THE LAKE HOUSE MOVIE REVIEW

TIMELESS ROMANCE

On Sale: THE LAKE HOUSE dou posters - Click on above for details

Now this is a time travel movie, although the title may have suggested a “fishing” theme.

After a dozen years, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock pair up on screen once again, only this time they are connected in a more serene environment of a glasshouse by the lake. Although I am not particularly impress with these “Speedsters”, I am surprise that both had delivered some screen chemistry in this one.

The movie tells a lonely trainee Doctor, Kate (Sandra Bullock) exchanging love letters with an architect, Alex (Keenu Reeves) through a letterbox beside the Lake House. Soon they discovered that they are actually separated in time by two years – Alex lives in the year 2004 whereas Kate is in 2006.

Now, I read that this is a western adaptation of a Korean romance movie, Ii Mare. I did not watch the Korean version, but THE LAKE HOUSE’s script is so perforated. Telling a story, which toy with the time requires thorough detailing and if one is not careful, it could confuse and even frustrate the audience. Unfortunately for this movie, the scriptwriter(s) are so careless.

Nothing was explained on how that letterbox could connect two people, living two years apart. Also, where Alex could have plenty of chances, from 2004 to 2006, to meet Kate and slowly explaining their supernatural relation, both only chance upon each other once within that time frame. What’s really puzzling is that during their only meet, Alex chosen not to tell Kate anything was beyond many audience. Finally, I thought it would be reasonable if the finale were heartbreaking but the Hollywood formula does not allow that. As a result, the conclusion became illogical and unconvincing. Pardon me scriptwriters, I am sure audience nowadays are smarter than you think.

This is not the best romance movie I ever watch, but still it strikes a deep enough impression.

Movie Rating: 3/5
Commendable: Keanu Reeves

P.S: I am hoping to see a different Sandra, unfortunately, she still that same old rugged eye-candy.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN (2008)

Legends of the walk-in Wardrode continues

William Moseley (Peter), Anna Popplewell (Susan), Skandar Keynes (Edmund), and Georgie Henley (Lucy). (Source from: http://www.narniaweb.com)

Picking up from the last movie, "Prince Caspian" finds the Pevensie siblings pulled back into the land of Narnia, where a thousand years have passed since they left. The children are once again enlisted to join the colorful creatures of Narnia in combating an evil villain who prevents the rightful Prince from ruling the land. "Prince Caspian" was first published in 1951, and is the fourth book in the seven-book series written by Lewis. It was intended as a continuation of "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe."

Disney is targeting a summer 2008 release for the "Narnia" sequel.

Nice movie premiums of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE are up for sale! Please email me if you are keen. All price qouted includes postage fee.

NARNIA's Pocket Watch - S$45/-

NARNIA's Thermal Water Bottle - S$15/-

NARNIA's T-shirt - S$15/-

NARNIA's Calendar (2006) Frame - S$10/-

NARNIA's A-4 soft Folder - S$8/-

TOP GROSSING FILM IN 2006 - PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE DEAD MAN'S CHEST

PIRATES toppled the X-Men

'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' is the top grossing film of 2006. The second instalment of the swashbuckling adventure series made $62.2 million in its second weekend - bringing its total takings so far to $258.2 million.

'Dead Man's Chest' has already toppled the previous top grossing film 'X-Men: The Last Stand' - which made $232 million in eight weeks.

Disney's head of distribution Chuck Viane said: "It's really fun when you're riding a comet like this. This thing is just unbelievable. It creates its own wake.

(Source: THE POST CHRONICLE)

HARRY POTTER TO BE KILLED?

Author J K Rowling hinted on the possible conclusion to the Wizard Boy's Saga

British Author J K Rowling had hinted that she may wanted to "kill" off two major characters in the in the 7th and final book of Harry Potter. What's gutted fans most is that she is considering writing a death scene for the boy Wizard hero, Harry Potter!

Speaking on the Richard & Judy TV show, Rowling admitted that she had planned the end of the seventh book way back in 1990. She explained: "One character got a reprieve, but I have to say two die that I didn't intend to die." But Rowling refused to elaborate, adding: "I don't want the hate mail or anything else".

The 40-year-old author spelled her concerns that Harry Potter, who had became a movie icon, could be exploited if she left the franchise open-ended. She said: "Killing him would mean that after I'm dead they won't be able to bring him back."

The fifth film about life at magical school Hogwarts, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is due out next year (2007).

Meanwhile, I found this very unique Harry Potter and The Globet of Fire Magic Notebook. I am selling it for $25/-. Interested, please email me for details.

'PIRATES' $55M ESTIMATED HAUL SET RECORD

By Greg Risling, Associated Press Writer, AP

'Pirates of the Caribbean' Sequel Hauls in Record $55 Million in a Day, Preliminary Figures Show

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Move over Darth Vader. Captain Jack Sparrow is king for a day. Preliminary estimates released by Disney show that "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" earned $55.5 million on Friday, which would set the record for the largest one-day take at the box office.

The previous record was set last year by "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," which grossed about $50 million.

The movie was shown on 4,133 screens, beginning at midnight Friday. Only 2004's "Shrek 2" and "Spider-Man 2" debuted on more screens.

Disney also received reports of continuous sellouts and requests to add more screens at multiplexes.

"We're obviously thrilled beyond belief. Anytime you break an industry record ... the word ecstatic comes to mind," said Chuck Viane, head of distribution at Disney. The swashbuckling sequel is on pace to eclipse the three-day, box-office record held by "Spider-Man" in 2002 with $114.8 million.

"This goes a long way of dispelling the notion that people don't want to go to movies anymore," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-officer tracker Exhibitor Relations. "People aren't waiting for the DVD on this one. They are going out to see it."

Hollywood has been mired in a filmmaking slump. Last year audiences stayed away from such offerings as the action bombs "Stealth" and "The Island," and the remakes "House of Wax" and "The Bad News Bears."

Revenues this year to date are at $4.6 billion, 5 percent ahead of last year's disappointing take, though factoring in higher ticket prices, attendance is up just 1.7 percent.

At the current pace, 2006 ticket sales would come in slightly below Hollywood's average of 1.46 billion a year over the last decade.

But Dergarabedian said those fortunes could change with "Pirates."

"It's on track to make $120 million or more this weekend," he said. "It's a monumental number. It's a great place for the industry to be right now."

Preliminary three-day box-office estimates were to be released Sunday, with final figures expected Monday.

PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST (2006)

The Pirates Adventure Continues...

Captain Jack Sparrow returns, to create more tidal waves. In this sequel of the highly successful movie, inspired by a popular Pirates' theme amusement park, Eilzabeth (Keira Knightley) and Will (Orlando Bloom) are preparing for their wedding but they were abruptly captured by East India honcho, Lord Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander), for aiding the escape of Pirates Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) earlier. Beckett makes Will an offer: bring Jacks’ compass to him, and he’ll free Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Jack is having his own problems, with tentacled nasty Davy Jones (Nighy).

Movie opens in Singapore on 13 July 2006!

The original double-sided movie poster is for sale at $30/- (include Singapore postage). A Pirates scraf will be given away with each purchase! Interested, please email me for details.

LATEST STOCK CHECK (AS AT 23 OCT 2006)

For your ease of reference, here's the stock, which I am selling. Please add US$3 and US$10 to the price quoted, for local postage and overseas postage respectively. Postage fee applies for a one-poster per postage basis.

Email me if you need further clarification, negotiation or larger images of the movie premiums. Payment could be made by PAYPAL.

A Good Year movie poster - US$10/-

Little Children movie poster - US$8/-

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning movie poster - US$10/-

NATIVITY movie poster - US$10/-

Night at the Museum Movie Poster - US$15/-



Eragon Movie Poster - US$15/-



Death Note
(Top left: Death Note's original double-sided poster; Top Right: Death Note's Folder; Above: Death Note's Handphone Stripe)
Poster - US$10/-
Folder - US$5/-
Handphone Stripe - US$5/set



Dragon Tiger Gate
(Above left: Dragon Tiger Gate's postage stamp set; Above Right: Dragon Tiger Gate's notebook)
Singapore Postage stamp set - US$3/-
Notebook - S$1/-



The Host movie poster - US$10/-



Snakes on a Plane movie poster - US$8/-

Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest poster cum premium set - US$10/-



The 3-D Superman Returns postcard - US$1/- (postage and handling fee for this item is US$2 for both local and overseas postage)



The Lake House dou posters - US$15/set



X-Men: The Last Stand limited Edition postcard set - US$10/set



Harry Potter and the Globet of Fire Limited Edition Magic Notebook - US$15



A-1 Headlines notebook (Original Signature of the casts on the notebook) - US$10
(Above left: Front cover; Above right: front and back cover.)




THE MYTH notebook - US$1/-
(Above left: Front cover; Above right: Notebook's inner leaf)



Running Wild notebook - US$1/-
(Above Left: Front cover; Above Right: Notbook front & Back cover)



Closer notebook - US$1/-



Elektra notebook - US$1/-



Star Wars notebook - US$5/- each.
(Above left: main movie poster cover; Above right: Darth Vader cover.)

THE BATTLE OF THE RED CLIFF (2008)

Movie Adaptation of Chinese Classics, "The Romance of Three Kingdom"

The pre-production of John Woo’s first Chinese-language film in more than a decade, "The Battle of the Red Cliff” have commenced although it is still unclear whether Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung Chiu Wai have accepted the starring role of Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang respectively.

Earlier this year, Andy Lau had accepted the role of Zhou Yu and Ken Watanabe had also accepted the role of Cao Cao.

"The War of the Red Cliff" took place in China around 1,700 years ago, when the land was divided into three kingdom namely: Wei, Shu and Wu belonging to Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan respectively.

Cao Cao had consolidated the power of the Kingdom of Wei in the north and sought to extend it beyond the Yangtze river. Along his path are fortress belonging to Shu.

His troops, all from the northern plains, were not accustomed to naval warfare. Nevertheless, he took his army of 200,000 men to launch his attack on the Kingdom of Shu, whose king, Liu Bei, called upon the King of Wu, Sun Quan for assistance. Thus, the showdown between the huge naval forces of Cao Cao and the outnumbered combined armies of Liu Bei and Sun Quan ensued.

There were many interesting war strategy recorded during this standoff. The most notable of all could be that from Zhuge Liang, Military Advisor (also the most intelligent man of Chinese’s history) of King Liu Bei.

In urgent need of 100,000 arrows to repel the invaders, Zhuge Liang instructed twenty naval junks, with soldiers beating war drums behind high stacked of straw and scarecrows, to feign an advance on the Wei encampment on a dark, foggy night. The Wei’s commanders responded by discharging their arrow into the indistinct hulks on the junks. By dawn, each junk was bristled with thousands of arrows, more than enough for the army's requirements.

In another incident, Cao Cao was persuaded by a spy (sent by Zhuge Liang) in his camp to secure all his boats together. The method was thought to be able to stabilize the boats so that Wei’s soldiers, who were not capable of seas battle, would not feel nausea during any forthcoming attack. The armies of Wu and Shu, however, launched arrows of fire on the boats. Coupled with the favorable wind direction, as calculated by Zhuge Liang, the great conflagration brought about the defeat of Cao Cao.

Red Cliff itself is said to have been forever scorched red by the flames of this day-long battle. In a victory celebration, General Zhou Yu of Wu, flourishing his writing brush, jubilantly inscribed the gigantic characters 'Red Cliff (Chi Bi) on the cliff face, which still can be seen to this day.

The Battle of the Red Cliff is a highly popular chapter in the Chinese classics "Romance of the Three Kingdoms". Some 600 years after its publication, the book is still widely read in China and even in the West.

If the movie adaptation were completed as planned, "The Battle of the Red Cliff" would become the most expensive film in mainland Chinese cinema history, with a budget of about $36 million. (The current record holder is Zhang Yimou's $30 million "Hero".)

The movie is slated to be released in late 2008.

Anyway, the storyline and choice of casts to this movie is simply fabulous! But I could not imagine John Woo's typical slow-mo style and pigeons been employed in the Chinese Classics. May be a disaster. I hope not!

SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)

THE MAN OF STEEL IS BACK!

How time really files. It's been over 2 decades since we last seen Superman!

In this latest installment of the Superman movies, nothing much had changed. Superman still don that red cape with the distinctively red-yellow “S”-shield across his chest; the lengthy opening credits with fonts almost identical from the earlier movies; the awfully familiar Superman theme, composed by John Williams; not forgetting the “signing off” Superman flight around earth's orbit, before the end rolling credits. These do bring back lots of younger days memories.

Prior to the filming of the movie, expectation was running sky high on who would be the next Man of Steel. Fortunately, all casts had done a commendable job. The charming Brandon Routh as the new man of steel delighted and marveled audience with his comical timing as the clumsy Clark Kent and the over the top Superman. Kevin Spacey looks more convincing, than Gene Hackman, in the villainous role of Lex Luthor. Kate Bosworth did a great job as Lois Lane too, only that the character has somewhat matured and emotionally tamed.

Now, the movie may not appeal to action-hungry fans since Bryan Singer’s signature direction of character based movie could be felt throughout. But the special effects definitely does not disappoint. From the opening air crash to Superman dispatching an island towards the Sun, audience was treated with nothing but top quality CGI works. Movies of such theme could have easily turned into mindless Gozillas rampaging of Tokyo City, but Bryan Singer easily contained the action piece to the “introductory level”, paving way for more episodes to come. Yes! The scriptwriter deliberately left out many pieces of the puzzles: the father-and-son relation and the love trapezium between Superman-Lois-Richard-Clark, dangles without a satisfying conclusion. Anyway, who bares to end the Superman’s story so soon?

Welcome back, SUPERMAN!

Movie Rating: 4/5

Commendable: Brandon Routh (on my HOT list now)

Available now is the SUPERMAN RETURNS postcard selling at $5 each! This is a 3-D postcard and is a rare find.




Interested? Please email me for more details.

THE LAKE HOUSE (2006)

How do you hold on to someone you'ver never met?

In this America remake of the Korean romance, Il Mare, a lonely doctor begins exchanging love letters with a frustrated architect through a mysterious letterbox. They gradually falls in love but to discover that they are living two years apart!

In my opinion, western remake of an Eastern movie usually disappoint. Nevertheless, the main selling point of this movie could be the reunion of SPEED stars, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Also starring Christopher Plummer, Lynn Collins, and Shohreh Aghdashloo.

The movie open in Singapore on 27 July 2006.

The movie poster set of The Lake House is for sale at a mere $35 (including Singapore postage) per set. Interested? Please email me for details.

X-MEN III: THE LAST STAND

LATEST (08 July 2006) - X-Men III postcard set for sale! This is not those typical free postcards. The 18 pieces postcards are gloss printed with face portrait of your favourite mutants and their individual profile on the back of the card! Going for $45/set (including Singapore postage). Interested please email me for details.

The end is near

Part One is a mutant (Magneto) wanted to turn all humans into mutants, via Rogue. Part Two is the human (Starker) scheming to kill all mutants using, well, a mutant. Now came this Part three, we see the human have derive with a “cure” for all mutants to be “normal”, like the humans. Expectedly, the two schools of mutants – one led by Magneto and another by Professor Xavier – continue to defend their own belief towards the human race.

Probably because this is the final installment of the X-men movie, the scriptwriter keeps no mutants in their bag. This is such a mutant’s fest, which debut the Beast, Angel, Juggernaut, Kitty Pryde, Callisto, Multiple Man among hundred of other mutants! I guess this is sure to satisfy all X-men comic’s fans. However, whatever happened to Gambit, which is one of the anchor mutants in the comic? While the movie started off spectacularly with the Angel spreading his wings and the “cure” special abilities threatening the mutant’s community, strangely, they have so little screen time that they were almost forgotten by the audience.

But would any action movie fans care about the plot holes? The film has a number of jaw-dropping scenes of disbelieve: the Jean Grey Versus Professor Xavier in her old residence and the final showdown, which involves the Golden Gate Bridge. Such would already make your ticket price worth.

Though the finale of any trilogy would always raise the expectations of audience, THE LAST STAND definitely does not disappoint. One quell I have about the movie is that many mutants were dispatched too early, and too easily. Moreover, by so doing, it would kill off the booming X-men’s franchise - does not make any good business sense to me here.

But wait. There is a bonus scene at the end of the rolling credits. Would there be a 4th installment? I can’t wait!

Movie Rating: 4/5
Most desirable mutant: Jean Grey a.k.a Dark Phoenix (Who else?)

FEARLESS (2006)

Jet Lee is the FEARLESS

Catch this movie on DVD because I am not in Singapore during the period it was shown in local theatre.

I am not any KungFu movie's fan. But I am thrilled to see Jet Lee, the biggest name in Chinese kungfu's movie had chosen to portray the late Master Hou Yuan Jia, in his last action movie.

When I was very, very young, "Hou Yuan Jia" was Liang Jia Ren. As a little kid watching the movie, I am very impressed with the heroism of all the casts (including the villain). Though I do not really understand what was going on then, the images of Liang Jia Ren catching a fallen signboard and darting at the villains that his name is "HOU! YUAN! JIA!" still lingers. Yes! Those are too typical in KungFu's cinemas, but still it continue to works, even till now.

So what you could have expected for this 2006 version? Nothing. Not much innovation was injected into the film: A young and snobbish hero wanted to become the top of the KungFu's arena that he made many enemies along the way. Along came one enemy, who murdered his whole family and devastated the hero. He lost purpose of life, retreated into a village where coincidentally a gentle village girl would take care of him, motivates him with simple words and our hero makes a stronger come back to shake the martial art World with his skills and most importantly his wisdom.

Though the purpose of any bio-pic is to showcase how a legend had lived, unjustly for Master Hou Yuan Jia, it is the commercialised fighting sequences of Yuen Wo Ping that impressed. When you thought you had seen too many high-platform sparring and in-the-ring fights, Yuen continue to surprise bloodthirsty fans. In addition to those, I am particularly impressed with the showdown in an inn where Hou Yuan Jia and his nemesis effortlessly cross blows between narrow fleet of stairways.

Coming back to the plotline, whatever happens in Hou's life between his childhood and youth? Director Ronny Yu had snipped what could have been the most interesting and crucial part of Hou's life. The end result makes audience felt like traveling on a clueless time machine – one moment you saw the young Hou struggling to convince his father that he is fit for martial art training in spite of his fragile health, the next moment Hou is all grown up, with a daughter and a dead wife, and is almost the best fighter in his city - Head scratching presentation from the mind behind the thrilling Bride of Chucky, and Freddy Vs Jason.

Nevertheless. I believe many only care to watch Jet's kicks and punches. If you are in that camp, no matter how uncreative is the plot and the final editing, this is still one of Jet Lee commendable works. The finale of Jet Lee showing graceful "Tai-Ji" moves in the padi field would definitely become another memorable scene in KungFu cinema's history book.

All the best in your future endeavor, Master Lee!

Movie Rating: 4/5
Jet Lee's moves: 4/5

P.S: Now the descendents of Master Hou is pressing charges against this movie, for wrongfully portrayal of the life of Hou Yuan Jia. They are unhappy that the scriptwriter wrote Hou’s whole family was murdered, where in fact no members of the family were actually being murdered. Moreover, the Japanese fighter, who has been portrayed in the movie a honourable fighter, is in real life a despicable man, who befriends Hou and tricked him to consume poison, making the hero died a slow and painful death.

The Da Vinci Code

First Contact with The Da Vinci Code

I must confess I have never read this Dan Brown’s controversial novel. Religious topics have always been sensitive to many people and as a non-believer, I rather stay out of any groundless religious debates.

What triggers me to buy ticket to watch this movie is all plain curiosity. However, after the 150 mins in the theatre, I must say that I am totally blown away by it. It is such a great movie and it sure going to be a strong contenders for my “Best Movie in 2006”.

Simply, the movie claims that Jesus is just a mortal with “blood line” been well protected, for centuries, by the Priory of Sion. On the other hand, the Opus Dei - a clandestine, Vatican-sanctioned Catholic organization long plotted to seize and destroy all evidence from the Priory, of Christ’s mortality. The process of unfolding the truth are intriguing and the conclusion equally mind-boggling and explosive.

To all my Christian friends out there: First, this movie is totally fictional. Dan Brown never claims what he written as religious theories so PLEASE be more open-minded and watch it as if you are watching THE MATRIX – you are not going to naively believe that you are living in the Matrix after watching the movie, right? So do the same for this one.

Secondly, contrary to what you guys told me about Dan Brown suggesting that Christianity is “wrong”, I begged to differ after watching the movie. No one (in the movie) is suggesting that Christianity is wrong. Whether Jesus is human or immortal does not mean that Christianity is not worth practicing! Confucius is teachings from a mortal, does that mean the religion is unworthy? In fact, my opinion is that there is nothing wrong in practicing any Religion, as long as it teaches one to be good.

I fully agreed with the movie’s lead character, Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) statement in the near finale, “Human are in fact Immortal.” Think about the Great Gandhi, and Mother Theresa. Aren’t these humanly compassion and sacrifice towards mankind could also well classify them as modern days immortals?

Finally, no matter what, exercise tolerance towards each other and always strive to be good. Let’s make this World a better place, free of religious-linked terrorism.

4.5/5 for the Movie
4.5/5 for Tom Hanks
4/5 for other casts.

Jasmine Women

JASMINE WOMEN - Another EVERLASTING REGRET?

Finally have a chance to watch this movie today. First impression, the story flows like Sammi Cheng’s EVERLASTING REGRET. Both movies have female lead, who are unfortunate (in relationship) in the fast changing China. Both movies attempt to showcase what an actress is capable of stretching.

Briefly, the movie tells a family with four generations, which seems destine to be single-mother. Where the third generation settled down with a decent husband, the conclusions are equally devastating. I shall not place any spoilers here. Watch it to find out.

Although the movie earns many awards, I can’t help but yawn throughout the un-climatic plots. Somehow, the emotional bits, which are the most critical elements of such movie, are very dull and tone down. Zhang Ziyi still did not shake herself off that “stubborn-girl” expression seen in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, House of Flying Daggers, and Memoirs of a Geisha. No surprise at all.

The saving grace of this movie could have been veteran actress, Joan Chen. She had comfortably pulled off two different roles, with three different temperaments in the movie: the struggled great Grandmother, the flirtatious mother, and a wise grandmother. In fact, I almost think that the movie is about her, rather than Zhang ZiYi!

Anyway, watching the movie is another everlasting Regret. Get the hint?


2.5/5 for movie
3/5 for Zhang ZiYi
4.5/5 for Joan Chen

Searching through my posters collection and found two original double-sided posters of Zhang ZiYi’s earlier movies: House of Flying Dagger and Memoirs of a Geisha.

Both posters are in good condition and going for $25 each (including Singapore postage). Interested? Email me for more details