Cosmopolis Movie review

‘Cosmopolis’ gives us a young man riding through Manhattan in a limo on a day that feels more and more like his own self-made apocalypse. He’s a super-rich New Yorker, Eric Packer (Robert Pattinson), a 28-year-old billionaire captain of the money markets and tech industries. He insists on travelling across town for a haircut, even though his driver warns him that a presidential visit and a rap star’s funeral are causing traffic gridlock. Packer’s world is confined to this luxury vehicle. It’s full of screens and gadgets and it’s here that he’s joined first by a 22-year-old whizz kid and then two women, one played by Juliette Binoche, the other by Samantha Morton. Outside, Packer encounters a protester (Mathieu Amalric) who is determined to shove a cream pie in his face, his soon-to-be-ex wife (Sarah Gadon) and a man with a serious vendetta against him (Paul Giamatti).

‘Cosmopolis’ is an odyssey defined by a series of one-on-one encounters. Much of the talk makes no obvious sense: ‘Cosmopolis’ has the air of an experimental theatre piece and trades in heightened, eroticised language. You could say it tries to turn the mind of Packer inside-out: to make the psychological real. That’s tougher on film, surely, than in print, and ‘Cosmopolis’ is at its best when it’s otherworldly and aching with artifice. It’s at its worst when it becomes weighed down by an excessive, wearying wordiness, or when it steps out of the limo – the film’s self-imposed arena of surreality – and into a place more like the real world. ‘Cosmopolis’ threatens to soar and to be important, but it only offers flashes of lucidity; the limo is a mesmerising bubble that is quickly burst when the film leaves it.

That said, there’s a consistent air of charged, end-of-days menace running through the film, which Cronenberg handles with an unbroken sense of precision and confidence. He’s well served, too, by a leering, disintegrating Pattinson, giving a commanding, sympathetic portrait of a man being consumed by his own vanity and power. 

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 Dog Days Movie review

Wimpy Kid is growing up

In this third installment of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, our hero Greg finds himself going into summer vacation before he starts high school.

So Greg must endure the lessons most of us can relate to at that age: We’re different than our parents but also the same, our siblings can be bothersome, losing your trunks in the pool can be embarrassing and getting that girl’s phone number is top priority.

Although Greg’s got big plans for his summer vacation, his dad might have something else to say about that. Will Greg ever finish his favourite video game? Will he survive having his brains scrambled at the amusement park? Will he win the girl?

We say, “It’s funny, smart and kid friendly.”

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Step up 4 Miami heat Movie review

The heat is on in the fourth chapter of the high-energy dance franchise

This time, there are no dance battles between rival crews which culminate in a final reel showdown.

Instead, director Scott Speer somersaults into the increasingly fashionable world of flash mobs, staging impromptu performances around sun-baked East Coast locations.

Sean (Ryan Guzman) and best friend Eddy (Misha Gabriel) work at one of Miami’s most popular hotels.

When they are not serving guests with overpriced drinks, the handsome duo mastermind a troupe of hugely talented dancers and artists nicknamed The Mob.

They orchestrate daring flash mobs around the city, hoping to win an online competition by attracting more than 10 million views to their videos. They are currently ranked second, behind a performing cat.

During a night out, Sean meets Emily (Kathryn McCormick), who is preparing an audition for a prestigious dance company.

Attraction is instant, then Sean discovers Emily is the daughter of Mr Anderson (Peter Gallagher), who has just announced plans to bulldoze the neighbourhood to make way for a multimillion-dollar development.

Sean and Eddy plan the ultimate flash mob to galvanise support against Anderson and stop the bulldozers from destroying their community.

“Enough with performance art, it’s time for protest art!” proclaims Emily defiantly, rebelling against her father, who has never respected her need for self-expression.

Step Up 4: Miami Heat gyrates clear of realism in the opening 10 minutes, which sees The Mob perform atop gridlocked cars as bystanders cheer them on.

Dance sequences become increasingly elaborate, including an intervention at an art gallery that would be logistically impossible given the timeframe and on-site security.

Plausibility aside, Speer’s film is undemanding fun.

By abandoning the rigid structure of dance battles from previous films, choreographers incorporate every conceivable style, including ballet, Latin and robot.

Martial arts fighter and professional model Guzman is easy on the eye and he’s certainly not shy about flaunting his washboard abs.

He doesn’t have the fluid, tight moves of his co-stars so director Speer sensibly affords his leading man just one brief solo before he merges into the frenetic group sequences.

In stark contrast, contemporary dancer McCormick relishes her extended moments alone in the spotlight, demonstrating grace and agility as her feisty heroine hones her audition piece.

On-screen chemistry simmers nicely.

3D is noticeable when dancers blow sand into the camera or a shower of water cascades invitingly over lithe bodies, but otherwise the format is redundant.

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Mars Manga review

Warning: Recommended readers 18 years and above -- Profanity, rape, murder, blood and list goes on... 

English: Mars

Type: Manga

Volumes: 15

Chapters: 90

Status: Finished

Published: May 13, 1996 to Dec 13, 2000

Genres: Drama, Romance, Shoujo, Slice of Life, Psychological

Authors: Souryo, Fuyumi (Story & Art)

Serialization: Bessatsu Friend

I'm sad to see that this manga is not well known around fans of the genre.

I found out about this manga in this site while I was browsing around.I read one of the reviews here and thought to myself,why not try it?It has gotten a really high rating and must be good.Alright,sometimes high rating can be in fact misleading so I wasn't so excited at first and wasn't expecting a lot from this one.. However I was wrong.

This manga is psychological, I warn you if you cant handle it, dont read it but let me tell you this--

this is one of the best shoujo mangas that I have ever read. Honestly, there were points in time where I had no idea why it was even being called a shoujo manga anymore. It managed to capture so many different genres, I am sure that there are a lot of people out there that will like it. 

Kira, a shy high school student, lives only for her art. Rei, An arrogant, rebellious and violent playboy, wears his delinquency like a badge of honor. They are exact opposites in every way, but when Kira sees Rei kissing a statue of Mars, she overcomes her fears and asks him to model for her. And, to everyone's surprise, Rei agrees. 

This story of a boy on the wrong side of the tracks, and a shy artist girl both falling for each other, captivated me. Its not some innovative blast of originality, there's no genre deconstruction, no super twist that tips the world upside down. It’s just a love story told really well.

Despite the cute character of Kira, and the fact that she cries every five minutes which admittedly grates, it doesn’t feel saccharine at all. The character conflicts, the world the story is set in, the way everything pans out, it feels authentic, and when it doesn’t it’s at least in service of the story. Because its 15 volumes, stuff just has to keep happening to our main characters, it wouldn’t be much of a story if only a handful of things happened, but Fuyumi has the skill to make it engaging and flow from one story arc to another seamlessly.

You're willing Kira and Rei to pull through it all, like lovers on the run from the world. The biggest criticism of the manga would be that the last major threat; the last antagonist; that last hurdle that every story must have, in this case began to feel too generic for my liking, but it never becomes boring at least and resolves itself swiftly

The characters are really deep.In my opinion it's the characters that attract you so much as to continue reading the rest of it.For me at least no matter how good the story of a manga can be,if the characters are just uninteresting,it'll discourage me from reading the rest.While it's not really hard to find good character development and good interaction between characters in shoujo manga(I think that's where shoujo wins shounen) this one presents another persepcrive of the characters.Here we're also shown the very dark side of both protagonists.And when I say dark I mean with the whole meaning of the world.That of course is one of the things that makes the characters even more realistic.

At first you'll doubt the art but as you continue reading the manga the art improves. It’s clean, soft, and beautiful to look at. Fuyumi makes it look so easy. The beauty is in the simplicity. There's no unnecessary detail, just what is essential. Essential for characters, essential for the story. The scene composition is masterful, and so is the design of the panels. It just flows so well. The best way I can describe it is that it all makes sense. 

Mars, the red planet, the warrior of war, the fiery passion in us that love ignites; drives us out of our minds; pushes us forward whether we like it or not, and makes us sacrifice anything and everything to sustain it. You see it all in this manga, and that’s why I gave it 10.

Robert Pattinson hides from Kristen Stewart scandal at home of Reese Witherspoon, had his 'heart ripped out' by affair

Robert Pattinson ditched his former love nest in Los Angeles for new digs — a stunning $7 million ranch where he can mend his broken heart.

The temporary crib comes courtesy of his “Water for Elephants” co-star Reese Witherspoon, according to People magazine. The Ojai, Calif., ranch is Witherspoon’s vacation home and where she married talent agent Jim Toth last year.

A stunned Pattinson reportedly immediately asked Witherspoon if he could stay at her home after finding out about Stewart's affair, and has been hiding out there ever since, reeling from the news.

"There was no sign that either of them was unhappy," a Pattinson insider told the magazine. "He would have done anything for her."

Earlier reports said the “Twilight” star had skipped town for his native London. He’s been in hiding since gal pal Kristen Stewart admitted to cheating on him with her “Snow White and the Huntsman” director Rupert Sanders.

Pattinson, 26, cancelled an upcoming press appearance for his latest flick, “Cosmopolis,” according to Entertainment Tonight.

While the source told People that Pattinson has had his "heart ripped out" by the scandal, a Stewart confidante told the magazine the actress is also crushed by the effects of her affair.

"Telling Robert was the worst thing she's ever had to do," the source reportedly said.

A source told Us Weekly that he remains “a total mess,” even as Stewart, 22, issued a public mea culpa last week and has been sending texts and making phone calls to restore their three-year relationship.

“It’s the only thing she cares about,” a source told Us Weekly.

It appears Pattinson has quite the comfy hideout should he decide to stay at Witherspoon’s home for a while.

The ranch was recently featured in Elle Decor magazine, and gives Witherspoon, her husband, and her two kids with ex-hubby Ryan Phillippe a “serene setting.” She's currently expecting her first child with Toth. The property, meanwhile, is also home to donkeys, goats, pigs and chickens.

Meanwhile, Sanders stepped out in Los Angeles on Monday for the first time since the scandal broke, still wearing his wedding ring.

Sanders, 41, dressed casually as he made his first foray into the public since his relationship with Stewart was revealed, donning sunglasses, jeans and a blue-and-white striped shirt.

Like Stewart, he issued a dramatic public apology to his wife and children last week after the affair was exposed, suggesting he will try to keep his marriage intact despite the scandal.

"I am utterly distraught about the pain I have caused my family," Sanders said in a statement. "My beautiful wife and heavenly children are all I have in this world. I love them with all my heart.

"I am praying we can get through this together."

Kristen Stewart turns to Jodie Foster for affair advice

The 22-year-old star – who recently made a public apology to boyfriend Robert Pattinson for cheating on him with her 'Snow White and the Huntsman' director – is being supported by her 'Panic Room' co-star after the 49-year-old actress reached out to her young friend.

A source said: "As soon as she heard the news, Jodie contacted Kristen to offer her support. They have been close friends since they starred opposite each other in the 2002 movie 'Panic Room', and Jodie is a mother-like figure to her.

"Jodie told Kristen to take no notice of the media bashing and said if she wanted to cry her heart out to her she's always available. Jodie loved Rob and is disappointed with Kristen for cheating on him. However, she knows at 22, she's still very young and unfortunately people make mistakes in life. She thinks Kristen will learn from this and will only grow into a more mature person because of it."

However, not all is easy for Kristen, as she is still fighting with British-born Robert about who should look after their dog Bear.

The source added to RadarOnline.com: "After Rob moved his things out of their Los Angeles home, he then told Kristen he wanted Bear. She was heartbroken; they adopted Bear together and she always felt that he was their little baby.

 "But Rob was so hurt by Kristen's actions he decided that he wants the dog to help him get over what happened. After all, a dog is a man's best friend and Bear is such a good companion. However, Kristen won't give up Bear in a hurry."

Robert is believed to be hiding out in Reese Witherspoon's holiday home in California while he decides what to do with his future.