And also Friday the 13th (2009)....

Not sure if anyone here know that the character Chucky was actually inspired by Robert The Doll



This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Sep 27 2013, 12:41 PM

PBS American Experience Silicon Valley (2013)

I think you guys know by now, I'm pretty critical about America...

Having said that and having watch this documentary, what Robert Noyce and 7 of his peers did to "establish" Silicon Valley, through Fairchild Semiconductor an upstart who took on Giants like Texas Instruments and Motorola in the 60s and then after that started a company that nobody above a rock would not know is... actually inspirational...

Very very educational and interesting documentary.

My Two Sen

I actually thought A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) was not that bad. Give THAT a try.

Actually, Mao, in really life did in 40 millions Chinese, so, maybe a vampire was he...

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Sep 29 2013, 10:17 PM

... You... enjoyed... Olympus Has Fallen...

Tales from the Dark 1 (2013)

This is an adaptation of three short stories from a renown Hong Kong author, Lilian Lee.

Stolen Goods

Directed and performed by Simon Yam

Claustrophobic and moody are the best ways to describe this. Supposedly Simon Yap's debut, as a director. Interestingly, this short explores the fringe of Hong Kong society. We are so used to seeing how the effluent live in Hong Kong and when confronted with this very RAW portrayal of the downtrodden, it is eye opening. It also "interesting" to see, how desperation can drive people to do... very interesting things (in this case grave robbing).

A Word in the Palm

Directed by Lee Chi Ngai

Performed by Tony Leung Ka Fai & Kelly Chan

A more lighthearted approach to ghost stories. It is always a pleasure to see more experience thespian selling their wares, and Tony Leung sure deliver!! Kelly Chan wasn't half bad herself!! So, in short Tony Leung here plays the role of Melinda from Ghost Whisperer... somewhat halfheartedly...

Jing Zhe

Directed by Fruit Chan

Performed by Susan Shaw, Lo Hai Peng & Dada Chen

Again, really appreciate the veteran in this. Susan Shaw is excellent!! A small cameo by Lo Hai Peng. They make acting look so... effortless... Dada Chen is very... haunting here... I'm not sure if you guys are familiar with the term Tar Siu Yan (Cantonese, roughly translate to "Villain Hitting") and Pak Fu (White Tiger). Supposedly, an ancient belief dating back to the Han/Tang Dynasty... I actually have some personal experience with this. When I was in Form 1 or 2, there was a period in time when all dogs I met, gave me a chase..., or because of awkwardness, I got burnt, scratched and fell over, one after another... It was decided that I had "Fan Tai Sui" and that I should appease the Pak Fu... So it was arrange that a friend of my family (an aunty) brought me to a Chinese temple to do prayers and make offering to Pak Fu (meat, fats, eggs and sweet cakes) and "Villian Hitting" was done (paper effigies where beaten with a shoe). Interestingly, dogs stop chasing me after that... so when "revisited" with this short I was amused until the I saw the ending...

So, I like the 2nd the 3rd stories the best.

If you like horror, why not give this a spin.

My two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 3 2013, 01:12 PM

Tales from the Dark 2 (2013)

Three more short stories from a renown Hong Kong author, Lilian Lee.

Pillow

Director: Gordon Chan
Cast: Fala Chen, Lam Ka-tung

Wow, a very psychological piece... with a twist. I think the explicit scenes between Fala Chen & Lam Ka-tung is what shocks me most, because that means this movie cannot enter in to the Chinese market (not legally anyway)!!

Hide and Seek

Director: Lawrence Lau
Cast: Chan Fat-kuk, Sham Ka-ki

This segment actually... bore me, because it has been done to death (no pun intended )!! And they do not elaborate of the interesting bits (why one of the girl students is still thinking of a male teacher who had perish during the SARS outbreak...)

Black Umbrella

Director: Teddy Robin
Cast: Teddy Robin, Aliza Mo

Surprisingly, not many people like this, but I do. This explores the world of Taoism, where people perfected themselves through "practice". Here Teddy Robin portrays a 100+ year old man who has been practicing for 129 years. If he manage to do one last good deed, he would ascend to the heavens... but alas... there is a fine line between an angel and demon (eg... a state of mind)

Many a people prefer the Tales from the Dark 2 compared with the first. Myself, I prefer the first!!

If you had watch part one and found it to your liking, give this a go.

It is good to know that movie production in Hong Kong is attempting to recapture the glory days (80s & 90s) of movie making.

My two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 2 2013, 03:31 PM

Nope, everything you say it true!!

Lee Ritenour: Overtime

Wow... I'm not sure if you guys have heard of the Smooth Jazz band Four Play. Lee Ritenour is one of the founding member. This collection of Smooth Jazz by Lee Ritenour is very VERY enjoyable. Why, just look at the musician's musicians who performed in them:

• Dave Grusin: Piano, Fender Rhodes
• Ivan Lins: Vocals, Fender Rhodes
• Patrice Rushen: Piano, Fender Rhodes, Synthesizer
• Harvey Mason: Drums
• Alex Acuna: Drums
• Chris Botti: Trumpet
• Ernie Watts: Tenor & Soprano Saxophone
• Eric Marienthal: Alto & Tenor Saxophone, Flute
• Anthony Jackson: Bass
• Melvin Davis: Electric Bass
• Dave Carpenter: Acoustic Bass
• Barnaby Finch: Keyboards
• Oscar Seaton: Drums
• Kenya Hathaway: Vocals
• Grady Harrell: Vocals
• Steve Forman: Percussion

Kenya Hathaway and Grady Harrell (from the group Brutha) are very VERY young and have to add, by jove have they got immense talents!!!

The recording for this concert is first rate. Bass, separation, depth and sound stage, everything is first rate.

Song List consist of:

• 01. Party Time
• 02. Blue in Green
• 03. Mizrab
• 04. Sugarloaf Express
• 05. Harlequin
• 06. Beyond the Storm
• 07. Dinorah Dinorah
• 08. P.A.L.S.
• 09. Captain Fingers
• 10. Morning Glory
• 11. Captain Caribe
• 12. Night Rhythms
• 13. A Little Bumpin'
• 14. Water to Drink (Agua de Beber)
• 15. Possibilities
• 16. Papa Was a Rolling Stone
• 17. Is It You?
• 18. Thriteen
• 19. She Walks This Earth

Possibilities is my favorite, written by Ms Kenya Hathaway herself!!! (Did it REALLY take 4 geniuses to write Justin Bieber's Baby, Baby?... W o w...)

Lee Ritenour's Yamaha Slg110n Silent Guitar (is it an Air Guitar, is it a toy, Acoustic or Electric????) is way cool!!

Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 4 2013, 08:44 AM

Chimpanzee (2012, Disney Documentary)

The director and crew of this documentary meticulously and dedicatedly made this in the Ivory Coast and I for one, appreciate this.

It documents the life of Oscar, a rascal new born chimpanzee. Initially, the documentary shows the life of Oscar with his mom, until tragedy struck, it lost it's mom.

Oscar had to fend for itself and it had not learn all everything it need to survive. It tried to get help from all the other females, but they all had their own baby to take care of...

Out of desperation, it tried getting close to the Alpha male, Fred...

I don't want to spoil it for you, go watch it...

My Two Sen

Fantastic Voyage (1966)

Say what you want about the 60s, this supposedly "B" movie actually was serious to get the "science/biology" right.

A very important person is injured and he has vital information for the US government.

His injuries is a blood clod in his brain.

The American Government and scientist now has the technology to shrink a submarine small enough to be injected to the injured man, so that they can remove the clod with a laser and therefore save the man...

Oh, one of the earliest movie with Raquel Welch I've ever seen.

If it sounds familiar, in the 80s, there was a remake of sorts (Innerspace [1987])

If you have a lazy Sunday afternoon with nothing to do, give this a go

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 7 2013, 03:17 PM

Aw-uh... I like The Conjuring...

What you had stated is true, and have to add, the situation was more complicated than that... Richard Donner was actually filming both Superman and Superman II concurrently. Producers liIlya Salkind & Pierre Spengler (Russian Producers) had a major fall out with him. One point that was pretty sore, was that like all big movies, the budget blotted as they were filming. When the premier date of the first movie was around the corner, they actually did not have the ending for the first movie, but the ending of the second movie was finished... The Producers persuaded Richard Donner to use the ending for the second movie for the first and that they would come up with something after they had launched the the first movie... After the the successful launch of the first movie, the producers fired Richard Donner and put Richard Lester in the director's chair... If you had the chance to watch Superman II the Richard Donner cut, you would notice that the hotel scene between Clark Kent and Lois Lane was not as silly as the one the put in the Theatrical version. Also after Richard Donner left, Marlon Brando went into litigation with Warner Bros for more salary... And when that turned sour, his scenes were not used... until Bryan Singer made Superman Return. Warner paid some monies into the Marlon Brando estate... Sadly really, you can see that Richard Donner's cuts were more... powerful...

Absence (2013)

Wow, this movie is widely criticized... for being bad.

I don't know.

If there are so many people who loves Paranormal Activity (2009),... what a difference 4 years makes!!

Same premise, same genre (horror), same camera work and have to add different subject matter.

In Paranormal Activity, the supernatural is explored, whereas here, it is more of an X-Files phenomenon...

Some might even argue, that they are the same (Ancient Aliens anyone... )

The difference here is there really is not one storyline that the "movie" follows, hence the criticism.... Also, the characters do not seem to review their video recordings....

If you do like Paranormal Activity, give this a go!

Do be warn, it is NOT for everyone (especially is you did not like Paranormal Activity)

My Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 14 2013, 10:44 AM

The Conjuring (2013) Addendum

For my original review, please goto:

The Conjuring Review

What I would like to add is the sound design for this movie.

It is simply, SPECTACULAR!!

I know, I know, many a people is talking about Pacific Rim and The Lone Ranger etc, but for me, this one takes the cake!!

Everything is... WEIGHTED, which really REALLY adds to the movie.

Additionally, the special feature are great. I finally get to hear James Wan speak and it is a surprise.

He sounds... ENGLISH!!!

Joking apart, the special feature also has interviews with the Perron family and Lorraine Warren, so really nice inside to the story/movie!!

So in case I was not clear, I LUV THIS MOVIE!!

My Additional Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 14 2013, 12:38 PM

You are too kind...

I am genuinely surprise when people say they like my reviews...

I find myself too... long winded!!

And, I too think that The Conjuring is one of 2013's best movie.

Welcome to the Punch (2013)

Okay let's point out the elephant, right of!

This is NOT a big budget Hollywood production.

It is a "modest" budget of USD 8,500,000.

Having said that, having seen what they were able to put on the with THAT budget, I'm actually impress!!

It is also an English production, so the "beats" (timing) is different.

A decent, Cop & Robber movie, with James McAvoy and Mark Strong.

The themes of the movie are family, friends and what people from different background, think is.... just.

PQ and AQ are actually quite impressive (again taking into consideration the budget they have)

Script is good, acting is excellent from a group of gifted thespian.

If you want a "feels like Hollywood" but not quite movie, give this a go!!

My Two Sen

White House Down (2013)

I'll probably get a lot of flak for this, but I actually found this... mildly amusing!!

Don't get me wrong, there are TONS of problem with it, and again, more flak, I thought it was a better movie then Olympus Has Fallen (2013)...

With Roland Emmerich (2012 (2009), 10,000 BC (2008), The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Independence Day (1996) & Stargate (1994)) at the helm, it is a much slicker production (compared to OHF)

If something like that would happen in America, the culprits are most likely going to be Americans themselves... but I digress.

So, from a story point of view, more realistic....

Now for the bad part, Jamie Foxx is the President... Really????????!

I know a B Movie actor (namely Ronald Regan) did managed to become the President because of backers (bankers and big industry), BUT Jamie Foxx?????????!!!!! o k a y . . .

Another observation is, since the American do NOT want to advocate gun control, they have only got themselves to blame IF something like that were to happen... The amount of guns and ammunition used in this movie is just... wow...

So, if you like mindless action flick, where you can see the end twist a mile away, give this a spin.

My Two Sen

If you are looking for a BIG BUDGET lemon of the year, look no further.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you

R.I.P.D. (2013)

This movie is B.A.A.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.d.d.d.d.d.d.d.d.d.d.d.!!!

This "dead as a door nail" has a price tag of USD 130,000,000.

In my humble opinion, they might as well had just thrown the money into the ocean!!

The result would have been EXACTLY the same, minus the hassle of making a movie.

Let's do a breakdown.

Story: One word, insipid. Sorta Ghostbusters (1984) meets Men in Black (1997). Sounds good on paper right? WRONG There is nothing, interesting, clever, witty, redeeming about the script. Zip! Nada!! ZILCH!!! I fell asleep, woke up, fell asleep, woke up & fell asleep again, during the course of the movie!!!!!!

Cast: Putting two relatively well know actors (namely Ryan Reynolds & Jeff Bridges) into your movie, will generate interest.... But it is no guarantee that it would be a bonafide hit!!! This would be THE PERFECT example of this... Their characters are already dead... That means you cannot wish for something worst to happen to them...

C.G.I.: For a C.G.I. laden movie, the C.G.I. work is actually TERRIBLE!!!! I have seen TV stuff that has better C.G.I. work.... Maybe it is because of their PG-13 rating, and they made their ghosts, kid friendly, but come on!!!!!

So, in short, NOTHING IN THIS MOVIE WORKS!!

This is another example of, I had actually watch this CRAP so you don't have to...

You have been warn kiddies.... YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 21 2013, 02:55 PM

Yup....

As I say, the bass in this movie is weighted!! Even the pounding on the door!!

Great! Quick question, XBMC still does not support 3D right?...