Mirror Mirror [2012]

Director: Tarsem Singh
Cast: Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Danny Woodburn, Mark Povinelli, Jordan Prentice
Genre: Fantasy/Comedy
Rating: General
Excerpt: "It had the old-timey Disney animated feature charm to it, which is always a pleasure to watch for the young at heart..."

Synopsis

Loosely based on the original fairy tale of Snow White, Mirror Mirror tells the tale of the aging Queen Clementianna (Julia Roberts) whose insecurities and insatiable thirst to be the fairest of them all prompts her to take extreme measures in ensuring that none shall be happier than she can be. But then Snow White (Lily Collins) comes along, whom she sees as a threat. Therefore the Queen banishes her to the forest to be killed. Little does she know that even the best laid plans can go astray.

What to Expect
1. Tarsem Singh's great eye for visuals
2. For it to embrace the spirit of fairy tales
3. Super-adorable Lily Collins
4. Tim Burton-meets-Classic Disney vibe to the movie
5. Just whimsical

What NOT to Expect
1. Depth
2. A "heavy" movie

Entertaining

The Hunger Games, Taking Some Heat Off Twilight

This entry stayed a draft for almost a week thanks to my unstable internet connection. By now I'm sure many other websites and blogs dedicated to movies have beaten me to it. But hey, better late than never, huh? Anyway, you would have noticed that not only me, but the mainstream media too made a lot of comparisons between this movie to Twilight. Some noted that it's bigger, better (but hell, famine is better than Twilight) and how it looks like it's going to be an even more successful franchise.

And that's not good.

Although I wouldn't mind if it's Sparkly Edward that they're huntin'. (Credits to whoever photoshopped this)

The Walking Dead Meme

Spoiler Alert: Contains plot elements from both seasons

I didn't make these, but they all made me chuckle I figured I should share it anyway. This is for all of you who's going through some Walking Dead Withdrawal Syndrome, like me. A little something to tide you over until the premiere of the second season for Game of Thrones.

Indonesian Action Flick Set to Raid the Action Movie World

As disappointed as I am knowing that the critically-acclaimed Bunohan barely made a ripple locally (reflected in its box office intake), I'm happy for our neighbour down south because a movie of theirs caught the attention of foreign investors as well. Although I'm gonna have to say it seems like this movie of theirs is set to take on the world by storm. Ladies and gents, I present to you, The Raid [2011].

Yeah, that's not a typo. Technically it was released back in 2011 albeit it was pretty limited to film festivals. Slowly but surely the popularity grew from there through word of mouth and by now, pretty much everybody else but us Malaysians have yet to see it. No, don't worry, it has nothing to do with that love-hate relationship we have going on between our two countries. Based on what I've read about it, the distribution rights have been sold over here, so let's just wait and see.

So what is The Raid?

The Hunger Games [2012]

Director: Gary Ross
Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth
Genre: Science fiction/Action
Rating: General
Excerpt: "A hard sell for someone who's unfamiliar the books. Definitely not a standalone movie..."

Synopsis

In a dystopian future where a civil war tore down North America as we know it, and a nation known as Panem rose victorious. In a move that's meant to punish those who revolted, Panem decreed that two able-bodied children aged anywhere between twelve to eighteen from all twelve districts must participate in the annual Hunger Games, a tournament where they all fight to the death until only one is left. The story shifts its focus to a sixteen-year-old girl, Katniss from District 12, who volunteers for the Hunger Games in place of her sister. Despite the amount of survival skills she accumulated over the years, nothing could prepare her for what is to come.

What to Expect
1. Decent action sequences
2. Unconvincing mythology
3. Inevitable book vs. movie debate
4. Cool cast
5. Baffling decisions made by the characters
6. A missed opportunity

What NOT to Expect
1. Rambo
2. Twilight
3. Battle Royale

You can afford to miss it

Walking In Their Shoes, a "Walking Dead" Analysis

Caution: This entry contains spoilers

I feel like doing something a tad different today, because lately I feel like I've lost my knack for writing probably because I've been doing plenty of translation work over the past couple of months. Not an excuse, just something I've been pondering about. Luckily I can always go back to movies and they never cease to give me something to keep my mind busy.

The Walking Dead has been doing an excellent job in tiding me over until the second season of Game of Thrones which will see release in April. Or at least that's what I thought it was going to be, just something to tide me over. As I've said months ago I got into it fairly late. That was a mistake.

5 Offensive Movies That Totally Aren't (Not to Me, At Least)

You might be getting some mixed signals here from me. I have said many times in the past that I have this propensity to really get into a movie, and how seriously I can take it sometimes. So you might assume that I'd be acutely aware of any possible subtext a movie could have. Well, "acutely aware" might be a stretch, but I am aware of things up to a certain level.

But to be offended by what I see in a movie? What's the point? There's never gonna be a movie that's 100% politically correct and conflict-free, because that will be a piece of shit. It's a personal belief of mine that if a movie gives you nothing substantial to talk about, it's not a movie worth being made, let alone being seen.

Seriously Turkey, what's wrong with your cinema?

No doubt, I'm probably not the best person to talk to about what's offensive and what's not because I rarely use the word. Or rather, it's not me to see the offensive side of things and I sure as hell wouldn't go out of my way to look for it. If we're talking about movies, I'd only take offense if the movie is insulting to my intelligence.

Of course, I don't pretend to be the ultimate voice of reason here. I'm saying that I personally didn't find anything offensive in the following movies, but if you feel differently, feel free to drop a line or two in the comments section or better yet, keep 'em to yourself and just agree to disagree.

Ridley Scott's Return to Science Fiction

Movie Title: Prometheus
Release Date: June 7th, 2012 (Malaysia)
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba

News and word-of-mouth about this movie has been circulation on the net for quite some time now, and even though not much is shrouded in secrecy, I must say I couldn't quite figure out what kind of a movie it's gonna be. Yeah, it's in the same vein as Alien [1979], but that's what I find to be rather baffling. Ridley Scott's not one to do the same thing twice. So what is it that this movie is trying to sell?

But hey, don't get me wrong, I'm excited. After all, I'm a huge fan of his works and this is him going back to the subgenre he helped define. I wonder if there will be another historical epic or period piece sometime in the future.

Keanu Reeves... Could It Be?

I take back everything derogatory I've ever said about you.

Because Vampires Are Supposed to be Gothic (Edited)

When stills of this movie surfaced on the internet, I clapped my hands and said, "That's how you do a vampire movie." Now, this is not going to be another one of those I-hate-Twilight blog entries because, well... I don't actually hate Twilight. At least 'hate' is not the word I would use. I'm just amazed by how stupid the whole thing was, and I had a great deal of fun mocking it.

Apparently a lot of people did too because that internal monologue I had when I saw the trailer to Twilight: Breaking Dawn [2011] remains as one of the most popular entries on this blog.

Anyway, like I said, this entry is about an upcoming vampire movie that I'll be sure not to miss because; One, the director is someone who actually understands the fact that vampires are supposed to be Gothic instead of pedophiliac romantic. Two, because starring in it is this guy;

Oh yeah, Michelle Pfeiffer's in it too. Lookin' much older but still hot hot hot...

Guy Pearce Playing a Solid Snake-esque Badass

Movie Title: Lockout
Release Date: April 19th, 2012 (Malaysia)
Director: James Mather & Stephen St. Leger
Starring: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Joseph Gilgun, Lennie James

I may be jumping the gun here, but it seems like Luc Besson has been going out offering dramatic actors starring roles in action movies. I suppose it has been going on for ages but the world finally paid attention when Taken [2008] was released, and it propelled actor Liam Neeson to action stardom once more. That turned out well, didn't it? I think so too.

So next up is another actor also known for playing dramatic roles, perhaps not quite as prolific and not a household name like Liam Neeson, but trust me when I say he's been in some of the best movies ever made. Enter Australian actor Guy Pearce. If my memory serves me right, he has never been in a proper, action-packed movie. Ladies and gents, check out Lockout, a Sci-fi action flick coming real soon!

Star Wars Yoga. Now Geeks Have a Reason to Do It

Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've exercised. *pats stomach*.

Cinta Kura-Kura [2012]

Director: Nizam Zakaria
Cast: Aeril Zafrel, Tiz Zaqyah, Zizan Razak, Bob, Norhayati Taib
Genre: Romantic comedy
Rating: General
Excerpt: "Longest hour and a half with nothing you can reminisce about after it's over..."

Synopsis

Nico (voiced by Zizan Razak) is a tortoise with a secret unknown even to its owner, Nani (Tiz Zaqyah); Nico can communicate with humans. Even though she's oblivious to this fact, Nico is special to her anyway as it came to her soon after the death of her father, and it helps fill the void left by him. Meanwhile, her hopelessly romantic next door neighbour who harbours a dream of being a successful musician is quite taken with her. Nico, who is used to having all of Nani's attention to itself, vows to do whatever it can to sabotage Adam's attempts to woo her, and "hilarity" ensues.

What to Expect
1. A good idea gone train wreck
2. An unbearable slapstick comedy
3. Lots of "filler" scenes
4. For it to feel underdeveloped
5. Missed opportunities

What NOT to Expect
1. Romance
2. Comedy
3. Coherence
4. To care about anything or anyone

A waste, but hey, it's your money

The Simpsons "Game of Thrones" Opening

The intro to HBO's Game of Thrones is one of the few that I'd never skip (along with Burn Notice) because it's so darn cool. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks that because the folks at Fox Studios took the time to animate an opening sequence this way; A nod to the universally-praised television series.

Bunohan [2012]

Director: Dain Said
Cast: Faizal Hussein, Zahiril Adzim, Pekin Ibrahim, Bront Palarae, Soffi Jikan, Namron
Genre: Drama/Action/Horror (?)
Rating: Teen
Excerpt: "A very rich film that's a little hard to fully appreciate in one sitting... Definitely not for the impatient."

Synopsis

After a match goes bad, Malaysian Muay Thai fighter Adil (Zahiril Adzim) is rescued by his friends and together they cross the border from southern Thailand back home to Malaysia, specifically his hometown Bunohan. It goes against the deal made with the promoter where Adil is supposed to fight to the finish, hence prompting them to set assassin Ilham (Faizal Hussein) on his trail. Meanwhile, the seemingly well-to-do Bakar (Pekin Ibrahim) returns to Bunohan with the intention of coaxing his father into handing him the rest of their family's inheritance. However, Bunohan turns out to be more than just a clever name; There's something cryptic about the place that will make all their plans go astray.

What to Expect
1. A rich film for the senses
2. A non-linear storyline
3. 100% Kelantanese dialect
4. Excellent production value
5. Social commentaries
6. Visceral horror feel to the movie

What NOT to Expect
1. To be able to get it all in one sitting
2. To be fun for the impatient
3. To be able to doze off, and pick up where you left off

A rarity