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I saw this film back when it came out, but just recently watched it again on DVD, and I must say I had forgotten how good it was.

This film from director Richard Linklater features actors Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy and Jesse and Celine, travelers who meet up on a train to Vienna, and the time they spend chatting and walking throughout the Austrian capital on Jesse’s last night in Europe.

What’s striking about this film is the amazing chemistry between the actors — you really forget they’re acting and, especially in today’s realm of “reality TV”, you find yourself just wanting to know what happens next.

Of course, I’m sure a lot of that also has to do with the excellent writing as well.

This film is refreshing, smart, and interesting.

Yes, it’s a “talking heads” film, but a great one.

From Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson comes an updated version of the tale of Beauty and the Beast — Ann Darrow and Kong.

Beautifully shot, with a pretty well-written story, King Kong is a very nice “roller-coaster” ride that almost doesn’t feel like the 3 hours and 7 minute length — and that’s a good thing!

The casting is excellent — Jack Black as the showman director Carl Denham, hell-bent on bucking the system, risking lives and limbs to create the ultimate blockbuster, but forgetting human compassion in the process.

Alan Brodie is perfect as the brooding, somewhat idealistic writer Jack Driscoll who turns into the very hero of his script, in his desire to rescue the in-distress damsel…

Ann Darrow, played by Naomi Watts, is a upstanding, caring actress who gets caught up in things beyond her control. In the end, she is able to establish a connection, a rapport with the giant ape…

Kong, acted, as I understand, by Andy Serkis (who “played” Gollum in the LotR Trilogy).

That said, the computer technology and expertise that exist today give us no excuse to not have top-notch effects AND acting by our computer-generated characters. Thus, Kong is no disappointment in that department. He is a creature with the greatest of mood swings, wild and savage against the predatory T-Rexes that also roam Skull Island, and yet gentle and almost human with his unwilling “consort” Ann, displaying very human-like expressions and gestures. You almost forget he’s not a real gorilla.

The action sequences are what we’ve come to expect after Jackson’s LotR Trilogy, and the Jurassic Park series — packed with action, excitement, and adrenaline-inducing chases, with some terrific creature effects. There are a few “rough” spots in terms of digital effects, for those that know them when they see them, but overall, everything is up to par.

The music is reminiscent of some of the scoring from LotR, which is no surprise since the composer for both is the same: Howard Shore.

All in all, a great addition to the cinematic roller-coaster world of the action/adventure genre.

Check it out if you like that kind of ride.

A predictable plot: The head of a village statue of Buddha is stolen, and Ting, versed in the ways of Muay Thai martial arts, vows to recover it. He meets up with Humlae, son of another villager. Hilarity and very cool fight scenes ensue.

This film should appeal to fans of Jackie Chan.

Tony Jaa, who plays Ting, brings a breath of fresh air to the martial arts genre, doing all his own stunts, without the use of wires. Thus, everything is “natural”, if you call jumping over cars, through hoops of barbed wire, walking on people’s shoulders, and setting your legs on fire natural.

In any case, the action sequences are quite impressive — it’s also refreshing to see another style of martial arts, the Muay Thai — and the film itself if quite beautifully photographed.

A good sprinkling of humor helps as well.

Check it out on DVD if you’re a fan of the martial arts/action genre.

An enjoyable film. For someone who’s read the book (albeit a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng time age), seen an animated version, this Andrew Adamson (director of Shrek) film looks very faithful to the story.

Effects are mostly top-notch, and include Lord of the Ring-esque battle scenes.

Acting is fine all around, as are costumes, and designs.

The music might be a bit too modern for my taste.

Young Georgie Henley as little Lucy Pevensie really steals the show — she’s quite adorable.

If they make any of the other C.S. Lewis books into films, I’ll be looking forward to them.