Painted Skin (Cantonese) 72% B (PG13)

Rated: PG13 for slight violence, fantasy and supernatural elements

Painted Skin or Hua Pi is supposed to be an epic adaption of the Pu Song Ling's classic mysterious, supernatural-themed, horror literature "The Strange Tales of Liao Zai" but Gordon Chan (director) simplified things to bring about a movie that basically revolves around an extended twisted web of love story spun with elements of horror/thriller in connection to the spiritual world.

Gordon Chan tries to project the different aspects of love, human nature and morality with a dab of supernatural elements i.e.
1) Friendship love and how it's put to a test for the love of a woman
2) Husband-wife love and how trust is tested by an imergence of a devilishly beautiful 3rd party.
3) The undying love of an old flame and the burden they carry inside them for the rest of their lives
4) The love between demons and the possessive and selfish sides of love
5) The love of a spiritual being towards human and the lengths that anyone go through (including dirty tricks) to get/protect their loved ones.
6) The love build between 2 strangers on a same mission which typically starts with hatred and ends in love.

A recommended watch as it is one of the bigger Chinese production this year. However, fans of kung fu expert, Donnie Yen, should expect some disappointment as he did not get as much action screen time, and is projected as a joker/jilted lover rather than a hero. (Note: Actually, I was expecting much more from Action Director, Stephen Tung). Maybe the 3 beauties, Vicky Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun, and Betty Sun Li can make up for the mediocre storyboarding and distract you with their stunning eyes and demonic charm.

Storyboard: 15 of 25
Cinematography: 20 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 15 of 25
Casting: 22 of 25

Total Score : 72% B

Mamma Mia! 68% (PG13)

Tagline: A mother. A daughter. Three possible fathers. Take a trip down the aisle you'll never forget

Rated PG-13 for some sex-related comments.

This is a musical based on love and family told using ABBA's songs. And this is one of the biggest musical movies ever with it being a big global grossing hit especially in UK and Asia (Singapore and Korea).

Hmmm, I was quite worried when I could identify with all the ABBA songs they belted out in this movie. Before you think you can tell my age, let me justify that I was introduced to ABBA thru my elder siblings. Anyhow, you don't have to be shy if you liked this movie because ABBA has pretty much touched many people's life with them being so popular worldwide over the decades. I remember Thank You for the Music as being one of the first commercial songs I learnt at the tender age of 6! (To illustrate their global popularity, at the height of their careers, they were Sweden's biggest export, exceeding even Volvo cars!)

A recommended watch especially for those who likes musicals. Many would argue that they could use younger or better looking casts but I beg to defer. Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgård (of Pirates of the Caribbean fame), and Colin Firth (of Bridget Jones fame) was of the correct age as parents of a 20 year old girl. Umm... whether or not they are acting their age is another matter but hey, who wouldn't want to watch James Bond singing SOS! Such irony hahaha. However, I wont comment on their singing... as all of them are not professional singers in the first place... so be forgiving...

Storyline is pretty simple but I think you will like this light weight British ncomedy if you go with an open mind and good company. At least you'd be entertained by ABBA's songs. Just let ABBA's music magic seep into your soul to enjoy this movie...

Take a chance on this movie!

Note: Incidentally, Mamma Mia the live musical is coming to Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur this Chrstmas (Dec 17, 08 - Jan 1, '09), so watch out for it.

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

Total Score : 68% B

Source: http://www.imdb.com/

Babylon AD 40% D (PG13)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, language and some sexuality.

After watching this movie, it's like I havent watched it at all. I have no idea how the title ties to the content of this movie. Even if you are an action movie buff, you'd get the "been there, done that" feeling as most of the actions scenes seems to have been used by some other movies before.

Most would go to this movie due the the mega casts featured, such as Michelle Yeoh and Vin Diesel who usually promise lots of action. However, the weak storyline or the bad script does not leave an impressive impact on the viewers. All the extensive CGI does not distract the fact that there's no proper flow or charater development or explanation.

Just wait for the DVD...


Storyboard: 10 of 25
Cinematography: 10 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 10 of 25
Casting: 10 of 25

Total Score : 40 D

Sex and the City, the movie 80% (R)

Tagline: Get Carried Away.

Rated R for strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language.

I have never watched the series but that isn't a deterence for watching this movie. It gives ample explanation so that you wont get lost in following the life and lifestyles of these 4 wonderful New York ladies.

This is essentially a love story but what really touched me is the friendship ties shared among these 4 friends. You can actually feel the tight friendship when Charlotte York (Kristin Davis) fed Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) at her lowest point in her life, a point where she played very well as a jilted, scorned, failed, embarassed, confused bride-to-be (or bride-she-never-became). Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall), the sex-pot, still looks good with her botox obsession (addressing beauty and sex issues which most women endure) and Miranda Hobbes (Chyntia Nixon) really plays her role well as a self-inflicted stressful working mother (due to her perfectionist personality).

This movie gives some insights to what love and friendship is all about. To be able to love so deep and be hurt so badly and yet you still dare to love some more.... these are feelings that everyone aspire to experience but don't always have the chance. It gives some insights to love and the mad things that it makes you do, marriage, counseling and divorce, singlehood/loneliness and the fear of it, friendship and betrayal, anger and forgiveness, temptation and loyalty, botox and the consequences - all the ups and downs of big city lifestyle. Also touches the issues of aging, like being single and 50! (These girls are in their 40s and 50s). I like a line which Carrie impart to her young apprentice, Louise (Jennifer Hudson), "Enjoy yourself. That's what your 20s are for. Your 30s are to learn the lessons; your 40s are to pay for the drinks."

A movie about girl power and survival in New York in search of Love and Labels. Not only does it address women issues, it does gives some insights to men's feelings towards love and marriage. A very good movie, highly recommended.

Danger alert: After watching this movie, you may develope the urge to splurge on "Labels" as you fear you might get old and not having worn anything nice. Yours truly went out to buy 5 pairs of shoes!

Storyboard: 20 of 25
Cinematography: 19 of 25
Issues Discussed (connection with viewers): 20 of 25
Casting: 21 of 25

Total Score : 80% A

Source: http://imdb.com