Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Cautionary Blockbuster

A serum has been developed that results to neurogenesis, i.e. regeneration of neurons, cells that make up the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord, nerves). There are two cells in the human body that never regenerate: the cardiac cells (that make up the heart) and the nerve cells. Once these cells die, they aren’t replaced by new ones unlike cells in the liver, muscle, lungs, skin, etc. This is the reason why once aging starts and degeneration steps in, it’s a downward spiral for human health, thus we have diseases like Alzheimer’s Disease; why heart diseases are almost fatal. In Rupert Wyatt’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” the ALZ-112 (and its upgrade modification, the ALZ-113) is developed, known to effect regeneration of nerve cells.

The implications are amazing. This is a hopeful development for patients afflicted with Degenerative Diseases. We’ve heard of them and they seem like the proverbial death sentences: Lou Gehrig’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Niemann Pick, even Atherosclerosis, etc.

When Dr. Will Rodman (James Franco) gets desperate dealing with the red tape involving difficulties in greenlighting human clinical trials, he injects his Parkinson’s-stricken father (John Lithgow) who, as a result, regains his cognitive skills; his memory and skills even more heightened than before. And the baby chimp that he saves from annihilation (born from an experimental ape injected with the same serum) becomes an intelligent member of his household. Will Caesar (the ape) be able to live harmoniously with Rodman’s anxious neighbors? How long will the miracle serum last?

In what would be a prequel to Tim Burton’s 2001 disappointing blockbuster “Planet of the Apes” (with Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth and Helena Bonham Carter – set in the not too distant time-warped future, 2029), this flick is a compelling cautionary tale deceptively told in sci-fi drivel. The serum has an incorporated virus that somehow spreads and eventually afflicts the world.

There are a few cheesy scenes (orangutans and apes communicating through sign language: “You know sign language,” asked Ceasar. The gigantic baboon replied, “I’m a circus orangutan.”) There are plenty of aww-shucks moments as the infant ape grows into a 5-year old mammal, treating hunky Franco as his adoptive father. Whatever conceit it has in eventually ending like the expected summer blockbuster is forgivable. I’d gladly sit through this one many times over than flagellate myself with one of our dime-a-dozen, chimp-intelligence fueled Pink Films.

As bonus, the beautiful Freida Pinto (Latika of Danny Boyle’s “Slumdog Millionaire”) finally stars in a major Hollywood release, appearing opposite A-lister James Franco. She plays Caroline, Rodman’s vet and romantic interest. At some point during the movie, the story becomes a prison-tale (new inmates getting harassed) only this time, with monkeys as inmates, instead of humans. It has flaws, but if you’re receptive to a few liberties inherent in the sci-fi fantasy genre, then you’d be able to immersively sit back, munch on your overpriced popcorn, and enjoy the ride as the Golden Gate Bridge gets eventually besieged by a pack of furry mammals.

Dodge Landon (Tom Felton), the mean spirited caretaker ("warden") of the Animal Shelter, checks his "inmates".

James Franco in bed

James Franco

Freida Pinto as Caroline, the vet. The former Elite model will next appear in 3 new films including Jean Jacques-Annaud's "Black Gold" (with Tahar Rahim, Antonio Banderas and Mark Strong); Tarsem Singh's "Immortals" (with the new Superman Henry Cavill) and British film master Michael Winterbottom's "Trishna" set in Jaipur, India, based on Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D'urberville". Will she disrobe as in Winterbottom's "9 Songs"?

Tom Felton: As naughty as his Draco Malfoy's alter-ego!

Julia Roberts Plays A Brat in "Eat, Pray, Love"

How do you relate to someone who seems to have everything in life, except contentment? There was nothing in Liz Gilbert's (Julia Roberts) story that merited sympathy, thus I found it hard to be stirred by her "woes" as a woman. Here she is, with a great job as a travel writer, a cute and gainfully employed husband (Billy Crudup) who takes time to converse with her; affectionate friends - and everything else seems to be going for her. One night, she surprises her husband Stephen that she's flying to Aruba... with him. But he wasn't interested. That same night, as they lie in bed. She mopes. He tells her, "I don't wanna go to Aruba." She replies, "I don't want to be in this marriage." WTF! She doesn't get her way, and she files for divorce.

A few weeks later, she meets a charming actor, David (James Franco). They play house soon there after, a preoccupation she seems to adapt with ease. But hey, she realizes that she actually wants to marvel at something so after the opportunity to shag David for several months, she decides to move on and drop everything else, fly to Rome and eat all the pasta margherita while mastering how to order from an authentic Italian menu. Four months after Rome, she joins an ashram in India to find herself, her balance. And I didn't even realize there was any form of imbalance from what I've seen of her life so far.

Finally, she ends her year by learning the inanities of Balinese life from a 9th generation magic man. She meets a Brazilian trader from Australia (yup, all the ridiculous references) who almost run her over while she was biking her miserable life away. When she finally connects with him, she once again flies away to "find her balance". Bwahaha!

Now tell me, how can you even give this scatterbrain spoiled brat an iota of sympathy from how she's been creating the problems that she pretends to grieve over? She hooks up with men then makes their lives as miserable as hers - only, she is able to fly halfway across the world to mend her own undoing.

Julia Roberts is a great actress. I say that with utmost sincerity. She lights up the screen with earnest vitality. Unfortunately for her, she failed to recognize the banality of a character as vacuous as Liz Gilbert. That Ms. Gilbert flaunts her thousand-and-one uncertainties through a brilliantly-written novel (from which this movie was based) is a testament of her imperious ego. The result: Julia gets lambasted by critics for the brattiness of her character. Julia looks ravishing all throughout, and the men are particularly sympathetic. Richard Jenkins ("The Visitor") is amazing as the Texan gentleman who lost his family from boozing. The side stories are actually compelling, and the use of these exotic places makes you wanna fly and do your own adventure in Rome, India and Bali. If only the narrative crowned its story with a fitting character worthy of our compassion. Instead, I wanted to learn how to use a slingshot and practice aiming at her.

I didn't realize this was directed by Ryan Murphy, creator and director of that little known TV show called "Glee".

Billy Crudup

James Franco

Javier Bardem

Luca Argentero plays Giovanni, Liz's Italian-language tutor.

my own nights in rodanthe

rodanthe, north carolina
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though i have valid issues about the factual feasibilities and situations in "nights in rodanthe", there is no denying the intense power of this movie about facing second chances. if you love "the bridges of madison county", then how can you not embrace this deeply romantic movie that went straight to my heart. this movie transcends age, gender and economic status.

every character in this movie is insightfully written. and the performances simmer with intuitive passion and subtlety - everyone is great - richard gere, diane lane, christopher meloni, scott glenn, viola davis, and james franco (who is uncredited).


go watch!



director george c. wolfe successfully weaves a story in the league of other nicholas sparks' romantic masterpieces - the notebook and message in a bottle.