The (Un)Breakable Code

2006 most anticipated summer blockbuster finally arrived and boy, it received lukewarm response form moviegoers all over the world. However, it could not prevent The Da Vinci Code from recording a $224 million worldwide opening, the second-biggest debut ever at the global box office, its distributor said.

This movie adapted from Dan Brown's under the same title. As the book took the world by storm, the movie said different way. With so many controversies, tight filming security, called for banned and boycott by christians and arguement about the historical facts that Brown's put in his book, the movie turned out to be something that will sink forever.

Am not going to say more about the plot of this movie, as by now, each and everyone who visited this blog have watch the movie themselves. I'll evaluate the movie. I catched the movie over the weekend with anticipation that I could get more 'visual' (I have not read the book) and I left my high expectation at the entrance of the cinema. But it turned out to be the other way around. The 'visual' was not impressive with so many scenes are draggy as my tired feet walking around Paris town. I do blamed on the adapation from the book and not the director himself. But then again to adapt hunderds over pages into 2 hr and 33 mins movie is not an easy task. The problem here lies where Dan Brown involvement writing the scripts for the movie was 'denied'. If involvment by the writers himself in adapting it to a movie, it would make this movie more interesting.

As far as the plot it concern, the movie was such a mess and the movie does disjointed. Each scenes jump too fast and I did not feel any attachment to the scenes/movie at all. But moviegoers understanding would be the essence of the book managed captured in the entire movie. About the historical facts which argue theorically and the bloodline was too much too digest in the short of time. It gave me headache.

Overall, this movie is an entertaining if you ignored the hypes and controversies and enjoying it although you might 'lost' in certain part of the movie itself. Silas (Paul Bettany) as albino monk assassin and Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) as grail hunter gave a memorable performances. However, Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) and Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) sank deeply with the messy plot and there is no chemistry on silver screen. If you have read the book, you will disappointed with the movie and my friend told me.. NOW, READ THE BOOK!

The Cast: Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou, Paul Bettany, Sir Ian McKellen, Jean Reno

Director: Ron Howard

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

First Look : World Trade Centre

World Trade Centre tells the true story of the heroic survival and rescue of two Port Authority policemen – John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno – who were trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, after they went in to help people escape.

The film also follows their families as they try to find out what happened to them, as well as the rescuers who found them in the debris field and pulled them out. Their story shows how the best in people rose above the tragic events of that day.

This movie is helm by Academy Award®-winning director Oliver Stone and written by Andrea Berloff stars Nicholas Cage. Along side with Cage in this movie is Michael Pena, Maria Bello, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Jay Hernandez. This movie will be open in the US nationwide on 11 August 2006 and will be coming to Malaysia in 19 October 2006.

By the look of the trailer, this is going to be an emotional ride for those who lost their loved one in the most merciless terrorist attack in American history. Enjoy the trailer.

X-Men III: The Last Stand

X-Men III : The Last Stand is one of the most anticipated summer blockbuster for 2006. With the trailer have been invaded cinemas worldwide, by now, X-Men's fan are gearing up to see their favourite mutant on silver screen.

What is this movie all about? Does it picking up where it left in X-Men II? The return of Jean Gray is definitely. X-Men III: The Last Stand is the final chapter in the X-Men motion picture trilogy, a "cure" for mutancy threatens to alter the course of history. For the first time, mutants have a choice: retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers and become human. The opposing viewpoints of mutant leaders Charles Xavier, who preaches tolerance, and Magneto, who believes in the survival of the fittest, are put to the ultimate test - triggering the war to end all wars. Sound exciting isn't it?

Judging from the trailer, we can see more of the mutant in this movie that you could ever think of. The CGI are very impressive. New cast join the third installment. This is going to be super duper mega action movie.

Well, today, I managed to glimpse 7-minutes preview of X-Men III: The Last Stand. And it does look good. However, usual of me always being sceptical about good stuff, I think this movie will not liven to its expectations and I hope I'm wrong and the mean time I'm just waiting for the movie to be release.

If you want to watch 7-Minutes preview of X-Men III : The Last Stand click here
(p/s: you have to click 'play' button if the movie stop)

Below is some of the photos of X-Men III : The Last Stand.

The Sinkable Ship

As summer blockbuster with mission cashing in mulla from the cinemas worldwide, one ship fated to sink this year. The sinkable ship does not have any mercy and it does not pick its victim. It kills whatever in it. However, a group of cruiser does not want the ship to take their life away, thus they find their way out of the ship and that is climbing and swimming their way from the top to the bottom. They must stick together if they want to survive from this merciless sinkable ship. Welcome to the world of 'Poseidon'.

This movie is a remake of classic 1972's 'The Poseidon Adventure' starring Gene Hackman. The remake helm by Wolfgang Petersen (The Perfect Storm) on Director's chair and writing credits goes to Mark Protosevich (screenplay) and Paul Gallico (novel).

The first 20 minutes or so, the viewers given a brief introduction about the ship via a grand opening scene and then a brief introduction as well to our survivor. Then, during the coundown to the New Year, on the count of 10, 9, 8 ,7 ,6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (what a good way to countdown your own disaster), wham bam yes mam, the ship hit by massive rogue wave (unknown phenomena) and turn it upside down. And so the adrenaline of the movie kicks off.

Petersen gave us heart stomping non stop actions, mega explosive scenes, dive and swim around the ship accompanied with oh, ah, eee, ew and screaming-NO scenes. Petersen also gave us heroes, calm hero, survivor that meant to be die as they not contributing anything to the movie (sound like reality tv show eh), irritating girl who claustrophobic, mother and her kid who have a guts to join the surviving-cruise-adventure and unmemorable scenes and characters. In fact, as am writing this, i barely recalled any of the scenes at all.

I have yet to watch the original 'Poseidon' however, overall, I found that this movie is a feel-good movie that you wanna watch beside contributing to the Hollywood slumped movie industry. There is no story-line, just escaping. Not many conversation, just action, screaming, yelling and yes escaping. No 'you jump, i jump' and 'I am the king of the world, wooohoo' scene, just 'Conor, are you alright', 'daddy..', 'mommy..' and yes escaping. Yes, escaping is what have been planted in the survivor's mind and the ship is meant to be sinked. And yes, the movie will sink away and left forgotten but maybe not for Stacy Ferguson a.k.a Fergie Ferguson of Black Eyes Pea as she pouting her lips while singing on the Poseidon's ship that makes us mesmerised for a while!

The Cast: Josh Lucas, Kurt Russel, Emmy Rossum, Richard Dreyfuss, Mia Maestro

Director: Wolfgang Petersen

Official Website: www.poseidonmovie.com

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Mission Accomplished?

I can't believe that this movie is finally here! I blogged about the production of this movie in April and a month later the movie open worldwide. Altho, according to today's news, underwhelming response to MI3 in US due to short weekend and speculation of Cruise charm on screen is over after he became open about his personal life.

Well, I went to see this movie over the weekend and decided to watch it on Imax. Huge screen, mega sound blaster.. hmmm.. you figure it out! Its just a mere an experience for me as i want to tried something new. Oh, mind you, altho they showing on Imax but this is 2D movie on 35 mm film but on HUGE screen.

Ok, on with the show...

Agent Ethan Hunt that we know in first 2 movies are tough, sexy, sleek, fast and cool super agent. Forget James Bond for a while.. just embrace Ethan Hunt! :P However, in this 3rd installment, we saw a different side of Hunt. He is more mellow, in love with a woman and more like human being to me. Its like Cruise being himself on screen except not with Kat but with Michelle Monagahan (she looks a lot like Katie Holmes). Anyway, typical JJ Abrams art, the movie started where its going to be end. So, if any of you familiar with JJ Abrams work, to which am sure that you all watch Alias and Lost. Espionage and mission is what this movie all about. If you look at it, there is not story line in this movie, it is just a movie about a mission.. with me so far? Not quite!

You see, the main mission of IMF is to retrieve Rabbit's Foot form China. As simple as that. But there are 2 mini mission that need to be done, uno, rescue Hunt's protege, Lindsey and dos, to capture Owen Davian! With me so far? Ok, the plot is similar with Alias! I'm thinking that if Alias was made into a movie, this should be the way. Daring, bold and energetic. Me likey! But again, as i mentioned to a friend today that I might biased as i like JJ Abrams way of directing. Alias is addicitive!

However, typical of Abrams again to left the ending open. "What is Rabbit's Foot?" Hunt said. Brassel's replied that he will tell Hunt what is Rabbit's Foot if he agrees to return as an agent! Cliffhanger? Yes! Same way how JJ Abrams did for Alias, thru 5 seasons, and Alias' espionage is still chasing over Rimbaldi artifacts. Same plot.. you tell me? Will we see Mission Impossible 4 still chasing over Rabbit's Foot? Does this mission accomplished?

Nonetheless, this movie is entertaining. Action packed that make you glued to your seat. Hot Maggie Q to look at. Cute Jonathan Rhys-Meyers to see. Nail bitting torture scenes. All in one world. Espionage rule in MI3!

The cast: Tom Cruise, Laurence Fishbourne, Billy Crudup, Maggie Q, Keri Russel, Jonathan Rhy-Meyers

Director: JJ Abrams

Rating: 4 out of 5

Reel Review is back..

It has been a while i did not blog anything about movie. Reason: no nice movie, got updates but lazy to ... but here we go, am back on track to give my cent worth!