New Moon (2009)
Running Time: 130 minutes
Rated PG-13
Genre: Drama/Fantasy/Romance
Director: Chris Weitz
Ahhhh, the cheesy romance between two desire-filled teens - not quite a scene put at the top of any of my flick picks. Yet there's something annoyingly appealing about seeing the exchange between Bella's angst-filled presence and Edward's tough-to-read facade. All is contained within this second installment of the Twilight series, (The first of which is Twilight (2008)) based off of Stephenie Meyer's novels.
When the much-hyped, original Twilight movie arrived in theatres, it was an instant hit - women, young and old(er) fell hard for the misunderstood Edward Cullen (Robert Pattison), a "17 year old" vampire in a family of semi-self controlled vamps recently settled in the small town of Forks, Washington.
The story continues where it left off: Isabella Swan, aka Bella (Kristen Stewart), remains immersed in Edwardland and is currently obsessed with the reality of her aging while her beloved keeps his youth. A family time accident sparks the Cullen Family's departure from the town thus rendering Bella heartless and depressed. Her desire shifts to depending on the rush of living the dangerous life for happiness as it gives her visions of Edward. Bad Girl Bella's desire encourages the bonds of her relationship with Jacob and a loving friendship between the two becomes more complicated. Secrets are discovered and it all comes to a dramatic yet predictable head.
There were many obnoxious recurring themes - Bella's extended depressed stage, excuse me, whole life, is enough to make you sick to your stomach (it's over the top). The uninspired acting by many of the main characters. Edward's muttering - I still do not know half of what he said. The plain ol' cheesiness. The movie wasn't totally ridiculous though; the fight scenes were impressive and once the first film is seen, you grudgingly want to know what develops with Jacob (Taylor Lautner) and Bella's friendship and the human-vampire conundrum. In addition, in previews shown on television, the wolves seen are technically werewolves. While I don't usually get angry about adding a slight new twist on old tales, simply put - these are not werewolves! In and of themselves, they are extremely well-done. Terrifying and powerful creatures they are, powerful wolves to be exact - not werewolves. Then again, what can I expect from a film that depicts "vampires" that have reflections and can mingle in the daylight. Alrighty.
Another aspect to factor in and something I was only aware of after reviewing some message boards, is the disgust with how this story portrays young women. While being a teen and falling in love is tear inducing and brings the end of the world feeling when you're without him, Bella's lack of any tad of a personality strength, sense of independence or will-power and her hopelessness-without-Edward deal is quite putrefying and not something "tweens" need to rely on as images to look to as "cool". Bella needs, thrives even, off of Edward and can you guess what happens while he's gone? She stares out of a window for months, isolates her already loner self from her few friends and wallows in self-pity, only seeing a glimmer of happiness from the visions she sees of Edward. While we wouldn't have the freedom we desired if all films were positive, this is a series that is impacting youth at a pivotal age - can't we have an ounce of self respect from the protagonist for the sake of the chil'ren?
For those that love the series and who crave seeing the novels come to life, the teenage girl in me can understand those that will unquestionably buy into all of this. To sum it up - it is somewhat cute but all-in-all, the extended moans Bella exudes whenever stepping within 5 feet of Edward get sickening. Fast.
I give it a 2 out of 5 stars.
Trailer:
________________________________________________________
Ninja Assassin (2009)
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rated R
Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
Director: James McTeigue (directed V for Vendetta)
Ninja Assassin, starring Raizo (a South Korean popstar, Rain), a meticulously and ruthlessly trained ninja who had escaped the secret Ozunu Clan, follows his life throughout his childhood and into adulthood. The Ozunu Clan kidnaps orphaned children to train them as perfect killers through blood, sweat and many, many tears. The clan works for hire and they are the best out there; no feelings, no mercy, just pure skill and ruthlessness. Raizo is a superb fighter, with his teacher, Takeshi (Rick Yune) never letting up, knowing that his potential is immense. Raizo later rebels and leaves as a result of the clans murder of his young love. This rebellion is not taken well - the Ozunu clan takes allegiance to them under all circumstances, no exceptions.
Raizo meets Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), a European CIA agent who discovers the danger of knowing the existence of the clan. Their goal is to take down the clan but a formidable and futile task it seems.
What is expected occurs: someone dear to Raizo is killed thus his disapproval of those who once instructed him is sealed. Many fight scenes between fellow ninjas including his "brother". Swift blocks, chopped limbs, quick body shifts, dodging swords - the movements are exciting to see but are not new or original. Raizo's skill with his swinging Kusai-gama (a traditional Japanese weapon) is incredible. There are some scenes which made your pupil's dilate and your palms sweaty out of anxiousness and eagerness, yearning to see how the injured Raizo is going to dodge the 50+ assassins who have him trapped.
There was no real surprise - Raizo fought with precision and grace, as we expected him to. I am glad that Mika and Raizo did NOT have a love connection - it would have taken away from the story, as many, many movies do. They forge a crisis-imparted connection that is sweet; we thank the creators for recognizing that there is not a need to always have an awkwardly placed love exchange between the hero and the victim.
My opinion: Raizo was well-cast, Mika did alright, loved Raizo's solo training scene ;) and the computer generated blood that was criticized wasn't horrible at all (it made sense in a movie of this nature). I do not understand those that felt there needed to be a deep, verbally-charged, life-impacting film. I do feel that the characters could have been developed more fully but we got what we needed to understand a straight-forward plot. It's an action movie guys, come on.
My advise: this is the type of movie you'd watch again on cable, but do not need to buy on Blu-Ray.
I give this film a 3 out of 5 stars.
Trailer:
Danae signing off!
source:www.traileraddict.com
Ninja Assassin (2009)
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rated R
Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
Director: James McTeigue (directed V for Vendetta)
Ninja Assassin, starring Raizo (a South Korean popstar, Rain), a meticulously and ruthlessly trained ninja who had escaped the secret Ozunu Clan, follows his life throughout his childhood and into adulthood. The Ozunu Clan kidnaps orphaned children to train them as perfect killers through blood, sweat and many, many tears. The clan works for hire and they are the best out there; no feelings, no mercy, just pure skill and ruthlessness. Raizo is a superb fighter, with his teacher, Takeshi (Rick Yune) never letting up, knowing that his potential is immense. Raizo later rebels and leaves as a result of the clans murder of his young love. This rebellion is not taken well - the Ozunu clan takes allegiance to them under all circumstances, no exceptions.
Raizo meets Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris), a European CIA agent who discovers the danger of knowing the existence of the clan. Their goal is to take down the clan but a formidable and futile task it seems.
What is expected occurs: someone dear to Raizo is killed thus his disapproval of those who once instructed him is sealed. Many fight scenes between fellow ninjas including his "brother". Swift blocks, chopped limbs, quick body shifts, dodging swords - the movements are exciting to see but are not new or original. Raizo's skill with his swinging Kusai-gama (a traditional Japanese weapon) is incredible. There are some scenes which made your pupil's dilate and your palms sweaty out of anxiousness and eagerness, yearning to see how the injured Raizo is going to dodge the 50+ assassins who have him trapped.
There was no real surprise - Raizo fought with precision and grace, as we expected him to. I am glad that Mika and Raizo did NOT have a love connection - it would have taken away from the story, as many, many movies do. They forge a crisis-imparted connection that is sweet; we thank the creators for recognizing that there is not a need to always have an awkwardly placed love exchange between the hero and the victim.
My opinion: Raizo was well-cast, Mika did alright, loved Raizo's solo training scene ;) and the computer generated blood that was criticized wasn't horrible at all (it made sense in a movie of this nature). I do not understand those that felt there needed to be a deep, verbally-charged, life-impacting film. I do feel that the characters could have been developed more fully but we got what we needed to understand a straight-forward plot. It's an action movie guys, come on.
My advise: this is the type of movie you'd watch again on cable, but do not need to buy on Blu-Ray.
I give this film a 3 out of 5 stars.
Trailer:
Danae signing off!
source:www.traileraddict.com
I have to agree, the breathing in New Moon was awkward. I've never panted like a dog when I kissed. I HATE Bella!!! I'm not even sure if it's the character or the actress, but I know that I HATE BELLA!!
ReplyDeleteAll there is to say about Ninja Assassin is that it's cool, not life changing just cool.
Um, totally hate everything Twilight so I was cracking up while reading your review of it. I think I hate all of the characters. I don't see they all see in Edward. He isn't that hot and his brooding needs work. And Bella, well, she's just an immature idiot who needs to get a life, not a half-dead life.
ReplyDeleteNinja Assassin seems cool. It isn't really my cup of tea but I might watch it if it was put on. Great reviews!