Movie 7 - Slumdog Millionaire

18 February 2009 - Slumdog Millionaire

Every year, when the Oscar nominees were announced, I usually found those movies unfamiliar, especially in the Best Picture Category. For this year nominees, only two ie. Slumdog Millionaire and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button were screened in local cinema. With Slumdog recent win at the Golden Globe and BAFTA, and a favourite at the Oscar, I was determined to catch this favourite piece.

I am not a fan of this type of movie and especially so with its 2 hours screen time. However, due to reasons stated above, I just had to watch it. And gladly I am not disappointed. However, towards the third-quarter mark, I was getting a bit restless and bored. I felt that if it was, say 15 minutes, shorter, then it would have been perfect.

Since small to young, and now old, I have always heard of kids being kidnapped to nearby country. Chopped off their legs and/or hands, they were pushed to beg for some syndicate. This has always being the story told to kids, then and now, to scare them not to wander alone. How true was this? I don't know.

When I was transferred to India to work in 2002, the first thing we were warned was that never to give anything to the huge group of child beggars at the airport. If you give to one, the rest will rush to you and start asking (begging). After watching this movie, there may be some truth to my question above, although in India, kids may not need to be kidnapped. There are so many wandering around the city that it would be easy to get those kids to follow without resorting to kidnapping.

The scene where, Arvind - one of the kids, was purposely blinded by wax, to me, was one of the most unforgettable scene in the entire movie. I really could not imagine this being done in real life, but I guess there is.

I read in a review that the editing of the movie is one of its low point, but I found that acceptable. The directing is also commendable.

Note: At the time of blogging, the Oscar winners were already announced. Slumdog Millionaire claimed the Best Picture and 6 other Oscars, including Best Directing and Editing. The biggest winner of the evening.

Well, at least, this year I could lay claim that I have watched an Oscar's Best Picture. Which I am glad I did.

Rating: 4/5 (It could have been a perfect rating, had it not bored me in certain part)

Movie 6 - The Wedding Game

11 February 2009 - The Wedding Game

The plot is acceptable. Fann Wong is lousy. The supporting roles by Alice Lau and Charles 'Blackie' Chen are commendable. A movie to showcase Christopher Lee body and boost his popularity. Daniel Tan is hopeless as an actor. Dubbing his dialogue may probably help a bit. The ending is happy and predictable.

Rating: 3/5

Movie 5 - Pink Panther 2

9 February 2009 - Pink Panther 2

I have always like Steve Martin. And he doesn't disappoint me here. I don't recall watching the first one. But I love this. I love the supporting cast too. Never mind that the crime was solve rather easily. But the whole acting really tickles me.

Rating: 5/5

Movie 4 - All's Well End's Well

5 February 2009 - All's Well End's Well

I have never being a fan of Sandra Ng, but I like her in this movie. The career woman look goes well with me. My favourite scene is where she works overnight to prepare her book, and appear with the fake moustache line.

Overall the movie is entertaining, but somehow without Steven Chow, a CNY movie seems to lack something.

Rating: 4/5

Movie 3 - Red Cliff 2

4 February 2009 - Red Cliff 2

Part 2 of John Woo's epic. Better than the first part.

My favourite part: Where Zhou Yu and Zhu Geliang challenged each other to kill the Chao Cao's naval commanders and to get 100,000 arrows respectively. I think Zhu Geliang still has the finer touch in terms of wits. His plans are more elegant and intelligent.

How wars are won then in ancient China? From the movie - wits, intelligence and luck.

The final word of Zhou Yu after the war - No one is a victor here.

Who actually benefitted from war? No one. Wars are only the selfish act of crazy people.

Totally impressed with Chao Cao's influenced on his army. Even when they are dying, they still pledged their loyalty.

For acting, Zhang Feng-Yi got top marks as Chao Cao. Whereas, I think Tony Leung and Takeshiro are just A-list actors paid to make the movie more reputable in terms of casting.

My rating: 4/5