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Stakeland (2010)

On youtube, one fan made trailer touted this as the 'Twilight for adults'. It came across to me more like a cross bred of Resident Evil and 30 Days of Night. The story begins with a teenager, Martin (Connor Paolo), who witness his whole family slaughtered by vampires. A vampire hunter, Mister (Nick Damici) recuses him and promptly took the boy as his protege, teaching him the ways of slaying the undead. By then, we learnt that the country has been ravaged by a vampire virus. Most places were abandoned, with people either (un)dead or living in hiding.

Mister and Martin wants to get across to Canada, a place that is free of the infestion. Making their way across derelict lands reeking of death and decay, they pick up a nun (known as 'Sister'), a pregnant girl, Belle as well as an ex-soldier, Willie, along the way. However, the road to safety is never easy, with not just vampires on their heels but also an end time cult group with a menacing agenda of their own. Pretty depressing stuff.

Stakeland opens off with a blast, delivering an adrenaline pumping epilogue that cleverly paves the way for the rest of the storyline to gracefully unfold. With well crafted characters played by an extremely talented cast and a strong plot, it could easily overshadow much of it's other rivals of the same genre coming out in the vampire cinema now. The only disappointment will be that it somewhat falters alittle towards the end and hastily concludes on a rather unsatisfying note. Perhaps if more thought could have been invested in constructing the grand finale, it could have make this movie a much more enjoyable experience than it already is.

You may also wish to check out the director's other indie horror film, Mulberry Street.

Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011)

In case you didn't already know, Quarantine was US version of Spanish zombie horror, Rec. The first movie took place within a doomed apartment where the origins of a deadly flu virus is birthed. Those who contracted it developes monster like rage and start savagely killing people. Is this 28 Days Later? Well, almost.

The second movie decides not to follow it's Spanish counterpart and shifts the entire context from the apartment to the airport (thus the movie title). Loosely link to the previous one, with a brief mention of an apartment in LA being quarantined, we are introduce to a plane that is ready to take flight. Sounds like good news right, since they are getting away from the place with all that quanrantined mess? Dead wrong.

Meet Jenny, the friendly air stewardess who tries her best to make all her passengers feel comfortable as she makes small talk while doing her usual rounds. She's serving onboard a smal flight bound for Nashville from LA. Things goes well until a kindergarten school teacher comes aboard with a cage full of hamsters. Another passenger offers to help and is accidentally prick on the finger by one of the furry creatures. In no time, the poor guy becomes sick and detoriates so badly that he flew into a rage and demands the plane to land. While other passengers manage to subdue him, little did they realize that all these are just the beginning of their troubles for the night.

While Q1 was criticize for it's lack of originality, with the entire movie particularly lifted word for word from the Rec, Q2 bravely steps forward and wonder into unfamilar territory, deviating from the original plot. Although deserving an A for it's effort, it falls short of a strong storyline and as we watch the characters fate take a decline for worst, the plot is unfortunately heading in the same direction as well. Still, it boast of some pretty good suspense and action scenes and has the typical worthy scares to please a B-grade horror fan.

Speaking on other aspects, not much of a care was put into character development. There was hardly any emotional depth to each of them to barely leave an impression. This isn't to say that the actors didnt try, they probably did, but perhaps due to limitations of the script, this might be the best they can do. On a fairer note, perhaps this could really be the core natural instinct people will react with in dire situations such as these. To conclude, this isn't overall good, but not exactly bad, sufficient enough to pass as a sequel to the first one.

As for those who still prefer Rec, you've a reason to be happy. Rec 3 is coming out :)

Movie Quote: Going against church is going against God ...

The plot unfolds in manga style fashion, operating more like an animation than an actual real person movie. Paul Bettany returns for yet another religiously conflicted role, going from Legion's fallen angel Michael to the titular character, the erm... Priest.

*SPOILERS* 

The setting takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, whereby vampires has ravage most parts of the world. We learn that the war between humans & vampires has rage on for many years. Vampires are vicious, savage beasts who can rip humans apart in spilt seconds. However, the humans has the advantage of sunlight and therefore manage to take down quite a number of them.

In one of the few places left for living, there exist a walled up city ruled by the Church. They once had a group of highly skilled band of warrior priests who were dispatch to take down vampires. Led by Paul Bettany (the "Priest"), the leader, they stake out a vampire's hive and attempts to eradicates their queen. However, they met an ambush and a female member was taken. Almost on their way out, Priest tries to hold onto one of his men but the guy was pull away by vampies.

Cuts to years later after their quest. Priest works as an odd job larbourer and lives among downtrodden humans within a walled up city governed heavily by the Church. It seems that the issue of vampires was a thing of the past and the services of priests were no longer required. However, situation shows otherwise when nearby town sheriff, Hicks (Cam Gidget, "James" in Twilight), turns up with some bad news. The vampires has attack his brother's house overnight, killing the wife (Priest's old flame) & wounding him badly. The daughter, Lucy, was also kidnapped by them.

Overwhelm with grief, Priest begs the Church Order to reinstate his duty so that he can confront the vampires. They turns him down and he took matter into his own hands, taking off with Hicks to rescue Lucy. Along the way, they battle vampires and vampire familiars (infected humans who do their bidding) while the church sends out the Priestress (Maggie Q) and 3 other warriors to capture Priest. Out of her love for him, Priestress helps him instead and send her comrades to another town. They races against time to find Lucy before she dies, or worst, become a vampire.

Overall, plot is average and dialouge is fairly blend (refer to my opening comments). You will be reminded of several similarities found in it's predecessors who has walk down the same lane such as Solomon Kane, Jonah Hex or even Underworld. Nonetheless, it boast of pretty cool action scenes which does win it back the respect that it loses in the above areas.

As for it's cast, Paul Bettany definitely gets the main share of the action pie here and he carries it off without dificulty. From fallen angel (Legion) to vengeful priest, the man tackles with grim, complex and occasionally twisted characters with no mean feat. Don't forget, he has indeed come a long way since his days in A Beautiful Mind. Co-stars Cam Gidget & Maggie Q does not disappoint either and makes a strong impression. Gidget goes from Twilight evil vampire (James) to gun-totting hero aka. vampire killer sidekick and looks potential for more action flicks. Maggie finally has the action that she deserves, and she does kicks one hell of an ass.

The one who pales in comparison turns out to be villian head vampire played by Karl Urban, who definitely deserves more character development and screen time. He was suppose to be that show villian, like many others, to steal the limelight and upstage the show but he looks pretty contented to be the background most of the times and remains a much restricted character (think Wesley from RE). The ending also left the character's fate much to be guessed and you can expect a sequel to be in works (hopefully).

Not enough of the movie? You can check out the Korean manga with the same name too. Perhaps you might be able to pre-empt what directions it's sequel is going to take, and with hopes that they do at least attempt to follow it's original sources this time round.

The Chinese cinema has gone quiet for awhile after it's glorious release of several money making projects during the Lunar New Year period, namely that Cecilia Cheung comeback vehicle Alls Well That Ends Well 2011 and I Love HK (starring almost the same gang from last year 72 Prosperity Tenants). Of course, there are some attention catching stuff along the way such as What A Woman Wants (Starring Gong Li & Andy Lau) and the heavyweight blockbuster Let Bullets Fly (Chow Yuen Fatt) to try to keep you interested for awhile. But, I guess nothing will raise temperature as much as the remake of the very classic Chinese Ghost Story heading it's way to our local theatres in around Mid April.

The original in the 1990's boast of a very dreamy and young Leslie Chueng and the beautiful Joey Wong as the leads in a dark but colourful love story between man and ghost. Directed by Tsui Hark, a Chinese Ghost Story was a wonderfully woven tale composing of a balanced dose of action, romance and the good ol' HK slapstick, which were all equally well handled against a suspenseful supernatural backdrop of spirits, demon hunters and the hapless humans caught in between. Leslie was a debt collector, Ning, who bravely wonders into haunted territory to carry out his job (money isn't easy to earn in those days yea?). He met a mysterious but impossibly beautiful ghost, Nie Xiaoqian, and becomes smitten with her. Nie was suppose to kill him and collects his soul for her master, a menacing tree demon but couldn't bring herself to do it. The two forms a delicate romance which has to bear much adversities against the forces of the spirit world as well as a demon hunter hot on the heels of the ghoulies.

Leslie & Joey Wong as lovers seperated by death ... . 

If you're a fan, there're just too much you can recall from the original. A simple but magically woven story that brings out truly the best and most memorable moments of Chinese cinema (and definitely of Leslie & Joey), these are things that will be remembered many good years down the road.

As they are bound to do with memorable good Classics, in both the West and East alike, they decide to make remakes in order bring back the hype and (hopefully profit too) of those years. Unfortunately, most remakes are mark for doom, or mediocrity merely and often are a waste of good money as well as talents. Still, credit to be given, some does alright and a few rare ones even does pretty well. Subjecting to different opinion, I will say the Once Upon A Time In China (Jet Li's Master Huang Fei Hong) series and the 2nd IP Man does pretty decently. Now back to our main title, just how well will it fare? The trailer looks promising, and the backdrop and customes look gorgeous.

This new vehicle is headed non other than Wilson Yip, the same guy who does the IP Man, Flash Point and Sha Po Lang films, all starring Donnie Yen. Well, Yen is taking a break in this one though. Now, you will see the new generation eye candy Liu Yi Fei (last seen in Forbidden Kingdom & Love in Disguise), Yu Shaoqin (from Wing Chun) as the star crossed lovers and enters Louis Khoo as a muncho ghost buster, veteran actress Karen Hui as the tree demon.

Chinese Ghost Story Generation 2: Liu Yi Fei & Yu Shaoqin

Liu Yifei is definitely no stranger to period roles, ranging from fairy maidens to fiesty sword heroine (in Condor heroes as well as Forbidden Kingdom) and couldn't have look more comfortable in her role as the lovely Nie. Eye candy she does provide, but it will be hard to ever hold her in comparison to Wong's charm and sensuality as the original Nie. Perhaps it could have been an age issue (Liu is 23) or it could be just a matter of trying  to please an audience who has already been too accustomed to the predecessor.

As for rest, Louis seems okay only as the ghost buster for we have seen the better and best of him and unfortunately, his role here doesn't seem to make him shine among the others. Before you flame me, dear Louis fans, I have to say I might be wrong for I am speaking base on the trailer alone and things may turn out better than it looks to be. However, one person that truly appears capable of stealing the limelight, will be none other than Karen Hui, in a strikingly vampy version of the original tree demon, seeming all poise and ready to strike in all her female predatory glory.

If you are a fan of  the original, this may all seems fun to you. Or you may be one of those who die-die will only stick by the original. It's up to you to judge :)  

Note: Sorry, I couldn't find a poster with an Eng title so this will have to do for the moment...

There isn't much publicity for this film in Singapore. In fact, it so quietly sneaks its way into local cinemas that you might have miss it if you don't look twice.

Who R U is a Thai horror film directed by Pakphum Wonjinda. Nida (Sinjai Plengpanich) is a single mom who works as a DVD seller in the night market. She is an extremely cheerful lady who builds good rapport with her customers.

 *SPOILERS*

However, she has issues communicating with her son, Tung. Apparently, the boy is a gaming addict who has not come not come out of his room for 5 years. They corresponded via slips of paper pass through a small slit underneath the door and Nida would leave food outside for him.
Nida's friend/customer, a TV producer (Pongpit Preechaborisutkhun) points out that the boy might be suffering from hikkomori, a social withdrawal condition.
 
Overwhelm with the broken relationship with her son, Nida seeks solance in her spiritual teachings, whereby the teacher teaches students on how to  believe in the impossible through hypnosis theraphy, such as convincing one self to cut off a pencil with just mere paper.
 
Across the street, a young girl, Pei (if I spelt her name correctly), played by Kanya Rattapetch from Sicked Nurses, watches the outside world from her window. She suffers from severe allergies and her protective mom keeps her inside the house most of the time. In her free time, she would glance towards Tung's window opposite hers. In flashbacks of her memories, we realize that they might know each other in school. Pei wonders about the fact that he hasn't come out of his room for awhile.

Other people also speculates about Tung. It's been a long time since anybody has seen or heard from him. The only traces of evidence we get of him being still in the room are through short one-liner messages he wrote back to his mom and the faint movements Pei saw behind his firmly shut windows. Is Tung really still in the room or was it something else living behind that closed doors all these while? Or could it all be a figment of somebody's imagination? Does Nida's mysterious spirtiual teachings has anything to do with this? You just have to see to find out.

Leading lady, Sinjai (With Love from Siam), gives a good and emotional performance here as the tormented mom (Nida)  while the young Kanya Rattapetch is convincing in another equally tormented character (Pei). You might find disturbing similarities that connects their plight, one has a son who won't come out of his room, another yearns to go out but couldn't.

The film starts off with good intensions, and even tries to highlight some social issues (etc. gaming addiction, social withdrawal of youths). It also has an effective way of unfolding certain details by way of flashbacks in the character's memories.

Unfortunately, it fails to wrap up a plot that it has so build up so delicately from the start and we've a finale that leaves one feeling anything but befuddled. There are just too many questions left unanswered and the twist towards the end only creates more questions instead of answering them.