MOVIE REVIEW: OVERHEARD 2

OVERHEARD 2 (PG13)

Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
Release Date: 25 August 2011
Running Time: 121 minutes
Distributor: Ram Entertainment
Director: Alan Mak and Felix Chong
Screenplay: Alan Mak and Felix Chong
Starring: Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo, Daniel Wu, Michelle Ye, Yi Huang, Wilfred Lau
Plot: Law Man-Seng (Lau Ching Wan) is a reputable stock market investor who was involved in a car accident. Police officer Ho Chi Keung (Louis Koo) is assigned to the case. He finds a military surveillance device inside Law's wrecked sports car. During the investigation, Ho discovers that Law has some offshore funds from unknown sources and that an unknown person Joe (Daniel Wu), is wiretapping not only Law but other members of 'Landlord Club' - a prestigious club with top business tycoons and entrepreneurs in town.

Review:Enjoyed the first ‘Overheard’ movie? Or probably you have not watched it before? Relax now. ‘Overheard 2’ is not a sequel to the 2009 thriller because this new movie taps in a different character roles, different settings and different story (a bit) while retaining the same key elements of wire-tapping, espionage and blackmailing. Even the three main actors are the same but are given different roles to suit now. It is probably vague but I think that ‘Overheard 2’ is one of the best Chinese-language movies of the year. Read on to know why.

TRAILER: RED BAND VERSION OF DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

Scare to visit your dentist? It's okay. Actually the dentist isn't that scary. This one is. The new red band trailer for Guillermo del Toro-produced and long awaited horror, 'Don't Be Afraid of the Dark' is already uploaded online now. Watch the creepy 'lose you tooth' moment right after the break.

TRAILER: MICHELLE YEOH'S THE LADY

The first teaser trailer for Luc Besson's upcoming biographic movie about the Burmese political activist and lady of democracy Aung San Suu Kyi has been released. The teaser offers nothing much but an introductory of an epic in the making. Watch the trailer right after the jump.

MOVIE REVIEW: CARS 2

CARS 2 (U)

Genre: Action/Adventure/Animation
Release Date: 25 August 2011
Running Time: 106 minutes
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: John Lasseter, Brad Lewis
Screenplay: Ben Queen; based on story by John Lasseter, Brad Lewis and Dan Fogelman
Starring:Owen Wilson, Larry the Cable Guy, Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Jason Isaacs
Plot:Star racecar Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) and the incomparable tow truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) take their friendship to exciting new places in Cars 2 when they head overseas to compete in the first-ever World Grand Prix to determine the world's fastest car. But the road to the championship is filled with plenty of potholes, detours and hilarious surprises when Mater gets caught up in an intriguing adventure of his own: international espionage. Mater finds himself torn between assisting Lightning McQueen in the high-profile race and towing the line in a top-secret mission orchestrated by master British super spy Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and the stunning spy-in-training Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer).

Review: The critics from the Stateside have spoken and we should have heard it loudly by now. With an anemic 37% on the Rotten Tomatoes meter, this is the worst-performing Pixar movies ever. It will also goes down to the record book for been the first that has a 'Rotten' tag into the long-running streak of 'Fresh-ness'. By Pixar's own standard, they never failed to impress the critics but the same situation cannot be said and be described in a nutshell for Cars 2. Is Pixar at fault for this intended sequel? What goes wrong for the Cars 2? What makes the sequel to the already-worst Pixar's film (Cars was the previous holder of the worst-performing Pixar's movie) into critic-trashing?

MOVIE REVIEW: FINAL DESTINATION 5

FINAL DESTINATION 5 (18)

Genre: Horror
Release Date: 25 August 2011
Running Time: 92 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros Pictures, New Line Cinema
Director: Steven Quale
Screenplay: Eric Heisserer
Starring: Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, P.J. Byrne, Ellen Wroe, Tony Todd

Plot: In Final Destination 5, Death is just as omnipresent as ever, and is unleashed after one man's premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge collapse. But this group of unsuspecting souls was never supposed to survive, and, in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group frantically tries to discover a way to escape Death's sinister agenda.

Review: Final Destination franchise is an aging horror film property that has itself become a victim of it's own death cheating game. We have already seen people died from airplane freak mid-air accident, bizarre road accident, roller coaster accident and Nascar accident; so whats next installed for you? The new installment in the 11-years old popular franchise that follows what happen next for a group of lucky survivors only to succumb to the creepy death one by one is no longer a horror experience that many is excited for. Chances are it is just another cycle of blood splashing spree that may not offer anything new. Well, that chances seems pretty much summarize the first feel after the movie. So what's next?

MOVIE REVIEW: GLEE THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE

GLEE: THE 3D CONCERT MOVIE (PG13)

Genre: Documentary/Musical
Release Date: 18 August 2011 (with sneak previews beginning 12 August 2011)
Running Time: 84 minutes
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Screenplay: -
Starring: Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Darren Criss, Ashley Fink, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Heather Morris, Chord Overstreet, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, Mark Salling, Harry Shum, Jr. and Jenna Ushkowitz

Plot: The multi-generational phenomenon that has inspired millions to embrace their inner-Gleek will soon bring them together to experience Glee a whole new way.

Review: To review this musical movie, we cannot assume "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" as your any other conventional movie. It's a concert movie! It's not an action popcorn fare about how human beats the alien race on the butt. It's not a comedy about a group of people trying to kill their bosses. Alright, I think I get you pretty clear now. Let the review begins!

MOVIE REVIEW: HORRIBLE BOSSES

HORRIBLE BOSSES (18)

Genre: Comedy
Release Date: 11 August 2011
Running Time: 97 minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros Pictures/New Line Cinemas
Director: Seth Gordon
Screenplay: Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein
Starring: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx

Plot: For Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day), the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses (Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Aniston) into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con (Jamie Foxx), the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently. There's only one problem: even the best laid plans are only as foolproof as the brains behind them.

Review: The summer when there is absolutely no shortage for some round of fun, raunchy, hilarious and R-rated comedy; “Horrible Bosses” emerges as one of the best comedy movies of the year. By the way, there aren't that much that falls in this category by the way. Sure, there are plenty of reasons why “Horrible Bosses” works as a package of escapist summer dose of fun but there are also some reasons why it may get the despised-button been hit at the end of the day. No matter what, “Horrible Bosses” possesses the exact formula like the recent runaway hit “Bridesmaids” - by offering all stuffs on the table and nothing holds back.

MOVIE REVIEW: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (PG13)

Genre: Action/Adventure/Science Fiction/Fantasy
Release Date: 4 August 2011
Running Time: 105 minutes
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Screenplay: Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver; based on "The Planet of the Apes" by Pierre Boulle
Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Andy Serkis, Brian Cox, Tom Felton

Plot: A single act of both compassion and arrogance leads to a war unlike any other -- and to the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The Oscar-winning visual effects team that brought to life the worlds of Avatar and Lord of the Rings is breaking new ground, creating a CGI ape that delivers a dramatic performance of unprecedented emotion and intelligence, and epic battles on which rest the upended destinies of man and primate.

Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes is never been one of those anticipated movies in my list because of the previous installments have ripped me heartbroken sown to the core. Tim Burton destroyed my faith on this franchise thanks to his disastrous re-imagining movie that serve no credential at all. The rushed production and several problems that arisen during the movie making process add my concern that this movie will am easy strip-down embarrassment into the already mocked-infested franchise. However, in the end of the day, I have to say that I am completely wrong to underestimate the potential of this reboot-prequel possesses. Rise of the Planet of the Apes not only beating that expectation beautifully, it gives the franchise a refresh button it deserved handsomely.

FIRST OFFICIAL PHOTO FOR ANNE HATHAWAY'S CATWOMAN IN THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

With The Dark Knight Rises been one of the most anticipated movies of the year 2012. No doubt, the news about that this Christopher Nolan’s conclusion chapter to the epic saga is making rounds here and there very often recently. The shooting for the movie is currently on-going in Pittsburgh; while we have seen the first teaser trailer and also the first look on Bane inside the trailer back last month. You can go back to view the teaser again at this link. The latest words have that Warner Bros to release the first official photo of Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. View the photo after the jump.

WARNER BROS PURCHASES RIGHTS TO NONPLAYER

With Harry Potter movie franchise ended recently with the release of the eight movie entitled Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Warner Bros is now looking for a new potential studio tentpole. Considering Harry Potter has generated more than $7 billion of box office for the studio, not including other revenues throughout a decade of the franchise existence, Warner Bros announced that they have purchased the rights to Nate Simpson's Image comic book series Nonplayer, according to a report on Coming Soon.

TRAILER: TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY #2

There is a new trailer for the upcoming Oscar contender political thriller drama, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy debuted online yesterday. In the recent months, we have seen the first trailer of the movie which itself is an adaptation of the 1974 novel of the same name by John le Carre. You can view back the trailer here. Nevertheless, the new trailer is available for you to watch right after the jump.

THIS IS HOW HENRY CAVILL'S SUPERMAN LOOKS LIKE IN MAN OF STEEL

It’s a bird! No, it’s a plane! No, it’s Superman. With the production and shooting for Zack Snyder’s Superman franchise reboot is on-going, Warner Bros has released the first image still that features lead star Henry Cavill as Superman in Man of Steel. It seems timely with this decision as Warner Bros would definitely interested to measure the gauge of fan-boys and public’s responses before they have another say of what will be altered or improved next – well that makes sense! View the image after the break.

NEW DIRECTOR AND TITLE FOR DISNEY'S VERSION OF SNOW WHITE MOVIE

Looks like there is no stopping for Hollywood to adapt or to reimagining the Snow White properties! After the public duel between Universal Picture and Relativity Media on their productions for their own Snow White version, Walt Disney is another company making into the scene with what many speculated will be the third Snow White-related movie. It becomes reality today when Walt Disney announced a new title, new director and refreshing the plot synopsis, for which all details are available after the break.

TRAILER FOR YET ANOTHER ALIEN MOVIE - THE DARKEST HOUR

2011 is genuinely becoming a significant year when we are going to watch numerous forms of alien-invading and alien-friendly movies, all thanks to the genre-rushing era in Hollywood. It seems like a bad move rather than a good move because most, not all, alien-invading movies bombed among the critics. The endless stream of alien movie continues this December as Summit Entertainment has released the first official trailer for their upcoming voltage-fueled alien pic, The Darkest Hour. Watch right after the jump.

LEONARDO DICAPRIO EARNS THE MOST, ACCORDING TO FORBES

Green Tea Movie would like to take readers into an unfamiliar zone. No trailers, no reviews and certainly no movie news for this article; just an insightful list of top 15 highest earning actor of the year. If you are complaining about how big your paycheck is, (am pretty sure none of us are anyway – pun intended) please do check Forbes Magazine’s annual list of highest paid actors in Hollywood. It was released in Forbes’ blog and highlighted by Slash Film. Shutter Island and Inception star Leonardo DiCaprio earning the top spot with $77 million revenue in the past year. For more on the top 15, please proceed right after the jump.

CASTING NEWS: STEP UP 4, GOTTI AND MAN OF STEEL

In today's round up of casting news, Green Tea Movie brings you three casting news from Summit Entertainment’s upcoming Step Up 4, the real-life gangster adaptation of Gotti and the latest on Superman’s reboot Man of Steel. Read on the details after the break.

GREEN LANTERN 2 MAY BECOME MORE EDGIER AND DARKER

Green Lantern opened reasonably well but held poorly in the box office. It opened $53.1 million in June but failed to live up to the expectation despite the hectic marketing strategy. Critically, the movie also failed! It costs Warner Bros a hefty $200 million to make and so far only grossed about $154 million worldwide (foreign box office is still not fully rolled out yet). To make it all worst, Green Lantern was critically panned. Green Tea Movie felt that the biggest problem with that movie was that it failed to connect the audience with the ridiculous plot that makes no sense. As bad as it is, warner Bros is preparing a sequel, which envisioned and dubbed will be ‘edgier and darker’. More details right after the jump.

MARVEL STUDIOS PUSHING DOCTOR STRANGE FORWARD

While Marvel Comics heavyweight and well-known characters like Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and Thor have been translated into movie version, it’s time to expand the property to include the lesser known one as well. We all know that the sequels to Thor, Iron Man and Captain America are currently in development; while Edgar Wright is planning for an adaptation of Ant-Man film. As early as April 2010, it was reported that Marvel Studios was ‘seriously considering’ movie versions for lesser-known characters like Dr Strange, Ka-Zar, Luke Cage and Power Pack, among others. Dr Strange is set to be the next, according to a report from IO9 and Slash Film. More details right after the jump.

TRAILER AND POSTER FOR LIKE CRAZY: IT'S BEAUTIFUL

This year’s Sundance big winner Like Crazy has already garnered lots of great review in the recent months. Slash Film calls Like Crazy “a beautiful, heartbreaking story of long distance love”. John DeFore of Hollywood Reporter hails it as a “deeply felt first-love tale offers convincing performances and a fine-tuned storytelling sensibility” while Andrew Barker calls it “an exquisite, beautifully acted gem of a film, one that should serve as a prelude to bigger things for stars Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin, as well as director Drake Doremus.” The grand Jury Prize winner has now secured a brand new trailer, distributor and poster. Watch out for these details right after the jump.

DIE HARD 5 DIRECTOR POTENTIAL LIST

It was only yesterday when Green Tea Movie mentioned that Max Payne-helmer John Moore was offered the directorial job for the fifth John McClane "yippee-ki-yay", currently entitled Die Hard 5. He has not confirmed though. The offer came right after the news that Noam Murro (Smart People), who previously attached to direct, has joined Warner Bros' 300 prequel project instead. Now, 20th century Fox has added three more names into the director potential list, in hope that they will be able to rope in one of them to continue the franchise. Read who's who after the jump.

DIE HARD 5 IS COMING WITH NEW DIRECTOR AND PLOT

"Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker". No pun intended and certainly I am sorry for that offensive opening remark because it is just badass enough before you kick somebody's ass. If you have been following any or all of the Die Hard movies, you will certainly be aware that our cop hero John McClane (portrayed by the equally bad-ass Bruce Willis) will always says that before he vanquishes the villain. Legendary one liner? Yes. How about hearing him saying it for the fifth time? Really? Read more after the jump for details.

BOX OFFICE NEWS JULY 29 - JULY 31, 2011

Just like last week, this week's box office report is definitely not what we have been predicting over the past few weeks. While many has predicted that Jon Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens to open at the pole position with a healthy margin over fellow openers like The Smurfs 3D and Crazy, Stupid, Love, this was not the case at the final estimated result. Indeed, in the recent memory there were not many movies that open neck-to-neck for the top spot in one particular weekend, thus explained the such rarity in occurrence for such to happen. Nevertheless, at an estimated $36.2 million apiece, Cowboys & Aliens and The Smurfs are headed for a photo finish for the weekend top spot. The real winner will only be determined on late Monday.