The Happening 20% E (R rated)

Tagline: - We've Sensed It. We've Seen The Signs. Now... It's Happening.

Rated R for violent scenes and disturbing images.

I really dont know how to review this movie. It's totally NOT HAPPENING. When I went into the theaters, I didn't have much expectation, knowing that director M. Night Shyamalan has disappointed me time and time again ever since Signs in 2002. To be fair, his Unbreakable (2000) and Sixth Sense (1999) were commendable.

However, this one man show (Mark Wahlberg) really is too much. Yes, it does have a few other casts but the only one worth mentioning is Mark, and maybe the trees. I can perfectly accept movies with no logic, but this one is totally bizarre whereby the story builds up the all the suspense only to leave you high and dry with an ending that has neither logic nor explanation.

A real disappointment.

Storyboard: 5 of 25
Cinematography: 5 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 5 of 25
Casting: 5 of 25

Total Score :- 20 E

Source: http://www.imdb.com

Wanted 78% B+ (R)

Tagline: Choose your destiny.

Rated R (18SX) for blood, violence, pervasive language and sexuality.

Watch this if you like action-packed, adrenalin-pumping, fast-paced car chase scenes, bloody fist fights, modern bullet flying-dodging drama with lots of body count. I find this comic book adaptation very entertaining especially with all the non-stop action scenes, seamless CGI coupled with a simple story line that delivers a very basic message.

The message: Everyone is special in their own way, even though you think you are a nobody now. It's up to you to realise your own special ability and take control of your own destiny. Also, try to think out-of-the-box as everything has its flaws even though it that has been practised for thousands of years. Also watch who you choose to believe in as there will always be a "fox under a sheepskin".

And having the beautiful Angelina Jolie in the movie is a bonus. Just don't add moral and logic into the equation and you'll enjoy this Russian-directed (Timur Bekmambetov) American movie.

Storyboard: 20 of 25
Cinematography: 20 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 18 of 25
Casting: 20 of 25

Total Score :- 78 B+

Source: http://www.imdb.com

Hancock - 71% B (PG13)

Tagline: There are heroes. There are superheroes. And then there's...Hancock

Rated PG 13 for intense sci-fi action, violence and language

Hmmm ... how do I categorise this movie? If I classify it as an action pack superhero movie, then it doesn't really stand out from the current blockbusters such as Iron Man and Incredible Hulk. The Marvel superheroes have so much history that their storyline will definitely win any wannabes hands down.

But if I categorise it under love story.... well, I give 2 thumbs up as it's a refreshing watch compared to the normal run-in-the-mill cheezy love story. I have to give the credits to the cast. Will Smith and Charlize Theron gave an extremely good performance in bringing out the feelings in this movie. They didn't need to talk, but their facial expression could tell me what they were feeling at that time. And I could actually feel for their characters. I won't give spoilers to the movie.. but I have to say that I could feel how the humiliated, unappreciated, lost, dejected, lonely Hancock feel throughout the show. I feel so sad for him because he practically had the whole world in his grash (being an immortal and invincible superhero) but yet he feels he have nothing (because he can't remember who he is and he feels like he's missing something in his life).

I am no fan of Will Smith. Never liked him, but I have to give due credits to his well done silverscreen performance. Good Job! And Charlize Theron was equally good when she expressed with her eyes, how much she is suffering from suppressed love. Also how much she wants to lead a normal life and yet protect the ones she love.

If you just exclude logic and just sit back and enjoy the silly antics and superb CGI. Not a movie that can win awards but definitely entertaining where it gives you a hearty laugh, and a good tug at your heartstrings.

Good job!

Storyboard: 15 of 25
Cinematography: 18 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 15 of 25
Casting: 23 of 25
Total Score :- 71 B

Source: http://www.imdb.com

MOH (Made of Honor) 56% C (PG13)

Tagline: It takes a real man to become a maid of honor.

Rated: PG-13 in the US for sexual content and language. (Mostly censored in Malaysia)

Hmmm... This movie reminded me why I never really liked romantic comedies. Not only did the main actor, Tom (Patrick Dempsey) and actress, Hannah (Michelle Monaghan) have no silverscreen chemistry (a big no-no for romantic comedies), they failed to make me laugh and the supporting cast and the plot was totally weak and insubstantial.

Somehow I can't help but think that this is the male version of "My best friend's wedding" (think Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz), but MOH somehow failed to emulate the wittiness and appeal of that 1997 hit. MOH makes a mockery of women i.e. the girls in this movie are either fat (Emily Nielson who plays bridesmaid Hilary), bitchy and hollow (Whitney Cummings as Bridesmaid Stephanie), vindictive and slutty (Busy Philipps as scorned Bridesmaid Melissa) or old and dumb (Selma Stern as Grandma Pearl). They didn't even accentuate the finer qualities of Hannah's character, whereby we are shown that her one and only forte is being able to guess Tom's cake order. I mean, C'mon, there must be more than that to a woman who have captured the heart of a Scottish royalty... and not to mention, tame a serial dater/womanizer!

Only consolation was the beautiful Scotish sceneries and culture exchange. Nothing honorable, but maybe passable as a teenage fairy tale flick.


Storyboard: 20 of 25
Cinematography: 20 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 8 of 25
Casting: 8 of 25

Total Score : 56 C


Source: http://www.imdb.com

The Incredible Hulk 84% A (PG13)

Tagline: This June, a hero shows his true colors

US Rated PG-13 for violence actions, scary images and some suggestive contents.

I love action movies. I love comics. And director, Louis Letterier, have made an excellent job in combining the 2 to bring this Marvel comic's green monster, The Incredible Hulk, to the big silverscreen. He even addressed the mind boggling question as to why his purple pants are still on after the transformation. This movie brings about a bery nice mixture of family, love, politics, crisis management, and overall action, thriller and suspense. All the ingredients of a good comic book. And Louis Letterier successfully transformed it into the silverscreen for us movie buffs to enjoy.

Edward Horton (as Dr. Bruce Banner) and Liv Tyler (as Dr. Betty Ross) gives a good performance to depict the hardship and frustration of their torn and forcefully separated love-life. And the fighting scenes between Hulk and Abomination really kept me on the edge of my seat.

I don't need to say more, just like the speechless Incredible Hulk in this movie, I'll just let the movie speak for itself.

Oh, it's a worthy mention that Stan Lee (creator of various Marvel Comic characters) and Lou Ferrigno (original Hulk for the 1978 TV Series) had special cameo in this movie. And Robert Downey Jr (Tony Stark in Ironman) has a special cameo too. So watch out for them!

Storyboard: 22 of 25
Cinematography: 22 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 20 of 25
Casting: 20 of 25

Total Score : 84 A

Source: http://www.imdb.com

Iron Man 82% A (PG13)

Tagline: Fully Charged.

US Rated PG-13 for violence actions and some suggestive contents.

This comic book adaptation is the typical boy movie with all the mechanical and robotic stuffs. Action packed, highly explosive and totally intelligent, with lots of CGI effects, this movie will defnitely win awards.

This movie addresses some issues regarding the current war-ridden world that we live in now, and how it's not too late to do something about it.

I like the intelligent character of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) who can inspire children to be interested in Physics, Mathematics and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. Gwyneth Paltrow (as the clever, resourceful, prim and proper, Pepper Potts, personal assistant to Tony Stark) provides something for the girls to look up to in this male dominant comic flick.

The ending somehow is a bit anti climax so I suppose I need to watch out for the sequel.

Another must watch this summer.


Storyboard: 22 of 25
Cinematography: 22 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 19 of 25
Casting: 19 of 25

Total Score : 82 A


Source: http://www.imdb.com/

What happens in Vegas - 70% B

Tagline: Get Lucky.

Havent laughed so much at the movies since I can remember. One of the better love comedies I have come across and you will have to watch it to enjoy it. Give this movie a try, I dont think you'll regret watching the 2 tall love birds (Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher) at the big screen. Although Cameron may look a little old for Ashton but hey, both of the actors are/were involved in similar relationships in real life, so what's not to believe

Umm..., you may want to wait for the DVD as there's some parts censored from the theaters here.

Storyboard: 20 of 25
Cinematography: 15 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 15 of 25
Casting: 20 of 25

Total Score :- 70 B

Source: http://www.imdb.com