CHRISTMAS WEEKEND PIC Dec 22 - 25

We wish Every Visitor to this Blog a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year at the Movies!


1. CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER (Zhang Yimou's period drama with Chow Yun Fat, Gong Li and Jay Chou) Rated * * * (out of 4): With such lavish sets and eye-popping costumes, Zhang's record big-budget movie threatens to become a 'Parade of Bouncing Boobs' in this story about a dysfunctional and even homicidal imperial family.

2. ERAGON (Fantasy adventure with Jeremy Irons, Edward Speleers and Sienna Guillory) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): Farm boy finds dragon egg and is destined to save the people from a despotic king. Sounds familiar? Well, that's that. There's nothing else in the way of fun or subplots.

3. BARNYARD (Animated comedy voiced by Kevin James, Courteny Cox and Andie MacDowell) Rated: * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This is basically a kiddie cartoon with rather stereotype characters and story (about the exploits of a bunch of farm animals). Udderly childish.

4. LOVE CONQUERS ALL (Local movie by Tan Chui Mui with Carol Ong and Steven Chua) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): A refreshing look at a love affair between a lonely girl and an uncouth predatory guy told in a lackadaisical pace. Promising effort by Malaysia's youngest female writer-director.

5. CICAK-MAN (Local fantasy adventure with Saiful Apek, Yusry KRY and Fasha Sandha) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): A bold try at CGI and Hollywood-type stunts, this flawed effort looks set to take Malaysia into the big-time fantasy genre.