Inkheart

After the success of Lord of the Ring and Harry Potter, fantasy adaptations made a huge comeback onto the silver screens. Some are enchantingly mind-blowing, whereas others fall kiddishly short as compared with their predecessors. This film seem to be able to strike a healthy balance between the two.

Although it may not be in the league of the best fantasy adaptations that have been made as it leans slightly onto the kiddy side. It is definitely one of the better ones I have seen so far with a well paced story-telling which held my attention to the main story that cuts from bits and pieces of fairy tales we grew up with giving it a charmingly familiar air.

Brendan Fraser and Paul Bettany complimented each other quite well although the chemistry is not obvious in the beginning. My attention was drawn to Helen Mirren, best known for her portrayal of Elizabeth II in The Queen, who instantly gave the movie its European feel the moment she entered into the scenes. The Villian looked rather familiar at first but I will leave you to figure out the who and where.

A good movie to bring a date although not all Ladies like tales of fantasy but you should know their likes or dislike by now and if you do already, I suggest you find out.

The Punisher

This being one of my favourite titles for a while back in my teens but having been disappointed twice by the former comic adaptations I had little or no expectations whatsoever when I walked into this third one. The only reason I hung on was mainly because of my unsatiated expectations for this Marvel anti-Hero which I still hold dear and perhaps partly due to Marvel's recent successes with their on screen adaptations.

The bullet shells and bodycounts definitely lived up to the expectations for this title. Even the technicals and hardwares displayed would put the Bangladeshian army to shame. Surprisingly, the amount of blood splatter and brain matter totally blew me away making this undoubtly the most violent comic adaptation to date (totally befitting its M18 rating), if not the most violent action movie around.
The story is very straight forward and stuck rather closely to the good-old vigilante that I knew. The black comic relief in some of the scenes sent me rolling off my seat which I consider a bonus. Even scenes displaying Frank Castle's Human side and conscience are carefully proportioned so as not to slow the pace of the movie.

Initially, I was not totally sure about Ray Stevenson portraying Frank Castle. But as the story unfolded, he fell right into character.

This is so much of a guy-movie that it is not recommended to bring a date to unless you know for sure she is a "violent" chick who is totally into guns and exploding heads.

Eden Lake

Was hoping to get some good B-grade slashing action when I walked into this one not even realising its a Brit flick.

The story is nothing new to us only this time around, the hiking couple are not terrorised by an unknown slasher or resident serial killer but a group of teen-hooligans as a fun-filled camping weekend in the woods turns out to be an all out survival nightmare.
The built-up of the movie was quite good. But sadly it fell quite flat thereafter and the ending was really disappointing... At least to an old-fashioned bloke like me who still believes in the natural order of things. The movie did have its moments though when it comes to making you cringe in your seats and your skin crawl... Brrr...

Like all slasher flicks, the damsel in distress is always the anchor of the whole movie. Kelly Reilly not only displayed her dexterity and charms for such a differing role from what she is used to. She showed off that she has the goods to match too!

赤壁：决战天下 (Red Cliff II)

After the slight disappointment from the first movie, the second one, where most of the major plot and action lies, landed the fatal blow for both me and my Dad in totality.
Having grown up on tales from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, I understand that many parts of the romanticised version may not have actually happened in history. But what I saw what utter nonsense! Especially the final battle where all the major characters met in the final battle. Totally unheard of!!!
For a person who Loves history (especially that of China), the movie should not be given that name or at least the story could have stuck slightly closer to what we already know. However, whatever went on screen was a total abomination of John Woo's imagination. Although John Woo did give us a better tomorrow and some of those really classic triad shows, he should really stick to what he do better than re-writing China's history just to make the box office. It is somewhat disgusting to him being a Chinese if you ask me.

For those who do not know much of the history aspect of the Three Kingdom. You may find the movie experience a more enjoyable one as did my Girlfriend. But please do not relate this too much to history as it isn't.

The Spirit

Previous films adapted from Frank Miller's comic book (Sin City and 300) have pretty much given me an idea of what to expect as the story and art direction does not deviate much from pulp. The sepian monochrome and colour highlights of his evolved silhouette inking styles are totally alike in many of his fantastic black and white comic books. This film makes little distinction from any of those other movies except Frank Miller did the full works (from script to direction) for this adaption although I do not remember Frank Miller pencilling nor inking this title in the past.
Although the story is fairly straight forward, the overall experience is still quite an awesome one.
However, this may not be the best adaption among the three we have seen so far as it did fall a little short on the depth of the story. But what the story lacks, the femme fatales more than make up for in skin tight leather bodysuits and cleavages.
Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson 'nuff said!
There are also some very recognizable classic comic relief as how it would have been in most comics of that era.

Samuel L. Jackson does what he does best as the BMF (again...) but honestly, too much of a good thing may not be that good sometimes...

Having waited for this movie to open as the poster clearly states 'Christmas 2008' made me wonder why I have not seen it on any of the major screens anywhere. A quick check revealed that this is an 'exclusive' film only screened in Eng Wah cinemas in Singapore. And why that is completely puzzles me...
I caught this on a Friday afternoon and it was the FIRST time, as far as I can remember, being the ONLY person in the cinema. Trust me, watching the film alone and being the only person there is quite a different experience really...

Do stay to appreciate the art of the Spirit by Frank Miller sprawled along the two sides of the credit list.
For those who have been looking forward to catching it, please do so soon as there is no saying how long more it will stay on the big screen.

Elegy

A passionately fantastic but yet unpretentious story about how Love transcends everything and will always remain the most timeless gift one can give to our partner. It also stresses how complications arise from the little things we have to deal with in our everyday Life that surrounds us and our own insecurities, whatever they may be...

The story is narrated from the melancoly perspective of someone in the Autumn years of his Life which will relate more to the senior and more mature crowd. It also suggest something about being alone may not necessarily be the same as being lonely.
The story unfolds in a comfortable pace and like I have mentioned earlier is not puffed up like how most Love stories are. It is a very real story which I had seen in a very long time.

I did read a little bit of the sypnosis before walking into this one although the strong cast is reason enough for me to watch it without doing so.

Sir Ben 'Ghandi' Kingsley's performance is timeless (as always) and he may yet bag himself another Oscar. I cannot help but feel envious of him and for those who have seen the movie, I am sure you understand why. What a Lucky Dawg!!!
Penelope Cruz is truly amazing!!! I do sincerely hope that she gets at least a nomination for her superb acting. I am sure if I am envious of Sir Kingsley, Penelope would have been the envy of the Ladies. How pleasantly surprised am I that she shed her clothes in more ways than one for this role and my God... She IS a work of art!

This may not be the most conventional movie around but I highly recommend it as a date worthy movie. The appreciation of this movie draws a very clear distinction between Boys from Men and Girls from Ladies.

Ong Bak 2

If you're expecting anything close to Ong Bak or Tom Yam Gong, please re-evaluate and lower your expectations to the lowest possible.
I walked into this movie not having any expectations for the story but fully to witness the glory of Muay Thai action at its best by Tony Jaa. Even that proved insufficient in managing my utter disappointment...

The story was mediocre and the most unbearable part was the prolonged scenes that did nothing to compliment the action but only seem to lengthen the movie, which it did perfectly cause I truly cannot wait for the movie to end.
The major let down was the action scenes which only consisted of 30% of the movie and only 10% showcased the splendid art of Muai Thai which was always quite intense. The rest is a mess of Kung Fu, Silat and everything else... Even Kenjitsu (Way of the Samurai Sword) somehow found its way into the film??? A classic case of trying too hard to do too much but falling short in every aspect.
Tony we Love you for giving us Tom Yam Gong but please stick to what you do best cause that is exactly why we Love you...

I would not even recommend anyone to watch this movie let alone bring a date.

Seven Pounds

Not having any idea (nor do I want to) after seeing the trailer a few times kinda gave me some expectations for it. However, the movie is just a little slow moving and the dispellment of the mystery did not come in a swift blow of awe.
As the story unfolded, it kinda gave me an idea what to expect in the end. It is nevertheless quite a fresh bitter sweet concept which is arguably touching.
It did make me think about what I am doing with or to my natural gifts as compared to someone who do not have them in healthy working condition...

A lean and detached looking Will Smith delivers a matching performance as he did for The Pursuit of Happyness, where he was superb!
The HOT Rosario Dawson from Deathproof downplays her sexy charms to portray that of a sickly lady with serious ailment. Somehow I still find her HOT in a sickly kinda way here. Am just glad she is given a bigger role this time around.

On a scale of chick-flick this would probably be a 6 at most. There are some truly romantic moments but in such movies there can only be one kind of ending...

College

If there is a really really bad coming of age film that somehow finds itself categorized under the soft porn DVD section. This would be one of them.

Having seen a fair share of growing up films about beer, drugs, sex and fake IDs. This would be one of those that is really overdoing it. There are some faintly laughable scenes but none that really keeps you rolling. Even the main characters seems like xerox copies of every other teen movies I have seen. To be totally fair. I think that it could be either the movie suckedballs or I am growing out of this genre (in another words getting old...). The verdict is that this movie suckedbigtime and I aged 5 years just sitting through it.

For those who saw it and think its really funny. You should go check out SUPERBAD as a proper comparison. Now THAT is a fuckinfunny (teenage movie) movie that sent me rolling non-stop!

Then again, every generation has their own share of coming of age movies so maybe this is just not mine.

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea 崖の上のポニョ(Gake no Ue no Ponyo)

Studio Ghibli's most recent gem comes off as a little more kiddish as compared with past their past animation films. However, the underlying messageof Love being the greatest gift of Life and the subtle hints of our environment remains unchanged. It is really surprising how Hayao Miyazaki's imagination continues to charm its audiences with crisp and amazing (old school) cell art rather than choosing to make all of it with CG animation.

Although it does not encompass the scale comparable to Spirited Away, 千と千尋の神隠し(Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi). It is nevertheless a pleasant visual treat like all Ghibli's productions are and hopefully will continue to be.