Speckles n Spectrum

back to basics seemingly-banal adventures of an eclectic modern muser...

"Learning from the Past, Hopes for the Future, and a Life's Journey of making the most of what's at hand."

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Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts

After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America's ideals.

Director: Joe Johnston
Writers: Christopher Markus (screenplay), Stephen McFeely(screenplay)
Stars: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving and Hayley Atwell
Language: English
Release Date: 27 July 2011 (Philippines)
Also Known As: Captain America

Taglines: Avenge

Genres: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action

Source: IMDb
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The last time I've seen a movie in 3d I said never again am gonna waste my money when it's just almost the same with the usual big screen. But this movie changes my mind about 3d. I guess you just have to choose well which one you're going to watch because Captain America in 3d was darn amazing. Maybe it's also because of the fact that we were sitting way to near so obviously it heightened the impact. We found ourselves gasping for breaths and moving away our heads practicing our reflexes involuntarily almost every time Captain America's shield were thrown. It almost felt too real that you have to look out so you wouldn't get hit. 

The movie indeed was done impeccably in terms of visual effects with the use of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). You wouldn't believe that "Skinny Steve" is the same person in real life with the bulky Captain America. Yup, the Fantastic Four human torch Chris Evans.




“There was an awful a lot of work involved to make our main visual effect, ‘Skinny Steve’, the pre-rebirth Steve Rogers, before he is transformed into Captain America,” says Visual Effects Supervisor Christopher Townsend “We talked about using a CG head similar to what they had done with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [2008].” 






“It wouldn’t have served the purpose of the film and the purpose of the film is to get our actor, Chris Evans in this case, up on screen. We all wanted his performance to be there as much as possible. After much R&D we ended up with a 2D solution where we are literally mesh warping Chris Evans’ body and slimming him down, reducing his shoulders and arms, making his face more gaunt, thinning out his nose, making his chin more pointy, not quite an all American square jaw, and also making him shorter by about five inches.”
The movie isn't just good in VFX. It is actually one of the best if not the best action-hero movie you'll ever watch and it's for the whole family too even with PG-13 rating for some intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action. There are actually valuable lessons that all ages can learn and relate to in this movie. Like never giving up for your dreams and fighting for your beliefs no matter what and never forget those precious hero essential word "humility." 

My favorite scenes were actually those times that Steve Rogers ends up saying "Is this a test?" For those were we realized the best lessons the movie offers to the viewers that we should never judge anyone by their appearance. Those scenes were the happy ones too with punch lines like "He's still skinny." 

This is actually a feel good action-hero movie I must say. You'll find an occasional funny lines and thrown convincingly clever by the actors. I can still remember the line "Can please somebody give that kid a sandwich" and still smile just thinking about it.

Though obviously funny lines are mocking or sarcastic in nature but it was so subtle that you'll just find yourself laughing for it was all good pun for fun. It was actually sort of cliche already because it had been the common jokes for skinny people but it was written in a different light thus it strikes like something wittingly new. 

There's also a bit of romance. Poor Steve doesn't know how to deal or even talk comfortably with women. You can actually somehow felt how those couples felt twitterpated in each encounters. Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) is very charming with that vintage locks and red lipsticks and of course who wouldn't be mesmerized with Captain America's bod. It was said that he needed to gain over 20lbs of pure muscles just for the role but the production team had to use CGI because losing weight for the Skinny Steve was not too easy.

Trivia
Chris Evans declined the role three times before accepting the part. After that, he had a meeting with the director and the producers who convinced him to take the role.

Then he said this huh? 

Chris Evans was attracted to the role of Captain America by its character: "Even if it wasn't a comic book. I think the story of Steve Rogers is great. He's a great guy. Even if it was just a script about anybody, I would probably want to do it. It wasn't necessarily about the comic itself. He's a great character to play; he just happens to be a comic book character."



Quotes I like from the movie:



  1. Steve Rogers / Captain America: 
  2. Why me?
  1. Dr. Abraham Erskine: 
  2. Because a weak man knows the value, of strength. Knows the value, of power.
Captain America/Steve Rogers: “I don’t want to kill anyone. I just don’t like bullies, no matter where they’re from.” 
Dr. Abraham Erskine: "Whatever happens, stay who you are...not a perfect soldier, but a good man."



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Perfect 5. This is a movie where you can't find too many flaws that you won't forgive for if there's any that would be too trivial. Overall it's very entertaining and I must say no dull moments even during the slow conversational scenes for the story moves in fast, full, clever punny excitement. One that you'd liked to watch over and over without needing to fast forward on some dragging, boring parts.

The visual effects too contributed a lot to that very watchable and entertaining characteristics. You can say that a good VFX is something that doesn't look like it's VFX rather natural and looks more real. The actors too were all good especially the main character. You'll be convinced that he was that humble in the movie and yet come to remember Fantastic Four and how arrogant and boyish he was in that movie then it will just made you realized how good his skill in acting is.

There's just one thing that will make you ask why? Maybe it's just me but I've heard a few of the viewers said why did his best friend have to die? (Oops sorry, spoiler.) And some ask why it should be that way? It seems they wanted it to be more tragic perhaps. But I'm okay with that yet I prefer if he didn't have to die. (Oh, crap am I the only one who always want a happy ending? I guess not.)

Now if you haven't watched Captain America: The Avenger yet I say don't sleep and miss this one that you may end up saying "I was supposed to have a date." 

Can't wait for The Avengers...

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Some side notes. We were able to watch this movie on its opening day last Wednesday thanks to Camarines Sur Medical Society who had a raffle event tied with this movie. My sister's boyfriend is a Med Rep that's why we got our free tickets. And darn someone won a brand new car that very night, lucky, lucky individual but I guess I am too since I'm there enjoying a movie for free. I think that's good enough for a day's blessing right? But I think I still prefer if I can rewind or put it to slow-mo to be able to write down my fave lines and I can pause it so I can go to the restroom for I've eaten way too much salty popcorn and drunk too much water while lying down on a couch stretching my limbs. Yeah got it right better at home, less crowd, more freedom but how about the 3d eh?

But still "The best things in life are free" huh? I guess you can say that again just don't ask way too much lol.



Po joins forces with a group of new kung-fu masters to take on an old enemy with a deadly new weapon.

Director: Jennifer Yuh
Writers: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger
Stars: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan
Language: English
Release Date: 25 May 2011 (Philippines)
Also Known As: Кунг-фу Панда 2

Taglines: Ska2oosh!

Genres: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Rated: USA - PG; Phil - G (MTRCB)

Source: IMDb
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Another great movie for the whole family Kung Fu Panda 2. The return of Jack Black as Po this time as a dragon warrior with the Furious Five defending the Valley of Peace and from someone who'd want to destroy China and Kung Fu forever.

I don't know why I can't remember the first movie so I can't have any comparison. Maybe it wasn't too good perhaps?

Anyways, this movie is for the whole family for the story isn't made just for kids but there's something for everyone too. I love how it centers with Po's finding his inner peace, about family and friendship. He was now the dragon warrior loved by all and yet his memories of his mother and a symbol haunts him thus he realized in this movie that he was adopted.

This movie has a heart, it will make you laugh but then it never made me cry though there's a few touching moments but not too dramatic to let you shed tears. Am a lost for words here so just help yourself up and go enjoy the movie yourself.

Trivia

The character of Master Croc, voiced by Jean-Claude Van Damme, late in the movie performs a signature move of Van Dammme's. As he leaps onto the boat Master Croc lands in a wide split position, a characteristic Van-Damme move. 


A few lines I like from the movie:

Po: I know it's not something a hardcore would understand... 
Tigress: The hardcore do understand... but I can't bear to see a friend die. 
You can chain my body but you can never chain my warrior spirit!
Your story may not have such a happy beginning but that doesn't make you who you are it is the rest of your story who you choose to be.
What's step 2? Honestly I didnt think I'll make it this far.
You gotta let go that stuff from the past coz it just doesn't matter the only thing that matters is what you choose to be now.



4 out of 5 stars. The movie was entertaining enough. It has great lines and puns. Wholesome, kids friendly and amusing. However for some reasons I felt that not all characters were given enough exposure in this film. Po and Tigress got the most part of the movie and there are scenes that could be better had the characters have more lines except those two. And there's the predictable storyline of typical kung fu classics, finding the inner peace, gaining it, conflict and winning the battle. Maybe I was expecting too much for a little touchy scene like from other kiddie movies like Toy Story. But this movie leave my tear ducts dry or maybe I'm not making sense since it's supposed to be a comedy but then I was expecting for a really heartfelt comedy. But it is heartfelt comedy haha so maybe it's just me as I said am a lost for words here so you'll be the judge. 


Edit:
I slept it through and now I knew why am such speechless about this movie... hehe. It's because I can actually identify with Po. Not about being a hero thing but about the being a dragon warrior am more like a warrior of my own destiny, clumsy, big, childish, and silly. My cousin who lives in Brisbane teased me about being the Kung Fu Panda of the Philippines and as usual I'm low gets so I just thought it's about the size and silliness now I know it was about finding the inner peace.  Maybe it's more about that. I don't want to ask him to explain because knowing my silly cousin I won't get a decent answer. Am gonna settle for that idea but then if it's really the size his talking about I don't mind Pandas are cute lol.




In 1962, Charles Xavier starts up a school and later a team, for humans with superhuman abilities. Among them is Erik Lensherr, his best friend... and future archenemy.

Director: 

Matthew Vaughn

Writers: 

Ashley Miller (screenplay), Zack Stentz(screenplay), et. al. 

Stars:

James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jennifer Lawrence

Language: 

James English, German, French, Spanish, Russian

Release Date: 

2 June 2011 (Philippines)

Also Known As: 

X-Men: Primera generación 

Taglines:

The story begins...

Genres:

Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rated: PG-13

Source: IMDb
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There's a great buzz about this film. Truly it's worth the wait. People were like joking about it being second class. Well, that's for some who were fanatics of the comics because they're expecting a lot the way it was in the printed graphic. But most movie reviews we're actually pretty good about it since it got 8. 2 out of 10 stars in IMDb. 

I am not familiar with the lead characters therefore it won't qualify me as a legit movie critic but I'd like to comment about the story on how it speaks to me the time I watched it. As usual I started watching this when I was feeling really sleepy so I almost dozed off in half of the quarter of the film. I like the part where Professor X and Mystique met. Then when all of the mutants gathered in one base where they'd destroyed the statue while trying to display each of everyone's talent one at a time. It was really the part of the story that get me out of snooze time. 

It was a very interesting story of friendship full of surprising turn of events, worthy quotable lines, and it will make you think which side are you clinging if ever you're part of the team. 

It's amazing that a prequel like this was done good enough and even surpasses the last X-men movies. It had given a full blown past of Professor X and Magneto's friendship and it makes us hope they should just stay friends forever though  we all knew that he'll be the bad guy and still we hope in this film he wouldn't. 

The film gave us an example of beautiful friendships, how people have to sacrifice relationships just to fulfill what they choose and believe to be their destiny. It was a matter of love and cause. Choosing between what you love and what you believe in. 


Are you going to stay and fight for the people who's going to kill you once they know you are different or are you going to be with your own kind and fight for your race once provoke? 


I have a few favorite lines from this movie:

Erik Lensherr"If you're using half your concentration to look normal, then you're only half paying attention to whatever else you're doing. Just pointing out something that could save your life. You want society to accept you, but you can't even accept yourself."

Professor Charles Xavier"There's so much more to you than you know, not just pain and anger. There's good in you too, and you can harness all that. You have a power that no one can match, not even me." 






5 out of 5. The movie actually deserves it for it has all the elements of being entertaining and movies are supposed to be entertaining in the first place that's why we watch them. 


Good story-line, nice dialogues, better actors and actresses, cinematography, good visual effects, action-packed film, a bit or rather just a stashed of romance here and there. It makes you think, it excites you plus the eye candies that aren't just pretty faces but obviously can act and rule their roles.


And oh before I forget my secret bf is in this movie and I'm gonna show you a keepsake of mine... eww... (I'm warning you, please don't puke... hehe)


Ssshhhhhh...


It's me in 2007 and him in 2010 and we met in 2011 by way of this picture... bahaha 

A veterinary student abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet.

Director: Francis Lawrence
Writers: Richard LaGravenese (screenplay), Sara Gruen(novel)
Stars: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz
Language: English, Polish
Release Date: 4 May 2011 (Philippines)
Also Known As: Agua para elefantes

Taglines: Life is the most spectacular show on earth.

Genres: Drama
Rated: PG-13

Source: IMDb
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Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? I'm neither but in this movie Pattinson had tidy up playing Jacob, a veterinary medicine student who hitch up on a circus train upon his parents death. He took a job as a vet for the circus and fell in love with Marlena (Reese) who's married to his dangerous boss (Christoph).

Jacob: I don't know if I picked that circus. But something told me that circus picked me.

I personally chose to feature this over the fast cars or the epic to get away from the hype of those movies and I like romance not particularly dramas but still Reese is in this. Plus this is based from the novel of Sara Gruen with the same title.

If you like classic tales of love this is a go-see movie for you. It is sort of presented like The Titanic in a way that an old Jacob is telling the story through a series of memories and a sort of The Notebook feel with the '30s as the backdrop and a circus.

I like the Marilyn Monroe-ish look of Reese here (although a little too skinny I guess), the blond curly hair, beautiful sexy dresses especially the white halter bare-back with the glittery shoes and the bangles. And it's a plus that she's actually doing some gymnast moves in this.

Since they're all working for The Benzini Bros. so expect stunts, costumes, and animals of course. A circus wouldn't be a circus without them and the title wouldn't be Water for Elephants without a real elephant. And Tai plays Rosie as a replacement for the white horse hoping that she'll sell tickets and liven up the circus.

There's an exciting scene at the end of this movie but I'm no spoiler so just guess who killed who?



This is my fave quote from the movie:

The world's run on tricks everyone plays. It's having a true talent a gift born with in  something no degree can give you.










4 stars out of 5 for a touching story. However it lacks on screen chemistry with the lead roles to be too convincing as a romantic pair, Jacob - Rosie or Marlena - Rosie are better pairs rather than Jacob and Marlena but the story, the setting, and the elephant makes up for it.






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