Life, Curious

Movie Ramblings | TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (3D)

2011-07-05T00:45:00.002+08:00

How do you follow up a Razzie for Worst Picture and Worst Director (for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen)? By heeding advice and doing better?

Well, judging from the results of the third installment of this billion-dollar franchise, Michael Bay might have finally found his footing, although not a rock-solid one yet.

Bay himself was determined to right the wrongs of the previous movies, and decided that he should focus more on the robots this time round, instead of some lame mythology involving the Great Pyramids of Egypt in the second movie.

And boy did he follow through with the robots. But of course, as usual, that was all in the expense of proper characterization, pacing and maybe a little bit of logic.

Dark of the Moon begins with a 1960s conspiracy behind the reason why the U.S. sent the first men to the moon. Something has crash landed there which is of vital importance in the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons, important enough to revive Megatron and Optimus Prime's predecessor, the wise and respected Sentinel Prime.

With a round-up of robots this powerful and impressive, it is no surprise that something big is brewing, where the city of Chicago and McDreamy is embroiled in the mess. That's right, a Grey's Anatomy cast member plays quite an important supporting role here.

A stage is set for an Armageddon-esque scenario where the Decepticons of planet Cybertron has plans on turning Earth into their own factory, with a very prominent Autobot turning his back on his own kind.

All this while, central human character Sam Witwicky (Spielberg's protege Shia LaBeouf, still acting all jittery in trying to save the world the third time) has a new job, new Boss (the slightly insane John Malkovich) and lo and behold, a new girl, Carly (British eye-candy Rosie Huntington). But even when hot-headed agent Charlotte Mearing (scene-stealing Frances McDormand) can't control the robots, you know it's the Transformers' game.

And this is where Michael Bay pushes all the right buttons.

Boasting some of the best action sequences of the year so far - yes, even better than X-Men and Thor - this is where Bay is right at home. With his trademark slow-motion camera work, the transforming from uber-sleek cars to uber-cool metallic robots takes on a whole new dimension; and a car chase sequence recalls the heart-stopping action of this year's Fast Five, but with vehicles that not only flip, but shape-shift to menacing machines that terrorise at 180km/h.

The final act in the city of Chicago features an epic destruction of a skyscraper, with our human protagonists being tossed around like rag dolls in a crumbling tower of glass by one of the scariest Decepticons to grace the screen thus far. Imagine Anaconda but in a robotic form, with its size and ferocity multiplied by a hundred. Terrifying stuff.

With the media claiming that this is the movie that revives the 3D technology - seeing that Bay shot many scenes with an actual 3D camera - I chose to catch it in all its 'supposed' glory. Suffice to say, I personally believe the 2D version wouldn't hurt the effects; they are jaw-dropping enough to enjoy without the tinted glasses.

A summer movie that lives up to expectations and with common frat-boy humour tossed in to remind you it's a Michael Bay film, Dark of the Moon is surprisingly gritty and entertaining. With the extra moo-lah (over US$300million in global takings in its first weekend only), Transformers 4 might be inevitable (I can hear the wails of the critics all over).

Bay has expressed that he needs to take a break to do smaller indie projects (with smaller explosions?), so I am actually quite excited about the future of this franchise.

Current Tomatometer: 38%

My Rating: 3.5/5

That's all! I never knew I would enjoy this movie as much; it has everything a summer movie fan is looking for and it delivers without much faults.

Take care, people!

Movie Ramblings | The Busy Mr. Spielberg

2011-07-03T00:45:00.004+08:00

1 year, 5 movies. 2011 is quickly turning into a year where Steven Spielberg is stamping his name on so many films it's mind-boggling.

From the extraterrestrial (Super 8, Cowboys & Aliens) to fanboy favourites (Transformers 3, The Adventures of Tintin), the filmmaker is either directing or producing each one of them. And besides Tintin, this year's Christmas will also see War Horse hitting the theatres, a WWI epic where pundits are starting to say it's his official Oscar bait for 2012.

But gosh, 5 movies - that sounds like a huge undertaking. Is he taking the auteur theory too far? (Does he even care about it?) And, does it hurt to be too prolific? (Hello, over-exposure)

Anyhow, here's a run-down of the five movies which has the Spielberg's name on it this year, starting from the latest:

1) WAR HORSE

Credits: Director

The trailer hit the web only 2 days ago but it already has the critics buzzing.

The sweeping cinematography and the themes of war - wait, isn't this Spielberg-Oscar territory? Recall: Saving Private Ryan (Academy Award for Best Director) and Schindler's List (Academy Award for Best Picture and Director).

Will it strike Gold for Spielberg again? We'll just have to wait and see this December.

2) The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn

Credits: Director

Yup, two of the greatest filmmakers living now has decided to adapt one of the most beloved comic characters of all time - Tintin. The other man at the helm of this motion-capture film is another master of adaptation - Peter Jackson, with the LOTR director providing the technology and producing the picture. This has got to be enough to excite any movie fan.

The trailer, downplaying the aforementioned motion-capture (but still, fantastic animation):

3) Cowboys & Aliens

Credits: Executive Producer

You did not read it wrong, it is indeed sand-and-pistol cowboys vs. UFO-riding aliens. But don't get all cynical yet. This is an adaptation of a 2006 graphic novel of the same name with Jon Favreau as director. Jon who? Jon the-freaking-director-of-Marvel's-IRON-MAN Favreau. That's right.

Take a look at the trailer, it's not all that lame. Oh, and there's Harrison Ford, too.

4) Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Credits: Executive Producer

Yes, yes, this one Mr. Spielberg also wanna chap jit kah. But to be fair, he has been Michael "Boom-Boom" Bay's producer for the past 2 Transformers films as well, so it was only sensible he returned for this.

But please - since Spielberg's name is so prominent in the trailer, let's hope this is at least better than the second one. Watch out for my review soon.

5) Super 8

Credits: Producer

Okay, the dust has settled on this movie, and the verdict is out - thrilling but not as exciting as the trailers set out to be. But this is probably the movie that has the biggest influence of his, from the movie characters to the extraterrestrial element, all are classic Spielberg. Sorry, J.J., limelight's not on you this time.

Read my review here.

Okay, that's all. Watching Transformers 3 tomorrow! In 3D. Wish me luck.

Take care, people!

Movie Ramblings | THE TREE OF LIFE

2011-06-28T22:00:00.004+08:00

You probably won't ever forget The Tree of Life; or rather, cinema probably won't ever forget The Tree of Life.

Such is the impact it leaves on viewers who have watched this lyrical film of giddy proportions by writer-director Terrence Malick (Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line). Winner of this year's Palme d'Or at Cannes, not everyone who comes across this film will remember it for the same reason.

I recall shifting uncomfortably at scenes from the first-half, but still in jaw-dropping awe of the visuals that are playing out in front of my eyes. As evident by the puzzling trailers, the shots of grandeur ranging from the opulent details of inner workings of an organism to the breathtaking colours and movement of the creation of our universe all intersect with the storyline of a family drama in 1950s Texas.

'Ambitious' is an absolute understatement when it comes to describing this film. Striking comparisons can be made with Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, another visual and intellectual masterpiece. But what Malick has done here is to ground the story right on Earth, with a very human, very affecting storyline about coming-of-age and looking to the cosmos for answers on love and faith.

ARTICLE: Douglas Trumbull's non-CGI visual effects on The Tree of Life

Brad Pitt (in a role originally meant for the late Heath Ledger) stars as the father of 3 young boys, his "survival of the fittest" morals greatly affecting the oldest of his sons, Jack (the chilling Hunter McCracken). In fits of rage we see that his father's tough parenting stance has a negative influence on Jack, while his mother's (Jessica Chastain) kindness and vulnerability frustrates and stokes the rebel in him.

In the non-linear plot, Jack's adult self (a vexed and troubled Sean Penn) is trapped in a landscape of towering glass towers, reminiscing his past and exploring the grief of a deceased family member, only to find solace in a final surreal sequence on a wide, windy beach.

The answers to the existentialist questions voiced by the various protagonists are meant to be discovered by the audience themselves, as the film is laden with rich metaphors and symbols, some which probably can never be deciphered.

Some critics have observed that this film might be an exercise in a director's over-indulgence, but for its boldness and inspiring beauty, a heavenly score and sound editing, its determination to not follow a format, its heartbreaking drama and everything in between, I applaud The Tree of Life as possibly the year's best film.

The utterly mesmerising trailer, once again:

Current Tomatometer: 86%

My Rating: 5.0/5

That's all =)

And anyway, I'm back in SINGAPORE!!!!!! WOOHOO!

Means watching movies in Singapore at sg movie prices, which is slightly cheaper than TW's.

Take care, people!

Movie Ramblings | SUPER 8

2011-06-20T22:08:00.003+08:00

I want so badly to love Super 8 whole-heartedly because it had the kind of marketing campaign that actually intrigues people to catch a movie, and that is never a bad thing.

JJ Abrams' track record has also earned him credibility (TV's Lost, Cloverfield - yes, I thought it was awesome, Star Trek), and there is that Spielberg brand-name to bank on, too.

But what is holding me back, then?

So far, two camps have emerged after watching the sci-fi thriller, which opened at #1 in the US over the past weekend. Some are saying it is a mesh-up of The Goonies, E.T. and basically every other Steven Spielberg coming-of-age film in the past.

On the other side of the fence, however, stands people who praised the film for the homage it pays, and that yada-yada about the nostalgic factor.

Personally, I feel that Super 8 is not the definitive sci-fi flick the mysterious trailers and marketing posters set it out to be. But it is no denying that it is one darn good summer movie with more good things to be said than there are flaws to be nit-picked.

If you haven't already known, the film centres around a group of teenagers who were out filming a zombie movie one night and witnessed a disastrous train accident. The wreck was caught on their Super 8 film, and therein lies some thrilling answers to some strange happenings in their little Ohio town.

From the opening act, the director sets the tone right with the untimely death of someone close to the protagonist. Within that short period of time, the cinematography establishes the era with the sub-urban houses of a small American town, and the screenplay was quick with characterizations, so that the story can move towards the fateful train crash without delay.

But here lies a big problem with the film. As suspenseful as some of the scenes were (audience members with weak hearts might jump once or twice), it never really got to the point of thrills as promised by the secretive trailers. With Steven Spielberg as producer, one would expect the sense of awe as shown by E.T., and although one scene involving an overturned bus did bring back memories of Spielberg's classic Jurassic Park, it was neither as scary nor exciting for the viewers.

However, is JJ Abrams really going for a full-fledged alien movie? One cannot help but feel that the film has more of a character driven-plot, ala Korea's The Host, instead of the soulless Battle: Los Angeles.

And with that direction, Super 8 succeeds.

The young cast carries the entire show, with two of the leads shining the brightest. Joel Courtney stars as the young Joe Lamb, who oscillates between bravery and innocence with breathless ease, making his character as a kid who has to handle some screwed-up domestic issues entirely believable.

His sweet, budding romance with Alice Dainard (played by Elle Fanning, absolutely stealing every scene she's in) anchors the plot well because of their likeable chemistry, and the rest of the Goonies-like youngsters round up the fun-pack with their strange little eccentricities.

While admittedly not the most original movie of its genre to emerge (for that, see Oscar Best Picture nominee District 9), you cannot help but enjoy Super 8. Is it because it brings us back to the time where movies are supposed to entertain us with a good story, characters and perhaps a pepper of special effects here and there?

VIDEO: Elle Fanning talks Super 8 secrets.

To me, the film has the universal appeal of a summer blockbuster, but it contains a pure heart so rarely found in (or reflected in) movies nowadays. Now that is something I can't really compain about.

P.S. Stay during the credit roll for the amusing movie-within-a-movie.

Current Tomatometer: 83%

My Rating: 3.5/5

That's all about Super 8!

OMG I can't believe I only have 5 days left for my Taiwan exchange! Gonna miss this place so much =(

But I'm kinda missing Singapore loads, too, so I can't wait to go home as well.

Take care, people!

Movie Ramblings | X-Men: First Class

2011-06-09T02:00:00.004+08:00

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender

Origin stories are hard to tell. Hannibal Rising memorably failed to create a coherent backstory for one of the scariest villains in movie history, while X-Men's very own Wolverine got a spin-off treatment that was more flashy than fleshy in terms of its screenplay.

Good examples? Star Trek and those two Christopher Nolan movies. How does this prequel measure up, then?

Although not as defining as what Batman Begins did for its franchise, X-Men: First Class is still a praise-worthy prequel that serves as one of the better series reboots in recent memory.

Focusing on two of X-Men's main characters, Erik (a.k.a Magneto) and Charles (a.k.a Professor X), the film charts their beginnings since they were young boys and attempts to explain the motivations of how the two eventually lead different mutants against each other.

The brilliant cast is a feat to behold, and McAvoy's turn as Professor X deserves top mention. Portraying a cerebral sensibility beyond his age, the British actor handles the gravity of the role with aplomb, making X's trademark index-finger-to-the-head gesture both intense and believable.

Matthew Vaughn's assured direction (for goodness sake, he was the hand behind Kick-Ass and Stardust, two very different but equally brilliant movies) were reserved for his talented ensemble, as scenes of the young mutants' training particularly stands-out with its playful use of split-screen. The younglings are the stars (it's the first class afterall), and he is not afraid to make sure they have fun chemistry on-screen.

The visual effects, although uneven at parts (do we really need another sequence of missiles/arrows flying towards protagonists?), dazzles particularly for curvy mutant Emma Frost (Mad Men's January Jones), her sparkling-diamonds shape-shifting look always as fascinating as Mystique's transformation. As a mind-reader as well, Frost's character arc sets up possible future tensions with the telepathic Professor X.

Although still filled with the casual genre cliches (stern-looking Russians and a tacky missile stand-off between opposing warships), X-Men: First Class builds up enough excitement and momentum for audiences to want to watch how the rebooted franchise will unfold.

All I can say is: the new upcoming Spiderman movies better up their game.

My Rating: 3.5/5

That's all!

Am glad that the summer flicks are so far so good! Here's hoping Super 8 and Captain America would follow suit...

Take care, people!

Movie Ramblings: UPCOMING

2011-06-06T02:20:00.001+08:00

The Dark Knight Rises! Okay, so it won't be until next year that the next Batman opus is released, but the hype surrounding the film is so deafening that it is comparable to those of blockbusters releasing this summer.

ARTICLE: The Dark Knight Rises' two new viral videos

Back to those that are timely: it does seem like sequels and superheroes are set to jam-pack the upcoming theatre line-up. From Cars 2 to Captain America, movie fans (especially fanboys) will have to shell out extra bucks for big-budget on-screen epicness.

Here's a list of my most anticipated flicks this season:

#1 Super 8

JJ Abrams (the mastermind of Lost and that spectacular Star Trek reboot) + Steven Spielberg smells of cinematic blockbuster ecstasy. Shrouded in mystery from the start of production, trailers have now revealed that it is about a group of teenagers in 1979 America who witnessed a massive train-wreck while out filming on their Super 8 handycam.

Not long after, strange extra-terrestrial events start to happen in their little town, and reviewing their footage on their Super 8 seem to bring out some thrilling answers.

Trailer:

Current Tomatometer: 85%

#2 X-Men: First Class

This lowly-hyped prequel to the not-so-great X-Men Trilogy initially did not interest me at all. Who would have anymore faith in the franchise after X3 killed off Cyclops and Professor X, and making a mess out of villain Deadpool in the equally non-spectacular X-Men Origins: Wolverine?

But after the first reviews of the movie streamed in, stating that it boasted a strong script and look, it was apparent that this X-Men film is on a class of its own, which might just be needed to revive the series, who faces tough competition from Marvel's Avengers movie.

Current Tomatometer: 88%

#3 The Tree of Life

When the strangely captivating trailer of Terrence Malick's new film first came out, it left audiences puzzled - but in awe.

Trailer:

Mixing a father-and-son drama (played by both Brad Pitt and Sean Penn) with breathtaking National Geographic-style shots of oceans and forests, the film obviously tackles the ambitious. And judging by its recent Palme d'Or win at Cannes it is undoubtedly set for greatness once awards season arrive at the end of the year.

Poised to be one of the most talked about movies of the year.

Current Tomatometer: 85%

#4 Captain America: The First Avenger

Okay, so Hollywood decided to go nostalgic this time round with an X-Men prequel set in the 1960s, Super 8 in the late 70s, and now Captain America during WWII. Marvel Studios has been steadily building up its Avengers universe recently with Iron Man, Thor (read review in previous post), and the Hulk from before.

It's finally Captain America's turn

Trailer:

Judging from the trailer, the set design of the movie is ace, and with bucket loads of cash from the previous movies, Marvel definitely won't go easy on the special effects.

Let's hope the cast of Chris Evans - who was previously superhero Human Torch from another Marvel comic, Fantastic Four - and Tommy Lee Jones will take advantage of this great set-up to deliver another solid entry in the epic culminating of The Avengers.

Current Tomatometer: N.A.

Worthy mentions:

#5 Transformers: Dark of the Moon

No more Megan Fox. Michael Bay seems very determined to right the wrongs of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Heck, Steven Spielberg's name is attached to Part 3... so it must at least be good!

#6 Cars 2

#7 Kung Fu Panda 2

The latter is already released to rave reviews (one of those rare sequels that is equally good as the original), whereas Pixar's 12th animated feature film (and 3rd feature film sequel) has a lot of expectations to live up to. It is definitely a tough act to follow two Oscar Best Picture nominees (Up and Toy Story 3) but I believe the beloved animation giant can do it.

Yupyup, hope at least one of those movies interest you!

Will catch X-Men very soon (my 6th movie in Taiwan), with review coming up.

Take care, people!

Movie Ramblings: 5 Reviews

2011-06-01T11:20:00.001+08:00

On one random note: it's my 200th blogpost!

Anyway, let's talk about the movies that I've caught in Taiwan so far. Although I'm far away from home, nothing's stopping me from watching films!

Managed to catch five movies here (to date), and here they are, from the earliest to the latest ones I've watched.

1) THE KING'S SPEECH

Director: Tom Hooper

Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush

This year's Best Picture winner is a beautifully filmed and acted piece that is both humorous and dramatic, a safe kind of flick that the Academy usually goes for (although, quite unlike last year's The Hurt Locker).

Even though my personal pick would have been The Social Network for the Oscar, King's impresses with a very dedicated performance by Colin Firth (impeccable down to the last stuttering syllable), while its cinematography of bluish hues and warm colours helps to highlight the quietly-powerful screenplay of a King battling with both internal and external fears.

FYI: "The Colours of The King's Speech" photo spread

Current Tomatometer: 95%
My rating: 4.0/5
~

2) GOODBYE MAY 走出五月
Director: 朱峰
Starring: 柯有倫，房思瑜

This little Taiwanese film intertwines two generations of lovers together into one story line, resulting in a fair share of hits and misses. The bittersweet tale of the older couple (勾峰 & 沈海蓉) tugs at heartstrings as it stretches from the past in China to present Taiwan, their presentation of undying love and anguish etched out movingly on their every action and expression.

But the younger couple's uneven plots sags the picture, although their youthfulness and energy somehow made their characters believable. The saving grace: the director's attention to set detail and the cinematographer's lyrical camera work improves the film experience.

FYI: 走出五月 movie trailer

Current Tomatometer: N.A.
My rating: 3.0/5
~

3) THOR
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman

Although not the first avenger (that's Captain America), it is the first avenger movie to be released this summer. After the insane success of Iron Man, sure-footed Marvel unleashes the mighty hammer-god, Thor, with its charismatic lead Chris Hemsworth - coming off suave and firm - earning the credit for carrying the bulk of the movie on his massive shoulders.

A deft blend of fantasy and mortal world, Thor brims with the right amount of humour (listen closely to Avengers references!), heavyweight action sequences and sweet chemistry between its leads, with the rarely-go-wrong Portman as love interest. A thumbs-up for the filmmakers for framing most of Earth's establishing shots in the Dutch-tilt, adding interesting cinematic depth to an already above-average superhero offering.

FYI: The 'Dutch-tilt' camera angle

Current Tomatometer: 77%
My rating: 3.5/5
~

4) PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES
Director: Robert Marshall
Starring: Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz

The fourth installment of the mega Disney franchise does not bring anything fresh to its plate, unless you count a school of killer mermaids - they were rather creepy, though - as something original.

That said, Depp's Jack Sparrow is as amusing as ever, enlivening the movie's dull plot of a Fountain of Youth quest, and his crackling banter with fiesty new character, Angelica (played with predictability by Cruz), adds much needed sexual tension to improve the film.

Audiences will lap it all up, though, as it is still an entertaining adventure to sit through, filled with the physical Sparrow humour of Dead Man's Chest, and the high-seas swash-buckling of At World's End.

FYI: On Stranger Tides main characters' trailer

Current Tomatometer: 33%
My rating: 3.0/5
~

5) FAST FIVE
Director: Justin Lin
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker

You know how we sometimes laugh at those guys who only have braun and no brains? That's exactly what Fast Five is, but wait - that's not exactly a bad thing in this case.

With insane high-octane car chase sequences that gleefully defy the laws of physics (jumping out of a falling car off a cliff, anyone?), this movie is like Charlie's Angels 2 by McG, minus all the fluff and pump in all the muscle, multiplied by a hundred. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson joins the cast and rounds up the 'beefcake' showcase (but don't worry, dudes, the babes are not too bad, either).

Generic heist + @#$%^ car chases + Sleek production = Not a dull moment

FYI: "The 21 Hot Cars of Fast Five"

Current Tomatometer: 79%
My Rating: 3.5/5
~

That's all folks! Watch out for my next post on the highly-anticipated movies I wanna catch this summer (of which some I might have to watch in Taiwan).

Take care, people!

TAIWAN: The Artistes 'LIVE' 2011

2011-05-16T20:50:00.000+08:00

That's right~ After 3 months, I've decided to blog again! For those who go onto Facebook (I guess that's almost 100% of you), you would have known that I'm currently in the lovely country of Taiwan for my exchange program =)

To see how much fun I'm having, please visit my Facebook albums. Very happs. Very nice. Yups. But this blog post is for an entirely different purpose.

Coming to Taiwan has its pros and cons, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons. And one of the pros is definitely seeing the bevy of Taiwanese (and Singaporean) pop-stars performing here!!

While some of you might still be thinking "what are the cons of coming to Taiwan?", I'm now moving on to show you a couple of big name stars that I've caught on video so far.

So.... here we go!! =)

#1 孫燕姿 Stefanie Sun

Song: 當冬夜漸暖

Venue: Taipei 西門町

Event: Stefanie Sun's latest album "It's Time - 是時候" autograph session

I remember when I first got to know that our very own local songbird was holding an autograph session for her latest CD (4 years is a freakinnn long wait), my friend and I just bought the CD on the spot and rushed to the back of the snaking line.

Not bad, though. Managed to get our own autographed albums, while telling her we're from Singapore, before ending with an almost fanboy-ish "加油!".

#2 五月天 Mayday

Songs: 離開地球表面，戀愛－ing

Venue: Kenting 墾丁

Event: Spring Wave Festival 2011 / 春浪 2011

The Spring Wave Festival at 墾丁 was the music festival to be in Taiwan for the Spring Break, and boy did it roooccckk.

Jumping up and down, shouting our voices hoarse... all together with thousands of crazy fans - only Mayday can achieve that feat, and all for the right reasons.

#3 田馥甄 Hebe

Song: LOVE (Ukelele + Rock version)

Venue: Kenting 墾丁

Event: Spring Wave Festival 2011 / 春浪 2011

Ahh, Hebe, Hebe... although the crowd wasn't as high as Mayday's, but most fans were simply immersed in the moment, as her saccharine voice serenaded us in the cool, Kenting night.

#4 林俊傑 JJ Lin

Song: 一千年以後

Venue: Taichung 台中

Event: 媽祖之光 2011

Although I've watched him 'live' in concert twice before, his professionalism still inspires, and his self-written melodies never fail to sway the crowd, who comprised of young fans, as well as the older folks who were there to pay respects to 媽祖. Yes, this is a concert organised in respect of a goddess.

#5 羅志祥 Show Luo

Song: 獨一無二

Venue: Hsinchu 新竹

Event: 媽祖之光 2011

This was another 媽祖 concert, but this time held in Hsinchu, where I stay. My friends and I braved the chilly winds just to wait for Mr Dua Pai to perform one song. Worth it? Well, so-so.

But still, he sure can charm a crowd, alright.

#6 MC Hotdog

Song: 差不多先生 ft. 张震岳

Venue: Kenting 墾丁

Event: Spring Wave Festival 2011 / 春浪 2011

Having two of the most bad-ass Taiwanese performers in the Mandarin pop world sharing the stage definitely produces good chemistry. Almost as high as Mayday.

#7 蘇打綠 Sodagreen

Song: 小情歌

Venue: Taichung 台中

Event: 媽祖之光 2011

This classic song is given quite a safe treatment by them. But still, who can deny 青峰's crystal clear voice?

That's all folks! Hope that's not all for the popstar performances... and hope my blogging doesn't stop as well!

Take care, people =)

Just Go With It

2011-02-08T11:00:00.001+08:00

I know, it's been eons since I've blogged, but who needs blogging now that you've got Facebook? But yea, I'm not that active on Facebook too, so.. conclusion: I'm just lazy. Muahaha.

Okay.. moving on. Caught the preview of the latest Aniston-Sandler romantic comedy, Just Go With It. From the looks of it, our favourite 'Friends' star is back in the game =)

Scroll to the bottom to read short reviews of Black Swan, The Fighter, The Green Hornet and Lover's Discourse (戀人絮語).

I give the movie:

After a string of flops, it seems like anything Jennifer Aniston attaches her name to would fail to ignite anymore interest in her work. Love Happens was not happening. The Bounty Hunter was a critics' prey. The Switch - wait... the what? You get the idea.

When news came that big-kid Adam Sandler would team up with her for a rom-com set in Hawaii, few really cared. Okay, so Sandler has his track record (the rowdy humour in the recent Grown Ups, and the sweet 50 First Dates with Drew Barrymore) - but can these two household names share any comedic spark?

My say is (rid of any pre-Jennifer Aniston bias) a satisfied 'yes'. This is one surprisingly hilarious picture.

Aniston plays Katherine, long-time assistant to Adam Sandler's plastic surgeon, Danny. After falling for bombshell Palmer (Brooklyn Decker) - a 23-year-old grade-school teacher who Danny assumes is 'the one' - he persuades Katherine to pose as his soon-to-be ex-wife to convince Palmer that he is true to her.

The plan backfires as Katherine's own children are implicated in the web of lies, and soon, the entire group goes off vacationing in Hawaii on a bonding trip, where affections shift and lives are changed.

The comedy is directed by frequent Sandler collaborator, Dennis Dugan, and it might be a smart move to borrow the screen material from a 1969 movie Cactus Flower, as previous Dugan-Sandler original works include the memorably terrible You Don't Mess With The Zohan.

The plot steadfastly steers away from the traditional set-up of the rom-com by introducing domestic themes of honesty and divorce, showing how the kids in a broken marriage handle the situation themselves.

On that, child actors Griffin Gluck and Bailee Madison are scene-stealers as Katherine's two kids. Gluck's endearing Sopranos-style talk will crack you up, while Madison's grating British accent is a hoot to watch, both of them scheming and trying to blackmail their way into getting perks from getting in on the lie.

While we do not exactly get any development in Palmer's character - except for the fact that she's 'Nsync-obsessed - the audience do not really bother about characterization problems as the gags keep piling up and could leave you almost breathless with laughter.

Filled with snigger-non-stop situations involving botched plastic surgery jobs, an unconscious sheep, a hula-girl dance-off, and a surprising supporting role by a tall A-list Australian actress, the movie deftly blends great Sandler goofball jokes with Aniston's forte for physical comedy.

FINAL SAY: Thanks to the chemistry of its two leads who are visibly right-at-home with the material, I suggest you sit back, laugh your hearts out and that's right - just go with it.

The film opens in Singapore 31 March.

Other movies I've watched and rated:

A stunning, visceral film featuring Natalie Portman as the hardworking ballerina plummeting into insanity as her sinister on-stage role threatens to mirror her stressful real life. The bleak colours of black, white and grey drench the palette suitably, as the darker Swan emerges in astonishing fashion, while the seductive Mila Kunis and domineering Vincent Cassel taunt the lead at the sidelines, also leaving the audience in a psychological state of distress.

Rating: 4.0/5

Documentary-style filmmaking ups the grittiness as the film tells the real-life story of boxer Micky Ward (in a quiet, sturdy performance by Mark Wahlberg) and his drug-addict brother and trainer, Dicky (in a loud and bold turn by Christian Bale). Amy Adams and Melissa Leo round up the knock-out cast, as the showcase presents more of a broiling domestic drama about kinship and loyalty than a conventional boxing film.

Rating: 4.0/5

An unnecessary remake of the old television series with serviceable laughs about a spoilt-brat/orphaned/millionaire (a suitably lazy Seth Rogen) who teams up with his late father's assistant - who turns out to be an a**-kicking fighter/mechanic (Jay Chou) - to rid the city of crime lords. Jay's command of English (or the severe lack-thereof) is sorely annoying, and the aimless gags of childish beat-ups just makes the audience sick. The 3D doesn't help, as usual.

Rating: 2.5/5

Featuring exquisite cinematography of saturated colours and a keen eye on everyday objects, this quiet Hong Kong film is a tightly-written fable with insightful observations on modern and traditional relationships in the city. For instance, Facebook photographs are contrasted with an old-school binoculars, all tools used to track a cheating spouse. The fine cast includes crooners Eason Chan and Singapore's Kit Chan.

Rating: 4.0/5

That's all =)

Need to start packing for exchange to Taiwan!

Watch out for my predictions of winners for Oscars 2011 in my upcoming post =)

Take care, people!

Burlesque & Other Drugs

2011-01-10T21:05:00.000+08:00

Yep, caught two much talked-about films recently. Burlesque at a preview screening and Love and Other Drugs =)

Firstly, the musical~

I give the movie:

With finger snappin', sequin dazzlin' musical numbers, Burlesque thrills in a good ol' fashion way. Featuring powerhouse vocal performances from its two leading ladies, the song-and-dance routines hit the spot, although the storyline doesn't exactly break any new ground.

Newly-single Christina Aguilera stars as the strong-willed Ali (short for Alice.. 'Alice' short enough already what), who leaves small town Iowa for Hollywood, searching for a singing break. After numerous attempts at securing a singing job, she stumbles upon The Burlesque Lounge, where her musical journey in Los Angeles officially begins.

There she meets Tess (Cher) - the stately and no-nonsense nightclub owner - and her bevy of catty Burlesque girls. Soon, Ali's natural talent is realised and it is up to her to hold herself in the glitz of showbiz and not lose her footing.

This film is the obvious star vehicle for its two divas.

Xtina is at the top of her game as she belts effortlessly from one number to the next and she seems right at home performing on the light bulbs flashing Burlesque stage.

Still looking resplendent at 64, Cher holds her own as well, especially in the big lonesome ballad "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me". Her stubbornness in the film is well-balanced by the ever-reliable Stanley Tucci, who stars as her confidante, Sean.

FINAL SAY: Everyone needs a little razzle-dazzle in their lives, so give this showy musical a chance and catch it in all its flamboyance on the big screen! =)

Next up, the mature rom-com:

I give the movie:

From the great poster, it is obvious this is not going to be your usual chick flick. And thank goodness it isn't!

The pairing of the gorgeous-looking leads Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway will arrest attention at first, as with the promise of steamy scenes that is enough to warrant the film an M18 rating in Singapore. But after you get over the eye-candy, the product is one delightful and moving story.

Jaime (Gyllenhaal) is the gift-of-the-gab Viagra salesman who falls for the straight-talking Maggie (Hathaway), who seems to be hiding a medical problem that might threaten their relationship.

Filled with adult humour (in the form of Jamie's rotund brother), the film also balances with nuanced expressions of tenderness that will ring well with audiences.

FINAL SAY: Jake and Anne's excellent chemistry impresses, but the surprisingly weighty issues that the film tackles gives an additional insight to conventional rom-coms.

That's all! Those are the first 2 movies of 2011 - here's to some more great ones! =)

Take care, people!

My TOP52 Movies of 2010

2011-01-06T13:00:00.011+08:00

In a year dominated by animated flicks, grand sequels and remakes, one original movie managed to stand out. Like Avatar back in 2009, this movie shook audiences to the core with its excellent visual landscape, pulsating action sequences and great directing. However, this film achieved something more than the James Cameron epic - it made audiences think.

And boy did we think deeply.

I'm referring to none other than the Christopher Nolan masterpiece - Inception. Assembling a troupe of some of the finest actors working in Hollywood, Nolan managed to churn out a rare cerebral film that excited audiences worldwide with its thought-provocating concept of dream-within-a-dream.

Like The Dark Knight, Nolan's previous tour de force, extremely favourable word-of-mouth catapulted Inception's global box-office receipts to US$825 Million.

While critics and audiences should applaud the brave and thrilling filmmaking portrayed by Inception, we should not let a tent-pole movie shroud other cinematic gems. Be it indie favourites (Away We Go), foreign fare (The White Ribbon) or deliciously off-beat comedy (The Other Guys [pictured]), we should be glad that we got the privilege to watch some unassuming yet fantastic films in 2010.

As aforementioned, animated films meant big business this year. The big boys at Disney unleashed Pixar's Toy Story 3 (the highest-grossing film of 2010 at over US$1 Billion) and Rapunzel, while sleeper hits like Despicable Me [pictured] and How To Train Your Dragon also racked up the moolahs and critical praise.

So, which film would top my list of the 52 movies I've watched that were released in Singapore in 2010? Would it be the much talked-about Inception, or would there really be another film that is worthy to top it?

Of course, as always, we have to start with the failures that many people would have regretted watching (including me). Good things are worth the wait, though, and you will gradually discover the commendable films later on.

If you are ready, let the countdown begin!

STINKER OF THE YEAR:

#52 The Blood Pledge 동반자살 (2.0/5)

"Let's all pray that if this movie fails, we can still make it as a Korean pop group."

A horror movie that was scarily unscary and predictable. Although the cast handled the emotions pretty well, the director decided to do a lazy film with lousy scares.

THE MEDIOCREs:

#51 Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2.5/5)

"So, this is how you play Snap..."

A film with sound social commentary about authoritarian leadership but showcased in an often exaggerated manner. Pleasantly ambitious but too long-drawn.

#50 BOX! (2.5/5)

"I prefer to train like this for my IPPT."

Charismatic leads Hayato Ichihara [pictured] and Kengo Kora turn in fine performances, but bad directing and pace sinks this film to mediocrity.

#49 The Tourist (2.5/5)

"Ma'am, you forgot your boyfriend."

Despite the gorgeous backdrop of Venice and immense likeability of its mega stars Jolie and Depp, the incredulous plot leaves a sour taste in one's mouth.

#48 Killers (2.5/5)

"I know he peed on your carpet but please don't shoot my puppy!"

Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl share great chemistry but the film plays like just another episode of Desperate Housewives. And that might not be a good thing.

#47 Daybreakers (2.5/5)

"We have cooler vampires than Twilight and we know it."

This Ethan Hawke flick about vampires capturing humans for blood to survive starts off strong and promising, before the lame final act dwindles all hope to make it a cool blood-sucker film.

#46 It's Complicated (2.5/5)

"I'm going home to change my Facebook relationship status."

Meryl Streep. Alec Baldwin. Steve Martin. How can such big-name stars not turn this comedy into a critical darling? It's complicated.

#45 Nine (2.5/5)

"I.. had.. the time of my life..."

A massively misguided film by Chicago director Rob Marshall, with choppy and directionless musical numbers. When a pop-star (Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas [pictured]) outshines screen legends Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman and Dame Judi Dench, you know something is wrong.

THE AVERAGE ONEs:

#44 Shrek Forever After (3.0/5)

"We told you, Donkey, knock before you enter!"

Our beloved ogre says goodbye. Although this was not the fitting farewell we expected, the trademark jokes we have learnt to love made us enjoy this dysfunctional family while it lasted.

#43 Letters to Juliet (3.0/5)

"I know it's not manly but I love strawberry-flavoured ice creams."

A suitably romantic film that owe a great deal to the beautiful location of Verona, Italy.

#42 Going The Distance (3.0/5)

"They do know that we're sitting here, right?"

An often hilarious comedy about long-distance relationships tailor-made for its charming leads Drew Barrymore and Justin Long, whose real life relationship is also famously on-and-off.

#41 Liar Game: The FInal Stage (3.0/5)

"I'm the loonier version of Jig-Saw."

A twisty mystery game based on the popular Japanese television series of the same name. Honesty and deception are its timeless themes but over-acting spoils this final product.

#40 Clash of the Titans (2010) (3.0/5)

"Wait, I'm confused, am I in Lord of the Rings?"

Famously known as the blockbuster that made audiences hate 3D films. That aside, it was still action-packed enough to be enjoyable, although it was an arguably unnecessary remake of the beloved classic.

#39 The Book of Eli (3.0/5)

"I hope my Ray-Bans work in this bloody heat."

An ambitious apocalyptic zombie-flick that is more violent (and perhaps, more religious) than Will Smith's I Am Legend. The final mind-boggling revelation of the film will most likely stupefy and astound you.

#38 Grown Ups (3.0/5)

"What? You want us to do the Wonder Girls dance?"

When Adam Sandler gathers a company funny-men like Kevin James and Chris Tucker, we ought to pay attention. Filled with expected outrageous situations and sadistic humour, this film is a hoot to watch with your buddies.

#37 The Lovely Bones (3.0/5)

"Wow, it's like I'm in a Susan Boyle music video!"

With LOTR's Peter Jackson at the helm, it is sorely disappointing that this acclaimed novel suffered from a poorly-adapted screenplay. The stunning effects and dedicated cast (which includes Stanley Tucci and Rachel Weisz) managed to better the film a little.

#36 Alice in Wonderland (2010) (3.0/5)

"Whatever SPCA says, I'm still lovin' my new pig cushion."

The 'Tim Burton + Johnny Depp' combi hardly fails but this unimaginative retelling of the well-known tale suffers from a lazy plot and unexciting resolution, however beautiful the 3D visuals were. But that didn't stop the film from raking over US$1 Billion worldwide, making it the second highest-grossing film of the year after Toy Story 3.

#35 Knight and Day (3.0/5)

"Oops, traffic jam."

Their first reunion since 2001's 'Vanilla Sky', this Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz film departs from melodrama and opts for a high-octane action caper, which is often fun but ultimately forgettable.

#34 Taipei Exchanges 第36个故事 (3.0/5)

"Welcome to 'Cafe World', the real version."

A quiet little indie flick that muses about the hopes and dreams of two sisters in Taipei. Although unnervingly slow-moving at times, it does have its quirky moments that work.

#33 Tron: Legacy (3.0/5)

"We'll never lose each other again running at midnight."

Jaw-dropping and absolutely sumptuous effects make this a worthy 3D film. However, its uninspiring story has no heart whatsoever. Still, extremely pretty to look at.

THE ABOVE-AVERAGEs:

#32 Detective Dee - The Mystery of the Phantom Flame 狄仁杰之通天帝国 (3.5/5)

"Dude, you really need a shave."

Appropriately grand in scale and well directed, this Andy Lau-fronted Chinese Sherlock Holmes should most likely be developed into a franchise.

#31 Date Night (3.5/5)

"Yes, we just got off a motorbike ride. How did you guess?"

The pairing of talents Steve Carell and Tina Fey is bound to create comedic sparks. This is one wacky story about a misunderstanding from an identity theft that causes said innocent couple to have the night of their lives.

#30 Step Up 3 (3.5/5)

"James Cameron, are you watching this?"

This third installment to the popular dance franchise just received the 3D treatment... and boy, did it dazzle. The storyline is engaging and the choreography is astonishing as usual.

#29 Easy A (3.5/5)

"Watch it, Beyonce-wannabe coming thru'."

Breakthrough star Emma Stone headlines this surprisingly insightful comedy about high school promiscuity. Her natural performance carries enough wit and charm to make this the best teen comedy I've watched this year.

#28 The Men Who Stares At Goats (3.5/5)

"Come on, goat, what are the lottery numbers..."

A bizarre to-the-max movie title accompanied with a puzzling cast of A-listers who include George Clooney, Ewan McGregor and Jeff Bridges makes this one off-beat but yet, strangely enjoyable.

#27 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3.5/5)

"Erm... aren't we in the wrong attire for surfing?"

A vast improvement from the previous film (Prince Caspian), Dawn Treader brings back the dark and dangerous Narnia with amazing visual effects that fans of the original series fell in love with. A scene-stealing Will Poulter, who stars as spoilt brat Eustace, is a hoot to watch.

#26 Mao's Last Dancer 舞 (3.5/5)

"I believe I can fly."

A well-filmed East-meets-West movie about the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin, who left his hometown in rural China to eventually make it as the principal dancer for the Houston Ballet in America.

#25 Ip Man 2 叶问2 (3.5/5)

"Dammit, not my face!"

Although not as powerful as the first movie in terms of plot, Ip Man 2 still packs a few solid punches in terms of action choreography.

#24 The Blind Side (3.5/5)

"You're not gonna make me run in my Chanel and Prada!"

Known as the uplifting drama that gave Sandra Bullock her first Oscar, this movie - inspired by a true story - is well-crafted with dedicated performances throughout.

#23 Echoes of the Rainbow 岁月神偷 (3.5/5)

"And that's how you make a fake branded shoe."

Hong Kong acting veterans Sandra Ng and Simon Yam turn in heartwarming performances in this nostalgic film about the most inevitable thing in our lives - change.

#22 Sandcastle 沙城 (3.5/5)

"We've made it to Cannes - now we shall aim for the Oscars."

The first local feature to make it to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, this contemplative film about a son slowly discovering the secret past about his father is commendable for its fine performances and moving screenplay.

#21 A Serious Man (3.5/5)

"That's the answer to the first question."

One of the Coen brothers' more personal films to-date, this off-beat movie explores deep themes of faith, identity and morality.

#20 Salt (3.5/5)

"All in a day's work."

Initially meant for Tom Cruise, this spy thriller is made utterly enjoyable with a surprisingly refreshing performance by Angelina Jolie. From the looks of it, the audience would not mind a sequel.

#19 How To Train Your Dragon (3.5/5)

"Easy, boy, we're not in Avatar."

A sleeper-hit of the year for Dreamworks, which raked in a cool US$490million at the worldwide box office. Who knew that a little known story based on a children's book could produce such entertaining animation? A film franchise is just around the corner.

#18 Robin Hood (2010) (3.5/5)

"No time for bow and arrow."

Although some critics and fans lambasted this Ridley Scott film for not being faithful to the legendary hero, others hailed it as a top-notch actioner that was beautifully shot. I, for one, agree with the latter group of critics.

THE SOLID ENTERTAINERs:

#17 Iron Man 2 (4.0/5)

"Even superheroes need a break sometimes."

While not as supremely enjoyable as the first one, this second installment is still action-packed and features more of our beloved egoistic Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark. However, it is already official that Jon Favreau will not be returning to direct the third Iron Man, citing creative differences with Marvel Studios.

#16 Up In The Air (4.0/5)

"Now, where did I put my passport..."

A worthy Oscar contender in 2009, this George Clooney film (directed by Juno director Jason Reitman) is a heartwarming story about knowing the importance of kinship despite the highly-transitional state of life nowadays.

#15 Despicable Me (4.0/5)

"Ain't I the luckiest dude in the world?"

One of the most beloved animation of 2010 that was non-Pixar and non-Dreamworks. Agnes, the unicorn-loving child, is officially the cutest animated girl since Boo from Monsters, Inc.

#14 Bright Star (4.0/5)

"Are you kidding me? You want me to find your earring in this field?"

A stunningly-acted and cinematically-lyrical film about the heart-wrenching romance of 19th Century poet John Keats. For people who appreciate literature and beautiful cinematography, this film is a must-watch.

#13 The Other Guys (4.0/5)

"Oops, I forgot the memory card."

Absolutely hilarious film about a couple of misfits from the NYC Police trying to crack a case on their own. The odd pairing of funny man Will Ferrell and serious man Mark Wahlberg works perfectly, and this movie showed that Eva Mendes can actually do comedy.

#12 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1) (4.0/5)

"Gasp! Justin Bieber is having a concert in town!?"

The part one of the concluding chapter of this epic fantasy series is fantastically crafted with fine performances by the young and veteran actors. A great delight to watch. Let's wait patiently for next July.

#11 Away We Go (4.0/5)

"Who cares if Santa burns his ass while coming down the chimney? I want to light my damn fireplace!"

A charming little indie roadtrip movie about a couple trying to find the perfect place to settle down. Quirky and touching - one of the many understated gems that screened in 2010.

And now... my TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2010!

#10 Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale (4.0/5)

"He is jealous that your mane is longer than his."

Gorgeous drawings with a humourous storyline, lovable characters and memorable songs all only mean one thing - Disney animation is finally back on the map.

#09 Paranormal Activity 2 (4.0/5)

"Damn.. shouldn't have drank so much tea before I slept."

Just when you thought the gimmick wasn't over, the writers managed to spin another chilling tale with a classic kitchen scene that will make you jump out of your skin literally. This one ties in very neatly with the first and get ready - a third one is already confirmed to be coming our way.

#08 Summer Wars サマーウォーズ (4.0/5)

"Yay! American Idol is coming back!"

A wonderful animation that serves as a social commentary about the dangers of the internet, as well as a touching tale about family. It just feels different watching a Japanese anime.

#07 The Social Network (4.0/5)

"I think we just created Facebook."

David Fincher's celebrated work based on the non-fiction biography, The Accidental Billionaires, is already touted as a frontrunner for Best Picture Oscar for 2011. Although not as stunning as Fincher's 2008 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it is still a great work of editing and storytelling.

#06 Kick-Ass (4.0/5)

"That's what you get for underestimating me."

A butt-kicking romp based on the ultra-violent comic book by Mark Millar (writer of Wanted). The star is not kick-ass himself; instead, it is the pint-sized Chloe Moretz who stars as the formidable (and expletive-spouting) Hit-Girl who steals the show.

#05 The White Ribbon (4.5/5)

"Deep-focus FTW."

A deeply unsettling black-and-white drama about a series of strange events occurring in a small northern village in Germany just before WWI. This Palme d'Or winner at Cannes features exquisite cinematography and chillingly dedicated acting by its young leads.

#04 Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire (4.5/5)

"Stop lying to me - you can't be Mariah Carey."

A film showcasing powerhouse acting and brutal emotions. Gabourey Sidibe, 2010 Oscar's Best Supporting Actress Mo'Nique and (surprise, surprise) Mariah Carey turn in the performances of their career.

#03 Shutter Island (4.5/5)

"OMG, am I back in the Titanic?"

A tense and taut masterpiece by auteur Martin Scorsese. Adapted from the acclaimed novel of the same title, the film brings out the best in leading man Leonardo DiCaprio, and is filled with stunning camera work and thrilling twists and turns.

#02 Inception (5.0/5)

A giddy film born from the genius mind of a daring and visionary filmmaker - Christopher Nolan. The visual effects are mind-blowing, and so is the storyline of going into the different levels of a person's dream to 'inject' a thought that could ultimately alter a person's behaviour. Knock yourself on the head if you have not watched this film yet.

#01 Toy Story 3 (5.0/5)

"Go on, toys, enjoy your moment of glory. You're #1!"

The perfect way to finish a historical trilogy from a well-loved studio that understands what storytelling and filmmaking means to the audience. Suitably the number one grossing film at the box-office this year with over US$1 billion in takings, Woody, Buzz & Co. will forever be our favourite toys in our hearts.

THE END.

A revisit of my past years' countdowns:

>> 2007's TOP 40 Movies with Will Smith and son's The Pursuit of Happyness at #1.

>> 2008's TOP 61 Movies with Christopher Nolan's groundbreaking The Dark Knight at #1.

>> 2009's TOP 37 Movies with the rip-roaring Inglourious Basterds at #1.

Yup, that's the end of my 2010 countdown. Here's to a great year of movies in 2011! =))

Only For You =)

2010-12-08T21:14:00.002+08:00

___ (No. of members in the group you ask me to memorise)

___ (The floor no. in the place we cooked pasta)

___ (No. of letters of your favourite princess name + 1)

___ (Your birthdate + no. of letters of your mom's nickname)

___ (No. of letters of my fave pokemon + 8)

___ (Our monthsary date - 1)

___ (No. of McGriddles x 3)

___ (No. of letters of your tumbler's name + 15)

Of Rabbits and Swan

2010-12-08T14:06:00.003+08:00

I just realised that when the Oscar Academy Awards roll in, I'll be in Taiwan! Oh wells. That said, the race is just starting to heat up little by little.

Popular contenders that you will probably notice by now for Best Picture are namely Inception (time to give Christopher Nolan some due respect), The Social Network (as great a movie about the beginnings of Facebook as it is about filmmaking), Toy Story 3 (this should follow Up from last year and be nominated in the top ten as well), and hopefully, Scorsese's Shutter Island would get some notice =)

In the acting categories, mainly for actresses, these two movies should be considered:

I'm just glad Nicole Kidman is back! =)

Looks like one thought-provocating and thrilling film =)

And just one more rabbit film to lighten things up...

Jiayou for the exams!

Take care, people!

Hello, World

2010-11-28T14:50:00.005+08:00

Hello world, how you been?

Good to see you my old friend...

Besides it being a statement of rediscovering the beauty of life and the importance of your loved ones, it is also about rediscovering my old friend... my blog! Feels good to have a place to share my musings again =)

I've already declared my love for them before, but I guess I'll restate it here - Lady Antebellum does great country music! (Sorry, Taylor Swift, your music is good too, but more pop-ish).

I Run To You, Need You Now, American Honey... and now, Hello World. It just keeps getting better =)

Recently went to watch Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale. It's one of the best Disney (minus Pixar) has to offer in recent years. Speaking of which, will be changing back to my previous rating system after receiving some flak =x But anyhow, welcome back, cute popcorn man!

I give the film:

In the U.S., the film is entitled Tangled because it was trying to appeal to young boys, after the previous princess-titled release (Princess and the Frog) did not do as well as expected in the States. But over here in Singapore, the title Rapunzel is kept as it is, probably for easier identification with local audiences.

In anyways, Rapunzel is now officially Disney's 10th princess, after Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Ariel (Little Mermaid), Mulan, Pocahantas, Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Jasmine (Aladdin) and Tiana (Princess and the Frog).

One thing's for sure -- she's definitely the one with the longest hair.

Her story in this film starts before her birth, when the Queen's body is frail. The kingdom's guards managed to find a magical plant with healing powers for her; and after drinking the concoction, beautiful Rapunzel was safely born. Because of the plant, Rapunzel's golden locks possess the power to heal, and it was precisely this reason that an evil witch stole her from the palace, and locked her in a secret tower so that she can harness her power for immortality.

Lonely but not despaired, the teenage Rapunzel (voiced impeccably by singer/actress Mandy Moore) spends her days in her tower singing and painting with an adorable chameleon companion, Pascal, yearning for the day she can finally see the world.

One day, wanted bandit (not a prince) Flynn Rider (voiced by Chuck's Zachary Levi) stumbled upon the tower, and Rapunzel saw him as a perfect ticket out of her captive life. After successfully luring her Mother Gothel (voiced with menace by Broadway veteran Donna Murphy) out of the tower, Rapunzel escaped and they began a journey to see the lanterns that seem to appear in the sky every year on her birthday.

The CG animation here is top-notched and is bound to dazzle the eyes of kids and adults alike (thanks, partly, to executive producer John Lasseter, the master behind Pixar's Toy Story and Cars). Rapunzel's long, silky mane moves with ease and is easily the star of the show. Action pieces - especially one involving a gigantic dam - keeps the boys interested, and the catchy song and dance numbers (it's a Disney film) and budding romance is bound to thrill the females.

Keeping the heart of the Disney tradition alive, memorable side characters also fill the screen. One that stood out is the smart and police canine-like guard horse, Maximus, his non-verbal actions delightful and hilarious.

FINAL SAY: Pulsating with stunning visuals and timely humour, Rapunzel puts Disney animation back on the map.

Next...

is nEx! (at Serangoon interchange)

This is the biggest shopping mall in Singapore's north-east - and boy, does it live up to its hype in terms of size! Went to check it out on Saturday night and although it was not officially opened yet, I was darn excited with what I saw.

All that is important at nEx:

> Haato ice cream

> 30-cashier counter NTUC Xtra (24 hr) and Cold Storage

> Sanrio @ Isetan

> Yoguru

> Shaw Cinema

> Partyworld

> Din Tai Fung

> Broaster Chicken

> Wendy's

> Food Republic and Food Junction

> Starbucks

and our favourite...

Sogurt! =)

Yep, that delicious DIY fro-yo that charges by weight, and we had it at 10% off on Students' Discount! =)

Can't wait for it to officially open. No need go town loh!

Take care, peeps!

Revamp + Potter Movie Review

2010-11-21T18:31:00.000+08:00

*rubs and squints eyes* Sept...em..ber.. 8..th..

Oh my gosh, my last post was on September the 8th? Really??!!??!!

As you can see, to mark my return to the blogosphere, I've decided to do a little revamp to rekindle my spirit of blogging.

The changes are namely:

1) New blog header! Did it myself; the filmstrip border is to highlight my undying passion for movies, but why those two pictures, you might ask. Well, the balloons photo is about celebrating the colourful things in life, and the picture of the clouds is about the quiet, contemplative moments in life. I guess this blog strives to be a mixture of both =)

2) New search bar for blog. It's the first thing after the chatbox. Want to look for what I've blogged about a certain topic? Just type it in and it'll scour through my blog posts and dig them out for you. Go ahead, try it. Try "Harry Potter" and see what comes out =)

3) New movie rating system! Explained below. Read on =)

Gosh, I really miss blogging. About my favourite music videos, my favourite eats, my favourite places to go...

...and of course, those beloved movie reviews that probably take up 80% of wilsoniscurious. How I've missed my beloved popcorn men!

Do you miss them too? No? Okay. Moving on.

It's probably time to start finding a new rating system - time for a revamp! =)

Introducing my new range of movie ratings - from 0.5/5 to 5.0/5.

And I've got just the right movie to kick-start the reviewing again.

But before that, just a little trip back in time.

That link was last year's review of the 6th Harry Potter film. Guess what, the 7th one is out! Although, technically, it's really just version 7.1.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1

Rating:

It's been close to a decade - that's 10 whole years - since the first Harry Potter movie was released and took the world by a big-freakin-Avatar-plus-Lord-of-the-Rings-epic-Jurrasic-Park storm.

Yes, nothing comes close. The Harry Potter movies, to-date, is the highest grossing film series of all time, with box-office receipts across the globe mounting to over US$5 Billion. If James Cameron plans Avatar to go on for another 4 or 5 films, it just might break this record, but truth is, Cameron is no J.K. Rowling, so I guess Potter wins.

Okay, I digress. But for those who've read my blog since the beginning of Life, Curious would know that I'm quite the Potter fan. I've even written one uber-long and intensely-documented post when I finished reading the last book (warning, though, that link contains spoilers).

Anyhow, a release of a Potter film is always considered a landmark in the movie industry. Not only for the movie studios who are delighted their cash cow is still milking the heck out of movie-goers, but for people who grow up with the series (yours truly), it is quite thrilling to witness how the magical world is translated onto the screen.

Of course, we are happy to reunite with our favourite cast members in the cinema - be it the lovable trio or sick favourites like Snape, Voldemort and Bellatrix; they never fail to excite, scare and move us like before.

Alright, time for the review, then.

HP7 part 1, as most of you might have heard, serves as a prelude to the concluding film which will be out mid of next year. But as a beginning, this is an extremely well-made entry into the Potter film franchise.

With an unsettling opening sequence, the brutal murder of a Hogwarts teacher at the start jolted the audience into realising that we are no longer watching the happy adventures of Harry Potter, but rather, "these are dark times" indeed. In fact, scenes involving Nagini the snake are especially terrifying - protect your young ones.

Harry, Hermione and Ron continue their quest to find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes - cursed items that contain fragments of Lord Voldemort's soul - on their own. Being the 17-year-old angsty wizards and witch as they are, conflicts abound, and Ron even walked out on the pact at one point.

Incidentally, that scene displayed the fine acting abilities of the three young leads - especially Emma Watson's - as it carries hefty emotional performances which they pulled off nicely.

With hundreds of millions in profit, the film benefited from the big budget and delivered visually as well. The editing of fight scenes was taut and intense as characters flailed and dodged and sparks of spells flew in rousing exchange.

Most delicious, perhaps, is the ensemble of respected acting veterans. Ralph Fiennes, as usual, provides the right amount of menace as the cunning Voldemort, while Alan Rickman's Snape basically steals every (limited) scene he is in. Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix revels in her own insanity, and Imelda Staunton's Dolores Umbridge returns more piercing than before.

Director David Yates and long-time Potter screenwriter Steve Kloves are to be credited yet again, for successfully bringing to life the action that Rowling wrote on paper.

Besides the one gripe that the film does seem a little episodic and a bit aimless in the middle, the stunning cinematography as the trio Disapparates from location to location, and the well-choreographed action scenes more than make up for it.

FINAL SAY:

Brush up on your Potter knowledge a little before watching this sprawling part 1 to the epic finale. It'll help. But other than that, sit back, cower in your seat and enjoy this thrilling serving of Potter, and patiently anticipate the final part 2 next year. Good things are worth the wait.

Wow, that was a long one.

Continue checking this space for more posts (hopefully)! =)

Shall end with a happy photo:

Yup, "Find Happiness Within" =)

Take care, people!