New Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Pictures

Our favourite trio, Harry Potter and his friends are all on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. I wanna get a copy too. If only they weren't soo expensive.


Warner Bros. have also released a bunch of new pictures and you can view all of them here. Just have to say I can't wait for the movie to be released.

Posters Galore!

I love posters. A great poster garners interest for the movie. First impressions are everything right? Here are some recent ones.

STARDUST: Not sure if thats the official poster...but it does look like a poster doesn't it. I thought it look nice in its eerie witchy magical type of way. Saw the trailer too. Which yo can view here. I thought it looked ok. Kinda like a mix of Ever After, Brothers Grimm with more of a fantasy feel to it. The stills have also been released and you can view them at the same link. Hope the movie is good.

TRANSFORMERS: Is this the first posters of transformers to be released? I think it is...And I think they look pretty cool. Love the side profiles.

WAITRESS: Oh my what a cute poster. It looks like one of those 1950's or 1960's ads. Love the colours too...very cheery. Its been a while since we've seen Keri Russell as a lead in anything...this may be her comeback. I've seen the trailer...and it looks like the indie type of drama flick...which means it could either be really good or really boring.

Ella Enchanted (2004)

When Ella was a baby, her fairy godmother gave her the gift of obedience…which means she will do anything anyone will ask her to do…which is pretty nasty. Now all grown up, and sick and tired off being at the mercy of everyone else…especially her wicked stepsisters, Ella embarks on a journey to find her fairy godmother to take back her gift. Along the way she meets giants, ogres, elves and falls in love with a prince.

Most who have read the book are disappointed by this movie…pointing out that it is hardly faithfully….sticking little to the plot…or some sort. Having said that…I have not read the book…so I can only judge the movie as it is…not an adaptation. And I thought the movie was really fun. The characters are all likeable. Ella is smart and headstrong…the type of Cinderella you would root for and Prince Char…is well charming and handsome…just the Prince you’d imagine for Cinderella.

I must admit I was apprehensive at first about watching this movie…It looked like it could be on the crappy side…especially the whole mocking fairy tale thing (very Shrek like)…But despite the weak special effects and costuming…I did find it all rather cute…and wacky too…somehow the movie worked for me. A rather charming and funny modern fairytale. Definitely something the whole family can enjoy.

Saved! (2004)

Mary attends a christian high school. When she finds out her boyfriend is gay...she trys her best to get him to be straight. Believing that god wants her to save him...she sleeps with him. As it turns out, her first time made her pregnant. In a conservative religious community she is now an out cast.How will she survive?

Funny just the right amount. This movie somehow manages to be funny mocking the hypocrisy and excessiveness of extremely religious people without being overly crude and mean. I also thought Mandy Moore was perfect as Hilary Faye, an awful witch (she's actually played other witchy roles in American Dreams and the Princess Diaries) trying to force her religion on her classmate---which was a pretty hopeless and hilarious affair. Everyone else was good in this too. There's even Macaulay Culkin (where has he been) as Hilary Faye's wheelchair bound brother. Overall...entertaining

The Door in the Floor (2004)

Tragedy struck the Cole family several years back and they are now living in its wake. Ruth the youngest Cole lives in the shadow of a happier time. One summer, Eddie a high school student is hired to be Ted’s assistant. His arrival will change all of their lives.

The Door in the Floor has the makings of a great drama. A once happy family. Tragedy struc and now they’re drowning in sorrows…throw in an outsider who unknowingly is about to change their lives (Better or worse…you should see it for yourself…)…Unhappy/dysfunctional families make interesting storylines…so I was definitely interested in watching.

Honestly…I wouldn’t say it was great…It was, I’d say ok…good…it kept me watching. One question that I have for this movie…is how did they manage to shoot that scene where Ted was naked and carrying Ruth?…did Jeff Bridges wear some kind of skin coloured underwear? Anyhow on the whole…the story was…well ok…the thing that I pretty much did not like was that I found it slow in the whole revelation of how the two teenage Coles die? Initially I had thought they had died around Ruth’s age since in the beginning we only saw pictures of them as children…but that was not the case. I really don't think it would have ruined the story if the truth was revealed earlier...At least we would have understood more of Marion's depression. Oh another question…what is the significance of the title…the door in the floor? Some type of metaphor?…did I miss something?

Posters Galore

I love posters. A great poster garners interest for the movie. First impressions are everything right? Here are some recent ones.

CAPTIVITY: I know its Elisha Cuthbert in the Poster since it is her movie...but doesn't it also look like Ashley Simpson? That's just what I think.

SPIDER-MAN 3: One of the many Spider-man 3 posters to have been released...this one is the latest. And yet another reflection poster...boring...Give us new shots...maybe also of the other characters?

SHREK THE THIRD: Another boring poster. Give us something good.

FANTASTIC 4 RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER: Susan Storm looks kinda weird. Issit the angle? KInda looks like the face is pasted on the the neck. All the others looks fine.

Slap Her... She's French (2002)

A popular high school cheerleader, Starla, takes in a french foreign exchange student,Genevieve, into her home and school. Turns out...the initially timid Genevieve is plotting to steal Starla's popularity and identity.

Typical teen flick. There are some laughs here and there but it wasn't hilarious or anything. Starla is the dumbest pretty cheerleader you'd probably see and Genevieve...only Starla and her dumb witted friends and family would think she's actually French. In the end we find that Genevieve used to go to the same school as Starla when they were younger and was trying to get back at her for whatever she did...I can't really remember...yes the story doesn't really stick to mind. Watch it only if you have nothing else to watch or just absolutely love teen flicks.

How many films do you watch in a month?

How many? Me ? When I don't rent... and only depending on the local tv channels...maybe its around 4 or so. But when I'm on my movie marathon streak...and continously renting...I can watch quite a lot. This month only I've already watch close to a dozen. Is that a lot? I guess it kinda is, especially when I'm not able to write my mini reviews as fast as I watch. :) I wonder how many other movie buff's watch in a typical month...care to share?

The Ballad of Jack and Rose (2005)

Jack and Rose live on an island commune...cut off from the ouside world...totally isolated, until developers start building a housing estate...which pretty much angers Jack...who is fiercely trying to protect the land. But Jack is also sick and worries for the well being of his daughter who is extremely devoted to him. Believing that they require the presence of a woman in the house and that she would be able to help Rose in the future...Jack invites his girlfriend and her teenage sons to live with them. But what ensue is chaos as Rose begin to rebel.

I don't think this film was released in the local theaters...but I'm definitely glad it was released on dvd here and I finally was able to rent it out as I found the plot to be rather interesting. It certainly looked as if it could be quite a good drama.

And guess what...I rather liked it. The story is sad and at times rather disturbing. As you see...Jack's absolute intent to live in a commune and live the way he wants to live has disastrous effects on his daughter. As a result, Rose is socially inapt and has only known to depend and love only him...and of course when he invites his girlfriend over...you can only imagine how Rose would react...she was absolutely furious and spirals out of control. Trying several times to get rid of Jack's girlfriend and lose her virginity with one of her sons...yes crazy comes to mind here. But her actions and her mistakes...aren't they first and foremost Jack's mistakes for raising her the way that he did. Even the father and daughter's devotion towards each other is questionable. Well I shouldn't give too much of the story away... right? A pretty good drama overall...definitely worth the watch. Good performance all round too especially Daniel Day Lewis as Jack the aging hippie and Camille Belle as Rose the daughter gone wild.

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

It has been sometime since I've read Pride and Prejudice and other than this one I've only seen the 2005 version...but I do think this one is the better adaptation. Since this is a miniseries...it has more time and able to add more scenes from more the book...That is of course one of the more plausible reason.

But more than that...the screenplay, the costumes, the sets, the actors....they looked like they jumped out of the pages of the book. You know when I first watched this...I thought...wow all the actors look much older than their part...and the 2005 version does have a better looking cast don't you think? But then again when you look at potraits of women of that time...doesn't Jane (the 1995 version) look like one of them.

Anyhow...its pretty clear...I prefer this version. It has better scenes. I really didn't like some of the scenes in the 2005 version. For example that scene in the rain when Darcy first tells Lizzie that he loves her in the rain....chessy...was it not. Then when he came at night to Mr Collins to drop off his letter while Lizzie was looking in the mirror....they must be trying to be artistic...And the ending...the worst scene of all...Lizzie at Darcy's feet...taking off his shoes or messaging his feet or something...I can't remember. Horrible scene. The 1995 version has a much much better ending, the couples getting married...simpler and better.

American Dreamz (2006)

American Dreamz is basically a satire on American popculture. It pokes fun at all the talent shows, reality shows and of course mainly the phenomenan that is American Idol. We have Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant) the host of the most popular show in the world...American Dreamz...I'm sure he's modelled after Simon Cowell. Then there are the contestants... Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore)...the conniving little witch, who does everything she can do to get what she wants. And Omar the clueless Arab who is thrust into the show when he was initially mistaken for his cousin. Thrown into the storyline is also President Staton (Dennis Quaid) who has won a second term in the office and seem to be having a nervous breakdown.

I had expected this movie to be extremely funny...And well I did find it funny...but not as much as I hoped. I mean this movie had a lot of potential. They could have poked around more with the whole American Idol thing. There are the judges...the crazy fan support...the contestants...and so on. But they just had to stretch themselves with the politics and terrorism side plot. Don't get me wrong though...this is a rather entertaining movie...just that it could have been a lot better. I'll give it 3/5.

Dorm (2006)

I had expected this to be really good...and that I would really really like it. Not sure where I really got this idea...One. it may have been because I think it has done quite well in the local box office...and two, which is the more possible reason...is the storyline. The basic storyline, which you can read for yourself here, is some what similar to the Devil's Backbone, which I loved. Both have boys being sent to a school/home. Both boys have trouble fitting in their new environment initially. Both have an encounter with a ghost. And the ghost, both are spirits of a dead student.

Well I guess that is as far as the similarities went...because Dorm pales in comparison (at least that's what I think) to the Devil's Backbone. The Devil's Backbone was a sad haunting tale about lost innocence and so on...and well...Dorm was not. Don't get me wrong...Dorm did start quite well. And then you start noticing the main character's hair contuinity problem...and you can't stop thinking...are they really serious???!! This is sloppy work. Can't they give the actor a wig or something, at least try to make it less obvious???? I mean I know...its the reshooting thing...but still thats not an excuse...lots of film does reshoots....

Second...there's the how the ghost became a ghost thing...it is utterly ridiculous...it was an accident...so no one is at fault? Ok here's the thing...since forever people have come to believe that its those who have horrible untimely end that become ghosts...this one does not really fit into the typical picture. I mean seriously...when I saw it...I thought that was how he died...Just a ridiculously stupid stupid prank to get more attention?

Third...It kinda all ends too nicely...the main character helps the ghost...made some friends...patch things up with his father...all nicely wrapped with a pretty bow on top...doesn't really suit the genre right?There is though one scene that I really like... its the one during their movie night...its like the Bruce Willis character finally realising he is a ghost scene...It was good...with a right touch of comedy.

Ok...maybe I'm being unfair with all my comparisons...but I can't help it. Overall...it is an ok film...I would give it 3/5...could have been better. And if you like the genre...I do think you should check this out. And hey...maybe like Shutter, you might even see an American remake of it soon.

Daniel Radcliffe confirms Harry Potter. Joshua Jackson in Shutter

Daniel Radcliffe has finally confirmed that he will appear in the last two Harry Potter films which are the Half Blood Prince and the Deathly Hallows and will start filming Half Blood Prince in September. Good. Now we know we won't have to see someone new playing Harry. Here's hoping the whole Emma Watson...Hermione thing gets settled real quick. No one wants to see a new Hermione for the rest of the films.

Go to DanRadcliffe.co.uk to read more.

Joshua Jackson has joined the cast of Shutter and filming begins mid March. If you haven't heard of Shutter...well its a remake of a Thai film of the same name. I've actually watched the original and really like it. Found it very sad. I do hope the remake stays true to the original storyline. I have no idea why thay have to shoot it in Tokyo though (I know its supposed to be the honeymoon and all) because frankly...location is not key to the storyline...If they're going to make an American remake..just set it in America...

Read more here.

The Break-Up (2006)

After a fight, Brooke and Gary breaks up. But both are unwilling to give up their luxurious condo and refuse to move. Thus war ensues.

So this is the movie which Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn supposed hooked up...I don't really follow hollywood gossip and I'm still not clear about the whole thing...did they or did they not hook up?

**May Contain Spoilers**

I don't really expect much of this movie. Mainly its not a genre that I particularly like watching... anyhow...I was looking for something funny to watch and light hearted and so pick this one out. Overall I thought this was an ok film. Its not as funny as you might have guessed. I mean...some parts of it was funny...others...Well it was actually quite sad the rather pathetic way that Brooke called it quits thinking that Gary would then realised that he needs her...Meanwhile Gary is pretty clueless about how she feels and what her actions really mean...maybe she should have tried moving out right?....

After all the heartache and crying that the actors go through...you would've have thought that we finally get too see them get together...but nooo...they didn't. Which kinda meant that that movie could have end in the first 30 minutes...eh? Not saying this movie was horrible or anything...but could've been much better with a better ending.

Lords of Dogtown (2005)

The film follows a group of teenagers from Venice, California who pioneered a new style of skateboarding.

I really didn't know what else to watch that day...everything else that was good was not available so I picked this one out...I think I had read some reviews of it in the past and they were pretty decent reviews.

So anyway I thought it was an ok movie. Not something that I would want to check out again. It was interesting though to see how skateboarding developed into the sport that it is today. Seeing the skateboarding tricks too was probably the more entertaining parts of the film. And Heath Ledger's character, Skip,...doesn't he kinda look and talk like Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow...only with a surfer dude accent... :)

Those who love skateboarding would probably love this.

Posters Galore

I love posters. A great poster garners interest for the movie. First impressions are everything right? Here are some recent ones.

Fantasic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer

The teaser poster has finally been released. Not too bad. Looks cool and all. I still don't know who this Silver Surfer is...I used to watch the cartoons...but I can't remember who he is...

Captivity

Quite a creepy looking poster eh? Is she being buried? It does seem that Elisha Cuthbert is taking a lot of these horror/thriller type of movies....

Rear Window (1954)

A photographer, Jeff, becomes wheelchair bound after breaking his leg. Stuck at home, he spend his days spying on his neighbours from his apartment window. One day he suspects that one of his neighbours has murdered his wife. Is he just imagining it?

One of the main reasons why I watched this is because I want to watch Disturbia...so basically I want to compare. Plus this is a classic...and has gotten many praises...And after watching it I understand why...but I wouldn't exactly count it as a favourite.

Its interesting though how a movie that only has pretty much one setting (just one small apartment) can be so engaging. Never once did I thought the movie was boring. Like Jeff, we too only get to see the neighbours from the window and are kept guessing... did he do it?...By the way ,I had always guessed that he did...The dialogue too is smart and witty...and the language used...hard to imagined that this was a movie made more than half a century ago.

I'll keep this short. I didn't think I would've enjoyed it...thought it seemed like a boring old flick about a nosy neighbour. But of course its all about how you tell the story and how you shoot it...right? I'll give it about 3.5/5.