THE BODYGUARD 特工爷爷 Movie Review

Synopsis

The Bodyguard follows a retired bodyguard (Hung) who has settled in the dark and unknown corner of the world where China, Russia and North Korea meet. Suffering from the beginnings of dementia, the bodyguard is befriended by a young girl whose life is threatened when her father (Lau) falls in with the local crime world. When the girl and her father disappear, the bodyguard must call upon his long forgotten skills to save the life of his young friend.

Casts

Presented By  

 Irresistible Alpha Limited

 Edko Films Limited

            Focus Films Limited

            Good Friends Entertainment Sdn Bhd

            Edko (Beijing) Films Limited

            Tencent Penguin Pictures (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

            Bdi Films Inc.

            Directed By  Sammo Hung

            Starring  Sammo Hung, Andy Lau, Zhu Yuchen, Li Qinqin, Jack Feng,                                               Jacqueline Chan

Guest Appearances          Hu Jun, Feng Shaofeng, Eddie Peng Yuyan, Song Jia, Tsui

Hark, Karl Maka, Dean Shek, Yuen Biao, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Wah, Yuen Ting, Yuen Bo

Review

We always thought that with Sammo Hung, the movie will only be an action packed martial art movie. It is only partially true as there is more to this movie. It has a grandfather-granddaughter love relationship which is the heart-warming. It also have the comedy moment of the shy Sammo Hung when he is with the one sided love lady landlord.

As usual, the action packed movie was well executed. Fast and precise and there is no time to brink my eyes as I kept my eyeballs glued to the screen. The interesting thing is that it provides a blue x-ray outline of the anatomy of the body on where the body parts of Sammo's victim were affected by his powerful hits. It shows those hits are surgically aim to inflict the most damage to the victim. Oops! not a very nice thing to know. Just like an acupuncturist who know where to put his needle into the body. No wonder Sammon Hung was a successful martial art director. Even Hollywood wanted him as an martial art director in some of the Hollywood movies.

The movie also flashes many familiar faces of past famous comedy actors, Karl Marka, Dean Shek and even one very famous director / actor,  Tsui Hark. The younger generation cinema goers may not be familiar with them. There is also a martial art actor, Yuen Biao to help us to remember him. Right at the end of the movie, we get to see one of the currently hottest actor, Eddie Peng appearing in the movie to please the audience. Honestly, there is no significant of him in the movie. I believe the objective of the director is to bring some sort of surprise appearance of these past and present famous actors. It is indeed a refreshing way to put this movie on the lighter side, giving the audience, a moment to remember actors. 

Andy Lau acted as a gambler, got caught in the world of gangsters. His screen daughter, Jacqueline Chan, played the lovely, independent little girl who love to be around with Sammo Hung. Sammo Hung lost her own granddaughter and was distance away from her own daughter who blamed him for losing his granddaughter. Jacqueline Chan, does came into his life as a replacement for her lost granddaughter. He felt the attachment with the little daughter who brought much joy to his lonely life.

 Jack Feng, acted well as the gangster master. His brutality helps to contribute to the shocking moment such as the killing of Andy Lau by torturing him with a cut on the back of both ankles and a straight knife pierce into his body. No expression from Jack Feng as he seems such a confidence gangster. Honestly, as audience, we felt the knife and long for a retribution on this bloody gangster who have no love for human life. 

Overall, it was both a brutal, heart-warming action packed movie. With both Sammo Hung and Andy Lau, this movie is definitely a sold-out. Fans will love their acting and appearance. Honestly, I did not know that Andy Lau is a famous producer. In fact, he is a famous actor, producer and singer. I guessed he strive to do well in all his roles in the entertainment industry. I shall rate the movie 3.8 / 5. 

The movie started showing in cinema on 7 April 2016. 

Movie Trailer

Behind The Scene

Movie Theme Song

Bringing back the old memories of old Singapore with the musical Great World Cabaret, Let’s Bo Bo Cha Cha!

Indeed, this musical brings us back to our beloved old Singapore entertainment in the 1960s. Those who have fond memories of cabaret shows, will remember them at the three amusement parks ( Great World, New World and Gay World ) in Singapore. Great World Cabaret probably base on the New World Amusement Park where they have cabaret show featuring Rose Chan, Taxi Girls Mat Tarzan etc.

As for myself, my memories of Great World Amusement Park was simply having a fun game of shooting after a sumptuous dinner with family and staff of my Dad company during every Chinese New Year.

The musical is created by the talented Selena Tan from Dream Academy Productions and directed by George Chan. George Chan’s father used to sing in clubs in another amusement park, Gay World. As a child, he would make frequent trips to these amusement parks.

Well known comedian such as Mark Lee, Hossan Leong, Sebastian Tan, Judee Tan will be guest stars in the musical on certain dates of the show. The other stars include Shane Marrjuki, Seong Hui Xuan, JC Sum etc.

Synopsis

An old security guard closes up a museum exhibit for the night. The exhibit evokes long forgotten memories of his brightest moments as a host of Singapore’s most famous nightclub, the Great World Cabaret.

His memories take centre stage as the cabaret comes to life. Dancing girls, acrobats from all over the world, a magician, amazing singers and more fill the stage. Set against this loud and colourful backdrop, he meets the girl of his dreams.

At the climax of the cabaret show, his memories start to fade and he finds himself back at the museum, unsure if time had really gone backwards or if it was nothing more than an old man’s daydream.

Review

If you enjoy listening to good songs, you will not be disappointed with this musical.   The talk show by Mark Lee was comical and lively. The acrobatic act from Qing Dao Acrobatic Troupe and Drunken Sailors act were simply amazing. The magic show by JC Sum helps us to recall the usual magic show of yester years. Overall, the musical was fun and entertaining and the dances were well choreographed. Don't miss out this nostalgic musical. 

The show will be on from 19 Feb to 17 Mar 2015. It is rated as PG13.

Tickets can be purchased at Sistic 

Movie Review : Meet Miss Anxiety 《我的早更女友》

 Meet Miss Anxiety 《我的早更女友》

故事大纲

四年前，戚嘉的大学男友刘翀执意要去北京工作，可戚嘉舍不得离开故乡。毕业之日她向刘翀求婚，却遭当众拒绝，她与刘翀的爱情也在此刻停止。毕业后戚嘉满怀热情的生活，并“捡”回无家可归的大学校友袁晓鸥一起合租。刘翀去北京后音讯全无，载满思念的信也有去无回，戚嘉变得意志消沉日日买醉。两年后刘翀的结婚请柬让戚嘉痛不欲生，寻死不得后她在闺蜜林舒儿和袁晓鸥的陪同下赶赴北京抢婚。但当刘翀发现面纱下的新娘是戚嘉时，他再一次拒绝了戚嘉的求婚。遭受感情创伤的戚嘉也被诊断出“早更”，在室友袁晓鸥帮她“疗伤”击退更年期的日子里，两颗孤独的心逐渐向彼此靠拢。漫长四年的相处，袁晓鸥对戚嘉不离不弃，戚嘉也因他重拾起对爱情的信念。

导演：郭在容     

主演：周迅、佟大为、钟汉良、张梓琳

类型：喜剧/爱情

片长：98分钟

SYNOPSIS

Four years ago, Qi Jia’s beloved college boyfriend Liu Chong plans to work in Beijing, while Qi rather stays in her hometown city. At their graduation ceremony, Qi proposes to Liu in the public, only to be rejected immediately - that was the end of their love story. 

After their graduation, Qi was so passionate toward her new life and approved the ‘flat-share’ request by her schoolmate, Yuan Xiao’ou who was homeless at that time. Qi had never heard from Liu Chong after then until she got his wedding invitation two years later, she was devastated….

Director               ：Jae-young Kwak

Cast                      ：Zhou Xun, Tong Dawei, Han-Liang Chung, Zhang Zilin

Genre                   ：Comedy/Romance

Duration              ：98 mins

Trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufqXGEEa8wM&feature=youtu.be

Review :

Coming from the Korean director of fame comedy movie "My Sassy Girl", KWAK Jae-young, it will be a fun and enjoyable romantic comedy. Well, that’s what the Korean director is good at.  It is that kind of show that make your heart feel good from the start to the end and of course, a happy ending. That’s probably the known secret ingredient of a romantic comedy.

If the fame Korean director still does not convince you to watch the movie, let the box office taking convince you whole-heartily. When it was released on December 5, 2014 in China, and by December 20, 2014, the film had earned ¥139.17 million at the Chinese box office. Not bad for a romantic comedy.

How it ends, well, if you just cannot wait, go for the first day of the screening in the cinema near you. That is on February 5, 2015. Have an early Valentine celebration (February 14, 2015) with your girlfriend or boyfriend or even ex-gf or bf (now husband and wife), by watching this fun filled movie.

The main actress, Zhou Xun, one of the hottest Chinese actresses today truly live up to her reputation while the main actor, Tong Dawei, a seasoned actor add the extra sparkle into the movie. In fact, I think he worked very hard since his character required him to help, cheer-up and take care of Zhou Xu who was depressed with her premature menopause syndrome.

At times, there are touching moments where Tong Dawei would plan everything to ensure the care of Zhou Xun. It is only when you truly love a person; you will be able to sacrifice so much for the person. At the end of the movie, the director decided to let the cat out of the bag by flashing some of the scenes of Tong Dawei. What did he do? Watch it and you will know the answer.

Ratings:

In my opinion, good movie always come with a twist. There is no twist but the director decided to explain what Tong Dawei did earlier in the movie by showing some of the scenes at the end. In a way, it is to get the audience understand the true meaning of love and sacrifices. Watch it together with your love ones and feel good. I shall rate it 4/5 stars.

The movie will be showing in cinema on 05 February 2015.

DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2 《单身男女2》

Synopsis :

After the “Earthling” Cheung Shen Ren (Louis Koo) loses Cheng Zixin (Gao Yuanyuan) to the “Martian” Fang Qihong, he decides to keep it cool and reverts to single-hood graciously. Cheng and Fang, meanwhile, live happily ever after…… That seems to be the fairytale ending from DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART. In reality, the story is far from over: the three finds themselves once again entangled in an even more complicated relationship in DON’T GO BREAKING MY HEART 2.

After jilted by Cheng, Cheung starts dating “Goddess of Stocks” Yang Yang Yang, who works in an opposite building. Yang has been turning a blind eye to Cheung’s philandering until she meets Paul, a romantic returnee from France whose devotion has melted her heart.

Afraid to lose his lover again, Cheung determines to settle down and marry Yang, but fate works in mysterious ways. It turns out that Cheng’s wedding with Fang has been delayed and she is now directly working under Yang. A chance encounter with Cheng again makes Cheung question his decision, because even though he appears to have emerged unscathed from their previous relationship, he was profoundly hurt and still hasn’t fully recovered.

Paul is in love with Yang; Yang has accepted Cheung’s proposal; Cheung is unable to get Cheng off his mind; and Cheng is about to marry Fang. A quadrangular relationship among five people – who is really the love of their life?

Production Company : Milkyway Image

Produced by : Johnnie To, Wai Ka Fai

Directed by : Johnnie To

Written by :  Wai Ka Fai, Ryker Chan, Yu Xi

Cast : Miriam Yeung (楊千嬅), Louis Koo (古天樂), Gao Yuan Yuan (高圓圓), Vic Chou (周渝民),

Special Appearance : Daniel Wu  吴彦祖

Trailer : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gzFQNXqRSo&list=UUm4hPh9CUfqaZVOeZYr8AAw

Review:

This is the sequence to the first movie of the same title without the 2 behind. Unfortunately, I have not seen the first movie. I shall make an effort to watch it later.

Don’t go breaking my heart 2 is a romantic comedy which focus on city love relationship. In this movie, there are more than the usual triangle love relationships which make the relationships a complex one. With the love hate relationships and misunderstandings, it makes this movie interesting and comical.

The use of two buildings with open windows creates some memorable comical scenes which brought some really loud laughter from the audiences. Another interesting thing that drew a lot of laughter came from the Louis Koo inability to take control of his testosterone which drives his behaviour.

Besides giving the audience some happy moments, the movie does relate a strong message to courting couple. Loving a person is to accept what he is and not what you want him to be. Thus, love is blind and you cannot use some complex logical deduction to make your relationship decision.

Ratings:

In my opinion, it may be a bit silly in some of moments in the movie but overall, it opened the minds of courting couple with a fair share of jokes and comical scenes. With Miriam Yeung appearing in this comedy movie, it will definitely keep my face stretched with uncontrollable laughter. I shall rate it 3.5/5 stars.

The movie will be showing in cinema on 13 November 2014.