Immortals is not 300

   

      I was so eager to see this film but had to wait nearly a month instead. Immortals' world wide premiere was on 11-11-11, but it was shown here in the Philippines on the 7th of December instead to give way to the fourth installment of the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 and the animation film Happy Feet 2.
  
     My expectations weren't really that high, after all this is an action/fantasy film. Even so, I couldn't help but feel that the movie felt short of every one else' expectations, not just my own. Now, now, before everyone starts to retaliate and call me a "know-it-all"... let me just say that I enjoyed the watching the film. Really! I mean an hour and a half of Henry Cavill shirtless... what more can I ask for (more nudity perhaps? *wink*)? I was just pretty much happy staring at him most time. The lack of chemistry between him and Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) was quite obvious and I was also hoping that they would give Henry to showcase his acting skills. Do not be deceive by his gorgeous looks because this guy can act. I guess this isn't the right film to do so. We'll see how he fares once he puts on his cape in "The Man of Steel". I'll be closely watching this new take on the Superman series and that is because I'm a true fan of Christopher Reeve and very proud of it.




     Now if you don't mind me jumping into another topic. As you noticed I have mentioned on the title of this blog that Immortals is not 300. They have different plots yes, but actually both films are produced by the same people and same production company, which is Warner Bros. of course. Sad to say though that they have yet to outdone that breakthrough film that they've produced in 2008. If a story is set in Greek Mythology, expect that they would have a 300-ish feel to it. Immortals has a PG 13 rating and that is because of the gauging of the eyes of slaves and some torture scenes. Where as 300 was given an R 18 movie rating and I think you all know why. Apart from the violence and gore of hand to hand combat there are also 300 naked (who wears nothing but cod piece) Spartan warriors parading all the time in the film! Not that I mind, I remembered the first time I saw this film, I said: "I will never see well sculpted pecs and abs in my entire life if not for this film! The makers of this film are marketing geniuses. Women will watch this film and ignore the gruesome  stuff just to see these men."

      One of the characters in the movie 300 that struck me was Stelios and Astinos played by Michael Fassbender  (Inglorious Basterds, X-Men: First Class) and Tom Wisdom (Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants Part 2) respectively. I've been recently intrigued with Fassbender after reading an article about him in Time Magazine. I learned that he's starring opposite with one of my favorite actors, Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of The Rings) in the movie " A Dangerous Method" which also stars Keira Knightly as a mental patient. I have seen the trailer, and OMG! Very intriguing and very dark, deals a lot on how Psycho analysis was born (Freud and Jung). I've posted the the Official Movie Trailer, and a lot of Oscar buzz that surrounds this film, one of the is for Fassbender's portrayal of Dr. Carl Jung. Though I've just read a few minutes ago that they the Screen Actors Guild Awards did not acknowledge his performance, so no nomination for him. But the SAG is still different from the Oscars, the latter is lot more prestigious and well known award giving body. I have a strong feeling that Michael Fassbender will take home the trophy for Best Actor at the Oscars next year. I'm really hoping that I could find a copy of this movie or that it will previewed here in the Philippines, though it's quite unlikely. He was in Band of Brothers and I didn't even knew about it until  a few days ago, and I have known that T.V. series by heart. He was the one who got yelled at by their Commanding Officer played by David Schwimmer (FRIENDS) because he drank from his canteen during their very grueling night marches. In my shock I immediately pulled out the first episode and popped it into the DVD player. And yes, it was him alright. He played machine gunner Pvt. Burton "Pat" Christenson. Yeah, I guess you could say that I have a slight crush on him that's why I'm writing about him in the first place. I always say that it is not the looks alone that captures my fancy but the talent instead, that is the reason  why I come to admire so many actors who are virtually unknown because once they have turned into celebrities (status and attitude wise) I lost all interest and become bitter instead, CHOS!

    I have done enough blabbing and thank you for bearing with me. Have a great day!

The Debt : My Own Movie Review

     In 1965,three Mossad agents agents entered the boarders of Communist East Berlin. Their mission: to find and capture what seems to be an evil remnant of the Nazi regime. "The Surgeon of Birkenau".It took fifteen years  for the Government to trace the evil doctor's whereabouts. Upon confirming that he still practices Medicine in a hospital in East Berlin, David Peretz ( Sam Worthington: AVATAR, Terminator Salvation), Stephan Gold ( Marton Csokas: Lord of the Rings, The Bourne Supremacy) and Rachel Singer( Jessica Chastain: The Help, Texas Killing Fields)were given the dangerous and almost impossible task of bringing back "The Surgeon of Birkenau" to face trial in the Israeli courts. Failing to do so would cost the Country and it's Allies their reputation.

     Now, I'm not gonna tell exactly how the movie went as it is for the veiwers to experience in order to appreciate the intricate story lines and the amazing acting of it's cast. Special  mention of course are Sam Worthington ( I think you all know why) and Dame Helen Mirren (The Queen) as the older Rachel Singer.Worthington's acting is quite contained in manner. In the film, he's playing a young agent who's still grieving for his entire family whom all suffered and died in one of many Jewish camps in Europe. But his perception of Justice is clear, and that is to bring the German doctor alive to be tried and sentenced by the Israeli government and for for the entire world to see the cruelty and injustices he has done to mankind. It's really refreshing to see Sam taking on a more sensitive character. Not the ass-kicking "Jar Head" or a Demi-god fighting the Lord of the Underworld. We can see that he has the makings of a leading man. Despite his rough appearance at times, he seems to be a true gentleman. How he holds a woman's hand or the way he shields her, look closely and you'll see what I mean.

     On the other hand, Helen Mirren, fierce as ever at 66 years old and already a movie icon. A Shakespearean actor by trade eventually transcended into movies where she eventually made a name for herself. This feisty English actress has won herself an Oscar for portraying Queen Elizabeth II. As the much older Rachel Singer, it's astonishing to see her weasel her way through offices and files without being noticed (and she does it without trying too hard mind you). Thinking and scheming like an active and much younger agent would. For her character, it is like reliving the old days.

     "The Debt" is a very good espionage film. It does not try too hard and does not depend on explosive or over the top stunts and special effects that could very well induce a serious bout of migraine (as my sister usually experiences when watching these kinds of films). Nor, is it too graphic or violent in content e.g. "Munich" by Stephen Speilberg that it's almost difficult to watch because your cringing or covering your eyes most of the time. For those who haven't seen "Munich", is also a brilliant film from Spielberg (as expected) but you must brace yourselves because it is not for the faint of heart!

     Again, I recommend "The Debt" to those who are into espionage flicks. Brilliant acting by the cast, great story telling and directing as well. Definitely worth your time and money. 

    

Note: I have edited this post to include the movie poster and the official trailer of the film as well. Thank you :) 

Merry Little Christmas, kinda

Christmas will be a bit sad this year as we have lost two very special creatures in our lives. My cat " Bulelat" and the stray dog that we have rescued three years ago, "Choco".

"Choco" passed away on Thursday so it's been two days to that day and we still can't believe that he's gone. Often I would lie awake at night and ask if he's for real or just a dream, because time flew so fast and three years seemed to pass by as if it were only a matter of minutes. Time proved to be too short.

On the other hand, "Bulelat" first came to us when he just a tiny kitten. Perhaps a few weeks old. He's so tiny that he could easily fit in the palm of my hand, he also likes to stick-out his tongue. Hence the name Bulelat. The name means "Bulilit" and "Belat". Silly huh, but we like giving our pets silly names as it's easier to remember and it gives them some kind of character. "Bulelat" has been with us for 13 years, so that would be 97 cat years! Didn't expect him to live that long but still we dreaded the day that we would have to say our goodbye's. That happened on the 12th of February this year. I cried my heart out for weeks before I finally get to used to not seeing him lying around somewhere taking a long nap (he's a lazy cat!). I would cry uncontrollably whenever I watch "Winnie the Pooh", or "Chronicles of Narnia" as these movies remind me so much of him.

I once told my sister that teaching kindness towards other may be done, specially if taught at a young age. But there is one thing that for me can never be taught... and that is compassion.Not only towards your neighbors, but to smaller beings as well. My parents certainly didn't taught us to be nice to animals as my Grandmother would be the first one to shoo them away. But for some reason (perhaps through the grace of God and experiencing hardships at an early age), we have developed an understanding and great love for them. I may never have children of my own, who knows, but to me and my sister we treated them with love and respect as if they were our own.

I personally have experienced a lot of setbacks not only with my health but with my personal growth as well. Now I will have to start from scratch, yet gain. I would endure this all, as long as I have those who are dear to me. Wealth or success is nothing if there is no one to share it with.

Take care my friends, and I wish you all a bright and blessed holidays ahead! :)