MALAYSIAN MOVIE REVIEW: "RENTAP" (2014),

 “RENTAP” (2014) MOVIE PREVIEW. GIDDY-UP for PARKOUR!

GIDDY-UP FOR PARKOUR, DIRECTOR SIMON LONG TELLS US IT IS HERE TO STAY!

The evolution of the PARKOUR sport in recent years with regard to acrobatic flips and dare-devil stunts, resonates the belief that you aim not just to be the best, but to be better than the next.

“RENTAP” the movie is a fast-paced action comedy film that challenges the parkour mindset of any enthusiast.

It spins a tale about two “think-alike” brothers who have just embraced the breathtaking world of PARKOUR.

It’s an exhaustive sport to boot, one that requires focus, self-discipline and a dauntless team spirit to share.

The challenging plot unashamedly preaches the doctrines of  bravery, loyalty and friendship and it impresses upon young people a lesson to overcome obstacles and to resist the odds.

It is GREAT to be YOUNG!

For sure, as time and tide wait for no man.

A fine combination of spectacular PARKOUR sequences, comedic elements and awe-inspiring scenes notwithstanding  a whiff of romance, ” makes this the ideal movie for the entire family”.

The film tracks two brothers who have signed up for the PARKOUR competition, a sport that utilizes slick movements developed from military obstacle training.

It is also a breeding ground where you are made to understand the importance of non-violence, self- respect and confidence.

Plus the ability to work as a team member.

LOG LINE
The film open on a bunch of youngsters eagerly running to join the queue for a trendy event – the PARKOUR Competition.

Midway through the competition, Rashdan has opted to give up his chance of winning for the sake of friendship.

Reporter Elaina happens to learn of the race and decides to approach the brothers for an exclusive interview.

Rashid is happy to be interviewed as he is bowled over by her charm.

However, Rashdan is reluctant because he feels Elaina is just one of the gossip reporters.

NO SPOILERS as from here.

Catch this movie which will inspire you to value your loved ones, never to take time and friends for granted.

Right!

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Local Distributor: DOUBLE VISION PICTURES/ GSC MOVIES

MOVIE REVIEW: " THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY - PART 1" (2014)

” THE HUNGER GAMES : MOCKINGJAY – PART 1″ (2014)

For those who have waited this long, you’d probably have to bate your breath to wait for the arrival of another chapter. This one is political dry stuff that needs a lot of foreplay.

The PLOT, so far:

It could have been so much better if the pace picks up fast and furious. But the film director says “no”.

Author Suzanne Collins wrote three “Hunger Games” novels in all.

But more sequels mean more cash, so here you are, you get four new awesome installments, following the direction of “Harry Potter’s” and “Twilight’s” franchises.

Sure,”Mockingjay”did an excellent job of getting Jennifer Lawrence to shape up, physically and emotionally. And be equipped to fight a rebellion against the evil Capitol.

But this one may leave us high and dry, waiting for the ferocious battle cries to roar.

THE PLOT

The film picks up where the last one left off, with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) being rescued from the Hunger Games by Plutarch (the late Philip Seymour Hoffman).

Katniss now lives in District 13, a hive-like underground bunker that houses people who support the rebellion against the Capitol and the wicked President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

Katniss’ family is now with her, and so is old friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth).

But she remains sick with worry over her beloved Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) whom she is forced to leave behind during her defection.

Under the capable leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss literally spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta (Josh Hutcherson). The nation cheers her on.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 is directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Danny Strong and Peter Craig.

He has a magnificent line-up of veterans for this big budget movie and manages to coax his actors to portray their screen roles in a hard-edged style that is brutal, cold and chilling.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Local Distributor: TGV PICTURES

MOVIE REVIEW: "HORNS" (2014)

“HORNS” (2014) MOVIE REVIEW.

For a start, weirdo actor Shia LaBeouf passed on the lead role, so what gives? The part went to Daniel Radcliffe as second choice, but could he render a better job?

“HORNS” is positioned as a scorching thriller directed by French helmsman Alexandre Aja. The film Director drums up an irresistible theme which is at best, mind-boggling, creating a generous creative budget for elaborate post production enhancements to achieve the super-natural effects.

For storyline he weaves a tale of revenge, an intriguing twist at the ending. The 2010 novel was written by Joe Hill.

Alexandre Aja is a French film director who specializes in the horror genre. He rose to international stardom for his 2003 horror film Haute Tension.

His directorial efforts include a fine line-up of horror films under his belt, such as The Hills Have Eyes, Mirrors, Piranha 3D and Horns.

“HORNS” combines a spread of horror, a sprinkle of dark comedy and a generous dose of supernatural visual effects.

Daniel Radcliffe stars as Ig Perrish, a doleful blue-eyed young man who’s awaken from a stupor to find that he has been accused of the rape and murder of his girlfriend Merrin (Juno Temple) in the woods. Did he actually kill her?

He suddenly finds horns sprouting out of his head which may hold a clue to his sudden diabolic nature. Has he been possessed by evil spirits?  From then on, morbid and violent contractions start gnawling at his sanity.

The film shows Radcliffe, at his post-Harry Potter period, a chance to exercise his acting chops.

He commands a solid screen presence in the film.

It’s a difficult role that calls for him to switch his psyche from an assortment of personalities as the distraught lover to pantomime clown, from a hardboiled investigator to being a ruthless killer.

PLOT

Based on the novel by Joe Hill, Horns is a supernatural thriller driven by fantasy, mystery and romance.

The former Harry Potter is transformed into an ugly two-horn devil, literally, in “Horns,” a horror movie with a comedic edge. He has two curling protuberances sprouting from his forehead. He also has some supernatural powers, including having people spontaneously confess their vices.

Daniel Radcliffe, whose impish features are well-suited to the addition of gnarly goatish growths, stars as Ignatius Perrish, a young disc jockey grieving over the murder of his one true love, Merrin (Juno Temple), whose brutalized body was discovered beneath the couple’s childhood tree house in the lush Old Growth forest.

No spoilers here as you need to visit the cinema to get your answers.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Local Distributor: TGV PICTURES

MOVIE REVIEW: "THE DROP" (2014)

“THE DROP” (2014) MOVIE REVIEW

This film should have been nicely called “A LONELY MAN and his PIT BULL”.

It would be an apt tribute, but one might be swayed to think that it’s a Disney production, good grief.

“THE DROP” has, within its finer wrapping, an ingenious plot, exacting powerful performances from actors TOM HARDY and the late JAMES GANDOLFINI who died of a cardiac arrest months after shooting wrapped.

“THE DROP” would be his farewell piece.

To this Reviewer, he rates this film as a smart “thinking” crime story.

The script ambles with a steady burn at first, a slow but surely shimmer before you are drawn rapturously into the long haul.

Quick Synopsis:

THE DROP is a new crime drama from Michaël R. Roskam, the Academy Award nominated director of Bullhead.

Based on an awesome screenplay from Dennis Lehane (Mystic River, Gone Baby Gone), “THE DROP” follows lonely bartender Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy) through a covert scheme of funneling cash to local gangsters – “money drops” in the underworld of Brooklyn bars.

“THE DROP’s ensemble cast includes Noomi Rapace, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ann Dowd and John Ortiz. 

From start to end of this crime thriller, you are made to feel that circumstances are not what they appear to be.

The plot ambles mysteriously in a dogged style that is both cold and chilling.

 “THE DROP” introduces us to Bob (Tom Hardy), an unambitious slow-witted bartender who is content to toil for his cousin Marv (James Gandolfini) in a bar named Cousin Marv’s.

It is a small drinking hole, but this is what you only see from the facade.

Cousin Marv’s is also as a notorious “drop bar” where dirty money is “dropped” at the counter and specified people will pick up the “haul” later.

This is an urban thriller following the style of  Sidney Lumet and other crime busters of his time.

The performances are soul-searching to match the overall doom-and-gloom mood of the cinematography.

“THE DROP” can be said to be layered with a dark tinge of poetic indulgence.

In his final screen appearance, James Gandolfini plays Marv, a Brooklyn bar manager who has to give up ownership of his bar to Chechen gangsters.

The crooks use the work venue as a “drop” off location for laundering money.

Marv may appear cool, calm and collected, but is one helluva guy capable of violence when he is in a rage. His sidekick is Bob (Tom Hardy), the bartender with the slow slur.

One fateful night a pair of shotgun-wielding masked robbers raided the bar and scooted off with US$5,000.

Even though the amount of money is little compared to the usual drop-bar night, the Chechen mob who actually owned the bar is pissed.

As the story progresses, Bob rescues an injured pit bull pup in a garbage can which belongs to a woman named Nadia (Noomi Rapace).

Both of them become firm friends, and Bob soon discovers that that the pit-bull pup is actually dumped by Nadia’s psychotic ex-boyfriend Eric Deeds (Matthias Schoenaerts).

A brilliant young Flemish director Roskam was identified as a talent to watch by Michael Mamn after his debut feature, Bullhead, was chosen as Belgium’s Oscar candidate.

“THE DROP” is his first English language film.

His treatment is liken to boarding a cool, deadpan roller-coaster ride to hell.

Go watch it!

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

 Local Distributor: 20th Century Fox Malaysia

IT IS GOOD TO LEAVE EACH DAY BEHIND.

“It’s good to leave each day behind,
Like flowing water, free of sadness.

Yesterday is gone and its tale told.
Today new seeds are growing.”

MOVIE REVIEW: "DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2". 单身男女 2

“DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2″ (2014)

Movie Review. 单身男女 2

Hong Kong is well-known for movie quickies.Whenever and wherever there’s a successful formula, just get ready to shoot a sequel, and then some.

There’s a perpetual drought of bright ideas everywhere, so it is safer to stick to one concoction that’s proven right and expound on it, rather than to shoot bullets in the dark.

“DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2″ is one fine example.

This 2011 romantic comedy returns with a resounding gong, adding MIRIAM YEUNG and VIC CHOU onto the stable of leads. Naturally, it is equipped with a brand new sub-plot. What else?

“DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2″ is Hong Kong director Johnnie To’s vivid continuation of his 2011 money-churning rom-com.

He adds MIRIAM YEUNG and VIC CHOU to the goodlooking threesome of LOUIS KOO, DANIEL WU and GAO YUAN YUAN. You just have to take your pick.

A QUICK SYNOPSIS

As soon as  playboy investment banker Shen Ran (LOUIS KOO) loses Zixin (GAO YUAN YUAN) to a brawny hunk of an architect, he conveniently swings back  to his notorious life as a incorrigible womanizer.

He starts bedding every girl that crosses his path until he finally settles for stock market specialist Yang Yang (MIRIAM YEUNG), a lusty sophisticate.

Unbeknownst to Shen Ran, his old flame Zixin suddenly appears.

Coincidentally, Zixin’s slightly older brother Paul has developed a hippo crush for power woman Yang Yang.

Now confusion and chaos set in.

At first Yang Yang mistakes Paul to be Zixin’s fiance and rejects his advances.

But she finally discovers the truth on Zixin’s wedding day and has to make a tough decision about her own pairing.

What would you do with fickle-minded women?

Shen Ran, in the meantime, arises from his stupor to realize that his love for Zixin has never died and determines to woo her back at all costs.

This is as stupid as you can get, because you don’t simply go and break up a devoted couple.

In summary, this movie is an entertaining farce not to be taken seriously.

However much two lovebirds might share, it’s what they don’t know about each other that rejuvenates their relationship. 

That’s the best part.

Right.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR:  GSC MOVIES

MOVIE REVIEW: "INTERSTELLAR" (2014)

“INTERSTELLAR” (2014) MOVIE REVIEW

After the inaugural press screening a couple of mornings ago, you could witness a flurry of interest by newshounds, all too eager to pounce.

Has it dawn upon anyone that this futuristic sci-fi film INTERSTELLAR is going to out-perform any box-office expectations in Asia and most parts of the world?

The name CHRISTOPHER NOLAN still sells, much to the chagrin of his competitors who have been waiting for an opportune moment to have him slide from the pedestal.

It appears that the wondrous special effects and thunderous rumblings on the IMAX screen have to do with the wailing roar. Maybe.

You will be amazed that, suddenly, everyone is a professional guru telling you how the film should be made.

The plot could be secondary. Or could it?

INTERSTELLAR is a wake-up call for those who never bothered about the ravages of time and piling up damage caused by global warming ,until it’s too late.

Taking everything for granted, what would really happen in the near future if the world is devoid of food. water. anything? Bleak, right?

This is the sedate life that we often take for granted.

The PLOT exemplifies Cooper the lead character (Matthew McConaughey) as a former NASA test pilot and engineer-turned-corn farmer. He now enjoys a simple rural life tending to his harvest.

The members of his happy family comprise of his 10-year-old daughter Murphy (Mackenzie Foy), 15-year-old son Tom (Timothee Chalamet) and father-in-law Donald (John Lithgow).

STORYLINE

“INTERSTELLAR” is an arresting film that is highly speculative, yet with a fair amount of reality jolt in regard to scientific accuracy.

It has been scientifically proven that, in the near future, the earth will no longer be able to sustain humanity at the rate it is going.

Dust storms will scour the land and mankind will be regressed to become an agrarian society.

 Four astronauts — former Air Force pilot played by Matthew McConaughey and scientists Anne Hathaway, Wes Bentley and David Gyasi — are selected to travel to a wormhole near Saturn.

The idea is to go through the wormhole and hopefully find another planet capable of sustaining human life.

NASA is a secret organization led by Michael Caine a “gravity expert”.

But the voyage may keep McConaughey away from Earth for untold years, which will break his daughter’s Murphy’s heart (she’s played as a child by Mackenzie Foy and as an adult by Jessica Chastain).

Murphy swears never to forgive her father for choosing mankind over her.

While in space, Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) the pilot and fellow astronauts, Dr. Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) and 2 other scientists realize that time is not on their side.

 One slip in space could mean collective years deducted back on Earth.

Their loved ones could die from either hunger, old age or breathing too much dust  into the lungs.

At all costs, these astronauts must ensure that mankind stays afloat.

But what’s in-store for everyone faced with in this precarious situation?

FOOTNOTES:

Mother Earth is fast running out of food resources, so a team of explorers (Captained by Matthew McConaughey ) ventures the unknown in human history.

They are taking the giant leap to infinity to discover whether mankind can provide a haven among the stars.

This is also a heart-breaking film where  you get to watch actor MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY crying buckets especially in moments when he interacts with his family from outer space to Earth.

MATTHEW McCONAUGHEY is destined for an OSCAR mention for not checking on his emotions and flows of tears.

Touching story, no doubt, with equally stunning visuals.

“INTERSTELLAR” in closing, is both haunting and heartbreaking, told with a tenderness that keeps the audience gripped to its finale.

RATING: 4 out of 5

Local Distributor: WARNER BROS PICTURES MALAYSIA.