He's my little dude," says Rachel Bilson of her mixed-breed dog.  She shares the love of this pooch with her hunni Hayden Christensen.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489099/

(Extracted from an essay written September 2006)

…yearning a break from a city lifestyle for the weekend?...planning to stay healthy and make new friends? Perhaps the JUNGLE ENVIRONMENTAL SURVIVAL TRAINING CAMP is your answer! This is a Subic experience you will never forget. I know I won’t for reasons only my fellow mountaineers would know…

Last weekend, 15 Members of the AMCI Mountaineering Club, Inc. gathered at the Victory Liner Cubao Terminal at 5.00am on a typical Saturday morning. We were to take the 3-hour bus ride to Olongapo City. It was my first time taking public transportation to Subic where I normally went for low-key shopping, driving around in one of our cars, restaurant hopping, playing frisbee by the beach, or appreciating the house we rented for the weekend. The house typically had 3 bedrooms with ample garden space for our barbeques and beer sessions that would take us late into the night without neighbours disturbing our party.

That was my average Subic weekend. J.E.S.T. (JUNGLE ENVIRONMENTAL SURVIVAL TRAINING) was another matter only because I thought that while it was going to be more physical in activities, it would at least be on level terrain. Little did I know…The bus left Cubao at 6.20am arriving in Olongapo City by 9.30am. Breakfast was at Chow King before we hopped on a jeepney that took us to the entrance of SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE less than 15 minutes away. A friendly security guard then directed us to a shuttle bus service that would take us to the camp and it only costs us less than 200 pesos to get our destination! At JEST camp, military-looking personnel waited for us to begin with bamboo lessons. We each needed bolos or machetes to practice crafting eating utensils out of this versatile plant. Its strength, light weight, structural design, various sizes and lengths; its freedom from any pronounced taste or smell, great abundance, and the rapidity of its growth are all qualities that render the simple bamboo useful for a hundred different purposes

For us mountaineers, the biggest challenge was making a fire, which is going to take many more trips to get it right! …so we learnt to build alternative pots and pans, start a fire, and cook food with only a type of grass. Where were we going to get water if there was no river or spring available?...but of course from the Water tree! Also known as “Six-to-Six” to the Americans for its ability to produce water in that period, it supplies anyone with up to 4 liters of water per day if Kuya Ed, our guide, is to be believed. The stems of the fish tail palm, when sharpened, act as needles or fasteners when making hats out of large leaves; recommended for those who can’t take the mid-day heat.

Imamali leaves help to stop bleeding in case of a cut or deep wound. The outdoor pharmacy is just around the corner if you know what you’re looking but with all the local names Kuya Ed kept mouthing, I could hardly keep up with what they were all good for since I was having such a hard time remembering their names! At least, I hope to remember how they look should the occasion arise to use them.

Calibetbet sap is also used for minor cuts.

According to Philippine history, the wild potato was a source of nourishment during World War II but the Japanese had forgotten to do one thing before digesting it – soak the peeled tuber in water for 48 hours. Otherwise, it caused them dizzy spells that inevitably led to their loss.

Bauk-uk or vinegar leaf tastes like guava and makes for great hot sour soups!

The leaves of the Tutugpulo stick the clothing, which makes it useful for camouflage. It is also known as the Velcro and water vine.

I can’t remember what BANGABA is for. This is not BANABA.

Small shrimps and snails abound in the river, making delicious combinations with taro leaves boiled in water seasoned with just salt. Ah, the aroma of wild cuisine! You couldn’t ask for more and the best thing is…it is not fatty!

If you want a more full stomach, try setting traps to catch wild boar. This, however, takes several days of patience without a guarantee of catching even one. The elusive creatures are plentiful in Subic along with some wild cats, monkeys, egrets etc. Setting bamboo traps are allowed in the area but hunting rifles are banned.

Did I forget to mention the bamboo bat? The world’s smallest bat is the size of a thumb that lives in the hollows of the bamboo vine. Personally, this is the only bat I’ll ever allow myself to get close to!

In our exploration of the Philippine mountains, never had we faced such aggressive giant mosquitoes that feasted on us throughout the night. Fortunately, there have never been any ma It was one night I regretted not bringing my long trekking pants because I was forced to remain in my tent while the others engaged in lively chatter around the campfire.

This article only serves to give an idea of what to expect at J.E.S.T. As mountaineers, we are better equipped with more wildlife experience, which city living cannot provide. At least, I learnt to balance an impractical travel bag during an enduring 2-hour trek over undulating terrain to the campsite! I had not expected a mountain but we did climb Mt. Boton, which is more a hill. ...so when you go to J.E.S.T. and you’re planning to stay overnight in the jungle, bring a decent backpack containing a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, sun block lotion, and insect repellant! Food and water are essentially provided for as long as you are not too picky. Bathe in the river. This weekend option is definitely not recommended for my “high-living” friends J I know I will go back!

Last night, I watched the movie Jumper, starring Hayden Christensen, who also played Anakin Skywalker in the movies Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and Samuel L. Jackson. I think very highly of it and I think that it's worth watching. It had a great plot and incredible acting, and it was truly entertaining. A genetic anomaly allows a young man ( David Rice, portrayed by Hayden Christensen) to teleport himself anywhere. He discovers his gift has existed for centuries and finds himself in a war that has been raging for thousands of years between "Jumpers" and those who have sworn to kill them. Rated PG-13. Based on the 1992 science fiction novel Jumper by Steven Gould.

Here is a link of the movie at IMDB ( The Internet Movie Data Base): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0489099/

La historia se repite. Una interesante premisa que poco a poco se va desdibujando hasta transformarse en una cosa muy distinta a lo que quiso ser originalmente. Lo que llama la atención es que le ocurrió a Jumper, también protagonizada por Hayden Christensen, lo cual podría ser considerada simplemente una coincidencia... tal vez lo sea. Lo que no es coincidencia es que en ambas películas Christensen ofrece una interpretación espantosa, demostrando claramente que ha sido suertudo a la hora de recibir y aceptar proyectos que lo ponen en el rol protagónico. Haciendo un paralelismo, Mark Hamill merecería al menos una segunda, tercera o cuarta oportunidad, ya que aunque también es un actor del montón, es sin duda mejor interpretador que Christensen.

Clay Beresford (Hayden Christensen) es un pendejo millonario, dueño de medio Nueva York, a traves de una corporación heredada de su fallecido padre, y de un bondadoso, pero fallado corazón. Beresfold necesita urgentemente un transplante, siempre una operación peligrosa, lo cual le es recordado constantemente por su médico Jack Harper (Terrence Howard), un buen tipo que lo atendió cuando sufrió su primer infarto. Harper y Beresfold se hacen buenos amigos, tal vez porque este último carece de personas cercanas a su vida, aparte de su bella madre Lilith (Lena Olin) y su novia secreta Sam (Jessica Alba). De Beresford sabemos poco, es un tipo raro, bondadoso, pero apartado, constantemente sonriente, pero apenado. Se nota que tiene fantasmas en su pasado, recuerdos que quiere olvidar. Al ingresar al pabellón Beresfold se deja ir, aceptando lo que su destino le depare, sin embargo, hay algo que anda mal. Se supone que debe estar anestesiado, que no debe escuchar ni sentir nada, pero escucha lo que habla el equipo médico, siente como le cortan la piel... ¡Beresfold está despierto! Pero no se puede mover o gritar para avisarle a los médicos... este debe ser uno de los mayores terrores que el cine ha podido retratar, ya que es un terror impactantemente posible (aunque dificil que ocurra). Como si eso no fuera suficiente, el terror y el dolor de Beresfold serán mayores al escuchar como se ha vuelto en víctima de un complot que buscará no sólo arrebatarle toda su fortuna, sino que también su muerte.

La premisa sin duda que es lo suficientemente interesante como para convertir a esta película en una cinta de drama/suspenso poderosa, sin embargo, la situación no convence, probablemente porque Christensen no es el actor más adecuado para ese rol... o para cualquier rol en realidad. Es un muy mal actor, con un registro facial limitadísimo. Lo peor es que uno acepta, aveces, ver que un actor repita personaje... John Cusack, Jeff Goldblum o Shia LaBeouf han repetido sus personajes de forma constante, pero no cansan, no aburren. Son actores con ángel, lo cual Christensen no tiene. A sus 26 años sigue viéndose como un pendejo odioso y actuando como alguien que recién está iniciándose en la actuación (y podría ser así, pero lleva varios protagónicos). El peso dramático que debería aportar brilla por su ausencia y eso hace que el resto del relato se desmorone. Ni siquiera con las buenas actuaciones de Lena Olin y Terrence Howard salvan este relato que deja de lado la credibilidad y se transforma en un extraño mix, más cercano a la ciencia ficción clase B. Jessica Alba está bastante bien... no sean mal pensados, está bien por las razones obvias, pero también está bien en su interpretación, de la mujer que tiene que aceptar llevar un noviazgo en secreto con el personaje de Christensen, para evitar las críticas de su madre.

A pesar de todo esto, Joby Harold, director y escritor de esta cinta, hace algo valioso, al presentarnos una historia original y con gran potencial. Por ser su opera prima, creo que le podemos perdonar algunas cosas, pero en general hace un trabajo aceptable, sobre todo al presentarnos sus giros de tuerca y al mostrarnos los recuerdos del personaje de Christensen. Tal vez culpar a Anakin de que la película no funcione es demasiado, sin embargo, su rol es demasiado importante como para dejarselo a alguien con tan pocas habilidades. Es de esperar que el siguiente trabajo de Harold sea mejor.

TRAILER: AWAKE

FICHA TÉCNICA
Nombre: Awake
Año: 2007
Duración: 84 minutos
Dirigida y escrita por: Joby Harold
Protagonizada por: Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Lena Olin, Christopher McDonald y Arliss Howard
Producida por: GreeneStreet Films, The Weinstein Company, Open City Films

O site MovieFone pergunta o que seria do cara bonzinho sem um brigão que ameace a virtude, incomode os inocentes e frustre os melhores planos, não é mesmo, minha gente? Por isso eles fizeram uma lista dos 25 homens e mulheres que amamos odiar no cinema. O Coringa de Ledger nem estreou ainda e já está lá.

1. Lorde Voldemort da série Harry Potter, 2005-2007 [Ralph Fiennes]
2. Darth Vader da série Guerra nas Estrelas, 1977-2005 [James Earl Jones, Hayden Christensen]
3. A Bruxa Malvada do Oeste de O mágico de Oz, 1939 [Margaret Hamilton]
4. Hannibal Lecter de O silêncio dos inocentes, 1991 [Anthony Hopkins]
5. Coringa de Batman - O cavaleiro das trevas, 2008 [Heath Ledger]
6. Goldfinger de 007 contra Goldfinger, 1964 [Gert Frobe]
7. Chigurgh de Onde os fracos não têm vez, 2007 [Javier Barden]
8. Hans Gruber de Duro de matar, 1988 [Alan Rickman]
9. Max Cady de Cabo do medo, 1991 [Robert De Niro]
10. A Rainha de Branca de neve e os sete anões, 1937 [voz de Lucille la Verne]
11. Harry Powell de O mensageiro do diabo, 1955 [Robert Mitchum]
12. Michael Myers de Halloween - A noite do terror, 1978 [Tony Moran]
13. Freddy Krueger de A hora do pesadelo, 1984 [Robert Englund]
14. Mrs Iselin de Sob o domínio do mal, 1962 [Angela Lansbury]
15. Tom Powers de Inimigo Público, 1931 [James Cagney]
16. Anne Wilkes de Louca obsessão, 1990 [ Kathy Bates]
17. Dr Christian Szell de Maratona da morte, 1976 [Laurence Olivier]
18. T-1000 de O exterminador do futuro 2 - O julgamento final [Robert Patrick]
19. Joan Crawford de Mamãezinha querida, 1981 [Faye Dunaway]
20. Lex Luthor de Superman, 1978 [Gene Hackman]
21. Alonzo Harris de Dia de treinamento, 2001 [Denzel Washington]
22. Cruella De Vil de Os 101 dálmatas, 1961 [voz de Betty Lou Gerson]
23. Frank Booth de Veludo Azul, 1986 [Dennis Hopper]
24. Khan Noonie Singh de Jornada nas estrelas: A ira de Khan, 1982 [Ricardo Montalban]
25. Agente Smith de Matrix, 1999 [Hugo Weaving]

Leia também: "O Melhor dos Vilões".

Vel bekomme!

5. plass

Hayden Christensen aka Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader.

4. plass

Ben Browder aka John Crichton aka Cameron Mitchell.

3. plass

Hugh Jackman aka Wolverine.

2. plass

Vin Diesel aka Riddick.

1. plass

Ja - vinneren er selveste Richard Dean Anderson aka Jack O'Neill aka MacGyver.

___

Det er ikke det at jeg er kresen av meg... Han må bare ha kule boots, håndtere våpen, være litt badboy og kunne fly romskip.

Director: Doug Liman

Writer(s): David S. Goyer (screenplay), Jim Uhls (Screenplay), Simon Kinberg (Screenplay), and Steven Gould (novel)

Release Date: February 14, 2008 (USA)

Genre: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot: David Rice is a high school student in Ann Arbor, abandoned by his mother at five, enamored with Millie, a fellow student, and picked on by at least one classmate. On a winter's day, while about to drown, he discovers he can transport himself instantaneously to anyplace on earth. He leaves town, goes to New York City, robs a bank vault, and comes to the attention of a shadowy group of government hunters. Eight years later, the hunters, led by the murderous Roland, get a fix on David. He heads home, searches out Millie, invites her to travel with him, and only later realizes that Roland and his crew are seriously deadly. Is everyone close to David in danger? (credit to imdb.com user)

Awards: 3 Nominations

Cast: Hayden Christensen, Jamie Bell, Rachel Bilson, Diane Lane, Samuel L. Jackson

MPAA: Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action violence, some language and brief sexuality.

I'm not a big fan of Science Fiction, but I'm not adverse to it. I wasn't very excited at the prospect of this movie when it was first proposed and even in the making.  The thought of someone being able to "jump through a jump scar" was somewhat juvenile for me. But I couldn't deny myself the chance to see a movie, bad or not.

The idea of the movie was ok, all things considered. Someone who can elude the police, sure it's appealing. Someone who can rob a bank without being detected, not entirely true but whatever. The movie, overall, was badly contructed. All through the movie, I couldn't even bare to watch some scenes and chose to organize my iTunes instead. The whole love plot was entirely not even needed. The whole meaning of the movie, to me at least, was about him trying to survive and elude those who wanted to kill him. Not about him falling in love with his past crush and trying to protect HER from those who wanted to kill HIM.

Now, I HATE Hayden Christensen. So, I didn't even want to sit through 88 minutes of looking at his poorly acting unattractive mug. But I did, unfortunately. The acting was sort of lacking, but it was all they can do with a lacking screenplay.

I'm not going to write much, for I really didn't like the movie. It rubbed me the wrong way and the only reason I chose to LISTEN to it's garbage was that my family had rented it and it was a movie. Plain and simple. My love for movies overcame my knowledge that it was abomination.

I give it a

D-

For the only reason that they tried... and I loved Jamie Bell.

:)

MYV382

He manages to be masculine and vunerable at the same time, but Taylor Wood isnt such a smarty because Hayden's been crying on film well before she decided that he was lucky enough to be glanced upon by her extra long lens.

He had his first major film role in The Virgin Suicides, that was in 1999 and has been crying on camera since.

His role in Star Wars is the best example, his inner turmoil... my god...the dark side.

He didn't really cry alot in Jumper, and since it seems to be his special move, the film was as hollow as an empty coco pops box.

But in Awake, there was much more manly weeping, and his performance did kind of stand out.

To conclude, when he isn't shedding salt, he's a bit of a bore.

But for that kind of money, I'd happily cry forever too.

My choice is to live as my parents do. My mother strived to be above her peers; ambitious, relentless, bold, sometimes cold, sometimes frightening. My father personifies love expressed so simply; offered the world that was intangible. Both struggled to accept each other’s failings, focused on goodness, and remembered us – the children. I did not ask to be born into this world but since I am here, I see through big eyes with much dismay. Infidelity. Adultery. Lust. Greed. Laziness. Selfishness. Weakness. I see men who cannot be like my brother, brother-in-law, or my father. I admire my men because I see them now as they are and though they make mistakes every now and then, we are still a family. In return, we women probably drive them crazy but are still by our side. Now, who can join this family because it is not easy? We each have roles. We work hard. We do our best…and God decides the rest. My choice is to learn to wait for the one who fits[gallery] like Cinderella’s missing glass slipper. I have not remained single this long to settle for less than what my family expects. What does my family expect? …or what do I think my family expects? I cannot be an unwed mother raising a child who wants to know his or her father. I cannot be with someone who is divorced. I cannot be with someone who has children from previous relationships. I cannot be with someone who has had homosexual relations. I can be with someone who loves and wants many children. I can be with someone who will love me and only me. I can be with someone who also comes from a traditional family. I can be with someone who is at least Christian. I can be with someone who has similar goals as I do for our future and our own family.

…so what does that have to do with a man who thought me a goddess? I must answer this question for the many men who will never understand my choice. I do not like to waste my time with conceited metrosexuals who can only think of shallow compliments to get a quick and short-term shag. I may have to expect that all men go through a period of being in the playground with women but most do it with such distaste and nauseating confidence, it is best to just close my eyes and walk away. Today, the typical man is exactly that. Women are partly responsible as they embrace freedom in an “advanced” society. Today, however, all is not lost because I only need one man. Today, I believe that he is waiting for me.

When I saw the first trailer for Jumper I was very excited . . . and appalled. The special effects were clearly top-shelf and the story line promised a departure from the mundane; but in that I was horrified! I had written a story just like that when I was 15! Someone had stolen my idea! As it is, no one actually stole anything from me, so all I can assume is that Steven Gould and I are great minds and we must have been thinking alike.

In the summer of 1995 I wrote a short story about a group of teenagers who could jump through time and space. I entitled the story The Wall Jumpers because of the "scientific" phenomenon of jumping "the wall" between this space-time continuum to the next. Anyway, I never did anything with the story, but when I started a band later that year I adopted the name. You can learn more about
The WaLL JuMPeRs all throughout my site and at Pure Volume.

Anyway, in my story the protagonists were good guys who policed the world. In Doug Liman's Jumper, David Rice (Hayden Christensen) is less than an upstanding citizen. After running away from his home at the age of fifteen, he quickly turns to robbing banks to stay alive. The film has certain coming-of-age elements, but few were expanded and even less were resolved. This may have to do with the director's vision of a Jumper trilogy, but if Liman'sdreams aren't realized he's going to wish he'd done more with Rice's character to show that he really did grow and change. The very first time we see "grown-up" Rice he's jumping around his apartment as if in a casual, daily routine. At one point he turns on the news and watches, in apparent annoyance, as hundreds of people are stranded in torrents of flooding water. The announcer says it would take a "miracle" to save these people, and Rice changes the channel. This is clearly a hint as to where Liman wants to take the character in future installments . . . I only hope he has the opportunity to do so.

The basic gist of the film is that there's a thousand year old feud between Jumpers and Palladins. Jumpers can transport themselves instantly to almost any place in the world. Palladins believe only God should have the power of omnipresence. Though I doubt it had anything to do with the their faulty theology, the Palladin's motivation for hunting down and brutally murdering Jumpers (with the occasional friend and family member thrown in for good measure) was barely believable. It's one thing to be jealous of someones powers. It's another thing to do your best to protect the world from those who would misuse their special abilities. But it's a completely different thing when your motivation is tied up in your view of God: "I'll gladly brake God's 6th commandment (don't murder) because I don't think He'd want you disappearing from one place and appearing in another without having to use a door." I don't know . . . it seemed a little hypocritical and superficial. 

I'm not going to say a lot about the special effects. It's true they're first-rate, but I was more impressed by what they went through to createthe effects. First of all, though it may seem hard to believe, they didn't rely on any more CGI than they had to. I always appreciate that in a special effects movie. Second of all, the people in charge all sat down months before and devoted countless hours to create the effect from a real-world standpoint. What kind of things influence a jump? Would there be reciprocal effects in the atmosphere after a jump? Do things like emotions, distance, and weather variables have an effect on the way the jump looks and the amount of damage created. For example, one of David's most violent jumps (causing a supreme amount of damage) occurred as he jumped his murdered father to the hospital. A close examination of each of the jumps in the context of the scene show how the director and crew put a lot of emphasis on consistency. Their attention to detail is refreshing in a world of fly-by-night films.

I was extremely leery about the quality of acting when I saw their line up. First of all there was Rachel, a relative newcomer who didn't really appear on the Hollywood scene until 2003, and hasn't done too many movies since. Then there's Sam. Good ol' Samuel L. Jackson, the words greatest supporting actor. I wasn't concerned with his screen presence, but I knew he wouldn't deliver any Oscar winning performances. And lastly the much debated Hayden Christensen. I was sorely disappointed withhis acting in Star Wars II, and he just barely redeemed himself with his performance in Star Wars III. Let's just say I was curious to see if he'd grown much as an actor or if he still relied on his Australian Soap training to carry him through.

Overall I say the movie delivered. There were fantastic effects, a decent plot, refreshing acting, and lovable characters (Griffen and Milly particularly). I honestly look forward to future installments: I'm curious what they do between Rice and his mother. Oh, you didn't know? Rice is a Jumper. His mom is a Palladin. That makes for unique family reunions.

Wu Chun and Ella in Hana Kimi!

Something that appeals to the "innocent child" in everyone perhaps... Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese dramas can certainly entertain. Con and Ohnie recommended that I watch Hana Kimi and I'm glad I did eventhough I'm rather late.

Eine kanadische Zeitung führte ein Interview mit dem 27-jährigen Hayden Christensen über eine geplante Fortsetzung des Science-Fiction-Thriller "Jumper". Hayden Christensen meinte folgende dazu:

"I know that they're having those conversations, I hear about them. It was set up to become that a trilogy if it did well. And I think they're happy with how it did so they want to make another one. But I don't think they're rushing to get into production."

Aufgrund Christensens Aussagen ist es wohl angeblich nur noch eine Frage der Zeit, wann der zweite Teil des Thrillers in den Kinos läuft.

88 Minutes

Directed By: Doug Liman

Written By: David S. Goyer and Jim Uls

Let me tell you about my day so far. Coffee in Paris, Surfed the Maldives. Took a little nap on Mount Kilimanjaro. Oh yeah, and I got digits from this Polish chick in Rijo. And then I jumped back for the final quarter of the NBA finals. Court side, of course. And all that was before lunch. -David

Synopsis

In the peak of adolescent disparagement a young boy finds himself able to teleport.  At first he has difficultly controlling it, but when he has an understanding and control, he takes off and leaves his single father alone.  Eight years later he's living the high life, in a fancy penthouse visiting wherever, whenever he wants.  Soon, fate catches up with him and he finds himself in the middle of war against those who wishes all of his kind dead.  He then begins the fight for answers and survival.

Review

An action/science fiction film coming from the makers of The Jason Bourne Movies is something highly anticipated no matter what the subject in question is, nor your leading actors.  Jumper was not the awesome success that The Bourne movies were, but it was no slouch either.  Hayden Christensen is in his first leading role without a massive cast and already created mythology and fans to support him, and he pulled it off quite well.  If he can continue down this path as action hero there would be no complaints in my department.  The last many years I've suffered the dwindling capacity to believe someone can ever actually live up to the action hero status that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sly Stallone created for the 80's and early 90's.  In fact, I'm resolved to say there will never be another Arnie or Sly.  Though guys like Vin Diesal and Matt Damon (in his case reputably) have attempted to play the part of major action star.  Hayden Christensen probably won't fill those shoes either, but in Jumper he proved to be charismatic, masculine, and tangible all at the same time.  Being incredibly attractive certainly doesn't hurt.  If he didn't pull it off Jumper would not have been half the film it was.

The character's were developed without giving too much away but their motivations that were the catalyst for the rest of the story were clear, concise, and made the future events plausible because they were focused and created at a natural pacing.  By the time David does skip past his adolescence into adulthood we see how his childhood trauma's have influenced the way he has chosen to live with his gift.  His life is extravagant and glorified, but his is still alone and still yearns for the girl who stole his heart years ago.  The events that transpire after this are completely believable because of the early characterization.

Stylistically, the movie was not overwhelming, which was an absolute disappointment.  The way the Bourne movies, and even Mr. And Mrs. Smith were shot, were captivating to watch.  All had very definitive looks and textures, while Jumper clearly lacked there.  Some of the sites the film was shot at offered so much to capitalize on visually, but Doug Liman missed the marker entirely on that and resorted to focusing more on the visual effects that coincided with these amazing locations.

The visual effects did however rock.  The actual transporting, and the discovery of being able to transport other people, vehicles, etc. brought a continuing growing element that kept the entire concept fresh and interesting throughout the story, which was less than complicated itself.  But with solid acting, good character development, and some pretty intense effects, Jumper was a vastly entertaining movie to watch.

Cast

• Hayden Christensen as Davey aka David Rice
• Samuel L. Jackson as Roland
• Diane Lane as Mary Rice
• Jamie Bell as Griffin
• Rachael Bilson as Millie Harris
• Michael Rooker as William Rice

The best character in the story was Griffin, played by Jamie Bell.  His delivery was so authentic I found myself surprised to be watching a one dimensional action flick.  His charisma, and the depth he contributed made the movie all that much more.  Sam Jackson is riot no matter what he does, and pretty much succeeds in doing whatever it is he's attempting to do in any role, be it ridding of snakes on a plane or carrying around a mans soul.  In Jumper he's the big bad who leads the group that wants to rid the world of all the Jumpers and is pretty intimidating, charismatic, you know......all the things one expects from a Sam Jackson performance.  Diane Lanes small role was actually kind of awkward, though her character leaving the movie open ended in the way that concludes the story but is ready for another chapter, was not unlike the end of a Bourne movie, and I liked what that offered.  It was really a good cast that satisfied the bulk of the story in making the character's plausible in a very unrealistic universe.

Ratings And Suggestions

Jumper was pure popcorn flick fun.  It's not going to dwell with you for days, or be remembered as the best action flick of the year, but it certainly was a solid movie that may find it's way into my DVD collection eventually.  It's violence and action sequences are hardly offensive, and I really don't see the crime in letting a younger than 13 audience view it.  For a lot of fun, with some pretty astounding action Jumper is your movie rental this week.  You won't be sorry so long as you don't expect Jason Bourne.  Three out of Four Stars.

"Every year, one in 700 people wake up during surgery. When they planned her husband's murder, they never thought he'd be the one."

I have to be honest. I didn't even know this movie existed until my husband got it on netflix. So I knew nothing about it when we watched it and had no expectations. And I was pleasantly surprised. 

Awake is about a rich young man named Clay, who has a heart condition and is waiting for a transplant. Clay plays a big part in his deceased father's company and lives with his mother [Lena Olin], while secretly dating her assistant, Sam [Jessica Alba]. As soon as Clay finds out they have a donor for him, he insists his Doctor friend [Terrance Howard] do the surgery, not his mother's high-profile surgeon boyfriend. Angry at his mother's insistence, he finally tells her about his relationship with Sam, which she does not take well. On the way into surgery, Clay and Sam get married in a rushed ceremony, both motivated by more than just love. Things take a turn for the worst when Clay experiences "anesthetic awareness" during his surgery, and can hear the surgical team discussing his own murder...

This movie was pretty entertaining and had some decent suspense. Hayden Christensen does a good job - he's a much better actor than he seemed to be in the newer Star Wars movies. For me, Lena Olin was the highlight - I'm a big fan of hers. And the movie takes some twists and turns that are unexpected and well done. I'd say Awake is a 3 out of 5. It's worth a rental, especially if you're a Jessica Alba fan. Don't expect too much of it, though... just go along for the ride. 

Add'l Info: Released: Nov 30, 2007 • Runtime: 84 minutes • Rated R for language, an intense disturbing situation, and brief drug use

If any of you have experienced it, share with me ya.

Pick of the Week:

King of Kong - One of the best, or at least most entertaining documentaries of last year, this chronicle of the battle between the two best Donkey Kong players in the world, Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell, is a titanic struggle between good and evil. Mitchell comes out as a coniving and cowardly villain and Wiebe a lovable sad-sack and it's their stark differences that create this Shakespearean battle. Well worth a watch even if you couldn't care less about Donkey Kong.

Also Out:

Jumper - The pretty awful looking Doug Liman vehicle which I mentioned in the Region 1 picks briefly last week. It's saved for me by Rachel Bilson being in it but from what I gather from reliable source Tom, this is just headache-inducing SFX foolishness.
Peep Show: Season 5 - Still probably the most consistently strong sitcom on British television behind The Mighty Boosh, this one proves further proof that Mitchell and Webb are great performers when someone else writes their material.
Californication: Season 1 - I've written about this a couple of times on the site and why not? It's foul-mouthed, dirty fun but occasionally manages to side-step the limitations of its sex-comedy roots to provide some really sweet moments of pathos to go along with the ride.
Definitely Maybe - I'm yet to see this but a guy I work with who is a notorious misanthrope who said this was a very passable romantic comedy which translated means that this is some sort of rom-com genius.
WAZ: Extreme Sleeve Edition - I honestly couldn't care much less about this terrible looking film but what the hell is an Extreme Sleeve?
Semi-Pro - Will Ferrell tries to be Ron Burgundy as a basketball player and Woody Harrelson sucks the life out of the comedy by acting like he's in a serious, Ron Shelton-without-the-comedy sports movie. Half funny, half depressingly awful.
Mouth to Mouth - Another early Ellen Page curio in which she goes all GI Jane with the hair playing a young girl seduced by a cult. It look vaguely interesting.

The Ambassadors of Hilarity also get a little tied up in discussing the craziest things they have seen while riding the bus, but still manage to squeeze out some coherent thoughts on Choke and Space Chimps. The weeks DVD releases provide interesting fodder as well, and Grae gets to spew some hatred at Jumper. At least its out of her system.  Keeping it inside only makes her soul more...well, more like Gariana's.

Click Here to Listen!

P.S. There's a funny thread at IMDB about this movie called "Why aren't Jumpers FAT?" The IMDB user who initiated the thread writes, "These Jumpers jump around all the time, even around their apartments. the only time they walk in the movie is when the british Jumper in Tokyo says "I like walking sometimes, makes me feel normal". but these jumpers are lazy *beep* that should be overweight from the lack of exercise and walking they get." The best answer to his question? "because no one would wanna see a movie about a teleporting fat guy."

MONKEY RATING: FOUR MONKEYS

(For a brief explanation of the Monkey Review rating system, click here.)