Movie Review: Resident Evil: Retribution

Movie: Resident Evil: Retribution (also: Resident Evil 5)
Genres: Horror, Action, Thriller, Sci-Fi
Runtime: about 96 minutes
Format: 2D and 3D
Rated: R
Studio: Constantin Film
Country: USA
Language: English
Official Website: http://www.residentevil-movie.com/site/

Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
Producers: Paul W. S. Anderson, Jeremy Bolt, Don Carmody, Samuel Hadida, Robert Kulzer
Writer: Paul W. S. Anderson
Cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Kevin Durand, Sienna Guillory, Shawn Roberts, Aryana Engineer, Colin Salmon, Johann Urb, Boris Kodjoe, Li Bingbing.

Release Date: September 14, 2012
Find it: At your local Cinema
Scores:

Metacritic: 39/100 (critics); 5.6/10 (users)
Rotten Tomatoes: 27% (critics); 56% (users)

My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Hey everybody, let's play "name that quote," shall we? Can you name which character said this particular line and which of the Resident Evil movies is it from?

"You are all going to die down here!"

Well, if you said "The Red Queen, Resident Evil 1," you are CORRECT!! Congratulations! You are either a fan of the movie franchise or well acquainted with your pop culture.

If your answer was "The Red Queen, Resident Evil: Retribution (or RE: 5)," you are most certainly CORRECT as well. Congratulations! You have officially been tortured at the movie theater.

Movie Review: The Avengers

Movie: Marvel’s The Avengers
Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Runtime: 143 minutes
Format: Regular and 3D
Rating: PG–13
Studio: Marvel Studios
Country: USA
Language: English
Official Website: http://marvel.com/avengers_movie/

Director: Joss Whedon
Producer: Kevin Feige
Writer: Joss Whedon

Music: Alan Silvestri
Based on: The Avengers by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård, Samuel L. Jackson

Release Date: May 4, 2012
Find it: In a theater and Imax theater near you
Scores:

• Metacritic: 69/100 (critics); 8.6/10 (users)  
• Rotten Tomatoes: Fresh: 93% (critics); 96% (users)  
• My rating: ★★★★★

No wonder the movie has made millions, it’s amazing! It is the funniest of all the superhero movies to date. Now I want to see it again.

Did you saw Thor? If you did, know this, Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston) is back and with a thirst for vengeance. If you didn’t saw that movie, Loki is Thor’s adopted little brother, who believes he is the only one fit enough to be king.

So Loki is back searching to get revenge on Thor by taking over Earth and subjugating every last human being, whom he compares to ants. Yup, according to Loki, we are ants and he is the boot. His weapon of choice to take over worlds? The Tesseract, known in the comic universe as The Cosmic Cube; it’s a self-sustained source of immeasurable power. Humans (world leaders) want to use it and uncover its secrets to solve the worldwide energy crisis –or so they say– while Loki has other plans for it. So naturally, humans are scrambling in order to avoid succumbing to Loki’s reign of terror. In comes Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) closely follow by Agent Coulson (played by Clark Gregg) with a plan, a last hope that will prove either the perfect solution or the biggest mistake ever; The Avengers Initiative.

The Hunger Games (Spoiler Free)

Movie: The Hunger Games 

Genre(s): Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Action-Drama
Runtime: 2:22
Format: regular
Rating: PG–13
Studio: Lionsgate
Country: USA
Language: English
Official Website: The Hunger Games Movie

Director: Gary Ross
Producer(s): Jon Kilik, Nina Jacobson, Suzanne Collins, Robin Bissell
Writer(s): Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley

Release Date: March 23, 2012
Find it: Currently in a theater near you.
Scores:

• Metacritic: 68/100 (critics); 7.8/10 (users) [http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-hunger-games] 
• Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (critics); 95% (users) [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games/] 
• My rating: ★★★★★

Yesterday was the release day for the hugely awaited movie based on Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. The dystopian tale of survival featuring Katniss Everdeen and her role in the deadliest games in Panem.

Disclaimer: For those of you who have not read the book yet or do not plan to read it, this is my shorter, spoiler free review of the movie The Hunger Games. If you have read the book and would rather want to read my spoiler-splashed review click here.

Whenever I see that my favorite books are being turned into movies or TV, I get small panic attack. It is so rare for a movie to follow a book closely that most of the times I feel like I am watching a completely different story. Sometimes these adaptations/variations simply work, for example: True Blood (I love what they did to Lafayette’s character) other times they fail to reach the bar set by the book.

The Hunger Games (Spoilers Alert)

Movie: The Hunger Games
Genre(s): Dystopian, Sci-Fi, Action-Drama
Runtime: 2:22
Format: regular
Rating: PG–13
Studio: Lionsgate
Country: USA
Language: English
Official Website: The Hunger Games Movie

Director: Gary Ross
Producer(s): Jon Kilik, Nina Jacobson, Suzanne Collins, Robin Bissell
Writer(s): Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins, Billy Ray
Main Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley

Release Date: March 23, 2012
Find it: Currently in a theater near you.
Scores:

• Metacritic: 68/100 (critics); 7.8/10 (users) [http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-hunger-games] 
• Rotten Tomatoes: 86% (critics); 95% (users) [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games/] 
• My rating: ★★★★★

Yesterday was the release day for the hugely awaited movie based on Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. The dystopian tale of survival featuring Katniss Everdeen and her role in the deadliest games in Panem.

Disclaimer: If you are reading this review I am assuming that you read the book and already know the story and what happens in it. What I want to do here is to just mention what I thought of the movie in general, the castings, the settings and the accuracy of the story. If you haven’t read the books yet, and/or simply don’t want spoilers, please visit this link instead.

Whenever I see that my favorite books are being turned into movies or TV, I get small panic attack. It is so rare for a movie to follow a book closely that most of the times I feel like I am watching a completely different story. Sometimes these adaptations/variations work, for example: True Blood (I love what they did to Lafayette’s character) other times they fail to reach the bar set by the book.

News: Dark Shadows by Tim Burton

Have we ever seen Johnny Depp as a vampire before? Personally, I don't remember a movie of off his where he is a fangy creature; but although I have seen most of his movie I don’t believe that I’ve seen them all so please excuse me if I’m wrong (and feel to correct me in the comments section below).

Whether we have seen it or not before, we will definitely be seen it this Mother’s Day weekend. Why? Because the movie hits theaters on Friday May 11, 2012; just 2 days before Mother’s Day.

On a quick glance what can we find? Well…

• A Tim Burton movie? Check! 
• Johnny Depp as the main actor as well as producer? Check and Check! 
• Helena Bonham Carter as a supporter actress? Check! 
• Music by Danny Elfman? Hell yeah!! Double Check! 

Aditional cast members include:

Mirror Mirror's Social Queen

Hello everybody!!

I just found the funniest video trailer ever!!! It is from the movie Mirror, Mirror and I'm sure this video will make you  smile; The Queen is on Facebook!!! The movie stars Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen and Lily Collins as Snow White; will be hitting theaters on March 30, 2012.

What do you think? Did you like the video or not? Let everyone know in the comments section below.
(click Read More to see the video).

Survival Guide to “Based on” Movies

Some of 2012's Upcoming Movies that are based on a book or other type of work (click the image to enlarge).

So you intend to watch a movie that is based on somebody else’s work or experience? Maybe your favorite series or author has landed the opportunity to become a blockbuster hit and you are already waiting in line for tickets. Such an endeavor can be an excruciating experience, especially to the more hardcore fan base of the adapted work. And let’s be honest, now-a-days half the movies that are being produced are based on either a bestselling book, a graphic novel, a video game, somebody’s life experience, or my personal favorite (sarcasm intended) a remake of a classic (some of them are not even old enough to be considered classics; Hello Spiderman, Yes! I’m talking to you!).

As an avid reader myself I have become cautious whenever I hear or read that one of my beloved stories will soon be gracing a Big Screen near me or even my TV. I have reread books just before going to a cinema so that I have a fresher memory of the events detailed on the story, just to exit the movie theater arguing while having to explain to my boyfriend (he is not a book lover) all the inconsistencies in the plot line and why it was such a letdown. Which is why –noting the continuous influx of this type of material being produced– I have decided to put together a list of tips or advices to help you survive the tumultuous journey that is watching a “based on” type of movie.

DISCLAIMER: This list is by no means comprehensive, it is not a set of rules or laws that have to be obeyed; it is nothing more than a mere recollection of what I have learned while going through this particular experience several times before.

Tips & Advices:

First of all, and it is extremely important that you understand this crucial factor; movies are meant for entertainment, they are supposed to reach and touch those fibers that make up your feelings and emotions; it is not meant to be accurate, it is not going to be a word by word translation of the actions described by the author of the original scripture. It is but an interpretation of said events or stories imagined by those who direct it and produce it and the rest of the cast and crew.

1. If you haven’t read the book yet, do not, I repeat DO NOT read the work on which the movie is based prior to watching it. For example, if you are going to see The Hunger Games this month but haven’t read the books yet, don’t do it. Reading the book before watching the movie, solely because you are going to watch it, will automatically put you on a defensive stance the moment the movie starts rolling. 

Underworld: Awakening

Movie: Underworld: Awakening
Genre(s): Action, Fantasy, Horror
Runtime: 88 minutes
Format: 2D and 3D
Rating: R
Studio: Screen Gems
Country: USA
Language: English (with Spanish subtitles)
Official Website: http://www.entertheunderworld.com/

Director(s): Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein
Producer(s): David Kern, Gary Lucchesi, James McQuaide, Tom Rosenberg, Skip Williamson, Henry Winterstern, Len Wiseman, Richard S. Wright
Writer(s): Len Wiseman, John Hlavin, J. Michael Straczynski, Allison Burnett, Kevin Grevioux, Danny McBride
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Theo James, Kris Holden-Ried

Release Date: January 20, 2012 (USA); January 26, 2012 (PR)
Find it: In a theater near you
Scores:

• Metacritic: 39/100 (critics); 7.2/10 (users)
• Rotten Tomatoes: 31% (critics); 75% (users)
• My rating: ★★★☆☆

Underworld: Awakening opened in theaters here in Puerto Rico this past Thursday. I have been a loyal fan to the franchise since the very first Underworld made its debut, so naturally by Friday I was, with ticket in hand and boyfriend in tow (not that he minded ~.^), walking into the cinema to enjoy the next chapter of this epic story. We managed to find some decent seats in the top level of the fully packed cinema. 45 minutes of movie trailers and same commercials that I can watch home and the movie began. Approximately an hour and a half later the credits began to roll and I was left with a feeling of “that’s it?!” Let me explain…

–  –  –  –  –  DISCLAIMER: SOME SPOILERS AFTER THIS LINE  –  –  –  –  –  –

Resident Evil: Retribution, Official Trailer

Courtesy of Resident Evil Movie via Facebook Page.

To all my followers and lurkers here is a question: how many of you are Resident Evil fans? My answers, I am one. 

My first contact with the franchise happened when I was around 11, when my cousin bought the very first Resident Evil for his PlayStation, fast-forward a few years and the first movie hit theaters. Now, 21 games, 4 motion pictures and 2 CGI movies later the franchise keeps going on strong with its next two new movies to be release this year. For the new CGI movie (Resident Evil: Damnation) there is no release date other than 2012. But us fans can count for sure on the release of Resident Evil: Retribution, schedule for September 14, 2012. The very first trailer has hit the web today, so without further ado, I’ll leave you to enjoy the trailer:

First Trailer of The Hobbit

OH My God! OH My God! It is finally here!! The first trailer for The Hobbit has finally been released!!

This is one of those movies that needs no introduction, it has become such a cultural phenomenon that even those who haven’t read the book (or neither of the stories of Middle Earth) or even saw the movies based on The Lord of the Rings easily recognize it; and chances are will march alongside the hard core fan base towards the movie theaters in order to see it. 

The Hobbit or There and Back Again is one of my all-time favorite books. It’s such a great adventure riddle with danger and courage and magic; it’s the perfect tale of the reluctant hero. It’s one of those books that I can re-read time and time again and never get tired of it (which I had, numerous times ^.~).

In the trailer we see a younger looking Bilbo Baggins being approached by Gandalf the Grey, soon Bilbo’s house gets taken over by a bunch of ale drinking, food rampaging dwarfs. One of my favorite scenes from the book takes place at the beginning of the story, while Bag End is temporary taken over to host a secret meeting. After all the plotting and plans of departure are done, the dwarfs begin to sing. I am so glad it was presented on the trailer; watching it sent chills all over my body. Aside from Sir Ian McKellen, a slew of well-known actors are re-dressing themselves with their Middle Age garbs. Among them we get to see Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, the dwarfs, the trolls, and a gleam at Andy Serkis’ Gollum.

I’m not going to say any more spoilers; the movie has been slated for December 14, 2012 which means an entire year before we can sit to enjoy it; plus an entire year of pure torture. In the mean time we must make due with trailers, teasers and promo spots.

Let the Battle of the Snow Whites Begin!

Next year will feature a faceoff to see who is the best Snow White; with two different takes on the classic story Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The first trailer for both movies came out recently and both seem to part greatly from the original story that inspired them. Both movies have one thing going on that I love, and is that the damsel in distress concept seems to be thrown out the window. I remember the first time I read the story of Snow White, not the Disney version, the original (or close to the original) were the Evil Queen be spells her not once, but three times!; first (if my memory serves me right) with a string of cloth, second with a comb and then the famous poisoned apple being the last try. The first thing that crossed my mind was, “oh not again! Is she really that stupid?” I was outraged to say the least. So – for me at least – to see the concept of the princess in waiting and sometimes downright useless lady being completely scrapped off in favor of a witty, sassy, go getter type of female is a refreshing move that I hope will give little girls the chance to see that we can do whatever we set our minds to. 

The Hunger Games Official Trailer

Its finally here, no more teasers, the Official Hunger Games Movie Trailer has debuted today during Good Morning America (watch the volume at the very beginning for screaming fans are deafening).

UPDATE: To read my review of the movie click on one of the following links:

• The Hunger Games (Spoiler Alert)
• The Hunger Games (Spoiler Free)

Here is an HD version of the video uploaded to YouTube

The Hunger Games comes out March 23, 2012 and it is based on the bestseller book – the first of a trilogy – of the same name by Suzanne Collins.