Sunday, July 31, 2005

A Land Surrounded By Water

I wanted to post an entry yesterday but all of a sudden my internet connection started screwing up. And whenever I'm totally free to blog, there seems to be nothing to blog about.

When it comes to the weekends, one of the most popular activities is going to the movies. Which is why I hate going to the cinema during the weekends. Why? Not only is it expensive, but it's crowded as well. And I hate crowded places. But for those who don't mind mingling with the crowd and have some cash to spare on a movie, the most obvious question then arises, "What movie should I watch?" Nobody wants to waste $9.50 on some lame movie.

So this weekend in order for you make get a good return on your $9.50, go and watch The Island. Forget any reviews that you've read. This is a great movie.





For me, there are 3 elements that make a good movie. The 1st and most important element has to be the plot or storyline. If the storyline sucks or doesn't make sense, no matter who the actors/actresses are or how good the visual effects are, it won't save the movie. When you ask someone who hated the Matrix trilogy whether he/she (mostly it's a she) understood the storyline, most of the time they'll say they didn't understand what the hell was going on. But they'll agree the visual effects were amazing.

The 2nd element is the acting and the visual effects. In other words, how well the storyline is brought to the audience. A good example is the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. The acting, music and visual effects were so good that even if you didn't give a rat's ass as to what happened to Frodo and his gay gardener, you'll get absorbed into the film once you watch it.

The 3rd element is how well the movie showcases the genre it's supposed to be in. If it's action, how good are the action scenes in the movie? My friend said Ong Bak was a great movie. "Damn action-pack", he said. "How about the storyline?" "Aiyah, the storyline simple la. But damn action-pack." Also, the more genres the movie can touch without compromising the plot, the better. I like those movies where they include brief moments of humour at the right time. Or when there's a little suspense in the midst of all the action.

A movie that can effectively bring out each element and combine all of them will definitely be a great film. And that's why I'm recommending The Island. It does exactly that.

I had heard that movie was really good from my friends, so I went to watch it with my super super super lovable girlfriend. Most of the time when I decide I want to watch a certain film, I won't read the reviews. I'll just look at the number of stars or the rating score alone. Sometimes I feel that reading the reviews spoils the movie for you in a way because they reveal certain details that take away the fun from watching the movie.

For example, I didn't know that Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson were (highlight if you want to know) clones (a fact that was revealed in many reviews which I read later). When I was watching the film and found out that that they were actually clones, that came as a plot twist to me because I didn't expect it at all. It's the small, small unexpected details like these that can enhance the fun in watching the movie.



This commercial was used in the movie


Aside from the cool storyline, the great visual effects and the HOT Scarlett Johansson, the action scenes were great to watch. There were a few times when I literally went, "Woah" because the action was so fast and intense. You know the style of cinematography where they film the action scence on a hand held camera? The shots then become unsteady, messy movements as you follow the actors and the action, which gives you the feeling as if you were right there in the scene running with the actors. (If you don't understand what I'm saying then never mind. Haha.) It's one of the most common kind of shots when it comes to actions movies. Now most of the time I hate that kind of cinematography because you can hardly see anything at all. All you can see are blurred motions, and unclear shots of people running or fighting all over the place. Your eyes can hardly focus on anything because of the unsteady movements.

This was done in The Island as well, but surprisingly, I could see everything clearly. Nothing was too blurred or moving too fast that I couldn't who or what it was. And I was even seated in the 5th row. That not only shows how good the action was were, but how well the scenes were shot also.

So if you're going to catch a movie anytime soon, be sure to catch this one. =)

10 Comments:

Blogger Jayaxe said...

Yeah, heard it's a great movie. So I'm watching. By the way, did you keep your ticket stub? You could have a chance to win a Nokia phone!

Check this out -
http://www.nokiacinemotion.com.sg/main.htm

6:02 AM  
Blogger Ellipsis said...

oei. how can you forget the 4th element - a really hot babe.

9:33 AM  
Blogger Bringer of Truth said...

MOVIES ARE AN AFFRONT TO OMNIGOD!!

YAHWEH HAS REVEALED HIMSELF FOR ALL TO SEE, REJOICE!!

4:26 PM  
Blogger Zhe Bin said...

okay this could get me started. thanks.

9:04 PM  
Blogger Claris said...

it's a good movie! im not an action pack lover, but man, i felt tt i am IN the movie! so virtual reality! and the storyline is good. future insurance policy! haha

10:15 PM  
Blogger Ang Ku Kueh said...

sigh...ask a cheapskate like me to pay 9.50 a bit difficult....but perhaps for ur recommendation...

12:51 AM  
Blogger Zen|th said...

Jayaxe: Really? I still have it. =)

Ball.of.yarn: You're right! How could I forget that? Dang it.

Bringer Of Truth: Erm.. Okay. Whatever makes you happy.

Zhe Bin: No problem.

Claris: Yeap. It was that good even my friend who usually gets confused easily enjoyed it as well.

Emergencydanceparty: Prices went up again lor. http://www.gv.com.sg/Booking/faqs.htm#currentticketprice . Everything's going getting more expensive nowadays. Bloody hell.

Ang Ku Kueh: I'm sure it will be worth it. :)

1:16 AM  
Blogger Inarticulate said...

Woah, you just doubly convinced me. Friend of mine said he actually felt slightly disturbed at the notion people being "grown" as insurance policies.

Hmmm.. I'm catchin it on a weekday. Like you, I hate crowds as well. =)

9:09 AM  
Blogger Ang Ku Kueh said...

I caught it today!!! quite good! :) Her lips are soooo hot, wish i have lips like hers!

1:37 AM  
Blogger Zen|th said...

Inarticulate: It's cheaper on a weekday too. :)

Ang Ku Kueh: Oh yeah. Scarlett Johansson is HOT HOT HOT~ I like. =)

2:17 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home