What I loved most: Freddie Highmore in double role

What I really hated: Too simplified ending

The film started with a suspense night scene when Arthur Spiderwick (DAVID STRATHAIRN) try to escape from what sounds like an approaching monster. 80 years later, his recently divorced descendant Grace (MARY-LOUISE PARKER) together with her children Mallory (SARAH BOLGER) and twins Jared and Simon (FREDDIE HIGHMORE in double role) moved into his abandoned estate. Reluctant to adapt to the new environment and missing his father, Jared found his sollace in Arthur Spiderwick's study room where he discovered Spiderwick's Field Guide to faeries. Using honey as highlighted in the guide, Jared later managed to bribe and befriended a brownie named Thimbletack (MARTIN SHORT) who explains to him on the magical creatures - ogres, faeries and goblins - that co-exist in the human world. Jared also discovered about a protective circle that Arthur Spiderwick placed around the house and managed to see the creatures that surrounded the house using the seeing stone given to him by Thimbletack. Thimbletack also warned him about a shape-shifting ogre named Mulgarath (NICK-NOLTE) who also wants the field guide for himself and will do anything to get hold of it. Now, it is up to Jared to convince his family about the existence of the creatures that surrounded their house and more importantly, to foil Mulgarath attempt to get hold of the field guide. Unlike "The Chronicles of Narnia", the Spiderwick Chronicles is about ogres, faeries and goblins that co-exist in human's world yet can not be seen by the naked eyes, giving the film a more realistic appeal on its own. All the cast members do pretty well in this movie with Freddie Highmore stealing the limelight in his dual role as the twins that behave contradictory to each other. The CGI's of the ogres, faeries, goblins and other mythical figures were also realistically done. However, being a Nicolodean's production some of the creatures are rather fierce and horrifying, not really a child stuff. Nevertheless, it is a good film for family outing, more so with the good family values that the film try to deliver.

What I loved most: The idea of another universe parallel to the world - daemons, dust etc.

What I really hated: Abrupt ending

Based on Philip Pullman's "The Northern Lights", this fantasy film (which was attacked by certain religious group as anti religion - can't they see it is just a FANTASY fiction?) is set in another universe that is parallel to the world, which is similar yet different. In that universe, human's souls are in the form of "daemon" - animals that accompanied them that would change as and when necessary until they become adult. The film centred around Lyra Belacqua (DAKOTA BLUE RICHARDS) an orphan who overheard a plot to kill his uncle Lord Asriel (DANIEL CRAIG). At the invitation of an aristocrat Mrs. Coulter (NICOLE KIDMAN), Lyra decided to join her on a trip to the North where she hopes to be reunited with her uncle and meeting the Ice Bears. Prior to the trip, Lyra was given an alethiometer (a golden color compass like equipment) by the master of her college to guide her through. However, Mrs. Coulter is also interested with the golden compass and has a hiden agenda for the trip. Trap with Mrs. Coulter's evil plan, it is up to Lyra and her daemon Pan to do all her can to survive the ordeal with the help of the golden compass. What appealing to me is the film's idea of another universe parallel to the world -with daemons, dust, gyptian, witches, ice bears etc. Acting wise, Dakota Blue Richards is truely the backbone of the film while other casts such as Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig are not dissappointing either. The film's CGIs are nicely done as well, watchout for the mervellous Ice Bears fighting scenes. However, I was quite dissapointed with the ending which is rather abrupt I would say. Neverthelss, maybe this is intentional to create an excitement for the second instalment of the film. A good watch for all.

What I loved most: The underwater sceenes

What I really hated: Almost everything else

This fantasy-comedy is a contemporary take of the mermaid legend. Set in a water village occupied by Orang Laut (Sea Gypsies), Duyung revolves around nature lover and rubbish collector Jimmy (SAIPUL APEK) who believes in the myth told by his mother Onah (RAJA NOOR BAIZURA) that a mermaid would only appear if the environment is being looked after. When he was challenged to has his own land in order to marry his sweetheart Aspalela (YASMIN HANI), Jimmy decided to use recycle items to create an island in the middle of the sea with the help of his apeman pet Orix (YASSIN YAHYA). Jimmy later had an encounter with a mermaid Puteri (MAYA KARIN) and from then on both of them getting close to each other; which subsequently lead to a conflict between Jimmy and Aspalela and jeopardise Puteri's life. Being a Prof Razak Mohaideen's film, stupid and silly jokes are a plenty in this film. Acting wise, all of the actors are just so-so; even Asia Pacific best actress Maya Karin's acting wasn't really shine in this film. The saving grace for this film I would say is the under water scenes that showcases Malaysia's under water beauty, enough to entice me to go for an island holiday soon. The KRU brothers also succeed in composing a good musical score for this movie with memorable soundtrack, such as the catchy Aspalela (by Saiful Apek) as well as Hampir Ke Situ (by Mendua) that really capture the mood for the respective sceenes. A dungu (silly) movie I would say, watch the film if you don't have anything better to do.

What I loved most: London's multiculturalism and a peek into the secret society's world

What I really hated: The anti climax ending

Set in metropolitan London during Christmas & New Year holidays, Eastern Promises succeed in potraying the other side of the city - its multicultural society as well as its secret society. For instance, British slang is hardly heard throughout the film while foreign lingoes like Russian, Turkish and Indian are predominantly used instead. The film begins with the brutal killing of a Russian mob member at a Turkish barber shop, followed by the death of a young Eastern Europe girl named Tatiana while delivering her baby girl. Tatiana's voice can then be heard thoughout the film narrating the contents of her diary, which were found by Anna (NAOMI WATTS); the midwife who attended to her at the hospital. Ana's determination to find Tatiana's family based on the joting in her diary lead her to cross path with Nikolai (VIGGO MORTENSEN); the family driver and right hand man of a Russian Mafia in the city. Despite his ruthlessness, Nikolai is actually keeping a secret about his identity, more so as he is gaining the trust of the secret society and about to accepted as their member. However, Ana's determination and her nosy uncle Stephen - a former KGB member himself - could be a danger to the secret society that lead to Nikolai in a dilemma between his loyalty to the society and his feeling towards the innocent Ana. As a film about secret society, the brutal scenes in the film are gorish and detailed - the "autopsy" scene, the "pee on the grave" scene as well as the "queer test" and tattoo scene. The film truely provides details on the underworld, such as the respective meaning of the tattooes found on the body of the mafia members. The cultural elements of the film is what make its interesting. However, the anti climax ending of the film is too abrupt - the film's end just like when you expect more gorish action. Nevertheless, it still an eye opener watching this movie. Watch the film for a peek into the other side of London as well as its secret society.

What I loved most: Great CGIs (especially when the robots transformed), action scenes and soundtrack.

What I really hated: Loop holes here and there

Despite losing the Oscar to The Golden Compas for Best Visual Effects award in the 80th Academy Awards recently, the film's visual effect - especially when the robots transform - is still what I like most in Transformers. The storyline of the film is similar to its cartoon serial in the 80s - good (Autobots) and bad (Decepticons) robots from the outer space fighting and as usual, the Autobots thriumphed in the end. However, in this film version the fighting take place on planet earth involving humankind. The film begins with a fighting scene in a remote desert in the Middle East between the US Soldiers and the Decpticons that came in the form of a helicopter before it is transformed into a machine gun-toting robot and a giant desert scorpion. The unsual enemies forced the US Secretary of Defence John Keller (JON VOIGHT) seeking help from civilan experts to dessiminate the voice data captured from the fightings. We were then introduced to a high school 11th grader Sam Witwicky (SHIA LeBEOUF) who was "forced" to buy a second hand yellow Camaro and trying hard to impress his school mate Mikaela (MEGAN FOX). The Camaro is actually an Autobot named Bumble Bee and Sam is actually the grandson of an explorer who had stumbled upon an energy-giving cube from outer space in the Artic. The secret location of the cube is encrypted onto his grandfather's eye glass which is in Sam's possesion, leading to the Decepticons hunting for him to reveal the secret location. However, it is not an easy task for the Decepticons since the Autobots are there to protect Sam, the humankind and the earth. Apart from the awesome visual effects, the film's strenght depends mainly on the role of its leading character Sam; Shia LeBeouf and the other casts did not dissapointing in their respective roles. The soundtracks are also catchy with its theme song keep on lingering on my mind after I left the cinema hall. With a hint of a sequel - the Decepticons are not totaly destroyed but merely freezed on the ocean - I am certainly looking forward for the second instalment of this film.

What I loved most: The war scenes and Jodhaa-Akbar sword fighting scene

What I really hated: When they start dancing and singing...

To be frank, this is the first time that I went to the cinema to watch a Bollywood film. Jodhaa-Akbar's based on historical facts and inter religious marriage storyline really caught my interest, more so since its attract controversy in India on the authenticity of its historical facts. Set in the sixteenth century, the film begins with narration of historical facts on the emerging of Mughal empire in Hindustan (India). Touted as an epic film, breathtaking battle scenes featuring elephants, camels and horses at the start of the film is really impressive. However, most part of the film revolves around the marriage of alliance between a Muslim Mughal Emperor Jalaluddin Mohammed Akbar (HRITHIK ROSHAN) and a Hindu Rajput Princess Jodhaa Bai (AISHWARYA RAI-BACHAN). Reluctantly agree to the arranged marriage by her father King Bharmal (KULBUSHAN KHARBANDA) who wants to save his kingdom from the invading Mughal ruler, Jodhaa set two conditions on the eve of their marriage - she should be allowed to practise her religion & culture and be provided with a temple when she moves into her new palace. Akbar agrees to the conditions and the marriage is then solemnised. However, just like other weded couples their marriage also full of ups and downs. For a start, it is not a consummated marriage and on top of that, there are other typical domestic issues - relationship of mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, over protective elders, jelous siblings, treachery etc. However, Akbar finaly managed to capture Jodhaa's heart and Jodhaa also managed to tame Akbar and made him more human. Personaly, I am quite impressed with the film's fighting and war scenes which is on par with Hollywood productions. The film also managed to potrays India's old courts and fotresses magnificiently. Acting wise, all actors gave comendable performance in their respective roles. Just like other Bollywood production, song and dance scenes (which I don't really like) can also be found in this film but they are not being over done. I left te cinema hall feeling relieve that I managed to spend 210minutes watching a Bollywood film without feeling bored. Jodhaa-Akbar is a good film for history buff like myself.