“SUPER 8″ Movie Review. The MAGICAL SPLENDOR of a SPIELBERG and ABRAMS collaboration rides on!

“SUPER 8″ PRESS PREVIEW

“SUPER 8″ is a beautifully crafted film, make no bones about it.

With two movie geniuses like J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg going for the price of a cinema ticket, you simply can’t go wrong.

It’s money well spent.

I will not dispute the ingenuity of J.J.ABRAMS (Mission Impossible 3, Star Trek).

But this “STEVEN SPIELBERG” name is irreplaceable. He is iconic.

So it’s drool time whenever a STEVEN SPIELBERG movie hits the cinema.

Forever targeting the family crowd, a SPIELBERG film (whether he helms or produces), conjures a magical treat for everyone, offering a deletable visual feast for both the eyes and ears.

SPIELBERG is a seasoned storytelling sci-fic guru who ensures that his productions serve a primary purpose.

He takes you on a journey of adventure – to astound, enthrall and entertain.

He’s stupendous in his craft and peppers his viewers with amazing surprises in each and every piece of his celluloid work.

And a rollicking one like this long-awaited feature called “SUPER 8″ produced by SPIELBERG and directed by J.J. ABRAMS will surely bring forth the “ooohs’ and the “ahhhs”.

The magic rides on!

”SUPER 8″ takes us back to 1979 into the fictional town of Lillian, Ohio.

This is nostalgia in its finest form.

A small group of gawky teenagers are innocently having a whale of fun – producing a home movie about zombies with an old Super 8 mm film camera, until they accidentally espy a mysterious train crash.

These are smart kids who know that something’s amiss,

that there could be a secret that lurks in the dark, and everything is more than meets the eye.

Shortly after, bizarre disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take shape.

When the local deputy Jackson Lamb (Kyle Chandler) searches for answers, he uncovers signs of an impending alien attack.

SUPER 8 the movie is superbly written and directed by J.J.ABRAMS in a peremptory tone that’s far different from SPIELBERG’s.

Yet it could have been a better work of emotive art, had it had stayed close to a coming of age story dramatically built against a backdrop of alien invasion.

Take “ET” and SCHINDER’s LIST as classic examples where we were moved to tears because in the closing scenes, partings are such sweet sorrow.

Instead this one “up-plays” on the wrath of an alien rampage theme as with any other alien movies and relegates the warmth and emotions of character development (a SPIELBERG trademark) to secondary importance.

This is a supernatural thriller with an interesting premise with cute teenagers as the main protagonists.

Kudos to the casting director for an acclaimed ensemble cast.

The gang of kids practically steals the thunder from the adults.

JOEL COURTNEY is wonderfully right as the wide-eyed, innocent kiddo in the lead role. He’s a rare find.

ELLE FANNING is a refreshing sweetie who lights up the screen as a troubled teenager from a broken home.

Let’s move on to the alien bit.

For most part of the film before the ending, we’ll be lucky if we are offered a glimpse of the monster.

Because of this, little suspense is generated as the director distances and distracts us from the creature.

You may wonder if “SUPER 8″ is an alien rampage movie or a coming of age saga because it seems to play the finale both ways.

Whatever the shortcomings, it is still a mesmerizing film that is thoroughly enjoyable.

Just remain in your seat when the film ends

to watch the credits roll.

You bet there’s a little bit more to come.

Stay braced!

“DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT” MOVIE REVIEW. Chaotic Upheavals of the Undead.

“DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT” PRESS PREVIEW

Life can be one muddled paradox if you ever allow it to be.

During my formative years in the University, I shunned cinematic reviews.

Rather, I relied on my better judgement, a “gut” feel, with a little help from the entertainment fodders.

Film mirrors a REEL life of your choice whenever you purchase a cinema ticket.

and this ticket will bring you through “that” door into a metaphorical plethora of aesthetic learning.

Content and its development are of utmost importance, trust me.

Curiosity kills the cat if you pride yourself as someone who reads profusely to be aware of what’s moving around you,

and to understand what’s right or wrong in order to feel.

Be your own judge whenever you wish to patronize a film.

Because, more often not, artistic minds do not think alike.

Sauce for the goose is never sauce for the gander.

Take this instance, DYLAN DOG reaped beastly ratings from the West.

The Asian mind however, may palpitate towards a different perception.

No two persons look and observe beauty in the same way.

Right?

Let’s move on.

Dylan Dog is a comic book adaptation, taken from an Italian horror comic series featuring a paranormal investigator created by Tiziano Sclavi.

Just switch off your disbelief mode to enter this escapist world, because Dylan unravels cases the dead brings to him.

He thrives in a murky world of the “undead”.

“No pulse? No problem,” extols Dylan’s business card referring to his undead clients.

“Dylan Dog: Dead of Night” stars screen hunk BRANDON ROUTH who was once-upon-a-time groomed to take over as the New Superman – but that was until that film became an abysmal flop.

He still gets to display his over buffed torso in this film.

Dylan is a relentless investigator who takes on monstrous cases when nobody else would.

He has a loyal assistant in Marcus (SAM HUNTINGTON), but Marcus gets assassinated shortly after the film opens.

He then returns as an “undead” to help Dylan with his investigations.

The two then set out to salvage whatever they can in the chaotic demon-and-monster planet because a formidable group of monster demolishers intend to extinguish all unearthly objects that go thump in the night.

Expect ghoulish vampires, giant werewolves and angry zombies ravaging in an ugly world that Dylan finds so perplexing.

Alluring Elizabeth (ANITE BRIEM) hires him to probe into her father’s murder by a ferocious werewolf.

Opening up this case exposes him to unexpected life-and-death chases around New Orleans with obnoxious bloodsucking and lycanthropic gang.

He fights for dear life whilst tracking down a mysterious ancient artifact.

Fallen into the wrong hands, this artifact would surely wreak forth an apocalyptic disaster.

It’s a race against time.

The script is meandering and tepid, at times spiced with insipid lines that bring on the yawns.

Through no fault of his own, our ex-superman BRANDON ROUTH is given limited scope to exercise his acting chops.

All he has to do is to run through a gamut of expressions showing disbelief and exasperation.

SAM HUNTINGTON is dreadful when he squeals, rants and bellows like one irritating banshee.

Here’s another case of a film that suffers heavily from a film director’s treatment.

As an escapist film, it can be fairly entertaining if you just move in with the flow.

After all you get to see BRANDON ROUTH ex-Superman again, after a long, forgotten absence.

"KUNG FU PANDA 2" MOVIE REVIEW. More HEART, SOUL and ACTION.

“KUNG FU PANDA 2″ PRESS PREVIEW

It goes to state the obvious that the first KUNG FU PANDA was a super duper rollicking blockbuster hit.

It had well earned its keep as the imagery and animation were top-notch.

Naturally the money rolled in as the international reviews were stupendous.

And everyone knows in due time, it will surely return with a vengeance.

We are embracing a cinematic era of “remakes” and “sequels” where every animation company is jumping on the bandwagon, therefore we are really spoiled for choices.

Well, KUNG FU PANDA 2 has finally arrived – bigger, bolder with cute furry animals taking you through the poetic stances of the impressive KUNG FU martial arts …..

and with rip roaring action itching to burst at the seams …. glory be!

Ahhh ….KUNG FU fighting, yeah.

Enter a fantasy world of ancient China with warlords, Zen masters, a vibrant century old of the awesome Kung Fu.

This is one raucous animal kingdom where animals play the lords of the ring.

Welcome back, Panda.

There’s always a “child” nestling in each and everyone of us, but hey -

let’s just say that animation these days is not just crafted for kids, with plotlines digging deeper and darker and the action fast and furious.

It’s just another way to penetrate the primary family market to deliver the goods and collect the money.

For a fact kids don’t go to the cinemas alone. They drag their parents along.

The PANDA 2 story:

Po is now the supreme Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, the Furious Five.

But Po’s new blissful, peaceful life is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret destructive weapon to wipe out China and eliminate the formidable Kung Fu art.

Po has to delve into his forgotten past to uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins in order to be able to understand his roots, and unlock the strength he needs to succeed.

KUNG FU PANDA 2 may be one of the best 3D animated features in recent years.

It lives up to the promise of its predecessor.

There’s a magical buoyancy in the parable and we are swept into a colorful world of cute animal imagery through painstaking animation by director Jennifer Yuh Nelson that’s breathtakingly fantastic.

Expect a multicultural potpourri laden with a feast for the eyes and ears.

The superlatives?

It’s entertaining, wholesome, fast paced, laced with quirky humor fit for a royal king.

And this one’s for you too.

“LET THE BULLETS FLY” 讓子彈飛 Movie Review. Good STUFF is surely WORTH waiting for.

“LET THE BULLETS FLY” 讓子彈飛 PRESS PREVIEW

Finally this one arrives.

It’s never too late and good stuff is definitely worth waiting for.

“LET THE BULLETS FLY” the made-in-China film that ate up a whopping production budget of 18 american million dollars, is one classic example.

It reaches our shores at a time when most Asian countries have already rested their mark.

If you are a Chinese mainlander, you’d surely love this movie with all its rhythms and tones, as you are its primary captive audience.

China men know when to pull their craft.

Yet outside this target bracket there will be a myriad of foreign followers too.

Reviews that poured in from countries where this film was screened recently were overwhelmingly splendid – art, soul and everything.

Box office ratings were amazing, bestowing it as CHINA’s third top money grossers of all time.

So what does this Reviewer think?

Let’s start with the preamble:

It kinda is a crazy-hazy-days-of-summer comedic action adventure designed to keep you on edge and to tickle your ribs.

Director Jiang Wen (himself as one of the three male leads) takes a divine stab at his version of Western genre spoof with his latest venture “LET THE BULLETS FLY”.

He treats it gingerly with a Robin Hood twist, pitched against the complex Chinese Warlord era.

The plot is set in China during the tumultuous 1920′s, “LET THE BULLETS FLY” stars a smart opportunistic mountain bandit by the name of Pocky Zhang (played by Jiang himself).

In the beginning he ambushes the local governor’s train, taking the governor’s advisor Tang and wife as hostages.

Zhang then hangs up his bandit’s ways and bring his gang into town, posing as the dead governor.

In this remote village called Goose Town, he sees wealthy opportunities and intends to stay.

Instead of getting rich by taxing the poor and then splitting the proceeds with the rich, he aims the other way round.

He decides to rob the rich and share the loots with the poor villagers.

He has found steadfast comrades (or so it seems) in his captives – Tang (Ge You) and his wife (Karina Lau).

However the trio finds unexpected retaliation in the form of a powerful county warlord named Huang (Chow Yun Fat) who had previously assassinated five local governors.

Huang guards Goose Town zealously from a nearby fortified citadel.

Fiery confrontations leading to bloody gunfights, crazy exchanges and edgy battles of wit ensue in a comedic merry-go-round.

A bold, refreshing change in formula is director Jiang’s decision to smear this film with laugh galore, strewing the script throughout with dark humor.

A magnificent ensemble cast of established veterans reeks of an astounding “pow-wow”:

The powerful actors are Jiang Wen, Ge You, Chow Yun-fat, Carina Lau and Chen Kun.

As with most of Jiang’s movies, he also ropes in family and friends such as Zhou Yun his wife, and brother Jiang Wu.

There are “surprise” appearances from celebrated director Feng Xiaogang and Obama’s half brother Mark Ndesanjo.

It’s as good as you can get. And more.

Did this Reviewer observe raw touches in storyline of the recent animated movie RANGO?

Pure coincidence, naturally.

”LET THE BULLETS FLY” is a stark, witty comedy about how even the best-laid plans can go awry the moment you are starting to trust a new-found friend by overstaying your confidence.

For those who have a decent grasp of the Mandarin language, you can say that the script is wonderfully penned (reportedly amended 30 times during pre and post production stages for soulful perfection).

If you are one who depends on the subtitling to flow in with the story,

then you’d find that a lot of corny jokes in the true Chinese literary sense (you have to be fast to catch them) would have been lost in translation.

It has a mesmerizing musical score to boot.

The plot is rife with screwball buffoonery and rapid-fire verbal exchanges.

Applaudable performances from an all star cast add a profound touch of poetic justice.

It’s one movie that might prompt you to return to the cinema for a second watch.

So there!