Movies Galore

Man I’ve seen quite a few movies since my exams finished! Thought I’d a quick review for each of them!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (aka Transformers 2)
Overview: The sequel to 2007′s “Transformers” blew me away even more so than the first one. The special effects/CGI is still there and I think it’s safe to say they’re better than before. The plot’s kind of weak and predictable, but the action more than makes up for it. The robots all get more screen time, but the best part of this sequel is that Optimus Prime is BAD ASS in this one (he was useless in the first one)!
Rating: 8/10
Bottom line: Awesome action, CGI, soundtrack. Weak plot doesn’t make this anymore unwatchable.

Terminator Salvation (aka Transformers 4)
Overview: McG, the second director after the legendary James Cameron to attempt to revive one of my favourite film franchises of all-time, does a pretty decent job at doing just that. This is by no means better than the original two Terminator films (I don’t think anyone can top what Cameron did with the first two), but in my honest opinion, far better than Jonathan Mostow’s attempt (“Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines”). Christian Bale is great as saviour of mankind John Connor (it was to be expected, considering he has virtually unlimited talent), but the one who steals the show is Sam Worthington as the “deathrow-inmate-turned-Terminator-who-doesn’t-know-he’s-a-Terminator” Marcus Wright.
Rating: 8.5/10
Bottom line: Weak plot with obvious contradictions to the previous hurts this one a bit, but Bale and Worthington help pick this one up. CGI-Arnie cameo brought a warm fuzzy feeling to my heart.

He’s Just Not That Into You
Overview: I wasn’t too interested in this one, but Jenny’s been bugging me to watch it with her since it came out at the movies. This one is jam-packed with Hollywood stars, but with a highly predictable plot, you can’t help but rate this one low. Ginnifer Goodwin (who plays Gigi in the movie) has been praised for her acting in this, but I thought she was hideous (and that’s not just her mediocre looks). And as a guy watching the movie, even I thought she made all women look desperate and ridiculously useless.
Rating: 5/10
Bottom line: Star-studded cast + predictable plot = watchable romantic comedy, but by no means Oscar-worthy.

The Haunting in Connecticut
Overview: Loosely based on a true story, this is one of the few horror/thriller films that actually made my heart jump from fright/fear (and that’s saying something). More than a few “now-you-see-the-dead-guy/ghost-now-you-don’t” scenes. Pretty decent plot, combined with solid acting from the main protagonist/antagonist (which one is he? Lol) make this horror/thriller an enjoyable one to watch, although the ending felt a bit rushed.
Rating: 7/10
Bottom line: Add Smallville’s Bart Allen/The Flash, Kyle Gallner, does a great job as cancer-stricken boy who can see the dead (because he’s on the “brink of death”) to a decent plot, and the result is a good fright flick.

Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Overview: Definitely one of the weaker comedies from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions company. The plot is weak and predictable, and there really wasn’t many funny parts at all. Kevin James, however, does a decent job with what he’s been given as overweight, hypoglycaemic mall cop. You can’t help but feel sorry for his character in more than a few situations.
Rating: 6/10
Bottom line: Kevin James makes this film watchable to the end, but definitely download material. Not worth buying/renting the DVD.

Smallville Season 8 Finale

“Smallville” has come a long, long way since Season 1. I took a break from it during the fifth season because it was getting too slow and repetitive. I picked it up again when season 6 rolled along, and found renewed interest.

I was always skeptical about not having Lex Luthor in the picture, because as far as I know, Lex Luthor is to Superman/Clark Kent like what The Joker is to Batman/Bruce Wayne. You can’t have a decent Superman storyline without good ol’ Lex. What I found, however, was that most of season 8 worked reasonably well, partly thanks to the introduction of villain Doomsday (who’s also Davis Bloome, a paramedic).

The season finale however, was in one word (or is it two?), a SHITSTORM (or SHIT-STORM, which would be two words). The climactic battle between Clark and Doomsday, which I’m sure many of the Smallville faithful were eagerly awaiting, was mediocre; not to mention it only lasted around two minutes. He’s also dead by the time two minutes is up. Isn’t Superman supposed to be killed by Doomsday, and not the other way around?

Now I know this is only a TV show, and not a big-budget movie, but when we finally get a good look at Doomsday up close and personal, he’s pretty damn disappointing. He’s basically a muscle man in a rubber suit with horny/bony appendages, who drools a lot. The whole idea of Clark blaming himself for Jimmy Olsen’s death (yes, Jimmy is killed of by a super-jealous Davis Bloome, and dies in Chloe’s arms after the two rekindle their love. But not before he impales and kills Davis too) is a bit silly, and the fact that he acknowledges that “Clark Kent is dead” is completely out of place.

Season finales usually leave you hanging high and dry, eagerly awaiting the next season. Unfortunately for “Smallville”, this season finale blew it, and I’m not exactly looking forward to season 9. Even if it means General Zod is the new villain.

Smallville season 8 finale: 6/10

On other TV series news, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” has officially been canned and won’t return for a third season… *sniff sniff* I was looking forward to it returning…

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

I’ll admit. I’m a HUUUGE fan of the Terminator franchise. The whole concept of “travelling back in time to alter history”, “Judgment Day”, “computers (Skynet) taking over the world and nearly annihilating the human race” etc. has always fascinated me. What’s more, the fact that the first two Terminator flicks, “The Terminator” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day“, were BRILLIANT, and will always be up there as two of the best sci-fi films in history.

I remember watching “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” with a couple of my mates, Calvin and Morgan, after our UMAT exam back in 7th form, and came out feeling a bit disappointed. Sure it had Arnie (Arnold Schwarzenegger) reprise his role as the unstoppable T-800 (this time a T-850), but it lacked the plot. Not to mention they made John Connor a whiney little bitch.

Because of my mediocre impression on T3, when a TV series, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” (I’ll abbreviate at as SCC from now on), was announced, I was both very excited and wary. It would be the first major Terminator production without Arnie, so I wasn’t sure if it would work.

I’m glad to say that I’ve quite enjoyed SCC ever since the first pilot episode (Summer Glau is fantastic as the first ever female terminator lead, AND great eye candy ). It’s quite different to the films, and some might say that it’s a cheap copy of the films. This is why I reckon only dedicated Terminator fans will appreciate the series. The first season was cut short because of the writers’ strike, which was a pity. The second season, however, picked up from where season 1 left off remarkably well, and continued to improve (albeit a few useless and confusing episodes of which I hated). The last two or three episodes (season finale included) were terrific, and has left me wanting more. Easy 8 out of 10 (8/10) for the series so far!

So to the creators/producers etc., PLEASE GIVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO SEASON 3, AND CERTAINLY DON’T STOP SCC!!

What’s more, “Terminator Salvation” (starring Christian Bale) will be out early June too! Can’t wait!

Early Update: Holidays

Been on holiday for just over a week. Pretty good so far. Sleeping in, catching up on Prison Break, Smallville and Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles, and playing some NBA 2K9 on the PS2 with Dill.

I set a goal to get some decent exercise done these holidays, and so far I’ve played some basketball, and gone swimming with Jenny. I also got some time to wash my car as well this afternoon.

Dill sprained his left ankle pretty badly on Monday (17th Nov) while at basketball training. Nothing major, just twisted it as he landed on someone else’s foot while corralling for a rebound. Has to be on crutches for about a month or so.

That’s it from me for the time being. Going to Jenny’s Superclinic Christmas dinner at the VBG (Veranda Bar & Grill) in Parnell soon. Why they’re having a Christmas function so early before Christmas is beyond me lol…