Wolverine & the Downhill Rush

Superhero movies are going downhill this year. I guess the buck might stop at X-men Origins: Wolverine.

(Warning: As per to every other movie reviews I actually attempt to write, this review riddled with Spoilers)

The closest Live-Action Comic book Wolverine you can get is X2. Nowhere else. That Wolverine isn't inside this brand new Wolverine movie.

Hugh Jackman doesn't want his kids to cry. Being the nicest Heterosexual guy, he extend that goodwill to all the other mummies (and Cinema-goers) who might be bringing their kids to this movie. Unless Male Nudity makes children cry that is. Which is why Wolverine is Stylo-Milo without the Edge (and clothes). Wolverine is a movie without Fangs. (Critics however do, biting deep into this Movie and Fanboys are already tearing the movies to bits).

The opening act is fair enough warning that the Fanboys should check their comic-lore knowledge at the door, as it reveals that Young Wolverine (James) & Victor Creek are brothers. (According to Wolverine Origins, James Howlett Jr and Dog Logan are brothers. They didn't say if Dog Logan is Sabretooth).

So the brothers went on, with Victor (do note that they never refer Victor as Sabretooth. Maybe it's not to confuse people with the one in the Trilogy) and Logan (effectively discarding his birthname and using his actual father's surname) fought through major wars. Eventually Victor's feral behavior went out of control during a tour at the Nam and Stryker recruited the brothers to his Elite Black Ops of mutants.

It's Action Showcase as Stryker's Black Ops of Mutants burst into a Diamond Cartel in Nigeria. While some mutant powers were obvious (such as Wraith's teleportation, Bolt's control of Electric/Electronic Devices), others were more...."Normal" Movie Action powers (Agent Zero's L33T shooting, Wade's Katana Dance and Fred's extraordinary strenght and toughness). It kind of well handled if it wasn't like a mix-mash of action sequences without much said, restraint (if without a better word).

So Logan left after the Black Ops failed to extract information from a village regarding a Black Meteorite Fragment recovered from the Cartel (which is actually Adamantium! Of course anyone can guess that). If Logan lives in Singapore, he already outlived his retirement pension and CPF would have to tailor a special scheme for him. However, Logan is Canadian and so instead of working in McDonalds and Kopi-Thiam, Logan is retiree who works as a Lumber Jack (TYPICAL) and lives in the Mountains with his School Teacher Wife, Silverfox. If we didn't know already, Strkyer came to Logan to warn a mysterious killer who are hunting members of his disband team. (I find it disturbing. If they want to make the movie straight forward, why not just let Logan know it's Victor? Irregardless, it was obvious some kind of setup is being made). They probably want to make it Bourne-like but it's not working as Silverfox demonstration of her powers did not make us wonder what's ahead. Nice touch on the origin of Wolverine's name however disturbing it might be to be telling a sad folklore as a prelude to sexual foreplay. Note that there's no sex in the movie, further making Wolverine look like a sad and pacifist retiree trapped in the body of Hugh Jackman (who is tragically now, the posterboy for Wild and Furious). It kind of remind me of how some real people are murdered by crazies, having Silverfox to be "murdered" by Victor in the afternoon while Logan is away at work. It seems great but it isn't really working in a dramatic sense of way (A better option is to take cue on how Sabretooth "murdered" Silverfox from the comic).

Like a sports movie story, Logan gets beaten by Victor who broke both his spirit and body. Stryker promptly appears to give Logan a way to beat Victor: Infusing Adamantium into his body. By this part of the movie, you would have guess that they aren't making Wolverine to be the next Spiderman, Ironman or the even next X-men. They are going for the Ghost Rider, Blade treatment in terms of plot.

Stryker seems to be the smartest Dumbass in this movie. He couldn't just keep his plans secret. That or apparently Wolverine (Logan likes that story Silverfox told him, now named thus in memory of her on his dogtag) now has hyper-senses and other super exaggerations of his former powers, fled the Weapon X labs within minutes in full naked glory.

Alpha Flight? Hell no. Mr Hudson and his Mrs are now Old folks like Ma & Pa Kents. It's a Breakfast and Bed affair for Wolverine as the old folks are put to ground by Zero. Now that's sounds like an opening for Alpha Flight's Guardian/Vindicator as the murder is push to blame to Wolverine. Great. If only they want to make Wolverine 2.

In a somewhat usual car chase and in Die Hard 2 style, launched to air sequence, Wolverine defeated and "killed off" Zero (if it's off screen, it ain't confirm) and went in search of other still alive members of the Black Ops team who might help him find the "island".

There's the only comedy in the movie which occurs as Wolverine goes fisticuff with Fred (now The Blob, no thanks to Wolverine's habit of addressing other males as Bob). They should have done a better job in designing The Blob. This movie felt like Art of Fighting. What's this, stage to stage fighting all about? Does it matters? I don't know.

Hence the stage moves to New Orleans, as the next clue is with Gambit, who fled from the Island that imprisoned mutants fo experiments. Wolverine gets his Round Two with Victor and won, thanks to his new found enhancements. Before Wolverine can perform his fatality (Finish him!), Gambit cuts in (for unknown by obvious reasons, but likely REFEREE decision as Fatality cannot be performed with only 1 round won) and Victor escaped.

In similar fashion, Wolverine advance to the next stage and found out that he was suppose to be in a Bourne-like conspiracy web that was clumsily executed (Much like....Art of Fighting?). Wolverine won the decisive Round Three but performed MERCY on Victor ( and by Anime/Manga standards, Love Lost became Love Gained). Stryker somehow like that Villian from the DOA movie, uses his secret experiment to battle Wolverine when Wolverine awkwardly released the imprisoned mutants (Hey Wolverine, ever heard of a master switch?) . Since the movie sets in the 60s or 70s, Strkyer can't use his Hori/X-box 360/PS3 controller of choice to battle Wolverine in true Tournament fashion, and had to rely on Weapon XI (or Deadpool....who is the Ultimate Patchup Warrior of all the Mutants combined in Wade's body) to fight with just keyboard commands (GEEK!). By the way, Weapon XI is like exactly like Baraka from Mortal Kombat with his mouth sew.

The lethal combinations of all Warriors movesets (see Seth from SF IV) prove to be nothing in the face of Brotherly Love. Like all cheesy Nemesis-Alliance from Anime, Video games, Victor left with a statement of declared Hate-Love (LOL).

The finale came in, with Wolverine carrying Silverfox into the sunset in search for First Aid. If they cut about the discussion of Stryker with his Finale Failsafe, it might come as a shock. Rather it was expected and in fair comedy like element, a gun props out and shot Wolverine. Wolverine, can't be killed as explained before, the bullets can only erased his memories (which is shitty, you can always keep the Mind Swipe for another movie). Since you can't kill Stryker and you can't leave the villian unpunished, Silverfox ordered Stryker to "walk his legs off" as he attempted to finish her off. With Wolverine woke up with no memories at all, the movie ends with Wolverine and Gambit parting ways to avoid police/military arrest.

(Ok I obmited kind a bit of the side track stuff but that's exactly what is the movie is like. A one-track story with some sides thrown-in.)

In fact, if they ever need to make a KOF Origins: Kyo Kusanagi movie, you can just rework this script. It works! Really!

There are Multiple "Post Main Credits" endings to this movie probably as a marketing gimmick :
1) Stryker was found by MP and arrested for the murder of the General that was supporting him. (This is the one I saw)
2) Wolverine in Japan, drinking in a Bar. (Hyping for the next movie!)
3) Weapon XI retracts Katana and picked up his own head and does a 4th Wall interacting. (Looking at the audiences and asking to the audiences to keep silence). This ending will debunk that rumour of Weapon XI is not the movie Deadpool. If you want to see the Deadpool ending, it's on Youtube with audible audience commentaries.

Wiki used to have description of the scenes in the movie entries but are deleted. There might be more endings still stay tuned.

First impression of the movie was the lineup of characters. With 3 mutants of significant fanbase, I am sure that the other 2 will be marginalized in favor of Wolverine but with the likelihood to steal his thunder. All that was proven, even when there was awkwardness in execution. The entire mutant escape almost irrelevant if not for Silverfox having her sister there and being mortally wounded later on. Cyclops is only there for ability donor. Deadpool and Gambit are there only to try spawn more Origins movie. The only serious agenda is probably to make Monster Hit that scores. It's the sales that counts after all.

It's a great transitional piece (meaning....it wasn't that terrible to watch) to welcome the summer blockbuster season. Hopefully things get better from here.

Accordingly to most people the trailer is the best part of the movie which I cannot deny.

Who to defend HK in times of Alien Invasion?

In nutshell......Chinese Deity Guan Yu vs Space Invaders.
Why invent Silver Giants when you can get an excellent hero in the next studio?
Unfortunately nothing is ever found other than a few posters and pictures. The prints are probably destroyed or lost.

Maybe it's a Z-graded movie but really it's an awesome concept. I don't even know what Singapore will use to defend itself against Alien invasion.

Hell....I am quite bored so....here's movie review.

Ah the rest of the summer movies.......

Actually Batman : The Dark Knight is the best movie of the moment.....so you don't need to consider anything else if you haven't watch it. Unless you hate Batman & all that other Superhero, Comicbook movies. Ya. You should. It's annoying sometimes that such trends are formulated.

The Mummy 3

Now Jet Li. We all know Grandmaster Jet Li. Ya. He won a prize in acting. No kidding. He won a prize but that's in a Chinese Movie. His Hollywood Films are still pretty much bad. Really uninteresting.

If you find Forbidden Kingdom really uninspiring, Got the Hell away from The Mummy 3.
If you had high opinions on The Mummy, don't watch The Mummy 3.

I love to give scenarios to compare to, so imagine this:

You met your secondary, high school/Teenage Sweetheart at a Reunion function. You could still remember all those unfulfilled fantasies and what-if and all the good times you had shared. You eagerly wait for a chance to see her again and you could hardly wait. Finally you met her. Deep inside, you question yourself if you had been kidding yourself all these time and if all those good times are actually 'good times'.

OK. That isn't really funny. Likewise so was The Mummy 3. It had all the sparks and fireworks (which in my opinion was a "High" moment of the movie but soon to pass) but none of the soul. In fact, like what Wong Jin said about Forbidden Kingdom "it's made for American African Kids". Likewise, the same to The Mummy 3 save I had to reserved on the "African American" part. Generally. Just Americans & Michael Kelso.

Verdict: Rental and watch it with alot of people.

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army

I admit I didn't watch the previous Hellboy movie, neither was I any motivated to do so after watching Hellboy 2.

It's all good fun watching Hellboy 2. Nothing else. BRPD reminds me of M.I.B. Funny isn't it?

Verdict: If you haven't seem it, it wouldn't hurt. I am sure the DVD got tons of extra material when it's released so watch for it.

.......come to think of it....I actually didn't watch that many movies in July/August

Gotham's Dark Knight. (The Dark Knight)

To get straight to the point, this is the Best Movie of the year, the Best Movie of it's franchise (Batman) and the Best Movie based on a DC Superhero Character. This is also the Best Superhero movie that YOU CANNOT BRING KIDS TO WATCH. If your children are afraid Big Red Hellboy, there's no way you can keep them from crying while in The Dark Knight.

One prominent drawback is that it's not really very accessible to KIDS. If your children have a phobia of clowns, you don't bring them to watch this movie. If your children don't have a phobia of clowns, you don't bring them to watch this movie either. Children are very fond to be afraid of clowns. Don't try to test for trouble, Cool Parents. Heath Ledger is the ultimate Joker in terms of Being Scary and Creepy. You thought Jack Nicholson is Scary? You thought wrong. Of course we need to tribute that Heath built his joker on Jack Nicholson's. Without such a solid foundation laid, Heath's Joker might not had been as well defined.

The movie end up being a bit on the drag. Perhaps there were too much bases to cover but I am happy that they did at least took the risk of being dull than to be vague.

Oh and Poor Edison Chen. The only reason I think he wasn't completely removed from the movie is that they found it not worth to spent money digitally removing him from the background (a blink and miss moment).

What exactly is the name of Gordon's daughter? Was her appearance deliberately made to throw fans off of a Batgirl appearance? If the new Batgirl is based on a Year One bio, then what will happen to Gordon's happy family of four? Will the Nolan Batman ever get any sidekicks? (I hope not). It is to be noted that if Jim Gordon's daughter is named Barbara, she will be Batgirl irregardless whether Barbs is really his biological or adopted daughter.

So what lies ahead? Will Batman get allies? Super powered allies? It's a hard task for Nolan to top his own game.

By the way, the latest 'common' (of Departmental Store Range) Batman movie toys are not very inspiring. Somehow the best toys were made from the worst movie (Batman & Robin).

Gotham's Dark Knight. (Gotham Knight Animation)

Unlike the previous straight to Video release DC Animation, Batman: Gotham Knight in DVD format pretty much not a haunting quest and is definitely cheaper (I recalled that I bought Superman : Doomsday close to $40 and by chance. I never saw The New Frontier at all. ).

Is it a good "successor" to the like of Animatrix (a Movie related Animation)?
Answer : NO

Where as Animatrix was Good as a movie spin-off device (having interlinked components and element faithfully represented to the movie's feel and style), Gotham Knight is an idea that's purely GREAT on print but a letdown on execution. Sure some characters/events are bridged into the movie but some don't.

Having foreign talent was a fantastic idea. In fact I would agree that having the Japanese to animate it was cool. That is if they really are given a Free Hand to actually made it to "Anime" effect rather than to some weird effect.....none of the Japanese feel of energy was channeled into the animation, just the very business-like approach that akins to Gonzo's way of making anime.
(Meaning that they are just making stuff that they "think" what the International Market would like. Do they look like they are trying to make good original anime??? Not so much to me most of the time. )

Similarly that's how I felt about it. Either the people from DC are demanding the Japanese to stick to do what they are told, or the Japanese are too polite to push and do what they felt their clients would want.

The stories are pretty ok. Each had their own appeal. I just round this up so it's less painful for me to type and for you to read.

(1)Have I Got A Story For You
Interestingly this is the only one I considered to be the BEST animated one of the lot to show case the energy and dynamics that Japanese Animation Studios can offer. While most superficial anime lovers would point out that it's that "UGLY" style, this is one where it excels exhibiting it's character on both animation and narration. For those who found this story to be familiar, Google to see what writer Josh Olsen had to say about it. Oh course, the answer can be found on the Disc 2 under Bonus Batman TAS episodes (there are 4. More details later).

(2)Crossfire
Shoot me but I don't find it exactly fantastic especially it coming from Studio I.G.
The story was pretty simple. 2 cops escorting a crook back to the Arkham and got caught in a crossfire. Importance? It bridge by going to a geographical location of great importance in Begins and explaining a situation/decision/concept that will be integral to the End of the DK Movie. However I didn't spot Crispus Allen in the Dark Knight movie. OR maybe he did and was killed.

(3)Field Test
Lucius was one of the few characters that really brought a smile to people's face whenever he appeared in Begins since there's always some really interesting exchange between him and Bruce. Needless to say, Lucius's appearance always mean a new gadget for Batman. A testimony of Batman's personal values.

(4)In Darkness Dwells
A very polished animation nothing short from expectation by Madhouse.
If you are curious to know what happened to the Scarecrow after Begins, this is the one you need to watch. I don't really find the scythe throwing part necessary however.

(5)Working Through Pain
Only to bridge the previous story to next I guess. A real filler story. Lol. It expands on Wayne's Journey that was seen on Begins. It said something we already know but there's no harm being reminded again. I find the ending of this segment rather amusing.

(6)Deadshot
I am not too sure if anyone would agreed that Deadshot is actually a B-graded Batman villain.
Over here, Deadshot is a flamboyant Assassin. Needless to say, it's a recurring theme of Batman fighting someone "similar yet different". Batman facing off his sole enemy - The Gun. He is not really fighting Deadshot. Deadshot is just a pussy with a Gun.

Disc 2 consist of 2 documentary specials: one about Batman's Greatest Villians, the other about Bob Kane, Creator of Batman. The one thing I find consistent about DC's New Animation Videos are that the Extras are really worth the money despite the main feature film being more or less disappointing. There's also 4 episodes from the The Animated Series althought there's not enhancement with the last feature I am the Night looking pretty rough and raw.

Crap. I still wrote too much. The next post will be about the Dark Knight Movie.

Narnia......What Prince Caspian?

After watching The Chronicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian, it's deja vu like the whole Speed Racer =/= Rain's movie.

Anyone who read newspapers or printed media on the week before the Opening and the Opening week of Speed Racer would have realised that most of the adverts are selling Strongly on Taejo, the Character Rain played. Expectation was that Taejo will be a main character but in reality, he is just a support character. Or actually a plot device.

Same goes for Prince Caspian?
What's his function?
A plot device?
A marketing device?
Prince Caspian was suppose to Titular hero of the movie (as in expectations based on Movie's marketing material) with the Pevensie siblings as supports. I don't really cared about C.S Lewis's original material ; all I want to watch a good movie. Not a movie about misdirections. If I want, there's The Happening by M. "Simi-Lan!".

So as a titular plot device cum posterboy, Prince Caspian, willingly got his nose led by High King Peter, who is such old School English Punk (what if Pevensie is an Emo-Band??? That's a nice thought). He is Angry and Eager to Impress. Kind of like those Young English EPL Footballers. Caspian like some Spanish Imported Newcomer quietly accepted his role as a Locker Room Wuss.

He is also Susan's bitch. It's one thing to be a romantic interest and one thing to be a girl's bitch.

The only other heroic loser in this film is King Edward who ...... I mean? What? His presence is simply to be said "I am in this movie so I can be in the next". Tragic. Like Rain in Speed Racer. He is simply in the movie so he can work as a titular protagonist in another film. I wouldn't mind being paid to do "nothing" (you did something. No one remembered what you did that's all).

Of course, you still don't see the blood. It's dumb like fuck, it's like a bukkake movie without cum. No one is expecting it's like Passion of Christ bloody (a bloody Pro-Christian movie) but the least allow a bare minimum amount of sense. I really find it disturbing to be allowing swinging of swords (which is easily imitated by children) without showing the consequence or danger of what might follow. No real abuse of children this time except you get to see Lucy being flung across the room. Ouch.

There is no real story telling. Just like someone say it "it's a movie about 4 children going into another world to kill things", the movie's focus is on Bloodless Fighting, Talking Animals and a Seemingly Underplayed Key Player.

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

Evangelion 1.0 is an alternate Retelling/Reanimated Movie.

It probably had more meaning if you are going to watch the rest of the Rebuild movies or actually experienced NGE beforehand.

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone brings back 2 phenomenon of the '90s in a single sitting.

Namely NGE itself and Hikki...Utada Hikaru who sang Beautiful World, theme song to the movie itself.

In the movie, after the song ends there's the money shot we are suppose to be getting. A trailer. As soon as the familiar melody rang, a voice was cut off and we are facing a blank.

It was cut. Either due to the lack of Confidence in the local market by Cathay (does not want to commit to be bringing the next movie) or simply a marketing gimmick by the film makers.

What a wet blanket.

I am not going to be specify but everything you see in the MV is inside and everything will be about the same with all the key points and dialogues presented. However there's some minor tweaking and likely putting the money on the word "ALTERNATE" in the upcoming movies.

Be prepared, people. It's the Second Impact.

Cloverfield

I never watched The Blair Witch Project but I know I will like it in a special sense.

Cloverfield is the "In-a-Sense" Blair Witch with Lots of CGI, A Very Much Bigger Budget, More Actors....you get the meaning. Yes, a very overly Over-paid expansion capitalising on a "cheap effect" concept.

Cloverfield isn't about the monster. The monster is half of it. It's about surviving (or reliving) the experience (apparently NOT for the Main characters in the film). Interlude is a Love Story that despite Overcoming of the Odds, still eventually comes to a BAD END.

What's good about it? Watch the trailer.
What's bad about it? It's depends on whether you watched the trailer.

If you never, you are in for an unexpected Bad time if you HATE FPS and Shaky Cameras.

Grindhouse: Planet Terror

Yes, Singapore finally have the Original Double bill Grindhouse (Limited Screens however) but who is going to pay for something that is watered down when you can catch both on it's own (DVD for Deathproof and Planet Terror on the big screen).

I am not too sure I will since Deathproof on it's own is kind of hmmm....but a watered down Deathproof might bring it to speed for those who aren't Boredproof.

Anyway Planet Terror is surprisingly good for it's B grade glory. QT must have liked Planet Terror (they probably drew lots for what to do on their Grindhouse project....guess who won???) so much he had to be in it himself (as a consolation for not directing it himself???).

Storyline was pretty simple. Some blackmarket experimental Biochemical weapon was set upon a small town in Texas changing the affected into aggressive killer psychopaths. Those who remained normal band themselves to fight their way out.

It was very entertaining. Sad to say it's R21 so if you aren't watching it, you wouldn't be watching it (the legal way).

Among the FAKE trailers in Grindhouse, Machete is set to be a real feature film.
Looking forward to that.

Watched: Bourne Ultimatium

Honestly in a year full of T(h)rees, everyone might get started of swinging from one t(h)ree to another.

Still this t(h)ree is worth the effort.

I didn't start with the first Bourne movie, despite watching a bit of it, here and there on TV and VCD but yes, I am watching Bourne for the first time.

This movie never stays idle, thanks to an intense plot and a shaky camera (LOL. Some idiot complain that he d/l the movie and the pirate seems to be shooting with a shaky hand. He ought to vomit since he ate garbage. LOL). All these without being too incredible and strictly down to earth effects.

This should be the best t(h)ree offered by Hollywood. Sure, this movie deviates from the original novel by alot but people who read the books.......aren't children. LOL.

Watched: Brave Story

Young Children should be living in sheltered and blissful life, worrying about nothing around them, except play and school. That's the basic ideal scenario for every children to have and every adult to give.

That is the ideal scenario. Then again, is it always that way?

There's always some magical fantasy about being a child growing into this chaotic world of ours and very often it's not easy to be one so vulnerable to make an impact to change one's destiny.

Brave Story is one of the many that a young one has to venture into Strange Worlds to prepare oneself for adulthood or to change the fate of worlds. The Neverending Story, Chronicles of Nardia, Pan's Labyrinth, Jim Henson's Labyrinth, Mirrormask and to a certain extent, The Harry Potter Series of Books are a few good examples of that in the Western World. For the anime side, we been offered other examples of "a familiar person in a strange world" such as Curious Play (Fushigi Yugi), Inuyasha, Chronicles of Twelve Kingdoms and Strange Dawn.

Gonzo choose this to be their 2nd feature film and it's excellent choice, being a newcomer into the feature film business. It's hard to break into that market with the same approach they did with the TV/DVD market seeing the previous Origin: Spirits of the Past
somehow sink under the radar of every movie go-er and even anime fans.

Brave Story is a story that is shouldn't be strange to everyone.

Wataru (Somebody ought to call the lawyers? Key Wataru in wiki-search and you will see), a 10 year old boy whose family is breaking up with his father moving away and his mother in the hospital (Mother in Torment/Illness?See Mirrormask and Pan's Labyrinth). A previous encounter with a new transfer student (Transfer Student? Lol. As long as you had school you get these. See Suzumiya Haruhi no Yutsuu for a vague explaination) led Wataru to a strange gate that promise "to change destiny". Desperate to hang onto his life before it went South, Wataru took the courage to go beyond the gate and entered the world of Vision.

Vision is a RPG-like world governed by magic and deities. Travelers from another world are to collect five gemstones to get a wish granted by the Goddess of Fortune (see Dragonball). Wataru, being pretty much lacking in all aspect, turns out to be on the last step of a short ladder. Thankfully, Wataru, despite his shortcomings, overcome overwhelming odds to put himself in the right directions with some help from good friends and a hidden ally. Wataru's good virtue finally come to a test when he met up with his friend/the transfer student, Mitsuru, who is driven by his own personal tragedy and do whatever necessary to get the gems (see....Digimon Season 2. In a sense it quite mirrors that way).

Brave Story uses the 2 boys to present the age old argument of "The End will justified the Means". The winner of course is pretty age old predictable as well (See all Shonen anime?).

As a result, Brave Story is pretty much a repackaged deal with having a Light novel (Light novel are pretty easy to read and to a certain extend, write and formulate) but a unique presentation irregardless. It will be irresponsible to say that the plot of the movie is LOUSY. It's a simple story that is meant to be pleasant without being candy-flossed. Something that is actually difficult to juggle with. Good things need not be complex or shoot at the balls Original.

An amusing fact is that it went under the radar that Takako Matsu is the voice of Wataru. An even more amusing fact is that we are getting about the same deal with Taiwan, getting a screening so late despite having the movie being sold on digital formats last year.

Brave Story did brought Gonzo somewhere I guess since their latest movie feature is about Kappa no Coo to Natsuyasumi which seems pretty rated EA (Ok for Everyone).

Ok, Brave Story is still a bit gritty just like Harry Potter, having a young girl crying over a scene late at the film (which Order Of The Phoneix might have if they didn't tone down on Sirius's Death). So please, dear parents, do go through the movie before you bring your children. Otherwise don't complain if your children are having nightmares.

Watched: Rush Hour 3

Why does the 3rd movie always taste so Flat???
Is it because they raised the standard so high on the 2nd???

Likewise the other "The 3rd" summer movies of this year, Rush Hour 3 stays faithful to recipe but lack of the spices to "up" the experience. No surprises. No new thrills.

Basically the movie is going through a checklist to be done.

Other than that, if you choose to get a ride out of a movie, Rush Hour 3 is good entertainment, just don't expect so much.

Watched: Secret

Jay/Ye Xiang Lun is the new transfer student to the school.
Hearing an unknown and beautiful melody, Jay walked into the old piano room and met Rain/Lu Xiaoyu. Attracted by Rain's strange and mysterious behaviour, Jay went actively in pursue of Rain. Little had, he any knowledge of what he is going into....

Being a veteran of MV making, Jay had little problem of shooting the movie beautifully. Sure he is still the same old Jay, althought he was smart to not open up his own weaknesses of limited emotions so everything is falling on the story and Kwai Lunmei and the other actors to make the experience of watching Secret a better one.

There's enough plot holes in Secret but basically it's easier to understand if you try not to go too deep. Really. I just don't understand why people say they don't understand the ending.

http://www.sonypictures.com.tw/movie/secret/

Watched: Knocked Up

Knocked Up might not be a suitable date movie.

Since it's likely to inspire topics that couples to discuss or argue about.

It's a simple, (cautionary?) tale of going through one too many drinks and doing it in the heat of passion.

A one night stand later, Alison woke up, not totally impressed with what she picked up.
Ben Stone isn't exactly a catch.
In fact he is a slacker with absolutely no objective in life.
Where as for Alison, she is moving forward on her career.

Fast forward 8 weeks, Alison realised she's pregnant.
Ben is willing to shoulder his part of the responsibility.
Or is he?

Couple with interesting support cast, Knocked Up is a Comedy about Life. Or dealing with Life in the making.

40 years old Virgin ends with sex
Knocked Up ends with birth
So I probably guess Judd Apatow would be completing the experience???

http://www.knockedupmovie.com/

Watched: Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoneix

Ah Harry Potter. Time of the year, ain't it lad???

Once again back to the magical world and the school of Hogwarts but...... the "magic", apparently isn't there. Yes. You don't feel the awe and wonder when you start out with. The sets are nice but they speak to you. The effects are good but you no longer got a sense of wonder. What's going on?

In terms of Main storyline, this solve as a bridge to all the previous movies to the upcoming 2. This open the doors to the last arc, a begining to what is to be the end. In which they succeed, this movie is both easy to understand, less "emotionally heavy" (compare to the previous movie). Drawback is they fail to script it tight, plot devices that intrigues becomes just a flower in the path and the most important little details slipped out without playing on too well. The introduction of many new characters and their relationship to existing characters wasn't play on so well unlike the previous movies. They did shorten the movie, which is thankful since the movie will be too draggy. Oh yes, it's the only movie that didn't had any quidditch matches which is a pity because a quicker change in pace can jolt the audience before they go solemn again.

Oh. The kiss???
It WOULD HAVE BEEN important had not they chuck Cho aside right after the kiss.
The failure to play on Harry's reaction to Cho's "betrayal" lost the meaning of the kiss.
This made it redundant as I feel the children's reaction to the "kissing" as to seeing their infant sibling vomit on them.
I am not bluffing.
The children behind me were making sounds of disgust.

Watch this if you had watch all the other movies. This is one best enjoyed before (or with) The Half-blood Prince. Not entirely an amazing experience of it's own.

Harry say that they have what Voldemort didn't.
I think he was refering to either the hair or the nose.

Oh and remember,

God is the potter, not Harry

so says the signboard at the church opposite The Cathay. LOL.

Watched: Flash Point

The concept is simple.
Kick some butts, Donnie.
Kick some butts without that goddamn wig (which probably left in the Dragon Tiger Gate set).

Don't read the synopsis on the homepage if you haven't watch it.
There's so much more material in that synopsis, you will realised that this movie can be better (but less explosive).

In short, Donnie Yen is Ma Jun.
Hard Boil Policeman. Best policeman there is with a small problem, his "hands-on" approach left him a papertrail of complaints.

Flashpoint is obviously not going the same way as Infernal Affairs or any modern Cop/Crook movie. It takes a simple approach with straight forward (2D) characters and add in Good old fashion fist-talking and point at blank, messy gun shootouts.

While it's not going to as hype as SPL with Donnie taking on a respected Senior like Sammo Hung in a final showdown, we got Collin Chou (last seen in the forgetable D.o.A the Movie), as the vicious and cold Tony.

http://www.flashpointthemovie.com/

Watch it if you are an action fan and not minding too much about depth.

Watched: Disturbia

Disturbia.
Surbia life with Disturbing truths.
Better than reality show.

Kale (Shia LaBeouf) was sentence 3 months of House Arrest after assaulting his spanish teacher.
House Arrest is a state of confinement to home with the use of an ankle monitor.
Most people (and me) will agree that it's not such a big deal.
You get to do time at home. How bad can it be???
For Kale, it goes from fine to worse.
His mum cut his subscriptions to Xbox Live, Itunes, "Maid" services and his TV wire wasn't spared either.
With his best friend, Ronnie, going to Hawaii so he is pretty much left on his own...

Until he learn the pleasure of spying on the neighbours. A behaviour that was inspired by Ashley, the freshly move in Girl Next Door.

But soon, he uncovered a suspected serial killer in the neighbourhood...

It's funny how local cinema operators do to make an extra buck.
They know that Shia LaBeouf will be a household name after The Transformers (I mean who will know of Shia as Chaz, Constantine's Sidekick in Constantine???) so they play a delay and yes, you can do a Shia LaBeouf doublebill (since that "other" penguin animated feature was taken down already. Oh ya. I think it's call Surfs Up) now that Disturbia is up and....Transformers still going Prime. LOL.

And I didn't realised that Carrie-Ann Moss was in this movie. Until the credits start running.
Man. Black Leather does do magic!!!

http://www.disturbia.com/

Watched: The Simpsons Movie

I admit I ain't hardcore fan of The Simpsons and I didn't watch any more episodes when they moved it about to oddball timing and finally, disappeared from Singapore's public TV.

In fact it should be very long ago since I cannot even recall what the last episode I watch was about.

Nevertheless, you don't need to watch every single episode, just to enjoy it. (Still you need at least abit of knowledge of the other folks in Springfield.)

The movie starts by Breaking the Fourth Wall, with Homer telling us we are stupid to pay for something that's for free indirectly (via complaining in the cinema about watching a movie version of Itchy and Scratchy). The movie also turn it's back later on and laughed at itself as a advert message scrolls belows, reminding us of the movie's origin as a TV series. This gag went on further with a 'mock end' cliffhanger (which happens in extended story arcs, season finale) when the movie is coming to an end.

It didn't fail to live up it's promises to be funny althought it went abit too fast paced in the begining and it feels somewhat penalising when the movie went to a slight slowdown for emotional moments. Also the issue of that town folks of Springfield are under utilised, serving as back drop or sight gag.

I don't see the need to type anything abou the plot. Just go watch it.

The donut in the posters is a key essential to the movie if you need to know.

http://www.simpsonsmovie.com/

Watched: Black Sheep

I want my $9 back!!!
Oh wow. Such a reaction from the fellow behind.
And he was the one who laughed the loudest.

Black Sheep is one of those movies that you got to see to put some of the Blockbuster fatigue out (It was a cycle of great blockbusters since Late May).

Does it worth my $9???
Every dollar!!! (Not the same case for the Nachos that yuki bought).

Black Sheep tells of a story of a boy, Henry Oldfield, who grew up on the greens of New Zealand. As a boy, he was a capable sheperd, rounding up the sheeps and keeping them going and his father saw potential.

For every blue eye boy out there, there's envy.
And it comes in the form of his older brother, Angus.

Angus decided to play a prank one day. He slaughtered Henry's pet sheep and led Henry to a storage house and jumped at Henry in the sheep's head and skin. Subsequently news of their father death came in, putting Henry into a trauma, developing a phobia for sheep.

Fast forward 15 years, Henry returned to the Oldfield farm to actually get some psychological closure and at the same time, sell his share of the farm. Meanwhile enviromental activists, Grant and Experience arrived at the Oldfield farm to uncover evidence of Angus's secret experiments.

Grant stole one of the bottles for disposal, accidentally unleashed a mutant lamb, which bit Grant. The mutant lamb then bit a sheep which soon spreads off a virus which made the sheeps carniverous and aggressively so.

Henry and childhood friend, Tucker met Experience and in events to be, discovers the reason behind the Aggressive Sheeps and how they will affect humans. Will they be able to survive and defeat the Sheeps???

I leave that to the guy screaming for his $9 back.

http://www.blacksheep-themovie.com/

Watched:Paprika

What's Paprika???

It's a name of a spice.


It's also the title of a sci-fi story by Tsutsui Yasutaka (a writer whose work I encountered via various adaption such as anime and drama) and now, title of an anime by visionary director, Kon Satoshi.


So what's Paprika about???

It's about man of the Waking World going into the World of Dreams.

Paprika, a figure that manifest in the Dream World, is a guide that helps the users of the DC mini to prescribe treatment.


The DC mini experimental device that acts as a gateway for the doctors to go and view people's dream and more...


Trouble is that 3 DC mini was stolen from the hospital and suddenly the Waking is abducted into the dreamland, causing havoc in the process.


Atsuko, the supervisor of the project and also the Waking Host of Paprika, must recover the 3 DC mini before it's too late as more people are abducted into a dream of a never ending parade....

Some of Kon Satoshi's work had always been refered by me as "Mindfucks". It's a tough ride for many, especially the lesser anime lovers who been always watching the regular harem and shonen stuff. The shock equates to trying to stuff a walnut up your nostil.
But this time round, it's not going to be that way because this time you got a guide.

Her name?
Paprika.