Movies

Movies

Feb10

Video: The Amazing Spider-Man

Posted in: Movies

Here’s the official trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man, the rebooted Spider-Man movie directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man. The film is scheduled for release on July 3, 2012.

Peter Parker (Garfield) is an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec21

Movie Trailer: The Dark Knight Rises

Posted in: Movies

The Dark Knight Rises, a final film in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy:

A new trailer has been released for The Dark Knight Rises, the final installment of the Batman trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan. The film is scheduled for release on July 20, 2012. Here’s a Synopsis from IMBb:

It’s been eight years since the tragic death of District Attorney Harvey Dent (aka the borderline vigilante, Two-Face) and the Joker’s catastrophic, everlasting terror that lead to put the citizens of Gotham protesting against the Batman. However, in the years following the Caped Crusader’s absence, a new threat is now amidst and plans to wreck havoc on Gotham City to its foundations. Bruce Wayne must once again don his alter-ego the Batman, and prepares and confronts his most powerful, if not most dangerous adversary yet: the brutally strong, and equally intelligent, Bane. At the same time, Batman must also confront another person with a taste of the theatrics, called Catwoman. The question remains whose side is she on?

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jul10

Inside Job, Charles Ferguson’s documentary

Posted in: Movies

Finally saw Inside Job, Charles Ferguson’s documentary on the 2008 global financial crisis. I have been waiting for a while to see it and finally had chance to do so. An excellent way to explain how the financial crisis was created by de-regulation and greed of people who ran and still are involved in financial industry. Clearly political, but, in a strong sense, utterly bi-partisan: both Republican and Democratic administrations have been equally in thrall to the Wall Street investment banks over the last 30 years. In addition to serving as an excellent explanation of a complex story, photographically the movie is quite beautiful. Really well-done and available now on Netflix in Canada… Watch it for yourself.
Apr4

Watched a movie called ‘Fair Game’

Posted in: Movies

I was planning to see this movie for a long time, but I did not quite make it to see it at the theatre but since I noticed that it came out finally on DVD so I ordered it last weekend on AppleTV. It is about CIA operative Valerie Plame who discovers that her identity is allegedly leaked by the government as payback for an op-ed article her husband wrote criticizing the Bush administration. The film is based on both of her and her husband books about the same subject. It was a very good movie.

I knew about the whole story from the news as it was unfolding a few years ago, it is good to see it put together is concise story-telling film. What makes this film absolutely mind blowing is that this stuff actually happened. Since it is a non-fiction, it is imperative that this story was told and preserved this way for the future generations. It is part of American history, showing how people in power can twist the truth and destroy other people’s career while at it just further they own agenda. If you have not seen the movie yet and/or read the book, it is highly recommended.
Jan18

Catfish: A Facebook real life mystery

Posted in: Movies

Just added this to my must-see DVD list, sounds like an awesome film. Hope it is as good the ‘The Social Network’.

I just watched Catfish, an fascinating documentary featuring Nev Schulman who becomes entangled in a real life mystery that unfolds on Facebook that is filmed by his brother Ariel Schulman and best friend Henry Joost.

In late 2007, filmmakers Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost sensed a story unfolding as they began to film the life of Ariel’s brother, Nev. They had no idea that their project would lead to the most exhilarating and unsettling months of their lives. A reality thriller that is a shocking product of our times, Catfish is a riveting story of love, deception and grace within a labyrinth of online intrigue.

It’s the kind of film that you should watch without knowing much about it. Seriously, it’s a really great film.

Forget about The Social Network, this is the film about Facebook that you need to see.

(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan16

Darren Aronofsky’s ‘Black Swan’

Posted in: Movies

‘Black Swan’ is one those movies I would most likely not bother to go and see in the theatre, rather I would consider watching it when it comes out on DVD in the future. But the buzz around it in recent weeks and all the great reviews actually made go and see it last night at the local cinema.

I’m glad I did, the film indeed was good, it kept me interested and even a little tense while watching it. I am pretty sure it will dominate the film award season this year which starts today with 2011 Golden Globe Awards. If you have not seen it yet, even if you are not into psychological thrillers, I would strongly recommend it.
Dec19

I saw the TRON: LEGACY in IMAX® 3D

Posted in: Movies

Last night I went to see TRON: LEGACY in IMAX® 3D and it was awesome! Well, worth the ticket price for the visual experience you would never get watching it at home on DVD (when it comes out). Highly recommended for any of geeks out there…
Nov14

Movie: Fair Game (2010)

Posted in: Movies

I have been following the story of Valerie Plame story when it first broke in the news since I am always fascinated by anything when it comes to espionage. I knew she wrote the book about it and I wanted to read it sooner or later as I often pick these type of books. But I haven’t gotten around to do it yet and now since they movie is out already, it was one of those things last night… wait and read the book or just go and see the movie. I should have probably read the book first, but now it is too late: I have ended up seeing the movie last night… so I will not bother with the book – LOL

It was actually very good, this ‘based on a true story’ film delivers a good political thriller while telling the story how it happened. The Bush Administration’s act of outing of veteran undercover CIA agent Valerie Plame gets a vigorous telling under Doug Liman’s excellent direction, after all he was behind ever popular Bourne Trilogy so he fits the movie like no other. If you are into these type of movies, Fair Game (2010) will keep you interested, specially knowing that this is based on real life drama.
Oct23

Ondi Timoner’s documentary: “We Live in Public”

Posted in: Movies

I saw an interesting documentary film recently…

Ondi Timoner’s documentary “We Live in Public” was one of those films that tells you a story about it something so crazy you would not really otherwise believe it unless you saw the footage proving that these things actually took place. It is about Josh Harris who lived through his own experiments a decade ago… Where broadcasted live online a group of people living in a New York City bunker without any privacy whatsoever, later he repeated the same concept of living with any privacy by broadcasting himself and his girlfriend in his own loft 24/7. And I mean NO PRIVACY at all! There were even cameras installed inside of toilet bowls so people could watch them defecating… yup pretty gross stuff but this is what was happening. As you can imagine, the story does not end very well. At the same time, in a way he pioneered some of the today’s reality show we watch on TV like Big Brother. Luckily in today’s world, there are limits on what we are showed on TV. At one point in those days, Josh Harris had a net worth of $80 million. That all disappeared, much of it during the time he was broadcasting his life 24 hours a day over the Web in 2001. After the dot com bust he also created another venture of video chat community called operator11, which also quickly went out of business. He finally decided to unplug and retreated to an apple farm which he run for a while before he went to live in Ethiopia for a few years. Overall it is a fascinating story to watch, especially during times when we all start to slowly retreat as well, protecting our privacy more and more from overexposing our lives too much online.

More about it:

Ondi Timoner’s documentary chronicles a decade in the life of Internet pioneer Josh Harris, who instigated an “artificial society” experiment in which more than 100 artists lived under 24-hour surveillance in an underground compound in New York City. After FEMA broke up the project, Harris turned the cameras on himself and his girlfriend. Timoner’s provocative film (winner of the Grand Jury Prize: Documentary at Sundance) includes clips from Harris’s projects as well as her own original footage.

Released 2008
Oct11

Film: Cocalero

Posted in: Movies

Last night I watched a very inspiring film called “Cocalero” which is a foreign documentary about Evo Morales’s campaign to win presidency of Bolivia. You get a good sense and a real insight into the lives of people in this South American country, which has been labeled by the West as major cocaine exporter. The indigenous people of Bolivia are growers coca leaves, Evo Morales headed off the coca-growers union, he based his campaign on decriminalizing the practice of growing and harvesting these coca leaves. To a big suprise of everyone else in Bolivia he managed to win 54% of the vote and became that country’s first indigenous president. Whether you like Evo or hate him, this documentary gives a closer insights into his character, where he came from and what he accomplished. Anyone fascinated by politics would be interested in watching this film. It is a very raw experience… which I made it an interesting and worthy documentary to watch. Thanks Netflix! Read More | Comments
Sep22

Netflix launches in Canada today

Posted in: Movies

The wait is over… finally Netflix arrived in Canada! The best part of it that it is cheap, very cheap! For only $7.99 a month you can stream unlimited amount of movies and TV shows to your computer, iPhone, iPad and TV-set via consoles like Nintendo’s Wii home console and Sony’s PlayStation®3 over the Internet!

Netflix is also offering a free trial month right now for their Canadian customers so I have immediately signed up for an account this morning taking advantage of the free month to try out. I have already a PS3 console connected to my living-room TV so the only thing I had to do is to download a free Netflix app via PS3 Store and log in. I am all set up and now I can watch huge library of content.

Of course not all latest DVD releases are available on Netflix right away, but they have a lots of fantastic movies and there are a few recent releases from a earlier this year. After scrolling through the library, I have realized that there are a lot of movies I have always wanted to see, but somehow I have not had a chance to see them. I think Netflix will allow me to catch up on many of them now, especially over the fall and winter months… and once again, you cannot beat the month price of $7.99CAD for unlimited streaming access! I have also noticed that there is also a nice feature in your account setting where you can put your membership on hold when you are away or simply want to take a break from the service for a month or so.

Read More | Comments
May29

Sex and the City 2

Posted in: Movies

I know… but I had to see Sex and the City 2!

The reviews have been far from spectacular, but for anyone who has been watching Carrie and the gang for years each week , I simply could not resist to go and see it today!

Frankly, I loved it: it is comedy, it is light and fun, it is silly at times. This is what comedy should be about… perfect summer flick for anyone – not just women and gays! LOL

Liza Minnelli was priceless dancing and singing “Single Ladies”!
May22

Invictus (2009)

Posted in: Movies

I have been meaning to see Invictus with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon when it come out in the theatres, but I did not have a chance at the time so I have rented it today as this movie finally came out on DVD this week.

About the movie:

The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match. Written by alfiehitchie

Nelson Mandela‘s release from prison and his ascent to a democratically elected President of South Africa marks a radical change in the country. This change away from apartheid will not be easy for anyone in the country, but Mandela has to figure out how to galvanize the residents of the country together. Because of his love of the game, Mandela places his support behind the Springboks, the national rugby team. South Africa is hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup, that being the only reason the Springboks are even competing in the tournament as its years on the sideline of world rugby events has not made it world ranked. The Springboks were previously considered the team of white South Africa, and as such was denounced by Mandela when he was in prison. But he does whatever he can to make it the team of all South Africa. He needs the support of the Springboks and its captain, Francois Pienaar, to achieve his unrealistic goal of the Springboks winning the World Cup, even against such rugby powerhouses the All-Blacks representing New Zealand. Mandela tries to inspire Pienaar to lead by example, much like Mandela has himself. Beyond Mandela’s dream, his racially mixed security team has the added pressure of protecting him at the Springboks’ matches while he places himself in potentially unprotectable situations.
May15

Robin Hood

Posted in: Movies

Due to crappy weather outside this Saturday, I went to see Robin Hood with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett. Generally I am not big fan of him, therefore avoid most movies with him, but I really admire Cate Blanchett so I decided to make an exception and see the movie anyway.

It was a pleasant surprise, even a treat! I enjoyed the movie very much, both of them – Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett - were great in this movie, the plot was smooth and logical, it did not even feel like a long movie despite the fact that it was two hours plus!

Over all this film has a solid action, good narrative, and the inclusion of a bit of history with action between England and France gives the movie more points and almost realistic feel to it. Speaking of realistic feel, it is nice to see good old movie without any special effects in it or at least if there were any, they were very much well hidden, therefore very well done. As I said before, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie, it is worth seeing… Read More | Comments
May7

I saw Iron Man 2

Posted in: Movies

I went to see Iron Man 2 today! It was good, it is was not great…

It was cool to see some of the known to faces from TV like Olivia Mann from G4TechTV and Christiane Amanpour from CNN. Scarlett Johansson was awesome and sexy as always, Terrence Howard was replaced by Don Cheadle who – in my opinion – did a fine, if not better job in his role. Mickey Rourke character was a bit of disaster with his terrible imitation of Russian accent.

Otherwise there are a lot of predictable and cliché scenes, you would normally expect in an action movie. A few missing sequences – like Monaco’s formula one race when Tony Sparks arrives at the restaurant, after a few short conversations he all of the sudden decides to jump in a car on a race track and race – made me wonder if I missed a part of the movie! And there is a few other minor issues with the logic in the movie but again, it is action flick so you simply need to let slide. Go see it for yourself, you may just love it…

Here is the plot:

With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances — and confront powerful enemies.
Mar21

Movie: The Ghost Writer

Posted in: Movies

I have been meaning to see this movie since it came out… Finally, I had a chance to see this weekend! Excellent story, well told political conspiracy thriller - another brilliant work by Roman Polanski! Of course you cannot miss the amazing cast which contributed to the movie. I have not read the book and now I wish I have read it before I saw the movie. Who knows may be I will pick it up at some point in the future.

More about the movie:

A ghostwriter stumbles onto a secret that places his life in danger as he takes down the life story of a former U.K. prime minister (Pierce Brosnan) in this Roman Polanski-helmed adaptation of the Robert Harris novel. Kim Cattrall, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Williams, Tom Wilkinson, and Jim Belushi co-star in the Summit International production.