Movie: Max Payne

Studios:	20th Century Fox
Release:	October 17, 2008
Genre:	Action/Adventure and Adaptation
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for violence including intense shooting sequences, drug content, some sexuality and brief strong language.
Website:	http://www.maxpaynethemovie.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating: B-

Overall Grade:	B-
Story:	C
Acting	B-
Direction:	B-
Visuals:	B-

Story needs development

As expected from a movie based on a video game, the main characters here spend a lot of time shooting other people.

To its credit, there were some attempts at a creating a story, but for one who does not play the videogame, I left the theater with unresolved questions about the supernatural beings.

The movie ended before anything satisfactory happened in the story.

Movie: High School Musical 3: Senior Year

Studios:	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release:	October 24, 2008
Genre:	Musical/Performing Arts
MPAA Rating:	G
Website:	http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/highschoolmusical3/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	C+
Story:	C
Acting	C+
Direction:	B-
Visuals:	B-

The first HSM was better

This movie is bigger than the first High School Musical because it had a bigger budget that allowed for better props, costumes, and dance numbers.

It does not have a better story. Not one that would be given justice in a 1 1/2 hour movie anyway.

The introduction of new characters to an existing 6-member main cast took its toll on character development. I couldn't find myself caring much for the three new characters. The Sharpay wannabe is just catty but not as lovable as Sharpay is, the Troy replacement lacks charm, and the I can't decide what the role of the third kid is because I didn't see much of him.

I love the dance on the roof top where Gabriella teaches Troy how to waltz. I love the "Right Here Right Now" duet. Yet the music humming through my head as I left the theater was music from the first two TV movies of the franchise.

Sharpay and Ryan once more had their own broadway worthy number, but "I Want it All" isn't as catchy or easy to sing along with as "Fabulous" and "Bop to the Top" were.

The movie isn't totally crap, but it is disappointing as follow up to the original. The first one didn't have a big budget, but it had more heart.

Movie: Tropic Thunder

Studios:	DreamWorks
Release:	August 13, 2008
Genre:	Comedy
MPAA Rating:	R for pervasive language including sexual references, violent content and drug material.
Website:	http://www.tropicthunder.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	B-
Story:	C
Acting	B-
Direction:	B-
Visuals:	B-

The Movie that poked fun at everybody

This movie poked fun at everything Hollywood - shamelessly, and no one's sensitivity was spared.

It's a delight finding the Hollywood cliches in the main cast ... the actor making a comeback, the consumate method actor, the comedy guy trying his hand in drama, the newbie who might be the next big star if the movie becomes a hit, and the rapper who wants to cross over to acting.

The pseudo trailers, advertisements, and music videos were hilarious in exaggerating how actors shoot for a best actor award through gay roles or playing mentally retarded people, and how hip-hop music of late show mostly girls' buttocks. The Satan's Alley trailer was a winner.

The "getting kidnapped by a group of drug dealers led by a child" part was very corny, and I guess this might be a common story line in action movies, which is why the writers used it in this movie as well.

Movie: Eagle Eye

Studios:	DreamWorks
Release:	September 26, 2008
Genre:	Drama and Thriller
MPAA Rating:	PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, and for language.
Website:	http://www.eagleeyemovie.com/

My Yahoo! Movies Rating:

Overall Grade:	B-
Story:	C+
Acting	B-
Direction:	B-
Visuals:	B

Too much like other movies

Terminator's Skynet has as sister with a Grudge and creates an Enemy of the State.

The trailer and the first half of the movie are probably the good parts. The moment you realize the villain is an overzealous, patriotic in a twisted kind of way supercomputer, things start to go 'blah'. It doesn't end well either ... I'm still wondering why the nameless soldier who helped shut down Eagle Eye was never shown as one of those people who got medals.

Given the premise, the makers could have woven a better story instead of churning out a movie that reminds one of Enemy of the State and Terminator, and fails to be memorable enough to stand out on its own. It's probably not the makers' intention, but all I could think about while watching this movie is "I just discovered Skynet has a sister".