300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

I confess.

I have never went on the record to say that I like 300 (2006)...

The issue is the brutality. They made brutality into "art". They beautified the killing scenes and I do not agree with that.

So when they announced they were making "Part Deux"... I was not expecting much...

Just finished watching it and all I can say is, do people even remember The 300 Spartans (1962)?

That movie is 52yo and from a story point of view, still run rings around this movie!!?!

Style over substance ladies and gentlemen. Style over substance!!!

From casting (not sure if Sullivan Stapleton is the best choice for Themistocles), why is Eva Green's character Artemisia even here? And the fact that Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey) led the Spartan retaliation... My goodness, do they even know the source material (eg history)????!? (In Sparta, women are basically a baby factory, full stop...)

History about this matter is pretty straight forward, Athens (which had the best Navy force in Greece) and the rest of Greece met Persia at the sea, forcing the Persian army to try to enter Greece through Thermopylae (Hot Gates) where the Spartan met them.

So having said that, 300 (2006) historically is actually more accurate, whereas this movie...

This is based on the comic Xerxes and surprise surprise, you DON'T see alot of HIM!!!?!

Okay, credit where credit is due, the way the Greeks did sea battle, is actually by the book (eg according to history books), and have to add, apart from that...

I am sorry, I think this is a very poor attempt at a movie and have to add, I actually approached the movie with very low expectation, even then I truly and thoroughly disappointed!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jun 28 2014, 12:51 PM

Uncensored...

One word... Photoshop... No actors or actresses do any form of photo shoot with out "post production" nowadays...

Sad really. How the "fashion" and "entertainment" industry pushes the idea of "perfect" on the general public with "post production" trickery.

How else would "doctors" be able to sell botox treatments to 17yo as "preventive" measures....

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Okay, is Transformer a good material to reboot after the disastrous Transformer 3?

Maybe not

Is this a good reboot?....

...

...

...

Maybe to some...

I actually like the first act, where they introduce all the new players...

The second act was half half, I like the beginning of second act and half way through it started to lose me...

The third act, sad to say, is rehash of Transformer 3....

The Good:

1) The premise of the movie, is actually decent, the way in which the reboot of franchise is plausible/logical...

2) The Cinematography, Amir Mokri really made this movie look good!! The wide open space of Texas is beautifully shot!!

3) The lack of US military is actually refreshing (eg Not a US Army/Navy/Air Force recruitment film)

4) Stanley Tucci character (believe it or not, he is Shia LaBeouf replacement... I kid you not).

5) The work they did in Hong Kong is CRAZY!!! And a few familiar Hong Kong actors cameo was actually amusing!! Even paid homage to Jacky Chan's stunts!!

The Bad:

1) Too many... "villains"

2) Really an "ancient" township right smack in the Hong Kong between the mountain range... Come on....

3) The fact that the movie had to "pander" to the bible belt in America and also to the Chinese audience.... Sad...

4) Once they left the US country side and back to big cities, things started to go downhill

The Ugly:

1) I miss Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman screenplay

2) After all that Hoo Har about the All Spark in the first movie, they had to go mess with the origins of the Transformers... (They even tied it to the extinction of the Dinosaurs) *Sigh*

I suppose the movie would have it avid viewers.

I just don't think I was the market segment the producers of this movie were aiming for...

Watched this in a 3D Atmos Cinema, sound was good (especially in the actions scenes) and have to add the 3D is nothing to shout about.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 3 2014, 11:12 AM

Well, case in point, The director/producers must have deem the post production work necessary. And yes, it probably cost a pretty penny.

I know it is silly, and have to add, in this day and age, that seems to be the normal!!!

Ridiculous really...

Another case I can quote here, The Star Trek Into the Darkness. If you have watched that movie, you know how many lens flare scenes there are in the movie.

JJ Abrams thinks that they are cool...

Did you know that when he finished that movie, one of the first people that got to watch it was his wife and her comments was, why are there so many lens flare scenes in the movie. Very irritating...

He then went thru the movie again and used post production to remove lens flare from scenes...

So as irritating as the scenes with lens flare scenes there are in the movie, originally there was ALOT more... And they spent money removing them...

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 3 2014, 11:14 AM

Hahaha!

I'm am sorry, you seem very fixated with her assets....

Haha

My apologies

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 3 2014, 02:38 PM

Evidence (2013)

You are gonna hear alot of negative reviews about this movie.

It is pretty low budget and for people who HATES hand cam, please give this a miss. There are plenty of hand cam scenes.

This is a Horror/Gore/Thriller genre.

I kinda sorta figured out the ending and have to say that you either like or hate this movie.

Personally I appreciate the director's approach to the movie, there is a dash if trying too hard, and have to add I still think the approach interesting.

Also interesting to see Stephen Moyer outside of True Blood.

If you like thriller and you don't mind hand cam scenes, give this a try.

This runs rings around movie like Prom Night!!

My Two Sen

That Demon Within 魔警 (2014)

Wow. Pretty decent movie.

Script is actually solid.

Director Dante Lam does do good stuff.

A big budget (Hong Kong standard) psychological thriller.

I do disagree about how some parts were directed (I would have done the "reveal" differently)

I don't think that Daniel Wu have the acting chop as to handle the lead role...

Even with the two negatives I enjoyed the movie.

They even spend money of properly scoring the movie!!

Again, Hong Kong movies are showing potential again!!!

For that I am glad.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 5 2014, 09:26 AM

Airplane vs Volcano (2014)

A tiny movie company call The Asylum made this movie. It was shot in 5 days with a non existing budget.

You know what is shocking about this movie, Dean Cain and Robin Givens are in it!!

I suppose EVERYBODY has to eat...

Okay this movie is TERRIBLE. Directed by The Kondelik Brothers (James Kondelik & Jon Kondelik).

Why am I emphasizing this?

Remember New Line was a tiny movie company in the 80s!!

They have since made 3 LOTR movies and 3 Hobbit movies with box office receipts in the billions!!

What I do appreciate about this company is that the people in it, genuinely love making movies, and I think that is an important ingredient!!

Give them a few years. Who knows with a little bit of luck and the correct script, maybe they can make something great in the future. Now, looks like they make filler stuff for the SyFy channel...

My Two Sen

Deliver Us from Evil (2014)

Just got back from this movie, and I like it!!

It is formulaic, no question.

It is not the most fast paced movie. Just right for character development, and story.

Only famous "star" here is Eric Bana, and have to add, all parts here are well acted by the actor/actress cast!!

Story is supposed to be based on actual case, and I would actually loved to see more adaption of the two leads!!



So, in conclusion, despite the chair kicking, chair shaking, bf & gf regurgitating the plot between themselves and is not shy to let other people hear, and also the modest budget of the movie, I found this movie engaging and interesting.

Oh, another observation, director Scott Derrickson should stick to horror and leave Scifi alone...

My Two Sen.

Shows you whar American knows, right...

From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

Studio Ghibli is known for it's fantasy works!

Valley of the Winds (1984), Castle in the Sky (1986), Princess Mononoke (1997) etc, are what people talk about when Studio Ghibli is mentioned.

I did fall into that category.

After watching this movie, I am glad that my mindset is somewhat shifted.

This studio's ability to take the everyday mundane, through sheer observation and make it into artistic... it is breathtaking!!!

What do I mean. The attention to details. Umi making a meal, when the students went to Tokyo to meet up with the businessman behind the plan to tear down their dorm rooms, and on goings in the office etc.

Also this is one of the animation by Studio Ghibli not directed by Hayao Miyazaki. SO I am quite confident that the Studio would move of from Hayao Miyazaki retirement.

Once I saw this I HAD TO find a copy of Ue o Muite Arukou (Sukiyaki) song because that is how involved i got with the movie!!

Very simple storyline. Very beautifully done. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in cinema, namely a good story very well told!!

My Two Sen.

The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

Shame on you Hollywood.

Shame on you!!

Stealing from people and not giving ANY credit to the original.

Shame on you.

Epic (2013) rip of the idea of this movie and did not even give it credit. I can also see elements of Croods (2013) here, again, no credit given. Shameless!!! And at the start of every blu ray disc, an FBI warning states that piracy is not a victimless crime!!! Hypocrites!!!!!

Another beautiful movie from Studio Ghilbi!!

Everything is immaculate!!

Again, attention to details... (Just note the sound design, when Arrietty's father brought her to the large house... Amazing...

I don't want to take too much of your time reading a review of this movie.

Do yourself a favour, go watch this is you have note already.

My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 29 2014, 09:49 AM

Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (1985)

A guilty indulgence of mine.

The first thing that jumps at me is the video transfer. The movie never looked so good.

As for Audio, well, we only get PCM stereo, so the studio is not putting alot of eggs into this release. I do have to add, beggars cannot be choosers.

This movie has an "Asian Sensibility" to it, and not in anyway condescending.

Alot of flack was given about the character Chiun was played by a white, namely Joel Grey. I personally can think of many more atrocities made in many other movies (Hollywood production). I kinda like Joel Grey as Chiun.

It is a vehicle for Fred Ward to make it as an action hero, unfortunately, it did not happen.

I really like this movie.

It is... unusual, and funny and you actually care for the two main characters.

Oh, note a very young Captain Cathrine Janeway (for the Star Trek fans).

Interestingly, this movie is actually MORE relevant today then it was in the 80s...

I will be watching this again, and again, and again...

My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jul 29 2014, 09:37 AM

Sabotage (2014)

What do you do when you are the IT Action Hero of the 80s/90s and are looking to do a comeback?

Well, you look for scripts like Sabotage...

It is both and action movie and also a dramatic role.

Is this the right vehicle for Arnold Schwarzenegger to do a comeback?

It kinda is.

Personally, after The Last Stand (2013) & Escape Plan (2013) I'm not sure he has found his "groove" yet...

He has never been a good "actor" per se. He was always a person, guys aspire to be (physically speaking) and girls hope their significant other can be (again physically).

His command of the English Language has always been a stumbling block.

Having a run in California as governor, being associated with the Kennedy family (Maria Shriver), his English has improved, time will tell if his comeback would be a success.

This movie is actually good from a script point of view, and most of the cast are well cast, again, Arnold Schwarzenegger as the lead, may not be the best thing going for the movie (because it is a dramatic role)...

I do add, if violence is your cup of tea, this movie serves that in spades.

So, I humbly present to you, My Two Sen

Transcendence (2014)

This movie is, unique.

Like the movie Source Code (2011) it surprised me, in that the twist it took went the other way from how I assume it would go.

The irony is Paul Bettany (Javis in the Iron man and Avengers movie) is now the human, and Johnny Depp is the "computer".

This movie is about A.I. and if I put more into this review, I might spoil it for you...

If you like science fiction, give this a go.

My Two Sen.

Merantau (2009)

Simple storyline, very well shot and pretty decent cast.

This is suppose to be Iko Uwais first movie, and it is good.

He is no "method" actor. What he brings to the table is a sense of "earnest-ness", if you understand what I mean.

And he is a skill Silat Artist. There is a sense of deja vu here, because this movie has almost the same vibe as Ong-bak (2003). Credit where credit is due, the director, Gareth Evans, know what he wanted and he was able to get it, at a very modest budget. I love the camera work in this!!

This movie also brings up the subject matter of human trafficking. Malaysia is thrown into this limelight recently, because an international rating has reduced our country's rating, in term of reducing the issue of human trafficking.

This reminds me of the ads that has been circulating, you know the one, that has the tagline "If the eating stop, the killing would too" (eating of shark fin, and no, I do not condone the consumption of shark fin).

So, I say this to our western counterparts, if the demand stops, the trafficking would too.



I humbly submit to you, My Two Sen.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

If you have read my reviews before, you would know I'm a complainer...

I always go on and on about how Hollywood gets it wrong, especially big budget movies....

Today, I am happy to announce, I am going to eat crow...

Why?

Because this movie is ALMOST perfect!!!

ALMOST perfect script.

ALMOST perfect cast.

ALMOST perfect C.G.I

Perfect Pacing!!

I only have two points I have issue with, it they resolve that, this would be a perfect movie!!



This is an ALMOST perfect Summer Blockbuster!!! And is probably the best Summer Movie to date... Might change tomorrow after Guardians of the Galaxy, might not.

I really hope they put another one out!!!

My Two Sen

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

What sold Iron Man was Robert Downey Jr..

Captain America had super boy scout Chris Evans.

Thor had Chris Hemsworth to ham things up!!

Avengers... for Pete's Sake is an Avengers movie!!!

Apart from Avengers, all the source material above were never BIG selling comics before the movies...

Now we get Guardians of the Galaxy...

Can we get MORE OBSCURE than THAT!!! I think not...

So let see what does the movie have going for it.

1) Chris Pratt (Who??)

2) Zoe Saldana (She was blue, now she is... GREEN!!?!)

3) Dave Bautista (er... I don't follow WWE)

4) Vin Diesel (Groot, don't ask... Are they trying to make a statement about Vin Diesel's lack of vocabulary??? )

5) Bradley Cooper (Rocket, A talking Raccoon...)

Okay, before I go on, let me just say that the way the movie opens (the first 15 - 20 mins), shows that Marvel/Disney has BIG cahonees...

For this movie to be really big, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) has to be more Han Solo than... well, Hans Solo (a loveable rogue).

And did he managed that?

In my opinion..., no.....

The production value of this movie is staggering.

As I had presume this movie probably builds up to The Infinity Gauntlet movie (go buy this on paperback, it is pretty good).

It is actually quite unfair of me to say all fault lays with Chris Pratt, I think the greatest pitfall is



So, in short, this is a very much an eye candy, and if you scrutinize it too much...



Of for the complete-tist amongst you, are there any short movie at the end of the credit? The answer is yes. Who is the subject matter?



Last note, I much prefer Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014) compared to this.

As always, My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Aug 1 2014, 12:42 PM

Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

Haha.

This made my day.

After the reboot The Muppets (2011) I was not sure how they would continue The Muppets in the movies, apparently, right after the first movie.

This movie is so nonsensical, that is actually good!!!

The cameos are staggering!! Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Josh Groban, Salma Hayek, Tom Hiddleston and many many more.

And with all this big stars, it is amazing that alot of them, if you blink you would miss!!!

That shows you the power of The Muppets. People would do things for them they usually would not even consider.

The highlights for me are all the Siberian Gulag scenes. Very VERY funny!!!

Aw come on, we are all young at heart. Watch this. I know that you know you want to.

My Two Sen.