Koe no Katachi

Image from: https://myanimelist.net/anime/28851/Koe_no_Katachi

Name: A Silent Voice 聲の形 Koe no Katachi
Status: Completed
Episode: Movie
Release date (for eng subs): -

Summary:
Ishida Shouya bullies the deaf transferred student, Nishimiya Shouko, during the 6th grade of elementary school. However, after being found out by the teacher, he became the target of bully, and this incident broke his relationships with his friends and classmate. He deeply regrets what he did, and lived his life trying to make up for his doing. One day, he reunited with Nishimiya, and slowly, his life changes.

________________________________________

Personal Ratings: 4.5 / 5

It finally shows in Singapore (although I'm a bit late). Have been looking forward to this show ever since I saw the PV, and I actually went to check out the manga, but I didn't quite liked it. That being said, the movie was really a different experience, packed with emotional scenes.

Idea: 4.5 / 5

It's not a very unique idea of showing a bullying take place in school, especially in elementary school. But showing that from the bullier's point of view was something different. In addition to that, making the heroine as someone who is deaf and can barely speak because that, and actually focusing on that to give birth to a story that interacts with voices and hearings is a very good idea.

In addition to that, they also deal with many different types of unique characters in the show itself. With many different people who come together during the process of the show. But the most unique thing I found about this show is their focus on family members, and not just within the school compound, which is something I feel most animes lack.

Execution:

Development: 4 / 5

The development was deep and intense in some parts, and I feel that it did have a nice build up. But I felt like there were some important details which were skipped through the movie, which gave off a very incomplete feel.

Although there wasn't a very clear motive as to what they wanted to tell the viewers through this show, because there were just too many things jumbled into the movie. But I feel that the main point was put across, though I felt that it could have been a lot better. But most of it lies in the animation, and the selection of the parts to be cut off.

I loved the parts where the crossed (x) sticker came off and on. It really gave a visual picture of what the main character was feeling towards the person, and told a lot more than what was shown.

Emotions: 5 / 5

I liked the mixture the different scenes, which gave off different emotions throughout the whole show which gave an overall balance to the movie, which made it easier to sit through despite it being a very heavy and long show (about 2 hours and 10 minutes).

It was a very intense 2 hours show, which really builds up an accumulative amount of sadness throughout the show through the experience in which the main character went through. Even though there were many more negative emotions throughout the anime (which I people who don't really like a sad show probably wouldn't like), but there was always some sort of positive energy which kept the show going. With regret, comes a positive change in a person's action; with suicidal thoughts, comes a hope in living on; and among everything else, the show focuses on 2nd chances.

Planning: 5 / 5

Planning was good. I liked how they rearranged the scenes to make the movie a lot more interesting than the manga itself (although the manga had more detailed scenes, which I felt backed fired).

Main Character Development: 4 / 5

The development of the 2 main characters were superb, especially for Ishida. Although I did find it a disappointment that they didn't quite show his gradual change from elementary to middle to high school. It was just a jump from elementary to high school, with bits and pieces of middle school fitted in wherever possible. But still, the change in his attitude, and the way he thinks and treated people was really well done.

Nishimiya on the other hand, although she had a great development with her family, too, involved in the whole situation (especially her sister), I felt like there was a huge cloud of mystery shrouded over her, and after the whole movie, I felt that I didn't quite understand her character. There wasn't much said about her main reason for attempting suicide, and there were also no signs given prior to the incident, except for the loss of hearing in her right(?) ear, and the death of her grandma. But her character itself was well developed throughout the whole show.

Side Character Development: 3.5 / 5

There were many side characters involved in the movie, and they were all very unique and different type of characters which came together because of both Ishida (mainly), and Nishimiya. It was nice to see how the different characters came together and find their places with each other.

The side characters were mainly divided into characters that went to the same elementary school, and characters which he met in high school. The elementary school group had a bigger role to play because they were involved in the bullying incident in different ways. They try to realize and correct the way they are throughout the movie. 

Although the different side characters had a different role in the movie, I felt like there wasn't enough development for most of them, but I also understand that it is impossible to finish the movie within 2 hours if they weren't cut off.

Seiyuu: 4 / 4

Great selection of voice actors, I think we really have to praise Saori (Nishimiya's voice actor) for the great acting. I was constantly being surprised by the way she voiced a deaf person.

Also applause to Ono Kensho, because I didn't think he could sound that way, but he proved me wrong with his superb acting throughout the whole anime.

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Art Ratings: 5 / 5

The art and animation was really good. The animation especially really gave off a 3D effect, and really helped a lot with the emotional aspect of the movie.

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Similar Animes:

Kokoro ga Sakebitagatterunda

Although not exactly similar, the two anime are similar in having different characters with unique personality come together, and also the fact that the heroines in both movies can't talk, although one is a true deaf while the other was forbidden to speak through a trauma that occurred when she was young.

________________________________________

Recommended for:

Gender: Both
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG

Kingsman: The Secret Service

Image from: http://www.joblo.com/movie-posters/kingsman-the-secret-service-06

Name: Kingsman: The Secret Service

Release Date (in Singapore): 12 February 2015

Watched on: 24 February 2015

Summary:

Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn, Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

Summary by: 20th Century Fox

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2802144/plotsummary

Personal Ratings: 3.5

A movie which follows the route of irrationality. It's absurd, illogical and fun. I was really wow-ed by the creativity behind all the weapons, which follows the rules of a "gentleman", but I really thought that the action scenes could have been better. 

The jokes were pretty funny and sensible, and I think they really made used of a lot of situations to come out with jokes or sarcasms.

The start of the movie threw me off guard, and kind of made things a little complicated at first. Because I thought Valentine was the good guy. But that all cleared up after awhile, so there wasn't really any huge of a deal. 

At first I thought that the terrible CG* would be the fall of this show, but after watching the whole show, I actually think that the flawed CG was done on purpose. It actually did suit the movie a lot more with the more fun and joking plot line of the movie. 

And because of the flawed CG, it makes some parts hard to take seriously, and so people would take it as a joke, especially for some of the pretty gory scenes (like getting cut into half or their brains exploding).

I just thought that they should have actually added a little more seriousness to certain parts of the movie, especially the part about Harry (when he died), I thought that that scene itself was pretty emotional (especially since I kind of favored him throughout the movie), so I thought that the action scene in the church could have been a lot more serious and emotional (especially the parts where he get injured).

I thought that how they film the action scenes was pretty unique, and honestly is a lot more clearer than the normal way of filming action scenes. I thought that mixing in other ways of filming the action scenes (like showing the whole scene zoomed out) would have made it a little nicer, especially because the way that they use can actually cause motion sickness (for people who are sensitive to motion sickness), if watched for long. The different perspective would have also gave it more variation.

I really liked how they actually showed Eggsy's personality from the start of the movie to the end.

I totally loved the part about the dog. But I think that the they could have showed us more of the training part together with the tests parts. And I also thought it was kinda of a shame that he didn't get to work together with Harry.

*CG - Computer Graphics

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 18 and above

Ratings: M-18

The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit:_The_Battle_of_the_Five_Armies

Name: The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies

Prequel: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 

Release Date (in Singapore): 18 December 2014

Watched on: -

Summary:

Continue of the previous Hobbit movies.

Personal Ratings: 3.5

Another sequel to the hobbit series. Finally the last one, before the Lord of the Rings Series. 

Honestly, I kind of forgotten what happened in the previous part, since it's been such a long time since I last watched it, so I was kind of confused as to what was happening in the first part. 

So first thing was the dragon. Honestly, because of the way they left off from the last part, I was thinking that the dragon really hold some sort of importance to this part, but the dragon was quickly done away with, so I was kind of disappointed. 

After watching, I couldn't really deicde if the dragoon is good or bad, because I think that the dragon actually attacked and "sealed" off the castle for a reason; so that people wouldn't fall greed to the amounts of gold there. So I'm not too sure about them using the term "dragon illness" for the symptom of greed.

This part is mostly about the war. It was pretty exciting, and it was quite marvelous to see the whole army of elves - they were so orderly, and again, the elves really had the most sophisticated fighting style. Hoped to see more, but there was nothing much this part. (maybe Lord of the Rings would have?)

As for the part where the elves actually joint forces with the dwarfs; was really cool how they actually all of a sudden jumped in front of the wall that the dwarfs made.

The thing about the wizards was also kind of confusing. Hoping to find out more about that when I watch the lord of the rings, just hoping that there would be some sort of crossbreed in that movie (Idk why I even thought of that.)

I can sort of understand the feelings for both sides (dwarfs and elves), so there was no distinct line drawn between the good and the bad side. And I guess from this incident, you can sort of understand how the whole conflict between the two races started at the beginning of the movie. 

For the whole commotion about the "dragon's illness", I thought they could have made it a lot more meaningful, especially about the Hobbit's part in freeing Oakensheild from that "illness", because in the first part of the show, you could see that for a moment he was freed when the hobbit was talking about planting that acorn in his garden. 

Don't think that there was really any main character in this part. It was all kind of clustered. But for this part, people who had already watched lord of the rings would know all the spoiler (as in who died and who didn't), and that kind of played a huge part in the wars between the races. But it did give me the hype to watch lord of the rings. 

P.S. Was a little sad that Benedict's part was so small. I could barely even hear his voice. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Male & Female

Age: 13 and above

Ratings: PG-13

Big Hero 6

Image from: http://marvel.wikia.com/Big_Hero_6_(film)

Name: Big Hero 6

Release Date (in Singapore): 17 November 2014

Watched on: 23 November 2014

Summary:

From Walt Disney Animation Studios, the team behind "Frozen" and "Wreck-It Ralph," comes "Big Hero 6," an action-packed comedy-adventure about the special bond that develops between Baymax, a plus-sized inflatable robot, and prodigy Hiro Hamada. When a devastating event befalls the city of San Fransokyo and catapults Hiro into the midst of danger, he turns to Baymax and his close friends adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. Determined to uncover the mystery, Hiro transforms his friends into a band of high-tech heroes called "Big Hero 6."

Summary by: Walt Disney Animation Studios
Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245084/plotsummary

Personal Ratings: 4

I've been waiting for this cartoon for quite some time already. And it's probably one of the lesser movies out there that really met my expectations, after all the expecting and judging from the trailer.

I was quite surprised at the Japanese (well more specifically, Japanese / San Francisco) setting of the anime. I don't think they actually did a Japanese setting for their cartoons before, so this was a plus point for me (I mean with all my Japan fetish...) Wonder if Japanese seiyuus are going to dub this (can't wait if they are going to dub this in Japanese).

It was really a game well played, because to the viewers, the fact that certain links within the story was pretty obvious, it took our attention away from another potential party. At first, it may look really obvious that Krei was the culprit behind everything, and because Hiro just didn't establish that obvious link, it really took all the attention away from the professor. 

I really liked how they didn't just threw away Tadashi when he died, but actually made him the backbone of this whole story. (I don't know why, but most of the time, characters that die in the beginning are usually thrown away, and will be never mention in the story).

"Tadashi" means "correct" in Japanese, so from there, there is already that deep meaning behind his name. And I think that the message to us viewers, via his name, was that he was always doing all the right things, and he is always right. You can see it from his actions that that was really true (when Hiro stray away from his path and was too absorbed in revenge).

Really well developed story when it came to Hiro and his brother. Really touched by parts of the show. I think that for a supposedly happy show, it made me real sad at some occasions (Sadder than Frozen, and Frozen was suppose to be a sad show.)

I really liked how much they developed the main characters, but I just somehow don't really think that there was enough development for the other 4 characters. 

Other than using certain personalities of the characters to make the show funny, there wasn't really much development for the rest of them.

I really enjoyed the laughter. Things they used to make it funny weren't just words, but more of action. (Since I really hate slap sticks)

Really love the character's design. When I first saw the characters, I was just blown away. I totally loved it (especially the main character). I thought that they somehow really portrayed many information about their personalities just through their design, and they just all end up being really likable characters.

I thought that they could have showed us just how smart Hiro was in school, to the extent that he doesn't even want to go to high school. It kind of gives us that sense of satisfaction when Hiro actually found some school in which he wants to go into. 

Of course the starting for this movie was also quite good. With the unexpected robot fight and everything. But in the end, there wasn't really much of mention when it came to those robot fights, so there wasn't that nostalgic feeling when you compare the starting and the ending of the movie. 

One thing I didn't like was the inconsistent pronunciation of Japanese words (or names). You have everyone speaking in English pronunciation, and then all of a sudden there is this girl that pronounces it the right way. I'm not sure if the younger kids could hear the difference, but the inconsistency was definitely annoying me.

All was well, but I just couldn't really get one part of the story; why would the professor actually attack Hiro when Hiro first found out about the mass produced invention of Hiro's. I thought it would have been more sensible to actually try and talk Hiro into joining him than trying to kill him right off the bat. 

Recommended for:
Gender: Both
Age: 10 and above
Ratings: PG

Interstellar

Image from: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/photo-interstellar-new-teaser-poster-701642

Name: Interstellar

Released Date (in Singapore): 6 November 2014

Watched on: ?

Summary:

In the near future, Earth has been devastated by drought and famine, causing a scarcity in food and extreme changes in climate. When humanity is facing extinction, a mysterious rip in the space-time continuum is discovered, giving mankind the opportunity to widen its lifespan. A group of explorers must travel beyond our solar system in search of a planet that can sustain life. The crew of the Endurance are required to think bigger and go further than any human in history as they embark on an interstellar voyage into the unknown. Coop, the pilot of the Endurance, must decide between seeing his children again and the future of the human race.

Summary by: Warren D'Souza

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816692/plotsummary

Personal Ratings: 3.5

Another touching story this month. This story talks about relationships, specifically relationships between the dad and his daughter.
Seen many types of stories about the world dying and not being habitual to man kind anymore. Makes us reflect on our actions. So this movie is a mixture of 2 genres.

Thought that the story was really well developed. Could see the strong connections between the front and the back of the story. However, this story feels more like a loop, where the pat and future is connected through the actions of one guy.
However, of course, throughout the movie, they kind of made us think that it was the work of a 3rd party. And speaking about 3rd parties, when it comes to the outer space / galaxy, one would immediately associate it with aliens. So throughout the whole show, i kept thinking that aliens would pop out of nowhere. 

Seeing murph live through 3 stages of her life (namely, kid, middle-aged and old) while her dad only lived through one; middle-aged. Really kind of set that ground for making people (or well, at least, me) cry. I just really have this thing for time being passed so quickly.
Though I wasn't really sure if it was really necessary for there to be such a huge difference in time when they went on that planet, and why only that planet. (One hour on the planet was like 7 years).

In terms of creativity, when it comes to the different types of planets, making them having extreme weather or geographical conditions didn't really make it all that unique. But I guess that does give us that surprised factors when we saw the huge wave of water. The reason for it having that surprised factor only works because we are able to compare it with the norm.

Thought that they could have gave us more details on the earth side of things and not focus too much on the space side, because in the end Murph did play a very important role with 'hope' and the new planet that humanity if living on. 

Certain parts I couldn't understand because of the lack of scientific explanation. For example, the whole thing about plants not being able to grow anymore (is it because it was too dry?) and also the part where the ship exploded when the guy tried to open the 2nd door. 

This movie is a little on the log and draggy side. For a movie to be almost 3 hours long... Thought that they could have cut it down a little shorter, and make it go a little faster.

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 13 and above

Ratings: PG-13

The Judge

Image from: http://teaser-trailer.com/the-judge-movie-poster/

Name: The Judge

Release Date (in Singapore): 16 October 2014

Watched on: 18 October 2014

Summary:

This movie revolves around two lawyers; a son, Hank, and his father, Joseph, a judge. Hank has always detested his dad for his forceful character, and had left town to be a lawyer at the city. He goes back home after hearing the news about the death of his mother, and turns out to be also caught in the situation when his dad was claimed to have killed a man. 

Old feelings arises as Hank works hard to clear his father's name. They fought and made up many times, an eventually the truth about all misunderstood actions were revealed and Hank begins to understand more about his dad. 

Summary by: AngelaAgness 

Personal Ratings: 3

I touching story not based on those cliche dying scenes (like The fault in our stars, no offence). It talks closely about the relationship between Hank and this dad, and Hank and his ex-girl friend (well, not so much about the girl friend). In a way, almost everyone can relate to this show, and feel for either side of the character, which is probably the main reason for the level of affection towards the movie (for me, at least).

Some incorporation of funny and comedy scenes (most which I didn't really think was funny), to lighten up the heavy mood of some really sad and touching scenes. (probably to prevent people from over crying.) 

When I first saw this trailer, I thought that it would be a full out serious show about law and debates. But apparently that was secondary, which means that there aren't really any long boring court sessions. 

Thought that it was interesting to see them use all the law terms with each other even outside court. But I especially loved it when they used it in the formal court setting to object to the other party's questions towards the witnesses. 

I thought that the whole mystery and court hearing about whether his dad really killed the guy, really makes the whole movie interesting, and brings the viewers back to the movie, even though there were some boring parts. 

Thought that they could have showed us the court case in the beginning, to tell us why Joseph really hated that criminal. Because, I was really confused about the whole hate thing throughout the whole movie.

Thought that there were some parts that weren't really needed and were just extras. But than again, it's probably all this that build up our affection towards the characters, making it a lot more easier to understand and relate to them, and also more sad. (the same concept as Clannad).

I thought that maybe the setting about the main character and his daughter, weren't really shown. I thought that maybe he should have brought his dad there to tell him more about himself and his daughter, before he died, but that would extend the movie a little more (the movie was really quite long).

Thought that right at the ending, they should have told us what really happened in that incident; whether he actually killed the guy or not. Even though, judging from the whole court case, he probably did kill him, but sometimes the truth is different from what is concluded at the court room. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 16 and above

Ratings: NC-16

Dracula Untold

Image from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829150/

Name: Dracula Untold

Release Date (in Singapore): 2 October 2014

Watched on: 5 October 2014

Summary:

Facing threats to his kingdom and his family, Vlad Tepes makes a deal with dangerous supernatural forces - whilst trying to avoid succumbing to the darkness himself.

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829150/

Personal Ratings: 2.5

In this year, it seems to be a trend to actually take a classic story and either add on or twist the plot line a bit; like Hansel and Gretel, Ninja Turtles, and Maleficent. So I guess this adds on to the collection. and I guess this movie does, in a way, help people get into the Halloween mood for the month of October. 

The starting of the show was a typical story telling to provide us with the background story of the whole movie. Though it's probably not the script's fault, but more of my understanding problems, I was actually a little confused as to whether that was the future or the past, so it kind of bugged me as to whether the main character is the kid or the dad (I thought the main character would only start impaling people when he was transformed into a Dracula.)

I guess the whole story was suppose to be sort of  sad with a happy ending. But honestly, I didn't really feel that sadness from the death of his closes friend / warrior and his wife. 
As for his closes friend, I thought that they should have actually showed us more of his loyalty and affection towards the main character.
As for the wife, it should have been more tragic and cruel to suit the dark setting and make the ending a little more happier (because of the contrast of the two situation).

As for the AWESOMELY good thing about this show; the action scenes are not ruined by the  camera work. Most of the time, the action scenes become very incomprehensible due to the shaky camera work (it gives me motion sickness too). However this movie doesn't have that problem. Totally love how they use the side or top view to show the action scenes. However, I don't think that there was enough action scenes. Since the trailer shows all the action scenes, I was really looking forward to a long and good fight between the two sides, but no there wasn't actually much action scenes. 
I guess in a way I understood why they didn't have that cliche group scene of marching towards their enemy alongside vlad (because in the end they were all enemies), but I thought that they should have actually showed us more of the fighting scenes as a group, and should have showed us how significantly little people they have as compared to their enemies

I don't think that they really made use of the 3 days in the movie. I didn't think that they actually expressed how hard was it to suppress that yearning for blood. Also they didn't really show us the negative side of having too advance senses (like hearing too many sounds all at once.)

As for the guy who kept following vlad, they probably should have added him here and there instead of just that one scene before the last, because in the end he did pay an important role in reviving Vlad. 

Overall quite a plain story line; lacked that cool factor which could have actually been easily inputted into this type of story line. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 13 and above

Ratings: PG-13

The Maze Runner

Image from: http://insidemediatrack.com/2014/03/maze-runner-official-teaser-trailer/

Name: The Maze Runner

Release Date (in Singapore): 11 September 2014

Watched on: 12 September 2014

Summary:

When Thomas wakes up trapped in a massive maze with a group of other boys, he has no memory of the outside world other than strange dreams about a mysterious organization known as W.C.K.D. Only by piecing together fragments of his past with clues he discovers in the maze can Thomas hope to uncover his true purpose and a way to escape. Based upon the best-selling novel by James Dashner.

Summary by: 20th Century Fox

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1790864/plotsummary

Personal Ratings: 4

I think that this movie i kind of on par with divergent. And since the name 'divergent' is being brought up, I would suddenly link with Hunger Games for some odd reason. I think in terms of story line, divergent is a little more better. But when I see The Maze Runner, Somehow I'm seeing more future in it compared to the other two. 

Ok so for maze runner, I thought that the story line was interesting and has a certain complexity to it (though you wouldn't realize it's not just about getting out of the maze until the ending).

Some added funny parts, which I'm not sure if they actually did that on purpose, but it got me loosening from all the intense story line. 

I liked the interesting setting, where they kind of live in this area that kind of resembles the old times. It was quite fun to see how they actually survive in this small area of land for 3 years. However sadly, I don't think that they actually showed enough. Even though they mention the different categories of 'jobs' that everyone was put into, I don't think I got to see each one of their work areas, so I thought that it was kind of a shame. 

Lack of character development, not as bad as Step up: all in, and I think that they didn't really have a choice since there were so many characters involved in this movie, they didn't really have the time to slowly tell us more about each and every character. Good development on some characters, but I thought that there was not enough for Chuck. Because they probably wanted this random touching moment at the last part where Chuck died, but honestly, the thing with his parents and what not, just wasn't really enough for me to even feel much. Instead of just telling us about his parents and stuff like that, I thought that they should have showed more of how Chuck was the one that actually believed Thomas from the beginning to the end (I think that would have more impact when Thomas was reluctant to leave Chuck's body behind).

I thought that the movie didn't really have any up or down moments, it was just kind of moving in this constant pace; though they did add some thrilling scenes that made me jump (yea, I'm easily shocked, and I always jump up meh...). So without any up or down, there wasn't a particular scene that deeply left an impression on it.

Good acting, though 1 step below Shailene Woodley. Should have known, he acted in Teen Wolf (no wonder he looks so familiar), and his acting there (when he was possessed) was superb. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 12 and above

Ratings: PG

Step Up: All In

Image from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Step_Up_All_In

Name: Step Up: All In

Release Date (in Singapore): 
Watched on: 14 September 2014


Summary:
All-stars from the previous Step Up installments come together in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers.

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2626350/


Personal Ratings: 2

Honestly, I don't really know if the previous step up set the bar up too high, or this is just terrible. I don't really know much about dance, but seeing this as a movie I think it's not a very nice one. I don't recommend this movie to anyone.  

In terms of dancing, I think that the previous step up (Step Up Revolution), was a lot better. There were more use of many different props in this movie, but somehow I felt that they didn't really use that much to their advantage, maybe it was because of the setting that they weren't really able to show us more unique stuffs, because Step Up Revolution was really in very different and unique settings that really brought that wow factor out.

I'm not sure about the level of difficulty of the dance routine, but I don't think that there was any dance routine or move that actually left an impression in me. 

As a movie, I thought that there wasn't enough character development. I don't actually feel any character attachment to anyone of them. No offence, but I can't even remember all their names except for Moose (because he's been in the past few Step Up movies). So yea, I think that this movie desperately needs more character development. So for the parts where I think they wanted to show a more emotional side of the story (like when Moose's girl friend got angry and the part where the main girl started to talk about her past), it kind of didn't really mean anything, because there was that serious lack of character affection. It just kind of seemed like it's thrown together at the last minute. 

Ok for the good parts! I actually like some of the concept they were going for; like the Twin concept and the Robot concept. Could tell that they probably put it in for laughs and cuteness (I don't really know how to describe it, so 'cute' was the only word I can come up with haha). Totally loved the Robot concept thing throughout the whole show, and was probably the only thing that comes to mind if I think of this movie. 

But I can tell that there were some needless comedy that weren't very funny in the show, and could have used that time to develop the story line more.

Recommended for:
Gender: -
Age: -
Ratings: PG-13

Lucy

Image from: http://www.ramascreen.com/look-into-scarlett-johanssons-amazing-right-eye-in-this-lucy-poster-lucythemovie-lucymovie/

Name: Lucy

Release Date (in Singapore): 21 August 2014
Watched on: 29 August 2014


Summary:
A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2872732/?ref_=ttrel_rel_tt


Personal Ratings: 3

Honestly, Really had high expectations for this movie when the teaser first came out. But sadly, it wasn't really up to the standard I was hopping for. 

Firstly, they didn't actually explained why was she the only one that the drug had effect on. The first guy that first tested the drug when crazy. So there should have been some explanation as to why she was the only one that was compatible with the drugs. 

The front part was actually quite boring, minus some entertaining parts that were quite funny, but otherwise, there wasn't really much in the first part that was captivating. The back part wasn't really enough to forgive that. The middle part was actually quite interesting, and it really had me wondering what would happen next. 

The good thing is that they actually added some funny scenes into the movie (my type of funny scenes), to keep the viewers from over loading of information. Because some parts may get a little boring and a little more towards the wordy side when they are trying to explain the parts about the human brain. My sister actually didn't really get what was going on half the time, so we can see that it definitely need the viewers to concentrate in order to stay on track.

However, for people like me (not to brag or anything but...) I've actually quite the interest in more wordy shows like Steins;Gate and Hyouka. So it wasn't really hard for me the follow the movie. 

Of course I thought the action scenes could have used more speed in them, if not it's actually quite boring. They should have showed case more of her powers; like changing the elements connected to her body or about how she controls matter and other humans. Loved that scene where she actually made the bullets dropped from the gun, but I thought that they could have shown more about the part where she can change the elements in her body; something similar to that part in the air port where she actually changed her hair color.

As for the ending scene, I thought that she could have actually fought the bad guys a little, to buy herself more time and let the rest of the cops deal with the remaining survivors. I also thought that they should have added a little more emotions when she actually decided to sacrifice whatever time she has left on earth to actually help the scientist gather all her knowledge. Thought that a little more sadness and lost feeling would have brought in more depth into the movie. 

Of course, the ending was actually quite bad for me. I thought that they should have actually shown what they did with the knowledge that she entrusted them with. shouldn't have ended so abruptly. 

For the good parts; I actually liked how they made reference to the animal life throughout the whole show. Liked the animation when she actually fast time backwards, to show the progress of City Square since from the time they actually build it. And also the first part where she actually fought was cool. 

Recommended for:
Gender: Both
Age: 17 and above
Ratings: NC-16

Higashi no Eden Movie I: The King of Eden

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/6372/Higashi_no_Eden_Movie_I:_The_King_of_Eden

Name: Higashi no Eden Movie I: The King of Eden

Sequel: Higashi no Eden Movie II: Paradise Lost
Prequel: Higashi no Eden

Release Date (in Japan): 28 November 2009

Watched on: 27 May 2014

Summary:

The intrigue goes international in The King of Eden, a feature-length conspiracy thriller that continues the action of Eden of the East. The deadly game that began in Japan now intensifies on the streets of New York City. The rules are the same: do whatever it takes to win. Die if you lose.

Takizawa prevented Japan's destruction - and then he vanished. Six months later, clues lead Saki to the Big Apple in search of her missing friend. Meanwhile, the remaining Selecao are plotting their final move. Some of them would prefer Takizawa dead and out of the way. Some might even be willing to help him achieve his goals. Unfortunately, some are prepared to destroy everything if it means claiming checkmate in Mr. Outside's puzzling game.

Summary Source: Funimation Entertainment

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/6372/Higashi_no_Eden_Movie_I:_The_King_of_Eden

Personal Ratings: 3

Continuation from the anime series. I honestly don't understand why must they make two movies, when it's a continuation of the anime series. It could have been a short 2nd season. 

The front part of the movie was a little confusing, because there is no clear transition as to which part was the flash back and which was reality. But I liked how the starting of this movie was a lot like the first part of the anime; where there were a lot of things to be answered. There was a little nostalgic feeling and some sort of sadness that Takizawa forgot all about the incident that happened. 

The movie stopped at a really weird part, so I was quite disappointed with it. I knew that there was no way they could have finished the whole story into one movie, but I honestly didn't think that they would really split it into 2 parts. Since they actually split it at an anti-climax part, there wasn't must interesting materials left to be shown in the 2nd part of the movie. 

Much to my disappointment, there was also very little about the other members of the games. They just kept focusing on those that they have already shown in the anime. It kind of felt like they were killed off without having contribute to the story line at all. Of course things got more interesting when it came to the battle between the Selecaos, but I still felt like they could have done better. I thought that they could have make more hints about the Selecao's actions, and let the curiosity sink in. Felt like there lacked this element of curiosity in the whole movie. 

The good thing was that they made quite good connection between the anime and the movie, most of the time, people just forgets about the anime. In this movie, they also showed how the "east of eden" had helped in the whole process of finding and helping Takizawa. We can finally see how that group and the software helped contribute in the show, as compared to in the anime where it was just another phone app. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 13 and above

My Ratings: PG-13

The Expendables 3

Image from: http://www.theterminatorfans.com/lionsgate-to-host-the-expendables-3-world-premiere-in-london/

Name: The Expendables 3

Release Date (in Singapore): ?
Watched on: 10 August 2014


Summary:

Barney (Stallone), Christmas (Statham) and the rest of the team comes face-to-face with Conrad Stonebanks (Gibson), who years ago co-founded The Expendables with Barney. Stonebanks subsequently became a ruthless arms trader and someone who Barney was forced to kill... or so he thought. Stonebanks, who eluded death once before, now is making it his mission to end The Expendables -- but Barney has other plans. Barney decides that he has to fight old blood with new blood, and brings in a new era of Expendables team members, recruiting individuals who are younger, faster and more tech-savvy. The latest mission becomes a clash of classic old-school style versus high-tech expertise in the Expendables' most personal battle yet.

Summary by: Liongates
Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2333784/plotsummary


Personal Ratings: 3.5

I've not seen expendables 1 or 2, so any characters that have anything to do with this 3rd movie, would probably have no effect on me. However, as according to my mum, she says that the last 2 expendables were pure fighting, no humor. So I guess that's a plus point for this movie. 

Firstly, I've always liked and prefer actions shows, so for me, I really liked this movie. The balance between the humor and action was just nice for me. Kind of like Guardians of the Galaxy, just that this one is more on the action side. The only thing that I thought was lacking in this movie was planing. I prefer to have 50:50 in terms of the planning part and the action part. Though that thing kind of came in in the 2nd part, where he actually got a hacker into his team. Totally loved that idea, but I thought that the plans were too simple, and there weren't really anything complex in the show. There were also no mini plans in each of their fights in the last part, so I was kind of disappointed in terms of the complexity of each fights. 

Totally love the last fighting scene. Really liked how they really concentrated on it and build it up. I also liked how they showed the individual old member's activity when they heard that they were disband. Though I kind of wish that they heard the news that Barney had failed the mission, and show how they were all going back for him. (you know, somewhat like that time where all the crew members were desperate to get back to Luffy when they heard that Ace died, in One Piece.) Some sort of touching moment would have been good (not in the normal and typical kind of way).

Love they way they portioned the whole movie, was really good and didn't feel boring at all. It also didn't feel long, even though there were a total of 4 parts to the whole movie. Just thought that there could have been more variety of weapons used throughout the whole movie, instead of just knifes and guns. (I thought maybe someone with dual sword would have been nice).

This movie is totally for those that love action, and little words. 

Recommended for:
Gender: Both
Age: 13 and above
Ratings: PG-13

Guardians of the Galaxy

Image from: http://recommandedmovies.com/guardians-galaxy-featurette-character-posters/

Name: Guardians of the Galaxy

Release Date (in Singapore): 31 July 2014
Watched on: 9 August 2014

Summary:

Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2015381/

Personal Ratings: 3.5

Strictly NO kids. Honestly, these few months, there has been many marvel movies coming out, and their all really great movies. But, unfortunately, they are NOT for kids. (well, at least not Asian kids). There were seriously many times when the kids get bored of the movie half way, probably because they couldn't really get the jokes that were used in the movies, and also because they didn't have the patience to sit through it. 

Now, moving on about the show, I think it's quite a nice show (even though my sister kept complaining that it was boring). I think that there was quite a good balance between the comedy side of it and the action side of it. Though, I could have used more action when it came to the fight between the girls. 

Judging from the first part of the show, I honestly thought that it was too sad. And it led me to think that it would be a more serious type of show, so I was quite surprised that it was more of a comedy type. I may not be into comedy type of shows (if you have seen my reviews on comedy animes and movies), but I actually like this type of comedy where the laughter just comes naturally from people's actions and personality, and not faked out.
Most of the shows which have both the action and the comedy side, are usually well-liked by me (of course they must have that balance between the two sides).

I love how they pay attention to the small little details of the short scenes. Those were actually linked throughout the whole show, if you pay attention. There was not one small detail of the show that weren't of no use. Hard to see this type of shows were they make use of small and short details on the movies. 

Of course, great story line. I really like the unexpected first meeting between the 4 of them. I thought that they would have been in the same company, but those that don't get along well, but were forcefully put together by their bosses or something. But I was glad that it didn't really ended up as cliche as I thought it would've been. 

Some great touching moments. But I do think that they should have explained more about the infinity power. Of course, judging from the way things ended, there is sure to be a 2nd season (if I'm not wrong). Somethings which I thought that should have placed more emphasis on; like the issue about his dad. 

Recommended for:

Gender: Both

Age: 13 and above

Ratings: PG-13