The Dark Knight Rises

LEAD CAST:  Bob Kane, Christine Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman  DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan  SCREENWRITER:   Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan  PRODUCER:  Charles Roven, Emma Thomas  EDITOR:  Lee Smith  MUSICAL DIRECTOR :  Hans Zimmer  GENRE:  Action & Adventure, Drama  CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Wally Pfister  RUNNING TIME:   165 minutes  DISTRIBUTOR:  Warner Bros. Pictures   LOCATION:  USA, Europe

Techical:          4

Moral:            2.5

CEINEMA rating:  V 14  (For viewers aged 14 and above)

Gotham City eight years ago was convinced that their favorite bat was a murderer who had killed among others the city's idealistic district attorney, Harvey Dent.  The truth is that Dent went crazy from grief and rage; thus, mad and sad, he tore through Gotham’s streets on a killing spree, putting down crime lords without sparing cops in the process, and actually almost murdered Commissioner Gordon’s little boy.  To shield the reputation of Dent (who had spent his life as a crime-buster) so that Gotham could go on believing, Gordon and Batman agreed: Batman would take the fall for the murders, while Dent would be given a hero’s burial.

All those years Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), the city’s wealthiest billionaire and of course the real person behind the Batman character, went into reclusive retirement.  Those dark years spawned a new breed of villains in the city’s sewers under the evil hold of the sinister Bane (Tom Hardy), who is planning to lead an insurrection of underground warriors to annihilate Gotham destroy the Dark Knight.   Aware of the threat posed by the terrorist Bane, Wayne’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine) tries to persuade his billionaire master to don the cape once more.  Hospitalized, Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) also pleads with Batman to return to action,  placing his trust in an idealistic, young protégé, Officer John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).  When Wayne Enterprises helmed by CEO/inventor Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) becomes the target of a hostile takeover, wealthy philanthropist Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard) becomes an influential ally.

Bruce Wayne would rather just be a recluse, until his curiosity is piqued when he discovers a cat burglar disguised as a waitress, Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), rifling through his safe, and is in fact already wearing his late mother’s prized pearl necklace.   As the plot unravels, you’d never guess what surprises it holds in the end.

Ice Age: Continental Drift

LEAD CAST:  (Voice only) Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Keke Palmer, Chris Wedge, Peter Dinklage, Jennifer Lopez, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Heather Morris DIRECTOR: Steve Martino & Mike Thurmeier SCREENWRITER:  Micheal Berg, Jason Fuchs, Mike Reiss PRODUCER:  John C. Donkin, Lori Forte  EDITOR:  James Palumbo MUSICAL DIRECTOR:  John Powell  GENRE: 3-D Computer Animated & Comedy  CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Renato Falcao  RUNNING TIME: 94 minutes  DISTRIBUTOR: 20^th Century Fox  LOCATION:  USA

Technical:  3.5

Moral:   3.5

CINEMA rating:  PG 13 (For viewers aged 13 and below with Parental Guidance)

It’s a decade since we were first introduced to the everlasting nut-seeking Scrat (or even before because we got to like him—feel sorry for him—in several promos and trailers).  Ice Age was released in 2002. The second film (and a game) in 2006.  The third in 2009.  Then a television short in 2011.  And, here we are again.  Ice Age has become part of family movie culture and of cinema animation.

And, Scrat is at it again.  But, glad to say, he has more screen time than before.  He gets to reappear throughout the film.  And, at the end.  his nut-avarice seems to be the cause of Atlantis sinking beneath the Atlantic Ocean, a piece of the mythology that we never realized before!

However, we are also soon introduced to a motley collection of prehistoric animals who have become friends—to littlies and oldies alike.  They get to do some typical action so we are back in familiar territory with familiar characters.  And the voices that we are know are back again (with shots of the voice talent to be seen in the final credits).  Ray Romano is the ever-sturdy mammoth leader, Manny.  Diego the sabre-toothed tiger is Denis Leary.  John Leguizamo and Sid the Sloth are as ditsy as ever.  And, there are some new voices.  Peter Dinklage is most welcome as the ape pirate chief, Captain Gutt; Jennifer Lopez as a female sabre-toothed tiger in his crew; Wanda Sykes as Sid’s potty grandmother. Even Patrick Stewart turns up at the end as Ariscratle, showing Scrat around Atlantis.  There are lots of American and British talent as the animals and the pirates.

The story is a variation on what we have seen before.  But, that doesn’t matter much because the formula was a good one.  There are the usual dangers of the Ice Age, glaciers splitting, mountains crumbling—though we are shown just how Australia and Africa were the result of all these rumblings.  And, then a trek.

When Manny, Diego, Sid and Granny are separated from the rest of the herd, adrift on an iceberg, Manny is determined to find his wife and daughter (with whom he has been having teenage problems about going out and getting home late) and lead his little band home.  The menace this time is the pirate gang, a scraggly lot except for a very fat seal, but enough to cause lots of mayhem and set up battles and escapes.  Formula, but very agreeable.

And the formula seems to work for young audiences as well as older audiences.  To think that the young  audience which enjoyed Ice Age is now entering the teens!  I hope they enjoy this one and don’t look down on the little brothers and sisters who will be laughing and excited. By Peter Malone

Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter

Cast: Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Rufus Sewell, Marton Csokas Direction: Timur Bekmambetov Story and Screenplay: Seth Grahame-Smith; Cinematography: Caleb Deschanel Editing: William Hoy Music: Henry Jackman Producers: Timur Bekmambetov, Tim Burton, Jim Lemley; Genre: Action, Sci-Fi; Running Time: 136 minutes Location: Old Americas; Distributor: 20^th Century Fox

Technical:       3.5

Moral:            3.5

CINEMA Rating:     V 14 (For viewers aged 14 and above)

From the visionary collaboration of writer Seth Grahame-Smith at direction of Timur Bekmambetov, the  novel  with the same title was transformed into a silver screen adaptation of one of America’s greatest leaders.  In the film, the young Abraham Lincoln was both a witness to the sufferings of the African slaves and the death of his gentle mother in the hands of Jack Barts (Marton Csokas), his parent’s employer and one of the cruel slave owners.  Although this incident affected the young Abraham, he was held by a promise to his father that he will not retaliate.  But after nine years, Abraham (Benjamin Walker), now an orphan, considers himself free of that promise and makes it his lifetime commitment to seek revenge for his mother’s murder.  Unknown to him, Barts is one of the many vampires slowly overtaking society.  He chances upon the murderer and attacks him, but he is utterly surprised when he realizes that even bullets lodged in his eyes could not kill Barts.  When Abraham is overpowered and is about to kill him, Henry Sturgess (Dominic Cooper), a guy Abraham met in a bar, intervenes and saves his life.  Abraham wakes up and discovers the truth about vampires.  He pleads Henry to teach him how to defeat the monsters and in turn agrees to be Henry’s protégé and do the vampire hunting for him.  Together, Henry and Abraham defeat the most notorious monsters in the new Americas until the latter discovers the truth about his mentor he almost could not handle.

Eventually, Abraham realizes a deeper struggle he has to fight and decides to lay down his ax and use the power of words and ideas to free slaves, save the people and unite his nation causing the vampires to retaliate by killing his only son. Again, Abraham, now President of the United States must fight but his fight is ignited not by vengeance but by the desire to free the world of evil and horror.

One cannot deny the brilliance of the work on screen as real life events in history are tightly woven in the imagination of Smith.  The narrative is strong and clear and each succeeding scene progressively heightens drama and excitement, not to mention several quotable quotes from the protagonist.  Visually, the movie is stunning: high action, superb cinematography and unbelievable computer-generated effects all coming together in the 3Dformat.  The production design and artistic direction is a work of genius.  Henry Jackman’s scoring is another element that easily stands out… not overpowering, not melodramatic but just perfectly in synch with each scene’s emotional requirement. Abraham LincolnVampire Hunter will be one of the movies you just need to watch.

As a movie, Abraham Lincoln easily stands out as a favorite but does it deliver enough positive messages amidst the gruesome violent action sequences. It does, but not for the young audiences. Some of the more salient messages include the effect of parental care and idealism on the child’s development.  Because Abraham’s parents showed love, respect and concern for others, the same values remained inculcated in Abraham as an adult and as one of the most powerful man in the Americas.

Revenge seemed like a dominant theme at first as Abraham carried with him the pain of his mother’s murder.  This may have fueled his valiance but through Henry’s mentorship, he realizes that there is more to it than just getting even.  Justice for one’s self is always superseded by justice for the majority.  As Abraham got to live his vampire hunting career, his motivation transformed from his mother’s death to a nation’s survival.  Eventually, this led him into a deeper issue—one that is real in our world as well—emancipation of slaves. On the one hand, you can say that his foes and battles are in fact symbols of his desire to unite a nation that respects all men as equal.  At this point, not even the death of his only son occasions another  vendetta to push him to wipe out vampires, only his desire to show that all men are  equal—regardless of race or color.

Even the scene where Henry offers immortality to Abraham so they can continue their mission against the vampires leaves us with a valuable lesson on being a person. Abraham replies that there are more things that last longer than immortality like living as a legend who has chosen to do good and protect the welfare of  men for the common good.

Amazing Spiderman

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Sally Field, Martin Sheen, Denis Leary; Direction: Marc Webb; Story: James Vanderbilt Based on Stan Lee and Steve Ditco; Screenplay: James Vanderbuilt, Alvin Sargent, Steve Kloves; Cinematography: JohnSchwartzman; Editing: Allan Edward Bell, Pietro Scalia;  Music: James Horner; Producers:Avi Arad, Laura Zisin, Matt Tolmach; Genre: Action, Sci-Fi,  Drama; Running Time: 136 minutes; Location: New York, USA; Distributor: Columbia Pictures

Technical:     4

Moral:          3.5

CINEMA Rating:  V14 (For viewers aged 14 and above)

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) is an awkward ostracized student at Midtown Science High School who still feels the pain of being abandoned by his parents when he was a little boy.  Constantly bullied and ignored, he finds solace in the attempts of friendship by his classmate Gwen Stacey (Emma Stone) and the loving care of his surrogate parents Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field). He attempts to find the truth about his past when he discovers a briefcase his father left behind.  The search leads him to Oscorp Industries where his father used to work with Dr. Curtis Connors (Ryan Ifans).  As he tries to piece together clues he found with the present work of  Dr. Connors, he is accidentally bitten by a spider which instantly gives him strength, reflexes and agility.  Peter frequents Dr. Connors to learn more about his transformation and his father.  Unfortunately, his obsession coupled with hormones, identity crisis and teenage angst constantly leaves him at odds with Uncle Ben.  In one of their arguments, Uncle Ben is shot by a mugger who Peter has allowed to escape.  In his guilt, he uses his superpowers to hunt down the killer and take it upon himself to rid New York of criminals as a mask vigilante called Spiderman.  Capt. Stacey sees otherwise and gives a standing order to the NYPD to arrest him.  But when Dr. Connors transforms into a rampaging giant Lizard, Spiderman learns the true meaning of doing good and Capt. Stacey understands what Spiderman really stands for.

The Amazing Spiderman is not another version of the original Raime-Macguire trilogy but a movie version with more maturity, deeper humanity and bigger beating heart that brought the film a certain reality lacking in previous versions.  The casting and their corresponding performances are exceptional.  Garfield’s take on Parker’s coming of age awkwardness and angst is vivid and genuine.  The chemistry between Peter and Gwen is engaging, to say the least.  As a narrative, there are a few loopholes that could have been tighter but these came so few and far between that audience can easily ignore for the power of the intimate non-Hollywood moments director Marc Webb chose.  Another element that could not be ignored is the precise and inspired scoring of James Horner which punctuates the drama and action of the film.  These, together with the astonishing CGIs and 3D effects, make for a spectacular movie.  It was not a surprise that on opening day the theatre resounded with approving applause from satisfied and moved viewers as the end credits rolled.

As the original Spider film’s immortalized words “with great power comes great responsibility” stuck to our minds, this version tells us two more things.  That everyone has the “moral responsibility—not choice—to do what is good.  This need not be a bloody heroism or an exploit witnessed by many but just everyday acts of kindness including remembering to do a simple chore for someone in need.  One’s moral obligation to do good means not consenting to or keeping quiet in the face of a crime.  It will have its repercussions later on.  Peter ignored the mugger when he easily could have stopped or helped the store owner. In the end, the mugger killed his Uncle.  Although Peter/Spiderman tried to make up by being a vigilante, it did him and the people around him no good until his reasons for helping came from a desire to do what is right instead of trying to give a bad person what he deserves.

This brings us to the second lesson.  Revenge is different from justice and helping a person in need.  When Peter humiliated Flash although we would all agree he had it coming, Uncle Ben was quick to point out that Peter’s actions did not really make him feel a better man. Capt. Stacey reiterated that a man who wears a mask and lurks in the shadows is not the same as a man who wears a badge and keeps law and order.

Overall, The Amazing Spiderman is great movie, one that viewers will remember and talk about and use as reference in the next years.  However, violence and destruction and some themes make it unsuitable for the very young audiences.

Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme

Cast Eugene Domingo, Ariel Ureta, Zanjoe Marudo, Dingdong Dantes, Miriam Quiambao Direktor Joyce Bernal  Screenwriter Cris Martinez  Executive Producer  Piolo Pascual  Genre Comedy-horror  Location  Philippines and Korea                  

Technical Assessment 3.5

Moral Assessment  2.5

CINEMA Rating: V14 (For viewers ages 14 and above)

Biglaang bibiyahe ang mag-aamang Go Dong Hei sa Korea sa dalawang dahilan.  Una, upang mamasyal at makapag-bonding, ikalawa ay upang tuparin ang isang kasunduan na ipakasal ang isa sa kambal na Kimmy at Dora sa anak ng isang malaon nang kaibigan ng pamilya, bilang pagbawi sa naging pagkakasala ng kanilang amang si Luisito (Ariel Ureta) sa isang babae sa Korea noong kanyang kabataan. Matigas na tatanggihan ito ni Kimmy bilang isang malaking kabaliwan lalo na sa makabagong panahon.  Ang inosenteng si Dora naman ay hindi pa maiisip ang maaring idulot ng pagsunod sa kagustuhan ng ama. Higit na bibigat ang sitwasyon sa magkapatid dahil halos sabay na matatanggap nila ng alok na pagpapakasal ng kani-kanilang kasintahan na sina Barry (Zanjoe Marudo) kay Kimmy at Johnson (Dingdong Dantes) kay Dora.  Kasabay ng mga biglaang pangyayaring ito sa buhay ng mag-aama ay ang mga kakaibang mararamdaman at makikita nila na gagambala sa magkapatid, pati na sa alagang aso ni Dora, si Mikky.  Sa kalaunan madadawit din sa hiwaga sila Barry, Johnson at Luisito.

Magaling ang pagkakatahi ng istorya ng Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme.  Mahusay ang naisip ng produksyon na makalikha ng bagong kuwento samantalang nanatili ang orihinal na konsepto ng naunang Kimmy Dora, Kakambal sa Kiyeme.  Magaling ang takbo ng istorya, ang disenyo ng produksyon, ang special effects ng paglitaw at paglaho ng multo, at ng walang sablay na editing lalo na sa mga eksena ng dalawang karakter ni Domingo.  Samantala mas naging interesante sana ang cinematography kung nakapagpakita pa ng mas maraming lugar at kultura ng Korea sa pamamasyal ng mag-aama.

Napakahusay ng pagkakaganap ni Domingo ng dalawang tauhan sa pelikula, ang magkakambal na Kimmy at Dora.  Nakatulong sa pagpapaganda ng aspetong teknikal ng pelikula ang epektibong pagpapatawa ng iba pang mga artista at ang pagsisikap ng direktor na buuhin ang isang seryosong kwento na dinamitan ng pagpapatawa at katatakutan. Tanging kapintasan lamang nito sa aspetong teknikal ay ang mga pinahabang eksena ng pakikibaka sa multo na maaaring makabagot o makasuya dahil sa paulit-ulit nitong pakuwela at special effects. 

Napapanahon ang pagpapalabas ng Kimi Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme sa Father's Day sapagkat muling ipinakita ang kahanga-hangang pagdadala ng isang ama (at pagganap ni Ureta) ng kanyang tungkulin sa kakaibang sitwasyon ng kanyang dalawang anak.  Mas magiliw at makalinga sa anak na may mabagal na pag-iisip at buong kumpyansa naman sa matalino at maaasahang anak kasabay ng di nagsasawang paalala na magpasensya sa kakulangan ng kapatid.

Walang lihim na di nabubunyag lalo na kung may epekto ito sa hinaharap at sa mga mahal sa buhay.  Dapat pag-isipan ng sinumang may pananagutan sa pagtatago ng lihim kung paano ito haharapin sa panahon ng pagbubunyag.  Sa panahon ng pagsubok kung kailan wala nang magawa si Luisito kungdi isakrispisyo ang kaligayahan ng anak bilang kabayaran sa kanyang nakaraang pagkakasala ay mananaig ang pagka-ama nito upang huwag nang ipagkanulo ang anak.  Sa sitwasyon ng magkakambal na madalas makadama ng panibugho si Kimmy kay Dora sa atensyon ng ama, ay lagi namang nabibigyang-diin ang pagpaparaya, pagtanggap at pagmamahal.  Gayundin ipinakita sa pelikula na bawat tao sa anumang kapasidad ay may kakayahan na makatulong katulad ng nagagawa ni Dora sa kabila ng kanyang kalagayan.

Sa sitwasyon ng pagiging amo at empleyado nakababahala ang pagpapakita ng labis na karahasan at pagkamatayog  ni Kimmy sa sekretarya at sa doktor sa pag-aari nilang ospital, bagama’t malinaw ang konteksto na ang masamang ugaling ito ay epekto diumano ng kanyang pagiging dating typhoid patient .  Dahil sa ginagawang basehan ng pagpapatawa ng pelikula ang ganitong asal ni Kimmy, nagmumukha tuloy itong isang “palusot” lamang upang bigyang daan ang husay sa papel na pagtataray ni Domingo.

Sa kabila ng intensiyon ng pelikula na maghatid ng mensaheng kapupulutan ng leksiyon sa buhay, maaaring hindi ito ang “binibili” ng mga manonood na may bitbit pang mga musmos na bata sa sinehan.  Ang hanap nila’y katatawanan, at katatawanan naman ang inihahain ng pelikula, makatuwiran man ito o hindi.

Taliwas sa turo ng Simbahang Katolika ang ipinakikita ng pelikula na labis na kapangyarihan ng isang multo, na sa kanyang paghihiganti ay nagugupo ang sinumang naisin.  Hindi maliwanag sa pelikula kung ang takot bang ito sa multo ay nagmumula sa pagkakaroon ng ibang relihiyon ng mag-aama.  (Sumamba sila sa isang tila Buddhist temple sa Korea, at ang pamagat mismo ng pelikula ay may kaugnayan sa relihiyon: Temple).  Anupaman, sa paniniwala ng mga Kristiyano,  ang mga kaluluwa ng yumao na di matahimik ay dapat ipagdasal—lalo na kung inaakala natin na may mensahe itong ibig iparating—nang sa gayon ay magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa kabilang buhay.   Wala ang ganoong elemento dito, bagama’t may isang maliit na krus na gawa sa sangay ng punong kahoy ang hawak ng isa sa mga tauhan noong nagri-ritual sila upang tawagin ang espiritu ng isang yumao.

May pinanghihinayangan ang CINEMA sa pelikulang Kimmy Dora and the Temple of  Kiyeme.  Sa husay ng teknikal na pagkakagawa nito, naging mabisa sana itong kasangkapan sa pagpapakalat ng higit na makabuluhang mensahe upang maiangat ang kamalayan ng mga manonood na Pilipino.  Sa halip, naging sunud-sunuran pa ito sa kalakaran sa entertainment industry sa paggamit nito ng mga may kapansanan bilang ubod ng katatawanan.

Si Dora (ayon sa Kimmy Dora 1) diumano ay nagkaroon ng autism gawa ng isang aberiya habang siya ay iniluluwal ng ina.  May isang eksena sa swimming pool dito sa Kimmy Dora 2  kung saan hindi iginalang ang kanyang pagiging isip-bata.  Nagmistula siyang palakang nakatihaya at lumulutang sa tubig.  Oo nga’t maaaring nangyayari ito sa tunay na buhay, ngunit sa tunay buhay, hindi natin hinahayaang mahantad nang mahalay ang katawan ng isang isip-bata, lalo na kung ito’y dalaga na; dito, pinupog pa siya ng halik, tuloy lubog sa tubig.  Para lang mapatawa ang manonood?  Huwag naman.  Ang tinawanan ay si Domingo, ngunit kinalimutan nila ang maselang kalagayan ng karakter na si Dora.   Kung napapasaya tayo ng ganitong mga eksena, mayroon tayong dapat suriin sa ating kalooban.  

Napuna din ba ninyo na unano ang isa sa mga tauhang pinagtatawanan, at hindi Tagalog ang kanyang orasyon?   Marami nang mga sinaunang pelikulang Pilipino ang gumamit na ng unano para lamang magpatawa; panahon na siguro upang ipakita naman natin na ang mga unano ay mayroon ding puso, kaluluwa, at kakayahang gumawa ng kagitingan.  Ang katulong sa bahay na kung tumawag sa amo ay “Ma’am Dura” ay hindi rin Tagalog—bakit laging dapat gawing katawa-tawa Bisaya o ang katulong?  Maaaring ito’y isang “maliit na bagay” lamang ngunit sa paglakad ng panahon, ang mga maliliit na bagay na ito ang siyang nagpapatibay sa ating mga prejudice laban sa ating kapwa.        

Ingatan natin ang ating isipan, lalo na ng mga kabataan, hindi lamang laban sa walang humpay na pagmumulto o katatakutan sa mga palabas na ating pinanonood, kundi laban din sa mga kinagisnan nating panglilibak sa mga taong may kapansanan at mga kapos sa buhay, saan mang rehiyon ng Pilipinas sila nanggagaling.  Ituring na ninyo itong hamon ng CINEMA sa Kimmy Dora 3.

Special Forces

            

LEAD CAST:  Diane Kruger, Djimon Hounsou, Benoît Magimel, Denis Menochet, Raphael Personnaz, Alain Figlarz, Alain Alivon,   Mehdi Nebbou, Raz Degan, Mehdi Nebbou, Morjana Alaoui, Tcheky Karyo DIRECTOR: Stephane Rybojad SCREENWRITER: Michael Cooper, Stéphane Rybojad PRODUCER:  Thierry Marro, Benoit Ponsaillé EDITOR: Erwan Pecher MUSICAL DIRECTOR  Xavier Berthelot GENRE:  Drama, Action & Adventure CINEMATOGRAPHER David Jankowski  LOCATION: France, Djibouti and Tajikistan

Technical Assessment:    4

Moral Assessment:   2.5

Cinema Rating: R 18 ( For viewers age 18 and above)

Special Forces is a French war adventure film. It shows a group of elite French soldiers on a desperate hostage rescue mission of a French journalist kidnapped by the Taliban in the Afghanistan/Pakistan area, who faces the threat of death by execution. 

Lockout

CAST Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Vincent Regan, Joseph Gilgun,  Lennie James, Peter Stormare  DIRECTOR James Mather, Stephen St. Leger STORY AND SCREENPLAY Luc Besson  PRODUCER  Marc Libert, Leila Smith  Genre Sci-Fi Action  Location Outer Space

Technical assessment  2.5

Moral assessment:  3

CINEMA Rating  For viewers 18 and above

In 2079, the US has built a maximum security penitentiary called MS1 outside the earth’s orbit wherein criminals are kept in suspended animation or statis. The president’s daughter Emilie Warnock (Maggie Grace) visits the prison to investigate if the convicts are indeed being used as human guinea pigs and if statis leads to psychopathy and dementia. Unfortunately, during the interrogation, one of the convicts escapes and releases all other prisoners, resulting to a riot and the hostage of the Emilie and the rest of the prison staff. The Secret Service devices a plan to save Emilie by sending wrongly accused and sarcastically brooding CIA agent Snow (Guy Pearce) in the penitentiary. Although reluctant at first to accept the suicide mission, his fellow CIA agent Shaw (Lennie Shaw) convinces him to go by pointing out that the only person who will be able to clear his name and reputation is one of the prisoners in MS1. 

The film borrows too much from other movies namely Escape from New York and Alcatraz, to be original. The plot is predictable and the characters come off as caricatures. Although the action sequences are fast-paced and excitable, it shows nothing really creative or innovative. It does get boring after the first few explosions and hysteria of being chased throughout the film. The only successful ingredient in the film is the chemistry between Pearce and Grace providing a few laughs with their constant banter and Pearce’s dead tone liners and electrifying presence. Even at the very start of the conflict, we are sure of which characters will live and which one will die but nonetheless, the audience are glued to the screen as it does deliver an easily digestible and cheap entertainment.

One thing admirable with the film is the desire of the protagonist to help people whether criminals, hostages or the good guys. Emilie is an epitome of people-oriented leader who has no qualms about selflessness and compassion—at times to the point of stupidity (like telling the lunatic Hydell where she can found)—but still enough to make one appreciate goodness amidst a world transformed into self-centeredness and amorality.

Lockout is like most action films where the way to achieve justice, freedom or redemption is to have blood splattered indiscreetly and dead bodies scattered about from the first scene to the last.  Hence, the crude entertainment and modest values it may have is only suitable for older and more mature audiences.

Rock of Ages

 

CAST Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta Jones, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough, Marie Blige.  DIRECTOR Adam Shankman.  WRITERS Justin Theroux, Chris D’Arienzo.  RUNNING TIME 123 minutes.  GENRE Musical  LOCATION USA.  DISTRIBUTOR Warner Bros., New Line Cinema.

Technical assessment:  3.5

Moral assessment:  2.5

CINEMA rating:  R14 (for viewers aged 14 and up)

Prodded by her grandmother to leave small town Oklahoma and follow her dream to be a rock star in Hollywood in the 80s, Sherrie (Julianne Hough) becomes a bag-snatching victim in the big city.  Drew (Diego Boneta) witnesses the robbery and suggests she apply for a job where he works as a bar boy, the Bourbon Room on Sunset Strip, owned by Dennis (Alec Baldwin).  Sherrie is convinced because besides being penniless and homeless, she will get to meet her rock-star idol Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) who’s slated to give his farewell performance at the Bourbon Room over the weekend.  Dennis hires her as waitress, without knowing that she sings and that Drew, in fact, sings with his own band.  Sherrie and Drew get to become close friends, sharing each other’s dreams of hitting it big someday as singers. 

To enjoy Rock of Ages, don’t take the plot more seriously than its director Adam Shankman does.   From the first tune, blurted out on a bus and which defies all sense of logic  (can you really find so many bus riders singing that professionally on a ride?) to the last toingggg of an electric guitar, Shankman has his tongue cheekily planted in his cheek.  And that’s what makes Rock of Ages entertaining.  It has a stunt casting but its biggest stars do roles against their types with earnestness and intensity—which only shows how versatile these stars can be.  Picture a gun toting Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible and see how many worlds away that is from Tom Cruise as a spoofily dramatic rock star.  Recall what the lovely and lovable Catherine Zeta Jones is in any of her movies and watch her here as a domineering, moralizing politician’s wife with a past to live down, whoa!  Compare Paul Giamatti as a maintenance man in Lady in the Water with the venal star manager in Rock of Ages.  And what of Alec Baldwin as bar owner Dennis in Rock of Ages and Alec Baldwin as Atty. Campbell Alexander in My Sister’s Keeper—goodness, they’re oil and water! 

Rock of Ages being a musical has a right to a predictable plot and some mash—aside from the “oldies” sung, the script possesses no originality; besides, Hough and Boneta are bland leads, but what the heck, the song and dance performances are high-spirited and the actors are obviously having a lot of fun, so, just sing and sway along!  Despite the infectious sense of fun Rock of Ages conveys, it may not be passed on as totally wholesome entertainment for the whole family.  Precocious 14-year-olds may be able to handle it, as long as they are advised by parents, teachers and other concerned elders about extra-marital sex and adult entertainment the movie contains.