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Want To See Badly:
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Knocked Up
- A guy and a girl had a one night stand. Girl gets pregnant. Both had to make a choice on what to do with their life. Sounds familiar? Despite of the familiar premise, this romantic comedy drama from the makers of 40 Years Old Virgin, which stars Seth Rogen (Cal, the big dude in Virgin) and Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy), has attracted a surprisingly strong online buzz. Considering how surprisingly good and funny 40 Years old Virgin was, maybe it wasn't a surprise. Expect a hilarious, dirty comedy and yet a touching, affecting story.
Ratatouille
- First of all, I am getting sick and tired of a lot of 3D animated films. I have not been excited to see any Pixar films in recent years since Finding Nemo since they're pretty similar to each other in terms of the story. But this one is made by Brad Bird who made The Incredibles (the only memorable recent Pixar film to me) and the teaser is great. Count me in.
Kala
- If there's one Indonesian filmmaker who knows how to make good commercial film that wouldn't embarass the country, he is Joko Anwar. His debut movie, Janji Joni, while no masterpiece, made me laugh my ass off - it was a good movie relative to the crap being churned out in Indonesia. For his somophore film, he is making this noir thriller. I have no idea what it's about, I don't know any of the actors. But the pictures and teasers look great. and I have faith in Joko Anwar. Film is already playing in Indonesia since April 19. I might catch it in DVD instead.
Movie blog: deadtimethemovie.blogspot.com
Director Joko Anwar's Multiply page: jokoanwar.multiply.com (check out his short stories!)
Protege
- Hong Kong's version/loose remake of drug movie Traffic. Stars Andy Lau as the drug baron, Daniel Wu as his 'protege', Louis Koo as a drug addict, and Anita Yuen. Film is made by Derek Yee, one of the best director in the fading HK film industry, who made the fantastic One Nite In Mongkok 2 years ago. It's already playing in Asia during the Chinese New Year.
Beowulf
- There has been many versions of Beowulf made before. But this one looks like to be the best yet. This is an unlikely collaboration of Director Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Back To The Future series) and Writers Neil Gaiman (highly acclaimed comic book writer) and Roger Avary (Pulp Fiction). This is not a live action film, but rather a CGI film using the motion capture technique used by Zemeckis in his previous film, The Polar Express. At its best, it might make people forget about 300. Release date is still unknown, might be screened next year instead.
Sunshine
- Sci-Fi, Horror-Thriller about human's attempt to jump start the dying sun before it's too late. The film has an interesting and diverse all star cast including Asians Hiroyuki Sanada and Michelle Yeoh. Talented British director Danny Boyle maybe best known for Trainspotting and 28 Days Later, but I also loved his "failures": A Life Less Ordinary and The Beach. Let's recap: Sci-fi thriller, interesting diverse cast, talented (esp visually) director. Looks like a winner. Worldwide release dates is April. But US release date is still unknown.
Live Free or Die Hard
- For over a decade, Bruce Willis has denied time and again that he's through with Die Hard. However, 20th Century Fox keeps asking him and there he is now. I'm not really interested in this movie until I saw the trailers. Wow!. John McClane is back! I originally doubted if director Len Wiseman can deliver since he's only made Underworld movies. However, the action scenes in the trailer just wowed me. It looks like it could be a great action movie with Michael Bay style action without the excesses that he usually brings and ruin his movies. Even the title is cool. Yippeekeeyay, Mother fucker.
The Warlords
- Chinese film directed by Peter Chan Ho-Sun, starring Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau and Jet Li. Set in the taiping rebellion era. The 3 play sworn brothers who go to war and that's when betrayal happens. Director Peter Chan (Comrades, A Love Story) promises this won't be like other recent wuxia films such as The Promise and Curse of the Golden Flower. It will be more brutal, realistic. Can't wait, It will be shown end of the year in Asia.
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Excited about it:
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Lucky You
- This film was made during the height of popularity of Texas Hold'em Poker in US. Yet it has been postponed many times until this summer. Still, the trailers look good and the talent involved here can't be denied: Eric Bana, Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall and director Curtis Hanson (LA Confidential, 8 Mile). Hollywood hasn't done many card game movies (Casino Royale doesn't count) and here's hoping they get it right.
Ocean's 13
- To be honest, I am not that excited about this franchise, which is just a chance for Clooney and Soderbergh and co to have fun and make a commercial movie. Heck, I haven't even watched Ocean's 12. However, I must say the trailer and the poster for the film looks really promising. I might just watch Ocean's 12 for this.
Across The Universe
Very interesting concepts for a musical: Imagina Moulin Rouge or Chicago. But only with music and songs by The Beatles. Trailer looks good and visually trippy.
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix
- it's not the best book of the series. The director David Yates' record is unproven. and Harry had a haircut? wtf? But the new trailer really impresses. Regardless on how the film will perform, I only hope the producers will bring back Alfonso Cuaron for the final film.
Stardust
- wtf is this? A fantasy written by Neil Gaiman, directed by Matthew Vaughn who had only produced and directed british gangster films before. But look at the cast: Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Rupert Everett, Peter O' Toole. The odd combination of talent and cast involved is intriguing and might just make this film surprisingly good.
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Cautiously Optimistic:
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Hot Fuzz
- Shaun of the Dead had a lot of buzz. I loved the extremely funny trailers. However, the end results just disappoints. It might be just because I don't know enough about the zombie horror film they're trying to pay tribute to. Hot Fuzz comes with similarly big buzz and expectation. This time around, the makers are aiming for violent action movies - a genre which I practically grew up on. However, given how disappointing SotD was, I'm trying to avoid they hype and see.
Spider-Man 3
- is perhaps the biggest hyped summer movie of the year. Coming off Spider-Man 2 which is perhaps one of the best comic book film ever made, this sequel has a lot to live up to. I put this in cautiously optimistic category because I'm disappointed in some choices that the producers/directors have made, including but not limited to: not using the original black spider-man costume, having 3 villains in one movie (venom, sandman, and harry osborn goblin). Venom is my favourite Spider-Man villain ever because of the hatred between the symbiote/eddie brock and spiderman/peter parker. I believe the venom story should be done right and the only way to do that is to only have him as villain. Having 3 villains + many subplots (marriage to MJ, getting the symbiote) the movie might be too ambitious for its own good. I'm not really optimistic about this film, but I'm still hoping for the best.
PS: I somehow have a feeling that MJ's gonna die in this movie. Due to the fact that Kirsten Dunst had said before (but long ago, she may have changed now) that she wished the character just die (not willing to reprise it perhaps) and the inclusion of Gwen Stacy in this movie as a possible love interest (played by Bryce Dallas Howard)
Shrek 3
- Dreamworks Picture's once every few years cash cow. Like Saw, as long people come, they will make it. However, I do enjoy the previous 2 films a lot for their gorgeous animation and great sense of humor and pop culture references ("I need a hero" scene in Shrek 2 was just marvelous). I'm expecting more of the same.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End
- I'm actually really excited about this film because of how surprisingly good the second movie was. The second movie had turned what is essentially a manufactured story for johnny depp into a worthy tale of its own. With the cliffhanger ending and Chow Yun Fatt coming, I can't wait. I really hope that this movie can combine the great story and sense of adventure of the second film and bring back the real, funny Jack Sparrow (he's rather subdued in the 2nd film) to deliver the best film of the trilogy. However, given the rather less than satisfatory history of third film in trilogies (Return of the Jedi, The Matrix Revolutions, and Return of the King [yes, i think the last film of LotR is the worst of them all]), I have to be cautiously optimistic about this.
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
- the first Fantastic Four is an either you hate it / like it film. Unlike Spider-Man, I'm actually not a big fan of the Fantastic Four. So I'm not really upset by many changes made to the film. I actually thought that the first F4 film was a lot of fun. For the 2nd one, the makers are actually trying their best to make the film stay true to the fantasy sci-fi spirits of the comic books by bringing Silver Surver and Galactus. Like Shrek 3, I'm expecting more of the same. However, I only have one request for the filmmaker: please do justice to Dr Doom.
Hairspray: The Musical
- I have watched the musical live. It was good for the first half and it kinda went down in the 2nd half. However, this film had perhaps the greatest ensemble cast this year going for it: John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer, Brittany Snow Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, and newcomer Nikki Blonsky as the protagonist. A sign of trouble is director Adam Shankman, who has only made stinkers like Cheaper by The Dozen 2 and The Wedding Planner.
The Simpsons Movie
- one of the most beloved TV series and animated show ever. Expectations is really high for this one. I really wonder if they can pull it off.
The Bourne Ultimatum
- I'm not a fan of the bourne series. The first one had its moments but the ending really disappoints me. I haven't watched the 2nd one. Maybe I'll watch the 2nd one and then this.
Transformers
- 2 words: Michael Bay. Be worried, be very worried. Like Fantastic Four, I'm not a fan of Transformers, so fortunately, I don't care if Michael Bay screw up this or not. However, everything made by Michael Bay since Pearl Harbor isn't good, so that's a sign that the movie might suck. A sign of optimism is that Steven Spielberg is taking a rather active executive producer role on this one - he appears in many promotional materials - it's as if he's giving a sign not to worry, as he is keeping an eye on that kid michael bay. As long as Michael Bay doesn't go overboard with his extremely fast cuts and overdone slo-mo action scene montages. this film should be fine.
Rush Hour 3
- I know some people don't like the Rush Hour movies. But hey, I'm not one of them. Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan are funny as hell when they're together. Plus this time, they're joined by Hiroyuki Sanada, Max Von Sydow and Roman Polanski (wtf?!?!) and even Su Young, the girl kidnapped in the first movie returns. I am expecting more of the same, which shouldn't disappoint.
Fanboys
- about a group of Star Wars fans who embark on a road trip to meet george lucas and to become the first people to watch Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace to fulfil the dying wish of one of them. I hope the movie will not shy away from the fact that the second trilogy kind of sucks. Trailer has scenes where they met and fight with Star Trek fans. that might be worth the price of admission alone. Gosh, I hate star trek.
Mr Bean's Holiday
- I have a confession to make. I always have a soft spot for Mr Bean. This film might look bad and I probably will still go and watch it. It already plays overseas.
Shoot 'Em Up
- Story behind this film: Director Michael Davis has worked in Hollywood in years. Frustrated by the lack of success, he made a "killer" demo reel for his next action film, "Shoot 'Em Up" and it impressed the hell out of many studios. It became talk of the town and he made the deal with New Line. Now, it's a movie starring Clive Owen, Monica Belluci and Paul Giamatti. I'm really curious to see if it's really a "killer" action shoot 'em up movie that it promises to be.
His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass
- Supposedly based on an acclaimed fantasy series of books by Phillip Pullman. Directed by Chris Weitz (American Pie, About A Boy). The biggest seller in the movie for me is the star studded cast: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig and Eva Green.
The Golden Age
- Sequel to the critically acclaimed Elizabeth (1998) about the rise of Queen Elizabeth I, which launched the career of Cate Blanchett. Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, and director Shekar Kapur returns. Joining them is Clive Owen, playing explorer Sir Walter Raleigh (who established the first English colony in America, presently in North Carolina) and Samantha Morton as Mary - Queen of Scots. This film will cover the so called "golden age" period of the british empire under Queen Elizabeth I. I am normally not excited by sequels, but since this one is based on true historical events + the original film was great. I can't wait.
1408
- Horror film based on Stephen King story. It had John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson in it. I normally avoid horror movies. But the last time John Cusack was in horror, it was a damn good one (Identity). This looks like it could be a quality horror film.
My Blueberry Nights
- famous HK director Wong Kar Wai's first english film. Starring Norah Jones (yes, that Norah Jones), Jude Law, Ed Harris, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz. It will debut in Cannes. We'll see what the reviews will be. But if it's Wong Kar Wai, expect non linear, beautifully heart breaking and emotional love story. Unless the Wongster decide to do something entirely different.
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Not that impressed but will probably check it out: =====================================
I Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
- comedy about Adam Sandler and Kevin James pretending to be gay couple to get some domestic partnership benefits. I actually don't care about this movie until the trailer comes out. It isn't about this movie, it's about Jessica Biel in panties and saying "touch it, these are real" (referring to her boobs) - that might just make me watch it. Might
Surf's Up
- just another animated movie this summer.
The Kingdom
- FBI goes to middle east to investigate an american murder - expect a typical political thriller. Lead by Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Garner. Rumor has it it has been push back to fall because of how good the test screening went.
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What The Hell/I have a bad feeling about these: ====================================
Evan Almighty
- Bruce Almighty is one of the lesser Jim Carrey movies. Now they're making the sequel about the Steve Carell character becoming the 21st century Noah to build an arc for an impending arc. Trailer looks bad, it looks like it's gonna waste Steve Carell's talent. and what's up with making Steve Carell growing facial hairs and becoming moses-like? is this Santa Clause rip-off? yucks.
Balls of Fury
- Concept is interesting, about a Ping Pong competition with wacky and weird characters. But the trailer looks really bad.
Southland Tales
- Richard Kelly's follow up to his critically acclaimed Donnie Darko starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Seann William Scott and The Rock, supported by many others including Justin Timberlake and Mandy Moore. Supposedly about a post-apocalyptic LA, It has been screened in Cannes to mixed reviews last year and is still unreleased. Looks like the movie is too weird for release.
The Invasion
- Yet another remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers. With Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. The Wachowski Brothers of The Matrix apparently did some uncredited work on this film. But I still think it's unnecessary.
I Am Legend
- Richard Matheson's I Am Legend - about the last man on earth in a world populated by vampires - is one of the best and scariest sci-fi horror book ever. That's why I'm really wary about this adaptation starring Will Smith as the last man on earth occupied by vampires. I hope it doesn't stray from the books where it's really about one man alone, and change it to a film about Will Smith and co vs Vampires, or even worse, rip off 28 Days Later.
Sicko
- Michael Moore's latest documentary on the US health system. By now, Michael Moore has lost a lot of credibility so his documentary can't be taken seriously. Hopefully, his sense of humour is still intact.
The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
- Cowboy movie starring Brad Pitt as Jesse James. I think the title already gives away the whole story. It has been postponed for so long - a sign of bad movie perhaps?
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Will Not See:
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The Eye
- another asian horror remake. Jessica Alba is in it. Hooray! Urgh.
28 Weeks Later
- Didn't watch 28 Days Later. Not interested. Buzz has it that this is better than average film. Still not interested.
Underdog
- Dog version of Garfield?
Resident Evil: Extinction
- by this time, the movie version of RE doesn't have anything to do with the games anymore
30 Days of Night
- the comic book is overrated in my opinion. It has great drawings, but storywise, it's just a typical vampire monster attack a small town story
Alien VS Predator 2
- I didn't watch the first one. Heard it sucks. I probably won't even bother with this one. Just remember the tagline of the first movie. Whoever wins, we lose.
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"Prestige" Films that I will watch regardless of interest
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Lust, Caution
- Ang Lee directs it. Tony Leung Chiu Wai stars. supposedly an espionage drama set in 1940s Shanghai
American Gangster
- Gangster film. Ridley Scott directs. Stars Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. That should be enough
Charlie Wilson's War
- Mike Nichols directs. Stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. About a senator who in the 1980s help taliban in afghanistan to fight the soviets. The rest, as they say, is history.
3:10 to Yuma
- a western remake starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Looks more interesting than The Career Assasination of Brad Pitt in Another Western Movie With A Ridiculously Blatant and Long Title.
The Other Boleyn Girl
- stars Eric Bana, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. It's about King Henry VIII relationship with the Boleyn sisters. Part of the recent trend of shows on medieval england including mini series The Tudors and the aforementioned The Golden Age.
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Phew that was really long. Thank you for wasting your time. J/k. Well, I hope you enjoy the picture though.
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