phrixion

I ran across this feature and live in Ventura so I wanted to see what it was all about. After watching it initially I was kind of disappointed. It is a typical low budget National Lampoons feature that fell short... but I did a little more research and found most of the characters are real life Venturians that moved and lived in the heyday of surfing and skating in this blue collar surf town, mostly in downtown/midtown near Pierpont.

Mike Mooney, Sparks, Lardo, and others were caricatures of the real people. It turns out Mike Mooney is a fixture in town and still shapes boards and that Sparks, where the story eludes to him riding his last wave at 25, took his own life when he was 25.

Here is the article: http://www.vcreporter.com/cms/story/detail/the_way_we_were/7014/

It was fun to see all the local shops and spots, even though most of it was shot on Sea Street near the surf shot and down in the Pierpont condos.

I wish it could have been a sweeter film, more nostalgic and period piece and coming of age film rather than trying to force it into a shallow comedy and dramatic formula. However it was funny to hear people called southies (from LA and The Valley)...

Pleasantly surprised with the nice story about two strangers whose lives cross paths and they learn more about each other through some unexpected circumstances. Woot giving way anything, I can say my wife and I enjoyed the story and characters... Down to earth yet whimsically silly about how people respond to and develop an understanding about life and it's moments. Bravo, lovely little film. We would recommend this for anyone looking for a movie on a night in. It is a out of the way romantic comedy in a sweet way without the comedians but real folks. Never head of it but it came up on Amazon and thought we would give it a go and glad we did.

If you like time travel movies, this one is on the more dramatic side of things but it's well told and well acted. Don't read any more, go watch this movie and have a good time. Ethan Hawke is solid as usual but Sarah Snook steals the show with her dualistic acting in a dynamic and complex role that would challenge any actor. The story is different and interesting first of all and the technical side of time travel is hardly discussed but the paradox is complex and well developed. But as with most paradox that involves time, the question about the chicken or the egg comes about, but later on this... so now for spoilers. If you don't care about spoilers and little more detail to the movie, read on...

So there subtle hints throughout the film that drop a hint about the perpetual nature of the paradox that takes place in this film, the difference from other time travel paradox being that this is completely planned and man made where the story starts with a baby being dropped off at an orphanage and as the story unfolds it becomes apparent that this is an important part of the paradox... however how the baby is created in the movie is clear, but then the chicken and the egg question comes about... how did the original baby (the same at the beginning) that starts the paradox originally come about to start this whole thing? As usual, there needs to be a parallel universe for something like this paradox to be fully realized. But either way, a good movie from down under and I would recommend it! Surprisingly, there are no Aussie accents in the film.

If you want to watch a good drama and story give it a go, we had no idea what we were going to getting into and after watching this film, I'd recommend it and give it a 8 out 10. We took a chance and Rudderless and by the end of the film, we were touched, surprised with the good storytelling, and the content of the film. Firstly, the music base is great, the story that unfolds is told with craft and purpose. What I walked away with is that there's always another side to every tragic story and this film hits upon them delicately and with craft. So now for the spoilers... don't read this if you truly want to have things unfold as the film maker intended. However if you don't care, read on I don't reveal anything so it ruins it.

This film is based on a shooting on campus of a university but that is just the basis of the story, the real drama occurs in the aftermath where the story follows a father in the aftermath who discovers the music their child wrote and created, creating a bond and in the end, hopefully some resolution... this is one of those films I would definitely recommend, sometimes you find an independent jewel and this is one of them.

The film is made in the style of a fictional documentary similar to Blair Witch but about a guy who wants to make a documentary by going to Afghanistan and searching for the truth about the war that has ensued since 9/11.

The style is gritty as if they were using hand held cameras, following around the main character and his interpreter through out the land searching for answers. There is decent FX, the story is easy enough to follow but with major flaw. A documentary is about a subject and not about the documentary maker so that's where the film could lost me and weakened the premise of the film entirely. If the camera were to be the main character, I think the film would have been more palatable for myself.

Even with this weakness the effort to try to make a film of this style is appreciated.

The original documentary Ghost Adventures is much more entertaining and more interesting than the TV series on the Travel Channel. The TV show is tedious, overly dramatic and difficult to follow through the whole hour. Because this a documentary follows more of the documentary makers more than the subject matter is not good. The guys involved are too melodramatic for anyone to take this show with serious consideration as a level of entertainment or even want to believe what they are doing is valid. The investigative concept is the right one to take, but not in the direction they are taking it. It's like Most Haunted, but at least on that show they are honestly fake right up front.

After the disappointing Da Vinci Code film. (I'm a fan of both Angels&Demons and Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown), my expectations were already low but not surprised this film was better than the first. Even though Angels&Demons was published years before Da Vinci Code. Go figure? This film delivers well as the book was written in a fashion that reads like a international action thriller touching on the intellectual and spiritual.

The film takes off with the development in sciences that would have significance in proving the big bang theory but a crime is committed and a sample of the proof is stolen from a large lab in Europe. As the story progresses, they realize there may be a tie to a group who claim to be the Illuminati and who are seeking to bring down the Catholic church with the truth of science. This somehow involves deeply delving into the history of the Catholic church, it's security concerns, hidden treasures and the bits of truth that may be stored away that they don't want the public to be aware of.

From there, the film just gets thicker and faster. Ewan McGregor does a great job and is a refreshing face in the film along with some other good names that round out the cast, unlike Da Vinci Code which had only one mode to the film. Angels&Demons is much more watchable and theatrical. The performances are much better because the book has many bigger than life characters and events. It followed the book better as in the way it didn't water down the controversy and graphic details. The Angels&Demons film is definitely worth a watch and will wash out any of the bad taste left from Da Vinci Code.

This is a critique not a synopsis. I'm a huge fan of the books and of course I will be critical of the delivery on film, but this movie made the book seem bad. Which is not the case, the book is superb and delivered badly on film.

I've read both Dan Brown's books Angels and Demons and The Da Vinci Code a number of years ago. Upon reading both books, I remember thinking Angels&Demons was much better suited for the big screen before Da Vinci Code. The theatricals were all built into the story... but anyways, I digress...

The book The Da Vinci Code is very very good. It is intelligent enough to form questions, action packed to keep moving, filled with crime, mystery, international intrigue taking place around the famous landmarks and locations around Europe. The story involves a colorful array of characters and is in fact set as an International thriller. The book inquires and stimulates the mind and spirit as the reader follows Robert Langdon's quest for truth. This is really the universal tender that makes the book so good.

The film, directed by Ron Howard. Starring Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon follows the book chapter by chapter, step by step in its execution. To those who read the book, the movie is not bad. Unfortunately, even liking the book, the film becomes tedious and confusing. I found it annoying that they felt they had to over intellectualize the significance of every symbol and pattern in the film. The film is too politically correct when the book was not and challenged what is known as the truth and not a story created by the powers that be.

The film had plenty of funding, plenty of time and some of the most talented to make a really good book into an really good movie but what we got was overly delivered and had little significance. That's my one criticism, it's the one biggest complaint that viewers had who never read the book. They had no idea what was going on and was even more confused at the end. I guess to say in a nice way, the book was so good, it made the film didn't seem as good. But that is not the case with the Angels&Demons.

This film got a 5 out of me, because in the end I realized this movie is a lower budget, straight to DVD version of other movies in its genre and subject matter. The film itself seemed hastily put together with what scenes they shot to muster up a simple and digestible, even if disagreeable film.

The Pros: I'll name these first to be kind. -Story and characters make sense... more on this later. -It's international, but mostly American. They travel around the world (or so they say in the film but mostly in Prague, Moscow and somewhere in the US).

The Cons: -Too many holes and unanswered questions in the script and story line. -The main character lacks intelligent initiative. -The script itself is lacking in many areas and just assumes things without presenting them to the audience. -They give too much credit to the computer and to the characters without establishing any premise.

Straight to DVD in my opinion and not worth a watch in the theater. However the premise and subject matter is somewhat realistic with the findings of Ghostnet and other information gathering computer attacks found by Canadian and US university researchers.

Again, unsure of what another Asian mixed martial arts film, I heard a few good things and heard about the budget on this film and thought I had to watch it. Ultimately, I found this film an action packed mixed martial arts film with a good story line, costumes and characters. A definite watch for mixed martial arts fans in the world.

I rated this an 8 because of the strong elements that present a good film. Good cinematography, good story, and of course Jaa's strong/impressive martial arts sequences. This film was well shot.

Eventually, I noticed this movie is aimed at the mixed martial arts world and not just a particular following. Jaa exercises his expertise in the action sequences representing Kung Fu, Karate, Jujitsu, Muy Tai boxing, Japanese Sword Play and much more, really making it a variety of martial arts displayed in this film that should be good for audiences around the world and MMA fans alike.

This movie is violent but the representation of their country through the perfect dance and music is also very enjoyable. I would recommend this film to anyone who like MMA, martial arts, south east asia, thailand, cambodia, etc. I was pleasantly surprised by the characters and stories and simply blown away by the martial arts sequences.

I luckily saw this film and it is a great film, opening up the dialog between changing times, cultures and just doing the right thing. Clint Eastwood brings his charismatic charms as the rough neck American who had served in the Korean War, where it seems some psychological trauma still haunts him. After the war he is leading what seemed to be a good life, having two sons and taking care of his Gran Torino. However, it is the typical, mid-western attitude that grows into a more understanding that everyone is human, which brings the film up a level.

As Eastwood's character begins to see his age is beginning to take on a final run on him, he discovers his pals and old neighbors are no longer. The neighborhood is not what it used to be, his kids are not what he had imagined they would be and most of all... he is bitter and battered... something the Korean War scarred him with. And now his neighborhood now being populated by the Hmong/Mong people of asia (near cambodia and Vietnam).

Through a series of events, the story also takes place around his neighbor's young boy who is a good kid, too young to be bad. But is cornered by a gang into trying to steal Walt's Gran Torino. The Hmong family finds out what happened and also see that Walt helped the young boy when the gang came up to take him. This opens up communication between the two neighbors... in his own way, Walt grows a little, heals a little and becomes bonded with some of his Hmong neighbors who keep bringing him food and gifts (Hmong tradition) for his good deeds to his neighbors. At first, he is confused and resistant, but eventually warms up a bit. It is touching, great character development and acting on Eastwood's part. Using no name actors brought authenticity to the film, it became that much more believable and down to earth.

However, as one grows fond and attached to the characters, the greatest deed is done at the end by Walt, in what seemingly may be his way of forgiving himself for the horrible things he did in the Korean War. I really liked the film, Eastwood is one of my favorites and I thought lately thing were drying up for him, but this revived his renaissance. I would recommend this film to anyone for a good drama.

If I hadn't seen the votes and the list of talent in this film, I might not even have given it a second thought, however it turned out to be an hour or so of fascination with the characters and the stories of their lives. The story surrounds a man's career choice as a professional wrestler, party animal and self interested life style that affects his personal relationship, his physical health and most importantly his daughter. He chose his work before family only to have "life" catch up with him in a matter of days with a major heart attack. Still living a trailer trash life, the wrestler realizes he has no one close to him and attempts to reach out after the doctor's recommendation is to stop wrestling all together. So the touching story of a big tough man who becomes emotionally brittle after this life event.

Rourke and Tomei team up in this film, both still looking great and they possess the down to earth male and female touch that the film emphasizes even though they live two very similar lives. Emotionally backwards and living with major issues. Somehow the wrestler reaches out and clutters his way into the lives of two women, his estranged daughter and a dancer he likes. The clincher to the film is the wrap up at the end. It is passionate, emotional and painful, but it so satisfying. One can't help but hope and fight for the characters as they suffer through their emotions.

It's not bad, in fact it can be charming and fun. A new story based on classic adventure components. It has all the elements of being a classic and somehow in the end it is a straight forward fun and charming fantasy adventure film.

The characters are nicely portrayed, the effects are artfully fulfilled (some of the artistic story telling are real highlights of the film) and they presented some fresh and new things. The artistic and animal stunts are entertaining as well.

The story is about a young girl, Nim and her adventures living with her adventurous father, Jake, who is a published scientist. They end up living on a deserted island, isolated and different but happy.

Alex Rover the obsessive compulsive, who is a little over imaginative, frisky "librarian type" author whom Nim thinks is really the adventurous and strong character of her books. But Alex Rover end up being a complete juxtaposition of Nim, the young adventurous girl. Until she answers an email from Nim, calling for help. In the end... i won't spoil it but of course it's happy.

If I had to compare this film to another, it's like a female empowered, contemporary version of Dr. Doolittle meets The Swiss Family Robinson. Two strong female characters complimented by the nurturing father/man figure paints the social expression of the film. The film falls into the genre of films that in what used to be more of a young boy's genre of films. (like goonies and explorers)and does quite well in my humble opinion.

It's not bad and it's a good family oriented adventure story, a little off kilter in charming ways enough for adults to enjoy.

Prince Caspian, the 2nd installment of the The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe series by CL Lewis takes off right away. If you did not see the first film, the viewer will be lost, because the kids are lamenting about how they had come back through the Wardrobe and would never be going back. But somehow, in a moment, they are whisked back to Narnia.

The film, like the characters have developed a bit more intelligence and more savvy as they take on the next challenges in Narnia. No witch to enchant them this time but a power hungry uncle of Prince Caspian out to get Prince Caspian and the Narnians.

It's a good ensemble piece and the characters are well played, action is pretty consistent and only a few slower more explanatory plot mechanisms through out the film. The special effects are top notch, follows the book quite well and for a film. Really enjoyable if you or your kids have read the Chronicles of Narnia books.

I've watched all episodes of Paranormal State and tried to watch every episode of Most Haunted and can say that Ghost Hunters is the best paranormal investigations show on TV.

Why? You can read my reviews of the other shows on their IMDb pages, as I won't put them here. Ghost Hunters methodology for the show is simple, honest and straight forward. They don't have a person whose screams becomes annoying after two episodes and a unbelievable psychic like the show on the travel channel. They also don't emphasize any specific religions or make the show more than it really is about such as the one on A&E, however the one on A&E is decent, as they do go about and try to help people, a great aspect of the show.

Ghost Hunters uses technology, parapsychology and objective evidence to make even the skeptic look twice. That's what good about the show, they don't try to over dramatize anything or fill it with hammy psychic readings and whatnot. They are normal people going in to do honest investigations.

I think Ghost Hunters is the best paranormal investigations show on TV, they are honest and out there to help people, but most of all is out there to increase public awareness. Like any show it has its slow episodes and there's some drama between the crew, however, on this show, they seem to always be trying to educate themselves and others, and really trying to help people. They've even had a fund raiser to restore a very historical and haunted location, some of the aspects that makes this show and the people in it very good.

I've watched all of the episodes of all 3 shows to current date and here's my breakdown.

Most Haunted - highly theatrical, dramatic and genuinely fake at times. But they visit some great locations. The host and medium from the first season are fine for the full first season and the Unseen episodes as well. However, after the first season it is quite the task to keep up with the squealing and crying of the main host and the sometimes genuinely fake and theatrical psychic. The sane people on the show is the director of investigations and the various parapsychologists. This show is purely for entertainment, and wishy washy at that. It's a shame, the best parts of the show is during the lights out investigations and they are truly investigating.

Some episodes from each season are worth watching as they visit all these great locations, as the show doesn't emphasis anything really but the mediums, using the ouiji board and history of the location. But sometimes even the history is almost difficult to believe as they don't name their sources and the mediums get them almost every time, clearly a setup and gimmick for the show. This show is currently on the travel channel in the US. I highly recommend visiting the TV shows episodes website and watch them by highest rating.

This was one of the most poignant films about post conflict psychology I have seen in the past year, it's about a family (tommy lee jones character and his wife) whose son is deployed to Iraq and he learns through first hand experience the toils of war. He comes back home only to be disappeared and that's how the story takes off. I really don't want to give up to much information because this is a thriller, mystery that concerns real problems in society today.

The film touches on a human situation in civilian life where the psychological toll being Iraq causes challenges to adapt back to normal, civilized life. Taught to become killing machines the military men and women psychologically pay when normal people are trained to become killing machines. Much of which has its toll on the human psyche and life after getting off the battle field. Living with these decisions and the psychological impact of their actions eventually catch up and have to be dealt with..

This film is a great mystery thriller, with a current edge in its subject matter. It shows the truthful world of the military and what the young men and women will experience when they leave the battle field and come back home. This is patriotic and one for every veteran, as well as anyone who wishes to see a peek of the real world.

Even worse is the fact that our post war veterans are not getting the level of medical care and support they should be. The Bush administration continues to hide the numbers of people who are disabled mentally, physically and maimed for life without making the "killed" list.

Highly recommend watching the documentary: The Ground Truth: After the Killing Ends (2006)

Meals on Wheels is a good Jackie Chan flick that takes place in Spain. What makes this film stand out from some their other films is that some of the actions scenes in this film are iconic of the martial arts actionI cannot deny t that Jackie Chan and gang bring and have been bringing to the screen.

The action sequences are iconic because this is one of the films where people might have seen a cut scene and say "wow that sword blade was really close to him!" and such. Some of the martial arts action sequences are incredibly well done. The strikes are so close and done so well and filmed well, that the fight choreography had to be precisely timed. There were a couple stunts where I thought "if he didn't complete that stunt or fight sequences successfully, he would probably have been dead or very very hurt." Also there's a lot of gags and comic relief in the film as well as innovative props, such as the food truck they drive around. Some action and scenes take place on Spain's some tourist traveled areas. The way the story is actually a very good work in its own since they take literally a few stories that eventually intertwine. Sylvia, the main protagonist of the film is a conniving young lady who cheats and steals money from men who think they will be sleeping with her. Sylvia is no stupid girl and out schmoozes her way around men taken by her beauty and charm, but she's very divisive and causes a lot of trouble.

Good flick, it is a different film from My Lucky Stars, which is more dramatic comedy with physical comedy. This film is an action comedy with great martial arts sequences. I do recommend this one, it is a fun watch if you're into the jackie chan genre of movies.

I watched the subtitled version, which I like to recommend because it seems most voice overs lose a lot in translation. I can see why this film received a nomination for an award.

The comedic elements in stunts, action and even small humor is entertaining. For instance, the film opens with a great chase scene, rather ingenious how well it was done back then and how much of it has stuck around in more recent films by the same bunch. The story then scoots along.

I'll mention a couple entertaining small stuff, for instance during the worker's work break, they play a game with cards where the first fly to land on someone's hand of cards wins.

This film really stands out in its large action sequences and comedic elements to the action sequences. The actions sequences still seem cutting edge, even though it was done in the early 80s and many of them are done very similarly today.

Conclusion: This film really brought me back to the 80s. How funny the pop culture was back then, however Jackie Chan and gang are just as big as they are today. This film is enjoyable and was funny in a lot of spots, especially in their action sequences.

After reading some of these reviews, I hoped to watch the film in independent opinion and it was possible. Conclusion: it was not bad at all. This film is NOT like Resident Evil, DOA, Resident Evil 2 or Hit-man and some others.. but it is similar to other Uwe Boll video game films but it is best attempt so far IMHO. The flick BloodRayne comes to mind, but this better. I was equally as impressed and not impressed by the film D-Wars which is NOT a Uwe Boll movie.

The film is a bit campy and canned, but it's enjoyable. It's well filmed, good cinematography and the story told is interesting. The actors and actresses are great, they are A list performers which really adds to the film.

I can see why there were some negative response to the film, possibly due to some of the editing and perhaps some of the cut up story telling. This dodginess is evident in a few scenes. Maybe a bit of embellishment in some close ups that were not necessarily needed for the scene and for instance, when the General walks in and the lowly soldier speaks of the Krug, it seems that was probably part of a longer scene but cut really short... and it is noticeable because it teases you with information, but then doesn't give it :) The other instances are very similar.. seems like there were longer scenes but were cut really short.

This film has a good TV marketability and is something for the youngsters and family to enjoy. Clean, a little violence in action, nice cinematography, good actors. It seems like this is a made for TV feature film. It doesn't have that "epic" film feel like D-Wars (if you've seen it) or even borrows some concepts from LOTR, but how not sure how one would compare this film to LOTR... they are two very very different films. This film watches like a made for TV feature film.

This is a clean cut, family movie about a girl and her passion for racing as well as the emotional drama she experiences growing up with her father and the mental challenges she faces where her father is killed when his car flips during a car race.

The family bond between father and daughter are well established in the introduction and the struggle is established for a girl to be taken seriously in a sport dominated by men.

The movie takes place in the Southern California on and near Willow Springs and Big Willow race track, which is a real track and for those who are familiar with the area will find some of the locations familiar. The movie addresses racing in the official and more traditional way of learning to become a driver, instead of relating race driving to the pop culture import street racing that had been dominating the racing scene.

The movie seems like a Disney or straight to TV movie, clean cut, good for family and kids. There are some very nice camera shots in-car and on-track while racing, the cars are very authentic using the popular Mazda and Porsche track cars. The human story is progressive and ends with a victory for the main character. Got a 7 for its authenticity, a straight forward good drama and finally, there are no import car scene being related to traditional racing.

I read the reviews here and kind of went into the movie with lower expectations that everyone has been praising it, but to put it in a objective way... this movie is a good horror thriller. I gave it a 7 out of 10 for fulfilling 3 very strong areas that make the movie. There however a couple weak points, as I've seen others who reviewed the movie reflected on.

1. The acting is good, well crafted and characters are believable, but there are moments that seem to help take the suspense out of some of the moments. (such as when they arrest The Stranger (another nice performance by Ben Foster) from the beginning of the movie at the diner where Melissa George and Josh Hartnett have an absurd moment that just seemed odd and out of place for the situation).

2. Original plot and story. The setting is very original, the story line and plot devices are nice and original. This is even more enforced by the acting and pretty suspenseful story telling. (such as when you hear Ellen's voice screaming over the radio, after their first encounter with the vampires).

3. Action and effects are well done. Lots of good blood and effects, as well as real action. Some are short and sweet but enough to keep things interesting and are important to keeping the story and plot moving forward.

The weak points of the movie are pretty minor because the humans are really what the movie is about, I say this because of the vampires characters were pretty bland and not very interesting. They were more like zombies and vampires mixed together. A little played out already.

Having watched this controversial film, I can say I enjoyed it because American history does interest me. The film itself depicts the paranoid state of mind of Mormons and some bad timing for the emigrants from Arkansas passing through Utah territory, ironically on September 11, 1857.

The film itself does a good job with presenting the period piece with costumes, props and location... where it fails is the spoken dialog and monologues. Perfectly horrible was the language. The love story is an interesting twist in the story, fictional and entertaining. Also the feelings of trepidation, hate and fear in the film seems disturbingly accurate and true.. As with any religion or institution that tries to place theological control over a large number of people often seem to harbor fear and trepidation of losing that power.

The massacre scene seems to be word for word as depicted from the last words of John D. Lee, a person who participated in the act and was put to death by firing squad for it in 1877 after confessing his part in the massacre and explaining the state of mind of the people around him at the time.

What caught me was that this film was not tightly wrapped. It tried to set up the story and the events that lead to the tragic events, but loosely fictional enough to tick off some Mormons obviously.

Historically, yes the account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre seems pretty accurate, it does mention the Federal Government was going to be sending troops and that Brigham Young was ready to fight. But the way it was said and done to get these small set up events introduced... it seemed a little (not a lot) leaned against Mormons in the film. A fair and an unbiased recollection of history or historical events isn't what you will find but maybe, the story from a sensible relative of one of the massacred.

The film does try to show some human side of the Mormons that were involved, through the love story and the character they portray as John D. Lee, especially at the end of the movie. It pretty much wraps up with him looking like he is regretting doing something (this is during the massacre).

Also the film does very quickly attempt to show the history of ill will the Mormons had received and what led to their paranoid and resolute state of mind via montage of the violent mobs that often attacked the Mormons and then assassinated Joseph Smith in Missouri, forcing them out of the state.

The film does bring a controversial piece of American history to light and let's the viewer really decide for themselves. But in the end it seems to question the leadership (or lack of) in the Mormon church, who was at the time Brigham Young and the local bishop (John Voigt)in the film.

**I would highly recommend watching the 2004 documentary: BURYING THE PAST: LEGACY OF THE MOUNTAIN MEADOWS MASSACRE**

and reading the Mormon church's September 2007 addressing the events, in Mormon run Deseret News. http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695209108,00.html

This is a failed attempt by a Korean director to make a western style film, they must have had a great budget and wasted it most of it on CGI instead of important elements of the film, like story and character development.

The movie has your "typical trendy" Korean film feel. The characters are good looking, young and dressed as fashionable to be. As much as they are good looking, the characters are boring and unintelligent through out the movie. The story of the legend is laid out like a Princess Bride style story telling narration, then jumps right into scenes with high quality CGI, unfortunately that's its only strong point, the CGI.

This movie looks like a well done, very clean, Hong Kong style movie. It doesn't even compare to most of the Korean films that have done well. This movie is to entertain kids for a couple hours but it seems it COULD have been interesting movie for adults 18 to 35, but it looks like they aimed the story to be for kids from the jumping around scenes, shallow character development and high number of very expensive CGI scenes which have a resemblance to scenes done by Lucas Art and the Star Wars movies.

In comparison to other Dragon movies, it's not even close to being as good as the classic of Dragon Slayer and also sub-par film, The Last Dragon, which was a joke of a film but it was entertaining with a comedic element to it. Both these past Dragon films have characters whom one could relate and follow through out the film while D-Wars is a cold, CGI filled film with real live human action in it for some reason.

This film feels real, playful and is endearing. It is definitely not a teen movie,it is cerebral and intelligent. The film also focuses on the subject of mental health and the human condition.

Never having seen a Norwegian film before, compared to other quality films, this little film does well. It is well directed and well acted by non-known actors. The script is good, with a some comedy, some real moments and a true representation of the human condition.

Now on with the film... it's about the sweet and bitter passing of age and the evolution of these characters. Two guys who are best friends, both aspiring writers grow up and evolve throughout the film. The character Kari is the only constant and she is a sweet plot device that carries a heart felt warmness to the film and eventually Philip, Erik and Kari become endearing characters at the end.

I really don't want to give away the plot and give up spoilers. I would recommend this film if you liked movies such as The Motorcycle Diaries(Diarios de motocicleta) and Y tu mamá también.