The Day Of Movie Reviews

After weeks of movie-fasting, I have finally gone on a movie rampage! I've caught not one but two movies within a short span of two days! Two movies! One cost $9.50 (stupid of me to catch it on the eve of a public holiday), the other cost $9.00 (weekend price). I am so broke. But to tell the truth, both movies were worth their respective ticket prices.


~ AFTERSHOW REVIEW ~

Movie #1: Lions For Lambs



Director: Robert Redford

Starring: Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Andrew Garfield

Synopsis & Review:
Set in the post-911 climate, the movie explores media responsibilities on political agendas as well as the human sentiments and costs of the "War on Terror". Streep is outstanding as usual in her portrayal of a revered but weary journalist, while Cruise plays the role of an ambitious senator with much charisma and conviction. Redford himself takes on the role of a professor of Political Science who tries to reinspire an apathetic star pupil (Garfield) who has lost confidence in the American political system.

The tone of the movie is obviously anti-Republican and is overly talky and disjointed. It is very heavy on its political agenda and gets too preachy as the show progresses. The outstanding performances of Reford, Streep, Cruise and newcomer Garfield are overshadowed by its choppy intercut sequences. However, it is a very good movie as a prelude to discussions.

Rating: 3/5

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Movie #2: Stardust



Director: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rebert De Niro, Sienna Miller, Mark Strong

Synopsis & Review:
Based on the novel by renowned author Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Anansi Boys), the story revolves around a young man named Tristan (Cox) who wants to win the heart of Victoria (Sienna Miller), his beautiful but cold object of unreciprocated love by going on a journey to retrieve a fallen star, personified as Yvaine (Danes). Also in search of the star are Lamia (Pfeiffer) and Septimus (Strong), for by consuming a heart of a star can guarantee immortality. Along the way, Tristan and Yvaine encounter and ally themselves with the eccentric Captain Shakespeare (De Niro) and encounter various interesting and unforgettable characters.

The show is well balanced with light and intense moments. It provides the awe-inspiring fantasy that usually attracts children, but also contains elements of more adult nature like murder, black-magic and adult jokes. After a couple of months of clichéd summer blockbusters targeted at testosterone-charged male teens, Stardust is a breath of fresh air. Grown-ups and children alike will enjoy this magical tale that will definitely stay on their hearts and minds for a long time to come.

Rating: 4.5/5

The Day I Talk About Leona Lewis

My life has been revolving around divatism lately. First of all, myself. I realized that I have been quite over the top recently (and especially so when there's alchohol in my system) and it scares me. So no more drinking until further notice. Secondly, Mum (who is always a little over dramatic about everything, but I love her anyway). We got into a big fight a couple of days back about something really stupid (my fault actually). Last but not least, my new favourite female singer, Ms Leona Lewis.



Leona's the first female winner of X-Factor (a UK reality show similar to Idol) and she will finally release her debut album on the 12th of November. As Simon Cowell's favorite protégé (right now), her star is surely shining bright.

Simon Cowell: "Leona has the opportunity to be a major, major world wide star. We are not going to make an album quickly, we are going to make the best possible album and try and make everybody proud who voted for her. We have found a British girl who is up there with the Mariahs and the Whitneys. So I take this very, very seriously."

Note the above emboldened quote. She has, without a doubt, an amazing range as well as emotions, but has yet to step out of the shadows of other well established divas. Case in point: her whole image and performing mannerisms. Don't you think that photo above bears an uncanny resemblance to someone we all know and love (ok maybe not love, but we all know who she is, that's for sure)?

How bout a picture for good measure?


Is this a shocking similarity or what?

Let me illustrate my point further below.



MUSIC VIDEO BREAKDOWN: LEONA



Welcome to yet another episode of MUSIC VIDEO BREAKDOWN: where the fun begins after Music Videos are screened! Today our focus is on X-Factor 2006 Winner, Leona Lewis and the music video of her latest single, "Bleeding Love". The plot of the video is simple: A guy cheats on three different women, who each find out about the unfaithful Cheater and in turn fall into various depictions of heartbroken depression. Girl #3, however, is revealed to have a boyfriend that runs in on her passionate make-out session with the Cheater. The video is interlaced with shots of Leona singing in a variety of poses a la Mariah Carey.

I found many similarities between the two whistle-ranged divas:
(Pictures below are taken from "Bleeding Love" and "We Belong Together" respectively)


#1: They Like To Sit In Similar Poses


Leona cross-legged


Mariah cross-legged



#2: They Like To Lean Against The Wall


Leona sprawls against the wall


Mariah leans against the wall



#3: They Like To Lie Down


For comfort


For her fat ass



#4: They're Wet


"Raindrops keep fallin' on my head *drip-drip*..."


"I can make it through the rain..."


#5: The SIGNATURE Pose



Who's ripping off who?

If I could write a letter to Leona, I'd say:

Oh Leona Leona LEONA, you need to get yourself a new pose (as well as a new everything else), because ripping off poor ole Mariah's not gonna get you to the top. You need to be bigger and better than that yesteryear Christmas Cake! You gotta bring more to the stage! Cut your hair, dress down and go without the make-up, and you'll be a completely different person!

Love you long time! :)

XOXO,
Justin

I swear if they continue this mimicry, they'd one day end up like Britney and Madonna:


"Yo ass is older than mine!"
"Well yo ass is FAT!"

Or something like that.