Nightmare Alley - it's beautifully put together and a forgotten genre just like Crimson Peak. Don't think this will capture the crowd's attention as the storyline is something already played out over and over in other films. Performance of the cast is above average but ultimately not enough to make this a standout. The core message is when you start to believe in lies you tell, there's a price to pay. It's from him picking a mentalist skill where he con his way up to high society. His hubris and greed just got him deeper into spinning bigger lies until unmitigated tragedy came looking. He lost everything and became the one thing that he despised.

The Batman (2022)

If you had told me in 1997 that this movie would exist in 2022, after I had watch Batman and Robin, I would have thought you are pulling my leg.

These two movies are night and day.

I actually heard there are fans of Batman and Robin and they are not wrong.

That movie was target at very specific audience (kids) and this movie, well for lovers of good cinema.

For some odd reason there were resistance to this movie before it was release.

Robert Pattinson casting was controversial. Criticism about his previous works. About his work attics. About troubles in set etc.

I will add this, from the first frame Batman enters the movie, I was sold.

His entrance is AMAZING.

There are elements of Batman The Long Halloween here.

The transition from comic to film is very flesh out. I mean LITERALLY!!

The production value of this movie is off the charts

The casting is first rate. The Penguin is fantastic. Colin Farrell is unrecognizable and IS The Penguin. Jeffrey Wright is GREAT as Captain Gordon.

Many people forgets that Batman started in Detective Comics.

It was Crime Noir

This movie does not forget and the whole movies is solving a mystery... A mystery called The Riddler!

I am not sure this movie is for everyone.

This is different from Nolan's and Christian's works.

This is a THINKING movie.

I for one is appreciative.

My Two Sen

Saw this on my wife's china streaming box, thought you have seen it all and it's time to move on from this bullshit. Guess I'm not prepared to admit how much I enjoyed this low hanging fruit of comedy. Can't stop laughing and marveling at these middle aged idiots still going strong with their shenanigans. Just a little warning, it has more full frontal and gross out pranks. Not for the easily offended. The new generation of jackass equally watchable but the OG gang gets the most laugh out of you. The sizzle reel at end credit not to be missed. Shut off your brain and just have a good laugh out time.

Morbius (2022)

Remember in 1999 while you were watching The Matric and bullet time happened and you went, uhhhhh..... ahhhhhh.....

For some odd reason The Matrix Resurrections (2021) totally forgot waht made the 1999 The Matrix great... Great story and great effects

I thought I would have a terrible time at the movies with this film.

Well, the patrons behind me thought that they have the right to kick and put their legs up on the chairs in front of them, as they please...

Back to the movie... it is decent.

The first two act were actually very well done.

The why and why nots of the lead were well fleshed out.

There are scenes in the trailer that was not used....

The visual effects were a supped up bullet time and they are glorious!

Why the heck did The Matrix Resurrections (2021) forget this, I was never figure out.

Where this movie flatter is the last act...


I mostly enjoyed this.

I could do with people shaking my seat less and not see someone shoe near my head  and have to add, that is life, you don't always get what you want.

My Two Sen

P.S. There are two short scene at the end but not the end end (eg after ALL the endcredits... Hope this make sense.

The Lost City (2022)

Ahhh...

Sandra.

It has been awhile.

Hollywood used to make this kind of movies and then they decided to be woke.

In the age of Woke

We have Rebel Wilson, Melissa McCathy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones etc

The difference between their comedic work and Sandra Bullock comedic work is... Sandra's roles are never funny because her character is stupid....

There is a difference.

This movie is NOT new.

It has been done before.

From Remington Steel to Romancing the Stone, it's a nice.... update.

Overall, the movie is entertaining.

The chemistry between Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock is more potent compared with the chemistry Channing Tatum and Sandra Bullock.... But alas


The unfortunate thing about the movie is most of the best bits have been used in the trailer already so....

If you like a date night and want a movie with nothing heavy (storyline wise) this is the exact movie you want to go to

There was a weird censor in the movie.  There was a scene where Sandra is in a hotel room and she is drinking from a glass bottle, the bottle is blurred (beer?). Can anyone confirm my observation? Seriously, a blurred beer bottle??? 

With that

My Two Sen

The directorial duo behind Swiss Army Man returned. To my surprise this high concept comedy works really well. Throw out the shitty MCU multiverse concept out of your tiny brain, it just merely a narrative means to tell a very emotional fulfilling story. It has better action scenes than Shang Chi and none of the cringe attempts at comedy from MCU. The idea is to stop a multiverse god from killing Michelle Yeoh as she able to access memories of her parallel universe self. It's up to her to figure out how to stop her own demise. This movie's first 20 mins has the best first arc pacing I've ever seen. Highly recommended. FYI, Michelle Yeoh's onscreen husband is the vietnamese boy from Indiana Jones Temple of Doom.

I watched so many of the cast & directors interviews before watching the movie ... don't do that, kinda 'spoilt' the expectation a bit; but I thought I wasn't watching any reviews with spoilers (or even non-spoiler reviews); what to do, was so eager

Too bad so limited shows in local cinemas ... and not much support.  I was the only one in the hall (around 1 week after release) ... but it's okay, I could ugly-sob as much as I want. 

Here's one interview that's a bit more informative about Ke Huy Quan (which he didn't really touch in other cast interviews)

sigh.. I miss out everything everywhere... was bz prior to Hari Raya... only manage to catch dr weird

im sorry Michelle, really wanted to support you

bulurei version out already?

Give it few more weeks or so then it should hit VOD, not sure which popular streaming sites yet cause no announcement. They capitalize on theater runs more than streaming. MUBI is not available in Asia, it's the Criterion-esque streaming service where all the independent movies go.

WB 45 days while others around 75 days. DVD era is 90 days. Theater owners will make noise if they shorten that release window. Also some movies will do VOD before streaming.

Let's settle the misconception, yes William Shakespeare rip-off Amleth to be Hamlet. The production design is very grimy and makes the Vikings Valhalla looks like a Disney show. Also rare to see they actually include slavery an integral part to the storyline. Don't go in expecting Gladiator or Braveheart, it has slower pacing and felt more like a Shakespeare movie. Artsy imagery and slow burning characterization minus the fancy Shakespearean english. The supernatural visuals very impressive to watch, can't help it there's a Valkyrie sequence highly reminiscent of Elden Ring. When all is said and done, still a good watch for me. We already have The Batman, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and now this. Also Top Gun Maverick is getting very good review. Pretty good year for cinephiles.

Just found out, they initially wanted Jackie Chan. Thank god it didn't come true. Otherwise my enjoyment of the film severely unsatisfactory. I know a lot of fans still regard him a cinema hero. Not a fan of him ever since he became a CCP mouthpiece.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.gq.com/sto...e-a-hit-a24/amp
Everything Everywhere All At Once outperform gross expectations in US. It has strong legs. Don't think it will join 100 million club but for an A24 film, that's really impressive.

It was already a perfect cast, I feel if they added "another super famous" actor like Jackie Chan it would take some light away from Michelle Yeoh (no offence to Jackie Chan fans).

Btw, possibly an easter egg, the multiverse sequence of Evelyn:

Haha i think Mic Yeoh is more full package actor today than JC come think about it

Michelle Yeoh is having a second wind in Hollywood. She got quite a few projects waiting to be released. JC basically Persona Non Grata in HK. No one will watch his movie after he decide to be CCP mouthpiece and his inhumane treatment of his daughter.

Watched quite a number of films here and there; just gonna mention a few noteworthy ones.

Max Max: Fury Road (2015)

Review: no doubt, double thumbs up to the film. Fast paced, furious, unexpected with small twist of humor.

9/10

Everything, Everywhere All At Once (2022)

Review: Utterly enjoyable although you'll be puzzled by some of the weirdness they've got for you. But think again, and you'll find some link to the 'craziness' (or just Google for explanation of the film). It's not linked to Marvel but their concept of multiverse is just as interesting.

8.5/10

Midsommar (2019)

Review: Horror film in a disturbing manner that's unlike the "traditional" kind of horror you'll expect. Love the story and some of the dark humor, symbolism and plot twists.

8.5/10

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FOREIGN & ASIAN FILMS

Major Grom: Plague Doctor (2021)
Language: Russian

Review: I watch all kinds of film - including foreign films and this is one of my personal favourite. Unexpectedly witty with some good action, it's worthy of your time & attention.

8/10

White God (2014)
Language: German

Review: Sad, upsetting and leaves you to question humanity. Yet at the same time it reminds you to be kind and compassionate to animals (namely dogs in this case).

It was very well filmed and everything about the tone & colors totally matches the mood.

8.5/10

The Yin Yang Master: Dream of Eternity (2020)
Language: Chinese

Review: The CG, sound system & imageries are excellent. While the story/ plot moves a little slower than expected, you'll realize it's needed for the surprises ahead. After you've seen it, my suggestion is to re-watch it again and you'll go "Ahhh so that's why!" at some of the minute details/ signs they insert into the film which you may ignore early on.

8/10

Escape from Mogadishu (2021)
Language: Korean

Review: Exciting and entertaining, this film showed how two 'enemies' had to work together to get out of a life threatening situation. You'll see some emotionally gripping moments and action in this film; definitely worth watching.

8/10

The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018)
Language: Korean

Review: Another intriguing film but this is certainly for people who prefers something sinister/ dark. The action, gore and plot twist is enough to keep you glued to your seat. Can't wait for the sequel, which is supposed to be out this year!

8.5/10