MOVIE REVIEW: DRAFT DAY

“DRAFT DAY” FILM REVIEW

“DRAFT DAY” is a lean and mean film and you have to hand it to KEVIN COSTNER for assembling both.

He’s the ideal hero.

You don’t need to be inundated with football fever knowledge to show the slightest ounce of  interest in American football, courtesy of the National Football League (NFL). Even if you exercise disdain at this sport, end of the day you might be at the arena cheering.

 DRAFT DAY is all about Sonny Weaver, Jr. (played by KEVIN COSTNER), the fast thinking general manager of the Cleveland Browns who has only 10 hours left on his platter, to decide how he’s going to make the best choice out of the NFL draft.

This one is a sports thriller with corporate politics thrown in, piling atop the mayhem.

We are shown the wheeling and dealing that goes on behind the scenes, as teams and managers go about their tasks.

Everybody is being  cajoled into making hasty decisions by agents and the players they represent.

 Sonny is well aware that everything comes down to the choices he makes on this particular day.

He starts things off badly with a trade that earns them the first pick of the day, but at the expense of their first-round picks for the next three years.

Here’s a bit regarding the players:

There’s Bo Callahan (Josh Pence) a quarterback who has already been anointed as “the next big thing.”

Then there’s Brian Drew (Tom Welling), who is already the quarterback for the Browns, working his way back after an injury sidelined him.

There is Ray Jennings (Arian Foster) and Vontae Mack (Chadwick Boseman) two players who feel betrayed during early-round picks by the Browns.

More than anyone else, Sonny has to impress Anthony Molina (Frank Langella), owner of the Browns, because Molina has no real faith that Sonny is able to turn things around.

Even as Sonny struggles with his professional problems, he’s also got to grapple with his relationship with Ali (Jennifer Garner), the lawyer whose job it is to keep some control of the salary caps for the team.

It’s interesting to watch Sonny handling all the obstacles stacked in his way, throughout the movie.

  DRAFT DAY focuses entirely on the business of sports, as opposed to what transpires on the field.

Much ado about man sports stars?

Surely.

The film transports you into the back rooms of several franchises, exposing their motives from a strategic perspective.

The owners are akin to generals and they armed with their battle plans.

Go watch it, even if you are not a football fan.

There’s nothing like a true-blue challenge in life, right?

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

MOVIE REVIEW: RIO 2

“RIO 2″ ANIMATION MOVIE REVIEW

Jungle life explodes, dazzling us with its grand style in “RIO 2″.

We gyrate to the rhythm of Bossa Nova and samba to the beat in this hilarious-happy family movie, where the lead cast from the original returns to entertain and enthrall us with festive music, songs and dances.

As a quick flip-through, BLU, JEWEL (our rare blue macaw birds) and their three mischievous kids are hurtled from city life, smack into the Amazon wilds, to face and tackle unexpected dangers of the most foul.

 Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway) and brood are happily settled in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Our story begins when Blu’s former owner, Linda (Leslie Mann) and her husband, Tulio (Rodrigo Santoro) make a startling discovery, that the rare species of the blue macaws are in reality, not really endangered after all.

The colony of blue macaws can be found deep in the Amazon wildiness.

The jungle-bred Jewel is homesick and when she learns about the discovery, she persuages Blu that the family should take off to the Amazon rain forests to join their kind.

This is where the fun … oops …  danger begins.

One of the principal dangers is to defend their habitat against illegal loggers, something which they are unprepared for.

 Beautiful animation, brilliant colors, lively songs and dances, all baked within a simple plot.

This bird brained sequel has star vocal performances from JESSE EISENBERG, ANNE HARTHAWAY,  BRUNO MARS right down to veterans ANDY GARCIA and RITA MORENO.

This one is worth a watch for its intrinsic entertainment value.

Rating:  3.5 out of 5

MOVIE REVIEW: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

“THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL”

PRESS REVIEW

In truth, anyone can get tickled pink whilst watching this film. It’s absolutely hilarious as it’s meant to be.

It swallows you into its “guffawing” process, from start to finish.

This Reviewer steers away from comedies because he is a sad person, but hey, this one really makes him roar. (very serious).

Granted, the packaging offered is deliberately done in old school style to render it a period setting.

But beat it, the jokes  and actions are timelessly funny. If  you are feeling blue at any time of the day, check into the cinema to enjoy this fun movie when it’s in town.

You’d not regret the decision.

“THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL” breezes us through the silly escapades of Gustave H, a classic goodlooking  concierge at a renowned European hotel between the wars.

His sidekick is Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy he trains to be his loyal friend.

The story focuses all  types of human dramas: the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, and the battle for an enormous family fortune, all against the back-drop of a Continent that is geographically changing.

Director-writer WES ANDERSON dresses the movie in seamless style. He garnishes it with rich color tones,  symmetrical designs, nothing short of breathtaking.

It’s a goofy movie that induces genuine laughter. Hahaha!

Repeat, the lead actor M. Gustave (RALPH FIENNES) is a concierge at a legendary hotel perched atop a vantage mountain in a fictional European country before the outbreak of war.

He is in the process of training a lobby boy named Zero (TONY REVOLORI), who will soon become his closest pal and accomplice.

Gustave is a dandy who takes delight in catering to the whims and fancies of senior wealthy women who stay at the hotel. Whether this is done out of pure joy or gain, no clear reasons were specified.

When oldie dowager (TILDA SWINTON) who plays an old lady aged 100+) passes away, she bequeaths him with a priceless painting, but this act infuriates her arrogant son (ADRIEN BRODY).

What follows are cat-and-mouse chases throughout the movie, involving  murder, imprisonment and a whole lot more.

The list of notable veterans such as RALPH FIENNES, JUDE LAW, TONY REVOLORD, BILL MURRAY, EDWARD NORTON, SAOIRSE RONAN, ADRIEN BRODY and OWEN WILSON.

The film director WES ANDERSON takes a cue from the Charlie Chaplin comedies where the actions of his actors are animated in a high spirited and hilarious style.

He unashamedly adds a remarkable dash of surrealism transporting us through a world of aesthetic dreams where the rules of reality do not apply.

His visual treatment is like a welcome breath of fresh air.

Stay braced for a beautiful, colorful world.

In grand style.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

MOVIE REVIEW: DIVERGENT (2014)

“DIVERGENT” (2014) PRESS REVIEW

An industry professional told me months ago not to miss the media screening of DIVERGENT, if there’s ever going to be one.

There was one eventually, and now you’d be asking me if it were any good.

For its entertainment value, I cannot fathom any complaints, to be devoutly honest.

The production is vivid, engaging and well worth seeing.

But if you enjoy digging dirt, you will be confounded with your own expert findings, but really, nothing serious.

DIVERGENT has SHAILENE WOODLEY together with THEO JAMES as a screen couple.

It has been reported that they are going to be groomed by Hollywood to be the next “best things” around. Charming.

They are competently supported by luminous veterans such as KATE WINSLET, ASHLEY JUDD and MAGGIE Q, among others.

DIVERGENT is an absorbing actioner set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues.

Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned from the start that she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group.

Later she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet) whose ulterior motive is to destroy all Divergents,

Tris then meets the hunk called Four (Theo James) and together they set to tackle the situation before it’s too late. Not before both of them grind and roar in sexual heat.

The plot is based on the popular book series by Veronica Roth.  The film director is Neil Burger.

In recent years, Dystopian young adult novels have garnered such explosive popularity among teenagers and young adults.

This genre demonstrates the bleakness of worlds with corrupt governments and complex characters.

Film studios are ready to “cash in” and adapt these novels  (Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant) onto the big screen.

The first movie in a trilogy, Divergent has already been positioned as the next Hunger Games. As indicated by the mood-and-tone.

The film is both riveting and provocative.

For those who love this genre of movie, it’s a must-see.

You’ll hold  your breath from start to finish.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

MOVIE REVIEW: HORSEPLAY 盜馬記 (HONG KONG) 2014

“HORSEPLAY” 盜馬記 PRESS REVIEW

Here’s a mumbo-jumbo of the plot:

Ha Mui (KELLY CHEN) is a pretty TV host, trying to make good.

She is hot on the trail of a notorious thief and reliable sources direct her to London.

She sees the trip serving as the prologue to a fantastic scoop on relics smuggling ,and as a boost to impress her bosses.

And chances would have it, she comes face-to-face with the infamous thief who goes by the name of Nine-Tailed Fox (TONY LEUNG KA-FAI) during her investigations.

This foxy guy provides some comic relief, and outwardly he appears cheeky and playful.

Nay, not everything is what it seems.

Next, enter the bumbling nerd of a detective Cheung Ho (EKIN CHENG).

He arrives in London to “protect” the multi-million TANG DYNASTY POTTERY HORSE from being stolen.

And midway through it all, you’ll find he is more a hindrance than a help.

Everyone has his own hidden agenda.

We have a top-notch Hong Kong cast. Plus exciting locales such as London and Prague.

The plot of the movie may have been inspired by a TVB recent drama series TRIUMPH IN THE SKIES 2 which  give the wrong idea that pilots and cabin crew are always frolicking on the streets of London during stopovers.

Please take note that Hong Kong is an island with an overall population of  7 million, the commoners dwelling in cramped public housings.

Not everybody can afford to travel, so the substitute is in the form of a travel movie which shows you the splendor of exotic locales.

The three veteran actors here are baby boomers.

Try sorting them in a potpourri of sorts and transport them to LONDON and PRAGUE. And be prepared for a mayhem of comedic escapades.

Every thing seems so surreal, just like stepping off a fashion spread.

You’ll wonder at KELLY CHEN who’s wearing the same red color evening gown for most part of the movie.

You tell yourself that it it’s her royal sacrifice, pursuing the nine-tailed fox, she has no time to go back to change. Believe this,chum.

What writer-director LEE CHI NGAI Lee succeeds is swarming us with breathtaking panoramic views of London and Prague.

Script-wise however, is another matter where he relies an overload of slapstick gags.

It is silly to watch the alluring female assassin  (MANDY LIEU) trying to “finish off” the Nine-tailed Fox with a pen-like needle over and over again but fails in her attempts.

The squealing ERIC TSANG and the funny man WONG CHO-LAM are tag-along stars.

You hope that the riotous film ‘HORSEPLAY” ignites like a fire-cracker.

Well, almost, with your help.

 Cha-cha-cha anyone?

Or tango?

Rating: 2.5  out of 5

MOVIE REVIEW: POSSESSED (THAILAND)

“POSSESSED” THAI FILM REVIEW

Having worked in Thailand before and still am, it’s pretty clear  to me, as with my Thai colleagues that this is one movie that will grip you by the horns.

Or it might not.

For sure, it will provide you with some chilly, scary moments.

Along with an accompaniment of mindless gags.

Hence we should pronounce this as a Ghost Comedy.

Now, the rural population of THAILAND is around 46 million and these country folks love this brand of comedies. Good to laugh, they chime.

Smart director Pakphum Wongjinda knows where to place his sentiments in a win-win situation.

He has also gleefully calculated the inflow of dollars and cents.

The drab Plot:

“A group of college students pick a remote Chinese cemetery as a filming locale for their
senior-year short movie project.

The filming script is planned to be a weepy romance that will tear at your heartstrings.

Quite by coincidence the shoot dates happen to fall during the Chinese Ghost Festival.

But the real terror erupts when Ji (Apittha “Mean” Klaiudom), a depressed female colleague, who has just joined the crew gets possessed by a stray spirit.

The horrifying spirit wants the crew to help it to accomplish something…

Or else death will befall everyone.”

It is silly to even compare this movie with PEE MAK, the blockbuster which stars MARIO MAURER.

PEE MAK is helmed by a very renowned director and MARIO is a Thailand superstar.

The ensemble cast of POSSESSED are relatively unknown.

No matter, as the 46 million people comprising the rural populace were to buy the DVD version, the sales will still reap a tidy amount, even if this film should flop at the cinema.

Is this movie deliciously demented?

Not on your life, but if you like Thai horror comedies, check this one out.

Rating: 2 out of 5.