Wolverine (the movie) leaked online

A copy of Wolverine, the new movie of Hugh Jackman, has been leaked on the Internet. I saw the copy, and I notice that it is not yet fully edited because some scenes are still in 3D form and some jumping or flying scenes still has the rope tied in their back.

But amidst all this, I got curious how the story will unfold–this being the first movie of a major character in the Xmen series. The movie is devoid of a convincing nemesis, in fact, the entire movie is focused on developing the life story of Wolverine. I don’t like the story, but I have to give credit to massive stunts and action-packed chases, especially the chase scene in the woods.

Wolverine will have its regular run next month (May 2009).

Grand Slamdog

What if someone from lower strata of the society suddenly becomes an instant celebrity because he knows all the answers to the questions in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Will you think it is a sham? He cheated? Or he is just plain genius?

Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire is an urban drama of a young Mumbai vagabond named Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), his life littering the murky and dark streets of the Indian city. His childhood is spent drifting from the changes and problems of Mumbai, including religious conflict between Hindus and Muslims (which led to his mother’s death), city dwelling (squatting), black market (his engagement with a syndicate dealing with begging along the streets), and Bollywood (the scene where the young protagonist is coated with poop is darkly funny).

The film is chopped based on the questions of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. It so happen that for every question, the contestant happens to know them based on some instances on his life. Of course, the love angle is at the focal point of the story. Dev Patel’s character said that his main reason for joining the contest is for him to find the girl that he wants to be with, Latika (Freida Pinto).

I love the juxtaposition at the end of the film where he won the 20 million rupees while his brother died at exactly the same time, with money scattered all over him. You win some; you lose some.

The story is beautifully written, the musical score great. Although you get to see the filth of Mumbai in the movie, it resonates with so many rich stories. Stories that we all can relate because it is universal.

Different Milk

Sean Penn is the actor you like to see working in a complicated film which requires challenging roles. He did it again in his new movie from Gus Van Sant, about the life of Harvey Milk, the first ever openly gay that holds public office as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

His win as Best Actor in the recently concluded Screen Actors Guild (over The Wrestler’s Mickey Rourke) proves that this guy is so talented. His effiminate actions in the movie is so natural, and carefree. James Franco appears in the movie as his lover. A different kind of James Franco, someone who is daring. If you are into serious movie, leaning into political (gay rights mostly) issues, then Milk is the movie for you.

Angels and Demons Teaser

When I watch Quantum of Solace last night, Angels and Demons trailer was shown prior to the screening. The movie, based on the novel by Dan Brown, is the prequel to The Da Vinci Code. Here is the trailer:

Vagina Dentata, on film

One good thing to do when you feel tired after a hard day’s work is to watch a movie with a twisted plot. so I watch Teeth, a movie by Mitchell Lichtenstein. This was first shown in Sundance last year (2007).

The story is about a girl with a vagina dentata–a condition where the vagina has teeth. The movie is hilarious in the sense that the plot alone gives you stomach stiches. I will not discuss the movie here so you can enjoy it.

The movie is widely available in DVD.

Rushing August!

I saw August Rush last night. The movie is about a man and a woman–he a budding rockstar, she a fantastic cellist. The storyline is your usual love story–boy meets girl, fall in love, girl got pregnant, girl with strict father, strict father hides the identity of the child and sent to orphanage, girl and boy got separated and live their own lives, girl find out later that her child is alive, etc.

It turns out the child is a prodigy. He can hear music, and he believes that it is his parents who are communicating with him. The concert in the park is a chill-spining moment.

Watch August Rush when you feel down, and wanting to still believe in the human spirit. Love.

P.S.

There’s a song from this movie, at the end credit, by John Legend titled “Someday” and it is really good! It is my current favorite.