Hearty Paws - A Touching Movie That Will Draw Tears from Dog Lovers

Thanks to the train fault during peak hours earlier this morning, i managed to complete watching an old 2006 Korean movie known as "Hearty Paws".

I was anticipating a light-hearted comedy with an animal theme and wasn't at all prepared to fight back my tears every now and then on the crowded train (i must have attracted quite a number of weird looks)!

In addition to the marvelous performance by Yoo Seung-Ho, the 13 year-old actor and Dolly, the loyal Labrador retriever, i must say i was most impressed with the acting skills of Kim Hyang-Gi, the very cute 6 year-old actress.

There's another reason why i am so drawn to Hyang-Gi; her haunting similarity to my niece Jovyn (her antics and especially her adorable cheeks)! 

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Very Brief Summary [includes spoilers]

A young pair of brother and sister were abandoned by their mom (status of dad was unknown; likely dead) and to please his sister for her birthday, the boy stole a Labrador puppy. Puppy grew up and although barely self sustaining, life was somewhat happy until the day when the sister drowned in a lake [tearjerker scene #1]. 

Boy blamed the dog and left alone for Pusan city to find his mom (effectively leaving the dog to fend for himself). Dog faithfully followed the boy via the railway tracks, found him yet was totally ignored. Boy found the mom but could not bring himself to tell her that her daughter has passed away. Furthermore, the mom was already planning to leave for the states. 

The boy left and was picked up by a syndicate that used children to make money. At this point, you could roughly guess that bad things happen and the dog, while trying to protect the boy, was badly injured and eventually passed away [tearjerker scene #2].

What i have written above could not reflect the touching story in its actuality and i would strongly recommend that you catch the movie on youtube (which i have faithfully appended above for your viewing pleasure)! 

Countdown - Be Prepared to Confess @ Golden Village Plaza Singapura

To cut the story short, i was invited to register for a preview of a Thai horror movie and i was successful!! Yippeee! As close friends would know, i am a fan of the horror genre!!!

Before i start with my review, maybe you could just give the above video player a click to check out the trailer and have a rough idea of what to expect.

Official Synopsis
4... 3... 2... 1... No matter where you are, everyone in the world is looking forward to the countdown to New Years Day, which includes 3 Thai teens in New York City. They are roommates. 

Jack is a rich kid from Thailand who lies to his parents that he’s in NYC to study, where in reality he is actually spending their money on a daily basis just to have fun. Pam, a materialistic girl who would do anything to impress others and finally, Bee, Jack’s girlfriend, who has yet to reveal to anyone why she came to NYC in the first place. 

The 3 friends want to have a NYE party to remember, so Jack calls Jesus, a drug dealer, to drop off some stuff to their apartment so they can celebrate the end of the year in style. They actually don’t know Jesus that well and don’t really know his background. However, his visit that night will change their lives forever.

4... 3... 2... 1...  They are counting down without knowing for sure that their new day is going to be waiting for them…. if they will be welcoming the new year. 

Given a classification of M18 [sorry kiddos who have yet to reach the age], this drug junkies film was a bit draggy in the beginning with the actual excitement starting only upon the arrival of the flamboyant ang moh drug dealer who looks like Jesus!

Befitting its M18 status, there were gross scenes involving breaking fingers, nail gun, cling wrap, teeth and for the katsaridaphobics; cockroaches. I was expecting a paranormal movie but "countdown" is not exactly it; there were indications but sadly not strong enough. 

Picture taken from http://www.robshep.com/2011/08/20/leaning-on-the-promises-of-god/

I would have placed this under thriller with a bit of spiritual inclinations that ended with a meaningful note. Just to give you a teaser, the ending has something to do with confessions for your sins!

Curious? Catch the movie at all GV theatres from 21 February 2013! 

More More Tea Inn - (Made Famous by the Movie: 夏日麽麽茶) @ Laguna Redang [Malaysia]

Twelve years ago, Pulau Redang was a relatively unknown island that was suddenly thrown into the touristy limelight by a popular Chinese movie in year 2000 - Summer Holiday (夏日麽麽茶); starring Richie Ren and Sammi Cheng. 

Many scenes in the movie were actually shot in a colourful house on the island and the marvelous sea view was the conversation topic among viewers (like myself) who caught the movie.

The actual building was demolished due to structural problem but given its significance for important tourist dollars, Laguna Redang resort (the eventual landowner) decided to rebuild the building.

That was one version taken from quite a few blogs. However, Laguna Redang mentioned on their website that the building was actually restored and we all know the difference between restoration and rebuilding. 

Nevertheless, rebuilding or restoring the building was a good move; there was frankly no lack of visitors jostling to take pictures when we were there.

For those who have yet to catch the movie, the resort screened it 24 hours using a dedicated channel in all their in-room television sets!

There was another reason that attracted the crowd - the placement of a two-level gift shop (despite the name of More More Tea Inn, it was definitely not an inn) that sells pricey items ranging from snacks, suntan lotion, to hats, t-shirts and souvenirs!

p.s. please remember to remove your shoes before you step in!

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Location

Beside the main lobby of Laguna Redang Island Resort.

(Review) Paranormal Activity

I am a sucker for horror movies although it does not necessarily mean i am a brave boy man. Thinking about the scary scenes late at night can still make me shudder in fear and break out in cold sweat!

Thrill!! 

That's the feeling that excites me every time i watched films that border on the paranormal genre! Bet a lot of you will know what i mean (i hope).

My favourite horror movie? 

The ones from Thailand like Phobia (1 and 2) and The Ring from Japan. 

Therefore, when i heard that the latest horror movie was so damn realistic that even a close relative of mine was having difficulties sleeping at night, i knew it should be worth watching; with a freaking high expectation of course. 

My conclusion? 

A cheaply made production that should be more bearable or even entertaining if the camera had been more stable.

Wait, that will then defeat the main selling point of this movie; that of a found footage that showed the various discoveries of paranormal activities in a house. 

BUT i was so affected by the constant swinging from frame to frame, i found myself getting more giddy than scared. Throughout the later half of the movie, i was busy trying to control my gastric juice from splashing onto my lap! Imagine that! 

There's only one comforting point about this movie; 

it's better than Blair Witch Project. 

Rating: 2.00/5.00

Review - Ninja Assassin

The eyes that can shoot daggers, the almost impossible dexterity and the cool weaponry, to be a ninja has always been my preferred profession! But here am i, stuck in front of the computer (i am not complaining). Having butterfingers won't help much in realizing any potential anyway.

Back to this new movie, it did not disappoint in providing much bloody and gory scenes! Hello, assassins constituted the main plot, so don't expect big-eyed kittens or puppies with droppy ears! Personally, Rain's English has improved a lot since he entered the US market. And though the storyline was a bit loose, the action scenes were intensely toes-squirming!! 

For ladies, be prepared to ohh and ahh at Rain's almost perfect body. For gentlemen, be prepared to hit the gym after this show.

Rating: 3.50/5.00

Review - Where Got Ghost

I have never been disappointed with Jack Neo’s film offerings, maybe only for Ah Long Private Limited, which I attribute to my lack of understanding for the Cantonese dialect.

Ah Long used so much Cantonese then, plus as most of my Cantonese speaking colleagues fully understand, my Cantonese is so hilarious, I might as well join Jack Neo’s productions. But still, I enjoy the Ah Long movie (post note: i watched it again a few days ago and i still find it hilarious).

But the newest offering, Where Got Ghost?, is a different story.

Embarking on the trend of multiple storylines in a movie (of the ghosts/haunting/paranormal genre), the production includes the usual humour and of course, a lot of Hokkien dialect (which I love). But it falls short of my expectations.

1. The storyline was too loose, too fragmented. 3 different storylines with no link, to be completed within a normal movie duration of 90 to 120 minutes is no easy task. I will, however, really enjoy a storyline that flows through smoothly and with more details. This contrasts greatly with other movies like 4bia (phobia) which had a significant scary plot and the stories were at least vaguely connected (ensuring a more or less continuity) .

2. Acting was too exaggerated and stressed at times. The actors/actresses looked really “pushed” and this resulted in rather forced expressions; definitely not their best forms.

3. The movie gave an impression this was a fast tracked production to meet the start of the Chinese 7th (ghost) month and was the worst movie that Jack Neo offered.

Rating: 2/5

Review - Money No Enough 2

Like books and food, movie reviews are always subject to individual tastes and preferences. I have always been mindful of Straits Times' movie reviews, starting from Mr Kelvin Tong, who has done a great job with movie directorship (I love The Maid) although i beg to differ on his movie reviews.

I learnt that movies with ratings above average by him werev not really my cup of tea. However, i did enjoy one show rated just 1 star (or is it 1/5?) by Mr Tong. I stopped believing in his reviews although i did take a more objective and trustable outlook for other reviewers. That was, until i saw the review for Money No Enough 2; a pathetic 1.5 upon 5!

Rubbing my eyes, i tot i needed a new prescription for my glasses.

It was unbelievable because i really enjoyed the first Money No Enough and tot it to be realistic and entertaining. I was even intending to break the promise to watch the new instalment with my mom (since 12 Lotus is coming up and im a poor guy). With a heavy and somewhat suspicious heart, i procrasinated for a week before finally watching it on a Wednesday!

Half-filled with aunties and uncles at around 6.20pm, the theatre is crowded for a weekday movie before 7pm. Curtain rolls and the first scene of ERP (or EPR) gantries were abit unnerving for me, since i drive. Luckily, mine is a weekend car. Hahaha.

As the story flowed, i felt scenes of happines, sadness, realism, past events etc. I can associated myself with the characters; with the love that the mother has for her 3 sons; with the faith that the wives has for the husbands; with the greed that everyone seems to be so obscessed with; with the dilemma of who to take care of the old ones; with the cruelty (but helplessness) acts that the sons have performed.

It was DIFFERENT from the first movie!

Everything in the movie was part and parcel of life. Sooner or later, we have to go through it (not all, but at least some). Maybe we are even going through it now. The movie tugged our heart strings; laughter ringed frequently, and tears just cannot stopped themselves from accumulating and dropping. There was also this extremely fabulous and meaningful hokkien song by 江蕙 - 家后.

It is a GREAT movie.

I was commenting to my mom after the movie. Maybe we should consider sponsoring tickets to some of our "dearest" relatives

Movies - Not Just Entertainment

Have anyone of you ever ponder on the true meaning of movies except for the widely accepted fact that it’s just for pure entertainment? Have you guys and gals, for a single moment; relax after the movie and think, just a simple thought, of what the movie can teach you about your life, your relationships, your environment, your world….

Take King Kong for example. A simple though exaggerated story about a humongous ape that lives for a simple love. I mean exaggerated as in who the hell can survive the constant active swaying by the big ape!! I am surprised Naomi Watts didn’t die of concussion! Haha. .

Anyway, before the 80s, this story will be considered as anthropomorphism, pure fiction, impossible! But now, new research has shown that animals like dogs and even cows are capable of human emotions. But back then, a life (albeit non homo-sapiens) was easily sacrificed due to the inability to understand the "human" emotions.

We can laugh about "Singapore" being made as a reference in the movie but do we know that in the 1930s, Singapore was widely acclaimed as an "in" city? We can laugh about how stupid King Kong was to be lured by Jack Black and how persistent he was to just get Naomi Watts back. But numerous stories where animals were so attached to human owners that they will starve without them were often reported.

Another movie was the recent Jack Neo movie "One More Chance". Yes, I heard yawns!! But well, I like his movies for the simple reason that I can relate to them still laugh about it.

The movie was about convicts. I feel for them, I can understand their anguish but who can deny the way we react when we heard that an ex-convict is applying for a job in our company? Who will also calculate that 3% of hardcore gamblers amount to roughly 120,000 countrymen?? But what we see are only figures but can anyone deny that 120,000 persons can made up one fairly small city??

Movies exist for a purpose(s): For us to know, for us to understand, for us to learn, for us to dwell deeper into the meanings behind the movie. Not for us to just leave our popcorns, drinks in the cinema and proceeding to a Karaoke session.

Next time, watch a movie and ponder, just for a second..

Surprise Surprise…

i am quite surprised that The House of Wax turned out to be NOT BAD!! Thought it will be just another screwed up movie and if it's not free, I dun even feel like watching. But the plot was not bad and Paris Hilton was actually quite hot inside although she died horribly!! Haha. I think all guys will be liked Awwwww after seeing that scene.

Well, busy day today, literally in the afternoon. Need to renew my passport becoz im going KL wif my colleagues!! hahahahah~

I miss KL!! The food, the theme park!! Jolly misses the only oyster omlette that i eat, at jalan alor and the freaking rides at Cosmo!! I think I will vomit at e horrifying ride i had last time!! THE DNA Mixer, a harmless looking device that turned out to be potent!! F*cking potent!!

And now im reading some books on the truth of the popular novel, Da Vinci Code~ Will update on wat i read tomorrow.