Actresses/ Yeobaewoodeul / 여배우들 (2009)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

A nice film featuring strong-willed actresses on a Vogue photo-shoot on a wintry Christmas night. Apparently there are no scripted lines, the director just gave the actresses the scenario. So it felt pretty "live-wire", as you see the tension being played out. A superb offering from Mio Home TV.

Official Site (Korean)
http://cafe.naver.com/actressmovie?&t__nil_upper_main=homepage

IMDB ENtry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1459219/

AsianWiki Entry:
http://asianwiki.com/The_Actresses

Rinco's Restaurant/ Shokudo Katatsumuri/ 食堂かたつむり(2010)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Comedy

Another quirky Japanese summer show from Mio Home TV. Fun to watch the cooking, and the silly antics...

IMDB Entry:
http://asianwiki.com/Rinco%27s_Restaurant

AsiaWiki Entry:
http://asianwiki.com/Rinco%27s_Restaurant

The Flowers of War/ 金陵十三钗 (2011)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Drama

Another great movie from Zhang Yimou. A bit arty-farty in certain scenes, lots of interpretation if you analyse the scenes. Moving human stories abound in this tragic war story set during the Nanjing Massacre of 1937. Pretty graphic in violence, don't bring your kids to watch this (think it's at least a NC-16 rating in Singaporean theaters)

谁说婊子无情无义?谁说兵士无血无泪?

Official Site (US)
http://www.theflowersofwarthemovie.com/

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1410063/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flowers_of_War

The Hunger Games (2012)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Science Fiction & Fantasy

Good film. I was surprised this was adapted from a young adult's fiction book, cos the themes are pretty dark and chilling. Wonder if the books will be any good. Hopefully they will make a trilogy of films to follow the books.

May the odds ever be in your favor.

Official Site:
http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_%28film%29

Joyful Noise (2012)

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Other

Like I said on my FB post, superbly Hollywood version of what church & worship is, but "Sister Act" this is not. The songs are Christian and soulful, yet the values portrayed are pretty off. And the way the competitions are portrayed, it's pretty scary. Still, the element of human drama and problems are very real. There are genuine hilarious moments, like the fight scene in the restaurant; there are genuine moving moments, like the rooftop scene, the hotel lobby scene and the alone-in-the-church singing scene. Still, it feels like a mish-mash.

Official Site:
http://joyfulnoisemovie.warnerbros.com/index.html#/home

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1710396/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joyful_Noise_%28film%29

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax 3D (2012)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Animation

Hmm, enjoyed the movie quite a lot; but i haven't read the book. According to most critics, the film does not do the book justice. But I found the story to be pretty alright. And the animals are so cute! One of the few ecological-minded animations I've seen. The titular character don't appear a lot, but... SOMEONE NEEDS TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES. UNLESS!

Official Site:
http://www.theloraxmovie.com/index.php

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1482459/

Wiki entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lorax_%28film%29

Hugo (3D) (2011)

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Movies
Genre:	Science Fiction & Fantasy

Wow, Gandhi, Borat, Count Dooku and Dr. Watson all in one film. Story was really well-plotted, you'll hardly noticed the 1st 5 non-verbal minutes-introduction went by so quickly.

Can watch it without the 3D effects, though it did enhance the viewing experience. A must watch for all moviephiles, great splicing of classical movies' shots.

One small pet peeve is that the actors (includes children and women) was affecting a British accent despite a French setting. Quelle nonsense! :P

Official Site:
http://www.hugomovie.com/#home

IMDB Entry:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970179/

Wiki Entry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_%28film%29