Genre: Comedy/Drama
Director: Kelvin Tong
Cast: Joanne Peh, Yvonne Lim, Chew Chor Meng, Xiang Yun, Huang Wenyong, Zhang Zhen Huan, Zhang Yao Dong, Ng Hui, Paige Chua, Ben Yeo, Kym Ng, Bryan Wong, Chen Shucheng, Gurmit Singh, Zheng Geping, Apple Hong, Guo Liang, Dennis Chew, Chen Tianwen, Nancy Sit, Marcus Chin, Henry Thia, Lai Ming, Zeng Guocheng, John Cheng, Ix Shen
RunTime: 1 hr 31 mins
Released By: GV
Rating: PG
Official Website:
Opening Day: 27 January 2011
Synopsis:
Produced by MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, It’s A Great Great World is set in Singapore’s legendary amusement park Great World, which was also affectionately known in Hokkien as Tua Seh Kai. Spanning the 1940s to the present day, the film tells the stories of a multitude of characters who lived, worked, played, sang, danced and fell in love in Great World.
Featuring an ensemble of MediaCorp artistes, the family comedy will star Joanne Peh, Yvonne Lim, Chew Chor Meng, Xiang Yun, Huang Wenyong, Zhang Zhen Huan, Zhang Yao Dong, Ng Hui, Paige Chua, Ben Yeo, Kym Ng, Bryan Wong, Chen Shucheng, Gurmit Singh, Zheng Geping, Apple Hong, Guo Liang and Dennis Chew. Familiar comedy names, such as Henry Thia and Marcus Chin, as well as artistes from Hong Kong and Taiwan will also be appearing in It’s A Great Great World.
Movie Review:
This year, there are around 7 movies that are released either this week, or the next week, with its target audience aimed at the Lunar New Year crowd. One of the contesting movies is none other than the local production, It's A Great Great World.
As suggested by its title, it is a movie that traces back to the time when the amusement park Great World was considered one of the best entertainment centres of that time. Like the movie, the amusement park has thrill rides, game booths, club and the cinemas. All these were accurately depicted, so much so that someone actually said, “It looks exactly like how it was back then.” On top of that, there is quite a good representation of how the people spoke then, largely in dialects and the not-so-good Mandarin (partly due to the influx of Malaysian immigrants, as well as the mix of dialects with Mandarin in spoken language at that time).
As you have noticed, the credits roll of this film is really long. Expect to see at least 31 familiar looking overseas or local actresses and actors. This turns out to increase the entertainment value of the movie, as the actresses and actors appear where you least expect.
However, characterization wise, one would already have guessed that it’s pretty shallow. Especially when you have four different arcs of the story cramped within the 90-min long movie, deep development of the stories is compromised. But the retelling of the stories and the transition seem logical and smooth enough, thus it still delivers a movie that is easy to watch and entertaining.
Humour wise, it is full of local flavour. There are many dialect jokes that probably strike a chord with most and particularly with the more senior generation. Worked together with the simple stories that are particular to the amusement park, it evokes some warm and fuzzy feeling, as though you were reliving your memories as well; nostalgic and pleasant.
Overall, although the sub plot built on the romance of game booth girl and Malaysian boy seems a little too exaggerated for the society back then in Singapore, the movie is on the whole coherent and spins a nice tale of Great World. It is definitely a positive and interesting experience, especially to those who have never knew about the Great World amusement park. The bottom line is, though the physical landscape of Singapore can change drastically, but the memories of the places we’ve been to will always stay!
Movie Rating:
(It’s a feel-good movie for all ages. Look forward to a great great time, everyone!)
Review by Tho Shu Ling
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YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: . 12 Lotus (2008) . Money No Enough 2 (2008) . 881 (2007) . Men In White (2007) . I Not Stupid 2 (2006) . Eating Air DVD (1998) |
In Tagalog (90%), Mandarin & English with English Subtitles
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Director: Wi Ding Ho
Cast: Bayani Agbayani, Epy Quizon, Meryll Soriano, Alessandra De Rossi
RunTime: 1 hr 33 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films & Lighthouse Pictures
Rating: PG
Official Website: http://www.pinoysunday.com
Opening Day: 16 June 2011
Synopsis: Overseas workers Manuel and Dado leave their idyllic seaside village in the Philippines to come to Taipei lured by the promises of money and a better life. On a Sunday morning after attending church, they unexpectedly witness a family drama across the street from where they are eating ice cream, where an expensive-looking, brand new leather sofa, is discarded on the sidewalk. They decide to bring it back to their ragged dormitory in their outskirts of Taipei so that they will be able to enjoy cold beers sitting on it at sunset, bringing back the feeling of being home in their Filipino village. Unable to afford any type of delivery service, they start to carry the precious sofa across town, on foot. Along this improbable and absurd journey, Manuel and Dado encounter different archetypal characters, such as those that are found in a globalized and industrial city, in often humorous and poignant scenes. At the same time, their struggles with infidelity and difficulties of leaving a family back home, all come to light..
Their exhausting journey comes to a climax at sunset when they face deportation because of a missed dorm curfew - all because of the heavy couch they do not want to let go of… Follows a magical scene by the riverside in which they finally smooth things out between themselves by singing and playing guitar under a star-studded sky. The following morning, the two friends wake up with their couch floating down the river. Although uncertain about what the future will bring them, there is one thing that becomes clear to them: no matter what difficulties lie ahead, they are ready for a new day, or a new life because of the courage and dreams that are alive in them.
Movie Review:
Instead of asking ourselves why no local director had thought of making a comedy film based on foreign workers (this was a popular topic during the recent elections, no?), we shall instead discuss what a charmer this Taiwanese film is.
This is definitely not your usual Taiwanese production: The fact that it ninety per cent of its dialogue is in Tagalog tells you so. It also features a Filipino cast whose names we have problems pronouncing, and cameos by Taiwanese actors in blink and miss appearances. The premise is simple and effective – Two foreign workers Dado and Manuel discover a discarded sofa in Taipei city and what was meant to be a routine Sunday turns into a whimsical adventure.
Director Ho Wi Ding and his co writer Ajay Balakrishnan has concocted a delightful tale of perseverance and self discovery in this entertainingly enjoyable movie. It helps that the two leading men Bayani Agbayani and Epy Quizon have a charisma which is endearingly appealing. Agbayani’s portrayal of the more serious and responsible Dado is a nice contrast to Quizon’s take on the carefree romantic Manuel who just wants to go with the flow. The duo’s on screen chemistry is spot on, making us want to be part of this hilarious adventure of transporting the sofa back to their dormitory, just so that they can enjoy the night breeze in comfort – with beer in their hands, of course.
The leading men’s female co stars do a decent job of portraying workers trying to get by in a foreign land. Meryll Soriano plays a domestic helper whom the wedded Dado develops a relationship with. Alessandra de Rossi (you may remember her playing the lead role in Kelvin Tong’s The Maid some years back) takes on the role of a club singer Manuel sets his eyes on. Elsewhere, you may spot familiar faces like Joseph Chang, Bowie Tsang, Mo Zi Yi and Lu Yi Ching popping up in the least expected scenes.
Those familiar with Taipei’s sights and sounds will enjoy the unique cosmopolitan feel painted by cinematographer Jake Pollock. The smart choice of featuring a red sofa (it stands out nicely against the dusty backdrops of the city) on the protagonists’ road trip is also a testament of the filmmakers’ eyes for visuals. Watch out for a surreal scene where the two friends sing along to a cheerful tune while floating down a river on the sofa – it is one of those dreamlike sequences which we wish can happen in real life.
Malaysia born Ho made the wise decision to avoid the weighty issues of social commentaries on the unfair injustices the protagonists have to bear with in a foreign land. Instead, he weaves in everyday situations that audiences everywhere can identify with into this accessible 93 minute production. With a capable cast and an ingenuous visualisation of the screenplay, the director has made a highly recommended buddy movie which will has both mass and critical appeal. This work earned Ho the Best New Director accolade at last year’s Golden Horse Awards.
Essentially, this is a movie about the people we go through life with. Throw in sprinkles of fun and laughter, and we get an honest look at what we would do for the people we genuinely care about.
Movie Rating:
(A charming winner which will leave you smiling about life’s little pockets of joy)
Reviewed by John Li
SYNOPSIS:
For Becky (Rachel McAdams, "The Notebook"), running a TV show in New York City was the big break she dreamed of& until star co-anchors Mike (Harrison Ford, "Indiana Jones") and Colleen (Diane Keaton, "Something's Gotta Give") declare an all-out, on-air war. Making the show work with its cast of eccentric characters and outrageous story angles will take a major miracle, but Becky is ready to rise and outshine. From the writer of "The Devil Wears Prada" and "27 Dresses" and the director of "Notting Hill".
MOVIE REVIEW:
This columnist doesn’t claim to be an expert when it comes to TV news production, but he does know a thing or two that goes on both in front and behind the cameras. Maybe that’s also why he appreciates this Roger Mitchell (Notting Hill) comedy drama about a young and positive television producer who takes on the challenge of reviving a struggling morning show programme with low ratings and co hosts who just can’t see eye to eye.
Rachel McAdams stars as a hardworking TV producer who gets fired from a local news programme due to manpower costs. Just as her career becomes as bleak as her love life, she stumbles into a job at a morning news show which is suffering from low ratings. The ambitious woman decides to bring in a legendary TV news anchor in hope of revitalizing the programme. What she didn’t expect is that he will go heads on with the show’s longtime host, who is quite a diva herself.
Like her previous big screen outings (2005’s The Family Stone and 2009’s The Time Traveler’s Wife amongst them) McAdams is pleasant in her character portrayal. She exudes such buoyant energy that one can’t help but feel encouraged and confident about what life has in store. The starlet is the kind of girl you want to meet when you are at your lowest point in life. How can you not be perked up by her cheeriness?
Before characters get too perfect to be true, the filmmakers cast veterans Harrison Ford (Firewall) and Diane Keaton (Because I Said So) in the roles of the squabbling co hosts. Seeing Indiana Jones putting up a too serious front is worth your buck. Throw in Keaton’s hyper personality and you get a nice mix of chemistry to last you for the film’s 107 minutes. Unfortunately, the handsome Patrick Wilson (Watchmen) is again cast in a forgettable role which drowns him out in the sea of strong performances. Jeff Goldblum (The Switch) and Ty Burrell (Fair Game) round up the ensemble cast.
The story written by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) may unfold in a predictable manner but there is something which keeps audiences glued to the screen, mainly because you want to root for a happy ending. As fluffy as it is (you won’t get a real insight on news production here), the movie provides an adequate, if not superficial, look at how news pieces are gathered for that daily dosage of news we often take for granted. While locals may not appreciate the context (we only have one main broadcaster here, remember?), it is still a breeze to sit through the entertaining movie for a lazy afternoon of stress free enjoyment.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
This Code 3
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The movie's visual transfer is pristine and clear. There are 5.1 English and Thai tracks available.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD RATING :
Reviewed by John Li
Posted on 18 May 2011
SYNOPSIS:
Legendary make-up artist Sammy is the anchor of a hugely popular beauty show. Oil tycoon Ken who amuses his girlfriend Dream with buying her a Mainland Chinese cosmetics company Beauty. Being clueless about running her new company, she employs Sammy as the director of a cosmetic company with Claire being the only colleague who is willing to assist him. Sammy invites Ron, a fellow make-up artist to join him. Though Ron might appear to be a woman's magnet, his heart still lingers wiht his first love, Mona, a frustrated writer. A minor incident in the new product commercial ties the friendship among Sammy, Ron and the yacht billionaire Syd. Syd meets Claire and aims to pursue her. Having grown up in a poor family, Claire seizes this as a golden opportunity to live a prosperous life and asks Sammy for help to fulfill her dream without realizing that she has fallen in love with Sammy...
MOVIE REVIEW:
First things first, let us comment on the English title of this Lunar New Year movie. We are no English experts, but we are thinking that there may have been an oversight by the local distributors for the movie’s promotional materials here: Shouldn’t the word “Ends” be used instead of “End’s”? Now that we have gotten that out of our system, let’s carry on with the review proper.
Since it’s a movie made for the Chinese New Year, you can lower your expectations in the story department. The fact that the writers attempted to come up with what they think is a plot is already quite a feat. Somewhere in the mix are two makeup artists (one is a womanizer, one is a woman magnet – don’t bother trying to tell the difference), a “tai tai” company director, a pretty personal secretary, a showy billionaire, a perturbed writer and other inconsequential characters to conjure circus acts to fill up the production’s 103 minute runtime.
Honestly, we also cannot pin down what the movie is trying to say. It features one comedic scene after another, with some funnier than the others. More often than not, we get the feeling that the filmmakers are trying a tad too hard to make us laugh. We chuckled a little, but definitely do not remember hollering in laughter over any of the sequences.
Points go the cast for willing to give their all: Watch how Hong Kong superstar Donnie Yen spoofs his own Ip Man persona as he flicks those make up brushes in the movie’s funniest sequence. Getting a substantial amount of screen time are Louis Koo (we can’t help but get distracted by his tan), Cecilia Cheung (her porcelain skin must be one of Hong Kong film industry’s best kept secrets), Carina Lau (you have to give it to Mrs. Tony Leung for pulling off this rather embarrassing role as a lovelorn writer) and Raymond Wong (the man gets points for going topless in the film), amongst others.
It must also be quite fashionable for Hong Kong filmmakers to make Lunar New Year movies which feature countless familiar faces so that viewers can play the star spotting game. Here, audiences will be able to spot Stephy Tang, Nancy Sit, Lee Heung Kam, Angelababy, Fruit Chan, Wilson Yip and Ronald Cheng as, err, a delivery man who gets to play mahjong with the protagonists.
We aren’t grouches to dismiss this inconsequential flick as trash – everyone involved in the production looked like they had fun shooting their scenes, so who are we to act all high and mighty? After all, this series is a long lived legacy (remember the one starring Stephen Chow and Maggie Cheung in 1992?) which will probably get an update every other year. We just hope that the jokes get a little more refreshing, and a little more creative.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Included on this disc is a 15 minute Making Of where the stars talk about the fun they had shooting this movie. It is in Cantonese without subtitles.
AUDIO/VISUAL
We have nothing to complain about the movie's visual transfer. It is in a dubbed Mandarin audio track on this Code 3
MOVIE RATING:
DVD RATING :
Reviewed by John Li
Posted on 18 May 2011
Genre: Musical/Documentary
Director: Jon Chu
Cast: Justin Bieber, Boys II Men, Miley Cyrus. Jaden Smith, Usher, Sean Kingston, Ludacris
RunTime: 1 hr 45 mins
Released By: UIP
Rating: PG
Official Website: http://www.justinbieberneversaynever.com/
Opening Day: 14 April 2011
Synopsis: "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" is the inspiring true story and rare inside look at the rise of Justin from street performer in the small town of Stratford, Ontario to internet phenomenon to global super star culminating with a dream sold out show at the famed Madison Square Garden in 3-D.
Movie Review:
I suppose having this film postponed to a later screening date relative to the USA's will allow those who haven't got tickets to Justin Bieber's My World Concert in Singapore on 19th April to have this as an alternative since there's a 3D version to get up close and personal, or for Bieliebers to double dip and experience their teenage sensation of a pop star all over again. Frankly I'm a generation apart to appreciate the hype, but after sitting through this, Bieber has got my new found respect.
This boy from Canada is truly talented, with the many childhood videos to attest to his building of ability in handling multiple musical instruments and that bout of showmanship, but ultimately it's that child like voice which caught the attention of Scooter Braun and Usher, and the rest, as they say, is history. What is made even more sensational is the power of the internet and social media networks, where stars can be discovered through non-conventional channels, and then marketed in similar fashion especially in the spreading of word of mouth, and the ability for the star to interact with fans en masse. You may put his success squarely at the marketing machinery behind him, but surely this documentary will likely change your perception since the bottom line is, if you're not a consummate performer, you cannot hold court like how this teenager is doing.
Directed by Jon Chu of Step Up 3D, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never is an addition to the growing number of concert films in the 3D format, but it's not all just song and dance routines per se, as the narrative tells of the meteoric rise of a nobody to a somebody in the world of music, where we get talking heads styled interviews with his parents and grandparents, and a sneak peek into the private life of a now public figure, where everywhere he goes he cannot escape the odd stare and the cameras that get whipped out to record his every move, or fans who gather around where he goes for a natural pit stop. While we get to hear from plenty of fans and friends to try and get a better perspective to the entire frenzy behind Bieber-mania - he can stop traffic - this film ultimately lets down in not allowing the audience to dig into more intimate moments with Justin one on one through interviews.
The visuals are split down the middle into two broad sections, with the first being clips from his childhood galore in reminding us how modest his upbringing was, and to chronicle the Justin Bieber story of all his 16 years. Centered around 10 days before his sold out (in 22 minutes) concert at New York's Madison Square Garden, we get to understand the entire machinery behind the tour, and how his vocals are supporting an entire ecosystem of professionals and craftsmen who become his close family as they bring Bieber to various parts of North America in his My World tour, and we get behind the scenes glimpses of his life on the road, which I thought some aspects still showed he's a typical precocious teenager, immature at times.
Then there's the other section that is where the 3D is centered around - his concert performance at Madison Square Garden as he goes through hit after hit such as One Less Lonely Girl, Baby and the titular Never Say Never, amongst others. Releasing only one studio album thus far would severely limit the number of songs that can be featured until he runs out of something to sing, but this is compensated by the many guest appearances of the likes of Ludacris, Usher, Miley Cyrus even who had her own 3D concert feature film made, and Jaden Smith as they co-perform and share the same stage. I'm not sure if these appearances will be replicated in the concert in Singapore, but my money is on that it's likely not.
At best this is a good preview of what anyone can expect from his Singapore leg of the tour - imagine every fan wanting to go up on stage to be serenaded during One Less Lonely Girl - and for some without tickets to perhaps get complimentary ones (good seats by the way) thrown in their direction by the tour team if they're found hanging around at the right areas. A definite appeal to Bieber fans, and for those who are not, this is likely to change your mind that he's more than just a pretty face with floppy hair, but a talented performer found at the right place and at the right time.
Movie Rating:
(If you haven't got tickets to the concert, then this is your alternative)
Review by Stefan Shih
Genre: Drama/Romance
Director: Don Roos
Cast: Natalie Portman, Scott Cohen, Charlie Tahan, Lauren Ambrose, Lisa Kudrow
RunTime: 1 hr 42 mins
Released By: Shaw
Rating: M18 (Sexual Scenes)
Official Website:
Opening Day: 14 April 2011
Synopsis: Screen legend Natalie Portman (BLACK SWAN, CLOSER) lights up the screen in this frank, funny, and heart-wrenching adaptation of bestselling author Ayelet Waldman’s novel about life, loss, and family. Emilia (Portman) is a Harvard law school graduate and a newlywed, having just married Jack (Scott Cohen, THE UNDERSTUDY), a high-powered New York lawyer, who was her boss firm. Unfortunately, her life takes an unexpected turn when Jack and Emilia lose their newborn daughter. Emilia struggles through her grief to connect with her new stepson William (Charlie Tahan, I AM LEGEND), but is finding it hard to connect with this precocious child. Emilia is also trying to overcome a long-standing rift in her relationship with her father caused by his infidelity. But perhaps the most difficult obstacle of all for Emilia is trying to cope with the constant interferences of her husband’s angry, jealous ex-wife, Carolyn (Lisa Kudrow, FRIENDS, ANALYZE THIS). Ultimately, Emilia’s and Charlie’s playful and sometimes tender exchanges help Emilia to open her heart. Can Emilia rediscover her own capacity for love in time to salvage her failing marriage, mend fences with her parents and build a family from the wreckage? Directed by Don Roos (OPPOSITE OF SEX) from his own screenplay, this tearful, terrific tale proves that even with a pursuit like love, nothing is impossible…
Movie Review:
Natalie Portman winning an Oscar for Best Actress this year opened the door for older and more indie works she had done to find a new lease of life in theatrical releases, and so we have writer-director Don Roos' Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, a little drama completed two years ago before her huge award win featuring a cast full of relative unknowns, in an intimate tale about love and the dealing with loss, where she takes on the role as the third party who wedged into the life of a rich lawyer and doctor couple, and has to deal with the emotional baggage that comes along with it.
Based on the novel by Ayelet Waldman, the story cannot happen without the protagonist of high flying lawyer Emilia (Portman) and her married boss Jack (Scott Cohen) consciously entering into an extra marital affair with their eyes wide open and consequences known. Then comes an accidental baby, which led to Jack's divorce with wife Carolyn (Lisa Kudrow) and the resentment of their son William (Scott Cohen) over Emilia. They're all smart people - lawyers and doctors, but falling prey to the most basic of lustful human emotions to draw them into a complicated web of relationships that gets ploddingly unraveled and addressed through the course of the show. But this is most miserable as all of them have issues that have to be ironed out with one another, and if it can be deemed a success, translated this miserable existence of theirs into a tiring test of endurance. There's hardly a moment of bright sunshine as things spiral downwards and out of control, with temporal relief provided through an ending that of convenient reconciliation. There's Emilia trying to ovecome the grief of her recently deceased baby Isabel, the uneasy acceptance between Emilia and William (Charlie Tahan) with the usual stepson mistrust, the overbearing biological mother's presence in Carolyn stifling her son in almost every aspect of his life, Jack trying to keep things together thinking that an expanded family with two women and a kid in his life would be smooth sailing, and from nowhere comes the issue of Emilia's unhappiness with her father's infidelity - talk about like father like daughter.
There's enough exasperation to go around at each turn as the players all get their hands full with growing negativity, and unless you enjoy watching how a dysfunctional family embark on the road to self-destruction, it would be rather trying to sit through it if not for the charismatic presence of Natalie Portman, who glues the film together being almost in every scene. Her performance as the stressed out woman with so much emotional issues mostly of her own doing, makes her quite the sympathetic character in serious need of counselling sessions with a shrink, snapping at almost everyone so much as they were to utter a wrong word. The redeeming point is of course how the actress managed to play quite convincingly a mother who had lost her child, bearing in mind this was before her recent announcement in being a mom-to-be.
Scott Cohen and Charlie Tahan were rather bland, especially the latter as the child who possesses all the right moves in getting Emilia all riled up at every opportunity. I understand the need to probably make him adorable through his street smart or nerdy wisecracks, but Tahan made it all seem like he's reading from a script, rather than to act out his part out. As far as child actors go, Don Roos didn't quite manage to achieve the emotion he sought after from this kid. The only bright spark as far as supporting roles go, and I was actually rooting for more, is that of Lisa Kudrow's ex-wife character who never minced her words when up against either of the adulterous pair, always having statements laced with poison with venomous intent to insult, demean and belittle. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and I haven't seen Kudrow in such a fashion before, so kudos to her for pulling that off.
Love and Other Impossible Pursuits tried to bite off more than it can chew, and it shows through the various wafer thin subplots that make up the film, trying hard to hit the mark on themes like forgiveness and reconciliation. It would be impossible to tolerate the narrative, which intersperses with some jumps back in time just because flashbacks are hip, if not for the individual brilliance of Portman and Kudrow to breathe some life into a film that needed some major plot resustitation.
Movie Rating:
(Impossible to heart this)
Reviewed by Stefan Shih
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, Greta Gerwig, Cary Elwes, Kevin Kline, Olivia Thirlby, Lake Bell, Talia Balsam, Ophelia Lovibond, Ben Lawson
RunTime: 1 hr 40 mins
Released By: UIP
Rating: M18 (Some Sexual Scenes and Drug Use)
Official Website: http://www.nostringsattachedmovie.com/
Opening Day: 17 February 2011
Synopsis: In this comedy, Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher) are life-long friends who almost ruin everything by having sex one morning. In order to protect their friendship, they make a pact to keep their relationship strictly "no strings attached." "No strings" means no jealousy, no expectations, no fighting, no flowers, no baby voices. It means they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, in whatever public place they want, as long as they don't fall in love. The question becomes - who's going to fall first? And can their friendship survive?
Movie Review:
There used to be a time when sex before marriage was frowned upon, and perhaps to an even larger degree casual sex- but what once used to be taboo has now become commonplace among young adults, and hence the rom-com “No Strings Attached” should really be regarded as a Zeitgeist of modern-day relationships. It takes the traditional screwball romantic comedy, updates it with a fresh “friends with benefits” spin and a liberal attitude to profanity, and the result is an utterly charming observation of love, sex and relationships (and how they don’t necessarily come in that order) in the 21st century.
Reversing both traditional genre and gender expectations, Natalie Portman is the young commitment-phobic med student Emma, and Ashton Kutcher is the sensitive new-age dude Adam working as a production assistant on a Glee-like TV show. They have known each other on and off for half their lives, and by 30, both of them are still single and living in Los Angeles. Their first hookup happens one hung-over morning, after Adam has texted every female among his cell-phone contacts to get laid, upon discovering that his lascivious former TV-star dad is now attached to his ex-girlfriend (Ophelia Lovibond).
Pretty soon, Emma offers an irresistible (it’s Natalie Portman we’re talking about here) deal to Adam: they “use each other for sex, at all hours of the day or night, and nothing else”- no breakfast together, no nicknames for body parts, and strictly no feelings for each other. Of course, you can guess that it’s not going to be as simple; though in line with the film’s gender spin, Adam will be the romantic-at-heart who finds himself falling for Emma and doing couple stuff for her (e.g. making her a ‘period’ mix of songs when she’s having the cramps, spooning her after falling asleep from sex and eventually asking her out on a real date) instead of the other way around.
For a good two-thirds of its duration, the film is almost fearless in its irreverence. It makes no apologies for the kind of relationship that Adam and Emma share, nor at the characters’ apparent ignorance at what would be deemed traditionally as best-bets- a fellow high-flying med student in Emma’s case and a fellow staff writer in Adam’s case. It is also cheerfully vulgar in its embrace of “Hangover”-style comedy- Portman spouting lines like “Hey! Look at my dick!” and “This hole is my bitch!” with glee and ease. This is a comedy not afraid to take liberties with convention and thanks to its bold attitude, possesses a fresh, funny charm that is uniquely its own.
Of course, much of its appeal also derives from its easy-on-the-eye stars Portman and Kutcher. Better known for playing tense fraught female characters (not unlike her award-winning role in “Black Swan”), Portman reveals that she is just as comfortable playing the lead in a Hollywood rom-com. It’s not a role she will win any awards for, but you’ll be glad to know that the smart intellectual actress knows how to let her hair down and have a good time- like how her peers Katherine Heigl and Anne Hathaway do regularly. Kutcher once again plays the engaging and sincere dude with the oh-so-adorable puppy-dog look, but one has to give credit to the actor for having solid comic timing. Best of all, Portman and Kutcher share a wonderful, easygoing rapport next to each other, their mutual chemistry an absolute delight.
Portman and Kutcher are joined by an equally lovely supporting cast. Top of the list is Kevin Kline as Adam’s caddish dad, obviously having a ball of a time sending up his character’s most famous TV show catchphrase “Great Scott!” Lake Bell is neurotically funny as Adam’s unusually chatty colleague who is secretly in love with him. Not forgetting Jake Johnson and Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges as Adam’s two best pals, their words of relationship wisdom for Adam among some of the film’s funniest lines.
At the helm is veteran director Ivan Reitman, better known as the “Ghostbusters” director, who at the age of 64, shows that he hasn’t yet lost his touch by bringing to first-time writer Elizabeth Meriwether’s script sure comedic rhythm that keeps the film bouncing along at a breezy pace. Meriwether’s script, which was Black-Listed when it was called “F**k Buddies”, is unabashedly naughty, has moments of genuine wit, and many truly funny zingers. Though neither Meriwether nor Reitman has the courage to subvert the typical rom-com genre right down to its happily-ever-after ending, you’re not likely to begrudge them.
After all, there is plenty to enjoy and appreciate in this fresh and funny contemporary take on the familiar rom-com. It is smart, it is sexy and most of all, it has an irrepressible verve that is just in line with its plot-reversed and gender-bent contemporary twist on the tired rom-com formula. Of course, the fact that the delightful Natalie Portman and the goofily charming Ashton Kutcher are playing the leads doesn’t hurt one bit too.
Movie Rating:
(Smart, sexy and unabashedly naughty, this is one irresistible contemporary rom-com that is the perfect date movie this Valentine’s Day)
Reviewed by Gabriel Chong
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VENGEANCE IS SWEETPosted on 10 Mar 2011 |
Genre: Sci-Fi/Action/Adventure
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn, Julie White, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Ken Jeong, Patrick Dempsey, Alan Tudyk, John Turturro, Leonard Nimoy
RunTime: 2 hrs 34 mins
Released By: UIP
Rating: PG (Action Violence)
Official Website: http://www.transformersmovie.com/
Opening Day: 30 June 2011
Synopsis: "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" features Sam Witwicky (LaBeouf) taking his first tenuous steps into adulthood while remaining a reluctant human ally of Optimus Prime. The film centers around the space race between the U.S.S.R. and the USA, suggesting there was a hidden Transformers role in it all that remains one of the planet's most dangerous secrets. The villain of the third film will be Shockwave.
Movie Review:
You should know by now what to expect out of a Michael Bay film, and concomitantly what to expect out of a Michael Bay ‘Transformers’ film. Yes in spite of the obvious flaws in the critically panned “Revenge of the Fallen”, it’s clear that no one does big-budget action spectacle the way Bay does. And indeed, there’s certainly no shortage of that in what is reportedly his last outing as helmer in the Hasbro action-figure franchise, as Bay in the film’s final hour pushes himself to the limit with an all-out cataclysm in downtown Chicago.
But more on that later- for now, we are happy to announce that “Dark of the Moon” is our vote for the best film in the trilogy. It isn’t just the bombast that puts it ahead of its predecessors; rather, this third movie boasts a stronger plot and well-developed characters- human and machine alike. For the latter aspects, we have writer Ehren Kruger to thank, who has taken over scribing duties from Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman for the betterment of the franchise.
Like this summer’s “X Men: First Class”, Kruger legitimises the sci-fi premise in a real-world context by taking a revisionist view to past events. Through the extended prologue, we learn that the space race of the 1960s was really a cover-up to investigate the remains of an alien spaceship crash on the far side of the moon. Bay injects this alternate history with gravitas by using both archival footage of JFK and Richard Nixon and re-enactments of what went on inside NASA as well as the White House, and this terrific opening portends a darker film than what we have previously seen in the past two movies.
Bay and Kruger makes good on this tantalising promise with the new human and machine character additions. Chief among these is Sentinel Prime, once the leader of the Autobots during their war with the Decepticons on their home planet Cybertron and a father figure to Optimus Prime. Sentinel’s allegiance and subsequent actions blur the line between good and evil amongst the Autobots and the Decepticons, and for lack of a better description, make the machines more human and also more interesting. In particular, Sentinel’s exchanges with Optimus lend the backdrop of their alien civil war and its symbol as a fight for freedom more weight than Peter Cullen’s gravelly narrated exposition does.
On the side of the humans, it is Patrick Dempsey’s Dylan, boss of leading man Sam Witwicky’s new and equally Megan Fox-hot girlfriend Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) who turns out to be unexpectedly intriguing. At first no more than a romantic rival to the recently graduated Sam still struggling to find a job, Dylan turns out to be- pardon the pun- more than meets the eye once the war between the Autobots and the Decepticons unfolds proper on our planet. Suffice to say that it’s refreshing to see that humans are not just either the heroes or the hapless when caught in this indefensible war.
While there is significantly more depth to some of the characters and the story compared to the earlier films, Bay still resorts to the kind of easy humour characteristic in the first two ‘Transformers’ movies. Yes, despite his promise to tone down the goofy humour, there’s still plenty of it on display whenever Sam appears on screen without some sort of battle raging around him- and if you never really liked Shia LaBeouf’s hyperactive acting in the first two films, you’re not going to like it here either.
It’s a pity too that Bay also uses acting veterans John Malkovich and Frances McDormand only for cheap laughs- Malkovich as Sam’s tyrannical boss with little to do except scream “It is a visual and therefore a visceral betrayal” when he sees an employee bring a red coffee mug onto an office floor decorated entirely in yellow; and McDormand in an essentially one-note character as the no-nonsense national intelligence director Charlotte Mearing acting snappy, curt and sarcastic to everyone around her. Also unfortunate is Bay’s frenetic handling of even these made-for-laughs scenes, which would have worked better with a lot more subtlety and finesse.
But of course, the above two qualities are not what Bay is known for- despite the benefits a more varied change in rhythm could have done for the film- and sure enough, it is this brazen attitude that serves him well in the plentiful action bombast that follows in the last hour. Bay begins his non-stop trail of destruction from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., but he reserves the bulk of his firepower for Chicago, where the Decepticons have set up their base from which to launch their weapon to revive their planet and colonise ours.
By the time Bay is done, little of Chicago’s skyline is left- none of the iconic buildings whether Hotel 71, the Tribune Tower, Marina City or even the Trump Tower manage to escape unscathed. But this Bay-hem is also utterly, absolutely thrilling, and features quite possibly some of the most intense action sequences you’ll see on the big screen this year. Indeed, Bay has learnt from the criticism of “Revenge of the Fallen” to hold his shots for longer so that his audience can get a sense of the awesome scale of the unfolding action, and my goodness does it totally rock!
The highlight of this colossal climactic sequence takes place inside a toppling skyscraper as Sam, Carly and returning face Epps (Tyrese Gibson) are hunted by a serpentine Decepticon known as Shockwave and forced to slide down the glass exterior of the toppling building. Other breathtakingly exciting extended setpieces include one where Sam and series regular Lennox (Josh Duhamel) are dangling off a metal rod whose sharp end is lodged inside a Decepticon, and another where Optimus Prime faces off against a group of Decepticons led by wounded leader Megatron who makes a return from the previous film. These are especially awe-inspiring when viewed in 3D, and Bay, who was convinced of the format by James Cameron, grasps the additional dimension to amazing effect.
Never mind that only 60 percent of the film was in fact shot in 3D (with the rest, especially the closeups, shot in anamorphic and then post-converted), this is probably one of the few films since “Avatar” to thoroughly make use of the format. Nowhere is this more evident than in an aerial sequence where a group of paratroopers led by Lennox infiltrate the Decepticon-infested Chicago city, all the while pursued by flying enemy robots. Shot composition by d.p. Amir Mokri is excellent, and there is excellent use of foreground and background to create depth in every scene. The added dimension also helps illuminate the other technical achievements of the film- the mix of physical staging, live-action stunt work, location shooting, and visual effects just seamless and simply remarkable.
On pure visual spectacle alone, “Dark of the Moon” beats both of the earlier ‘Transformers’ movie and in fact probably anything you’ll see this summer- so kudos to Michael Bay, who has clearly outdone himself by creating his most exhilarating work to date. Yet this third film in the franchise also emerges its strongest entry not just by visuals, but also by a well-grounded plot and rich character additions. Sure it’s pure summer popcorn entertainment, but on that level alone, it succeeds immeasurably and on sheer entertainment value, this is the must-see blockbuster of the season.
Movie Rating:
(Hands-down the most visually awesome action spectacle you’ll see this summer- this third entry is easily the best ‘Transformers’ movie to date)
Review by Gabriel Chong
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Will Gluck
Cast: Justin Timberlake, Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, Jenna Elfman, Bryan Greenberg, Richard Jenkins, Woody Harrelson
RunTime: 1 hr 49 mins
Released By: Sony Pictures Releasing International
Rating: M18 (Some Sexual Scenes & Sexual References)
Official Website: http://www.fwb-movie.com/
Opening Day: 29 September 2011
Synopsis: A young female headhunter (Mila Kunis) in New York convinces a potential recruit (Justin Timberlake) to accept a job in the Big Apple. Despite an attraction to each other, both realize they're everything they've been running from in a relationship and decide to see what happens if they leave emotion out of it and keep it strictly physical.
Movie Review:
This reviewer never did have too many friends (nope, those “friends” on Facebook do not really count), but he would be glad to have just one friend, especially if she (yes, it has to be someone from the opposite gender) was one like Jamie.
You see, Jamie is a friend with benefits, and Dylan is one lucky dude to have a friend like her. These two are protagonist of this romantic comedy where a guy and a girl think it’s possible to be just friends whilst having lots of sex. This may be the case in most Hollywood movies, but they soon realise it’s not going to simply add the act of sex to their friendship. They also find out that getting physical does lead to something more complicated – love.
This is no doubt one of those formulaic romantic comedies which have been made to death in Hollywood. Come on, did you really think Dylan and Jamie would have an unhappy ending? And realistically speaking (this reviewer hates to burst his own bubble sometimes), can there possibly be a better looking guy and girl who happen to cross each other’s paths and decide to engage in lots of sex in real life?
However, there is something charming about this American production which will retain your attention throughout its 109 minute runtime.
Okay, we admit the countless sex scenes are one highlight of this Will Gluck directed flick, but mind you, they are not of the erotic kind (it’s rated M18, not R21), so those hoping to be treated with a meaningless flesh parade will have to look elsewhere. Kudos to the movie’s leading stars Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis for being able to anchor the rather paper thin plot with their charismatic performances.
After his stellar performances in Southland Tales (2007) and The Social Network (2010), we are convinced that Timberlake is one actor who can hold his own ground. The former Mickey Mouse Club star (fine – he should be credited for his role as the lead singer of the boyband ‘N Sync) has an appealing allure which may just make him the next big thing to look out for in Hollywood. Here, this likeable personality is complemented by Kunis, who last made us sit up and watch in Black Swan (2010). The Ukrainian born star sports an attractive character in the movie, and it is hard for any male audience not to fall in love with her. Timberlake and Kunis have a sizzling chemistry which makes the predictably uninteresting script somewhat believable.
After the surprisingly good Easy A (2010), director Gluck delivers another fluffy but enjoyable movie. He even has veteran actors like Woody Harrelson (as a foul mouthed gay colleague), Patricia Clarkson (as a sexed up mother), Richard Jenkins (as a father suffering Alzheimer’s disease) and Jenna Elfman (as a caring elder sister) in his ensemble cast. Also, look out for a cameo by Emma Stone at the beginning of the movie.
While Hollywood has served comedies like No Strings Attached and Love and Other Drugs, which feature a substantial amount of, ahem, sex, this latest entry to the genre proves to be the most enjoyable one yet.
Movie Rating:
(The story may be predictably tiresome, but its charismatic stars help to save the day)
Review by John Li
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