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June 30 Transformers 2Revenge of the Fallen
 The much anticapted battle of metals are back. Picking up from the autobots had made Earth their home and going arm in arm with a special taks force known as the 'nest', robots and metal come together to seek out and eliminate decpticons lurking all over the globe.
Sam (Shia LaBeouf) is still cute and going to college while his girlfriend (Megan Fox) is as hot as ever. With the rise of Megatron's leader 'The Fallen' after the sudden demise of the last living prime (who else but the flame tattooed Optimus), the evil decpticon seeks to suck the energy of Earth's sun in a bid to resurrect a new generation of decipticons.
 Hence the battle between the evil and good comes in action. Non-stop clashes with plenty of hilarious antics from the familiar and the new. It is a blockbuster that even females and non-transformers will enjoy. Save for the messy frames of metal clashes where moments of confusion erupts to who is fighting who, the childhood cartoon of many still remain a must-watch for me.
 Personal movie rating: 7 and a half stars outta 10.
Watch it for: The spectacular effects and bots.
I love bumble beeeeeeeee~ June 01 Terminator SalvationTerminator Salvation
 'I'll be back.'
Uttered by John Connor in a scene where he parts wih his wife on a mission to eliminate Sky Net (an intelligent HQ which controls the robot side of the robot vs humans war).
 The famous liner which propelled Arnie into the iconic Terminator status seems to have lost it's macho glory on Christian Bale (Connor). Fat forwarded into year 2018 where humans are losing the war to machines, there are pocketful of resistance fighters around the globe harbouring the prophecy that one fine day mankind will win over the war over machines.
A new breed of Terminator was conceived - part man part machine with a real beating bleeding heart. Named Marcus, the man robot was made out of his will. Joining forces with Connor in the war against machines and his creator, a battle between muscle, wit and metal ensues.
 Mayb it's just me, but with all the machines I very much felt i was watching a version of Transformers. Not to mention the CGI-ed Arnie towards the end of the movie did nothing much to help either.
A must watch for Terminator fans but frankly I think the movie franchise should just be terminated. No surprises.
Personal movie rating: 5 stars outta 10.
May 06 XMen Origins: WolverineXMen Origins: Wolverine
 (Sabertooth VS Wolverine)
One of XMen's most loved character finally has his own spin-off. Starting the very hunky Hugh Jackman in the title role, which really suits him right down to those ferocious snarks and fake facial hair. The movie unfolds with the young Wolverine discovering his extraordinary ability and fighting back to back with his older brother (Victor) Sabretooth. The pair remains age-less through decades before going their separate ways, as Victor takes on a vicious turn.
The movie answers some questions such as:
How did Wolverine get his moniker?
Why is Wolverine's claws oh so shiny and able to slice through the thickest concerte slabs while his bro's fingernails are so yucky?
Why does Wolverine feel an attraction towards Jean Grey?
Will I ever see Prof X after The Last Stand?
Watch this movie and yesh you will all the answers to the above.
 (Gambit!)
The movie is packed with lots of action and basically never a dull moment. But what really got mi pumped up was the appearance of Gambit! Not frequently seen in the previous installments, the suave man with explosive and smooth card wielding powers is one of my fave characters in XMen.
A must-watch for all XMen fans.
Personal movie rating: 8 stars outta 10.
April 23 Fast and Furious 4Fast and Furious 4
 This adrenaline pumping franchise movie is into this 4th sequel and this is the first time I caught this movie fronting fast cars, rapid chases and beautiful bodies.
 The tried and tested formula sees Vin Diesel reprising the main character (and the one with the superb driving skills and exterior of coolnes within muscle) as ex-convict Dom who exacts revenge on a guy callled 'Phoenix' for killing his lady love. Re-uniting with O-Connor (Paul Walker) who has joined the FBI, both men are set to uncover a main enemy (drug lord) across the border.
 Predictable plot.
But the adrenaline rush you get from watching this on the big screen is massive.
The pace is fast. I walked out of the cinema truth be told, a lil overwhelmed.
Watch it for: the speed and cars. The fast cars there are not your usual ferraris or lambos.
Personal movie rating: 7 stars outta 10
April 06 Shinjuku IncidentShinjuku Incident
 Big bad triad leaders.
Refugees.
The colourful lights + street walkers of Shinjuku.
Betrayal.
Loyalty.
Blood + gore.
These are the elements you will find in the latest movie starring Jackie Chan.
2 surprises here you'll find:
1) Jackie knows no gonfu + dun expect to see him doing dangerous stunts.
2) He dies in the end at the most ewwww location.
 Also starring the swoonsome Daniel Wu (who came to tragic end *sob*) who was subjected to bouts of torment for being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
If you love mobs and all thingy manly, catch this.
Personal movie rating: 6 and a half stars outta 10.
March 18 Marley and MeMarley and Me
A sob fest at the end especially if you are a dog lover and have one of these animal friends in your home. I cried like a leaking tap and emerged with swollen eyes and an amused bf. The newly married couple of Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson decided to get a dog as a pre-parental exercise to see if they are suitable/get the hang of being parents in the future.
In comes the world most mischevious lab - Marley (named after the singer bob marley). From chewing up carpets, digging into pillow, swallowing metals and howling non-stop during thunderstorms and more, the couple had their hands full trying to mother Marley. Amidst all the havoc unleased by the innocent ball of fur both Jenn and Owen loved Marley just like how he stood by them during times of high and low. But as time progresses, we all know man's best friend ages even faster (1 dog year = 7 human years). The time has come for Marley bid goodbye with an honest relevation Owen shared with Marley during his last private moment on the vet table. It was absoultely touching and even as I typed this I can feel my tear welling up. The pace of the movie maybe a lil rushed at times but at the end you will take home the message of how our animal companions love their humans unselfishly and unconditionally. It is something we being humans are so lucky to receive. Personal movie rating: 7 and a half stars outta 10 Watch it: Coz its really lovely. March 02 Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire
 The movie which placed Mumbai in the spotlight and amassed pretty oscars for the movie.
 Set in Mumbai's slums, the story unfolds with how a slum orphaned kid (Jamal) (his mum was clobbered to death during a religious face-off) had the nation spellbounded when he took the hot seat in 'Who wants to be a millionaire' and was just a mere question from winnng the big prize.
 Alas, he was falsely accused of cheating by the scheming show's host and was taken into custody by the police for questioning. The movie spins a touching tale of survival, betrayal, love and loyalty in trying times of Jamal, his brother and childhood love Latika.
Not wanting to reveal too much, watch out for the indian dance at the end of the movie and you wil find yourself cheering the underdog Jamal and twinges of heartache for the kids of the slums.
Personal movie rating: 7 stars outta 10.
Watch it for: Oscary wothy or not? It's your take. February 16 The Curious Case of Benjamin ButtonThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button
 Highly hyped and in the running for a couple of Oscar's, the latest blockbuster starring the charming Brad Pitt and Cate Blachett is set to woo viewers worldwide.
I have to admit, it got me raring to get the novel. The movie was lovingly paced, tracing the time Button was born (reverse aging- from old to young) to meeting his childhood love, dealing with confusion on his curious coming of age, being a sea-man, going to war, reuniting with his love, becoming a dad, and slowly losing his memory of his life to progressing into a juvenile with senile dementia.
 It was incredible. There were many touching moments which brought gushes of tears to my eyes. Even the girl seated next time to me was soaking up her tissues.
There was no explosions. No screaming. No over the top expensive car chases. No i-dunno-wat-the-hell cheem terms used in the movie/plot.
Just a simple extraordinary tale of a miracle.
 You have got to watch this movie.
Personal movie rating: 8 stars outta 10
January 28 Love MattersLove Matters
 Another vehicle of our homegrown local comedien turned director - Jack Neo, comes a movie that centres of the love between a long married couple, teenage lust (even with a scene on the almost forgotten exposed sex clip), dating between a self-proclaimed casonova and a teacher etc.
Henry Thia takes on the lead actor as a middle aged man who has problem 'standing up' down there to the frustration of himself and his wife (played by Yeo Yann Yann complete with a thick Malaysian accent) (who is mislead into thinking that her hubby went astray based on heresay that a man only has a capacity of 5000 times and presumed, Henry had used up his totally hence his non-performance in bed) and the numerous ways to revive his limp sex life from gulping dubious concotions (i.e. bull testicle soup) and the many others.
 Along the way, Henry got involved with a underage girl who blackmails him with their intimate shots, an impending divorce from his wife, his son getting filmed for doing a strip tease, his brother getting caught and face near castration by a pyschotic mother and daugther pair.
Lots of laughter entwined with moral lessons are the basis of every Jack Neo movie. Honestly, this tried and test forumla seems to have hit a dry run. It may have coaxed a few laughter from the crowd but in general it is pretty skimpy in plot and gets tiresome after awhile.
Personal movie rating: 6 stars outta 10
Watch it: Better to wait for DVD release.
Note: Why are the best bits shown in the trailer not shown in the actual movie???? January 05 Bedtime StoriesBedtime Stories
 Was pondering to catch Bedtime Stories (happy non-logical movie) or Seven Pounds (logical but a lil on the heavy side movie) yday at the theatres. In the end decided to go with Bedtime Stories coz:
1) It was Sunday. The next day is working Monday. I need a perk me up.
2) To see if Rob Schneider will make his cameo appearance as he always does in Adam Sandler's movie
Prior to watching the movie, I had this pre-conception that Sandler will walk into Fairytales and bring fantasy mermaids, dragons, goblins etc to live. But I was wrong.
 The plot unfolds with Sandler aka Skeeter as a handyman in a luxe hotel which used to belong to his dad. Laying hopes that one find day the new owner of the luxe hotel (who made a vague promise o Skeeter's dad to allow his son to run the hotel) will hand the reins over to him. The hotel bearing a strong sentimental value where Skeeter and his stern principal sister used to grow up in.
Single and goofy, Skeeter found himself in charge of his young niece and nephew for a weekend as his sis packs off abroad in search for another job after news that the school she teaches in and also the kids' school was to be tore down. Slated for the night shift babysitting (day time shift undertaken by the sweet Jill aka Kerri Russell), Skeeter wooed his young charges with impromptu bedtime stories loosely modelled after his real life.
Interestingly, the scenes in the stories (depicted by the kids who got into the tale-telling) started to come true.
Gum drops falling from the sky, a kiss from a fair maiden, Abraham Lincoln's appearing and many thigh slapping moments. Cues in a germ-phobic luxe hotel owner, his hot bimbo daughter and Skeeter's goofy sleep disorder pal.
 And yes, Rob made an appearance.
All in all, Bedtime Stories is a feel good movie that dreams are made off. Watch it to feel happy.
Personal movie rating: 6 stars outta 10
December 26 Yes ManYes Man
 A Jim Carrey vehicle for the X'mas season. Yes Man chronicles the hilarious yet enlightening twist in events in Carl's (Jim Carrey) life after he attended a 'Say Yes' motivational seminar. Missed opportunities with every reject of a unknown call to dissing every appointment and party that comes his way, Carl finds himself lonely. stuck in a rut of a job and loveless life.
 After saying Yes to everything that comes his way from a overly sexual grandma of a neighbour to a persistent band usher to a rabid Harry Potter fan of a boss, Carl discovers a new him, a promotion, a new love (in the form of the lovable n eccentric Alison (played by Zooey - she is soooo pretty!)) and becomes everyone's fave pal.
But the flip side it seems that everytime he utters a 'No' , bad luck befalls him such as getting stuck in a lift, rolling off the stairs and getting mistaken as a terrorist due to he n Zooey's penchant for impromptu flights out. A hilarious movie to fit the cheer of things but nothing spectacular like Bruce Almighty (miss that movie).
 Funny moments include the aggressive Say Yes seminar where Carl was face to face with the engnimatic leader, going on a hogwarts party of his boss (Norman), hooking up with a Persian lady from www.persianwifefinder.com, the weird mix of people asking loans from Carl's bank etc.
For a good luff, say YES now to Yes Man at the theatres. We all need to cheer up every now and then don't we?
Personal movie rating: 7 stars outta 10
Watch it for: To get into the spirit of the festive period.
December 23 Ip ManIp Man
 The shifu of the famed Bruce Lee is having is story told on screen. Fleshed out by Donnie Yen, it chronicles how Ip Man and his family survived the jap war against China, how he used his gongfu to fight against the japs and how well loved and respected he was.
A humble man of illustrious background, the movie paints a very strong influence of Ip has among those in his town. His gongfu (involving rapid fist punches) is considered the No.1 in his town which in turn piqued the interest of the Jap military general who coerced him into a stage fight/showdown.
The final winner? Watch the movie. Overall, if u love Donnie Yen do catch the movie. Plot wise is a lil hasty all crammed in the under 1 and a half hrs movie. plus the lead actress can't act (though the lil boy who acted as their son is pretty cute).
Personal movie rating: 6 stars outta 10
Watch it for: Donnie Yen fans
December 03 Four ChristmasesFour Christmases
 As with the winter crop of festive-feel-good movies that comes along during this time of the year (think: Family Stone, Deck the Halls etc etc), 4 Christmases is a tale that unfolds when happily attached couple, Daphne ( Reese Witherspoon) and Brad (Vince Vaugh) had to pack their bags (and unwilling souls) to see their 4 families when their trip was called off due to a fog.
The couple had been spinning lies for the past 3 years in a bid to avoid spening X'mas with their eccentric and estranged parents and siblings. Brad with his gung-ho dad and wrestle-deluded brothers, mum who is now dating his friend; Daphne with her mum who is dating a hip pastor though her dad seems pretty normal.
 The couple during their visits learnt the true value of family (can u spell 'Family' without lies?) and encountered lots of rib-tickling moments. Such as Daphne getting soaked in baby milk-vomit, Daph's lecher of a grandma, the Joseph and Mary scene played on stage where the couple were forced to act out in church and the amazing chemistry displayed between Brad's bro and his wife in a game of Taboo etc.
 It may be your typical X'mas movie but heck it. 'Tis the season to feel all cuddly and warm, watch it.
Personal movie rating: 6 and half stars outta 10.
November 14 Magadescar 2: Escape 2 AfricaMagadescar 2: Escape 2 Africa
 Our lovely beloved NY Central Park Zoo animals are back on the silver screen. :D
 Alex the lion (Peter Saarsgard), Marty the zebra (Chris Rock), Gloria the hippo (Jada Pinkett-Smith) and Melman the giraffe (David Schwimmer) who were previously lost in the wonderfully crazy but beautiful Magadescar. This time round, the animals inclusive of the crafty penguins, King Julien and his sidekick took on the 'penguin airways' and crashed into Africa.
The Zoo animals found themselves in the land where animals roam wild and free (okay, at least in the protected boundaries of the nature reserves) and Alex was reunited with his parents whom he got separated from when he was cub.
 Along the way, Melman became a witch doctor, Gloria found herself falling in love, Alex to undergo a rite passge to take over his dad's (Zumba, voiced by the late Bernie Mac) throne and Marty being part of herd. Lots of laughter assured with much help from the penguins and King Julien.
 Love King Julien (voiced by the infectious Cohen of Borak fame)! There are many scenes where he bought the self-proclaimed king of lemurs to life and practically stole the show. From the 'make a sacrifice to the volcano gods' self imposed dialogue, consoling Melman as the giraffe stood in his death hole, teaching Melman the steps to confess his love to Gloria and much much more.
 The classic 'I knocked a penguin down' scene was also downright rib-tickling. The audiences lapped everything up with lots of laughter and applause. I was deepy impressed by the animation effects too.
Personal movie rating: 8 and a half stars outta 10.
Watch it. Yes you MUST watch it. November 12 Quantum of Solace - 007Quantum of Solace - 007
 Am beginning to love Daniel Craig in his role as the suave 007 agent - James Bond.
This latest installment is power packed with lotsa action scenes from chasing in fast cars (though the Aston Martin makes only a one-time appearance in the opening scene), fighting and shooting.
 Those looking to feast on some love making action between Bond and his girl(s) can look on elsewhere coz the man is too hung up on his previous love's death (Vespa) to make time molly-cuddling other lady loves.
The villian this time round, revolves some Green Plant association which on the pretence of doing good to save the environment is actually using it as a cover to manipulate natural resources for it's own profit gains. Plus the Bond girl (Olga Kurylenko) has her own revenge to resolve as she works with Bond to take down a corrupt militant leader.
 Overall, QoS is a fast paced movie to watch that will keep on the edge of your seat. Plus there's Craig to oogle at too :D
Personal movie rating: 7 and a half stars outta 10.
November 10 The CoffinThe Coffin
 A real-life ritual practised in Thailand to ward off bad luck. The 2 leads in the horror fest - Sue (Karen Mok) and Chris ( the droolsome Ananda Everingham of Shutter fame) underwent the spine-tingling ritual in a bid to reverse her cancer (Sue) and to bring his girlfriend out of a coma (Chris). Unfortunately, things went wrong for both which resulted in scary flashes of the dead coming back to haunt the living.
Can bad luck, karma be ever totally get rid off?
Guess the wheel just keeps spining, no matter how hard one tries to stop it ( or at least this is the message the movie was nailing into the audiences).
The movie has it's horrifiying moments which will totally catch you offguard. What I like about The Coffin, is how the directors made sure that the plot answers all the audiences questions and not leave us leaving the cinema pondering over enigmati scenes. Plus Thai horror movies just emits a kinda vibe that sorely lacks in other horror movies produced by other countries especially the Korean ones. Maybe it has to do with the loads of black magic horror stories we heard and read since young. It seems so much more real-like in reel.
Personal movie rating: 7 stars outta 10
Watch it as a lesson not to tamper with fate.
November 04 SAW VSAW V
 Twisted Pictures presents the gorey n twisted highly profitable movie - SAW V
Guess everyone who is a SAW fan knows his signature liner uttered in that raspy voice out of he mouth of a eerie white face with 2 red circles of blush doll:
"I wanna play a game.'
 Jigsaw may be dead BUT the games does not end with his death. In fact he has found a successor to give chosen victims a new leash of life with his torture traps. In this latest installment, SAW's unlikely successor carries out a series of torture chambers and cleverly made someone take the rap for him while he emerges heroic. Watch the movie to find out. Along the way, flashbacks are shown to provide audiences with a clearer aspects of the whole series.
Trying to crash into the jedi council haha
 Gore is expected but not as unsightly as the previous sequel. Moi can stil open my eyes and witness those blades cutting thru the flesh n bone.
Personal Movie rating: 6 stars outta 10
Watch it only if you are a SAW fan coz the novelty is wearing off. October 20 Max PayneMax Payne
 First impressions first. I though it was a ala Underworld kinda movie.
(Tell mi if the below pic makes it look like underworld lah)
 Wrong. There is nothing supernatural about the movie's plot. It just involves alot of hallucinations of dark angels with huge claws flying about in a flaming sky and city skyline.
The movie centres upon Detective Max Payne (starring Mark Wahlberg) who's wife and baby was killed by drug addicts 3 years ago. Unable to shake off the trauma and with a killer on the loose and the case unsolved, Max is still bent on catching every last lead to nailing the person responsible for the death of his loved one.
Cues in a family-friend uncle by the moniker of BB who works in this pharmateutical company which produces some kind of potion which claims to instill it's drinker with incredible strength and was targeted for soldiers.
(It's all in the mind~)
 Sadly, the experiment gone wonky and many of the soldiers experience extreme hallucinatins of dark angels and the blah. Along the way to nabbing the killer, Max suffers the loss of an ex-partner, deal with the feisty sis of a dead drug addict lady, the startling realisation of the real killer and the effects of downing this potent gone-wrong potion.
(One of the soldiers who went wonky)
 Not too bad of movie.
Personal movie rating: 7 stars outta 10.
August 13 The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon EmperorThe Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
 Starring Brandon Fraser reprising his iconic Mummy adventurer as Rick O'Connell with Mario Bello as his wife (replacing Rachel Wesiz last seen frolicking in a lux ad) and in tow with a grown up son with a penchant for mummies just like mum and dad.
The O'Connells jump start into a mummy feud with the Dragon Emperor (played by Jet Li) modelled after the famous Qin Shi Huang, a merciless dictator who got lotsa slaves to built the Great Wall of China etc. The Emperor and his army was turned into stone after a curse was laid upon them by the Zi Yuan (played by Michelle Yeoh) when the Dragon Emperor called the only man she ever loved.
The undead Emperor was brought back to life when a scheming General and his assistant got their hands on the exlir of life (some jewel which I forgot the name of it) from the O'Connells and 'fed' it to the Emperor hence starting a manical chase to kill the Emperor before he gathers his terrcotta army and takes over the world.
 Maybe the novelty has worn off but the third installment was a tired production. Same elements with an undead that somehow feels damn ridiculous although the terroctta army was an interesting sight. Wisecracks was scathing and everything just felt...boring.
Acting wise nothing much to shout about definitely not in the same league as Indiana Jones. May The Mummy and The Mummy 2 RIP.
Personal movie rating: 6 stars outt 10. August 11 Money No Enough 2Money No Enough 2
 Riding on the success of the maiden directorial debut of Jack Neo - the one half famous duo of the nineties with Moses Lim, comes Money No Enough 2. With a plot that focus much on dissin the politics of Singapore and the Singapore govenment plus typical Singaporean movie, I was no doubt pleasantly touched by the touching family elements in the movie.
 With more than half of the dialogue spewed in hokkien (which are the also the most funniest bits such as the opening scene with a hokkien translated song of one of our NDP classics), the plot surrounds a family comprising of the grandmama, her eldest son (played by the straight face and blur Henry Thia) and his family living in a hdb flat, second son (played by Jack Neo) a rich investor who lives in a bungalow with his wife and spoilt daughter and her youngest pollen powder enterprising son (played by Mark Lee) and his docile wife.
 The story touches on how grown up children treat their parents when they are old and sick and various dilemmas faced by the family. The accompanying songs played during the grandmama's last moments and when Mark Lee's wife was sent to jail for misappropriating funds in a bid to garner money to repay her hubby's loans brought tears to many in the audiences.
Not so much comic timings as compared to its predecessor but still the plot reminds one on how we tend to neglect and possibily take our loved ones for granted. Till it's too late to realise what they did for us was incomparable and irreplaceable.
Considering the sad and negative moments during the last few scenes, I don't think it's advisable to bring the elderly to watch this movie. Watch it and you will know what I mean.
Personal movie rating: 7 stars outta 10 |
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