Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

Vampires, zombies, werewolves and all things undead or supernatural. Also, not to forget Brandon Routh. Think of it as a powerless Superman in the world of Buffy, Underworld and True Blood add together. I may be a comic junkie but I have no idea that the movie is based from a comic. Fine, it originated from Italy and Dark House did an adaptation later.

Dylan Dog is a paranormal private eye but currently investigating "normal" cases until someone hired him for a mysterious death of her father. As the investigation digs deeper, Dylan uncovered a possible war between the vampires and werewolves.

Brandon Routh portrays a serious character so the show can get dull. Thank goodness there was comic in the show. Marcus Adams(Sam HuntingTon) added some life into the show as his undead partner(he hoped). Marcus was murdered by the same murderer of the case victim and later raised as a zombie. Denying his outcome, his rejection as a zombie can be hilarious. The guy reminded me of Shia Lebeouf.

Ratings: 3

Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 3: Keroro Versus Keroro - Great Sky Duel

Apparently out of randomness, I opened up YouTube and Keroro was on the recommended list. I was supposed to go to work but I chose to watch the third movie. Kero-kero-kero...(evil Keron laugh)

In the third installment, the Keron platoon sets out to Machu Pichu in search of a lost alien technology. While exploring the underground sectors, Keroro accidentally or stupidly activated multiple booby traps which lead the whole team into an alien cavern. There again, Keroro clumsily activated something but nothing major happened so they headed home.

Soon after, the whole world was invaded by an alien that look exactly like Keroro, only much more ruthless and less idiotic. He managed to conquer Pekopon within 2 minutes. It's up to the Keron platoon to surrender or regain conquest of Pekopon.

Keroro Movie 3 touches more on friendship and the strength of a friendship bond. Your true friend will always be there no matter what, even if they're beside you invisible.

Ratings: 3

Sucker Punch

Truthfully, I'm watching this for the ladies. The trailer looks unique, a blend of Burlesque and Kill Bill. I can't seem to grasp the concept of the show from the trailer but I sure wish to see more of the ladies.

But after watching the actual show, it was quite a disappointment. The only notable beauty is Jaime Chung. But the action and fantasy part of the show can be said as good. Its sure awesome to see ladies in action, kinky in a way too. LOL... Sucker Punch can be quite confusing, not too sure which is the true fantasy because there's fantasy within fantasy, unlike Inception. True enough, You will be unprepared for the show.

Ratings: 2

Green Lantern

There are plenty of comic book superheroes coming into the big screen for 2011. There was Thor, X-Men, and soon premiering Captain America and Transformers to name a few. Green Lantern is one to add in the list of 2011 superhero.

Ryan Reynolds dropped his role as my favorite Merc with a mouth Deadpool for the emerald knight Green Lantern. The movie followed closely to it's comic counterpart for most of it's characters from Sinestro, the Guardians, Kilowog, Edin Sur and Tomar Rae. But the movie is to boastful of it's CGI effect. I understand that the power of the ring is projection of your mind and will but is there a need for a CGI filled costume, not necessary for the need of the power of will flowing within the costume, which is also a projection.

Ryan Reynolds struggled maintaining a serious fearless Hal Jordan but still as witty as Berg from Two Guys and a Girl. So with a funny persona, his projectile would also be slightly humorous like a Hotwheel-like track for saving a running helicopter. He should just pursue the role of Wade Wilson/Deadpool from X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Overall, the plot of the show follows closely to the comics but could be better. Stay on for the post credit scene which could probably lead to a sequel.

Ratings: 2.5

Evangelion 2.0: You Can (Not) Advance

The next chapter to the Evangelion Rebuild Tetralogy. Some of the question of my doubts from the first movie has been cleared. And I do mean some. New characters are introduced, Asuka to name the few is a new pilot for the EVA-02.

In this installment, the relationship between Shinji and his father became more intense and the two grew apart. A decision form his father caused Shinji to loose his trust and decided to refuse piloting the EVA. And with Asuka in the picture, a love triangle is build between her, Shinji and Rei. Things can't seem to get more complicating.

The Angels are getting fiercer too, with one contaminating EVA-02. The plot is gets clearer as it progresses but it thickens and gets complicating and intense near the end. The fights are so much better and intense than the prequel. And the ending is cliffhanger. I'm definitely looking forward to the next instalment to clear the doubts and catching the actions.

Ratings: 3

Evangelion 1.11: You Are (Not) Alone

Evangelion has been around for ages and I find the sci-fi to be too intense. With the rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy, I decided to give it a go. 1.11 is the prequel of the Evangelion franchise.

True enough, the mecha function is quite confusing and there isn't much elaboration like the encounter of the first "Angel", how Rei was recruited to operate the first Evangelion and how Shinji was left in the town, being in the crossfire of the UN and the third Angel. Maybe as the franchise evolves, the questions will be answered. For now, the animation is quite captivating with added 3D technology and refine remake of the original. I saw some caption online to differentiate the remake form the original.

Overall, plot starts in the middle and I have to figure what actually is going on. Action sequence is spectacular. With that I have catch the all the remaining installment.

Ratings: 3

Thor: Tales of Asgard

Before Mjolnir, before the sibling rivalry and before Odin's single eye, comes the tales of Asgard. Ever wonder how Odin injured one of his eyes, or how the Sif and the Warriors Three came about, Tales of Asgard reveals majority of the story which could possibly the prequel to the movie through animation.

A younger Thor is much more arrogant than his adult self. To show his worth, he quest to venture in search of a powerful sword, stories told that it's lost in the land of the Frost Giants. In aid of his brother, Loki and a new friendship with the Warriors Three, the group ventures into the land of ice. Due to trespassing and lost of two sentries, the Frost Giant declared war with Asgard. All hell breaks loose, or should I say heaven???

Ratings: 3

Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 2: The Deep Sea Princess

I was running low on home video and there isn't much new movies that interest me. So I was going through a list of movies and found anime. I remember I had Evangelion somewhere but while looking through the anime list, I found a rather familiar name, Keroro Gunso.

The anime series is definitely funny and enjoyable but spamming up to 200+ episodes dragged me to complete. So I stopped a long time ago. I watched the first movie a few years back and noticed that there are 5 movies to date. Hence, the quickest and cheapest mean of watching is through streaming YouTube.

Like the first movie, Earth was attacked by another Kiruru but the attacked was stopped by an unknown force. Keroro and friends heard of the incident and decided to investigate. Unknown by the Pekeponian (Earthling), the Keroro Platoon wanted to harvest the power for their ever failing Earth conquest.

During investigation, Natsumi was abducted by the alien force and brought to meet a Maronion prince in search for his princess. The Keroro Platoon planned to invade the Marons deep sea territory to save their long-time friend.

Keroro Gunso have been a stupid frog since the start, crazy and funny misdemeanour never fails to make me laugh. And most Japanese anime touches on the value of love and friendship which is present in this movie.

Ratings: 3

Season of the Witch

Closely similar to the Salem witch trial but sets in the medieval Roman period. Women who were accused of witchcraft are executed without fair trials.

Not to expect those green witches with a broomstick nor dames like in The Craft. There are a few noted ladies and do do mean few, 2 the least. Brehmen( Nicholas Cage) and companion Felson (Ron Pearlman) were fighting in the crusades and decided to desert the order when they were involved in the massacre of civilians. During their travel, they came across a town where they were arrested as a deserter. Upon hearing words that a knight is in town, the Cardinal requested the knight to venture in a quest of transporting an alleged witch for causing a plague in his land. Agreeing upon the clearing of their charges of deserters and a proper fair trial for the witch, the knights sets out on the road to travel to a remote monastery to determine whether the girl is truly a witch. If found guilty, a ritual will be performed to cancel her powers.

The party for the quest seems more like a road to redemption, each member has a history to clear. From clearing charges as deserters, living up to the name of his deceased father who was a knight, a swindler in return of pardon and a knight who lost his daughter. The journey was torturous where a member dies at some point. And upon reaching the monastery, the group realized that a greater force is at play, greater than witchery.

Ratings: 3

I Am Number Four

Could it be another Harry Potter, Twilight or just something like Spiderwick or Percy Jackson? I couldn't fathom what the trailer was implying with human with superpowers, is it another superhero flick or an alien show. Apparently, the narrator cleared my doubt - it's an alien movie.

9 aliens were sent to Earth to escape their invading planet. Together with a warrior-guardian, the aliens grew up on Earth. At the start of the movie, an alien and his guardian were attacked at their cottage. In attempt to escape, the alien boy showed great finesse and agility but failed to escape the invaders. When killed, the next alien, John Smith was notified across the continent. With an "alien" induced scar to notify him that the first 3 aliens has been assassinated and he is the next in line, i.e. I Am Number Four. Catch the drift.

In attempt for personal safety, John and his guardian fled their current location and moved to Ohio. There he started a new life and made some friends, the lovely Dianna Agron.

Ian't she lovely? Sadly she is suitable playing the beautiful mysterious girl just like Quinn in Glee. But I still find her hot, just like my office crush (that would be another story JBQC if I feels like writing it).

Relation and romance between John and Sarah(Agron) is so-so. Don't expect those like in Twilight but the action is definitely better than Twilight, Percy Jackson and Spiderwick put together. Overall, I am Number Four is a watchable show. Not sure if the reception could produce a sequel. If they did, I'll just catch it at home just like the latter.

Ratings: 3

The Adjustment Bureau

Do you believe in fate or chance? Is falling in love fate or chance? And do you believe in free will? These are the elements that are covered in The Adjustment Bureau. The Adjustment Bureau is an "organization" that ensures that selected people does not go off course for the better good. The chairman plans the fate and his employees ensures the selected person follows on course.

A congressman, David Norris(Matt Damon) lost the election. While preparing for his recovery speech, he met Elise in the bathroom. Elise inspires him and his speech went off script, being honest which the crowd loves. But the meet-up with Elise was planned and future meet-ups were not part of the "plan". The affection will deviate future plans for David and the bureau took every step to keep them apart.

The Adjustment Bureau has a close element to the Matrix, and actions closed to Borne Identity. The coolest aspect of the show would be opening doors to another location. The movie is not as complicated as the Matrix and it's easy to understand. Only question is, is the chairman GOD?

Ratings: 3

The Hangover Part II

Drug-drunk movie reference has always been an unfavorable theme for me. It always irritates me to see such abuses. But the Hangover movies is different which is surprising unusual. It doesn't dwell around abusing drugs and liquor but the effect of excessive abuse.

Stu is marrying an Asian at a beach in Thailand. the Wolfpack decides to have a drug-free bachelor party. And like the first movie, the trio woke up in Bangkok, not remembering what had happened the night before. Another similar event from the first movie, one of their accomplice went missing. The trio have to retrace their tracks in search of their missing accomplice, this time is Stu's brother-in-law.

There are definitely many similarities to the first Hangover especially the plot. Even for it's drug-drink theme, seeing the after-effect is still enjoyable. What I enjoy more is the location in Thailand which I still missed.

Ratings: 3.5

Paul

If there are chick-flicks, there should be a geek-flick. Sci-fi are the most common geek-flick with character from another world, with extraordinary powers or simply a grotesque non-human from another era. Well, Paul is definitely from another world and would be mostly categories as a comedy but the geek-dom elements will pass it off as geek-flick.

Have you ever met a rude and obnoxious alien before? Sure there might  those from the Cantina mumbling and cursing in an alien language, but have you heard one in English. Paul the guy, erm alien...

Paul crash landed on Earth for almost half a century. Being held at by the government, Paul shared his secrets and idea to create famous extra-terrestrial phenomenon.Years past and Paul ran away hoping to return home where he bumped into a pair of European geeks, Graeme and Clive (Simon Pegg and Nick Frost). The geeky duo agreed to help and ended in tremendous misadventures.

I loved the pair of Pegg and Frost since Shaun of the Dead. They worked well together and their humor are quite dumb-witted and crude at some point, typically a British humor. No wonder Paul is crude and obnoxious.

Ratings: 3.5

Rio

It's summer and most movies are heading to Rio De Janeiro. OK, the only one I know is Fast 5 and now Rio.Another animation about birds since Happy Feet with awesome musical numbers.

A Spix's Macaw, Blu was smuggle out of Rio through Wildlife Trade and made his to Minnesota. Linda, a small girl then, found Blu and both grew up as companion. Years passed and an ornithologist(someone who studies about birds, it's a bird movie!!!) claimed that Blu is the last male Spix's Macaw and needs to mate with a female macaw back in Rio. To prevent extinction, both Linda and Blu agreed. While in the lab, Blu and the female Spix's Macaw, Jewel were abducted during a night break-in.

As the last remaining Spix's Macaw, the pair fetches a high price but the couples managed to escape. The adventure continues to get back to Linda with the help of other feather friends around Rio.

Like Happy Feet(same producers), the animation is stunning with tons of adorable characters. The musical score is also great with samba and percussion aligning the in-show event of Rio's Carnival.

Ratings: 3

X-Men: First Class

I'm trying to be optimistic here. I'm a major comic buff especially on the X-Men franchise. Looking through the members of the X-Men: First Class, I was quite disappointed. So where's the original X-Men - Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel and Beast. Well, they did have Beast in his furry mutation. Then again, the plot and roster for the previous X-Men movies were majorly off but I still enjoyed them. It was great a real life portrayal of my favorite group of heroes.

First Class sets before the Xavier School of Gifted Youngsters was founded, when Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr first met. The Hellfire Club led by Sebastian Shaw together with Emma Frost, Azazel and Riptide, planned to start a nuclear war between Russia and America. Charles and Erik with the help of CIA explore in search of new mutants, Mystique, Angel Salvatore, Havok, Banshee, Beast and Darwin, to stop theevil plans of the HellfireClub.

Thanks to the different plot and setting of the original X-Men movie from the comics, many events had to be shifted accordingly, which was nicely plotted. All references and cameos were awesome, expect to see or hear familiar names. The plot and roster may not be as similar to the comics but it did well to gel up all the first 4 franchise. And sadly, there is no post-credit scene in this movie unlike most Marvel Movies.

Ratings: 4