http://www.movie-film-review.com
GLADIATOR


Maximus (Russell Crowe, pictured right) , a brave Spanish general, is favoured by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) to take over the empire and ensure that it is governed by the Senate under the kindly guidance of Gracchus, played by Derek Jacobi. However, the Emperor's son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix, pictured left) has other ideas and murders his father before he can make the plan public. Not only this: he orders Maximus to be executed, and his wife and son to be burned and crucified alive. Though Maximus escapes, he is captured, enslaved and then turned into a gladiator by the owner of a touring gladiator company (Oliver Reed in his last film, brought back to life by computer magic for his final scenes). Whereupon Maximus is brought to Rome, wows the audience and his fellow-slaves, is elevated to superstardom and finally gets the chance to gain his revenge on Commodus.
The kind of sword-and-sandals spectacular that seemed to have died out 40 years previously, with Spartacus. However, it's back - and great fun. Director Ridley Scott is just the man to re-imagine Ancient Rome in all its glory and brutality.




The Roman Coliseum - partly built, partly computer-generated - is marvellously realised. The action sequences, whether they be men fighting tigers or a high-speed chariot battle, are tremendous.

The opening spectacle of a Roman army overcoming the Germanic tribes amidst oceans of mud (actually shot near Farnham, in Surrey) is a scene to rival anything in Braveheart. Indeed, Ridley Scott's coverage is plainly influenced by Spielberg's even more brilliant portrayal of the Normandy landings in Saving Private Ryan.

Scott is an expert at using landscape to denote characters' emotions - this was one of the undervalued strengths in the way he directed Thelma and Louise - and he uses this talent to great effect throughout. The work by British cinematographer John Matheson is as lyrical as it is thrilling.

Storywise, the formula is pretty much as it was when Charlton Heston and Kirk Douglas used to do this kind of thing. A handsome, hunky if not particularly humorous hero is reduced to slavery but wins through against his eminently hissable enemies.

One of the film's biggest assets is Russell Crowe who is, as he showed in L.A. Confidential and The Insider, a very fine actor. Here, he is a long way from the paunchy, middle-aged scientist he played in The Insider. The script is nothing if not ponderous and po-faced, but Crowe invests it with quiet heroism, brooding menace and gravitas. His accent has a tendency to turn Antipodean in moments of stress, but he has that Charlton Heston quality of not making you laugh, however pompous the dialogue. He makes it seem the most natural thing in the world to conduct a man-to-man swordfight in a skirt, while a live tiger is mauling his shoulders.

Phoenix is convincingly nasty, and finds the pathos within Commodus: here is a weak man who knows he is weak, and resorts to brutality to hide it. The most intriguing character, because we rarely know which way she is going to jump, is Commodus' beautiful sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), an old flame of Maximus but ambitious for her small son Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark) and unsure how to treat her brother's incestuous cravings for her.

Few viewers are likely to take the film very seriously as history. A few issues are raised - about democracy and the distracting power of violent entertainment - but they aren't allowed to get in the way of the action.

At two and a half hours, the film does drag a bit between bloodbaths, and the Gladiator-versus-Emperor climax is too obviously contrived. The film has nothing new to say and no higher purpose than to make money; and Derek Jacobi's presence is a reminder that the TV series I Claudius had more depth and intellectual daring.

But, as long as you can put up with the gore and extreme violence, you'll come out of Gladiator feeling you've had your money's worth. This is escapist entertainment rather than art; but it delivers the same kind of thrills and high romance that The Mask of Zorro did.
It's good to see new life being breathed into old genres.

                 

NARNIA

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia is a novel for children by C. S. Lewis, written in late 1949 and first published in 1951. It is the second-published book in theChronicles of Narnia series, although in the overall chronological sequence it comes fourth.

1,300 Narnian years after the events in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Aslan and the Pevensie children have become near-forgotten myths. Narnia is now ruled by Telmarines, humans who have settled in Narnia. The Telmarines fear native Narnians and their magic, and seek to exterminate them. Miraz, the king of the Telmarines, has usurped his brother's throne and determines to do away with his nephew, Prince Caspian, the rightful heir. He refused to accept that "old Narnians" ever existed, and forbids talk of them at his castle.

Caspian escapes into the forest, where Narnians offer him help and shelter, but his escape is soon detected and Miraz's soldiers soon encounter the Old Narnians, sparking a fierce battle. The Pevensies, recalled into Narnia when Caspian in desperation winds Susan's magical horn, are shown the right way to Caspian by Aslan, and find their faith tested as Aslan does not appear to them until they really try to see him.

Aslan's How, a mound on the site of the Stone Table, serves as the gathering point for loyal Narnians, where Prince Caspian forms his army to fight against his uncle for Narnia. Meanwhile, Aslan re-awakens the spirits of the forest and the river, leading a Bacchanalian revel through the oppressed towns and fomenting a popular revolution.

When the Telmarines are defeated and the Old Order is restored, Aslan creates a door in the air allowing the children (and the Telmarines who did not want to live in a renewed Narnia where animals and humans had equality) to return to Earth. He tells Peter and Susan that they are now too old to return to Narnia, having learned all they can from their experiences there. However, he tells Edmund and Lucy that they may return to Narnia.

COMMENT:

          This film is very interesting. I will watch this many times as soon as I  will be bored watching it! All the characters are so good in behalf of there role. And the film was succeed.

Me and my  friends think it’s a great idea as long as its able to explain everything and not be boring at the same  time,
since some people  dont read the books.This film is so great because it will  be a delight for kids and adults .The audio version made very splendid listening. I trust the motion picture version will not promise less.

Posted by:   Marjorie Jimenez
March 31, 2011

The Spiderwick Chronicles

From: Google Images

      One exciting fad from me before watching this movie is knowing that it'll be Freddimore Highmore who will be acting as Jared Evan Grace and brother Simon Evan Grace. After watching the movies Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) · August Rush (2007) · Finding Neverland (2004)  where Freddie Highmore acted as one of the main characters, I notice myself having a high regard for him. He has the talent and  charm which is favorable in admiring a lot of kids and teens. 

      Based on the series of five serial children's novels, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a hollow spectacle that's good for the action and effects but light on everything else. For a movie about magical beasts, The Spiderwick Chronicles does an awfully good job of pegging childhood emotional realities, particularly in a context of divorce.The storytelling is economical and brisk. In some ways, waters approaches it more as a pre-teen horror movie.Young moviegoers will like the way the film empowers their cinematic peers in this battle of good against evil, though smaller children will probably be scared out of their wits. Enjoyable, well made children's fantasy adventure with likeable characters, impressive special effects and a decent script.Spiderwick Chronicles provides lots of thrills and chills..so much so that it may be too scary for younger viewers.. but it works best when it implies instead of showing. Imaginative, fun, amusing and entertaining and just a little bit scary by turns, at least for kids. As a matter of fact a single yet threatening line which was actually on paper and was tied on the book remained in my memory.. that was the caution " Do not dare to read this Book, for if you take one faithful look, you barter at your life's expense and face a deadly consequence".  --- oh yah that's it! :D (",)

Posted by : Angelique Jane S. Tomanda

BSIT 1-3

TFri 9:00 - 10:30

     

TRANSFORMERS

Transformers is an epic film because it is a heroic and an impressively great film. It's about the extra-terrestrial organisms that helped Sam Witwicky save planet earth. The "autobots" is the one who is against the antagonist called the "decepticons".

Transformers is an all-out robot deathmatch of epic scope, grandiose enough to melt your eyeballs after viewing the Ark of the Covenant. It  is based on the 80s toy and cartoon series... nearly every male of my demographic (24-29) grew up desperately wishing to be taken away by the Transformers and converted into a transforming robot. I wanted this so bad that I used to 'practise' transforming into the few shapes that I could manage, ie. a chair, a mat, part of the wall, etc.

(http://www.moviecritic.com.au/transformers-film-movie-review/)

posted by : Niña Mannylette V. Almaden
                     BSIT 1-3
                     TFri 9:00-10:30(Friday Group)

Troy

 

                The Trojan War has its roots in the marriage between Peleus and Thetis, a sea-goddess. Peleus and Thetis had not invited Eris, the goddess of discord, to their marriage and the outraged goddess stormed into the wedding banquet and threw a golden apple onto the table. The apple belonged to, Eris said, whomever was the fairest   
          
                 Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite each reached for the apple. Zeus proclaimed that Paris, prince of Troy and thought to be the most beautiful man alive, would act as the judge.
Hermes went to Paris, and Paris agreed to act as the judge. Hera promised him power, Athena promised him wealth, and Aphrodite promised the most beautiful woman in the world.
Paris chose Aphrodite, and she promised him that Helen, wife of Menelaus, would be his wife. Paris then prepared to set off for Sparta to capture Helen. Twin prophets Cassandra and Helenus tried to persuade him against such action, as did his mother, Hecuba. But Paris would not listen and he set off for Sparta.
In Sparta, Menelaus, husband of Helen, treated Paris as a royal guest. However, when Menelaus left Sparta to go to a funeral, Paris abducted Helen (who perhaps went willingly) and also carried off much of Menelaus' wealth.






            Finding Troy proved difficult, however, and the Greek fleet at first landed in Mysia. According to Herodotus, the Greeks were under the impression that Helen had been taken by the Teuthranians (Teucrians), and though the Teuthranians denied such allegations, the Greeks layed siege to the city (Herodotus, Bk. II.118). The Greeks ultimately prevailed, but suffered heavy casualties at the hands of Telephus, king of the Teuthranians, and, at the end, were still without Helen. Telephus, in the course of the war, was wounded by Achilles.
      With no where else to turn, the Greeks returned home.
                 The Trojan War might not have happened had not Telephus gone to Greece in the hopes of having his wound cured. Telephus had been told by an oracle that only the person who wounded him (in this case, Achilles) could cure him. Achilles assented and Telephus told the Greeks how to get to Troy.




The first nine years of the war consisted of both war in Troy and war against the neighboring regions. The Greeks realized that Troy was being supplied by its neighboring kingdoms, so Greeks were sent to defeat these areas.
              As well as destroying Trojan economy, these battles let the Greeks gather a large amount of resources and other spoils of war, including women (e.g., Briseis, Tecmessa and Chryseis).
             The Greeks won many important battles and the Trojan hero Hector fell, as did the Trojan ally Penthesilea. However, the Greeks could not break down the walls of Troy.
Patroclus was killed and, soonafter, Achilles was felled by Paris.
Helenus, son of Priam, had been captured by Odysseus. A prophet, Helenus told the Greeks that Troy would not fall unless:
a) Pyrrhus, Achilles' son, fought in the war,
b) The bow and arrows of Hercules were used by the Greeks against the Trojans,
c) The remains of Pelops, the famous Eleian hero, were brought to Troy, and
d) The Palladium, a statue of Athena, was stolen from Troy (Tripp, 587).
                
            Phoenix persuaded Pyrrhus to join the war. Philoctetes had the bow and arrows of Hercules, but had been left by the Greek fleet in Lemnos because he had been bitten by a snake and his wound had a horrendous smell. Philoctetes was bitter, but was finally persuaded to join the Greeks. The remains of Pelops were gotten, and Odysseus infiltrated Trojan defenses and stole the Palladium.











                After the war, Polyxena, daughter of Priam, was sacrificed at the tomb of Achilles and Astyanax, son of Hector, was also sacrificed, signifying the end of the war.
Aeneas, a Trojan prince, managed to escape the destruction of Troy, and Virgil's Aeneid tells of his flight from Troy. Many sources say that Aeneas was the only Trojan prince to survive, but this statement contradicts the common story that Andromache was married to Helenus, twin of Cassandra, after the war.
Menelaus, who had been determined to kill his faithless wife, was soon taken by Helen's beauty and seductiveness that he allowed her to live.
           
             The surviving Trojan women were divided among the Greek men along with the other plunder. The Greeks then set sail for home, which, for some, proved as difficult and took as much time as the Trojan War itself (e.g., Odysseus and Menelaus).

                     www.stanford.edu/~plomio/history.html

Troy was a great movie. the war between love, power, wold, and eternity. it is the legendary war of  western world. isn't it? the was good not just by its effects but all of it..  i thought i will bored of it but i'm wrong.


Posted by: Cadayong, Noime R. BSIT 1-2

THE DA VINCI CODE

              The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery-detective novel written by Dan Brown. It follows symbologist Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu as they investigate a murder in Paris's Louvre Museum and discover a battle between the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei over the possibility of Jesus having been married to Mary Magdalene. The title of the novel refers to, among other things, the fact that the murder victim is found in the Grand Gallery of the Louvre, naked and posed likeLeonardo da Vinci's famous drawing, the Vitruvian Man, with a cryptic message written beside his body and a pentacle drawn on his chest in his own blood.

The novel is part of the exploration of alternative religious history, whose central plot point that the Merovingian kings of France were descendants from the bloodline of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene, ideas derived from Clive Prince's The Templar Revelation and books by Margaret Starbird. Chapter 60 of the book also references 'another book, The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail though Dan Brown has stated that this was not used as research material.

The book has provoked a popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and Magdalene's role in the history of Christianity. The book has been extensively denounced by many Christian denominations as an attack on the Roman Catholic Church. It has also been criticized for its historical and scientific inaccuracies. The novel nonetheless became a worldwide bestseller that sold 80 million copies as of 2009^[1] and has been translated into 44 languages. This makes it, as of 2010, the best selling English language novel of the 21st century and the 2nd biggest selling novel of the 21st century in any language. Combining the detective, thriller, and conspiracy fiction genres, it is Brown's second novel to include the character Robert Langdon, the first being his 2000 novel Angels & Demons. In November 2004, Random House published a Special Illustrated Edition with 160 illustrations. In 2006, a film adaptation was released by Sony's Columbia Pictures.

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Da_Vinci_Code

This movie was an epic for us, because their are many things that this movie reveal in scientific ways about the Roman catholic. There is so many issues because for so many years people are believing what the church says and now in this modern world of science, here is this movie revealing what we don't know scientifically. Many people gained interest of this movie through it's story, maybe one factor that gains the interest of the people is the reality of this movie in science, because we can say that we are now in a modern world of science.

Posted by: Mark Anthony B. De la Peña BSIT I-I

Zathura

--from: http://www.starpulse.com

An old and forgotten game develops magical powers in this fantasy for the whole family. Twelve-year-old Walter Budwing (Josh_Hutcherson) and his younger brother, Danny (Jonah_Bobo), figure they're going to be in for a boring time when their father (Tim_Robbins), who was supposed to spend the day with them, is suddenly called away on business, and gives them strict orders not to leave the house. Walter, who doesn't have much use for Danny, is motivated by boredom more than anything else when he agrees to play a board game Danny has found in the basement during a round of hide-and-seek. However, the boys quickly discover the space-themed game Zathura has some unusual qualities -- a roll of the dice unexpectedly launches the Budwing home into outer space, and Walter and Danny are suddenly fending off menacing robots, angry aliens, and showers of interstellar debris outside the Earth's atmosphere. As the boys try to figure out a way back home, they get some unexpected help from an earthling astronaut (Dax_Shepard) who has also lost his way.


comment:


The film begins with one of the most creative title sequences of the year. Favreau’s camera zooms in, around, and through the movie’s titular game, racing across the mechanical board like a rocket, and making the metal and cardboard device itself look as though it has come wonderfully alive. Silly and simple though that short bit of credits may be, it’ll make you feel like a kid again.


Posted By: Rick Kristoffer E. Palencia

The Passion of the Christ

Although I say it is the "greatest" motion picture ever made, it is not the "best" motion picture ever made. Why is it the greatest? Impact. Of the myriad films that I have seen in my life, none has had such a gripping effect on me physically, mentally and spiritually. I left the screening with a knot in my chest. What, in fact, was the "impact?"

Certainly the graphic scourging of Jesus Christ, one of the most painful and truly agonizing sequences in film history, has much to do with it. The brutality of the Romans, who were masters of the art of torture, is depicted so realistically (and quite probably toned down in the film) that watching it was overwhelming. This is isn't meant to be a spoiler: just put on your seatbelts when you go see this movie. And you really should see it if you have a passion for the cinema. It's an astonishing piece of work, and the acting is flawless.

This motion picture is a difficult, painful, incredibly disturbing an enlightening experience. It took me at least a few hours to come down from its effect. Yes, it will deeply affect you, especially if you are a Christian as I am. Yet, I cannot classify it as a religious movie. It's the story of a man who preached perfect love, forgiveness, and peace, and who fell victim to envy and, consequently, was killed for no other crime than "love thy neighbor". That is the human aspect of the movie.

For students of film, this is a must. No movie is as powerful as this one. Period. It is a perfect example of the "power" of the seventh art, which is the cinema.

If there is a must-see movie thus far this millennium, it is this masterpiece! Parents should take heed to the R rating!!! It's visually too overwhelming for small children. But for mature adults, highly recommended! But do fasten your seatbelts, as I said. It is one astonishing ride!




Posted By: Rick Kristoffer E. Palencia
BSIT 1-3

PIRATES OF CARRIBEAN

PIRATES OF CARRIBEAN

Pirates of the Caribbean is a series of fantasy-adventure films directed by Gore Verbinski and Rob Marshall,written by Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. It is produced and distributed by Walt Disney, the largest media and entertainment conglomerate in the world in terms of revenue and blockbuster movies. 

 The films started with their first release on the big screen in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. After the success of the first film,Walt Disney Pictures revealed that a trilogy was in the works. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was released three years later in 2006. The sequel proved successful, breaking records worldwide the day of its premiere. In the end, it earned $1,066,179,725 at the worldwide box office, becoming the fourth and second-fastest film to reach this amount. The third film in the series, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, was released in 2007. So far, the film franchise has grossed $2.68 billion worldwide. In September 2008, Depp signed on for a fourth film in the franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, set to be released on May 20, 2011 in conventional 2D, IMAX, Disney Digital 3-D and IMAX 3D. Filming began on June 14, 2010 in Hawaii. It has been confirmed that two more installments to the franchise are included in Disney’s future plans.

COMMENT:

The 3 movies of Pirates of Caribbean is a kind of an epic film. It’s an interesting film for me because it’s not boring and especially I love their production It’s all about pirates, love, friendship and adventure.

 I love watching this movie many times from the first film up to the third film. I love repeating it because it’s fun. I'm so excited for its fourth sequel. The Jokes from the characters, their love triangle and the story of it, It's the reason why I love this movie, it brings the viewer to the world of action and war and of course moral lessons.


PHILIP REY F. OSTACO
BSIT 1-3

AVATAR

At first, I was uninterested about this film. Because for me, its title didn't give me the need to watch it. It seemed plain. By the way, in Hindu, "avatar" is derived from "avatāra" which means "descent". Avatar is a deliberate descent of a deity from heaven to earth, or a descent of the Supreme Being and is mostly translated into English as "incarnation", but more accurately as "appearance" or "manifestation" (have you ever made an avatar on yahoo? :D).

I first saw the trailer on youtube. And I said, "whew.. It's the same as any other sci-fi movie". Well....that's what I said, but my level of interest rose as I finished watching the trailer. So, I opened a torrent website, searched, downloaded the movie (since the dvd I rented failed to play, so I downloaded it in piratebay..lol) and then watched.

Cameron wrote the story in 1994. Filming was supposed to take place after the completion of Cameron's 1997 film Titanic, for a planned release in 1999. But, back then, the necessary technology to make the movie as epic as it is was not yet available. So he collaborated with the best movie effects creators to make it bit by bit.

This is motion picture brought to another level where every detail of the actors' performances was preserved to their respective CG characters as they appear on the screen. But enough of the praise for the outstanding animation effects. Avatar is about the romance of two, blue, fully believable, flesh-and-blood giants (i think). Well, if you think about it. Creating a movie for the purpose of showing of superiority in movie magic doesn't really make sense. Every bit of technology in "Avatar" reflects the deeply felt love story in it.

Avatar is just exceptionally epic, enough said. I was certainly proven wrong about my first impression. Now, I only have the feeling of guilt about downloading the movie illegally on the net. ^^,

Posted by: Jan Martin C. Enriquez
                 BSIT 1 - 1
                 TFri 9:00 - 10:30

The Karate Kid

Karate Kid is a movie about....yes, about a kid who knows Karate.

Its a story about a 12-year-old Dre Parker, who only learned Kung Fu for a short period of months. 

This movie was a remake of the 1984 Karate Kid. Has the same story and ending, but this was way cooler than the original. 

This movie is amazing. It portrays action, and a twist of drama. Karate Kid had a very simple plot and if you noticed carefully the dialogues are simple too. You could make out the meaningful virtues and wisdom that this movie is trying to teach.

Kung Fu, don't be confused about its meaning. Kung Fu doesn't actually mean offensive body movements, violence, or just merely fighting. It is made by the early Chinese people for the need of self-defense. Kung Fu is also a way of life. Kung Fu refers to any individual accomplishment or a cultivated skill that is learned through hard work. 

This movie is really amazing. I liked the kids doing kung fu, the old and new Chinese scenery, everything was splendid. I was impressed to Dre, on the tournament where he would rise up from being knocked down by his opponent.

I like this movie a lot. It teaches us values that is almost not present anymore in different cultures. It is the value of Kung Fu, about balance, discipline, peace and life. Kung Fu's strength is drawn out from the energy within. This energy is the balance of one's strength and weakness. Kung Fu requires discipline, it is not intended to be used upon violence and self satisfaction, but its use is to protect.

Dre Parker with Mei Ling

Training on the Great Wall of China

Posted by: Jan Martin C. Enriquez

                  BSIT 1 - 1

                  TFri 9:00 - 10:30 

HARRY POTTER

Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by the British author J. K. Rowling. The books chronicle the adventures of the adolescent wizard Harry Potter and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, all of whom are students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The main story arc concerns Harry's quest to overcome the evil wizard Lord Voldemort, whose aim is to conquer the wizarding world and subjugate non-magical people, and who seeks to destroy all those who stand in his way, including killing Harry's parents.

Since the 30 June 1997 release of the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, (retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States) the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide.The series has also had some share of criticism, including concern for the increasingly dark tone. As of June 2008, the book series has sold more than 400 million copies and has beentranslated into 67 languages, and the last four books have consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history.

A series of many genres, including fantasy and coming of age, it has many cultural meanings and references. According to Rowling, the main theme is death, although it is primarily considered to be a work of children's literature. There are also many other themes in the series, such as love and prejudice.

English-language versions of the books are published by Bloomsbury in the United Kingdom, Scholastic Press in the United States, Allen & Unwin in Australia, and Raincoast Books in Canada. Through 2010, the first six books have been made into films by Warner Brothers; it is the highest grossing film series of all time. The seventh book has been made into two films which are planned to be released nearly eight months apart: Part I was released 19 November 2010 and the series finale is currently scheduled for release on 15 July 2011. The series also originated much tie-in merchandise, making the Harry Potter brand worth $24 billion.


        POSTED BY: PHILIP REY F. OSTACO BSIT 1-3
from: WIKIPEDIA