Movie Review-Hotel Deluxe(百星酒店)

Release Date: 07 Feb 2013--->Watch on 11 February 2013 (Sunday), 4.20pm at GSC, Berjaya Times Square
Language: Cantonese
Subtitle: Chinese / English / Malay
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 93 minutes
Director: Vincent Kuk
Cast: Ronald CHENG, Teresa MO, Sandra NG, Chapman TO, Fiona SIT, Raymond WONG, Lynn XIONG, Karena NG, Eric Kot, Jim Chim

My Penny of View: There were a group of workers in a five stars hotel that having a very good teamwork. One day, their new manager took over the operation of the hotel and wanted to implement new policy. At the same time, mysterious hotel detective came to define the rating of the hotel. Who is the hotel detective? Will they able to maintain the five stars rating?

Another CNY movie for you to choose during the CNY break. The story is so so but I think some of the jokes are quite funny, but doesn't have much meaning. Long time didn't see the action of Teresa Mo (毛舜筠) and Sandra Ng (吳君如). I like their acting and both of them become prettier compare with last time. It's a fun movie to watch during CNY.

Rating : ★★☆☆☆

Movie Review-I Love Hong Kong 2013(我愛香港)

Release Date: 10 Feb 2013--->Watch on 10 February 2013 (Sunday), 5.45pm at GSC, Paradigm Mall
Language: Cantonese
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 98 minutes
Director: Chung Shu-Kai
Cast: Alan Tam, Veronica Yip, Natalis Chan, Eric Tsang, Stanley Fung, Bosco Wong, Michael Tse, Kate Tsui, Joyce Cheng

My Penny of View: On the Chinese New Year eve, Sung Chi Hung was going to have earlier reunion lunch with family because of his restaurant business. His family was trying to persuade him to sell of the restaurant because of too much of debt and the reunion lunch became unpleasant ending. Later Ha Sek Sam cheated Sung to sell his restaurant to him. When Sung intended to commit suicide, he met Angel and they flashed back to old time stories. What is the stories behind of Sung and Ha? Is he manage to overcome his financial crisis?

Watching CNY movie during CNY is enjoyable especially with your family. Everybody is busy with work and life, CNY is the best time to gather to do something together. This is also become my family traditional for every year. This is the third installment of I Love Hong Kong series, I think this is better than last year movie, but the best still the first one. Besides the familiar faces from TVB, the story is pretty touching and align with the CNY theme. The movie is fun and entertaining. Not those lame jokes. Besides that, Veronica Yap (叶玉卿) that long time didn't appear at big screen made the special appearance. I saw Eric Tsang in One Hotel the other day when he was here to promote this movie.

Rating : ★★★☆☆

Churp Churp & Nuffnang Screening-A Good Day To Die Hard

Thanks to Churp Churp and Nuffnang for free tickets.

Release Date: 07 Feb 2013--->Watch on 06 February 2013 (Wedneesday), 9pm at TGV, One Utama
Language: English
Subtitle: Chinese / Malay
Genre: Action / Thriller
Running Time: 96 minutes
Director: John Moore
Cast: Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney and Amaury Nolasco

My Penny of View: John, a police officer that on vacation traveled to Russia to rescue his son, Jack that has been arrested. During the court trial, an explosion occurred in from the of the courthouse and caused chaos. Jack took the chance to escape and he brought government whistleblower, Yuri Komarov along. John arrived at the explosion scene and get involved in the whole car chasing and shooting incident. When they successfully got rid of Alik and his gang, they went to safe house. Then revealed that Jack was working for CIA and Komarov was holding an important file that needed by CIA. Will Jack able to accomplish his mission? How's the incident affects the relationship between John and Jack?

What you will be expecting from Die Hard? Gun shooting and pack with exciting fighting scenes. However, this movie seems like lack of some 'power' and less chemistry of combination of father and son. The car chasing scene is memorable and heart stirring but others movie plots just fine. Overall, the movie is an action-packed movie with entertaining ending but lack of surprises.

Rating : ★★★☆☆

Nuffnang Screening-Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters

Thanks to Nuffnang and Jeff for free tickets.

Release Date: 24 Jan 2013--->Watch on 22 January 2013 (Tuesday), 9pm at TGV, One Utama
Language: English
Subtitle: Chinese / Malay
Genre:Action / Comedy / Horror
Running Time: 92 minutes
Director: Tommy Wirkola
Cast: Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Peter Stormare

My Penny of View: Young Hansel and Gretel were abandoned by their father in forest. They entered a gingerbread house and caught by a witch. Hansel was forced to continue eating candy while Gretel was forced to set up the oven. With great chemistry between Hansel and Gretel, the witch trapped inside the oven and cooked until die. Ever since, Hansel and Gretel became witch hunters due to both of them immune to spells and curses naturally. However, Hansel gotten diabetic due to the candy incident and he needed to inject insulin everyday. They worked for money and one day they arrived at a town called Augsburg and many kids abducted by witches. What is the motive behind the abduction? Will Hansel and Gretel able to save the kids and take down the evil witches?

I like to watch this kind of fairy tale movie with attack of dark forces and some action scenes. But as the result the movie is below my expectations. I guess maybe because of the main actors or probably the action was not exciting enough. It was quite entertaining with black comedy. Another reason why this is a so-so movie is the story line is predictable, no surprise. I guess to have better view on a movie next time, maybe we should not watch the trailer before the movie to lower down our expectations.

Rating : ★★★☆☆

Movie Review-Les Miserables(2D)

Release Date: 24 Dec 2012--->Watch on 18 January 2013 (Friday), 9pm at GSC, Mid Valley
Language: English
Subtitle: Chinese / Malay
Genre: Drama / Musical
Running Time: 160 minutes
Director: Tom Hooper
Cast:Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Helena Bonham Carter

My Penny of View: Jean Valjean has been released after served 19 years of prison for stealing bread and he would be on parole. Prison guard, Javert has an eye on him. Valjean traveled from town to town but he couldn't secure a job for living due to he was on parole. One day, he was offered food and shelter by a bishop but he stole his silvers when he wanted to leave. Later, Valjean caught by the local authorities but the bishop informed that the silvers were gift to Valjean. From that moment, Valjean swore he will start a whole new honest life with new identity; but he broke his parole later on. Javert didn't let go of Valjean for escaped from parole and still finding him from every single corner of the world. What will happen to Valjean? Will Javert manage to find Valjean?

This is a musical film, which means they sing for every single words. There are 3 parts of the movie, first when Valjean was a prisoner, second part was when Valjean met Fantine and third part was when grown up Cosette met her love. However, Javert has been chasing Valjean from the beginning of the movie until the end. The development of story was well structured and the features of the characters changed according to era. A lot of great actors were starring in this movie which including Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe. I can't recognize Hugh Jackman in the beginning because he was so skinny with large eye bag. I heard that Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway purposely lose weight to carry the character that they play. You can see they are such a professional actors. It's a enjoyable movie with great songs, actors and story.

Rating : ★★★★★

Churp Churp & Nuffnang Screening-Mama

Thanks to Churp Churp and Nuffnang for free tickets.

Release Date: 17 Jan 2013--->Watch on 15 January 2013 (Tuesday), 9pm at TGV, One Utama
Language: English
Genre: Horror / Thriller
Running Time: 100 minutes
Director: Andy Muschietti
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Megan Charpentier, Isabelle Nelisse

My Penny of View: A business man failed in his business, he killed his business partner and wife. He went back home and brought his two daughters, Victoria and Lily away with intention to kill both of them later he will commit suicide. He was driving dangerously on the slippery road and the car slid into woods. All of them survived and they went to a cabin nearby. When the man was pointing the gun at Victoria's head, a dark shadow pulled and killed him. The two girls survived in the cabin beside fireside and cherry provided by mysterious figure. Five years later, the rescue team that sponsored by Victoria and Lily's uncle found the abandoned cabin and the girls. They were alive but with weird and animal alike behavior. Are they still human or monster? How exactly the two small girls survive for the past five years?

It's suppose to be a spooky mysterious movie and end up I think it's quite touching, because Mama actually is a mother that miss her children too much and she can't leave the world peacefully. Mama doesn't have bad intention in the beginning because she saved the two girls from being killed by their father and she took care of them. Just Mama became mad due to jealousy of the person that treated both girls sincerely. The graphic of Mama was pretty cool and not that scary. After all, the whole movie is visually enjoyable with fine ending.

Rating : ★★★☆☆

Movie Review-The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Release Date: 13 Dec 2012--->Watch on 05 January 2013 Saturday), 2.30pm at TGV, Kepong Prima
Language: English
Subtitle: Chinese / Malay
Genre: Action / Adventure
Running Time: 169 minutes
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Graham McTavish, Ken Stott, Aidan Turner, Dean O'Gorman, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Peter Hambleton, Andy Serkis

My Penny of View: Long time ago, when Dwarf Thror was the King of Lonely Mountain and he brought prosperous to the people, until the attack of Smaug the Dragon. As the result, the whole kingdom collapsed and the people lived in disaster. On the other hand, Bilbo was a young hobbit and he was tricked by wizard, Gandalf to host a party for Thorin and his company of Dwarves. They were on the mission to retake back Lonely Mountain from Smaug the Dragon. Later, Bilbo has been recruited as "burglar" to steal treasure from Smaug the Dragon. Bilbo joined the company unwillingly and they have started their unexpected journey. Will they succeed?

If you are fans of Lord of The Ring, definitely you are familiar with some of the characters in this movie. Hobbit is a very important character in LOTR because he is the one gotten the mysterious ring form Gollum. Besides hobbit, there are elves, dwarf, wizard and others; so many special characters and I think the only way to differentiate all of them is by size and appearance. The movie doesn't have an ending, the almost 2.5 hours movie is all about the traveling from Shire to the bottom of Lonely Mountain. I guess it will going to be a sequel movie whether they successful to take down the Smaug the Dragon.

Rating : ★★★★☆

Churp Churp Screening-Parental Guidance

Thanks to Churp Churp and Jeff for free tickets.

Release Date: 03 Jan 2013--->Watch on 02 January 2013 (Wednesday), 9.30pm at Cathay Cineplex, e@Curve
Language: English
Subtitle: Chinese / Malay
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 104 minutes
Director: Andy Fickman
Cast: Billy Crystal, Bette Midler, Marisa Tomei, Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush

My Penny of View: Artie and Diane was a funky couple. One day, her daughter asked them to take care of her children due to run out of resources while she and her husband went for a gateway. Artie and Diane quickly agreed with the suggestion and they wanted to prove that they were capable in taking care of their grandchildren. Eldest granddaughter, Harper was tense with violin audition, elder grandson, Turner was having language disability problem and youngest grandson was naughty and cheeky. Will Artie and Diane manage to take care of their grandchildren?

This is a family oriented movie and story line is easy to catch with laughter. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler are great actors. The combination of wonderful actors and children enlightened the movie. It's a sweet and loving family movie but lack of surprises and some of the jokes pretty lame, but the children are very cute and good in acting.

Rating : ★★☆☆☆

Nuffnang Screening-Jack Reacher

Thanks to Nuffnang for free tickets.

Release Date: 20 Dec 2012--->Watch on 18 December 2012 (Tuesday), 9pm at GSC, Tropicana City Mall
Language: English
Subtitle: Chinese / Malay
Genre: Crime / Drama
Running Time: 130 minutes
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog, David Oyelowo and Robert Duvall

My Penny of View: Story began with a man drove into a parking lot. After paid the parking, he took out his sniper riffle and aimed the opposite recreation park. Then the situation turned out as five persons killed randomly and the man ran away. After the incident, very soon police discovered the finger print on the coin to pay for parking was belonged to James Barr and they went to arrest him. During detention, James refused to say anything but only asked for Jack Reacher. Jack was a drifter and former U.S. Army Military Police Corps officer. When the officers were scratching head where to find Jack, suddenly he appeared in the police station after he saw the news that James has been arrested. Unfortunately, James was in coma situation due to attack by fellow inmates. Jack believed James was innocent and he wanted to find out the truth for James. Will he success to do so?

The storyline pretty exciting with unexpected plots. The person you thought is your friend or love one, end up is the person that betray you. However, it was slightly draggy with too much of explanations. I still prefer Tom Cruise action in Mission Impossible. He still young and handsome as usual but the movie can be more heart-stirring if there is more difficult action scenes.

Rating : ★★★☆☆

Churp Churp Screening-Life of Pi (3D)

Thanks to Churp Churp for free tickets.

Release Date: 29 Nov 2012--->Watch on 27 November 2012 (Tuesday), 9pm at GSC, One Utama
Language: English
Subtitle: Chinese / Malay
Genre: Adventure / Drama
Running Time: 125 minutes
Director: Ang Lee
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Irrfan Khan and Tabu

My Penny of View: There was a boy named himself 'Pi'. His family owned a zoo and considered one of the wealthy family in India. They have a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. When Pi's father found an opportunity in Canada, he decided to sell the zoo and move the family to Canada. They brought the animals on the ship to sell the animals in Canada. One night, when there was a storm, Pi has been separated with his family. He watched helplessly at the ship sank and killed his family and the crew. After the storm, he found himself on a lifeboat with injured zebra and orangutan. Later, hyena emerged from the tarp and killed both zebra and orangutan. Suddenly, Richard Parker appeared from the tarp and killed hyena. Then, left only Pi and Richard Parker on the lifeboat. What will happen to both of them? Will Pi survive?

Life of Pi is based on Yann Martel's 2001 novel of the same name and directed by Ang Lee. Although it's a lengthy movie, but it was well structured with exciting plots. It was about two individuals that try to survive in the middle of ocean and by default this two individuals are naturally enemies. Yes, in the end Pi and Richard Parker survived but they are back to their natural characters after back to reality. There are many implications after watching this movie. Two different endings illustrated by Pi but depends on you, which one you will like to hear it. Some rather believe the human version and some prefer the animal version. I think there is no Richard Parker in reality, and Richard Parker is Pi. The morale of the story is we will do anything to survive. The story leave it it to us to imagine the truth and the ending. What I enjoy the most, is the visualization. The effects and colors are amazingly beautiful and cool. This movie must watch in digital version.

Rating : ★★★★☆