hollywood
A simple tale in “The Hidden Blade”
By Jenny Alvarez
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From director Yamada Yoji (The Twilight Samurai) comes The Hidden Blade (a.k.a. Kakushi Ken Oni no Tsume) is the epic tale of a samurai raised to respect tradition and a demanding moral code. After a political coup fails he is ordered to prove his innocence by finding and killing a former friend, samurai and brilliant swordsman. He secretly enlists the help of their former master who entrusted him with the secret of The Hidden Blade. Now he must choose between duty and honor.
Definitely, is a Yamada’s delicate drama with swordplay with the mythic ideal of the samurai culture so in the main characters with their personalities reflect bravery and loyalty in themes of evolution and change and how it affected the traditional Japanese lifestyle while also learning new military strategies, particularly the mastery of Western artillery, during the mid-19th Century. Munezo (Masatoshi Nagase) also has a personal complication. He is secretly in love–so secretly, he may not even admit it to himself–with his family’s maid, the sweet and beautiful country girl, Kie (Takako Matsu). His passion leads him to rescue her from a loveless marriage after she leaves his household; the samurai even shocks propriety by carrying away the low-caste young woman on his back. The cast is impressive Masatoshi Nagase, Takako Matsu and Hidetaka Yoshioka are the most talented actors in this genre. Many takes are full of action so this movie is one of those that are worth watching so you can get it on June 19th in DVD and blu-ray with Japanese: Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Cantonese: Dolby Digital 2.0 with subtitles in Mandarin (Traditional), English and Spanish.
A frenetic action thriller comes with “Safe House”
Reviewed by Jenny Alvarez
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“No one is safe” especially with a rogue CIA agent who has been hiding for years, Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) one day turns himself in, and he’s brought to a safe house in Johannesburg, South Africa managed by low-level agent Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) for debriefing. When the Safe House is attacked by a group of mercenaries, Matt finds himself on the run with Tobin, while trying to get to the bottom of who wants him killed.
Brutal fight scenes and intensity in each scene with car chases added life to what would have been an overall flat movie and makes it more entertaining. Sometimes, the camera shakes a bit too much and detracts during a few encounters. Although Matt Weston (Ryan Reynolds) plays the same character over and over again and he hasn’t done much outside, is the opposite of Tobin Frost (Denzel Washington) does have his moments to let loose.
There is a lack of feminine touch so all of the inner workings fail and unfortunately, “Safe House” just becomes too predictable even Director Espinosa did an extraordinary job of many action-packed sequences for the duration of some scenes. Now you can enjoy this movie on a DVD/blu-ray this coming June 5th with Master Audio 5.1 (English), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo (English DVS), DTS 5.1 Surround (French), DTS 5.1 Surround (Spanish) and subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
'Devil Wear Prada' Book Sequel
Everyone has a different gift in “Crooked Arrows”
By Jenny Alvarez
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A mixed-blood Native American, Joe Logan, eager to modernize his reservation, must first prove himself to his father, the traditionalist Tribal Chairman, by rediscovering his spirit. He is tasked with coaching the reservation’s high school lacrosse team which competes against the better equipped and better trained players of the elite Prep School League. Joe inspires the Native American boys and teaches them the true meaning of tribal pride. Ignited by their heritage and believing in their new-found potential, coach and team climb an uphill battle to the state championship finals against their privileged prep school rivals.
Obviously is a movie with a predictable plot, but it works because the action sequences are engaging enough for novices to the sport and authentic enough to satisfy the true believers. Kids and teens will learn about Native American culture, including the fact that Native Americans invented lacrosse especially where the Native American heritage is examined in modern times. In general terms, is a family-friendly entertainment and the filmmakers had the good sense to cast real lacrosse players.
Directed by Steve Rash (American Pie Presents Band Camp), Crooked Arrows stars Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and Gil Birmingham (Twilight). The film was produced by J. Todd Harris (The Kids Are All Right), Mitchell Peck (Priest), and Adam Leff (The Last Action Hero). In addition, the movie features top lacrosse players from around the country, including a team » It is open in limited release on June 1st in NY and LA.
Bieber Fever and Runs into Glass
Justin gave his fans the Bieber fever in Norway when fans went uncontrollable and caused a state of emergency. Bieber was to provide a free concert, but soon became dangerous as fans lost control of themselves in the streets of Norway. Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, detailed the situation on Twitter: “The streets are filled … the bridges are closed. It is out of control. We may have to start the show early or they will cancel.” During his concert, it was reported that Bieber ran into a glass wall and almost caused himself a concussion. The show must go on! Bieber performed a successful show and thanked his fans.
Kim Kardashian is Wet
Would you like to have a Cellmate in case of being a prisoner?
By Jenny Álvarez
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Set in 1970s Texas, Cellmates tells the story of hardened Ku Klux Klansman, Leroy Lowe (Tom Sizemore), who has risen through the ranks to be crowned ‘Grand Dragon’ of the State of Texas. Unfortunately for him, the government has started cracking down on the organization’s activities and it isn’t long before Leroy is sent to the Low Lee Tuna Prison Work Farm to serve time…harvesting potatoes. Worlds quickly collide when farm owner Warden Merville (Stacy Keach) forces Leroy to share a prison cell with eccentric Mexican field laborer Emilio Ortiz (Hector Jimenez) as part of his penitence. None too happy with the arrangement, Leroy sets out to make things very difficult for Emilio in the cramped quarters, but Emilio’s chatty disposition slowly chips away at Leroy’s gruff exterior. When an unlikely friendship develops, Leroy comes to realize how his ignorant past has distorted his view of the world, and what he must now do to make things right.
An offbeat comedy with heart, Cellmates is co-written, directed and produced by Jesse Baget. The film stars veteran actors Tom Sizemore and Stacy Keach; Mexican actors Hector Jimenez and Olga Segura; and a special appearance by comedic actor Kevin Farley. This movie is a comedy with satirical humor related to race relations in this country. But the real fun here comes from Stacy Keach as a warden who tries (and fails) to instill a mania for potato farming on his highly skeptical prisoners or when Leroy falls in love and his cellmate serves as the translator for an illicit exchange of love letters. This could easily have come off as far too silly, but in the context of the tone of the film — it all works very nicely. Definitely this movie will make you smile and fans of good movies will receive it with enthusiastic applause. This movie opens in limited release on June 1st.
A Japanese movie comes with "The Secret World of Arrietty''
Reviewed by Jenny Alvarez
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A great storytelling comes with a teeny-size 14-year-old girl who lives with her family beneath the floorboards of a big house and the human-size boy who befriends her, is adapted from British author Mary Norton’s wonderful children’s fantasy novels, The Borrowers. The lyrical animation, with its meditative attention to nature, bears the unique stamp of Japan’s Studio Ghibli, cofounded by the great Spirited Away animator Hayao Miyazaki.
The entire family will enjoy a beautiful scenery along the way, full of fascinating insects, mice or a cat as well as humans may briefly frighten young children. Arrietty has to face a world full of complications so when she met Shawn, both realize there is nothing to be afraid of into a world bigger than life—literally. Their friendship shows a different perspective with awesome and intricate images. Shawn and Arrietty’s bond is unbreakable, and they are willing to sacrifice for each other. The idealism of cross-cultural, even forbidden friendship collides head-on with certain realities of the miniature world that have been long maintained, presumably for logical reasons. This movie is highly recommended and will be on DVD/Blu- Ray.
Against Me! Tom Gabel Performs
Tom Gabel from the punk rock band Against Me! performed in San Diego with her new name Laura Jane Grace. This is her first performance, since coming out a transgender. Grace said “I was worried that some people expected me to come out looking like Little Bo Peep or something.” Grace performed songs such as “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” as well as “Osama bin Laden as the Crucified Christ,” “Dead Friend,” “True Trans Soul Rebel,” “Drinking with the Jocks” and “Black Me Out.” Grace was with his wife Heather and his daughter. Grace stated that she is open to sharing her transition with her fans.
Britney Spears Walks Off The X factor
