Tok Pixa Film Reviews

#HIMYM saves the best for last

2014-01-31T16:03:00.001+10:00

The best is always saved for last and this rings true for the final season of How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM). Unlike most sitcoms that have come and died prematurely, this one is definably going to be legendary – for generations to come.

The final season is all about revealing the mother to the audience and in its own subtle way shows us that she had been right around the corner from Ted all these years.

Anyway, to keep up with the latest developments of #HIMYM I’d suggest subscribing to their Youtube channel.

Free iTunes download – Hugo

2013-12-31T14:16:00.002+10:00

Have you watched the magical tale of Hugo? It’s a journey filled with adventure and mystery as Hugo discovers the secret left by his father. If you haven’t then you are in luck, a special offer from iTunes (only for today), allows you to download the full movie.

Think I’m kidding? Try it!

#AlmostHuman Gives us a Provocative Look into the Future

2013-12-23T12:24:00.000+10:00

The 2013 sci-fi buddy crime drama, Almost Human, makes me cringe at the thought that this could be our reality in the future.

Androids partners, new uncontrolled technology, designer drugs and highly advanced, sophisticated and violent criminals.

The TV series which premiered in November has had only a few episodes but I’ve been able to watch all except the last, and I can’t wait for more.

Set in the year 2048 (not too far in the future), the series revolves around Detective John Kennex and his “old” android partner Dorian.

Kennex is played by Karl Urban and reminds me of Will Smith in i, Robot. He clearly has a dislike for androids after his last encounters which lead to the death of his former partner and the loss of a leg. However, when he meets Dorian (Michael Ealy), he notices that this android is unique.

Playing alongside the pair is Lili Taylor as Captain Sandra Maldonado, Minka Kelly as Detective Valerie Stahl; Kennex’s love interest, Mackenzie Crook as Rudy Lom and Michael Irby as Detective Richard Paul.

While the series is still at the early stages, its already working out to be quite interesting and I have the feeling that there would be many more interesting episodes to come.

Guess Who? (2005)

2013-12-21T03:00:00.000+10:00

Wow! I must be on the midnight bus because I just watched the 2005 romantic comedy, Guess Who, yesterday, and I did enjoy it.

The romcom stars comic Bernie Mac, Ashton Kutcher and Zoe Saldana. It explores the complexity of interracial relationships and is loosely based on the 1967 film, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner which starred Katharine Hepburn, Sidney Poitier and Spencer Tracy.

The plot is pretty simple with Theresa Jones (Saldana) taking her boyfriend Simon Green (Kutcher) home for thanksgiving to meet her family. Unfortunately, Mr Jones (Mac) is not too impressed with his daughter bringing home a “pigmentally challenged” boyfriend.

The film tackles the issue in a light manner although a few decades back it was illegal for interracial marriages. However, this film is cleverly done that we laugh at the jokes and punch lines without realizing that it doesn’t matter what colour you are when it comes to love.

I’ve read critics saying it doesn’t have the political relevance compared to the original but hey – who cares? It’s comedy! And it brings out some of our darkest insecurities into the light without offending anyone.

Now, there are a number of films about interracial relationships and unfortunately, I have not watched the original. However, this one is entertaining but I wouldn’t be too analytical about it.

Steve Harvey teaches women how to Think Like a Man (2012)

2013-12-19T03:00:00.000+10:00

If women knew what men were thinking then I’m sure we wouldn’t have peace. I mean, when Mel Gibson started hearing What Women Want, it nearly drove him crazy. But what if you were a woman who wanted to know how a man thinks? Ask Steve Harvey!

In the 2012 romantic comedy, Think Like a Man, a group of female friends try to turn the tables in their relationships based on Steve Harvey’s book, Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. However, not everything works out like expected.

The film is plotted into four couples and storylines intertwining into one story. The first couple are Candace and Michael, then there is Jeremy and Kristen, Dominic and Lauren, and Zeke and Mya. The only odd one is Cedric, comically brought to life by Kevin Hart, who is happily divorced.

Candace (Regina Hall) is the single mother who is looking for a man might become the father to her son and Michael (Terence J) could just be the man. However, he still has a strong bond to his mother Loretta.

Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara) and Kristen (Gabriel Union) have been a relationship for too long with no sign of commitment in the near future. After reading Harvey’s book, she might have found a way to make him commit.

Dominic (Michael Ealy) and Lauren (Taraji P. Henson) are from different ends of the spectrum. While he does not have a successful job and constantly dreams of making it big, she is a successful executive who sets her standards too high, making it very difficult to find Mr Right.

Then you have Zeke (Romany Malco) and Mya (Meagan Goode). Zeke is the player and has no intention of a committed relationship. Mya is looking for someone who can commit but unfortunately has a habit of always falling for the jerks, until she starts reading Steve Harvey’s book.

In the mix of oddball couples are Cedric who is happily divorced and the happily married Bennett (Gary Owen). However, they aren’t all too happy. Throw in a few basketball players and Steve Harvey, and you have a recipe for success.

Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake are Friends with Benefits (2011)

2013-12-17T12:16:00.001+10:00

The idea of having a friend with benefits is probably every man’s dream. However, the truth is it would be very lonely, but I would still accept the offer if it was Mila Kunis.

In 2011 American romantic comedy, Friends with Benefits, Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake start an unusually interesting friendship that comes with benefits of sex without emotional attachments.

Dylan (Timberlake) who is an art director for a small internet company in Los Angeles is headhunted by Jamie (Kunis) for GQ magazine.

The pair hit off immediately but are scared to get into a relationship because of their recent breakups. They then form an unlikely friendship but soon find they need more than just physical gratification.

Clearly any leading man playing alongside Kunis will definitely look good – and the chemistry between Timberlake and Mila is definitely perfect, except for the weird bedroom behaviour which is at times disturbing.

I mean, singing under the sheets and sneezing? Can we get a bit more realistic here? While the pair have seemingly meaningless sex, Woody Harrelson provides some hard comic relief as a gay photographer for GQ.

The film is directed and produced by Will Gluck who is also responsible for 2010’s Easy A.

Paradise Cinemas Ltd to build second cinema

2013-11-20T10:42:00.002+10:00

Movies are a big business in Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby. So much so that a new multiplex cinema will be built soon by Paradise Cinema Ltd; a broadcasting and entertainment conglomerate.

According to PNG Facts website, an announcement was made by Communications Fiji Ltd stating that the cinema would be constructed at the new Waigani shopping complex.

Meanwhile, City Pharmacy Ltd (CPL) managing director, William Parkison, said the move was in response to the positive growth of their first cinema complex at Vision City.

Bikpela Bagarap (Big Damage)

2013-11-15T11:25:00.000+10:00

Bikpela Bagarap (Big Damage) reveals the human face of logging in Papua New Guinea.

It is a tale of exploitation and broken promises, where local people are treated as second-rate citizens in their own country by Malaysian logging companies and corrupt politicians.

Customary landowners are forced into signing documents they don’t understand, for the promise of “development” – fresh water, health and education, but these essential services are rarely provided. Instead, their traditional hunting grounds are destroyed, waterways polluted, and their way of life ruined forever.

Bikpela Bagarap (Big Damage) is now available for purchaseon DVD via Ronin Films.

Game of Thrones: The Complete Second Season

2013-11-13T15:15:00.000+10:00

Based on the bestselling book series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, this sprawling new HBO Drama is set in a world where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime. From the scheming south and the savage eastern lands, to the frozen north and the ancient Wall that protects the realm from the mysterious darkness beyond, the powerful families of the Seven Kingdoms are locked in a battle for the Iron Throne. This is a story of duplicity and treachery, nobility and honor, conquest and triumph. In the Game of Thrones, you either win or you die.

Vanessa Hudgens goes dirty on The Frozen Ground (2013)

2013-11-11T14:43:00.005+10:00

Vanessa Hudgens moves away from squeaky clean PG rated roles to a much darker and adult role in The Frozen Ground, a dark thriller about the capture of Alaska’s most prolific serial killer, Robert Hansen, who is believed to have stalked and murdered more than 30 women in the 70s and 80s.

Hudgens plays the sole surviving victim Cindy Paulson; who leads detective Sgt Jack Halcombe to end Hansen’s murderous rampage.

The role transforms her innocent appearance into a young prostitute and stripper who miraculously escapes the Hansen’s grasps and provides vital clues to the police who eventually arrest and charge the serial killer. She channels the essence of Lindsay Lohan in I Know Who Killed Me and bears a little less than her widely circulated nude photos. However, her role is primarily supporting Nicholas Cage who channels Halcombe.

The serial killer is portrayed by John Cusack and he does a good job making us hate him. He brings out the persona of a community oriented family man with deep dark and deadly desires, and puts it perfectly on the screen.

Supporting the stars are Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) as Cindy’s pimp and Radha Mitchell as Halcombe’s wife, and let me tell you – the hairstyle does not fit 50.

The Frozen Ground is written and directed by Scott Walker and brings us into the dark world of prostitution and murder, and shows how appearances can be deceiving.

Human Rights Film Festival opens today

2013-10-17T16:11:00.000+10:00

The fourth Human Rights Film Festival opens today in Port Moresby at 5pm at the Moresby Arts Theatre and will run for four days, ending on October 20.

UN resident co-ordinator David McLaclan-Karr, EU head of delegation Martin Dihm, Oxfam country director Louise Ewington and a yet to be announced representative from the PNG government will preside over the opening ceremony.

The festival will focus of a different human rights theme through international and national films, which will be followed by a discussion with the audience led by a panel of experts.

Themes scheduled to be showcased this year are:

Asylum seekers;
Gender and identity;
HIV/AIDS and LGBT rights;
Housing rights;
Sorcery, and;
The death penalty.

This year’s festival will also be the biggest to date with showings to be held Port Moresby, Goroka (October 28 – 29) and five locations in Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The festival is open to the public with free admission for students and children under 18 while K1 is charged for adults.

At the Heart of Mr Pip (2013)

2013-10-07T11:09:00.001+10:00

Updated, 12 December 2013:

In a packed to capacity theater at Papua New Guinea’s only cinema, Paradise Cinemas, I arrive 30 minutes late. However, the film started late so I had just missed out a few minutes of the film.

I come up to a crucial scene where Matilda’s mother does not like her reading Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations, and begin the emotional journey with her in the big screen adaptation of Lloyd Jones’ Mr Pip.

In war torn Bougainville, Matilda lives with her mother. Her father works in Australia, however, the embargo placed by the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government has isolated him from them. A midst the locals is an Englishman, Mr Watts, played by Hugh Laurie who teaches the locals kids and introduces them to the gentlemanly way of English life in the form of Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations.

The local children, especially Matilda, are captured by the character of Pip who while full of flaws is trying his best to be a gentleman. However, trouble brews when PNG soldiers mistake Mr Pip to be a rebel and the villagers to be rebel sympathizers.

While Hugh Laurie is the star in the film, young Bougainvillian actress Xzannjah Mitsi touches everyone’s heart as the young girl caught between the bloody civil war, and like Pip she tries to escape her identity by concealing it. However, as she grows up she begins to understand the true lesson the Mr Watts was trying to teach.

There are scenes in the film that are disturbing especially the treatment of civilians by the soldiers and while Mr Pip is a melding pot of emotions, at its heart are the essence of identity and belonging.

The film is adapted for the screen and directed by Shrek director, Andrew Adamson, and also stars Healesville Joel, Eka Darville, Kerry Fox with relatively unknown PNG actors Tidman Ikosi and Francesca Semoso.

Mr Pip premiers in PNG tonight

2013-10-03T09:27:00.000+10:00

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been anticipating the premier of screen adaptation of award winning novel, Mr Pip, on the big screen and today the wait will finally end.

The screen adaptation stars Hugh Laurie and a number of local talents including Florence Korokoro and the young and vibrant Xzannjah Matsi.

Ms Matsi, originally from Bougainville but attends schools in Gladstone, Australia, was flown into the country by Paradise Cinemas and PNGFM for the premier which is tonight.

The film is an intimate drama about a young girl who creates an imaginary friend to escape the harsh realities of her surroundings.

Set on the backdrop of the bloody civil war in Bougainville and shot partly in Pidia, Central Bougainville, the film has the potential to market the province and PNG to the rest of the world.

Vin Diesel’s Riddick (2013) has a knack for survival

2013-09-19T11:15:00.003+10:00

I've always been a fan of Riddick since I first saw Pitch Black. The idea of some highly intelligent, powerful and fast killer who is bound by a certain code is appealing. Unlike superheroes that have supernatural powers, Riddick’s powers are the same as everyone else’s – only heightened.

Vin Diesel reprises his role in the latest installment of Riddick which our antihero is left for dead on a desolate planet. His only hope is to trigger an emergency beacon, knowing that mercenaries will eventually come to collect the bounty on his head.

Diesel falls right into character having already donned the killer instinct in Pitch Black and the Chronicles of Riddick. However, this time the fight is internal – more emotional.

About half of the film is dedicated to Riddick going feral again. His cushy position as the Lord Marshall had somehow softened his character and allowed him to be caught off guard. Alone on the planet, he studies the environment and creatures, and regains that killer instinct that once made him seem invincible to his opponents.

Then the second half of the film is dedicated to Riddick using his wits and super fast reflexes to escape the planet crawling with blood thirsty amphibian creatures. The whole film is like a mesh of Pitch Black and the Chronicles of Riddick.

Firstly, Riddick is alone on an extreme planet not unlike his last time on the big screen. Then mercenaries come for him – someone or something is always trying to kill him. Of course, when we are reintroduced to another Johns (the blue eyed devil's father) then we start to revert back to elements of Pitch Black.

Now, I don’t want to ruin the experience by giving spoilers but let’s just say much of the story is yet to be told. For example, what happens to Dahl (Riddick’s love tease who happens to be gay); played by the luscious Katee Sachoff from SyFy Channel's Battlestar Galactica or the necromonger that tried to have Riddick killed to begin with.

Unfortunately, Vaarko (Karl Urban) only makes a cameo but I’m sure there is a place for him if there is another film.

As I mentioned, Riddick is more of a mesh of Pitch Black and the Chronicles of Riddick. However, there are some unanswered questions that need answering. This undoubtedly creates a condition ripe for another film.

Gru gets his heart stolen again in Despicable Me 2 (2013)

2013-09-18T11:19:00.002+10:00

Gru and the girls are back, but he’s no longer the super villain – instead, he tries to be a super dad for his girls, leading a boring life in the suburbs. However, deep in his heart, he yearns for adventure and when a new super villain pops out of nowhere Gru is enlisted by a super-secret spy agency to find the villain.

But that’s not the only thing as Gru starts falling for his new female partner who is as crazy – even more – than the once villain.

Despicable Me 2 follows closely where Despicable Me left off and completes the saga of Gru and the girls. At the end we are left fulfilled that the story has finally got the ending it deserves…or is it?

Despicable Me 2 is the kind of animation that captures both adult and young audiences and keeps you in its grip until the end.

Funny men Steve Carell and Russell Brand along with Nickalodeon’s Miranda Cosgrove reprise their roles, Kirsten Wiig is the new girl in town and Benjamin Brat is the new super villain. However, there is also someone capturing the minions.

The little yellow minions are being captured by someone or something which adds to the mystery. Meanwhile, we hear news that a spin off film, Minions; focusing on the yellow henchmen is set for release late next year – another film we are eagerly awaiting.

Snoop Dogg and Whiz Khalifa light it up in high school in Mac & Devin Go to High School (2012)

2013-09-13T10:06:00.000+10:00

Mac and Devin Go to High School is a 2012 direct to DVD stoner comedy starring Snoop Lion (aka Snoop Dogg) and Whiz Khalifa as high school students from opposite sides of the track. The film, directed by Dylan Brown, also stars funny guy Mike Epps and buxom ebony queen, Teairra Mari who plays the fine Ms Huck.

As stoner films go, the main theme is weed and in this film, Mac (Snoop Dogg) is the big daddy of weed at fictional N. Hale High and has been a career student lazing through high school for almost a decade.

On the opposite end of this rainbow is Whiz Khalifa who plays Devin Overstreet; a senior and valedictorian who is preparing for college. However, he is asked to write life experience at the school, he finds out that he has none. That is, until he finds inspiration in Mac.

In the end, Mac and Devin realize that they both need each other if they want to graduate.

Now, this film is bluntly funny and high with laughs. There are no distinctions in the performance. However, there are passes and upper passes but it makes absolutely good on the stoner action. Also a plus is the soundtrack.

The film's soundtrack features the main track Young, Wild & Free which features Bruno Mars and is quite catchy.

Overall, Mac & Devin Go to High School is more like a feature full length music video featuring music from Snoop and Khalifa.

Escape from Planet Earth (2013), a great adventure for the whole family

2013-09-12T11:05:00.000+10:00

Animations are fun to watch with the whole family and the 2013 Canadian animation, Escape from Planet Earth is one such film.

It stars comic Brendan Fraser, Rob Cordry, Sarah Jessica Parker, William Shatner, Jessica Alba, Craig Robinson, Ricky Gervais and a few others.

The story focuses on the relationship of the Supernova family. Brothers, Scorch (Fraser) and Gary (Cordry) are constantly fighting although deep beneath their blue alien skin is deep love for each other. However, when Scorch decides to go on a mission to Earth without the approval and support of Gary, he ends up getting captured in Area 51.

Escape from Planet Earth is the first film released by Rainmaker Entertainment which was formerly known as Mainframe Entertainment Inc which produced the Barbie animation series.

There are moments in the animation that literally take your breath away especially toward the end of the film. It seems almost a heart wrenchingly funny moments when the brothers fall to the Earth after fighting their nemesis General Skanker; played by the original Captain James Kirk himself, William Shatner.

While the film is colorful, the soundtrack is even more amazing with tracks like Shooting Star by Owl City, Shine Supernova by Cody Simpson and Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever) by The Ready Set that I still can’t get out of my head.

Escape from Planet Earth is a great adventure that the family can enjoy together.

Craig Robinson, meet the Peeples (2013)

2013-09-12T07:00:00.000+10:00

Craig Robinson is an open minded guy but when he meets his girlfriend’s family – he finds out how truly unready he is for them in Tyler Perry presents Peeples.

Peeples is the 201 3 comedy written and directed by Tina Gordon Chism and stars Robinson as Wade Walker and Kerry Washington as his girlfriend Grace Peeples.

The plot is pretty simple, Wade decides to surprise his girlfriend at their family holiday but ends up finding them more disturbing then he can handle. He discovers that Grace’s mom is a drug addict, their father likes to bath in the nude, her brother is a thief and her sister is a lesbian. On top of that, her father doesn't like him much.

The film, in true Tyler Perry style, refrains from using coarse language which gives it a PG13 rating (my own rating). However, the story lack originality and could compared to a black version of Meet the Fockers, but the acting is pretty decent.

Robinson is funny as he tries to fit into the Peeples family jigsaw, yet he sticks out like a sore thumb. However, it does touch on the topic of discrimination quite well. The characters despite being the same ethnicity and race are prejudiced toward each other.

Peeples is a nice black and mild version of Meet the Fockers.

Matt Damon & Michael Douglas hide Behind the Candelabra (2013)

2013-09-11T13:57:00.000+10:00

It is quite disturbing to see someone known for tough guy roles to pay a gay person yet a straight man pulling off a truly gay persona is worthy of praise.

In Steven Soderberg’s 2013 black comedy drama, Behind the Candelabra, Academy Award winners Matt Damon and Michael Douglas give reverting performances retelling the final years of the life of American vocalist and pianist, Liberace.

Damon plays the young Scott Thorson who meets the captivating Liberace (Michael Douglas) in 1977 and the pair hit off immediately, starting a secret affair that would see promises made and broken, life changed and hearts broken.

The film is adapted from Thorson’s memoir, Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace and tackles the issue of sexuality right by the balls.

Thorson admits being gay and is readily accepted by his adoptive parents. Yet his lover, Liberace, is forced to conceal his sexuality from the public, fearing rejection. However, he openly surrounds himself with people who share his sexual orientation and appetite.

The portrayal of Liberace is more or less like a sexual deviant. His sexual desires seem unquenchable and when he finds another young toy boy, Thorson gets quickly and methodically thrown out. However, Thorson doesn't go without a fight.

The performances by Damon and Douglas are funny, riveting and at times disgusting. Yet it brings out truly gay characters onto the screen.

For those who lack the stomach to see Damon and Douglas smooch and cuddle on the screen, then please do not watch this. However, if you wish to the actors truly diversify their acting portfolios then you wouldn’t want to miss this.

Mr Pip (2013) premiers in New Zealand tonight

2013-09-10T15:06:00.000+10:00

The acclaimed novel by New Zealand author Lloyd Jones, Mr Pip, is set for its world premiere in Auckland tonight, and we can be sure it will soon be coming to our shores soon.

The story is set in the beautiful backdrop of Bougainville against the civil war that ravaged the island.

The chief character, Mr Pip, is the creation of Matilda; a young girl caught in the throes of war, and helps her survive her harsh reality.

The crazy doctor from House, Hugh Laurie, plays the mysterious and eccentric Mr Watts who is referred to by the locals as Pop Eye. He introduces our heroin to Charles Dickens’ Great Expectation, which shapes Mr Pip.

The film also stars New Zealand based PNG actress Florence Korokoro as Mr Watt’s wife, Grace or Sheba, and Healesville Joel.

Filming also took place on Bougainville and also in New Zealand.

Mr Pip received a standing ovation and great reviews at its premier at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last year.

Tok Pixa is very excited for the film and we are so looking forward to reviewing it.

Cuba Gooding Jnr races against time in Ticking Clock (2011)

2013-09-09T10:19:00.004+10:00

Ticking Clock is a 2011 psychological sci-fi thriller about an investigative journalist who comes into possession of his girlfriend’s killer’s notebook which contains names of all his intended victims. The film is directed by Ernie Barbarash and stars Academy award winner, Cuba Gooding Jnr and Neal McDonough.

Gooding Jnr plays journalist Lewis Hicks whose private life is struggling and relationship with his girlfriend, District Attorney Felicia Carson has just hit a dead end because of his inability to let go. However, when he finds her murdered in her house by a unknown assailant (Neal McDonough), he becomes prime suspect in the eyes of lead detective Ed Becker.

Matters get even complicated when Hicks finds the journal belonging to the killer with names and dates of his next murder. Will Hicks hand this vital piece of evidence to the police? Or will he take matters into his own hands?

The plot is interesting and involves time travel and how changes in one timeline can change the outcome of another. As a sci-fi fan there are a couple of questions that need answering like why nothing changes when our antagonist kills his first and second victims. I am also left questioning why the antagonist carefully chose instances in his past to correct his future when he knows it does not change – even though he claims to be correcting his past.

The acting is not Oscar worthy but believable. Gooding Jnr puts up man caught up in the trauma of his work which affects his own personal life. Meanwhile, McDonough is a scary cat especially with is piercing eyes that give his deranged genius character a face brilliance and insanity.

Despite the holes in the logic of story, the film is entertaining and explores the past we could change or want to change.

Jackie Chan is back as a treasure hunter in CZ12 (2012)

2013-09-04T10:28:00.000+10:00

CZ12, short for Chinese Zodiac, is a 2012 action comedy pseudo reboot of Jackie Chan’s Armour of God series. The film is directed, produced, stars the king of kung fu comedy himself.

The plot is relative the same as the Armour of God series, Jackie Chan or JC is an treasure hunter is engaged by a multinational corporation, MP Corp, to retrieve lost bronze zodiac heads pillaged from the China by invading French and British soldiers during the Second Opium Wars from 1856 to 1860.

JC and his team will do anything for money – lie, cheat, impersonate. However, when a woman researching the heads, Coco, gets tagged along, things get complicated and the team realize that there are more important things in life than money, and that some things worth more than gold.

If you are fan of Jackie Chan’s style of comic action then this won’t disappoint. The film packs laughs and comic action right from the start. There is also intrigue as JC and the team use high tech equipment in their quest for glory – something ever present in the Armour of God series.

Now, there are a couple of cameos that might interest you. Firstly, be on the lookout for the airplane pilot who is none other than jazz saxophonist Kenny G. The second is JC’s mystery phone lady who we only get to get a glimpse of at the end of the film – she is played by retired Taiwanese actress Joan Lin - who also happens to be Jackie Chan’s real life wife.

Chinese Zodiac (CZ12) earned Jackie Chan a couple of World Guinness Records for “Most Stunts Performed by a Living Actor” and “Most Credits in One Movie” – not bad for someone pushing 60.

CZ12 is everything you can expect from Armour of God, but only with a fresher, cleaner feel and look.

Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya (2010)

2013-08-29T10:10:00.001+10:00

Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya is a 2010 heartwarming Thai film about a Japanese samurai who is attacked by other traitorous samurais but is saved by Muay Thai warriors and nursed back to health in the province of Ayothaya.

The film is directed by Norpon Watin and stars a number of renowned Muay Thai fighters including Buakaw Por. Pramuk, Saenchai Sor. Kingstar, Yodsanklai Fairtex, and Anuwat Kaewsamrit with the main cast.

The main character is based on the real life exploits of Yamada Namagasa; a Japanese adventurer who rose to ranks of a governor in the Siamese province of Ayothaya, and stars Japanese actor Seigi Ozeki as Yamada.

Ozeki got Thai audience’s attention in his portrayal of a Japanese Imperial army solider falling in love with a Thai woman in World War II on the stage musical of Khu Kham.

Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya is also known as Way of the Samurai or Muay Thai Warrior commemorates the 124th anniversary of Japanese-Thailand relations and focuses on the exchange of ideas, culture and friendship.

While the main attraction is the martial arts, the film also introduces Yamada, and subsequently the audience, to Thai culture. In the film, our protagonist is nursed back to health with traditional medicine and becomes accustomed to the Thai way of life. He also falls in love with the lead female and that relationship is expressed by Yamada swearing to protect the province with his life.

The fight scenes are brutal and bloody but represent the authentic brutality of Muay Thai’s history. Fortunately, we are also presented with the philosophy of the art with Sir Monk becoming our main teacher (including Yamada’s).

The Samurai of Ayothaya can be described as mesh of The Last Samurai with Ong-Bak and is a good film with a touching storyline (if you don’t mind the violence).

Jet Li and Wen Zhang combine their comical parodies in Badges of Fury

2013-08-28T09:08:00.000+10:00

Jet Li has a number of action comedies under his belt like Dr Wai in the Scripture with No Words and the Once Upon a Time in China series was comical. However, this is probably his first parody comedy (I think).

Badges of Fury is directed by Wong Chi Ming stars Jet as Inspector Huang Fei Hong (sound familiar?) and Wen Zhang as Wang Bur Er; a pair of detectives investigating the “smiling deaths.”

Things get interesting when Wen’s character sets his eyes on prime suspect, budding actress Liu Jin Shui; played by the stunning Cecelia Liu.

If you are a fan of Asian kung fu films and Jet Li then you will be able to see the parodies in the film. There are puns and takes make on major films including Once Upon a Time in China in which Jet plays the main character, Wong Fei Hung.

The film is also Jet and Wen’s third collaboration after Ocean Heaven and The Sorcerer and the White Snake which is also mentioned in the film.

There are also cameos by several leading Hong Kong actors like Michael Tse, Kevin Cheng and Chinese Olympic diver, Tian Liang.

Badges of Fury is an interesting film as it is a roadmap for martial arts action star Jet Li to diversify his portfolio; most of his work have been as the tough guy. However, this time he takes a step back and allows Wen Zhang to dominate the screen with his (Wen’s) witty lines and comical action. However, Jet does come in to save Wen once in a while.

Badges of Fury is full of laughs and I definitely recommend this for any Jet Li fan.

Ip Man: The Final Fight (2013) is the most realist account of the grandmaster of Wing Chun

2013-08-27T13:32:00.000+10:00

His most famous student was martial arts screen legend Bruce Lee and his life has been told in so many different films most notably Ip Man which starred Donnie Yen. However, this account is the most realistic and more dramatic account of the life of one of Wing Chun’s greatest masters – Ip Man.

The 2013 film is directed by Herman Yau whose credits include The Legend is Born – Ip Man, The Woman Knight of Mirror Lake and co-cinematography for Seven Swords and stars Anthony Wong as the grandmaster himself.

The story takes places in 1941 when Ip Man travels to Hong Kong to find a new means of livelihood after his former life in Foshan was destroyed by the invading Japanese.

The film is narrated by Ip Chun (who also makes several cameo appearances) and viewed from his perspective. This is not surprising because the story was written by his student, Checkley Sin.

Unlike previous renditions of the grandmaster’s life, this film is more about his character as a person rather than his technical knowledge of Wing Chun. Most of the time, there is very little fighting – however, when there is, the scenes are most spectacular, and always with a lesson at the end.

In The Final Fight, after Ip Man’s wife dies, Ip Chun goes to Hong Kong to live with him. Their relationship is as described as a student-teacher relationship with the only difference being that Ip Chun would get to spend more time with his father.

Meanwhile, Ip Man pursues a romantic relationship with singer Jenny from a local bar, much to disapproval of his pupils. This leads to several awkward moments and displays the strength of character and resolve he had.

We are also given a slight insight into his relationship with Bruce Lee and from what I've read and film portrayal, Ip Man did not seem to like his star pupil too much.

Ip Man: The Final Fight is probably the best and most realistic account of the grandmaster’s life on film to date and is a definite must see for kung fu enthusiast.