我的戏言室

Paperboy

2013-01-20T04:07:45Z

Since it's by the director of Precious, I had some expectations. In Precious, I like his sensitivity in depicting the social/ racial issues... and also how he transformed Mariah Carey as a social worker.

But not this. While he still touches on some social/ racial issues in Paperboy, i dun exactly catch what he wants to express? The irony of media in influencing criminal justice system? Power struggle between black and white (and interesting enough, see the rise of black's power status here). The theme of fatalism? or just a paperboy's infatuation with a mature woman?

or how brutal and psychotic those people who live in the swamp over there could be..

and for the actor/ actresses.. I was surprised/ upset and how he could reduce Nicole Kidman to like some porn star... an unnecessarily prolonged scene of her touching herself and reaching orgasm... even peeing.... and also how he exploited Andrew McConaughey (din he show enough butt in Magic Mike?) and even Zac Efron in his white brief. But somehow all seem unnecessarily overdone.

Overall, not my cup of tea and taste. And i'm not sure if those big shots are happy to be wasted like this. Bold performance? So far i see none of them is nominated for any award. Not even Nicole Kidman. Sad.

Rating: 1.5/5

Silver Linings Playbook

2013-01-20T03:50:56Z

First from the title thought it's a movie about aging. But not really... It's how a man with anger and bipolar issues returns home from rehabilitation to manage his life and family again. Remind me of Ben Stiller's Greenberg, if not Adam Sandler's Anger Management kind of comedy.
But the level of this movie is definitely above both.. and more structured. In addition to his parents and his issue with his ex-wife, he also meets a new girl with a depression and dark record.
The result is the formula we all know good enough. Two oddballs to make it right. However, i really enjoyed the process. There are dark and also hilarious moments, and not too overly dramatic. Thumbs up also to the superb acting from all, esp Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and the mother.. (dunno her name). Pleasant surprise and love it.

Rating: 4.5/

Bachelorette

2013-01-13T03:03:53Z

I thought it would be another funny and hilairious movie like Bridesmaid...
but it's really not bridesmaids. Neither it's funny.....
Weak script. Obnoxious friends/ characters, if not just annoying at times.
But the most shocking is how the movie manage to get some A-listers like Kristen Dunst (Spiderman) and James Marsden (X-men) to act in this dud.
totally wasted of them.. and my time, too.
Worse, the ending like not ends at all. .waiting for part 2?
I doubt there will be, any.

Rating: 1/5

My 10 favorite films in 2012

2013-01-01T14:20:47Z

I know I;ve many backdatede entries.. Watched already but din post anything.
I'll work harder in 2013.
Well, this would be least one of the new year resolution.

****

As for the past year 2012, these are my most 10 favorites.. least they touch my heart. Truly enjoyed it.

1) Frankenweenie.. I know the doggie would come alive and not as morbid as Pet Sematary... still i was touched by the bonding between the dog and the boy.... and yes the movie has some meaning too. Sometimes i found Tim Burton movies too dark for me. But i truly enjoiyed this one.

2) Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud - About a boy's mourning for the loss of his father who is killed in the 911. The process is painful disturbing yet realistic. Also take a glimpse of different faces of ordinary folks in New York. Love the lines and narratives about life and living.

3) Perks of Being a Wallflower. Nostalgic. Meeting friends. Developing relationship. Growing up. The language is truly beautiful that makes it stand out from other teenage flicks.

4) The Life of Pi. Initially i thought it was another adventure movie. How wrong i was. Though some dislikes' movie's religious undertone. Still, i was fascinated by the movie, its image and its perspective about life and living.

5) Love 爱　 I confess i was a bit biased towards this. But for my love of Taipei.. the love of its actors/ actresses here...and the few love stories that intertwined the movie. Like Love Actually. Loved it for watching it in Taipei ximending.. and i shed a tear over a scene.

6) Amour - Another movie about love by Michael Maneke. About how an elderly husband takes care of his wife who suffers from a stroke and is mentally degenerating. It's kind of depressing, yet realistic and touching.

7) When A Wolf Falls in Love with a Sheep 南方小羊牧场　a pleasant surprise this year. Though it's kind of　小品, it's pleasant, refreshing like a glass of lime water. Esp like those illustrations on the exam papers, those interesting side characters, and bit fantasy kind of narratives, which added flavours to this movie.

8) A different Life 桃姐 - Deanie Yip won Best actress repeatedly for her role, and i truly love her chemistry with Andy Lau. Ann Hui's realistic portrayal of the old folks' conditions in HK. It's touching and heartwarming, and make you think of the parents/ elderlies your care for.

9) Ted. - a boy and his talking teddy bear... and the teddy bear even grow up together with him and becomes as dirty and as mundane as him... Some say it's the guys who refuse to grow up and take up responsibility. Whatever. It's enjoyable, and it also explains why sometimes male bonding really have no space for ladies.

10) Argo - Based on a true story, how six Americans were rescued in Iran. It's dramatic yet exciting. The movie still can see its relevance today. It could be Ben Affleck's ambitious project to knock at the door of Oscar and to showcase his talent. Stil, i was impressed.

Amour

2012-12-30T16:16:02Z

Maybe we're really entering an aging society/ world. Seems like there are more movies about aging population in cinema recently. Earlier in HKG, we have 桃姐. Now from Austria, we've Amour, which also won an award recently in Golden Palm award.

Story itself is very simple. A sophisticated retired aged couple living peacefully together, until one day the wife suddenly suffers from stroke, starts losing memory and normal functioning. Husband taking care of her at home and this slowly leads to a painful and heartrending journey to both. The process is shown in details. It's kind of depressing, and yet realistic... While one feels helpless to see someone you loved aging, but it's even worse to see the person, suffering, degenerating, losing memory and dignity..

May not be the kind of movie you want to watch for leisure or pleasure, or for a second time. But it would make you reflect, and value about life, love and the person you love.

Rating: 4/5

Vulgaria

2012-12-23T15:06:24Z

I've no idea how this movie is dubbed in Mandarin and shown in Singapore.
While it's called vulgaria, and about how filmmakers struggle to make a movie.. and at the end a Cat-3 adult movie no less, there is hardly any nudity scene in the movie, unlike the other HK movie 色情男女Viva Erotica, where Shuqi bares for her part as a Cat-3 actress.
And for those restricted, adult-contented stuffs, it's all in the Cantonese dialogues.. Lots of vulgar words, puns, and sexual reference...
Crude but really very very funny, and bitchy..
and I'm really amazed by the part when the actress do oral sex with her "pop candy". lol

Rating: 4/5

The Intouchables

2012-12-23T14:49:58Z

So this is the movie which broke the box office of "amelie" in france.
Also nominated for best foreign movies in this year golden globe.
and it's based on a true story.. about a upper class French millionaire vs a jobless black with a criminal record. And yet he offers the black a job in his house as his private nurse.
And we expectedly see their conflicts and the clash of 2 cultures/ social classes, and also see how they also learn to care for each other and develop a bonding.
Yes, it's heartwarming and interesting, and thanks to Omar Sy.. lots of funny parts come from him.. and how we laugh at the upper class and their snobbishness and pretentiousness with him, which ironically, also based on social stereotypes.
Not a bad movie. though i still love Amelie. :)

Rating: 4/5

Hope Springs

2012-12-23T14:34:29Z

Interestingly and surprisingly, strictly speaking this is not a comedy.. nor Devil Wears Prada bitch.
Instead it's very serious movie depicting a senior couple, as the wife tries to re-kindle their relationship with her husband after 30 years of marriage, which seemed dead, stagnant, drained... no sex, no spark.
and as the movie along like marital therapy 101, as if really sponsored by a Hope Spring counselling centre.
And unlike other movies where therapist are often poked fun at portray like neurotics or lunatics, here the therapist is very professional, very serious, and also realistic... as seen from his approach, and his questions...
and if not coz the leading roles are Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, it would become like an ordinary a real life couple going for therapy.
And the only part i thought quite amusing is when Meryl goes to buy a book called "Tips that straight women can learn from gays".
But still, the movie is neither exaggerated nor too overly dramatic.. yes, senior adults too need relationship, spice up their sex life too.
I doubt those young audience would like this movie. Strictly for those adults least >30 yo.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

2012-07-21T02:39:43Z

Every year Oscar, there would be some lesser known independent movies in their nomination list... Like Slumdog Millionaire, or from this year The Artist... and and prob next year this would be one of them..

Blame it on the trailer. Initially i thought it's just another cheapskate comedy about how a group of British elderlies travel to India and poke fun at the people there...... But how wrong i was, as that's just the setting and the movie is far more serious than that. While there are some interesting cultural differences, unlike SATC 2, they serve a purpose and not meant to degrade or to be made fun of. More importantly, the movie is about aging and how aged people too could seek their new meaning in life.... and the trip to India provided them a platform to change, to reflect and to make new sense of meaning in their life.

There are also many good quotes of wisdom in the movie... and one of them
"Everything will be all right in the end. So if it is not all right, then it is not yet the end."
Theme. Cast. Acting. Dialogues.... I smell Oscar.

Rating: 4.5/5

part 4 yet still fantastic!!!

2012-07-17T15:50:24Z

Watched 2 summer blockbusters recently, and both are part 4. Maybe no expectation, both turn out to be pleasant surprises!

Spiderman 4 is actually the prequel, as we see how Spiderman came about. Yes, certain parts seemed familiar (after all, it's based on the comics, isn't it?), there were attempt to inject with some new elements, including some cross-genes kind of experiment and engineering. And even the character of spiderman.. Maybe teen? who turns out to be more playful and daring, including trying to teach school bully a lesson, sneaked in his girlfriend's room, playing game on smartphone while waiting for his target.

But of course the focus is still the leaner and taller Spiderman. I believe his image fits well with its new group of twilight-era of audience, with its new high tech package.. And the movie is fast-paced and action scenes are nicely executed, intense and enticing. 3-D effect is great. I should have watched it on IMAX then.

As for Ice Age 4, I hardly remembered how Ice Age 3 was about and i thought it's just so so only. Yet part 4 seems injected with new plot and energy. It's fast-paced, wacky and hilarious, with some dark humour like the "holy crab" and the granny. Love it.

Rating: Spiderman: 4.5/5
Ice Age: 4.5/5

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爱很烂 Love Actually Sucks

2012-07-08T06:06:36Z

Another movie from the director of amphetamine. And this one is like a collection of short stories with a mix of different couples, gay, lesbo, straights, and even incest.. but to different effect. While one looks more like a suspense thriller which depicts a possessive rock-climber's revenge when his girl dumps him, another one is bit arty like "death in venice" - about an aging uncle's obsession with a young gymfit boy who also works as a nude model (The Shanghainese model Tang Wei) ... And there are also some others are rather superficial and not sure what's the point... Like the lesbo one and also the incestuous brother (Christepher Wee) and sister.

Nevertheless, perhaps the main focus here is not the stories, but some of the interesting bold ideas and its explicit sex scenes.. like the opening scene when the groom's sex with his bf is openly shown in the wedding banquet... (and showed all).. and also, the plenty of male nudity. In fact in this movie, there are at least 4 or 5 actors here bare all with frontal nudity.. including one which shows the actress performs real oral sex as she really putting the hard dick in her mouth!!!! Wow.. The first time i watched in the HK movie.

Overall, not too bad la. Some peculiar or sucky (as the title suggests) love stories from HK, with some explicit sex scenes. Love it or hate it.

Rating: 3/5

A Good Man

2012-06-30T01:23:23Z

Happened to catch this Spanish movie on Ch667, a pleasant surprise. It builds on a simple premise.... what would you do if you witness your best friend committ a murder? And in the movie here, we have a university lecturer who witnesses his best friend/ colleague kills his wife... and what follows are a series of twist and turns when he tries to cover up and yet gets stricken by his own conscience. More trouble continues when all should have ended......Not unlike some Shakespeare tale, which says a murder is not an end by itself.... Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles.

Overall, a emotionally gripping crime drama. and a powerful moral tale about good and evil, and how good could be turned into evil with a twist of mind.

,

Shame

2012-04-28T02:52:09Z

So this movie was not passed in Singapore because of an prolonged orgy scene (and the director refused to cut). Literally what a a shame!! esp when considering that soft porn like Sex and Zen could pass (with orgy scene too? and yes maybe the director allowed the cut too since it's meant for commercial value and the movie is sexpolitative). So what's the standard and message here? sexploitative movie is ok but not for a serious arthouse movie about sex?

Yes the orgy scene may seem bit long and wild but hardly erotic..After all, this movie is about the sex addiction.. and that orgy scene simply further reinforce the notion of nothingness and senselessness of sex.. and its destructiveness to self/ relationship with others. In fact, throughout the movie we see how the character is so obsessed with sex that he lives like a social isolate and also a sex predator who could seek sex anywhere/ everywhere. It's until his sister comes to stay with him and disturb his solo single life..

Despite some explicit sex scenes, the movie is more psychological then sexual. It's cool, subdued and leave much room for audience to imagine and reflect. The German hunk MIchael Fassenbender put up a solid performance (and he's generous with his bods and walk around naked in a few scenes..and seems well-endowed..) and one wonders why he and the movie itself are totally snubbed in this year Oscar. Maybe sex is ultimately a taboo. Whether it's in the conservative Oscar, or our own Singapore.

Rating: 4/5

The Way We are 天水围的日与夜

2012-04-07T05:27:09Z

As much as I wanted to watch Ann Hui's award winning A simple Life or 桃姐，I still refused to watch now here in Singapore cinemas, when it was screened in dubbed Mandarin. No matter how good the dubbing is, it just massacred the the essence of the dialogues, especially it's a modern setting Hongkong. Maybe i would not be bothered so much if i don't know the language, just like i would not care too much if the Korean series is dubbed. But the fact is why would i want to watch a dubbed movie where the flavour is lost? Just like would you want to watch a dubbed local English or Chinese version of Hunger Game or American Pie?

Anyway, i watched this old movie by Ann Hui, also won awards in HK Film Awards, but seems lesser known and did badly in box office. Nevertheless, some critics said that it's actually a better movie than A Simple Life. Despite the setting is at the public housing estate at Yuen Long Tian Shui Wei, which is sensationalised by the local media which called it a "City of Sadness", a place where many poor and socially deprived families stayed. However, unlike other drama, this movie is so simple and down to earth that i think many people who stay in Singapore HDB flats can also strike a chord with.

The story revolves the everyday life of a widow and his teenage son, her work and her friendship with an elderly new neighour, her relationship with her mom, brothers and other relatives. Some stories were unfolded implicitly and we were shown how persevere and lonely some of the old folks here are. It's touching and yet heartwarming.

In fact ,watching this movie just reminded me of my aunt who is stil staying in a public housing estate in Hongkong. In my younger days when i travelled to Hongkong and wanted to save my hotel cost, i would stay at her home as she was also staying alone since the passing of her husband. And every morning she would ask me to go breakfast and yumcha with her, where i saw her interacted with other neighbours, went wet market and chat with the hawkers, and also bought stuffs for her children or grandchildren. She was also very thrifty to herself but generous to me or her family. It's exactly like the mother character of this movie.

So if you really want to take a glimpse of how an ordinary folks in Hongkong like,forget the HK-TVB drama. Go for this movie. And meanwhile, i would just wait for the DVD release of A simple life for the Cantonese version.

Rating: 4/5.

A Separation

2012-03-25T12:59:05Z

The Oscar winner of of Best Foreign Film this year. It's an Iran movie but not about war or terrorism, but a family drama about a couple's filing for divorce as the wife wishes to migrate while her husband wishes to stay back to look after his father who suffers from Alzheimier's. The story gets complicated when the husband hires a caregiver to look after his dad but later fires her for letting his father fall, while the caregiver sues him for pushing her and causing her miscarriage. Nevertheless, the movie does not fall into melodrama, but subtly explores each character's struggle and perspective. There is no good or evil person in the movie and all conflicts arise when each stand on their beliefs/values.

A simple story yet can be analysed/ read from various perspectives. And much has been said about this show. Some praised for its realism, the way it depicts modern vs traditional values, men vs women, religious values vs modernism, middle class vs working class (caregiver), husband vs wife, etc etc. Interesting. However, not sure if it's Iranian setting or if the movie is just too realistic. While i could empathise the characters' situations but hardly could feel anything for them.

Rating: 4/5

Beginners

2012-03-25T03:20:11Z

Though a US film, the tone and it's presented like some kind of European movies. The story is about a man whose father (Christopher Plummer who won a Best supporting Actor at Oscar for this show) comes out from the closet after the passing of his mother. Although diagnosed with cancer, his fahter lives his life to the fullest till on his deathbed. But the movie is not so much about his father, but it's the son himself who seems to fear of committment and have problem in developing LTR (could be due to his detached parents and parenting style). From his father's death and also his last few year before his death (and the pink network that he has), he starts to question about what is meaningful relationship and his capability of developing one.

Though a heavy topic, i like the director's light-hearted approach and his way of narrating the story, which is witty with colourful visuals and images. The story is unfolded with some snippets of his past (childhood, his view of his father, and his mother etc) which also effectively let us have a better understanding of his background and his inner thoughts. But just like in other Euro-cinema, the movie is more about the process/ character's state of mind and not so much about the content.. So everything seems to touch and go without too much depth and exploration. It's like being served a bowl of ching t'ng, it's just light and refreshing but would hardly leave you satisfied.

Rating: 3/5

A dangerous method

2012-03-25T02:51:18Z

Warning: This is really a film strictly for the hardcore fans of psycho-analysis and the followers of Freud and Jung. For those who have the knowledge would know that Jung was the Freud's student/ disciple and they were the founders of Psychoanalysis.. and while they are close and share many similar thoughts and passion, their relationship is complex and mixed with conflicts...esp in their ideas about psychoanalysis - as Jung views that psychosis should not be explained solely on sex alone. The movie depicts Jung relationship with his patient Sabina who later becomes his mistress which interestingly also reflects some of the internal conflicts of Jung.

To put such a complex psycho story into a book with 500 over pages is not an easy task, but no less a movie. While the movie appears to have captured the essence of the story/ book, its just literally too much talk..... As it's all talk talk and talk, which could be as dry as the book. it's not easy to digest even for people like me who has some knowledge about their background (and i dozed off twice), I can't imagine how an usual audience can take it. After all, reading the words from the book and hearing characters keep talking could be quite different experience.. It's kind of dull after a while.
And i also think the movie would have left out some details. For example, Vincent Cassel's character as Otto Gross is interesting and yet his part is just too little. While both actors put a good performance as Jung and Freud, i really wish the movie to be more exciting and with more visuals rather than just talk-show. The tone of the movie is just too flat, subdued, repressed and indifferent. I almost thought its kind of BBC show and not from some director like David Cronenberg.

Rating: 2.5/5

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

2012-02-28T15:34:45Z

Adapted from the book by Jonathan Safron Foer and by the director of "Hours" Stephen Daldry.. About a boy who loses his father in 911 tries to make sense and meaning about his father's death.. He keeps his sorrow and secret to himself.... and when he finds a key that his father leaves behind, he embarks on a long journey to find the lock that fits the key....

Sounds heavy, and serious, and yet there are many touching moments.. with many meaningful quotes and words about life, loss, grieving, letting go and moving on. There are also powerful and heartrending performance from Sandra Bullock and Max Von Sydow (nominated for Oscar).. as well as from many side characters... The boy seems braggy at times and I wonder if he over-acts, or if that's his way to express his anger about his father's death and to hide his fear.. (I shall read the book.)

It's the kind of movie that make you want to watch again. Or take the book and read for more beautiful words and powerful images. It's also surely one of my favorite movies of this year.

Rating: 5/5

The Iron Lady

2012-02-23T16:12:11Z

No, the movie is not so much about the 11 ruling years of Iron Lady, but more an aged and widowed Thatcher reminisced about her past and greived for her husband.. how she was a "grocery daughter" who was interested in politics and making a difference in her life, how she met her husband, joined the Conservative Party, rose to power, fought ferociously and fearlessly for her idea and ideals, at times worked against the wishes of her party and people, and also how her life had been supported by her husband and how she sought comfort and solace in him..

So not only did we see her strong and "iron" side, but also her soft and tender moments.. See a contrast between her powerful and glorious past and a more subdued and frail present, and yet still strong-minded, observant and opinionated.

No doubt Meryl Streep did a fantastic job in playing the role of Iron Lady. However, I still find that Meryl's look different from the real Margaret Thatcher, even though she follows closely and imitates the way she speaks, walks and dresses up, etc. Maybe my memory of Lady Thatcher is still very strong. Nevertheless, it's only when Meryl acts Thatcher's old age then she gets a closer resemblance to her at certain angle. Amazing.

And this also tells you that the movie is not so much about Iron Lady's life, but rather a Meryl's solo show, as we see how she acts and performs her role as the Iron Lady. And she din fail us by delivering a solid and impressive performance.

Rating: 3.5./5

阵头

2012-02-21T13:34:48Z

So many nice Taiwan movies recently... wanted to catch 痞子英雄 during this trip too but the movie was left all the odd sessions.

Still, manage to catch this... "Din Tao", the No 1 movie in Taiwan during CNY... a black horse., and still doing well..

And the movie is really good.. while it's also about family, the clash between culture/ traditions and modern/ reforms.. conflicts between generations.. father and son.., rivalry between 2 teams.. but what strikes also me is those drum scenes.. and also some of its traditional parade/ ceremonial dance steps... which lead to the climax scene in the finale when they perform for the opening ceremony for Taipei Cultural Festivcal. It's energising, inspiring and awesome!

And it's not Glee... it is based on a true story.

The movie is 2 hours long and about 1/3 in hokkien.. and yet very well-paced and entertaining with some witty hokkien humours.. Funny and hilarious.. Really enjoyed it..

Rating: 4.5/5

J Edgar

2012-02-13T15:57:15Z

Read some reviews and it seems that many critics were not too impressed by the movie. They feel that the portrayal of the title character Edgar was incomplete/ unclear.. So at the end of the day, they learn nothing much new about him.

But i also wonder if they expect the movie would reveal some deep dark secrets of Edgar? But din the movie already tell you the real character Edgar Hoover, the founder of FBI who had been in this line for 40 over years, surely know the best way to guard his secrets, to protect himself/ his loved ones/ family and friends. Therefore many secrets would just remain as, literally, secrets, and unknown. You could only get some sketches and bits and pieces about his life..

Nevertheless, the movie still manages to let us catch glimpses of his public and private life. Not just about his career as a founder/ head of FBI who fights against all odds in establishing the FBI with its forensic unit, but also some soft spots in his private life - a repressed perfectionist born in a conservative era.. a mommy's boy with a clinging and controlling mother. We also see how he denies/ suppresses his love to his male partner/ assistant Tolson and yet implicitly shows his total devotion to him, subtly, since knowing how their forbidden relationship could be turned against him and destroy them and their work and career.

So is Edgar a national hero who devote his life/ energy for the country's security, or just a man with big ego who knows how to play games to boost his image and reputation? The director leaves much space for you to imagine (which many find it unsatisifying). Nevertheless, what the movie truly memorable is still the relationship between him and his soulmate/ personal assistant/ long term companion assistant Clyde.. there are a few scenes about them which are so subtle yet so touching...

The most impressive is still Leonardo DiCaprio. Finally he proved that he could act and he's so convincingly into his mature role as Edgar. Hardly any trace of Leo himself or Jack from Titanic. And now i really wonder why he was not nominated for Oscar ...

PS.. The only complaints i have was the make-up of some characters here are really too extreme, esp Clyde Tolson, who looks so old and powdered till almost becomes laughable. Also, Naomi Watts as his secretary Helen Gandy is totally wasted like a big vase.. and so little is known about her since she turns down Edgar's proposal.

Rating: 4/5

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The descendants

2012-01-30T23:32:48Z

I prepared to enjoy the movie... I like the director's previous work like about Schmidt and sideways.. I read its reviews and watched the trailers.. I thought it would be another bittersweet and touching movie for me this year..

But I do not know why I was kind of calm throughout the movie. Something is missing. I wonder why. It's like you are served with a plate of chilli crabs.. All ingredients are there.... But somehow something is missing to give you that kick, the shiok moments.

Likewise, the movie has its fine moments. The acting are good. The story, though bit contrived, is interesting. But I can't say the movie really did move me that much, even though the wife's deathbed scene could somehow, unfortunately and incidentally, brought me back some of my memories about my father when he was in the hospital.... The only moment I enjoyed was the twist in last scene when the last visitor arrived. But scenes like this are just too little and too late.

Maybe I watched too much review and know what to expect. Maybe it's George clooney, if my friend was right, even though i thought he put on quite a good and spontaneous performance. or maybe i just have different expectation from the movie. After all, when the charcacter's know about his wife's affair, it's already almost half way through the movie. The rest of the plots we all kind of expect and the way the rest of the movie flows is as plain as white paper.

rating: 3.5/5

Love Sick 恋爱恐慌症

2012-01-24T08:00:34Z

Surprise.. This movie was screened in Taiwan only like in December a month ago, and yet so fast it was on the CNY eve on Starhub.

However, it seems that the movie was actually made quite some time ago. But the Taiwanese distributor was smart enough to hold it until the Taiwan TV drama 我可能不会爱你 ends, as it was led by the same duo. Since the tv was a big hit, the movie could conveniently ride on their popularity.

Smart move. But sad to say, with the same duo, the standard and content of the movie is just not on a par with the TV series. While the tv show is more realistic, touching and more in-depth, the movie is simply too superficial and unbelievable. Worse, while 陈柏霖maintains his image as Mr Nice and perfect guy, we just can't stand 林依晨act-cute and behaves so childishly, a huge contrast from her role/character in the tv series.

So for those who expects another 我可能不会爱你 will be disappointed, and wonder why both would want to act in this movie. No wonder it did not do well in Taiwan box office. And no wonder too, it comes to our cable so fast.

Yes, to give it some credits, the movie does have a few good moments, but it simply fails and pales miserably beside the tv series.

Rating: 2/5

I don't know how she does it

2012-01-24T01:24:21Z

Watched some backdated movies during CNY.. this was one of them.... The movie uses some reality show technique when depicting the struggle of working mom.. how she juggles work and family.. and so the story is interjected with some interview segments of the characters where they give their views of the working mom role played by Sarah Jessica Parker..

But again it's Sarah Jessica Parker.. and is it becoz of her? she is still very Carrie...and the world/ other characters all seem revolved around her.. how she's capable and how she tries very hard to balance and manage.. and often also on the expenses of others, her secretary, her husband and her daughter (where all have to show understanding and forgiveness).. *yawn* and we see how insensitive she could be at times....

At the end...The story is predictable and as easy as McDonald Happy meal. But it's far too superficial.. and we see much more complicated issues about working mom in the real world. And as much as we understand her struggle, I myself would not prefer a working colleaugue/ boss like her.

Rating: 2/5

New Year's eve

2011-12-28T23:19:08Z

Thought its just another festive movie that made you feel good... Typical hollywood fairy tale.... And yet, surprise, it's still a delight to watch, though I thought I'm quite jaded to this type of movie.

Maybe the cast.. I din really know who are there and so kind of surprise to see some actresses such as Michelle pfiffer, Carrie aka Sarah Jessica Parker, Halle berry, Katherine hiegl and even glee's Rachel!!!! (for the actiors, why Ashton kutcher looks so ugly here?)

Or maybe the stories. You know the format.. Some stories go on simultaneously but finally intertwined by the ends.. They are sweet, heartwarming and touching. I particularly like the one by Michelle pfiffer and the Halle berry. Or maybe the charm of new york, where the setting of the story is (wish to be there for countdown one day!!)

or maybe the new year eve reflection speech when the ball was stuck and hanged in the air. I think it's the best part in the movie. I may feel jaded about celebrating new year but it reminds me what's (the significance of) new year is all about...

Ending is a bit fairy tale yes. But still makes you feel that life is still full of hope. And we should always let go of the unhappiness in the past and stay hopeful about life..

Rating: 4/5

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