Movie Reviews XII

A week has passed since my last home leave to Singapore. Now is busy period, all the way till year end. When I saw the workplan, I almost flip... Nevertheless, take one step at a time and see how it goes. These are the latest movies I've watched when back in Singapore. Did I mentioned that Cathay has increased the weekend tickets to $10? phewed...Here is Movie Reviews XII to you guys. Enjoy!

1) Ah Long Pte Ltd : is a light-hearted black comedy about the triad world and the money-lending business. The movie takes on a humorous and sarcastic treatment on the underworld. It depicts how a young lady, Li Hua (Fann Wong) tries to restructure her money-lending triad into a professional and 'loving' triad that stands against the use of violence after she takes over from her triad leader (Richard Low) who retired. Her various restructuring plans (which are no doubt very creative) bring about hilarious results. Li Hua tired of her mother's constant nagging to get married, she finally relented and proposed to Mr Fang (Mark Lee), an effeminate dance instructor cum image stylist. Surprised to many and even herself, Mr Fang accepted the proposal. The unusual union, despite the misfits, soon blossom into love.

My Rating and Views : 10/10. This movie is really damn good. Its very funny. Somehow or rather, watching Jack's Neo production is not because of their storyline, its because of the language they used. His productions are all, i shall say,"closer to home" kind of movies. Their boldness in language and the way they pinpoint indirectly on our government makes their movies popular with the locals and neighbouring countires! Well done.

2) Kung Fu Dunk : Shi-Jie (Jay Chou) is a brilliant martial artist from the Kungfu School. The master of the school adopted him as a baby, when he was found abandoned in the woods. His remarkable kungfu skills stem from his innate intuition and ability to read his opponents moves. One day, he encounters a group of youths playing basketball and shows off how easy it is for him, with his martial arts training, to do a Slam Dunk. Watching him was Chen-Li (Eric Tsang), a shrewd businessman, who decides that he would exploit Shi-Jie to make some money. Under the guise of helping Shi-Jie to find his family, he recruits him to play varsity basketball at the local university.

My Rating and Views : 8/10. Many people want to watched this movie is because of mainly 3 reasons. 1st, because of Jay Chou. 2nd, peole will have the mentality that this show is somehow linked to the Japanese Anime, Slam Dunk (They are right... Only the starting is quite similar to Slam Dunk). 3rd, People will want to watch this movie as Shaolin soccer is a great success. Now is Kung Fu Basketball, anybody will be interested to watch. About this movie, I can only say the dunks and ally hooks are impressive. Storyline is very normal. Still worthed its $9.50.

3) CJ 7 : The latest comedy from Stephen Chow, CJ7 is a fantasy tale featuring state of the art visual effects. A poor laborer father (Chow) and his young sons lives are turned upside down when a fascinating and strange new pet enters their world. Amid the resulting comic mayhem, they ultimately learn a poignant lesson about the true nature of family and the things money can't buy.

My Rating and Views : 6/10. This is the 1st time Stephen Chow is not really the star of the movie. In fact, it is the stupid cute alien and his son. Not to mention that there is this fat giantic girl with a cartoon voice. haha... I did not rate that high because this show is not very funny nor impressive. I know i know, because its a Stephen Chow movie, people will still go and watch despite the reviews. But all I can say is, this is a DVD movie... Not worth watching in the cinema... After watching this movie, I can already foresee that the CJ7 toy will be launching very soon...

4) Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street : Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheims award-winning musical thriller Sweeney Todd. Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again. Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeneys amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judges wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli.

My Rating and Views : 7/10. For movies liked this, I like to compare. For Musical movies like Sweeney Todd, I would like to compare it with again, Moulin Rouge. I must say that this movie is quite slow. The Music and Songs are always repeating. There is no "Theme Song." Not like Moulin Rouge (Come what May and Elephant Love Melody). My colleagues watched this show with me in Brunei and I am the only one NOT SLEEPING. haha... This show could have been rated higher if the songs are more impressive. The storyline is good and the characters/actors in this movie are great! really! Don't borther buying the DVD because you might fall asleep if you dun have a good home theatre system.

Another show I would like to watch is definately Jumper. Stylo kind of movie... Guess I can only wait till the DVD is out here... Everybody is busy with their own stuff already... Tired months ahead...