ACTIVITIES IN NOVEMBER 2009

With 3 movie animations (watching it 2 days in a row), a few other movies (also 2 movies a day on certain days) plus one live stand up performance and preparing for my next trip to Bali again (the 1st was in 2008) which is scheduled on the 28 Jan till 1 Feb of 2010 were all the activities done in November.

Lets talk about movie animations. Which is the best between these 3 movies i.e Christmas Carol, Planet 51 and Astro Boy? For me, the best movie in terms of storyline, family value, delightful characters and also a movie which does not afraid to address adult themes, then my vote will go to Astro Boy. There's nothing to dislike about this movie albeit it was originally a Japanese mangga cartoon produced in 1938...

Nonetheless, if you want to savour a really visually beautiful animation with jaw dropping detail and movement together with dazzling special effect then my vote will go to A Christmas Carol. If you observed carefully, the mood and colour of the movie is changing from dark and murky into bright and cheerful as the main character i.e. Ebe Scrooge changes into a new person...awesome......

What about Planet 51? This movie is not bad at all..it is just that, the previous two movies are much better in its own categories making this most expensive movie produced in Spain with its $70 million budget fails to compete. Planet 51 is a satirical movie, poking fun at everything with witty and clever humor and some of it I must say not and I repeat not suitable for children yet I am sure adults won't be bored thanks to these jokes.

Grade A list artistes lend their voices in all of these movies. The most significant was non other than Jim Carrey who played so many characters beside the frail and frighten Ebe Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. While in Planet 51, Dwayne Johnson a.k.a The Rock, Jesscica Biel, Justin Long, Sean William Scot, Gary Oldman and John Cleese played their part well. As in Astro Boy, we had the talented boy, Freddie Highmore (I simply love him in August Rush), Nicolas Cage, Samuel L. Jackson, Nathan Lane and more..

Strong yet caring , I love Astro Boy's character.

Two Malaysian were hired as animator and lighting engineer for this movie

The reverse role of who is the alien in this movie...

Next, comes the other 3 movies. Ninja Assassin, Mulan and New Moon. From these 3 movie, the best, despite a mixed review, I still prefer New Moon. Irregardless if it is regarded as not a particularly good movie unlike the last film, taking into account critics for bad acting, the long plot to type up loose ends and its two hours it's also a bit too long, I don't mind....hey its a love story for goodness sake, it captures the agonies and ecstasies of being young and in love (like me, young at heart...I am so will be labeled ASB's..hack!!!).. New Moon has romance, action, excitement and love that has only grown form time apart. The special effects of the wolves were superb but sadly Victoria, the bad vampire was totally underused...hope to see more of her in "Eclipse" which is rumored to be shown six month from now plus and a short but effective performance by Dakota Fanning was a pleasant surprise...

Talking about Mulan, this superb Chinese movie is far from the cutesy Mulan you saw in a Disney cartoon character a decade ago. Played by Zhao Wei, this legendary icon is seen to sprayed with blood on her face after killing a general and a desert king. But again, despite the war and the marvellous action scenes, this is still a love story between Mulan and one of her co-generals...one slack is that, this movie is a bit too long with few unnecessary scenes. Other then that, the acting skills of all especially Zhao Wei is commendable.

Jacyee Chan (behind), son of Jackie Chan acted as a supporting role..

Ninja Assassin.. The title hints at the idea of a highly skilled assassin, working his martial arts skills against high profile individual/government...true but then again the plot does not seem to handle the story well making it into the borderline of a B movie category. People either come to watch this movie because of the director, James McTeigue who is the second director of the Wachowski Brothers of the Matrix's fame i.e for its techniques OR only to see Rain, the Korean singer for his debut in film. For me, I have seen better ninja movies before and this I don't mind giving it a pass. As for the action sequences, even our neighbouring country can deliver such a jaw dropping scenes irregardless of genders, yup our awesome Thais...

So much blood but none on the floor, the normal CGI patchwork..

One Load of Bull Jit: Stories True and False.

Last Saturday, A, Farra (my niece) and myself went to the newly opened PJ Live Arts Theatre in Jaya One to watch the renowned actor and playwright Jit Murad sharing his thoughts on current affairs and idiosyncrasies of Malaysian life in a light and humorous style. This was the second time I watched Jit in action..so I can anticipate his jokes quite well and yet he still delivered his line with punch and gusto...The ticket was priced at RM65 and seen at the PJLA were Jit's buddies, Harith Iskandar, Han Issac, Shanon Shah and few other local artistes. This occasionally crude, usually hilarious and always witty (and at times quite provoking) performance was presented by Dramalab and produced by Datuk Zahim Albakri.

Jit Murad, yea youuu, yea youuuuuuu....

By the way, I enjoying myself listening to Leona Lewis's new album, ECHO... I must say her vocal is more powerful then ever...just like her previous album, all 13 tracks here are gems worth listening over and over again..especially her 1st single BRAVE. But then my favourite will be BROKEN and MY HANDS...pure bliss..

As for my reading material...am reading PATHS OF GLORY, a new novel from my all time best writer, Jeffery Archer..ermm will be finishing soon and waiting after that will be THE HOST by Stephenie Meyer (author of Twilight saga) and URBAN ODYSSEYS - KL Stories - an anthology from our various local writers...

Just bought Gossip Girl's 3rd season...can't wait to watch that too. Ermm..where do I have time for all this...hehehe

Last..am going to Anugerah Skrin tonite...have a nice weekend.. XOXO