Mongol by Sergei Bodrov (2007, Germany / Kazakhstan / Russia)

The gorgeous backdrop (of what appears to be mostly China) is truly captivating in this historical piece. Sergei Bodrov managed to achieve an epic feel of realism through marvelous casting and non-annoying use of CGI. The battle scenes were superbly shot, and every character was well-acted. The deliberate pacing, though jarring at times, was good and moved the plot well enough. The love angle was a bit weak and feels forced and was my main beef with the film. Otherwise, I look forward to the next 2 films in this prospective trilogy.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Lilja 4-ever by Lukas Moodysson (2002, Sweden / Denmark)

A movie set in the armpit slums of Russia. A story about Lilja, a young girl who is about to be abandoned by her single mom, and how she copes living alone in the ghetto. It is a movie which will motivate most viewers to greatly sympathize with characters like Lilja, propelling them to do extreme stuff like volunteer in their local orphanage during weekends... or something.

The film is extremely gritty. The characters there are thrown into very unforgiving circumstances, to which they are presented with almost no way out.

4/5 stars
IMDB

August Rush by Kirsten Sheridan (2007, USA)

A story based on the classic Dicken's novel, Oliver Twist. It's a love story between 2 talented musicians who had an incredibly romantic encounter one night conceiving a son who was orphaned (won't go into detail, just have to watch the movie to find out why). Life's bleak and realistic circumstances broke then apart and extraordinary circumstances reunited them again many many years after.

To me the show was trying to teach us all a lesson about finding one's solace, in this case it was music.

The soundtrack to the film is nothing short of beautiful. Almost every scene was complimented with euphonic instrumental arrangements. The movie had a tendency to be quite corny in some areas but somehow always makes up for it soon after.

If everything else isn't appealing to you, it has Jonathan Rhys Meyers doing his own vocals and instruments in the movie, that to me is one significant selling point.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Eastern Promises by David Cronenberg (UK / Canada / USA)

A gripping mob tale with all the inner workings of a good film. A good, unique plot with a nice setting in London, a great cast of actors, some intricate camerawork punctuated by a nice score, and a dash of bloody violence makes this a fine thriller by Cronenberg. Viggo Mortensen is outstanding in his role as a Russian driver cum hitman. It's obvious he's done research and spent some time with some Russian tough guys before this film. His mannerisms and speech were great, with an icy cold stare and some badass prison tattoos.

The fight at the bathhouse is probably one of the best hand to hand combat ever filmed for a non-martial arts movie, in the likes of the hammer fight in 'Oldboy'. This is one of the best films of 2007, and Cronenberg has got his own unique style and tone down on the film. I'm definitely looking forward to catching up with his filmography. For some reason I've been avoiding watching his movies so far, with the exception of 'Spider', but that's going to change soon.

4/5 stars
IMDB

The Detective by Oxide Pang Chun (2007, Hong Kong)

Gritty supernatural HK thriller set in Thailand. It looks good, but lacks any real substance, not to mention the supernatural element is really tacky and cliched and for the Pang brothers, it's pretty much beating a dead horse by this point. The scares weren't scary and it's really evident the Pang brothers desperately need some kind of inspiration, from the kind of shit they've been churning out lately. Andy Lau wasn't bad, but not even he and a handful of pretty chicks could save this movie from making viewers fall asleep.

2/5 stars
IMDB

American Gangster by Ridley Scott (2007, USA)

Ah, what a waste of time. Ridley Scott should have done better with a drug kingpin movie. Instead he focus too much time on the buildup of the story on the two main characters, which ultimately led to a slow movie with a boring payoff. Interesting characters, but I think I've seen this kind of cop/villain film before. Watch out for the director's cut though.

2/5 stars
IMDB

Sunshine by Danny Boyle (2007, UK / USA)

I felt a little let down after watching this movie. Definitely not Danny Boyle's best movie. In fact I couldn't believe he basically made a crazy space monster movie, choosing to abandon character development and a believable plot in the last act. Anytime you have a pseudo-religious wackjob as your villain, it's usually a good sign the plot is turning to shit. Cliff Curtis was cool while he lasted.

2.5/5 stars
IMDB

The Boys & Girls Guide to Getting Down by Paul Sapiano (2006, USA)

The problem with most mock documentaries, is that they are often not really funny, or have that much to say in trying to push a point or satirize the subject matter in the first place. This show wasn't deep or even that much funny, but it's more a laid back look at the interesting, hedonistic culture and lifestyle of some LA clubbers.

I'd say it seems accurate portraying the subject matter, taking into account that I have zero knowledge of the partying lifestyle there, but it seems real enough. None of the character really stood out in the show, but the social interactions between them was interesting enough to move the show along. The editing was good, in that I didn't feel bored at all watching it, compared to other shows in the same vein, like perhaps 'The Mating Habits of the Earthbound Human'.

There was a late scene that somehow made me feel a little for the characters, when a few of the characters were heading back from the party. It was after sunrise and they were in a car, with Zero 7's 'Today' being prominently played in the background. So they were just passing by normal people going about their normal routines, and it struck a chord with me at the realness of the situation and the characters, that just by being around the normal people makes them actually feel awkward and somewhat guilty, and how it made them feel like a freak. But then you think back, hey it's all right, after all they did have fun.

3/5 stars
IMDB

Futurama: Bender's Big Score by Dwayne Carey-Hill (2007, USA)

I wasn't much of a fan of Matt Groening's more famous creation, 'The Simpsons', but I've been hooked on Futurama from the first time I watched it. Maybe it was the satirical humor, the stupid jokes, identifying a little with the protagonist Fry, or wanting to be more like Bender, or maybe it's because it was a straight-up awesome cartoon adventure. I felt a little sad inside when Fox canceled Futurama after the fourth season, so imagine my excitement upon hearing news of a 5th season coming back in the form of a trilogy of movies that would be re-cut and re-edited to tv episodes.

Well let's just say that this show didn't disappoint. In fact I would be so bold as to say that it's just as good if not, better than any of the previous seasons. The show just seems to get better and better as it goes along, contrary to most tv shows. And the running gag on Fox network is just too funny. They weren't scared to venture into time-traveling and paradoxes this time, which is a writer's nightmare's considering all the potential plotholes and flaws that have to be covered up. It was nice seeing everything was written flawlessly and all loose ends covered. I await in much anticipation and glee to the forthcoming movies.

4/5 stars
IMDB

Exodus by Pang Ho-Cheung (2007, Hong Kong)

Ah, it's been a while since I've watched an artsy flick. Or at least a pretentious one, if the opening scene of Exodus is anything to go by. A pitiful man gets beaten up by a half-dozen naked men with scuba masks and flippers using hammers in slow motion, captured by a slow zooming out tracking shot, complete with soaring classical music. The shot actually kind of pissed me off. I'm not sure whether its the odd music choice, or the fact that the naked frogmen really suck at beating up a helpless guy, or because it seems so pretentious. Anyway by the end of the film, I didn't care that much for the opening shot enough to dislike the show. It was a pretty 'cute' film, if I have to describe it in one word.

The plot about a conspiracy for women to eliminate all men is kinda cute in a morbid fashion, also not to mention the cute female protagonist and Cecilia Cheung look-alike, Annie Liu. Simon Yam's experience shows from his portrayal of his character, though I think he's a bit too old for it, compared to his character's wife. I like the scene where the dead man's ex-wife was pouring out her feelings to Simon Yam's character, and they ended up having sex. It was a long static shot, and it was composed as such to make the viewer feel as if he/she is peeping at them throughout the whole exchange, at what ultimately is an adulterous couple. The plot needs a bit of work though, but the cinematography is good and composition is excellent. I wasn't so much a fan of the revolving camera though, it makes me dizzy.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Kingdom by Peter Berg (2007, USA)

The Kingdom is an ambitious political/action thriller that successfully attempts what few Hollywood movies have been able to these past few years - to unabashedly depict the social and political atmosphere in the Middle East with all the tension and hate amid its unique culture. Although it's not a flawless film by any means, it manages to remain mostly unbiased in the face of the controversial subject matter: islamic insurgency.

The real star of the show here is Ashraf Barhom, a sympathetic, good-hearted Colonel who faced a tragic end, in the one of the best last half-hour of non-stop action in the film. The first half of the film really took its time with its pace, with all the bureaucracy and red tape that explains for the lack of any action of the movie, taking place mostly in a foreign workers housing complex.

However once, Colonel Ghazi grew some balls and got some power from the prince to lead the FBI team out of the compound, that's where the film quickly picks up pace. From a crashed and rolled, overturned SUV, the FBI agents, Colonel Ghazi and one of his man chased the insurgents around, ultimately ending with them versus a whole village of insurgents. Undoubtedly, this leads up to a much visceral and heart-pounding climax, before ending on a sad note of the reality of the situation. Overall, I must say the action is top-notch and the acting was excellent, which makes it a must-watch, even though it may seem to be a tad unrealistic and idealistic, but for what it has managed to achieve, I say it's forgivable. Also watching Jennifer Garner sticking a knife in a big man's head is more than satisfying.

3.5/5 stars
IMDB

Shoot 'Em Up by Michael Davis (2007, USA)

A glorious, over the top action movie starring Clive Owen, Monica Belluci and Paul Giamatti. Really, what more could I ask for in an action movie? Guns, sex, a bald villain, crazy stunts, and a nice dose of cleavage. Multiply that with an over-zealous hollywood production and you get 'Shoot 'Em Up', a crazy shooting action movie which reminds me of Crank in some ways, but is not as fast-paced. There are some parts that kinda dragged, but overall I enjoyed this movie for what it was, and because Clive Owen as a badass anti-hero simply rocks.

3/5 stars
IMDB

The Stepford Wives by Frank Oz (2004, USA)

I had the chance to watch this on tv and I have to say remaking this was a terrible idea. Aside from having gaping plot holes due to the 'hollywood ending', this weak remake isn't worth watching at all, despite starring Matthew Broderick and Chris Walken. Really, the ending is what disappointed me the most, other than the fact that it wasn't funny or scary, even though it attempted to be sort of a light comedy/horror spoof. Instead of updating upon the ideas from the original script to fit modern times, the show was focused mostly on making the twist work, and the plot is wasted on what could have been a brilliant satire on the social expectations of men and women. No doubt the original is way better, and this remake was done purely in the interests of making some fast cash for the producers. Still, nice art direction, and Nicole Kidman is good eye candy, if nothing else.

2/5 stars
IMDB