Taking An Unavoidable Break

Dear Friends and Visitors,

I shall be taking an unavoidable break from blogging over the next week or so as I have to be warded for a surgery. I hope to get back to updating the blog when I am able to.

I would appreciate if you would check in on my blog once in a while and show support. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.
Yours At the Movies,
Lim Chang Moh

New Breaking Dawn Pt 2 Trailer Released!

JUNE 21, 2012 - After the rather disappointing 10-second sneak peek of Breaking Dawn Part 2, the film-makers have posted a new full trailer that should whet the appetites of Twilight fans.

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xOSoONDpY4

  

WEEKEND PIC - June 22 - 24, 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) BRAVE (animated adventure with Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd and Craig Ferguson) Rated * * * (3 stars): This Pixar's 13th animated feature is basically a mother-daughter tale set in the Scottish Highlands and spiced with mirth, myth and magic. It is suitably action-packed and centred around a young red-haired heroine that most of today's young girls can relate to. However, its magical elements tend to run away with the story and leave the older viewers dissatisfied. (Reviewed below)

b) ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER (fantasy thriller and biopic with Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anthony Mackie, Marton Csokas, Jimmi Simpson, Rufus Sewell, Erin Wasson and Dominic Cooper) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Adapted from the book by Seth Grahame-Smith (who also wrote the screenplay), the film chronicles the famous US Prez as a closet vampire-killer. It is obviously a mix of biopic and horror flick but it fails at both, and ends up being an expensive action film. Two of its action set pieces, involving stampeding horses and a runaway train, stand out but I prefer its subplot on Abe's love story. (Reviewed below)


STILL GOING STRONG:

1. PROMETHEUS (sci-fi thriller with Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Logan Marshall-Green) Rated * * * (3 stars): This is supposed to be the sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien but it has been rewritten to stand on its own as a sci-fi thriller. Prometheus is a technically brilliant visual feast, enhanced by 3D. However, its narrative seems to have bitten off more than it can chew, raising our expectations and not fulfilling them. On the whole, however, it is a compelling film especially for sci-fi fans. (Reviewed below)

2. MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED (animated comedy with voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer, Andy Richter, Tom McGrath, Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Martin Short and Paz Vega) Rated * * * (3 stars): Accompanied by 3D and a bigger voice cast, this third instalment of the successful Madagascar franchise offers more of everything in its bag of madcap gags. It also dispenses with ties to reality and logic, culminating in a circus-gone-berserk climax. Should delight the kids during the weekend. (Reviewed below)

3. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (fantasy adventure with Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone and Eddie Marsan) Rated * * * (3 stars): With the classic Grimm tale set more in Mordor and Game Of Thrones territories rather than Disneyland, this version seems to be aimed at the young adults instead of family. The sets, landscapes and costumes are spectacular; the subplots are a bit derivative (of LOTR and Princess Mononoke) and there is a little love triangle to interest the females in the audience. However, Stewart's acting (or rather non-acting) is distracting as well as annoying. On the whole, this alternate version is still watchable. (Reviewed below)

4. TOAST (Bio-drama with Helena Bonham Carter, Freddie Highmore, Ken Stott, Oscar Kennedy, Victoria Hamilton, Matthew McNulty, Frasier Huckle, Reilly Newbold and Ben Aldridge) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This BBC drama on the childhood of English food writer Nigel Slater is based on his memoir 'Toast: The Story of A Boy's Hunger'. However, most viewers and fans of Slater would notice a glaring gap in the biography: the part where he becomes a food writer. That was left completely blank in the story of a man famous for his food articles! Only at GSC International Screens (Reviewed below)

10-sec Sneak Peek at Breaking Dawn Pt 2

June 20, 2012 - Nusantara Edaran Filem (NEF), the local distributor of the Twilight series has alerted us to the latest trailer of Breaking Dawn Part 2.

It is a 10-second sneak peek for all those Twilight fans who are counting down to the release of the movie on November 22, 2012.

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qeizv7cL2Gw

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER - Revisionist Biopic

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER (fantasy thriller)
Cast: Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anthony Mackie, Marton Csokas, Jimmi Simpson, Rufus Sewell, Erin Wasson and Dominic Cooper
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Screenplay: Seth Grahame-Smith (based on his novel)
Time: 105 mins
Rating:  *  *  1/2 (out of 4)



PREAMBLE: From the title, it is obvious that this is NOT the Abe Lincoln that we know from the history books. The curiosity factors aroused by this film (helmed by Timur Bekmambetov of Wanted {2008} and Daywatch {2006} fame) are how creatively the film-makers are going to 'bastardise' American history, and the set action pieces that Bekmambetov and his crew have set up.

The answer: They are impressive but a bit ludicrous.

SYNOPSIS: Adapted from the book by Seth Grahame-Smith (who also wrote the screenplay), the film chronicles the loss of Abe’s mother (Robin MacLeavy) at the hands of a vampire when Abe is still a child. This serves as the motivating factor for Abe's (Benjamin Walker) subsequent vampire hunting mission and his burgeoning career as a lawyer and politician to, finally, his Presidency during the Civil War. Along the way, he kills countless bloodsuckers led by the vile and vicious Adam (Rufus Sewell) as part of his secret war against the undead.

Anthony Mackie and Benjamin Walker as Will Johnson and Abe Lincoln

HITS & MISSES: The movie is obviously a mix of biopic and horror flick but it fails at both, and ends up being an expensive action film. This is evident in the story which has Abe weilding an axe against the marauding vampires instead of guns with silver bullets. With the axe, we get blood splashes and dramatic combat action - the sort of targets Bekmambetov usually aims for. Still, two of his set pieces stand out: a rodeo-styled chase during a horse stampede, and a climactic fight on a runaway train speeding across a burning bridge.

I am not really a fan of the main vampire plot which borders on the ridiculous but Grahame-Smith provides a few interesting and absorbing subplots, namely the relationship between Abe and his wife Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead, left). There is chemistry between Walker and Winstead that makes us care about and believe in this absurd version of the First Couple. Also, Walker, who looks like a young Liam Neeson (he has played the younger version of Neeson’s title character in Kinsey), exudes the simple and honest charm one normally associates with Abe Lincoln. Hence, bravo to the casting department.

On the minus side, the anti-slavery subplot and his rise to the Presidency are given the short shrift; and the man-vs-vampire clashes are so absurd that we are constantly reminded that this is revisionist pulp fiction trying to get on the bandwagon of Twilight's popularity.

THE LOWDOWN: For those who like their gore topped up with the quaint.

BRAVE - A Mom-Daughter Tale

King Fergus and his daughter Merida

BRAVE (animated adventure)
Cast: Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd and Craig Ferguson
Directors: Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews
Screenplay: Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman and Irene Mecchi from a story by Chapman.
Time: 93 mins
Rating:  *  *  * (out of 4)


PREAMBLE: Brave, Pixar's 13th animated feature, is basically a mother-daughter tale set in the Scottish Highlands and spiced with mirth, myth and magic. It is suitably action-packed and centred on a young red-haired heroine that most of today's young girls can relate to. However, its magical elements tend to run away with the story and leave older viewers dissatisfied.

Merida confounding her suitors and parents

SYNOPSIS: Merida (Kelly MacDonald) is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old suitor custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: the massive Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane). Merida's actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it's too late.



HITS & MISSES: The first half of Brave is suitably absorbing, fleshing out the characters and personalities, especially of Merida and her mother who are the strongest individuals in conflict against each other. The others in the cast, especially the males, are mostly presented as caricatures, with most of them behaving like buffoons. The free-spirited Merida will not take her pick of them as her suitor - despite Queen Elinor's attempts to bend her daughter's will to the dictates of custom and tradition.

King Fergus and Queen Elinor

The story gets a bit weirder in the second half when it takes on a body-switch twist. From this point on, the battle of wills between mother and daughter is all but put aside as our attention turns to Merida's new crisis. Some reviewers have attributed the movie's lack of plot coherence to the fact that story creator Brenda Chapman left the project midway, leaving Mark Andrews to maintain the directorial reins. I wish to stay neutral on this debate.

However, I get the feeling that the plot is missing something when we consider that Merida, in pursuing her right to be 'liberated' rejects all suitors, but leaves her future and that of her 'kingdom' unresolved.

THE LOWDOWN: Not as memorable as Finding Nemo and Up, but entertaining for the kids, nonetheless.

NB: Brave is preceded by Enrico Casa Rosa’s La Luna, a charming six-minute short animation about cleaners on the moon.

Madagascar 3 Holds on to Top Spot

JUNE 18, 2012 - Initial box office results for Rock of Ages and That's My Boy seem to confirm two very important things: the 1980s was a lousy decade, and star power is a bit overrated.

The latest projects from box office heavyweights Tom Cruise and Adam Sandler both bombed hard in the US over the weekend, which allowed Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted to easily hold on to the top spot. Prometheus remained in second as well, although it took a big hit in its sophomore outing, and the Top 12 wound up down 15 percent from the same frame last year.

Madagascar 3 dipped 41 per cent to an estimated US$35.5 million this weekend. That's a strong hold for an animated sequel: in comparison, Cars 2 fell 60 percent, Toy Story 3 dipped 46 percent, and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa fell 44.5 per cent. The movie remains ahead of both of its predecessors with a 10-day total of $120.45 million. 

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for June 15-17, 2012 weekend, in terms of rank, (previous week ranking), Movie name (studio), eekend takings in USD, (Cumulative gross, USD) and week on chart, courtesy of Boxofficemojo. (US$1=RM3.1)

1. (1) Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (Pixar/DW) $35.5 million ($120.4 million) 2

2. (2) Prometheus (Fox) $20.2 million ($88.8 million) 2

3. (-) Rock of Ages (WB) $15.0 million ($15.0 million) 1

4. (3) Snow White and the Huntsman (Uni.) $13.8 million ($122.6 million) 3

5. (-) That's My Boy (Sony)  $13.million ($13.million) 1

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) TOAST (Bio-drama with Helena Bonham Carter, Freddie Highmore, Ken Stott, Oscar Kennedy, Victoria Hamilton, Matthew McNulty, Frasier Huckle, Reilly Newbold and Ben Aldridge) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This BBC drama on the childhood of English food writer Nigel Slater is based on his memoir 'Toast: The Story of A Boy's Hunger'. However, most viewers and fans of Slater would notice a glaring gap in the biography: the part where he becomes a food writer. That was left completely blank in the story of a man famous for his food articles! Only at GSC International Screens (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. PROMETHEUS (sci-fi thriller with Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Logan Marshall-Green) Rated * * * (3 stars): This is supposed to be the sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien but it has been rewritten to stand on its own as a sci-fi thriller. Prometheus is a technically brilliant visual feast, enhanced by 3D. However, its narrative seems to have bitten off more than it can chew, raising our expectations and not fulfilling them. On the whole, however, it is a compelling film especially for sci-fi fans. (Reviewed below)

2. MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED (animated comedy with voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer, Andy Richter, Tom McGrath, Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Martin Short and Paz Vega) Rated * * * (3 stars): Accompanied by 3D and a bigger voice cast, this third instalment of the successful Madagascar franchise offers more of everything. It also dispenses with ties to reality and logic, culminating in a circus-gone-berserk climax. Should delight the kids during Father's Day weekend. (Reviewed below)

3. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (fantasy adventure with Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone and Eddie Marsan) Rated * * * (3 stars): With the classic Grimm tale set more in Mordor and Game Of Thrones territories rather than Disneyland, this version seems to be aimed at the young adults instead of family. The sets, landscapes and costumes are spectacular; the subplots are a bit derivative (of LOTR and Princess Mononoke) and there is a little love triangle to interest the females in the audience. However, Stewart's acting (or rather non-acting) is distracting as well as annoying. On the whole, this alternate version is still watchable. (Reviewed below)

4. PIRANHA 3DD (horror movie spoof with Danielle Panabaker, Matt Bush, Chris Zylka, David Koechner, David Hasselhoff, Katrina Bowden, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Meagan Tandy, Paul James Jordan, Christopher Lloyd, Ving Rhames, Paul Scheer and Gary Busey) Rating * 1/2 (1.5 stars): If you think that the Piranha movie franchise is about those pesky little flesh-eating fish, you probably have not seen any of the films. The franchise is an unabashed frat-boy's lure with boobs, bikinis and bloody mayhem as bait. This one, arguably the third in the series, offers more of the same in 3D. Well, throw in Ving Rhames and The Hoff and we get some inside-Hollywood jokes that are not all that funny.

TOAST - Dry and With A Big Hole

TOAST (bio-drama)
Cast: Helena Bonham Carter, Freddie Highmore, Ken Stott, Oscar Kennedy, Victoria Hamilton, Matthew McNulty, Frasier Huckle, Reilly Newbold and Ben Aldridge
Director: S.J. Clarkson
Screenplay: Lee Hall
Time: 85 mins
Rating:  *  *  1/2 (out of 4)

Victoria Hamilton and Oscar Kennedy in TOAST

PREAMBLE: This BBC biographical drama on the childhood of English food writer Nigel Slater is based on his memoir 'Toast: The Story of A Boy's Hunger'. I have not read the book but the movie is as dry and unappetising as its title. The first half, which has Nigel played by newcomer Oscar Kennedy, is engaging and sometimes funny. However, when Freddie Highmore takes over as the older Nigel boy, the movie loses its realism and moral ground and descends into the depths of food-porn backed by poor reproductions of Dusty Springfield's Sixties hits.

Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore

WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Nigel Slater's interest in food apparently starts at a young age - at nine when he goes shopping with his beloved mom (Victoria Hamilton) and she will only buy canned food which she boils unopened in the pot. Whenever mommy ruins dinner for Nigel and his dad (Ken Stott), she will resort to the only 'food' she does best: the Toast of the title. Hunger fans Nigels interest in food but he finds inspiration in fresh produce from the gardener (Matthew McNulty as Josh) whom he admires.

However, his relationship with Josh ends when Nigel tells his father that he has seen Josh naked when he changed into his overalls. Daddy fires Josh and replaces him. This aside, Nigel faces another tragedy when his mother dies. Her place is soon taken over by Mrs Potter (Helena Bonham Carter), a cleaning lady and a great chef who gradually worms her way into daddy's heart. When Nigel opts for home economics as an elective in school, a culinary war starts between he and Mrs Potter.

Helena Bonham Carter steals the show as usual

HITS & MISSES: The first half of the movie is absorbing because we root for young Kennedy who provided a riveting performance as the precocious Nigel. Director Clarkson's keen attention to details in the sets also helps to anchor the movie to the era of the Swinging Sixties - although the soundtrack at the media preview kinda spoilt Springfield's songs.

Whatever we have felt for Kennedy disappears when Highmore comes into the picture. His Nigel still carries an unexplained grudge for Mrs Potter who goes all out to please him and his father in the one way she knows how - through their stomach. In return, Nigel displays snobbery and selfishness that almost makes him into a villain. Again, this biodrama suffers the flaws of The Lady and The Iron Lady. A huge and important chunk of Nigel's life is left out! This concerns the start of his career as a food writer. Unless there is a Toast Part Two, this omission is nothing short of negligence.

THE LOWDOWN: For Slater readers and art film fans.

Madagascar 3 Beats Prometheus at US B-O

JUNE 11, 2012 - What looked like a tight race last Friday turned out to not really be much of a competition. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted handily defeated Prometheus over the three-day weekend. That being said, even if it didn't quite reach the astronomical levels some had been expecting, director Ridley Scott's return to sci-fi still had one of the best second place debuts in history. The Top 12 earned an estimated US$172 million this weekend, which is up 30 percent from the same frame last year when Super 8 and Judy Moody both underperformed.

Madagascar 3 debuted to a strong US$60.35 million at 4,258 locations, which is the fourth-highest opening of the year and the seventh-highest ever in June. It was a tad lower than Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa's US$63.1 million, but was about in line with the first Madagascar's US$61 million four-day Memorial weekend debut. It's also right in line with DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda, which earned US$60.2 million at about the same time in 2008. 

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for June 8-10, 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. (-) Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (P/DW) $60.3 million ($60.3 million) 1

2. (-) Prometheus (Fox) $50.0 million ($50.0 million) 1

3. (1) Snow White and the Huntsman (Uni.) $23.0 million ($98.5 million) 2

4. (2) MIB 3 (Sony) $13.5 million ($135.5 million) 3

5. (3) Marvel's The Avengers (BV) $10.8 million ($571.8 million) 6

WEEKEND PIC - June 8-10, 2012

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK


a) PROMETHEUS (sci-fi thriller with Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Logan Marshall-Green) Rated * * * (3 stars): This is supposed to be the sequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 Alien but it has been rewritten to stand on its own as a sci-fi thriller. Prometheus is a technically brilliant visual feast, enhanced by 3D. However, its narrativie seems to have bitten off more than it can chew, raising our expectations and not fulfilling them. On the whole, however, it is a compelling film especially for sci-fi fans. (Reviewed below)

b) MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED (animated comedy with voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer, Andy Richter, Tom McGrath, Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Martin Short and Paz Vega) Rated * * * (3 stars): Accompanied by 3D and a bigger voice cast, this third instalment of the successful Madagascar franchise offers more of everything. It also dispenses with ties to reality and logic, culminating in a circus-gone-berserk climax. Should delight the kids during the school holidays. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. MEN IN BLACK 3 (sci-fi comedy with Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, Michael Stuhlbarg, Emma Thompson, Alice Eve and Nicole Scherzinger) Rated * * * (3 stars): Returning after going MiA for 10 years, this third MiB instalment does not offer anything new in terms of plot. In fact it takes us Back To The Future - with Agent J (Smith) travelling back to the Sixties to rescue Agent K (Jones and Brolin as his younger version) and saving the world from a mad alien called Boris The Animal (Clement). Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld at US$215-million, this halted production is still fun and funny at times. (Reviewed below)

2. SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN (fantasy adventure with Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone and Eddie Marsan) Rated * * * (3 stars): With the classic Grimm tale set more in Mordor and Game Of Thrones territories rather than Disneyland, this version seems to be aimed at the young adults instead of family. The sets, landscapes and costumes are spectacular; the subplots are a bit derivative (of LOTR and Princess Mononoke) and there is a little love triangle to interest the females in the audience. However, Stewart's acting (or rather non-acting) is distracting as well as annoying. On the whole, this alternate version is still watchable. (Reviewed below)

3. PIRANHA 3DD (horror movie spoof with Danielle Panabaker, Matt Bush, Chris Zylka, David Koechner, David Hasselhoff, Katrina Bowden, Jean-Luc Bilodeau, Meagan Tandy, Paul James Jordan, Christopher Lloyd, Ving Rhames, Paul Scheer and Gary Busey) Rating * 1/2 (1.5 stars): If you think that the Piranha movie franchise is about those pesky little flesh-eating fish, you probably have not seen any of the films. The franchise is an unabashed frat-boy's lure with boobs, bikinis and bloody mayhem as bait. This one, arguably the third in the series, offers more of the same in 3D. Well, throw in Ving Rhames and The Hoff and we get some inside-Hollywood jokes that not all that funny.

MADAGASCAR 3 - More Madcap Fun

MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED (animated comedy)
Cast: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric The Entertainer, Andy Richter, Tom McGrath, Frances McDormand, Jessica Chastain, Bryan Cranston, Martin Short and Paz Vega
Directors: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath and Conrad Vernon
Screenplay: Eric Darnell, Noah Baumbach
Time: 85 mins
Rating:  *  *  * (out of 4)

PREAMBLE: Since the first film caught our funnybone in 2005 and after earning US$1.1 billion at the worldwide box office later, the Madagascar cartoon franchise is now a familiar family treat. What's new with Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted is that it gets 'wilder' and more ridiculous, abandoning credulity for the sake of fun and frivolity, and adding on a bunch of funny, memorable characters.

Topped with 3D effects, this is another wacky and hilarious outing for the family.




WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Picking up from Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008), our friends, Alex the Lion (voice of Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Gloria the Hippo (Jada Pinkett Smith) are getting bored with Africa and want to return to the Central Park Zoo in New York, which they affectionately call 'home'.

Getting home proves to be a bit of a challenge. Their journey involves stop-overs in Monte Carlo, Rome, and London. Along the way, they make an enemy of French Animal Control officer Captain DuBois (Frances McDormand), who wants nothing more than to mount a lion's head on her wall. Looking for a way out of their mess, the guys join the circus. Here they are welcomed with warmth by Stefano the Seal (Martin Short), treated with wariness by Gia the Jaguar (Jessica Chastain), and plain hostility by Vitaly the Siberian Tiger (Bryan Cranston). Eventually, they all learn to work together to catch the attention of a U.S. promoter who will fund their trip across the Atlantic.



HITS & MISSES: As in the previous films, the plot of Europe's Most Wanted is thin, childish and ludicrous. However, the top attractions of the franchise has always been the characters, especially the Penguins, and the film-makers tend to pile-up on these in this third instalment. Besides the motor-mouthed Marty and the other regulars, we have McDormand's deliciously French-accented villain Capt Dubois, Chastain's sassy and purr-ly Gia, and the screwball lemur king Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) who falls for an enormous bear on a bicycle.

Again, the gags involve ethnic and cultural stereotyping, allusions to popular films and inside jokes,  However, the wacky action soon builds up to a Circus Gone Berserk climax. And if Madagascar is such a blast with the kids, why quibble?

THE LOWDOWN: More madcap fun with Marty and pals.
 

The First Hobbit Movie to Premiere on Nov 28

JUNE 6, 2012 - Warner Bros has announced that the much awaited The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will have its world premiere on November 28, 2012 in Wellington, New Zealand. 

A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first of two films from film-maker Peter Jackson, the Oscar-winning director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, who shot the films concurrently on locations across New Zealand. 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is adapted from the popular masterpiece The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.  The second film is The Hobbit: There and Back Again.  Both are set in Middle-Earth 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, which Jackson and his team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning LOTR: The Return of the King.



Ian McKellen is back as Gandalf the Grey (above), the character he played in the LOTR trilogy, and Martin Freeman plays the central role of Bilbo Baggins.  Also reprising their roles are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. 

The screenplays for both films are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro.  Jackson is also producing the films, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh.  The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producer. 

Under Jackson’s direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand. 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on Dec 14, 2012.  The second film, There and Back Again, is slated for release on Dec 13, 2013. 

PROMETHEUS - Not Just A Monster-In-Space Flick

PROMETHEUS (sci-fi thriller)
Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce and Logan Marshall-Green
Director: Ridley Scott
Screenplay: Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof
Time: 122 mins
Rating:  *  *  * (out of 4)


PREAMBLE: It is understandable that most people will compare this so-called prequel to Ridley Scott's 1979 scarefest Alien. This would invariably heighten expectations over Scott's return to sci-fi after 30 years, and many would find Prometheus wanting. To be fair, Prometheus is a technogically-brilliant visual feast (appropriately enhanced by 3D) that should delight sci-fi fans who want more than just a monster-in-space film. However, there are flaws in its narrative that are hard to ignore but they should not destroy all the good points of the movie.



WHAT'S IT ABOUT? Prometheus is a Greek titan who got in trouble for stealing fire from Zeus and giving it to man, putting humans on the same level as the gods. Prometheus, the movie, suggests that not very long from now, in 2093 to be precise, a plausible source of human life will not only be found but reached by corporate space explorers.

It all starts in 2089, when archaeologists Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green) stumble upon a pictogram in a cave on the Isle of Skye. Matching it with etchings found across the globe, they conclude that the drawings form a star map. When multi-billionaire (Guy Pearce) agrees to fund a mission, the two head out into the cosmos aboard starship Prometheus to find an answer to the questions of life, the universe and everything. Accompanying them are an android David (Michael Fassbender), corporate stooge Vickers (Charlize Theron), the ship’s captain Janek (Idris Elba) and other expendable shipmates. They stumble across a giant structure buried in the soil. Could this be the key to mankind’s origins?

 
HITS & MISSES: The presence of the Weyland Corporation - the organisation that funds the Prometheus expedition - links the plot to ‘Alien’ but it is apparent that this is a new story. At some points, I was reminded of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and Chris Nolan's Inception. The cinematography by Dariusz Wolski is stunning and so are the set designs.

The cast is excellent, especially Michael Fassbender as a robot with the impeccable manners of an adult but the mischievous instincts of a child. His fair-haired David, recalls Ian Holm's android Ash from the original Alien. His calm and cool demeanour is also reminiscent of the HAL 9000 computer in 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the pop-culture influences that shape David's behaviour are a clever celebration of the power of the cinema. 

Among the flaws are some characters that are devoid of personality and some who behave irrationally. The reason for this may be that the script, which was first written by Jon Spaihts, was re-written by Damon Lindelof, resulting in the plot being inconsistent, the characters underdeveloped and the dialogue dull. It is evident that Prometheus never intended to answer many of the 'Engineers' ideas that it brings up. Like what he did for the end of Lost, Lindelof settles on feeble spiritual ideas as his story's resolution. The narrative in Prometheus 'suggests' something more spectacular and substantial, but it ultimately fails to deliver on those notions.

THE LOWDOWN: A captivating and dazzling effort on the whole.

Hunger Games the Biggest Winner at MTV Movie Awards

JUNE 3, 2012 - The Hunger Games was the biggest winner at the MTV Movie Awards, winning four out of eight nominations. The survival saga came out of last Sunday's 21st annual extravaganza with the most Golden Popcorn trophies, including for Best Fight for the film's final three-way battle and Best On-Screen Transformation for Elizabeth Banks' over-the-top futuristic makeover. Hunger Games stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson were also honoured for Best Female and Male performances.

The MTV Generation Award went to Johnny Depp and it was presented by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry after the Pirates Of The Caribbean star played a gig on the guitar with the Black Keys band.

Here is a list of the nominations and winners (in bold):

Movie of the Year
Bridesmaids 
The Hunger Games 
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 
The Help
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

Best Male Performance
Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Ryan Gosling, Drive
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 50/50
Josh Hutcherson, The Hunger Games
Channing Tatum, The Vow

Best Female Performance
Jennifer Lawrence, The Hunger Games
Kristin Wiig, Bridesmaids
Emma Stone, Crazy, Stupid, Love
Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Best Comedic Performance
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids
Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover Part II
Jonah Hill, 21 Jump Street
Oliver Cooper, Project X

Breakthrough Performance
Melissa McCarthy, Bridesmaids
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Liam Hemsworth, The Hunger Games
Elle Fanning, Super 8
Shailene Woodley (pic), The Descendants


 Best Cast
Bridesmaids

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

The Hunger Games

21 Jump Street

The Help

Best On-Screen Transformation
Elizabeth Banks, The Hunger Games
Rooney Mara, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Johnny Depp, 21 Jump Street
Michelle Williams, My Week With Marilyn
Colin Farrell, Horrible Bosses

Best Fight
Daniel Radcliffe vs. Ralph Fiennes, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson vs. Alexander Ludwig, The Hunger Games
Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill vs. Kid Gang, 21 Jump Street
Tom Hardy vs. Joel Edgerton, Warrior
Tom Cruise vs. Michelle Nyqvist, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

Best Kiss
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, Crazy, Stupid, Love
Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2
Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, The Hunger Games
Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, The Vow
Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (pic), Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1

Best Gut-Wrenching Performance
Bridesmaids (Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McClendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper)
The Help (Bryce Dallas Howard) 
21 Jump Street (Jonah Hill and Rob Riggle)
Drive (Ryan Gosling)
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (Tom Cruise)

Best On-Screen Dirtbag
Bryce Dallas Howard, The Help
Jon Hamm, Bridesmaids
Jennifer Aniston, Horrible Bosses
Colin Farrell, Horrible Bosses
Oliver Cooper, Project X

Best Music
"Party Rock Anthem," LMFAO (21 Jump Street)
"A Real Hero," College & Electric Youth (Drive)
"The Devil Is in the Details," Chemical Brothers (Hanna)
"Impossible," Figurine (Like Crazy)
"Pursuit of Happiness," Kid Cudi (Steve Aoki remix) (Project X)

Snow White And The Huntsman Tops US Weekend B-O

JUNE 4, 2012 - Snow White and the Huntsman played well across North America and easily claimed the top spot at the box office this weekend. MIB 3 and The Avengers did fine business in second and third slots, while Mexican historical drama For Greater Glory wasn't all that great in its nationwide release. The Top 12 earned an estimated US$135.5 million this weekend, which is off 12 percent from the same period last year.

Snow White and the Huntsman opened at 3,773 locations and grossed a strong estimated US$56.26 million. That's the fourth-highest debut this year behind The Avengers, The Hunger Games and The Lorax, and above last weekend's MIB 3. It's also more than Universal's Battleship has made through 17 days (US$55.1 million), and is close to Mirror Mirror's entire run (US$62.5 million). Among other comparable titles, Snow White obviously didn't come close to Alice in Wonderland's US$116.1 million, though it was a hair ahead of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (US$55 million).

Here are the Top 5 North American B-O studio estimates for June 1-3, 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. (-) Snow White and the Huntsman (Uni.) $56.2 million ($56.2 million) 1

2. (1) MIB 3 (Sony) $29.3 million ($112.3 million) 2

3. (2) Marvel's The Avengers (BV) $20,.2 million ($552.7 million) 5

4. (3) Battleship (Uni.) $4.8 million ($55.1 million) 3

5. (4) The Dictator (Par.) $4.7 million ($50.8 million) 3

Desperate Housewives' Joosten Dies at 72

JUNE 3, 2012 - TV's Desperate Housewives co-star Kathryn Joosten has died of lung cancer. She was 72.

She died just weeks after playing an emotional death scene as Karen McCluskey on the Desperate Housewives series finale.

Joosten (left), an Emmy-winning actress, died Saturday morning surrounded by family and friends, E! News reported.

"Kathryn passed away this morning after a valiant fight against her cancer," Nadine Jolson, Joosten's rep, told E! News. "Her family was with her. Funeral arrangements are pending. This is a terrible loss, and she fought as hard as she could."

Joosten was a fixture on Desperate Housewives playing the gossipy neighbour. She was originally introduced in Season One as Lynette Scavo's nemesis. She won Emmys in 2005 and 2008 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy for her role on the show.