Three Film Quickies.

Almost three weeks from my previous post, I wanted to review a few movies I watched in full detail. Instead, I’ll give quick movie reviews on three interesting films.

The Proposal (2009)

I was not expecting much greatness from this romantic comedy, but it pleasantly surprised me on its hilarious content. Sandra Bullock is funny as a publishing editor forced to make her employee (Ryan Reynolds) marry her so she could stay in the country. Reynolds and Bullock certainly have chemistry as they travel from New York to Alaska with a lot of crazy scenarios. Besides an unnecessary B –subplot, the movie won me over, especially the well-aged Sandra Bullock.

My Rating: B

New Moon (2009)

The second installment of the Twilight series is certainly an improvement over the first movie with a better plot and better acting. It’s still pretty crappy but this time around, the movie spiraled into an “emo” perspective as vampire Edwards (Robert Pattinson) abandons Bella (Kristen Stewart) and she finds comfort with teen wolf, Jacob (Taylor Lautner). The hype is everywhere as it is infectious, but the movie provided a solid plot conflict. I was hoping there would be more screen time for the pack of wolves, Victoria (the vampire villainess from Twilight), seer Alice, and Dakota Fanning, but I digress. I’m definitely not Team Edwards or Team Jacob, but I am Team Taylor Lautner as he was the breakout star.

My Rating: C

Paper Heart (2009)

Paper Heart was an interesting movie. I loved its premise of a girl (Charlyne Yi) filming other people on the definition of love with quirky answers, but something about the film didn’t engage me enough. It picked up steam as it finally centering on her relationship with actor Michael Cera, but wasn’t enough to engage my interests. There is plenty of quirky moments for this 87-minute hybrid documentary blending fiction and non-fiction on the couple’s relationship. Worth a peek.

My Rating: C

New York, I Love You.

So after almost a year of delays, I finally get to see this movie. I reviewed it for [X]Press magazine, but read my review to get the gist of it. It’s a wonderful film. =)

Movie Review: New York, I Love You
Chris Huqueriza, associate editor and staff writer
October 12, 2009

Valentine’s day may be a long time from now, but if you’re still in the mood for a romantic comedy, then New York, I Love You is the perfect film for the love aficionados. And if you’re still weary about this film, then its international and cultural premise should do the trick.

New York, I Love You comprises a collection of eleven short films each running around five to ten minutes long with the center theme of finding love in one of the most culturally diverse metropolitan cities in the world, New York. The stories are closely selective as they film in one of the five burroughs (Bronx. Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island). A sequel to the critically acclaimed and must see film, Paris Je’ Taime, both movies pays tribute to a wonderfully eclectic and vibrant city. Actress Julie Christie sums it perfect: “That’s why I love New York. Everyone came from somewhere else.”

Each short film is directed by some of world-renowned directors with an all-star ensemble ranging from Natalie Portman (also directing a short), Orlando Bloom, Ethan Hawke, Shia LaBouf, Maggie Q, Christina Ricci, and Bradley Cooper. Some viewers will notice American directors Zach Braff (Garden State), Brett Ratner (Rush Hour), and Albert and Allen Hughes (Menace to Society) taking a stab at the vignettes, but some of the world-renowned directors from from India to Japan to South Korea help bring the movie an international flavor.

Each of the vignettes provides some great fantastical moments: 1) An old bickering couple squabbles as they walk through the New York streets with a great sense of humor and a touch of tenderness. 2) Anthony Minghella directs a haunting short about a bellhop finding love with an old woman. 3) Brett Ratner directs a hilariously charming prom story about a male virgin escorting a wheelchair-bound girl. 4) A male lothario receives a shocking surprise after viciously flirting with a stranger.

While none were terribly bad, some vignettes were forgettable leaving the viewers aching for more substance. A few come to mind are: a painter obsessed with a girl, two men giving different directions in a taxi-cab, and a girl complaining about never leaving the city. Within the span of five minutes, it’s hard to invest in these scenarios.

While New York, I Love You is an entertaining collection of shorts, the movie cannot beat its predecessor, Paris Je’Taime. Now the next follow-up is rumored to be Shanghai, I Love You. But c’mon, San Francisco is diverse and rich in culture that it’s begging to be the next city. San Francisco SHOULD be the next city to visit. Think about it, love stories in the centering in the hard-forgotten Castro bars, the Haight-Asbury cafes, or on the trolleys of Union Square. It would be a sight to see.

writer’s bio: Chris Huqueriza loves being a film connoisseur. He mentally orgasms at films done before 1980.

The Gritty Spiderwoman Motion Comics.

After the release of the Watchmen motion comic, it’s very trendy to produce more motion comics. Essentially, they are the most faithful forms of the comics translated to the multimedia form with action and voices. The pages should, literally, pop out to your face. I’ve heard the Watchmen motion comics are atrocious as the voices were terrible and uneven, but Marvel Comics’ Spiderwoman should fare better. And with 5 ten-minute long episodes, writer Brian Michael Bendis is successful with his execution of entertainment.

The plot is fairly simple. Jessica Drew, the first Spiderwoman, is the most hated woman in the Marvel Universe. The shape-shifting Skrulls’ queen used her face as the instigator of the alien invasion. Now she is deeply depressed, but lands a job as an agent of S.W.O.R.D. by Abigail Brand. Her first mission is to kill a hiding skrull in the seedy Madripoor, but has to deal with prison, Madame Hydra, Norman Osborn’s Thunderbolts, and more shape-shifting skrulls. There’s a special appearance from her teammates, the New Avengers, but she ultimately comes to term with her identity and takes the offer as the sole agent of S.W.O.R.D.

What’s most impressing is artist Alex Maleev’s moody and gritty artwork as it blends the voice acting and special effects. My only irritations are Spiderwoman’s characterization as suicidal and worse than Wolverine while the panels simply shift with minimal movement. These are minor issues as her characterization improves while the moving art becomes very bearable. The Spiderwoman motion comic is looking pretty good and entertaining, but I’m excited to see the X-Men motion comic, as it looks superior and badass.