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There are undoubtedly regrettable moments in our lives, which we hope of having 2nd chances to make things right.

What would you do if you were bestowed a 2nd chance in life, with prior knowledge on what’s going to happen in the future?

Would you attempt to change the course of your personal life and your loved ones’ lives?

“Again My Life” is another Lee Joon Gi drama that sets high bars on setting you on the edge of your seats with cliffhangers, exciting action scenes and exemplary acting skills.

Join Hee Woo, a young promising prosecutor gets a 2nd chance at seeking revenge against a corrupted politician through this time traveling revenge fantasy journey.

It’s bound to keep you hooked while reflecting over what 2nd chances, justice, priorities mean to you.

While we can’t control what life deals us with, it is how we choose to react or approach difficult situations, that will determine our future.

The world can never be fair. It will always exist in its imperfect form, but it’s how we all find ways to survive and stay firm to our faith.
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Riding on the waves of zombie apocalypse movies, “Rampant” attempts to set itself apart by zooming into an era way before our time, set in the Joseon Dynasty 500 to 600 years ago.

Apart from the massive scale of zombies running rampage in colourful Joseon costumes across palaces, the majestic action scenes and swords play, a major draw to watch “Rampant” is definitely to see how this “fatally charismatic” duo, Jang Dong Gun & Hyun Bin, who are best friends in real life, take on confrontational roles in the movie. Their chemistry is impeccable.

Like many audiences, I have mixed reviews of this movie. If you have been a fan of zombie flicks, it would satisfy you to a certain extent with some of the most thrilling and exciting action scenes. However, if you are looking for character development and emotional engagement like “Train in Busan”, it may leave you dismayed.

If all else fails, we can always count upon JDG & Hyun Bin to save the day.

The brilliant cinematography and choreography of the action scenes, CGI effects topped with brilliant music pieces by the London Music Symphony, is what we call a “Sensory Feast”. It’s a refreshing fusion when you see western zombies mixed with Korean zombies set in the Joseon era.

From the landscape view of thousands of zombies aka “night demons” attacking their victims in the palace to the close ups was a sight to behold. We could see close ups of how the victims turned into zombies, with veins forming on their faces and limbs with white, gluey eyes as they began twisting and warping during the transformation.

The tracks by London Music Symphony are so 浩瀚澎湃 that it elevated the “Sensory gratification” it was supposed to deliver on a colossal scale at the gorgeously built Joseon sets.

Excitement kicked in full force towards the later part of the movie. Audiences can expect to be glued to their seats while hoping the leads could make it safely out of danger.

My most favourite scene was during the hoards of zombies breaking into the dungeons trying to have a bite on the “only humans” left. It was such a 惊险 and thrilling scene that it would have your hearts thumping at your throats. You would also enjoy the scenes when Lee Chung fought the so many zombies single-handed in the main hall and the swordplay sparring between the 2 opposing leads. You’d be pleased with how both actors weird their swords like a pro.

What we were curious to find out was really to see how well the chemistry between the 2 real life best friends would turn out. Both shone in their respective ways, yet not stealing the limelight from each other since they complement well with each other and all other cast members.

This movie is about duty and responsibilities, political tensions, human greed and ambitions which would lead to an impending downfall.

It is the King who serves the people, not the King who owns the empire. Without the citizens, there will not be a king.

究竟是效忠还是愚忠? 我觉得张东健在戏里无非也提出了值得思考的一点。

想要做统领并非易事。On top of being a good leader, you need someone who has the abilities and willingness to assume these heavy responsibilities.

Whether you choose to be “good” or “bad”, it all boils down to options and choices in life. There’s always a consequence and price that we have to pay for making such choices.

Minister Kim’s下场 is a good portrayal of how when you have too great ambitions, it turns into personal greed, which will eventually lead to your downfall, or ultimately self-destruction.

The 1st hour was dreadfully slow and there wasn’t much character development or emotional engagement. Most characters are pretty one-dimensional and the plot is pretty predictable.

The reason why “Train to Busan” was a huge success was because it was in a league of its own, paying much details and attention to their character and emotional development that most zombie flicks lack.

There was more screen time for Hyun Bin to have gradual character development as the story progressed, from a 吊儿郎当 Joseon prince who had no interest to ascend the throne, to the hero who saved the day. In a way, you can feel how 迫切 Minister Kim yearns to rule the empire no matter what it takes, including self-sacrifice, but you can’t feel that willingness of Prince Lee Chung to even want to fight the zombies, not to mention protecting his people.

It was a little abrupt, for the switch towards the final showdowns.

Hyun Bin could do better, but with a script that weak on character development, that’s likely the best that he could make of.

He fared well in the intricate moments during emotional scenes whereby you could feel the pain and angst Lee Chung experienced when he lost his loved ones

Hyun Bin had more notable action scenes fighting against zombies, showcasing amazing swordplay skills. It must been very strenuous and physically exhausting for him under harsh weather conditions during winter.

Jang Dong Gun is the scene stealer. Minister Kim’s vast ambition & greed was portrayed subtly initially but it intensified when JDG unleashed his power towards the ending scenes.

He brings playing a villain to another level. It isn’t just a flat one-dimensional character. He stayed true to his words about putting efforts into adding depth and layers to his villain role. He was able to showcase not just his scheming antics, immense ambitions to rule the Joseon Empire, but also the devastation when it came to his downfall. Be it playing the good or bad guy, he’s always ready to assimilate the role and we can say his acting is of “Master” level in “Rampant”.

不管是穿着龙袍登基的那一幕，犀利的眼神。。还有惊警觉自己被咬到后嚎啕哀，嚎崩溃的模样。。决一死战的最后几幕，都令人为之动容。

演奸角的厉害之处，不是单方面地让观众对你咬牙切齿，恨之入骨，而是能让观众也感受到你内心深处的出发点。他的歇斯底里，已传达到观众的心里。那已经绝望到底，也要捍战到底的毅力，的确会让你为他感到稍微的心疼。这就是我们所谓的 “内心戏”。

The only thing he could have done better was the reciting of the Chinese poem. Some lines were pronounced very accurately and beautifully recited though.

Some of the notable supporting roles were Jeong Man Sik’s portrayal of Hak Soo, Lee Chung’s servant, who added much humour to the horror genre movie. Kim Eui Sung who acted in “Train to Busan” acts as King Lee Jon in “Rampant”. There was also Seo Ji Hye’s cameo as Concubine Jo whose transformation was an excruciatingly painful but impactful one. It was key to the development of the story line. Jo Woo Jin’s role as the head of rebel, Park Eul Ryoung, was one that may evoke a little of your emotions towards the ending.

It’s a pity that Lee Sun Bin’s role as Deok Hee, was nothing more than a potential love interest for Prince Lee Chung and a skilled archer, but failed to create much impact as a heroine in this male-dominated movie.

The above reasons would give you good enough gauge as to whether you would want to watch this movie at the cinema.

If you want to watch a zombie flick with a refreshing time setting back in the Joseon Dynasty, or have been either a JDG or Hyun Bin fan, or fan of both, it is definitely one blockbuster not to be missed.Read More →

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Mission Impossible 6: Fallout, is undeniably the “Best of the Franchise” (they say), and Tom cruises on steadily. This is a total blown away, much more than a visual treat.

It’s so insanely heart palpitating, eyes popping & jaw drooping exciting that leaves you no chance for boredom throughout the intensely packed 2 hour 28 min movie, weaving through land, water and air with out-of-this-world action scenes.

Christopher McQuarrie & Tom Cruise lapped the MI series yet to another, higher level. The intensity built up scene after scene, left you gasping for more, yet it left you wondering if they could even take it further than the previous intense scene.

The scenes seemed so outrageously REAL that I had no doubt there were NO stunt doubles.

All death defying stunts were performed by the actors, especially Tom Cruise whom we have no doubt is a perfectionist, but he’s got this perfectionist streak with a suicidal instinct.

From doing a HALO jump from the plane 100 times just to perfect that scene, breaking his ankle while he was trying to jump across the building, the motorcycle chase scenes in Paris and London where he was weaving through the narrow streets, the helicopter chase scene and mountain scaling scenes in Kashmir, Cruise shows that he’s giving all that he’s got, not even holding back 1%.

You can’t help but to applaud his professionalism, perfectionism plus pure insanity as an actor, entertainer and stuntman.

Best known for his roles in “Top Gun”, “Interview with the Vampire” and definitely his role as Ethan Hunt in the Mission Impossible series, Tom Cruise has re-written the word “Impossible” to POSSIBLE. He would go to great lengths to bring such remarkable cinematic experience for the movie goers.

Bounds of possibilities and surprises await the audience, as they are in for a sumptuous movie treat. It’s been 2 decades since the 56-year old Tom Cruise took on the role of IMF Agent, Ethan Hunt, but it seems, he’s not gonna slow it down anytime soon.

Just how can anyone be still so alluringly charismatic at the age of 56?

Not many people in their 20s or 30s may be able to hold out such physical exhaustion, let alone someone in his mid 50s. His mental strength and perseverance is something we need to look up to.

Most would think that MI6 should act as the finale for Tom Cruise’s journey as Ethan Hunt after a long 22 years. For one, we couldn’t imagine how else they can break through the high standards set by MI6. BUT I’m sure we are all hoping that he will return with something bigger and better than this.

Because we can tell, he has no intention to call it quits yet.

And truly, only he could make all this possible.

Without such insane dedication and pride in his work, topped up with that perfectionist streak of suicidal instinct, he couldn’t have made such a great action movie.

I especially loved the helicopter chase scenes through the fluffy clouds & snowy mountains in Norway. It was absolutely breathtaking.

There was time for us to marvel at the awesome treats that Mother Nature brings us while keeping glued to our seats.

The hanging-by-a-thread mountain scaling attempts would probably leave your palms in cold sweat as you watched Ethan Hunt and August Walker fight it out.

It might be cliché, but all ladies love “bad boys”, to a certain extent. What greater pleasure is it than Henry Cavill, who’s better known as Superman, the Man of Steel as the villain in MI6. He holds such a big role that MI6 would be less interesting if he wasn’t cast. He adds so much spice, excitement and visual pleasure to the movie.

Be it fighting alongside Ethan Hunt in the “toilet fight” scene, the motorcycle chase scenes or fighting against Ethan Hunt in the “Helicopter” chase scene, August Walker captured much attention as the antagonist, who wanted to blow up the world with Lane.

Rebecca Ferguson, who reprises her role as the kick-ass, Ilsa Faust, does bring a more refreshing mood to the male-dominated movie. She’s a female lead who’s capable of not just saving her own ass, but also more than capable to save Ethan Hunt from harm.

There’s still a pretty much mysterious aura about her, where you would wonder if she was a friend or a foe in reality.

Vanessa Kirby’s role as the White Widow was alluring, with some slick action scenes and that “Poison Ivy” appeal, but she didn’t get to showcase much with limited screen time.

Compassion for his friends is his biggest weakness but while Ethan risks his life to save millions, he never loses sight of any individual/ team mates.
And only such a personality would be able to save mankind.

While most action movies would leave very little time for emotional scenes or love lines, we do get quite a bit of earnest acting from Tom.

The emotional trauma and turmoil he still has to go through after so many years of fighting and killing is illustrated so aptly; whereby he wakes from his nightmares with the complicated mix of fear, trauma, anxiety, guilt, remorse and feelings of loss, written so explicitly over his face.

The one woman who is always on his mind is his ex-wife, Julia Meade.

He was able to set himself free because of what Julia said. “I’m here where I should be, and so are you”.

It’s a realization that she is happy at where she should be, the same goes for Ethan.

You would definitely walk out of the cinema gushing over the adrenaline contentment and looking forward to the next sequel.

No one else can portray the role of Ethan Hunt better than Tom Cruise.

There’s a reason why he’s still one of the most popular actors in Hollywood.

We are already looking forward to MI7.Read More →