Selena (1997)

The Pursue Of Dreams


THE PLOT (9 stars – Excellent)

Purely inspiring!  Probably, one of the best biopic ever made.  Selena’s journey is a rollercoaster ride.  Then, it ends unexpectedly.  Even yet, I like how the film concentrates more on her talent and music, and on the pursue of dreams.

THE PERFORMANCE (9 stars - Excellent)

Applause to Edward James Olmos and Jennifer Lopez!  Olmos as the strict dad is very convincing.  Lopez's interpretations are natural, not forceful.  Her singing and dancing performances are entertaining and fun.  Their father-daughter relationship works well, full of emotions here.

THE PRODUCTION (7 stars - Good)

I like the gradual phasing of the movie.  Imitations in make-up and hair, wearing the original clothes are effective.  I like how the camera angle moves especially during the performances.  Fast segments, some close-ups and engaging shots are just right.

OVERALL SCORE
(9 + 9 + 7) / 3 = 8.33
8/10 points = Very Good



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Lisa Kropiewnicki)
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on 1 user)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.4/5.0 stars (based on 254 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 319 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Don Willmott)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 6.3/10.0 stars (based on 8,584 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 65/100 points (based on 16 critics)
     = 9.6/10.0 points (based on 5 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 66/100 points (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on critics)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 872 users)

9.  Rotten Tomatoes
     = 63/100 points (based on 38 critics)
     = 76/100 points (based on 149,641 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = None
     = B+ (based on 6,850 users)


THE GIST

“Selena” is a story worth making.  In spite of tragedy, there is triumph.  And didn’t I mention the voice?  Oh, you sure gonna fall in love with that sultry voice.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"The hardest part is letting go."

- Bungee Jumping Crew

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Sneaky" Yolanda Saldivar

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Recording a hit song

4.  MOVIE TRAILER

5.  NUMBER TRACKER

Production Budget                      $20.0 M
-------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross       $35.3 M
Foreign Gross          $45.0 M
-------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                         $80.3M
-------------------------------------------------
Profit                                         $60.3M

6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Golden Globe Awards, USA
Nominated:            - Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture
                                    Comedy / Musical (Jennifer Lopez)

Grammy Awards, USA
Nominated:            - Best Instrumental Composition Written in Motion Picture

MTV Movie Awards, USA
Nominated:             - Breakthrough Performance (Jennifer Lopez)

The Lake House (2006)

Right Place In A Wrong Time

THE PLOT (7 stars - Good)

The Lake House (TLH) is a modern take of “Somewhere In Time”.  Based on the Korean movie “Il Mare”, TLH is about two strangers who fall in love but living in a different time.  Dilemma is, how they’ll gonna meet?

THE PERFORMANCE (5 stars - Average)

After "Speed", 16 years ago, Bullock and Reeves have teamed-up again.  Roles are perfect for them but the chemistry between them is a bit cold - both display such dry performances.  I'm a Sandra-Keanu fan, I wish they've pushed it more.

THE PRODUCTION (5 stars - Average)

I enjoy the seasons, cityscape and architectural cinematography scattered in the film - it sets the mood.  Nice soundtracks as well.  The story is promising but direction isn't able to show its full potential.  I find the phasing obviously dragging.

OVERALL SCORE
(7 + 5 + 5) / 3 = 6.00
6//10 points = Above Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Perry Seibert)
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 4 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 360 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 737 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 2.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by David Dylan Thomas)
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 6.8/10.0 stars (based on 40,964 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 52/100 points (based on 34 critics)
     = 7.8/10.0 points (based on 207 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 57/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 3.0/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 472 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 36/100 points (based on 154 critics)
     = 75/100 points (based on 401,024 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = C+ (based on 15 critics)
     = B (based on 17,991 users)



THE GIST

Smart.  Sometimes I get lost with 2004, 2006 and 2008 timeline.  At the end, it intertwines and still captures our hearts.  Decent.  For me, decent is not good, it's just average.  :|

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"Let me let you go."

- Kate Forster

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

Jack "of all trades"

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Man from the past

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $40.0 M
---------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross           $52.3 M
Foreign Gross              $62.5 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                           $114.8 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                             $74.8 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Teens Choice Awards, USA

Winner:                        - Movies - Choice Liplock
                                        (Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves)
Nominated:                  - Movies - Choice Chick Flick
                                     

United 93 (2006)

Heroes Unite

THE PLOT (7 stars - Good)

United 93 was the hijacked plane that missed its target during the 9/11 attack.  The actual events on why this happened is what the public longs to know.  I appreciate how they present it in a detailed and straightforward manner.

THE PERFORMANCE (6 stars - Above Average)

Getting unknown actors, real-life persons (as themselves) and participants (pilots, stewardesses, air-controllers, military officers and staffs) as casts feel authentic and right.  Satisfactory performances to the main actors and terrorists.  They're generally amateurs, so I just noticed some “conscious eyes”.

THE PRODUCTION (6 stars - Above Average)

Director Greengrass applies his “shaky camera” trademark to emphasize realism.  I like how the film focuses on United 93 and not on other big picture like the Twin Tower.  Though overall, I feel it lacks intensity and connection to audience.

OVERALL SCORE
(7 + 6 + 6) / 3 = 6.33
6/10 points = Above Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (reviewed by Perry Seibert)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 6 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 316 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 1,038 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 5.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Sean O'Connell)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 7.8/10.0 stars (based on 49,684 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 90/100 points (based on 39 critics)
     = 7.6/10.0 points (based on 266 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 86/100 (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 4.5/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 961 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 91/100 points (based on 200 critics)
     = 77/100 points (based on 120,168 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = A- (based on 14 critics)
     = B+ (based on 15,154 users)



THE GIST

Documentary movies often create huge impact to viewers.  Let's not forget the passengers who are the true heroes here.  Bravo to the creators for having this as accurate as possible.  :)

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"We have to do something,

they are not going to land this plane."

- Thomas E. Burnett Jr.

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Undecided" Ziad Jarrah

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Pass the message

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $15.0 M
---------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross           $31.5 M
Foreign Gross              $44.8 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                            $76.3 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                             $61.3 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Academy Awards, USA (Oscars)
Nominated:                  - Best Achievement in Directing (Paul Greengrass)
                                   - Best Achievement in Editing


BAFTA Awards, UK (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
Winner:                        - Best Editing
                                    - David Lean Award for Direction
                                              (Paul Greengrass)

Nominated:                  - Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film
                                   - Best Cinematography
                                   - Best Screenplay - Original
                                   - Best Sound