Movie Review - 17 Again

Mummy reviews ...

Last night, we went to watch 17 Again. I chose it cos I was in the mood for something light, funny and of course eye candy.

We entered the cinema with little expectations. This was after all, a tried and tested and maybe a little tired story. One man goes back to his childhood or youth to change what he could have done. It was not to see Zac Efron... hmm... we are not fans, we only know he is from the High School Musical series. So it was really just a time to relax and catch a movie.

The story is about how a Would-Have-Been (Matthew Perry) lived his pathetic, always whining life with a Have-Moved-On wife (Leslie Mann) and two teenage kids who have no regard for him. He blames his wife for being the one who got in the way of him getting a college scholarship, graduating and earning big bucks.

He gets a chance to be 17 again in the same school as his own kids. AND this was when I decided this is a really good movie!

Reasons #1, #2 and #3:

Need I say more??

I told Edmund, if I were a student, I would plaster his pictures all over my files and books (do they still do that?). Haha...

It was then that I realised how long it has been, since those giggling days of swooning at Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp. What can I say? God continues to create gorgeous people around!

Back to the review...

So this Would-Have-Been (now Zac Efron) goes to school and is always in a constant race to protect his son and daughter. He eventually reaches a place where he had a chance to make a decision that would affect his college application. And we have his best friend Ned the Nerd who brought the house down with his really nerdy antics.

It was a feel-good movie (and definitely a look-good one too) with a happily ever after story.

It proves that this time tested formula of going back to the past to make you SEE your mistakes works in the movie world. More importantly, 17 Again reminds us that in every generation, there would be a heartthrob movie which would always bring out that extra heart flutter.

From Mummy blogger, this is a 4 stars out of 5 movie!

Note to all Female readers: I think just for this one post, Edmund's rating (2.5 out of 5) ain't important! Enjoy!

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Movie Review - Taken

Recently, I had a chance to catch the movie “Taken” with my wife and I loved it!

It’s about this father (Liam Neeson – who played Schindler in Schindler’s List), who is an Ex-CIA agent, trying to reconnect back with his teenage daughter, after a messy divorce.

Daughter decides to go backpacking in Europe despite his objections, and upon reaching Paris, she is kidnapped!

Now comes my favourite part!

Calm daddy, now becomes a vigilante cop who goes on the rampage to save his daughter kidnapped by the underworld.

In order to save his princess, Liam Neeson turns into James Bond and Rambo, all rolled into one!

He is definitely one angry Daddy, that you don’t want to mess with! 

If you love the action moves and sequences seen in the movie “Bourne Identity”, you will love the action in this movie.

As a daddy blogger who loves his children, I will rate this movie 4 stars out of 5. :)

 

Technorati Tags: Liam Neeson,Taken

Movie Review - Marley & Me

This week, after the children went to sleep, we managed to sneak out and catch a movie.

Starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston, the movie showcases a young couple who adopt a labrador puppy they name Marley.

I am sorry, but I am not much of a dog lover, and I only found out that Marley was a labrador after talking to some of my colleagues!

What was the show about?

It’s kind of like my Blog!

The ordinary life of John Grogan (Owen Wilson) and his wife. Instead of just kicking off the marriage with kids, John decides to delay ‘parenthood’ by getting Jennifer Aniston a puppy.

Marley the puppy is a real tyrant, and he proves to be a real “handful” for both husband and wife.Just when they seemed to have got him under control, babies start coming along for the lovely couple.

As Marley is always ‘out of control’, I thought that Marley would probably eat their first born! (Since Marley has eaten an answering machine and everything in his sight)

However, Marley seems to adjust to the new addition to the family, and they eventually have 3 kids! Btw, I also noticed that Jennifer Aniston does not seemed to have put on any weight, and still looks as good as she did before all the children. (Notice the tinge of skepticism in this paragraph)

It’s right at this point, that you realize that about 15 years have passed & the kids have grown up. Owen Wilson finds promotion at work and Marley has grown old…Very soon…It’s time for him to go…

Okay…Here is the tear jerking part…Watching Marley slowly die…left my eyes watery and my nose really “runn-ey”…

Hey! I even wanted to get a dog after the movie!

Fortunately, I was held back by economic pragmatism, and I did not make any sudden purchases!

Is the movie worth watching?

Well, it’s not going to get a nomination for the Oscars!But if you have watched “Slumdog Millionaire”, and all the rest of the movies that were nominated for the Oscars, this show might be a good pick!

But it’s really no rush as well…and you might be better off watching it on DVD!

My rating - 2.5 out of 5

Technorati Tags: movie review,owen wilson,jennifer aniston

New Milestone - Madagascar 2

Just the other day, one of my close buddies (Stanley Quek) who works in the financial industry did something really nice. He got into contact with a community organization called CityCare, and he invited about 100 orphans for a private screening of Madagascar 2 at Golden Village.

It was a really nice gesture on his part, and we were very happy to be invited as well.

The movie was extra significant for the kids, as it was Nicole's and Nathan's 1st visit to the pictures.

We got the kids ready for the new adventure, by making them take an afternoon nap.

Well, that kinda backfired a little: when they reached the theatre, they were still in their 'sleepy mode!'

We took out the camera, and got them to take some pictures outside the theatre. Check out their nice smiles! :(

I will not be sending this photo to KODAK!

The good news is, when the movie started, the kids began to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the movie.

Nicole likes the song - 'You got to move it, move it!' She kept on giggling to herself, as she saw the animals move to the Song.

Check out the Kids after the movie!

It was a whole new world!!!

They were laughing and hugging after the movie, and they even asked me to take pictures of them.

Proves that adults just can't live their lives based on emotions alone too: if we do, we become very irritable people!

(That was my revelation)

If these photos do not convince you that my little girl is happy. Check out the video of Nicole "Moving It".

Look out the back-up dancer (Nathan) trying to get into the act as well!!!

Madagascar Video from Edmund tay on Vimeo.

Before I go : I've got an announcement to make!!!

I will be removing my TAG BOARD / CBOX (The comment board you see on the right toolbar)

- Not because I don't value your feedback and comments. On the contrary, all Bloggers love feedback!

- It is because the tags don't stay with the posts, and they disappear after a while

- I would really appreciate it if you could leave me comments instead, by clicking the comments icon after every post!

- Leave your comments there and after I confirm they are not SPAM comments, they will appear at the bottom of the post.

- Will really appreciate your continual feedback, comments and VOTES!!! (Hee..Hee!)

Btw, do you know that the TAG BOARD is a very Asian thing? You don't find it on American Blogs!

Technorati Tags: Madagascar 2,milestone for kids

Money No Enough 2 & SOT Graduation

This weekend, all our SOT (School of Theology) students will be graduating! 

A lot of ET zone members will be graduating, including my regular readers like Shing and Kai Lin.

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR GRADUANDS!

It has not been an easy 5 months, but I am glad that you guys stepped out in faith and signed up for SOT!

Believing that you guys will rise up even more in the weeks & years to come!

After the Sunday Graduation, we will also be having a private screening of Money NO Enough 2! 

I will be bringing my dad for the screening, as it has been ages since he last caught a movie. I know of many other parents who are coming as well :)

Heard that the movie is pretty 'moving', as it speaks about filial piety and honoring our parents - so I am looking forward to it!

If you are wondering what this local Singapore Production is about, you might want to click on the videos I posted below.

 

Technorati Tags: money no enough 2,bible school graduation

Movie Review - The Dark Knight

This week, my wife and I had a change to catch the latest Batman movie, "The Dark Knight" at AMK HUB.

My wife is really not into action movies, but she surprised me by saying "I Liked It!"

One of the highlights of the show was the late Heath Ledger (He also acted with Mel Gibson in "The Patriot") as the "The Joker". He was really scary and irritating! As compared to Jack Nicholson who played the same role previously, Ledger was revelational!

Robin Williams and Adrien Brody wanted the role of Joker as well, but I am glad that Ledger got it!

To prepare for this role, Ledger lived alone in a hotel room for a month, to explore the psychology of his character. Although his death was sudden, Ledger had completed all his scenes, making this movie, his final appearance on film.

In terms of plot, the film does keep you guessing, and it is great entertainment, if you are planning to go to the theatres this weekend.

BTW - If you are thinking of a quiet cinema, do not go to AMK Hub. The place is crawling with people, even on a normal working day!

Technorati Tags: dark knight,batman,joker

Movie Review: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

This is my 2nd movie review, with the 1st one done on 'The Bucket List", a movie by Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson.

This is one movie that I just couldn't wait to see, and it is the latest Indiana Jones!

Out of 5 marks, I will give it a 3.5...

While it was entertaining, it was not as good as "National Treasure" with Nicolas Cage.

I feel that 'National Treasure' had a more stimulating storyline, with more puzzles, riddles and action that was more absorbing.

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones has definitely aged a lot. Coming back with his whip and typical 'Indie' hat, the show is still packed with intrigue and adventure.

One could not help noticing the significantly fewer action scenes for Ford per se. I suspect that he can't really handle the action anymore. as he is in his mid-60s by now.

However, how can one hate 'INDIE"?

Hey! I practically grew up with this guy and his movies, and he will always have that special "Super-hero" status in my heart. Coupled with that winning score by John Williams, it is a definite winning combination. Hearing and seeing the action does definitely bring back a nostalgia about the "good old days"

If you haven't watched the movie, I believe that it is worth watching, and a must for all 'INDIE' fans!

Just to let u know, there seems to be lots of 'die-hard INDIE' fans out there...Just check out this parody that one of these fans posted on Youtube.

Movie Review - The Bucket List

Life as a parent means that:

After putting out kids to sleep, we sneak off to the pictures to spend some time together, while our maid looks after them in their sleep.

On Monday, we managed to catch this new movie called "The Bucket List".

Having a cast of 2 Oscar winners in Jack Nicholson & Morgan Freeman, we were drawn to the "Big Star Billing", even though we did not know what to expect.

Basically, it's a movie about 2 old 'fogies' who discover that they both have less than a year to live.

Freeman decides to write a list of things he would like to do before he 'kicks the bucket', therefore the movie is entitled 'The Bucket list'

Nicholson being a millionaire jumps on the idea and makes the fulfillment of this list possible.

For all those kung fu enthusiasts out there - If you are looking for action, car crashes and dead aliens, this movie is not it!

But if you are looking for a tear-jerker and wanting to cry your eyes out - this movie is an Excellent Choice. My wife says that the last time she cried so badly, was when she was watching "Dead Poets Society".

The movie examines the basic issue, "If you could number your days, what would you do?"

Having a good balance of comedy and poignant conversations, the movie makes good food for thought.

I especially liked the insight given about Egyptian Culture.

According to the movie, when an Egyptian dies, and goes up to heaven. He is asked 2 questions.

How one answers the questions, determines whether one goes to heaven or hell (kind of like a game show, hor!)

The questions are:

1. Did you experience joy on this earth?
2. Did you bring joy to somebody on this earth?

Well, I believe that I can definitely say YES to question 1. And Hopefully I am fulfilling question 2 effectively at the moment. :)

Anyway, go catch the movie, if you have the time!