Transformer 7-4-7

Can't wait till the Transformers movie come to our shores. It seems that we'll be getting this treat on the 28th June (from GSC advertisements) even though the official site says it'll premier on the 4th of July.

Anyway, this anticipation means I am expecting qutie a lot from Michael Bay (director) and Steven Spielberg (executive producer). I really hope that they will present some good family entertainment instead of some cheap "Ultraman/Mask Rider/Power Ranger vs Rubbery Monster" type. Also, hopefully their robots are much better than those of Astro Stadium ads.

Having said that, from the trailers and teasers (all 6 of them), I think that we won't be disappointed. :)

Here's a refresher in case we get confused with who's who in the movie:

Autobots (the good guys)
1) Optimus Prime (leader) - 18th wheeler
2) Bumblebee - Cheverolet Camaro
3) Jazz - Pontiac Solstice Sports
4) Ironhide - GMC Topkick Pickup Truck

5) Rachet - Search and Rescue Hummer (Ambulance)

Decepticons (the high tech villians)
1) Megatron (leader) - Cybertronian Jet (actually can turn into Walther P33 Pistol too)
2) Barricade - Police Car - Saleen 5281 Mustang
3) Starscream - Lockheed Martin F22 Raptor Jet
4) Blackout - Skirkovsky MH53 Pave Low III Helicopter

5) Brawn - M1 Abrams tank

6) Frenzy - 2 speaker CD player mini compo

7) Scorponok - mechanical scorpion

8) Bonecrusher - Buffalo Armoured Mine-Protected Bulldozer

Short Sypnosis: Sometime in 1850, War between Autobots and Decepticons in Cybertron planet have spill over to Earth over the control of Allspark, a cube that will give the owner super powers. The Allspark has been "exported" to Earth by some Autobots but Megatron managed to track and chase after them to Earth. During his "visit" to earth, Megatron, fell into the Arctic Ocean and was freezed to paralysis (note: all robotics can be overcomed by freezing it's mechanical parts). Captain Archibald Witwicky, a scientist, was on an Artic expedition and chance upon Megatron. Megatron enscribed a map leading to the Allspark location into Captain Archibald Witwicky spectacles.

Over time, other Decepticons roam to earth in search of the Allspark and their leader. While the US government want to study and controlthe robots, the Decepticons also want to learn from the US government the location of Allspark.

Meanwhile, the other autobots arrives on Earth to protect the Allspark and the earth (as the leader Optimus Prime believes that "Freedom is the right for all santient beings".

For the rest of the story, well... go watch the movie in the theaters... :)

Source: http://www.transformersmovie.com

Ocean's Thirteen

Full of star-studded A-class casts but can't really say I enjoyed the movie as I get this been there done that kinda feeling. Another sequel to a sequel. Hmm... a lot of sequel's sequels being done this year.

Storyboard (5 out of 10)

Refresher -

Ocean's Eleven 2001: Freshly out of jail, gangster/con-artist Danny Ocean (George Clooney) rounds up 10 professional "theives" to rob 3 Las Vegas casinos owned by unscrupulous entrepreneur, Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia), simultaneously during a boxing event. Rueben Tishkoff (Elliot Gould), a rich casino owner who have a personal score to settle after losing a casino to Benedict, provided funding to the whole sophisticately planned "project".

Ocean's Twelve 2004: Terry Benedict seeks vengence after losing USD150 million to Ocean and his 11 accomplice (plus his wife, Julia Roberts as Tess) and demanded repayment with interest - USD190million in two weeks or they will all be killed. To raise the funds, they planned 3 large scale robberies in 3 European countries but their plans are 1-up by another theif, named Night Fox. With Europol hot on their heels, and challenges from Night Fox, they race against time to take on the biggest heist to claim the world greatest theives title.

Ocean's Thirteen 2007: Reuben Tishkoff's (Elliot Gould) was unscrupulously cheated of a hotel and casino by Willie Bank (Al Pacino) and suffered a heart attack and paralysis which almost took his life. Ocean's team (the 13th member being Terry Benedict who hated rival hotelier Bank) gathered and schemed to settle the score for their friend by helping other's to win the casino's money and sabotage Bank's new hotel.

All 3 story lines are almost the same, and it really grounds to a bore after some time as the director Steven Soderbergh recycled the same cinematography and ideas for all 3 installments.

Special effects/Graphics/Cinematography (4 out of 10)

No special effects. The conventional cinematograhy made me felt like I was watching an 80s show with the music, the colours, the zooming in on objects and spliting of the screen (like an old James Bond movie).

Lessons/Issues (3 out of 10)

Not a very "moral" movie as it condones stealing and put theft on a padestal. I guess lessons learnt are mostly friendship, and trusting the right people. Another lesson projected here, especially for the management level, is that we must always pay/repay people for their hardwork (as shown in the very last part where Brad Pitt repays the hotel reviewer (David Paymer) - interesting way to repay someone (I wish someone would repay me this way!), especially when reviewer didn't even know he's part of the scheme.)

Casting (8 out of 10)

Overall casting in this star-studed installment is good as they have used all original casts and thus, immediate association with the previous episodes are possible. And there's no direct linkage to the previous episodes, so those who have missed the previous 2 installments wont be lost. Brad Pitt and Matt Damon's good looks and dashing smiles are there to increase ratings but I didn't really feel their presence as I did in Ocean's Eleven.

Overall grading = C+ (20 out of 4o)
An intellectual scheming movie but the ideas have run dry. A-class stars, but C-Class presentation. It's always hard to do sequels, and harder to do sequels to sequels... so Director Steven Soderbergh need some breakthrough ideas to break out from the shadow that Ocean's 11 casted out 6 years ago (A little trivia: O11 was a remake of a 1960 movie with the same name). Watchable movie, but I think you can wait for the DVD.

Scoring Guide:

31-40 A

21-30 B

11-20 C

1-10 D

(note: all pictures are quoted from http://www.imdb.com)

Fantastic 4 (Rise of the silver surfer)

Just watched it. But really have no feelings for this movie despite it being a very entertaining show.

Storyboard (6 out of 10)
Refresher - Fantastic 4 (2005) :
Fantastic 4 consists of 4 superheros (humans turned into super powered beings after being hit by Gamma rays while on a science project in outer space), namely Reed (Plasticman), Susan (Invisible Girl), Johnny (Torch) and Ben (The Thing). They are scientists who have dedicated their own lives to the science of saving the lives of others.

Current episode: Rise of the Silversurfer:

This second installment of the movie mainly shows an insight to their busy lives as Fantastic 4, where they research for ways to understand the molecular substance of their own body to somehow reverse the effects of the gamma rays, and try to return to "normal". Reed and Susan also tries to lead "normal" lives by getting married but their plans have always been interrupted by Reed's commitment to work. Reed's commitment to saving the world is always put to the test by trouble makers aka paranormal super villians such as Victor von Doom(Dr. Doom), Norrin Radd (Silver surfer) and Galactus (an earth eating alien).

The movie does develop each character equally, providing ample explanation on each of their powers and ability and their purpose in the story. Overall story flow is very good for a comic flick (and their jokes were extremely witty and hilarious) but as I mentioned earlier, it's just an entertaining movie, with not much subliminal message.

Special effects/Graphics (10 out of 10)
The best part of the movie. This is a movie made from comics, so you can expect a lot of CGI and special effects. The CGI in this movie is very seemless and it gives live to all the comic characters especially, Silversurfer and Torch. My favourite scene is the part where Torch chased after Silversurfer until Torch ran out of oxigen to burn.... (very good way to teach the youngster to be interested in science.)

Lessons/Issues: (6 out of 10)
Not very significant but the most important issues highlighted would be:

1) Friendship (The 4 friends stay through thick and thin - even though Ben and Johnny may seem to have big differences, but deep inside, they love each other as best friends.)

2) Understanding in a relationship which is highlighted when Susan and Reed's wedding have been postponed and ruined for 4 times, the time Susan caught Reed dancing with other sexy women on his bachelor's night and the time Susan caught Reed hiding his research from her.

3) Making choices in life. The movie highlights that there's always a chance for you to make the right choice in life for the greater good of everyone. It reinforces the idea that we should all take the courage to make that choice....

Casting (9 out of 10)

Overall casting is good as they have used all original casts to avoid confusion and for easier recognition and refresher of the first episode. I guess everyone is waiting to see Jessica Alba (Susan), especially the part where she lost her "Invisible" powers after burning her clothes. Ioan Gruffudd (Reed) have more screen time this time as the leader of F4 and brings out the "kayu" (nerdy) role of a scientist very well. I thought Christ Evans (Torch) wasn't good looking enough to fit in the vain character of Torch but his acting was good to bring out the childish and irrational side of Torch. The combination of Doug Jones and Laurence Fishbone (voice) was excellent in depicting the mysterious and strong character of the Silversurfer.

Overall grading = A- (31 out of 4o)
A very fun and entertaining movie for the whole family (parent guidance needed for childen below 12 due to the fighting, flying, choking, and killing scenes.) A must watch (and worthy watch) at the THX cinemas.

Scoring Guide:
31-40 A
21-30 B
11-20 C
1-10 D

(note: all pictures are quoted from http://www.imdb.com)

Muzikal Cheng Lock

Apa Khabar, Buat Bertenang.... :)

You can't believe that I went for a musical, eh? Neither can I. Not because I don't like all these arty farty stuffs, but I just can't believe that I can ever find someone to watch them with me. Most think that they are a torture and so I spare them the agony....

Anyway, I didn't know my sister (yeah, I don't even know my own sister, how terrible of me!) was interested in works of art until today when she asked me if I wanted to go for Muzical Cheng Lock. Amazingly surprised at the sudden invitation, but I immediately jumped at the opportunity, even though the show was 8:30pm tonight.

This historical musical is extremely good in making the boring history subject an interesting one. Filled with catchy music and nicely choreographed dances coupled with experienced dancers and singers, this musical makes a very good entertainment composition with educational contents.

Muzikal Cheng Lock is an autobiography of Tun Tan Cheng Lock's life and his contributions to MCA and the Chinese in Malaysia. The musical takes the audience from his birth into a Peranakan family, to the rise of the Chinese baba and nyonyas in Malacca, right into his courtship, marriage, and indulgence into politics and finally his self sacrificial fights for Malaysian Independence.

For those who are not sure who Tun Tan Cheng Lock is, he is one of the Malaysian forefathers who was responsible for :

1) helping Chinese immigrants to achieve the Malaysian Citizenship,

2) setting up MCA (he became the first President of MCA)

3) helping Malaysia to achieve Independence (Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!)

I've not see many musicals, but this one is quite elaborate with cleverly designed props and lightings, very well rehearsed dancers (who was very good at expressing their feelings through their songs and body movements. I was especially amazed at the "pause and resume" movements, and their slow motion dances...), and very well researched actors and actresses. Veteren actors such as Kenji Sawahii, Louisa Chong, and Jalaludin Hasan, completes the fun yet historical presentation (note: although I recognised these people from local dramas, this production really surpasses any local drama that I have seen) . And of course, they were so good at singing that I thought it was lip-synced at first... Oh, and not forgetting, the 5-star, state-of-the-art theatre/stage that Istana Budaya houses makes this musical a completely enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

You have got to watch this musical to really appreciate the quality of the performance. Catch it before it draws its curtains for good. There are 2 shows left, tomorrow (Saturday, 2 June 2007 at 8:30pm and Sunday, 3 June at 8:30pm. Prices of tickets are extremely reasonable at RM20, RM30 and RM50. (And, you may get a free upgrade if you are lucky.... guess we were very lucky.. :-))

Oh, I am not sure if refreshments are served everyday, but there was a party thrown by MCA tonight and they served us nasi lemak, some kuihs, some fruits and very good Nescafe.... burpp..... hehehe...

Have a nice weekend at this meaningful historical musical ....

Note: Pictures courtesy of Istana Budaya (from www.istanabudaya.gov.my)