Hansel and Gretel: (2013) Movie Review

I was finally able to watch Hansel and Gretel movie on its 2nd week shown in cinemas.  This movie was a treat for me, it has a fair enough story, good action, ok horror, unexpected comedy, some pun on "Edward" of twilight reference and lots of gore.  Oh almost forgot, a bit of nudity.

I have to admit, this movie caught me by surprise, this isn't a bad movie at all.  It has just the right story pace, the action is ample, mystery was good, and it did keep the audience hanging and wanting for more.

How was the visuals?

The visuals were good enough, there's no Oscar's award for this movie, I can tell you that.  But the effects are good enough for the feel and theme of the movie.  I got to admit, the weapon design they have on the movie is almost unique.  Dark ages weapons, combined with gunpowder and clock mechanics, it's a wonder how two "A" list stars were signed up for this movie.

Character design and monster designs were very good.  Their costumes where nicely done, almost believable as an alternate universe.

How was the story?

Story was good enough, and fitting for the target audience.  I don't think this movie wanted the audience of "Life of Pi", rather they are after the teen crowd or the young male adults to watch this movie.

The story was actually based on the fairy tale, but not the entire story.  The origins are a bit different and the continuation was justifiable.  Don't want to be a witch, when Hansel and Gretel are in town.  They're almost like contract killers or exterminators.

How was the movie, overall?

Over all, I give this movie a 4.5 out of 5 stars.  Reason: there is something lacking on the computer graphics side of the movie.  Aside from that, I guarantee most people will like this movie, based on the reaction of the audience I was with in the cinema, they are satisfied with the movie.

Jeremy Renner provided good action fight sequences, and let me tell you, the action sequence are very good.  It's not the type of action sequence, where the villain get's the upper hand or the good guy doesn't get knocked out, it's a good choreographed fight.  There was one scene where we just laughed on how ridiculous, the way he entered the room and the villain gets him good.  Unexpected comedy for us, that time.

This movie is just begging to have a sequel.  And I would watch the 2nd movie if it ever gets made.

Chinese Zodiac: Now Showing in the Philippines

Chinese Zodiac is now showing in the Philippines.  This will be the last action film, where Jackie Chan will be the main character.  He will probably be involved in other films, but won't be doing anymore action stunts in the future.

The story looks promising, I just hope it is in par or better than the "Armor of god".  That movie is the best Jackie Chan movie, I have watched as a kid and adult.

Will I watch this movie? or pass? I really don't know yet.  With yet more movies, I have not watch in cinemas , I would probably put this movie on the bottom of must watch.  Since, I have been disappointed with most Jackie Chan movies, he released lately.

Life of Pi: Movie Review

I was finally able to watch Life of Pi movie in a cinema.  It's currently on it's last week in cinemas, I think.  

I highly recommend this film as a must watch.  The visuals and story are very gripping that, we watch the whole movie without getting bored, except on the part he narrated to the Japanese investigators what has happened. 

How was the visuals?

Visuals was very good, especially the CGI (Computer Graphic Images) on all of the scenes, Avatar movie would look fake compared to this movie's CGI.  It's too real, that I can't tell anymore where the computer tiger starts and ends.  It's too freaking real, that everything looks cool and the dream sequence, is the only thing you will say is really a CGI and also the whale and flying fish.

How was the story?

This movie is from a good novel, and was done by a great director.  I was blown on how the director made the story even more exciting and visually eye catching.  If you read a book, you can tell if the writer is any good by the way he/she describes the scene and settings thru words.  The director, did a great job in giving the movie a rich and realistic settings for the story.  Story was really good on it's own and was amplified by the visuals.  This movie is story driven, where you can't wait to see what happens next.  Very nice, story and something we should have more in movies.

How was it overall?

Overall, the movie gets a 4.5 out of 5 stars for me.  It's a very good movie, and I plan to watch it again in blu-ray if released.  The story was very nice, the visuals are very impressive, and the acting is very good.  The only reason, I didn't give a perfect score was the fact we got bored near the end.  But overall, a very good movie and can be a classic.

I can't give out much about the film, but for me every peso I paid to watch this movie was worth it.  In fact, with this movie, I still have the visual images imprinted in my mind, and the story still retains in my memory.  Unlike other films I have watched before, I already forget the story as I walk out the cinema and the next day I totally forgot the visuals.  Those movies, are not worth the peso I paid and are a total waste of time.

Life of Pi is a very nice movie as a whole, it has a great director and a very nice story which everyone can relate.

Hansel & Gretel: Now Showing in the Philippines

Hansel & Gretel is now showing in the Philippines.  A much awaited action movie, an alternate universe of a classic tale.  This tale really set my imagination when I was a kid, not on the witch aspect, but on the house of candy.  I often imagine what the house would look like, on how wonderful & scary it may have been.  

I liked the story since, it had a happy ending for Hansel and Gretel, not for the witch though.  This movie isn't on the top of my to watch list, but given a chance and I have time to spare, I would watch this in a cinema.  Why the hesitation to watch?  Well, I watched the Van Helsing movie and it was a disappointment for me.  This movie feels the same, that's why I am reserved on watching this movie and  hesitant on placing it on my must watch list.  

I'm kinda fan of Jeremy Renner; I first notice him on 28 weeks later movie.  But will this retelling of a classic tale be good for his career? We won't know until we watch this movie.

Channel M in Cignal Satellite TV

Channel M is a relatively new channel on Cignal Satellite TV.  It is a music channel for Korean Pop.  This channel is a 24 hours Korean music channel, with different shows related to Korea's music industry.  Good thing Korean Channels have English subtitles, unlike the Chinese channels we have.

There is a show that I like on this channel called "Beatles Code".  It is basically a talk show, where comedian hosts talk to Korean Pop stars or anyone related to Korea's music industry.  "Beatles Code" is a pretty entertaining show, and I always laugh out loud.  Even though, I don't know any of the music artist, it's still a very entertaining comedy show due to the witty commentary of the hosts and artist taking on a song with their own style.

Les Miserables: Now showing in the Philippines

Le Miserables the musical play that is well known to be great play can now be seen by people in cinemas.  I'm always curious on what the story is about and how the musical play will look like in Broadway.  Hopefully the movie adaptation will give it justice.  Since, chances are, not all people will be able to go to Broadway in the US to watch this play.  This is the closest thing most people will see something that will resemble the play.

Le Miserables is originally a novel made into a musical play.  And this movie will be almost be the same as the musical play, I hope.

The movie is currently on its first week in cinemas.  There are other films also released this week , that is why only a couple of cinemas will show this movie on a cineplex.

The Hobbit: movie review

I was able to watch this movie, before the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Fest) took over the Metro Manila cinemas with Filipino movies.  Since, the short "ban" on Foreign Films have been lifted from our cinemas, people who have not watched "The Hobbit" will be able to watch it, starting this week.

This review are for those who have not watched it last December and still wondering if watching it would be worth their time and money.  Read along, ye curious souls.

So How was the Story?

Story was pretty good.  Most people, did not go to this movie for the story.  They went to see this movie for it's stunning visual effects and curiosity on how some of the characters looked like before they were in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The story revolves on the Dwarf Kingdom, and how it came about the dwarfs were scattered across middle earth.  There are so many dwarfs, that I hardly know their name.  They all look the same to me, and so gives me less to care on whether they live or die in the end.

The only characters, we all want to see is Gandalf, the elves and Gollum before the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

How was the visuals?

Visuals are good, we already saw the visuals on the Trilogy, watching them in The Hobbit was kind of ordinary now.  We seem to be getting used to computer generated images, or it's so good that we can't tell if it's computer generated or real object anymore.

How is it overall?

Overall, the movie is a 4 out of 5 stars.  We are familiar with middle-earth by now that we seem to lack awe on the visuals of the Shire and the Dwarf Kingdom, before it was made a dark and ugly place.

I don't recommend this movie for kids to watch, but I get the feeling this is a story for kids.  But, the decapitations and the battles is at times not recommended for kids.  I think teens can watch this, but do teens still watch this stuff?

If you haven't watch it yet, you could be either be in for a treat or disappointment.  Is it worth the price of admission?  It's good to watch on the big screen, but some battle scenes are just too silly for me.  So, if you got money to spend and you're a fan of LOTR trilogy, then this is a must watch.  Otherwise, you can wait for the DVD copy and enjoy it at home.

Life of Pi: Now Showing in the Philippines

MMFF (Metro Manila Film Fest) is now officially over.  Now Foreign films can be shown in cinemas around Metro Manila.

One of those films shown on its first week in the Philippines is "Life of Pi".  This movie is based on a novel with the same title.  The movie looks good in the literary sense and is probably a good movie adaptation.  Since most people don't read books anymore or has the time to read, this will be a good medium to reach them and inspire them.

This would be a good movie to watch to quench our thirst for foreign films, after the MMFF.  It's not on my top list to watch.  This is more of a "I can watch or not watch this movie and I will still be fine".  But, if I have the time and mood compels me to watch a movie, then I would probably watch this movie.

I will write a review once I see it.  I think the movie was delayed in being shown in Philippine cinemas.  But hey, it's here let's just watch and enjoy something that is based on a good novel.

Jeepney Jackpot: New Show on TV 5 Philippines

There is a new game show on TV 5 at 5pm, Philippine Timezone.  The show is called, Jeepney Jackpot: Pera o Para.

I haven't seen any episodes yet, it just started this week in January.  The show reminds me of Cash Cab Asia.  But I think, it is more expensive set-up than Cash Cab, based on the game mechanics they are promoting.

I hope they have a long run of this show, seems fun and also something that isn't yet main stream in Philippine game shows.

They have a facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeepney-Jackpot-Pera-o-Para/113417792160305

All images and materials are taken from the show's facebook page.  Materials are copyrighted by their rightful owners.