MOVIE REVIEW: DELIVERY MAN

“DELIVERY MAN” PRESS REVIEW

A dubious title, but it’s all about funny man VINCE VAUGHN, so you can be assured that it can be a genuine trade-in for guffaws. VINCE is known as the gag man. Right?

Here’s the delicious scoop:

In present tense, David Wozniak (Vince Vaughn) is always friendly, but luckless in most things he does.

He has been working for his family’s meat business for as long as he can remember, and has a pregnant girlfriend (Cobie Smulders) who refuses to believe that he can be a good daddy.

In past tense, two decades ago, he regularly donated his sperm in exchange for cash to help out childless couples.  Naturally, he lost count.

But the past comes back to haunt him now, especially when he discovers he has fathered 533 children through his sperm donations two decades ago.

 142 of them are filing a lawsuit forcing him to reveal his identity.

He enlisted his lawyer buddy (Chris Pratt) to be his legal consultant. He also starts secretly to get involved in the lives of a few of his offspring.

An act of redemption? Or so he thinks.

So this deliveryman who’s sown his seeds all over the country sets off to check how his kids are faring —without letting any of them know he’s the biological father.

The plot may seem cliched, melodramatic more than comedic.

But relax, it is a refreshing take about basic human needs.

Vaughn shines in his role, and there’s an engaging chemistry between him and Pratt.

“Delivery Man” is a funny film with oodles of charm to dispel gloom and bring that smile to your face.

Go watch it.

MOVIE REVIEW : “CONTROL” (HONG KONG) 控制

STOP PRESS!

Film Director KENNETH BI in his own words:

“Control” is a thriller about strangers preying on us in the city, using all the latest surveillance technology available. I wanted to make a cool taut suspense thriller using visual effects to build an eternal sin city. It’s never been done in Asia. Mark (Daniel Wu) is controlled and forced to commit crimes for a mysterious stranger. He meets other strangers along the way. Some are foes and some become fast friends. You never know who is lurking around the next corner. To achieve the best visual effects, we worked with Academy Award winner, Nickson Fong, who is originally from Singapore but had worked in Hollywood for many years on films such as Godzilla and Matrix 2 & 3.

“CONTROL” Press Review

 Riddle: Said the Spider to the Fly, welcome aboard this Guessing Game.

控制

CONTROL is one giant word. Who’d like to be controlled?

In this fickle business of film making where I am from, consumers’ perceptions are perpetually being challenged by the relentless media, notwithstanding the shift of perplexing opinions all the time.

Therefore, you can expect a contradiction of mindset every other minute.

What’s sauce for the goose in the initial phase may not be sauce for the gander later.

To this Reviewer, “CONTROL” is assuredly, one of the best entertaining whodunits to emerge from Hong Kong in recent years. I enjoyed the time spent.

This one’s a taut, gritty neo-noir thriller with an abundance of shocking twists.

The gripping feature is fearlessly directed by Hong Kong director KENNETH BI and his treatment is both bold and moving, with stunning visuals and splendid effects.

It will keep you on edge and have you transported into a realm of good guys, baddies, mobsters and  hey-preso! the return button will transport you back to your reimagining mode.

Who’s the mastermind behind this, you beseech.

The film wastes no time with the action reeling from the first frame when lead character MARK (DANIEL WU) flees for his dear life from the mob.

You watch the hapless guy go tearing down lonesome alleys only to be trapped and tortured minutes later.

The mood-and-tone is grim and desolate, and you can detect a fair amount of poetic depression here.

The film director KENNETH BI has painstakingly handles one of his best movies to date and the same can be said of actor DANIEL WU.  And who’s to say that this dude can’t act?

This is DANIEL’s show and you are treated to close-ups of him in terror, angst, pain and frustration when the camera zooms in, and he is in this stellar performance like none he has done  before.

And his is a refreshing take from the regulars acts of veteran smarts such as Sean Lau, Nick Cheong and Louis Koo.

“CONTROL” expounds a fantastical, futuristic premise leaning on an explosive action-thriller trope. Co-producer DANIEL WU is Mark the insurance salesman who is embroiled in a battle of wits with “the Voice” who’s out to get him to perform illegal tasks with a few other victims.

A deadly game of cat-and-mouse ensues.

At the end, “CONTROL” exposes the Villain and the truth is out about how Mark and his companions fit into the mysterious villain’s grand scheme.

This is a definitive thriller with gudges, gore and a whole lot more.  It’s also an intensely human drama at its best.

You can rate the film director’s aesthetic dressings of expressive film making, and the ensemble cast’s impressive performances as “two thumbs up”. For the record, the line-up includes DANIEL WU, YAO CHEN, LEON DAI, SIMON YAM and KARA HUI.

“CONTROL” is a poetic celebration of the intense and ephemeral and is raw and honest in the search for redemption amid tragedy.

Let it be said that KENNETH BI is an under-utilized treasure of the CHINESE CINEMA with his capabilities to handle various genres.

Now sit back, harness your seat belt for “CONTROL” and brace yourself for an addictive ride.

Welcome aboard!

 

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.