When John Carpenter’s The Thing was released in 1982, few people went to see it. I was one of them, and I immediately deemed it one of my all-time favorite films EVER. But audiences didn’t see things that way. Instead, they flocked in droves to see Steven Spielberg’s E.T., whose take on extraterrestrial visitation [...]
Movie Reviews
‘The Help’: Adaptation Needs Some Help of its Own
“The Help”, written by Kathryn Stockett and published in 2009, was a curious book. It read as a surprisingly light and fluffy look at a deadly serious topic — the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement as it influenced Jackson, Mississippi. While some viewed the book as mildly racist in Stockett’s choice to [...]
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2: It Goes Boom
A decade ago, an audience that had already fallen in love with a small boy wizard through the pages of JK Rowlings’ books had the chance to fall in love all over again on the big screen. They emotionally invested in the trials of the lives of the witches and wizards of Hogwarts School of Magic. They wished fero [...]
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Needs a New Suspension… of Disbelief
This review is going to be next to useless. The fact is, you’ve already decided you’re going to see this movie no matter what I say. It’s virtually review-proof. Never mind any arguments I have for or against Transformers: Dark of the Moon, it’s going to make bucketloads of money and singlehandedly solve the nat [...]
Co-Directed by John Woo, Reign of Assassins Rules in Unexpected Ways
It’s hard to believe that with John Woo (Mission: Impossible II) listed as co-director, and internationally-recognized action star Michelle Yeoh in a lead role, Reign of Assassins is still waiting for a North American release either in theaters or on video. But having watched the 2010 martial arts drama, an explana [...]
Cars 2: Pixar Pulls Up Short
As most moviegoers know, Pixar studios has a relatively flawless record of releasing quality animated films that appeal equally in look and feel to audiences of all ages. When shelling over the money to see a Pixar movie, you can be sure that you will get your money’s worth. The dialogue will be sharp, the animat [...]
Shaolin Puts Up a Fight, But Lacks Some Punch
Rousing and handsomely-crafted, Shaolin doesn’t bring anything new to the martial arts genre, but it’s not a bad diversion at all. You have a hero, a villain, some quality set pieces, and of course, characters who have awesome, physics-defying fighting skills. There’s even a good performance by Jackie Chan, who in [...]
Green Lantern Not Very Illuminating
This summer’s bumper crop of superhero films would seem like a windfall for comic book fans. Thor, X-Men, Green Lantern, Captain America—all have arrived, or are about to arrive, in theaters. The most expensive of the lot, Green Lantern, was criticized early on by some (CinemaSpy included) and championed by other [...]
Korean Police Drama The Unjust is a Criminally-Good Time
During the past decade or so, South Korean cinema has been making a name for itself in the romantic comedy, horror, and action thriller genres. Movies like My Sassy Girl, Shiri, and The Host have proven popular both domestically and abroad. Now comes The Unjust, which will make its North American debut as part of t [...]
Does Kung Fu Panda 2 Deliver a One-Two Punch of Awesomeness?
As an Asian, it always fills me with dread every time Hollywood decides to take on a movie with an oriental theme. The West has always looked on eastern cinema with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. From goofy sidekicks and broad caricatures to paper thin chop-socky action heroes, Asians have never been taken seriously b [...]
