The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Six years after the TV series ended and ten years after the first feature-length film was released, the X-Files came back to the big screen with a lot of hypes and anticipations from the loyal fans. There are a couple of reasons why the series have become a successful franchise; one is the intriguing story of aliens, paranormal activities a nd government conspiracy, the other is the contrast yet balancing characteristic of the main characters of the show, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). The film, using the title the words on the familiar poster of the UFO featured in the series, created a hope to the fans that the story might relate to the aliens and UFO. However, there is nothing related to aliens in the film. Still, the title “I Want to Believe” was used in a meaningful way. It’s the clash of faith and science, of believing and skepticism. The story in the film took the format as a long stand-alone TV series episode with a mysterious case to be solved.

For the X-Files fans, watching this film is like reuniting with a long-lost friend. Seeing Mulder and Scully and their relationship after all these years with the mysterious story as a background is satisfying enough. However, for general viewers, the film might look like a stranger – nothing special, just a typical cliche.

4 stars out of 5 – To find the truth, you must believe.

Related Links

• Official Website
• Internet Movie Database

Kung Fu Panda

Po is a Giant Panda who lives in an ancient Chinese town. He is the son of a noodle maker but always dreams to be a kung fu master. Chances lead him to be selected as the legendary Dragon Warrior without even knows how to fight. He has to prove himself as a true warrior and protect the town from the evil enemy who aims to take over the secret scroll entrusted only to the Dragon Warrior.

The plot of the film is cliché and sounds familiar to every Chinese martial art fans. However, the film is extremely hilarious and enjoyable. The computer animation makes the fast-pace fighting sequences even more exciting. Jack Black delivers a great voice of Po the Panda. The rest of the cast includes Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan. The film could be considered as a tribute to the Chinese martial art movies. All in all, it is a humorous film for the summer season.

P.S. I recall that a line from the script of this film was taken from the inspirational e-mail forwarded message I got from my friend years ago. I could not traceback to the original writer but I am certain that someone would recognize this line as I did…

Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.

You may check the full text of the above quote at my googlepage web site.

Related Links

• Official Website
• Internet Movie Database

Charlie Wilson’s War

 

Charlie Wilson’s War is a film based on true story of Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson who played an important role in the event that leads to the collapse of the Soviet Union and eventually the end of the Cold War. The film is adapted from the book “Charlie Wilson’s War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History” by George Crile. Tom Hanks starred the leading role as Charlie Wilson. Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman also starred in the film with notable supporting roles.

Beowulf – Digital 3D Experience

 

© 2007 Paramount Pictures

 

I have just been back home from the special screening of Beowulf in full Digital 3D experience at Regal Lloyd Center 10 Cinema in Portland, Oregon. The movie will be officially released in the States on Friday November 16, 2007. Fortunately, I had a chance to watch this fantasy movie in 3D. With innovative technology of Digital 3D shooting and processing, the film literally comes to live before my eyes. I could hear the sound of “Uhh” and “Ahh” from the fellow audiences as early as the beginning of the film when I saw the stars and the mountain in Paramount Pictures logo poking my eye. Even though the film was depicted in computer graphic animation style (as you could see in Final Fantasy films), the movie was so realistic and breathtaking with fantastic eye-popping special effects and some humors here and there which could compromise the usual predictable plot.

Superbad

 

Superbad is a teen comedy film produced by Judd Apatow, previously known as a director of the hilarious comedies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. The script is written by a team of talented writers, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. As an in joke, they even name the main characters in the film after their first names – Seth and Evan. The movie tells a story of these two childhood friends at their very last day of high school. The duo have to deal with their anxieties and missions before heading out to college life. They are invited to a party and tried to buy some alcohol with a help from a nerdy friend “McLovin” Fogell. Things get hilarious along the way.

Shoot ‘Em Up

 

I have never been a fan of action movie. I could watch a big budget Hollywood action flick for the sake of big production, eye-popping special effects and top-notch ensemble of the cast. It’s still hard for me to be appreciated with fighting. However, everything has an exception. Once in a while, on a rare occasion, I am happy with an action movies and this film is one of them. Shoot ‘Em Up is definitely an action movie for an action movie’s sake. Like the name stated, the film is loaded with shooting and gun fights. The action is on from the beginning of the film. It gets on and on, better and crazier, until the ends of the film.

Sailub Jub Baan Lek a.k.a. The Bedside Detective

 

With action and horror movies dominating Thai cinema, Sailub Jub Baan Lek (or The Bedtime Detective as an official international English title), a romantic comedy directed by Komkrit “S” Triwimon, could be considered as a breath of fresh air and it’s indeed a change of scene for Thai moviegoers. The film is inspired from Thai pocket-book called “Sakod Roi Choo” (literally translating as “Tracking the Mistresses”) which tells the story of an adultery detective whose job is to spy on and track down men and women who are cheating on their spouse. In this movie, the story centers around a geek-inventor turned amateur detective trying to make ends meet and pay the debt of his misfortune by spying on adultery cases. With some helps of his weird sidekicks, a singer “Palmy” imposter and a detective-wannabe, all of his jobs are successfully done. Everything is fine until he falls in love at the first sight with his pretty target. Thing gets more complicated when a girl has also been targeted by another professional detective. Now, he has to do everything he could to protect the girl he loves.

Apocalypto

 

Apocalypto is a film produced, written and directed by Mel Gibson. The story is set in Mexico during the decline of the ancient Maya civilization. A young man was captured from his village deep in the jungle to the city for human sacrifice. With some incredible lucks, he was spare from the sacrifice and had a chance to flee. With the power of his love for his family, he tried his best to return to the village to save his family.

Flags of Our Fathers

 

Flags of Our Fathers is yet another Hollywood film depicting an event in World War II and its consequences. The film is based on the book with the same name written by James Bradley about the battle of Iwo Jima centering around the soldiers who raised the first American flag on Japanese soil as the author is a son of one of those soldiers. The event was photographed and that image has become one of the most famous pictures from the Second World War, depicting the symbol of American heroism. However, the truth behind the use of this flag-raising photograph as a propaganda for raising money for the war is disturbing and proves to be a nightmare for the survivors of the war.

The Simpsons Movie

 

After almost two decades and running 400 episodes over 18 seasons on American television, The Simpsons has become a household name with a number of followers not only in the states but throughout the world. Finally, the Simpsons have their first movie. As simple as it should be, the film is called The Simpsons Movie.