Roma (2018)

Mixed thoughts about this. Feel lucky to have been able to watch this on the big screen. Feel even luckier to have the director do a post-screening Q&A. Performances are natural. Visuals are beautifully composed. The film forces the audience to sit through static camera positions at times. Danger and drama are sometimes hinted at via what the audience cannot see but can hear. The characters are sometimes kept at a distance from the audience via compositions which makes them a part of their environment, or with natural movements that have them with their backs to the audience rather than to punch into close ups. Sound design is very conscious in creating drama (another reason why this works so well on the big screen). Reminds me of Anthony Chen's Ilo Ilo at times (main character being a maid, based on the filmmaker's childhood, etc). Definitely not for today's mainstream audience as the cinematic conventions do not always adhere to their expectations. And yet, (IMHO) the compelling focus on the main character's journey allows the audience to connect.

Widows (2018)

Not bad. Great performances.

Aquaman (2018)

Loved the Aquawoman. Love the Red Red Wine bit. Lines were cheezy. Didn't really appreciate the talk under water bit. Arthur Curry is super strong in some bits. I get his skin is tougher due to his ability to withstand the pressures of the deep, but still... The depiction of Queen Atlanna and her human husband's relationship is super blah in the execution and performances...  But I thought the visuals were spectacular for the most part. And the "talking to fish" and riding on seahorse bits actually turned out quite okay. Watched on IMAX 3D, but I think any big screen and a great sound system without the 3D would do just fine.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Not too bad. Love the soundtrack. Made me tear a bit, but I'm a sucker for these things. Was tired and not 100% in the mood before watching. How the bad guys get disposed of eventually are pretty standard. Some of the heroes and villains get the short end of the stick compared to the leads, but this is kind of a nitpick. Aunt May rocks! 

One Cut of the Dead (2018)

Nice!

Turning 18 (2018)

Deeply touching. I'm not sure how I feel about this, actually.

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Wasn't as entertained or engaged as I thought I would be. Still, this film has an important social message. IMHO, the real footage that closed the film was more frightening than the fiction depicted in the film. 

Rampant (2018)

Thought the story could be tighter, and the last shot felt like a dimmer, but overall, still enjoyed!

First Man (2018)

Didn't engage me as much as I thought I would. Felt the score was good. Claire Foy's performance too. Some poignant scenes, but somehow I couldn't really connect afterwards.

Zombiepura - 尸杀军营 (2018)

Not too bad... enjoyed!

I Miss You When I See You - 看見你便想念你 (2018)

Loved it. Performances was top notch. Direction self-assured. Might just be one of my favorites of the year. 

Venom (2018)

Generic entertainment. IMHO, not the disaster some critics paint it to be.

Shadow 影 (2018)

Nice! Beautifully crafted film that's lushfully slow. Emotions are evident but kept at a distance. IMHO, one of the year's best.

Of Love & Law (2017)

Watched this after along day of work and found myself struggling to stay awake after awhile. This docu is loosely pieced together and didn't really engage me much. However, I did appreciate the glimpse into the lives of the featured individuals. Tickled by the artist Rokudenashiko. Found some soundbites from a fostered person near the end poignant. 

A Star is Born (2018)

First bit got to me. Then it became kind of boring. So I guess this is not my cup of tea on first watch. Loved some songs. Didn't care for some others. In fact, I stopped caring for the characters after awhile. Still, I think this movie carries some punch with strong performances, particularly from Bradley Cooper.

Searching (2018)

Gimmicky idea supported with strong storytelling. Reminds me of A Quiet Place in terms of what a parent will do for the child. Possibly one of my favoritest of the year.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)

This movie is slow, and falls into my personal category of films define as art.

Some nice bits. I liked how the characters felt real. There was an issue that is being addressed here. Overall, it was all right, but not a slam dunk. IMHO. 

Tomorrow Is Another Day - 黃金花 (2017)

Surprisingly delighted and touched by this one. Great performances. Love the use of music. Direction for the most part was steady.

Possibly one of my favorites of the year. And it came across so good in Cantonese!

Disobedience (2017)

What a heartfelt story about love. IMHO - great direction and use of music too. "Love Song" by The Cure felt so appropriate in this one. 

Possibly one  of the best film I caught this year.

A Fantastic Woman (2017)

IMHO, Daniela Vega carried the show. Love the score as well. 

Dreaming in Black and White - 幻境黑白 (2017)

Love it!

I was concerned that I may not be engaged and that this docu will be very slow. It is slow. But it turned out to be engaging as I could identify with the main subject. Especially when her aged parents are featured. And the gatherings with old classmates. Love the animated bits too and the simple sound designs.

The Nun (2018)

Generic horror with a fair amount of jump scares and lack of logic. I was waiting for Hellboy to pop up to save the day but alas, he didn't. I enjoyed Annabelle: Creation much more.

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)

Wasn't as entertaining as I had hoped. Think this one can be saved for the small screen, even for adult DC fans. Had some fun bits though.

To Singapore, with Love (2013)

IMHO, Pin Pin's documentaries always takes a few steps back and let the subjects tell their stories within the perimeters she sets. Sometimes, this could be draggy. But there's no denying the historical importance of this work, and how well it focuses on the topic of home.

Mile 22 (2018)

Love the story. Not so much the camera direction or Wahlberg in this role. This reminds me a bit of what a Greg Rucka Checkmate movie might be (or Andy Diggles and Jock's Losers, or Suicide Squad).

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Generally enjoyed this generic formulaic pic.

It was a delight catching the Singapore talents in this one along with many of the recognizable locations.

Detective Dee: The Four Heavenly Kings - 狄仁杰之四大天王 (2018)

Nice!

Republic of Food (2018)

Underwhelming.

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)

Not much of a plot. Pretty much a yawner. Fell asleep somewhere along the way. Film ended on a high note. Love the song and some of the musical numbers. End credits sequence was a hoot!

Shoplifters (2018)

Nice!

Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Quite a bit of talking at the start. Action sequences are thrilling. Stakes are high. Strong emotional core. 

Brother of the Year (2018)

Not really my type of movie but I went to watch due to some recommendations. It was all right. Not great. Actors were good. Liked the theme of family. But it did feel a little thin in terms of plot development and (maybe) characterisation.

Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Enjoyed this mostly. Seats were great. Audience mostly well-behaved. It had Hello Kitty. And San Francisco.

Early Man (2018)

Loved it! Tom Hiddleston is a hoot!

Game Night (2018)

Laughed my socks off. Bateman and McAdams were great!

Incredibles 2 (2018)

I didn't fall asleep! :)

But what is it with peeps who have to talk in shows?

Anyway, this one was okay. Not incredible incredible, but it had more hits than misses in the entertainment department. Some bits did border on the "too cute for my liking", but these were in the minority.

Love Edna.

Ocean's Eight (2018)

Very talky movie. Struggled to stay awake. Underwhelming. Zzzz

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018)

I didn't fall asleep! IMHO, it pretty much delivers on what it sets out to do, although I don't think it really broke much new grounds. It's a "been there, seen that" as humanity's greed leads to bad things, and characters continue to do stupid stuff. Enjoyed in IMAX 3D. 

Adrift (2018)

Was okay. Struggled to stay awake as I was either not sleeping enough lately or very preoccupied. Has a poignant touching moment towards the end, IMHO. 

Cargo (2017)

Didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. Acting is good. Pacing a bit slow for me tho. Compared to the short film, this one has stronger production values and also introduced some new story elements.

Secret Superstar (2017)

Lead character's a brat. Some things I don't buy will happen in real life. But overall, a nice, entertaining and relatable film.

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Negasonic Teenage Warhead got the short end of the stick in this one. That said, this was still a fun watch. Love Celine. Love Cher. Love the "Luck is not a cinematic superpower" sequence. Love the references to Reynold's past roles.

I Kill Giants (2018)

Second film in a row in which I fell asleep during the first half. Can't say I enjoyed this one. Thought the lead actress was good although my friend disagreed.

Isle of Dogs (2018)

Fell asleep during the first half. Managed to keep awake from the second half onwards. Interesting and fun. Not sure if I'll watch again just to catch what I missed. 

Get Out (2017)

Not bad.

An interesting mix of thriller and horror with comic moments. Liked both Daniel Kaluuya and Lil Rel Howery in this one.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Watched in IMAX 3D and my seat was great! Generally, an entertaining romp but emotionally, it wasn't a slam dunk. 

Blockers (2018)

Enjoyed this. Most of the cast were great.  

Love, Simon (2018)

Was ok.

Thought it was slightly weak with characterization and motivation at certain parts. I would also prefer an earlier ending once the main character has some sort of resolution. But for what the film is trying to be in these times, I'll give it an extra clap.

Ready Player One (2018)

Watched in IMAX 3D at Waterway Point. The front part was heavy with exposition and I sort of fell asleep after struggling for a bit. Woke up sometime just before the Saturday Night Fever dance and managed to stay awake till the end. The action sequences did feel a little too much for an old person like me. In the end, I felt this was a film targeted very much at a younger audience in spirit.

P.S. Thought this film was worth the IMAX 3D. After watching, I think I should've just gone for the standard version.

A Quiet Place (2018)

Not too bad. Got hooked by the premise. Story has structure and I cared for the characters.

Pretty tickled to find out that Michael Bay produced this very, very quiet film.