SHERLOCK HOLMES

MY RATING



DIRECTED BY
Guy Ritchie

YEAR RELEASED
2009


PLOT OUTLINE
After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again.

MY CRITZ
The one thing I know about Sherlock Holmes is that he’s some sort of detective from way back when and he’s the go-to-guy to solve mysteries. Really, the only thing I cared about was his cape jacket went back in style.

As someone who only heard of the name Sherlock Holmes every so often, I think there should be a bit of an introduction about who he is and his connection with Dr. John Watson (Jude Law). I didn’t get their whole relationship until the end of the movie. First I thought that they’re brothers, and then in the middle of the movie I thought they’re a couple, finally at the end I realized that they’re best-friend… one can’t live without the other. Their companion is what glued their relationship together. So sweet really…

Overall, it’s an OK movie… it’s entertaining, but there are parts of it where I felt a bit bored. I think Sherlock needs to talk less and do more forensic investigating, that’s what he does best anyway right?

However, I love the flashback scenes of him diagnosing a crime scene; kind of like CSI in 90th century style. I also like the play-by-play action scenes showing how he’s going to kill his opponent; he let us into his head and his way of thinking. That was really cool!!! I wanted to see more of that rather than him talking. Seriously, I’m not too convinced that Robert Downey is Sherlock Holmes of England. In my head, Sherlock Holmes is a mix of 007 and some crazy OCD lunatic; like Monk. Robert Downey doesn’t fit that description at all. I was paying more attention to his wrinkles more than anything. C’mon he’s not young, and all that drugs and alcohol definitely took a toll on him.

I would have to say, just watch it on DVD when it comes out, because you can fast-forward to the fun part of the movie and skip the talking parts.

IT’S COMPLICATED

MY RATING



DIRECTED BY
Nancy Meyers

YEAR RELEASED
2009


PLOT OUTLINE
During his son's college graduation, Jane hooks up with her ex-husband, Jake, who's married to a younger woman. As if being your ex's mistress isn't tough enough, Jane also finds herself drawn to Adam, a smitten architect.

MY CRITZ
The title sums up what the movie is about, It’s Complicated.

Just imagine yourself in a marriage, with 3 kids, and your marriage ended abruptly because your husband cheated on you. You got a divorce, but you, yourself are not over him. It took you 10 years to come to terms that “you’re ok”… Then, when you realized that the universe seemed to finally line up perfectly for you, your ex-husband (who’s now married to someone wayyyyyyyy younger than you) wanted to get back with you because he’s “bored” with his new wife and life. In the meantime, you’re trying to move on with your life (slowly but surely) and testing out the dating scenes. But you know deep down inside, there’s some unfinished business from the past. You needed a thing called “closure”. So… you slept with your ex and at the same time you date this guy who gives you butterflies (something you haven't felt in a long time).

This movie is definitely a handful to digest. But it’s cute and sweet. Nancy Meyers are able to show us this complicated plot, in an uncomplicated and witty way. The movie took me on a roller coaster ride of happy, sad, angry, pissed and at the end… at peace.

The only thing is, since I’m not married and don’t have 3 kids, I can’t really relate. But I can however, understand what she goes through.

I felt like this movie could be the sequel of “The Break-Up” if Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn’s character ended up together. Check out the movie posters, they’re kind of the same.

My take is… see it if you get the tickets for free like I did. Otherwise, go see Avatar for the 2nd time.

AVATAR

MY RATING




DIRECTED BY
James Cameron

YEAR RELEASED
2009

PLOT OUTLINE
In the future, Jake, a paraplegic war veteran, is brought to another planet, Pandora, which is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid race with their own language and culture. Those from Earth find themselves at odds with each other and the local culture.

MY CRITZ
OMG!!! The BEST movie I've seen thus far this year. Please make more entertaining movies like this James Cameron, even if it takes 10 years for you to make it. I WILL wait!!!!

I have never, ever, ever, EVER seen 3D in my life EVER. This is a first for me. I had the biggest and highest expectation for this, and it totally went beyond. The $20 I spent for the ticket, was totally WORTH IT!! I think they should make all movies in 3D, even Sex and The City.

Anywho... back to Avatar...
Basically, for me it was like going to Sociology 101 class with James Cameron as a professor, and seeing a powerpoint explanation in 3D. AMAZINGGG!! It touches every subject ever known to men and women.

The story itself is very basic and we’ve seen the issue brought up from time-to-time in the current media; environmental issues, effects of socio-economic on indigenous populations, etc… You know, the deep stuff, the reason politicians, scientists and presidents exist. The characters’ struggles are predictable, BUT…the execution of the movie is very well done!!! Bravooo Jamesy!

I love the vibrant use of color throughout the Na’vi world, definitely shows how they are as a society; colorful and carefree. Compared to the dull color palette used in the Human world that depicts how shallow and evil we can be at times.

For me, it was obvious that Jake Sully will be the savior for Na’vi tribe and that he will fall in love with Neytiri. But how Jamesy took us to this whole new dimension of fantasy that intersects with reality is AMAAZINNNGGGG!!!! Within the mind-blowing action adventure, he was able to squeeze in a love story. There were times where I cringed, because it was a bit cheesy (even for my taste), but overall he’s able to capture human emotion in the avatar world. The one thing that I’m curious about is… how do they have sex in the Na’vi world?…

I say, go see it girls!!!! Amazinnggg and totally worth it!!! I would choose to see this again, and again, and again (just like how I saw “Titanic”) over going to a Tory Burch sample sale. Even if it’s 162 minutes long.

2012

MY RATING



DIRECTED BY
Roland Emmerich

YEAR RELEASED
2009


PLOT OUTLINE
An epic adventure about a global cataclysm that brings an end to the world and tells of the heroic struggle of the survivors.

MY CRITZ
The most ridiculous movie ever!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t like the chemistry between Amanda Peet and John Cusack; they have none.
I don’t like the predictable ending; everyone is saved at the end.
I just don’t like the storyline. Thank God for the cool special effects though.

This movie is basically telling you that if you’re not rich or born from a lucky sperm club, you’re screwed. Only if you have 1-billion EURO (yes, euro, not dollars, because by 2012 the dollar rate will worth nothing) you can save yourself from the end of the world. With that amount you can buy a room in the modern Noah’s Arc that was being built somewhere on top of the mountain in China. And if you don’t have 1-billion euro, you just died. Sorry looser!

After watching it, I came to this conclusion... I must marry a guy who is either a prince, a president’s son or a mafia with LOTS of money (note to self: must marry, not just be a girlfriend or engaged)… or I can turn myself to be a very very very smart geologist who discovers the earth’s core is unstable. But I must be an American geologist because if I’m just a regular smart geologist, the government could care-less about me. I’m a regular girly-girl, not that rich, very smart (but not a geologist) and only 5’1”. There goes my chance of surviving the end of the world folks… sad really… I might as well max out my credit card collect more shoes and bags, right?!

Aside from me disliking the movie, I do however like the special effects. It reminds me of Life After People, a special series from History Channel. Except in the movie it was exaggerated even more. If not for the special effect, I can guarantee you I’d fall asleep.

Please don’t have any expectation when watching this. Just enjoy the effects. That’s all. Don’t dig in too deep on the dialogs and the characters development; they certainly don’t care about that.