Percy Jackson 2 : Sea Of Monsters

"Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief"

Was Chris Columbus too busy to direct the second one? "Diary Of A Wimpy Kid" director Thor Freudenthal's take on the sequel to the popular demi-god film in 2010 might be closer to the books, but boy was the first one a lot better.

First off, let's begin by listing the bad points of the film. The editing in some scenes of "Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters", especially the comedic ones, were choppy and it made the actors look like they had slow reactions.

Some of the actors that had little to no experience in playing out funny scenes feel like they were forced to say a line that wasn't in their comfort zone. Delivery of jokes and certain dialogue in scenes were peculiar and some were not even needed. The film would have been a lot better if it wasn't for the forced comedic routines, and it is obvious that the actors didn't feel comfortable with the script at times.

This may have something to do with the new director Thor as he has a background of family comedy films, which might be the direction that the producers wanted to take. But it just didn't go and it wasn't needed and the reviewer would have preferred for the film to have the same feel as the first.

Another element that needs to be picked on besides the uncomfortable script and the editing is the strange storyline that dragged at the start but started speeding up faster and faster towards the end, like they just rushed it to save time. The reviewer also hadn't read any of the books it was based on but the storyline also needed a lot of help as the 'big finale' at the end seemed a little too lame. It was like a climax that you expect to get but didn't reach.

Now that we got the bad points out of the way, there are some good points about the film. Though Thor didn't seem like he was comfortable with the big franchise either, the cinematography was pleasant. The CGI and the effects are another story especially when it came to Kronos.

The actors, though they didn't have the ability to deliver comedic lines, still did pretty well. The outstanding young actors include Logan Lerman and Leven Rambin. Logan Lerman reprises his role as Percy and the reviewer would be lying if she said that the actor was untalented.

Leven Rambin, the new addition to the franchise, played her role as Clarisse, daughter of the God of War really well and she was by far the most entertaining character in the film besides Stanley Tucci's Mr. D and Nathon Fillion's Hermes.

Jake Abel, who reprises his role as Luke, was also a great part of the film as he played his character even better than he did in the first film.

To wrap it up, the story was sort of weak, and on the whole the film was pretty disappointing, but fans of the book should definitely give it a go because it apparently is closer to the books so they might appreciate it more. To the rest, the film is decently funny and entertaining, but there are a lot of flaws in the film that you might not be able to ignore, even if you wanted to.

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Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters (English)

Based on the second novel in the "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" series, this sequel to "The Lightning Thief" chronicles the adventures of thirteen-year-old demigod Percy Jackson as he and his friends, Annabeth Chase, Clarisse La Rue and Tyson, his half brother, rescue his satyr friend Grover from the Cyclops Polyphemus and try to save Camp Half-Blood from a Titan's attack by bringing the mythical Golden Fleece back to cure Thalia's poisoned pine tree.

Classification: P13
Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama
General Release Date: 08 Aug 2013
Running Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Cast:Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Brandon T. Jackson, Douglas Smith, Leven Rambin, Zoe Aggeliki, Paloma Kwiatkowski, Stanley Tucci, Nathan Fillion, Sean Bean
Director:Thor Freudenthal
Format: 2D, 3D

Rest In Peace Department ( R.I.P.D. )

R.I.P.D. (English)

"R.I.P.D." is an action-comedy crime film directed by Robert Schwentke, based on the comic book "Rest In Peace Department" by Peter M. Lenkov. Ryan Reynolds plays Nick Walker, a recently slain cop who wakes up as an undead. He soon discovers that a whole other world exist, where a team of undead police officers work for a police department known as the Rest In Peace Department. With nothing to lose, Nick joins them in order to try to find the man who murdered him.

Classification: P13
Genre: Action / Comedy / Crime
General Release Date: 01 Aug 2013
Running Time: 1 Hour 36 Minutes
Distributor: United International Pictures
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker
Director: Robert Schwentke
Format: 35MM, 2D, 3D

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Just as Mary Louise Parker tells Ryan Reynolds in the movie, it's tough to be dead. Since his catastrophic turn as the Green Lantern for Warner Bros.'s adaptation of the DC character, it would seem that Reynolds' raise from the grave of destroyed comic franchises has evaded him again.

Based on the Dark Horse comic by Peter M. Lenkov, Ryan Reynolds is Nick Walker, a police officer who is betrayed and killed by his partner when both of them had stowed away several golden pieces of an ancient artifact that their superiors didn't know had come into their possession from an investigation. Whilst on his way to Judgment, Nick's soul is pulled from the vortex leading up to heaven and ends up in the purgatorial Rest In Peace Department, where he is given a chance to serve as an officer and redeem for his corrupted practice that might diminish his chances of being allowed into Paradise.

Walker's new duty in the department is to arrest the Deados; dead spirits that had managed to escape Judgment through the cracks of the heavenly system of the afterlife. As the Deados reside on Earth, the longer they stay, the more dangerous their rotting influence would have on the living world. Nick is then introduced to former U.S Marshal Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges), or simply Roy, who is one of the finest law enforcement officers that had ever lived and died, to be his partner.

From a writing and directional standpoint, "R.I.P.D" has fewer flaws than imagined, but its lackluster action sequences and questionable CG effects does make it lose its credentials as a summer release. Director Robert Schwentke makes the best of what he can from the world of the comic to set the stage, but the premise itself already borders delicately between ridiculous and unintentionally hilarious for today's audience, especially when one of its most memorable scenes involves an old Chinese man wielding a banana for a gun.

Ryan Reynolds' deadpan performance manages to make the rookie/veteran cop routine fall flat from being entertaining, but Jeff Bridges' full-on cowboy accent and antics as Roy is a joy to watch. Kevin Bacon's charisma as the conniving partner of Walker would have you rooting for the wrong guy, and Mary Louise Parker as R.I.P.D administrator Proctor is a strong contributor to the humourous moments.

In many ways "R.I.P.D" feels like it was the "Men In Black" from an alternate reality where "Men In Black" was never released, crass jokes are more acceptable than witty ones, aliens are replaced with free roaming dead spirits, and Ryan Reynolds is Agent K and Jeff Bridges is Agent J (yes, the roles are reversed). If "Men In Black 3" is the dead horse of mixing buddy cops with outworldy criminals that isn't worth beating anymore, "R.I.P.D" is the final nail on the coffin for the genre, especially with the recent comeback of straight buddy cop comedies like "21 Jump Street" and "The Other Guys".

If you have somehow missed the trailers for "R.I.P.D", then it's best to keep it that way and go in with, as Walker puts it, a 'zen' state of clarity devoid of any expectations and remember to follow the movie's instructions to 'relax body' to get a little stir of fun for what it's worth.

Otherwise this one belongs in the vault of the R.I.P.D, locked and sealed, along with the franchise, and you rest easy to know that it has a short runtime. 

Elysium

Elysium (English)

In the year 2154 two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes (Jodie Foster), a hard the government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn't stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max (Matt Damon) is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that if successful will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds.

Classification: 18
Genre: Drama / Science Fiction
General Release Date: 22 Aug 2013
Running Time: 1 Hour 49 Minutes
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing International
Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Wagner Moura
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Format: 2D, IMAX 2D

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Following his critically acclaimed directorial debut feature film "District 9", South African director Neill Blomkamp has a lot to live up to with "Elysium", a thematically similar film to its predecessor but with a larger budget, Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. So how does "Elysium" hold up against the weight of critics' and fans' expectations? The movie starts off as a social commentary on the state of the socioeconomic, health and population as seen in third world countries, but the narrative is soon eclipsed by Blomkamp's desire for violence, leaving the movie to drift off into the territory of action movie cliches.

It is the year 2154, and Earth has been ravaged by disease, pollution and over-population. Here, the analogy "the rich get richer while the poor get poorer" is as literal as it gets, as those who can take off for Elysium, a space station outfitted with Stepford Wives' neighbourhoods and instant cure-all machines while those who can't, suffer in silence or die trying to cross the border illegally.

Matt Damon plays Max Da Costa, an ex-convict who yearns to go to Elysium, and after being exposed to a lethal dose of radiation, is forced to find a way to get there or die in five days. Outfitted with a rudimentary exoskeleton, Max must battle his way to Elysium, but it is not so easy when the Secretary of Defense Delacourt (Jodie Foster) and her sleeper agent C.M. Kruger (Sharlto Copley) are hell-bent on stopping him in order to preserve the elites' way of life.

In "District 9", Blomkamp has explored the relationship between the majority and the minority by juxtaposing survivors of a failed alien invasion penned up in a slum encampment outside Johannesburg with the apartheid and "Elysium" feels like more of the same, except with a new shiny coat of paint. However, unlike "District 9", which manages to stay consistent with its theme of a man forced to confront his identity during extraordinary circumstances, Blomkamp's latest movie is more action-oriented and overly fantastical. The second half is taken up with a series of fights in which Kruger and Max undergo several near-death experiences each. The medical facilities at Elysium are capable of healing almost anything, including a completely blown off face. Although we have seen our fair share of the fantastic, the idea that people on Elysium are in possession of technology so far advanced yet could spare no money or thought to those suffering on Earth is unbelievable. Those machines don't even cost money to use!

Thankfully, Blomkamp's preference for violence and death have not been curbed by his USD 100 million-plus budget, instead, he relishes in it, especially when it comes to blowing people's bodies into bits. The cinematography is nothing we have not seen before in blockbusters, but it falters a little when it comes to the action sequences. Trent Opaloch shies away from showing the real grit of the action, instead opting to spin the camera in every which way to give the impression of fast paced action.

As for the casting, Matt Damon is suitably cast as the determined anti-hero Max Da Costa, whose initial reasons for wanting to go to Elysium are purely for his own gain. Damon exudes a kind of vulnerability and toughness that fans are accustomed to with his turns in the "Bourne" trilogy that works to his advantage here, such as the scene when he asks Spider's surgery team if it's going to hurt when they implant the exoskeleton, they laugh so hard that they almost drop their buzz saws. To his credit, Blomkamp does not try to whitewash the whole film, with "Y tu mamá tambien" actor Diego Luna and Brazilian actress Alice Braga and actor Wagner Moura heading the supporting cast as his best friend Julio, his love interest Frey and the smuggler Spider, respectively.

Undoubtedly, the star of the film is "District 9" star, Sharlto Copley as the uncouth Kruger, a leering and psychotic South African mercenary who commands an arsenal of heavy weapons. You won't root for him, but you will certainly cheer every time he unsheathes his sword or fires his guns because it is rare for a villain to be just a villain, devoid of any sympathetic background. The only flaw in the casting is Jodie Foster, whose delivery sounds as if she has stick up her you-know-where.

Despite the shallow and overly fast paced plot, Blomkamp makes the film work because even though the characters and scenes could have been better developed, the interactions and the action within the scenes are always enjoyable, such as Max and Julio's friendship and Max and Kruger's fire fights. The film's conclusion feels a little obvious, and the symbolism can get a bit heavy-handed, but Blomkamp's energy and sardonic style is still interesting to watch seeing that this is only his second film about the majorities versus the minorities, and hopefully, the last.

Cinema Online, 14 August 2013

Pawn Shop ( Thai )

Pawn Shop (Thai)The movie stars "13: Game Of Death" (AKA "13 Beloved") lead Krissada Sukosol who plays a burnt out song writer saddled with heavy debts. He decides that the only logical step to improve his situation is to sell his soul to the Devil. But after the trade, he begins experiencing horrifying asupernatural events. Classification: NA Genre: Horror General Release Date: 29 Aug 2013 Running Time: Distributor: Rainfilm Sdn Bhd Cast: Krisadawan Sukosol, Supaksorn Chaimongkol Director: Parm Ransri Format: 2D

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Last Summer

Last Summer (Thai)"Last Summer" deals with the demise of a star high-school student. Her spirit haunts friends and family members who are guilty in their own ways for the girl's death. A group of youngsters are cutting loose for a weekend of partying. One kid, Singha, steals his dad's car and the keys to the family's beach house, and brings along his classmates, including his buddy Garn, budding actress and popular girl Joy and Joy's gal pal Meen. Beach frolicking and boozing at the house follow, but then Joy becomes drowsy and she's never the same again. Classification: 18 Genre: Horror General Release Date: 15 Aug 2013 Running Time: 1 Hour 32 Minutes Distributor: Gsc Movies Cast: Jirayu La-ongmanee, Suthatta Udomsilp, Pimpakan Phraekhunnatham, Krit Sathapanapitakkij, Ekkawat Ekatchariya Director: Kittithat Tangsirikit, Sittisiri Mongkolsiri, Saranyoo Jiralak Format: 2D

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Thor 2 : The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World (English)Thor battles to save all the Nine Realms from a mysterious enemy older than the universe itself. However, a shadowy race led by Malekith, who is out for revenge, intends to descend the universe into darkness. Confronted by an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot overcome, Thor must reunite with Jane Foster and set out on a dangerous journey that will force him to make the ultimate sacrifice. Classification: NA Genre: Action / Fantasy / Superhero General Release Date: 31 Oct 2013 Running Time: Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Idris Elba, Jaimie Alexander, Kat Dennings, Christopher Eccleston, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Rene Russo, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Tadanobu Asano Director: Alan Taylor Format: 2D, 3D

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The Smurfs 2

The Smurfs 2 (Malay)A Malay dubbed version of the sequel to the hybrid live action/animated family blockbuster comedy "The Smurfs". The evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs, Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world's greatest sorcerer. It's up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties; Vexy and Hackus, or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue? Classification: U Genre: Comedy / Animation / Family General Release Date: 08 Aug 2013 Running Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing International Cast: Hafizuddin Fadzil, Lisa Surihani, Zizan Razak, Ray ERA, Aznil Nawawi, Elfira Loy Director: Raja Gosnell Format: 2D

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Review

by Naseem Randhawa

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Watch this if you liked: "The Smurfs" & "Garfield"

The Smurfs are back at it again, and needless to say, if you are a fan of the first movie or the adorable blue-loving creatures, then you may adore "The Smurfs 2". But unlike most animations these days that try to cater to all ages, "The Smurfs 2" will appeal mainly to its intended audience aged 12 and below.

This time around, the only female Smurf; Smurfette (voiced by Lisa Surihani in this BM dubbed version) is kidnapped on her birthday by the evil wizard Gargamel (voiced by Datuk Aznil Hj Nawawi) who is aided by his own brand of non-blue Smurfs; Vexy (voiced by Elfira Loy) and her fool of a brother Hackus (voiced by Ray from Era FM).

To save Smurfette, Papa Smurf (voiced by Hafizuddin Fazli), Vanity Smurf (voiced by Zizan Razak) and Grumpy Smurf leave their comfy Smurf Village to get into our world. In the human world which is first set in New York City and then Paris where Gargamel resides as a huge celebrity magician, we meet Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays) once again, including their now toddler son and the addition of Patrick's stepfather, Victor (Brendan Gleeson) who all join forces to rescue Smurfette and foil Gargamel's plans in ruling the world.

Of the plot of the movie, it's rather lackluster and as many plot holes and under-developed characters it possesses, it is not the main concern here as "The Smurfs 2" is supposed to come off as giddying as possible regardless of the ridiculousness some parts of it translate to be. Well to be fair, to scrutinise the logic of this film would be like scrutinising parody films for their originality.

As cute as they are, "The Smurfs" will hardly ignite the Minion craze we saw not too long ago with "Despicable Me 2", but it will serve as a decent lighthearted entertainment for the young ones. But for adults or the mature, you may just find yourself saying "What the Smurf!".

Insidious : Chapter 2

Insidious: Chapter 2 (English)The sequel to 2011's "Insidious". The Lambert family stay at their grandmother's home for the vacation, believing that their hauntings were over. However, as frightening events occur, including a mysterious voice that whispers on the baby monitor, a smiling woman in a white dress, and voices in the hall, they begin to try to ward off a malicious poltergeist, now beginning to inhabit Josh's body. Classification: NA Genre: Thriller / Horror General Release Date: 17 Oct 2013 Running Time: Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing International Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Andrew Astor, Barbara Hershey, Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell Director: James Wan Format: 2D

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The Conjuring

The Conjuring (English)

Director James Wan's ("Saw", "Insidious") new horror film "The Conjuring" that is allegedly based on true events stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as a pair of paranormal investigators who are hired by a couple who has recently moved into a farm house with their children that seems haunted. The pair is based on the Perron family, who claim to have experienced a terrifying haunting during the 1970s.

Classification: 18
Genre: Thriller / Horror
General Release Date: 01 Aug 2013
Running Time: 1 Hour 52 Minutes
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor
Director: James Wan
Format: 2D