Premiere Screening of Step Up : All In

This is the fifth movie of the 'Step Up' movie sequel which is obviously a much familiar one for everybody. I hope you can remember the breakthrough role of Channing Tatum in the first movie (of course no one will forget that). 

This fifth movie of Step Up franchise named, 'Step Up All In' is directed by Trish Sie, starring Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Stephen 'Twitch' Boss and Misha Gabriel. More or less similar to the other Step Up movies, the fifth sequel also is full of dance battles, competitions and small bit of romance as usual. 

Step Up All In is based on the reunion of previous Step Up movie characters. So you will see Sean and Andie coming together and creating the group back as both have moves away from their previous relationships. And specially I find Briana Evigan as electrifying as ever when comparing to her previous Step Up performance.

The plot evolves as the gang heads towards Las Vegas in  searching of getting the breakthrough towards their dream. After several heartbreaks the group seems to move away from each other and taking a decision to move to Miami without Sean. Sean believes he can reach his dreams if he holds on to it. Eventually he stays back with Moose (Adam Sevani - you will find him all grown up in looks and talent) and tries to bring another pool of talented dancers in achieving his target.

You will find there are several dance acts by Moose, showing that he has matured in his career. In contrast to the other characters, he marks the movie with his performance. Even Sean and Andie too have their moment in a seductive dance moves that viewers will remember for a long time.

They got themselves the admission to The Vortex, a reality TV dancing competition with  the winning contract of three years of performing deal as the winner's prize. The presenter of the reality show presents the real competitive side of the show business where nothing but the winning matters in all ways possible.

There is not much of drama, yet the director has given all the key characters a time to shine in the movie. The storyline might not impact you as compared to other movies in the season, and again the Step Up movies theme is always based on emphasizing the talents of the new comers than really focus on bringing out real messages.

The choreography of the movie is noteworthy and the music which is used also keep the audience entertained well. The costume selection throughout the movie is significant as it highlight the choreography. 

The plot seems to deviate when you see people who are on the way to achieve their dream often having small thoughts about it. Ryan Guzman seems energetic and talented in his dance performances yet he deliver poor performance when it comes to displaying emotions. Nevertheless the music and the choreography added you will find the movie rather exciting.  

Even though Step Up shows some moments on the preciousness of the friendship, believing in dreams and the pure enjoyment that dancing can give, the story line seemed really thin.  Nevertheless the dancing items I say is pretty amazing and you will have a great time watching them all in action. Make your way to the cinema this weekend if you are fond of watching dance competitions. 

A huge thanking note to Nuffnang for their premiere screening passes giveaway.




Director : Trish Sie

Starring :Ryan Guzman, Briana Evigan, Stephen 'Twitch' Boss, Misha Gabriel, Adam Sevani

Running Time : 112 minutes

Rating: 6/10 

Premiere Location : TGV, KLCC

Premiere Screening of The Teacher's Diary

“Is it possible to love someone you've never met before?”.. That is the main caption of this heart warming romantic Thai movie. This caption itself managed to hold my attention leaving me many questions.

The Teacher's Diary is a Thai comedy-drama movie directed by Nithiwat Tharatorn. The lead roles of the two teachers male and female are delivered by Chermarn Boonyasak and Sukrit Wisetkaew known to be as talented actors from Thailand.

The movie evolves around two teachers and their lonely experiences in a rural area which They were posted to the same school near the mountains of Chiang Mai within a year apart. The female teacher who got posted to the rural school is a slightly stubborn character that loves to explore. 

She stays in the houseboat in the middle of the lake and finds her life stagnated as there is no other connection to the rest of the world as they have no telephone, internet, electricity or other urban facilities. Therefore she starts restoring her much elaborated thoughts, frustrations and expectations in a form of diary. This diary literally presents the gist of her entire stay in this rural area, yet she leaves it when she is posted to another school. 

Next, this diary falls into the new teacher's hands, who goes through the same sentiments during his stay. He finds her thoughts written in the diary so fascinating, making him fall in love with her thoughts, then eventually fall in love with her.

He gives back life to her diary by continuing to write his thoughts in it before he leave the school. As the story unfolds the woman teacher gets her former position back to the same school finds her diary has been continued by a stranger. Which similarly making her loving the sweet thoughts that are written in her diary. 

The cinematography of the movie will capture your eyes and thoughts making you getting lost in a serine rural setting. The director of The Teacher's Diary has taken much trouble to show the best part of been away from the urban hassle, the fast moving hours, stress filled environments by taking you to a different dimension of tranquility. 

The Teacher's Diary will remind you some typical scenarios from the olden slow moving classics romantic movies where much importance is given to understanding each others thoughts and feelings (which I prefer when comes to romantic movie genre).  

But you will definetely fall for the main two characters as they show some different struggles they have to go through when accepted by the elder generation, such as having tattoos and stubborn mentality. But again the director has achieved his target telling that although through all these differences they still can deliver a great service. I personally liked the way these two different characters are portrayed revealing their skills, dedication, relationship struggles and more.

If you are a person who prefer romantic movies, there you have a wonderful choice in hand. It would not disappoint you in any way. 

I would like to thank Golden Screen Cinemas for providing the premiere screening passes for The Teacher's Diary.

Director : Nithiwat Tharatorn

Starring : Chermarn Boonyasak and Sukrit Wisetkaew

Running Time : 110 minutes

Rating: 8/10 

Premiere Location : GSC, 1 Utama  

Premiere Screening of Hercules

Hercules (2014) is an action adventure film based on the mythological graphic novel 'Hercules: The Thracian Wars' and is directed by Brett Ratner. The movie cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, John Hurt and Reece Ritchie.

Many including myself were interested on having a look at this new Hercules movie, compared to The Legend of Hercules that came in theaters in the beginning of 2014. Needless to say after watching this adventure movie it proves in every possible way that Hercules (2014) is way better and action packed than The Legend of Hercules (2014)

During promotion there were also impressive reviews regarding the designs of this armor outfit of Hercules telling that it is an authentic design in Roman legends. Upon watching the screening I do believe that Dwayne Johnson did look amazing in that outfit. Obviously Dwayne Johnson's physique had done a great help in justifying his role. He in fact is so incredible as Hercules. I believe this is one of his best movies, and that he has come a long way from The Scorpion King to Hercules.  

The plot of Hercules (2014) starts with an introduction on how the legend of Hercules started spreading among the ordinary people. Some heroic moments from the 'Twelve Labours' (slaying of Nemean Lion, slaying of Lernaean Hydra and capturing of Erymanthian Boar)  of Hercules are shown using incredible graphics.

The flow takes different root as gorgeous Princess Ergenia (Daughter of helpless King Cotys) meets Hercules asking his help to defeat a mighty sorcerer named Rhesus. End of the battle Rhesus got defeated by Hercules and captured as a prisoner by King Cotys's  army.  Then only Hercules and his small group understand that they were  cunningly played by the ruthless King Cotys to become the emperor of the entire land. 

Hercules once again stands himself against the army that once he trained, and defeats them all in a heroic manner  bringing peace to the entire empire.

The movie is successful in bringing out the true self of Hercules and creating a more authenticated version of the myth. 

There is a hint of humor in every scene including the most blood pumping serious scenes. So you will probably enjoy the movie from the beginning to the end. Especially Ian McShane and Reece Ritchie brings quiet an interesting humorous moments until the end. And John Hurt himself is not bad as the greedy king Cotys, leaving the audience breathless during the twist.

Overall, all the characters of the movie are closely knitted in a impressive way, keeping the obedience spell bounded during the 97 minutes of running time.

Last part of the movie seemed happening quiet fast though it had not affected the flow. Duration of the movie feels slightly lengthier, but who is going to be worried as you will not be blaming for that extra time.

One thing you will end up appreciating in this movie is the message that it delivers. As we all know the mythology of Hercules is entangled with gods, humans, emperors, kings and queens. Almost all Hercules movies talks about father-son issues, step mother revenge and some vengeance of gods and goddesses. Hercules (2014) deviates from this norm making it special among the rest. 

The new Hercules movie will not be focused on his divine powers and what Zeus can do to help son. Rather it focuses on what an ordinary man can achieve and feel victorious if he believes in himself. 

Most of the movies that are based on legends usually keep me interested for a short-while. But hardly it will make me think beyond that. But Hercules (2014) proves that people can be so creative that the same story that we used to hear can be told in much better and a beautiful way. 

If you are heading to watch Hercules (2014) this weekend, I bet you are going to have a great time with your family. I highly recommend that you may do so and make sure that you go for the 3D version.

Finally I would like to thank 'Lifestyle Magazine' for providing the movie premiere screening tickets for Hercules (2014). 

Director : Brett Ratner

Starring : Dwayne Johnson, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, John Hurt and Reece Ritchie

Running Time : 97 minutes

Rating: 9/10 




 

Premiere Location : TGV, 1 Utama  

Premiere Screening of The Anomaly

The anomaly is a sci-fi action movie directed by Noel Clarke based of the screen play by Simon Lewis. The film contains a total running time of 97 minutes.   


The storyline unfolds a life of an ex-soldier who gains his consciousness every nine minute thirty seven seconds as someone else is controlling his mind. 

 

    



In the first glance it is pretty much clear that The Anomaly is a law- budgeted movie among the recent action thrillers. Nevertheless, if the director is talented enough to bring out the story that he wanted to present, the budget is not the main thing a viewer may be looking into.  For me The Anomaly shows an example of an unsuccessful directorial combined with a law performance of the cast.   The story line is considerably an adequate or even a satisfying one, yet the delivering of the cast performance seemed to hinder the overall objective.   

 

 

One reason for me to be interested in this movie is Ian Somerhalder thinking that he will present a promising performance, yet to find that he failed to do so. It is disappointing to see that he has not move much from his Damon Salvatore character. If you are a Ian Somerhalder fan you will find it hard to understand why his action clips are overly used in the trailers. 

The ending was rather rushing, making the viewer much nervous and lost in the storyline. And the overly slow motioned fighting scenes would give you an idea that this is a real bad copy of The Matrix. 

    

The performances of Ian Somerhalder, Luke Hemsworth, Brian Cox, Alexis Knapp and even Noel Clarke himself seemed isolated in their own character that there is little connection between each other. So each character appears to be having their own agenda than fulfilling the main objective of the screenplay. May be it would have been wiser if Noel Clarke has chosen what he could handle at a time than taking everything in one plate.  



And there are only few settings were used, so you would end up staring at ever familiar backgrounds all the time making it really uninteresting. Although that we have to keep an open mind when watching a sci-fi movie, there should be an exciting flow and a stimulating plot to explore on. The Anomaly will provide neither. Overall I find The Anomaly is not up to par and rather disappointing  as a sci-fi movie. 

Nevertheless I would like to thank SAYS for providing the screening passes for The Anomaly.

Director : Noel Clarke

Starring : Noel Clarke, Ian Somerhalder, Luke Hemsworth, Brian Cox, Alexis Knapp

Running Time : 97 minutes

Rating: 4/10 

Premiere Location : GSC, Mid Valley