Movie Reviews

With films about vampires hitting the theaters now and then, the new movie Daybreakers' popularity still remains to be seen. Read on to know more information about this new vampire film.

Synopsis of the movie

The Daybreakers is set ten years into the future. In that future, vampires make up the majority of the population while only 5% of the whole population is human. Because of this, the food supply of vampires is threatened. And there's a growing evidence that if vampires can't have their food, they could grow wild and vile. Dr. Edward Dalton, a vampire and hematologist, find ways to solve the growing problem. But his goal of finding a solution changes when he meets someone who can turn himself from a vampire to a human.

Movie review

Daybreakers can give you enough dose of gore and violence. Well, there's nothing really special about the film. It seems that the movie wants to say something relevant with all the clever social and political commentaries found on it. If you are fond of gore and action-packed vampire movies such as Blade, maybe you could appreciate this one. The effects of the film is also good though not really excellent.

Daybreakers has a commendable plot because the storyline is actually different from the usual movies about vampires. In this film, the audience is placed on the vampire's shoes. However, it is not really a movie that would sweep many people. Well, with lots of films about vampires, it is actually difficult for a film to charm its way to the audience.

The Lovely Bones will soon hit theaters. This movie is based on the book of the same title written by Alice Sebold. The interesting thing about it is that the author based some of the elements of the story from her own experience as a rape victim.

Preview of the movie

The movie is about a young girl who was brutally raped and murdered. Her spirit went to her personal heaven where she can still see her family as they struggle with her death. As she was in her personal heaven, she sees how her family reacted to her death and how they faced their own demons and triumphed over them. In heaven, she meets another girl who serves as hew new best friend. The real story actually starts after the protagonist died. The film is about loss, facing one's own demons, and acceptance of the inevitable.

Movie characters, directors, and cast

The film was directed by Peter Jackson, an award winning director who directed various movies including the Lord of the Rings saga. The main character, Susie Salmon, is played by Saiorse Ronan. Susie's father is played by Mark Wahlberg, and the one who rapes Susie, George Harvey, is portrayed by Stanley Tucci. Susie's mother is portrayed by Rachel Weisz.

The Lovely Bones is a great film. It is actually the story of acceptance for Susie, and healing and gaining of strength for those she left behind. The success of the Lovely Bones still remains to be seen. Many are putting their hope that Peter Jackson would give justice to the excellent book of Alice Sebold.

Fans of Conan Doyle's series probably awaited Sherlock Holmes with so much anticipation. There were a lot of films made about Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson in the past. How people will embrace the re-imagining of Doyle's characters is still to be seen.

Synopsis of the movie

Lord Blackwood, a serial killer and a sorcerer, was caught by Holmes. But the case was not really closed because Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and continued killing. It's up for the world's famous detective and his assistant Dr. Watson to unravel the thread of mysterious murders and deceits. But before they could untangle the web of lies, murders, and black magic, they have to face the deadly temptress Irene Adler.

Movie review

Shelock Holmes' character has long been seen as stuffy and dry, and director Guy Ritchie presented a new reimagined Sherlock Holmes. In the film, Richie put a touch of cunning and toughness to Holmes (played by Robert Downey Jr.) and a distinguished charm to Dr. Watson (played by Jude Law). Unlike the previous Sherlock Holmes movies, this one is more violent and action-packed.

The 2009 Sherlock Holmes film casts a new light to the characters. well, it's up for the viewers to decide which reimagining of Holmes they like best.

Paranormal Activity is a surprise hit, enjoying commercial success even with its limited production budget and relatively unknown cast.

Plot of Paranormal Activity

The plot of Paranormal Activity harps on the fear of what goes on in the dark and while we sleep. It is about a married couple who moves into a new home, only to experience weird activities in the middle of the night. They film what’s going on and get the scare of their life.

Success in the box office of Paranormal Activity

Much of the box office success of Paranormal Activity is the product of good timing and the generally good reviews that the film received. Working with limited budget, Paranormal Activity is able to stir up some scares in the box office, as well as in its viewers,

Critic's review of Paranormal Activity

The box office success of Paranormal Activity is partly due to the good reviews it enjoyed from critics. While the movie is far from being an art film, it does its job in delivering “smart” scares, even with its limited production budget.

This movie review will talk about New Moon, the second installment to the Twilight saga. So far, the movie is making waves, breaking box office records and getting together “cults” of vampire-crazy teenagers and their moms.

The cast of New Moon

New Moon stars up-and-coming talents Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. Supporting cast includes Cristina Jastrzembska, Billy Burke, Anna Kendrick, Michael Welch, Justin Chon, and Christian Serratos. Gossip talks are rife with Lauter’s naked torso photos and scenes.

The plot of New Moon

New Moon is about the adventures of Bella Swan. She, whose love belongs to a vampire of the Cullens clan, starts a new life after Edward Cullen decides to move away from her for her sake. This leads her to confusion and new dangers in the arms of Jacod Black, who happens to be a werewolf.

Critic's review of New Moon

So far, New Moon has received mixed reviews. But then again, it enjoys the distinction of being the better of the two Twilight movies so far. And, judging from the throngs of fans lining up to see the movie over and over again, New Moon enjoys an impressive mass following.

Are you looking a smashing action thriller? Don't keep your hopes too high for "Miami Vice." I know that Colin Farrell has an explosive acting stance and Jamie Foxx has an undeniable charm, but please, too much attitude won't do you any good. Both characters are ripping the movie apart. They're competing for camera scenes. It will be hard for the TV series fan to accept this blatant truth, but sometimes, movies do no justice to long-term series. If I were you, I'll wait for the DVD subscription -- maybe you'll appreciate the silly lines better with its subtitle. On a fair note, I'd say that it's somewhat sexy and thrilling to have these chracters, only, they may be too conscious with their billing.

Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) and Crockett (Collin Farrell) team up for another police mission to hunt a criminal at a wild Miami nightclub. But when their informant begs that they cover for his family's safety, the two agents are then led to another maze and mystery. Tubbs and Crockett then go and involve themselves in a rescue mission. However, they are baffled with why their informant was so freaked out. All of a sudden, they accidentally trip over an illegal operation, which involved different police agencies in conspiracy. I didn't know any more lame explanation as to the reason or the background of such conspiracy, but the "Miami Vice" duo lead the bust against a drug lord, who ships a boat load of drugs to South Florida.

No rules, no law, no order, the real "Miami Vice" action film is not as deadly as it sounds! I was disappointed actually and would prefer a Don Johnson-Phillip Michael Thomas active police version on TV. There's too many yap and flap than the actual action. Unluckily for Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx, they didn't hit it as a sizzling on-screen duo. It's a shame to see that even Chris Rock and Jackie Chan can do better with their chemistry! It's not as good as publicity says and sorry to Director Michael Mann, but the movie is a big flop. The plot is hard to follow while the dialogue is overdone. Even with Farrell's bad boy image and Jamie Foxx's sleek grooves, there wasn't enough to spice up the action and fun.

Captain Jack is back for another sea adventure. Although we've seen Johnny Depp take a rather eccentric role like Willy Wonka, that doesn't mean he's no longer cool. In fact, I'm impressed how secure he is as an actor. He was a heartthrob who broke a long term engagement with Winona Ryder and supermodel Kate Moss. Depp is a cool pirate though he looks like a wandering soul from a gypsy tribe. After seeing the first adventure of the Pirates of the Carribean, nobody can stop me from seeing the next installment of Depp and the sea.

There's no easy way to escape debt at all. It will haunt you dead or alive, and Captain Jack Sparrow have to settle a deal with Davy Jones or he'll live a life of curse and misery. You must be mistaken to think that the adventure's over. Captain Jack is on a mission to find and claim the Dead Man's Chest. It has the treasure that the captain of the Flying Dutchman will accept in exchange for the pirate's freedom and vindication. But before he gets his hands on the treasure chest, Sparrow has to be united with his old friends bringing them to the entrails of the sea with reincarnated underwater creatures to feast on Sparrow alive. It's a Gore Verbinski film and it's worth the hassle.

Anyone who sees this movie will either do a thumbs up or a thumbs down. There were times when I liked it and there were times when I felt that the first one was better. Either way, both films will keep you hanging a little longer for two and a half hours. Good thing skeletons pop to the scenes to go sword-fighting with Depp. Oh, haven't I mentioned the beautiful Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom? Never mind though, their romance failed to heat up the screen. Even if Knightley will soon be married to Bloom in the story, I can even spot more sizzling tension and excitement between Depp and Knightley. Or maybe, I just don't like Bloom whose role in Troy was as lame as his pirate adventure stint. So enough of Orlando, I'm not even looking for a good character. Besides, villains can be real stars like Bill Nighy who's awesome with Sparrow. Depp and Nighy nailed it for the rest of the cast. And please, give the movie an Oscar for a great production design. So for a quick wrap-up, let me just say that we can't always expect a sequel to be as good as the original but hell, it's Johnny Depp in a pirate movie. It's like an Indiana Jones classic.

I have always liked Adam Sandler's movies, especially the one where he appeared with Drew Barrymore and shot in the beautiful Hawaii islands in that romantic comedy "50 First Dates". Most of Sandler's movies are funny, without it being packed with ancient slapsticks and worn-out jokes that are sometimes the kicker in other comedy movies. It has been a while since the last Sandler laughfest, and I was really looking forward to this new movie the first time I saw its trailers.

In "Click", Sandler stars as Michael Newman, a workaholic architect who is so busy with his profession that he barely has time for his wife and kids. Thanks to a Universal Remote, he is now able to pause, rewind, and fast forward the events in his life. But things like this one is sure to have its consequences, and just when Michael thought he has everything under control (quite literally), his life starts spinning out of control.

The movie is full of goofiness as one would expect from a Sandler movie. Just like most of Sandler's movie, this one contains some rude languages and sexual references so a PG-13 rating is just applicable. Adam Sandler is at the top of his game here so it really is a fun film to watch.

"Devil Wears Prada," by David Arkell is a film that offers an insider look to the viscious and entertaining world of fashion. This comedy drama movie depicts fashion journals as a place of self-enchantment and hard management style. This movie is adapted from the famous novel of Lauren Weisberg.

The movie features Ann Hathaway as Andrea Sachs, a young lady who embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she takes a coveted job as fashion assistant working for a notoriously difficult fashion magazine editor played by Meryl Streep. This comedy also stars Stanley Tucci, Emily Blunt, and Adrian Grenier.

Here is the movie's short synopsis. Andrea Sachs (Anne Hathaway) has applied for a stint at "Runway," America's most prominent fashion journal; though Andrea has little to no interest in the garment trade, they are the only magazine company in the city of New York with a job opening -- second assistant to editor Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep). As Andrea quickly learns, Miranda is a diva with plenty of power within the magazine business and she is not afraid to use it, and though Andrea lands the job (primarily by being in the right place at the right time), she soon learns that working for Miranda could test the patience of a saint thanks to her endless demands and refusal to acknowledge the end of a work day. Andrea strives to hold on to the job and her sanity, knowing that a recommendation from Miranda can open nearly any door at any magazine, but can she handle the pressure without losing her mind along the way? If you love the book, you will surely dig this too!

Surprisingly, climbing up the top of America's box office is the silly comedy movie, "Nacho Libre". This film combines absurdity and comic slapstick that prove to be effective today despite the absence of the Three Stooges. A story about a soon-to-be Mexican wrestler's misadventures and funny exploits, this movie, though not cerebral in nature, would give you mindless laughter.

"Nacho Libre", based on a true story, is about a man who cooks for friars and orphans by day at a traditional Mexican monastery and dons a mask and jumps into a wrestling ring by night. This far-out fairy tale is essentially about a young guy who doesn't fit in and yearns for some respect. I guess that's a refreshing welcome, given that it is a guy this time, right?

"Nacho Libre" is a movie that is propelled by the berserk energy and creativity of Jack Black who flies through the air wearing his elastic wrestling pants, sings a few airhead songs, swoons over Sister Encarnacion, and yearns to become triumphant in the ring. Similar in spirit to my favorite Napoleon Dynamite, the film has a very specific and distinctive sense of place and is populated by endearing characters trying to measure up in a world where everything conspires against the oddball achieving his dream. Hess is a cinematic buffoon and this quirky film would win you over with its visual flair and its fairy-tale magic.

Rushing and totally jaw dropping - these are the things that you can expect with the third installment of the "Fast and the Furious". Now set in the drift racing streets of Tokyo, the movie features Lucas Black, Bow Wow, Nathalie Kelley, Brian Tee, Sung Kang, Brian Goodman, and Zachery Bryan. Skillfully directed by the awesome Justin Lin, this movie is all revved up and can satisfy you with mindless extreme car racing action.

Here's the brief synopsis of the movie: When Sean (Black) and his addiction to street racing lands him in problems with the authorities, he must move to Japan or go to jail. In Tokyo, he gets involved with some Yakuza gangsters whose pursuit is drift racing, characterized by speedy cornering and controlled slides. To lose his gaijin or outsider status - and win the babe - Sean must beat the Drift King in a deadly race. Fans of the series would discover a lot to like in this almost non-stop racing action.

The very catchy and pumped up music score is one strong aspect of the picture. The sounds of engine rushing would really make you hyperventilate, almost. Black offers a decent performance but the director pushes the envelope with different stunts that would surely blow you away. Ultimately, FATF 3 is a thrill-seeker's movie, the kind of film that never apologizes for its brazen, uninterrupted zeal for action. For those who can appreciate a movie on those merits, this one is for you.

Garfield is back! Yeah, the world's most popular cat is soon to flaunt its charm and lazy furs to the big screen this June. Featuring the voice of Bill Murray, "Garfield the Tale of 2 Kitties" is said to be wackier and more comical than its first installment. The movie is now set in the castles of lovely United Kingdom where the mischievous feline will wreck havoc and fun!

The entire cast of the 2004 Garfield movie is retained with Breckin Meyer as Jon Arbuckle, the master of Garfield, and Jennifer Love Hewitt as his veterinarian girlfriend. Here's a brief synopsis of the film. Garfield follows Jon, his master, to England. The British Kingdom may never recover, as Garfield is mistaken for a look-alike, regal feline who has inherited and has taken over a castle. Garfield savors the kingly treatment afforded by his loyal "subjects", but his reign is in jeopardy. The nefarious Lord Dargis, played by Bill Connolly, is determined to do away with Garfield, so he can turn the castle into a resort.

You have to go to theaters and watch what happens to the royally pampered cat and see how his exploits rock the entire UK! "Garfield 2" is released by Twentieth Century Fox, and is directed by Tim Hill and produced by Jim Davis. If you are not tired with this orange ball of fur, then this is something you should never fail to miss.

A film that I can really consider a feel-good one is "Akeelah and the Bee". This movie reminds me of my teenage years when I was an excellent speller. If you want to avoid bad comedy, disgusting horror movies, and sexually-charged flicks, this heartwarming film is perfect for the entire family.

"Akeelah and the Bee" is a story about an underdog trying to overcome the odds and achieve victory (yes, that is what underdogs do), while also winning over the whole community, who is inspired by her bravery. The central character of the film is Akeelah, an 11-year-old girl who values education and really inspires a lot of kids to participate in activities that help develop their full potential, like spelling bees.

This wholesome movie features the fantastic performance of Keke Palmer. It is written and directed by Doug Atchinson. Parents are advised to watch this film together with their kids because it doesn't only teach the youngsters about self-esteem and the values of hard work and persistence, but it also reminds the grown-ups to be an example of inculcating good deeds to their children. Indeed, beneath this movie's sentimental exterior, it emphasizes that knowledge is power. This is totally recommended for kids and grown-ups.

Call it odd but who could picture the Latin hunk doing the waltz? Or humming to Sinatra's songs? You gotta be kidding me!

Antonio Banderas definitely takes the lead in his new role as a dance instructor where he sheds off the brusque heroism of Zorro and virile stance of the desperado. He was reluctant at first in taking the role, but soon changed his mind. And...voila! He's wearing the tuxedo and sweeping ladies off their feet, this time, with the gentle sophistication of the character.

But folks, this is no teeny-bopper movie or a musical like Moulin Rouge. "Take the Lead" is based on real accounts of Pierre Dulaine's willful transition from a ballroom instructor to mentor and hero to the so-called rejects of the hood. Oh yes, this is more than the sexy grooves and styles of RnB and flutter of the cha-cha-cha! Actually, it renders a heartwarming story about life, trust, and respect. But don't cry just yet. Just watch them dance to the rhythm of life as well as learn a thing or two about useful dating spins.

This is yet another inspiring story. How would you like to lead a woman, a pack of angry teens, and social rejects? Watch the film. See Banderas do his move and you'll know!

Hollywood is good and realistic when it comes to making the scary and suspenseful ghost movies. Just this June, After Dark films released the season's most hair-raising ghost movie: "The American Haunting". This film claims to spook the hell out of you because the story happened in real life.

One thing that is superb about this horror movie is the gothic and totally frightening atmosphere that it offers. The "American Haunting" is a tale of a young girl and her family who are bedeviled by some sort of spirit in Red River, Tennessee, during the early 1800s. The eerie forests, dimly lit rooms, and dark rainy nights certainly gave me the creeps similar to that in "The Haunting".

The two main actors, Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek, really did a good job in playing the devastated parents who just cannot withstand the pain of seeing their daughter suffer in the hands of the devil. One thing that I don't like about the film is the overuse of loud sounds. Well, it's effective to scare moviegoers but repeated and almost monotonous sound effects can make the theatergoers go crazy. This movie is good for infrequent horror movie viewers, like me, but to those who are hardcore horror flick fanatics, they might get bored while seeing it.

It's been nine years since we saw Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock together in the silver screen. The two were paired in an action packed thriller "Speed", the movie that catapulted both actors to a bigger Hollywood celebrity status. Now they are back, and this time, the two stars are reunited in a romantic drama, "The Lake House".

"The Lake House" is about an independent and rationally-minded doctor named Kate Forster, (played by Bullock) who finds herself drawn deeply into an elusive romance that seems to defy all rules of reason and exist in a realm of its own. Sandra, in one of her interviews, said that she accepted the movie because of the story. She told reporters that she was deeply moved and fell in love with the storyline.

Meanwhile, Reeves is also said to be very excited about the project. He said that he always had fun working with her favorite leading lady. Released by Warner Brother Pictures, this soft but philosophical romance drama is directed by Alejandro Agresti. The director also pointed out in one interview that the chemistry of Reeves and Bullock is really good to watch. Hence, to those who want to fall in love and also those who are already in a romantic relationship, watch this film and you will surely know why love is the most blissful and poignant thing that can happen to any living being.

The tragedy of 9/11 will forever be remembered not only in the history of America but also in the whole world. Hollywood has been careful and sensitive in making films that are associated with 9/11. Since the incident just happened barely five years ago, unlike Titanic or Pearl Harbor, the sensitivity of the subject to be put on film is being carefully considered by movie producers today.

However, United 93, the first Hollywood movie about the 9/11 attack, deals with the event in an accurate, not over-dramatized, and powerfully moving fashion. The director, Paul Greengrass, opt to approach the film in a documentary-like manner bringing truthfulness and natural human drama throughout the film. There is no DeCaprio or Pitt in the roll call, but I think it is much better that way. Above all, the movie does not intend to focus on a single person; it wants to tell that all the passengers in flight 93 are heroes to be considered.

United 93 tells the heroism and courage made by the passengers in the hi-jacked airline. The movie is very compelling. You will never leave the theater without wiping those tears. Indeed, this movie is a must-see film that honors the heroes of September 11.

Astounding special effects, huge production, superb actors, and classic marine disaster that will send you gasping for breath -- these are the features of a heart-pumping survival film, "Poseidon". Directed by the Hollywood's genius director, Wolfgang Petersen, this re-creation of the 1972 film, "Poseidon Adventure", would totally blow you away. The tragedy happens when a tidal wave wrecks a luxurious passenger liner called "Poseidon", of course, in the middle of the ocean.

Hollywood has made it mark in producing top-notch box-office disaster movies like "Titanic", but "Poseidon" for me is really a magnum opus. This movie can stand proud from its original. Though there is no central character in the film, the actors really did well in creating an atmosphere of death, peril, and drama. You would really be glued on the screen. It is a claustrophobic thriller that can make you feel as if you were trapped inside the liner, too.

"Poseidon" features Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Emmy Rossum, and Andre Braugher. Petersen's action-adventure approach to the film is just suitable to make you thrilled and gasp for breath. Though it is not a hit like "Titanic", "Poseidon" surely can be put in line with other disaster Hollywood classics.

Are you ready to watch probably the most high-octane comedy adventure of the year? Soon to open in theater this June is "Cars", a cutting-edge computer animation movie created by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. This family-oriented comedy movie is directed by the great cartoon director John Lasseter who is also the genius behind other box-office animation films such as " A Bug's Life," Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2."

This movie features the voices of Owen Wilson for the lead character Lightning McQueen, Paul Newman for Doc Hudson, Bonnie Hunt for Sally, and Lary the Cable Guy for the character of Mater, a rusty but trustworthy tow truck. "Cars" is the story about Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed. McQueen soon discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs.

With fantastic computer animations, colorful visual effects, and heart warming sounds and music, "Cars" would surely be a hit blockbuster. This flick is certainly a wonderful addition to the line-up of summer movies that would get your motor running. Heck, even my niece constantly bugs me about it. Indeed, "Cars" really knows how to put the pedal to the metal.

From its series in Marvel comics to its animated TV version and 'til its successful movie version, I have been an avid fan of the mutant saga, X-Men. Besides the wonderful super powers of the characters, I have also fallen in love to the character themselves. The psychological and personal issues being portrayed in X-Men proves that mutants are also humans because they have emotional dimensions in their personality.

The third and last installment of this epic mutant adventure for me is the best among the trilogy that started last 2000 (X-Men) and 2003 (X-Men United). Aside from its jaw dropping special and visual effects, this final chapter is more moving and exhilarating. This time, the central thesis that propels the story emanates from the "cure" that the US government had discovered. This mutant treatment can genetically curb the mutant DNA which can then turn a mutant to a normal human being.

Magneto has thought that this is the States' plan to annihilate mutants, thus he went for an all-out war against the government and mankind. On the other hand, Charles Xavier who is an advocate of tolerance and peaceful co-existence between men and mutants, of course, disagree with Magneto's plan causing the war of good mutants, which is the X-Men team, versus the bad ones who believed Magneto. Surely, this is one terrific and another successful X-Men movie that you shouldn't miss.

I always enjoy watching animations. As a kid, I have indulged myself with all the cuteness and comical wit the animated movies could provide. Even though there is a wide selection of grown-up films in the cinemas, I still find myself gravitating towards the line to a movie that has a PG rating in it.

Over The Hedge is the newest animation released by Dreamworks. This is a break from the usual sequel movies (come on, Fast and the Furious 2, Pirates of the Caribbean 2, X-Men 3...) that's all over the cinema scene. Dreamworks usually make good stuff, so I have anticipated that this too, would be a side-splitting movie. Cute characters coupled with good voice talents are always good to watch. I mean, who doesn't love movies that has talking animal in it?

The plot line of the story is about a gang of furry critters who woke up from long hibernation only to discover that their woodland have been transformed into a suburban development. Adventures arise when a scheming raccoon guides his woodland friends on how to take advantage of the suburbanites. The entire story teaches about family sticking together, which makes it an all-together great family movie. Oh, by the way, this also has its own computer game version.