Toy Story 3

Pic source: click here.

Toy Story 3 is by far the most hilarious animation movie I have ever watched. I laughed like crazy throughout the film. I've also watched this about three or five times now. I know, crazy right? Anyway, here's some info as usual.

Director: Lee Unkrich

Writers: John Lasseter (story), Andrew Stanton (story), Lee Unkrich (story), and Michael Arndt (screenplay)

Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Casts (voice): Tom Hanks (Woody), Woody Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jessie), and others. For the full credits on casts, click here.

Summary:

Woody, Buzz and the whole gang are back. As their owner Andy prepares to depart for college, his loyal toys find themselves in daycare where untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice. So, it's all for one and one for all as they join Barbie's counterpart Ken, a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear to plan their great escape. (From imdb)

You'd also want to check out the goofs and trivia. They're awesome! :D As always, watch out for spoilers if you haven't watched the movie yet. 

Ooh! A logical explanation for one of the goofs:

The laptop in Andy's room was open when he came in because Hamm and Rex was looking for how much they were worth on e-bay, and they didn't have the time to close it! (I figured this out the third time I watched the movie, lol.)

The great escape.

Reasons to love this movie:

1. Absolutely inspiring family story. There are tons of things you can learn from this movie.

2. A balance of everything. Adventure, comedy, togetherness... you will get sucked into this movie until the very end, and you may not want to get out. :)

3. Amazing plot. The plot can sometimes be unpredictable. It also tells a bunch of stories without anything being nonsense. Every part of the story is important to uncover the plot, and every part is a beauty and excitement.

Reasons to not like this movie:

None. For me. 

All in all, I think this movie deserves 10 out of 10 stars. This is actually the first time I've given a perfect score review for a movie and I don't think I'll regret this. A definite must watch - even though you're an adult or a grandpa, this movie will touch you.

Toy Story 3 is also one of the sequels that actually works. It's rare and ought to be appreciated.

Video trailer:

Toodle-o,

Maria

KILLERS (2010)

Let's start of with saying that Robert Luketic knows howto direct, the pace in the movie is good, he never takes this film to serious and he know how to film a couple of good scenes. Funny. Enjoyable. That's what I thought about this movie. Actually, I just like drama movies like this. Make the audience relax, laugh all the time. Beware if you're looking for a romantic comedy or a quick action flick. Watch it only if you are willing to stand an hour of nothing to finally get to a fun, ridiculous, sexy, and funny light-weight action film. xP

MARRIAGE.. GIVE IT YOUR BEST SHOT

Director : Robert Luketic
Writers : Bob DeRosa & Ted Griffin (Screenplay)
Release Date : 4 June 2010 (USA)
Genre : Action | Comedy | Romance | Thriller
Cast :

	Ashton Kutcher	...	Spencer Aimes
	Katherine Heigl	...	Jen Kornfeldt
	Tom Selleck	...	Mr. Kornfeldt
	Catherine O'Hara	...	Mrs. Kornfeldt

Plot : Spencer Aimes (Ashton Kutcher) is just your average, undercover, government-hired super-assassin accustomed to a life of exotic European locales, flashy sports cars and even flashier women. But when he meets Jen Kornfeldt (Katherine Heighl) , a beautiful, fun-loving computer tech recovering from a bad break-up, he finds true love and happily trades international intrigue for domestic bliss. Three years later, Spencer and Jen are still enjoying a picture-perfect marriage - that is, until the morning after Spencer's 30th birthday. That's when Spencer and Jen learn he's the target of a multi-million dollar hit. Even worse, the hired killers have been stalking the happy couple for years, and could be anyone: friends, neighbors, the grocery store clerk, even that crabby old guy shuffling across the street. Now Spencer and Jen are on the run for their lives. As their suburban paradise turns into a paranoid game of dodge-the-bullet, they must find out who wants Spencer dead and why, all the while trying to save their marriage, manage his in-laws, keep up neighborly appearances ... and just plain survive.

What I think about this movie :
1. The movie is not in a hurry to tell its story, mostly due to the fact there is none. The couple gets married, move together and three years later (and half way through the film) his old boss calls him again, 'you're ain't going out that easy' he promises, and he's right on the money. All hell breaks lose, and almost everyone who gets introduced during the first half turns out to be a gunman hired to kill Spencer. The trailer practically tells the whole story and shows some of the best bits of the film. But the pace is good, sometimes it's funny and the action was good. But it has all been done before and in better films.

2. Kutcher is detail-oriented twitterer, and as an actor, his goofiness is unmatched. (BUT I really am going to tell you that actually he is cute.. xP) Up until the end, Kutcher monotone performance came across as lack of talent. But after the surreal note the film ended on, it made perfect sense. Him and Heigl have the best anti-chemistry, and casting them together was an unintentional stroke of genius; He's the Laurel to her Hardy.
3. Katherine Heigl plays the romantic comedy lead, she got the sexy part and at least tried on the funny part, but she was a very disjointed character that at times was really hard to care for or relate to. Ashton Kutcher played the action lead, and he got the sexy part but was very awkward when he tried to play the romantic comedy lead.

One Day Is Enough For You!

Trailer :


"Killers" Soundtrack Tracklisting

1. Beauty in the World – Macy Gray
2. Under the Sun – Salvador Santana
3. Cat and Mouse – Nikki & Rich
4. Ooh La La – Faces
5. A Moment – Bitter: Sweet
6. I Don’t Believe – Rox
7. Bon Bon Bon – Vanessa Contenay-Quinones
8. Montego Sunset – Menahan Street Band
9. I'm Gonna Kill Him – Rolfe Kent
10. Even The UPS Guy – Rolfe Kent
11. Arriving In Nice – Rolfe Kent
12. Falling In Bed – Rolfe Kent
13. Elevator Attraction – Rolfe Kent
14. New Home Office – Rolfe Kent
15. Killers Suite – Rolfe Kent

enjoy ^^

-auReL-

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-

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-

The A-Team (2010)

I watched this movie with some of my friends : Nje-Giov, Ditya, Vivi & her siblings. At first, we wanted to watch Karate Kid since the main actor is Jackie Chan. But, Nje has watched the movie, so we decided to take the other movie, which is The A-Team. I already watch the trailer, and I also have read about the movie from the magz : Cinemagz. I know that the movie must be really funny and full of action.

Director : Joe Carnahan
Writers : Joe Carnahan, Brian Bloom
Release date : 11 June 2010 (Indonesia)
Genre : Action | Adventure | Thriller
Cast :

	Liam Neeson	...	Hannibal
	Bradley Cooper	...	Lt. Templeton 'Faceman' Peck
	Jessica Biel	...	Charisa Sosa
	Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson	...	B.A. Baracus
	Sharlto Copley	...	Murdock

Plot : A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the U.S. military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed.

They are the best and they specialise in the ridiculous!

This is a fun movie. I couldn't help laughing all the time when Baracus cried and shouted when he was supposed to ride helicopter with Murdock. So everytime he went, the others have to make him unconscious.

Sgt. Bosco 'B.A.' Baracus: Aw hell naw, I ain't steppin' foot in any type of aircraft
Lt. Templeton 'Faceman' Peck: Man up! Now get in there, we've gotta finish the escape! Man up and get in there!

The characters who made you laugh are Baracus AND the 'mad' Murdock. The one whom you think is sexy and handsome is Faceman (p.s : SPOILER! Lt. Sosa who is played by Jessica Biel, is Face's girlfriend). The the smart and jenius one is Hannibal.

His motto : "I believe no matter how random something may appear, there's still a plan." So, you will know that he is the brain of the team.

This movie is the re-make movie from the tv series in the past, 1983, with the same titled. My dad and I talked about this movie. He said that this movie was really popular back then. It was played on TV everyday. So, when I read about the review from other people (mostly 'pops') said that this movie is bad. It can't be compared with the movie in the past. It was A LOT better than this one.

The trailer of the movie :



enjoy the movie! ^^

-auReL-

Shrek Forever After (2010)

I watched this movie on Thursday. One reason was because a blogger friend of mine said it was awesome. I, on the other hand, wasn't very impressed.

Average plot, average characters. Like I said, wasn't impressive.

Here's some info. As usual, from imdb:

Director: Mike Mitchell

Writers: Josh Klausner, Darren Lemke

Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Casts (voice): Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Julie Andrews (Queen), and many more. See the complete list of casts here.

Summary:

A bored and domesticated Shrek pacts with deal-maker Rumpelstiltskin to get back to feeling like a real ogre again, but when he's duped and sent to a twisted version of Far Far Away -- where Rumpelstiltskin is king, ogres are hunted, and he and Fiona have never met -- he sets out to restore his world and reclaim his true love.

The Final Chapter.

Maybe the reason I'm not really liking this movie is because it's too fairytale-ish. I'm sure it's perfect for kids half of my age but I guess it's just not for me. There's no 'cool' factor in this movie, just lots of educational factors, which are important for the targeted audience, but again, not for me.

And the story is like repeating the previous Shrek series. All about true love's kiss, getting Fiona's love... blablabla... *sigh*. Again and again and again, not for me. I even don't really like Shrek.

You should watch it if you're a Shrek fan, and/or you're... about 9-11 years old. Or if you're six. Or if... you just want to watch it because it makes you curious!

Tam ta-tara -- It's four stars out of ten!

Trailer:

Toodle-o,

Maria

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

This movie is based on Cressida Cowell's book with the same title, although the story is very different. 9 out of 10 stars, I'd say. The story is well developed, the animation beautiful, and the characters enticing.

Love it.

Info, taken from imdb:

Directors: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders

Writers: Cressida Cowell (based on a novel by), William Davis (screenplay)

Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Casts: Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), Gerard Butler (Stoick), America Ferrera (Astrid), Craig Ferguson (Gobber), and others. Check out the complete cast list.

Summary (taken from imdb): 

Long ago up North on the Island of Berk, the young Viking, Hiccup, wants to join his town's fight against the dragons that continually raid their town. However, his macho father and village leader, Stoik the Vast, will not allow his small, clumsy, but inventive son to do so. Regardless, Hiccup ventures out into battle and downs a mysterious Night Fury dragon with his invention, but can't bring himself to kill it. Instead, Hiccup and the dragon, whom he dubs Toothless, begin a friendship that would open up both their worlds as the observant boy learns that his people have misjudged the species. But even as the two each take flight in their own way, they find that they must fight the destructive ignorance plaguing their world.

What I think about the movie:

1. The animation is fantastic.

2. Characters are very memorable.

3. Story is well developed. In fact, the story development is so good I haven't seen a movie like this for so long. It develops the characters wonderfully, creates a very understandable main story and the other story 'branches' are also finished beautifully. I definitely love the ending. It was so real.

The only thing I wish at the end of the movie is MORE HICCUP! :) Definitely a must watch.

Toodle-o,

Maria