Avengers Grossed US$178mil Around The World

APRIL 30, 2012 - Opening in 39 foreign territories a week ahead of its U.S. debut, Marvel's The Avengers scored a truly heroic US$178.4 million (RM535 million). The movie took first place in all of its markets, and set new opening weekend records in a dozen of them as well.

Marvel's The Avengers had its top start in the United Kingdom (US$24.7 million), although that only ranks 16th all-time there. In Australia, the movie's US$19.7 million is the second-highest five-day opening ever, while its US$15.9 million debut in Mexico is a new record. It also set records in Brazil (US$11.3 million), Taiwan (US$7.7 million), the Philippines (US$6.5 million), Hong Kong (US$4.6 million) and seven other smaller markets.

Estimates of cinemas in Malaysia are not available as of the time of writing.

While not quite reaching all-time levels, the movie also had very strong starts in South Korea (US$12.9 million), France (US$12.7 million), Italy (US$10.4 million), and Spain (US$7.3 million). Oddly, it only opened to US$6.7 million in Germany, though looking at past Avengers movie grosses it doesn't appear the Germans are as fond of the team as the rest of the world.

Thanks to The Avengers debut, Battleship plummeted 63 per cent to an estimated US$22.5 million this weekend. It added US$8 million in China and held first place in Russia with US$3.2 million (as previously noted, both of these markets didn't have The Avengers). The movie has now made US$170 million overseas, and should be able to push past the US$200 million mark with this batch of territories. The board game adaptation opens in Latin America on May 10, and in the U.S. on May 18.

'Think Like A Man' Stays Atop by 'Default'

APRIL 30, 2012 - While America waits the release of Marvel's The Avengers this Friday, four new nationwide releases landed with a thud over the weekend, allowing Think Like a Man to stay atop the US box office chart. The Top 12 earned just under US$100 million on the final weekend in Spring 2012, which is obviously way off from the same frame last year when Fast Five opened to US$86.2 million.

Think Like a Man fell 47 per cent to an estimated US$18 million. Through 10 days in cinemas, the movie has already made US$60.9 million, which makes it the highest-grossing movie from April 2012 ahead of Titanic 3D (US$56.3 million).

Based on Sunday estimates, The Pirates! Band of Misfits was the highest-grossing movie among the new releases, though that isn't really saying much —the stop-motion animation flick claimed second place with a meagre estimated US$11.4 million. That's lower than Arthur Christmas's US$12.1 million debut in November, which makes it the worst opening ever for British production house Aardman Animation.

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for April 27-29, 2012 weekend, in terms of rank, (previous week ranking), Movie name (studio), Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo. (US$1=RM3)

1. (1) Think Like a Man (SGem) $18.0 million ($60.8 million) 2

2. (-) The Pirates! Band of Misfits (Sony) $11.4 million ($11.4 million) 1

3. (2) The Lucky One (WB) $11.3 million ($39,.9 million) 2

4. (3) The Hunger Games (LGF) $11.2 million ($372.4 million) 6

5. (-) The Five-Year Engagement (Uni.) $11.1 million ($11.1 million) 1

Reviewer Lambasted for 'Negative' Review of Avengers

APRIL 26, 2012 - A week ago, I blogged that Marvel's The Avengers scored 100% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer! The next day, the score fell to 97% ostensibly because Amy Nicholson of Box Office Magazine gave a 'negative' review.

That 'blight' on The Avengers' score angered so many of the movie's fans that they lambasted her via some very nasty comments on the web page. Up to today, she had 83 comments, most of which are damning.

However, the fact is that Ms Nicholson actually gave a 'better than average' review, awarding three out of five stars for the movie. In other reviews, 3/5 stars mean a "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It is curious how her rating had been considered negative on Rotten Tomatoes. Did she herself 'categorised' her review negative? Whatever it is, she is entitled to her opinion and does not deserve any of those nasty comments at all. 

Meanwhile, another reviewer, Sam Bathe of www.fanthefiremagazine.com, actually disliked the movie, giving it two stars out of five! Some of his detractors believe he is trying to get publicity by being the 'second' critic who hates The Avengers!

You can catch Ms Nicholson's review at http://www.boxofficemagazine.com/reviews/2012-04-marvels-the-avengers.

WEEKEND PIC - April 27 - 29, 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:
a) MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (sci-fi fantasy with Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgard, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Paul Bettany) Rated * * * 1/2 (3.5 stars): Seriously, are you reading this to help you decide whether to watch this movie or not? If you are, you're wasting your time. This film is critic-proof. If you have not booked your tickets by now, you may not get to watch it during the weekend - and probably miss out on the main topic of conversations at the mamak stalls/coffee shops. If you have already decided to watch this six-superheroes-in-one-flick, go for the IMAX and 3D for the optimum experience. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (horror thriller with Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford and Sigourney Weaver) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Two girls and three men venture deep into the woods for a weekend break. This is all you need to know about this 'offbeat' horror thriller that messes about with the genre and its archetypes. Written by first-time director Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon (of Marvel's The Avengers fame), this one boasts a highly inventive script although not all of its 'inventions' work. Should be a blast for horror-comedy fans.

2. BATTLESHIP (sci-fi adventure with Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano, Peter MacNicol and Rihanna) Rated * * * (3 stars): Typical summer action blockbuster in the Transformers and Independence Day mould. Okay, the action set pieces are not as awesome of Transformers: Dark Of The Moon but the storyline, centred around a reluctant hero (Kitsch) and his shapely girlfriend (Decker) is more engaging. We need to leave logic aside in order to enjoy the action, though. (Reviewed below)

3. A BETTER LIFE (drama with Demián Bichir, José Julián, Dolores Heredia, Joaquin Cosio and Nancy Lenehan) Rated * * * (3 stars): The reason A Better Life finds its release in Malaysia is because of Demian Bichir's nomination for the Best Actor Oscar. And this is also the main reason for cinema fans to catch this touching story about how a Mexican gardener (Bichir), working illegally in Los Angeles, tries his utmost to provide a better future for his American-born son (Julian). (Reviewed below)

4. LOCKOUT (sci-fi adventure with Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Lennie James, Joe Gilgun and Anne-Solenne Hatte) Rated * * (2 stars): Boy, this one takes the cake for pinching plot ideas from other movies. Its main plot is that of Escape From New York (1981) which the script-writers set in outer space. And with such an unabashed collection of borrowed scenes, you will know what's going to happen long before it happens. We would expect some 'spit-and-polish' with regards to its motivations and at least some clever twists, but nope. No such luck here. Everything is banal and downright ridiculous. (Reviewed below)

5. STREETDANCE 2 (dance drama in 3D with Falk Hentschel, George Sampson, Sofia Boutella, Stephanie Nguyen, Samuel Revell and Tom Conti) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 stars): This sequel to the 2010 Streetdance 3D is tolerable as long as its stars are dancing. However, when they stop, the film sucks big time. This is because none of the cast members can act to save their lives - except for Conti who looks so out of place in this recycled dance show that mixes Latin moves with hip-hop. (Reviewed below)

MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS - Whedon's Masterpiece

MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS (sci-fi thriller in 3D)
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgard, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Paul Bettany
Director: Josh Whedon
Screenplay: Joss Whedon, based on story by Zak Penn 
Time: 143 mins
Rating:  *  *  *  1/2  (out of 4)

Thor (Hemsworth) and Capt America (Evans) in 'Manhattan'

PREAMBLE: This is one of the most awaited movies of all time - and for the legions of fans in Malaysia, the wait is going to be over soon. For those who have not yet booked their tickets, I suggest that they do so, preferably at the IMAX cineplex where the action feels immersive in 3D.

I must say I was a bit sceptical that writer-director Joss Whedon (creator of TV's Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel) can pull off this six-in-one superhero flick. Will it be like assembling six major egos in a small room - and cramming their style? With the plot of 'six against one (Loki)', wouldn't that be overkill and unfair advantage? Will the storyline/plot measure up to the CGI and effects that take up a major part of its US$220 million budget? Will this Disney effort follow in the heels of John Carter and go downhill?

Hiddleston as Loki

All these doubts are dashed after 20 minutes into the movie - when we find Earth being threatened by demi-god Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), the head of S.H.I.E.L.D (for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) starts The Avenger Initiative. From here on, it is pure, Marvel-ous fanboy entertainment of the supreme order! You can bet this one is going to put Whedon among the ranks of top directors like Spielberg and Cameron.

Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Those who have seen Captain America last year may remember the Tesseract, the all-powerful energy cube retrieved from the bottom of the ocean. Loki, the megalomaniacal brother of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) manages to get his hands on it and plans to use it to summon his army of outer space warriors to take over the world.

To stop him, Fury and his assistant Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) assemble the various 'superheroes' on his massive 'helicarrier' in preparation for war against Loki's forces. These include Steve Rogers' Captain America (Chris Evans), Tony Stark's Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Dr Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor. Special agent Clint Barton, or Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) makes up the sixth member a bit later when Manhattan is being bombarded by outer space monsters.

Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill

HITS & MISSES: The climactic battle takes up almost all of the final half-hour but the whole movie is absorbing enough, thanks to a cleverly written script that incorporates a fine balance of sincerity and self-effacing wit. Indeed, before the Avengers battle the alien invaders, they fight one another, both physically and verbally. Like, Iron Man's quips when he first meets Thor: "What's this, Shakespeare in the park?" and "Does your mother know you're wearing her drapes?" Indeed, the punchlines are more powerful - and memorable - than the real punches.

Whedon does not waste time re-introducing his characters. We are already familiar with Iron Man, Captain America and Thor. The physical talents of Scar-Jo's Black Widow are 'introduced' in an interrogation scene where she later gets a phone call from her boss, Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), puts him on 'hold' and proceeds to beat the brains out of her interrogators.

I have always wondered how Mark Ruffalo will fare as the Hulk - and I am surprised he almost ran away with the show. His Dr Banner is a mellow guy hiding out in India before being 'persuaded' by Natasha to join The Avengers. On board Fury's helicarrier, we can see him doing his utmost to keep his temper in check - "you must have been doing a lot of yoga" someone jokes. And yes, when The Hulk emerges, it is really Incredible. Also watch out for Marvel Comics' Stan Lee who gets a self-effacing one-liner during the action scenes.

Iron Man on the attack!

One of the 'misses' of this film is that Natalie Portman's Jane is left out of Thor's story - except for a picture. This is in contrast to Stark's relationship with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) which takes up quite a few scenes. And even though he has to face-off against six superheroes, Hiddleston's Loki is formidable and menacing enough as the arch villain. Of course, Jackson finally has a proper role here after cameos in the previous Iron Man and Captain America films.

THE LOWDOWN: It really isn't about whether you're going to catch The Avengers; it's how many times you will want to see it. 

'Think Like A Man' Tops US Weekend B-O

APRIL 23, 2012 - With its affable cast and broadly-appealing battle-of-the-sexes premise, Think Like a Man easily took the top spot at the box office this weekend ahead of The Lucky One and four-time champ The Hunger Games. In fourth place, Chimpanzee exceeded expectations and set a few minor records. Overall, the Top 12 earned an estimated US$123.3 million this weekend, which is a very slight improvement over the same frame last year.

Facing direct competition from The Lucky One, The Hunger Games miraculously had its lightest drop yet. The movie eased 32 percent to an estimated US$14.5 million, which brings its total to US$356.9 million (19th on the all-time list). Through 31 days in cinemas, The Hunger Games is only trailing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 by less than US$500,000, and is currently on pace to close above that movie's US$381 million total.

Even though it had to settle for fourth place, Chimpanzee got off to a great start for a documentary. In fact, its estimated US$10.2 million was the best three-day start for a Disney nature movie, and also the best debut for a nature documentary ever. Among all documentaries, it ranked third behind Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (US$29.5 million) and Fahrenheit 9/11 (US$23.9 million). 

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for April 20-22, 2012 weekend, in terms of rank, (previous week ranking), Movie name (studio), Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo. (US$1=RM3)

1. (-) Think Like a Man (SGem) $33.0 million ( $33.0 million) 1

2. (-) The Lucky One (WB) $22.8 million ($22.8 million) 1

3. (1) The Hunger Games (LGF) $14.5 million ($356.9 million) 5

4. (-) Chimpanzee (BV) $10.2 million ($10.2 million) 1

5. (2) The Three Stooges (Fox) $9.2 million ($29.3 million) 2

The Avengers Get Critical Thumbs' Up

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain America (Chris Evans)

APRIL 20, 2012 - So far, so good. Well, more than good, actually. Marvel's The Avengers premiered and previewed in London, Los Angeles and other major cities worldwide recently - and received gushing reviews and accolades.

Up to today, The Avengers hit 100% on Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer and user reviews on IMDB all praised the US$220-million superhero film sky high. This bodes well for director Joss Whedon who must be the Man of the Month, what with his The Cabin In The Woods (which he co-wrote with director Drew Goddard) receiving critical thumbs up as well. The last time I checked, Cabin In The Woods clocked 92% on the Tomatometer. It was the Number 3 top grosser in the US box-office last weekend.

The Avengers from left) Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Incredible Hulk and Captain America

 Local reviewers will only get to see The Avengers on Tuesday, April 24 - before the movie opens on Friday, April 27. However, interest in The Avengers has been so high that it is expected to be the top-grosser of the year. Experts tracking audience interest have suggested that the film could gross over US$100 million during it's three-day opening weekend in North America. Online ticket pre-sales have sold out in many areas.

So far, critics have said they like the clash of super-egos among the superheroes, as well as the awe-inspiring stunts and extraordinary effects.

Looking at it from a value-for-money point of view, we get to see six superheroes for the price of one!

One of the devastation scenes in the film

WEEKEND PIC - April 20 - 22, 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (horror thriller with Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford and Sigourney Weaver) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Two girls and three men venture deep into the woods for a weekend break. This is all you need to know about this 'offbeat' horror thriller that messes about with the genre and its archetypes. Written by first-time director Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon (of The Avengers fame), this one boasts a highly inventive script although not all of its 'inventions' work. Should be a blast for horror-comedy fans.

b) A BETTER LIFE (drama with Demián Bichir, José Julián, Dolores Heredia, Joaquin Cosio and Nancy Lenehan) Rated * * * (3 stars): The reason A Better Life finds its release in Malaysia is because of Demian Bichir's nomination for the Best Actor Oscar. And this is the main reason for cinema fans to catch this touching story about how a Mexican gardener (Bichir), working illegally in Los Angeles, tries his utmost to provide a better future for his American-born son (Julian). (Reviewed below)

c) LOCKOUT (sci-fi adventure with Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Lennie James, Joe Gilgun and Anne-Solenne Hatte) Rated * * (2 stars): Boy, this one takes the cake for pinching plot ideas from other movies. Its main plot is that of Escape From New York (1981) which the script-writers set in outer space. And with such an unabashed collection of borrowed scenes, you will know what's going to happen long before it happens. We would expect some 'spit-and-polish' with regards to its motivations and at least some clever twists, but nope. No such luck here. Everything is banal and downright ridiculous. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. BATTLESHIP (sci-fi adventure with Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano, Peter MacNicol and Rihanna) Rated * * * (3 stars): Typical summer action blockbuster in the Transformers and Independence Day mould. Okay, the action set pieces are not as awesome of Transformers: Dark Of The Moon but the storyline, centred on a reluctant hero (Kitsch) and his shapely girlfriend (Decker) is more engaging. We need to leave logic aside in order to enjoy the action, though. (Reviewed below)

2. WRATH OF THE TITANS (fantasy adventure in IMAX 3D with Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Danny Huston, Rosamund Pike, Toby Kebbell, Bill Nighy and Danny Bell) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): The first Clash Of The Titans was critically-roasted. This sequel is slightly better with a more comprehensive narrative and action pieces. The main plot is family melodrama - with Perseus (Worthington) setting out to save Daddy Zeus (Neeson), accompanied by the lovely Andromeda (Pike) and Argenor (Kebbell). I caught this in IMAX where the action is enhanced in spectacular 3D and recommend it to action fans. (Reviewed below)

3. STREETDANCE 2 (dance drama in 3D with Falk Hentschel, George Sampson, Sofia Boutella, Stephanie Nguyen, Samuel Revell and Tom Conti) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 stars): This sequel to the 2010 Streetdance 3D is tolerable as long as its stars are dancing. However, when they stop, the film sucks big time. This is because none of the cast members can act to save their lives - except for Conti who looks so out of place in this recycled dance show that mixes Latin moves with hip-hop. (Reviewed below)

4. DARK FLIGHT (Thai horror in 3D with Marsha Watanapanich, Peter Knight and Patcharee Thabtong) Rating: * 1/2 (1.5 stars): If you have seen Snakes On A Plane, this one offers the variation, Ghosts On A Plane. However, while the former has a touch of humour and cult feel to go with the proceedings, the laughter here is largely unintended. We get the feeling that the 3D is more of a novelty than to enhance the scares. Strictly for dating couples.

A BETTER LIFE - Touching Father & Son Tale

A BETTER LIFE (drama)
Cast: Demián Bichir, José Julián, Dolores Heredia, Joaquin Cosio and Nancy Lenehan
Director: Chris Weitz
Screenplay: Eric Eason, based on a story by Roger L. Simon 
Time: 98 mins
Rating:  *  *  *  (out of 4)

Jose Julian and Demian Bichir as Lius and Carlos

PREAMBLE: This movie is being released in Malaysia because its main star, Demián Bichir, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor this year. If there were no Oscar buzz, A Better Life would have remained an obscure indie effort about Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles. I caught this movie when I was in the US and I am glad it has come to Malaysian shores. It is an engaging story about a father and son.

Bobby Soto, Jose Julian and Chelsea Rendon

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Bichir stars as Mexican gardener Carlos, an illegal immigrant who lives in Los Angeles with his 14-year-old son Luis (Jose Julian). Although Luis was born in the US, Carlos lives in fear of immigration officials (“La Migra”) and knows that even the slightest traffic offence could see him deported to Mexico.

When Carlos is offered the chance to buy a truck and start his own gardening business, he decides to take the risk, largely because he's worried that Luis will be drawn into drugs or gangs if he doesn't provide a better life for the two of them. Unfortunately, the newly acquired truck is promptly stolen by a fellow immigrant, forcing Carlos and Luis to take drastic action.

HITS & MISSES: This is a Hollywood production that is set in a Hispanic community in East LA and features an almost entirely Hispanic cast. It presents a vivid and moving insight into the lives of the so-called 'wet-backs' or Mexican illegals trying to eke out a life in the Land of Opportunity. And yes, Bichir is excellent as the cautious Carlos, who seems always to be in a state of exhaustion trying to provide for his son.

Our sympathies go out to Carlos as soon as we see him crashed out on the living room couch that doubles as his bed. From there on, we are emotionally tied to Carlos as his quest for a better life sends him into a series of misfortunes. Julian is also memorable as Luis and the bond between the two is believable, well-written and extremely touching.

THE LOWDOWN: At the end of the movie, we will (hopefully) see illegals in a different light.

LOCKOUT - 'Escape From NY' in Outer Space

LOCKOUT (sci-fi drama)
Cast: Guy Pearce, Maggie Grace, Peter Stormare, Lennie James, Joe Gilgun and Anne-Solenne Hatte
Directors: James Mather and Stephen St. Leger
Screenplay: James Mather and Stephen St. Leger, based on an original idea by Besson
Time: 110 mins
Rating:  *  *  (out of 4)

Escape from MS One: Maggie Grace, Tim Plester and Guy Pearce

PREAMBLE: It is a given that action movies need not have to be logical or even plausible. However, Lockout takes 'illogical' to a level that is way out of this world! It is ridiculous, derivative and banal. The script is such an unabashed collection of borrowed scenes that you know what's going to happen long before it happens. 

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? It is 2079 and ex-CIA Agent Snow (Guy Pearce) is interrogated, assaulted and convicted of the murder of his partner. He is sentenced to 30 years on MS One, a maximum-security prison hovering in space. Meanwhile, Emilie Warnock (Maggie Grace, left), daughter of the US President, docks at MS One on a humanitarian mission to interview some inmates and help to improve conditions there.

Due to an act of utter stupidity by an SS agent, Emilie is held hostage by an inmate, triggering an uprising by the other convicts. When the situation deteriorates, the government has no choice but to blow MS One to smithereens. And guess what, Snow is tasked to fly in and get the First Daughter out in exchange for a presidential pardon!

HITS & MISSES: If the main plot reminds us of Escape From New York (1981), we will be getting more glimpses and reminders of lifted ideas from Die Hard, Blade Runner and the tattooed freaks of From Dusk Till Dawn (1996). This is one of the sloppiest piece of writing one can find from the bunch of writers working on an idea that reportedly comes from Luc Besson!

Pearce spewing more one-liners than punches

The one good thing I can say about Lockout is that its ridiculousness and stupidity continue relentlessly, keeping us unintentionally amused and annoyed. The secondary cast playing the inmates seem to be chosen for how ugly they look on camera - and of these Joseph Gilgun stands out as Hydell, the incredulously idiotic jackass that audiences just love to hate.

Pearce fits the wise-cracking, tough guy role nicely but instead of pitting his anti-hero Snow against the baddies, Snow spends most of his time arguing with Emilie and trying to save the headstrong but naive girl from being ravaged by the prisoners. Yes, Grace also earns her pay check for her tough but stupid girl role. Of the cast, Lennie James has the choice role as Agent Shaw - one of the better written characters of the movie.  

THE LOWDOWN: Lockout, so stay out!

'A Simple Life' Scores Big at HK Film Awards

APRIL 16, 2012 - The results of the Hong Kong Film Awards may be sending a message to the HK movie industry to return to the Simple films as opposed to the fantasy wire-fu efforts that seem to saturate its film fare.

As Ann Hui's A Simple Life won all the major prizes at the awards ceremony on Sunday night, it signals a return to the basics where a good script and good acting are all that really matter.

Tsui Hark's 3-D martial arts extravaganza Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate collected an equal number of prizes, but in more technical categories.

A Simple Life, the story of the relationship between a middle-aged film director and his aging domestic servant, won Best Film, earned Ann Hui the Best Director award, collected the Best Screenplay tag for Susan Chan and helped Deanie Ip and Andy Lau take home the two top acting prizes.

Flying Swords collected statuettes for Best Action Choreography, Art Directing, Editing, Visual Effects and Sound Effects.

A Simple Life started with an outing at the Venice film festival in September and has collected prizes ever since, notably for Hui and Ip, who had been absent from the screen for 10 years. The film also represented a nostalgic reunion for Ip and Lau who have been regularly paired in Hong Kong movies.

That nostalgia may have permeated the atmosphere at the awards, which contained many speeches pointing out the current difficulties of the once dominating Hong Kong industry.


Here's a list of the winners:

Best film: A Simple Life

Best director: Ann Hui, A Simple Life

Best actress: Deanie Ip, A Simple Life

Best actor: Andy Lau, A Simple Life

Best supporting actress: So Hang-shuen, Life Without Principle

Best supporting actor: Lo Hoi-pang, Life Without Principle

Best newcomer: Jam Hsiao, The Killer who Never Kills

Best new Director: Tsang Tsui-shan, Big Blue Lake

Best action Choreography: Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate

Best art Direction: Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate

Best cinematography: Jake Pollock, Wu Xia

Best costume design: Let the Bullets Fly

Best editing: Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate

Best original score: Wu Xia

Best original film song: Hi, Fidelity

Best visual effects: Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate

Best sound effects: Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate

Best screenplay: Susan Chan, A Simple Life

Best film from mainland China and Taiwan: You Are The Apple of My Eye

Lifetime achievement award: Ngai Hong (novelist and scriptwriter)

Professional achievement award: Fong Ho-yuen (photographer).

Hunger Games Hits Top Spot for 4th Weekend!

APRIL 16, 2012 - The Hunger Games hit the top spot at the North American box office for the fourth consecutive weekend.

Among the new movies, The Three Stooges fared best, though The Cabin in the Woods also had a decent showing. Lockout, on the other hand, didn't even reach the modest levels of other recent Luc Besson productions. Without any breakout opener, the Top 12's estimated US$107.7 million gross was off eight percent from the same weekend last year.

The Hunger Games eased 35 percent to an estimated US$21.5 million, which is its best hold so far. It's the first movie to take the top spot for four weekends in a row since Avatar achieved this feat in January 2010. The Hunger Games currently ranks 22nd on the all-time domestic chart with US$337.1 million, and it should have no problem ending its run with over US$370 million.

Titanic 3D took fourth place with an estimated US$11.6 million, which is a light 33 percent decline from last weekend. That's a better hold than that of all recent 3D re-releases except The Lion King (27 per cent drop). Through 12 days in theatres, Titanic 3D has earned US$44.4 million to bring the movie's overall total to US$645.2 million.

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for April 13-15, 2012 weekend, in terms of rank, (previous week ranking), Movie name (studio), Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo. (US$1=RM3)

1. (1) The Hunger Games (LGF) $21.5 million  ($337.0 million) 4

2. (-) The Three Stooges (Fox) $17.1 million ($17.1 million) 1

3. (-) The Cabin in the Woods (LGF) $14.8 million ($14.8 million) 1

4. (3) Titanic 3D (Par.) $11.6 million ($44.4 million) 2

5. (2) American Reunion (Uni.) $10.7 million ($39.9 million) 2

WEEKEND PIC - APril 13 - 15, 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) BATTLESHIP (sci-fi adventure with Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano, Peter MacNicol and Rihanna) Rated * * * (3 stars): Typical summer action blockbuster in the Transformers and Independence Day mould. Okay, the action set pieces are not as awesome of Transformers: Dark Of The Moon but the storyline, centred on a reluctant hero (Kitsch) and his shapely girlfriend (Decker) is more engaging. We need to leave logic aside in order to enjoy the action, though. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. THE FLOWERS OF WAR (war drama with Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Zhang Xinyi, Huang Tianyuan, Han Xiting, Zhang Doudou, Tong Dawai, Cao Kefan, Atsuro Watabe, Yangyang Chunzi, Sun Jai and Li Yuemin) Rated * * * (3 stars): Adapted from Yan Geling's novel by Zhang Yimou, the movie grips us right from start to end. It is set in 1937 when Japanese soldiers plunder and rape Nanking - but the movie centres on how a lusty American mortician (Bale) is persuaded to masquerade as a priest to protect a bunch of female students in a cathedral. And yes, Zhang introduces a new star in Ni Ni. (Reviewed below)

2. MIRROR MIRROR (fantasy spoof with Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Sean Bean, Nathan Lane, Mare Winningham, Michael Lerner, Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Joe Gnoffo and Ronald Lee Clark) Rated * * * (3 stars): Director Tarsem Singh gives the classic Snow White fairy tale a touch of modern day political and gender correctness. He also keeps its tongue firmly in cheek, having the charming Roberts to poke fun at her Evil Queen and making the Seven Dwarves a band of bandits. The best part is in the closing credits when Tarsem shows off his Bollywood roots. (Reviewed below)

3. THE HUNGER GAMES (sci-fi adventure with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Lennie Kravitz and Willow Shields) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This first instalment of Suzanne Collins' trilogy about the adventures of Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), directed by Gary Ross, is a faithful attempt that sets out the groundwork for the other two movies. However, while remains faithful to the book, the movie lacks the vision and imagination of the Harry Potter and Lord Of The Ring franchises. Kudos to Lawrence's portrayal of the heroine, though. She is the winning factor. (Reviewed below)

4. WRATH OF THE TITANS (fantasy adventure in IMAX 3D with Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Danny Huston, Rosamund Pike, Toby Kebbell, Bill Nighy and Danny Bell) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): The first Clash Of The Titans was critically-roasted. This sequel is slightly better with a more comprehensive narrative and action pieces. The main plot is family melodrama - with Perseus (Worthington) setting out to save Daddy Zeus (Neeson), accompanied by the lovely Andromeda (Pike) and Argenor (Kebbell). I caught this in IMAX where the action is enhanced in spectacular 3D and recommend it to action fans. (Reviewed below)

5. STREETDANCE 2 (dance drama in 3D with Falk Hentschel, George Sampson, Sofia Boutella, Stephanie Nguyen, Samuel Revell and Tom Conti) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 stars): This sequel to the 2010 Streetdance 3D is tolerable as long as its stars are dancing. However, when they stop, the film sucks big time. This is because none of the cast members can act to save their lives - except for Conti who looks so out of place in this recycled dance show that mixes Latin moves with hip-hop. (Reviewed below)

6. DARK FLIGHT (Thai horror in 3D with Marsha Watanapanich, Peter Knight and Patcharee Thabtong) Rating: * 1/2 (1.5 stars): If you have seen Snakes On A Plane, this one offers the variation, Ghosts On A Plane. However, while the former has a touch of humour and cult feel to go with the proceedings, the laughter here is largely unintended. We get the feeling that the 3D is more of a novelty than to enhance the scares.

BATTLESHIP - Invasion of the Flying Yo-Yos

BATTLESHIP (sci-fi action thriller)
Cast: Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård, Taylor Kitsch, Brooklyn Decker, Jesse Plemons, Tadanobu Asano, Peter MacNicol and Rihanna
Director: Peter Berg
Screenplay: Erich and Jon Hoeber, based on the board game by Hasbro
Time: 125 mins
Rating:  *  *  *  (out of 4)

Rihanna faces the alien craft in  BATTLESHIP

PREAMBLE: 'Summer' begins early in Malaysia and we get to watch Battleship and Marvel's The Avengers way ahead of the Americans. If Transformers: Dark Of The Moon was last year's summer blockbuster, Battleship is this year's equivalent, especially since it is based on the board game from the same company, Hasbro. 

Yes, like Transformers, this sci-fi action adventure is a kick-ass action fantasy for kids of all ages - a guilty pleasure for action fans.

Rihanna manning the gun

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch aka 'John Carter') is a brash young man who pulls all sorts of stunts without thinking first. This is especially so when he wants to woo a pretty lass named Samantha (Brooklyn Decker) who happens to be the daughter of US Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson). To get him out of trouble, his brother Stone (Alexander Skarsgard) enlists him into the US Navy - where his reckless behaviour gets him into even more trouble.

In real life, Alex would be a regular jackass but to Hollywood script-writers, he has all the qualifications for the mandatory 'reluctant hero'. This happens during a huge naval exercise in Hawaii when beings from a distant planet attack Earth with superior weapons. Teaming up with other unlikely heroes like Petty Officer Cora Raikes (Rihanna), Capt Nagata (Tadanobu Asano) and crew mate Ordy (Jesse Plemons), Lt Hopper must put all his skills to the test to save the world!

Taylor Kitsch facing off with an alien

HITS & MISSES: The action set pieces are not as awesome as last year's Transformers but the early scenes of crashing buildings and exploding battleships are serviceable enough to put the point across that the world is being invaded. Director Peter Berg heightens the excitement by showing the point-of-view of the aliens before they shoot - and the 'flying yo-yo' weapons of the aliens produce extensive destruction for maximum visual impact.

Berg rightly anchors the story on its characters, providing humorous glimpses of how some people react to the alien threat. Of course, we get the feeling that we are missing the 'big picture' because the action is concentrated only on a handful of individuals. We don't get to see how others are hit by the massive destruction as these are 'reported' on the TV news.

It is interesting that Kitsch is starring in two of this year's most expensive movies: John Carter (at US$250 million) and Battleship ($200 million). However, unlike John Carter, Kitsch has a better and more developed role here. His Alex is a bit of a caricature - and Kitsch plays him with the requisite touch of humour. Neeson provides the 'veteran star' stature to the proceedings as the no-nonsense Admiral while Decker (above, right) has the eye-candy role even if she is not as sexily decked out as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Transformers: Dark Of The Moon.

Singer Rihanna is unimpressive as Raikes - a role similar to Michele Rodriguez's Trudy in Avatar. Maybe she does not have some good lines - but then most of the dialogue here are sloppy. Also, in order to enjoy the action, we have to overlook the plot holes and suspend disbelief a great deal, especially near the end where we are to accept that a famous 70-year-old battleship can be recommissioned to do heavy battle in just a matter of hours.

THE LOWDOWN: Hey, we know that everything up on the screen is silly, but it is guilty fun and the effects are awesome! Now, will you pass the popcorn, please?

'Hunger Games' Still Tops on 3rd Weekend

APRIL 9, 2012 - Despite the entrance of two competitive titles to the US box-office over Easter Weekend, The Hunger Games had little difficulty taking the top spot for the third straight weekend. Comedy American Reunion opened in second place, though its debut doesn't compare favourably to earlier series entries, while Titanic 3D wound up on the low-end among 3D re-releases.

The Top 12 earned an estimated US$117 million this weekend, which is up 14 percent from the same period last year but off a bit from Easter 2011 (which was later in the month).

The Hunger Games dropped 43 percent to an estimated US$33.5 million. That's the seventh-highest second weekend of all-time, and it's the best since Alice in Wonderland in March 2010. American Reunion took second place with an estimated US$21.5 million from 3,192 locations. That's much lower than the opening weekend for American Pie 2 (US$45.1 million) and American Wedding (US$33.4 million), and it's even noticeably off from the original American Pie in estimated attendance. 

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for April 6-8, 2012 weekend, in terms of rank, (previous week ranking), Movie name (studio), Weekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo. (US$1=RM3)

1. (1) The Hunger Games (LGF) $33.5 million ($302.8 million) 3

2. (-) American Reunion (Universal) $21.5 million ($21.5 million) 1

3. (-) Titanic 3D (Paramount) $17.3 million) $25.7 million) 1

4. (2) Wrath of the Titans (WB) $15.0 million ($58.9 million) 2

5. (3) Mirror Mirror (Relativity) $11.0 million ($36.4 million) 2

WEEKEND PIC - April 6 - 8, 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) THE FLOWERS OF WAR (war drama with Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Zhang Xinyi, Huang Tianyuan, Han Xiting, Zhang Doudou, Tong Dawai, Cao Kefan, Atsuro Watabe, Yangyang Chunzi, Sun Jai and Li Yuemin) Rated * * * (3 stars): Adapted from Yan Geling's novel by Zhang Yimou, the movie grips us right from start to end. It is set in 1937 when Japanese soldiers plunder and rape Nanking - but the movie centres on how a lusty American mortician (Bale) is persuaded to masquerade as a priest to protect a bunch of female students in a cathedral. And yes, Zhang introduces a new star in Ni Ni. (Reviewed below)

b) STREETDANCE 2 (dance drama in 3D with Falk Hentschel, George Sampson, Sofia Boutella, Stephanie Nguyen, Samuel Revell and Tom Conti) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 stars): This sequel to the 2010 Streetdance 3D is tolerable as long as its stars are dancing. However, when they stop, the film sucks big time. This is because none of the cast members can act to save their lives - except for Conti who looks so out of place in this recycled dance show that mixes Latin moves with hip-hop. (Reviewed below)

c) DARK FLIGHT (Thai horror in 3D with Marsha Watanapanich, Peter Knight and Patcharee Thabtong) Rating: * 1/2 (1.5 stars): If you have seen Snakes On A Plane, this one offers the variation, Ghosts On A Plane. However, while the former has a touch of humour and cult feel to go with the proceedings, the laughter here is largely unintended. We get the feeling that the 3D is more of a novelty than to enhance the scares.

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. FREAKONOMICS (documentary of the 2005 best-seller by by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner) Rating * * * (3 stars): After reading the runaway best-seller way back in 2006, I could not imagine anyone trying to make a film about its series of 'freak economics' that postulates, for example, whether a name given to a child can have an influence on him or her later in life. Well, its 'chapters' are unevenly done but many of the subjects are compelling, nevertheless. If you have not read the book, this is a good opportunity to catch up - at the GSC International Screens. (Reviewed below)

2. MIRROR MIRROR (fantasy spoof with Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Sean Bean, Nathan Lane, Mare Winningham, Michael Lerner, Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Joe Gnoffo and Ronald Lee Clark) Rated * * * (3 stars): Director Tarsem Singh gives the classic Snow White fairy tale a touch of modern day political and gender correctness. He also keeps its tongue firmly in cheek, having the charming Roberts to poke fun at her Evil Queen and making the Seven Dwarves a band of bandits. The best part is in the closing credits when Tarsem shows off his Bollywood roots. (Reviewed below)

3. THE HUNGER GAMES (sci-fi adventure with Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Lennie Kravitz and Willow Shields) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This first instalment of Suzanne Collins' trilogy about the adventures of Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence), directed by Gary Ross, is a faithful attempt that sets out the groundwork for the other two movies. However, while remains faithful to the book, the movie lacks the vision and imagination of the Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings franchises. Kudos to Lawrence's portrayal of the heroine, though. She is the winning factor. (Reviewed below)

4. WRATH OF THE TITANS (fantasy adventure in IMAX 3D with Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Danny Huston, Rosamund Pike, Toby Kebbell, Bill Nighy and Danny Bell) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): The first Clash Of The Titans was critically-roasted. This sequel is slightly better with a more comprehensive narrative and action pieces. The main plot is family melodrama - with Perseus (Worthington) setting out to save Daddy Zeus (Neeson), accompanied by the lovely Andromeda (Pike) and Argenor (Kebbell). I caught this in IMAX where the action is enhanced in spectacular 3D and recommend it to action fans. (Reviewed below)

5. THE VOW (romantic comedy with Rachel McAdams, Channing Tatum, Jessica Lange, Sam Neill, Jessica McNamee, Wendy Crewson, Tatiana Maslany and Scott Speedman) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Basically, this is a chic flick about a guy having to woo his wife again when she suffers from amnesia after a car accident. There isn't much chemistry between Tatum and McAdams, while the filler relationship between Tatum and his assistant holds more promise. And yes, shoddy writing abounds - including one scene showing a physically impossible accident. (Reviewed below)

THE FLOWERS OF WAR - Zhang Yimou At His Forte

THE FLOWERS OF WAR (war adventure in Mandarin)
Cast: Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Zhang Xinyi, Huang Tianyuan, Han Xiting, Zhang Doudou, Tong Dawai, Cao Kefan, Atsuro Watabe, Yangyang Chunzi, Sun Jai and Li Yuemin
Director: Zhang Yimou
Screenplay: Liu Heng, based on the novel 13 Flowers of Nanjing by Yan Geling
Time: 141 mins
Rating:  *  *  *  (out of 4)

Christian Bale and Ni Ni in THE FLOWERS OF WAR

PREAMBLE: Made at a 'staggering' US$100 million budget, Zhang Yimou's The Flowers of War was China's entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards but it did not make the final cut. For this, I suspect that something had gone wrong with its promotion. Indeed, Flowers Of War is a typical Zhang film about strong women caught in a crisis, and here, Zhang introduces yet another promising actress, Ni Ni, to join the ranks of Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi.

Also, the mainly Oriental cast is augmented by no less than Christian Bale who gives another spirited performance that reminds us of his role in Empire of The Sun 24 years ago.

John Miller (Bale) fooling around with the courtesans

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? The tale may be narrated by young Catholic student Shujuan (Zhang Xinyi) but the central characters are an American mortician, John Miller (Bale), and a comely Chinese courtesan named Yu Mo (Ni Ni), both of whom are escaping the rape and plunder of Nanking by the Japanese in 1937. The heavy-drinking and womanising Miller come to bury the cathedral's priest but the major assault on the city seems to be the lesser of his worries.

Forced to shelter at the church, Miller is coaxed by the priest's assistant (Huang Tianyuan as George) into protecting the female students because the Japanese are reluctant to offend the Americans. Things heat up for Miller and the girls when 14 prostitutes from a nearby brother also come to seek shelter at the cathedral.

Huang Tianyuan, Bale and Zhang Xinyi

HITS & MISSES: The film opens with an intensive street battle between the Japanese and Chinese soldiers. Well detailed and superbly filmed by Zhao Xiaoding, we can safely surmise that these battle scenes, thick with smog, ruins and mangled bodies, must have taken up most of the film's budget. In the battle sequences, Tong Dawei shines as a heroic Chinese soldier who protects the students with his life.

When the fighting recedes, the drama at the church heightens when Yu Mo, the only courtesan who speaks English, tries to seduce Miller into helping her and her friends escape. This interaction between Bale and Ni Ni sizzles with screen chemistry! The presence of the courtesans is all the more visually arresting when Zhang juxtaposes their colourful dresses against the drab background of the church and the students' uniform. And of course, the middle segment of the film is dramatised by the catty women who fight among themselves just as the Japanese soldiers break into the church in search of women to rape.

I would have given the movie a higher rating had it not for a few plot turns that I find rather implausible. One of them is the assumption that Miller can fix anything - including the damaged truck in the church compound. Also, I had expected a lot more pathos in the 'Sophie's Choice' scene than Zhang had provided but on the main, I am glad that Zhang is back to his forte after dabbling in kungfu films.

THE LOWDOWN: Another treat for Zhang Yimou fans.

STREETDANCE 2 - A Huge Letdown

STREETDANCE 2 (dance drama in 3D)
Cast: Falk Hentschel, George Sampson, Sofia Boutella, Stephanie Nguyen, Samuel Revell and Tom Conti
Directors: Dania Pasquini and Max Giwa
Screenplay: Jane English
Time: 85 mins
Rating:  *  1/2  (out of 4)

Sofia Boutella and Falk Hentschel as Eva and Ash

PREAMBLE: It is a given that dance movies have a very rigid formula and are awfully predictable. Most of their followers, especially the hip-hop fans, are mainly interested in the new moves that the films serve up. However, those interested in the cool moves in Streetdance 2 would have to wait for a long time before getting to the final showdown. In the meantime, they have to suffer lame dialogue, amateurish acting and a childish and cliched plot.

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? After being humiliated and laughed off stage by American crew 'Invincible', street dancer Ash (Falk Hentschel) teams up with Eddie (George Sampson of TV's Britain's Got Talent) to gather the best dancers from Europe to take them on at the world championship in Paris. While planning his strategy, Ash encounters salsa dancer Eva (Nike ad star Sofia Boutella) at a club run by her uncle (Tom Conti) and he decides to mix Latin and hip-hop into their routine.

Of course, you can expect Ash and Eva to fall in love - plus all sort of predictable 'twists' just so that the plot stretches to a respectable 85 minute show.

HITS & MISSES: There are very few 'hits' to speak of here. Except for Tom Conti, who looks terribly lost speaking with a weird accent, there are no cast member with any acting skills. The performances are rather cringe-worthy as they mostly have to smirk or pout for the camera. They suck when they are not dancing. The script looks like a rehash of the old Streetdance/Breakdance/Step Up plots - and the two directors of this movie do not even bother to inject any original idea into it.

For example, they have Ash's crew engage in a pillow fight just to provide some distraction in between scenes; the romance between Eva and Ash looks phoney with Conti helping to shore up our sympathy for them. Boutella (above) shows promise as the level-headed Eva but she is grossly shackled by an atrocious script.   

THE LOWDOWN: The trailer can be impressive but the movie sucks big time.