MPOV: Ready Player One

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 7.9/10

Released: March 29, 2018
Director: Steven Spielberg
Casts: Olivia Cooke, Tye Sheridan, Ben Mendelsohn, Simon Pegg, T.J. Miller
Category: A 2018 American science fiction adventure film

In 2045, much of Earth's population centers have become slum-like cities. To escape their desolation, people engage in the virtual reality world of the OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation), where they can engage in numerous activities for work, education, and entertainment. Users have discovered Anorak's Quest hidden within OASIS, a game programmed by the late OASIS creator, James Halliday. The first to find the Easter egg within Anorak's Quest is promised full ownership of OASIS among other gifts. This has attracted a number of Gunters ("egg hunters") to play the game. Innovative Online Industries (IOI), a video game conglomerate and manufacturer of most of the virtual reality equipment used to access the OASIS, also seeks ownership of the virtual reality world, and its CEO, Nolan Sorrento, has amassed an army of debt-indentured players, known as Sixers (due to their six-digit identification), to seek the prize. However, to date, no one has managed to finish the first quest, a vehicle race across an ever-shifting version of New York City.

Wade Watts, an orphaned, 18-year-old Gunter, lives in a Columbus, Ohio slum with his aunt. In the OASIS, Wade goes by his avatar Parzival, and has partnered with Aech, a male avatar that serves as a virtual mechanic. He later befriends well-known player Art3mis after saving her from being "zeroed out", which would reset their avatar's character progression, by King Kong. Wade decides to study the virtual OASIS library to learn about Halliday's personal life, hoping to find a hint to finish the race. Wade learns that Halliday felt regret when he had to accept the resignation of his partner, Ogden Morrow, over a personal falling-out, with Halliday musing, "Why can't we go backwards for once? Backwards really fast, as fast as we can – really put the pedal to the metal." At the next race, Wade reverses from the start line, finding a hidden, safe path to the finish line of the race. He gains the first of three keys and a clue to the next quest. Aech, Art3mis, as well as players Daito and Sho follow Wade to finish the quest, and the five appear atop the global scoreboards, becoming known as the "High Five".

IOI takes interest in them, desiring to learn their real-life identities. Bounty hunter i-R0k overhears Wade tell Art3mis his real name, disclosing it to Sorrento, who approaches Wade in an attempt to convince him to join IOI to solve Anorak's Quest, but Wade refuses. In retaliation, Sorrento has his assistant F'Nale Zandor attack Wade's slum, killing Wade's aunt and her boyfriend. Wade is rescued by Art3mis' real-life friends and is taken to a Gunter hideout in Columbus, where he meets Art3mis' player, Samantha Cook. The two discover that Halliday had once dated Kira, who later became Morrow's wife, and was the source of their falling-out. In the virtual OASIS archives, Wade wins a bet with its Curator regarding whether Kira's memory remains anywhere within the archives, and the Curator rewards him with a 25-cent coin and grants him access to Halliday's memories of Kira, which turn out to be the entrance to the second quest. By surviving a re-creation of The Shining while searching for Kira, the High Five team each gain the second key and the clue that the last quest is in Castle Anorak on Planet Doom.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

I've not read the original book written by Ernest Cline so it's a blank slate for me. Overall, the movie was truly entertaining, from the start to the end! Engaging original plots with some throwback to the 80's, it's so refreshingly cool and nice to watch especially those realistic mind-blowing CGI's!

I can so imagined our future to be of such especially even now, gadgets have taken over the human minds. So in a matter of years, we would live in the fake world of future-doms, somewhat similar to many other AR related sci-fi flicks with fake persons/ avatars.

According to Cline, there's a possible sequel so if Spielberg is still at the helm, I'll definitely watch it. Great casts with a superb awesome story-line, a must watch movie in the cinema!

MPOV: Pacific Rim Uprising

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 6.1/10
Released: March 21st, 2018
Director: Steven S. Deknight
Casts: Scott Eastwood, John Boyega, Jing Tian, Rinko Kikuchi, Charlie Day
Category: PG-13; a 2018 fantasy, science fiction film

Ten years after the Battle of the Breach,[N 1] former Jaeger pilot Jake Pentecost—son of Kaiju War hero Stacker Pentecost—makes a living by stealing and selling jaeger parts on the black market. When he is arrested by the Pan-Pacific Defence Corps, his adoptive sister and PPDC commander Mako Mori gives him a choice between prison and returning to the PPDC as an instructor.

Upon arriving at the Hong Kong Shatterdome, Jake starts training Jaeger program recruits with his estranged former co-pilot, Nate Lambert. Nate and his sister reveal to him that the Jaeger program is threatened by Shao Corporation's drone program, which offers to mass produce remote controlled Jaegers developed by Liwen Shao and Dr. Newt Geiszler. The drone program combines Jeager technology with cloned Kaiju cells. Mako is due to deliver a final assessment to determine the authorization of the drones, but is killed by rogue Jaeger Obsidian Fury before she can report. Her death prompts the PPDC board to authorize the drone program and order their immediate deployment. In her last moments, Mako reveals the location of a defunct Jaeger production facility in Russia, which she suspects Obsidian Fury is using as a base of operations. Before Jake and Nate can investigate the area in their own Jaeger, Obsidian Fury destroys the complex and engages them in battle. Upon destroying its reactor, the two are shocked to learn that Obsidian Fury was controlled by a Kaiju's secondary brain, as are all of Shao's drones.

When the drones reach their respective locations, they simultaneously attack Shatterdomes worldwide, inflicting heavy casualties on the PPDC forces and incapacitating almost all Jaegers. Hermann Gottlieb seeks out Geiszler for help, unaware that Geiszler is the mastermind behind the attack, as he has been corrupted by regularly drifting with Kaiju brains. Seeking to destroy the world for the Precursors, the alien race who created the Kaiju, Geiszler has installed a backdoor in the drone program so that the Kaiju brains could take over the drones, destroy the PPDC and open new breaches all over the world. Although Shao is able to destroy the drones, three powerful Kaiju successfully emerge from the Breach and unite in Tokyo. The team realizes that the Precursors' goal is to activate the Ring of Fire by having a massive Kaiju fall into Mount Fuji, wiping out all life on Earth and terraforming the planet for their colonization.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

This is so enthralling, engaging from the start until the end! In fact, I just didn't want it to end! Loved how the plot thickens and twisted in the end, though a bit predictable at times... it was expected lah to be dramatic. Overall, it was so realistic especially those evil Kaijus, great CGI works plus superb castings. Even though it was slightly different from the first but the basic gists of the Jaegers and Kaijus are there. I'm sure there is a continuation of this movie but not sure when.... can't wait for it though!

MPOV: Coco

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Initial released: October 27th, 2017
Director: Lee Unkrich
Voice casts: Gael Garcia Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Renee Victor, Anthony Gonzalez, Edward James Olmos
Category: A 2017 American 3D computer-animated fantasy/ mystery film

In Santa Cecilia, Mexico, Imelda Rivera was the wife of a musician who left her and their 3-year-old daughter Coco, to pursue a career in music. She banned music in the family and opened a shoemaking family business. Ninety-six years later, her great-great-grandson, 12-year-old Miguel, now lives with Coco and their family. He secretly dreams of becoming a musician like Ernesto de la Cruz, a popular actor and singer of Coco's generation. One day, Miguel inadvertently damages the photo of Coco with her parents at the center of the family ofrenda and removes it, discovering that his great-great-grandfather (whose face is torn out) was holding Ernesto's famous guitar.

Concluding that Ernesto is his great-great-grandfather, Miguel ignores his grandmother Elena's objections and leaves to enter a talent show for the Day of the Dead. He enters Ernesto's mausoleum and steals his guitar to use in the show, but becomes invisible to everyone in the village plaza. However, he can see and be seen by his Xoloitzcuintli dog Dante and his skeletal dead relatives who are visiting from the Land of the Dead for the holiday. Taking him there, they realize that Imelda cannot visit as Miguel removed her photo from the ofrenda. Discovering that he is cursed for stealing from the dead, Miguel must return to the Land of the Living before sunrise or he will become one of the dead: to do so, he must receive a blessing from a member of his family using an Aztec marigold petal that can undo the curse placed upon him by stealing Ernesto's guitar. Imelda offers Miguel a blessing but on the condition that he abandon his musical pursuits when he returns to the Land of the Living; Miguel refuses and attempts to seek Ernesto's blessing.

Miguel encounters Héctor, a down-on-his-luck skeleton who once played with Ernesto and offers to help Miguel reach him. In return, Héctor asks Miguel to take his photo back to the Land of the Living so he can visit his daughter before she forgets him and he disappears completely. Héctor attempts to return Miguel to his relatives, but Miguel escapes and infiltrates Ernesto's mansion, learning along the way that an old friendship between the two deteriorated before Héctor's death. Ernesto welcomes Miguel as his descendant, but Héctor confronts them, imploring Miguel to take his photo. Miguel soon realizes that Ernesto murdered Héctor using a poisoned drink and stole the songs he had written when Hector had decided to return home having become homesick. Ernesto then passed Hector's songs off as his own to become famous. To maintain his legacy, Ernesto steals the photo and has Miguel and Héctor thrown into a cenote pit.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

I just loved this animation! So colourful, vibrant, filled with so many emotional chaos plus it is original! Even the songs were catchy and so relevant. Remember Me is such a heart-warming song! I'm in awe with the plots especially when it's all about family values and traditions. This is such a memorable movie, a must watch with the family!

MPOV: Tomb Raider

My rating: 3/5
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Initial released: March 7, 2018
Director: Roar Uthaug
Casts: Alicia Vikander, Daniel Wu, Walter Goggins, Dominic West, Kristen Scott Thomas
Category: PG-13, a 2018 American fantasy action adventure movie

Following the disappearance of her father Richard, Lara Croft lives a reckless and carefree life. When she is arrested after an accident involving a police car, Richard's business partner Ana Miller posts her bail and warns her that if she does not claim her inheritance, her father's estate will be sold off. Lara reluctantly accepts and comes into possession of the key to her father's office. There she finds a pre-recorded message from Richard detailing his research into Himiko, the mythical Queen of Yamatai who was said to command the power over life and death. Richard warns Lara to destroy all of his research but Lara decides to investigate further.

Lara travels to Hong Kong where she bribes Lu Ren, captain of the ship Endurance, to sail to an island believed to have once been Yamatai. The ship capsizes in a violent storm and Lara is washed ashore where she is knocked unconscious. She is revived by Mathias Vogel, the leader of an expedition to locate Himiko's tomb that has been funded by the shadowy Trinity organisation in an attempt to harness and weaponise Himiko's power. Vogel takes Lara prisoner, revealing that he killed her father and intends to use Richard's research to continue his expedition. Lara escapes with the help of Lu Ren, who survived the storm and has been put to work with the local fishermen digging for Himiko's tomb. She evades capture but is seriously wounded in the process and passes out from her injuries.

Lara regains consciousness after nightfall and is forced to kill a Trinity guard when she is nearly discovered. She follows a mysterious figure wandering the island and discovers that the figure is her father, who has himself been held captive on Yamatai. After convincing him that she is real, Richard treats her injuries and despite his protests, Lara sets off to recover his research from Vogel's camp and take the fight to Trinity. Lara makes contact with Lu Ren and he, along with the fishermen, stage distractions, allowing Lara to infiltrate the Trinity camp and recover her father's research. In the ensuing chaos, Richard makes his way to the tomb and is captured by Vogel, who persuades Lara to open Himiko's tomb.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

Of course, Alicia Vikander is not as finesse as Angelina Jolie, portraying a young Lara Croft but she's getting there. At the start of the movie, the attention was on her, for me. As it's a young Lara Croft who's unpolished, brash and rogue, Vikander fits her perfectly. Eventually as the movie progressed, it was more about the adventure than Vikander. Engaging, enthralling and filled with many actions, it was truly entertaining for me. However, there were some undistinguished parts like the camcorder. How could the battery life sustained after 7 years??? A standard battery life will drain slowly but not this one as after 7 years, it can still be played. Hmmm.....

Anyway, my last note is about the cinema. This movie is PG-13 but there were quite a number of Malaysian folks bringing along their children to watch this uncensored gory movie. As I was trying to concentrate on the movie, these people behind me was noisy! Their child kept asking questions about the movie! OMG! If you want to bring your children along, please ensure they shut their mouth!!! Otherwise, please leave them at home! Cinema operators, please ensure teenagers aged 13 and above are allowed into the cinema and not children nor babies!

MPOV: Genius

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 6.5/10

Released: July 7, 2016
Director: Michael Grandage
Casts: Colin Firth, Jude Law, Nicole Kidman, Laura Linney, Guy Pearce
Category: A 2016 British/American biographical drama

The film is set in New York in 1929. Maxwell Perkins, a Scribner's successful editor and discoverer of talented authors such as Francis Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, lives in a cottage just outside the city with his wife and five daughters. One day, in his office, he reads the drafts of O Lost, a novel by Thomas Wolfe. Struck by the content, Perkins decides to publish it and begins to collaborate with the author. The novel is eventually published and proves to be a huge success: fifteen thousand copies sold in a single month. Max and Thomas become best friends, while Wolfe's relationship with Aline Bernstein, a married woman twenty years older than he, is severely tested after the publication of the Wolfe's novel. Max manages to publish Wolfe's second novel, Of Time and the River, after exhausting revision work that lasted for years. The second novel is also a success.

Meanwhile, Thomas is in Paris where he follows the events only remotely, thanks to the news received from Max. Back in New York, he immediately goes to work, writing his new book. His turbulent character leads him to quarrel with Max, destroying the relationship between the two and making Wolfe turning to another editor. Aline finally leaves Thomas, because he is too self-absorbed and unable to care for others. When Max has reconciled himself with Thomas's absence, a phone call comes from Thomas' mother: Thomas has been reported to contract milial tuberculosis. Despite the surgery, Thomas shows no signs of improving. After a few weeks Wolfe dies, but he writes a letter to Max, reaffirming his immense affection for him.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

I've never read Thomas Wolfe before so it's an eye-opener watching this biopic between him and his editor, Maxwell Perkins. Fitzgerald and Hemingway were also featured briefly so it sure made this more realistic since I've known and read their books before. This movie did show Thomas' not so gentlemanly side with the way he treated others plus how selfish and self-absorbed he was then. However, it truly was such a waste that a young talent had to die early. I do applaud Maxwell, aside from being a successful editor, for being so professional yet ethically right.

It did feel like an honest biopic with a dramatic yet talented casts. The way Jude carried Thomas was eccentric! Even Nicole's Aline was such a drama queen! This memorable movie has piqued my interest. So it's time to look for and read a Thomas Wolfe.

MPOV: Black Panther

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 7.2/10

Released: January 29, 2018
Director: Ryan Coogler
Casts: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker
Category: PG-13; A 2018 American superhero, fantasy, science fiction film

Centuries ago, as five African tribes war over a meteorite made up of the alien metal vibranium, a warrior ingests a "heart-shaped herb" affected by the metal and gains superhuman abilities. Becoming the first "Black Panther", he unites the five tribes and forms the nation of Wakanda. As time passes, the Wakandans use the vibranium to develop highly-advanced technology while simultaneously isolating themselves from the rest of the world and posing as a Third World country.

In 1992, while on an undercover assignment in Oakland, California, Prince N'Jobu becomes convinced Wakanda's isolationist policies have done more harm than good and vows to share its technology with people of African descent around the world in order to help them conquer their oppressors. N'Jobu enlists black market arms dealer Ulysses Klaue to infiltrate Wakanda and steal a cache of vibranium only for his older brother T'Chaka to learn about his actions. T'Chaka reluctantly kills N'Jobu and abandons his son Erik in order to prevent the Wakandan people from learning the truth.

In the present day, following T'Chaka's death at the hands of Helmut Zemo, his son T'Challa returns to Wakanda to assume the throne. After working with Okoye, the leader of the Dora Milaje, to extract his ex-lover Nakia from an undercover assignment, he reunites with his mother Ramonda and younger sister Shuri only to learn that M'Baku, the leader of the rival Jabari Tribe, is challenging him for the crown. The two engage in ritual combat, with T'Challa emerging victorious and becoming the new King.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

Overall, it's one of the best Marvel Comics adaptation! It was engaging from the start to the end! Totally kept me on my toes, anticipating each plots and couldn't wait for it to end. I would agree at some point, some plots were kinda predictable but the CGI and actions made up for it. Truly enjoyed the African's ritual and whatnots too!

This movie had some similarity to Iron Man, in my opinion. For a start, the vibranium technology was as advance as Iron Man's technology. Each has their own unique tech to power up their abilities and both are rich. The only difference is that Tony Stark worked on his own and T'Challa works with his family. Either way, it's still advance technology powering up their abilities. Cool power, cool movie!

FYI, there are 2 post credit trailers - 1 mid way and the other right at the end. Both leading it up to Avengers: Infinity War. Can't wait for it then!

MPOV: A House of Happiness

My rating: 4/5

Released: February 15th, 2018
Director: JY Teng
Casts: Richard Ng, Mimi Chu, Chan Fong, Cheryl Lee
Category: P13, comedy

Bad-tempered Uncle Shui suffers from Alzheimer's disease but he can at least remember that his wife Summer has died and his son Liong Gor is working in the city. Ha Gu stays with him and takes care of him but she leaves him when she cannot stand his bad temper anymore. He then falls in love with a woman who looks a lot like his late wife. Liong Gor is called by back the neighbours to help his father cope with living alone but Liong Gor hides a secret and is worried of its impact on his family.

The above taken from www.cinema.com.my.

Overall, this is a very funny movie from the start to the end! Even with the few touche moments, it's still funny with a tinge of tears LOL! I've enjoyed it a lot, laughing from the moment it started till the end! Even Angels and hubby enjoyed it pretty much!

We were offered the tickets unexpectedly and since we had nothing much to do, we went ahead and watched this movie last week. It's a special screening of the movie with a special appearance by the director, JY Teng, and the lead actor, Chan Fong. Thankfully, it turned out to be a very good quality, local production with a good story line and many comedic plots. Truly a 'special screening' worth watching!

Chan Fong and Director Teng made a small appearance before the movie starts

I was surprised by the many talents in the movie. Aside from Richard and Mimi who were from Hong Kong, the rest of the casts are Malaysians and they were a talented lot! The many emotional levels were portrayed efficiently with the roles so well rounded. The plots were so seamless with our full attention on the movie. Of course, it has many emphatic plots based on current social stigma pointed out in the movie. This is what I do like about local movies. It's story line is always realistic and on point, not generalised with blank plots.

It's a movie worth watching with the family during Chinese New Year. Definitely worth every penny! FYI, it's in Cantonese, thank goodness for me or I'll be busy reading subtitles!

MPOV: I Am Elizabeth Smart

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 6.3/10

Released: November 18, 2017
Director: Sarah Walker
Casts: Alana Boden, Skeet Ulrich, Deirdre Lovejoy
Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart
Category: crime film, drama, biography

In 2002, Brian David Mitchell abducts 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her Salt Lake City home. Held captive by Mitchell and his accomplice, Smart must endure months of brutality while trying to figure out a way to escape.

The above taken from Google.

Watching this reenactment movie was totally heart wrenching especially since Elizabeth was only 14 years old when she was kidnapped. Being raped, bullied, starved made it worst but she survived the harrowing ordeal and when she was finally discovered, it was definitely a breath of relief! She's mentally strong, able to slowly plan and decide how to get along so that she could stay alive which is no easy feat. I truly applaud her for being so brave to stand her ground, moving forward and helping others in need. Also producing and narrating this movie, she's so strong being able to look back on it! Creating more awareness definitely helps especially since there are more unsound-minded people nowadays. I think I would not have been as brave and strong as her and would have killed myself instead of slaving for that animal!

MPOV: Bright

My rating: 3/5
IMDb rating: 6.5/10

Released: December 22, 2017
Director: David Ayer
Casts: Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Lucy Fry, Noomi Rapace, Edgar Ramirez
Category: Thriller, fantasy

In an alternate present, humans live in uneasy peace with orcs, elves, centaurs, dwarves and other races after they fought for thousands of years. In Los Angeles, veteran LAPD police officer Daryl Ward has been involuntarily partnered with Nick Jakoby, the nation's first orcish police officer. Jakoby is ostracized by humans for his race, and by orcs for his position. In addition to the push-back from other officers, Ward is ambivalent towards him after an incident where Ward was shot and Jakoby apparently let the orc assailant get away. During a trip back to the station, an arrested Shield of Light devotee tells Jakoby (in Orcish) that both officers are in a prophecy and that Ward is blessed. While Jakoby is booking the prisoner, Ward is approached by Internal Affairs who say they believe that Jakoby put his ethnic loyalties before his partner. Ward is pressured to try to have Jakoby confess on tape so they will have publicly acceptable grounds for a firing.

That night, Ward and Jakoby respond to a disturbance at what turns out to be a Shield of Light safehouse; inside are a number of corpses, and also the still-living torso of an elf woman embedded in a wall. They apprehend the lone unhurt survivor, a young elf named Tikka in possession of a wand. As Jakoby puts it, a wand is like "a nuclear weapon that grants wishes", and can only be commanded by a 'Bright' - a rare person. If a non-bright touches it, they will explode.

When four officers arrive as backup, they decide to stage the killing of the two officers and keep the wand for themselves. They coerce Ward into accepting to kill Jakoby, telling Ward he will be spared in return. Ward goes outside to Jakoby and holds him at gunpoint, asking him about the orc assailant. Jakoby admits to letting the suspect escape but only because he mistakenly cornered the wrong person and realized the responding officers would most likely execute any orc suspect. Ward makes a split decision to gun down all of the corrupt officers. The incident, however, attracts the attention of the local human gang, Altamira, and the two flee under fire with Tikka and the wand. Leilah, an Inferni member and owner of the wand, arrives at the safehouse minutes later, searching for the wand and Tikka.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

I am truly surprised watching this movie as it did reminds me of a movie, somewhat similar LOL! Well, it is like Lord of the Rings in a modern world setting. Instead of the ring, it is the magic wand they are fighting for. Modern elves, fairies and orcs a plenty in this movie. Even Harlem was not spared as it's shown as the orc's hood. Overall, it's entertaining though not as unique as I kept referencing it back to LotR LOL!

With the way it ended, I'm not surprised a sequel is in the making. I sure hope there will be more elves and fairies this time plus Ward handling more magic wands!

MPOV: The Foreigner

My rating: 3/5
IMDb rating: 7.1/10

Initial release: September 30, 2017
Director: Martin Campbell
Casts: Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Katie Leung, Orla Brady, Charlie Murphy
Category: A 2017 action thriller film based on the 1992 novel, The Chinaman by Stephen Leather

Ngoc Minh Quan, a Chinese Nuang chef, runs a Chinese restaurant in London. When his teenage daughter Fan is killed in a clothing store bombing claimed by a group calling themselves the "Authentic IRA", a distraught Quan seeks revenge. He first attempts to bribe Scotland Yard officer Richard Bromley for the names of the bombers, but Bromley refuses to accept the bribe nor reveal any information. Quan next focuses on the Northern Ireland deputy First Minister Liam Hennessy, who speaks publicly about his status as a former IRA leader while condemning the bombing. Keyi Lam, Quan's co-worker and personal friend, attempts to console and convince him to move on, but he refuses to be swayed and eventually leaves for Belfast to meet Hennessy. Hennessy claims to have no knowledge of the bombing or its perpetrators, but Quan does not believe him. His queries escalate until he becomes fixated on Hennessy, setting off a homemade bomb in his office and threatening more unless he gets the bombers' names.

The truth is that Hennessy, while having ordered the bombings to come with warnings as part of a political ploy to solidify the radical factions, does not actually know who the bombers are, as they are rogue members of the IRA. He is in fact outraged that no warnings were given and civilians were killed. Hennessy tries to identify the bombers by changing the code words they use after any bombings are carried out, but the rogue members catch on and outwit him. Meanwhile, he sends numerous mercenaries and personal enforcers after Quan, who manages to escape or defeat all of them. He also observes Hennessy meeting with his mistress, Maggie, and takes a picture of them kissing. Quan then brings the fight to Hennessy, hiding in the woods outside his Belfast farmhouse and attacking it with more homemade bombs. As Hennessy's men attempt to track him in the woods, Quan uses traps to disable a group of three and attempts to interrogate one of them, but he is shot in the shoulder by a fourth mercenary and flees. Hennessy decides to send for his nephew Sean Morrison, who was part of the Royal Irish Regiment with Bromley, after Quan in hopes that his tracking skills can be used to stop him for good.

As Quan heats up a knife to cauterize the gunshot wound, he faints and has flashbacks of his escape from Vietnam to Singapore where he and his family are attacked by Thai pirates. He and his wife look on hopelessly as his two daughters are taken away, to be raped and murdered by the pirates. As he tried to fight off the pirates, he and his wife were shot and both fell overboard. His wife later died giving birth to their daughter, Fan. Hennessy receives files from the British government on Quan's true background: a former Vietnam War special operations forces soldier who was trained by the US army.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

Jackie Chan definitely looks older befitting the role but the fighting scenes are much slower and not as exciting anymore. Thankfully, though the storyline is predictable, the plots were quite engaging with Pierce Brosnan's commanding character and Jackie Chan's persisting character. It's kinda slow at times but overall, an enthralling and entertaining movie to watch.

MPOV: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

My rating: 3/5
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
Released date: 14th December 2017
Director: Rian Johnson
Casts: Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fischer, John Boyega, Adam Driver
Category: A 2017 fantasy/ science fiction film

Following the destruction of Starkiller Base, Resistance fighters led by General Leia Organa evacuate their main base as a First Order fleet reaches them. Poe Dameron leads an effective but costly counterattack. The Resistance vessels jump into hyperspace to escape, but the First Order, with Supreme Leader Snoke present, gives pursuit using a tracking device. During an attack, Leia's son, Kylo Ren, destroys the Resistance support fighters, but hesitates to fire at the lead Resistance ship after sensing his mother's presence on board. TIE fighters destroy the bridge of the ship, killing many Resistance leaders, including Admiral Ackbar. Leia saves herself using the Force but is incapacitated, leaving Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo in command. Disapproving of her passive strategy, Poe, Finn, BB-8, and mechanic Rose Tico embark on a secret plan to disable the tracking device.

Having arrived on Ahch-To with Chewbacca and R2-D2 aboard the Millennium Falcon, Rey meets Luke Skywalker. Luke initially refuses to teach her, saying the Jedi should end for their failures. Unbeknownst to Luke, Rey and Kylo begin communicating with each other through telepathic visions. Prompted by R2-D2, Luke eventually agrees to teach Rey, but Luke and Kylo give Rey differing accounts of the incident that turned Kylo evil, with Luke confessing that he contemplated killing Kylo upon discovering his corruption by Snoke. Unable to convince Luke to join the Resistance, Rey leaves Ahch-To without him to confront Kylo. While preparing to burn down the Ahch-To Jedi temple and its library, Luke encounters Yoda's Force ghost, who destroys the sanctuary instead and tells Luke that failure is the greatest teacher.

Holdo plans to discreetly evacuate the remaining Resistance members using small transports. Believing she intends to desert the Resistance, Poe instigates a mutiny. Finn, Rose, and BB-8 recruit the pirate and computer hacker DJ at a casino on Canto Bight to help them disable the tracking device. They infiltrate Snoke's ship, but are captured by Captain Phasma, though BB-8 manages to escape. Meanwhile, Rey lands on Snoke's ship and is seized by Kylo, who takes her to Snoke. During a confrontation with Snoke, Rey tries to turn Kylo to the side of the Resistance. Snoke reveals that he controlled the mental connection between her and Kylo as part of a plan to destroy Luke. Ordered to kill Rey, Kylo instead kills Snoke and works together with Rey to kill Snoke's guards. Kylo invites Rey to rule the galaxy with him, but Rey refuses. Using the Force, they struggle for possession of Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber until it splits in two.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

As much as I disliked Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, I did enjoy the movie especially the comedic plots with BB-8 and those nitty gritty battles between the First Order and the Resistance. Though slow in the middle, overall it was an entertaining movie but lacked the oomph at some points and the actions made up for it. Not as many aliens this time around too.

Apparently the next sequel, which happens to be the last of of this trilogy, would be released in December 2019. I sure hope that's the last as it felt as though the storyline has thinned and not as enthralling.

MPOV: Mune: Guardian of the Moon

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 7.3/10

Initial release: December 6, 2014
Directors: Alexandre Heboyan, Benoit Philippon
Voice casts: Omar Sy, Izia Higelin, Michael Gregorio
Category: A 2014 French 3D children's computer-animated adventure fantasy film

In an imaginary world, a small Sun and Moon were made by the first Guardians to warm up a small planet inhabited by different marvelous people. The Guardians follow generations after generations and preserve the harmony of the world. The people of the day and those of the night live in relative harmony, even though they are very different from each other. But in the depth of the planet, Necross awaits the opportunity to set darkness over the world.

The day is approaching when Sohone, the apprentice of Xolal, Guardian of the Sun and Leeyoon, the apprentice of the Guardian of the Moon will take over from the present Guardians. On the day of their induction, the light of the Sun accepts Sohone as planned. Leeyoon however is avoided by the lunar Ewe that is responsible for choosing the Guardians. The Ewe chooses a Faun named Mune instead. On the following night an upset Leeyoon is visited by pale snakes who stir up his jealousy and advise him to pit Sohone against Mune. Meanwhile, Mune has troubles maneuvering the temple of the Moon correctly: the temple leaves its path and interferes with Sohone. While Sohone leaves his temple to scold Mune, Necross sends his two imps to steal the Sun and bring it to him. Necross makes the Sun die off gradually. Night falls everywhere, and a distressed Mune is banished from his own people.

Mune and Sohone both set out on a quest to find the vanished Sun, accompanied by a young girl named Glim. Thanks to her knowledge in astronomy and the ancient stories of how the world came together, the group is able to pass the Great Blue Hole, a lake under which the great abyss opens that leads to the depths of the world. Mune watches over Glim since she could freeze and break in the cold water. While underwater, the group meets Phospho, an old Guardian of the Moon. He wakes Glim up and leads them to the entrance of the world of darkness, where Necross lives.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

I just love the animation, brilliantly made, so beautiful like wanderlust... the imagination definitely taken to another level! Overall, it was an engaging movie with some twists yet at times a little predictable but entertaining nevertheless. So unique with such imaginary plots, I was immediately taken by it's breathtaking colours! Great to watch with the family for sure!

MPOV: Justice League

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 6.5/10

Directed by: Zack Snyder
Casts: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Jeremy Irons, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams
Genre: A 2017 American superhero, fantasy science fiction film

Thousands of years ago, Steppenwolf and his army of Parademons attempt to conquer Earth through the combined energies of three Mother Boxes. They are foiled by a unified army that included the Olympian Gods, Amazons, Atlanteans, humans, and Green Lanterns. After repelling Steppenwolf's army, the Mother Boxes are separated and hidden in locations around the planet.

In the present, the world is in mourning after the death of Superman. This triggers the Mother Boxes to reactivate and Steppenwolf's return to Earth in an effort to regain favor with his master, Darkseid. Steppenwolf manages to retrieve the Mother Box from Themyscira, prompting Queen Hippolyta to warn her daughter Diana Prince of Steppenwolf's return by lighting the invasion fire. Prince joins Bruce Wayne in his attempt to unite other metahumans to their cause, with Wayne going after Arthur Curry and Barry Allen, while Prince tries to locate Victor Stone. The two of them fail to persuade Curry and Stone, but manage to recruit an enthusiastic Allen onto the team. Stone later joins the team after his father Silas is kidnapped, along with several other S.T.A.R. Labs employees, by Steppenwolf seeking to acquire the Mother Box from them.

Meanwhile, Steppenwolf attacks Atlantis to retrieve the next Mother Box, forcing Curry to take action. The team receives intel from Commissioner James Gordon leading them to Steppenwolf's army, based in an abandoned facility under Gotham Harbor. Although the group manages to rescue the kidnapped employees, the facility is flooded during combat, which traps the team until Curry helps delay the flood so they can escape. Stone retrieves the last Mother Box, which he had hidden, for the group to analyze. Stone reveals that his father used the Mother Box to rebuild Stone's body after an accident almost cost him his life. Wayne decides to use the Mother Box to resurrect Superman, not only to help them fight off Steppenwolf's army, but also to restore hope to mankind. Prince and Curry are hesitant about the idea, but Wayne forms a secret contingency plan in case Superman returns as a nemesis.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

This is by far one of the best DC Comic's movie adaptation with superb casts, good plots and great action! Of course, I'm in awe with Gadot's Wonder Woman but Miller's The Flash literally took over the thunder (pun intended) with his slap-stick funnies! Miller has totally moved on from Fantastic Beast and The Flash totally suits him up. The flow of the movie, the pace overall was just right and I've enjoyed it much!

The only peculiar part I don't quite grasps is the Man of Steel itself, from the previous Batman VS Superman until now. He's supposed to be invincible. He could be brought alive as long as he can soaked up the sun rays. So why couldn't he? Was the injury too much until they had to use the Mother Box to wake him up? I guess this will be a gap for me then.

Anyway, do stay until the end ya... a post-credit trailer right at the end which will lead to the sequel, tentatively to be released in June 2019.

MPOV: Thor: Ragnarok

My rating: 3/5
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Released: October 25, 2017
Director: Taika Waititi
Casts: Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddlestone, Tessa Thompson
Category: A 2017 American superhero film

Two years after the Battle of Sokovia, Thor has been unsuccessfully searching for the Infinity Stones, and is now imprisoned by the fire demon Surtur. Surtur reveals that Thor's father Odin is no longer on Asgard, and that the realm will soon be destroyed in the prophesied Ragnarök, once Surtur unites his crown with the Eternal Flame that burns beneath the city. Thor defeats Surtur and claims his crown, believing he has prevented Ragnarök.

Thor returns to Asgard to find his adopted brother Loki posing as Odin. Thor forces Loki to help him find their father, and with directions from Stephen Strange on Earth they locate Odin in Norway. He explains that he is dying, and that his passing will allow his firstborn daughter Hela to escape from a prison she was sealed in long ago. Hela had been the leader of Asgard's armies, and had conquered the Nine Realms with Odin, but had been imprisoned and written out of history after her ambitions became too great. Odin dies, and Hela appears. She destroys Thor's hammer Mjolnir, and when Thor and Loki attempt to flee through the Bifröst Bridge, she pursues them and forces them out into space to die. Hela arrives in Asgard, destroys its army, resurrects the ancient dead who once fought with her, and appoints the downtrodden Asgardian Skurge as her executioner. She plans to use the Bifröst to expand Asgard's empire, but Heimdall steals the sword that controls the Bridge, and hides away with the rest of Asgard's citizens.

Thor crash-lands on the planet Sakaar, a garbage planet surrounded by wormholes. He is captured by a mercenary named Scrapper 142, and taken to serve as a gladiator for the planet's ruler, the Grandmaster, whom Loki has already become ingratiated with. Thor recognizes 142 as one of the Valkyrie, a legendary force of female fighters who were killed defending Asgard from Hela long ago. Thor is forced to compete in the Grandmaster's Contest of Champions, facing his old friend the Hulk. Thor almost defeats the Hulk, before the Grandmaster fixes the fight to ensure the Hulk's victory. Still enslaved, Thor attempts to convince Hulk and 142 to help him save Asgard, but neither is willing. He soon manages to escape the palace and find the Quinjet that brought the Hulk to Sakaar. The Hulk follows Thor to the Quinjet, where a recording of Natasha Romanoff makes the Hulk transform back into the human Bruce Banner for the first time since Sokovia.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

Overall, it's an entertaining movie with great casts and funny scripts. However, it doesn't 'rhyme' at times and a little overdoing had me at 'huh?'. Other than that, it was action-packed with slap-stick comedy which had us laughing most times. I don't recall watching any Marvel movies which had many funny elements as much as serious ones with us laughing as much!

A couple of Avengers' made a short appearance like Dr Strange and The Hulk but I just can't understand why they had to make Banner seemed so 'duh!'. Even Stan Lee made a cameo as a barber LOL! I'm amazed at Cate Blanchett's Hela! So regal and daunting, unbelievably refined as a Goddess of Death! Also Tessa Thompson's Scrapper 142 was so cool! Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster reminded me of the swag Austin Powers LOL!

All in all, it's entertaining enough for me for a stress-free evening, enjoying Thor and Loki's acidic comments and mild bantering. Some sporadic humour made the movie lively amidst the dull setting! Do note there is a post credit scene ya midway.

MPOV: The man from U.N.C.L.E.

My rating: 3/5
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Released date: August 14th, 2015
Director: Guy Ritchie
Casts: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant
Category: A 2015 American action spy comedy film

In 1963, at the height of the Cold War, professional thief-turned CIA agent Napoleon Solo extracts Gaby Teller, daughter of Dr. Udo Teller, an alleged Nazi scientist-turned United States collaborator at the end of World War II, from East Berlin, evading KGB operative Illya Kuryakin. He later reports to his superior, Sanders, who reveals that Gaby's maternal uncle Rudi works in a shipping company owned by Alexander and Victoria Vinciguerra, a wealthy Nazi-sympathizing couple who intend to use Teller to build their own private nuclear weapon and give it to lingering Nazi elements. Due to the potentially world-ending nature of this crisis, the CIA and KGB have reluctantly teamed up, and Solo and Kuryakin are ordered to stop the Vinciguerras from succeeding, with both men secretly assigned to steal Udo Teller's research for their respective governments.

The trio travels to Rome, where Gaby and Kuryakin reluctantly pose as an engaged couple, and Solo pretends to be an antiquities dealer. Solo deduces they are being monitored and instructs Kuryakin not to defend himself from muggers so as to preserve this cover. Despite their hostilities towards each other, Kuryakin heeds his advice and does not react when his father’s prized watch is stolen. Later, at an auto racing event promoted by the Vinciguerras, Solo and Gaby flirt with Victoria and Alexander, respectively, in order to lure out information about Teller. Meanwhile Kuryakin acquires evidence the Vinciguerras were recently exposed to radiation, indicating that their weapon is near completion.

Solo and Kuryakin begrudgingly join forces to break into a Vinciguerra shipping yard, in which they find traces of uranium. After accidentally setting off the alarm, they escape into the water only to find their way blocked. During the ensuing scuffle with the guards, Kuryakin nearly drowns in the waters but Solo escapes, only to surprise himself by returning to save Kuryakin. Although a suspicious Victoria pursues them with her henchmen, Solo and Kuryakin manage to slip past into their own rooms undetected, and Victoria and Solo spend the night together. The following day, Gaby meets with Rudi and Alexander to discuss a job, but unexpectedly betrays Kuryakin and Solo to them, forcing Kuryakin to escape, while Solo is drugged and captured by Victoria and taken to a nearby warehouse to be tortured in an electric chair by Rudi, who is revealed as an infamous Nazi torturer. Solo is saved by Kuryakin, who straps Rudi into the electric chair, in order to intimidate him into talking. Rudi reveals that the weapon is hidden in an island fortress, where Gaby has been reunited with her father, which is where Solo and Kuryakin head off to, with Rudi unintentionally being burnt alive due to the electric chair malfunctioning. To protect Gaby, Dr. Teller pretends to resume work on the weapon, which has a tracking system left over from when the warhead was non-nuclear, so that a second missile can home in on it for added impact, but although Gaby attempts to help her father escape and sabotage the warhead Victoria quickly sees through this deception, and has Alexander imprison Gaby, as an extra incentive for Dr. Teller. Teller quickly adds the finishing touches to the bomb, but is then shot in the head by Victoria as soon as he does.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

I remember watching the TV series way back then but for the life of me, I can't recall who or what. Anyway, while watching this movie, it did remind me of Kingsman. The way they spoke, acted and dressed. I just loved those 60's fashion and make-up! So retro and eccentric! Though the men's dressing were bland, the ladies were so fad and inspiring!

Fashion aside, the movie itself was kinda slow at times. There were some actions but still slow. Overall, entertaining and funny at times but still slow. I guess I've expected more exciting scenes with intelligent bickering. LOL!

MPOV: That girl in pinafore

My rating: 4/5
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Initial release: August 1st, 2013
Director: Yee-Wei Chai
Casts: Julie Tan, Daren Tan, Hayley Woo, Jayley Woo, Seah Jiaqing
Category: A 2013 Singaporean comedy-musical film

The story was set in the 1990s. Secondary school student, Jiaming (Daren Tan) was coping with both his O-level examinations and his parents' bar business, the Dream Boat. He and his mates Cao Gen (Seah Jiaqing), Hao Ban (Kenny Khoo) and Xiao Pang (Kelvin Mun) were studying. When a dare to get the numbers of two nearby girls, Jayley and Hayley Woo, went awry, the boys ran away. Jiaming bumped into the twins' friend, May (Julie Tan), while doing so, consequently dropping his Xinyao booklet.

After receiving their O-Level results, Jiaming decided to drop school, having already retained for two years, while the rest of the boys moved on. Coincidentally, they were placed in the same Junior College as the three girls they had met earlier. On the first day of school, the boys started a short-lived pornographic magazines business and were suspended from school for a month's time. Meanwhile, Jiaming visited the junior college to hang out with his friends and was attracted by a familiar music tune into an empty school assembly hall. There, he discovered May playing the song on the piano from the Xinyao book that he dropped earlier. He confronted her to repossess his book but was interrupted by three school bullies, whose leader said that May was his. Jiaming left the scene after a conflict with the bullies. Eventually, he met up with his three friends and learned about their suspension.

The boys became aware of Xinyao singing contest with a winner's purse of $5000. Jiaming suggested that they join the contest and they form a band. After their own auditions, the boys bumped into the girls, who had tried their luck in the contest too but lost out because of technical difficulties. They decided to work together with the boys, forming a collaborative band. Subsequently, they were asked to perform at and advertise the Dream Boat.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

Recently caught this movie on Astro and I can't helped thinking of the consequences if May's mother had behaved differently. It was definitely spot on especially for Asian parents on how they want their children to succeed their long lost ambitions or assumed their life long dream overseas. All in all, this is an eye-opener, a reminder to all parents. Never ever assumed your children do not know what they want. Let them bloom and learn from their mistakes or else they can never grow mature.

I am surprised on this movie's outcome... good castings with a great albeit educational story plots. Funny yet sad with dramatic events and on point with social stigmas. All those funny jests about language, religion and what nots made the movie so relevant.

MPOV: Arrival

My rating: 3/5
IMDb rating: 8/10
Initial release: September 1, 2016
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Casts: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Tzi Ma
Category: A 2016 American mystery, science fiction film, based on the 1998 short story 'Story of your life' by Ted Chiang

Linguist Louise Banks's daughter Hannah dies in early adulthood from an incurable illness. While Louise lectures at university, extraterrestrial spacecraft appear at twelve locations across Earth. U.S. Army colonel Weber recruits Louise and physicist Ian Donnelly. He takes them to an army camp in Montana near one of the craft to find out why the aliens have come.

Aboard, Louise and Ian make contact with two seven-limbed aliens, whom they call "heptapods"; Ian nicknames them Abbott and Costello. They have a written language of complicated circular symbols. As Louise studies the language, she has visions of herself with Hannah, who asks about her absent father.

When Louise is able to ask why the aliens have come, they answer "offer weapon". Other sites make similar interpretations; China translates "use weapon", prompting them to break off communications, and other nations follow. Louise argues that the symbol interpreted as "weapon" might mean "tool", and that China is using a method of translation that leans toward competition.

The above taken from Wikipedia.

This movie started of really slow, nearly lull me to sleep. Though the pace was slow, it eventually peaked and engaged me until the end. Monotonous yet unexpected which differed from the norm. Definitely a movie which requires a full attention from the start to the end. Also make sure to watch when you are fully awake and not lethargic.

What I liked about it is 'no war', just 'languages'. It's earnest intention was unbelievable... the whole movie was peaceful... unlike most movies about aliens where war is the centre of attention. It is an interesting take on the alien species where many may find it uninteresting.