Star Trek

Starring: Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Winona Ryder

Directed By: J. J. Abrams

Released By: 7th May 2009

Run Time: 127 mins.

Genre: Action

“Star Trek” tells the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created, the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy, and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk (Chris Pine), a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. While the other, Spock (Zachary Quinto) was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. 

I’ve never in my life watched a movie with such smooth, rich, advanced-technology visual delight and fast-paced as Star Trek. The visual effect is absolutely a breakthrough, creating a whole new world for a franchise that has lived for around 50 years. It doesn’t stop there. Casting for the movie is excellent and the whole thing is just so incredible there’s no doubt this film will live up the franchise once again and also gain new fans, especially young adults. Even though the duration of the movie exceeds 2 hours, you won’t sigh at all about the length duration. This movie will make you beg for some more. The use of humor and action blends extremely well in the movie. This is a mainstream classic at its best. Thumbs up for J. J. Abrams!

Movie Review (B-)

Angels And Demons

Starring: Tom Hanks, Stellan Skarsgard, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor

Directed By: Ron Howard

Released By: 14th May 2009

Run Time: 138 mins.

Genre: Thriller

Adapted from the novel “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown, the film follows the story of Robert Langdon, a well-known Harvard symbologist investigating a murder victim, branded with the Illuminati ambigram. Following his investigation, he soon discovers that a cult group is on a trail to murder four cardinals and destroy the St. Peter’s Basilica during a papal gathering.

The second Dan Brown’s book featuring Robert Langdon’s character has finally been immortalised onto the big screen. In comparison to Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons would appeal more as it is easier to understand and grasp. The genius symbologist has been called upon to solve the mystery kidnappings of 4 cardinals and the theft of the highly volatile and explosive anti-matter. Armed with his expanse knowledge of history and matters relating to the Church, Tom Hanks playing the lead role will take you to a breath-taking journey while he unravels and tries to solve the case of murders and the potential catastrophe in hand. What I really liked were the scenes showing renowed palces such as St Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel and the likes, as they are truly a sight to behold (even if some were sets, they were amazing sets!) It was really clever of Dan Brown to coin up such a story using artwork, symbols and statutes and merging the conflict of science and religon into it. Entertaining piece but unfortunately not oscar-worthy, imo.

Movie Review (A-)

Dive!!

Starring: Sosuke Ikematsu, Junpei Mizobata, Asaka Seto, Kento Hayashi

Directed By: Naoto Kumazawa

Released By: 14th May 2009

Run Time: 120 mins.

Genre: Comedy

“Dive!!” is a Japanese movie based on Eto Mori’s novel and directed by Naoto Kumazawa. It tells the story of a young diving team whose sights are set on competing in the Olympics.

I knew and heard abouth this movie since last year from YOUTUBE and really didnt expect it to be shown in Singapore. It is a great movie for all though the story line is a little normal but yet all the 3 actors were brilliant!! It was touching at parts and yet engaging and entertaining to see the stunning scenes of the dives in the movies. Every dive were captures to almost perfection. Go watch it and it will sure inspires you to follow your dreams and treasuring the moments when you have dreams and you are willing to go after your dreams.. Go DIVE into the cinema now….!!!

Movie Review (A)

X-men Origins: Wolverine

Starring: Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Jonathan Demme, Dominic Monaghan, Hugh Jackman

Directed By: Gavin Hood

Released By: 29th April 2009

Run Time: 108 mins.

Genre: Action

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” goes back to the time before the X-Men trilogy to tell the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, including his complex relationship with Victor Creed (who later becomes Sabertooth) and the ominous Weapon X programme. Along the way, he encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends in the X-Men universe.

Movie Review (A)

17 Again

Starring: Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Michelle Trachtenberg, Zac Efron

Directed By: Burr Steers

Released By: 16th April 2009

Run Time: 102 mins.

Genre: Comedy

Mike O’Donnell was once the most popular guy in high school - handsome, charming, the star of the basketball team, with a college scholarship in his future and a lifetime of experience that baffles even his closest friends. That was then, this is now - or is it? A magical transformation finds Mike reliving his past in the present day as a 17-year-old in the same high school he attended 20 years ago. However, this time around, his own teenage kids are his peers and his wife is the unsuspecting object of his affection.

Movie Review (B)

Revolutionary Road

Starring: Kate Winslet, David Harbour, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kathy Bates

Directed By: Sam Mendes

Released By: 16th April 2009

Run Time: 119 mins.

Genre: Drama

Set in 1955, the story centres on both hopes and aspiration of Frank (DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Winslet), a self-assured couple who see themselves different from the rest of the Revolutionary Hill Estates’ neighbours. April, an aspiring actress who desire to move to Paris, while Frank work away all the hours at a corporate company, which he despises by drinking and having an affair. In the end, the couple’s marriage slowly falls into pieces, fuelled by never ending cycles of arguments and jealousy.

Revolutionary Road is not a very joyful film, or is it easy to watch. Instead of being simply entertaining, it achieves what not many films these days do. It wants to be a learning lesson.

Movie Review (A+)

Taken

Starring: Liam Neeson, Xander Berkeley, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen

Directed By: Pierre Morel

Released By: 16th April 2009

Run Time: 94 mins.

Genre: Action

Bryan (Liam Neeson), a former secret agent living in the US, reluctantly lets his 17-year-old daughter Kim (Maggie Grace, “Lost”) go on holiday to Paris with a friend. Upon arrival in Paris, the two girls meet a seemingly nice young man who turns out to be a member of an Albanian crime syndicate, promptly kidnapping and forcing them into prostitution. Bryan must rely on his old skills in order to rescue his daughter from the slave trade.

I watch action movie but was seldom rave about one, I have to say Taken is one of the movie that left an impact on me, the storyline is one the real situation that can happen and Liam’ acting is so DAMN good you can ffel that fear he have for his daughter who had been kidnapped. This is a movie not be be miss. Especially the phone conversation he had with the kidnapper. “If you do not let my daughter go, I will look for you, I will find you and I will kill you.

Movie Review (A+)

Detroit Metal City

Starring: Ken’ichi Matsuyama, Ryuji Akiyama, Yoshihiko Hosoda

Directed By: Toshio Lee

Released By: 19th March 2009

Run Time: 103 mins.

Genre: Drama

Soichi Negishi moved to Tokyo to chase his dream of becoming a musician playing stylish, Swedish-style pop. Instead, he finds himself leading the death metal band Detroit Metal City as the costumed and grotesquely made-up “demon emperor” Johannes Krauser II. Although he hates the role and the things he has to do as a member of the band, he definitely has a talent for it. Adapted from the hit Japanese comic book by Kiminori Wakasugi, the movie follows Negishi’s antics as he tries to reconcile the two very different sides of his life and find out what it really means to achieve his dream.

The movie is very funny and i laughed throughout. things to look out for is the die hard fans of DMC who crack everyone up everytime they grace the screen. Kenichi Matsuyama also did a wonderful job as the poor guy stuck in a career he didn’t choose. The flim also have few very sweet moments like the one with his mom on the temple. Go watch the movie if you are looking for laughter, the movie is sweet, funny and ocationally very touching.

Movie Review (A-)

Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun-Li

Starring: Chris Klein, Neal McDonough, Kristin Kreuk, Michael Clarke Duncan

Directed By: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Released By: 19th March 2009

Run Time: 97 mins.

Genre: Action

Adapted from the famous series of fighting video games by Capcom, ” Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li” focuses its story on the undercover Interpol agent, female fighter Chun-Li as she falls in the quest of finding justice after she found out that her father is murdered. The movie was shoot in numerous locations include Bangkok, Thailand, Hong Kong and Vancouver. 

I love the fact that they decided to make a movie about a character from SF. Although people are complaining about why Chun Li doesn’t look like in the original game (her dress, her hair, etc), but that doesn’t really bother me. What bothers me is Chris Klein’s acting in this movie. He used to be good and funny in his previous movies, but in this one is just… pure weirdness! Edmund Chen has done Singapore proud by being the hottest hollywood star in Singapore currently.

Movie Review (B-)

Dragonball Evolution

Starring: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Jamie Chung, Emmy Rossum, Eriko Tamura, Joon Park, Chow Yun-Fat

Directed By: James Wong

Released By: 12th March 2009

Run Time: 86 mins.

Genre: Action

Based on the popular Japanese manga created by Akira Toriyama whose work spawned best-selling graphic novels, video games and a phenomenally successful television series, “Dragonball” centres on the heroic Goku, a powerful warrior who protects the Earth from an endless stream of rogues bent on dominating the Universe and controlling the mystical objects from which the film takes its name.

I come to see live action dragonball but what I get is RUBBISH! Not a dragonball at all. All the character was RUBBISH! Since in the comic I never read that Goku went to school, ride a bicycle. Beside that I never knew that Master Roshi have hair. Yamcha, what a poor character. Since when that he become a flitter. As I know Yamcha is sick of women. He will run away if he see a women. Whoaa….. I was trashed when I watch this movie. Not value for money. Not even 1 of scene in this movie follow what Akira Toriyama have created. Oh, beside thier name. rubbish rubbish rubbish. That what I can say.

Movie Review (C)