Lone Survivor (Movie Review)

I must admit, I am normally not a big fan of war film but Lone Survivor really hit me from the emotional point of view. There are no corny lines that I can recall, the dialogues were kept simple. Thumbs up for the acting, non-brain-frying plots, stunning visual (the filming took place in New Mexico depicting Afghanistan, awesome location nonetheless) and the battle scenes. And the oh so painful scenes (the stunts that they put up really make me think that the SEAL are made from iron).  I wouldn't penalize Lone Survivor for making it more on the action scene rather than focusing on the character development, I felt that the formulation of the film was made just up to what I would preferred. 

The biggest spoiler that I can provide is the title itself, what else do you think the Lone Survivor could mean? 

Summing the 2 hours long movie short, it is about the doomed mission of the US Navy SEAL mission Opt Red Wings team that was tasked to stop the tyranny of the Taliban. Again, 'Lone Survivor'. Everybody dies but one. The movie is based on the book, Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell (character played by Mark Wahlberg) and Patrick Robinson. 

Courtesy of Nuffnang

Lone Survivor opens in Malaysian cinema nationwide on the 14th of January, 2014.

Running Time : 121 minutes | Director : Peter Berg

Cast : Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Eric Bana, Alexander Ludwig

Side Note : How on flying f*ck does the Talibans move at Godlike speed, puzzles me. Also, you may want to skip Hercules if you're planning to watch it, watch this instead. :)

Devil's Due (Movie Review)

Zach and Samantha McCall are a young lovey dovey newlyweds, very much in love. Somewhat during their honeymoon, something happened (duh!) and  Samantha learns that she is pregnant. And things goes spiraling down from there, weird things starts to happen and we all know what/who is the culprit. The damn baby.

And if you've watched the trailer above, you would realize (or if you don't, let me just let you know) that this movie is shot from an amateur videographer's perspective. Just like Paranormal Activity. And just like Paranormal Activity, these are the checklist to refer to see if you are/might be interested in the movie.

☑ Profanity - 

Yes, you have to have profanity. Mild profanity at least. Let the cast drop some f-bombs, s-bombs, and any other bombs that you can think of.

☑ Supernatural unexplained/vaguely explained self transformation - 

Think of it as a progressive way of being screwed, with supernatural intervention. Transformation includes vast personality disorder and/or development of supernatural power (particularly poltergeist or telekinesis).

☑ Some happening cult gathering - 

Throw in one cult with vaguely explained origin, or better yet not explained at all for a more enigmatic effect of the paranormal events.

☑ Illogical camera angles -

Yes, who on their right minds would put down their camera when things in the house starts flying around, your spouse started yelling his/her lungs out or when you fly around. Also, it is rather impossible to have an out of focus shot. Maybe sometimes. At the chest. Or butt.

Devil's Due opens in Malaysian cinema nationwide on the 9th of January, 2014.

Running Time : 89 minutes | Director : Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett 

Cast : Zach Gilford, Allison Miller

This premiere screening is courtesy of Nuffnang :)

And before I forget, do catch Paranormal Activity - The Marked Ones. And you'll probably agree with me afterwards that this show should be called Paranormal Activity - The Pregnant One.

Paranormal Activity - The Marked Ones (Movie Review)

A quick recap on the Paranormal Activity franchise :

Paranormal Activity (2007) - 'Found footage' of an unexplained haunting that happens to a young couple, Micah & Katie, encapsulating all the paranormal activities in a voyeuristic perspective (yes, bedroom scenes included) using home digital camera. 

Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) - A prequel to PA1, the 'found footage' of the unexplained (which is later explained to the audience) haunting that happened in Katie's sister, Kristi's household. PA2 further explained why the haunting happened in PA1, with special appearance by Katie.

Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) - A prequel to the prequel of PA1, the 'found footage' explained the previously unexplained incidents in PA1 & PA2, where the story delved further into the history of Katie & Kristi's haunting/demonic possessions/behavioural changes.

Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) - Finally, no more prequels, PA4 is a sequel of PA2 and focuses on Alex, who also recorded a series of paranormal activities on recorders, security cams and video cams, who happened to be a neighbor of the said missing Katie (eh, news never showed Katie's pictures on TV/newspaper ah?).

Now, our beloved franchise brings you a slight spin off of the Paranormal Activity franchise - The Marked Ones.

The 'found footage' taken in 2012, revolves around the protagonist, Jesse who unfortunately happens to stumbled across the strange phenomena known as Paranormal Activity, and yada yada suffers the same haunting. Same B-grade acting to be expected along the way, slightly clever lines that won't bore you half way throughout the movie, ridiculous video shots and angles, and one clear thing I noticed along the movie, it looks like elements from Chronicle/ Resident Evil/ Insidious are mashed up into this movie (no spoiler intended, you would have to watch/read spoiler reviews).

Same WTF moments to be expected at the end of the movie, but I personally enjoyed the show for good laugh (whether it was intentional or otherwise) & very minimal scare factors (whether it was intentional or otherwise). 

Paranormal Activity : The Marked Ones opens in cinemas nationwide on the 2nd of January, 2014.

Running Time : 84 minutes | Director : Christopher B.Landon

This premiere screening is courtesy of Nuffnang :)

Insidious 2 (Movie Review)

KLIPS Malaysia and I sure have a thang for horror movie, 2nd movie scored under Klips is non other than James Wan's Insidious 2 (sequel to where the story left off in Insidious, 2011).

Well, just when you thought that your family might get off the hook of stubborn entities, Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson) was apparently still being haunted by the entity from the first Insidious movie. Insidious 2 further explains the haunting, young Josh and Lorraine's (Barbara Hershey) relationship with deceased medium Elise, and whether the Lambert family survives this round of 'insidious' disturbance. Quite frankly I wasn't expecting much after the preceding installment but Insidious 2 should be a bearable watch (after all it has elements of Oren Peli and Mr.Conjuring-Director James Wan, it's not that of a train wreck rest assured).

Oh, if you're watching it, keep your eyes peeled at the end of the movie (before the credits) and let me know what you think :)

Release Date    :   17 Oct 2013

Running Time    :   105 minutes

Director            :   James Wan

Cast                 :    Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey

Last Summer (Thai Movie - Review)

I am a sucker for horror movies, really. Courtesy of KLIPS Malaysia, I've managed to spook myself into watching Last Summer a night before set to release on 15th of August 2013.

This movie revolves around a suicidal, popular high school student, Joy who was joined by three friends, Singh, Garn and her bff Meen on a summer beach getaway where the 'joyful' vacation ended with an unexpected tragedy. Joy, who was been wronged by her friends/family is back to haunt the heck out of them (Albeit the dead did not appear as a killer with a fisherman hat and hook on a killing frenzy).

The movie consists of three interrelated stories, each linked to the main demised. I was disappointed actually the way how the motive and the cause of death of Joy, the spooker elevated to the series of haunting. Comparing to the peers of Thai horror flicks, this one definitely fell short on the lower side of the spectrum.

Don't expect a full snoozefest though, as the sound effects would be sufficient to torment you throughout the 1 hour and a half duration of the movie, but overall I would suggest that you avoid this movie unless you've covered every single movies in the cinema already, coff*watchconjuring*coff.

Release Date   :           15 Aug 2013

Running Time   :           92 minutes

Director           :           Kittithat Tangsirikit, Sittisiri Mongkolsiri, Saranyoo Jiralak

Cast                 :           Jirayu La-ongmanee, Sutatta Udomsilp, Pimpakan Phraekhunnatham, Krit Sathapanapitakkij, Ekkawat Ekatchariya

Les Misérables - The Murphy Law Day

Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong - Murphy's Law

That was exactly what happened last Friday, where everything I expected to go wrong actually went wrong.
Woke up late to shower up for an event. With great stink, I attended a finale where I stood a 1/175 chance to win a Hyundai Elantra. Sounds good, no? Murphy's Law struck again, I was eliminated in the 1st preliminary round.

Later that evening I was supposed to attend a preview screening of Les Misérables, courtesy of Nuffnang. I managed to secure another pair that day, just in case one fell short of the other. I gave the other pair away, and was expecting that the contact person would redeemed the pair for me, even if he/she watches the movie. I personally don't care if that person watches the movie or not, I do care however that the ticket is collected because I gave my word/RSVP for it.

The night before, fearing that contact person might forget about the screening, I decided to send a private message. True enough, contact person totally forgotten about it. And Murphy's Law struck once again, on the day it self, contact person forgot about the magazine cutting, thus making it hard to redeem the tickets and it gets better, contact person decided to let me know that he/she actually got a pair from Nuffnang.

Frustrated, but decided not to argue, I went to collect both pairs and decided to burn a pair. Murphy Law struck once again, the screening for Les Misérables in the Nuffnang hall was halted due to technical difficulties.

But no matter how much Murphy's Law decided to bring me down, the day do have its silver linings.
I didn't win the car, but I won some consolation prizes, so I was not empty handed.

And it was due to contact person FFK-ing, that I actually switched hall to watch the premiere anyway (I found out after that the screening did not happen at Nuffnang's hall afterall and was replaced with another day). It was one of those rare occasion that I am glad that people FFK me. LOL.

Les Misérables, directed by Tom Hooper (who directed the Academy Award winning movie, The King's Speech) and starred by Wolverine, Gladiator Maximus, Princess Diaries, that Mamma Mia girl, Mrs.Tim Burton and AliG-Borat-Bruno.

It's a full 160 minutes of musical cum film, telling the story of Jean Valjean, being chased by an obsessed police inspector Javert, met a prostitute Fantine, and kept her daughter Cosette after she died. I know, the summary is complete trash, but seriously, the movie brought broadway to the silver screen, in a good way. Never knew Hugh Jackman was such a performer, Anne Hathaway gave me goosebumps from her solo number, Amanda Seyfried is amazing to watch as usual.

While we can't exactly avoid Murphy's Law from happening, everything that happened/bound to happen is for a reason, it might be just for the better. Just hold on to that if you feel like you're having a crappy day!

#56 : Puss in Boots *Ooooo*

Puss in Boots Trailer

Thanks to an entry to Nuffnang's Giveaway, I managed to score a pair of tix to watch Puss in Boots. From supporting cast in the Shrek installment, Puss (or shall I say, Diablo Gato/The Furry Lover/Chupa Cabra/Frisky Two Times / The Gingerhead) has finally managed to get his own movie of fame.


If you've remembered Puss, you'll expect Spanish accent from the gato, ridiculous involvement of fairy tails we all grew up with, stereotypical cat actions, and of course, the big shiny eyes. Also, the movie tells us the origin of Puss, from a little-cuteness-overload kitten to the Puss we all know.

Can't get over this image of Puss

Puss (voiced by Antonio Banderas) is portrayed to the liking of Zorro, swashbuckler actions are no stranger to the film. Puss is on a mission, to clear his name after an unfortunate incident (being pulled into doing a crime with his friend, Humpty 'Alexander' Dumpty) in the place he grew up in, San Ricardo.

I liked the twist where Jack (voiced by Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (voiced by Amy Sedaris), who went up the hill and fetched a pail of water is portrayed as villains in the show, and the involvement of the Beanstalk story is genius. So basically they're the main villain of the show, or is it? Humpty Dumpty (voiced by Zach Galifianakis) seems to be fishy all along the movie.


And as every hero would need, a pretty pussy, I mean, lady on his side. There's where Kitty Softpaws (voiced by Salma Hayek) comes in, somewhat a resemblance of Catwoman. LOL




The Spanish flavor (music and vocabulary) added in this film was actually refreshing, and I enjoyed the flamenco dance off between the cats in the club called Glitter Box, pretty intense I would say :)

Dance off!

Overall, it's an adventure of redemption that is worth watching in cinemas in 3D or otherwise.
Though it may not have much of sexual innuendos like we'll find in Shrek, this movie is still one of the many Dreamwork produced movies I truly enjoy.

Notable rising star : The Oooo Cat who made 3 appearances in the movie after embarrassing moments in the film.


The invites to this movie is courtesy of Nuffnang.

#91 : The Green Lantern Hype

One of the my anticipated superhero movies of the year would definitely include Green Lantern, aside from Captain America and X-Men First Class. Green Lantern is basically about a test pilot, Hal Jordan who was selected to became the inaugural human of the Green Lantern Corps, and was given the iconic green ring that grants him the ability to conjure what he thinks into green entity to fights off enemies, in particularly Parallax in this 2011 movie.

Movie invites courtesy of eCentral

Along side with casts Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Robbins & Mark Strong, I thought that the movie would be epic. Well, it is not as epic as I expected, it feels like watching 114 minutes worth of a Sunday series rather than some bum smack film. Director Martin Campbell could've done a tighter job in dirtying up the movie a little *koff*dark knight*koff*, but that is probably my preference. The CG effect in this film is to be praised for, everything from the costume right to the blingbamboom scenes, this is what probably lifted the movie credibility a little. Kids who may or may not know who Green Lantern is in this show would surely enjoy this film regardless.

Mark Strong is a strong actor, no pun intended but I was actually more impressed at his role in Sherlock Holmes. I believe there will be more on Sinestro in the next installment, if any and we shall see how the Sinestro Corps of Fear will fare.


From Gossip Girl's Serena van der Woodsen to Carol Ferris, Blake Lively never fails to bring her A-game hotness to the screen.

Ryan Reynolds is still a little puzzling as to how he fits into being Green Lantern. He may have pulled it off as Deadpool in Wolverine but to be one of the iconic Justice League member, he certainly may not look like it at first glance, but I guess he did a pretty decent job bringing the Lantern to life.

Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern & Deadpool
(image courtesy of Scifiscoop)

Now that's a trolled movie of the year! Courtesy of motifake.com

The other positive thing about this film, is that it didn't deviate too much from its roots, I get to know Green Lantern's story from head to tail, which is one of the things I appreciate if you are making a film based on the comic series. Would I go for seconds if any? I think Green Lantern 2 is in sight, would like to see what it has to offer!

Got this from the Movie Fest in Ikano

Courtesy of Times Bookstore

And oh, in conjunction with the many contests promoted during the Green Lantern movie release, I managed to get some Green Lantern merchandises. Do you think I could be the first Asian Green Lantern? :D

Green Lantern loves crepes :)