What I loved most: The Iron Man suit

What I really hated: The Iron Man escape suit & the film's lack of actions scenes

This film should be titled Iron Suit instead of Iron Man. However, staying true to its Marvel comic origin, this film is the best comic to film ever made so far. The film revolves around billionaire weapons industrialist Tony Stark (ROBERT DOWNEY JR) who was unfortunate enough to be captured by a terrorist group (no prize for guessing which terrorist group here) while showcasing his new invention to the U.S. army in a foreign land. While in detention, he was forced to make weapons for the terrorist group using scrap metal but he ended up designing a crude power armour for his escape instead. He managed to escape using the power armour iron suit and wasting no time to develop a better version of the suit once he returns home to fight the baddies. This film is basically an itroduction to Iron Man (or the iron suit) and hence there's not much action scenes despite being a superhero movie. However, the film's plot is well developed with proper introduction to the characters - there's Tony Stark faithful personal assistant/secret lover Pepper Potts (GWYNETH PALTROW), Stark Industry's Obadiah Stan (JEFF BRIDGES) as well as army personnel James Rhodes (TERRENCE HOWARD) - all of whom are quite influential in Tony Stark's life. The chemistry between the characters are also great, especially between Tony and Pepper on their unspoken love. The CGIs are also nicely done despite the lack of actions scenes in the film. With a hint of a sequel, I am expecting more actions in Iron Man 2.

What I loved most: High school - revisited

What I really hated: High school - non sensical

This juvenile high school comedy is like a trip down memory lane for me - school bullies, teenage love crush, not so understanding parents, replacement teacher etc. However, it is not good enough to make me feel connected with it, maybe because of the film's illogical and non-sensical story line? The story revolves around buddies chubby Ryan (TROY GENTILE) and skinny Wade (NATE HARTLEY) and their new schoolmate Emmitt (DAVID DORFMAN) who are bullied by thier seniors Filkins (ALEX FROST) and Ronnie (JOSH PECK) from their first day at high school. Desperate to protect themselves since their pleas were ignored by the school's principal, they placed an online advertisement for body guard. From few applicants the trio finaly hired Drillbit Taylor (OWEN WILSON) - a homeless former soldier - since his fee meets their budget. Drillbit's real intention of becoming their bodyguard is actually just to get enough money for his trip to Canada and start living there. In a twist of even when he shows up at the boys' school and is mistaken as a substitute teacher, he decides to stay around longer and protecting the boys; moreover since he also has an affair with a fellow high-school teacher. However when his real identity and intention are reveal, the boys severe relationship with him and are left to defend themselves on their own from what they have learned from thier former bodyguard - will they succeed? Despite being the title holder for the film, Owen Willson fails to shine in this film and being overshadowed by the boys instead. The film's lazy approach toward story development also make it seems illogical at times, like when Dilbirt was welcomed as a replacement teacher by the school principal. Anyway being a juvenile comedy this is quite an enjoyable film to watch even though the funny factor is lacking - there's a thing or two to be learned about comrade and brotherhood in this film.

What I loved most: The fighting sceenes and the CGIs

What I really hated: Recycle story line

Eventhough I watched this film for free (complimentary of California Fitness Jackie Chan Club) I think I will enjoy this film better if it is made as a parody ala Meet the Spartan. Banking on Jackie Chan and Jet-Li as its main draw in their first ever martial arts film together, the film is like a recycle of few martial art films (Drunken Master, Bride with White Hair, Karate Kid etc) combined into one big budget Hollywod production. Deja vu is aplenty throughout this film, right from the beginning when the main character Jason Tripitakas (MICHAEL ANGARANO) with his fascination with Kung Fu (Karate Kid?) up to the time when he awaken in ancient China and bumped into the English speaking Lu Yan (JACKIE CHAN ) the Drunken Immortal (The Drunken Master?). Even the baddies in this film are also those that martial art film fans can relate to - there's Jade Warlord (COLLIN CHOU) as well as Ni-Chang (LI BINGBING) the white-haired assassin (The Bride with White hair?). Thank god the tale about the Monkey King (JET-LI in one of his role in this film, the others being The Silent Monk) is given a twist in this film, otherwise this film would end up being a big budget recycle production. Nevertheless, the fighting scenes choreographed by Yuen Woo-ping are awesome and the CGIs are also believable. This film is a must watch for Jackie Chan and Jet Li's fans as well as for others who want a light entertainment at the movie for the weekend.

What I loved most: The first few minutes of the film

What I really hated: The rest of the film

The team behind Jangan Pandang Belakang is back with a film about a haunted traditional game - Congkak. This film is a cross between Rahsia (about a family holiday turn awry) and Jumanji (haunted board game) but unfortunately it is not as good as the two. The film start off promisingly with a narration about the origin of the game congkak - said to be a game made in another dimension that represent both heaven and hell. We were then introduced to Kazman (RIEZMAN KHUZAIMI) and his family - wife Sufiah (NANU BAHARUDDIN), eldest daughter Ely (NURAINA MALEK) and youngest daughter Lisa (ERYNNE ERYNNA). Despite Sufiah and Ely objection, Kazman is determined to spend their family holiday at a secluded kampung house away from the city. By the time they reached the house, scarry (and silly) things started to happen and I personaly feels that the film turns from scarry into comedy. The way the film is being helmed left much to be desired as there are few plot holes and weakneses in this film and some questions left unanswered. For instance, who is that mystery lady at the hut in the beginning of the film? Where does that al-fresco style Tok Bomoh come from? What is the old man Pak Tua (M RAJOLI) hiding about from Kazman and family? Who is opah and what is her relation to the house and the congkak? Even Kazman's gesture when his wife and kids were possesed ("isteri saya dah terapung!") made me laughed rather then feel sorry for him. Despite being left for 20 years, the house looks well maintained and contemporary, not to mention its great accoustic element that could even awaken Sufiah in the middle of the night when the oh-so-brand-new congkak is being played by Lisa and her imiginary opah. All these weaknesses and plot holes are not being properly addressed by the film makers. If you think Jangan Pandang Belakang is bad, Congkak is even worst. Watch it if you want to scare yourself silly.

What I loved most: CGI and Cursoe

What I really hated: Straightforward storyline and predictable ending

Eventhough this film is an adaptation of a children novel of the same title that is based on the Loch Ness Monster, I can't help to relate it with Free Willy due to the similarity of the storyline and ending. Set in Scotland during World War 2, Angus MacMarrow (ALEX ATEL) is longing for his father Charlie MacMorrow (CRAIG HALL) who was sent to the war zone. In his lonliness, he finds companionship in Cursoe - a water horse hatched from an egg that he discovered at the neighbourhood's lake. Unknown to his mother Anne MacMarrow (EMILY WATSON), he keep Cursoe as his pet in the house. When the creature became too big too handle, Angus released it to the lake with the help of his sister Kirstie (PRIYANKA XI) and the house handyman Lewis Mobray (BEN CHAPLIN). Cursoe later suffers from shells shot into the lake for practice by an army troops that set up their base near the lake to defense against possible attacks by the German. To protect Cursoe from further injury, Angus has to let it go in a "Free Willy" like ending to the film. Angus finally accepts the facts that he has to let go his pet and also that his father is no longer around. As a film about adorable monster, the CGI used is quite impressive although at some point of time it looks rather fake. Acting wise, the casts are just so-so but credit must be given to Alex Atel for his potrayal as the lonesome boy. A straighforward film suitable for all in the family to enjoy without much thinking required.

What I loved most: Its chick flick romance but from a guy's point of view

What I really hated: Predictable storyline & ending - not really a mysterious love story

This is a chick flick with a difference as it is being told from a guy's point of view. Will Hayes (RYAN REYNOLDS) is a 30-something dad in the midst of a divorce. When he was confronted by his 10 year-old daughter, Maya (ABIGAIL BRESLIN) to tell her about his life before marriage, Will agreed on conditions that it will be a love story mystery for Maya to solve, without telling her which of three women that he love is her mother. The movies then flashes back and forth between the father and daughter bed time 'story-telling' session and the present day. Maya was then introduced to the three women in Will's life - Emily/Sarah (ELIZABETH BANKS) his first love from university, April (ISLA FISHER) the photocopy girl whom he had a somewhat strange off and on relationship and Summer (RACHEL WEISZ) his girlfriend who can't left behind her professor/roomate/on and off lover Hampton Roth (KEVIN KLEIN). Without revealing the three women true identities, it is up to Maya (and the audience) to ponder which of the three women is actualy her mother. However, along the way it is clear that only one woman among the three truly holds Will's heart, but is it too late now for a fairy tale ending love story for them? This somewhat love story breath a fresh idea as its revolves around father and daughter relationship; making it interesting without being too girly. All the casts are convingcingly real in their respective roles but it is Abigail Breslin who steals the show as the loveable 10 years old girl. The father and daughter duo also has the right chemistry between them, we can feel the real life dilema that they are facing with the impending divorce. Without any baddie throughout the film, this is a feel good movie not only for lovers but for all in the family - a suitbale offing for Valentine Day as well as Father Day.