Ju On 3 : Beginning Of The End ( Japanese )

Ju On 3: Beginning Of The End ( Japanese )

The seventh installment of "Ju On" franchise focuses on the deceased Saeki family and its curse. Yui, an elementary school teacher visits the home of a boy named Toshio Saeki who has been absent from school for a long period of time. When she arrives, she re-lives the horrifying events that occurred in the Saeki household 10 years earlier.

Classification: NA
Genre: Horror
General Release Date: 31 Jul 2014
Running Time:
Distributor: Gsc Movies
Cast: Nozomi Sasaki, Misaki Saisho, Kai Kobayashi, Reina Triendl
Director: Masayuki Ochiai
Format: 2D

This movie review is not available at the moment.

Guardians Of The Galaxy ( English )

Guardians Of The Galaxy ( English )

A U.S. pilot named Peter Quill finds himself caught in the middle of a conflict spanning the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he becomes Star-Lord and teams with ex-cons to form the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Classification: NA
Genre: Action / Adventure / Science Fiction
General Release Date: 31 Jul 2014
Running Time:
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou
Director: James Gunn
Format: 2D

This movie review is not available at the moment.

Hercules ( English )

Hercules ( English )

Nearly 3,200 years ago, a tormented soul walked the Earth as neither man nor god: Hercules, powerful son of the god-king Zeus, and for this he received nothing but suffering. After 12 arduous labors and the loss of his family, this dark, world-weary soul turned his back on the gods, finding solace only in bloody battle. Over the years, he warmed to the company of six similar souls, bonded by their love of fighting and the presence of death never questioning where they go or who they fight, just how much they will be paid. Now the King of Thrace has hired these mercenaries to turn his men into the greatest army of all time, which means training them to be as bloodthirsty and ruthless as their own reputation. It is time for this band of lost souls to finally have their eyes opened to how far they have fallen and the narrow, perilous path to their own redemption.

Classification: NA
Genre: Action / Adventure
General Release Date: 24 Jul 2014
Running Time:
Distributor: United International Pictures
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, John Hurt, Rufus Sewell
Director: Brett Ratner
Format: 2D, 3D

This movie review is not available at the moment.

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes ( English )

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes ( English ) 
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

Classification: NA
Genre: Action / Drama / Science Fiction
General Release Date: 10 Jul 2014
Running Time:
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Judy Greer, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Director: Matt Reeves
Format: 2D

This movie review is not available at the moment.

Hungry Ghost Ritual ( Cantonese )

Hungry Ghost Ritual ( Cantonese )

After incurring debts from his failed business venture in China, Zong Hua returns to Malaysia after a decade hiatus. The demoralized Zong Hua faces problem finding a job and tries hard to get use to things at home, including his estranged relationship with his step-father, Xiaotian, who runs a Cantonese opera troupe and half-sister, Jing Jing. Jing Jing is hostile towards Zong Hua as she always has this impression that the death of their mother is caused by the excessive fights between Zong Hua and his step-father.

Classification: P13
Genre: Horror
General Release Date: 10 Jul 2014
Running Time: 1 Hour 22 Minutes
Distributor: Asia Tropical Films
Cast: Nick Cheung, Annie Liu, Carrie Ng
Director: Nick Cheung
Format: 2D

This movie review is not available at the moment.

Transformers : Age Of Extinction ( English )

Transformers : Age Of Extinction ( English )

Set four years after the climactic battle of "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon". As humanity picks up the pieces, Autobots and Decepticons have all but vanished from the face of the planet. However, a group of powerful, ingenious businessman and scientists attempt to learn from past Transformer incursions and push the boundaries of technology beyond what they can control - all while an ancient, powerful Transformer menace sets Earth in his crosshairs. The epic adventure and battle between good and evil, freedom and enslavement ensues.

Classification: P13
Genre: Action / Adventure / Science Fiction
General Release Date: 26 Jun 2014
Running Time: 2 Hours 45 Minutes
Distributor: United International Pictures
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Jack Reynor, Nicola Peltz, Kelsey Grammer, Sophia Myles, Stanley Tucci
Director: Michael Bay
Format: 2D, 3D, IMAX 3D, 2D ATMOS, 3D ATMOS

[Review] [Showtimes] [Malay Synopsis]

Review

by Casey Chong

Star Rating:
Overall:
Cast:
Plot:
Effects:
Cinematography :

Watch this if you liked: "Transformers", "Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen" and "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon".

The first three "Transformers" movies, which began its way for the big screen in 2007, were often criticised for its haphazard plot, bad acting, distasteful comedy and of course... the long running time that ran for an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes! But like it or not, you can't deny that director Michael Bay knows well on how to attract sizable moviegoers with his effective mix of cool-looking robots, impressive special effects, big action sequences and extremely photogenic stars (e.g. Megan Fox and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley); all points worthy enough for a must-see movie at the cinema. Three years later after the huge financial success of 2011's "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon", Michael Bay returns with more cinematic mayhem or "Bayhem" as we like to call it, via "Transformers: Age Of Extinction", and this time, Bay makes a noticeable effort by stepping up his game to deliver something different than the usual "Transformers" movie we have seen before.

The story takes place after the events of "Transformers: Dark Of The Moon" where the Chicago war remains a much talked-about incident around the world. Many of the Autobots and Decepticons who remained on Earth are either killed or forced into hiding since the authorities, spearheaded by shady agent Harold Attinger (Kelsey Grammer), begin hunting them down. In the midst of the chaotic events are Cade (Mark Wahlberg) and his daughter, Tessa Yeager (Nicola Peltz), who both come across a beat-up ordinary truck which actually is Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen). Soon, all hell breaks loose when Attinger's black-ops team, led by Savoy (Titus Welliver) and Decepticon bounty hunter Lockdown (Mark Ryan) manage to track down Optimus Prime while putting both Cade and Tessa in grave danger.

Among the significant changes from this movie is the absence of its juvenile humour, which previously was over-done in the first three "Transformers" movies, instead, Ehren Kruger's script is surprisingly gritty and more serious-minded in its overall tone. Such a radical move might disappoint those who have grown accustomed to the first three movies' upbeat approach, but rest assured that he still maintains most of the blockbuster elements that made the "Transformers" franchise so financially successful in the first place.

However, at 165 minutes (that's 2 hours and 45 minutes!), Kruger's script suffers a lot from a serious case of overkill. While it's understandable that those who went in for a "Transformers" movie are mostly expecting nothing more than watching a bunch of metal-clanking robots beat the crap out against each other, it's hard to ignore the heavy-handed narrative structure that often kills the momentum of the movie. It's obvious that the movie tries to cram in as many stories as possible (e.g. subplot about the central father-and-daughter relationship between Cade and Tessa; the elaborate government conspiracy involving Attinger and a research scientist for a man-made Transformers, Joshua Joyce (played by Stanley Tucci); and the mysterious agenda that Lockdown has against Optimus Prime) but the overall execution feels too weighty and all over the place.

The all-new cast, in the meantime, delivers uneven performances here. Despite the movie's welcoming change-of-characters from a teenager's coming-of-age quest (Shia LaBeouf who played Sam Witwicky in the first three movies) to a more restrained father-and-daughter relationship, both Mark Wahlberg and Nicola Peltz doesn't leave much of a lasting impression. Jack Reynor, who plays Tessa's secret-racer boyfriend Shane, is all good looks but hardly impresses as a worthwhile actor, while the appearance of the popular Chinese actress Li Bingbing is sadly undermined with a role that feels more like a product placement in favour for the China market. Kelsey Grammer is perfectly typecast as the sinister-looking Attinger, and Stanley Tucci gives an enjoyably hammy performance as Joshua Joyce, but last but not least, its Peter Cullen who again delivers his perfectly distinctive voice as Optimus Prime.

While the story and most of the characters here are more of a mixed result, Bay's direction manages to give what his fans want when they come for a "Transformers" movie. That is of course, the effects-laden extravaganza filled with enough robot vs. robot action, chase, explosion and shootouts. The special effects are totally amazing and eye-catching enough to keep your eyes glued on the big screen. Not to mention also is the effects for the Transformers robots which are so visually captivating as usual. As for the action department, Bay doesn't disappoint. Although there are times he tends to go overboard with his shaky camerawork, most of the action sequences here are simply breathtaking. But the most entertaining moment of all is the edge-of-your-seat final showdown at downtown Hong Kong between the Autobots and the Decepticons. Here, it's really refreshing to see that Bay has finally done his fans a huge favour with the inclusion of Dinobots during the climactic finale. Although the appearance of the Dinobots has not much of a screen-time as this reviewer might have hoped for, this movie makes a good start, nonetheless.

"Transformers: Age Of Extinction" may be only slightly above par from the previous "Transformers" movies we have seen before, but one thing's for sure is that watching this effects-heavy summer movie blockbuster at the biggest screen you can find, is a totally satisfying cinematic experience.

Curse Of Spirits ( Mandarin / Cantonese )

Curse Of Spirits ( Mandarin / Cantonese )

A collection of four local horror stories revolving around Malay and Indian communities and their cultural beliefs. The stories, told in Chinese, are :  a dangerous ritual to capture the image of a ghost; a deadly ghost which returns to seek revenge; a girl “trapped” in this world; and a group who investigates the existence of ghosts in an old house. Directed by M Subash (of the acclaimed movie Pensil). Genre/Duration – Horror, 80 minutes.

Classification: P13
Genre: Horror
General Release Date: 03 Jul 2014
Running Time: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
Distributor: Renbash Entertainment
Cast: Desmond Chan, Amethyst Leong
Director: M. Subash Abdullah
Format: 2D

This movie review is not available at the moment.

Deliver Us From Evil ( English )

Deliver Us From Evil ( English )

"Beware The Night" is the story of a New York cop who meets a renegade priest when he is pulled into a case which the priest convinces him, against the officer's religious beliefs, is related to demons. Together they work to solve the case and combat the paranormal forces working against them.

Classification: 18
Genre: Action / Crime / Horror
General Release Date: 03 Jul 2014
Running Time: 1 Hour 59 Minutes
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing International
Cast: Eric Bana, Olivia Munn, Joel McHale, Sean Harris, Édgar Ramírez
Director: Scott Derrickson
Format: 2D

[Review] [Showtimes] [Malay Synopsis]

 

 

 

This movie review is not available at the moment.

The Cursed House ( Thai )

The Cursed House ( Thai )

Ann with her family, her husband and daughter and mother moved into a new house hoping to live a better live. However their lives take an unexpected turn when strange things start to happen in the house. Ann soon consults a shaman that senses evil in the house. With the help from the original landlord, Ann must uncover the horrifying secrets before the evil consumes the whole family.

Classification: P13
Genre: Horror
General Release Date: 03 Jul 2014
Running Time: 1 Hour 28 Minutes
Distributor: Ram Entertainment
Cast: Akara Amarttayakul, Chinaradi Anupongphichart
Director: Teeratorn Chowvanayotin
Format: 2D

This movie review is not available at the moment.