Category: Movie Reviews

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Action & Thriller Foreign Movie Reviews

The Hanged Man (Spanish Title: El Juego Del Ahorcado)

As we left the Shaw Lido cinema after the omy.com movie premiere event, I have spotted a huge poster that I could not take my eyes away from.  It is a Spanish movie.  What a coincidence.  In our last Spanish class, our replacement teacher Gloria was asking us if there are Spanish movies playing in Singapore.  The rest said no.  I insisted we have, from time to time.  If this movie was not R21 rated, I would recommend “The Hanged Man” in our next class.  Just that we do have some young students whom I have no idea how young they are.

The English version of the poster, I remember, has three marketing words.  I cannot remember the first world.  Something and then passion, and crime.  Is it horror, Cynthia and TK asked after I booked the tickets for the three of us.  I surely hoped not.  They warned me that if this was a horror movie or was as boring as that Spanish movie, I would be banned from picking a movie title.

Hash!

Fortunately, “The Hanged Man” is a good movie.  The actress Clara Lago has such big eyes that remind me of the French actress Audrey Tautou.  And she acts exceptionally well.  The story begins in a Spanish city Gerona back in 1989 when two teenagers became best friends after a rather mischievous incident.  The boy and the girl got into an unlocked car one day, messed around with the gearbox and handbrake, and crashed the car onto another car.  To cover up the incident, the boy crashed onto a short brick wall on his bike, made a mess out of his head with blood all over his face.  When the girl took him back to their parents who were at the car incident scene, the rest of the crowd immediately forgot about the cars and took care of the kids.

The story is then fast-forwarded to a later time when the two best friends were interlocked in more dark incidents, more cover-ups.  It is a time when the both fell in love and shared common secrets.  It is a time when the boy became more obsessed with the girl, willing to give his life up for the girl while the girl was growing out of this teenage love affair.  The story is dark, almost too heartbreaking to watch.  Some may wonder if the ending is at all logical.  I welcome a film that does not blur the moral boundary.  On that note, I endorse the ending however improbable it is.  It is a movie that I would like to add to my personal  film collection.

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Comedy Movie Reviews

Crazy, Stupid, Love – Finding Your Manhood

Cynthia was pretty hyped up about “Crazy, Stupid, Love”.  TK went along with the romance comedy wagon.  I am a huge fan of romance comedy films.  Except, I think, “Crazy, Stupid, Love” is more like a drama of romance than a comedy.  Most bits are rather real, rather sad.  The 40-year-old virgin (now close to 50) Steve’s wife Julianne wants a divorce because she has an affair with someone at work.  Meanwhile, his 13 years old son is having a crush with his babysitter.  The babysitter in turn has a crash on an older man.  In a bar, Steve meets Ryan Gosling – a womanizer who has a look and a body to die for.  No wonder Cynthia loves this movie so much!  In return, Cynthia gives me Emma Stone, which in my opinion, I am not sure why millions of viewers are falling on their kneels over her.  OK, she is quite seductive.  Kind of cute.  Not quite my type.  In this movie, she loves someone who is not ready to settle down.  Out of nowhere, we have a crazy teacher played by Marisa Tomei whom I wish she could find a better role for her age.  In my heart, Tomei is forever frozen and immortalized in “Untamed Heart (1993)”.  It is one of my favorite movies that I wish to remember her of.

“Crazy, Stupid, Love” is light and entertaining.  It mashes the love stories of all these goodhearted people into one.  If there is one take home message, it is about the importance of finding and holding onto your manhood no matter how old you are.

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Comedy Movie Reviews

Johnny English Reborn – This Man Still Has It!

Eight years have passed since we last watched the English comedian Rowan Atkinson played as a secret agent in the 2003 film “Johnny English”.  I am a big fan of his comedy work as “Mr. Bean”.  Comedy does not need to be vulgar or obscene like some do.  I remember how much I enjoyed watching his 2003 film when we finally got to hear him spoke.  In this sequel – “Johnny English Reborn” – Atkinson continues to play a secret agent role.  There is no Natalie Imbruglia and the sushi bar.  Instead, we have the 27 years old ex-Bond girl Rosamund Pike as Johnny English’s new love interest.  Well, sort of.  And Gillian Anderson with a new English accent as the MI7 Head.  There is a world to save.  And England again sends her very best – Johnny English.

“Johnny English Reborn” is funny, in its unique way.  There are some quality comedy works within.  Plot-wise, it is predictable.  Joke material-wise, it is also predictable.  Those who enjoy the good old Johnny English will be at home with this “reborn” edition.  Consider Atkinson’s age at 56, I am amazed by some of the physical agility he exhibits in this movie.  Perhaps due to my racial background, I am not particularly fond of Asians being portrayed as the bad guys.  Having said that, “Johnny English Reborn” is entertaining, not mentally demanding.  Yes, this man still has it.

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Foreign Movie Reviews

Incendies: Powerful And Moving

Art house type of movies is not for everyone.  So I watched “Incendies” alone while Cynthia was having a haircut.  I only had a vague idea of what this movie is about when I bought the ticket.  I left the theater shaken, deeply moved.  This could well be one of the best movies I have watched this year.

The story begins at a will reading session.  The twins’ mother last wish is to be buried naked, face down, without a casket and without a gravestone.  Not only that.  The twins were being handed two letters.  The sister has to deliver the envelope to their father and the brother to their elder brother.  Only upon delivering these letters can they receive a final letter from their mother and place a gravestone on her resting place.  To make things more intriguing, the twins are not aware that they have an elder brother and their father is still alive.  This sets out a journey of discovering their mother’s past and prompts them to travel from Quebec to the Middle East.

While the mother of this story is dead, she is brought to life by the movie.  The storytelling and the filmography is a masterpiece.  Past and present incidents are juxtaposed in no particular order.  But yet, even though some scenes may feel fragmented, the movie tells a cohesive story so full of impact and unexpected twists.  And because the location overlaps and the mother and daughter do look a like, it is the subtle differences on screen that give hints to the story’s timeline.

“Incendies” is full of raw emotions.  There are emotions coming from the actors and actresses.  And there are emotions coming from the destruction of war and the conflict between two religions.  The storyteller is clever in not specifying a particular country in the Middle East.  The focus of the story is conflict, not to be distracted by local politics.

“Incendies” may not be one of those French movies that upon reaching the end, you see the entire story in a whole different light.  But it is one movie that leaves a scorching scar that you will remember for a long time.  It is still an art house type of movie.  Some may find it slow.  I am finding it powerful and moving.

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Action & Thriller Fantasy & Sci-fi Movie Reviews

Cowboys & Aliens – I Can So Visualize This In A Video Game Setting

It is Daniel Craig once again covered in dirt and sweat working hard to do the impossible.  The story of “Cowboys & Aliens” is set in 1873, the cowboy era.  I was a bit concerned when I saw that Harrison Ford is part of the casting.  In “Morning Glory“, he looks pretty old.  OK.  In this movie, Harrison Ford looks better than I thought.  Perhaps, in the world of cowboys, the older the better (think Clint Eastwood).  I do not think Olivia Wilde is as hot as Cynthia thinks she is.  I think it is part of Cynthia’s plot to get me into watching “Cowboys & Aliens”.  In fact, our buddy TK wanted to watch this show.  Cynthia wanted to watch Conan.  And I wanted to watch Womb.  As always, those two ganged up against me. Therefore, I do not really have any expectation on this movie.

I like the initial part of the story.  Daniel Craig wakes up in the middle of the Wild Wild West with a nasty wound on his body and a strange looking bracer on his wrist.  He does not remember who he is or where he comes from.  There is this cloud of mystery.  Some romance.  There is Christianity.  And there are men who want to be a better man.

Then comes the attack of the aliens in flying machines, which is still well and good.  Aliens are abducting the humans.  But why?  There is still this cloud of mystery.  I was skeptical as in, how can the humans fight against the aliens that obviously possess a much better technology.  The linkage to our history of colonization is subtle.  Nevertheless, the theme is there.

When the aliens show their forms, that was quite a let down to me.  They are hideous and cold.  Physically superior but mentally weak.  The shooting scene that dominates the later part of the movie reminds me of the video game “Mass Effect“.  Except, “Mass Effect” does a much better job in telling a story that involves alien species.

“Cowboys & Aliens” is not bad.  It is not great either.  It is a decent entertainment for a lazy weekend.

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Fantasy & Sci-fi Movie Reviews

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes – NO! I Mean YES!

Cynthia often pokes fun at me saying that I have a special relationship with the primates.  And she does not mind accompanying me to watch “Rise of the Plant of the Apes” (what a mouthful don’t you think?) due to my profound love for the apes.  Well, to clarify, when I was a teen, I was used to revise my subjects at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in the morning, before the school started.  I would pace up and down the path next to the animal cages reading my textbooks.  My favorite stretch was located at the primate’s area.  At times, the smell of the animals could be overwhelming.  Especially when the wind blew towards me.  But I got used to it.  I reckon I could retire in a farm when I grow old.

Yesterday morning, Cynthia’s mother flew out of Singapore and returned to Indonesia after close to two months of stay.  We miss her, of course.  Life seems to be less eventful when she is not in Singapore.  I called up TK and wanted to ask him if he could join us for the movie.  What I did not know was that I have interrupted his intense jogging ritual.  No wonder he had to catch a breath before calling me back.  Can we do it later, he asked.  Since we have made plan to buy and assemble a new computer later this evening, we preferred to watch the film on an earlier time slot.  Besides, our Warcraft guild had some unfinished business at a troll dungeon that we agreed to regroup (which it did not happen).  Less than an hour before the show started, TK said he could join us.  Miraculously, he managed to get a seat next to ours.

I am not familiar with “Planet of the Apes” franchise.  I know that has something to do with how it begins.  From a storytelling point of view, I was enchanted.  I found myself cheering for the apes.  TK was depressed, as the human side loses ground.  I suppose this is the beauty of an artwork.  Different people relate to different aspects of the story.

James Franco plays the role of a scientist who is in search for a virus that can save human lives by repairing the damaged brain cells.  His ultimate goal is to cure his father suffered from a brain disease.  After years of research and testing, the research has shown positive results.  The apes have gained phenomenal level of cognition and intelligence.  Thereafter, the story centers at the main ape character – Caesar.

I love watching the computer graphics, especially Caesar’s swinging sequence.  I know it is not real.  But it is as real as it can get using today’s technology.  Caesar is full of emotion.  His facial expression is acted by Andy Serkis who has also participated in Lord of the Ring as the gollum.

I do have one takeaway point from “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”.  If you are the underdog who has discovered a brilliant idea.  First, share this idea with those who are on your side and get them to the same level.  Then, destroy your counterpart with the very thing they create.  If you think about it, we see this everyday in the corporate world.

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Fantasy & Sci-fi Movie Reviews

Captain America: The First Avenger – The Charm Lies In The Heart

Of the four showcased in the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far – Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America – I would say, Captain America wins my heart.  He is humble with a never give up attitude.  He is keen to contribute, in whatever capacity he can.  He represents the common people and when he wields his power, he completes his missions with a team.  At times he has the whole army behind him.  In this aspect, Captain America is unique among the four.  He is a character I can most relate to.

The story is set in the World War II era.  Hugo Weaving plays the role of Hitler’s head of advanced weaponry and he is the bad guy.  Captain America, together with the US soldiers and defected German scientists play the good guys.  It is an alternative universe when laser guns can vaporize opponents and open up walls.  Chris Evans has a likable personality, perfect for the role of Captain America.

I am often intrigued by filmmakers’ choice of love interests for the superheroes.  Don’t they deserve … better?  Perhaps Hayley Atwell has this classic look.  Do you agree with filmmaker’s choice?  As for me, I have been scratching my head ever since the day I watched the trailer.

Like all the Marvel Cinematic Universe inspired movies, if you have the patience to sit through the end credits, you will be rewarded with a short clip.  In additional, there is a trailer for The Avengers due to be out on May 2012.  Looking at the casting list, my heart goes kaboom!  Yes, Scarlett Johansson, I am going to watch The Avengers because of you.  It is disappointing that Edward Norton is replaced by Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk.  In any case, I have high hope for The Avengers, especially after seeing so many clips of its forthcoming over the years.  That has to be good, yes?

So tell me, of the five movies – Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America, which ones are your favorites?  For me, I like Iron Man and Thor best.

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Action & Thriller Foreign Movie Reviews

Wu Xia – Is Donnie Yen Enough to Save This Film?

For the past one week, Cynthia has been nudging me to watch “Wu Xia”.  Normally she is not into Chinese movie, so I was curious.  Then I found out that Takeshi Kaneshiro is starring in the movie.  I suppose her fascination to Takeshi is like mine to Shu Qi.  I was still unmoved until she told me that Tang Wei is in it as well.  Really?!  The last time I saw Tang Wei on big screen, my nose bled for hours.  Despite that unsightly bushy armpit scene – which I understand that perhaps in 1940, no one in China shaved their armpits – I still think that Tang Wei’s performance on and out of the bed was breathtaking.

When I was young, I was a huge fan of books of the Wu Xia genre.  I believe that it is a genre that cannot be fully presented in a film format.  In a way, “Wu Xia” does not have a strong plot of treachery and betrayal, no heartwarming romance or a strong heroine figure, and no character development in terms of how one becomes more powerful as the story unfolds.  There are no legendary weapons either or the quest for one.  Is there honor and sacrifice?  Perhaps a little bit.  The story is dark.  There are bits and pieces that took me by surprise.  Towards the end, there is a strong association to one of the famous Wu Xia stories.  Because of that, to me in comparison, “Wu Xia” seems a bit dimmer.  And the lack of love in the mist of family dispute also appears to be unrealistic to me.

Despite my lukewarm reaction to the plot, Donnie Yen is one fine actor.  It was my first time to see Donnie taking on the role of a martial art action actor.  In “Wu Xia”, whenever he fights, my body trembles.  He is my new Jackie Chan.  Takeshi plays the role of a detective (again) and he narrates part of the story.  With the help of computer effects, Takeshi has done a pretty good job in explaining some of the mechanisms according to the world of Wu Xia (still, no match to reading a proper Wu Xia novel).  What about Tang Wei?  She plays the role of an ordinary housewife well.  I wish she had a bigger role in shaping how the story climaxed.

In conclusion, “Wu Xia” is overall one ordinary film with moments of excitement with Donnie Yen is doing his things.

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Blu-ray / DVD Review Drama Romance

Watching Break Up Club The Second Time

If you recall, one night I had a terrible insomnia.  And one of the few activities I did awake in my supposed sleeping hours was to watch the Blu-ray version of a Hong Kong movie called “Break Up Club” on my TV (wearing my wireless headset of course).  I love it so much that when the Movie Review Squad could not think of which movie to watch for the weekend, I suggested to watch “Break Up Club” at my home.  I really wanted to watch the new Shu Qi movie in town.  But why would local cinemas think that showing Shu Qi’s latest production twice a day on the smallest possible theater is enough to quench the desire of millions of Singaporeans?  I do not know.  And why would the world wants to see yet another Hairy Porter installment?  That baffles me whenever I think about it.

I like “Break Up Club” because the onscreen chemistry between Fiona Sit and Jaycee Chan – son of Jackie Chan – is convincingly heartwarming and heart wrenching.  As someone who was born in Hong Kong, I can totally relate to the drama and the emotion involved.  Fiona Sit is charming, there is little doubt about it.  I grew to like Jaycee Chan towards the end of the story.  They are both good actors.  This film is directed by Barbara Wong, who was also starring in “Break Up Club” as the director.

The story begins with a director wanting to source for a true breakup story for her next movie.  People are interviewed and are handed with a camcorder to record a story of their own.  Joe (played by Jaycee) has decided to give it a go after his recent breakup with Flora (played by Fiona).  Joe is like your average Joe who has no goal in life, does not have a plan, and he picks up part time jobs as they come.  He is stubborn and is quite lazy at home.  But Joe is a good person with a good heart.  And he loves Flora.  Flora is an ambitious salesgirl who takes up night classes and works long hours for her career.  Time and time again, she is fed up with Joe’s never changing character (and to be fair to Joe, his love to Flora is never changing as well).  After the breakup, Joe has found a website that can break up other relationships so as to reunite his own.  But will that change anything?  Viewers have 104 minutes to find out.

I bought this Blu-ray almost one year ago when I was holidaying in Hong Kong.  Today, “Break Up Club” is showing in Singapore as one of the programs for the Hong Kong Film Festival 2011.  If you enjoy romance and drama, “Break Up Club” is not to be missed.  I would strongly recommend watching this movie in its original Cantonese format, rather than being dubbed in Mandarin like many movies here in Singapore.

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Comedy Movie Reviews Romance

A French Movie “Beautiful Lies” Starring Audrey Tautou

Oh yes.  I absolutely adore Audrey Tautou.  Has it been two years since she graced our local theaters?  It certainly seems so.  One time, I met one of my readers in person, all because of Audrey Tautou.  He is a fan of Audrey; I am a fan; our movie buddy TK is a fan; and Cynthia is sort of a fan by influence, not quite by choice.  We watched “Coco Before Chanel” together – my very own meet-the-reader session.  Around the same time, I brought him to buy a dSLR because he happened to like photography too.  I have not seen him since then.  Hey buddy.  If you are reading this, drop everything you do and watch “Beautiful Lies”.  It is beautiful.  And Audrey Tautou is in it.

It is a pity that some local viewers remember Audrey as Sophie Neveu in “The Da Vinci Code”.  She is so much more.  In “Beautiful Lies”, she plays a character who seems to have little in common with her separated parents.  She is manipulative, but yet deep inside, she loves them.  She is the co-owner of a new salon.  She seems cold, bossing people around.  But from within, she can be inferiority complex, especially with someone who may have a much higher education than hers.  Romance does not seem to be on her priority list.  She does not seem to be aware of any admirers around her.  But yet, her heart can be touched in the most subtle way.  And it reacts too in the same subtle manner.  She lies, with good intent.  And yet, most lies backfire.  Summing all up, I would say Audrey Tautou is perfect for the role.

“Beautiful Lies” is a lighthearted movie.  Cynthia and I had a good laugh throughout the show.  I like this one a lot.  Retailers should package all the Audrey Blu-ray movies in one box.  I would gladly grab one.