Finding Dory Review

Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...

Finding Dory review - Everyone’s favourite blue tang fish with short term memory loss is back on a new adventure once again after 13 years! 

Meet Destiny, Dory's pipe pal!!!

In Finding Nemo, Marlin (Albert Brooks) had to travel halfway across the ocean to ‘retrieve’ Nemo (Hayden Rolence) back while making new friends which included the absentminded Dory (Ellen DeGeneres). A year later, Dory had settled in well with her ‘adopted’ family until she has a flashback on how she lost her family. Dory then sets on a mission to find her parents with the help of Nemo and Marlin who are worried that Dory might get hurt due to her ‘condition'. The trio once again journey on, this time to ‘the jewel of Morro Bay, California' while meeting interesting underwater and land creatures. Unfortunately once they reach the destination, Dory gets separated from Marlin and Nemo and bumps into Hank (Ed O’Neill) an Octopus (or rather ’spetopus’) who is willing to help Dory in exchange for her ’tag’ while also assisted by her old ‘pipe pal’, Destiny (Kaitlin Olson) the whale shark and Bailey (Ty Burrell) the beluga whale. After losing her parents when she was just a tiny little tang, can Dory succeed in finding her parents or all her efforts go down the drain?

Marlin and Nemo makes friend with two English sea lions. 

After tickling our funny bones in Finding Nemo, it’s only fair that Ellen gets to shine even brighter as Dory in her own adventure. Ellen's voice is spot on to capture all kind of emotions that Dory had to face. This multi talented lady can do no wrong bringing our favourite fish alive with her own twist. Speaking of which, other voice talents were also on their ‘voice best’ to match with their characters. The veterans, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy could do no wrong as Dory’s parents, Jenny and Charlie respectively. Meanwhile, I personally enjoyed Idris Elba as one of the sea lion with his thick English accent, after parading as Shere Khan the tiger in The Jungle Book earlier, his voice is fast becoming my ears favourite voice to listen to. The storyline however did feel a bit repetitive in the beginning when Dory heads out to the ocean until later part when she goes on her own determined to find her folks one way or the other despite her disability. Same goes for the ocean views as its predecessor had already offered us the lively and colourful scenery of the ocean below us. The setting on the land is rather bland didn’t help much for the eyes as well. Luckily the new characters offered reliefs in exchange for the lack of a much interesting plot and could still capture new viewers attention. 

Meet Nemo's parents, Jenny and Charlie

I remember being blown away by the underwater when i watched Finding Nemo 13 years ago, (until now it’s still one of my favourite animation) so i was a little skeptical when i found out Dory will be doing the same. My doubt was confirmed as i felt Finding Dory is slightly below par compared to Finding Nemo. Perhaps growing ‘older' got to my sense but Finding Dory felt like a there was something amiss in the ocean of my viewing pleasure. Don’t get me wrong, its still an enjoyable film but in my opinion, Finding Nemo is still the better movie, a classic if I may say so compared to Finding Dory. Go watch both and let me know what do you think can?

P/s - Thank you ntv7 for the preview passes. 

The Conjuring 2 Review

Welcome back the Warrens! 

The Conjuring 2 Review - Everyone’s favourite ghostbusters, Ed and Lorraine are back y’ll!

Imagine the seeing your kids getting tortured and not being able to do anything.

After being recognised for their ability to help those getting ‘disturbed by un-wanted visitors', Ed and Lorraine this time travel to London, England to lend a helping hand to a single mother, Peggy Hodgson (Frances O’Connor). A single mother of four (4) children, she is convinced that her daughter, Janet Hodgson (Madison Wolfe) is ‘possessed’ by a spirit of an old man who used live in their house. At first, Janet just sleep walks but thing escalates so quickly until it grabs unwanted attention of the media. Both Ed and Lorraine at first serve as ’the eyes and ears’ of the Church until they witness some strange happenings at the Hodgson’s resident. Little did they expect that they will be facing their own demon that is about to get them. Can the poor family and the Warrens survive this haunting? 

Yearp....this is that Nun! 

The undeniable husband and wife chemistry between Patrick (as Ed) and Vera (as Lorraine) is still strong in this follow-up and further strengthen their relationship when faced with a dilemma of choosing between helping the troubled family and save their own self. Both of them give another outstanding performance as hoped. Meanwhile the new comer, Madison shines as a tortured young teenager trapped between growing up normal while also fight for her life. Heck, even the ghostly nun were freakishly awesome man (that scene when ’she’ comes out of the painting….maigard!!!). Beside the excellent casting, another notable signature of James Wan the Director, is his amazing camerawork, capturing near-to-impossible-angles to scare you even more coupled by the spooky sound mixing that might cause some to wet their pants in fear. The ghost/spirit will not scare you by popping up in your face and what is more scary is the after math it leaves by just lingering in your mind long after you have left the cinema. I’m writing this review a week after watching the movie and still remember how afraid i was (yes, I once again had to watch it with my glasses off!) despite trying to be brave to face the demon-pun intended.    

Are you ready for this?

After scarring the crap of the audiences and kinda reviving the scary movie genre, Malaysian born Director, James Wan once again offers us another winning formula to how-to-scare-your-audience-mentally-instead-of-just-scream-when-you-see-a-ghost flick. (Fuh! that was a mouthful!). Despite being a scary cat that I am, I will most definitely watch another horror movie helmed by him. I hope he will dig more into the Warren’s old files and offer us a salvation from the over crowding of Superhero films lately. Bring it on I say altho most prolly i will watch it with my glasses off once again. Hehe. 

P/s - Thank you Screenbite for the preview passes.

The Conjuring Review

Me Before You Review

Amazing pair of Sam and Emilia. 

Me Before You Review - Another best selling book adapted into big screen flick.

Everybody say Awwwwwwwww......

Will Traynor (Sam Claflin) is a carefree daredevil who is left paralysed after a motorcycle accident. While Louisa “Lou” Clark (Emilia Clarke) is a bubbly girl in need of a job to help her parents to make ends meet. As luck or fate would have it, Will’s concerned parents hire Lou to be Will’s new caretaker. What begins as a resentful relationship blossoms into a loving companionship with Lou trying to convince Will to live longer while he ‘teaches’ her to live her life boldly. With such strong bond formed between them, can the two love birds manage to change each other’s mind or decision for better or worse?

....that man and his dimple!!!

First thing first…the casting of Sam and Emilia was spot on to bring Will and Lou’s character to live. These two have a very strong chemistry towards each other, it will get you rooting for their relationship to survive any situation. Emilia will steal your heart while Sam can melt girls heart just by a simple move of his eyebrow and the oh so perfect dimples. That being said, thank God for the perfect pair casting because to me personally, the story felt pretty short from achieving what would have been a much greater height. It did offer some amount of satisfaction but failed to wow me over. Perhaps its just me but I noticed some viewers were down to the last bit of tissue wiping off their tears towards the end of the film.

....close shave but not quite a clean sweep....if you know what I mean...tsk tsk 

The story did however offer an interesting premise on people fall in love. You can’t choose who, where, when, why and how…you just do, just fall in love...trust me, I know. Hehehe. 

P/s - Thank you Lau for the preview passes. 

Demolition Review

Hey Jake! 

Demolition Review - Jake-I-could-never-spell-his-last-name-right-Gyllenhall (I used search button to look up to his last name) is back with dramatic role.

...to demolish....or not to demolish....

Davis (Jake) seems to be living a perfect life as a investment banker who is married to the Boss’s daughter. Until a routine morning commute turns into a disastrous tragedy killing his wife and leaving him in a loop. Davis vent about his frustrating life by writing a complain letter to the vending company machine when it malfunctions on him thinking it would not receive any attention. Little did he knew that the said company’s Customer Service Rep, Karen (Naomi Watts) would actually return his call and both of them form an unlikely connection. Davis keeps up with his destructive ways in order to understand and rebuild his life after finding out more truth behind his marriage. His also develops a special bond Karen’s son, Chris (the very talented Judah Lewis). Can David ever recover from his loss? 

Jake got his groove on!!!

One can depend on Jake to deliver such strong role and once again he prove his acting chops by taking on such powerful persona. He delivers it effortlessly. Sadly Naomi still plays an insignificant character who gets taken over by Judah’s talent as her son. The storyline is quite intense and moves very slowly (I noticed few people leaving the cinema halfway) but pays off well for those who are patient enough to sit thru till the end. It’s not your typical ‘let’s eat some popcorn or potato chips while watching this’ flick but a carefully well thought movie which unfortunately may not suit everyones or anyone viewing pleasure. 

Nothing to see here....move along....

Taking account from my own experience of losing someone dear to me, I could feel Davis’s sense of loss. I remember not being able to cry when I found out that my Amma was no longer around. I’m just glad I had the right people around me to help cope with the sudden lost of direction. I just hope those who are faced with the same situation will be able to overcome their grieve without destroying themselves. If you need a friend during such times, just remember that I’m still around and would gladly lend my shoulders for you to cry on okies. 

The Nice Guys Review

Guess who???!!!

The Nice Guys Review - Can Oscar winner Russell and heartthrob Ryan combine to pull of a comedy? 

Wachulukinat? It is really Gosling and Crowe fool! 

Holland March (Ryan Gosling) is a private investigator who is also a single father with a smart teenage daughter, Holly (Angourie Rice). Upon receiving information from his client, a senile old lady that her ‘dead’ niece is still alive, March digs deeper into the matter. His path crosses with another guy, Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe) who warns and ‘attacks’ him to stay away from Amelia who seem to have connection with his client’s ‘missing niece’. This time, both of them combine force to dig even deeper and the case turns out to be bigger than what they’ve expected earlier. With involvement by some high powered people, hired killer and mobs, can this unlikely duo make it out alive?

Still reading the review? Go watch the movie instead lar dey! 

Never would have I imagine that i would be laughing so much at Ryan Gosling instead of just drool at the sight of him. He shows a comedic side of his at every chance he could get in this film and does it flawlessly. Partnered with Russell who on the other hand known as a serious Oscar  winning actor, the pairing actually worked rather well. In no time, you will be rooting for our heroes to catch the bad guys all while not forgetting to appreciate how well the chemistry is between them. Unfortunately another Oscar winner talent is totally wasted, read : Kim Basinger while Matt Bomer as John Boy only appears after more than half way thru the movie which is bummer. However, things get more exciting from then onwards with the action scene matching the funny portion of the film. The 70’s LA feel was perfectly captured from the backdrop, wardrobe, music and vibe. The storyline is also pretty laid back where one don’t have to wreck their brain to figure out who is the baddie so sit back and let The Nice Guys take you on a ride around the old school Los Angeles baby! 

Will ya quit looking at us and watch us on the big screen oredi!

End note - I demand a sequel as I want to see more of The Nice Guys newly formed partnership! 

Look out for the sequel - The Nice Chicks soon! Hehehe

P/s - Thank you saysdotcom and kaodim for the preview passes. 

My Stupid Boss Review

Not your ordinary Boss. 

My Stupid Boss Review – A funny collabo between Malaysia and our Indonesian neighbour. 

Face-off between the Bossman and Kera...ni!!!

Diana (Bunga Cinta Lestari) is married to a Malaysian and is bored out of her mind until she gets permission from her husband to work in his collage best friend's company. She attends the interview and lands job the as Head of Department (Kera.…ni…hehehe!). Only later on Diana realise that her Boss is a one-of-a-kind moron who torments and torture his employees with his weird antics. Bossman (Reza Rahadian) is also a total control freak and do not trust anyone. On top that he annoys almost that he comes in contact with. His ‘insane’ behaviour finally drives Diana mad until she decides to quit but even then the Bossman harasses her to not leave the company and tries to convince her to come back to the office. Diana gives him one last chance and finally gets to see the real Bossman who turns out to be not much a bad person after all. 

Bossman with his new ride. Bugger refuses to ganti the busted air con in the office but drives a Ferrari! 

Get ready to laugh your butt off from the moment Bossman steps into the office or rather even when it is not working hour. Both Bunga and Reza were a joy to watch trying to outdo each other. Their ‘confrontation’, their ‘conversation’, their ‘interaction’ will leave your stomach in stitches from laughing so hard. While the rest of the mixed Indon-Malaysian cast also provide their level best to draw more chuckles. The storyline is simple enough on how to deal with a stupid Boss and beat him at him own game. Just make sure you’ve been to the washroom before entering the cinema for this if you don’t want to pee in your pants from giggling too much. You have been warned! 

Inter-country marriage. 

I can’t remember the last time I watched an Indonesian flick but this is such a good and entertaining film to literally laugh out loud to while trying to relate to the situation faced by every employees at one point or another with their respective bosses. I’ve had my ‘fair’ share of stupid/idiot/dumbarse (you name it!) superiors that made me thought about changing career into a hired killer. Who knows, perhaps one day I might! Tee hee!!!

P/s - Thank you TGV Cinemas for the movie pass. 

X-Men: Apocalypse Review

The gang is back!!!  X-Men: Apocalypse Review - Mutants united to fight against…nope…not humans but another mutant this time around. En Sabah Nur The film begins with a bang taking us back to ancient Egyptian era when humans worshipped a powerful mutant called En Sabah Nur [not related to our state of Sabah, hehe ;)]. He also goes by the name Apocalypse absorbing other mutants power by sacrifying them. During another such ritual, he gets betrayed and buried inside a tomb. Fast forward to the future after the events that took place in X-Men : Days of Future Past, Mystique is hailed as a hero for saving the President while Magneto goes into ‘hiding’ some sort trying to live a normal life, his frenemy, Charles continue to expand his school for gifted children taking in new students with the help from Hank. His old flame, Moira is still interested with the existence of mutant that brings her to Egypt and witness the awakening of Apocalypse. Somehow disappointed by human ‘ruling’ the Earth, he goes on a recruitment mode taking in Storm, Psylocke, Angel and Magneto as his followers. After finding out that Charles posses the power to connect with all the mutants,  En Sabah Nur summons the ‘four horseman’ to 'mutant-nap' Charles and to create a new world. It is once again up to the ‘good mutants’ to save us and our sorry arse planet.  Somebody from this picture does not make it till the end of the movie. :(  Returning cast like McAvoy, Fassbender, Lawrence and some others put up their usual best performance but I somehow still miss the original adult X-mens. While the newer cast also provide their talent best to take over the uniform but for me personally, there just a slight loss of umph this time around. The special effects also felt a bit over used and repeated. While the villain who were suppose to bring in the destruction does nothing much except give roaring supportive speech to make his gang bigger. Perhaps too much of superhero movies lately spoilt my appetite but my hope to be blown away was sadly blow into dust instead. My only salvation was Evan Peters Quicksilver who once again saves the day not just with his quick action but also his wit!  Thank God for Quicksilver!!!  I’m sorry but my excitement to watch this much awaited movie started to face midway thru as i really miss the ‘older’ cast, namely Famke, Rebecca, Patrick and Ian. No offence to the new cast but perhaps I need some time to adjust to them being so young and naive. Another factor was the storyline, same old trying to take over the world plot. Forgive me the almighty Apocalypse but if you are so very the powerdeful, why would you want to take over this dying planet? Why not just find another new planet and prosper there? Humans are very annoying ok. You are better off finding some other life form elsewhere and have a better time. And other beings out there, please take heed of this advice…Earth is dying…or rather…humans are killing Earth so please go elsewhere if you want your race to live longer.  movieMANIac's crew for X-Men this time around....try to spot Wolverin sans his claws but with a thick beard!  P/s - Thank you Star2 for the preview passes.