I was watching “Jerry Maguire” last weekend and it reminded me how Cuba Gooding, Jr. won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor that year.  Compare that with the barrage of stinkers that he’s involved with in the recent years, one would wonder how his career is thriving.

Of course, he can continue to sell out and ruin his career by doing movies that are almost considered a WMD, or decide to follow a few pointers from an idiot who name wouldn’t be involved with the silver screen even if he tries:

• Just stop for a second and look at your trainwreck of a repertoire in IMDB.  I mean–Jesus H. Christ–what were you smoking when you signed up for “Daddy Day Camp” after doing “Boat Trip?”  Quit doing “sloppy seconds” sequels.
• Fire your agent.  See #1.  Anyone who even thought about giving you those options should be burned alive.
• STOP DOING COMEDIES FOR A WHILE.  Wikipedia states that you vowed not to do another comedy again.  Since then you did the stab-my-eyes-with-a-fork “Norbit” and “Daddy Day Camp.”
• Take guest starring role in any of CSI’s or Law and Orders and play, like, a psychotic character or something.  It worked for Matthew Modine and that Cynthia Nixon.
• Stalk Cameron Crowe to the point of getting a restraining order and ask him to put you in one of his movies again.

Popularity: 12% [?]

I finally saw this movie today.  I had very low expectations at the beginning of the movie, but it turned out to be better than most people would care to admit.

The movie is often compared to a lengthy music video and/or videogame.  I think I know why: Like the other Frank Miller comic-turned-movie creation, Sin City, Snyder tried to recreate the aura/atmosphere found in the comic books.  Now I wonder, how come these same reviewers didn’t complain about Sin City–which was MORE “stylish” than 300?  The techno-rock soundtrack is a distraction…and I have the feeling this soundtrack will not age well over time.

One thing I have to mention that was done brilliantly was the fight scene sequences.  In most war/swordfight movies, cinematographers often use the “shaky cam” effect to immerse the audience into the action…which often fails (one exception is Spielberg’s first 20 minutes of “Saving Private Ryan,” but I digress).  In this movie, Snyder/Fong just pans the camera from left to right (or front to back, etc.) and does slow motion as the main character in focus decapitates the enemy.  The slow-mo was overdone on some scenes–and the rock-techno music background makes it annoying, too–but I think it was nicely done.  

I think Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” has influenced some of the movie’s direction, but not too much that it tries to become a copycat…oh no…this still has Snyder’s signature all over it; it echoes the awesomeness that he did on the “Dawn of the Dead” remake.

It’s not Oscar material.  I don’t think the producers intended it to be.  But it is a good movie, nonetheless.

Popularity: 12% [?]

‘Just saw this movie.  I was expecting this to be one of those “yet-another-computer-animated-kiddie-flicks.”  Fortunately, I found this movie very entertaining and very well-made. 

The computer animation is IMO heads-and-shoulders above ANY computer-generated films ever produced.  Yes, that includes all Pixar-made movies.  The penguins and seals are so lifelike; the movement are so darn convincing you’d think you just saw the “actors” of “March of the Penguins” doing song-and-dance routine.  And not to give too much away, the blending of live-action and CG are totally seamless.

While the story was meh and a little too far-fetched, the screenplay and directing more than made up for it.  The cast was great, and to think I’m always a little annoyed with Robin Williams doing voice-overs.

Highly recommended.

Popularity: 10% [?]

A family member works for the music industry and from time to time they get freebie DVDs and this was one of them.  I ended up watching this movie one day because I was bored out of my mind.

I was skeptical at first because the cover is a dead giveaway that it’s a love story…and it stars Vincent D’Onofrio, who is not exactly in your short list of actors for a feel-good chick flicks.  But Marisa Tomei was in it, so I thought it can’t be that bad.

I was pleasantly surprised (a happy accident?  boooo!!).  Yes, it is a love story, but it’s so far out that you would have not thought that it’s about, um, what it’s about (I don’t want to spoil the story).  Marisa Tomei was great as always, but I was floored by D’Onofrio.  The scene where he saw a chihuahua while strolling with Tomei was hilarious.

Popularity: 10% [?]

It would have been a far greater film if they replaced Jessica Biel with somebody else.  But it’s still a good movie, though.

Popularity: 12% [?]

I don’t know how to begin to describe how awful this movie is. I didn’t plan to watch this one, but I just happened to be in one of my friends’ home and they popped in this movie. Holy crap! After a record-breaking 10 minutes into the movie, I felt like having massive internal bleeding. I silently screamed “Please stop this movie before it hurts anyone…” but it was too late…

Popularity: 10% [?]

A few months ago, I wrote about how good this movie can potentially be, and that it was hampered by the gross editing so it would not end up being half-a-day long, and that I would be looking forward to the Director’s Cut.  Well, without even a hint of advertising, the Director’s Cut actually came out last May.  I ordered my copy and will be watching the whole thing, hoping not to be disappointed…because it’s over THREE HOURS long. 

Popularity: 10% [?]

Bryan Singer must have sold his soul to the Devil.  “Superman Returns” is brilliant!  I was skeptical of Routh playing as Superman, but he turned to be a LOT better than expected.  A lot of reviews say that Routh has weak acting; whoever wrote those reviews are retarded.  If anything, I thought Kevin Spacey was a little overacting on his portrayal.

You have to watch it. 

Popularity: 9% [?]

This morning I’ve been mostly doing nothing, and as I read through some of the forums in imdb.com, it’s stated that Paul Bettany is rumored to be one of the frontrunners to be cast as The Joker for the Batman Begins sequel. If that happens, that would rule so much the world would forgive him for being part of that trash that is “The Da Vinci Code.”

Popularity: 8% [?]

I just saw the 7-minute preview. It’s official: Brett Ratner ruined the X-Men franchise. What an idiot.

Popularity: 8% [?]