Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Five syllables here
And seven syllables there
I recite this haiku...
Are you happy?

It looks like haiku, it sounds like haiku... But is it haiku?

Which is exactly how I feel after watching this...

The design is incredible.

It is VERY obvious to anyone who pays attention that alot of thoughts were put into the background & characters design.

From the music (shamisen) to the origami "props", top notch, no argument from me.

The story...

Let's put it this way, go back to the beginning of my review and read the "haiku"... That I think would be how alot of people would feel.

At least, in the Kung Fu Panda series, "Chinese" were consulted.

Here... Check this out

Directed by
Travis Knight ... (directed by)

Writing Credits 
Marc Haimes ... (screenplay) and
Chris Butler ... (screenplay)
Shannon Tindle ... (story by) and
Marc Haimes ... (story by)

Not a Jap insight!!!

What the HECK were they thinking...

To top it off Regina Spektor cover version of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Weep", with shamisen accompaniment... during the end credit

They might as well glued feathers on an elephant and called it a Phoenix!!!

Back to the story... The storyline is SO disjointed it is NOT funny, and then the ending...

If you really want to see this, watch it for the aesthetic design, and not the story

My Two Sen

Spirited Away (2001)?

Mechanic: Resurrection (2016) - Good action, Statham does it again..

American Sniper (2014) - Inspired by true story... Very good movie, sound is superb.  Not bad all all..   

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016)

Even since the first movie Jack Reacher (2012) (The 9th book in the series, called One Shot), I am a fan, both of the movies and because of the movies, the books.

Been reading them like crazy (well the ones I can get my hands on)

So I actually had waiting for most of the year for this movie (with abated breath anyone) and the movie is...

I don't think the screen writer and director of the second movie "gets it" (like Christopher McQuarrie did in the first movie)

This book, Never Go Back is actually one of the rare Jack Reacher books where he is... excuse my French, Horny!!

Three books prior to Never Go Back, Jack Reacher wanted to go to DC to meet up with Major Turner, but every time he gets closer, he gets caught up with some local events, which take up a whole book.

So, by the time Reacher arrive in DC, the readers (with abated breath again?? ) wants to see what  happens between him and Major Turner and.... read the book or watch the movie...

This movie is so..... lacking a better term, meh!!!!

The is something "off" about how Tom Cruise looks

And It is not good....

Not sure if they can get anymore Reacher from him

Not sure if he is up to Mission Impossible 6....

So in short... disappointing

My Two Sen

I heard its a mash up between Good Will Hunting + Bourne Identity

Doctor Strange (2016)

Is there a role that Benedict Cumberbatch cannot be?

So in short Benedict Cumberbatch IS Dr. Strange!!

Alot of flak on the production team for casting Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One.

I am indifferent to the choice.

Let just say I am numb to Hollywood whitewashing everything...

Not one of Marvel strongest movie.

It is definitely one of the stranger story (though strangely familiar)

Let me put it this way

Strong 1st and 2nd act.

Not so strong 3rd act!!

Yes, there are two mini movies at the end.

My Two Sen

Cinema also showing dua abang "Tom" punya wayang mar. Tak minat? Haha

Abang Tom Ham - Inferno
Abang Tom Kurus - Jack Reacher 2

Abang Kurus, not so Kurus this time round...

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Gosh, how am I to review this...

Truth to be told, the Harry Potter books got me back into reading books...

Then the movies came about, and they were actually decent adaptation of the books!

So,  in short, I read all 7 books, and have to admit, I have not read the Fantastic Beast and Where to find Them... It is a thin book...

And I understand they are making a couple of this???!!!

Let me do it this way

The Good

I am NOT a fan of Eddie Redmayne. I understand he had won awards for his works, and I cannot remember being drawn by his acting skills... Until now...


Warner, hoping for another cash cow, spared no expense, and the production is GORGEOUS!

The Bad

Because it is a Warner Production, this HAS TO take place in America... Sigh...

They even introduced an American School of magic... Groan x 2....

The Ugly

Apart from Newt Scamander (and vaguely at that) there is HARDLY any character development!!?!

This also suffers from what I call "The Hobbit Syndrome". meaning, reference material, a story does not make!!!

So, certain parts were spectacular, others...

My Two Sen

Moana (2016)

How do I describe this movie in one word?

MASTERFUL

It is great to see Ron Clements (with Don Hall) who directed movies like movies The Little Mermaid (1989) & Aladdin (1992) back in the director chair!

Nice to see the Polynesian "myth" being used as the backdrop to this and it is used well.

Lilo and Stitch (2002) used Hawaii as the backdrop but not Polynesia myth!

Story Great.

Music Fantastic.

Casting Beautiful.

If you guys are hunting for a family outing movie, you can do no wrong with this!

May NOT be appropriated by small babies (there were a couple of them in the cinema when I watched this. There were a few wailing sessions (short [thank goodness] due to certain loud scenes) so please be advised.

Kids that are 4 yo and above should be fine.

My Two Sen

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016) - A solid 10/10....    Must watch

Sing (2016)

Why no love for this people?

Suffering from reality based singing competition (namely X-Factor & The Voice) fatigue?

So how is this movie?

I, like you, did not give this movie much thought.

I had a few few tickets to spare on my TGV card and I was a little free yesterday so I said, what the hey.

And I do not regret it.

Is this a dream will conquer all movie?

Yes, but it also say one should actually work hard and treat other with decency...

And I am getting a head of myself...

So, Buster Moon (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) has a dream.

He dreams of running a successful theater.

His father runs a car wash, and gave him the money (all his savings) to buy an old theater and is seems his dreams will come through...

It is just sad, that no one told him that the theater is a dying business, but he is still bitten by the bug.

He will do anything, say anything to put on one last show.

So will he succeed?

I have to admit, they got the story right, and the songs here are pretty good too!!

So if you like to be entertainment by good music and good story telling, go for this!

My Two Sen.

Thanks Mickey C for recommending 13 hours -the secret soldiers of Benghazi (2016) , it is indeed a very good film. Although the movie last for more than 2 hours plus, I never felt a single dull moment. I wonder why this film not received well at the box office ?

Haha,, only for Trumps fans...
The sound is awesome,, very good surround..

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

This is what I texted my friends after watching the movie.
I don't mean to make the movie sounds like a drag, it is not.

Surprises are aplenty.

Disney has proved to the world that the standalone Star Wars movies, are GREAT!!!

Heck after this I even welcome the Han Solo stand alone movie (and I now understand what they are going to do). And on that note I even welcome Harrison Ford back in the Indiana Jones sixth installment (get the whip cracking already!!! What the heck are they waiting for)

Disney is really having an excellent year.

My Two Sen

Now You See Me 2 (2016) - Not bad, better than many stupid movies... 
Adele Live in New York City (2015) -         
The Dark Knight Rises (2012) - Re-watched, awesome......  For me Christopher Nolan's Batman is the best Batman movies. It more better than Batman vs Superman.. Ben Affleck for Batman maybe not a good choice, this Batman face look not so clean, maybe he didn't shave...
Christian Bale is the best....

The Great Wall (2016) - A Very Entertaining Film, lots of action...     

La La Land is a love letter, a walk to memory lane of the musical in 50ties n 60ties. Think West Side Story, Marry Poppins n My Fair Lady. It's ambitious, it's vibrant, it's colorful, it's beautiful n well acted. I urge ppl to give it a shot to immerse in a different kind of cinematic experience. It will pull ur heart strings in love, passion and dreams. The 3rd act and especially the montage elevated the movie to masterpiece. This rare gem is a 5 out of 5.