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The Sunday evening viewing was Splice. This time hardly had a clue about it as it wasn't as advertised to death in the cinema's before hand. Starring Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley as geneticists who recombine DNA from various organisms to create ones that yield highly valuable genetic products. In the process, they create a creature with human DNA. The result is a humanoid creature with animal extremities, agility, tendencies you name it.
The first half of the movie was evocative and emotionally gripping as it left you contemplating the issues of attachment and sympathy to a part human entity. It was deeply moving and thought provoking realizing that a creature like that even though with human like cognition would be caged and studied had its existence been known. Leading one to wonder about the under developed nature of human mentality, society and how long it would be before bureaucratic and financial aspirations would cease to be the governing and driving factors.
From such profundity the plot deteriorated to a typified sci-fi horror flick with some scenes that had the audience in throes of laughter. Fans of the Aliens/Species rave might approve of it but I for one found it unpalatable.
The new Karate Kid starring Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith) and none other than the legendary martial arts movie star, the man himself Jackie Chan is a remake of the classic 80's name sake.
Obvious deviances include a switch from the US to mainland China, Mr, Miyagi is replaced by his present incarnation Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Resultant to this displacement is the fact that the movie name is grossly misrepresentative, as it's gone from Karate to Kung-fu in this new iteration.
The air is somewhat more mature and sombre than the original with solid performances by Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. Jaden bears likenesses to his dad in terms of personality and comedic pitch which is evident at various parts of the movie.The backdrop ranges from urban china to monastic hills lush and serene, a refuge for masters to train and meditate. The action is realistic and believable with moves that are well choreographed and executed, no hint of wires or CGI here. However, one scene with a hooded cobra leaves something to be desired for as the computer generated serpent looked a bit too unreal.The experience was wholly satisfying when blockbusters abound which leave you wanting for more. I for one wouldn't mind watching it again.
I've just had the pleasure of a weekend movie spree, starting with Inception on Friday, Karate Kid on Saturday, and Splice on Sunday evening.
Inception was something i've been dying to watch ever since it came out about a week ago. The plot and storyline weren't too hard to follow if one keeps tabs on the opening and closing of the each dream session, which would give the explicit number of sessions as portrayed in the storyline - just under a handful. Whether there exist other sessions encapsulating the overall universe of the plot or subsequent sessions at the finality of the movie is open to debate.
The visuals and stunts are breath taking; one scene in particular which sidesteps the usual Hollywood dismissal as CGI or sound stage illusion is the prolonged free fall effect inside a building. It instills as sense of wonder and awe as to how it could have been achieved, something which hardly any movie elicits nowadays.
The cast include heavy hitters Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Michael Caine. Joseph Gordon-Levitt of the fame 3rd Rock from the Sun and Ellen Page (Juno) add to the line up amongst others.
Overall it's a movie worth watching but does not live up to the hype that's come to surround it.
As I previously blogged a while back I've decided to start a blog on techie stuff so this is my first post on said site:
"After what seems the 10th or so blog, here's one where I will be dedicating to posts about: technologies, productivity, software, coding and the like. For the lack of a better name I shall call it 'd O N Y' my signature mark until a more suitable one can be thought of."
It shall be up and running shortly and should have content coming up a regular intervals. (fingers crossed) http://donyd.wordpress.com/
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