tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66044480360560427792024-03-13T07:43:27.243-07:00The Movie and Me - Movie Reviews and moreJedd's movie reviews, articles, movie-related musings and several other things.Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.comBlogger529125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-5889909825922791952016-07-04T05:12:00.001-07:002016-07-04T05:20:31.685-07:00I've moved! I will no longer be editing this blog. Please follow me over to <a href="http://www.jeddjong.net/">www.jeddjong.net</a> where new content will be posted, and thanks for reading my posts here on Blogger!Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-48229603075592779202016-06-29T03:04:00.001-07:002016-06-29T06:35:52.359-07:00The Legend of TarzanFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/the-legend-of-tarzan-review/#ZYtku6wXBek4URAB.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
THE LEGEND OF TARZAN</h2>
Director : David Yates<br />
Cast : Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie, Samuel L. Jackson, Christoph Waltz, Djimon Hounsou, Simon Russell Beale, Jim Broadbent<br />
Genre : Action/Adventure<br />
Run Time : 1 hr 49 mins<br />
Opens : 30 June 2016<br />
Rating : PG13 (Violence)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnb6gupLLV0/V3Ob3wmHp1I/AAAAAAAANTY/aArq2-pTs8sG1cSK6UW4AHHhz9Ta7QwyACLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nnb6gupLLV0/V3Ob3wmHp1I/AAAAAAAANTY/aArq2-pTs8sG1cSK6UW4AHHhz9Ta7QwyACLcB/s200/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2Bposter.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Superheroes may reign
at the multiplex, but the Lord of the Apes is hoping to reclaim the crown. We
find John Clayton III a.k.a. Tarzan (Skarsgård) living a life of aristocracy in
London, alongside his American wife Jane Porter (Robbie). It has been years since
Tarzan has left the jungle and now, King Leopold II of Belgium has invited him
to return to the Congo Free State. Tarzan is initially reluctant to travel back
to Africa, but is convinced by George Washington Williams (Jackson), an
American diplomat who plans to investigate Leopold’s alleged use of slaves to
build a railway through the Congo. Tarzan is unaware that he is being lured
back to the jungle by the ruthless and avaricious Belgian Captain Léon Rom
(Waltz), who has offered to deliver Tarzan to the vengeful Chief Mbonga
(Hounsou) in exchange for diamonds. As Tarzan reunites with the various wild
animals he grew up amongst, the people of the Congo must fight for their
liberty. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-St_1awpelGE/V3Ob9HYV7LI/AAAAAAAANTg/cDOpm_ek4vYbOHlXUepVKJSyauVMyolRACLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BMargot%2BRobbie%2Band%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-St_1awpelGE/V3Ob9HYV7LI/AAAAAAAANTg/cDOpm_ek4vYbOHlXUepVKJSyauVMyolRACLcB/s640/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BMargot%2BRobbie%2Band%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan is an
enduring figure in popular culture, but is now most often viewed as kitschy and
campy. Clad in a loin cloth, yelling as he swings through the trees – he’s not
exactly the action hero modern-day moviegoers have become accustomed to.
Director David Yates, best known for helming the final four instalments in the <i>Harry Potter</i> film series, endeavours for
viewers to take Tarzan seriously again. This take on the story is commendable
in that it wants to be about something, directly addressing the colonialist
politics and the unethical means by which various European nations went about
their conquest of Africa. It’s pretty heady stuff and the film’s approach errs
on the simplistic side, but there’s enough action to ensure the film doesn’t
get bogged down in its sombre themes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNgk01zvciI/V3OcCAlRmPI/AAAAAAAANTo/ukyHaB5IqD4xrWIapp-pUDvZ2mwYLmjuACLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNgk01zvciI/V3OcCAlRmPI/AAAAAAAANTo/ukyHaB5IqD4xrWIapp-pUDvZ2mwYLmjuACLcB/s640/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Yates, working from a screenplay by
Craig Brewer and Adam Cozad, approaches this as a work of historical fiction. The
primary antagonist, Léon Rom, is an actual historical figure, who was known for
keeping severed heads in his flowerbed. In addition, George Washington Williams
as depicted in the film is a fictionalisation of a real-life Civil War veteran,
preacher, politician, lawyer, journalist and historian. The 1890 setting is
established with enough detail, but one does occasionally get the sense that
this is an adventure flick putting on stuffy period drama airs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFam2MjsDDg/V3OctMyx_jI/AAAAAAAANT0/bc13T-vbVbA4qW3df4wxqk8TX46edZ-cwCLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard%2Band%2BSamuel%2BL.%2BJackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFam2MjsDDg/V3OctMyx_jI/AAAAAAAANT0/bc13T-vbVbA4qW3df4wxqk8TX46edZ-cwCLcB/s640/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard%2Band%2BSamuel%2BL.%2BJackson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Skarsgård beat out the likes of
Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, Charlie Hunnam and swimmer Michael Phelps, who was
toying with using this film to launch an acting career, for the title role. We
first see Tarzan as John Clayton III, trying to fit in among the upper crust,
and Skarsgård ably conveys that this is a man who is not in his element. While
Tarzan is traditionally viewed as a feral man, this version portrays him as a
person of both instinct and intellect, having mastered multiple languages and
well-versed in various cultures. He wants to be seen as more than a mere
oddity. Naturally, we get to see him doff his shirt, and any doubts that he
wouldn’t be able to pull off the necessary muscled physique are quickly
assuaged. For all his efforts, Skarsgård is still encumbered by a certain
stiffness, and this reviewer would like to have seen a more passionate,
unbridled Tarzan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9rBXcrFBNk/V3OczAQ0BdI/AAAAAAAANUA/oWPNlk_CUygGSIK9PQvkXQkp1ExV_uKiwCLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BSamuel%2BL.%2BJackson%252C%2BMargot%2BRobbie%2Band%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9rBXcrFBNk/V3OczAQ0BdI/AAAAAAAANUA/oWPNlk_CUygGSIK9PQvkXQkp1ExV_uKiwCLcB/s640/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BSamuel%2BL.%2BJackson%252C%2BMargot%2BRobbie%2Band%2BAlexander%2BSkarsgard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Yates wanted Jessica Chastain to
portray Jane and the studio had their eyes on Emma Stone, but it’s Robbie who
portrays Tarzan’s lady love. Robbie possesses an irrepressible radiance and
imbues Jane with a charming vigour. The film is able to strike a balance
between putting Jane in peril, as she is expected to be so Tarzan can rescue
her, while also making her a capable character in her own right. She holds her
own opposite Waltz, but the scene in which Jane grits her teeth to sit down for
dinner with Rom is a pale imitation of the similar scene between Belloq and
Marion Ravenwood in <i>Raiders of the Lost
Ark</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSq8_vgdVjY/V3Oc4zvx9OI/AAAAAAAANUE/JKZcyLSW33cpcJWeR23muL2ke7UQuSgFQCLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BChristoph%2BWaltz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSq8_vgdVjY/V3Oc4zvx9OI/AAAAAAAANUE/JKZcyLSW33cpcJWeR23muL2ke7UQuSgFQCLcB/s640/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BChristoph%2BWaltz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> There’s no denying Waltz is a
talented actor, but by now, audiences have begun to tire of seeing him typecast
as the villain, and he does nothing different as Rom. The character is the
embodiment of imperialist greed, striding through the jungle with fearsome
troops behind him, taking what he wants at will. There’s no nuance here, and
Waltz often seems extremely close to twirling his moustache. Hounsou strikes an
imposing presence as the tribal leader who has a long-standing vendetta with
Tarzan, but gets too little screen time for their conflict to take hold. Jackson
is entertaining as Williams and the character gets a moment to reflect on his
own history and explain his motivations. However, his performance can’t help
but come off as anachronistic, and Williams is very much a wise-cracking buddy
cop sidekick, which can pull one out of it at times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVtb0kK0trU/V3Oc9yw0vlI/AAAAAAAANUQ/_SgCoV2GEsYqBugqYnvWKr3PaysgV6aygCLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BDjimon%2BHounsou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVtb0kK0trU/V3Oc9yw0vlI/AAAAAAAANUQ/_SgCoV2GEsYqBugqYnvWKr3PaysgV6aygCLcB/s640/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2BDjimon%2BHounsou.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> There is a great deal of visual
effects work and a multitude of computer-generated animals required to populate
the Congo. Unfortunately, some of these beasts look sillier than others, and
several sequences, particularly a railroad ambush and an ostrich stampede, lack
polish. Tarzan calls on his animal friends for assistance during the climax,
and for a film purported to be a more serious telling of the Tarzan tale, it is
a little goofy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KWH7JnJl244/V3OdG0XlRcI/AAAAAAAANUY/bsyc6u3lytUjk5kiVtVb8EyvuPwyeDeXQCLcB/s1600/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2Bgorilla%2Bvs.%2BTarzan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KWH7JnJl244/V3OdG0XlRcI/AAAAAAAANUY/bsyc6u3lytUjk5kiVtVb8EyvuPwyeDeXQCLcB/s640/The%2BLegend%2Bof%2BTarzan%2Bgorilla%2Bvs.%2BTarzan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> The world was never aching for
another <i>Tarzan</i> movie, but this one
justifies its existence by incorporating historical elements and setting out to
make a statement about man’s relationship with nature. This is complemented by
a blend of National Geographic-style panoramic vistas and moderately exciting
action beats. While it lacks the heart of the animated version the target teen
audience might be most familiar with, it’s a fine addition to the Tarzan movie
canon, and definitely ranks far above the risible 2014 animated take. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Historical elements
are cleverly weaved into the familiar Tarzan tale and this is not as much of a
re-tread as one might expect, but there’s still a certain vitality missing from
this version. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">RATING: 3.5</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> out of <b>5</b> Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jedd
Jong <span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-58382665523143145452016-06-29T02:56:00.003-07:002016-06-29T02:56:59.438-07:00The RezortFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/the-rezort-review/#lok5rrzxcvowriT0.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
THE REZORT</h2>
Director : Steve Barker<br />
Cast : Jessica De Gouw, Dougray Scott, Martin McCann, Jassa Ahluwalia, Lawrence Walker, Elen Rhys, Claire Goose<br />
Genre : Horror<br />
Run Time : 1hr 31mins<br />
Opens : 30 June 2016<br />
Rating : M18 (Violence and Some Coarse Language)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nK5Vvxi7qNg/V3Oa-wc2SqI/AAAAAAAANSw/Iq5dVMkY6ykyeOkZycWGcWZBz542HYW_ACLcB/s1600/The%2BRezort%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nK5Vvxi7qNg/V3Oa-wc2SqI/AAAAAAAANSw/Iq5dVMkY6ykyeOkZycWGcWZBz542HYW_ACLcB/s200/The%2BRezort%2Bposter.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">The most dangerous game has
just gotten dangerous-er. In the aftermath of the Chromosyndrome-4 virus
outbreak, the world is reeling from a war between the living and the infected
undead. Entrepreneur Valerie Wilton (Goose) has established a game reserve
called ‘The Rezort’, an island getaway where paying guests can hunt and kill
zombies for sport. Melanie (De Gouw), a young woman whose father died in the
zombie war, goes to the Rezort with her war veteran boyfriend Lewis (McCann) in
search of catharsis. Joining them in the tour group are enigmatic sharpshooter
Archer (Scott), gamer teenagers Alfie (Walker) and Jack (Ahluwalia) and Sadie
(Rhys), who was supposed to go on the trip with her fiancé before he left her. All
hell breaks loose as a glitch in the security system allows the zombies to overrun
the island. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ieMSrYJH0HM/V3ObCw4BWdI/AAAAAAAANS0/kyAYlNT5IRofipJvAq11q5YLJvq8t19XgCLcB/s1600/The%2BRezort%2BMartin%2BMcCann%252C%2BJessica%2Bde%2BGouw%2Band%2BDougray%2BScott.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ieMSrYJH0HM/V3ObCw4BWdI/AAAAAAAANS0/kyAYlNT5IRofipJvAq11q5YLJvq8t19XgCLcB/s640/The%2BRezort%2BMartin%2BMcCann%252C%2BJessica%2Bde%2BGouw%2Band%2BDougray%2BScott.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Director Steve Barker is no stranger to the zombie movie
subgenre, having made <i>Outpost</i> and its
sequel <i>Outpost: Black Sun</i>, featuring
Nazi zombies. The influences on <i>The
Rezort </i>are readily apparent: in addition to the obvious parallels with <i>The Most Dangerous Game</i>, this is best
described as “<i>Jurassic Park</i> with
zombies instead of dinosaurs”. John Hammond’s catchphrase in <i>Jurassic Park</i> was “we spared no expense”
– given the limited resources director Barker had at hand <i>vis-à-vis</i> the relatively ambitious scope of <i>The Rezort</i>, the production values are surprisingly decent. The
concept is realised with enough thought behind it and the Rezort has a nicely
developed corporate identity within the story. This is a B-movie through and
through, but it’s certainly not a bad premise. Paul Gerstenberger’s screenplay
takes stabs at confronting the ethical quandary of hunting what once were human
beings, and there’s a half-baked refugee allegory somewhere in there too. It’s
not lofty philosophy by any means, but it’s more than we expected from an
action-horror romp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KD1jrtV5FA/V3ObJJrZweI/AAAAAAAANS8/vRA5po1YwLMy5tWEcKuMWgBr0fuET4d0gCLcB/s1600/The%2BRezort%2Bzombie%2Bin%2Breticle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9KD1jrtV5FA/V3ObJJrZweI/AAAAAAAANS8/vRA5po1YwLMy5tWEcKuMWgBr0fuET4d0gCLcB/s640/The%2BRezort%2Bzombie%2Bin%2Breticle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Unfortunately, it takes too long for the movie to kick
into gear, and once everything goes pear-shaped, the zombie mayhem is largely
repetitive and not terribly exciting. It’s the same thing a lot of zombie
flicks struggle with – the undead hordes chomp down on their victims or rip out
their throats, the human survivors blast a zombie in the head, repeat <i>ad nauseam</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6g-ichSIjzA/V3ObOTduuaI/AAAAAAAANTE/vObRbYvRdGIjh7nJruWwO0ocpwPmJHFzgCLcB/s1600/The%2BRezort%2BDougray%2BScott%2Band%2BJessica%2BDe%2BGouw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6g-ichSIjzA/V3ObOTduuaI/AAAAAAAANTE/vObRbYvRdGIjh7nJruWwO0ocpwPmJHFzgCLcB/s640/The%2BRezort%2BDougray%2BScott%2Band%2BJessica%2BDe%2BGouw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">It
certainly doesn’t help that all the acting is patently unremarkable. Some might
recognise De Gouw from the recent <i>Dracula</i>
TV series or her stint as the Huntress on <i>Arrow</i>;
she’s little more than a generically pretty brunette and does not possess much
screen presence. It’s also a bad sign when the mysterious badass in your cast
is played by Dougray Scott, who probably still rues the day he had to drop out
of <i>X-Men</i> and was replaced by Hugh
Jackman. The two jumped-up teenage gamer characters are supremely annoying, but
that was likely the intention. Goose is pretty flat in the stock icy boss lady
role, which really could’ve been a lot of fun in the hands of someone like Cate
Blanchett or Glenn Close. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVPZ0QykEKs/V3ObTM3EaZI/AAAAAAAANTI/KdIwsUyaJ6w0jfelIu5IoTpj7If-FnniwCLcB/s1600/The%2BRezort%2Bzombie%2Bgetting%2Bshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rVPZ0QykEKs/V3ObTM3EaZI/AAAAAAAANTI/KdIwsUyaJ6w0jfelIu5IoTpj7If-FnniwCLcB/s640/The%2BRezort%2Bzombie%2Bgetting%2Bshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> If you’re a genre aficionado and enjoy seeking out
low-to-mid-budget horror flicks that fly under the mainstream radar, <i>The Rezort</i> is worth a passing glance for
putting a somewhat inspired spin on the zombie movie formula. It’s plenty
silly, but does not get swallowed up entirely in said silliness and with a
better cast and a bigger budget, might actually have been almost good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <i>The Rezort</i> lacks in thrills and its
ambition is hamstrung by its budget, but there are glimmers of wit in its
premise, such that it rises slightly above your run of the mill zombie flick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">RATING: 3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">
out of <b>5</b> Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-64249171564142389402016-06-23T21:05:00.003-07:002016-06-23T21:05:54.996-07:00Last Days in the DesertFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/last-days-in-the-desert-review/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT</h2>
Director : Rodrigo García<br />
Cast : Ewan McGregor, Tye Sheridan, Ayelet Zurer, Ciarán Hinds<br />
Run Time : 1 hr 38 mins<br />
Opens : 23 June 2016<br />
Rating : M18 (Some Nudity)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xa75jmjH18/V2yu-llk7_I/AAAAAAAANRA/MXMi0a7b5LUGFVbohz5WdFxTexkFBXoiwCLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Xa75jmjH18/V2yu-llk7_I/AAAAAAAANRA/MXMi0a7b5LUGFVbohz5WdFxTexkFBXoiwCLcB/s200/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2Bposter.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">There was a meme
going around a while back, of a framed photograph atop an altar of Ewan
McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in <i>Attack of
the Clones</i>, the idea being that some old lady thought it was a picture of
Jesus Christ. Here, McGregor actually plays Jesus, referred to as “Yeshua”. This
film imagines an incident during Jesus’ sojourn to the desert, during which He
was tempted by the Devil (also McGregor). Jesus comes across a family living in
the desert, comprising an unnamed Father (Hinds), a sickly Mother (Zurer) and
their son (Sheridan). The Devil poses a challenge to Jesus, wagering that the
Son of God will not be able to find a solution that will please each member of
the family. Jesus stays as a guest of the family, helping them out with a
construction project, while wrestling with the Devil, Father God seemingly
millions of miles away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZIenXP6w-8/V2yvGF7Vt8I/AAAAAAAANRI/dTTPzYQ1fEsfbS9CGA1msJC9luaizx42gCLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ZIenXP6w-8/V2yvGF7Vt8I/AAAAAAAANRI/dTTPzYQ1fEsfbS9CGA1msJC9luaizx42gCLcB/s640/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bwater.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Writer-director Rodrigo García has
repeatedly clarified that this not your run of the mill Biblical epic, and is instead
an intimate drama and character study. The story of Jesus’ temptation in the
desert is told in three of the four gospels, and Christians will be familiar
with how Jesus refuted each of Satan’s challenges to Him by quoting from the
scripture. This film departs from tradition, but also does not feel like it’s
courting controversy for the, uh, hell of it. García explained his decision to
refer to Jesus as “Yeshua”, which is the original pronunciation, in an
interview with <i>Christianity Today</i>. “I
wrote a few pages in which I called Him ‘Jesus’, but when you’re writing a
screenplay and it says ‘Jesus walks, Jesus says,’ after a while, the weight of
the name is paralyzing,” García said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlVYYVrSAMs/V2yvV1YCG_I/AAAAAAAANRQ/qA__1WIeFdwOZY17-ZziAhHXT2C4MfxfgCLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Barms%2Bopen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HlVYYVrSAMs/V2yvV1YCG_I/AAAAAAAANRQ/qA__1WIeFdwOZY17-ZziAhHXT2C4MfxfgCLcB/s640/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Barms%2Bopen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> There are individual elements to García’s
approach that are intriguing, but as a whole, the film often comes off as aimless
and meandering. If it was his intention to make the audience feel like they’re
spending 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness alongside Jesus, then García
has succeeded. All things considered, the 108-minute running time is not
particularly long, but even then, this feels interminable at times. It seems
like three or four good ideas are spaced out, with a vast void in between. The
Oscar-winning Emmanuel “Chivo” Lubezki is the cinematographer here, but it is a
dull movie to look at, the desolate surroundings about as dull as one imagines
the average desert to look. The film was shot on location in the Anza-Borrego
Desert State Park in the Colorado Desert of Southern California, and it might
sound silly, but for this reviewer at least, the knowledge that this was filmed
in the United States did rob the movie of some authenticity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9zmFNceysc/V2yvfSkySiI/AAAAAAAANRY/Yz5-6uRT-KoAXbR6r8lWSWYT61GJx7M7wCLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BTye%2BSheridan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D9zmFNceysc/V2yvfSkySiI/AAAAAAAANRY/Yz5-6uRT-KoAXbR6r8lWSWYT61GJx7M7wCLcB/s640/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BTye%2BSheridan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Speaking of authenticity, this is
yet another Hollywood film in which a white man is cast as Jesus. We don’t want
to harp about issues of race and sure, there’s always room for poetic license, but
especially with an actor who feels as contemporary as Tye Sheridan running
about, it’s very hard to take this very seriously as a film set in Ancient
Israel. That said, McGregor does face the myriad challenges in portraying the
iconic religious figure head-on. There’s enough of a humanity to Jesus and at
one point, He even laughs at a fart joke, but McGregor’s portrayal does have an
undercurrent of reverence to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OWJ_oXuFrs/V2yv_v4i6xI/AAAAAAAANRk/Beh7tXBW8K4OOQhiPT2suhyZysDiM543wCLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Bas%2BJesus%2Band%2BSatan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0OWJ_oXuFrs/V2yv_v4i6xI/AAAAAAAANRk/Beh7tXBW8K4OOQhiPT2suhyZysDiM543wCLcB/s640/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Bas%2BJesus%2Band%2BSatan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">One of the smartest ideas on display is that of having
McGregor play the dual roles of Jesus and His tormentor Satan. A conversation
they have about the nature of God is the closest the film gets to any real theological
insight. For a movie that wants so much to depart from tradition though, it
seems a cliché that Satan wears jewellery as a way to differentiate him from
Jesus; that the bad guy has to be coded as flamboyant. The visual effects work
in duplicating McGregor is seamless and one does forget that there aren’t two
Ewan McGregors after a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taC0UDjK0xk/V2ywG4Bod0I/AAAAAAAANRs/CKDmsAiEnwctpPuAAFNY6Us7_M7poIUSwCLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BTye%2BSheridan%2Band%2BCiaran%2BHinds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taC0UDjK0xk/V2ywG4Bod0I/AAAAAAAANRs/CKDmsAiEnwctpPuAAFNY6Us7_M7poIUSwCLcB/s640/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BTye%2BSheridan%2Band%2BCiaran%2BHinds.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> On one level, this is a family
drama, with the parents and their child working out their issues while a house
guest is present. Hinds’ Father is a realist, a practical man who has his
doubts about issues of faith, but does not dismiss the holy man outright. The
struggles of a father in understanding his son are very relatable. Sheridan
shares some genuinely affecting moments in which the son bonds with Jesus, but
as alluded to earlier, he’s ultimately too American to be believable in this
setting. The mother is ill for most of the film, so Zurer has less to do
compared to Hinds and Sheridan, but the character’s pain still resonates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HynFX5Si4WI/V2yxPBNNiFI/AAAAAAAANSE/awGu6xu6vPosN39hDccrhg7FZ9GaUI-BQCLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BCiaran%2BHinds%2Band%2BAyelet%2BZurer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HynFX5Si4WI/V2yxPBNNiFI/AAAAAAAANSE/awGu6xu6vPosN39hDccrhg7FZ9GaUI-BQCLcB/s640/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BCiaran%2BHinds%2Band%2BAyelet%2BZurer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <i>Last
Days in the Desert</i> feels more like a filmmaking experiment than a well-told
story, but García is largely able to strike a balance between portraying Jesus’
humanity and deity without getting caught up in that, or blazing down a
blasphemous path <i>Last Temptation of the
Christ-</i>style. Alas, it is likely that this will induce thumb-twiddling
rather than soul-searching. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGQRgxC5LYQ/V2ywQ20eVEI/AAAAAAAANR4/jDbEdBeSfs0_rO4uItaHp2qVIgK8ErgjACLcB/s1600/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Bsitting%2Bby%2Bthe%2Briver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tGQRgxC5LYQ/V2ywQ20eVEI/AAAAAAAANR4/jDbEdBeSfs0_rO4uItaHp2qVIgK8ErgjACLcB/s640/Last%2BDays%2Bin%2Bthe%2BDesert%2BEwan%2BMcGregor%2Bsitting%2Bby%2Bthe%2Briver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Summary:</span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Ewan McGregor shines in his dual role, but <i>Last Days in the Desert</i>’s loose structure and lack of narrative
drive keep its audience at a distance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">RATING: 2.5</span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> out of <b>5</b>
Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-22219469926262184352016-06-16T01:47:00.002-07:002016-06-16T01:47:51.862-07:00Central Intelligence For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/central-intelligence-review/#JT3IIA0XXo3mWuit.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE</h2>
Director : Rawson Marshall Thurber<br />
Cast : Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan, Aaron Paul, Danielle Nicolet, Thomas Kretschmann<br />
Genre : Action/Comedy<br />
Run Time : 1 hr 54 mins<br />
Opens : 16 June 2016<br />
Rating : PG13 (Some Sexual References and Coarse Language)<br />
<div>
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esUXN_qn0qc/V2JnSbi-wFI/AAAAAAAANP4/lS1t0IZy_bMnB63ChQ6bQYkefj-G3g7yQCLcB/s1600/Central%2BIntelligence%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-esUXN_qn0qc/V2JnSbi-wFI/AAAAAAAANP4/lS1t0IZy_bMnB63ChQ6bQYkefj-G3g7yQCLcB/s320/Central%2BIntelligence%2Bposter.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Over the past few years, Kevin
Hart has become the universal adapter plug of the buddy comedy subgenre, having
been paired with the likes of Will Ferrell, Josh Gad and Ice Cube amongst
others. This time, Hart is teamed with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. But is just
their disparity in physical stature enough to elicit the laughs? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Hart
plays Calvin “Golden Jet” Joyner, who in high school, was a popular and highly
successful student. Robbie Weirdicht (Johnson) was an overweight social outcast
who was relentlessly bullied, and Calvin was the only one who would show him
any kindness. 20 years later, Robbie has undergone a complete physical
transformation and reinvented himself as “Bob Stone”. Calvin is married to his
high school sweetheart Maggie (Nicolet), but is unfulfilled in his accounting
career. Robbie and Calvin reunite, but Calvin is informed by CIA agent Pamela
Harris (Ryan) that Robbie is in fact a dangerous rogue agency operative wanted
for the murder of his former partner. Robbie tries to convince Calvin of his
innocence as the two go on the run, trying to stop classified intel from
falling into the hands of a mysterious underworld player known as “the Black
Badger”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--NuqxYel3Xw/V2JnW4g0eDI/AAAAAAAANQA/ll1Fm0PmqqUyBGDEwDfEqvFd_d0Mnan6gCLcB/s1600/Central%2BIntelligence%2BDwayne%2BJohnson%2Band%2BKevin%2BHart%2Bin%2Bcart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--NuqxYel3Xw/V2JnW4g0eDI/AAAAAAAANQA/ll1Fm0PmqqUyBGDEwDfEqvFd_d0Mnan6gCLcB/s640/Central%2BIntelligence%2BDwayne%2BJohnson%2Band%2BKevin%2BHart%2Bin%2Bcart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">The
thinking behind <i>Central Intelligence </i>seems
to have been “just let the two leads loose, that should be plenty to carry a
movie.” Much of the would-be comedy is painfully unfunny, and the action is
generic and unimpressive. This is far from the first comedy in which a regular
Joe is flung into the mix of high-stakes international intrigue, and the plot
is painfully perfunctory and the final reveal is a predictable one. There’s an
anti-bullying message here, that if you’re picked on by the jocks in high
school, all you need to do is transform yourself into Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
to get back at them. That should be pretty easy for anyone to do. The prologue
features Johnson’s face digitally pasted onto a different actor who portrays
the young Robbie; this effect is nestled deep in the uncanny valley and is
terrifying rather than funny. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--dYFPHUmamE/V2Jna3XeVvI/AAAAAAAANQI/YLIt8H3tpGwrfTC9x82S5O_67xk4BkAPQCLcB/s1600/Central%2BIntelligence%2BKevin%2BHart%2Band%2BDwayne%2BJohnson%2Bagainst%2Bwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--dYFPHUmamE/V2Jna3XeVvI/AAAAAAAANQI/YLIt8H3tpGwrfTC9x82S5O_67xk4BkAPQCLcB/s640/Central%2BIntelligence%2BKevin%2BHart%2Band%2BDwayne%2BJohnson%2Bagainst%2Bwall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">To
the movie’s credit, it doesn’t go down the “one’s silly and the other’s stoic”
route typical of buddy cop flicks. While Hart does eventually go into shrill,
flailing mode, the character is likeable because of the kindness he shows
towards the underdog. Johnson does have fun with the Robbie character, who may
be all 6’ 5” of hulking muscle, but is the same awkward, socially mal-adjusted
kid deep down. The thing is, Johnson is too slick and polished to come across as
convincingly dorky. Nicolet’s Maggie is just “the wife” – the plot seems to
hint at how marrying one’s high school sweetheart may not be all it’s cracked
up to be, but doesn’t really go anywhere. Ryan is certainly far above the
material, and phones it in as the comically serious dogged agent hunting down
the suspect. Bateman is pretty much wasted as a stock slimy, snivelling banker
type, and Paul’s appearance amounts to little more than an extended cameo. Look
out for a prominent comedienne in the film's climax. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jd32aVoA2Uo/V2JnfDACnvI/AAAAAAAANQQ/6pWLeYkYFsMUdi8jxUn9zW1sUrkv1DGxACLcB/s1600/Central%2BIntelligence%2BAaron%2BPaul%2Band%2BDwayne%2BJohnson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jd32aVoA2Uo/V2JnfDACnvI/AAAAAAAANQQ/6pWLeYkYFsMUdi8jxUn9zW1sUrkv1DGxACLcB/s640/Central%2BIntelligence%2BAaron%2BPaul%2Band%2BDwayne%2BJohnson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Central Intelligence</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> has the same problem that most Kevin Hart vehicles have: the producers
bank too much on the comedian’s appeal to audiences and everything around him
seems to be on autopilot. It’s a wasted opportunity, especially since Hart is
paired with a <i>bona fide</i> action hero
like Johnson. Instead of a production line comedy with bits of action sprinkled
about half-heartedly, it would have been fun to see the duo tear into the
conventions of buddy cop and spy movies in a full-tilt action extravaganza
fuelled by belly laughs. The film trucks out the hoary dictum of “being
yourself” – we’ll bet it’s easy to “be yourself” when you’re Dwayne Johnson. The
scenes in which Robbie is wracked with anxiety brought about by the trauma he
endured in school did resonate a little with this reviewer, but it never seems
sincere enough to be a truly effective message. Sure, it’s sporadically amusing
just by dint of putting Hart and Johnson together, but it’s clear that <i>Central Intelligence</i> isn’t aiming for
any particular heights and is merely coasting along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OHnFj3tXHA/V2Jnj94YLCI/AAAAAAAANQY/iLVjc64q8Ooul4Pekve2c9-jJ7qgeNWggCLcB/s1600/Central%2BIntelligence%2BDwayne%2BJohnson%2Bcradling%2BKevin%2BHart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4OHnFj3tXHA/V2Jnj94YLCI/AAAAAAAANQY/iLVjc64q8Ooul4Pekve2c9-jJ7qgeNWggCLcB/s640/Central%2BIntelligence%2BDwayne%2BJohnson%2Bcradling%2BKevin%2BHart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Sure,
the leading men have chemistry, but unremarkable action sequences and jokes
that are more cringe-inducing than genuinely funny ensure this won’t be front
and centre in most moviegoers’ memories after they leave the theatre. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">RATING: 2</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">
out of <b>5</b> Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-17376189338927150502016-06-15T02:11:00.003-07:002016-06-15T02:17:10.491-07:00Finding DoryFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/finding-dory-review/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
FINDING DORY</h2>
Director : Andrew Stanton<br />
Cast : Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Hayden Rolence, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton, Eugene Levy, Idris Elba, Dominic West<br />
Genre : Animation<br />
Run Time : 1 hr 40 mins<br />
Opens : 16 June 2016<br />
Rating : PG<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8adUDcWAi8s/V2EbKU4NfLI/AAAAAAAANOw/gW9TepkDAA0XvjTQysk1M9_KgvkRX_BmQCLcB/s1600/Finding%2BDory%2Bposter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8adUDcWAi8s/V2EbKU4NfLI/AAAAAAAANOw/gW9TepkDAA0XvjTQysk1M9_KgvkRX_BmQCLcB/s200/Finding%2BDory%2Bposter.jpeg" width="134" /></a></div>
Pixar beckons us back fathoms below in the sequel to <i>Finding Nemo</i>. In real life, it’s been 13 years since the first film, but our story picks up a year after the events of <i>Finding Nemo</i>. Dory (DeGeneres), the blue tang stricken with acute short-term memory loss, begins to have flashbacks to her childhood, hitherto entirely forgotten. Dory recalls her parents Charlie (Levy) and Jenny (Keaton), and sets out on a quest to track them down. Dory’s friends, the clownfish Marlin (Brooks) and his son Nemo (Rolence), accompany her from the Great Barrier Reef to the Marine Life Institute in California. There, they become acquainted with the cantankerous ‘septopus’ (he’s lost an arm) named Hank (O’Neill); Destiny (Olson), a near-sighted whale shark who was Dory’s childhood friend; Bailey (Burrell), a beluga whale with self-confidence issue, and the sea lions Fluke (Elba) and Rudder (West). While Marlin wants nothing more than to stay home, he has to brave the unexpected yet again so his friend can be reunited with her family.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bl25k3fkEYA/V2EbVKmNjbI/AAAAAAAANO4/YB0YkQCwR6Uzs4WO7RiuxGque39dOHOdgCLcB/s1600/Finding%2BDory%2BHank%2Band%2BDory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bl25k3fkEYA/V2EbVKmNjbI/AAAAAAAANO4/YB0YkQCwR6Uzs4WO7RiuxGque39dOHOdgCLcB/s640/Finding%2BDory%2BHank%2Band%2BDory.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the years, DeGeneres has relentlessly lobbied for a <i>Finding Nemo</i> sequel on her talk show. Not only has she gotten her wish, Dory has been bumped up to the main character. In addition to voice actors DeGeneres and Brooks, director Andrew Stanton has returned. Stanton also co-wrote the screenplay with Victoria Strouse, with Bob Peterson and Stanton receiving a “story by” credit. There was always the danger of this being a mere retread of the first film, now considered a classic of contemporary animation. While it does cover some of the same territory and doesn’t arrive at the same purity of emotion that <i>Finding Nemo</i> did, the sequel is still packed with heart and offers entertainment by the tank-full.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxENklUHH2o/V2EcntivzZI/AAAAAAAANPg/e803hN1M6Z0TjzpzQ-hxi6DN62hWfAJFQCLcB/s1600/Finding%2BDory%2BMarlin%2Band%2BNemo%2Bin%2Bbucket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WxENklUHH2o/V2EcntivzZI/AAAAAAAANPg/e803hN1M6Z0TjzpzQ-hxi6DN62hWfAJFQCLcB/s640/Finding%2BDory%2BMarlin%2Band%2BNemo%2Bin%2Bbucket.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Sequels have a tendency to lose sight of what made the first film work in their pursuit of being “bigger and better”. <i>Finding Dory</i> is actually smaller in scope than the first film, with most of the action taking place within the Marine Life Institute, modelled on the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. As we’ve come to expect from the studio, the animation is awe-inspiring and suffused with life, the environments spilling over with realistic detail. The animators have a lot of fun guiding Dory through the various mini-environments within the Marine Life Institute and the action sequences have a dynamic theme park ride feel about them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMLZVpNyqHc/V2Ebf0S9fWI/AAAAAAAANPA/7Lmrn_0-DtARq51FsGx9v3tEUcjLnzgrgCLcB/s1600/Finding%2BDory%2BDestiny%252C%2BBailey%2Band%2BDory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CMLZVpNyqHc/V2Ebf0S9fWI/AAAAAAAANPA/7Lmrn_0-DtARq51FsGx9v3tEUcjLnzgrgCLcB/s640/Finding%2BDory%2BDestiny%252C%2BBailey%2Band%2BDory.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Like its predecessor, it’s still a road movie: our heroes meet weird and wonderful personalities as they journey far from home in search of something, or someone. The story possesses a crucial forward momentum: there’s never a dull moment and the characters get from point A to point B in increasingly inventive ways. Not only is it fast-paced, it’s also frequently funny, with many jokes eliciting guffaws from this reviewer. A well-known actor who has appeared in a Pixar film before gets a riotous vocal cameo.<br />
<br />
This reviewer was worried that Dory would be the latest victim of what we call “breakout character-itis”, wherein a supporting character becomes such a hit with audiences that their screen-time is massively increased in the sequel, sometimes to the film’s detriment. Dory’s appeal remains untarnished – much comedy is derived from the character’s ailment, but the film also recognises it as a source of profound tragedy, and this becomes the driving force in the plot. Dory’s back-story is established from the outset, and while it doesn’t quite tug on the heartstrings the way Nemo and Marlin’s bond did in the first one, there will still be no shortage of tears. Keaton and Levy bring understated warmth to the roles of Dory’s long-lost parents.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH4P2iaiguQ/V2EbrjBLYjI/AAAAAAAANPI/BSrp3-LMBP47bUUsLWefOzs-nXjzuHI0ACLcB/s1600/Finding%2BDory%2BFluke%252C%2BRudder%252C%2BMarlin%2Band%2BNemo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MH4P2iaiguQ/V2EbrjBLYjI/AAAAAAAANPI/BSrp3-LMBP47bUUsLWefOzs-nXjzuHI0ACLcB/s640/Finding%2BDory%2BFluke%252C%2BRudder%252C%2BMarlin%2Band%2BNemo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Marlin and Nemo receive just the right amount of character development: while they’ve both learned from their harrowing adventure, the essence of who they are remains unchanged. The pragmatism and impatience that Brooks brings to his performances ensure that Marlin remains an excellent example of the “comically serious” trope, while Rolence is as ideal a replacement for original Nemo voice actor Alexander Gould as any imaginable. Gould, now 22, has a vocal cameo.<br />
<br />
O’Neill can play the curmudgeon in his sleep, and Hank is eminently endearing despite, or perhaps because of, his crankiness. Hank is the focus of many clever visual gags that make playful use of an octopus’ ability to contort itself and change its skin colour with the help of chromatophores to blend seamlessly into the background. Some of the other new characters, while often amusing, are not quite so memorable, and each of them have an obvious hook which seems like something a lesser animated film might fall back on. It’s always great to hear Elba’s distinct baritone, but he was better in <i>Zootopia </i>earlier this year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57v2tsnsgKw/V2Ebw-D2eiI/AAAAAAAANPU/yL6mF-fEWVo1EPJzozb0wtHQGQxb8wN2ACLcB/s1600/Finding%2BDory%2BHank%2Band%2BDory%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-57v2tsnsgKw/V2Ebw-D2eiI/AAAAAAAANPU/yL6mF-fEWVo1EPJzozb0wtHQGQxb8wN2ACLcB/s640/Finding%2BDory%2BHank%2Band%2BDory%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Finding Dory </i>isn’t as good as <i>Finding Nemo</i>, but considering the stratospheric watermark that film set, it’s to be expected. This film reunites us with the characters we love, just as we remember them, plunged into zany new scenarios. Pixar knows how to reel an audience in, and there’s so much here to hook on to. The short film preceding the feature, Piper, is an exercise in straightforward storytelling, starring a particularly adorable feathered hero and boasting some of the most sublime computer-generated animation this reviewer has ever seen. Oh, stick around for a post-credits stinger!<br />
<br />
<b>Summary: </b>Seek and ye shall find all those Pixar hallmarks: beautiful animation, humour, moving sentiment and family-friendly thrills. It’s not as profound as some of the studio's other work, but it’s so entertaining that its shortcomings are easy to forgive.<br />
<br />
<b>RATING: 4</b> out of <b>5</b> Stars<br />
<br />
Jedd Jong<br />
<br />Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-42483983634948956902016-06-14T22:31:00.000-07:002016-06-15T01:57:29.295-07:00Now You See Me 2For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/now-you-see-me-2-review/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
NOW YOU SEE ME 2</h2>
Director : Jon M. Chu<br />
Cast : Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Mark Ruffalo, Jay Chou, Daniel Radcliffe, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Sanaa Lathan<br />
Genre : Action/Adventure<br />
Run Time : 2 hrs 10 mins<br />
Opens : 16 June 2016<br />
Rating : PG (Some Violence)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wjCkN8fOJus/V2DnEAuwTtI/AAAAAAAANNY/2LyTH4fc33k3CQ_5FXSmNPO1tL85HABngCLcB/s1600/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wjCkN8fOJus/V2DnEAuwTtI/AAAAAAAANNY/2LyTH4fc33k3CQ_5FXSmNPO1tL85HABngCLcB/s200/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2Bposter.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Four Horsemen
ride again with new tricks up their respective sleeves in the sequel to Now You
See Me. It’s been a year since the events of the first film, and Daniel Atlas
(Eisenberg), Merritt McKinney (Harrelson) and Jack Wilder (Franco) have been lying
low, awaiting instructions from The Eye, the secret society into which they
were inducted. FBI Agent Dylan Rhodes (Ruffalo) attempts to keep up the charade
of pursuing the Horsemen while secretly leading them. Replacing Henley Reeves,
who grew tired of waiting, is the enthusiastic Lula (Caplan). The Horsemen’s
new mission is to expose the unethical practices of smartphone manufacturer
Octa, but a spanner is thrown in the works by Walter Mabry (Radcliffe), Octa’s
reclusive co-founder. The Horsemen find themselves in Macau, and must seek the
help of magic shop proprietor Li (Chou) as Mabry forces them to pull off a
nigh-impossible heist. In the meantime, both former benefactor Arthur Tressler
(Caine) and magic debunker Thaddeus Bradley (Freeman) seek their vengeance on
the Horsemen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUaHoq8NdUU/V2DnhxtrHVI/AAAAAAAANNg/ouWNr8yMYLU7p_40YIkuYZllrh8Dkdb4QCLcB/s1600/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2Bcast%2Bgroup%2Bphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uUaHoq8NdUU/V2DnhxtrHVI/AAAAAAAANNg/ouWNr8yMYLU7p_40YIkuYZllrh8Dkdb4QCLcB/s640/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2Bcast%2Bgroup%2Bphoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Jon M. Chu replaces Louis Leterrier
in the director’s chair for the second instalment of what studio Lionsgate is
hoping shapes up to be their next big franchise. If the first film offered up flashy
spectacle and a plot comprised of puzzle pieces that did not quite fit together
in hindsight, <i>Now You See Me 2 </i>gives
audiences more of the same. The screenplay by Ed Solomon ties itself into knots
that do not untangle despite giving the appearance of doing so. This might seem
like a film that imagines itself to be far smarter than it really is, but the
more likely scenario is that the filmmakers are well aware that these movies
will not hold up to scrutiny and that audiences will be content with revelling in
the moment. Chu brings slickness and swagger to the proceedings that ever so
slightly papers over the gaping plot holes. The director’s dance movie
expertise is evident in several sequences that are elaborately choreographed,
but ultimately more dizzying than dazzling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxV37JzwlUg/V2DnwDP6N3I/AAAAAAAANN0/YsZZWJYmQhshbHl0qgwz3iyjcME_FMHcACLcB/s1600/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BJesse%2BEisenberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxV37JzwlUg/V2DnwDP6N3I/AAAAAAAANN0/YsZZWJYmQhshbHl0qgwz3iyjcME_FMHcACLcB/s640/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BJesse%2BEisenberg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The first film’s greatest asset was
its cast, comprising actors whose charisma and charm could almost rival that of
Danny Ocean and his 11, if only the Four Horsemen weren’t outnumbered. Isla Fisher
was unable to reprise the role of Henley Reeves due to her pregnancy, so Henley
was written out and Lizzy Caplan steps in as new character Lula. The danger
with these characters is that being showmen, they’re all egotistical and
obnoxious to different degrees. Harrelson seems to be having twice as much fun
as before, but comes across as irritating rather than actually funny. Atlas’
haughty, twitchy nature is something Eisenberg has no problems conveying, but
Atlas has had to eat some humble pie since the events of the last film, and
Eisenberg convincingly portrays that character development too. Caplan is a
likeable performer, but her “over-eager new girl” shtick does also wear on the
nerves after a while. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E9jhv8BrCY/V2DnnzlgMpI/AAAAAAAANNo/HA4iwWugVnM-tVE07IxxAGGQCM7PrSPAgCLcB/s1600/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BMark%2BRuffalo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E9jhv8BrCY/V2DnnzlgMpI/AAAAAAAANNo/HA4iwWugVnM-tVE07IxxAGGQCM7PrSPAgCLcB/s640/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BMark%2BRuffalo.jpg" width="640" /></a><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rhodes’ charade is up and the audience knows that he
is not only on the Horsemen’s side, but actively leading them. Ruffalo gives
the role far more effort than it deserves, and his presence does elevate the
material. Quite amusingly, Ruffalo becomes the latest Hollywood actor who has
to pretend to be adept at speaking Mandarin Chinese. As the primary antagonist,
Radcliffe isn’t exactly easy to buy as someone who would be able to run rings
around the Horsemen. The actor has explored his darker side in other film and
stage projects, but there’s supposed to be menace behind Walter’s smile, menace
that Radcliffe is unable to muster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSTWwYpc74k/V2Dn24RYo7I/AAAAAAAANN8/NHerFUlmGkUCoxRo3QAcCfgqeLN3t4mAQCLcB/s1600/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BJay%2BChou%2Band%2BTsai%2BChin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qSTWwYpc74k/V2Dn24RYo7I/AAAAAAAANN8/NHerFUlmGkUCoxRo3QAcCfgqeLN3t4mAQCLcB/s640/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BJay%2BChou%2Band%2BTsai%2BChin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s abundantly clear that Chou’s inclusion and the
Macau setting merely serves to pander to Chinese audiences. Veteran actress Tsai
Chin (not to be confused with the Taiwanese singer of the same name), who plays
Li’s grandmother Bu Bu, is a far livelier screen presence than Chou. The film
calls upon Caine and Freeman to provide gravitas while not doing very much at
all, something the iconic actors do without breaking a sweat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qaVolw_d55M/V2Dn7lKnHjI/AAAAAAAANOE/WpxHf1eDXZkx43PMVf_GXWELru7ihWmhACLcB/s1600/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BDaniel%2BRadcliffe%252C%2BMichael%2BCaine%2Band%2BMissy%2BMalek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qaVolw_d55M/V2Dn7lKnHjI/AAAAAAAANOE/WpxHf1eDXZkx43PMVf_GXWELru7ihWmhACLcB/s640/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BDaniel%2BRadcliffe%252C%2BMichael%2BCaine%2Band%2BMissy%2BMalek.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>Now
You See Me 2 </i>alternates between being supremely entertaining and
frustrating. There’s glitz, glamour and eye candy effects work galore, but
twist after twist after twist does not a truly engrossing thriller make. That’s
the paradox: it does not hold up to close examination, yet invites audiences to
do so. Ultimately, your enjoyment of <i>Now
You See Me 2</i> is contingent on just how willing you are to be taken on a
ride. You’ll get bamboozled, but you just might have fun in the process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peL98pvToDQ/V2EYcVaoZMI/AAAAAAAANOk/inz6VrWyqd0qX1zXxZ36a_SwTM-5edELACLcB/s1600/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BWoody%2BHarrelson%252C%2BDave%2BFranco%252C%2BDaniel%2BRadcliffe%252C%2BLizzy%2BCaplan%2Band%2BJesse%2BEisenberg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-peL98pvToDQ/V2EYcVaoZMI/AAAAAAAANOk/inz6VrWyqd0qX1zXxZ36a_SwTM-5edELACLcB/s640/Now%2BYou%2BSee%2BMe%2B2%2BWoody%2BHarrelson%252C%2BDave%2BFranco%252C%2BDaniel%2BRadcliffe%252C%2BLizzy%2BCaplan%2Band%2BJesse%2BEisenberg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Summary:</span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>Now You See Me 2</i> doesn’t make
a lot of sense, but the first movie convinced general audiences that making
sense isn’t the goal here. The goal is to entertain while misdirecting, and
this has entertainment and misdirection in spades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RATING: 3</span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> out of <b>5</b> Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-28849009397293033842016-06-13T07:33:00.002-07:002016-06-13T07:33:52.601-07:00Heeding the Call: Ghostbusters Singapore red carpet For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/heeding-the-call-ghostbusters-star-melissa-mccarthy-and-director-paul-feig-grace-the-red-carpet-as-fans-set-a-world-record/#0mD7XCXrkl2dt30X.99">F*** Magazine</a><div>
<h2>
HEEDING THE CALL</h2>
<i>Ghostbusters </i>star Melissa McCarthy and director Paul Feig grace the red carpet as fans set a world record<br />By Jedd Jong<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yk2JuOfKsZc/V17DzE1NesI/AAAAAAAANMQ/4vcSFUNiuvEKlodV60F3ykKM2hI3_u0YQCLcB/s1600/P6123686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yk2JuOfKsZc/V17DzE1NesI/AAAAAAAANMQ/4vcSFUNiuvEKlodV60F3ykKM2hI3_u0YQCLcB/s640/P6123686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Inclement weather threatened the <i>Ghostbusters</i> red carpet and fan event at
the Event Plaza at Marina Bay Sands on Sunday night, but the skies cleared up
just in time and fans’ spirits remained undampened. A group of 263 people clad
in white hoodies, trousers and masks set a new Guinness World Records title for
the Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Ghosts in a Single Venue. Radio
deejays Justin Ang, Vernon A, Joakim Gomez and Gerald Koh served as emcees,
dressed in Ghostbusters uniforms with inflatable proton packs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3e0C9qEQ-gI/V17D3ZU9sXI/AAAAAAAANMY/qu6drCfgpDgNlC1w2T4TrFHhqF993DVwACLcB/s1600/CJP74035_rgb-e1465789635903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3e0C9qEQ-gI/V17D3ZU9sXI/AAAAAAAANMY/qu6drCfgpDgNlC1w2T4TrFHhqF993DVwACLcB/s640/CJP74035_rgb-e1465789635903.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The event was organized by Sony Pictures
Entertainment to promote the new <i>Ghostbusters</i>
reboot film starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate
McKinnon and Chris Hemsworth, and directed by Paul Feig. Both McCarthy and Feig
were in attendance, greeting fans and signing autographs on the red carpet. The
female-led reboot has been met with harsh criticism from long-time <i>Ghostbusters</i> fans, but one wouldn’t be
able to tell based on the warm reception McCarthy and Feig received. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdDLlbcnXDo/V17D7r7v55I/AAAAAAAANMg/z6p5X5SrdUQ7zJnuzNudd-_14ifk-07-ACLcB/s1600/CJP74147_rgb-e1465790114325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdDLlbcnXDo/V17D7r7v55I/AAAAAAAANMg/z6p5X5SrdUQ7zJnuzNudd-_14ifk-07-ACLcB/s640/CJP74147_rgb-e1465790114325.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Commenting on this record, Feig said,
“Seeing this many people get their ghost on and set a Guinness World Records
title is a true testament to this amazing franchise that Dan [Aykroyd], Harold
[Ramis] and Ivan [Reitman] created 32 years ago. Fortunately, I ain’t
afraid of no ghosts because we were up to our armpits in them.
Ghostbusters of the world, gear up!” Feig was accompanied by his wife Laurie on
the red carpet. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-ji6iyJM24/V17D_fK1hvI/AAAAAAAANMk/La13wu4oKRc7XfnelcblilNBWRRRfdL_wCLcB/s1600/CJP73981_rgb-e1465790192137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N-ji6iyJM24/V17D_fK1hvI/AAAAAAAANMk/La13wu4oKRc7XfnelcblilNBWRRRfdL_wCLcB/s640/CJP73981_rgb-e1465790192137.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rishi Nath, the Guinness World Records
Adjudicator who presented McCarthy and Feig with an official certificate,
added, “We are incredibly impressed the fans’ dedication to <i>Ghostbusters</i> as
well as their sense of adventure and fun. It’s official – this is a
fantastic achievement!”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-IJ_uf5th8/V17EGmuVA_I/AAAAAAAANMw/UDt2qVqjRf8cyP2bGSlgBVXDuo94MB39QCLcB/s1600/P6123564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-IJ_uf5th8/V17EGmuVA_I/AAAAAAAANMw/UDt2qVqjRf8cyP2bGSlgBVXDuo94MB39QCLcB/s640/P6123564.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The event kicks off several days of
Hollywood glamour as the Sony Summit continues apace in Singapore, with <i>Inferno</i> stars Tom Hanks and Irrfan Khan
and director Ron Howard as well as <i>The
Magnificent Seven </i>director Antoine Fuqua set to grace the red carpet this
week.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z0Y3bwGYf6A/V17ENeKk_-I/AAAAAAAANM4/19lqKLGHxlkXWzqtkZBimNdSTa1gaZiyQCLcB/s1600/P6123703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z0Y3bwGYf6A/V17ENeKk_-I/AAAAAAAANM4/19lqKLGHxlkXWzqtkZBimNdSTa1gaZiyQCLcB/s400/P6123703.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ghostbusters</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> opens July 14 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-89279780986141519792016-06-08T21:27:00.000-07:002016-06-08T21:27:23.616-07:00Warcraft: The Beginning For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/warcraft-the-beginning-review/#V3bTzMWgx50eA6x4.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
WARCRAFT: THE BEGINNING</h2>
Director : Duncan Jones<br />
Cast : Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, Toby Kebbell, Ben Schnetzer, Robert Kazinsky, Ruth Negga, Daniel Wu, Anna Galvin, Clancy Brown, Terry Notary<br />
Genre : Adventure/Fantasy<br />
Run Time : 2 hrs 3 mins<br />
Opens : 9 June 2016<br />
Rating : PG13 (Some Violence)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vPWL7YbGFU0/V1ju5Bm2X8I/AAAAAAAANK8/5q2mpiddH54q1yC64FOeM6laouxFMpg4ACLcB/s1600/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vPWL7YbGFU0/V1ju5Bm2X8I/AAAAAAAANK8/5q2mpiddH54q1yC64FOeM6laouxFMpg4ACLcB/s200/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2Bposter.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Blizzard’s fantasy franchise
comprising video games and novels finally makes its leap to the big screen. Sir
Anduin Lothar (Fimmel), the military commander of the Stormwind Kingdom in
Azeroth, faces an unprecedented threat: Gul’dan (Wu), a powerful orc warlock,
is leading the orc hordes from their dying homeworld of Draenor into Azeroth. Garona
(Patton), a half-orc, half-human woman enslaved by Gul’dan, must decide where
her loyalties lie. The noble orc chieftain Durotan (Kebbell), whose mate Draka
(Galvin) is pregnant with their first child, does not see the merit in
Gul’dan’s attack. At the behest of Stormwind’s King Llane Wrynn (Cooper),
Lothar must defend Azeroth from the invaders. Together with young mage Khadgar
(Schnetzer), Lothar seeks out the reclusive sorcerer Medivh (Foster), the
Guardian of Tirisfal. They must repel Gul’dan’s evil magic, known as the Fel, as
the seeds of an ages-long conflict are sown. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsT4C46-kuI/V1ju9Y9ZURI/AAAAAAAANLE/732fbSztLMUGbPBo5s5UAQVnZZWq4zDcgCLcB/s1600/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2Bwolf%252C%2BDurton%2Band%2BOrgrim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsT4C46-kuI/V1ju9Y9ZURI/AAAAAAAANLE/732fbSztLMUGbPBo5s5UAQVnZZWq4zDcgCLcB/s640/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2Bwolf%252C%2BDurton%2Band%2BOrgrim.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Director Duncan Jones, who co-wrote the screenplay with
Charles Leavitt, weathered an arduous production process and is himself an
ardent fan of the <i>Warcraft</i> franchise.
The disparity in the reaction the film has received from critics and fans
indicates that this does appeal to those already familiar with the source
material and who are excited to see the characters and locations come to life
in cinematic form, but that those coming in cold will likely be alienated. This
is very much a generic high fantasy tale, and there are so many characters
introduced from the get-go that it’s easy to get them mixed up. The
straight-face earnestness in the approach is a double-edged sword: on one hand,
the filmmakers demonstrate a belief in the world they are building, but on the
other, there’s an impenetrable rigidity to it all. Jones ploughs dutifully
through the plot, but audiences aren’t given a chance to acclimatise to the
world and the characters; the story itself is simple in nature but convoluted
in execution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdYB0ziCFy0/V1jvD4GVYaI/AAAAAAAANLI/aYL1RoWfVlY5NBuWpUSzNp9b1hFwBJMfwCLcB/s1600/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BTravis%2BFimmel%252C%2BPaula%2BPatton%252C%2BDominic%2BCooper%2Band%2BRuth%2BNegga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdYB0ziCFy0/V1jvD4GVYaI/AAAAAAAANLI/aYL1RoWfVlY5NBuWpUSzNp9b1hFwBJMfwCLcB/s640/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BTravis%2BFimmel%252C%2BPaula%2BPatton%252C%2BDominic%2BCooper%2Band%2BRuth%2BNegga.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Visually, this is an achievement, if not as
earth-shattering as some might have hoped. The visual effects work, handled by
Industrial Light and Magic and other houses like Hybride and Rodeo FX, is
superb throughout. Visual effects supervisor Bill Westenhofer was an Oscar
winner for <i>Life of Pi</i>, and one can
tell that great care has been put into realising the digitally-created
characters and environments. The props were crafted by Weta Workshop, and
everything from the suits of armour to the swords to King Llane’s helmet abounds
with pleasing detail. It’s a shame then that while perfectly acceptable, none
of the designs really set <i>Warcraft</i>
apart from its high-fantasy ilk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HeUOj5JYNTE/V1jvH-413fI/AAAAAAAANLU/Gvtbin3sPtQr5gSU9mi8iTrgO8w_WUT1wCLcB/s1600/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BTravis%2BFimmel%2Band%2BPaula%2BPatton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HeUOj5JYNTE/V1jvH-413fI/AAAAAAAANLU/Gvtbin3sPtQr5gSU9mi8iTrgO8w_WUT1wCLcB/s640/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BTravis%2BFimmel%2Band%2BPaula%2BPatton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> After boarding the project, Jones set about re-writing
the script so that it wasn’t built around the hoary trope of “all the humans
are good guys and all the monsters are bad guys”. Fimmel, best known as Ragnar
Lothbrok on the TV series <i>Vikings</i>, is
a serviceable heroic military commander. Lothar’s relationship with his son
Callan (Burkely Duffield) is a key component of the character’s arc, but
because it has to make room for everything else, that is severely
underdeveloped. Patton exudes confidence and retains a degree of elegance while
playing a feral half-breed; Garona ended up being the character this reviewer
gravitated to the most. Foster lacks the other-</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">worldly mystique that Medivh
should have, while Schnetzer is a fine sidekick to Fimmel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXdLtAZR6LU/V1jv2SPO7fI/AAAAAAAANLo/v_MEnugXQpsHnoDfbaRRkTPqB9RqErPxQCLcB/s1600/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BGul%2527Dan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXdLtAZR6LU/V1jv2SPO7fI/AAAAAAAANLo/v_MEnugXQpsHnoDfbaRRkTPqB9RqErPxQCLcB/s640/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BGul%2527Dan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> In addition to play the orc chieftain Grommash
Hellscream, Terry Notary was also the movement coach for the actors play the
orcs. Notary’s credits include <i>Avatar</i>
and <i>Rise</i> and <i>Dawn</i> of the <i>Planet of the
Apes</i>. The orcs are brutish by nature, and the gentleness with which Durotan
holds his new-born son does lend the character more shades beyond that of a
fierce warrior. Cooper looks the part of a dashing young king and Negga is
plenty regal as Llane’s Queen-consort Lady Taria. Gul’dan is as one-dimensional
as villains get: he’s little more than the snarling, hunchbacked wizard with an
unquenchable thirst for power. We would offer Wu some praise, but it is hard to
find him (or most of the other actors playing orcs, for that matter) in the
character, since his voice has been treated in post-production and there’s no
resemblance whatsoever. This reviewer feels Wu should be a much bigger star in
Hollywood, so it was a bit of a disappointment knowing he’s in this movie but
is hardly noticeable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp2LSWtqDl0/V1jv7AQHkzI/AAAAAAAANLs/sCc05GXPcics-upeOet27GRQDF6Ad038QCLcB/s1600/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BTravis%2BFimmel%2Bon%2Bgriffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sp2LSWtqDl0/V1jv7AQHkzI/AAAAAAAANLs/sCc05GXPcics-upeOet27GRQDF6Ad038QCLcB/s640/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2BTravis%2BFimmel%2Bon%2Bgriffin.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <i>Warcraft</i> is not
a total wash, but given the build-up and the massive following the franchise
has, it’s a shame that the film carries with it the vibe of going through the
motions. Jones is obviously passionate about the property and has filmmaking
talent to spare, but the cluttered narrative holds neophytes at bay. It’s hard
to shake the feeling that one has been dropped in the deep end of the <i>Warcraft</i> lore pool, when this is meant
to be an origin story that builds the world from the ground up. It’s more frustrating
than genuinely aggravating that <i>Warcraft</i>
stumbles so many times in its would-be epic journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7uSeZPgF-8/V1jv_36kTuI/AAAAAAAANL0/qrJVBUiJUf0Uba_DZ4QTjop3CFWCVMsagCLcB/s1600/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2Bgriffin%2Bflying%2Btowards%2Bcity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F7uSeZPgF-8/V1jv_36kTuI/AAAAAAAANL0/qrJVBUiJUf0Uba_DZ4QTjop3CFWCVMsagCLcB/s640/Warcraft%2BThe%2BBeginning%2Bgriffin%2Bflying%2Btowards%2Bcity.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">
For long-time fans of the franchise, this might be a dream come true, but it
will be challenging for newbies to make head or tail of the overstuffed story,
or differentiate a number of the characters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">RATING: 3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">
out of <b>5</b> Stars <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-30904681937859673902016-06-03T01:28:00.003-07:002016-06-09T00:30:25.620-07:00Les Misérables Musical Review For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/les-miserables-musical-2016-review/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">LES
MISÉRABLES<br />
<!--[endif]--></span></b><br />
<br />
Cast : Simon Gleeson, Earl Carpenter, Chris Durling, Patrice Tipoki, Kerrie Anne Greenland, Emily Langridge, Paul Wilkins<br />
Run Time : 2 hrs 55 mins (With 20 mins interval)<br />
Runs : 31 May to 24th July 2016 at Esplanade Theatre<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYg-IBRXiZY/V1E-hohpvZI/AAAAAAAANIs/GudebqQAHAIhXdK1aleby3fl4U6MG-LMACLcB/s1600/Les%2BMiserables%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYg-IBRXiZY/V1E-hohpvZI/AAAAAAAANIs/GudebqQAHAIhXdK1aleby3fl4U6MG-LMACLcB/s200/Les%2BMiserables%2Bposter.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When one thinks of juggernaut
musical theatre extravaganzas, the show that immediately comes to mind (apart
from the one about a disfigured genius who kills a bunch of people in an opera
house) is <i>Les Misérables</i>. Based on
Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel, considered to be one of the greatest works of 19<sup>th</sup>
Century literature, the musical was composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg, with
French-language lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel. After becoming a
hit in Paris, an English-language version with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer
premiered on the West End in 1985 at the Barbican Theatre. Weathering some
nasty reviews from the British press, the show has gone on to be a worldwide
sensation, with touring productions, translations into multiple languages,
anniversary gala concerts and a 2012 Oscar-winning film adaptation. Touring
productions have previously visited Singapore in 1994 and 1996. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHVl12MKm8k/V1E-nfUdhqI/AAAAAAAANI0/kuu6iVBcQQ0Mc0u29UOwr7Hzf4x8ALaSgCLcB/s1600/The%2BStudents%2Band%2Bthe%2BCitizens%2B%2527Barricades%2527.%2B%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHVl12MKm8k/V1E-nfUdhqI/AAAAAAAANI0/kuu6iVBcQQ0Mc0u29UOwr7Hzf4x8ALaSgCLcB/s640/The%2BStudents%2Band%2Bthe%2BCitizens%2B%2527Barricades%2527.%2B%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> It is 1815, and Jean Valjean is a convict who was
sentenced for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s dying son. Valjean
breaks parole to start a new life, eluding the capture of Inspector Javert. Following
an encounter with a gracious bishop, Valjean reinvents himself as “Monsieur
Madeleine”, eventually becoming the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer and a factory
owner. Factory worker Fantine gets fired and is forced into prostitution. As
she lies dying, Valjean vows to care for Fantine’s daughter Cosette. He rescues
Cosette from the cruel innkeeper Thénardier and his wife. Years later, Cosette
meets and falls in love with Marius, a dashing young student drawn into a
rebellion led by the passionate Enjolras. In the meantime, Thénardier’s
daughter Éponine pines for Marius but goes unnoticed. Through all this, Javert
continues his relentless pursuit of Valjean, who he sees as no more than
“Prisoner 24601”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJglpZdsXks/V1E-tXQIiZI/AAAAAAAANI8/gCmmPM_xlb0d7KUQ7UCRCULW9SrrY-bKACLcB/s1600/LM%2BAU%2BBack%2BCover%2BSi%2BHR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MJglpZdsXks/V1E-tXQIiZI/AAAAAAAANI8/gCmmPM_xlb0d7KUQ7UCRCULW9SrrY-bKACLcB/s640/LM%2BAU%2BBack%2BCover%2BSi%2BHR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The show has such an in-built following that one has to
remember that for audiences who have had no prior exposure to the story in any
form, there’s some legwork to be done. While the lush score and exceedingly
memorable songs do sweep one up, it’s clear that even at a running time of 3
hours (including intermission), the story has been greatly truncated. There are
two major time skips: the story begins in 1815, then skips to 1823, and then
further ahead to 1832. Characters reunite out of what seems like sheer
convenience –Thénardier even references the serendipity that fuels the plot
with the line “Ain’t the world a remarkable place?”. The bulk of the story is
set against the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris, but even given spirited speeches
from student revolutionary Enjolras, we don’t get all that clear of an idea
what exactly they’re rebelling against, apart from vague injustice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spM6OCrMJoo/V1E-47iRJpI/AAAAAAAANJM/rrUsZ03hIz0GCiG_rFgPeD44V5qXko66QCLcB/s1600/Rodney%2BDobson%2Bas%2BThe%2BBishop%2Bof%2BDigne%2Band%2BSimon%2BGleeson%2Bas%2BJean%2BValjean.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spM6OCrMJoo/V1E-47iRJpI/AAAAAAAANJM/rrUsZ03hIz0GCiG_rFgPeD44V5qXko66QCLcB/s640/Rodney%2BDobson%2Bas%2BThe%2BBishop%2Bof%2BDigne%2Band%2BSimon%2BGleeson%2Bas%2BJean%2BValjean.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> That said, this is still a show with tremendous emotional
impact, enhanced by big-budget spectacle. This new production, patterned after
the 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary reworking of the show, features set designs by
Matt Kinley, inspired by the original paintings of Victor Hugo. Hugo’s
paintings are also worked into the projected backdrops. The multimedia effects
include splashing water projected onto the scrim in front of the chain gang
rowing away in the galley, as well as 3D animation of the cavernous sewers
through which Valjean carries Marius. It’s a tiny bit tacky. The set is
detailed and elaborate, with hinged flats swinging open to let in shafts of light;
Paule Constable’s lighting design always dramatic. The askew back-alleys do
look authentic enough, though the stage does often seem cluttered because so
much is going on at once. Fans of the original staging might find themselves
missing that turntable once the barricade goes up or pining for the way the
sewer scene was originally lit, but there’s still no shortage of awe-inspiring
visual splendour in this staging. Also, those gunshot effects are wont to give
everyone in the first five rows mild tinnitus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43NN1v8gHV8/V1E-ycF32gI/AAAAAAAANJE/eqBzt4oAeDoBgFl-6VMyiZA0eEX3CioxQCLcB/s1600/Simon%2BGleeson%2Bas%2BJean%2BValjean%2B%2527Soliloquy%2527.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43NN1v8gHV8/V1E-ycF32gI/AAAAAAAANJE/eqBzt4oAeDoBgFl-6VMyiZA0eEX3CioxQCLcB/s640/Simon%2BGleeson%2Bas%2BJean%2BValjean%2B%2527Soliloquy%2527.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Simon Gleeson’s Valjean is a man who begins as violent
and bitter, and through his quest for redemption, never completely shakes that.
It’s an interpretation that this reviewer found quite compelling, as Gleeson
constantly reminds us that the feral beast with nigh-superhuman strength has
never really gone away, and that Valjean is a man who has never been at peace
with himself. While he delivers Valjean’s Soliloquy with great conviction,
Gleeson has a tendency to go a little shouty during the opening act. His take
on <i>Bring Him Home</i>, typically thought
of as a tender song, is a little angrier than fans might be used to, but it
does work with Gleeson’s characterisation of Valjean. Gleeson has, quite
touchingly, said that the moment in each performance he most looks forward to
is when Valjean meets little Cosette for the first time. One does get the sense
that Valjean is valiantly trying to better himself for the sake of his adopted daughter,
and the conclusion of Valjean’s odyssey is both satisfying and heart-rending. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAPmGaBbXvE/V1E-9SXsjzI/AAAAAAAANJQ/wDuHJ0A3ikQXqf2dEmoY68Za6JHoXal0ACLcB/s1600/Earl%2BCarpenter%2Bas%2BJavert%2B-%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMichael%2BLe%2BPoer%2BTrench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAPmGaBbXvE/V1E-9SXsjzI/AAAAAAAANJQ/wDuHJ0A3ikQXqf2dEmoY68Za6JHoXal0ACLcB/s640/Earl%2BCarpenter%2Bas%2BJavert%2B-%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMichael%2BLe%2BPoer%2BTrench.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Earl Carpenter reprises the role he’s played on the West
End and in other touring productions, the antagonist Javert. The character is
driven by a singular obsession and is unwavering in his hunt for the fugitive
who has eluded his capture, so it is easy to make him a moustache-twirling
villain. Carpenter stays a safe distance away from that, but his Javert is
still easy to root against. The superciliousness and condescension that are
vital components of the character are very much present in Carpenter’s
interpretation, and the actor’s imposing physical stature certainly helps. His
take on Javert’s signature tuned <i>Stars</i>
is a genuine show-stopper and is one of the best renditions this reviewer has
heard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7e0YVOyM-jE/V1E_Cc8-ypI/AAAAAAAANJY/Ld9ZrQqHKVQBj8njK4gv2lmfZyds9Cr6ACLcB/s1600/Patrice%2BTipoki%2Bas%2BFantine%2BG%25C3%2587%25C3%25BFI%2BDreamed%2BA%2BDreamG%25C3%2587%25C3%2596.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7e0YVOyM-jE/V1E_Cc8-ypI/AAAAAAAANJY/Ld9ZrQqHKVQBj8njK4gv2lmfZyds9Cr6ACLcB/s640/Patrice%2BTipoki%2Bas%2BFantine%2BG%25C3%2587%25C3%25BFI%2BDreamed%2BA%2BDreamG%25C3%2587%25C3%2596.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Patrice Tipoki’s Fantine is perfectly serviceable and her
rendition of the iconic song <i>I Dreamed a
Dream </i>is a decent one, but she ultimately doesn’t plumb the depths of the
character’s tragedy, failing to make enough of an impact in her limited time on
stage. Incidentally, her sister Laura is the conductor and musical director for
this production. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEyJZK_I58E/V1E_O3lqXdI/AAAAAAAANJk/7cSADOHkS2oQuKYy06ksrA-4i-ppIQzngCLcB/s1600/HI%2BRes%2BMarius%2BCosette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qEyJZK_I58E/V1E_O3lqXdI/AAAAAAAANJk/7cSADOHkS2oQuKYy06ksrA-4i-ppIQzngCLcB/s640/HI%2BRes%2BMarius%2BCosette.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Both
Paul Wilkins and Emily Langridge are expectedly pretty in appearance and vocals
as Marius and Cosette respectively. The “love at first sight” arc, complete
with a meet cute in the town square, will set more than a few eyes rolling. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KrNIJ_nKnXs/V1E_XRd7G0I/AAAAAAAANJs/B40LhG3vldooAdwIDfE7Jsn8KxQolawhwCLcB/s1600/Kerry%2BAnne%2BGreenland%2Bas%2BEponine%2BG%25C3%2587%25C3%25BFOwn%2BMy%2BOwnG%25C3%2587%25C3%2596.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KrNIJ_nKnXs/V1E_XRd7G0I/AAAAAAAANJs/B40LhG3vldooAdwIDfE7Jsn8KxQolawhwCLcB/s640/Kerry%2BAnne%2BGreenland%2Bas%2BEponine%2BG%25C3%2587%25C3%25BFOwn%2BMy%2BOwnG%25C3%2587%25C3%2596.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Enter
the hypotenuse in our love triangle, everyone’s favourite character Éponine.
Kerrie Anne Greenland is plucky and feisty, but is also capable of becoming
heart-achingly vulnerable during <i>On My
Own</i> and <i>A Little Fall of Rain</i>.
Her Australian accent creeps in quite often (listen out for how Greenland sings
the word “only”), but it actually adds to ‘Ponine’s charm. She might just be
this reviewer’s favourite performer in the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrY0E3af2PE/V1E_cNFurQI/AAAAAAAANJ4/OOen94tgpqwQPTZvizOXCZnockTI3segwCLcB/s1600/Trevor%2BAshley%2Bas%2BThenardier%2BMaster%2Bof%2BThe%2BHouse%2527.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrY0E3af2PE/V1E_cNFurQI/AAAAAAAANJ4/OOen94tgpqwQPTZvizOXCZnockTI3segwCLcB/s640/Trevor%2BAshley%2Bas%2BThenardier%2BMaster%2Bof%2BThe%2BHouse%2527.%2BPhoto%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The designated scene-stealers, Mr. and Mme. Thénardier,
played by Cameron Blakely and Helen Walsh respectively, with great aplomb. The
characters provide much of the comic relief in a relatively downbeat show (it’s
there in the title), but also have to possess actual malice and make the
audience’s skin crawl. Some of the slapstick in <i>Master of the House</i> is a little too silly, but an elaborate gag
involving a blind traveller and his pet bird is downright hilarious. We have to
laugh at the Thénardiers and also find them utterly despicable; Blakely and
Walsh have got all the bases covered. Over at the barricade, Chris Durling
imbues Enjolras with great vigour, but did go off-key a few times while issuing
his calls to arms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1GiV2QNUrbM/V1E_gl1qxoI/AAAAAAAANKA/NLwEo3NpcAwvOfP1IOoeYcjRGfS-JQQoQCLcB/s1600/The%2BCompany%2B%2527One%2BDay%2BMore%2527.Photo%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1GiV2QNUrbM/V1E_gl1qxoI/AAAAAAAANKA/NLwEo3NpcAwvOfP1IOoeYcjRGfS-JQQoQCLcB/s640/The%2BCompany%2B%2527One%2BDay%2BMore%2527.Photo%2Bby%2BMatthew%2BMurphy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Because of the nature of the 1900-page (in the original French) source novel, <i>Les Misérables </i>might not be a work
that’s readily understandable in full, but it is a musical that is easy to
connect with. The stirring music, powerful characters and dazzling eye candy
stagecraft all make for a thrilling night at the theatre. Despite the long
running time, there’s nary a dull moment in this show rife with incident. Rather
than pulling one out of it completely, the moments of melodramatics and overall
lack of subtlety add considerably to the charm of the show. Those attached to
the original staging might bemoan what seems like change for change’s sake, but
if you’re experiencing the show for the first time, it will be difficult to
resist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>Summary: </b>The storytelling is hampered by various practical limitations and some of the changes in this new production are unnecessary, but there’s no denying that this beloved musical remains a visual and aural treat, with powerful performers leading the cast.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>RATING: 4 </b>out of <b>5 </b>Stars</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Jedd Jong</span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Photos by Matthew Murphy, courtesy of MediaCorp VizPro International </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-15662841350089593542016-06-02T17:35:00.000-07:002017-02-14T02:38:08.556-08:00Join the Upri-sing: Les Misérables Singapore press callFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/join-the-upri-sing/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">JOIN THE
UPRI-SING <br />
</span></b>F*** Magazine peeks behind the
barricade at the <i>Les Misérables</i> press
call <br />
By Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhMCP-bunMA/V1DPosNGX1I/AAAAAAAANGk/ODICrzl6BOEv5Nv_YfxB_FnqOJz59h28QCLcB/s1600/P6022834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JhMCP-bunMA/V1DPosNGX1I/AAAAAAAANGk/ODICrzl6BOEv5Nv_YfxB_FnqOJz59h28QCLcB/s640/P6022834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been 22 years
since the barricades arose at the Kallang Theatre, when the blockbuster musical
<i>Les Misérables</i> first arrived in
Singapore. Arguably the best-known adaptation of Victor Hugo’s landmark 1862
historical novel, the story is predominantly set against the backdrop of 1832
June Rebellion in Paris. Composer Claude-Michel Schönberg and lyricists Alain
Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel’s original French-language musical debuted in 1980,
with the English adaptation featuring Herbert Kretzmer’s lyrics opening in
1985. <i>Les Misérables </i>has since become
the longest-running musical on the West End, and has celebrated its milestones
with all-star anniversary concerts. A feature film adaptation of the musical
was released in 2012, winning three Oscars. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJwe6FpGYaA/V1DPtFtZE4I/AAAAAAAANGs/sV2EYLlXyfI3C0bk7uilB16URoUnMW-MACLcB/s1600/P6022952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jJwe6FpGYaA/V1DPtFtZE4I/AAAAAAAANGs/sV2EYLlXyfI3C0bk7uilB16URoUnMW-MACLcB/s640/P6022952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday morning,
F*** was in attendance at the Esplanade Theatre as a press preview was staged,
followed by interviews with the cast and crew. This production is at the
tail-end of a two-year tour, which began in Australia and is fresh off their
Philippines leg. This staging is different from how fans of the original might
remember it; the show was reworked for its 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary with new
set designs and a re-orchestrated score. While iconic elements like the
turntable and the barricade set that splits in half have been excised, Matt
Kinley’s set design takes inspiration from the paintings of author Hugo, who
was also an accomplished visual artist. The paintings, projected onto the
backdrop, further enrich the depiction of 19<sup>th</sup> Century France. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9eFHtvnPmY/V1DPxCTxlaI/AAAAAAAANG0/uKCxGTHvd7w3lHTiPy9daBMNWhqRbPGwwCLcB/s1600/P6022865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P9eFHtvnPmY/V1DPxCTxlaI/AAAAAAAANG0/uKCxGTHvd7w3lHTiPy9daBMNWhqRbPGwwCLcB/s640/P6022865.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“We’re getting older,
but it looks like the show is never aging, and is [in fact] getting kind of
younger,” Boublil said. “All the people who play in the show now were not born
when Claude-Michel and I were writing it!” Boublil told us about the process of
adapting the 1500-page book into a musical. When it debuted in 1985, the
English-language version was four hours long; this has now been whittled down
to around three hours. Boublil stated that the novel is required reading in
most French schools, “but you don’t understand it - you know it’s about
injustice, but apart from that, you don’t get the heart and soul of it.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TppEUYkBow/V1DP3Icl3EI/AAAAAAAANG8/kXwaDOrqqUUcdfa4rKNy7bT1bk8u3IhvwCLcB/s1600/P6023037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TppEUYkBow/V1DP3Icl3EI/AAAAAAAANG8/kXwaDOrqqUUcdfa4rKNy7bT1bk8u3IhvwCLcB/s640/P6023037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Boublil is of the
opinion that not everything makes a good musical, and described how he and Schönberg
were convinced of <i>Les Misérables</i>’
potential. “Many of them are musicalized in an opportunistic way, or they don’t
last,” he said of other source material. When asked whether or not he remembers
the feeling of first seeing the musical on stage, Boublil replied “I remember
it very well.” On the cast of the original West End production, which included
such luminaries as Colm Wilkinson, Frances Ruffelle and Patti Lupone, Boublil
commented “We had the crème de la crème of musical theatre, but we didn’t know
it yet! We didn’t know that they would each become a star in his or her own
right.” It might be hard to imagine now, but the show opened to scathing
reviews on the West End. Boublil remembered a headline in an English daily
which read “What can be worse than a bad musical? A French musical.” “That day
was like a death sentence is ringing,” he recalled, thinking that the show
would surely close inside of a month after those notices. “To my amazement and
pride, it has become the world’s longest-running musical,” he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwPI4Pz2btc/V1DQA-MbZNI/AAAAAAAANHE/DyFPPudiUSstGcNIC9xt6VywXrXmD8XSACLcB/s1600/Simon%2BGleeson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lwPI4Pz2btc/V1DQA-MbZNI/AAAAAAAANHE/DyFPPudiUSstGcNIC9xt6VywXrXmD8XSACLcB/s320/Simon%2BGleeson.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lead role of Jean
Valjean is played by Australian actor Simon Gleeson, who won a Helpmann
award for the role. The character, an escaped convict who embarks on a journey
of redemption, is one of the most prominent roles in musical theatre. When
asked what aspect of Valjean he most connected with, Gleeson answered “My job
is to connect with all of them. The frustration that he feels at the start, the
anger that he feels towards the world at the start, the joy he gets when he
meets little Cosette, I connect with all of them.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmyI-UXtnpo/V1DQF-l8AbI/AAAAAAAANHM/ifcnPaSl5ScebgpMjxb1xtDb-eoGJJAsQCLcB/s1600/P6023055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DmyI-UXtnpo/V1DQF-l8AbI/AAAAAAAANHM/ifcnPaSl5ScebgpMjxb1xtDb-eoGJJAsQCLcB/s640/P6023055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The part Gleeson most
looks forward to during each performance might surprise audiences, since it
isn’t the grand solos like <i>Valjean’s
Soliloquy</i> or <i>Bring Him Home</i>.
“It’s meeting little Cosette. Meeting the little girl is the first time the
character gets to smile. It’s the first time he goes ‘I can live for something
now’.” He had quite the heart-warming story to relate about his daughter. “When
I first was rehearsing for the audition years ago, I would sing <i>Bring Him Home</i> in the house and she
actually said ‘I forbid you to sing in the house’.” Gleeson related to us. “I
didn’t realise it was because she would go to her room and cry, because she
locked on to the fact that something was wrong, that I wasn’t happy, that I was
in pain and something was going on and she couldn’t comprehend it, she
understood just from the music alone.” His son’s reaction after watching the
show was a little less complicated. “He just liked the guns,” Gleeson chuckled.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gleeson played Raoul
in <i>Love Never Dies</i>, the sequel to <i>Phantom of the Opera</i>. “The role I played
was a horrible man – alcoholic, abusive, he was a terrible father, he was all
the things that Jean Valjean isn’t,” Gleeson remarked, admitting “I had such a
good time! It was really great.” Gleeson said the music plays an enormous part
in helping him get into character. “The music is so evocative that you can’t
helped but be seduced into where you need to be. Good luck if you can resist,
you’d be a fool to try.” Gleeson worked briefly with Hugh Jackman, who played
Valjean in the 2012 film. “He actually said to me ‘I don’t know how you do it
eight times a week,’” Gleeson revealed. Gleeson said that, “frustratingly”
enough, Jackman lives up to his reputation as being an affable person. He’s so
generous and an incredibly talented guy, I can’t speak highly enough about
Hugh.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrlOFYJhh4Y/V1DQLGriMII/AAAAAAAANHU/o1_oTu8M6nw9pEh3LdZQ60BdKPpxgZe4ACLcB/s1600/Earl%2BCarpenter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qrlOFYJhh4Y/V1DQLGriMII/AAAAAAAANHU/o1_oTu8M6nw9pEh3LdZQ60BdKPpxgZe4ACLcB/s400/Earl%2BCarpenter.JPG" width="292" /></a>Valjean’s arch-nemesis
Inspector Javert, a dogged police officer who pursues the fugitive over the course of almost two decades, is played by Earl Carpenter. The English actor has played Javert on Broadway and the title role in <i>The Phantom of the Opera</i> on the West End. He also performed in the 25<sup>th</sup>
anniversary concerts of both shows. “Everyone says he is a bad guy! Not at
all!” Carpenter insisted, describing Javert as “a robust individual that knows
one thing, which is his belief in the law”. “At that last moment, you see
something very different happen to him, which is the fact that somebody has
knocked his beliefs off the track and there’s no other way for him to deal with
it, he doesn’t have the capacity to deal with it,” Carpenter said of Javert,
who is ultimately undone by his own unwillingness to see Valjean as anything
other than a criminal. Recalling his first time seeing the show at age 21,
Carpenter said “it was just incredible to see something so epic but live,
rather than seeing it on the screen, it was extraordinary.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Russell Crowe’s
much-maligned portrayal of Javert in the 2012 film version, Carpenter
pragmatically stated “There’s a reason for everything. Everybody makes
decisions. That film had to appeal to a massive audience and to do that, maybe
just <i>Les Mis</i> as a musical, wasn’t
going to be enough to sell the film. It’s incredibly expensive to put a film on
these days.” Coming to Crowe’s defence, Carpenter said “I know he confessed to
being very nervous, in front of musical theatre singers. It was an incredibly
scary time for him.” Carpenter shared that he thought that “there were moments
of Russell’s character that were just absolutely spot on. His persona, for that
role, was great.” Quite graciously, he added “there could be people who
probably don’t like my singing, it doesn’t matter.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjKsbXwW1_8/V1DQQcb1V_I/AAAAAAAANHc/M3KpsHo5R4ExMprTRqN4kQTkWeissH2JACLcB/s1600/P6022904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UjKsbXwW1_8/V1DQQcb1V_I/AAAAAAAANHc/M3KpsHo5R4ExMprTRqN4kQTkWeissH2JACLcB/s640/P6022904.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Central to the story
is the love triangle between Valjean’s adoptive daughter Cosette, the dashing,
rich young Marius and Éponine, whose parents mistreated Cosette when she was in
their care. Emily Langridge plays Cosette, Paul Wilkins plays Marius and Kerrie
Anne Greenland plays Éponine. Most fans gravitate to the character of Éponine,
who is placed squarely in the ‘friendzone’ by Marius. “Actually, the funny
thing is that especially in the rehearsal room, I get to see a lot more of <i>A Heart Full Of Love</i>, where Cosette and
Marius finally get to really see each other for the first time, and it’s so
beautiful,” Kerrie admitted. “I know I’m Éponine, but it’s really awesome what
they’ve got going on!” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think it’s hard for
Cosette because she actually has gone through a lot,” Langridge said. “We see
Cosette as a child and we see Éponine as a child and their roles really swap
when they’re older. I think they’re really similar. Maybe if Éponine didn’t
die, then they would be friends.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU1AaZLJMO0/V1DQVrHfMhI/AAAAAAAANHk/sAu7SrsBVzgdiKUBPX_qBr2_wC0qDDHIwCLcB/s1600/Paul%2BWilkins%252C%2BEmily%2BLandridge%2Band%2BKerrie%2BAnne%2BGreenland.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GU1AaZLJMO0/V1DQVrHfMhI/AAAAAAAANHk/sAu7SrsBVzgdiKUBPX_qBr2_wC0qDDHIwCLcB/s640/Paul%2BWilkins%252C%2BEmily%2BLandridge%2Band%2BKerrie%2BAnne%2BGreenland.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Commenting on the perceived
obtuseness displayed by Marius in his interactions with Éponine, Wilkins said
“I think that comes with the territory of young love and experiencing it for
the first time and kind of not knowing the signs.” He related a story from his
own youth: “When I was in primary school, a girl used to kick me under the
table in music. She kicked me, and I thought she hated me – little did I know,
months later, that she really, really fancied me!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oDzCC2JjdI/V1DQb49mJTI/AAAAAAAANHw/PXdV8RskDxQFXnM09jE4NI3vBvyMehWygCLcB/s1600/P6022996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0oDzCC2JjdI/V1DQb49mJTI/AAAAAAAANHw/PXdV8RskDxQFXnM09jE4NI3vBvyMehWygCLcB/s640/P6022996.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greenland added that Éponine
might have stood a chance “if she had a bath”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The actors spoke of
going back to the source material, since much of the material was cut down in
the adaptation process. “Cosette as a character has so much description in the
book and in so much detail, where in the musical, her role is scaled down quite
a lot, so I really try to get as much detail as I can from the book to give the
role the most amount of depth in a short time,” Langridge said. This process
was also helpful for the actors in creating something that resonated with them,
rather than attempting to replicate past portrayals. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqy6xBoFd1g/V1DQgWwF4pI/AAAAAAAANH4/Nbolq9ruGgc0Mtj6snF8bld02cWgiYkbwCLcB/s1600/Patrice%2BTipoki.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pqy6xBoFd1g/V1DQgWwF4pI/AAAAAAAANH4/Nbolq9ruGgc0Mtj6snF8bld02cWgiYkbwCLcB/s320/Patrice%2BTipoki.JPG" width="240" /></a>Out of all the
characters, Fantine, Cosette’s biological mother, probably has the most number of
tragic calamities befall her. Fantine sings what is arguably the best-known song in the show, <i>I Dreamed a Dream</i>.
Australian actress Patrice Tipoki, who has starred in productions of <i>The Lion King</i>, <i>Wicked</i> and <i>Beauty and the
Beast</i>, plays Fantine. She has been a fan of <i>Les Misérables</i> since she was young. “I used to sing Master of the
House when people would come to the house, I don’t know how appropriate that
was for a seven-year-old girl!” she laughed.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It took a while for
me to shake other people’s versions of this song, especially in my head,
because I grew up with it,” she said, on the subject of making the role her
own. “It was nice to have the rehearsal process that we do to be able to find
my voice and my story that I wanted to tell. And of course, that still changes
every night, depending on how I’m feeling and how receptive the audience is.
It’s nice to know that everyone already loves the song, so it’s starting on a
good note.” Fantine’s appearance in the musical, while impactful, is relatively
brief. “Every night I go ‘maybe I’ll live tonight!’ It’s never happened yet,
still trying!” Tipoki joked. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6RGYwr5VuI/V1DQkYcygRI/AAAAAAAANH8/87b0z_jMOq0KqGBh-UST1sBV_tq7uDCmACLcB/s1600/P6022862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6RGYwr5VuI/V1DQkYcygRI/AAAAAAAANH8/87b0z_jMOq0KqGBh-UST1sBV_tq7uDCmACLcB/s640/P6022862.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Co-director James
Powell explained the lasting appeal of the show, saying “The story itself is
about the human condition. It’s a classic story that’s just as relevant today
as it was 400 (sic) years ago. The generosity of spirit is what I think people are
moved by, in the face of adversity, they come through, and I think that’s what
people find very uplifting. And the music helps a bit.” Working for super-producer
Cameron Mackintosh has kept Powell on his toes. “When you work for Cameron
Mackintosh, you are always evolving, you don’t stay still,” Powell said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kIeBYcymRcg/V1FAC-GG_FI/AAAAAAAANKM/EXaFqtaRQCIeWRnVoaACtXJxovxamaKfQCLcB/s1600/P6023076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kIeBYcymRcg/V1FAC-GG_FI/AAAAAAAANKM/EXaFqtaRQCIeWRnVoaACtXJxovxamaKfQCLcB/s640/P6023076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, why should
audiences go see <i>Les Misérables</i>?
Producer Nick Allott, who is the managing director of Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.,
has the answer. “This is a story that covers everything: it covers love, it
covers conflict between two people, it covers the triumph of good over evil, it
has battles, it has epic scale and it has fantastically strong characters, characters
you can fall in love or identity with,” he enthused. “I can’t think of anyone
sitting there being bored. This is a show that picks you up and carries you
through in this extraordinary way.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Les Misérables </i>runs from 31<sup>st</sup> May to 24<sup>th</sup>
July at the Esplanade Theatre. Please visit <span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/mis0716"><span lang="EN-SG">http://www.sistic.com.sg/events/mis0716</span></a></span> for ticket information. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-36321963381581619932016-05-31T23:54:00.000-07:002016-06-01T00:09:42.964-07:00Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the ShadowsFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-out-of-the-shadows-review/#PGO2CzYHq0ZPzzh3.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<br />
<h2>
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: OUT OF THE SHADOWS</h2>
<br />
Director : David Green<br />
Cast : Pete Ploszek, Alan Ritchson, Noel Fisher, Jeremy Howard, Megan Fox, Stephen Amell, Will Arnett, Brian Tee, Tyler Perry, Gary Anthony Williams, Stephen “Sheamus” Farrelly, Brad Garrett, Brittany Ishibashi, Laura Linney, Danny Woodburn, Tony Shalhoub<br />
Genre : Action/Adventure<br />
Run Time : 1 hr 52 mins<br />
Opens : 2 June 2016<br />
Rating : PG (Some Violence)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2LkF44yRhbk/V06EXLIbGAI/AAAAAAAANFo/p_RpImZgdukYu8W2nJz7shV9xTK-sTVMwCLcB/s1600/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2LkF44yRhbk/V06EXLIbGAI/AAAAAAAANFo/p_RpImZgdukYu8W2nJz7shV9xTK-sTVMwCLcB/s200/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2Bposter.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The world’s most fearsome fighting team
has returned to fend off threats old and new – and now, they’re at least a
little frustrated that they can’t take credit for it. The brothers Leonardo
(Ploszek), Raphael (Ritchson), Michelangelo (Fisher) and Donatello (Howard)
have remained in the shadows after defeating Shredder (Tee) a year ago, knowing
they will be branded as monsters and reviled. Instead, former cameraman Vern
Fenwick (Arnett) is getting all the glory as a New York hero. April O’Neil
(Fox) discovers that scientist Baxter Stockman (Perry) is in cahoots with
Shredder. After helping Shredder escape from custody, Stockman helps him create
mutants of his own: warthog Bebop (Williams) and rhinoceros Rocksteady
(Sheamus). Adding to the imminent danger is the alien Krang (Garrett), who
plans to open a portal above New York to invade our world. It’s a good thing
then that April and the Turtles have a new ally in the form of Casey Jones
(Amell), corrections officer by day, hockey stick-wielding vigilante by night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRzOykpP5dA/V06Eb1fthRI/AAAAAAAANFs/oIBmIWJZhewbC2llL5mh_muErYOH95bDgCLcB/s1600/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BTurtles%2Bwith%2BMegan%2BFox%2Band%2BStephen%2BAmell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRzOykpP5dA/V06Eb1fthRI/AAAAAAAANFs/oIBmIWJZhewbC2llL5mh_muErYOH95bDgCLcB/s640/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BTurtles%2Bwith%2BMegan%2BFox%2Band%2BStephen%2BAmell.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> 2014’s
<i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</i> was not
exactly well-received by critics or fans, but a follow-up was inevitable. This
time, Dave Green (<i>Earth to Echo</i>) has
replaced Jonathan Liebesman in the director’s chair, though the lack of a
discernible difference is a sign that the producers, led by Michael Bay, have a
particularly strong hand in the proceedings. The tone and style remains pretty
much the same from the 2014 movie, with the incorporation of fan-favourite
characters and elements of <i>Turtles</i>
lore in the hope of winning back the shellheads who were spurned by the
previous outing. It’s hard to criticise something like this for being ‘silly’,
since it can be argued that the silliness is intentional. However, <i>Out of the Shadows </i>frequently crosses
the line from ‘silly’ to ‘stupid’. As we said in our review of the previous
movie, <i>Guardians of the Galaxy</i>
demonstrated how to do an exuberantly tongue-in-cheek sci-fi action flick
loaded with pop culture references while not being embarrassingly juvenile. <i>Guardians of the Galaxy</i>, this most
certainly is not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-767UCMhtpZ8/V06EhU77wwI/AAAAAAAANFw/mJrpTzIxDZEccdmckFBB9geFv9qhGi16gCLcB/s1600/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BBebop%2Band%2BRocksteady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-767UCMhtpZ8/V06EhU77wwI/AAAAAAAANFw/mJrpTzIxDZEccdmckFBB9geFv9qhGi16gCLcB/s640/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BBebop%2Band%2BRocksteady.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
Turtles’ designs haven’t grown on us, we’ve just gotten a little less bothered
by it over time. The computer-generated characters are integrated into the
live-action environments nicely enough and the visual effects work, while
sometimes conspicuous, is generally good. The interpretations of Bebop,
Rocksteady and Krang do look acceptable. The action sequences will entertain younger
viewers and the involvement of second unit director/stunt coordinator Spiro
Razatos (the <i>Fast and Furious</i> movies,
<i>Captain America: The Winter Soldier</i>)
is a plus. However, nothing strikes us as particularly memorable and the climax
with aliens invading New York is quite the yawn, at once too similar to the
conclusion of the 2014 movie and to the ending of <i>The Avengers</i> – not to mention any other movie in which extra-terrestrial
invaders have seized the Big Apple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AE7b30jqeSY/V06EoEkwh0I/AAAAAAAANF0/BVrMfVVXbUouOz9CPuBb08kMYzULPGONgCLcB/s1600/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BTurtles%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bstreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AE7b30jqeSY/V06EoEkwh0I/AAAAAAAANF0/BVrMfVVXbUouOz9CPuBb08kMYzULPGONgCLcB/s640/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BTurtles%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bstreet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Perhaps
the most positive thing about this film, as with its immediate predecessor, is
that our heroes have fun saving the day. Sure, Raph is prone to brooding, but
on the whole, they enjoy saving the day and at least a little bit of that is
infectious. Characterisation remains paper-thin – the conflict that brews
between the brothers is predictable, as is its eventual resolution. While they
are sufficiently distinct from each other, not much of an attempt is made to
flesh these characters out. It sounds absurd to ask for depth from <i>TMNT</i>, but several of the cartoons,
including the current show on Nickelodeon, have succeeded in giving the
characters personalities past the single-line descriptions from the theme song.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlnURuqVhI4/V06FB3ND09I/AAAAAAAANF8/YTQGRG_TQGsyXfs3ojt2EvdEgYPSIJEFgCLcB/s1600/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BWill%2BArnett%252C%2BLaura%2BLinney%252C%2BMegan%2BFox%2Band%2BStephen%2BAmell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FlnURuqVhI4/V06FB3ND09I/AAAAAAAANF8/YTQGRG_TQGsyXfs3ojt2EvdEgYPSIJEFgCLcB/s640/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BWill%2BArnett%252C%2BLaura%2BLinney%252C%2BMegan%2BFox%2Band%2BStephen%2BAmell.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Fox
remains a poor choice for the role of April O’Neil, and while it is a silly
thing to whine about, the character doesn’t even have her signature red hair.
There’s a lot of unnecessary leering at Fox and the abbreviated school girl
get-up she dons early in the film is a cringe-worthy moment of fan-service. Even
the most ardent fans of <i>Arrow</i> would
be hard-pressed to deny that Amell isn’t a particularly skilled actor, and his
turn as Casey Jones is pretty stiff when the character should be effortlessly
cool. He does handle the action beats well, having years of playing a comic
book hero under his belt. Perry hams it up as Baxter Stockman, playing him as
little more than the, well, stock dweeby scientist. Perry ignores anything
interesting about the character, instead becoming yet another comic relief
sidekick. It’s also not like he needs the money. Finally, it is truly
disheartening to see three-time Oscar nominee Laura Linney absolutely slumming
it here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_AQuTlnl_c/V06FK_lUmzI/AAAAAAAANGA/uZoWdRNF_TIWgqDs7qJa7oZBgI6sfOSLACLcB/s1600/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BBritanny%2BIshibashi%2Band%2BBrian%2BTee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N_AQuTlnl_c/V06FK_lUmzI/AAAAAAAANGA/uZoWdRNF_TIWgqDs7qJa7oZBgI6sfOSLACLcB/s640/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BBritanny%2BIshibashi%2Band%2BBrian%2BTee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Several
of the casting changes are nominal improvements – Brian Tee steps in for Tohoru
Masamune as Shredder while Brittany Ishibashi replaces Minae Noji as his chief
henchwoman Karai. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Alas, Shredder does very
little and Karai even less.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">William Fichtner was set to reprise his role as Eric Sacks,
though it appears his scenes have been left on the cutting room floor. If
you’re able to either overlook or revel in the childishness that runs through
most of the movie, it is occasionally entertaining. However, if your tolerance
for clunky dialogue, embarrassing jokes and generic action is particularly low,
</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Out of the Shadows</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> will try your
patience to no end.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTf-B9oWQwY/V06GCwmb2tI/AAAAAAAANGQ/uMizCRPiBq0x9Y133jjtdBUgu3uwDhgFwCLcB/s1600/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BMichelangelo%2Bmeets%2BKrang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fTf-B9oWQwY/V06GCwmb2tI/AAAAAAAANGQ/uMizCRPiBq0x9Y133jjtdBUgu3uwDhgFwCLcB/s640/TMNT%2BOut%2Bof%2Bthe%2BShadows%2BMichelangelo%2Bmeets%2BKrang.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> About on par with the
2014 film, <i>Out of the Shadows</i> is
immensely silly and difficult to get into, but its titular heroes are
intermittently endearing and the introduction of key players from the comics
and cartoons is a half-step in the right direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RATING: 2.5 </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">out of <b>5</b> Stars <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-78836545116207504672016-05-27T01:18:00.002-07:002016-05-27T01:18:58.407-07:00Taking Disciplinary Action: Interview with Gurmit Singh of Young & FabulousFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/taking-disciplinary-action-gurmit-singh-talks-to-f-about-going-from-funny-to-fierce/#0GzJmgF0IcRC5bC7.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">TAKING DISCIPLINARY
ACTION</span></b><b><br />
Gurmit Singh talks to F*** about going from funny to fierce<br />
</b>By Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zSjrPU1DVM/V0gC0CJI8aI/AAAAAAAANFQ/vsEx0695hw4RLrZ2pl5M74f5skTaNrA7QCLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BGurmit%2BSingh%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zSjrPU1DVM/V0gC0CJI8aI/AAAAAAAANFQ/vsEx0695hw4RLrZ2pl5M74f5skTaNrA7QCLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BGurmit%2BSingh%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As an actor, comedian
and host, Gurmit Singh is an extremely face to Singaporeans everywhere. His
signature contractor character Phua Chu Kang, who originated from Singh’s
sketch show <i>Gurmit’s World</i> and went
on to have his own television show, movie and even a musical, is a Singaporean
cultural icon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most audiences are
used to seeing Singh as an over-the-top goofball, so his role in <i>Young & Fabulous</i> is something of a
departure. In the comedy-drama film, Singh plays Mr. Boo, the Discipline Master
at Solaris College. The central trio of characters, Royston (Aloysius Pang),
Hao Ren (Joshua Tan) and Violet (Joyce Chu) are his charges and the recipients
of his disapproval. The film is set in the Singaporean cosplay scene and
touches on the themes of chasing one’s dreams in the face of a society that
prizes practicality over creativity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singh spoke to F*** at
Raffles Convention Centre ahead of the film’s premiere that night. It turns out
that in real life, Singh is a far cry from the manic persona he is most associated
with. Sure, he definitely still has a sense of humour, but he’s clearly a very
separate person from Phua Chu Kang. He spoke about the role that parents and
teachers play in a child’s development, his own encouragement of his children’s
creative endeavours and how the entertainment industry has evolved over time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What is it like getting into char</b><b>acter to play
a strict Discipline Master?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think it’s actually
easier to get into the serious side of things because in real life, I’m quiet,
so it wasn’t too much of a stretch or a challenge to play the role. I think it
will be more challenging for viewers to watch me this way because people are
used to me being larger-than-life, funny and comedic all the time, and this is
not like that. It has its funny moments, but I’m not being funny. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>You have said in interviews that you would
support your children’s pursuit of their passion. Do you also feel it’s
important that they get good grades and earn university degrees?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think if they are
good at studies, then by all means, go ahead. I’m not saying “stop studying”.
I’m just saying that many times, parents try to relive their failed dreams
through their children, and I think that’s very sad. I am a walking testimony
of how I didn’t get a degree, I wasn’t smart enough to go to NUS (National
University of Singapore) - twice I tried and my A-Levels weren’t good enough.
Anybody in my position would have said “okay, I’m stuck with A-Levels now and
my future doesn’t look good, I’m going to be stuck with a certain level of job
and a certain level of pay.” But as it turned out, it wasn’t like that at all.
I’ve always told my children that as long as it’s legal and they’re happy, it’s
fine. But as parents, we have to guide them. They might think “this is good!”
but we have to tell them “here are the consequences and here are the challenges
going forward”, because we know better than them. Then if you still want to go
with it, by all means, go with it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have parents who come
to me and say “my child wants to be a superstar, he wants to be a celebrity.”
That’s fine! If he can dance or sing or act, then that’s fine. But the child
also has to know that it’s a lot of hard work. A lot of children out there who
are not guided think they can just come in, sit in front of the camera, sing,
dance, act, host, done! Tomorrow I’m a celebrity. It’s not like that at all!
Sometimes it happens overnight, sometimes it takes more than that, sometimes
you don’t get the show that really is that vehicle to take you to that fame
status and the child has to be guided and told about such things. Whether it’s
for the entertainment industry or whether it’s to become a doctor or a lawyer
or a fireman, as a parent, you have to say “if this is what you really want,
let’s research about this, let’s see what this career path entails.” Then you
draw up all the challenges and put it in front of the child and say “do you
still want this?” If they say yes, go for it then. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I<b>f your daughter says she wants to be an actor or a host, you’d be in
favour of that? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s fine! I’ll be a
hypocrite if I said “no, you cannot be [an actress]! It’s not very good.” When
my elder daughter was about 8 years old, she said “Dad, when I grow up, I want
to be a celebrity.” I said, “oh, that’s…cool?” And she said “I want to be a
different kind of celebrity. The kind that nobody knows about. I have the
money, I have a lot of projects, but nobody takes photos with me and I’m free
to do whatever I want.” That was 8 years old, let her dream. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>In Singaporean society today, what do you feel
the balance is between the role a parent plays in the development of a child
and the role a teacher plays? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve always been a
strong advocate of how parents are the main people in terms of guidance for the
child. The teachers are coming in in terms of education, academics and all. But
in real life, social skills and all that, I think the parents have bigger
roles. I’m sad to say in the past few years, I’ve seen more of that being
transferred to the teacher, instead of the parents taking what is supposedly
theirs. Now, I feel that we are in a new phase now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a council member
in the Families For Life council. We sit down every three months, talk about,
plan and execute events and strategies where we hope more and more families get
together. Not just the mother and the child, but even the father, so that they
can grow stronger together in terms of the bonding time. For the longest time,
I know it’s a cliché, “spending quality time” has been around. That phrase
“quality time” has been used as an excuse. “I’ll spend two minutes with you,
that’s so ‘quality’. And now, I’m going away to play golf for the next three
hours.” That’s screwed up for me. I think it should be the other way around,
you play golf for two minutes and spend three hours with your child. As a
council member, we are allowing more and more platforms for the family to get
together and have that time together. It’s one thing to have quality time, but
you must have “quantity time” as well. The more time you spend with your child,
the most opportunity you have to exercise your responsibility in their lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Did you have any pre-conceived notions about
the hobby of cosplay before taking on this film? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not at all. For me,
it’s just another version of a Halloween party. At the bottom-line, that’s what
it is. I have no ill feelings towards kids who cosplay. I didn’t find anything
new because I’m already a collector of comics, I’m a Superman fan. I’m into
comics, I’m into all this stuff, so it wasn’t a huge revelation of “what is
this? I haven’t seen this before!” Not at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve read all but two
issues of my <i>Superman</i> comics collection. I first bought them in 1994 to 1996,
and then I had chicken pox, so I started reading through every one. Recently, I
picked up two copies. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What preparation did you do to take on this
role?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think nobody has to
research it because everyone has grown up with a Discipline Master in their
school. It was easy to draw on past experiences – I’m not saying that I was a
bad kid in school, but I had a Discipline Master in primary and secondary
school and they were all very fierce! They had this sour face, it was like they
hadn’t had enough food to eat and somebody kicked them in the face every
morning when they got up. Very grouchy and moody, and even the best jokes don’t
make them laugh, so it wasn’t difficult to get into that role, I just thought
back to it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What message did you want to convey through
your character?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a positive
message, isn’t it? Through my character, I actually show everybody that not
everything is as it seems. When you see a Discipline Master in school, you’d
think one way “a Discipline Master is heartless, he probably has no family,
even if he had a family he’s probably chased them away because he’s so
grouchy.” This film addresses that. Maybe not everybody is like that, if you
take the time and effort to get to know someone, you’ll find out that there are
other facets to the person. For example, whenever people see me, they think
that I’m a comedian, I’m always larger than life, in your face, “don’t pray
pray” and all that – but when they sit down and talk to me or have dinner with
me, they realise there are other facets of Gurmit Singh that we didn’t know
about, and I think that’s what the movie does as well. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>What is the most important factor when you pick
your projects? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That it’s got some
message, good values, and that it’s a role that I want to play. If this is a
movie that is just glorifying some…evil, bad, vulgar concepts, I’m not
interested in that. For me, it’s about the whole concept and it’s about the
role that I’m playing, whether it’s going to be something that I enjoy playing.
If it’s not something you enjoy, if it’s passé, it will show on screen.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Having been a pillar of the entertainment
industry…<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pillar? No <i>lah</i>, please <i>lah</i>, hello! It’s too much man! I was more like a corner tile at the
side there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Having been <i>a</i>
<i>part</i> of the Singapore entertainment
industry for some time, how do you feel it has evolved and developed over time?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I would think that
now, the entertainment scene is really flourishing because there are so many
platforms out there. In the past, it was very hard to get known, to be heard,
to be seen, to be even slightly noticed, because you had to know somebody in
the industry to even get your foot in the door. But now, with the social media
platform, anybody can be a producer, a writer, a singer, an actor, a host,
whatever! Put it out there and you never know, depending on the number of hits
on your site, you could be the next big thing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think that’s great.
But it’s also a double-edged sword, because on one hand, it allows the person
who could not have been found through the old traditional means can now have that
instant success and accessibility – but it also means that those who really
don’t have the talent are just irritating everybody. It’s good entertainment
for a while, but they’re also deluded. They think that just because they’re out
there, that because in they’re in the media, it means they’re very good. But
it’s not isn’t it? Ist all comes down to whether or not you’re talented. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Young & Fabulous</i> opens in Singapore on 26 May 2016. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-77660506979552766962016-05-25T08:36:00.001-07:002016-05-25T08:40:10.075-07:00The Angry Birds Movie For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/the-angry-birds-movie-review/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE </h2>
Director : Fergal Reilly, Clay Kaytis<br />
Cast : Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage, Kate McKinnon, Sean Penn, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Blake Shelton<br />
Genre : Animation<br />
Run Time : 97 mins<br />
Opens : 26 May 2016<br />
Rating : PG<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77XHdUXvfRY/V0XF-5029uI/AAAAAAAANEQ/wxQv9ROu7JoET933pSRVlDFVvN87f4wFgCLcB/s1600/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-77XHdUXvfRY/V0XF-5029uI/AAAAAAAANEQ/wxQv9ROu7JoET933pSRVlDFVvN87f4wFgCLcB/s320/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2Bposter.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Red feathers at morning, pigs
take warning. In this animated comedy, we become acquainted with Red
(Sudeikis), a resident of Bird Island who has trouble keeping his temper in
check. After a particularly bad flare-up, Judge Peckinpah (Key) sentences Red
to anger management classes. The classes are conducted by Matilda (Rudolph),
and Red eventually befriends the jittery Chuck (Gad), Bomb (McBride), prone to
literally exploding when he gets upset, and the gigantic, constantly growling
Terence (Penn). Out of the blue, Bird Island receives visitors in the form of
green pigs, led by Leonard (Hader). Claiming to be peaceful explorers, the
newcomers are received with open arms by all of Bird Island’s residents – apart
from Red, who harbours his suspicions. Red is proven right when it turns out
that the pigs intend to steal and eat all of the birds’ eggs. Red, Chuck and
Bomb seek the advice of the Mighty Eagle (Dinklage), a mythical hero whose
glory days are far behind him. In retaliation, the denizens of Bird Island
stage an attack on Piggy Island to rescue their unborn offspring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>The Angry Birds</i>
<i>Movie</i> is an adaptation of the mobile
game developed by Rovio, which became a cultural phenomenon around 5-6 years
ago. Beyond the point that this might be flapping its way into theatres a tad
late, there is another elephant bird in the room. Large swathes of the internet
are convinced that the film is a thinly-veiled anti-immigration screed. It
seems far-fetched that a kids’ movie based on a puzzle game might be
politicised, but it’s not absurd on its face. The villains are insidious
foreigners with a hidden agenda, their leader is sporting a curly beard, they
arrive bearing gifts and the promise of peace, and our hero is the one guy who
suspects all is not as it seems. Alternatively, it’s an anti-colonialist
message, with the pigs as the conquistadors who have arrived to bamboozle the
locals and make off with their resources. Naturally, the makers of the film
won’t confirm or deny the hypotheses outright. It slingshots right over the
heads of the young target audience, but it’s something to mull over – or just
chuckle about – all the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXvxU935J10/V0XGFFwihiI/AAAAAAAANEU/mZNzLjG3ihsB67UC4M3i3m1RyMetl7LtACLcB/s1600/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BChuck%2BRed%2Band%2BBomb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cXvxU935J10/V0XGFFwihiI/AAAAAAAANEU/mZNzLjG3ihsB67UC4M3i3m1RyMetl7LtACLcB/s640/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BChuck%2BRed%2Band%2BBomb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Past the possible political commentary, <i>Angry Birds</i> is very much a serviceable,
run-of-the-mill animated comedy. There are reasonably well-known comic actors
in the voice cast, cloyingly cutesy baby characters, getting-crap-past-the-radar
jokes to make the adults snicker, and the inclusion of pop songs aplenty. The
birds might be flightless, but a surprisingly high number of the jokes land.
Amidst the more questionable gags, like a <i>Fifty
Shades of Grey </i>reference and scatological humour, there’s a litany of
groan-inducing puns – think “Kevin Bacon in Hamlet”, “Calvin Swine underwear”
and “The Birds and the Bees Fertility Clinic”. Screenwriter Jon Vitti is a <i>Simpsons</i> alum who also penned the first
two <i>Alvin and the Chipmunks</i> movie, so
one kind of knows what to expect jokes-wise. There is a niggling sense that a
lot of the jokes were cooked up by a writer’s room of stand-up comics roped in
to do a last-minute punch-up. It’s also not terribly original: one scene
borrows the “most annoying sound” joke from <i>Dumb
and Dumber</i>, while another lifts the Quicksilver kitchen sequence from <i>X-Men: Days of Future Past</i> wholesale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiDMmegPpYo/V0XGJlMh-cI/AAAAAAAANEY/MBgsNCTGhpou5WbSSt3WawUTLeiX0JJDQCLcB/s1600/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BRed%2Band%2BSlingshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiDMmegPpYo/V0XGJlMh-cI/AAAAAAAANEY/MBgsNCTGhpou5WbSSt3WawUTLeiX0JJDQCLcB/s640/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BRed%2Band%2BSlingshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>Angry Birds</i> may
be markedly unsophisticated, but its protagonist does go a good way to making
it work. Red is flawed, a bitterly anti-social loner whose deep-seated issues
stem from a childhood of neglect (he was orphaned) and bullying. Sudeikis
doesn’t phone it in and ends up being pretty engaging as Red, allowing the
viewer to sympathise with his myriad frustrations. Gad essentially reprises
Olaf from <i>Frozen</i>, while McBride is
reasonably cuddly as the gentle giant who just can’t help his outbursts. Dinklage
is an absolute hoot as the Mighty Eagle, a widely-admired Wizard of Oz type who
turns out to be out of shape and comically ineffectual – wait, the Bald Eagle
is the national bird of which country, again? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3f-08aXrj38/V0XGN8fGyXI/AAAAAAAANEc/HPtPBNk1hD0G-x27mGeT5vJkrwNPQGQzQCLcB/s1600/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BThe%2BMighty%2BEagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3f-08aXrj38/V0XGN8fGyXI/AAAAAAAANEc/HPtPBNk1hD0G-x27mGeT5vJkrwNPQGQzQCLcB/s640/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BThe%2BMighty%2BEagle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Hader could stand to be a little – yes, we’re going there
– hammier in his role as the big bad of the piece. Leonard and his fellow pigs
want to <i>consume unborn children</i> – it
would’ve been interesting to see the movie acknowledge just how dark this is. And
hiring Oscar winner Penn to grunt and growl seems even more puzzling than
having Vin Diesel’s only lines be “I am Groot”. Penn taped all his, uh,
“dialogue” in one recording session and co-director Clay Kaytis openly admits
it was stunt-casting. Apparently, the film’s executive producer David Maisel is
a friend of Penn’s and reached out to him. Penn, enjoying an early cut of the
film (and probably not wanting to pass up the incredibly easy pay cheque),
signed on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3DQ-gdMyGo/V0XHUgYNFEI/AAAAAAAANE0/ZFf34d96sAA1khfD9K2HNIMRD12jdBVcwCLcB/s1600/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BLeonard%2Band%2BEgg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C3DQ-gdMyGo/V0XHUgYNFEI/AAAAAAAANE0/ZFf34d96sAA1khfD9K2HNIMRD12jdBVcwCLcB/s640/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BLeonard%2Band%2BEgg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>Angry Birds</i> is
sufficiently colourful, fast-paced and funny, such that parents won’t be
tearing out their hair - though it’s likely they won’t genuinely enjoy it. It
is what it is, a franchise-ready animated movie made by committee, and it
really could’ve turned out significantly worse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm11NPCpKNc/V0XGWPfkJyI/AAAAAAAANEk/psOo-wkV9AsoVKdyCR2ExIDEq7QOCmQ2wCLcB/s1600/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BBird%2BIsland%2Bwelcome%2Bparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm11NPCpKNc/V0XGWPfkJyI/AAAAAAAANEk/psOo-wkV9AsoVKdyCR2ExIDEq7QOCmQ2wCLcB/s640/The%2BAngry%2BBirds%2BMovie%2BBird%2BIsland%2Bwelcome%2Bparty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
It’s an animated movie as ordered via corporate mandate, but <i>The Angry Birds Movie</i> does pack in the
jokes and some lively animation. Have meaningful post-movie discussions with
your kids about the supposed anti-immigration sentiment in the movie at your
own risk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RATING: 3 </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">out
of <b>5</b> Stars <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-4487847684352711532016-05-24T23:42:00.001-07:002016-05-25T07:16:28.632-07:00 Young & Fabulous (最佳伙扮)For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/young-fabulous-%E6%9C%80%E4%BD%B3%E4%BC%99%E6%89%AE-review/#9st6shAc7P1Szq72.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">YOUNG AND FABULOUS (最佳伙扮)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Director : Joyce Lee, Michael Woo</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 24px;">Cast : Aloysius Pang, Joshua Tan, Joyce Chu, Jeffrey Xu, Gurmit Singh, Henry Thia, Quan Yi Fong, Jordan Ng, The Sam Willows</span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Genre : Comedy</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Run Time : 1 hr 47 mins</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Opens : 26 May 2016</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">Rating : PG (Some Coarse Language)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LglUII_SQbo/V0VImZ_J7aI/AAAAAAAANDY/yWPKm_sJ9qsue5lF6hLBSSoIcwEYCD0DACLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LglUII_SQbo/V0VImZ_J7aI/AAAAAAAANDY/yWPKm_sJ9qsue5lF6hLBSSoIcwEYCD0DACLcB/s320/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2Bposter.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;">This comedy plunges us into the world of sewing
machines, oversized foam swords, flowing robes and lots of makeup: the local
cosplay scene. Royston (Pang) is a shy, top-scoring student with social
anxiety. His mother Mei Feng (Quan) intends for him to become a doctor, but
Royston dreams of being a fashion designer with his own label in Japan. Royston
tailors costumes for the local cosplay community. His friend and client Chen
Jun (Xu), who cross-dresses as female characters, eventually convinces Royston
to try cosplaying himself. Royston secretly nurses a crush on his classmate
Violet (Chu), a conceited social media darling from an affluent family. Royston’s
best friend Hao Ren (Tan), an enterprising smooth-talker, encourages Royston’s
pursuit of his hobby. Royston, Violet and Hao Ren eventually form a cosplaying
team, while facing opposition from all sides. Mr. Boo (Singh), the school’s
stern Discipline Master, is none too pleased that his students are diverting
their attention away from their studies. Will passion conquer all, or will
reality stomp on their dreams? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCvOvgtIcI4/V0VIs7kv2wI/AAAAAAAANDc/TrE-fpK-wrMPuEeOIiIXKmwwWFreQ5-FwCLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BJoyce%2BChu%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan%2Band%2BAloysius%2BPang%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCvOvgtIcI4/V0VIs7kv2wI/AAAAAAAANDc/TrE-fpK-wrMPuEeOIiIXKmwwWFreQ5-FwCLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BJoyce%2BChu%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan%2Band%2BAloysius%2BPang%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> It’s
perfectly understandable that actual cosplayers would be wary of <i>Young & Fabulous</i>. After all, the
hobby has often been misunderstood and thus misrepresented by those on the
outside. As with any circle of enthusiasts, there are figures in the local
cosplay who are admired for their craftsmanship and others who have gained
notoriety for some reason or another, with a surprising amount of politicking
in between. Anyway, it’s most helpful to think of <i>Young & Fabulous</i> not as a movie about cosplay, but as a
comedy-drama which uses the hobby as a textural element. The themes in the film
are not explored with great depth, but they are readily relatable. Most any
Singaporean with artistic inclinations knows what it’s like to be reminded by
their parents that one won’t be able to make a stable income outside of being a
doctor/lawyer/accountant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reAXIpb5hj8/V0VIxjckSxI/AAAAAAAANDg/6IlVCoybRJY9M7LT2TcZpoc_WMeb6NXrQCLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BAloysius%2BPang%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan%2Band%2BJoyce%2BChu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-reAXIpb5hj8/V0VIxjckSxI/AAAAAAAANDg/6IlVCoybRJY9M7LT2TcZpoc_WMeb6NXrQCLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BAloysius%2BPang%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan%2Band%2BJoyce%2BChu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> As
with many commercial Singaporean films, <i>Young
& Fabulous</i> is sorely lacking in subtlety. The stylistic flourishes that
include daydream sequences filled with deliberately cheesy visual effects, or
comedy sound effects and on-screen graphics reminiscent of those one would see
in an anime, tend to be a little too silly. However, barring one extremely
jarring tonal shift, the balance between the comedy and drama tends to work.
This reviewer was moved by several scenes, and there’s also a reveal in the
final act that’s a real gut-punch. While it’s far from a nuanced portrayal of
the cosplay scene, a great many actual cosplayers were involved in the making
of the film, and if you’re in that community, you’ll recognise at least a
couple of familiar faces in the crowd scenes. In addition to the standard
blooper reel, the end credits also feature short interviews with actual
cosplayers, including a pilot, a lawyer and an engineer, who explain what drew
them to the hobby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> Pang,
one of local Chinese-language television’s “Eight Dukes”, is eminently
endearing and easy to root for as the shy, stuttering underdog who eventually
comes into his own. There are several moments when he dials the awkwardness up
to 11 and it feels like an affectation, but that can be probably chalked up to
a directorial choice as well. Nevertheless, there’s a depth of sincerity to his
performance here. When Royston breaks down in tears, it is genuinely
heart-rending. <i>Ah Boys to Men</i> star
Tan is immensely likeable, charming when the character could’ve been plenty
obnoxious. Hao Ren is an experienced huckster who’s opportunistic, but never at
the expense of looking out for his friends, and seems like a pretty awesome
wingman to have around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbOp9U5z_5Q/V0VI4XxWW-I/AAAAAAAANDk/4Vtk_gz3pjY5F8__OITZEjXp2h1tQSpGACLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BSandra%2BRiley%2BTang%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan%252C%2BJoyce%2BChu%2Band%2BNarelle%2BKheng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XbOp9U5z_5Q/V0VI4XxWW-I/AAAAAAAANDk/4Vtk_gz3pjY5F8__OITZEjXp2h1tQSpGACLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BSandra%2BRiley%2BTang%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan%252C%2BJoyce%2BChu%2Band%2BNarelle%2BKheng.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> Malaysian
singer Chu makes her acting debut in this film. Unfortunately, she has to bury
her innate sweetness beneath layers of a princess complex. As far as female
leads go, Violet is surprisingly catty and unkind, which brings us to the
conclusion that Royston is really only drawn to her looks. There is an attempt
to justify Violet’s behaviour by way of her snooty parents, played by Constance
Song and Bernard Tan, but there’s far from enough character development if
we’re expected to view Violet as a decent human being by the end of the movie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t82Qy4N6qLY/V0VI-R8QgKI/AAAAAAAANDo/N9CGXkSrJYEA2O0gahIfIr15eS0Q9QnKwCLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BGurmit%2BSingh%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t82Qy4N6qLY/V0VI-R8QgKI/AAAAAAAANDo/N9CGXkSrJYEA2O0gahIfIr15eS0Q9QnKwCLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BGurmit%2BSingh%252C%2BJoshua%2BTan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> Singh
makes a departure from his typically over-the-top comedic roles as the
no-nonsense Mr. Boo, who seems the be the only teacher in the school. He gets
to shine in a scene opposite Henry Thia, who plays Hao Ren’s father Hao Lian (a
homonym for the Mandarin term for ‘boastful’), with Hao Ren translating for the
two. Quan’s character, with her heart set on crushing her children’s dreams and
who is prone to labelling her younger son Jordan (Jordan Ng) as “dumb”, is easy
to dislike. However, it turns out that the film offers very compelling reasons
for her actions and attitude, and while it’s exploration of parent-child
tendencies may be very on-the-nose, it’s a relationship that this reviewer did
get invested in. Quan also has a gem of a comedic scene in which she gives a
speech to a sausage. We will not provide the context for this lest we ruin the
joke. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3_2ZX8u7Xk/V0VJD2V6IQI/AAAAAAAANDs/hQbPOSZXs8MB0e_pOSyKjZl8ESB1O51wwCLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BQuan%2BYi%2BFong%2Band%2BHenry%2BThia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V3_2ZX8u7Xk/V0VJD2V6IQI/AAAAAAAANDs/hQbPOSZXs8MB0e_pOSyKjZl8ESB1O51wwCLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BQuan%2BYi%2BFong%2Band%2BHenry%2BThia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> Xu,
fellow ‘Duke’ to Pang, steals the show as the flamboyant Chen Jun, the <i>de facto</i> gay best friend whose sexual
orientation is strongly hinted at but never referred to directly. Xu is having
a ball of a time, and quite hearteningly, the film does not mock the
character’s crossdressing outright. Sure, more than a few laughs are had at his
expense, but he’s also made out to be confident and talented at his chosen
hobby. Also look out for the members of indie band <i>The Sam Willows</i>, who cameo as school bullies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ui01DrFc1ZM/V0VJNuytvzI/AAAAAAAAND4/y7ULOy7dOYMFwQtqPXLQO3IB0quOcGtZACLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BJoshua%2BTan%2Band%2BJeffrey%2BXu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ui01DrFc1ZM/V0VJNuytvzI/AAAAAAAAND4/y7ULOy7dOYMFwQtqPXLQO3IB0quOcGtZACLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BJoshua%2BTan%2Band%2BJeffrey%2BXu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> <i>Young & Fabulous</i> is surprisingly
bereft of conspicuous product placement, a pitfall that affects many
Singaporean films. There is a bottle of chicken essence with <i>its label actually obscured</i>. Co-directors
Lee and Woo may not have portrayed the cosplay scene with utmost accuracy, but
their intentions to depict the passion and craftsmanship that goes into the
hobby cannot be faulted. Similarly, the difficulties faced by any young
Singaporean in realising their artistic endeavours do make for adequately
dramatic material. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7wuCSR5-PM/V0VJJvnbiZI/AAAAAAAANDw/N4x-isOxpdwIjfhO-QfpqzsNQH6JC3YvACLcB/s1600/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BJoshua%2BTan%252C%2BAloysius%2BPang%252C%2BJoyce%2BChu%2Band%2BJeffrey%2BXu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7wuCSR5-PM/V0VJJvnbiZI/AAAAAAAANDw/N4x-isOxpdwIjfhO-QfpqzsNQH6JC3YvACLcB/s640/Young%2B%2526%2BFabulous%2BJoshua%2BTan%252C%2BAloysius%2BPang%252C%2BJoyce%2BChu%2Band%2BJeffrey%2BXu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;">Summary: </span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;">Dressed to the sixes and
sevens, rather than to the nines – what it lacks in subtlety, it somewhat makes
up for in humour and heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;">RATING: 3</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"> out of <b>5</b> Stars <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-fareast-font-family: KaiTi;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: "myriadproregular" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-20419964323765458202016-05-19T02:44:00.002-07:002016-05-19T07:14:49.995-07:00X-Men: Apocalypse<h2>
X-MEN: APOCALYPSE</h2>
Director : Bryan Singer<br />
Cast : James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Isaac, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Olivia Munn, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Lucas Till, Josh Helman, Lana Condor, Ben Hardy<br />
Genre : Action/Adventure<br />
Run Time : 2 hrs 25 mins<br />
Opens : 19 May 2016<br />
Rating : PG13 (Violence & Brief Coarse Language)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPLozfw91vk/Vz2KJvqzrzI/AAAAAAAANCQ/zuYuRfLsiwkN-gOJ0_BG6s-vfjAHY8b0wCLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPLozfw91vk/Vz2KJvqzrzI/AAAAAAAANCQ/zuYuRfLsiwkN-gOJ0_BG6s-vfjAHY8b0wCLcB/s200/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2Bposter.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The end is the beginning is
the end for our ever-expanding cast of mutant heroes as they face their most
insurmountable foe yet. The year is 1983 and after a millennia-long slumber, En-Sabah-Nur/Apocalypse
(Isaac), the first and most powerful mutant in history, has awoken. Apocalypse
goes about recruiting mutants to be his new Four Horsemen: the still-bitter
Erik Lensherr/Magneto (Fassbender) is “War”, the telekinetic swordswoman
Elizabeth Braddock/Psylocke (Munn) is “Pestilence”, weather-controlling Ororo
Munroe/Storm (Shipp) is “Famine” and the winged Warren Worthington III/Angel
(Hardy) is “Death”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJE4xlFsIRg/Vz2KPvL9T8I/AAAAAAAANCU/sTT6SCO9t1kVEHh4zgngvdkI4fwIJrR1gCLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BJennifer%2BLawrence%252C%2BRose%2BByrne%252C%2BJames%2BMcAvoy%252C%2BLucas%2BTill%2Band%2BNicholas%2BHoult.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IJE4xlFsIRg/Vz2KPvL9T8I/AAAAAAAANCU/sTT6SCO9t1kVEHh4zgngvdkI4fwIJrR1gCLcB/s640/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BJennifer%2BLawrence%252C%2BRose%2BByrne%252C%2BJames%2BMcAvoy%252C%2BLucas%2BTill%2Band%2BNicholas%2BHoult.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
the meantime, Raven Darkhölme/Mystique (Lawrence) has become an icon to mutants
everywhere following her actions in Washington D.C. ten years earlier. In her
mission to free oppressed mutants, she rescues Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler
(Smit-McPhee), a circus performer with the ability to teleport. Among the new
students in Professor Xavier’s (McAvoy) school are Scott Summers/Cyclops
(Sheridan), Jean Grey/Phoenix (Turner) and Jubilation Lee/Jubilee (Condor). These
young, inexperienced X-Men must look up to mentors like Professor X and Hank
McCoy/Beast (Hoult) for guidance, with speedster Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver
(Peters) returning to the fray as well. Everyone will be caught in Apocalypse’s
unrelenting thirst for absolute power, as the X-Men have to fight for their
lives and their future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdw0dSrtfKE/Vz2KVawhoNI/AAAAAAAANCY/XO0xnmwPmn0XUXuoxJa3wVlqTxtSznKmACLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BOscar%2BIsaac%252C%2BAlexandra%2BShipp%252C%2BOlivia%2BMunn%252C%2BMichael%2BFassbender%2Band%2BBen%2BHardy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cdw0dSrtfKE/Vz2KVawhoNI/AAAAAAAANCY/XO0xnmwPmn0XUXuoxJa3wVlqTxtSznKmACLcB/s640/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BOscar%2BIsaac%252C%2BAlexandra%2BShipp%252C%2BOlivia%2BMunn%252C%2BMichael%2BFassbender%2Band%2BBen%2BHardy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>X-Men:
Apocalypse</i> is the ninth film in the <i>X-Men</i>
series, counting <i>Deadpool</i> from
earlier this year. With the successes of both <i>Days of Future Past</i> and <i>Deadpool</i>,
expectations for <i>Apocalypse</i> were
understandably high. While there is a surfeit of wink-and-nod references for
fans of the source material to lap up, <i>Apocalypse</i>
does suffer from ‘sequelitis’ – it’s not an incurable case, but the symptoms
are there. The 144-minute run time does mean this is bursting at the seams – if
you thought there were too many characters in the earlier films, you ain’t seen
nothing yet. The pacing, particularly in the front half, suffers, then the
latter half of the movie almost drowns in frenetic, overwrought action
sequences. The film’s reach tends to exceed its grasp, and there are so many
complicated visual effects-heavy scenes that the large-scale destruction tends
to feel synthetic and bereft of weight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5kUyGDeWzM/Vz2KpaoMI5I/AAAAAAAANCk/ZrtNsj-2yzU2ZDMOKvgCV1zI9Z2U9ZnnQCLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BMichael%2BFassbender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p5kUyGDeWzM/Vz2KpaoMI5I/AAAAAAAANCk/ZrtNsj-2yzU2ZDMOKvgCV1zI9Z2U9ZnnQCLcB/s640/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BMichael%2BFassbender.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
central tempestuous and compelling relationship between Charles and Erik was
the driving force of <i>First Class</i>.
While this plot thread had to share screen time with many others in <i>Days of Future Past</i>, it was still given
enough play. Here, it gets pushed to the sidelines, but director Bryan Singer
seems eager to assure us that he hasn’t forgotten about it. As good as McAvoy
and Fassbender are in their respective roles, most of the interaction between
the two characters here seems like a re-tread, with Magneto’s character
development going around in circles. Even more obvious here than in the previous
film is the sense that Mystique has been pushed to the forefront to capitalise
on Lawrence’s current stardom. There’s also an excuse written into the plot for
why we see so little of Mystique in her scaly blue true form. Lawrence seems
the tiniest bit checked out, as if she’s glad that she’s still part of a
juggernaut franchise after the conclusion of the <i>Hunger Games</i> series, but would rather move on to something else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIAyPEk0bdI/Vz2KjrK-S8I/AAAAAAAANCg/AkDIrNn1iHw7Y8WW-phXMmNQuD323dPTQCLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BOscar%2BIsaac%2Band%2BJennifer%2BLawrence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IIAyPEk0bdI/Vz2KjrK-S8I/AAAAAAAANCg/AkDIrNn1iHw7Y8WW-phXMmNQuD323dPTQCLcB/s640/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BOscar%2BIsaac%2Band%2BJennifer%2BLawrence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When
the first images of Apocalypse as depicted in this film were revealed, the
comparisons to Ivan Ooze started flooding the internet. For this reviewer, the
problem is not so much that the supervillain physically resembles a<i> Power
Rangers</i> baddie, but that he <i>acts</i> like
one. The original omnipotent mutant should be a force to be reckoned with, but
Isaac’s hammy performance and some clunky snatches of dialogue prevent
Apocalypse from actually being intimidating at all. It’s a shame that this
unstoppable, ancient entity comes across as petulant and unintentionally funny.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDHof4nD_6c/Vz2K0JWePAI/AAAAAAAANCs/4_Rr2st_nXofu5jMUzHnSh0Gcc5KzUwPACLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BEvan%2BPeters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDHof4nD_6c/Vz2K0JWePAI/AAAAAAAANCs/4_Rr2st_nXofu5jMUzHnSh0Gcc5KzUwPACLcB/s640/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BEvan%2BPeters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Quicksilver
stole the show with the slow-mo kitchen sequence in <i>Days of Future Past</i>, and there’s a generally decent attempt to
recreate that here with a set-piece set to <i>Sweet
Dreams Are Made of This</i>. It’s too bad that it can’t help but feel like a
desperate attempt to bump a breakout character up the roster. The younger
versions of Cyclops, Phoenix and Nightcrawler are generally fine – this reviewer
particularly enjoyed McPhee’s turn as the sensitive, easily-startled and
good-hearted Kurt. Fans of the <i>X-Men:
Evolution</i> animated series will probably enjoy what is the closest we’ve
come to a live-action version of that show, in the moments when the recruits
are hanging out. And yes, the Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) cameo is a hoot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1x2OepbzOfM/Vz2KbLiS3CI/AAAAAAAANCc/V1bmRVa5Fu8Y4YlPtZjjJ48h5DxEbSb5gCLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BSophie%2BTurner%252C%2BKodi%2BSmit-McPhee%2Band%2BTye%2BSheridan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1x2OepbzOfM/Vz2KbLiS3CI/AAAAAAAANCc/V1bmRVa5Fu8Y4YlPtZjjJ48h5DxEbSb5gCLcB/s640/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BSophie%2BTurner%252C%2BKodi%2BSmit-McPhee%2Band%2BTye%2BSheridan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In
between all of this, Singer and screenwriter Simon Kinberg find the time to
make a particularly nasty dig at <i>X-Men:
The Last Stand</i>, in a line of dialogue uttered by Jean as she, Scott and
Jubilation are leaving the theatre after watching <i>Return of the Jedi</i>. Sure, <i>The
Last Stand</i>’s flaws have been consistently acknowledged and <i>Days of Future Past</i> exists predominantly
to wipe it off the slate, but perhaps Singer and company shouldn’t be so smug. There’s
less room for the character dynamics to breathe, the action is more generic and
less inventive, and at times the large ensemble comes across like the Rockettes
performing a kick line at Radio City Music Hall. On top of all that, a major
supervillain whose live-action debut has been highly anticipated is
disappointingly realised. Here’s hoping this is a momentary stumble, because if
the post-credits scene is anything to go by, there’s more to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apeZew5_Jl0/Vz2K8l3O_AI/AAAAAAAANCw/Z8KktH4EmFohVjQHENjwe9-Yc_b5pbSoACLcB/s1600/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BJames%2BMcAvoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-apeZew5_Jl0/Vz2K8l3O_AI/AAAAAAAANCw/Z8KktH4EmFohVjQHENjwe9-Yc_b5pbSoACLcB/s640/X-Men%2BApocalypse%2BJames%2BMcAvoy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>X-Men: Apocalypse</i> has its entertaining
moments and there’s no shortage of things for eagle-eyed fans to catch, but
these are generally drowned out by loud, generic action and an overstuffed
cast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RATING: 2.5</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
out of <b>5</b> Stars <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-22401720873283217202016-05-12T08:55:00.001-07:002016-05-12T08:55:37.472-07:00The Faith Of Anna Waters (a.k.a The Offering)For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/the-faith-of-anna-waters-review/#s8SQ6sKPHCs4mop7.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
THE FAITH OF ANNA WATERS</h2>
Director : Kelvin Tong<br />
Cast : Elizabeth Rice, Matthew Settle, Adina Herz, Colin Borgonon, Adrian Pang, Jaymee Ong, Pamelyn Chee, Paul Lucas, Victoria Mintey, Gus Donald<br />
Genre : Horror/Thriller<br />
Run Time : 95 mins<br />
Opens : 12 May 2016<br />
Rating : NC16 (Horror)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb6ANJnnyQE/VzSlxYVq6TI/AAAAAAAANBM/TEr8dUZ6XGQZuW-z0jzplYW_gh_CpwxeQCLcB/s1600/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bb6ANJnnyQE/VzSlxYVq6TI/AAAAAAAANBM/TEr8dUZ6XGQZuW-z0jzplYW_gh_CpwxeQCLcB/s200/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2Bposter.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Singaporean
filmmaker Kelvin Tong takes a dip in the waters of Hollywood with this horror
thriller. Chicagoan journalist Jamie Waters (Rice) travels to Singapore when
she learns that her sister Anna (Condy) has died in an apparent suicide. Sam
Harris (Settle), Anna’s ex-husband, is staying in an old bungalow inherited
from his parents. Sam and Anna’s daughter Katie (Herz) insists that her mother
is not really dead and senses ghostly activity that indicates so. Jamie
discovers a mysterious symbol, and her research points towards an ancient
demonic entity linking a spate of seemingly unrelated suicides in Singapore. Meanwhile,
Father Matthew Goh (Pang) is tracking down the source of cyber-attacks on
multiple church websites. He brings this to the attention of Father James De
Silva (Borgonon), a priest haunted by a failed exorcism years ago. Rather than
a mere hacker, Father Goh believes the same ancient evil linking the suicides
is perpetrating the cyber-attacks. Jamie, Sam and the two priests must face a
powerful other-worldly force to stop this cycle of death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjgPosVAZoI/VzSl9LiyIhI/AAAAAAAANBU/JVkifPiYV5kyGRGbmztDCOxfFzzEXE3LQCLcB/s1600/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BElizabeth%2BRice%252C%2BMatthew%2BSettle%2Band%2BAdina%2BHerz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjgPosVAZoI/VzSl9LiyIhI/AAAAAAAANBU/JVkifPiYV5kyGRGbmztDCOxfFzzEXE3LQCLcB/s640/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BElizabeth%2BRice%252C%2BMatthew%2BSettle%2Band%2BAdina%2BHerz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <i>The
Faith of Anna Waters</i> is touted as “Singapore’s first Hollywood horror
movie”. What that actually means is this is a Singaporean film that managed to
secure financial backing from American investors, with a couple of American
actors leading the cast. An English-language genre piece has the potential to
travel, and the producers of the film hope <i>The
Faith of Anna Waters</i> will find an audience in the States and elsewhere
beyond Singapore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PI0ZT2-346o/VzSmH4ZnoLI/AAAAAAAANBY/IR786U7tLtk3Tw7kqu-FTKclvvt1YAIuACLcB/s1600/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BMatthew%2BSettle%2Band%2BElizabeth%2BRice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PI0ZT2-346o/VzSmH4ZnoLI/AAAAAAAANBY/IR786U7tLtk3Tw7kqu-FTKclvvt1YAIuACLcB/s640/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BMatthew%2BSettle%2Band%2BElizabeth%2BRice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Director Tong also wrote the screenplay and the film
is something of a mashup of the supernatural horror and techno-thriller
subgenres. The premise of a tech-savvy demon can easily become ridiculous and
certain aspects of this story seem a little dated. The project was originally
entitled “<i>Email</i>”, and haunted email
movies are past their sell-by date by about 15 years. There are so many disparate
ingredients flung into the pot, from cyber threats to incurable diseases to allusions
to the Biblical Tower of Babel to a family mystery rooted in Singapore’s
colonial past, that this reviewer was less spooked by the film and more curious
to see where it all leads. Unfortunately, Tong fails to satisfyingly tie these
plot threads together, with the film often falling back on genre clichés and
cribbing liberally from <i>The Exorcist</i>
and supernatural horror movies of that ilk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcZ4HT0olKc/VzSm9-nxCLI/AAAAAAAANBk/c2Pe6OWRWv4Z6GHfily9drHVSgyt_0hywCLcB/s1600/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BMatthew%2BSettle%2Band%2BAdina%2BHerz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcZ4HT0olKc/VzSm9-nxCLI/AAAAAAAANBk/c2Pe6OWRWv4Z6GHfily9drHVSgyt_0hywCLcB/s640/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BMatthew%2BSettle%2Band%2BAdina%2BHerz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Twilight</span></i><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">’s Nikki Reed was originally attached to star, but was
replaced by <i>Mad Men</i>’s Elizabeth Rice
due to scheduling conflicts. Jamie Waters is the stock “intrepid journalist”
character through and through, snooping around abandoned basements and thumbing
through archival newspaper clippings in search of the truth. As proactive a
protagonist as Jamie is, she’s just not a terribly interesting character. Similarly,
<i>Band of Brothers</i> and <i>Gossip Girls</i> actor Settle is bland and
unremarkable as Jamie’s former brother in law. Nothing really dynamic comes of
the conflict between the two, with Jamie blaming Sam for leaving her sister and
niece. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m32Bqa8mO74/VzSnGgBpVNI/AAAAAAAANBo/b9SKdTed8RgEjPdUHD1eH9HveFvreEmRQCLcB/s1600/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BAdrian%2BPang%2Band%2BColin%2BBorgonon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m32Bqa8mO74/VzSnGgBpVNI/AAAAAAAANBo/b9SKdTed8RgEjPdUHD1eH9HveFvreEmRQCLcB/s640/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BAdrian%2BPang%2Band%2BColin%2BBorgonon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Herz, formerly a contestant on <i>The Voice Kids Australia</i>, makes her acting debut in the film. Unfortunately,
her inexperience shows through, as she turns in an awkward and stiff
performance. Australian actor Borgonon brings enough dignity to bear as Father
De Silva in a performance that’s clearly patterned after Max von Sydow’s role
in the afore-mentioned <i>The Exorcist</i>.
Pang turns the earnestness up to eleven as priest/cyber-sleuth Father Goh, but
there’s the sense that a considerably younger actor might be better-suited to
the role as written. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">The film’s production values are decent, with
cinematographer Wade Muller establishing an appropriately spooky mood. The film
employs digital visual effects sparingly, Tong wisely avoiding an overuse of
CGI. There are also some effectively-staged gory moments showcasing competent
special effects makeup work by Thai studio QFX Workshop. The film does rely too
heavily on Joe Ng and Ting Si Hao’s score to announce to the audience that they
should be afraid. Music and sound effects should enhance or accompany an
inherently scary moment instead of merely serving to startle viewers. There are
some potentially fascinating ideas at work in <i>The Faith of Anna Waters</i>, but these are muddled in an unnecessarily
convoluted story with a lack of focus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_m7JNJ6q88/VzSl5F2SRRI/AAAAAAAANBg/eseG768gougz-Jak2CnMjkqFKBLFf20mACKgB/s1600/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BMatthew%2BSettle%252C%2BAdina%2BHerz%2Band%2BElizabeth%2BRice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_m7JNJ6q88/VzSl5F2SRRI/AAAAAAAANBg/eseG768gougz-Jak2CnMjkqFKBLFf20mACKgB/s640/The%2BFaith%2Bof%2BAnna%2BWaters%2BMatthew%2BSettle%252C%2BAdina%2BHerz%2Band%2BElizabeth%2BRice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Summary: </span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">The bubbling cauldron of ideas in <i>The
Faith of Anna Waters</i> hides a fairly conventional supernatural horror film,
the intriguing fragments failing to cohere into an engrossing whole. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">RATING: 2.5</span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> out of <b>5</b>
Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-670108840867172482016-05-12T08:46:00.001-07:002016-05-12T08:46:27.659-07:00The Family FangFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/the-family-fang-review/#rEiiGQedwQ6zfycP.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
THE FAMILY FANG</h2>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px;">
Director : Jason Bateman</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px;">
Cast : Jason Bateman, Nicole Kidman, Christopher Walken, Maryann Plunkett, Marin Ireland, Harris Yulin, Linda Emond</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px;">
Genre : Drama/Comedy</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px;">
Run Time : 1 hr 45 mins</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px;">
Opens : 12 May 2016</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0px;">
Rating : PG13 (Some Coarse Language)</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YD7nbjx83Y/VzSj_4HwlJI/AAAAAAAANAs/U5pspTLny40IHH-antNAIlVHIaIJ12fRQCLcB/s1600/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YD7nbjx83Y/VzSj_4HwlJI/AAAAAAAANAs/U5pspTLny40IHH-antNAIlVHIaIJ12fRQCLcB/s200/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2Bposter.jpg" width="135" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The family that creates art together stays together. Well, maybe that’s not a hard and fast rule. Baxter Fang (Bateman) is a novelist struggling with writer’s block while his sister Annie (Kidman) is a Hollywood actress and frequent tabloid target. As children, Annie was ‘Child A’ and Baxter was ‘Child B’, accomplices in their parents’ elaborate performance art pieces. Caleb (Walken) and Camille (Plunkett) garnered attention throughout the art world, staging various stunts in public with the aid of their children. The now-grown Fang siblings are affected by their past in different ways, and have become estranged from their parents. When Caleb and Camille suddenly vanish, Baxter and Annie immediately assume it’s just another stunt, since their parents have often cried wolf in the name of art. As the mystery surrounding Caleb and Camille’s disappearance thickens, Baxter and Annie are forced to confront some painful, uncomfortable memories, making sense of their roles in their parents’ lives and art.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VG-HyGQc6Y/VzSkLXjNS0I/AAAAAAAANA0/Rc1cJA3YcrMHxA5bN69XSFLuTIgFWbs6gCLcB/s1600/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2BNicole%2BKidman%2Band%2BJason%2BBateman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VG-HyGQc6Y/VzSkLXjNS0I/AAAAAAAANA0/Rc1cJA3YcrMHxA5bN69XSFLuTIgFWbs6gCLcB/s640/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2BNicole%2BKidman%2Band%2BJason%2BBateman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Family Fang</i> is based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Kevin Wilson, adapted for the screen by playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. Star Bateman also directs, marking his second outing behind the camera after <i>Bad Words</i>. It is extremely easy for films that are couched as being ‘quirky’ to come off as self-consciously pretentious. <i>The Family Fang </i>revolves around some pretty eccentric characters, but it has one foot firmly planted in a world that is grounded and relatable. In its commentary on modern art, <i>The Family Fang </i>expectedly tends towards the cynical, but Bateman tempers this with surprisingly heartfelt, sincere scenes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modern performance art has long been the subject of scoffing and scorn, and many hold the opinion that its practitioners get off on shocking the public and that there’s little value in their work otherwise. Figures like Chris Burden and Marina Abramović are some of the more obvious influences here, with the former being name-dropped in the film itself. While much of the film’s humour is derived from the outlandish nature of the pieces that Caleb and Camille create, Bateman seems careful not to mock them outright. This is a character study, with the central sibling team untangling the enigma of their parents; people who raised them but whom they’ve never quite understood.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFLDEkkoGiw/VzSkoUIjcyI/AAAAAAAANA4/smw9ZIALsLYMjqLxBR7sFpIkAGaOwahfQCLcB/s1600/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2BNicole%2BKidman%2Band%2BJason%2BBateman%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YFLDEkkoGiw/VzSkoUIjcyI/AAAAAAAANA4/smw9ZIALsLYMjqLxBR7sFpIkAGaOwahfQCLcB/s640/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2BNicole%2BKidman%2Band%2BJason%2BBateman%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Footage of the Fangs’ exploits is spliced in throughout the film, parcelling out the information so we see the evolution of how it all started out as something frivolous and fun, and see how the children began to feel like they were being used as pawns in service of their parents’ egos. Jack McCarthy and Kyle Donnery portray young Baxter at different ages, with Mackenzie Smith and Taylor Rose playing young Annie. Kathryn Hahn plays a younger Camille. Because Walken is so distinctive, Jason Butler Harner’s portrayal of a younger Caleb isn’t wholly convincing. These segments effectively convey two childhoods consumed by misguided passion and give us plenty of reasons why Baxter and Annie are unwilling to re-enter the world they’ve left behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bateman is as reliable a straight man as they come, a master of the ‘uncertain sideways glance’. Baxter is a bit of a schlub, writing a fantasy novel about a brother and sister that draws on his own relationship with his sister. Bateman’s performance never calls attention to itself, which works great since Baxter is the one nominally normal character in a sea of peculiarity. Kidman has a reputation for being somewhat frigid, so it is wonderful to see her let her guard down and embrace the role of someone who’s flawed but full of life. The scene in which a sleazy director tries to convince Annie that she needs to go topless for a scene in his movie is a solid establishing character moment. Kidman’s natural Australian accent is more than a little distracting, but on the whole, she and Bateman sell their bond as siblings, very quickly getting the audience in their corner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrTLm_6MhiM/VzSkwoJ1EMI/AAAAAAAANA8/_2_kIkG015YSkqxBAfPjEwJLU3avku3wgCLcB/s1600/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2BChristopher%2BWalken%252C%2BMaryann%2BPlunkett%252C%2BJason%2BBateman%2Band%2BNicole%2BKidman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrTLm_6MhiM/VzSkwoJ1EMI/AAAAAAAANA8/_2_kIkG015YSkqxBAfPjEwJLU3avku3wgCLcB/s640/The%2BFamily%2BFang%2BChristopher%2BWalken%252C%2BMaryann%2BPlunkett%252C%2BJason%2BBateman%2Band%2BNicole%2BKidman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need someone to play eccentric, there’s no question that Walken is your guy. The actor is known for needing very little screen time to steal a movie, and he does make his presence felt in <i>The Family Fang</i>. Caleb is very clearly the ringleader, stringing Camille and their children along in his schemes. His wife goes along with the plans out of love and their kids have no say in it. There are some tough questions in there, chief of which being, “Can what Caleb and Camille did be strictly considered child abuse?” Caleb does not become an over-the-top caricature in Walken’s hands, and his fiery brashness is complemented by Plunkett’s maternal warmth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bateman’s sophomore directorial effort displays some sharp instincts for storytelling. While the central mystery is resolved a little too easily, the story is sufficiently intriguing to draw the viewer in. Any statements the film attempts to make about the art world do not overshadow the emotional journey of its sibling protagonists. It is ultimately quite a marvel that <i>The Family Fang</i> is bereft of the smart-alecky indulgence that tends to afflict films trading mostly on their quirk factor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Summary: </b>Witty yet far from obnoxious, this dark family comedy-drama is assured in tone and digs into the themes of family relationships while also voicing sound opinions on the world of performance art.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>RATING: 4</b> out of <b>5 </b>Stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jedd Jong</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-4641431216370452442016-05-12T07:17:00.001-07:002016-05-12T08:37:16.967-07:00I Am WrathFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/i-am-wrath-review/#BwZ27EBhYhkB1tcL.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
I AM WRATH</h2>
Director : Chuck Russell<br />
Cast : John Travolta, Christopher Meloni, Amanda Schull, Rebecca De Mornay, Sam Trammell, Luis Da Silva, Patrick St. Esprit<br />
Genre : Action/Crime/Drama<br />
Run Time : 90 mins<br />
Opens : 12 May 2016<br />
Rating : NC16 (Violence)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCjgjL2KPYo/VzST-EoKxxI/AAAAAAAANAE/f5hHx2yzTmI5NhesEufHbQS1dCVZa127ACLcB/s1600/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCjgjL2KPYo/VzST-EoKxxI/AAAAAAAANAE/f5hHx2yzTmI5NhesEufHbQS1dCVZa127ACLcB/s200/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2Bposter.jpg" width="136" /></a></div>
John Travolta is very angry, and you won’t like him when he’s angry. In this action thriller, Travolta plays Stanley Hill, a mild-mannered auto manufacturing plant manager whose wife Vivian (De Mornay) is murdered in cold blood by some thugs right in front of his eyes. Frustrated by the inefficiency of the justice system, Stanley decides to take matters into his own hands in his quest for vengeance. He turns to his old friend Dennis (Meloni), who runs a barbershop but who used to work alongside Stanley in the distant, shadowy past. As Stanley and Dennis cut a swath through the city’s criminal element and uncover a conspiracy involving state officials, Stanley’s daughter Abbie (Schull) finds herself in the thugs’ crosshairs too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khkgSFsHZJ0/VzSi5afL9kI/AAAAAAAANAc/scE0MKFJOXcLI-ZtphO6XwfshRRnnQ4xQCLcB/s1600/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2BJohn%2BTravolta%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khkgSFsHZJ0/VzSi5afL9kI/AAAAAAAANAc/scE0MKFJOXcLI-ZtphO6XwfshRRnnQ4xQCLcB/s640/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2BJohn%2BTravolta%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
If you’re thinking, “Gee, this sounds like the kind of thing Nicolas Cage would sleepwalk through,” you’re absolutely right. Cage was apparently slated to star in <i>I Am Wrath</i>, with legendary director William Friedkin (<i>The Exorcist</i>, <i>The French Connection</i>) attached, but that incarnation fell through. Instead, we get the man with whom Cage once swapped faces. It’s no secret that every actor wants to be Liam Neeson in <i>Taken</i>, but not every actor has what it takes. Here, John Travolta is one of the least convincing action heroes in recent memory, complete with a paunch and a ghastly hairpiece. It seems odd that Dennis is a barber by trade, and doesn’t mention a word about how odd his pal’s hair looks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4PxX7vwUzA/VzSjCH77TrI/AAAAAAAANAg/HPgL0JWfuK4dm2OjrRF-qoe2L9AKWo7swCLcB/s1600/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2BJohn%2BTravolta%2Band%2BPatrick%2BSt.%2BEsprit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4PxX7vwUzA/VzSjCH77TrI/AAAAAAAANAg/HPgL0JWfuK4dm2OjrRF-qoe2L9AKWo7swCLcB/s640/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2BJohn%2BTravolta%2Band%2BPatrick%2BSt.%2BEsprit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This is a movie that takes itself very seriously, taking its title from Jeremiah 6:11 in the Bible, which begins, “But I am full of the wrath of the LORD, and I cannot hold it in”. Because it is so very difficult to take Travolta seriously as a badass, <i>I Am Wrath</i> flits between being unintentionally funny and just dreadfully dull. His co-star Meloni would make a much better lead – now there’s a believable middle-aged guy who could throw down with gun-toting, knife-wielding no-goodniks. To go earlier than <i>Taken</i>, <i>I Am Wrath</i> clearly wants to be <i>Death Wish</i>. Now, Charles Bronson was a grizzled guy nobody wanted to mess with. Travolta looks like he’s midway through a transformation into a wax statue of himself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3AhwLwyLho/VzSjIZw5H7I/AAAAAAAANAk/8HiW2d8Ns60lM_iQIG8ODnV7U9gQBKnFQCLcB/s1600/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2BJohn%2BTravolta%2Band%2BChristopher%2BMeloni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P3AhwLwyLho/VzSjIZw5H7I/AAAAAAAANAk/8HiW2d8Ns60lM_iQIG8ODnV7U9gQBKnFQCLcB/s640/I%2BAm%2BWrath%2BJohn%2BTravolta%2Band%2BChristopher%2BMeloni.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
From the stock ‘dead wife motivation’ to the non-descript gangster villains to the corrupt authority figures, <i>I Am Wrath</i> has not a single original bone in its body. The decision to set the movie in Columbus, Ohio seems like an odd one, to say the least. We have nothing against Columbus, Ohio – we’ve never been to Columbus, Ohio – but as filmed by director Chuck Russell and cinematographer Andrzej Sekuła, it looks extremely boring. Incidentally, Sekuła was the Director of Photography on Pulp Fiction, which starred Travolta. <i>I Am Wrath</i>’s tagline is, “I lay my vengeance upon them,” obviously meant to evoke Ezekiel 25:17, the Bible verse famously paraphrased by Samuel L. Jackson’s character Jules Winnfield in <i>Pulp Fiction</i>. Let this be a lesson for every mediocre to terrible movie out there: do not remind the audience of far superior work.<br />
<br />
<b>Summary: </b>John Travolta is as unconvincing an action hero as they come in this lazy, wholly forgettable sub-<i>Taken </i>dreck.<br />
<br />
<b>RATING: 1.5 </b>out of <b>5 </b>Stars<br />
<br />
Jedd JongJedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-25913146597455923332016-05-07T22:29:00.001-07:002016-05-07T22:31:48.622-07:00The WitchFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/the-witch-review/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
THE WITCH</h2>
<div>
<div>
Director : Robert Eggers</div>
<div>
Cast : Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Ellie Grainger, Lucas Dawson, Bathsheba Garnett</div>
<div>
Genre : Horror</div>
<div>
Opens : 5 May 2016 (exclusively at The Projector)</div>
<div>
Rating : M18 (Some Nudity)</div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_2087711940"></span><span id="goog_2087711941"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiL9nwNGSdc/Vy7NdPooCaI/AAAAAAAAM_M/KxoCVQKYr6YrWDHdIWM0HFQ_PXK3_57hgCLcB/s1600/The%2BWitch%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiL9nwNGSdc/Vy7NdPooCaI/AAAAAAAAM_M/KxoCVQKYr6YrWDHdIWM0HFQ_PXK3_57hgCLcB/s320/The%2BWitch%2Bposter.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gather the
children, board up the windows and shut the doors because the witching hour is
upon us. In this historical horror drama, one 17<sup>th</sup> century New
England family finds themselves tormented by demonic phenomena. William
(Ineson), his wife Katherine (Dickie) and their children Thomasin (Taylor-Joy),
Caleb (Scrimshaw), twins Mercy (Grainger) and Jonas (Dawson), and baby Samuel
are excommunicated from a Puritan plantation and have to make a living on the
outskirts of a New England settlement. The sudden disappearance of baby Samuel
sets off a series of eerie happenings, with the possibility that a witch living
in the woods beyond the family farm has abducted Samuel. The devoutly religious
family attempts to make sense of these occurrences – is Thomasin herself a
witch? Is the black goat Phillip being used as a vessel for Satan? When Caleb
is struck with a mysterious ailment, is the illness the work of witches? And
perhaps most importantly, where exactly is God in this family’s time of crisis?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>The
Witch</i> is the feature film debut of writer-director Robert Eggers, who drew
on actual historical documents such as court transcripts and diaries to
assemble the dialogue of the film. It’s become a festival darling, with Eggers
netting the Best Directing in a U.S. Drama award at Sundance in 2015. There are
several pitfalls associated with low-budget indie debuts: the film can be too
indulgent and appeal only to its makers, production values might look cheap,
the acting might be stilted or attempts to play around with structure might
come off as clumsy. <i>The Witch</i> avoids practically
all of these. Eggers displays a meticulous eye for detail and the
cinematography by Jarin Blaschke, using mostly available light, is sumptuous in
its gloominess. Going against the old Hollywood adage, Eggers had to work
extensively with children and animals on this project. Additionally, he could
not afford to shoot the film in New England, where the story is set, and had to
settle for the remote location of Kiosk, Ontario in Canada, where he eventually
found suitable forests in which to shoot. <i>The
Witch</i> is dripping with ominous atmosphere, yet not in a distracting manner.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4Ykr27ctXg/Vy7Nh96lJiI/AAAAAAAAM_Q/3OMborhT3jkos3vlUeSUDXq0CNJlIdJPACLcB/s1600/The%2BWitch%2BAnya%2BTaylor-Joy%2Band%2BHarvey%2BScrimshaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4Ykr27ctXg/Vy7Nh96lJiI/AAAAAAAAM_Q/3OMborhT3jkos3vlUeSUDXq0CNJlIdJPACLcB/s640/The%2BWitch%2BAnya%2BTaylor-Joy%2Band%2BHarvey%2BScrimshaw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> There was a bit of a stir when the
Satanic Temple offered its hearty endorsement of <i>The Witch</i>. So, this means the Satanists in the film are the good
guys, right? It’s definitely not so cut and dried. <i>The Witch</i> is a remarkably compelling portrait of how someone’s
strongly-held religious beliefs can define their way of life and their
attitudes towards their loved ones. The tenets of the Puritan Calvinist faith,
which are generally viewed today as repressive, govern the family at the centre
of <i>The Witch</i>. The fear of God’s
judgement hanging over their heads leads to everyone keeping secrets from each
other - William wishes to keep his family together as a pious head of the
household, but various factors drive them apart, with no heavenly solace in
sight. While the old-timey speech and the 1600s setting might seem like an
obstacle in getting invested in the story, this reviewer found himself
gradually reeled in. There’s also some verisimilitude in the things that never
change – the young twin siblings Mercy and Jonas can get pretty annoying, and
younger siblings getting on one’s nerves seems like a universal constant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRVzt51dKag/Vy7NngLlmhI/AAAAAAAAM_U/M3L9xbXLtPwwzREzy1i_YPQIl-woXlnuwCLcB/s1600/The%2BWitch%2Bthe%2Bfamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRVzt51dKag/Vy7NngLlmhI/AAAAAAAAM_U/M3L9xbXLtPwwzREzy1i_YPQIl-woXlnuwCLcB/s640/The%2BWitch%2Bthe%2Bfamily.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Young actress Taylor-Joy has to do a
great deal of dramatic heavy lifting, and is supported by character actors
Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie, who were both on <i>Game of Thrones</i>. Taylor-Joy reminded this reviewer of a young
Scarlett Johansson – Thomasin projects a sense of obedience and innocence, but
there’s adolescent rebellion bubbling beneath the surface. There’s the danger
that child actors can pull one out of a period film, but Scrimshaw is excellent
in the role of Thomasin’s younger brother Caleb. Caleb is tempted by lust, and
growing up in a Puritanical household, most certainly hasn’t had the ‘sex
talk’. This could come off as very awkward, but is just provocative enough
without being distasteful. Ineson’s hangdog demeanour and Dickie’s severity
serve their respective characters well; these are parents who are desperately trying
to hold the fort as other-worldly forces threaten to rend their family asunder.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZQXCNRsaPs/Vy7NsxvjLlI/AAAAAAAAM_Y/Eu1ZMZZkxKYxMhybtHXxySiWGiI7nnpygCLcB/s1600/The%2BWitch%2BAnya%2BTaylor-Joy%2Bscreaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZQXCNRsaPs/Vy7NsxvjLlI/AAAAAAAAM_Y/Eu1ZMZZkxKYxMhybtHXxySiWGiI7nnpygCLcB/s640/The%2BWitch%2BAnya%2BTaylor-Joy%2Bscreaming.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> It’s easy to see why <i>The Witch</i> isn’t for everyone. It’s a
slow burn, and those in search of more conventional horror movie elements might
be turned off by the ponderous drama and grappling with religious themes
present throughout. It’s also played so seriously that certain moments can carry
the slightest hint of unintentional humour. Mark Korven’s soundtrack, heavy on
the waterphones, is probably the most formulaic horror movie component of <i>The Witch</i>. However, this reviewer did
find more than enough to sink his teeth into. Genres like horror and sci-fi can
be utilised as vehicles for powerful allegories; such is the case with <i>The Witch</i>. It’s a masterclass in
creepiness that serves as a fine antidote to the production line teen-aimed
horror flicks which flood cineplexes these days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoYPzjm7xBY/Vy7OQL2fanI/AAAAAAAAM_g/YoBqL4S-iRkN7GWgch4ucAdE1QFqcomigCLcB/s1600/The%2BWitch%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoYPzjm7xBY/Vy7OQL2fanI/AAAAAAAAM_g/YoBqL4S-iRkN7GWgch4ucAdE1QFqcomigCLcB/s640/The%2BWitch%2Bhouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Summary: </span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">An assured directorial debut from Robert Eggers, <i>The Witch</i> is thought-provoking, unsettling and richly foreboding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RATING: 4</span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> out of <b>5</b> Stars <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please visit this link to find out more: <a href="http://theprojector.sg/filmsandevents/the-witch/">http://theprojector.sg/filmsandevents/the-witch/</a></span></div>
</div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-84162525617875332862016-05-04T08:55:00.001-07:002016-05-04T08:55:47.025-07:00Where to Invade NextFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/where-to-invade-next-review/">F*** Magazine </a><br />
<h2>
WHERE TO INVADE NEXT</h2>
Director : Michael Moore<br />
Cast : Michael Moore, Krista Kiuru, Claudio Domenicali, Tim Walker, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir<br />
Genre : Documentary<br />
Run Time : 121 mins<br />
Opens : 28 April 2016<br />
Rating : M18 (Some Nudity and Drug Use)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rLhyPTDHX14/VyoaSSYrWPI/AAAAAAAAM-U/e-yxCjluvUMbdNlL8-15hNAf5yfKOh6aQCLcB/s1600/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rLhyPTDHX14/VyoaSSYrWPI/AAAAAAAAM-U/e-yxCjluvUMbdNlL8-15hNAf5yfKOh6aQCLcB/s320/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2Bposter.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">After a six-year-long
hiatus from feature films, Michael Moore, the <i>enfant terrible</i> of documentary movies, has returned with a
vengeance – but a vengeance of a friendly sort. It’s no secret that many
Americans have become dissatisfied with their way of life, proclamations of the
United States being “the greatest country on earth” getting harder and harder
to make with a straight face. From income inequality to staggering student
loans to unaffordable healthcare, the average 99%-er has a good deal to be
frustrated about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Moore imagines that he’s been sent on a mission by the
U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff to suss out where in the world the United States
should invade next. He embarks on a quest through several European countries
and one North African one to see how the people do things differently from in
the States. In Italy, the average worker
has eight weeks paid holiday, in France, students get nutritious gourmet school
lunches and Finland’s top-ranked education system does away with standardised
tests and excessive homework. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Next, Moore visits a coloured pencil factory in
Germany where the employees work a total of 36 hours a week, he takes a tour of
the surprisingly luxurious prisons in Norway, meets with female government and
business leaders in Iceland and sees how Tunisia’s government has rebuilt
itself after overthrowing a dictator, with more than 50% of its parliament
being women at the present. He attempts to wrap his head around the free
college education offered in Slovenia and Portugal’s complete decriminalisation
of drug use. At the end of each segment, Moore plants an American flag in the
ground wherever he is, proudly declaring that he’s come across another
excellent idea that the U.S. can, uh, appropriate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9chRIzpR2U/Vyoag2T0GgI/AAAAAAAAM-Y/uXCOI5AH5P4uKibO6dvX6WmDdye52UiDwCLcB/s1600/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BJoint%2BChiefs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y9chRIzpR2U/Vyoag2T0GgI/AAAAAAAAM-Y/uXCOI5AH5P4uKibO6dvX6WmDdye52UiDwCLcB/s640/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BJoint%2BChiefs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Out of all the press screenings we’ve attended, the showing
of <i>Where to Invade Next </i>probably drew
the loudest laughter from the audience we’ve ever heard. Moore is known for
being a confrontational firebrand, famously conducting ambush interviews and
staging demonstrations as part of his films. This movie sees him gentler,
albeit no less driven. All the interview subjects are willing participants,
largely because they’re given platforms on which to wag a finger at Americans
in general. The people whom Moore talks to range from schoolchildren to
blue-collar workers to such luminaries as former Icelandic president Vigdís
Finnbogadóttir, the world’s first democratically-elected female president, and
current Slovenian president Borut Pahor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao8CB8QCeew/Vyoa8dUPl6I/AAAAAAAAM-g/jHnm0nAuYXQcIEvbg6PwFiTjCwLC4OfTwCLcB/s1600/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BMichael%2BMoore%2Band%2BItalian%2Bcouple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ao8CB8QCeew/Vyoa8dUPl6I/AAAAAAAAM-g/jHnm0nAuYXQcIEvbg6PwFiTjCwLC4OfTwCLcB/s640/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BMichael%2BMoore%2Band%2BItalian%2Bcouple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Most of the humour is derived from the sense that what
we’re seeing in this panorama is all too good to be true. Two hour lunch
breaks? A law against sending emails after work? Prescriptions for a
three-week-long spa getaway to combat stress? Corrupt bankers actually getting
sentenced to prison? Absurd! This could pretty much be called “<i>The Grass Is Greener On the Other Side: The
Movie</i>”, and the scene of the interview subjects telling Moore how
unbelievably good they have it, with a reaction shot of him looking
slack-jawed, occurs multiple times. Moore also makes his point with
infographics presenting bleak statistics, including one that demonstrates the
slightly higher taxes in European countries afford their citizens greater
benefits than the Average American has access to. As with his previous films,
Moore also employs news footage and amateur video to make his point. The
hardest-hitting of these is a montage of American inmates getting beaten up and
otherwise abused by wardens and fellow prisoners – this is shown after Moore
takes in the civilised and straight-up swanky prison facilities in Norway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdoHfzulJPg/VyobG2LDxpI/AAAAAAAAM-k/XVXoUIsWfckit6BKV_Ij_Ap3hHvIrnbUwCLcB/s1600/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BMichael%2BMoore%2Bin%2BDucati%2BFactory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fdoHfzulJPg/VyobG2LDxpI/AAAAAAAAM-k/XVXoUIsWfckit6BKV_Ij_Ap3hHvIrnbUwCLcB/s640/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BMichael%2BMoore%2Bin%2BDucati%2BFactory.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> The use of humour throughout makes the audience more
amenable to Moore’s arguments, and in most cases, just how functional the
societies being showcased are does speak for itself. While it is staggeringly
one-sided, as is Moore’s <i>modus operandi</i>,
the film is also compelling and persuasive. It does cover a great amount of
ground, not just geographically but with regards to the subjects discussed as
well. There’s a strong feminist component, with several powerful, successful
women sharing what they do differently. There are a few jarring tonal shifts
which work astoundingly well – we go from a former Mercedes CEO talking about
how the company’s servers block emails sent by bosses after working hours, to a
German classroom where the Holocaust is being taught, with the words “Why
Remember?” written on the chalkboard. In another scene, Moore sits down with a
Norwegian father whose son was gunned down at summer camp by extremist Anders
Breivik. The film’s larger structure and context ensures these scenes do not
feel awkwardly out of place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0iuKr8Lves/VyobMTsBxPI/AAAAAAAAM-s/qqxgCmPFkUM-0pD-wcYfrlF4gldY1zl4gCLcB/s1600/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BMichael%2BMoore%2Bin%2BFrench%2Bschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0iuKr8Lves/VyobMTsBxPI/AAAAAAAAM-s/qqxgCmPFkUM-0pD-wcYfrlF4gldY1zl4gCLcB/s640/Where%2BTo%2BInvade%2BNext%2BMichael%2BMoore%2Bin%2BFrench%2Bschool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> If you’re predisposed to despising Moore, <i>Where To Invade Next </i>might not make you
do a 180 on the documentarian. As manipulative and imbalanced as it can get, <i>Where To Invade Next </i>does have an
undercurrent of sincerity. Yes, Moore’s antics might primarily be for our
entertainment, but there is a strong sense of purpose to the tour he embarks
upon here and while it still has bite, it seems a lot less bitter than some of
his other work. Is it all a progressive’s pipe dream? Probably, but the
positivity that Moore exudes here does have its charm, and the work manages to
be a thought-provoking one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Summary: </span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While
it is heavily one-sided, <i>Where To Invade
Next </i>sees Michael Moore weaving a fascinating, entertaining, educational and
immensely funny travelogue, in which he asks “what can we learn from you?”
rather than merely being the traditional idiot abroad. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">RATING: 4</span></b><span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> out
of <b>5</b> Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-SG" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-29815524771636090922016-04-23T02:45:00.000-07:002016-04-24T01:08:56.462-07:00Cap's Night Out: Team Cap Light-Up and Fireworks at Marina Bay Sands <div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">CAP’S NIGHT
OUT</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <br />
<b>Team Cap takes over the Marina Bay Sands
skyline </b><br />
By Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSq0iH4xF7w/VxtDXy8K4jI/AAAAAAAAM7g/jCjPvqJQA30qKi0Vn3ByPv2PrXcTQNPiACLcB/s1600/P2140537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sSq0iH4xF7w/VxtDXy8K4jI/AAAAAAAAM7g/jCjPvqJQA30qKi0Vn3ByPv2PrXcTQNPiACLcB/s640/P2140537.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">There has been considerable build-up to the finale of Team Cap’s visit
to Singapore, so one could excuse us for being underwhelmed by the end result.
Team Iron Man had thrown down the gauntlet, with Robert Downey Jr. lighting up
the Eiffel Tower in gold and red, complete with glowing ‘eyes’ and an ‘arc
reactor’. “Team Cap…I mean, how do you come back from that?” Downey said after
the big reveal in Paris. “You are toast!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjPUJfDveUY/VxtDcLl0tUI/AAAAAAAAM7k/Qar8VlFyYAEYVmjWZqspiyNMcgY-PSYOgCLcB/s1600/P2140504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BjPUJfDveUY/VxtDcLl0tUI/AAAAAAAAM7k/Qar8VlFyYAEYVmjWZqspiyNMcgY-PSYOgCLcB/s640/P2140504.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Stars Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Bucky
Barnes/Winter Soldier) and Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon), with co-director
Joe Russo, answered the challenge with a multimedia display and fireworks show
at the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort on the night of 22<sup>nd</sup>
April. Clips from the film were projected onto the ArtScience Museum and the
spine of the hotel’s first tower, complemented by pyrotechnics. The show lasted
around six minutes, starting and stopping intermittently. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezX0tTdNVy8/VxtDh60_S3I/AAAAAAAAM7o/c7AnGkLzi_Ihq3QUbMdG9Av7_Vjb9EPAQCLcB/s1600/P4224197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezX0tTdNVy8/VxtDh60_S3I/AAAAAAAAM7o/c7AnGkLzi_Ihq3QUbMdG9Av7_Vjb9EPAQCLcB/s640/P4224197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Team Cap only made their way to the podium on the Helix Bridge 45
minutes after the event was scheduled to begin. Access to the bridge was
tightly controlled, following the zealous fan turn-out for the Blue Carpet
event the previous night. Most of the media weren’t allowed onto the same pod
as Team Cap; F*** was one pod away. Safety was a concern, seeing as the bridge
has a limited weight capacity. There were also rumours that Evans had been
cranky the previous day, with some taking his attire at the Blue Carpet
premiere (the same shirt he wore to the press conference, as opposed to
Mackie’s and Stan’s three-piece suits) and his much later arrival compared to
the director and other actors as indication that he was reluctant to walk the
Blue Carpet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EysondXGtYM/VxtDoweDUeI/AAAAAAAAM7s/quJTrdwho8wqBPdkzNgEUVoYK04A8aWAQCLcB/s1600/P4224188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EysondXGtYM/VxtDoweDUeI/AAAAAAAAM7s/quJTrdwho8wqBPdkzNgEUVoYK04A8aWAQCLcB/s640/P4224188.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">If one had happened to pass by the Marina Bay waterfront and were
catching the display from afar, it would’ve passed muster, but the fans and
media weren’t so impressed. This reviewer overhead a fan asking her friends,
“can we all agree that Team Iron Man won?” as they were filing out after the
show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IziDhBzYRxo/VxtDvHwfmgI/AAAAAAAAM7w/jUOoVPrTlwEN7jpWQYMgOclYXDzZlpEYwCLcB/s1600/P4224298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IziDhBzYRxo/VxtDvHwfmgI/AAAAAAAAM7w/jUOoVPrTlwEN7jpWQYMgOclYXDzZlpEYwCLcB/s640/P4224298.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">The promotional tour rivalry will come to a head with Team Iron Man and
Team Cap coming face-to-face at the film’s upcoming premiere in London. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ykJyzf7Ij8/VxtD3G0aoeI/AAAAAAAAM70/K82zPG4zX8sIvEkZ24ioKVyQOnTBJZA3QCLcB/s1600/P4224370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3ykJyzf7Ij8/VxtD3G0aoeI/AAAAAAAAM70/K82zPG4zX8sIvEkZ24ioKVyQOnTBJZA3QCLcB/s640/P4224370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Captain
America: Civil War</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> is in theatres 28 May 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Photos by
Tedd and Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Action figure
is the writer’s own. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87r2VaplK0Q/Vxx_BA8zi1I/AAAAAAAAM8w/3k2VTdGiE3Y0uMB8RrtxJQ7HO6WbksA9wCLcB/s1600/P2140496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-87r2VaplK0Q/Vxx_BA8zi1I/AAAAAAAAM8w/3k2VTdGiE3Y0uMB8RrtxJQ7HO6WbksA9wCLcB/s640/P2140496.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L7VjYJpYGf0/Vxx_BPnzOMI/AAAAAAAAM80/gZYtQHP-GL8BB_nBjW5l62jEdDy_S0uCACLcB/s1600/P2140501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L7VjYJpYGf0/Vxx_BPnzOMI/AAAAAAAAM80/gZYtQHP-GL8BB_nBjW5l62jEdDy_S0uCACLcB/s640/P2140501.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></i></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-85046044463576184162016-04-22T08:54:00.000-07:002016-04-28T20:52:35.372-07:00Captain America: Civil WarFor <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/captain-america-civil-war-review/#lot56rWrYRXg00v7.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR</h2>
Director : Anthony Russo, Joe Russo<br />
Cast : Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Chadwick Boseman, Emily VanCamp, Daniel Brühl, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Martin Freeman<br />
Genre : Action/Adventure<br />
Run Time : 2 hrs 27 mins<br />
Opens : 28 April 2016<br />
Rating : PG (Some Violence)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lI1obg2DgS0/VxpH-UrUg5I/AAAAAAAAM6k/t3MIBRpEzNc4zz-yWtGx7SclzNKGE9OowCLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lI1obg2DgS0/VxpH-UrUg5I/AAAAAAAAM6k/t3MIBRpEzNc4zz-yWtGx7SclzNKGE9OowCLcB/s320/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2Bposter.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Earth’s mightiest heroes are
torn asunder in this, the 13<sup>th</sup> film in the Marvel Cinematic
Universe. Following calamitous incidents in New York, Washington D.C., Sokovia
and Lagos, the politicians of the world seek to establish a governing body to
supervise the actions of the Avengers. Tony Stark/Iron Man (Downey)
agrees to sign what becomes known as ‘The Sokovia Accords’, while Steve
Rogers/Captain America (Evans) refuses to comply. Sam Wilson/Falcon (Mackie),
Wanda Maximoff/Scarlett Witch (Olsen), Sharon Carter/Agent 13 (VanCamp), Clint
Barton/Hawkeye (Renner) and Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Rudd) take Rogers’ side.
Backing up Stark are Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Johansson), James Rhodes/War
Machine (Cheadle), Vision (Bettany), and new additions T’challa/Black Panther
(Boseman) and Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Holland). In the meantime, Rogers is still
tracking down Bucky Barnes/the Winter Soldier (Stan), his childhood friend who
was brainwashed into becoming a ruthless killing machine. Then there’s the
enigmatic Dr. Helmut Zemo (Brühl), who seeks details on one of the Winter
Soldier’s past missions to enact a treacherous scheme. If the world’s heroes
are too busy fighting one another, who will protect everyone else? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJqmuXFZT-o/VxpID64RdpI/AAAAAAAAM6o/hvcf8qhcDAYvZEszJEwCkEJVcSw5lVXOwCLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BChris%2BEvans%2Band%2BRobert%2BDowney%2BJr.%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nJqmuXFZT-o/VxpID64RdpI/AAAAAAAAM6o/hvcf8qhcDAYvZEszJEwCkEJVcSw5lVXOwCLcB/s640/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BChris%2BEvans%2Band%2BRobert%2BDowney%2BJr.%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> It’s generally
agreed upon that 2014’s <i>Captain America:
The Winter Soldier</i> is among the strongest entries in the MCU thus far. It’s
an intense political thriller with lavish action spectacle and a resonant
emotional component woven into a concinnate whole. With that film’s directors
Joe and Anthony Russo and its writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
returning for <i>Civil War</i>, we had
appropriately high expectations. <i>Civil
War</i> is not so much a standalone <i>Captain
America</i> movie as it is <i>Avengers 2.5</i>,
packing in quite a number of characters from the MCU and introducing a couple
of new ones. There are lots of moving parts and the story comes off as
disjointed. The film gets off to a wobbly start, lacking particularly striking
imagery or an impactful action sequence to open with. The source of the
conflict at the heart of the film is established clearly enough, but Rogers’
and Stark’s resentment for each other doesn’t get enough room to really simmer
to a boil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vahvuNevAIQ/VxpIJE7b3EI/AAAAAAAAM6s/aSqouyXqCRg_s7J2Cuu_-PuDnSrlc_l3gCLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BEmily%2BVanCamp%252C%2BAnthony%2BMackie%252C%2BScarlett%2BJohansson%2Band%2BChris%2BEvans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vahvuNevAIQ/VxpIJE7b3EI/AAAAAAAAM6s/aSqouyXqCRg_s7J2Cuu_-PuDnSrlc_l3gCLcB/s640/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BEmily%2BVanCamp%252C%2BAnthony%2BMackie%252C%2BScarlett%2BJohansson%2Band%2BChris%2BEvans.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> In the comics, the <i>Civil
War</i> event centred on secret identities and superhero registration. Since
secret identities have largely been a non-issue in the MCU, collateral damage
has become the catalyst for conflict. There are some pretty high stakes and the
film wants us to take the rift between the MCU’s two biggest heroes very
seriously, but not at the expense of quips and general joking about. There are
many humorous moments that do land and a reference to <i>Empire Strikes Back</i> had this reviewer doubling over with laughter. Cap,
Falcon and Bucky also share a real ‘bro’ moment that’s quite endearing. However,
there are several instances where the one-liners result in a sense of flippancy,
undermining the gravity of the situation at hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yKuG1BkcqJs/VxpIO2pWejI/AAAAAAAAM6w/S0I7LhYh798ThokoSppDrC_0vT1RIWcpACLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BRobert%2BDowney%2BJr.%2Band%2BChris%2BEvans%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yKuG1BkcqJs/VxpIO2pWejI/AAAAAAAAM6w/S0I7LhYh798ThokoSppDrC_0vT1RIWcpACLcB/s640/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BRobert%2BDowney%2BJr.%2Band%2BChris%2BEvans%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Both Evans and Downey have become very comfortable with
their roles as Captain America and Iron Man respectively. There is a valiant
attempt at having both parties make valid points, though the film tends to side
with Cap because, well, he’s in the title. There’s plenty of snarky
back-and-forth jibes, but the ideological disagreements get no room to breathe.
There’s not very much to say about the performances of all the returning cast
members, since the characterisation is generally consistent with how they’ve
been drawn in previous films. Stan continues to be eminently sympathetic as
Bucky – half puppy, half killing machine. Vision and Scarlet Witch share a few
scenes together, as a nod to the characters’ romance in the comics, but these
come off as superfluous. The budding romance between Cap and Agent 13 feels
extremely tacked on. There are plenty of references to previous entries in the
series, with an emphasis on <i>Winter
Soldier</i> and <i>Age of Ultron</i>, so one
wouldn’t quite be able to make head or tail of this going in blind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaaOJ9OBPA0/VxpIUW3NOyI/AAAAAAAAM60/eFIBizh-LTUy-gixNXUjfEBp5tlxjJM7ACLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BChadwick%2BBoseman%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaaOJ9OBPA0/VxpIUW3NOyI/AAAAAAAAM60/eFIBizh-LTUy-gixNXUjfEBp5tlxjJM7ACLcB/s640/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BChadwick%2BBoseman%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Fans will be pleased to know that both Black Panther and
Spider-Man are handled as well as possible. Boseman brings a stern dignity to
the role of the Wakandan prince who is both royalty and costumed crime-fighter,
the requisite outsider with no prior link to the Avengers. Stark ropes in
teenage science whiz and vigilante Peter Parker. Holland’s portrayal of
Spider-Man feels very true to the spirit of the character: the wisecracks, the
wide-eyed awe, the pubescent awkwardness, it’s all there in the right amounts. Marisa
Tomei briefly shows up as Parker’s Aunt May, and the Spider-Man scenes have
increased our anticipation of the upcoming <i>Spider-Man:
Homecoming</i> all the more. The design of the suit is divisive: while it harks
back to the more traditional artwork of the likes of Steve Ditko and John
Romita Sr., the slightly old-fashioned spandex look doesn’t quite fit in with
the established MCU aesthetic, especially since it’s established that Stark
designed the suit for Parker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdehaDQMBCY/VxpIZe2NHwI/AAAAAAAAM64/ZAXBxdk_30kSYTb-sCakpZTbw9TQ6pd-ACLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BSpider-Man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdehaDQMBCY/VxpIZe2NHwI/AAAAAAAAM64/ZAXBxdk_30kSYTb-sCakpZTbw9TQ6pd-ACLcB/s640/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BSpider-Man.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The “villain problem” that has plagued most MCU movies
continues here. Helmut Zemo, who is markedly different from the costumed
supervillain of the comics, is portrayed as a sly manipulator lurking behind
the scenes for his own ends, pulling the marionette strings and fanning the
flames of internecine strife. Unfortunately, Brühl makes so little of a mark
that this reviewer had to go back to write this paragraph after completing the
review, initially forgetting the need to elaborate on the villain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1WCiEWlFQA/VxpIebFd0PI/AAAAAAAAM68/ivpgUzf5Zg4B-55IIaV83EkX9V6rttiFgCLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BTeam%2BIron%2BMan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1WCiEWlFQA/VxpIebFd0PI/AAAAAAAAM68/ivpgUzf5Zg4B-55IIaV83EkX9V6rttiFgCLcB/s640/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BTeam%2BIron%2BMan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The standout action sequence is, naturally, the full-on
clash between the two factions set at an airport in Leipzig. The scene is
packed with fun visual gags and moments engineered to get the audience on their
feet, cheering. It’s quite a shame then that the rest of the action sequences,
perhaps barring the climactic brawl, are generally unmemorable. The heavy use
of shaky-cam and breakneck editing means we can’t take in the choreography or
get a good sense of who’s doing what in the middle of a fight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfk9hbPijXY/VxpIvzflY_I/AAAAAAAAM7E/gOgXTjjHH_UAMcsfooHWfK221zmaTlCMwCLcB/s1600/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BTeam%2BCap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jfk9hbPijXY/VxpIvzflY_I/AAAAAAAAM7E/gOgXTjjHH_UAMcsfooHWfK221zmaTlCMwCLcB/s640/Captain%2BAmerica%2BCivil%2BWar%2BTeam%2BCap.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> There’s a lot in <i>Civil
War</i> that works fine and the people making these movies have enough
experience under their belts to not make a complete fumble of things. However,
because many of us are experiencing comic book movie fatigue, it takes a lot
more than general competence to get us truly excited. There’s ultimately very
little in <i>Civil War</i> that’s actually
truly novel. It’s a victory, but far from a flawless one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
introduction of Spider-Man and Black Panther into the MCU are highlights, but <i>Civil War</i>’s lack of cohesiveness and the
hard-to-follow fight sequences prevent it from being the earth-shattering event
it’s pitched as. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">RATING: 3.5</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
out of <b>5</b> Stars<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-7094099191672219492016-04-22T08:27:00.001-07:002016-04-22T08:27:37.522-07:00Bastille Day For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/bastille-day-review/">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">BASTILLE DAY</span></h2>
Director : James Watkins<br />
Cast : Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Charlotte Le Bon, José Garcia, Eriq Ebouaney, Thierry Godard, Kelly Reilly<br />
Genre : Action/Thriller<br />
Run Time : 92 mins<br />
Opens : 21 April 2016<br />
Rating : NC-16 (Some Nudity and Violence)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmsVFkQZtP4/VxpCFaCnWII/AAAAAAAAM54/NoAWTcVJBQQi_I9Ku576FmqYimK2Ax0zACLcB/s1600/Bastille%2BDay%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmsVFkQZtP4/VxpCFaCnWII/AAAAAAAAM54/NoAWTcVJBQQi_I9Ku576FmqYimK2Ax0zACLcB/s200/Bastille%2BDay%2Bposter.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Two actors often named as
prospective James Bonds become unlikely partners in this action thriller.
Michael Mason (Madden), an American eking out an existence as a pickpocket in
Paris, finds himself implicated in a bomb attack. Zoe Naville (Le Bon), whose
boyfriend built the bomb, is tasked with planting the explosives, but has a
crisis of conscience. CIA agent Sean Briar (Elba) goes off in pursuit of
Michael, a wanted fugitive after he is caught on security footage apparently
planting the bomb. French Minister of the Interior Victor Gamieux (Garcia) decrees
that the upcoming Bastille Day parade will go ahead as planned, in spite of the
heightened threat level. Wanting to tie up loose ends, the terrorist leader
Rafi Bertrand (Garcia) targets Michael, Briar and Zoe. In the meantime, Briar’s
fellow CIA operative Karen Dacre (Reilly) uncovers a conspiracy within an elite
task force of the French police, as societal tensions mount and rioters overrun
the streets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9sqOvUTudDY/VxpCMHrgbcI/AAAAAAAAM58/uu9bviP5sIUPBxWKoO4vc13mwFDgz2kUQCLcB/s1600/Bastille%2BDay%2BRichard%2BMadden%2Band%2BIdris%2BElba%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9sqOvUTudDY/VxpCMHrgbcI/AAAAAAAAM58/uu9bviP5sIUPBxWKoO4vc13mwFDgz2kUQCLcB/s640/Bastille%2BDay%2BRichard%2BMadden%2Band%2BIdris%2BElba%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> What really is little more than an adequately diverting
spy flick takes on a sobering quality in the wake of the November 2015 Paris
terror attacks – production occurred before the tragedy. In this regard, <i>Bastille Day</i> shares similarities with <i>London Has Fallen</i>. <i>Bastille Day</i> is markedly less ridiculous, though there’s still the
“Americans save the day” quotient and a huge pile of fairly silly action movie
clichés. Our hero is a hard-nosed secret agent whose introductory scene has him
being berated by his superiors for being a loose cannon, and the guy he has to
team up with is a ne’er-do-well thief whose skills come in handy when the pair
are after the bad guys. “Briar, this isn’t Baghdad, it’s Paris,” a CIA official
chides. “Red wine, the Louvre, Louis Vuitton.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEGjj3eqquU/VxpCRg7Up7I/AAAAAAAAM6A/B2ZsZZngZB0qijOIgJGigod7QHbJk2RrwCLcB/s1600/Bastille%2BDay%2BIdris%2BElba%2Band%2BRichard%2BMadden%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tEGjj3eqquU/VxpCRg7Up7I/AAAAAAAAM6A/B2ZsZZngZB0qijOIgJGigod7QHbJk2RrwCLcB/s640/Bastille%2BDay%2BIdris%2BElba%2Band%2BRichard%2BMadden%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> The film’s attempts at being topical are far from subtle,
but are not as ham-fisted as in many other recent action films. The ways in
which the perpetrators of the attack manipulate the masses into forming angry
mobs, including blaming a local mosque and posting calls to arms on social
media, seem sufficiently logical. However, one would have to work extra hard to
stifle laughter when the terrorist mastermind proclaims to his cronies, in all
seriousness, “the hashtags will tip it over.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXncYGdxPd8/VxpCV8Bj8oI/AAAAAAAAM6E/IWmlQDmbAxwxyBa9Dj-CIM-GSOmMdagXgCLcB/s1600/Bastille%2BDay%2BIdris%2BElba%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BXncYGdxPd8/VxpCV8Bj8oI/AAAAAAAAM6E/IWmlQDmbAxwxyBa9Dj-CIM-GSOmMdagXgCLcB/s640/Bastille%2BDay%2BIdris%2BElba%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> Our two protagonists serve as foils for each other: Briar
is prone to reckless violence and is an old-school action hero of the
“punch/shoot everything” variety, while Michael’s <i>modus operandi</i> is devilish sleight of hand. It’s easy to buy the
physically imposing Elba beating up the bad guys and dishing out a one-liner or
two, but Briar is all brute force, and Elba is at his most watchable when he’s exercising
his brand of suavity - an opportunity he’s denied in <i>Bastille Day</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gakv6KCjFw/VxpCaiOc-yI/AAAAAAAAM6I/uTjJ8B5DWqopSo7JQH3aw98SZZ_xlYyJQCLcB/s1600/Bastille%2BDay%2BRichard%2BMadden%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4gakv6KCjFw/VxpCaiOc-yI/AAAAAAAAM6I/uTjJ8B5DWqopSo7JQH3aw98SZZ_xlYyJQCLcB/s640/Bastille%2BDay%2BRichard%2BMadden%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Game of Thrones</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">
heartthrob Richard Madden plays a guy who’s just in the wrong place at the
wrong time – but when you’ve got that pretty a face, who needs luck, right? Madden
trained with professional pickpocket/entertainer Keith ‘The Thief’ Charnley,
who called the actor “a natural” with “a very light-fingered touch”. Indeed,
the sequences where Madden struts his artful dodger stuff end up more exciting
than most of the action scenes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4J6X7zvSsdA/VxpCfwR1p-I/AAAAAAAAM6M/oNblcPb801QF2l86TRzwc8vzRQCKexpPACLcB/s1600/Bastille%2BDay%2BCharlotte%2BLe%2BBon%2Band%2BIdris%2BElba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4J6X7zvSsdA/VxpCfwR1p-I/AAAAAAAAM6M/oNblcPb801QF2l86TRzwc8vzRQCKexpPACLcB/s640/Bastille%2BDay%2BCharlotte%2BLe%2BBon%2Band%2BIdris%2BElba.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Le
Bon looks worried and on the brink of tears through the whole film, as the
stock “woman who’s been dragged into some nasty business because she didn’t
know any better” character. For what it’s worth, she does have a role to play
in the climactic face-off. The villains, led by Godard as Rafi Bertrand, are
relatively unremarkable and the twists and turns in their scheme, especially
the revelation of their actual motive, are predictable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q64d4-KRK9g/VxpCkc3ciyI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/9AwnS5UFoy8tMHU-vSMPJ2MhCKvTo6yugCLcB/s1600/Bastille%2BDay%2BRichard%2BMadden%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q64d4-KRK9g/VxpCkc3ciyI/AAAAAAAAM6Q/9AwnS5UFoy8tMHU-vSMPJ2MhCKvTo6yugCLcB/s640/Bastille%2BDay%2BRichard%2BMadden%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">The
stunts, which include a rooftop foot chase and a bank siege, aren’t anything to
shout about – but the production values definitely pass muster. Crowd scenes in
low-to-mid-budget action movies can often look phony, but the finale involving
a throng of protestors being held back by riot police manages to be convincing.
<i>Bastille Day</i> is very much your
standard-issue post-<i>Bourne</i> spy action
movie, packed with tropes and characters that will be immediately recognisable
to genre fans. It scrapes by on Elba’s charisma, even if he doesn’t actively
showcase it – and that brisk 92-minute running time certainly doesn’t hurt
either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Summary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <i>Bastille Day</i> is formulaic but watchable,
though its depiction of Paris besieged by terrorists will understandably affect
those still raw from the recent real-life terror attacks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">RATING: 3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">
out of <b>5</b> Stars <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;">Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-SG;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6604448036056042779.post-40428909316296397622016-04-21T22:17:00.002-07:002016-04-21T23:21:05.645-07:00Painting the Town Blue - Captain America: Civil War Blue Carpet For <a href="http://www.fmoviemag.com/painting-the-town-blue/#Bt1mC5rKFGbjBM4C.99">F*** Magazine</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<h2>
<b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">PAINTING THE
TOWN BLUE</span></span></b></h2>
Team Cap takes Marina Bay Sands by storm <br />
By Jedd Jong <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6JP-L9TEDA/VxmyhioegbI/AAAAAAAAM4E/O8Ts4XoPXgYs3-jzP6BdFZViFw6L1_gTwCLcB/s1600/P2140173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U6JP-L9TEDA/VxmyhioegbI/AAAAAAAAM4E/O8Ts4XoPXgYs3-jzP6BdFZViFw6L1_gTwCLcB/s640/P2140173.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To call it a ‘crowd’
would be a gross understatement. On the evening of Thursday 22<sup>nd</sup>
April, throngs of fans showed up to try to catch a glimpse or, better yet, a
coveted selfie with or autograph from the stars of <i>Captain America: Civil War</i>. The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (MBS)
were overrun with eager folks armed with homemade signs and cheering at the top
of their lungs, some of whom had arrived as early as 10 hours before the
scheduled start of the event. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SSERRZHnIo/Vxmyu208v6I/AAAAAAAAM4M/kACuHz0CPeUvbtR2m-7az5Muekj-OhsRACLcB/s1600/P2130375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SSERRZHnIo/Vxmyu208v6I/AAAAAAAAM4M/kACuHz0CPeUvbtR2m-7az5Muekj-OhsRACLcB/s640/P2130375.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That glorious Scott Pilgrim reference though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In what must have been
a heart-breaking move for any DC fan, a black curtain was set up in front of
the DC Super Heroes café that overlooked the Blue Carpet area, out of deference
to Marvel. It is perhaps an apt metaphor for how Marvel is pummelling the
Distinguished Competition at the Multiplex.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8EXx1ZVYSU/Vxmy3Zs17vI/AAAAAAAAM4Q/IFZ_43kqedEon9CEcw7etyevj5qYqVVSACLcB/s1600/P2130874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l8EXx1ZVYSU/Vxmy3Zs17vI/AAAAAAAAM4Q/IFZ_43kqedEon9CEcw7etyevj5qYqVVSACLcB/s640/P2130874.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UfrnU9l2pAE/Vxmy9WKfUoI/AAAAAAAAM4Y/yirvSsND8NgUPzbf1g-w4PhTAf257s9jwCLcB/s1600/P2140084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UfrnU9l2pAE/Vxmy9WKfUoI/AAAAAAAAM4Y/yirvSsND8NgUPzbf1g-w4PhTAf257s9jwCLcB/s320/P2140084.jpg" width="320" /></a>A highlight of Team
Cap’s visit to Singapore, stars Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America),
Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon) and Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter
Soldier) with co-director Joe Russo walked the Blue Carpet. Deejay Glenn Ong
and model/actress Stephanie Carrington were the evening’s hosts, with actor
Paul Foster providing back-up on the Blue Carpet. The event was kicked off with
the finals of a cosplay competition, with an enthusiastic Indonesian gentleman
sporting accurate Tony Stark-esque facial hair drawn on and eyewear beneath his
Iron Man helmet taking the top prize. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ae4z1-h7iQ/Vxmy9bB5xVI/AAAAAAAAM4U/Tw512YXe8LI9vyJaM9VvBdGtFSRK3wvGACLcB/s1600/P2140094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ae4z1-h7iQ/Vxmy9bB5xVI/AAAAAAAAM4U/Tw512YXe8LI9vyJaM9VvBdGtFSRK3wvGACLcB/s320/P2140094.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stan looked more
comfortable than he did at the press conference that morning, rocking a
striking turquoise suit, with Mackie going for a more classic option. Evans
looked like he rolled out of bed, wearing the same shirt and trousers he wore
to the press conference – but one could stand to be a little sloppy if one
possessed even a fraction of Evans’ pulchritude. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sale of packages
priced at $688 and $1288, including access to the Blue Carpet, had become the
talk of the town. It was later clarified that the majority of Blue Carpet
passes were being distributed to invited children and teenagers as part of
Disney and MBS’ corporate social responsibility initiatives; these children
would be invited on stage later. Other recipients included contest winners and
VIPs. A limited number of Blue Carpet passes were then bundled together with
products like collectible t-shirts, figurines and a one-night stay at the MBS
hotel. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zEvSL57qws/Vxmynr3tzwI/AAAAAAAAM4I/HQdX9tz_Odo8NevjqUHhY9hPpZRSwE-7gCLcB/s1600/P2140013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0zEvSL57qws/Vxmynr3tzwI/AAAAAAAAM4I/HQdX9tz_Odo8NevjqUHhY9hPpZRSwE-7gCLcB/s640/P2140013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A considerable number
of lucky fans who had arrived early enough to stake out a good spot lining the Blue Carpet were able to get the attention of the stars, who made every effort
to sign as many autographs and take as many selfies as time would allow. Mackie
even leapt over the barricades to reach fans standing several rows back, with
Russo following suit. Even though the measures to prevent the average fan from
attending weren’t as extreme as previously thought, the layout of the Blue
Carpet did make it difficult for those who weren’t journalists or pass-holders
to get very close to the stars. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBxfsuQ4fgI/VxmzHFR9kcI/AAAAAAAAM4g/0POAPRzGTAwc3NwXRk1JZFRLxEo3jKEJQCLcB/s1600/P2140277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FBxfsuQ4fgI/VxmzHFR9kcI/AAAAAAAAM4g/0POAPRzGTAwc3NwXRk1JZFRLxEo3jKEJQCLcB/s640/P2140277.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-Snl8wfrxo/VxmzHC32aPI/AAAAAAAAM4k/Uz60zxNjRyIPh4JDrsX0KGOJm6pokrqZQCLcB/s1600/P2140280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-Snl8wfrxo/VxmzHC32aPI/AAAAAAAAM4k/Uz60zxNjRyIPh4JDrsX0KGOJm6pokrqZQCLcB/s640/P2140280.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The under-privileged
children who were beneficiaries of MBS’ social outreach programs were welcomed
onstage, and some got to ask the stars and director their questions. It’s
difficult not to be a cynic in the face of such a blithely manipulative display
on the part of a big corporation, but the children did seem to be genuinely
enjoying themselves and a boy was overwhelmed with joy when Stan carried him up
and swung him around. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4cebMBbEes/VxmzPqRg_aI/AAAAAAAAM4s/Me1ANUPf3lsUwFPfdicFsANrZTele3xegCLcB/s1600/P2140346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A4cebMBbEes/VxmzPqRg_aI/AAAAAAAAM4s/Me1ANUPf3lsUwFPfdicFsANrZTele3xegCLcB/s640/P2140346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Team Cap was presented
with artwork by artists Elvin Ching, Guo Junwei, Noval N. Hernawen and Soefara Jafney which incorporated characters
from the Marvel Cinematic Universe into prominent Singapore landmarks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHSUH7kAS3g/VxmzUWG_IsI/AAAAAAAAM4w/sTyG54GMM44APINitZKdw1WnbKmEqNG3gCLcB/s1600/P2140381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lHSUH7kAS3g/VxmzUWG_IsI/AAAAAAAAM4w/sTyG54GMM44APINitZKdw1WnbKmEqNG3gCLcB/s640/P2140381.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Team Cap
festivities culminate on the night of 22<sup>nd</sup> April, which will see MBS
lit up in red, white and blue, with an accompanying fireworks display as an act
of one-upmanship aimed at Team Iron Man, who set a tough act to follow by
lighting up the Eiffel Tower in red and gold with glowing blue ‘eye’s during
their Paris tour. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frfuNPXg5q0/Vxmz8XGKG7I/AAAAAAAAM5g/DzuLouUHEyY4vX2746yy6sedoiRb__AIACLcB/s1600/P2140224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-frfuNPXg5q0/Vxmz8XGKG7I/AAAAAAAAM5g/DzuLouUHEyY4vX2746yy6sedoiRb__AIACLcB/s640/P2140224.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUe-mDniOSY/VxmziuqAUNI/AAAAAAAAM48/7rpqgoluPsw_LaHFxzES7JuwAcEIkhd9ACLcB/s1600/P2130771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUe-mDniOSY/VxmziuqAUNI/AAAAAAAAM48/7rpqgoluPsw_LaHFxzES7JuwAcEIkhd9ACLcB/s640/P2130771.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egpdQolZZqs/Vxmzi3Zs1LI/AAAAAAAAM5A/ICnI8x-5pfIv8eRhQ-RF4rwGsePGkQBEwCLcB/s1600/P2140177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egpdQolZZqs/Vxmzi3Zs1LI/AAAAAAAAM5A/ICnI8x-5pfIv8eRhQ-RF4rwGsePGkQBEwCLcB/s640/P2140177.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGiiBmDJO6A/Vxmzin6KPtI/AAAAAAAAM44/h1PtUg-XTPQmmZDe8cY9Q0_EQMqHGRn7gCLcB/s1600/P2140254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NGiiBmDJO6A/Vxmzin6KPtI/AAAAAAAAM44/h1PtUg-XTPQmmZDe8cY9Q0_EQMqHGRn7gCLcB/s640/P2140254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FucHZthG-sI/VxmzjGIqxKI/AAAAAAAAM5E/mWl3oYrte80UCHI64Wq52rjSw98XRaA1gCLcB/s1600/P2140266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FucHZthG-sI/VxmzjGIqxKI/AAAAAAAAM5E/mWl3oYrte80UCHI64Wq52rjSw98XRaA1gCLcB/s640/P2140266.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZpBaGZ8sI0/VxmzjduzbvI/AAAAAAAAM5I/OcN-xzy8lO8uyYuzOLB-wz80EPkH0lxsgCLcB/s1600/P2140268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZpBaGZ8sI0/VxmzjduzbvI/AAAAAAAAM5I/OcN-xzy8lO8uyYuzOLB-wz80EPkH0lxsgCLcB/s640/P2140268.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqvtWS17gUU/VxmzjpvjkuI/AAAAAAAAM5Q/jJ1VZDoaACo4ET3ozhSvEKzRGq8MrJpTQCLcB/s1600/P2140288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SqvtWS17gUU/VxmzjpvjkuI/AAAAAAAAM5Q/jJ1VZDoaACo4ET3ozhSvEKzRGq8MrJpTQCLcB/s640/P2140288.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQqueBwkC_c/Vxmzj8V-lAI/AAAAAAAAM5M/KkQv0WeOyOcjw5RglmelsRwl5_gcY-PqACLcB/s1600/P2140297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQqueBwkC_c/Vxmzj8V-lAI/AAAAAAAAM5M/KkQv0WeOyOcjw5RglmelsRwl5_gcY-PqACLcB/s640/P2140297.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYQs37pu8KM/VxmzkWqK1aI/AAAAAAAAM5U/UH4-q1mTKjEmNeptLID0INvGPas8xAUngCLcB/s1600/P2140304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYQs37pu8KM/VxmzkWqK1aI/AAAAAAAAM5U/UH4-q1mTKjEmNeptLID0INvGPas8xAUngCLcB/s640/P2140304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eESwEG-K9O4/Vxmzk5bvSWI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/2G4NavWLJn0Ncujkz_DCm5WAEY0saJG8QCLcB/s1600/P2140306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eESwEG-K9O4/Vxmzk5bvSWI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/2G4NavWLJn0Ncujkz_DCm5WAEY0saJG8QCLcB/s640/P2140306.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photos by Tedd Jong <o:p></o:p></div>
Jedd the Jedihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07061629796666809598noreply@blogger.com0