"The Hangover" - Early Review

Rated by Stars: * Waste of Time / ** Okay / *** Recommended / **** Superb

Overall: ***1/2

The film does not yet arrive in theaters until this friday, but fortuntely, my sister and I managed to see an early screening on tuesday night at the Showplace Theater in downtown Chicago. And believe me when I say the place was jam packed for the screening. I honestly have never seen a theater so full for a comedy. And after seeing it, it was definately worth it.

Director Todd Phillips ("Road Trip" and "Old School") returns to the big screen after a four year absence (being "School for Scoundrels" his last film in 2006). Going back to what he is best known for; directing comedies about a group of frends trying to achieve a goal but some how manage to get sidetrack from the most randomist situations. "The Hangover" definately follows that Todd Phillips formula.

The plot follows Doug and his three buddies on a guy trip to Las Vegas for his last two days of freedom before getting married. As they arrive, the first step of action they take is clibing up the hotel's roof just to have a perfect view of the city. During this, they make a toast for what they assume will be the beginning of the best two days of their lives. But of course, things turn out just the opposite when the following morning they awaken and find their suite is completely thrashed. As in paying, I'd say may be over two or three thousand dollars of repair thrashed. And to top it all off, Doug is missing! So the guys have less than 48 hours to find him and bring back on time for own wedding. So think of this as a better version of "Dude, Where's My Car?" but loosing a human being instead.

I actually have no complains for this movie and I'm not going to give away any of the funny jokes or scenes here because I don't want to give the film itself away. This film, in my opinion, is the ultimate guy flick. Myself and the audience were just having a great time which is extremey rare in a movie theater nowadays. Not only it made us laugh from beginning to end, after the movie was over, we all actually stood up and applaude. It's seriously THAT good.

So once these film hits theaters tomorrow, and if you're looking for a film for you and your friends to kick back on a friday night, I highly recommend this one! Oh, and for the guys out there, may be you shouldn't bring your girlfriends along The film pretty much has like 100% guy humor. So unless she happens to like these type of films, don't take her!

"Prince of Persia" - Review

Rated by stars: * Waste of time / ** Okay / *** Recommended / **** Superb

Overall: **

NOTE#1: When it comes to video game reviews, I strongly focus on their plots rather than gameplay or things of that sort.

NOTE#2: This review covers on both the video game and the downloadable epilogue.

Now since todays reboots and remakes on movies are completey overrated, the game developers from Ubisoft decided to hit these cliches to the game consoles. Starting with one of their biggest adventure francise. With the Prince of Persia Trilogy now fully done, there's no need for a fourth title. But unfortunately, new producers and game developers feel the need to try to resurrect the series once again, reguardless of having left the trilogy on with a good note. So why the reboot if the first three were huge secesses on sales which sold over millions and millions of copies? Oh... I think I just answered my own question...

Well, the first complant I have for this game is first and foremost, the title... The title itself has nothing to do with the plot of the game. Our main hero is not even a prince and setting is not in Persia. All though in an interview with one of the producers of the game, he states that the game is set in ancient Persia, and yet through out the whole game, it explains the city's true perpose but fails mention the name or the specific century at all. So for all we know, it's just a ruined city in the middle of the dessert.

The next problem is "The Prince." Like I said before, he isn't a prince but actually a tomb raider. Yes, a common graverobber. In the instruction manual, I read the background to this character and it states that the name "The Prince" is only a nickname, yet once again, threwout the entire game, he never reveals his name, not even the nickname. So I just call him "The Drifter" because that what he pretty much claims to be.

Now with that little rant aside, let me get on with the review. The plot begins with "The Drifter" alone and lost in a sandstorm searching for his donkey, which carries a large amount of gold from his previous adventure. After the storm stops, he accidently runs into a woman named Elika who is being chased by guards. He manages to save her, but their meeting is cut short when Elika runs away and warns him not to get involved. But of course being a guy and just meeting a very gorgeous woman, he follows her anyway. After reaching their destination, they are confronted by Elika's father, The Morning King. Aparently, he is the one trying to have Elika captured. The reason being is that she is trying to restore what he has done, distroying the Tree of Life. The tree was actually a prison created in order to trap the dark God Ahriman from bringing eternal darkness threwout the world. Elika's people, the Ahura, were charged by the God of light, Ozmazd, after retreating to the stars for reasons unknown, to make sure that the dark God, his own brother, would never escape. So just think of this city as Alcatraz and Elika and the people as guards and The Morning King its warden. After many centuries of waiting for Ozmazds' return, the people began to loose all hope and like Ozmazd, they vanished as well, leaving only The King and Elika. For reasons, The King releases Ahrman in return for one wish. For what that wish might have been is not revealed until the middle of the game. When Elika discovered what he had done, she ran away from him and went to the ancient temple were the tree is kept in hope it's not too late. This is were The Drifter jumps in. For what his true intentions are, he agrees to aid in Elika's quest to heal her city from all the corruption, meaning the darkness, that Ahrman has created.

The reason why I said about the Drifter's unknown reasons for helping Elika is because that we're not sure why he's really doing it for. The game developers say that his personality is a mixture of Han Solo and Indiana Jones. After playing and observing his character, I for one, strongly disagree with that statement. The Drifter character strongly resembles to Jack Sparrow from the Priates of the Caribbean films, he really is on nobodys side. He's neither good nor evil, just someone who's pretty much along for the ride not knowing what lies instore. Another odd thing about his character, that is extremely off, is the way he speaks. The other characters speak the way they should for that era, but the Drifter talks just like another adverage smartass from the present. The kind of guy you would talk to in a sports bar while having a few beers. Almost as though he is comic relif of the game. Think of Ask from the Evil Dead series and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about...

On February 19th, 2008, the game was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Animation at the 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, beating Metal Gear Solid 4, which to me is absolutely absurd. But at the same time, this award is the perfect example for todays video games. Game developers only give 100% to improving their graphics rather than their plots or game structure. Even "Final Fantasy XII" is guilty for this reason. The graphics were wonderful but the plot fell flat. Almost every game is all the same, except for one a handfull, but still, it's getting ridiculous.

I'm not going to spoil the ending, even if most of you have already beat the game, but it ends with an "to be continued" mark. That doesn't mean the game is fully over. The extra content to game must be uploaded to either your PS3 or Xbox Live Market in order to see what happens next. And no, the epilogue is not a sequel. Think of "kill Bill vol. 1 & 2" This is vol. 2. The extra level only lasts for about twenty or thirty minutes, depending on the gamer, and then the game truely ends.... with another "to be continued."

For those who haven't played this game yet, if you're a hardcore "Prince of Persia' fan, I suggest to only rent the game first then decide weather or not to perchase. If you're gamer searching for the next big adventure to your game console, keep searching....

"WATCHMEN: Tales of the Black Freighter" - Review

Rating by Stars: *waste of time, **okay, ***recommended, ****superb

Overall: ***1/2


From director Zack Snyder and co-screenwriter Alex Tse comes the twenty-five minute animated feature that runs parallel to the "WATCHMEN" universe. A dark, gritty journey that could not be shown in the theatical release due to the running time of two hours and fourty-seven minutes. Adding this, could have made the film run closely to almost three hours. Which is why this film went straight to DVD. But due to the major success of the motion picture, the Director's Cut will be released in theaters rather than waiting for it on DVD. This version will add "The Black Freighter" and many other scenes that didn't make the final cut. Let's just hope that the audience have the patience to sit threw a three hour movie.

"Marooned" tells the story of a young mariner's journey (played by the voice of "300's" Gerard Butler) to warn his home town of the coming of the "Black Freighter" after he survives the destruction of his own ship. The sea casts the mariner on a small island with pieces of his dead crew. From there, he swears revenge on the "Black Freighter" and begins to use the bodies of his dead shipmates as a make-shift raft and sails away dispite the terrible odds against him.

Now, I know what you must be thinking, "What the hell does this have to do with the story in WATCHMEN"? Author Alan Moore and artist Dave Gibbons conceived a pirate comic because they reasoned that since the characters of "WATCHMEN" experience superheroes in real life, they probably wouldn't be at all interested in superhero comics. So Gibbons suggested the pirate theme. A comic book being read by a boy somewhere in New York City.

Even though its a cartoon, it still perfectly captures the dark atmosphere of the motion picture. This is seriously one of the most gorey cartoons I've ever seen. Meaning this film, like the movie, is definatey not for kids. If you thought the "Heavy Metal" films were bloody and graphic, this one definately blows both of them right out of the water. So if you're a fan of either the movie or the novel, check this one out. It's truely a must-see.

"Resident Evil 5" - Review

Rating by Stars: * Waste of time / ** Okay / *** Recommended / **** Superb

Overall: **1/2


Now I know what you all must be thinking, "I thought you only reviewed movies?" I do. So unfortunately for the gamers, this review is going to be strongly focused on main plot rather than the video game itself. In Japan, the video game industry is considered to be the "hollywood" industry using directors, producers, screenwriters, and voice actors to give them a hollywood charm. It's also considered as an another art form of storytelling. I mean think about it.... what are the most successful japanese video game series out there? "Metal Gear Soild," "Silent Hill," "Final Fantasy," and of course, "Resident Evil." Now what do all this games have in common? Great storytelling. Which is why I'm going to review this as a film perspective.

The story takes place after the events of the "straight-to-DVD" CGI film, "Resident Evil: Degeneration." Which means if you haven't seen it, you'll find yourself a bit lost. So anywho, here we are re-introduced to Chris Redfield, one of the few surivivers of the series. We see him now working for the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance) an anti-bioterrorism unit created by the government to prevent biological warfare. After driving into Africa, Chris is met by assigned partner Sheva Alomar, a BSAA operative from the western african unit. The two rendezvous with a butcher who tells them to locate a man named Irving. Along the way, the two see someone get fed a strange object which turns him into a majini which causes a victum to become extremely violent(much like "Las Plagas" from the fourth game but more advanced). After some time, the two watch the butcher's execution in the middle of the village while discovering they are set up by Irving. Knowing this, the two fight their way out of the demented villagers and much later while the plot begins to unfold, Sheva discovers that Chris's exceptence to the assignment was only to settle a personal vendetta for the death of his old partner.

There is also a "semi-plot twist" to this game. Of course I'm not going to give it away here, but all I can say is that you'll pretty much figure it out before the game even starts. Yes, it's that predictible. But other than that, it's pretty straight forward. It's no longer a horror game. Nothing scares you here like the previous games. This is a straight up action thiller. Just think how if "Night of the Living Dead" was directed by John Woo. It's that action-packed. It's like watching a high quality B-movie. A lot of great cinematic camera work, but very low on plot. Now this doesn't neccessarly ruins the game, but there is some room for adjustments. It just felt too simple to me.

If you're a hardcore fan of the series, add this one to your collection. It's not exactly the best of the series, but it is a very entertaining one. You're mostly going to love it because of the new co-op and mercenaries features. But remember, I'm reviewing this as a film perspective. So as game, I'm sure it's very enjoyable and worth spending your money on. But if you're the type that's looking for a game with a well crafted storyline, I would keep waiting.

"WATCHMEN" - Review

Rating by Stars: * Waste of time / ** Okay / *** Recommended / **** Superb

Overall: ****


From the visionary director of "300"!!! Now this catch phrase as been overly used for this movie for god knows how along now. I mean, I know "300" was a great film, but God people! The man does have a name y'know! In 2004, Zack Snyder first impressed us with the modren day spin-off of George A. Romero's "Dawn of the Dead." Then in 2007, he blew both critics and audiences minds away with the live-action adaptation of Frank Miller's, you guessed it, "300." Now in 2009, Snyder returns taking a seriously bold risk in adapting one of Alan Moore's greatest graphic novel he has ever made into film. Which ironically is considered to the film industry, unfilmable. Now does he truely deliver in this and proves the industry wrong? HELL YES!!!!!!!

The plot of the film (as same as the novel) is set in an alternate pre-apocalyptic New York City, 1985 where caped adventurers and masked vigilantes are living among us and trusted in watching over humanity. But unfornately, the mask adventuring is cut short after a congress bill re-outlaws vigilantism and forces heroes to "hang up the cape" and retreat from their "heroic" ways. But, believe it or not, that's not the main story, it begins with an old-fastioned detective story. The psychotic vigilante Rorshach investigates the brutal murder of a middle-aged man in his apartment. But only to discover the man being a retired costume adventurer and fellow member of an old superhero group known as "The Watchmen." After this discovery, one-by-one, Rorschach warns his former themmates of a possible mask killer. Someone who is set out to annihilate the world by taking the first step, distroying society's original protection. And here is where the question surfaces. If they are here to watch over us, then "Who Watches the Watchmen"? For those of you who are fans of comic book mini-series, being a fanboy of the book myself. It's safe to say that for a movie with a running time of two hours and fourty-three minutes, truely is a "PERFECT" adaptation of the novel. It follows everything from panel-after-panel. Sure there are a few scenes from the book removed, but nothing seroiusly major. What's really great about it is that Snyder manages to pull-off all six characters origins and the Minutemen history into the movie. Now that must have been extremely difficult. Everyone from the novel gets their cameo appearence. Short, but appear non the less.

Now for those of you who never read the novel are probably wondering, "So is this better than The Dark Knight"? I wouldn't say that. But I proudly say that I would definately put this one right next to "The Dark Knight." And once again for the unreaders, "they're superheroes in this movie, right"? Yes. "So is this a superhero movie"? Definately not! The film appears as superhero movie, but the plot is more strongly focused on us. The consequences of our actions as people. That's what makes both the novel and movie great. Just because you wear a costume or have superpowers, doesn't mean you're immute to society's problems. Only being a "superhero" can do nothing but bring out the very worst in you. In my opinion, it's a scary thought.

Overrall, is "WATCHMEN" for everyone? Not really. Some of you may disagree with it's idea or better yet, be down right confused. I obviously the movie because I read the book. And honestly if I didn't, I would have been a bit clueless to what's going on. But that doesn't neccessarly mean you have to read the book. I would strongly suggest to wait it out until it the director's cut hits theaters this summer. That wya you can get the whole picture. Now for the "WATCHMEN" fans out there, GO SEE IT!!! I assure you, you will not be disappointed. And if you did, see it twice!

"Friday The 13th" - Review

Rating by Stars: * Waste of time / ** Okay / *** Recommended / **** Superb

Overall: **

Once again producers Andrew Form, Brad Fuller, and Micheal Bay (director of "Transformers" and "Armageddon") reunite with director Marcus Nispel ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Pathfinder") to yet again resurrect another horror remake This time, they take on the challege on rebooting one of the most celebrated horror slashers in cinema history. Yep, the big mama's boy himself, Jason Voorhees. Now before I go any further on this review, let me mind you that myself personally, seriously don't like modern day horror films I'm reall..y more into the old school horror. From 60's to 80's. That's as far as I can go. So keep this in mind while reading this review. Rarely, there are a few modern ones that do manage to peek my interest (Rob Zombie's "Halloween" being my personal favorite) So is this film one of them? Definiately not.

The plot of film is about a young man named Clay who's in search for his missing sister in the eerie woods of, you guessed it, Crystal Lake During this, he encounters a group of college friends staying in a private cabin for spring break. Which little do they know that the cabin is less than a few miles away from the ruined Camp Crystal Lake, which is rumored to be the home of a deformed boy who drowned by the lake years ago. Well that's half right So anyway, Clay befriends with one of the backpackers named Jenna (who happens to be one of the only two girls who don't show their tits) and agrees to help Clay track down his missing sister. Now as you can imagin, their vacation doesn't go very well once they get their asses handed to them by Jason.

Now for those who have seen the original, as you can tell, this doesn't follow the first film at all. In fact, this felt more like another sequel rather than a remake. In the original, it's Jason's mother doing all the killing. He doesn't show up until the sequel. But he doesn't wear the iconic hocky mask until the third movie. So what the hell is going on here!!! It's like they tryed to combind the first three films into one. Like for the opening credits, that's the only time they use the original plot but only as a backstory for Jason. So when he's "all grown up" he wears an old dirty pillow case over his head much like the second film. Then finally, like about the middle of the movie, he replaces the case for a hocky mask like the third film. That's another thing, how he gets the mask is really retarded. Don't worry, I won't give it way, but still, it's really retarded.

Now if you seen any of the Jason films from the 80's, it's exactly what you expect. It's cheezy, semi-bad acted, and of course the most important element of a Jason movie, BOOB!!!! Lots and lots of BOOBS!!!! I'm serious, there's more boobs in here than gore I thought I was watching a high budget porno.. with Jason in it. But what really separates all of this, is the man himself. Instead of the walking monster from the previous films, he's from a killing machine to a really smart killing machine. He even runs after you now. And if he any object that throwable, he's a hell of a marksman too. That's what kept me from not leaving the theater, which I did anyway during close to the end of the movie, was updating the character after many years Jason himself is what semi-saves the movie from not being a complete waste of time.

So bottom line, if you're really old school like me, don't bother with this one. Now if you're a fan of 80's Jason, go right ahead. But if you're just looking for a good horror movie on the weekend, keeping looking and wait for this one on DVD. And of course, if you're a guy looking for some nice tity action, be my guessed.