Tolkien (2019)

Does ever film need to me a Michael Bay movie?

No.

Interestingly, has anyone seen a Michael Bay movie recently?

Definitely no for me.

This movie blindsided me.

It has a modest budget (20 million) and did not do much at the US box office (7 million).

Being a movie English production, I am not surprise.

It is very... what is that word I am looking for... lyrical, but in a image sense... I am not sure I am getting this through.

This movie attempts to tell the life story of J. R. R. Tolkien.

From his childhood, early tragedies, to him and his brother having to grown up very quickly, leaving everything they know and then having to live at a boarding house.

He and his brother were put under the care of a catholic priest and can only go to university if they get a scholarship.

It is a slow moving movie.

It tells his live through his fellowship of T.C.B.S. (Tea Club and Barrovian Society) and how the later stories that he would write is inspired by his life (friends, school, War World I)

I thought this was beautifully cast, written and directed.

The box office suggest otherwise.

C'est La Vie

My Two Sen

Who would have thunk, we both agree on Death Proof.

Will wait for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood on home media. Thank you very much for the headsup.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Aug 21 2019, 10:28 AM

I, waiting for home media...

I did like Hateful 8

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Sep 2 2019, 02:18 PM

It Chapter Two (2019)

It is no secret, I liked the 2017 IT.

Casting, Sets and direction were spot on!

So, how does the second one fare?

Well, casting is great. Apart from Bill (James McAvoy), the other adult casts do look like their younger counterpart.

James Ransone really capture his younger counterpart mannerism. Kudos

The direction and cinematography started great. Shots were well planned and followed on well with what was done in the first movie.

Story-wise... it suffers a little.

And I blame the source material.

This movie suffers the same issue I had with the book.

The cutting back and forth between the past and present, made the flow of the movie a little clunky at times.

I am also not sure if they shot the kids bits during the first episode, because they look the same as when they were in the first movie (eg. kids grow up so quickly)

I did guess Richie Tozier's secret and I have to admit, I got the subject wrong.... Am I making sense?

So, overall, great movie.

Would have been better if there are more scary.

As per usual, the above is my two sen.

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Sep 7 2019, 09:52 AM

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)

I LOVE THIS MOVIE TO BITS!!

Here is why

1) Guillermo del Toro wrote some of the screenplay (YEAH!!!)

2) Director, André Øvredal did a really good job.

3) In the first 5 minutes, most of the main characters were introduced in one shot. Masterful

4) With a budget of USD 25,000,000 (pittance, by Hollywood standard) they managed to do alot. Nothing about this movie, feels "cheap"

5) The cast is GREAT.

6) Main story is very involving!!

7) Sets are really convincing (Story takes place in the 60s... Set designer Patricia Larman did good).

What gave me the "huh"????

Gil Bellows is reduced to playing... Chief Turner??!

Why so little back story for the short stories?? Don't get me wrong, they are spooky (one FREAKED me out, SO BAD!!). I just think they would be more impact-ful, if there were a little more back story to them. Okay they have a dash of familiarity about them and then you go, "did THAT just happened"?

Also I am not sure if this is the intention
All in all, one of my favorite horror movie for 2019.

Are you planning to watch it, if you do, please leave a comment

Above is just, My Two Sen.

Ne Zha (2019)

An absolute joy.

This is an absolutely beautiful job.

I have been critical of Chinese Production.

My criticism had been, China has a VERY rich story material (Myth/Folklore) and they have not been very successful in adapting the said material for modern cinema.

I have always felt that the reason this was so, is because they tried to hard, to do thing like the west do (eg too influence by Western cinema, that they tried to be very western).

I've always felt that if they made the said material, to movies they like to see for themselves, this would improve.

This movie is VERY Chinese, and is adapted from Chinese Myth.

Yes, alot of artistic license had been taken (in term of the source material) and looking at the end result, I think that this daring-ness from a script point of view, work and the end result is a absolutely a great animation to behold.

This is the first Chinese Animation I had watch in the cinema (well, I lie, I have seen Chinese hand-drawn animation before, but will not reveal which, because I would be at danger of revealing my age...)

So, I can quite confidently say this is the first CGI Chinese animation I have watched at the cinema.

And I am sure glad I did.

They got the script right.

The got the voice talents right.

Animation is very well done.

Based on what I have seen, there seems to be a setup for part 2, and I am all for THAT, if they can maintain this level of quality.

Kudos to

Coco Cartoon (as Horgos Kekedou Cartoon)
Horgos Coloroom Pictures (co-presented by) (as Horgos Coloroom Pictures Co., Ltd.)
October Media (co-presented by) (as Horgos Shiyue Wenhua Chuanmei)

Keep this up.

I can honestly say that I actually enjoy this much better then the first Kung Fu Panda.

I kid you not

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Sep 30 2019, 09:12 AM

The Joker (2019)



I know, it is strange, to do a excerpt from Wikipedia to describe a movie, and for the life of me, it is the best way, I can think of, to, describe this movie...

I am not sure, if Warner Bros know what they have, here, in this movie.

This is 2019's A Clockwork Orange (1971). It is THAT definitive...

It is Dark.

It is Intense.

This is a far cry Joker, compared with what Jared Leto's attempt at the role.

There is NOTHING comic book about this.

Joaquin Phoenix, not quite sure how to state this, of you know the song, Everybody Hurts, you will know what I mean.

He has known pain and suffering in his life. I am NOT a Joaquin Phoenix expert, and have to add, I do know what he was with River Phoenix when he O.D. and died. Maybe that is what he was channeling when he took on this role.

It is breathtaking...

There are so many maybes in this movie
This is a really excellent and difficult movie to sit through, it is THAT dark.

It is almost unfathomable that the director of The Hangover (2009) did this. It further proves that humor and horror do have similar beats..

The cherry on top, Robert De Niro.

This movie, you need to experience for yourself.

I humble submit to you, my two sen.

Gemini Man (2019)

Supposedly, this movie had been in development hell for a loooooog time.

And as far as I am concern, it should have stayed there.

It is shocking to see Ang Lee and Will Smith being associated to this "clunker".

Will Smith seems to have running issue with Asian descend directors (After Earth anyone?)

I watched this in a normal cinema, so cannot comment about the HFR 3D viewing experience (is there any cinema doing that in Malaysia?)

Tough even in the normal cinema, some shots of young Will Smith range from very convincing to really off...

The script is really REALLY bad.

And have to add, that is absolutely amazing that director at the caliber of Ang Lee and actor Will Smith did not recognised that.

Not sure what else I can add to the above.

My Two Sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Oct 17 2019, 12:13 PM

Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)

So...

Imagine this.

You are standing in front of the cinema.

Holding your hard earn cash...

Your movies choices are Gemini Man and Terminator: Dark Fate.

Which should you choose....

My advise to you is, Terminator: Dark Fate.

Why?

Of the two, it is definitely, more involving, more entertaining, more action pack, and is directly connected with Terminator 1 & 2...

Is it PERFECT?

No.

And have to add, you WILL be entertained.

So, what are you waiting for?

My Two Sen.

(Eg. I cannot comment of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and the reason being, I have not watched it at this point in time.)

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Anybody here watched The Shining (1980)?

Just in case you are still unclear (like some of the members in the audience at the cinema with me who loudly proclaimed, "there was Doctor Sleep 1, ah...??? How come I don't know one!?!"), this is the sequel to The Shining (1980).

Many a people thinks that The Shining is one of Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece.

Not necessary Stephen King opinion, but alot of people think so.

Just before you ask, no, I have never read The Shining nor Doctor Sleep in their book form.

I have however also watched The Shining TV series, during the 90s, that is supposed to be closer to the book.

I have a funny feeling that this movie is closer to being a sequel to the movie, rather than the book.

And is it any good.

Kiddies, this is a DELICIOUS sequel.

They hired the right cast.

They hired the right script writer.

And the right director also delivered a great movie.

The Wachowski brothers stated that for your sequel to be good, you usually have to expend the universe it is in (I am para-phrasing), and boy did the creative team behind this movie, expanded The Shining universe.

Most sequels fall into giving you the same movie, only bigger.

This movie did not even attempt to emulate anything that was done in the first movie at all, and then only bring everything to full circle in the third act.

The result, as I had already stated, is DELICIOUS!!

The new characters are so intriguing!!

I ENJOYED this movie immensely!!

I was blindsided and mesmerised/enthralled by the story.

I only hope that it is SO successful, that Stephen King is paid enough money by his publishers to write an even more spectacular part 3.

Hey, one can wish right?

The above, is just, my two sen.

Thank you, I save money...

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

O.M.G.

Could it be?

Is it really.... a BIG budget family oriented movie...

That is not...

Disney?

Yes, kiddies.

They DO exist, not many, and have to add, they exist.

After the rather successful reboot of Jumanji, Sony went ahead with this, and it is decent

Story wise, first arc good, second arc, right at the middle, became convoluted and it was saved by the rather good third arc!!

Much is made of Danny DeVito in the movie, and have to say Dwayne Johnson probably spent some time with Danny to learn his mannerism, and it some what works.

Kudos to Kevin Hart, again, most of the show is being stolen by him.

The convoluted parts in the movie, I feel, maybe caused by the new characters... I don't like to name names... but having Awkwafina (I am not familiar with her work) as Ming here... kinda of cause, lacking a better word, awkwardness to the story...

Overall, very entertaining movie

Will there be more, well, the ending does suggest it, and in an old school way... Which is a good thing...

Like always, my two sen

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Dec 6 2019, 11:41 AM

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

What do I think of this?....

So So only...

Would it have been better if J.J. Abrams stayed on for the Episode 8?

Maybe

The main problem is that Episode 8 deviated too much from J.J. Abram's original ideas... it was difficult to tie all loose ends here, so this movie is a bit of a mix bag... Carrie Fisher dying, did not help matters I suppose...

The were actually two points in the movie I exclaimed W.T.F., I even surprised myself...

And the ending....

There was ONE surprise for me, and for a movie that supposedly cost USD 200 mill, that in itself is surprising.

The best way I can state Kylo Ren and Rey in this movie is to quote


So this movie is either going to bake Disney a Gazillion dollar (if every red blooded teenager and Star Wars die hard fan buys in, go watch it SEVERAL TIMES OVER) or end up this year BIGGEST BOMB.

My Two Sen

Alot of action, it is just that the storyline...does expect the audience to do a couple of leap pf faith, and I am not sure if every viewers would do so....

Spies in Disguise (2019)

I found myself with some time to kill today.

Hence a movie marathon.

By Blue Sky Studios (Ice Age anyone) and with the voice talents of Will Smith (Gemini Man groan), Tom Holland and first time directors, what can so wrong?

Well, not much.

The Tag line Super Spy means Will Smith... and Super Fly.... also means Will Smith??

Concept is fresh.

Voice talents casting are great.

I don't usually get into the politics of things, I am not sure if Blue Sky Studio's distribution contract is ending, with 20th Century Fox, now that Disney owns 20th Century Fox, if not, does that mean that Disney has a say in what Blue Sky can produce? Not a cheery thought.

Overall I like this movie alot.

The "play"/banter between Will Smith and Tom Holland character is good.

My one complain about this movie is... the third act.

Some parts go WAY ridiculous.

My Two Sen

Ip Man 4: The Finale 葉問4：完結篇 (2019)

So, like me just say, when they say final, it looks like this will be THE final... Unless he comes back in a Zombie Apocaplyse...

Again, I don't usually go into political point of view, and have to add, that is seems to me that the director Wilson Yip has something to say about the current state of American politic and racism

And also maybe the state of thing in H.K. at this point in time as well.

I also feel that there are some casting issues.

Scott Adkins comes across as... two dimensional and Vanness Wu character is so... forced...

The character I like is Wu Yue as Wan Zong Hua. The only 3 dimensional character I feel is in the movie.

Ip Man at the wrong place at the wrong time... not sure is sell as well anymore.

I did "enjoy" the movie (second movie is my movie marathon)

Just not my favorite Ip Man movie.

Mt Two Sen.

The Grudge (2020)

Honestly, I only have a vague memory of the original Japanese horror movie.

Alot of school girls, a little boy covered in "chalk" powder and emo eye makeup

Also, an invalid old Japanese lady...

That is it...

And, honestly, I wasn't looking to watch a movie today.

I found out that this was on, and rushed to the cinema to watch this.

I remember the trailer intrigued me, so I was in a darken movie theater, and watched the movie

I was interrupted twice by my own phone (I could have sworn I put in on silence).

This movie is a little "multiple personality".

In one hour, thirty four minutes, it tried to tell 4 stories, and it can get confusing...

To make matters worst, some character are in two of the stories....

Additionally, is it me or are guy characters in present day movies, get... the shower scene... (as depicted in the poster...)



I know what they tried to do.

There are not so much scary scenes, more of gore scenes.

And you know kinda when they appear...

Will it sell to horror fans...

Well, the branding would sell to most horror fan.

Did I enjoy this?

If the confusion of all the stories were better edited, maybe I would have been more entertained.

Or, maybe I am just a jaded old fart movie lover....

My Two Sen...

1917 (2019)

Anyone who reads my review on a regular basis, knows that I dislike war movies.

So why did I watched this?

Well, from what I had heard, it is good.

I love good movie.

So, I sucked it up, and went to watched this today and...

IT

IS

GREAT!!

Sam Mendes brought it.

Sam "heard" this from his paternal grandfather, and decided to make a movie about it.

And, if you had watched his James Bond movie, Spectre (2015), you are in for a treat.

He filmed this, like the whole movie is shot in ONE TAKE. (Well, I can actually count 4 cuts, let me know if you count more)

For him to achieve this, the technical know how is... mind boggling!?!

This is definitely one for the books.

So,,, Script is FANTASTIC.

Casting is GREAT.

Directing, is through the roof. As I had said, Sam brought IT.

Let know just elaborate on how much I like this movie.

The things I DISLIKE about WAR MOVIES, are ALL in THIS MOVIE.

And they are shot well.

Despite of THAT, I truly TRULY enjoyed this movie.

Do yourself a favour, go and watch this, before they remove it from the theater.

On that note, My Two Sen.

Underwater (2020)

Did a movie marathon today.

I don't think I can continue doing marathon in the future.

A spring chicken, I am definitely not.

Back to this movie.

I actually enjoy the first two act.

Very immersive.

The audience gets sucked in and is invested.

I was literally at the edge of my seat.

Then third act came along, it looks like the director seem only interesting is showing Kristen Stewart in her skives...



I am sure there is an audience for that.

I like the technology suggested in this movie (used technology).

Don't think they exist yet (a underwater suit that can withstand 8 tonnes a square inch)

And how they solved the "re-breather" issue and no mention of the bends...

Then again, it is just a movie.

My two sen.

Scared...

Was planning to watch Eddie Peng & Dante Lam's ~ The Rescue, but movie kena tarik....

This post has been edited by Mov_freak: Jan 29 2020, 02:42 PM