Yowazzup: A Directory of Happening Things

Woody and Buzz are back! Watch the teaser trailer of Toy Story 3. Toy Story 3 opens on 18 June 2010.

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Angels & Demons is the sequel to The Da Vinci Code film where Tom Hanks reprises the lead role of Professor Robert Langdon.

SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Tom Hanks and Ayelet Zurer in "Angels & Demons"

Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) is once again being called upon to solve the kidnapping of four Cardinals from the Vatican City and a possible bomb threat.

Langdon believes it’s the work of the Illuminati, based on his expert interpretation on the events. Dr. Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer) is also being called upon to help the investigation as the anti-matter stolen from the LHC project is from her lab. Vetra makes known that the bomb can wipe out an entire Vatican City and even part of Rome. The secret Illuminati has warned to kill each of the Cardinals every hour from 8pm. And when the clock struck at midnight, the bomb will go off.

While Langdon and Vetra, together with the Vatican City police travel around Rome to find clues in churches, Father Simeon and other followers stay put inside Vatican City. Unlike Da Vinci Code, in Angels & Demons, Langdon seems to be the one who’s asking questions and the only person who’s able to answer them as well.

Overall, the movie lacks actual dialogs like it’s in a hurry to get to the conclusion. Angels & Demons also lacks the inquisitive and thrill of a mystery and crime-solving film. The actors are not convincing enough with the exception of Ewan McGregor whom plays a priest, Camerlengo Patrick McKenna, of whom his father was the previous Pope. Camerlengo is young but intuitive and wise and looks innocent until the very end of the movie where the truth unfolds. Like The Mummy and National Treasure franchises, it gets boring and loses its appeal when the sequels are made.

My ratings: 6 out of 10.

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Angels & Demons is a movie based on the bestselling mystery novel by American author Dan Brown. It is also the sequel to Da Vinci Code. The movie stars Tom Hanks and Ewan McGregor. Angels & Demons will be released on May 15, 2009.

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Charlie Wilson’s War is a movie about Texas congressman Charlie Wilson’s covert dealings in Afghanistan, where his efforts to assist rebels in their war with the Soviets have some unforeseen and long-reaching effects. The movie has released in the States on December 21, 2007 and will only be released in the rest of the world in 2008.

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Da Vinci Code is a brilliant movie. For a non-believer like me, I decided to review this movie sparingly.

Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, Audrey Tautou as Sophie Neveu, Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf in LOTR & Magneto in X-Men) as Sir Leigh Teabing, Paul Bettany as Silas, Alfred Molina as Bishop Aringarosa and Jean Reno as Bezu Fache is a movie adapted from Dan Brown’s book. It seems that the film rights were purchased from Dan Brown for US$ 6 million. Audrey Tautou, the French actress who plays Sophie in the movie is a lovable lady. She acted and became famous in the movie ‘Amelie’. Sir Ian McKellen delivered a solid performance as one of the key actors in this film. Can’t wait to watch him in X-Men: The Last Stand next week.

The entire movie is about seeking the truth and solving mysteries that have been unsolved for nearly 2,000 years. The length of the movie is about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The story is a bit twisted, and sometimes give you a different kind of feelings. Before the movie was released, many religious organization including The Vaticans and Opus Dei actually protested against the film. One of the archbishops in The Vaticans called this movie “full of calumnies, offenses, and historical and theological errors”.

I am somehow amazed that this movie is released in Malaysia, uncut! In some countries, certain parts of this movie are cut. In fact, I’m amazed it is even released in the religious country of ours. Kudos to that! To those who haven’t watched yet – heed this, this is a very controvesial movie that might bring false sense and theories to you especially if you’re a religious person (whatever the religion is). (spoilers ahead)… but, I strongly agreed with what Robert Langdon said at the end of the movie, “The only thing that matters is what you believe.” I second that.

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