Japanese Movie Crows Zero 2 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

Crows Zero 2 Japanese movie 2009

AKA: Kurozu zero II

Cast And Crew

Cast: Shun Oguri, Takayuki Yamada, Kenta Kiritani, Meisa Kuroki,
Sousuke Takaoka, Kyosuke Yabe, Tsutomu Takahashi, Kaname Endo
Directed by: Takashi Miike
Writers: : Hiroshi Takahashi
Genre: Action
Runtime: 02:13
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English
Opening Day: 16 October 2009

Synopsis

Takiya Genji and his newly formed gang, GPS, have successfully taken over Suzuran and overthrown their former leader, Serizawa. He soon realises however, that reaching the top is tough, but staying there is even tougher. Unity is fast deteriorating as inner turmoil begins to grow within the grounds and loyalty crumbles. Genji is soon beset by a malaise as he doubts his ability as a leader and fighter. Meanwhile, a certain rival school declares all-out war on Suzuran and this conflict will test Genji’s ability to rise up to the challenge.

Movie Review

Takeshi Miike returns to helm the second installment of Crows Zero, which is arguably amongst his more mainstream work, based upon the manga by Hiroshi Takahashi. Bringing back almost all the major cast from the first film, one should expect more of the same story of high school violence given the thuggish micro-society amongst the academic community, where it's sans teachers and books, replaced by life's experience though the school of hard knocks (at times literally), coupled with the opening of old wounds and settling them through some good 'ol fisticuffs.

This sequel essentially picked up from where we last left off from the first film, with a prologue that went back some 2 years to set up the introduction of the rival thugs in Hosen Academy, where their leader got gutted by Sho Kawanishi (Shinnosuke Abe) in a cowardly manner against the rules where a weapon was used. Upon Sho's release, he's hunted down by Hosen members, where his flight from punishment landed him onto Suzuran's turf. Given a truce between the two schools, it got quickly broken by a standoff, caused by de-facto current leader Genji Takaya (Shun Oguri). So begins the reason for more action, broken bones and bruised egos in whack-fest sequences.

For those who have not seen the first film, it's not really necessary as you'll be quickly primed into the scheme of things, though those who had will undoubtedly enjoy some more detailed insights as to who the characters are, and their respective motivations. For starters at least, one would have expected Genji to have united Suzuran under his banner, but the truth is far from it. As with most aspects of leadership, respect is earned, not a given, even though you've defeated the biggest bad-ass in school, Tamao Serizawa (Takayuki Yamada). Suzuran is still very fragmented amongst its various levels and cliques, and made worse because of the perceived ineptness of Genji to lead them.

In classic united we stand, divided we fall scenario, Hosen students, in their skin-head motif, bring about some fearful raw energy as they wage war against their rivals. Leading the pack are Taiga (Nobuaki Kaneko) who sports a mean-looking goatee (which for an Arsenal fan like myself, I can't help but to associate his resemblance to Robert Pires), and a Michael Jackson-like character in Ryo (Gou Ayano), with pasty white skin, soft spoken demeanour and an aversion to sunlight (hence the umbrella), but packs quite the wallop when allowed to do his own thing in unleashing mayhem against his opponents.

The fight scenes replicated what has been experienced in the earlier installment, and I suppose even those who are new to this may find it a little repetitive at times although the fights are more realistically designed sans impossible leaps and superhuman powers, save for some unbelievable endurance of the combatants. In the finale battle for instance, which lasted some more than 20 minutes of screen time, brought out an interesting, battle-to-the-top scenario as attacks come wave after wave, which is kinda smart as it gave the various characters ample opportunity to show off their moves and abilities to hold their own ground. Miike, for all his morbidity infused in various genre films in his filmography, again chose not to include unnecessary blood and gore,

Fans of Meisa Kuroki (like *ahem*, myself) may take some delight in having the idol appear in all but 3 different scenes, 2 of which are spent consoling Genji, and one performing on stage at the pub (like what she did in the first film), though this time round it's a rather tame and shortened version of Bad Girl (those of you who have seen that music video, will know what I mean). But hey, at least Miike brought her back, so no complaints I guess. The soundtrack is again amply peppered with pop-rock music, and the main theme just accentuates perfectly the proud swagger each time the characters band together to battle. You can't help but feel that it's arse-kicking time, each time the theme comes on, cliché as this technique may be in inducing you to swell with pride as if you too are wearing a Suzuran badge.

Crows Zero II may seem like a rehash of the first film, but under different circumstances. The key subplot here involved Sho's attempt to reintegrate back into the society he knows, which is very similar to ex-convicts seeking a second chance at forgiveness after a major wrong. Other than that, there's very little emoting by the characters, or what passed as emoting in Genji's moping of why he's still pretty much the loner despite being Suzuran's top dog, and Serizawa being very much a shadow of his first film self, waiting menacingly in the wings in threatening take over looks, but very much more like the fallen hero awaiting an opportunity for a comeback. I guess fame and power doesn't account for anything especially when you belong to the same house. While the first film was essentially an ego trip for the protagonists in gaining and holding onto turf and reputation, this one rang home the importance of banding together and putting aside differences and ego for the greater good and survivability.

Thankfully the action sequences get interspersed and are brutally solid throughout, which naturally is the draw of this fantasy film. It's surprising too that for all the simplicity in its storyline, it still managed to extend itself to more than two hours, which flew by especially when you're having fun as observers to major fights. The perfect antidote after a stressful day at work (besides hitting those kickboxing gym classes)

Chinese Movie The Message 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

Chinese Movie The Message 2009

Cast And Crew

Cast: Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming,
Alec Su, Zhang Hanyu, Wang Zhiwen, Ying Da
Directors: Chen Guo-fu & Gao Qunshu
RunTime: 2 hrs 4 mins
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Released By: GV & Scorpio East Pictures
Rating: NC-16
Release Date: 1st October 2009
Language: Mandarin
In Mandarin with English and Chinese subtitles
Running Time: 116 mins

Synopsis:

1942 Nanking, the then capital city of China has fallen into the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army, where they established and controlled the puppet government. After various deadly attacks and assassination attempts by underground guerillas, it became evident that there has been a leak of intelligence, and someone is working undercover within the Intelligence Bureau for the underground revolutionists. A group of unsuspecting key officials that had a hand in the circulation of a staged encoded message are captured and transported to a far off mansion in the middle of the night for interrogation. As they are each served with torture and counter-intelligence tactics, they soon realize that no one will be able to leave until the snitch is identified. The only way for them to survive through this, would be to turn on each other…

Movie Review:

There is something about movies which help people like this reviewer to learn more about history. The bombing of Pearl Harbour? Thank you, Michael Bay. The rise and fall of Eva Peron? Thank you, Alan Parker. And closer to home, the legacy of the Soong Sisters? Thank you, Mabel Cheung. And that is why, whenever a war espionage film like this one comes along, this reviewer would deem it the perfect opportunity to beef up his limited knowledge of what happened in the past. Fictional or not, pictures like this allow viewers to get a peek of what it was like to live in that era, where everyone seemed more patriotic and less self centered.

Directors Chen Kuo-fu (Double Vision) and Gao Qunshu (The Tokyo Trial) transport viewers back some 70 years back to Nanking during the terrible times of World War II. It was a time when dangerous spies lurk round every corner, and you had no idea who to trust. The film’s limelight falls on a group of suspects gathered in a mansion by a Japanese spy chief. One by one these suspects are eliminated, but the essential member of this patriotic group must send out a crucial message at all means while protecting his (or her?) true identity. What ensues is a drama which develops itself finely like a game of Cluedo, where the mastermind of the game must hide his (or her?) true intentions behind the torturous proceedings in the grand captive ground.

Based on a novel, Chen wrote the screenplay for this “cat and mouse” game which engagingly provides a glimpse for today’s audiences of what it means to feel nationalistic pride in the past. It does evoke that sense of devotion and loyalty, and makes you wonder whether a local film can stir up the same feeling? While this doubt’s answers lies in the vast differences in culture and history, one cannot overlook the impressive production values of this film boasting Feng Xiaogang’s (If You Are The One) name as its executive producer.
The two hour movie manages to bring together some credible names to create an authentic look for the movie. Jake Pollock (Yang Yang)’s lush cinematography enhances the intricate costume design by Tim Yip (Red Cliff). The comfortable pacing of the editing, the well executed soundscape and the entrancing production design will mesmerize viewers from beginning to end.

And thankfully, the storytelling does not disappoint too. The gradual build up of the plot culminates in a finale which may be arguably predictable, but works well for a film of this genre. Credit goes to the spot on cast, all of whom shine in their own character. There is Zhang Hanyu (Assembly) as a long suffering militarist, Huang Xiaoming (Sniper) as the Japanese soldier, Alec Su (L-O-V-E) as a lieutenant and Li Bingbing (The Forbidden Kingdom). Zhang and Huang exudes charisma in their pain inflicted roles, Su creates quite a show with his portrayal of an effeminate officer and Li makes viewers feel her agony with a unique aura of quietness. There is nothing to fault with the acting, as it is with Zhou Xun’s (Perhaps Love) code breaker character. Effortlessly moving through the film with her distinctive allure, she is no doubt one of the greatest movie actresses of our time.

There is something about movies which help people like this reviewer to learn more about history. And despite being a fictional thriller, this finely made production has left this reviewer wondering what it was like to live in a time when you lived for your country

English Movie Confessions Of A Shopaholic 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

English Movie CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC 2009

Cast And Crew

Cast: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Joan Cusack, John Goodman, John Lithgow, Kristin Scott Thomas, Leslie Bibb, Fred Armisen, Julie Hagerty, Krysten Ritter, Robert Stanton, Christine Ebersole, Clea Lewis, Wendie Malick, Stephanie March
Director: P.J. Hogan
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Rating: PG
Languages: English/Spanish/ Portuguese/Thai
Subtitles: English/Spanish/ Portuguese/Thai/Chinese/Bahasa/ Malay/Korean/Hindi
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1
Sound: Dolby Digital
Running Time: 1 hr 45 mins
Distributor: Scorpio East

SYNOPSIS:

Get ready to fall in love with the adorable Becky Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) in the hilarious romantic comedy Confessions Of A Shopaholic. Living in glamorous New York, Becky desperately wants a job writing for a high-fasion magazine. She gets her stilettos in the door when she gets a job writing a personal finance column at a sister publication. Much to her surprise, her column not only becomes a hit, but she falls head over high heels for her overworked yet handsome boss (Hugh Dancy). But Becky has a secret that leads to some hilarious high jinks that could unravel it all. From the best-selling novel, and featuring the perfect comedic cast, it's the feel-good must-have romantic comedy you'll fall in love with over and over again.


MOVIE REVIEW:

“Confessions of a Shopaholic” couldn’t arrive at a more inopportune time, a time when the American economy is flailing and the rest of the world economies are reeling. Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), its lead character, espouses what is wrong with consumers nowadays-the lure of the plastic is so great that people are tempted to spend beyond their means.

But if you believe P.J. Hogan’s film, the worst that can come from this excessiveness is capturing the heart of a charming Englishman (played by Hugh Dancy) or landing a plum job for which one is grossly unqualified. Can you blame “Confessions of a Shopaholic” for spreading such irresponsible messages at a time when caution is probably what is most needed? Can you fault it for being so hopelessly unrealistic that it almost lives in its own fantasy world?

Probably not, after all, we all need a little bit of escapism every now and then, even if it means indulging ourselves in the most ill-advised manner. But if you’re going to have some irresponsible fun, at least make sure that it actually is enjoyable. “Confessions of a Shopaholic” entices you with such irreverent possibilities- what with its Prada, Gucci, Macy’s, Barneys and Saks splurges- but doesn’t quite deliver what it promises.

As a satire on women’s obsession with brands and shopping, Tracey Jackson’s script isn’t clever enough to truly amuse. Indeed its most inspired bit is to show how the mannequins in the shop window gesture to Miss Shopaholic, Rebecca, with their latest expensive branded wares- probably the closest thing to what it means when girls talk about how store displays are calling out to them. Nowhere does the movie explain how or why such obsessions develop or why it’s such a hard habit to break.

As a rom-com, P.J. Hogan’s film isn’t spontaneous or hilarious enough to elicit more than a smile or two. The romance between Rebecca and Hugh Dancy’s business magazine editor Luke Brandon fizzles more than sizzles thanks to a limp story and some clichéd setups. Yes, this is predictable to a fault and even the stars’ chemistry fail to redeem the lazy material.

The best thing that “Confessions of a Shopaholic” has going for it is its lead star, Isla Fisher. The role is her first as a leading actress after many supporting turns in romantic comedies such as “Wedding Crashers” and “Definitely, Maybe” and she proves to be a beguiling star with an exuberance that is simply irrepressible and irresistible. Sadly, her on-screen energy is misplaced in a film that has little of the same vigor.

It’s hard to believe that “Confessions of a Shopaholic” is in fact produced by action-meister Jerry Bruckheimer, the maestro at movies that are most adept at blowing things up in the most wildly fascinating ways. This is his first attempt at producing a rom-com/ chick flick and Bruckheimer shows he knows little of what makes the genre work. Worse still, its subject matter encourages the negligence and recklessness that is the root cause of our economic woes today. Since it offers nothing by way of escapist fun, this Confession is one you best avoid.

Taiwan Movie Invitation Only Watch Free Online Trailer Reviews Cast And Crew

Taiwan Movie Invitation Only 2009

Cast And Crew
Cast: Bryant Chang, Maria Ozawa, Jerry Huang, Julianne Chu,
Joseph Ma, Vivi Ho, Adrian Lin, Yang Li Si, Kao Yin-Hsuan, Kristian Brodie
Director: Kevin Ko
Genre: Thriller
RunTime: 1 hr 35 mins Released By: Shaw
Rating: R21 (Violence And Sexual Scenes)
Opening Day: 1 October 2009

Synopsis:

Ordinary young men and women often dream of the unreachable life of the world’s idle rich. Wade, Richard, Hitomi, Holly and Lin certainly do. They have all received an invitation to an exclusive party held by a group of rich & famous people, obviously addressed to them by mistake. But all the same, they attend.

It is the best party ever, a wishing game takes place where their deepest desires materialize. But when they find Richard’s body brutally killed, the wishing game turns into a killing game in which they are the tortured victims and a rich audience the sadistic spectators. To escape from the party and survive is now their only dream.
Movie Review:

Whoever would have thought that the Taiwanese can be just as sick and depraved as the Eastern Europeans? As far as “Invitation Only” goes, torture porn is as much a form of entertainment in their territory as it is in places like Slovak. And worse still- it is high society, the rich and wealthy, who are the ones partaking in torture porn as their preferred entertainment choice.

Such is the premise of what has been touted to be Taiwan’s first slasher film. Five ordinary working class people receive invitations to what is apparently a party for high society, with the promise that they will have their wishes come true written at the back of their cards. But true to the adage that nothing comes free in life, the five of them- a chauffeur, a nurse, a beautician, a wanna-be politician and a piano teacher- are no more than bait for a sick, sick party where the who’s who of high society come and watch them get butchered on stage.

Just a sampling of what is the night’s entertainment- the wanna-be politician is first strapped down, stripped to his knickers, and then electrocuted via two crocodile clips attached to a car battery on one end and pinched onto his genitals on the other. All this happens while the audience, dressed to their nines, sits at their tables sipping their glasses of wine, watches in fascination and applauds while the victim is writhing in pain in front of them.

Yes, if torture porn a la “Hostel” ain’t your sort of thing, you’re not likely to find this pleasurable at all. Clearly inspired, even enamoured by Hollywood’s recent lure for the genre, director Kevin Ko has preserved the former’s love for blood and guts in his debut feature to satisfy audiences thirsting for such forms of vicarious distractions. And in between the various graphic portrayals of gore and violence, Ko has fashioned a fairly effective suspense piece that will keep you on tenterhooks (pun intended).

“Invitation Only’s” visceral appeal is also enhanced by the cast of pretty young things. There’s “Eternal Summer’s” boyish-looking Bryant Cheng as eye candy for the girls, and sweet, cutie-pie Julianne for the guys. Not forgetting of course Japanese AV actress Maria Ozawa in a bit role, with the bulk of her screen time spent doing what she does best on-screen.

But certainly, in order to justify the depravity in the movie, “Invitation Only” tries to explain just how this sadistic means of entertainment came to be. Here, writers Chang Chia-Cheng and Carolyn Lin play on the growing unease between the have and the have-nots in society, an issue that became particularly heated in Taiwan back in the year 2007. Be that as it may, the notion of the wealthy striking back at the frustration and distrust directed towards them in such a twisted manner just seems a tad far-fetched.

Indeed, what hints that “Invitation Only” may be some sort of social commentary should be best forgotten. This is through and through a film meant to gratify those looking for some primitive thrills by way of graphic scenes of torture and violence. On that account, “Invitation Only” is an impressive first effort for director Kevin Ko as well as for Taiwanese cinema, and just goes to show that whether in Europe or this side of the globe, certain primal pleasures are universal.

English Movie 12 Rounds 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

English Movie 12 Rounds 2009

Cast And Crew

Starring: John Cena, Steve Harris, Ashley Scott, Aidan Gillen,
Brian White, Gonzalo Menendez, Taylor Cole, Kyle Russell
Director: Renny Harlin
Rating: PG (Violence)
Genre: Action
Clements, Peter Navy Tuiasosopo
Languages: English
Subtitles: English/Chinese/Malay
Aspect Ratio: 16x9
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Running Time: 1 hr 49 mins
Distributor: Alliance Entertainment

SPECIAL FEATURES

- A Crash Course: John Cena Stunts - Never-before-seen Cena gag reel - Alternate endings with commentary by Writer Daniel Kunka and Actor John Cera


SYNOPSIS:

When New Orleans Police Detective Danny Fisher (John Cena) stops a brilliant thief from getting away with a multimillion-dollar heist, the thief's girlfriend is accidentally killed. After escaping from prison, the criminal mastermind enacts his revenge, taunting Danny with 12 rounds of near-impossible puzzles and tasks that he must somehow complete to save the life of the woman he loves.

MOVIE REVIEW:

Cruel as it may sound, Renny Harlin may always be regarded as a poor cousin to Michael Bay and Tony Scott. Despite having done more than respectable action movies like “Die Hard 2”, “Cliffhanger”, “The Long Kiss Goodnight” and even the much underrated “Mindhunters”, Harlin has never been considered in the same league as Bay or Scott. But watch his latest “12 Rounds” and it’s immediately clear that when it comes to mayhem and destruction, Harlin is just as adept at blowing stuff up.

Shot in post-Katrina’s New Orleans, Harlin makes the best use of his location (and his budget) to stage some genuinely thrilling action sequences. There’s a race-against-time drive through the narrow streets of New Orleans on a fire truck, another race against time to stop a careening streetcar and a final climatic midair helicopter fight above the city’s night sky. And in between, a whole stretch of streetwalk cafes gets smashed up, an innumerable number of parked or moving vehicles get crashed into, a couple of buildings get blown up and an entire power grid gets taken out.

Whew- by the time “12 Rounds” is done, you’d think New Orleans just went through Katrina Round Two. And all that destruction is for a good purpose apparently- a certain Detective Danny Fisher (John Cena) has to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend (Ashley Scott) from the hands of a megalomaniac terrorist Miles Jackson (Aiden Gillen) so he plays said terrorist’s 12 challenges, or “12 Rounds”, as the movie is titled.

Whatever. Like any of Bay or Scott’s films, this throwaway plot is simply an excuse to get from one ridiculous and ridiculously exciting action set piece to another- despite writer Daniel Kunka’s best efforts at convincing you otherwise. Yes, “12 Rounds” is almost predictable to a fault and you’d probably already have figured out its twist ending by the time that rolls around. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely action junkies will mind- Harlin’s flair for action and devastation is what propels “12 Rounds” and this is right up there with “Die Hard 2”.

But what “12 Rounds” lacks is a likeable and memorable hero a la John McClane. “12 Rounds’” Detective Danny Fisher doesn’t have the signature personality or attitude that made McClane the hero you rooted for. Indeed, right until the very last round, Fisher finds himself consistently being outsmarted by Miles- how’s that for a smart hero? Of course, part of the fault also lies with Harlin’s frenetic direction- in choosing to keep the action fast and furious, he’s relegated his hero to a mere cardboard figure.

The same can also be said of John Cena. Unlike his fellow WWE superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cena doesn’t have the charisma or the acting chops to take on a leading role. Indeed, Cena is hardly as expressive as Johnson- in fact, he more often looks and acts like a block of wood onscreen. His only saving grace, however, is his athletic ability and thankfully it shows up amply in the movie.

“12 Rounds” is also a movie quite unfortunately behind its time. Had it been made in the ‘90s, it surely would have found more love with an audience that was simpler and easier to please. But coming after countless other such movies like “Point Break”, “Speed” and even “Die Hard with a Vengeance”, “12 Rounds” is hardly likely to change the fortunes of Renny Harlin’s flagging career. He’s made a solid action movie- pity the timing and the acting.

English Movie Where The Wild Things Are 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Hollywood Movie 2009

Cast & Crew

Director: Spike Jonze
Producer: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Maurice Sendak, John B. Carls, Vincent Landay
Music Director: Karen O, Carter Burwell
Release Date: 16 Oct 2009
Genre: Adventure
Language: English
Cast: Catherine Keener Mark Ruffalo
Max Records

The Story :

Where the Wild Things Are film combines live action, suitmation, animatronics, and CGI. Innovative director Spike Jonze collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to the big screen in “Where the Wild Things Are,” a classic story about childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in.
The film tells the story of Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. Max lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange...
Where the Wild Things Are Synopsis
The film follows the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max (Max Records), who is angry when his mother, Connie (Catherine Keener), invites her boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo) over. After he causes one mischievous antic after another, his mother tries to send him to his room. He ends up biting her and running away, feeling angry and unloved. He runs outside at night, through a fence until he stumbles upon a boat. He sails away to an island inhabited by seven imaginary monsters called the Wild Things, where they crown him as the ruler.

Maurice Sendak’s classic book comes to the big screen in an adventure tale for every generation. “Where the Wild Things Are” follows the adventure of Max (Max Records), a mischievous young boy who is sent to his room after rebelling against his mother (Catherine Keener). Max’s imagination is free to roam, and it soon transports him to a thriving forest bordering a vast sea. Delighted, he sets sail for the land of the Wild Things, where mischief reigns and Max rules. In bringing this imaginative fantasy to life, Jonze leads a team of filmmakers incorporating the most dynamic elements of voice performance, live-action puppetry and computer animation.”Where the Wild Things Are” follows the adventures of Max, a head-strong young boy who leaves home after having a fight with his mother — only to find himself in a mysterious forest bordering a vast sea. Misunderstood and rebellious, Max sets sail to the land of the Wild Things, where mischief reigns.
The adventure film will use a unique process to bring the story to life, incorporating the most dynamic elements of voice performance, live-action puppetry and computer animation.
Where the Wild Things Are Hollywood Movie Review:::
Adventure. Innovative director Spike Jonze collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to the big screen in Where the Wild Things Are, a classic story about childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in. The film tells the story of Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to where the Wild Things are. Max lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions. The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought.

ngs AreWhat really got me hooked on Maurice Senak’s classic book Where the Wild Things Are was Levar Burton. After he did an episode of ‘Reading Rainbow’ on it, I grabbed my Belton Public Library card and dragged my Mom out to the car. I had to have it! For a lot of kids, “Where the Wild Things Are” was and hopefully still is a special experience. Now it’s being made into a movie, and though I’m no longer exactly in the story’s target age bracket, it’s hard not to be a little bit excited.

English Movie Michael Jacksons This Is It 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

English Movie Michael jackson,s This Is It 2009

Cast And Crew

Cast Michael Jackson
Director:Kenny Ortega
Release Date:28 October 2009 (USA) more
Genre:Documentary | Music

Tagline:

Like You've Never Seen Him Before
Plot:A compilation of interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his series of sold-out shows in London.
Plot Keywords:Rehearsal | Live Music | Pop Star | Star Died Before Release

Synopsis

"Michael Jackson's This Is It" offers Jackson fans and music lovers worldwide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed, created and rehearsed for his sold-out concerts that would have taken place beginning summer 2009 in London's O2 Arena. Chronicling the months from April through June 2009, the film is drawn from more than one hundred hours of behind-the-scenes footage, featuring Jackson rehearsing a number of his songs for the show. Audiences will be given a privileged and private look at the singer, dancer, filmmaker, architect, and genius as he creates and perfects his final show
Reviews And News
"This Is It," the first song from the Michael Jackson music documentary will debut on the late singer's official Web site at midnight on Sunday, the Associated Press reports.
The song plays during the closing credits of the film, which is scheduled for a two-week limited theatrical release beginning Oct. 28. The documentary, also called This Is It, features rehearsal footage from Jackson's planned London concerts.
The new track will feature backing vocals by Michael's brothers, The Jacksons. It will also be featured on a companion two-disc CD set comprising remastered Jackson classics like "Thriller" and "Billie Jean."
The documentary's release comes four months after the pop star's June 25 death in his Los Angeles home.
Jackson fever is about to heat up again.

"This Is It," the first single from the upcoming documentary “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” will premiere Sunday night at midnight on the Jackson website, according to Sony.
The new song, featuring backing vocals by the late pop star's brothers, was recorded during sessions for Jackson’s 1991 album “Dangerous” but has never been released.
The documentary -- culled from more than 100 hours of footage of Jackson's final rehearsals for his planned 50-show comeback tour at London’s 02 arena – arrives the day after the album’s release, for a two-week limited run.
The CD features original album masters of some of Jackson's biggest hits, including "Thriller" and "Billie Jean." They're in the same sequence as they appear in the film. “This Is It” appears in two versions on the album – the recorded version and an orchestral version.

Sony also has released the track list of the album. Disc features "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "Jam," "They Don't Care About Us," "Human Nature," "Smooth Criminal," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)," "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Thriller," "Beat It," "Black or White," "Earth Song," "Billie Jean," "Man in the Mirror," "This Is It" and "This Is It (Orchestra Version)."
Disc two comprises entirely unreleased material, including early demo versions of the classics "She's Out of My Life," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " and "Beat It," as well as a spoken word poem, "Planet Earth.

”Jackson fever is about to heat up again.

"This Is It," the first single from the upcoming documentary “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” will premiere Sunday night at midnight on the Jackson website, according to Sony.

The new song, featuring backing vocals by the late pop star's brothers, was recorded during sessions for Jackson’s 1991 album “Dangerous” but has never been released.

The documentary -- culled from more than 100 hours of footage of Jackson's final rehearsals for his planned 50-show comeback tour at London’s 02 arena – arrives the day after the album’s release, for a two-week limited run.

The CD features original album masters of some of Jackson's biggest hits, including "Thriller" and "Billie Jean." They're in the same sequence as they appear in the film. “This Is It” appears in two versions on the album – the recorded version and an orchestral version.

Sony also has released the track list of the album. Disc features "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "Jam," "They Don't Care About Us," "Human Nature," "Smooth Criminal," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)," "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," "Thriller," "Beat It," "Black or White," "Earth Song," "Billie Jean," "Man in the Mirror," "This Is It" and "This Is It (Orchestra Version)."
Disc two comprises entirely unreleased material, including early demo versions of the classics "She's Out of My Life," "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " and "Beat It," as well as a spoken word poem, "Planet Earth.”
The collection will come with a 36-page commemorative booklet with exclusive photos from Jackson's final rehearsals.

English Movie Antichrist 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

English Movie Antichrist 2009

Cast And Crew

Directed by Lars von Trier
Writing Lars von Trier
Cast.. Willem Dafoe, Charlotte Gainsbourg
Produced by
Bettina Brokemper .... executive co-producer
Madeleine Ekman .... co-producer
Meta Louise Foldager .... producer
Peter Garde .... executive producer
Sanne Glæsel .... line producer: Denmark and Germany
Peter Aalbæk Jensen .... executive producer
Lars Jönsson .... co-producer
Andrea Occhipinti .... co-producer
Ole Østergaard .... co-producer
Johannes Rexin .... line producer: Germany
Marianne Slot .... executive co-producer
Malgorzata Szumowska .... co-producer
Genre Drama | Horror more
Release date 23 October 2009 usa
Tagline:
When nature turns evil, true terror awaits. (UK)
Plot:A grieving couple retreats to their cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage. But nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse.

Story

A couple lose their young son when he falls out the window while they have sex in the other room. The mother's grief consigns her to hospital, but her therapist husband brings her home intent on treating her depression himself. To confront her fears they go to stay at their remote cabin in the woods, "Eden", where something untold happened the previous summer. Told in four chapters with a prologue and epilogue, the film details acts of lustful cruelty as the man and woman unfold the darker side of nature outside and within

Review

Readers: beware. You may be used to the sight of blood-splattered walls, decomposed human flesh, and probably enjoy the thrill of watching slasher and torture scenes – in all likelihood, you are a horror aficionado, who knows the name of every Universal Studios horror film, and has a picture of Herschell Gordon Lewis hanging from the wall in your living room. Still, it takes a lot of guts not to close your eyes in some scenes of Lars Von Trier’s controversial ANTICHRIST (2009).

It does not take much for a film to scandalize Cannes; one can expect that the festival’s audience, mainly composed of influential mainstream critics, actors and executives, would not approve of explicit sex scenes, graphic genital mutilation, animals that eat their own flesh, and child torture. Those, however, who would not feel offended by a scenario of true Grief, Pain and Despair (the names of the first three of four chapters into which the narrative is divided), should simply be prepared to enter a magical – yes, magical! – world where, just as written by Danish screenwriter and director Von Trier, “chaos reigns”.

Starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, ANTICHRIST begins as a poetic drama, portraying a couple’s grief after losing their only son while having sex inattentively. The breathtaking high definition images, shot with RED One and Phantom cameras (the latter, an extremely high speed camera, used to shoot slow motion scenes) under Anthony Dod Mantle’s undeniable cinematography skills, do not prepare the viewers for the sharp change in the story’s direction, turning the drama into a story of true terror. Trying to help his wife cope with the loss of their child, Dafoe’s character, an arrogant therapist, takes his spouse to an isolated cabin (Eden), where she spent the previous summer with their son. Nonetheless, what starts out as an idyllic journey to recovery quickly turns into a nightmare like very few of us would have. In ANTICHRIST, Eden is far from what Catholics think of it; on the contrary, Von Trier’s Eden is Hell.

The names of both protagonists are unknown; He or She could be any couple, and Eden could be any place where an individual discovers his own demons. Disturbing events that happened during the wife’s previous vacation at the cabin are progressively unveiled. Albeit being mortified, the husband/therapist is still compelled to help his spouse. Faithful to his wedding vows or maybe to his vows as a therapist, the arrogant character ignores the extent of his wife’s madness and falls into a trap that leads to torture, pain and despair. It does not take a puritan to be upset by heavy scenes of torture, blood ejaculation, and female genital mutilation. Harassed by the critics, who demanded an explanation for what they saw as “violence for the sake of violence”, the director said that he could offer no excuse for ANTICHRIST, other than his absolute belief in the film. I believe in it too.

Some have accused ANTICHRIST and its creator of misogyny. Others, who are not bothered by gore flicks or sex scenes and who do not expect films to deliver a moral lesson, are able to enjoy the feature for being a work of art, given its precise direction, superb acting, cinematography and score. The turning of an apparently grief-stricken mother into a monster can be interpreted as quite the opposite of misogyny. For thousands of years, women have been expected to nurture and create, whereas men represent destruction. Horror fans will probably appreciate Von Trier’s creation of a female psychopath, a villain that, unlike CHUCKY’S BRIDE and other soulmates of male psychos, is evil herself. Charlotte Gainsbourg’s character is neither a heroine nor a defenseless victim. She can kill, destroy, and even harm herself, terrifying a man as an equal.

Hindi Movie All The Best 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

All The Best Hindi Movie 2009

Cast & Crew

Star Cast: Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan,
Bipasha Basu, Mugdha Godse, Asrani
Director: Rohit Shetty
Producer: Ajay Devgan
Banner: Devgan Entertainment
Music Director: Pritam
Lyricist: Kumaar
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: October 16, 2009

All The Best Hindi Movie Review

It is said that money is good only till the time you keep it as your servant. The moment you let money All The Best Moviebecome your master, all hell breaks loose. Based on a similar concept is Ajay Devgan’s upcoming production ‘All The Best’. The star cast of the movie includes Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Mugdha Godse, and Asrani. The music has been provided by none other Pritam, with Kumaar being the lyricist.Promising to bring your loads of laughs as well as surprises, ‘All The Best’ has been directed by Rohit Shetty. In addition, it also promises to offer you loads of action sequences. In other words, we can say that this Hindi film is a fine combination of just about everything that makes a movie a box-office hit – comedy, thrills and surprises. It will hit the theaters on October 16, 2009, under the banner ‘Devgan Entertainment’.Prem Chopra (Ajay Devgan) is a wannabe car expert, who lives with his beautiful wife Jhanvi (Bipasha Basu). Together, the two of them run Prem’s ancestral gym. Known to them is Veer Kapoor (Fardeen Khan), an upcoming rock band singer who claims to be a married guy. He has a sexy girlfriend Vidya (Mugdha Godse) and lives off the pocket money given by his millionaire step brother Dharam Kapoor (Sanjay Dutt).Everything is going fine in the life of Prem, Jhanvi, Veer and Vidya. However, the peace doesn’t last long, as Dharam enters the picture. He brings along a lot of chaos as well, resulting in amusingly embarrassing situations in the life of almost everyone. Now, Prem and Veer not only have to handle weird characters who turn up at their doorstep, but also cover up things with lots and lots of lies. Will they be able to do it? Or will the pressure of juggling things get at them ultimately? Whatever happens, the audience sure will be getting a lot of laughs!

Music Review :

Rohit Shetty, the name behind Golmaal and Golmaal Returns is back with a bang and how! If the mega starcast and the curiosity of his next film All The Best- Fun Begins is anything to go by, then, one can easily say that Rohit is sitting on a goldmine. This film stars Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Bipasha Basu, Mugdha Godse and Fardeen Khan.The moment we saw Sanju baba on the first day of the shoot, we just couldn’t our eyes off him. He was looking like a true Rock Star with those glares and tattoos. Added to that was the cool scarf that plied its way on Sanju baba’s neck. In short, Baba was all set to shoot this jazzy number with Bipasha and Ajay. The second schedule of the film is currently on and this song choreographed by Bosco-Caesar is being shot on a lavish set constructed on a South Goa beach. Pritam has composed the music for the film.The bonding between Ajay Devgan and Sanjay Dutt is getting stronger by the day. Not only has Dutt agreed to do Devgan’s comedy directed by Rohit Shetty, in spite of his decision to concentrate on his newly – started political career, Dutt also decided to allot dates to Shetty’s film All The Best immediately.However, the first of schedule of All The Best which was supposed to start from March 5 has been moved to March 10, leading to speculation whether there’s trouble in paradise.But Dharam Oberoi, the CEO of Sanjay Dutt films quickly quells all controversy. “Before people start imagining there’s a problem between Mr. Dutt and Mr. Devgan let me say the dates have been kindly re-adjusted by Mr. Devgan to accommodate the last schedule of Blue which now begins on March 1.”Apparently, coordinating Sanjay’s dates with Akshay Kumar for Blue has been a problem. Says Oberoi, “They’re both busy artistes. Yes it has been a problem coordinating their dates. In fact the last schedule from March 1 has been arranged to accommodate Akshay Kumar because he has to leave. Ajay’s film was to start on March 5. But he kindly agreed to shift forward his film to March 10 to accommodate the last schedule of BlueBipasha Basu who is a fitness freak in real life will now be seen essaying the role of a gym instructor in Rohit Shetty’s comedy flick All The Best.A source reveals, “Bipasha’s performance is very natural in the movie since she is acting in a role of a gym instructor. Gymming and working out has always been a part of the actress’s routine. When the role was initially narrated to her, she was quite excited with the fact that she will be working out in the movie and for the movie.”The source continues, “She also has donned a different look. The model-turned actress has grown her tresses and comparatively has a sporty look. She is paired opposite Ajay Devgan and plays the role of his wife in the movie. A major chunk of the movie was shot in Goa and the actress was often seen working out after their pack up.

This made the other cast members such as Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Mugdha Godse and even the director Rohit Shetty work out and be a regular at the gym.”“Due to her regular work outs, the director use to pull her leg by saying that she should not take her role so seriously, for the fact that even after shooting and pack up she was seen pulling people to work out,” adds the source.

Japanese Movie April Bride 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

Japanese Movie April Bride 2009

Cast And Crew

Cast: Eita Nagayama, Nana Eikura,
Akira Emoto, Ryûki Nishimoto, Satomi Tezuka
Director: Ryuichi Hiroki
RunTime: 2 hrs 9 mins
Released By: Encore Films & GV
Rating: PG
In Japanese with English & Chinese Subtitles
Genre: Drama
Opening Day: 8 October 2009

Synopsis:

This melodramatic Japanese tearjerker concerns a young woman who receives the most devastating news of her life: not only has she developed breast cancer, it is quickly metastasizing throughout her body and she has only a short time to live. Aware that the news will threaten to destroy her relationship with her boyfriend if he learns of it, she unsuccessfully attempts to conceal the information from him; he finds out anyway and plans to marry the girl despite her prognosis of only a month left to live.

Movie Review:

The very idea of a devoted boyfriend marrying his cancer-stricken girlfriend just before she passes away screams Japanese weepy, and indeed that’s exactly what "April Bride" is. Of course, if there is one thing that sets this movie apart from countless other such films the land of the rising sun is well known for, it would be that this is actually based on a true story.

Told first in a TV news segment and subsequently in a 2-hour TBS documentary, "April Bride" is the story of the radiantly beautiful and unfailingly cheerful Chie Nagashima who by a fortuitous mix-up meets the pleasantly handsome Taro. Soon after the couple are happily dating, Taro decides to take the next step forward by asking to meet Chie’s family (just her father, since her mother passed away when she was 10) and on that family visit hints to Chie of marriage.

Not long after he senses her reservations, Taro discovers that Chie has been diagnosed with breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy for the past months. Despite Chie’s subsequent attempts to avoid him, Taro insists on staying by her side and promises not to let her condition change one bit of their love for each other. Yes, even before those wedding bells ring, Taro has to live out his upcoming wedding vow- 'to love and to hold, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health'.

How Taro faithfully sticks by Chie’s hospital-bound days is recounted in great detail by director Ryuichi Hiroki. We see the couple exchange sweet-nothings, celebrate their special occasions, and finally take that final leap to matrimony- the pinnacle of their profound love for each other. All this while Taro endures countless rounds of treatment and eventually survives on painkillers to numb the pervasive pain.

Every one of these moments, whether unassuming or exceptional, are both heart-warming and heart-renching at the same time- heart-warming because of the zest for life Taro and Chie are determined to have despite Chie’s circumstance; and heart-renching because what happiness they share is always overshadowed by Chie’s impending passing. Credit goes to director Hiroki for not resorting to maudlin melodrama to milk the audience’s sympathy; instead his approach of the subject of death is unusually dignified, particularly for a film of this nature.

But Hiroki also has a habit of drawing out scenes past their welcome, such that "April Bride" does feel like an interminable affair in parts. There’s no doubt this 'lingering' approach does allow certain scenes (such as Chie’s final video message to Taro) to achieve greater emotional significance, but Hiroki’s gratuitous use of technique also considerably slows down the 129-min film especially where it could have been shorter and tighter.

The true stars of the film are indeed Nana Eikura and Eita, who play Chie and Taro respectively. Besides working their tearducts very hard, the pair give earnest, sincere performances, capturing beautifully the fears and vulnerabilities Chie and Taro would only naturally experience. Ditto for Akira Emoto and Satomi Tezuka, who play Taro’s stoic father and compassionate aunt- through their heartfelt acting, the ensemble cast pay a befitting tribute to the real-life characters they are portraying on-screen.

So too does "April Bride" honour the true-to-life story it tells- one of fortitude, of determination and of resolve to live and also to love. That fortitude, determination and resolve lies not just in Chie, but also in her partner Taro, for the undying love he displays towards her. Twice in the movie is Bette Midler’s "The Rose" played, its lyrics below:

"Some say love it is a river that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed

Some say love it is a hunger, an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower and you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose."

and its significance could not be more true- the truest, purest and most beautiful form of love is that forged through life’s harshest winters.

Korean Movie Haeundae 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

HAEUNDAE: THE DEADLY TSUNAMI Korean Movie 2009

Cast And Crew

Cast: Sul Kyung-gu, Ha Ji-won, Park Joong-hoon,
Uhm Jung-hwa, Lee Min-ki, Kang Ye-won, Kim In-Kwon
Director: JK Youn
RunTime: 1 hr 46 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films and InnoForm Media
Rating: PG
Genre: Thriller/Disaster
Opening Day: 8 October 2009
In Korean with English/Chinese subtitles

Synopsis:

The Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004 was the worst tsunami recorded in history with more than 300,000 lives lost. Man-sik experiences the catastrophe first hand, when he and his men get stranded mid-sea while deep-sea fishing. All crew except one is rescued and Man-sik feels responsible for the death of the lost crew member – the father of Man-sik’s long-time love, Yeon-hee. Four years on after returning home, he is still unable to open up his heart to Yeon-hee because of the guilt. When he finally musters up the courage to propose to her, he is interrupted by the force of nature.

Man-sik’s younger brother Hyung-sik works as a coast guard. While on patrol, he rescues Hi-mi who had fallen off a yacht. The beautiful and spoiled vacationer from Seoul is instantly drawn to her rescuer and launches a bold campaign to win his heart. Hyung-sik finds himself attracted to her little by little.

A marine geologist Kim Hwi discovers that the Korean East Sea is showing signs of activity similar to the Indian Ocean at the time of the 2004 Tsunami and heads down to Haeundae to warn the authority. He runs into his ex-wife who is also in Haeundae to oversee an international event. With her, is their 7-year-old daughter whom he has never met. The fact that his daughter doesn’t know who he is gives rise to complex emotions in Hwi.

In the meanwhile, a mega-tsunami is created as Hwi feared and is headed straight for Haeundae, to the unaware vacationers enjoying a peaceful hot summer day.

Movie Review:

The Koreans had official join in the disaster movie genre with Haeundae and this time, it’s not earthquakes or typhoon, it’s Tsunami. For this grand debut, the filmmakers collaborated with Polygon Entertainment, a special effects company that worked on the Day after Tomorrow and Perfect Storm to create a believable mega tsunami.

The thing is that although tsunami is a deadly disaster that taken many lives and huge waves approaching the shorelines are a terrifying sight to behold, it is not particularly cinematic scary and it’s rather difficult to prolong it’s fearful destruction. It seems that the film makers were aware of such shortcomings of their chosen disaster and took a hammy route around it.

First, they took 2/3 of the movie runtime (close to 1 hour) to set up the various characters that will be facing the disaster head on. It’s a long wait before the impending doom arrives. While it wasn’t such a terrible wait, it felt like watching a construction of a building purposely made to be toppled over. No matter how this movie tried to give the one dimension characters more layers to endear themselves to the viewers, the blatant effort felt rather hollow as some of them are made to die so that the audience tear ducts could get a little squeeze. However as mention before, the wait wasn’t that bad as the characters setup was mildly entertaining in it’s own ways and there are some good looking actors and actress to waste the time with.

If there’s anything that stood out as extraordinarily wrong (as in amusingly incorrect), it will be like many other disaster themed movies, Haeundae also breaks the laws of physic and common sensibilities for melodrama sake. Excessive melodrama ruled the day once again and characters are made to behave in illogical manners or are being governed by the improbable laws of physic so that the viewers could feel bad for them.

Just a few examples to share and ponder upon; how could someone drowns in an enclosed area that partially filled with water? It felt awfully illogical that the trapped subject couldn’t tread water and breathe with the remaining air left in the space available. It also poised question as in why does falling into the sea would result in death when it was done perfectly fine by the same person just a moment ago. Those are some of the amusing questions that popped out in the minds of those logical folks who have not been swept away with the extremely illogical tear jerking tragedy that happening on the screen.

What about the giant CGI waves? Sadly while the waves were adequately constructed for this tsunami movie, it’s not anything that we haven’t seen before (in recent years). There were some grand ideas with the usage of the CGI waves but it does not instill the sense of awe when the waves hit. Compared to the mildly entertaining drama that went on in this movie, the special effects felt like it was the minor event added to the main event.

Indonesian Movie Darah 2009 Watch Free Online Review Trailer Cast And Crew

Indonesian Movie Darah 2009

Cast And Crew

Starring: Arifin Putra, Shareefa Daanish, Imelda Therinne
Directed by: Mo Brothers
Local Distributor: Golden Village Pictures
Release Date: 8th October 2009
Language: Indonesian
Running Time: 95 mins
Rating: M18
Genre: Horror


Synopsis

Two newlyweds Adjie and Astrid, along with three of their best mates decide to have an interstate road trip as a last attempt to reconcile Adjie with his estranged younger sister Ladya. Their drive is, however, cut abruptly when they run into Maya, a strange girl who wanders aimlessly out of nowhere into their path. Maya introduces Adjie and friends to her courteous blue-blooded mother, Darah, an ageless enigma of a woman. Darah insists that they should stay for a feast. This is when the night turns into a crimson-hell for them where one by one, they are slaughtered. Everybody will bleed and the dark of night has never looked so red

Reviews

It is quite an understatement to say that the Mo Brothers’ "Darah" is one bloody, gory affair. After all, this is the first feature from Gorylah Pictures, the genre label by Eric Khoo of Zhao Wei Films and Mike Wiluan of Infinite Frameworks. Their aim was to create an independent horror label focusing on unique Southeast Asian stories, beliefs and myths and to introduce such folklore to the rest of the world.

They need not worry if "Darah" can live up to the promise of the name of "Gorylah Pictures". It does- although it does take a while for the bloodletting to begin. Unlike other slasher films, "Darah" takes a deliberately paced approach before the killings begin. Indeed, quite rarely for a film of this nature, the Mo Brothers actually care for the characters that you know will soon be going under the knife, and they take their time at letting their audience get to know the sextet.

Quite unfortunately, their efforts are likely to ring hollow- since it is not likely that you’ll care much for the husband Ajie (Ario Bayu), his pregnant wife Astrid (Sigi Wimala), Ajie's sister Ladya (Julie Estelle) or any of their three friends. None of them are particularly likeable or memorable for you to root for them. The one person you’re more likely to remember is the movie’s titular character, Darah, the mother of the rain-drenched girl Maya the group of six so kindly oblige to give a ride home.

The setup is pure formula as they fall prey to Maya’s family of seriously disturbed individuals hiding a dark, mysterious secret in a sprawling colonial mansion. It is there they meet their worst nightmare and more- the prim and perfectly coiffurred matriarch of the family, Darah (Shareefa Daanish). With her thin smile, menacing stare and monotonous voice, Daanish’s award-winning portrayal of Darah is a riveting performance you’ll find yourself glued to.

And the Mo Brothers are well aware of that- since they have seemingly spent more time deciding how to photograph Darah so she looks more intimidating once she appears onscreen. In fact, as soon as Darah appears, the pair of filmmakers, Kimo Stamboel and Timo Tjahjanto, forget all that character buildup they spent crafting in the first 20 mins and relegate their victims to mere dimwits running around like headless horsemen (pun intended).

Yes, "Darah" is one of those movies where you’re left frustrated at the sheer stupidity of the characters as if they had their brains drained out even before Darah had the chance to lop their heads off. This also doesn’t help the surprisingly weak pacing, moving in stops and starts before finally finding its sure footing only during the climax when Darah goes balls-out mental with a buzzing chainsaw.

But local viewers are also likely to feel the buzz of another chainsaw- that of the censors who have snipped and mauled portions of the movie which are meant to be gory pleasures. It would have made more sense to have kept "Darah" uncut, since what audiences are most looking forward to is the gorefest this movie promises to unleash. Sadly, the M18 edited version of this unabashed tale of butchery is one butchered affair and audiences looking to savour its gory delights will likely be disappointed. Anyone looking for more need not even bother.

.