In A Closed Room.

Review | THE BOURNE LEGACY (2012)

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:52:50 +0800

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.

Written and directed by series scribe Tony Gilroy, The Bourne Legacy pays much homage (and reference) to the first three movies. From the opening shot - a replica of The Bourne Identity’s first scene and The Bourne Ultimatum’s closing - to characters rooftop hopping in a maze-like city, Gilroy is determined to stay true to the franchise, while potentially extending the series with an expanded storyline.

Except the extension here seems more like a stretch.

After Jason Bourne (Matt Damon, appearing in this movie only as headshots) spilled the beans on the CIA’s covert and unethical Operation Blackbriar that he belonged to, Retired Colonel Eric Byer (Edward Norton) scrambles to shut down all other similar black-ops, with a master plan to kill all the agents.

Jeremy Renner’s Aaron Cross is one such agent from an Operation Outcome who manages to escape. Meanwhile, after a particularly gripping shooting rampage in Outcome’s research lab, sole survivor Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) finds herself in danger of being the next to be eliminated. The two form an ally to escape from the CIA’s hunt, their fleeing taking them to the chaotic streets of Manila.

After Supremacy and Ultimatum’s director Paul Greengrass announced in 2009 that he would not be returning for this fourth outing, star Matt Damon followed suit and pulled out. Gilroy was then assigned the immense responsibility to takeover this US$1 billion espionage series, rebooting the screenplay at the same time.

Although he has proven his mettle with the Academy Award nominated Michael Clayton, one can’t help but feel he is fumbling with the material here. The film’s puzzling first act of interweaving Cross’ track across snow-capped mountains with the parallel events that occurred in the third film gets Legacy off to a shaky start. Gilroy then attempts writing a communications-room scene that unfortunately comes off less thrilling and intelligent than Greengrass’ brilliant execution in Ultimatum.

Despite Renner’s capable portrayal of agent Cross and Weisz’s great treatment to her panic-stricken character, the screenplay also degenerates their chemistry as quickly as they come, safe for some harrowing scenes atop a speeding motorcycle.

The abrupt ending (cue the closing music of Ultimatum) is the final straw that lays bare the flaws of the movie, effectively interrupting the pacing and making as if it was robbed of a final act.

It is definitely a real pity because the film was just getting interesting; but now it looks like fans will just have to wait and see how Gilroy’s grand plan will turn out, and hopefully the series can still have the stamina to remain relevant in the action/thriller genre.

As featured on InCinemas.sg.

“Fuck-a-doodle-doo!” Charles, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (1994) A warmly humorous...

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:45:21 +0800

“Fuck-a-doodle-doo!”

Charles, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (1994)

A warmly humorous and undeniably sweet British comedy that deserves more than one viewing. Don’t you wish you had friends like these?

“Slow painful death by disease… or watching the love of your life die a slow painful...

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:26:00 +0800

“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)

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.

“You’ve got to wear a mask to protect those you care about.” - Bruce Wayne to...

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:11:43 +0800

“You’ve got to wear a mask to protect those you care about.”

- Bruce Wayne to John Blake, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)

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 their favourite comic-book characters on the big screen.

Now, with the release of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, Hollywood might have saved the darkest superhero movie for last.

Director Christopher Nolan has deftly managed to adopt the perfect balance of solid thrills, great villains and well-thought storyline from the first two movies to end this trilogy off with a bang!

The story picks off eight years after Batman (Christian Bale) took the blame for disfiguring Harvey Dent (a.k.a. Two Face) and goes into hiding. His public self, Bruce Wayne, also becomes a recluse, shutting himself (and his alter-ego) out from the world.

However, when powerful terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy) threatens to wreak havoc on Gotham City with his secret underground plans and public attack of the stock exchange, Batman is forced back into action to stop Bane from acquiring a machine that could become a nuclear weapon used to destroy the entire city.

Along the way, Nolan introduces the morally ambiguous Selina Kyle as Catwoman (Anne Hathaway), orphan-turned-cop John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and a Wayne Enterprises board member, Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard), to add more depth and character to the screenplay.

Fans should be glad that the action sequences here mirror that of ‘The Dark Knight’, with thrilling car chases and fierce hand-to-hand combat befitting of the grittiness of the brand. But the scale of the execution is doubled here this time round, making the IMAX version extremely worthwhile.

From harrowing mid-air abductions to mega destructions of bridges and football fields, audiences will often be kept at the edge of their seats with their jaws dropped. However, while the Batpod looks super cool with its sideways wheel tumbling, the new Batwing (known as ‘The Bat’) does come across a tad clunky hovering about in the streets.

Pacing also slacks slightly when a crippled Batman winds up in Bane’s prison; thankfully though everything picked up quickly after the Dark Knight rises (pun intended) from the depths of that defeat.

As for the cast, Tom Hardy’s Bane might not be as psychotic and groundbreaking as the late Heath Ledger’s turn as The Joker, but speaking perpetually through a mouth mask and emoting only through his eyes, Hardy manages to skilfully terrorise and derive empathy.

Another standout would be Hathaway’s version of Catwoman. ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ actress nails Selina Kyle’s schizophrenic expressions and gamely puts her slinky, sassy form to great use in the fighting scenes.

In true Christopher Nolan fashion, the film ends on a hero’s reunification theme similar to his treatment of ‘The Prestige’ and ‘Inception’, but not before dropping in a tongue-in-cheek final scene that will only leave fanboys grinning when they exit the theatre, closing an awesome chapter in Batman’s film history.

As featured on Breathe.sg.

Still love the classy way they do drama. - MAD MEN, Season 5 finale, The Phantom

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 01:21:44 +0800

Still love the classy way they do drama.

- MAD MEN, Season 5 finale, The Phantom

Featuring a varying range of funny - from the quick-witted to the laugh-out-loud - Vinci is one...

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:15:00 +0800

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)

“My theory is you can’t just avoid everybody you screw up with.” - James...

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 23:14:28 +0800

“My theory is you can’t just avoid everybody you screw up with.”

- James Brennan, ADVENTURELAND (2009)

He’s a dork. She’s stone-ish. It somehow works!

Two of the most underrated yet immensely talented actors — they should star in more movies...

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 01:35:25 +0800

Two of the most underrated yet immensely talented actors — they should star in more movies (together)!

“A few times in my life I’ve had moments of absolute clarity … they pull me back...

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 22:37:09 +0800

“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)

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 simply a work of art.

Although Colin Firth and Julianne Moore were billed as headliners, it is Firth’s interaction with Nicholas Hoult that proves the most captivating.

Tragically beautiful, indeed.

“I’ve made way for you.” - George Valentin, THE ARTIST (2011) Lovingly crafted...

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:46:27 +0800

“I’ve made way for you.”

- George Valentin, THE ARTIST (2011)

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.

“You know, even as a kid, I always went for the wrong women. I think that’s my...

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:10:00 +0800

“You know, even as a kid, I always went for the wrong women. I think that’s my problem.”

- Alvy Singer, ANNIE HALL (1977)

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 the power of film. I guess that’s the power of Woody Allen.

“Why is that grass crying? It’s crying and I feel like it’s my fault.” -...

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:58:59 +0800

“Why is that grass crying? It’s crying and I feel like it’s my fault.”

- Linda, WANDERLUST (2012)

10 Reasons why John Carter is NOT a bad movie 1. Written a hundred years ago, the ‘John...

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:22:00 +0800

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.

3. Carter’s gravity-defying flying is easily the most convenient - and coolest - excuse for a hero to take flight in a film. The result is satisfying.

4. Well-choreographed action set-pieces.

5. Detailedly designed sets - from 19th Century New York all the way to sprawling landscapes of Barsoom.

6. The characterisation of the Tharks (namely Sola and Tars Tarkas).

7. The flyers.

8. Taking its time to tell an epic story and…

9. …looking every bit epic along the way.

10. The last, nail-biting ten minutes makes it all worthwhile.

—

I’m actually looking forward to John Carter’s return to Mars, and the adventure that awaits us all.

Royal: Well, listen… Baby, I’m dying. Ethel: What’s happening? Oh, I’m...

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 23:45:43 +0800

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!!?

Oh, dear. The Royal Tenenbaums is indeed one underrated gem. Brilliant plot and dialogue, and don’t even get me started on the ensemble.

Every actor is delicious in his/her role, but it’s got to be Gwyneth Paltrow’s Margot and Luke Wilson’s Richie that stand out - a twisted, beautiful love story.

Can’t wait for Moonrise Kingdom.

Chinese fantasy/period films of late have mostly employed the same formula. Ever since Chen...

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 23:14:00 +0800

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 and the White Snake and The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate performing dismally amongst genre fans, heavily denting the once-respected brand of the period film.

Fortunately, though, this year’s highly hyped follow-up to the original Painted Skin (2008) not only serves to restore faith in Chinese cinematic tales, but also proves that first-rate computer-generated visuals are not only reserved for Hollywood films.

The leads of the first movie return (sans Donnie Yen) to this ‘resurrection’ - namely Zhou Xun, Vicki Zhao and Chen Kun - with the ladies’ mesmerising and heartbreaking performances easily warranting the ticket price.

Zhou’s brilliantly seductive turn as fox demon Xiao Wei is fascinating to watch, her doe-like expressions coupled with her husky voice draws not only her victims in, but the viewers’ undivided attention as well. On the other hand, Zhao’s heart-wrenching role of a disfigured princess insecurely pining for Chen’s General Huo Xin’s love is tragic to witness, her strong exterior only accentuating her brittle interior.

The pair of powerhouse actresses literally carries the show - and the opulently gorgeous costumes - their interaction even more captivating when they finally switched their skins.

The aforementioned praise-worthy visuals are also in full display here: from the striking imagery of Zhou running through a field in a dramatic dress, down to the literally skin-crawling body-swap of the demon and the princess, they are often expertly and effectively executed.

However, the one major gripe about this second movie would have to be the disastrous secondary storyline involving the Tian Lang Kingdom. Chinese-American singer Kris Phillips - better known as Fei Xiang - single-handedly derails the second half of the film with his cringe-worthy babblings and uncomfortable Mandarin accent as a chief wizard bent on destroying the lives of Princess Jing and the general.

While the first Painted Skin deftly plays on central themes of love and sacrifice amidst the creepy tones of The Strange Tales of Liao Zhai, this pseudo-sequel snatches the attention away from a potentially solid screenplay of the sisterly bond between the two female protagonists, leaving audiences sniggering at the silly plot of a fictional kingdom’s invasion.

That said, this part two of sorts does deliver strongly enough in the acting and special effects department that will be sufficient to thrill the average movie-goer, but like the original movie, there are still missed opportunities that can make this supernatural series a truly unique one.

—

As featured on InCinemas.sg.

With this great reboot comes great responsibility… Has it really been ten years since the...

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 22:22:51 +0800

With this great reboot comes great responsibility…

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 icon for a new generation of kids.

But after 2007’s ‘Spider-Man 3’ received flak from both critics and fans alike for being too messy – there were three villains in one movie – Sony Pictures swiftly canceled production of a fourth installment.

Instead, the studio opted for a revisit to Peter Parker’s teenage years and a new story to explain the creation of the hero. Thankfully, the decision was right, and this refreshed Spider-Man is nothing short of amazing!

Brit actor Andrew Garfield replaces Tobey Maguire in the title role of Peter Parker, his earnest demeanour definitely benefiting the back to basics screenplay.

The film starts off with an impactful yet mysterious introduction on how Parker’s parents left him with Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field), before continuing into a welcome characterisation of Parker’s high school life. There, his dorky but kind-hearted and intelligent persona finds connection with the equally smart yet beautiful Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone).

The movie then takes its time to establish a credible chemistry between the leads, before telling its story of how Parker gets bitten and transforms into the titular superhero. Meanwhile, Parker’s encounter with his father’s ex-colleague, Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans), turns into a horrible, desperate experiment that gives rise to the villain of the movie, The Lizard.

Although the lengthy first half does bog down the film a bit, the groundwork laid here is extremely important to keep the franchise going strong.

That said, judging from the audience’s reaction, no one in the theater seems to be complaining. From the playful treatment of Parker realising his new found powers in an abandoned warehouse, to the simple yet heartbreaking sequence of Uncle Ben’s inevitable circumstance, there was nary a boring moment.

Forums have also been abuzz of director Marc Webb’s decision to stick to spidey’s original web-generating mechanism, as well as filming point-of-view shots while he swings around in New York City – all these little things that add a sense of realism that makes this film so much more special than its predecessors.

But the best praises have to be left for the magnetic cast.

Garfield’s acting talents – already proven powerfully in ‘Boy A’ and most prominently in his Oscar-nominated role as Facebook’s co-founder in ‘The Social Network’ – adds great depth and humanity to the young man under the spandex suit.

Although the effervescent Stone does complement him well (duh, they are dating in real life!), it is surprisingly his interaction with Captain George Stacy (Denis Leary) and Field’s Aunt May that turns out the most watchable and affecting.

It is thus easily concluded that the strength of Garfield’s performance makes this movie, correctly kick-starting a potentially gritty and worthy follow-up to our beloved web-slinger.

However with this great reboot comes great responsibility, and we just have to wait for 2014 to see how this new Spidey continues.

—

As featured on Breathe.sg.

To infinity and beyond.

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 22:58:22 +0800

To infinity and beyond.

“Sometimes, all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.” - Benjamin Mee, WE...

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 23:01:31 +0800

“Sometimes, all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.”

- Benjamin Mee, WE BOUGHT A ZOO (2011)

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 animals, nothing much can go wrong.

Probably not best viewed in a cinema (which is probably why it did not fare very well at the box-office), but We Bought a Zoo is more of a snuggle-in-bed-on-a-lazy-afternoon kinda film, and you’d be surprised how much you’d enjoy it.

“Which leads to an obvious conclusion… We are the Gods now.” - Peter Weyland,...

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 21:19:39 +0800

“Which leads to an obvious conclusion… We are the Gods now.”

- Peter Weyland, PROMETHEUS (2012)

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 (with ‘Predator’) and propelled actress Sigourney Weaver into international stardom.

Three decades later, movie fans across the world were thrilled when news of an official prequel to the original ‘Alien’ surfaced, only to be left a mystery when director Ridley Scott made it clear he did not want to make a movie to which audiences would already know the ending.

Hence, ‘Prometheus’ was born.

Set in 2093, the film follows the titular spaceship with its crew on a mission to discover the ‘makers’ of the human race, referred to as the Engineers.

Led by archaeologists Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) and Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), the trillion-dollar expedition is funded by Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) and her company, with the high-tech space vessel equipped with a curious android butler, David (Michael Fassbender).

Upon arrival on the distant moon LV-223, the team soon discovers that what awaits them are creatures beyond what they anticipated, unraveling secrets and horrors that quickly derail the mission.

Scott demonstrates here that he still has a firm grip on what makes a solid science-fiction film, his penchant for sharply-realized space visuals and high-tension alien killings on full display here.

From the sweeping plains of Earth to the cold, harsh surroundings of space, Scott isolates his subjects and exposes their vulnerability by plunging them into built-up set pieces of monstrosity.

One character’s particularly intense sequence involving a self-imposed surgery will surely make audiences squirm in their seats, but fans should recognize this as homage to the original ‘Alien’ series, with its disturbing use of gore that is now a trademark for most sci-fi films.

As for the cast, they do capture the surmounting fear and desperation of their respective characters well, given the film’s hefty existentialistic themes.

Fassbender’s non-human David is easily the most interesting role of the lot. The actor’s cool portrayal of the robot’s unparalleled intelligence and eerie discretion are quite fascinating to watch!

Theron’s character, Vickers – all steely and obstinate – does kind of repeat her villainy as the evil queen from ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’, her “agenda” only growing clearer midway through the movie.

But it has got to be Rapace who steals the thunder from the main and supporting cast. Fresh off her controversial role in ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo’, she embodies another heroine in this film, her silent determination and innate strength of survival makes us all root for her.

When the final act arrives, the spectacle, creatures, and death toll get turned up to a fever notch, but the film does not necessarily answer all the questions it poses.

The rather open-ended conclusion leaves much to be imagined – and of course, conveniently reserved for a potential sequel in the works.

However, the one thing that might excite fans that have been eagerly-anticipating the arrival of ‘Prometheus’ comes right before the credit role: a well-executed scene that confirms some of the rumours that have been agitating online forums.

Watch it to find out!

—

As featured on Breathe.sg.

Went a little crazy at a warehouse sale.

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 23:58:33 +0800

Went a little crazy at a warehouse sale.