'BAD NEIGHBOURS" (2014) FILM REVIEW

“BAD NEIGHBOURS” PRESS REVIEW

Do you take stock of your neighbours?

I certainly do, for want of peace and quiet.

Selfish neighbours who indulge in deafening merrymaking can drive anybody nuts.

Rogen and Byrne play this young married couple called Mac and Kelly Radner.

They are basking in the warmth of family bliss, playing proud parents to a cute baby.

Everything seems picture perfect, until a fraternity of weirdo guys move in next door bringing along the parties.

Everybody knows it’s great to be young and yes, the president Teddy (Zac Efron) swears-to-God he will reduce the din of their late night parties.

Yet he is unable to keep up with his promise of bringing the noise down as the night wears on.

Instead the situation gotten worse.

Mac has no alternative but to enlist the cops – and whosh, that’s where everything turns topsy-turvy.

The blossoming neighbourly friendship is now damaged, with both sides savagely declaring war on each other.

 This is the crux of the story, the battles of two disgruntled neighbours.

“Bad Neighbours” could have been another raunchy comedy offering sex, drugs, profanity and swear words in the style of The Hangover and Bridesmaids.

However, director Nicholas Stoller delves one step deeper.

Laugh all you can, but there is a lesson about growing up to be learned here.

For  fans of the shirtless almost-naked Zac Efron, it can be just another pure slapstick.

For the older viewers, there is a rite of passage taking-you-down-memory lane, reliving college days and learning now what’s like to be a responsible father or mother.

It is as silly-as-you-can-get, yet entertaining and uproarious in some scenes.

Check it out!

RATING: 3 out of 5

LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR:  UIP MALAYSIA (United International Pictures)

“STILL 2″ (2014 )THAI HORROR FILM REVIEW. 

Actor CHAIWAT THONGSAENG DOES A NAMELESS CAMEO HERE.

He played the lead in POJ ANON’s 2007 controversial film called BANGKOK LOVE STORY .

CHAIWAT THONGSAENG in RECENT YEARS SPORTS A HIGHER NOSE BRIDGE which indicates that he has gone under the knife.

Sadly his movie luck has yet to see any vast improvement.

 “STILL 2″ 2014 THAI FILM

PRESS REVIEW

I can’t help it. I almost fell off my seat midway through the film. Not out of fright. Just disbelief.

The scares come aplenty, more than what you’d have expected, to make your skin crawl.

This Reviewer has not seen the creepy old version bearing the same title.

There isn’t a reel need, as this new one has different stories and ample ground to shock you out of your ballers.

Blood, gore, violence and sadism are spewed everywhere, to curdle your innards for those who are drearily bloodthirsty.

 FOUR TRUE CRIME STORIES. FOUR DIFFERENT THAI DIRECTORS.

Each director has his own stylized visual treatment.

Each has his share of  nubile damsels and gorgeous hunks to tantalize the audience.

Then they are butchered or plundered, one after another, for your viewing pleasure. Torture most foul, right.

This film has a fine select of brutality and murders all stemming from this element called love, such as:

A public minivan with screaming  passengers on board being hurtled to their deaths from an elevated expressway to the ground below. What brought about this?

Another episode has unsuspecting women being killed and discarded within the sewers of a derelict brothel.

Then we are whisked to another yarn, that of  a female body being stuffed into a run-down hotel air-conditioning. Wait … there could be more than one victim. And the reasons for the killings?

Last, but not least is a young lovestruck man who leaves the sanctuary of the temple with a vengeance after hacking his girl friend to pieces, to atone for her infidelity.

NO SPOILERS, please, so as not to mar your enjoyment.

The film is a heart-pounding adrenaline rush with shocking gravity.

Visit the cinema, catch this movie and you will not be disappointed.

Among a myriad of THAI Spooks and demon movies, this film ranks as one of the better ones.

RATE: 3.5 out of 5

Local distributor: GSC MOVIES

Still 2 (Tai Hong Tai Hian)

Year : 2014

Type : Horror

Directors : Tanadol nuansuth (James), Tammanoon SomboonTanhom (ping), Poj Apiruj, Achira Noktaes (Mike)

Actors : Pichaya Nitipaisalkul (Golf), Manutsanun Punlertwongsakul (Donut), Chotwut Bunyasith (Nut), Pimchanok Luevisadpaibul (Bifern), Nutpassara Adulayametasiri (Golf), Charm Osathanond, Paranyou Rojanawutitum (Tag), Chalee Trirat (Nag), Oranuch Ounsawasd (Plaifar), Jazz Chuanchuen, Bank Pongsakorn, Tunwarin Sukapisit (Golf)

“THE MIDNIGHT AFTER” (Hong Kong) Movie Review. 那夜凌晨，我坐上了旺角開往大埔的紅van.(2014)

“THE MIDNIGHT AFTER” MOVIE REVIEW

那夜凌晨，我坐上了旺角開往大埔的紅 VAN”.

Film director FRUIT CHAN.

He is known for his artsy movies, though there are not that many to crow about. You can always google for a list.

His films never fail to portray a doleful surrealistic difference, boldly treading on brazen subjects, yet everything will eventually come together to hit the right notes.

For a decade this director-cum- producer is always on the prowl waiting to pounce on the right cinematic content. The next one can be the eventual winner, right?

And he accomplished his latest creative mojo with this new offering called “THE MIDNIGHT AFTER”.

It is his first notable Chinese-language feature dwelling on the horrific subject of  both of horror and the macabre.

Along with a sardonic streak of dark comedy as some scenes can make your skin crawl.

FRUIT CHAN has created a creepy claustophobic thriller with “MIDNIGHT”.

His last notable piece was the deliciously haunting “Dumplings” in 2004 which garnered impressive reviews.

The theme of “THE MIDNIGHT AFTER” is equally disturbing.

You witness Hong Kong being stripped of the notorious traffic jams and thronging crowds.

This is a post-apocalyptic satire that questions your sanity.

FRUIT CHAN’s taken his movie idea from a popular web series turned best seller by a Hong Kong novelist called PIZZA.

It is called “My Boarding the Red Mini Bus from Mongkok to Taipo” (translated) and it reads a mouthful.

Here are the principal characters:

The fat sweaty minibus driver who a compulsive gambler and is called Suet (Lam Suet).

There’s a long haired air-head called You Chi Chi (Wong You-Nam) forever looking woeful because his girl friend cancels a date.

Simon Yam plays a nasty looking debt collector Wong Man-Fat.

He is actually a coward by nature so don’t be fooled. Appearances can be deceptive.

Yuki with the squeamish girl look is played by Janice Man.

Then there is big Sister Ying ( Kara Hui) who is someone you would want to slap for her occasional bouts of sarcasm.

She is an opportunistic insurance saleswoman by profession.

We have additionally, a doomed married couple Bobby and Pat (Lee Sheung-Ching and Vincci Cheuk).

Also a bespectacled IT specialist Shun (Chui Tien-You).

There are other principal players making a total of 17 passengers on the minibus.

As soon as the mini bus passes through Lion Rock Tunnel, all the passengers realize that things are not as normal as they seem.

The streets are devoid of pedestrians, phone don’t work and radio stations are seemingly closed. Suddenly an ominous masked figure lurks in the shadows.

They all go their separate ways but when everyone simultaneously receive a spooky call in the middle of the night, the group decides to congregate at a local restaurant in the morning whereupon more inexplicable happenings start erupting.

“THE MIDNIGHT AFTER” is harrowing, bloody, sometimes funny but it will make you shudder.

You can almost feel the characters telling themselves it is just a game.

Whatever the case, just hang on because you are in for a screamy, bumpy ride.

Rating: 4 out of 5

LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR: GSC MOVIES

"A CASE OF YOU" FILM REVIEW

 “A CASE OF YOU” MOVIE REVIEW

Name is weird, you say.

Perhaps so.

Upon unwrapping you’ll find a mumbo-jumbo romantic comedy directed by Kat Coiro.

It stars actor Justin Long wearing both hats of writer cum producer.

Here goes:

A young writer  Sam (Justin Long) is bored of singlehood and tries wooing a charming barista (Evan Rachel Wood) by stalking her Facebook profile.

When she falls for his alter ego, he feels “trapped” but he has to contimue the act.

 Sam has a deadpan job writing novelizations for movies like “Teen Vampire.”

He feels second-rated because the original source does not come from him and is therefore non-creative.

He finds solace in Birdie (Evan Rachel Wood), the friendly barista at his neighborhood coffee shop where artsy people hang out to pour out their day’s grievances over a cuppa.

But instead of risking that she won’t like the real person he is, he shapes himself into her “dream guy”, based on what he uncovers in her Facebook page, learns judo, French cooking and how to strum the guitar singing folk songs.

No obstacle is too great in the name of love if you dare dream. Right

The film is a glaring factor on how the internet has affected honesty and in relationships.

No spoilers here to mar your enjoyment, but do check out the movie for the answers, chum.

RATING: 3 out of 5

Directed by Kat Coiro

Local Distributor:  GSC MOVIES.

"THE OTHER WOMAN" (2014) FILM REVIEW

“THE OTHER WOMAN” PRESS REVIEW

You can brand this as a woman’s story or a chick flick, but this one begs to take you one step further.

In life, despite whatever complacencies you may have, the unexpected always happens.

Just when you think you are going to have an unmarried life of conjugal bliss, this one explores the grim subject of unfaithful spouses with devious roving eyes. Female included, of course.

Question is, when you discover your faithful boyfriend/husband Mark King (Nikolaj Coster Waldau) is cheating on you big time, what would you do?

The story ambles along like this:

One horrible day, upon discovering her boyfriend is not single but is legally married, a tough cookie Carly (Cameron Diaz) is forced to get her love life back on track. She does not want to be a third party.

Then she accidentally stumbles upon the pretty, but mad-as-a-hatter wife called Kate (Leslie Mann) and the most unlikely thing happens.

Both of them have so much in common and become bosom buddies.

That is to say, her sworn enemy is now her greatest friend.

When another affair is uncovered, this time with a boobsy airhead called Amber (Kate Upton), all three women swear to exact their revenge on their cheating paramor. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, eh?

But of course, there are a whole lot more female sexual hopefuls on the line-up.

No, this is certainly not a very original plot, this comedy bowls us due to the camaraderie among the female leads.

Most refreshingly is, this is a film about women teaming up, rather than tearing at one another.

Inhale, it is a breath of fresh air. 

Infidelity is a hurtful element, and despite whatever funny escapades, this one has a stern reminder.

There are ridiculous moments such as Kate’s humongous dog takes a humongous dump on Carly’s expensive hardwood floor.

And another where Carly slips a laxative in Mark’s drink so that he has a farty bathroom accident in a plush restaurant.

Then Kate puts feminine hormones in his morning smoothie, causing him to grow breasts.

 This is a movie you either love or loathe.

As for this Reviewer, he finds the narrative refreshing after a heavy diet of CGI movies and sneering demons flicks that have been inundating the cinemas since the beginning of this year.

You make  your choice.

RATING: 3 out of 5

THE OTHER WOMAN (FOX)Local Release: 1^st May 2014

Director: Nick Cassavetes
Written by: Melissa Stack
Producers: Donal J. Lee Jr. & Julie Yorn
Cast: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, Kate Upton, Nicki Minaj & Don Johnson

Genre: Comedy

Distributed by : 20th Century Fox & Fox Malaysia

"THAT DEMON WITHIN" (HONG KONG) FILM REVIEW 魔警

 “THAT DEMON WITHIN” 魔警

PRESS REVIEW

 “That Demon Within” packs in a punchful of shocks:

It is an artful blend of crime thrills and psycho horrors and (surprise) …Daniel Wu plays the ultimate tortuous hunk battling between bouts of schizophrenia and reality.

Daniel delves further into this Neo Noir actioner with a stoned glaze that’s bound to send shivers down your spine.

“Who’s the victim and who’s the hero and the motive for the killings” will be left entirely to your imagination.

The plot twists are aplenty. You have to seek out the red herrings. You have to concentrate to stay within the plot.

However, this film has the dressing of a psychodrama, much less an action thriller.

 Initially the focus is on Hon Kong (Nick Cheung), a ruthless Demon King masked gang leader, but in a grisly failed diamond heist shoot-out, he staggers half-dead into a hospital  to fight for his life. He is given a blood donation by security cop Dave Wong (Daniel Wu) who is clueless that he is a robber.

The focus peremptorily shifts over to the latter, a listless demented “zombie” acted brilliantly by Daniel Wu.

We soon learn that he harbors the secret of an unhappy past, of a loveless upbringing under his cruel father,and of a caring relationship with his granny. But what we fail to learn is whether Dave and Hon blended personalities during the initial blood transfusion.

There are confusing and conflicting issues as the movie progresses and the film director opens the gap for the viewer to imagine.

This one is a shocking and expertly made thriller by DANTE LAM. There are plenty of his trademark shoot-outs and explosions.

I like the movie poster showing a close up of Hon Kong (Nick Cheung) with a sneering smile. (smirk)

But the one who overpowers in this film is Dave Wong (Daniel Wu) and this may be his best acting role to date.

Don’t miss it!

RATING: 4 out of 5

"THE QUIET ONES" FILM REVIEW

 IN CINEMAS on 24th APRIL, 2014

“THE QUIET ONES” MOVIE REVIEW

Both as a bloody “old-school” shocker as well as an elaborately crafted thriller, this movie delivers the goods. It’s safe to classify this as interesting entertainment.

Kudos to the production team who had brought us the nerve-racking “The Woman In Black” and “Let Me In” a long way back. They were tales of the macabre and of retro horror.

“The Quiet Ones” proves to be a lot more grim.

 Impeccably stylized after the vintage scare movies of the 1970s, this is the latest “keep-you-on-edge” offering from Hammer’s.

The oft din and clang of creaky movements that breaks the silence of a haunted-house and the exorcism tropes positioned at every corner are enough to spew surprises most foul.

As well as a delver into the found-footage verite which is an absorbing exercise to heighten the thrills and spins.

There is nothing original about this genre of spooks as the theme is well-worn and had been done to death.

But it is the director’s treatment, as in any good feature that will keep us glued to the silver screen.

The film claims that the plot was inspired by true events (don’t they say that with every horror story)?

It stars Jared Harris (Mad Men and Sherlock Homes: A Game of Shadows), Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) and Olivia Cooke (Bates Motel).

The film director is John Pogue who follow closely a screenplay by Tom de Ville.

The synopsis:

Tucked away in an estate outside of London, Professor Coupland (Jared Harris) along with a team of eager university students conduct an “experiment” on Jane Harper, a willing young girl who harbors bizarre fears of herself being “taken” by a poltergeist.

Nobody in the team can fathom the dark forces that lurk within her, threatening to erupt any moment.

Oxford, 1970s.

Here student Brian McNeil (Sam Claflin) attends the class of one professor (Jared Harris) argues his disdain of ghosts. 

He decides to uncover more about the planned experiment and was ultimately invited to film the entire experimental process.

He is soon to discover the real persona of Coupland.

His two assistants Krissi (Erin Richards) and Harry (Rory Fleck-Byrne) are having sexual trysts.

The apparent patient, a consenting innocent looking girl called Jane Harper (Olivia Cooke) is a morbid young thing who cannot shrug off the stigma of her past. She has devilish symbols appearing on her skin.

 Jane locks herself in a room to indulge in her “victimized” traumas, with loud rock music blasting away.

Whatever the case and after a disturbing initial encounter with her, Brian is frightened, but intrigued. He is falling in love with the “victim” and wants to protect her. Hence the complications.

The director keeps the going tense and atmospheric for the film’s first hour.

He then eases into an ending that’s a little more like a Hollywood standard.

The audience will be glad to  cut him some slack as he is the “knight in the shining armor”. Alas!

Harrowing? Bloody? Giving you nightmares?

Much will depend on the type of person you are.

RATING: 3 out of 5