Pokemon
Origin The Movie
Pokemon
Origin The Movie - A version that is less long-winded and boring than
the Ash version and it brings back my childhood. This movie embodies the
very reason why I love and enjoy Pokemon. I would hope this movie be
made into mini arcs anime, as all the important happenings: Mount Moon,
certain important Pokemon catches and the significant fights are rushed
over. The lamer part of the show features
a Charlizard using some special stone evolving into a 4th stage
ultra-powerful Mega Charlizard (which by the way does not happen in the
Pokemon at all) and smells familiar like a rival storyline that also
DIGItilise MONster from the other world. I want to see all of them in
real time as the movie format are placed "animatedly" like when I was
playing Pokemon Red or FireRed. This brings back so much nostalgia, so
much good memories when I fall in love with the pokemon originals, when I
am amazed at my ability of memorising all of them and their
characteristics: 151 pokemon names and evolutions and I do still
remember them now! I still recall my obsession when I hook on to the
Nintendo Yellow, Red and Blue even in examination period and earn some
money through Pokemon trading cards game. I do realise I have been
tolerating the extended Taurus-shit "Ash who is always 10 years old - a
lot more pokemons that I give up remembering - Talking
Meowth-James-Jessie-Team Rocket-Flying off again" craps for years.
-_-x(Gotta catch them all - Pokemon!) [Not at Cinema]
The Lego Movie
The Lego Movie - A very funny movie with "The Matrix" and "Toy Story"
theme about the "special one" (saviour) that try to bring across ideas
of creativity, idiosyncrasies and a very subtle message of "Everyone is
different and you should always be yourself to bring the best out of
yourself!" Most importantly ... featuring ... the Lego toys and sets to
sell! The movie is refreshing and whimsical. It
does make many parodies and pop culture references. The end plot is
very creative and allows us to relate and engage ... Opps ... should not
spoil ... Lol ... -_-x (I love Lego! And watch out for the Justice
League superheroes especially the Dark Knight! I only have issues with
them making Green Lantern an idiot and very gay [to Superman] ... What
the !@#$/ ... Oh yeah! All Lego fans must watch the movie!!! "Everything
is AWESOME!")
Robocop (2014)
Robocop (2014) - One of my childhood uncensored R-rated cheesy 80s film
which I like simply because the name, the hero, the puns and the toy are
cool to me, so cool that I did not really notice the violence or even
the philosophical issues of crimes, free will, politics, coporations,
AI, greed and corruption. Imagine my trepidation when they announced the
Robocop remake ... (many sucky Hollywood remakes
have ruined my childhood and memory by far). I am really glad that the
show is not as disappointing as it should have been even with certain
weaknesses. This new film is not R but PG13 and explores the
philosophical issues deeper and with today's context including scenes
from the war in Middle East and the infamous but truthful crime-ridden
Detroit. Not so awesome, not that spectacular, just watch and ride along
with the remake with future cybernetics and Science technology imbued
with a tinge of nostalgia when the original robocop theme song is
played. -_-x(... ... ... The visuals, black suit, visors and actions are
fine, the emotions portrayed passable ...)
Non-Stop
Non-Stop (Film): A good mystery-thriller with a good premise that
features the US federal air marshals in both bad and good light, and
reminds us about 9-11 aftermath and understandably the USA's obession
with security. It is so good that even halfway through the movie, I
could not guess the real "terrorist", "culprit", "killer" correctly. I
enjoy the show, the tension, the action, the dilemma, the faith, the
trust, the hysteria, the reaction and of course, the twist. -_-x(Liam
Neeson is great, though I think that it would be even better if there
are more elements to make me feel more for Liam Neeson's role, Bill
Marks, as a deranged but responsible air marshal ... ...)
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier - The wait is finally over as one of
my favourite superheroes of all time appears on marvel cinematics
onscreen for the 4th time (counting Loki's shapeshifting in Thor 2)
since The Avenger ("New York"). This time, Captain with all his good
will and old ways of thinking joins the agency SHIELD and faces the
greyer militaristic context of pre-emption, "what is right
and what is wrong", "who to trust", a more modern era of complexity,
the questionable governmental agencies and personnels, a bigger
conspiracy and many many deceitful cover-ups with some twists ... And of
course, all the characters, ghosts and shadows of the past all appear
to haunt Captain including the identity of the super-assassin, the
winter soldier. -_-x(The conflict is intense and features non-stop
hand-to-hand combat action flicks and fighting scenes. The shield has
become the weapon more than the protection. There are many references to
Marvel TV series: Agents of SHIELD especially for a character.
Seriously, where is Hawkeye (except the one metal piece on Black Widow's
neck)? Watch out for Falcon the new non-white superhero and do not miss
BOTH the after-credit and post-credit scenes!)
Transcendence
Transcendence: A thought-provoking movie that consists of a many-stars
team including the famous producer that make Batman cool again, that
pirate of the Carribean, the not so free man, some Britian and some
Hollywoods. The themes are deep, philosophical, exploratory and yet
cliche, such as Ethics; Love; Revolution and protection with lethal
force and terrorism; Artificial Intelligence versus Human
Intelligence; "What constitutes crossing that line?"; The end justifies
its means when saving the world?; Fearing the unknown, the uncertainty
and the uncontrol; The entity of consciousness, awareness and soul; Free
will or/and Collectiveness; Technology slippery slopes; "Is the world
ready for the technology breakthrough or miracles and the truth?"; And
the revelation that indeed humans are always searching for their/that
"God(s)". [Featuring computers, codes, nanotechnology, radioactive
bullet for assassination, electrodes to poke into brains, equations that
do not make sense and copper Faraday cages to block off radiation and
electrical signals.] -_-x(The fact that they do make Science-Fi so
grounded, philosophical, realistic and makes me pay attention throughout
the film and think about them are somethings that I will give a thumb
up. Though ... no wow wow factors ...)
The Amazing Spiderman 2
The Amazing Spiderman 2: I already love the movie before it comes out as
I love Spidey. Oh dear, I hope that I do not sound like Max Dillon the
villian Electro who is obsessed with Spidey in the film. This sequel is
going to be more emotional, really more intense emotion (no spoilers),
more compelling, more high voltage, more somersaulting in high ground
with webs around, more on-off lovey, more funny, more revealing of the
mysteries, more run time, more number of villians and less stutterings
from Andrew Garfield. There is a mid-credit of X-Men Days of Future
Past, DON'T leave the cinema immediately when it ends! -_-x(From your
friendly neighbourhood Spiderman!)
Godzilla (2014)
Godzilla (2014) - An awesome reboot of the 1998 dreadful film disaster
(note: not disaster film) that once ruined everything I love about the
King of Monsters, the one that defiled my younger childhood when I was
just a tender age 12 [The film disaster is so similar to Jurassic Park
that I thought Godzilla is a new dinosaur after the Lost World. As I
recalled, even the appearance is super different,
it is just a bigger T-Rex and they even freaking make this version into
mind-controlled Godzilla animation !!!!! WTH!!! ] ... ... -_-x [I am
really glad that this reboot is way way better than that horrible
memory. This is by far the best Godzilla film pictures CGI of all and
the most faithful to Japanese Toho version. Roughly 30% features
fighting actions by the monsters. The rest features more on most of the
humans: a pretty useless Japanese scientist who keeps on narrating and
describing and does nothing much to help; a not-so-real super lucky US
army Navy protagonist Ford who cannot die; The Americans and the
propaganda ("Heroic" US military) who have to overcome the forces and
ordeal of nuclear nature, the Kaiju, opps ... the gigantic monsters of
non-Pacific Rim that inevitably create Tsunamis. The film does have a
subtle meaning and the metaphor of how the human spirits fight and deal
with natural disasters. To all Godzilla lovers like me: Watch Out!
Godzilla is going to make a mighty battle cry and spew the atomic power
out of its incredible mouth while kicking asses !!! Oh Yeah!]
X-Men - Days of Future Past
X-Men - Days of Future Past: With such a variety of all-stars cast,
director of the first two good X-Men movies Bryan Singer, a superb
storyline from the beloved comic series, the hype and the anticipation
running high, it is no wonder this film is AWESOME-TACULAR. Even with so
many plot continuity problems with the 6 films of the X-Men franchise
from the trilogy to First Class (including the dishonourable
mention of the "X-Men Origin: Wolverine"), this 7th film is indeed one
of the best X-Men movies of all that wraps up (almost but not totally).
By using time travel and creation of alternate and adjusted timelines to
make more canon movies and bringing back dead protagonists (sort of
like Star Trek and comics), it is a way for 20th Century Fox to tell us
that "we are rebooting the franchise" and "we retain the rights to keep
making X-Men cinematics and X-Men money without giving back to Marvel
studio like that Sony Spiderman". Hai ... This means we are not going to
see Wolverine going up against the Hulk or joining Avengers soon in the
cinema ... -_-x(This big film focuses more on the emotional aspects
rather than a lot of actions as expected from Singer's film. The
graphics and special effects are amazing especially the Quicksilver's
super-speed scenes. Attempts to make the 1970's camera shots are
realistic and laudable. The whole movie is well-blended with dry humour
which really makes you laugh. Do not miss the post-credit as I look
forward to 2016 X-Men: Apocalypse. Long lives the X-Men !!!)
Maleficient
Maleficient (Disney) - With the likes of the "Enchanted (2007)" and
"Snow White and the Huntsman" that made fairy tales darker,
non-cartoonish and filmed into real characters onscreen, now comes the
Sleeping Beauty version in the view of the antagonist ... I have always
loved most of the Disney classic fairy tales, except for their
squeeze-more-money lousy sequels. With the likes of wonderfully acclaimed
predecessors, there is going to be comparison and the expectation will
run high ... -_-x (Hai ... I am quite disappointed with the show. The
whole show is way too flat and no "Wow" factors, almost to a dangerous
level of "boring". It is like the movie is a straight line with minimal
and insignificant spikes. The film does have some humour and the
graphics and effects are nice. There are cliche twists with a new trendy
stereotypes about gender going on which I would not spoil. I DID NOT
feel the magic, wits or good feelings which I would normally have when I
go to Disneyland or watch non-sequel Disney movies. Probably, if they
have made the film into a musical genre like "Frozen" or "Enchanted",
the movie would not have been so flat. The only thing that saves the
film and attract people to watch is the performance and portrayal of
A-list Angelina Jolie. She is great as Maleficient. Because of her, the
film will not be and is not a blockbuster flop.)
Edge of Tomorrow
Edge of Tomorrow (2014 film): A mind-blowing, fast-paced, gripping,
non-stop action Science-Fiction military flick and a less complicated
film adaptation from the Japanese novel "All you need is kill". There
can be little to no spoilers as the plot is already in the film's catch
phrase, "Live, Die, Repeat". All of us know how the show is going to be
and probably "that same type of ending". No one can
expect time-traveling to be so cleverly portrayed and so logical, the
bad-ass aliens Mimic to be so powerful and the exo-technology "Jacket"
to be so cool, so grounded that unknowingly, you thought that they are
already available in the military. I can literally feel, sense, breathe
and experience how William Cage [Tom Cruise] relived his life everyday,
in the only way (that I cannot spoil). I can naturally accept the
continuity although everything is always resetting to Day 1. I do not
feel the time loop tiresome at all. -_-x (This film is Awesome-tecular! I
could not take my eyes off the screen throughout the moment. There is
some humour and romance here and there in the film. Tom Cruise and Emily
Blunt are really good, and in fact their relationship and chemistry is
by far the most realistic in terms of plots in all Hollywood movies I
have seen so far! To describe, this film is somewhat like a fusion of
"Groundhog Day" and "Ender's Game".)
How to Train your Dragon 2
"How to Train your Dragon 2" (2014 film): This is a stupendous, superb,
freaking awesome-tecular Viking masterpiece. With GREAT animation
effects, well-crafted plots, really really good emotional scenes of sad,
happy, self-doubt, mystery, truth, reunion, gain, lose, friendship,
triumph, destiny, optimism and always ... ... HOPE. I was in tears,
while experiencing, discovering, crying and cheering.
Rarely can we see a sequel better than the first and this is absolutely
one of the fine example. This feeling is very special and I truly
cherish it. Thank you HTTYD! -_-x (This kind of remind me of Disney
"Lion King" without all the musicals and with modern animation, and of
course the lively and friendly Dragons! I love the show and I am so
going to get the DVD to experience the dragon flying and joy ride again.
I want to train my dragon, probably a Night Fury, Lol. Oh yeah! 5 stars
out of 5! Absolutely must watch! I can't wait to see the next
installment.)
The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars (2014 film): Based on a best-selling novel with
the same name written by John Green. I never expect myself to watch a
romantic-comedy-drama with love story. I do prefer blockbuster with
action, superheroes and science-fiction. I avoid lovey-dovey films like
this summer "Blended" and the last summers "Twilight" bull@#$% series.
Due to positive reviews, critical reception and the
medical oncology characteristics of the film, I decide to watch it with
the goal in mind to discern the psychology of cancer patients
(especially those with terminal stages) and how they cope and struggle
in relationships with their family and potential mates. -_-x (Boy, I am
completely taken in by the heartrending, heartwarming, heart-aching,
heartbreaking and heartfelt moments in the film. The protagonists Hazel
and Gus (Augustus) are sweet and both the heartthrobs. They do make a
pair of really cute couple. The movie is well-written and well-acted,
funny and witty, with many acerbic and philosophical puns and
statements. Indeed, I strongly empathise and feel for all the characters
in the film. In fact, I was constantly in tears in the dark and cold
cinema. I am very touched by the "larger and smaller infinities" eulogy.
What I saw today, fiction or not, is the eternity of a "real" true love
... ...)
Transformers 4: Age of Extinction
Transformers: Age of Extinction - the same template as the first 3
Transformers franchises with illogical flow of tiresome story-telling
and abrupt director's cut. The 4th cliche plot of good Autobots robots
protecting Earth and the human protagonists from some bad robots which
always involve the Decepticons. The humans who are so lame and will
never die from all the explosions, bullets, blasts and
traumas except for the extras. Some human(s) who are always given a lot
of screen time and hold some important key stuff while running away
from the bad robots. A usual Michael Bay style that is so full of loud
deafening explosions, sporadic appearances of pretty models and ALL
ladies with heavy make-ups, "roll-eyeball" comic relief and characters,
forceful product placements and Chinese tourism spots, and of course ...
all the branded cars especially Chevrolet throughout the film. This
time, there is the addition of the trendy betrayal and conspiracy theme
and the BIG addition of my favourite legendary Dinobots. Oh Yeah!
Thankfully, there are no stuttering Shia Lebeouf and his annoying
parents, all the former forgettable side-kicks, and the
lousiest-model-actress-with-one-expression
Megan Fox. Mark Wahlberg's character and acting is probably the best
thing in the movie, for which he is actually doing something to help the
Autobots, notably the famous Optimus Prime and BumbleBee. -_-x (I go
into the cinema wishing Michael Bay can learn from the past 3 films and
inject new energy and experience into making a better Transformers, a
different and more awesome cinematic one. Alas! It is still that same
Michael Bay style who knows fans like me will still support Transformers
even with negative criticisms, inevitably supporting Hasbro and their
toys to sell ... ... Hai ... maybe they should change the director for
the next one. I am so worried for the upcoming TMN Turtles produced by
Bay, Bite thumbs ...)
Dawn of The Planet of the Apes
Dawn of The Planet of the Apes: An awesome sequel of a reboot of the
franchises, a film premise from the 1960s versions that has always
intrigued me since young. The questions of how we humans lead to our own
destruction and what if, our homo cousins turn intelligent and simply
take over from us as the dominant species on Earth. -_-x (Appeared since
the first reboot film "Rise of The Planet of the
Apes", Caesar the leader and the face of the intelligent apes has been
the most kick-ass character. This good sequel focuses more on the
emotional aspects, the tension, interaction and of course, the fight
between the Homos, the intra and inter relationships - the love and hate
among the humans and the apes themselves. The effects are realistic and
great! We can naturally feel and interpret the expression from the
micro-facial features on the CGI apes. ... ... ... ... ... No one, no
human, no ape, is incorruptible and the nature of law and hierarchy
still applies when power, politics and greed come into play.)
Turtles Forever (2009)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1, 2, 3, 4 Turtles ... ... Oh Yeah! A 25th
anniversary crossover with the concept of multiverse. My 1987
light-hearted cheesy childhood version, to the 21st century modern and
serious version, and of course to the 1984 dark gritty originals also
known as the Prime Turtles. All the 3 different incarnations and many
other montages of the versions including the 1990s live
series. Awesome! Cheers! Hoo-Ray! Oh Yeah! Turtles Forever! Long live
the Turtles! Turtle Power! It is Ninja time! [With Batman's voice] "We
are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. We strike hard and fade away into
the night!" -_-x (Oh please ... Please let the Michael Bay version
coming out soon be a good turtle movie ... ... ... ... Pray pray hard
...) [Not at Cinema]
Hercules (2014 film)
Hercules (2014 film) - An inspiration based on the graphic novel
"Hercules: The Thracian War". A way way better Greek hero film of the
same name than the dreadful Bull!@#$ "The Legend of Hercules" months
ago. The Rock Dwayne Johnson is great in this film and he is really all
pumped up. The premise of this Greek mythology and the "realistic"
approach behind the hero's legend are different from all the former
Hercules genre. -_-x (I find myself enjoying and having fun in this
film. This is probably one of the best film directed by Brett Ratner
...)
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014 Marvel film): As a comic fan of this
intergalactic group, I am already so so excited over the movie and today
all my "Geekiness-es" are activated. Meet the Guardians: Star-Lord - A
charming and super funny "Earthling" guy named Peter Quill; Gamora - the
most dangerous alien woman assassin in the universe; Drax the Destroyer
- a lethal but sentimental slayer full of rage;
Rocket Raccoon - the technical personnel, sharpshooter and a cute but
kick-ass genetically modified raccoon; and Groot - A living tree and the
last of its kind with limited vocabulary of "I am Groot" and also in
the last scene, an additional Pronoun. Featuring also the musics of 70s
and 80s [like "Hooked on the Feeling"], the concept of infinity stones
[that all the nerds already know], the Collector [post-credit from Thor
2], the mad titan Thanos [post-credit from The Avengers], Ronan the
Accuser of Kree empire[The antagonist] and the Nova corps, intergalactic
police group [basically the good guys] and some other less important
alien characters like Nebula and Korath. -_-x (All the CGI effects
including Groot and Raccoon are stunningly Awesome-tecular! The tone of
the whole space adventures and this group of cosmic Avengers is of an
entertaining, cheesy, Disney light-hearted and hilarious one rather than
just pure science fiction. The theme of conscientiousness, redemption,
altruism, friendships and heroism are all laid out. I totally love how
the film handle the tone and the characters. Long live the Guardians of
the Galaxy! Looking forward to the sequel and how they entail to the
plot of the Avengers. As usual, there is a post-credit with the surprise
appearance of a Marvel character that you will never imagine ...)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014 film)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014 film): I was so psyched when I heard
that TMNT is going to come out as a live-action blockbuster reboot. But
my heart sank immediately when I saw Michael Bay's name. He is not the
director of the show but is a very influential producer who can get his
hands the way he wants like the Transformers franchises. Even as a
nostalgic childhood boy fan of the TMNT, I do understand
that the reboot has to be in a modern context and need not be exactly
the same as the 1980s cartoon series or the 1990s horrible rubber-suit
movies. Personally, I am not offended by the CGI used for the turtles
and the teacher rat, Master Splinter. However, in many instances, they
do look explicitly "cartoonishingly" fake. The consolation is that the
funny and teenage interactions between the 4 turtles (named after the 4
great Italian artists of the Renaissance and labelled in Blue, Purple,
Orange and Red) are highlighted. Many of the jokes do make a lot of
references to modern pop icons such as Batman and Superman. Michelangelo
(Orange turtle) is still the most talkative and funniest dude. Raphael
(Red turtle) does reveal his soft side outside his normal cool and rude
self. Donatello (Purple turtle) is still the smart technical one and
Leonardo (Blue turtle) is still the natural leader. Shredder the main
villain is in his modern CGI metallic suit. I do not want to remember
Karai, Shredder's adopted daughter and accomplice, for she sucks big
time here. There are forgettable scientists ... ... yadayada ... ...
-_-x (Cowabunga! This TMNT movie is not a super bad one and is neither a
good one. The same Michael Bay style is there, with many jerky camera
scenes, many plot holes and abrupt directorial cuts, forceful product
placements, lazy filming, the Megan Fox April O'Neil [who is trying her
best but really, can never be that good actress. How the heck did she
even get the role?] and some extra [guy] escort who do not need to be in
the film at all. Hai ... I do appreciate the effort in the portrayal of
the turtles and the faithfulness to the back story. Indeed, the
idiosyncrasies of each turtles are being sufficiently showcased.
Seriously, Michael Bay should stop dabbling in iconic fan-based
projects. Hai ...)
Rurouni Kenshin II (Part 1) Kyoto Inferno
-_-x Rurouni Kenshin II Kyoto Inferno (2014 Film): I am a hardcore fan
of the reverse-blade katana owner, Himura Kenshin aka Samurai X and was
once Battousai the manslayer. This live action show has exceeded all my
high expectations. The characters, main to supporting casts and even
Juppongatana's images, are all spot-on, as the film is as faithful as it
can be to the manga though understandably, with
some alterations to fit a short 2 hours plus. The fighting scenes are
so awesome yet realistic and do feature how superhumanely good and fast
powerful samurai(s) like Kenshin is (even when it is almost impossible
to emulate the anime duel effects). This is truly the best teaser and
build-up to the upcoming second final part of "The Legend ends", and I
know the upcoming one is going to be a buffet of actions. Do watch out
for the guy that appears at the last scene as I suspect he is the one
that I am always watching out for and someone important to Kenshin other
than Kaoru(his love interest). -_-x (Waiting for 2nd October for the
ultimate continuation ...)
初恋这件小事 (Thai film)
Very very very very very nice Thai movie (with Chinese subtitles)! Very
funny, heartwarming, 心酸 yet touching ... Full of childhood schooling
nostalgia. A love story that will bring smiles on your face. -_-x
(Awesome! Enjoy!) [Not at Cinema]
大明劫 Fall of Ming
Mainly depict the story of Wu You Ke (吴又可) aka Wu You Xing (吴有性), one of
the greatest Chinese Medicine Physician and 温病家 of the late Ming
Dynasty, 200 years ahead of his time in deducing virus and microbes (疠气)
as the causes of plagues and how the infections are spread [without the
help of microscope]. His greatest concoction Da Yuan Yin (达原饮) used for
the plagues was also used widely in treating SARS. -_-x (The author of
温疫论!) [Not at Cinema]
Annabelle
Annabelle (2014 film): A totally imaginative origin story made up based
on a purported true story and the SUBSTANDARD spin-off from one of the
best horror movies - "The Conjuring". The actors in the film are
mediocre, the characters are undefinable, the fictional plot is
illogical and incoherent, everything is predictable and dumb. To give it
puny credits, there are limited creepy scenes, and 1 cool
elevator scary sequences and yea ... that demon. The rest are just
jump-scares and those sound effects and sound tracks that will inform
you that it is time to be scared. There are no build-ups to any suspense
and whatsoever. A far far far far far cry from "The Conjuring". This
show will still sell because it bluffs people like me to watch it as a
sort of prequel and parasitically rip the benefit and fame from "The
Conjuring". -_-x (When you know the director is also the director of the
crappiest dog@#$% "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation" and can somehow make
everyone hates the whole Mortal Kombat franchises, you know you are in
for the Bull!@#$. When you keep laughing at a horror movie, keep shaking
your head and is totally bemused by the story and the flow, you know
something is wrong, for the movie never fully delivers for what it is.
You are supposed to watch a horror movie and not a parody or a comedy
...)
Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Arc II (Part 2) The Legend Ends
-_-x Rurouni Kenshin Kyoto Arc II The Legend Ends (2014 film): The
biggest anticipation showdown between Shishio (The villian and Mummy
guy) and Kenshin (The hero and Samurai X). There are loads of good old
fighting as expected. Understandably, with only 2 hours plus runtime,
there are scenes and characters depth that cannot be emulated or
explained like in the anime, with many plots, sub-plots and
even chronology altered. Various relationships are explored more deeply
especially between Hiko and Kenshin as master and disciple. Aoshi is
featured more this time though. In fact, Kyoto Arc should be made into
trilogy instead of 2-parts movie, as I cannot help but feel that many
things are rushed for the main characters like Saito and Kaoru and
especially Juppogatana (Shishio's 10 powerful henchmen) and their
fights. But still, a faithful portrayal of the manga anime and a
satisfying end to the live action Kenshin series. -_-x (If
light-weighted book like "The Hobbit" can be made into a bloating
trilogy, why not Kyoto Arc?)
Fury
Fury (2014 NC16 film): A super intense and relentless World War 2 film
that depicts how ugly, gory, violent and atrocious a war truly is. A
story about the tank named "Fury", the interactions between her crews
and the last stand and how the wars are fought savagely near the end of
Nazi's surrender. -_-x (War is fought with weapons but won by men who
become monsters, and sacrifice their morality and
conscience so that war can end fast for a more peaceful world. I have
never watched a war film so breathlessly emotional and totally no
glorification at all. The weariness and listlessness of the soldiers are
so real, you can see and sense on all the embattled faces. All the
characters are good, very very good, from Brad Pitt Sergeant leader to
rookie Logan Lerman. The highest credit is given to Shia LeBeouf for his
portrayal as a conflicting soldier and a preacher. ... ... No one
single person smiled as everyone walked out of the cinema in silence ...
...)
Interstellar
Interstellar (2014 lengthy film): When apocalyptic end of the world
scenario combine with a lot of focus on 2 father-daughter bonds
particularly 1; plus paranormal Science loaded with concepts of
space-time continuum [up to 5 dimensions], space warping wormholes and
time warping blackholes full of Physics involving Relativity, Quantum
Mechanics and Newtonians especially GRAVITY [No, not that Danny
Boyle space film]; equal the mind-blowing, thought provoking,
breathtaking, exhilarating movie that the Nolan brothers and
Christopher's wife can pull off! -_-x (It is so Awesome-tecular! I have
to pay attention throughout the show. It is so deep and immerses me in
the thinking and pondering that I can ignore all the weaknesses for the
certain narrative flow. The effects are all so good. Watching in cinema,
you can feel like you are really travelling to outer space, the
rumbling at the feet and the wind "blowing" around you ... In Nolans we
trust! ... "Nolans" is the great brand name and a sure money tree in
Hollywood now [unlike the box office poison, franchise brutaliser and
talent killer "M.Night Sha-ma-de-lan"] ...)
Big Hero 6
Big Hero 6 (2014 Disney animation inspired by Marvel comics of the same
name): In a fictitious amalgam of the futuristic San Francisco and Tokyo
world called San Fransokyo, meet 5 likeable geniuses Hiro, Go-go, Fred,
Wasabi, Honey Lemon and ... 1 most endearing lovable effable huggable
robot ever - the balloon vincyl BAYMAX. Watch how these 5 superheroes
together with Baymax use their inventions, robotics
and brains to deal with a super villian who uses Hiro's microbots
invention as weapons for a motive. -_-x(This motion picture is AMAZING
beyond words! It is not just for kids, it is suitable for all ages and
in fact a movie family can watch and enjoy together. I really really
love it very very much especially my most favourite robot of all time
... Baymax. I am so awed that I am choking with delight from all the
emotion, comedy, spectacular animation effects, friendships and the ups
and downs of Hiro's life. It reminds me of the equally stupendous Pixar
"The Incredibles" but without the blood ties. Unbelievable! A+++++, a
must-watch! Do watch out for the equally touching pre-movie short
animation clip "Feast". Look out for Stan Lee's cameos and DO NOT miss
the Post-Credit! Sincerely hoping for a sequel ...)
The Hunger Games III Mockingjay Part 1
The Hunger Games III Mockingjay Part 1: A good trilogy, novel series and
franchise that wants to squeeze more $$$+$ out of us (like Harry
Potter, Twilight, Ah Boys to Men and the upcoming long-winded Hobbit),
by unnecessarily splitting 1 book and the last part of the trilogy into 2
parts. -_-x (The stretched, painfully slower-paced build-up that do not
have any "hunger games" at all, with minimum excitement
and action, and a lot more with the themes of making "Propaganda
videos" and "Political speeches" from both sides of the camp of a
post-apocalyptic modern "Roman-style" world, not called as Earth but
Panem. The Capitol whom the residents dress like Lady Gaga versus The 13
Districts whom the oppressed rebels dress like us. To give credit,
there are parts that do depict intense emotions especially from Katniss
the heroine. Gale finally have more screen times and likeable characters
like Finnick are featured. Peeta [Pronounced as Peter] appears
unsurprisingly to be a cliff hanger for the second part. Jennifer
Lawerence as Katniss is indeed a very good actress, I do feel for her
throughout the movie. If this film is not purposefully stretchy, I
believe it would have been an immediate thumbs-up. Now ... have to wait
for the second part. As a reader who really like the Hunger Games
novels, I am looking forward to the second part of the movie ... Trust
me, the plot is good.)
Penguins of Madagascar
Penguins of Madagascar (2014 DreamWorks animation with no continuity to
the TV cartoon but continue from Madagascar 3): The 4 cute flightless
birds which act like "super spy/commando/soldier", the characters that
everyone loves from the first Madagascar movie. A spin-off to cash in
from the franchise that has taken a beating since its sequels. The
typical "beat-up-yourself" lame jokes, near to brainless
cliche linear plotlines and not so emotional comedy ... but overall
still entertaining and funny enough. -_-x (The marketing is successful
as they are able to bluff me to watch a not-as-good-as-Pixar movie
animation and manage to make me link to the first good Madagascar movie
that features the iconic lion, zebra, giraffe and hippotamus gang. And
yeah, that catchy song ... "I like to move it move it ... × 3". I do not
even bother to remember each of the 4 penguins' names as they are
easily replaceable with one another. There are also 4 forgettable Artic
animal agents who claim to be professional spies but end up like
side-kicks. Together they have to defeat the octopuses. Yup ... this
sounds stupid but this is how the story goes ... Don't miss the
mid-credits if you are even watching this movie ...)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies
The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies (The last installment of the
Peter Jackson's trilogy based on the book by J.R.R Tolkien): Finally
after 3 years, the epic conclusion to the bloated fantasy, the shortest
run time in all the Middle-earth and Jackson's films. The theme about
avarice which is also known as "Dragon sickness" in the movie. And of
course, as the title suggest, plentiful battles and
clashes among the 5 armies composed of Dwarves, Elves, Humans, Eagles
versus Orcs, Goblins, Wargs, Bats! A side-quest of the White council
that link up to Lord of the Ring and Sauron is also shown. -_-x[Let's
just say that Smaug (that dragon and supposed the main antagonist) and
Bilbo (the supposed hobbit hero and protagonist in the story) are truly
not the most important characters in this film. Even Gandalf the Grey,
the one who start it all, is pushed aside. In fact, Thorin the Dwarf
king has the most screen time and plot development that mainly feature
his struggle with extreme greed. Seriously, I do not even want to
question how the 5 armies sum up together ... 5 is just symbolic? There
are simply too many characters to follow and people who do not know the
story or never watch all the prequels and sequels will definitely be
very confused. Peter Jackson tries too hard to link Hobbit to his LOTR
resulting in way too many non-hobbit characters and sub-plots, not to
mention that by right they only appear in LOTR. The Eagles ... they are
simply majestic and almighty and "imbar", always a solution.
Nonetheless, the battles and CGI are breathtakingly fantastic and I am
forever a fan of the Middle-earth. I am sure most of the fans will be
satisfied with this final masterpiece.]
Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb
Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb -_-x (The 28th and FINAL
cinematic movie I watch for the year 2014, it has been a ride!) - The
final installment to the money-making but critic-unfriendly Museum
franchise based on a children book. This time, the magical history that
turns to life is happening at the British Museum in London with new main
English character like Sir Lancelot of the Round Table
and a new dinosaur, the Triceratops bones. Together with Larry (Ben
Stiller), the protagonist and his son, some popular figures from the
first two films including Dexter the Capuchin Monkey and Theodore
Roosevelt will be joining the mission to save themselves. A race against
time to seek the answer to the restoration of the magic which is fading
from the tablet and the story behind the tablet. A tribute to Robin
Williams and Mickey Rooney who give their best in the last film of their
lives ... And a memorable cameo that is whimsical and of "a X-men
cinematic calibre" Wink*** [no spoilers]. -_-x ( A final episode that is
more touching than funny [Seriously the comedy is more of the lame
types]. I do somewhat enjoy the film even without all the wow factors
... ...)
