Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Eccentric characters are great entertainment and amazement. An actor portrayal of that character is truly essential to bring out the character to live. Think of the Johnny Depp and his many zany characters, the late Heath Ledger as the villainous Joker in Batman, and now adding to the list is Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes.

The first installment that I caught during an in-flight entertainment, I found that Sherlock wasn't much of the eccentric character that I knew of but the show is still captivating with the plot. With A Games of Shadow, Robert Downey Jr played the eccentricity remarkably well.

Not many show faced off the villain and hero during start of the movie but SH2 did. The plot progresses with the battles of wits and intelligence. Sherlock had to figure out the next move and target of a mathematical genius.


Rachel McAdams had a minor play in this installment but the having Jude Law as Dr. Watson back alongside Sherlock is definitely the best chemistry - like Batman and Robin.Can't help to figure what is Sherlock sexuality in that (same as the British series - Sherlock which I'm anticipating the returning season).

Filled with the foresight and peculiar methods of investigation, the show is also filled with stunning action sequences especially the escape of the line of fire. Remarkably stunning!

Ratings: 5
Enjoyed every last bit of the show, maybe not much of the credits.

Paranormal Activity 3

The last of the Sunday Time Wasting movie marathon. I loved the 3 installment of the series but missed the latest in the movies. Apparently, it's nicer to watch it a home on your own. It's a great thrill. Sad that Singapore doesn't bring in the DVDs and there's non good illegal sources, I had to rely on video streaming to catch the show which is still of a poorer quality. I should have just caught it the movies when I can.

PA3 is the start of all the spookiness way back in 1988. I was just, hmm... let's say Kristie's age then. At that age, some are bound to have imaginary friends (thank God I didn't). Ever since Kristie met Toby (the imaginary friend), weird things happens around the house.

The camera's then were less tech, no night vision to view in the dark. So mostly the view is quite dark (or just the streaming quality) but it definitely capture the spooks. Well, some of it. This time, there isn't any static like before to keep you on the aged and scan through the screen for any happenings. It just whammed at you with a shocker. The rotating camera is one of them to look out for.

PA3 is said to be the spookiest of the 4 and I would agree so if I get to view out of the pitch black screen. The spooks are right in your face for those that I can view. Maybe I'll get the set from my next overseas trip if I managed to find it. Then I stay up for a spooky sleep deprived marathon.

Ratings: 3.5(4 - if I can view it properly)

In Time

The second movie for my time wasting Sunday which I realized is a bit too much Justin Timberlake for a day. I kind of dragged through to kill the time. If I was in the movie, I'll be dead literally.

In the movie world, your life depends on the time you have. Every second counts. Like puberty, once you aged 25, you take charge of your life on how much time you require. You stopped aging at 25 but your timer starts clicking. You can beg, borrow, steal or work for time and it's a constant struggle. Currency is based on time and the riches have a lifetimes to spare, practically immortal.

It's definitely a race against time for your life. With less time, you'll practically die in a second.A different take from the money craving world we live in. So which would you prefer, all the time in the world or all the money in the world. You decide.

Ratings: 3.5

Bad Teacher

I had a Sunday which was really a time waster. I had nothing better to do and decided to work, just to kill the time. Even when I'm done, I still have tons of time to spare so I set on a home movie spree. The first of the 3 for the evening:

Teachers are living role model. In view of kids, they are prim and proper. Out of view, they wreck havoc. I know of some but it's a tough job nonetheless. Can you be yourself? Sure just with restrain.

Cameron Diaz as lovely as aged, is a middle school teacher who just don't give an "F" to the students. It's just a job for her. Showing movies while sleeping in class and gold-digging any potentials.

To successfully win the heart of the wealthy bachelors, she plans to get her boobs enlarged. With a hefty bonus for a high scoring class for the States Test, she whipped her students into mental state. Kind of an excellent attempt to shut those whiny kids nowadays. I do remember some of the techniques used before. Effective yet torturous.

Ratings: 3

Puss In Boots

The last I've been to the movies was actually watching Real Steel which was about 2 months back and the last that I went out to the movies with my siblings was watching Gnomeo and Juliet. We tend to watch animations outside especially for the 2 little ones.

Boy do we love Shrek and Dreamworks have to make a spinoff on one of it's fiesty lovable cat, Puss.

Puss in Boots is about, well Puss in Boots before he made his appearance in Shrek 2. Puss tells his story of his child hood and the adventures he's been with his "brother", Humpty Dumpy. What a pair! The 2 sets out in search of the magic bean for the goose that lays golden egg.

At first, the atmosphere feels more from a Mexican movie and less fairy tale like even with Puss around. Bring in Jack and Jill, and the magic bean that grows into a bean stalk reaching up to the clouds, Humpty Dumpy and the Goose that grow golden eggs, then the set is more of a fairy tale mishap.

As a Mexican, Puss is a charmer and as a cat, he's darn adorable with the full-pupil-eyed tactics that melts the viewers. Cute and lovable. Definite watch for fairy tale with twist lovers.

Ratings: 4

A Christmas Carol

It's too early for the festive season, but it's still December. So it's never too late for Christmas. To get in the festive mood even though I don't really enjoy the rest of December, a good Christmas movie could actually start the mood.

An adaptation to Charles Dicken story of the same name and adding a 3D animation graphics and a touch of Disney's Magic, the show is quite entertaining. Adding Jim Carrey as Scrooge, just makes me hate the character even more. Not that I hate him, just find him annoying.

Storyline is very much the same as all the other 'A Christmas Carol" movie ever made only the touch of Disney spectacular directorial. Same old stingy Scrooge, haunted by Christmas ghost of the past, present and yet-to-come. Graphically, it's amazingly similar as the Polar Express.

Ratings: 3

Rise of Planet of the Apes

I've not been to the movies since ages. Fine, maybe since Real Steel or 6 post back or since 30th Aug. Man! That's long. What's worse is I've watched Rise of the Planet of the Apes 2 weeks back before I'm reviewing it. A refresher with the help of wikipedia is needed.

A prequel to all the Planet of the Apes, I think. I've not watched the originals except the remake of Planets of The Ape. I'm a sucker for remake if they include better graphics. From what i've known, they didn't really pursued the Rise for the originals due to the monkey constrain. How would you create the evolution of the prime apes to highly evolved simians with technology then? I bet they'll use costume which portrays an oversized chimp.

With modern technology and visual effects, we can now envision the Rise of these simians. From a primitive ape to a highly evolved intelligent.

Andy Serkis aka Gollum, is chosen to use his physical movement and not his true self as chimpanzee, Caesar. Not too sure if that is an insult for him. If the movement is truly 100% Serkis, he is one fine ape.

Storyline and plot are quite straight forward and expected, it's a prequel!!! Actions sequence are like those you'll see in the zoo with a few runts and grunts. Overall, just another old movie with modern technological visuals.

Ratings: 4

Apollo 18

Yet another found footage style of movie and I'm still drawn to catch it yet again. This time I transferred the movie into my iPad for any long travel entertainment. I managed to watch it on my way back from Hualien to Taipei.

Apollo 18 is a secret lunar mission after all other Apollo mission after the successful Apollo 11. Footage are based on cameras around the shuttle and hand held cameras used around the landings. Mission requires planting of detectors around the moon.

Upon landing on the moon, astronauts Commander Walker and Captain Anderson sets out planting the detectors and collecting some specimens. Mysterious things happen during their first rest when they heard noises outside the shuttle. The following day, the 2 astronauts continued setting up the detectors till they discovered footprints that leads them to a Soviet lander.

More mysterious things happen that I will not provide the spoilers. Do check out if you enjoy this footage thrillers.

Ratings: 3

Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World

Oh my, it has been a month plus since I last updated my movie blog. I'm too tied down with work and other schedule that I can barely make time for movies in the cinema or at home. Even when I can managed to watch a show, I'm unable to find the time to blog.

I watched this movie way back in late October. It's a home movie so it's not really 3D nor 4D, just a simple Hi-Def show. The only reason I caught it is due to Jessica Alba and nothing much else since I missed the third installment.

Marissa is a spy who retires when she was about to have a baby. She then became a house mom looking after her newborn and her 2 step-twins. Both her step twins and husband who is a spy-hunter have no idea that she was a spy.

In an attempt to save the kids, the twin were informed that Marissa didn't really left the spy business and secretly assisting OSS with missions. The twins were enrolled in to Spy Kids program to help save the world.

Previous siblings Carmen and Juni Cortez returns as an adult agent and also cousins to Marissa. Those 2 grew up being less attractive. Well, not all kid star can blossom well.

Ratings: 2.5

The Borrower Arrietty

Stumbled upon The Borrowers Arrietty while watching iTunes Trailers. From the team that brought Howl's Moving Castle and Ponyo, Studio Ghibli produced a movie based on the novel of Mary Norton on the Borrowers.

Borrowers are tiny people living in households hidden from the human world. They "borrow" items to human which are dispensable. The Borrowers are not allowed to be seen by humans to maintain their safety of their stay in the household.

With the amazing Studio Ghibli, The Borrowers Arriety has many stunning scenes that are beyond imagination. Character profile are deep  with adorable characters to lighten up the show. Not much of captivating effects but the show progresses well. Who knows, one could expect a sequel.

Ratings: 3.5

Winnie The Pooh

Babysitting duties while everyone away. The best way to settle my 2 hyper-active nephew and niece is a movie that will ponder their minds. Both were glued on the screen till one fell asleep.

Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred-Acre woods are revamped to it's original movie. With narrators reading of the book and the characters playing along with words of the narrator is quite adorable and fascinating for the little that is.

Winnie the Pooh Movie tells 3 separate stories which were nicely gelled into one movie. Each characters are adorable and easily relateable with kids. My nephew and niece were having a ball of a time watching, till the little one fell asleep. Seems like a great bedtime story. Maybe should get her books of Pooh Bear to make her sound asleep.

Ratings: 3

Batman: Year One

Could it be by chance that DC Universe released Batman Year One very closely to Batman Arkham City the game? It's for sure splendid for me as I love them both.

There are truly many directions of how a comic character rises to what the character is now. Batman Begins and Dark Knight are plots that follows closely to the comics Dark Knight storyline. Batman Year One follows mainstream Batman and touches more of how Bruce Wayne chooses to be Batman and not Some-Other-Man. Year One also focus on James Gordon development as a police officer in Gotham City.

For fans who would like to know the true comic origins and happening, do catch show from DC Universe. DCU will bring most great comic series into motion pictures and follow exactly how it happens in the comics.

Ratings: 4

Real Steel

I love robots but I wasn't sure whether Real Steel could be added to my list. I love those animatronics with a mind of their own and able to build it's character as it progresses.

Real Steel is more of robots being controlled by humans to replace fighting in the arena. Gone were the days of Wrestlemania and Championship Boxing. The matches are replaced by chunky piece of metal bashing each other with enhanced move of former champions.

Like plots from most sport movie (which Real Steal can be considered one), there is character development but not on the fighter but the person behind the controller stick, Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman). Charlie was a former boxer who now stands behind the ring with a controller. He bets big but loses bigger till his ex-girlfriend died and left the fate of his son, Max in his custody or the mothers sister. Taking it as a wager, he took the boy in for the summer. The son is quite cunning and stubborn like the old man and the two grew closer as they spend time together in the battles.

With many battles lost and damaged robots, Max brought home a sparing robot, Atom and programmed it to fight with moves of his father. As a sparing-bot, Atom is able to withstand multiple blow which is an advantage and made the trio climbed the ladder up to World Robot Boxing League.

Character development in Real Steal made the show a success. The touching moment of the relation of father and son, and the struggle of every fight are a great plot to great sports movie. It's not all about the robots, it's mostly human connection that steals the show.

Ratings: 4

Friends With Benefits

Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis "Friends with Benefits" is very closely similar to Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher "No String Attached". The show released months after No Strings Attached and is very much alike.

However, the connection between Dylan (Timberlake) and Jaime (Kunis) is way more adorable and relate-able in most friendship. OK, maybe not the sex part but if you do, damn you have one hellava friend there.

The comedies in Friends With Benefits are way more hilarious than the latter. Girls, you will know how troublesome for us guys to pee with an erection. It's a morning struggle for us guys if our wee friend is not down by time we get to the toilet.

But wouldn't continuous sex with the same person causes affection with one another? It did in No Strings Attached and so it did for Friends With Benefits too. Though Dylan and Jaime managed it better.

Ratings: 3.5

The Smurfs

La... la... lal la la la... Who can forget that adorable yet irritatingly annoying tune? Yup I remember growing up hearing that tune daily to a point my feeble little mind was glue to the television watching little blue being prancing about in that merrily tune. These little blue beings are the Smurfs whom many 80's kids grew up with.

The philosophy behind the way Smurfs live are to stay happy and positive to the chores and duties of individual. Each Smurfs are named after their individual traits but one should not stay as one specialties.

The Smurfs lives in an enchanted forest with the evil Gargamel and his cat Azrael living nearby. Gargamel has been scheming to catch the Smurfs to possess the Smurfs positive essence which is very powerful. To add a modern twist to the movie, the Smurfs together with Gargamel were transported to modern New York. In addition, the Awesomeness Neil Patrick Harris stumbled upon them.

Though Patrick (Mr Awesome) isn't quite awesome himself in the movie. His wife, Grace (Jayma Mays) is as lovely and adorable as Glee's Emma Pillsbury. He adorableness matches those of the Smurfs.

Sure, the Smurfs are a bunch of adorable yet the tune is still annoying. Best for the kids and those young at heart or those who have not aged since ever.

Ratings: 3

Cars 2

Cars movies are adrenaline pumping and Spy movies are absolutely awesome. Spy cars are sleek and cool. Cars as spies are damn right entertaining.

The sequel to the Cars movie concentrates on Mater, mistaken as a spy car in disguise. So not much concentration on Lightning McQueen which is quite alright. Sure there are fast paced races but wouldn't it be better to watch cars with gadgets and arsenal to keep enemies at bay.

Cars 2 is sleeker with new characters such as spy cars and hot race cars. Mater can be quite adorable yet irritating. The comedy is quite expected. Think of it as Johnny English as a car.

Ratings: 3.5

An Inconvenient Truth

We have been neglecting it for far too long without noticing it. Thanks to a great humanitarian who envision a wider picture and a more pressing issue than to counter terrorism. It was such a tragic defeat but Mr Al Gore pushes on with this documentary movie.

I was having a course at work regard basic behaviours on safety and this show was featured as a stand point of the whole course. We understand the threat that can happen and will happen. As the saying, what can go wrong will go wrong. So what are we going to do about it? Let things happen and we will then solve the problem or take some time and prevent such things from happening.

A good point brought up was in balance of economy and the world, which is more important? Sadly, this era is all about money because life is getting to expensive to live in. But how about the world, where can we live without a world to in? We are seeing the threat and have acted on it, but we're living in a high-tech era powered by energy. Energy consumption that is threatening the world we live in. Based by statistic, Americans are the highest carbon emitter. Guys, do something about it or some poor country will be submerged underwater due to the melting ice caps. Such countries are Singapore where I'm living.

Truly an eye opener that's worth the cause. HIGHLY recommended to watch and pass around.

Ratings: 6/5 (You got that right. Do something about it)

Colombiana

"Vengeance is Beautiful", it sure is for Zoe Saldana. She has been playing so much great characters with so much great accenst like English, Americans, Spanish and can we count Na'vi from Avatar as another language.

Cattleya's (Zoe Saldana) family was killed upon her very eyes. She held something great that her father informed her would be her ticket out of her hell home country but she has to survive and make her way to the US Embassy. Successfully reaching the embassy, she managed to be attain a US passport and flown to US in search of her uncle Emilio. Emilio provided her a choice to live life like a normal girl but Cattleya wishes to be an assassin, to seek revenge for her family. Emilio agrees if she would pursue with education.

Cattleya grew up into a fine hitwoman, and I sure do mean FINE. She kept her life a secret even to her 'lover'. She would leave a trail of either drawing of a Cattleya which is a Colombian orchid to send a message to the victims mob head.

A truly great action movie by production of Luc Besson (another one). What made it better is definitely Zoe Saldana.

Ratings: 3.5

Nasi Lemak 2.0

I chanced upon this while looking through some recent Malay movies. Sadly, there isn't much great controversial Malay movies around since the late Yasmin Ahmad's Talentime. Then there was someone by the name of Namewee and his movie Nasi Lemak 2.0.

 The title itself would explain that the movie will be a comedy but it poked into the controversial expect of social beings in Malaysia like how the late Yasmin Ahmad would portray. Namewee managed to do it too, in a lighter and comedic way. He managed poked the seperation of the 3 main races, the mindset of each race and the many different languages that are spoken within the nation. Majority will think that it's only a Malay speaking nation but Namewee pushes on with Mandarin and slight Cantonese with Malay spoken here and there. There were even moments when each were speaking in their own language, refusing to speak in the common language and all were lost in translation. Bet that sure happens, even here in Singapore.

I've read that Namewee managed to persuade the Prime Minister to allow him to produce Nasi Lemak 2.0 as to commemorate 1 Malaysia. And true enough, some people there can't accept the controversy of the show even how true it is. People, be open and accept some feedback - work towards 1 Malaysia.

Ratings: 3.5

Zookeeper

From the people that brought you The Grown Ups, Zookeeper is about, well a Zookeeper. Kevin James stars along many talented voices including pal Adam Sandler.

After being distraught over the rejection of marriage, Griffin(James) continued his job as a zookeeper. He is well loved by all the animals and colleagues. His ex-girlfriend returned after 5 years when she was invited to Griffin's brothers wedding party. After noticing Griffin being a total klutz and to stop him complaining to them, the animals decided to break their code of silence and start advising their beloved zookeeper on how the animals mate.

Teaching a human the mating techniques of an animal can be quite interesting and feisty. Anyone wants their partner to have wild encounter, ask them to watch the animal planet. Surely, you can enjoy a thing or two.

Ratings: 3

Arthur 3: The War of the Two Worlds

A year after Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard, Luc Besson manage to complete his run within a year.

Maltazard returned in the second installment and managed to transformed into the human world, from a 2 millimeters Minimoy to a human size terror, Maltazard terrorized the human world while Arthur is still stuck in the world of Minimoy.

The trio sets out for another adventure to travel to Arthur's grandparents study in search of a vial that will transform a minimoy to a human. But Maltazard managed to raise his army using the very same vial hence Arthur had to search another method of transformation which is a visit to the Beehives.

The end of the Arthur trilogy which Freddie Highmore would be better at than the Spiderwick Chronicles. A good rendition of CGI and the real world.

Ratings: 3

Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard

After Luc Besson's 2006 Arthur and the Invisbles, he managed to create a sequel 4 years later. Apparently it is way better to make a sequel of Arthur than Spiderwick chronicles.

Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard takes place 3 years after the first movie. Travelling back to the Minimoys world is possible every 10 moons, however Arthur is only available during the holidays. The many mishap with his family and nature prevented him to meet his tiny friends. Due to a message received from a spider, Arthur took the painful journey of transformation to aid the distress message.

Upon returning to the Minimoys world, everyone was happy to see him even though they were meant to celebrate his return during the full moon. Curious about the message, Arthur asked around who wrote it and the king mentioned that Minimoy would write on a leaf instead of a grain of rice. Arthur soon discovered that Maltazard behind the message in attempt to get Arthur to return to the Minimoys world.

Luc Besson's Arthur is a family show with full of adventures and comedy. A fun filled family time for the kids and parents to watch.

Ratings: 3

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

Finally managed to get hold of these film by Luc Besson who brought us Yamakazi and the Taxi franchise. His characters are mostly witty and the actions are tremendously spectacular.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec main character is a lady with great wits and headstrong. Adele is similarly close as a French Lara Croft only in 1970s era. There should also be a useless character in Luc Besson's films which do irritate the living hell of the viewers.

Adele sets out to recover a mummified doctor and revive him with a help of her telepathics professor, to use the mummified doctors expetise to save her comatosed sister. A lot of revival going here. But with another chain of event, the professor was arrested for links to earlier revival of a pterosaur which killed the state prefect.

Adele is up again to save the professor and then them mummy and lastly her sister.

Luc Besson never fails to produce great movie with great laugh and adventures.

Ratings: 3.5

No Strings Attached

Have you ever met a girl you fancy and she into you too but does not want any relationship involves? Oh did I mentioned she want sex too?

No Strings Attached between Emma (Natalie Portman) and Adam (Ashton Kutcher), such a hot couple. Emma and Adam met in a summer camp and eventually bumped into each other as years go by. After knowing Adam's girlfriend is sleeping with his father, he goes out in search to screw other girl.

Upon waking up from being drunk the previous night, he woke up naked in the couch of Emma apartment. Emma was teasing that they had great sex which apparently they did not. During the conversation, both ended up having sex for real.

Knowing her occupation as a doctor does not allow her time for relations, she shunts the idea of being in a relation but would still love to meet up for sex. Now wouldn't that be great but emotions do come by and prove that we are human.

Ratings: 3

Johnny English Reborn

Mr Bean aka Rowan Atkinson is back as a British spy in Johnny English Reborn. The rubbery face funny guy makes spies a joke which is truly enjoyable unlike another irritating British spy, Austin Power - Funny but irritating.

Johnny English is very much like Mr Bean only English speaks. All craziness are very much alike. Top actions and top comedy with a gorgeous female companion, a Bond girl Rosamund Pike. Her sultriness melts both English's and my hearts. There's so much laughters and jokes that you'll either remember or forgotten but surely the laughters never ends throughout the movie.

Ratings: 3.5

Hobo With A Shotgun

Who would have thought that a fake trailer in Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse would actually be produced as a feature film. Apparently this is the second after Machete. So expect those actions and filmatology of Robert Rodriguez brilliant yet crazy films.

The movie features a struggling a hobo who visits a lawless town in hope to earn and starts a lawn-mowing business. He was unpleased with the state of the town and the person responsible for the corruption. He sets out on a vendetta to avenge and set things right for the town with a help from an educated prostitute.

Expect tons of blood and dismemberment of body part to even "ball" being blown off. As much as I squirmed watching movies, Hobo With A Shotgun is tolerable because it seems so fake but sadistically enjoyable.

Ratings: 3.5

HOP

From the producer of Despicable Me, expect some minions in the backgrounds, this time chicks. Hop is about E.B.(Russell Brand) to take over the role of Easter Bunny from his father but he would rather be a drummer instead. After being force to be the Easter Bunny, E.B ran away from Easter Island to Hollywood where he will chase his dreams.

E.B. was struck down by Fred's (James Marsden) car. Fred took E.B. in after knowing that he realized that Easter Bunny is real. Mayham awaits the duo when the EB father sent out the elite Pink Barrets to bring EB back to Easter Island.

A great kids movie and adorable chicks minion. Why do they make cute minions? But they're not as adorable and funny as Despicable Me's minion.

Ratings: 3

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The fourth installment to the great swashbuckling series of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean is quite different from the first three series. For once, the kick out Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley and brought in a much hotter Penelope Cruz. It's about time they cast away an awkward pirate and an irritating lass. Cruz as Angelica is a great addition to the series with her hotness. And with POC, there's should be Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow. Though in Stranger Tides, Jack is not as wacky and zany as in the first three series.

Jack was caught as always and was asked to guide an expedition to locate the fountain of youth before the Spaniards. Jack refuses the offer when he had to work alongside Hector Barbossa who lost Jack ship, The Black Pearl. However, Jack was taken aboard Blackbeard ship, the Queen's Anne's Revenge and was force to be in the same expedition in search of the fountain of youth.

In order to successfully use the fountain, the fountain water must be drunk simultaneously from 2 chalices, which one includes a drop of mermaids tear. Whomever drinks the tear will have his life extended and the other to perish.

There isn't much great battles on Stranger Tides, however there is tons of hot ladies around such as Miss Cruz and the lovely topless mermaids.

Ratings: 3.5

Super 8

Did you ever felt that you're watching Super 8 and it feels very much similar to E.T. It could be the cast of young boys or the era the movie that was set it that makes it feels similar to E.T.

Eventhough there are similar feeling to E.T, Super 8 is by far better because it packs more actions and graphics. Welcome to the 21st century! The kids shared a great brotherly bond like most kids do and there is surely a girl in the boys group. How the boys spend time together is different than how kids here spends time together. They help each other in creating a zombie film. How cool is that? My time, we just kick balls, hid from one another and go skinny-dipping. Americans kids have great past-time or it's just olden kids.

The mysterious alien is more brutal than our E.T. That alien thing can even deflect projectiles and missiles. Near the end when the alien is revealed, it's not those gruesome aliens like Alien or predator, it's just a normal alien looking thing like those in MIB.

Ratings: 4
Another good boys friendship movie just like adding E.T with Stand By Me.

The Last Circus

It has been awhile since I last watched a foreign movie. I chanced upon this Spanish movie in iTune trailer website. The trailer promises lust, rage, despair and revenge and they sure did a stunning job at it.

The Last Circus is about a love triangle between two clowns and a beautiful acrobat. Our hero, Javier is a new clown who carried on his father legacy after being caught in the Spanish Civil war, tortured and enslaved. But he is too miserable to be funny and is named the sad clown. The other is a Happy Clown who humilates the poor sad clown. But behind the make-up, the Happy Clown is a ruthless leader and a violent person.

I found it amusing to see a clown fighting in the war in a full clown attire. Javier fathers maybe a clown but he fights honorably and without fear. And as the story progresses, the stress of the love-triangle, both Sad and Happy clowns became insane and disfigured to obtain the love of the fair acrobat. They can surely join the league of crazy clowns inclusive of the late Heath Ledger Joker.

Ratings: 4
If you love Heath Ledger's joker, you'll definately enjoy the clowns from The Last Circus

Tucker and Dale Versus Evil

This is surely a messed up show, funny but messed up. Think of it as Americans Shaun of the Dead. Don't worry, there isn't any zombies on this one. Just gruesome ways to die, very much like Final Destination.

The show revolves around the misunderstanding of college students camping out in the wild and a pair of hillbillies spending time at their vacation home. During a swim at night, one of the college girls slipped while getting in the pool and knocked herself unconscious. The two hillbillies, Tucker and Dale came to the rescue while the college misunderstood them as abducting their friend and ran away in fear.

In attempt to "rescue" their friend from the hillbillies, each friend got killed by accident and elevates the grudge against the poor innocent hillbillies. Don't be too judgmental, communicate and learn from one another - if not death. Well it sure seems that way in Singapore currently.

Ratings: 4
Funny Sh!t...

Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa

Another KRU movie productions that I was anticipating after Magika. It's said to be the second most expensive movie ever produced, the first being Puteri Gunung Ledang which is also a great movie.

Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa or The Malay Chronicles: Bloodline, tells the tales of the early Kedah and Merong Mahawangsa, a warrior turned King of Langkasuka (Later known as Kedah). The Malay Chronicles boast great battle for a malay movie. The show also include many foreign actors to portray the many empires that help build the peninsula.

The show is truly remarkable and the show does not look like a Malaysian made movie. Kudos to Yusry KRU and his vision to take another step up in his directorial position.

Ratings: 3.5

Your Highness

Comedy and fantasy adds together might be a great combination. I remembered watching Robin Hood: Men in Tights and it was surely a hilarious show. And now came Your Highness, it's very much like National Lampoon meets LOTR.

Your Highness is a tale of 2 prince, one a warrior (Fabious - James Franco) and the other a bump (Thadeus - Danny McBride). When Fabious returns from his quest, he plans to wed his girlfriend to celebrate his victory. And during the wedding ceremony, they were interrupted by an evil sorcerer who kidnap his bride-to-be.

To prove his worth as a prince, the king forced Thadeus to set on a quest with his brother to bring back his bride. Captured and made to fight in an arena, the brothers met Isabel(Natalie Portman) and found her a worthy warrior set out on a revenge for her fathers death. The trio managed to escape the area and continued their quest towards the evil sorcerer.

Though Your Highness is not a light-hearted comedy, it brought a good sense of adventure and fantasy. The humor can get a bit too grotesque yet enjoyable for some.

Ratings: 3

Hoodwinked Too! Hood Vs Evil

It has been a pretty slow movie month partly due to Ramadan, I'll either be rootless to stay up for the show or I'll be away assisting my mum with her orders. But I managed to catch a few and finally able to review it.

First on the Ramadan movie list is Hoodwinked Too. The first show was a great spoof to the fairy tale world but with a low quality animation. Hoodwinked Too! is no different. Plot wise, it's a mash-up of a multiple element especially espionage. A genre of I'm fond but mixing it with fairy tales may seem a tad too rydikulez.

Animation is an eyesore. A poor grade animation that even students are able to produce and a really bad voice coordination. With a poor plot and a poor animation, I wondered how I managed to complete the show with so much multiple yawning in between.

Ratings: 1

Shaolin

Karma can be a b!tch sometimes. What goes around comes around, so you better be good. Now add karma with martial arts, wouldn't that be awesome? That is where Shaolin comes in.

Hou Jie (Andy Lau) is a ruthless warlord who killed his rival within the shaolin temple ground in front of many monks and left with a graffiti insulting the Shaolin way of life.

During an attempt to assassinate his sworn brother, Cao Man (Nicholas Tse), Hou Jie's deputy turned the tide and attempted to assassinate Hou Jie and his family. Hou Jie managed to escape with his daughter who is wounded by a horse carriage accident and fled to the Shaolin temple. Pleading for his daughter life, the monks were not able to safe her but prayed for her departure. Due to his daughters death, Hou Jie accepted karma and became a monk.

Shaolin features the quality of karma. Think of your actions and the consequences it may occur.

Ratings: 3

Captain America: The First Avengers

Another comic hero for the year 2011 and it's the second for Marvel comics. Truly awesome for this geek whose into movies and comics. Even though war movie isn't my genre but comic hero movies is my top favorite genre.

Chris Evans extinguished his flames and picked up a shield as Steve Rogers/Captain America. The show sets during the second world war and centers on the development of skinny little Steve to a hunky super serum injected Captain America. Similar to the Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons, Chris Evans underwent digital "plastic surgery" to portray the skinny Steve.

The show features all sorts of references from the Marvel world such as vibranium(the material of the shield), the Howling Commandos, Tony Starks father and even Stan Lee. Marvel movies would not be complete without Stan Lee.

The actions are quite sufficient and explosions are plenty especially for a war movie. Hugo Weaving sure does make a bad@$$ villain in most movies, same goes here as the Red Skull leader of Hydra. It's just hilarious whenever the troops chants "Hail Hydra!".

And like most Marvel Movies, stay tune for the post credits scenes. It may not be much but it keeps you in the loop of the next Marvel continuation. I wondered how the Cosmic Cube scene in Thor was related to Captain America thinking it would likely refer more to the Avengers but the show revolve mostly around it. As a plus point, there's also the official Avengers trailer at the very end.

Ratings: 4

Detective Dee and the Mystery Of the Phantom Flame

I was going through iTunes movie trailer and found Di Renjie. The trailer was mesmerizing as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.I rummaged through the net and found it.

Sadly not as mesmerizing as I taught because the show is CG intense which is rendered clearly. however, the action is typically Asian. The fight sequences were choreographed by Sammo Hung which is still fantastic. What I enjoy most of the show is the detective storyline to it. It is quite simple and the plot is quite easy solveable. Detective Dee is closely similar to England's Sherlocke Home, just less eccentric.

Detective Dee is easily enjoyable with the detective element with great fight sequences. Reminds me of Sherlock Holmes meets Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.

Ratings: 3

Paranormal Activity: Tokyo Nights

Unbeknownst to some or just me, there is a Paranormal Activity based in Asia. I chanced upon this while looking through Asian film archive from 2008 onward. All this while, the American adopted majority of Asian horror shows but this is the first that I encountered the opposite. I too thought that it would be a remake in an Asian setting(not looking at the poster) but it definitely ain't true.

Paranormal Activity: Tokyo Night is about a Japanese girl, Haruka who returned from America after she met an accident that left both her legs fractured and wheel chair bound. Only her brother, Koichi is available to assist her at home while their father has to leave for a business in Singapore.

After experiencing a strange encounter at night, the siblings decided to capture any future activity on camera. With different encounters every night, the siblings grew tiresome and terrified. A plot unravels a connection to the 2 Americans Paranormal Activity.

Who would thought that it would be a continuity from the Americans original? It gels quite well with the other two shows but the main concentration is definitely Haruka. The hauntings are closely similar to the counterparts but the last sequence is by far the creepiest. Slightly funny but far-out creepy nonetheless.

Ratings: 4
Best recommended to watch at night

Arthur

If a millionaire were to ask me for an advise, "If you were me..." and I'll stop him and say "I would love that." What does it feel to be a millionaire and not work you a$$ of. Just minding your own time and money is just within reach. I would surely love that. But of course what else do you have to gain. Pretty much nothing. With all the money can buy, a certain accomplishment is just impossible to be purchased.

Arthur is a drunken millionaire who does nothing but have fun. He was raised by his nanny since the day he was born and had minimal contact with his mother. To save the company's and the reputation, mummy dearest made a deal with Arthur to marry the most capable woman, Susan to run the company because the rightful heir is just too incompetent. Arthur met an illegal tour guide and fell in love with her. Love complications arises and Arthur had to man up and be a man to decide his fate.

A heartfelt show but I would truly love to be in his shoe and make all the choices that he had failed.

Ratings: 3

Four

A horror midnight movie, rydikulez-ly exciting like the time I watched a ghost clip in the office alone with only the light above my desk. Sure freaked me out yet thrilling.

Like predecessors, 4Bia 1 and 2, Four consist of 4 shorts:
Clean-Up Day
3 friends talking about global warming and human holocaust
The Gift Shop For The Ones You Hate
A shop selling gifts that causes misery to those you hate
Eerie Night
3 criminals on the run from the police and hides in an abandoned hospital
Dead Grandpa
To fulfill the last wishes of their grandfather, 5 grandchildren has to stay in the house to take care of their dead grandfather.

Sadly, Four is more of a thriller than a horror movie. Majority of the shorts are plain stupid. Gritty but stupid. Of all, the last 2 are most enjoyable to catch. The third showcases the famous Ananda Everingham in a psychotic role and the fourth being a light-hearted horror comedy like the 4 friends from 4bia. Thank goodness the show does not leave traits to play with your mind for any phobia of daily life.

Ratings: 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

The long awaited conclusion of a wizardry book series which spans over 7 series in the book and an octalogy in films, it finally ends here. I did not read any of the books but I truly followed the movie from start to end. And within a decade, we are able to see how three young friends grew up together with all sort of adventures, despairs and also love. We're able to view how kids blossoms and matures to adult, in the world of wizardry.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 ended well without a cliffhanger and Part 2 takeover from the point when Part 1 ended. With every series progresses it gets grittier and darker but not for the finale. It will boast the great battle between good and evil. The action for part 2 will truly be captivating just like those in Lord of the Rings series only with more magic. Every character matures tremendously even for a klutz.

It really ends on the eighth installment but the ending isn't as dramatic for a decade of despair and sacrifices. It's just too simple to end for all the trouble that the 3 friends had to go through and endure. It can be such a disappointment for the fate "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" but the world of wizardry truly lived a happier ending. Maybe I just hoped for a more gruesome ending.

Ratings: 4

미스터리 주적(Mystery 6)

Ok, this is not really a movie but a show with 6 episodes which explains the 6 in the title. It could be a tele-movie when combine all 6 episodes together. Mystery 6 is a Korean mockumentary featuring Super Junior and their haunted dormitory. 

The show revolved around famous Donghae when he is disturbed by constant terrible nightmares hence the group agreed on setting up CCTV around the house to capture any strange occurrence. A CCTV captured a figure when Donghae was having nightmares and as the episode progresses, some of the group member experience disturbances from the wondering ghost. 

Knowing how a popular group live their hectic life, the group members lived up the show with their bubbly and crazy mischief. Some parts are definitely hilarious while others are scary.

The ghost is not that scary, it's in between the terrifying Thai/Japanese and make-up intensive American ghost but the show progresses very well similar to their Asian counterpart. If you're wondering whether the event is real, read the tagline: REAL HORROR FICTION. Go figure.

Ratings: 3.5

Can't help it, I just love Super Junior...

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son

It's Sunday and it's truly a lazy one. I needed my iPad to rest a while longer hence I'll invade the TV. Opened Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son hoping for a laugh. Don't expect much of it. The guy in lady suit has been used too often, especially Big Momma.White Chicks is still top of the list.

Malcolm Turner returns for the second time. When his stepson witness a crime, the two had to hide a keep a low profile. Malcolm disguised himself as Big Momma and his stepson, Trent as her niece and hid in an art school for girls. Like previous Big Mommas, the cross-dressed son fell in love with a student and blew cover later on. So yeah, majority used in the first two movies. The second sequel is definitely a flop.

Ratings: 2.5

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

Everyone would know the main hero and they are not that interested about his friends who helped and motivated them as a hero. And I bet you'll think that the Green Lantern is Hal Jordan where actually Hal Jordan is one of many Green Lanterns.

Emerald Knights is showcases stories of the great Green Lantern knights; the first Green Lantern, Kilowog, Abin Sur and a few others. Unlike the other DCU animation Batman: Gotham Knights, Emerald Knights different anthology has a connection throughout the show. The stories were told by Hal as a lesson for rookie Arisia Rrab.

The anthology is a great introductions of some of the characters from the 2011 movie. Maybe now you'll be fascinated with the other Green Lanterns besides Hal Jordan. You've yet to meet Kyle Rayner or Batman as a lantern.

Ratings: 2.5

Animals United

I was pretty bored and there wasn't any show so I took my chances and watch Animals United. Seriously have no clue what it is about because there wasn't any trailer showcased nor adverts about it. So I wiki-ed and realized that it was originally a German animation with an English dubbed. Know actors in the movie are James Corden and Andy Serkis.

The show is about an animal kingdom in Africa where the watering hole became dried up due to a dam construction few distance away. At another location, the polar ice is melting which led a polar bear stranded on a piece of ice floating away from Greenland, a turtle couple venturing to another location when their beach is covered by an oil spill, a kangaroo and Tasmanian devil escaping a forest fire in the outback, and a French chicken about to be cooked in a cruise ship. Due to the destruction of man, the animals united to find paradise which led them to Africa.

The migrated animals and the animals from the Savannah joined forces to notify the humans of their ply of water. Upon being successful, the animals from all around the world join forces to further alert the humans of the destruction that they had caused.

The animation and voiced may not gel well but the message is clear. SAVE THE PLANET!!! Earth is not just populated with humans but with animals and other living things too. Save the Earth for the future of the human and animal species. Not, we'll call upon Captain Planet (It'll be interesting if they're to produce a movie about him).

Ratings: 2
Good message poor animation

Mars Needs Mom

How grateful are you towards your mum? Do you dragged yourselves when being told, mumbled whenever she gives orders or gives that face when she asked to finish up the veggies? I do occasionally. Now, how would you feel if your mum is taken away when you had a fight with her. Sad and devastated I would presume. But are you able to stop her from taken away? If she taken away by aliens, maybe you could.

Mars Needs Moms is about a boy, Seth whose mother was abducted by martians. He managed to chase the abductors and hijacked the spaceship. After being caught, Seth managed to escape with the help of another human, Gribble who suffer the same faith as Seth. The two team up to save Seth's mother from being extracted of her motherly intuition.

Mars Needs Mom uses performance capture which every movement of the animations follows exactly what the actor does. I can't seem to justify the integration of movements. It look the same as all other animation.

Ratings: 2.5

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

My first movie experience overseas which I will briefly describe it in my trip entry in JBQC. It's the third installment to my favorite franchise and sadly like most sequels, it was a flop. New characters and new mechanics are introduced which could be good and bad.

Firstly, out with Mikaela and bring in Carly Spencer. Lady hotness is still there but with additional British accent, it's an added hotness. Mikaela is the strong lady but Carly is just pure hotness. The cybertronians added in the movie are quite a handful. For Decepticons, there Shockwave, Soundwave and Laserbeak. For Autobots, there's Sentinel Prime, the Wreckers, Que(Wheeljack which I don't know why they never kept to the original name) Brains and Dino(A hot red Ferrari 458 Italia).

Next is the new tech, Optimus now comes with his trailer which transforms into a weapon cache or a jet-pack. Bumblebee and the wreckers can turn into an attack mode vehicle like the MASK cartoons or Knight Rider. It looks wicked. And lastly a new trans-scanned Megatron.

The joke are laughable but the actings are dull. The actions are awesome which 3D would be more spectacular. But number 3 is still a flop with a hell lot more gruesome actions.

Ratings: 3.5

Dylan Dog: Dead of Night

Vampires, zombies, werewolves and all things undead or supernatural. Also, not to forget Brandon Routh. Think of it as a powerless Superman in the world of Buffy, Underworld and True Blood add together. I may be a comic junkie but I have no idea that the movie is based from a comic. Fine, it originated from Italy and Dark House did an adaptation later.

Dylan Dog is a paranormal private eye but currently investigating "normal" cases until someone hired him for a mysterious death of her father. As the investigation digs deeper, Dylan uncovered a possible war between the vampires and werewolves.

Brandon Routh portrays a serious character so the show can get dull. Thank goodness there was comic in the show. Marcus Adams(Sam HuntingTon) added some life into the show as his undead partner(he hoped). Marcus was murdered by the same murderer of the case victim and later raised as a zombie. Denying his outcome, his rejection as a zombie can be hilarious. The guy reminded me of Shia Lebeouf.

Ratings: 3

Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 3: Keroro Versus Keroro - Great Sky Duel

Apparently out of randomness, I opened up YouTube and Keroro was on the recommended list. I was supposed to go to work but I chose to watch the third movie. Kero-kero-kero...(evil Keron laugh)

In the third installment, the Keron platoon sets out to Machu Pichu in search of a lost alien technology. While exploring the underground sectors, Keroro accidentally or stupidly activated multiple booby traps which lead the whole team into an alien cavern. There again, Keroro clumsily activated something but nothing major happened so they headed home.

Soon after, the whole world was invaded by an alien that look exactly like Keroro, only much more ruthless and less idiotic. He managed to conquer Pekopon within 2 minutes. It's up to the Keron platoon to surrender or regain conquest of Pekopon.

Keroro Movie 3 touches more on friendship and the strength of a friendship bond. Your true friend will always be there no matter what, even if they're beside you invisible.

Ratings: 3

Sucker Punch

Truthfully, I'm watching this for the ladies. The trailer looks unique, a blend of Burlesque and Kill Bill. I can't seem to grasp the concept of the show from the trailer but I sure wish to see more of the ladies.

But after watching the actual show, it was quite a disappointment. The only notable beauty is Jaime Chung. But the action and fantasy part of the show can be said as good. Its sure awesome to see ladies in action, kinky in a way too. LOL... Sucker Punch can be quite confusing, not too sure which is the true fantasy because there's fantasy within fantasy, unlike Inception. True enough, You will be unprepared for the show.

Ratings: 2