Green Zone

Genre: Action / War

Language: English

Director: Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum)

Cast: Matt Damon (Invictus), Greg Kinnear (Baby Mama), Amy Ryan (Changeling)

Runtime: 115 minutes

Plot:

During the U.S.-led occupation of Baghdad in 2003, Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller and his team of Army inspectors were dispatched to find weapons of mass destruction believed to be stockpiled in the Iraqi desert. Rocketing from one booby-trapped and treacherous site to the next, the men search for deadly chemical agents but stumble instead upon an elaborate cover-up that inverts the purpose of their mission. Spun by operatives with intersecting agendas, Miller must hunt through covert and faulty intelligence hidden on foreign soil for answers that will either clear a rogue regime or escalate a war in an unstable region. And at this blistering time and in this combustible place, he will find the most elusive weapon of all is the truth.

Watched the movie on 14 Mar afternoon @ AMK Hub with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 4 / 5 Matt Demon's acting has always been very convincing. From secret agent, commercial spy, rugby player to cheater, he never fails to display remarkable acting skills. This time round, he has promoted from Private Ryan to Chief Miller, someone who uncovers the truth behind the lies for the rebuilding of the new Iraq. I'm not sure about the story's authenticity, but it is definitely a movie not to be missed.

Alice In Wonderland 3D

Genre: Fantasy Adventure

Language: English

Director: Tim Burton (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)

Cast: Mia Wasikowska (Amelia) ,Johnny Depp (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), Anne Hathaway (Valentine's Day), Helena Bonham Carter (Terminator Salvation)

Runtime: 109 minutes

Plot:

Nineteen-year-old Alice is attending party at a lavish country estate when she sees a white rabbit with a pocket watch dart into the bushes. Curious, she follows the rabbit to an enormous tree, and tumbles down a hole that takes her to Underland, a strange world inhabited by anthropomorphic creatures in search of someone to save them from the dreaded Red Queen, who has assumed control of the kingdom by decapitating anyone who dares disagree with her. According to a scroll detailing a historical timeline of Underland -- including events that have not yet taken place -- it is Alice who will set the kingdom free by defeating the Jabberwocky, a powerful dragon-like creature under the control of the Red Queen. But is this Alice the same Alice who appears in the scroll? While some of the creatures of Underland have their doubts, the Mad Hatter and his friends are certain she's the same girl who previously visited them years ago. When the Red Queen kidnaps the Mad Hatter, Alice attempts to free her friend and locate the one weapon with the power to slay the Jabberwocky, thereby restoring the White Queen to the throne, and bringing peace back to Underland.

Watched the movie on 13 Mar night @ Cathay Cineleisure with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 2½ / 5 The movie is colourful - the 3D animation, the costumes, the make-up and the backdrop. The story wasn't captivating even though the cast was good. So I think only the 3D effect was worth watching for. Nevertheless, Abosolom the Caterpillar, voiced by Alan Rickman, left me impression. His lazy voice suited the Caterpillar very much.

82nd Annual Academy Awards

The 82nd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, honored the best films of 2009. The event took place March 7, 2010, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

And the winners of the major awards are:

Best Picture
The Hurt Locker - Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers

Directing

The Hurt Locker - Kathryn Bigelow

Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

Actress in a Leading Role

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Actor in a Supporting Role
Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Supporting Role

Mo’Nique - Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

I'm extremely happy that Hurt Locker beat Avatar, claiming Best Picture & Director. This is even more special since the director is female and the day of the ceremony was the International Women's day.

Dear John

Genre: Romance / Drama
Language: English

Director: Lasse Hallstrom (Hachiko: A Dog's Story)

Cast: Channing Tatum (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra), Amanda Seyfried (Jennifer's Body), Richard Jenkins (Burn After Reading)
Run Time: 108 minutes

Plot:

Savannah Curtis was on spring break when she first met John Tyree while he was home on temporary leave. For the smitten soldier, it was practically love at first sight. Though the love letters that Savannah sent John were one of the only things that kept him going over the course of the next seven years, when each deployment seemed more treacherous than the last, those loving and heartfelt correspondences would ultimately yield consequences that neither the brave soldier nor his one true love could have ever foreseen.

Watched the movie on 27 Feb night @ Cathay Cineleisure with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 2½ / 5 Who would expect the ending of such a movie to end that way? All I could conclude is that the cast were good but story wasn't, or could be better. Not sure about the original novel but the movie is definitely a poor adaptation example. The only reason the movie was able to knock Avatar off is probably all movie-goers had watched it!

From Paris With Love

Genre: Action

Language: English

Director: Pierre Morel (Taken)

Cast: John Travolta (The Taking of Pelham 123), Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (The Children of Huang Shi)

Runtime: 92 minutes

Plot:

A personal aide to the U.S. Ambassador in France, James Reese has an enviable life in Paris and a beautiful French girlfriend, but his real passion is his side job as a low-level operative for the CIA. All James wants is to become a bona fide agent and see some real action. So when he's offered his first senior-level assignment, he can't believe his good luck - until he meets his new partner, special agent Charlie Wax. A trigger-happy, wisecracking, loose cannon who's been sent to Paris to stop a terrorist attack, Wax leads James on a white-knuckle shooting spree through the Parisian underworld that has James praying for his desk job.

Watched the movie on 25 Feb night @ AMK hub with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 3 / 5 The 1st impression was, is this a copy of 20 years ago Hong Kong Blockbuster, whereby Chow Yuen Fatt always carried countless pistols and can predict where to shoot baddies. I started to wonder if the Hollywood has run out of better ideas. Then I realised the director directed Taken, all the more I was disappointed because Taken was definitely better compared to this. The plus point of the movie is probably the amount of action / bombing, the twist of the ending and the hottest topic in News these days.

2010 BATFA

The 63rd British Academy Film Awards hosted by the British Academy of film and Television Arts, took place on 21 February 2010 and honored the best films of 2009. And the winners this year:

BEST FILM
THE HURT LOCKER - Karthryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier, Greg Shapiro

DIRECTOR

THE HURT LOCKER - Karthryn Bigelow

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
THE HURT LOCKER - Mark Boal

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
UP IN THE AIR - Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner

ANIMATED FILM
UP - Pete Docter

LEADING ACTOR

COLIN FIRTH - A Single Man

LEADING ACTRESS

CAREY MULLIGAN - An Education

SUPPORTING ACTOR
CHRISTOPH WALTZ - Inglourious Basterds

SUPPORTING ACTRESS
MO'NIQUE - Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

The Hurt Locker

Genre: Action/Drama/ War
Language: English
Director: Kathryn Bigelow (K-19: The Widowmaker)
Cast: Jeremy Renner (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), Anthony Mackie (Eagle Eye), Brian Geraghty (The Guardian)
Runtime: 131minutes

Plot: THE HURT LOCKER is an intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat. When a new sergeant, James takes over a highly trained bomb disposal team amidst violent conflict, he surprises his two subordinates, Sanborn and Eldridge by recklessly plunging them into a deadly game of urban combat. James behaves as if he’s indifferent to death. As the men struggle to control their wild new leader, the city explodes into chaos, and James’ true character reveals itself in a way that will change each man forever.

Watched the movie on 19 Feb @ Cathay Cineleisure with Sylvia

ah-deng says: 4½ / 5 I missed the 1st run last year, was glad I managed to catch it again when it re-release again. Definitely a movie not to be missed by war movie lovers, as the movie took a different perspective of the modern war. And the fact that the movie is directed by a female director, I totally salute!

Little Big Soldier 大兵小将

Genre:Action/ Comedy
Language: Mandarin
Director: Ding Sheng
Cast: Jackie Chan (The Spy Next Door), Wang Leehom (Lust, Caution), Steve Yoo
Runtime: 95 Minutes

Plot:

The battalions of warring states Liang and Wei collided in a bloodbath that lasted from dawn until dusk. Only two men were left standing - a foot soldier from Liang and the rival General from Wei. The Soldier survived because he is an expert in playing dead, with a device strapped on his body which protruded like an arrowhead for added realism.

The Soldier captured the wounded General, hoping to use the enemy as his ticket to freedom - by handing the General to the Liang warlord, the Soldier could be honorably discharged and return home to his peaceful life. The young General, though taken captive, was condescending towards the Soldier. The two men were often at loggerheads during the long and winding journey.

Watched the movie on 14 Feb night @ GV Vivo with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 3 / 5 Nothing fancy about it. Just 2 men - one captive whose life is worth a plot of land and rewards, while the other just wished for a simple life after redeeming his reward. However both men were loyal to their country and family ties. 挺好的。。。

Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief

Genre: Action/ Adventure
Language: English

Director: Chris Columbus (I Love You, Beth Cooper)

Cast: Logan Lerman (My One and Only), Brandon T. Jackson (Tooth Fairy), Alexandra Daddario (Bereavement)

Runtime: 119 minutes

Plot:

It's the 21st century, but the gods of Mount Olympus and assorted monsters have walked out of the pages of high school student Percy Jackson's Greek mythology texts and into his life. And they're not happy: Zeus' lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Even more troubling is the sudden disappearance of Percy's mother. As Percy finds himself caught between angry and battling gods, he and his friends embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true lightning thief, save Percy's mom, and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Watched the movie on 13 Feb night @ GV Vivo with Sylvia

ah-deng says: 4 / 5 Yet another novel adaption adventurous story after Harry Potter, LOTR and Narnia. Viewers just don't get tired of such huge productions yet predictable stories. Of course, I like such fantasy because I'm a fan of Harry Potter, and also I like the incorporation of Greek mythology to the plot. There are plenty of strong supporting casts and the plot wasn't draggy. Looking forward to the sequel.

Valentine's Day

Genre: Comedy / Romance
Language: English
Director: Gary Marshall (Georgia Rule)
Cast: Julia Roberts (Duplicity), Jennifer Garner (Ghosts of Girlfriends Past), Ashton Kutcher (Spread), Anne Hathaway (Bride Wars)
Runtime: 125 minutes

Plot:

An all-star ensemble cast comes together in "Valentine's Day," which follows the intertwining storylines of a diverse group of Los Angelenos as they navigate their way through romance and... An all-star ensemble cast comes together in "Valentine's Day," which follows the intertwining storylines of a diverse group of Los Angelenos as they navigate their way through romance and heartbreak over the course of one Valentine's Day. Couples and singles experience the pinnacles and pitfalls of finding, keeping or ending relationships in a day in the life of love.

Watched the movie on 12 Feb night @ AMK Hub with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 3 / 5 The movie follows the lives of several couples during this day. Their stories are told through the interconnections they have with each other. Some will find romance in their relationship, and others will feel the heartbreak of ending a relationship. So why Valentine's Day isn't a holiday here since everyone celebrates it? Luckily it was a Sunday and Public Holiday this year!

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Genre: Fantasy/ Drama
Language: English

Director: Terry Gilliam (12 Monkeys)

Cast: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight), Johnny Depp (Public Enemies), Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes)

Runtime: 122min

Plot: The story of Dr Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a traveling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom. Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Dr Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret.

Watched the movie on 27 Feb night @ GV Vivo with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 3½ / 5 I would never have expect to see a movie by Heath Ledger 2 years after his departure. The moment I saw him, I knew I would miss his talented acting skills ever after. The message that was brought across was very clear, there is a choice in everything, 2 paths to choose from. It is a matter of making the right choice. Nothing is permanent, not even death.

The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards

A year has passed, movie makers gathered once again to get recognised for their contribution in their work.

Here's the complete list of winners of The 2010 67th Golden Globe Awards (Motion Picture section only)

Cecil B. DeMille Award

Martin Scorsese

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Avatar

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

Best Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy

The Hangover

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Meryl Streep

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical Or Comedy
Robert Downey Jr. - Sherlock Holmes

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Mo'nique - Precious: Based On The Novel Push By Sapphire

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Christoph Waltz - The Inglourious Basterds
Best Animated Feature Film

Up

Best Foreign Language Film
The White Ribbon (Germany)

Best Director - Motion Picture

James Cameron - Avatar

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner - Up In The Air

Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Michael Giacchino - Up

Best Original Song - Motion Picture
The Weary Kind - Crazy Heart

Credits to http://www.goldenglobes.org/

Coming up next should be BAFTA (21 Feb 2010) and Oscar Academy Award (7 Mar 2010)

It's Complicated

Genre: Comedy

Language: English

Director: Nancy Meyers (The Holiday)

Cast: Meryl Streep (Julia & Julie), Steve Martin (The Pink Panther), Alec Baldwin (My Sister's Keeper)

Runtime: 120 minutes

Plot:

Jane is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery/restaurant and has after a decade of divorcean amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake. But when Jane and Jake find themselves out of town for their sons college graduation, things start to get complicated. An innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable affair. With Jake remarried to the much younger Agnes, Jane is now, of all things, the other woman. Caught in the middle of their renewed romance is Adam, an architect hired to remodel Jane's kitchen. Healing from a divorce of his own, Adam starts to fall for Jane, but soon realizes hes become part of a love triangle. Should Jane and Jake move on with their lives, or is love truly lovelier the second time around? Its complicated.

Watched the movie on 14 Jan evening @ Cathay Cineleisure with Sylvia.

ah-deng says: 3 / 5 Despite having 3 veteran movie stars, the movie did not impressed me much. This is especially so when I saw Steve Martin, the strong Pink Panther image just convinced me he is probably forever stuck in that role. Meryl Streep is just definitely my all time favourite actress but the one person who attracted my attention was the to-be Son-in-law!

Avatar 3D

Genre: Epic Adventure

Language: English
Director: James Cameron (Titanic)

Cast: Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation), Zoë Saldana (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl), Michelle Rodriguez (Fast and Furious), and Sigourney Weaver (Vantage Point)

Runtime: 161min

Plot:

When his brother is killed in battle, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand - and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora

Watched the movie on 8 Jan night @ GV Vivocity.

ah-deng says: 4 / 5 Definitely a bang to start the year with Avatar. Somehow or rather, I feel there is a hidden message about caring the environment. Must watch it in 3D else you would not be able enjoy the movie to the fullest.