12 Years a Slave (2013)

Here's what I like:
1) Lupita Nyong'o's performance
2) The cinematography
3) Some of the pretty intense scenes
4) A socially poignant film
5) I had a great seat in the cinema :)

47 Ronin (2013)

If this was a porn flick, I'll be flaccid throughout.

Snowpiercer (2013)

Like the idea. Not sure about the execution though.

Blue is the Warmest Colour - La vie d'Adèle - Chapitres 1 & 2 (2013)

Not my type of movie, but nice! Hot sex! Lovely tits! And I can see why this film won all those awards.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

My first IMAX HFR 3D movie, and I wonder if I was psychologically put off by the format. It don't look too bad, and the effects look great. But I seem to care less about the characters and was actually bored… Missed a bit 'cos I went to the toilet towards the end.

The White Storm - 扫毒 (2013)

Not bad. Strong acting and taut direction makes the flaws minute.

I Hugged the Berlin Patient (2013)

I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised for the most part. The fictional narrative was kind of painful, but when the focus is on Edgar or the Berlin Patient, it's mostly compelling stuff. Lovely poster, btw. :)

Firestorm - 风暴 (2013)

Bleah!

Rigor Mortis - 僵尸 (2013)

Visually stunning. Not bad, but i won't say I like it 100% either. Actors are generally good though.

Everybody's Business - 人人有份 (2013)

A waste of some of Singapore's better comic talents. Essentially a corporate video with nary a thread of story. And the poster is horrible, IMHO.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Competent entertainment, but I'm not sure I really like the story. Love the lead and the 'fire' dress!

Enough Said (2013)

This is really nice! (Or maybe I'm getting older so stuff like this appeals more to me)

Captain Phillips (2013)

Not too bad. A bit long though. In a twisted way, this could be seen as a prequel to Aliens, in which leading nations start to become cold calculating compartments, and those who are too poor are left to fend for themselves in the fringes. But it's the first time I left a show before the credits finished as a friend felt motion sickness while watching the movie.

3 Peas in a Pod - 他她他 (2013)

Setup's pretty weak. First hour just meanders. Plus, the Korean actor seems miscast. And pretty as the female fresh face is, she doesn't seem to have the acting chops required for the role, but then her character just fades into the background before the final curtain call anyway.

Basically, the script needs a major overhaul, IMHO. But if it's meant to be some bland teen flick, I think it falls flat too.

Pee Mak - พี่มาก..พระโขนง (2013)

Don't really like. Heavy on gags but thin on plot and characters.

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

IMHO, the strengths overpower the flaws. One of the best bits is the relationship between Thor and Loki, as realised by Hemsworth and the ever oh so wicked Tom Hiddleston.

About Time (2013)

Don't really like.

Escape Plan (2013)

Enjoyed this!

Though I did have one or two minor complaints about plot details towards the end.  

Like Father, Like Son - そして父になる (2013)

Love this. Brilliant acting by the ensemble.

Menstrual Man (2013)

Surprisingly funny and entertaining. Not too bad.

Blue Jasmine (2013)

Not too bad.

The Heat (2013)

Melissa McCarthy gives one heck of a performance, and Ms.Bullock ain't too bad either. Other than that, there really isn't much going for this rather lacklustre movie. Editing feels rather random and choppy at parts.

Innocents (2012)

One of my thoughts post-viewing was... this could be a landmark Singapore film that few in the country would have noticed or watched. It definitely feels a little different from other local indie flicks...

Here's what I like:
(1) Cinematography - one of the most nicely shot indie films from S'pore. The forest shots are truly sumptuous and lovely. (2) Generally decent performances by the two child leads.
(3) Sound design, score, sound effects editing (for the most part, or what can be achieved within its limitations) are also not bad and complement the tale without going OTT (4) A generally strong sense of control by the director.

Here's where I think it could've been better:
(1) The story and character development aren't strong enough to draw me in all the way. (2) Almost all the surrounding characters aren't particularly developed, and the performances aren't generally better either (except for the sister).

IMHO - a commendable debut effort. Just that I think if it sort of missed the mark on being a stronger film.

Gravity IMAX 3D (2013)

Watching this in IMAX 3D is probably the only way to get the most out of this film, which I also feel is perfect and tight in almost every way - from storytelling, to direction, to visuals, to sound effects, sound effects editing, visual effects, performances, etc, etc. Ms. Bullock deserves accolades for her performance and Mr. Cuaron applause for crafting what is IMHO, one of the best movies in recent years (and probably the first to so successfully utilise the 3D format within the filmmaking process).

Blood Stains the Valley of Love - 血染相思谷 (1957)

Interesting from a historical point of view.

Rush (2013)

I wasn't keen on this film. Then some positive reviews changed my mind. Overall, not a bad drama. I did struggle to stay awake during the first half, and actually missed some bits (Probably due to a sleepy afternoon and that the main subject didn't interest me). It was not until Lauda's accident when I was awake all the way. Daniel Bruhl's performance left a strong impression. And I also thought the score, the sound effects and sound effects editing were pretty good too.

Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon - 狄仁杰之神都龙王 (2013)

Watching this irritated me because it looks like the film was designed for 3D and I was watching the 2D version. A bit long, but still entertaining.

Masquerade - 광해: 왕이 된 남자 (2012)

Very nice! Strong acting and tight direction! Story kinda reminds us that some things haven't really changed much when it comes to human nature.

Black & White Episode 1: The Dawn of Assault - 痞子英雄首部曲： 全面开战 (2012)

Certainly impressive when it comes to production values, but the story needs work, IMHO.

Prisoners (2013)

IMHO, tight direction and a strong ensemble makes this a compelling watch. :)

That Girl in Pinafore - 我的朋友，我的同学，我爱过的一切 (2013)

Not without its faults, but overall I still like.

Likes: Julie Tan, the Woo Sisters, Daren Tan; Nods to Singaporeans bits e.g. Foo Liang was featured in the show, the no riding bicycle across the overhead bridge, the atrocious standard of Mandarin amongst Chinese, some of the musical numbers, etc.

Could be better: Story structure, some of the casting, minor directing choices.

Didn't really take to some of the music. But then, xinyao isn't a genre I'm familiar with.

Overall, feels like this is a good effort. Does feel there's still room to make it better.

Ilo Ilo - 爸妈不在家 (2013)

First viewing on the big screen. I still stand by the fact that I think this is an art film. Performances are strong, and the kid deserves a shout out.

Riddick (2013)

Not my cup of tea. A huge yawn fest.

Cold Eyes - 감시자들 (2013)

Not bad. IMHO, Thrillers like this work because the bad guy is really formidable. And you care about the good guys, even the supporting characters.

Unbeatable - 激战 (2013)

Very nice dramatic film. Reminded me of the concept for Rocky. Whole film would have been better if I had gotten to watch it in the original language instead of this dubbed Mandarin version.

Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013)

Generic but adequately entertaining. Reminded me of The Goonies.

Kick Ass 2 (2013)

Don't really like. Hit-Girl was cool, tho :)

The Conjuring (2013)

Not too bad. IMHO, this is a pretty well made horror with nice attention to art direction and music. Reminded me of Poltergeist II: The Other Side.

Red 2 (2013)

Fun and fast paced. Only bit I have an issue with is how Ms. Z got shunted to the side and forgotten so easily after all the dust settles. Dame Helen Mirren is hot! And so too is Mr. Lee Byung-Hun's bod!

Disconnect (2012)

Like muchly! IMHO - this human drama that dwells into how disconnected we are in this increasingly electronically connected society could be a bit tighter maybe, but there's a strong cast assembled here. Colin Ford is a young talent to watch out for.

Yossi (2012)

Don't really like. IMHO, this had something promising going for it story wise, then it dived into blah territory.

Before Midnight (2013)

Nice!

The Wolverine (2013)

Don't really like.

Pacific Rim (2013)

Not too bad.

The Lone Ranger (2013)

Don't really like.

World War Z (2013)

Decent mindless entertainment. Horrible viewing experience. Times like these make me yearn for the Alamo Experience which I hear so much about. :(

Man of Steel (2013)

Overall, can't say I like this one (even though there are bits here and there which were kinda cool).

Now You See Me (2013)

(has it's flaws but) Nice! Cool! I like!

Dead Man Down (2013)

Arresting performances from Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace with assured direction from Niels Arden Oplev lifts what is otherwise a generic drama thriller. Love 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond' by Kendra Morris, which is featured in the trailer of the movie!

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? - 明天記得愛上我 (2013)

IMHO, a lighthearted comic romance that a mature audience will get more out of due to the film's focus on adult relationships in modern society. Strong script with steady direction and performances. Enjoyed it muchly!