Film Review: Kick-Ass 2

Title: Kick-Ass 2

Language: English 

Running time: 1 h 53 m 

Directed by: Jeff Wadlow

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy 

Rating: 5.5/10 

Summary:

His heroic antics having inspired a citywide wave of masked vigilantes, Kick-Ass (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) joins their ranks to help clean up the streets, only to face a formidable challenge when the vengeful Red Mist (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) transforms himself into the world's first super villain in this sequel written and directed by Jeff Wadlow (Never Back Down). Dave/Kick-Ass and Mindy/Hit Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) are about to graduate high school and become a crime-fighting duo when their noble plans are foiled by Mindy's strict parents. Now, as Mindy hangs up her Hit Girl uniform and navigates the treacherous high-school social scene, Kick-Ass begins patrolling the streets with Justice Forever, a fearless group of urban watchdogs fronted by former mob thug Colonel Stars and Stripes (Jim Carrey). They've got the criminal element on the run when Chris D'Amico lays his Red Mist persona to rest, and reemerges as The Mother F**ker, a powerful criminal mastermind with a loyal legion of henchmen. The Mother F**ker is determined to avenge the death of his late father, who previously perished at the hands of Kick-Ass and Hit Girl. Now, as The Mother F**ker and his minions begin targeting the members of Justice Forever, Hit Girl realizes that the only way to save Kick-Ass and his new friends is to emerge from her forced retirement, and fight back with everything she's got.

Review:

I am really sorry about the ratings, I guess it was just my opinion. I mean, I think its great but my professional opinion based on the story and plot, that is the only thing I've got. Firstly I'm going to talk about what's right in this movie and further into what's wrong about this movie. 

Okay, I really liked Chloe Grace Moretz (aka Harris' girlfriend) in this movie. I find her as a great actress,  a natural beauty and lovable. And also she has a great bod, I'm sorry to just say that but it's true. And she was a great actress in a lot of  movies, perfect during and off the fighting scenes of this movie. Basically, this movie is a little bit more about her and somehow I liked it. 

Now, I'm going to talk about what I don't like about this movie. Somehow, it's a little bit too cliche, am I correct? The plot in this movie is somehow to predictable for the watchers, including me. And somehow some are irrelevant and unimportant to put it lightly. This might be a comedy but it is also an action & adventure genre and somehow that is what it was missing. 

I didn't really like the ending of how Mindy decides to roam off on her own, eliminating any trials of her living a normal life as a normal teenager. Yeah I know she's one of a kind but somehow she needed to live like a normal teenage girl, am I correct? And I don't really like the rise of the "Justice Forever" somehow it's a little bit unnecessary because in my opinion, Kick-Ass drives solo. 

And the arrival of the new group of the villains or the "anti-superheroes" and the Motherfucker might be cool and all but its addition to the movie is messy. I hoped for a better plot and characters though. It was funny but it was not what I was looking for.

But overall, killer and amazing effects, beautifully portrayed by the most amazing actors but somehow it lacks of creativity. And it seems that it falls short on the sole purpose of a 'Kick-Ass' movie, fails to top the first sequel. 

Film Review: The Purge

Title: The Purge 

Language: English 

Directed by: James DeMonaco 

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Running time: 1 hr 25 m

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Sci-fi & Fantasy 

Ratings: 5.5/10 

Summary:

If on one night every year, you could commit any crime without facing consequences, what would you do? In The Purge, a speculative thriller that follows one family over the course of a single night, four people will be tested to see how far they will go to protect themselves when the vicious outside world breaks into their home. In an America wracked by crime and overcrowded prisons, the government has sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which any and all criminal activity-including murder-becomes legal. The police can't be called. Hospitals suspend help. It's one night when the citizenry regulates itself without thought of punishment. On this night plagued by violence and an epidemic of crime, one family wrestles with the decision of who they will become when a stranger comes knocking. When an intruder breaks into James Sandin's (Ethan Hawke) gated community during the yearly lockdown, he begins a sequence of events that threatens to tear a family apart. Now, it is up to James, his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), and their kids to make it through the night without turning into the monsters from whom they hide

Review:

This movie reminds me of V for Vendetta. But the purge is all about letting your 'demons' out in one night - that could save a country from the terrorizing horrors of crime. Somehow, the 'purge' works because somehow, we would just need a night to let it all out, if I may say it. 

This movie really sickens me because somehow, not everyone could afford an elaborate security system, am I correct and everyone could not afford a stable home. Somehow, it is appointed in this film that the Purge is good for a country to lose children, women and ordinary civilians. Somehow it is appointed that all that is killed during the time of the Purge would be withheld as 'sacrifice' to 'cleanse their souls'. Sick, that is what I would say. 

The Purge is somehow a wake-up call, but it certainly is will happen in the fewer years of our generation where we need to 'condemn' ourselves to live degenerate lives. The Purge would prove that we are all animals, somehow. We have a night, to set our demons free to collect the unworthy souls. I mean, that sickens me because only God could contain the spirits of the beast. 

But somehow, the concept of the Purge would be correct someday where some authorities would take such a crucial and danger way to contain a country. Somehow James DeMonaco has depicted it in film. Plot well-arranged, even if it is a little bit cliche. An intelligent point taken in a thriller manner. I give The Purge the full credit for depicting the future. 

And I would not recommend for the weak-hearted.  

Film Review: Elysium

Title: Elysium 

Language: English 

Genre: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy 

Directed by: Neil Blomkamp 

Distributed by: TriStar Pictures

Running time: 1 hr 37 m

Ratings: 7/10

Summary:

In the year 2154, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy, who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. The people of Earth are desperate to escape the planet's crime and poverty, and they critically need the state-of-the-art medical care available on Elysium - but some in Elysium will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve their citizens' luxurious lifestyle. The only man with the chance bring equality to these worlds is Max (Matt Damon), an ordinary guy in desperate need to get to Elysium. With his life hanging in the balance, he reluctantly takes on a dangerous mission - one that pits him against Elysium's Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her hard-line forces - but if he succeeds, he could save not only his own life, but millions of people on Earth as wel

Review:

Well, I really like Elysium. Dad speculated that some of the technology in this film wouldn’t exist even in another 100 years but what do we know, right? But in my opinion, we wouldn’t last that long either. Elysium has a great plot, amazing actors. Quite odd of Jodie Foster to be such bitch in this movie though because she usually does act as the good guy in movies. 

Matt Damon is still amazing though, I think his abs was plastered or tightly toned though. Quite sad that he eventually died in the end (sorry spoiler alert). I cried in the end. I really like Frey though, mainly because she’s Mexican or Spanish or something, and it has a lot of morals you can obtain from this film like the wealthy will always be wealthy and the poor will stay poor. 

I guess that’s a sick moral, isn’t it?

But I really like this film though, I could recommend it to anyone who likes all this sci-fi adventure etc etc stuff. Killer graphics, and it is a very smart movie. 

Film Review: The Conjuring

Title: The Conjuring 

Language: English 

Running time: 1 hr 52 m

Directed by: James Wan 

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Thriller 

Ratings: 8/10 

Summary:

Before there was Amityville, there was Harrisville. "The Conjuring" tells the true story of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga), world renowned paranormal investigators, who were called to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful demonic entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most horrifying case of their lives.

Review:

Malaysian-born director, James Wan really did it this time. It has a very great concept, killer graphics, and it will chill you to the spine and jump you off your seats. But sadly, if you watch this movie online, you won’t really get the ‘scary’ feel. If you really want to be scared, rent an almost-empty cinema or watch it with yourself, with the rows empty. This is a great tip but who really does want to be scared right? 

Perfect for lovers because fact: thriller and horror movies create a bond better for couples. Yes, I read it of Uber facts. 

But hey, it’s a good one though, better than any recent horror movies I have watched recently. You can get me the guarantee yourself. Well, James Wan has depicted a wonderful setting, a haunted deserted bungalow on bank loan in the middle of nowhere. Ed Warren and Lorraine Warren is a good add. I guess people would play “Hide-and-Clap” more frequently now, yes?

Conclusion, good horror movie The Conjuring is.

Film Review: R.I.P.D (Rest in Peace Department)

Title: RIPD (Rest in Peace Department)

Language: English 

Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy 

Directed by: Robert Schwentke 

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Running time: 96 minutes

Ratings: 4/10

Summary: 

Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds headline the 3D supernatural action-adventure R.I.P.D. as two cops dispatched by the otherworldly Rest In Peace Department to protect and serve the living from an increasingly destructive array of souls who refuse to move peacefully to the other side. Veteran sheriff Roy Pulsifer (Bridges) has spent his career with the legendary police force known as R.I.P.D. tracking monstrous spirits who are cleverly disguised as ordinary people. His mission? To arrest and bring to justice a special brand of criminals trying to escape final judgment by hiding among the unsuspecting on Earth. Once the wise-cracking Roy is assigned former rising-star detective Nick Walker (Reynolds) as his junior officer, the new partners have to turn grudging respect into top-notch teamwork. When they uncover a plot that could end life as we know it, two of R.I.P.D.'s finest must miraculously restore the cosmic balance...or watch the tunnel to the afterlife begin sending angry souls the very wrong way.

(credits from the Rotten Tomatoes)

Review:

To be completely honest, I didn't like this movie because it was headed nowhere. It has no passion, nothing to root for. Too simple as you can see everything coming. I'm like, come on. We all saw it coming, am I right?

Kevin Bacon is a real hottie, but somehow the name 'Bacon' does not really get me. 

Well, it was humorous, and it was funny, that I have to tell you. The Texan-sheriff was amusing, and you can say that Ryan Renolds is a pretty good actor. But I can tell you that this movie is a little predictable. Hence, the ratings. 4, is suited for this movie. It's not going anywhere and not to be remembered, that was what I meant. 

Book Review: Cerpen karya Nadia Khan

Title: Cerpen 

Author: Nadia Khan 

Publisher: Buku Fixi 

Ratings: 9/10

Summary:

"Cerpen" combines 17 short stories and 3 short-film scripts that has been written by Nadia Khan herself. Most writes has been published in numerous magazines and in the paper before her first single novel, KELABU that was featured on December 2011.

The stories in these group has a lot about love, family, friends, and careers. Also added is inspired by the writer's personal life as a student and someone who has served in the medical and education industry. 

Review:

Honestly, I loved this book. Literally, love it. I could recommend this to anyone. This book is not tacky, it is beautifully written, as said on top. And it is perfection. Maybe I am exaggerating a little bit but this was like Kelabu. Authors like this, who placed their heart and soul on books is just truly amazing, I tell you. 

I liked "Kopi and Kola" so much that I cried a few times, knowing how sad it is. And "Kopi Tiga Suku" was exceptionally beautiful as well. Nadia Khan, just places her heart and soul because it was heart-felt, it was touching and you can relate to the stories. Some of the stories here has been published and some does not, so maybe you have read it before but you'll never be bored, that I tell you. 

"Cerpen" by Nadia Khan is the book you can pick up in late Saturday nights, and you'd read it until the Sun comes up, that's for sure. So Nadia Khan, amazing, such an amazing book indeed. Well, for me at least. 

TO PURCHASE "CERPEN":
http://fixi.com.my/kedai/buku/fixi-cerpen-nadia-khan/

Book Review: Sumbat karya Faizal Sulaiman

Title: Sumbat

Author: Faizal Sulaiman 

Publisher: Buku Fixi 

Language: Malay 

Ratings: 7/10

Summary:

Sumbat is about a local neighborhood, with twists you can't possibly imagine, and you can tell that everyone has a secret, and even dark ones. 

Sumbat opens chapters of people's lives, about their sins, mistakes and possibly their whole life, filled with vengeance and regret. 

Review:

Honestly, I do like Sumbat. Really. But it is a little bit too heavy for me. Too sinful, a lot of twists. But I liked how it elaborates about french cooking. Now I can't eat french without thinking its human meat. Well, thanks for that.

In reality, everybody has their secrets. Even I do. But I don't really kill people (ye ke) and I've done a lot of fucked up shit in my whole life. So I don't blame people for their past mistakes. But I don't really have a mistake that's a little bit too over-the-top, is it the correct term to put here? Like, people who knows I did it (pretty much no one) does not threat me on opening it up for the whole world to see. 

Overall, I could say that Faizal Sulaiman has depicted a very good environment in the suburbs. I kind of feel like I was reading into a season of Desperate Housewives, don't you think? But well-written, good plot, hiperbola-ish, but certainly heavy for readers such as myself. Still an amazing book. 

TO PURCHASE SUMBAT 

http://fixi.com.my/kedai/buku/fixi-sumbat/

Book Review: KL Noir: Red (Fixi Novo)

Title: KL Noir: Red 

Authors:

Amir Muhammad, Adib Zaini, Preeta Samarasan, Marc de Faoite, Shaz Johar, Shih-Li Kow, Fadzlishah Johanabas, Dina Zaman, Eeleen Lee, Kris Williamson, Shivani Sivagurunathan, Khairulnizam Bakeri, Megat Ishak,  Dayang Noor, Amir Hafizi,  Brian Gomez

Publisher: Buku Fixi 

Language: English 

Ratings: 8/10 

Summary:

KL NOIR: Red is the first of 4 volumes about the Malaysian capital city’s dark side. There are 14 short stories and one essay about the seedy, the sinister and sometimes the spooky. You will find murder, drug-dealing, kidnapping, sexual depravity, prostitution, celebrity secrets, suicides, academic rivalry, gangsters, police brutality, cannibalism, black magic, creepy rituals, political corruption and even busking. It’s all totally fictional. Well, maybe the cannibalism is.

Review:

Well because this is not a real novel and its filled with short stories, I like most of the stories though. Dark-humor, vice, and those kinds of things. For me, it was a good book. I read all of the stories, and I liked them. I liked the first one, and for me Adib Zaini is the king of conspiracy theories eg: Ilusaniti, and the first story was actually very deep. I find ‘Mud’ particularly very funny, and somehow true. That is how Malaysia works, I guess. And Asian Angel was a good one. Very deep. 

Khairulnizam Bakeri’s was particularly very amusing though. I’d give five stars out of five for that. So overall, I find this book cynical, hilarious and very true. I like reading about what the writers have to say about KL, because mostly, it’s true. About Chow Kit, about KL Sentral, about the dark streets of KL. Every single bit of it was true. KL is a city full of lovers, killers, rapists and celebrities and what not. I grew up here, so I know. And I spend my whole entire life here and I approve these stories. 

KL Noir Red is a light-read, somehow a little bit heavy. I could recoomend this for everyone, particularly anyone who’s 18 up, eventhough I’m not and for those who has been living in KL for the rest of their lives, find this book in your local bookstore, you might enjoy it. Buku Fixi, bravo for a fantastic read!

TO PURCHASE KL NOIR: RED 

http://fixi.com.my/kedai/buku/fixi-novo-kl-noir-red/

Book Review: Kelabu karya Nadia Khan

Title: Kelabu 

Author: Nadia Khan 

Publisher: Buku Fixi 

Language: Malay 

Ratings: 9/10

Summary:

 Wouldn't it be easy to live in a black & white world. Good-bad, right-wrong, love-hate.. man-women.

What happens to the ones in between? What happens to the people like me?

When Jun came around, offered me a position as a 'contract boyfriend', I didn't refuse. Is it wrong for me to say 'yes' to a pretty chick? Is it wrong for me to treat her like I'm her own? 

Is it wrong for me to fall in love with her?

I'm Amir. Welcome to my world, where the black & white, is a little bit hazy. Maybe after this, you'll understand what it feels to be in my world. It's KELABU. 

Review:

Well, I would want to applaud Nadia Khan for such an amazing book. When I read the first ¼ of the book, I was like “wow so cliché” but when I dig deeper and deeper amongst those 400 page book (I know it’s a lot), but suprisingly, it was not cliché at all. I was surprised by the twist that Amir was actually a dyke, or a girl perhaps. That shocked me, entirely. 

It is nice that he/she had a nice and loyal friend like Shah. Loyalty is so hard to come by these days, friends come and goes, changes like changing your clothes after a long day, so you can come by wanting a good best friend by your side for a change. It’s okay, take your time. You’ll find it eventually. 

I like the ending, even if I needed to look back through the pages, and I was like “which which which omg” it was 4 o’ clock in the morning and because of my wicked insomnia, it was hard. But overall, nicely written. It was funny how every time they said, ‘kau’, it changed into a ‘ko’. But I did not mind, I think anybody malay wouldn’t mind. 

I guess that this book had a lot of morales and it really did got me thinking, and good books are really hard to come by these days, so I reckon all of you to read it. So, Nadia Khan, I believe you just wrote something that had just fallen from heaven. Exceptional, plot-driven and amazing write, indeed. Cheers.

TO PURCHASE KELABU

http://fixi.com.my/kedai/buku/fixi-kelabu/