Alvin and the Chipmunks

Released by: 20th Century Fox

"Alvin and the Chipmunks" is a film about a man who adapts 3 singing squirrels.

Intended for children, this is generally a "feel-good" movie. Though extremely lacking in a sensible script, they are enjoyable to watch and made for entertainment using digital technology. At long last, the classic characters "Alvin, Theodore, and Simon" were brought to life; their presence brings a lot of good memories, and they recall to mind the vivaciousness of Alvin and the unique altered voices of the trio whose albums, including one produced for Christmas, were instant hits.

The character "Alvin" might not be too appropriate for children for he simulates "Dennis, the Menace", but generally, the film can inspire families to appreciate what it means to be one, including parenthood and the gift of children. Beyond all successes, the basic realities of love and family are still the most treasured gifts of all.

Rating: 3/5

I am legend

Starring: Will Smith
Released by: Warner Brothers

"I am Legend" is a story of a man who searches for the antidote to a virus that has inflicted almost, if not, all of the residents of futuristic New York.

Will Smith is truly the x-factor that contributed to the overhwelming success of this film with his all-natural acting. Also, creating futuristic, barbaric New York is amazing, with streets and buildings corrupted by time. The script is seamless and believable; overall you'll be entertained watching this film.

This film exposes the tremendous contributions of scientific inventions; but they are also potential sources of the death of humankind. Somewhere along the film is the struggle between man's ingenuity and God's power - when will man stop playing the role of God? Eventually, there's a significant part of the film that calls of a subtle resignation to God's will The various symbols effectively represent the role of the Divine in the life of humanity; we just have to "listen".

Rating: 4.5 / 5

The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass is a story of a orphaned girl who wants to go up north to witness a parallel world whose knowledge about it is kept hidden from many by the magisterium.

One cannot deny how much is spent for this movie given its digital effects and other factors which makes it as truly an entertaining piece of art. The screenplay is precise, written in the language of the children and the music makes one jump up from his chair and be moved to action. The cast performed its role quite well. Cinematography is excellent. Visual language through film does give the imagination some degree of satisfaction.

Many controversial issues have been raised about the film before its showing, some based on religious arguments, others, whether it could be at par with the Lord of the Rings.

It is true that some aspects of the film are worth commending e.g., the intimate relationship between humans and their daemons in animal form. Hurt one and you hurt them both. Whatever they symbolize, it seems like the daemon is a person's best friend; he is something that represents his very self. Another example is how the film values friendship and loyalty.

However, the writer's concept of the truth as something that others want to be kept hidden needs to treated with a grain of salt. Could others become so powerful for so long as to hide the truth and keep the rest in the darkness of ignorance? Or could it be that truth cannot be manipulated, for truth sets everyone free? If it were the former, then the viewers, especially the children are forewarned about seeing this film considering that the writer who is intent on guarding the truth represented by the golden compass may actually be the one "manipulating" the viewers' minds to see truth the way he see it.

As such, the stereotypical of the battle between good and evil may not be stereotypical at all; its visual symbols needs to be examined under watchful eyes.

Rating: 2.5/5