I am interested

broderic on December 30, 2007

Filipino movie critic, Noel Vera had a hand in writing the book about movies I gave away for secret santa this year. It’s pretty cool to know that a blog you read has also written a book. Bloggers aren’t all anonymous amateurs.

National Treasure: Book of Secrets

broderic on December 28, 2007

I have a theory about these films. Like the first one, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, will not lose much in translation if you replace the thing that Nic Cage and his pa are looking for with “Hobo Gold.” Try it with the original: the map on the back of the declaration of independence shows us where to find… HOBO GOLD!

These movies are really about the search getting from one clue to the next. The Hobo Gold is like Hitchcock’s MacGuffin. It’s what’s needed to be found only because it ends the search and the movie.

The original was a really bad movie, but if you suspended belief in reality and went along for its ride, then you would’ve been stupefied into believing in… HOBO GOLD! The Declaration of Independence leads to the Liberty Bell which leads to Ben Franklin’s glasses and finally… HOBO GOLD! Genius of corniness. Dumb but somewhat satisfying. Like smarties: sweet but no nutritional value whatsover.

This version falls short of the joy ride that was the original. It has less chases and it takes the idea of the HOBO GOLD! too seriously. It should’ve been dumb and dumber chases and searches more so than the original. Yet, it was not. The clues were not that cool and the spy games not that interesting. Still this version was somewhat satisfying as the HOBO GOLD! was found, and the reality of Dianne Krueger, hottie, was realized.

3 of 5 stars.

Juno

broderic on December 24, 2007

Juno

While waiting away the holidays, what’s better than to catch a movie?

So I bought a ticket and caught this by myself. Except the theatre was full. The PG-13 rating meant that this was guaranteed to be an audience of highschool and college kids. The rough outlines of the ad campaign makes it a hipper than thou movie, and you couldn’t have more of the hip crowd in this theatre. And it was packed.

So the movie’s plot is the standard fare of teenage pregnancy. Girl is pregnant unexpectedly. Girl thinks abortion. Girl decides to go through with pregnancy. Girl decides for adoption of the child. Girl gives birth. Girl goes through with a life changing experience while the father is stone stupid.

That girl was Ellen Page who rightfully steal the show. Although she was too cute. She’s so hip she finds the Melvins as losers. She was like “punk’s not dead!” when I am a punk rocker!! She was like “I pity you and your 90s grunge!” when I am a punk rocker!! She was funny. The dialogue gets a lot of praise, but it’s too cute and showy to be more than a female Tarantino attack.

The best line though: “Sonic Youth is nothing but noise!” Hear! Hear!

Overall, good movie. Indie feel by way of the calculating studios. I expected something more.

Last scene was the best. You’ll be hearing that song played by alt rockers from hear to eternity.

3 of 5 stars.

I Am Legend

broderic on December 24, 2007

I Am Legend is the tale of the last man on earth. That man is Will Smith.

The best parts of this film were the quiet, abandoned, alone scenes of Will Smith in the empty streets of New York. The weakest were the shoe-horning in flashbacks that tried to put pain to Will Smith’s loss. I liked the foreboding and could’ve used less of the past.

The final thirty minutes devolve into standard action fare. It could’ve been better.

Creepy and fun.

4 of 5 stars.

Season’s Greetings

broderic on December 23, 2007

Is the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack to the Charlie Brown Christmas Special the definitive music for the holiday season?