Ted - 熊麻吉

Ted (熊麻吉) is an 2012 film. The movie stars Mark Walberg, Mila Kunis, and the voice of Seth MacFarlane. MacFarlane also wrote and directed this movie.

Mark Walberg plays John Bennett, a boy from south Boston. As a wee lad, he wishes that his Teddy bear could become real. By the very hand of GOD, his teddy bear did become real. However, that's not the movie, its 27 years later and the boy has grown up. But so did the teddy bear and they are still best friends. However, Ted is not a good role model. Prone to negative vices and not very responsible. Ted strains the relationship between John and his three year long girlfiend, Lori. Lori makes John pick, her or Ted. Well, he picks Ted. But realizes that was a big mistake and wants Lori back.



This movie was all sorts of bad. Basically a license to be raunchy with an "adult" teddy bear. The enveloped was pushed and the gross out humor was there. If you're into these type of films, its just another one. Get on the boat, because we're going to get these films on a regular basis. Blame the Farrelly Brothers for making this genre so successful and even back to the 1970s with Animal House.

Black Swan - 黑天鵝

Black Swan (黑天鵝) is a 2010 film. The film stars Natalie Portman. The supporting cast includes Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, and Barbara Hershey. The movie is based on a troupe's production of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.

Natalie Portman plays Nina Sayers, a ballet dancer with a very shelter life. Nina lives with her mother Erica, played by Barbara Hershey. Erica was a failed ballet dancer in her youth and has poured much of her energy into Nina's career. Nina's troupe leader Thomas, played by Vincent Cassel, has chosen her for the lead role. That lead role includes playing both sides of the black and white swan story. Nina's white swan is good, but Thomas tries to bring out more feeling and depth when in black swan mode. Nina starts to descend into madness as the first show approaches.

The movie was a little disappointing for me. I had friends who saw it in the theater say how awesome it was or how terrible it was. Both sides, no middle ground. I landed in the middle. I think its slick story telling and Nina's fractured reality was presented in a very unique way. At the end, I wasn't sure what was real. I would not recommend this movie to friends though. I wouldn't even talk to them about it. It's too convoluted of a story to discuss and it falls too much into the artistic realm to suit my taste.

The Book of Eli - 奪天書

The Book of Eli (奪天書) is a 2010 film out of the USA. The movie stars Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman, and Jennifer Beals.

Set in the future, the world was bombed 30 years prior. Now, the United States is an apocalyptic wasteland. Denzel plays Eli, who has the goal of going west. Eli also has in his possession a very special book. As Eli travels west, we see his interaction with those in the wasteland. In essence, humans now feed off each other. Cannibalism. A sign of this is that people will shake. Eli lands in a town run by Gary Oldman as Carnegie. Carnegie rules the town because he can supply the water. Eli befriends Solara, played by Mila Kunis. Solara reveals to Carnegie that Eli has the book he's been waiting for. Eli makes it out of town, but not before a gun fight. Carnegie and company make chase and try to track Eli down. Solara decides to tag along with Eli. Will Eli and Solara make it out alive?



The movie was pretty awesome. One of the best of the year. The pacing, the "world", and the actors and actresses make this a pretty entertaining watch. You can't just make another Mad Max type movie without a great plot and story. In this case, they had a great cast with a great premise.

Asians in the film? I didn't see or notice any. Must have all been wiped out by the nuclear bombs.