Genre: Adventure
Director: James Bobin
Cast: Isabela Moner, Michael Peña, Eva Longoria, Temuera Morrison, Eugenio Derbez, Jeffrey Wahlberg, Nicholas Coombe, Adriana Barraza, Benicio Del Toro, Danny Trejo
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins
Rating: PG (Some Intense Sequences)
Released By: UIP
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 29 August 2019

Synopsis:  Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents, nothing could prepare Dora (Isabela Moner) for her most dangerous adventure ever - high school. Always the explorer, Dora quickly finds herself leading Boots (her best friend, a monkey), Diego (Jeff Wahlberg), a mysterious jungle inhabitant (Eugenio Derbez), and a rag tag group of teens on a live-action adventure to save her parents (Eva Longoria, Michael Peña) and solve the impossible mystery behind a lost city of gold.

Movie Review:

Unless you’re accompanying your kids, you probably wouldn’t consider going on an adventure with Dora to discover the ancient Intan city of gold named Parapata; and yet, those who end up doing so will probably find themselves pleasantly surprised by this buoyant live-action remake of the Nickelodeon cartoon, which while retaining its source material’s wholesomeness, is self-aware enough to make fun of itself.  

That tongue-in-cheek nature is established right at the start, which lays out what the film could have been if it had literally translated the elements of the cartoon into the real world, including a talking purple backpack and anthropomorphic characters like a monkey who likes to wear red boots as well as a bipedal thieving fox. Most amusingly, it even dares to poke fun of Dora’s habit of talking direct to her audience ("Can you say delicioso? Say delicioso!") by having her dad (Michael Pena) channel our incredulous reaction.

Having demonstrated the merits of taking its own creative liberties with the TV show, director James Bobin and co-writer Nicholas Stoller proceed to age Dora from a young and inquisitive child into a not-so-young but equally inquisitive teenager. Now 16, Dora (Isabela Moner) is sent off to high school in Los Angeles while her parents (Pena and Eva Longoria) go off in search of the eponymous city. As much as she would have loved to join them, Dora greets her exploration of a different kind of jungle with the same irrepressible optimism.

Alas, the indigenous inhabitants of that jungle don’t quite appreciate Dora for just being herself, so much so that she becomes the school’s laughing stock when she dresses up as a star and dances like a peacock during the annual Winter Dance. Her cousin Diego (Jeff Wahlberg), whom she was very close to as a kid, is embarrassed by her; the queen bee Sammy (Madeleine Madden) feels threatened and offended by her presence; and only the school nerd Randy (Nicholas Coombe) is enamoured by her relentlessly good cheer and knack for knowledge.

But like her or dislike her, Diego, Sammy and Randy will have to work with Dora to survive a kidnapping that leaves them pursued by a group of treasure hunters in South America. These do-no-gooders want to use Dora to find her parents and swoop in on the treasure, but their plan is foiled by Alejandro (Mexican superstar Eugenio Derbez), who claims to be an old friend of Dora’s parents. Together, they set off to try to find Parapata before the hunters plunder it, even if it means risking life and limb to overcome a series of booby traps.

Ok, we might have over-exaggerated the part about risking life and limb, but there are still plenty of puzzles to get through, including a field of large flowers that release psychedelic-inducing spores when touched, an aqueduct with several levers to let in water and only one to drain out, and a golden monkey totem which demands a sacrifice of that which is most valuable. Each of these puzzles is milked for the sort of goofy physical comedy you’d be acquainted with from similar genre fare as ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, although the fact that the action is kept decidedly safe does take some of the thrill out of them.

What however will keep you entertained is the constant stream of callbacks to the TV show – there is an animated sequence brought on by hallucinogenic flowers which harks back to Dora’s 2D roots; there is a song about poop which Dora composes and sings for Sammy while helping the latter dig a hole in the ground for some urgent business; and last but not least, there are such supporting characters as Boots (voiced by Danny Trejo) and Swiper (voiced by Benicio del Toro). Oh yes, those firmly acquainted with the Nickelodeon original will find much to love about the film’s meta-smart references.

Though it may care to poke fun of itself, at no point is any of it done in cynicism or irony; instead, “Dora and the Lost City of Gold’ retains a cheery, upbeat and genuine sense of optimism from start to finish, wholeheartedly embracing its titular character’s sunny disposition in a wink-wink kind of way. Like we said, if you happen to end up sitting in this movie, there are much, much worse ways to spend 103 minutes of your life; at the very least, we’re quite sure you (and your kids will be walking out with a spring in your step and a smile on your face.

Movie Rating:

(More meta-smart than you're probably expecting it to be, this live-action remake of the Nickelodeon cartoon is a fun, funny and wholesome exercise in optimism)

Review by Gabriel Chong 

Genre: Action/Fantasy/Comics
Director: Joe Russo and Anthony Russo
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Karen Gillan, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Brie Larson, Tom Holland, Zoe Saldana, Evangeline Lilly, Tessa Thompson, Rene Russo, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Benedict Wong, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Chris Pratt, John Slattery, Tilda Swinton, Jon Favreau, Hayley Atwell, Michael Douglas, Frank Grillo, Hiroyuki Sanada, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Redford, Bradley Cooper, Josh Brolin
Runtime: 3 hrs 1 min
Rating: PG13 (Some Violence)
Released By: The Walt Disney Company
Official Website: https://www.marvel.com/movies/avengers-endgame

Opening Day: 24 April 2019

Synopsis:  The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to 22 films, "Avengers: Endgame."

Movie Review:

"There was an idea, Stark knows this, called the Avengers Initiative. The idea was to bring together a group of remarkable people, see if they could become something more. See if they could work together when we needed them to fight the battles we never could."

Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) would fondly remember Nick Fury’s words in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers (2012). How that idea has spawned into one of cinematic history’s most ambitious franchises ever, is a feat to behold. 

So here it is, 21 movies after Jon Faveau’s Iron Man (2008), we are in the endgame. Sprawling more than a decade, the beloved shared universe which introduced us to countless superheroes is making a mark with this grand showdown between the good guys and that purple dude who wiped out half of all life in the universe by snapping his fingers.

After a heart wrenching Infinity War, the surviving Avengers have to pick up their grief and find a way to make things right again. Captain America says woefully: “We lost, all of us. We lost friends. We lost family. We lost a part of ourselves. This is the fight of our lives.”

And what a fight it is going to be.

Someone comes up with a brilliant suggestion to travel through time (but of course) to undo the wrong that was caused by Thanos, and everyone in the gang (for dramatic effect, some needed more convincing than the others) puts on cool suits to travel through the quantum realm, a cool concept introduced in Peyton Reed’s Ant Man and the Wasp (2018).

This is where the magic begins. After a somewhat overbearing moody first hour, the characters head back to different periods in history and this is the perfect chance for the filmmakers to please fans with some of the favourite moments in the MCU. Cutting between different worlds, the different teams on a similar mission get to play out fun and energising dynamics. Though not the most innovative way of storytelling (cynics would even go to the extent of calling it lazy), this approach works because directors Joe and Anthony Russo clearly know what fans want.

The epic showdown between the good and bad guys is one that has to be seen on the big screen to fully appreciate the awesomeness. Again, this is nothing new in blockbusters but this franchise has rightly earned this opportunity to showcase a larger than life sequence that is enough reason for fans to watch the movie repeated times.

Much has been said about the three hours (and 58 seconds, to be exact) runtime. The longest MCU movie to date, this is also a legitimate reason for the movie to take its time to flesh out the screenplay written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. There are many things going on throughout this emotional roller coaster ride. Some characters feel heavy hearted as they deal with depression and angst, while others get to make things a little more light hearted by spouting witty lines.

There are wholesome takeaways here. Are superheroes truly fearless? Why do people make personal sacrifices? What is the greater good? What does it take to put things right again? As the promotional trailers have repeatedly reminded us: “Whatever it takes.”

It is heartwarming to see the cast members are devotedly reunited in this movie. If you are involved in a project as massive as the MCU, you will probably feel proud of yourself. And that is exactly the sense of belonging to a family we see in the ensemble led by the original six Avengers played by Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner.

Will there be resolution and closure with this endgame? Is it really the end of an era of blockbusters? Till the next superhero movie comes along, let us all indulge ourselves in this satisfying conclusion that has journeyed with fans for more than 10 years.

Movie Rating:

(After more than a decade of MCU movies, this is a truly satisfying epic that serves as a nostalgic trip for fans. Take a bow, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!)

Review by John Li

Genre: Adventure/Fantasy
Director: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen, Numan Acar
Runtime: 2 hrs 8 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: The Walt Disney Company
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyAladdin

Opening Day: 23 May 2019

Synopsis: A thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic, “Aladdin” is the exciting tale of the charming street rat Aladdin, the courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine and the Genie who may be the key to their future.

Movie Review:

As a kid, this writer took a lot of pride knowing that he could remember every word of the songs in Ron Clements and John Musker’s Aladdin (1992). The Disney animated musical was one of the best things that happened during that time, and it made every boy want to be a cool street rat, a good looking lad who finds a magic lamp and becomes friends with a blue genie.

And who wouldn’t want to fly around the world on a magic carpet with the girl of his dreams, a beautiful princess clad in a, ahem, sexy outfit? The icing on the cake is being able to live happily ever with her.

We are definitely stating the obvious by telling you that Disney is churning out live-action remakes of almost all of our childhood favourites. After giving a man cub, a beauty who sings about her provincial life and a flying elephant the live-action treatment, it is time to bring out the singing genie who can bring out some punch, pizzazz, yahoo and how!

Initially, it does seem like an odd choice that Guy Ritchie, who is known for crime capers like RocknRolla, Sherlock Holmes and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., would be helming this Disney production. How would the English filmmaker visualise the action sequences, bring Agrabah to life, and more importantly, incorporate song and dance into the movie?

Our doubts are unfounded, because the 128 minute film is enchanting enough to make older geeks indulge in nostalgia, while bringing something new to younger viewers who may not remember every song from the 1992 version by heart.

Canadian actor Mena Massoud and British actress Naomi Scott take up the challenge of playing Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. It’s a good thing that they are relative unknowns in showbiz (Scott played the Pink Ranger in the latest reboot of Power Rangers), because you won’t sub consciously associate them with other roles they have portrayed. The two good-looking people have a nice chemistry between them, and fans of the original won’t be disappointed with how their romance plays out.

Dutch actor Marwan Kenzari tries his best to scowl and growl as the villainous Jafar, but is lacking that sinisterism that we remember from the animated version. Elsewhere, Saturday Night Live alum Nasim Pedrad plays Jasmine’s handmaiden and Billy Magnussen (Game Night) has a bit role as a haughty suitor. Navid Negahban, who has appeared in TV series like Homeland and Legion, portrays The Sultan with a lot of seriousness.

It must have been stressful for Will Smith (Suice Squad) to take on the role of Genie in this remake, because fans would always remember the spectacular performance the late Robin Williams gave in the animated original. There are big shoes to fill, and what can Smith do to give the character his own flavour without offending fans? We are happy to report that the superstar delivers a commendable performance. The Fresh Prince manages to step out of a very difficult shadow with his charming charisma, and it does help that he put his rapping skills to good use in the much-loved song “Friend Like Me”.

Other favourites like “Arabian Nights”, “One Jump Ahead”, “Prince Ali” and “A Whole New World” are as memorable as ever. It helps that the original film's composer Alan Menken is on board this project. There is a new solo song titled “Speechless” for Jasmine, and while it may seem to contemporary for liking, fans of La La Land and The Greatest Showman may lap it up because it was written by Pasek & Paul, the duo who penned tunes like “City of Stars” and “This is Me”.

The movie works best during the action scenes and the musical sequences. Plus, it is a pleasant surprise to watch the humour unfold, especially during the scene where Aladdin, who has just turned into a prince, tries to impress Jasmine. The filmmakers have made some changes to the original (it is important to rub the lamp before a wish is granted, and Prince Ali is from Ababwa), and fans of the classic would be quick to point them out.   

There may be many naysayers that criticise Disney for milking money from these remakes. But it is heartening to see that with each title, the people behind The House of Mouse are introducing these classics to a changing cinema audience.

Movie Rating:

(Disney's got a brand of magic that never fails!)

Review by John Li

Genre: Comedy/Romance
Director: Jonathan Levine
Cast: Charlize Theron, Seth Rogen, Alexander Skarsgård, June Diane Raphael, O'Shea Jackson Jr., Ravi Patel, Bob Odenkirk, Andy Serkis, Randall Park
Runtime: 2 hrs 5 min
Rating: M18 (Sexual Scenes and Coarse Language)
Released By: Encore Films and Golden Village Pictures
Official Website: https://longshot.movie

Opening Day: 2 May 2019

Synopsis: Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron) is one of the most influential women in the world. Smart, sophisticated, and accomplished, she’s a powerhouse diplomat with a talent for…well, mostly everything. Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen) is a gifted and free-spirited journalist with an affinity for trouble. The two have nothing in common, except that she was his babysitter and first crush. When Fred unexpectedly reconnects with Charlotte, he charms her with his self-deprecating humour and his memories of her youthful idealism. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte impulsively hires Fred as her speechwriter, much to the dismay of her trusted advisors. A fish out of water on Charlotte’s elite team, Fred is unprepared for her glamorous lifestyle in the limelight. However, sparks fly as their unmistakable chemistry leads to a round-the-world romance and a series of unexpected and dangerous incidents.

Movie Review:

Would you imagine the sexy, stunning and splendid Charlize Theron hooking up with the shambolic, schlubby and self-deprecating Seth Rogen? As absurd as that may sound, both Rogen and Theron want you to believe that it isn’t as impossible; and thanks to their effortless chemistry, you probably won’t need any further persuasion to be won over. Oh yes, next to each other, what may have seemed a contradictory pairing is indeed a complementary one, with Rogen’s shaggy humour perfectly matched with Theron’s confidence, elegance and poise.

As conceived by ‘The Interview’ scribe Dan Sterling (yes, the movie which North Korea took offense to and then leaked) and ‘The Post’ co-writer Liz Hannah, their unlikely coupling happens against the backdrop of US politics, which as any casual observer of foreign affairs will tell you, is as dysfunctional as it gets today. It therefore isn’t just coincidence that the President here (a wonderfully deadpan Bob Odenkirk) is a former TV star who cannot wait to trade his role as leader of the free world for a career in movies, or for that matter, that the aspiring candidate waiting in the wings to take his place is a female Secretary of State.

The latter individual is Theron’s Charlotte Field, who has planned a worldwide tour to push her climate change agenda under the ambitious Global Rehabilitation Initiative just before she formally announces her presidential candidacy. To boost her chances, she’s even hired a consultancy firm to analyse her public image, with said consultant (Lisa Kudrow in a scene-stealing cameo) advising her to work on her sense of humour. Ostensibly, that is the reason she’s decided to hire the iconoclastic (and currently unemployed) journalist Fred Flarsky (Rogen) to punch up her speeches, much to the chagrin of her aides Maggie (June Diane Raphael) and Tom (Ravi Patel).

Thanks to his best friend Lance (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), Fred scores invites to an upscale Manhattan fundraiser where Boyz II Men are scheduled to perform, and it is there that he meets – or shall we say, is reunited with – Charlotte. Turns out that Charlotte had been Fred’s babysitter when he was 13 years ago, but their encounter then ended abruptly when Charlotte’s boyfriend caught Fred having a boner while exchanging an impromptu kiss. Whether out of admiration of her political convictions or out of his own boyhood crush on her, Fred agrees to be Charlotte’s speechwriter, thus setting the stage for him to get to know her better on the premise of injecting some heartfelt real-life anecdotes into her speeches. 

This being a rom-com after all, you’ll be expecting sparks to fly between Fred and Charlotte; and to everyone’s credit, the romance is handled with just the right balance of sweetness and zaniness. You’ll go ‘aw-shucks’ when the couple sneak into a backroom during a posh party in Argentina to slow-dance to ‘It Must Have Been Love’. You’ll be laughing out loud when an obviously high Charlotte is whisked into a situation room to resolve an unexpected diplomatic crisis, which she eventually defuses with a surprising dose of undiplomatic honesty. You’ll root for them to be together all right simply because Rogen and Theron portray an attraction so winning you’ll find yourself instantly cheering for them.

As familiar as the setup and execution may be, both Rogen and Theron work their parts like absolute pros. Instead of simply rehashing his signature mix of modesty and indignation, Rogen opts for a less rambunctious variation of that persona, and hence comes off more earnest and endearing. Theron, on the other hand, exudes her unique brand of dignity and gracefulness, but in the film’s more lunatic moments, demonstrates a heretofore unseen gift for raunchy screwball comedy. Like we said at the start, they complement each other more beautifully than you’d be able to imagine, so much so that we’re willing to buy into some alternate version of the world where she becomes Mrs President and he is her First Gentleman.

Though the entire premise requires a significant degree of suspension of disbelief, it is yet another thing altogether for the movie to tip itself into parody; and in that regard, Levine deserves credit for keeping it all in check. Even as it takes aim at say the current reality TV star in the White House, or Fox News head honcho Rupert Murdoch (in the form of Andy Serkis’ bigoted media mogul Parker Wembley), or even Canadian Prime Minister/ Internet boyfriend Justin Trudeau (Alexander Skarsgard, relishing the opportunity to completely ham it up with a ridiculous French accent), the film knows better than to become its own laughing stock, and even sneaks in a surprisingly sharp critique of the biases that supporters on both sides of the political divide are guilty of.

But in all fairness, ‘Long Shot’ is meant as a rom-com first and political commentary second, which is why you’ll probably remember the physical comedy, coarse sex jokes and pleasantly charming romance more than you would the references to Trump, Murdoch or Trudeau. This is ultimately an ‘opposites attract’ story, far-fetched to say the least but delightfully performed by Rogen and Theron. The beauty in watching their characters come together is precisely in how different yet complementary they are, and is both hilarious and heartwarming to watch. It’s a long shot surely, but that’s also why when it works as well as it does here, we cannot help but fall in love with it.

Movie Rating:

(Pitched perfectly between raunchy and romantic, 'Long Shot' has a winning propositiion in the seemingly contradictory but absolutely complementary pairing of Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron)

Review by Gabriel Chong

SYNOPSIS: Annie (Rose Byrne) is stuck in a long-term relationship with Duncan (Chris O’Dowd) – an obsessive fan of obscure rocker Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke). When the acoustic demo of Tucker's hit record from 25 years ago surfaces, its release leads to a life-changing encounter with the elusive rocker himself. Based on the novel by Nick Hornby, Juliet, Naked is a comic account of life’s second chances.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Based on a novel by British writer Nick Hornby, yes that Nick Hornby who gave us Fever Pitch and About A Boy, Juliet, Naked is yet another of Hornby’s fascination with the man-boy world. It’s funny, charming, laidback straightly an unconventional rom-com you shouldn’t miss.

In a small town in England lives Annie (Rose Byrne) who is stuck in a long-term relationship with Duncan played by the often-hilarious Irish comedian Chris O’Dowd from Thor: The Dark World and Bridesmaids. Duncan doesn’t believe in marriage let alone having a kid, something which Annie has always desire. 

In his spare time, Duncan operates a fansite dedicated to indie rock singer, Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke) who has since disappeared from the music scene for 25 years. When Crowe mysteriously replied to Annie’s ranting of his music on Duncan’s site, an email correspondence started between the unlikely two. And more bizarre things happened when Crowe turned up one day at Annie’s doorsteps with his young son. 

On the surface, Juliet, Naked is a story about three bummed out adults. Both Annie’s working and love life didn’t turn out that well. Duncan is sort of living in his own bubble world and an affair with a new colleague doesn’t help things while Crowe is the saddest of all three despite fathering several children with several different women over the years and is now bunking in the garage of his ex-wife.    

It’s a complicated and sad world all right but Hornby’s sweet, whimsy writing turned the story of three sad characters into something very mesmerizing and charming. Of course, it’s not that kind of comical movie that will have you breaking out into huge laughs but it’s almost guarantee that you will chuckle at Duncan’s amazement at the appearance of the real Tucker Crowe or Crowe’s unexpected family reunion at the hospital. 

The always likeable Rose Byrne puts in an emotional, believable performance as the suffering Annie. It’s hard not to root for her character of Annie as she struggles to juggle her midlife crisis and love triangle. Chris O’Dowd is practically born to play Duncan, the self-absorbing music and movie geek. Crowe is like a variation of Jesse from Before Sunrise as Hawke nails the role of the tortured, talented singer perfectly.    

There’s so much to like in this indie comedy and it does help that Ethan Hawke actually croons most of the heart-wrenching tunes that were played in the movie. An endearing story with witty dialogues and a great cast. Do check out Juliet, Naked if you can.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Making Juliet, Naked is a standard 9 minutes featurette that offers some cast interviews. 

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Juliet, Naked looks okay on DVD. By that it means don’t go looking for outstanding, fine detailed images, still it remains an enjoyable watch. Audio quality is excellent as dialogue is always clearly defined and the various songs are well placed across the channels.   

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee

Genre: Action/Adventure
Director: Michael Dougherty
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, Ken Watanabe, Ziyi Zhang, Sally Hawkins, Bradley Whitford, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Aisha Hinds, O'Shea Jackson Jr., David Strathairn
RunTime: 2 hrs 12 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Intense Sequences)
Released By: Warner Bros
Official Website:

Opening Day: 30 May 2019

Synopsis: The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

Movie Review:

No one could and should complain that there are not enough monsters – including that of our titular beast – in ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’, which unleashes a full-on monster-on-monster brawl within the first act and keeps up that momentum right up to the glorious finale. At least in that respect, director and co-writer Michael Dougherty has certainly heard the complaints from fans about how the 2014 ‘Godzilla’ reboot did not have enough screen time for the monster lizard himself. In fact, we’re absolutely certain that diehard kaiju enthusiasts will be crying with joy at the sight of Toho’s other classic creatures, including the glowing moth-like Mothra, the volcano-dwelling fire demon Rodan, and the bat-winged hydra-headed dragon King Ghidora.

More than anything, ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ as well as the other films in the so-called MonsterVerse (including 2017’s ‘Kong: Skull Island’) were intended for the thrill of watching giant monsters go head-to-head with each other and/or one another. It should come as no surprise that the grander monster bashes here are reserved for Godzilla and his arch-nemesis King Ghidora, of which we count no less than three – one at a remote Arctic outpost, one in the middle of the ocean off the Mexican coast of Isla de Mara, and one in downtown Boston; in between, there are the duels between Mothra and Rodan, which are also attentively choreographed to provide fan-pleasing moments for both creatures to shine. Everything else, to be honest, is just filler, meant as breather in between the monster action set-pieces.

At the very least, you can’t say that Dougherty has gotten his priorities wrong; and indeed, there are sheer moments of breathtaking awe (which you should experience on the biggest screen possible and/or with a thundering sound system, i.e. IMAX) watching these titans clash. That’s not to say these scenes are perfect; oh no, on the contrary, your sense of stupendous joy is likely to be mixed with an undeniable frustration. On one hand, you’ll be wishing that there were more wide shots of the monsters slugging it out, than say close-ups on the human characters caught in the melee; and on another, you’ll wonder why these smackdowns have to be staged in dark and/or wet conditions, rather than say in big broad daylight.

To be fair, the former wouldn’t matter as much had the characters mattered more; yet, as it stands, Dougherty and his co-scripter Zach Shields do not give us much reason or motivation to care about them. Not even getting Kyle Chandler and Vera Farmiga to play a married couple who find themselves on opposing ends of the ideological spectrum whether Godzilla and his fellow monsters should be allowed to roam freely on Earth, as well as Millie Bobby Brown (from ‘Stranger Things’) as their teenage daughter caught in the middle, makes the emotional drama more compelling than its thinly written exposition. Ditto the stellar ensemble relegated to throwaway roles – such as Ken Watanabe and Sally Hawkins as a pair of scientists from the previous film, Zhang Ziyi as a Chinese palaeontologist, and Charles Dance as an eco-terrorist.

There are also little surprises in the plot, which coming after ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, feels curiously similar in its portrayal of unleashing death and destruction in order to restore ecological balance to an Earth at the verge of dying out. If that is the excuse for letting the monsters out in the first place (no fewer than 17 actually, though the key ones are whom we mentioned earlier), then the solution is as teased in the trailer, i.e. let Godzilla take down that which even the most modern nuclear bomb cannot extinguish. Oh yes, the storytelling is serviceable at best, though more critical viewers will probably scoff at some of the cringe-worthy lines and the illogical details, e.g. how would anyone be able to even walk amidst a place so close to the Earth’s core that a submarine vessel would melt.

But really, the point of a summer popcorn blockbuster like ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ is to watch the Titan faceoffs, and by that measure alone, we’re glad to say that the movie delivers the thrills and more. This is as realistic, terrifying and gorgeous as it gets watching the behemoths go up against one another amidst familiar modern-day settings, and the CGI to create these monsters is as good as it gets. Unfortunately, everything else pales in comparison, often due to a lack of trying, whether is it in terms of the plotting or the character development. It therefore behoves you to get your expectations right in order to appreciate and enjoy this epic for what it is worth, i.e. massive monster-on-monster spectacle and no more.

Movie Rating:

(Massive monster-on-monster spectacle and no more, this literally epic summer blockbuster will satisfy anyone looking for good-old kaiju smackdowns)

Review by Gabriel Chong

Genre: CG Animation
Director: Josh Cooley
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Jay Hernandez, Lori Alan, Joan Cusack, Bonnie Hunt, Kristen Schaal, Emily Davis, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Blake Clark, June Squibb, Carl Weathers, Lila Sage, Don Rickles, Jeff Garlin, Maliah Bargas-Good, Jack McGraw, Juliana Hansen, Estelle Harris
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: The Walt Disney Company
Official Website: https://www.facebook.com/PixarToyStory/

Opening Day: 20 June 2019

Synopsis: Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts). After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.

Movie Review:

Prepare a hankie if you are the emotional sort of viewer. The finale of this fourth instalment of the Toy Story franchise will hit you.

Just when you thought Toy Story 3 hit the perfect note by ending Woody and Buzz’s story with Andy, the folks from Pixar outdid themselves with this movie. There have been many rumours what this movie would be about, and while cynics (including this writer) had doubts whether this would be another Disney cash cow, the concerns are unfounded.

Picking up where Toy Story 3 left off, Woody, Buzz and their friends are now Bonnie’s toys. However, it is not rosy sight as Woody gets increasingly left in the young girl’s closet while she plays with other toys. But trust good ‘ol Woody to take on the noble task of defining himself as a toy who is important to a child. Who else would you expect to continually go out of his way to make a kid happy?

This dude’s positive mindset is out-of-this-world.

When Bonnie gets nervous about starting kindergarten, Woody sees a chance to be useful and goes to school with her. There, she makes a new toy out of a plastic spork, some clay and a broken popsicle stick. She names him Forky and he becomes the centre of her universe. Alas, he does realise that he is a toy (a nice parallel to Buzz in the first movie), and thinks that his end goal is to be thrown into the trash bin. Woody seizes this chance to make himself useful: if he can’t be important to a kid, he can teach this new toy how to be.

The story then shifts locations to a carnival and an antique shop, where the toys go on one adventure after another. Bo Peep makes a gutsy return and introduces Woody to a world he has never seen outside the comfort of his owners’ homes. We are also introduced to other new characters. Gabby Gabby is a talking girl doll with a faulty voice box. She is accompanied by a gang of creepy ventriloquist dummies (all of them are named Benson). Duke Caboom is a daredevil stunt bike rider toy who has a dark past of his own. Ducky and Bunny are fluffy soft toys hung up as prizes at a game stall. These colourful additions to the movie are well-characterised without taking the limelight away from the old favourites.

Besides the returning voice cast of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts and Joan Cusack, this movie has also attracted the talents of a star-studded ensemble which includes Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Christina Hendricks and Keanu Reeves.

Making his feature directorial debut, Josh Cooley has made a wonderful first film. With a story and screenplay penned by 10 people, you can feel the amount of heart that has gone into the movie. While viewers who grew up with the critically and commercially successful franchise will enjoy the nostalgia, this episode will successfully introduce the secret lives of toys to a younger generation. This is a movie that both adults and children will enjoy immensely.

After making its big screen appearance in 1995, the Toy Story series has made many of us laugh at its iconic humour, memorise its well-written lines and cry at its poignant themes. Randy Newman’s music has also hit the right chord among many of us.

Twenty-four years and three movies later, the franchise still offers life lessons for kids and remind adults how our lives mirror the toys’ adventures. In particular, this movie places emphasis on letting go, and how it is okay to place your own happiness over the greater good. Saying goodbye is not easy, but is sometimes the only way for us to move on.

Movie Rating:

(You know how they say nothing is perfect? Turns out that’s not the case, because the Toy Story franchise truly is flawless.)

Review by John Li

Genre: Comedy
Director: Danny Boyle
Cast: Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon, Ed Sheeran
Runtime: 1 hr 57 mins
Rating: PG13 (Some Coarse Language)
Released By: UIP
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 8 August 2019

Synopsis:  Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs. He's about to become a very big deal. From Academy Award(r)-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) and Richard Curtis, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill, comes a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life. Jack Malik (Himesh Patel, BBC's Eastenders) is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again). Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed ... and he finds himself with a very complicated problem, indeed.

Movie Review:

English director has helmed some of this reviewer’s favourite films. They range from charming (2004’s Millions and 2008’s Slumdog Millionaire) and trippy (2000’s The Beach and 2013’s Trance), to thought provoking (1994’s Trainspotting and its 2017 sequel) and reflective (2007’s Sunshine and 2010’s 127 Hours). At first glance, Boyle’s latest work aims to be a sweet homage to The Beatles, but it also tries to weave in elements of fantasy, romance and a statement of how music is currently run as a business.

The story is a nice welcome in this day and age of comic book adaptations, sequels and franchised series. Based on an original screenplay by Jack Barth and Mackenzie Crook, the movie’s protagonist is a struggling musician who becomes the only person who remembers The Fab Four after getting into a freak accident. His career takes a turn when he takes credit for writing and singing well loved tunes like “Yesterday”, “Let it Be”, “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Hey Jude”.

This is an interesting premise, if you ask us. It sure helps that Richard Curtis penned the screenplay. Known for his work on romantic comedies like Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) and Love Actually (2003), this movie would win the hearts of the genre.

However, if you are looking for something more than a delightful piece of work that will have you smiling from beginning to end, you may end up wanting more. The movie never delves deeper into why the world has forgotten The Beatles (together with Coca Cola, cigarettes and Harry Potter). If there is a message about pop culture that we missed, it might not have been clear enough in this movie. When the film ends, you won’t walk out of the theatre with a thoughtful takeaway.

Which isn’t a bad thing, actually. Because the 117 movie is so agreeable, you will be enjoying every moment of it. Himesh Patel is extremely likeable with his portrayal of an earnest musician (he does his own singing!), and the ensemble cast of Lily James (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) as a childhood friend and love interest, Kate McKinnon (The Spy Who Dumped Me) as a snappy artiste manager and Joel Fry (10,000 BC) as a slacker buddy will make you think that the actors had a lot of fun on set. We also love the inclusion of Ed Sheeran (who also played himself in Bridget Jones's Baby) and Robert Carlyle (who is almost unrecognisable as John Lennon) in this very agreeable movie.

Then there is the music. Throughout the film, you will be treated to some of The Beatles’ greatest hits, as well some of their less known tunes. When it comes to movies that put the English rock band’s songs in the spotlight, the other title that comes to mind is Julie Taymor’s Across the Universe (2007). While the musical drama was inventive and featured many psychedelic musical sequences, it received mixed reviews from critics. Viewers who want a more straightforward form of enjoyment should look to Boyle’s stylistic film instead, because it will have you believing the love is all you need.  

Movie Rating:

(The extremely likeable film features charming performances, and of course, music that you love)

Review by John Li

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Kimo Stamboel
Cast: Caitlin Halderman, Jefri Nichol, Marsha Aruan, Irsyaadillah, Susan Sameh, Ciccio Manassero
Runtime: 1 hr 35 mins
Rating: NC-16 (Horror)
Released By: mm2 Entertainment
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 11 April 2019

Synopsis: A group of high school seniors want to make history as the first people to livestream their journey in an infamous abandoned building, rumoured to be a former cult lair. Despite warnings to stay away from the forbidden building, the group sneaks in and accidentally opens a dark portal to a netherworld where they are hunted by a masses of terrifying creatures and a mysterious woman in red.

Movie Review:

We can’t escape social media nowadays. Almost everything incorporates a social media element of some sort, including horror movies. From Hollywood’s Unfriended: Dark Web to Korea’s Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, there’s always a grim picture of how social media is out there to ruin our lives.

And why shouldn’t this Indonesian movie follow suit? The story follows a group of teenagers (but of course, why would mature adults do something as silly as this?) as they venture into an obviously haunted apartment. And because the easiest way to gain online popularity is to upload a live stream video, these unwise folks decide to let the worldwide web have a glimpse of what they are seeing first hand. They motley crew find themselves in a room with a mysterious portal that brings them to another realm, and thus we have this 95 minute flick to please the unfussy horror fan.

It is interesting to note that the movie is based on an indie survival horror video game of the same name developed by an Indonesian company. The story is similar - a group of high school students come across an abandoned town and are confronted with paranormal activities. This explains why sitting through the movie feels like going clearing the various stages of a video game.

The protagonist, a pleasant schoolgirl who reluctantly gets involved in this misadventure, has several tokens that can be used to attack the baddies. Her smart phone is the most powerful tool of all because it can emit flashes which apparently harm the spirits and reduce their power. She also has a handy sling bag which contains all her essentials. There are also items like a sacred parchment scroll, a mysterious sickle and a murky whirlpool which play different roles for the movie to progress.

Because this is also a relatable teen movie, you get the stereotypes in the group: the suave and desirable good looker, the popular and bitchy mean girls, the loud mouthed bully who likes to show off, and the selfish coward who always makes things worse.

The ensemble cast delivers decent performances. Caitlin Halderman, Jefri Nichol, Marsha Aruan, Irsyaadillah, Susan Sameh, Ciccio Manassero are probably household names in Indonesia, but to the common crowd here, they may be unfamiliar faces.

Directed by Kimo Stamboel, this movie works because of its setting. Imagine being terrorised by a woman in red kebaya in the dense forests. Imagine being grabbed by hands from all over after falling into a mud hole. Imagine being deafened by high shrills that startle you when you least expect them. Everything is scarier when it comes to a horror story set in a Southeast Asian country.

Although there isn’t anything particularly innovative about this movie (you get the obligatory jump scares, the creepy make up and the eerie music score), credit has to be given because the filmmakers did not try to reinvent the wheel. Like other Indonesian horror productions that we have seen (Sabrina, Satan’s Slaves, The 3^rd Eye), this one is a decent piece of work that should satisfy the masses.  

Movie Rating:

(A female ghost in a red kebaya baring her sharp fangs in your face is what nightmares are made of)

Review by John Li

Genre: Action/Crime
Director: Herman Yau
Cast: Andy Lau, Louis Koo, Michael Miu, Karena Lam, Cheung Kwok Keung, Jimmy Au, Chrissie Chau, Kent Cheng, Carlos Chan, Michelle Wai, Cherrie Ying, MC Jin, Jun Kung
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Rating: NC16 (Drug Use and Violence)
Released By: Clover Films and Shaw Organisation
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 11 July 2019

Synopsis: Drug dealer Jizo (Louis Koo) gradually expands in collaboration with some Mexican drug lords across the border, followed by a chain of dog-eat-dog events which shock and bring the whole trade on high alert. Yu Shun-tin (Andy Lau), a former triad member who is now a philanthropist and financial tycoon, abhors drugs as deadly foes. Therefore, Yu is offering a bounty of HK$100 million to eliminate the number one drug dealer in Hong Kong, which causes a stir in society. Chief Superintendent Lam Ching-fung (Michael Miu) intends to arrest Jizo, but is now responsible for protecting Jizo instead due to the bounty. A final battle has broken out between the two tycoons who were once lesser-known brothers from the same triad.

Movie Review:

Though billed as a sequel to the 2013 crime thriller ‘The White Storm’, there is in fact very little which this movie shares with its predecessor, besides the fact that both revolve thematically around the war on drugs which entwines the lives of a group of convicted individuals. Yet it is not difficult to guess why Universe Entertainment, which is behind both films, had wanted the association – not only was it widely praised for the excellent performances by Sean Lau, Louis Koo and Nick Cheung, that movie also boasted director Benny Chan’s signature high-octane action choreography, which was recognised as among the best that Hong Kong cinema had to offer in recent years.

Except for Koo, none of the other contributors return for this standalone sequel; instead, taking over from Chan is prolific director Herman Yau, whose ‘Shock Wave’ catapulted him from the B-leagues into big-budget filmmaking. Yau’s collaborators from that earlier movie are also on board this similarly-sized undertaking, which sees writers Erica Lee and Eric Lee retain the narrative structure of Chan’s original by setting its events around three males – here played by Andy Lau, Koo and Michael Miu – whose paths will intersect with fateful consequences.

Their ill-fated connection is established right from the beginning, with an extended prologue set in 2004 that shows how the sworn brotherhood between Yu Shun Tin (Andy Lau) and Dizang (Koo) is torn asunder when the former is forced by his uncle Yu Nam (Kent Cheng) – and head of their gang Ching Hing – to punish the latter for selling drugs at the nightclub he manages. Besides cutting off three of Dizang’s fingers from his right hand, Shun Tin also calls the police to raid Dizang’s premises, which results in an unfortunate operation that claims the life of Narcotics Bureau chief Lam Ching-fung’s (Miu) wife and colleague.

Fast forward fifteen years later, Shun Tin has transformed into a financial whiz thanks to his wife and mentor (Karena Lam), while Dizang has grown to become one of the most powerful drug barons in Hong Kong. Alas Shun Tin’s past life continues to haunt him, including a drug-addicted teenage son he never knew existed until his ex-girlfriend (Chrissie Chau) appeals for his help on her deathbed to take care of, which in turn fuels his present-day determination to take drastic measures against the four big drug lords in Hong Kong – which besides Koo’s Dizang, are represented in guest appearances by MC Jin, Cherrie Ying and Jun Kung.

Though Shun Tin is very aware that his actions will eventually set him up on a collision course with Dizang, it will be some time before Dizang finds out that it is his former best friend who is behind the series of guerrilla raids on his goods and factories. If you’ve seen the trailer, you would know that their personal vendetta will culminate in Shun Tin offering a $100 million bounty on Dizang’s life. Meanwhile, even as he is frustrated by how the known drug lords continue to evade the arm of the law, Fung continues to uphold the integrity of due process, which puts him at odds with Shun Tin’s unorthodox (and perhaps unlawful) methods.

Like his most recent ‘Shock Wave’ and ‘The Leakers’, Yau keeps the pace fast, even frenetic, throughout the movie. To Yau’s credit, the speediness of the storytelling doesn’t come at the expense of coherence, so there is perfect logic and order in the way the proceedings are organised. At the same time, it also means, for the casual viewer, that there is hardly a dull moment to be found within the duration of the film; in fact, even though there are a couple of memorable action scenes within, you’d probably feel as if the entire movie were itself a 100-minute continuous action-packed sequence that hardly pauses for you to take a breath.

But equally, it isn’t long before you realise that the sheer momentum comes at the expense of meaningful character motivation and development, so much so that you never at any point fully grasp or empathise with any one of the three main characters, much less the supporting ones. How does Shun Tin feel about losing a sworn brother? Is he at all conflicted about exploiting his wealth to take the law into his own hands? How does he reconcile his past life with his present? What does Dizang feel about Shun Tin’s betrayal? What drives Fung, other than to uphold the law? Does Fung sympathise with Shun Tin or deplore his methods? As inevitable as these questions are, you’ll quickly find that you’ll have to cast them aside if you’re going to enjoy the film for what it is worth.

And yes, once you forgo any expectation of narrative or character depth, you’ll probably be able to appreciate the fleeting pleasures it offers. For one, the three male leads each bring their own charisma, chemistry and gravitas to their respective roles, with Lau further honing his characteristically stoic persona, Koo chewing up the scenery as a baddie and Miu rehashing the righteous cop role from his TVB past. For another, the action is glorious old-school Hong Kong style, with shootouts, car chases and even a climactic setpiece right inside the heart of the Central MTR station. And last but not least, there is also the thrill of seeing a who’s who list of Hong Kong actors in this, including Carlos Chan, Michelle Wai, Cheung Kwok-cheng, Lam Ka-tung and Sam Lee in varying blink-and-miss cameos.

Given how unrelated they are, it is almost unfair to compare ‘The White Storm 2’ with the earlier movie, but between them, the original is probably the better one. Yet, like we’ve said, this economical thriller does offer simple and straightforward gratification, especially if you’re in the mood for an undemanding action thriller. But anyone expecting the likes of ‘Infernal Affairs’ will most certainly be disappointed, for there is little to no attempt to develop any of the weighty themes of crime and justice within in any meaningful way. If there should be another sequel, we hope it is a lot less superficial than this storm in a teacup.

Movie Rating:

(Lacking any narrative or character depth, this fast, frenetic and fleeting sequel - that bears no relation to the earlier movie - is strictly for popcorn viewing)

Review by Gabriel Chong