and 15 again...

For a film buff, what better way to celebrate Merdeka than be able watch 15 funky shorts that shed light on the ups and downs of Malaysian society? The first release of the 15 shorts ~ Potong Saga, a comedy featured Namewee aka the controversial Negarakuku composer/performer, is pretty funny and even more fun if u can understand Malaysian Mandarin. Not sure how any non-Malaysian would find these shorts (the title "Potong Saga" itself bore several meanings ot a Malaysian). As a Malaysian Chinese, each of these films tug at my heart stings in different ways. Anyway, I will let these shorts speak for themselves.

15 + 15

IMDB released a list of 15 top-rated films of the new millennium, here's my non-exhaustive list of 15 English and 15 foreign language films that has great impact on yours truly ~

15 English Language:
Dark Knight
Donnie Darko
Empire Strikes Back
High Fidelity
Leon
Matrix
Memento
Return of the King
Saving Private Ryan
Shawshank Redemption
Sixth Sense
Spiderman 2
The Incredibles
Titanic
Truman Show

15 Foreign Languages:
Amélie (French)
Avalon (Polish)
Cinema Paradiso (Italian)
City of God (Portuguese)
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (Mandarin)
Infernal Affairs (Cantonese)
Justice My Foot (Cantonese)
My Sassy Girl (Korean)
Princess Mononoke (Jap)
Rashômon (Jap)
Run Lola Run (German)
Running Out of Time (Cantonese)
Seven Samurai (Jap)
Three Colours: Red (French)
Whisper of the Heart (Jap)

What's your 15?

Alive in Joburg (Hoping for District 10 in 3 years...)

Where to begin? The showing was delayed for more than 1/2hr, I almost wanna call for a refund; the air-con was on full blast until I have to have my own intermission thus missing few minutes of show, some parts of the analogue film have defects that was so disturbing on screen... but heck, District 9 is by far one of the best film I have watched this year!

Like all good Sci-Fi, a thriller on the surface but a social commentary at its core, the small film that could (30mill budget to Hollywood standard is nothing), shot with faux-documentary style, really blows me away (with its exploding Tesla guns). In the end, the film celebrates the strength of camaraderie and takes stabs at many social political issues such as refugees, racial prejudice, threat of giant corporate power.

Although the "Produced by Peter Jackson" on the credits are one of the first things that attracted my attention, as a director, Neill Blomkamp is now on my radar. Here's hoping more good things to come. Heck, I'm crossing my fingers for District 10 already... "I'll be back in three years. I promise" -- Christopher Johnson

Now, I gotta go find that original short film D9 is based upon...

P.S. Next time, remember to bring a jacket whenever step into GSCs...

So you've watched he movie...

Ever wonder what G.I.Joes or Cobra do when they are trying to kill each other?

The Ballad of G.I. Joe from Olivia Wilde

Now I would to know what the Autobots and Decepticons do in their down time...

You wanna be "In The Loop"?

This must be the cleverest "full-of-swearing" political satire I ever watched....!



This film has the bests of British and American humour. Tho' it's full of swearing, not particularly family friendly. Not meant to be anyway, seeing as it is a sharply observed satire on the previous UK Blair government on the issue of war. I particularly enjoy the British humour.

Yo Joe!

Caught this on the first day it landed on Pg. OK, so it's "another mindless summer crap", and it's selling Americanism (again) but the Joes has been part of my child/teenage-hood so I am tempted to take a look. For what it's worth, I applaud the clever script that creates it's own Cobra origin story but still relevant to G.I.Joe lore.

My verdict: G.I.Joe 09 > Transformers 09
Down side: no Lady Jaye, uniforms a la X-Men and why was Iron Man doing here?
Tidbit: there's suppose to be a subtle connection between the two G.I.Joe and TF movies... see if u can figure it out... TF vs Joes anyone?

Movies watched recently...

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009 - Fantasy) A- "hope this getting-better trend will mean the last 2-part film based on book 7 will be very very good!"

新宿事件 (2008 - Drama, Action) B+ "Jackie Chan can do meaningful drama!"

保持通话 (2008 - Action, Thriller) A- "Unexpectedly satisfying for a remake!"


Blood: The Last Vampire (2009 - Action, Horror) C+ "Is this going to be worst film starred by Jun Ji-Hyun?"

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009 - Action, Sci-fi) B- "CGI transforming robots bashing each other are fine but please, do have a better plot, if there's a next time..."


梅兰芳 (2009 - Biography, Drama) B+ "good drama, but not enthralled by Beijing Opera..."

12 minutes that are better than most 2 hrs

Many summer movies might take away many of your 2 hrs but I think only a handful can be as artful, meaningful and entertaining than this less than 12 minutes short.

Best thing is the main characters were silent through out this sweet little gem, which brought home the impact.



Interesting concept + capable cast and crew + good use of soundtracks = great experience!

Funny clip by Jack Neo

If there's one South East Asian filmmaker that's worth my attention, it'll be Jack Neo.

Here's a funny clip to promote his recent film, Love Matters. (Tho', after watching it, not one of his bests...)



lesson of the day: don't put your phone next to the iron!

A respond to Mr Penn

It's been ages since my last post. I think this is a good time to return.

If you like films as much as I do, you must have watched the OSCARs and thus would've heard Sean Penn criticising Christians upon receiving his award.

I just wanna share a recording from Dr. James R. White of Alpha & Omega Ministries who responds to Mr Penn's attack.

Film talk

Watched 2 films, IRON MAN and 夕岚之街 樱之国 (Yûnagi no machi sakura no kuni). They're both very different in genre: the former, a based-on-superhero-comic summer blockbuster, the latter, a touching story centres on two generations of a family that were victims of atom bombing of Hiroshima.

IRON MAN spoke volumes to my inner child and I rank it up there with Spider-Man 2 and Batman Begins.

memorable quotes:
Reporter: Mr. Stark, you've been called the Da Vinci of our time; what do you say to that?
Tony Stark: Absolutely ridiculous, I don't paint.
Reporter: What do you say to your other nickname, the 'Merchant of Death'?
Tony Stark: That's not bad.

However, it was the Japanese based-on-manga 夕岚之街 樱之国 that really touches my heart. Although fictional, it would've been true stories of many victims that were left alive but physically and emotionally scarred by horror that brought WW2 to an end.

memorable quotes:
“原子弹不是自己掉下来的，是被人投下来的。”
“不能再把什么责任都推到原子弹上面去了！”

Both films get thumbs up.

A-K-E-E-L-A-H and the B-E-E

I love this film. There are some clichés but it is without a doubt one of the best uplifting family film I have watched. With nearly all non-Caucasian casts, this is also the first film to be co-distributed by Starbucks. The lead who's played by Keke Palmer is someone to watch out for. A must see for all!

P-U-L-C-H-R-I-T-U-D-E -- Pulchritude

Tragic tale of blood brothers

Watched The Warlords yesterday. A tragic tale that touches on the topics such as sworn brotherhood, loyalty, ambition, desire and war politics. I like it for the fact that it is essentially a film that deals with matters of the heart despite having the look of a war movie. To me, Jet Li's performance was a pleasant surprise although all 4 principals did their job well. I highly recommend this film, not for kids tho', plus it's depiction of the fairer sex might raised some questions although in the context of the film it worked.

Ouch! That's my foot you're stabbing!

Prince Caspian Trailer

Watch the trailer

Man, the underground scenes do make me miss London...