Luther

This movie was actually really good. Its an exclusive with Ayala cinemas. It was set in the 15th century Germany where Martin Luther fought against Rome to bring the Word of God closer to the people. He had to fight the strength of the influence of the Vatican and some people who twisted his words. As is said, it was pretty cool. 4.5/5 rating :)

Lord of War

Another Nicholas Cage flop. They attempted to make a movie that was entertaining and thuoght provoking. They ended up being halfway good at either. It was a story of a man who became the biggest arms dealer in the world. Yeah, lots of violence and sex but that was it. Lame plot. I rate it at 1/5.

Dungeons & Dragons 2: The Elemental Might

This movie is pure fantasy. As a former player of AD&D, this rocks in adventure. The party of Champions on a quest to save the land is a pretty straightforward plot. Nice special effects and great looking costumes. The actors needs a bit more practice and study but its ok. 3/5 rating.

Wallace and Grommit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit

This is a cute clay animation of an inventor and his dog. Yeah, the dog is smarter than the inventor :) It is nothing spectacular. Something the kids will enjoy. What was great here was the short film of the Madagascar Penguins which was shown before the movie. They had a Christmas adventure which was so funny! Rico rocked! I probably would watch it again just for the penguins.

40 Year Old Virgin

This is a hilarious movie. Yeah it is a mushy love story in a way but more of a loser getting the better of the deal in the end movie. It was really fun to watch. 5/5 rating. I expected less based on the trailer but ended up getting more.

A History of Violence

This movie was cool! It is a weird "what if" story about a family man who suddenly got into the spotlight when he fought some robbers in his diner. This opened a can of worms with some mob guys who thinks he is someone else. It seems to be the better of the 5 movies this week and i wasnt wrong.

The Cinemanila International Film Festival

The country's "Festival of Festivals," the Cinemanila International
Film Festival, announces its exciting line-up of films. Some of the
titles to look out for include:

CLEAN (2004, France) by Olivier Assayas
Awards: Best Actress Winner, Cannes Film Festival 2004, Technical
Grand Prize Winner, Cannes Film Festival 2004
Maggie Cheung, in her Cannes winning performance, essays the role of
a woman torn between reaching for her dreams as a singer and facing
reality with a dead husband and a son estranged from her. But Emily
Wang must first find herself before she can make a choice. Clean
follows Emily to Hamilton, Paris, London and San Francisco and in
three languages (English, French and Cantonese), as she battles for
a place in a world reluctant to forget the woman she has been and
unwilling to accept her as the woman she longs to be.

HIDDEN BLADE (2004, Japan) by Yamada Yoji
Hidden Blade is a story about love, friendship and human frailties
set in conflict-torn mid-nineteenth century Japan. The decline of
the warring Shogun and Samurai caste has even affected Unasaka, a
small fiefdom on the country's northwest coast. Three friends,
Yaichiro, Munezo and Samon, with their love ones are caught in
between. Samon marries Munezo's younger sister. Kie is in love with
a married woman. And Yaichiro is to be assassinated by his closest
friend.

THE KING (2005, USA) by James Marsh
Awards: Un Certain Regard, Cannes 2005
Gael Garcia Bernal first gained international recognition in the
film "Y Tu Mama Tambien". He exhibits his dramatic flair once again
in the intense drama, "The King". He is Elvis Sandow, a 21 year old
in search of the father he never knew. His father, David, now lives
the perfect life and wants to have nothing to Elvis. As the story
unfolds, Elvis begin to infiltrate the family, and the stage is set
for the unleashing of violence and tragedy of truly biblical
proportions.

UNTOLD SCANDAL (2005, Korea) by E J-Yong
The country's notorious playboy, played by Winter Sonata Heartthrob
Bae Yong Joon, sets out to conquer the most virtuous woman in the
land. Based on the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, "Untold Scandal"
is set in aristocratic18th century Korea at the end of the Chosun
Dynasty. The temptress Lady Cho and the irresistible Jo-won play
their games of seduction and deceit with the innocent Soh-ok and the
virtuous Lady Sook as pawns.

JOINT SECURITY AREA (2000, Korea) by Chan-wook Park
Awards: Golden Berlin Bear-Nominated, Berlin International Film
Festival, 2001
Said to be the biggest blockbuster in Korea, this Korean thriller
mines the historic tension between North and South Korea over
activity in the JSA, the Joint Security Area, a region guarded by
armies from both counties. When two North Korean soldiers are found
dead there, it sets off a political chain of events that threatens
to plunge the countries into war.

THE ISLE (2000, Korea) by Kim Ki Duk
Awards: Netpac Award-Special Mention Winner, Venice Film Festival
2000
The Isle is a dark fantasy that deals in the extremes of obsession,
the vulgar energy that keeps such emotions intense to the point of
sadomasochistic mutilation and the Shangri-la we all desire to find
for sexual bliss, yet retreat from as soon as we become familiar
with it.

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005, USA) by Ang Lee
Awards: Golden Lion Winner, Venice International Film Festival 2005
A raw, powerful story of two young men (played by Hollywood stars
Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal) a Wyoming ranch hand and a rodeo
cowboy, who meet in the summer of 1963 sheepherding in the harsh,
high grasslands of contemporary Wyoming and form an unorthodox yet
life-long bond--by turns ecstatic, bitter and conflicted.

BETTER LUCK TOMORROW (2004, USA) by Justin Lin
Never underestimate an overachiever. Produced by MTV Films, "Better
Luck Tomorrow" tells story of Ben, the perfect Asian American high
school teen. His life takes a sudden turn as he and his friends
tumble into a downward spiral of excitement, excess, fun and lurking
danger. Ben's life careens into an intoxicating mix of sex, drugs
and crime, leading to a surprising end that will leave audiences
ultimately disturbed.

DEAR WENDY (2005, Denmark) by Thomas Vinterberg
Dear Wendy is a story about the young loner Dick who lives in the
poor mining town of Estherslope. When he happens upon a small
handgun one day, he finds himself strangely drawn to it, despite his
fervent pacifist views. Together with his newfound partner he soon
convinces the other young outcasts in the town to join him in a
secret club he calls The Dandies. A club based on the principals of
pacifism and guns. Despite their firm belief in the most important
Dandy rule of all-never draw your weapon-they soon find themselves
in a predicament where they realize that rules are made to be broken.

COLOR BLOSSOMS (2004, Hong Kong) by Yonfan
Set in Hong Kong in the present, Color Blossoms uses the story of a
love affair with sado-masochistic and transsexual elements to
explore themes of desire, suffering, innocence and seduction. The
beautiful Meili. The mysterious Madame Umeki. The bewitching Police
Officer Number 4708. The ethereal Kim. Their twisted affair is
becoming more bizarre by the minute.

TAEGUKGI (2004, Korea) by Je-gyu Kang
A drama about the fate of brothers forced to fight in the Korean
War. Jin-Seok and Jin-Tae, Jin-Seok's brother, are young men who
suddenly find themselves catapulted into a bloody world so different
from their quiet, rural lives. As the war progresses, the war begins
to poison Jin-Tae's mind. Jin-Seok is lost when he finds that he no
longer knows who his brother is.

WAR PHOTOGRAPHER (2001, Switzerland) by Christian Frei
In one of the world's countless crisis areas, surrounded by
suffering, death, violence and chaos, photographer James Nachtwey
searches for the picture he thinks he can publish. A film about a
committed, shy man, who is considered one of the bravest and most
important war photographers of our time - but hardly fits the cliché
of the hard-boiled war veteran.

THE PRESIDENT'S LAST BANG (2005, Korea) by Sang-soo Im
Awards: Cannes Directors' Fortnight Program 2005
This black comedy recreates a private party held at the president's
secret quarters on Octocer 26th, 1979, where Kim Jae-kyu, then chief
of the Korea Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) shot and killed the
president. The film was heavily censored in Korea that drew massive
protests from Korean filmmakers and freedom of speech activists.

These are just some of the featured films at the 7th Cinemanila
International Film Festival. Other titles to anticipate include
Ousmane Sembene's "Moolaade", Mohamed Asli's "In Casablanca Angels
Don't Fly" and the re-screening of Cinemanila classics Fernando
Mereilles' "City of God", Niki Caro's "Whale Rider" and Elia
Suleiman "Divine Intervention".

The 7th Cinemanila International Film Festival, presented by the
City of Manila and the Independent Cinema Association of the
Philippines, runs from October 12 to 25 at SM and Robinson cinemas
in Manila and at selected Metro Manila theaters.

Dark Water

This is the story of a Lady and her daughter, recently separated, finding a cheap apartment and discovering a startling secret in the apartment above. The ending was not what you expected but it was cool. A nice horror flick. 4/5 stars.

The Perfect Catch

It was as expected based on the trailer. A love story of a career girl and a school teacher/sports fanatic. It was funny and shallow but it was what it claimed. It was fun with funny moments. 3/5 stars.

The Blade of the Rose

This movie started out ok. The acting of the first girl you see (Thirteenth Master) is a little ... rather, very lacking. It was reminiscent of some Filipino actors in daytime tv. The kungfu scenes were great though. Nice moves and nice wire fights. The other girl (Blue bird) was really pretty and acted well enough. Again, a few characters that needed acting class with some failing in their attempt in comedy. Jackie Chan's special appearance and fight scene was cool. Overall, it was a bit of a disappointment. Had they made it a serious flick, it would have been better.

A Sound of Thunder

It was a very interesting Sci-fi action movie playing with the What-if of an abused time machine. The scenery was high tech but the blue screen effect was so obvious. The monsters were common. The effects werent so hot. The cars werent so interesting. Actually fell asleep a little in the middle. 3/5 stars.

Cinderella Man

This turned out to be a really nice movie than what i expected. It had drama but not too much and it had enough action, too. it was a really inspiring movie about a family man who was into boxing. It was worth the time. 4.5/5 stars in my book.

Red Eye

A nice suspense movie. It all revolves around a hotel manager, her father and a hotel guest. The trailer shows how this guy she kept bumping into turned out to be someone who is after her to do something. 4 out of 5.

The Cave

Cool movie. A suspense action flick about monsters in a cave being mapped by some professional spelunkers. The plot is fairly simple. They found a cave, they explored it, got trapped, discovered the monsters and after a few deaths, got out.... with a twist ;) Its a nice movie to watch if youve seen Sky High.

The Dukes of Hazzard

I dont remember the TV show from way back when with a similar title. It was a little too red-neck for my taste. Yeah, Daisy, played by Jessica Simpson, is sexy in the movie but other than that and the car action, it was not really that good. I fell asleep in the middle.

Sky High

A teen flick about the son of 2 superheroes who got his powers late after enrolling in Sky High, a highschool for children of heroes. Its fun in a sci-fi fantasy sort of way. I like the effects and the concept. It is fun to watch. This is the first of the three new movies this week we watched and it was a good decision.

The Truth About Love

Another Jennifer Love Hewitt love story movie set in London. I like the accent. The story is about an adulterous husband getting caught by his wife when she tries to anonymously flirt with him. It was a nice movie. Maybe watching it in Gateway mall with noisy girls in the back seat saying stupid comments aloud messed up the experience for me. Jennifer looks gorgeous with long hair. The bollywood actor played the husband. I didnt like him. Anyway, its ok to watch if youve seen Valiant and The Longest Yard.

The Longest Yard

This is the second movie we watched today and it was a good decision. This movie is so hilarious. Adam Sandler and Chris Rock in one movie - need i say more? This is a story of a washed up Football player getting arrested and forced to fix up a team composed of Convicts to play against a team made up of the guards in the prison. The gay cheerleaders were really disconcerting. The other Convicts in the team were equally funny. If you were to watch only two movies this week, i say that this is one of the two you should watch and Valiant being the other.

Valiant

This is the first of two movies we watched today. It was very funny and entertaining. I enjoyed it but a kid would, too. It is a cartoon story of a pigeon joining the "armed forces" of britain and fighting in World War II along with humans. Their enemies, the falcons, their allies, the mice of france. The lines were funny as well as the characters. Of the four new movies this week, this is one you should watch.

Must Love Dogs

This movie is about some middle aged people dating and trying to get over divorces, separations and whatnot. A chick flick that is moderately amusing. I actually fell asleep in the middle. Its ok though. Looking forward to just watching the Skeleton Key.