Took this photo at around 5pm-ish yesterday while I was waiting for my aunt to come and pick me up...something about seeing the moon while it's still light out is quite cool =)
The old dog
7 years ago
Okay, I don't really know if it's appropriate for me to post this here, but then the website is for public viewing anyways, and it's my first ever published review, so I'm breaking the rules. *grins* Here's the link: http://www.cinema.com.my/movies/movie_contents.aspx?search=2010.6264.haunteduniversities.11710
Maybe it's just me, but seeing my own name there published gives quite a sense of pride that my work is recognised as 'good' =) And add to that, getting a good comment from the editor is really nice too! Going into it was a bit exhilarating and weird at the same time too. Introducing myself as someone from a publishing company...that's a big first, but I kind of like it! But overthinking things during the writing of the review: definite no-no. Need to just draft it all out first and then refine it later. LOL!
I would have liked to write more about the movie, but as it is it's a bit too long already, so here are my other opinions on "Haunted Universities":
- Before watching the movie, here I was thinking that the movie is going to 'haunt' me in my nightmares for days on end...how glad was I that the movie turned out to be a big joke (with one character named after it, no wonder!). It was one of the few times I've actually laughed hard watching a horror film. LOL!
- There never really were any connections between the four stories, except the showing of a few familiar faces. Kind of a flimsy way to tie the stories together. If they did it like Jack Neo's "Where Got Ghost?" it might have made more sense...*shrugs*
- Some scenes were just a bit...out-of-it. And not in a good way too. Case-in-point: a scene where the murderer and his newly acquired 'apprentice' walk up to their next victim (in slow mo) accompanied by music reminiscent of "The Wild Wild West" (where the cowboys do the show down thingy with their guns and all) *rolls eyes*
- I seriously do not get whether the movie was really a horror/comedy film OR just a really terrible horror film. On the one hand, if it was branded as a horror/comedy, it could have been a pretty decent one as you get lots of humour and slapstick antics. But, if it's meant to be an all-out Thai horror films, it definitely falls flat on its face. Oh well, watch it and you'll get what I mean. ;)
Hopefully there will be more gigs like this to go to...and I hope I can review some nicer movies than some 'non-movie' (as how the editor puts it) randomly given to me! On another nicer note, I was told that I am very welcome to just go and sit for a movie screening by the company (and I quote) "...for my amusement, if I am into that sort of thing" (!!!!!) DEFINITELY into it, but I hear that most of the screenings are done in the mornings on weekdays...*hears balloon being deflated* Oh well, I still have night previews I can attend, and possible weekends too, so it's still good! YAYY! Free movies to watch...haha!
Whew...can't really believe this is happening just yet, so I'm pinching myself a lot. LOL! After thinking long and hard about what I want to do in my life (as well as encouragement from friends and family), I took the plunge (so to speak) and applied for something that I thought I would never be able to do just because I don't have a degree in journalism: freelance movie reviewer.
A neighbor (and good friend) of mine is working in journalism herself and I asked her about things that she do, and is it a requirement to have a degree in journalism should I want to venture into writing as a career. Surprise surprise...it's not really a requirement, though of course it's an added bonus if the person has one. Our little discussion turned into a VERY nice offer from her to hook me up with her ex editor at one of the companies she had worked at...I jumped at it, since it's a freelance job and I could look into building a portfolio for myself =) Plus, it might give me an idea on how things in the publishing industry works, and how often do we get PAID to watch a movie, right? Did a really quick review on my resume to check, put in some writing samples (from this blog..hehe!) and a cover letter, said a quick prayer, and sent them through email.
Long story short, they have decided to give me a try (YAYYY!) and would like me to start with a preview screening of a movie tomorrow. Looked it up online, and I found out that it's *GASP* a Thai horror film! A challenge perhaps, or maybe it's just some big coincidence that they knew I don't do well with horror...especially ASIAN horror flicks? Not that they aren't good, but I guess it's like the films feel closer to home, and with me knowing about some superstitions and all that makes the film even more creepy to me >.<" I just hope I can manage to write a decent enough review that they would want to let me continue! *crosses fingers* They expect the review by the following day, so I think I should be able to post my own opinion on it soon...*wink*
*****************************************************************************
On another note, I've managed to catch 'The Imaginarium Of Dr Parnassus' last week. It's really a pity to see that it hasn't generated that much buzz or excitement for people to watch it...I mean, it's only been about 2 weeks or so, and the cinemas are already limiting the number of showings! Not enough people coming to catch the last movie that Heath Ledger made before he passed, I presume...=(
Still, the movie did cast an interesting light on the extent of our imaginations. The story basically talks about Dr Parnassus (Christopher Plummer, who made Captain Von Trapp super famous in 'The Sound Of Music'), an old monk that made bets with the Devil (played brilliantly by Tom Waits) and uses a magical mirror to bring people from all walks of life into their own imaginations. Along the way, Dr Parnassus and his troupe (consisting of his daughter, a boy called Anton, and a midget called Percy) chanced upon another curious character, Tony (Heath Ledger) and they all set upon a most bizzare and otherworldly journey that will either knock your socks off (if you get the whole bizzare thing) or knock you completely confused (if you're just too logical and all that jazz).
The cast were brilliant in the movie..Christopher Plummer definitely plays the old monk with great aplomb, balancing the drunken stupor that the character is almost always in and the wise, engaging storyteller of a man when the character is sober. But the one that steals the show would be Heath Ledger, who brought Tony to life with his little mannerisms and British accent that one can't really place. It's a little sad though to see when Tony changes faces (played by Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell) during the story. One would definitely be able to tell which parts were made after his death...but still, the other actors held their own and melded their interpretation of Tony with Heath's very well.
If you're not into the whole story (or you just don't understand it), just watch it for the visuals. The 'worlds' created by the characters' imaginations will surely leave you breathless. Think Tim Burton's 'Charlie and The Chocolate Factory' with a darker, more adult twist. Although looking really bizzare (I seem to be using this word a lot, but I think this is the most apt word for it. LOL!), surreal, and abstract-ish, the effects are awesome. I guess it's something to be seen in order to be believed *wink*
All in all, it's quite hard to place what the movie is all about (in my opinion), but the effects of the movie definitely is a crowd puller. If you DO go watch the movie, make sure you don't go for a late night showing (as the pace might render you sleepy) and don't worry if you don't 'get' the story at all...just sit back, relax and immerse yourself in the whole experience. *wink*
