‘Dragonball Evolution’ Download and Reviews

December 4, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Adventure, Fantasy

“Dragonball Evolution” Movie Details

Dragonball Evolution tagline: This Easter the legend comes to life.
D.B.E. - DVD Cover

Dragonball Evolution DVD Cover

Actors:
Justin Chatwin Goku
Joon Park Yamcha
Christopher Sabat Shenron
Jamie Chung Chi Chi
Luis Arrieta Weaver
Texas Battle Carey Fuller
Richard Blake Agundas
Yun-Fat Chow Master Roshi
Ernie Hudson Master Mutaito
Randall Duk Kim Grandpa Gohan
James Marsters Lord Piccolo
Julian Sedgwick Mr. Kingery
Shavon Kirksey Emi
Emmy Rossum Bulma
Eriko Tamura Mai
Directors: James Wong
IMDB Rating: 3.3/10 out of 18,693 votes

“Dragonball Evolution” Movie Review

“D.B.E.” Plot Summary

The young warrior Son Goku sets out on a quest, racing against time and the vengeful King Piccolo, to collect a set of seven magical orbs that will grant their wielder unlimited power.

This is cinematic filth of the highest degree.

My childhood is ruined. I have witnessed the death of a beloved franchise millions have come to adore and respect. This movie is not an adaptation, nor is it an homage of any sort. It is a mockery. A sheer insult to all those whom cherish Dragonball deep within their hearts and souls

Why does this video-tape recording (I absolutely refuse to deem it ‘film’ status) fail to such a devastating degree? It does not capture any of the charm, wit, excitement, humor, or bad-assery to be found in its source material. James Wong has simply taken the title, characters, and… errm, hairstyles, and has furtively stapled them to the bloody forehead of a poorly scripted, heavily underdeveloped movie about collecting seven golden balls that when gathered, will summon a flying dragon who will grant you one magical wish! How fantastically whimsical!Who cares

There is nothing compelling about this film. It’s painstakingly difficult to care about any character in this film, and that goes for Goku as well. Right from the get-go, you bare witness to a horribly underwhelming fight session between Goku and his Asian(?) grandfather Gohan, who carries a bizarrely flawless American accent.. go figure. The reason I imply confusion behind Gohan’s Asian ethnicity is that his grandson Goku is, well… nevermind. It isn’t even worth getting into; the casting for this movie made no sense. No consistency whatsoever. Disgusting

The dialogue is cheesy and executed improperly in every way conceivable. You want cheesy dialogue done right? Go watch the Wachowski brothers’ Speed Racer released last year, truly a masterpiece as far as anime adaptations are concerned. What is improper about it, you inquire? It causes you to cringe without the ability to hold back. Every single word muttered is a bleak reflection on each actor’s terrific inability to act in any way, shape or form

Speaking of form.. Don’t even expect half a thrill from this movie’s excuse for action sequences. These actors cannot fight under any set of circumstances. The wirework is so blatant and poorly imposed that I swear to have caught eye of a couple unedited out wires left in some of the more acrobatic scenes

Really? Come on, Hollywood. Come on, Fox

These sort of mistakes became a thing of the past DECADES prior. If a movie based on the almighty Dragonball franchise is going to suck this severely OUTSIDE of the fight sequences, at LEAST refine those few scenes (Dragonball’s saving graces, so to speak) into something worthy of admission price. Get a couple professional choreographers on the set to help out, if you don’t mind. (what a strange and unusual concept, huh!?) I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; if this entire project had been up to the legendary Stephen Chow, we could have had a sheer masterpiece on our hands. (refer to Kung Fu Hustle, what I believe to be the most faithfully Dragonballesque live action movie ever made) I shall continue no further. This movie does not deserve any longer of a review. In fact, slice this eloquently written verdict in half and it would still be far too flattering in length

I feel that if FOX wishes to maintain any credibility they have left with their audiences, they will hold back on dumping this atrocious landfill upon the United States’ precious array of cinemas. Of course, we know this is not realistic

It’s nice to dream.

D.B.E. - Movie Still 1 Dragonball Evolution Movie Still 2 D.B.E. Movie Image 3 Dragonball Evolution Screen Image
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‘War of the Worlds’ Download and Reviews

December 1, 2009 by Paul Wall  
Filed under Action, Adventure, Drama

“War of the Worlds” Movie Details

War of the Worlds tagline: They’re already here.
War of the Worlds - DVD Cover

War of the Worlds DVD Cover

Actors:
  • Camillia Sanes
  • Tom Cruise Ray Ferrier
    Dakota Fanning Rachel Ferrier
    Justin Chatwin Robbie Ferrier
    Miranda Otto Mary Ann
    Tim Robbins Harlan Ogilvy
    Rick Gonzalez Vincent
    Yul Vazquez Julio
    Lenny Venito Manny the Mechanic
    Lisa Ann Walter Bartender (Sheryl)
    Ann Robinson Grandmother
    Gene Barry Grandfather
    David Alan Basche Tim
    Roz Abrams Herself
    Michael Brownlee TV Reporter, Osaka
    News Producer
    Directors: Steven Spielberg IMDB Rating: 6.6/10 out of 125,518 votes

    “War of the Worlds” Movie Review

    “War of the Worlds” Plot Summary

    As Earth is invaded by alien tripod fighting machines, one family fights for survival.

    A good take on the Wells story. Better than the 1953 classic in some ways

    First – a quick rebuttal: The peanut butter sandwich which seemed to stick to the window impossibly. This was a very visually interesting scene. In fact, the scene was shot from inside the house, and Cruise was shot in reflection against the window – so there is no problem here other than the reviewer not thinking what they were seeing through

    Now on to the review…This film follows Tom Cruise – playing a not-very-adult divorced father – and his two kids through the Wellsian version of The War of the Worlds. Despite the fact that the film focuses exclusively on the harrowing experiences of this somewhat dysfunctional family, in a very basic way it preserves the elements of the original novel. As with Wells’ book, a science savvy viewer will pick up on the biological plausibility of the main plot and realize the brilliance of Wells original points. Scientifically educated viewers will also recognize the geological impossibility of it. Neither of these facts should detract from the entertainment value of this interesting and exciting film. After all, it is a testament to Wells’ genius that a novel written nearly 100 years ago still holds our attention today, and is still regarded as an intelligent take on improbable events

    An alien species, about which nothing is really known, has been planning to take over and terraform earth for millenia, or perhaps much longer. Using unknown technology, they manage to emplace operatives in enormous tripod machines equipped with horrendous weapons that basically carbonize any life forms they take aim at. The tripods had been implanted deep in the earth long before the advent of our species. There simply is no stopping the invasion. Cruise, whose character is not really built for heroism, digs deep into his soul to protect his children as they attempt to make it to Boston to reunite with his estranged wife and her new family

    Before I discuss the technical merits of the film, and the lavish production values, I feel that I need to make a comment on Dakota Fanning. Ms. Fanning gives one of the best performances I have ever seen a sub-12 year old give in The War of the Worlds. She is a match for Cruise, and actually manages to steal several scenes from him. The acting in this film is uniformly good, but Fanning really stood out

    Spielberg and his team make seemingly impossible film visions come alive in a uniquely well realized manner. War of the Worlds is one of the most visually stunning films I have seen in a long time. Though I would not call the special effects innovative, they are, more importantly, convincing and never over-done. The nearly first person story telling technique is both original and effective, and the non-heroism of Cruise’s character makes for a much more compelling plot than I expected to see. There are indeed some problems with believability, but let me ask – why would anybody go to this film expecting something more realistic than a fairy tale?Recommended for Wells fans, fans of the original 1953 adaptation, and action sci-fi fans. Mildly recommended to the average cinema-goer.

    War of the Worlds - Movie Still 1 War of the Worlds Movie Still 2 War of the Worlds Movie Image 3 War of the Worlds Screen Image
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