Last 4 movies (sequels) I watched

One word sums up the movies being produced nowadays, which also parallels my blogging escapades – lacklasture.

Terminator Salvation, fourth instalment of the Terminator series, just fizzles under the weight of fan expectation, since the last 2003 B-grade flick. I was expecting Christian Bale to revitalise the whole franchise (just like Batman returns) but I guess, you’ll also need a good director. Special effects no longer wow in this time and era (unlike T2 with the then cool morphing effects), so plot needs to be solid, as do character development, which is below average.

Similarly, Angels and Demons seem to lack a punch. Somehow, Prof Langdon is a muted and watered-down version of the first film when he was so going on and on about Church mis-history. This is just a shortened version of the amazing race to find the 4 kidnapped cardinals.

And, what fury hath been unleashed by Wolverine? Nothing too extreme, nor savage, nor unexpected. The final showdown with Deadpool was a yawn.

Guess the only show living up to its franchise expectation was Fast and Furious 4. Yup, throw in a couple of fast cars, cool chicks, hot bods, and let the races begin. Loved the scene with the car advancing towards a crashing oil tanker.

I think the moguls at Hollywood need to rethink making sequels. Stick to old fashioned original stories, and really, really tell stories. Make us believe in the imaginary world you have created on screen. Let us feel the emotions of the characters, and make us catch our breath with the scene after scene of movie magic.

Movie Review: The Shinjuku Incident (4/5 stars)

This is a non-typical Jackie Chan movie, firstly because JC did not direct it, nor get involved in the stunt chereography, nor inject his slapstick humour into it.

In fact, this is a more gritty drama from Director Derek Yee who was responsible for Protege and One Night in Mongkok.

So there is hardly much of the usual JC action and moves. Yes there are fight scenes and the violence is especially graphic and gruesome (many severed hands, open wounds).

But the triad story is nicely told and has good character development (kudos to Daniel Yun for doing a very good portrayal of Ah Jie who undergoes a metamorphasis to become a colourful dopehead.)

So will Jackie Chan become Asia’s Robert De-Niro? We’ll see….

SMS phone scam: Vent your frus thru newspaper

Do look at my original post which generated 32 comments sharing similiar experiences and individuals who took the effort to make police reports and report it to CASE (Consumer’s Association of Singapore) and the subsequent post.

Apparently a journalist with a newspaper is writing a story about it.

Anyone with who wants to share their woes should contact her. She left a message in my blog as follows:

Hi there, I’m a journalist with SPH mypaper, and I’m actually doing a story on this hp scam. Hopefully you can get back to me and share abit more on your story? You can email me, or call me at 6319 5257. Thanks alot! If you have any friends who had the same experience and wish to share with me their thoughts as well, feel free to ask them to contact me. =)

Regards,
Joy
joyfang@sph.com.sg

Movie Review: Quantum of Solace (3/5 stars)

Anyone looking for a fast-paced action flick will give this latest James Bond full marks.

From the start till the end, I lost count of the number of running chase scenes, with lots of glass-breaking, jumping across roofs, cars/planes/boats chase scenes.

Daniel Crag’s portrayal of the new Bond is a rough and tumble, bleed and bone-crunching 007. Perhaps this is what the Director feels is the reflection of the modern Bond.

Personally, I still prefer previous Bond flicks with the Brit gentlemen’s class and nice one-liners. They had a classic feel to it. Higher social class character with a dash of humour, a certain sex appeal (Daniel Crag oozes more tough guy, six-pecs kind of testosterone appeal).

Too many chase scenes packed into this movie with less plot and character development.

It’s just less Bond.

Movie Review: Eagle Eye (4/5 stars)

First things first.

* Spoiler Alert!

We close one eye that this movie is based on an overused plot about technology/super computer/machines gone haywire….(just like Terminator, The Matrix, iRobot, Enemy of the State…hmmn last two starred Will Smith)

Then the rest of the ride is fantastic.

Just like a roller coaster which never lets up on the pace, and gives kick-ass excitement with car chase scenes, never ending running, explosions and the works.

This is one hell of an action-packed thriller!

Go watch it.

Quiz #5

I am weightless, but you can see me. Put me in a bucket, and I’ll make it lighter. What am I?

Quiz #4

“From the beginning of eternity,

To the end of time,

To the beginning of all end

And the end of every place.

What am I?

Quiz #3

I give you a group of three. One is sitting down and will never get up. The second eats as much as is given to him, yet is always hungry. The third goes away and never returns. What are they?

Quiz # 2

“If you break me,

I do not stop working.

If you touch me,

I may be snared.

If you lose me,

Nothing will matter.

What am I?

Best way to increase prices

I found out the best way to answer to your customers when they complain about price increase at your food stall. Paste a newspaper article right below the new prices.

Blame it on the economy, inflation, and everything else.

All grouses will be nipped in the bud.

‘Nuff said.