Movie Mini-Reviews

*Update*
"Into the Wild" is a 2007 film written and directed by Sean Penn, adapted from Jon Krakauer's 1996 non-fiction book "Into the Wild" (based on Christopher McCandless's travels across N America and his life in the Alaskan wilderness).

Sean Penn's popular quote
"We've let the blade of our innocence dull over time, and it's only in innocence that you find any kind of magic, any kind of courage."

"The Hunting Party" is written and directed by Richard Shepard, based on a true story as originally told in an Esquire article, “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” by Scott Anderson, starring Richard Gere (Simon Hunt), Terrence Howard (Duck), and Jesse Eisenberg (Benjamin) as the protagonists. Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and the Weinstein Company. Running time: 103 minutes -

"In theory, the official hunt for the war criminals in Bosnia continues to this day... However, the two most wanted men, Radovan Karadzic and Rtoco Mladic – continue to elude the U.S., the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, The Hague and all in the civilized world who claiming to be looking for them.

In the ten years that Radovan Karadzic has been on the run, he has published two books and one play. Perhaps if the International Community opened a summerstock theater... but they are probably too busy "searching" for Osama Bin Laden.

You should also know that the United States took out several full page Wanted ads in the local Bosnian papers to show the world it was serious about catching these war criminals ... of course, they listed an 800 number that could be only used in America."

"Only the most ridiculous parts are true" (screenshots) -

Young Jet Li - reigning champion for 5 consecutive years - at a wushu (martial arts) competition.

*Update*
Martial artist and retired Wushu champion Jet Li's debut movie "The Shaolin Temple" (1982 film), a must-see.
Jet Li's popular quote
"Everywhere I go, I still have time to meditate. People think meditating is sitting there, nobody bothering you, but you can even talk and still meditate."

Jet Li and Jackie Chan, two legendary superstars, in one movie - "The Forbidden Kingdom". A must-see.

Image courtesy: Wikipedia

*Update*
He left us so young: 1979 – 2008
Heath Ledger's popular quote
"I'm still a kid. I'm like six years old. But it's just a matter of wanting to get up, it's just a big journey. I felt like when I left home that I was on a journey, and I still am."

(quote)

Oliver Martin "Ollie" Johnston Jr., the last living member of Disney Animation’s "Nine Old Men," passed away Monday, April 14, 2008 at the age of 95 in Sequim, Washington. The generation of pioneers in developing and championing the distinctive Disney style of animation known as the "Illusion of Life" have left behind most memorable work which gives us so much hilarious laughter and many heartbreaking moments...

Johnston was an animator at Walt Disney Studios from 1935 to 1978, and became a directing animator beginning with Pinocchio, released in 1940. He contributed to most Disney animated features, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia and Bambi. He was recognized by The Walt Disney Company with its Disney Legend Award in 1989.

Disney's Nine Old Men
Les Clark (November 17, 1907 - September 12, 1979), who joined Disney in 1927. His specialty was animating Mickey Mouse as he was the only one of the Nine Old Men to work on that character from its origins with Ub Iwerks. Les did many scenes throughout the years, animating up until Lady and the Tramp. He moved into directing and made many animated featurettes and shorts.

Marc Davis (March 30, 1913 - January 12, 2000) started in 1935 on Snow White, and later he went on to develop/animate the characters of Bambi and Thumper (in Bambi), Aurora, Maleficent, and Diablo, the raven (in Sleeping Beauty), and Cruella De Vil (in One Hundred and One Dalmatians). Davis was responsible for character design for both the Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion attractions at Disneyland.  read more »