MsFarEast Reviews

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Spider-Man 3 should be like this

[9/10 · 29 August 2007]

In comparison, Spider-Man 2 is better than Spidey 3. Why? because my dear Spidey fans and casual movie lovers, Spider-Man 2 has a better script, better character development, suspense, humor and great action sequences; something that Spidey 3 DOESN'T HAVE!!! Spider-Man 3 was so bogged down that it sputtered like a car that ran out of gasoline at the last (and worst) time of the day. If the producers and the director would've sticked to the same formula that made the first two films so great in the third installment, it would've been SO much better. Sadly that wasn't the case.

Spider-Man 2.1 with all the extra bells and whistles easily trumps Spidey 3. Get this instead of waiting for part 3. You won't be disappointed.

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Feels like a Michael Bay film.

[1/10 · 21 August 2007]

Ever since I've seen this in theater and most recently on cable, I thought "this is just like Michael Bay's films". And that thought serves me right; T3 is just like Bay's steaming piles, only difference is it's not directed by him. But for some inexplicable reason, the director chose to follow in Bay's footsteps and ends up making this film as if he looked through his anus for inspiration. Was they sleeping together when they made this? I can't say for certain, but maybe if I get or borrow a friend's copy, pop it in my DVD player and turn on "Director's Commentary" I may find the answer to that question(and thus will most likely return it back to the store or friend when done with such film). This is one of those films you find at a cheap motel in some seedy part of of a city populated by unspeakable horrors of "society". Not a guilty pleasure by any means, but you get the idea. Just prepare yourself for a roller-coaster of a nightmare; a nightmare that is this "film".

Captivity (2007)

A flawed, ludicrous dreck

[1/10 · 1 August 2007]

I saw this film a few weeks ago and I have to say although it tries to be something new and fresh, in the end it just falls apart on many levels.

First is the acting. I've never in my life seen such atrocious and wooden acting in a horror film (a genre that's not by any means my cup of tea) or any film for that matter. Though its nice to see Elisha Cuthbert branching out into unfamiliar territory, her performance is nowhere near as convincing as it was in "24".

Secondly, lack of character development. So she's a fashion model and whatnot but what else do we know about her?!?! I ( and I suspect the other viewers) said to myself while viewing the film. Seriously, it would've been nice had the director elaborated more on her character as well as the other person that was held "captive" in the house in some unknown location.

Third, the dialog. Whoever wrote the script to this film must've been high on drugs or something because the dialog is so badly written and contrived that it leaves the audience with a sense of emptiness that I unfortunately felt prior to viewing this film.

And last but not least is the ending, which defies logic so clearly and so sudden that it almost seems comedic.

In closing, I would like to say that this film is a complete waste of time and human logic and sanity. "Eisha Cuthbert. if you are reading this (and dear god I hope you are) Honey, let me give you some advice: Just stick to TV, or do a porn movie or something." I can't think of one redeeming thing about this film other than the fact that I wish I could get my money back from it.

Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future (2000 Video Game)

An enchanting and wonderful gaming experience.

[16 February 2006]

When I first heard of Ecco the Dolphin back in 90's, I was a bit skeptical at first. A action and sport gamer at heart, I took a chance on this game and thought it was lame. Boy was I wrong!!! It was one of the best and the most original game that I ever played period simply because it was far different from the usual suspects.

Fast forward to the millennium and you've got Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future. Originally released on the now-ancient Dreamcast (sadly), it still holds up even in this day and age of Xbox 360 and PS3. The game is simply BEAUTIFUL!!! You have to play this game to believe it. The animation is so realistic you'll swear you're looking at a National Geographic sea life video. The game's graphical prowess is not only cosmetic, but are also part of the game design. For instance, when you swim in dark areas, you'll see fish that glow in the dark and give off some very impressive lighting effects. And in one stage, you'll swim through a passage of "floating water". This alone makes the game so charming and distinctive from most games on the market. The controls are easy to pick up and master. When you control Ecco, you're jaw will drop and stare at the screen in amazement. He moves so much like a real dolphin you'll cry and hold onto the monitor as if it was a living thing. The game sucks you in and never lets go with a gripping and engaging sci-fi storyline complete with an excellent narrative and an epic soundtrack that fits very well with the game.

Soundwise, the game is MARVELOUS!!! You won't believe how realistic the sounds that various creatures make in this game!! It really makes the experience so enjoyable and compelling. The gameplay is great as well. Unlike most games where violence is the solution to beating the enemies, this game actually forces you to outsmart them (although you'll sometimes HAVE to fight) And you will need to because the game is very challenging which may put off casual gamers. There are various puzzles throughout the game that requires some brainpower and some can be quite difficult to figure out. But if you stick around, you'll find a unique and rewarding gaming experience that cannot and I mean CANNOT be found anywhere else.

Overall, Defender of the Future is one of the last great games for the Dreamcast. Please pick this game up wherever you can 'cause you won't see anything else like it. Once again, as someone who mostly plays action and sports games, I gave this game a chance because its unconventional and offers something new to the table. Hopefully, game companies will take notice of that and by doing so, gamers can rest assured that a innovative and original games can be just as much fun as mainstream games too.

Double Dragon (1994)

An insult to fans.

[1/10 · 16 February 2006]

This film clearly insults fans of the classic NES side-scrolling beat em' up. I can imagine the seared minds of those who loved their classic game when exiting out of the theater. And how right I am. Not only is the film a disgrace to the games, it also shows that Hollywood is only interested in $ signs rather than the material. For starters, the production values (WHATEVER THAT IS) are laughably bad, the acting is akin to that of a lobotomized inmate in an asylum, and to top it off, the horrendously awful fight choreography and special effects. Who, and I mean WHO can't forget the disgusting portrayal of Abobo, the coolest and meanest brute in the games. That name struck fear and terror in the hearts of those who played the games.

The greatest joke played on the fans is the plot. It is clearly a direct contradiction to the games where the focus was on the brothers Billy and Jimmy Lee out to rescue Marian from the clutches of the Shadow Warriros. Here they fight against a nameless gang led by a totally cheesy and lame villain who's very weak for the brothers. It was supposed to be set in a post-apocalyptic version of New York!!! Why must Hollywood insist on having the film take unnecessary liberties when making video game movies? I can't recommend this travesty to anyone. It is bad I tell you, BAD!!! Stay far away from this piece of trash.

24 (2001–2010)

Action packed, heart-topping suspense from start to finish

[9 February 2006]

I was very excited when this show premiered in '01. As with most shows on TV today, I thought it was going to be another brainless concept. Boy was I wrong. I was simply in awe at the production values and the concept of the show. Never has a show been so engrossing, so nail-bitingly captivating, and so epic in quality. Anyone who has seen this will tell you it is one of the best series on television. Period!!! And I say that wholeheartedly. Jack Bauer (played by Keifer Sutherland) is a agent of CTU aka Counter Terrorist Unit who races against the clock to save the day under extreme and dangerous circumstances. Season 1 had one of the most memorable villains on the show. Season 2 was great, but not like Season 1. The villains weren't as evil and deadlier like in the previous season, but they still dish out their own style of villainy. Season 5 is currently being aired right now so if you never had the chance to see this series, do it!!! Its an experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat!!! Side Note: As a special bonus, you can catch the first season on CBS at 12:30 pm.

Big Momma's House 2 (2006)

Martin Lawrence is past his prime.

[1/10 · 29 January 2006]

Ever since the TV sitcom "Martin" and the hit 1999 movie "Blue Streak" Martin Lawrence's career as a funnyman has taken a turn for the worse. How shocked I was to learn on this site that this film was #1 at the box office. Either they were smoking crack or they just wanted Mr. Lawrence to feel good about himself by not hurting his feelings about what they truly feel about his latest shlock. Though "American Idol" has recently been blasted by the media for being a little to mean to the contestants, a huge part of me personally wished the same treatment on Mr. Lawrence and the creators of this film. If, by some chance that ever happens in the future, then Mr.Lawrence finally,should step down from the spotlight and fade away into the abyss of HasBeenism.

Power Rangers S.P.D. (2005)

A series that was the rage of the '90s is now deteriorating in style.

[28 January 2006]

In the early nineties, the Power Rangers were all the rage. I had fond memories of getting up at the crack of dawn, fixing a bowl of cereal, than racing to the tube to see my once favorite and adored TV heroes kicking evil monster butt!! The story lines were exciting and the action was violent, but in a lighthearted sense which didn't make parents too objectionable to what was being shown on screen. I can vividly recall images of children screaming the catchphrases and begging their parents to buy them oodles of merchandise for their birthdays and Christmas. A sign of being a child and enjoying it. Yes, the Power Rangers were the most popular superheroes of the time, even beating out the vastly superior Batman: The Animated Series, X-Men, and Captain Planet.

But as time went on, things took a turn for the worse unfortunately. The show was beginning to lose all of its magic and charm in favor of more action sequences and less plot and more camp. Who can't forget (especially Die-hard fans) the awesome Megazord battles? These were one of the hallmarks of the series where a giant robot squares off against a giant alien in a Godzilla-style duel of epic proportions. Or when Rita Repusla nearly defeated the Rangers, causing their robotic counterparts to sink into the ground. And another memorable event is when the rangers discover the mysterious "White Ranger" and the comedic relief of Bulk and Skull. Sadly, later versions of the show became more and more flat in execution and style.

As a long time viewer of the series, I'm sad to say that the Power Rangers are nothing more than reheated leftovers. It's just not as exciting and engaging as the the original '90's version. That version was fresh and unique, although a little silly and with no logic, but still entertaining nonetheless. But now, the series is starting to fall apart. The biggest flaw are the story lines. They've lost all the excitement, tension, danger and suspense and humor that made the series so charming and appealing. You never get the sense that the Rangers are in danger or the villains are threatening and menacing as Rita Repusla and Lord Zedd were in the original. Even the action scenes are lacking in excitement. Instead of relying more on strategy and intelligence to defeat their enemies, they rely more on guns, making the fight scenes more of a quick-fix than a dramatic and epic encounter. And finally, the Megazord battles are over too quickly with no rationale behind it all. It seems that the creators simply care more about the money than the material and just go on filming with a "By The Numbers" attitude.

As much as I used to love the Power Rangers, deep down I wish it would just fade into the past. The original, despite it's dated looks, is far more superior in terms of execution and style. But now, as a series working on its own merits, it falls completely apart. I would only hope that someday, that this series, once an entertaining and childhood favorite, ends indefinetly.

BloodRayne (2005)

Films like "Bloodrayne" are proof that movies and video games do NOT mix.

[1/10 · 24 January 2006]

After reading some reviews of this film, I totally agree with them. This is really a cheesy, half-baked, thoughtless, generic piece of sh*t that I've ever seen. What was the the director thinking? Was his head in his a** when he made this film or something else? Maybe he contracted AIDS or something; who knows? But I do know one thing and it goes out to Hollywood. Hollywood, get the gun out of your ears or a** and listen up!!! Bloodrayne has taught us that just because you can make a movie based on a video game series does not guarantee success. When will you wake up and smell the coffee? We don't want to see generic, half-assed crap like this in the theaters!!! It's like Deja Vu all over again. I mean who doesn't remember the horrible Super Mario Bros way back from 1993? That film slandered the beloved NES classic in ways that a tabloid newspaper does to celebrities.

My advice: Do not see this film. You'll sleep better.

Batman & Robin (1997)

Hideous is not one way to describe it.

[1/10 · 22 January 2006]

If anybody can describe this film, it can be done so in many ways. The first thing they will do is 1. defecate one it and call it a bad film. 2. Go all Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas-style with a bullet with the director's name on it. 3. Demand their money back or face the wrath of moviegoers and many other extremely violent (if not suitable) actions, etc. But what it all comes down to is this: Not since Gili, Glitter, You Got Served, and Crossroads has a film been so disgusting and berating of the title character. Batman is a awesome superhero with no superpowers, just sheer brain power and quick reflexes. But as this film points out, it is clear that it was made mainly to appeall to homosexuals. The film's title clearly enforces that fact. If this film was shown on an episode of "Queer Eye for The Straight Guy", this film alone should be their first choice.

Are We There Yet? (2005)

I could do better.

[1/10 · 22 January 2006]

I don't know about you, but this has got to stop. When will sh*t-for-brains Hollywood realize that films like this don't work? Some people may see this film as a nice, cute movie, but to me its a disgrace. Mr Ice Cube, please stick to your old career as a gangster rapper because trying to transition into another one, such as "acting", does not grant you success. I mean, where's the chemistry between Cube and those little twerps? It seems to me that the directors idea of "chemistry" is having them speak slang and Ebonics throughout the half-brained plot and dialog. Never is there any charm or charisma between the characters. Avoid at all costs!!!

Æon Flux (2005)

You are Fluxed

[8/10 · 21 January 2006]

Aeon Flux is stylish and cool with a great story and intriguing characters. The babes in this film are drop dead gorgeous, especially Aeon Flux (Charlize Theron). She has a great bod and killer looks to match against her adversaries. The action is flat out fantastic, even more hard hitting and dead on than any action film I've seen this year. I especially liked the chemistry between Aeon and Trevor Goodchild. They were surely a match made in heaven or in this case, sci-fi heaven.This is one to watch out for. Although I've never seen the animated series that came out on MTV's liquid television, I am interested in getting them if they're available on DVD. I'm eagerly anticipating this film so I'm getting my tickets in advance. See Ya

Munich (2005)

A film that questions the morality of violence.

[9/10 · 5 January 2006]

After viewing this film, I have come to a conclusion: This is hands down on of the best films of the year and on of Spielberg's finest to date (including the remake of War of the Worlds). Upon hearing about this film, I had low expectations. I thought it was another plot-less, conventional, over-the-top, special effects movie with more flash than substance. Clearly, I was wrong. Not only is this a action thriller, but it is also well written, thought provoking, and well acting with great performances from the actors themselves. It is a story that grabs you and never lets go and the action doesn't let up until the very end. The action scenes are very well choreographed with no fancy moves that action films have. From the use of bombs to kill the perpetrators to a thrilling and exciting gun battle in Pakistan, the film has a strong sense of danger and tension on an epic scale. The political machinations of the Mossad agency gives the film a real sense of depth as the plans set in motion clearly describe.

However, beneath the film's quality aspects lies a message about the nature of violence. The Mossad agent (Bana, The Hulk) wants to kill the ones responsible for the killing of the Israeli athletes and does so with extreme prejudice. Soon, as the film goes on, he begins to doubt the nature of his actions and is about to give up. The real question boils down to one conclusion: Violence begets more violence. There really is no solution as far as world conflicts is concerned. This film sends a strong message about vengeance and its tragic and horrific results by those who believe in a "eye for an eye". Even in the war on terrorism, this message hints at the conflict in Iraq. Just because America ousted Saddam Hussein from power does not mean that the conflict in the Middle East isn't going to go away. Sadly, it is America and as well as the world, that does not realize that fact.

Truly, a action thriller with brains and heart. Worth seeing at the box office.