2012 - You have been warned.

This is a 2 hour 4o minute movie. This is very significant especially when you bring a 7 year old kid to this movie. After around 1.5 hours, little b was already asking, ironically as the storms were brewing and the human race on the brink of extinction, "What's taking so long?" The director manage to carry out the story well, in the sense that it didn't make us fall asleep, but, really if it was shorter, the impact would've been greater.

This is basically a feel-good family movie and it feels like a Sunday Matinee due to the over indulgence of family issues.

It is true that a movie depends greatly on your company. And my company made it more of a comedy than a serious tear jerker for me. Right from the start, when the year 2009 flashed on the screen, indicating the timeframe of the story, little b already made a silly remark, "We came to see 2012, not 2009.... Is this the right movie?"

There are plenty of humanitarian issues and some political issues and of course family ties discussed, but basically, the moral of the story is that life is short, so treasure your love ones before it's too late. However, today I was putting on a more logical cap than an emotional one, thus, I found that some of the scenes a little naive or impractical to apply in real-life. Parental guidance is highly recommended for children as little b indicated that he was very worried about the earth after watching (or experiencing) the full fledge natural disaster.

Anyway, this is one of the bigger action blockbusters for this year, and irregardless of my advice, you will just HAVE to get a glimpse of the special effects or CGIs or to experience the sound system.

Storyboard: 15 of 25
Cinematography: 20 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 15 of 25
Casting: 15 of 25

Total Score : 65% B-

Michael Jackson - This is it..

Hmm.. first of all, this is not a movie but a documentary about his This is it concert. Fans around the world will declare otherwise, saying this is the epitome of fine arts and music from the Legendary King of Pop, but I just want to be honest. I am a big fan of his. Whenever people asked me who my favourite singer was, I have always told people that he was my favourite, and he is the best performer of the century. In my humble opinion, He still is the best as I dont find anyone who can match his whole package in terms of showmanship, entertainment and talent). I enjoyed this documentary a lot especially when the company I went with knows how to appreciate MJ as well, but still I felt that it didn't deliver the "Boom Boom Pow" or the "Wow" effect!

And after watching this movie, I felt really pity that he didn't get to perform even one complete concert. The concert would've been magnificent with all the latest CGI technologies and the superb new hip hop dancers that he personally auditioned and handpicked. And with MJ, you know that he always wanted the best for the audience thus he was very detailed and tries to be perfect with all his costumes, singing and dance cheoreography. You know you will get the best from MJ as you know he's always pushing the limits and setting new standards. That's what MJ is all about, setting new boundaries". Yet, you can see that age (he was 50) is slowly catching up on him with his slowing down in dancemoves and inability to hit some of the notes. Yet you cannot help but feel that he's the best. Yes, that's the feeling you get when you watch this documentary. It's an awesome feeling... overwhelming but not the touching kind.

Well, guess if you want to watch the touching documentaries, you'd have to catch the memorial dvd. As for this movie, it's all about his "This is it!" concert. This movie reminds us of all his spectacular hits and his dance moves and he is still able to throw some new spice into these legendary songs.

Btw, if you do not have good sound system at home, perhaps you can consider watching this in the movies as it will serve your memory as MJ's last concert on earth. And remember to stay past the credits to look out for that special interesting CGI clip. I missed that part myself because I had such a full tank after sitting at the comfortable seat sipping large cold coke for 2 straight hours. Yep, just couldn't wait any longer! Guess I'd just have to catch it on DVD. :)

Picture source: CNN.com, imdb.com

Confession of a shopaholic

This is a typical chick flick love story but it has a nice twist and I can't help liking this. I suppose mainly because it revolves around a writer and it kinda hits home, thus I am a little biased.

Give this movie a try. Will upload more stuffs once I find the time..

From the girl with the pink scarf.. :)

Slumdog Millionaire 85% (R rated) B+

I thought this was another one of those boring arty-farty type of award winning movies... but boy was I wrong. The storyboarding is really good and the director David Boyle did a good job in bringing out interesting parts of the Indian people, life, culture, love, religion, etc... A feel good movie that gives hope for all those who feels that they are stuck in the rut.... A rags to riches tale nicely told in a very unique way where it blends in knowledge, culture, religion, life, love etc...

This 8-Oscar winner does not in my introduction. Watch it to understand our neighbours more... ;) Watch it to appreciate all the little things that we're already blessed with. Watch it before you listen to the soundtrack to appreciate Indian music more.


Storyboard: 20 of 25
Cinematography: 20 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 21 of 25
Casting: 20 of 25

Total Score : 81% B+

Revolutionary Road 71% B (R)

This movie gives hope to people who thinks that their lives are hopeless, dreamless, sad and unexciting. A very simple story which address the very complexity of human lives. 2 person who loves each other very much and devoted to making each other happy only to neglet their own needs and feeling totally miserable about it. And the bottled up misery turned into depression and irrationale thinking, all hell breaks lose.

Recommended watch for young couples and those who are planning to start a family as it shows how stressful and self-sacrificial having and raising a family is... when you're not ready or when your heart is not totally focused on having one.....


Storyboard: 15 of 25
Cinematography: 16 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 20 of 25
Casting: 20 of 25

Total Score : 71% B

Twilight 66% B (PG13)

This is a teenage love story with a twist of horror in the background. A little change from those typical teeny booper chick flick but the underlying storyboard is still the same where boy meets girl, fall in love, but have to go though some obstacles in between their relationship, goes to a prom and live happily ever after.

The bonus with this one is, the cute guys and girls to go with the popcorns and cola. The up and coming promising star, Robert Pattinson does well with his pale edition of the modern dracula, Edward Cullen. If you think he's familiar, yeah, he was Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter. His father in the movie, Peter Facinelli as Dr. Carlisle Cullen, although not popular in the big screen, is another piece of eye candy. Kristen Steward, the female mortal who stole the dracula's heart, is voted as one of the hottest new stars. Her last big hit was Jumper.

All these casts are getting busy for next year's 2nd edition of the Twilight saga, so you'll be seeing more of them soon.

Storyboard: 15 of 25
Cinematography: 16 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 15 of 25
Casting: 20 of 25


Total Score : 66% B

Body of Lies 70% B (R)

This is one of those anti-war movies which is trying to bring a message that there's just no end to terrorism war no matter how much espionage intelligence you place into the war-ridden Middle East.

This movie talks about the different war startegies used by different countries or cultures to achieve a common target, which is to stop terrorism. There are those who research from the comfort of their homes, via high tech gadgets, i.e. computers and satelite, and there are those who are on the field, gathering hard evidence with the price of their lives. According to this movie, the Jordanian intelligence preferes a more subtle and patient way by using "trust" and carefully placing people into the right communities to gather information or to perform certain duties. Also, the terrorists use the fundamental and almost untrackable word-of-mouth, religion and fear strategies.

However, the underlying message is "trust" has to be established for any partnership to work. You will notice how the terrorists "trust" their leaders with their lives and thus being able to cause so much damage to the world. (Well, those "missionary men" don't have a choice really, because if they stop believing the terrorists' agenda, they will be eliminated too.) Also, the movie reminds us that if you are in a "life-and-death" mission, please don't involve innocence such as a love one. You know how easily people can get you to do whatever they want you to do when they hit your "dead spot", i.e. by getting to your loved one first...

Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe brings life to this movie but somehow it lacks some ummpph... I would think Kingdom is a better "terrorist movie".


Storyboard: 15 of 25
Cinematography: 15 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 20 of 25
Casting: 20 of 25

Total Score : 70% B