He executed it very well and made the character very alive. Jonah Hill do really show us that age doesn't matter in movie industry as long as you can act.

I thought that 21 Jump street was a first fresh action comedy before I found out that 21 Jump Street is a famous 80s TV shows starring Johnny Depp. The storyline is perfectly scripted and does not gives you awkward corny line. Perhaps, it was Hill and Tatum that made the character alive. Unlike Killer that dragged you too long on the introduction or Big Mommas 3 that brought you the same formula which bored you to dead, 21 Jump street do balanced out the drama, comedy and action giving you a hilarious 109 minutes rides of fun.

 Well, the twisting plot I have to admit it, is not brilliant enough. A good twisting plot is the one that makes you guessing a lot and found out that you have been accusing the wrong person or makes felt that you have been fooled by the story-line. 21 Jump street does not give you that formula, perhaps that is never their attention as this is supposed to be "Action Comedy" movie. At least, the movie gives you an interesting plot.

Johnny Depp starred as a cameo. According to entertainment news, Johnny Depp as a cameo with several conditions which one of them is his cast mate in 80s 21 Jump street must also involved in it and another one is *SPOILER*. Well, perhaps you have to find it in the movie.







Here is the trailer for you to watch, enjoy =>

Act of Valor (2012) Rating : 2 / 5 "An utter - - HOaaammmmmm"

Click the picture for Wiki-Info

Act of Valor is a product of insulting the Battlefield and Call of Duty fans. Despite feeding us with tons of explosions, gun fighting and tremendous modern weapon, AoV is utterly a disappointment in terms of acting and characterization. So its kinda cool to jump from one location to another location just like COD Modern Warfare, apparently not without a good story-line.

"Have to admit it that the story-line is way out of the phase, putting me in boring face, yawning along the movie for God sake. "

The premise is simple and utterly specific, which is "Capturing the head of the terrorist to prevent another attack on American soil". It is so simple yet they failed to make it so intensely and excitingly complicated. Unlike Jack Bauer in 24 or Black Hawk Down or even Saving Private Ryan that gives you a dramatic conflict and sets you closer to the character which you feel some sort of connected with it at the end of the movie, Act of Valor is somewhat "Yes sir, yes sir, you are right sir, lets go with it sir" movie. It brings you straight to the end without any amazing twisting plot and dramatic conflict or even the emotional state of the lead character. They decided to put an actor with deep voice like the Terminator dude to impress us, unfortunately they make it even worse. It almost put me to sleep with the non-excitement, un-energetic voice that when you closed your eyes and heard it, you would think that the dude must be waking up for a Good-day Monday. 

The storyline is awkwardly told, Started with Voice Over telling us the courage, the honor, bravery and heroism and then suddenly bring you to Philippines and bring you back to the states for another voice over and bring you to all of the world with a very little intention to tell you what was really happening around there. Well, to be honest. The first scene sort of brought my expectation up that this movie was going to be great, but actually I was being lifted to enjoy a short throne and then being thrown to the river just to be brought by the current to the edge of waterfall and saved by a branch. 

Have to praise the action scenes, gun fight and explosion stuffs, surely it did make the movie a lot better. At least something is really entertaining. The power of the gun fight, car chasing, and close encounter did really give some hope for us that came to see the big things. The modern weapon and vehicle brought in and the satellite technology stuff that looks like COD:MW series. Fps fans have finally fulfill what they have been expecting ,at least part of it (Better something than nothing). 

Overall, the movie a good entertainment for youngster that value the action but not for hardcore moviegoers that more into story and character development. You know something is not that good if you saw people started to walk out minutes before the credit was shown. 

Transformer 3: Dark of the Moon (2011; Genre: Action) Rating: 2.5 / 5 "A pack of Action"

Directed by Michael Bay

Produced by Steven Spielberg

                      Don Murphy

                     Tom Desanto

Written by    Ehren Kruger

Starring        Shia LaBeouf

                      Josh Duhamel

                      John Turturro

                      Tyrese Gibson

Studio           DreamWorks Pictures

                                                            Distributed by  Paramount Pictures

          Release date   28 June 2011

                                                  Running time  155 minutes

---

Quick Synopsis

A Cybertronian spacecraft managed to escape in the middle of war and crashed on the moon. NASA detected the impact and authorized by the president to send a man on the moon to collect some samples. This incident remains secret until Optimus Prime found out that the humans have been hiding those information for years. Soon the secret of it is slowly revealing. Decapticons have been planning and waiting for those pillars found in the spacecraft. With the ability of those pillars to create a portal, Decapticons planned to take over the Earth.

---

Reviews
This is what summer movie suppose to be. It starts with a bang and end with a bang. Michael Bay has greatly introduced terrific action concept which this third installment is more intense and exciting. The details and special effects generated has lifted this Transformer third installment to an amazing CGI work. For those action lover, this movie is going to amaze you. However, the lack of great story line makes this third installment less humane. 

X-Men: First Class (Genre: Action, Adventure) Rating : 4 / 5 "Listen carefully my friend, you should watch it"

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Produced by Gregory Goodman

                      Simon Kinberg

Story by Sheldon Turner

               Bryan Singer

Starring James McAvoy

              Michael Fassbender

              Kevin Bacon

Studio Marvel Studios

            Dune Entertainment

            Bad Hat Harry Productions

                                                       Distributed by 20th Century Fox

                                                            Release date 1 June 2011

                                                              Running time 132 Minutes

---

Quick Synopsis

Charles Xavier (Professor X "McAvoy") and Erik Lensherr (Magneto "Fassbender") was a good old folks who pursue different paths. Erik is in the a deep grief to avenge his mother death. Been through the pain of Nazi eras, Erik soon discover his dark personality. While, Charles Xavier lives alone in a big mansion since young and have a  idealistic view of the society between mutants and humans. Both Charles and Erik met in the middle of the fight with Shaw "Bacon" the dangerous mutant. Erik is blinded by his hunger for revenge and Charles tries to find Erik's inner peace. However as time goes by, both Erik and Charles are not destined for the same path.  

---

Review

X-Men first class is refreshing the franchise that is going downward since the last Wolverine X-men origin. This whole new concept of the story did really bring up the franchise to a new level. The story is beautifully crafted and for those who followed all the series of X-men movies, this first class really explained all of it.

McAvoy executed the Charles Xavier greatly with the punch line that I would never forget "Listen carefully my friend, killing shaw will not bring you peace". The audiences are brought to better understanding of the Professor X and Magneto characteristics. This whole concept of rebuilding the atmosphere of mutants world by bringing the founders of X division "Charles Xavier" and mutant brotherhood "Erik Lansheer" and put it in a new perspective did surely revived the dying franchise. The character building which is the part that needed to be praised even though the special effects are a bit patchy as some says. 

---

X-Men First Class

---

Buzz!
Do you know that the opening scene of X-Men first class (2011) and X-Men 1 (2000) is similar? You should check it out!

Vanishing on 7th Street (2010; Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller) Rating: 2.5 / 5 "Spooky "

Directed by Brad Anderson


Produced by Norton Herrick
                      Tove Christensen


Written by   Anthony Jaswinski


Starring  Hayden Christensen
                Thandie Newton
                John Leguizamo


Studio  Herrick Entertainment


Distributed by Magnolia Pictures


Release date 12 September 2010


Running time 90 Minutes

---

Quick Synopsis

Several humans stuck in the middle of the darkness that is about to consume them. The way and the only solution is to stay near the lights. With the dark soul waiting in the darkness, they need to find a way to get out from the city.

---

Review

Hayden Christensen (Luke) has gone through the pain of fighting the darkness in "Star Wars" and then come back just to find himself stuck with his own past darkness in "Jumper". Now, he is back again to be consumed by the darkness in "Vanishing on 7th Street". Performing along John Leguizamo (Paul) and Thandie Newton (Rosemary), this movie is great in character execution. You can exactly feel the fear depicted by the characters. The setting is fabulous with a little magic touch of the movie director, the audiences are surely being brought into movie especially with the strong scene of plane crashing in the middle of the city. The way it executes the beginning surely enhances the curiosity of the audiences. With the spooky setting surely everyone going to think that this is going to be hell out of a movie.

Well, unfortunately the lack of originality and half full story telling result in it as an average movie. Even with the good directing, the movie fail to lift itself to the next level. The lack of character building just left the audiences with never ending guessing. The lack of explanation just left the audiences with emptiness in the story. However, Vanishing on 7th Street is still acceptable movie to be enjoy by horror fans. For those who love horror mystery movie without some sort of creatures that jump out and haunt you in the mind for the rest of the night, this movie is worth a try. Overall, seeing "Vanishing on 7th street" is interesting, seeing it second time makes me angry for wasting time.

---

Trailer

Sucker Punch (2011; Genre: Fantasy, Action) Rating : 1.5 / 5 "Sucker punched"

Directed by Zack Snyder

Produced by Deborah Snyder and Zack Snyder

Story by Zack Snyder

Starring Emily Browning

               Abbie Cornish

Studio Legendary Pictures

            Cruel and Unusual Films

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures

Release date 25 March 2011

Running Time 120 minutes

---

Quick Synopsis

Baby doll is being sent by her stepfather to mental institution. She is planned for lobotomized. Along the way, Baby doll is planning for her escape with the assistance of her other institutionalized friends.

---

Review

I laughed at myself for being sucker punched by our beloved director of 300 "Zack Snyder". The movie is awkwardly told. The action part is totally unnecessary. Sometimes a less is more. Fortunately, the plot and setting is interesting enough to keep me watching. But honestly, it took only 40 minutes to finish the story which means that I have to go through agonizing 80 minutes of bored.

The action part is totally a ruin for the story atmosphere. However, you have to praised the hard work of the beautifully crafted action scenes. Unfortunately, Sucker Punch could have been better without it. Sucker Punch is suppose to be dark, serious and thrilling. In the end, Sucker punch is a coffee with too much sugar.

Well in term of character building, there is an eager of wanting to know what really is going on with the "Baby Doll". Is she really mentally ill or what else? Disappointingly, the line of finding out is kinda blurred, thus leaving the audiences to adopt a certain perspective along the movie "Guessing".

---

Trailer

13 (2010; Genre: drama, thriller) Rating : " 0.5 / 5" A waste of time

Directed by Gela Babluani


Written by Gela Babluani


Starring Sam Riley
               Mickey Rourke
               Ray Winstone
               Jason Statham


Distributed by Paramount Vantage
                         Endeavor

---

Premise

A naive young who stumbled into a complicated gambling game of Russian roulette. 

---

Review

A complete waste of talent and time. Probably the next contender of the last air bender, but the only downside of this is the screenplay. Thirteen is lack of story and lack of character building. Bombarded with a major name  like Jason Statham and Mickey Rouke to star in it, surely nobody could think that this movie is going to be a big disappointment. However, Gela has successfully trick so many audiences, especially with those elegantly designed poster like above. Thirteen is just like throwing a flat story and make it looks like a blockbuster hit. Just can't believe that Jason Statham even considered signing in for the cast.  

What makes me want to see the movie at first is the cast and the poster which looks appealing. And now I want my whole 90 minutes back. The premise is interesting but the way it is being told is ridiculous. First 10 minutes really depicted how it is going down from there. There is lack of detail in the story. Barely a good explanation on how the winner is paid and how the players are being picked can be found in the movie. The main character is lacking of motive and it is executed poorly.

Well, some might find it interesting. But if you like thriller movie with a good story and greatly built character, this movie is worth a skip. 

---

Trailer

Faster (2010) Genre: Action, drama ; Rating: 2.5 / 5 "Faster is too fast"

Wikipedia

Directed by              George Tillman, Jr.

Release date          24 November 2010

Studio           Castle Rock Entertainment

Starring                       Dwayne Johnson;

                                  Billy Bob Thornton     

---

Brief Synopsis

Vengeful Mr. Driver "Dwayne Johnson" running rage through the town and interstate to avenge his brother death on a set up bank robbery 10 years ago.

---

Review

Released four months ago and I just noticed it now. It seems like the movie doesn't exists at all and there is only one and only one explanation for it "A poor marketing campaign". 

Well got to be excited as Dwayne Johnson is back on action genre after the tooth fairy invasion. Despite the poor performance of the movie in financial term, Dwayne Johnson does surely lifted the movie a bit, pulling "Faster" out from garbage list of 2010 Movies. Dwayne Johnson has been perfecting the aggressive tough character through out movie like "The Walking Tall' and "Rundown". Again, he is pulling his magic out saving this half empty "Faster".

Faster is a poorly written movie which is left half emptied. The movie doesn't has a clear direction either to go toward regular or darker and more serious action movie. Faster could have been better as it has interesting plot, good casting and directed beautifully. Unfortunately, the only let down of it is the story line that failed to focus on character building leaving the audience with a little clue of how it suppose to be. Or on the other words, Faster tells a fast story with a fast moving plot as a result Faster was kicked out from the top ten list just as fast as how it told the story.

---

Trailer 

---

Monsters (2010; Genre: Sci-fi, Mystery, Adventure) Rating : 2 / 5 "Flat"

Studio                       Vertigo Films

Distributed by          Vertigo Films

Directed by               Gareth Edwards

Release date             12 November 2010

Running time             94 Minutes

Starring                      Whitney Able

                                    Scoot McNairy

---

Quick Synopsis

After a shuttle ship crashed in the middle of forest between US and Mexico, alien form started to spread across the forest. Few years later, a journalist "Andrew" (McNairy) is being told to get the employer's daughter "Samantha" (Able) back safely to US. Unfortunately, Samantha passport being stolen and left them with no choice beside to go through the forest which is inhabited by the alien.

---

Review

This is new way in telling alien story. Unlike any other "alien genre" movie such as 'War of the World (Spielberg)", "District 9 (Jackson)", Monsters delivered it in elegant way. As a result, it is a slow phase movie which will eventually bring you to sleep without even you knowing it. Well, to be honest, there is barely a scene fighting the alien. The movie is absolutely a waste of time for action fans but for those who admire the cinematography and the art of story telling, this movie might pull it through.

Frankly, I do not like this film. Its flat and doesn't enhance my interest towards the film. Its just like watching a documentary film describing what it looks like inside the danger zone inhabited by the alien. Not much information can be derived beside a beautiful scenery and an alien with tentacle.  Overall, this movie is loved by critics but a disappointment for movie goers.

---

Trailer

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010; Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy) Rating: 2 / 5 "Totally over-rated"

Studio                   Big Talk Films

                              Relativity Media

Distributed by      Universal Pictures

A film by               Edgar Wright

Based on              Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Release date       13 August 2010

Running time       112 minutes

Starring                Michael Cera

                             Mary Elizabeth Winstead

                             Kieran Culkin

---

Quick Synopsis

Scott Pilgrim (Cera), band member who dated a girl named Ramona (Winstead) and unintentionally bringing Scott the challenge of defeating his ex 7 Ramona boyfriend. Scott then has to go one by one defeating them before Ramona will date him. 

Source : Filmofilia

---

Review

Obviously, this movie is totally overrated by critics. Audiences are bombarded by complex editing which cause the story line to be extremely confusing, thus leaving the movie completely nonsense and frustrating. Although it does please the audience by bringing them back to the NINTENDO and SEGA age with the imaginative editing and visual effect, it fails to position itself to the current trend causing the movie to be a financial disappointment. "Second weekend and the movie dropped to bottom top ten" (Source Wikipedia).

What makes it worse is the leading actor "Cera" (Scott Pilgrim). Scott pilgrim character is poorly executed causing the character to flow flat and unable to express his emotion. Scott Pilgrim is really frustrating and annoying at the same time. Fortunately, the supporting role seems to be covering the lead character weakness.

On the other side, the scene was perfectly shot.The techniques used to elaborate the action sequences really lifted up the fight scene. However, the down side is the editing as stated above. The editing cause the story to jump from scene to scene and unable to maintain the coherency, leaving the audiences have to imagine themselves. 

Despite praised by majority of the critics, I would skip this movie and wait until the DVD released as it is not worth to spend the weekend just to come out feeling regret and annoyed.

---

Trailer