Information Review

Paramount Home Entertainment is teamed up with Dreamworks to release the second installment of their highly successful CGI animated movie series “Kung Fu Panda” (KFP) on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Copy on December 13, 2011.

The original cast including the Po (voiced by Jack Black), Po’s dad Mr. Ping, the Furious Five and Master Shifu are returned in this sequel. Kungful Panda 2 takes place some time after the original movie where Po and his friends are required to face a new menace, Shen who has returned with a powerful armament to take over the village and to destroy Kung-fu. It is established in the original film that Po’s dad is a goose (Ping). He can’t be a dad of Po. The movie reveals his ancestry further. He is a dragon master, but Po is told by Master Shi fu to discover inner peace. In order to discover the inner peace he requires to beat Shen, first Po have to discover the secret of his history, a history that he only visualizes in flash of recurring memory that Shen's return has awakened in him.

The visual effects, together with the voice skills of the cast, are outstanding, for it is rare that a CGI film can attain such sensation through its characters. KFP2 filled with humor, action, as well as some very touching moments, which really make the KFP2 that much more outstanding.

Kung Fu Panda 2 - DVD Trailer

I am a sucker for psychological thrillers but prefer to watch them in the comfort of my home where I can jump and scream in peace so I waited for the DVD release. I loved the first movie and I loved the second! Paranormal Activity 2. These two films rely on psychological terror to scare the viewer, and they succeed very well. There is a definite terror build-up as the movie goes along, and each time a video camera sequence appears, one can be sure that something scary is going to happen. I thought part 2 started out a little slow, but as it went along, it definitely gets much scarier.

PA 2 takes place about two months before the beginning of Paranormal Activity. A year after bringing newborn son Hunter home, Kristi and family experience a break-in, prompting them to install security cameras all over the house. As increasingly bizarre events continue to occur around the house, Kristi's stepdaughter Ali grows curious about what's happening, while Kristi looks back to similar instances that occurred during her and Katie's childhood.

Overall, if you liked the first installment, I recommend you see this installment if you have yet to. The development of the storyline and the way they end this movie all ties into the first movie and sets the stage for the third installment in a manner that I'm looking forward to seeing the continuation/conclusion of.

Is Paranormal Activity 3 in the works? I hope so.

I saw this movie theatrically recently, it is mostly a very good movie with sympathetic characters and historical significance. The story begins in 1925, when Prince Albert (played by Colin Firth) is called-upon to give a speech at the British Empire Exhibition, his stammer is excruciating. His wife, Elizabeth (played by Helena Bonham Carter), fed up with the long list of "qualified" professionals who cannot help her husband, hires Lionel Logue to treat Albert. Logue is an Australian émigré whose methods are, to say the least, unconventional. Logue, played by Geoffrey Rush with his usual energy and panache, empathizes with his client. However, he lets "Bertie" know that he must do as he is told if he wants to improve. He urges Albert to curse, sing, perform repetitive and weird exercises, and speak freely about his painful childhood. Unsurprisingly, Albert and Logue do not see eye to eye.

The film depicts Albert's valiant attempt to overcome his crippling handicap. Colin Firth is exceptional as Albert, a man who never expected to be king. His older brother, Edward, ascends the throne upon the death of their cold and commanding father, but abdicates to marry the twice-divorced Wallis Simpson. Thus, Albert is thrust into the role of monarch, and, as George VI, he is required to address his subjects using a relatively new technology--radio. When England declares war against Germany, George delivers an address (with Logue's assistance), in an effort to rally and unite the nation.

Bertie's older brother did become King, but he abdicated, forcing shy Bertie into the job. The film leads up to Bertie's (now King George VI) very important first radio address to the nation after WWII is declared. The era is recreated well and one feels the weight on the King's shoulders as he prepares to address his countrymen, to guide and strengthen them. It's a moving scene as the King manages to deliver the speech nearly flawlessly with the help of his teacher. Rush is bubbly and funny and kind, Carter is loving and supportive, and Firth is every inch a King.

For those interested in the British monarchy, and in particular the House of Windsor, this is a riveting and even emotional account of the fact that the king who led Britain through World War II struggled with a terrible stammer. The film brought this home poignantly as it makes clear how very traumatic the king's life must have been, especially after the abdication by his older brother. While Firth gives a splendid performance, however, the film was somewhat spoiled for me by the fact that he does not resemble King George VI in the slightest - whereas the actor who plays the Duke of Windsor bears an uncanny resemblance to that disgraced man. It's a small detail, but for those who care about the historical figures in question it's frankly a slight impediment to credibility.

Dell recently unveiled its upcoming smartphone STREAK 7 TABLET PC at the Consumer Electronics Show that uses the Android operating system. The new Dell Streak 7 Tablet is expected to be available in the U.S. on February 02, 2011 at $199.99 after a $50 MIR. It is the first 4G capable tablet specifically designed for the super fast mobile broadband speeds of T-Mobile’s 4G network.

Motorola unveiled its new upcoming Android-based tablet computer at CES 2011 on January 5, 2011. It will be the first tablet to run Android 3.0 Honeycomb powerful Google Software developed specifically for tablet PCs. It is set for release in the first quarter of 2011. Motorola Xoom features front – and rear – facing cameras, a camcorder and Adobe Flash Player, all on a 10-1-inch widescreen HD display.

Love is a sci fi film, release date to be announced later. The film is written and directed by William Eubank, and stars Gunner Wright.

Movie synopsis: After losing contact with Earth, Astronaut LeeMiller becomes stranded in orbit alone aboard the International Space Station. As time passes and life support systems dwindle, Lee battles to maintain his sanity - and simply stay alive. His world is a claustrophobic and lonely existence, until he makes a strange discovery aboard the ship.

First look at upcoming romantic drama film “Just Go with It”, set for release on February 11, 2011. The film is directed by Dennis Dugan and stars Adam Sandler as Dr. Patrick Maccabee, Jennifer Aniston as Katherine Palmer, Nicole Kidman as Rea Ann Devlin, Brooklyn Decker as Beverly Martin, Dave Matthews as Ian Maxtone-Jones, Nick Swardson as Eddie Simms, Bailee Madison as Maggie Palmer, Griffin Gluck as Michael Palmer, Kevin Nealon as Adon, Heidi Montag as Adon's wife, Dan Patrick as Hula Emcee, Michael Laskin as Mr. Maccabee, Rakefet Abergel as Rachel Maccabee, Keith Middlebrook as Rick North and Elena Kolpachikova as Katja.

Movie synopsis: A plastic surgeon (Adam Sandler), who is afraid of commitment, tells his much younger girlfriend (Brooklyn Decker) that he’s married, with children to avoid having a serious relationship with her. When she starts to believe he's lying and threatens to leave him, he asks his office manager (Jennifer Aniston) and her children (Bailee Madison, Griffin Gluck) to pose as his family in order to prove his honesty.

Just Go with It movie trailer

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First look at upcoming romance film “Jane Eyre”, set for release in the US on March 11, 2011. The film is directed by Cary Fukunaga and the screenplay is written by Moira Buffini based on the book by Charlotte Brontë, and stars Mia Wasikowska as Jane Eyre, Michael Fassbender as Edward Rochester, Jamie Bell as St. John, Judi Dench as Mrs. Fairfax, Holliday Grainger as Diana Rivers, Sally Hawkins as Mrs. Reed, Tamzin Merchant as Mary Rivers, Imogen Poots as Blanche Ingram, Jayne Wisener as Bessie Lee, Amelia Clarkson as Young Jane Eyre, Freya Parks as Helen Burns, Rosie Cavaliero as Grace Poole and Harry Lloyd as Richard Mason.

Movie synopsis: Mia Wasikowska (“Alice in Wonderland”) and Michael Fassbender (“Inglourious Basterds”) star in the romantic drama based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, from acclaimed director Cary Fukunaga (“Sin Nombre”). In the story, Jane Eyre flees Thornfield House, where she works as a governess for wealthy Edward Rochester. As she reflects upon the people and emotions that have defined her, it is clear that the isolated and imposing residence – and Mr. Rochester’s coldness – have sorely tested the young woman’s resilience, forged years earlier when she was orphaned. She must now act decisively to secure her own future and come to terms with the past that haunts her – and the terrible secret that Mr. Rochester is hiding and that she has uncovered…

Jane Eyre (2011) movie trailer

First look at upcoming adventure thriller film “Hanna”, set for in the US on April 08, 2011. The film is directed by Joe Wright and stars Cate Blanchett as Marissa Wiegler, Eric Bana as Erik Heller, Saoirse Ronan as Hanna, Olivia Williams, Michelle Dockery as False Marissa, Tom Hollander as Isaacs, Jessica Barden as Sophie, Cyron Bjørn Melville, Álvaro Cervantes as Feliciano, Paris Arrowsmith as CIA Tech, Jamie Beamish as Burton, John MacMillan as Lewis, Nathan Nolan as Doctor 1, Peter Brownbill as Dwarf in Show Act Snow White, Vicky Krieps as Johanna Zadek, Adam Markiewicz as Gast, Marc Soto as Feliciano's Brother and Martin Goeres as Agent (uncredited).

Hanna movie synopsis: The title character of this adventure thriller, filmed in Europe, Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is a teenage girl. Uniquely, she has the strength, the stamina, and the smarts of a soldier; these come from being raised by her father (Eric Bana), an ex-CIA man, in the wilds of Finland. Living a life unlike any other teenager, her upbringing and training have been one and the same, all geared to making her the perfect assassin. The turning point in her adolescence is a sharp one; sent into the world by her father on a mission, Hanna journeys stealthily across Europe while eluding agents dispatched after her by a ruthless intelligence operative with secrets of her own (Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett). As she nears her ultimate target, Hanna faces startling revelations about her existence and unexpected questions about her humanity.

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Restless is a drama film, set for release on January 28, 2011. The film is written by Jason Lew and directed by Gus Van Sant, and stars Henry Hopper as Enoch Brae, Mia Wasikowska as Annabel Cotton, Schuyler Fisk as Elizabeth Cotton, Jane Adams as Mabel Tell, Chin Han, Ryō Kase, Lusia Strus as Rachel, Jesse Henderson as Alger and Victor Morris as Joseph.

Movie synopsis: From Imagine Entertainment comes a powerful and emotional coming of age story, a remarkable film told with honesty and originality that will leave audiences moved. In the film, two outsiders, both shaped by the circumstances that have brought them together, forge a deep and lasting love. Directed by Gus Van Sant, one of the most astute observers of people living life on the edge, comes a take on friendship and young love as engaging and true as it is provocative and stirring. The screenplay is by Jason Lew.

First look at Dreamworks’ upcoming comedy film “Fright Night”, set for release on October 7, 2011. It is a remake of the 1985 Tom Holland film of the same name. The screenplay is written by Marti Noxon and directed by Craig Gillespie, and stars Colin Farrell as Jerry Dandrige, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Evil Ed,Anton Yelchin as Charley Brewster, David Tennant as Peter Vincent, Toni Collette as Judy Brewster, Imogen Poots as Amy Peterson, Sandra Vergara as Ginger and Gabby West.

Movie synopsis: Charlie (Anton Yelchin) is a teen convinced that his new neighbor (Colin Farrell) is a vampire. Toni Collette plays the teen's disbelieving mom, who falls under the vampire's spell.

Peter Vincent (David Tennant) is a Las Vegas magician whose show revolves around horror-movie imagery. Vincent claims to be a vampire expert, but when the teen turns to him for assistance, he's less than helpful.

Evil Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) is Charlie's friend who feels slighted that Charlie has left his nerdy past behind and thus joins the vampire's coven.

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First look at upcoming horror film “Jeepers Creepers 3: Cathedral”, a sequel to the 2003 film “Jeepers Creepers 2”, set for release in Q2 2011. The film is written and directed by Victor Salva, and stars Gina Philips as Trish Jenner, Jonathan Breck as The Creeper, Ray Wise as Jack Taggart Sr., Luke Edwards as Jack Taggart Jr., Brandon Smith as Sgt. David Tubbs, Marieh Delfino as Rhonda Truitt and Lo Bosworth as Mindy Handle.

Movie synopsis: The movie sets in a flashback in the old west, telling how The Creeper was introduced into Indian and cowboy folktales, then sets 23 years after the events of the original films where the story was left off. Trisha Jenner, who is now a successful woman and has a teenage son of her own named Darry (after her late brother who was killed by The Creeper in Jeepers Creepers), has a recurring nightmare of her son suffering the same fate. So she sets out with Jack Taggart, Sr and Jack Taggart, Jr and some of the other characters from the past two films to end the Creeper's reign once and for all.

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The Eagle is a drama film, set for release on February 25, 2011. The film is directed by Kevin Macdonald and the screenplay is written by Jeremy Brock based on the book by Rosemary Sutcliff, and stars Channing Tatum as centurion Marcus Aquila, Jamie Bell as Esca, a British slave, Donald Sutherland as Aquila, Marcus' uncle who is living retired in Britain, Mark Strong as Guern, "an ex-soldier who holds crucial information about the Ninth", Tahar Rahim as the seal prince and Walter van Dyk as the Roman Patrician.

Movie synopsis: In 140 AD, twenty years after the unexplained disappearance of the entire Ninth Legion in the mountains of Scotland, young centurion Marcus Aquila (Tatum) arrives from Rome to solve the mystery and restore the reputation of his father, the commander of the Ninth. Accompanied only by his British slave Esca (Bell), Marcus sets out across Hadrian's Wall into the uncharted highlands of Caledonia - to confront its savage tribes, make peace with his father's memory, and retrieve the lost legion's golden emblem, the Eagle of the Ninth.

First look at the upcoming sci-fi thriller film "The Divide" (THE FALLOUT is the Working title), release date to be announced later. The film is written by Karl Mueller / Eron Sheean and directed by Xavier Gens, and stars Milo Ventimiglia as Josh, Michael Biehn as Mickey, Ashton Holmes, Peter Stormare, Rosanna Arquette as Marilyn, Lauren German as Eva, Courtney B. Vance as Delvin, Michael Eklund as Bobby and Iván González

Movie synopsis: In the near future, New York City is destroyed by an apocalyptic event; eight survivors hide in the basement of their large apartment building which has now been reduced to rubble. Later after settling in, a team of armed men in HAZMAT suits come into their shelter and attack the survivors who were thinking that they were the rescue team, after realising that the men in HAZMAT suits are hostile, the survivors must find another way to escape as well as maintain their own sanity in order to survive.

Wrecked is an upcoming thriller film, set for release on March 10, 2011. The screenplay is written by Christopher Dodd and directed by Michael Greenspan, and stars: Adrien Brody as Man, Caroline Dhavernas as Woman, Ryan Robbins as George Weaver, Adrian Holmes as Man in the Woods and Jacob Blair as Park Ranger.

Wrecked movie synopsis: A Man (Adrien Brody) awakens in a mangled car-wreck at the bottom of a steep cliff. He’s injured, his legs are trapped, and he has no memory of who he is or how he got there. His only company – a crackling radio broadcast of a violent bank robbery gone wrong and a corpse in the back seat with a wallet identifying him as one of the perpetrators. As the man ventures beyond the wreckage, he must rely on his primal instincts, using anything he can find in the surrounding wilderness to increase his chances of survival. Confronted with overwhelming obstacles, both real and imagined, the Man must discover his identity and face the consequences of what that might be.

Darkening Sky is a thriller film, release date to be announced later. The film is written and directed by Victor Bornia and stars Rider Strong as Eric Rainer, Danielle Keaton as Beth, Danica Stewart as Cindy, Charley Rossman as Harold, Daniel Kirschner as Steve, Sally Berman as Emily, Suzanne Ford as Dr. Connell, Time Winters as Dr. Mack, Maria Olsen as Lola, Bella DiFiore as Ruby, Rob King as Tim, Angus Hall as Gus, Ezra Buzzington as Guy and Maitland McConnell as Lisa.

Movie synopsis: When a troubled UFO skeptic finds his girlfriend has vanished, he is forced to consider the one explanation he finds impossible to accept. Grad student, Eric Rainer, has a thesis: UFOs and ETs are modern-day myths designed to explain events that seem unexplainable. But after a disturbing alien abduction nightmare, Eric must face the sudden and mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend.

Desperate for answers, he meets a beautiful stranger (Danielle Keaton) who lost her boyfriend under similar circumstances. Together, they unravel the mystery, going deeper and deeper into a bizarre world of alien shape-shifters, implanted objects, organ harvesting, and humans seemingly possessed by malevolent forces.

First look at upcoming sci fi film Cowboys & Aliens, set for release on July 29, 2011. The film is directed by Jon Favreau and stars Daniel Craig as Jake Lonergan, Harrison Ford as Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde, Olivia Wilde as Ella, Sam Rockwell as Doc, Noah Ringer as Emmett, Paul Dano as Percy Dolarhyde, Clancy Brown as Meacham, Keith Carradine Sheriff Taggart, Adam Beach as Nat Colorado, Ana de la Reguera as María, Walton Goggins as Hunt and Tai Taylor as Red.

Cowboys & Aliens movie synopsis: 1873. Arizona Territory. A stranger named Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don't welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). It's a town that lives in fear. But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known. Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he's been, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of the elusive traveler Ella (Olivia Wilde), he pulls together a posse of former opponents — townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors—all in danger of annihilation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival.

First look at upcoming fantasy adventure film Conan the Barbarian, based on the character Conan the Barbarian created by Robert E. Howard. It is a new adaptation, separate from the earlier 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger films, set for release in 2011. The film is directed by Marcus Nispel and stars Ron Perlman as Corin, Rose McGowan as Marique, Rachel Nichols as Tamara, Jason Momoa as Conan, Stephen Lang as Khalar Zym, Saïd Taghmaoui, Bob Sapp as Ukafa, Leo Howard as Young Conan, Nonso Anozie as Artus, Katarzyna Wolejnio as Valeria, Bashar Rahal as Quarter Master and Raw Leiba.

Movie synopsis: Khalar Zym, an old friend of Conan's father, Corin, arrives in Cimmeria seeking Corin's help in finding Ilira, the "Lost Queen of Acheron". When Corin refuses, Khalar and his Aquilonian mercenaries attack. Corin and the other Cimmerians are killed but Conan escapes. Conan becomes a thief and eventually seeks revenge against Khalar for killing his father. In the meantime, Khalar has found and captured Ilira on his own but her bodyguard Tamara escapes. Tamara meets Conan and they both travel to Khalar's city, Khor Khala.

Inhale is a drama film, set for release on October 22, 2010. The screenplay is written by Walter A. Doty / John Claflin and directed by Baltasar Kormákur, and stars Diane Kruger, Dermot Mulroney, Rosanna Arquette, Sam Shepard, Jordi Mollà, Vincent Perez, Walter Perez, David Selby, Mia Stallard, Cesar Ramos, Kisha Sierra, Judy Herrera, Kristian Ferrer, Maria Bethke and Quinn Mason.

Movie synopsis: From director Baltasar Kormakur, INHALE is a riveting thriller about a father ready to go to any lengths to save the life of his daughter. Dermot Mulroney (MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING) stars as Paul Stanton, a District Attorney who, with the help of his wife (Diane Kruger, INGLORIOUS BASTERDS), is trying desperately to find a transplant donor for his young daughter, Chloe. Diagnosed with a rare degenerative condition, Chloe is in mortal need of a lung transplant, and when her health worsens Paul becomes determined to do anything to save her. A frantic search leads the couple to a doctor in Mexico, who after promising a cure, is revealed to have connections runing deep into a criminal underworld where his patients aren’t donors – they’re victims.

Inhale movie trailer

Kalamity is a thriller film, set for release on October 22, 2010. The film is written and directed by James M. Hausler and stars Beau Garrett, Nick Stahl, Alona Tal, Jonathan Jackson, Robert Forster, Jill Latiano, Sammi Hanratty, Patricia Kalember, Anya Bergstedt Jordanova, Patrick Michael Strange, Michael Gabel, Kate Bliss, James M. Hausler.

Movie synopsis: Haunted by memories of his ex-girlfriend Alice (Beau Garrett), a heartbroken Billy (Nick Stahl) returns home to Northern Virginia seeking solace from old friends. But what he finds there is more disconcerting than comforting: his best friend Stanley (Jonathan Jackson) has become unstable, mysterious, and withdrawn from those around him. Billy teams up with another old friend, Stanley’s roommate Christian (Christopher M. Clark), to find out what’s going on, and as they probe Stanley’s recent activities, their friend’s behavior seems more and more bizarre and frightening. The discovery of blood-stained evidence among Stanley’s possessions pulls them deeper into their friend’s nightmare—and eventually leads to a violent confrontation that not everyone will survive.