TwentyCalls Reviews

Vanishing Time: A Boy Who Returned (2016)

Highly recommended

[9/10 · 30 November 2018]

It took me a while to finally pick this movie up to watch, after watching other more recent blockbusters. In hindsight, I should have watched it when it was released. I could easily place this movie as a romance - in the end, it depicts what sacrifice one would make in order to save his loved one. Very good story telling, not a moment of dullness and really engaged you into the story till the end. "Time" is indeed the most precious and valuable asset we all have.

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Quit, don't quit...Noodles, don't noodles

[9/10 · 25 November 2008]

It's a movie that my family can watch over and over again. There is just so much comedy, action and values to be taken from this show. The overall standard of this movie is comparable to that of "The Incredibles". The character to look out for is Oogway (a direct Chinese phonic translation of 'turtle'). He did a few meaningful quotes from the movie - "You are too concerned with what's was and what will be. There is a saying 'Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it's called the present.'" That's the Power of Now!

Another one - "...there is just news. There is no good or bad...That is bad news if you do not believe that the Dragon Warrior can stop him." That's the Power of Believe!

Wonderful Days (2003)

Just an eye candy movie

[3/10 · 25 November 2008]

I'm a fan of Sci-fi movies but I'm not going to recommend this movie to anyone and I almost fell asleep in the middle of it. As a Sci-fi genre, there is no futuristic technology to marvel at - just illogical and unexplainable pieces of equipment flying about. As a drama, the story telling is just not credible and lack depth. It gets frustrating to see this Jay character appearing at the most 'convenient' moment to make things happen. As a love story, there is no chemistry. No comedy, no mystery, no thrills, no suspense. It's pure eye-candy sprinkled with some fighting scenes. It's just a story about good versus evil. The evil being organized with leaders and a well equipped army; the good is an untalented loner with the help of a misfit gang. That's how bad the story can be.

Spy Girl (2004)

Tried too hard to be funny

[3/10 · 7 September 2008]

I had recently watched a decent string of Korean movies like 'Over the Rainbow', 'Chaser', etc and I was hoping for a good and relaxing comedy this time. Unfortunately this one turned out to be another one of those slow and terribly scripted movie. The acting was not good and neither was the editing. Half way through the movie, I realized the story had not progressed much! It's like telling a story at one statement per minute and the gap was filled with advertisements. I really felt that the movie tried too hard to be funny. There were moments that I felt could have been good but it was either untimely or not acted out well enough. Give this movie a miss!

Ratatouille (2007)

In the league with "The Incredibles"

[9/10 · 29 October 2007]

Another incredible movie from Pixar and Disney. It's a moving story and I would like to classify such movie as fairy tale. If you put in too much logic and expect something close to real life, then you'll probably not enjoy it. As a fairy tale, the story has an amusing start, an intriguing middle and an happy ending. No excessive rib-ripping laughs here. The emotions of all the characters in the movie are nevertheless very human. Perhaps too many sad moments. Never childish; so may not appeal to the very young. My kids thoroughly enjoyed it, and so did my wife.

Overall, I feel that it is the powerful story that makes this movie stands out among the rest. I rated "Ratatouille" a notch below "The Incredibles" because if asked which would I watch again, I'll pick the latter.

Shinobi: Heart Under Blade (2005)

Simply the best

[9/10 · 10 September 2007]

Since young, I'm thrilled by Kung Fu action flicks and looks like I will be continuously entertained by the big screen when studios keep producing films like this. The Japanese is a culture that is very deep rooted. As such, to escape, their minds have to venture way way beyond the logic and realism. Look through the genres of Japanese anime and fantasies - they are so extreme! I would not say that this movie belongs to the very extreme, but it is at the right level for grown up audience. It has all the right ingredients - beautiful settings and sceneries, romance (the Chinese style) and most of all out-of-the-world Kung Fu powers and actions.

The story has a slow start. But as it progresses, the extraordinary skill of each fighter is revealed. You can't help but get glued to the screen for the next ninja to fight. The ending was sad but satisfying.

Arctic Tale (2006)

Just an OK documentary

[4/10 · 10 September 2007]

After watching this show, I would not recommend anyone to spent money to watch this on the big screen. I happened to have 5 free tickets to bring my kids to watch it. If you have not been reading news and do not know what is global warming doing to our planet, or where do polar bears live (besides the zoo), or how walruses look like, then perhaps this show will benefit you. Other than that, there was really no significantly new or interesting information that I gained from this documentary. The net result - an animal story about animals struggling to survive - non-dramatized. Not entirely bad, I did appreciate the skills and patience of the crew in producing this show. It was well done.

By contrast, the "March of the Penguins" was a much more interesting and 'moving' documentary.

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Best war movie I've seen

[10/10 · 10 September 2007]

I've watched many war movies since I was young but none have impressed me as much as Saving Private Ryan. The realism was top notch. I have served the army infantry for a number of years and I know the sound and shock of artilleries and bullets. Furthermore, the emotions of the soldiers were presented so well throughout the show.

As I was watching the show, it kept prompting me to realize the hardship of war and the suffering of losing human lives. Never before has a war movie conveyed to me so deeply that we should never go to war - for whatever reason. Strange to hear myself commenting like this when I was trained so hard in the army to lead men to fight so aggressively in a possible battlefield.

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007)

Actions from start to finish

[8/10 · 30 August 2007]

Read the book decades ago. Though can't remember the details, but the film is definitely updated with new and exaggerated spy technologies. This is an action film, it is made for this entertainment purpose - so forget about the book.

It is an edge-of-the-seat action-packed movie. The story keeps the movie-goers anticipating for the next scene and change of events. Every time Bourne losses a lead, you keep looking forward to what he is going to do next. His wits and resourcefulness keeps him alive. In the end, it gave me that deja vu feeling of "Die Hard".

I would have given it a higher rating if not for the shaky camera work. It made me almost sick and could have ruined the show. The worst I had was when watching "The Blair Witch Project". But this is not an amateur documentary film; use the tripod!! I hope all directors would read this and stop using such camera technique.

Shrek the Third (2007)

Many small laughs does not a make good movie

[6/10 · 2 June 2007]

That's what the whole movie is made of - many disjointed small jokes and humor to string together to storyline that is too one dimensional. The main story is so typical - it's for kids. But yet, small kids may not understand many of the humor. There are so many characters taking turn to show off but none that is deep enough to captivate the audience. You might hear the whole theater roaring with laughter at some times, but in the end, it was just not as entertaining as the previous two Shrek movies.

Nevertheless, the graphic details is amazing. Thanks to the graphics designers and computer technology, the animation is delightful to watch.

Apocalypto (2006)

Great action but why choose the Maya Civilization?

[8/10 · 13 May 2007]

Would have given it a 8 or a 9 for the action and entertainment but it should have been another civilization. It could have been another planet or a fantasy.

It was great story telling about a man fight for his life and his family. Overall the movie was pretty gore. To depict the Mayan Civilization as the driving factor of the story, I felt, was inappropriate. I would have thought the Mayan were more civilized, larger and advanced. Thus, as I watched the movie, it became more and more incredulous. Ultimately, I resigned to the fact that the movie was just out to get our ticket fare. Fortunately it gets less gore towards the end and looked more like a John Woo's movie. The very last piece about the crusaders was also another irrelevant piece.

Kung Fu Hustle (2004)

You must know Stephen Chow to see how amazing this movie is

[10/10 · 25 April 2007]

I must admit I'm a fan of Stephen Chow. Liked many (but not all) of his shows. I can almost say that I grew up watching his movies. At one stage of his acting career, I thought his shows were going downhill. Then came Shaolin Soccer - I thought that was the best. Now, the bar was up with Kung Fu Hustle. There was still a good amount of slapstick comedy in the show that was his trademark. Other than that, the Kung Fu was FANTASTIC! The story - very well done. Right amount of romance to gel the hard core action. So retro and so enjoyable to watch. One has to sit back and just take in the silliness and at the same time, be amazed by the fighting scenes.

Rocky Balboa (2006)

Another same Rocky movie

[4/10 · 24 April 2007]

As I was watching this movie, I was wondering if Sylvester Stallone was propagating himself. Was he going to run for Major or what? He was in the movie giving all kind of life lessons. There was nothing original or special about this sequel as compared to the rest. Furthermore, I could not feel the inspiration that I felt in the first or even the second sequel. It was the same story retold again and again. This movie was a waste of energy and time. I remembered in the slapstick comedy, there was a poster that showed "Rocky XXXVI", I hoped it would not come to that. Nevertheless, I do admire Stallone's physic at his age. Acting OK and so were the rest of the crews. Overall, I give it a 4/10.

Borat (2006)

Not my kind of movie

[2/10 · 24 April 2007]

We are always discovering new things about ourselves from time to time. From this movie, I find that I dislike movies that are over-flowed with insulting dirty jokes. I like slapsticks, comedy and even "American Dreamz" does not look so bad. But this seemingly cross-cultural sting is offensive. To introduce a man who insults his wife and made him looked innocent is uncalled for. I mean, dumping on the street, naked men fighting in public, obsession with porn star, showing pictures of penis to old ladies…. If the actors were small kids, it will have been funnier!!! I have definitely taken this movie too seriously. But to me, this movie is distasteful.

The Incredibles (2004)

The best animated movie so far

[10/10 · 23 April 2007]

Thoroughly enjoyable family movie. There were lots of great humor from the start to the end. Coupled with lots of actions and a variety of super heroes. The characters were depicted as if they were 'real' because they suffered from real world problems. My kids watched the DVD over and over again. The funny thing is that the adults don't seems to mind. Even the shorts, like Jack-Jack Attack and Bounchin' were great. I just hope that the sequel (if there is going to be one) will be done delicately. Don't want to see just another 'follow-up' to a successful film. Ingredients for success - a totally different story line and lots of creative and original humor.

Deja Vu (2006)

Good beginning ... lousy ending

[6/10 · 23 April 2007]

I watched this film with great anticipation especially with actor like Denzel Washington. For most part, it was very entertaining but the ending ruined it. Although I'm a Sci-fi fan, the story line just doesn't gel. On one hand, everyone was saying that history cannot be changed and whatever that had happened, happened. For most part of the show, it seemed to follow that logic - and I liked that. But towards the end, everything starts turning the other way round. The story fell apart! I felt that the ending was done in a 'convenient' manner. I was hoping that the ending would be more thought provoking or at least with a twist.

The Matrix (1999)

I can still watch it over again

[10/10 · 23 April 2007]

Must have watched it 3 or 4 times over the years and the story telling did not disappoint me every time. I must confess that I'm a sci-fi fan. Those computers, machines and AI are futuristic things that never fails to widen the imagination. But the part that captures me most is the 'regilious' part of the story telling.

• "Everything is not real" in the Matrix world and so is our world according to some religious teachings.

• "Cause-and-effect" as described by the Frenchmen.

• "Re-birth" of the several 'version' of the computer program is synonymous to man's re-incarnation.

• "Transient of animals/men to higher being" as told by Oracle.

• "Messiah" - that's Neo of course.

• "Believe" that fate and faith will save man-kind.

There are lots of Kung Fu and special effects but they're just garnishes. I'm impressed by the way the story is told.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

You are what you think about

[8/10 · 23 April 2007]

I'm a salesman myself and I can almost empathize with Gardner's struggle to achieve his dreams. Having a very strong desire to attain our goals and believing that we can do anything is so key to being successful. That's the inspirational message I drew from this movie.

I read several comments from others that criticize the film in its strong association of happiness to getting a job in a stock broking firm. Taken literally, I would have agreed. However, I like to believe that Gardner's happiness is not so much as to getting a job in the stock broking firm but in achieving a step in his goal. His goal was to be with his son and to provide for him. He could have gotten a job as a dishwasher and still make-do. But if man do not have big dreams, we might still be living in caves.

The Pursuit of Happiness is about the realization of a man's goal. He does that by simply programming in his mind that he can and must achieve it. When that's done, nothing can stop him - be it discouraging words from his wife, the financial difficulty he was in and the disadvantaged position compared to his peers. The mind will find the way.

I would have given it a 9 or a 10 but in many parts, I felt it was too dramatized and far-fetched.