Review Of : The Darkest Hour

Just watched "THE DARKEST HOUR" yesterday. (:

Directed by Chris Gorak

Acted by  Emile Hirsch, Max Minghella, Olivia Thirlby and Rachael Taylor

Storyline : 

The film circles around a group of survivals after the whole of Moscow was almost deserted during an alien invasion that came to earth for our minerals & power source. They try to find other survivals while trying to figure out how to defeat the invisible aliens.

Interesting movie. 


Yes, from the looks of this film; it looks like another cliche "a-group-of-survivors-trying-to-escape-from-aliens" movie. Yes, it is, BUT it is slightly different from the rest of those alien invasion movies. I will compare it to these two other movies I've lately watched. 


While Skyline,mostly played on graphics & visual fx. 
Battle :LA is more of a "army-try-to-save-people-from-aliens" with FPS style.
But both have the aliens revealed to the audience. 
The Darkest Hour is slightly different  because the aliens are unknown to the survivals & to the audience, since they're invisible in the quiet abandoned Moscow. Because of that, it keeps the viewers in a state of suspense & uncertainty.


Besides that, this film also gives the audience a better looks of Moscow (when it's abandoned & deserted) 


Plot & storyline, as explained above is a typical alien invasion film with a slight change.
It brings the viewers in suspense as a few individuals get disintegrated by the aliens.
Acting is quite good.Even though more introduction to a few other characters might be better.  
Visual effects are really good. e.g. Crumbling buildings & the disintegration of people. The first scene (first image from top) does remind me of Skyline a little. I did not watch it in 3D eventhough it looks quite good if it's in 3D. 


If you want to watch it, you should give it a go. In my opinion, It's quite good though. (: 

My Rating?

Plot : 3.75/5

Storyline : 3/5

Acting**:3.5/5 

Effects** : 4.5/5

OVERALL : 7.5/10.

Trailer :

Review Of : We Bought A Zoo

I've just watched "We Bought A Zoo" .

Directed by Cameron Crowe

Acted by  Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Elle Fanning and Thomas Haden Church

Storyline :

Inspired by the amazing true story about a recently single dad (Damon) who dreams up the coolest, most unusual gift a parent could ever give his family: a zoo. Together with his kids, he travels from the city to their new home in the wilds of upstate New York where -- through the restoration of their ramshackle zoo -- the family reconnects and gets a fresh start.

(Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX)

A heart-warming family drama.

I did not expect alot from this movie but it's really a touching story of how a struggling single farther tries to overcome his personal problems by trying to start a new life.The movie tells many lessons in life too. At the same time, the audience can get a few facts about animals & zoo. 

Simple but heart-warming storyline & plot. 

Acting. Character's screentime fairly given. Despite Matt Damon's change from acting action films to dramas, It was actually really good. You can actually see his "fatherly-side" in this movie. 

The music composed by Jónsi was perfect to the film too. It brings the audience closer to the character's emotions. You can click here to listen to them. 

A nice, simple heart-warming story. It's really worth a watch. (: 

My Rating?

Plot : 4/5

Storyline : 3.75/5

Acting**:4.5/5 

Effects** : 4/5

OVERALL : 8/10.

Trailer: 

First try at Stop-Motion Animation

So, how's your holidays? (: Hope it's good.

Well, lately, I've just discovered "stop-motion" animation and therefore I tried doing it. 

A stop-motion animation (also known as stop action) is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. -Wikipedia.

Normally, stop-motion animation is done with clay/plasticine figures or Lego.

Well, in my case I did using my drawing of my stickman! :p

And the end-result is this. Do watch it. (: 

Yes, mine looks more like a photo-story or a slideshow. :/
This is because I lack smaller movement details and more shots. (if that's the right word for it :P )
This clip only consists of 58 photos altogether. 


It's actually quite simple, but a little time-consuming to do.
All you need is: 

• a camera, (preferably with a small tripod attached to it) 
• an object you want,(e.g. clay figure, Lego, stationery & etc; up to your imagination! :p)
• a brightly lit room, 
• a simple movie-making software (e.g. Windows Moviemaker will do) 
• and of course yourself.

You can search on "how to make motion-stop animation" or you could click here.


I might try to do a much better one in the future. :D 

Merry Christmas ! :D And December 2011 Movies!

12:00 A.M. 25/12/11.
IT'S CHRISTMAS! =)

" A BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS!! ;D "

Well, I'm sure many of you readers out there are celebrating Christmas with your friends & family right?

And what's better than watching a good movie or maybe a few, during this season of joy. (:


Here's a list of movies that I've watched during the holidays with a brief explanation to each one and to link to the full review of each movie by clicking the respective movie titles. 

(sequence of movies are based on it's release dates, from the earliest to the latest)




1) Arthur Christmas* (1 Dec 2011) 




Arthur Christmas tells the story of how Santa delivers all the Christmas gifts in one night. With hi-tech gadgets & tech. But, even the most hi-tech operation has a margin of error when a child's been missed. Now, it's up to Santa's youngest son, Arthur to save Christmas. 


VERDICT : If you want a good, hilarious family-time movie to fit in with the Christmas "feel", this is a go. :D

2) The Muppets* (8 Dec 2011)





When Walter; a fan of the Muppets found out that The Muppets Theatre is about to be raze by a rich oil tycoon, he helps Kermit reunite with the other Muppets to stage the greatest Muppet Telethon in order to save the theatre. 


VERDICT: For those who've watched The Muppets during their  childhood, will definitely watch this; a classic. And for those who didn't, well, this is another family movie with laughters throughout the film.  (:


3) Alvin & the Chipmunks 3 : Chip-wrecked (15 Dec 2011) 





On vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship,The Chipmunks & the Chipettes get 'chipwrecked' on a desert island. As Dave Seville frantically searches for his AWOL charges, the 'Munks and Chipettes do what they do best - sing, dance and wreak havoc. But they're in for the biggest surprises and lessons of their lives when they embark on an island adventure with their new friend - a castaway who's more than a match for Alvin and the Chipmunks. 


VERDICT : Yet another hilarious installment to the Alvin & The Chipmunks movie. If you love Alvin & The Chipmunks, If you want a good laugh, go watch this then.  ;D




4) Mission Impossible 4 : Ghost Protocol (15 Dec 2011) 





Blamed for the terrorist bombing of the Kremlin, IMF operative Ethan Hunt is disavowed along with the rest of the agency when the President initiates "Ghost Protocol". Left without any resources or backup, Ethan must find a way to clear his agency's name and prevent another attack. To complicate matters further, Ethan is forced to embark on this mission with a team of fellow IMF fugitives whose personal motives he does not fully know.


VERDICT : The fourth installment to the M.I. films. Compared to previous movies, this is much more hilarious & more action packed. Love Mission Impossible, watch this. Love action movies, watch this too. All in all, just watch this. ;) 


5) Sherlock Holmes 2 : A Game of Shadows (22 Dec 2011)





Sherlock and Watson face arch-nemesis Professor Moriaty, who is conspiring to make a fortune at the expense of the rest of the world. As Sherlock and Watson unravel the dastardly plot as they travel across Europe, they unlock Moriaty's secret- the manufacturing of next-generation weapons. Sherlock and Watson must stop this great threat before Moriarty succeeds in provoking a World War. 


VERDICT : If you watch the previous Sherlock Holmes, this is the direct sequel to it.This next installment is filled with suspense & action. Watch this if you like the first. (:




So, those are the movies to fill up this December. 
TO check out more movie reviews, just click here.  (:

Anyway, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! ;) 

Review Of : Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows

"I've just watched the Premiere Screening of 

SHERLOCK HOLMES : A GAME OF SHADOWS"

Directed by Guy Ritchie.

Acted by Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams, Noomi Rapace

Storyline : 

Sherlock and Watson face arch-nemesis Professor Moriaty, who is conspiring to make a fortune at the expense of the rest of the world. As Sherlock and Watson unravel the dastardly plot as they travel across Europe, they unlock Moriaty's secret- the manufacturing of next-generation weapons. Sherlock and Watson must stop this great threat before Moriarty succeeds in provoking a World War.

(Source: WARNER BROS. PICTURES)

A great movie.

It is a direct sequel from the previous film, which means you have got to watch the first movie to understand this better. 

In comparison to the previous, it offers more action-packed sequences and more usage of CGI throughout a few scenes of the movie. (which is great! :)

In this sequel, the characters traveled across Europe countries from giving the audience a more "scenic view of 19th century Europe.

For the Storyline, like I've said, its direct sequel to it's predecessor film. 

The Plot is much more complex (so, pay attention to dialogues ;) and more action.

 Acting is good. Sherlock Holmes' character is given a challenge as to the more cunning Professor Moriarty. Therefore, the audience might be hard to predict their next move in the movie.    

The CGI & "slow-mo" effects are really good. (something new :p) And the movie's score really did play a part in the movie. 

In conclusion, if you love Sherlock Holmes following the first movie, you should definitely watch this movie. 

My Rating?

Plot : 4/5

Storyline : 3.75/5

Acting**:4/5 

Effects** : 4.5/5

OVERALL : 8.5/10.

Trailer : 

Review Of : Mission Impossible : Ghost Protocol

Just watched MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 4 : GHOST PROTOCOL! ;D

Directed by Brad Bird

Acted by Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Josh Holloway, Anil Kapoor, Léa Seydoux

Storyline :

Blamed for the terrorist bombing of the Kremlin, IMF operative Ethan Hunt is disavowed along with the rest of the agency when the President initiates "Ghost Protocol". Left without any resources or backup, Ethan must find a way to clear his agency's name and prevent another attack. To complicate matters further, Ethan is forced to embark on this mission with a team of fellow IMF fugitives whose personal motives he does not fully know. 

(Source: UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES)

Great movie! :D 

In my opinion, it's the best Mission Impossible movie I've watched. 

It's not necessary but preferably to watch previous MI movies. ( to sort of understand a few characters & the IMF backgrounds) 

The movie, directed by Brad Bird who is known to direct Disney Pixar Animated films, directed his very first action movie; MI: Ghost Protocol. 

Surprisingly, it was very good.  (: Funnier than previous films. Lacks the suspense of MI3 but more action-packed. 

Storyline was interesting. 

Plot was much more complex. It was suspense combined with intense action sequences and high-tech gadgets(not forgetting, the film also contains a little humour too! ;) 

The Acting was good. Characters were fairly given screen-time. Besides, the acrophobic scene where Tom Cruise himself did the stunt of climbing the Burj Khalifa was just epic. (as seen in the above picture) 

So,I will prevent my urge to tell more details in fear it might be a little of a spoiler to you. ;) 

All in all, if you're a MI fan or not, you must not miss this movie! ;D

My Rating?

Plot : 4.5/5

Storyline : 4/5

Acting**:4/5 

Effects** : 4/5

OVERALL : 9/10.


*by the way, the film is showing in epic IMAX @ TGV, Sunway Pyramid too. 

Trailer: 

Review Of : DEVIL

Yes, I know DEVIL is shown in September 2010 & I'm late. :P

 But I missed it , so I watched it on VCD. :)

Directed by John Erick Dowdle but Written by M.Night Shyamalan.

Acted by Chris Messina, Bojana Novakovic, Bokeem Woodbine, Logan Marshall-Green, Jenny O'Hara and Geoffrey Arend. 

Storyline: 

Supernatural thriller "Devil" (also known as "The Night Chronicles: Devil") is the first of three features that M. Night Shyamalan will produce through The Night Chronicles. The first instalment surrounds a group of people trapped in an elevator, which then strange, paranormal events start to happen to each of them. They soon realize that the devil is among them in human form.

(Source: UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES)

A psychological thriller. 

Well, when I first read a review last year saying that this movie was one of the best movies by M.Night Shyamalan since "The Sixth Sense", I thought to myself that I should watch this movie. And this film did not fail me.

The simple straight foward storyline.

But the plot was suspense from start til the end. 

It was like a cross between Final Destination & a little of those kind of "claustrophobic thriller".

At the end of the movie, it really comes to a lesson & makes the audience think. 

If you love physchological thrillers & suspense films, I suggest you to watch this. It's out on DVD & VCD. :)

My Rating?

Plot : 4.75/5

Storyline : 3.5/5

Acting*:4.5/5 

Scoring** : 3.75/5

OVERALL : 8.5/10.


Trailer: