Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

Blue Sky Studio (20th Century Fox animation) name has to be mention for its success of Ice Age franchise. This is the second successful animation-trilogy after "Shrek". And "Toy Story 3" coming in 2010 will be the 3rd. Blue Sky Studio is catching up animation maker such as all-timer Pixar, DreamWorks Ani & Walt Disney Ani. They also made "Horton hears a WHO!"in 2008 (rating 4 out of 5) . Ice Age 3 delivers nothing lesser from previous sequels and kept every one L.O.L throughout the entire movie. One will surely regret if they missed viewing this in 3D version.

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Voice : John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Ray Romano, Queen Latifah
URL : http://www.iceagemovie.com

Derailed (2005)

Derailed (2005)

Excellent work from director Mikael Håfström. Both Clive Owen and Jennifer Aniston is AMAZING as I never expect them to be other than the typical Gun-men (for Clive) and "Friends" Rachel (for Aniston). Thanks to James Siegel who wrote the perfect novel warns everyone that Some lines should never be crossed. DO get "unrated" version for full viewing experience. One of the top crime movie for me.

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Crime, Thriller, Drama
Actor : Clive Owen, Jennifer Aniston, Vincent Cassel
URL : http://www.derailedthemovie.com

Because I Said So (2007)

Because I Said So (2007)

Family drama, about girls, sisters and mother talking about love and relationship at their different age. Well, Mandy Moore isn't as bad as I thought but neither good compared to other actresses. Diane Keaton is sporting and well acting, that Bette Midler, Whoopi Goldberg and Barbra Streisand shares the similarity. Typical chick-flick that entertains teenage girl who's eager to love.

Rating : 2½/5
Genre : Comedy, Romance, Chick-Flick
Actor : Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Gabriel Macht
URL : http://www.becauseisaidsomovie.com

Knowing (2009)

Knowing (2009)

Finally Cage is back with real movies. CG and VE is surrealistic but who will actually know how it will looks like? The movie is beautifully crafted, with pseudoscience and propaganda. And too heavy on either side. In a nut shell, KNOWING everything just ain't enough. Not to be miss!!

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Sci-Fi, Disaster, Thriller
Actor : Nicholas Cage, Chandler Canterbury, Rose Byrne
URL : http://www.knowing-themovie.com

Frontière(s) (2007)

Frontière(s) (2007)

108 mins of plotless and bloodbath French movie, gory, disturbing and brutal. Why does the French like to have English soundtrack for french movie instead of French? For people who enjoy The Hills Have Eyes, Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Eden Lake probably watch this too.

Rating : 2½/5
Genre : Gore, French
Actor : Karina Testa, Samuel Le Bihan, Aurélien Wiik
URL : http://www.frontiersunrated.com

Gran Torino (2008)

Gran Torino (2008)

For those who's new to Eastwood production, this might not be the one to start with. One film that entertains and educate however slow paced (not cup of tea for all). It's weird but real, it's sad but true. Truth about culture & race criticism, old folk & social issue, youth crime and etc. I liked the way Director Eastwood blends it all in one. Moved and touched one's soul.

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Drama, Crime
Actor : Client Eastwood, Bee Vang, Ahney Her
URL : http://www.thegrantorino.com

The Painted Veil (2006)

The Painted Veil (2006)

Loveless marriage couples moves to remote villiage that caught in deadly epidemic. But that's where the journey begins, learning life and relationship in different aspects. Soundtrack is quite Ok and 1920's setting was beautifully done some how I personally think that it's just another typical romance drama that performed in artistry way.

Rating : 3/5
Genre : Drama, Romance
Actor : Edward Norton, Naomi Watts, Liev Schreiber, Anthony Wong
URL : http://www.thepaintedveilmovie.com

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

Sequel to the Trans-franchise, this time with more bots, actions and settings. Sam & Mikaela acting got much better than before, since I'm not really familiar with Transformer characters, I find alot of surprise in this movie. Story line and overall was OK for me and I must say the CG & visual effect is certainly make your cine-money worth. Perfect collaboration of the duo - Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg.

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Action, Sci-Fi
Actor : Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel
URL : http://www.transformersmovie.com

Hard Candy (2005)

Hard Candy (2005)

Probably one of its kind, you'll be surprised what a 14 yrs old children can do. Film shooting style in specific aperture in this film is odd yet unique. Overall, a roller coaster ride of torture and agony. Pedophile and chat room goer should not miss this. Paraphilic, Masochistic & Sadistic.

Rating : 3/5
Genre : Thriller, Crime,
Actor : Patrick Wilson, Ellen Page
URL : http://hardcandymovie.com

Japanese Film Festival 2009

あしたの私のつくり方 (2007)

Atashi no watashi no tsukurikata (How to become myself)

6th Japanese Film Festival - first movie I watched for my Japmovie marathon on 20th June '09, movie is about innerself struggling and finding true self of school girls and it's rather a really slow movie. Please prepare Large popcorn set when viewing this.

Rating : 2/5
Genre : Drama
Actor : 成海璃子(Narumi Riko), 前田敦子(Maeda Atsuko), 石原真理子(Ishihara Mariko)
URL : http://watatsuku.goo.ne.jp

アフタースクール (2008)
Afuta Sukuru (After School)

Yakuza + School buddy = Weird yet relaxing mafia comedy, thank god have twist in movie. Movie overall is ok showing typical social issue in Japan, but the twist is unpredictable that makes me liking this movie.

Rating : 3½ /5
Genre : Crime Comedy
Actor : 大泉洋 (Oizumi Yo), 佐々木蔵之介 (Sasaki Kuranosuke), 常盤貴子 (Tokiwa Takako)
URL : http://www.after-school.jp

包帯クラブ (2007)
Hotai Kurabu (The Bandage Club)

I doubted this is novel / manga based, overall it's the teenage themed movie about friendship, and how interest get people together where the darkest little secret is shared n' cared. The Power of Bandage (another "Only In Japan" trend)??

Rating : 3/5
Genre : Drama, Fiction
Actor : 柳楽優弥 (Yagira Yuya), 石原さとみ (Ishihara Satomi), 田中圭 (Tanaka Kei)
URL : http://www.ho-tai.jp

ALWAYS 続・三丁目の夕日 (2007)
Always Zoku - Sanchome no Yuhi (Always Con't - Sunset on 3rd Street)

Set in 1950s in Japan when Tokyo Tower was first built, story tells life of residents living in 3rd street who shared joy, pain, hopes and tear. Excellant movie showing Japan in retro where households ie. Washing machine, TV can be seen in their 1st edition look. I enjoyed the every settings in retro style in this movie.

Rating : 4/5
Genre : Drama,
Actor : 吉岡秀隆 (Yoshioka Hidetaki), 堤真一 (Tsutsumu Shinichi), 薬師丸ひろ子 (Yakushimaru Hiroko), 小雪 (Koyuki), 堀北真希
URL : http://www.always3.jp

おくりびと (2008)
Okuribito (Depatures)

"Okuribito" won Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for 2008 and Best Fim for Japanese Academy and other awards. I get different insights of "Departure" moments, better understanding of Japanese ritual and culture, and how a CELLO sounds certainly. This 132mins TEARJERKER moved millions of audience in joy and tears; and deeply touched million souls.

Rating : 4½/5
Genre : Drama
Actor : 本木雅弘 (Motoki Masahiro), 広末涼子 (Hirosue Ryoko), 山崎努 (Yamazaki Tsutomu)
URL : http://www.okuribito.jp