SUMMER REVIEWS: AUGUST MOVIE RECAPS II

THE CAT

There’s word of mouth that cats are extremely capable of being aware of what is happening within their environment. How many pet owners have witnessed their cat seeing something that frightens it? Almost every cat owner can tell the tale of their beloved kitty having its hair stand up on its back, while hissing and spitting at seemingly thin air. Ghost stories would indicate that cats are very perceptive of both

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Summer Reviews: August Movie Recaps

Rise of the Planet of the Apes



When Fox decided to bring back the franchise about ape revolutions made famous by “Planet of the Apes” released in 1968 and its four sequels, it was Tim Burton’s revamped movie with the same name that did make a boatload of money but critically was far from success. So, the studio thought it’s best to shelve the apes once again and freeing them a decade later with a new concept that reboot the entire franchise in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. Sure the title they’ve chosen sound quite silly but

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two: An Outstanding Final

After a decade of amazing adventure, ultimately this summer is the actual bystander of how epic is the showdown between light and dark, good and evil when ‘The Boy Who Lived’ comes face to face with ‘He Who Shall Not Be Named’. As the series evolves from Chris Columbus' fanciful kiddie-like dreamworld to something much more dark and complex, and this is where the climax that the entire movies have built towards finally plays out. One of the most successful film franchises in history finally draws to its emotional close, also suddenly reminding us of quite how lovingly constructed the franchise's four directors have crafted its on-screen presence over the years. And wrapped

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WU XIA: Smart, Fresh, Stylistic Martial Arts Spectacle

In the very first stage of production of his new film, “Wu Xia”, director Peter Chan Ho-sun has claimed that he aims to rejuvenate the martial arts genre with the project, create something unique to the choreography by injecting medical and scientific elements into it. In some ways, the final result has showed that Chan has succeeded in fusing together the elements that appeal to international audiences with some of the best martial arts sensibilities. In his first directorial outing since the

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A Reflection on the Great Value of Friendship from The Front Line

Towards the end of the Korean War an uneasy ceasefire is ordered, but out on the Eastern front line of the Aerok Hills fierce fighting continues. A race to capture a strategic point to determine a new border between the two Koreas is the ultimate prize. A bullet is then found in the body of dead company commander of the South Korean army. The bullet that killed the company commander belongs to the

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Summer Reviews: June Movie Recaps

Transformers: Dark of the MoonA little bit better than the ‘messier than all messy stuffs’ previous film but this latest (and one hopes final) effort of Michael Bay to destroy every city in United States with his robotic battalions is still a carnival of metallic special effects on top of everything else. Audiences will likely have enough fun time with the $200 million-dollar tagged full FX action sequences, and in addition to the positive side, this

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The Historical Account of Arrow, The Ultimate Weapon

South Korean filmmakers really like to portrait the era of Joseon (Chosun) Dinasty, the final ruling dynasty of Korea that lasting from 1392 until 1910, into both big screen feature and television series. Perhaps because the history of this dynasty is relatively better documented than those of older kingdoms, and Joseon is especially important in Korean history since it is the period when the Korean alphabet - Hangeul - was created. Joseon was also excellent in

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Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark! Now Let’s Turn All the Lights Off!

On October 10, 1973, just in time for Halloween, television audiences were treated to a spooky offering from the ABC network that stayed with them long after they watched it. Following a young couple who inherit an old mansion, a demon-infested old mansion, as the hellish occupants attempt to take the wife for their own, it didn’t rely on outward gross-out violence, like many modern horror films, but “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark” has remained a staple late-night creep-fest for over the

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The Revolt of the Apes. The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

In the long-overdue newest title in the Planet of the Apes franchise (based on the 1963 French novel “La Planète des singes” by Pierre Boulle) that includes five movies in the original series and one reboot starring Mark Wahlberg, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, will tell the origin of the intelligent apes which begin the movement to replace humanity as the dominant species on Earth. Conceived as a reboot also a prequel to the earlier movies, but will also be a new story that should

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Summer Reviews: Super 8, Ladda Land, Hangover 2

Super 8
Score: 8/10

With “Super 8”, J.J. Abrams has captured the spirit of growing up and flawlessly unified it with a gripping, action-packed, science-fiction excitement that pays homage to the early works of Steven Spielberg and films like “Stand By Me” and “The Goonies” without ever losing its spark of originality. As the movie is dated back to 1979, Abrams has just presented it perfectly with the set up and costumes, all reflecting the 1970’s. Besides, mystery, action and coming of age drama there is also a perfect sense of humor in the movie. And while there are exciting action sequences and perfectly crafted special effects to complement them, there is also a rather sweet and sad side story that stays just on the

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Get Ready For a Different Breed of Cowboys & Aliens

Based on Platinum Studios’ graphic novel created by Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, adapted to screen by Star Trek’s Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci and Damon Lindelof, came one of the coolest movies this summer “Cowboys and Aliens”. Directed by Jon Favreau and featuring an all-star cast including Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde and Sam Rockwell, this will be one sci-fi actioner that crosses the classic Western theme with the alien-invasion movie. Also joined by

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X-Men First Class: A 'First Class' Reboot for the Franchise

X-Men: First Class has sort of soared below the radar when it comes to this summer's superhero adaptations. With "Thor," "Green Lantern" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" taking most of the headlines, Matthew Vaughn's new installment of the classic Marvel franchise may take people by surprise. And it really does! A Huge Huge surprise indeed!
With "Kick-Ass," Vaughn already showed that he has a keen eye for the comic book genre and with the vintage 1960's setting, in the middle of the

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Summer Reviews: May Movies Recap

Kung Fu Panda 2
Score: 7,5/10

The trailer of “Kung Fu Panda 2″ claimed that the film comes with ‘double the awesomeness’. For a change, though suffers a bit from being familiar, it still manages to be full of fresh action and adventure. Also silly sight gags aren't going to be absent altogether in a film about a seriously weighty Kung Fu master, but “Kung Fu Panda 2” has more interesting things to say, and takes the time to say them. In this sequel, Director Jennifer Yuh who was responsible for some of the most thrilling scenes in the original film, has given the story a

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2011 Asian Packed Summer Tentpole Movies: Episode 2

My Kingdom


Called “Da Wu Sheng” in Chinese, the tale of two brothers' quest for fame, love and revenge in the heyday of Shanghai opera is a "multi-million dollar" co-production directed by Gao Xiaosong and produced by Hollywood and Hong Kong veterans Andre Morgan and Sammo Hung. The 1920s set film that blends martial arts onstage and offstage with a suspense-filled love story stars Taiwan-based actor-singer Wu Chun (14 Blades), Taiwan starlet Barbie Hsu (Reign of Assassins) and Chinese pop music sensation Han Geng in his film debut.
Here’s the synopsis: In the closing days of the 19th century, the Prince Regent of the crumbling Qing Dynasty orders

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Modernizes the Renowned World of Wu Xia

The word "Wu Xia" is a compound word composed from the words Xia (俠, "honorable", "chivalrous"), which is the philosophy of the Chinese knight-errant, and Wu (武, "martial", "military"), from the Chinese term Wushu (武術, "martial arts" or "kungfu"). A martial artist who follows the code of Xia is often referred to as a "swordsman" in works of Wu Xia, although he may not necessarily wield a sword. Wu Xia is now mostly used to describe a broad genre of Chinese fiction that concerns itself with martial arts adventures set primarily in ancient China. Although traditionally a literary art form, it is now also found in art, comics, films, games, television, theatre, and other media. Wu Xia forms a

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Avenge The Origin of The First Avenger: Captain America

According to a Dow Jones report, Marvel has already amassed a half-billion-dollar war chest to make a slate of movies with budgets as high as $180 million, drawing on its remaining 5,000 comic-book characters. But can Marvel prevail with this slate of characters in their pipeline? Thor, Captain America and Ant-Man, as examples, were beloved as they are to longtime comics fans but mostly unknown to today's kids. However, this is the real challenge for Marvel Studios at taking what Stan Lee and the brilliant artist Jack Kirby were able to make work in comic books 45 years ago and turn it into a 21st-century Hollywood franchise. And when it comes to Captain America — which also serves to

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The Epic Conclusion for the Journey Beyond Imagination

With Part 1 has already set up the grand finale, fans of worldwide phenomenal series “Harry Potter” will now have an even more impatient wait for the conclusion. Those who read the book certainly know how “Deathly Hallows” will end, but they are anxious to see if the movie version maintains that power. The first part released last fall has also generated a range of reactions from critics. Some were really excited for the extravagance ending that will cap the series off, while others expected it would redeem the slow pace of the setup. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” was an

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Summer Reviews: The Lost Bladesman & Thor

The Lost Bladesman
Score: 7/10

Guan Yu, one of the most valued heroes and generals in Chinese history, lived from about AD160 to AD220 during the final years of the Han dynasty in eastern China. With magnificent fighting skill, bravery, loyalty and righteousness, he even became a deity that worshipped in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. His titles include Prince, Duke, Marquis and finally the posthumous title of "Saintly Emperor Guan the Great God who Subdues Demons of the Three Worlds and Whose Awe Spreads Far and Moves Heaven". This title was later shortened to "Saint of War" and there is said to be a statue of him in both police stations and triad member gathering places, as Guan Yu represents the values that

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Third Transformers Goes to the Dark of the Moon

The "dark of the moon" is defined as a phase (approximately three days) when the light of the moon is obscured, and thus absent (i.e. a no-moon time), and precedes the new moon and the beginning of a new lunar cycle. Symbolically, it represents a time of inner stillness and contemplation, and preparedness for a new beginning. "Dark of the Moon" also has been chosen as the final title for Michael Bay’s third -- and apparently last – “Transformers” movie. Is it has something to do with Bay intention to make this third film darker and more emotional, also more serious than his previous efforts? Well, after the

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Some Thing Within the Super 8 Has Found Us

Two of the most marvelous writers in blogosphere, Matthew Vanacore from wonderful movie blog Filmmatic and JL from the fantastic Couch Potato Club, have awarded the café with Versatile Blogger Awards recently. Thank you so much, buddies! And talking about versatile, I think J.J. Abrams is one of the very versatile as a writer/producer/director. Between a variety of different action and sci-fi movies and shows that includes Felicity, Lost, Mission Impossible 3, Cloverfield, Star Trek, and Fringe, all were just drastically different from one another. He has successfully brought "Star Trek" back to life in an ambitious reboot of the classic franchise that

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