The Departed: Gangster Movie Without Meatballs, But Just As Good

Title: The Departed

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin, martin Sheen
Director: Martin Scorsese




Popcorn Says:

A gangster movie has never looked this good.

I'm saying that based on the A-list actors that make up the movie. Hearing the cast at first makes you think of a pretty boy club flick. DiCaprio, Damon, and Wahlberg. As Paris would say, "That's hot!" And how many people know that this movie was produced by Brad Pitt?

Good to say that the beauty of the film doesn't stop there.

Scorsese is at his best elements with this one. I'm sure many of his following shunned his last two creations -- Gangs of New York and The Aviator -- but definitely The Departed brought the flock back.

The Departed is based on a Chinese hit, Infernal Affairs. This version is set in South Boston, where the state police force is waging war on organized crime. Young undercover cop Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) is assigned to infiltrate the mob syndicate run by gangland chief Costello (Nicholson). While Billy is quickly gaining Costello's confidence, his protege Colin Sullivan (Damon), infiltrates the police department as an informer for the syndicate.

Wahlberg and Sheen are in charge of Costigan's undercover gig, and Baldwin heads the elite force in which Damon was promoted to sergeant.

We are treated to two and half hours of blood, violence, obscenities done without, nor any attempt for, any apologies. The story unravels without holes and inconsistencies we usually encounter in many Jerry Bruckheimer productions. If you're looking for action films wrapped in cheesy dialogues and slapstick moments, go see Miami Vice.

It's reminiscent of Scorsese's past oeuvres without spaghetti and meatballs. Or Robert De Niro.

He could've been there though. Sheen's part was originally intended for De Niro. But Nicholson had so many requirements before accepting the part, the guy moved on to another project. Although I was sort of glad it wasn't him that was thrown out of the building and smashed his head on the pavement. That would have been too cruel.

You don't do that sorta thing to De Niro! You just don't!

As for the actors who are actually there, it's amazing how all these big names were given meaty characters and equal exposure. DiCaprio and Damon are great as ever. Nicholson was his own lunatic self. But Wahlberg was the scene stealer.

Maybe beacuse of all the cast, he's the real deal. A real working class Masachussettes thug who has been in and out of the city's underbelly. I loved the scene where he scowled at the tech guy during one operation: "I'm the guy who does his job, maybe you're the other one!"

The Deaprted is easily the best film of the year. I don't know if the good reviews it's raking are enough to get an Oscar buzz. But even if they snub Marty again, this one is going straight to the book of 101 Movies You Must See Before You Die (nth edition).

Rating: 10

Why The World Doesn't Need Another Superman Movie

Title: Superman Returns

Cast: Kevin Spacey, Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Parker Posey
Director: Bryan Singer





Popcorn says:

I loved Christopher Reeve. And I say this in behalf of all my age group that he is the penultimate Superman of our generation.

I just couldn't stand all those "truth, justice, and the American way" crap. Lucky me, director Bryan Singer made a good call to replace it with "truth, justice, all that stuff..." in his latest comic book-turned-film installment, Superman Returns.

The movie picks up 5 years after our hero left earth and its helpless population as depicted at the end of Superman II. As you all know by now, Singer decided his Superman opus would be a continuation of the 1980 movie. If you're lost go rent the video.

As soon as the John Williams theme rumbled thru my eardrums I was instantly transported to 25 years ago. The opening titles (credits come after the movie) was a classic. I felt the same way when Episode I: The Phantom Menace rolled onto the screen and I heard the Star Wars theme on THX for the first time. That experience alone was worth the hundred-fifty bucks!

Theeen it's pretty much downhill from there. An hour into the movie I was starting to get bored. Brandon Routh's mimicry of Reeve's Clark Kent was dehydrated and the Man of Steel was his own cheesy self on every scene. The guy's in love with himself, c'mon admit it.

But one thing about Singer, he takes care of the story. The script was well in place plus Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was insanely flawless. Parker Posey as Kitty Kozlowski injected a few funny moments, too.

My real complain is the movie was too long. If they had managed to squeeze it all in a 2-hour spectacle it would have been more effective. Then there's the lingering question on every inquiring mind: for a feisty reporter Lois Lane perpetually fails to make a connection between Kent's disappearance and Superman's reappearance.

Superman Returns was a tribute movie, plain and simple. It barely updated what Richard Donner did with the original 2 Superman flicks. It was good enough, but fell short of being great.

Hell, at least it wasn't as painful to endure as Spiderman II!

Rating: 6

Extra Rice says:

Why do I get this feeling that the creative geniuses of Hollywood are running out of ideas lately? Sequel this, prequel that, it seems that original scripts are hard to come by nowadays. I guess the producers want a guaranteed return on their budgets.

That I understand, but somehow I wish they would take more calculated risks and give us fresh material every so often.

Superman Returns. Yes, another Superman movie. Has it been 20 years since the last one?

I was excited to see this movie. I wanted to watch on the first day but the lines were just too long. I was curious how the present technology could present this rehashed material. The old Superman movies almost convinced viewers that man could fly with their special effects.

I was not to be disappointed. The opening credits alone were almost worth the ticket price. They could have modified that opening, use it on a theme park ride, and I would have happily lined up to see it once more.

The music and sound effects were first class. My heart literally pumped faster with excitement as the movie progressed during the first few minutes.

Then the movie started. And then I realized that I was watching a dud. I don’t think this movie was made for someone like me.

Do you know those warnings they put on some comic books that say “For Mature Readers Only?” They should have put a warning on this movie, “Not for viewers aged 30 and above who appreciate good stories, acting, and editing.”

This movie was more of homage to Superman than anything. If we needed toinclude a movie about Superman in the archives for future generations, thiswould be perfect. Director Bryan Singer even included scenes from the originalAction Comics to remind viewers of where the character came from. I rememberthat scene where Superman was carrying a car and the one where a needle broketrying to penetrate his skin. I had fun with those, including Perry White’s “Great Caesar’s Ghost!”

What wasn’t entertaining was the slow pace of exposition. The actors’ wooden performances further added salt to the wound. I understand that they needed an actor without any baggage to play the Man of Steel, but did they have to choose someone who acted like he was made of it?

Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor was the movie’s only saving grace. He was perfect for the role, injecting evil mischief into Superman’s arch-enemy. Brilliant actors do that. They can take tired roles and breathe new life into them.

Superman Returns. Maybe he should have waited a few more years…

Ratings:
plot *
acting *
cinematography ***
special effects ****
sound ****
over-all cinematic experience **

It's More Fun Watching the Fab 5

Title: Fantastic 4

Cast: Jessica Alba, Julian McMahon, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, Ioan Gruffudd
Director: Tim Story


Popcorn says:

I came into the movie theater with an open mind. Erasing every traces of Batman Begins from my brain and creating a tabula rasa before watching the much raved Fantastic Four.

Half an hour into the movie I was suffering. But I had to endure another hour or so of it. And I thought Spiderman 2 was beyond redemption.

First, I always find it strips superheroes of their mysticism whenever they parade in front of a crowd revealing their true identity. They turn to instant celebrities and people chase them wherever they go. Thus, they become less effective. This is why DC characters have lives -- a billionaire, a journalist, and uhm...is Diana Prince still a secretary?

Second, whoever gave Stan Lee the idea that doing cameo roles adds value to his comic-inspired movies? It's cheesy and no one really cares about him.

The only cast who showed a vague sign of an acting ability was Mcmahon who played Von Doom. Still his attack to the character is very reminiscent of his TV stint, i.e. The Source of All Evil off to destroy the Charmed ones. Alba (Sue Storm/Invisible Woman), loved her in Dark Angel. I'd rather see her kicking ass than trying to make an on-camera distinction between sad and very sad. Chiklis (Thing--how creative) was ok, too bad he had to play the part of a hardened glob. Evans (Human Torch) is only hot when he's literally on fire. And Ioan Gruffudd (Mr. Fantastic), very limp man.

Lines are cheezy-weezy, the script was just bad. I'll give them brownie points for the special effects, though. Oh and yes, in this day and age calling your group Fantastic is sooo gay. And frankly, I have more fun watching the Fab 5.

That's about it. No point writing anything more.

Rating: 4

Finally, A Batman Movie!

Title: Batman Begins

Cast: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Tom Wilkinson, Katie Holmes
Director: Chris Nolan




Popcorn says:

Thank you, Christian Bale for erasing every smudge of George Clooney's memory in my head.

At long last here's a movie about the caped crusader the way it ought to be. Not that bubblegum version filled with WHAM! POW! and HOLY COW! that traces its roots from that '60s TV show. Nor is this a glammed up, butt and nipple protruding depiction of Joel Schumacher's last two Batman series.

This time it was done right. Batman as the crime fighting dark hero of Gotham City, spreading fear in the underworld. Bale was perfect for the role. What I like most about him is, the moment he slips into his mask he becomes an entirely different character. He stops being Bruce Wayne. He becomes the creature.

And dudettes, that car chase! It's the mother of all car chases.

Kudos to Caine (as the butler Alfred) for providing light but profound moments in the film, and it was refreshing to see Gary Oldman (as the future Commissioner Gordon) as one of the good guys. Of course there were cheesy lines in between, but I can forgive that. One thing Batman purists won't forgive, though, is the torching of the Wayne manor. I'm also pretty sure they would come up with a long list of 'sacrileges' to the original comic book saga. Gah! Get a fucking life!

I thought no one could surpass what Tim Burton did for this franchise, especially after Batman Returns, but Nolan masterfully did. This new Batman installment made Spiderman look like a huge load of crap (as what has always been my stand). I am vindicated!

I love this film. The only drawback is that Katie Holmes lived.

Rating: 10

Star Wars Episode 3: Makes Sense It All Now

Title: Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christiansen, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Frank Oz
Director: George Lucas

Extra Rice says:

Is it just me, but do you guys also feel happily excited, close to near-giggling, when you see the Star Wars logo during the opening of the movie? Okay, it’s just me. But I’m honest.

I’ve watched Episode 4, A New Hope, at least 26 times. I say “at least” because I know it’s more than 25, and I just watched it again this morning. The other episodes, each of them at least 8 times each, except for The Phantom Menace, which I think should have been used for target practice by the fully-operational Death Star.

So I’m a Star Wars geek. And proud of it. I was sixth in line, first day, Circle Theater, twenty (?) years ago when they showed Episode 4 in Manila. It was just plain Star Wars then. It didn’t need explaining. The Force, good. Dark Side, bad. Light sabers, Santa, I want some.

Which is why I love Episode 3. After watching the other episodes, I needed to know more. I tried reading the Star Wars books, but no pictures, man, and trying to voice out the characters scared my sister (I do a really excellent Emperor and Darth Vader, Princess Leia too, but that’s a different story).

Revenge of the Sith explained most everything. You just have to watch the next three in the timeline to fully appreciate its impact on the series. It was also clearly the best movie, technologically speaking. CG effects were unnoticeable, blending seamlessly with live action. Forget about the acting. The story had the lead role here. And it didn’t fail me.

Verdict? Exceptional. But like the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Star Wars episodes should be reviewed as a body of work, not individually. I just might do that soon.

May the Force be with us all.

Popcorn says:

Totally agree. Star Wars should be critique-free. To hell with those critics who have nothing better to do. And that's why i am not saying anything more.

BTW Extra, giggling? (evil grin)

Sin City: Film Noir or Pulp Fiction?

Title: Sin City
Cast: Bruce Willis, Benicio del Torro, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Jessica Alba, Elijah Wood
Director: Robert Rodriguez; w/ guest director Quentin Tarantino



Popcorn says:

Well what do you expect from a Rodriguez and Tarantino movie? Dark, bloody, hot kickin' ass chicks, and too many bullets flying it's almost mind-blowing. But Sin City is based on Frank Miller's graphic novel, just how faithful the movie was to the comic book i won't be sure until i hit the comic store to check it out. If i ever get to that.

Anyway, artistically i liked the whole black and white texture and how the variation of the blood colors from red to white to yellow. Everyone gets shot, beat up, and left for dead. And they don't seem to die easily, no sir not in the comic books they don't. Storywise, i'm still masticating the totality of it. Overall, i think this film is revolutionary.

Rating: 7 ( ranking of 1-10)

Extra Rice says:

The first ten seconds, you know somebody’s going to get killed. You’re just waiting for that gun or that blade to reveal itself. This is Sin City, and you never forget that. Gotham City and Hell’s Kitchen are pussies compared to this feast of unabated violence.

So this is how it feels to be in a Frank Miller comic book. True to form, you become selectively color-blind, with splashes of color offered every few minutes to maintain your grip on reality. Imagine if it was in full color. It just wouldn’t work.

They’ve got a good cast here, with A-listers Bruce Willis and Benicio del Toro leading the way. Performances were tight. Nothing fancy, but no sloppy scenes either. I think an integral part of casting was the actors’ distinctive voices, as lots of narrations are the norm, lest we forget it’s a comic book.

My favorite part? Definitely Jessica Alba dancing, man. That was worth the price of admission, plus drinks. But that’s just me and I’m a pig. Okay, and Master Frodo. Elijah Wood gave me the creeps.

Verdict? Didn’t like it. It should have stayed in pulp.

I had one of original Sin City graphic novels years ago when it was the cool thing to have. I remembered buying it at cost, then flipping it for twice the price after less than a month so I could afford my Batman addiction. Big Mistake.