The Unborn (R: 2009)

The Unborn (R:2009)
Written by/Director David S. Goyer. Starring: Odette Yustman … Casey Beldon; Gary Oldman … Rabbi Sendak; Meagan Good … Romy; Cam Gigandet … Mark Hardigan; Idris Elba … Arthur Wyndham; Jane Alexander … Sofi Kozma; and many more.

“Sometimes the soul of a dead person has been so tainted with evil that it is denied entrance to heaven. It must endlessly wander the borderlands between worlds, desperately searching for a new body… “

One of my favorite horror and mythological themes: the opposite alternative doppleganger-like being that lives in the otherworldly realm with portals into our world by means of mirrors. I’m not sure why I’m obsessed with the mirror-being, doppleganger type entities lore and tales, but I am. This movie definitely has some intriquing twists and ideas behind those legends/beliefs. Its a story about a twin, who doesn’t know she’s a twin. Cursed by a family lineage of twins afflicted by Nazi occultism/experimentation that opened a portal in the past for a evil-doppleganger like entity called a “dybbuk”, a malevolent spirit that refuses to leave the human world and inhabits the body of a person, until it can find a way to be “born”. First haunting his twin sister by dreams and then visions, she goes through a disturbing fight for survival as she wraps herself around Jewish mysticism in order to have the “dybbuk” exorcized from her. Good effects and a good plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

1000 Pieces Of Gold

1000 Pieces of Gold is a romantic drama film released in the year 1991. The film as been directed by Nancy Kelly and the leading stars of the film are Rosalind Chao, Chris Cooper, Michael Paul Chan and Dennis Dun. The story of the film revolves around who is sold by her cruel father to a marriage broker, who decides to ship her to Hong Kong. The marriage broker sells her to a sellfish and greedy saloonkeeper who decides to make her a prostitute. But, Lula refuses to become a prostitute and attacks him with a knife. This makes it clear to him that Lula is not suitable for becoming a prostitute. With her cleverness and attractiveness she evades from the hands of the saloonkeeper and goes away with Charlie Bemis, who is a Hong Kong’s white business partner, who wins her at a game of poker. The film is based on a true story and is adopted from the novel of the same name. The film is pretty straightforward and there is not too much suspense in the film. Actually, It is more like a documentary than a film. Overall, it is a great film with a strong storyline.

After Dark, My Sweet Review

After Dark, My Sweet is an entertaining Drama film and has been directed by James Foley. The leading stars of the film are Jason Patric, Rachel Ward, Bruce Dern and Rocky Giordani. The film is based on Jim Thompson’s novel of the same name. The film is about three people who are hopeless and they come up with a plan to kidnap a rich man’s son and ask for a price. There are three main characters in the film. Collie (Jason Patrick) who is on the run from mental hospital where he was admitted after he killed a person in a fight. Mrs. Fay is a beautiful widow who has a very limited income and is an addictive alcoholic. The third character is Uncle Bud (Bruce Dar). He is a stupid person and whatever plans he makes go wrong. When the three characters meet together Uncle Bud makes a plan of kidnapping a rich man’s child and ask for ransom. The actor performances are exceptional and noteworthy. Overall, a nice film and worth watching.

The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG-13, 2008)

The Day the Earth Stood Still (PG-13: 2008)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970416/
Director: Scott Derrickson. Starring:
Keanu Reeves … Klaatu; Jennifer Connelly … Helen Benson; Kathy Bates … Regina Jackson; Jaden Smith … Jacob Benson;
John Cleese … Professor Barnhardt; Jon Hamm … Michael Granier; and many more. It’s a remake of the popular 1951 classic sci-fi film about an alien visitor and his giant robot counterpart who visit Earth. Keanu Reeves plays Klaatu a alien from another planet who come to determine if humans have a need to be saved since they are the one’s destroying this delicate eco-sphere known as Earth. Met with violence, rage, and questioning; he determines humans aren’t worth saving and sets forth with the destruction of the planet. But mid-way through sees the beauty of the human race and does his best to save them one last time before destruction. Great effects and plot, I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_bNDv0-ZrU

Behind the Scenes

In the name of cinema world, I salute all staffs and crew of the people behind the success of every movie being made.

Most of the time we only put our attention to actors and actresses in a movie. We forget the people who actually makes their consensus effort to form a blockbuster film. The hard work is at the backstage. Each crew, staff, personal assistants, and stunt men have the same significance as the actors and actresses we see in the big screen. We should not belittle them, for without these people, a team will not be called a team. Either in a small or big package, we should not label them for what they can contribute.

For me, directors are the main character in every movie. Just like in a meal, it is the main course. They are the instruments in the portrayal of each actors’ role. Names like George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Woody Allen, James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino are a few of the most-renowned film directors of all time. They have become institutions in the mind of each movie audience. Their significance have greatly influenced the young minds of today. And they serve as inspiration to aspiring directors.

As a movie fan, let us not forget these people behind the limelight. The people who writes, produces and directs are the main ingredient in every movie. We should value according to director’s cut.

“The Manchurian Candidate”

This is a classic that definitely should not be forgotten, both from the movie from 1962 and the movie from 1994.

This movie is about a war veteran, Raymond Shaw, who has just returned from Vietnam. He is considered a hero and has received a medal for his bravery. When he returns, two other men who served with him, begin to have dreams about him and what they believe he has been doing. The entire plot sets up a conspiracy theory for a political family, Raymond’s relation to it and the concepts of mind control and brain washing.

This movie is one that no one should miss. The political agendas that are seen throughout, as well as the almost sci-fi concepts that are presented are just a beginning to a mystery in which the military is now forced to solve about Raymond Shaw and the political intentions that are behind his presence. The movie ends with a dramatic undertaking, as well as a realistic understanding of the psychology behind this historical time period, as well as the governmental influences that are occurring.

This film was awarded two Oscars, with six extra wins and four nominations. If that isn’t enough, the original film has the actors of Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh and Angela Lansbury as the main characters.

If you want to see history in a different light, with a commentary that no one should not listen to, find it in “The Manchurian Candidate”.

September Dawn (R: 2006)

September Dawn (R: 2007)
Director:Christopher Cain; Actor/esses: Terence Stamp … Brigham Young;
Jon Voight … Jacob Samuelson; Trent Ford … Jonathan Samuelson;
Krisinda Cain … Young Woman; Shaun Johnston … Captain Fancher;
Jon Gries … John D. Lee; and many more.
An intriguing film based off true events. Apparently this film has hit quite a controversy with the Mormon church as it retells the tale of the September Massacre of gentiles in Utah. I think it was a great retelling of the trajedy that took place during the immigrant pioneering of the American wild west. Every faith and people have their monsters. The tragedy took place, just as did the Holocaust, the Witch Hysteria, and many other massacres. There is doubt as to who caused it and was responsible for this horrible historical incident. I thought the movie was good at presenting historical facts from the vague-ness that we know today; excellent acting; fabulous cinematography, and amazing scenery.

Academy Award winner Jon Voight plays Local Mormon Bishop Jacob Samuelson who becomes suspicious of some gentiles from Missouri who need food, supplies, and rest before finishing their journey to California. As they stop near Cedar City Utah, Jacob dispatches his eldest son to spy on them and see what they are up to while preaching to the choir that these people are cursed and must die. His son falls in love with the minister’s daughter and rebells against his father’s death wishes for the settlers. The father weaves unspeakable horror setting up the local Paiute Indians by dressing up as them and doing a brutal mruder of 120 men, women, and children on September 11, 1857. The love story was probably fictionized, but following some of the historical facts of this renegade sect that probably caused this massacre, i think the film presents a very plausible theory. Rating 4.5 stars out of 5.

News Cast about the Controversy:

Look Who’s Coming to Dinner Review

A friend suggested that our family watch, Look Who’s Coming to Dinner. It was an excellent family movie for everyone in your family to watch. The message of the movie is very powerful and encourages tolerance of human choices. There are some very funny parts to the movie. We rented it to watch with our family.

The actors play their parts extremely well. You can really relate to the characters and the message is that love is strong no matter what. Love is in fact completely color blind and parents should accept their children for who they are. After all, parents are the ones that raised their kids and should trust their children’s judgments.

I give this movie a 5 out of 5 stars for a family movie.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (R:2007)

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (R: 2007)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0408236/
Johnny Depp .. Sweeney Todd, Helena Bonham Carter … Mrs. Lovett, Alan Rickman … Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall … Beadle Bamford, Sacha Baron Cohen … Signor Adolfo Pirelli, Jamie Campbell Bower … Anthony Hope, Laura Michelle Kelly … Lucy / Beggar Woman, Jayne Wisener … Johanna, Ed Sanders … Toby, and many more.

Set in London, in dark Victorian England, the story of Sweeney Todd is brought to the screen by noneother, but the fabulous artist Tim Burton. With his favorite actor of choice, Johnny Depp, plays the wrongly imprisoned barber who sets out for revenge on the judge who imprisoned him. A tragic love story where lovers are separated, by greed and lust, and unspeakable evil. Returning he teams up with a cannibal, and off they are set to give mankind what they feel they deserve. A clean shave and a meat pie. Based on the story and the Broadway musical, this film is stunning with panoramic talent, excellent cinematography, and stunning visuals. Acting was excellent as well. I’m not the largest fan of musicals, but this one was enchanting. Rated 5 stars out of 5.

The Painted Veil (2006)

I am amazed this movie was not nominated for an Oscar last year.

The Painted Veil is set in the 1920s. Edward Norton plays a bacteriologist, and Naomi Watts plays the wealthy young woman with whom the doctor falls in love while he is back home in England. She says yes when he proposes marriage, even though they barely know each other. They wed and move to China, where he is stationed as a civil servant studying infectious disease.

The marriage, built on shaky ground to begin with, begins to crumble. The doctor gives his wife an ultimatum: either he files for divorce, or she follows him inland where he has volunteered to go and deal with a cholera epidemic. And this is where the plot really begins…

The movie is an adaptation of a Somerset Maugham book of the same name, published in 1925. (I’ve read Maugham’s “The Razor’s Edge” and “Of Human Bondage,” and I thought both were fantastic, so I will definitely be reading this one soon.)

Overall, I thought this was a great movie. The acting was very good, the scenery was breathtaking, and the plot did not drag at any point (…rare for dramas of this quality, I think).

Out of 5 stars, I would rate The Painted Veil a 4.5. (In terms of what the critics said… the movie got approval ratings of 75% at Rotten Tomatoes and 69% at MetaCritic.)

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