Ender's Game (2013)

Walking in to this movie, I did not know what to expect.

Frankly, I was a little nervous.

This is actually an event for me, in a sense that I has invited business partners (companies, their staff and family) to this, and the movie I hope, was gonna entertain.

So, after the last minute ticket ordering, and also vouchers for popcorn, I walked into the cinema, after most of my invitees had arrived with their little ones. I was a little tired, but expectant... If only for the sake that the movie is entertaining and engaging so the little ones would enjoy themselves and their parent have a little down time.

The cinema darken, the trailers started.

Free Bird, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and 47 Ronin graced the screen, filmakers attempts to... well, tempt us to view their ware.

Then the ads! Apparently, if you drive a Mitsubishi car, you will find your perfect partner, who happens to drive the same car (albeit a different colour. Said partner also lives in your apartment block and like apples!!). Pumping Petronas oil, and all obstacles in life (the girl of your dream who cannot accept you) will be overcame!! Who would have thunk, RIGHT!!

The movie starts and...

It is good.

Let's call an apple an apple and an orange, an orange.

This movie is a drama, with some action elements.

Hollywood had always exploited children, having recently pumped obscene amounts of money into movies like Inkheart (2008), The Last Airbender (2010), Super 8 (2011) and After Earth (2013). And with mixed results (ranging from amazingly poor to good)

This movie has an original storyline, great cast and Asa Butterfield!!

For a 16yo, he is very good at his craft!

There is something in his eyes... He kinda reminds me of Elijah Wood, same big baby blue!! and Gosh does he know how to use em...

Having to act against, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley and Viola Davis must have been nerve-racking...

The other kids were also good or at least were able to take directing well. It is also nice to see a world event, handled via a global effort and not by a self serving nation.

I almost could not recognise Abigail Breslin!!!

Pacing could have been a little better, but even with all the dialogue bits, I still cannot get into the psyche of Ender Wiggins, so speeding things up might not have helped.

On another note, I've just got back into reading books. I used to consume books at a voluminous rate. And having watched Odd Thomas and just finished Michael Crichton's Micro, looks like I'm heading back that route, I might just add Ender's Series into my reading list.

I was taken aback at the end, because I was not sure how the parents were gonna explain the ending to the little ones...

Overall, most I had invited to watch the movie seem to like the movie.

Not sure if there are going to be more movie made of the series, but the movie's ending nicely encapsulate the movie and does allow for sequels.

I myself thought on the whole, the movie is solid and deserve to be watched.

With that, My Two Sen.

You know what they say. The more things change, the more things remain the same!!

We're the Millers (2013)

Jennifer Aniston is 43yo, and she STILL got it!!

Just look at her striptease segment!!

This movie is most welcome. It is funny.

They people they got for the lead roles are a riot!!

Emma Roberts get the emo girl role (Casey Mathis). Will Poulter for me last seen in the third Narnia Chronicles is (Kenny Rossmore). I'm not a SNL fan so cannot say I know Jason Sudeikis well, but he did a good job here (as David Clark) and then we have the IT girl from Friends Jennifer Aniston (Rose O'Reilly)!!

Kathryn Hahn as motormouth Edie Fitzgerald is amazing.

I really REALLY WANT to be Kenny here, because I get to kiss Jennifer Aniston MULTIPLE times!!!!!

There is a scene in here which I really REALLY WISH I can un-see (My eyes... they BURN!!!) ... (U'll know it when you see it...)

In short, a pretty good comedy!!

Until the next time

My Two Sen

Haha

Guess what I thought of the movie!!

I give you that.

The ending would be what the Republican's in America would term as "communist".

It is a little "convenient"

And you would be right, I LOVE it!!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

When I found out, director Gary Ross wasn't returning for the second movie, I was a little... concern.

Having watched it on Wednesday, a little aspect of my fear did indeed materialize, and have to add, just a smidge (no, I'm not using it in the context of We're The Millers (2013) )...

But once he gets his footing, the Hunger Game universe, shines, once again!!

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) has never been around so many people and interesting, she had never felt more alone...

Many people had criticised Jennifer Lawrence for being "plastiky" but seriously, after watching Kristen Stewart's works, Jennifer Lawrence is a natural!!

She is actually quite successful in conveying Katniss isolation.

Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) is, as usual, brilliant.

I was wondering how they could have gotten Katniss into the game again and reason was done quite logically!!

With the exception of a few, alot of the "new tributes" are not given enough "air time". For example Gloss (Alan Ritchson), like his previous character (Aquaman in Smallville) gets minimum dialogue... Can that guy even speak (apparently he can, he voices Aquaman in Justice League: The New Frontier (2008) ), Wiress, Female Morphling and etc.

New in intrigue tributes Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) & Johanna Mason (Jena Malone), are all flesh out and well played!

And the creme dela creme is the main object on the second movie is not even about

If you have watched the first movie and had enjoyed it, RUN don't walk, RUN TO YOUR CLOSEST CINEMA AND WATCH IT!!

My Two Sen.

Could there ever be a movie, that is even more style over substance, poorly cast, miserably scripted compared to The Twilight series!!

The answer is an incredibly, YES!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you,

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

And to top that off, you know what could be worst than THIS!!!

... It's part 2... (Yes, one has been announced...)

Clary (Lily Collins [Mirror Mirror 2012]) leads....

Jace (Jamie Campbell Bower I remember him best as Anthony in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street [2007]) a human/angel "hybrid".

Simon (Robert Sheehan, a Jay Baruchel wannabe} plays the third wheel.

Alec (Kevin Zegers)... the fourth wheel!!!!????

Other VERY surprising miscasts are Lena Headey, Jared Harris and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

This Twilight meets Harry Potter movie is in a word DISMAL.

I have absolutely nothing else to say about this little shocker!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Dec 21 2013, 09:21 PM

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013)

Another book series that movie producers are hoping would turn into the next Harry Potter franchise...

With the above mention franchise, with each passing movie, the director approach the movies from a more adult perspective.

Unfortunately for this "movie franchise" the reverse is true, and in turn, hurting the movie...

I do understand that there is a big market for a children/family oriented movie. Having said that, there is no reason why movies in this segment needs to... lack sophistication...

Frankly, I have never read the series, so I do not know if the issue lies with the source material or somethings are lost in the translation... (I really would like to hear from the readers of the books)

I know a thing or two about the Greek Mythology, and the series, really do... dumb down Greek Myth, which is actually quite sophisticated (even the late great Shakespeare, had been know to pinch an idea or two from Greek Myth)

Basing everything in the States is a big problem for me, I really wonder why so many Greek Myth stuff ended up in the States??

And everything has to be... "Americanised" (Circeland... "It's A Small World After All?" )

And something that really irk me, is the whole look of the movie. There are alot of "night" shots, and I absolutely no photography knowledge, but there are some shots here that looks really really... WASHED!! (The same can be said about the The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013))

To my untrained eye, I really feel the work produced by the director photography (Shelly Johnson) is underwhelming. Funny thing is he also did Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and The Wolfman (2010) which I have no issue with. Maybe it is the new digital cameras they use nowadays...

I will not go as far as to say it is as bad as The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, it is just very predictable and un-challenging.

As always...

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Dec 2 2013, 10:37 PM

Frozen (2013)

Hans Christian Andersen (Danish) wrote 168 stories!!!

By any account, that is impressive!

Based on my recollection, these have been made into animation, some form or other, Little Tiny or Thumbelina (Warner Bros), The Little Mermaid (Countless + Disney), The Emperor’s New Suit (I believe this inspired Disney's Emperor's New Groove), The Brave Tin Soldier (Part of Disney's Fantasia 2000).

Frozen is based on his The Snow Queen.

I'm NOT familiar with the original tale.

I know Disney took alot of pain when advertising this movie. It is part of Disney's Princess line, and desperate for money after the The Lone Ranger (2013) debacle, they did not want a loss the lucrative market segment (boys), so frankly when I first saw the trailer for this, I went, huh!!??!!

So is this movie any good?

First of all, after The Princess and the Frog (2009), I'm not sure why Disney had yet release another hand drawn animation!

Don't get me wrong, their CGI animation had improved leaps and bound after Disney and Pixar merger, I still enjoy and do miss, their hand drawn animations...

Tangled (2010) was great and this is good too!

Before I go on, I would like to go into The Little Mermaid (1989), a renaissance for Disney so to speak.

In 1988, Disney was seriously thinking about leaving the animation business. Most of their animation release after Walt Disney passed away, made less and less money (Sample of movies during this period are thing like The Black Cauldron (1985), The Great Mouse Detective (1986), Oliver & Company (1988)). Interestingly, the animation team DID NOT HAVE A SCRIPT for any of those animation features, because that was how they did it, when Walt was around... What they failed to understand was, they did had a script when Walt was around, and the script was in Walt and he over saw the projects...

The Little Mermaid was the Feature Animation departments last hurrah, so to speak, to see if Disney could still make a blockbuster animation, with all of Disney's resource behind it, with a proviso, a physical script had to be develop (the then Disney CEO Michael Eisner insisted). Apart for that crucial detail that made the movie a HUGE success, another very important ingredient that made that movie successful is the music team Howard Ashman (lyricist) & Alan Menken (Music Composer). Both of them are from the musical theater background, and Howard Ashman actually pounded into the Feature Animation team, the music has to carry the story forward and not stop the movie so a song can be done (I'm looking at you Warner [Quest for Camelot (1998)]). I really REALLY thank him for that.

Tangle has an amazing soundtrack and the music is even more interesting in Frozen.

Musically speaking this will probably do for animation soundtrack what Beauty and the Beast (1991) did for all subsequent animation.

Music team for Frozen is Robert Lopez & Kristen Anderson-Lopez. I don't think many people in Malaysia is familiar with their work. I kind know them because I've actually heard the original soundtrack for the musical theater Avenue Q!!

Their music can be interpreted from many angle
This movie actually reminds me of a joke
So, good animation

Sorry for the long review

Enjoy the movie

My Two Sen

The Rooftop (2013)

Frankly, when I saw the poster for this movie, I never in a million years thought I would watch this movie, let alone... like it!!

Reason?

I have NEVER been a Jay Chou fan and frankly, the movie poster irritate the HECK out of me.

But a strange thing happened...

I accidentally played the movie and the most unbelievable thing happened...

I... like it.

It is actually... unique... defies definition.

The best I can do is, if you like Moulin Rouge, chances are, you will like it!!

Again, I have to emphasize, I am SERIOUSLY NOT a Jay Chou fan (he cannot sing, yes, bring on the criticism), but I have to admit, he can write (stories and songs, I actually like the music here and also the theme song for the Curse of the Golden Flower (2007).

There is something whimsical about this movie, and it is the first musical in Asian, which I feel actually works.

Give it a try why don't you, maybe you'll be amused to.

My Two Sen

47 Ronin (2013)

Universal has a history with... the horror/mysticism genre

Dracula (1931)
The Wolf Man (1941)
The Mummy (1932)
Frankenstein (1931)

To name a few.

This movie is based on history and also a Japanese movie with the same name The 47 Ronin Genroku Chûshingura (1941), to differentiate this movie with it predecessor, the producer decided to make it more... mystical base. Think Lord Of The Rings!! So having Universal making this movie, fits like a glove!!

A few observations,

1) While watching this movie, I kept saying to myself, that's not Japan, THAT'S NOT JAPAN!! And true enough, the movie was shot in Budapest, England and a little bit of Japan. But fear not, at USD 175 Million, the production is lavish!!

2) Keanu Reeves never worked so hard in any other movies. I know in The Matrix he trained alot and had to do alot of wire work, but here most of the scenes were shot practical, so not as much... faking it!! Hats off to him. He is probably one of my favorite star because he is... real. He understands hardship (life has not been kind to him) and he keeps what he needs to live and donates most of his movie earnings to charity and medical research. Another hats off to him.

3) This movie actually reminds me alot of the old Shaw Brother's movies. The brotherhood of the martial arts world... I know there are currently alot of discussing about that being... gay, but really, no.

There are a few scene where you have to suspend your beliefs...
Apparently this movie had it's release date pushed back 3 times. I for one am glad. The finished product is... good!

For those who is not watching Walking With Dinosaurs, or The Hobbit 2, give this a try why don't you.

Like always, My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Dec 20 2013, 10:10 AM

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

at 1Utama's Atmos Theater (Hall 3) + 48fps 3D

First of all, I choose the Atmos Theater, Dolby's brand new Surround system.

Just before the movie started, Dolby had a few "show off" Dolby teaser they were VERY impressive!!

So did it add to the movie... Well, no... I do not think the movie was mixed for the system... (layman's opinion)

As for the movie, again impressive 3D in 48fps.

Storytelling is slightly better compared to the first

Smaug (The Dragon) was really REALLY well done.

I do have a little complain though...
The barrel scene is amazing!

The ending.... I think could have been a little more subtle...

I just hope the third comes out during the summer of 2014 rather then fall...

My Two Sen

Out of Inferno 逃出生天(2013)

Director: Oxide Pang Chun & Danny Pang
Starring: Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo, Angelica Lee

This is by far one of the big ones that came out of Hong Kong.

Well known directors (who did The Eye (2002), one of my favorite horror movie) and a few big star from Hong Kong this year.

Korea's The Tower (2012) did well, so the Pang Brothers decide they can do better. So? How did they fare?...

I just have one wish this Christmas...

That Hong Kong STOP GIVING US FALSE HOPE in 2014....

The script in this movie is just PLAIN lazy.

They really REALLY need to stop treating their viewer as idiots!!!

If they even bother to watch an episode of Mythbusters, this script would have been 100 times better.



There is NO character you are invested in.

Some fire scenes are totally CGI, and you know what that means. FAKE!! There is NO urgency or danger!!!

Bad movie. BAD MOVIE!!!

My Two Sen

This Is the End (2013)

Having watched a really terrible Rapture-Palooza (2013) a few months back, I was a little sceptic about this movie.

I had it for a while now, and only managed to watch this today and...

It is actually, okay.

Alot of reference were made to James Franco past movies (namely The Pineapple Express 2008) and it is basically about THE Apocalypse.

The cast is staggering

James Franco, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride!!! With surprising appearance by Michael Cera, Emma Watson, Rihanna, Paul Rudd & Channing Tatum (WHAT THE HECK MADE HIM DECIDE TO TAKE ON THAT ROLE )!!!!!!

The movie is very dialogue driven movie. And basically explore the neurotic tendencies of everyone (they basically played themselves).

Just one question, WHAT HAPPENED TO EMMA WATSON!!!!!

Give this a go why don't you.

My Two Sen

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Have a good one.

The Sum of All Fears (2002)

With the new Jack Ryan movie around the corner, I thought it would be a good idea to revisit the previous incarnation of this franchise.

I decided to work backwards, namely

The Sum of All Fears (2002)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Patriot Games (1992)
Clear and Present Danger (1994)

I believe this to date is the least well received Jack Ryan movie, and have to add i actually like this!!

Poor Ben Affleck (Jack Ryan) had for some odd reason gotten some negative rap.

Anything he is attached to people seem to against, and again, I actually think he did this role admirably.

Favorite character would definitely be Anatoli Grushkov/Spinnaker (Michael Byrne)

Morgan Freeman a close second.

This was meant to be a reboot of the Jack Ryan franchises, with Ben Affleck as lead and because of the lack of box office, it did not work out that way.

Now we are going to get Chris Pine to spearhead another reboot... I'm concern,.... Not really sure if he can manage that...

If you like mystery, thriller,action give this a go, if you have not already.

My Two Sen.

Erm... The 10th Kingdom (2000)?

The Legend of Hercules (2014)

Director: Renny Harlin
Stars: Kellan Lutz

Okay, okay, I can "feel" alot of eyes rolling and heads shaking!!

I know, I know most of you probably think of Kevin Sorbo (Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) or Ryan Gosling (Young Hercules) when you hear Hercules or maybe even the Disney's 1998 animation feature, Hercules (I know him as Heracles [Greek Version])

Bare in mind, when I hear Hercules, the below comes to mind

Us Production

Hercules in New York (1969) with Arnold Schwarzenegger as Herc

Italian Production

Hercules in the Haunted World (1961) with Reg Park as Herc
Hercules and the Captive Women (1961) with Reg Park as Herc
Hercules Against the Sons of the Sun (1964) with Mark Forest as Herc
The Adventures of Hercules II (1985) with Lou Ferrigno as Herc

The one that I have the best recollection of is actually the Lou Ferrigno's. Not because it is really good, but because it is really REALLY bad! So much so that I can still recall it (and I actually watched it in 1985)!!!

By I digress.

Okay, calling a bowl and bowl and calling a plate a plate, in it's entirety, this is NOT a bad movie.

There I've said it, and have to add, it does have it's good and definitely it's bad...

The Good

Say what you want about director Renny Harlin, he sure know how to use $70,000,000, because believe it or not, the movie does look bigger than the budget!!

From a story point of view, although the script writers did take some artistic licensing with a pretty well know myth, and have to say, the licensing they took kinda worked for the movie.

Liam McIntyre (Sotiris) is really good here and although I did not like her at the beginning Roxanne McKee (Queen Alcmene) she kinda won me over later on in the movie.

Additionally, say want you want about Kellan Lutz, having the weight of $70,000,000 on his shoulder is not a trivia matter, and for at least half of the movie, he did sell to me, he is Hercules!! In short, I believe he has potential as being the leading man material, than let's say Taylor Lautner (come on guys be fair, you should compare apples with apples and oranges with oranges, and not Kellan Lutz with James McAvoy!!) Having said that even compared to Arnold Schwarzenegger's or Lou Ferrigno's Hercules, he does a much better job.

The Bad


It is tough to be the chicks in this movie

So, in conclusion, this movie started out shaking, kinda find it's footing in the middle and somewhat gave the audience what they want at the end. It is NOT gonna get an Academy/Golden Globe Awards, but if you are in the mood for a sword and sandals movie, it is actually decent.

As always, I humbly submit, My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jan 16 2014, 11:43 AM

Looking at all the negative reviews, here are additional conclusion I can draw about this movie...

As for the twelve tasks of Hercules, I suppose the producers are hoping this movie will do well, for a second episode, to tackle with the rest of the tasks... If you are familiar with the myth, you will know why Hercules had to accomplish the said tasks...

Also, is there really a need for two Hercules movies in a year. Expect Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Hercules later in the year...

My Additional Two Sen

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

I've always like the Jack Ryan movies.

I have never read the books, mind you, but ever since The Hunt Of Red October (1990), I've been a fan.

So I was intrigued by the announcement of this movie.

Watched it yesterday and... a little disappointed...

I believe by now, many a people probably know I am prejudice against anything too "American-Centric" and there in lays what is wrong with this movie...

Even in the beginning, it started on a wrong footing... (eg. Sept 11). I am not suggesting it is not a terrible thing. What I'm suggesting is, that event is currently used by the States to get away with... well murder... They complain to the world like a bully in school who tells the teacher a small boy had hit him, but hid the fact that he had been picking on the small boy for years!!

Also the premise of the movie also suggest the fact that their eavesdropping on the world is JUSTIFIED... (Snowden anyone. Or propaganda for that matter).

This Jack Ryan is a little different from the other Jack Ryan movies. In the other movie, Jack Ryan is an Analyst who end up as a reluctant field agent. In this, he is an Analyst, who is a reluctant field agent, but with MARINES training...

I don't think Chris Pine, is the best choice. Pairing him up with Keira Knightley (look at me I'm American.... NOT) wasn't a great idea as well...

Any silver lining? Well veterans like Kevin Costner and Kenneth Branagh did their roles well, but am too used to having great African Americans actors playing Thomas Harper...

Almost ALL characters are under develop, and the Russian sleeper agents premised is just weak, weak, weak!!

Quickfire

If I had read you review on Her (2013) earlier, might have watched that rather then this...

A very disappointing affair...

My Two Sen