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First off, Kate Beckinsale looks incredible once again. Just like most sequels, this one is not as good as the first film. I find that director Len Wiseman (Beckinsale's husband) was not as creative with the visual stuff this time around. The movie, just like most sequels, is more focussed on the action and the fighting with less dialogue. Overall, still a very entertaining movie.
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So I got to see this movie that everyone is talking about these days... and it's good. The film is a little slow-paced but I enjoy the fact that director Ang Lee makes such different films (his last films were "The Hulk" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"). The performances in this film are very very good (especially from Ledger). Jake Gyllenhaal has had a great couple of months with "Proof", "Jarhead" and now Mountain. He also proves to everyone that he can definitely act.
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This movie can be described as a cross between "Lord of the Rings", "Harry Potter" and "Lemony Snicket". Just like when I was watching the last Potter film, I got quite bored during most of this film. This movie is good, but not really my kind of film. I'm not really into the whole "talking animals" thing unless the animals are animated. I would much rather watch Lemony Snicket again than Narnia. Don't expect me to wait in line to see the next one.
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Charlize Theron proves to everybody once again that she isn't just a pretty face. "North Country" also did not do as well as it should have at the Box Office. The movie based on a true story can remind you of Erin Brockovich released a few years ago. "North Country" tells the story of women who broke the gender barrier laboring in hazardous Minnesota iron mines... and broke legal ground with the nation's first class-action sexual-harassment lawsuit. The supporting cast is also very strong including a wonderful performance from Frances McDormand.
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Unfortunately, this movie was released last summer and was not very popular at the Box Office. It also came a few months after the incredible "Million Dollar Baby". Cinderella Man is another boxing movie, yes, but is very completely different from "Baby". Set during the great depression, Crowe plays James Braddock a.k.a. Cinderella Man. Renee Zellweger and Paul Giamatti also co-star and show us once again that they are great actors. This film is now available on DVD.
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The new trend is horror movies these days is not to scare the audience or to keep them on their toes, it's to gross them out with torture scenes (chop fingers, ankles, drills, etc.)... After "Wolf Creek" released a few weeks ago, "Hostel" comes in with a similar formula... but a better movie. Starring Jay Hernandez and a bunch of unknowns, "Hostel" is not a very good movie but is way more entertaining than "Wolf Creek" was. During the last half hour, "Hostel" becomes completely ridiculous and exagerated... (i.e. The eye part...). The whole town is in on these crimes and I just don't BUY IT! :(
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"We are Scientists'' are a promising band from New York CIty. Sometimes compared as a pop-punk band that can sometimes sound like 'The Strokes' and 'Franz Ferdinand'. Their first single, "Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt" is fun and also very catchy. 2006 is starting slow for major cd releases (aside from the Strokes) which is great for smaller bands like "Artic Monkeys" and "We are Scientists" to get noticed. Have a listen.
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Once again, this year, Biopics are in. The story of Johnny Cash is told in a great way and Joaquin Pheonix and Reese Whiterspoon both do their own singing, pretty impressive. They definitely both deserve to be nominated for an Oscar for their moving performances. This is a must-see movie for the award season that just started. I really think Joaquin Pheonix is one of the most talented young actors out there right now.
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This movie featuring James Franco (from Spider-Man 1 & 2) and newcomer Sophia Myles and tells the famous Epic love story of Tristan and Isolde. There's a little bit of action in the film but a lot more focus on the love aspect of the story. The movie, at times, can remind you of Braveheart. I found the movie a little slow at times. I read a review that said that the movie was cold and lacked soul and I would have to agree with that comment. It could have been better...
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Morningwood is a new band we'll probably hear a lot about in 2006. They have a great sense of humor, pretty obvious with their band name! The first single "Nth Degree", where they spell out their band name in the chorus, is starting to get a lot of airplay. "Jetsetter" is probably my favorite track on the record. This New York city band (fronted by a woman) is a fun punk rock band that sometimes gets compared to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Pixies. Sounds like these guys will have a hit on their hands.
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This hard-rock soundtrack to the Underworld sequel (I'm really looking forward to the movie) is interesting. I really enjoyed the first half with bands like Hawthorne Heights, My Chemical Romance, Alkaline Trio, etc. The second half of the record I really did NOT like. A lot of songs were a little too intense for my taste with some singing that could be compared to barking. Only for the real Hard-Rock fans.
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I usually enjoy sports movies, as long as they're not about baseball, and I enjoyed this one also. I only gave it @@1/2 because it's nothing we haven't seen before and it's 100% predictable. The acting is good... I could describe the movie as "Remember the Titans" meets "Coach Carter". Good if you enjoy these types of films, 'cuz once again, this is a feel good movie.
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The Family Stone is a Holiday dramatic comedy with one of the best ensemble casts in a while. The cast is phenomenal, especially Diane Keaton. It's nice to see Canadian girl Rachel McAdams in her third big studio film in a year (following Wedding Crashers and Red Eye). The film switches, sometimes in an akward way, between comedy and drama. Aside from one really really cheezy Bus chasing scene at the end, this is a good and sometimes touching film. Worth a look !
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After the success of the first "Cheaper by the Dozen" film two years ago, we had to expect this sequel. Fortunately for them, they were able to get the whole cast on board again (Martin, Hunt, Perabo, Welling, Duff, etc.). All, except Ashton Kutcher. This time, the Bakers go on vacation. This movie is light, entertaining, sometimes cheezy (at one point, I felt like I was watching an old episode of Full House with the moral at the end, the cheezy music, etc.) but not as good as the original film. Fun family entertainment, probably worth waiting for the rental.
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The Strokes' third record, "First Impressions of Earth" is in my opinion different but as good as their first two CDs.It seems to grow on me with each additional listening. The first single off this record, "Juicebox" released last fall, is in my opinion one of the best rock singles released in 2005. Great Great Great song! I really enjoy Casablanca's voice. A few songs on this CD rock harder than the Strokes ever did before (i.e.: The song "Vision of Division", one of the best songs on this CD). I hope the Strokes will visit Montreal in 2006, I would LOVE to see these NYC guys live.
