What I loved most: The tailor's metaphor, poetical cinematography & Dato' Rahim Razali's acting

What I really hated: Plotholes & the other main leads dreadful acting

Losely based on Shakespeare's "Othello", Jarum Halus (literally means fine needle in Malay, also a term used to refer to an act of deceiving) is a thriller cum love story amidst the corporate world in metropolitan Kuala Lumpur. A boardroom fight arises when a fast rising corporate figure Daniel Oh (CHRISTIEN NEW) eloped with Mona (JULIANA IBRAHIM) the daughter of a fellow board member. Mediated by the board Chairman Datuk Kalel (DATO' RAHIM RAZALI), all parties agreed to reconcile and make amend. However, Datuk Kalel's son Iskandar (RAZIF HASHIM) see this as an opportunity for him to get rid of his best freind Daniel from the board. Ploting a wicked plan, Iskandar started telling lies and making story (ala Mami Jarum) to various parties - Daniel, Mona, his colleague Micheal (JUSTIN CHAN), a secret admirer of Mona named Rahim (MEGAT SHARIZAL) and even his own estranged wife Emilia (FARAH PUTRI). His evil plan went smoothly initialy but gone hire wire with the involvement of his wife, snowballing his scheme to disproportionate levels with tragic consequences. Modern and comtemporary Kuala Lumpur and its folks are highlighted well in this film, such as at the house party scene ("Alcohol in a Malay function?") as well as the mamak teh tarik session. The issue of inter-racial/religion marriage is also highlighted in this film almost realistically - Daniel Oh Abdullah is still a Chinese/non-Moslem at heart when he committed suicide upon realising the tragic mistake that he has committed upon his wife. Acting wise, Dato' Rahim Razali as usual gave comendable performance but the other casts need improvement on their acting skill, with an exception to Razif Hasim who has shown improvement since his film debut Goodbye Boys. Christien New looks akward when he speaks in Malay while Juliana Ibrahim's acting at time reminds me of her stinct as host for TV3 's Kelab Disney - too childish and manja. The film is also poetical, the tailor and his fine needle metaphor is briliantly used in the film. Look out also for the various symbolism throughout the film - the rock climbing scene, the Shakey's pizza scene, Iskandar's various monologue etc. Overall, Jarum Halus is a good effort by first time film maker Mark Tan in his directorial debut.

What I loved most: The music & the piono scenes, nice cinematography

What I really hated: Predictable storyline & secret, lack of chemistry between the main leads

The secret is out - accomplished musician Jay Chou is suprisingly also a good film director but his acting skill is still lacking. For his directorial debut, Secret is an above average film for this first time film maker. It is a film that delved into high school love story that go beyond time between Lum (JAY CHOU) and a mysterious fellow classmate Yu @ Rain (KWAI LUN-MEI). Met at the school's music room, both of them are passionate about music and piano. Yu's constant disapperance from the classroom has turn the music room as the secret rendevous place for this 2 lovers. She is also keeping a secret from Lum - the melody that she played on the piano when they first met. When Yu disappeared from school due to a misunderstanding between the two of them, Lum went to her house looking for her - only to realise later that she is the school girl who stands next to his teacher father (ANTHONY WONG) in a photo taken in the 80s - a secret that she has been keeping from him. Being a film that revolves around music, the film's music score is really captivating to the extend that its over shadow the other aspect within the film itself. The film's cinematograhy is also nicely done with scenes of the countrysie (mountain,river,beach) truely capture the mood of the young lovers. However, Jay Chou need to improve himself to be a better thespian - there are lack of chemistry between him and the female lead eventhough they are lovers in the film. Nevertheless, this is still a commendable directorial debut from this Taiwanese heart throb - a good watch even if you are not a fan of Jay Chou.

What I loved most: Great acting and good novel-to-film storyline.

What I really hated: The disturbing war scenes

This Golden Globe winner is really atonishing! Staying true to the novel's adaptation of the same title, almost half of the film revolves around what happened on the hottest day of summer 1935 in an English countryside household. On that faithfull day, 13 years old aspiring writer Briony Tallis (SAOIRSE RONAN) who had a crush on the house garderner Robbie Turner (JAMES MCAVOY) found out that he is having a relationship with her elder sister Cecilia (KEIRA KNIGHTLEY). Witnessing intimate incidences between Cecilia and Robbie at the house's fountain and library, naive Briony concluded that Robbie is a seducer and vows to protect her sister from his advances. When she witnessed her cousin being molested that night, Briony tells a lies that result in Robbie being taken away by the police. The film then moves on to the World War 1 scenes in Dunkirk, France where Robbie (now a soldier) try hard to survive so that he can return to London to reunite with Cecilia at their dream house on the beach. Both Cecilia and Briony (ROMOLA GARAI as 18 years old Briony Tallis) are now nurses in London, tending to the injured soldiers. In a bid to atone herself, Briony confronted Cecilia and Robbie at their house and admits her mistake. The film then comes to its climax when an aged Briony (VANESSA REDGRAVE) now a famous writer reveals it alls in her last book - which is actually her first book. In that suprise ending, we can't help but to feel sorry for all three of them. Nicely edited, the film is a worthwhile watch for love story and drama fans. Acting wise, all actors gave commendable performance with veteran Vanessa Redgrave stealing the show in her brief appearance. Watch the film and ponder afterward the true meaning of atonement.

What I loved most: Realistic potrayal of the other side of KL, good & gorish action scenes

What I really hated: Some scenes too gorish by local film standard

If the director Osman Ali wish to make some social comment via this film, then this film is a success. Revolving around a group of freinds, the film begins with Hisham (ROSYAM NOR) a drug dealer being cornered by the police at a back alley. Unable to escape, Hisham had to hand over his young son to a homeless woman Mariam (MISLINA MUSTAFA in another accidental god mother role - remember Puaka Tebing Biru, also a film by Osman Ali?). Mariam names the baby "Indra Putra" and raises him like her own child. However, they were accidentally saparated and Putra was later raised by their neighbour Leha (KARTINA AZIZ) who is also the mother to his close freind Johanna. Years later, both Putra (FARID KAMIL) and Johanna aka Jo (MAYA KARIN) has grown up. Tomboyish Jo is secretly in love with Putra but has to keep it to herself when a beautiful rich girl named Atika (FASHA SANDHA) showed her interest with Putra and join their gang that made up of Ezan (ADIPUTRA) and his sister Miya (RAJA FARAH), Shah (REMY ISHAK) and Danial (BRONTE PALARAE). Ezan, faced with harrassment from the loan shark Tajol (ZUL HUZAIMI) and his sidekicks (FIZZ FAIRUS and FAUZI NAWAWI) have to resort to the drug trade to settle his debt, using his burger stall as a front to sell drug-laced "burger 20 sen". Putra later found out that Atika is a drug addict who gets her supply from Ezan and to make thing worst, both Ezan and Atika were killed because of drug. The death of two peoples close to his heart made Putra and his gang take revenge, killing Tajul and his sidekicks and subsequently confronting the leader of the group - Hisham. The film managed to potray realistically the other side of KL - dark back alleys, squaters and flat dwellings with the world famous Petronas Towers in the background. A social critic film in an entertaining way, however the film is not all about entertainment - you'll leave the cinema hall pondering on some issues highlighted in the film - drugs abuse & social upbringing etc. The fighting scenes in the film were also nicely chereographed and to certain extend, too gorish and grapical by the local film standard. Acting wise, all actors performed well throughout the film, you can feel their conflict reflected in their facial expression. Watch the film for some entertainment and serious after tought.

What I loved most: Peoples at Disney's pooking fun at themselves :)

What I really hated: Bollywood inspired song and dance sequences

Enchanted is a clever combination of animated cartoon and the real world. The film opens with an animated song and dance sequence of countryside dimsel Giselle (AMY ADAMS) and her friends ala Snow White & The 7 Dwarves. In a true Disney style, she was later saved by Prince Edward (JAMES MARSDEN) of Andalasia from an ogre and they agreed to marry the next day after having that magical true love kiss. However, Prince Edward's evil stepmother Queen Narissa (SUSAN SARANDON) tricked the bimboo Giselle on her wedding day and pushed her into a magical well that drains out to modern day, real life Manhattan. Lost in the city, Giselle later befriended a divorce lawyer Robert (PATRICK DEMPSEY) and his little daughter Morgan (RACHEL COVEY) and subsequently create unnecessary troubles at his house and office. Along the way, the Giselle and Robert develop feelling toward each other. However, when Prince Edward pursuing Giselle in Manhanttan and the two were finaly reunited, she has a changed of heart either to pursue her fairy tale happily ever after wedding to the prince or settle down in Manhanttan with her true love Robert. This is a feel good movie for all in the family to enjoy. The soundtracks are also memorable but the song and dance sequence in Central Park ala Bollywood is over the top and excessively done. Nevertheless, its still an entertaining and relaxing watch for all.

What I loved most: Deserted, uninhibited NYC where deers and lions roam freely

What I really hated: Slow moving & dreadful despite the simple, no subplot storyline

Based on a novel of the same title, the focus of this movie is on how a man - who is probably the last man on earth - handle his loneliness in a deserted city. With blood thirst zombies roaming the city at nite, the plot of the the movie is eerie and scary enough but watching only one actor in action in most part of the film make it a dreadful watch. In the film, former army officer Dr. Robert Neville (WILL SMITH) and his German Shepherd dog Sam survived an outbreak of a virus that turn those infected with it into blood thirsty zombies that are sensitive to the light. In his well equipped labotary at the basement of his house (with running water & electricity on a deserted city?), Dr. Neville who is immune to the desease try to find the cure for the virus. Believing that he is not the only man who survived the outbreak, he also try to contact other survivors by sending out daily messages on AM radio, promising food and shelter to those who come forward. At the verge of frustration, Dr Neville try to kill himself by confronting the zombies at nite, only to be rescued by a mysterious woman and a boy. However, this lead to the discovery of his fortified residence by the zombies and legend wanabe Dr Neville has to confront them in the film's finale so that he is remebered as a legend... Despite the eerie surrounding and plot of the movie, the film is spoilt by the various loop holes and illogical scenes throughtout the movies. Acting wise, the versatile Will Smith is comandable as the lonely Dr Neville but watching him alone throughout the movie make it a monotonous film. The CGI of deserted NYC is nicely done, however the CGI zombies could have been done better. Overall, its just an avearge film for me, watch it if you are a die hard fan of Will Smith.