MOVIE REVIEW: “Huat 啊 Huat 啊”

“Huat 啊 Huat 啊” PRESS REVIEW

Who wouldn’t have heard of the name A-NIU in Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan?

He’s our multi layered artiste, sometimes actor (Ice Kacang Puppy Love), sometimes director (also Ice Kacang Puppy Love), but at the heart of it all  he is also a consummate comedian-cum-singer with many lilting ballads depicting how rural folks woo their loved ones under his belt to share with you.

In this Chinese New Year romantic comedy directed by TAN BOON HUAT aptly called HUAT AH! HUAT AH! A-NIU plays an autistic village guy AH HUAT who is skilled in brewing delightful aromatic coffee. That would be his art in life.

During his free time, this kind-hearted soul romps with the kampung kids and daydreams of his fierce fishmonger girl friend.

His titular character sports a sad woebegone face throughout the film.

Maybe you would love to bundle him up and slap him all over.

Naturally you won’t, because his cute blur look bowls you over.

The production company is targeting at “AH HUAT! AN HUAT!” as an inspirational comedy crafted for audiences of all ages and races during the Chinese New Year period.

AH HUAT may not be as blur as you think as he still strives for success in the face of all odds. Yet he never shirks from his belief that honesty is the best policy in life.

His lady love in the movie is played by JOYCE CHENG, daughter of the late LYDIA SUM and Hong Kong actor ADAM CHENG.

JOYCE is, 26, is willing to stoop low to authenticate realism in her role to sport an ugly hairstyle, with thick eyebrows and even a ridiculous moustache in the film to earn our guffaws.

“HUAT AH! HUAT AH!” paints a rich, human portrait in an enjoyable way, of how there can be life before autism and after, given the necessary positive encouragement from family and friends, notwithstanding environmental factors.

This one is an entertaining family movie.

It instills in you family values and you’d like to leave the cinema contemplating a renewed life, specially this is the CHINESE NEW YEAR season.

Bring forth the ang paos.

And last but not least: HUAT AH! HUAT AH!

GO WATCH IT!

KUNG HEI FAT CHOY 2014! It's the auspicious YEAR of the HORSE.

HOPEFULLY a BUMPER HARVEST This Year.

This is NICO

DOGS are forever FAITHFUL. I know because I have five of them.

They don’t betray your TRUST as Sunshine Friends often do.

This is TUK TUK and NICO …. Let them both do the Talking …

I read this Online Teaser: “the more I see of human, the better I like dogs.”

 TRUE?

 Wishing you all the Best for achieving MONEY Aplenty …

Wishing you all the glorious LUCK in Abundance.

Whichever RELIGION or CREED you belong to,

remember this: all MEN ARE BROTHERS.

Hail the HORSE!

It’s just galloping around the corner, waiting to get in.

2013 had not been such a bumper year as the whole world is still rocking from the reeling.

Political disgruntlement, dipping economies, rocketing inflation, natural disasters and global poverty have all sported different parallels, and still remain as unresolved issues.

We must have read somewhere that we should be celebrating endings, bitter or sweet.

Endings herald new beginnings.

Smart guru CARL BARD has the last word:

 ”Though no one can go back to make a decent new start, anyone can begin now and establish a brand new ending.”

Lamenting over lost opportunities?

Don’t!

 Yeah, when one door closes, another new door opens if we exercise enough foresight and work harder.

But act fast and do not allow indecisiveness to override you behind that closed door.

Then you’ll miss the new ones that are waiting for you.

LIFE IS LIKE THIS.

You win some, lose some.

Essentially the quality of your choice will determine the quality of your life.

Right.

Here’s a CHINESE NEW YEAR Music Video produced by Singapore Mediacorp. 

It’s specially chosen from a myriad of others from both sides of the Causeway.

The traditional oldie hit is to keep your festive spirit soaring.

Usher in the HORSE.

Tomorrow can be a better day.

Relish.

Old friends will connect.

Old flames will re-ignite.

Everyone will rediscover just how much fun you can pack into one heart-warming reunion.

Here’s a Happy KONG HEI FAT CHOY Song of Cheer.

Enjoy!

MOVIE REVIEW: I, FRANKENSTEIN

“I, FRANKENSTEIN” PRESS REVIEW

The movie “I, FRANKENSTEIN” flips us swiftly through loads of fiery and flighty action.

And intense fantasy violence too.

All these, in order to appease bloodthirsty viewers who relish on non-stop battle cries and the gore.

Explosive action, to keep you cringing on edge.

SYNOPSIS:

The setting is in a gloomy dystopic present where vigilant gargoyles and ferocious demons rage a battle for ultimate power.

Victor Frankenstein’s creation Adam (Aaron Eckhart) finds himself caught in the middle as both sides race to discover the secret to his immortality.

 This supernatural saga is written for the screen and aptly directed by Stuart Beattie based on the graphic novel “I, Frankenstein” by Kevin Grevioux.

The ensemble cast includes Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Jai Courtney, Socratis Otto, Mahesh Jadu, Caitlin Stasey and Aden Young as Victor Frankenstein.

Stupendous CGI effects for those who believe and it’s reel shame for those who don’t appreciate.

The audience is spoiled for choice these days, so be prepared to face an armload of merciless onslaught on differing opinions.

The film begins with a summary of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” by the Creature (Aaron Eckhart), from his origins, his eventual murder of Victor Frankenstein’s beloved, Victor’s pursuit of the Creature and the former’s tragic death.

As the Creature buries his maker, a group of demons decided to kidnap him, which plunges the Creature, who is later named Adam Frankenstein, into a century long war between a clan of gargoyles and a clan of demons.

This fantasy actioner is set in a dystopian world and stars Aaron Eckhart in a ferocious battle between gargoyles and demons and is directed by Stuart Beattie from his own script.

It is based on a graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux.

Lakeshore financed the USD 65 million project with a huge bulk going for the CGI post production.

For all it is worth, the action is lavish, and that’s really the selling point of I, Frankenstein.

Beattie’s direction is high-octane and suitably Gothic, and we are treated to painstaking set pieces and visually stunning choreography.

Above all, this film is an action-thriller and it’s focused on fight all the way.

It is not a drama or a nail-biting horror flick, and it should be viewed that way.

And as long as you are going to watch Aaron Eckhart beat the living daylight out of some demons and gargoyles, then there will be enough to keep you happy.

Here’s popcorn fare, sweet and simple.

In the face of so many armchair critics, it’s best you exercise your own fair judgement, after viewing the movie trailer. 

As for me, in term of entertainment value, I am all out for it!

MOVIE REVIEW: HER

“HER” PRESS REVIEW

To begin, it’s film awards season now, so let’s roll out the red carpet for noteworthy credits.

“HER” surpasses as a 2014 romantic comedy albeit being a science fiction movie.

It is brilliantly written, produced and directed by SPIKE JONZE.

Kudos for its originality of script.

The ensemble cast includes JOAQUIN PHOENIX, AMY ADAMS, ROONEY MARA with SCARLETT JOHANSSON playing the female voice of Samantha.

That done, the  plot weaves around  a lonely man who develops a fairy tale romance with an unseen feel-good female voice produced by an intelligent high-end computer operating system.

On a recent score, this film bags several accolades and nominations, starting off with being chosen as the Best Film of 2013 at the National Board of Review Awards.

It also shared first place for Best Film with another feature Gravity in the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards.

To date, it has been lined up for three Golden Globe nominations.

Sadly, it only managed to walk away with the one for Best Screenplay.

The Oscar showtime is still around the corner at this time of writing, so there are no news of winners.

“HER” is a beautiful movie that’s bound to tug at your heartstrings in key scenes.

For starters, it makes you think. You question yourself, can this be you?

As human beings, all of us search for forthright answers in this age where we are coping with the angst of living, loving and parting.

Directed by Spike Jonze this one is a pretty sad comedy (paradox intended) about a lonesome writer (Joaquin Phoenix)(JOAQUIN) who is bored with his existence and falls in love with the female voice from his computer’s highly technical operating system.

Here’s where you have to suspend your disbelief.

Our leading man is a hardworking 30-something composer of handwritten letters for his online clients.

He imagines their words and even invents their relationship mythology.

But his own life is one solitary trudge where you watch your world goes by, besieged by emotional tethers. Nobody enjoys solitude, right?

Perhaps it’s because he tries to blend into the real world before, and people continue to disappoint him.

After seeing an advertisement for an artificial intelligence operating system, Theodore purchases one and finds that his new OS is voiced by an imaginary female named Samantha (an articulate Scarlett Johansson does the voice on-camera). Communicating by way of an earpiece and a small hand-held device, she keeps him on schedule.

The film director ushers us into the protagonist’s emotional world.

He develops it brilliantly, adding a touch of poetic indulgence, keeping the the mood-and-tone sweet and sentimental.

JOAQUIN PHOENIX pitches in an incredible performance as the lovelorn dude.

 The star distraction of the film is the unseen “voice” the one we’d never get to see.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON’s enthralls us as the “voice” and she is superb.

Her words flow with grace with an earnestness to connect with the outside world through Theodore’s eyes.

It’s a far cry from your typical relationship, but then it’s fiction and yes, love is always blind.

Right?

“HER” is entertaining, exhilarating, enduring as it is meant to be.

It’s one sweet and wonderful film that no one should miss.

Right.

MOVIE REVIEW: “THE FOUR 2″. 四大名捕II 2014

“THE FOUR 2″ PRESS REVIEW

 四大名捕II 2014

At first reading, you’d probably find the name of the movie “THE FOUR 2″ a hard act to follow.

The clear definition is, “THE FOUR” refers to 4 heroic constables dated eons ago.

It’s pure classical fiction, of course.

The figure “2″ promises a sequel, so be alert for a cliffhanger and you can be assured part 3 is somewhere in production.

“THE FOUR 2″ is everything what an intriguing thriller should be for avid fans of Chinese whodunits.

What’s more, it’s an ancient wuxia (swordfighting) fable.

Off the record, the mood-and-tone of “THE FOUR 2″ highlights a mixed bag of Asian sleuthing along the fine line of the fictional modern detective Hercule Poirot (West) and the famed novelist Gu Lung with his imaginary stable of fantasy heroes. (East).

It is based on a best-seller by Woon Swee Oan.

The four constables are established with the ridiculous names such as: Emotionless (Crystal Liu Yifei), Iron Hands (Collin Chou) Life Snatcher (Ronald Cheng) and ColdBlood (Deng Chao).

Each is trained in his own school of super power.

When the four constables of the Divine Constabulary investigate a mysterious murder in the suburbs, they unexpectedly stumble on clues leading to the murder of Emotionless’s family 15 years ago.

While investigating the case, these constables uncover facts about their own hideous pasts and secrets they want hidden.

But by delving deep, they would have to choose between past grudges affecting their new lives at the Divine Constabulary.

A series of bloody assassinations confront them as the story unfolds.

And even if they are able to survive this storm, you bet, there’s another looming over the horizon.

The film is an implosive wuxia drama and this is a follow-up to the first one that explores the merciless kill-or-be-killed world of the wuxia world.

“THE FOUR 2″ is an high energy thriller by Gordon Chan that delivers from start to finish.

Aside the splendid cinematography and glorious CGI effects, this is one  swordplay plot that keeps you guessing right to the end, as to who really, is the mastermind.

Pow-wow!

It’s worth a go-see, chum.

MOVIE REVIEW : ONCE upon a TIME in SHANGHAI (2014). (惡戰)

“ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI (2014)” 

惡戰

PRESS REVIEW

Here’s the rags-to-riches story:

MA YONG ZHEN leads a life of abject poverty of  in Shantung.

He decides to seek his fortune in Shanghai.

His humble ambitions are squashed when he is unwillingly drawn into a world of devious corruption and gang warfare.

His only reliance on survival is his famed fighting technique.

He’s a tough boxer by training, deft at meting out deadly punches with his fist.

And breaking legs too, should you decide to roll everything into one.

His beloved mother bestows him a bracelet to remind him to stay cool whenever he’s provoked.

The bracelet serves as a refresher of sorts.

It’s safe to say that “ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI (2014)” the movie is packaged as an awesome explosive punch fest combining mixed martial arts.

It’s a poetic spectacular with ferocious martial arts moves, dealing primarily with delivering lethal blows using the fist.

The film director’s visual flair forces the viewer to witness each blow in a visceral sequence that demands attention.

Helmed by WONG CHING-PO this movie is a modernization of the Shaw Brothers oldie called “The Boxer from Shantung” in 1972. which starred CHEN KUAN-TAI as the legendary fighter.

Now that age has caught on,CHEN returns happily to take on a cameo in this film as a baddie.

Enter PHILIP NG the emerging Action Star.

Fresh faced (thank goodness) albeit charismatic fight expert PHILIP NG takes on the lead as MA YONG ZHEN.

He’s a refreshing delight to watch demonstrating his slick choreographed stunts.

Some of us may be getting a wee tired of overexposed fight stars.

The film also features ANDY ON who’s really up and coming in most action flicks.

He’s gonna be the next big thing in the Hong Kong fight cinema.

Both PHILIP and ANDY share an affable chemistry onscreen.

And with the legendary YUEN WO-PING taking the helm as action choreographer, the combination can’t possibly go wrong.

“ONCE UPON A TIME IN SHANGHAI” is a riot.

It’s fearsome, foxy and full-on and packs one hell of a punch.

WONG CHING-PO has directed a brutal and action-packed martial arts movie that will stay in our hearts and minds for a long time.

Don’t miss it!

MOVIE REVIEW: “THE TRANSCEND” . (超度)

This PICTURE tells you it’s GLOOM, DOOM and EVERYTHING more ….

“Oh, handsome DADDY is back from the DEAD.  Hurry, summon the Ghost Whisperer now!”

“For cranky GHOST’s sake,wherever the HELL am I?”

“DIDN’T they call this a laid-back KAMPUNG ROMANCE?

It’s really cool to have just you and me holding hands with two plastic bags of TEH TARIK.”

At the nunnery, there’s nothing like MORNING BLISS when you FLAP breezily in the WIND.

BOSS and EMPLOYEE making a DEATHLY CHALLENGE.

Who will DIE betting on this GHOSTLY ENCOUNTER?

“THE TRANSCEND” PRESS REVIEW.

(超度)

For shouting out loud, this one is a supernatural thriller, Malaysian style.

If a dash of  creepy Kampung lore is your brewing cup of tea, then “TRANSCEND” the movie is indeed crafted for you.

At 120 minutes long, this horror drama “with a difference” has been admirably designed to to shock you out of your ballers.

First time film director RYON LEE shows us that he has the mettle of being one of the industry’s greats.

RYON has penned several successful Malaysian film scripts in the past, so you can be assured that he will leave no stones unturned to unearth a solid scary story.

And surprisingly enough, the spooky thrills come aplenty to harness you on edge.

The eye-popping scenes on how a Chinese funeral is being conducted is enough to set your blood curdling.

Enough said. Please go watch the movie for more sordid details.

 Smarty entrepreneur JAMES WONG wears several hats in the movie. He is principally the film's director and producer.

He relegates to playing a secondary role as he has to take care of the acting and production department.

This is no mean feat.

What’s THE TRANSCEND movie all about, you may be curious to know.

It begins with novelist Yan Dong (TEDDY CHIN) who has just published his virgin novel and is shocked to discover that it is a critical flop.

Seething with emotional angst and arrogance, he declares he wants to embark yet on another supernatural tale that will be a surefire hit.

His patient manager Bao Jin (JAMES WONG)  thereupon bundles him off to an out-of-town derelict nunnery to recoup for a few days, to cure his writer’s block.

There he is destined to meet Le Le (MINDEE ONG) an introvert with a secret past.

It’s here where the supernatural occult spins its deathly web and the menacing drama begins.

The ambience is chilly and bloodcurdling, specially if you are not a Buddhist having to observe the rites of a Chinese funeral.

“THE TRANSCEND” is entertaining, scary and gripping in most aspects.

There’s a fair amount of pulse pounding suspense and you can say this is a heart-stopping horror that lives, haunts and kills deep in the dark.

Or it is not?

Go watch it for the answers.

(PRESS CONFERENCE PICTURES courtesy of TI CHIN HAN)

THE HAPPY ENSEMBLE CAST GLADLY POSES FOR THIS PICTURE

ACTOR TEDDY CHIN laments: “MINDEE’s grabbing THE SPOTLIGHT.  Please SHIFT the SHINE on me NOW.”

Film Director RYON LEE (left) as well as Director-cum-Producer JAMES WONG (right) have the right answers to QUESTIONS fielded by the Press.