Opening This Week: Inglourious Law Abiding Basterds

This week = epic week. So far, Inglourious Basterds has received some extraordinary buzz and Law Abiding Citizen, not so much, but it still manages to seem like a decent action flick. Let's look at what to expect of these films, shall we?


Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Cast: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Til Schweiger
Director: Quentin Tarantino
USA release: August 21
Malaysia release: October 22
USA gross: $119,098,000
Worldwide gross: $275,365,277
Genre: Drama, War
Runtime: 2 Hours 34 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 8.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
See what people on Twitter are saying about Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds begins in German-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). She narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema. Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organises a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of vengeance. Known to their enemy as "The Basterds," Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquee, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own.

From what I've read and heard, this movie is Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece. And if Quentin Tarantino has a masterpiece, you absolutely HAVE to see it. The trailer is apparently very deceiving and the movie doesn't have as much gun-slinging action as portrayed in the trailer. Instead, people have said the movie is filled with intriguing verbal exchanges. Also, this film is very long. I, for one, am excited to watch this film but I cannot speak for anyone else. I guess we'll just have to go see the film to tell for ourselves.




Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler
Director: F. Gary Gray
USA release: October 16
Malaysia release: October 22
USA gross: $21,250,000
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama
Runtime: 1 Hour 49 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 24%
See what people on Twitter are saying about Law Abiding Citizen

Clyde Shelton (Butler) is an upstanding family man whose wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion. When the killers are caught, Nick Rice (Foxx), a hotshot young Philadelphia prosecutor, is assigned to the case. Over his objections, Nick is forced by his boss to offer one of the suspects a light sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. Ten years later, the man who got away with murder is found dead and Clyde Shelton coolly admits his guilt. Then he issues a warning to Nick: Either he fix the flawed justice system that failed his family, or key players in the trial will die.

I've said this numerous times before and I'm going to reiterate it by saying trailers can be terribly deceiving and we shouldn't peg our expectations for the movie to the quality of the trailer. In my opinion, the trailer for this film was action-packed and really well done. According to IMDb, the general audience liked the film but on the other hand, many of the movie critics on Rotten Tomatoes didn't like it. In any case, let's just hope this film is full of good purposeful action and suspense.

Source: Cinema Online, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

Another Glorious Inglourious Basterds Poster

A new poster for Quentin Tarantino’s new film is on the web. It features Brad Pitt standing on top of a pile of dead Nazi soldiers. This has to be my favorite poster yet. What’s yours? Check it out.

Inglourious Basterds Posters Just Keep On Coming

There is already a barrage of posters for Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds and they just keep on coming. Here are four new character posters which I think are really cool. At the bottom of each poster, there is a quote made by the character in the movie. Check them out.

Inglourious Basterds International Trailer is so Glorious

I haven't posted any stories for the past two days and I apologize. So here's a quick post on the international trailer for Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. To be honest with you, this might be the most anticipated film of the year, for me. And I really, really, really like this trailer. Even more so than this one and this one. Enjoy!

Brad Pitt’s Killin’ Natsee Business Is A' Boomin'

Way back in February, I showed you guys the first look at Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds with the trailer. Since then, we’ve had three teaser posters and one, two, three, four, five character posters. Also, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and for the people who saw it, some of them liked it, some of them not so much. Now, Universal have just released the second trailer and I am now even more excited for this movie than before. I know a few of you reading this will agree with me when I say that Inglourious Basterds looks incredibly awesome so far. So why don’t you sit back and enjoy Brad Pitt and Eli Roth killin’ Natsees.

America will get the movie in August but we in Malaysia will have to wait until October 22 to see Brad Pitt doing that slick Southern accent.

Source: firstshowing.net

Brad Pitt Is A Basterd

Here’s the latest one sheet from Quentin Tarantino’s Nazi film Inglorious Basterds starring Brad Pitt. Look at that mean scar on his neck.

Inglourious Basterds hits Malaysian cinemas October 22 after opening in the States August 21.

New 'Inglorious Basterds' Posters

Its probably kind of obvious by now that I'm really psyched about Inglourious Basterds, so needless to say, I'm really digging these new posters. Here they are. Do share them.

Opening This Week: Burn After Punishing

Burn After Reading (2008)
Starring: John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton
Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Writers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Producers: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
USA release: 12 September 2008
Msia release: 19 February 2009
Genre: Comedy, Crime
Runtime: 96 mins
Rated in USA: R for pervasive language, some sexual content and violence
Rated in Msia: N/A

When fired by the CIA, Osbourne Cox (John Malkovich) decides to write his memoirs. The CD that contains all his memoirs is found in the locker room of a gym where it is found by the ignorant janitor Manolo. Bumbling Chad (Brad Pitt) and self absorbed Linda (Frances McDormand) then look to sell the CD back to Cox for personal gain.

Another excellent, witty piece of work from the Coen brothers, Burn After Reading is definitely a must-see. I rate it as one of the best comedies of last year. If you liked George and Brad in Ocean's or if you're fans of the Coen brothers (The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, No Country For Old Men) then this is a film you cannot miss.
























Punisher: War Zone
Starring: Ray Stevenson, Dominic West, Julie Benz
Director: Lexi Anderson
USA release: 5 December 2008
Msia release: 19 February 2009
Genre: Crime, Action
Runtime: 103 mins
Rated in USA: R for pervasive strong brutal violence, language and some drug use
Rated in Msia: 18SG

For plot and review, check out this post on Louis' blog.

Inglourious Basterds Teaser Trailer

Holy hell I cannot stop watching this trailer. It is so high octane and brutal. Well it is Quentin Tarantino. But Brad Pitt's speech was just awesome.

"I want my scalps!"

You are sure to enjoy this one.

Opening This Week: Oscar Double Dose

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Check out the details of the film, the review and the trailer all HERE.
























Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto
Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan (India)
Writers: Simon Beaufoy (screenplay), Vikas Swarup (novel)
USA release: 12 November 2008 (limited), 23 January 2008 (wide)
Msian release: 12 February 2008
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Languages: English, Hindi
Runtime: 120 mins
Rated in USA: R for some violence, disturbing images and language
Rated in Msia: PG-13

Set and shot in India, Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of a Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), who is one correct answer away from winning 20 million rupees on the Indian 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire'. When the show breaks for the night, Jamal is taken by the police on suspicion of cheating. He then explains to the Inspector his life's story. Every significant experience in his life had provided him with the answers to all the questions on the game show. Obviously not after the money, what is Jamal's motive to be on the show?



























Valkyrie (2008)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh, Terence Stamp
Director: Bryan Singer
Writers: Christopher McQuarrie, Nathan Alexander
USA release: 25 December 2008
Msia release: 12 February 2009
Genre: War, History, Drama
Runtime: 120 mins
Rated in USA: PG-13 for violence and brief strong language
Rated in Msia: PG-13

Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg sets up an elaborate ploy to end the Nazi regime and World War II and form a new government. Operation Valkyrie was supposed to include the killing of Adolf Hitler that was never successful.



Is it just me or does the guy called Claus von Stauffenberg have an American accent? Hmm. Lol.

Review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Starring: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett
Director: David Fincher
Writer: Eric Roth
USA release: 25 December 2008
Msia release: 12 February 2009
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Runtime: 166 mins
Rated in USA: PG-13 for brief war violence, sexual content, language and smoking
Rated in Msia: N/A

Loosely based (and I mean very loosely) on a 1921 short-story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows the life of a man who is born old, grows younger through life and finally dies as an infant. Being a movie that is about the entire life of one man, we don't learn much about Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt). Although the film runs for 2 hours and 46 minutes long, its definitely not enough time to tell the tale of a man's life and have a great deal focus on the character I wish it did.

Benjamin Button is born in New Orleans, Louisiana right after World War I and his mother dies childbirth. Disgusted and upset, Thomas Button ditches his newborn son on the step of an old folks’ home. Benjamin is discovered by a caretaker at the nursing home, Queenie (Taraji P. Henson) and she takes him in and raises him as her own. Not long after, we see Daisy (Cate Blanchett), who is the granddaughter of a resident at the home and is the love of Benjamin's life. Following Benjamin's life story as he grows younger in appearance, he goes off the sea to work on a tugboat and is thrown into World War II when his boat battles and sinks a German U-Boat. Returning home after the war, Banjamin learns that Daisy has moved to New York and become a successful dancer. When Benjamin visits Daisy in a hospital in Paris after she was hit by a taxi, he's turned away by Daisy, telling him to get out of her life. Later when Daisy returns to New Orleans, Benjamin and her share a period of romance where they have a baby girl. Realizing he cannot be a proper father and husband, he leaves Daisy and his daughter behind. With only the clothes on his back, Benjamin travels the world. Later in his life he returns to visit Daisy one last time before growing into a teenager and suffering from dementia. As Benjamin loses all memory of his life, Daisy takes care of him. Finally Benjamin dies as an infant in Daisy's Arms.

With all the hype surrounding this movie, I went into watching it with high hopes and I really thought I was going to love it. At the end of the movie, I wanted to love it but I just didn't. The few problems I had with it were that it was a bit too long, too much time was devoted to some parts of Benjamin's life and that the focus of the of the character was just not sufficient. The acting was very good from Pitt, Blanchett and especially from Taraji P. Henson. I thought Pitt did the southern accent very well. He made it sound very laid back , lazy and original. I didn't quite feel the chemistry between him and Cate Blanchett. It was definitely no where as close to their performance in Babel a few years back.

There were a few unnecessary scenes and sequences that added nothing much to the movie. Like the opening sequence to the movie about the man who made the clock that goes backwards. And the affair with Elizabeth Abbott in Russia. Too much time was spent on Benjamin's childhood and too little on the illustration of the romance between him and Daisy when they're life's paths crossed. I didn't really like the whole idea of the story being constant flashbacks. When I was really getting into the story and the character, we get pulled out into the hospital room where Daisy's daughter is reading Benjamin's diary. The one sequence I did like though, was when Daisy was hit by the taxi. That was the most interesting the movie got for me.

I must say though that the movie was shot beautifully. I really dug the whole old, musky, yellowish aura the movie had. I especially loved the old nursing home. And who's going to deny that the makeup deserves an Oscar. The makeup and visual effects that went into making Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett look old was simply amazing.

My final verdict is that 'Ben Button' was without a doubt an amazingly well done movie. From the cinematography to the set up to the acting to the makeup and visual effects. But for me, it was just not to my liking. Not my cup of tea if you would. So in my eyes, the tale of Benjamin Button is a curious one indeed.

Doctor's diagnosis: 7 out of 10 Popcorns