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Reviews
Fast Track (2006)
A must for Braff and Bateman fans
Being a fan of my generation's brilliant TV comedians: Zach Braff of Scrubs and Jason Bateman of Arrested Development. I saw the movie at a special screening and I wasn't disappointed. The lead of the movie is actually Braff who plays Tom Reilly, a slacker married to a young lawyer Sarah Kowalski played by Amanda Peet. Due to his temper and frank attitude, Reilly doesn't last long in his jobs and his wife has the most stable job. The problem, arises when he got fired from his last job after Sarah gives birth to their firstborn and she wants to become a stay at home mom to their baby. They moved back to her parents hometown in Ohio and his father in law got Tom a job at his work - an advertising company, only to be assigned to work under his girl's ex-lover Chip Sanders played by Jason Bateman who still have to hots for Sarah. Good acting and comedic timing by Braff and Bateman raises it's quality from a middling script. If you are a fan of Zach Braff or Jason Bateman, this is a must-see.
Sunshine (2007)
Great!!!
Danny Boyle is one of my favorite directors ever since his first global success: Trainspotting in 1996, in which Ewan McGregor was introduced. He continues to make films of a different genre, from horror ( 28 Days Later ) to kid story ( Millions ). Together with one of my favorites authors Alex Garland, they both collaborated into putting into Garland's awesome novel The Beach and the result was a half-baked film toned down by the casting of All American Boy Leonardo DiCaprio as the main character which was originally a Brit. They redeemed themselves however with Sunshine, their second collaboration. Boyle has entered another genre, science fiction dosed with a little horror reminisce of 28 Days Later. Great premise: the sun is dying, a scientist devised a machine/bomb that would reignite the fading star, a mission was sent however there's trouble ahead. Good writing by Garland, an excellent international cast headed by Irish Cillian Murphy ( Batman Begins, Red Eye ), Malaysian Michelle Yeoh, and a surprisingly good Chris Evans ( Cellular, Fantastic Four ) made this film a must see for me and I wasn't disappointed. This film won't open in the US till September 14 and therefore I was fortunate enough to be here in the Philippines when the film opened last easter weekend. This is not your typical sci-fi popcorn flick like Armagedon. This is the thinking man's sci-fi film. I won't be surprised if it's gonna be a big hit in the US once the American audiences watch this gem of a film.
300 (2006)
Entertaining...First Great Popcorn Flick of 2007
I never expected that three genres of film: the classical and historical early civilization war movies like Gladiator, Troy, Braveheart and Alexander; could be mixed with the fantasy epic like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the blue screen/green screen comic book styled genre like Sin City, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow and Dick Tracy would result to an highly entertaining film like 300. The movie is based on Frank Miller's ( creator of Sin City) graphic novel "300" which was inspired by another movie the 1962 classic "The 300 Spartans". It depicts the legendary tale of King Leonidas of Sparta and 300 of his men who gallantly fought against the mighty Persian Army climaxing in the Battle of Thermopylae thus changing the course of history. I myself, am not that familiar with ancient history war civilization, my knowledge of it comes from the Asterix series comic books, and movies like Gladiator, Alexander and Troy. Watching 300 not only made be entertained but also it aroused my curiosity in researching the history of Spartans. The comic book style of the film implies that the movie isn't to be taken seriously. Violence and carnage abounds but since the origin of 300 is from a graphic novel, it is not that gory. It actually blends well with the tone with the film. This is one war epic that you won't be caught sleeping to.
Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
Simply a Masterpiece!! Try to Catch It While It's Still in Your Nearest Multiplex
Letters from Iwo Jima is the companion movie of Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers, it is about the people behind the Battle Of Iwo Jima, a key battleground between the Japanese and the American soldiers during World War 2. Wherein, Flags was about the battle from the Americans point of view, Letters from Iwo Jima tackles the battle from the Japanese perspective. We are already familiar with World War II movies from the US side. Films such as Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line, and The Great Raid comes to mind. Letters however showed a side that we are not familiar of. Like the Yanks, some Japanese men are also hesitant to leave their loved ones at home to fight a war that they did not start. They are also human beings: getting scared, nervous and jittery when they hear the sound of gunfire, bombs and approaching aircraft. However, the film does not glorify both sides. It simply puts that the lessons of war whoever side are you from should not be forgotten and it should never happen again.
The Last Kiss (2006)
A treasure of a movie, it should be discovered
I love this movie because I can relate to it. Guys who are on their late twenties and early thirties facing life as it is. I had initial doubts on watching this film because the trailer was for me boring. But I was in a for a big surprise. This movie is above par the typical romantic comedies Hollywood makes. It makes you think. I believe that there is a personality of every character in the film in each one of us. From our age group aka the early thirties to even to those in their sixties. The entire cast was excellent - Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett, the OC's Rachel Bilson, Casey Affleck, Tom Wilkinson, Blythe Danner and many more. A treasure of a movie, it should be discovered.
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
This movie has heart
Once in a while, there comes a comedy film that comes out of nowhere to become a surprise box office hit. In 1998, There's Something About Mary suddenly came of nowhere to become that year's 3rd highest grossing movie beating such summer tent pole movies like Godzilla and Lethal Weapon 4. In 2002, a little movie called My Big Fat Greek Wedding showed longevity in the box office becoming the highest grossing romantic comedy of all time. This year that honor will go to the two movies: The Devil Wears Prada and this: Little Miss Sunshine. This is an unconventional family movie. Only the female members of the family are normal: the mom (Toni Collette) and her daughter aka Little Miss Sunshine (Abigail Breslin). As they travel from their home in a town somewhere in New Mexico to Redondo Beach, California for the daughter to compete in the Little Miss Sunshine kiddie pageant. They encounter some funny and awkward situations therefore strengthening their family bond. With outstanding performances from all the cast members that includes aside from Collette and Breslin, Greg Kinnear, Steve Carrell, Alan Arkin and Paul Dano. This movie has heart. Watch it! Highly recommended.