The Karate Kid Review

When I came to know that 'The Karate Kid' would have a remake and to be produced by Will Smith, I thought it was not really a good idea. Then later I found out that his twelve-year old, Jaden Smith will star, I said 'Oh no, they would be just wasting their time. My judgment was not based from Will Smith producing the movie, but because of his son, who is so young for the role and that the old 'The Karate Kid ' had its time and had lost its attraction from the audience today due to countless number of movies released since then. Honestly, the movie was not even part of my list, I even watched 'A-team' (which opened on the same week) over it. But due to positive responses from friends, user and critics, I decided to watch the movie and tried to see it

for myself on how Jade Smith relive the spirit of the forgotten 'The Karate Kid'.

Dre, starred by Jade Smith (son of a celebrity couple, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith) is a 12-year old from Detroit, who was forced to move to China with his mother which starred by Taraji P. Henson. As Dre started to make friends with the kids in the new place in Beijing, he met a chinese girl practicing playing violin. The two started to get to know each other when they were interrupted by a chinese boy who knows kung fu and later beat up Dre. At school, same chinese boy and his group of kung fu kids always bully him. He got a chance to get even with them by showering them with a pail of filthy water which resulted to chasing him and got beaten up again. Mr. Han (starred by superstar Jackie Chan) rescued Dre and later helped him with his wounds. The next day, Mr. Han and Dre went to the gym (where kung fu kids are practicing) to make peace but instead they were forced to fight. Mr. Han refused to fight but instead made a deal with the Kung Fu Master trainer that Dre would be joining the Kung Fu Tournament. Mr. Han trained Dre and got along very well with each other and made it to the final of the tournament.

Jackie Chan really fits the role as Mr. Han, so far I can't imagine any actor portraying the role. Taraji P. Henson on the other hand is really good (I really like her since 'Benjamin Button') she is really one of the brilliant actresses in Hollywood. And Jaden Smith, WOW!what a good start for a starring role, really like father like son.

I can't say that this is the best Karate Kid film, but there is one thing for sure about this movie, you will really enjoy it, and the thought about Jaden Smith as the new karate kid (although he learns kung fu in the movie), he really did it just fine. What I really like about the movie is that the story was not rushed, it took its time introducing Dre, Mr. Han and the rest of the characters till you start feeling them and understanding them. It showed every detail that left all questions answered. And just like the whole movie was created with perseverance as gambled Jaden Smith for the role, every thing came out just perfectly fine. (4 stars out of 5)

A Fun Roller Coaster Ride (Movie Review : A - Team)

As soon as I found out that Jessica Biel is starring on A-Team, I couldn't wait to watch the movie and hoped for a simultaneous release here in our country. After a few months of waiting, the movie didn't have a simul-premiere here in the Philippines, it was shown one day ahead the world premiere, but I was able to watch the movie on its third day. I didn't have any idea about ' the A-Team' before which later I found out was a successful tv-series back in 1983 to 1986, so the movie seems to have a strong reputation, no wonder the production cost is over $100 million and considered as one of the anticipated movies of 2010.

The movie started in Mexico with Liam Neeson as Hannibal, the leader of the A-team, was held as a captive of two Mexicans but escaped when he was left for two guard-dogs to be fed on. Somewhere else in Mexico, Face (Bradley Cooper) was also held as captive after seducing General Tuco's wife. Hannibal came to rescue Face with B.A. (Rampage Jackson), whom Hannibal met along the way. The three tried to escape General's people and headed to the hospital to rescue the funny and crazy-like pilot Murdock (Sharlto Copley). The four went on a chopper and General's people tried to stop them which lead to a thrilling aerial dogfight. The team later on involved in a dollar plate framed-up and killing General Morrison. They were sent to separate prisons for six months.

The movie went on with three other characters pursuing the team. Jessica Biel as Captain Sosa who is an ex-lover of Face, and completely believes that the team took the plates and killed General Morrison. Patrick Wilson as Lynch who framed the team and has a personal interest on the plates. Brian Bloom as Pike who later on revealed worked with General Morrison and also has interest in the plates.

The strength of this film is the powerful cast. Acting is just fair, thanks to Liam Neeson, Patrick Wilson, Brian Bloom, and Shorlito Copley. Jessica Biel and Brad Cooper had some few struggles but nevertheless they acted beautifully. Let's just forgive Rampage, acting was new to him though somehow he performed enough. The film itself suffers from focusing on the huge explosives and the thrill and somehow left small factors slid through hoping audience won't notice it. But it was a fun roller coaster ride packed with actions and laughter. (3.5 out of 5 stars)

Spotlight - Woody Harrelson

Just revived my movie blog today. I realized that I couldn't just let go of doing this. Especially now that I learned that blogging is one way of releasing stress. Not just blogging though, anything that you do outside work, where pressure, deadlines, scorecards are totally none of your concern. So here I am, filling up this site with movie contents. It doesn't matter if someone reads this or none, although it's a plus point if someone does hehe..

Anyway, my first article for this week would be a regular section on this site. I called it "Spotlight". It really sounds mediocre, but I don't think there are other words to use as this word relates to light of the camera focusing on something or someone in which as the title implies, this section would talk about an actor, director or perhaps writer or producer that has been contributing to movie industries. And my first ever Spotlight Victim is Woody Harrelson. Why him?'Coz I just watched his latest movie "Defendor".

Mr. Woody Harrelson is the actor who has the most movies that I've watched this past 365 days. And the irony of it, I just came to know him in Roland Emmerich's "2012" movie. Since then, I watched most of his latest films, though just got them in videos. And I'm telling you this guy is really versatile. He can be a crazy jackass or a very serious and scary person. No wonder he got 2 Oscar nominations both for leading and supporting roles.

The following are the movies of Woody Harrelson that I've watched this past 365 days:

1. 2012 - Who would forget Charlie Frost in this box-office disaster film. He played the radio announcer who predicted the end of the world. Acted alongside John Cusack and Amanda Peet, this is his highest grossing film with a world wide gross of $769.7.

2. Zombieland - played as Tallahassee, the zombie slayer alongside Jessie Eissenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. This movie opened at number 1 in North America with $24,733,155. The highest opening for Mr. Harrelson as the lead actor.

3. Management - this movie was released in late 2008 but got the chance to watch it early this year. He played the husband of Jennifer Aniston in the film and a pain-in-the-ass of Steve Zahn who is crazily in love with Jennifer.

4. Seven Pounds - I watched this film last 2 years ago. But I didn't know that he was in that film, 'coz I didn't know him yet 'til I have watched again the film in HBO. He was the blind man whom Will Smith shouted at over the phone but eventually donated his eyes to when he knew that he was dying.

5. The Messenger - Played the role of elite Captain Tony Stone whose task was to train the messenger (played by Ben Foster) in informing the departed families of soldiers who died during the war. His role in this film earned his 2nd Oscar nomination as Best Actor in Supporting role.

6. Defendor - his latest movie, that really made him more as one of the best actors in Hollywood. He played the title role as a hero-wannabe in this comedic film. Played alongside Kat Dennings.

Aside from the films above, you can also see Mr. Harrelson in these known films: Semi-Pro, No Country for Old Man, North Country and Anger Management. And he has several movies in production including the sequel foe Zombieland, movies with Josh Hartnet and Demi Moore to be out late this year and an animated film with Owen and Luke Wilson called "Turkey" next year.

2009 Movie Summer Guide

It’s so summer time in Pinas, this time of the year happens only once. Perfect time for unwinding and relaxing. Forget schools and a lot of tiring stuff, for the meantime have fun, enjoy the summer. But if you are the type of person who can’t stand the heat of the sun outside, you can still relax yourselves in a cooler place. Go to cinemas and check the hottest movies to be released this summer.

These are the 10 hottest films that will surely make your 2009 summer much cooler.

• Dragonball Evolution - Adaptation of Japanese animated TV series and computer game Dragonball is hitting big screen this month of April.

• T2 – Star Cinema’s latest horror film is also out this month starred by Maricel Soriano and Directed by Chito S. Roño (also the director of the biggest horror films in the country, Feung Shui and Sukob).

• X-men Origins: Wolverine – The X-men are back, this time focusing on the story of Logan aka Wolverine.Mutants like Gambit, Dead Pool, and Saber tooth also appear in this 4^th X-men film. Catch them this 1^st of May.

• Star Trek – Technically the 11^th Star Trek film, but this one is the remake of the first Star Trek in 1980’s film. Also out this 8^th of May.

• Angels and Demons – The most controversial film of the year, this Dan Brown’s prequel of The Da Vinci Code is finally out this May 15^th. Tom Hanks and Ron Howard from the first film reunited once more for Robert Langdon’s very first adventure.

• Terminator Salvation – Starred by Christian Bale as John O Connor, this 4^th Terminator film is to be shown this May 21^st

• Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian – Catch Ben Stiller’s adventure once more as night watchman of a very strange museum this May 22^nd.

• Up – latest animated film from Pixar, the Creator of WALL-E, Finding Nemo, and Ratatouille and definitely up and rising this 29^th of May.

• Land of the Lost – an action-adventure film starred by Will Ferrell. Join him and his friends in a land of dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks this 5^th of June.

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – the most awaited action-adventure film of the year, Sam and Mikaela along with the Autobots are back. Catch them this 24^th of June.

Oscar 2009 Pick

I had my own pick in this year's Golden Globe Winners and i was able to predict Kate Winslet and Health Ledger wins, i hope this time i would be able to predict all major awards for this year's Oscar. Its just a prediction anyway, who knows the Oscar will come across my blog and consider my side hehe..

Slumdog Millionaire - my Best Picture for this year's OSCAR, aside from almost swiping all the Best Picture awards in different award giving bodies, it is also doing well in the box office.

Ron Howard - Slumdog will win the Best Picture, but Ron Howard would still take home the award for Best Director for the Film Frost/Nixon.

Kate Winslet - although she is not nominated for the movie Revolutionary Road, its ok, coz it would be her acting in The Reader that would really give her the first ever Oscar.

Mickey Rourke - Its never too late for actors to have Oscar trophy, while Sean Penn has one already, this time it would definitely go to Mickey Rourke.

Amy Adams - after seeing her in the many movies along with Big Stars lately, i could say Amy is really one of them and i think this time she would win her first Oscar too.

Robert Downey Jr. - his acting in Tropic Thunder is really awesome, although Heath Ledger did well in the Dark Knight, i think others deserve the win, and besides he could benefit no more from it. That is why Robert will win for this year's OSCAR for supporting role.

WALL-E - after watching this cute animated film again and again and could have been nominated for Best Picture, I could really say this would win for sure as Best Animated Film this year.