"How Am I Going To Explain That?"

This was the first things that came out of my mouth when I left the cinema. The film in question was 'From Vegas To Macau' (also apparently knoqn as 'The Man From Macau')

I still, several months later, don't really know how to explain this film! It was the most bizarre, hilarious and at times completely confusing but all in the most fabulous of ways. The plot line was deeply, deeply questionable. It started as one thing, then ended as another, no reasoning in between. At times it was gritty and dramatic and at others it was a slapstick comedy. To be honest, I still don't know how to explain what I saw... but I liked it. 

I am having a huge love affair with Asian cinema at the moment, and it's very very different to much of the Cinema in the the West. It's sometimes darker and gritter and often far more "over-acted" than I'm used to, but just go with it! It's fun! Vegas To Macau had to be seen, I live here after all and it's always fun seeing places you've been on the big screen, and I was interested to see Chow Yun Fat in something that wasn't Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. (I'm still in denial that Pirates Of The Caribbean 3 happened - my friend swears I've seen it but I don't remember a thing. If I did see it, I appear to have erased it from my memory!!) He is an excellent actor for sure.

If you're in the mood for some crazy, off the wall Chinese cinema, then do watch this. It's just SO. MUCH. FUN. Though I can't guarantee that you'll be able to explain it afterwards...

To Boldly Go...

Having a wee check back i've seen it is five months since I last went to the cinema! I used to go at least once a week back when I had a cineworld card, but alas there is no equivalent that I have yet found out here and tickets are a little on the steep side. Still, every so often a film comes round that you just have to see. Deep within me there is a Star Trek fan. Star Wars I can take or leave, but I remember coming home from school and Star Trek being shown on BBC2 at around 6pm. Those were the days.

Naturally when the first film in the reboot series came out it had to be seen. I loved it and even though at times it did teeter slightly on the edge of cheese it's up there with my favourites. It has, however, been blown out of the water (no pun intended if you've seen it) by its sequel, Star Trek  Into Darkness.

There is so much to love about this film. 

First, the beginning. It opens with fast paced action and then slows right down. It's two completely different tones that actually set the scene perfectly. It's a touch that is echoed throughout the film in both actions and characters.

Second, the dialogue. The Script is very good. Funny, emotional, serious and JJ Abrams constructed scenes brilliantly. 

Third, Benedict Cumberbatch. I was a little unsure, much as I love Cumberbatch, but every single doubt I had was quashed the moment he appears on screen. The best way I can put it without spoiling it or giving too much away is to say he is the best villain I have seen in a long time, by a long, long way. 

Fourth, the music. Michael Giacchino has done it again, worth praise for the track London Calling alone!

Fifth, the costumes. Who doesn't love a bad guy in an epic black coat (or a good guy Morpheus/Neo a la The Matrix). Nuff said! Actually, a man in any decent coat, i.e. Matthew McFadden's Mr Darcy and Colin firth's Mr Darcy a la Bridget Jones! 

Sixth, the me against the world complex. My does this call for epic fight scenes and some bad ass heroics! 

There is so much more besides, but I don't want to give too much away. This has already been added to my list of DVD's needed, and I'm seriously debating going again!! 

52

So it's all been a little quiet on the western front. There hasn't been much going on out here. This past week things have picked up a little. Of course, Christmas happened, but it was a strange one. It felt like it was a summers day outside and everything was still open. It's not as big a celebration for the locals as Chinese new year is and as such Christmas day felt like a non-day. It was almost like I was watching it go by, and it did go by in a flash.

Then there are the films that have come out recently. First Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

 I had to go and see this one. I have seen all the others in the series and had, therefore, to finish the job. It was much better than the last offering, but to be fair the fist half of breaking dawn was also my least favourite part of the book series. The film in the twilight saga was very good and almost as fresh as the first one, and cleverly directed with good opening and closing titles. There was a moment when I feared a terrible deed had been done and the ending had been altered but thankfully my fears were alleviated and overall it was one of the better films of the saga.

Next came The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

I was so excited about this film. I have been waiting for it since Lord of the Rings came out and I could not wait to get the cinema to see it. I was not disappointed. In fact I loved it so much that tomorrow I am going to see it again. The acting is superb, the costumes and make-up sublime and Peter Jackson delivers the story with love and care. There were moments I was unsure of, as many things that are mentioned in passing in the book are expanded on, but Jackson does an excellent job of explaining the Lord of the Rings after he has made it. It will, I think, make all six of the films  (once the following two installments of The Hobbit are released) into a complete unit.

The final film is, of course, Les Miserables.

I have also been eagerly anticipating this release, though I knew I would be somewhat hard to please. I grew up listening to the 10th Anniversary Cast, featuring Colm Wilkinson who has dominated the role of Valijean since it's inception. I have not heard, and will be hard pressed to hear, a rendition of Bring Him Home that matches Wilkinson's. Despite being hard to please, I thoroughly enjoyed Les Mis. Anne Hathaway was excellent as Fantine and her I Dreamed a Dream was a highlight of the film. Hugh Jackman delivered an award worthy performance as Valjean and Eddie Redmayne's Marius was the best I have seen him act. Russel Crowe's Javert was strange. He brought Javert to life well and I liked his interpretation of the character, but I struggled with his voice, It was nothing like I was expecting, and I am used to more strength and depth than he had. That said, Crowe's numerous duets with Jackman worked very well and their voices meshed together excellently. Isabelle Allen was a revelation and Amanda Seyfried voice was perfect.
Overall, and regardless of my gripes, there is no doubt in my mind that Les Mis is a cinematic masterpiece and I do hope it does as well as it deserves during awards season.

That has been my time back at the cinema and I am now plotting a further task. Reading is one of my favourite things, and I have more books than I remember on my kindle, so to help me get through them I am taking on the challenge of reading 52 books in a year, one a week. The list is nearly done (though I am sure it will change a few more times, and may even cross over to next year) but I am rather exited. Nothing like a bit of structure and a list to make you do something! Here's just hoping I can stick to it!