Children of Heaven (1998)

I cried watching most parts of this movie. The plot is very simple, but will leave a lot of things for us to ponder.

Nine-year old Ali takes his younger sister's shoes to be mended by the cobbler. On the way back home, he somehow lost the shoes. Knowing that his parents would be upset and do not have any money to buy his sister, Zahra, a new pair of shoes, he keeps the matter from his parents. To solve this problem, Ali asks Zahra to wear his sneakers to school in the morning, while he wears it to school in the afternoon. In that way both of them can still go to school. Ali then finds out that a marathon tournament will be held in the town. He promises Zehra that he would win the third place to get a pair of new shoes for her.


What amaze me the most in this movie is how mature Ali and Zehra are. Growing up in a poor family, both of them know how to not let their parents feel sad and upset. Ali is a responsible brother, looking after his family at such a young age. He knows it was his fault, and he is not hesitate to apologize from his sister. He gives Zehra a pencil, and then a pen (that he gets from his teacher for getting a high mark in a test) to make her happy. Looking at the other students who wear nice shoes, Zehra is sad that she has to wear her brother sneakers to school. She also has to run everyday after school to meet with Ali and give him the sneakers. But she endures it, so that her parents are happy. I believe a normal little girl would have thrown a tantrum if she has to do that.


They are indeed the children of heaven.


Some of us are so lucky. We have many shoes that sometimes we can't choose which one to wear. But, we have to realize that in some parts of this world, people are struggling to survive and some people can't even afford to buy a pair of shoes. 


10/10. Love it so much.

2012 (2010)

I really like this movie. Although the science in it is very exaggerated, but the film is still enjoyable. After all this is a story that brings all the worst-case scenarios together, so some unbelievable, hypothetical, and exaggerated scenes are unavoidable. 

The Earth is acting strangely lately. Earthquake, hurricanes, and several other disasters occur around the globe. While the majority of people are not aware of what is happening, several keen observers, scientists, and average citizens know that the world's leaders are building ships to survive the catastrophe. However, not everyone has the chance to be on the ships. 

Government conspiracy + natural disaster + human will to survive = an awesome movie

8/10 

The Great Match (2006)

This is by far, one of the most interesting and entertaining movies that I have ever seen. One that do not leave me with any regret.

It was the day of the 2002 FIFA World Cup finale. While some people have the opportunity to watch it easily, it is not the case for others. Three groups of people from three different parts of the world - the Mongolian nomads, the Sahara travelers, and the Amazon Indians, try their best to make sure that they don't miss the highly anticipated match between Brazil and Germany.

http://ekjon-cinemaal.blogspot.com/2009/03/la-gran-final2006.html

I was so excited when I watched this movie because I did watch the 2002 World Cup on TV and I still remember how great Micheal Ballack and Oliver Kahn were during the games =)

This movie is so hilarious and it is rich with culture. I found the Mongolian nomads very cute, and I had the same impression of the Mongolian when I watched "Babies", which is a documentary about how babies grow up in different parts of the world.

I would say that the Amazon Indians are the most funniest characters in this movie. They'll do anything to watch the match from stealing the cable to climbing up the tree for reception.

The Sahara travelers are funny as well, they'll argue about everything. But it is really amazing to see how people interact/deal with each other to survive.

Overall, 9.5/10.

Internal Affairs (2002)

An angel disguises as a devil and a devil disguises as an angel. 

Who do you think would win the deduction war?

This story is about a police undercover who infiltrates a gang to uncover their crime, and a gang member who joins the police force to assist the gang's activities. The police department and the gang later finds out that there is a spy within their organization. Therefore, they have to find out the identity of the mole and the cop.

This is one of the best deduction/game theory film that I have ever seen.
It gave me the same feeling that I had when I watched "Death Note" where you don't know who would make a move, and what move would he make.
It's so interesting.

There are so many familiar faces in this movie and that just makes me feel so excited - Andy Lau, Tony Leung(ftw!!!), Eric Tsang, Edison Chen, Sammy Cheng, Kelly Chen, and some others whose names I don't know.

The ending is unexpected to me. I don't really like it, but it is not bad either, not lame at all.
To those who like lame, normal ending like me, there is an alternative ending available in the VCD.

Overall 9.5/10.

I shouldn't be watching movies right now, with all the assignments that is waiting to be completed and submitted. But this movie is worth to be reviewed.

Kamikaze Girls (2002)

This movie is so funny. Not recommended to those who dislike exaggerated scenes.
The story is about Momoko, a lolita girl (someone who is obsessed with the Victorian 1800's fashion) who befriends Inchigo, a Yanki (a delinquent youth).
Despite their differences, these two girls get along really well and become best friends.

This movie is based on a light novel, that was also adapted into a manga.
Although the plot is not similar to the novel, but it is very enjoyable.
The main actress are Kyoko Fukada and Anna Tsuchiya.
Both of them are pretty.
Fukada has a cute face and pretty Asian features, while Anna is gorgeous as she is a Japanese-American mix.

Overall, 7/10.

Kyoko Fukada

Kyoko Fukada as a lolita girl.

Anna Tsuchiya

Anna Tsuchiya as a Yanki.

Pictures from Google.

Ballad (2009)

Did I tell you how much I like Aragaki Yui? So basically I watched this movie because she's in it.

The story is about a boy named Shinichi and his parents who were "magically" transported to the ancient Japan (around 1600). There they met a fearless warrior and the Princess of the small kingdom. After the Princess rejected the marriage proposal from the ruler of another kingdom, a war started between these kingdoms.

When I heard that the boy's name is Shinichi, I was excited. This is the first time I come across a character named Shinichi besides the one in Detective Conan =)

While watching this movie, I felt that the boy was quite a nuisance. He's annoying sometimes.
Aragaki Yui made a very pretty princess although it is quite irritating seeing her running all princess-like.
Other than that, this movie is OK. Overall 7/10.

One interesting fact that I just learned about this movie is, it is based on the award winning Crayon Shin Chan the Movie. So that's why the boy is quite annoying.
I learned about this while looking for some photos related to this movie.

First, Nakamaru Yuichi appeared in one of Crayon Shin Chan episodes. Now, a live-action adaptation of Shin Chan movie by Aragaki. This just give me more reasons to love Shin Chan.

 

 Pictures from Google.

Picture from www.gakky.org

Picture from www.gakky.org

Picture from www.gakky.org

Picture from www.gakky.org

Haha no Okurimono (2009)

Mother's Gift.

The story focuses on the two mothers of a couple that is about to get married (DramaWiki).
I have to cite DramaWiki because seriously I don't have any idea what they were saying.
That's right, I watched it without Eng sub because I couldn't find the subbed one, and because I couldn't wait for it to be subbed, and I don't think anyone will sub it in the near future since it is not a famous production.

Obviously, I watch it because Nakamaru Yuichi is in it.
I really hope that this Marufever (hahaha) ends soon.

This short movie takes place in the 1970's so that explains why they wear what they wear.
The time setting is about a day like from early morning until the night before the wedding.
Sadly, they didn't show us the wedding ceremony.
I would really like to see Yuichi in his bridegroom attire.

Althought I didn't understand what they said, but I enjoyed it.
For some reasons, I think Yuichi is a bit overacting in this movie.
Or is he supposed to be so?
Yuichi is very suitable acting as an ordinary guy, he looks so natural. Haha.
To me he is an extraordinary ordinary looking guy.

Press conference. Why so serious Yuichi?

He looks so young.

Pictures from Google.

Tangled (2010)

Many cute and funny scenes.
Many great songs.
Nice animation.

Overall 8/10.

Pictures from Google.

Neko Ramen Taisho (2008)

This movie is about a cat (Taisho) who runs a ramen shop.
It is based on a comic strip, hence, the bizarreness.

One of the comic strips. Picture from Neko Ramen FB Fan Page.

Picture from Google.

Here is what happens.

Jeff was trained to be a cat idol but he failed.

He then found a job at a sushi bar.

Because he couldn't refrain himself from eating the food, he was fired.

He then tried to be a surgeon but failed.

He also tried to be a taxi driver but failed.

What a cool name for a cat.

He's in despair.

First attempt of suicide. Failed.

Second attempt of suicide. Failed.

On his second attempt of suicide, he was saved by a ramen shop owner.

He then learned how to make ramen and opened his own ramen shop.

He even hired another cat as a part time worker in the shop.

Don't ask me how the movie end, it's so absurd that I stopped watching it half-way through.
I wonder how a live-action Doraemon would be.

Cyborg She (2008)

The main character of this movie, Jiro, is the guy who plays Mika's second bf in Koizora the movie.
I really like him in Koizora, and I like him too in this movie. (He's in Linda Linda Linda too, but I can't remember him.)

This movie is about a cyborg who comes from the future to save Jiro from disaster.
Overall, it is a good movie although it is not the kind of movie that I would want to watch twice.
I think the time line of this movie is kinda messed up.
Although the director resolves everything and gives a detailed explanation in the end,
but I still think that there are things that are not quite right.

Ayase Haruka makes a very good and cute cyborg.
Her figure and facial expression suit the character well.

While watching this movie, I thought, "So, this is how earthquake like." So scary.
I like the way they portray the future in this movie.
It is full of hope and possibility.
Overall, 8/10.

Escaping the Tokyo earthquake.

Pictures from Google.

I took a snapshot of this scene to show you her cyborg body.

BANDAGE (2009)

Some people love it, some people hate it.
To me, I like it more than I hate it.
Everything in this movie is realistic to me.
The scenes are not exaggerated, and the acting are all natural.
Many people complain that the plot is not clear and it keeps skipping to the future w/o telling us what happen.
As for the plot weakness, I agree that I don't see in what way Asako breaks the band apart. 
But, other than that, I think this movie is ok. Overall 7.5/10.

I am not a big fan of Akanishi Jin, and watching this movie does not change my perception about him.
I like the girl who plays Asako.

Personally, I think Asako is the lead actor of this movie. I couldn't really feel Jin in this movie.

Pictures from Google.

Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa

I can't wait to watch Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. 

The preview is awesome.

Malaysia boleh!

Funky Forest: The First Contact. (2005)

This is a bizarre movie. Everything in this movie is surreal. Nothing makes any sense whatsoever.
Definitely one of the weirdest movies that I have ever watched.
However, it is enjoyable to watch something out of ordinary like this.
Overall 5.5/10.

Try to make sense of what's going on in this pic.

No caption can explain this.

Pictures from Google.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

1. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (live-action movie). (2010)

I like it so much. This movie is based on a novel of the same title (if I'm not mistaken).
It's about a girl, Akari Yoshiyama, who leaps through time (by drinking a potion) to meet her mother's friend in 1974.
The main actor and actress are so cute together.
When the girl's memory is erased (so that she don't remember her visit to the past), I cried a bit.
Although the plot is questionable, but it is still a great movie to watch.
Overall 9/10.

Riisa Naka

Falling for a guy in the past.

2. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (animated movie). (2006)

I watched this award winning movie quite sometimes ago.

Although it has the same title, but this movies' plot is nothing like the novel or the live-action movie.

In fact, it is supposed to be the sequel(?) to the novel.

The story is about a girl, Makoto Konno, who gains the ability to travel through time after she discovered a time leaping device.

The voice actress for Makoto Konno is Riisa Naka, the lead actress in the live-action movie.

Personally, I prefer the live-action movie than the animated movie.

Overall, 6/10.

Pictures from Google.

Death Game Park (2010)

Not bad at all. Seeing all the young actors, I feel so old... haha...
The story is about a group of prisoners who are forced to play a game,
in which, if they fail to complete a certain task, they'll die.
Pretty much like Saw, right. Ternganga-nganga aku tengok.
I am satisfied with the movie; the settings, costumes, props, and choreography are nicely done.
However, the ending is a bit loose and unclear. Guess it is up to the viewers to interpret it.
Overall, 8/10.

Pictures from Google.