Yowazzup: A Directory of Happening Things

Fantastic Mr. Fox is an animated film by director Wes Anderson based on the book by Roald Dahl. Featuring the voices of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, Fantastic Mr. Fox opens on November 13, 2009.

Popularity: 1%

Zombieland is a horror comedy which focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Yet another zombie tale? Starring Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray, Zombieland opens on October 9, 2009.

Popularity: 1%

The Limits of Control is the story of a mysterious loner (Mr. De Bankole), a stranger, whose activities remain meticulously outside the law. He is in the process of completing a job, yet he trusts no one, and his objectives are not initially divulged. His journey, paradoxically both intently focused and dreamlike, takes him not only across Spain but also through his own consciousness. Starring Isaach De Bankole, Jean-Prancois Stevenin, Alex Descas, Luis Tosar, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray. The Limits of Control is set to released on May 1, 2009 for a limited release in US.

Popularity: 1%

City of Ember is a 2008 movie based on the 2003 novel of the same name by Jeanne Duprau. The movie was released on October 10, 2008 in the United States and March 12, 2009 in Malaysia.

SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Saoirse Ronan and Harry Treadaway in "City of Ember"

A group of professionals known as The Builders acknowledges that the world is doomed due and announces their plan to build a fully-contained underground city to house a human community for 200 years in order to shelter the human race from an unspecified disaster. And that’s why the City of Ember is born.

A box has been given by the Builders to the mayors of Embers for generation after generation. The box contains instruction and a key to return to the surface of the earth. But the seventh mayor collapsed and the passing on of the box becomes unnoticed.

After 200 years has passed, the city becomes depleted of its resources — food supplies and especially the electricity. Ember often experience longer blackouts and more frequent as the generator that powers the city has deteriorated. Two friends, Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadway) are graduating from school. While Lina is assigned to work as a pipeworker but she trades with Doon since Doon also doesn’t like his job as a messenger. They begin their jobs and soon, they learn that the city is in danger and may suffer total darkness when the generator stops working one day.

While the city is deprived of food supplies, Mayor Cole (Bill Murray) has been stockpiling food with the help of Looper (Mackenzie Crook) in a secret bunker. When Lina discovers the bunker, she tries to report him but instead she and Doon are ordered by the mayor to be arrested.

Lina and Doon together with Poppy (Amy Quinn & Catherine Quinn) escapes into the sewer of the city and tries to find a way out of the city with the instructions left in the box. Doon’s mentor Sul (Martin Landau) also lends a hand with his knowledge in pipeworks. When the generator shows signs of failing, Mayor Cole escapes into his secret bunker and leave Looper, breaking their initial deal. But, Mayor Cole doesn’t know a giant star-nosed Mole is waiting for him in his bunker and thus, get killed by the Mole.

When they arrive at the surface, Lina is utterly disappointed that it is dark as well but as the sun rises, they realize the planet has healed and they can even see Ember through a huge hole. Lina and Doon send a message tied to a rock and it is found by Doon’s father, Foris Harrow (Tim Robbins).

Overall, it is an indeed unique movie and brilliant performance by Saoirse Ronan, the 15-year-old actress whom also excelled in Atonement, a 2007 movie starring Keira Knightley. Once again, the movie theaters are dominated by young children whom are already beginning to take over major roles in the acting world. Amazing storyline, beautiful cinematography and a very well-played science-fiction adventure film.

My ratings: 7 out of 10.

Popularity: 1%