First review of Rurouni Kenshin Live Action now online

Following its release in theaters in Japan last weekend, the live-action film adaptation of Nobuhiro Watsuki's epic Samurai manga/ anime series Rurouni Kenshin has finally gotten reviews online. Kotaku has one of the first reviews up, and reviewer Richard Elsenbels highlights his review by calling the movie a "nearly perfect film adaptation". It has yet to be scheduled for an international release, but outpouring support and demand from the fanbase around the world have pushed for it to come sooner than later. Until such time an announcement is made, we can only hope and pray than Kenshin comes to a theater near you outside Japan.

Rurouni Kenshin Live Action Trailer w/ English Subs
Rurouni Kenshin was released by Warner Bros, is currently playing in Japanese theaters.

The Expendables 2: One week later, Chuck Norris news, and a podcast

If you haven't been to a theater yet and caught PURE TESTOSTERONE ACTION with The Expendables 2, you're missing out on one of the BIGGEST and BADDEST films of 2012. Need a good reason why? Well, check out this review I made for starters, or simply see the trailer if you haven't yet for AWESOMENESS.

Spoiler-Free Review: The Dark Knight Rises

It shows today, and true enough, Christopher Nolan delivers the epic finish to the Dark Knight trilogy. I have a spoiler-filled review via my other site, but here's the short and sweet non-spoiler version for the public to note, featuring non-spoiler excerpts from the other detailed review. It opens today in cinemas in the Philippines, both in IMAX and conventional theaters. Thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines and SM Cinema for the premiere!


Threequels rarely show that there's redeeming value for a franchise other than big box office numbers. Spider-Man 3 proved that some years ago, and there's rarely been any continuation of a story or movie that ended on a high note with expectation or promise. As such, it's a very big surprise and achievement to witness the final chapter to British-American director Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight saga with the film "The Dark Knight Rises". The film places an ending to the franchise that began with 2005's Batman Begins and escalated with 2008's The Dark Knight, and all plot threads and storylines built within the events of those two films culminate into one grand epic presentation, presented in both conventional and IMAX formats. 


The Dark Knight Rises Trailer #3

Breaking down the film itself, I will admit that it's epic in scale and fits nicely into the scheme of things. It plays down the eight year absence of Batman ala Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, and takes the isolation of Gotham and the Bane threat from No Man's Land and Knightfall respectively. Nolan has been known to be crafty when he creates his own treatment of Batman, and I thought this one served as a fitting ending to his saga. The only complaint I can think of frankly is Bane's voice in the prologue scene. They remastered and rerecorded it, and it just doesn't sound as authentic as it was months ago when it was shown in its original form. Other than that, while the film doesn't overshadow the success of its predecessor in terms of execution and plot, I still think it does an awesome job that earns it excellence in its own right. Some things felt anti-climactic, but it does what it can to end the story. It's literally Batman Begins' threat meets The Dark Knight's escalation, so it's the perfect conclusion to things in EPIC fashion.


In short, there's plenty of action and lots of exposition. Those who have seen Batman Begins and The Dark Knight owe it to themselves to see the conclusion to Chris Nolan's vision of Batman. Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman return to their respective roles, and Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Marion Cotillard add stellar performances for this movie. For 2 hours and 45 minutes of epicness, The Dark Knight Rises delivers on the promise of ending Batman's journey on a high and exciting note. Bank on it.


For more details and spoilers, read up my detailed review.

The Amazing Spider-Man: Movie Review & Analysis *Spoilers*

Officially showing in international territories including The Philippines, The Amazing Spider-Man is currently swinging into theaters now. Below is a review and analysis of said movie, centering on its modern take as well as making comparisons to the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films. SPOILERS are here, so be warned and read at your own risk.


The Amazing Spider-Man swings into theaters on June 29 and July 3rd.

The Avengers assemble with tons of awesome reviews!

Now that they've assembled into theaters (internationally at least), Marvel's The Avengers is causing a hype storm and bringing fanboys and moviegoers together like never before. It's a tremendous effort that was successfully pulled off by director Joss Whedon, Walt Disney Pictures, and Marvel Studios, and the returns are bigger than anything ever imagined! For its first two days alone since opening on April 25th The Philippines, the film has earned more than P101 Million, and that's a lot for a movie that brings together the likes of Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, and Black Widow! The film has yet to make its debut in US theaters, and will officially open on May 4 over there. The film has literally ushered in summer blockbuster madness, and will continue to do so for some time!

That aside, if you need convincing of how good this film is, check out these awesome reviews!

Timzster/ PopCulture Crusader - Non-Spoiler Review: Marvel's The Avengers!

CerboJam/ NextJam - Flick Review: Marvel's The Avengers!

Mark Templar/ Movie Buff - Coming Soon

The Fanboy SEO - MOVIE REVIEW: Marvel's The Avengers - Contains Spoilers

Geekmatic - Non-Spoiler Review: Marvel's The Avengers

FlipGeeks - MOVIE REVIEW: Marvel's The Avengers 

The Avengers assemble in theaters on April 25 internationally and May 4 in the US!

Non-Spoiler Review: Marvel's The Avengers

Finally, the assembly officially begins!

Opening in theaters today, April 25th, in international theaters, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Marvel Studios proudly present the crowning jewel and long anticipated superhero team up movie everyone has been waiting for - The Avengers! The culmination and fruit of four years of work since 2008's Iron Man ushered in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally here, and it's bringing out a storm of fans and viewers into theaters the world over. Anyone who's followed all five films of Marvel Studios knows that everything is connected and has led up to this. While it has yet to open in US cinemas until May 4th, this Spoiler-Free review will give you an idea of just why you should see this comic book film dream come true if you still have any reservations. That being said, read away and learn why it's awesome, true believers! Also, if you do watch, finish the whole thing to the end, and don't leave while the credits roll!

Reviews and Impressions: Batman: Year One and Batman: Arkham City

Today, October 18, 2011, is officially Batman day, and I do not jest making that claim either. Two very important releases pertaining to The Dark Knight and his crusade see release this day, namely the animated film Batman: Year One and the videogame Batman: Arkham City and I'd love nothing better than to share my impressions on both of them, primarily because 1.) I am a big fan of the character and 2.) they're just downright superb dishes fans of popculture and gaming can sink their teeth into. I know I did, and as of a few hours ago, I FINALLY got myself Arkham City...

Sweet. Perfect. Solid. I'll get to my impressions of the game in a bit, but first, here's a little review on the former animated movie I mentioned...

Movie Reviews: Fright Night, Contagion, and Horrible Bosses

I've seen a couple of movies this month, and I came out of each and every one them completely bewildered and satisfied thanks to the entertainment value, direction, and star power each one presented in their own right. I try to keep an open mind whenever I step into any type films, and regardless of what initial reviews featured on print media or the internet have to say, I'll still have to give my own two cents worth on the subject eventually when all is said and done. Right now, I have a couple under my belt that I've been itching to talk about, and while I may keep the reviews as brief and short as possible, I'll try to stick to the point and piece out what makes each one good in their own right.

Special thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines for the screenings this month!

Comic Book Review: Justice League #1

Months ago, I was among those skeptical about DC Comics' planned relaunch of their entire comic book universe. As somebody who grew up reading their comics where Superman and Batman wore underpants and remained symbolic icons nevertheless, I'll be the first to tell you outright that I thought "The New 52" was a bad idea. I'm not one to conform to change easily, especially when it comes to changing elements that have remained established in the comic world for almost a century. Yes it's true that without change there can be no progress, but sometimes the other old adage still applies "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Still,  I can understand the necessity to attract new readers, so there's more than legacy at stake with this relaunch; It's reinvigorating the industry as a whole.

This week and like or not, change has indeed come to DC Comics, and they have literally brought an end to the old and a fresh start to the new with the simultaneous release of Flashpoint #5 and Justice League #1 this week, which in itself counts as a historical landmark in the comic industry as we know it. Having anticipated the latter title from the solicitations released months ago, I knew that even with my reboot reservations constantly bickering at me to resist, I would still pick up JL #1 for one sole reason: Jim Lee's compelling artwork. There's no doubt that ever since the 90's and early 2000's, I've been a fan of the WildCats and Batman: Hush artist, and now he's brimming with even more staying power these days as one of the co-publishers of DC Comics. Since taking up office, it's been a while since I've seen Lee draw a monthly title (and one that stays in schedule for that matter), so how does his work fare alongside acclaimed writer and fellow DC co-worker Geoff Johns in this new volume of Justice League? Let's find out.

Movie Reviews: Final Destination 5 and Conan The Barbarian

It can be said that some people go to movies for cheap thrills, spills, and yes even kills. If you're  looking into those categories, then I guess these two movies I've seen over the past week and so will contribute nicely to your list to catch in the big screen. They've already been shown over at the US and selected areas for the past few weeks now, but international territories finally have their chance this week. SPOILER WARNING of course for those who avoid reviews. Thanks again goes to the sponsors for giving me a chance to see the first film below, Final Destination 5. As for Conan, I caught that during my spare time, so here are my thoughts on the two features!

Love or hate it, the latest entry in the Final Destination series has something to offer, whether it be scares, paranoia, or amusement over the crazy death scenes happening everywhere in this film. As someone who's barely seen the past films, I went into this one with only bare minimum knowledge of what transpired in the timeline (though each is a separate suspense horror adventure on its own that doesn't owe too much to a previous installment save for the deaths and premonitions). Totted as the film that takes things "back to basics", Final Destination 5 may be seen as the final (pun yes) entry in the series, but it can also be perceived as a springboard for newer installments. It's pretty much the same tale as previous movies - a young kid has a premonition that warns him of impending disaster, and he and his group of friends manage to survive and get away with their lives intact. Unfortunately, cheating death comes with a heavy price, as one by one their borrowed time comes to a sinister and grisly end.


Final Destination 5 Trailer

With a plot like that, it really isn't for the faint of heart. However, those who've been faithful and followed the movies since the first though will be pleased to know they're in for some treats come the climax of this film. Either way, it's a popcorn flick that'll please, and with the moderate reception it has garnered in the box office, it could be the fright fest one is looking for to tease their nerves and test with 3D theaters in mind. Oh yeah, legendary horror movie face Tony Todd is back too, so he'll be sure to creep you out, haha. Rating - 3/5

As the newest iteration of the film starring a heroic barbarian hero who was once played by legendary action star Arnold Schwarzenegger (which was also his first acting breakthrough to note), this new version of Conan the Barbarian has big shoes to fill in terms of legacy and garnering a new fanbase for today's generation of moviegoers. While the concept feels kind of cliche and dated thanks to several medieval fantasy movies and stories that have gone through the decades, I honestly felt content with what I saw despite the mixed to negative reviews this movie has gotten worldwide (essentially making it a flop of sorts in the box office). Starring Jason Momoa (who played Khal Drogo in HBO's excellent TV series adaptation of Game of Thrones) in the lead, the 2011 version of Conan the Barbarian proves to be your typical and straightforward adventure full of swordfighting, magic, sex, and evil. The movie kicks off with an origin tale that shows the titular character's birth, training, and the eventual massacre of his village by evil forces. This tragic experience molds Conan into a powerful but arrogant warrior on a quest for vengeance. Unfortunately, destiny forces him to rise above this narrow-minded calling as he crosses paths with a young maiden (Rachel Nichols), who holds a power inside of her that his adversaries seek to unlock and use for sinister purposes. With something else to fight for other than revenge against his enemies.


Conan The Barbarian 2011 Trailer

Pretty much like I said, this is a popcorn flick for those not looking for serious plots and just empty action to watch and enjoy brainlessly. I could say that there were some "interesting PG-13" moments in this film that could have been done more interestingly, but you can't have them all I guess. Rachel Nichols playing the heroine here was kinda a letdown considering her time as Scarlett in G.I.Joe: The Rise of Cobra. She faired better in that movie, and her talents here looked wasted, especially in the climax. Rose McGowan on the other hand played a nice and creepy villainess, and the way she looked kinda reminded me of Kerrigan from Starcraft. Oh, and Ron Perlman played the father of Conan, plus Morgan Freeman did the narration for the beginning. There isn't any redeeming qualities save for the action really, so that's really what kept me from being disappointed and I just wholeheartedly enjoyed it for that aspect. Khal Drogo FTW! Rating - 3/5

Movie Reviews: The Smurfs, Cowboys & Aliens, and Crazy Stupid Love

Been a while since I've posted any movie reviews, and there's a couple already on my backlog that needs some reviewin' to be done to 'em. For the past week and so, I've been invited to attend screenings of the movies - The Smurfs, Cowboys & Aliens, and Crazy Stupid Love, and each is of a different genre and category that will (or will not) appeal to individuals hankering for some movie R&R time. Since I'm tackling three different movies this time around, these will just be regulated to mini-reviews and the score. I'll keep things simple, straight to the point, and hopefully a tad more honest and true on how I perceive each of these films on my personal ratings scale. Thanks again goes to the various sponsors for the invites on these screenings!

The Smurfs

Little blue men and Neil Patrick Harris go on an adventure that takes them around New York City which changes their lives for the better. That pretty much sums up what this animated venture based on the old 80's cartoon I and so many other people in the world have grown up with, only it feels a bit kiddy and dated for my tastes now that I'm older. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love The Smurfs for what they are, but their song is EXTREMELY annoying, and plus points goes to the film for actually pointing that out! It's your typical kid movie that you can take the family to for some laughs and cute moments. Worth it in 3D? Kinda, but only if you want to see Papa Smurf and co. kick ass against Gargamel (played by Hank Azaria).  Rating - 3/5

Cowboys & Aliens

Now THIS MOVIE I found extremely well made and totally underappreciated. As a film directed by the guy who gave us two Iron Man films, Cowboys & Aliens has an old school western feel to it that totally works for the most part... But the idea of mixing things with extraterrestrials sounds a little bit far fetched and B-Movie like that I can see why most critics and reviewers gave this mixed reviews. Still, I enjoyed this Jon Favreau presentation for what it was, and it had an all-star cast to boot! Leading the charge is Daniel Craig of James Bond fame, playing an amnesiac loner named Jake Lonergan who has a mysterious device attached to his wrist. He partners up with an rich old coot and cynical cattleman named Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (played by legendary actor Harrison Ford), and together with a mysterious and beautiful Ella Swan (Olivia Wilde), they take on an army of aliens who kidnap humans for experimentation. Sam Rockwell and Clancy Brown also star in this vehicle, and for the most part the movie has lots of action and Clint Eastwood moments that blend in well somewhat with the Steven Spielberg influenced alien show. Overall, this may not stand tall with the other summer blockbusters out this year, but it gets the job down of presenting a modest and entertaining action film piece, so it's definitely worth checking out. Rating - 4/5



Crazy,Stupid, Love.

Steve Carrell stars in this romantic comedy as Cal Weaver, a man trying to recreate himself when the perfect life he's lived for years is crushed thanks to his wife (played by Julianne Moore) cheating on him and asking for a divorce. Cal is devastated and crushed, and after some nights of hanging out on a bar and unsuccessfully trying to woo women, he's taken under the wing of one womanizing chick boy named Jacob Palmer (Ryan Gosling). Soon, Mr. Weaver learns the trade and his life rebounds back on track, but he still finds himself missing his wife and family. Throughout this tale of love, sex, and cheating, we find reconciliation, humor, and the true meaning of finding a soulmate in the one you care for the most. It's the perfect movie for anybody looking for love and laughs. I bet people will get a kick out of Steve Carrell's silliness, and ladies screaming at Ryan Gosling's hot guy appeal. Rating - 4/5


That's about it for now. Do catch these flicks at your local theaters!

Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

It should be opening in theaters by the time you read this, but after seeing the premiere last Tuesday courtesy of 20th Century Fox and SM Cinemas, let me reassure anyone having doubts about this movie that this hardly your B-rated, Science Fiction experience one can easily mistake to be typical. Surprisingly, Rise of the Planet of the Apes harkens that type of reboot appeal that films like Batman Begins and Casino Royale started, and gives fans of the genre renewed hope that this is the start of bigger things to come. I'll get into details on what I mean as we come down to the review. It's more than your average popcorn flick, I'll give it that.

Movie: CRise of the Planet of the Apes

Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, Andy Serkis, Tom Felton, Brian Cox, John Lithgow
Directed By: Rupert Wyatt

As a reboot/ prequel to what becomes the Ape revolution, Rise of the Planet of the Apes tells the story of a young and intelligent chimpanzee's relationship with humans and his rise to power with his brethren. In the lead we have the talented young actor James Franco, who plays Dr. Will Rodman, a scientist researching on a treatment for Alzheimer's Disease. His passion for finding the "cure" is further boosted by the fact that his own father (played by John Lithgow) suffers from it as well, so he tirelessly places a lot of effort into the project, with the company sponsoring his research giving him access to funds and tests on chimpanzees. When he initially finds a breakthrough in the form of a captured chimp named "Bright Eyes", Rodman immediately tries to push for human testing procedures. Unfortunately, his dreams are quickly quashed as Bright Eyes goes wild in the facility, forcing security to put the ape down. As Rodman and his project are put on hold and is summarily told to put the rest of the apes down, he suddenly finds himself in the care of Bright Eyes' baby chimpanzee, Caesar (played by motion capture actor Andy Serkis). Saved from being put down after being born inside the lab, Caesar is raised by Dr. Rodman in the good doctor's own house, and shows tremendous potential since he was born with the enhanced abilities that his mother received when she was experimented on while pregnant with him. Displaying growing intelligence that rivals that of a human, Caesar's progress provides Rodman with data and inspiration that brings him back on track with his cure search. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond that which the good doctor and Caesar could possibly predict will lead to a chain of events that forces the intellectual primate to take action, which will begin the rise of the apes and the eventual fall of mankind.

Movie Review: Captain America: The First Avenger

I may be a little bit biased when it comes to saying what I'm about to say in this review, but hot damn, THIS WAS ONE AWESOME SUPERHERO FILM, and it certainly deserves all the praise it gets!

As the last summer blockbuster and superhero movie of this year, I can say that Captain America: The First Avenger lived up to most of the expectations I've placed on it since I became aware of the fact that Marvel was going to create it. After several attempts at making a movie based on the star spangled avenger decades earlier pretty much failed to impress audiences, the time was ripe enough to make something closer to the source material. After the success and impression Iron Man left, Marvel Studios went full speed ahead on their attempt to construct a singular universe wherein their films (and each one's respective events) would intersect and converse with one another, ultimately leading to the hype chain of a team movie that is The Avengers on 2012. Ambitious as it sounds, it's definitely happening folks, and I couldn't be any happier with the results I've seen so far from Marvel movies.

Back to the Cap film... Wow. I still find myself reeling from the experience of actually watching it. The fact that the character is one of my favorite heroes in the world of comics adds to that personal bias I mentioned earlier, and no doubt you'll be seeing thick layers of it run rampant throughout this review. While the previous Marvel films this year, namely Thor and X-Men First Class, put things off to a good and action packed start, Captain America has the luxury of ending things on a high and exciting note that will leave smiling after watching it and walking out of theaters. His symbolic and charismatic nature alone screams for attention, and like Thor's signature weapon Mjolnir, nobody can miss that distinguishable trademark piece of hardware that is his Vibranium mighty shield. Is it good? Unquestionably so. Is it better than the other superhero films? That's subject to extensive debate and preference. I will be tackling those points as I go through this review, so if you'd like to read about my opinion, you're welcome to go further down this review. SPOILERS will be present of course, so if you want to avoid them and watch the film with a clear conscience, best turn back now before the jump. Thanks again goes to Solar UIP and SM Cinema for the premiere invite!

Revisiting The Dark Knight...

Three years ago today, one of the best films in movie history was released to a bewildered and unsuspecting populace the world over. Considered one of finest examples of a superhero movie done right, The Dark Knight was everything Batman fans could have ever wanted from a film based on their hero - A movie that was darker, grittier, and pretty much tailored to perfection by someone who truly understood the character and the comic book stories from which he was spawned from. This was all achieved by the brilliant mind of one British director named Christopher Nolan. As the person responsible for rebooting the Batman franchise with 2005's Batman Begins, Nolan ensured that his vision of Gotham City's hero would remain grounded and realistic, and he succeeded on both points by selecting the right team and casting talented and well known actors, most especially Christian Bale in the lead role of Bruce Wayne/ Batman. Upon its release, Begins reignited interest in the Batman film franchise and displayed a true if not perfect depiction of the Caped Crusader in cinema.



The Dark Knight Trailer

With Begins success, Warner Bros. commissioned Nolan to work on the inevitable sequel right away, and after a few years of tailoring a solid script and casting the now late and great Heath Ledger as The Joker, The Dark Knight was filmed and released on July 18 2008, topping all expectations and cementing the legacy of the Batman for all time to come. Below is a repost of my 2008 review of said film from my now defunct LiveJournal account. If you haven't seen ANY of Nolan's Batman films, I suggest you avert your eyes away from said article. Otherwise, take a deep breath and have read up my little ol' review below.

Reminiscing about Inception...

A year ago today, I reviewed one of the most brilliant and majestic films I've ever had the chance of witnessing in cinema, and it was born out of the creative imagination of the same man who gave us "The Dark Knight" to boot. British director Christopher Nolan unleashed in the month of July 2010 "Inception", a film that follows a man named Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a man wanted for murder, on the run, and who specializes in navigating through people's minds and steals valuable information from their subconscious. When Cobb is given the chance to regain his old life and go back to his children, he assembles a team to do a job that is seemingly impossible - "Inception". Instead of stealing information, he must plant it and provide inspiration to his target. Here's the trailer for your viewing benefit if you need a visual demonstration of what this movie has to offer.

Inception Trailer 2

Once it premiered in theaters, Inception quickly became an instant hit and success. It became the talk of the town and internet for months, and gradually as the year came to a close, it became my film of the year pick for 2010. Everything about Nolan's film here spoke brilliance, originality, and Oscar winning material, and while it didn't win the Academy for best film, it did win some achievements related to effects and cinematography. Even though a year has passed and it's Harry Potter season now, Nolan's next film, The Dark Knight Rises, is currently in the works and being hotly anticipated. If you haven't seen or touched any of the man's works, do yourself a favor and go see this and his Batman films now.

Movie Review: X-Men: First Class

Simple. Effective. Astonishing.

These words epitomize what could be described as the greatest prequel, possible reboot, and much needed jumpstarter of a comic book film franchise full of potential and stories to exploit. Despite the ups and downs it has generated with the four films it has amassed over the years, there's no denying that the X-Men movies are some of the boldest and greatest works in film history which I have had the privilege of viewing since it all started back in 1999. True, it all boils down to the people behind the project, most notably scriptwriters like David Hayter and the careful and crafty hands of a director like Bryan Singer, but when Singer packed his bags and left the X-Franchise to direct Superman Returns, a void was left wide open for 20th Century Fox to fill as the pressure and demand for more sequels opened up. Matthew Vaughn was initially brought in as a replacement, but after only making some casting choices, he soon dropped out due to family concerns and the fact that time constraints wouldn't produce the movie he wanted. Rush Hour director Brett Ratner filled that gap, and soon Fox released the lukewarm X-Men: The Last Stand to complete the trilogy with mixed reactions from the fanbase in general. A few years later, X-Men Origins: Wolverine was released, a spin-off vehicle for Hugh Jackman's character of Wolverine would explore the origins of the feral mutant, only for the Gavin Hood directed film to receive mixed reactions as well, with fans lamenting on how the once mighty X-Men franchise has fallen from the good to the obscure.

All that changes now. Like I said, X-Men: First Class is that game changer the franchise needed to turn the tide and bring it back into the halls of praise and worship fans will so definitely line into. Helmed by Matthew Vaughn, with a returning Bryan Singer co-producing and co-writing the screenplay, this prequel movie redefines the timeless and somewhat analog tale of mutants for the new generation, and it works for the most part. The key elements here are storytelling and casting, and despite being a superhero movie this flick can be considered one of the best blends of both that I've ever seen.

Movie: X-Men: First Class

Starring: James McAvoy, MichaelFassbender, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Kevin Bacon

Directed By: Matthew Vaughn

Set primarily in the 1960's during the era of the Cold War, X-Men: First Class introduces audiences to a younger Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, whose origins are explored and destinies are intertwined as they face a common threat that will threaten the futures of both human and mutantkind. Growing up with the dream of meeting and uniting others like himself, Xavier believes in a peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans, while Lehnsherr reflects a darker upbringing wrought with tragedy, fear, and pain, foreshadowing his eventual path of pursuing a war between his race and normal people. Before all that transpires, these two unlikely individuals meet and become the best of friends, working together to stop a mad mutant with nuclear war ambitions alongside a ragtag band of mutants, thus forming a team that will come to be known in the future as "X-Men".

X-Men: First Class Theatrical Trailer

I have to say - the casting is literally perfect for this movie. James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Kevin Bacon stole the show for me right here, and their roles as Charles Xavier, Erik Lehnsherr, and Sebastian Shaw were priceless. I was expecially fond of Fassbender, who starred previously in movies like 300 and Jonah Hex. He played his part exceptionally well, and delivered the kind of intensity and anger necessary to portray the man who would eventually become Magneto. Heck, since the setting and many of his scenes in this movie shout "James Bond", the man could very well be a potential candidate for the franchise in the future. I was very impressed with his performance, and this film would serve well to catapult his career even further down the line. That's not to say that James McAvoy was overshadowed either. The "Shameless" and "Wanted" star also played a convincing young Charles Xavier, and he's got the demeanor and accent of the character down to a tee. The chemistry between these two bring the movie to life, which is only enhanced further by the rest of the cast starring in this movie. Oh, and Kevin Bacon's still got his chops for acting alright. His Sebastian Shaw may look more charming than intimidating, but that's the whole point behind his character, and he plays the part of a formidable antagonist well.

Story wise, I love how they crafted and managed to insert the early beginnings of mutant warfare into a 1960's setting and pay homage in turn to the James Bond movies of that era by adding a unique blend of espionage and technological wonder that goes well with all the mutant action the audience is craving for. Fans will be delighted (or disappointed) to see how some classic faces and devices from the X-Men's comic history are brought to life in this movie. I especially grew fond of the film's version of the Hellfire Club. Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost, Azazel, and Riptide make for one heck of a bad guy line-up, but that's not to say that the young and first class of X-Men are pushovers either. It's a good blend of energetic and talented youngsters, and besides Charles and Erik, we have Banshee, Beast, Havoc, and Mystique, and we see how they use and adapt to their powers through the course of the movie. While there may be some continuity issues, the film also does well to establish relationships and ties between these characters that were or were not explored in previous X-Films. Heck, you get to see one heck of a cameo in this movie, but it isn't a post credits scene. You'll get what I mean once you sit down and watch this from start to finish, and if you're an X-Men movie fan, you're definitely going to get a kick out of it.

Bottomline, X-Men: First Class is definitely a must see for the diehard fan or uninitiated. Despite being a superhero film in general, anybody looking for a straightforward movie to watch will be surprised to see the great production values and talents this movie has to offer. I may have been impressed by Thor a month ago, but this takes the cake, and could possibly be the best Marvel/ superhero flick, heck even one of THE BEST MOVIES OF 2011. If there was anyway to reinvigorate a franchise, Matthew Vaughn and Bryan Singer have certainly gotten the formula and overdid themselves here. Simply Astonishing.

Rating - 5/5

Movie Review: The Hangover Part II

The first Hangover movie was truly stupid comedy at its finest. Who would have thunk that a movie tackling on what happens after having too much to drink and getting doped up would make for good laughs and crazy stuff? It's a wacked up concept, but director Todd Phillips had every conceivable element for disaster and a great cast right up his sleeve, and he created a picture perfect film of hilariousness that was certainly worth the price of admission to see in theaters or a DVD. Racking up millions of dollars in return for its success, a sequel was definitely going to happen. The only question is this: How do you top a trip to Las Vegas where everything went wrong and shit hit the fan for the group of Stu, Phil, and Alan?

Simple Answer: You bring them to a country where shit hits the fan again after another hangover escapade, and all hell breaks loose once more!

Movie: The Hangover Part II

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Jamie Cheung, Mason Lee

Directed By: Todd Philips

Bradley Cooper/ Phil, Ed Helms/ Stu, and Zach Galifianakis/ Alan are back... And this time, they bring their wacky escapades to Bangkok City! Two years have passed since their infamous adventure to find their friend Doug (Justin Bartha) and get him to his wedding, and now it's Stu's turn to tie the knot with his new and lovely fiancee Lauren (Jamie Cheung). However, the ceremony will take place in Thailand. Initially, Alan wasn't invited to avoid all the trouble from last time, but a little coercion and pity changed Stu's mind at the last minute, and the "Wolfpack" was reunited once more. Much to Alan's dismay, they are joined by Lauren's youngest brother, Teddy (Mason Lee), a gifted student who studies at Stanford University. After a somewhat uneasy wedding reception, the friends invite a hesitant Stu and Teddy for a beer amidst campfire and marshmallows in the beach.

The Hangover Part II Trailer

Unfortunately, Phil, Stu, and Alan wake up the next morning with a major hangover(again), finding themselves in a worn down hotel room in Bangkok. Amidst the confusion, Stu soon finds himself with a tattoo on his face, and Alan's head is completely bald. The room also contains a severed finger, a chain-smoking monkey, and one familiar face: Gangster and old acquaintance Leslie Chow (Ken Jeong). Panicking and later finding out that Doug is fine and Teddy is missing, the trio are forced to relive the same nightmare (in a strange city this time) to find their friend and get back to a wedding in time.

What can I say? This movie is pure laugh trip on imbecilic proportions to the max! Everything I saw here certainly justifies an R-18 rating that best keep kids away, lest they be exposed to all the stupidity, vulgar language, sexual innuendos/ excounters, and explicit nudity the film displays throughout its one and a half hour run. That's not to say that the film doesn't make sense. There's a coherent plot to be had for the most part, though it is quickly overshadowed by deliberate dumb humor, thanks mostly to the antics and machinations of Zach Galifianakis' character of Alan, who has the mind of an 8-year old and genuinely doesn't realize that his actions are to blame for the entire mess the group is in. He's was literally the star of the show in the first movie, and he shines out here yet again in the sequel, but that's not to say his co-stars don't share time in the spotlight. Ed Helms' character of Stu gets the brunt of the impact after the hangover escapade... and I mean that in a literal sense. Bradley Cooper on the other hand barely gets his hands dirty, but he has his fair share of trouble to contend with as well. Also, it's a surprise to see some familiar faces returning for the sequel, especially Ken Jeong's character of Leslie Chow. That idiot is a ball of laughs and danger, and wait 'til you see where his daring personality gets him in the sequel.

Overall, I liked what I saw with "The Hangover Part II" despite it being a carbon copy of the first movie's plight set in a different country. The first movie was full of surprises and kept the audience guessing what kind of trouble the "Wolfpack" were walking into. Here, you already have an idea of what to expect as they desperately try to piece the events of the previous night together, albeit with new gags and stupid humor that will surely be a ball of laughs for audiences looking for fresh comedy to see in theaters. I'd recommend this for brainless fun, and certainly for those who enjoyed the first movie.

Rating - 4/5

Comic Reviews: Fear Itself #2 and 3

Time for another comic review run. It's been a while, but what I'm about to review isn't exactly a shocker to me despite the "big scene" involved. I'm not going to lie to you. Since the past few issues of Marvel Solicitations have been teasing what's to come in the months ahead, I was expecting the inevitable to happen to a certain hero in the pages of Fear Itself. I just picked up the latest issue a night ago, and reading through it, I felt the ending was sort of anti-climactic. It could have been handled differently, but given the need to bring up the pace in this story, I suppose it couldn't have gone down any other way. Consider this a SPOILER review (especially for issue #3), and anyone who's seen the covers has an idea who the person in question is.

Comic Book Review: Fear Itself #1

“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in” – Michael Corleone, The Godfather Part III

There was a time I enjoyed reading Marvel Comics’ numerous event storylines, but since Brian Michael Bendis’ delivered the lukewarm Secret Invasion and Siege sagas, I’ve been hesitant to get back into the fold and even considered the possibility of giving up collecting altogether. For one thing, it’s getting pretty expensive to collect comic books in particular given the soaring prices these days, and unlike DC’s campaign to “Hold down the line at 2.99” an issue, Marvel isn’t showing any signs of letting up. True, they’ve got the marketing power to show for it, and with two of their biggest and arguably most popular characters in the Avengers roster getting movie treatments this year, there’s no surprise why their books aren’t budging price wise. The times are hard enough as it is, and as my interest in the books wanes even further, out comes Fear Itself, Marvel’s newest epic to come out of the woodwork that promises to deliver a high impact superhero story while tackling the numerous issues and concerns plaguing our world as it is today. After picking it up last Wednesday and reading it through, Does it deliver to that promise, or is it just another event chugged down by the House of Ideas to get more people interested in the Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger movies? Read on and find out the answer.

Video Game Review: Dead Rising 2

Zombie season seems to be in full swing these days, especially with a lot of great stuff popping out of the woodwork that use the undead ghouls as plot material to bake into stories full of blood, carnage, and gore. Thanks to the influence of zombie lore godfathers like the great George A. Romero, you can expect popculture to utilize the "zombie apocalypse" scenario anywhere at any given time, and it could literally explode in your face just as fast as the ghoulish epidemic spreads with just a single bite.