tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104542442024-03-07T17:18:31.217+08:00raptor's BlogCopyright © raptorclans 2005-2012aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.comBlogger333125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-40098752335525472092013-04-18T14:20:00.000+08:002013-04-18T14:20:14.899+08:00Humming the Hybrid Jive<span lang="EN-GB">It seems hybrid cars have become commonplace on Malaysian roads of late, and it's not hard to see why. The tax exemption and fuel savings meant that the public are able to purchase cheaper full-spec-ed cars that save money on the long run. One such model that has been seeing brisk sales is the Honda Jazz Hybrid. First launched in mid-2012, the popular hatch received the CKD treatment later that year, of which I managed to test drive recently. </span> <br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">First impressions are everything and for a design that saw roots back in 2007, the Honda Jazz is still quite a looker in the metal. <br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5344_zps715edb79.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5344_zps715edb79.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5344_zps715edb79.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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The modern, flowing lines and unfussy details certainly withstood the test of time. The Hybrid differentiates itself from the regular model with stylish blue-tinted front and rear headlamps, the latter of which is a rather cool clear LED-type. </span><br />
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5012_zps8c932e80.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5012_zps8c932e80.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5012_zps8c932e80.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">It also gets new bumpers that are more aerodynamically efficient and a chrome license plate garnish at the rear.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Step inside, and you're greeted with an airy and spacious interior. Generous amounts of glass (including front and rear quarter-windows) do wonders in achieving this. Everything looks thoroughly modern and the funkiness of it all hides its true age. Interior is mostly hard plastic (with fabric bits) but everything feels solidly made. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5044_zpsd43fce30.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5044_zpsd43fce30.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5044_zpsd43fce30.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The audio system, while not exactly the best in class, serves its purpose well, with multiple connectivity options like Bluetooth, iPod and MP3. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5041_zps034ce83c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5041_zps034ce83c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5041_zps034ce83c.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Songs from my SCANDAL MP3 collection played wonderfully, perhaps mostly due to the fact that the car is rather silent on the move. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_4979_zpsfbc73766.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_4979_zpsfbc73766.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_4979_zpsfbc73766.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The car also has auto climate control, which was always welcome.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5269_zpsb8e1c51e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5269_zpsb8e1c51e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5269_zpsb8e1c51e.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Practicality is the name of the game and the Jazz Hybrid has it in droves. There are no less than ten cup holders and more storage compartments than you can shake a stick at (there are two for the glove box alone!). </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5042_zps6d444b96.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5042_zps6d444b96.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5042_zps6d444b96.jpg" /></a></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5277_zpsa6fafd3e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5277_zpsa6fafd3e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5277_zpsa6fafd3e.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">It comfortably seats a family of five with no effort. The signature 'ULTRA seats' add to the usefulness, being able to fold either backwards to carry tall items inside or forwards-flat to double up available boot space. </span><br />
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5013_zpse9aaaafa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5013_zpse9aaaafa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5013_zpse9aaaafa.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5015_zps1b6431b0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5015_zps1b6431b0.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5015_zps1b6431b0.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">However, my test unit had one seat stuck in regular position for some reason. The IPU (Intelligent Power Unit) goes underneath the boot floor, in place of the spare wheel. Instead, one gets a tyre repair kit.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Many questioned me regarding how the Jazz Hybrid drove. The car is powered by a 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine coupled with an electric motor. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5262_zpseb67a01a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5262_zpseb67a01a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5262_zpseb67a01a.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5265_zps600d6af0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5265_zps600d6af0.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5265_zps600d6af0.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The system, dubbed IMA (Integrated Motor Asist), in fact is carried over from the Insight. Many cited the CVT transmission coupled with the hybrid power train would yield a rather dull ride. I would like to however, quash these rumours. The car was comfortable and responsive to drive, even with the 'ECON' mode on. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5346_zpse2d86217.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5346_zpse2d86217.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5346_zpse2d86217.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">How do I know this? Well, after zipping the car through town and onto on the highway I wanted to give the mode a try - and to my surprise, it was enabled all along! While I agree it could do with a little more power, I'd like to state that it was nowhere near as lethargic as some have said. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5094_zps56345b67.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5094_zps56345b67.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5094_zps56345b67.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">What it does is configure the car to run as economically as possible, by limiting excessive revs and I believe this should prove useful for city driving through lots of traffic. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Those familiar with Honda hybrids will also recognise the eco-scoring function, which rewards you with graphical ‘leaves’ if you drive economically.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5254_zps8bebbf62.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5254_zps8bebbf62.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5254_zps8bebbf62.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"> This can be obtained easily if you pay attention to the speedometer, which depending on how you drive, changes from blue to green, with the latter being the most fuel-efficient. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5165_zps0ea39af7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5165_zps0ea39af7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5165_zps0ea39af7.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">I gleefully managed a score of four and a half (out of five) leaves.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">As with most hybrid vehicles, the engine switches off during stops to conserve energy. This does however, also meant the air-conditioning might lose its cool, but it wasn't really that bad in my case. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5223_zpse7fb03d7.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5223_zpse7fb03d7.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5223_zpse7fb03d7.jpg" /></a> </span> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The Jazz Hybrid is also able to run on full-electric mode (EV) with the engine shut off (albeit occasionally). I managed to achieve this usually by cruising at a constant speed of around 20-40km/h. Again this might prove most useful possibly during city cruising. </span></div>
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5241_zps30b8e0f6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5241_zps30b8e0f6.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5241_zps30b8e0f6.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Switch off the 'ECON' mode, and things start getting exciting. While the fuel-saving CVT transmission meant it didn't have the best engine tune, but it wasn't at all dull. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5117_zps38621ebb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5117_zps38621ebb.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5117_zps38621ebb.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Having a hybrid motor assisting the engine meant that almost turbo-like swift acceleration could be achieved even at higher speeds, which was undoubtedly something I never expected in a hybrid vehicle. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5231_zps994a0095.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5231_zps994a0095.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5231_zps994a0095.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">It felt like it was running a 1.6 or larger engine. The car didn't disappoint handling-wise either. While certainly no sports car, it was still perky and kept all the good points of the regular Jazz. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5129_zpsc18efb8c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5129_zpsc18efb8c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5129_zpsc18efb8c.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">However it would have been better if the car retained the paddle-shifters and auto-cruise, both of which were omitted on the locally-built model.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Going for RM89,900 on the road, the Malaysian-made Honda Jazz Hybrid is the cheapest hybrid car on the market and certainly an attractive option for those who want to save the environment, yet retaining the practicality of a conventional hatchback. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5187_zps4b373066.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5187_zps4b373066.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5187_zps4b373066.jpg" /></a> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Overall I must say the car truly surprised me, and wouldn’t mind living with one myself (with the optional edgy-looking spoiler added-on). However if you have the cash to spare, I would definitely recommend you top-up the extra RM5k and get the Japanese CBU model, which in addition to the paddle-shifters and auto-cruise, also comes with four extra airbags (that makes six!), all-round disc brakes, one touch lane change, Hill Start Assist, automatic wipers, steering audio controls and of course that lovely shade of green.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/user/raptorclans/media/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5306_zps3ce64aed.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_5306_zps3ce64aed.jpg" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20130402%20Honda%20Jazz%20Hybrid/DSC_5306_zps3ce64aed.jpg" /></a> </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Specifications</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-GB">Honda Jazz Hybrid CKD</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Engine:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> 1,339cc, single cam, i-VTEC + IMA</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Maximum power:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> 98bhp at 6,000rpm</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Maximum torque:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> 127Nm at 4,800rpm</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Electric motor maximum power:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> 10hp</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Electric motor maximum torque:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> 78Nm</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Battery:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> Nickel metal hydride</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Transmission:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> CVT</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Suspension:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> MacPherson struts (front) and torsion beam axle (rear)</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Features:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> Twin SRS airbags, front and rear seatbelts 3-point ELR, vehicle stability assist, anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, Multi Information Display (MID), power retractable door mirrors, tilt & telescopic steering (electric powered), auto climate control air-conditioning, ULTRA seats, rear underseat box, reverse sensors, AM/FM CD player with AUX/USB/iPod support</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">Price:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB"> RM89,900 (OTR with insurance)</span></div>
aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-10913436304795998462013-01-15T22:00:00.000+08:002013-01-17T23:13:56.933+08:00Against All Odds<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><span lang="EN-GB">A movie set in the events of 2004's Boxing Day tsunami - some may deem it to be of bad taste as it is still fresh in the minds of those who suffered the devastation. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Impossibles</i> however, is based on a true account of one family's harrowing experience facing the full force of nature's wrath. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The story focuses mainly around Maria and Henry Bennett (Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor respectively) and their three children. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">While enjoying their Christmas holiday trip in Thailand they are separated after suddenly getting hit by brutal wall of seawater. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">The filmmakers did a remarkable job recreating the destruction of the disaster. You get a real sense of actually being in the midst of it all with water, bricks, trees, cars and all forms of debris thrown in your face (and your body) flung in all directions with disturbingly painful consequences. The result is an experience which is truly chair-clingingly horrifying, which gives you a rough idea how traumatising it must have been for the victims. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The acting was excellent, and you'll find yourself cheering them on and crying in despair with them. Watts certainly outdid herself this time - seeing her wounded and dying yet clinging on to life for the sake of her son, it’s easy to see how she received an Academy Award nomination for the role. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">McGregor also put on one of his better performances, and you could feel his emotions as he searches on for his family despite it being seemingly futile. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">One to watch would be newcomer Tom Holland, who plays eldest son Lucas. His performance of a boy unwillingly having to shoulder the responsibilities of a grown-up is easily one of the most genuinely emotive highlights in the movie. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Through the traumatic experience the family endures, you’ll come to realise that it isn’t the tsunami itself that is deemed impossible, but rather the aftermath. Gripping, emotionally-exhausting and relentless, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Impossibles </i>is quite definitely the biggest surprise we’ve seen this early into 2013.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">4.5 out of 5 Stars</span></div>
aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-56251405185677233502013-01-01T00:00:00.000+08:002013-01-12T15:54:15.925+08:00Review of 2012 - The Year That Was... Time flies, it really does... Too soon we bid farewell to 2012, the year dubbed by some to be our very last. But here we are at 2013, and since quite a lot of things happened in the past year, perhaps I should sum it up in a post.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of New Starts</span></b><br />
I finalised moving into my own place this year (although I started living there late 2011), and 2012 saw me truly calling it home.<br />
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While living on my own gave some form of freedom and flexibility, it also posed its own set of challenges. For instance, I don't think I've ever cooked so much on my own before! xD <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Unions</span></b><br />
I found 2012 to truly be the year of weddings, with many family members and friends tying the knot. Two cousins got married, my childhood close friend Azahir tied the knot, and so did my former best buddy at work Irene. In fact so many more got married, Mukhsie, Jenster, Arty... oh gosh.<br />
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And I also became an uncle as two of my cousins had their firstborns in December. However 2012 was also a year of loss, for my paternal grandma also passed away peacefully. In a way the family felt relieved, as she didn't have to suffer anymore and is in a better place now. I also received news that a childhood friend of mine passed away in road accident. <br />
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</span></b> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Work</span></b><br />
Job-wise I was transferred to a different division. While daunting at first, it is a job-scope more familiar to me, and as some say I adapted to it like fish to water. Took me some time to get used to the house style, so my first piece was this slightly awkward one below.<br />
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I also admit I got along better with my colleagues and friends at work, and sadly also saw some of them leave.<br />
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Also got posted to the company's Shah Alam branch for a month (cut short from the proposed three months) to work on Flavours magazine. I must say it was an interesting experience, as I was working with a different group of people. It was also refreshing working for a magazine for a change as it posed new challenges and obstacles as well as different form of expression.<br />
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While work came with its usual ups and downs, I hope to stay positive and continue knocking down barriers and challenges. Late 2012 I got a chance to work on a mock-up of an upcoming revamp, so here's hoping everything flows smoothly in 2013. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Wheels </span></b><br />
The year also saw me being introduced to Aquileia, a 122bhp Ford Fiesta Sport which saw me wait four months for her arrival.<br />
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So long in fact, that I placed an order for the sexy new 2012 Hyundai Elantra.<br />
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But when she finally arrived, as the last of only 10 Aurora Blue units in the country, it was love at first sight. The rest as they say was history. Finally got the old family-kept number plate transferred. For the first time in almost three decades, it was on my own car.<br />
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She's my first all-new car, bodykitted and tinted from the factory and deco-ed with my own custom racing stripes a week after delivery.<br />
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Her arrival also meant I had to bid farewell to Alexandra, my trusty 2.0L twin-spark Alfa Romeo 155 of 8 years. It was sad letting go of her after all these years, but she is now in the hands of one who really loves Alfas, so I'm quite glad. <br />
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Having Aquileia also meant I was more active with a different car community, and truthfully said, I had a ball of a time knowing the peeps of Fiesta Owners Community (FOC) and Fiesta Fan Club Malaysia (FFC). We had numerous fun outings, trips and TT sessions.<br />
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The highlight of which I believed was a track day involving both groups, which was just so much fun! We certainly tore up the track in Malacca!<br />
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That's me at the 1:33 mark~ <br />
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Having Aquileia truly changed things, while she gave me a taste of modern, sporty motoring, she also introduced me to an entire family. And that was quite a blessing! <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Photo-shoots </span></b><br />
I was immensely more active photo-taking-wise this year, which I believe is a good thing. Managed to take part in two shoots, which could have been more if not for my oddball work schedule. Both were with the versatile Avril, who simply makes any shot beautiful.<br />
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However, in terms of photography I was WAY more active with cosplay-related events, which I shall elaborate in abit. Here's hoping there will be more shoots to participate in this year!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Portable Computing</span></b><br />
Speaking of photos, my uploads have been getting lesser, and my backlog growing. This was mostly due to my aging PC, which is actually the same base unit I have been using since college days. It has been upgraded numerous times and overhauled twice so that it would have continued service. However it crashed so often and was really unable to handle the file sizes of my D5000's photos. One day the main hard drive just gave way and I had to finally change to a new system, and instead I chose to have a portable one. It was quite a hard decision, on one hand I wanted more power, but seeing how archaic my former system was, I was sure any modern unit would be sufficient. And so I got the Lenovo Y480, which was equipped with an i7 quad-core processor, back-lit keyboard, four USB 3.0 slots and a bucketload of RAM. It even has a heat-sink to handle the heat it produces. Perfect. <br />
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Managed to learn how to hook it up to my TV and enjoyed streaming the Olympics live (especially diving!) and also enhanced computing with a 42-inch screen.<br />
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Now all I hope to do is to finish clearing my backlogs before the next major event comes! <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Concerts </span></b><br />
2012 is also the year which I attended the most concerts. I mean seriously, it was like all the cool artistes wanted to perform here this year. There were too many in fact, that I had to skip some due to lack of funds. Video Games Live finally returned to our shores, and I managed to attend with friends this time around. The most memorable thing was actually getting to meet Tommy Tallarico and Laura Intravia and actually pass them a copy of the photo we took together back in 2010. The look on Laura's face was priceless, along with the scream after. Got my VGL album signed by them after that :)<br />
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OK the last photo wasn't related but I wanted to post it anyway~ :P After that there was MTV World Stage, which has been returning each year of late. Pulled along my new buddy Li Ann to the concert. This year everyone's making a fuss because Justin Bieber was attending. But for me it was clearly KARA's first performance in Malaysia! There weren't many songs but I was just happy to see them perform live here. And I gladly report they sound just like in the album in the flesh!<br />
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Next up was the Wonder Girls' second full-blown concert in Malaysia. As a huge fan it was certainly an event not to be missed, and while I didn't quite like the new venue as much as Genting Arena of Stars, it was the performance that mattered. The girls brought the roof down and even surprised everyone by performing in baju kurung for some songs.<br />
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In November was Distant Worlds' inaugural performance here. I would have totally missed this if not for Mei Ling, who was really up-to-date regarding the concert. It was so funny that we were rushing to buy tickets in the wee hours of the morning to avoid missing out. <span style="font-size: small;">Needless to say we both enjoyed it. </span>I must say the performance was truly breathtaking and there was just something about having all your favourite Final Fantasy hits played by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Fantastic!<br />
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Last but not least was SCANDAL's first showcase on Malaysian soil! As a big fan I couldn't believe it when it was announced that they were coming, and it just got better as my friends from Rentak Sejuta allowed me to cover the concert on their behalf. You could imagine the fanboy in me geeking out yet trying to keep it in in order to secure proper photographs. And yeah, the girls actually sounded better live than on the albums... how about that?<br />
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And oh, lead singer Haruna even liked the photo I posted on Instagram!!! *cries of joy*<br />
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My blog post on the concert became my fastest climbing entry, giving my blog a sudden spike in hits. Seriously I haven't seen this level of hits since my Myvi Extreme review sometime back, and even that was nowhere close.<br />
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A shorter version of my blog entry also became my first full article in The Star. Yup, a proper article instead of the usual thumbnails I've been contributing. And probably one of the few local printed articles with the band name spelled in uppercase like they should. Wished there was more space for photos though.<br />
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SCANDAL's concert was truly something memorable to me, I'm so glad to be supporting them. Speaking of blogging, I was much more active this year than the last two years or so, which I guess is a good thing. Saw more international visitors thanks to reviews on movies and also the SCANDAL concert, with some giving feedback, which I appreciate. Hope to continue this trend in 2013.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Gaming</span></b><br />
2012 also saw a full revival of my gaming spirit, and I was playing on multiple platforms. It all started with Black Rock Shooter - The Game, which was on the PSP platform. I purchased the limited-edition Premium box (which came with Figma White Rock Shooter) from Amiami when it suddenly went on 50% discount. Chong was kind enough to lend me his PSP for me to play it.<br />
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Soon after I received Fall of Cybertron as a birthday gift from my mum, and thus there was more gaming on the PlayStation 3.<br />
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That was of course in between playing Final Fantasy XIII (with the oh-so-gorgeous Lightning!), which I am probably one of the last to actually start playing. Don't even mention about FFXIII-2!<br />
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My dad got me a PlayStation Vita for my birthday and while I got myself Gravity Rush as part of a package deal, it was Ragnarok Odyssey that really got me hooked on gaming this year. And yes, Aquileia was originally my RO character name.<br />
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The game-play was fast-paced and very addictive. So addictive in fact, that I was often teaming up with random foreigners, most of which were from Hong Kong, Korea or Japan. They helped a lot with the bigger bosses and harder levels.<br />
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I defeated Loki and won the game within the month, but the amount of bonus levels meant playtime is quite extended. I must say this is one of the more awesome releases this year.<br />
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I changed to an iPhone 4S mid-year, and that also saw me play numerous random mobile games as well.<br />
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I must say looking back at what I played in 2012 made me astonished myself.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Anime</span></b><br />
Other than gaming, 2012 saw a full revival of anime watching for me. True it has been on the rise the year before, but this year, thanks to Yoake-chan I started watching Accel World, and I was totally hooked, finishing all available subbed episodes in two days and watching each subbed episode as they are uploaded each week, approximately a week after airing in Japan.<br />
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This meant a start to me catching current anime, instead of watching them as they are completed. I mean, how can one not love Kuroyukihime?<br />
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Upon discovering its relation to Accel World, I caught Sword Art Online, perhaps the biggest anime of 2012.<br />
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I caught episode one hot off the subs and patiently awaited each episode as they went online every Saturday.<br />
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I totally loved the story and the designs of both these anime and I rate them highly if you're looking for something to watch.<br />
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There was action, storyline, drama and romance. I believed it made for a complete and fulfilling watch, albeit slightly rushed in some parts. And oh, Asuna was like the true-blue 'dream girl'~!<br />
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Then there was Girls und Panzer, which was brilliant. Kawaii girls piloting bad-ass 3D tanks, how much cooler can it get? It also helped that it had such amazing direction.<br />
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The intro scene alone was enough to get me hooked...<br />
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And not forgetting this song I love so much from the anime...<br />
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2012 also saw the launch of the anime version of Black Rock Shooter, which saw a few changes, new characters and bad-ass 3D weaponry.<br />
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And oh, Hatsune Miku sang the opening theme of course.<br />
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Other animes I caught included Guilty Crown...<br />
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...well, 90% because of Inori of course...<br />
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...and Busou Shinki, which was actually pretty cool. Especially the Strarf model~ xD<br />
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There are also other animes I watched in between but not yet completed, like the second season of Toaru Majutsu no Index and new season of Fate: Stay Night. I believe 2013 will see more interesting titles in store. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Cosplays and Conventions</span></b><br />
If you've actually stayed to read till this far, I truly salute you, as I have saved my favourite for last. Having watched more anime this year also meant a heightened appreciation for cosplay-related events, so 2012 also marked the most ACG (anime, comics and games)-related conventions and events I have attended in a single year. Earlier in the year I attended Cybertron Con at Singapore, which marked my first time attending a Transformers convention. <br />
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Later in May was my third time attending C2AGE, which was held at Tropicana City Mall. I could only drop by briefly for the first 2 days but I was there to fully soak up the occasion on day 3. Needless to say I had a ball of a time. I even managed to introduce my big sis colleague Shoba and her hubby to the culture of Japanese anime.<br />
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Also had yummy lunch with Klei-chan and tsun-Anne, who are so gonna kill me for not uploading the photos till now.<br />
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In June came the inaugural AFA MY (Anime Festival Asia - Malaysia), which came as a surprise to many, as it has always been held exclusively in Singapore all this while. Having another international-scale ACG event in the country certainly liven up things, and it was truly a memorable occasion.<br />
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And oh, I managed to meet Danny Choo up close! He was shooting videos next to me and I just managed to strike a short conversation with him.<br />
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In August was Animangaki, and since it was held at Sunway Pyramid this time I decided to give it a go. The turnout was surprisingly good and despite me only being able to attend on the final day, I had lotsa fun.<br />
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Come November it was of course AFA SG. Having denied my leave the year before, I secured my days two months in advance. This was only my second AFA event after my 2010 'back to Singapore' stint, and this time I had Loon, Esther, Desmond and his buddies for company. Needless to say it was a truly memorable experience, especially on the last day which saw me lug my metallic red luggage case around the convention.<br />
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Finally of course, was Comic Fiesta. Bigger than ever before, this time it spanned so many halls that many friends didn't even get to see one another! By now I have made so many friends among the community so it was really nice bumping into them and seeing all the effort they put into their cosplays and doujins. It seems everyone put in their heart and soul into this year-end event. This year sis Boonie decided to join in the fun and open her own booth, and Chong shocked everyone coming in a fox suit. It was truly a helluva lot of fun!<br />
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Indeed it was a year to remember ACG-wise. It's always a joy attending these events, and I'm looking forward to many more hours of fun this year! And those of you waiting for your photos, I once again apologise, I'll try to have them up as soon as I can! <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Year of Family</span></b><br />
And of course, what would the year be without family? I am blessed to have my family<span style="font-size: small;"> (which has expanded this year!)</span> to share it all with, through thick and thin, and also my friends, some of which I regard as family too. <br />
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And not forgetting four fluffy kitties, one of which would await my return each weekend (yup, dearest adorable Muffin).<br />
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I would write much more, as there was just so much to 2012, but I guess I'll stop here for now. God bless you all, here's to a wonderful and more fulfiling 2013!<br />
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PEACE and God Bless,<br />
Aris Tee<br />
<br />aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-51338153868868793332012-12-12T00:12:00.000+08:002012-12-13T16:36:51.309+08:00The Adventure Begins...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]-->So it has finally begun… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</i> –The first instalment of Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien’s original fantasy book. Almost ten years after <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Return of the King</i> (yes, it has been that long), and years of development nightmares, it does feel good to be brought back to the beloved world of Middle Earth.<br />
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The story centers on hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), whom we remember from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord of the Rings</i> is Frodo’s uncle.<br />
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And instead of a ‘Fellowship of the Ring’, joining him we have Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen, brilliantly reprising his role) and a band of 13 dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), who wish to reclaim their homeland, taken from them by the mighty dragon Smaug, who has a peculiar love for gold and treasure.<br />
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Being based on the earlier book gives the movie a different feel than <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Lord of the Rings</i>, but every bit as interesting. The shorter story spread over three films allows Jackson to flesh out plenty of detail, many of which fans will have a ball of a time spotting. However some may find this slower pace slightly sluggish with a lack of urgency. It may also take some time warming up to new characters (the dwarves mostly look the same at first, but you'll be able to distinguish some as the story goes) but there are plenty of familiar faces making appearances.<br />
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Andy Serkis is excellent playing Smeagol once more, and with technology much improved now, he is chillingly hyper-realistic.<br />
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The film may lack some of the grandeur of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rings Trilogy</i> but it amazes in many other ways – flashy battles, gorgeous scenery and more of the humor the saga has been known for.<br />
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And if you enjoyed the manner in which characters spoke in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rings Trilogy</i> (Thorin Oakenshield, Son of Thrain, Son of Thror…), you’ll be delighted to know that plenty of it has been lifted word-for-word from the book itself.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey</i> warrants repeated viewing and most definitely a watch in spell bounding 3D. Bring on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Desolation Of Smaug</i>!</div>
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4 Stars out of 5</div>
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</style> <![endif]-->aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-75596102591455771352012-12-05T03:30:00.000+08:002012-12-07T13:28:35.552+08:00Simply SCANDALicious!It was a rainy and traffic jam-packed Saturday in Kuala Lumpur but nothing was going to stop hordes of fans from catching popular Japanese pop-rock group SCANDAL’s inaugural concert in Malaysia. Japanese bands seldom make it to this part of the globe, so it was a real treat to welcome the SCANDALous outfit consisting lead vocalist Ono Haruna, bassist Ogawa Tomomi, lead guitarist Sasazaki Mami and drummer Suzuki Rina.<br />
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Held at KL Live, the<i> 'SCANDAL Special: LIVE in Malaysia 2012’</i> concert was in line with the 30th Anniversary of the Look East Policy between Japan and Malaysia. As a huge fan myself, it was indeed a wonderful opportunity to have the opportunity to cover the concert thanks to my friends at Rentak Sejuta.<br />
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Excited fans came from all corners of Malaysia, and even those hailing all the way from Japan! Many lined up outside from as early as morning in hopes of snatching up sweet spots in the free-standing hall. "At long last, the queens are here!," one delighted fan exclaimed.<br />
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After a brief opening act by our very own talented Haoto, it was finally time for the main event. Armed with a battalion of multi-colored glowsticks, the fans started cheering even when the crew did a sound check with what was clearly Haruna’s glittery skull-adorned guitar.<br />
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Many, like fans from international fan forum <i>SCANDAL HEAVEN</i>, came with large message-scribbled banners, while some hardcore Japanese supporters were equipped with official towels and wristbands, all hoping to gain the attention of their favourite SCANDAL members.<br />
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Needless to say, the crowd went wild as the fabulous four took over the stage and fired it up with hard-hitting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rock'n Roll</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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The girls then followed-up with fan-favourite hit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shunkan Sentimental</i>, which saw the crowd singing along enthusiastically to every word.<br />
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Fans cheered even louder <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the moment they heard the opening riffs to<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Queens are trumps</i>, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the title track of the band's latest album.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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After a brief break, the girls went on to play <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shōujo S</i>, made popular by the anime <i>Bleach</i>. They continued with the enthusiastic <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rising Star</i> and slightly slower, emotional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bitter Chocolate</i>, in which Tomomi took the lead.<br />
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Half of their hard-rocking song list consisted of newer tracks from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Queens are trumps</i>. Fans were supportive, chanting during the fast tracks, waving glowsticks in synchrony and singing along to almost every song. </div>
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Mami then took over on vocals with the much-loved <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Koe</i>, much to the delight of the crowd.<br />
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Renowned for their 'most powerful Japanese girl band' status, SCANDAL certainly did not disappoint. The band rocked one number after another with much ease and worked the crowd with seemingly never-ending energy (often head-banging too!).<br />
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And best of all, they sounded way, way better performing live than on CD!</div>
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The girls seemed to be enjoying it as much as the fans, as seen from joyful faces and laughter throughout the concert. Rina was totally absorbing the fun banging on the drums while Mami was strumming in full concentration throughout the show.<br />
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Haruna, being the superstar she was, dominated the stage with her powerful vocals and sizzling charm while fun-loving Tomomi would have probably bounced off the stage if she jumped any more than she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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In a surprise move, SCANDAL then performed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Happy Collector</i>, their brand-new single featured in the upcoming movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kyo Koi wo Hajimemasu</i>. The band also sang the energy-filled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Taiyo Scandalous</i>, which resulted in the crowd jumping around in unison.<br />
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In another short break, the band addressed the crowd in a mix of English and Japanese. The girls expressed that they never expected so many people to turn up and were very appreciative of the support given. The fans went wild when they uttered "Terima Kasih" to the audience.<br />
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SCANDAL then continued with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">HARUKAZE</i> – another <i>Bleach</i> theme – with plenty of energy, much to the delight of fans.<br />
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SCANDAL has made quite a name for themselves in recent times after their music were picked as theme songs for animes like <i>Bleach</i> and <i>Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood</i>. </div>
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They then blazed away with up-tempo beat <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">LOVE SURVIVE</i> and fan-favourite <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SCANDAL BABY</i>, before waving goodbye to the hall full of screaming supporters. The fans of course thirsted for more, chanting, "encore! encore!", with many even using Japanese pronunciation for added effect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Not too long later the SCANDALicious four returned and the crowd roared back to life, bringing decibel levels to new heights.<br />
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The band went on to perform their new track <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satisfaction</i>, which is used in current promotions for <i>Windows 8</i> in Japan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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To give their concert a perfect finale, SCANDAL performed one of their earliest, and most loved hits, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">DOLL</i>, much to the approval of ecstatic screaming fans, who joyfully sang along.<br />
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Haruna encouraged the crowd to sing along and even pointed the microphone to them. Tomomi on the other hand was the queen of fan-service, blowing kisses to the audience and gaining tons of screaming. The band then welcomed Rina to the front of the stage – to much applause – as she was hidden behind her drum set throughout the night.<br />
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Mami also made hearts stop when she decided to suddenly throw her guitar pick into the audience.</div>
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The girls ended what was quite a memorable night with the exact words every fan wants to hear: “We love you all! We will come back soon! Please wait for us!”<br />
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Aris Tee<br />
- Photos taken via Nikon D5000 <br />
© 2012 raptorclans @ Aris Tee Raptorgraphyaris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-76592881887897217652012-08-24T14:59:00.000+08:002012-10-16T14:59:51.207+08:00Katy Perry - A Part of Me<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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3D concerts are quite the trend these days and it's not
difficult to see why. Advancements in three-dimensional technology meant that
watching one would be akin to catching a larger-than-live performance and the
availability of fans almost ensures the producers a certain amount of success.
We've had stars like Michael Jackson, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber grace the
3D stage, but I'm sure many agree these films are either a hit or miss affair,
with most attempting to cash in on an artiste's popularity. </div>
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Which brings us to the part-biopic, part concert movie <i>Katy
Perry - A Part of Me</i>. Katy Perry is no stranger to most of us, and the film
follows her year-long world tour and also gives us an insight into her early
years as well as journey as an artiste. While it's admittedly pretty hard to
drag a non-fan to the movie, it is however worth noting that how well-made this
3D flick is. </div>
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Filmed from a best buddy-ish perspective, it feels personal
and you will find yourself really close to Katy. The hardships and false-starts
that Katy had to endure before achieving success with her breakaway hit "I
Kissed a Girl" are well-documented, as well as all her lovable goofiness.
It is clear she wasn't an overnight success. And due to the fact that
filmmakers followed her tour for an entire year, her recent split with Russell
Brand is also documented. It does however, stay neutral and serves as a clear
example why some celebrity relationships don't work out.</div>
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On the musical part, it is everything you might come to
expect from a Katy Perry concert. It's colorful, wild and funky. Her songs are
naturally great to listen to, and combined with excellent editing, you could
see what inspired her to write such songs. Some songs even add to the feel of a
segment, like how her world crumbled when her marriage broke apart. A very
prominent scene was where she was so crushed she didn't want to go on-stage for
her performance until the absolute last minute. </div>
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Overall <i>Katy Perry - A Part of Me </i>is quite a
noteworthy addition to the 3D concert genre. It blends a biopic and concert so
seamlessly, yet it even has the feel of actually being with Katy the whole
time. It would be really nice to see more 3D concert flicks done this well. So
go ahead and catch this movie, believe me you'll have newfound respect for Katy
after watching it.</div>
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4.5 Stars out of 5</div>
aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-87806553386193748352012-07-17T16:27:00.000+08:002012-10-18T15:10:21.157+08:00Spidey, Re-madeReboots can either be exciting or bring us a face-palm, and most frequently, the latter. While there are exceptions to this, more often than not we see numerous franchises or even classic films remade, only to have us feel like throwing popcorn tubs (and our drinks) at the movie screen. <br />
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Which brings us to the reboot of the <i>Spider-Man</i> on the silver screen, <i>The Amazing Spider-Man</i>, despite the movie franchise being only a mere ten years of age. Unnecessary perhaps, but was it any good? Definitely. </div>
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With strong performances from the cast, director Mark Webb brings more depth to the characters, which are more believable and relatable this time around. Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker blows Toby Maguire’s out of the water.<br />
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His portrayal of an angst-ridden and often humorous young superhero is more faithful to the <i>Marvel</i> comics, and he certainly has excellent chemistry with lovely co-star Emma Stone, who plays Spidey’s original love interest Gwen Stacy.<br />
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This time it’s more about the man, rather than the spider. In fact, it takes almost a full hour before Peter dons the iconic red and blue suit.</div>
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The special effects have also been given a good three-dimensional boost and I must say it was truly enjoyable catching this on <i>IMAX 3D</i>. The action sequences are relentless and it is undoubtedly satisfying finally seeing <i>The Lizard</i> on the big screen. The only complaint perhaps is that he has little resemblance to his comic self.<br />
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However all’s forgiven, thanks to Rhys Ifans’ likeable performance of his alter ego, Curt Connors. </div>
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So folks, the <i>Spider-Man</i> franchise is alive and well. I guess reboots do surprise us sometimes.<br />
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4 out of 5 Stars</div>
aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-59309823733259426952012-06-01T11:01:00.000+08:002012-06-04T17:10:30.913+08:00Searching for Our Beginning<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">Ridley Scott finally returns to sci-fi, and the very franchise that brought him fame. </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Prometheus</i></span><span lang="en-US"> brings forth a much-asked question, “Is this a prequel to </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Alien</i></span><span lang="en-US">?” Well the answer is yes – and no.</span><br />
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<span lang="en-US"><i>Prometheus</i></span><span lang="en-US"> takes place within the same universe as the </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Alien</i></span><span lang="en-US"> movies, with events that predate them. That said, it isn’t technically – an ‘</span><span lang="en-US"><i>Alien</i></span><span lang="en-US">’ movie. Without giving too much away, the film is essentially about questioning our beliefs, and discovering a truth that could possibly doom us. It also brings forth some unconventional concepts and unsettling ideas that will leave you mind-boggled.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US">In </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Prometheus</i></span><span lang="en-US">, the discovery of a star map among ancient diagrams from various archaeological digs suggests a chilling possibility that perhaps aliens ‘made’ us. So a privately-funded titular trillion-dollar spaceship is dispatched to the distant moon </span>LV-233 <span lang="en-US">to ultimately solve the riddle. Upon landing, the crew uncover far more than they bargained for. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">Sounds cliché? Well, the movie isn’t, really. While it is inevitable that most of the cast will serve as alien fodder, a few, like Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace were the clear standouts. Fassbender’s portrayal of the curious android David is truly worth mention and Noomi is essentially this generation’s Ripley with her gripping performance. </span></div>
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Charlize Theron and Idris Elba also add to the international cast.<br />
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<span lang="en-US">Fans of the </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Alien</i></span><span lang="en-US"> franchise will be quick to catch certain details that will seem familiar. The popular cult-favourite ‘</span><span lang="en-US"><i>Space Jockey</i></span><span lang="en-US">’ is (finally) prominently featured and referred to as ‘</span><span lang="en-US"><i>Engineers</i></span><span lang="en-US">’, but I’m not quite a fan of how they look like under their helmets. The film might lack the ferocious intensity </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Alien</i></span><span lang="en-US"> had, but once it shifts from ‘discovery’ to ‘all-out horror’, it is quick and satisfyingly relentless. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">A certain scene of a crew member conducting a self-performed C-section is plain hair-raising and will have you clawing the cinema chair.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US">Prometheus isn’t </span><span lang="en-US">‘</span><span lang="en-US"><i>Alien: The Beginning</i></span><span lang="en-US">’, but it does serve as an interesting testament to Ridley Scott’s imaginative sci-fi ideas. There is also hint of a potential sequel, however at that point you’ll be left with more questions than answers.</span></div>
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4 Stars out of 5</div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-85423190210821142752012-05-29T10:59:00.000+08:002012-06-04T16:40:55.646+08:00Fairest of Them All<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span lang="en-US">A fairytale revival is on the rise in recent years </span><span lang="en-US">judging from the increase of ‘re-imagined’ classic tales. This year we see not just one, but two </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Snow White</i></span><span lang="en-US"> adaptations, of which </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Snow White & the Huntsman </i></span><span lang="en-US">is the latest to hit the silver screen.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US"><br />Dark re-tellings are nothing new, but casting Charlize Theron as the evil </span><span lang="en-US">youth-sucking Queen Ravenna and Kristen Stewart as a </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Joan-of-Arc</i></span><span lang="en-US">-like Snow White is sure to raise a few eyebrows. And there’s also Chris Hemsworth as Thor… I mean, Eric the huntsman. In terms of screen presence, the three certainly have it in droves, but it is Theron who truly makes a mark. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">She undeniably sizzles and dominates every scene she’s in, and having her utter the iconic phrase “mirror, mirror on the wall, who is fairest of them all” will bring chills down your spine. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">With Stewart, it’s a different story altogether. While I am fond of the actress’ edginess seen in some of her films, there is no sign of it in Snow White. I’m not sure if it’s the screenwriter’s fault or the actress herself, but we don’t really get to know the princess much. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">Hemsworth however, despite not fully shaken-off his Odinson persona, is humorous and rather likable.</span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">Director Rupert Sanders attempts a dark, medieval fantasy setting as a backdrop to the age-old story, and it actually works. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">From the fascinating creatures of the Dark Forest to the quirkiness of the evil queen, everything was done with tremendous attention to detail. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">If there is one thing that the movie suffers from, it’s the lack of romance. Don’t get me wrong, the movie stays true to the classic fairytale, but there is a complete lack of love between Snow White and whoever it is she loves. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US">The infamous dwarves too could have been a tad more likable. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US"><i>Snow White and the Huntsm</i></span><span lang="en-US"><i>an</i></span><span lang="en-US"> isn’t perfect, but it still makes for an entertaining watch (especially Theron) and trumps </span><span lang="en-US"><i>Mirror Mirror</i></span><span lang="en-US"> in many ways.</span><br />
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3.5 Stars out of 5</div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-44227319147959815112012-05-21T10:54:00.000+08:002012-06-04T16:12:49.506+08:00Expect the ExpectedHaving a child is one of those bittersweet moments often portrayed in movies in two forms – comedic, or plain horrifying. What to Expect When Expecting is both. There has been a steady growth of ensemble movies of late, each with varying success. There was New Year's Eve earlier this year, The Avengers raking up the numbers in theatres and The Expendables coming soon. What to Expect When Expecting however, falls somewhat into the 'New Year’s Eve’ category. <br />
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The film has a rather respectable cast list, which features Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Dennis Quaid, Elizabeth Banks and Chris Rock among others. The central topic here is obviously pregnancy and having a baby, and the film explores different scenarios revolving around these characters. <br />
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As a comedy it was funny at parts, though some characters more than others. Banks was one of the standouts, and was consistently funny throughout the movie. The film does however, explore very real issues, like adoption, miscarriage and having a first child.<br />
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If there is a real problem with the movie, it's consistency. Many jokes were flat-out cliché and unfunny, while the storytelling style was choppy, or might I say sitcom-ish. <br />
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The intertwining storylines could have been better woven, instead of having it seem as if someone was flipping through various television channels randomly. The ensemble cast, despite being likable, can't seem to hide this flaw. <br />
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So unless you’re a big fan of them, it’s best to wait for this flick to hit the small screen.<br />
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2 Stars out of 5aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-43318557125706014092012-04-26T18:45:00.000+08:002012-05-01T18:56:06.605+08:00Earth's Marvel-lous HeroesAt long last, it’s finally here, the long-awaited fruit of Marvel’s grand scheme featuring the combined might of its 'Cinematic Universe' superheroes. A movie of this scale sounds like a potential disaster from the get go.<br />
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The Avengers unites Captain America (Chris Evans),<br />
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Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.),<br />
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Thor (Chris Hemsworth),<br />
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and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)<br />
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with S.H.I.E.L.D members Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson),<br />
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Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner),<br />
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Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg),<br />
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Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)...<br />
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...and the pleasant addition of Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders). <3<br />
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The stellar all-star cast is just the tip of the iceberg – juggling each character’s personality, screen time and not to mention cast ego is a superhuman feat in itself, yet some how Josh Whedon has done the impossible. <br />
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When Thor’s adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) brings forth catastrophe to our planet with the help of the Chitauri and a stolen Tesseract, it’s up to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to save the day.<br />
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Character interaction and banter is no doubt the highlight of The Avengers. As seen from their individual movies, each are heavyweights of their own and it shows as they fight among themselves as much as they do against baddies. However it’s when they manage to finally work together that the magic truly starts.<br />
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A huge fan-boy himself, Whedon has done a ‘Marvel’-lous job, combining four successful superhero franchises while pleasing both fans and newcomers alike. Despite the large ensemble cast, each gets their chance to shine without feeling forced.</div>
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The actors do a wonderful job in their roles, especially Rufallo who makes an excellent Bruce Banner. A surprise though, is the amount of laughs this movie presents, which will leave you in stitches. </div>
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Needless to say, the action is second to none and trust me you’ll have your jaws wide open through many scenes. From S.H.I.E.L.D’s signature Helicarrier (fan-boys rejoice!)...<br />
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...to the destruction of New York City, The Avengers will bring back memories of that unforgettable first viewing of Transformers.<br />
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The money shot I believe, would be a glorious single-take where you have the camera sweeping from one hero to another while each battle hordes of oncoming alien invaders – all in glorious 3D. </div>
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While it isn't compulsory to catch all five Marvel Cinematic Universe films prior to The Avengers, it would however, make the overall experience more satisfying as there are bits and pieces in reference to earlier events.<br />
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So go pick the cinema with the best 3D and sound, as The Avengers is truly summer entertainment at its finest!</div>
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5 out of 5 Stars</div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-28999963198153427532012-04-16T14:28:00.000+08:002012-04-17T14:32:24.033+08:00The Battle for Earth Begins at Sea<span lang="EN-US">Anything can inspire a movie these days - books, comics, action figures… but honestly, a classic board game? Although I had my doubts, I went ahead and watched Battleship with an open mind. After all, there have been four movies made based on a theme park ride.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">The movie centers on a certain Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch, minus his John Carter locks), who makes a mess out of his life doing things like getting tased attempting to get a chicken burrito for a girl he’s hitting on (who happens to be the commander's daughter). </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Concerned big brother Stone (Alexander Skarsgård) grows tired of all this and enlists him in the navy. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Fast-forward a few years and he’s a lieutenant trying to obtain his future father-in-law Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson)'s approval to marry his daughter. But all hell breaks loose when technologically superior aliens suddenly decide to target earth for colonisation. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">While there are enough loopholes to sink a battleship, the movie is simply 45,000 tonnes of fun. Watching alien warships readying ballistics, navy destroyers getting blown up and even a WWII battleship undergo an e-brake turn (no kidding!) will have you clinging to the edge of your seat. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">All this played to Steve Jablonsky's thumping score and music of AC/DC. The talking point I believe however will be how the filmmakers integrated the board-game into the movie, which nothing short of brilliant.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">While director Peter Berg might have a hint of Michael Bay's signature 'blow-em'-up' shooting style, he does pay a little more attention to characterisation. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">There isn't much action till about 45 minutes into the movie, and this allows the audience to connect to the core characters. There are also nice touches like how American and Japanese crewmen have to work together to take down an enemy. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Actual navy sailors and veterans were used as extras – former soldier and double amputee Gregory D. Gadson even gets a sizable role as Mick. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Another surprise would be R&B singer Rihanna, who actually wasn't bad in her debut acting role as Raikes. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Liam Neeson on the other hand, got pretty sidelined, and is probably laughing his way to the bank.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Catch it in Digital-2D is possible and do stay behind as there is an extra scene after the credits. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to line up for my second dose of Battleship...</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">4 out of 5 Stars</span></div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-74479017800105485302012-04-05T18:37:00.000+08:002012-04-10T18:50:02.753+08:00All Aboard, Once More...<div class="MsoNormal">
“You jump, I jump”. Even the mere mention of the iconic phrase immediately brings forward images of Titanic. Now, 15 years after its original release, we can once again re-live it in 3D. Re-released in conjunction with the 100<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the legendary ship’s sinking, director James Cameron went to great lengths to ensure that the Titanic 3D's conversion is top-notch. And top-notch it sure is.<br />
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A winner of eleven Oscars and three Grammys, the love story of a boy and a girl aboard an ill-fated vessel needs no introduction. Watching it again after all these years immediately washes away any doubt to why it was universally acclaimed. Despite being a decade and a half old, Titanic is every bit as epic as the day it left port.</div>
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Seeing it in 3D added a whole new dimension to the experience. The Titanic’s hallways have depth, its inner workings come alive and the tragic ending seemed all too real.<br />
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You feel like you’re on the ship, with her passengers, sharing their fate. All this seems amazing, given the fact that the film wasn’t intended to be in the third dimension. </div>
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If you liked it the first time (or fourth or fifth), it is certainly worth boarding Titanic again to re-live the magic in 3D. And for those who haven’t seen it on the big screen, what are you waiting for?<br />
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And in case you’re wondering – no, you won’t be seeing Jack draw Rose like one of his French girls in 3D.</div>
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4 out of 5 Stars</div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-47736208101406146392012-03-29T08:47:00.000+08:002012-04-10T14:32:30.511+08:00Feel the Wrath<span lang="EN-US">Poor reviews can’t keep a film from getting the sequel treatment these days. Despite an almost universal slamming by critics, money talks; so the phenomenal box-office success of 2010’s Clash of the Titans was enough to warrant a follow-up - Wrath of the Titans. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Saved from the burden of living up to previous material this time, the filmmakers get a chance to churn out an original tale. Set 10 years after the events of the first film, we learn that our hero Perseus (Sam Worthington) is now widowed and the sole caretaker of his son, Helius (we know nothing of what happened to Gemma Arterton’s Io). He soon learns from his father Zeus (Liam Neeson) that due to lack of devotion, the gods are losing power – and with it the Titans imprisoned behind the walls of Tartarus are unleashed. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">Now that's a pretty good excuse for a demigod to wield his sword once more.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If you liked Clash of the Titans, you'll feel right at home with this one. The filmmakers decided to maintain the same formula, albeit with more titans this time around. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">The use of 3D is a huge improvement over the infamous nausea-inducing treatment its predecessor received – possibly the best post-conversion work I've seen in recent times. The filmmakers plunge you into the depths of the underworld and have boulders fall at you in the process. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As expected in a movie of this genre, story telling takes a slight back seat, but prepare yourself for some rather neat twists (I won't spoil it for you). </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">And if it's action you're craving for, this film has it in titan-sized droves. Things are intense from front to back, so if you're in the mood for some casual Greek myth fun, you can't go wrong with this.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">3 1/2 out of 5 Stars</span></div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-67512802813046816972012-03-08T01:15:00.000+08:002012-04-10T16:24:56.225+08:00He Speaks for the TreesDespite all their good intentions, there has always been something about environmental-themed flicks that seems put people off. But when movie in question is based off one of Dr Seuss’ beloved books, it’s enough to warrant at least a look. And indeed Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax is worth a watch. <br />
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The film centers on young Ted (Zac Efron), who lives in the plastic-wrapped town of Thneedville, where everything is packaged, artificial and mass-produced. <br />
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Ted assumes everything has always been this way, and the main thing on his mind is impressing cute neighbour Audrey (Taylor Swift).<br />
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One day Audrey shows him a mural she painted. Unable to identify what he’s seeing, Ted asks what they are. “Trees” she says, real ones (as opposed to artificial ones found in town) and they used to grow everywhere. The quest to find a real tree leads Ted to find the Once-ler (Ed Helms) in the wastelands outside of town.<br />
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Upon finding him, Ted learns the truth of what happened to all the trees, and also of the Lorax (Danny DeVito) – guardian of the forest who ‘speaks for the trees’.</div>
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The first thing you’d notice about The Lorax is how darn colourful it is, even in 3D. It’s vibrant and cheerful, with every color of the rainbow used to the max. It’s filled with funny, fun characters and cute, singing animals (watch out for three adorable singing fishes!).<br />
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While obviously aimed at kids, one can’t help but smile and feel happy watching this flick. The cheerfulness is balanced with lots of gloom, but this works to the movie’s advantage where storytelling is concerned. With plenty of heart-warming songs and good messages it doesn’t feel as preachy as how some environmental-themed flicks go.<br />
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However one can’t help but notice that ‘The Lorax’ isn’t really much about the Lorax himself.</div>
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I believe The Lorax is one of the more under-hyped movies out there, and deserves more attention that it has received in the local box-office. It has funny, touching and joyful moments, is suitable for the whole family, and simply a joy to watch. If you need something to lift up your spirits, this is a good way to do so.</div>
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4 out of 5 Stars</div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-14313649344212471652012-02-28T19:00:00.000+08:002012-03-10T19:12:05.876+08:00Fiery Lunacy<br />
Every once in a while a movie comes along and makes you scratch your head speechless. Despite Nicholas Cage’s amusing portrayal of Marvel’s cursed fiery-haired anti-hero, the first Ghost Rider movie didn’t exactly receive rave reviews. So when news of a sequel surfaced, people started exclaiming “why?” but you also start wondering if second time’s the charm, or would it annihilate the movie franchise beyond rescue. <br />
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The story of Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance has our hero Johnny Blaze (Nicholas Cage hiding out in a remote part of Eastern Europe until out of the blue, a secret sect of the church wants him to protect a young boy from the Devil (Ciarán Hinds) – of course with the help of the ‘Rider’. What’s in it for him is that he may finally rid of his curse forever and need not become an unholy chain-wielding motorcyclist any longer. </div>
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The mundane plot is jam-packed with clichés and the effects were mostly hit or miss. However, Cage’s insane (literally) portrayal of the new, darker Rider is worth mention and is often the most entertaining part of the movie. Idris Elba also did a nice job as Moreau, a drunken French priest (don’t ask).<br />
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There is still humor scattered around and also a creepy villain in Blackout (Johnny Whitworth). A few notable over-the-top action sequences brings the excitement up a little (anything the rider rides bursts to flames!), although you may give the 3D-version a miss, as it was barely anything worth mentioning.</div>
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The movie isn’t bad; it’s just that with such a talented team behind the film, it could have been much more. Ghost Rider’s still ‘hell’-uva cool, but seeing him reduced to a babysitter job was simply depressing.</div>
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3 out of 5 Stars</div>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-44576707124663329572012-02-14T16:29:00.000+08:002012-02-17T17:37:52.076+08:00Tale as Old as TimeDespite being as old as time, some tales are simply timeless. Often regarded as one of Disney's finest, it's no wonder they picked Beauty and the Beast for a 3D re-release.<br />
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Watching this classic again brings back fond memories, and also reminded of how much I have forgotten. The story of a mighty beast who seeks true love in order to break the curse set upon him stays true to the original, but seeing it in HD-like digital clarity was truly refreshing.<br />
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The three-dimensional conversion worked rather well, and it's true what they say about 3D letting you notice things in the background, resulting in a rather unique experience. Some scenes might look slightly awkward due to the nature of hand-drawn animation, but perhaps I'm just nitpicking.<br />
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The money shot of course was as always, the ballroom scene.<br />
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Being a CGI set, it was the scene that lent itself best to 3D and it was truly a sight to behold. With Disney's staple of memorable songs and excellent storytelling, Beauty and the Beast is just as enjoyable as it was the day it hit theaters.<br />
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For many, this will be a chance to relive old memories and to the rest, a chance to catch a classic back on the big screen. Be sure to enter the hall early, as there is a neat little surprise before the movie starts.<br />
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5 out of 5 Starsaris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-21229836145205521732012-02-09T22:36:00.000+08:002012-02-16T23:26:17.264+08:00The Saga Returns... in 3D!It’s time to re-visit a tale set long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away; only this time we get to experience it in the third dimension.<br />
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The story’s the same as before – taking place decades before the original trilogy, we are introduced to Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd), young Jedi-to-be who will eventually grow up to become the deadliest Sith lord in the galaxy – Darth Vader. The visual effects (when it works) lent themselves rather well to a film that was never meant to be in Digital-3D.<br />
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While you’d be hard-pressed to spot the difference in certain areas, the selling point would undeniably be the pod-racing scene.<br />
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Fans would be pleased to know that George Lucas has decided to use an enhanced extended version, which in addition to the adrenalin-pumping speed and sound, features stuff like extra debris flying into the camera.<br />
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Lucas has exercised certain restraint in converting The Phantom Menace into 3D, resulting in an experience that is rather organic and unobtrusive, rather than ‘in-your-face’. Starships were especially effective and so were lightsaber duels and landscape like the Gungan underwater city.<br />
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I believe this would work better in future sequels, especially Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. For those new to the saga, what better way to dive into the rich world of Star Wars than on the big screen?<br />
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It was also fun seeing familiar faces like Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, Keira Kinghtley and Natalie Portman twelve years younger.<br />
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And to fans, trust me you don’t want to miss Darth Maul wielding his wicked double-bladed lightsaber in magnificent 3D!<br />
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4 Starsaris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-1042375248398013532012-01-18T22:58:00.000+08:002012-01-25T19:53:54.890+08:00Vampires vs Lycans vs HumansSelene fans rejoice as Kate Beckinsale finally returns to bring “cool” back to vampire-dom in Underworld Awakening.<br />
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In the successful franchise's fourth installment, the thousand-year-old vampire-Lycan (werewolf) war is given a new twist – humans have discovered the existence of the two species, and will stop at nothing to eradicate them both.<br />
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The world is also a very different place for Selene, having been captured and cryogenically-frozen by humans for 12 years. Thankfully, she hasn't lost any of her slick gun-blazing skills or trench coat-flapping coolness.<br />
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Easily the most action-packed of the series, Underworld Awakening also sees three-dimensional effects used to good measure in line with a pumping soundtrack to achieve quite a breathtaking experience. Storytelling however, seemed to have taken a back seat this time, with less exploration into the mythology and only a few new surprises in store.<br />
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Those unfamiliar to the franchise need not worry as a short prologue helps you quickly dive into the storyline. The squeamish however need not apply, as the movie is a neat no-holds-barred vampire-vs-Lycan gore-fest like previous installments. Fans who loved the previous films in the series should not miss more of their favourite blue-tinted uber-stylish fun.<br />
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4 out of 5 Starsaris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-12945602131646627712011-12-08T01:51:00.000+08:002011-12-15T10:11:47.261+08:00Chipwrecked ChipmunksThose helium-infused, furry little critters are back! Love or loathe them, there's no denying the success of the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise, which has grown from strength-to-strength with each installment, earning hundreds of millions of dollars in the process. With such a successful formula, it's only inevitable that the producers come up with yet another sequel - Alvin and the Chipmunks 3.<br />
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This time we find our favourite singing rodents on board a cruise ship with their manager/father figure Dave Seville (Jason Lee). Given Alvin's (Justin Long) notoriety for mischief, it wasn't long before havoc is wrecked.<br />
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The chipmunks (all six of them!) get blown off the ship via a kite and get 'chipwrecked' off a remote island. Things don't go too well for Dave either, who gets thrown overboard. And to make it worse, he's stuck with ex-producer and main protagonist Ian Hawke (David Cross) dressed in a pelican suit. Stuck on opposite sides of the island, they also encounter the peculiar cast away Zoe (Jenny Slate), who's been stuck there for far too long.<br />
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Being stranded on an island is actually quite refreshing to the storyline as he focus this time is less on the little critters competing and more on working together to survive and escape.<br />
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There are some good lessons learnt and plenty of laughs as we get to see some of the chipmunks in a different light. The chipmunks were clearly the star of the show and get quite a few numbers, albeit more contemporary than in previous films. Alvin and Brittany (Christina Applegate) develop a rivalry while there is a cute budding romance between Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Jeanette (Anna Faris).<br />
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Simon later switches to French alter ego "Simone" after being bitten by a spider while Theodore (Jesse McCartney) continues to get the most "awww"s from the audience due to his adorableness (especially when he's imagining Jungle Monster 4).<br />
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Dave and Ian do have a few good lines and certainly add well to the comedy. The two hold their own rather well, especially since there aren't many live-action actors. Zoe on the other hand, I found tremendously annoying. I'm not sure if her acting was awful or was she asked to act that way, but she was just a pain to watch, especially with her unfunny "balls" which were obvious references to Tom Hank's 'Wilson' in Cast Away. <br />
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Visually however, the movie was bright and colorful, with plenty of sea, jungle and beaches than you can shake a stick at. Wait till that climax suspense scene which seemed to have been hilariously added just to show-off some extra visual effects. The chipmunks themselves seemed to have gone through some enhancements too, as I fancy they were far more detailed this time around. With all that's going on, it's a little odd that this flick wasn't offered in 3D.<br />
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It isn't hard to see who the producers of the film were targeting. The story is inoffensive, the villains aren't too scary and the songs they sing are mostly chart-topping pop tunes that include 'Bad Romance' and 'Survivor'. You could even sense the dialogue is written in a way that will help younger viewers understand better. Children will lap this up easily while older folks might require further convincing.<br />
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Parents however will be relieved as there are fewer and fewer 'family-friendly' flicks these days. If you could ignore the occasional bad acting (come to think about it, the ship's captain was terrible!) and couple of roll-eye moments by the chipmunks, this is one fun-filled flick the whole family can catch without much trouble.<br />
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Stick around after the movie for plenty of extras during the credits. <br />
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2 1/2 Stars (out of 5)aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-33218902756892987242011-12-07T21:33:00.000+08:002011-12-12T01:21:26.148+08:00Early HangoverOh gosh, it's Valentine's Day all over again. Directed by the same guy (Garry Marshall), I figured they must have reshuffled the plot and gave it a new title. Heck, they even included some of the same cast and hoped we wouldn't notice. That was exactly my first impression upon laying my eyes on the trailer of New Years Eve. So was it a rehash of the said movie? Read on to find out.<br />
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Centering around the theme of New Year's Eve (obviously), we are introduced to people from various walks of life and how they face the looming start of a new year. We start off with pressure-ridden Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank), who needs to get the ball (which is unfortunately stuck for some reason) to drop at Times Square by midnight, or she'll have her job on the line. There's also Stan Harris (Robert de Niro), a terminally ill patient who's dying wish is to just see that same ball drop one last time, which unfortunately isn't allowed by his caretaker Nurse Aimee (Halle Berry). Performing at the New Year Ball, we have rock-star Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi) who's also seeking forgiveness from his past love Laura (Katherine Heigl), who happens to be the head chef for the exact same event.<br />
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Other than that there's disgruntled middle-aged Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) who hopes to complete her radical new year's resolution list with the help of her bubbly runner Paul (Zac Efron). At the same time overprotective mother Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker) is dead-set on not letting her daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin) go out to enjoy the festivities with her boyfriend. There's also a couple of soon-to-be-parents set on out-doing each-other to be the first to deliver a baby in the hospital in order to win a big cash prize. And guess what, that's not even the whole list of characters, which also include among others Ryan Seacrest, Ludacris, Russell Peters, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele and Josh Duhamel.<br />
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Feel like there's too much going on? Well that's precisely the case. The sheer amount of big name presence coupled with various scenarios may seem overwhelming at first, but as each one runs its course it isn't that hard to follow. Just like Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve runs numerous story-lines that cross upon one another. However despite the number of A-listers and Oscar winners, the movie comes as a tad predictable. You could sense the stars giving it their best shot, but there's only so much they can do with such limited material to work on. Some certainly work better than others. Ashton Kutcher was in character as a young new year-hating comic artist, but then again he's just doing what he does best. It was interesting seeing him getting stuck in a lift with Lea Michele's character. The competing-parents scenario was excruciating while the mother-daughter one will make your eyes roll.<br />
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Halle Berry and Katherine Heigl had favourable performances, only spoiled somewhat by their mismatched counterparts. I certainly liked Michelle Pfeiffer and Zac Efron's story as the mismatched duo do various funny and oddball things to complete their list.<br />
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The theme of New Year's Eve is mostly love and compassion, but sadly none of the stories seem pushed to their full potential, resulting in a lack of impact. There were also a number of really funny parts during the film and it helped balance things up. And if there's one thing the filmmakers got right, it's the singing.<br />
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Having two singers in the mix, it'd be a crime not to have the two - Jon Bon Jovi and Lea Michele - sing a few numbers. And boy did they sing well. Too bad it's just not enough to save a film that is just a huge compilation of movie plots you've seen before.<br />
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New Year's Eve isn't a bad movie - it's sweet, but just rather average, like how Valentine's Day was. If you're in it just for the celebrities, then this is for you. But if you're expecting a good plot or storyline, best to look elsewhere. While there aren't many 'New Year' movies around, catch this only if there are no other rom-coms to bring your significant other to. If not, best wait for the inevitable DVD release.<br />
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2 1/2 Stars (out of 5)aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-6336233926407971442011-12-02T01:25:00.001+08:002011-12-02T14:23:44.037+08:00Brewin' Lunch with WyeenHad a nice and simple lunch with Wyeen at Chef & Brew recently as a belated birthday treat (also cause she hasn't tried it before teehee).<br />
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We both had pasta, hers was Turkey Ham Olio Spaghetti while mine was Smoked Duck Olio Spaghetti. Pretty good value for the price I must say. <br />
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Messed up the settings on some of the shots though (guess I haven't been shooting much lately).<br />
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Some had too narrow depth-of-field or wrong focus points (sorry Shneeps, but you still look lovely and photogenic as always, will take better ones next time aye)<br />
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Perhaps I should do a review of this place someday~<br />
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PEACE & God Bless,<br />
Aris Teearis teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-42573533125365002362011-11-24T18:11:00.001+08:002011-11-30T20:18:47.090+08:00Happily Ever After?Fans are rejoice and haters seek cover as the fourth installment of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight saga is here. Wedding bells fill the air and smiles are everywhere as we finally bear witness to the long-awaited union of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. Surely this must be the happy ending to the story? Well, far from it actually. In Breaking Dawn: Part 1, we learn that forever after is only the beginning...<br />
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I'm sure by now haters will just not bother while fans will be waiting to catch it irregardless of reviews. Twilight's film franchise has grown from strength-to-strength, and with favourable reviews for Eclipse, expectations are high for the adaptation of the final book, Breaking Dawn. Split into two sections due to its length, we will be treated to Part 1 first, followed by Part 2 next year. <br />
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So we start off with Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) finally tying the knot with a grand wedding as poor Jacob (Taylor Lautner) can only watch.<br />
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The newly-wed couple then go honeymoon-ing off Rio in Brazil and after exhaustive persuasion, Edward agrees to make love to Bella in her human form. All's fun and laughter until the impossible happens - Bella gets pregnant. The unborn baby then starts a chain of havoc. Edward and Jacob want to get rid of it quick as it may actually kill her by draining from within, while the Quileute wolf clan wish to kill Bella to rid off the fetus, which they believe is a demon that will unleash terror upon the clan and folks of Forks - ending the peaceful treaty they have with the Cullens. Yet Bella wishes to keep the baby, irregardless of the consequences. With all the tension mounting, how exactly will this end?<br />
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First off, this installment marks a departure from the TV-movie feel the film franchise had since the beginning. With improved cinematography, the movie looks and feels great. Fans wishing to know how the much-anticipated wedding scene turns out may sigh in relief as it is nothing short of beautiful. With the lush romantic setting, heart-tugging music and that oh-so-gorgeous wedding dress, it will bring many a tear to viewers.<br />
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In my opinion, it was good that they showed this highlight, as it contrasts well with the tense scenes that follow later. There were also many nods to the book (which fans will have fun spotting) and even a blink-and-miss cameo by Meyer herself.<br />
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Acting-wise, it's pretty much the same, although it's evident that the actors were getting more comfortable and confident in their roles now. Kristen Stewart deserves special mention here as it was pretty much her that keeps the film together this time.<br />
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The emphasis on Bella in Breaking Dawn - her nervousness in getting married, losing her virginity, facing pregnancy and determination to deliver her child no matter what - is all portrayed with such believability. And wait till you see how she looks when pregnant! I'm glad Stewart's finally getting the chance to truly spread her wings in this movie. As for Edward and Jacob, they seemed a little less restrained this time while the rest, particularly Charlie Swan (Billy Burke) and the gorgeous Alice Cullen (Ashley Greene) seemed to have been fully absorbed into their characters. I rather enjoyed the fact that the other humans, vampires and wolves received more screen time too.<br />
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There are also notably more laughs this time around and that quite balances the serious tone the film undertakes later on.<br />
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It should be warned too, that due to our censorship guidelines an important scene gets snipped... TWO scenes in fact. The second was cut-out almost entirely, so you'll be left trying to figure out what just happened, although I believe the ending pretty much explains it to you if you pay attention. There's really not exactly much of a choice here, but I really am curious as Breaking Dawn: Part 1 gets a PG-13 rating in the States, just as it does here.<br />
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The storyline on the other hand, or rather evident lacking of it in the middle, does affect the pacing a little.<br />
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The honeymoon chapter seemed never-ending, enough to even make you wonder if they stretched this in order to make two movies possible, but I was told that this was a part described in much detail in the book. Do check out the neat chess metaphor though.<br />
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Things also happen rather predictably, and if you've seen the trailer, you can pretty much know what to expect. Most is forgiven though, due to the brilliant second half, which blends tension with anticipation, coupled with the aforementioned performance by Stewart. It all leads up to an well-laid, heart-thumping ending which will leave you hungering for the next, and final installment of the saga. Bring on Breaking Dawn: Part 2!<br />
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And oh, stick around a while after the credits or else you'll miss the ending.<br />
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3 1/2 Stars (out of 5)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="299" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ByXGsu7aAR8?hd=1" width="530"></iframe>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-76062380846151559192011-11-16T15:02:00.001+08:002011-11-18T10:00:41.747+08:003D Shark FeastName a creature that makes you not wanna go into the water and I'm very sure the word 'shark' appears at least within the Top-3 of the list. So much is misunderstood about these beautiful creatures to the point that an average person believes every shark species will look at them as sushi. While much of this can be attributed to Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws', the latest shark-flick Shark Night 3D isn't planning to change that perception.<br />
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Shark Night 3D tells a tale of Sara (Sara Paxton) who has her friends over at her family's lake-side house to celebrate her friend Malik's (<b style="font-weight: normal;">Sinqua Wall) good results with the help of protagonist Nick (</b><b style="font-weight: normal;">Dustin Milligan) as his tutor. </b><br />
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=43.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/43.jpg" /></a><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=21.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/21.jpg" /></a> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">So here come a whole bunch of good-looking individuals that even include American Idol finalist Katherine McPhee having a fun time at a remote lake-house. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">Things go awry almost right away as they get attacked by various sharks (yup there's more than one breed) in the salt-water lake. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">And of course their only method of escape gets blown up in the most spectacularly unlikely manner.</b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/1.jpg" /></a> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">To add to the mess are locals </b>Red (<b style="font-weight: normal;">Joshua Leonard) and </b><b style="font-weight: normal;">Sara's ex-boyfriend </b>Dennis (<b style="font-weight: normal;">Chris Carmack</b>), who are just too disturbingly creepy to not be ruled out with having something up their sleeves themselves.<br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">First off, it's no secret that the film is a B-grade Jaws rip-off... in 3D. Good thing it doesn't try to be something it's not. With a title like Shark Night 3D, you pretty much get what you expect (the film was almost called "Untitled 3D Shark Thriller).</b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"> There's the usual 'innocent-victim-gets-killed' intro (albeit pretty cliche by now), a pretty cast with minimal clothing, some killer sharks and you'll even easily guess who-dies-and-who-doesn't. </b><br />
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=40.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/40.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">Too bad Piranha 3D did all this a whole lot better. For a water-based horror flick, there isn't much suspense, nor enough skin or gore for that matter. </b><br />
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=4.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/4.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">It feels like a rather toned-down creature-flick even for a person who gets freaked out by horror films like me.</b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=44.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/44.jpg" /></a></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">However, Shark Night 3D does have some good things going on for it. The bunch of unknowns playing the various characters were actually pretty decent in the acting department and also rather likable. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">But it's just hilarious how the film-makers went to great lengths finding numerous ways to get these people into the water. </b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=33.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/33.jpg" /></a> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">I also found it kinda funny that the resident nerd, Nick's gamer roommate </b>Gordon (<b style="font-weight: normal;">Joel David Moore) was actually hanging out with a group that looked like they belonged to modeling magazines. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=39.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/39.jpg" /></a></b><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=11.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/11.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">And oh, Sara Paxton is just so totally hawt in every single scene (plus she's in a lil blue bikini almost the whole time). </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">The sharks were pretty alright too, having a variety of species instead of stereotypically just one was </b><b style="font-weight: normal;">a nice touch</b><b style="font-weight: normal;"> - this included bulls, tigers (albeit oddly shown as sand-tigers instead), hammerheads and </b><b style="font-weight: normal;">the all-famous great whites</b><b style="font-weight: normal;">. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=8.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/8.jpg" /></a> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">Some love were even given to the cookiecutter, a childhood favourite of mine (feel free to Google them up). Despite the occasionally-dodgy CGi, the use of 3D in this flick was pretty good, and many will give you jumps - debris fall onto you and </b><b style="font-weight: normal;">sharks jump out of the screen</b><b style="font-weight: normal;">. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=48.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/48.jpg" /></a> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">And as an added bonus, if you're not a fan of Katharine McPhee, you get to see her get munched-up as shark-snack.</b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=41.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/41.jpg" /></a></b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">The story however, borders on the absolute ridiculous. The twist halfway is so nonsensical that makes you wonder if the film-makers were trying too hard explaining a shark-infested salt-water lake scenario. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=42.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/42.jpg" /></a> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">This is made worse by some scenes that are just absurd, like how one guy is out hunting sharks just moments after he was seen almost dying from losing an arm, blood-loss and shock. </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=17.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/17.jpg" /></a> </b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">With a few changes and a slightly bigger budget, this could have been a much better film. The camera angles used were pretty alright, and often gave sufficient suspense to scenes. It is still a rather fun flick, after all how can you not enjoy watching hot young peeps turning into shark food in friggin' 3D?</b><br />
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<a href="http://s19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/?action=view&current=27.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b200/raptorclans/Blog/20111117%20Shark%20Night%203D/27.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">And oh, do stick around till after the credits for an extra that's as ridiculous as the movie's plot.</b><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;">3 Stars (out of 5)</b>aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10454244.post-1324692130018436382011-11-07T20:09:00.002+08:002011-11-16T17:48:54.777+08:00When Time is EverythingThese days, our everyday lives are filled with monotonousness. Often it's the same deal working from day to day, earning our little salaries. Like they say money makes the world go around, right? But what if our everyday lives depended on something else... something a little more basic like... time? That's exactly the scenario in the action thriller In Time.<br />
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In In Time, the currency that makes the world go around is time. Yes time, the same one we stare at watches and clocks. You see, in the far future, humans are genetically-engineered to the point that they stop aging once they reach the age of 25. Basically meaning you'll get to look young and pretty forever. But that's also when your 'clock' starts. <br />
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You'll have to 'earn' your time like how we earn money, and every form of expense is in measurements of time. If your clock runs out, you die. Simple as that. Avoids overpopulation they say...<br />
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So Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) is just your average joe with an insanely hot mum (Olivia Wilde) who lives his life day-by-day. <br />
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One day he unknowingly inherits a fortune's worth of time and is thus hunted by corrupted time police called 'Timekeepers'. Upon exploring his new-found 'wealth', he stumbles across rich tycoon Philippe Weis (Vincent Kartheiser) and is introduced to his hawt... i mean rebellious... daughter Sylvia (Amanda Seyfried). <br />
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The two then later decide to turn full-on rebellious (oh, forgot to mention his hawt mum timed-out before he could share his century's worth of time) and go all Robin Hood with the time system.<br />
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Undeniably, In Time has a great idea going on. The concept of 'time is money' is utilised rather well, and we are shown how almost every part of our daily life is affected by it. However the film somehow loses it's way a little around two-thirds of the way and ends in a rather ambiguously unsatisfying manner. And is it just me or does everyone hybrid-converted drive vintage American muscle cars? Except our hero who instead drives a cool Jaguar E-Type which must be really ancient by that time. However the film it is still very enjoyable, as the mood, setting and action will keep you glued to the screen. Justin Timberlake was surprisingly not bad and Amanda Seyfried was simply stunning. <br />
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Perhaps they should have gone easy with the whole cat and mouse game, which gets tiring when the duo is chased by Timekeeper (Cillian Murphy) for the umpteenth time. <br />
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If you can ignore these little shortcomings, In Time is still a fun sci-fi flick with a creative concept and plenty of good-looking 20-somethings. And you can't go wrong with that.<br />
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3 Stars (out of 5)aris teehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403199089674845122noreply@blogger.com0