Starseeker » 2007 Movie Archive

Tai Chi Master

carl — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 19:53:18 +0000

Jet Li and his life-long friend are expelled from the legendary temple of Shaolin and follow different paths. A pair of lifelong friends are expelled from their Shaolin temple after being accused of cheating. Tienbao (Ho) becomes a powerful and oppressive military leader while the other, Junbao, (Li) joins the rebels. Only the discipline of Tai Chi can help Junbao defeat his former friend.

The Truth :

The subtitled DVD is not short on action or brilliant stunts, similar to Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The film features the legendary Asian cinema duo of Jet Li (War, Fearless) and Michelle Yeoh (Memoirs of a Geisha, Tomorrow Never Dies) and an intense, high-energy cast that also includes Chin Siu Ho (Millenium Dragon), Fennie Yuen (Dragon Love), Yuen Cheung Yan (Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Jet Li’s Once Upon A Time In China) and Lau Shun (Zu Warriors).

The Action :

If watching Jet Li kick the asses of dozens of men at a time is appealing to you, Tai Chi Master is a classic. The action is intense from the beginning to the end.

I sent out a review copy to long time movie critic “Kissing Me Softly” here’s what he says :

~ On the film :

Jet li’s best work since Hero!

~ On the martial arts actress Michelle Yeoh :

I’d Hit it!

Fellow martial arts critic “Doomsday Dan” sent in this quote :

Jet Li’s most impressive demonstration of Tai Chi since Romeo Must Die!

The Verdict :

Impressive battle scenes and choreography make Tai Chi Master a must have for Jet Li fans. If you don’t mind the subtitles, you’ll love the movie.

Sputnik Mania

carl — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:04:24 +0000

The Plot : Fifty years ago, at the height of the Cold War, the USSR launched Sputnik, the first satellite to orbit the earth, bringing America to its knees in awe – then fear. Initially thrilling as a marvel of science, Sputnik was soon viewed by America a weapon of mass destruction.

The Truth : There was once a time where Russia held a distinct advantage over the rest of the worrld. Sputnik announced to the world the superiority of the Russians and frightened North America beyond belief. The movie brings many government fears to light and also many old propoganda films from the 50-60’s.

Sputnik Mania was a real treat for anyone who remembers this era. I highly recommend asking
your parents or elders about Sputnik, if you have no idea about the earth’s first satellite. Watch the movie, learn about a time that wasn’t so innocent but rather a frightening experience for those who could only wonder what Sputnik was really put into space for.

Learn about how the people were convinced the end of the world was near,
how the Americans prepared for the possible attack by the satellite and much more.

The Verdict : Sputnik Mania was a very enjoyable documentary and a very enjoyable dvd experience. Cheers to filmmaker David Hoffman for bringing the events of Sputnik back to life in a wonderful production.

Official Site, Downloads and Trailer : Sputnik Mania

The Dhamma Brothers

carl — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:56:57 +0000

Can Yoga and Meditation really help the most violent criminals in America? The Dhamma Brothers is an investigation into the power of Yoga on today’s most ruthless criminals.

The Scoop

East meets West in the Deep South. An overcrowded maximum-security prison-the end of the line in Alabama’s correctional system-is dramatically changed by the influence of an ancient meditation program. Behind high security towers and a double row of barbed wire and electrical fence dwells a host of convicts who will never see the light of day.

But for some of these men, a spark is ignited when it becomes the first maximum-security prison in North America to hold an extended Vipassana retreat, an emotionally and physically demanding course of silent meditation lasting ten days.

The Dhamma Brothers tells a dramatic tale of human potential and transformation as it closely follows and documents the stories of the prison inmates at Donaldson Correction Facility who enter into this arduous and intensive program.

The Truth :

The Dhamma Brothers is a very interesting look at what can happen when you change the pattern of thinking in even the worst criminals. A positive movie about the effects of meditation on the most hardened, neglected and forgotten inmates in Alabama.

The film lets us in the heads of the people involved in the criminal system and what effects they have noticed with this alternate method of rehabilitation.

The Verdict :

A very enjoyable documentary on a very controversial issue, check it out.

Official Site : The Dhamma Brothers

KISSOLOGY – Review

carl — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:40:09 +0000

As a longstanding memeber of the KISS ARMY, I can’t hardly explain how excited I was to receive my KISSOLOGY DVD collection just the other day. All those childhood years dressing up as Gene Simmons for Halloween finally paid off, it was just me and 5 DVD’s of concert footage and rock n roll.

With the wife upstairs, tucked into bed and the kids now asleep.. it was my time to reconnect with my youth, with Peter, Paul, Gene and Ace..

The Verdict : Kissology delivers! The DVD starts with the boys rocking out in Detroit. Its not your typical concert footage, which I really enjoyed. I felt like I was in the crowd with these old fashioned camera angles. The sound quality is really good, the image quality is what you’d expect from live concert footage.

This isn’t the same production value as Metallica’s “Some Kind of Monster”, and I’m happy about that. I enjoy the raw footage this collection brings together, I’d be happy to sit through this time and time again.

A must-own for any KISS fan, the nearly ten hours of live KISS includes a total of six complete concerts, the MTV “Unplugged” show and an exclusive MTV “Unplugged” Behind-the-scenes documentary.

Teaser :

“Nothin’ To Lose” : “Detroit Rock City”:

The Verdict :

If you have Kissolgoy 1&2, you have to have Volume 3. If you are a KISS fan, KISSOLOGY volume 3 is a must have for your collection.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

carl — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:34:23 +0000

Imagine that you’re a successful and charismatic magazine editor. You’re 43 years old and have a passion for life. Then you have a stroke. Then you slip into a coma for 20 days. When you wake up, you are mentally alert but you cannot move or speak.

And this condition — called “locked-in syndrome” — is permanent. Sadly, this is no fiction. It is the fate that befell French Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby. Bauby could control the movement of only one thing: his left eye. Determined to communicate, Bauby developed a code whereby his blinks came to signify letters, then words, then sentences. This is the memoir that slowly emerged.

The Great Debaters

carl — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:29:42 +0000

We’ve all see the movies based on inspiring true stories where the underdog team from the small school gets the last-minute touchdown or makes the three-pointer to defeat the reigning champs.

But here’s a story where the keys to victory are intelligence and eloquence, rather than the ability to toss a ball. In the 1930s, Professor Melvin Tolson formed the debate team at Wiley College, a small African American school in Texas. Tolson and his team stood up against bigotry in their small town and became so renowned for their skills they were invited to challenge the Harvard debate team for the national championship.

Starring:
Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jurnee Smollett, Nate Parker, Denzel Whitaker, John Heard

There Will Be Blood

carl — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:27:54 +0000

A startling and dramatic look at the oil boom in the early 20th century.

The Scoop

At the turn of the 20th century, there’s still plenty of oil to be found in the American west. Daniel Plainview wants it. He’s a prospector and he’s doing whatever it takes to buy up the oil rights of people’s land in hopes of making his fortune.

After some frustrating attempts, Daniel strikes it big in a small Texas town, making the townsfolk suddenly flush with wealth. A spellbinding young preacher wants the money for his cause and dazzles his parishioners with his message – but is this preacher a conman? Daniel keeps a tricky balance as he seeks to both protect and exploit people, expanding his empire with pipelines, and ultimately becoming a genuine oil tycoon.

Starring

Daniel Day-Lewis, Mary Elizabeth Barrett, Paul Dano, Dillon Freasier, Christine Olejniczak, Kevin O’Connor

Juno

carl — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:25:57 +0000

Juno is a smart teenager, but she still got pregnant from her dalliance with her geeky classmate Paulie Bleeker. What’s a young woman to do? Her spunky friend Leah has an idea: go shopping for parents to adopt the baby.

When she comes across a well-to-do suburban couple who is desperate for a child, Juno thinks her problems might all be over. But in reality, even more difficult choices and mixed emotions arise for Juno as she struggles to find her place as a daughter, student, mother, and, ultimately, adult.

Official Site – Pictures, Downloads and more.

Starring:
Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Olivia Thirlby, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney

Cassandra’s Dream

carl — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:23:50 +0000

Brothers Terry and Ian are two grown men on different paths. While clean-cut Ian helps to manage their father’s restaurant, working-class Terry is struggling to recover from his drinking and gambling habits.

When their mysterious and wealthy uncle Howard — who had been generous to the boys all their lives — suddenly wants a favor, their loyalty is tested. Howard’s favor isn’t exactly legal, and when the brothers agree to help, the guilt of the crime they commit begins to haunts them. People deal with haunting guilt in different ways, and soon Terry and Ian turn against one another.

Starring:
Colin Farrell, Ewan McGregor, Tom Wilkinson, Hayley Atwell, Sally Hawkins, Mark Umbers

The Perfect Holiday

carl — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:17:21 +0000

All Nancy wants for Christmas is a nice, normal man. She’s certainly earned it — raising three active kids without much help from her flashy ex-husband.

So when Nancy falls for Benjamin, she’s thrilled. Benjamin should be happy too, but he’s too embarrassed of his job as a part-time department store Santa. Benjamin sets out to create a new persona for Nancy to fall for, just as Nancy’s son John-John sets out to keep Benjamin away for good.

Genres: Comedy, Romance and Holiday
Release Date: December 12th, 2007 (wide)
MPAA Rating: PG for brief language and some suggestive humor.

Official Site