The Illusionist (Edward Norton, Jessica biel, Paul Giamatti)

Director Neil Burger's screen adaptation of Steven Millhauser's short story 'Eisenheim the Illusionist'. Eisenheim (Edward Norton) is a magician in early 1900's Vienna, who falls in love with a woman well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to a Crown Prince, Eisenheim uses his powers to free her and undermine the stability of the royal house of Vienna.

Source: imdb.com

Rating: 3

My sister rented this movie this evening and...well, when it came out I kinda wanted to watch it at the theater -- good thing I didn't though.

It wasn't a slow-paced movie. Sure it was filled with a lot of chit-chattering, but the way it was presented, it kept the audience entertained just like Eisenheim's (Edward Norton) audience were drawn to his magic shows.

This movie is your typical Romeo & Juliet-esque type of lovestory.

Eisenheim (Norton) was a talented young man born to a poor family in Austria. Sophie (Jessica Biel) was born on the lap of luxury and even holds the title of Duchess. Throw in the villain in the form of Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell -- a very talented character actor, I have to admit) and the Mercucio of this play in the form of Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) and you got yourself a receipe for one helluvan entertaining movie.

I don't want to spoil much of what the plot's about, but let's just say that the twist in the end was nicely wrapped up. My Mom was confused when she saw the ending and I had to explain to her how it was possible, but overall it wasn't a bad movie rental for a Friday night.

What irked me, though, was Jessica Biel's acting. She's a pretty gal, and after years of playing Mary Camden in 7th Heaven, you'd think she's honed her acting chops considering the long-running family drama series has been around for like FOREVER now (CW picked it up this season after it was supposedly killed off already when the WB Network said bye-bye this past spring). And her acting was something to be...well, let's just say that accents aren't her forte. Norton's accent, however, was flawless IMO. But given the period setting of this movie, it was kinda hard for me to pick up on certain words the characters were saying back and forth.

Now the one performance that stood out (aside from Sewell's portrayal of Crowned Prince Leopold) was Paul Giamatti as Inspector Uhl. His accent was...holy crap! I was trying to figure out if it was indeed his voice he used 'coz he sounded like a natural with the accent he acquired for his character.

Overall I say give this movie a shot. The movie was told in a story-telling style leading up to the ending. You'll be confused first, but soon you'll figured out what's going on. It wouldn't take you the entire film to find out what's happening or why this scene was switched to this scene or whatnot.

The Lake House starring Keanu Reeves & Sandra Bullock

Dr. Kate Forster has finally found romance. Trouble is, it's a long-distance relationship. She's in downtown Chicago. He's in a remote lakeside suburb. And there's more: She's in 2006. He's in 2004. Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock team up for the first time since Speed for this heart-lifting story of a love that transcends time. It begins when Kate moves out of her visually stunning lake house and leaves a note for the next tenant, architect Alex Wyler. They begin a correspondence and soon come to realize they are meant for each other...and that, somehow, they live two years apart. Can they ever meet? What would happen if they tried? Magical and emotionally rich, The Lake House is a love story for 2004, for 2006, for all times.

Summary from: Back of DVD

Rating: 5

My obsession with Keanu Reeves aside (I've crushed on him since the very first time I saw him in Speed and although throughout the years I skipped watching his other movies that came out, still, I like him!), this movie was simply the best ever! Not to mention it's my favourite movie genre too!

Romantic/Feel-Good/Time Travelling/Drama movie.

Although Keanu's acting never changed throughout the years (he still has that monotone sound to his voice, but like what I said to my sister, I'd rather watch him act than Orlando Bloom -- let's face it, Orlando's a pretty boy, but he seem to only have one facial expression! ), he sure knows how to carry a romantic movie very well. If you don't believe me, watch A Walk in the Clouds and tell me if you weren't sent to a tizzy daydreaming about a good-looking war soldier who wasn't only charming, a gentleman and sweet, but a hero nevertheless!

The Lake House started off with Kate Forster (Sandra Bullock) leaving this awesome looking house on the lake. She left a letter in the mailbox before driving off. Just as her car passed the turn off leading to the lake house, the camera changed; it's still the same scene but you can tell that it's a different time by the way the lighting changed, and an old, beat-up green truck entered heading towards the direction the car came from.

The new tenant, Alex Wyler (Keanu Reeves). He picked up the letter left by the previous tenant in his mailbox and read it. He was confused when she mentioned paw prints and a box in the attic.

I don't wanna spill anymore of what happens after that, but the circumstances that led to Alex and Kate exchanging letters were poignant, sweet, and giggle-worthy. The director, Alejandro Agresti, played it as though the couple were speaking to one another even though they were from different years.

A key scene that occurred nearing the beginning of the movie, just as Kate got settled in Chichago played a vital part nearing the end of the movie. However, as soon as I saw that scene something in my gut told me that the man involved was Alex; the camera didn't do any close-ups and...well, maybe I've seen one too many movies like this hence why I think it was pretty predictable what happened, but that point in the movie was what propelled Kate to get away from the city and go to this one place she felt more herself; it was an advise given to her by the head doctor at the hospital she worked at.

Kate & Alex became a couple regardless of the gap in years between them. They even argued like an old couple after Kate remembered a particular meeting with Alex back in 2004 that sparked the argument between them. They argued and Alex received some bad news; Kate was scanning through old files and came across a life-changing event that happened back in 2004 to Alex's father. She rushed out of the hospital and headed straight to the lake house, slipped something in the mailbox and although she wasn't there physically, she wanted to be there for him to lend Alex a shoulder to cry on.

Like most movies today, I have a gut-feeling this movie took a page off Jane Austen's Persuasion -- a book that was a favourite of Kate's and when she explained what the book was about to Alex, it mirrored their current situation. If you've read the book you can pretty much have an idea what the story's about, although you can guess what the movie's about without reading the book. -LoL- And I doubt Jane Austen's characters were from different years in that book either.

The ending was...well, before I pieced together events/hints given in the beginning of the movie, made me hold my breath for the inevitable meeting between Kate and Alex in current time/year; unfortunately it was Alex's brother Henry (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) who welcomed and entertained Kate and her boyfriend, Morgan (Dylan Walsh). It was also in this scene that Kate found out from Henry where Alex was, which propelled her to go straight back to the lake house and resume their correspondece in the hopes of salvaging what was left of their once wonderful relationship.

I don't want to spill anymore than I probably already have; just watch the movie and I'm sure you're not going to regret it. This movie was definitely worth the money I paid for when I purchased the DVD. I betcha I wouldn't have regretted watching it in the theater too if I had the chance to watch it this past summer.

THE DONALD vs THE ROSIE

OK, ya'll know about this uber mess between Rosie O'Donnell and real-estate mogul, Donald Trump, right? It was fuelled by The Donald's decision to let this Miss America winner keep her crown even though she came out as an...uhm...well, she went to rehab for whatever reason it was that she made such controversy for herself (last I heard she was going to pose for Playboy magazine -- with The Donald's blessings!!!!).

Anyway, for those of you who are in the 'know' about this situation, what do you think?

IMO, I think both the Donald and the Rosie (yeah, gotta brand her with something) are idiots. They're a couple of kids roughing it up in the schoolyard or something. I don't support the Donald's decision because that's just a messed-up thing to do -- especially in the BEAUTY PAGEANT WORLD!!!

I mean, wasn't a former Miss Universe de-crowned or something because she gained weight? Or was it because it turns out she was a mother? Can't remember the nasty details right now about what exactly happened there, but didn't Vanessa Williams (the singer and that nasty boss on Ugly Betty) got the boot too when it was published that she posed nude for some magazine prior to her being crowned Miss America? If stories of such 'beauty queens' getting de-crowned because of the aforementioned offenses, I think whatever this current Miss America chick did was way worse than posing nude or gaining weight OR becoming a single mother!!!!

Jeezums! The Donald really screwed up BIG TIME by being way too effing lenient to this damn effing controversial Miss America winner! I think the chick's probably screwing him on the side hence why he was lenient with her 'antics'. But that's just IMO.

Overall I say these two morons better put a sock in their cakeholes and just get on with their life. Rosie O'Donnell became an annoyance since she quit her talk show. Heck, I couldn't even stand her at all when she was still on that talk show of hers, but she did bring in a few good guests (and her obsession with Tom Cruise always promised a visit from the man himself!).

OK, I just wanna let this annoyance of mine out of my system because...jeezums! They're both how old? Pushing sixty or seventy for The Donald and pushing fifty for The Rosie?

GROW UP, DUDES!

'07 Changes....

First and foremost let me all wish you a very wonderful New Year! It's 2007 already and I think this blog of mine needs to go through some changes.

What kinda changes, you ask?

Oh, nothing drastic, rest assured. I just decided that since I like to rant and complain and disect each and every show, series, movies and...heck, sometimes music videos of certain popular performers of today, I might as well make this my page for ranting about everything Hollywood. -LoL- What do you think?

Oh, I already have my first rant of the year. I'm just itching to get it out and...well, it's not really that big of a deal, but it just annoys me coz you can't seem to read or watch anything on TV that doesn't talk about it -- and you'll soon find out what I'm blabbering about shortly.

So, happy new year to you all and may this year bring us more...juicy topics to talk about! -LoL-

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!

Hi everyone! I hope you're all doing well and ready for Christmas and New Year.

Since a lot of networks are taking a hiatus for the holiday season, I am gonna be taking a holiday as well when it comes to reviewing some of my fave TV shows. I might review a movie or two until the new episodes for my regular TV shows/series resumes again, but for now I'm going to take a rest.

Have fun & stay safe! If you're going to party-hardy, please DRINK RESPONSIBLY!!! Don't drink & drive! Other than that, ENJOY!

"The Lost Room"

A detective investigates a mysterious motel room, which acts as a portal to alternate universe.

Starring: Peter Krause, Juliana Margulies, Kevin Pollack, Elle Fanning

Rating: 5

I am not really a sci-fi fanatic, but I tend to enjoy watching movies/shows/series/minis about the paranormal or supernatural just as long as they were done in good taste and the gore justifies the plot of the story -- not because a lot of people these days are sadistic pricks who loves to see peoples' heads get chopped off or whatnot.

When I saw a preview for this 3-part mini series while watching one of the evening shows with my mom some time last week, I was intrigued by it. And my mother, knowing my taste so darn well, knew I'd be interested in it and voiced it out. I didn't pay much heed to it since I usually miss out watching these so-called 'interesting' shows that irked my fancy.

Why?

Simple. I see a preview for it days in advance, store it at the back of my head, then LIFE happens and I forget about it. -LoL- You'd think I'd sit down and write it in my agenda book or something, right?

Wrong.

I ain't really much of a TV-watcher these days. I have a set day or days when I am going to glue myself in front of the television, and that's only when my fave shows (the ones I watch every week almost religiously) is/are on. Other than that, I'd be lucky to turn on my TV to watch something other than one of my numerous DVD movies! -LoL-

So anyway, back to the movie (which was awesome, by the way), I was sitting watching Stargate SG-1 over at the Space Channel (it was Monday night and I was bored; I dunno why I was even watching TV that night). I was browsing for what other shows are there to watch when I found out tha The Lost Room will follow the show I was watching. Well, ain't I lucky, eh? I almost forgot about it until I saw it on my screen.

Anyway, so yeah, I waited until 7:00 pm when it finally came on. Usually movies that irked my interest in previews tends to not have a very good follow-through when I start watching it (I base my interest in it on whether I'll get hooked on it during its first 5 minutes or not), but this show...well, let's just say that I was hooked on it and I wanted to find out exactly what the heck was going on. Mind you I had to switch channels back and forth 'coz something else that caught my interest was showing in another channel (gawd, don't you just hate different networks showing all these good shows at the same time?!), but overall I ended up sticking to watching this show and was thankful when the continuation (each episode was 2 hours long) will be shown the following evening as opposed to most 2 or 3-part series that gets shown once a week.

I was confused about the Legion and the Order. I wasn't sure whether the Legion were the good guys or the bad guys and same goes with the Order. I was thrown into the confusion and experiencing the feelings Joe Miller (Peter Krause) was feeling by taking a leap of faith, so to speak, and trusting or not trusting this character or that.

By the end of the first episode I was unsure if one of the good guys, the homicide doctor helping Joe and his partner on the case, was good or bad. But it was soon resolved in the second episode. Also, the question about whether the Legion or the Order should be trusted or not was answered in the second episode. There was a twist in the third episode; something so predictable and yet I chose not to believe it until that scene appeared and the dialogues were spoken.

I will not divulge any more of this story's plot. It was a good show. Very well done. And I noticed that it was directed by TWO directors (the third episode was handled by a different director). Nevertheless it all stayed within context. The ending left me wondering; there were some loopholes left unchecked and I wonder...will there be a sequel to this? Will Joe be one of the Objects now?

If this goes on sale I'll buy it! -LoL-

"Scoop" starring Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson & Woody Allen

A student journalist, for a college paper, visiting friends in contemporary London happens upon the scoop of a lifetime. Along the investigative trail, she finds magic, murder, mystery - and perhaps love, with a British aristocrat.

Summary written by Focus Features

Rating: 2

OK, I know I am not a huge Woody Allen fan nor have I seen of his movies he has done in the last how many years since he's made a name for himself, BUT for the sake of wanting to see two of my fave actors on screen together, I went and bought the DVD. Mind you it took me a while before I removed it from its plastic wrapper and popped it in to my DVD player. I was just bored last night and so not wanting to sleep yet so I decided to watch the movie that has been beckoning me to watch it ever since I bought it.

What got me to wanting to see this movie was the really intriguing summary concerning the plot. Then I found out Hugh Jackman's playing the 'eye candy' male and Scarlett Johansson's the leading lady. And I read in the newspaper as well a pretty intriguing review about it so it got me curious.

Well, all I can say is: Thank God I didn't spend over $10 bucks for tickets!

Hmmm...come to think of it, I paid more to buy the darn DVD! Anyway, at least I can always pop the DVD in and drool over the debonair Hugh any time I want. -LoL-

OK, on with the review (since I sooooo love to digress here).

The movie started off with a funeral for a famous journalist who has passed away. Cut scene to his buddies praising him at the local pub, drinking to his happy descent (or ascent -- whichever) to wherever he (the deceased journalist) was going. Another cut scene; it was night and a boat with people were on it. Focus on the Grim Reaper standing at the front of the boat and this guy comes up to him and asked where they were going. Of course no answer. A fellow female passenger told him she has tried, then they got the introductions out of the way.

Ever the journalist (reporter), our deceased named Joe Strombel (Ian McShane) was intrigued by his fellow passenger's tale on how she suspected her boss poisoned her.

I won't be spoiling too much. A series of rather mundane, not so laugh worthy scenes followed, then it was time for Sandra (Scarlett Johansson) to find out who this Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman) is and scoop out the truth about the so-called Tarot Card Murderer.

Scarlett and Hugh were awesome! Made me love them as an on-screen couple. And I applaud Hugh's ability to be both a comedian and a serious actor. And Scarlett...well, she's just a gem! I mean, I watched her in An American Rhapsody and the Island and In Good Company portraying three different characters. She was awesome.

Scoop served a few good laughs, but honestly, I was soooooooooo glad I could press the forward key and skip through the scenes that bore me.