Yeap, 2008 is here, and I don’t have any intention at the moment of slowing down on the movies - not while I still have access to them (thanks again to Chin Li). 
This time however, I’m seeing if I can actually meet a requirement of watching at least 30 movies each month. As it’s almost midway through January, these are what I’ve managed to catch so far…
Disturbia (2007)
I liked this movie despite the harsh criticism it’s gotten. I’m more than a little sick of seeing Hollywood good looking hunks take centerstage in typical horror films, and Shia Lebeouf’s geeky guy image and natural charisma was a breath of fresh air for me. Stuck at home under house arrest, he gets bored and starts spying on his neighbours and ends up suspecting one of them as a serial killer. Of course, nobody takes him seriously until.. 
The movie’s not too bad.. I didn’t quite like the ending though (plot holes began appearing), but the new take and angle on a typical thriller, together with an interesting script with comedic elements made this a VERY worthwhile watch.
The Hitcher (2007)
A young couple on a road trip encounters an insane psychotic hitchhiker hellbent on killing people, framing them for their deaths, and wanting to die.. This movie is a typical crap piece of a thriller which Hollywood so loves to churn out. Gaping plot holes, ridiculously unbelievable situations, lame script, and completely un-scary. Avoid.
Premonition (2007)
Sandra Bullock loses her husband in a car accident. She goes to sleep, and wakes up to face a day when the accident did NOT happen. She goes to sleep again, and wakes up to have to attend her husbands funeral. She goes to sleep again.. and.. well you get the drift. Jumping time travel based plot line without much of a hook to keep you interested. Kinda draggy, and couldn’t connect with the characters in the film at all. Some parts of the show did warrant some interesting discussion, but the movie was pretty disappointing overall. The gag-reel on the DVD was hilarious though..
Black Snake Moan (2006)
A god-fearing farmer, with a knack for playing the blues gets dumped by his wife. A young nymphomaniac with a dark history of sexual abuse, struggles to find love and a place in life. A fateful coincidence throws their lifes together and through the power of music (and MY WHAT WONDERFUL use of music in a movie), they both find redemption. Powerfully directed scenes, and INCREDIBLE performances from both Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci here as the two leads. This dark, unorthodox look at the character’s imperfections is truly a gem to behold.
The Number 23 (2007)
Imagine watching Jim Carrey take on a serious role as a demented man who becomes obsessed with the number 23. Also, imagine Jim Carrey try acting cool, with slick hair, tribal tattoos, and humping hot women on screen. Although its got an interesting premise, the script and play was disastrous. The movie didn’t perpetuate any real creepiness or fear for its audience. Heck, when it tried to project the number 23 as being something sinister, I just felt like laughing. You aren’t missing much if you miss this.
The Invasion (2007)
A throwback to the sci-fi of the 60’s onwards. I never watched the original films which this remake was based on, but I do remember watching similarly themed series back when I was a small kid. Anyone remember ‘V’? It preys on the fears that one day, we might be invaded by aliens (bodysnatchers) that not only take over our bodies, but are capable of taking over our lives as well with no change in outward appearance. This movie did have its moments - the paranoia and fear was projected sufficiently, while the philosophical message was conveyed decently (which was probably the only good things I can say about it). The annoyingly lame special effects, cheap overall feel, and a VERY RUSHED finale really spoiled it all. Insufficient explanations for many of the critical plot lines, lack of proper character building, and anticlimactic ending contributed to it being particularly one-dimensional.
The Kingdom (2007)
Jamie Foxx is an FBI agent who travels to Saudi Arabia with his team to investigate the brutal suicide bombings and slayings of American oil workers. An amazing intro about the role the Western and Middle East governments play in regards to oil prices and terrorism is more than enough to hook layman audiences from the start. However, that’s just an excuse for an action movie to show that a few FBI agents can kick SERIOUS terrorist asses in the most unlikelihood of circumstances and escape without a single casualty. Not forgetting its simplified approach in showing how the governments in both countries deal with such a political catastrophe, and a thinly veiled attempt in trying to tone down potentially racist undertones by casting in some honorable Muslim roles. Ah.. American patriotism (or propaganda) at its finest.
1408 (2007)
Based on a Stephen King’s novel, I haven’t enjoyed a supernatural horror movie such as this in a long while. John Cusack is an author of uninspired reviews of haunted locales and a skeptic of everything paranormal. However, things take a major turn when he insists on spending a night in what is supposedly a truly haunted hotel room that has claimed 56 lives during the last 95 years. It’s creepy like hell, and this movie gets under your skin. The plot twists, dramatization ala ‘The Exorcist’ mixed in with elements of ‘The Shining’, the play on sounds, camera angles, special effects and completely unpredictable moments makes this a must watch for all horror lovers out there. They just dont make movies like this anymore . The director’s cut DVD I watched had a completely different ending from the theatrical version shown in cinemas and I had to go on youtube to view the different ending. Let’s just say I prefer the director’s cut if you ever see this. 
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
I know I should have caught this with everyone else when it started screening in theaters here - but I’ve never been a die hard fan of The Simpsons although I’ve watched a few episodes, played a few computer games and was exposed to it throughout my growing years. Let’s just say that I regret not having watched this with my friends though, as I can only imagine the endless gales of infectious laughter in a full house cinema. Simply hilarious - laughing by myself for once just didn’t cut it this time. I guess the endless satire and ridiculous sarcasm, perfectly timed slapstick and quirky humor here is exactly what has made The Simpsons such an endearing success for the last decade. 
Battlestar Galactica Razor (2007)
OK, I love everything sci-fi and all, and dutifully sat through every single episode of the first season for Battlestar Galactica but I somehow couldn’t bring myself to continue watching Season 2 and 3. I found the entire series to be extremely drawn out, boring, illogical and lacking a very much needed BUDGET so that they dont endlessly recycle special effects. That aside, this movie is more of the same from the series - which means that its equally umm.. bad. It doesn’t inspire, it’s got a really cheap feel, and.. that’s it. Disappointing.
Zodiac (2007)
A thriller drama based on the real life Zodiac serial killer case that was never solved. This movie clocked in at more than 2 hours 30 minutes, and despite the fact that I was really tired (and that the movie was almost monotonous), I somehow didn’t once feel sleepy watching this. It’s probably because the camera shots were well done, and the fact that they threw names and facts around so quickly that I found myself struggling to keep track of what was happening. That aside, I can see why the movie was semi-critically acclaimed, but I expected something more - how should I put it - emotional. The lack of dramatization, and not enough focus on the leads motivations, somehow reduces this movie into just another biographical documentary. I can just imagine most of my friends getting really bored midway through.
The Last Legion (2007)
As I have a deep passion for all things sci-fi & fantasy, I just HAD to watch everything related to both categories somehow. Watching this was a BAD mistake. It’s a horrible horrible movie, lacking all semblance of logic, bad directing, bad script, God Awful music, sucky casting and terrible action choreography. Even Ben Kingsley couldn’t do much in his minor role to save this tragedy of a movie. I can’t think of anything good to say about it at all (except maybe just to see Aishwarya Rai speak English and act sexy - but then you can see more of her in Bollywood movies anyway). AVOID THIS AT ALL COST!
Shoot ‘Em Up (2007)
Someone told me this movie was just like 300 - with guns. He/she wasn’t exactly spot on, but wasn’t far off either. Similarity wise, there’s plenty of completely over the top acting, and how the ‘good guy’ can never seem to get hurt while dispatching countless enemies to their graves. However, Shoot ‘Em Up is different because it doesn’t even attempt to take itself seriously at all. Mr. Smith’s (Clive Owen) witty sarcastic remarks will make you laugh while you cheer whenever he dispenses with his own brand of justice with both a gun, and a carrot. It’s not an excellent movie, but the self indulgent nature of the film, satire of other action movies, oozing with an attitude of its own, and the way it dares to be so drastically comically different, makes this a really fun movie to watch.
The Game Plan (2007)
What’s it with Hollywood always having to portray the ‘macho men’ actors of its generation in parental roles at least once? We had Arnold Schwarzenegger in The Kindergarten Cop, Vin Diesel in The Pacifier and now Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in this. Both the two previous movies were disasters in their own right, and this one isn’t any different. I guess womenfolk enjoy seeing these muscular hunks who are capable of ‘killing with their pinky finger’ having a paternal side, but at least take the effort to make the movie more serious or believable! This is a lousy movie, even by Disney’s standards. Since you aren’t an 8 year old now (and I hope you at least do not have the intellect of one) go spend your cash and time on something better.
Waitress (2007)
A wonderful authentic movie about a waitress stuck in a loveless relationship, getting pregnant, and her emotions and ensuing struggles to escape. I don’t know if I can put in words how original yet minimalistic this movie is. The dialogue between the characters are simple and riveting, music is used beautifully, plus the movie has a certain charm that I can’t quite place (probably in the form of the many deliciously shot pie recipes). I got a MAJOR shock that Adrienne Shelly - the writer & director who also acted in a major supporting role in the movie, was murdered before her film was released at the Sundance film festival. I was already hoping for more from her after having watched this final masterpiece. 
Please do watch this if you have the time, you won’t be disappointed.
