CAPTAIN AMERICA : CIVIL WAR (cinema)

Actually this is the 2nd thumbs baldy I am giving in my reviews. Read thru my belated reviews of the first 2 thumbs baldy review of movies seen seen. You may be surprised on which one was it

Happy Labor Day 1st May. Had the opportunity to see this movie at a nearby local cinema with family
Had a blast of time !!

REVIEW :
Now here is my review of my best Superhero of all time Captain America : Civil War. Surprising that the directors of this film (who also directed CA Winters Soldier) other previous track record was "You, me and Dupree". How far have they gone. I thought it would be hard for them to beat their previous works on CA Winter Soldiers, but they did it ... by a mile. There are the Russo brothers.

This is close or you may call it an Avengers movie as many super heroes are in it including new one like Black Panther or cross over one like Spidey and AntMan. Iron Man played an integral part in this one. Heard that Robert Downey Jr marketed that he need more air time (of course bigger paycheck) to be in this movie and he did.

The figthing scenes are fantastic yet believable. Before watching this, I thought CA reason to fight IM to defend Bucky was pretty lame. But thanks to good story telling and acting, it was not. You can feel the genuineness of  Cap and even Iron Man to believe what they believe in. The fighting are lightning fast but when they fought it really feels that they want to stop their opponent.

But when it comes to jokes part, it was actually funny. The new young Peter Parker was really the jokester of the movie thou his part was rather small. Whilst Black Panther was serious all the way and scarry too.

One thing I admire about the direction of this one is that Cap has its cap on even when it comes to the heavy dialogue part unlike when he was in the Avengers, there was always a way to loose his cap to expose his face. But not this one.

This is the way to make superhero movie which appeal to the kids and the adults. And when you got results like this you dont have to rethink your movie ratings in order to be succesful like Deadpool was. You dont see head smashed or blood splurting but still you enjoy this one and so did our kids.

This is a 2 hrs 36 mins movie, the longest in Marvel superheroes movies. But when it end, my wife was telling me that she didnt want it to end. And for me I did not sleep the previous night due to overslept the previous day yet I was wide awake enjoying the movie on Sunday Noon. That was how good it was. 

ZOOTOPIA

https://openload.co/f/-DH_jQFyOPA/Zootopia_2016_HD-TS_x264_AC3-CPG.mkv.mp4

REVIEWED
Saw this movie right after Gods Of Egypt at MBO, Brem Mall. Just a gap of 10mins enough for me to decide whether to see this (if I still got movie stamina). This one was at Theater No 9 while GOE at Theater 7. It was really a treat for me when watching GOE as I was the only one in the cinema. For Zootopia, I shared the movie with a family sitting 1 row in front of me. All 2 adults and their 4 small kids.
Thank you to MBO for treating 2 free movies every year for her member's birthday month. Of course the movie must be with a star (*) i.e when the movie is already "old" or about 2 weeks old. Thats OK for me.

I remember commenting that MBO cinemas audio is not good when watching London has Fallen. Well it seem that, Theater 5 (LHF) which we saw might have a sound defect or the technician forgot to turn on the bass ! As for both movies today, it was good (not very good). The visual of Zootopia was excellent as it was cartoon.

OK back to the movie Zootopia..
This movie has a "Buy on BlueRay" rating from Youtube movie critique Jermy Jahn Thats the highest of his rating whilst GOE got his "Dogshit", the worst one.

As for me my smiley - it could have been better. But nearly got the thumbs up.

What I like is about the diversfying animals and characters in this movie. Unlike we homosapien, its hard to diversify who we are as after all we are all human. The only diversification is the color of the skin or fat and thin and thats about it. But in Zootopia the diversification is immense every animal has its characterisitics and the creator had succesfully nailed it. And thats what make it interesting.

The story evolve on Judy Hoops a bunny female who became the first bunny cop. She befriended a Fox who was a swindler. It was this 2 who tried to solve a case which noone ever thought they could. The interesting part is through out this quest they met with other animals.

The main segregation of the animals is who are the predators (tiger, lion, fox, crocodile etc etc) and the preys (bunny, hen, giraffe etc etc).. So the story is about the problem of trust that started to develop between this two types due to some sabotage.

This movie is cute with very nice cartoons and even camera taking. Although it has a good plot maybe its not big enough to be carried as a movie. Maybe thats just me. Then I discovered why, as the movie was initially intended to emphasize on Fox rather than the bunny. But due to differing test audience response they redraw and made the bunny as main and Fox secondary. I am glad that they took this decision. Nevertheless, that made the movie kind of no fixed direction. If the story without the Fox (even as Secondary) and they make Judy Hoops the main character, though this is difficult, the movie would be better. No matter, Fox (Nick Wilde) is an interesting guy too but when he is with Judy, I think I lost the concentration on Judy. Its a children's movie, BTW. Who cares ! 

But that is OK only that it could have been better.
 

ALLEGIANT - cinema

REVIEWED
Got the chance to see this movie at a good theater of GSC in Tropicana City Mall yesterday with my son Adam. Why so ?

Well I manage to get 2 tickets free show from a relative and so there we were spending it for this movie. It could have Kung fu Panda 3 but then I had seen it, pity to my son for not seeing it, I decided to watch this one instead. I expected we could be both not enjoying it at all. But surprise, surprise.. it did not and it got even a thumbs up for my smiley. Even my son enjoyed it and he had no clue what this was all about as it is the 3rd segment of the Divergent series.

The plus point for this movie on this outing is that we saw it at a good theater GSC, the sound is first class when compared to TGV movies and superior tol MBO movies. The minus point to counter that was that I was wearing a below perfect vision spectacles due to my eye infection. So this should balance out each other to give a fair opinion of the movie, for me  :)

I know the movie reviews on it is not too promising. But who cares as they had been proven wrong from time to time. We are the one to enjoy not they. If they did not and we did, thats too bad. Same when its the other way round, we see movie based on their good opinion and we end up not enjoying. So whos to blame ?

Now let us get to the nitty grities of this movie.
I am not a craxy fan of the Divergent. Happened to saw them on download movies (thank god the good version ones). The previous one has Kate Winslet as the bad ass administrator and for this one you have Jeff Daniels as the bad ass Director. A different looking Niomi Watts was also in this one.

The able acting heroine Shailene Woodley was as always head the cast. Previous comments on her on this movie series that she tend to overact as thou to win an oscar (which she could but not in this movie series). Fortunately this one she did not which is good. If not, she would felt akward when compared to the rest of the cast.BTW, there was a scene where she was stripped naked bathing to clean off toxic gasses and sediments.

This movie is in the genre of Young adult film like The Hunger Games and Maze Runner and many more. What I like it better than the others even its predecesors, it has the techno part right and no overdressing or overacting like the yucky Hunger Games. The special effect is also good and the plot interesting. The pacing is all right and even through out the movie. You wont hear complaints that the film brought us to sleep in the first part but was ok in the 2nd part. The action was great too. So what is there to complain ?

The Whiplash/Fant4tic guy Miles Teller is in here and very effective.

For sure there will be the 4th instalment coming and JD remain alive and ready to avenge another day. 

So thats one good unexpected cinema movie that I saw.

BATMAN VS SUPERMAN - cinema 27th March 16

Batman : I am taller than you ! Superman: And fatter too !

Found a suitable date to watch this movie at the cinema which will be Sunday 270316 morning show TGV Jusco Kepong.Tickets to be booked. Reviews will follow soon afterwards

REVIEWED

This is a movie that everybody has been waiting for, 3 years including myself. So got the chance to see it at the cinema with family on a Sunday morning show as the tickets are cheaper.

Like I mentioned before when Man of Steel came out, you just cant compare a DC comic movie, at least the one directed by Zack Synder, with a Marvel comic book movie.

I saw many people got this wrong when small kids started to cry as they became restless because this movie is not meant for them to enjoy like they might thought with the Avengers. And I stand corrected again in this one. The direction in this movie is for Adults to enjoy if they understand and if they like the super heroes in the first place. If they expect a straight forward bash em up movie like The Avengers, then they are in the wrong cinema. The movie has that same form of direction  like other ZS's movies like Watchmen, Man of Steel, Sucker Punch, 300 to name a few. I dont think everybody like it like the kids who expect to be enjoyed or the parents who might not enjoyed with the kids they brought along. Then this disappointment bring about the complaints that it is not to their expectations.

Before wathcing this, I got the chance to read some reviews from other revieweres. True the film suffers because it was mend to be a platform to build on the Justice League and worse the decision to cut it to 2hrs 20 mins from the original 3 hrs had affected the story telling significantly. You can feel that its editing is too fast from one scene to another and failed in momentum building. But for the current length it was a drag to many and what if it was 3 hours, it might be a pain. People come to be entertain and not be acknowledge, I think that was the reason.

I can say that this is a Batman movie where Superman and Wonder woman are his guests. Its not a Superman movie with the others are his guests, like I initially thought. But in this one, Batman has been rebranded to the Ben Afflecks version. So I think thats what the director was trying to do. And that took quite a chunk of the movie.

Without Kryptonite, SM is league ahead of BM. He could have killed BM when they first accidently met but he didnt.

The action was very good but BM looks fatter still in the armoured suit. His BatJet and BatCar is also formidable. His fight without the suit was more real than Christian Bale's Batman.

The fights of the two was both made possible thorugh the mastermind of Lex Luthor. But that also brought the two super heroes understand one another. The hate that BM had for SM was real due to action beyond SM control.

There's a very big surprise at the end of the movie which follows what the comic book story plot. But dont worry theres plenty to come.

So thats the review. As for me, I enjoyed the parts where the fights are. As the rest of it I apprecitae for the initiative to create the tension between those two and thats bring down the excitability of the movie. But as I said this is a Zack Snyder Super Hero movie so dont expect a Josh Whedon's Avenger's will ya.

I hope I got to see the directors cut 3 hours version in the future in the form of BluRay.  

GODS OF EGYPT - Cinema

REVIEWED
This movie received huge critics on the internet. Being rated as "Dogshit", waste of time and plenty more. One critic headline says "Why did i go and see it?". Well are they refering to the same movie or did I watched a different one as I give a Thumbs up for it ! Well if the well known Youtube critic give a "Dogshit" for Transformers Age of Extinction, who give a damn when he gave this one too. Yet Zootopia was given a "BlueRay" which I will also reviewed after this one for I saw both of them on the same day.

Watching this film you know that a big part of it depend on how CGI was applied. If its good, then anything the producers create would be believable. If otherwise, it will really hurt the enjoyment. For this one, the SpecialEfx is good. Watching it on big screen you can decide if its good or bad. Example if you compare Transformers movie with a SyFy production movie, then you know what I meant.Its good as watching Gods fly in this movie is not funny but thrilling.

I also appreciate the fighting chereograph - its fun. I did commented that The Last Witchunter had good fighting chereography but the camera editing and capture was poor. Not this one. Its easy to understand the fluidity of the fights. Bravo !

Theres a few big stories to tell in this movie and in the end I was satisfied and I understood what they are. I can say that its closure is good even if the God King flew away for another mission (wont spoil that). The plot is good and it answers what one can do for love. One message from this movie that apply to real life or religous belief was that during this time you can go to heaven with gold and money but not after Horus became God King.  Which is after all what all Religions believe.

The chemistry between The one eyed God (Horus) and Bek the mortal is also good. They carry the meaning of friendship quite deep. Some jokes between them are funny.

My only complaint is the background music just like the last Witch Hunter, it was overly done. Every minute has music which makes the movie cheap. If they had avoided this then it would be better.

The cast is mostly unknown except of course for Gerard Butler who plays a bad god (Set), his father Ra who is an established English actor. Electra is in this one too as The Godess of Love. Quite different than on TV, pretier. Shes a mixed of French and Vietnamese. GB is really a bad God ass in this one.

So thats my review. Definitely require your time at the cinema to enjoy the extravaganza time of Egypt. Hear peoples view as 2nd opinion only not for this movie only but everything else. After experiencing it, decide how good or bad it is. Nothing is the same for every one.

Zootopia review up next.

GODS OF EGYPT & ZOOTOPIA - cinema

 

     Planning to see both in 1 day tomorrow  at Brem Mall Birth day courtesy from MBO. Will give review once done. Good copies of both still not online yet. GOE is hated by every reviewers online while Zootopia on the other hand has good ratings. I expect the unexpected thou.

LONDON HAS FALLEN - cinema viewing 16th March 16

REVIEWED

So the day at the movies finally came and I went to see it with my wife. As always I was skeptical watching movies at this particular movie outlet. And I was not wrong as the venue was a disappointment. Although the screen is good, sharp, I cant say the same for the audio system. I told my wife, our own home made audio system is better. Never have I got annoyed in watching a movie not because the movie is shitty but the venue is, or merely the audio is the culprit. Poor bass and maybe treble on the higher side. Thou the sound is loud and clear, for conversation, I cant say that its good for the sound effects.

Now lets talk about the movie - London has fallen.

Many reviewers like this film even JJ and CS said so. But still they said it cant beat its predecessor Olympus has fallen which I agree. Perhaps letting a US president let loose with his bodyguard in a deserted city of London is too big a task to take to entertain.

The special effects was a let down in the required places. I thought this will be the film strength when watching its trailer but its not. Some bombs scene was not real. The helicopter escaped too was cartoonish. Even the ripples and waves of  London river was below average to me. Film like "2012" or the recent "San Andreas" did this better even on a grander scale. Thou this was only some briefs moment, they still failed starkly.

This is another film of US supremacy against the terrorist. In the end we can predict who won and what it took to win. The Brits did play their part adequately to help the US. MI6 was in this in the form of a female Agent (sorry no Mr Bond here). And the SAS did help Mike Manning to save the president.

Lots of explosions and fire power. How I wish the sound was better !!! as it only hurts the ears.

But at the end of the movie when everything finally subside and you salute the hero who is Mike Manning aka Gerard Butler, you realized that that guy is actually a British disguising as an Agent in the Secret Service body guarding the President of the US. Ooops sorry that is real life this is actually a movie after all. 

Giving it the rating above and I am trying to count out in the physical disappointment of the cinema.

 

Found a suitable date to watch this movie at the cinema which is Wednesday 160316 night show MBO Brem Mall.Tickets to be booked. Reviews will follow soon afterwards

DEADPOOL (cinema)

Watching Tue 16 Feb 2016 (Date Amended)

Wait for our reviews then

REVIEWED

As this movie received many good reviews, I had to see it on the big screen. Even on the morning show, the theater was adequately filled even if this is a 18SX movie (no kids below 18). Perhaps today being Chap Goh Mei did help to bring in the crowds even if it had been showing from 5 Feb.

Yup I enjoyed watching this. Right from the opening credits, it was creatively done where a still picture made the backdrop and the titles were utterly "not the names" of the people involved. Background song some song from the 80's or was it 60's ?

Its story telling is kind of creative too. You can call it flashback but its like you spliced 2 scenes and joined them together. The 1st is the action one and the 2nd how Wade Wilson become DeadPool and his love story with his girl friend.

Known faces, of course Ryan Reynolds playing DP for the 2nd time but this time in a suit. I wonder if the story projected on the screen is similar to the comic books version, but its kindda of fun. I guess the character of DP being the talkative and naughty boy was splendidly and realistically done by RR. Even with the mask on (where it totally covers his eyes and mouth) you are tickled by the jokes. Quite funny where other super heroes need to loose their mask so they can bring the acting out - Captain America, Spider Man and many others. But not this one (he's not even a super hero, so to speak).

Now the girlfriend is played by Morena Becarrine. I thought she was someone younger after watching her in Homeland (the earlier series) as a mother of 2 and lately Gotham. Great choice and tango well with RR definitely.

The main bad guys are New Transporter and Haywire. Both did their part very well. In fact Ed Skrein (Ajax/Francis) was very different than the woody Transporter.

This movie was made on a $58mil budget, but it didnt feel like one... it feels like a bigger budgeted movie ! The action scenes are all tremendously done. The use of slo mo and stills are at the most creative level.

The power of the movie DeadPool lies with the writing. Some of the scripts are so funny that hearing them can make you giggle. There are so many references of real life in this movie. Imagine in a slo mo fighting scene you hear a a love song from the band Chicago ! IMDB also mentioned that RR had a hand in the writing too. BTW he is also one of the producer of this movie.

One question answered is that when a movie is shown locally in the cinema with an 18SX tag, would it be censorship free ? Sadly its not, thou some freeway is given for the "f*" word and other fowl language, noticed that the actions are compromised. One very clear example is when DP shoot one bullet and that smashed 3 heads (as in the trailer). Well that didnt reach our shore. Until a Blue Ray version is watched then we can spot what scenes are remove from the local cinema version.

Fantastic movie this one. If it is the best Marvel movie.. Yup if you are looking at it from a comedy point of view. But its high up on my list of best Marvel movies, comedy et all.

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA - Cinema - Now available

 

REVIEWED
Saw this movie at Jusco Kepong with son Adam. Thought of seeing Point Break but that had the 18 tag. Anyway this is not a bad choice as Ron Howard directs and Chris (UnThor) Hemsworth acted. Reviews were good so it should not be a bad choice al beit the absence of gadgetry in the movies.
As reported in this blog, I managed to watched a documentary on the writer of Moby Dick novel which this movie was loosely based on. Why loosely as it was not actually based on the novel Moby Dick but another novel relating to that novel. As in the documentary what happened in this movie was true where they were on boats in the sea for 90 days etc. But whether basing on the characters of Owen and the captain that I am not sure. But only some of them were rescued in the end and they do resort to cannibalism just to stay alive.
The movie is not actually boring as expected when you have movie about our past. The whales look real and Moby Dick can be scarry. Acting as mentioned in the reviews were good which I agree. But as a director Mr RH do look at different ways to capture common scenes to bring it up todate which works. Thanks to the documentary how they kill the Whale and harvest it is not that surprising as it was revealed in the film. But to know that lives of these men at sea for years got me in awe. And how they survive on the boat for 90 days is a miracle ! I dont think i can last a day !
One fact is that the ship should collect about 2,000 barrels of whale oil and 1 adult whale can bring in 50. So that amounted to 40 ! No wonder MB is so pissed of with them.
I came out of the movie expected of what was expected. Being a sea man is a tough lives. Thanks god we on another life and another time.

First posted : 10 Dec 15

THE FORCE AWAKENS - review completed

The World Awaits

The day has finally came 17 Dec 2015. We will be watching this long anticipated movie at a local cinema in Kepong, Malaysia. This is the 7th installment of the Star Wars series. Lots of followers it has. Some say it could take over Avatar as the highest grossing movie in history. Can it ? Our review coming up tomorrow. May the force be with you.

REVIEWED
So by about 1.30pm 17Dec15, it was over. It was not only me who was eagerly wanting to give my views rather than all the other net people including Jeremy Jahns and Chris Stuckman. Also took my time to go see other reviewers. Non of them have the heart to bring in the spoilers to their reviews as the US is only opening the next day. What about mine then ? So here is mine - no spoilers. If any it was accidental !

Casting
Rey is not a tough gal at all. But her fighting is believable. But to play swords (with mind controlling skills) instantly without any training is a wonder. Even Luke need to see Yoda and trained for sometime to play the swords. Maybe its her gift or in DNA. If Yoda is still alive he would definitely say - In this one, the force is so strong
Kylo Ren is not strong especially when fighting Rey the newbie gal Jedi.
In reviews I heard a lot of praise for Daisy Ridley (no ties with Ridley Scott) the brit gal who play Rey. In a way her mannerism is much like Keira Knightly. Also another Brit girl who came up in Ep 1 as the Princess body double. By why choose a Brit ? Her friend Finn is already a Brit but acting American. Yes she can act superbly but no she dont have the built for it. She could have worked out for some brawn before taking the role. That could work. But maybe her seemingly hopeless weakness is the thing that audience will relate to ? I also came across that Mathew Vaughn (the one that directed Xmen first class and Kingsmen) passed the opportunity to direct SWTFA because of the choice for Rey among other things of course. I can give a better choice for the role which may sound ridiculous at first but think about it - Melanie Benoist. ; / Melanie who ?? Find out yourself and you may agree.
Agree to what everyone is saying about Harrison Ford. He was good. Cant remember how was HF 30 years ago but he was sure a cocky character. But his jokes was spot on only an actor of his caliber can deliver on those.
Notable actor that we are familiar with but got nothing much to do except die was the silat guy in the Raid 1 & 2. He was part of the gang wanting to take over Han's ship.
Cant spot where were Simon Peg and Lupita. They must be one of those aliens.

Action Scenes
The aerial dog fight was fantastic. Truly enjoyed when Millennium Falcon first piloted by Rey. That was real and thrilling.
Fight scene
Like I said not as athletic when Liam and Ewan were Jedis in the Phantom Menace. But still belieavable and interesting. But what I dont understand why can Finn used the Light Saber ?? I thought only Jedi or those with Jedi's DNA can do that. Perhaps it can open to another plot in future episodes perhaps that Finn is actually the ancestry of Samuel J Jackson's Jedi character ?
And now about mask people fighthing. It happened right from the 1st spiderman (with Tobey), Captain America and now Kylo Ren - you have to fight without the mask if not if wont be that expressive enough.I can still remember Darth Vader fighting Luke - he got his mask on ! Yet it bring on that emotion even though he was under a mask - because he cant live without it anyway.
Kylo Ren's voice was well amplified even his slang. Adam Driver's of Kylo Ren is perfect on how he walks his stature etc. It makes people scared like looking at a ghost. I came to know that he insisted to be Kylo Ren and not other actors even if he was fully covered.

Content
I think the TFA is hard trying to exhibit itself that the phenomenon of SW can still be felt if it is shown today with the right hi tech movie making which it did. There are so many scenes you think that its another version of the first (hmmm or the 4th episode) one. Example - the fight in the battleship, the high structure fights, the shoot in the hole of the Star Killer etc. In the end it shows that it can still be entertaining. Even with higher HiTech surely the current director is better than the original one : /
Having old characters and old story can be both good and bad. Good because you dont have to build the characters or story much more. The bad is that it lacks the element of surprise.

Conclusion
Overall it is a fantastic installment of the saga. After all Disney paid $4billion for the franchise and I am sure they expect to earn more than what they have spent. Cant wait for the next one to come up and I bet JJ A will still be the director.
Yup its over and done with, life will go on.

THE WALK

CLICK HERE to download or thumbnail to view online

REVIEW
Finally saw this movie at the cinema possibly during its last screenings at the local theater. Had to see it at the big screen because reports says that it warrant the big screen. I didn't see it on 3D as watching it on 2D would also give some sort of effect as I fear of heights (seriously)
So what can I report about The Walk.. 
The movie become interesting by the way it was told that is partly narrating by Phillipe (JGL) and making  funny as the main ingredient. For this one, Joseph played the part well whom i persume Phillipe in real life is funny too. Even Kingsley playing a cezh was funny too.
Its all about some group of people's effort in stoway in the twin towers (RIP) and pulled out the biggest stunt of all by having Phillipe crossing the towers on a wire. To me, titling the movie "The Walk" may not be the exact choice. To suggest a few like The heist, the coup (which Phillipe refered through out the movie), Tightwire, Crossing towers or something are better as it depicts what happened. The walk would more aptly apply to the "Selena" story of people walking for a cause.
At $35Mil, its money well spent. Never did i thought that the twin towers had gone to debris (911 remember?). JGL seem to be up there and the tower still exist or like the movie was made when the towers were still around. Thats how good the CGI was.Thou no fancy special effects but the CGI on that respect was really good.
One aspect that spoil the fun that it was actually 410m high and 140 ft across, was the lack of wind, like there was non. So the vertigo effect for me was only about a few seconds here and there. But since Phillipe did cross the towers and with ease (as in the film - crossing a few times) I guess it was true as depicted.
On a human aspect, Phillipe is one man of exception. He didnt have fear at all while doing the wire walking not once but a few times. He even bowed and laid down on the wire !! (OMG). Imagine if he slipped then its to hit the road below as no safety net or wire !
When a movie is based on a true story, theres not much excitement you can put in. The Walk suffered this just like the recent Everest. There's no element of wanting to stand up and clap at the end of the film like "Gravity" did. But of course that movie was purely fiction action.
No reference that the towers is no more around except at the end when Phillipe said that the pass the Mayor gave expire "Forever". But he did not mention directly anyway.

First posted : 5Nov15

GOOSEBUMPS

 

CLICK HERE to download or thumbnail above to view streaming

 REVIEW
Saw this movie as planned. Why see this was because of JB. Perhaps due to this many appearances in TV Talkshows promoting this film, makes me want to see it on big screen. Plus the good reviews from my 2 fav and followed youtube movie reviewers; Jeremy Jahns and Chris Stuckman. Also plus its movie for the family.

Now on the film.
The film start off slowly establishing the fact that Zach and the mother had moved to a new town. Only after the first Goosebumps appear (call this) i.e. the Snow man then things get pretty fast pace. One complaint that CS mentioned was the CGI kind of lame. I agree when it comes to the Werewolf part. The snowman and others looks OK but the werewolf was like its from Werewolf in London stuffs (yuck!). However the funniest part of the movie was with the werewolf chase in the supermarket, very funny.
Agreed that the acting of both two leading kids were great. They carry the movie through. In fact the twist of the movie about Hannah was touching and it seperate the movie from movie of such theme. They could be big actors in the future with the right parts and path. Zach could turn to some leading hero like K Reeves did in Speed. But his good acting will bring him higher.
JB's part were kindda of short. Not much of his solo antics in a movie.Like his part of being the leading character is unlike others he had in before - i mean his character. This movie is like a team effort one.
Overall the movie was OK. Below expectation because expectation was rather high due to the above factors.

 Yesterday's blog
All is set to see Jack Black at the movies tomorrow 11am at TGV kepong. Its a family outing. Good reviews from Jeremy Jahn reviewed. Also Jack Black appearing every where on talk shows to promote this film. Hope to have a good time and may the film not disappoint.

First posted : 17Oct15

HUNGER GAMES: MOCKING JAY 1 & 2 REVIEWED

After watching MJ1 on downloaded BlueRay copy at home last nite had the chance to see MJ2 at the cinema. Not that I am a big fan of the franchise, but because I have seen the Hunger Games 1 & 2. And since I had some errands to do at the Mall which the movie was screening and not a worthy movie to see (at least the review say so), planned to see MJ2 and I saw it after all. Anyway both youtube reviews Jeremy and Chris liked it even though admittedly it was slow in most parts way slower than the 1st & 2nd movie.
So what about my review then ?
Well the actors of the film came from notable TV series. Homeland, Mdm Secretary, House of Cards have their actors in MJs ! They are nevertheless not the main actors in the TV series, but they are there in MJ2 and also in MJ1.
I was reminded that the film was going to be slow then fast paced. But i didnt expect it to near the ending in even slow pace and somewhat anti climax. But as they say it puts and end to Hunger Games so thats a relief.
The acting are great, thats the attraction. Especially the dialogue in the sewer is so soft that some of the young audience who are hunger for action starts chatting and it irritate my concentration. The special efx is also impressive. During the bombing scene you dont feel that it was superimposed. But funny how Katniss never seem to hit with debris during the bombing thou a parachute bomb exploded in front of her !
But like what happened in MJ1, the film likes to dead stop an action scene to a very dead slow scene and let it explained what happened which is anti climax. In MJ1 when they raided the Capitol to save Peeta and quite a few times in MJ2 the obvious one when Katniss was hit by the bomb that killed her sister. Next you find her in clinic and when she met Snow all is explained what happened.
I dont seem to mind much with MJ1 thou i saw it at home but MJ2 is perhaps felt draggy. The only reason is the length of the film where MJ1 is only 2hr 2 min whilst MJ2 nearly went to 21/2hr.
Well whats done is done and time had been spend on watching the films. To me, wasted my time in following the franchise. This is due to the publicity given and of course Miss JL is in the lead role.
The concept of Hunger Games is devious, to me, and should not be marketed as children books or movies. Where districts send a pair of children to compete to the death in an annual game called Hunger Games. This, as the books says, to avoid bigger casualties if the adults fight among themselves in civil wars. If it is fiction its ok but not marketing it as books for children.
I agree to what the critics says maybe Harry P and Hobbit can escape by stretching the final film to 2 parts but not Mocking Jay surely.

Spectre - Cinema

 

Anyone taller than me - OUT ! Daniel Craig (Co producer)

REVIEWED (full of spoilers)
So one of the most anticapated movie of the year finally came. I was one of the first, proudly proclaimed, to see it in Malaysia (Thursday 11.30am mantinee). The opening was today, but it was already shown midnite.
So here is my report..
Before stepping into the cinema, I had saw some reviews over Youtube and even typed news. The review was not very good. One youtube claimed that it was worst and "dogshit" (not J Jahn). Not everyone review it yet as US screening is only tommorow. Britain was earlier last week Monday. However Chris Stuckman gave mixed reviews.. some good some bad. So now my opinion is entirely mine as I have seen it finally.
Action
You are not dissapointed when it comes to the action. All the actions are great and real because they are close to real. The first one, Mexico carnival, is the most exciting and scarry. Of course JB is no match to Mr Hinx (Batuista) but kindda non JB for him to run (in the car chase) than to face and finish its once and for all. This also happen on the train too.
The scene where the whole desert complex destroyed still bothers me. 007 stole a machine gun and shoot up bad guys along the way. He also shot what seem to be a gas tank. And that is enough to have the whole complex exploded and destroyed. Perhaps, the villains forgot about security as they had busily equipped the complex with hi tech surveillance technology ?
Death not defined
Yes you dont see that in this one especially to Mr Hinx. For him he died after all, but did not seem so during his "death" scene. Maybe he came back alive like Oberhauser did, but he didn't (meaning he died). But why not satisfy the audience by giving one.. After all its at the hands of 007 !
007 Character
Read or heard it that he acted different in this one not like his previous outings. Talking about Craig's Bond of course. We all know he has a dark and cruel side but not a funny side which was potrtayed in this one. But he is not Connery, Moore or even Brosnan. At certain times, its a mistake for him to come out with a trying to be funny one liner which aren't and it spoil the whole scene. He is just not kindda of Bond and many would agree with me.
Acting Time
Mentioning below is on Belucci's acting time. Even Chris Waltz acted quite brief in this 2hr 38min film not worthy of being a co star. Salute to Daniel Craig for acting in almost every scene.
Dialog
This needs mentioning. Its kindda strange in a Bond movie especially Craig's Bond era. Some are cheesy. Even surprising that some should not be the "train of thought" of the conversations. But it happened.
Bond Girls
With so short a screen time and nothing contributing, wonder why they call Monica Belucci as a bond girl ? Co strarring would do fine. And as for Lea which definitely is one, she must be the luckiest actress around to be both appearing as a Bond Girl and also in Mission Impossible. As a villian thou in Ghost Protocol (the one who got thrown out of Burj towers)
Fashion and Style
We all know Bond films is full of style. But why dress up in white tuxedo on a old train running on a hot desert for dinner. This brought up Mandeline's sexy dress, of course. At the desert complex it was Oberhauser who wants both to dress up nicely with suit and dress fit them nicely too.
Music
Overall the soundtrack was good and unlike the usual ones. Except for the car scene which is out of place.
Theme
The theme song by Sam Smith fit the mode of the film nicely. Not one of better ones thou. However, the theme is not that nicely done. Giant octopus, Yucks ! Wonder why in reviews some even admire it.
Finance
Read that this film cost a whopping $300 Mil and over budget to $350 mil ! The film didn't look that expensive to me. So has politics or creative funding works its way to the movie like we suspect in Lone Ranger ? Maybe they are banging on the success of SkyFall crossing the $1B will be no problem. So why not the funders makes some money.
Conclusively, this is still a good film. It feels disappointing as the expectation was much too high judging from the previous outing.

Hitman Agent 47

REVIEW
Saw this one at the local cinema Jusco sometime back before this blog was created. So this is a belated review. Hope that i can still recall the movie.
This stars Rupert Friend who is Peter Quinn from the hit series Homeland. He can act as a cool killer all right but physique wise he is no six pack. Also read that the Paul Walker was to have taken this role before his untimely death.What reviewers complain was the usual cheesy lines, poor special effect and acting. But i beg to differ and give this movie a "satisfactory outing" at the cinemas. I like it. There could be follow ups judging from what happened at the end of the scene. Did Rupert did better than timothy ? I think so from his bloody cool acting. And what about Zachary Quinto as the villian ? He's Ok too and not extremely memorable at one. Will sure see it again after downloading. And that to me is good stuff.

Everest

REVIEWED (25Sept)
Saw this at the movie due to its :-
1. Good imdb rating
2. Good Jeremy Jay review
3. Can bring minor (Adam)
4. Long time no see movie with family
5. Its the holidays
So i dont mind spending over RM40 for the family.
The outcome
It was OK as i dont expect much but a bit disappointing on how it could have been. I think the director is sticking to make it "real" as possible so as not to over do the scene.
The popular actors like Clarke, Brolin, Galleyhall, Worthington and Knightly maximize their screen time effectively.
But when its over and as i came out of the movie i feel that it was based on a real movie.