Who gives a rat's ass what I think?

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark

2011-09-23T23:16:00.005+08:00

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (2010) - This is a really good watch. For nine-year-olds, maybe? For us older kids, it doesn't so well in the scare department unfortunately, and especially if you are a big horror fan who has watched a considerable amount of other horrors. That being said, I was tempted to walk out of the cinema for the very first time in my entire life after the first third of the movie. The fact that the pace picked up during the last quarter of the movie does help indeed, but only in the extent that I did not consciously choose to waste my money by not finishing the movie. Shows with a horde of miniature creeps are not really my thing; I'd go for size and solo anytime. Nice ending though. Sad, however. 6.25/10.

*Why does Bailee Madison look so much like Katie Holmes?! She looks like a creepy little girl...hopefully she'll grow out of it and end up like Katie (and not Kim!). Or maybe she's just THAT good at pulling off expressions...my bad...

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

2011-09-17T00:01:00.003+08:00

THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE (2010) - If CGI is your thing, watch this. If it isn't, watch it also. A very good, way above average popcorn film that gets the audience excited with action-packed scenes, modern-day magic style. Would have been excellent if caught on the big screen. The leading actor who plays David is a tad bit annoying, but it is probably deliberate on the part of the producers. Monica Bellucci is a goddess to watch; she is breathtakingly beautiful (even with the wrinkles) for the few minutes of screen time she is given. Magic is presented in a a rather fresh perspective, as it is explained in a scientific manner. Given that the movie carries a happy ending, this is recommended for viewers of all ages (like wolves and puppies alike) , especially for depressed adults who want to watch something out-of-this world. 7.75/10.

Blitz

2011-08-09T17:53:00.004+08:00

BLITZ (2011) - Will hold your attention for as long as it runs, with a few humourous and mildly shocking moments, this is another one of those films which require a good cast to keep viewers from feeling bored and ripped-off their money or time because the plot revolves around cops and killer(s) again. Chances are that you may have seen a similar setup to this one, probably even with a similar ending. OK to watch, and you can just label it 'another Jason Statham movie'. Oh, and London is so gloomy. And grey. Even the panoramic bird-eye view shots of the city. And one the most expletive-laden films I've watched recently. 6.75/10.

Cowboys & Aliens

2011-08-08T23:52:00.000+08:00

COWBOYS AND ALIENS (2011) - Have waited for this for months ever since I saw the poster. Wouldn't say it surpassed expectations, but it did not disappoint, a fact that I have to attribute largely to the omnipresence of Daniel Craig's sexy legs in leather chaps, and a couple flashes of bare torso. The laser lights and inferno were well-made, and the only main problem I have with this film is that a lot of thing were left unexplained, and therefore leaves the story with plenty of holes. There wasn't enough time to subject the characters to further development, otherwise it would have been a stellar summer blockbuster. Very entertaining nonetheless. 7/10.

Wu Xia

2011-07-25T20:12:00.002+08:00

WU XIA (2011) - It is an atypical film in itself, much more so coming from Donnie Yen. Xu Baijiu's accent was very distracting and I could barely make out what he was saying, and for the most part when he speaks I found myself reading both the English and Mandarin subtitles. I must say I was rather surprised to Donnie Yen really acting here, complete with pained facial expressions and tears and all. Nice; he can actually act. Tang Wei's character also differs from your usual pretty-woman-in-the-film-just-for-the-sake-of-having-a-woman-the-film role, she actually has feelings and emotions to account for and has guts to react in the face of adversary. Action wise, I have not seen those fists that Donnie Yen uses in this film, and my oh my, do they not look amazing. Just when I thought he has exhausted most of his moves, he gives us new ones. For a 2-hour film, the amount of action does not seem to be enough, however what it lacks in quantity it compensates in quality. Wang Yu's patriarch character was extremely scary. He has an awful lot of screen presence and the vocal chords to match. I have never been intimidated by characters in movies, but he was just disturbing and discomforting to watch, and when he yells it totally shakes you to your bones. The scenery of the location was breathtaking, especially the river with the aquatic grass in which Donnie first kills the hulking criminal. It is so clear it makes you want to dive right in and frolic, but hey. A man just died in there. 7.5/10.

The Karate Kid

2011-06-26T00:40:00.002+08:00

THE KARATE KID (2010) - Surprisingly not as bad as I thought it would be. Still not a fan of Jaden Smith, and although neither is Jackie Chan earning any extra points with this one, nevertheless it is a watchable movie if you want a light-hearted piece. I wouldn't compare it to the original Karate Kid because I don't remember what the old one was like. But on its own, the film gets a 6.5/10.

Kung Fu Panda 2

2011-06-07T14:34:00.000+08:00

KUNG FU PANDA 2 (2011) - Definitely funnier and more entertaining than the first (not that the first wasn't). It was a good move to put in a baby Po with gurgling sounds and diapers to match, and also a little bit more family background to pull at the heartstrings. There were nice additions in the forms of the peacock, croc and rhino to futher diversify the animal kingdom, and the ending tells of a definite third installment, which I definitely will be waiting for seeing as how the first two already went. 7.5/10.

X-Men: First Class

2011-06-06T19:39:00.003+08:00

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011) - Turns out quite well done after all. But the acting could have been a little bit better, but considering they were all supposed to be "young and untrained", I guess I can let that slip. Quite enjoyable on the whole, CGI and action (amount and quality) were just about right. The character were decent, except for Darwin, which no one gave a shit about (or more like, never got a chance to). As for the storyline, figures that the way mutants in 1962 get attention is to start a nuclear war with the humans. So, yeah...7.5/10.

Thirst, Slice

2011-05-21T19:07:00.003+08:00

THIRST (2009) - A very interesting take on the bloodthirsty vampire premise. Excellent performance by Song Kang-ho and Kim Ok-bin, there was great chemistry and believability in the way they delivered their characters. The plot is well-laid out, and personally I couldn't think of a better ending. It is also genius to leave the origin of the 'virus' unexplored, as the main story is on the protagonist and his actions. 7.25/10.

SLICE (2009) - Seriously, people! The poster totally gave it away! Otherwise it would have been (actually is, just don't look at the goddamn poster!) a rather fresh idea in the world of horror films. And of course something like this would be best executed in the hands of the Thais. No pun intended. 6.25/10.

Kung Fu Panda

2011-05-06T19:54:00.002+08:00

KUNG FU PANDA (2008) - I obviously watched this only in 2011 because part 2 is out. And with the intention of quickly catching it in the cinema, hence this viewing. Aside from entertaining, I don't have many too words to describe this film really. It's a feel-good, funny, straight-to-the-point fun flick which should do its job of brightening up your otherwise dull day, but will not serve to turn it into an eventful or unforgettable one. That being said, it is a funny piece. I think it has very well done its job there. 7.25/10.

Vampire Warrirors

2011-04-30T00:55:00.002+08:00

VAMPIRE WARRIORS (2010) - It isn't as bad as it looks actually. At the very least the fight scenes look painful even if it's some wire-fu. Acting is nowhere near great, but at least it wasn't deadpan. Wouldn't say it's worth a watch, but if you are looking for a mindless martial arts show, then by all means watch. 6.5/10.

I Am Number Four

2011-02-28T22:25:00.002+08:00

I AM NUMBER FOUR (2011) - One of the best movies of 2011, I'd say. A teenage flick it is, but it was very well carried out. The action scenes were well-choreographed and the cast gave a pretty solid acting. Just the right blend of action, humour, and emotions to make it an above average film. 7.5/10.

Shaolin, Black Swan

2011-02-25T00:07:00.001+08:00

SHAOLIN (2011) - Itis inappropriately marketed as THE action blockbuster of 2011. Sorry, but no, it isn't, and not only it isn't, itis as far from it as anyone can get. It should be marketed as most emotional instead and I would fully comply. Acting was stellar from Nic Tse and Andy Lau, the storyline is nothing outstanding, but the film nonetheless provides a wholesome experience in itself. Definitely worth watching, but wouldn't label it as unforgettable. 7/10.

BLACK SWAN (2011) - Extremely overrated. Anyone who called this brilliant obviously has not watched many films. The synopsis was equally misleading as well: it speaks of Lily being the 'personification of the Black Swan', but I beg to differ. She comes nowhere close to devious and jealous, but just more of a free, independent spirit. Natalie Portman does a good job as usual, however, the ending just falls flat. Nothing remarkable is contained in the storyline that we have not seen before. I almost wished there were supernatural factor involved in the movie, but it just fell flat. Left the cinema feeling rather annoyed. 6.5/10.

Death Race 2, The Stool Pigeon

2011-01-23T18:28:00.003+08:00

DEATH RACE 2 (2010) - Not as interesting or action-packed as part one, but it does explain Frankenstein's origins, for those who care. A slightly below average movie because there's not enough action to compensate for the lack of story thereof. Most will watch it only because it is a prequel to Death Race. 6/10.

THE STOOL PIGEON (2010) - Very frankly, am getting a bit sick of Nick Cheung and all these gritty grudging characters that he's playing. The film is solid and decent, but nothing spectacular and it is only made so by the strong acting of the cast. Other than that it is just your typical HK cop-and-robber film. 6.75/10.

Saw VII, Who R U

2011-01-17T18:27:00.001+08:00

SAW 7 (2011) - They said it was gonna be the last installment!! The ending proves otherwise though... The traps are now fashioned in a 'team' mode, meaning there is more than one person involved, and usually at least one person has control over the fates of the other people who are trapped. The difference in this film from the previous installments is evident in the absence of light shed on the selection of Jigsaw's victims. The story ties up the loose ends on the previous six films, an poses a totally new question with its ending. 6.75/10.

WHO R U (2011) - A rather interesting take on psychosis in this film, and the female lead (the mother) does an excellent job portraying the tormented single mother having problems concerning her son who perpetually keeps himself locked in his room. Like most Thai horror films, this one is pretty decent and manages to hold your attention long enough throughout its running time, and the only major problem I had was how the 'ghost' resembles an alien way too much. 7/10.

A Real Blog Entry

2010-12-31T16:23:00.003+08:00

Eight months down the line and I still can't stick my keys in properly into the lock.

I don't think I will ever get used to this shit. Singaporeans are....meh.

I swear I am only here for SGD's.

Machete, City Under Siege

2010-11-18T17:45:00.003+08:00

MACHETE (2010) - Corny lines, goofy script, over-the-top gore. Fun afternoon movie. And it's Steven Seagal in his first bad guy role. 6.75/10.

CITY UNDER SIEGE (2010) - Can we say 'costumes'? And kinda bad ones at that. I'm still trying to come to terms as to why Collin Chou would want to accept this offer. Maybe he was in dire need of money. The storyline is obviously quite bad, and the interest Collin's character has for Shu Qi's character isn't overly justified (actually the whole production isn't anyway). It's reminiscent of Donnie Yen vs. Kate Tsui, because here it's Collin Chou vs. Aaron Kwok, both of which the latters are not very well-versed in martial arts to begin with. The acting leaves nothing to be desired, so does the plot and camera angles. The action is just ok, and everything else is just bleargh. Had Collin Chou not be in a lizard suit, maybe I would have like it better. 6/10.

Mirrors 2; 30 Days of Night: Dark Days

2010-11-01T18:22:00.005+08:00

MIRRORS 2 (2010) - *MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD* Um, no, when people get strangled they gurgle and choke, not scream at the top of their lungs. And no, when people chew glass and swallow it and cut themselves pretty bad, I'm sure their tongue and vocal chords are affected too, so nay to screaming at top of lungs. And also no to bad quality shower screens? I still find it hard to believe that a grown woman slipping and falling will shatter the shower screen like that. Maybe she opted for normal glass instead of tempered. Hmph still. Other than than, and the apparent lack of storyline, this is an obvious candidate for B-grade movie. Just movie, not HORROR movie though. Appealing soundtrack though. And the boys get to see some knockers here. 6.5/10.

30 DAYS OF NIGHT: DARK DAYS (2010) - Um, typical lower-budget sequel with lesser-known actors, not too much action and tries to follow-up on the events of the first. Does not explain what happens to all existing vampires (I doubt they were all exterminated in the end), but the ending saved it for me. Now I'm waiting for a part 3, and they sure as hell better make one for me!! 6.5/10.

Reign of Assassins

2010-10-27T22:59:00.003+08:00

REIGN OF ASSASSINS (2010) - Turned out surprisingly satisfying. Slow in pace almost to the point of draggy at times (bearing in mind that this IS a two-hour movie) it makes up for that in the fluid fight scenes, although the twist of identities is seen coming. The characters are actually given time and room for a little bit of depth here, which doesn't make this just-another-martial-arts-movie. The cast was solid in its performance and the editing was competent enough without having to focus on breathtaking scenery or artsy backdrops. Not a must-watch, but definitely a good watch. 7.25/10.

Paranormal Activity 2

2010-10-25T16:08:00.001+08:00

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 (2010) - Decent enough, but not on par with the first. Definitely not. And it's even slower paced. 6.5/10.

Detective Dee

2010-10-19T22:36:00.001+08:00

DETECTIVE DEE (2010) - Rarely there is a movie in which I like all the characters. Here everyone works by their own reasoning, and even that it isn't a bad thing when you come to think of it. Having several veteran actors grace the screens in one production one would definitely expect a production of such to be rather decent. Acting wise yes, however, graphics and effects wise it leaves little to be desired. They come off as rather cartoonish most of the time, but the movie is a good watch nonetheless due to the emotion is which each of the characters put out onto the screen. 7.25/10.

Frozen

2010-10-17T15:59:00.002+08:00

FROZEN (2010) - Wasn't as dramatic as I thought it would be, considering the characters were kinda dumb. Well, they're American tourists, so yeah, you get the hint. Why do American tourists ALWAYS get themsleves in trouble?! Turistas, The Ruins, Cabin Fever, Wrong Turn etc. I just watched it till the end because I wanted to know how it ended and who survived. But the journey was agonizing. For them, literally speaking. Sucks to watch your friend break his legs AND get feasted on by wolves. 6/10.

Devil

2010-09-16T23:24:00.003+08:00

DEVIL (2010) - Hm. I probably would have enjoyed it more had I not already watched a shitload of movies. Not that this was in any way unoriginal or cliched, I liked the editing and cinematography and the plot buildup was very good. Pace was great, and the chills were sufficient. A solid watch. 7/10.

Resident Evil: Afterlife

2010-09-15T23:37:00.002+08:00

RESIDENT EVIL:AFTERLIFE (2010) - Now how many years did I wait for this? Three, I think? Yup, three. This feels (but not looks) as if it had been written by Paul W. S. Anderson when he wanted to go take a dump, but chose not to because he had a long anticipated script to finish. Thing is, he should have gone and taken that dump first before he wrote it out. It looked good, the whole make of it, including Alice and Claire's mysteriously appearing lipstick and foundation (as if Loreal had survived the holocaust), the environment and setting, but there wasn't enough action, and all that slo-mo was terribly unnecessary and passe and cliched. The Executioner should have been given more screen time and terror reign, though I did think that they did a decent job of putting him in the movie. Chris wasn't a total himbo (as he was the only one who knew the way out) but he never DID anything epic per se. Boris Kodjoe was obviously eye candy, I mean, did you see the amount of make-up the undead had on their faces?! We need someone more natural!! The real problem was Wesker and his ala Matrix moves. That's not very Resident Evil-ly now, is it? They should have at least made him do the Chikyo Chagi cos it's one hella cool move. And the ending was, well...let's just say there has GOT to be a fifth one. 7/10.

*They need to bring in Leon, for heaven's sakes!! We need another man!!

Meat Grinder, Rattle Rattle, Hitman

2010-09-07T00:43:00.002+08:00

MEAT GRINDER (2009) - The only spectacular thing about the movie was the soundtrack. Everything else isn't particularly original, however not generic in execution. It is the filming and editing which makes the movie go past the cliches of horror. Just don't expect too much. 6.5/10.

RATTLE RATTLE (2006) - Say what??? Ok, the monster's hella ugly, but that's just it. Totally suspended finish, notice that I didn't even call it an ending. Ratings for the fugly mofo monster. But not a good story. 6/10.

HITMAN (2007) - Hard to believe roles like these made Olga Kurylenko famous. It must be the eyes; she has such beautiful eyes. I guess this was decent enough, at least the action was competent, and oh well, watchable enough. 6.5/10.

King of Fighters

2010-08-26T23:27:00.001+08:00

KING OF FIGHTERS (2010) - Did I say that this was gonna be better than Tekken? If I did, I certainly can't remember it now. Not that it matters, because they can both vie for worst movie of the year, and give video game movies a worse name. There is (obviously) virtually no storyline, though the dialogue actually isn't too bad, but the camerawork is so shaky that the action gets lost in the dark. And yeah, another white boy with a Japanese name. So-o-o ho-o-t. N-o-o-t. Even babes like Maggie and Bernice couldn't save this film. 5.75/10.

The Expendables

2010-08-24T23:29:00.002+08:00

THE EXPENDABLES (2010) - Knives, guns, bombs, and martial arts...what more could a chick want?! Exactly what it's meant to be: an action flick. No cheesy romance or over-the-top machismo, just good, decent action served nicely on pace throughout the whole film. Stallone shows us that he's capable of actually making an action film instead of just having starred in them. One of the best action movies seen in recent years. Definitely. 7.5/10.

The Last Airbender

2010-08-10T20:33:00.001+08:00

THE LAST AIRBENDER (2010) - What's with all the hating?? For a cartoon brought to life in a less-than-two-hour movie, I'd say it was pretty damn good. The effects were realistic enough, the storyline true to the original (of course, if you were a layperson it would all sound stupid to you) although the acting and delivery is a little bit off in some departments. But the visuals and scenes were petty close to the cartoons and that's what I'm looking for, and found it. Enjoyed it enough. But now I have to wait another few eons for Books 2, 3, and 4. 7.5/10.

Salt

2010-08-07T01:20:00.002+08:00

SALT (2010) - OK...why the hell did they decide to go make Angelina Jolie ugly for a while in the movie?! Eeeewwwww.....I PAID for it ok?! Over-the-top action, as one would expect in a double-crossing espionage film, predictable plot, but decent action, I guess. Cliffhanger ending, so expect a part 2. 6.5/10.

Ong Bak 3

2010-08-06T00:36:00.002+08:00

ONG BAK 3 (2010) - Ain't a bad movie at all per se, but because it IS ONG BAK THE THIRD, we expect it to be blown out of epic proportions. Which, has obviously failed, considering I have to write a review about it. The martial arts isn't spectacular, the plot paper-thin, and sorry, Tony Jaa is NOT sexy. It is just another movie. And I still think they could have done with a prettier female lead. Would have even fared well as a stand-alone piece without any relation to its predecessors. 6.25/10.

Tekken

2010-08-03T13:00:00.002+08:00

TEKKEN (2010) - Kazuya. Is WHITE. Oh yeah, just a white guy with a Japanese name, no biggie.... And come on...Marshall Law as a hard-hitting brute?! And what more, played by Cung Le?! WTF any thug could have done what he did in the movie! Such an insult to this man's skills...and did they credit him as Cung LEE? Dudes, Chun-li is in the OTHER bad movie. And the same goes for Lateef Crowder, who is easily one of the more proficient fighters on the cast - Eddy Gordo is the first one to be offed. I know whyyyy....cos they spelled his name as EDDIE. He probably don't wanna be in the movie no longer after that!! Anna Nina who?? SOME assassins who can't even kill a kid; and Anna didn't even get to be in the arena. Yes, that's just what they were there for: to show off their ASSassination skills. And why is everyone doing BJJ or MMA in there?! Tekken is a fighting game full of various styles!! And what the hell is up with the weapons?! This isn't Mortal Kombat Annihilation! And they put two sideshows Dragonov (or sometimes spelled Dragunov) and Rojo what for?! I don't even know who they are! And the Jacks don't look like Jacks; they look like people, short and tall alike. If you're gonna make a flick where character background isn't your priority, at least serve up the action. Screw you, Hollywood. Now King of Fighters will shit all over Tekken. At least that has Maggie Q in it. 6/10.

Black Ransom

2010-07-31T17:16:00.002+08:00

BLACK RANSOM (2010) - Very enjoyable. Gun fights, and mano-o-mano fights. Great delivery from the whole cast, especially Liu Yang who plays the sultry lady bar owner. Fast-paced till the end, just the way I like it. Favourite part? Where the girls were climbing down the pipe and one gets offed. Brilliant. 7.5/10.

Predators

2010-07-19T23:52:00.002+08:00

PREDATORS (2010) - Strictly for Adrien Brody fans, cos he gets shirtless and down and dirty, literally. But for Predator fans, not so much. Where are all those cool gadgets and technology that defines the Predator as much as its humanoid form and dreadlocks?! And the Predator has a predator?! Come on!! Isn't that enough?! And they don't even fight smart, just brawl it out like brutes. Or maybe the other Predator isn't tech savvy, but hey. The smaller, more advanced pred as we know is, but it doesn't show much in the movie. This is just one of those shows which you know is just being made because it has an already established franchise and name backing it up, and it's just trying to be another cash cow. 6/10.

Triple Tap

2010-07-19T23:46:00.002+08:00

TRIPLE TAP (2010) - No, sorry, but it wasn't THAT good. I did not see any brilliant writing in here, and it took three people to write. Too many writers spoil the script? It was nothing new, nothing fresh, or even refreshing. The story moves at snail's pace, and there is barely any action in it. That being said, the drama isn't thick or captivating enough to almost totally omit the action. It has the right amount of settings and cinematography to it to make it look a big budgeted film, but nonetheless it is a been-there-done-that sort of make. Daniel Wu still looks good on-screen though. 6.75/10.

Merantau

2010-07-15T15:52:00.003+08:00

MERANTAU (2009) - I guess what makes a movie much more watchable is the believability of the characters and acting of the actors involved. Typical storyline of hero saving the day, but the action is excellent: the choreography is flawless and the execution is credible, and really looks like it could be used in a street brawl. No wire-fu included. Very enjoyable, with a poignant ending to boot. Nice ending theme as well. And hey! Even the gweilos can fight decent! 7.5/10.

Hua Mulan, The Book of Eli, Lady Cop & Papa Crook

2010-07-10T19:48:00.004+08:00

HUA MULAN (2010) - Beautiful, beautiful soundtrack. Makes the movie whole lot more poignant than it already is. Another Chen Kun/Zhao Wei pair, and both actors are equally convincing in their roles. A sweet, sweet movie about people acting on decisions given their circumstances and priorities. A pretty decent watch. 7/10.

THE BOOK OF ELI (2010) - Personally, I love watching movies taking place in a post-apocalyptic era (think Pulse, Carriers etc). What DO humans do without the luxury of water, electricity, shopping malls, cars and so on?? As times like this it is no wonder that any form of religious direction is desperately sought after by the dictators of that time. The premise is very interesting, but I personally am a bit tired of Denzel Washington playing the same role over and over again, the reluctant hero who always pulls through and saves the day. Mila Kunis has always been a favourite of mine, but I'm just not so sure about her going out there alone...6.75/10.

LADY COP AND PAPA CROOK (2009) - There are times when you think when you know what's going on, but you DON'T know exactly what is going on?? The plot gets pretty confusing at times, and with the typical Hong Kong movie humour, this is just another one of your not-so-exciting cop and robber films. Nothing missed. 6/10.

The A-team

2010-07-08T23:32:00.001+08:00

THE A-TEAM (2010) - Subpar humour. Subpar action. But awesome overreacting. I was bored throughout. Tried too hard to be a smooth, slick, precise action show. It is a reminder that I shall try my best not to watch Liam Neeson's action movies any more. 5.5/10.

Ip Man: The Legend is Born

2010-07-08T22:51:00.002+08:00

IP MAN: THE LEGEND IS BORN (2010) - The filmography or script isn't particularly spectacular, even bordering on the verge of repetitiveness, particularly the development of romance between Ip Man and Yong Cheng. The fights aren't groundbreaking in neither style nor choreography, or even reasons they were being positioned in the script as such. It was nice to see Louis Fan back in action after a long while, albeit a bit comical to find many members of the cast were recycled from the previous Ip Man installment playing different characters. Basically the entire film was tethering on corniness, but somehow I guess it manages to redeem itself by means of a moral-of-the-story gist. My favourite part would have to be when Mei Hui was fighting of the Japanese assailants. To me, it portrayed her spirit really nicely. 6.25/10.

Chocolate, On the Edge

2010-06-12T17:39:00.003+08:00

CHOCOLATE (2008) - Wonderful moves, though it could have looked a little more painful. A supposedly poignant story, and would have been more emotional had it been shot better on a slightly larger budget. An enjoyable watch though. 7/10.

ON THE EDGE (2006) - Cop and gangster film typical of HK. Not too outstanding, but pretty much worth a shot as it deliberates the internal conflict of an undercover agent reverting to a cop position after eight years. Good performances by Anthony Wong and Nick Cheung as usual. 7/10.

Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time

2010-05-31T21:18:00.004+08:00

PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME (2010) - Wouldn't say it was better than I expected, because I expected it to be good! Jake Gyllenhaal is convincing as the Prince of Persia, and likewise Gemma Arterton as Princess Tamina. Puns well placed, and action well served, this is one of the better movies based off a video game. Though I did wish that the Hassassins were given a bit more screen time. 7.5/10.

Raging Phoenix

2010-05-22T20:22:00.002+08:00

RAGING PHOENIX (2009) - Not too big a fan of drunken martial arts, but it still has some pretty cool Muay Thai moves. Not a particularly extraordinary storyline, but the movie is obviously nothing else but for the martial arts. Could have looked more painful when they got hit though. 6.5/10.

Iron Man 2

2010-05-19T21:28:00.002+08:00

IRON MAN 2 (2010) - It is nice that there is a drawback to his power core. And also I expected Scarlett Johansson to have done more in the film. There is more action in this installment, but not too much in the quality though. Addictive soundtrack, and great delivery by Robert Downey Jr. 7.25/10.

Bloodrayne, Max Payne, The Descent 2

2010-05-15T18:48:00.002+08:00

BLOODRAYNE (2005) - Can you say bad acting? Michelle Rodriguez should win an award for being the only decent cast member here. The fight scenes were laughable, the script is deadpan, but the scenery and cinematography aren't actually bad to begin with. I guess it was the saving grace of the entire film otherwise I would not have succeeded in finishing it. Didn't play the games though, so haven't got a clue on what the movie should be like beforehand. 6/10.

MAX PAYNE (2008) - Did not play the games either, but otherwise was actually pretty promising. Competent enough with the cast and atmosphere, but weak story. Watchable. 6.5/10.

THE DESCENT 2 (2009) - Not as suspenseful as the first one, though with more irritating moments. And with the ending they presented, they'd better make a third one. 7/10.

Iron Man, The Banquet, True Legend

2010-05-09T16:44:00.006+08:00

IRON MAN (2008) - Yeah, yeah, after long last...pretty fun show, which should be typical for every summer blockbuster. Robert Downey Jr turns in a very convincing performance and immense screen presence as main protagonist Tony Stark. The action is decent, the story isn't out-of-the-blue, but still works. Enjoyable. 7.25/10.

THE BANQUET (2006) - Beautiful costumes, scenery, cinematography, strong acting from Zhang Ziyi, but an otherwise anticlimactic ending. Would have been loads better if they had decided to wrap it up nicely instead of leaving loose ends hanging. Very captivating however. 7/10.

*First movie had a Yinsen, second had a Yinsun. Ah, coincidences...

TRUE LEGEND (2010) - What.The.Fuck. Seriously, is this the mark of Vincent Zhao's comeback onto the silver screen?! By fighting Jay Chou, the Goddamn God of Wushu, and by breakdancing?! Seriously! And battling lame ang moh fighters?! As for Michelle Yeoh...can you say ke-le-fe... For a movie running two hours long, this is NOT good at all for all senses. It's so nonsensical you can hardly take it seriously. This is one of those bad shows you just gotta watch so that you can slander it later. Seriously, Yuen Wo Ping, what the crap were you thinking?! Obviously not of the script and plot, but hey!! Wire-fu and breakdancing?! C'mon!!! 6/10.

Cure, The Reeds, Across the Hall, Fire of Conscience

2010-05-01T18:49:00.004+08:00

Great, two movies which don't make sense back to back. Though the second one had a much more promising atmosphere and score to it.

CURE (1997) - Overrated like shit. I get what the movie means, but on the whole it's just slow and sleepy. No kick. Or punches. Ish. 6.25/10.

THE REEDS (2009) - Had a very good buildup in story and atmosphere, then it just spirals wildly out of contortions into a convoluted ending. Holds attention a bit. Watch only if you've got nothing better to do. 6.5/10.

ACROSS THE HALL (2010) - Why was Brittany Murphy doing all these weird shows just before her passing? Quite bizarre, wouldn't call it flawless, but watcheable nonetheless. Avoid if looking for something of fast pace though. 6.75/10.

FIRE OF CONSCIENCE (2010) - Why does Richie Ren always get the decent movies?? Anyways, I have no problems with his acting, just that he still seems a bit comical to me sometimes. But I have problems with the way Leon Lai looks and acts. Oh well...nothing much to shout about, just another cop and robber HK flick but quite decently done. 7/10.

Ip Man 2

2010-04-29T21:09:00.004+08:00

IP MAN 2 (2010) -OMG! What can I say?! Aside from Donnie Yen's improved acting skills (somehow he does especially well in Ip Man) and Lynn Xiong's ability to look smashing without much makeup needed, this is one show which I did not expect to thoroughly enjoy in every bit. The fight scenes are superb, realistic to the bone, and the harbouring atmosphere of Chinese integrity is far from bleak. A must-watch for everyone, especially Donnie Yen haters. 9/10.

*Never have I rated a movie 9/10 before. Never. Watch. Ip...I mean It.

Shutter Island

2010-04-29T21:05:00.002+08:00

SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) - OMG. I can't believe I can sit through a two-hour plus movie and yet not feel a thing, other than sleepiness. That's not to say it's a bad movie. It had a twist and a rather ambiguous ending if you like, but somehow I had zero feeling evoking from watching all that unravel before my eyes. That's not to say it was a bad show though. Though they did out the dreams in there just to add more blood and spook, which in this age of filmmaking will seem more than a bit lame. Especially if it is acclaimed director Scorsese's film. Pretty decent, but too much talking kinda takes the action away. 7/10.

Cold Prey, Cold Prey 2

2010-04-18T16:24:00.002+08:00

COLD PREY (2006) - The usual premise of slasher flicks, young adults getting stranded somewhere in high altitude accompanied by a nutcase murderer. The atmosphere is perfect, and the small number of characters are just nice to work around as they each get targeted. A couple of shocks here and there, this is again nothing new nor special, but pretty decent nonetheless. 7.25/10.

COLD PREY 2 (2008) - As always, somehow second parts always end up slightly more comical than the first, especially when it comes to blood and gore. Still good, but not as thrilling as the first. Oh, and kids are still so dumb. Especially Western kids. But I'm really glad that she decided to finish him off real nice. And if he still manages to come back alive after that, then maybe killing people should really be his occupation. 6.75/10.

Clash of the Titans

2010-04-18T11:44:00.002+08:00

CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010) - We know why it wasn't all that good. Because a crapload of the budget went to: Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Sam Worthington, Jason Flemyng, Natalia Vodianova, Liam Cunningham (whom I thought looks a lot like Jean Reno). So many A-list actors, but did not do the movie justice. Hampered by some lame dialogue, and not exactly enough epic events, we can just pass this one actually. I don't know the point of this movie. No, seriously. 6/10.

The Baby's Room

2010-04-07T19:33:00.002+08:00

THE BABY'S ROOM (2006) - An immensely chilling concept about parallel worlds, and letting something from the other side into your world. It isn't scary, but has a decent plot. Fails to surprise otherwise. 6.5/10.

The Fifth Commandment

2010-04-05T20:48:00.005+08:00

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT (2008) -They need a better action director. They need to make the pain look real. They fight like children. Rick Yune wrote it? Rick Yune produced it? Rick Yune post-produced it? Ok, we get it, it's low-budget. Would have been a better show with a bigger budget and better direction. 6.5/10.

Blood Heat

2010-04-05T20:36:00.003+08:00

BLOOD HEAT (2002) - Never helps when you don't understand the language! Dubbed in French, with only about half subbed in English. The action is sufficient, but it looks so obviously choreographed. The moves are fancy, but it looks pretty much like wait-i'm-gonna-strike-you-so-you-gotta-block. Would have enjoyed it even more had it been properly subbed and not dubbed. 6/10.

Singapore

2010-04-05T00:10:00.002+08:00

I've landed in Singapore. I can walk to work. Can't wait to get my first salary in SGD. Oh, and they've disabled my shoutbox, teehee! I hope Romeo feels the diff when I'm not around.

Alone in the Dark 2

2010-03-25T01:38:00.004+08:00

ALONE IN THE DARK 2 (2008) - Whoa!! She got to get cozy with Rick Yune! I wanna do that movie too...did you see how many times she got to paw his abs?! And she he put his hand to her chest and gave her CPR....! Now that I want too..! Down to less serious business...Rick Yune can't act to save his life, sadly. I think he does well as a villain, but as a good person, neh. The cast is stiff, both in acting and line delivery Perhaps I would have enjoyed the movie more had I played the game, but for laypeople, this show sucked balls. The witch was so obviously 'acted', you could see it in her gait, or lack thereof. Rick Yune was cute, but stiff. Facially, not anywhere else. I think they deliberately made him shirtless in a few scenes so that it would buffer the badness of the film. Another one with Uwe Boll's name tied to it. I can see where people are getting at with him now. If it wasn't for Mr Yune, I would never have finished this piece of shiet. And don't you dare judge me even though I never saw part one. 6/10.

Daybreakers

2010-03-23T23:05:00.003+08:00

DAYBREAKERS (2010) - The blood looks, good, so does Ethan Hawke. Very interesting point to ponder on really, the whole world (well, almost) turned into vampires, and there's a blood supply shortage. Makes sense that the majority would like to be free of senescence as most of us are afraid of dying, especially from disease. Humans rarely donate blood when the whole world was full of humans, so of course there's gonna be a supply shortage when it comes to DRINKING IT FOR SURVIVAL. Especially of another species. Being a student of the sciences, the prospect of a blood substitute is an engaging idea at its best, to see what substance and the chemistry of it that could possibly bring similar effects of sustaining a vampire's life. The cure here is passable, but is presented in a manner that is slightly rushed. Other than the movie being too rushed, I quite enjoyed it. 6.75/10.

An Empress and the Warriors, Surrogates

2010-03-23T00:23:00.003+08:00

AN EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (2008) - First of all, I think the capturing aspect would be the armour donned throughout the film. Ornate, intricate, and has a nice shade of silver to it. I think the movie would have been better if the leading stars were not held by Kelly Chen and Leon Lai. Moreover, not every movie needs humour in it. In this piece, the humour just seems misplaced, and the shift from the first tense act to the lightheartedness just seems, well, shifty. The plot ans dialogue were both decent, and the scenery spectacular. Could have been better though. 6.75/10.

SURROGATES (2009) - A wonderful show about the perverse of technology to fuel the human vanity and escapism. Yes, true to a lot, that the surrogacy provides an opportunity for the less privileged to experience a life they never had or will never have, but at the end of the day, all the operators need to die. A good wake-up call. This should be one reason we still like Hollywood. Because they make all these movies about humans, technology, and hypocrisy. 7.5/10.

Bad Blood, Butterfly Lovers, Whispering Corridors 2: Memento Mori

2010-03-22T02:34:00.003+08:00

BAD BLOOD (2010) - Terrible story, deadpan dialogue, one-dimensional characters, good fight choreography, and one hell of an ironic ending which saves this film from total badness. Only worth watching if you're a martial arts fan with time to kill. 7/10.

*Would have been better if they decide to show the badminton scene with Calf first followed by the belly-dancing scene. And Ken Lo's flying knee attack just reminds us once again how proficient a fighter he really is.

BUTTERFLY LOVERS (2008) - Charlene Choi is the reason this film is watchable, because she's just so likeable and cute as a button. And Wu Chun looks way to modern for a period drama, and not to mention his acting skills are a bit too raw for a lovestruck hero in a period setting. Nevertheless, what saved for me was the soundtrack and music. both are very befitting and brings further atmosphere to the melodrama already at hand. Harlem Yu is surprisingly affable in this film at the doctor who speaks a farrago of Mandarin and Cantonese. But the most moving and powerful bit if the film would be the ending. In the manner in which she chose to join him, without those near them even the slightest idea that she was, in fact, not dead. 7.5/10.

WHISPERING CORRIDORS 2: MEMENTO MORI (1999) - Not scary at all. More of a depressing love story between teenage lesbian lovers. Decent enough, in a sense because it doesn't TRY to scare you. The synopsis however, is ultimately misleading as it leads the viewer to believe the film is going to be much scarier, but turns out to be mild in scares, at most. 7/10.

Rec, Pick Me Up, Ninja Assassin

2010-03-21T17:28:00.002+08:00

REC 2 (2009) - Oh for real...what stupid teens can you get now! OK to go into a quarantined area is one thing, but to blast the poor fireman?! WTH...it's a tad bit more interesting to make it into the 'science of possession' by describing it as a virus actually, however, this sequel emphasizes more on the demonic part rather than the scientific part. The first hour (which is the majority) of the show feels almost comical and I was about to start laughing in parts where the infected attack. The 'action' begins when Angela appears, and when you start to smell something fishy about her character. It's nice to touch into the idea that if she does get out what would happen, but thing is, when the transfer was occurring she barely struggled and it's not like her arms and legs were pinned down. Moreover, why is the Medeiros girl behaving the same way even though the entity is out of her body? Plotholes and questions, but ok otherwise. Not as strong as the prequel. 6.5/10.

MASTERS OF HORROR: PICK ME UP (2005) - Directed by Larry Cohen. Satirical shot (as most Western horror pieces actually) of picking up and getting picked up, to getting picked off. Not bad. 6.5/10.

NINJA ASSASSIN (2009) - Long overdue. Very enjoyable. The fight scenes were well-choreographed, and well-shot. Violent, but the blood was a little over the top. Too much of looking alike red thick paint. The acting was surprisingly decent. Or maybe I'm just influenced by the 'bad' reviews. Never a dull moment, and you don't need a special heart to enjoy this. 7.5/10.

The Home Song Stories

2010-03-02T23:04:00.010+08:00

THE HOME SONG STORIES (2007) - A moving story about a grown man trying to understand and connect with his childhood. Joan Chen is amazing as the ditzy mother flitting from uncle to uncle, and Qi Yuwu as her younger love interest did not manage to be overshadowed. It is interesting that the did not divulge the father of the boy, leaving the audience to further sympathize with his character. Watching this, I felt no pity for the mother, as an adult, she hardly deserves it. This movie reminds us that while we always think the grass is greener on the other side, it never always is. 7.75/10.

AI 9

2010-02-28T02:47:00.001+08:00

We all know Joe is leaving American Idol cos he's, well...Hispanic. Sad cos he's got pretty great vocals actually. Not like it's America's concern considering they only like pretty white boys.

14 Blades

2010-02-18T22:17:00.004+08:00

14 BLADES (2010) - The characters all looked very nice, and the actors playing them were all very convincing. The fights, mostly one-on-one duels, were pretty well-done, especially those involving Kate Tsui's blinking acts. She does a fine job of portraying a beautiful and ruthless killer skilled enough to give Green Dragon a run for his life. It is evident that they chose her for her alluring eyes, obviously not martial ability. But great choice, I say. Wu Chun did not disappoint too, although I must say that I did not expect much from him. He looks believable as a bandit given his clean cut looks, with a really cool weapon to boot. Donnie Yen is his usual preening self, even at one point where he was actually putting his hands on his hips. The duel with Chen Kuan Tai was a pleasure to watch, and satiates the desire of an unarmed combat scene. Qinglong looks smoldering with all that ink on his chest, arms, and back. It's nice to see him beefed up again after Ip Man. The romance however, seemed a little bit rushed. And the pace of the show was slightly choppy, as they revert from romance to battle and vice versa. And the lighting and editing of the film still felt lacking a tad bit. The editing was a bit messy ala Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, because it is a Daniel Lee movie, therefore did not do justice to Kate Tsui especially as she is required to show off her beauty here under rather dismal lighting. Thankfully the fight scenes were decently filmed and edited and they did not make do with those slo-mo cheesy suspended stills of Storm Warriors 2. The flow of combat was just optimal to be enjoyed. The Stockholm syndrome between Zhao Wei and Donnie Yen is quite cute, and it made me hope for a happy ending for them. Corny, but yes, I did this time! Overall I felt that the movie could have been more. Most of their backstories were somewhat corny too, and could have been unnecessary. And I wished that Qi Yuwu's role was bigger. 7.25/10.

Yum.

16 Blocks, Cigarette Burns, Dance of the Dead

2010-02-08T15:10:00.008+08:00

16 BLOCKS (2006) - Filmed in Toronto, but depicting New York City. This is what film is about, isn't it? Nice opening and ending themes. I honestly could not recognize Bruce Willis in blond hair with a moustache. Mos Def was very entertaining here, with his squeaky voice and punchlines. Nice idea about the cops being bad and corrupted, but the twist toward the end seem a little bit rushed. However, the show still manages to be rather enjoyable. This would be perfectly billed as an excellent afternoon lazy day. It is the outstanding actors that once again infuse an otherwise normal with life. 7.25/10.

Masters of Horror...

CIGARETTE BURNS - Didn't get it. Loved the idea of a film so disturbing it makes people lose it, however, when they showed bits of the film, they might as well not have shown it at all. It looks very much of an amplified snuff film, but it doesn't do much if it's going to leave you hanging rather than psyched out. Just average, really. 6/10.

DANCE OF THE DEAD - Directed by Tobe Hooper. This was surprisingly good. The concept of 'Blizz', and post-apocalyptic society. Loved the premise and settings, and it helped heaps that Jonathan Tucker was looking so mysteriously attractive in this episode. Didn't expect the twist at the end, and on the whole I found this quite satisfying. 6.75/10.

The Marine 2, K-20: Legend of the Mask, Sherlock Holmes

2010-02-07T12:16:00.006+08:00

THE MARINE 2 (2009) - Watch if you've got nothing better to. This is in no way a good flick, but it is a good time killer. However, the fight scenes were a tad bit too 'soft' and relied a lot on camera angling to make the blows seems painful. And I also think that real Muay Thai fighters would have dealt a lot more damage than that, and real marines would be able to deal some quick and serious damage on their own better than what was portrayed in the film. But then again, a film is a film. So yeah...6.5/10.

K-20: LEGEND OF THE MASK (2008) - Very entertaining. Fun, comical, and light-hearted, this is a great two hours to fill a movie craving. What not more from two fine Japanese actors (and men). The entire show was very well-paced and permeated with ample moments of humour. I wouldn't call this a masterpiece by far, but that's not to say it isn't a great watch. 7.5/10.

SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009) - Would have been a great cinematic experience. Ah well... Slick, intelligent, humourous, this is everything a detective film should be. Fast-paced and brilliantly acted by both Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, this film holds itself really well for two whole hours. Rachel McAdams lacks a little bit of presence, nonetheless she has a very nice classic look to go with that era. The camera angling was very nice, particularly the shot of the hanging man near the end. Guy Ritchie did a real nice job here. And yes! They are making a sequel. 7.5/10.

Incident On and Off a Mountain Road, Haeckel's Tale, Homecoming, Jenifer, Deer Woman

2010-02-05T21:46:00.008+08:00

MASTERS OF HORROR episodes...

INCIDENT ON AND OFF A MOUNTAIN ROAD - Directed by Don Coscarelli. Very creepy and ominous atmosphere because it takes place on a mountain road, in the dark woods and a godforsaken cabin above the gorge. Very 'Tales of the Crypt' feel with the Moonface baddie and environment, and also the irony of the entire tale. Very decent watch. 7.25/10.

HAECKEL'S TALE - Directed by John McNaughton. Sucks. To the core. It is so bad because it makes no impact when the necromancer says that there is a price to pay for raising the dead. The 'price' is terribly misleading; we are led to believe that it is something more than just the raised being undead. But it isn't. Wouldn't it be much much better if they had made Elise the raised one, and the price for her being raised was that she needed to have a shitload of sex and no man could satisfy her so she needed to look for dead guys? THAT would have made much more of a big deal. Points strictly for atmosphere only. 5.5/10.

HOMECOMING - Directed by John Dante. Satirical shot at zombies and talk shows.. Straightforward, no beating around the bush, and pretty good acting, particularly from the actress playing Jane. Not bad at all. 7.25/10.

JENIFER - Directed by Dario Argento. It is strangely puzzling how one would find Jenifer to be repulsive yet attractive, and innocent yet murderous at the same time. It is weird how we are disgusted with Jenifer, yet we feel pity for her all the same. Nothing too original, especially with the predictable ending, but what is a horror show without one? Very good. 7.5/10.

DEER WOMAN - Directed by John Landis. Wow. My heart was pounding and I even got goosebumps at one point! Fast-paced, straightforward, and in-your-face. Literally. The actress who played Deer Woman was very alluring as she should be, and I found it extremely amusing that she never spoke at all. Oh well, she is deer, after all... The actor playing Faraday was very convincing as a burnt-out cop. Great installment. 8/10.

The House, The Neighbour No. 13

2010-02-03T19:55:00.002+08:00

THE HOUSE (2005) - Did not expect the ending. Has great atmosphere considering it revolves in an old creepy apartment in an old worn-out building. Music is pretty suitable too. 7/10.

THE NEIGHBOUR NO. 13 (2005) - I did not get the movie. That teaches me not to watch movies with too many breaks in between! Either way, had I got it or not, I think the idea is still entertaining. Albeit a bit slow-paced, this movie very well represents the horror genre of Japan. There is the quick unflinching kill, blood, the crudeness by showing human waste, alter egos, school, manga, and what not. This has a sort of an Oldboy feel to it, however I feel is less twisted and stronger in a sense of plot. This is not your typical horror movie, therefore I would not be recommending it. This is just one of those you stumble upon and quietly enjoy. 7.25/10.

Slit-mouthed Woman, Armored

2010-02-02T22:36:00.005+08:00

SLIT-MOUTHED WOMAN (2007) - Argh...just another one of those J-horrors which kinda failed to deliver. For a film delving with an urban legend, and a quite horrific one while they were at it, this one slightly disappointed. There was hardly any suspense or drama or terrifying moments. Sure, the irigins of the woman were practically spoon-fed to the viewers, but even then, the whole movie did not come off strong enough. Even though filmed within ten days only, I think it would have been a lot better if the film had better editing, direction, and better acting. 6.25/10.

ARMORED (2009) - Decent enough, I guess. No new concept introduced, and surprisingly, so many famous actors! They majority of the budget highly likely went to paying all of them, thus compromising some of the story and plot itself. Things started to pick up only after one hour. A bit too short, and simple. Nonetheless, watchable. Fascinating ending soundtrack. 6.5/10.

Town Creek, Taken

2010-02-02T00:38:00.006+08:00

TOWN CREEK (2009) - Hmm, much better than anticipated! But I've heard nothing about it till now. Very under-publicized, this movie definitely deserves more viewers and appreciation. The plot is straightforward, you've got your typical stupid American who thinks they can barge in and kill anything with guns blazing, you've got your demon boy, a farm family, and raised dead. What's not to like? The movie ends on a rather disturbing note, and I would definitely be glad if they decide to spawn a sequel. 7.5/10.

TAKEN (2009) - Overrated. It lacks the sleekness of a Bond film ,and the grittiness of a good angry bastard. Some parts of the movie felt so put-in-place rather than fall-in-place. And Maggie Grace was terrible here, when she was quite likeable in Lost. There is even an IMdB page about how terribly she runs! I could not agree more on that. And this is arguably Famke Janssen's worst character to date: shallow and spoilt, not to mention stupid. The action scenes, especially the car chase, were reminiscent of the Transporter franchise, which is not a good thing to begin with. The premise was a stellar one to begin with, nonetheless, it fell short of good acting and directing. 6.5/10.

Onibaba, The Black Cat from the Grove, Case 39, Pandorum

2010-01-31T17:47:00.008+08:00

Spoilers ahead...

ONIBABA (1964) - The 'action' starts only in the last half hour of the movie. Albeit being a little slow-paced, the movie does not bore thanks to the powerful acting of the cast, never mind that it is only a main trio of them. This wonderful tale of karmic deeds and misdeeds would probably have been much more beautiful to watch in colour, nonetheless, is a very enjoyable classical, almost satirical take on life's ironies. 7.5/10.

THE BLACK CAT FROM THE GROVE (1968) - This is another one from the same director, and is more poignant and emotionally driven than the Onibaba. The actors are also very convincing, and the story moves about with emphasis on unspoken meanings. A beautiful story about reacting due to circumstances and not one's own will. 7.75/10.

*The cinematography and sound effects were fantastic, considering that both were produced circa 1968.

CASE 39 (2009) - Underrated slightly, I would say. Lotsa people saying it's not-too original, but then again, as if every slasher in America is. So yeah, whatever to that one. It kinda has an 'Orphan' feel to it in that it has an evil little girl, but this time, it's supernatural. And props to actually not giving much focus on the demon or the nature of the demon itself, but rather how humans would cope with its existence. I would have very much preferred another leading lady over Renee Zellweger because she looks unconvincing here and her voice is too cutesy. I pretty much wished that she had brought a knife with her and slashed the demon's throat even though they were on the verge of drowning just for extra caution measures. This film reminded me of the days when I go 'kill her; kill that little bitch!' which wasn't anytime recent, if I recall correctly. 7.25/10.

PANDORUM (2009) - Wow. I totally did not expect this. I do not, I repeat, do not! Like sci-fi films of any sort. I only chose to watch it because IMdB ratings were 7.0 out of 15000++ votes. And I also wanted to see what Cung Le would be doing in an American film. Funny how he met the same ending as he did in Bodyguards and Assassins! Moral of the story is: do not be nice to young ones, because for all you don't know, they're big bad brats in the making. The whole movie was heavily laden with suspense, as both the generator was dying and they were also on the run from the mutants. The mutants made awesome adversaries: they looked mean, they're fast, strong, and smart, and really gives you a run for your life. The movie was pretty atmospheric, taking place in a ship housing the last of earth's humans. There was an adept display of claustrophobia and even I felt so though I'm not. There is a certain poignancy permeating the air the whole time, arising from the needs to survive, and then to get out, but unsure to where. While everyone usually expects Dennis Quaid to be the reluctant hero, this time around, he isn't one anymore. The acting was convincing, yet the sound was a little blur. I had to watch with subtitles as I didn't want to be rewinding trying to catch lost dialogue. Overall, I really enjoyed it. This is the only other movie than Resident Evil 1 which put me on the edge of my seat. Literally. A movie regret of not having caught this on big screens. 8/10.

Overall, I had an excellent movie day. I watched four films, but I skipped the dog walk. =( Bad, bad me. And all four were good.

Eye in the Sky, The Iron Triangle

2010-01-30T15:45:00.004+08:00

EYE IN THE SKY (2007) - Lovely score throughout. A very unique piece on police surveillance unit. Good acting from the lot, even Kate Tsui, surprisingly. The events that revolve around them sometimes are reminiscent of how they always say, 'they sky has eyes'. I do wish Ng Yuk Sau has more films or at least screen time though. 7.25/10.

THE IRON TRIANGLE (2007) - Interesting ending theme. Sounds Hindi? This film is utterly entertaining,even better than what a comedy could do. In an excellent way, a parody or human behaviour. The last ten minutes in the grass field was comedic yet suspenseful. This is a great film which touches on unsettling matters of human nature but somehow manages to live you fulfilled and pleased. Somehow, in all films with Louis Koo, he always gets the funny lines. Sun Hong Lei would be great to watch as a funnyman one day. Simon Yam is his usual reluctant charming self, and Kelly Lin is a real pixie in this one. In the end, it looks they all went in a triangle, just between them three, as the title implies. Although directed by three different directors and written by three separate teams of scriptwriters, I did not feel a bump in the show. Great show. 7.5/10.

*Both music for these films were done by Guy Zerafa. I guess the dude really has a knack for good music.

Semum, Orphan, Rule #1, The Closet, Black House

2010-01-26T21:55:00.011+08:00

SEMUM (2008) - I would first say that this piece is a little overrated, but maybe Turkish horrors were not something famed in the first place, so it could be a pretty good effort. The house in which the events take place is spectacular; generous compound, shiny wooden floors, ornate banisters and cream coloured walls met by amber stones. The acting is decent, except maybe for the actress playing Banu. The story is simple, it deals with demonic possession, brought upon the lead actress' character via a hex. The CGI, however, is amateurish and the holyman-demon scene is on the verge of laughable, unfortunately. The monsters needed to be scarier looking, or maybe the CGI is just that bad. I did not find the movie scary at all, but it did manage to capture and hold for two hours. That aside, a commendable effort from Turkey. 6.5/10.

ORPHAN (2009) - Mmm, didn't see it coming actually. Makes you wonder how a little girl can be so evil and devious and manipulative by being so charming, bright, and articulate... Isabelle Furhman does an excellent job here playing the 'orphan'; I would love to see what else she can churn out for us. And Aryana Engineer who plays Maxine is simply the most adorable little girl you have ever seen! Move over, Dakota... Two hours long, but the pace is pretty good and the suspense is omnipresent. And I swear I've heard 'I'm not your fucking Mommy' from somewhere else: the Ring. Haha. But the stolen/borrowed line fits just right in. 7.5/10.

RULE #1 (2008) - Of the multiples of horror shows I have watched, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai, American, Spanish, French, Turkish, Malaysian, Swedish and what not, I am quite certain that I have not seen a domino effect of girls tumbling from the roof of a building to form a tangled pile of bloody bodies below. The premise deals with ghosts, and emphasizes on the malicious kind. The film pretty much has the typical HK grittiness which is the trademark in all HK films (if it's missing in a HK film, you need to dump it then). I would definitely have enjoyed it more if the version I got was the original Cantonese one. Straightforward, and unrelenting. Literally. Overall, Rule #1 is a paradox in itself. Pretty enjoyable. And a bit sad, even though you probably saw it coming. 7.25/10.

THE CLOSET (2007) - Why is it that this film has such a 1990s feel to it? And believe me, that is NOT good. It's released in the year 2007, and I doubt they kept it there for two decades cos Michelle Ye would have been an infant during the time of filming. Where does the story start? I have absolutely no idea. What is the point of the whole show? I have no idea. The actors are alright, considering they have been exposed to cinema long enough to know how to act. Except for the girlfriend, that is. Pass. As in forget it. 6/10.

BLACK HOUSE (2007) - Rah rah blah blah, just ignore this one. I do not have any sympathy or empathy towards the characters because they are just plain stupid. Suspense is virtually non-existent here and the characters are all stupid. More than one deserve to die. Because they are just simply stupid. Isn't it goddamn common sense to lug the anchor with you if you're unfortunately attached to it? Why do you leave it trailing? So the killer can pick it up and maybe drip it in gasoline and set your sorry ass on fire? There isn't even a credible story here. A psychopath commits all those murders and it takes an insurance agent with no balls to figure it out. This is my intelligence insulted. Really. 5.5/10.

Silk, Forbidden Siren, Kaidan, Inner Senses, Imprint

2010-01-23T22:48:00.004+08:00

SILK (2006) - This has quite an 'Iner Sense' feel to it, mainly because they take place commonly around apartments. And they both are modern ghost films with a scientific flavour to it. It is rather interesting to see the connection between the dead and the living via this 'silk'. And the turn of events for the twisted scientist is just a way to show how pathetic/pitiful some humans can be, either by circumstance or by choice. A pretty decent watch, scares practically missing, but it makes up in atmosphere. 7.25/10.

FORBIDDEN SIREN (2006) -This has a somewhat Silent Hillish feel to it. Add to the fact that they both have sirens. It isn't scary at all, but on a whole it is a little bit disturbing due to the entire cause of the siren. The movie had quite a few beautiful shots of sunsets. I guess it helps to add a desolate feel to the movie, knowing that it takes place on a somewhat remote island with a limited number of weird inhabitants. I dig the story. 7.25/10.

KAIDAN (2007) - This is supposed to be a show of olden Japanese era, but sadly, falls rather flat. This is in many senses due to the lead actor, who isn't as charismatic and charming that he actually is summed up to be. For many a woman to fall for him, why does he have to look like a girl? And the CGI is pretty subpar. I think the movies in 1960s like Kwaidan could have made a more realistic looking snake than that. The movie is extremely slow, and you've got to have an ample amount of patience to watch it. For the most problem I think lies in the actors. Not that they acted bad, but they just didn't seem to possess the kind of primness that people in the olden days do. The men were not honourable enough, and the women were not demure enough. There was somehow a modern feel pervading the whole show, largely due to the fact that there were too many persons present in the general area of shooting i. e. too many townspeople. The premise actually is far from bad, but the execution is. It is hardly scary or creepy in all manners, and for one spanning two hours long, this one should actually have been skipped. 6/10.

MASTERS OF HORROR: IMPRINT (2005) - First word: overrated. Second word: overdone. Third word: WTF. Oh wait, that's actually three words in one. But seriously, wtf is this shiet..!? Frankly, I am not happy with what Takashi Miike has done with this. Gory, but overdone gore it is. Dude...blood is red, not pink! So do not give me only pink brains! It is supposed to be red with pink! Bicolour, not mono! Scary? No. Disturbing? What, you mean the rubbery-looking babies? Oh what, you mean they were supposed to be aborted babies? Then why do they look so intact? And rubbery? The episode was beautifully shot though, and kudos to Youki Kudoh for her amazing job as a deformed prostitute which she manages to portray beautifully even so. Billy Drago is terrible. Unintentionally, I believe. 6.25/10.

INNER SENSES (2002) - Fantastic opening score. Not that it is superbly original, but it works. Well. And the same goes to the use of music throughout the entire film. I wasn't too hyped about the way the ghost appeared and the squishy creaky sounds that reek of Ju-on, but other than that, this film definitely deserves a watch. Karena Lam and especially the late Leslie Cheung showed some fine acting here. The movie properly uses the deception factor, in this case the audience is deceived into thinking that the problem actually is with another character. The plot is mildly intricate and progresses at a very even pace. Scares are mild though, but this is more of a drama unfolding than a movie of cheap thrills. 7/10.

Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds, Feast 3: The Happy Finish, Kwaidan

2010-01-21T23:43:00.003+08:00

FEAST 2: SLOPPY SECONDS (2008) - There is an overwhelming amount of bodily fluid (monster's, mind you) ejection in this part. For the layperson and not a seasoned horror fan, this would be considered too damn much. The biker chicks were pretty hot, and at least they provided some good eye candy and fighting chops. The acting was surprisingly decent, especially from the little people. The dialogue is hilarious, as are the events that take place. Sloppy seconds is absolutely a right label for this one. 7.25/10.

FEAST 3: THE HAPPY FINISH (2009) - I did NOT like the ending. Unless they make a Feast 4. I was hoping there'd be more survivors! *sob sob* I guess they were throwing in many random characters to show that in a Feast like this, everyone is a potential target. And what the heck is up with that mariachi song? It provides an accurate summary, but seriously! A real ending please?! 6.75/10.

KWAIDAN (1964) - This is what a classic is truly all about. There are four stories that compile, and each is very artistic and beautifully presented in its own way. The scenery is always breathtaking, although simple, and the backdrop somehow looks very much alive, never mind that it's only 1964. The lack of surrounding music gives it a very pantomime feel, and it serves to push further the feeling ominousness already present. Everything about this whole production feels like an old theatrical, stage play of some sort. This s typical Asian horror, in which the occurrences do not entirely make sense in a literal manner. Of the four, my favourite would be the third, 'Hoichi the Earless', as it is true to human fallacy and innocence. Not forgetting the elaborate tapestries which grace the screen when Hoichi is telling his tale. The second, Yuki-onna, the Snow Woman, was spoilt halfway for me though. This is because I already know what was gong to happen halfway as I'd already seen a remake of it! 'Tales from the Darkside' is what it's called. The first story is practically the benchmark for the most general horror cliche nowadays: it's even called 'The Black Hair'. 'In a Cup of Tea' is very interesting to ponder, and leaves the viewer with a great feeling of disbelief. The whole production generally moves at a rather slow pace, but coupled with the atmosphere and settings, it works just fine. The graphics and sound effects were well-rendered, even though it's 1964. It isn't considerably scary however it still manages to imbue a certain amount of thoughtful dread when the endings arise. It makes you feel like you haven't seen it, but you have. It's like one of those things at the tip of your tongue, but you can't quite say it. Your tongue knows it, but your brain doesn't. This is a movie you cannot quite put your finger on. 8/10.

Deadline, The Killing Room, A History of Violence

2010-01-20T15:42:00.004+08:00

DEADLINE (2009) - One of the pieces Brittany Murphy never saw released... This was also co-produced by Malaysia's very own KRU Studios, and I must say, I'm impressed. It feels every bit like a Hollywood movie should. It's got the creepy old house to build the atmosphere, and the music is very apt to create the solitary feel permeating the entire show. The acting was pretty good, but Brittany did look weird for the most of the movie. It's confusing especially towards the end, but once you've got it all figured out, that's when the ultimatum should set in. It's not your typical horror show, more like a drama instead. A good watch. 7.25/10.

THE KILLING ROOM (2009) - Did not like this one. I just didn't think that simple gunshot to the head would suffice in controlling people's minds. Although abrupt and unexpected, I find it more appropriate for causing trauma rather than mind control. Or maybe through extreme trauma you'll be rendered more susceptible to mind control?? I dunno...but this does remind me of Martyrs. In the sense that both had everything to do with psychological 'research'. But this one just didn't quite do it for me. Nick Cannon wasn't bad, surprisingly. I understand what this film was meant to convey, but more could have been done. 6/10.

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005) - This one I like. It's shallowly deep. It explores a deep issue, and presents it lightly. The actors of the Stall family here all do a mighty fine job of making the movie ten times more interesting than if they were to be played by other actors. It centers very much on people's emotions and actions. It doesn't delve deeper than that, because it doesn't need to. Most of the time there's actually pretty much nothing too exciting happening, a lot of talking, but for me to be able to be drawn into a film like this, speaks volumes of the acting and directing already. Probably because I did not know what to expect at all. This would be extremely ideal for a lunchtime watch. Totally. I just really like the feel of this movie. 7.75/10.

The Thaw, Carriers, Joy Ride, Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead, Feast

2010-01-15T15:50:00.008+08:00

THE THAW (2009) - Global warming is happening, and a scientist decides to show the world what the consequences truly are. I like the premise, probably because I'm a science student myself, and it actually could happen. The plot keeps you going as you wanna know what's going on, and how the people are going to survive this, if they do. Ending is typical though. 6.75/10.

CARRIERS (2009) - Post-apocalyptic movie about four people who are trying to evade a terrible disease. Many people say that the decisions they made were harsh. But in all survival honesty, it's just vital. Pretty decent actually. A good watch. Plus points for being post-apocalyptic in daytime too. 7.25/10.

JOY RIDE (2001) - Decent watch. Suspenseful and believable. Don't mess with random people because you never know when they might show up and bite you in the rear. At least it had a story and plot to go with it. Competent script, and Rusty actually sounds and acts menacing. 6.5/10.

*Funny how Carriers and Joyride both had an almost similar line: waiting for a storm to come, to wash everything clean/wash it all away. Also, racist insinuations.

JOY RIDE 2: DEAD AHEAD (2008) - Doesn't live up to its predecessor. The guys were sissies. And I didn't like the idea that they somehow stole Rusty Nail's car. And the kills all reek of a C-grade horror show. Rusty Nail now looks like he's a joke. 5.5/10.

FEAST (2005) - Bloody, gory, suspenseful, satirical, humourous, and up-in-your-face action. That's what Feast is all about. Not a single dull moment, wry humour injected in the midst of bloody discord, this is a fun flick for horror fans. 7.25/10.

Paranormal Activity, Bodyguards and Assassins

2010-01-12T00:36:00.005+08:00

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (2009) - I would have been happy paying what? Eight dollars for this, but not eleven! It's not a bad movie, but just not enough to warrant double digits. Maybe I should have watched Carriers instead! Ugh...too late..anyway, the actors are convincing in their roles, especially Katie. The scares and creeps are milder than I expected, and the only goosebumps I got were at the end when...don't want to spoil it for ya! I thought it would be louder, loud enough to make me squirm or jump in my seat, but I guess nothing will ever be as loud as Phobia 2. This is more of a sad show than a horror show for me. 6.5/10.

*I had actually wanted to watch Treasure Hunter instead, but reviewers say it's rally bad. BAD. REALLY BAD. So I passed, and went with Paranormal instead.

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (2009) - This I will pay eleven dollars for, partly because it's more than two hours long! This movie does not smell of propaganda to me, as both sides stuck to their own, even to death. And the movie is basically revolving around what each side would do to achieve their respective targets. Wang Xueqi is the true scene stealer here, as his portrayal of the revolution-funding business man who is at the same time afraid to lose his only son. Extremely believable in his character, I think the audience will feel the most for him. If not him, then it would have to be Nic Tse's rickshaw puller character. Loyal, obedient, and simple-minded, wanting only to serve the needs of his masters. Somehow amidst all the chaos, Tony Leung Kar Fai seems to get overshadowed, when he usually does not. Hu Jun is absolutely menacing as the leader of the assassins. Fan Bingbing does not do much here, but she still manages to look convincing in whatever few scenes she has. I was positive that her Cantonese dub was voiced by Michelle Ye, and glad I was right! Li Yuchun carries herself surprisingly well, for a newcomer. Her action scenes were not too bad either. Leon Lai looks a little bit out of place, but it could probably be deliberate considering that he was formerly from a wealthy family. Michelle Reis looks stunning in that five seconds of her appearance. Basically the whole story is very process-oriented, as the title suggests. It manages to kick up an ample amount of suspense, and you are constantly wondering if they bodyguards will succeed in their course. It is well-done enough for a film spanning two hours long. Although I did expect more from the Cung Le-Donnie Yen fight. Jokes aside, Cung Le really looks menacing. Even someone as experienced as Donnie Yen could take some serious damage from him as not only has he the skills, also the weight. Not lean, but definitely mean alright... It is a little bit more graphic than I expected. The whole cinema went 'ohhh' when __________ got his throat slit and blood sprayed out. For a dozen A-list and highly paid HK actors to work on this project, at least it is far from disappointing. A must-watch for all HK cinema fans and non-fans alike. 7.5/10.

*I could have sworn I saw Jet Li in the movie. Twice. During the meeting with Dr Sun in the underground room. Can anyone confirm this??

Perfect Stranger, Coma, Infection

2009-12-29T14:55:00.002+08:00

PERFECT STRANGER (2007) - Totally not what I expected. In a good sense. But that in no way insinuates, even remotely, that Halle Berry is a good actress. Although the plot is nothing spectacular, but the portrayal of the characters are believable, each with their own demons and ambitions. I liked it enough. Not a sensational recommendation though. This is more like a Saturday night surprise flick which actually turned out pretty decent. 7/10.

COMA (2005) - When things start revolving around a hospital, you know things are going to get creepy. Especially if it's a hospital that is about to be shut down, and one which has a walled-up room to begin with. Each actor turns in a good convincing performance, the atmosphere is creepy, but nonetheless, this is another Asian ghost with black hair thingy again. The thing that sets it apart is that it barely relies on cheap scares, but rather a story to begin with. Nothing too deep, but I do think it's worth your five hours, cosidering this is a miniseries. 7.25/10.

INFECTION (2004) - When things start revolving around a hospital, you know things are going to get creepy. This has a fair share of blood, gunk, and haywired disturbed characters, which I like, but the ending is subject to a tremendous amount of ambiguity. Whether you think the infection exists or not, or whether Definitely one of the better J-horrors out there. The only thing that I do not get are the swings. 7.25/10.

Tokyo Gore Police, Audition, Inside, Noroi

2009-12-28T19:12:00.005+08:00

TOKYO GORE POLICE (2008) - Love it. Absolutely, totally, love it. As its title suggests, no, insists - this is two full hours of over-the-top blood and gore. I really like how Japanese filmmakers take an idea and pretty much elaborate and expand it into the most drastic and extreme things ever, such as police privatization and murderous genetic engineering. There's this quiet charm surrounding the female lead, Eiji Shiina, and although she is nowhere near as pretty as the bulk of the Asian stars nowadays, she is still very likeable. There should be a sequel, and already I can't wait for it. 8/10.

Horrors, overrated. All four.

AUDITION (1999) - It is funny to read people's interpretation regarding this movie, because, to me, she is just a wacko, period. No harm done there, it's just another one of those shows where after all that hype, you find does not live up to its name. Decent acting and well-shot. Watchable, just don't ask for too much. 6.5/10.

INSIDE (2007) - Not only should pregnant women not watch this, I don't think regular people have the (guts to stomach) [no pun intended] this. A very loose plot is at work here, but I think it's only because the producers are interested in the blood and gore. Nothing much to shout about, aside from the fact that it's overrated and I would prefer the lady to really have been from somewhere else and not be involved in the same accident. 6/10.

NOROI (2005) - Shakycam style, but not as shaky as REC or Blair Witch. Which is great, so you can enjoy it even more. This is done documentary style, and succeeds at being one of the more suspenseful films to watch out for. The things that are capture on the camera unintentionally are awesome, especially in night vision. As disturbing and creepy as it is, somehow I can't help but feel the ending is a hint of lazy writing and loose ends. Very innovative though, to touch about certain taboo subjects of communal society. 7/10.

RINNE (2005) - Very interesting reincarnation concept, only problem is that I'm not liking the ending. If only the old lady hadn't smiled..I get that it's her past life in which she tried to kill you and your children, but hey! She's reincarnated, and in another body, and although the sins don't go away like that, you're not exactly earning merits in this life if you torment her!! Not in-your-face kind of scary, nothing too disturbing, but overall feels very laid-back and 'old'. 6.25/10.

Avatar, The Storm Warriors

2009-12-24T11:36:00.003+08:00

AVATAR (2009) - Very visually stunning and attractive. Extremely predictable plot and story, and more importantly, outcome. Overrated. Satisfactory nonetheless. 7/10.

THE STORM WARRIORS (2009) - Quite visually stunning as well, though of considerably lesser degree than the above, due to the scenarios involved. Story? What story? What plot? And what's with all the slo-mo? I know it's supposed to look cool, but when you overdo it, it makes people yawn already. No one does much here; it's so little actually I wonder how much they're getting paid!! And this movie is the epitome of 女人好烦 (translated: women are bothersome). Effects, effects; it's all about the effects. Expect a third installment. But that doesn't justify the half-assed plot, or ending. 6/10.

Crank 2: High Voltage, Vacancy 2: the First Cut, Martyrs, Premonition, Acacia

2009-12-21T16:57:00.006+08:00

CRANK 2: HIGH VOLTAGE (2009) - WTF is this shiet?! This is the exact same thing I said for part one, but this time around, it's in a positive context. If you gotta be zany, go all the way. If you gotta be ridiculous, go all the way. I f you gotta be nonsensical, go all the way!! This movie is insane, in a lot of senses it hardly makes sense, but it's a really fun flick that is definitely worth checking out, partly because you never get to see this kinds of productions. And my, my, it even has a plot! Plus, Bai Ling finally found a role that fits her. 7.5/10.

VACANCY 2: THE FIRST CUT (2009) - Pretty decent. Satisfactory process and ending. Interesting kills. Worth a watch. And besides, when you see Agnes Bruckner, you know she's going to survive. 7/10.

MARTYRS (2008) - This is undoubtedly the sickest shit I have ever, and will ever see. Puts all other psychological horrors to shame. Not for the faintest faint heart. Almost gave me a headache halfway. 6.5/10.

PREMONITION (2004) - Slow and steady. Not scary or creepy. Very interesting concept explored. 7/10.

ACACIA (2003) - Not good. Wasn't bad, just not good. Didn't feel it was strong enough. Not scary either. Somehow the characters' development didn't suffice. It just made them all look so plain bad. Yes, I know they kinda are, but there's a better way to do it. Didn't like the fact that they didn't handle themselves well enough. The tree is pretty though...6.25/10.

Wrong Turn 3: Left for Dead, Oldboy, Vengeance, The Taking of Pelham 123

2009-12-18T19:07:00.003+08:00

WRONG TURN 3: LEFT FOR DEAD (2009) - The girl gave some decent acting. Pretty decent, actually. I'm glad she survived. I liked how they touched on the watchtower in part one, and also the old mill road in part two. Putting a bunch of jail-bound derelicts looks promising, as we know they'll never back down without a fight. Or kill. 'Never trust a con'. That's correct...if only he had seen it coming. Well, if we wanna put it this way, they shouldn't be too greedy. But then again...it's just lying out there in the forest. Waiting to be picked up! How can one resist...just when you thought they were gone huh...not! 6.25/10.

OLDBOY (2003) - This is purely overrated. Even good actors and a cute villain did not save this movie. It is the good acting which saves me from crying out 'wtf is this shiet?!?' after having watched this. For one, the two mains are damn warped. One did his sister, and the other his daughter. OK, so the latter was misled, but hey! By the former! Warped, aren't they?! For you to go imprison a guy for fifteen years just because you were kind enough to go give your sister some, what the hell is your point?! You're a sick bloody individual in the first place; who're you to be talking about revenge?! All you need is some counseling, and since you mentioned, hypnotism!! The idea of the reason behind the villain's plots in the first place just isn't enough for me to buy this movie. It started with a rumour....no it isn't even a rumour in the first place!! Talk about moving on....6.5/10.

More vengeance...

VENGEANCE (2009) - Yes, at least you know what's the show about. Title says it all, no misleading here. Stylishly shot and well-acted and casted...which was great, so it could cover up the lack of depth in the movie. They tried to develop the vengeance, but it didn't go very far. Having an amnesiac angry father from foreign land sounds good, but it takes more than shooting a few rounds after having teamed up with local hitmen to have the premise fly high. Have they no connections to find out who those other three men were? More so if they worked for the same goddamn boss!! Was it really necessary to turn into a suicide trio for the man who wants revenge? Have you no love for your own life, and would it have been totally impossible to seek another method of revenge? They could have just killed the three assailants, and let the Frenchman take George Fung out. Dying unnecessary deaths is not honourable; it's stupid. After all, they were paid to kill 'the people who killed his daughter's family'. To be precise, it's the three of them. That's it. No more. 6.75/10.

THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 (2009) - John Travolta totally ruined this movie. He looked like a baddie, but the moment he opens his mouth it sounds like a anti-social seventeen year old high school boy took over. He doesn't even come close to being convincing. The good thing is, he looks like an ass. Not a bad-ass, just ass. 'One Wall Street guy, an ass-model, and three freakin' hundred million dollars?!?' What kind of movie is this?!! There were too frequent usage of the f-word; it's being used as if it's the only damn word New Yorkers know. And don't you bloody idiotic civilians know that when you hear a siren approaching, you should fcuking slow down?! Why the hell are you still piloting your vehicle at top speed knowing there's an even greater emergency somewhere else than you holding your piss in your pants?!! The cops getting hit looked as if they were directed to be hit just so the audience could think it was funny. Oh wait...wasn't it supposed to be funny?! And what's with all the slow-mo? That's not suspenseful; that's bad cinematography. This is two hours of your life that you're not going to get back. Even Denzel Washington could not save this disaster of a movie from happening. And when I say disaster, I don't mean the hijacking. Had potential, but fell flat. I mean, excuse me, but where is the climax??? 5.75/10.

Whispering Corridors, Sorority Row, Sorum

2009-12-14T18:24:00.003+08:00

WHISPERING CORRIDORS (1998) - Has the perfect setting of taking place in an old school with an abandoned haunted wing. Nonetheless, I did not find it scary at all (isn't that what I's said about the other WC series...?). There is a story, one which involves a lonely spirit (but then again, aren't all wandering spirits always lonely?), and the plot basically revolves around her trying to prevent her little secret from spilling out of the bag. Not too bad, actually. Good acting from the cast. And it's nice how they used the dark blue colour to accentuate creepy night times. Never mind that I wasn't scared. 7/10.

SORORITY ROW (2009) - Ah, nice to know that some sorority girls snap their fingers in lieu of clapping. Pretty girls, no hot dudes, a sorority house and a prank gone wrong - sounds like the perfect excuse for some psychopath to start killing people with a souped-up tire iron, doesn't it? Hollywood should stick to these kinds of simple plots for horror shows, as there are but very few areas that can go wrong. Was a bit disappointed with the killer's identity though. Decent acting, must-have corny lines, this is great just when you're feeling bored out of your wits. 6.5/10.

SORUM (2001) - This movie is pretty slow. Either that, or it was because I figured out big punch #1 happening halfway throughout the movie, and big punch #2 two-thirds into the movie. I get what it's all meant to mean, but at the end of the day, for it to really fly, I would have preferred a more conclusive ending. Because unless he makes a decision to stay leave, then what else is the point? Our main character already sees what's going on, so I would have liked it better if they showed his reaction. I think I spoilt it for myself because I knew who he was a bit too soon into the show, when it was all supposed to dawn upon you right up to the end. Since I knew who he was already, I'd expected him to do something about his discovery. But he wasn't shown to have done anything, so yeah...6.25/10.

*RIP Jang JinYeong, who was the female lead in Sorum, and one of the highest paid South Korean actresses ever. After watching Sorum, I understand why. We lost her to stomach cancer. on 1 September 2009. She was thirty five. Only. Fuck. Life sucks.

Dog

2009-12-12T01:54:00.002+08:00

Eh?? You staring at my pretty blue eyes??

Nooooo...!! Why do I have to wear this bra?!?

This my best piggy impression...pass?

Cello, Open City, Whispering Corridors 3: Wishing Stairs, Whispering Corridors 5: A Blood Pledge

2009-12-07T01:38:00.008+08:00

CELLO (2005) - Not scary, not creepy, not disturbing, not shocking in any way at all. But that's not to say this isn't half a bit of a decent horror movie at all. It doesn't bore, and though the plot is mild, it manages to capture and draw you in. The ending is a bit ambiguous, but either way you choose it, it still works. Good acting especially from the little girl. 7/10.

OPEN CITY (2008) - K-movie about pickpockets. Son Ye-jin is our leading lady here, and she does a wonderful job, not only at looking fabulous in a variety of body-hugging outfits and nail colour, but also as the head of her gang. Her screen presence, however, is largely attributed to her beauty. Nonetheless it does not outshine her ability to act. This movie is dramatic, thrilling, and even delivers small doses of poignancy in the right areas. The fight scenes are slick and very realistically done. The arms, legs, and weapons strike simplistically and precisely at their targets without much showing-off, which is exactly how cops/pickpockets should be fighting in real life. This is easily garnered as one of the most vibrantly coloured movies I have ever seen; the psychedelic shots of the city are a delight as it takes you away from the typical, barren, monochrome of most cop-robber shows. The only small problem I have with this movie is Jang-mi, being one to have roamed in the underworld for so long, how come she has never learned a few moves of her own for protection? Seong-soo could have definitely taught her a thing or two. She becomes this timid little rabbit every time she gets cornered. That aside, I really enjoyed this movie, with all the colours jumping out at you, ample character development, a perfect pace, and excellent cinematography, I think this movie deserves an 8/10.

WHISPERING CORRIDORS 3: WISHING STAIRS (2003) - Not scary. At all. Disturbing, creepy, rather, yes. Slow-paced, but even. Just when you want to make a wish, didn't anyone tell you that there's no free lunch in this world? Be careful what you wish for...6.75/10.

WHISPERING CORRIDORS 5: A BLOOD PLEDGE (2009) - Not scary either. At all, either. Neither was it disturbing nor creepy. OK disturbing maybe, because a quartet of young high schoolers made a pledge to commit suicide at the same time. Reasons are: unwanted pregnancy, bullying, physical abuse and academic pressure; all those things faced by young people nowadays. Personally, however, these do not warrant suicide to me. Or maybe I'll change my mind once I'm actually been in their shoes? It's hard to say. But for the movie itself, not that hard. Points strictly for acting only, and not so much for the plot, which I found weak. 6.25/10.

*On a sidenote, I know I live in a relatively relaxed society where all these problems are happening but our society reacts differently. I guess that Koreans are always under scrutiny to being perfect, therefore it's more difficult for them to cope with these issues. Here, just give birth in the toilet and flush it down the bowl, or leave it by the roadside where some good Samaritan will pick it up.

Aragami, The Wall Man, Fighter in the Wind

2009-12-04T23:13:00.003+08:00

ARAGAMI (2003) - So this is what it's like to watch a movie filmed in only one location, with only three characters: a woman and two men. One of them is a demon, played by Masaya Kato and the other as his challenger. Masaya Kato does a fine job of portraying Aragami; he is believable in his affability and his desire for his life to be ended by a warrior of greater skill than his. The swordfighting is credible, the movements are slower compared to how a Chinese kung-fu piece would be, but it's decent. It runs only about 78 mins, which is pretty short, which I guess is what you'll get if you shoot a movie over a seven-day span. This relatively short film is one of those which revel in something that never seems to end. Interesting use of colours. 7/10.

THE WALL MAN (2006) - The show practically crawls in its pace. There is a shitload of dialogue, at least a quarter of it irrelevant to the 'wall man', and for you to keep going on, there is an incessant need to remind yourself that the wall man DOES exist! Otherwise it would be totally devoid of the whole point! But at the end of it all, we barely even get to see what the wall man looks like. We only know he exists. Watch this only if you have nothing else to and want something dark to ponder on. Or more like nothing, actually. 6/10.

FIGHTER IN THE WIND (2004) - I am not acquainted with the legendary fighter Choi Baedal, on which this film is based upon. The first half of the movie was fine, paced, plotted, scripted. The second half of the movie is when things turn a little bit too idealistic for me. The way he spent time perfecting his skills in the mountains, and going from dojo to dojo across Japan to beat everyone else to a pulp. Not the fact that he was doing it, but from the way it was shot. Some people describe this as a 'Korean feel-good movie', and that Choi Baedal was indeed using Japanese karate instead of creating Taekkyon. Like I said earlier, I don't know about this dude and his achievements. But as a movie alone, I guess it suffices. Or maybe I was just too distracted by his hairstyle (or lack of) to follow what was really intended. Not to be mistaken as a martial arts film though, it's just a film ABOUT martial arts. 6.75/10.

Whispering Corridors 4: Voice, Cinderella, The Red Shoes

2009-12-02T12:16:00.004+08:00

Three K-horrors.

WHISPERING CORRIDORS 4: VOICE (2005) - One of the better K-horrors in light of plot and story. Watching this made me delve deeper into why and how ghosts just refuse to leave, especially when murdered so suddenly. Nothing too scary, but well-shot, acted, and directed. But if you're coming in contact with one who's so vindictive and selfish, now THAT'S scary. 7.25/10.

CINDERELLA (2006) - Only the first two-thirds of the movie were OK. The last third was just a big mess. The reasons of all that has happened just weren't stoic enough to fly since it is basically just one person's fault and could have more than be helped. Like using another face instead!! This is a memorable movie though, as it focuses mainly on female leads and there was no male lead character, just supporting roles. 6/10.

THE RED SHOES (2005) - Those pink, yes, pink shoes are very pretty actually! There's a shitload of blood in this film, some unnecessary, not a lot of gore (at least in my standards) and barely any shocking moments. The story is a bit confusing towards the end, and I don't like how they unravel the flashback which would have been impossible to see just by simply reading the newspapers. It had a good premise to begin with but wasn't carried out in the way which could really have been more appealing. It is hard to see what the main character saw at the end with the picture of the girl. 6/10.

I Come With The Rain, I Corrupt All Cops

2009-12-01T17:18:00.004+08:00

Now both shows begin titled with 'I', and the next consonant would so happen to be 'C'...

I COME WITH THE RAIN (2008) - This is some pretty weird shiet. Some aspects, ok at least one of it, border on teether on the edge of supernaturalism. but at least it's presented in a manner which is acceptable for a modern cop-gangster film. Everything about this movie is weird: the characters, the plot, the storyline, and more importantly the overall effect of the film itself. The acting was good, especially from Takuya Kimura, considering he was handed the most unconventional role. It makes me wonder why they had to keep showing a semi-nude Josh Hartnett considering that he's not very well-built, and also considering that they planned to exploit Lee Byung-hun's torso instead, which in contrary is lots better to look at. The actress who plays his tarty girlfriend in the movie is 41!! She does not look a day over twenty-eight, I'm telling you...this is a sign that I should be sleeping earlier! Weirdness aside, the HK cityscape and skyline...one can but marvel its spectacle. Every time I watch shows where they capture the on-screen allure of the HK nightview, it only makes me want to go there, more and more so. 6.5/10.

I CORRUPT ALL COPS (2009) - A straightforward show about corruption in HK circa 1970s. Good guys gone bad, bad guys gone good, and then there're always the bad guys who are still bad. Very solid acting from each member of the cast, especially the leads. The language used here is much more crude than most HK flicks as the story revolves around corrupted cops and mobsters, and more so like mentioned in the earlier part of the movie, it is difficult to get a tertiary education, which probably goes for the crass colloquialism. It is hard to see why Anthony Wong would not be regarded as one of HK's top veteran actors. It spans two hours long, but does not feel like it. 7.25/10.

The Good, The Bad, The Weird, A Bittersweet Life

2009-11-29T22:47:00.004+08:00

Q: What do these two movies have in common?
A: They both Lee Byung-hun in it. Shirtless, bloody, killer, and killed. Oops, spoilers there. And down below too.

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE WEIRD (2008) - There are three titular roles as the title already suggests, but the real scene stealer would have to be the Weird (Song Kang-ho). Having possessed an already funny face, and being made to do funnier actions, you can expect lots of comic from him. What The Good does mostly is look stylish while smirking and aiming and knocking precise targets off with his double-barrel shotgun, which isn't too bad a job done here (I have not seen his previous movies, but he seems to have pretty much garnered a reputation as a pretty boy). The Bad is a cold-blooded emo. Sounds paradoxical doesn't it...but that's what he is. He just likes taking it out on weaker people, screaming women included. The eyeliner, haircut, and scars are the reasons why the people behind those were hired to do what they do. They do nothing but further enhance Lee Byung-hun's on-screen persona, and his already commanding presence. The soundtrack is pretty apt, especially at times when the scenes change, and so does the soundtrack. Well-shot, well-directed, ever mind that everyone who is virtually involved in the movie is after a treasure map which is the location for an oil mine. Two hours long, but good enough entertainment value. This is one of those fun flicks which warrants a rewatch just because it is what it is: a fun flick, and nothing more. 7.5/10.

A BITTERSWEET LIFE (2005) - OMG I think Hollywood is remaking this, and I don't think it will be as poignant as the original here. First of all, I don't think they have someone who can portray the cold, poker-faced, unflinching, cocky enforcer than Lee Byung-hun pretty much does with ease. Secondly, American cities just aren't like South Korean cities. It doesn't have that sense of vibrant energy and spotlessness as a whole but at the same time, when scrutinized, it is also a facade which conceals much solitude. Thirdly, it is hard for Westerners to stomach serving someone or a purpose with blind loyalty the way Asians sometimes do. This piece is very well-shot; the opening scene at the hotel was almost one of the cleanest, slickest setup I've seen in a while. The shootout and beating-up scenes were less choreographed-looking than HK would have done it, but it works either way. I admit that I had mixed thoughts about the ending, it could all have been a fantasy, however it would have then be redundant to name the film 'A Bittersweet Life'. Therefore I see it fit for him to die at the end instead. He made a mistake which is not exactly a mistake by human standards, but not your gangster boss. A mistake which cost him his life. But what really boiled down to it I felt, was his arrogance. His whole life he has been living by giving people the one-offs and the only time he fails to do so, is when things change for the worst. For someone who has so much power to talk down to people and to beat anyone on the streets just for the heck of it, yet he isn't allowed to feel human by enjoying just being alive and the simplest of things. I also do feel that the boss was reacting too strongly for someone who has served him like a dog for seven years disobeying an order which does not cost him anything but face value. I like how the movie unfolds with Buddhist parables, and ends with it as well. I'm not sure I enjoyed it as much as most people did though. Overall it feels solid on ground, but there are few porous holes along the way. A rather poignant movie about how your defenses can be so easily ripped apart by the ones you trust the most - including yourself. 7.25/10.

Sparrow

2009-11-26T17:05:00.004+08:00

SPARROW (2008) - This show was totally satirical, as is its soundtrack. Simon Yam does a great job once again; so does director Johnnie To. I must say that the Milkyway writers are really outdoing themselves with the ideas and plots for the their movies as of late. I love the way Kelly Lin carries herself in this movie, and also the way she speaks Mandarin. It's just another one of those Hong Kong flicks which you just watch and feel satisfied towards to end no less. But that doesn't make it generic in the least bit, in all senses. 7.25/10.

Accident, The Beast Stalker

2009-11-24T13:56:00.004+08:00

ACCIDENT (2009) - Another good piece from Johnnie To. The story revolves around assassins who take out their targets via staging well-planned 'accidents'. From the last two-thirds of the movie we are being subjected to the gang leader's paranoia as he tries to make sense of how an insurance agent is planning to knock them off one by one, when it is in fact just his own overwhelming paranoia and his teammates are just victims of accidents. I would have preferred it to be about someone really trying to kill them all by staging accidents of their own, but in this manner we see irony painted out in a whole larger picture of itself. You can never get enough of the Hong Kong streets and trams. Not me, anyway. Great pace, camera work, and cinematography. 7.25/10.

THE BEAST STALKER (2009) - Award-winning Nick Cheung plays the baddie, and Nic Tse the good guy. Almost a typical cop and criminal piece, this stands out of the lot by twisting all the strands together at the end like a braid. I am not too sure that I'm very fond of the ending here as it all does seem a tad bit too ironic and close-knit, and I prefer randomization. The cast was stellar, especially Miao Pu who plays Nick Cheung's bed-ridden wife. A decent thriller nonetheless. 7/10.

District 9, The Tournament

2009-11-22T22:09:00.004+08:00

DISTRICT 9 (2009) - I'm not a fan (at all) of alien movies, but I watched this one because someone told me that the ending was unexpected. Well it isn't really unexpected, but it was a pretty poignant one. Well-paced enough with out-of-this-world gadgets and weaponry, and the ugly human nature once again, I think it's quite worth-watching. Added that both humans and aliens were co-existing on the same planet too. 7/10.

THE TOURNAMENT (2009) - This isn't as bas as I thought it would be at all! Kelly Hu looks great even with barely any make-up on! Kinda corny premise, some gore here and there, competent fights and actions, this will keep you entertained for its whole 90 min run. 7/10.

Saw 6, GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra

2009-11-20T14:44:00.005+08:00

SAW 6 (2009) - To watch the winner of Scream Queens, Tanedra Howard doing what she does all the time: look agitated and talk angrily. Kinda glad that Michelle didn't win this so she didn't have to....don't wanna spoil it for ya!! =D So yeah...the plot thickens! It's fascinating how much in-betweens can be placed within so much that's already going on. This time, the traps are more of a focal area instead of contraptions. This is supposed to be Jigsaw's last will, but looks like something went haywire, and we should be expecting Saw 7. 7/10.

GI JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA (2009) - Don't you just love big-budgeted blockbusters?! Cool CGI and special effects, out-of-this-world gadgets, supernatural abilities and what not...you get the gist. Sienna Miler looks way good as a brunette, and surprisingly Lee Byung Hun had a pretty significant role. I guess it helps that he speaks proper English, and acting chops to boot. Everyone's saying that Channing Tatum was a bad actor. Doesn't bother me. Storm Shadow's fight scenes were well done enough. The bitch fight between the two chicks was kinda hilarious, but it suffices. The nano-mites were a pretty interesting concept too. But looking at the ending, I think we need to expect a sequel. This is coming from a non-fan of GI Joe. That's why I thought the movie was fine. At the very least, it held my attention for the whole two hours. 7.5/10.

Ninja, Phobia 2

2009-11-17T19:51:00.003+08:00

NINJA (2009) - This is a low-budget movie, obviously, because I do not know any of the Japanese actors. And yeah! This is where Scott Adkins comes in; he was the sewn-up Deadpool in the Wolverine Origins movie (which kinda fell flat btw). The on thing I have gotta give props to is the realism of the lead actress' fight scenes, in which she kicks a >200 pound dude and he doesn't go flying as if Scott Adkins was the one who kicked him. It really showed that she, a skinny female, needed STRENGTH and EFFORT to kick her assailant. Fight choreography was quite good, the movie was well-paced, all in all, not bad at all for a low-budget flick. 6.5/10.

PHOBIA 2 (2009) - 5 kinds of scares huh...not exactly. Just that most of the time, especially the first two, were loud and hence shocking. The first one, 'Novice', was just alright. Nothing to shout about. The second story, 'Ward', was pretty cool. 'Backpackers' really had potential but fell short due to lack of elaborative script. The guy in here was pretty cute though; too bad he died! 'Salvage' was kinda meaningful, but I thought they could have done with a better manner for the er, demise. As for the last one 'In The End', this one was kinda meant to be a spoof of almost everything horror. They even brought the four guys from Phobia 1. Nonetheless, pretty watchable. Not for the faint-hearted, especially if you plan on watching it alone on the big screens. 6.5/10.

2009-09-22T21:20:00.000+08:00

...eight days; eight more working days!!

Tired

2009-09-13T22:40:00.003+08:00

I am so so so tired. I need to get the bloody hell out of here asap.

If you asked me to continue this only till 31st December, and on the 1st of January 2010 I'll be getting paid a million bucks, I'm still gonna say no.

Unless I have death wish and it'll all go to my parents.

But fuck, NO.

While I'm at it, I don't know what the fuck is wrong with that new trainee. Or with my boss too.

WHY THE FUCK DID YOU HIRE HER?!?!

Fifteen more days; FIFTEEN!!

ARGH!!

Overheard,The Haunting in Connecticut, The Last House on the Left

2009-09-05T22:00:00.007+08:00

OVERHEARD (2009) - I must say, I do kinda like where HK cinema is headed to nowadays. It picks up one issue, and makes a movie out of it. This is one of them, and this time the issue is overhearing some juicy stock market information that can either make you...or break you. The process is as painful and grueling as is played out, as none can wholly fathom the urge to jump at the opportunities for free money, and the sacrifices may or may not come later. It finishes on a slightly predictable note, but still calls for more than your average flick. 7.25/10.

THE HAUNTING IN CONNECTICUT (2009) - Not scary, just a bit creepy. Disturbing more like it. Well of course it is, living in a house infested with undead normal people can't see? Not as bad as reviewers make it out to be. 6/10.

THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (2009) - Yes, I think my parents are capable of this too. However,the only drawback is, if I'm over and done with, it only means they've got one hell of an opponent to deal with. Everyone enjoys a good payback film every now and then. Not for the faint-hearted as there's gore. And a sexual assault scene which seems to last longer than a lot of people would have liked. But peeps, let's all remember that it's just a movie. Rapes happen in real life, and to depict it in a scene just goes to further pull at our heartstrings that it's happening and we know about it. And in this case, mommy and daddy did something about it. Decent watch. 7/10.

July 16...

2009-08-31T21:48:00.002+08:00

...was my last entry. This entry is just a summary of what happened in between then and now.

I'm handing in my resignation letter tomorrow. I've tried my hardest. I think it's enough. I don't belong there; no worries, no hard feelings.

Time to pack up and go.

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2009-07-16T23:07:00.001+08:00

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Family images - Geneology

Tactical Unit: No Way Out, Tactical Unit: Human Nature, Tactical Unit: Partners

2009-07-12T20:22:00.001+08:00

This whole PTU series depicts human relations and habits, taboo, actions and gestures of not just a police unit, between their colleagues/partners, but also with civilians and within civilians themselves. The whole thing brings a typical Hong Kong grittiness which once again reminds each and every one of us why we love HK cinema. Directed by the renowned Johnnie To (who can do no wrong in some people's eyes), most of the production is slow, but steady.

TACTICAL UNIT: THE CODE - 6.5/10.

TACTICAL UNIT: NO WAY OUT - 7/10.

TACTICAL UNIT: HUMAN NATURE - 7.25/10.

TACTICAL UNIT: COMRADES IN ARMS - 6.75/10.

TACTICAL UNIT: PARTNERS - 7/10.

But after all of this, I am pretty sick of the Maggie-Simon partnership. However, I don't think it is even close to ending here.

Orchids Round 2

2009-07-12T15:06:00.006+08:00

Orchids Round 1

2009-07-11T18:41:00.007+08:00