MOVIE REVIEW. THE HOBBIT : THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG.

“THE HOBBIT:  THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG”

PRESS REVIEW

And of course, everybody knows that there has to be another chapter since the last one ended with a you-ask-for-it cliffhanger.

Loyalists of  J.R.R. Tolkien have been literally clamoring for more.

This is the second feature in the trilogy of THE HOBBIT saga, and is a remarkable difference to the last entry “An Unexpected Journey”.

To make up for lost time, it springs to action oh-la-la without much ado once the movie begins.

This one is smugly titled “THE DESOLATION OF THE SMAUG”. It’s the mid-chapter.

Admirably fitted in a taut package, it is awesomely presented with a dazzling splash of the CGI extravaganza.

Not forgetting the deafening battle cries to harness you on edge.

Anyway, here’s the plot in a nutshell:

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF THE SMAUG is the second in a trilogy of films adapting the  popular classic The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

It continues with the adventure of the lead character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman).

He takes us on a journey with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Along the way, you’ll witness all kinds of weird creatures such as  wizards, elves, dwarves, orcs, humans and the giant slithery dragon Smaugh created by JRR Tolkien and brought to the giant screen by director PETER JACKSON.

Orlando Bloom who plays Legolas returns with a bang brandishing his signature bow.

He’s a force to reckon with in the form of Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) an impetuous albeit attractive warrior princess.

Both of these oddball characters add weight and sunshine to dispel the gloom that would otherwise linger in the movie.

To sum it all up, “THE HOBBIT: The Desolation of Smaug” is one entertaining effects-laden film and is a reel blast from start to finish.

Go watch it!

MOVIE REVIEW: "GATCHAMAN". For Japanese Anime Fans.

“GATCHAMAN” PRESS REVIEW

 GATCHAMAN makes its bold advent on TV as an anime creation by Tatsuo Yoshida way back in 1972.

The idea caught on, became a worldwide hit, and spawned “The Battle of the Planets” TV series in the late 70s.

This creative albeit commercial concept also spun various incarnations.

And hey presto, in 2013 it returns and storms the big-screen in a larger-than-life action form as  GATCHAMAN, a Japanese production helmed by Toya Sato.

The plot is again, the good versus and the evil.

The evil terrorist organization Galactor is on a deadly rampage and is declaring war on mother earth in a bid for a glorious take-over.

This group occupies more than half the planet’s population and amasses deadly technology to beat any form of government.

Only humans known as Receptors are able to defeat them.

Five of the Receptors — Ken, Ryu, Joe, Jun and Jinpei — became a formidable team, Gatchaman, to defeat the alien threat with the help of Dr. Kozaburo Nambu from the International Science Organization.

The young team is brand new, but its two oldest boys shared a dark past.

Both of them once collaborated and both fell in love with a pretty young thing who was later killed in action.

The defense team now has to fight back.

They have to battle various giant monsters deployed by Galactor.

The movie is targeted at fans of the Japanese anime and a young audience.

If Japanese animated productions are your cup of tea, then you can’t possibly go wrong with this one.

Enjoy it for all it’s worth.

MOVIE REVIEW: "EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS". If you Poop, then this is Your Shitty Business! 人人有份

It’s EVERYBODY’S POOP BUSINESS!  人人有份

STOP PRESS

Here’s a long-awaited Singapore movie from thespian producer-cum-director JACK NEO.

JACK is a renowned guru for his oft satirical slapsticks that induce provocative afterthoughts, catering for an ever eager Singapore-and-Malaysian audience who’s more than ready to lap it up just for pure laughs. From Singapore, with love.

His kind of movie is for anyone who wants to dump tiresome workloads behind in the office, to go out enjoy a couple of hours of squirmy guffaws.

Take note that, “EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS” is not directed by JACK NEO who’s taking a breather this time around. He chairs as the Executive Producer.

 Malaysian film maker LEE THEAN JEEN who sees better opportunities in Singapore helms this film with his deft touch.

He adds his brand flavor to this satire-of-sorts. Treatment counts.

LEE’s last directorial effort was HOMECOMING which JACK NEO and a host of Singapore MediaCorp artistes starred some two years ago. He also produced and directed two of the Singapore TV Station’s popular English drama series THE PUPIL and CODE OF LAW.

To be honest, I have a high regard for LEE but I have yet to catch up on EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS.

This film is a “crap” movie extolling a generous dosage of fart-pee-and-poo jokes and no prize for guessing where the delirious title comes from. Stay braced for the sights and sounds in Stereo.

EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS has a raw and honest approach to yucky bodily functions. You either love it or you don’t.

This Reviewer fully understands that JACK NEO (Producer) is a shrewd commercial businessman who knows what his audience wants.

And kudos to film director LEE THEAN-JEEN who braves the storm by crossing over to tackle a different genre.

Bravo.

Movie Review: "FROZEN" Disney Animation Film. An Epic Journey to Unfreeze the Cold.

“FROZEN” ANIMATION MOVIE

PRESS REVIEW

First, a deserving rave:

“FROZEN is presented in all its greatness and visual splendor, with lively animated characters, packed with a powerful storyline.

It’s family entertainment, and is an evocatively lively adaptation of the Anderson’s tale.”

With the Christmas season round the corner, this one magically leads the way as  a 2013 American computer animated musical fantasy produced by the ever reliable Disney Brand.

In “FROZEN” our fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell / Liyana Jasmay) teams up with the rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven, all of them are setting out on an auspicious journey.

Along the way, they encounter Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad / Ray Era FM).

The dedicated team is in a bind to locate Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel / Marsha Milan), the prime figure whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.

“FROZEN” is available in two versions, in English or Bahasa Malaysia.

So choose one and be thrilled by the DISNEY magic.

It’s a powerful experience of insurmountable excitement for sure.

You can share this with your entire family this Christmas.

Don’t miss it!

The team of Malaysian “voices” LIYANA JASMAY, MARSHA MILAN and RAY ERA FM were at the Press Screening to answer questions fielded by the local media.

The Three Voices assure the Press that they are proud to be selected as the Malaysian “voices”.

MOVIE REVIEW : “ENOUGH SAID”. Falling in Love during Middle Age.

“ENOUGH SAID” PRESS REVIEW

The advertising slogan really hits hard on you, if you allow it to do so.

It cajoles you that this movie is everything insightful, funny and stunningly performed. It is.

Writer and helmer Nicole Holofcener delivers a heartwarming message, admonishing us not to wallow in self-pity with this elusive element called love.

Should you suffer an unhappy first marriage, no problem …. there’re enough valid reasons not to heap past issues upon a new found second relationship.

“ENOUGH SAID” the movie explores the nuances of love during one’s middle years.

Everyone will grow old eventually, so fat hope to cosmetic laden dreamers who think they can be the Peter Pans of everlasting youth.

 WE call this taking “second chances”.

Rather than mopping over your disastrous first, this one demonstrates any middle aged man or woman can still enjoy singlehood again despite failed marriages.

“ENOUGH SAID” is all about our two leads Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini.

A chance encounter leads them to discover they have the hots for each other, and they waste no time in starting a sexual relationship. When there’s love, there’s sex, isn’t this thrilling? (guffaw)

But will they be able to juggle another relationship?

Our morale booster here nods YES, but be mindful that second chances will bring along its far share of emotional baggage.

Because nobody likes to grow old without a loving companion. Sad.

Right.

Actor James Gandolfini the sweet bearlike actor died unexpectedly in June 2013 at age 51.

So this film is a fond farewell of sorts.

He shared an affable screen chemistry with Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Gandolfini, who was 51, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 52, play divorced parents who begin dating, but they are also wary of past romantic failures.

Shot on a modest budget, ENOUGH SAID is a fascinating and powerful film.

It has a perfect blend of humor and heart.

Nice.

MOVIE REVIEW "THE WHITE STORM". A Potpourri of Brotherhood, Betrayals and Redemption.

“THE WHITE STORM” PRESS REVIEW

 (Chinese Title: 掃毒)

“THE WHITE STORM” has the slick and shine of a John Woo movie, but assuredly it has nothing to do with the doyen of gangster films, Sir Woo.

Instead this one is directed with grandeur by BENNY CHAN, whose body of work includes SHAOLIN which was done two years ago.

Except “THE WHITE STORM” is so much better.

BENNY CHAN helms the stylized production with a taut, no-nonsense script, and international critics hail this as one of the best gangster films to emerge from Hong Kong in the last couple of years.

Kudos to the film director who painstakingly provides all the “reelistic” thrills and spins of what a successful cop-robber-and-undercover feature should be about.

The principal actors are screen veterans such as SEAN LAU, LOUIS KOO and NICK CHEUNG who successfully pitch their efforts to “emo” this gut-wrenching story onto the big screen.

“THE WHITE STORM” is high in entertainment value, and is fast paced as it is brutally shocking, and everything a gritty feature should be.

And what does a white storm mean? In generic term, it refers to any drug cartel, a criminal organization developed with the purpose of selling and controlling  drug trafficking operations.  Get the drift now? It is all about drugs.

“THE WHITE STORM” breezes us through the astonishing careers of  three childhood friends, Tin (Sean Lau), Wai (Nick Cheung) and Chow (Louis Koo) who join the police force.

While Tin and Wai become high-ranking police officers, Chow lands the thankless job of being an undercover cop working closely with  his two pals to infiltrate a drug-dealing syndicate in Hong Kong.

Circumstances get really complicated when Tin, Wai and Chow  are confronted  with the uphill task of apprehending Eight-Faced Buddha (Lo Hoi-Pang), a notorious drug kingpin operating on the Thai-Cambodian border.

 Here’s a brotherhood tale of “all-for-one” and “one-for-all” where their reel bonding gets “tested” layer by layer.

It is also demonstrates what betrayals, forgiveness, bonding and redemption really mean in this  new-age film about the cops, robbers, undercover profilers pooled together.

At 2 hours and 15 minutes, this feature film is a real blast from start to finish.

“THE WHITE STORM” can easily fit in as the most entertaining HONG KONG film of the year, an edge of the seat thriller, non-stop action galore, a mayhem of brutality and violence, notwithstanding a brilliant powerhouse of acting by the three male leads.

Catch this one before it is too late!

“CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” Movie Review. A Real life-and-death Tussle on the High Seas.

“CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” PRESS REVIEW

Sometimes we can reward ourselves with a well-earned couple of hours escapism at the cinema, after a hard day’s grind.

So I was pleasantly surprised that “CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” the movie unexpectedly kept me harnessed  on edge from start to finish.

It’s first class entertainment all the way, but I repeatedly question myself : “Are the events here for real?”

We’ve been told that it’s a true story, but the real facts one can never tell for sure.

This hijack thriller depicts a Somali pirate attack on an American container ship that carries everything but proper weapons to ward off dangers on the high seas.

Strange security measure.

 TOM HANKS plays this merchant marine captain Richard Phillips. His is an award winning performance without doubt.

When the film opens, he is all set to pilot an American 17,000 ton container vessel on a hazardous 10-day journey around the Horn of Africa and into the new bandit country. Little does he know what he’s in for.

On uncharted waters, the vessel is peremptorily hijacked by four AK-47-wielding pirates who have sailed out from the Somali coast on a tiny speedboat skiff.

Alas, there’s no way for an unarmed merchant ship to outrun the speedboat. Besides, the ship’s water cannons are unable to prevent the four unscrupulous pirates from boarding the freighter.

The crew fight back, keeping control of the ship after overpowering one of the attackers, prompting the pirates to quit the vessel and hold Phillips hostage on a lifeboat.

After a dramatic three-day standoff, Navy Seals marksmen kill the pirates and rescues Phillips.

We cheer the poignant ending as our protagonist returns home to a hero’s welcome.

 Watch the acting between the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (two time Academy Award winner Tom Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), who takes him hostage.

TOM HANKS may be the ultimate hero, but it is really BARKHAD ABDI who steals the thunder.

“CAPTAIN PHILLIPS” directed by PAUL GREENGRASS is a historical reenactment of

the life-and-death drama on the high seas.

The film is slick, fast paced yet brutally shocking.

This gritty feature with a tense build-up will jolt your senses like nothing you have ever experienced before.

It is an action packed journey layered with heart pounding excitement and a great human story. 

A cinematic landmark?

Everything is possible.

Don't miss it!