Film Review: Gone Girl (2014)

Title: Gone Girl 

Language: English 

Genre: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Directed by: David Fincher

Runtime: 2 hr 25 min

Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
Ratings: 7/10

Summary:

Directed by David Fincher and based upon the global bestseller by Gillian Flynn - unearths the secrets at the heart of a modern marriage. On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his beautiful wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?

Review:

I think it's one of the best book-based films I have ever watched. Gone Girl tells a story about a modern marriage that was crumbling, that has found to be out of love. Nick, an out of work writer and an owner of a bar ran with his sister. And Amy Dunne, too an out of work writer that has her life inspired by a children's book by her parents. It started with Amy, appearing to be taken by someone - or did she? 

Amy who appears to be the most perfect wife was actually a psycho that needed to get everything she wants. To be appeared as the attention, who wanted her husband to want her as much as she did. Unfolding a few secrets at a time and finally opening a story of Amy, who wasn't as she seems; a demeaning psychopath. 

Honest to god, I would watch this again and I am reading the book. Yeah, it was that good. It is somehow appears to be just another book-based film, but it is simply more than that. The plot came to be perfectly synchronized, the kind of film that you actually need to pay attention on. To me this film affected me in various reasoning. A. I am now afraid of getting married, that the risk of marrying a normal-looking psychopath is very high, B. that someone can manipulate and influence the perception of themselves. and C. it's a good fucking film. 

Probably I'm not a fan of Ben Affleck, and at first it was shown that he is the bad guy. But after falsifying the allegations, the proof wasn't actually the truth. I think this film is actually a bit more complicated for me to explain through a lengthwise review, but I can tell you that this film hits all the right places. Intelligent and mysterious, it would confuse the watchers from time to time, but it is worth watching the ending - another twist that is yet to be uncovered. So all credits to director David Fincher, who has proved to work a film into art. 

Film Review: The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1

Title; The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1 

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy 

Directed by; Francis Lawrence II, Francis Lawrence

Distributed by: Lionsgate Films

Running time: 2 hr. 5 min. 

Ratings: 7/10 

Summary:

The worldwide phenomenon of The Hunger Games continues to set the world on fire with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, which finds Katniss Everdeen  in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.

Review:

This is the only Hunger Games movie from the trilogy that does not feature any of the games. After Katniss literally pulls the games into pieces with lightning and a bow, Katniss was saved and shipped to District 13, that was believed to be replenished from the ground. Hiding underground, District 13, that was once a military base survived and has brought up silently without being noticed by the Capitol, stronger than ever. Lead by President Alma Coin, she urges Katniss on becoming the face of the rebellion in Panem, which Katniss is unfortunately reluctant of her stance as her whole family, Peeta and Gale can be in deep trouble if she does. 

I have read the three books, and honestly the book is, excellent. Probably the book is far more thorough. Despite the fact that there is no actual games in this movie, this movie is a success. Probably it lacks action, but the plot is actually very moving. I think this movie is pretty political, showing what defiance means. And honest to God, I can see the world becoming what Panem is. Corrupt and unfair, eventually undertaken by the people. I do not defy the idea of the uprising, nor am I encouraging it - but you can see a lot of wrong in this world. 

Before I get off topic, I think there are a lot of heart-touching moments in the movie. The moment where Katniss visited District 12, or on how she looked at the ruins of it. I think the book is depicted in a very good fashion, in which the characters in a book lives strongly in a film instead of our imagination. Overall, The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1 is excellent, trying to set aside the fact that the ending was a bit unsatisfying, but makes everyone urge for the second part to emerge. 

Film Review: Interstellar

Title: Interstellar

Language: English 

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed by: Christopher Nolan 

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

Running time: 2hr 49 min

Ratings: 9/10

Summary:

With our time on Earth coming to an end, a team of explorers undertakes the most important mission in human history; traveling beyond this galaxy to discover whether mankind has a future among the stars.

Review:

I think this is one of the best sci-fi film I have watched this year. Probably there aren't a lot of terms in physics that I understand, but some I actually do. Researched and not completely bogus, it has served it's purpose as a science fiction as a whole. Starting the story of Cooper that revolves around his family and farm, it statures around the future and on how farming has been lacking, and it is provided that culture is the only way for the inhabitant of this planet to strive. With the remorse quality of air, making it almost impossible that every culture couldn't strive without proper clean air, food has been in-demand, and the government needs support to actually sustain life for the people. 

The plot becomes interesting is where Cooper, starred by Matthew McConaughey needs to find a new planet for the people to evacuate - to export the people out of the planet or to breed a new type of species. This is a story of lies, betrayal and hope - revolving at the same time. Family values are mashed up in all of it, making the story far more complete. The only value of love minuses romance out of the question. 

I could say the movie is quite too long for my taste, but the plot is amazingly good. It provides balance to the whole film and is perfectly in unison in my account. Hats off, quite frankly because I am not actually a big fan of science fiction, unrelatively because most of it is completely incoherently melancholy. Usually it doesn't provide any kind of excitement, but as someone has told me, you can never go wrong with Christopher Nolan. One of the best from him, honestly, even though I found it completely weird for Matthew McConaughey to be cast, but he did manage to pull the role off. I could say, highly recommended, even if I say that a lot. Many stars for Interstellar.

Book Review: Landline by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Landline 

Author: Rainbow Rowell 

Publisher: Orion Books 

Language: English 

Ratings: 8.5/10

Summary:

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it's been in trouble for a very lng time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and he still loves her - but that almost seems besides the point now. 

Two days before they're supposed to visit Neal's family in Omaha for Chrismast, Georgie tells him that she can't go. She's a TV writer, and something's come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her - he is always a little upset with her -  but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her. 

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wanders if she's finally done it. If she's ruined everything. 

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It's not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she's been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts...

Is that what she's supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

Review:

It isn't the usual time-travel type of books, believe me I would know it. I think the scariest thing about the story is because it's either to take the chance, or to not. It starts with Georgie McCool, the most basic workaholic mother who does what she does best, and a trip to her own past is the most foretold in this book. It's all in the hands of Georgie, in which is she going to let his husband go, or to try again and make it work. In this story, she is given the opportunity that no one in the non-fiction world can have, something precious, and that is to convince his past-husband (not late) to rewrite a better or worse future. 

I read the book for a day, in a coffee shop in front of the hospital while sipping cold tea, and making this book impossibly-closed. She tries to contact with her husband that's in Omaha, to finally realize it's not really him who's talking to her, it's her 1998 husband, a few days before he was about to propose. It is a time of to make it, or break it for her. The display of what-if's arises and she is pinned up onto the wall, trying to write a better one for herself, that means letting go of her almost-ending marriage and two wonderful kids. 

Okay personally, I am glad of the ending. It's like as if the Universe gave her a chance that she's not willing to take, for the greater good. This book is almost depressing, knowing that she might have made a close-call, trying to let her present-self decide for her past-self, as she patterns up what is right or wrong. The whole concept is fascinating, you know, something that we are unsure ourselves, to test ourselves about how happy we are with someone or how devastating our own lives can be. The constant question of "what if it turned out better?" or "what if it turned out happier?" has always been it. But even the first and the latter could not set for the real question "What if it's not worth it?"

I think this book has an amazing plot, a beautiful ending. It reminds us of that the present is folded with a reason, that everything happens without a single choice made by our own, but by the people around us. Beautifully-written, giving a powerful insight of a character, that's almost impossible to be referred as fictional. The problems that are related to this book is real - sometimes too real to begin with. Horrific and daunting, it would give you goosebumps on the things that she needed to endure, even if it's fiction. I personally think on the other books I read from this author, this is simply the best, hands down. Highly recommended, and a great read - even if it's heavy as a rock. 

Film Review: John Wick (2014)

Title: John Wick 

Genre: Action & Adventure

Directed by: David Leitch , Chad Stahelski

Written by: Joel Zadak , Derek Kolstad

Running time; 1 hr 36 min

Language: English

Distributed by: LionsGate Entertainment

Ratings: 8/10 

Summary:

An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a fresh and stylized take on the "assassin genre"

Review:

The classic revenge-killing is probably the light of the modern-day action movies. This one, portrayed the magnificent Keanu Reeves, as always - fit the bill. Starts with a man, wounded and reminiscing memories from his late-wife, and stops by a little crime that holds too much meaning, is where the real plot begins. This shows the capabilities of a retired-hitman who would do anything for the ones he loves. It assess to modern-day in the city of New York, where the thugs live lavishly with opportunities and openings of their own.  

This films open a new dimension, a little bit insight of a fictional world (I hope) of the members of the mafia, that shows John Wick, an assassin in which even the Underground people are terrified with, including the Russian mob. This film shows the classic saying, mess with the bull, you get the horns. 

Brilliant cinematography and great plot, it serves its purpose. Just the basic revenge-killing as it appropriately sets in the beginning to the end. Full and dynamic, and with a very timid concept that pleases all action-junkies. Highly recommended. 

Author's note: I'm back. 

Film Review: Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)

Title: Transformers: Age Of Extinction 

Rated: Parental Guidance-13

Language: English, some foreign space language spoken by the Bots 

Running time: 2 hr 37 min 

Directed by: Michael Bay 

Written by: Ehren Kruger 

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures

Ratings: 3/10 

Transformers: Age of Extinction begins after an epic battle left a great city torn, but with the world saved. As humanity picks up the pieces, a shadowy group reveals itself in an attempt to control the direction of history...while an ancient, powerful new menace sets Earth in its crosshairs. With help from a new cast of humans (led by Mark Wahlberg), Optimus Prime and the Autobots rise to meet their most fearsome challenge yet. In an incredible adventure, they are swept up in a war of good and evil, ultimately leading to a climactic battle across the world.

Review:

Well, I think the ratings actually explains a lot of bit.

Don't get me wrong, I think this one is a pretty good damn movie in terms of casting, the cinematography, sounds and effects, even if it was too loud for my taste. But I just don't think that this movie in the franchise actually delivers anything. A confusing story line with only great effects to top everything. It's like putting ice cream on a dirty sock. Somehow it felt weird that Optimus Prime is on a dinosaur, don't you think? I think it's great but I don't think it's what I would call a fantastic movie.

I honestly think that if the story line was a little bit better, not too long and not too overwhelming, it has great potential - from a franchise that has been building a wonderful brand for itself. I think there are just a lot of pieces, but it doesn't go the way it should've been.

With potential, but sigh.

Here's myself with the poster of Optimus Prime, on the Dinosaur. Did I mention that I kept misspelling "dinosaur" with "dinasour"? Am I the only one who does this kind of petty mistakes?

Film Review: Maleficent (2014)

Title: Maleficent

Language: English

Running time: 1 hr. 37 min.

Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Adventure

Directed by: Robert Stromberg

Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures

Ratings: 8/10

Summary:

"Maleficent" explores the untold story of Disney's most iconic villain from the classic "Sleeping Beauty" and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king's newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.

Review:

This is probably too late, but it was from my drafts and I felt a little bit inappropriate not to post it out. 

Quite frankly, I think Maleficent is a wonderful movie, made for entertaining the viewers. With amazing story line and beautiful cinematography, Maleficent deserved every beautiful rating it gets. Featuring a good fairy turned bad turned good again, it was not your typical Disney movie filled with roses and prince charming - proving true love doesn't only be provided by young hot men that saves you from a dragon or kisses you from your death bed after you stupidly eat a funny looking apple from a shady-looking witch, which makes more sense. 

But this movie does teach you a lesson that hatred and vengeance, greed and lust does not bring you in any place in the world, unless which you think you belong. It teaches us the importance of how greed could consume you, devour you as if your the last doughnut in the bunch. And I think Angelina Jolie actually out-performed herself, proving that she could be lively in Disney movies rather than only in action-packed movies, which even so I loved. 

Maleficent, you have out-done yourself!

Oh yeah and as a Lana Del Rey hardcore fan, a trivia that I'd like to add is Angelina Jolie handpicked  "Once Upon a Dream" by Lana for the credits. 

Have a nice day!

Film Review: Deliver Us From Evil (2014)

Title: Deliver Us From Evil 

Year: 2014

Genre: Action & Adventure, Horror 

Rate: R 

Language: English, some Latin I guess, some Spanish 

Running time: 1 hr 58 min 

Directed by: Scott Derrickson 

Distributed by: Screen Gems, Sony Pictures

Ratings: 7/10 

Summary:

In Deliver Us From Evil, New York police officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana), struggling with his own personal issues, begins investigating a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest (Edgar Ramirez), schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city. Based upon the book, which details Sarchie's bone-chilling real-life cases.

Review:

First of all, I would like to apologize for not posting any reviews for those who actually read this blog. So I'd just post one in one o'clock in the morning. 

Honestly, I like a good thriller slash horror. I think punching adrenaline is something exciting to do, even thought I don't do any sports any seriously. So Deliver Us From Evil is about a police officer, Special Operations, Ralph Sarchie who has issues of his own since he eventually beat the shit out of a serial killer slash rapist about a few years back, that kind of scarred him. He clashes with a not-yo-typical priest, Mendoza, who has been researching about exorcisms since an encounter with a demon in the past. 

So this movie is basically about something from a cop's side of the story, which is incredible in my perspective because in your most natural horror story, the cop never believes. This film is packed with suspense with amazing graphics. I honestly don't understand why Rotten Tomatoes give a lousy rating for this one, because I find it pretty entertaining, amazing actors and a hot priest - a thrilling and almost suicidal combination. A compilation and a better understanding about other religion's perspective towards the other world - or primary evil as they called it in this movie, I thought it was very informative; as it was carefully researched. 

Even so that other perspectives deemed this movie as over-rated and "doesn't-hit-the-spot", I think Deliver Us From Evil presses buttons and better than any Conjuring slash Mama kind of horror. Vindictively-horrific!

Film Review: Mr Peabody & Sherman

 

Title: Mr Peabody and Sherman

Language: English

Running time: 1 hr 32 min

Genre: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Action & Adventure

Directed by: Rob Minkoff

Distributed by: 20th Century Fox, DreamWorks Pictures

Ratings: 9/10

 

Summary:

 

Mr. Peabody, the most accomplished dog in the world, and his mischievous boy Sherman, use their time machine - the WABAC - to go on the most outrageous adventures known to man or dog. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history. Before they forever alter the past, present and future, Mr. Peabody must come to their rescue, ultimately facing the most daunting challenge of any era: figuring out how to be a parent. Together, the time traveling trio will make their mark on history.

 

Review:

 

I honestly think that Mr Peabody and Sherman, even as if it is shown to be a movie for the younger audience is pretty sick and suitable for all ages, to be enjoyed by the older audience. Mr Peabody and Sherman starts with Mr Peabody, the world's smartest dog to adopt a boy, Sherman. As it is said, "If a boy can adopt a dog, why can't a dog adopt a boy?", it is shown that Mr Peabody, a very responsible parent raising Sherman wonderfully.

 

I think this movie is over-the-edge funny, with surprises along the way and is shown to be an impressive, filled with humour and joy. It has been brought life and is understood to look like Child's play, but ends up to be one hell of a movie.

 

I could conclude that Mr Peabody and Sherman is not a waste, that offers impressive value, even with the duration of an hour and a half.

Film Review: Divergent

 

Title: Divergent

Language: English

Running time: 2 hr 20 min

Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Action & Adventure

Directed by: Neil Burger

Distributed by: Lionsgate Films, Summit Entertainment

Ratings:8/10

 

Summary:

 

Divergent is a thrilling action-adventure film set in a world where people are divided into distinct factions based on human virtues. Tris Prior (Shailene Woodley) is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy by a faction leader (Kate Winslet) to destroy all Divergents, Tris must learn to trust in the mysterious Four (Theo James) and together they must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it's too late. Based on the best-selling book series by Veronica Roth.

 

I think because of it's exterior and adaption from the book, Divergent is a bit predictive. Divergent is about a girl, Tris Prior who finds it hard to realize that she doesn't belong anywhere, but belongs everywhere and is a threat to the security of the modern future that has been split into categories to ensure that peace is achieved.

 

Honestly, I really like this movie. Maybe it is my opinion but the plot is wonderfully arranged and the flow of the story isn't so bad. I don't really get why people think it's "boring". Even with the predictable fixations, I do not doubt that Divergent is good movie, better than most.

 

With good actors to portray, I think that Divergent is pretty excellent and enjoyable. Suspense-filled and full of surprises, I think that Divergent is worth the watch and worth the bills.

Film Review: Captain America The Winter Soldier

 

Title: Captain America The Winter Soldier

Language: English

Running time: 2 hr 16 min

Genre: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Distributed by: Walt Disney Pictures

Ratings: 9/10

 

Summary:

 

Steve Rogers continues his journey as the super-powered American soldier who's grasping to find his place in a modern world after being frozen in ice since WWII with this Marvel Studios sequel.

 

Review:

 

I think the sequel is better than the first one. Steve Rogers, after being frozen in eyes for about seventy years was shown to be adaptive with the twenty-first century, joining SHIELD to protect the US and also to defend it. After SHIELD has been compromise by the rising of HYDRA, Captain America does not know who to trust.

 

Okay, honest to god I like this movie and due to myself, watching it twice maybe I've seen enough. Contains subtle comedic scenes and intense ones, including Steve fighting with his own best friend, who presumably was frozen too and has a robotic hand. I think Captain America is heavy enough to carry yet still enjoyable and clever. Filled with suspense, it is surely a fun movie to watch.

 

As a conclusion, if you're a Marvel fanatic, or you just like superheroes, I think it would be a thrilling movie to watch, most definitely.

Book Review: Get Me Out of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder by Rachel Reiland

Title: Get Me Out of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder 

(used to be known as I'm Not Supposed to Be Here by Eggshell Press)

Author: Rachel Reiland 

Publisher: Hazelden, 2004

Genre: Memoir, Psychology 

Ratings: 9/10 

Summary:

A lifeline if you suffer from borderline personality disorder; A godsend for your loved ones.  

Borderline personality disorder. "What in the hell was that?" raged Rachel Reiland after discovering the term on her discharge papers from the hospital psychiatric ward. As the twenty-nine-year-old accountant, wife and mother of young children would coon learn, borderline personality disorder (BPD) was the diagnosis that finally explained her explosive anger, manipulative behaviors, and self-destructive bent, including devastating episodes of substance abuse, anorexia, and sexual promiscuity. 

With astonishing honesty, Reiland reveals what mental illness feel like and looks like from the inside. Her story is horrifying, but in the end hopeful - offering living proof that healing from the tenacious psychiatric disorder is possible through intensive therapy and the support of loved ones.  

Summary:

Frankly, to start I would like to say; this might be the best book I've read in months. 

Scoping through the reality of phsyco-therapy and analysis, Get Me Out Of Here: My Recovery from Borderline Personality Disorder is a story about Rachel Reiland, of course a pseudonym explains about how everything points out her behavior from reluctance. Often abused as a child and prosmicuous in her late-teens, Rachel finally finds help in her early thirties - before she ends up taking her own life and damaging her own well-built family and finally recovering as a definite, even flawed person. 

I have always known borderline personality from the movie, Girl, Interrupted to find how far along and down-right different than what reality is. How Rachel suffered in her life, trying to get it back together was brutal and focused. She had to overcome obstacles, to understand that she does not take shortcuts and every path might be so harsh. This book might have been filled with harsh and curse words, but it is perfectly written with class - totally honest; black and white. 

I have always been interested in psychology. And this book depicts what I needed to know on how borderline personality is like. Nothing is like the movies, my whole life is a lie. 

lol. 

Well this book deserved it's ratings. Compact and even complex, Rachel Reiland's Get Me Out of Here is a must-read. 

Film Review: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

Title: Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 

Language: English 

Running time: 1 hr 45 m 

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure. Thriller & Suspense

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh 

Distributed by: Paramount Pictures 

Ratings: 8/10 

Summary:

Based on the character created by bestselling author Tom Clancy, "Jack Ryan" is a global action thriller set in present day. This original story follow a young Jack as he uncovers a financial terrorist plot. The story follows him from 9/11, through tour duty in Afghanistan, which scarred him forever, and into his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the modern CIA where he becomes an analyst, under the guardianship of his handler, Harper. When Ryan believes he's uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy and must fight to save his own life and those of countless others, while also trying to protect the thing that's more important to him that anything, his relationship with his fiancee, Cathy. 

Review:

A refreshing new tale that does not concern any terrorist attack that is issued by the self-bombing of Muslims, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a breath of fresh air from all the lame and tiring, recycling movies done by Hollywood. Excellent casts and a thrilling plot, you wouldn't want to miss this film. 

It starts with Jack Ryan, injured in a helicopter crash by saving his teammates land him in recovery for eight months. Talent with brains, landed him in a career in finance and stock-broking. After discovering a hitch in the market, he flies himself to Moscow, Russia to find out about the little hitch - finding himself in deep trouble after someone's trial error on killing him. 

Okay, let's get to business. Most people who would have found this movie boring and unsettling is because they don't fully understand what's the main point of this film. And first, they don't understand what an "financial analyst" is and does not understand what Jack Ryan does as a whole. But par from my own analysis, I find this action thriller out of the standard CIA-government-working-type-of-film, but a fresh and new, out-of-the-oven type of movie that you surely would enjoy. What I know is, I have. 

So, a five star quality type of movie and is sure to entertain those action-film junkies. 

Book Review: Koyak by Syaihan Syafiq

Title: Koyak 

Author: Syaihan Syafiq 

Publisher: Fixi 

Language: Malay 

Ratings: 6.5/10 

Summary:

A year later has gone and a lot of things has changed. 

Mikael knows he's sick, and he wants to get better. He is isolated and treated by Dr. Iesmawi. Slowly, Mikael does not remember the friends he had known. His mind feels torn, one by one. 

Julia and Shah just wants to forget the nightmare that has gone past and turn over a new leaf. From the help of Fairudz, they found peace in Labuan. 

There would be a person who has an even bigger torn soul, and wants to finish what has not ended. S/he wanted to hunt someone. For something that has not yet been concluded, s/he would do anything to track Julia, Shah and of course Mikael - even if there would be bloodshed. 

Review:

I would like to say kudos for the writer on the second book, KOYAK. It might not seem to some people how hard it is to write a book, good or not. Let alone a second book, that would be suicide. Okay let's get to the point. 

Syaihan Syafiq's Koyak is a little bit dark, far from humorous. Basically there is no basic plot, putting pressure on different character's monologues. It is shown that this book is about Mikael, the psycho that supposedly tried to kill all his friends with the alter ego that he made, "Nazzman". 

To me, for readers my age would have thought that it would be okay to write dark stories. I think I don't really have any deep feelings about this book because maybe, just maybe it does not imprint much on me. It is a little bit confusing, and you really need to focus to eventually understand this book. 

As a conclusion, I prefer Bisik, because it actually is revolved around the main character, and I would have wanted to seen more Mikael in Koyak. 

Book Review: KL Noir: Volume 2: White by Various Authors

Title: KL Noir: White

Editor: Amir Hafizi 

Author(s): Nadia Khan, Foong Li Mei, Terence Toh, M. Shamunhalingam, Angeline Woon, Terence Tang, Dipika Mukherjee, Maya Tan Abdullah, Eillen Lian, Hasrul Rizwan, Lim Li Anne, Arif Zulkifli, Cheryna Zamrinor, Jimie Cheng, Hadi M. Nor, Bathma Loshanee, Raja Faisal, Amir Sharipuddin 

Publisher: Fixi - Fixi Novo 

Language: English 

Ratings: 6/10 

Summary:

KL Noir: White is the second of 4 volumes about the city's dark side. The 18 short stories tell of what lies underneath the shiny facade of Kuala Lumpur. Some might even revel in the juxtaposition of order and innocence amidst the shadows. You will find murder, drugs, corruption, time travel, superheroes, politics and genitilia mixed together with taxis, dolls and children. Light and shadows mix, and we explore the gray lines of a city's silhouette. 

Review:

Okay, first of all I would like to emphasize on how much I love the cover. Classy and a little bit dangerous, mostly highlights on how the story is "unfiltered" that could mean original in some way. Yes, I have never came across a Malaysian originated book that contains too much darkness; maybe it is the truth about this country and city we live in. Filled with darkness; but sometimes too much light. 

KL Noir: White contains 18 short stories by 18 different writers. Original and addicting, this book has surprised me on how forward Malaysian literature is going. But unfortunately, I would like to say that the editor has picked too gruesome stories for the readers, who are mostly underaged to read. Well we all have different backgrounds and different stories, but discretion must be advised. Some are too black and white, spine-chilling; but sometimes not the good kind. Too dark and too deep to save, KL Noir White's audience must be approached subtly, not in full on.

But I would like to mention the approach that KL Noir White has brought. Don't get me wrong, they are very good stories. But some are too gruesome to mention, and could really mess up your head. 

Book Review: Cerpen by Khairulnizam Bakeri

Title: Cerpen 

Author: Khairulnizam Bakeri 

Publisher: Buku Fixi 

Language: Malay 

Ratings: 6.5/10

Summary:

Life is like a collection of short stories. Every second, we combine these events that brings a meaning to ourselves. Not every single one of them are kept neatly in our thoughts, our minds. Some that gives out a snort of laugh, some slices our soul - these are those that are nailed stronger in our memories. Without us knowing, we write these stories when our hearts are in vain, flipping through the pages one by one. 

I hope CERPEN is like that too. Sixteen short stories or kispen, (I like this label far more), that rides across the mind's region. Ah, Bobo and Fifi meowed already. Needs to be fed. 

- Khairulnizam Bakeri 

Review:

Honestly, to me Khairulnizam Bakeri's cerpens or kispens, are a little bit bland than the books and cerpens I used to read. Some are too repetitive, too twisted and too imaginative for my taste. Some are beyond unrealistic. 

But it does not mean that this book has no good qualities at all. Full marks for how it is written, poetic and imaginatively stimulative. Filled with plot twists and agendas, Cerpen is a great read, wonderful to be exact but probably not my taste for sure. Filled with dark genres and themes, it is an exciting one, pages and pages to be filled with stories that could surprise you. 

Khairulnizam Bakeri's Cerpen is a wonderful read, to all that has been waiting to read. Honest, black and white and absolutely spine-chilling to those who loves thrillers and dark humor, noir type of things. 

Film Review: Delivery Man (2014)

Title: Delivery Man

Language: English

Running time: 1hr 43 m

Distributed by: Dreamworks Pictures

Directed by: Ken Scott

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Ratings: 7/10

Summary:

From DreamWorks Pictures comes "Delivery Man", the story of affable underachiever David Wozniak, whose mundane life is turned upside down when he finds out that he fathered 533 children through sperm donations he made twenty years earlier. In debt to the mob, rejected by his pregnant girlfriend, things couldn't look worse for David when he is hit with a lawsuit from 142 of the 533 twenty-somethings who want to know the identity of the donor. As David struggles to decide whether or not he should reveal his true identity, he embarks on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but the father he could become as well.

Review:

With a very unbelievable concept, Delivery Man to me has approached my standards. To be honest I don't really like Vince Vaughn. Well sure he's funny and stuff but I don't think he's not much of an actor to begin with. He suits to be the All-American stand up comedian rather than an actor. Even so, Delivery Man was actually a very good sappy comedic movie that I really did enjoy. Perfect for people who loves somehow rom-com or any type of Vince Vaughn movies that does not include any Christmas theme and includes a hot girlfriend, this would be the film for you.

A concept of having five hundred plus children would be impossible except if you donated some sperm into a sperm bank just like David Wozniak did, to pay off a holiday trip, a trip of a lifetime for his parents and ends up with six hundred kids due to the clinic, giving it off for the people in need. David, who has always been such a loser delivers meet for his family butcher shop, and tends to do reckless decisions that mostly harms himself without even thinking about it in a sole prospect.

Somehow I don't know why but Vince Vaughn is very likable in this movie and has lost weight, compared to him in The Break-up I guess. Impossible to not laugh and a very fine-family-oriented movie, Delivery Man to me is a wonderful comedy that is still hitting screen. 

Film Review: 47 Ronin

Title: 47 Ronin 

Language: English 

Running time: 2hr 7min

Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama, Fantasy & Science Fiction 

Directed by: Carl Rinsch

Distributed by: Universal Pictures

Ratings: 5/10

Summary:

From ancient Japan's most enduring tale, the epic 3D fantasy-adventure 47 Ronin is born. Keanu Reeves leads the cast as Kai, an outcast who joins Oishi (Hiroyuki Sanada), the leader of 47 outcast samurai. Together they seek vengeance upon the treacherous overlord who killed their master and banished their kind. To restore honor to their homeland, the warriors embark upon a quest that challenges them with a series of trials that would destroy ordinary warriors. 47 Ronin is helmed by visionary director Carl Erik Rinsch (The Gift). Inspired by styles as diverse as Miyazaki and Hokusai, Rinsch will bring to life the stunning landscapes and enormous battles that will display the timeless Ronin story to global audiences in a way that's never been seen before. 

Review:

To me, 47 Ronin is a little bit predictable but it does include with amazing sound effects and actual effects. The story line was quite fascinating, highlighting the art of old Japanese traditions, including Samurai legends and also the ultimate act of honor (well to them at least), Shipuku. I once read that during the olden days, where the women used to be raped by the West soldiers, when they heard the news that they were going to invade the houses, probably to rape and kill them, they would "shipuku" themselves, about thirty or fifteen minutes in advance.

It is probably a little dull, that the story line is like any low-grade fantasy movie. Maybe Hollywood have lacked on ideas to spice it up. The cast was excellent but the story was actually quite bland and distorted. But 47 Ronin is based on a real legend, a group of master-less Samurais, or a  group of "Ronin"s trying to bring honor to their land, even though banished. 

So, the ratings are accurate, it lacks surprises and a little bit too predictable for my taste, honestly.

Book Review: Gantung by Nadia Khan

Title: Gantung

Author: Nadia Khan 

Publisher: Buku Fixi 

No. of Pages: 293 pg 

Genre: School, Paranormal, General 

Ratings: 8/10 

Summary:

The second novel for the writer of the best seller novel, Kelabu. 

"Musketeer Code - no all for one, just one for all." 

Gibbs, Ray, KJ and Troll - a group of popular male students and probably the closest in an elite boarding school. The four of them built the Musketeer Code - an unbreakable code for none of them to have a real and steady girlfriend, but any scandalous relationship are welcomed and shared with all. 

Until the rule is broken... and one psychotic chick triggers an even that would haunt all their lives - Then - 

Review:

I love every book, done by Nadia Khan and she is probably my most favorite writer that embarks a new book, with a different set of view about a liberal high school full of sin and scandal, that would be a reality for carefree teenager these days and possibly the truth. This book would add from a little bit of scandal to a paranormal genre, that would please any die hard fans out there. 

The plot is exceedingly great, and really meaningful. Highlights a group of friends, making a pact to not have a girlfriend and once one of them does, probably the founder of the rule breaks it, hell breaks loose. Pushing a girl exceeding to her limit and driving her to suicide would probably be the climax of the story. This book isn't poetically written,  but it does have a  voice. It has a story line that is acceptable, better than most books. 

So I would say, Nadia Khan's Gantung is a wonderful read and should be enjoyed by anyone who favors what it has to say. 

To buy Nadia Khan's Gantung online: http://fixi.com.my/produk/gantung