Wreck it Ralph

Wreck It  Ralph is a story of the nemesis in a computer program who wants to be a hero for a change.

The characters' desires are compelling enough that they drive the story to its proper conclusion.  Except for Ralph, everyone seem to be consistent with their characterization as computer programs.

The film obviously protects the sensibilities of children against violence as typified by the car race.  But the theme generally is about violence brought about by following one's own way at the detriment of others. In the end, it is a question of the real order of things vs. one's own way, or the common good vs. personal good.  Pick your choice.

It also gives emphasis to the beauty of friendships. It is an inspiring movie.

Rating: 3.5/5

Tiktik: the aswang chronicles

“Tiktik” ay pelikula ng isang lalaking pumunta sa probinsya ng kanyang katipan at nais makipagbalikan sa kanya.

Di mapagkakaila ang special effects na ginamit sa pelikula na tunay na kabilib-bilib sa ating mga Pinoy, “Kaya pala natin!”  Kaya lamang, sa dami ng palyado sa iskrip, sana’y inayos muna ito bago isipin ang mga palabok ng special effects.  Kung mas malinamnam ang bata sa sinapupunan, bakit iniwan ito ng mga aswang para habulin ang lalaking bida?

Tungkol naman sa mensahe ng pelikula, ano nga ba ang mga aswang na kinatatakutan ng mga tao?  Baka nagiging simbolo ito na halos walang kapangyarihan ang tao upang tupukin ito.  Dito nakakatulong ang pelikula sa pagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa tao – kaya niyang tupukin ito.  Ngunit kung tunay na diyablo na ang pag-uusapan, baka hindi sapat ang bawang, asin, latigo, at mismong lakas ng tao.  Mayroon pang ibang maaaring makatulong sa kanya kung siya’y mananampalataya.

Pagsusuri: 3/5

Twilight saga: Breaking dawn part 2

“Breaking Dawn, part 2” is the last part of the Twilight saga featuring a young girl in love with a vampire who does everything to defend her child from being killed.

I was caught off guard by the events that transpired in the film.  Without spoiling anything, the twist gives the film the acclaim it deserves.

Looking back at all the other episodes, this film, using the backdrop of vampires and wolves, really have something to say about life, love, friendship, and being.  In the context of humanity’s imperfect existence, it is still a beautiful world because it contains one treasured gift given to mankind – the power of love.

Rating: 4/5

Resident Evil: Retribution

Resident Evil: Retribution's particular episode is a woman partnering with her nemesis to counteract a computer virus that has gone global.

Of course we would expect that Alice (Milla Jovovich) would again triumph no matter how impossible it may seem.   The traces of apocalyptic film are in here - evil has taken over and it needs even the collaboration of her enemies to counteract the real enemy.

Is there an end to evil?  Is there are definitive and final confrontation between the forces of good and evil?  In this film, we should expect the good to triumph over evil, but how long?  How many episodes would still be produced or are the filmmakers feasting over the unconscious fears of people?

Whatever the answer may be, good has triumphed over evil 2000 years ago.  But the battle still remains in the hearts of each person.  It is up to us to know whose side we are on.

Rating: 3/5

ParaNorman

"ParaNorman" is a story of a boy who pacifies a troubled spirit that is causing the dead to rise from their graves.

The motivations of the characters are truly clear in bringing an end to the harm caused by the troubled spirit. This may cause the film to be so linear there aren't much space for creativity and more surprises.

In as much as it is hard to forgive, choosing to forgive is definitely a better option than unleashing all powers brought about by anger and hatred.  But how does one really forgive?  Watch the movie and see - there is a child in all of us, the child that doesn't harbor grudges.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Campaign

The campaign is a story of a man who's running for reelection unopposed when an unknown contender fights him back.

All characters are definitely compelling - Will Farell and Zach Galifianakis as Cam Brady and Marty Huggins respectively, as well as the host of stars who try with all their might to outwit each other, creating a zany election campaign and all dirty stories behind it.   This is what makes this film very entertaining.

Corruption in government and elections may already be a universal malady.  Thus, it pays even to make a satire of the whole thing, perhaps to cast a ray of hope just to correct it, all for the sake of the good of the citizens of a country.  Unless politicians and the whole stakeholders change their outlook in governance and gaining the people's trust, this film that has the potentials of political change will just be viewed with skepticism.

Rating: 3.5/5

Watch for the new, reactivated movie reviews!

Starting next week, the movie reviews will resume.  Watch for it!

Megamind

Megamind is a story of a nemesis to a superhero that he really got what he wanted: the opportunity to rule the world!

This type of film is spoof to the conventional superhero movie; thus it is campy, funny, and a total entertainment.  It does present an alternative to the good guys and bad guys in film.  The presence of Will Farrell is a real plus in the movie.

Who is the good guy?  Who is the bad guy?  Who are we to judge who is good or bad?  The reality is that is us who put labels to people and even ourselves, branding us as good or bad.  But there is goodness in everyone, even ourselves.  It is up to us to kindle or care for that goodness.  And to be bad simply means nothing and going towards nothing.  It is the nothingness of goodness.  I'm sure we know what alternative to take instead of remaining in the boring, empty world of nothingness.

Rating: 5/5

Harry Potter and the deathly hallows: part 1

Ever planning to watch or have you watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1?  It's really getting nastier as Voldemort is now more aggressive than ever to kill Harry Potter while Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord.

Still consistent with the books earlier published for children, Harry Potter is leaving any vestige of a child's world in order to become an adult who is totally exposed to the evils of the world.  Left orphaned and alone by his parents, his 2 friends are his sources of strength.  Also at this point in time, people around have metamorphosed into good and evil.

With all the children in the world growing up together with Harry Potter who was left by his parents and vulnerably subjected to the "cruel" world, could this also have an impact on the way the children are being formed outside their families?  Remembering the words of the father who adopted Harry but left him saying, "It is not safe around here," this may imply that the next generation of Harry Potters may give little emphasis to the last bastion of human existence which is the family.  May this film serve as a challenge to parents to upgrade the way they bring up their children, because the real strength of a child lies in the strength of character of his/her parents.

Rating:  3/5

Legend of the Guardians

Legend of the Guardians is a film about an boy owl who searches for the guardians of Ga'hoole to save his brother from the Pure Ones.

This digitally animated movie is now capable of bringing nearly to the real world only that which can be visualized by cartoons.  Now we see real trees, water, and mountains in 3D.  The world of talking and fighting owls just increases our curiosity to learn from the world apart from our own.

It's just too bad that we learn to project the evil human realities to the animal world.  Now there is a quest, a fight against evil.  Such innocence is gone.  May we learn from the brutal world of humanity and instill a ray of hope that life and love will still prevail. 

The film may need the guidance of the parents as children would be exposed to violence.

Rating: 3/5 

Despicable me

"Despicable me" is a story of a mad scientist out to steal the moon.

It looks like your typical good guy-bad guy story with a twist, "Not every bad guy is a bad guy."  Its comedic aspects cater more to adults rather than children.  But its script can pass as a typical Hollywood movie with a happy ending.  But something in script lacks luster.

"Despicable me" adheres to recognizing the dignity of every human being.  Even the bad has a story to tell; and of course he can change and is capable of loving others.  This is recommended for the whole family.

Rating: 3/5

Splice

Splice is a film about scientists going overboard to combine other cells in a human DNA.

For a science fiction film, this could be an eye-opener to the unimaginable consequences of an ethically irresponsible human research.  Splice is also supremely apocalyptic as it signals the end of all human rationality.

It may also be a realistic movie in terms of realizing the consequences of an immoral action and decision.  In this world, there is no redemption, only destruction of the human sensibility.  Worse for humankind, there's nobody to be blamed for this folly than man himself.  May we be awakened against tampering with the the natural world and what man can ethically do to serve it, not tamper with it.

Rating: 2.5 / 5

Vampires suck

Vampires suck is a spoof of the Original Twilight saga of a girl who falls desperately in love with a vampire.

Using the genre of comedy, the film never ceases to smack the original film to the delight of the audience, indeed, to trivialize overpowering vampire movies and to detach us from being glued to the filmmakers' maneuverings.  Twilight, just enjoy, it's just a movie!

In a comedic setting, the more the audience should stay awake for any undertones that may also trivialize sensitive issues as sexuality and immorality.  Other than that, take this film for what it is: a rib tickler!

Rating: 3/5

Cats and dogs: the revenge of Kitty Galore

Cats and dogs: the revenge of Kitty Galore is a digitally animated film about cats and dogs banding together to thwart Kitty Galore's plan to rule the world.

In the world of animation: there's no end to surprises, tricks, and entertainment.  Fantasy is wild.  Yet, underneath it is the world of human ingenuity raring to express itself to everyone, children and adults alike.  Yup, the children are entertained in this wholesome action movie.

Cats and dogs movie also explores the world of unity amidst differences; may it be races, creed, or biological classifications as cats and dogs!  We can be united to fight a common enemy lingering, i.e. the selfish character.  Good still triumphs over evil in a definitive way and friendships save the day.

Rating: 3.5/5

Expendables

Expendables is a story of a man who wishes to free a revolutionary fighter in another country.

Using well-known actors as Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, and Jason Statham among others, its box office success is undeniable.  Its special effects and actions stunts are competitive, and its script is realistic.

However, undeniably, films produced nowadays trivialize violence and its effects over the unsuspecting viewers.   The values of justice and friendship are laid in the background.   It may well signal the beginning of the death of the audience's moral sensibilities in watching these high-level action packed films.

Rating: 2.5/5

Inception

Inception is a film about a man who engages in entering into other people's dreams and altering their personality.

With the advent of digital technology anything is possible under the sun.  Where will these digital technologies lead us to?  In this movie dreams and realities are intermingled.  All through the power of digital technology!

In the world of fantasy where the subconscious rules and the imaginations run wild, desires are limitless.  The conventions of disrupting time, space continuum to the realm of the uncertain, the wild and raw fantasies are something to be explored and played around.  It is also an area where there are no truths and morals.  But are all these right and just?  The answer is still no; that is why dreams are the most cherished possessions of an individual; no one has a right to tamper with them.

Rating: 3/5

Salt

Salt is a film about a woman of the CIA who avenges the death of her husband.

The world of action films again amazes us, much more if the action figure is a woman!  Angelina Jolie is well-established this genre.  I believe that the film is geared to produce a second part.

This is a world of spy films where the desire is to retaliate against another country.  But at the expense of using people and brainwashing them?  Sooner of later, suspicions will have to be replaced by collaboration and sharing.  The only thing left for the moment is an adherence to truth and honest living.  Vengeance is still an unacceptable alternative to life.

Rating:  2.5/5

The last airbender

The Last Airbender is a film about a young boy who starts training to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar.

The backdrop of this film may have its roots in Chinese culture.  It also espouses religious themes like reincarnation.  Having a parallel spiritual world enables one to enter into a fantasy world where not only people could communicate to them; they also have special powers of bending air, water, earth, and fire.

If the audience automatically shifts his sensibilities to another state, he might as well be enthralled with the spirit world.  But for clarification, as Christians, we don't believe in reincarnation.  Having said that, let us always be aware of the positive points of the film: the struggle for discipline and training in realizing one's vocation, the state of balance of this world, and the triumph of good over evil.  Here, the last Airbender is a powerful force for good.

Rating: 4/5

The sorcerer's apprentice

The Sorcerer's Apprentice is a fantasy film about a man who trains a young boy to become Merlin the Magician's successor.

Nicholas Cage serves as a good role model for the viewing market as he challenges the young weakling Jay played by Jay Baruchel to fulfill his destiny.  Meanwhile, a fantasy film with lots of special effects never fails to take the audience to a dream world where magic is possible.  So, be free to be taken to wonderland!

The film exposes a disordered quest for power.  It is the conventional battle between good and evil for this film with an added depth - the quest to transcend from one's inflicted limitations to a state where miracles are possible.  In the end, no matter the cost, good should and will always win over evil.

Rating: 3.5/5

Eclipse

Eclipse is a film about a vampire who swears to protect his human girlfriend from the vengeance of one of his kind.

The 3rd episode of the Twilight saga, this film showed remarkable continuity from its previous episodes as if the 4 films were shot at all at the same time.  It just depends on the time of its release.  Though as work of art, we still need to justify the rationality behind a love story told from the point of view of a vampire and a werewolf.   It is the actors / actresses that are the film's main asset as the audience keep abreast of what would possibly happen with this love triangle.  The fourth episode may be the greatest crowd drawer of all.

This may be a love story, but the idea of selling one's soul just to be one with the dead may be the very reason why this film is repulsive.  Moreover, a passion in its extremist form as symbolized by a werewolf is equally revolting as well.  Most repulsive of all is the female character who compromises all her worth, soul and spirit just to be drawn to either extreme.  In the end, all these characters may not be worth emulating at all.  Take care not to compromise those moral values for the sake of an immature love.

Rating: 2.5/5