SPLICE (2010)
MyRating: YYYYDirector: Vincenzo Natali
Cast: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, Delphine Chanéac, Brandon McGibbon, Abigail Chu
MPAA: Rated R for disturbing elements including strong sexuality, nudity, sci-fi violence and language
US Gross: US$ 17.0 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 25.7 Million
Two genetic scientists, Clive Nicoli (Adrien Brody) and Elsa Kast (Sarah Polley), broke the forbidden and cardinal sin in science when they blended human DNA in their experiment on splicing animal genes, which could revolutionize science and medicine for the human being's benefits. The result is a new female hybrid animal that they named Dren. At the beginning, she grows to become like a lovely human girl, with a tail. But when the animal instinct inside her bursts out, the unthinkable happens.
This is a sexy thriller with a sci-fi touch. I like the movie for it's interesting story, even though the theme was a classic one that we have seen so many times, about a science experiment goes wrong. But the formula worked. Decent performances from Brody and Polley, and both the young Dren (played by Abigail Chu who will make you care for her loveliness) and the adult Dren (played by Delphine Chanéac who will make you beware for her growing weirdness). The movie also tried to give a twisted final outcome, even though not difficult to be guessed. Some people may not like how the end turns out, but in overall, it was a good and satisfying thriller for me. (MJ)
EAT PRAY LOVE (2010)
MyRating: YYY1/2Director: Ryan Murphy
Cast: Julia Roberts, Javier Bardem, James Franco, Richard Jenkins, Billy Crudup, Hadi Subiyanto, Christine Hakim
MPAA: Rated PG-13 on appeal for brief strong language, some sexual references and male rear nudityUS Gross: US$ 80.6 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 204.5 Million
Adapted from the best seller memoir of Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (2006).
Julia Roberts played as the author, who despite of having a husband, a house and a career, yet still feels unhappy and so lost in her life. Decided to divorce her husband, she then takes a trip to travel around the world to find her true self and what she really wants in life. From Italy, where she finds the excitements of eating good foods, to India, where she learns how to control her uneasy mind and heart through praying, and finally Bali, where she discovers the harmony of her life and maybe, her true love.
Some people thought that this movie was boring, but for me it was quite an enjoyable one, as I like travelling, and I like to see new and beautiful places, and the story behind the roadtrip. The reason why Liz Gilbert chose an extreme path to find herself, including took a divorce, may not make any sense, but that was one 'brave' decision, despite whether it was right or wrong, that if she stayed in her comfort zone, she may forever trap in her unhappiness. And she may never experience all the things that she experienced, if she decided that 'life is not too short to let the things flow as the way they are'.
Another thing that made this movie special for me was because one third of the movie took place in the beautiful island of Bali, the island of the gods, the proud of my country, Indonesia. It is an exotic and culturally-rich island with lots of breathtaking views, beautiful beaches, sacred temples, and friendly people. Julia Roberts, even though not outstanding, appeared lovely here, as the Julia Roberts that we love. And there was also an interesting and natural performance by the first time actor, Hadi Subianto, as Ketut Liyer, Liz's toothless advisor in Bali. Christine Hakim, a senior Indonesian actress, appeared as Wayan, Liz's best friend in Bali. If you haven't visited Bali, then you should, especially if you like travelling. This island is a place to visit before you die. A place to be in the 'bucket list' of every traveller. Don't believe it! Then you have to come and experience the island yourself. (MJ)
SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD (2010)
MyRating: YY1/2Director: Edgar Wright
Cast: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ellen Wong, Kieran Culkin, Alison Pill, Mark Webber, Johnny Simmons, Anna Kendrick, Jason Schwartzman, Chris Evans, Brandon Routh
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for stylized violence, sexual content, language and drug references
US Gross: US$ 31.5 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 47.6 Million
Adapted from the graphic novel series by Bryan Lee O'Malley, the film is about Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera), a young bass guitarist of a band aspires to be famous, who meets and falls in love with the girl of his dreams, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). But to win the girl, he has to fight the 'seven evil exes', who are also the seven ex-lovers of Ramona. And the battles that he has to go through are the battles to the death, as they are really pissed off and do not hesitate to wipe him off the earth.
This is a stylistic movie with innovative, colorful, and eye-popping visuals for MTV generations. A lot of actions with comical interpretations, yet violence. But the script was not as impressive as the visuals. And the story somehow felt repetitive when Scott has to deal and defeat the seven enemies, even though I realize that those were also the main attractiveness for many people and fans. Interesting appearances by Chris Evans, Brandon Routh and Jason Schwartzman as three of the 'seven exes', but the performance of Michael Cera was really annoying for me. He may fit his timid character, I don't know, but the way he acted and sounded just gave me a confirmation that he is a bad actor. Not really liked the story. Maybe not my cup of tea. (MJ)
THE NEXT THREE DAYS (2010)
MyRating: YY1/2Director: Paul Haggis
Cast: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Olivia Wilde, Michael Buie, Jason Beghe, Aisha Hinds
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements
US Gross: US$ 21.1 Million
Worldwide Gross: US$ 41.7 Million
Russell Crowe played as John Brennan, a husband who tirelessly tries to find a way to free her wife from jail by proving that she is not guilty. Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) was arrested for murdering her boss after they had a quarrel at work. But all the evidences at the crime scene, including the fingerprints on the murder weapon, indeed proved that she was guilty. After years of wasted efforts, while the hopes for her wife to ever walk out of prison free start to fade away, John becomes obsessed with the idea of breaking her out of jail. And when he realizes that all doors have closed for them and there is no other way out, John decides to really break her out.
This is a remake of the 2007 French film Pour Elle (Anything for Her) by Fred Cavayé. A very promising story but with a not so satisfying result. The story development was too slow and repetitive, including showing how Crowe again and again failed in his attempts to free his wife, in which some of the scenes, in my opinion, were unnecessary to repeat. The story also made itself to become complicated, while it actually should not. I was hoping something big will happen up until near the end of the movie, but when the end result did happen, it was nothing big. It rather fell flat actually. Good performance by Russell Crowe, as usual, and I always like him. But this is not a very good movie of Crowe, which I could take the conclusion only after finishing the whole movie, which was below the expectation. (MJ)
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (2010)
MyRating: YYYDirector: Michael Apted
Cast: Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Ben Barnes, Will Poulter, Gary Sweet, Laura Brent, Tilda Swinton
MPAA: Rated PG for some frightening images and sequences of fantasy action
The world of Narnia returns with its third installment of the C.S. Lewis' epic fantasy masterpiece series. This time Lucy and Edmund Pevensie (Georgie Henley & Skandar Keynes) are transported back to Narnia along with their unfriendly cousin Eustace Scrubb (Will Poulter). There, they join with Prince Caspian (Ben Barnes) and his men, in their quest across the sea aboard the royal ship of The Dawn Treader, in order to rescue the seven lost Lords of Narnia. A perilous journey that once again brings them to encounter various kinds of wonderful and magic creatures, as well as deadly enemies that will endanger their lives.
A good family film and follow-up in the Narnia series. An enjoyable story, with good and beautiful special effects, some decent battles, and some good laughs. There were also plenty of fantasy creatures, like the talking warrior mouse, the dragon, minotaurs, fauns, sea creatures, and of course, Aslan the Lion, a guarantee for kids' delights. But I have the feeling that I've seen all these before. What interesting the most was the performance of Will Poulter as the obnoxious and stubborn cousin. He was very-very good, with his natural and fun to watch acting. He actually stole every scene he was in, and made the scenes without him becoming less interesting. This is a standard and decent Narnia movie, nothing really standout and not that memorable, except for the Eustace Scrubb character. Nonetheless, still a good one though. (MJ)
MYMOVIE CRITIC - REVIEWING MOVIES FROM AN AUDIENCE'S STANDPOINT
