Opening This Week: Sherlock Muallaf The Squeakquel

This week we have a Guy Ritchie film, a Yasmin Ahmad film and movie about talking chipmunks. Yippee! Let's get into, shall we?

Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams
Director: Guy Ritchie
USA release: December 25
Malaysia release: December 24
Genre: Crime, Action, Mystery, Thriller
Runtime: 2 Hours 8 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material
Rated in Malaysia: PG-13
See what people on Twitter are saying about Sherlock Holmes

In a dynamic new portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous characters, Sherlock Holmes sends Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his stalwart partner Watson (Jude Law) on their latest challenge. Revealing fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.

I've always been a fan of Robert Downey Jr. and Guy Ritchie, so I can't be more excited to see this film. But I'm afraid Downey Jr.'s British accent is a little sketchy. If you're a big fan of Sherlock Holmes, you might find this iteration a little unfamiliar. Having said that, I hope Guy Ritchie did a good job. Watch this if you like Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) or Robert Downey Jr.




Muallaf (2008)
Cast: Ning Baizura, Sharifah Aleysha, Sharifah Amani, Brian Yap, Yeo Yann Yann
Director: Yasmin Ahmad
Malaysia release: December 24
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
See what people on Twitter are saying about Muallaf

Two Malaysian sisters, Rohani and Rohana, run away from home to escape their wealthy father’s mistreatment. They find refuge in a small town where they get to know Brian Goh, a young Catholic schoolteacher. Brian is irresistibly attracted to the two girls. Impressed by their extraordinary courage in the face of adversity, their relationship forces him to confront the ghosts of his own childhood. Director Yasmin Ahmad explores the possibilities of emotional survival after being traumatised by loved ones. Through the wanderings of three lost souls who band together and console one another, Muallaf celebrates friendship, forgiveness, and the coming to terms with the past.

More than a year after this Malaysian-made film hit film festivals in Switzerland, Japan and South Korea, as well as getting released in our neighbors Singapore, Muallaf finally comes full circle and will be released here in Malaysia. Muallaf is the last film ever made by renowned Malaysian filmmaker Yasmin Ahmad before she tragically passed away earlier this year. Finally being granted permission to show here in Malaysia, Muallaf has been greeted with good reviews, so far, from the few people who have seen it. If you like Yasmin Ahmad's other films, Rabun, Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin and Talentime, you'll most probably like Muallaf. And I would think that you would need to have a relatively open-minded approach when going into this movie.




Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)
Cast: Jason Lee, Jesse McCartney, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Anna Faris, Amy Poehler
Director: Betty Thomas
USA release: December 23
Malaysia release: December 24
Genre: Comedy, Family, Animation
Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG for some mild rude humor
Rated in Malaysia: U
See what people on Twitter are saying about Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel

In the Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakuel, pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville's twenty-something nephew Toby (Zachary Levi). The boys must put aside music superstardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school's music program by winning the US$25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as "The Chipettes" - Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.

Hmmm, I don't know why but I have absolutely no interest in seeing this movie whatsoever. Even for the chipettes. If you're a kid, at heart or otherwise, please disregard what I just said and watch the movie. =)

Sources: Cinema Online, IMDb

Opening This Week: Avatar

Yes, I am back and hopefully gonna get my movie blogging mojo back on track. Expect lots of updates coming soon. But I think I shall start things off with previewing one of the most talked about non-summer movie of the year- James Cameron's Avatar.


Avatar (2009)
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez
Director: James Cameron
USA release: December 18, 2009
Malaysia release: December 17,2009
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Thriller
Runtime: 2 Hours 43 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking
Rated in Malaysia: PG-13
IMDb User Rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
See what the early buzz surrounding Avatar is like on Twitter

Avatar is an emotional journey of redemption and revolution. The story tells of a wounded ex-marine, who thrust unwillingly into an effort to settle and exploit an exotic planet rich in bio-diversity, and eventually crosses over to lead an indigenous race in a battle for survival. Thus, combining the elements of massive spectacle and intimate character that made James Cameron's Titanic the highest grossing film of all time.

So the hype around James Cameron's Avatar has been slowly growing from super secret Sci-Fi project to "biggest movie of the year" status. Despite the movie being released worldwide later this week, quite a few people have already seen Avatar and most of them are raving about it. To read some of the early Twitter reactions, check out this /Film article. When the first trailer was released I wasn't really excited for the movie but the early buzz has picked my enthusiasm for the film back up and I'm ready to be blown away by the 'revolutionary' 3-D and CG effects. Seriously cannot wait for the movie.

Sources: IMDb, Cinema Online, Rotten Tomatoes

Trailer for The Fourth Kind is Incredibly CREEPY!

This trailer isn’t actually new but I decided to share it with you guys because I saw it for the first time when I was doing 8TV Nite Live last night and to be completely honest with you, I was so freaking creeped out of my mind and I was genuinely frightened. Not many trailers do this to me but this one did. Another one would be the Paranormal Activity trailer which you can see here.

Anyway, here it is. Be prepared to not sleep soundly tonight.

“A UFO sighting is referred to as an encounter of the first kind…When evidence is collected, it is known as an encounter of the second kind…Contact with extraterrestrials, is an encounter of the third kind… The next level, abduction, is the fourth kind. This encounter has been the most difficult to document… Until now.”

Starring Milla Jovovich and based on “actual case studies”, The Fourth Kind hits Malaysian theaters this Thursday.

Opening This Week: Inglourious Law Abiding Basterds

This week = epic week. So far, Inglourious Basterds has received some extraordinary buzz and Law Abiding Citizen, not so much, but it still manages to seem like a decent action flick. Let's look at what to expect of these films, shall we?


Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Cast: Brad Pitt, Diane Kruger, Eli Roth, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Til Schweiger
Director: Quentin Tarantino
USA release: August 21
Malaysia release: October 22
USA gross: $119,098,000
Worldwide gross: $275,365,277
Genre: Drama, War
Runtime: 2 Hours 34 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 8.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
See what people on Twitter are saying about Inglourious Basterds

Inglourious Basterds begins in German-occupied France, where Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) witnesses the execution of her family at the hand of Nazi Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz). She narrowly escapes and flees to Paris, where she forges a new identity as the owner and operator of a cinema. Elsewhere in Europe, Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) organises a group of Jewish soldiers to engage in targeted acts of vengeance. Known to their enemy as "The Basterds," Raine's squad joins German actress and undercover agent Bridget Von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) on a mission to take down the leaders of The Third Reich. Fates converge under a cinema marquee, where Shosanna is poised to carry out a revenge plan of her own.

From what I've read and heard, this movie is Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece. And if Quentin Tarantino has a masterpiece, you absolutely HAVE to see it. The trailer is apparently very deceiving and the movie doesn't have as much gun-slinging action as portrayed in the trailer. Instead, people have said the movie is filled with intriguing verbal exchanges. Also, this film is very long. I, for one, am excited to watch this film but I cannot speak for anyone else. I guess we'll just have to go see the film to tell for ourselves.




Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Gerard Butler
Director: F. Gary Gray
USA release: October 16
Malaysia release: October 22
USA gross: $21,250,000
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama
Runtime: 1 Hour 49 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for strong bloody brutal violence and torture, a scene of rape, and pervasive language
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 24%
See what people on Twitter are saying about Law Abiding Citizen

Clyde Shelton (Butler) is an upstanding family man whose wife and daughter are brutally murdered during a home invasion. When the killers are caught, Nick Rice (Foxx), a hotshot young Philadelphia prosecutor, is assigned to the case. Over his objections, Nick is forced by his boss to offer one of the suspects a light sentence in exchange for testifying against his accomplice. Ten years later, the man who got away with murder is found dead and Clyde Shelton coolly admits his guilt. Then he issues a warning to Nick: Either he fix the flawed justice system that failed his family, or key players in the trial will die.

I've said this numerous times before and I'm going to reiterate it by saying trailers can be terribly deceiving and we shouldn't peg our expectations for the movie to the quality of the trailer. In my opinion, the trailer for this film was action-packed and really well done. According to IMDb, the general audience liked the film but on the other hand, many of the movie critics on Rotten Tomatoes didn't like it. In any case, let's just hope this film is full of good purposeful action and suspense.

Source: Cinema Online, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

Opening This Week: Cloudy with a Pandorum of Whiteout

This week we look at an animated film which is said to be good, a Kate Beckinsale movie which is said to be the opposite of good and also a typical sci-fi thriller movie. Let's dive straight in, shall we?


Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
Cast: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, Andy Samberg, Neil Patrick Harris
Director: Chris Miller, Phil Lord
USA release: September 18
Malaysia release: October 15
USA gross: $95,778,436
Worldwide gross: $101,258,907
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG for brief mild language
Rated in Malaysia: U
IMDb User Rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
See what people on Twitter are saying about Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

The end is near! The world's first ever animated disaster movie comes to the big screen when an outcast inventor creates a machine that rains food on his hungry town and gets the attention of the girl he's always loved. Intoxicated by the love and validation he receives, he goes too far with his machine: the falling food gets dangerously out of control, he loses the girl, and he has to set things right to win her back.

With the talents of Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, NPH and Anna Faris contributing their voices to this film, it looks pretty promising. The general public looks like it kind of liked the movie and movie critics most definitely did like the movie. So the only logical choice to make this weekend is to watch Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs which hits theaters this Thursday.




Pandorum (2009)
Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster, Cam Gigandet
Director: Christian Alvart
USA release: September 25
Malaysia release: October 15
USA gross: $9,517,801
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Runtime: 1 Hour 49 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for strong horror violence and language
Rated in Malaysia: PG13
IMDb User Rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
See what people on Twitter are saying about Pandorum

The terrifying story of two crew members, Corporal Bower (Ben Foster) and Lt. Payton (Dennis Quaid) stranded on a spacecraft where they quickly realise they are not alone. Two astronauts awaken in a hyper-sleep chamber aboard a seemingly abandoned spacecraft. It's pitch black and the only sound is a low rumble and creak from the belly of the spacecraft. They can't remember anything - who are they or what is their mission. The only way out of the chamber is a dark and narrow airshaft. Bower crawls inside, while Payton stays behind for guidance on a radio transmitter. As he ventures deeper and deeper into the ship, he begins to uncover a terrifying reality. Slowly the spacecraft's shocking and deadly secrets come unravelled and the astronauts realise that the survival of mankind hinges on their actions.

This seems like the typical space thriller film so I'm not all that excited for it. Plus, not a big fan of Dennis Quaid. But quite a lot of people seemed to like it. I guess it might just be a good fun popcorn flick.




Whiteout (2009)
Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Gabriel Macht
Director: Dominic Sena
USA release: September 11
Malaysia release: October 15
USA gross: $10,144,505
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Mystery
Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for violence, grisly images, brief strong language and some nudity
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 5.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 6%
See what people on Twitter are saying about Whiteout

Lone U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko (Kate Beckinsale) is stationed at Antarctica's South Pole research base for two years. Just as she is about to turn in her resignation, a body turns up on the ice and Carrie is thrust into Antarctica's very first murder investigation. As the death toll begins to mount and the mystery deepens, Carrie must solve the crime before the region is plunged into six months of isolated darkness with an unknown killer.

From what I've heard, this is a really, really crappy movie.

Source: IMDb, Cinema Online, Box Office Mojo, Rotten Tomatoes

Opening This Week: Beyond A Reasonable Serious Surrogate

This week we look at three movies coming out this Thursday - Beyond A Reasonable Doubt, A Serious Man and Surrogates. Let's go!


Beyond A Reasonable Doubt (2009)
Cast: Michael Douglas, Amber Tamblyn, Jesse Metcalfe
Director: Peter Hyams
USA release: September 11 (Limited)
Malaysia release: October 8
USA gross: $32,917
Worldwide gross: $2,386,717
Genre: Mystery, Drama
Runtime: 1 Hour 41 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG-13 for a sex scene, violence and brief strong language
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 0% (Yup)
What people on Twitter are saying about Beyond A Reasonable Doubt

A high-profile criminal lawyer finds his bid for the governorship in jeopardy when an ambitious rookie journalist begins suspecting him of tampering with evidence in order to secure his many convictions. Martin Hunter (Michael Douglas) has a reputation for putting criminals behind bars, and with elections approaching he seems a shoo-in for governor. But just how clean is the district attorney's record when held up to scrutiny? When hungry reporter C.J. Nicholas (Jesse Metcalfe) frames himself as a murder suspect in hopes of catching Hunter in the act, the two fierce rivals become caught up in a treacherous game of cat and mouse. But Assistant DA Ella Crystal (Amber Tamblyn) has no idea about her boyfriend C.J.'s latest assignment, and as the evidence against both men begins to pile up she begins to suspect that she's in mortal danger. As Ella discovers irrefutable truth of both C.J.'s innocence and her boss' shady dealings, the fate of two men rests in the hands of one woman whose life could be taken at any second.

This is pretty much the kind of movie I would enjoy. But after seeing the appalling stats, I doubt I'll catch this movie at the theater.




A Serious Man (2009)
Cast: Fred Melamed, Katherine Borowitz, Michael Stuhlbarg, Steve Park
Directed by: The Coen Brothers
USA release: October 2
Malaysia release: October 8
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour 45 mins
Rated in USA: R for language, some sexuality/nudity and brief violence
Rated in Malaysia: NA
IMDb User Rating: 8.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
What people on Twitter are saying about A Serious Man

Larry Gopnik, a physics professor at a quiet mid-western university has been informed by his wife Judith that she is leaving him. She has fallen in love with one of his more pompous colleagues, Sy Ableman. Larry's unemployable brother Arthur is sleeping on the couch, his son Danny is a discipline problem, and his daughter Sarah is filching money from his wallet in order to save up for a nose job. Just when you thought things can't get any worse, an anonymous hostile letter-writer is trying to sabotage Larry's chances for tenure at the university. Also, a graduate student seems to be trying to bribe him for a passing grade while at the same time threatening to sue him for defamation. Plus, the beautiful woman next door torments him by sunbathing nude. Struggling for equilibrium, Larry seeks advice from three different rabbis.

This film may be classified under the 'Comedy' genre but it is a dark comedy so whatever you expect from this film, you can throw that out the window. There are a few comical moments in the film, from what I know, but it is a very dark and depressing movie. Having said that, I cannot wait to watch it. The Coen brothers, who have directed some of my favorite films, are definitely two of my favorite directors. I have high hopes for this film and getting an 8.7 on IMDb and 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, not too shabby. Also, I think this film has one of the best trailers this year. Check it out below.




Surrogates (2009)
Cast: Bruce Willis, James Francis Ginty, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, Ving Rhames
Director: Jonathan Mostow
USA release: September 25
Malaysia release: October 8
USA gross: $26,387,000
Worldwide gross: $35,068,219
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a drug-related scene
Rated in Malaysia: PG-13
IMDb User Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 39%
What people on Twitter are saying about Surrogates

FBI agents (Bruce Willis and Radha Mitchell) investigate the mysterious murder of a college student linked to the man who helped create a high-tech surrogate phenomenon that allows people to purchase unflawed robotic versions of themselves - fit, good looking remotely controlled machines that ultimately assume their life roles - enabling people to experience life from the comfort and safety of their own homes. The murder spawns a quest for answers for who's real and who can you trust.

From what I know, the film is so-so. Not great but not terrible either. Most definitely doesn't live up to the graphic novel it was based on. So if you're up for some mindless fun with a sci-fi scenario, then catch Surrogates this Thursday.

Sources: Cinema Online, IMDb, Box Office Mojo, Rotten Tomatoes

Opening This Week: G-Force Tsunami

It is fall season now and there will be some great movies coming out in the months to come, especially in the form of Oscar-worthy films. But do not expect a blockbuster every week. This week we have an espionage movie from Hollywood starring talking mice, or are they guinea pigs? Either way, a movie about talking rodents spies. Yeah. Also, we have a Korean movie about a Tsunami.


G-Force (2009)
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Penelope Cruz, Sam Rockwell, Tracy Morgan
Director: Hoyt Yeatman
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
USA release: July 24
Malaysia release: September 17
USA gross: $115,700,051
Worldwide gross: $168,094,137
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG for some mild action and rude humor
Rated in Malaysia: U
IMDb User Rating: 4.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 25%
See what people on Twitter are saying about G-Force

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer brings his first 3-D film to the big screen with G-Force, a comedy adventure about the latest evolution of a covert government program to train animals to work in espionage. Armed with the latest high-tech spy equipment, these highly trained guinea pigs discover that the fate of the world is in their paws. Tapped for the G-Force are guinea pigs Darwin (Sam Rockwell), the squad leader determined to succeed at all costs; Blaster (Tracy Morgan), an outrageous weapons expert with tons of attitude and a love for all things extreme; and Juarez (Penelope Cruz), a sexy martial arts pro; plus the literal fly-on-the-wall reconnaissance expert, Mooch and a star-nosed mole, Speckles (Nicolas Cage), the computer and information specialist.

If a movie has talking 3-D animated guinea pigs in and it's not made by Pixar, you have nothing to get excited about. In fact, there's only one reason why I would consider watching this film. And that would be Jerry Bruckheimer. But I'm sure a ton of people are going to love this film. So don't listen to me when I say don't go and see this film.




Tsunami At Haeundae (2009)
Starring: Ha Ji-won, Park Joong-hoon, Sol Kyung-gu
Director: JK Youn
Malaysia release: September 17
Country: South Korea
Language: Korean
Genre: Disaster, Adventure
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
Rated in Malaysia: PG-13
See what people on Twitter are saying about Tsunami At Haeundae

A popular vacation spot on the East Sea coast, Haeundae draws one million visitors to its beaches every year. One day, a geologist who is an expert on tsunami research, discovers the East Sea showing signs of activity similar to the Indian Ocean at the time of the 2004 Tsunami. Despite his warnings, the Disaster Prevention Agency affirms that Korea is in no harm of being hit but on a hot summer day, a super-tsunami is headed straight for Haeundae at 500 miles per hour.

It should be interesting to see how a foreign disaster movie without the financial prowess of Hollywood gets along with it's special effects and everything else.

Source: Cinema Online, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo, Twitter

Opening This Week: Where Got Ugly Gamer?

This week we get a Singaporean horromedy (yes, I just made that up, well at least I think I did) and Gerard Butler stars in two very different movies. And I've also integrated some Twitter stuff into this post so make sure to utilize it.


Where Got Ghost? (2009)
Starring: Henry Thia, Jack Neo, Mark Lee
Director: Jack Neo
Singapore release: August 13
Malaysia release: September 11
Country: Singapore
Language: English, Hokkien, Mandarin
Genre: Horror, Comedy
Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes
Rated in Malaysia: U
See what Twitter people are saying of Where Got Ghost?

Jack Neo's 3-in-1 horror with Singaporean humour will include "Roadside Got Ghost", "Forest Got Ghost" and "House Got Ghost".

Where Got Ghost? is a Horror-Comedy Chinese Movie. 3-in-1 Horror tales told in a good old comedy fashion.

Roadside Got Ghost: Swindlers Cai, Fu and Shou have a new scam - using a hotline to make random calls to people, promising them fortune. Those who win the lottery are required to pay commission to Cai or be scared into submission.
One day, Cai receives a phone call. The caller gives Cai deploying the same hotline trick. Believing it is a copycat of his scam, Cai naturally disregards the call, but goes ahead and tries his luck with the given number anyway. To his surprise, he wins. Mysterious happenings assume...

Forest Got Ghost: Nan and Lei return for army reservists' training. They learn that the place they will be sent is the widely known 'haunted hill', so they take the short cut. Suddenly, the 'haunted hill' seems to come alive - tombstones, red dress spirit and other strange sightings. Then it rains. Nan and Lei seek refuge at Yin Yin's house, a girl they just met. Little do they know their road to hell has been cut short...

House Got Ghost: It is the Lunar 7th Month, weird sightings happen at home, children can only think it is the late mother's doings. The truth slowly surface as they begin their road trip only this time it seems to be more than what they bargain for

Not many good horror/comedies come out of Singapore (other than Jack Neo films) but this should be one of them, so definitely should be checked out.




The Ugly Truth (2009)
Starring: Kathrine Heigl, Gerard Butler
Director: Robert Luketic
USA release: July 24
Malaysia release: September 10
USA gross: $87,565,314
Worldwide: $104,277,504
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for sexual content and language
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
See what Twitter people are saying of The Ugly Truth

A romantically-challenged morning show producer (Katherine Heigl) is embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. His clever ploys, however, lead to an unexpected result.

If there were ever a decent chick-flick, I think this would be it. But then again, Gerard Butler in rom-coms is just...weird.




Gamer (2009)
Starring: Gerard Butler
Directors: Brian Taylor and Mark Neveldine
USA release: September 4
Malaysia release: September 10
USA gross: $11,203,761
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for frenetic sequences of strong brutal violence throughout, sexual content, nudity and language
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 18%
See what Twitter people are saying of Gamer

Gamer is a near-future action/thriller starring Gerard Butler (Kable) as the champion of an online game called "Slayers". Mind-control technology has taken society by storm and "Slayers" allows humans to control other humans in a mass-scale, multiplayer online game. With his every move tracked by millions, Kable's ultimate challenge is regaining his identity and launching an attack on the system that has imprisoned him.

Now this is the kind of role I'd like to see Gerard Butler in. Unfortunately, the film doesn't seem to be good at all.

Here are a few Twittereviews - from @elguapo1 "If you've ever wondered what it would be like to have a seizure, watch Gamer." and "Gamer made me almost want to never play video games ever again. And the whole movie was shot from the ground. Pick up the f@#$ing camera."

From @smashpop - "Just finihed watching Gamer. It gave me a headache. Rate it 5/10"

So Twitter has spoken. Do you want to get a seizure, never intend to play video games again and get a headache all at the same time? I don't think so.

Sources: IMDb, Cinema Online, Twitter, @smashpop, @elguapo1, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

Opening This Week: The Final Destination

I hope this is THE final destination if you know what I mean.


The Final Destination (2009)
Starring: Bobby Campo, Haley Webb, Nick Zano, Shantel VanSanten
Directed by: David R. Ellis
USA release: August 28
Msia release: September 2
USA gross: $28,335,000 (Estimate)
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Runtime: 1 Hour 22 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for strong violent/gruesome accidents, language and a scene of sexuality
Rated in Msia: 18SG
IMDb User Rating: 6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 30%

When Nick O'Bannon had a premonition of a racecar fatally crashing and instantly killing his friends in the most gruesome way, he decided to just shake it off. But when everything looks so real, he began to panic and persuaded the other teenagers to leave the place immediately. Soon after, debris began to fly and all his dreams turn into tragic reality. As for Nick, along with his girlfriend, Lori and her best friend, this is just the beginning. When survivors began to die one-by-one in a most horrifying way one can imagine, Nick must think of a way to cheat Death once more.

It's Final Destination. There's not much to say about it because a whole lot of people know of and love this franchise. I, for one, do not fall into that category. Well sort of. I barely liked the first two, but absolutely hated the last one. It was just an absolute crappy movie. And I have very crappy hopes for this 4th installment. Check it out for yourselves when it hits theaters this Thursday.

Source: Cinema Online, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

Opening This Week: Imagine That

Eddie Murphy comedy this week. Let's go!

Imagine That (2009)
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Yara Shahidi
Director: Karey Kirkpatrick
USA release: June 12
Msia release: August 27
USA gross: $16,123,323
Worldwide gross: $17,125,789
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG for some mild language and brief questionable behavior
Rated in Msia: PG-13
IMDb User Rating: 4.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 38%

Eddie Murphy stars as a successful financial executive, Evan who has more time for his BlackBerry than his seven-year-old daughter, Olivia (Yara Shahidi). When he has a confidence crisis and his career starts going down the drain, he soon finds the solution to all his problems in his daughter's imaginary world.

It's Eddie Murphy. So you know what to expect.

Source: Cinema Online, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Box Office Mojo

Opening This Week: I Love You, Orphan Dance Flick Up

Alright the title for this post sucked but whatevs. In Malaysian cinemas this week are I Love You, Beth Cooper, Orphan, Dance Flick and the much anticipated Up. Let's get into things then, shall we?


I Love You Beth Cooper (2009)
Starring: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust
Director: Chris Columbus
USA release: July 10
Malaysia release: August 20
USA gross: $14,477,236
Worldwide gross: $14,561,085
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1 Hour 42 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language, some teen drinking and drug references, and brief violence
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 4.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 14%

I Love You Beth Cooper chronicles the story of a nerdy valedictorian who proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school - Beth Cooper - during his graduation speech. Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life.

This movie could not have gotten panned more than it did by the general public and movie critics alike. Just look, it got an atrocious 14% Rotten Tomatoes score and a lowly 4.7/10 on IMDb. And it's grossed just $14.6 million which isn't even enough to recoup the money that was spent making the movie. So if these numbers are anything to go by, you should not so much as contemplate getting tickets to see this. Poor Hayden. Just stick to what you do best and be invincible, alright Claire?




Orphan (2009)
Starring: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman, Jimmy Bennett
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
USA release: July 24
Malaysia release: August 20
USA gross: $38,424,000
Worldwide gross: $39,600,644
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Runtime: 2 Hours 2 Minutes
Rated in USA: R for disturbing violent content, some sexuality and language
Rated in Malaysia: 18PL
IMDb User Rating: 7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 55%

Young mother Kate Coleman is devastated by the loss of her baby (and her inability to conceive again). She and her husband John decides to adopt nine-year-old Esther, in order to fill the empty space in their broken hearts. However, little did they know the child they adopted would turn out to be anything other than what they had hoped for.

Orphan looks like a decent scary movie. The general audience seemed to enjoy it and it didn't do terribly with the movie critics. The premise, I must say, isn't the most original in the world, but I'm saying it's worth a watch. Not for children, but you already knew that.




Dance Flick (2009)
Starring: Shoshana Bush, Damon Wayans
Director: Damien Dante Wayans
Writers: Keenen Ivory Wayans, Shawn Wayans
USA release: May 22
Malaysia release: August 20
USA gross: $25,662,155
Genre: Comedy, Music
Runtime: 1 Hour 23 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG-13 for crude and sexual content throughout, and language
IMDb User Rating: 2.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 27%

A privileged white girl from the suburbs moves to the inner city and attempts to perfect her notoriously clumsy dance moves in this parody of popular dance movies.

Written, produced, directed and acted in by the Wayans brothers, Dance Flick is without a shred of doubt going to be exactly like the Scary Movies, Epic Movie, Superhero Movie and all those kinds of movies. If you liked them then you'd most probably like this one. If you despise them, then don't go close to this movie.




Up (2009)
Voiced by: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai
Directors: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
USA release: May 29
Malaysia release: August 20
USA gross: $287,814,278
Worldwide gross: $380,735,542
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes
Rated in USA: PG for some peril and action
Rated in Malaysia: U
IMDb User Rating: 8.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%

A 78-year-old man named Carl Fredricksen spent his entire life dreaming of exploring the globe and experiencing life to its fullest. Due to his age, he thinks life has passed him by. One day, an 8-year old wilderness explorer named Russell, changes his outlook on life and the pair goes on adventures, encountering wild terrains, unexpected villains and jungle creatures.

If it's made by Pixar, you can be 100% sure that it'll be a huge hit, both commercially and critically. And that's exactly what Up has managed to achieve thus far. It's been called the movie to watch this year. You can expect nothing less than an amazing and beautiful movie. If you liked WALL-E and other Pixar films, you'll love this. Plus, it's a film for all ages. Which is great!

Source: IMDb, Cinema Online, Box Office Mojo, Rotten Tomatoes