The Haunted Mansion

"How wonderful. You want to kill a ghost."

Jim Evers (Murphy) is a workaholic, much to the chagrin of his business partner / wife Sara (Thomason). They decide to take the family on a vacation, but take a short delay to look at a prospective sale. The house is owned by Master Gracey (Parker) and has been in his family for generations. However, the history of the house haunts him, and he wants to sell. While the family joins him for dinner, a storm prevents them from leaving the mansion. Creepy butler Ramsley (Stamp) shows the family to their rooms, and knows the secrets of the house. As the evening wears on, the family is separated and each learns of the spectres who inhabit the mansion.

Jim is sent on a quest by gypsy, Madame Leota (Tilly) who only appears in a magic crystal ball. Song Michael (Jefferies) and daughter Megan (Davis) meet the other servants of the house, Ezra (Shawn) and Emma (Waters). And Sara learns the history of the house from Gracey. A company of ghostly apparitions and zombies to add to the mayhem.


Like Pirates of the Caribbean, this film is based on the Disney ride by the same name. However, this film is not as good as POC. It is a good idea, but the story doesn't live up to the hype. The characters of Master Gracey and Sara are underdeveloped...and way too much time is given to Eddie Murphy's Jim. I like Eddie Murphy, but this film has a lot of problems. Some characters manage to rise above, like Jennifer Tilly's Madam Leota, but there is too many "main" characters to truly appreciate the ones that do a good job.

The sets are incredible. I have never ridden the Haunted Mansion ride, but apparently the film stays true to the ride. The outside of the mansion is magnificent, and the interior does not disappoint. Some of the special effects are good, like the ghosts in the cemetery, but the rest isn't good enough, like the zombies. Overall it is an entertaining film that children will probably enjoy...I can't say the same for the adults who watch. I was entertained...but my expectations were low to begin, and I watched it on television, so it was free!

--: there are some funny one-liners here and there
--: don't compare it to POC, or you will be sorely disappointed...but if you accept it for what it is, you will survive the film.

The Haunted Mansion (2003) 99 minutes
Rating: PG for frightening images, thematic elements and language
Director: Rob Minkoff
Starring: Eddie Murphy as Jim Evers
Terence Stamp as Ramsley
Nathaniel Parker as Master Gracey
Marsha Thomason as Sara Evers
Jennifer Tilly as Madame Leota
Wallace Shawn as Ezra
Dina Waters as Emma
Marc John Jefferies as Michael
Aree Davis as Megan

Dip huet seung hung: The Killer

"You're an unusual cop."
"Well, you're an unusual killer."

Ah Jong (Yun-Fat) is an assassin with a conscious. During a job, he accidentally injures a singer named Jennie (Yeh), who begins to lose her vision. Because he cares for her and feels guilty about her condition, Ah Jong decides to do one final job to pay for an operation to restore Jennie's sight. After completing the job, Ah Jong rescues a young girl caught in the middle of a shoot out, literally. This action is noticed by the cop tracking him, Li (Lee), and the Triad who were doing the shooting.

As the story continues, Ah Jong and Li have a mutual admiration for each other as they try to protect Jennie and stay one step ahead of the Triad who are tracking their progress.


This film was my introduction the Hong Kong cinema. One of the most memorable aspects of this film is the relationship between the two male leads. They have similar personality traits / ideals, but are on opposite sides of the law. This is best illustrated in Jennie's apartment (a "Mexican Standoff") as the two men aim guns at the other, but continue to adjust their movements and speech to keep Jennie from knowing the truth (that Ah Jong is a killer). Some people see a homoerotic relationship between the two (the music is romantic when they are together), but I don't think that was director John Woo's intention.

The Killer is heavy in symbolism, such as the final shootout in the church (and he has a fascination with the dichotomy between black and white). The character of Fung Sei (Kong) is also interesting. He is friends with Ah Jong and shares his profession, but not his ideals. The difference between Ah Jong's relationships, and the way the different ways the other characters react to him gives him depth and in spite of his profession, you (the audience) want him to find redemption.

--: this is a very violent film. There is blood, lots of death (120 according to imdb.com), so it is like most action films
--: I would recommend the film, you have to read subtitles, but it is worthwhile

~ for more information check out Hong Kong Film Net ~

The Killer [Dip huet seung hung] (1989) 111 minutes
Rating: R for pervasive strong violence and some language
Director: John Woo
Starring: Chow Yun-Fat as Ah Jong (Jeff)*
Danny Lee as Inspector Li Ying
Sally Yeh as Jennie
Chu Kong as Fung Sei (Sydney)*

*The English subtitles change Ah Jong's name to Jeff or John, and his friend Fung Sei becomes Sydney.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day

"Not everything comes along just when we want it. There are times when decisions just have to be made, or you certainly will miss out."

Guinevere Pettigrew (McDormand) is desparate. After being fired from her last few jobs, the employment agency refuses to help her, and she is living on the streets. While at the agency, she hears about a job for American actress Delysia Lafosse (Adams).

Delysia is also desparate. She wants to get the lead in a big play, and is willing to do anything to get the part. When Miss Pettigrew arrives, she helps Delysia sort through her relationships (she is dating three men). First there is Phil (Payne) the ambitious, young producer of a new stage show, which she wants the main part. Then there Nick (Strong) who runs the nightclub she sings in, and who she currently is living with. And finally there is Michael (Pace), the pianist who loves her. Delysia is impressed and hires Miss Pettigrew as her social secretary. After getting a makeover, Miss Pettigrew is asked to help patch up the relationship of Delysia's friend Edythe (Henderson) and her ex-fiance Joe (Hinds). And it's only her first day!


I love the screwball comedies of the 1930s (actually I love pretty much any film from the 1930s) which this film wants to be. I wasn't impressed with the trailers for this film, but I was pleasantly surprised. Amy Adams is adorably clueless, but in a feasible way. The rest of the cast does not disappoint, including Lee Pace as Michael. Pace is incredible on "Pushing Daisies," and he brings the same charisma to this part, without overplaying his part. Overall once you get into the story, you know what will happen (or what you want to happen)...but you don't know how it will be executed, and in both cases it does not disappoint.

--: this is a cute, funny film...perfect for a girls night out (or in)
Rent it: to see a modern take on a classic genre of film

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008) 92 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some partial nudity and innuendo.
Director: Bharat Nalluri
Starring: Frances McDormand as Miss Pettigrew
Amy Adams Delysia
Ciaran Hinds as Joe
Lee Pace as Michael
Mark Strong as Nick
Shirley Henderson as Edythe
Tom Payne as Phil

3:10 to Yuma

"You know, squeezin' that watch won't stop time."

A barn burns, a stagecoach is robbed, and several lawmen (Pinkertons) are killed...drawing two very different men together. After his barn is burned to the ground, Dan Evans (Bale) needs money to save his family and his dying farm. Meanwhile outlaw Ben Wade (Crowe) and his cronies have successfully robbed the stagecoach and killed all but one of the Pinkertons standing in their way. After celebrating, Wade is captured and a team is formed to take him to justice: transport him to the train station (a 3 day trip) to board a train bound for the prison in Yuma. A random group of men form the posse to transport Wade. Dan volunteers for the reward money, Byron (Fonda) is the head Pinkerton who has been tracking Wade for a long time, Doc Potter (Tudyk) to take care of Byron's wounds, Butterfield (Roberts) the head of the local railroad, Tucker (Kevin Durand) the muscle with a big mouth, and Dan's hot-headed son William (Lerman) who is ashamed of his father.

As the posse heads towards the station, they are pursued by Wade's cronies, led by his menacing second-in-command Charlie (Foster), leaving destruction and death in their wake. Wade is smart, smarter than the majority of his captors, and uses that knowledge to push their buttons and using their emotions to his advantage. It becomes a battle of bullets and of wills (Dan or Wade). Who will survive the trip to the station?


The story is rather simple, but it isn't a simple film. It is not predictable...although it is reminiscent of "High Noon." In a time when western style films are not made, more accurately, they are not made well; "3:10 to Yuma" recalls the heyday of westerns, while still reflecting modern sensibilities. Wade wears the customary black clothing (and owns a black hat, although he is hatless for the majority of the film), but overall the lines between good and evil are blurred. It is clear that Christian Bale is the hero and Russell Crowe is the main villain, but both men lose their scenes (and the film as a whole) to the antics of Ben Foster as Charlie. He commands the screen with his performance: people believe his words, and he wears a verging-on-psychotic expression, keeping you on edge. The two female characters serve minor purposes and then are absent for the remainder of the film (they only appear in the early scenes). There are entertaining / unexpected appearances by actors in minor roles (Peter Fonda is one).
 
As I mentioned before, this is not a complex story: you already know the basic plotline, catching the 3:10 train to Yuma. It is how the characters develop, and how they reach their destination that make the film work. This is a modern take / homage to old western films...and as such it makes up for all the crappy western films made in the last few years (and the anti-western western films that Clint Eastwood used to make...).

Rent it: I haven't seen the 1950's version of the film (I knew Christian Bale was in this film, and honestly that was enough for me...plus Alan Tudyk is amazing!), so I can't really compare the two, but apparently there are differences in the plotlines of the two films...(I digress).
Dude, it's quotable: the lines don't necessarily translate well, but in the heat of the moment the lines really pack a punch (and are funny / ironic)

3:10 to Yuma (2007) 122 minutes
Rating: R for violence and some language.
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Russell Crowe as Ben Wade
Christian Bale as Dan Evans
Logan Lerman as William Evans
Dallas Roberts as Grayson Butterfield
Ben Foster as Charlie Prince
Peter Fonda as Byron McElroy
Alan Tudyk as Doc Potter

Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were Rabbit

"I'm just crackers about cheese"

It's a rabbit infestation! Days before the towns annual Giant Vegetable Competition, it is up to the Anti-Pesto Team, Wallace (Sallis) and Gromit, to keep the veggies safe. The capture the rabbits humanely and keep bring them home. They are contacted by the hostess of the competition, Lady Tottington (Carter) to get rid of her rabbit problem in a humane way, much to the chagrin of boyfriend Victor Quartermaine (Fiennes) who has a problem with senseless killing...he likes it, but it has become a problem.

Then the problem gets bigger...much bigger in the form of a large rabbit, also known as the Were Rabbit, who only feeds at night is ravaging the vegetables. As the villagers panic and begin forming angry mobs, it is up to Wallace and Gromit to stop the Were Rabbit before Victor shoots him. With Lady Tottington backing them, and secretly falling for Wallace, things could get harey (yes, I know...it's a bad pun, but I had to do it!).
Time and again Aardman Animation has proven itself. Excellent storytelling (you can follow it), entertaining characters (non-verbal communication) and smart humor (and they're British!)...what more can you ask for.


Wallace and Gromit have proven themselves in a series of short films, but left the audience wanting more...but there is no doubt that they can handle more time. Fans of the shorts (or Aardman Animation) already know what to expect, but it is easy for newcomers to find their way. The rabbits are a wonderful (and adorable) addition to the cast. I laugh at everything they do! And it was interesting seeing how the rest of the town views the gadgetry of Wallace, and to see how he relates to other humans (not just women he is in love with, or mute animals). Beyond the usual humor of the series, the writers reference classic horror films (in humorous ways).

The voice talents are also impressive. Peter Sallis continues to bring warmth and humor to Wallace, and in this film to the character of Hutch as well (I won't talk about this character because it gives away too much of the plot). Ralph Fiennes is brilliant as Victor, at first I didn't even realize it was him! He is the perfect villain, menacing while still overly funny. And Helena Bonham Carter was a great choice as Lady Tottington. Overall it is a great film!

Dude, it's quotable: it is laugh-out-loud funny (even after multiple viewings)
Rent it multiple times: you can't fully appreciate the film until you've seen it a few times. I saw it in theatres twice, and I own the film, and I still find knew aspects of the story, and new things to laugh at/about.

Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were Rabbit (2005) 85 minutes
Director: Nick Park and Steve Box
Starring: Peter Sallis as Wallace / Hutch
Ralph Fiennes as Victor Quartermaine
Helena Bonham Carter as Lady Tottington