double post...

This post has been edited by 6so: Jan 12 2020, 09:29 AM

Think the writers did a very good job of condensing the last few New 52 of JL's arc. Granted they are footnotes of meatier materials. Batman acquiring the Morbius chair differently but quite effective in its usage as plot mechanic. The really smart thing they did is the plot driven by second tier character like Constantine and Dark Raven. It frees up preconceived expectations if the storyline being shepherd by the expected trinity heroes. It allows them to go crazy with the dark undertones as you are seeing it from a more conflicting circumstances.

Suppose the next crops of animation will be based on DC Rebirth timeline. Will they accumulate to the Watchmen Vs JL? Watching Dr. Manhattan took down the entire JL is an epic eye candy proposition.

As wide releases pretty much cancel for the most part of this pandemic. Hearing or finding a good movie will be mostly in the streaming space. Palm Springs easily the best movie you never heard of. A new spin on the Groundhog Day formula that are smart and full of heart. Great chemistry of the two leads will keep you engaged and enough newer ideas on the infinite day loop that keep this flick fresh. This will put a smile on you.

Antebellum
This is not that Oscars bait drama but a thriller in every contemporary sense. There's a big twist to the "12 Years of Slave" set-up. It all depends on how much you would buy into that big revelation. It's ok for what it sets out to accomplish with enough momentum to keep watching until the end. It's not the worst thing out there.

As satisfying as it is to see Borat exposing the hypocrisy of American republicunts, this sequel lost the shine of holy shit factor of the first one. The skits came across more staged to me but it's a fact that the present time reality simply doesn't allow the freedom of anonymity for Sacha. This time around there's a stronger emphasis with narrative purpose where a considerable time spent on establishing Borat's daughter. Once the set-up done, the film picks up the pace to dish out the prank. The actress playing the daughter is the MVP as Sacha took a back seat in fronting the prank. Of course the best is save for the last prank that landed Comrade Giuliani all over the news. For me it's not as good as the first one but turning the table on the deplorable is such a welcome sight.

Cronenberg fans, don't skip on this hidden gem. It's a throwback to the time when David Cronenberg still does his peculiar sci-fi thriller. High concept with healthy dose of screen violence. The premise is an assassin organisation can possess an intended target to carry out murder. The catch is you can risk losing memories or identity when you took possession of the stranger body. Hence you have those nightmarish and trippy visual cues when things start to goes south. Brandon Cronenberg is a fitting heir to his father's legacy. Suppose the apple doesn't fall away from the tree.

Don't trust any statistics coming out from PRC. It's never 100% accurate as the CCP can dictates what's the final figure gonna be. I don't know just stop paying attention to what comes out of mainland. Just couldn't bring myself to watch their propaganda bullshit movies anymore. Even PRC market rose to be number one globally, it does not elevate the quality of movies with their narrow minded censorship. So it's meaningless to celebrate how well PRC is doing.

US tanking market has everything to do with the sheer incompetence of Trump's handling of the covid situation. Then again the European side currently in the midst of 2nd wave outbreak which basically isolated the entire western countries box office takings. Don't think the market will go back to normalcy by next year and a lot has to do with how soon can the US market stabilise. The big 3 should be ok, WB, Disney, Universal as they have bigger corporations backing or sitting on mountains of cash. Also republicunts given record breaking tax cuts to corporation pre-election on top of 15b us cinemas rescue package.So in the short term the Hollywood still can endure but at the end hinges on when can the market opens up.

For me who on and off in HK, we are sensitive to the shenanigans of PRC. CCP control of any form of media narrative is absolute. Censorship need not just apply to just what you've seen literally but extended to authorship as well. Friend told me they've shot multiple version of risque scenes or topics in case the censorship board decide to "comment" on your application. Those are stifling creative roadblocks you have to face when you are in bed with the CCP.

If you're disappointed with WW84, watch this instead. Not saying this is the best action flick ever just that I had a better time with this movie than with the Amazon princess. Things are moving and you have sense and purpose of plot progress. Also this is a better role for Chloe Grace Moretz in recent memories. The action is more than serviceable and quite fun to watch.

Never got around watching this when it came out. To my surprise it's a solid Guy Ritchie movie. It harkens back to his Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The complex intertwining plotlines actually click with compelling characters to follow. Totally in love with Colin Farrell's The Coach character, the ice cold bitch portrayal by Michelle Dockery and more importantly the slimy weasel acting by Hugh Grant. Very fun to watch.

Promising Young Woman - This movie has that Killing Eve vibe, seamless tonal shift between dark and comedic. Carey Mulligan is superb as she can switch effortlessly from a sociopathic hellbent on revenge to a woman fallen in love at the drop of a hat. How she went about scheming her vengeance in a narcissistic way that's very enjoyable to watch. Also twist after another twist. Recommended.

The Little Things - Promising premise but ultimately frustrating. It tries to move away from your standard ending of hero cops solving the murder mystery I appreciate it went for a new path in how to ends the story. The meticulous set-up let down but irrational turn of events in the third act. Ok with the finale twist but not impressed with how it reach that conclusion.

Wolfwalkers - No doubt with this release, Cartoon Saloon has joined the ranks of Aardman and Laika as great animation studios outside of the conventional Disney-esque wannabes. Gorgeously animated with good story progressions. It shares some thematic similarities to Hosada's Wolf Children but not the heavy emotional weight. This comes off more whimsical and playful. Love the voice acting as well. Great watch!

Judas and the Black Messiah - The most promising Oscar bait this year. It's a familiar tale of betrayal but anchored with solid performances and filmmaking. It doesn't rely on over explaining over events and had trust in audience to piece things together. Lakeith Stanfield and David Kaluuya proves why they are the most dynamic actors in Hollywood right now. You will feel the rage when the film credits rolls. This is a grittier attempt at social justice than Sorkin's The Trial of the Chicago 7.

Nobody - Falling Down + John Wick
Thank God David Leitch didn't direct this. The honour went to Ilya Naishuller, who brought us the inventive Hardcore Henry few years back. To my surprise this is not a bombastic movie. It's a delicate balance of strong character drama, action and humor. It has sensibility of Better Call Saul instead of John Wick. Great pacing and it doesn't linger on meaningless subplot. Straightforward A to B with awesome action set pieces in between. Odenkirk is freaking awesome when he dishes out the pain as he falls deeper into the rabbit hole. He spent 2 years to master the stunts so it's really worth experiencing all the glory of it. He literally cancels Liam Neeson as unsuspected action star.

Mortal Kombat - Don't have the motivation to watch this in cinema when it's out couple of weeks back. It's exactly what you have expected, thrashy and B-movie-esque like the original. It has it's own charm although terrible script and acting. Only Joe Taslim and Hiroyuki Sarada brought their A-game. The rest as if they are acting in an episode of Power Rangers of over reacting and overly staged fight choreography. Only the first and last fight engaging. The middle portion very lackluster. It's ok for a guilty pleasure watch.

Justice Society : World War 2 - Wholesome superhero adventure.
The premise is modern day Barry Allen accidentally travel back in time to WW2. There he is rope into an adventure of meeting JSA and figuring how to get back to modern time. The charm is the action adventure plotlines of stopping Nazi dominance and some mystical artifacts hunting. Kinda like Raiders of the Lost Ark but with DC superheroes. Solid watch.

I freaking love this movie. Remember Johnnie To's early 2000s movies like Sparrow, PTU, etc...that has random genre bending quality to his gritty action thrillers. Don't go in thinking this is your generic Taken or John Wick knockoffs, it's a dramedy in the vein of Mads Mikkelsen's Another Round with gritty violence weaving into it. Ultimately it's about connecting a group of middle age strangers to heal from traumatic events. One moment you see Mads a badass killing thugs but switch to dry comedic tone out of nowhere then to cathartic character development. Great acting through and through with a very unique perspective on the messaging. A very refreshing film that not afraid to take risky narrative choices.

New Order - The one movie you bragged about having to sit through it.
Mind you this is not as X-rated as the infamous certain "Serbian" movie but it's as challenging and disturbing nonetheless.This has a prestige art house veneer but the unflinching violence caused by a lawless society really opens your eyes. It's well made and the violence not actually gratuitous but packs a punch to the core of your soul. You will question what's good left in humanity? Don't mistake this as torture porn but a more morbid film than Requiem of a Dream that destroys your soul.

Wrath of Man - Ok for what it is.
It has the same stylish Guy Ritchie touch but the storyline mystery easily deciphered. It also has grounded tone than your usual Brit humor that Ritchie known for. Great casting in a rather gimmicky jumping around timelines. If you want a no nonsense Jason Statham action movie, this will check the box but nothing more.