The Women (2008)

"The new comedy about finding out what you really want."

I won free tickets to catch this movie from the 30 Days of Fashion & Beauty and I almost didn't go to the cinema. The movie; which was an updated screenplay of George Cukor's 1939 movie with the same title; turns out to be better than I expected.

The characters are well defined and well played. The story unfolds appropriately. The scenes are quite funny at times. But I do have to say, however I look at it; it's still a chick flick. So guys - be warned. :) The best thing about it for me? There wasn't one inappropriate scene throughout the movie (nudity or extreme display of affection)!

All in all, save your $$$; this is more enjoyable to watch as a DVD.

Rating: 6/10

WALL-E (2008)

"An Adventure Beyond the Ordinar-E"

The latest Anime from Pixar brings us to a distant future (albeit a not so realistic one), where mankind has abandoned earth because it has become covered with trash from products sold by the powerful multi-national Buy N Large corporation.

The main character, WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class), is a determined garbage collecting robot has been left to clean up the mess. WALL-E is alone on Earth except for a sprightly pet cockroach; mesmerized with collecting trinkets of earth's history and show tunes. That is until one day, Eve, the sleek search robot, arrives and changed WALL-E's life purpose.

For kids, the characters expressions' are very entertaining and the message of "eco-friendly and pro-exercise" is very well delivered. Even the way "WALL-E" & "Eve" call their names are very cute and catchy!

For adults, the animation is incredible to watch and the movie is extremely enjoyable. It's different, full of funny bits while delivering a heartbreakingly tender love story between these two very adorable and expressive main characters.

This is totally a highly recommended movie. [Even the Rotten Tomatoes rate it at 96%!!!] Try to catch this movie in the cinema, you'd appreciate the animation even more!

Rating: 9.8/10

21 [2008] - Shelvia

"Inspired by the true story of five students who changed the game forever"

Director: Robert Luketic

Starring: Kevin Spacey, Jim Sturgess, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth

The movie tells the story of this very smart student who's very good with numbers, Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), who needed money to go into Harvard Medical School (which cost ridiculously large amount of money!). His gift with numbers was noticed by his teacher, Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), and he got invited to be a part of a group of students who count cards in Vegas.

The plot of the movie is quite straight forward and might be a little predictable. But, the actors are really good and the movie is very well wrapped together, making it a very enjoyable watch. I remember thinking the movie became a little slow and felt a tiny bit extended [123 mins - according to IMDB], somewhere in the middle of the movie, but then it picks up! :)

One thing though, a Math problem was presented early in the movie about the probability of picking the door with a car behind it when choosing between 3 doors (with 2 goats and 1 car). I cannot fathom the answers presented in the movie! It distracts me from the movie quite a bit! So if you're the type who gets curious (like me!) and might find it difficult to focus on the movie, please make sure you understand this Monty Hall problem (Wikipedia) before you go to the movie! :P

Rating: 8/10

The Other Boleyn Girl [2008] - Shelvia

“The only thing that could come between these sisters... is a kingdom.”

Director: Justin Chadwick
Starring: Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana

This movie is definitely HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Seriously - if you haven’t watch it, make sure you do! (Go to the cinema!!!)

The movie tells the tale of the two Boleyn sisters, Anne Boleyn (Natalie Portman) and Mary Boleyn (Scarlett Johansson), their rivalry, their sisterly bonds, and their relationship with Henry VIII (Eric Bana). The movie also shows the life of women and their limitations around that era. The exceptional performances by Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson and their outstanding characters made the movie extremely engaging. Plus, they look amazing in the splendid costumes and amazing movie sets.

I’m no historians – so I won’t be able to tell you how much of the story is true – but it is such a compelling movie to watch. How I wish my history teacher would show this kind of movie instead of getting me to read from the boring history textbook!

Rating: 8.8/10

Drillbit Taylor [2008] - Shelvia

“You get what you pay for.”

Director: Steven Brill
Starring: Owen Wilson, Nate Hartley, Troy Gentile, Ian Roberts

I was dragged to this movie by my sister and went in with very little expectation. But - I find myself still smiling two hours later from one of the lines in the movie.
Don’t get me wrong, it is a silly movie. :)
I guess with Owen Wilson in it, it just has to be one!
I personally think the movie was quite well done and it is enjoyable to watch. Still - I would recommend this more as a DVD than a movie.

Rating: 7.1/10

Death Defying Acts [2007] - Shelvia

“There is no escape.”

Director: Gillian Armstrong

Starring: Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta Jones, Saoirse Ronan

I’m a big fan of magicians and stories around them – so I might be biased. But I’ll try to be as fair as possible in reviewing this movie.

The movie is set around 1926 – to tell the story about Harry Houdini, the great escapist from Britain. The story is extremely captivating and having actors like Catherine Zeta Jones and Guy Pearce telling the story really did make a big difference. Saoirse Ronan definitely adds an extra punch with her impeccable appearance. She seems so suited to the role that I can’t picture her anywhere else.

I can’t talk too much about the storyline without spoiling it. Just make sure to catch it on DVD when it comes out.

Rating: 7.6/10

Juno (Shelvia)

"A comedy about growing up... and the bumps along the way."

Director: Jason Reitman
Writer (WGA): Diablo Cody
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman

A very refreshing comedy movie.
The story unfold in a very real life manner.
The innocence and sincere elements of the relationship between Ellen Page (Juno) and Michael Cera (Bleeker) were captured very nicely in the movie.
Definitely worth watching! :)

Rating: 8.1/10

Good Luck Chuck (2007) - Shelvia W

Starring: Jessica Alba, Dane Cook

I thought it was one of the cute chick flick - turns out to be directed for guys!
I should have realised that they didn't cast Jessica Alba in the movie to attract girls.
Keep your expectations low. Enough said.

Rating: 6/10

The Fountain (2006) - Shelvia W

"What if you could live forever?"

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz
Director: Darren Aronofsky

I find the movie interestingly different.

Three parallel love stories, each from the past, present and the future, all with Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz playing the main characters as follows:

• Past Story: About Tomas being a conquistador in the Mayan underworld, who's looking for "the tree of life" to free his demonized Queen Isabel;


• Present Story: Dr Tommy Creo, an oncologist who's researching "various trees" through animal testing, trying to find a cure for his wife, Izzi Creo;


• Future Story: Tom, an astronaut who travels in an ecospheric spacecraft housing a "living tree", towards a golden nebula. He was often accompanied by with visions of Izzi.

The scenes in this movie were very pretty (especially when combined with the beautiful music). The movie has a very interesting dreamy-like calming effect.

Rating: 8.2/10

P.S.: This movie was originally going to start in 2002 with a budget of $70million - starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. This was shut down.
The project was resurrected in 2004, with half the original budget.

Charlotte's Web (2006) - Shelvia

-- Based on the Book by E. B. White

A very enjoyable movie!

The story line was simple and pure, yet very sweet.
The barn-talking-animals and the story were made for the kids; but Dakota's act, Wilbur's cute voice, Charlotte's wisdom along with the way the story unfold were nicely put together to touch the heart of the adults (it definitely touches me!! :P).
The sweet magical theme music was a great companion too.

Check it out if you haven't - especially when you feel like winding down with a sweet and lovely movie...
It does the job in a short hour and 53 mins...

Rate: 8.8/10

Sunshine (2007) - Shelvia W

Cast: Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Cillian Murphy, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benedict Wong and Michelle Yeoh.
Director: Danny Boyle

Fifty years into the future; the Sun is dying. A team of astrounauts are sent out to the space in Icarus II as a second attempt to revive the dying Sun. The team is made up of interesting mixed of characters played by of a well diversed group of actors.
There are quite a few different aspects of the movie at which one can focus at. The advance technology within the spacecraft being the most enticing to me. The amazing space shots they've got in the movie. The character's personality under pressure. The correctness of the science aspect of the movie.
I personally think this movie is quite enjoyable and would definitely recommend Movie Buffers to watch it. =)

Rating: 8.5/10

PS: This post gets the honour of being our 50th review!!! Yippeee!!!

In Her Shoes - Shelvia

I'm so glad I went to see this movie instead of Must Love Dogs! =D
It was a great movie (cheers me up slightly after my disastrous evening)..

It has the 'chick flick' feel to it, so I would not push it to the guys, but girls, go.. and watch it with your sister(s) - if you have one, and if you don't go and watch it with your best friend(s)...

I also really enjoy the use of poems in this movie... =)
I've never had any interest to poem before but this movie kinda re-introduces poem to me, and it presents poem in a better way...

Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette both play their parts really well.
I read the book a year ago and both of them fit the book's characters which i pictured in my head.. I vaguely remember the storyline from the book, but I do enjoy the movie more than the book... ^.^

So... girls (ie. Sasima, Gemma and Sam), go and watch the movie!!! =)

Rate: 8.2/10

Spirited Away (DVD) - Shelvia

'WOW'!?

Such a great movie. Really. It really has a magical effect. Great characters combined with the simplicity of the story. It's a very unique movie.

Something you should watch when you're bored with all those 'similar' type of movies in the cinemas (those ones which you know the story before you even buy its movie ticket).

I watched this last Sunday and I'm even thinking about watching it again sometime soon. Note: I dun usually watch anime..

Rate: 8.8 / 10

The Pianist - Shelvia

despite the length of the movie, overall it's a great movie...
although if it wasn't for Eddy, i'll most likely skip this movie :P (thanks Eddy =D)
the movie is set at late 1930s though to early 1940s during the World War II in a place call Warshaw. Adrien Brody played a pianist called W Szpillman and the movie tells a story of how this pianist struggled to survive with almost no hope waiting in the end...
the actors are really good and the movie show a glimpse of what happened during World War II and how the people were treated back then...
one thing that the movie did to me was to make me feel very lucky for my living condition now... =)
rating (8.3/10)

Wedding Crashers - Shelvia

Hilarious.. This movie was very enjoyable.. It's the type of movie you wanna watch after a long day at work.. =D
For the gents, the pretty girls will be very pleasing to the eye ;).
For the ladies, it's just a funny and in a way, cheesy movie that you'll laugh along... =)
Warning: This is not a movie for kids though cause you'll have to start closing their eyes even from the start of the movie :P.
Luckily I watch this after Code 46, or else I'll be traumatised from watching movie by the Code 46.

Code 46 - Shelvia

Warning: Don't watch this. Seriously. DON'T!!!

The trailer was rather intriguing... but the movie... ugh...
To me, it's one of the worst movie I ever watch (well, it doesn't help that I missed the first 25minutes)...
But, there was a scene on the dance floor that was simply horrible (lights flashed in your eyes constantly for ~2 minutes)!!! Ugh... The storyline was blurry. In the movie, the gadget seem to have an advanced technology yet every other thing look as if they come from the 80s.
It was simply awful.

House of Wax - Shelvia

Not really my type of movie. It's packed with violence and yucky stuffs (blood everywhere).
Paris Hilton didn't do much of acting in the movie though. She was more the barbie doll who simply stand and be herself. Elisha Cuthbert and Chad Michael Murray act quite convincingly.
The storyline itself is not bad and it is quite creepy (although i feel more disgusted by the yucky stuff than thrilled by the creepy ones). Wouldn't suggest this movie to people who just had a large meal. :P

My Rating: 6.5/10

Batman Begins - Shelvia W.

Very enjoyable, it actually had a storyline! Much better than the previous Batman Movies.
(Rating: 8½ out of 10)

http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com