Muallaf (2008)

As the film started, I cannot believe that this was by someone who had already made 4 features prior. The performances by most of the extras left much to be desired. Technically, the film also feels more like an amateur short film. Nevertheless, as the movie progressed, I started to get into it. A lot of heart. Potent highlights on love, religion and forgiveness. Enjoyed the Yeo Yann Yann  appearance. Good to see Sharifah Amani again. The martial arts bit in the car park while seemingly out of place and silly, is kinda memorable and adds to the lightheartedness of this film. One of my favs of the year. Left a smile on my face.

The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008)

When housed on the brink of destruction, only then will mankind attempt to change his ways. That's more or less what I took from this movie. Keanu looks good in the suit. And Jennifer looks pretty. Otherwise, a so-so movie that I wouldn't mind not having caught. Too by the books for my likings. But adequate entertainment to keep me awake. Most parts anyway.

Twilight (2008)

Can see the appeal this has to teenage girls. The pace was a little slow for me at the beginning. The bad vamps look really cool, and so does the female lead - in an ordinary sort of way. An okay so-so movie that seems like it belonged more to the small screen.

Passabe (2006)

Strong subject matter. An important film. Unfortunately, I felt that the subject matter was not as well realized as it could have been. But then, the subject is a difficult one to broach. How do you get people to open up fully to confront their personal demons and fears? How do you do that when the people involved have not fully overcome the past? IMHO, the failure to address these filming issues successfully and the pacing/structure are the documentary's flaws. Nevertheless, this is an important piece of work because of the subject that it depicts.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

Rather flat for the most part. Despite some funny lines, there's nothing very special about this flick.

City of Ember (2008)

After awhile, was trying to keep awake. Then things picked up speed. Nevertheless, loved the overall feel of this film. 

Blindness (2008)

A bit slow and plodding, but nevertheless has meaty content. 

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Marginally more pleasing than the previous. Loved the links to the previous film. Loved the Bond girls. Craig carries the role and the film. Basically enjoyed, even if the beginning of the film was one mindless action sequence after the other. Doesn't beat the opening action sequence of the first film, but it does have its memorable sequences.  

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Funny Tom Cruise performance.

The Bank Job (2008)

Really enjoyed this tightly knit crime caper that's aimed at the older crowd. It's a smart and engaging heist tale that gets entwined in a greater complexity than the thieves originally envisage. The plot is tight and complemented with well developed characters. The cast, led by Jason Stratham are all dependable, right down to the bit players. And Saffron Burrows looks really hot. Doesn't shy away from sex, nudity and violence when the minute occasions calls for it, although these are never gratuitous. Makes for a good piece of entertainment for the grown ups.

My Magic (2008)

Went in with low expectation 'cos local reviews weren't exactly glowing, but got reminded why I connect better with Eric Khoo's films. He's always spot on when presenting the lives of those who are down and out. With this film, he's basically done it again with this tale of a drunk father and his resentful son. Like-able characters that drew me in. Love the way the story was told. Cinematography was generally cool but basic, though the fact that it looked more video than film did show with the bright crisp day shots. Not sure I would've ended the film the way it did, but this is Eric's film and it seems that's how he has chosen to end it. Could see why this film got into competition at Cannes. 

Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)

Left me with a smile on the face after the movie. 

The House Bunny (2008)

Essentially mainstream fluff, but it's not without its charms and moments (many of which actually are in the trailer), and a positive moral message that may not be all that dismissive. Ana Faris has a hot bod and Katherine McPhee is smokin'!

Mamma Mia! The Movie (2008)

This movie is entertaining enough, due mostly to the songs. However, the plot sure is paper-thin and does nothing to enhance the songs and is just a device to string them all together.  

Kallang Roar: The Movie (2008)

Had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. For one thing, I'm not a fan of football, nor any of the cast. But the debut feature by Cheng Ding An did get one thing right, IMHO, and that is giving the audience a story that they can care about. No doubt the acting and lines can get a little clumsy here and there, but overall this is pretty much a sweet and heartwarming drama about pursuing your dreams and achieving the seemingly hard to achieve goals in life. Lim Kay Siu pretty much anchors the story with a fiery and passionate performance. And the ra-ra moments don't come across as too heavy handed to me either.     

The Days (2008)

For a feature debut, the technical departments comes across as more than competent. However, the storytelling is pretty flat and dull.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

Not everything for mature people have to be serious. This is light hearted entertainment for the mature crowd. It's a heartwarming romance comedy. Love how they integrated the songs into the movie, and also the product placements. All the cast were great, even the extras! A feature length situational comedy is how this film could be described as well.

Eastern Promises (2007)

I'm glad I got to watch this film. I saw it on DVD and I'm usually not fond of watching anything on DVD unless it's a film that I really wanted to watch and I missed it in theatres or it wasn't shown theatrically. What I liked about it was the tight storyline, the strong acting and all the ways the film engaged me. One could view it as a love story. Or a drama thriller about the Russian mafia. While I wasn't 100% blown away by this film because I thought some plot points seem too convenient to service the plot, but I was nevertheless pretty much strongly impressed. Acting and directing is top notch.

WALL.E (2008)

Some minor inconsiderate cinematic behavior from fellow patrons spoiled the viewing experience for me. Nevertheless, WALL.E, which is filled with lots of cute moments failed to entertain me enough. In fact, I was actually bored during the quiet front bits, and when things got exciting towards the end, those felt pretty generic to me. That said, WALL.E does follow the Pixar mould of strong character development and quality story-telling. And the backdrop of how humans have made Earth so uninhabitable makes for a good subtle way to teach the kids about the bad, bad things that mankind does to the Earth.

12 Lotus (2008)

Thought it was a slightly stronger film than 881, though less appealing as a mainstream crowd pleaser. Really impressed by the visuals, the cast and especially the very talented Li Bao En - who played the young Liu Lian Hua. 

The marketing harps on the film's ties to 881, but the moment the film begins - it sets itself apart. It's the same cast, but these are absolutely different characters. Mindee and Qi Yu Wu look good on the silver screen. Liu Ling Ling's performance did not seem to match what was established about the character earlier in the film - though I'm torn over whether that's a good or bad thing - cos if it did match - the scenes may not be half as entertaining. 

Royston definitely has a lot more to learn as a cinematic storyteller, but with 12 Lotus, he's probably proven himself to be Singapore's brightest spark when it comes to a local film talent.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)

Since when did Terracotta Warriors become mummies? Well, I was prepared for my imagination to be stretched... but 5 minutes into this film and I'm thinking they're spending a lot of time to introduce the story and the setup. This isn't good. I was starting to get bored.  Plus I couldn't make out a word of Chinese that Jet Li's character was speaking. And Michelle Yeoh speaks Chinese like she's not totally comfy with the language.

I remember being entertained by the last 2 Mummy movies. Not so on this third outing. When the actual story finally begins, I was so bored by the pedestrial storytelling and characters that I was constantly thinking of walking out. I came to watch a Hollywood action adventure flick. But everything was just an excuse to mask a weak story with special effects, with the hope that no one notices this is just a movie version of a roller coaster ride that offers no real thrills. The romance angle, the drama and all the setup all come across half-baked and half hearted.

Lots more to nitpick about this movie. But like the way the filmmakers approach this film, I'm too lazy to elaborate.