Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for violence and some language
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Mos Def
Synopsis: The plan was flawless... the job was executed perfectly... the escape was clean. The only threat mastermind thief Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) never saw coming was from a member of his own crew.... The plan was flawless... the job was executed perfectly... the escape was clean. The only threat mastermind thief Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg) never saw coming was from a member of his own crew. After pulling off an amazing gold bullion heist from a heavily guarded palazzo in Venice, Italy, Charlie and his gang -- inside man Steve (Edward Norton), computer genius Lyle (Seth Green), wheelman Handsome Rob (Jason Statham), explosives expert Left-Ear (Mos Def) and veteran safecracker John Bridger (Donald Sutherland) -- can't believe it when one of them turns out to be a double-crosser. Now the job isn't about the payoff, it's about payback!
Enter Stella (Charlize Theron), a beautiful nerves-of-steel safecracker, who joins Charlie and his former gang when they follow the backstabber to California, where they plan to re-steal the gold by tapping into Los Angeles' traffic control system, manipulating signals and creating one of the biggest traffic jams in L.A. history!
A contemporary update of Paramount's 1969 classic, "The Italian Job" features the ever-popular MINI Cooper in state-of-the-art chase scenes down Hollywood's Walk of Fame, through the Metro Rail tunnels and down narrow escape routes only the MINI can go. Full of twists, turns and exciting stunts with armored cars, motorcycles and helicopters, this action-packed thrill-ride takes audiences on wild curves they'll never see coming
Runtime: 110 minutes
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvj9vhA8ixY
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Eight Below (Reflections)
I feel that this movie had showed us very vivid examples of two themes, loyalty and perseverance.
Loyalty was portrayed in the movie not only when the dogs were very loyal to Jerry and brought him back to base after the expedition even without Jerry's supervision and guidance as the dogs knew that their master was in danger and they ran as hard as they could back to the base to ensure Jerry and Dr McLaren's safety. The dogs also always hoped that Jerry would return and would not give up on them and when Jerry returned, they were quick on their noses and pick up Jerry's scent. Even after months of separation, the dogs were very loyal to be still able to find their daddy.
Perseverance was also a theme in the movie. During the months of separation, Jerry seized and tackled every opportunity to return back to the base, even though he knew that nobody would travel back to the Poles during the winter season and the chances were very slim. However, Jerry was adamant and tried all his means to gather support from others for a trip back to save his dogs.
The dogs also persevered during the months when they were on their own. They fought for their survival and devised many means get food for survival. They kept together as a team and worked hand in hand to catch birds for food and also fed on a whale. They braved difficult situations together such as being confronted by a tiger seal.
In conclusion, I feel that this movie is verytouching as it shows brotherhood and perseverance and I urge everyone to watch this excellent movie.
Eight Below (Review)
I feel that Eight Below is a very good movie and I really was touched during the end when the dogs came through alive. It all started when Dr McLaren arrived at the South Pole and wanted to have an expedition to a mountain in search of meteorites for his project. This was a very risky expedition as it was coming to the stormy season and the weather may not permit this travel. However, Dr McLaren was adamant on the trip and Jerry could only listen to his boss and they set off with the sled dogs on the expedition.
Dr McLaren had successfully found a rock which he believed very much that it was a meteorite dropped from the outer space. Smarting from his excellent discovery, Dr McLaren was upbeat but his happiness was soon wiped out when he suffered a fall and broke a leg. Jerry saved him from the cold waters and sacrifice his warmth by taking off his coat for Dr McLaren to wear to keep him warm. Jerry's hand suffered severe frostbite but they made it back to camp safely with the aid of the dogs, Maya, Buck, Shorty, Dewey, Truman, Max, Old Jack and Shadow.
The team receives intel that a heavy snowstorm is approaching and they were ordered to vacate their base and fly to McMurdo for the winter. However Katie's helicopter did not have enough room to bring the dogs back to McMurdo and Jerry was furious that his beloved dogs were not leaving with him. However, Jerry relented when he was promised that another plane would come back for the dogs.
When the team reaches McMurdo, Jerry was very upset at the news that the storm has set in and there would not be any more planes airborne. Jerry tried to ask Katie to secretly fly back to base to get the dogs but Katie assured him that the dogs would do fine and she cannot do anything for him. Jerry was devastated and he knew that he would have to wait for winter to pass before he can return to find his dogs.
In the meantime, the dogs broke free of the leashes bound to their necks after a few days of waiting for their daddy. However, Old Jack did not move as he was already very old and knew that he would not make it alive and so he stayed in the snow and was soon buried under a whte blanket. The others went on and they were led by Maya, the leader of the pack, to find food and maintain survival. During this course of a few months, the dogs stayed together as one and was always bearing the hope that Jerry would return to save them.
During this time, Jerry went back to his house in California and spent his time searching for people and resources to go back to South Pole. However, all his hard work were futile and Jerry was dejected that he would not be able to see all his dogs alive when he returns back to base after the winter season.
Jerry finally finds financial aid from Dr McLaren and the team reunites and sets off to the South Pole via different transports like helicopters and snow trucks. When the team arrived at their base, Jerry was upset to see that Old Jack had died and he presumed that the other dogs also suffered the same fate like Old Jack. However, Jerry was ecstatic to see 6 dogs dashing from afar to him. It was like the dream of his life, seeing the huskies emerging from the top of the hill. During the months, Truman also died after he fell from a hill.
Dr McLaren had successfully found a rock which he believed very much that it was a meteorite dropped from the outer space. Smarting from his excellent discovery, Dr McLaren was upbeat but his happiness was soon wiped out when he suffered a fall and broke a leg. Jerry saved him from the cold waters and sacrifice his warmth by taking off his coat for Dr McLaren to wear to keep him warm. Jerry's hand suffered severe frostbite but they made it back to camp safely with the aid of the dogs, Maya, Buck, Shorty, Dewey, Truman, Max, Old Jack and Shadow.
The team receives intel that a heavy snowstorm is approaching and they were ordered to vacate their base and fly to McMurdo for the winter. However Katie's helicopter did not have enough room to bring the dogs back to McMurdo and Jerry was furious that his beloved dogs were not leaving with him. However, Jerry relented when he was promised that another plane would come back for the dogs.
When the team reaches McMurdo, Jerry was very upset at the news that the storm has set in and there would not be any more planes airborne. Jerry tried to ask Katie to secretly fly back to base to get the dogs but Katie assured him that the dogs would do fine and she cannot do anything for him. Jerry was devastated and he knew that he would have to wait for winter to pass before he can return to find his dogs.
In the meantime, the dogs broke free of the leashes bound to their necks after a few days of waiting for their daddy. However, Old Jack did not move as he was already very old and knew that he would not make it alive and so he stayed in the snow and was soon buried under a whte blanket. The others went on and they were led by Maya, the leader of the pack, to find food and maintain survival. During this course of a few months, the dogs stayed together as one and was always bearing the hope that Jerry would return to save them.
During this time, Jerry went back to his house in California and spent his time searching for people and resources to go back to South Pole. However, all his hard work were futile and Jerry was dejected that he would not be able to see all his dogs alive when he returns back to base after the winter season.
Jerry finally finds financial aid from Dr McLaren and the team reunites and sets off to the South Pole via different transports like helicopters and snow trucks. When the team arrived at their base, Jerry was upset to see that Old Jack had died and he presumed that the other dogs also suffered the same fate like Old Jack. However, Jerry was ecstatic to see 6 dogs dashing from afar to him. It was like the dream of his life, seeing the huskies emerging from the top of the hill. During the months, Truman also died after he fell from a hill.
Eight Below (Summary)
Rating: PG [See Full Rating] for some peril and brief mild language
Starring: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Jason Biggs
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story and the hit Japanese film NANKYOKU MONOGATARI, Frank Marshall's (ALIVE, CONGO) EIGHT BELOW captures a rugged world of ice, snow, and threatening weather that few will ever experience in person. As a guide for a National Science Foundation Research Base in Antarctica, Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker) is perfectly content to spend his time exploring the wilderness with his sled dogs and goofing around with his best buddy, cartographer Charlie Cooper (Jason Biggs). Then UCLA geologist Davis McLaren (Bruce Greenwood) arrives at the camp with plans for a risky expedition: treacherous ice fields make his target destination accessible only by dog sled so late in the season. Soon Shepard, McLaren and the sled dogs--Maya, Max, Old Jack, Buck, Shorty, Dewey, Shadow, and Truman--are on their way in search of McLaren's prize: a meteorite from Mercury. Unfortunately, an approaching storm forces Shepard and McLaren to return to base early. The return trip proves life-threatening, but the dogs pull through, saving both Shepard and McLaren from certain death. The storm also forces the scientists to leave the research center earlier than planned, and there's no room on board bush pilot Katie's (Moon Bloodgood) plane for the dogs. With the promise that someone will return for them immediately, Shepard leaves his beloved dogs behind. Soon, however, it becomes apparent that the weather has made a return trip impossible. Can the dogs survive in the Antarctic wilderness on their own, or will Shepard get back in time to save them? The dogs emerge as the most intriguing characters in the story, each exhibiting a distinct personality and fierce loyalty. The other major player is the wilderness itself, a beautiful, mysterious world that is rarely depicted on film.
Runtime: 120 minutes
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXkoGlxVbLY
Starring: Paul Walker, Bruce Greenwood, Moon Bloodgood, Jason Biggs
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story and the hit Japanese film NANKYOKU MONOGATARI, Frank Marshall's (ALIVE, CONGO) EIGHT BELOW captures a rugged world of ice, snow, and threatening weather that few will ever experience in person. As a guide for a National Science Foundation Research Base in Antarctica, Jerry Shepard (Paul Walker) is perfectly content to spend his time exploring the wilderness with his sled dogs and goofing around with his best buddy, cartographer Charlie Cooper (Jason Biggs). Then UCLA geologist Davis McLaren (Bruce Greenwood) arrives at the camp with plans for a risky expedition: treacherous ice fields make his target destination accessible only by dog sled so late in the season. Soon Shepard, McLaren and the sled dogs--Maya, Max, Old Jack, Buck, Shorty, Dewey, Shadow, and Truman--are on their way in search of McLaren's prize: a meteorite from Mercury. Unfortunately, an approaching storm forces Shepard and McLaren to return to base early. The return trip proves life-threatening, but the dogs pull through, saving both Shepard and McLaren from certain death. The storm also forces the scientists to leave the research center earlier than planned, and there's no room on board bush pilot Katie's (Moon Bloodgood) plane for the dogs. With the promise that someone will return for them immediately, Shepard leaves his beloved dogs behind. Soon, however, it becomes apparent that the weather has made a return trip impossible. Can the dogs survive in the Antarctic wilderness on their own, or will Shepard get back in time to save them? The dogs emerge as the most intriguing characters in the story, each exhibiting a distinct personality and fierce loyalty. The other major player is the wilderness itself, a beautiful, mysterious world that is rarely depicted on film.
Runtime: 120 minutes
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXkoGlxVbLY
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Coach Carter (Review)
Throughout the movie, there were quite a few themes which the movie was trying to portray. Firstly, the movie was trying to portray violence and the use of bad language. The basketball players in the team were quite abusive with their language use. For example, when they met their new coach, Coach Carter. They labelled him the preacher man with his tie on and a nigger. These words were very abusive and should not be used as others may be insulted. Before Coach Carter took over the team, the team always fought with other teams and there were many conflicts between the teammates. After Coach Carter took over the team, he enforced certain rules like being punctual for classes and trainings etc and made the players sign contracts. The teenagers slowly changed for the better and had a better attitude.
The theme of brotherhood was also brought up in this movie. When one of the players, Timo Cruz, was banished by Coach Carter for severe misconduct and was kicked out of the team, Timo wanted very much to re-enter the team but Carter meted out a severe punishment of physical work. Timo could not finish in time and was not allowed back into the team. However, the others wanted very much to have an extra player in the team and so as a team, they helped Timo complete the rest of his punishment for him to get back into the team. "One person struggle, we all struggle. One person triumph, we all triumph." was what one of the players said which made all the others follow him and help Timo. This is a great example of team bondedness and brotherhood.
The theme of "sex" was also brought up. In this movie, one of the basketball players was hooked up with a girlfriend from his school. They behave intimately and later the girl was pregnant. The player was responsible for his actions but he supported the idea of an abortion as he was enlighten by his basketball coach and knew that this was not the correct path as they were still very young and would certainly have no means of supporting the baby. I feel that his decision was very mature as compared to his past actions with the girl and it should be better if the baby was aborted as the time was not right.
There was a quote in the movie which really caught me. "Our deepest is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frighten us. Your playing small does not serve the world there was nothing enlighten about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine like children do. It is not just in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same as we are liberated from our own fear. Our presence automatically liberates others."
The scene was really heartwarming as all his players stood up for him although the coach was fired from service. Timo finally realised what his mistakes were and what his coach had been trying to teach him, to teach the whole team. He says that everyone has an equal chance and when you are succeeding, you are also giveing others the opportunity to do the same. Although they were very notorious in the past, they were still special and shone like all children do. The link to this video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkdgK3adrmw
'Coach Carter' is one of my favourite movies and really has a lot meaning to this film. I really encourage everyone to watch it as you would really be very touched and I hope to have a chance to showcase this movie to my classmates.
Coach Carter (Summary)
Rated: PG-13 for violence, sexual content, language, teen partying and some drug material. (However, I find that it is still a good show)
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown, Debbi Morgan
Synopsis:
In the movie, Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from... In the tradition of LEAN ON ME and DANGEROUS MINDS comes COACH CARTER, an inspirational drama starring Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from California's Richmond High only to return there years later, in 1999, and take over as head coach of the boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the troubled school he remembered as a teenager is an even more insufferable place in his adulthood. Determined to make a change in his players' lives, Carter makes each young man sign a contract that ensures he will maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend every class, and wear a jacket and tie on game day. Of course, the players reject the contract at first, but when they realize that they don't have any other choice, they give in. And when it appears that their tough-as-nails coach is actually turning them into winners on the court, they embrace their coach's philosophy even further. But when Coach Carter receives the incomprehensibly awful progress reports of his players, he does the unthinkable: he benches the entire team.COACH CARTER is a sensitive drama that features an impassioned performance by Jackson, as well as the impressive young cast.
Runtime: 2 hrs 16 mins
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOFhHEepF4s
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Ri'chard, Rob Brown, Debbi Morgan
Synopsis:
In the movie, Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from... In the tradition of LEAN ON ME and DANGEROUS MINDS comes COACH CARTER, an inspirational drama starring Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson portrays real-life figure Ken Carter, who graduated from California's Richmond High only to return there years later, in 1999, and take over as head coach of the boys' basketball team. Unfortunately, the troubled school he remembered as a teenager is an even more insufferable place in his adulthood. Determined to make a change in his players' lives, Carter makes each young man sign a contract that ensures he will maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend every class, and wear a jacket and tie on game day. Of course, the players reject the contract at first, but when they realize that they don't have any other choice, they give in. And when it appears that their tough-as-nails coach is actually turning them into winners on the court, they embrace their coach's philosophy even further. But when Coach Carter receives the incomprehensibly awful progress reports of his players, he does the unthinkable: he benches the entire team.COACH CARTER is a sensitive drama that features an impassioned performance by Jackson, as well as the impressive young cast.
Runtime: 2 hrs 16 mins
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOFhHEepF4s
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Akeelah and the Bee (Review)
In the movie, Akeelah Anderson is broned into a middle classed family. Akeelah's father had passed away when she was still young and she only had two elder brothers a her mother as company. The eldest brother was working in the military while the second one was a hooligan. Akeelah's mother did not graduate from college and supported the family by working as a nurse.
Akeelah always wanted to take part in the National Spelling Bee competition afetr watching the programme in TV. She was fascinated and took part in her school bee. She then met Dr Larabee who coached her and taught her how to spell well. He knows that Akeelah has a flair at spelling and wanted to help her win the Bee. During the course of the competition, Akeelah had many conflicts with her mother as she disapproved of her participation in the Bee. However, Akeelah was persistent and so she studied hard and worked hard and finally she qualified for the trip to Washington DC, the Scripps National Spelling Bee. After a close fight with another competitor, Akeelah persevered and pulled through. She ended sharing the championship with one of her opponents.
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.' This was a quote from the movie which caught my attention. This quote tells us that we should trust our abilities and not doubt them. We are sometimes to sure of ourselves or lack confidence in what we do, and so, our deepest fear is actually batlling against our own character. I feel that this qoute is very important as we have to believe and when we believe, we will succeed.
This movie has shown me that no matter what you do, you must have interest in it and als o work hard towards your goal. being able to convince others that you can succeed is not an easy task and Akeelah was one of the examples who achieved this. Akeelah really shows me that nothing is impossible and we have to follow our hearts in whatever we do.
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