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

Ip Man (Cantonese) 86% A (18SG)

One of the best cantonese action flick I have seen this year. Possible one of the best kungfu movie I have ever seen. The storyboard is well planned, the pace of the movie is just right and there's lots and lots of fist fights, and the casts and the action directors works very well with the camera, bringing out what I like to see in a kungfu movie.. the fast paced but dance-like movements and strength of chinese martial art. Watching Donnie Yen move is like an art itself.

Highly recommended for action lovers. However, dont bring the kids as it's extremely violent. Not that it has a lot of bloodspill but the overall usage of kungfu to fight, kill or cripple is not something you want to instill into our younger generation.

This movie is a biography of Ip Man (pronounced as Yip Mun and Not I.P. Man.... nope, he's definitely not a superhero in IT nor anywhere close to it!). Ip Man is the Kungfu master of the legendary Bruce Lee. With the settings in Foh San, China, the story talks about his life as a modest, kind and highly skillful chinese martial art practisioner of Wing Chun. Being a wealthy man, he doesn't take in any students, even though at that time, everyone with kungfu skill would try to set up a martial art school in Foh San. The Japanese occupation changes everything and he knows that he needs to use his martial art to help keep his family alive. Having seen how Ip Man lived through the hardship of Japanese occupation, I now understand why Bruce Lee's movies always have some elements of fighting off the Japanese.

A good pratriotic movie that touches the heart with friendship and family bonds. The subliminal message that Ip Man wants to bring out is that everyone is in charge of his own destiny. The road ahead may be hard, but it's your own choice on how you want to thread it.

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

Total Score : 86% A

The day the earth stood still 68% B (PG13)

I didnt hear the rumour about Keanu Reeves being a gay until recently, but that doesn't matter because his expressionless "no feeling" face is ample for this alien movie. Maybe my fatigue is the main cause for me dozing off while watching this movie.

One moral that stands out in this movie is, "violence begets violence." Somehow, I feel the director, Scott Derrickson, seems to want to tell the US government and people not to use violence to solve our "world" problems or it will lead to further destruction (which may be of an unthinkable magnitude, i.e. apocalyptic).

The story, a remake of a 1951 movie of the same name, is fine and simple. Alien who comes visit earth, but was accidentally "attacked" by a jittery foot soldier. The alien's gigantic robot, built as a defence mechanism, came to the rescue and started the counter attack by easily shutting down all the "earth" weapons; i.e. Tanks, guns, bazookas, etc, are considered toys by the highly evolved aliens. And earthlings, being the insecure and power crazy that we are, think of ways to counter the "counter attack". And thus, starts the war that will end the world. Unless, Keanu Reeves can do something about it!

Typical alien story. However, not enough effects to "wow" the audience. Since lately there are not much movies to look forward to, you may still want to give it a chance.

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

Total Score : 68% B