Movie ~ Tropic Thunder [2008]

Someone emailed me about the movie, Tropic Thunder, about two weeks ago but I was too busy to check it out. Well, guess what? Time flies and Tropic Thunder is slated to open in local cinemas this 13th August, 2008. If you do not know about Tropic Thunder, it is said to be a movie within a movie, where these actors are actors in the movie who have set out to film a war movie in Hawaii.

Tropic Thunder movie poster

There, they met a group of drug runners who mistook them as American intruders. Perhaps they thought that these actors were real American military personnel.

Tropic Thunder is an action comedy co-written by Ben Stiller. I tell you, Ben Stiller has the funniest face that no matter what movie he is in, it is just 'funny" and I guess he knows that, that's why he wrote a comedy. Apparently, it is based on his own experience as a young actor where he and all his actor friends would go off to shoot war films.

Ben Stiller has managed to cast a host of A-list actors, I guess they are all his friends who at one point of their careers, also acted in war films.

Besides Ben Stiller himself, who also directed the movie, watch out for Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Nick Nolte and Robert Downey Jr. as a black man. Some people are offended about this but relax.... this is just a movie; totally my kind of movie.

Movie ~ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince [2008]

The internet is all abuzz over Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince all thanks to a teaser trailer. While I have only watched one Harry Potter movie and did not read any of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter fantasy/adventure books, I am rather excited about this new Harry Potter movie too, even though it will only be screened this November!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince movie poster

I have to say that I am not a Harry Potter fan but I think the excitement is from the fact that this Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is the 6th movie, and there will be no more Harry Potter after the seventh and last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Maybe it is this ending and there will be no new Harry Potter to look forward to that all Harry Potter fans could do right now is wait for November to watch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

I did not watch the teaser trailer. I don't want to know what is going to happen or how the plot goes. I hope to go into the cinema with an open mine, without knowing what to expect and let the movie just blow me away. If any movie could do that, it would be a Harry Potter movie!

Movie ~ The X-Files: I Want To Believe [2008]

Fans of The X-files are all eagerly awaiting The X-files: I Want To Believe, no matter how disappointed they were with the ending of The X-files TV series. I have to admit that the reason I diligently watched The X-files back then was because of David Duchovny. Frankly, I didn’t care one way or another about the story line. I watched the first few seasons only and the novelty wore off.

David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson

It’s hard to believe that it has been ten years since the first X-files movie was released. Ten years, lots of things have changed for the both of them. David Duchovny married Tea Leoni and went back to TV while Gillian Anderson moved to the UK to be a stage actress.

Both have said that if given the opportunity, they would get back together to bring us The X-Files on TV once again. Well, that’s a no-brainer, Agents Mulder and Scully. Nowhere else would you have received the cult icon status that The X-Files had provided you.

The X-files: I Want To Believe

The X-files: I Want To Believe opens in cinemas on 25th July, 2008. That’s this coming weekend. Let’s see how well they fare. The X-files: I Want To Believe trailer looks pretty promising!

Movie ~ Meet Dave [2008]

I’ve been trying to avoid sci-fi, superhero movies all summer. All I want is something funny. Now, there’s Meet Dave, a movie that I really want to watch. Unfortunately, I just checked local cinema listings and it looks like we are not going to get it. Maybe later, since the movie has just been released on 11th July, 2008; maybe not at all and I will have to wait for the DVD.

Meet Dave movie poster

Although Meet Dave did not receive rave reviews from movie critics, hey, why do I care? I watch and decide for myself. If you enjoy slapstick comedies, a movie that would make you laugh and not make you use your brains to figure out the plot or something, Meet Dave.

It is weird that Meet Dave was promoted by planting this gigantic 15-foot bust of Eddie Murphy. I am sure it freaked out a few kids. LOL But yeah, I want to watch this movie. I think there were not that many Eddie Murphy movies that I did not enjoy.

Movie ~ Journey to the Center of the Earth [2008]

Journey to the Center of the Earth which stars Brendan ‘The Mummy’ Fraser, Josh Hutcherson and Anita Briem, opens in local cinemas on 11th July, 2008. Somehow, this doesn’t have as much hype as some other recent movies. However, if you like adventure, this is the one to go for. Or do you plan to watch the other Brendan Fraser summer movie, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor?

Journey to the Center of the Earth movie poster

I like Brendan Fraser and I thought that he was cute when he was younger, but somehow it’s hard to think of him as an ‘adventurer’ or even a science professor. Journey to the Center of the Earth [2008], is based on a book by Jules Verne and was already made into a movie starring Pat Boone, my mother’s favourite singer, in 1959.

This 2008 edition, though, will be in 3D. I only hope that there will be cinemas here in Ipoh which would screen the 3D version. It would be awesome. I don’t remember watching any 3D movies here so I am not so hopeful!

Movie ~ Kit Kittredge: An American Girl [2008]

While wondering if there is any wholesome family-themed movie to watch this summer, remember, I have had enough of superheroes, seriously, I chanced upon this movie called Kit Kittredge: An American Girl based on the popular American Girl® book series.

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl movie poster

Costume movies are really not my thing but this one stars Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin who is so cute, acting alongside an all-star cast. I think that everyone who is looking for a young family-themed comedy movie to watch would find this entertaining.

Abigail Breslin at the 79th Annual Academy Awards
© 2007 Stephen Shugerman / Getty Images

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl opens on 2nd July, 2008. However, I checked our local cinema listings and it looks like they are giving this movie a pass. It's too bad. I will have to wait for the DVD release then. Sigh.

Movie ~ Wall-E [2008]

Pixar's animation, Wall-E, opened in cinemas on 27th June, 2008. Wall-E, which stands for Waste Allocation Load Lifter -- Earth-Class is said to be Pixar's best film to date. Think Ratatouille and Finding Nemo.

Wall-E movie poster

While at first I was not keen to watch Wall-E, even after watching its trailer, because I do not really like robotic animations and on top of that, a SCI-FI robotic animation, which is what Wall-E is, since this was set in 2700, I thought I would pass.

However, almost everyone who has already watched it has given it two thumbs up as one of the best movies, if not the best movie released this year. It is also said to be Pixar's best movie. Everyone says that Wall-E, the main character is so cute and loveable. Well, I guess I will have to go watch it myself!

Movie ~ Hellboy 2: The Golden Army [2008]

Oh no! Not another comic book action superhero movie! Seriously, who has not have enough of these? If you have watched Hellboy, you would probably want to watch this. It opens in cinemas this 11th July, 2008, by the way.

Hellboy 2 movie poster

Honestly, I don't even remember how Hellboy was like. I don't remember watching it. Most probably did not since this genre is not my kinda thang, if you know what I'm saying. I did a search on the internet and gosh, it was a 2004 movie. That is like a lifetime in Hollywood! The only reason I remember the title "Hellboy" is because the censorship authorities here in Malaysia decided to change the name of the movie to "Super Sapiens". Hahaha! I have no idea who came out with such a "creative" movie title!

In Hellboy 2, Ron Perlman returns as Hellboy, Selma Blair is once again Liz Sherman and John Hurt returns as Trevor 'Broom" Bruttenholm. There's still another three weeks to the release of Hellboy 2. Meanwhile, check out this Hellboy 2 movie trailer. As for me, I would most probably stay home and watch a rerun of something else.

Movie ~ The Happening [2008]

The Happening opened in cinemas on 13th June, 2008. I guess because of its apocalyptic theme, 13th of June, which was also Friday the 13th, was picked.

The Happening movie poster

My friends told me not to bother watching this because it's utter crap. Well, here are people who thought that The Sixth Sense was awesome, though it did nothing to me. Remember, I am Asian; I see dead people, I talk to dead people and I offer food to dead people. Dead people are part of our culture and tradition. Maybe that's why I do not think The Sixth Sense was an exceptional movie. And I guess, for M. Night Shyamalan, being of Indian origin, it had amused him tremendously that the West thought his Sixth Sense was an extraordinary movie.

The Happening is a movie about bio-chemical destruction where trees mutated and secrete a type of virus that infected people and cause them to self-destruct in whatever way they could find.

The plot may sound stupid but it would be scary if something like that actually happened. Anyway, this is not the kind of movie that I would want to watch. I know guys have a different perception of what constitutes a good movie. Let's hope that the next movie by M. Night Shyamalan, maybe two years from now, will actually improve. It has been going downhill for him since The Sixth Sense, even though I am utterly unimpressed with that either!

Movie ~ Kung Fu Panda [2008]

I don’t know about you but I am really looking forward to Kung Fu Panda! I have had enough of fantasy movies, superhero movies and what-not. I expect Kung Fu Panda to be a seriously hilarious comedy, what with an illustrious cast, I am expecting no less, even though we will only be “seeing” their voices.

Kung Fu Panda movie poster

It is kind of funny that even though the actors are only going to use their voice here on Kung Fu Panda that they would Jackie Chan in the movie. I think that we, Kung Fu fans, would rather watch Jackie Chan himself in action and not just listen to his voice. What say you?

Kung Fu Panda is slated to be released in local cinemas on 6th June, 2008. That’s just the end of this week. Awesomeness! Meanwhile, watch this trailer. You are going to enjoy it!

Movie ~ Sex and the City [2008]

Sex and the City: the Movie, just premiered in New York City a couple of days ago to high expectations. Well, there were concerns that a TV show that was well-loved by mostly female fans would be spoilt when it gets to the big screen but I was informed that the movie was everything that people loved on the TV series and more.

Personally, I do not know what's the fuss about Sex and the City. Maybe it is because I did not follow it episode after episode but it figured that viewers loved the visual impact of beautiful women dressed beautifully. Or maybe it could be the crude jokes.

Sex and the City movie poster

Sex and the City has been scheduled for a worldwide release on 30th May, 2008 and I wonder if this will make it to Malaysian cinemas. Well, we had Sex and the City on TV but it is hard to say with the movie. Maybe they have to change the title of the movie into something that doesn't mean SEX at all.

Meanwhile, here's a trailer for all fans of Sex and the City who are eagerly waiting for it in local cinemas like my friends are!

Movie ~ Made of Honor [2008]

I was checking the cinema listings to see if there's anything nice to watch apart from superhero movies, which I have been overdosed with lately, when I spotted this movie, Made of Honor. Well, I have seen its poster a little while back but I guess it slipped my mind. if you like Grey's Anatomy, you'd probably enjoy Patrick Dempsey in Made of Honor. Me, I love romantic comedies!

Made of Honor movie poster

I dot know about you but before getting my tickets to a movie, I do not mind checking it out on the internet and even catching its trailer on YouTube. Some people do not want spoilers but not me.

Made of Honor makes a great watch for couples but even though I am unattached, I know that this is the kind of movie that will give me an enjoyable time. However, what I look for in a movie is something that will make me remember it a long time down the road. Will Made of Honor be able to provide me that? We shall see.

Movie ~ Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull [2008]

The latest Indiana Jones movie finally opened in cinemas. It was screened for the first time in Malaysian cinemas on 22nd May, 2008. This is the movie that many of my friends, even those who are not real fans of Indiana Jones have been waiting for.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull movie poster

The movie opened on Thursday, a weekday and I was not able to get away from work early. This weekend, the cinemas will be packed and I tell you, I stopped going to the cinemas when it is absolutely packed. I remember going to watch Spiderman some years back and it was full house. I sat next to a lady who coughed throughout the movie. I came home and promptly fell ill.

So perhaps I will only get to watch this like one or two weeks later, if I am still interested by then. Already, I have heard from friends that this is not what they expected Indiana Jones to be! they felt let down, especially with the ending.

Indiana Jones

I don't know, personally, I am generally sick of adventures, fantasy, superheros and "tough guy" kind of movies. I think I'd rather stay home and watch my collection of Korean movies and dramas.

Have you watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull? Geee.. the title is too long and doesn't really make sense unless you know the storyline. So what do you think of this movie? Will it give me entertainment value for my money or should I not bother?

Movie ~ The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian [2008]

You really can't escape from the hype of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, wherever you may be. In fact, the hype started to build up way before the release of the movie on 16th May, 2008 in the United States. This is, after all, the second movie of the Chronicles, a follow up to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005).

Well, I didn't watch that first movie back in 2005 so I don't know what all the hype is about. After all, I am not a fan of fantasy movies. The third installment is expected in 2010 and I don't envision myself watching it either.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian movie poster

I was surprised to learn that we here in Malaysia are already screening The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian in the cinemas but according to Wikipedia, it will only be released on 5th June in Australia and 27th June, 2008 in the United Kingdom. Something must be very wrong.

If you are in one of those countries still waiting for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian to land on your shores, then you will have to make do with this official trailer first. By the way, if you are a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, you may want to check out this Narnia Pricne Caspian contest and win yourself some cool prizes.

Movie ~ My Sassy Girl [American Remake]

If you have read my review of Korean movie [K-movie], My Sassy Girl, you would know that I was quite impressed with the way it was able to move me at a critical point in the movie.

My Sassy Girl [American version] movie poster

When I read that American movie makers are going to remake this movie, I was quite disappointed. I think that my Sassy Girl and Shutter are Asian "classics" that should be left as they are. Why do Americans want to come and mess up these movies, I do not know. Do they think that they could top these productions and the way they are able to touch us? I don't think so. They have more than enough scripts to turn into movies so do that. Make NEW movies.

The American version of My Sassy Girl

Of course, Shutter and My Sassy Girl are just fine examples to cite. There were quite a few Asian “classics” that have been adapted as well…..to failure, in my opinion. You be the judge!

Movie ~ Hancock [2008]

I am sure you have noticed the advertorial on a lot of our blogs for the movie, Hancock. I tell you, this image does nothing to me and I was not even curious to check out what this movie is about. However, when there are too many superhero movies coming out this summer, I really would like to watch something different, so that was why I decided to see what else will be hitting the cinemas besides Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk.

Hancock movie poster

In Hancock, Will Smith stars as John Hancock, a fallen superhero who still has superhero powers [invulnerable, superhuman strength and the power of super-sonic flight - so fake, right?]. He saved the life of Ray Embrey [Jason Bateman], a corporate PR consultant, who because of that, tries to help John Hancock stand up on hios feet again. And guess what? Hancock ends up hitting on the wife of Ray Embrey [Jason Bateman], starring Charlize Theron.

This movie sounds funny with its twists but I am not sure it is the kind of comedy that would be able to make me ROTFL, you know what I am saying? The trailer does not look anything at all funny to me. Maybe I am just hard to pleased!

Movie ~ Marvel’s Iron Man [2008]

I didn't update my blog over the past month as I was busy de-cluttering my room and I could not concentrate on blogging when my room is in a mess. It's now almost done. Phew!

So what has been happening in the cinemas lately? The much awaited Iron Man from Marvel has finally been released. I read from various sites that this movie was released in Malaysia on 30th April, 2008 but it only hit the silver screen in the United States on 2nd May, 2008. Not that this matters anymore because the movie could now be watched online. That's what I have been told.

Iron Man movie poster

It seems that this Iron Man movie has lived up to the expectations of all superhero lovers and that Robert Downey Junior gave a stellar performance. Normally, I am not a fan of superheroes but after reading rave movie reviews, I think I'd be moving my butt over to the cinema here in Ipoh. I checked the listings and was shocked to know that thickets are at premium price until the 15th of May, 2008. How can????

Anyway, I recently learned that my blog friend, Vedis, has just settled down in Gopeng, a small town in Perak. It's been ages since I was there. I wonder if they still do have a cinema there. Even if they do, they will never get first runs. I will never survive in Gopeng! I need my dose of big screen movies but for Iron Man, I will wait till ticket prices have returned to normal.

Meanwhile, here is a trailer of Iron Man that was taken from YouTube. Check it out!

Movie ~ The Love Guru [2008]

I don't know about you but I am OMG so waiting for the release of Mike Myer's The Love Guru, a comedy that will only be hitting the big screen this Summer. Mike Myers has certainly come a long way. I still remember some of his older movies and watching reruns of Austin Powers.

Although Hindus may feel offended by this spoof called The Love Guru, just take the movie with a pinch of salt. It's all in good fun and does not make direct references to any particular community.

When I first chanced upon the The Love Guru's official My Space page, I was surprised that there are so many MySpace members who added Guru Pitka, the Love Guru, as Friend. HHmm they have a contest going on, something about getting LEI-ed in Hawaii. Sounds interesting!

For a change, I shall not be embedding any YouTube trailer on this post but you can check out Guru Pitka's YouTube Channel HERE.

Movie ~ The Incredible Hulk [2008]

Are you waiting for The Incredible Hulk, which is scheduled to be released on 13th June, 2008 in US cinemas? Although I am not a fan of any SuperHero, after watching the trailer, I think that this would be a good movie to be watched in the cinema.

Although the movement seems to be a little jerky, well, let’s see if The Incredible Hulk will be able to live up to expectations. So far, I have not been really impressed with Hollywood SuperHero movies. The hype is there mainly due to the long history of these SuperHeroes and the big advertising and marketing budget but when the movies are released, they seem to fall flat, in my opinion.

The Incredible Hulk stars Edward Norton as the hulk with Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt and Christina Cabot. HHmm I am no fan of any of them but the sweet looks of Liv Tyler will be worth watching!

Movie ~ Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! [2008]

A friend in Canada told me earlier yesterday that he had already watched Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! Is it in cinemas yet here in Malaysia? I am so lazy to check the cinema listings. This CG Hollywood animation movie is from the creators of Ice Age. Awww how I enjoyed watching Ice Age, though Ice Age 2was not as enjoyable as the first Ice Age movie, in my opinion.

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! movie poster

Also, Jim Carrey is the voice of Horton, the elephant while Steve Carell takes on the voice of The Mayor of Whoville. These two make a killer combination and you can expect lots of laughs from Horton Hears a Who!

Although the target audience for Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! is children, according to my friend, he fears that kids may not understand the movie fully but of course they will laugh when they think some scenes are funny. Well, even Canadian kids found it difficult to understand, what about Malaysian kids? Anyway, this movie is suitable for all ages as you can see from the trailer.