"EVERY BREATH YOU FAKE" a Short Film by JUN KIN
Scheduling in Year 2016
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
"SAVING MR.BANKS" MOVIE REVIEW
“SAVING MR. BANKS” Press Review
“SAVING MR. BANKS” is a delightful film. You bet.
There’s a great director, a captivating script, enjoyable dialogue, marvelous acting by the two leads, and more … to bring us this stupendous entertainment.
Allow me to begin with the ending of the movie first. There’s an eye-popping scene of the author P.L.TRAVERS’ facial expression (the creator of the MARY POPPINS character), when the camera zooms in for a close-up reveals that she’s tearing up (for a few minutes).
The press audience could be seen to be visibly moved. You could hear audible sniffings here and there.
And for me, memories of my late mother and of my own strict upbringing tugged at my heartstrings. Did I bawl? They say when you laugh the whole world laughs with you. But what when you cry? Ha.
Here’s a well-done story about WALT DISNEY’s frustrating crusade of 20 years to woo the MARY POPPINS’ movie rights from an old tart who’s also no-nonsense writer. His young daughters (then) loved the POPPINS stories, and the adoring father WALT promised them that he’d win the rights to make it into a blockbuster movie.
But heck, it was an uphill task which is what SAVING MR. BANKS is showing us.
The titanic clashes of egos between the movie mogul and the dreadful author form the crux of the movie calling for a truce before the movie eventually made its mark in 1964 to become a classic.
DISNEY, played by TOM HANKS is one determined film maker who never says die. He will fight tooth and nail to have TRAVERS’ universal character of MARY POPPINS brought to the big screen.
TRAVERS, on the other hand is insistent that her titular book character should not be compromised and commercialized. Then how?
Baby boomers who have read and seen “MARY POPPINS” will know that MR. BANKS is the father of the children cared for by Mary Poppins. TRAVERS will want it no other way as the role is patterned after her beloved late father.
TRAVERS is steadfast as she much as she is stubborn, nursing a secret pain dated back to her childhood in Australia.
TRAVERS grew up in Australia in 1906 and this is depicted through flashbacks. She was very close to her charismatic father Travers Robert Goff (COLIN FARREL) who was fighting a losing battle against alcoholism.
Back to the present, reality jolts when she discovers that her bank account is depleting and her agent beseeches her to tactfully release the MARY POPPINS rights to DISNEY to save her from financial ruins.
So she made the business trip from desolate London to to sunny Southern California. And she meets up with DISNEY, who is full of charm, gallantry and everything sugary nice – and who personally guides her on a tour of his theme park to bowl her over.
For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls all tricks in the trade to woo her into signing the contract.
Disney’s staff members, meanwhile, are terrified by this stern, headmistress-like figure they have to work with. There are some hilarious scenes in which Travers sits through script meetings.
She is appalled at the thought of animation and of penguins creeping into the film adaptation. The joyful approach of the Sherman brothers (who wrote the music and lyrics for the film) earns her displeasure.
Armed with storyboards and chirpy songs, Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the stubborn ox remains unmoved.
However, in the days that followed, the resolute P.L. will soften and yield. Walt sees an insecure woman who shirks at whatever that may offend her late Australian father.
It is only when Walt re-examine his own past that he discovers that they have something in common.
With that mutual understanding, they both set out to make MARY POPPINS which turns out to be one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.
The director of the film is JOHN LEE HANCOCK. He is pitch-perfect in delivering a wonderful piece of gem.
EMMA THOMPSON and JOHN HANKS are right for their roles with their award winning background.
This is a first-rate film from start to finish and stands as a must-see.
Don’t miss it!
RATING: 4 out of 5
Thursday, February 13, 2014
"THE BOOK THIEF" MOVIE REVIEW
“THE BOOK THIEF” PRESS REVIEW
For people who love a good cry and a touch-my-soul family story, then don’t miss “THE BOOK THIEF”. The sporadic suspense keeps you going.
Its advertising slogan politely reminds us that the theme is “Courage beyond Words”.
Right.
“THE BOOK THIEF” is all about a plucky young girl called LIESEL who lives with her foster family during the throes of World War 2 Germany.
Intrigued by her only possession of a single book she brings with her, her fascination grows and she begins collecting more books whenever she can find them or steal them. With literary support from her foster parents and a personable Jewish refugee who takes refuge under the stairs, her determination to master the written word opens up a bold new world that’d transform her persona forever.
SOPHIE NELISSE takes on the lead role of the quick-tempered heroine Liesel. Her petulant and unfriendly looks may stir the audience with the notion that she is a wrong bet for the role. The director BRIAN PERCIVAL should know better as he helms the production.
GEOFFREY RUSH plays Hans, the genteel and understanding adoptive father.
EMILY WATSON who portrays Rosa the mother is way tops, so you can expect strong performances from the veterans.
“THE BOOK THIEF” stays close to Markus Zusak’s World War II story, but less the gore and violence you’d normally notice in films screaming murders and battle cries.
This is a Holocaust film crafted for a primary young adult audience. The mature group may find the pace irksome and the build-up a trifle slow.
Raised in 1930s Germany, Liesel has seen people die before her, other horrific happenings and experiences her fair share of pain at such a tender age. Her kid brother is dead and her mother mysteriously disappears leaving behind a trial of dark memories instilling in her a vacuum of insecurity.
She is adopted by the Hubermanns, an impoverished couple living in a small village. Rosa (Emily Watson) is sharp-tongued with a motherly concern. Hans (Geoffrey Rush) has a heart and time to spare to groom Liesel to read.
“THE BOOK THIEF” may not be a prescient masterpiece, but there are enough heartbreaking albeit humane moments to share.
Let’s say that with all odds emerging, this one is a quiet winner.
But for fans who are looking for high voltage thrillers, then this would not be your cup of tea.
Touch my soul, chum.
Rating: 3 out of 5
(Now, click here for the awesome Movie Trailer)
THE BOOK THIEF Movie Trailer
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
"THE LEGO MOVIE" REVIEW
“THE LEGO MOVIE” Press Review
“Wonderful” is the word to describe “THE LEGO MOVIE”.
“Stunning” is the superlative for what it is. And more!
It’s an animation feature I almost miss because I thought it was a product placement for the LEGO line of construction toys. But what’s the heck, I glad I didn’t. Because I would have left out a whole chunk of fun.
I am charmed by the so-cute, breathtaking visuals which are a real smash.
When we were really young, surely no toy collection would ever be complete without a presence of “LEGO” brand, specially the intriguing interlocking bricks offered in a myriad of colorful characters.
This feature will incorporate some of the LEGO’s renowned figures whilst introducing several new members.
Welcome to the awesome world of LEGO’s.
Now for the first time ever, animation film makers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller is presenting the LEGO’s awesome toys to big screen through this movie.
The Story is simplistically magnificent:
“The LEGO Movie” is the first-time “to hit the big screen” LEGO adventure.
This original 3D computer animation follows Emmet (Chris Pratt) an ordinary, rules- following, egghead LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world.
He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hilariously unprepared.
Kudos to the writers for drumming up such an endearing script. It is both touching and funny.
With this success, it will spawn on a sequel, for sure.
Maybe the original idea was to support a consumer brand, but this film will not be an over- indulgence of art.
The minifigurines are plastic, rigid and immobile but in the hands of the directors, they have defining movements and facial expressions.
This funny movie is a real scream, a fun-fun production taking a swipe at corporate branding. You can detect this after a while that it’s a movie that also functions as a triumph of product placement.
It stars the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.
So, the big boy agencies out there, you might want to consider to spread your advertising budget to include making a movie instead of relying on the regular TVCs where ideas are surely spreading thin.
Designed for all ages, this is one family entertainment you should not miss.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Sunday, February 9, 2014
LOVE. A CERTAIN SMILE. A CERTAIN LOVE.
It’s the 9th day of the HORSE Year.
Spring is in the air at this time of the Year …
Seize the opportunity to express “I love you” in a breezy way.
What is love?
” No, Love doesn’t have eyes,
It doesn’t happen by race or gender.
Love goes by how the person
make you feel deep inside …
Love make you see that person
for whoever he is on the outside
as well as the inside.”
Just remember.
Friday, February 7, 2014
“FROM VEGAS TO MACAU” MOVIE REVIEW 賭城風雲 (2014)
“FROM VEGAS TO MACAU” PRESS REVIEW
賭城風雲 (2014)
I am no smartie on the subject of tricky flipping cards or dices, the actual gambling or otherwise. But I daresay I enjoyed the movie. Immensely.
It’s one stress buster to boot.
You just have to hand it to the 58 year old Hong Kong director WONG JING for dispensing with the tickles.
He is an established businessman and one of Hong Kong’s highest-grossing filmmakers for almost three decades.
With the long years in show business, he knows where to tap the money and judging from this movie among others, which is deliberately crafted to coincide with the apt timing of the Spring festivities.
CHOW YUN FAT and writer-director WONG JING happily unite on the casino floor in this light-hearted action comedy.
“FROM VEGAS TO MACAU” boasts a refreshing new team comprising of CHOW YUN-FAT, NICHOLAS TSE and CHAPMAN TO to provide all rib-tickling escapades. Plus the pow-wow action.
CHOW plays a legendary gambler who has recently retired as a casino security consultant in Las Vegas and moved back to his Macau hometown. NICHOLAS and CHAPMAN are unassuming kids who earnestly aspire to become the master’s proteges.
Yes, this movie is is culled from the fourth installment of the GOD OF GAMBLERS series where CHOW reprises his role as the titular protagonist again after hanging up his shoes with his 1994′s GOD OF GAMBLERS RETURNS.
WONG JING is the suave entrepreneur and he knows where to place his bet when he has a potential box office hit on his hands.
The subject?
Gambling with loads of non-stop action thrown in.
Even if the rest of the world will not nod their heads, the rest of Hong Kong will.
Hong Kongers have no qualms about hitting the cinemas and laughing out loud to kill claustrophobic boredom and stress.
The plot revolves around Ken (played by Chow), Cool (Nicholas Tse), and Karl (Chapman To) who, together, develop a scheme to defeat an evil money-laundering boss, Mr Ko.
Ko seems to escape even under the closest scrutiny by the police. When Cool’s half-brother Lionel (PHILIP NG) an undercover cop and father (BENZE HUI) are maimed, things got personal. Ken’s daughter Rainbow (TONG FEI) is also taken forcefully along the way.
CHOW YUN FAT sails back in style in a role that calls for flirting with alluring ladies and spouting utter nonsense. Only he can get away with the silly jokes.
While this film reunites Wong and Chow on a familiar theme, it is not a God Of Gamblers sequel. Instead of world-famous gambler Ko Chun, Chow plays a character named Ken here, another legendary figure.
“FROM VEGAS TO MACAU” is everything an entertaining movie should be.
It is smart in some places and silly in others.
That said, it is potent to the point of being charming with great funny moments.
Go for it.
Rating: 3 out of 5
(Click this link for the official Movie Trailer)
FROM VEGAS TO MACAU Movie Trailer
Monday, February 3, 2014
"GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS" MOVIE REVIEW + PRESS CONFERENCE
“GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS” PRESS REVIEW + PRESS CONFERENCE
《金雞SSS》
At the movie press conference in Kuala Lumpur on 24th January, the quick-witted Malaysian Host dropped an open hint to all who were present, that the last “Golden Chicken” was wrapped up ten years ago.
But SANDRA NG the lead actress was swift to correct him gently, “No, that was almost 12 years ago, in 2002 …” letting out her trademark guffaw that immediately put everyone at ease. She then sighed, “Time catches on” hinting that everyone in the Press room was getting on in years.
That was SANDRA NG, consummate actress-cum-producer whom we all adore. She is every party’s live wire, a comedienne who had made enough comedies to charm us on any rainy day.
But hold it, she was a contender for the Best Actress for a Dramatic Role as well, the last being “Echoes of the Rainbow” in 2010 . She didn’t win this one.
“GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS” is the third in a franchise but it is directed by MATT CHOW this time around.
The previous director was SAMSON CHIU who helmed “GOLDEN CHICKEN 1 +2″, but he had taken a hiatus and declined to get involved with this production.
Well, “GOLDEN CHICKEN 3″ or better known as “GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS” is cackling all the way joyfully, having accomplished a better project, bigger and in a grand style.
Prostitution is definitely the world’s oldest profession as narrated by an effervescent, yet warm-hearted prostitute called AH KAM in Part 1 and 2.
The first film was a roaring success, the second had lost its gloss somewhat when it was screened a year later.
Twelve years later, SANDRA NG reunites to reprise her role as the middle-aged but still gorgeous AH KAM.
The new film director is MATT CHOW (he wrote the script for the first one). The ancient belief is still being debated upon: once a prostitute, always a prostitute, unless you hook a wealthy husband and be provided for life.
AH KAM (SANDRA NG) works as a mamasan now. She supervises a flock of glamour chicks for their nightly engagements such as hosting lavish parties for the rich businessmen. You can guess the rest.
As for this film “GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS” our leading lady is again able to assemble a string of glitterati in Hong Kong for cameos, namely DONNIE YEN, ANTHONY WONG, NICK CHEUNG and LOUIS KOO. Even bad boy EDISON CHEN makes a welcome presence.
The current story examines in truth, that the old Hong Kong is fast disappearing over the years. Things are enormously different now.
AH KAN embraces the prosperity of the “NEW HONG KONG”, but like scores of disgruntled baby boomers, she still wistfully hankers after the old Hong Kong for the memories. For old time’s sake.
Over-the-hill mob boss, GORDON (NICK CHEUNG) who is AH KAM’s paramor was put behind bars before the Hong Kong Handover in 1997.
GORDON’s attire and mindset are reminiscent of the colonial past. Recently released from prison, he is unable to cope with the reality of the New Hong Kong and seeks solace in his old flame AH KAM.
But KAM is way out of her dream and is no longer the naive sweet maiden who once idolized GORDON.
She is heartbroken as she watches her love losing his grip on reality in trying to adapt to life in the New Hong Kong.
That said, KAM decides to help GORDON rebuild his life.
And along the way, we are shown how she handles bitchy competitions and she tackles obstacles in her own inimitable way.
Now, I would say that “GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS” the movie is a breath of fresh comic air to greet the Spring.
It ignites like a fire-cracker with “feel good” emotions, and is a little gem of an incredible pedigree.
To believe, to judge, do go and watch it, chum.
Actress IVANA WONG, Actress SANDRA NG (centre) and director MATT CHOW are at the Press Conference to brighten up the film’s promotional exercise.
IVANA is pensive whilst SANDRA is chatty. MATT listens attentively.
ALL SMILES of CONFIDENCE
THE MANAGEMENT of GSC and the CAST joyfully wish one and all a truly PROSPEROUS CHINESE NEW YEAR.
Dear Folks, please check the funny Movie Trailer by clicking here!
GOLDEN CHICKEN 3 TRAILER
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