Your Name: Out of This World Love Story

Probably I am one of the last person to watch Your Name. I finally understood why this turn out to be the highest grossing anime in 2016 for Japan. Although some may not understand the anime medium and though this is just another cartoon made in Japan, this is NOT a movie for kids. I repeat, this is a love movie, a bit on coming-of-age feel, but essentially a romantic movie, nothing here for children at all. 

I would not be focusing on the animation, it is agreed that the animation is top notch. We did not witness any fights, battle scenes but what we were presented instead are breathtaking awe-inspiring scenes of nature. The star here is the story itself and the direction. On paper, this movie is an amalgam of other shows, with borrowed element from other movies. Rural girl got bored in her slow village life wakes up as Tokyo boy and vice versa. While discovering their respective lives, they left messages for each other and no prize in guessing what happens next. They fell in love with each other. Many would complain the pace is bit slow in the first half. But if familiar with any Japanese movie, this is within expectation, The slow build up leads to an emotional climax. The second half may pick up the pace with the protagonists trying to save a village from natural disaster, it is still a part of the flow of the love story between the 2 leads. The other main element in typical Japanese film is the intertwine of nature and spirits. All these elements blended in very well, and lead to a final moment in between the leads. By  the end of the movie, we laughed with them, we teared up for them, and we wish so much that they would end up in each others arm. 

The Japanese is good in playing with emotion in their movies. They show what they do best here. And it did not disappoint. If there is only one single Japanese film you are going to watch this year, this may well be it. 

ratings: 4 poink~!

comments: pay attention to the details in the conversation of the movie, they will be lots of reference to it in the story line later.And finally you will understand how the name of the movie came about.  

Three Little Pigs &The Big Bad Wolf Ipoh: It is all about pork

The hype is up. Three little pigs came to Ipoh. Big Bad Wolf too, and it is not just the book sale. I had heard quite a bit about the 3 little pigs and their big brother wolf in Klang Valley. Therefore, there has to be some expectation when it comes to tasting this franchise that came all the way to Ipoh.

It is located in De Gardens, the complex next to Kinta City in Ipoh Garden. Sad to say, both Kinta City and De Gardens had seen better days, and not many flagship store or restaurant manage to stand the test of time. Facing Kinta City, it is easy to locate 3 Little Pigs, as it is just next to the handphone shops and next to Dojo which I reviewed earlier. As there are few changes in the eateries in this exact position, I could not recall whether there are many changes to the deco, but the sittings felt familiar. The staffs were very attentive without being pushy. Dining here do feel comfortable with spacious seats.

Menu essentially centers around pork, mainly western offerings; although there are few pasta and other side dishes. Coming here, we definitely would want to try the delicious pork dishes. First up is the Mightly Piggy Burger (RM29). While the bread and the fried egg in the burger is as expected, the pork patty shines. Made from US Pork as they claimed, the patty is thick and juicy despite being minced pork instead of a piece of grilled meat. I would prefer it seasoned heavier but it gave a tame but satisfying taste. Baconsaurus (RM34), on the other hand may appeared small in the middle of the large plate, but it does more than to fill the stomach. The mince meat in the middle may have the same consistency as the burger patty but is seasoned better here. Wrapped in bacon, this dish is a pork lover's paradise.

While lots of people may rate the 3 Little Pigs as average, many still enjoyed their pork dishes. I am of the same opinion. The pork dishes do taste better than most fine dining expensive western restaurant. My only reservation is the price. The dining scene in Ipoh is slightly different from Klang valley. While the place is still new, many would flocked to try, but with this price bracket, they would only caters to a niche market, which may already have their own respective favourite restaurant. It would be a challenge to keep up the load in long term. We would see how things would turn up here; crossing my fingers this would finally bring some positive changes to De Gardens.

ratings: 3 poink~!
comments: just come here for the pork.

Rogue One: Finally Star War found its groove

After Return of the Jedi, what came forward was either forgettable or as some may consider it, abomination. Its a pity how subsequent sequels (or prequels) did not do the original trilogy justice, they even undo the great expectation that came with the name "Star Wars". The expectation was so low, that last year sequel receive good reviews despite (according to a lot of people) was just average. Seriously, I could barely remember what happens in The Force Awaken.

However, Rogue One did open with some expectations. First, it did not fall into the main story frame, means it could have lots of room to maneuver. It function as a spin-off, rather than prequel/ sequel. Second, it is based on the complex world of Star Wars, which still impresses many despite so many complex movie universe in the cinema now. The only universe which probably is rich enough to spin a spin off is Harry Potter (although it is a series of book). Thirdly, after the luke warm episode VII last year, comparison is rather easy. Lastly: Donnie Yen. This guy would guarantee at least some tickets sales in the East. All of us in this part of the world know that Donnie Yen being in the movie means there are at least some breath taking fight scenes in the show. (except the CNY craps). And we were not disappointed.



To keep a story short, Rogue One is sort of prequel of Episode 4: A New Hope. If all of us Gen X babies recall from the numerous rerun in TV2 or TV3, the whole movie is about Luke destroying Deatah Star. (Leia in her famous golden bikini only comes in Episode 5). Rogue One is about how the resistance obtain that blueprint plan of the Death Star. And it fit nicely to the opening of Episode 4.

Everything in the movie is near perfect. Likable protagonist. Funny (instead of cute) droid. Plenty of action (though not enough light saber fights). Villain (Darth Vader is in it, what more can I ask for). And the fighters battle in space is brings back memories of the franchise. And (spoilers ahead) for second half of the movie, it set the dark tone for the movie. It reminded me so much of Bodyguard and Assassins, as all of the main character in the movie sacrificed themselves for a common goal. The brave move that Rogue One did was dare to kill off its character, and lead to such a great impact to the film.

Because there were so much going on, the main drawback was the lack of character development. So many questions were unanswered and not explored properly. Why Jyn Erso converted to the Rebellion so fast despite it was the resistant bomb that kill her father? Fear not, as the characterization of each one will help us to overlook the underdevelopment. Each character is distinct on its own, so much so they all fit nicely into a team like pieces of jigsaw puzzle.


One phrase to summarize the whole movie: Go watch it~!

Ratings: 4 poink~!
comments: Darth Vader appeared less menacing when he first appear in Rogue One, but the last scene involving Vader would remain one of the best Darth Vader scene ever, placing him as one of the most memorable and feared villain of all time.