DCRJ's Movie Reviews: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (2014)

We saw THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 at the Imax theater, MOA April 30, 2014. Still no Mary Jane Watson here and still no J Jonah Jameson here, Aunt May's hair is still black, Uncle Ben still dead, a Stan Lee cameo as usual and three Spider-man foes emerged in a single movie making the film a lot to comprehend including the reason why the disappearance of Peter's parents from the first film. Gwen Stacy died exactly at 1:21 as homage to the Spider-man comic book issue 121. Chris Cooper as Norman Osborne and Dane DeHaan as Harry Osborne, both actors appeared previously in the Joel Torre movie called AMIGO, FYI. Electro's emergence and origin story gave me a cartoony feel just like what I've felt in Joel Schumacher's nippled George Clooney. Overall, still a worthy sequel with the sparkling chemistry between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone but the jumbled plots took away some of the momentum. 3.5 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's MOVIE REVIEWS: HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS (2013)

 We saw HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS (2013) at 3D Digital Cinema, SM MOA. The film is inventive, slick, fast-paced and most of all fun. The classic fairy tale gone bad-ass, butt-kickin action tale thanks to the appealing stars Jeremy Renner and Gemma Atherton (familiar actress from Quantum of Solace, Prince of Persia, Clash of the Titans). It is still a flawed film, Jeremy Renner never changed his American accent which was supposed to be a German character and the hi-tech weaponry getting anachronistically introduced in a 19th century tale. Well, what the heck, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie so I'm giving it a 4.5 out 5 Biscuits ratings ! BTW, highly recommended to see this film in 3D, bits and pieces and blood spurts literally fly out the screen ! Funny how the Philippine MTRCB rated this film as PG-13 when in fact there are nudity, head decapitation, extremities pulling, head smashings in it, the US rated this as Restricted FYI.

DCRJ's Movie Reviews: THE BOURNE LEGACY (2012)

We just saw THE BOURNE LEGACY (2012) at Cinema 5, SM Mall of Asia Aug. 8, 2012 Wednesday. The film took place during the events of the 3rd Matt Damon film 'Bourne Ultimatum'. New character Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) is introduced. I was simply excited with the first half of the film knowing that the 2nd half was shot in the Philippines. Aaron Cross asking Dr. Shearing (Rachel Weisz) for the source of the blue pill that enhances his strength and the audience obviously got excited when Weisz blurted the words 'Manila, the Philippines'. Raw Manila, the Philippines highlights the motorcycle action sequences shot in random points in busy Manila streets (Leveriza St. Malate, Marikina, Tramo Pasay, Jones Bridge Sta Cruz, , EDSA Pasay rotunda, Ramon Magsaysay Highway, Navotas fishport, Palawan) which are sewed together to make one continuous sequence. Amusing Filipino extras with the famous 'P.I.' curses, the ever famous Jeepneys and an impressive performance by Filipino John Arcilla as a security guard gave the film a Pinoy touch. I find the character Aaron Cross spread too thin lacking the emotional moments that would make him a likable character and that's because of director Tony Gilroy's faulty script while Rachel Weisz brings the needed humanity in the film. Aaron Cross' hand-to-hand combat style seems ordinary and lacks the innovative martial arts skill of Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) perhaps the fault of the martial arts choreographer in Legacy. I love The Bourne Legacy because the film-makers placed the Philippines in the international radar but the story is very linear with no complexities avoiding a thinking man's film. The ending is lackluster and lacks a style and lacks the necessary build-up of characters and events to make the film a satisfying one. I heard a couple of boos from the audience including a boo from my son (lol) at the ending and I seem to agree with them which, sad to say, I miss Matt Damon more after watching 'Legacy'. My ratings: 2.5 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)

We saw THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012) at a digital theater at SM MOA. The film is spectacular and crafty in this 3rd part of Christopher Nolan's said trilogy. The film is ambitious in production values and you can feel its awesomeness, epicness and grandeur. With that said, the film's plot sometimes gets lost in the mazes of morality issues, a signature element in all of Nolan's unique version of the Batman, the film is also devoid of humor and is too serious but it's a masterpiece of a watchable version of the Caped Crusdaer. Anne Hathaway's Catwoman is a delight. Tom Hardy's Bane is a great match-up to the Bat but the bare knuckles fight scenes could used some quickness technique ala Bruce Lee but what the heck they're Americans not Asians doing the American style of slow and boring boxing style. The twist at the end was a big surprise indeed and the end finale was a blast and the introduction of Robin, caught unaware by fans, was a thrill, his name is Blake not Dick Grayson so how could anyone guess he's the Boy Wonder? The Batman films has matured courtesy of Christopher Nolan. Looking forward hopefully more of Nolan's work in the future. My ratings: 4 out of 5 Biscuits

DCRJ's Movie Reviews: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012)

We saw THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2012) at the SM MOA IMAX this June 30, 2012. First of all, my positive take on the film is the charm and the great chemistry of Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone. Secondly, the 3D effects specially on the Imax screen is breathtaking. Thirdly, the story of Peter Parker is now detailed and intriguing. On the negative note, I got mixed feelings after watching the film. I felt that this reboot isn't needed because some plot points have already been told in the 2002 Spider-man starring Tobey Maguire. The characterization of Dr. Curt Connors (aka The Lizard) lacks sympathy and the weakest of all, it felt like the character was only there to fill the villain role. Andrew Garfield's portrayal as Peter Parker lacks the lightheartedness of a Tobey Maguire. Emma Stone as Gwen Stacey is charming but lacks the appeal of a Kristen Dunst (MJ Watson). The film is medium heavy on the drama but lacks the necessary humor to make the film enjoyable to watch. No memorable movie theme song too. The film has loopholes in its plot and the film-makers seems not to care by not weaving the script in cohesion. I can go on with the negatives for it outweighs the positive, in short I wasn't satisfied at all with this reboot because it's been done before. The film is uninspired and it only made me miss the Tobey Maguire version more. My ratings: 2 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews : PROMETHEUS (2012)

We saw PROMETHEUS (2012) in 3D at SM MOA June 9, 2012 Saturday. First, let me tell you this...it's a PREQUEL of Ridley Scott's ALIEN (1979). Highly entertaining with its visual grandeur of extraterrestrial planet along with the same horrific elements seen in earlier 'Alien' films. Silly premise that humans were 'engineered' or created, not by God but, by humanoid-like species from a distant planet. Yet still the film has a top-notched production and magnificent performance by Michael Fassbender (the young Magneto of X-Men Origins) as the android David. Charlize Theron still looks and acts like the evil queen Ravena in Snow White & The Huntsman but the real gem came from Noomi Rapace (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) as a vulnerable but tough space explorer whose character reminded me of Sigourney Weaver's Ripley in Alien I, II and III. Movie sci-fi at its best. One of Ridley Scott's finest. My ratings: 5 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews: MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (2012)

We saw MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (2012) at a 3D Digital Cinema at the SM Mall of Asia April 25, 2012 Wednesday. One word...WOW ! To me this is the greatest superhero movie of all time. Character development with all its conflicts and personality clashes is intact. Never did I feel I was watching an overblown cartoon, I was sure I was watching a mature action flick complete with emotional impact, humor and suspense. I was a boy again and the boy inside me was cheering for the superheroes. I was teary eyed for Agent Coulson, who was a big fan of the Cap since he was a boy and I felt his sentiments. Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) aka Hawkeye, although a minor role in the casts, didn't felt like a minor role at all, he has some amazing moments. I surely wish Jane Foster (Natalie Portman in Thor) had a role to establish the continuing 'love story' part of Thor but she wasn't in the film. I also wish Edward Norton played the part of Banner to ensure the believability of the series although Mark Ruffalo was good. I didn't regret I took the afternoon off my clinic because this was a movie event and the opening day of the showing in the Philippines. Very entertaining and I was hugely entertained. My ratings: 5 out of 5 Biscuits. P.S. - Stan Lee again had a cameo here. The teaser scene in mid-credits is an approval for THE AVENGERS sequel !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews : BATTLESHIP (2012)

We saw BATTLESHIP (2012) at Cinema 3, SM Mall of Asia April 14, 2012 Saturday. Taylor 'John Carter' Kitsch must be on top of the world for starring again in a highly expensive movie. Battleship film based on the popular Battleship game product from Hasbro and also one of my beloved 'board' games from my childhood. The film's special effects are huge, explosive and very impressive but character development is too superficial and the plot with its sub-plot went downhill to the point of silliness. It's all about the action and the aliens are just there to provide more numbing action and make the heroes look splendid. Entertaining film but feels like an overblown cartoon..LOL. My ratings: 3 out 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews: THE WITNESS (2012) from GMA Films and Skylar Films

We saw THE WITNESS (2012) starring GMA-7 artist Gwen Zamora and Indonesian actor Pierre Gruno. The film is a collaboration of GMA-7 and Indonesian film company Skylar. Angel played by Gwen, a hotel manager in Indonesia who just moved in from the Philippines has witnessed the massacre of both of her parents including her sister Safara by a lone gunman and she was also shot on the back but somehow she miraculously survived. Haunted by dreams of a man committing suicide including the gunman, she decides to investigate the case by herself without the help of her newly acquainted Indonesian detective. First the positive note, Gwen can really act and convince her viewers with the fitting mood in an atmosphere of fear. Indonesian actor Pierre Gruno as Satria is the right choice for the gunman. The blood splattering effects is on par with Hollywood. Now the negatives, loopholes in characterizations made the characters superficial, what drives the gunman to the edge of insanity by slaughtering an entire family? the suicide of his son isn't enough cause as consequence of his betrayal to his own son. Something deep is definitely lacking here. The young lovers sequence complete with cheesy song deviates from the mood of a psychological thriller movie. Gwen's cry and wailings was overly long to tediousness and the same annoying wailings was shown again later. Gwen was shot in the back particularly the spinal cord area which amazes me she managed to walk up straight later in the film. The Angel character is a hotel manager and somehow was able to set up a shotgun and used it, her shotgun abilities wasn't established in the film. Angel's mother is actually an Indonesian actress and had difficulty pronouncing the right Tagalog accent. Overall, the film is still watchable with the correct blend of suspense and thrill despite the incongruities. My ratings: 3 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews : THE HUNGER GAMES (2012)

We saw THE HUNGER GAMES (2012) at Centerstage, SM Mall of Asia, March 22, 2012 Thursday. Set somewhere in future North America where a contest is held annually by the evil Capitol nation with the 12 districts represented by a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games, a brutal death sport until one remains as the victor. It reminded me of the TV show 'Survivor' (Survivor Philippines here) which showed similar elements involved sans the brutality. Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique of X-Men: First Class) as Katniss Everdeen takes the lead in this action thriller. Some offensiveness in some scenes involving minors being brutally hacked, shaky camera pannings, too much close-ups on action sequences and some cheesiness on the love element between Katniss and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). Liam Hemsworth (brother of the Mighty Thor Chris Hemsworth) looks bland, stoic and dumb (LOL). Overall, it's effective and a powerful thrill ride despite its repulsive plot involving young tweens pitted against late teen bullies and the lack of deep characterizations on the lead stars. My ratings: 3.5 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews: SEEKING JUSTICE (2011)

We saw SEEKING JUSTICE (2011) starring baldie, Nicolas Cage as Will Gerard, a family man and a school teacher gets his life in topsy-turvy situation when he accepted an offer from an underground vigilante organization to exact vengeance on his wife's rapist but with dire consequence. Lackluster film with a messy screenplay and unlikable characters makes it hard for me to favor the film but Nicolas Cage saves the film from decline. January Jones (X-men Origins) is appealing but got a bland part. Ho hum film. My ratings: 2 out of 5 Biscuits ! BTW, the bootlegged DVD copy with a misspelled title 'Justice' instead of 'Seeking Justice' is amusing.
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DCRJ's Movie Reviews: THE SITTER (2011)

We saw THE SITTER (2011). Jonah Hill (Oscar Best Supporting Actor nominee for Moneyball) is The Sitter, an irresponsible baby sitter takes on three weird kids and mayhem broke loose on the streets of NYC. Sounds cliche when you manage to watch all movie genre there is. Gags are twisted, not funny and the latino kid is annoying. I am awed at myself for finishing this movie even after several interruptions by patients entering my clinic. Don't waste your precious time on this one, you've been warned my man. My ratings: 0.5 out 5 Biscuits !

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DCRJ's Movie Reviews : JOHN CARTER (2012)

We saw JOHN CARTER (2012) at the 3D Digital Cinema 3, SM Mall of Asia March 10, 2012 Saturday. Taylor Kitsch (aka Gambit in X-men Origins Wolverine) as John Carter. The film based on Edgar Rice Burroughs novel, tells the story of military captain John Carter who got mysteriously transported to Barsoom aka Mars. The film reminded me of the gladiatorial battle sequence from Star Wars Episode II Attack of the Clones and it also reminded me of the plot from James Cameron's Avatar. Although the film is a visual spectacle specially in 3D, it suffers from an incomprehensible and incohesive plot failing to get a real bonding between Carter and the group of aliens called Tarks. It is also hard, at least for me, to sympathize with John Carter due to the messy characterization expressed by the script. Overall, it's still watchable with some thrills but it could have been so much more. My ratings: 3 out of 5 Biscuits. BTW, Thomas Hayden Church is in the film, he played the Sandman in Spider-man 3, Willem Dafoe is also in the film, he played the Green Goblin in Spider-man one

DCRJ's Movie Reviews: THE ARTIST (2011)

I saw THE ARTIST (2011) in a Sunday afternoon at home March 4, 2012. A black and white silent film done in 2011 but feels like it was filmed in the late 1920s. Story of George Valentin (Rudolph Valentino ring a bell?) who was famous in the silent film era and finds himself obsolete in the advent of the talkies which sees the rise to fame of his lady love Peppy Miller who owes her success to Valentin who lovingly meant to her more than anything else. Glorious black and white in a refreshing visual style making all the more entertaining and capturing the bygone era and brought memories of early hollywood films and actors such as Errol Flynn, Clark Gable and Fred Astaire. Jean Dujardin deservingly won the Oscar's best actor for this one as well as a best supporting actress nomination for Berenice Bejo as Peppy Miller. Entertainment at its best. My ratings: 5 out of 5 Biscuits
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DCRJ's Movie Reviews: MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (2011)

I saw MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (2011) in a Sunday afternoon March 4, 2012 at home. Michelle Williams (Heath Ledger's missus) uncannily captured the helpless vulnerabilty, charm, allure and gentle sweetness of Norma Jean aka Marilyn Monroe. The film tells the story of Collin Clark, an assistant on the set of 'The Prince and The Showgirl', when he introduced Marilyn Monroe to scenic British countryside as a getaway from the Hollywood hounds in a week while her husband Arthur Miller leaves England. The film is insightful, informative and a delight to watch specially Michelle Williams' performance. My ratings: 4 out of 5 Biscuits !


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DCRJ's Movie Reviews : EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLE CLOSE (2011)

We saw EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE (2011). Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock's screen time took less and the lead is actually 12 year old Thomas Horn as Oskar who needed to find the mystery of a key his father left behind after 9/11. I find it hard to like the character Oskar perhaps of his abrasive personality or maybe the script is a letdown. I find it hard to like the film either even with its emotion in full force. Veteran actor Max Von Sydow is the only one I get to marveled at with his tuned performance in the film while the rest is just extremely wishy-washy & incredibly tedious to watch. Don't bother with this film even if it was nominated for Best Picture this year. My ratings: 1 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews : J. EDGAR (2011)

I saw J. EDGAR (2011) via glorious DVD from the muslim pirates of Quiapo. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Johnny Edgar Hoover, the gay FBI director and his man-love relationship with Clyde Tolson played convincingly by Armie Hammer (the upcoming Lone Ranger star). Insightful look at the beginning and nurturing of the FBI. The film has the Clint Eastwood (director) touch which can be felt in all of his films such as the usual slow and sentimental piano play in the beginning and end credits but the film suffered from a lack of cohesive feel, at least in my opinion. The aging make-up on the actors was overly done specially on DiCaprio and Hammer. Overall, the film is informative and insightfully entertaining. My ratings: 4 out of 5 Biscuits. The film also chronicled the Charles Lindberg baby kidnapping case which brought memories to my mind the 1976 made-for-TV film with Cliff deYoung, a dead ringer for Charles Lindberg better than Josh Lucas' portrayal as Lindberg in J. Edgar. I also remembered Anthony Hopkins as the kidnapper Bruno Hauptmann.

Trailer of J. Edgar (2011)

DCRJ's MOVIE REVIEWS: HUGO (2011)

We saw HUGO (2011) in 3D at SM Mall of Asia Feb. 18, 2012. I love Martin Scorsese movies. His films are instant classics like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Departed etc. Hugo is Martin Scorsese's first 3D film and this film clearly shows his love for movies. Set in 1930s Paris, Hugo (played by Asa Butterfiled - dead ringer for Elijah Wood !) needs to find a heart-shaped key that will start an automaton that he hopes will unravel a connection between him and his deceased father. Hugo then meets an eccentric old man (Ben Kingsley) in which he discovers that he is the original owner of the automaton that has something to do with the birth of cinema. The 3D visuals are a wonder to behold. Recognizable actors from Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen), Harry Potter, Beowulf (Ray Winstone) and LOTR (Christopher Lee) are there. Buster Keaton and Doc Emmett Brown (BTTF) are related to the clock dangling scene in Hugo ! This is movie magic at its best. My ratings : 5 out of 5 Biscuits !

DCRJ's Movie Reviews : STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE in 3D (1997/2012)

We saw STAR WARS: EPISODE I - THE PHANTOM MENACE in 3D (1997/2012) at 3D Digital Theater, SM Mall of Asia, Feb. 11, 2012 Saturday. Episode I is the least of my favorite Star Wars episode. I am annoyed with the character Jar Jar Binks, I never liked the acting of Natalie Portman and Jake Lloyd, I feel that it lacks the emotional impact specially the death scene of Qui Gon Jinn with Obi-Wan and, tosay the least, I hated the story line. Now, I get to revisit the film again, this time in 3D and I was immersed with its scope and realize that it's not that bad at all knowing that certain plots in I was explained further in Episode II and III. The film was obviously converted into 3D, some background looks flat due to negligence perhaps of the conversion and some 3D head angles look overly done. Yet still, the pod race in 3D was a blast to look at and it's more immersive now than in 2D. Now that Episode I has a 3D version and soon Episodes II to VI, I think this 3D films will help sell a lot of 3DTV once these films be placed on Blu-ray discs. I rated Episode I film 3 out of 5, but with the 3D version I will rate it 3.5 out of 5 this time.

DCRJ's MOVIE REVIEWS: CHRONICLE (2012)

We saw CHRONICLE (2012) at Cinema 1, SM Mall of Asia on Feb. 4, 2012 Saturday. What if a kid with personality disorder obtained some super powers ? answer: be a super villain kid of course ! That's exactly what happened to Andrew Detmer (Dane DeHaan) but in a darker, disturbing and non-cartooney kind of way thanks to a smart script. The story spins out of the standard superhero origin story and dealt with a psychiatric twist on it. The film also borrowed the 'Blair Witch Project' style of video footages put together to tell a story. Engaging and entertaining film with fine acting from Dane DeHaan. Yup, not all heroes are super, some are really pissed off ! Baddest teen movie I've seen with a twist. Get your popcorns ready here. My ratings: 5 out of 5 Biscuits !