Original SHERLOCK HOLMES costumes on display at Vivocity Posted on 12 Dec 2011 Before the action-adventure SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS reunites the bromantic couple of Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law as Holmes and Watson respectively, Golden Village is giving you a chance to check out the authentic costumes from the movie. In the film, Robert Downey Jr. dons a period-accurate two-piece woolen suit accented with an orange scarf, as his investigations bring him to ... more

First look at the return of MEN IN BLACK! Posted on 13 Dec 2011 Ten years after MEN IN BLACK II, director Barry Sonnenfeld has reassembled Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as the intergalactic policemen. What do we know of the plot so far? From the looks of this first trailer released, it has something to do with time travel and Josh Brolin playing the younger Agent K. MEN IN BLACK 3 opens next May and here's the trailer as well as the very cool poste ... more

Genre: Drama/Biography/Action
Director: Marc Forster
Cast: Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon, Kathy Baker, Madeline Carroll, Souleymane Sy Savane
RunTime: 2 hrs 9 mins
Rating: M18 (Some Violence, Drug Use & Coarse Language)
Released By:  Encore Films & GV
Official Website: http://www.encorefilms.com/preacher/

Opening Day:  5 January 2012

Synopsis: Machine Gun Preacher is the inspirational true story of Sam Childers, a former drug-dealing criminal who undergoes an astonishing transformation and finds an unexpected calling as the saviour of hundreds of kidnapped and orphaned children. Gerard Butler (300) delivers a searing performance as Childers, the impassioned founder of the Angels of East Africa rescue organization in Golden Globe-nominated director Marc Forster's (Monster's Ball, Finding Neverland, The Kite Runner & Quantum of Solace) moving story of violence and redemption. When ex-biker-gang member Sam Childers (Butler) makes the life-changing decision to go to East Africa to help repair homes destroyed by civil war, he is outraged by the unspeakable horrors faced by the region's vulnerable populace, especially the children. Ignoring the warnings of more experienced aide workers, Sam breaks ground for an orphanage where it's most needed-in the middle of territory controlled by the brutal Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a renegade militia that forces youngsters to become soldiers before they even reach their teens. But for Sam, it is not enough to shelter the LRA's intended victims. Determined to save as many as possible, he leads armed missions deep into enemy territory to retrieve kidnapped children, restoring peace to their lives-and eventually his own. The explosive, real-life tale of a man who has rescued over a thousand orphans from tarvation, disease and enslavement.

Movie Review:

There is a fascinating tale at the heart of ‘Machine Gun Preacher’, based on the true story of a hell-raising biker Sam Childers who found God and discovered his true calling upon visiting the civil war-torn region of Sudan. While other men of the cloth may have assisted in more diplomatic fashion, Sam did not hesitate to take up arms and fight against the ruthless guerrilla faction called the Lord’s Resistance Army that were notorious for recruiting male child soldiers into its militia and abducting young females into its sex trade.

Unfortunately, this adaptation by the once-acclaimed Marc Forster hardly does justice to Sam’s life story, glossing over many of the intriguing aspects that could have been so much more in the hands of a more capable director. Forster’s missteps begin right at the start of the movie, bungling up Sam’s staggering transformation from his drug-addled, rage-fuelled, and alcohol-guzzling life to a man touched by the healing faith of Jesus Christ. At first upset that Christianity has led to his wife quitting her well-paying job as a stripper, Sam quite suddenly embraces the very same faith after he and his junkie best friend Donnie (Michael Shannon) beat up a hitchhiker to within an inch of his life.

Baptism frees his conscience on his first visit to church, with no mention of any atonement for his past actions- and this oversight may prove to be disturbing for some Christians. One may argue that his conversion is simply tangential to the story, which wastes little time in transporting him to Northern Uganda and southern Sudan. Sam’s first visit is on a spontaneous mission trip, where he wonders outside the circuit to witness the reign of terror inflicted by Joseph Kony and his ostensibly Christian militia. It doesn’t take long before Sam decides to build an orphanage for the homeless, and when that is attacked by rebels, to personally become a soldier of war or ‘African Rambo’ as he is affectionately known.

The very notion of a man of God resorting to violence to fight evil is an interesting moral dilemma, but one that is only explored scantly by both first-time writer Jason Keller and Forster. Only too late and still too fleetingly does a character echo our disturbing thought of how Sam would probably better be known as a mercenary than as a preacher (even as Forster emphasises how Sam refuses to shoot a bunch of armed underage soldiers), and her subsequent death is representative of how quickly the film dismisses any in-depth exploration of its lead character’s ethical complexities, as if flummoxed by how best to portray them onscreen.

Forster fares slightly better when he turns Sam’s religious fervour into fanaticism, believing so indignantly at the work he is doing that it takes its toll not only on his finances but also on the wellbeing of his family. There is a certain madness to his obsession, and a scene where a consumed Sam stands in front of his congregation and preaches about how God needs ‘wolves, not sheep’ is simultaneously disquieting and riveting at the same time. The message that one can get lost from God even while doing God’s work is a compelling one, and brought across forcefully by Gerard Butler’s tour-de-force performance.

Yes, Butler is the star and the producer of this movie, and in more ways than one, he owns the entire film. His Sam is in almost every scene, the intimacy and the closeness by which Forster frames the movie around him allowing audiences to appreciate his solid turn as the complex hero. Butler’s dominating physical presence suits his character well, and his machismo is tempered alternately with stoic determination and raw vulnerability. Other than Butler, only Souleymane Sy Savane (who plays Sam’s local guide) manages to stand out- while supporting actors like Michelle Monaghan, Kathy Baker and even the always reliable Michael Shannon are given short shrift.

The fact that ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ remains a gripping watch- despite Forster’s missteps- is testament to the power of this true story. Nonetheless, this portrait of a larger-than-life hero could also have been so much more- a social debate of the application of religion to the fight of evil in the real world; a personal exploration of how religion can inspire dramatic change in an individual; and a cautionary tale of how losing one’s faith can be as easy as finding it. All these elements are expressed to varying degrees of success in a blunt and often clumsily directed movie, but this flawed morality tale still deserves a watch. 

Movie Rating:

(Flawed but no less gripping exploration of the meaning of mission and the means of missionary in a morally complex world)

Review by Gabriel Chong
  

The highly recommended 40 minute album kicks off with the familiar “The Muppet Show Theme”, a tune which one can never grow tired of. This is followed by a collection of new and old songs. Tracks like Paul Simon’s “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” and Starship’s “We Built This City” remind you of the key scenes in the movie. Then there are songs like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You” which are covered hilariously by The Muppet Barbershop Quartet and Camilla and The Chickens respectively.

We are also loving the new songs written by Bret McKenzie - “Life’s a Happy Song” (listen out for Canadian singer songwriter Feist’s signature voice in a cameo appearance), “Pictures in My Head” (we never expected to actually feel moved by a song performed by Kermit) and “Man or Muppet” (Segel performs a touching duet with his on screen brother Walter). Elsewhere, Adams is amusing performing “Me Party” with Miss Piggy, while Chris Cooper left us in stitches with his rapping in “Let’s Talk About Me”.

Beloved classics like are also revisited in this album. “Rainbow Connection” (did you know that the song written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher was nominated for an Oscar in 1979?) is performed lovingly by The Muppets (featuring Kermit and his banjo, of course), and in a funny parody, by The Moopets as a sleazy bar tune.

Interspersed by comical dialogue tracks, the songs are fun, and more importantly, have got lots of heart. You will want to revisit the soundtrack over and over again. And nope, the producers did not forget the entertaining “Mah Na Mah Na”, making it the last track on this wonderful album.

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (3) Life's A Happy Song Review by John Li

Those familiar with the bombastic scores for director Ridley Scott’s blockbuster movies like Gladiator (2000) and Black Hawk Down (2001) should ditch the impression that the music for the English filmmaker will be similarly pompous. With the usual collaborator Hans Zimmer out of the way, Scott’s latest film employs a more atmospheric, if not unsettling music composition, courtesy of German composer Marc Streitenfeld.

The 57 minute album starts off with the ominously grand “A Planet”, a cue which features a haunting oboe solo, inviting listeners to the darkest corners of the universe. “Going In” approaches the main theme in a much more sinister manner, giving you the impression that whatever is to come isn’t exactly the most welcoming. “Weyland” is a track which carries a sense of bleak hope which turns out to be evocatively beautiful. 

Other dark cues include “Discovery”, “Not Human” and “Too Close”, tracks which may not go down well with listeners who prefer haughtily ostentatious themes in their music. Elsewhere, cues like “Infected”, “Hyper Sleep” and “Hello Mommy” contain elements of peril and threat which may excite action score fans.

This being the fifth collaboration between Scott and Streitenfeld, the achieved sense of mystery and awe is aptly captured on sound. The score was recorded over one week with a 90 piece orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London, England, where it was also processed by the director. To create the unsettling sound, the orchestra was given reserved music sheets to have them play segments of the score backwards, before digitally reversing them.

Harry Gregson Williams contributes two compositions to this album. “Life” and “We Were Right” are both magnificently splendid cues which add a fantastical dimension to the otherwise desolate score. Soundtrack die hard fans may also identify music composed by the legendary Jerry Goldsmith in “Friend From The Past”. This is probably Streitenfeld’s homage to Goldsmith, the composer behind “Alien” (1979), the said companion piece to Scott’s latest work.  

ALBUM RATING:

Recommended Track: (1) A Planet

Review by John Li

Genre: Romance/Drama
Director: Johnnie To
Cast: Louis Koo, Sammi Cheng, Gao Yuanyuan, Wang Baoqiang, Li Guangjie, Huang Yi, Wilfred Lau, Sun Jiayi, Yang Yi, Li Haitao, Fu Chuanjie, Ji Chen, Tien Niu
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: Shaw
Official Website: http://www.mediaasia.com/romancinginthinair/

Opening Day: 9 February 2012

Synopsis: Like a scene straight out of a movie, on the day superstar Michael is to marry his actress sweetheart Yuan Yuan, a coal miner shows up and runs off with the bride. While dodging the paparazzi, Michael inadvertently boards a truck driven by Sue and ends up in Shangri-la. Sue is the innkeeper of a local inn and allows the rather depressed Michael to stay and get his life back together. During his stay, Michael finds out Sue is a die-hard fan and Michael’s movies are the links of Sue’s marriage. Unfortunately, her husband, Tian, disappeared 7 years ago near the inn and hasn’t been found ever since. Year after year, the rescue team looks for Tian and Sue hasn’t given up either. But when hope turns into despair, Sue commits suicide and Michael rescues her. As time goes by, Michael nurses Sue back to health and encourages her to put Tian behind her. When they both sense love is in the air, Sue gets word Tian’s body has been found. Unable to forget her husband, Sue turns Michael down. In memory of this magical journey, Michael turns it into a movie and personally persuades Yuan Yuan to star in the leading role of his film, “Romancing Into Thin Air”....

Movie Review:

Oh, look – it’s Louis Koo again. Didn’t we just see him in, err, another movie? Yes, the good looking Hong Kong artiste is appearing in yet another production, and the tanned one does seem a little tired in this Johnnie To directed romance flick. But luckily for Koo, his role in this beautiful film allows him to appear weary and withdrawn most of the time.

Koo plays a up and coming superstar who had everything going for him, until his bride runs away at their wedding ceremony. Depressed, the man ends up in Yunnan’s Shangri La by chance (some call it fate) and meets a miserable woman who happens to be his die hard fan a long, long time ago. For the following one and a half hours or so, we see how these two individuals come together in a relationship that is bittersweet and like how you’d expect – romantic.

The Chinese title for the movie has a “II” attached to it, suggesting that this is a sequel of some sort. Without giving too much away, let’s just say the plot develops in such a way that the couple’s eventual outcome is like a second parter to a first movie.

With that out of the way, we welcome To’s return to romance dramas. After all, the prolific Hong Kong filmmakers is known for his MIlkyway productions which explore the darker side of human nature (Election series, Vengeance, Life Without Principle). Some of To’s best works include Yesterday Once More (2004) and Needing You… (2000), which tell touching love stories. In his latest project, he intertwines three lives together and the result is a somewhat predictable but still enjoyable romance drama.

As much as we were hoping that this would be a tearjerker, we didn’t find ourselves empathizing too much with the protagonists’ fates. Maybe it’s the frequent and lengthy use of flashbacks to tell stories. Maybe it’s the disengaging way the film progresses. Or maybe it’s just how this 112 minute movie doesn’t provide much surprises, considering it’s helmed by To.

There are, however, a few pleasures while watching this movie. The breathtaking scenery in the picturesque Shangri La is the highlight of the production. One can only imagine himself being the protagonist in a movie like this, running in the snow with magnificent mountains as a backdrop. While Koo delivers a decent performance as a down and out celebrity (doesn’t the tanned star feel any fatigue after appearing in one movie after another?), it is his co star Sammi Cheng who gives a moving, and dare we say it, award winning worthy showcase of emotions in her role as a woman who is trying very hard to let go of the past.

Koo and Cheng’s on screen chemistry is supported by a similarly commendable supporting cast, which includes 1970s movie idol Tien Niu as a kind doctor, Li Guangjie as Cheng’s missing husband and Gao Yuanyuan as a runaway bride. In addition, movie goers would also be pleased to know that this movie is presented in its original soundtrack here. You’d be able to hear the characters speak in both Mandarin and Cantonese, a move we’d always welcome.

With Valentine’s Day round the corner, this is one movie you’d want to bring your loved one to watch. It may not be the best love story you’ve seen on screen, but it does its job of featuring good looking people in a love story.

Movie Rating:

(Pretty to look at, this Johnnie To romance drama would have worked with a little more emotional punch)

Review by John Li

SYNOPSIS: Dylan (Justin Timberlake) is done with relationships. Jamie (Mila Kunis) decides to stop buying into the Hollywood clichés of true love. When the two become friends they decide to try something new and take advantage of their mutual attraction – but without any emotional attachment. Physical pleasure without the entanglements. Sounds easy enough for two logical adults, right? Not so much. They soon realize romantic comedy stereotypes might exist for a reason.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Hollywood finally invented a new sub-genre in the year 2011 - The casual-sex-rom-com.

“Friends with Benefits” comes after the release of “Love & other Drugs” and “No Strings Attached” and in terms of star factor, probably the lowest. But wait, FWB is still worth checking out despite the all so expected plotting and cliché lines and bizarre flash mob sequences.

Sexy Back singer Justin Timberlake plays plays Dylan, an up-and-coming designer who is being poached by a recruiter, Jamie (Mila Kunis) to join GQ as its head art designer. Both having bad experiences with romance decide on a pact that sex should not come with emotional attachment. And well, is there a need to further explain the outcome of the relationship between Dylan and Jamie? 

FWB definitely appeals to both men and women with its generous serving of skin. Not to being shallow but gratuitous shots of Timberlake’s rear end and Kunis’ excellent figure is a plus for the first half. Director Will Gluck (Easy A) has the skills to put his cast members at ease with all those simulated thrusting and moaning in addition to telling an invigorating love story without being boring. Though FWB tries to differentiate itself from the usual slate of romantic comedies and even “Sleepless in Seattle” is not spared from being mocked, the end result never differs from what the movie is trying to achieve initially.

Taking a hiatus from the music industry and a last year's rousing turn in “The Social Network”, Justin Timberlake shines in the role of Dylan. FWB proves that the actor/singer finally has the charm to carry a movie all by himself. Pairing opposite the husky voiced Mila Kunis, the pair to say the least is lovable to watch. A subplot involving Dylan’s father (played by Richard Jenkins) who suffered from Alzheimer and his family lend a sense of credibility to the characters. Veteran actress Patricia Clarkson plays Jamie’s foxy mother hilariously. Another supporting cast member Woody Harrelson deserves the biggest compliment as a gay sports editor with his gay-centric filled dialogue and excellent comic timing. 

Ultimately, the movie ends up being formulaic and you practically know where it is heading even before the last act. All those discussions about sex, platonic friendship and love only managed to stir up interest though it went remotely nowhere. Seriously it’s the pairing up of Timberlake and Kunis that FWB stays afloat, their chemistry simply sizzles on the screen.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Available with optional Director Commentary, the 8 minutes Deleted Scenes is only worthy of your time if it contains appearances from Woody Harrelson’s character. Another 6 minutes of Outtakes follow this.

If you are a great fan of “Friends With Benefits” or you happen to miss Timberlake’s voice, check out the Commentary track with Director Will Gluck, Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis which offer more behind-the-scenes anecdotes and insights to making the rom-com.

AUDIO/VISUAL:

Visual and image quality is satisfactory on the whole and with the exception of ambient sound effects and music tracks, the sound transfer doesn’t really stand out in fact. 

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee

SYNOPSIS: Nick is a small town pizza delivery guy whose mundane life collides with the big plans of two wanna-be criminal masterminds. The volatile duo kidnaps Nick and forces him to rob a bank. With mere hours to pull off the impossible task, Nick enlists the help of his ex-best friend, Chet. As the clock ticks, the two must deal with the police, hired assassins, flamethrowers and their own tumultuous relationship.

MOVIE REVIEW:

What can you get with $100,000 nowadays? Definitely not a luxury car let alone a house.  But hey you can get yourself a killer from Detriot for that.

The premise of “30 Minutes Or Less” revolves around this petite sum of money with a pizza boy, Nick (Jesse Eisenberg from “The Social Network”) being forced by two slackers, Dwayne (Danny McBride) and Travis (Nick Swardson) to rob a bank so that the duo can hire an assassin to kill Dwayne’s rich dad. Enlisting his best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari) and with a bomb strapped to his body, Nick must find a way to rid himself out of this sticky situation before his time run out.  

This follow-up to Director Ruben Fleischer’s well-received “Zombieland” is a fast-paced comedy that works in the same style of “Pineapple Express” though “30 Minutes Or Less” only clocks in at an efficient 83 minutes. The movie never pretends to be sharp or witty and it’s best that audience watch it with a low-brow comedy in mind. There’s absolutely no payoffs of any kind so don’t go around poking for logical explanations.

With the exception of a play-for-laughs car chase, a teddy bear being blown up (don’t ask why) and a finale that has a flamethrower thrown in, the action quotient is lower than the comedy especially for a premise that involves a ticking bomb. However, credit has to go to Fleischer and his editor for their acute sense of comic timing and the ability to keep things compelling instead of letting his cast goes loose with their rattling.

With an ensemble cast including Aziz Ansari (Funny People), the funny Indian with a high-pitched voice, Aziz is an absolute blast playing Chet. His amount of nervous energy is perfect for playing off Eisenberg’s fidgety character and the duo complements each other with many amusing crude exchanges and gags. Take for instance, the bungling bank heist and the conversation that turns the best friends into ex-best friends. Though not a personal favourite comedian of mine, Danny McBride (Your Highness) is hilarious pairing with Nick Swardson (Just Go With It), the two goofballs who dreamt of opening a tanning salon/whorehouse. Michael Pena who normally appears as a goody-two-shoe turns up in a role that will surprise you.  

It’s a pity “30 Minutes Or Less” didn’t receive much love in the domestic box-office and even skipped the local theatrical release. Comparing this to many other raunchy comedies out there, this buddy caper stands out as one of the best comedies of 2011. To conclude, it’s a deserving 83 minutes or less of your precious time.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

There are 10 amusing Deleted Scenes and 6 minutes of Outtakes consisting mainly the cast ad-libbing and improvising.

The cast and crew talks about the pleasure on working in this movie in the 14 minutes feature, Blowing Up with the Cast & Crew of 30 Minutes or Less.

AUDIO/VISUAL:

The DVD transfer is clear and detailed. Explosions, gunshots, hip hop music and dialogue flows seamlessly out of the audio track making it an enjoyable experience.

MOVIE RATING:

DVD RATING :

Review by Linus Tee

WAR HORSE Saddled-Up for Golden Globes! Posted on 16 Dec 2011 Steven Spielberg’s latest war epic has been listed as one of the contenders for the Golden Globe®. DreamWorks Pictures’ “War Horse” is nominated for: Best Motiion Picture -Drama Best Original Score – Motion Picture With stunning performannces by Emily Watson, Peter Mullan, Niels Arestrup and newcomer Jerremy Irvine as Albert Naracott, “&ldq ... more

Genre: Crime/Drama
Director: Herman Yau
Cast: Michael Tse, Francis Ng, Chapman To, Liu Kai Chi, Kara Wai, Bosco Wong, Kate Tsui
RunTime: 1 hr 24 mins
Released By:  Cathay-Keris Films and Clover Films
Rating: NC16 (Some Violence & Nudity)
Official Website:

Opening Day: 29 December 2011

Synopsis: Laughing (starring Michael Tse) is sentenced to life-imprisonment for killing So (starring Bosco Wong). While serving his time, Laughing got to know Professor (starring Francis Ng), an introvert jailed for drug-dealing. Professor is a trained psychologist who reads mind, enabling him to manipulate and control others. The visit of a mysterious lady from the Security Bureau confirms Laughing’s imprisonment is all part of a new mission… Is the mysterious Professor a friend or foe? Will Laughing complete his duty and survive the ordeal of mistaken identity.

Movie Review:

Unless you’re an avid TVB fan who has caught the recent 44^th TVB Anniversary Best Drama Award winner ‘Lives of Omission’, you’re likely to find yourself perplexed how ‘Turning Point: Laughing Gor Returns’ is linked to the earlier ‘Turning Point’ movie two years ago. While the first film was a prequel to Laughing’s first appearance in ‘E.U.’, this in-name only sequel- also directed by veteran Herman Yau- follows directly from the cliffhanging conclusion of ‘Lives of Omission’.

For the uninitiated, the titular Laughing Gor was found guilty and sent to jail for murdering his informant and triad leader Michael (Bosco Wong) after the latter murdered his girlfriend- and then Criminal Intelligence Bureau superior- Jodie (Fala Chen). Casting Fala is no coincidence- Laughing falls in love with Jodie also because she bears a striking resemblance to his former girlfriend Karen (also played by Fala in the first ‘Turning Point’). While Fala’s return is a calculated one, the same cannot be said of Francis Ng’s comeback as this movie’s villain, a brilliant psychologist called Professor (Francis Ng).

Rather than crack your head trying to make a connection between Professor and Francis Ng’s earlier as a triad leader in the first movie, you’d be better off enjoying the sizzling chemistry between the two top-notch actors. Yes, we suspect the producers cast Francis yet again in the role simply because he would be an excellent counter-balance for Michael’s character Laughing- and indeed, the casting stroke pays off in several riveting scenes where the pair engage in a battle-of-wits of the difference between breaking the law and committing a crime.

That debate forms the crux of the movie, which surprisingly veers away from the ‘Infernal Affairs’-type milieu into more cerebral territory. Here, Professor is cast as a morally complex character who believes in bending and breaking the law in order to fulfil the objectives of justice. He’s a revolutionist bordering on anarchy, who has sown the seeds of his ideology among some high-level Police officers- including an ex-Narcotics Bureau officer Dai (Chapman To) and the Commissioner-in-waiting Kuen (Liu Kai-Chi). Unfortunately, Laughing is a much simpler person who refuses to be sold on such ambiguities despite the Professor’s best efforts at persuasion.

So Laughing makes it his personal mission to stop Professor- despite being a wanted criminal without any protection as an undercover (his handler is killed by Professor’s henchmen to cover their tracks) and no one to help him but a junior officer first recruited by his handler to make contact with him in prison. Yes, it turns out that Laughing’s imprisonment was no more than an elaborate ploy to get him close to the Professor as well as Dai to unravel their vigilante group’s nefarious plans- and that about-turn is just one of many twists and turns packed into a dense 84-min running time.

To be answerable to the TV show’s fans, there are frequent flashbacks that reference what had happened during the series- such as Laughing’s supposed murder of Michael, Michael’s heretofore-unknown connection to Professor, as well as Michael’s run-in with the female boss Sha (Kara Hui) of a secret black organisation called Ether. Credit goes to the screenwriters for weaving such a intricate plot next to the events of the TV series- though Herman Yau’s brisk pacing means that those who had not caught its predecessor will probably find themselves playing catch-up throughout the movie.

And yet again, the choice of Herman Yau as helmer proves to be an inspired one. Probably one of the most under-appreciated veterans of the HK film industry, Herman once again surprises with an engrossing psychological thriller that compellingly poses the perennial dispute between means and ends and whether the latter justifies the former in the context of the current justice system. Certain scenes do strain credibility- like how Professor manages to brainwash so easily Kuen, Dai and Michael’s wife Paris (Kate Tsui) to his cause- but the first-rate acting by the cast of veterans should more than win you over.

Those who have seen ‘Lives of Omission’ will probably agree with us that it was going to be difficult to top what rightfully won the Best Drama Series on TVB last year, with every episode edge-of-your-seat thrilling and brilliantly well-plotted. Rather than try to replicate it, Herman Yau has taken the inspired move of casting this movie sequel as a dense psychological thriller and creating a sharp intellectual villain in the form of the Professor. Those going in expecting your usual police-undercover triad movie will likely be disappointed, but this remains a gripping affair that more than does justice to its first-class TV predecessor. 

Movie Rating:

(A surprising change of genre away from its triad roots, director Herman Yau mines the ‘Laughing Gor’ mythology for a gripping psychological thriller)

Review by Gabriel Chong