REVIEW: Hulk, Get Smart + Movie Schedules!!!

The Incredible Hulk
"HULK SMASH! HULK SMASH GOOD!"

Directed by Louis Leterrier Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and William Hurt


Coming right at the heels of fellow Marvel hero Iron Man, the Hulk smashes into place, hoping in earnest to both make lots of greens and wash out the bad aftertaste left behind by the giant's previous outing.

It comes two-folds I suppose... with both the good and the bad news. The bad news is that it doesn't quit soar to the same standards as his iron-clad buddy, in fact it lacks much of what made Iron Man so stupendous. On the other hand, it beat himself up handily, well his Ang Lee version at least, and if put into the right perspective, the Hulk still manages up a solid, entertaining and, most importantly, an action-packed array of sequences (Take that, Ang Lee!)


You see, the main reason it doesn't soar the same heights as Iron Man lies in two huge factors- Robert Downey as Stark and the Hulk's pacing. The first one isn't its fault, but Robert Downey just beats Edward Norton handily. Not that Norton does not give in a good performance, in fact he gives in as good a performance as Bruce Banner as is possible, giving a good balance between torn fugitive, brilliant scientist and distraught lover. But Downey's turn as Stark is just much more fun to watch, and in a way it also lies down to the fact that Stark is a much more interesting AND irresistible character than Banner.


Also, while Iron Man's pacing was sleek, fast and smart, Hulk comes across as a forced melodrama and action bonanza every scene. This is not completely a bad thing, in fact it's for this reason that this movie rises above the normal superhero movie. But, it also is its worst factor, because I just can't shake off the feeling that the pacing of this movie is not only strange but also nagging.

Still, if one were to stop comparing it to its Summer brother, it still is one superior Superhero movie, and definitely a superior summer blockbuster. The cast is tremendously talented and well suit for their roles. The fanboys will be screaming from all the hidden easter eggs scattered all throughout. The action sequences are amazing and exactly what we were looking for the first time around. The story and film itself is not afraid to embrace itself in its entirety. Plus, the effects here are just amazing. While I was fairly impressed with the first Hulk, this version does not only wear darker shade for green or forgo the silly purple shorts, but it's also much darker in its look and realism. The vein and muscle details are just amazing.


What does this mean? It means Marvel just gave out its second hit in a row. If we keep this up we might actually have too much good superhero movies, which for years now I have never imagined possible. And I must admit, I'm as excited about this prospect as I am of the thought that I will one day rule the world (no... really, I will).


8 out of 10


Get Smart
"Get Smart gets it right. Get it? Get Smart- gets rig.. ah forget it."

Directed by Peter Segal Starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Jhonson and Alan Arkin



This movie is a convoluted mess, utterly lost in its pacing and has a certain lack of dynamics in its angles. It is also incredibly funny, joyously light-hearted and undeniably entertaining. Oh how I hate this kind of movies, they never make writing reviews easy. Can't I just completely love or completely hate a movie again?

Well, there's little else to say about the bad stuff than what I just summarized in the previous paragraph. This movie is no masterpiece, and the fact is that it even has some jokes fall flat. It has a case of mistake identity that can't seem to decide whether its a mix of action and comedy, pure action or pure comedy. In turn it doesn't quite live up to the maximum effect of either on some parts that had sadly a lot of potential. On the other hand, it does give us what it set out to do in the first place.

This movie is highly entertaining, at least in most parts. Steve Carell remains a comedic natural and while Anne Hathaway may no longer be as stunning as when I first saw her, she is nonetheless adequate for her role. The movie follows the shenanigans of Agent Maxwell and his partner Agent 99. And the shenanigans can be quite a treat too, none of which could have been nearly half as entertaining had it not been for Steve.

With those points aside, what else can I really say about the movie? It does a pretty good job of being entertaining, avoids being sucky unlike some movies nowadays. For movies in general, thats mission accomplished and sadly something of a rarity. But in a summer season as volatile as this, it serves more as a refreshing snack before moving on to the next main course.



7 out of 10

MOVIE SCHEDULES
Due to requests and complaints on the fact that I did not add the release dates on some of the movies I presented in my Summer Movie entry, I have decided to do so here. Yes, Bra, I'm looking at you. Hehe. Anyway...

Wanted
June 27



















Hancock
July 3


















Journey to the Center of the Earth
July 9


















The Dark Knight
July 17


















Mama Mia!
July 18


















The Mummy: Tomb of the Emperor Dragon
July 30


















You Don't Mess with the Zohan
August 6



















Wall-E
August 13


















X-Files: I Want to Believe
August 13
















Star Wars: The Clone Wars
August 20


















My Sassy Girl
August 20
















Disaster Movie
August 27


















Babylon A.D.
September 3



















Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
September 10

REVIEW: Kung Fu Panda, Prince Caspian and Assasin's Creed!!!

Kung Fu Panda
'Still no Pixar, still pretty awesome'


Dreamworks has always given off pretty entertaining animation features, but never have they ever come close to the ingenuity, originality or beauty of Pixar's masterpieces. This movie doesn't change that, but it does represent the best of Dreamwork's so far, and while not revolutionary is nonetheless a step in the right direction.


Let me just say that I have absolutely nothing bad to say against this film except that it just isn't better than it is. You see, the animation is amazing, the graphics mixed with a tinge of Asian colors and style, really burst in the big screen. This is the way to go as since Dreamworks can never compete against Pixar in terms of detail, it should make it up with unique graphical styles to augment its shape-oriented style as it does here.


Then there's the movie as a whole, which is highly entertaining while maintaining clean look. Its not ridden with too much forced jokes which spelled the doom of the Shrek franchise, and like fellow Dreamworks success Over The Hedge, it gives of a jolly good time while delivering a good, albeit predictable, story.


We follow Po, a noodle maker, who suddenly finds himself the chosen Dragon Warrior above the other Ferocious Five, which leaves them pretty peeved. Which brings us to the great ensemble voice cast they have here. Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and Seth Rogen are here, and they deliver their lines in perfect harmonious unity. In other words, the hilarity from these pair ups are pretty cool.


If there's anything wrong with this good clean movie, is that it goes out too short and ends too fast. Still it can't be denied that this movie really goes all the way with style, entertainment, humor and talent.

8.5 out of 10



Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
'Better than the first, which still doesn't say much'


I was never much of a fan of the first movie. While I thought it wasn't a disaster fantasy film and actually held up pretty solidly, it paled in comparison to the likes of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Still I was pretty willing to give the sequel the benefit of the doubt, which it took advantage of.

Let's just start off by saying this movie is darker, grittier and runs with a sense of a year's worth of experience and overall the movie is better off with it.It is also clear via the movie's lengthy finale that it observed a lot of the things that made LOTR so successful and tried it out, whether they effectively got it or not is a completely different matter.


You see, one of the biggest up's of this film is the fact that since all the kids have had years worth of experience as the kings and queens of Narnia, they don't have to stumble around now not knowing what to do. Rather they go around their second trip wiht a sense of experience that actually appeals to the new action pacing. That doesn't mean there are still some inexplicable and frustrating scenes of downright silliness but all in all, the children's second trip is more tightly woven than their last. This isn't a child's trip, this is war for Narnia and it shows.

The scenes are dark and despite the lack of actual blood save for the occasional cut lip, quite a number of people and err, Narnians, die in this movie. The main fact that this movie is now more accessible to adults really adds to an appeal the first movie never had.


But that's about where the good parts end. While the fantasy land and action are very well done, they stretch to a staggering 2 plus hours. This may not seem like much, but with the limited story stretched out so thin in a platform such as this, it feels like ages before the movie ends and its efforts for the better are quickly forgotten. Don't forget either that the actors are still nowhere near that good and the addition of a "pretty-face-and-nothing-else" Caspian does little to fix that fact.

And of course for all their pump up on action and fantasy ala LOTR, Adamson's sense of camera shots and mastership of the CGI is nothing compared to Jackson's and while pleasing at some points, you can't help but feel that it brims at the edge of awesomeness before receding back. This movie is mediocre and just like its predecessors, just manages not to mess things up. The only difference is that it does so with more style than the first.

6.5 out of 10

Assassin's Creed
'Ubisoft slays cool, slays good, slays way too much'

I've been eagerly anticipating this game for quite a while now, and if you've seen even but a glimpse of the gameplay you'll instantly know why. This game is just kick-ass.

You play Altair, a member of a secret group of assassins that lived and killed during the Holy Crusades of King Richard and Saladin. Tasked with the death of several prominent figures on both sides of the war, you travel from city to city climbing the highest rooftops with ease and raining death down on your pathetic foes. If you aren't sold yet, then you must be an idiot of enormous boredom issues.

First of all, let's start with the obvious stuff. This game is one of the most unique I've seen for quite some time. It's a mix between Hitman and Grand Theft Auto set in the medieval ages, but it's the interactions that rise is above the rest, literally. You see, the moment you drive Altair into a house, city wall, steel gate or even brick tower he will start climbing with unbelievable ease, flexibility and just plain coolness. You never get tired leaping across rooftops, swinging on construction cranes, climbing towers, jump-killing patrolling archers or just nose diving from the an aerie peak. And all of this is done with such fluidity that that alone would merit the game with a lot of praise.


This of course wouldn't work at all if the city looked like crap. I then thank all the gods that it isn't. In fact, it's drop dead gorgeous. The city, the landscape, the animation, texture wise it doesn't quite reach the levels of lets say Call of Duty 4 or Crysis, but it makes up in detail. And by detail, I mean GLORIOUS detail. A look at these screenshots alone should convince you because honestly I cannot put the amount of detail into words.

Then comes the storyline, which is nowhere near what I expected as it actually follows Desmond, a modern day assassin as he is captured and drilled for his ancestor's memories. Not going too much into detail, the narrative and storyline is actually highly interesting and had it not been for drawn out cinematics and an abrupt and very frustrating ending, it would have been a huge plus. Instead its a factor that brings in the first flaws and that's in the pacing.

You see, the largest and most destructive flaw of the game is that it is basically a one-trick pony. You have to admit that that one trick is so amazing it spans the rest of the game easily enough on its own, but the fact that the game repeats the same process, same gameplay and same repetitive and predictable actions mission after mission after mission really lets down the excitement during the latter half. It does not destroy the experience, but it comes real close.

If anything, this game comes pretty close to becoming one of the revolutionary ones, instead it becomes a solid and unique gaming experience brought down by few major flaws. I only hope they address issue in the inevitable sequel because an experience this good should not be given this kind of format when we know it deserves a lot more.

7 out of 10

REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Cate Blanchett and Shia LaBeouf



Oh , Indie, how we've missed you.

Look, there have been some pretty bashing reviews, people out there attacking this Indiana Jones straight to the very core, but I belong to the positive side and there I will gladly stay. This movie deserves to belong on the shelf along with the other three. Is it the best in the series? Hell no! But it does belong with the others. And seeing the track record of reviving old, rotting series so far, that's about as good as you could possible expect.


I'm 18 years old, that means I did not grow up watching the movies in that glorious old theater. But I did grow up as a child watching the original films on VHS again, and again. So I know the first films, I loved the first film, and so I went into the theater ready with a flaming cocktail if the film dared let me down. But it isn't perfect, it's actually far from it. But what makes this film works is how it triumphs despite it.

So let's start with the bad first. For one thing, when Spielberg promised a film nearly devoid of C.G.I. I was thrilled, I dearly hoped for the original fell of the originals. But the truth is far from it. Rather, it is loaded with so much effects, it tones down many of the scenes. And some are just plain laughable and not in the good way (The monkey scene anybody?). And what it does to the finale is simply disappointing, which leads us to my other big gripe about the film... the ending.



You see, the ending just wasn't Indy. He barely does anything, and the entire thing shakes, explodes and goes crazy with him basically just there to watch everything occur. It does not destroy the film, rather it simply is a weak final act, which is I guess forgivable seeing that so many scenes aside from it were just magic.

And finally, I have my biggest problem with it, the screenplay. It's not bad, but it does go wrong at some pretty big places. For one thing, the plot is roughly patched together, and the adventure itself plays little to serve as the movie's point of interest, that honor belongs to the characters (of whose interactions are both amazing and way too few in between). I do not care about the far fetched plot, it does not seem all that more unbelievable than Nazi's looking for the power of God or the occult prying beating hearts out of you body. Rather it's how little heart it actually adds into the mix.


But thankfully, the good parts of this film answers all these problems and quite a lot more. For one, let's talk about what really made us all come back to watch this movie. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. The man has been under the radar lately, but the moment he puts that hat back on you know he's back. There is just no one else who can do that role but him, and he comes back to take on the role just exactly the way we all remember, and for that he shines. From that smug look to that "I've been there before" tone, it's just pure nostalgia with every line, every joke and every reference to good old days. He does not do as much stunts as he did before, but come on the man's 65 you can't expect him to. But what he does is more than enough and every time he pulls through, you begin to remember just why you fell in love with him in the first place.

Also, while the ending fell flat, that does not mean the other scenes do. Say what you want about Spielberg, but in my opinion he is unparalleled in creating intense action scenes that keeps the heart pounding and adds in a chortle or even a jolt of laughter here and there. Besides, the man has never made a bad movie yet, at least not for me. And so it is clearly his style and his movie at every scene, and he steers it magnificently. Both the motorbike scene and the truck chase are entertaining beyond measure, just how Indiana scenes are supposed to feel. And when the action is absent, that good hold Indiana sense of humor and heart of gold is always present to keep you glued.



Adding to that is the return of Marion, who we all know is the only one Indie was meant to be with. From the first time she shows up, you know every single scene involving the two will sizzle with pure chemistry. Added into the mix is Mutt Williams or as we all would rather call him I'm sure, Henry Jones III. I'm at a lost for Shia as the heir to the hat. He does an effective job here, he channels a good interaction with both mom and pops and holds his own on the action scene. In fact, at some points you can actually see the old shine from his old man in him, you can actually believe he is Indiana's son, which is the most important part. What does trouble me is that the character is raw, and even if that problem was absent there's no changing the fact that there is no way he or anyone else can replace Harrison in the role he was born to play. I would love a sequel, yes please. But I would rather leave the series here all and out if the sequel would rather toy the idea of son replaces father as the ending here seems to suggest.

I'm sure I can't go anywhere without mentioning the other supports, non of which can ever match the magic of either Marcus Brody or Henry Jones Sr. both of whom are lovingly mentioned. If anything, it's Indie's show with his family. Cate Blanchett as the villain was not as good as I hoped her to be. While nonetheless holding her own against the new Jones boys, she does appear awkward as a villain at some points and perhaps mostly of all she falters in her final scene, which I believe fell flat.


But come on, I did not come into this movie thinking it was going to top the series, but it did work out magnificently in the end. It gives out some memorable scenes that are worthy of the series and if I were to rank it, I'd give it the position of 3rd in the series. Don't take that badly, seeing as how the series itself has been magnificent. And while it might not match fully the magic f the best of Indiana, it does prove itself worthy to stand beside it in the winner's podium. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go watch the original films a full five times each before sinking into a state of self-imposed nostalgic depression while waiting for the DVD release of the series' fourth. Thank you, Indiana, and welcome back.

8 out of 10

REVIEW: Speed Racer

Speed Racer
Directed by Andy and Larry Wachowski
Starring Emile Hirsche, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox and Rain



Speed Racer is a shame. It's a damn right shame. No, not because it is as all the critics claim it to be- a worthless piece of eye candy- because it's not. If anything, it's really not half bad. No, it's a damn right shame for several reasons. It's a shame that the film opened at a shocking number three spot at the box office, taking in only $18 million and losing to Ashton's chick flick (talk about embarrassing!). It's a shame that due to the flurry of attacks from the critics I now find this film highly underrated. And it's a shame that after this, no one will trust the Wachowski Brothers (Matrix Trilogy) with another big budget movie again. And that's the biggest shame of all because while the two may have their flaws and share of misfires, when they suck, they do so with style. And nothing less can be expected from the creators of the fame Bullet Time.

By the way I defend the movie, it's as if I loved the thing, but don't get me wrong because I don't. But I did enjoy it, maybe even more than I expected and more than I'm willing to admit. But it does have flaws, and ones that if anything should at least be given the benefit of the doubt.



For one thing, this movie can get highly confusing, a side-effect of its highly ambitious graphic style. For all the cool effect swirling heads and swapping backgrounds could do the first few times, it also serves the plot all sorts of twists and turns, and not the good kind.

Also, the acting can range from "Cheesy and loving it!" to "Driving while constipated". I did not expect Oscar winning performances from the movie, in fact I expected classy bad ones. You know, the cheesy kind that despite the fact that it's nowhere bear believable, it fits perfectly in such a fabulously fictitious world as this. And it works, but after a while, some of the more flat lines take its toll and the more it hits you later in the movie, the more you start feeling the strain of the actors as they try to keep the script alive. While not enough to cry foul and ruin the movie completely, it does nothing to convince you to watch the movie. If anything, it's a blunt throw that serves only to push forward whatever little plot there is in this kid-like extravaganza and little else.


But if you're like me or the two or three other people out there who bothered showing up for the movie, you didn't watch it for the story. You watched it for the headache inducing eye candy, and that's what you'll get. And oh the glory of it all. This is by far one of the most boldly creative movies to come in a long while. Everything about it emits a fanatical swirl of rainbow colors and the art style switches amazingly fast and snappy. One moment it's a CGI treat, the next it's a slow motion shoot-out and karate-fest with comic-like layering. It serves to give one some of the most marvelous and downright jaw-dropping scenes in quite a while. I must take this time to give props to Matthew Fox as Racer X who by far is the coolest and most kick-ass character out there. While not a critical plus, it does give one goosebumps. The graphics, though, do quite some damage. I first hated it in the trailers, thinking it will just make me go dizzy. Well, the graphics ended up entertaining me despite making me dizzy. And for all the cool car moves out there, they get lost in the jumble of candy-colored explosions and checkered backgrounds. For all the good the adrenaline rush gave the action, it could have paid off to slow down a bit at just the right pivotal moments.


So in the end, Speed Racer does nothing to convince me it's a classic blockbuster we'd all remember, in fact it isn't even great. But it does entertain, which is more than we can say than a lot of the wannabes out there right now in the business. And if compared to the masterpiece that was the Matrix, it is safe to assume that this may yet be the latest of the Wachowski's misfires. But despite that, one must at least give the movie props for its technical aspects which I believe are topnotch despite a dizzy fit here and there. Besides, I'd rather watch two great artists try and fail than to see them not try at all.

By the way, that monkey's just annoying.

7 out of 10

Book Review: Twilight! And some quick comic bashes!

Twilight
by Stephanie Meyer


Well, I finally read it. After constant insistence on the sheer awesomeness of this book and the countless times I've been told to just read the damn thing, I finally have. And I went into the book with an equal sense of high expectations and a bit of stubborn skepticism. On both fronts I have been generously not disappointed.

First of all, this book is highly entertaining, the most of any book in my recent memory. It is rare to find a page-turner of this magnitude and like many books of the same breed, it draws this from its narrative. This Romance novel is dangerously addictive with its sensual tale and dark tone, it appeals to the inner romantic and emotive of any normal-brained adolescent (myself included). It is, however, by and large a girl's book. Not that open-minded testosterone induced individuals cannot enjoy it, I did immensely, but this was done by a woman and it clearly shows. The hero is a girl, and not only that, but a rather plain girl. Bella then falls in love with Edward, a vampire who by the most Estrogen-filled chance is a complete stud. If anything, this is by part an ode to one of a perfect female fantasy of falling in love with a mysterious and very dark stranger who is handsome and powerful beyond belief.

That brings us to what works perfectly. The first part, and by large a majority of the book, deals with Bella's descent into a dark, romantic and very dangerous world. How Stephanie handles Bella's teenage mindset, the stages of her falling in love from outright denial and hate to the point of sheer unconditional love, is so well made that it makes every page gush with suspense even when there's absolutely nothing happening. The author's expert use of the senses in her narrative, her masterful grasp of the teenage mindset and even a dash of old school irony borrowed heavily from Meyer's obvious love of the classics all contribute to an expertly told tale of macabre romance. And there's barely a drop of blood for the majority of the novel. All this tells a lot of the narrative work and the excellent conversation handling.

But then for all its undeniable appeal, it has its downside. The hyped finale is both predictable and abrupt, not to mention the pumped up pacing horribly shatters the slow dark build up of much of the book's romantic run. If anything, the delve into death is inevitable to add a sense of conflict and danger, but the handling of it is by far different from the rest of the book it ends up feeling completely different and quickly concluded, as if as an afterthought. If anything, it acts more like the end of a television episode where you have the feeling of inevitable continuation. While many books deal like that, this one deals so in such a case that it leaves a lot of disappointing conclusions, though a lot of the more interesting unanswered ones leave one wanting much more from the sequel.

Another disappointing turn is the handle on some characters. While most supporting are left ignored, it is the interesting ones that I feel are not given enough room to shine, and those that compromise this group is basically the Vampire family. While some characters are given a side story or two that adds a new dimension, such as the likable Alice, most feel more like missed opportunities such as Jasper and Rosalie who are both hinted at more conflict yet are never pushed to the extent beyond that of a character caricature. Speaking of which, the heroine herself, Bella, is by far a mixed element. While I applaud the exert handle on her for a majority of the issue, once she starts falling hopelessly in love with Edward she becomes highly annoying. You could excuse her sheer addiction for Edward's constant presence from time to time, one may even forgive her for thinking just about him just about every single page, but once this starts to pan out for the last quarter of the novel's run, it ruins a lot of the character build up she's had done on the first part of the book. In other words, she starts off as a responsible, smart and stubborn teenage girl and ends up a love-sick puppy with no sense of self worth. I know characters are supposed to change and evolve through the stories, but this is ridiculous, she feels like a completely different person by the end of it.

But all these, I suppose are excusable for now, just because of how well the story is driven into one's cranium. Despite its several flaws, and a few major one here and there, this story leaves one frantic and driven to know more about this dark world in Forks, despite the inevitable conclusion that, yes, you can probably guess what occurs in the next chapter. If anything, this is an ode to masterful storytelling that is entertaining beyond praise. It is no wonder that the book is so ridiculously popular, its appeal is just both so unique and yet so natural. A definite must-read for anyone looking for something to delve to in those long lonely nights.

7.5 out of 10


Quick COMIC Bashes

Wolverine # 62-65 (Get Mystique)
Written by Jason Aaron/ Pencils by Ron Garney


One of the best interpretations of the two characters ever, period. From the intricate look at their pasts to the mind-blowing confrontation between these two legendary characters, the handle on the interaction between the two is just spotless and highly entertaining. Now that Sabertooth is dead and rotting, I am really rooting for Mystique to take his place as Logan's arch-rival. This great book just shows that it's a match made in heaven. P.S. Garney's sketchy art is bot unique and highly addictive. While unremarkable at first, it grows on you to the point that you can't quite get enough of it.
10/10

Invincible Iron Man # 1
Written by Matt Fraction/ Pencils by Salvador Larroca


Awesome. It is clear that with the success of the blockbuster film, Marvel has decided to delve back a bit on what truly makes Tony Stark such a likable character. From his playboy mannerisms to his witty charm, this book molds the good old Stark with his more modern role as S.H.I.E.L.D Director. Better yet, it even plays up old school spasms withe Ezekiel Stane, son of the movie's villian Obadiah Stane, taking up the role as Iron Man's rival in the Iron suit business.

10/10

Batman # 676 (R.I.P.)
Written by Grant Morrison / Pencils by Tony Daniel


Is it just me or is every comic I've been getting so good it merits a ten? This is yet another one, not that R.I.P has begun, everyone is dying to know how Morrison is planning to kill of the Dark Knight. This book is more like a prologue more than anything else, and serves as a jumping point for any new readers and as a refresher for all the old ones. While books like these are usually boring, nothing Grant manages to do ever comes across as that. Besides, the spectacular and creepy finale more than merits the high score I give it now. Really, that ending is just so insane, I still have goosebumps right now. Joker is the bomb.

10/10