Category: Culture Vulture

Batman Begins

As we’re in the middle of 2005 I will say that Batman Begins is on the top of the list of Best Movies Watched in 2005.

Christian Bale is a convincing Batman/Bruce Wayne and he’s totally erased the nightmare that was Batman and Robin (Sorry George Clooney, I heart you but that movie should definately not be on your “highlight reel”).
The duality of him as the brooding Batman and happy-go-lucky Wayne is striking. Once he dons the mask and cape, Bruce Wayne ceases to exist.

The action is just right and there are moments of humor that lightens the tension of this far darker Batman movie. Michael Caine is brilliant as Alfred. Morgan Freeman has a small role as Lucius Fox, friend of the family, and inventor of the many cool things that Batman uses.

Like Pia, I love how Christopher Nolan has utilized the cape, which really makes Batman more frightening than he has in the past with all the swooping and diving.

Katie Holmes has her moments as Rachel Dawes, but please woman! Enough of the “Joey Potter” facial tics. I was distracted by her lop-sided grin.

That is just one detraction from the film and a minor one as that. I highly recommend Batman Begins. It’s one movie I wouldn’t mind watching again.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

The best way to describe this movie is “War of the Roses meets James Bond” with lots of eye candy and interesting action.

There’s nothing much to write home about regarding the actual plot. Jane and John meet under tenuous circumstances (somebody tried to kill the Columbian President and the police are looking for “tourists” who are alone). They fall in love, get married but after five (or six years), the spark has gone. However both are oblivious to the fact that their spouse is an assassin.

The jig is soon up and they have to decide whether they’re going to kill each other or if they’re still in love.

Angelina Jolie is essentially playing Lara Croft (but without the British accent) while Brad Pitt is play Rusty Ryan (his character in Ocean’s Eleven and Twelve). While there is chemistry between the two stars, Angelina Jolie totally dominates. That woman is SMOKING! Next to her Brad Pitt seemed very ordinary.

If you’re looking for something to distract you for a couple of hours this is the movie for you.

Rating: 6/10

A Suspense of A Romance

Watching tv on Sunday I was bombarded with an extended trailer for Star Cinema’s June release Nasaan Ka Man, starring Claudine Barretto, Diether Ocampo and Jericho Rosales.

Why extended? The trailer gave away everything but the ending.
Even with my basic understanding of Tagalog, I got the following:

The characters played by Claudine, Diether and Jericho were raised by these two women. When they grow up Claudine and Jericho fall in love and want to marry *cue romantic picnics and chasing through fields*

But Diether is enraged by this. He starts to stalk Claudine and even tries to kill Jericho’s character before Claudine pushes him off a hill.

There’s a funeral and the two young lovers are free to be together.

But wait and this is where things get creepy. Claudine starts to see Diether’s character wherever she goes. Is she being haunted by his spirit? Or something worse?

Holy smokes folks! I got all that from watching the trailer. But I’m more disturbed by the fact that the film is trying to be both a romantic drama and a suspense. Will it work?