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Reviews
Conan the Barbarian (2011)
Bad Remake of a classic
When the original Conan the Barbarian came out in 1982, it was a classic. I was hoping this remake or I should say a different version would at least bring back some of the fun of watching Conan slaying monsters, beasts and enemies, but it failed. The movie was basically many action sequences stitched together into a 2 hours long movie. No one would expect much story in this movie, but the action sequences were not good either. The first few action sequences were serviceable, but they quickly grew tiresome. The actors and actresses are not bad and I loved to watch Stephen Lang being a villain. However, there is no comparing between this movie and the originally movie and I hope that they are not going to make another one.
Final Destination 3 (2006)
Repeated!
This is the third movie about "Death" as a force that no one can escape its design. I watched the first movie of the series and enjoyed it a lot. However, this third movie of the series is so much like the first movie that it feel like the director just take the storyline from the first movie and make it into another movie to squeeze more money from the moviegoers. There is really not much to say about the storyline. If you watched the first movie of the series, then you know the storyline of this movie. The things that are different are the characters (all the characters in the first movie are all death) and the ways that each "escapees" died. Judging on the success of this movie, they certainly will make more movies. But I would like to make a suggestion that they should add more creativity to the series. Why not let someone beat the "Death" design and defeat "Death" for once.
The Pink Panther (2006)
Mildly Entertaining Movie
Pink Panther remind me of the Naked Gun series in the 80s. The story is simple and irrelevant. So the actors and the actresses, especially the main characters must be extremely good in order to hold the movie together. Well Steve Martin did just that. His facial expressions and his words (or accent) are funny, especially when he tries to say hamburger in English. There is not much creativity in this movie and the jokes are done before in other movies. I haven't seen the original Pink Panther movie(s),however, this version is a mildly entertaining movie that can deliver some much needed laughs when the horror movies rule the box office.
Nanny McPhee (2005)
Moderate Fun
Nanny McPhee is a movie that tries to teach both children and adult 5 different lessons. The movie is as predictable as many other average children movies. The movie opens with the father talking about how naughty his children are and the children are in need of some behavior education. Then Nanny McPhee shows up and she is a witch who uses her magical wand (or stick) to teach the children five lessons. The story is simple and well intended. Emma Thompson did a good job in acting as Nanny McPhee and it is delightful to see her coming in and out the screen like a witch. However, the children are not remarkable, except for Simon who got the most screen time among the children. The director is wise to keep the movie short. Overall this movie is not a bad movie, however, it is not an outstanding movie either.
King Kong (2005)
Mixed Feelings
King Kong is a well known story to millions of people and director Peter Jackson has brought it back to the big screen with much longer screen time and much bigger budget. Is it worth watching? My answer would be yes. Is it as good as Titanic or any of the Lord of the Rings movies? Definitely no. I have to admire Peter Jackson's courage to lengthen the story to include more human emotions and he succeeded in one area, but failed in another area. The relationship between King Kong and the "beauty" (Naomi Watts) is well defined and actually evoked a lot of emotion from me. The tragedy between King Kong and the "beauty" has connected me with King Kong, a computer generated character and I felt sad to see him die. However, Peter Jackson also created a similar relationship between the "beauty" and male (Adrien Brody). This human relationship of risk-all for a beauty does not work well and it is greatly overshadowed by the relationship of King Kong and the "beauty." The other human characters are just like cardboards that are not really interesting and inconsistent, except Jack Black character who is supposed to be the evil character of the movie. One example of inconsistency of character development is the captain who switches from greedy, practical minded character to bravery and heroic not just once, but actually twice in the movie. King Kong would be a much better movie if it only concentrated on the love story between King Kong (the Beast) and the "Beauty." It can be much shorter and much more entertaining. Overall, King Kong is still a good movie, but it is not as enjoyable as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or any of the Lord of the Rings movies.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Good Family Movie
The Chronicles of Narnia:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the best family movie offered in this Christmas season. Director Andrew Adamson really didn't leave any stones unturned. The special effects are extremely well done and the animals in the movie are as real as human beings in the movie. The final battle scene is well edited and it can be used to compare with the battle scene in Lord of the Rings movies. Of course, the battle scenes in Lord of the Rings movies are better than the battle scene in this movie, but this movie is for children and showing any bloody battle scenes would not be wise. And the special effects are not the main point of the movie that make me love this movie. The family and the emotions between Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter are the main points of this movie. The four main characters are well cast and they really make this movie works. Another area of the movie that really elevates this movie is the score. Harry Gregson-Williams is the composer of all the scores in this movie and they are not only appropriate for this movie, but they are actually increase the entertainment values of the movie. To me, I think the scores are even better done than Lord of the Rings movies. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is perfect for family to enjoy. Director Andrew Adamson and the casts have brought a classic story to the big screen with satisfying results.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Just in time for Christmas
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is one of the most entertaining movies of the year. It mixes excellent story telling with first-rated special effects. Peter Jackson has done even better job than Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. The battle of Helm Deep is almost as real as a real battle scene. The relationship between Frodo and Sam is further developed in this movie. With all the poorly made movies released in the last month, Lord of the Rings: The Two Tower is a gem in the holiday season.
Treasure Planet (2002)
A movie that doesn't seem right
There is something wrong with Treasure Planet. The drawings and the computer animations are impressive, but the story is confusing and unrealistic. If the story can display a clear line between good and evil, it may be more fun to watch. It seems that Disney is trying to get the movie to the theatre as quick as possible and it doesn't want to invest more time to develop the characters more clearly. With no romance and confusing characters development, this movie will not generate big bug for Disney as it hopes for.
8 Mile (2002)
A movie star is born
I'm not a friend of Rap or Eminem, but Eminem's performance in 8 mile is really impressive. I can see that Eminem did put some efforts in showing the character's inner feeling. The story is a standard underdog story that a really talent person fights for a chance to be recognized. I think Eminem is a fine actor and he could be another Will Smith who is both a successful musician and a successful movie star.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Incredible Special Effects.
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones has the best special effects than any other movie. The last half hour of the movie is incredible. The scene that Master Yoda fights against Count Dooku is easily be the best sequence of the movie. The romance is okay, but it is not as interesting as the special effects. George Lucas is one of the best action directors of our time. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Great movie but a bit too long
The movie is a candy for the eyes. It gets many great special effects. For example, the special effects for the "game" are well made. The first half of the movie is interesting and is moving fast enough to keep me excited. However, the second half of the movie is moving much slower. Most of the scenes between the "game" and the seeking of "sorcerer's stone" can be made shorter. The actors and actresses are well casted and I certainly will recommend this movie to anyone.