Saw II

Rating: 4 of 5
Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman
Starring Tobin
Bell [Jigsaw], Shawnee Smith [Amanda], Donnie Wahlberg [Eric Matthews],
Erik Knudsen [Daniel Matthews], Franky G [Xavier], Glenn Plummer
[Jonas], Emmanuelle Vaugier [Addison]
Viewed on DVD

I was so engrossed with the Saw mythos that I went on to watching Saw II
immediately after the first one ended. And although this one wasn’t as
fresh and as tight as its predecessor, it was nevertheless a good
suspense film.

As with most sequels, the thing that I really
look for is the continuity factor — how they tie things up
thematically and visually. Saw II pretty much did good in that
department. Several of the original characters/cast members were
brought back. Concepts established in the first film were built up on.

Instead
of having two main torturees, Saw II features a group of distressed
individuals as Jigsaw’s guinea pigs in his twisted survival experiment.
Among them is Amanda (Shawnee Smith), one of the survivors of Jigsaw’s contraptions in the first film.

The
movie really managed to hold my attention and pique my curiosity about
where the story (and the series) was headed. I loved how Saw II ended
and where it points to.

Can’t wait to see Saw III.

Saw

Rating: 4 of 5
Directed by James Wan
Starring Leigh
Whannell [Adam Faulkner], Cary Elwes [Dr. Lawrence Gordon], Danny
Glover [Detective David Tapp], Ken Leung [Detective Steven Sing], Dina
Meyer [Kerry], Mike Butters [Paul], Paul Gutrecht [Mark], Michael
Emerson [Zep Hindle], Benito Martinez [Brett], Shawnee Smith [Amanda]
Viewed on DVD

I
had a Saw movie marathon on the night of December 26… well, minus Saw
III, that is. But still, watching the first two films of the series was
a treat for me since both were really good.

Saw was
particularly nicely paced for a suspense film. I liked the direction
and the script and it had some really unique ideas that gave this genre
a fresh twist.

Loved the performances of lead actors Cary Elwes and Leigh Whannell
(who also co-wrote the script) as the two strangers who were chained to
the rusty pipes of a dingy bathroom and had to endure the sick games
planned by Jigsaw.

This is one of the better-written and better-executed hack-and-slash films of recent years — right up there with Hostel. This film actually reminded me of David Fincher’s Se7en.

Ang Pamana: The Inheritance

Rating: 1 of 5

Huwag
na po mag aksaya ng oras at pera para sa pelikulang ito. Saputon ra
mo’s ka way klaro aning salidaha. Don’t even bother asking me for
details because I ain’t going there. Buti na lang di ako nagbayad para
mapanood ang pelikulang ito [salamat, Jayvee. hahaha!]. Maypa adto mos
buwangan kay napa siguro moy masabtan didto. But if you really want to
watch this, do so at your own risk.

Happy Feet

Rating: 4 of 5
Directed by George Miller, Judy Morris, Warren Coleman
Starring
Elijah Wood [Mumble], Robin Williams [Ramon/Lovelace], Brittany Murphy
[Gloria], Hugh Jackman [Memphis], Nicole Kidman [Norma Jean], Hugo
Weaving [Noah the Elder], Anthony LaPaglia [Alpha Skua]
Viewed on the big screen

This
one has a big, big heart and a very significant message. This isn’t
going to be a long review. All I want to say is that the thought that
came to mind after watching Happy Feet is that each one of us is born different to make a difference!

Other than that, I think this film is really good and parents will do well bringing their kids to watch this.

I almost couldn’t recognize Hugh Jackman’s voice.

Casino Royale

Rating: 4 of 5
Directed by Martin Campbell
Starring Daniel
Craig [James Bond], Eva Green [Vesper Lynd], Judi Dench [M], Mads
Mikkelsen [Le Chiffre], Jeffrey Wright [Felix Leiter], Giancarlo
Giannini [Mathis], Caterina Murino [Solange], Simon Abkarian [Alex
Dimitrios]
Viewed on the big screen

This isn’t your father’s James Bond movie. No, it isn’t.

Casino Royale gives new life to the 007 franchise — and I don’t just mean the selection of actor Daniel Craig to play the super spy.

This
film has such a different tone from all its predecessors that it can
actually stand on its own even without the Bond name and logo. It feels
more organic and less fanciful than the recent Pierce Brosnan outings
– not that they weren’t any good.

The story has palpable
tension and suspense and a little bit of unpredictability — elements
that were somewhat deficient in last few Bonds. I guess it helped that
this was an origin story, as it gave producers and the screenwriters
room to redo and re-imagine some aspects of the James Bond myth.

Daniel
Craig’s 007 is rougher, tougher and edgier. His Bond is very different
from all the others that came before — not even Sean Connery was this
buff. James in this film is more alpha male-ish and less vain, and that
worked well with the tone of Casino Royale.

Even Judi Dench’s
M is written differently here. She seems to be a another character
altogether, although the actress has breathed life to the role four
times before. And for the first time, she has a bed scene! hehehe

Bond girl Vesper Lynd [Eva Green]
was pretty classy and smart. She was able to match wits with James Bond
[I especially liked the train conversation] but she wasn’t of the
butt-kicking type [I miss Michelle Yeoh's Wai Lin]. Her character
leaves a great impact on 007 — find out why. Still, Green did a good
job and she makes fine addition to the long line of actresses who
played Bond girls.

As for the heavy, Le Chiffre [Mads Mikkelsen]
seems to be cut from the same mold as Bond villains of old and he was
played particularly well by Mikkelsen. I loved the bit about the
blood-gushing eye. Freaky, but it worked. Too bad Le Chiffre wasn’t
given more screen time — I think he could have been a real badass
further on.

Overall, Casino Royale gives the Bond series a fresh
start. Some purists might have a thing or two to say about it, but
those who embrace change will definitely love it.

I did!