Final Destination 5 (2011)

Genre: Thriller

Tag Line: Rest In Pieces  

Running Time: 1 Hours 32 Minutes

Casts:  Nicholas D'Agosto, Emma Bell, Arlen Escarpeta, Miles Fisher, Ellen Wroe

Directed by: Steven Quale

Produced by: Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Erik Holmberg, Richard Brener

Story:

A group of co-workers on a corporate retreat escape the collapse of a suspension bridge because of a fellow worker's premonition of the disaster,and then are hunted by an invisible force that seems to be Death itself, coming to collect its due.
Written by Official Site  

Review: 
I have always liked this installment since the first movie. Final Destination 1 was the new concept of thriller at that time. I really liked it and I found it really interesting. I enjoy how the concept and the story went along so well. It’s really thrilled. Now, here we welcome the fifth installment of Final Destination.  For me, it’s the worst version ever. It doesn’t show anything new. Everything is the same with different actors/actresses.
The story tells us about a group of survival from a great accident on a bridge. The bridge collapsed and they should die at the accident. But they manage to survive the accident because one of them can see a vision before that accident happens. Then, the survivals face the sudden death one by one. They are curious about what is exactly happening. Finally, they know the story behind the vision that they can’t cheat death. They have to die one by one no matter what in their order when the accident happened. 
The story and the concept have nothing new in it. It’s just like seeing a same Final Destination with brand new stars in same setting, even worse. They face their sudden death one by one and we have already seen that kind of version in four installments of this movie.  What makes it worse is their way of dying are ridiculous. It’s the worst of all. It’s not that thrilled if it compared to the last four. I think they try to make it looks a little funny but they failed. For me, it’s just silly and lame all over the part. This is the first time I find this movie is boring and I don’t like it. What’s the best of this worst installment is the twist at the end of the movie. I found it that that scene is the only interesting scene to watch.
Let’s talk about the stars. As usual, Final Destination franchise always uses new couple of actors and actresses. And in this installment, the stars are lame and boring. They can’t act in a good way to build their character. Nicholas D’ Agosto, Emma Bell, Miles Fisher which are the main acts can’t play well.  They act like they are not in a thriller movie, they act like they are stars of teenage drama with a bit horror in it. The other supporting actors and actresses are even worse than them. There is nothing more I can say about it.
The director, Steven Quale is new at Final Destination installment and for me, he failed to bring up the movie, he made it looks worse among the other. He should bring up something different than the other installment to build up this movie back to the line. 
The effects maybe better than the first one or the second one but still it doesn’t give much in this movie because of the ridiculous script and way of death. The collapsed bridge shows the greatest effect of this movie. That is the only scene you will see the greatness of the effect and I bet you will enjoy it if you like to see a great effect made by the visual team. 
Overall, I should enjoy this movie but I don’t. This is the worst installment of all. It’s ridiculous all over the place. I think they shouldn’t make more installments for Final Destination. They have lost their idea to build up this movie and it actually ruins the epic of Final Destination. For you all who are a thriller lover, especially Final Destination lover, you should watch it even it’s the worst for me.  Just enjoy it and don’t take it seriously, I bet you will enjoy it a bit, maybe. :D

Good Points
 -    The twist at the ending of this movie is great, love it
 -    The effect is good, just good

Bad Points:
 -    The concept is the same and the script is ridiculous
 -   The stars are boring and lame all over it
 -   The idea to build up this fifth installment ruins the epic of Final Destination

Rating: 6.0/10.0

The Tree Of Life (2011)

Genre: Drama
  
Running Time: 2 Hours 19 Minutes

Casts:  Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain, Fiona Shaw

Directed by: Terrence Malick

Produced by: Brad Pitt, Grant Hill, Sarah Green

Story:

The impressionistic story of a Texas family in the 1950s. The film follows the life journey of the eldest son, Jack, through the innocence of childhood to his disillusioned adult years as he tries to reconcile a complicated relationship with his father (Brad Pitt). Jack (played as an adult by Sean Penn) finds himself a lost soul in the modern world, seeking answers to the origins and meaning of life while questioning the existence of faith. 
Written by Official Site  

Review: 
For me, Tree of Life is a movie that will make you choose whether you like it very much or hate it very much. It’s all because of how the director leading you through the whole story which extraordinary, extreme and a little weird. If you are into this kind of movie with a story that you have to think over and over again, I bet you will like it. If you are not into a documentary style of movie, big drama that have many insides depend on what you see and feel, this movie will make you sleep in a couple minutes or you choose the other way which is walk out from the theater and spread the hate word about this movie. 
Tree of Life is a story about life. How you should live your life in a good way. A search in life that will lead you to the darkest time of your life if you made a wrong choice and it will happen otherwise if you made a right choice. It shows us how to learn to be someone good in your life. What’s the bad thing you can’t do and what’s the good thing you should do. You just can’t live your life horizontally but you also should live your life vertically, your connection to God above. God created us and this world on purpose, something you have to search when you are living the life.
I can’t tell you much about the story, you will see it a little weird how the story begins and ends in a very unordinary way. Some of you will see it’s nothing great and even bad. But the way I see it is a little different because I like this kind of movie, and it has something inside. I call it a beautiful movie about life. The script, the story is well done. I can’t say I understand the whole part but I almost get everything from this movie. It successfully makes me think about life, how to live it in a good way. This movie focuses on a family’s eldest son from his birth till his adult life, how he chose to live, the bad way and the good way. He learned why God created a father and a mother, man and woman, love and hate, regret and jealous, etc. It’s really interesting to watch for me and I really enjoy it. 
The actors and actress play it emotionally. Brad Pitt is a well-known actor that you all should have already known. He always plays in a great movie, also this one and other Oscar quality movie which is Benjamin Button. He is talented actor who knows how to act and develop his character. Sean Penn, even he doesn’t play at much scenes but he also shows his greatness in acting, you can see how he feels deeply in his way. Jessica Chastain is also great as a good mother who raises her children in a real mother way. The other casts, which play the family’s three sons, are perfectly starred by the kids. They are cute young and talented.
The one I personally give a great credit in this movie is the director itself, Terrence Malick. He is a great director who created Tree of Life. He is the Tree of Life himself. He directs in a beautiful way, the story jump from one scene to another scene in a good way and touch. He is the foundation of the tree and raises it perfectly in his amazing way.
The thing I enjoy the most about this movie is the cinematography. It is really amazing and pretty. The visual arts are beautiful. The scene that describes how earth is created from stars, dusts and solar effect is really awesome. The lava, the wave, the tree, the dinosaur, everything is perfect. It really shows God in His beautiful way created a great earth for us to live with His awesome touch, that makes me think that we should respect and take care of our earth, the God gift in a good way. 
Overall, for me, it’s a beautiful movie, no wonder this movie win the Cannes Award this year, and I really enjoy it. I bet this movie will also do great in Oscar next year. This one will be a serious problem for other great movie to compete in Academy Award and Golden Globe. I don’t suggest you to watch it if you don’t like this kind of movie because like I said before, it will just make you sleep and walk out from the theater. I suggest this movie to the movie lovers that really into a big drama, and a movie that you have to think over and over again to get the true meaning of the movie. 

Good Points:
  -  The true meaning of this movie is really great if you can
  -  The cinematography and visual arts is amazingly beautiful
  -  The connection between God and Human which is shown in this movie will make us think to live life in a good way.

Bad Points:
 -  It will make you really confuse if you don’t understand it really well
 -  Many of you will not like the way the story goes completely in confusing way.

Rating: 8.0/10.0

Di Bawah Lindungan Ka'bah (International Title: Under The Protection Of Ka'bah)

Genre: Drama, Based On Novel
  
Country: Indonesia

Running Time: 2 Hours 5 Minutes

Casts:  Herjunot Ali, Laudya Cynthia Bella, Didi Petet, Widyawati Sophiaan

Directed by: Hanny R Saputra 

Produced by: Dhamoo Punjabi, Manoj Punjabi

Story:

Hamid and Zainab are coming from different social family. Hamid comes from the poor side and Zainab comes from the rich side. Hamid is supported by Zainab's Father for his education, Hamid's mother also work at Zainab's house. Their encounter by encounter at last make them falling in love into each other. They share their dreams which are every human is freely to love and be loved, and dream to do their pilgrimage at Mecca. Do they finally can fulfill their dream or they have to realize that they can't be together forever? 
Written by Official Site  

Review: 
Under The Protection of Ka'bah is a movie based on a best seller movie by Hamka. It's one of the beautiful novel that ever written in Indonesia. Is the movie as great as its novel? I can't answer it because I personally never has never read this novel yet. So all I can judge is the movie. This is a movie took place at West Sumatra (one of a province in Indonesia) in 1920 about true love, where everything seems impossible, love with its unique way, make it possible.  For me, this is one of a beautiful Indonesian movie in 2011, and I can call I enjoy it among so so Indonesian movie lately.
The story is all about Hamid and Zainab, their life, love, and faith. It's a story that maybe true at that time (1920).The time when man touching woman is considered taboo and social differentiate is an important issue in a life.  That's what happened to them. The first part of the story show the happiest part of Hamid and Zainab life. Everything seems so real and beautiful for this couple. They believe they can reach their dream to be together forever. Hamid's dream is to fulfill his pilgrimage call in Mecca which is expensive to achieve and seems impossible to him, and Zainab's dream is she can love someone who she loves and loves her back. Zainab askes Hamid to pray for her dream to come true in Mecca.
The second part shows the saddest part of their love and life. Everything that was beautiful is destroyed one by one. Zainab is forced to marry one of their still far cousin. do they can make their dreams come true? Do Hamid and Zainab have a happy ending for their love life? I can't tell you more about this because you have to watch it yourself. :p
All I can say is the story is beautiful, a little bit ridiculous at some part because of the script is made like that, but that's ok, I still can feel the beautiful inside of it.  I enjoy the happiest part the most because I think that I can feel the way they were thinking and feeling when they got into each other. The saddest part also got me. It could make me feel like I was in that situation. It must be so sad and I want shout out loud.  The story moves on a bit fast and it doesn't show detail scenes. A little lame part but I don't think it's bad because it has to be shown just like that. 
Hamid is starred by Herjunot Ali, who is a great actor for Indonesian movies, also Laudia Cynthia Bella who plays Zainab character who is a great actress in Indonesian movies and series. I give them applause because they play their character really good. They can show to the audiences their happy and sad feeling and make it really real, their expression is good. This movie is also supported by well known senior actor/actress like Didi Petet, Jenny Rachman, and Widyawati Shopiaan who can't be denied about their acting. They all play it good and I enjoy it. 
One thing for sure, the setting is great. It shows the beautiful part of one of Indonesian cultural house which is Gadang House. It is created perfectly so that the audiences can see a real background back in 1920. The market, the train, everything is created perfectly but few things are shown in unappropriate time like a snack called "Gery Chocolatos" which I think it is created in 2000. I also doubt that Garuda peanut and Baygon, mosquito killer are in store at that time. Yeah, those are just a little part in this movie but for me it's better that they didn't use it in the movie.
Overall, it's one of a good Indonesian movie in 2011. For you all who had watched "Ayat-Ayat Cinta" (Love Verses) who was produced by the same producers, I bet you will like this movie. It's a beautifully touch movie and you can enjoy the perfect view in West Sumatra in 1920. It's full drama movie that can make you laugh and cry at the same time. Some part I believe it still happens in our real life nowadays. So, enjoy it :D

Good points: 
-   The story is beautifully made
-   The acting is prefect 
-   The setting is amazing, I really enjoy it and felt like I was lived in 1920. :D

Bad points:
-   Few things shouldn't be at the movie because it hasn't created yet in 1920
-   A little lame and a little bit ridiculous but just a bit 

Rating: 8.0/10.0 

Kungfu Panda 2

 

Genre: Animation, Sequel
  
Tag Line: Prepare for The Return of Awesomeness

Running Time: 1 Hours 31 Minutes

Casts:  Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman

Directed by: Jennifer Yuh

Produced by: Melissa Cobb, Glenn Berger, Jonathan Aibel

Story:

Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five. But Po's new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. He must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will Po be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Written by Official Site  

Review: 
Here we welcome the sequel of the Big Panda - Kungfu Panda 2" Ska2oosh! Kungfu Panda was released for the first time in 2008 and it caught its audiences. It's one of the best animation ever made and I really enjoy it. And now it's time for the sequel after 3 years. One of the specter of the sequel movie is it usually worse than the first. It's a bit boring and lame, it seems forced to be made out. Can Kungfu Panda destroy that specter? I will say definitely yes, big yes for this second one. For me, it's better than the first one and I enjoy it very much. 
You can call the story move on from the first one but it can stand alone too. So for you all who hasn't watched the first movie, it doesn't matter you still can understand all over it. It's all about a Panda named Po who is destined to be a dragon warrior and his five friends, Snake, Crater, Tiger, Mantis, and Monkey. In this sequel they will face a new enemy, a peacock named Shen who is known later to be a killer of Po's parents and Panda family. And in the end, kindness always defeat wickedness. 
The story may be boring and lame all over the place since the element of this kind is always the same. But this one is really not boring and lame at all. I enjoy it for the first time I sat in the theater seat till I got off from it. It's really exciting for the very first minute. The comedic and fun element in this story makes me laugh out loud through out the movie. The mimic of the character is funny and entertaining. The script is very smart as always for an animation. It's a really a kids movie that adult will also enjoy it a lot. It's like seeing a kungfu movie in animation style. It's so good.
The voices for the character are doing by well known actors/actresses, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, etc. They are really great actors/actresses who can rise the character. They build their own character really good. It's fun, funny and entertaining for me. They do everything in good proportion and I will credit to all of that guys.
The effects are spectacular. I bet the 3D one is better than the 2d, but since I watched the 2D one I just can comment on this. The 2D one even it doesn't pop out from the screen still it's great to see. I like the combination of the color playing in this movie. I feel like wow it's so beautiful to see the scene by scene in this movie. The firework thing, the cannonball are beautiful. It's awesome to see all the color burst from one side to the other side. It's really perfectly good.
Overall, it's a great and perfect sequel for Kungfu Panda. I Bet there must be a next one for completing the trilogy so I can't hardly wait for it. So guys, adults and kids, I recommend you to watch this one because it's very entertaining and fun. Believe me. :D

Good points: 
-   The story and smart script is entertaining
-   The combination of the color is awesome 
-   Funny and fun all over the movie 

Bad points:
-   I don't think it's the bad point but the duration is so short. I can't enjoy enough of it :D

Rating: 8.0/10.0 

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (2011)

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
  
Tag Line: Evolution Becomes Revolution

Running Time: 1 Hours 45 Minutes

Casts:  James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Tom Felton, Brian Cox

Directed by: Rupert Wyatt

Produced by: Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa

Story:

An origin story set in present day San Francisco, where man's own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy.
Written by Official Site  

Review: 
Rise of The Planet of The Apes is a reboot project. It just has two options here whether you like it or you hate it if it compares to the original. All I have to say is this is a really good reboot project. Everything seems so great, the story flows in a really good way without being excessive. The script is smartly incredible for the acts. I like the whole thing in this movie, I think it's one of the great movie of the year 2011. It's one powerful movie you should watch in the theater, I bet you'll like it.
The story is all about a guy named Will Rodman who is a doctor/professor who discovers a medicine to cure alzheimer disease. Before running a human test, he tested on chimpanzees and the effect was great. He decides to test it on human before a female chimpanzee goes crazy and harm the workers there. She is shut down by the guard and lately it is known that she acted like crazy because she tries to protect his new born son (chimpanzee). To protect the new born chimpanzee, Will take it home and raise him. He knows that the genetic is also in him like his mother was. The only purpose of Will created this medicine is to cure his father from alzheimer disease. Is everything going OK? Does that medicine cure his father? What about the chimpanzee named Caesar then? I can't tell you much here, it's something interesting you should watch. 
The plot moves slowly but sure. The timing is good. It's not too fast and it's not too slow. Some scenes moves so fast because it should be like that. The script for the acts is also perfect, it's not lame or boring. At the first part, it should be the boring part if it can't developed really good. The middle part increases its intense and you shouldn't feel boring about that. The last part which I wil say the last 20 minutes is the greatest part of this movie. Every great thing come into a great scenes. I bet you will feel amazed of that last scenes. It's beautiful yet scary but perfect. 
The acts like we know James Franco who was well known in Spiderman, 127 Hours, ect is a really great actor. I like his movies and he also did great on this movie. He raises his character to the max and I enjoy it. Since it's not a really love drama thing so, the main actress is not too much showing in scenes, but Freida Pinto as Caroline Aranha is not bad. I want to give credit to Tom Felton who we should have known him from Harry Potter Saga, really plays good here as a jerk. All the acts is in a good proportion of story here.
The effects since it is made by the same person who created the beautiful world of Avatar, it's perfect. All the chimpanzee is CGI effects and maybe some of you will not like it because they didn't use a real chimpanzees but I really appreciate all their work to make it real. I bet if they used the real one, they can't make it this great. The effects is perfect, everything looked so real. The last twenty minutes showed everything about it and you should enjoy it. You will feel the greatest of the effects in this movie. 
Overall, like I said, it's a great movie from its story to the acts to the effects and everything. I just can't for its next installment since it was set to be a trilogy movies. It's recommended to everyone, really. :D

Good points: 
-   All the scenes is in a good timing and proportion
-   Every acts is great in raising their character 
-   The effects to rise the chimpanzees is so real, you will feel it 

Bad points:
-   I don't know that there is really a bad point on this movie but if I have to mention one is I don't really like the ending. ;) 

Rating: 8.5/10.0 

You Got Served: Beat the World (2011)

Genre: Drama, Dance

Tag Line: They Live To Dance, they Dance To Win

Running Time: 1 Hours 31 Minutes

Casts:  Tyrone Brown, Mishael Morgan, Nikki Grant, Chase Armitage, Kristy Flores

Directed by: Robert Adetuyi

Produced by: Amos Adetuyi, Deborah Calla, Ricardo Whately

Story:

Three dance crews prepare to do battle at the international Beat the World competition in Detroit. In the final showdown to become world champions lifelong hopes, dreams and even lives, are at stake.
Written by Official Site  

Review:  
You Got Served: Beat The World, it's not a sequel of the first You Got Served in 2004. It's a brand new drama about dance competition. The concept is the same with the first one. It's all about dances and hip hop. I like dances especially hip hop dance, and that's why i like to see this kind of movie. It always give some new moves I haven't seen before and it's just amazing to see how they can do it. They are always great. Let's peel it one by one. 
Like the other dance genre movie, it doesn't have much story in it. It must be all about love life, betrayal, competition, ect. It's cliche and you can guess it from the very first beginning of the scene. Is this one different? Doest it have a better story line to enjoy? Unfortunately, I have to say no. It's all the same and it's worse than others like Step Up if I can say. The story is boring. It's really not much to tell. Hot love at first, hate at the middle, and becoming one again at the end, it's you know, it's just like that. Boring, lame, and whatever. :D
All it can sell is its dance moves in the movie. Its style that you can enjoy it through the movie. Amazing competition and you can so many great talents there. This one did too. All you can see is just its great dance by the dancers, great moves, popping, locking, jumping, etc. They are really great. There is not much new styles or moves in this movie, but you still can enjoy it if you love dances especially hip hop. It's not as good as Step Up and even first You Got Served. The competition is a bit boring and I am not exciting as I saw Step Up 3D. So, I will call this movie Ok, just Ok for the dances, not everything. 
The acts are all the same, great as dancers but bad in acting. So I won't comment much about their acting. But I want to give my credit for few dancers here. The first one, Stephanie Nguyen as Nina, who also starred in Street Dance (2010), she is a beautiful dancer. She dance it really good, it can shows her personality when she dances it out. I like the roof top part, I think she is perfect there. The second one is Kristy Flores  who also starred in Fame (2009), she is sexy dancer in this movie. When she turns around, that shows its sexiness to the audiences. The last but not least is our great stunt in many Box Office movie, Chase Armitage, he is really a great stunt alive. His jumping is ultimately great. He is well known as a stunt man in Harry Potter and Prince of The Caribbean. I like to see him really act in this movie and show its talents to the audiences without being a stunt. 
The cinematography is not that bad, I like how it goes in the movie. How the angle took at some scenes were perfect and i enjoy it. Overall, It's another dance genre movie with lame story all over it. It's not new but you still can enjoy the dance. For you all, dancers out there, you have to watch this to give you more inspirations to your moves. I bet you can learn one or two important things here. Enjoy it and dance forever. :D

Good points: 
-   All the dance moves even it's not a new one but it's still amazing

Bad points:
-   The story is the same as always, boring, lame and steady.
-   They are dancers not actors/actresses.

Rating: 5.0/10.0 

Choose (2011)

 

 

Genre: Thriller 

Tag Line: He makes the rules. You make the choice.

Running Time: 1 Hours 40 Minutes

Casts:  Katheryn Winnick, Nicholas Tucci, Kevin Pollak, Richard Short

Directed by: Marcus Graves

Produced by: Allen Bain, Brandon Camp, Jesse Scolaro, Mike Thompson

Story:

Fiona Wagner is studying for a master's degree in journalism and still grieves for her mother Samantha who committed suicide at the Crescent Hotel three years ago. Her father, Detective Tom Wagner, is investigating the brutal death of lawyer Elliot Vincent, who was murdered by his teenager daughter. His daughter was forced to choose between killing him or having her mother, little brother and herself killed by a sadistic criminal that had broken in their house. 
When pianist Simon Campbell is forced to choose between losing his fingers or his hearing, Tom realizes that a deranged serial-killer is attacking people. Meanwhile, Fiona is contacted by the criminal through the codename ISO_17. Fiona recalls that her mother had mentioned something about choice in her suicide note and she decides to investigate the sadistic man further.
Written by Official Site  

Review:  
Choose, like I said before in my past review, I really like thriller movies. The first time I saw this Choose poster, I felt that I have to watch this one. I know it may be a trash movie (because it always does for B class thriller movie), but still I want to watch it. Just I thought about this kind of movie, even it's not the worst thriller movie ever, but still it's one of the bad thriller I've ever seen. It's a thriller wanna be movie and it's decrease its thrill minute by minute. 
The story itself is not that bad actually if it can developed with a good script and plot. The concept is great. Why? Because the main idea of the concept is all about choices. It's a new idea how to kill and torture by forcing another people to choose between two important things in their life. It will be a dilemma for that person. With the significant time given like 60 seconds to choose will make it more thrilled.  But everything is ruined by its plain and lame script and plot. For me, every scenes should be thrilled but I doesn't feel it that way. 
The beginning of the movie should be great but I don't feel it that 'great'. The scene when the killer forced the daughter to choose who is going to die, her father or her mother should be the most thrilled part in this movie, but it isn't. It's just looked like low class budget movie that try to be great but failed. The killer is not scary at all. It doesn't make me chill when he did his killing. There are few murder scenes in this movie, but nothing that I can call great. The ending for a thriller should be revealed all the secret things but it's just so so. It doesn't have a twist at all that can make me wow with my mouth open wide. Everything is plain, lame and a bit boring.
The main act is pretty played by Katheryn Winnick, maybe you all had known him from Killers and Love & Other Drugs, she was not a main act in that two movies, but now she is. But she is not helping the movie to being good. She is kind of lame and boring, I think she should learn more from Neve Campbell, the scream queen and Jennifer Love Hewitt, the summer thriller queen, if she wants to play great in next thriller movie. The other acts are also the same, lame and boring. But I want to give my credit for Kevin Pollak as Sheriff Tom Wagner, I think he is good enough to  play that sheriff character, plain but funny, he can't describe the whole thing but he is the best of the night. 
The killing is not as scary as the other good thriller like Scream, Urban Legend, I Know What You Did Last Summer, etc. You don't have to close your eyes even if you are scared of this genre because it doesn't show how he is torturing his victim. All you can see is his forcing to the victim in 60 seconds and done, nothing more. 
Overall, All I can say is this is a B class movie with also B class acts. It stays where it should be. It's not a scary movie even it's a thriller. It's plain, lame and boring. So, I won't recommend this movie to you guys except you are true thriller fans. :D

Good points: 
-   The only good thing that not really good is Kevin Pollak, a bit funny just a lil bit. 

Bad points:
-   It's plain, lame and boring story all over the place
-   B class movie with also B class acts 

Rating: 4.0/10.0 

Detective Conan: Challenge to Kudo Shinichi (2011) - Season 1 Ep. 5

 

Genre: Drama, Live Action, Detective 

Tag Line: -

Running Time: 29 Minutes

Casts: Mizobata Junpei, Kutsuna Shiori, Otsuka Nene, Akimoto Sayaka

Produced by: Yoshinori Horiguchi, Shi Shirakawa, Koki Endo, Masako Kuraibu

Season 1 Episode 5
"Murder By Poison in Film Producer's Villa"

Story:

High school detective Shinichi Kudo and his friends Ran Mouri and Suzuki Sonok are invited to the villa, the film producer, Akihiro Nagat villa. Shinichi is asked to be an actor for one of his next movie along with Saori Kisaragi, the producers new artist also his new affair. Suddenly, his wife, Chisato Nagata come to the villa and caught them kissing so deeply, she is angry and slap Saori.  After that, Akihiro asks them for tea time party. He asked the villa keeper, Kana Ishihara to make some great flavors tea to the guests. After sipping the tea for the first time, Akihiro falls down dead. Ho can it happen in front of the guests? Who is the killer? What's her motive?Just watch it.

Written by Official Site  

Review: 
Actually, for me, this episode is as good as episode 3, even better. I like the concept the director bring to the ground in this short duration movie. The keynote is all about affair and cheating. It's usual love situation that happened in a movie or a real life. This affair may lead to the worst thing is murder and that what happens at this episode. The plot is simple but interesting. It's not too much like the other episode but still can entertain the audiences. This is the first time I have to rack one's brains to think about how can he murdered in front of the guests. And that's raise my Detective feeling to the top, I like it. It's not that predictable so you have to see it clearly if you want to guess who is the murder and how can he do it.
This episode is also the most similar episode to  its anime. The killer used Potassium Cyanide to kill Akihiro. It is used so many times at Conan's manga and anime and you can see it here in live action episode. It's great and I have been waiting for all this time, this live action will be at least look like its anime or manga. The weakest thing in this episode is the duration. Because of the short duration, everything is happening too fast. But that's still ok since it's interesting. The acts in this episode are also great especially Saori and Chisato. They do what they should do and it's perfect. But the main acts are just like the other episode, a bit lame. Overall, it's good and enjoy it. :D

Good points: 

-   The concept is good with good story to enjoy
-   This episode may boost up your Detective's will to solve it 

Bad points:
-   Everything is happening too fast because of short duration
-   Cheesy main acts

Rating: 6.5/10.0

Quarantine 2: Terminal

Genre: Horror, Mystery, Zombie

Tag Line: the Most Deadly Mutant Virus Just Went Airborne... And Escape is Not An Option

Running Time: 1 Hours 27 Minutes

Casts:  Mercedes Masöhn, Josh Cooke, Mattie Liptak, Ignacio Serricchio

Directed by: John Pogue

Produced by: Sergio Aguero, Marc Bienstock, Doug Davison

Story:

In the first film, an apartment building in Los Angeles was quarantined by the CDC, trapping the frightened residents inside as a deadly mutant virus turned the residents into rabid killers. Quarantine 2: Terminal picks up later that night at LAX, as passengers board a flight to Nashville. When a passenger becomes violently ill with a mysterious rabies-like virus, the plane makes an emergency landing at a large metropolitan airport. Now a group of survivors must band together to survive the quarantine.
Written by Official Site  

Review:  
Quarantine 2 takes place in a large airport/terminal. It is to be told that it's happened one day after the Quarantine 1. The differences between the one and two is its place, nothing changes beside of the place. The first one took place in an apartment building, the second one takes place in a large airport/terminal. I like this kind of movie because it always thrills me and chills me up. It can boosts up my adrenaline while watching it. Does it happen also to this second one? My answer is definitely 'YES'. Why? Let me peel it one by one. 
The story focuses on a group of passengers and flight attendant who fight for survive at the quarantine. The story begins with really good sense of thrilling. You know everything bad happens in a plane up high is scary, real deal. When a passenger, large one, got infected and acted crazy, it's really scary. Nothing changed about the appearance, red eyes, scary, and of course white things came out from his mouth. It's ridiculous. Can you imagine you are up there in a plane with this guy?  They successfully turned down the guy and the pilot did an emergency landing in a large airport near there. From that minute, they have to fight for their own life. 
Nothing is changed like I said before beside the place and the acts. The concept is still the same one like the first movie. The story is predictable but it's still a scary one. There are so many shocking scenes in this second movie of Quarantine. It's not one or two, it's just a lot. It really can raise your heart beat to the max. For me there are two scenes that really caught me in a thrill feel. The first one, it's really crazy to see someone inject her eyes some medicines with a syringe. Can you imagine that??? It looks like a SAW movie with its crazy ridiculous scene. I can really feel it with my eyes. What a movie. The second one is when they are trapped in a catering truck, and an officer did a suicide with a gun and suddenly a zombie comes out from above. It chills me to the max. 
Last 30 minutes of the movie really bites. It's scary and my heart can't decrease its beats. Actually, this kind of movie always has a predictable ending but I always can feel the fear inside. It has no twist, you absolutely can guess who will survive at the end. Nothing is new. Everything is the same, same old story in a new brand place. It's still a good one thought. 
The acts are good enough. Mercedes Masöhn who plays as Jenny, the flight attendant plays well but a bit plain. I don't get her feeling sometimes, it is kind of blank or something. The kid, George who is starred by Mattie Liptak is also good. He acts like a strong kid but still he is a young kid who is feared of darkness. I think this kid is doing good enough in his proportion. The greatest act for me is Ignacio Serricchio, he really suit his character as Ed, a baggage handler at the terminal. He shows what he should do in a movie like really a baggage handler. The others are just ok and a bit lame as always.
The director, John Pogue, is well known for his movie, Ghost Ship and The Skulls trilogy. This is the first movie he made after Ghost Ship in 2004. I think he directs this movie in a right way. It's good enough for this kind of movie. It can be a trash because it's sequel with no new things at all. But he changes it into something good to watch for zombie lovers of course. I bet all the zombie lovers like this one also. 
Overall, this movie is scary, thrill, chill but a bit plain and lame. It's good but it's not good enough to beat the first one. It's just similar to the first and like I said again and again, it's not new. It just a same concept that brought to the other place. All you have to do is enjoy it and get ready to scream and feel your heartbeat out. :D

Good points: 
-   It's scary, thrill and so many shocking scenes 

Bad points:
-   It's a bit plain and lame at some scenes
-   The concept is old and nothing is new beside the place and the acts. 

Rating: 6.5/10.0 

Limitless (2011)

Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller

Tag Line: What If A Pill Could Make You Rich and Powerful?

Running Time: 1 Hours 45 Minutes

Casts:  Bradley Cooper, Anna Friel, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro

Directed by: Neil Burger

Produced by: Leslie Dixon, Scott Kroopf, Ryan Kavanaugh

Story:

Aspiring author Eddie Morra is suffering from chronic writer's block, but his life changes instantly when an old friend introduces him to NZT, a revolutionary new pharmaceutical that allows him to tap his full potential. With every synapse crackling, Eddie can recall everything he has ever read, seen or heard, learn any language in a day, comprehend complex equations and beguile anyone he meets - as long as he keeps taking the untested drug. Soon Eddie takes Wall Street by storm, parlaying a small stake into millions. 
His accomplishments catch the eye of mega-mogul Carl Van Loon, who invites him to help broker the largest merger in corporate history. But they also bring Eddie to the attention of people willing to do anything to get their hands on his stash of NZT. With his life in jeopardy and the drug's brutal side effects taking their toll, Eddie dodges mysterious stalkers, a vicious gangster and an intense police investigation as he attempts to hang on to his dwindling supply long enough to outwit his enemies.
Written by Official Site  

Review:  
Limitless presents one new concept which is something beyond your imagination, to make a human limitless. It tells something that hasn't been told before. The keynote is a pill. A pill created by unknown pharmacy or company (maybe well known in the story) that can unlock human's brain power till its full potential 100%. That means a human can be a super smart human ever in this life it he/she takes this pill. The concept is simple but interesting. I really excited when I first saw the trailer. It turned out just ok after I watched it. 
The story tells us about Eddie Mora, an author, failed to be author, his life is miserable, and his wife had left him too. Everything changed when he accidentally met his brother in law who introduced him a pill called NZT. A pill that changed his life forever. After he took the pill, he become smart successful person like he became somebody else new. One pill last for 24 hours. And he should consume it everyday. But like a medicine, the pill also have a side effect, when he doesn't take it anymore or run out of it, he will become weaker than ever. He will feel sick and die slowly because of this. No cure is offered for this one beside you continue take the pill. Eddie find his way, whatever way to get the pill and defend his position to be smart people. He has to face the gangster, killing accusation, and a corporate leader. 
The story should be exciting if it is developed well with a good script, it also has a new exciting concept, bring something different to a movie which can create super human. It hasn't been told before about a pill who can change the world. Unfortunately, the story is just ok. The beginning is good, everything move in a good proportion, after few scenes, everything turns out really fast till the middle part. From here to the ending, everything is lame for me. It has so many boring part that doesn't developed perfectly. So for me, the story part is just ok.
Great acts save the movie. Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro as we know are great actors. Robert is a legend and Bradley always perfect for this kind of movie. Their acting power really save this movie from its lame and boring part. Some of you may enjoy their acts and forget all the boring part. It's all because they can bring up the down part and keep it fun. Their lineament really show it. The other acts are ok too but usual.  
We must remember the director Neil Burger from his unforgettable masterpiece, The Illusionist. The movie I just said was a great movie in 2006 about a magician. He really did a great job there for sure. In this Limitless, he also did a good job for me beside the story part. The direct was good and the added effects were in line with the story. It not as great as limitless but still it will be something for you guys to remember his work.
This kind of movie mustn't be run away from its effects. The effects for this movie are great. The slow motion part after the act took the pill is really great and fun to see. Beside the acts, the effects save the movie too. Some of you who doesn't look at the story part may say this movie is great because of the amazing effects through the movie because it is. I enjoy all the effects in it.  

Overall, this movie is ok, a little disappointed for me, but the acts and effects save it all. It's all about the choice. All you can learn from this movie is how to make a good choice for your life. Whatever choice you take, it may has a risk whether it's big or small. So, consider it carefully before you take the choice. Enjoy it. :D

Good points: 
-   The acts are great, they actually save this movie
-   The effects are awesome, the slow motion part win this movie 

Bad points:
-   There are some boring and lame scenes through this movie

Rating: 7.0/10.0