Reviews Written by Dinie
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June 5, 2006
Suspense mystery thriller novel
Pros: Pulse-quickening, brain-teasing adventure,exceedingly clever
Cons: Shouldn't be compared to Harry Potter
Dan Brown may not have invented the literary thriller, but his groundbreaking The Da Vinci Code -- with its irresistible mix of religion, history, art, and science -- is the gold standard for a flourishing genre.
The plot surrounds a very mysterious death that takes place in the Louvre. A curator apparently is murdered, but in the few minutes available to him before he actually succumbs to his death, he manages to make certain arrangements which provide clues as to his murderer(s) - by positioning himself a certain way and scribbling puzzling words. A renowned academic, Robert Langdon (first introduced in Angels and Demons) is summoned to the Louvre to make sense of the crime scene, but soon finds himself framed for the murder. Joined by a French government employee, Sophie Nevue, who is revealed to have a relationship to the victim, he starts a suspenseful flight from the authorities, moving from various locations of France to England and beyond. All the time he tries to make sense of a puzzle, which is something of universal significance to religion and humanity in general.
The characters in The Da Vinci Code also play a part in the storyline. Robert Langdon is one of those highly intelligent people who doesn't use it to lord over those with inferior educations. Bezu Fache is the hard-driving police captain, smart, thinking one step ahead. Silas, believing everything he's doing is for God, is an albino Opus Dei monk who murders by instruction from The Teacher, an unknown man who directs the search for the Priory's secrets. Leigh Teabing is an affluent and eccentric Englishman obsessed with the quest for the Grail. Dan Brown uses each of these characters to poke fun at their own culture and bring realism to the international scenarios when dealing with secret societies, religious conspiracies, and the quest for what might be the ultimate mysteries of Christianity. The character who ties everything together and brings the proper sense of humanity and morality to the story, though, is Sophie Neveu. Dealing with the death of her beloved grandfather, coming to understand more of her past, and being the possessor of information that could change history and religion, she strikes the right tone of strength and vulnerability to make everything else in this novel believable.
The mystery thriller is a genre where there can be problems with characters who are more cliché than realistic, obvious facts that everyone can ascertain except for the character who needs to know it the most, important information left out of the story and then conveniently placed at the end to provide for the surprise twist...The author must avoid those traps, provide a main character whose skin we can comfortably inhabit, a mystery that challenges our intelligence, and enough believable twists and turns to keep the reader turning the pages. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown does all this brilliantly, the way a mystery thriller should be written. ... -
May 24, 2006
The Legend is preserved!
Pros: chemistry b/w Alejandro and Elena (Banderas/Zeta-Jones); action packed
Cons: Joaquin character is annoying
Finally, after 7 years since the last Hollywood Zorro movie hit the big screen, director Martin Campbell is back with his original cast of Antonio Banderas in the title role, and Catherine Zeta Jones as his wife Elena de la Vega. Set 10 years after the last movie, The Legend of Zorro wastes no time in plunging the audience thick into trademarked action pieces - the acrobatic lunges, flips, swordfights, whip action and horseback riding.
It's all familiar territory with the romanticized Old California, now at a crossroads where the state is in decision to join the rest of America. Things have changed for the de la Vega family too, as they have a new addition to the family, a son named Joaquin, who takes on traits of his father, but not knowing his father's secret identity.
Naturally, family takes the central theme in this movie. Why do vigilantes wear masks - simply to protect their loved ones as they enroll in the crusade for justice. This film explores the dilemma as he struggles to be there for the general public in their hour of need, and the balance of spending enough quality time with his own family.
Antonio Banderas' portrayal of Alejandro/Zorro was once again nothing short of brilliant. Certainly there was a decent script there for him to work with, but the characterization and the comic timing that he brings to the role are uniquely his own. Catherine Zeta-Jones again brings grace, charm and spirit to her reprise of Elena, but now she has the added dimension of motherhood to alter her priorities and her choices.
I enjoyed this movie very much. I especially enjoyed the climactic train fight. I liked the part when Zorro tells Armand that no matter where he goes, the world is not big enough for him to hide from him. I also liked how Abraham Lincoln shows up in the end when California is joining the Union.
The pros were the screenplay, which didn't care much for detail, but was still excellently written, despite lacking the drama of "Mask". Martin Campbell's stunning, sweeping direction carries on its legacy. Excellent camera-work too. Antonio Banderas and Zeta-Jones pull off good performances. The movie itself was action packed and there were many exciting stunts.The acrobatics and extreme movement in the movie is the first thing that catches your eye.
Without focusing too much on the original i will say that there is no doubt that 'The Legend of Zorro' was a cracking piece of entertainment that i could watch many times over again.'The Legend of Zorro' took the legendary hero to new heights with a new story line plus special effects and unbelievable acrobatics, it was basically modern Hollywood being extravagant with a swashbuckling adventure film. ... -
May 16, 2006
Totally hilarious!!
2 of 2 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Great script and characters.
Cons: amanda kind of chubby as sebastian
"She's the Man" is an ultimately entertaining teen movie which takes the gender-bending action of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and drops it in the middle of a modern-day American boarding school.
Viola (Amanda Bynes) is a tomboy and a soccer star on the women's team at Cornwall Prep. Her life is soccer, which becomes a problem when her school cuts the women from the sports program. Better than most of the boys, Viola wants to suit up with them but is snubbed by both the coach and the team's captain – her boyfriend. So it's "end of discussion … end of relationship." Viola hatches a plan to pursue her sporting dreams at rival school Illyria, where her twin brother has just enrolled. Twin brother, Sebastian, is skipping off to England for two weeks and nobody at Illyria has ever met him.
Viola disguises herself as her brother and moves into the dorms where she meets her roommate and fellow soccer player Duke (Channing Tatum). She begins to gear up for Illyria's season opener against Cornwall and has to navigate a complicated love-triangle, in addition to other challenges like taking a shower alongside her male teammates, without them finding out about her girl parts.In reality, nobody who looks like Bynes could get away with impersonating a 17 year-old male. Viola is too pretty to be a boy but Viola puts on her wig and fake sideburns and, suddenly, she's the most socially awkward nerd-boy you've ever seen.The Sebastian disguise doesn't have to be convincing. What matters is that all the other characters are oblivious to facts that are obvious to the audience. The laughs come from seeing Viola get away with a ridiculous scam. In one scene, Duke and fake Sebastian hug each other, but Viola slips out of character and gets a little too friendly. But it's the knowledge that Duke is disturbed by being frisked by someone who is actually a girl that makes us laugh.Other than that, "She's the Man" offers audiences the simple pleasure of Amanda Bynes who seems to be a natural in comedic roles. Her Sebastian/Viola is definitely a caricature but it's a perfectly illustrated one. From her mixed-up half southern, half Canadian drawl (her misguided version of the typical teen boy cadence), to her crotch grabbing and Eminem-like posturing, Bynes gives us a hard laugh. So in conclusion, I think "Sh'e's the Man" is an exceptionally fun movie to watch with friends and family. Amanda Bynes scores again!! ... -
April 29, 2006
Best HP movie yet!!!
Pros: Superb script and visual effects
Cons: No Quidditch World Cup
At least the director in this movie didn't cut so much from the book as the ones before. I was most looking forward to spectating the Quidditch World Cup which didn't take place. Emma Watson and Tom Felton are extremely cool to look at. But i didn't appreciate Rupert'S long hair. I especially valued the Cedric Diggory character and was disappointed that he didn't live up to my expectations much( Robert didn't portray Cedirc as 'he valued fair-play, was a gentleman,good and loyal friend' as Robert was a bit aggressive during the maze scene and was laughing, making fun of the 'Potter stinks'badges along with his friends when Harry informed him of the first task. Dumbledore wasn't very gentle when Harry's name came out of the goblet and fully 'attacked' Harry while asking if he entered or not. Throughout the movie, Harry was in most of the scenes. I know he's supposed to as he's the main character but i wish there had been more of Draco Malfoy( so cute Tom!!) and Hermione who only made much appearance during the Yule Ball(Emma is getting prettier each day). The Yule Ball was totally to die for with a spectacular view of how Hogwarts looks at Christmas (very magical and breath-taking). The first and second tasks were also wicked. The third task was given a lot of thought but it was kind of too dark. Cho Chang wasn't in much and she didn't make much of an impression.So, although a huge fan of HP,i must say this movie is the best yet but it could have been better.Daniel,Emma,Rupe
rt,Tomare excellent and their acting is improving a lot. The special effects and sounds are brilliant. The fourth movie marks a turning point for all the series and I know everybody including myself are eagerly awaiting Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on DVD in 2007!!! ... -
April 29, 2006
90%
Pros: both pop and rock music
Cons: some songs still funky
I especially liked Just want you to know,Crawling back to you,I still...,Climbing the walls,Safest place to hide,Siberia and Never gone. The other songs are pretty much ok except for Poster girl and Beautiful woman which i found rather bad. ...
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Nightlife keeps rockin'!!!
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: New perspective on life at night, vampires and cars
Cons: no cons
The Sims 2 Nightlife takes Sims into the night to explore all of their favorite after-dark activities. Players can either head out and discover their love lives or have a crazy night out with friends. With the new dating gameplay, players will see if their Sims have chemistry with others which will determine their romantic fate. The newest addition to the game includes the brand new pleasure seeker aspiration allowing players to explore a life filled with unforgettable dates, endless nights of dancing and fine dining.
The bulk of this expansion pack deals with your experiences in a new area of the game called Downtown, a place filled with recreational activities that are perfect for testing out the brand new 'pleasure' life aspiration. Once Downtown, your Sims can choose from a variety activities. They can go clubbing, hang out in a lounge, dine out in a fancy restaurant or diner, go for a walk in the park or hit the bowling alley...
Sims can now purchase their very own vehicles providing they have a driveway attached to their house in which to park it on.There are 5 types of car to choose from each differing in price and overall style. There are also a number of different colours to play with on each car, the “greased lightning” effect sports car with it’s flaming paintwork was a favourite of mine.
The real changes this expansion brings to the game are in its new dating system. Sims now come equipped with Turn on’s and Turn Off’s which you can choose for them as soon as they become adults. These can include fitness, make-up, specific hair colour... and Sims with these turn on’s/off’s will automatically be more attracted to other Sims fitting the bill.Helping along the new dating system is the ability to actually invite Sims on dates, ideally in the new Downtown area which features an array of new community lots including bowling alleys, nightclubs, coffee houses, parks and restaurants.Once the date starts you are given a ‘Date Meter’ that fills or empties depending on how well the date is going.
And then we come to vampires, why Maxis decided to add these ghoulish fiends to our innocent Sims neighbourhoods is a mystery but it’s an original, if not odd touch to the game. Vampires can usually be found downtown during the darkness hours and can attack other Sims, biting them and turning them into blood sucking monsters!
All in all, The Sims 2 Nightlife fills the gap in The Sims 2 that we never realised existed up until now. It's worth having and adds a load of new features to stretch the games fun-life out that little bit further! ...