Ratings: 4/5

Comments: Underrated, Underpromoted but A Good Film

Directed by George A Romero (think “Dawn of The Dead”), “The Crazies” is a grim movie depicting a government conspiracy to wipe out a population to contain deadly virus, sans Zombies. Starring Will McMillan (as Firefighter David) and Lane Carroll (as David’s pregnant wife Judy), the movie is set in a normal small town in Pennyslvania who has a population of only 1,200+. A quiet, remote town that will be reduced to cinders in days nonetheless as a plane that carries a dangerous biological weapon virus crashes in their water dam and horrific virus outbreak occurs. People starts to act weird and kill each other and before long, masked army sweeps in and merrily eliminate anyone who is suspected of contacting the virus. Things got really interesting when Judy got separated with David forcefully, and David later try to get Judy back from the insulated camp.

While you heard or read about how genocides happened in not such a long time ago, you have not seen the mass of bodies piled up right in front of your eyes with buzzing flies. While you barely grasps the idea of genocide, you will find people murdering others for a bit of sport. While you know that you are small in the greater aspect of universe, this movie will show you how infinitesimal you are in the eyes of government bodies and at what great length they are willing to go to ensure that the biological-weapon-class-virus is contained and do not spread to the population. Nevermind that they are the ones who produced it at first place.

This movie will keep you rooted in your seat for most of the time and jumped when the unexpected occured. Best to watch it with a person whom you can cling to or scratch when things got scary.

*All in all, I think Director George did a great job in depicting both the degration and upholding of humanity in such circumstances, even though the whole government-conspiracy theory is not a fresh movie plot. It is very touching to watch how much David loves his wife Judy, how he fights for her, how he respects her wishes, and yet always the man in charge. If only all heterosexual men in this world are like that, there will be world peace.

**The poster did not do the film any justice. The picture is nice, yes, but the pitchfork with a trail of blood show no relevancy to the content of the film and did nothing to promote the film.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Yet another one-man-show hero upholding Christianity faith and all that is good, while systematically disposing criminals and opposing all that is not good, in a post-apocalypse world movie.

Always my favourite, Denzel Washington did not disappoint as a lonely rugged fighter who managed to trek across US for 30 years no matter how harsh the conditions (I mean c’mon, this is a guy who can sit unmoving with a crossbow ready for god knows how long, in a air so thick with ashes that one had to wear oxygen mask, in order to catch a cat who is going to die of famine anyway — for a meal); unflinching in the face of evil; with superb figthing and sensory skills; has a soft spot for the female population; and blind. Yep. Blind.

Geographical technicality aside, the cinematography is good and very convincing (love the ruined and dirty look). But the movie as a whole fails to inspire and the plot lacks some real depth.

Several minutes into the movie, you will find that Eli (Denzel Washington) found shelter in a dilapidated house and happily roasting the cat away as dinner. The whole Eli-listening-to-iPod-and-relaxing scene serves no purpose, is boring and most of all, strikes me as nothing but a not so subtle movie product placement gig.

It is hard to believe that 30 years after the devastation there are no better infrastructure or technology (remember the iPod?) or hygiene facilities (Eli can smell the highway robbers miles away. Talk about very enhanced senses) in place, since there are human all around. It would seemed that time, and the brain faculty which makes human innovate, stopped altogether. But you will see at the end of the movie that this is not so. That at the other end of the beautiful reflecting water (and it’s not such an impassable dangerous huge expanse of water), there is a bubbling civilization and nicely decorated buildings and order and cleanly clothed human beings with manners and best of all – no Bible.

Is the director trying to imply that human civilization could very well go on and prosper without Bible? Actually, I think that monotheists religions are the root of all evil since the weak human minds cannot fully comprehend the meaning of it all. Ok, I digress. Let’s get back to the shredding the movie.

Solara. I believed the whole reason for the existence of this character is to provide some eye candy for the movie goers so they won’t be bored to death. And to provide a ‘conclusive’ ending where you see her taking up Eli’s gears and walked back to her hometown. To serve what purpose, I don’t know. I don’t even know if she could wield a kitchen knife, let alone that nasty blade of Eli’s. In any case it will definitely not be preaching, since she can’t read and it didn’t seem Eli had time to teach her between translating the Bible and dying.

Now the evil incarnate here is Carnegie (Gary Oldman), who, to my opinion, ain’t really THAT evil. He found and shared the water springs with all, kept shaky peace with his own team of armed enforcement, provided entertainment and has therefore successfully kept the livelihood of the villagers. Admittedly, he charged a king’s ransom for water but hey, it’s a scarce commodity after all. Tell me, which big private corporations and corrupt governments do not extort the ordinary living people to fatten their own purses? And if we can accept these organizations in our daily life now, what makes Carnegie so evil then?

Is he considered the evil of all evil ‘cos he took a blind woman as wife? Or ‘cos he forced the young girl Solara to seduce Eli to stay? Or ‘cos he actually has the nerves to employ illiterate rascals to find the Bible? Or ‘cos he wanted Bible for his own kingdom expansion and not to preach?

Frankly, I cannot imagine any reasons why he would want Bible. The reason Carnegie gave in his little speech didn’t make any sense. He already had this community and power thing going on smoothly; and with the impressive stocks of ammunition he got on hand (look at the almost flippant way he used the ammo to bring down an old wooden house), he could easily beat others into submission or pulp. Why on earth does he need Bible for?

Since we are on the topic of Bible and all things holy, throughout the movie I did not see Eli trying to preach peace and love to anyone before he chopped them all up into pieces at the sign of slightest transgression. Nor did I see him helping the poor travelling couple when they were attacked by the robbers, in fact, he was trying his best to ignore them. And beating the robber into a pulp later is not going to resurrect the dead. Nor did I see him teaching verses and graces to anyone except Solara, and that’s probably on a whim.

As a staunch believer of God, how could he passed the whole continent of America and not preach a word of God to anyone in these 30 years? Are the literate and prosperous ‘West’ people more deserving to have copies of Bible, and not the suffering stinking people on the other side of the water?

As a holy man of God, HOW, how could he KILL? Even if faced with monstrosity, shouldn’t he try to make peace before doing any irreparable damage? Killing is the worst abhorrence of all and it will never ever be in line with any message of love and peace!

I consider this movie lousy with dubious intentions. And if not for the stellar performance of Denzel, it will be a  total flop.

I will end with this: Any religion scripture in itself has no power, and it does not automatically provide a door to heaven to anyone who merely read it with no action taken. To take a book half way around the world; selfishly keep it to himself; do not provide help to anyone; do not preach; and killing did not make the person a saint.

Popularity: 6% [?]

I am first and foremost an avid fantasy novel reader – the medieval kind. Knights in shiny armour, magic, and beautiful leading ladies – even only in paper – makes me swooned.But nothing, nothing can compared to what James Cameron’s AVATAR. Harry Potter doesn’t even come close.

Not in my wildest dream can I imagine the other world Pandora, the Na’vi, the native creatures and even the plants to be so beautiful and colourful. And I really like how he merged the native sci-fi colourful world with current bleak human technology. It makes you feel like going to Pandora right now – nevermind they sleep in thread-bare cocoon style leaves, nevermind they don’t have air conditioning, nevermind they don’t have flush toilets, and nevermind they don’t have chinese cuisine.

In the end,  I think Jake Sully is much better being blue than white.

Well, this movie is the best sci-fi movie I’ve watched. I can watch it like 100times.

“Pandora is so immersive, its native cultures so well realized that any fantasy novelists watching will surely weep from the world-building gauntlet thrown down. Top this! – Nathaniel Rogers”

Quoted & requoted from Davie Cook from Davidson County Headlines Examiner

So what if the story line is the same as ‘Dances with The Wolf’, it is still relevant and it is still happening in this world where cross cultural marriage can caused rift between families. And the tree-cutting bastards are still cutting tree.

For more detailed review, Mali Elfman gives the best summary review.

Popularity: 12% [?]

Initially, I bought the tickets of Harith Iskandar “I Don’t Know” as a surprise for JC. But as days went by I was SO looking forward to this stand up comedy by the renowned Harith Iskandar. Douglas Lim, whom I have seen him on stage twice, featured the opening act. (Honestly if he’s going to sing ‘yesterday’ again I will throw anything I get my hands on at him!)

When the show started, I didn’t recognize the dude who’s wearing a moustach and red shirt and speaking in Malay. Then the ‘ceramah speech’ started – with a start I realized it was DL imitating Anwar! I particularly love his joke about the sodomy case – it was genious! I’m a loyal fan now! hoho.

After about 15-20mins the star of the show finally came out to entertain us. Harith joked about the irks and quirks of Malaysians, of Malays, of Chinese, of Indians, and we mortal went about in the usual days. The extremely funny bit was the CSI crime scene reenactment! It almost got me choked to death by my own laughter. Harith – you are THE BEST!

Harith’s jokes are very much to the heart, as JC put it, and I concur. His jokes can resonate with all Malaysians. That’s what makes him so popular, isn’t it? Good job! *clap*clap*

PS: The star metro’s phone listing for actor’s studio is wrong… it should be 03 2094 0400.

Popularity: unranked [?]

There’s nothing new about the idea itself but they did a good job putting it in perspective. Jim Carrey-esque style of comedy will not fail you when it comes to tickle your funny bone. More often than not the adults were laughing harder than the kiddos. Really love the small furry animal… can’t remember her name.

Good for any sort of age groups, at anytime. Just avoid going to the same cinema with babies (as if they really know how to watch the show).

It was kind of childish, really. Fun, nonetheless. Expect the normal magic, fairies, evil ogres, tunnels, a much sought after artefact (in this case, a book), with ordinary plots. The graphics are quite OK, and I kept wondering if those 2 boys are actually twins, or real-life brothers. Frankly, I have seen better fantasy movies.

Watch it if you are in the mood for some brilliant colours and fairytale.

I don’t see Kelly Chan’s acting improving, Leon Lai is fat now, and Donnie Yen is nothing but a side-kick. The idea of why men resist so hard to hand over the in-charge position to women is totally emphasized here – she will just drop everything and run away with her lover. And the love matching KL and LL is just wrong (somehow)!

Only to pay tribute to the beautifully manufactured armour.

I chose this movie instead of Shutter because I have seen the Jap version. I should have stick with Shutter. This movie aims to confuse you with bad story telling screenshots, seduce you with not so handsome or pretty lead roles, and lullaby you to sleep with a long and dreary puppy love story (who could have those kind of long-lasting feelings at 12?) The scariest bit came when a cockroach flew over me.

Popularity: 12% [?]

One fine noon, my colleagues decided to check out the new Jaya33 building and have lunch there – that’s why we went to the Vietnamese Kitchen situated at the ground floor. (Jaya33 is a new commercial building which dubbed themselves as “The Hyperoffice” that uniquely combines office & showroom capabilities.)

It was packed with people and we had to wait for about 10 minutes before we were seated. It wasn’t a big restaurant, and the sound proof mustn’t have been good because the chatter of the diners actually make the whole restaurant abuzz with echoing sounds! Not that it affected the quality of the food in any case…

dining area near the entrance

More sitting area inside

Introducing some of the nicer food:

You *must try* the beef noodles! I mean, just look at the chunks of beef swimming lazily inside the pipping hot flavoursome soup! The tribes could be a little softer but I’m not complaining.

Spring roll and fried chicken vermicelli

Stir fry seafood spaghetti – not too bad.

Stir fry noodles Vietnamese style – ok la…

the *free* spring rolls! Most delicious (and not because it’s free!)

Mind you, all the portions are BIG! If you are not a big eater, do share your food with your girlfriend or just give some to your guy friends haha.

Now here’s two cool refreshing drinks for you to try:

Sea coconut and red dates – just nice

My fave – basil drink. Really refreshing on a hot sunny afternoon.

And for the first time since I write reviews, there’s an actual map! Albeit with chock full of typo errors…

All in all, the food is generally tasty and although the service is a-ok only, I’d still recommend you to go and have a try! It’s not that expensive anyway.

So How Do I Rate It?
Food? 4/5
Beverages? 4/5
Service? 3/5
Price? 3/5
Promotion? free spring rolls!

Popularity: unranked [?]