Burlesque

Pic source: click here.

I watched this movie this afternoon with my little sister (and I think I'm going to watch it again tomorrow with my friends) and today is actually the opening day for Indonesia. I thought the seats in Blitzmegaplex were going to be filled, but the cinema was in fact, almost empty. Too bad, because IT. WAS. AWESOME.

I just love musicals. This is what this movie is all about. Music and dancing. And I loooveeee Christina Aguilera's voice - I'm actually a fan. She's so petite (she's my height!! *beams*) and yet she has such a big voice. Her acting is also delightful.

This movie also introduces Cher to me. Being born in the 1990s, I don't know much about Cher. She's absolutely famous for the generation before me, I think. Don't get me wrong - I do know about Cher and I do hear that she's a diva. I just never bothered to look up her song and listen to it. And now I have heard her singing. And I'm in love.

Before I start gushing out more compliments (and opinions, of course), here are some info. Taken from imdb, as usual:

Director: Steve Antin

Writer: Steve Antin

Genre: Drama | Musical | Romance

Casts: Cher (Tess), Christina Aguilera (Ali), Kristen Bell (Nikki), Cam Gigandet (Jack), Eric Dane (Marcus), Peter Gallagher (Vince), Stanley Tucci (Sean), and others. Click here for the complete set of casts.

Summary:

The Burlesque Lounge has its best days behind it. Tess, a retired dancer and owner of the venue, struggles to keep the aging theater alive, facing all kinds of financial and artistic challenges. With the Lounge's troupe members becoming increasingly distracted by personal problems and a threat coming from a wealthy businessman's quest to buy the spot from Tess, the good fortune seems to have abandoned the club altogether. Meanwhile, the life of Ali, a small-town girl from Iowa, is about to change dramatically. Hired by Tess as a waitress at the Lounge, Ali escapes a hollow past and quickly falls in love with the art of burlesque. Backed by newfound friends amongst the theater's crew, she manages to fulfill her dreams of being on stage herself. Things take a dramatic turn though when Ali's big voice makes her become the main attraction of the revue. (from imdb)

It takes a LEGEND... to make a STAR.

Jack (Cam Gigandet). Pic source: click here.

I honestly think this movie totally lacks in the plot department. However, whatever it lacks, it makes up by delivering awesome choreography and phenomenal song performances.

Why you should watch this movie:

The MUSICALS. This is one and the only reason I watch Burlesque. I don't expect the singers to act awesomely but if they do it's a bonus. Don't judge this movie based on the plot or the acting either because the main attraction, once again, is the musicals. The song 'You Haven't Seen The Last of Me', performed by Cher, won Best Original Song in the Golden Globe Award a few days ago. The song 'Bound To You', sung by Christina was also nominated for the same category.

Why this movie might not be suitable for you:

If you don't like 119 minutes of musical awesomeness. Period.

To my surprise, even though the title is Burlesque, and the dance routines totally suggest sexual content, there was no excessive kissing scenes nor sex scene in the movie. It's been a while since a movie is like that. OR the Indonesia's censor department got rid of them, I don't know. Lol.

Anyway, I rate this movie 7.5 out of 10. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen (I hate the fact that I had to go to the restroom in the middle of the movie so I missed like, 5 minutes of the movie). 

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-

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

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-

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

I just had to watch this movie two times (both in theatre). It's just so good. Definitely a must watch! (I'm gonna say that again at the end of this article, count on it! :D)

As usual, a couple of info:

Director: Mike Newel

Writers: Boaz Yakin (screenplay), Doug Miro (screenplay), Carlo Bernard (screenplay), and Jordan Mechner (screen story and video game series "Prince of Persia")

Casts: Jake Gyllenhaal (Dastan), Gemma Artenton (Tamina), Ben Kingsley (Nizam), Toby Kebbell (Garsiv), Richard Coyle (Tus), Gísli Örn Garðarsson (Hassansin Leader), and many more. See the complete list of the casts here.

Genre: Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Romance

Summary:
Set in the mystical lands of Persia, a rogue prince and a mysterious princess race against dark forces to safeguard an ancient dagger capable of releasing the Sands of Time -- a gift from the gods that can reverse time and allow its possessor to rule the world.

Defy The Future.

Prince of Persia is a game originally created by the wonderful Jordan Mechner in 1989. Through various titles it has been developed and published by different companies. The first two (Prince of Persia and Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and The Flame) by Brøderbund, the recent years' games by Ubisoft. 

There are many stories about the Prince of Persia.The movie is based on  a game by the same title, which was created in 2004. Oh, there are certainly some changed characters' names, different settings and a little twist on the subplots, but the main plot is basically the same. The Prince himself never even has a name in the games. But it would be weird if he's still referred to as 'Prince' in the movie, right? Seeing as there are two other gorgeous princes as well.

The game itself is the first of The Sands of Time trilogy. The second one is Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, the third is Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones. Some elements from those two are also incorporated in the movie.

Good news for iPhone users! Prince of Persia Retro is released in iPhone OS. Well, I guess that's good news for iPod touch user like me too. Teehee.

For game users, the most recent development of Prince of Persia is Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands.

You can look it all up here. Don't you just love wikipedia? x)

Trailers for those who are curious:

Why I love this movie so much:

1. Great story. Smart ending. A tiny bit similar to Shrek (next post... hopefully), but nonetheless nice.

2. Wonderful choice of actors. Jake Gyllenhaal is drop dead gorgeous and Gemma Artenton is simply perfect for roles like Tamina. Yes, their acting is superb too.

3. Awesome special effects. They could do a little better on the sand-surfing scene but it's still worth it. 

All in all, 8 stars out of 10. And fulfilling my promise from the beginning of this article: This movie is definitely a MUST watch! 

Toodle-o,

Maria