THE UNBORN

ENGLISH - (18PL) - 26 March 2009 - Horror/Thriller
Distributor: Rogue Picture
Running time: about 87 mins.
Director: David S. Goyer
Producers: Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Brad Muller
Writers: David S. Goyer
Casts: Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Cam Cigandet, Megan Good
Plot: Casey Bell hated her mother for leaving her as a child. However, when inexplicable things start to happen, Casey begins to understand why she left. Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost that haunts her waking hours, she must turn to the only spiritual advisor, Sendak. With his help, Casey uncovers the source of a family curse dating back to Nazi Germany - a creature with the ability to inhabit anyone or anything, which is getting stronger with each possession. With the curse unleashed, her only chance at survival is to shut a doorway from beyond our world that has been pried open by someone who was never born.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! The movie is basically a remake adaptation from a similar atmosphere and theme from 2003's same-name Thai horror. Hollywood still spent millions of dollar to remake Asian horror but so far none really find success in stateside besides The Grudge (Ju-On). Counting unstellar credibility, this one will not make much different like the others.

Casey is palgued by nightmares and visions of a strange looking dog and a blue-eyed child. She starts to experiencing Tetragametic chimerism and Heterochromia. After questioning her father she learns she had a twin brother who died in the womb. Casey begins to suspect that the spirit haunting her is the soul of her dead twin, being possessed by a dybbuk, wanting to be born so it can transfer to the world of the living. Now, Casey need to find a way to get it out forever.

The story is predictable and not that strong to follow through. There is so many loopholes around and one can easily points out the lack in the characterization in this movie. The plot is simple and deals merely on the spookiness to attract you but failed to utilize a stronger essence of story telling. Therefore, there is not much point to talk about in the movie but rather more psychological game installed. One also can easily discussed on how limited certain characters can be - especially Rabbi Sendak and Casey's father.

However, the use of a different mythology from the conventional Asian (Thai, Chinese, etc) or some Western cultures are somehow interesting. You have seen a Malay, Chinese and Catholic before but have you ever a Jewish exorcism. Well, here you go.

It was very unfortunate to see how Odette Yustman failed to shine like what she had did last year in Cloverfield. She tried so hard to make it real for this movie but it did not drive the movie further. Gary Oldman as Rabbi Sendak had a limited scenes and his character was supposed to be a very important one as well. The exorcism only lasted for 5-10 minutes. It was not what I hope for.

Another cheap low cost horror movie, how far it can go without any propaganda and exciting trailer. In fact the trailer looks more scarier than the real movie in edit. It is not so recommended but you have to understand, there are some of us there who loves horror still.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 2.0 stars

STORY - 2.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.0 stars

EFFECTS - 3.0 stars

an overall>> 2.5 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 9.2

KNOWING

ENGLISH - (PG13) - 26 March 2009 - Action/Thriller

Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Running time: about 122 mins.
Director: Alex Proyas
Producers: Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch
Writers: Alex Proyas, Stuart Hazeldine, Juliet Snowden
Casts: Nicolas Cage, Rose Bryne, Lara Robinson, Chandler Canterbury
Plot: When a teacher (Nicolas Cage) opens a time capsule that was dug up recently in his son's elementary school, he discovers that it contains some chilling and strange predictions about the future. Some events have already occurred and some are yet to unfold. The discoveries soon lead him into believing that his family plays a role in the events that are about to unfold.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! The beginning, it looks like an X-Files movies with some unexplained natural weirdness in a little girl back in the late 50s. Later we are transport back into the present setting with a boy with another weirdness. It turns out that these kids have an ability given to predict the future and prophecy about something unspeakable to happen to the Earth, and the movie is about to give you a ride of the hella-good!! Imagine this, a crossover between The Da Vinci Code, X-Files and The Day After Tomorrow.

Nicolas Cage stars as a single parents of one, whom worked at MIT as a astro-physician. His son found a letter containing numerous patterns of nymbers encrypted on a piece of paper; earlier shown to be written by a girl 50 years back with the help of the whispers from unknown entity. At first John Koestler (Nicolas) dismissed the numbers as been random but later he managed to pull a string of answers where the numbers represents the major natural disaster events over the last 50 years. Only missing, another three events not yet occur, therefore, in a race against time, John need to SAVE THE WORLD!!

The story may end up been a typical theme of global disaster and some unknown entity that we are familiar off. However, I must highlight the differences in the terms of story telling and what idea the movie is putting above. The use of number logarithm itself makes the story very interesting that thankfully it helps to make the movie not as dire-strait and old-fashioned as the other 'end of the world" movies. It is not your normal disaster movie that based merely on sciences like The Day The Earth Stood Still or The Day after Tomorrow.

The story places itself into two halves. First, the prediction and chains of events that occur. I can't help to notice that why the numbers written by the little girl end up inside the time capsule where she should have written it somewhere else? However, it was intriguing to see this first part although predictable by its trailer that nobody what you try to do to stop it, these chains of events will determined to occur. Just look at the crashing plane at the highway or the malfunction subway train that cause huge accidents; these events will make you feel "Wow" and spooky at the same time.

The second half is the one that makes the movie more exciting. Put aside some of your science text book but now throw in more religiously thought and extra-human-kinetic and ability, you got more forces playing on the movie. The plot is easy to follow and somehow does not need a deep knowledge about other stuffs to easily allow you to cruise through the movie. This half is something new because it breaks away from traditional believes and conception we have about certain things in life.

Fortunately also, this time no under-performance by Nicolas Cage. Remember that this movie is selling under his name solely and he prove otherwise that we should forget about Bangkok Dangerous but really into this. He did a great job as emotionally and charcaterization of a single father, and a thriller anchorage. The two kids were equally stunning and I think it would be great to see their bright future after this movie.

The effects are needless to say. It was awesome and have a great chilling effect that scoop through the core of your bones. The sequence of any major disaster happening is visually stunning and makes you hit with a WOW-factor. In the nutshell, I think this movie may end up to be a must watch movie for all.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 4.0 stars

STORY - 4.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 4.0 stars

EFFECTS - 4.0 stars

an overall>> 4.0 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 16.0

NEW MOVIES THIS WEEK - 26/03/2009

Opening nationwide this week, five movies will be released to the audience. Headlining the week we have Confessions Of A Shopaholic - a film about shopping endlessly by Isla Fisher, phenomenon pics of Knowing by Nicholas Cage, John Cena's 12 Rounds, a pair of horrors - My Bloody Valentine 3D and The Unborn; and our own local Talentime.

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (PG13) English - Comedy/Romance
Based on the book by Sophie Kinsella, "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" is about one Rebecca Bloomwood who unintentionally lands a job writing for a boring financial magazine. Ironically writing about the very consumer caution of which she herself has not abided, Rebecca's wins critical acclaim, public success, and the admiration of her supportive boss Luke. But as she draws closer to her ultimate goal of writing for renowned fashion magazine Alette, she questions her true ambitions and must determine if overcoming her "shopaholic" condition will bring her real happiness.

KNOWING (PG13) English - Thriller/Drama

When a teacher (Nicolas Cage) opens a time capsule that was dug up recently in his son's elementary school, he discovers that it contains some chilling and strange predictions about the future. Some events have already occurred and some are yet to unfold. The discoveries soon lead him into believing that his family plays a role in the events that are about to unfold.


12 ROUNDS (18SG) English - Action
When New Orleans Police Detective Danny Fisher stops a brilliant thief from getting away with a multi-million-dollar heist, the thief's girlfriend is accidentally killed. After escaping from prison, the criminal mastermind enacts his revenge, taunting the cop with a series of near-impossible puzzles and tasks - 12 rounds - that Baxter must somehow complete to save the life of his own fiancee.



TALENTIME (U) Malay - Drama/Romance/Comedy
A talent search competition has matched two hearts - that of Melur, a Malay-mixed girl and an Indian male student, Mahesh. Melur, with her melodious voice, singing whilst playing the piano is one of the seven finalists of the Talentime competition of her school organised by Cikgu Adibah. Likewise Hafiz, enthralling with his vocalist talent while playing the guitar, divides his time between school and mother, who is hospitalised for brain tumor.


MY BLOODY VALENTINE (18PL) English - Thriller/Horror

Tom returns to his hometown on the tenth anniversary of the Valentine's night massacre that claimed the lives of 22 people. Instead of a homecoming, however, Tom finds himself suspected of committing the murders, and it seems like his old flame is the only one who believes in his innocence.


THE UNBORN (18PL) English - Thriller/Horror

Casey Bell hated her mother for leaving her as a child. However, when inexplicable things start to happen, Casey begins to understand why she left. Plagued by merciless dreams and a tortured ghost that haunts her waking hours, she must turn to the only spiritual advisor, Sendak. With his help, Casey uncovers the source of a family curse dating back to Nazi Germany - a creature with the ability to inhabit anyone or anything, which is getting stronger with each possession. With the curse unleashed, her only chance at survival is to shut a doorway from beyond our world that has been pried open by someone who was never born.

THE INTERNATIONAL

ENGLISH - (18SG) - 19 March 2009 - Action/Thriller
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Running time: about 119 mins.
Director: Tom Twyker
Producers: Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Lloyd Phillips
Writers: Eric Singer
Casts: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Haluk Bilginer
Plot: Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering a myriad of reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing - even murder - to continue financing terror and war.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! From Berlin to Milan, then to New York and finally at Istanbul, The International is simply an international features of high tense and moderately action thriller. The story of the octane drama is said to be based similarly on the now defunct Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI). Co-incidently the focus of the movie is IBBC (International Bank of Business and Credit)!!

Interpol Louis Salinger (Owen) and Manhattan Assistant DA Eleanor Whitman (Watts) are on a mission in Berlin to uncover one of their long forged investigation into one of the most powerful bank in the world that deals money laundering, arm dealing and financing certain organization that affects national stability. Then, clues by clues get them closer and closer to the main suspect before interrogation of higher authority give them some roadblock.

The appeal for the movie is so low that one may easily ignore it. However, you should not. The story is an absolute strong portrayal of the reality we have in our back. The movie highlights a deep international banking business that deals some of the highly-profile international crime and organization, ala carte from some Casino Royale pieces of anchoring story. It also deals on something we never seen before, how Interpol officers really doing their jobs across the boundary of nation and international laws. However, if you are impatient and does not like talking to explain the movie, I would reckon you not to really try this. The movie deals a lot of deep conversation and detailing the events for further explaination. There are elements of CSI on it too.

Clive Owen and Naomi Watts' characters are some great duo that testify how this movie is successfully deals some deeper crime investigation. They show great strength for bringing their character and emotion while dealing the case. Somehow, you can largely ignore any possibility of romance sparkle in the movie. In The International, the romance relationship between them is totally zero. Yet, they anchor the movie well. The other illusive fact is that constant one-man-show by Louis Salinger in the investigation, it may sounds cocky but its actually good deal.

You may expect moderate amount of thriller and actions. You do not need so many as one is enough, particularly in the scene where gun bullets flying exchanging sides while Louis is in pursuit of the hired assassin inside the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum. This scene lasting of about 10 minutes detailing the capture and the escape plan with dodging bullets and firing bullets around - simply breathtaking.

This is a brainpower combining firepower types of actioner. Enjoy as you can and I find this movie interesting enough to deal with many crises and suspenses at the same time.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 3.5 stars

STORY - 3.5 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 4.0 stars

EFFECTS - 3.5 stars

an overall>> 3.5 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 14.3

THE READER

ENGLISH - (18PL) - 5 March 2009 - Drama/War/Romance
Distributor: Weinstein Company
Running time: about 122 mins.
Director: Stephen Daldry
Producers: Anthony Minghella, Sydney Pollack, Scott Rudin
Writers: David Hare (screenplay), Bernhard Schlink (novel)
Casts: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, Alexandra Maria Lara
Plot: The story opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken. Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life - this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed, Michael uncovers a deep secret that will impact both of their lives.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! Another late entry on this Oscar-nominated movie. It was released quite late in Malaysia and I had the opportunity to ponder on how great Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes are. The Reader is an adaptation from one of the best selling Germany novel about a long lost and huge age gap love relationship between two peoples.

Michael is a boy and he met a woman twice his age, Hanna. Hanna took care of her during his illness due to scarlet fever. However, as affections turned more in depth love, their relationship broke one day when Hanna decided to move to other place without much explaination - she left without a note. Years later, Michael now a solicitor found himself in a discussion regarding the Nazis wrong doing on the concentration camp conspiracy when he found out that one of the testifying accused was Hanna.

The story is strong for the need to show a honest and true love between two peoples from different age gap and background of life. It has a good story telling but cannot match Stephen Daldry's other full features - Billy Elliot and The Hours. The narration is less powerful to drive the movie alone, while the lack of empathy in the story becomes an obvious different from the novel. Although well-realization vision and highly dramatic, but I found that this movie easily been the weakest among the 5 Best Picture nominees due to lack in strength.

Of course the only thing that lift the movie high enough is perhaps the acting performance by Kate, David and Ralph. Kate Winslet is one of the British finest actress on this era. Hard to imagine but understandly her character as an angry, annoyed and self-determined Hanna Schmidt is delightful and out of the class. Her characterization in depth well and I do enjoy her role very much. The same goes to Ralph Fiennes, another fine actor from British Isles. He is as gorgeous as he is always and his role as an adult Michael pours in much emotion and devotion that made his character equally enjoyable.

With young guns like David Kross, a German young actor which barely speaks English in his home, his performance is certainly worth to mention especially his chemistry with Kate Winslet. Their hot scene in which not many 15 years old would enjoy is very intriguing and highly controversial.

Certainly this is a crowd-pleaser to see the actings by high quality. Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes are enough to raise the standard of acting so far up but the story telling narration is lack of power.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 4.0 stars

STORY - 2.5 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars

EFFECTS - 3.0 stars

an overall>> 3.0 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 12.7

MARLEY AND ME

ENGLISH - (U) - 5 March 2009 - Comedy
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Running time: about 105 mins.
Director: David Frankel
Producers: Gil Netter, Kevin Halloran, Karen Rosenfelt
Writers: Scott Frank, Don Roos (screenplay), John Grogan (novel)
Casts: Owen wilson, Jennifer Aniston, Eric Dane, Alan Arkin
Plot: Adapted from John Grogan's bestselling book about his Labrador retriever, the movie stars Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as a couple who adopts the badly behaved but much-loved dog named, of course, Marley, who eventually teaches them what really matters in life.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! Movies about dogs are cool. Remember Beethoven? Now you have more coming out with Hotel For Dogs next on my list, why not I spend my time here for Marley And Me, a movie which has been delayed since Christmas release in America.


The movie tells a story about a true-memoir in John Grogan and Jenny Grogan, a lovable couple from the journalism industry about their life surrounding about their dog, a Labrador called Marley. Tagged as the world's worst dog, both Josh and Jenny (played by Owen and Jennifer respectively) have to live and learn how to deal with it, eventually one day, the bond of love and care existed between them.


First aspect as always I am looking for is the story. Here, Marley And Me presented a great story narration by Owen himself. The narrative is powerful to anchor the story well and meaningful. The movie sets a brief but compact storyline that enable everything to be explained easily and reaches out to audience more. Although everything seems tight, the story managed to grab the audience heart and emotion very well. The uses of several themes are nicely done - from the aspect of family-hood, self-motivation and human-animal love are crafted in the best emotional and as perspective as possible to reflect the real glimpse and humour before an emotional ending.


Forget about Brad Pitt. Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson make a cute couple. They are strong in every aspect of the movie; from their chemistry on-screen up to the characterization and personas they bring in the movie. As a patient and loving family man, Owen steps aside of their comedy to fit the shoe well. Jennifer been good as well as a wife who has a successful career but emotionally burst out after the birth of the second child, played well by portraying the essence of mother love and emotional break down a woman may experience. Also been fantastic, the chief editor played by Alan Arkin, who has his poker-face jokes did well in the movie.

With a great story, comes a great cinematography as well. Every scene is particular and nicely matched up with the situations. Marley and Me is not a bored movie and it is not only about a dog named Marley. This movie gives a great sense of value and will be good to general appeal, whether is family and love-bird. I strongly encourage you to enjoy this movie and it should be great to see how a dog perception may changed after this.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 4.0 stars

STORY - 4.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars

EFFECTS - 3.0 stars

an overall>> 3.5 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 15.1

NEW MOVIE THIS WEEK - 19/03/2009

Opening nationwide this week, five movies will be released to the audience. Headlining the week we have The International - a film about international bank ploy by Clive Owen and Naomi Watts, canine kid pics of Hotel For Dogs, Tactical Unit, Saus Kacang and Taken - Liam Neeson's action drama in saving his kidnapped daughter.

THE INTERNATIONAL (U) English - Action/Thriller
Interpol Agent Louis Salinger and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Whitman are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks. Uncovering a myriad of reprehensible illegal activities, Salinger and Whitman follow the money from Berlin to Istanbul. Finding themselves in a high-stakes chase across the globe, their relentless tenacity puts their own lives at risk as their targets will stop at nothing - even murder - to continue financing terror and war.


HOTEL FOR DOGS (U) English - Comedy
"Hotel For Dogs" is about four children who secretly take in nine stray dogs without the knowledge of their parents and hide them in a vacant house.


TAKEN (PG13) English - Action/Thriller [movie review]
Bryan (Liam Neeson), a former secret agent living in the US, reluctantly lets his 17-year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace, "Lost") go on holiday to Paris with a friend. Upon arrival in Paris, the two girls meet a seemingly nice young man who turns out to be a member of an Albanian crime syndicate, promptly kidnapping and forcing them into prostitution. Bryan must rely on his old skills in order to rescue his daughter from the slave trade.


SAUS KACANG (U) Malay - Drama/Romance
Set in the beautiful island of Bali, the film revolves around Dewi, a chef at a five star hotel and Fredo, a Malaysian tourist. During Fredo's stay at the hotel, he causes a lot of grief for the hotel employees. Nevertheless, Dewi has a motto that says no guest is ever too difficult. So through the challenge of "handling" Fredo, both start to grow feelings for each other. However, complications arise when Fredo's fiancee goes to Bali and Dewi worries that their love will end.


TACTICAL UNIT (PG13) Cantonese - Drama/Romance
When the police force is handed a blurry videotape of Police Tactical Unit (PTU) officers beating up a triad member in an alleyway, senior officers summon that area's patrol team to find out who was responsible. Once questioned, the group headed by Lee Wing Sam (Simon Yam) and May Cheung (Maggie Siu) closes ranks and remains tight-lipped. But once the questioning is over, the team heads out to find Shing, the man who was beaten in the recording, before the internal affairs officers investigating them can get to him.

RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN

ENGLISH - (U) - 12 March 2009 - Adventure/Comedy/Science Fiction
Distributor: Buena Vista
Running time: about 99 mins.
Director: Andy Fickman
Producers: Andrew Gunn, Mario Iscovich, Anne Marie sanderlin
Writers: Andy Fickman, Mark Bomback, Matt Lopez
Casts: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, AnnaSophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Tom Everett Scott
Plot: A modern re-imagining of its classic 1975 adventure movie "Escape to Witch Mountain," about a pair of siblings, endowed with paranormal powers, who goes on a run from a diabolical group of men who wish to exploit their abilities.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! In the re-imagining of the 1970's classic of Witch Mountain, there is some issue to be pointed out here. Taking another, re-imagining it for the other looked to have hurt a bit of the movie in some angle. Dwayne Johnson and the alien kids in this movie may not be enough to please the movie critic circle but sure should have done enough to please the audience.

Jack Bruno (Dwayne Johnson) is a cab driver in Las Vegas. He did like every other normal guy did, to earn a living. Until one day, he met with this two strangers (teenage kids) riding on his cab. However, things change when he began to realize that he is stuck in between of high suspense pursuit from two sides - the alien bounty hunter and some government agent. Jack has to do it all out to ensure the safety of the two friendly visitors.

First of all I would like to strongly say that this is no ordinary kid-pics. The intensity, high chasing drama and some degree of creepiness; this is way from typical kid-pics. Recently we have seen more and more kiddie been moving away from its traditional core into more mature theme of screenplay. This movie proved to be another newer example. The darker themes compared to its original sources are highly appraisal but it would only good for a family outing-type of movie. The pace is fast and the witty dialogue is a standing out. But I failed to notice the humour nature inside the movie. It seems that every time a comedy line appear, it looks unnatural and looks forced.

Long gone the day when The Rock has moved away from wrestling world but to turn professionally in acting. I would say he did another hell good job. He is very charismatic and very lenient towards the characterization. However, the most disappointing of all is perhaps the two teenage alien did not done the good job as Dwayne did. AnnaSophia and Alexander were just unmemorable in this movie.

With the price tag of US$ 25 million, the movie is a low budget one. Therefore, expect the same with the use of special effect in the movie. The bullet stopping part which reminded me of The Matrix style just doesn't work nicely. This is just a pleasant movie but not the terrific one. It's too action for kids but lack of adrenaline for males.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 3.5 stars

STORY - 3.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars

EFFECTS - 3.0 stars

an overall>> 3.0 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 12.9

TAKEN

ENGLISH - (18PL) - 19 March 2009 - Action/Thriller
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Running time: about 93 mins.
Director: Pierre Morel
Producers: Luc Besson
Writers: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Casts: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace, Xander Berkeley, Holly Valance
Plot: Bryan (Liam Neeson), a former secret agent living in the US, reluctantly lets his 17-year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace, "Lost") go on holiday to Paris with a friend. Upon arrival in Paris, the two girls meet a seemingly nice young man who turns out to be a member of an Albanian crime syndicate, promptly kidnapping and forcing them into prostitution. Bryan must rely on his old skills in order to rescue his daughter from the slave trade.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! In the recent years when Jason Bourne began to give a deep impact, darker persona, kill who ever on the way and more action-punching than some expensive gadget owned by the old James Bond, we have seen a tidal wave sweeping over James Bond. Even the new James Bond as portrayed by Daniel Craig resembles very closely to Bourne. Well, now you have another one but slightly in an older version.

For Bryan Mills, a retired secret agent who assumed the nickname job or preventer, wishes to spend more time with his 17-years old daughter who currently is staying with his ex-wife. It so happen that it his daughter is going to Paris for holiday and somehow, old Bryan has some dejavu of uncertainty of letting his daughter going to Paris and here comes his over-protective figure. For the sake of his daughter, he allow her to go but things get nasty on first day of trip in which his daughter is kidnapped by a crime ring. The rest is about Bryan resembling Bourne.

What do you think? I thought this is a decent piece of actioner with a great plot and easy to follow. The plot is compact and straight forward, which explain its 93 minutes rundown of the movie. As the story reach the abduction part, you will feel some goosebump yourself, making you imagine things on your own - how to save ourself? However, I can't help to notice the silliness used on the screenplay with ultimatum relied on the chances and co-incidence. When I think back, it has a good theme for ransom movie, but it seems that everything that Bryan did to find his daughter in Paris and to rescue her before the critical 96 hours are up, is more or less playing the odds with the God. The funny thing is they are all so happen in co-incidence. As I mentioned earlier, he also have the same Bond's style of killing whom ever on his way - no mercy!!

Liam Neeson is a respectable actor with great persona in within himself. He was lucky to be enrolled in it or else the characterization would have destroyed if some other is in his role. I would have to say, he did quite well for the role and he execute the characterization well. The whole movie is seems to be all about him. The rest of the casts are good but no way near his own performance. Not even a feature by the hot singer Holly Valance can turn him atop. But blame the average dialogue and story, Liam can do even better. He successfully transformed the father-daughter love into a hatred, revnge and killing machine beast.

The cinematography is okay, considering this movie takes you to much or more the ugly side of Paris - prostitution and immigrants. The action is done with stunts choreography, with absolute unnoticeable effects. The fighting and pursuit scene really resembles what we have in Jason Bournes'. It was fun to see these kind of movie rather than those highly special effects that makes it too animation. Sometimes, I just prefer the old way.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 4.5 stars

STORY - 4.0 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 4.0 stars

EFFECTS - 3.5 stars

an overall>> 4.0 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 16.3

NEW MOVIE THIS WEEK - 12/03/2009

Here are some trailers and some informations about the movies that will be new for general releasing this 12 March 2009. Among the headlines will of course the movie Dragonball Evolution itself. Enjoy the trailer and please do enjoy them in cinemas near you. Also, movies that will be given a full releasing in cinemas include Race To Witch Mountain by The Rock, Walden Media's City of Ember; and so much more.

CITY OF EMBER (U) English - ADVENTURE

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever.



DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION (PG13) English - ACTION

Based on the popular Japanese manga created by Akira Toriyama whose work spawned best-selling graphic novels, video games and a phenomenally successful television series, "Dragonball" centres on the heroic Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the Earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the Universe and controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name.



RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (U) English - ADVENTURE/COMEDY/SCIENCE FICTIONA modern re-imagining of its classic 1975 adventure movie "Escape to Witch Mountain," about a pair of siblings, endowed with paranormal powers, who goes on a run from a diabolical group of men who wish to exploit their abilities.


SAYANG (U) Malay - ROMANCE/DANCE/TEENMia (Sharifah Amani) is a daddy's girl from a rich family. As much as she is obsessed with hip hop dance, she thinks that it is impossible to realise her dancing dream. She meets Remie (Samuel Rizal), an outstanding break-dancer who changes her life. Together with Dafi (Dafi AF5) and Robby (Ebi Kornelis AF5), the enthusiastic teens train hard for a national-level break dance competition. While success is just around the corner, Mia's father's disapproval of her dancing puts a stop to everything, including her love for Remie.


THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX (U) English - FANTASY/ANIMATION/FAMILY Desperaux Tilling (Matthew Broderick) is a kind of mouse you wouldn't mind having at home. Desperaux loves light, admires beauty and adores the princess, which makes him the odd one out. From the rat-infested dungeons, Desperaux must make his way up to the glittering castle above. Will his quest too big for a small fellow like him? Featuring Matthew Broderick, the voice of adult Simba in "The Lion King", "The Tale of Desperaux" could be another version of "Ratatouille" perhaps?

DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION

ENGLISH - (PG13) - 12 March 2009 - Action
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Running time: about 86 mins.
Director: James Wong
Producers: James Wong, Stephen Chow
Writers: James Wong, Ben Ramsey, Akira Toriyama (manga)
Casts: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Chow Yun-Fat, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum, Joon Park, Eriko Tamura
Plot: Based on the popular Japanese manga created by Akira Toriyama whose work spawned best-selling graphic novels, video games and a phenomenally successful television series, "Dragonball" centres on the heroic Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the Earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the Universe and controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! Dragonball is not something synonym with me but I do enjoy the anime that was shown on TV2 every weekend morning during my adolescent period. However, when the plan to adapt it into a bigger screen had caused me to ponder a while - will it works well? Of course, I do not want to shatter your heart but the reality is it did not did well at all.

Goku as portrayed by some blonde (mind you, not Japanese), did not really fit the bill. However the story goes that we see Goku had been tenderly been nurtured by his 'grandfather' and trained him well in martial art. One day, he decided to pass on the mysterious Dragonball or Orb to Goku and entrusted him to protect it. However, things get haywired when Piccolo has escaped and returned to continue his evil plan, however he need the all 7 orbs to do so. Anyway, the story continues from there.

The story wise is been great at the first part of the movie. Although general may think that casting Justin Chatwin as Goku may seems odd and not up to expectation. However, the plots and dialogues were okay. Even at the early part, even Chow Yun Fat in the womanizer Master Rishi try so hard to be a comedic of all time but nevertheless still bearable. The turning point of the story, when this somehow a desert bandit called YamCha came in and the story goes messy and boring. The plot just experience some free fall and it plunge until no returns. Blame the comedic nature they tried to create or some unorganized and confusing crosspaths on the story. The character development is largely ignored and the story pace is too fast and kind of hard to relate to each other.

As I said, the acting was not bad although you can easily uttered your disgusts here and there. Goku seems unnatural especially with his magical chant boom "Kame Hame Ha..." - it's weird and sounds too American, well he is don't he. Rishi was comedic but may be sometimes over-act. Lord Piccolo didn't have much personas of his own and tend to be so mute, as if he has a limited dialogue to say. Chi Chi was underperfomed while Bulma and YamCha quickly develop into a sense of their own while been illogical.

It's again the use of special effects. I heard some rants that you can only see fireballs smashing around and the shaky camera scenes did its annoying trick again. Some fireball flying scenes were too shaky and you barely can really indulge in it. The cinematographic features of the wild Goku's world was excellent but no where near awesome. I think too much special effects hurt the film. Yes, it is a cartoonic film. However, the kind of fighting with non-sense act of gibberish chants and fireballs smashing around prove to be a bit lame.

What can I say, it just another movie from Hollywood!!

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 2.0 stars

STORY - 1.5 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.0 stars

EFFECTS - 3.0 stars

an overall>> 2.0 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 8.4

STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI

ENGLISH - (18PL) - 26 February 2009 - Action/Adventure/Science Fiction
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Running time: about 96 mins.
Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak
Producers: Patrick Aiello
Writers: Justin Marks
Casts: Kristin Kreuk, Neal McDonough, Chris Klein, Michael Clarke Duncan, Taboo, Robin Shou
Plot: Adapted from the famous series of fighting video games by Capcom, " Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li" focuses its story on the undercover Interpol agent, female fighter Chun-Li as she falls in the quest of finding justice after she found out that her father is murdered. The movie was shoot in numerous locations include Bangkok, Thailand, Hong Kong and Vancouver.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! It's been years since we last seen the game franchise on action. Last time around, Jean-Claude Van Damme was in the Street Fighter movie and this time, the franchise took a spin-off with the focus mainly on the character Chun-Li, This effort reminiscence the one which Fox is doing the same for the X-Men franchise. Not a vivid fan of SF, I think this movie is not something for a SF fan like my pal to cheer off.

The movie set from the point of Chun-Li, on her early life where her father Xiang was captured by Bison to work for him in an organization of terror (suddenly Street Fighters doing some terrorism and anti-terrorism now). Chun-Li grew up and later works as an undercover for Interpol, trying to look for justice when she learn that her father was murdered by Bison. There you go with the rest of the story, trying to tear down the Bison's organization.

The use of theme where SF dealing with the terrorism sounds okay but may a bit amusing. However, there may be no other better features by labeling the villains as terrorist while the protagonists as the counter, in which I'm okay with. The story little excitement and to the dismay it didn't hit the target for having something memorable coming out of the movie. It is a bit predictable while the pace was okay.

Unfortunately, they have no better cast than offering yet another American to become an Asian kick-ass machine. Let me reminds you that Dragonball Evolution will have a blonde for Goku!! She was not that impressive but considering the need for an angry characterization that masters her wushu well, she did average. Michael Clarke Duncan as Balrog was having so much fun time of his own. Neal McDonough as M Bison, now in an businessman outfit, instead of the army-dictator type, wow...he's turning into business now. Don't hope so much from the character as their development are nil.

Fighting choreography is good, instead the less uses of sonic-boom type of actioners are some thing they did avoid and which is good. Using some stylish sonic-boom will hurt the movie so much, yet another illogical actioner. However, this is a piece of normal actioner to fill your past time but don't forget, it's just another Street Fighter movie.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 2.5 stars

STORY - 2.5 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 2.5 stars

EFFECTS - 3.0 stars

an overall>> 2.5 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 10.3