What was supposed to be a time away from work related headaches turned out to be a big group gathering. And it all turned out like that because of the simple reason being that neither of us could get a ticket for the movie. And hence the search was expanded, and in the end we ended up watching the movie 2012 at the Alamanda Putrajaya.
As I received/heard mixed reviews on this movie, I went in without any expectations whatsoever. My main focus was to enjoy the night out with the gang and especially just immerse myself in the fun activity that we call "movie watching experience". Popcorns, ice lemon tea, a cold and dark theatre, and you almost have everything in hand.
Unfortunately, the naysayers won the day that night. The movie was way below what was expected or a disaster movie, much less a Hollywood movie with a big budget. And this is coming from me, who has no expectations whatsoever of the movie (!) There was plenty of plot holes that I could list down, but since this is a big budgeted Hollywood movie, that is expected.
But I was more disappointed with John Cusack's performance in the movie, he seems almost lazy throughout and did not come out as believable as the reluctant hero-cum-doting father-cum-ex husband still in love with ex wife guy. In short his performance in the movie was below par as what is usually expected of him.
The other actors fare worse, although Woody Harrelson almost (almost...) saved the movie with his antics. He looked like he was having fun in an otherwise drab movie and I just wished he was on screen longer. At least that might have stifle more yawns out of me.
The action sequences were interrupted with scenes about family bonding, more so about the father and son relationship. One or two characters is okay, but all the main characters have that type of scenes, playing over and over again throughout the movie, interrupting what should have been a good action sequences put together. Well, when you think about it, the trailer is wayyyy better than the movie. The action sequences never stopped in the trailer. The guy that did the trailer must be applauded.
Then there's this whole end of the world thing. Gosh, I think we just got duped. I really thought that it's gonna be the movie that give us something to think about for our future, but it looks as if the movie makers just wimped out towards the end of the movie and decided not to destroy the world. After building up all that "world is going to end" crap and "we told you it's coming" sh*t in the previews, marketing and adverts, the movie just fell flat on the face. And at the end of the movie I really wish they would have done a better finale.
But, the graphics are good. I really applaud the Hollywood film makers for this. the graphics just blew me away...That's about all that's good in the movie.
The box office performance is quite good, so I doubt the film makers will care what the film critics or anyone who came out of the movie not liking the movie will say. I heard that they're developing a tv series based on the survivors' stories. And they would recoup back the millions that was invested in the movie. I just wish I could get back my RM10 from the cinema for a very poor movie...
Now, let's go back to YouTube to check out the trailer again...it's even more fun...:)
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
At the movies - REC
My wife and I love the movies, ever since we knew each other - that's the main thing for us to do whenever we go out. "What's new at the movies?" would always be the question whenever we go out. Usually it'll be a Hollywood movie, with the action oriented movies the choice and only once or twice did we go and see a romantic/chick flick movie. My wife and I would always try to make a choice that we agree on, and most of the time since we have the same taste in movies, we would pick a movie we both agree on.
A few days back, however we went against the odds and went to catch the movie REC. Now, REC is a Spanish movie. Neither one of us (including DQ & Farid) knew Spanish, but I've read the reviews on the movie, which was generally positive and was curious about why the movie was a success that it is. For your information, REC was remade into a Hollywood movie titled Quarantine. Since we missed Quarantine, added to it the sense of curiosity and adventure (we've never seen a Spanish language movie), we went ahead and chose the movie.
Let me just clarify here, that I'm a fan of horror movies, but I'm scared to watch it alone. I would usually hide behind my wife whenever we see one (okay, not so manly...but I always assume that my wife is braver than me, hehe...), but could never get enough of being spooked by one. REC could become one of the best horror movies I've seen in my lifetime (some of the other good ones that still gives me the chills are Exorcist, Poltergeist and Ju-On, to name a few).
REC started very "innocently", the calm before the storm so to speak. The 1st 10-12 minutes of the movie is only the introduction of the characters: the reporter (Angela), the cameraman (Pablo), the firefighters, and the rest of the cast. The movie is shot "television" style, to portray the television show aspect that the reporter is presenting. With the shaky camera style in place, we also have a touch of realism in the movie.
When the sh*t hit the roof, at first it looks as if it's the usual normal zombie movie, people get infected - infected people bite people - people bitten become infected. All very "normal" of a horror movie, lots of screaming, lots of blood, lots of people shouting to each other - people get trapped & the survival instinct kicks in. All "normal" stuff. But there's a turning point which scared the pants off me. I'm not gonna reveal which part, because it still gives me the chills. You guys can check the movie itself, and I bet there's plenty of reviews out there already. But the way the creators of the movie kept the suspense at the highest level possible makes you want even more. Okay, I have to admit that I hid part of my face underneath my wife's pashmina (as i said: not so manly attribute of me...hahaha), but I just wanted more of it. In the end, we came out quite impressed that a Spanish movie is that good and we enjoyed it. Thank God for the properly presented subtitles, otherwise we wouldn't know how to interpret all those lines in Spanish. (Holla...Vamos...Rapido!...is still etched in my mind..heee).
Now I wish locally made movies can aspire to produce this type of movie (not just of horror genre, but others as well). At least reduce the number of slapstick comedies or sappy romance flick on show...can we have more quality, please?
A few days back, however we went against the odds and went to catch the movie REC. Now, REC is a Spanish movie. Neither one of us (including DQ & Farid) knew Spanish, but I've read the reviews on the movie, which was generally positive and was curious about why the movie was a success that it is. For your information, REC was remade into a Hollywood movie titled Quarantine. Since we missed Quarantine, added to it the sense of curiosity and adventure (we've never seen a Spanish language movie), we went ahead and chose the movie.
Let me just clarify here, that I'm a fan of horror movies, but I'm scared to watch it alone. I would usually hide behind my wife whenever we see one (okay, not so manly...but I always assume that my wife is braver than me, hehe...), but could never get enough of being spooked by one. REC could become one of the best horror movies I've seen in my lifetime (some of the other good ones that still gives me the chills are Exorcist, Poltergeist and Ju-On, to name a few).
REC started very "innocently", the calm before the storm so to speak. The 1st 10-12 minutes of the movie is only the introduction of the characters: the reporter (Angela), the cameraman (Pablo), the firefighters, and the rest of the cast. The movie is shot "television" style, to portray the television show aspect that the reporter is presenting. With the shaky camera style in place, we also have a touch of realism in the movie.
When the sh*t hit the roof, at first it looks as if it's the usual normal zombie movie, people get infected - infected people bite people - people bitten become infected. All very "normal" of a horror movie, lots of screaming, lots of blood, lots of people shouting to each other - people get trapped & the survival instinct kicks in. All "normal" stuff. But there's a turning point which scared the pants off me. I'm not gonna reveal which part, because it still gives me the chills. You guys can check the movie itself, and I bet there's plenty of reviews out there already. But the way the creators of the movie kept the suspense at the highest level possible makes you want even more. Okay, I have to admit that I hid part of my face underneath my wife's pashmina (as i said: not so manly attribute of me...hahaha), but I just wanted more of it. In the end, we came out quite impressed that a Spanish movie is that good and we enjoyed it. Thank God for the properly presented subtitles, otherwise we wouldn't know how to interpret all those lines in Spanish. (Holla...Vamos...Rapido!...is still etched in my mind..heee).
Now I wish locally made movies can aspire to produce this type of movie (not just of horror genre, but others as well). At least reduce the number of slapstick comedies or sappy romance flick on show...can we have more quality, please?
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