Movie Review: The A-Team

Movie Review: The A-Team
By Shaz Ferouz

Don't you just love remakes? With so many adaptations/remakes running around I suppose it was just a matter of time before The A-Team got remade. Based of the TV series which ran from 1983- 1987 a lot of us might not have had a chance to watch it or remember it very well because we were too young. So if you did remember the series well. Dude! You are so old. The good thing about not really remembering this series is that I went to watch as an average movie goer with no expectations a fan might have. Which is a nice change.

The movie stars Liam Neeson as Colonel John "Hannibal" Smith (Liam Neeson), Bradley Cooper as Templeton "Faceman" Peck, Quinton Jackson as B.A. Baracus and Sharlto Copley as H.M. "Howling Mad" Murdock. Jessica Biel plays DCIS Captain Charissa Sosa and the film is directed by Joe Carnahan.

Now the A-Team stands for Alpha Team and just like in the TV series, are sent on a super top secret mission. Upon their return to base however they find their commanding officer who gave them the order, murdered, and therefore they have no proof that they were acting under orders. They are then sent to a maximum security facility but of course, they escape. Which makes me worry about maximum security facilities in general. The A-Team now go looking for the people that set them up. The storyline has been modified from Vietnam to Iraq but its generally the same.

Liam Neeson has pretty much played every conceivable character there is to play by adding Hannibal to this already long list of roles. Jedi Knight, Greek God, King of the Beasts you name it Mr Neeson has done it. So this role would hardly be a challenge for him. Don't you just love it when a plan comes together?

A lot of us will remember Bradley Cooper from The Hangover and he is well suited for the womanizer Faceman. Plus he is eye candy apparently. If the girls I hang out with are any indication of what girls in general feel about him that is.

Copley as Howling Mad Murdock is probably going to be audience's most favorite character. The mad pilot from hell who gave Baracus his fear of flying? Whats not to love? What I found out is that Copley is actually a South African producer, actor, and director who produced and directed several short films for the Cannes Film Festival. Didn't see that coming I must say.

I'm actually the most impressed with Quinton Jackson who plays Bad Attitude Baracus. Now filling the shoes of Mr-T will be a big task indeed. For those who do not know Quinton is also known as Rampage Jackson, and is an American mixed martial artist. He acted in several reality TV shows including The Ultimate Fighter 7 and is a trained UFC fighter. After watching the movie thats pretty scary stuff. You don't ever want to get into a fight with 6 foot 1, 93 KG guy that looks like that. What impresses me however is the fact that this guy isn't actually an actor per say like the other three but he plays his role very well.

Overall it was a generally enjoyable movie with a nice blend of humor and action. Probably not the most original plot or storyline but it has decent jokes and a lot of explosions. So don't expect too much and I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this movie.

"I ain't gettin on no plane!" Sorry couldn't help myself.

I rate the movie 3 out of 5

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shaz_Ferouz

Well, this A-Team movie has lived up to the tradition of non-stop action and thrills. Although the new A-Team members may not be as cool as the original, it is enough for an good action film.

Movie Review: Twilight Saga - Eclipse

Twilight Saga - Eclipse
By Nadia Shami

I have never read the book. I only know about the Edward-Bella-Jacob love triangle by watching the films. Well, in fact I have tried listening to New Moon audio book that's why I was a little confident in explaining to my friends the vague parts of the film.

It takes a week to finish one audio book; but it takes a year to wait before you can watch each movie.

Twilight phenomenon started in 2008. When I heard the news that Twilight was coming out on theaters on November of that year, I already saw a lot of people reading the book. Okay, so what is the point of watching it when there's a book already or vice-versa? Seeing people reading the book never enticed me to read also.

November came, Twilight was already showing; it was on its second week, and I am not still watching. However, one day, I had to end my intrigue. I heard my friends talking about the movie: criticizing the actors, some scenes..etc. Now what, how come these people can't over it? So I watched.

After watching the film, I finally knew who Edward, Bella and Jacob were. And from that time on, I became a fan of--Jacob. I not trying to say the Edward's no good for Bella, but I think for a guy he is too mushy and dramatic. okay enough of it.

Let us skip New Moon and talk about Eclipse.

Man, the movie was superb! I was in awe while watching the film. Yes, you may say "how come you're amazed when its the most uninteresting book of the Saga?"

I do not think so. I think it was the best because for some reason, true love was portrayed in the film. It was in this film where Edward showed his unconditional love for Bella--actually, not only Edward but Jacob too!

In this film, there was an air of seriousness. No more boy-next-door and teenybopper scenes where only the "good looks" of Edward and Jacob were shown. Here, the real theme of the whole Twilight thing was established--both guys were expressing their deep love for Bella.

But, say, the negative parts of this film is that there were a lot of chattering. Bella talks about how she wants Edward to change her into a vampire. Edward talks about how he won't have sex with her until they're married. Jacob talks about how much he loves Bella. Bella talks about how she doesn't love Jacob. Bella's dad talks about how he doesn't trust Edward. And the Cullens talk about Victoria's nefarious plans to wipe them out.

A whole lot of chattering or not--the film was able to deliver a lesson. And this is where I begin to love Edward's character. Old school as it may seems, but its definitely the right thing to do.

*moment of silence* I guess I should leave you hanging, cos the rest of the story is for you to find out. Enjoy the film!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nadia_Shami


Well, at least the film is an improvement from the last installment, "New Moon" which was to me one long dragging love fest.

Movie Review: The Last Airbender

"For a film that featured a boy bending Earth, Air, Water and Fire, “The Last Airbender” ends up bending movie elements - the WRONG way.”

“I slept while watching the movie” a colleague of mine remarked.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because of too much dance routines!”

Oh yes - the “dance routines”. My colleague was referring to the lengthy head, body and torso movements a gifted person makes just to be able to control the elements of Earth, Air, Water and Fire in the movie.

Too bad that’s not the only reason to fall asleep.

Plot Mess

Adapted from the American animated tv series, “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, the movie had the makings of a good-to-watch summer hit based on its anticipation from its trailers and initial feedback.

But scenes usually begin with a subtitle explaining where it takes place, and after awhile would shift to another place, then zipping back to another, then crossing over back to an earlier scene for some moments and then…

Well, you get the idea. Director M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense) tries to make the film look epic in scope by introducing so many locations yet as the pace moves so does confusion on the storylines.

Another “Slumdog” performance from Dev Patel this ain’t.

Dev Patel is the likely familiar actor here best known for his role in “Slumdog Millionaire”, but a bad script limited his abilities this time around. Noah Ringer, who plays child protagonist Aang, will be best remembered for his moves on controlling the elements and little else. And let’s not even go to the romantic angle between the other two major characters. The dialogue is laughable in some parts, which wasn’t even intended as a sense of humor attempt in the first place.

Special effects saved the film

Credit Industrial Light and Magic for saving this film from being a complete letdown, as the special effects were the most exciting parts amidst the camera work of M. Night which gives you the visual interface impression of watching an interactive website where a certain area being focused on gives a particular action or event centered on Aang showcasing his powers against their foes.

In summary, this is a failed fantasy adventure with a danger of being made into a trilogy.

“Dance routines” for two more movies like this?

Think I’ll fall asleep as well.


FILM RATING: 2 stars (out of 5)

Spiderman's New Peter Parker has been chosen. Why Andrew Garfield?

British actor Andrew Garfield (Lions for Lambs) has been chosen by Sony Pictures to portray Peter Parker in an upcoming new Spiderman film.

He was selected over such actors as Anton Yelchin, Josh Hutcherson, Aaron Johnson and Jamie Bell.

Wonder why Andrew was selected among all the potential actors to play this career-defining role?

What were the factors that had studio execs favor him?

It will be interesting how this turns out.

The film "The Last Airbender" is a bad movie? Twitter says so, here's a sampling:

kevjumba Last Airbender has a 6% rating on rotten tomatoes. Yikes, that's even worse than the Dragonball movie. #racistmoviesneverwin

ebertchicago "The Last Airbender" is an agonizing experience in every category I can think of and others still waiting to be invented. http://j.mp/9xFzbu

MerryMasquerade The Last Airbender is one of those movies that has a good *story* (judging by the series it's based on), but a HORRIBLE script. (And actors)

pinklover9960 The Last Airbender sucks too many pale colors hardly has any 3d effects it was soo boring i snored lol DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE

Movie Review: Avatar

Fantasy film epic.


"Avatar succeeds in immersing you to this rich, beautiful world that looks so real you'd wish it truly exists."

Me: "I'll be watching Avatar."

Friend: "Ava-what?"

Me: "Avatar. A film by James Cameron."

Friend: "Who?"

Me: "James Cameron. Director of 'Titanic'."

Friend: "Ahhh...'TITANIC'... Ok."

Titanic. Whether he likes it or not, James Cameron will always be linked to the "Numero Uno Blockbuster Movie of All-Time". On a positive note however, this helps as movies he'll direct from then on initially gives that "great movie perception" strengthened from his film portfolio, beginning of course with Titanic - the same film that catapulted actor Leonardo DiCaprio to mega guwapo stardom and the song "My Heart Will Go On" be played endlessly on FM stations unless we turn off the radio or set it on fire.

So after a decade of not directing any film since 1997's Titanic, Cameron gives us "Avatar".

"Avatar? "

The story goes that in 2154 AD, a human corporation mines Pandora, a lush, low gravity moon of Polyphemus, a gas giant orbiting Alpha Centauri A, 4.4 light-years from Earth. The humans seek to exploit Pandora's reserves of unobtanium, a precious mineral. Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), head of the operation, employs former marines and soldiers as mercenaries.

Pandora is inhabited by an indigenous race of tall humanoids called the Na'vi and researchers led by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) create the Avatar Program, creating human-Na'vi hybrids in an attempt to blend in with the environment. A human who shares genetic material with an avatar can link to it, allowing them to control it while their own body 'sleeps'.

Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is a former Marine who was paralyzed below the waist in combat on Earth. His twin brother was a scientist working in the Avatar Program. When Jake's brother is killed, Jake takes his place because he is compatible with his brother's avatar. The research team lets him into the program, having him act more as their security rather than a researcher/explorer. But as Jake explores the world of Pandora and becomes involved with the Na'vi in ways he didn't expect, it leads to a situation which would eventually decide the fate of both the humans and the Na'vi in Pandora.

I'll get straight to the point: The groundbreaking technological advancements and innovative eye candy employed in this film is one of the best in years. Not since "Lord of the Rings" has a film been as absorbing and engaging as this.

Cameron wanted to make a lush and surreal new world taken out of the pages of 'National Geographic' in fantasy mode and the result is utterly breathtaking. There were a handful of moments during my THX 3D viewing when his creations seemed to pop out of the IMAX screen and looked so realistic that I found myself extending my finger for the desire to wanting to literally touch them!

The film has already topped the CGI department in all its breathtaking splendor with jaw-dropping effects, the pulse-pounding action is top notch, the engaging adventure infectious (God I wanted to ride one of those flying creatures and soar like Jake!) and the story of one man's journey of finding his place in the universe realized amongst a race he used to discriminate is enough to be backed up by the visuals.

Granted that Cameron took some elements from his past works such as "Aliens" and some scenes could have been shortened, but it's his way of paying tribute to past works and his penchant for the lengthy path is only because he wanted the viewers to stay around for awhile and be a witness to this incredible world that it leaves a lasting effect on the theme he wants to drive: to learn to appreciate the environment we live in and how imperialism could destroy everything we take for granted.

Sam Worthington's acting is good enough for us to cheer for him, and Sigourney Weaver's presence back to the science fiction genre is an added welcome. And lastly, the cinematic sound courtesy of James Horner is exceptional and heightened the viewing experience up another level.

Experts predict that Avatar will be the groundbreaking landmark and template for future blockbuster films to come, and it comes as no surprise. It's a fantasy film epic without a doubt and will remind you why you watch movies in the first place.

James Cameron. Director of Titanic.

And years from now, when another friend will come to ask about the next Cameron film? I plan on saying this:

"James Cameron. Director of Avatar."

And that, could very well make him nod in approval.

* FILM RATING: 5 STARS (out of 5)

Movie Review: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

"Sommer’s popcorn thrill ride"

Had to admit, I gave a slight groan upon learning that another 80’s toy franchise had joined the transition to the big screen after the success of “Transformers”. I wasn’t all that excited with this “joining the bandwagon thing.”

The biggest question I asked was “Wasn’t the transition done a bit too late?” Back in the 80’s they were on top of the cartoon world and its action figures sold like hot cakes, but could the same magic carry over to today’s movie audience?

But I gave it a chance, watched it, and my question was answered.

The answer came in the guise of the guy who called the shots.

Director Stephen Sommers.

Sommers, who gave film fans movies that featured thrilling action scenes with attached storylines (The Mummy, Mummy Returns and Van Helsing) was given the challenging task of reviving an old brand into something fresh and engaging.

And pulling it off he did.

Sommers retained the names of the G.I. Joe fan favorites (unlike in Transformers) and took advantage of today’s CGI to produce a good film for both casual moviegoers and diehard fans alike.

The result is non-stop action that does not slow down in narrative pace; even the flashbacks featured explosive thrills and spills.

The highlight in the film for me as a longtime fan of the franchise was when Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow first faced off. To me this was the equivalent of Optimus Prime transforming from truck to robot mode in 2007's "Transformers". The moment both characters' swords clashed, I immediately clenched my fist in satisfaction.

"Yes!"

A sequel is in order.

And thanks to director Sommers, the G.I. Joe magic is back in full force.

FILM RATING: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)