Coolness! (Movie Reviews)

Eragon (20th Century Fox, 2006)
Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Rachel Weisz
Stefen Fangmeier
Rating: 3/5

Wouldn't it be cool to have a dragon as a pet, friend, and companion? Eragon, Book One of the Inheritance Trilogy, is just about that - dragons and their dragon riders. Written by Christopher Paolini when he was 15 years old, Eragon is a childhood fantasy come to life via the book and the film. However, maybe because he is at a young age, the story lacks depth, maturity, and enough grip to make a lasting impression. It is mostly a kid's movie but that is not to say that it can't be enjoyed by adults. It is enjoyable and entertaining. However, one needs to remember that it isn't The Lord of the Rings.


Night at the Museum (20th Century Fox, 2006)
Ben Stiller
Shawn Levy
Rating: 4/5

How cool is it to have your toys come to life? Remember The Indian in the Cupboard back in 1995? It is about a toy indian which comes into life when put inside a magical cupboard. How about Small Soldiers in 1998? These are toy soldiers coming into life because of a military chip. I enjoyed it so much that I have collected some action figures of them. This 2006 brings Night at the Museum. It is way cooler than the said two films because toys are not the only ones that come to life but all creations in the museum - from fossils to stuffed animals to prehistoric humans to historical wax figures! Imagine what you could learn from these creatures and how much fun you can get from them! That is so cool, isn't it?

Night at the Museum is a fun-filled ride that would leave you wanting for more! Now, if only I could get my hands on that tablet!

Blood Diamond (Warner Bros., 2006)
Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou
Edward Zwick
Rating: 3.5/5

I do not know much about the history of blood diamonds but somehow, this movie sheds light on it. It isn't the best storytelling because it drags every now and then. But it has a great ensemble of actors that makes up for what it lacks. Leonardo DiCaprio, who already showed great talent when he was still young, shines his brightest in this movie. The lines on his face adds more dimension and exquisiteness in his acting. With his Oscar nomination, he'd rightfully gained the respect that he deserves as an actor. Cool!

This is his follow-up to his another cool performance in another cool film with an ensemble of really cool actors called The Departed (one of 2006's best)!

P.S. Jennifer Connelly looks a lot like Madonna in here! Now, if only Maddie could act like Jen...

Saw 3 (Lions Gate Film, 2006)
Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith
Darren Lynn Bousman
Rating: 4/5

Jigsaw is back! This time, he's more focused and more twisted as ever! This is such a great way to end the trilogy. It is better than the sequel which, in my book, should have never been done. It is a teen-slasher flick wannabe. The plot is better and grittier. It makes one hell of a nail-biting thriller that is more gruelling than the first and grosser than Hostel, another fave thriller of mine. Hold on to your seats and wait till you get to know what Jigsaw truly plans to happen. It will rip out your senses once it ends!

But no matter how cool it may sound, no one has the right to teach people lessons in life the way he does!

Biboy asked me why do I love watching these kinds of movies? I don't know. I just do! :-)

The Descent (Lions Gate Films, 2005)
Shauna MacDonald, Natalie Mendoza
Neil Marshall
Rating: 4/5

Six women went on an unknown cave for an adventure. What they didn't know was that they'd get more than what they expect. Aside from the almost near-death experience they got from finding their way out, they met these unknown creatures that would end their lives if they do not stay together and fight till the end.

The Descent starts out slow during the first half. However, it was able established the characters well enough for the audience to care about them when the thrills pick up during its second half. Even though the characters are all women, the film avoided the stereotypical characteristics. They don't whine or cry or shout their lungs out the moment they encounter difficulties. They stayed focused and strong till the end. If ever one breaks out, it is called for by the situation or their characterization.

Aside from that, the film was able to capture the claustrophobic feel of the cave. It would make you feel as if you were there. Not to mention how terribly creeping the crawlers are!

The Descent is a cool chick film that kicks ass! Girl power indeed! Can't wait for the next installment!

P.S. Natalie Mendoza is Pinoy! Can anything be cooler than that!

She's the Man (Dreamworks, 2006)
Amanda Bynes, Tatum Channing
Andy Fickman
Rating: 2.5/5

Viola pretends to be her twin brother, Sebastian, to play for the soccer team in the rival school of her school where she's supposed to be at. She gets accepted, and gets to befriend the team's captain who happens to be his room mate, Duke. As Sebastian, Viola meets Olivia who falls in love with her - as Sebastian. Duke, who likes Olivia, asks her, as Sebastian, to set him up with Olivua. She willingly obliged until she realizes that she's in love with Duke after she, as Viola, and he kissed in the carnival.

Sounds complicated? Actually not. A girl pretending to be guy and falling in love with a guy as a guy is a plot that has been done with over and over again. She's the Man has nothing much to offer in terms of how fresh it tackles the used plot. The scenes weren't as funny as one would expect.

Loosely based on Shakepeare's Twelfth Night, She's the Man's best bet is the hottie Tatum Channing! He's this year's new his hottieness till the next stud comes along! Yum yum!