MOVIE REVIEW : WANTED (English)
Category : Action/Adventure, Thriller / Starring : James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman, Kristen Hager
The trailer for this movie was definitely a bomb. Many also went to the movies to witness the ever-mesmerizing Angelina Jolie showing off her captivating stunts in this action movie, adapted from Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series. It tells the story of Wes (James McAvoy), a noboby going through his day-to-day routine with no ambition, emotions and proper directions. Just when this disengaged slacker thinks his life is going to amount to nothing, Fox (Angelina Jolie) appears and changes his life to the farthest extreme by breaking the secret to him that he is actually the son of an assasin, a well-respected icon in the secret society called Fraternity, led by Sloan (Morgan Freeman).
To me the best part of the movie was the transformation of McAvoy's character from a nobody to a highly efficient assasin. The gruelling yet comical training process was great to watch. Behind the out-of-this-world action stunts boasted in this movie, I actually did not like how they're pushing too hard to be extreme in this movie. At one end, it is definitely fun to watch these stunts, but halfway through the movie, to me it just seems a bit all to corny and trying too hard. Plus there are few loose ends in the plot that were not managed well at all in the story.
What probably saved this movie as well for me was the casts. Angelina is in her usual realm, being sexy, provocative, wild and fiesty. Morgan Freeman as we know makes every role he plays work. James McAvoy is great as well for his role, being this nerdy and always-apologizing loser who goes through life with no purpose, and watching him transform towards the end is quite entertaining.
Rating : C
MOVIE REVIEW : CLEAN, SHAVEN (English)
Category : International Screens, Drama, Alternative / Starring : Peter Greene, Molly Castelloe, Megan Owen, Robert Albert II
This is an alternative, low-budget 2003 movie that depicts the disturbing world of a schizophrenic. Peter Winter (Peter Greene) is suspected of murder but rather than running away, he is chasing time to track down his daughter, after his release from the mental institution.
This movie is definitely unique and not for everyone. It uses a lot of visual and aural exaggerations to bring us into the disturbing mind of a schizophrenic man. Peter Greene is very convincing in his character. The character succumbs increasingly to hallucinations and self-mutilation, and throughout the movie we see him constantly showering and shaving himself to be hair-free and clean, peeling his own fingernail off with a blade, covering up mirrors and any other objects that he could see himself in the reflection. Yes, it is hypnotically intensed and disturbing, so for the faint-hearted, please avoid this movie.
To watch the movie trailer CLICK HERE
And here's a scene from the movie:
Rating : C
MOVIE REVIEW : THE RETURN (Russian)
Category : International Screens, Foreign, Drama/Family / Starring : Vladimir Garin, Ivan Dobronravov, Konstantin Lavronenko, Natalia Vdovina
The Return is a 2003 Russian film that tells a story of two tennage Russian boys, Ivan and Andrey, whose father returns home suddenly after a twelve year absense. Ivan and Andrey set out on a fishing trip to a remote island led by their father. The trip witnesses a journey of emotions for all three of them. Their taciturn father is constantly throwing his weight around, in his desperate efforts to show authority, and brutal efforts to make up for the missing twelve years he has left behind with his children. Andrey is ecstatic about the reunion and is constantly trying hard to please his father. Ivan is the more scpetical and unforgiving younger brother, unwilling to just accept the return without any explanation.
This movie is the winner of the Venice Film Festival, European Film Award and International Cinephile Society in 2003. Ivan Dobronravov is a treat to watch, displaying an array of anger and frustrations in his attempt to break free from the awkward fishing trip which he is forced to follow until the end. The story also boasts quite a set of beautiful sceneries in the background.
There is a slight mystery built into the plot, mainly on the actual reasons of the father's disappearance and return. We see a few scenes suggesting his intention of hiding the actual truth, and be prepared for an ending that will still need your own imagination and interpretation to weave your conclusions. To me the film worked mostly in depicting the compelling ties among the three during the trip.
Rather than showing the movie's trailer, I'm going to show one of my favourite scenes from the movie, where Ivan breaks down in his frustration towards his father's dictatorial nature and his own unwillingness to forgive him:
Rating : B+
A movie recommendation from 2M1F
MOVIE REVIEW : THE HAPPENING (English)
Category : Thriller, Suspense / Starring : Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Spencer Breslin, Ashlyn Sanchez
What I know about M. Night Shyamalan is, his movies could either go both ways, really good or really bad. The plots in his stories are often so weird, that you need a really, really good ending to tie those knots well. Take Six Sense for example, everybody loved it, the ending was just shocking and left everyone feeling 'Wow!'. But if you take The Sign on the other hand, I hated it, it was boring and the ending was not impressive at all.
Hmmm...it's not going to be easy to blog about this movie without giving any spoilers. So, I decided I won't be saying much. Basically, the story starts well, two ladies sitting in the park one afternoon, suddenly every moment and human being around them takes a halt and freezes, and one of the ladies takes her hair pin and kills herself by stabbing it into her neck. Yes, bizzare. But we know it's M. Night Shyamalan. And the incidents continue. One by one people started committing suicide in the most bloody and cruel ways.
Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel are a couple trying to run for their lives, away from this epidemic. Throughout the movie I was trying hard to remember who this familiar looking lady was acting as Wahlberg's wife. It was only after the movie when I googled on Zooey Deschanel, that I found out she was the one who acted as the eccentric side-kick to Kate Hudson in Failure To Launch. I must say I wasn't very impressed with Zooey in this movie. Although her character was supposed to be somewhat weird & timid, she was just expression-free throughout the movie. It just didn't work me. People are running desperately for their lives, dying one by one without knowledge of the reason why it is happening. Having her stiffed, doll face just doesn't work.
The ending is not as shocking as Six Sense, but it is bizzare enough. Not sure many people will be willing to accept it as a good explanation of why the epidemic takes place, but it was alright for me. There were many bloody scenes, so don't watch it if you're one of those who can't take it.
The movie trailer:
Rating : C+
RESTAURANT REVIEWS : MY ELEPHANT AND FOOD FOUNDRY @ SECTION 17 (Halal)
This week we were introduced to two great restaurants hidden within the Happy Mansion's ground level shoplots at Section 17, Petaling Jaya. It may not be easibly visible when you pass by the Happy Mansion, so just drive in and explore yourself. Here's the map to the place to help you:
My Elephant serves Thai food. It was a Friday night and the place was buzzing with crowd. There were people waiting to be seated the whole night we were there. The place wasn't extravagant in terms of deco, but definitely cosy enough.
We were seated at the elevated space at one corner where you'd sit like the Japanese. We ordered their Pandan drinks which were great. Food came a little late, and dishes came one by one, which we didn't really like. But to make it up, the taste was good.
Funny thing is they serve brown rice instead of the usual fragant Thai rice. Perhaps it'll appeal to a lot of people who're health conscious nowadays, but for me I'd still prefer the usual fragant rice when I have my Thai food.
They serve pretty good Tom Yum. We were recommended the clear soup version, and it was good. They even put cuts of starfruits in their Tom Yum! Green curry was good as well. I suppose the best part of having a restaurant located at places like these is, their prices come very reasonable. Definitely a recommended place for a good dinner.
Restaurant Details : Address - Block C-G4, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Section 17 46400 Petaling Jaya / Contact - 012 328 5028 (Patrick), 019 360 8911 (James), 016 379 5759 (Soong), 016 345 9298 (Kom)
Rating : B+
After dinner we adjourned to another food outlet nearby, in another block at Happy Mansion, called Food Foundry.
This is another place I have to come back again. Their menu looks interesting, serving western food, pasta, soups and also local dishes like nasi lemak. We were only there for coffee and desserts, so they recommended us their signature Milli Crepes, '20 thin layers of French crepe layered with fresh, smooth custard-cream', as how they advertised. Although I was full, I could not resist but to order their button mushrooms as well.
While their coffee was nothing spectacular, the crepes were alright. Not too sweet and you can actually taste the fine layers. They have them in Strawberry, Chocolate, Orange and Vanilla flavours. You know we always find desserts which are too rich and sweet most of the time, well this would do just fine for a change. The button mushrooms were good as well. The rating we would give on Food Foundry this round may not be very thorough, since we had not tried their main courses yet.
Check out their website, they also have another outlet in Bangsar.
Restaurant Details : Address - BG-8, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, 46400 Petaling Jaya / Contact - 603-7955 3885
Rating : B
MOVIE REVIEW : MARGOT AT THE WEDDING (English)
Category : Drama, Family / Starring : Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jack Black, Zane Pais
This was featured as our Movie Anticipation earlier. Nicole Kidman pairs up with Jennifer Jason Leigh, and strangely includes comedian Jack Black in this heavy drama about the reunion between two sisters which inflicts conflicts upon conflicts, slowly revealing the imploding family's discording ties.
We first see Margot (Kidman) arriving with her overly-matured adolescent son, Claude in the small town to witness the wedding of her sister Pauline (Leigh), whom she has not spoken to for years. The moment Margot sets foot into the town, she starts causing a stir with her razor-tongued bluntness and her forceful nature to set things the way she deems right. Pauline's husband-to-be Malcolm (Black) is a total disappointment, turns out to be a loser with no job but possesses perculiar aspirations. Margot cannibalizes her way through at everyone throughout the story, demeaning Malcolm's non-worthiness to be with her sister, ridiculing Pauline's inabilities to make the right decisions and reprimanding their next-door neighbour's parenting skills.
It is a bit weird watching Jack Black in a heavy drama like this. Nicole and Jennifer are as usual, able to deliver powerful performances in their roles. Nicole's role is the most complicated one, hard-headed and forceful, yet vulnerable emotionally and we see her moments of verging a break down. She delivered 'Margot' in such a believeable way. Although Jack's role is the usual comedic loser, he still came off a little aloof amidst all the heavy drama moments, to me at least. And adding a nude scene of him does not help his credibility either! LOL
Definitely a heavy drama, don't watch it if you're not a drama fan.
The movie's trailer:
Rating : B
WHAT'S HOT - LATEST FROM NELLY, FERGIE & PUSSYCAT DOLLS
1) Party People - Nelly Feat. Fergie
Nelly is out with a new hot single called Party People, working together with Fergie. It is included in Nelly's fifth studio album Brass Knuckles and also the Deluxe Edition of Fergie's The Dutchess. Not bad...
To download free MP3 of Party People CLICK HERE (link will only be available for 7 days from 23 June 2008)
2) When I Grow Up - Pussycat Dolls
When I Grow Up is produced for the upcoming sophomore studio album for Pussycat Dolls titled Doll Domination. It has currently peaked at number 18 at the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It's got a catchy tune to it.
RESTAURANT REVIEW : JIN SHAN CHENG RESTAURANT @ SUNWAY MENTARI (Non-Halal)
I bumped into this restaurant during my dental visit at Sunway Mentari. Apparently this place has been there for a year now, having moved from Sunwaymas. It is located in one of the shophouses you see opposite of Sunway Pyramid. Look for McDonald's, it is located on the same row. Jin Shan Cheng serves Szechuan food, so you'll get a lot of China food like Ma-La dishes. They also display at the entrance pictures taken of their famous customers (celebrities/politicians) who have patronized the place.
The chef and the staff are all from China, so be prepared to speak in Mandarin when you make your orders there.
The ambience is pretty much like any typical chinese restaurants, but because it's air-conditioned, at least you won't be showered with sweat when you try their spicy Ma-La dishes! There was only two of us this meal so we did not get to try their famous Ma-La Style SteamBoat, must do that when I visit the place again. Apparently they serve steamboat with a choice of Ma-La and herbal soup, and I love steamboat with herbal soup! This time we ordered rice and dishes.
What I really love was their Herbal Fish (1st from left above, as you can tell I am a huge herbal fan), it was superb! Highly recommended for those who like herbal dishes like me. They have quite an extensive list for their menu, mostly Szechuan food. They also have Ma-La dumpling which is very rare (1st from right above). Price came up to RM28 per person. From what I heard, their steamboat meals will also come up to approximately RM30 per person.
Restaurant Details : Address - No. 42A-2, Jalan PJS 8/2, Dataran Mentari, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor / Contact Number - 603 5631 8220
Rating : B
MOVIE REVIEW : THE INCREDIBLE HULK (English)
Category : Action/Adventure, Comic Heroes / Starring : Edward Norton, Tim Roth, Liv Tyler and William Hurt
After Eric Bana's unimpressive version of the Marvel Comic icon the Incredible Hulk in 2003, I wasn't keen at all to watch this movie. The only thing that captured my attention was the cast ensemble. Edward Norton chooses interesting roles in his career. Tim Roth is definitely a treat to watch, he can act in everything. Liv Tyler and William Hurt are also a bonus. So I went along with my friend to watch it.
The plot about Bruce Banner being on the run as a refugee from the US military which wants him for their own to manipulate and exploit his powers are pretty much unchanged. The movie does start off well, keeps us intrigued, and having a good actor like Edward Norton definitely helped. His version of Bruce Banner worked much better for me as compared to Eric Bana's. I always remembered the intelligent Bruce Banner, in constant fear, defenseless and always pushed to desperation, seems so much better portrayed by Norton.
The thing that worried me most was how cartoonish the hulk was going to look, as I was terribly disappointed with how the first movie turned out. This time round it looked more realistic than the first, but it still leaves us feeling like we're watching a cartoon whenever the hulk appears. I quite like the stunts carried out in this action movie though. Tim Roth plays the villain who is in total hunger for power and control as he decides to make himself turn into the second monster to battle the hulk. Once again he does a good job in delivering his role as the freak with relentless desire to win and bring down Banner.
William Hurt plays the leader of the US military that is obsessed with the never-ending chase after Banner, and Liv Tyler plays his daughter who happens to fall in love with Banner. Overall I would still say it's a good watch for action movie lovers, especially if you fancy comic heroes. It did manage to keep me interested until the end, and I'm not much of an action/comic hero fan.
The movie trailer:
Rating : C+
MOVIE REVIEW : LARS AND THE REAL GIRL (English)
Category : Drama, Comedy / Starring : Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider
I wasn't exactly excited when I saw the poster for this movie. Another Ryan Gosling movie, yay, but the poster? Hmm.... And the synopsis, about some blown up doll, plus it's comedy? Not exactly my cup of tea. But I knew I had to watch it, he's a good actor, there must be something about this movie that made him chose to do it.
Ryan Gosling acts as Lars, an introvert who has lived most of his life in solitude. He goes to work and goes to church like everybody else, but he has not been able to embrace life fully like the rest, not able to start a normal relationship with a girl, gets totally irritated when people touch him, and spends all his time couped up living in his brother, Gus (Paul Schneider) and his wife Karen's (Emily Mortimer) garage. But one thing's for sure, Lars is kind-hearted, a sweet-heart loved by everyone in the town.
One day Lars decides to welcome a guest into his home, for the first time ever. Both Gus and Karen are jumping off their feet until they realize the guest Lars brings to their home for dinner is a plastic blown-up doll which he ordered from the internet! Lars names the doll Bianca and treats her like a real person, starting a real relationship with her.
Upon the doctor's advice to go along with Lars' delusion on his newly developed relationship with Bianca, we soon see not only Gus and Karen, but the whole town including the church's bishop, playing along with it, treating Bianca like a real person. This journey slowly reveals Lars emotional baggage and explains to us why he has become what he is today.
I particularly like the conversations Lars has with the doctor, which was pretty compelling. As usual Ryan is a treat to watch, he has obviously gained weight for this role. Emily Mortimer was also fun to watch. The movie ended up making you really feel for the character Lars, rather than being just another comedy.
The movie trailer:
Rating : B