Thursday, May 27, 2004
THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW
Featuring: Dennis Quaid + a lot of special effects
Brief Synopsis: Ice age strikes the Northern Hemisphere and once again, Hollywood focuses on an American storyline. They discover the rather large problem, with the help of the English (hurrah), but not even the Americans can stop a weather system. As such the story then switches on one man’s journey to rescue his son with him combating the weather to get there.
Comments: My expectations were of some American saves the world in yet another disaster film a la Armageddon and Independence Day. It isn’t as predictable nor jingoistic as those are because of the shift in focus from warning the world to Dennis Quaid’s journey. The various storylines are not very original at all with the special effects saving the movie. The tornadoes, the floods, the ice freezing, snow storms are the real stars that keep you on the edge of your seat in addition to making you shiver. An enjoyable way to spend 2 hours although it won’t get your brain into deep thought. The environmentalists like it (although I did ignore the speech at the end but you shouldn't!) and it sure makes you glad to see the blue sky and sunshine once you get outside!
Thing to learn from this film: Those big U.S. volume tax books are useful for something!
Rating: 6.5/10
Featuring: Dennis Quaid + a lot of special effects
Brief Synopsis: Ice age strikes the Northern Hemisphere and once again, Hollywood focuses on an American storyline. They discover the rather large problem, with the help of the English (hurrah), but not even the Americans can stop a weather system. As such the story then switches on one man’s journey to rescue his son with him combating the weather to get there.
Comments: My expectations were of some American saves the world in yet another disaster film a la Armageddon and Independence Day. It isn’t as predictable nor jingoistic as those are because of the shift in focus from warning the world to Dennis Quaid’s journey. The various storylines are not very original at all with the special effects saving the movie. The tornadoes, the floods, the ice freezing, snow storms are the real stars that keep you on the edge of your seat in addition to making you shiver. An enjoyable way to spend 2 hours although it won’t get your brain into deep thought. The environmentalists like it (although I did ignore the speech at the end but you shouldn't!) and it sure makes you glad to see the blue sky and sunshine once you get outside!
Thing to learn from this film: Those big U.S. volume tax books are useful for something!
Rating: 6.5/10
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
SHREK 2
Featuring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
Brief Synopsis: The big green ogre and his new bride go and visit the in-laws. Is that ever a good idea?!?
Comments: I wasn’t a big fan of the first one, although I didn’t hate it either, so I was fairly impartial. However despite not strongly wanting to see this sequel, I noticed myself enjoying it as the film progressed. As usual, there were lots of little adult film references for the older members of the audience to spot (Mission Impossible being one of my favourites). Versarchery gave me a broad smile as well. I’m not sure you can say much about the cast since you don’t see them but I thought Jennifer Saunders really got into her fairy godmother role. Antonio Banderas as the cat like assassin was also excellent. And does anyone else think that Rupert Everett sounds exactly like Hugh Grant? Not a must see in my opinion but if you make the effort, you will find yourself happier for it.
Thing to learn from this film: Be careful who you deal with – it may come to bite you back later in life.
Rating: 6.5/10
Featuring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz
Brief Synopsis: The big green ogre and his new bride go and visit the in-laws. Is that ever a good idea?!?
Comments: I wasn’t a big fan of the first one, although I didn’t hate it either, so I was fairly impartial. However despite not strongly wanting to see this sequel, I noticed myself enjoying it as the film progressed. As usual, there were lots of little adult film references for the older members of the audience to spot (Mission Impossible being one of my favourites). Versarchery gave me a broad smile as well. I’m not sure you can say much about the cast since you don’t see them but I thought Jennifer Saunders really got into her fairy godmother role. Antonio Banderas as the cat like assassin was also excellent. And does anyone else think that Rupert Everett sounds exactly like Hugh Grant? Not a must see in my opinion but if you make the effort, you will find yourself happier for it.
Thing to learn from this film: Be careful who you deal with – it may come to bite you back later in life.
Rating: 6.5/10
Sunday, May 23, 2004
VAN HELSING
Featuring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale
Brief Synopsis: Man goes out to kill monsters like Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolf Man and Dracula.
Yin Ping's Comments: It was a quite predictable film which was neither here nor there but I couldn’t figure out if it was supposed to be humourous or scary. The special effects were quite good. Ben was also brought into the cinema but wasn’t scared (as Dez was late from football and went to the wrong cinema when trying to pick him up). Indeed he was perplexed by a windmill spinning which caught on fire whilst ignoring the vampires flying about!
Rating: 7/10
Featuring: Hugh Jackman, Kate Beckinsale
Brief Synopsis: Man goes out to kill monsters like Frankenstein's Monster, the Wolf Man and Dracula.
Yin Ping's Comments: It was a quite predictable film which was neither here nor there but I couldn’t figure out if it was supposed to be humourous or scary. The special effects were quite good. Ben was also brought into the cinema but wasn’t scared (as Dez was late from football and went to the wrong cinema when trying to pick him up). Indeed he was perplexed by a windmill spinning which caught on fire whilst ignoring the vampires flying about!
Rating: 7/10
Saturday, May 08, 2004
JIANG HU
Featuring: Andy Lau, Edison Chen, Shawn Yu
Brief Synopsis: A Cantonese film charting the dual storyline of 2 friends who grow up to be triad leaders and the battles they have once they reach the top.
Comments: Despite missing the first 15 minutes due to traffic jams, it was an engaging film although it took me until the end of the film to realise that anything involving the young punks were actually the triad leaders in a flashback! It's a dark, moody Godfather-esque atmosphere which is just about right whenever triads are concerned because of their dealings at night. The tension is strung about right whilst you wonder what move the characters will make next. The acting is spot on with the portrayal of the boss and his bodyguard creating that nervousness where you wonder if another Hamlet-esque betrayal is about to occur. The acting of the younger guns didn't appeal as much to me but they served adequately enough to add to the story. A few loose ends were left open but overall not a regretable watch although not by any stretch of the imagination a feel good film! So what happened in the first 15 minutes?!?
Thing to learn from this film: Live by the sword, die by the sword. Or gun. Or machete.
Rating: 7/10
Featuring: Andy Lau, Edison Chen, Shawn Yu
Brief Synopsis: A Cantonese film charting the dual storyline of 2 friends who grow up to be triad leaders and the battles they have once they reach the top.
Comments: Despite missing the first 15 minutes due to traffic jams, it was an engaging film although it took me until the end of the film to realise that anything involving the young punks were actually the triad leaders in a flashback! It's a dark, moody Godfather-esque atmosphere which is just about right whenever triads are concerned because of their dealings at night. The tension is strung about right whilst you wonder what move the characters will make next. The acting is spot on with the portrayal of the boss and his bodyguard creating that nervousness where you wonder if another Hamlet-esque betrayal is about to occur. The acting of the younger guns didn't appeal as much to me but they served adequately enough to add to the story. A few loose ends were left open but overall not a regretable watch although not by any stretch of the imagination a feel good film! So what happened in the first 15 minutes?!?
Thing to learn from this film: Live by the sword, die by the sword. Or gun. Or machete.
Rating: 7/10
