An American Werewolf in London (1981)

One of my favorite horror movie.

It shows that horror movies can also be funny.

Before you run out and get this, please understand that it is VERY RACY and is most definitely not suitable for young children.

Having said that, anyone here been to England, and can vouch that nurses in England are like Nurse Alex Price? What do I mean? Prim Proper, Naughty nurse?? Anyone??

John Landis more know for comedy rather then horror.

After he finished The Blues Brothers and made a name for himself, Unviersal/Polygram Picture greenlit this and gave him a budget of 10 million.

When he first conceive the movie, and found out that there was alot of incentive for movie makers to make movies in England, he went okay werewolf in London, done.

He then ask Rick Baker, if the transformation sequence can be done and Rick Said, he would think about it.

When he called Rick and said he had the budget, Rick was already working on The Howling (1981)!!!

John had a few choice words which he shared with Rick and Rick said, okay I was get my protege to work on The Howling (I will consult) which will free me up to do your movie. And thank goodness for THAT!!

I also love the special feature. I did not know alot about this movie, namely


If you want a funny funny horror movie, look no further.

Enjoy

My Two Sen

Pixels (2015)

Apart from Hotel Transylvania, I am afraid I am not impressed by any movies with Adam Sandler as the main character (his movie the past few years).

When I found out about this movie, I kinda like the "concept" and when I see Adam Sandler is the leads, I went, nahhhhh.....

Got the chance to watch it during the weekend and it is ... entertaining!!

The Good

Sean Bean did not die!

Peter Dinklage plays a mitch (a term I learnt from Trevor Noah)

As kiddish as the premise is when the Centipede and Pac Man sequences happened, they were exciting!!

English references, from Tiny Tim (after Adam Sandler destroyed the last Centipede) to Benny Hill (special features only).

Michelle Monaghan in her military whites. *Woof*

The Taj Mahal's destruction. Finally, when the world is on the brink of destruction from Aliens invasion, not only American monuments are destroyed.

The creator of Pac Man (Toru Iwatani) made a cameo.

The Bad

The Americans making fun of the English's English language.... *Sigh*

Kevin James plays the president... (Adam Sandler does this alot in his movies. Is he expressing the declining standards of the Presidency? Not sure if he is THAT clever or otherwise)

The Ugly

The Martha and Serena sandwich... What the...





Yes, the critics in America we not kind to this movie.

I for one think that they were too critical when reviewing this movie.

I found it entertaining

My Two Sen.

Antitrust (2001)

Please bare in mind when this was done, the thinking was satellite "communication" was THE BOMB!!

Note that Malaysia was paid the Americans an obscene amount of money to show the Americans is digital broadcast through satellite is viable.

Back then because of "limited" bandwidth, the keyword is compression. Now-a-days, it is huh? Done already? (Er... everywhere else except for here... )

I actually like this movie when it first came out, because from the technological stand point.

CD-Roms, only one scene with a "smart" phone and they used flat panel TV in the movie extensively and this was when flat panel TV we EXTREMELY expensive.

The hook for the movie is technology company is spying on you... With Tim Robbins plays a "Steve Job-ish" character.

So watching this movie now, how prophetic the movie has turned out. Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Google being the main culprit, and not to mention the American government... Kinda think about it, any government really...

In a movie, all is well when the truth is made know to the world...

Alas, in the really world... *Sigh*

If you have not watched this, give it a go.

I promise you, you will say to your self, "This would be SO much easier, if they had a smartphone", at more then one scene.

My Two Sen.

Fantastic Four (2015)

This bombed at the box office.

And here's why...

Ronna Kress (Casting By) should be hung, for putting this cast together.

Pre-Disney Marvel sold the movie license to major studios

20th Century Fox
Fantastic Four: Doctor Doom/Victor von Doom, Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Invisible Woman/Susan Storm, Mr. Fantastic/Dr. Reed Richards, The Thing/Ben Grimm, Nova/Frankie Raye, Alicia Masters, Willie Lumpkin
X-Men Mutants: [Agent Zero/Maverick/David North], Angel/Warren Worthington III, Arclight/Phillippa Sontag, Beast/Dr. Henry Phillip “Hank” McCoy, [Blob/Frederick J. Dukes], [Bolt/Christopher Bradley], Callisto, Colossus/Piotr Nikolaievitch Rasputin, Cyclops/Scott Summers, [Deadpool/Wade Wilson], Emma (Grace) Frost, Jean Grey/Phoenix, Juggernaut/Cain Marko, Gambit/Remy LeBeau, Glob Herman/Herman Gardner, Iceman/Bobby Drake, Jubilee/Jubilation Lee, Katherine “Kitty” Anne Pryde, [Kestrel/John Wraith], Lady Deathstrike/Yuriko Oyama, Leech, Magneto/Erik Magnus Lehnsherr, Mastermind/Jason (Wyngarde), Multiple Man/James Arthur Madrox, Mystique/Raven Darkholme, Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner, Phat/William Robert “Billy-Bob” Reilly, Professor Charles Xavier, Psylocke/Elizabeth “Betsy” Braddock, Pyro/St. John Allerdyce, Quill/Max Jordan, Rogue/(Anna) Marie, Sabretooth/Victor Creed, Sebastian Hiram Shaw, [Silver Fox], Siryn/Theresa Rourke Cassidy, (The) Spike, Storm/Ororo Munroe, Wolverine/Logan
X-Men Non-Mutants: Drake Family (Steven, Madeline, Ronny), Grey Family (Dr. John, Elaine), Henry Peter Gyrich, Robert Edward Kelly, Dr. Moira Kinross MacTaggert, Dr. Kavita Rao, William Stryker, Bolivar Trask, Warren Worthington II

Universal Pictures
The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Sony Pictures
Spider-Man: Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Doctor Octopus/Otto Octavius, Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, (New) Green Goblin/Harry Osborn, [The Lizard]/Dr. Curt Connors, Sandman/Flint Marko, Venom/Eddie Brock Jr., Vulture, Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, Black Cat/Felicia Hardy, Silver Sable, Electro/Max Dillon, Rhino, Carnage/Cletus Kasady, Sinister Six, Shocker, Chameleon, The Gentleman, Dr. Ashley Kafka, Beetle, Betty Brant, Dennis Carradine (Buglar), J. Jonah Jameson, Ben Parker, May Parker, John Jameson, Joseph “Robbie” Robertson, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, Mendel Stromm, Flash Thompson, Allistair Smythe, Spider-Slayers, Miles Warren/Jackal

Newline
Blade

What I understand from the deals are that if the above companies do not do anything with the movie property after a few years, Marvel/Disney get the movie rights back.

After this movie, I forsee the movie right for Fantastic Four revert back to Marvel/Disney.

Back to the movie

They changed the origins

At least the origins I am familiar with. (Closer to the Fantastic Four (2005))

I know the comics had been reboot, so maybe their followed the newly reboot origins and have to add, it is NOT good.

The movie tried really REALLY hard to be cool and there lays the biggest probably, in trying so hard to BE cool, the opposite is was achieve.

After the accident that produced their powers, they were brought to Area 57 (Alaska?)

Again, not sure if this is in the new comics, after they got their powers, the military tried to weaponized them?... (How very American) *Sigh*

Oh, another troubling issue with the movie, you know you are in trouble when you "care" more bout the main bad guy Victor Von Doom / Dr. Doom (Toby Kebbell) then you do the main good guy Reed Richards (Miles Teller).

Again casting issue, Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm / The Thing??

Come on??!?

This is BAD!!

REALLY REALLY BAD!!

You have to see it to believe it...

My Two Sen

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015)

For mu original review, please goto:

Mov_freak's Mission Impossible 5 review

Having had the chance to watch it for the second time, addition observation

Please note I am being picky here!!

My Additional Two Sen

Ant-Man (2015)

After having a chance to re-watched this, I this it is one of this year's most fun movie (the other being Spy (2015)).

The right balance of comedy and action, shame that it did not perform well in the States, though at the end the movie did suggest more, maybe in Captain American Civil Wars... Hm...

If that it the only other appearance of Ant-Man, the American really don;t know a good thing when they see it (eg, now american flag waving in the wind, proudly... *Sigh*)

Mov_freak's Ant-Man Reviews

My Additional Two Sen

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)

I was quite entertained by The Maze Runner.

And I had a chance to watch the sequel to that today, and it is... surprisingly, blah...

It is strange, alot happened, and you as an audience, just don't become... invested.

What is even more puzzling, is you have to wait two year to see the conclusion.

Disappointing....

My Two Sen.

It is three different books. We should be grateful they are not making the ending into two separate movies...

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) (Extended Edition)

As bloated as the thilogy are, the makers of this series feels that there is an appetite for an even longer version of this!!

To read my original review, please goto:

Mov_freak's Hobbit The Battle of Five Armies Review

So is it worth putting your tushie through 2:44 minutes of a couch/chair to watch this??

You have to ask yourself, are you a true fan???

I for one thought that the Battle of Five Armies sequence is better flesh out.

All of the 12 dwarves (as per coined by J.R.R. Tolkien) get their hero moments.

The scene where all twelve dwarves rushed to Raven Top was quite spectacular!!!

If you are a fan and/or a completist (I am guilty of both counts) you will watch this.

My Additional Two Sen.

Or hobbit 1,2 & 3

Or Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow 1 and 2...

And don't get me started about Twilight...

Baahubali: The Beginning (2015)

Well, I am not Tamil/Hindi Film connoisseur, and have to add, this is... a fun movie.

Having NOT watch to many Tamil/Hindi movie, I am not familiar with their beats, and the "surprises" were entertaining!!

Anushka Shetty is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.

The CGI effects are good.

Note that this is a two parter, so if you (like me) want to know the ending... you have to wait until next year!

Being the most expensive Tamil/Hindi movie, well... it shows.

If you are like me, not familiar to Tamil/Hindi movie, this is an interesting change of cup of tea!!

For those who are familiar with Tamil/Hindi movie, well, chances are you have already seen this!!

Erm..., like everyone, I only have 24 hours a day... Will look out more fore future Hindi/Tamil/Telugu movies in the future.

You are correct. Thank you for pointing that out.

My Fair Lady (1964)

The 60s is probably the last decade that Hollywood is able to produce good "period" movies.

What I mean if this movie is made today, however expensive the costume and set pieces are, there would definitely a noticeable "fakeness" to the movie.

My opinion.

For those who did not know, this movie was based on a successful Broadway show.

In the Broadway version, Rex Harrison plays Professor Higgins and Julie Andrews, Ms Eliza Doolittle.

In the movie, Audrey Hepburn was cast as Ms Eliza Doolittle.

Julie Andrews supposedly "threw a few tantrums" but then, she got the Mary Poppins role instead, and she won best Actress for THAT role!! (in the same year)

So, what is this movie about?

Ms Eliza Doolittle is a poor street side flower girl. One rainy night, she had a chance encounter with Professor Higgins, who publicly humiliate her had announce that if he has 6 months with her, he could teach her the Queens English so well, that he can bring her to the Embassy Ball and pass her off as a Duchess!

On hearing this, Ms Eliza Doolittle, visited the professor in the morning, asking to be a student of his, to improve her spoken language. A house guest of Professor Higgins, an old Colonel Hugh Pickering, intrigue by the prospect, offered to pay for her lesson!

So bring on the montage of the lessons and... do you think she can do it (eg pass as a Duchess at the Embassy Ball)

Highlight


If that kind of language shocked the "polite" society back then, I wonder when modern English in an TV Series nowadays would do the the said "polite society"!!!

Give it a try, why don't you.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Dec 14 2015, 08:02 PM

Pan (2015)

One of last year's biggest bomb (for Warner)

Which is a shame. The production value of this movie is pretty good (150 Million).

I pity Levi Miller (Pan) because so much of the 150 Million rest upon his tiny shoulders

I also pity Garrett Hedlund. he has been in Four Brothers, Troy and Tron: Legacy and none of them are a breakout for him!!

Going back to Pan, it is obvious that nothing about this movie was taken for granted.

In actual fact, this movie should have been a real money maker for Warner.

Actors are decent. Story is passable and nothing was wrong with production (costumes, sets and C.G.I.).

It is my opinion that the subject matter, Pan is the issue.

With Harry Potter books all done (with the exception of Magical Beast), I supposed Warner wanted in on the Fantasy bandwagon (which they spearheaded with Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings). I really cannot fault them for doing this.

And have to add, I would not have chosen Pan as a subject matter.

I just never "got" it. Even with Disney's Animation...

Even Spielberg's Hook (with Robin Williams as Pan, and Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell) was opened to mixed reviews. Hook actually made money. Not sure if this would.

Which is a shame, because they did so many things right.

As always

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jan 25 2016, 12:29 AM

The Last Witch Hunter (2015)

Hello, kiddies!!!

How are you?

Okay, let's point out the elephant in the room straight out of the bat!

The critics HATED this movie.

Most people here HATED this movie...

Me?

Not so much.

Vin Diesel will not be receiving any Academy Awards soon for Best Actor. I admit that. Ever single role he is in, he is Vin Diesel. Gary Oldman and Alan Rickman, he is not.

Having said that, overall, I think this is a much better movie compared to Nicholas Cage's, The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)!!

I am however surprise to hear, from his own mouth that he is a Dungeon and Dragon's (the game) fan!!?!

I kinda like how the flesh out the "witches" world.

Also, how magic is more "organic" in nature.

This is a good movie to spend a lazy Saturday/Sunday afternoon with.

My Two Sen.

The Untouchables (1987)

Not sure if there are self profess movie lovers who had not watched this! (Well, to be honest, I still have not got around the God Father trilogy... Don't ask)

Let me state it very simply, there are four reasons why you watch this movie, namely,

1) Brian De Palma
2) Kevin Costner
3) Sean Connery
4) Robert De Niro

Oh, one more thing, the HD transfer for this movie is pretty good.

The film to HD transfer looks VERY organic, compared with the digital camera to HD movies we get nowadays...

I cannot recommend this more, if you have not watched it, or have not watched it in HD

Enjoy

My Two Sen

Goosebumps (2015)

I have already reviewed this.

Mov_Freak's original Goosebumps review

What I want to emphasis here is, THIS IS A GOOD CLEAN FUN MOVIE!!

Want some family oriented movie?

Look no further!!

My additional Two Sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Feb 7 2016, 07:27 PM

Mr. Holmes (2015)

Before you ask, there is no Robert Downey Jr, no Benedict Cumberbatch and not even Jonny Lee Miller (Elementary).

Ian McKelly takes on the titular role.

This is a BBC production about the famous detective, and gives us a "strip" down version of the character, in his twilight.

It is gorgeously produced, well acted, cleverly written, melancholy, humorous and a fantastic movie really (drama, so be warned).

The movie is told from three distinctive storylines.

I was even surprised to find an Easter Egg in this Nicholas Rowe (Young Sherlock Holmes (1985)) appearing at Basil Rathbone in an old Sherlock Holmes movies... Confused? Watch the movie.

If you like drama, give this a go.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 20 2016, 08:25 AM

The Hateful Eight (2015)

Believe it or not, I slept on this for two nights before writing this review.

The reason being, I have absolutely NO IDEA how to write this review.

Let me tell you why..

Two words.

Quentin Tarantino.

I really do not know what to make of him!!

I have watched most of his stuff, and I still do not know what to make of him.

He is a skilled director, and have to add, he there is a "sadistic" streak to him.

The Good

He makes movies which challenges his viewers.

The Bad

He makes movies which challenges his viewers through VIOLENCE!!! (I can imagine his sadistic glee look on his face directing the violence... kidda like a spoiled rich brat walking into a candy store knowing he is getting EVERYTHING his wants...)

The Ugly

THE VIOLENCE in his movies!!!! (In short, I am thoroughly challenged)

Watched this on a Sunday evening.

It is probably one of the most violent movies I have every seen.

To top it off, you cannot fault Quentin for his title. He does exactly what his title suggest.

Most characters in the movie are NOT NICE people. They are down right "hateful". Even the hero (or anti hero) Major Marquis Warren (played by Samuel L. Jackson), is down right nasty.

All 8 main characters have absolutely NO REDEEMING features, which is an issue to me...

There is a lot of shock violence in this movie.

Watch it if you enjoy the genre or of you are a Quentin fan.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Mar 22 2016, 04:00 PM