Zombieland

GRRRR AARRGGHHH AHHHH. These are common noises which you usually get from slasher/ gore-fest/ zombie-killing movies. From past experience, most movie goers to zombie-killing-fest are into one thing and one thing only. The violent gore which is described somewhere on the box. Well I have to admit I’m not much of a zombie-fan (unless you’re talking about Evil Dead Trilogy) but this one really came out with a few surprises.

Swing Away

The horror comedy Zombieland focuses on two men who have found a way to survive a world overrun by zombies. Columbus is a big wuss -- but when you're afraid of being eaten by zombies, fear can keep you alive. Tallahassee is an AK-toting, zombie-slaying' bad ass whose single determination is to get the last Twinkie on earth. As they join forces with Wichita and Little Rock, who have also found unique ways to survive the zombie mayhem, they will have to determine which is worse: relying on each other or succumbing to the zombies. -IMBD

...could really do with a ninja now

Despite my obvious insecurities on watching a movie genre which isn’t my favourite, Zombieland really did come out tops. As the movie starts out, you get the general feel that this isn’t your normal zombie movie. Indeed it did have an indie-comedic feel to it. After about 20 minutes or so, you do become quite interested with the character’s life even though like most zombie film you can’t really runaway from the plot of killing zombies. In a way you can’t really classify this movie as a zombie film as for some strange reason the zombies were actually a side issue. As the film goes from one situation to another, it really starts to be sort of an adventure which is why I feel most people will be quite entertained. There isn’t that much repetitiveness to it so you really do get hooked from the start to finish.

Just another visit to Dude Ranch

Overall I think the movie was looking at a different issue pertaining to the lives we lead. As we follow our hero who makes up his own rules on how to survive, we do sometimes forget that we create rules and boundaries to give meaning to our lives. It’s so easy to fall into a cycle of life and just abide by the same rules which will eventually turn us into Zombies (okay that’s as philosophical as I get). So get some popcorn out and do go watch this film!

Ratings – 3.5/5

Ninja Assassin

We’re approaching the back end of the year so it’s pretty much now that there will be an influx of so many random movies available for your viewing pleasure. December promises to be a month of hope with titles such as Avatar and Sherlock Holmes hoping to end the year with a blast. For now however, let’s turn our attention to Rain’s debut and breakthrough Hollywood film (perhaps?) entitled Ninja Assassin.

Not team Jacob

Ninja Assassin follows Raizo (Rain), one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge. – IMBD

Suprise! Ninjas!

The action in this movie is gory and violent to say the least. As we dive into the world of ninjas we also experience the intensity in their training and lifestyle. The movie does try to give it the cool factor whilst whispering the word ninja but unfortunately this is unable to save the movie from its doom. The training that the Rain has to go through is vigorous and at no point does it become relatively interesting to the viewer. Most would come for the violence but is so unrealistic that it would leave some grasping for a decent amount of logic, while those who came for the plot will soon discover that there is none. There are times when one might argue that this is the beauty of the movies or movie magic as they may call it, but surely 1 million ninjas versus Rain has to amount in some fatality against our hero? Even the martial arts for this movie can only be considered as average.

It's RAINing

My take is that this is trying to give Rain a bit of appeal towards Hollywood. Though many would not like to accept it but if you’re Asian and you’re trying to break into Hollywood, you better be either one damn fine actor or at least be able to bust the move like Jackie Chan. As it is, Rain is probably desperate to appeal to a much wider audience besides those in Asia. I’m sure if there are anymore roles coming for him later, it would probably be him speaking in his Native Korean in an action film where he plays a kung fu cop on the search of a Korean killer in California (wait a minute..) or a romantic comedy where he plays an Oriental struggling to make ends meet but turns to dancing and conquers the streets! Huu-Raa!

Ratings – 2/5