eaw1990osaka Reviews

Lovewrecked (2005)

Teenwrecked!

[4/10 · 5 March 2007]

I'm not a total teen movie, chick flick freak or anything...but I watched this movie and must admit that it wasn't anything offensive. And frankly, I find most teen movies and chick flicks do offend me. So this was quite a surprise. I liked Amanda in "She's the man!", thought that she did a decent job, and she seams to have no shame in making a fool out of herself in this movie. If you're looking for something very light and with nothing bad in it, then this might be a good movie to see once (as I'm so used to intense, sad and depressing pictures set in cold, dark, Eastern European castles where vampires are always popping up).

Jenny is a bookish girl from Massechusetts, about to enter into medical school, right after she finishes her summer school job program (along with her best of friends', Ryan). Set in a romantic Caribbean, paradise like resort, that is where she and Ryan are to spend the rest of their summer working at the Hotel. Although, suddenly something disturbs what should have been the best time for Ryan to make a move on Jenny (because he's always had a crush on her since they were kids), when a Rock star comes to stay at the Hotel for 2 days on a layover to one of his other gigs. Jenny has been waiting to be swept off of her feet by a man all of her teen life, and she's been fantasizing over this Rock star meeting her and somehow loving her that whole time. Realising that this might be her last chance in the world to get this kind of opportunity: She stows away pretending to be a waitress on one of the Hotels' private boats which Mr.Rock star will be dinning in that night. Just then a storm hits the island, somehow her and Mr.Rock star end up in a life boat together. They wake up the next morning and find that they are marooned. Jenny realizes that this could be the perfect chance to make the man of her dreams realize he "loves" her...

Meanwhile, back at the resort, Jenny's worst enemy is working hard to find out her secret and destroy her...

Yes, other people have been complaining that this movie is too predictable. But on the other hand, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of light-hearted humor, plus an innocent, nice guy getting the girl in the end.

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Simple, yet complicated

[10/10 · 4 March 2007]

From the oppening, to the end, I found this movie to be engrossing. The cinematography for one was incredible, all from the lighting choices, the edditng and the way they cut from one scene to the next showed a lot of creativity and was done in such a way as I have not seen in anything close to the likes of in a film recently.

If you are looking for just a pretty picture, of a story which is easy to understand, then this may not be the best choice for you to go and see. However, if you are looking to see and discover a whole new world (and when I state this I am not just talking about the magical world and it's elements in the film, I am also talking about the period in the Spanish civil war in which this film takes place), then this will be a film you will probably enjoy and which you'll probably buy a DVD of, that you will have around for the next 15 years.

It's not a history piece, it's not about history and facts, nor is it a war movie, or even a children's' movie for that matter. It is a story about people. It is a story about people in difficult circumstances, going through hard times...never the less, the film goes on to prove that we are all here for a reason, and ultimately, out of our own choice.

The film is also fantasy, though I wouldn't actually think of it as that. Because for one, it focuses more on the story and what is actually going on rather then the fact that magical things are happening. Which I actually kind of enjoyed. Sometimes I see a film that's fantasy (which I love fantasy), but really they took no time to develop the plot or characters.

It wasn't what I would call genius in every sense of the word (like Lord of the Rings). But it didn't breach it's limits of what it could do, and it certainly brought to the screen enough captivating story, and skill to keep an audience interested. But this movie, it has a life of it's own! And I think it has personality more then all of the other fantasies or movies starring children made in recent years (not to mention some wonderful acting!). And I do believe it deserved and got the 20 minute standing ovation it did from the crowd at the Cannes film festival!

Air Bud (1997)

A simple, innocent, mildely intertaning after school special.

[19 January 2004]

A young boy who's father has passed away moves to a new town with his baby sister and mother, with little hopes of making new friends or getting over his father's death: until he finds a dog who can play basketball! Turning suddenly from being an incompetent water boy, whom only dreams of joining the school basketball team, to an admirable young athlete with his great new dog, Buddy.

A mildly entertaining afternoon special for kids. With it's innocence and slitly comicle charm, this movie, like all other afterschool specials has it's moments. I wouldn't say it was funny, it dosn't have what most of the modern day kids or pre-teens are looking for in their entertainment: Bombs going off, blood, martial arts or showy costumes. It's the type of thing for a family with three or four children of mixed ages to watch with their mother before nap time. Isn't obscene like most movies even a nine year old might watch these days, yet isn't Barnie or Elmo either.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

The conclusion to the wonderful epic The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King.

[18 January 2004]

This wonderful conclusion to Peter Jackson's adaptation of .J.R.R. Tolkien's most popular written work should definetly win a few awards to say the least. The first movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, inspired me to read the trilogy. As I was only twelve at the time, these were the first books I actually finished reading. I decided first off that no matter how much the film makers changed the story, as long as the general plot line and points that Tokien was trying to make were made in a fashion that Tolkien would have liked, I would accept these movies. These are three spectacular films, or rather, one large movie version, created by crazy Tolkien fans, of the tale of how evil came into being and how it was destroyed.

For those of you who have not seen this movie, and are wondering whether or not to go and see it, by now you know clearly what I think. This movie is the conclusion to the first two movies, or rather the conclusion to one long continuing story. If you haven't seen the first two, go and see them before you come and see this one: There's nothing worse then hearing the end of a great tale before you even get a chance to begin it. Once you start this trilogy, you will not want to be left behind. It is about how the Hobbits, Frodo(an aristocrat) and Sam (his loyal gardener and best companion), struggle on to a land called Mordor to destroy a ring that corrupts the minds of even the strongest warriors, and about how their friends try to guide and help them in their quest to save all life, even if it takes their own lives to destroy the ring. The movie is full of tales of how Middle Earth and its people are making their last and final attempts to fight the evil, and save not only their homes, wives and children, but their own humanity and souls as well. It is a tale of how life almost disappeared but when darkness almost completely covered all earth, some courageos people, whether from the sanity of their minds or rightness of their hearts gave their last shot to save life because they valued it. They gave their last hope, said their last prayers, and were able to destroy this evil. Nothing that I can say would be good enough to put these people and their world into the right words so that you could imagine it: Just watch the movie so you can start experiencing it.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

No as you would expect.

[31 December 2003]

When I fist saw the Harry Potter movies I was quite impressed. Wiserdry, London and children may not be your cup of tea, but once you start to whatch the seriese, you won't be able to stop. When I heard that the directer was the same guy who did Home Alone, I wasn't too excited about it. Fist of all, I thought that the characters in Home Alone were in no way apealing, second of all, Kevin is anoying. I was really surprised with this movie because one thing that makes it so wonderful is the characters. When you whatch the movies or read the books, you feel as though you're actually having the adventure with the characters, you feel as though, Harry, Hermoine and Ron are your friends. It's also surpising what a wonderful job Daniel Raddclif, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson do acting in this movie. And not only are the lines interesting and commicle for the maine characters, but even their fellow school mates and teachers have charm of their own kind.

Many people have enjoyed this movie, I certainly approve of it.