Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Struggled to keep awake in first thirty minutes. Peeps around me were talking but I didn't care. Was tired from work.

Excited about the new Spider-Man and Black Panther. This is essentially an Avengers movie and it's Civil War in name only (no different from most heroes vs. each other scenarios, IMHO)

Action sequences were kinetic and exciting, and the one with the Avengers fighting each other was a real highlight.

Didn't think this was worth catching in 3D or IMAX 3D.

Overall, was ok. I wasn't that excited about THE WINTER SOLDIER as most. Likely the same case here.

The Jungle Book (2016)

A bit boring (because not my cup of tea). Fantastic visuals though.

Eye in the Sky (2015)

Tight script. Tight direction. Great performances. Loved it.

The Kid from the Big Apple - 我来至纽约 (2016)

Five minutes into it and i already disliked it. Unconvincing performance from the child lead (or maybe it didn't fit my stereotype). Movie feels more talk than show. Overtones of preachiness. And then this supporting child character called Jia Bao became such a delight to watch. And when the main child lead started speaking in Mandarin as well (her supposed NY accent just didn't convince me), it felt less grating. I started enjoying it. I even cried at parts. Granted, the narration isn't perfect. It feels episodic. The conventional cause and effects one learns from filmmaking textbooks don't seem closely adhered to. But at the end of the day, there was so much charm and heart in this one that I can't help but think it deserves a wider audience. The kids who watched this in the cinema seem to enjoy it.

The Songs We Sang - 我们唱着的歌 (2015)

Found this a bit long, but thought the subject would be of great interest to those who lived through the 70s and saw how Chinese had to give way to English as the main language of education.

Regardless, this is a potent piece of documentation, and an important record of the artistic pursuits of those who went beyond dreaming and just did it.

IMHO - definitely ranks amongst the best amongst recent Singapore cinema releases.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Watched this in IMAX 3D and managed to grab a prime seat in the hall - right in the centre!

Not sure if the 3D was best as spotted some double images - but this was a minor complain.

Movie was ok. It's definitely brawn over brains. It's lovely to look at. It's pulse pounding for the most part. Diane Lane has the best line in the whole film, IMHO. Gal Gadot looks great as Diana Prince undercover. I kind of like this Batman better than the last one, though I find him kind of stupid. Love this Luthor but felt they could have done more if not for the film's brawn and visuals taking precedence over brains. Poor Supes get overshadowed cos I think the fear of Superman angle is a really interesting one that could have been explored more. Overall, not too bad. But remember to check your brains at the door.

And oh! Definitely not friendly for kids (it's the tone - nothing to do with it being filled with sex and violence, which has been trimmed to fulfil the PG13 rating). This is what sets it from those Marvel Avengers pics (which i find more kids friendly).

Trumbo (2015)

Narrative felt kind of flat in terms of drama. But there's compelling enough performances and subject matter here for me.