entertainment » movies
"Fool" doesn't strike gold
By Monica Wei | Feb. 13, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
The aesthetic quality of "Fool's Gold" is undeniable – from Matthew McConaughey's chiseled abs to the breathtaking Bahama Islands where the characters seek treasure. Unfortunately, though, eye-candy isn't enough to distract the audience from the movie's lack of substance.
Dead on arrival
By Kate Harter | Feb. 5, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
The previews were bad; that usually says something. A dead woman follows around her ex-fianc"'s new flame in order to keep her love safe and happy? Who would want to see that movie? Who would even want to make that movie? Unfortunately, the previews are basically as good as it gets. "Over Her Dead Body," an attempt at a romantic comedy that dies on-screen and doesn't revive itself for the whole hour-plus runtime.
A movie that will catch your "Eye"
By David Jia | Feb. 4, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
The sight of Jessica Alba on the cast list is usually enough to make the average viewer cringe. Her notoriously shallow roles, coupled with stunning looks, brand her as one of Hollywood's most consistently scrutinized actresses. But after seeing "The Eye," a remake of an overwhelmingly popular Chinese film, many people may need to reconsider this standpoint. Directors David Moreau and Xavier Palud have conceived a balanced storyline with appropriate volumes of trepidation and laudable acting.
Not another Godzilla
By David Jia | Jan. 24, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
A giant monster materializes out of nowhere to terrorize the Manhattan population. Hasn't this movie been released before? It sounds so awfully familiar - think it was called "Godzilla." That's probably the initial impression viewers get as they read the plot summary, dismissing "Cloverfield" as a horror flick remake with all the fake gore and clichéd guy-in-monster-suits needed to land an all-time low in the box office. But director Matt Reeves takes several steps to distinguish "Cloverfield" from the rest of its monster flick genre.
A decent "Cloverfield"
By Kiera Zitelman | Jan. 22, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
Some might write off "Cloverfield" as another addition of rubbish to the valueless genre of monster/disaster/science fiction movies. But at a second look, viewers will find a standout film brimming with authenticity and suspense. It's no masterpiece, but "Cloverfield" is entertaining and imaginative.
Madness is not all good
By Kevin Teng | Jan. 16, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
Stealing money always looks easy in movies. Teams of people walk away with loads of cash, ranging from old Western train robberies to hi-tech casino break-ins. In the end, the subterfuge is complicated and near perfect, carried out seriously. "Mad Money" differs by putting lax into the strategy, so much that the movie feels incomplete.
"Bucket" is full of holes
By David Zheng | Jan. 13, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
Two of Hollywood's most successful and revered actors star in "The Bucket List," which unfortunately has little to offer in return. Despite the excellent performances of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, a lousy script and poor directing pulls this movie into a sappy sinkhole all the same.
A searing "There Will Be Blood"
By Rutvij Pandya | Jan. 8, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
According to teenage slang, the term "vicious" means “awesome.†If this is the case, then Irish actor Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of the greatest and most vicious (both masterful and, in a traditional sense, fierce) performances of the past decade in director Paul Thomas Anderson’s virtuoso "There Will Be Blood."
"The Orphanage" delivers shivers without the chainsaws
By Stefanie Robey | Jan. 8, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
Small children are scary. Hollywood and, in this case, whatever Spain's equivalent to Hollywood is have been drilling that fact into the moviegoer's subconscious for years - just look at "The Ring." Imported supernatural thriller "The Orphanage," however, manages to take a hackneyed subject and create a film which feels fresh, imaginative and absolutely terrifying. Think "Pan's Labyrinth," but with a few more nightmares.
"One Missed Call" misses the mark
By Charles Kong | Jan. 7, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
Ever since the $129 million box office hit "The Ring," American producers have become increasingly obsessed with Japanese horror remakes. "Dark Water," "The Grudge" and "Pulse" are all examples of J-horrors filled with psychological delusions, poltergeists and possessive spirits. But there's a thin line between cunning creativity and extreme desperation, and director Eric Valette's remake of Takashi Miike's 2003 "One Missed Call" indubitably crosses it with an incoherent plot that borders on hilarity.
One "Call" not worth taking
By David Zheng | Jan. 7, 2008, midnight | In Movies »
The latest in a long line of Hollywood rip-offs of successful Japanese horror flicks, "One Missed Call" displays an incompetence that makes it more suitable as a comedy. Based on a grossly overused premise, the film bombards the audience with a story so worn-out that it could be considered its own sub-genre.
"Wilson's War" delivers provocative satire
By Lucas Alvarado-Farrar | Dec. 31, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Naked strippers, cocaine and scotch on the rocks – perfect ingredients for a thrilling movie about the New York underground. This, however, is the life of American congressman Charlie Wilson (Tom Hanks), the liberal Texan from the lone star state's second district who transformed the world and brought the Soviet empire to its knees.
Hopes to no postscript for "P.S. I Love You"
By Anika Manzoor | Dec. 28, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Worthwhile movies don't always have Oscar potential. But a good sign of a lousy film is when a top-notch actor decides to invest in a not so top-notch film. Take Ralph Fiennes in "Maid in Manhattan" for example. Likewise, two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank in "P.S. I Love You" fails to add anything to this mawkish and clichéd chick flick.
Second "National Treasure" doesn't glitter
By Monica Wei | Dec. 28, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Sequel fever has struck once again. Producers and film companies come up with a decent movie idea; it makes money. Film companies think: if we could do the same thing again, we could make more money! They revamp the idea and make a sequel nearly identical to the first. Unfortunately, many of these sequels, such as "National Treasure 2: The Book of Secrets," fall flat with repeated jokes and stupid plot twists.
A fantastically bloody "Sweeney Todd"
By Boris Vassilev | Dec. 25, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Eyeliner. Wild hairstyles. Accented cheekbones and a cockney English accent. Few actors can take those disparate elements of character and meld them as effectively as actor Johnny Depp. In fact, he manages to successfully apply them to just about every film he stars in, from scissor-wielding Edward to daft Jack Sparrow. Just when you'd think that his magic formula had run its course, Depp brings it back in excellent London gothic style with "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, " as directed by oddball creative thinker Tim Burton.
"The Great Debaters" earn a win
By Kevin Teng | Dec. 25, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Over the years, Hollywood has seen many attempts to detail racism's ugly past and showcase attempts to shelve it. Although "The Great Debaters" reuses many components of the cliché moral-based film, its emotional characterization and method of dealing with racism make the movie quite exceptional.
Half-hearted return of the chipmunks
By Ya Zhou | Dec. 19, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Since its creation in 1958, the beloved music group Alvin and the Chipmunks has made its mark on the music industry, the TV industry and finally now, the film industry. While the group's transition from music to TV was well-received, transforming the characters onto the big screen took more effort than was exhibited. Tim Hill's rendition of the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" relies too heavily on the chipmunks' "cuteness," leaving too much of the plot unexplained and too many of the human characters underdeveloped.
"I Am Legend" is not quite mythical
By Boris Vassilev | Dec. 18, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
A flashlight pans across the otherwise dark screen, only the quiet, tense music and the ragged breathing of the man holding it teasing the senses. Suddenly, a sick sliding sound is heard to the far left and the light beam pans across the inside of a dilapidated office building, revealing droplets, then streaks of blood. To the far right, an animalistic snarl is barely audible and then all hell breaks loose. With all the elements of a truly terrifying film, Francis Lawrence's "I Am Legend" skimps on the plot and needed depth, and lands amongst the almost-but-not-quite film pile.
"The Perfect Holiday" falls short of funny
By Anshul Sood | Dec. 18, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Picture a single mother married to a hip-hop star who starts dating a part-time Santa with musical aspirations. Perfect recipe for a comedy, right? Not for "The Perfect Holiday," director Lance Rivera's newest project. While the movie does not gain the laughs its premise has the potential for, it still manages to spread some holiday cheer with a heart-touching story.
"The Golden Compass" goes south
By Boris Vassilev | Dec. 13, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
The movie industry, as with all forms of entertainment, goes through trends. In recent times, the very focused trend has been: "epic movie versions of controversial novels with religious undertones set in archaic worlds." These include well recognized names like "The Lord of the Rings," "The Chronicles of Narnia" and most recently, the mediocre film adaptation of Philip Pullman's "The Golden Compass," as brought by director Chris Weitz's creative vision.
"The Mist" brings more than just scary monsters
By Monica Wei | Nov. 28, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Creepy tentacles, bloodstained glass and fear so palpable it makes the windows tremble – classic elements of any horror film. But the brilliance of the adaptation of Stephen King's "The Mist" comes from director Frank Darabont's ability to terrify not with horrific monsters, but with petrifying atmosphere and circumstance.
"Enchanted" takes you to happily ever after
By Greg Kohn | Nov. 28, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
In a world filled with war, poverty and Paris Hilton wannabes, fairy tales are needed more than ever. Right on cue, Disney has released "Enchanted," a modern comedy about a dream princess who goes from a fantasyland to real-life Manhattan, where fairy tales rarely end happily.
"Hitman" misses its mark
By Lucas Alvarado-Farrar | Nov. 27, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
After clicking the trigger button a countless number of times and finally beating that tricky last-level, every gamer is presented with a short animated clip explaining an unsubstantial subplot that leaves a taste of dissatisfaction. Now take that same scene, stretch it out to 100 minutes, add real people, keep that same feeling of disappointment and thus the Eidos videogame inspired film fits easily into this year's wimpy winter lineup.
"This Christmas" is sure to be bland
By Charles Kong | Nov. 27, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
For the past several years, director Preston Whitmore has been in the dumps, especially after the scoreless production "Crossover." "This Christmas" appears to be no different—it is an ambiguous, confusing and dull movie that is as banal as the title itself.
"Beowulf": not the usual epic tale
By Emily Hsiao | Nov. 20, 2007, midnight | In Movies »
Mix together an epic tale, some intense actors, amazing computer graphics and you've got yourself an amazingly gruesome movie with some unexpectedly deep underlying themes. While "Beowulf's" plot appears to be lacking, the movie's amazing details makes up for that and more.
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