The Host

The Host is the adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's other novel claim. The story is not much different from The Twilight Saga in which a young woman contested by two men. It's just that, for once, 'status' as an alien, in this case the alien, girded by a girl named Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) which is not a graceful figure a la Bella Swan. And, The Host did not have as bad storytelling interwoven the best-selling franchise. When Andrew Niccol no longer focus on the romance depicted with a thousand kisses (almost every minute!), It's when there is something you want to know more about in The Host.

Thanks to Saoirse Ronan for consistent performance in reviving Melanie figure whose body is inhabited by an alien by the name of Wanda calls his inner turmoil which looks convincing and the emotions that are surprisingly able to make my eyes teary.
Without the riveting acting of Ronan, The Host will probably end as the barren wasteland of the living quarters of the rebels in this film. Niccol should treat Ronan with free holiday package for saving the newest film from adversity. (Acceptable)

Read More

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER

Apparently, Hollywood amid avid reinterpreting classic tales that has worldwide for the consumption of the big screen. Well ... at least in recent years we see characters who have known since childhood kind of Alice (from Wonderland), daughter of the snow, the red hooded girl, to Hansel and Gretel displayed in storefront theaters. In order to attract a broader market segment, so the producers had to 'as good ' changed the course including by making eccentric, more full of twists, or even bring it to a more extreme, bloody. This has been done by the previous tale and the film adaptation of Jack and the Giant Slayer is ready to follow the films. On the basis of the classic fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Jack and the Giant Killer", a film directed by Bryan Singer received a PG-13 rating (13 years and over) that would make the audience not to expect too much will have the pleasure of sorts Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters despite the massive injections bujetnya indicate the presence of fancy action scenes and jor-rod. However, can we expect more of the Jack and the Giant Slayer just by relying on the fact that this is a large scale production? Hmmm ... after I saw it myself - in 3D, of course - then I suggest you should push expectations to the lowest point.

Take a background in medieval times, the audience was introduced to Jack (Nicholas Hoult - we just met in Warm Bodies) and Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson) will be a 'major tour' when we ventured in land of the giants. Kala was a kid, both Jack and Isabelle often dipendengarkan tale about the giants who fought heavily against humanity which the winning side with the humans so giant was forced to flee to a place that is located above the clouds. After a bit of discussion about the background of the two main characters, the setting time of the film was jump 10 years into the future. He lived with his uncle after his beloved father facing the Almighty One. In order to renovate the house, he went to town to sell his horse. A monk showed interest and replace it with beans instead of currency. She's supposed to, this magical beans. It's true, it's beans grow into a giant tree suddenly exposed after rain. Sprout up through the clouds, the trees destroyed house Jack and 'kidnap' her a chance 'stop'. By Isabelle - which is the only daughter of King Brahmwell (Ian McShane) - stranded in the land of the giants, then of course you can guess the movie will move to where.

Jack and the Giant Slayer is one proof of how Hollywood is too lazy to explore fresh ideas and choosing to rely on technology for the sake of the success of the film. The officials seemed to say, "if we could scrounge just to spit dollar special effects, then why do we have to think of something spinning a good story?." Of course, this is not a decision that has no risk. In addition to the budget that must be launched as high as the tree from Jack beans, cultivated in the absence of a good script - which also means, do not expect a strong characterizations of each character in the film - the film would be a very easy to forget. Tilled script by Darren Lemke keroyokan, Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney really flat and 'blah'. Not the slightest provided surprises and suspense that is able to make the audience linger staring at a movie screen for 114 minutes. Early half of the film runs very boring (and exhausting). Too long-winded in telling the story even though it should be delivered in short, dense, and of course, full of spirit.

Everything was just starting to feel (a little) fun when Jack and the troops sent from the kingdom - including Elmont (Ewan McGregor), the knight, and Roderick (Stanley Tucci), an adviser to the king - began to enter the world of the giants. Well, at this point, the audience begins to see a physical from the giants were not at all pleasant to look at and tend disgusting. Utilization of motion capture technology - instead of using a conventional CGI - could create a giant facial expressions and movements are convincing. It certainly did not escape from the performance of a very slick Bill Nighy's role as a leader in bringing the giant herd. In fact, even if the original was never physically present in the film, Nighy appear more impressive than the ranks of other players such as Hoult and Tomlinson with a plate chemistry, McGregor that her hair always neatly though battered here and there, or antagonistic Tucci as the party of the man who did not give greget .

If there is praise worthy attributed to Jack and the Giant Slayer, then it is the use of special effects. At least, the movie watchers will not wonder where his running budget of $ 195 million were disbursed in order to realize this project. From the first minutes, the film was seen as a colossal product with a sprinkling of fancy special effects. Unfortunately, this does not mean the audience will get an exciting and thrilling, absolutely not. The scene matches did not leave an impression. If there really well and made himself quite stunned, then it is the final battle involving humans and giants. Bryan Singer save the best at the end of the story. Unfortunately, after the minutes were drab and exhausting (likely 'snoozfest'), the buzz at the end was not really able to save the film. I was already tired to keep up. Suppose Singer summarize 20 minutes shorter, Jack and the Giant Slayer might be more palatable to follow.

Read More

OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL

Anyone in Hollywood who have the intention to create a new version of The Wizard of Oz, it means he has to dig his own grave. Fortunately, Sam Raimi was sane - though many films are filled with madness - to fully realize that the work of Victor Fleming is a classic that should not be touched at random. It's too sacred. Pengopian any occupation, whether it's official or not, is nothing more than a suicide attempt. Raimi did not make his latest film, Oz the Great and Powerful, as a remake. This is the prequel of the film is the basic legendary tale of dijumput novels 'Oz' essay L. Frank Baum. What here is the beginning of the creation of the figure of 'The Wizard of Oz'. With visual display of cheerful bright colors, special effects are magnificent and luxurious, as well as a beautiful range of players, Raimi - and Walt Disney, of course - presents an exciting and entertaining adventure for the whole family consumption.

Oz the Great and Powerful start the journey with full respect for the pioneers who demonstrated through dihaturkan movie opening in black and white format with an aspect ratio of 1:33 and the sound quality monophony. This went on for at least an Oscar 'Oz' Diggs (James Franco), a magician playboy, still in Kansas. But you do not need to worry, though was marred by a fairly boring conversations, Raimi will soon fly you to Oz. The two commotion created by Oz makes ends in a hot air balloon, flew himself in search of safety, but it was instead brought it to another problem, tornadoes. Just like Dorothy, Oz was caught in the vortex of wind and see things weird and scary in there. After a few tense minutes, landed in Oz, well ... Oz, which is characterized by a variety of changes such as a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, audio 5.1, full of color, and of course, 3D. Oh yeah, we're not in Kansas anymore.

Oscar has not had time to get acquainted with the strange place where he landed, another surprise was waiting. A forecast says that there will come a wizard to Oz in order to eliminate "the Wicked Witch 'or a wicked witch who is currently in power after successfully killing the King of Oz. Theodora (Mila Kunis) believes that 'witch elected' is Oscar. He immediately took Oscar to the Emerald City and introduced him to his brother, Evanora (Rachel Weisz) who mengiming-iminginya with power and abundant gold if Oscar can beat 'Wicked Witch'. Although at first inclined reluctantly, at last Oscar was still set upon their hunt for the evil wizard with a yellow brick through the streets accompanied by flying monkeys nosy named Finley (Zach Braff), ceramic dolls China Girl (Joey King), as well as the good-hearted witch named Glinda (Michelle Williams).

Unexpectedly, the Great and Powerful Oz apparently able to present an entertainment which was really fun. Walt Disney made the right decision to employ Sam Raimi. Naturally, if the film is still not able to match the quality of The Wizard of Oz is such a great and timeless in its entirety. However, the technology has advanced far ahead, allowing Raimi to play around with the special effects in this newest movie. Budgets are injected by Disney until reaching $ 215 million exploited well to create 'Oz' and its contents are beautiful, majestic, and amazing. Well, not really perfect especially in the first half where everything still looks fake and too 'CGI', but over time, the Emerald City (and of course, Oz) no longer seem embarrassing and getting better and better. If you want to feel the sensation of Oz to explore its full potential, then the choice of watching in 3D format is recommended. There is no falsehood in it, it was the appearance and depth.

If you have watched the film version in 1939, it is not difficult to guess where the film will lead. However, the good thing is, even if not many surprises available (in addition to the identity of who among the three witches in the movie which is the 'Wicked Witch'), the film still able to make me sit still, stay focused full attention to the big screen, and there is no sense of boredom that is upon until the title credits roll. A polished script by David Lindsay-Abaire duo and Mitchell Kapner great though not exceptional, but it still should be recognized are impressive. They managed to deliver an engrossing narrative fabric to be followed by the insertion of fresh humor incessant making the audience laugh out loud - especially if it comes from Finley - and there is a warmth and a heart for the final touch at the end of the story. Some subtle references that refer to the classic version also participated inserted in between Oscar adventures in Oz as a 'homage'.

Not much fun when listening achieved if the Great and Powerful Oz, you are too busy to menyandingkannya with Judy Garland version. Both are good in their own way. Although 'Almost Home' is very easily forgotten and distant class of 'Over the Rainbow' or James Franco does not have the charisma as a great wizard of Oz, but Sam Raimi managed to deliver Oz the Great and Powerful as entertainment products that satisfy the production value that astounding. At least, no special effects, makeup, hairstyle and costume to be proud of, and yet nothing is predicted to be able to speak a lot in organizing next year's Oscars. Although no more than James Franco Franco here, the ranks of other players sort of Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Mila Kunis, and each capable of playing strong, especially Williams, who appear perfect as Glinda. Scripts are usually inclined dianaktirikan, especially if the special effects is a major concern, it is noted here. Adventure back to Oz that once pushed past the 'man behind the curtain' does not reach the stage of 'great' and 'powerful' as the title suggests, but it remains a refreshing spectacle escapism. This is the best product of Hollywood in 2013, so far.

Read More

OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN

What if the safest place in the country's superpower - or even the world - that the White House succeeded in totally paralyzed by a group of terrorists so that means it left no place is completely safe and untouched in the earth? The chaos in the massive levels were almost certainly immediately hit many parts of the world when the presidency in the United States successfully occupied easily by ruthless terrorists. World war will again break. The question is whether this will actually happen? Nothing is impossible in this world - although I certainly do not hope so - though for once, it is only part of the premises at least two Hollywood films in circulation in 2013, Olympus and White House Has Fallen Down. The first titles produced by Millennium Films stole first in late March under the command of Antoine Fuqua. Unfortunately, nothing has been bubbling with skepticism view the rows of players, directors, and studio belonging is not a big name in Hollywood. Will Olympus Has Fallen able to stand firmly or even just crumble when presented to the public? Let's look.

Olympus itself is fictional code used by the U.S. Secret Service that refers to the White House. The Fall of the White House itself stems from a visit by the Prime Minister of South Korea on July 5, 2012. No one thought that if a meeting between officials of the State ginseng with President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) will lead to catastrophe. With good preparation and include all-powerful weapons, terrorists from North Korea managed to infiltrate the safest place in the world and render it harmless. The President and several key staff led to the bunker and a hostage Kang Yeonsak (Rick Yune), one of the most wanted terrorists on earth. While vacancy occurs on the reins of government, Allan Trumbull (Morgan Freeman) who is the Presidential Spokesperson take over for a while. The strength of the terrorists is evidenced by how hard it is to penetrate their defense and the number of agents who collapsed one after another. Race against time, the only hope of the United States - and the world, of course - was left to Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), one of the best secret agent as well as the confidence that President Asher had a vacuum of the field for a while because of a traumatic event ahead of Christmas celebrations relating to the family of the president.

Well, Olympus Has Fallen is not a film that is armed with an amazing script and a series of brilliant dialogue. You must already know. Everything in this film, it is easy to guess, and of course ... cliche. Indeed there are one or two 'twist' is inserted by script writer duo Katrin Benedikt Creighton Rothenberger and that could make some viewers say 'Oh, I do not think he turned out ...' or 'Oh my God, it's like that ...' although some great must have thought it would come first if it has been memorized by rote with a formula that is often used by film type. Even so, everything smelled cliched, predictable, and does more than just assembling the remains could be packed into something fun and interesting to see thanks to the careful handling of Antoine Fuqua were previously known to us through the Training Day, Shooter, and The Replacement Killers and superb editing the hard work of John Feroua. A number of moments that could make the audience hold their breath for a few seconds was successfully presented.

For once, Fuqua rid moment idealism and actually presenting a spectacle of pure escapism for the audience. Various scenes unacceptable sense complete with round coincidence that often adorn the heroism of Hollywood movies also helped the name of entertainment. Fuqua really keep the tension of the film to remain stable and tends to creep up without even slack off just to make room for lengthy explanations dramatization and the motives of the terrorists exhausting. No, not at all. With the 'pace' speeding along unstoppable explosion here and there, plus squirt blood as a bonus, your adrenaline will continue to be driven up to finish the film everything in minute 120. All forms of tension and excitement that is present here would not be released from the performance of the department of special effects were outstanding. You certainly do not think that the White House actually destroyed only by the needs of the film, is not it? This is just a special set which then devastated with the help of CGI. Occasionally it does look rough and fake (at least in the beginning of the film), but it often looks convincing and make the audience believe that the White House was destroyed. Impressive.

Although this is nothing more than a movie to have fun, in fact ranks of players playing seriously that automatically helped lift Olympus Has Fallen to a more respectable level. Gerard Butler with a strapping athletic physique can penetrate into the soul of Banning and perform violent merciless when dealing with Yeonsak Kang and his cronies. Morgan Freeman, well ... as usual ya, did not disappoint, considering this is his comfort zone then no something really surprising. Indeed, it caught my attention, in addition to Butler and Aaron Eckhart are giving their best performances after a few years tend to fade, and Rick Yune very annoying, is Angela Bassett, who plays the formidable head of the Secret Service, and Melissa Leo as Secretary of State Ruth McMillan fighting all-out to protect the country's hordes everlasting torment of the terrorists. Two senior actress is still able to perform optimally even in portions appear minimal.

In the end, though Olympus Has Fallen does not offer something totally fresh and innovative in the genre of action that intersect with the world of politics (or call it a political thriller) but Fuqua managed to present a spectacle that is able to bind the audience to sit still in a chair cinema since the first minute until the theater lights lit. Watching Olympus Has Fallen is like receiving a gift that is packaged as a perfunctory yet satisfied and make the heart merry after opening. A sweet surprise unexpected. I was thoroughly entertained and successfully made tense when watching Olympus Has Fallen.

Read More