WHITE COLLAR TV SERIES (2009)

This is one of MANY TV Series which I watched recently. I first watched this on my way to Surabaya via airplane. The overview of this movie really caught my attention. I really like a kind of action movie: especially when a bad guy becoming a "good" guy but actually we all know that habits die hard, so a bad guy is actually still a bad guy deep inside. Haha.

Creator : Jeff Eastin
Seasons : 1 | 2 Full episode list »
Release Date : 23 October 2009 (USA)
Genre : Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery
Cast :

Matthew Bomer	...	Neal Caffrey
Tim DeKay	...	Peter Burke
Willie Garson	...	Mozzie
Tiffani Thiessen	...	Elizabeth Burke

Plot :

Neal Caffrey, a con-man, forger and thief, is captured after a three-year game of cat and mouse with the FBI. With four months left while serving a four-year sentence, he escapes from a maximum-security federal prison to find Kate, his ex-girlfriend. Peter Burke, the FBI agent who initially captured Caffrey, finds him at a dead end in his search and returns Caffrey to prison. This time, Caffrey gives Burke information about evidence in another case; however, this information comes with a price: Burke must have a meeting with Caffrey. At this meeting, Caffrey proposes a deal: he will help Burke catch other criminals as part of a work-release program. Burke agrees, after some hesitation. Through the successful apprehending of several white-collar criminals, Caffrey has proven to Burke that he will help him, and that he will not try to escape again. This begins an unconventional, but successful partnership.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN.

Things I like in this movie:

1. Forgery as the main topic. Forgery is the process of making, adapting, or imitating objects, statistics, or documents (see false document), with the intent to decive. The similar crime of fraud is the crime of deceiving another, including through the use of objects obtained through forgery. Even though I know that this is a criminal act, BUT I couldn't help thinking that the process of making it (such as painting etc) is kind of art. To be forger, you need skill and knowledge. It's not an easy thing to get. You also need a desire to do that. What's the different of the forger and the artist?

2. The plot of the story is also good. Funny and enjoyable. Even though I think that they're mostly forgettable. But, like I said, It's easy to watch it especially for people who appreciates intelligent and witty TV. This show has something for everyone. The story line is not at all predictable. You want to watch how this might end.
3. The two main characters in this movie. (As usual). What the most important thing to make a movie enjoyable is the cast. And in this movie, they're :
Tim DeKay is pitch perfect as the agent who lives his job. He has a kind of "Tom Hanks meets young Jack Lemmon" quality that is spot on for the tone of the show. He's written as real guy in a tough spot. He truly loves his wife, but tireless dedication to "the job" causes him to forget anniversaries, and regularly arrive home after his wife is long 'a bed. His wife Elizabeth (Tiffani Thiessen) often eats dinners alone... well, sort of.









Matt Bomer, soon to be a household name, vaults from his supporting role of Bryce on "Chuck" straight into a major lead role that fits him like a glove.. like he was born to do this. Along with class A hunky good looks, Bomer also has a vulnerable quality that is quite touching. Ladies, he's Oooo so cute, slick, smart and gosh darn lovable, that your significant other may actually allow you to gaze...

The Trailer on USA Network :



enjoy it ^^

-auReL-

INCEPTION (2010)

At first I wasn't interested at all to watch this movie. Because one, I've never seen its trailer; and two, some of Leonardo DiCaprio's movies are a bit too heavy (at least that's what I think).

I was wrong. It's not too heavy or complicated; it's challenging. Which is good.

Info!

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Christopher Nolan

Genre: Drama | Mystery | Sci-fi | Thriller

Casts: Leonardo DiCaprio (Dominic "Dom" Cobb), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Arthur), Ellen Page (Ariadne), Tom Hardy (Eames), Ken Watanabe (Saito), Dileep Rao (Yusuf), Cillian Murphy (Robert Fischer, Jr.), Tom Berenger (Browning), Marion Cotillard (Mal), Pete Postlethwaite (Maurice Fischer), and others. Click here for complete list of the casts.

Summary:

Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state, when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible-inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming. Written by Warner Bros. Pictures

Your mind is the scene of the crime.

A couple minutes before I wrote this review, I did my research on the Internet. I basically visited two sites I trust the most when it comes about movie: imdb.com and wikipedia. In which I found out: one, Christopher Nolan was the director and writer, two, Hans Zimmer composed the score. (And the actor who played as handsome Arthur is Joseph Gordon-Levitt... lol.)

These are important because Christopher Nolan was the one who directed Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. I didn't watch those two films but I figure he must be great at his job because those two films are very popular. About Hans Zimmer, well... he helped with Pirates at the Caribbean score, along with Despicable Me.

Things I love about this movie:

1. This movie makes you think. It moves at super-fast pace where you have to concentrate to understand it. The problem it delivers is also an intriguing one, something that will keep you wondering until after you finish watching it.

2. The idea is quite original. Christopher Nolan is the one who came up with the idea of "exploring the idea of people sharing a dream space — entering a dream space and sharing a dream. That gives you the ability to access somebody’s unconscious mind. What would that be used and abused for?" (quoted from Wikipedia). Apparently, Nolan has had this idea since he was 16.

3. Great casts. Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, etc... all familiar names (or at least faces). If you remember, Ellen Page is the one who played as the girl who can walk through walls in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and she also plays in Whip It! (2009). Leonardo DiCaprio is of course best known as Jack in Titanic, while he also plays in The Aviator (2004), Catch Me If You Can (2002), Shutter Island (2010), etc. Ken Watanabe plays as the Chairman in Memoirs of a Geisha (2005). Plus, Dileep Rao also plays in James Cameron's Avatar (2009) as Dr. Max Patel. You can't go wrong with casts like that! They deliver the characters wonderfully.

What I don't really like:

1. Many people say that you don't really feel the time when you watch this movie. I mean, it runs at 148 minutes, but people say that they didn't feel the 148 minutes while watching this movie. (And by people I saw reviews from the Internet, mostly from imdb). It doesn't work for me... I mean I like the idea of the movie and it's not boring, but I did keep one eye on my watch - up until the 3/4 of the movie.

2. Unestablished ending. Some people might find wondering about what actually happened "tasteful", but I don't. I'm okay with sad endings, but unestablished one? Blegh.

For me, this movie is 7 out of 10 stars. One warning though: I don't think this movie is for everyone.

Trailer:

Toodle-o,

Maria

The Myth TV Series (2010)

Okay, I know this blog's name is AM Movie Mania, but I suppose it's okay to review a TV series once in a while...

This is a Chinese TV series. The entire series is spoken in Mandarin, so prepare for a bafflement if the subtitle suddenly went poof (.. like mine did a couple of times) but if you can speak or read Mandarin fluently then it's no problem. Hahaha.

First thing first: THIS REVIEW CONTAIN SPOILER. And not just any spoiler, the ENDING's spoiler. So. If you want to watch it yourself and not know the ending now... stop reading this review. Right here is the line.

Another warning (yes, even this warning contains spoiler): if you hate sad-but-beautiful-heart-crunching-tear-jerking type of ending, don't watch this TV series. It contains 50 *damn* episodes. Each beautiful except the ending.

WHY WHY WHY WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY -

Ehm.

As usual, some info:

Director: Jeffrey Chiang, Yuen Bun (action director), Stanley Tong (creative director)

Writer: Li Haishu

Genre: Science fiction | Romance | Historical drama | Fantasy

Casts: Hu Ge (Yi Xiao Chuan / Meng Yi), Bai Bing (Princess Yu Shu), Chang Shih (Gao Yao / Zhao Gao), Alina Zhang (Gao Lan / Xiao Yue), Ren Quan (Yi Da Chuan), Xu Di (Yi Mama), Xu Min (Yi Suo Chang), Tan Kai (Xiang Yu), Li Yi Xiang (Liu Bang), Chen Zi Han (Lu Zhi), Jin Sha (Lu Su), Allen Ting (Meng Tian), Yang Shu Tian (Chui Wen Zi), etc.

Country of origin: China

Language(s): Mandarin

No. of episodes: 50

Summary:

Yi Xiao Chuan finds a tiger pendant by coincidence and the pendant sears a mark onto his chest when he wears it on his neck. Meanwhile, Xiao Chuan's older brother, Yi Da Chuan, discovers a 2000-year-old treasure box at an excavation site. Xiao Chuan unlocks the box using his pendant and opens a time portal by accident. Unknown to everyone else, he is transported back in time to the Qin Dynasty period together with Gao Yao, his girlfriend's brother.

Back in history, Xiao Chuan meets the historical figures Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, and becomes sworn brothers with them. He encounters the Qin general Meng Tian, who mistakes him for his long-lost younger brother Meng Yi, because the mark of the pendant belongs only to members of the Meng clan. Xiao Chuan also meets Princess Yu Shu of Tu'an, who becomes the new love of his life. However, the lovers are unable to be together, as Yu Shu has become the Qin emperor's concubine in exchange for peace between the Qin empire and Tu'an. Xiao Chuan is unwilling to give up and he meets Yu Shu in secret inside the palace.

On the other hand, Gao Yao is separated from Xiao Chuan and sent to the palace, where he is forcefully castrated and becomes a eunuch. After enduring humiliation and bullying, he wins the favour of the emperor through his excellent culinary skills and becomes a high-ranking official. He is renamed to "Zhao Gao" and starts abusing his authority by seeking vengeance on those he perceived to be responsible for his plight. Zhao Gao is gradually corrupted by power and turns against his old buddy, Xiao Chuan, whom he sees as a threat to his plans for dominating the Qin empire.

In the present-day, Da Chuan, Gao Lan (Xiao Chuan's girlfriend), and Da Chuan's parents, work closely together to open the treasure box. Following clues from the box's engravings and a map, they need to embark on a treasure hunt to find the five secret keys to unlock the box. However, a mysterious masked man in black is also after the box's contents and he sends his lackeys to harass them.

This TV series is based on a 2005 movie by the same title. Click here for more info. After reading the synopsis of this movie, I want to watch it. And compared to the TV series, I think it's less heart-crunching because Meng Yi and Jack are two different persons (reincarnation), while in the TV series, Meng Yi and Yi Xiao Chuan are the very same person who waits 2000 years to find his love.

Lists!

Things I love in this TV series:

1. It's a historical drama. I've always loved Chinese historical drama. The Kung Fu, old times of China, emperor thing-y... I love them!

2. Lovely cast of characters. Hu Ge is really into his character (Yi Xiao Chuan). As the main protagonist of the series, the audience must endure his face and acting for approximately 40 hours. He did a wonderful job. From Yi Xiao Chuan who can only play to Yi Xiao Chuan-slash-Meng Yi who knows love and mature. He totally deserves a huge round of applause. 

3. Beautiful setting. Needless to say, most of the scenes are in Qin Dynasty of China, where everything is still ancient... I really, really, really like it! The music, dances, places - everything. Ooo, hopefully none of the horses got hurt during the shooting of the scene!

4. Wonderful lesson to be learned. If House TV series is about truth, then this TV series is about patience. Xiao Chuan has to wait effing 2000 years to meet his love, if he's not patient then I don't know what he is.

One thing I hate in this TV series:

The ENDING. It's not an effing happy ending and I wasted my tears and 40-ish hours of my life watching something that's just so.. so... uuuuggh! I mean, if a movie has a sad ending it's okay because I only traded two hours for a sigh of disappointment. But 40-ish hours?! *sob*

I cried my eyes out (not literally) during the scene where Xiang Yu and Xiao Yue fight for their lives. I don't know why, I think it's the most tear jerking scene for me because Xiang Yu's character really appeals to me. His way to love Xiao Yue is just too sweet. Meng Tian character also appeals to me, mainly because Allen Ting is so handsome. The moustache, beard, and hairdo totally suit him! Hahaha.

Anyway... if you like historical drama or just have nothing to do, you should definitely watch this TV series. It's really, really beautiful... in a heart-crunching way. However, the 50 episodes thing needs a little commitment. 

Unfortunately, I don't find any trailer for this TV series. My rating for this TV series is 8 out of 10 stars. Not 10 out of 10 because of the ending. *sob*

Toodle-o,

Maria

Despicable Me (2010)

To be honest, I wasn't interested to watch this movie at first. The trailer (that I watched) is not very interesting and it's an animation movie - I always think I'd spend my money for action / adventure / fantasy movies at the theatre, but Pauline and Aurel wanted to watch it... so I did.

Regret it? Pfft.

I absolutely enjoyed watching this movie. I laughed so hard it's embarrassing... *rofl*

So anyway, a couple of info, as usual:

Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud

Writers: Ken Daurio (screenplay), Sergio Pablos (story)

Genre: Animation | Comedy | Family

Casts: Steve Carell (Gru), Jason Segel (Vector), Russel Brand (Dr. Nefario), Julie Andrews (Gru's Mom), Miranda Cosgrove (Margo), Dana Gaier (Edith), Elsie Fisher (Agnes), Pierre Coffin (Tim, Bob, Mark, Phil, Stuart the Minions), Chris Renaud (Dave the Minion), Jemaine Clement (Jerry the Minion), etc. See the complete cast list here.

Summary, from imdb:

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon. (Yes, the moon!) Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.

Superbad. Superdad.

I love the fact that Steve Carell is the voice of the main character. He is one of the few reasons I decided to agree watching this movie. Trivia! He said that Gru's accent is a cross between Ricardo Montalban and Bela Lugosi. And no, I don't know who they are.

List! Things I like in this movie:

1. Again, Steve Carell as the main character's voice.

2. It's comedy, but not too much comedy. The movie doesn't try too hard to be funny because it already is. I hate movies that try too hard to be funny they become disgusting instead. Maybe because it is also a family movie, it can't do dirty jokes. Which I appreciate (that they don't do the dirty jokes).

3. MINIONS! They're just too cute! I want a plushie. x)
The two minions down here named Dave and Jerry -auReL

4. The music. The theme music is just too cool. I really like the easy beat. And one of the composers for the score of Despicable Me is Hans Zimmer. No wonder! He is one of the composers for Pirates of Caribbean series.

In my opinion, this movie deserves 8 out of 10 stars. Aah, if only they have the shrunken minion merchandise or something. Me want. Bad.

Since I watched the 2D version, I urge you to watch the 3D. I think it's much cooler in 3D because there's a roller coaster scene.

Trailer:

Enjoy the movie!

Toodle-o,
Maria

=========================================================================
+++ information

The soundtrack of the movie (which I've just got it and downloaded it!)

"Despicable Me" Soundtrack Tracklisting
1. Despicable Me – Pharrell
2. Fun, Fun, Fun – Pharrell
3. I'm on a Roll – Destinee & Paris
4. Minion Mambo – The Minions
5. Boogie Fever – The Sylvers
6. My Life – Robin Thicke
7. Prettiest Girls – Pharrell
8. Rocket's Theme – Pharrell
9. You Should be Dancing – The Bee Gees
10. The Unicorn Song – Agnes

-auReL-

ECLIPSE (2010)

I watched this movie with my brother and cousins. To tell you the truth, I really had no attention AT ALL to watch this movie. I've watched the two previous movies (Twilight and New Moon) and I always out of the cinema feeling regret. Its true that I dont like the movie, but it doesn't mean I hate the cast. I love SOME of them, like Kellan Lutz who played as Emmett and Ashley Green who played as Alice. They're really easy-going and fun to be watched. Oh, not forget to mention all the sexy and well-build body owner, Cam Gigandet (James, Twilight) and Taylor Lautner who played as Jacob Black and became the main cast of New Moon and Eclipse.

I also love Cameron Bright (Alec the Voltury Clan) and also the new comer, Xavier Samuel (Riley, the newborn).

OK. Enough with the crazy bubbling. I just LOVE the cast. The best thing in this movie is all the handsome guys! BUT, in my opinion, the main cast, Robert Pattinson who played as Edward Cullen, doesn't suit at all with my imagination. That is what make me regret most.

It all begins ... With a choice

Director : David Slade
Writers : Melissa Rosenberg (Screenplay) and Stephenie Meyer (novel)

Release date : 30 June 2010 (Indonesia)
Genre : Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Cast :

Kristen Stewart	...	Bella Swan
Robert Pattinson	...	Edward Cullen
Taylor Lautner	...	Jacob Black
Bryce Dallas Howard	...	Victoria

	Jackson Rathbone	...	Jasper Whitlock
	Ashley Greene	...	Alice Cullen

	Peter Facinelli	...	Dr. Carlisle Cullen
	Elizabeth Reaser	...	Esme Cullen
	Kellan Lutz	...	Emmett Cullen
	Nikki Reed	...	Rosalie Hale

	Xavier Samuel	...	Riley
	Kiowa Gordon	...	Embry Call
	Tyson Houseman	...	Quil Ateara
	Bronson Pelletier	...	Jared
	Alex Meraz	...	Paul
	Julia Jones	...	Leah Clearwater
	Tinsel Korey	...	Emily

	Daniel Cudmore	...	Felix
	Dakota Fanning	...	Jane
	Cameron Bright	...	Alec

Plot : Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger as Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob -- knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella is confronted with the most important decision of her life. Written by Summit Entertainment

Things I hate in this movie :
1. Full of RIDICULOUS kissing scene. The fans and NO-fans are already know that Edward and Bella is a couple. And they're really full of love, blaa blaa blaa. But do you think that it has to be shown by kissing all the time when they met?! It so disturbing and annoying.
2. I found that this movie used too many words (and dialogue from the novel) to describe what's going on instead of showing (acting) us. And It made all the chemistry gone and also made the movie is a plain awful and boring! (no offense. This is just my opinion)
3. It's a good thing that David Slade has crafted a beautifully shot movie with some excellent action pieces. Sadly, even with a whole army of vampires and werewolves fighting in the final, this small increase in action doesn't take away from the fact that the film drags in more than one place with blocks of dialogue that feel as if they're going to last a lifetime. It's unfortunate as the action pieces look excellent and the CGI, especially in the werewolves has improved leaps and bounds between New Moon and Eclipse.

Not that I hate it ALL. but most of them. I can't enjoy it as much as the novel. And I already know that it's really impossible to put all of the details from the novel to a two-hours movie. And I won't say much about it. You may as well just enjoy "the view" of the handsome guys! ^^

The trailer of the movie :


enjoy ^^

-auReL-