Ice Age Continental Drift

USA 2012

Details IMDB

Seen 21 July 2012

Ratings from other sources

IMDB 6.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes Average Rating 5.1/10

My Ratings 6.0/10

Another adventure for the family.

My impressions

Despite the laughter

There are tears, fears, uncertainty

The family unit

With the help of friends

Who are always there through so many events

That camaraderie

Forged not within a second or two

But through a continuation of

Ups and downs

Is triumphant

Not immediately

But in the end

Highlighting

The good and bad

In all of us

A Better Life

USA 2011

Details imdb

Seen 16 May 2012

Dreams and promises

Ratings

IMDB 7.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 79% liked it

Don't expect punch-ups or fast paced action when you watch this film but be prepared to be buoyed by the relationship between a father and his son. A laid back style which might be too tame for some but it does get a 7.0/10 for the overall feel.

My impressions:

The daily struggle

Seem to be at an end

When the father gets his a new lease of life

A new beginning

Hopes soar high

Unexpected turn of events

Derail those dreams

He tries

The son helps

Understands up to a certain point

Why the father behaves in that way

Seems distant

When a more immediate action

Would be better

It is love in the end

That explains it all

That inexplicable, unexplainable

Feeling

For someone

The Lady

France/UK 2011

Details imdb

Seen 9 May 2012

Determined, stubborn lady

Ratings

IMDB 6.8/10

Rotten Tomatoes Audience 64% liked it

This is a love story. A woman unwittingly in the thick of events that no one foresaw. Watch this if you want to find out the tugs of war between your feelings for your homeland and loved ones. Overall, the film gets a 7.0/10 for the ensemble acting and a look at one woman's journey from ordinary housewife to national icon.

My impressions:

As the lady asked

What kind of freedom is meant

When one has to choose

Between loved ones and your own country

Loyalty and love

They intermingled

Is one greater than the other

Or one complements the other

Can anyone say for certain

If one is a better sacrifice

Than the other

It will depend on each of us

The answer however painful

The final decision

Son of Babylon

Iraq 2009

Details imdb

Seen 11 Feb 2012

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon remains a dream

A boy and his grandmother

On a journey, a quest to find the truth

That journey itself is a revelation

In a country torn apart

Ravaged by war

Death

A country, once upon a time, a long long time ago

Beautiful, prosperous, magnificent

Now barren, desolate, on its knees

Drowning, trying to survive day by day, step by step

A boy and his grandmother

In their quest, step by step

Trying to be sure, to confirm

That there is hope

But if there is no hope, at least an answer

At least the journey would not be in vain

Azura 2012

Malaysia 2012

Details jiwang

Seen 11 Feb 2012

The notion of love eternal despite all the cliches

That love again

That human specialty, where two souls find each other

That emotion, quickens the heart beat

Love on its own will never be

Nurture it, pamper it, listen to it

It is fragile before it can become strong

It takes baby steps before the big leap

It gurgles before blabbering non stop

Yes, slowly, love will grow

All is not rosy, though

There are always obstacles

Even in the best of times

There is a need for the two

To rise above

To fight

Together against the enemy

Being together is not sufficient

The bond has to be stronger or else

A tiny crack grows

Into a chasm

Our Brand is Crisis

USA 2005

Details imdb

Seen 8 Dec 2011

An art form that is abstract

Not the usual painting or sculpture

More of the ways and means

Winning the hearts of many, the nation

As the spoils are so immense

The end justifies the means

At a glance, every step is above board

Along the way, there has been mistakes

Which is not acknowledged directly

Rather obliquely

That is the means

Ensuring the masses will consider

That this side is much better than the other

In all ways and aspects

Not forgetting that the other side

Has its own weaknesses

That needs to be highlighted, emphasised

In contrast to your camp

Positives are put to the front

Glorified even

Negatives are put at the back burner

Simmering until it boils over

Inside Job

USA 2010

Details imdb

Seen 7 Dec 2011

We're naïve aren't we, thinking that we control our destiny

Whereas there are Big Brothers

Watching us, using us as pawns

In the bigger game of profits and losses of the corporate world

They are the ones who have control

With just a call, a talk between two like minded movers

The world shudders as a consequence

Where are we, the pawns, in the big picture

Very very tiny

We get the crumbs even though our blood and sweat flows freely

In order for the elites to savour and indulge the gains

We get the crumbs, that is ordained

The top will say that they are the brains

They deserve the cream and cake too

While we get the crumbs

Will this arrangement end?

When will that be?

Is it soon or still a dream, a hallucination, unreachable

The pawns are in their places and positions

Forever

Unless those who has the controls decide otherwise

Will that ever happen?

Not in the foreseeable future

In the meantime

The pawns have to grit and bare the hardships

Not of their own making

Powerless, in the struggle and battles of the kings

The modern day kings and monarchs

Of an ever expanding and domineering world

The corporate world with its dog eat dog mantra

Gie

Indonesia 2005

Details imdb

Seen 6 Dec 2011

That awkward age when we're in transition

Escaping from childhood

Entering adulthood

The youth influenced by others, not yet an independent soul

This youth is different

He ponders, concludes and influences

The writings inspire others

He himself aspires for another life

A more balanced, equitable order for everyone

Not the lopsided present

The life he leads is not without its ups and downs

He as other youths of the day

Have other interests

Which sometimes puts a break on his plans

He soldiers on, struggles

Relentless, idealistic, not knowing whether he will succeed

Not just in pursuing his dream

But to lead a life that he wants

Not just for himself

But for others who look up to him

He of that generation, bright eyed

Didn't know or refuse to know that

Others have different ideas

Others want to use that generation, the youth

For their own goals

The youth will be the conduit

The face of the movement

A movement that might not be true to the ideals

That started it all

Nothing but the truth

USA 2008

Details  imdb

Seen 5 Dec 2011

Can we ourselves in her situation?

Trying to keep a secret

At whatever cost

Why does she do it?

Jeopardising herself, family and all those linked to her

Is it so hard to just tell

One word is all it takes

And the misery will disappear

Why can't she see that it is so simple?

As if she alone has the moral high ground

This is reality

Others are affected by her decision

And what would be the consequence

If she does give in

Dalam botol

Malaysia 2011

Details imdb

Seen 24 March 2011

A word, a single sentence

Changes

I, you and those around us

Trying to make amends

However hard it might be

Still trying

Until

The realisation sinks in

This life is not the one

This life is a lie

Truth has to be seen, lived

In the open

Even if it hurts

I, you and those around us

Zarganar This Prison Where I Live

UK 2010

Details eyeforfilm

Seen 13 February 2011

Some may say it is futile

A lost cause

Why should a man who can be free

Choose to stay and fight the battle at home

Why

Perplexing may be to some

Makes perfect sense to him

It is his country, home

Nurturing him, seeing him into adulthood

The bond could never be broken

Any action whether foolhardy

Or with a lot of thought given

Is for the Motherland

It must displease those in power

When actions are against the grain

The rules that have been stipulated

A wrong is still a wrong

A wrong must be put right

Slowly perhaps, or with drastic measures

Whichever path is taken

It will lead to an ultimate goal

To see that justice and liberty

Is enjoyed by all

Sicko

USA 2007

Details  imdb

Seen 13 February 2011

A system that supposedly

Cares for all

Is not what it seems

Using, following the rules

Does not bring the benefits

That was meant to be

Instead heartaches and dissatisfaction

Prevails

What ails the system

At the very beginning

It was not to benefit the masses

Instead

It was meant for the industry

Which reaps the spoils

Under the facade of helping others

Dancer in the dark

Denmark 2000

Details  rottentomatoes

Seen 13 February 2011

Darkness

Steadily encroaching

Stealthily descending

Enveloping all and sundry

The dancer tries in vain

Dancing to the rhythm

Dancing to the tune

Not seeing but feeling

Not comprehending but sensing

Something is amiss

The tune, the melody

Might be sweet, might be a delight

But not to all

There is always that jarring note

That odd crescendo

That defiant note

Standing out, defiant

A note it may be

A calamity it brings

Damping malam

Malaysia 2010

Details  sinemamalaysia

Seen 30 December 2010

Supposedly to help

But what did she know

Her actions

Supposedly saving the family

Has not the desired effect

Rash actions

She did not know

She did not realise

Or just brushed aside

Even though love was behind it all

It was not powerful enough

To sustain

To defend

To repel

A power unforeseen

Not of this world

Seeking what has been promised

Her actions

Rash actions

Look what it has done

Aku Tak Bodoh

Malaysia 2010

Details Akutakbodoh

Seen 3 December 2010

Adults, parents

They think they know best

Children, teenagers

What do they know?

A clash between the two

A different approach

Opposite conclusions

Of course

Truth will prevail

When decisions

Made in haste

Are proven to be in error

It does not matter

Where the idea came from

Just because it is from a young mind

Does not mean

It does not warrant acceptance

Sometimes

An idea, a suggestion

Carried through

Bears fruit for all concerned

A winning situation

Mantra

Malaysia 2010

Details Yahoo movies

Seen 16 July 2010

Repeated chants

Fill the air

Menacingly

Two sides of the same coin

Finding, fighting

That elusive love

That bond that binds

Despite the odds against

Lagenda Budak Setan

Malaysia 2010

Details cinema online

Seen 20 June 2010

The devil

The naughty devil

The damsel

The oh so sweet damsel

Irritated, inquisitive

Admiration grudgingly

Then love

Of course not without the hiccups

At the end of daybreak

Malaysia 2009

Details  lovehkfilm

Seen 4 April 2010

Young lovers
Underaged girl, early twenties boy
Rich girl, middle income family
Poor boy, ordinary folks
Unlikely
But it happens

The physical trysts
The laughter and smiles
Missing each other

But when it comes to the crunch
Young minds are not ready
To face reality
Responsibility
As it takes two to tango
What can be done when you are alone
Left bereft, unsupported
To face the world, the powerful

Reasoning
Does not carry any weight
The mind just do not register
The gravity of the situation

Then all hell break loose

Prayers for Bobby

USA 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 7 March 2010




A mother's concern
Thinking that she is doing right
Leads to unhappiness
Despair

Guilt builds up
Whereas love is needed
Understanding
Compassion
Support

Until it is too late
Discovering that a little effort
Will and can
Make a difference

That starts the new resolve
Even though it is painful
Bewildering
Accepting an alien, strange notion
Different from your norm
Conviction and belief

It is love that anchors it all
It is love that will show the way
It is love that is needed

That child needs love

Syndromes and a century

aka Sang sattawat

Thailand 2006

Details imdb

Seen 8 February 2010






Are there differences
Between past and present
Between rural and urban
Between old and new

Man still go through life
Feeling
Moving
Caring

The background
Changes
The players
Similar

A discovery
A revelation

Leads to other avenues
Paths and roads
Gravitating, pulling
Enticing to an unknown

That has always been
Man's fate and destiny
Encountering anew
Facets of life
Unknown before
Familiar now

Mundane it may be
But that is reality
Everyone goes through
Again and again

Just a question of love

aka Juste une question d'amour

France 2000

Details  imdb

Seen 7 February 2010





Is there a right time and moment
To tell, inform and declare
That you love someone

Family and friends
May not understand
You yourself
Might not be ready

Circumstances
Takes its course

You are just thrown
Into the deep end

You struggle
To take a deep breath
You flounder
To surface again

That love of yours
Is strong
Despite the hurdles
Love will overcome
Love will surmount
The barriers
The prejudices

With love
Facing the world
Seems a lot easier

Muallaf

Malaysia 2007

Details  cinema

Seen 28 December 2009





Forgive and forget
Forgive and move on
Or
Do not forgive

Keep the anger aflame

Hate and remembrance
Scars
Physical
Emotional

Festering wounds
When will it heal
There must be a time
When push comes to shove

We must face the bogeyman

We must
We must

No two ways about it

Those in the past
Remain there
We are now in the present
And we live and breathe

Carry on
There is a future

2012

USA 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 30 November 2009




Wealth and power
The lethal combination
Will it guarantee
One's survival

Does the privileged few
Have the right
To pick and choose

Or should humanity
Be the deciding factor

Ethical conundrums

The bottom line

Mankind
Is made up of many parts

Each a cog
Plays its part
In the bigger picture

Opposite forces
Different wants
Must join forces

Control
Overcome

Adversity
What come may

With the ultimate aim
Survival

Karaoke

Malaysia 2009

Details  cinema

Seen 28 November 2009





A homecoming
Welcomed?

Not quite

Past events
Colour
The present

But blood is thicker than water

The past
Are memories

The present
Is reality

The years
Has changed
Many
People, places

Retain the past
Look forward
To a brighter future?

Only time will tell

Pisau Cukur

Malaysia 2009

Details  cinema

Seen 23 November 2009




Gold diggers, beware
However sharp
The instrument
It must always
Be remembered
Can cut both ways

Power struggles
Between the sexes
Between classes
The monied
The poor

Dreams of riches
May have been attained
But it may be gone
In a blink of an eye
If those riches
Depends on the vagaries
Of others

Decide
Take control

All efforts
Are not in vain

But might even
Bring more
Satisfaction

Just rewards

The Secret Love in Peach Blossom Land

Aka An lian tao hua yuan

Taiwan 1992

Details imdb

Seen 5 October 2009




Two stories of love, longing, separation

What might be
If all happened according to plan

But is life without the other any different
Is the other's presence really significant
Or do we just accept, adjust and carry on with life
Irregardless of the feelings

Those emotions
Felt strongly before
Still has a place in our hearts

Even now

A Jihad For Love

USA 2007

Details ajihadforlove

Seen 4 October 2009











Is love incompatible with your beliefs
Of course not

The belief in the compassionate, the all loving

The elders will always maintain
The book says the act is wrong
The act?

Elaborate
The love?

Surely that is permitted

The debate continues
The struggles, persecutions
Some escape, some meet a fate
Inhuman

There will always be those
Who wants to control whom you love
Who wants to dictate the ways of love
Why is that so

The lovers
That is their wish
To share with someone
That love

But nay
You must follow just one path
It has been decided for you
If you do not agree, it will be at your own peril

VJ Burma

Burma 2008

Details burmavjmovie

Seen 3 October 2009


Video DJ? Not

This is reality
Events not meant to be seen others
The all powerful big brother
Encompassing everything

Power
To be retained at whatever cost
Even against the grain of
The long held tradition
Of belief and respect
Gone

For those dedicated in the service of a higher calling
Enough is enough
There are always limits

But the guns always win
What can bare hands do
Against such onslaught

This is a long battle
With countless victims

Will it all be in vain

Persevere
You will come through

At Stake

Aka Pertaruhan

Indonesia 2008

Details indonesianfilmfestival


Seen 2 October 2009




Four stories
Women stories

The age old prejudices are still there
Misconceptions, ignorance
Unwillingness to accept facts
Perpetuating certain beliefs
Using tradition and religion, continuity
As excuses

Supposedly
Protecting
Keeping the women safe
That is the men's view

What of the women
When will they ever be treated as equals

Otoko wa tsurai yo

aka It's Tough Being A Man

Japan 1969

Details imdb

Seen 7 September 2009

Tora-San
The bumbling idiot
The court jester

Yes, he is irritating
Yes, he does put his foot in his mouth
Not once or occasionally
But often times

His character
His actions
Are not with malicious intent

But inadvertently
Plans go awry
Hearts are broken

He does realise
Those dear and
Close at heart

Will always be
Dear and
Close at heart

La vie de Jesus

France 1997

Details imdb

Seen 3 August 2009

Moments
Broken
In
Spurts

A small town
Idle, left alone
Residents
Restless, listless
In hot afternoons

To escape
To find solace
Friends
Companions
Loved ones
Are there for you

Those presumed
Not belonging
Are the enemies
Outsiders
Misunderstood

A small spark
Lit the fire
Blows
And then
Death

In the end
Contemplation
Is that too little
Too late

Iran 2007

Details sonypictures

Seen 31 July 2009

A lifetime
Of a country
Of a nation
At the crossroads
Through the eyes
Of a girl

Maybe her family background
With liberal minded
Strong willed
Parents
Helped shaped her
During her growing up years

Studying abroad
Through formative years
Opened her eyes
To so many things
But her heart is still
In her homeland

A home that has gone through
So many changes
And still in flux

She does return
Starting anew

Will she remain?

Events
Dictate otherwise

Offside

Iran 2006

Details imdb

Seen 31 July 2009

A football game
Seems simple
But when it is played in Iran
Passions are a flamed
Especially when a World Cup
Is close at hand

Irrespective of gender or creed
Young or old
They are all swept away
By the torrent of emotions

But women are not allowed into stadiums
How do you get in

Ingenuity

But you are caught
With others
Who had the same idea
The guards
Do not understand
At first

As the game progresses
There is a camaraderie
Thoughts, ambitions
Of the men, the girls
A common denominator

There maybe differences
There maybe arguments
There are rules to obey
There are orders to follow

But Iran wins
Then there is celebration

Gadoh

Malaysia 2009

Details komas

Seen 19 July 2009

All those thoughts
Out in the open
Once it was not meant
With any malicious intent

Now it will lead to fights
Just a brush of shoulders
Would bring forth
The urge to fight

Prejudices inbuilt, inborn, inherited
Perpetuated
We are human after all
Aren't we
The same desires
The same dreams

Change must come
And it must begin
From within
Ourselves

Himala

Philippines 1982

Details imdb

Seen 6 July 2009

Faith and miracles
Believe and trust
Hand in hand
Leading us to salvation

Elsa, the saviour
Is she really what she says she is
Did she see what she saw
Or is it all just an imagination

But people want to believe
They want that miracle to happen
Especially when there is no hope
A miracle does wonders

With the fame, scavengers throng
Picking up fruits of the labour
But once the miracle stops
Everyone turns the other way

But can miracles stop
Or is it a prelude
To a bigger miracle
A momentous event

Elsa, the girl, the woman
The abandoned child
The trusted friend
Who could not help
When we do need miracles

But as she says
The miracle is within
Ourselves

Kinsey

USA 2004

Details imdb

Seen 5 July 2009

Human sexual behaviour
A taboo subject for some
But a fascinating study
For Dr. Kinsey

Growing up with a strict father
Repressed feelings, high expectations
Might have been a factor
Leading him to study nature

His quest to find a link
To study sexual histories
Began with his own marriage

That first night set the wheels in motion
To help indirectly, to understand better
The sexual act between human beings
What is common and what is not

The report had no precedent
Scandalous, ground breaking

But for every voice against
There was someone
Who said thank you to Kinsey

He started a revolution
Of course with many
Minor and major faults
He had blazed a path
For others to continue
To learn more about ourselves

But he did acknowledge
He cannot measure love

Surviving Beijing

Malaysia 2000

Details soundscaperecords

Seen 4 July 2009

A musical journey
A search, a quest
A test, a challenge
Can they cut it
In the big bad world

They chose Beijing
The mecca for many
A one month sojourn
With much hope and anticipation

On the outskirts of the metropolis
An underground music haven
A community of like minded musicians
This is their destination
Here they will congregate
In the hopes of discovering, learning
Exchanging ideas

The early adjustments
Was just a prelude
To the first setback
Unprepared, a blow to the ego

Depressed, arguments, bad feelings
Outpourings of the heart
Until that sweet promise comes along

Yes, they managed to go through
That final concert
Before the journey home

But the journey revealed
The many shades of each band member
Differences, similarities, dreams
And those committed to the music
Will continue on another journey

Traitor

USA 2008

Details traitor-themovie

Seen 14 June 2009

Traitor, deceiver, collaborator
Words in the negative
And the person himself
What triggered his actions?

Something in the past
Shaped the present man
His decision, his actions
Hurtling into unknown territory

Sacrifices has to be made
The other party would say to soothe his doubts
But at what price, with the innocents victims
Does the end always justify the means

Or is this is just a never ending circle.

Victim

UK 1961

Details imdb

Seen 7 June 2009

A progressive film for its times. The first time that the word 'homosexual' was spoken on screen and the film was also banned in the USA.
This is a story of a prominent lawyer's efforts to uncover who blackmailed his gay lover and others in the gay community. In the 1960s the homosexual act was still a crime punishable by law and many in that group were blackmailed. Those inclined to do acts against nature kept their secrets close to their hearts and tried to live as normal a life as possible. But even getting married does not alter the fact that your feelings and love is stronger for someone of the same gender.
That was the lawyer's predicament until he realised that giving in to the blackmail would never end the persecution faced by the gay community. He decides to spare no effort in finding the culprit even though he himself would be exposed to charges of homosexuality himself and jeopardise his career and marriage.
Listen carefully to the dialogue and you'll be amply rewarded.

Call if you need me

Malaysia 2009

Details imdb

Seen 6 June 2009

The movie begins with the arrival of Or Kia to the big city, joining his cousin Ah Soon who is one of the smaller leaders in the debt collection racket. They seem so ordinary, with the usual longings for love and affection. Ah Soon himself has a steady relationship with a girl that he intends to marry and build a life together. As Or Kia learns the ropes of the trade, we see how the gang works, collecting the money from debtors and protecting their small family. There is no violence per se, but the feeling of danger lurking is always there, enhanced by the omnipresent dark atmosphere.
There came a stage when the bond between the cousins is tested as Ah Soon finds himself not in the good books of those higher in the hierarchy. The dilemma haunts Or Kia until he had a talk with the local leader. Then and only then, did he make the final decision. Was it the right decision?

All ny failed attempts

Malaysia 2008

Details dahuangpictures

Seen 6 June 2009

There are seven short films altogether in this collection. According to the director, Tan Chui Mui, these are the results of her determination to produce one short film monthly. She was not pleased with all of them and one in particular might have turned out differently if she had directed it in another way. She acknowledged that she prefers full control over all aspects of the filming process and in particular the casting. Usually she will start from a script that she has written before translating that idea into film.
The collection does run the gamut of styles and genres but at the heart of it all is the portrayal of relationships, the ebbs and flows and the dynamics between people in different circumstances. The only exception would be a short documentary related to food. According to the director, that was her first attempt at making a documentary, and to me it still looked presentable.
The director might be accused of using the same style in terms of cinematography and art direction, but as she explained, the main constraint of film making is the budget. A bigger budget would enable her to experiment with more new techniques using the latest available in the market. That is quite a formidable hurdle to conquer.
At present, my role would still be to give as much support as possible to these non-mainstream directors as they present a different perspective of life.

Sell Out!

Malaysia 2008

Details  amokfilms

Seen 22 May 2009

The opening scene itself is a hint of what the audience will get from the rest of the movie. If you like films like “Borat” or “Ali G” by Sacha Baron Cohen, or maybe the Monty Python series, this might be your cup of tea. A heaven sent, Malaysian version.

A well written script, based loosely on the powers of money, the pervasive and intrusive present day media, kept the whole film together. An impressive cast, glorious art direction and music score, makes this small film, big in my books.

Kudos to all involved.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

USA 2009

Details  imdb

Seen 3 May 2009

Another installment of the Marvel Comics superhero. This time we go back in time, to see for ourselves what made Logan tick. This is a tale of those born not ordinary, bestowed with extraordinary gifts, alas a gift that cannot be returned. As usual, a tale of good versus evil, the dividing line between humanity and his animal instinct, blood thicker than water or does love conquer all.

Despite the usual action per minute treatment from the director, the film does manage to highlight the other side of Wolverine. Those moments are illuminating, at least we know that he is not just brawn and brute strength.

Delightful.

Bohsia - Jangan Pilih Jalan Hitam

Malaysia 2009

Details  malaysia.movies.yahoo

Seen 24 April 2009

Surprisingly good in all departments – story, acting and direction. Of course, the action sequences could not match anything that Hollywood does, or even touch any that Hongkong produces. But, for a Malaysian effort, with the usual budget constraints, it is a commendable effort. I was taken in by the fast pace, and well thought off editing. It helps a lot that no major dud scenes were there except maybe a few.
The film definitely gains from the two leading actresses who seem to live and breath the lives of 'bohsias', the Malaysian equivalent of the easy to get girls, just out for the fun. But underlying the seemingly disastrous lives, there is a social commentary on family values and relationships as well as our perceptions of these group of young adults. They are not there to be condemned, but they deserve more heartfelt attention to help them rise up and out of their current situation.
A must see local production.