Buried up to the neck with school work? Feeling bored but too lazy to go out? Why not relax with a bag of popcorn plus a chilled drink to watch a movie?
Name of Film: PAN’S LABYRINTH
Starring: Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, Ivana Baquero,Doug Jones , Ariadna Gil
Release Date: 11th January 2007
Genre: Thriller/Action/Fantasy
For fantasy lovers who are tired of age old favorites like LORD OF THE RINGS and sweet factory favorites like Disney’s TANGLED (oops, sorry Disney fans), this is the movie. Join Ofelia on her quest to prove that she is Princess Moanna of the under-world; accomplishing tasks given by an ambivalent Fawn-like creature (You will adore him). Set against the postwar Spain (the film is in Spanish), this film boasts stunning visuals, amazing soundtrack and matured acting. Expect amazing imagery like the monster whose eyes are literally stuck onto his hands, the stick-like insects that followed Ofelia around and the sensuous colors that enveloped the film. Little wonder that this film by Guillermo del Toro (director of HELLBOY) received critical acclaim and even a standing ovation at one of the notable film festivals. In this dark fairytale, there are real life monsters as well- the looming presence of the menacing stepfather, played with deftness by Lopez. A combination of all these elements never fails to remind us why Ofelia sought to escape from this world to the underworld. As both worlds collide, this morality tale plays out with dark consequences.
Name of Film: IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT
Starring: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert
Release Date: 22nd Febuary 1934
Genre: Romance/comedy
The ultimate romantic comedy is definitely IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT! This is vintage Hollywood at her best. Winning the Golden Slam (winning all top 5 Academy Awards), this movie has a tall bill of legendary players that includes Clark Gable (GONE WITH THE WIND’s fans, here you go). An absolutely enjoyable film with many tongue-in cheek moments (try Clark Gable’s half-naked scene) accompanied by superb comic timing of Colbert and Gable. We follow Gable’s reporter who travels with an escaping heiress. He wants the scoop and Colbert needs the help, so off they run! Watch out for classic scenes like Colbert trying to flag down a car (clichéd but nonetheless, awesome). There are tear-jerker moments such as Colbert crying after Gable left. Misunderstandings abound which inevitably leads to a happy ending. Do not be turned off by the age of the film, it is screwball comedy at its finest.
Name of film: KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR
Starring: Uma Thurman, Lucy Liu,Vivica A. Fox,Daryl Hannah,David Carradine,Michael Madsen
Release Date: 10th October 2003
Genre: Thriller/ Action/Revenge
A retired assassin attacked at her wedding. Baby dead. Coma for four years. What do you expect? This movie(combination of Vol.1 and Vol.2) is practically screaming “WATCH ME!!” to martial arts and action fans. Directed by the legendary Quentin Tarantino and starring his muse Uma Thurman in the title role of the Bride, this movie follows a woman bent on revenge. Never is revenge executed as cold and brutal. We can feel the pumping intensity through the electric soundtrack as the Bride battles one assassin by another. The villain that stole the show in the first half of the 3 hours film is definitely the mafia queen played by Lucy Liu. Watch out for their showdown in the snow with Japanese swords (thumbs up). That is art. The film is embedded with full of fun cultural references e.g. Bride’s Bruce Lee outfit and Tarantino even inserted an anime portion in the movie with extremely well-drawn characters. I am amazed by the craft of the movie! Be mentally prepared for kick ass violence and no bars-hold action. This is not for the faint-hearted.
Name of Film: HERO
Release Date: 24th October 2002
Starring: Donnie Yen, Jet Li, Zhang Zi Yi, Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung
Genre: Martial arts/epic/historical/tragedy/romance
Boasting one of the most star-studded casts ever gathered in the history of Asian cinema, HERO is a must-watch for wuxia fans. Stunningly beautiful choreography of the fights enfold before our eyes; enough to rank it with the likes of Ang Lee’s CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Do watch the scenes when Zhang Zi Yi fights with Maggie Cheung in the forest with falling golden leaves as well as the unbelievably awesome scene when Tony Leung battles with Jet Li on the lake.
What is appreciated here is instead of usual melodramatic fare that we are served with; we have poignant discussion of big political issues and the fate of a nation.
This is not a movie that will just be forgotten as regular fare, it is deeper than that. Interestingly, HERO follows in the footsteps of RASHAMON, another confusing movie with interlocking narratives. This unconventional narrative style is what elevates HERO above conventional wuxia films. Nothing is certain and fixed in HERO, even the definition of “hero”. A refreshing insightful movie, markedly different from its peers.
Name of Film: MEE POK MAN
Starring: Joe Ng, Michelle Goh, Lim Kay Tong, David Brazil
Release Date: 1995
Genre: black comedy/heartland
Not an easy movie to watch, this movie was made by the extremely talented Eric Khoo formerly warranted an RA rating from Singapore’s media authorities. Despite its strong and interesting content, this is an often overlooked gem of Singapore cinema, especially when compared to the likes of Jack Neo’s I NOT STUPID. We follow the mee pok man (a noodle-seller) who has a crush on a prostitute played by Michelle Goh.
An unlikely romance unfolds inSingapore’s red light district, Geylang. This movie presents the underbelly ofSingaporeand trusts me; it really touches the heart of every Singaporean. One shall see a side ofSingaporethat is normally hidden and a kind of darkness, which is refreshing from the tired run of all the comical Singaporean fares.
