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Review: 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' has a more interesting hero than Harry Potter

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 133 minutes (~2.25 hours)

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is a British fantasy film that's a spin-off of the "Harry Potter" franchise, and the first in a planned series of "Fantastic Beasts" films.

When Newt Scamander, an eccentric magical creature expert, comes to New York, he finds himself caught in the middle of a magical crisis that only his expertise can resolve.

It stars Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), Katherine Waterston (Tina Goldstein), Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski), Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein), Colin Farrell (Percival Graves), Carmen Ejogo (President Seraphina Picquery), Samantha Morton (Mary Lou Barebone), Ezra Miller (Credence Barebone), Jon Voight (Henry Shaw, Sr), with cameos by Ron Perlman (voice of Gnarlack) and Johnny Depp (Gellert Grindelwald). It is rated PG.

It's very strange to watch a "Harry Potter" film without having read the book beforehand, which is the case for "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" since the plot of the movie is not based on the book.

You're not going into the film knowing what the story will be, neither are you constantly on the lookout for Easter eggs and sly nods to your favourite elements in the book. It's a refreshing experience, and just the sort of invigoration that the franchise needs to jumpstart its prequel series.

Highlights

Newt Scamander is weird but intriguing

Before you ask — no, Newt Scamander is not some sort of magical Pokemon trainer, nor is he inspired by that other franchise. The trailers depict him as an oddball, but he's rather likeable in the actual film itself, with just a smidgen of strangeness.

His greatest strength is his compassion (as corny as that might sound), which comes full circle because it is what propels him to New York and is essential for resolving the final conflict.

Yet the film doesn't give away everything about Newt — there's a hint of his tormented past, which will definitely be explored in future films. Most importantly, he's a much more interesting character than Harry Potter was.

Same same but different

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" has all the familiarity of an old friend, giving us the same magical world that we've seen in the previous eight movies, and a British protagonist.

But it jazzes things up by showing us the distinctly different world view of the magical Americans. Just like in the "Harry Potter" series, there's a magical bureaucracy that's high-handed and short-sighted, but their system is different enough that we sit up and take notice.

Their liberal use of Apparition also noticeably stylises their magic. Same enough that we feel comfortable, different enough to keep us coming back for more.

New York in the 20's

The establishing scenes already set 20's New York apart from Hogwarts, with tall skyscrapers (figuratively) greeting Newt upon his arrival, and the inclusion of magical bigotry is an apt nod to the circumstances of today.

There's a strong sense of entrepreneurship and possibility, with No-Maj Jacob (Dan Fogler) himself being an aspiring business owner. And the magical architecture has a strong steampunk influence — perfect for an Industrial Age analogy.

Letdowns

Much more exposition required

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" takes place in a fairly complicated universe that requires a lot of explanation, especially since magical creatures abound.

There's plenty of space and text to provide the requisite explanation in a book, but on screen, just describing it just once does not suffice. It's difficult to remember and keep track of each creature since we only hear how their name is pronounced, and not how it's written.

So while the visuals are fantastic, your grasp of what's happening can be compromised by the lack of exposition.

Contrived setup

The structure works pretty well after Act One, but how the four characters come together is horribly clunky.

They have the flimsiest of reasons to continue staying together, which is effectively summed up as "because I like you". These are strangers, mind you, and one of them is even a suspected criminal.

You can almost see the author's hand forcing them to stay together until events unfold and mandate that they continue staying together to save the day.

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is a fun return to the world of "Harry Potter" with a protagonist that's more intriguing than the eponymous hero of the series.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes, unless you really dislike the Harry Potter series.

Should you watch this more than once? No, though you should Wiki it.

Score: 3.9/5

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" opens in cinemas: - 17 November 2016 (Singapore) - 17 November 2016 (Malaysia) - 17 November 2016 (Philippines)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes at marcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (© 2016 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved. Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Publishing Rights © JKR. J.K. ROWLING’S WIZARDING WORLD is a trademark of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)

#slideshow #movies #reviews #Harry Potter #Fantastic Beasts #Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them #Johnny Depp #Eddie Redmayne #magic #fantasy #J.K. Rowling

Review: ‘Shut In’ feels like a horror telemovie

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 91 minutes (~1.5 hours)

"Shut In" is a horror thriller about a psychologist and her paralysed teenage stepson, who live alone. After treating a 9-year-old boy at work, strange things begin to happen.

It stars Naomi Watts (Mary Portman), Oliver Platt (Dr Wilson), Charlie Heaton (Steven Portman), and Jacob Tremblay (Tom Patterson).

"Shut In" feels like the perfect premise for a horror movie, if not for the fact that, well, they're not really all that shut in.

Premise aside, it feels more like a soap opera than anything else, showing us the trials and tribulations of a single parent who struggles to find meaningful relationships and help her patients, who just so happens to be in a scary situation. It then morphs into a horror film.

This lack of focus makes it hard to understand just exactly what "Shut In" is trying to achieve. Are you supposed to be frightened, are you supposed to understand what a single mother's life is like, or are you supposed to be frightened by a single mother's life?

Highlights

Naomi Watts's quiet strength

Even though we have Jacob Tremblay (who plays Tom Patterson) in the film, it's Naomi Watts who really shines in the film. She's portrayed as a strong, confident woman who's secretly losing control and desperately trying to hold it all together. You can't help but admire her quiet strength in the face of all her difficulties. Jacob Tremblay, on the other hand, is little more than a victim that gets shunted around, which is a terrible waste of his talent.

Letdowns

Too many jump scares and imaginary sequences

There are too many jump scares resulting from normal occurrences that make you wonder why Mary hasn't died of a heart attack yet. It feels like the director is trying to force suspense on you through camera tricks, rather than having a genuinely spooky atmosphere. The horror scenes are mostly depicted as fantasy sequences, which get tiresome after a while. If they are all nightmares, why is Mary so frightened?

Gives away half the surprise for most of the film

After the first two or three horror scenes, you can figure out what the big reveal is going to be. To prevent Mary from discovering the truth too early, she's so easily distracted by visitors that she forgets to investigate the source of a particularly traumatic night, which again, gives away half of the climax. Then when you get to the finale, "Shut In" behaves like the reveal was a great surprise nobody would have guessed, when you've already guessed half of it.

A forced and artificial twist

The problem with the other half of the twist is that it defies belief, makes the main character look like a fool, and doesn't explain the motivation of the antagonist. It's a twist for the sake of having a twist. The only good thing is that it's totally unexpected, but for all the wrong reasons. A good horror film like "The Boy" would have had you re-evaluating all the previous scenes and realising they were clues to the twist, but there's none of that here. Re-evaluating all the previous scenes gives no clue to the twist, nor does it seem logical in the first place.

What exactly does the antagonist want?

And as part of the fallout of an artificial twist, the antagonist seems to want an unsustainable and nonsensical outcome. Sure, it's a creepy objective to have, with all the perverted implications it comes with. But you're not sure what the antagonist wants and how the antagonist plans to achieve it. It's just an excuse to have a psycho run around with a hammer attacking people.

"Shut In" feels like a telemovie. It would have been a great telemovie, though.

Should you watch this if it's free? OK.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? No.

Score: 2.0/5

"Shut In" opens in cinemas: - 17 November, 2016 (Singapore)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

Shut in (Cathay-Keris Films and Jan Thijs)

#slideshow #Shut In #movies #reviews #Naomi Watts #Jacob Tremblay #horror #thriller

Review: ‘Death Note: Light Up the New World’ has the excitement but not the character development of the original

Secret ending? YES

Running time: 135 minutes (2.25 hours)

"Death Note: Light Up the New World" is a fantasy action film that's based on the manga and anime series, "Death Note". It's the fourth in the "Death Note" film franchise and takes place 10 years after the events of "Death Note 2: The Last Name".

In a world where cyber terrorism runs rampant, six Death Notes have fallen to Earth and created a rash of mysterious murders. The heirs to L and Kira search for all six Death Notes, continuing the rivalry of their predecessors. It stars Masahiro Higashide (Tsukuru Mishima), Sosuke Ikematsu (Ryuzaki), Masaki Suda (Yuki Shien), Erika Toda (Misa Amane), Nakamura Shido II (voice of Ryuk), Miyuki Sawashiro (voice of Arma), with cameos by Kenichi Matsuyama (L) and Tatsuya Fujiwara (Light Yagami/Kira).

"Death Note: Light Up the New World" is probably one of the most anticipated live-action manga adaptations this year, especially since it's the continuation of an insanely popular series 10 years ago. It leverages on the nostalgia of the original "Death Note" but adds a few new twists and updates, mainly to the level of technology, to account for how it interacts with the titular Death Notes. It's more of the same, but lacks the spark that made the original so fascinating.

Highlights

Fast-paced and exciting

The plot, as usual, is filled with dramatic twists and turns as the three main characters try to outwit each other, even if some of them are on the same side. The plot twists also follow the rules of the original Death Notes instead of coming up with arbitrary new ones, which is an impressive feat given how convoluted the plot can get and the number of conditions to consider for Death Note users and victims. The only quibble is with the final revelation, but besides that, the rest of the plot is fit for the "Death Note" franchise.

A strange bromance between Mishima and Ryuzaki

Ryuzaki (Sosuke Ikematsu) feels like an exaggerated, pretentious version of L, but there's no denying the weird chemistry he has with Mishima (Masahiro Higashide). The pair don't hit it off and, in fact, rarely get along for most of the film. Yet there's this glimmer of friendship between the pair which, in hindsight, feels very much like a mentor-mentee relationship. It's an element not seen in previous "Death Note" films, and gives "Death Note: Light Up the New World" it's own unique flavour.

Letdowns

Nobody is as intelligent as L and Light

If you're looking for a thrilling battle of wits... it's not here. The characters are, plainly put, not of the same magnificent intellect as their forebears. There are no complicated gambits, no stunning revelations and none of that duelling of the minds that L and Light had. Their "descendants" might be carrying on the battle between good and evil, but it's not of the same quality as before.

The final reveal is a tremendous disappointment

The character who is revealed to have been pulling everyone's strings all along is the result of a convenient plot device that unnecessarily complicates the story.

The problem is that the film wasn't the result of a well-conceived plot for the betterment of the world. Instead, it hinges on the fact that one character didn't tell another character a vital piece of information.

Tie up that loose end, you'll have no film. It's a groan-worthy letdown when you finally find out how circumstances came to be the way they were.

Lack of exposition of the rules of "Death Note"

Quick, what are the rules of the Shinigami Eyes? If you don't remember those rules offhand then "Death Note: Light Up the New World" will be incomprehensible.

You'll frequently find yourself consulting your mobile phone or asking your friend what are the properties of the Death Notes, since the film doesn't explain when certain rules are in play. It's been 10 years since the last "Death Note" though — couldn't we at least have had some exposition for the rules of the franchise?

"Death Note: Light Up the New World" has the excitement, but not the character development, of the original.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you're a fan of the "Death Note" series.

Score: 3.5/5

"Death Note: Light Up the New World" opens in cinemas: - 10 November, 2016 (Singapore)

Death Note: Light Up the New World (Encore Films)

#slideshow #movies #Death Note #Death Note: Light Up the New World #anime #Asian Cinema #fantasy #drama #shinigami #Light #L

Review: 'Ouija: Origin of Evil' is more like the stepping stone to evil

Secret ending? Yes.

Running time: 99 minutes (~1.5 hours)

"Ouija: Origin of Evil" is a horror movie that's the prequel to 2014's "Ouija". It sees a suburban family in the 60's dealing with the passing of the father. When an Ouija board enters their life, chaos ensues. It stars Annalise Basso (Paulina Zander), Elizabeth Reaser (Alice Zander), Lulu Wilson (Doris Zander), Henry Thomas (Father Tom), and Parker Mack (Mikey). It is rated PG-13.

I must confess that I forgot most of the plot of the first film, but then "Ouija" was a rather lacklustre Halloween offering. As a result, I had to read up on the plot of the original to understand the connection between that and "Ouija: Origin of Evil". By its own merit, "Ouija: Origin of Evil" is an average horror movie, even if the frightening elements are muted in comparison to other scary movies. Compared to the previous one though, it's a gigantic improvement.

Highlights

Doris is genuinely creepy

The whole premise of the film is that you see how Doris (Lulu Wilson) comes to be, since she's the antagonist of "Ouija". She's introduced as an innocent child who wants nothing more than for her mother and sister to be happy. Doris literally exudes joy every time something good happens to her family. So when she turns into the monster we've seen in the trailers, it's a chilling 180-degree change. Her cold anger is nothing like the exuberant warmth we see earlier in the film, making it evident that a terrible force of evil lurks inside her.

Quaint setting

Surprisingly, the 60's time period works well for the film. It's a cheery, sunny era (sometimes a bit too sunny to be believable) when everyone was more altruistic and straightforward, and the large house they live in is wonderfully decorated with choice props. The attitudes and language are also amusing to watch, and there's even a little inversion of the chauvinism of that time.

Letdowns

Overcomplicated backstory

So, to explain Doris' transformation, "Ouija: Origin of Evil" goes into a long and lengthy tale of the house's gory history. It's got too many unnecessary details and is, quite frankly, boring. The other problem with this exposition is that the first "Ouija" relied on a complicated backstory to explain its ghost, and we get yet another complicated backstory to explain the ghost again. Will it ever end? Will we see the true "Origin of Evil"?

Scares are tame and mild

The scares feel restrained, probably to garner a lower censorship rating allowing a wider audience. If you've seen the poster, then you've seen the worst that "Ouija: Origin of Evil" has to offer. Even the climax lacks a real scare as it prevents you from seeing the unspeakable horrors that one of the protagonists has to resort to (all you see is a POV shot).

Ending is a downer

The ending is one of the most pessimistic ever for a film. Part of it is due to the fact that Doris is such a likeable girl in the beginning, and the movie ends with her transformation into the creature we see in "Ouija". The other problem is that there's no catharsis for the viewer, since the most sympathetic character in the film becomes utterly corrupted.

"Ouija: Origin of Evil" is more like a steppingstone to evil, rather than the origin of evil.

Should you watch this if it's free? OK.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? If you like horror.

Score: 2.5/5

"Ouija: Origin of Evil" opens in cinemas: - 3 November 2016 (Singapore) - 3 November 2016 (Malaysia) - 26 October 2016 (Philippines)

Ouija: Origin of Evil (United International Pictures)

#slideshow #movies #horror #evil #Ouija #Ouija: Origin of Evil #reviews #terror #Doris #Ouija Board #seance #spirits #ghosts #Halloween

Review: Christine Baranski's character, Chef, steals the show in 'Trolls'

Secret ending? Yes, and the credits are fun to watch.

Running time: 93 minutes (~1.5 hours)

"Trolls" is a 3D animated comedy adventure musical based on the eponymous toy brand. A race of tiny Trolls face certain extinction when a race of large giants, the Bergens, discover that eating Trolls brings happiness to them. It features the voice talents of Anna Kendrick (Poppy), Justin Timberlake (Branch), Zooey Deschanel (Bridget), Russell Brand (Creek), Christine Baranski (Chef), John Cleese (King Gristle Sr), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Prince Gristle Jr). It is, surprisingly, rated PG.

"Trolls" could almost be a Disney film, what with characters breaking out into song upon the slightest provocation and the saccharine power of friendship infusing every element of the plot. And it's rather creative with how the Trolls use their super powers (hint: it's the hair). It's just that it lacks that special quality, that sincerity and heart, which would elevate it from being an adequate film to a spectacular one.

Highlights

Chef steals the show with her barely concealed contempt

Chef (Christine Baranski) is one sarcastic diva that thoroughly delights in her wickedness. Her sarcasm and disgust for everyone around her, including the Bergens, makes her an entertaining villainess to watch. Although you know she despises her own race, she can't help but want to be accepted and taken back into their ranks. This conflict between her need for love and her hate for the Bergens gives an odd, but interesting dimension to her, and here's to hoping she returns in the inevitable sequel.

Colourful and cute

There's so much colour in the film that it's like they spilled on a rainbow on everything. It can get pretty psychedelic at times, though the colours thankfully don't clash in garish ways. The Trolls are also cutened up from the original creepy-looking toys, and look quite huggable. The Bergens are another story though, but then again, they are the antagonists.

Letdowns

Conflict is resolved too easily

When the climactic confrontation is literally resolved through a song, like every other conflict in the film, it becomes a trite resolution. You wonder why the Trolls didn't sing their way to freedom at the beginning of the film, since that's all it takes for everyone to live happily ever after. For a film that uses a convoluted plot to get people to fall in love, the ending was a sloppy, lazy affair.

Bergens look hideous

The Bergens look horrible. And the two central Bergens, the ones we spend most of the film with, look even uglier than the other random Bergens we see on the street. It's no wonder they can't find happiness if they look so terrible. Couldn't they have taken a leaf from "Shrek" when it comes to designing cute monsters?

One dimensional characters

Virtually all the protagonists are defined by one single character trait, which conveniently doubles up as their super power. The only protagonist who comes remotely close to having some development is Branch (Justin Timberlake). That's why Chef steals the show — she has very little competition to deal with.

"Trolls" is an amusing attempt to give a story to a decades-old franchise, but plot and character are lacking.

Should you watch this if it's free? Yes.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? If you like animated features.

Score: 2.5/5

"Trolls" opens in cinemas: - 3 November 2016 (Singapore) - 3 November 2016 (Malaysia) - 2 November 2016 (Philippines)

Trolls (Twentieth Century Fox)

#slideshow #movies #Trolls #Justin Timberlake #Anna Kendrick #Christine Baranski #animation #comedy #adventure #fantasy #musical

Review: 'Your Name' shows us the beauty of everyday existence

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 107 minutes (~1.75 hours)

"Your Name" (also known as "<your name.>") is a 2D animated fantasy romance in which a male and female teenager swap bodies at random. It shows how both characters learn to cope with the switches, even though they cannot remember each other's name after the switch. It features the voice talents of Ryunosuke Kamiki (Taki Tachibana), Mone Kamishiraishi (Mitsuha Miyamizu), Masami Nagasawa (Miki Okudera), Etsuko Ichihara (Hitoha Miyamizu). It is rated PG.

"Your Name" is probably one of the best animated features this year, even rivalling "Zootopia" for its skillful use of emotional resonance and powerful visuals to tell its story. What makes it so effective is that the stakes aren't earth-shattering, but personal. It concentrates on two characters and their ordinary lives - if they can’t achieve their goals, the world would not suffer for it. Instead of a broad canvas, this film covers only a little bit of ivory, two inches wide, requiring the use of the finest brush. And it creates a greater effect than some blockbuster films this year, showing us that it's the little things that count.

Highlights

Breathtaking scenery and backdrops

The locations look like expensive pieces of art, giant swathes of land painted with loving care. Whether it's a modern metropolis or a quiet village, an apartment bedroom or a vending machine by the road side, they are all romanticised as idyllic havens. That's not to say there aren't imperfections in the locations. But instead of perfection, the artwork strives for character, giving colour and personality to places we wouldn't give a second thought about.

The wonderful simplicity and mundane objects

There are constant close-ups of everyday items, and they're rendered in the same careful detail as the locations. The animation brings out the otherwise overlooked details of these common objects, helping immerse us in the "Your Name" universe while showing us the beauty of the things we hold everyday. It implicitly encourages us to slow down and enjoy the moment by setting an example in the film itself, and showing us just how wondrous our world is, even if it isn't a fantasy.

Organic, character-driven romance

The story is almost completely character-driven (except for one painful plot beat) and grows its characters organically by letting their actions dictate what happens next, even if this may sometimes bring us into strange and random segues. This leads to a romance that actually feels modern and deserved, in that the two characters are completely opposites, yet fall in love despite virtually never meeting each other. It's a love that's born of connection rather than passion, which is a refreshing take on romances.

So many near-misses

Sometimes you just want to reach out and grab the characters after seeing the number of near-misses they have, especially towards the end of the film. You desperately want them to find each other, yet they seem unable to even if they're within view of each other. The dramatic irony also highlights a more subtle theme in the film, that we look but do not see, and only in the climax is our need to see them together finally sublimated.

Letdowns

Deliberate, artificial ignorance of Taki

Unfortunately, Act Three springs into action only upon a very heavy-handed manipulation of the plot, in which Taki forgets about a national event that rocked the world only a few years ago. It's unbelievable that someone as savvy and connected as Taki would be so ignorant about the event (to the point that his friends have to explain the disaster to him, a contrivance which also doubles up as convenient exposition). Yet Taki has to be this ignorant for the story to progress. He behaves true to character otherwise, which makes this one occasion all the more frustrating.

"Your Name" shows us to look beyond ourselves and see the true beauty of life.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.

Should you watch this more than once? If you like the art design.

Score: 4.1/5

"Your Name" opens in cinemas: - 3 November 2016 (Singapore) - 8 December 2016 (Malaysia)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

Your Name (Purple Plan)

#slideshow #movies #reviews #anime #animation #Your Name #Asian Cinema #romance #fantasy #Japan

Movies coming to you in November: Lulu the Movie, Death Note: Light Up the New World, Your Name and more

Every month, we’ll tell you what upcoming movies are screening in cinemas islandwide, and which are the ones that you must watch.

Overview of November’s releases

With Halloween just around the corner, November sees a good number of horror films popping up across different languages, with almost one new horror film a week. "Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them" and "Death Note: Light Up the New World" also debut this month, showing us that good franchises always find a way to come back. There are two other animes to catch for otakus, "Your Name" and "Pokemon: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel", and the end of November sees the beginning of the Christmas movie avalanche - "Bad Santa 2".

Highlights for November

Your Name (3 November)

Taki wakes from what seemed like a very important dream. But in an unfamiliar room and not in his body…but that of a girl! On the other hand, Mitsuha, a teen girl, is tired of living in a mountain village. She pleads to God “Please, let me be a handsome Tokyo boy in my next life!” The next morning, Mitsuha awakens as a high school male. Based on information around her, she learns whose body she inhabits. His name is Taki. The two have switched places! When they wake up again, they’ve returned to their former selves. But sleep brings the body swap again and again. Mysteriously, the pattern continues daily. The two fumble about, unaccustomed to each other’s bodies, but start communicating by memo. As they awkwardly overcome one challenge after another, a bond develops between the two- one that evolves into something more romantic.

However, there’s something they still don’t know… The unexpected is about to be revealed.

"Your Name" is a beautiful romantic drama that delights in the beauty of everyday things, rather than death defying acts of love. Although it sounds like it has a complicated science fiction conceit, the film focuses on the unspoken thoughts and the telling actions of the character. The contrast between a shy girl from a rural town and a brash boy from the big city also shows us how opposites attract across time and space.

Death Note: Light Up the New World (1o November)

10 years has passed since the confrontation between Kira and L. Again, Shinigami sends Death Notes to the ground, and due to this, the world soon falls into chaos. Mishima (Masahiro Higashide) is a member of the Death Note special task force with 6 other investigators including Matsuda who was involved in the Kira case 10 years ago.

Mass murders caused by the Death Notes take place in the U.S., Japan and other countries around the world. World famous private investigator Ryuzaki (Sosuke Ikematsu), who is the rightful successor of L, joins in the investigation. They discover that 6 Death Notes currently exist in the world. A computer virus called Kira soon spreads throughout the world.

A message in the Kira virus says to turn in 6 Death Notes.

Yes, it's been almost a decade since we last saw the Death Note (in "L: Change the World") and while both main characters have succumbed to death, their legacy lives on through three young men who want the Death Notes for various purposes. Now there 6 Death Notes, and a whole lot more Shinigami to deal with. Who will succeed? Which characters from the original will return for this film? And does Ryuk still like apples?

Lulu the Movie (24 November)

This is a story of a sweet PRC girl who comes to Singapore to meet her online lover but ends up having to deal with more than she bargained for.

Come follow Lulu's (mis)adventures, from trying to get a job at the KTV to travelling around the world as a bona fide fashionista.

Although Lulu's tumultuous journey is filled with mockery, discrimination and tough times, Lulu refuses to give up or compromise (particularly on wearing leopard print), because as Lulu says, "dying is easy, but staying true to oneself is hard".

To be honest I'd much rather see "Leticia the Movie" but who's to say she doesn't make a cameo in this film? "Lulu the Movie" is a proud celebration of a homegrown character that we've grown to love, and she's risen past her humble beginnings in the parking lots of Mediacorp to becoming a leading lady on the silver screen. Will Lulu find what she wants or will she realise that she's had it inside her all along? Actually it doesn't matter, we just want to hear her make her crude but honest comments about Singapore again!

3 November

Your Name Genre: Animated romance Cast: Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryo Narita, Aoi Yuki, Nobunaga Shimazaki

Ouija: Origin of Evil Genre: Horror Cast: Doug Jones, Lulu Wilson, Henry Thomas, Elizabeth Reaser, Annalise Basso

The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years Genre: Documentary Cast: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison

Trolls Genre: Animated adventure comedy Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Russell Brand, Zooey Deschanel, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, James Corden, Kunal Nayyar, Ron Funches, Icona Pop, Quvenzhané Wallis, John Cleese, Gwen Stefani

Nessun Dorma (凶手还未睡) Genre: Horror thriller Cast: Gordon Lam, Andy Hui, Janice Man, Jacky Cai, Wilfred Lau, Coco Chan, Steve Chan, Candice Yu

Army of One Genre: Comedy Cast: Nicolas Cage, Russell Brand, Wendi McLendon-Covey

Masterminds Genre: Crime action comedy Cast: Kristen Wiig, Zach Galifianakis, Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon

10 November

Death Note: Light Up The New World Genre: Action adventure Cast: Masahiro Higashide, Sosuke Ikematsu, Masaki Suda, Erika Toda, Rina Kawaei, Eiichiro Funakoshi, Sota Aoyama, Mina Fujii, Ryosuke Takei

The Menu (导火新闻线) Genre: Drama Cast: Gregory Wong, Catherine Chau, Kate Yeung, Richard Ng

Soulmate (七月与安生) Genre: Drama Cast: Zhou Dongyu, Ma Sichun, Toby Lee, Li Chengshan

Fallen Genre: Drama Cast: Lola Kirke, Joely Richardson, Jeremy Irvine, Harrison Gilbertson, Joely Richardson, Juliet Aubrey, Addison Timlin

The Monster Genre: Horror Cast: Zoe Kazan, Ella Ballentine, Scott Speedman

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Genre: Dramedy Cast: Vin Diesel, Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, Steve Martin, Chris Tucker, Joe Alwyn, Ben Platt

11 November

Rock On 2 Genre: Musical drama Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Shraddha Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Prachi Desai, Shashank Arora

17 November

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them Genre: Fantasy adventure Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Jon Voight, Ron Periman

Shut In Genre: Horror Cast: Naomi Watts, Jacob Tremblay, Oliver Platt, Charlie Heaton

I Am Not Madame Bovary (我不是潘金蓮) Genre: Comedy Cast: Fan Bingbing, Dong Chengpeng, Wei Fan, Zhang Jiayi, Yu Hewei

Denial Genre: Biographical historical drama Cast: Rachel Weisz, Andrew Scott, Timothy Spall, Tom Wilkinson

Happy Dorm (极乐宿舍) Genre: Comedy Cast: Chih Tian Shih, Fion Hong, Toby Lee, Awayne Liu, Eason, Claire Lee

18 November

Hunt for The Wilderpeople Genre: Drama Cast: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata

24 November

Pokemon the Movie: Volcanion and the Mechanical Marvel Genre: Animated adventure Cast: Rica Matsumoto, Yuki Kaji, Mariya Ise, Mayuki Makiguchi

Lulu the Movie Genre: Comedy Cast: Michelle Chong, Chen Tianwen, Leon Jay Williams

Allied Genre: War romantic drama Cast: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Lizzy Caplan, Jared Harris, Matthew Goode

Moana Genre: Animated adventure Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Auli'i Cravalho, Tommy Lee Jones, Alan Tudyk

Lion Genre: Drama Cast: Dev Patel, Rooney Mara, Nicole Kidman, David Wenham

The Whole Truth Genre: Thriller drama Cast: Keanu Reeves, Renée Zellweger, James Bleushi, Gabriel Basso, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Bad Santa 2 Genre: Comedy Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, Christina Hendricks, Bretty Kelly, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox

Army of One (Shaw Organisation)

Denial (Shaw Organisation)

Nessun Dorma (Shaw Organisation)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Warner Bros Pictures)

Happy Dorms (Shaw Organisation)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Sony Pictures Releasing)

The Menu (Shaw Organisation)

The Monster (Shaw Organisation)

Fallen (Cathay-Feris Films)

Shut in (Cathay-Feris Films)

Trolls (Twentieth Century Fox)

Ouijia: Origin of Evil (United International Pictures)

Death Note: Light Up the New World (Encore Films)

Lulu the Movie (Huat Films Pte Ltd)

#slideshow #movies #November #Lulu the Movie #Your Name #Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them #Death Note #Death Note: Light Up the New World #Singapore #Halloween

Shows coming to Singapore screens this November: Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim, Girl in the Box, Rent-a-Rescue and more

Every month, we’ll tell you about new television shows to hit terrestrial and cable channels, as well as streaming sites in Singapore!

We’ll also highlight shows that you’ve got to be home (or on your phone) to catch every month.

Overview of November shows

It's a relatively quiet month with niche shows like "Crown" and quirky programmes like "Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo" that might just pique your interest if you give them a try.

There's the usual slate of Korean dramas coming up, with "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim" popping up on two platforms.

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim ONE (Singtel TV Ch 513/604, Starhub TV Ch 124/820/8230), 8 Nov, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8.10 pm Viu, 8 Nov

Boo Yong Joo is a surgical prodigy nicknamed “Hands of God” in recognition of his impeccable skills, who abruptly quits his job and disappears one day. He resurfaces after some time at a small provincial hospital where he is now known as “Teacher Kim,” and where he mentors two younger doctors. Under Teacher Kim’s guidance, the two doctors will learn what it means to be true doctors!

The title pretty much gives away the premise of the show. The titular doctor specialises in medicine, teaches medicine to two younger doctors, falls in love or has some romantic entanglements with his students, and is known as "Teacher Kim" to the both of them.

It probably also means that he's hiding his identity and they'll discover what a legend they have on their hands, and since there are two younger doctors, we can look forward to a love triangle at some point.

And it's so anticipated that it's on both ONE and Viu! I think that says a lot about the anticipated popularity of the show.

If he learnt magic, then this series could potentially become a hit movie...

Girl in the Box on Lifetime (Starhub Channel 514) (16 Nov, Wednesday 9.00 pm)

Based on a chilling true story, "Girl in the Box" is a dark psychological drama. In the spring of 1977, 22-year-old Colleen Stan is hitchhiking to California when she accepts a ride from a young married couple, Cameron and Janice Hooker. But Cameron is obsessed with S&M and bondage, and he’s chosen Colleen to fulfill his fantasy of owning a slave.

Kidnapped at knifepoint, Colleen will spend the next seven years imprisoned for up to 23 hours a day in a coffin-size box beneath the Hooker’s bed. When not incarcerated, she works as the Hooker’s slave and child-minder as she is drawn into a bizarre and complex world of obsession and fantasy.

It's a horrible premise to begin with, but it also tells you so much about Colleen's captors and her own situation. It's got shades of claustrophobia infused into it, and there's even a hint of Stockholm syndrome in this film. Pretty dark for a telemovie, and it's a welcome change for made-for-TV films to explore such controversial stories.

Rent-a-Rescue on GEM (Singtel TV Ch 519) (Rent-a-Rescue (29 Nov, Mondays and Tuesdays, 9.00 pm)

Help is but a phone call away! The debt-laden Yugo is at his wits’ end when a mysterious man offers him work as a “multi-purpose rescue rental man”. His job is to accede to every request from his clients, ranging from simple errands to locating missing persons. As he meets and solves the problems of many desperate clients, Yugo will come to find himself unwittingly becoming the town’s hero!

This light-hearted comedy looks like the exact sort of quirky series that Japanese media are known for. It's got a hero who's willing to do whatever it takes to solve his issue, who rises to prominence thanks to his work ethic. Then there's the actual situation and work he has to do, which sounds like a lot of wacky mishaps waiting to happen. In an age where almost every drama is a serious examination of love and morality, it's fun to see one that dispenses with all that, doesn't take itself too seriously, and just has fun with its characters.

Suria

PICIT (9 Nov, Wednesday 9.30 pm)

ONE (Singtel TV Ch 513/604, StarHub TV Ch 124/820/823)

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (8 Nov, Wednesdays and Thursdays 8.10 pm)

GEM (Singtel TV Ch 519)

Pretty Proofreader (23 Nov, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9.00 pm)

Rent-a-Rescue (29 Nov, Mondays and Tuesdays, 9.00 pm)

Animax (Singtel TV Ch 342, StarHub TV Ch 532)

The Seven Deadly Sins -Signs of Holy War- (28 Nov, Mondays and Tuesdays 10.00 pm)

Hello!! KINMOZA! (8 Nov, Mondays and Tuesdays, 8.00 pm)

cHK (Singtel TV Ch 510)

The Mystic Nine (7 Nov, Mondays to Fridays 10.00 pm)

Lifetime (Starhub Channel 514)

Killer Coach (movie) (2 Nov, Wednesday 9.00 pm)

Indiscretion (movie) (9 Nov, Wednesday 9.00 pm)

Girl in the Box (movie) (16 Nov, Wednesday 9.00 pm)

The Wrong Child (movie) (23 Nov, Wednesday 9.00 pm)

The Inherited (movie) (30 Nov, Wednesday 9.00 pm)

Viu

Entourage Korea (4 Nov)

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (8 Nov)

Father, I Take Care of You (13 Nov)

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (17 Nov)

Netflix

The Expanse (3 Nov)

The Crown (4 Nov)

The Ivory Game (4 Nov)

World of Winx (4 Nov)

Beat Bugs (second season) (8 Nov)

True Memoirs of an International Assassin (movie) (11 Nov)

Roman Empire: Reign of Empire (11 Nov)

Lovesick (second season) (11 Nov)

Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (25 Nov)

3% (25 Nov)

3% (Netflix)

Roman Empire: Reign of Blood (Netflix)

The Crown (Netflix)

The Ivory Game (Netflix)

True Memoirs of an International Assassin (Netflix)

Lovesick (Netflix)

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (Viu)

The Crown (Netflix)

The Expanse (Netflix)

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (Viu)

Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim (Viu)

Entourage Korea (Viu)

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (Viu)

Killer Coach (Lifetime)

The Wrong Child (Lifetime)

Hello!! KINMOZA! (Animax)

Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo (Viu)

Pretty Proofreader (GEM)

The Seven Deadly Sins -Signs of Holy War- (Animax)

The Mystic Nine (cHK)

Rent-a-Rescue (GEM)

The Inherited (Lifetime)

Girl in the Box (Lifetime)

Indiscretion (Lifetime)

Entourage Korea (Viu)

Girl in the Box (Lifetime)

#slideshow #Singapore #television #Rent-a-Rescue #Romantic Doctor Teacher Kim #Girl in the Box #Viu #Netflix #TV

Review: 'Doctor Strange' shows us a whole new world

Secret ending: Two of them!

Running time: 115 minutes (~2 hours)

"Doctor Strange" is a superhero movie, the fourteenth in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It focuses on the rise of Doctor Strange, a surgeon who learns to master the mystic arts and becomes a supreme sorcerer on Earth (although not a Sorcerer Supreme). It stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange/Dormammu), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo), Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer), Benedict Wong (Wong), Tilda Swinton (the Ancient One), Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius), with cameos by Stan Lee (as himself) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor). It is rated PG-13.

"Doctor Strange" has been highly anticipated because it adds another dimension to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though it could be said that since we've already seen deities, we've seen magic. Nevertheless, this is magic depicted as completely mystical, rather than some highly advanced form of science as of yet unknown. It won't knock your socks off, but "Doctor Strange" still impresses by taking a high-concept hero and making him relatable and fun.

Highlights

Easily understood and quantified magic

The problem with depicting magic in film is that the limits must be clearly defined and intuitively understood. Otherwise the audience will never know if the protagonist is endangered. While “Doctor Strange” doesn't lay out the rules of magic as starkly as say, the Harry Potter series does, it does show you what the most powerful sorcerers are capable of, giving you a visual cue as to what magic can achieve. It can warp reality but not destroy buildings outright, manipulate time but not rewrite history, and that's a crucial distinction to make when your main character's power is potentially limitless.

A whole new world

Just like how "Ant-Man" showed us what a Lilliputian version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be like, "Doctor Strange” shows the world through a magical lens. Perspectives and gravity are continuously twisted as the characters battle in the magical realm, giving us a sense that this is truly a battlefield that our regular Avengers might not be able to triumph in. Well, except for the Hulk maybe. It avoids the standard psychedelic perspectives that you'd expect, while still remaining fresh enough to provide a unique take on magic.

Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One

Whitewashing aside, Tilda Swinton gives a rather compelling performance as the weary and conflicted Ancient One. Her slender frame contrasts perfectly with the skill and power at her disposal, highlighting the themes of appearance vs reality. In the end, we can't help but feel sorry for the Ancient One, who has to bear the burden of the world's safety on her tiny shoulders.

Climax comes full circle

The inevitable defeat of the villain is very cleverly tied to Doctor Strange's personal conflict, in that he has to rise above his flaws to achieve victory. It also melds his great intellect with his arcane abilities, showing us why Doctor Strange is fit to be the Earth’s great sorcerer since he brings an unorthodox methodology to an even more unorthodox power source. In the end though, it all comes back to character, and Doctor Strange's character triumphs are similarly echoed in his physical wins.

Letdowns

Benedict Cumberbatch's uneven accent

The worst part about Benedict Cumberbatch's accent is that it is incredibly noticeable at times, which means he's laying it on too thick. For the bulk of the film, his American accent sounds perfectly in tune with his character and situations. But every now and then, that accent goes into overdrive, reminding viewers that this isn't the natural way this actor speaks. It's not a major quibble but just like in “Black Mass”, it detracts from his performance.

"Doctor Strange" is an exciting new foray into the magic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes, unless you really don't like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Should you watch this more than once? Nah.

Score: 3.9/5

"Doctor Strange" opens in cinemas: - 27 October 2016 (Singapore) - 27 October 2016 (Malaysia) - 26 October 2016 (Philippines)

“Doctor Strange”. (Walt Disney Pictures)

#slideshow #movies #Doctor Strange #Benedict Cumberbatch #Tilda Swinton #Rachel McAdams #Marvel Cinematic Universe #superhero #magic #adventure #Avengers

Review: 'The Neon Demon' is an artistic parable for the Instagram generation

Secret ending? No, but the credits are interesting to watch

Running time: 117 minutes (~2 hours)

“The Neon Demon” is a horror drama about a young girl who comes to Los Angeles to be a model. She is unexpectedly successful, so much so that she earns the jealousy of those around her. It stars Elle Fanning (Jesse), Karl Glusman (Dean), Jena Malone (Ruby), Bella Heathcote (Gigi), Abbey Lee (Sarah), Desmond Harrington (Jack McCarther), Christina Hendricks, (Roberta Hoffman), Keanu Reeeves (Hank), and Alessandro Nivola (Robert Sarno). It is rated M-18.

"The Neon Demon" should really be R21, not for the intimate scenes but for the sheer goriness that ensures. But if you can look past the blood and guts (they'll pop up in surprising places), it's an artistic parable for the Instagram generation. Rich colours and a gorgeous cast make this a beguiling picture to watch, while the depravity and jealousy makes the story fascinating to follow, as we see just how desperate humans can be in their pursuit of perfection.

Highlights

Jesse’s vulnerability

Elle Fanning’s gentleness makes for a convincing and sympathetic protagonist who’s clearly out of her depth in the fashion world — at first, that is. She portrays this deer in the headlights look with such authenticity that it elicits your desire to protect and help her. This stark contrast to the rest of the materialistic, shallow models makes you root for her to win against all the other callous characters.

Beautifully framed and coloured shots

As befits a film about unattainable standards of beauty, each shot is carefully constructed and framed with great attention paid to the lens flares and the mise-en-scene. It results in an artistic and beautiful film, where even the imperfections of the world are wonderful to look at. In a way, the locations are just as gorgeous as the cast members themselves.

Disturbing visuals

Jesse’s hallucinations are haunting but elegant, thematic but jarring. The worst part is how they segue into real life, giving you the sensation that her world is superficial and deep at the same time. It plays into the psychological horror of Jesse’s situation, and the beautiful but eerie fantasies soon give way to reality... or do they?

Letdowns

Video-gamey, retro music

There’s lots of neon in “The Neon Demon” and the accompanying 80’s music, when neon ruled the day, accompanies such shots. While both the neon lights and MIDI-style music match, it feels anachronistic in a 2016 film, since the rest of the movie is fairly modern in its approach. Perhaps a more sophisticated remix of the soundtrack would have worked better?

Straightforward moralising

Of course a movie about the modelling world would include lessons about how beauty is only skin deep. “The Neon Demon” doesn’t frame this argument any differently, and even has key characters come right up to deliver this message. There are no unique insights to the message of the movie, which is disappointing to see.

“The Neon Demon” lives up to its name, as metaphorical as it might be.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? No.

Score: 3.0/5

"The Neon Demon" opens in cinemas: - 20 October, 2016 (Singapore)

"The Neon Demon" is banned in Malaysia.

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

“The Neon Demon”. (Shaw Organisation)

#slideshow #movies #reviews #The Neon Demon #Elle Fanning #Keanu Reeves #Jena Malone #Christina Hendricks #horror #drama #models

Review: 'Jack Reacher: Never Go Back' is very ordinary

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 118 minutes (~2 hours)

"Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" is an action thriller that's the second in the "Jack Reacher" franchise. Ex-army man Jack Reacher returns to his former military base and finds himself framed and on the the run. It stars Tom Cruise (Jack Reacher), Cobie Smulders (Susan Turner), Danika Yarosh (Samantha Dayton), and Robert Knepper (General Harkness). It is rated NC-16.

"Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" is very ordinary. Without reading the synopsis, you can already guess that somebody gets framed and has to go on the run. What happened to the good old days when protagonists would stumble across an evil plot and then race to solve it, rather than being dragged into a scheme thanks to some flimsy reason to frame them for a crime? It's not a terrible film, but it doesn't stand out amongst this month's offerings either.

Highlights

A twist in twist in the the tale

Due to how relationships are depicted and how bonds are built up between certain characters over the film, you're lead to believe that a deeper connection lies between some characters. It's a heartwarming moment when Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) finally reveals his latent emotions, but that's completely turned on his head with an even more surprising revelation in the ending. Even with the sudden plot twist, Jack still acknowledges his feelings for the person, even as everything goes back to status quo.

Susan Turner is rather badass

Honestly, this film should have been named "Susan Turner: Never Go Back" since she's the more interesting character. She's almost as good in melee combat as Jack Reacher (except when the plot calls for her to be helplessly knocked against the side of the wall) and her backstory is far more interesting. It's a pity that her role couldn't have been expanded further.

Letdowns

Susan Turner likes bathrobes a little too much

So Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) is portrayed as a woman who's independent and eager to prove that she's worth as much as, if not more than, any man. Yet when all the main characters find themselves in a hotel room, she spends the bulk of her time traipsing around in a bathrobe. It's odd to see her demand equality yet dress seductively, and is a mishandled case of feminism in the film.

Samantha Dayton is a brat

The other key protagonist in the film is Samantha Dayton (Danika Yarosh), and she's more of a hindrance than anything else. She tries to emulate a young Anna Paquin in an attempt to be more likeable, but her swings between petulant teen and supposedly innocent child are too wild to be reconciled properly. Jack Reacher would have resolved the situation much faster if he didn't have to spend so much time on Samantha.

Pointless drama between Jack and Susan

Partway through the film, for absolutely no reason at all, some domestic drama erupts between Jack and Susan. They've been working perfectly well before this, and work perfectly well after, so it comes out of the blue and seems like a very transparent attempt to inject tension into an expository scene. That point of contention is never brought up again between the pair, and is one of the most inane portions of the film.

"Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" is unremarkable.

Should you watch this if it's free? OK.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? No.

Score: 2.0/5

"Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" opens in cinemas: - 20 October, 2016 (Singapore) - 20 October, 2016 (Malaysia) - 19 October, 2016 (Philippines)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

“Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”. (United International Pictures)

#slideshow #Jack Reacher #Jack Reacher: Never Go Back #Tom Cruise #Cobie Smulders #thriller #action #movies

Review: ‘I Am a Hero’ ups the standard of zombie violence

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 127 minutes (~2 hours)

"I Am a Hero" is a zombie horror film that is adapted from the manga series of the same name. A manga artist finds himself in the middle of a zombie apocalypse and must rise to the occasion if he is to survive this disaster. It stars Yo Oizumi (Hideo Suzuki), Kasumi Arimura (Hiromi Hayakari), and Masami Nagasawa (Yabu). It is rated M-18.

"I Am a Hero" will inevitably be compared with "Train to Busan" since they are both Asian zombie films that have come out in the same year. However, it's best to go in without expectations since they are two totally different beasts. Their only commonality is zombies, and beyond that, it's really apples to oranges.

Word of advice: don't bring food in. You might not be able to finish your snacks.

Highlights

Fast paced action

There are no elaborate duels or tricky chase sequences in "I Am a Hero" — zombie battles are hardcore, violent scrimmages that always end in a fatality (whether it is human or zombie). It goes against the grain of the usual graceful fighting styles of zombie hunters, because here they either take a pick in the head or a shotgun to the face. The wanton violence increases the pace of the film and creates stronger tension because we can't anticipate what will happen next, and you're never quite sure if they'll succeed in lopping off the zombie's head or only part of his jaw.

Character evolution

Although it's telegraphed from the very beginning, Hideo's character evolution is unlike the usual story arc because even in the later Acts, he's still ineffectually cowering for his life. Yet you can tell that he desires to be a great hero one day, and this juxtaposition of passivity and imagination is what builds up our sympathy for him. He might not be the traditional zombie film hero, but you're still rooting for him.

Horrifying zombies and injuries

Zombies are never cleanly defeated here. They're shredded, piece by piece, by suboptimal weapons like golf clubs or staple guns, and require a good portion of their head to be destroyed before they finally stop moving. In fact, zombies bite the faces of humans a bit too often in this film. It's always cringe inducing, and you don't just get blood everywhere. It's a hearty helping of innards, flesh, and blood that splatter the floors of the film.

Letdowns

Hiromi Hayakari could have been replaced by a large cardboard cutout

Hiromi fulfils an indeterminable role in the film. I mean, what exactly is she supposed to be? She's liability, asset, love interest, and a hundred other things, but the film never follows through on what exactly she's supposed to be. It's not that she could be easily replaced either, because she does serve a plot function. It's just that she seems to be a multi-purpose cardboard cutout that becomes whatever is necessary for the movie to move on. At least she's a pretty cardboard cutout.

Some portions are over the top and cartoony

The movie is distinctly Japanese because the imaging for the zombies can get hilarious at times. The closeup of their veins popping as their faces distend is something that could work for an anime, but looks incredibly unrealistic in what is otherwise a gory, bloody film. In an odd way, it works because it disarms you into thinking it will be some silly zombie show, then sends maniacal face eaters against the protagonists to horrify you with the level of violence.

"I Am a Hero" ups the standard of zombie violence.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? If you like zombie films.

Score: 3.5/5

"I Am a Hero" opens in cinemas: - 20 October 2016 (Singapore)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

“I Am a Hero”. (Shaw Organisation)

#slideshow #movies #reviews #I Am a Hero #zombies #apocalypse #Yo Oizumi #Kasumi Arimura #Masami Nagasawa

Review: ‘The Accountant’ feels like a constipated, financial ‘Batman’

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 128 minutes (~2.25 hours)

"The Accountant" is an action film about a very unconventional accountant. When he comes across an inconsistency in a company's accounts, his dogged efforts unearths a lethal conspiracy. It stars Ben Affleck (Christian Wolff), Anna Kendrick (Dana Cummings), J.K. Simmons (Ray King), Jon Bernthal (Brax), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Marybeth Medina), Jeffrey Tambor (Francis Silverberg), Seth Lee (young Christian Wolff), and John Lithgow (Lamar Black). It is rated NC-16.

Ah, Ben Affleck. If you didn't get enough of his scowling and brooding in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" then you'll be overjoyed to see that he does more of that here, except that he's got a biological reason to do so. In fact, "The Accountant" virtually reproduces Ben Affleck's Batman, from the superb combat skills to the analytical skills to the array of secret gadgets at his disposal. Except this time, Ben Affleck isn't battling costumed criminals - he's battling evil corporate moguls. Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a financial Batman with an even more constipated brooding face.

Highlights

Action scenes are fun

It's undoubtedly fun to see Christian Wolff mop up baddies with a straight face. It's almost as if he finds it a chore to take down the goons that he faces. There really isn't anyone who's a match for him (well there is, but let's just say that might not happen until the sequel), so he approaches fights with the same blasé attitude we would approach household chores. It's quite refreshing to see the way the action scenes are executed.

Pays off seeming innocuous set-ups

Much of "The Accountant" seems to be random exposition stuck in to explain Christian Wolff's abilities. Yet it all comes back full circle by the end of the film as what seem to be throwaway bits of information turn out to be a critical part of the story. There's also a gentle hint of a sequel. The only quibble is that it all seems awfully coincidental, although it makes perfect sense if you devote some time to think about it.

Letdowns

No chemistry between Ben Affleck and Anna Kendrick

Dana Cummings (Anna Kendrick) seems to be this pest to Wolff, until he inexplicably shows some interest in her. It would have worked if there were some level of attraction between the two stars, but as it stands, they're just reciting lines of dialogue. And they both happen to be accountants. That's the extent of their relationship.

Ben Affleck equates constipation to intelligence

So Wolff has difficulty relating to normal people, since he's a super genius. It's a common trope, so there should be plenty of material and references to draw upon in shaping his portrayal of the lonely genius. What does Ben Affleck do? He looks constipated. When Dana speaks to him, he looks constipated. When his clients speak to him, it's constipation again.

What makes it even worse is that young Christian Wolff (played by Seth Lee) does a much finer job of depicting a savant who has difficulty communicating with others. Young Christian Wolff outshines adult Christian Wolff in this respect, and it's just... embarrassing.

Marybeth and Ray's subplot is pointless

Ray (J.K. Simmons) and Marybeth (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) are on the side of the law, and also after Christian Wolff. The problem is that their paths never quite intersect and they don't fulfil a critical purpose in the story. They function more as additional exposition fairies, there to dole out information about Christian Wolff that we couldn't get any other way.

Ben Affleck shows little variation in acting in "The Accountant".

Should you watch this if it's free? Yes.

Should you watch it at weekday movie ticket prices? No.

Score: 2.0/5

"The Accountant" opens in cinemas: - 13 October 2016 (Singapore) - 20 October 2016 (Malaysia) - 2 November 2016 (Philippines)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

“The Accountant”. (Warner Bros Singapore)

#slideshow #movies #reviews #The Accountant #Ben Affleck #Anna Kendrick

Review: 'L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties' has a rich and well thought-out mythology

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 117 minutes (~2 hours)

"L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)" is a 3D motion capture animated action fantasy adventure wu xia film.

In a distant realm where martial artists battle each other with the power of their souls, an unlikely coincidence reveals a dark conspiracy that could tear apart the entire world.

It features the likeness and voice talents of Fan Bingbing (Kuizan Lotus), Kris Wu (Silver), Cheney Chen (Chi-Ling), William Chan (Nether), Amber Kuo (Thalia), Yang Mi (Shen Yin), Lin Yun (Phantom Flower), Yan Yikuan (Kuizan Feng When), Aarif Rahman (Ni Hong), Roy Wang (Pale Boy), Wang Duo (Kila). It is rated PG-13.

"L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)" is a large improvement over previous Chinese animated films. It features a complicated but nuanced plot (pay attention to the details!) and imaginative animation to complement the plot.

With a rich and well thought-out mythology, exciting and creative battles, and a lot more room to expand the material, "L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)" is a large leap forward for Chinese animated films.

Highlights

Excellent facial animation

The close-ups are so lifelike that you could almost mistake them for real human faces, and have none of that uncanny valley discomfort, probably because they are based on familiar stars already.

Their emotiveness is also nearly indistinguishable from regular people, again, probably due to the fact that it is motion capture based. Emotions are the backbone of any good drama, and "L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)" does well in this regard.

An epic plot

What begins as a misunderstanding eventually evolves (a bit abruptly though) into a plot that threatens to undo the established world order. It piles revelation and revelation upon you as the film races towards its conclusion.

You're left with the sense that you've barely scratched the surface of the grand machinations that are occurring behind the scenes.

Fluid fight scenes

"L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)" delivers on the fight scenes, which look straight out of a martial arts anime.

It's not just random bursts of energy and colourful movement effects — each character has a distinctly different fighting style.

Some might utilise fantastic beasts (though it doesn't say where to find them) while others manipulate multiple weapons in a fight. Element wielders abound as well.

Letdowns

Regular movements seem awkward and unnatural

While a lot of attention was paid to the fight scenes and emotional close-ups, it seems like they forgot about the regular movements, like walking and talking.

When it comes to these less fancy scenes, they really remind you that this is a computer animated feature, thanks to the robotic and eerily smooth movements.

Well, at least they know where to spend their money.

Chi-Lin is so clueless he could possibly be brain damaged

The story is told mostly from the eyes of Chi-Lin (Cheney Chen), who is the Everyman in the story and hence has everything explained to him.

He is portrayed as the blur goofball to ostensibly enhance his cuteness and appeal.

Unfortunately, he is dumbed down to the point of not being able to function as a human being, much less being a superb martial artists. He is so dim-witted that it's a surprise no other character has throttled him yet.

"L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)" is an energetic film that needs some work on consistency and characterisation.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Nah.

Score: 3.0/5

"L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)" opens in cinemas: - 13 October 2016 (Singapore)

"L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties (爵迹)". (Clover Films)

#slideshow #movies #reviews #LORD #Legend of Ravaging Dynasties #L.O.R.D. Legend of Ravaging Dynasties #爵迹 #CGI #fantasy #drama #wu xia #action #adventure #computer animated #motion capture #animation

Review: You can almost smell the fish market in 'Tsukiji Wonderland'

Secret ending? Nope.

Running time: 110 min (~2 hours)

"Tsukiji Wonderland" is a documentary about the history and workings of Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. It features interviews with renowned sushi chef Jiro Ono (from "Jiro Dreams of Sushi") and René Redzepi (co-owner of Danish restaurant Noma).

"Tsukiji Wonderland" is a love letter to the Tsukiji fish market, which was supposed to move on 7 Nov this year but might end up not moving at all.

But it's not just about the legendary seafood hub, as the documentary reveals. It's about the steadfast dedication of the Japanese to deliver the finest culinary experience possible, from the freshest ingredients to the intimate knowledge of the quirks of seafood to ensuring this heritage is passed on to the next generation.

By the end of "Tsukiji Wonderland", you can almost smell the fish market in the cinema. I did, and so did my viewing partner.

Highlights

For the love of fish

A large part of the film revolves around the intermediate wholesalers, who are the middlemen between the distributors and the fishmongers. It might sound impossibly boring, but their single-minded love and focus on fish is fascinating to watch.

They know fish better than they know people, and their knowledge is unrivalled by any text on the subject. Most importantly, their knowledge is borne from the love of fish, rather than a purely commercial motivation.

Japanese work ethic

From chef to distributor to fishmonger to wholesaler, every single person in the supply chain is committed to doing their best, regardless of whether it cuts into profits or if it is laborious.

It's an impressive display of the Japanese work ethic, which brooks no compromises on quality. To see them speak of their craft with such surety and confidence speaks volumes, and gives an experience that stretches far beyond the fish market.

Pure passion

In addition to this work ethic, you can see the tremendous emotion that they imbue their jobs with. For such a tightly conservative and highly reserved society, the fact that you can tell the impending Tsukiji fish market move (although that might not happen anymore) terrifies them is an indication of how much human feeling has been invested.

The significance of the fish market goes back generations as several of the intermediate wholesalers can attest to.

Real insight

One of the greatest draws of the film is seeing the whole process of the tuna auctions, something that the public is occasionally barred from doing.

Although you don't get to hear the actual bargaining (it'd be in Japanese and confidential anyway), it's a breathtaking sight to see so much tuna laid out for the best people in the business, and to watch the auction played out as a high stakes game of poker. This segment alone is worth the price of the ticket.

Letdowns

Lengthy

It's a romanticised view of the Tsukiji fish market, to be sure, and with the romanticism comes long and pensive scenes.

The film clocks in at a hefty 110 minutes, so some trimming could have helped to sustain the interest throughout the film.

Nevertheless, many of the quieter scenes are powerful, emotional moments that shows us the inherent passion of the fish market.

"Tsukiji Wonderland" is the best documentary of 2016, hands down.

Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.

Should you watch this more than once? Nah.

Score: 4.0/5

"Tsukiji Wonderland" opens in cinemas: - 6 Oct 2016 (Singapore)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

"Tsukiji Wonderland" (Golden Village Pictures)

#slideshow #reviews #movies #Tsukiji Wonderland #documentary #Tsukiji #sushi #sashimi #fish #seafood #fish market

Review: 'The Girl on the Train' is about a passive, floundering woman

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 112 minutes (~2 hours)

"The Girl on the Train" is a mystery film that's based on the book of the same title.

An alcoholic ex-divorcee who cannot remember what happens during her drunken blackouts fantasises about the life of a stranger she sees every day on the train — until she finds out that stranger has been murdered.

It stars Emily Blunt (Rachel Watson), Haley Bennett (Megan Hipwell), Rebecca Ferguson (Anna Watson), Justin Theroux (Tom Watson), Luke Evans (Scott Hipwell), Allison Janney (Detective Riley), Edgar Ramirez (Dr Kamal Abdic), and Lisa Kudrow (Martha). It is rated M-18.

"The Girl on the Train" is a mystery film that is, in the end, really about nothing at all. While it does have its moments when it comes to the thrill of the unknown, the problem is that it doesn't elicit positive emotions from you.

You gain nothing from the film, and it's just a movie adaptation of a successful book. That's as good as it gets.

Highlights

Good tension and symbolism

Thanks to the unreliable narrator that is Rachel Watson (Emily Blunt), you can never quite figure out what is happening.

The structure of the film also enhances the disorientation of the protagonist, jumping between locations and time periods with nary an indication of the change.

The finale also surprises you with the sheer cruelty of the surprise antagonist.

Letdowns

Thoroughly confusing storytelling

But thanks to the storytelling style, you also can't figure out what's happening in the film.

You just blunder through the events, and the shocks are intellectual, rather than being emotional surprises.

It's impossible to connect with the characters simply because you don't understand what motivates them, and most importantly, what exactly they did.

Rachel is an unsympathetic protagonist

While you can comprehend why Rachel becomes an alcoholic, you don't feel sorry for her because of the tremendous harm her addiction causes.

Even though the story resolves the central conflict satisfactorily by the end, it doesn't cure the root problem of Rachel's addiction.

Worst of all, Rachel is a passive, whiny character that stumbles upon solutions, rather than taking the initiative to solve the mystery of the movie.

She's not a girl, she's a woman!

And here we come to one of the key problems of Rachel's character. She's not a young, inexperienced girl who's brimming with enthusiasm.

She's a grown woman. The title of the film (and the book) is a huge clue to Rachel's problem.

She has never grown up, so she keeps expecting people to help her, rather than helping herself.

With such an inactive heroine, this makes the film about nothing, and not in the good "Fraser" way either. She's an utterly loathsome character.

Lacks a raison d'etre

There is no point to "The Girl on the Train" because it's just a series of coincidences that end up foiling a murder mystery.

It's not due to the character's dogged perseverance or faith in herself that saves the day — the solution hinges on a chance (and implausible) meeting that sets off a series of revelations.

There's no theme, no message, and no purpose to this film, besides being a mystery that, in hindsight, would be impossible to solve on your own power.

"The Girl on the Train" should have been titled "The Ineffective, Floundering Woman".

Should you watch this if it's free? OK.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? If you like Emily Blunt.

Score: 2.5/5

"The Girl on the Train" opens in cinemas: - 6 Oct 2016 (Singapore) - 6 Oct 2016 (Malaysia) - 5 Oct 2016 (Philippines)

Marcus Goh is a Singapore television scriptwriter. He’s also a Transformers enthusiast and avid pop culture scholar. He Tweets/Instagrams at Optimarcus and writes atmarcusgohmarcusgoh.com. The views expressed are his own.

"The Girl on the Train" (United International Pictures)

Luke Evans as Scott in "The Girl on the Train". (United International Pictures)

Emily Blunt as Rachel in "The Girl on the Train". (United International Pictures)

Rebecca Ferguson as Anna in "The Girl on the Train". (United International Pictures)

Haley Bennett as Megan in "The Girl on the Train". (United International Pictures)

"The Girl on the Train" (United International Pictures)

Haley Bennett as Megan in "The Girl on the Train". (United International Pictures)

Edgar Ramirez as Dr. Kamal in "The Girl on the Train". (United International Pictures)

Rebecca Ferguson as Anna in "The Girl on the Train". (United International Pictures)

#slideshow #movies #review #The Girl on the Train #Emily Blunt #mystery #thriller #Luke Evans

Review: ‘Seoul Station’ a desperate attempt to cash in

Secret ending? No.

Running time: 92 minutes (~ 1.5 hours)

"Seoul Station" is an animated Korean zombie horror movie that's the prequel to "Train to Busan”. It sees an estranged couple struggling to make their way to safety after a zombie outbreak erupts all around them. It features the voice talents of Ryu Seung-ryong (Suk-gyu), Shim Eun-kyung (Hye-sun), and Lee Joon (Ki-woong). It is rated NC-16

"Seoul Station" is a shining example of how South Korea is technically proficient in creating animated features, but completely lacks the art design and vision to execute a good story. It has all the elements required to be a good animated film, and individually the elements work (except for the art direction, which is downright ugly). Yet it's put together in such a patchwork manner that the end product is, at best, a watchable film. It's no "Train to Busan" and its release now feels like a desperate attempt to cash in on its far superior sequel.

Highlights

Some humour elements in an otherwise bleak show

It's odd that there are comedic moments in a zombie movie, but it works well in the context of "Seoul Station”. It comes across as dark humour, but it's also quite obvious that this is an unintentional effect. Nevertheless, it helps to give "Seoul Station" its own character, rather than just being a film that's related to "Train to Busan".

Letdown

Ugly character designs

There's no doubting that the animation quality in "Seoul Station" is top notch. But the art director has some of the ugliest character designs ever to grace the big screen. The problem is that the characters don't look realistic either, which is usually the reason for ugly designs. This means that we're watching a group of unrealistic, unappealing creatures prance around avoiding zombies, which defeats the purpose of watching anime (which is to see a romanticised view of the world).

Inconsistent zombie mechanics with "Train to Busan"

"Train to Busan" had pretty specific rules for its zombies. They don't attack you if they don't see you and infections are almost immediate. "Seoul Station" has zombies which act contrary to this, which doesn't make sense. Why watch a movie about a different species of zombie when you're here to specifically see the "Train to Busan" zombies in action? For all intents and purposes, "Seoul Station" is just another, unrelated zombie film that also happens to take place in Korea.

No scares and no tension

The zombies are not scary, chiefly because they don't have that awkward gait they did in "Train to Busan" and they don't come at you like tsunamis. These were the very elements that made the zombies horrifying then, and they're not here. Instead, we get... close-ups of zombie faces.

Random insertions of meaning and symbolism

The film plays out like a regular zombie apocalypse movie until the last Act, when it suddenly turns into a social commentary about the downtrodden in society. Suddenly the characters develop intense urges to make up for their childhood losses, and random Christian imagery pops up. It's like they completed two thirds of the animation when the director suddenly realised he needed to add some symbolism into the film, and dumped it all in at the last minute.

"Seoul Station" is a huge disappointment after the masterpiece that was "Train to Busan".

Should you watch this if it's free? Yes.

Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? No.

Score: 2.5/5

"Seoul Station" opens in cinemas: - 29 September 2016 (Singapore) - 29 September 2016 (Malaysia)