REVIEWS: Stories of hope lost, love forced, and premarital love...

I Am Legend
Starring: Will Smith
Director: Francis Lawrence
Summarizing Quote: "If I were to divide the film into, I don't know, 4 parts, I'd say that
3 parts of the pie was pretty damn satisfying, the denouement... not so
much."

Man, I got three introductions for this review in mind. One is the fact that the movie is a sort of reiteration of 3 (or was it 4?) past movies of different names, two is the fact that a movie with Will Smith on the cover is equal to money, and three, I actually liked Francis Lawrence, the director's, other work Constantine. And apparently, I've already combined them (3 intros) into one... But anywho,...

Will Smith's latest box-office blockbuster is about a scientist named Robert Neville who is trying to discover a cure for a cancer cure gone wrong in 2012. Well, it seems that the so-called cancer cure made people mutate into these nocturnal vampiric creatures who lust for healthy human blood and now, it seems that Neville is quite immune to it despite the virus being airborne and all.

In actuality, the movie is actually a sort of chronicling of a few days in the "last man alive"'s life, but that's the aspect that makes it so interesting. However, if I were to divide the film into, I don't know, 4 parts, I'd say that 3 parts of the pie was pretty damn satisfying, the denouement... not so much. Thrills were abundant, scares are pretty well placed, and there are also a lot of explosives.

Plus, Will Smith manages to carry the whole one-man show all to the end and projects his role pitch-perfect, and suddenly, the appearance of the girl and her son Ethan would be too good to be true and too... coincidental.

This is why I don't really like the denouement, because one would probably want to see how the scientist will end up by himself. But then again, the agenda would end too soon now, wouldn't it?

Besides that gripe, I see nothing wrong in the movie and is easy to recommend as well. Overall, I like it, and it is undeniably well made. And as a bonus, it offers thought-provoking insight as to how the humans will destroy themselves, possibly in the near future, and if it may indeed happen.

Rating: 8.5/10

Knocked Up
Starring: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl
Director: Judd Apatow
Summarizing Quote: "It's full of the f- word, but once you learn how to appreciate and dig deeper inside that raunchy facade, you'll see a core story that's surprisingly warm and sensible."

Judd Apatow's follow-up to the critical success The 40-Year Old Virgin is quite full of it. I mean, the f- word. But once you learn how to appreciate and dig deeper inside that rauchy facade, you'll see a core story that's surprisingly warm and sensible.

It starts out with the separate lives of two different people. Allison, an up and coming reporter for E! News (yes, complete with a great performance by Ryan Seacrest and the E! Crew) and Ben, a drug-sniffing, carefree slacker. Their lives get tied by that fateful drunken evening and the one night's stand, then things start going haywire afterwards.

It's quite hard to appreciate especially if the dialogue's full of swear words, and sex talk, but the thing I see that makes it worth tolerating is the fact that its social commentary is quite effective in its execution, but the promised belly-laughs weren't present. It talks about love, life, giving up and taking responsibility for one's actions, or in this case, one's baby. But you know what, maybe I'll be watching this again so I can understand it further, because it's quite awkward watching this kind of comedy with my sister. Haha. Expect an update on this.

However, Heigl's performance was quite great and shows that she can take on roles other than an intern, or a bridesmaid. Rogen's also convincing as a slacker too because you can already see that quality in one glance.

Rating: not definite yet

December Boys
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe
Director: Rod Hardy
Summarizing Quote: "The several happenings that occur don't really confuse, which is a feat in itself. In fact, it's quite a bit charming, and the cinematography further increases its charm. The sappy story may bore some though, but it's still quite an interesting movie all the same.

"Oh look, it's Harry Potter!"

Oh sorry, I don't think Mr. Radcliffe doesn't want us to identify him as that forever.

You can't blame him for trying to deviate from the role that he has been known for. And that is why he has December Boys under his belt. It actually shows that he can be a competent actor in the future, but the movie... is just a tad bit too sappy.

Actually, it's supposed to be about four orphans (WHAT THE HELL DOES RADCLIFFE HAVE FOR ORPHANS?!) who were all born at the month of December (thus the name December Boys). They do live under a Catholic orphanage, but that doesn't mean they don't have vices, and they show that in the beginning, even if one of them aspires to be a priest. However, the sisters in the convent have granted them permission to go first for a little "vacation" in a place where the filmmakers can show their ultra-beautiful cinematography skills in Australia and meet two people who will be taking care of them- the cancer-stricken Skipper, and her husband Bandy. They also meet other entities in the beach: a daredevil cyclist and his unfertile (?) wife, a girl who is visiting for the summer, and a few old men.

There, the friendship of the four orphans get put to the test, especially when one of them overhears a conversation about adopting one of them. Making Maps' (Radcliffe) life further complicated and romantic was the blonde girl visiting for the summer named Lucy whom he meets secretly, and experiences with her a lot of "firsts".

More happenings then lead to many others, but the movie doesn't make them confusing to follow. in fact, it's quite a bit charming as well, and the cinematography further increases its charm. The sappy story may bore some though, but it's still quite an interesting movie all the same. One other bother is the fact that Radcliffe's star power can push the other protagonists away, so the balance, I feel, is a bit unequal, especially since Radcliffe isn't the real star here. Heck, an older version of another orphan is the one narrating instead!

It's good but not great. If you want better concocted coming of age stories, maybe you can try... Persepolis perhaps?

Rating: 7.5/10