August 2012
2 posts
6 tags
Review | THE BOURNE LEGACY (2012)
Adopting similar action sequences from the previous trilogy, this ‘fourth installment’ ultimately lacks the sensibility and pace of the Matt Damon-led Bourne franchise, resulting in a film that might disappoint loyal fans and confuse new ones.
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Written and directed by series scribe Tony Gilroy, The Bourne Legacy pays much homage (and reference) to the first three movies. From the...
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“Fuck-a-doodle-doo!”
Charles, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (1994)
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A warmly humorous and undeniably sweet British comedy that deserves more than one viewing. Don’t you wish you had friends like these?
July 2012
14 posts
7 tags
“Slow painful death by disease… or watching the love of your life die a slow painful death by disease?”
- Jason Fryman, FRIENDS WITH KIDS (2012)
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Although the ending is never as daring as the premise sets out to be, the film is not without its moments of gem - both funny and touching - to become an odd companion piece to the OTT Bridesmaids.
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“You’ve got to wear a mask to protect those you care about.”
- Bruce Wayne to John Blake, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)
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2012 will go down in history as one of the greatest years for superhero movies.
Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’ and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ were both highly-anticipated and eventually well-received blockbusters that satisfied fans’ appetite of seeing...
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Still love the classy way they do drama.
- MAD MEN, Season 5 finale, The Phantom
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Featuring a varying range of funny - from the quick-witted to the laugh-out-loud - Vinci is one delightful crime caper by renowned Polish director Juliusz Machulski.
VINCI (2004)
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“My theory is you can’t just avoid everybody you screw up with.”
- James Brennan, ADVENTURELAND (2009)
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He’s a dork. She’s stone-ish. It somehow works!
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Two of the most underrated yet immensely talented actors — they should star in more movies (together)!
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“A few times in my life I’ve had moments of absolute clarity … they pull me back to the present, and I realize that everything is exactly the way it was meant to be.”
- George, A SINGLE MAN (2009)
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From the smart use of colour palette switches and impeccably designed costumes down to the striking performances from its lead and the supporting cast, the film is...
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“I’ve made way for you.”
- George Valentin, THE ARTIST (2011)
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Lovingly crafted and directed, and superbly acted by both charismatic leads, this is a smart and timely tribute to the good ol’ era.
Simply charming.
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“You know, even as a kid, I always went for the wrong women. I think that’s my problem.”
- Alvy Singer, ANNIE HALL (1977)
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It is still as endearing now as it was then. Filled with hilarious and poignant moments from start to finish, it is simply amazing how one neurotic babbler can make us all feel for him all the way to the final sequence.
I guess that’s...
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“Why is that grass crying? It’s crying and I feel like it’s my fault.”
- Linda, WANDERLUST (2012)
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10 Reasons why John Carter is NOT a bad movie
1. Written a hundred years ago, the ‘John Carter of Mars’ novels were the influence of many sci-fi/fantasy movies of the past century - and that it took a longer journey to the big-screen doesn’t make it less dated.
2. Woola, the loyal Barsoomian mutt.[[MORE]]
3. Carter’s gravity-defying flying is easily the most convenient...
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Royal: Well, listen… Baby, I’m dying.
Ethel: What’s happening? Oh, I’m sorry… I didn’t know… [breaks down]
Royal: Wait a second. Ok, uh, listen, I’m not dying… but I need some time. A month or so. OK? I want us to-to…
Ethel: [slaps him hard] WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Are you crazy!!?
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Oh, dear. The Royal Tenenbaums is indeed...
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Chinese fantasy/period films of late have mostly employed the same formula. Ever since Chen Kaige’s big budget (yet infamously panned) The Promise (2005), producers seemed to have taken it as a permission to let loose on the CGI and compromise on the storyline. Case(s) in point: Jet Li’s double-whammy disappointments in 2011 showcased two Chinese classics The Sorcerer...
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With this great reboot comes great responsibility…
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Has it really been ten years since the first Spider-Man movie?
Released in 2002 to worldwide blockbuster acclaim, Sam Raimi’s trilogy later went on to make more than S$3 billion at the global box-office. The series even spawned mega-successful theme park rides both in Florida and Japan, the Marvel superhero becoming the pop...
June 2012
8 posts
4 tags
To infinity and beyond.
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“Sometimes, all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.”
- Benjamin Mee, WE BOUGHT A ZOO (2011)
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Buoyed by an affecting performance by Matt Damon as the real-life adventurer and owner of the zoo, this is certainly a feel-good film for any age to enjoy. Heck, you’ve got Scarlett Johansson, a cute little girl, some budding teenage romance and a whole lot of...
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“Which leads to an obvious conclusion… We are the Gods now.”
- Peter Weyland, PROMETHEUS (2012)
[[MORE]]Ridley Scott’s iconic ‘Alien’, made way back in 1979, is often considered one of the classics of sci-fi/horror movies.
Its successful blend of nail-biting storyline with terrifying outer space creatures spawned numerous sequels and crossover prequels...
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Went a little crazy at a warehouse sale.
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“Dat dat datta datta dat dat circus; afro circus afro circus polka dot polka dot polka dot AFRO!”
- Marty, MADAGASCAR 3 (2012)[[MORE]]
Two movies, a S$1.4 billion box office and a Universal Studios theme park attraction later, this mega franchise is back with a third installment that is very much a fun exercise in 3D. While rival Pixar sticks to their beloved method of heartwarming...
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10 REASONS TO WATCH LES MIS…
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Anne Hathaway.
Anne Hathaway singing “I Dreamed a Dream”.
Hugh Jackman’s (aka Wolverine) singing.
It’ll be the closest we can get to see Russell Crowe in his Master and Commander outfit again.
Tom Hooper’s directing (he did a beautiful job on The King’s Speech, and from the trailer, he looks to repeat the...
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On the road again.
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Transformers: The Ride
THIS RIDE IS TOO… I CAN’T EVEN.
May 2012
14 posts
11 tags
My favourite gifts this year! Yes, I’m a lucky guy.
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21 Jump Street (2012)
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A terrific blend of comedy (physical, vulgar, campy) and action, this remake of the 80s TV series is easily one of the most enjoyable movies this year.
It’s the sit-back-and-laugh-your-heads-off kind of ride, and the odd pair of the chunky Channing Tatum and stocky Jonah Hill works like magic.
It’s as if the writers didn’t hold anything back...
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“Welcome home, Barnabas Collins.”
- Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, DARK SHADOWS (2012)[[MORE]]
Although never as dark as Sleepy Hollow or as wickedly twisted as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dark Shadows does benefit from some beautiful cinematography and gorgeous costumes (can’t expect less from a Tim Burton film - that, and Helena Bonham Carter).
Depp plays it quite...
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Homemade “Death by Chocolate”
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Hold On to Sixteen.
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Decadence for Mothers’ Day.
Hit the jump for the specific foods.[[MORE]]
Clockwise from Top Left:
I love New York: Softly scrambled eggs mixed with caramelised onions & imported smoked sturgeon with lightly toasted sesame bagel & our own cream cheese.
Aussie: 120 grams Australian grass fed rib-eye (we like medium rare), melted onion, red & yellow peppers on our grilled...
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“…Puny God.”
- The Hulk, THE AVENGERS (2012)
Artist: Ben Wang
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Aye.
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That’s mine!!
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Michael Arndt - who wrote Toy Story 3 and won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine - is in talks to re-write ‘Hunger Games’ sequel, ‘Catching Fire’.
In good hands?
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“Hulk. Smash.”
- Captain America, THE AVENGERS (2012)
Artist: Ben Wang
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“That’s my secret, Cap… I’m always angry.”
- Dr. Bruce Banner, THE AVENGERS (2012)
Artist: Ben Wang
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Review | THE AVENGERS (2012)
The seemingly impossible task of assembling the mightiest of superheroes from the Marvel universe into one movie turns out to be a spectacular, rip-roaring success.[[MORE]]
Ever since the first hints of an Avengers movie surfaced after the enormous success of ‘Iron Man’, the online buzz has been nothing less than deafening. With the gradual sign-on of other cast members such as Scarlett...
11 tags
“Because… because.. She came here with me.”
The Hunger Games (2012)
April 2012
28 posts
9 tags
Review | THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2012)
Judging from the treatment of Chris Hemsworth’s character in the movie, it’s obvious that this was filmed way before he struck it big as a hammer-wielding Avenger.[[MORE]]
Two years ago, to be exact. However, the wait wouldn’t make much of a difference. Cabin is by far the most imaginative movie of its genre to hit the cinemas these few years, and it’s currently in the...
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Fun.
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Review | FIGHT CLUB (1999)
Tyler Durden is a superhero. [[MORE]]
Stupendously acted by both lead actors and sharply directed by the great Fincher, the film is satisfyingly violent, visually thrilling and features a screenplay that is deliciously layered and scripted.
Norton has got to be one of the most talented actors that puzzlingly hasn’t achieved a superstar status (yet?). His take as The Narrator here...
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Review | THE RAVEN (2012)
Edgar Allan Poe’s mysterious death at age 40 is wildly spun into this grisly detective tale that has moments of shocking gore and nail-biting suspense, resulting in an uneasy and moody film fit for Poe’s titular poem, ‘The Raven’.[[MORE]] John Cusack (Being John Malkovich) - spotting heavy eye bags and a haggard attire - fleshes out the role of Poe in the most common...
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Epic Food is Epic
The Double Down!
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to Rome, with love.
Hot off his Midnight in Paris Oscar win - and with that Vicky Cristina Barcelona kiss still somewhat fresh in our minds - Woody Allen is back to tickle us with yet another quirky offering.
Penelope Cruz. Ellen Page. Jesse Eisenberg. And Woody himself. So much win.
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extremely loud & incredibly close
One roller-coaster of a book.
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Review | BOY A (2007)
“I love you.” “You beat me to it again.” [[MORE]]
Boy A is a slow-broiling drama that features an intense, powerful performance by Andrew Garfield, pre-The Social Network era.
Garfield plays Jack, a young man released from prison years after he was convicted of murder as a child. His identity has been changed to protect him, but he finds it tough to suppress the truth...
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Review | FINDING NEVERLAND (2004)
This heartwarming film tells the fantastic story of how J.M. Barrie (Johnny Depp) befriended a family who eventually inspired him to pen his beloved classic, Peter Pan.[[MORE]] Based on true events, the movie focuses on Barrie’s evolving friendship with the widowed mother (Kate Winslet) and her sons. While his growing closeness with the family fanned gossips and alienated his own wife, he...
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“But there are much worse games to play.”
– Mockingjay.
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Review | LOCKOUT (2012)
Lockout is probably one of the most unoriginal sci-fi movies in recent memory, yet its cheesy predictability is what works for the film, ending up with an accessible - albeit B-grade - movie.[[MORE]]
Written and directed by Irish filmmakers James Mather and Stephen St. Leger, and conceptualized by action/thriller producer Luc Besson, the film does start out strongly with an interrogation scene...
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Review | THE TREE OF LIFE (2011)
You probably won’t ever forget The Tree of Life; or rather, cinema probably won’t ever forget The Tree of Life.[[MORE]]
Such is the impact it leaves on viewers who have watched this lyrical film of giddy proportions by writer-director Terrence Malick (Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line). Winner of 2011’s Palme d’Or at Cannes, not everyone who comes across this film will...
