Migration of Movie / Drama Reviews

I have contributed all my movie / drama reviews to my buddy's new movie / drama blog site at ~*~ My Movie Land ~*~

Old reviews will not be deleted from this blog but future ones will be posted there. My next review will be on Madagascar and The Wild. So if you're thinking of watching The Wild, wait lah, for my review.

I've decided to do this lest this crap blog gets swamped with movie posters, and it will be neater in the long run too. I thought it's better to leave this blog for me to bitch about people who kacau me.

AND THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE KACAU-ING ME!!!! Blehhh

Bitching is what I'm ever good at :p

Was Emily Rose Epileptic or Psychotic?

Image courtesy of Sony Pictures

I got the movie, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, way back in May, 2006 upon the recommendation of a friend, someone who watches two movies almost every work day when he commutes to and from office, so his knowledge is pretty extensive.

Anyway, I got it but I kept it at the bottom of the movie pile, because I read some reviews on the net mentioning that it is a "courtroom drama" while some said it's a horror movie. While I like horror, I don't enjoy courtroom dramas so I kept watching Korean movies, much to my regret hahaha

I finally decided to watch it last night and was thoroughly entertained for the two whole hours. I practically had goosebumps all over me for that length of time too! It was a very eerie movie, very believable.

Coming from my shitty background where I was exposed to the dark forces from a young age, I can relate very well to Emily Rose's episodes of demonic possession. It's really unfortunate that one person has to suffer so much at the will of demons while many of us go about life happily not knowing the existence of evil spirits.

I personally have met with many such victims through the years; in my quest for answers and personal research and these people definitely are neither epileptic nor psychotic, as perceived by the doctors who attended to Emily Rose.

Science (and medicine) are all based on cold, hard facts; there's no room for aesthetics, but that does not mean that someone who believes in something outside the borders of science is cuckoo in the head. It's only that the supernatural world cannot be seen with the naked eye, but requires the *gift* of a third eye.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose is based on a true story and it is unfortunate that Father Richard Moore was found guilty of criminal negligence. In my humble opinion, his only "crime" was not being powerful enough to overcome the six demonic beings that had taken control of Emily Rose's body.

Just like how one will always remember the touch of an angel, one will never be the same person again after being touched by evilness.

Related post:
I Felt a Presence ....

"Temptation of Wolves"

*Temptation of Wolves*

We all know about the tragic storylines most Korean movies and dramas have but Korean movie, "Temptation of Wolves", is really something of a different realm to me.

Yes, again it's about students and it's supposed to be a triangle love story and it has a tragic end as well.

But this tragic story has a twist that is only revealed at the very end of the movie.

I don't fancy the opening fight scenes at the subway where there was fast paced camera play. If you've read my complains on Mission Impossible 3, you'd know I can't tolerate scenes like that. Prolonged exposure will even cause me to vomit and faint.

Anyway, once we got past that, the movie was quite a good watch, albeit its predictability.

Somehow, I can't recall if the girl chose her boyfriend BEFORE or AFTER knowing that the other guy is "off-limits" ... hhmm shall I watch a second time?

In one scene outside the airport, next to the runway, like typical Korean directors, this one panned the camera on the actress slow-mo and spun around and around 360 degrees dunno how many times, until I almost fainted as well.

I thought it was better if the guy hugged the girl la. Which guy will just stand aside and watch if his girlfriend was crying her eyes out like that?

And at the end of the movie when there was the scene of the tragic twist, there were lots of crying as well. I NEARLY cried too *sigh*

Again, the guy should have hugged the girl tightly lah aiyooo apalah....

This movie just cements the belief I have that life is a cruel twist of fate where we living beings are just actors acting out our respective roles in a script already well written before our birth.

My Sassy Girl, Windstruck and My Girl & I

*My Sassy Girl*

Directed by Kwak Jae-yong
Produced by Shin Chul
Main actor: Cha Tae-hyun
Main actress: Jun Ji-hyun
Released: July 27, 2001 (South Korea)

WindStruck

(Let Me Introduce You To My Girlfriend)

Directed by Kwak Jae-yong
Produced by Jeong Hun-tak
Main actress: Jun Ji-hyun
Main actor: Jang Hyeok
Released: June 3, 2004 (South Korea)

*My Girl & I*

Directed by Jeon Yun-su
Produced by Jeon Hoon-tak
Main actor: Cha Tae-hyun
Main actress: Song Hye-kyo
Released: December 23, 2005 (South Korea)

These three movies are so alike so much so that many people thought that they are sequels but they are not, although two of these three movies are based on true life stories. Moreover, the same actors and actresses who appeared in these three movies added to the confusion.

I watched all three movies, but unfortunately in the wrong sequence hahaha

Anyway, I started with WindStruck. It's a movie that's hard to forget and it's one of the few that managed to make me cry. The most touching scene was when the main actor died. That scene was so intense, so sad. And it's eerie too when the spirit made visitations ala Ghost. I recommend this to anyone interested in Korean movies.

Cha Tae-hyun the protagonist in "My Sassy Girl" and "My Girl & I" appeared in WindStruck as well, at the very end of the movie, standing on the platform of a train station, where Jun Ji-hyun thinks she has found a new soul mate.

And then I watched "My Sassy Girl". This is a true movie based on the romance of a couple, where the girlfriend is a little weird because of her past. Sometimes, watching this movie, I went like, "Wah, like this also can ar??"

At least this movie has a happy ending but sometimes in the middle of the movie, one thinks if this relationship could ever survive as the girl keeps pining for the past.

The last movie I watched was "My Girl & I". This movie isn't that memorable to me. It has a sad ending, but didn't make me cry, because the acting was not intense enough. Emotions did not come across too well, that was why it was not so moving for me, although the ending is not something that we wish on anyone.

The cinematography was great but the weird thing about this movie is the protagonist's grandfather is an undertaker and coffin seller, and the wonder is that the main stars had to sleep inside coffins on different occasions. Eeeewww I thought Asians are damn superstitious, or is it just me?

The main actress in "My Girl & I" is Song Hye-kyo, who starred in "All In", which I watched recently. She was a better actress in "My Girl & I" but both performances were equally enjoyable, nevertheless.

At first, I thought I'd review these Korean movies later, but today is just as good a day as any other :p

"Must Love Dogs"

Image courtesy of Warner Bros.

I don't know how many of us here in Malaysia even heard of this 2005 movie. I didn't, before laying my hands on a copy of this movie, on loan. I don't remember if local cinemas screened this movie or not. Anyway, when I saw this cover, with the Newfoundland doggie, I know I just gotta watch it, and it's rated as a comedy, so there was nothing to lose.

I don't know why, recently I watched quite a number of John Cusack movies, and also Colin Firth, not that they are handsome or particularly great actors, or anything, it's just bloody coincidence. BAH!

This movie may be rated as a comedy but it's not the type that makes one go hahahahaha. It only brought out a chuckle from me every 20 minutes or so. It's not the kinda movie that mind f****. And it's not the kinda movie that makes one go WAHHH. It does not impress and does not leave a great impression.

In short, this is the type of movie that you can watch, or can DON'T watch. UNLESS you like dogs a lot, like me.

I didn't appreciate the scene where these two forty-somethings drove around town looking for a condom. It's sooo juvenile. And makes me think of Sam Shik in My Name Is Kim Sam Soon. But Sam Shik is cute, John Cusack is not.

This movie also portrays men as looking to get laid on the 1st & 2nd dates. ARE men REALLY like that in real life, or only in Hollywood? The mind boggles!

The only things that I'll remember from this movie next month will be the dogs, the dogs and the dogs. And also something about using PE food wrapper as a substitute for condoms.

Now kids, don't try this at home!

Movies, Movies, Movies .....

....... are calling out to me but I really am hard pressed for time, I really miss my dose of a movie-a-night :-(

These are the movies waiting for me:

My Girl & I (Korean movie)
The Da Vinci Code
Dodgeball
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
The Exorcism Of Emily Rose
The Shaggy Dog
Goong Special --> Still waiting for English subtitles

All In (Korean drama) --> Still not even started Episode 1 yet - argghhh!!!

Here are the movies that I wish to watch but not in my collection (yet):

The Maid (Thai horror movie) --> friend's recommendation
Water Spirit --> Ya, I like horror
My Life ad McDull --> I like the low IQ Hongkie pig
McDull Prince de la Bun --> I like the low IQ Hongkie pig
Big Momma's House --> Big Momma's House 2 was mighty entertaining
Ice Age 2 --> Liked Ice Age 1
I Not Stupid Too --> I Not Stupid made me cry
Money Not Enough --> I like Jack Neo movies
Liang Po Po --> I like Jack Neo movies
Brokeback Mountain --> To understand my gay friend better
Nacho Libre - Mossie says it's two hours of laughther. I LIKE!

Serendipity

Image ripped from Serendipity3

In the movie Serendipity (2001), Jonathan Trager (John Cusack) and Sara Thomas (Kate Beckinsale) met by chance on Christmas Eve while out shopping for last minute gifts for their respective partners.

They spent a few hours together and found that they have fallen for each other but because of their commitment to their relationship, they couldn't do anything about their new found feelings, and so had to separate.

British woman Sara Thomas believes that if something is meant to be, it will happen no matter when.

Oh what faith she has... but in the end, the two of them had to work really hard to find each other again. A typical Hollywood movie.

A long time ago, I ran into a guy (handsome one laaaa and looks exactly like Gallen Lo) on a few occasions but I didn't approach him directly to get to know him or at least get his contact details. I do not know who were his friends, where he lived or which school he was from.

I don't even know his name, and he'll forever be "Gallen Lo" to me.

I made enquiries among my friends, though. They kept telling me oh, this guy is so-and-so's brother. He looks like Gallen too! Upon looking at photos and school's year book, NO, this isn't him. This isn't him either, and not this, this, this nor this.

Since then, I did not run into him anymore and so..... my connection with him is broken just like that.

This movie also reminded me of a song I loved a long time ago. Here it is:

I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU
Tommy Page / L. Russell Brown

Now is the time we say goodbye
I see a tear start falling from your eye
I hear them call it's time to go
Oh girl I know I'm gonna miss you so

No matter where I go
No matter what I do
Deep down in my heart I'll still be close to you
Cause when the night is long
Still I'll keep holding on
Knowing that you're thinking of me too
I'll never forget you

You stepped away into the night
The pain inside it cuts me like a knife
We'll meet again it's meant to be
Each road you choose will lead you back to me

No matter where I go (where I go)
No matter what I do (what I do)
Deep down in my heart I'll still be close to you
Cause when the night is long (night is long)
Still I'll keep holding on (holding on)
Knowing that you're thinking of me too
I'll never forget you

No matter where I go (where I go)
No matter what I do (what I do)
Deep down in my heart I'll still be close to you
Cause when the night is long (night is long)
Still I'll keep holding on (holding on)
Knowing that you're thinking of me too
I'll never forget you

I'll never forget you
I'll never forget you
I'll never forget you
I'll never forget you

Fried Sperm, Anyone?

The other day, I watched this hilarious Korean comedy called Saekjeuk Shigong. Its international title is "Sex is Zero". It's said to be THE Korean version of American Pie.

I have watched American Pie 1 & 2, but they are nothing compared to "Sex is Zero". Maybe I do not get corny American jokes, but I don't know, both American Pies just did not make a lasting impression on my mind like how "Sex is Zero" did. In fact, in my opinion, American Pie 2 was even lamer than the first one.

Let me tell you, after watching "Sex is Zero", I will never look at think of sperm in the same way again. And I bet your mind will be similarly corrupted, should you watch this movie.

In "Sex is Zero", a bunch of university guys ran out of eggs and one guy proceeded to masturbate, ejaculated into a frying pan and FRIED it!

All together now, "EEEEWWWWWWW"

According to their Biology teacher, egg and sperm are basically protein so there's not much difference between the two, except for the missing yolk!

What was to follow in the movie after the frying of sperm was funny like hell but you gotta watch it to find out, cos I'm not going to spoil it for you.

I've heard of people swallowing sperm RAW, hence the question oft asked, "Spit or swallow?" but to fry???

Next time, if you were asked this Q, you can reply, "I FRY." muahahahaha

Maybe it'll be more delicious to add some chopped "char siew", spring onion and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Who wants to take up the challenge of creating great fried sperm recipes?

Related post:

Fried Sperm Recipe for the Perverts

Watched Fearless on Original VCD

Image courtesy of Fearless

I had the opportunity to watch Jet Li's Fearless on VCD recently when my friend tumpang me to buy an original copy for him.

So before I passed the disc to him, I watched first la hehehe sssshhh don't tell him :p

It was such a long time ago that I watched an original VCD. Who in their right mind would buy original VCD nowadays? There are so many *cheaper* alternatives hehehe

I was surprised to see that the quality of a supposedly original VCD, with the TULEN sticker and all, is not really that good. The video quality was passable, audio also OK-lah but the subtitles not OK at all wor. It's all a blur. Maybe I'm just fussy *shrug*

I really don't think it's worth the money paying MYR19.90 for it. Another place was selling it at MYR17.90 but they were out of stock and I was lazy to make a second trip there lah. So might as well go to a nearby shop and pay MYR2 more.

Anyway, if you like Jet Li or Shaolin Kung fu, then go ahead and watch Fearless. Get the DVD better. Michelle Yeoh was to have appear in Fearless as well, but somehow all her scenes were edited from the final cut. Don't know why.......

Fearless is supposed to be Jet Li's last Kung fu action role. Rogue has no kung fu, I think....

Eight Below - MUST WATCH!

Image courtesy of Walt Disney

Just when I thought I already knew how intelligent dogs can be, having reared dogs half my life, there comes a movie like Eight Below to marvel me all over again.

Image courtesy of Walt Disney
(Maya trying to save the Doc)

By the way, I just watched this movie last night, and man, did it made me cry.

All eight dogs were supposed to be Siberian huskies but some are in fact Alaskan Malamutes. I really take my hat off to the dogs. They are the heroes of the movie. This is a must-watch for all dog lovers.

It's not easy to come across a movie that is as touching as this, especially in commercialised Hollywood. Definitely worth watching, better than Mission Impossible 3.

SPOILERS and doggie info can be found here.

P/S: I just have to say this: Dr. Andy Harrison is MEAN.

My Take On Mission Impossible 3

Image courtesy of Paramount Pictures

I just returned home from watching Mission Impossible 3. I know, I know, it premiered two weeks ago, and I'm like ssssooooooooo sloooowwww... but better late than never.

My head is still pounding and ears ringing, with all the explosion, smashing, shooting and what-not from the speakers at full blast. I can never understand why cinemas need to have speakers and air-conditioners turned on to the max.

I am not someone who can tolerate loud noises or swinging motions at the best of times, and in Mission Impossible 3, the cameras were swinging too much and it nearly made me throw up.

Also, the lights from the party, the guns and explosions made me feel like I was blinking every second, but I know I wasn't.

I feel Mission Impossible 3 is more of a male movie, without much storyline but has the right dose of action, gadgetry, technology and a few leng luis to keep the average guy happy for the entire two hours.

It didn't do much for me..... ahdoi, action overdose laaaaaa. As for humour, only a few scenes managed to bring a chuckle out of me.

I don't care how many million dollors were spent on the production of this movie, but I didn't enjoy myself as much as I did with Seabiscuit, Shutter, Windstruck or Amelia. Foreign movies can be more enjoyable, thanks to subtitles.

Sometimes I feel that all the hoo-haa over a big budget movie does more harm to it than good, cos fans would expect more from the movie.

Tom Cruise looks tired here, but still as fit as ever. I remember him as a fresh faced up-and-coming actor in the poster I received free with my Number One magazine back in the late 1980s. I have to admit I haven't been a great fan of him, therefore didn't watch too many of his movies. I think I read more of him than watched him :)

Anyway, Mission Impossible 3 is not a movie that will stick in my head for a long time to come. Maybe only one or two months, that's it.

It is not a movie that I will wanna watch twice, unlike Fame or Grease, or Austin Powers or Kill Bill or even 13 Going On 30 (cos I like the soundtrack).

Was spending RM8 on the ticket worth it? EEerrrrr I think I can buy a VCD and watch it at home with the family just as well.