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A Perfect Getaway (Movie Review)
Jack Rico
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2009/08/06 at 12:00am

Reviews

A Perfect Getaway (Movie Review)

08.6.2009 | By |

‘A Perfect Getaway’ is one of the most predictable whodunnit thriller films of 2009. As a result, the second half isn’t as enjoyable since we already know who the killers are. It’s still fun, but I wish writer/director David Twohy (Pitch Black) had made it more challenging for us to figure out. The excitement of trying to identify the killers is what makes these types of films engaging (e.g., Memento).

The storyline is engaging. A Hawaiian honeymoon turns dangerous for two lovers (Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich) when they realize they’re being stalked by a pair of killers: Nick (Timothy Olyphant) and Gina (Kiele Sanchez), a couple of unmarried adventurers seeking one more destination for their globe-trotting resume, and Kale (Chris Hemsworth) and Cleo (Marley Shelton), a surfer/hippie duo showing signs of anti-social behavior. But who could it be? (Cue the horror music).

The film starts amusingly, with plenty of character development that allows the audience to connect with the protagonists. This is a clever move by the director, as it’s a known rule that audiences tend to like characters they know well. However, it backfires because Twohy tries so hard to surprise everyone that he ends up surprising no one. There’s a twist in the middle that’s so predictable it feels like the audience’s intelligence has been questioned.

I’ve never been a fan of Timothy Olyphant’s acting (Hitman was where it all started for me), but he wasn’t a distraction here. He did a decent job, as did the rest of the cast. Kiele Sanchez, the Puerto Rican actress, was a pleasant screen presence, and Zahn cast a shadow of irritation throughout the film.

All in all, ‘A Perfect Getaway’ is a silly, fun time at the movies that won’t leave you bored. Just expect to figure everything out quickly and witness some dumb moments that’ll leave you scratching your head.

Interview with Kiele Sanchez from ‘A Perfect Getaway’
Jack Rico
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By

2009/08/05 at 12:00am

Interviews

Interview with Kiele Sanchez from ‘A Perfect Getaway’

08.5.2009 | By |

Interview with Kiele Sanchez from 'A Perfect Getaway'

Puerto Rican actress Kiele Sanchez stars in ‘A Perfect Getaway’ with Steve Zahn, Milla Jovovich and Timothy Olyphant. Many of the scenes of the movie were filmed in  El Yunque de Puerto Rico and we decided to get her thoughts on the lovely tropical island and her Latin roots!

Race to Witch Mountain
Jack Rico
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2009/08/04 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Race to Witch Mountain

08.4.2009 | By |

Rating: 3.5

Rated: PG for sequences of action and violence, frightening and dangerous situations, and some thematic elements.
Release Date: 2009-03-13
Starring: Matt Lopez, Mark Bomback, Andy Fickman
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.disneylatino.com/FilmesDisney/La_montania_embrujada/index.html

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What an entertaining movie! I would dare say ‘Race to Witch Mountain’ will be one of the breakout hits of the young year. The story, the fast-action-packed sequences, the charming performances, all add to a fun time with the family at the movies this weekend.

In this new re-imagining of Disney’s “Escape to Witch Mountain” (1975) and its sequel “Return from Witch Mountain” (1978), a UFO expert enlists the help of a cabbie (Dwayne Johnson) to protect two siblings (AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig) with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organization that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans.

Disney, known for its animation, surprisingly presents an amusing live-action sci-fi flick that provides escapism for today’s troubled times. The film immediately begins with a suspenseful, special effects driven scenery that sets a swift pace for the rest of the film. Dwayne Johnson once again does a fantastic job of adding humorous and credible layers to his performance. This script fits him like a glove and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do more roles like this (The Game Plan) in the next few years. The rest of the cast are appealing without being histrionic with the alien script.

‘Race to Witch Mountain’ feels like a Disney theme ride (I wouldn’t be surprised if one is in the works) extracting elements from E.T. and the Terminator while adding the Disney touch to make it viewable for kids and comfortable enough for parents to enjoy. There are some moments that are incoherent and random, but I say, so what? It’s a Disney film with all the bells and whistles made to be an enjoyable experience for the whole family.

Obsessed
Mack Chico
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2009/08/04 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Obsessed

08.4.2009 | By |

Rating: 1.5

Rated: PG-13 for sexual material including some suggestive dialogue, some violence and thematic content.
Release Date: 2009-04-24
Starring: David Loughery
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.areyouobsessed.com/

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Tenemos al héroe y al villano de la película. El héroe y el villano pelean, se matan a golpes, el villano busca la muerte del héroe y el héroe busca salvar su vida. Se encuentran en un precipicio, un piso alto, o cualquier diferencia de altura que permita lo siguiente, que en un movimiento el villano termine pendiendo de un hilo, a punto de caer y morir. El héroe se apiada de él y le extiende la mano. El villano aprovecha su mano, y luego lo traiciona, poniendo al héroe al borde de la muerte. ¿Les suena esta escena? No hace falta que contesten.

 

Por ahí esta escena podía causar algo de impacto en 1989, cuando Batman le extiende el brazo al Guasón, y éste da vuelta la escena, poniendo en riesgo la vida del encapotado. Pasaron veinte años, y esta escena todavía puede figurar en un guión. No solo figurar, sino ser el punto principal del clímax de un thriller. Pero para llegar a ello, Obsesionada pasa por todos los clichés de cualquier thriller. Si el personaje de la blonda Ali Larter fuera la amante de Derek, el papel interpretado por Idris Elba, estaríamos ante una remake no declarada de Atracción fatal, con la única diferencia de contar con protagonistas negros y amante rubia. Pero no, aunque no sabemos hasta qué punto el hecho de que ese dato determinara que no es una copia fiel de aquel thriller es una ventaja para la película.

 

Por un lado, si Derek efectivamente le hubiese sido infiel a su mujer, hubiese afectado la credibilidad del guión, a fin de cuentas, teniendo a Beyoncé en tu casa, ¿para que buscarías algo afuera? Por otro lado, la falta de ambigüedad de Derek por momentos se vuelve irritante. No solo parece un hombre perfecto, laboralmente exitoso, apuesto, y con una familia perfecta, sino que en ningún momento actúa de manera mínimamente cuestionable, por ende, todo lo que sucede en la película reposa en Lisa, el personaje de Ali Larter. Ahora bien, ¿qué thriller se puede construir con una mujer obsesionada con un hombre que en ningún momento da pie o hace algo (por más ingenuo que sea) para generar semejante obsesión? Sin duda, un thriller forzado al máximo, carente de todo sustento, con dos personajes “maquetas” (el de Idris Elba y el de Beyoncé), y una contrafigura construida de manera sumamente gratuita, tan gratuita como buena parte de las situaciones que se suceden.

 

Cierta intriga está correctamente desarrollada, y la pelea entre Sharon (Beyoncé) y Lisa es indudablemente entretenida, pese a ser excesivamente obvia, y desembocar en la radicalmente previsible acción que se narra al inicio de esta crítica. Dos cosas concretas: El interés principal de esta película reposa indudablemente en la bella Beyoncé, y algo de la publicidad en torno a este film sugería cierto dejo de erotismo. Hay que decir que Beyoncé está muy bien en su papel (es, lejos, lo mejor de la película), y que el erotismo, lo único que le podría haber insuflado un poco de sangre al film, falta completamente a la cita. El resto, de lo convencional a lo decididamente mediocre.

face3media
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By

2009/08/04 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

The Soloist

08.4.2009 | By |

Rating: 2.5

Rated: PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug use and language.
Release Date: 2009-04-24
Starring: Susannah Grant, Steve Lopez
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:UK, USA
Official Website: http://www.soloistmovie.com/

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Funny People
Jack Rico
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2009/07/31 at 12:00am

Reviews

Funny People

07.31.2009 | By |

Rated: R for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality.
Release Date: 2009-07-31
Starring: Judd Apatow
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.funnypeoplemovie.com/

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Funny People

‘Funny People’ does not live up to the Apatow hype. It never even gets close to what his two previous fantastic films achieved in the genre of comedy. Much of its demise is attributed to its story which is told in a choppy and uneven manner. There’s some good material here, but the movie rambles more than the human attention span can tolerate.

The premise is succint. It’s about a famous comedian (Adam Sandler) who has a near-death experience and then goes through a self exploration phase which will make him see the world in a whole different light. Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill and newcomer Aubrey Plaza, of Puerto Rican decent, also star.

I have to admit, by looking at the trailer, I thought ‘Funny People’ was going to be a critically acclaimed film worthy of an Oscar, if it was executed correctly. Regrettably, it never quenched my personal expectations. Is it all bad? Absolutely not. There are some very funny moments, but they are dispersed all over the story like broken glass. It’s refreshing to see Apatow branching out and trying something off the beaten path but, in this case, his sense of ambition may have caused him to lose his way. It’s a brave move that is partially undone by pacing problems and a lack of focus. ‘Funny People’ clocks in at nearly 2 1/2 hours, and that’s too long for any comedy.

 

Most of you might not know of Puerto Rican comedian Aubrey Plaza, but you will after this movie. In her short and underdeveloped role, Aubrey’s shy, witty demeanor made her on-screen presence a memorable one.

If you’re a fan of Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow’s sexually charged joke marathons, there is some of it here for you to enjoy, but overall, the film is no doubt a drama that might turn off hardcore loyalists.

Thirst
Alex Florez
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By

2009/07/30 at 12:00am

Reviews

Thirst

07.30.2009 | By |

Rated: R for graphic bloody violence, disturbing images, strong sexual content, nudity and language.
Release Date: 2009-07-31
Starring: Seo-Gyeong Jeong, Chan-wook Park
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: South Korea
Official Website: http://www.filminfocus.com/focusfeatures/film/thirst/

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Thirst

Those of you familiar with South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook know exactly what to expect from his latest film, Thirst.  For those of you that aren’t, allow me to introduce you to one of the more fearless storytellers around. 

In his previous work (Old Boy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance), Chan-wook has taken on those ethical dilemmas and taboos that most are unwilling to confront head on.  Obsessed with how we as humans behave under the most extreme circumstances, Chan-wook has put together stories that are unsettling, visceral, and unapologetic.  But his films aren’t simply ‘shock & awe’.  Beneath it all, are complex and tragic love stories that are surprisingly compelling.  When asked about his major influences, Chan-wook’s response was: Sophocles and Shakespeare.  No wonder.

Thirst however is a little different.  It is about a failed medical experiment that turns a priest into a vampire – but Chan-wook is quick to note that this isn’t just any ol’ vampire movie.  “There are no bats, no stake through the heart, no fear of garlic and the cross”.  For the most part, he’s absolutely right. However, somehow the film doesn’t feel as fresh or as daring as his previous movies.  There just isn’t as much envelope pushing here.  Nevertheless, Korean stars Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-vin turn in outstanding performances in a well put together film. 

Thirst is not everyone’s cup of tea, but for those of you that still can’t quench your blood sucking desires, here’s a fresh take from a film that can be incredibly fun.   

Monday Box Office – Disney’s "G-Force" is #1!
Pau Brunet
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2009/07/27 at 12:00am

Movies

Monday Box Office – Disney’s "G-Force" is #1!

07.27.2009 | By |

Monday Box Office - Disney's "G-Force" is #1!

Neither the magic of Harry Potter nor the combined star power of Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler was enough to keep a crew of wise-cracking guinea pigs from scurrying to the top of the box office this weekend. Disney’s family comedy G-Force, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and featuring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Will Arnett, and Penelope Cruz as a team of world-saving rodents, made an estimated $32.2 million in its debut. Despite opening hot on the heels of the one-week old Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the animation/live action hybrid pic was a hit with young audiences, pulling 55 percent of its viewers from the under-18 crowd.

But Potter’s box office magic hasn’t worn off just yet: The series’ sixth installment landed in the number two spot its second weekend with $30 million, bringing its total to $221.8 million. After just 12 days in theaters, Half-Blood is already the fifth biggest hit of the year domestically, not to mention overseas, where the powerhouse has raked in an additional $236 million.

There was plenty for adults to enjoy at the box office, too. The Ugly Truth, a raunchy R-rated rom-com that pits Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler in a battle of the sexes, scored an impressive $27 million bow, a career best for both Heigl and director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde).

The weekend’s other wide release, Warner Bros’ creepy Orphan — starring Peter Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga — pulled in $12.8 million from an audience that was 55 percent female.

Lower down on the chart, Fox Searchlight’s (500) Days of Summer (at number 11 with $3 million) is still building momentum. The quirky rom-com posted a hefty $19,176 per-site average and a 95 percent increase over its debut last weekend.

Orphan
Jack Rico
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By

2009/07/23 at 12:00am

Reviews

Orphan

07.23.2009 | By |

Rated: R for disturbing violent content, some sexuality and language.
Release Date: 2009-07-24
Starring: David Johnson, Alex Mace
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://orphan-movie.warnerbros.com/

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Orphan

Spanish helmer Jaume Collet-Serra begins ‘Orphan’ like your usual thriller, with scare alerts and false alarms, but it then becomes savagely violent and because it’s source is an innocent child, that savagery is heightened to a surreal peak that makes one twitch and uncomfortable. The first hour is a pure frightful delight, but it’s second half discombobulates into a typical, laughable yet unpredictable Hollywood fare.

So you have an idea of the story, some have compared this film to ‘The Good Son’ starring Macaulay Culkin, but the similarities stop at the first half. ‘Orphan’ is the mother load of all evil child movies. It’s sick and beyond anything you’d expect.  The script has parts where it is absurd and ridiculous, but what about ‘Friday the 13th’ and ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ movies and we all love it, don’t we? Orphan is actually better than those films. The first half is as good as any suspense movie as I’ve seen since The Strangers, regrettably the rest of the film cannot be defended. What it could have been.

In this premise, the tragic loss of a couples’ (Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard) unborn child has devastated them. It has taken a toll on both their marriage and Kate’s fragile psyche as she is plagued by nightmares and haunted by demons from her past. Struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy in their lives, the couple decides to adopt young 10 year old girl. At the local orphanage, both John and Kate find themselves strangely drawn to a young girl named Esther. Almost as soon as they welcome Esther into their home, however, an alarming series of events begins to unfold, leading Kate to believe that there’s something wrong with Esther – this seemingly angelic little girl is not what she appears to be. Concerned for the safety of her family, Kate tries to get John and others to see past Esther’s sweet facade.

Director Jaume Collet-Serra is known in the circles for making the horror remake ‘House of Wax’ co-starring one rich and young Paris Hilton. This is by far a better offering than the aforementioned. The protagonists Peter Sarsgaard and Vera Farmiga are well-cast in the role, however,  the manner in which the movie handles the other children, Daniel and Max, are perturbing. The film uses them as pawns in a demented game of danger and peril.

The climax is rather startling, combining the logic of the situation with audacity in exploiting its terror. Yet you have to hand it to ‘Orphan.’ You want a good horror film about a child from hell, you got one. This film is not for minors and I say this with all frankness, do not take children to see it. You’ll thank me for it later.

The Ugly Truth
Jack Rico
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By

2009/07/23 at 12:00am

Reviews

The Ugly Truth

07.23.2009 | By |

Rated: R for sexual content and language.
Release Date: 2009-07-24
Starring: Nicole Eastman, Karen McCullah Lutz, Kirsten Smith
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country: USA
Official Website: http://www.theuglytruth-movie.com/

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The Ugly Truth

The Ugly Truth sells a fantasy about placing together two attractive individuals and telling the audience they are falling in love rather than taking the time to develop interesting characters and building up the romance. The only thing that differentiates it from far too many other uninspired rom-coms is that some of the material is funny and there is an occasional edge to the repartee. Beyond that, however, it’s a cookie-cutter movie, and the cookies are pretty stale.

A romantically challenged morning show producer (Heigl) is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent (Butler) to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

The two stars, Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, are the next coming of Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. They’re both photogenic and their chemistry is hit-and-miss, but I can’t help wonder if this is more symptomatic of problems with the direction of Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde) and the weaknesses in the screenplay. When they’re given a full scene in which to interact, there’s something there, but those moments are few and far between.

 

The Ugly Truth is a neatly packaged product that comes with all the consumer friendly safety labels. The comedy, as sophomoric as it often is, relieves some of the boredom of the generic love story. The movie is more like a re-make than something new, but many viewers find comfort in the familiar, and this might be for them. In my opinion, it is a letdown except for a few laugh out loud racy scenes that salvage fromabsolute mediocrity. If I want to re-visit this formula, I’ll head for the DVD shelf, where better interpretations of the same basic story exist. And that my friends is ‘The Ugly Truth.’

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