BOX OFFICE NEWS MARCH 27, 2011

We have see this coming. At the US Box Office, Wimpy Kid knocks out Zack Snyder's fantasy action Sucker Punch leaving the latter totally sucked and punched right on its face. In a surprising estimated number, the sequel to the last year's Wimpy Kid drew 5 million bucks more than the anticipated affair, confirming all the suspicious box office activities that have been rumored all this week. It is also worthy to note that both movies were harshly welcomed by the movie critics but the Wimpy Kid has something like a 10-percent upper hand.

20th Century Fox's Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules taped in an estimated US$ 24.4 million over the weekend, which is better figure itself than the first movie about 53 weeks ago. 2010's Diary of a Wimpy Kid grossed US$ 22.1 million on its way to a final US$ 64 million. According to Box Office Mojo, 20th Century Fox's exit polling indicated that 51 percent of Rodrick Rules' audience was male and 59 percent was under 25 years old, which was nearly the same as the first movie. Expect a third movie to be green lighted and we will see something like Saw, coming out every year to cow some little cash.

Sucker Punch is all about styles but lacks a proper substance and it eventually plays like a fanboy affair. The movie is like a video game, challenging audience to a tip of the thin line between fantasy and reality that does not making any senses. In the end, opening in 3,033 locations (including 229 IMAX venues), Sucker Punch only managed a mediocre US$ 19.0 million, arriving on the low-end of industry expectation. It was also director Zack Snyder's worst live-action start yet, following 300, Watchmen and Dawn of the Dead. According to Box Office Mojo, Warner Bros.' research showed that 64 percent of the audience was male and 74 percent was under 35 years old.

The rest of the Box Office numbers can be obtained below:

Rank	Title	Weekend Gross ($)	Change (%)	Total Gross ($)
1	DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES	24,400,000	NEW	24,400,000
2	SUCKER PUNCH	19,015,000	NEW	19,015,000
3	LIMITLESS	15,225,000	-19.5	41,281,000
4	THE LINCOLN LAWYER	11,000,000	-16.7	28,9670,000
5	RANGO	9,850,000	-35.0	106,363,000
6	BATTLE LOS ANGELES	7,600,000	-47.7	72,580,000
7	PAUL	7,506,000	-42.5	24,610,000
8	RED RIDING HOOD	4,340,000	-39.6	32,453,000
9	THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU	4,245,000	-26.5	54,871,000
10	MARS NEEDS MOMS	2,186,000	-58.9	19,152,000
11	BEASTLY	2,185,000	-31.7	25,314,000
12	HALL PASS	1,755,000	-31.7	42,373,000

*Note: All figures are ESTIMATED grosses. Courtesy of BOX OFFICE MOJO

Related articles

• Box Office: Wimpy Kid K.O.s Sucker Punch (time.com)
• Weekend Box Office - DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES Knocks Out SUCKER PUNCH (collider.com)
• Wimpy Kid Beats Sucker Punch at the Box Office (seattlepi.com)

BRING HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 HOME NOW WITH TESCO ENTERTAINMENT

Many are amazed by the fact that how Harry Potter series has been made and some critics hailed it as the most wonderful movie that have ever watched before. It scores 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, while it is not the best in its series, "Harry Porter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One" is one of a great movie to watch for in 2010. It is easy to come to this conclusion despite the fact that Harry Potter has grown up and evolved into a much darker story every time one book after another. Fans of the book will definitely enjoy the movie nevertheless.

The closing chapter of the popular wizard boy series is drawing near. Of course, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is the seventh and the last book in the series which will brings the readers into the final epic battle of 'sorcerer' between Harry Potter and Lord Voldermort. For that, Warner Bros is splitting it into two-parts. Last November, Warner Bros Pictures released the first part of the finale movie and it ended with a cliff-hanger while in the second part, will promises an absolute conclusion of the Harry Potter's journey in the past seven books.

THE PLOT SYNOPSIS

"Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction - the Horcruxes. On their own and on the run, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever... but Dark Forces in their midst threaten to tear them apart. Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place. The long-feared war has begun and the Dark Lord has seized control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting all who might oppose him. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort... alive."

HERE'S HOW TO OWN ONE

Feeling not satisfy of watching "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows - Part One" in the movie theater? Or simply you just want to keep on pressing that 'Replay' button over and over again? Here is the deal - you can now bring home the whole adventure from the first part of the finale with an exclusive "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One" DVD with special features, beginning 11 April 2011. However, it costs only £ 9.99 with 'pre-order' now at Tesco Entertainment! If you order from Tesco Entertainment, you may enjoy some of these benefits: free UK delivery, double Clubcard points and 'Pre-Order Price Promise' policy.

So what are you waiting for? Grab the opportunity before it is too late. Plus, there are lots of new release and upcoming DVDs from Tesco Entertainment at very low prices to choose from. Life get pretty handy only at Tesco Entertainment!

MOVIE REVIEW: THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU (PG13)

Genre: Science Fiction/Romance

Release Date: 03 March 2011

Running Time: 107 minutes

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Director: George Nolti

Screenplay: George Nolfi, based on "Adjustment Team" by Philip K. Dick

Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, Terence Stamp, John Slatter

Plot: On the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate, ambitious politician David Norris (Matt Damon) meets beautiful contemporary ballet dancer Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt), a woman like none he's ever known. But just as he realises he's falling for her, mysterious men conspire to keep the two apart. David learns he is up against the agents of Fate itself - the men of The Adjustment Bureau - who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together. In the face of overwhelming odds, he must either let her go and accept a predetermined path or risk everything to defy Fate and be with her.

Review: Few months back, the news that Universal Pictures bumped this out of the calmer autumn into another six months is not a good sign at all. Usually, although not always, a bump on its release date is a bad sign that studio is trying to dump their 'shitty' product. It is a shame that first time director George Nolfi may have his sci-fi mind-bender been dumped for nothing. Nolfi is a good writer that have contributed in The Bourne Ultimatum and Ocean's Twelve. After all, I have plenty of expectation for this to really work, jump starting Matt Damon's career after series of commercial disappointment, not since his Bourne trilogy came to an end. Am I wrong to give such a bold hope?

David Norris is running for the United State Senate but in 2006, he loses his lead following an exposition of his bad behavior in the public, ruining everything he has done for all this while. In a hotel bathroom, he rehearses for his concession when he meets a woman hiding in one of the stalls. She encourages him to be more original and honest. Attracted to each other, they kiss before David leaves to make the speech. Inspired by the woman, David goes off script and makes an honest speech that makes him a favorite for the 2010 Senate race.

Later, while riding a bus, David encounters Elise, the woman from the bathroom, who introduces herself and gives him her phone number. David works at a venture capital firm run by his campaign manager, and arrives early. He finds his boss motionless and being examined by strange men in suits. They chase him, and no matter where he runs they catch up to him. David is taken to a warehouse, and Richardson tells him about the Adjustment Bureau. If David tells anyone about them he will be "reset", effectively lobotomized. The plan called for him to meet Elise only once, and he is told to forget her; Richardson destroys the paper with her phone number. The team attempts to reconnect David and Elise for the next three years. What will happen next and will David fights back for his own destiny?

For a starter, let me express my relief that this film does not ended up in a garbage truck. In fact, The Adjustment Bureau is a smart, casual and decent science fiction movie to begin with. It is amazing how Nolfi managed to make this movie less-Inception but still taking the whole level of cerebral experience at still essentially fun while continue to pose out some questions on humanity to the audiences. It is striking and Nolfi admits that this movie is intended to raise questions but leaving the audiences to decide which allegory or answer to take on. Thus, The Adjustment Bureau is a simple film for thought and ponder, while leaving heavy plots behind thus avoiding the conflict to be a little complex to go through.

In The Adjustment Bureau, it interrogates simple idea of what will happen to humanity if we are no longer entitled for a free will and what we can do to redeem back the nature to control over own path. It examines the determination of one can go through, in this case, David to find his own destiny to reconnect to Elise in a forbidden love. The Adjustment Bureau has a very good story structure to begin with, but the movie is hampered by its simplicity and lacks of thrilling elements. Many critics thought that director-writer George Nolfi should have been bold and daring to put more stuffs on the table, on which I totally agree. If Nolfi is brave enough to explore more while planting more thrills and idea, The adjustment Bureau could have been a settling and great sci-fi to watch for.

The Adjustment Bureau is simply unique because for most of its running time, the romantic element has been quite a dominant issue. Of course, the issue is fueled by a strong bond for love and not by a blind passion. It could have been noticeable that at times, Nolfi is unable to check and balance the movement of the story as it goes forward but he is still able to keep things under control. Matt Damon and Emily Blunt are some what believable in their chemistry bond and play well as a couple on the run from fate. Though this is not a physical demanding performance like The Bourne trilogy, Matt Damon is still a great actor to watch on screen. The cinematography is good, in particular to the idea where revolving scenes occur just by a flick of door opening mechanism is very intriguing and the final 15 minutes of the film allows the audience to experience a different adventure altogether, giving The adjustment a real deal fantasy and believable theme to believe something worth fighting for. It is not a selfish story but I have to say that the movie could have work better if the ending isn't that perfect after all. Don't you think so?

The Adjustment Bureau is a good, smart and casual science fiction movie that doesn't take things way too cerebral. It is more like a fantasy and romance than a complicated plot, but The Adjustment Bureau is still workable with convincing performances by casts, exploration of humanity issues and great cinematography works. It could have been better if George Nolfi plays thing a little more bold.

THE RATING:

Story: 4.0

Casts: 4.0

Cinematography: 4.0

Effects: 3.5

GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 15.7

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Related articles

• The Adjustment Bureau: Matt Damon and Emily Blunt against a shadowy organization that dresses well. (slate.com)
• Review: 'Adjustment Bureau' is 'Inception'-lite (cnn.com)
• "Movie Review: The Adjustment Bureau (2011)" and related posts (ropeofsilicon.com)

RELEASE DATE FOR APOLLO 18, PIRANHA 3DD WILL BE PUSHED BACKWARD

"Apollo 18", the Timur Bekmambetov-produced space thriller is scheduled for April 22 opening but now the movie has been dumped into the January 6, 2012 - a new release date that many deems as not a good sign for movies to breathe. Weinstein Company did not give out any explanation on why the found-footage space horror was dumped into that period of the year but we do hope the studio will find the extra 9 months useful to correct what ever 'shit' they think they may have thus causing the push in date. Well, watch the trailer below and tell me what you think about the movie.

On another note, "Piranha 3DD" has surprisingly had its original release date of September 16 into the Holiday season of November 23. For your information, that date of November 23 coincides with the Thanksgiving weekend and is set to compete with other 3D gigantic titles like Arthur Christmas and Martin Scorsese's Hugo Cabret. This is highly unorthodox giving the nature of the holiday period is not really a good time for horror movie.

SOURCES: Obsessed With Film, IndieWire

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• Release Date Shuffle - Piranha 3DD and Apollo 18 (dreadcentral.com)
• Release dates set for OUR IDIOT BROTHER,I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT, APOLLO 18, PIRANHA 3DD (geektyrant.com)

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: JGL MAY NOT BE ALBERT, JUNO TEMPLE AND MARION COTILLARD HAVE A ROLE

Last week, Green Tea Movie reported that Joseph Gordon-Levitt has signed into Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises as he will be playing the role of Albert Falcone. You can read the news from last week here. However, new sources claimed that Variety might have been wrong and now we are sticking into a new fresh of speculation for Gordon-Levitt's role. We are not sure on what is the status on his role but we hope that the role can be certified very soon.

The only new confirmed updates for this time is that Juno Temple will be entering the movie and yes, that is confirmed. But exactly what role she is in also remain to be speculated. Last week, we also throwing rumor that the British actress may be playing 'a supporting role as a street-smart Gotham girl.' Screen Rant throws a list possibility characters and all are allied to Anne Hathaway's Catwoman. It could be possible that Juno Temple may be end up becoming her sidekick.

There are some unconfirmed reports that Marion Cotillard will be joining the cast in an unspecified role now. We hope to come back to you soon about these news. For one, it is now set that The Dark Knight Rises is one of the most talked-about movie that has not even start shooting or plot known.

Related articles

• Juno Temple Confirmed for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (collider.com)
• Juno Temple Joins 'The Dark Knight Rises' (screenrant.com)
• Juno Temple confirmed for DARK KNIGHT RISES role, likely Catwoman's sidekick (geektyrant.com)
• Juno Temple Confirmed For 'The Dark Knight Rises,' Likely as Catwoman's Sidekick (slashfilm.com)

TEASER TRAILER OF THE THREE MUSKETEERS IN 3D

It's been a while since we last reported something about Paul W.S. Anderson's The Three Musketeers in 3D. Last time we heard, the principal photography was actively on-going and next thing is we have ourselves a new teaser trailer. So sit tight and enjoy.



The Three Musketeers 'in 3D' plays the 3D gimmick again, just like Paul WS Anderson's last directorial effort Resident Evil: Afterlife. The popular horror franchise did managed to hold great attention of mine in regards to its 3D usage, well considering the film-maker has repeatedly hailed it as a 'technology from James Cameron' on its trailers. It may seems ridiculous but the teaser could have some popping images coming out if you do see them in the trailer soon. However, with the recent offerings from the Hollywood, the 3D gimmick may no longer part of a great marketing valuables since most of the 3D films have landed in thud.

All we know is that The Three Musketeer will boasts castings like:

• Ray Stevenson will play Porthos
• Luke Evans will play Athos
• Matthew Macfadyen will play Aramis
• Logan Lerman will play D'Artagnan
• Christoph Waltz will once again play a villainous role, Cardinal Richelieu
• Mads Mikkelsen will play Rochefort
• Milla Jovovich will play Milady de Winter, a former flame of Athos
• James Corden will play Planchet
• Orlando Bloom will play Duke of Buckingham
• Juno Temple will play Queen Anne

For the synopsis: "The hot-headed young D'Artagnan (Logan Lerman) along with three formerly legendary but now down on their luck Musketeers must unite and prevent a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war".

With a script by TV stalwart / Bridget Jones's Diary scribe Andrew Davies and Predators’ Alex Litvak with Summit Entertainment is distributing it. The film is arriving on October 14 in Malaysia and in the United States.

Related articles

• First Trailer For Paul W.S. Anderson's The Three Musketeers (cinemablend.com)
• First Trailer for THE THREE MUSKETEERS (collider.com)

MOVIE REVIEW: SUCKER PUNCH

SUCKER PUNCH (PG13)

Genre: Action/Fantasy

Release Date: 24 March 2011

Running Time: 110 minutes

Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

Director: Zack Snyder

Screenplay: Zack Snyder, Steve Shibuya

Starring: Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Oscar Isaac

Plot: Set in the 1950s, "Sucker Punch" tells the story of Baby Doll (Emily Browning), who is trying to hide from the pain caused by her evil stepfather and lobotomy. She ends up in mental institution in Brattleboro, Vermont, where she starts to imagine an alternate reality. She plans to escape from that imaginary world but to do that, she needs to steal five objects before she is captured by an unknown adversary. She has five days to escape before being lobotomised. To cope with the situation, she enters the hyper-real world of her imagination, and the lines between reality and dream begin to blur. She is joined with friends who are inmates from the institution. Lessons learned in the said fantasy world could help the girls escape their real-world fate.

Review: About a year ago, the teaser trailer would have been a magnificent introduction to Zack Snyder's first original penning that is not from any known source materials. It comes with a high hope, expectations and anticipation as well. Snyder describes this project as a cross-over between Alice in Wonderland and machine gun, allowing us to see how hot chicks will kick some ass around. We know how Snyder would work on this film by infusing the acute visionary and stylish slow-motion cap action, considering that we are familiar with his works like '300' and 'The watchmen.' However, does this Sucker Punch worths a wait for this long and the anticipation at this level?

In 1950s, Babydoll (Emily Browning) and her little sister received a devastating fate that their mother has passed away on one stormy night. Her evil stepfather tried to gain control of the family wealth but only to discover that his step-daughters will inherits the fortune. Unsatisfied, he tried to force himself into them and attempts to take 'advantage' upon them. The little sister died but the step-father accuses Babydoll of the murder, sending her away to mental institution in Brattleboro, Vermont. Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, blurring the lines between what's real and what is imaginary. Although she has been locked away, Babydoll has not lost her will to survive.

Determined to fight for her freedom, she urges four other young girls-the outspoken Rocket (Jena Malone), the street-smart Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens), the fiercely loyal Amber (Jamie Chung), and the reluctant Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish)—to band together and try to escape from their captors, Blue (Oscar Isaac), Madam Gorski (Carla Gugino) and the High Roller (Jon Hamm). Led by Babydoll, the girls engage in fantastical warfare against everything from samurai to sentinel robots, all the way to gain their freedom. But with the help of The Wise Man (Scott Glenn), their journey—if they succeed—will set them "free."

Back to my question earlier, Sucker Punch does not worth any of those anticipation and expectation you have put on when you first watch the teaser trailer. However, things get clouded badly after those countdown clock inching closer into today as after the clouds of smoke settle, it becomes clear that this Zack Snyder's film is not another movie like '300' or 'The Watchmen'. Rather, it hits you with plenty of questions that nobody bothers even to have a look on. Similarly, Sucker Punch tries so hard to remain relevant while it is understandable that the plot is increasingly metaphorical, fantasy and bad-ass at the same time. It becomes no-brainer because it is clear that these do not work out, confusing, cheesy and blurring the line between the reality and fantasy into a debatable subject.

If you studied the film carefully (after you are watching it of course), the movie is well split into three structural movies on it distinction. Watching Sucker Punch is like watching three different movies with the same casts but different motives. First, about a girl fighting for her survival before she is lobotomized. Secondly, a musical movie about strippers in 'Burlesque' style and thirdly; the fantasy of killing orcs, dragon and sentinel robots. If you think that these three elements are not well-suited to each other, than you are right to say so. This supposedly high concept movie is pretty obnoxious and defying the law of film-making. The first layer highlights how Babydoll tried to escape, by using the second layer to manipulate the characters by labeling the villains as the club managements and using her dance skills to fantasize the third level acts.

'Inception' you ask? Not even half-as-good-as the Christopher Nolan's mind bending film and it ends up that the whole movie plot is pretty pointless and abysmal. Even so, it still feels like watching another version of 'Inception' been made by another director and for that is not a compliment at all. To top up the much of the disappointment I have on this movie, it is worth to point out that Zack Snyder has misused the theme of female-empowerment by turning this pointless plot into an fairy tale that masks nothing but to serve as a massive fantasy that eventually comes into a rubble of discontentment.

As a writer, Snyder fails to impress with a solid and realistic story to go to. It lost some direction but it is too formulaic on the other end. As a director, he is still remarkably sharp in the context of visualization of artistic but unable to bring the character into order. Emily Browning's acting has been a wooden one and every time she goes into a state of dreaming and fantasizing, her character get a bit awkward. The other castings are also one-note, with the exception of Oscar Isaac's Blue - his character seems more dimensional and worths to see how bad-ass he is too. I guess the only good thing about this movie is that it has a magnificent remark if we look on the visual effects alone. Slow-motion and stylish action are some of well-treasured trademark from the director and the fact that this movie is well enrich by its outstanding soundtrack could be the only thing I liked about Sucker Punch.

Sucker Punch is a painful movie to go down the throat because of its awkward and unnecessary plot intertwining with three unrelated story layers. It tries so hard to impress with its fantasy action and intellectual theme but only to fail harder with all these non-senses. It is no-brainer movie and only comes to satisfy the surreal fantasy of having hot chicks kicking some ass. I hope Zack Snyder will be better prepared as the clock for his Superman reboot comes even closer now.

THE RATING:

Story: 2.0

Casts: 3.0

Cinematography: 4.0

Effects: 4.0

GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 11.6

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• Sucker Punch: Movie Review (screencrave.com)
• Nordling Loves Zack Snyder's Fever-Dream "Musical" SUCKER PUNCH! (aintitcool.com)
• Movie Review | 'Sucker Punch': Well, Here They Are, Wherever This May Be (movies.nytimes.com)

MOVIE TRAILER: CAPTAIN AMERICA GOES OFFICIAL

Finally after somewhat less-than-stellar-teaser trailer that took audiences in during the Super Bowl last month, the first official trailer for Captain America: First Avengers has arrived online. This will be one of the two Paramount Pictures summer tentpole which will affect the production of The Avengers in terms of story plot. The Marvel Comics superhero will follows about two months after the release of another Marvel summer extravaganza of Thor, scheduled for opening on July 22, 2011. Before we say much, enjoy the trailer embedded below:



In 1942, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is deemed physically unfit to enlist in the U.S. Army and fight the Nazis in World War II. Volunteering instead for Project: Rebirth, a secret military operation, he is physically transformed into a super-soldier dubbed Captain America. With sidekick Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), he fights the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), Hitler's treacherous head of advanced weaponry, whose own plan for world domination involves a seemingly magical object known as the Tesseract.

Captain America is directed by Joe Johnston, starring Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones and Dominic Copper. It is arriving to the cinemas near you this July 22 in the United States and a fortnight later in Malaysia. What do you think about the trailer?

Related articles

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MOVIE REVIEW: RANGO

RANGO (U)

Genre: Action/Adventure/Animation

Release Date: 10 March 2011

Running Time: 108 minutes

Distributor: Paramount Pictures (under United International Pictures)

Director: Gore Verbinski

Screenplay: John Logan based on story by Gore Verbinski, John Logan and James Brykit

Starring: Johnny Depp, Isla Fischer, Abigail Breslin, Alfred molina, Bill Noghy, Timothy Olyphant

Plot: Helmer Gore Verbinksi ("Pirates of the Caribbean") directs this family-oriented animated adventure starring the voice of Johnny Depp as a family pet who leaves the comfort of home to explore the outside world. John Logan ("The Aviator") provides the script for the Paramount Pictures production. Abigail Breslin, Isla Fisher, Alfred Molina, Ray Winstone, Harry Dean Stanton and Ned Beatty provide the voices for the rest of the cast.

Review: With the remorse success of True Grit, in which it serves as the true door opener for audience to get closer to the Western-theme movie, this animation is sure to gain much benefits from that opportunity. Then, you have a high prolific director, producers and actors in this movie. High expectation, no? Rango is a film that many movie critics in the United States love but how does it really go down well with the audiences? It will be answered in a moment.

In Rango, a pet chameleon (Johnny Depp) becomes accidentally stranded in the Nevada desert after his terrarium falls from his owner's car. After meeting an armadillo (Alfred Molina) who is seeking the mystical Spirit of the West, he narrowly avoids being eaten by a hawk. The next day, after having a surreal nightmare, he meets the lizard Beans (Isla Fisher), a rancher's daughter, who takes him to Dirt, an Old West town populated by desert animals. Dirt is in crisis of their own, as the most valuable assets in the town, water is quickly diminishing.

At the saloon, the chameleon, using bravado and improvisation to fit in, presents himself as Rango, a tough drifter. He quickly runs afoul of outlaw Bad Bill (Ray Winstone), narrowly avoiding a shootout when the hawk returns, scaring Bill. The hawk chases Rango until by luck Rango kills the predator by crushing it under an empty water tower he's accidentally made collapse. In response, Mayor Tortoise John (Ned Beatty) appoints Rango the new sheriff. A skeptical Beans demands Rango investigate the water problem while the townsfolk worry that the hawk was the only thing keeping gunslinger Rattlesnake Jake from returning to terrorize them.

Here comes the review. It is easy to pin point the stuffs you would probably like in Rango. But first, I would like to congratulate director Gore Verbinski for making Rango a good animation to begin with. Trace his resume, you will find that Rango is his first animation ever! Using his own great Western-concept and acute visualization arts that he obtained through the years from working with some of the successful movies like Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy and The Ring, Verbinski is able to bring all those necessary skills on the table. Rango brings in an effectively provoking, sensibly story and soul searching storyline. It centers around an identity crisis chameleon named Rango whom after stranded in the Mojave desert, becomes more aware to his own uncertainty on what he wants to be in the first place.

The next best thing in Rango is Johnny Depp himself. The movie works so well with his acting in it and oh boy, it seems that no movie can works without him these days. I got some feedback that Depp is always good in weird characters - and for that I truly agree. Thirdly, the musical score by Hans Zimmer is amazing. I thought that the music plays a lot of significant into the movie by providing an ample entertainment to the ears and a great companion to the eyes. Some tracks like the Wilhelm Richard Wagner's Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) has been remixed and been glorified by Zimmer by fusing in with Mexican tunes. Yet again, no one should ever forget about the band of 'owls' el mariachi whom are very dedicated to narrate the story from the beginning till the end. Lastly, the fourth point is the magnificent use of CGIs particularly how each character looks alive and how some scenes, particular the bat chase, looks so fantastic.

With all those good points, comes a not so pleasing moment. While Rango plays well with the general feel of the movie, not all its jokes work. It feels that at times, Rango is stretching things too far off the track by some stupid slapsticks; savvy but oddly silly. There are moments deemed unnecessary, particularly the part when Rango crosses the road without been hit by a single car looks pointlessly dragging. To put things pretty much in a shorter sentence, Rango is a movie that tries too hard to impress! Beyond the norms, Rango is not a normal kiddie movie. It is definitely not a movie for kids - Rattlesnake Jake is too scary to kids and some elements and choice of words do not seems appropriately to be used by kids.

Rango is a smart movie for audience who wants something different. It is burst to life by a perfect musical score, enchanting CGIs and creatively visualized. Unfortunately, the movie at times tries so hard to impress but that do not work all the time. Parents guidance is necessary since Rango is not appropriately suitable for kids. Why is it rated U?

THE RATING:

Story: 4.0

Casts: 4.0

Cinematography: 4.0

Effects: 4.0

GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 16.0/20.0

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NEW TRAILER FOR PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ON STRANGERS TIDE

Yeah, summer is just like a month away. Smashing into a great start this summer is surely going to be Rob Marshall's Pirates of the Caribbean On Strangers Tide. The Johnny Depp starring feature will be coming at the end of May wand now it has a brand new trailer. But then, while we have been served with some delicious trailer form the Captain Jack Sparrow and the gang, now get prepared for another trip of adventure which you can embarked below:



It looks like it's part of a plan. We are lucky to have seen more fresh picks of new footages this time, including the horror of meeting the mermaids in the secret island. It looks like a punch of more adventure right to the face. Watch the trailer again if you can't wait for the date of 19 May 2011 for those of you in Malaysia, or else 20 May in the United States.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is directed by Rob Marshall, starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Ian McShane and Penelope Cruz. It arrives in theaters in 3D and normal form very soon.

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• New Pirates Of The Caribbean On Stranger Tides trailer (geeksyndicate.wordpress.com)

JGL IS INDEED ALBERT FALCONE IN THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

A few hours ago, Green Tea Movie pointed out the confirmation of Joseph Gordon-Levitt in The Dark Knight Rises. It was only a matter of time when we know what character he is confirmed to be. Rumors have him playing an eccentric wide characters like Robin himself to Albert Falcone. It looks like the latter role is now affirmed.

Confirmed by Variety and Slash Film, although no confirmation from Warner Bros yet, JGL will indeed playing Albert Falcone. Falcone is the son of mob boss Carmine Falcone who appeared in the first movie. That role was played by Tom Wilkinson in "Batman Begins." The major question now is will Albert Falcone will eventually becomes The Holiday Killer, the main villain in the referenced Batman stories: The Long Halloween?

This adds to the already talked about casting news we in Green Tea Movie have collected. Do you think Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the perfect shoe for the role? Discuss below at the comment box.

CHRISTIAN BALE as Bruce Wayne / Batman

ANNE HATHAWAY as Selina Kyle / Catwoman

GARY OLDMAN as Jim Gordon

MORGAN FREEMAN as Lucius Fox

TOM HARDY as Bane

MICHEAL CAINE as Alfred

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT as Albert Falcone

Related articles

• Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Play Alberto Falcone in The Dark Knight Rises? (screenrant.com)
• Report: Joseph Gordon-Levitt to Play Holiday Killer in Dark Knight Rises (wired.com)
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt will play Alberto Falcone in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (geektyrant.com)

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES MAY HAVE JGL AND JUNO TEMPLE

Here's some small update but otherwise worth-full some wait while we are waiting for the shooting of The dark Knight Rises to start this May. We know there have been plenty of speculations and most of all, the project for the third and final Batman movie under the care of Christopher Nolan could stay pretty close to the maestro's chest. Then, we cannot doubt that The Kinght Rises is building to be one of the most exciting things we could live for in 2012.

We know much of the principal casts will be back - that's include Michael Caine, Christian Bale, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman. Then, we welcome the entry of new castings like Tom Hardy and Anne Hathaway too. Rumors have that Marion Cotillard may also finding her way into the finale too. Just look at it, isn't most of them have been associated with Nolan before? Let's get things updated here. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (JGL) has been in talk for quite some time for the sequel. now it's confirm that the Inception and 500 Days of Summer star will join the production with an unknown role yet.

Another casting that may be make possible in near future is the role for "a supporting role as a street-smart Gotham girl.' Rumors have that British actress, the beauty Juno Temple is being eyed for the role but it is still a mere speculation. Who could she be? Let's safe to say that she could be the sidekick of Selina Kyle or Catwoman? Maybe not.

Here's the confirmed castings so far.

CHRISTIAN BALE as Bruce Wayne / Batman

ANNE HATHAWAY as Selina Kyle / Catwoman

GARY OLDMAN as Jim Gordon

MORGAN FREEMAN as Lucius Fox

TOM HARDY as Bane

MICHEAL CAINE as Alfred

Related articles

• "Gordon-Levitt Confirmed and June Temple Eyed for 'Dark Knight Rises' Role" and related posts (ropeofsilicon.com)
• Joseph Gordon-Levitt Confirmed for THE DARK KNIGHT RISES; Juno Temple in Talks for a Role (collider.com)
• "Joseph Gordon-Levitt Confirmed, Juno Temple In Talks For THE DARK KNIGHT RISES" and related posts (obsessedwithfilm.com)

TRAILER: LARRY CROWNE GIVES A SMILE THIS JULY

Tom Hanks summer comedy Larry Crowne marks his second directorial debut, first since his 1996's That Thing You Do! Larry Crowne is an upcoming comedy-drama film directed by Tom Hanks and written by Hanks and Nia Vardalos. It stars Hanks and Julia Roberts. The film is being produced by Hanks and his partner Gary Goetzman at Playtone, with financing from Vendome Pictures. The first trailer of the comedy has arrived online. Do check it out.



It is fun to see Tom Hanks going back to the comedy genre, the one who shot him into stardom during the 80's. It is also great to see him back into the directorial seat once again. While the trailer seems to be a standard comedy about the life of a middle-aged man, overcoming the search of a new career path, love life and stereotyping, it seems Larry Crowne could turned out to be something great in the end. Warning you that the movie has sporadic humor, which may or may not be real situation in the end.

In this movie, after Larry Crowne (Hanks), a middle-aged man, is terminated from his job, he goes back to college, where he unexpectedly forms bonds with his fellow students and a romantic relationship with Mercedes Tainot, a professor (Roberts). Larry Crowne stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric the Entertainer, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Cole Phillips, Taraji P. Henson and Nia Vardalos. This marks reunion between Hanks and Roberts since Charlie Wilson's War.

Larry Crowne opens on July 1 in the United States (opposite the sure-smasher Transformers: Dark of the Moon) and July 7 in Malaysia. Well, I think Tom Hanks will be happy if the movie opens at number two!!

Related articles

• 'Larry Crowne' Trailer: Tom Hanks Makes Schooling Fun (moviefone.com)
• First Trailer for LARRY CROWNE; Directed by and Starring Tom Hanks (collider.com)
• Tom Hanks And Julia Roberts Make Us All Nostalgic In 'Larry Crowne' Trailer (screenjunkies.com)

SUCKER PUNCH NOW PUNCHED WITH SOME NEW CLIPS

Sucker Punch is coming this Thursday. It seems rationale that Warner Bros is releasing five clips to get your moods on the swing for the girls. The Zack Snyder's production is facing some dilemma over the divided early opinions and reviews. This is a shame since Zack Snyder is a popular director who makes great films like 300 and The Watchmen. Anyway, sooth the mood and watch the five clips below now:

"All The Weapons You Need"
Baby Doll (Emily Browning) is told by Dr. Vera Gorski (Carla Gugino) that she must dance for her survival.



"Bunker Is This Way"
The girls fight their way to get to the bunker.



"Take That"
The girls do battle with a fire breathing dragon.



"Plotting Against Me"
Blue Jones (Oscar Isaac) is about to confront the few bad eggs who are plotting against him.



"First Thing We Need A Map"
The girls come up with a master plan to escape the facility.



Sucker Punch is arriving cinemas nationwide this Thursday and opening in the United States on March 25.