WEEKEND PIC - Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) THE COFFIN (Thai horror with Karen Mok, Ananda Everingham, Napakapapa Nakaprasitte, Andrew Lim and Florence Vanida) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): This one seems to be the Halloween flick for Malaysians in the absence of any contenders from Hollywood. It is about a strange Thai ritual of lying in coffins to ward off bad luck. Not scary but claustrophobic. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. TROPIC THUNDER (comedy with Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Nick Nolte) Rating * * * 1/2 (out of 4): This spoof on Hollywood actors and mega-dollar productions is both funny and inspired. And just watch how Downey Jr steals the show...


2. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (with Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Fans of this pop culture musical series will not be disappointed with this sequel that comes with an extra topping of everything, including the cheesiness. But hey, it's good clean family fun, okay?

3. BANGKOK DANGEROUS (crime thriller with Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young and Nirattisai Kaljareuk) Rated * * (2 stars): In trying to adapt their script for Holywood, the Pang Brothers have discarded the most interesting aspect of their original movie - its relentlessly seamy side. Here, only darkness prevails. (Reviewed below).

4. MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL (romantic comedy with Kate Hudson, Dan Cook, Alec Baldwin and Lizzy Caplan) Rated * * (2 stars): Dan Cook did not do so well in 'Good Luck Chuck' and and here he proves that he may be the rabble-rousing comedian but not the rom-com hero. In short, he's okay as an asshole but not the hero. (Reviewed below)

5. MAX PAYNE (crime thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Amaury Nolasco, and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): It's brooding, dark and wet; it is technically well done and has the requisite action and distractions - but this videogame-adaptation lacks heart and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

6. EAGLE EYE (Action thriller with Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Chiklis) Rated * * (2 stars): If you can tolerate lots of ridiculous high-tech suspense and a lousy pay-off at the end, then this is the flick for you. (Reviewed below)

THE COFFIN: Mostly Claustrobic

THE COFFIN (Horror thriller in Thai)
Cast: Karen Mok, Ananda Everingham, Napakapapa Nakaprasitte, Andrew Lim and Florence Vanida
Director: Ekachai Uekrongtham
Time: 95 mins
Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 4)



PREAMBLE: With Hong Kong star Karen Mok headlining this Thai venture, 'The Coffin' looks like it is the most promising for this Halloween weekend. Okay, I have not seen the others but the line-up of cheap horrors does not look so good to me.

THE PLOT: Mok plays Sue, a Hong Kong dietitian who is obsessed about her health. When she discovers that she has cancer, she goes to Thailand to avoid getting married and telling her fiance (Andrew Lim) about her illness. There, she learns about the local ritual of lying in a coffin for a whole night, in the hope that their bad luck would be reversed (and ailments disappear). In a subplot, a Thai architect named Chris (Ananda Everingham) tries the treatment to make her Japanese girlfriend (Aki Shibuya) regain her health. After the ritual, both Zoe and Chris start experiencing strange things...

HITS & MISSES: 'The Coffin' is directed by Ekachai Uekrongtham who gave us the story of a transsvestite pugilist in 'Beautiful Boxer'. Indeed, he has learned from his experiences and the photography and sets have improved a great deal. So is the movie's travelogue sequences. However, Ekachai relies too much on horror movie cliches - sudden loud noises, ridiculous nightmare sequences and cheap jolts - to take this movie a notch above the slew of Asian horror.

Karen Mok helps to give the movie its international lure and provide some credibility to her role but even her talents are not enough to make the movie compelling. Also, watch out for Beautiful Boxer star Asanee Suwan who has a cameo here.

THE LOWDOWN: Mostly claustrophobic thrills.

WEEKEND PIC - Oct 24 - 26, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW THIS WEEK:

1. TROPIC THUNDER (comedy with Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Nick Nolte) Rating * * * 1/2 (out of 4): This spoof on Hollywood actors and mega-dollar productions is both funny and inspired. And just watch how Downey Jr steals the show...

2. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (with Zac Efron, Vanessa Hutchens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Fans of this pop culture musical series will not be disappointed with this sequel that comes with an extra topping of everything, including the cheesiness. But hey, it's good clead family fun, okay?

3. BANGKOK DANGEROUS (crime thriller with Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young and Nirattisai Kaljareuk) Rated * * (2 stars): In trying to adapt their script for Holywood, the Pang Brothers have discarded the most interesting aspect of their original movie - its relentlessly seamy side. Here, only darkness prevails. (Reviewed below).

4. MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL (romantic comedy with Kate Hudson, Dan Cook, Alec Baldwin and Lizzy Caplan) Rated * * (2 stars): Dan Cook did not do so well in 'Good Luck Chuck' and and here he proves that he may be the rabble-rousing comedian but not the rom-com hero. In short, he's okay as an asshole but not the hero. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

5. MAX PAYNE (crime thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Amaury Nolasco, and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): It's brooding, dark and wet; it is technically well done and has the requisite action and distractions - but this videogame-adaptation lacks heart and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

6. FURY aka MANGKORN SAU (Thai action thriller with Som Amara and Jija Yanin) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Like the 'Ong Bak' series, this one is another fast-paced, no-holds-barred fight flick that does not use stunt doubles. Just overlook the plot and enjoy the stunts.

7. EAGLE EYE (Action thriller with Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Chiklis) Rated * * (2 stars): If you can tolerate lots of ridiculous high-tech suspense and a lousy pay- off at the end, then this is the flick for you. (Reviewed below)

8. THE HOUSE BUNNY (comedy with Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Rumer Willis, Katharine McPhee and Hugh Hefner) Rated * * (2 out of 4 stars): Faris, the star of 'Scary Movie' moves on to another dumb movie that graduates from juvenile to infantile as it goes along. (Reviewed below)

BANGKOK DANGEROUS: A Needless Remake

BANGKOK DANGEROUS (crime thriller)
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young and Nirattisai Kaljareuk
Directors: Danny and Oxide Pang
Time: 98 mins
Rating: * * (out of 4)



PREAMBLE: In 1999, the Pang Brothers of Hong Kong made their joint directorial debut with a Thai-language movie called 'Bangkok Dangerous', about a conflicted deaf-mute hitman and featuring the low-life atmosphere of Thailand's capital. It was no big deal, but when Danny and Oxide Pang made 'The Eye' in 2002, they started to become famous internationally.

Hollywood bought the rights to 'The Eye' and its sequel, and Nicolas Cage's company, Saturn Films, bought the rights of 'Bangkok Dangerous'. It opened in the US in early September - to a lukewarm reception and critical toasting.

THE PLOT: After completing a job in Prague, hitman Joe (Cage, pictured) goes to Bangkok to complete four assignments which he hopes would be his last. To get around, he hires a local petty thief named Kong (Shahkrit Yamnarm) as his sidekick, planning to 'silence' him when the job is over. However, midway through his assignments, Killer Joe not only has a change of heart, he suddenly discovers that he has a 'heart' and a conscience after all - and suddenly Bangkok becomes dangerous to him, instead of the other way around.

HITS & MISSES: In order to make this remake more palatable for American audiences, the Brothers Pang discarded the main essence of their original film - the grimey and grittiness that is Bangkok - for a more touristy cityscape. The result is a run-of-the-mill hitman caper, Cage notwithstanding. Indeed, this is a move Cage can sleepwalk through and it demands nothing of his talents. In the original, the hitman is deaf-mute but here, the disability is transferred to Joe's love interest, the pretty pharmacist played by Charlie Young, another cast member who seems to sleepwalk through the role. Only local star Shahkrit Yamnarm stands out with a humorous performance.

But then again, I may be too harsh. The blame should go to the directors who offer nothing in terms of emotional development to the characters. The Pangs seem to believe that by keeping the scenes dark, they would heighten the audience's imagination and participation. No, it is just infuriating.

THE VERDICT: The Pang Brothers have not done anything to outshine 'The Eye'.This one is as bland as the Pang Brothers' last outing, 'The Messengers', released last year.

MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL: It's Just Crass & Crude

MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL (Romantic comedy)
Cast: Dane Cook, Kate Hudson, Jason Biggs, Lizzy Caplan, Alec Baldwin and Diora Baird
Director: Howard Deutch
Time: 100 mins
Rating: * * (out of 4)


Kate Hudson and Dan Cook

HEY Folks, I am now blogging from the US of A. I was in Lawrence, near Kansas City, last weekend, where I caught a couple of films at the famous Legends Mall. I am now back in Bloomington, Indiana, where I caught this one. So I can imagine how many of the 'F-words' will be censored out of the dialogue back in Malaysia.

THE SKINNY: In 'Good Luck Chuck', Dan Cook played a guy whom lots of women want to have sex with because he is 'cursed' to be the good luck guy after whom the woman he dated will find her true love and get married. Well, in 'My Best Friend's Girl', he has another 'plum role' as an 'emotional terrorist' - and asshole-for hire by men who want to get their girlfriends back. Just one date with the obnoxious Tank (Cook) and the girlfriend would come running back to the guy she left behind.

Tank's roommate, Dustin (Jason Biggs), hires Tank to work his magic on Alexis (Kate Hudson) so that she'll want to start a romantic relationship with Dustin instead of just being a friend. However, when Alexis goes out with Tank, she's actually looking for Tank's specialty - the one-night stand - and doesn't care if he's a asshole This throws him off his game and he finds himself trapped in his own web, falling for the woman who is supposed to be his prey.

THE CRITIQUE: Cook may be a good stand-up comedian (he was a 'grad' from Comedy Central) but his devil-may-care attitude sort of disqualifies him from being the romantic hero. He could never get off from being the joker in 'Good Luck Chuck' and the same problem dogs him here. He lacks screen chemistry with Hudson, he is not convincing enough as a romantic lover and generates no audience sympathy. He was fine in a supporting role though, as he was in 'Dan In Real Life' where he played Steve Carrell's brother.

The other supporting cast, like Alec Baldwin as Tank's skirt-chasing father, and Lizzy Caplan as Alexis' randy room-mate Ami, offer interesting distractions. Another problem is that this film appears like a series of gags for Cook to perform rather than a movie. And some of these are out of place with the story.

VERDICT: Another cinema fodder.

WEEKEND PIC - Oct 17 - 19, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW THIS WEEK:


a) MAX PAYNE (crime thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Amaury Nolasco, and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): It's brooding, dark and wet; it is technically well done and has the requisite action and distractions - but this videogame-adaptation lacks heart and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. FURY aka MANGKORN SAU (Thai action thriller with Som Amara and Jija Yanin) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Like the 'Ong Bak' series, this one is another fast-paced, no-holds-barred fight flick that does not use stunt doubles. Just overlook the plot and enjoy the stunts.

2. EAGLE EYE (Action thriller with Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Chiklis) Rated * * (2 stars): If you can tolerate lots of ridiculous high-tech suspense and a lousy pay-off at the end, then this is the flick for you. (Reviewed below)

3. THE HOUSE BUNNY (comedy with Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Rumer Willis, Katharine McPhee and Hugh Hefner) Rated * * (2 out of 4 stars): Faris, the star of 'Scary Movie' moves on to another dumb movie that graduates from juvenile to infantile as it goes along. (Reviewed below)

4. FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (comedy with David Chisum, Richard Tyson and Kevin J. 'O Connor) Rating * * (2 stars): This 'Zombies On A Plane' movie is actually a made-for-DVD flim, but some wise guys must have thought it would convert a few fans here in Malaysia.

5. KAMI THE MOVIE (local drama with Liyana Jasmay, Syarul Ezani and Ani Zayanah) Rated * * (2 stars): Another coming-of-age movie about a bunch of school chums hanging out in some dodgy places, quite unlike 'The Goodbye Boys', 'S'kali', and 'Gol & Gincu' characters.

6. DISASTER MOVIE (comedy with Matt Lanter, Vanessa Minnillo, Gary Johnson, Nicole Parker, and Kim Kardashian) Rated * (1 star): The spoof series gets from bad to worse and this looks like the pits - although I am not gonna bet on it. Seems like there is no limit to the stupidity that they can dish out - and this is a complete Disaster of a Movie.

MAX PAYNE: Maximum Action, Minimum Logic

MAX PAYNE (action thriller)
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Donal Logue, Amaury Nolasco, Kate Burton, Olga Kurylenko (pic)
Director: John Moore
Time: 108 mins
Rating: * * 1/2 (out of 4)


PREAMBLE: Adapted from the videogame of the same title, 'Max Payne' the movie is visually exciting, sensuously cold and wet, technically well-made but surprisingly flat in terms of audience participation. Principally, it is because we feel nothing for its hero, Max Payne, or any of the characters. The one cast member who stands out is the luscious Olga Kurylenko who plays a femme fatale here. Why am I mentioning Olga? Because she is the new Bond girl - of 'Quantum Of Solace'. In 'Max Payne', she provides the requisite sparkle and sizzle - and then the movie turns mundane.

THE SKINNY: Max Payne is a New York cop whose wife and baby are killed by thugs. Devastated by his loss, Max joins the Drug Enforcement Agency and teams up with an assassin, Mona Sax (Mila Kunis) who is out to avenge her sister's death. They are hunted by the police, the mob, and a ruthless corporation. Max's probe leads him to a Sgt Jack Lupino (Amaury Nolasco) and a drug known as Valkyrie.

THE CRITIQUE: After the exit of the curvaceous Kurylenko in the first one-third of the film, our interest wanes pretty quickly. Yes, there are the usual blasts and shootouts, the requisite teaming up of Max and Mona, and even the mandatory plot twist at the end. However, one important thing that is missing is the stuff that a videogame-adapted film needs: audience involvement. Here, the characters are not developed enough to get our sympathy.

Mila Kunis, who gave a creditable account of herself in 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall', is largely wasted here. Chris O'Donnell has a minor role as a drug company executive and Beau Bridges as BB Hensley, head of security. They, too, fail to help improve the movie. Director John Moore loves to shoot in the rain, repeatedly having his characters chat in the downpour like idiots. And then there's the opening scene where our hero dives into the sea and spouting his life's philosophy... Does he consider videogame players that dumb?

THE VERDICT: Mainly for gamesters and fans of the videogame.

Launch of Tun Ahmad Sarji Biography on Oct 10

Hi guys,

Here are some pictures of the launch of my book, Ahmad Sarji Attaining Eminence at the Petaling Jaya Hilton last Friday, Oct 10, 2008, by the Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad (pictured below).



The launch was a posh affair with a P. Ramlee lookalike rendering Tun Ahmad Sarji's favourite songs. Among the VVIPs attending were the former CPO Tun Haniff Omar and General (Rtd) Tun Ibrahim Ismail.

The book is now on sale at all MPH stores at RM79 a copy.


Yours Truly, presenting a copy of the book to Tun Abdul Hamid as Tun Ahmad Sarji (left) and MPH CEO Dato Ng Tieh Chuan (second from right) look on.



Yours Truly autographing the book for one of the guests while my wife looks bored.

WEEKEND PIC Oct 10 - 12, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) FURY aka MANGKORN SAU (Thai action thriller with Som Amara and Jija Yanin) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Like the 'Ong Bak' series, this one is another fast-paced, no-holds-barred fight flick that does not use stunt doubles. Just overlook the plot and enjoy the stunts.

b) THE HOUSE BUNNY (comedy with Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Rumer Willis, Katharine McPhee and Hugh Hefner) Rated * * (2 out of 4 stars): Faris, the star of 'Scary Movie' moves on to another dumb movie that graduates from juvenile to infantile as it goes along. (Reviewed below)


c) DISASTER MOVIE (comedy with Matt Lanter, Vanessa Minnillo, Gary Johnson, Nicole Parker (pictured above), and Kim Kardashian) Rated * (1 star): The spoof series gets from bad to worse and this looks like the pits - although I am not gonna bet on it. Seems like there is no limit to the stupidity that they can dish out - and this is a complete Disaster of a Movie.

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. MAMMA MIA! (musical with Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stelan Skasgard and Amanda Seyfried) Rated * * * (out of 4): It is a real campy Bollywood-style musical incorporating the songs of ABBA but fun to watch. Where else can you see Bond star Brosnan singing and Streep having such a great time hamming it up? (Reviewed below)

2. EAGLE EYE (Action thriller with Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Chiklis) Rated * * (2 stars): If you can tolerate lots of ridiculous high-tech suspense and a lousy pay-off at the end, then this is the flick for you. (Reviewed below)

3. PAINTED SKIN (thriller with Betty Sun, Chen Kun, Donnie Yen Ji Dan, Qi Yuwu, Vicki Zhao Wei and Zhou Xun) Rating * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Gordon Chan's remake of the 1993 flick (that starred Sammo Hung and Adam Cheng) has its moments as well as disappointments. It should please action fans, though.

4. FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (comedy with David Chisum, Richard Tyson and Kevin J. 'O Connor) Rating * * (2 stars): This 'Zombies On A Plane' movie is actually a made-for-DVD flim, but some wise guys must have thought it would convert a few fans here in Malaysia.

5. KAMI THE MOVIE (local drama with Liyana Jasmay, Syarul Ezani and Ani Zayanah) Rated * * (2 stars): Another coming-of-age movie about a bunch of school chums hanging out in some dodgy places, quite unlike 'The Goodbye Boys', 'S'kali', and 'Gol & Gincu' characters.

THE HOUSE BUNNY: From Juvenile To Infantile

THE HOUSE BUNNY (Comedy)
Cast: Anna Faris (pic), Colin Hanks, Rumer Willis, Katharine McPhee and Hugh Hefner
Director: Fred Wolf
Time: 98 mins
Rating: * * (out of 4)

PREAMBLE: 'The House Bunny' is a movie that features magazine magnate Hugh Hefner, his Playboy Mansion and, of course, the buxom Bunnies. But wait! Before you get overly excited about these titillating 'attractions', just take a look at the movie's rating: PG-13!

This means that instead of lots of skin and bouncy boobs, all you get is a bunch of blonde jokes - and a real dumb script to match. Now, if you are still interested, read on...

THE SKINNY: Shelley (Anna Faris), a Bunny at the Playboy Mansion, dreams of becoming Miss November. However, one nasty bitch among Hef's beauties devices a plan to kick Shelley out of the Mansion. Homeless and brainless, she ends up on a college campus where she manages to persuade a group of sorority sisters (Emma Stone, Kat Dennings, Katharine McPhee, Rumer Willis, Kiely Williams, Dana Goodman, Kimberly Makkouk) to take her in as House Mother. Facing the loss of their charter and house, the Zeta sisters are in dire need of a make-over and Shelley gets the role of Fairy Godma to these misfits.

THE CRITIQUE: For each of the three segments of the movie, the plotting, acting and dialogue seem to go from juvenile to plain infantile. In one scene, Shelley says to a waiter at a Hawaiian restaurant: "I'm not very hungry, so instead of Mahi-Mahi, can I have just one Mahi instead?"

For me, the chief attractions are the cast like Demi Moore and Bruce Willis' daughter, Rumer, who plays an awkward female version of Forrest Gump; and American Idol Katharine McPhee who provides a sight gag as a pregnant student, plus, of course, a song or two. Faris seems to have improved on her perf since 'Scary Movie' and she provides a good combination of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton in her Shelley. Looking at her, we know it takes brains to play someone so dumb.

THE VERDICT: Love it or hate it, dumb flicks like these are an American staple for the college kids who form the majority of cinema-goers.

RAYA & WEEKEND PIC: Oct 1 - 5, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

1. MAMMA MIA! (musical with Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stelan Skasgard and Amanda Seyfried) Rated * * * (out of 4): It is a real campy Bollywood-style musical incorporating the songs of ABBA but fun to watch. Where else can you see Bond star Brosnan singing and Streep having such a great time hamming it up? (Reviewed below)

2. THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL (period drama with Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana and David Morrissey) Rated * * * (3 stars): BBC director Justin Chadwick combines historical court drama with the emotional rivalry between the two Boleyn sisters to cook up a rich and engaging movie. If you liked 'Elizabeth', you will like this one. (Reviewed below)

3. EAGLE EYE (Action thriller with Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Chiklis) Rated * * (2 stars): If you can tolerate lots of ridiculous high-tech suspense and a lousy pay-off at the end, then this is the flick for you. (Reviewed below)

4. PAINTED SKIN (thriller with Betty Sun, Chen Kun, Donnie Yen Ji Dan, Qi Yuwu, Vicki Zhao Wei and Zhou Xun) Rating * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Gordon Chan's remake of the 1993 flick (that starred Sammo Hung and Adam Cheng) has its moments as well as disappointments. It should please action fans, though.

5. FLIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (pictured, comedy with David Chisum, Richard Tyson and Kevin J. 'O Connor) Rating * * (2 stars): This 'Zombies On A Plane' movie is actually a made-for-DVD flim, but some wise guys must have thought it would convert a few fans here in Malaysia.

6. KAMI THE MOVIE (local drama with Liyana Jasmay, Syarul Ezani and Ani Zayanah) Rated * * (2 stars): Another coming-of-age movie about a bunch of school chums hanging out in some dodgy places, quite unlike 'The Goodbye Boys', 'S'kali', and 'Gol & Gincu' characters.

7. I KNOW WHO KILLED ME (thriller with Lindsay Lohan, Julia Ormond, Neal McDonough and Brian Geraghty) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 star): Lohan won fame playing twins in 'The Parent Trap'. In this 2007 film, she sucks big time playing dual roles as a smart student gone missing and a uncouth stripper. (Reviewed below).

8. PATHOLOGY (with Milo Ventimiglia, Lauren Lee Smith, Michael Weston, Alyssa Milano and Keir O'Donnell) Rating * 1/2 (1.5 stars): It's blood-and-gore meets kinky sex in this pathetic excuse for a morgue thriller. Of course, it's dead meat for our censors. So...?

EAGLE EYE: 'Run, Shia, Run!'

EAGLE EYE (thriller)
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Chiklis
Director: D.J. Caruso
Time: 118 mins
Rating: * * (out of 4)

RUNNING SCARED: Labeouf and Monaghan

PREAMBLE: Here's another movie to pander to the paranoia over terrorist threats and the possibility of our lives being scrutinised by an all-seeing agency. And indeed, 'Eagle Eye' might have worked its magic and grabbed our interest if its 'high-conceit' plot were at least plausible instead of being so preposterous.

And after suspending disbelief for so long, we should just take 'Eagle Eye' for what it really is: just another actioner featuring some cool car chases and crashes and other spectacular vehicular destruction.

THE SKINNY: Jerry Shaw (Shia LaBeouf) is an underachiever mourning the death of his twin brother, Ethan. Somewhere in the same city, Rachel Holloman (Michelle Monaghan) is sending her son Sam (Cameron Boyce) on a trip to the White House with his school band. Jerry arrives home to find his apartment filled with terrorist stuff like guns and bomb-making devices, while a voice on his cell phone tells him to run. He disobeys and finds himself caught by the FBI, led by agent Thomas Morgan (Billy Bob Thornton).

Rachel, however, receives a similar call telling her to follow instructions or her son's train will be derailed. She does as she's told and finds herself face-to-face with Jerry. Together, they go around the town and countryside doing the bidding of the voice, which has the power to control electronic devices all around the world to get them where they're supposed to go. And besides the FBI, they are also pursued by Air Force intelligence agent Zoe Perez (Rosario Dawson) who is also interested to find out what's going on.

THE CRITIQUE: The concept of Big Brother watching over its citizens (a'la George Orwell) is old hat. This movie ups the ante in terms of plot style without firming up on the logic (or substance). So by the time we get to its ending, we would have figured out most of its 'twists' and feel disappointed by the plot.

Still LaBeouf may be happy to see him doing some real acting even though it is similar to his roles in 'Transformers' and 'Indiana Jones And The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'. And those who love smashes and mayhem will find enough of them here. Those looking for a decent script should look elsewhere.

THE VERDICT: This is not what we would call a mindless fun ride. You feel cheated because it is so mindless and funless.

Selamat Hari Raya

I would like to wish all Muslim visitors Selamat Hari Raya and Happy Holidays to everyone. Please be extra careful on the roads and more considerate of other patrons at the cinema. Yes, let's make a difference.

My Book's Just Off The Press!

This is not movie-related but I just got the advance copies of my new book, a biography on Tun Ahmad Sarji, the PNB Chairman, IKIM Chairman and former Chief Secretary to the Government, entitled Ahmad Sarji Attaining Eminence. For a writer, holding your newly printed book is like holding your new baby.

The book, printed by MPH, will be launched by the Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad at the PJ Hilton hotel at 8pm on Oct 10, 2008. The occasion is also to celebrate Tun Ahmad Sarji’s 70th birthday.

I started on the project after returning from Indiana, USA, last March and completed it in the middle of August, with express help from my wife, family and the Tun himself who is an avid P. Ramlee fan. In fact Ahmad Sarji has written many books on P. Ramlee, including an encyclopaedic volume in Malay, P. Ramlee Erti Yang Sakti, and co-writing a biography entitled P. Ramlee The Bright Star. Besides that, he also has one of the largest collection of P. Ramlee records and memorabilia.

The book traces the multi-faceted careers of Ahmad Sarji from his childhood and schooldays in Tapah, Perak, and how he joined the Malay Administrative Service in 1961. In less than three years he was appointed District Officer of Rembau, Negri Sembilan, and from then on, his Civil Service career took flight, running the gamut of State, Federal and Cabinet appointments, culminating in the top post as Chief Secretary to the Government from 1990 to 1996.

Then, at an age when most people opted to retire, he started a new chapter in his life, joining the corporate sector as Chairman of PNB and its companies; and in non-governmental and sports organisations, as President of the Heritage of Malaysia Trust, Pro-Chancellor and Adjunct Professor of a number of local universities and President of the Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation. He has also been the Founding Chairman of IKIM (Institute of Islamic Understanding, Malaysia) since 1992.

Ahmad Sarji’s achievements won him numerous awards and recognitions such as the Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1999, Tokoh Melayu Terbilang, the BrandLaureate Brand Personality and his Tun-ship title in 2008. This book is a record of the attainments that distinguish Tun Ahmad Sarji in his eminence.