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Reviews
Sound of Freedom: Special Message (2023)
Heart Wrenching True Story
Kudos to all the casts and crew for making this excellent film. I just watched this film in the theater in HK and i was thoroughly moved. The casts did an excellent job especially the child actors Rocio and Teddy bear, they are excellent choice for the roles, good job to the Director. I can't think of any child actors better than these kids that moved me than anything else. Jim Caviezel also did a great job in portraying the actual hero. Overall, good directing, good musical score, nice cinematography etc. Jim's post credit speech is right, this film should be shared as much as possible to everyone in the world so that we can protect the poor kids from being smuggled and exploited. Child slaveries and sex exploitation are just too much too bear. It is not only happening in Latin America but also rampant in Asia. Overall, the film not only touches you but entertains. I only think it could be even better if the director adds more commercial value there by instilling some more conflicts in the 2nd Act, show the fight scene with the Cartel, and some edge-of-seat boat chase. It would be icing on the cake.
Das Privileg (2022)
A little Cultish and Metaphorical
It tries to imply something about the current world order or underworld conspiracy, about mass vaccine commercialization or herd manipulation but under a commercial Horror genre disguise theme. The story starts well with some supernatural force haunting the characters but unfortunately loses steam in the middle with some pacing problem. Then it got worse towards the last 20 minutes where it spirals into various sub genres ie. Thriller, mystery, Sci-fi, while leaving more confusion and jaw dropping revelations, with more questions than answers in the end. Anyway, the summary is that i would've given the film an okaytish passable mark due to all the budget thrown in ie. Special Effects, props and production designs but otherwise i don't know what to make out of it.
Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)
Well, it lived up to the theme but...
There are several problems:
1) Godzilla was made to look like a sidekick or supporting role this time. There wasn't much backstory of him compared to Kong. We were not shown of his emotions like Kong, but instead fed with many cardboard characters that only serve as tools. In the previous standalone installment 'Godzilla: King of Monsters" we didn't get any clue that link this version with the current clash with Kong or why he must hunt him and fights him first and then attacking Apex?
2) Kong initially lost to Godzilla and was almost killed, this shouldn't happen. Kong has higher reflexes and more agile, has longer and stronger hands, legs than Godzilla. Godzilla only has fire breath and strong body. It would be better to have a 50/50 bout.
Fukushima 50 (2020)
Inspiring and moving
This is a film about the 50 frontline engineers who were trapped at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant's main control room during the 2011 Tsunami and Nuclear Leak disaster. As the world were putting the blame on Japan for using Sea Water to cool the Reactors that led to unimaginable radiation to the Sea up to this day, this film tends to offer the audience who may be eager to know more the inside story and the human nature of personnel involved in the disaster. As the titular name suggests 'Fukushima 50', it depicts the story of the 50 engineers trapped in the disaster and struggling to keep the damaged Reactors from a culminating overheat meltdown, explosion and or imminent Nuclear leak to the entire East Japan and the surrounding Fukushima prefecture. That said, the film is not solely about the spectacles of the disaster and trying to vindicate Japan of any censure but rather a retrospect of the disaster. Director Setsuro Wakamatsu does a good job here by balancing everything well and not sensationalizing the situation. It exposes the flaws of various aspects including bureaucratic disruptions and oversight problems. However the Prime Minister's depiction in this film is comedic and i suspect it is the director's intention to mock the then-prime minister. The engineers involved in the situation are merely workers and are not responsible for the unexpected catastrophe. They are only workers under the Tokyo Electric Company responsible for everything including the wrong calculation of an emergency crisis situation. Their workers, led by Head Engineer Izaki, and his crew are only humans after all and did not abandon their posts but displayed heroic valor to try to contain the imminent annihilation and saved one another. It also showed the Japanese spirit of unity and rapport for one another and the community, displaying the unselfishness and even sacrificing one's own for the good of another. Overall the main actors (Izaki) performances are commendable and Ken Watanabe carries the film further with his nuances. The effects and aftermath are done well. Director Wakamatsu erects the scenes well, although if more budget would been allowed, we hope to see a little more of the calamitous threat of the Power Plant by the Tsunami. Even though the transition between the 2nd Act and the 3rd Act falls a little short of expectation i still laud the film fairly well done. No doubt everybody is disturbed that tonnes of radiation has leaked to the Sea but the film has acknowledged that the Japanese have underestimated the force of nature. I definitely support and advocate the right approach of Japan's clean energy concept as opposed to traditional coal power that pollutes the environment but this heavy lesson has taught us that Nuclear Plants should always be equipped with high contingency protection in the case of an unexpected event, especially in a country inherent with Earthquake risk.
A Street Cat Named Bob (2016)
Uplifting and inspiring film
Even though i have not read the book i must commend the film is well done and is beautiful and inspiring to watch from start to finish. The script, the nice cinematography, the ensemble casts, especially the main leads James and Betty did a very good job. Nice casting choice as both main characters Luke and Ruta are excellent choices and make a good couples. Both are very likeable characters as Ruta is undoubtedly beautiful. Luke is able to pull off all emotions shown towards Bob, and does all the work for the taciturn Bob in expressing the mutual love.
The scores, the music (Luke's real gigs) simply pulls you away...and immerse into James world. As for Bob, we all know that cats are not as good trained actors as dogs, so the director did a good job in catching all those subtle reactions and affection from a cat towards his adopted human.
Sadly, the box office does not do justice on the credibility and quality of the film itself. However, as both a cat lover and a film buff, i would it does not disappoint on both perspectives.
47 Meters Down: Uncaged (2019)
It's what it is all about. Shark Kill.
Well, don't expect a logic film, cos all you want are dumb people, dumb fun, and the premise---Shark kills. You would root for the shark and go ahead to devour as many (those naive, annoying dumb kids except Mia and her father) and go for the cliched last hero battling it through. Couldn't have asked more, just a chilling night.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Fun, moving and entertaining adaptation.
I've been a fan of James Cameron and even though he didn't direct this, i know he could have a hand in this anime adaptation and wouldn't disappoint much. And boy it was badass. Forget the cliched plots or dejavu storylines aside. Just by following the emotions between the characters and actions alone, keeps me glued to the IMAX screen throughout the entire film and begging for more. I don't know but i instantly fell in love with this virtual Alita even though she's unreal. I know critics can chide her for the fake big eyes, small chin, but this somehow makes her looked more innocent, lovable and synonymous with the character. I'm not taking anything off Rosa Lazarus i think she still resemble her very, only thing is the 3D Alita looks way more emphathetical. Yes the film does imply a sequel but i would just hope it just ends here as a standoff, as she does not want to pursue further the truth.
Piranha 3D (2010)
Masterpiece for a Cult film
I had so much fun watching this gorefest. All the chemistry was just right, everything from Christopher Lloyd's zany character teasing the angry Piranha, the beach feeding frenzy to the nasty piranha chomping n then spitting out the xxx. The piranha design is good, especially when it stretches out its fin when it's angry. It's really funny in so many ways. The acting was ok to me, the inclusion of Jerry O'Connell was a really good casting choice for me. He was very hilarious when he was saved up the deck. It's been 8 years since i watched it in the cinema but i still rewatched in on iTunes ocassionally, it just haunts you in one way or another.
The Predator (2018)
Is this predator? ! ?
Am an all-time predator fan... Just wanna say it could not disappoint me more...
- it is one of the weakest predators, sequel by sequel the predators get weaker
- And the predators have no characters this time. It just shows up whenever
Purachina dêta (2013)
A rather slow paced film
This is a movie about the future crime busting technology developed by a scientist who is suspected of involving in the crime himself. This technology is a program accumulating all the DNA database of all citizens whereby analyzing and matching the DNA evidence obtained from a crime scene to help provide the police with leads of suspects. The film starts with some murders happened at a hospital with an identical murder style that suggests the same serial killer is behind the job. Later CCTV surveillance showed the scientist was present at the scene of murder, leading to suspicion that he is involved. When he entered data of DNA into the database, he was surprised that DNA data matches his own and suggesting he was the killer. Police immediately try to take him back for investigation but as he was keeping the evidence data, he tries to escape. So who is the murderer? I wouldn't want to reveal the entire story, but i just want to comment that this film indeed is a little slow paced for me. The story could be good but there was some bland moment in the middle part that caused me to yawn. Overall, it would be worth watching if you are not in a hurry or in a relaxed mood. I'll give it a 6/10.