SHREK FOREVER AFTER (2010)

MyRating: YYY1/2

Director: Mike Mitchell

Voice: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Walt Dohrn, Julie Andrews, John Cleese

MPAA: Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language

Why Hollywood (DreamWorks as the studio) kept making Shrek movies? The answer is simple. Because the first three movies have made a lot of money, with a total worldwide gross of US$ 2,203 Million (Shrek, Shrek 2 and Shrek the Third made US$ 484 Million, US$ 920 Million and US$ 799 Million, respectively). The green ogree and his friends also have a huge fan base, so, many peoples still want to see Shrek. However, there are also peoples who don't seem to care for the new Shrek. And the answer may be also simple, because these people are not the fan base of Shrek at the first place. Many peoples maybe disappointed with Shrek the Third (like I did, I think the third movie failed to give a satisfying story), but the fact is, if you are a fan, you will still come to see the fourth one, no matter what.

This latest installment of Shrek somehow brings back the fun and entertainment of the original movie. Shrek (Myers) feels bored with his life. Even though he already has a complete family, a wife with three little children, and friends who adore him, he feels that something is missing in his life as an ogre. He misses the days when peoples feared him as a real ogre, not his current being, where peoples tend to make fun of him. Overwhelmed with his identity crisis, Shrek makes a fatal deal with Rumpelstiltskin (Dohrn), a slick priest, who promised him that he could get one full day to experience his life as a frightful ogre again, but as a trade, Shrek has to give one day of his past life to the priest.

What Shrek doesn't realize is, once he signs the contract, everything in his life changes. He comes back to a totally different "Far-Far Away" world of his. He never rescued Fiona (Diaz) from the castle, never married her, and they never have kids. Even Donkey (Murphy) and the warrior cat, Puss in Boots (Banderas) never knew him as a friend. And soon Shrek realizes that he has made a fatal mistake, as he has to run with time to change everything back to normal, because as soon as his 24 hours is gone, so will he.

This fourth movie is much-much better than the third one. It did bring some of its magic back. The story was quite good and enjoyable. It has enough funny moments as a Shrek movie (even though I have to say that it was not as funny as the first one), Donkey and Puss in Boots were the real laugh makers in this movie. The popular songs parody, as the Shrek trademark, were still fun to watch. And the action sequences were also satisfying. I think totally it worked well as a Shrek movie, and I don't think this one will disappoint its fan base.

But I did asked myself when watching this movie, why I did not laugh as much as when I watched the first movie? Is it because Shrek has become less and less funnier than it should be? And I have a logic explanation for this. It's because we have seen this series so many times (the fourth time now) with the same magic formula and approach of humors. For the first time viewers, maybe they will find the popular songs parody in this movie as something hilarious, but for us the old viewers, we will say that "It's funny, but I have seen this thing before", that's why we will not be as surprised as the first time we saw it. It's the law of nature, which cannot be avoided. So, when reviewing this movie, I have to put that fact in my mind, and that should not cloud my total judgement towards this movie.

If people ask me whether Shrek has lost its magic, then my honest answer will be "Yes". It has lost some of its magic sparks and charms due to the reasons I have explained above. But should the Shrek franchise ends here? I think if this movie makes a lot of money in the box office, the producer can always come back with a reason to make the fifth one (even though they have said that this one will be the last). It's the law of business. Peoples will still come to see the movie because it is "Shrek". And I don't think that Shrek will ever die in our hearts because it has given us so much joys. But, if the filmmakers expect the peoples to embrace the movie with the same love like they did for the first one, then, except the filmmakers could find a really-really brilliant writer to write something really new and fresh, I think it's the time for the studio to create a new franchise, with a totally new story, new characters and new magic formula. It's the law of freshness. Then peoples will experience the first time love and magic again.

To sum up my review, is this fourth Shrek movie worth to be watched? And my answer is "Yes", except if you are a Shrek hater. (MJ)

The Imaginary Gig

Thursday night, I went to an imaginary gig. Justin Currie is an artist I've been looking forward to seeing live (and solo) for a good few years now. I'd see him with his former band (the criminally underrated) Del Amitri back in the days of wonder, but missed the tour for his first excellent solo album, so was eager to catch him touring its sequel. We got the tickets well in advance and I was all set to go.

But I didn't. I couldn't. Because of my worsening back. I can't stand still for more than a few minutes at a time without absolute agony. I can sit down fine, I can walk about OK... but standing still is impossible. Unfortunately, at venues like Manchester Academy, standing still is your only option. So I had to tell Dave to find someone else to go with him... I just couldn't stand it.

Instead, I went to an imaginary gig. I built a stage in the living room and imagined a misanthropic, curmudgeonly, archly-cynical songwriter was up there singing his bitter heart out (to help me visualise this, I put a mirror at the back of the stage). Then I got Louise to push past me on her way to the toilets or the bar every two minutes, to have loud conversation with her friends just behind the sofa, to film the whole gig on her phone, and to whistle shriekily after every song.

Then I sat back and listened to the new Justin Currie album, The Great War. It was almost like being there. And as close as I'm going to get to gigging until my back is mended...

Never mind, there's always album #3.

From Rags To Rockstars

From Rags To Rockstars features the continued adventures of roadie Jim Soundman who we first met in the comic Road Crew. But where that book was a series of light-hearted gags and misadventures, this time writer/artist Tommie Kelly is broadening his range, getting personal, going metaphysical, and delivering some damned fine character work - as well as the laughs.

It begins with an opening sequence that recalls Buddy Baker's final showdown with Grant Morrison in Animal Man #26... if Buddy had been a boozed up loser rather than a family man superhero. Then the story starts for real as Jim uncovers some shocking secrets about his parents and has his life turned upside down... for the better, or perhaps not? Considering that intro sequence, we're left wondering just how good things will really get for our hero, even after he's been granted all his wishes. The idea that Kelly has written this book as some kind of magick wish-fulfillment opus (in a similar way to what Morrison tried in Invisibles) makes the whole comic a much more personal endeavour. I'm really looking forward to the next issue. Plus it's filled with sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll... what else do you need?

Buy From Rags To Rockstars and read online extracts here. While you're there, check out Tommie's daily webcomic Something Wonderful... but not if you're easily offended.

KICK-ASS (2010)

MyRating: YYY

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Cast: Aaron Johnson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz, Mark Strong, Nicolas Cage

MPAA: Rated R for strong brutal violence throughout, pervasive language, sexual content, nudity and some drug use - some involving children

Dave Lizewski (Johnson) is a typical geek at school, who is unpopular, especially among girls. He has only two best friends, who share the love for comic books, but they always become the target of the bullies. He also witnesses many crimes happened in his environment almost everyday, but nobody seems to dare and care to help the victims. One day, fed up with all the unjust happened in his society, Dave decides that he has to stand up as a superhero to fix his world. He orders a green superhero costume, equipped himself with two long sticks and named himself Kick-Ass.

Dave soon gets his chance when he has to save a man being beaten unfairly by a bunch of guys. And while he is fighting them all he can like crazy, even though he is the one who gets the most beaten and ass-kicked, his action is being recorded by the people in the scene, and then being broadcasted in the internet. The video becomes a very big hit, as millions of access hit the web to see his video. And Kick-Ass suddenly becomes very famous.

But Kick-Ass is not the only superhero in town, as there are real superheroes, the father and the daughter, Big Daddy (Cage) and Hit-Girl (Moretz), who terror and kill the criminal gang members of Frank D’Amico (Strong), a drug dealer's mob boss. And it is just time before they reach the boss himself. Feeling threatened, D'Amico makes his son (Mintz-Plasse) a superhero in disguise, named Red Mist. The purpose is to befriend with Kick-Ass, who will become the key to know the real identities of Big Daddy and Hit-Girl. And Kick-Ass never realizes that it is a trap until he is trapped.

This is a fun superhero movie with an unpopular superhero figure (except if you know and read its comic book, which was firstly published in 2008 by Marvel Comics under the company's Icon Comics imprint). At a glance, this movie looks like a spoof of superhero movies. But, the actions are no spoof. It is exciting with full brutal violence, where you can see bodies being stabbed, shot and chopped, and bloods splashing everywhere. This is also no kind-hearted Disney's movies, where the villains usually end up crying being catched by the cops. This is a movie, where if you are the bad guy, then you will end up 99.99% dead. No! You will be stabbed, shot, chopped, and then dead!

Chloe Grace Moretz, a thirteen year-old young actress, gave a very good performance and stole the whole show as Hit-Girl. She was adorably fierce, since she killed the most people as compare to any other characters in this movie. Without this character (or maybe without Chloe playing this character), we might possibly have a totally different feeling about the movie. Nicolas Cage played his usual Nicolas Cage thing (the way he talked seems to be almost the same in every movie). While Mark Strong was good as the villain. He is the trademark of villain characters now, as he has played as so many villains in the recent years (including in Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood).

Parents! Don't get too excited when seeing the awesome poster with cute superheroes in colorful costumes in front, because due to its very brutal violence, sexual related contents and bad languages, this is definitely a no movie for children. (MJ)

30 Songs - Day 6

Day 06 - A Song That Reminds You Of Somewhere



The first time I flew the nest I was in my early 20s. I'd just come out of an ill-advised and emotionally scarring relationship and I thought what I needed most to sort my life out was a place of my own. Unfortunately, the only place I could afford was a shitty one-down two-up hovel perched precariously over the motorway with pleasant factory views, neighbours who liked to party (and park right outside my front door) and a cold, sterile bathroom. It was the worst six months of my life. While I was there (over Christmas too), my dad was rushed into hospital, my dog died, and a girl I really, really liked made it clear it wasn't ever going to be mutual.

I drank a lot while I was there. I developed a taste for red wine and vodka and cultivated my interest in whiskey and Jack. A trip to the supermarket wasn't complete without spending at least £15 on spirits. I stayed up late watching DVDs on a tiny TV (that I'd forgot to buy a TV license for), drinking till I was sleepy enough to make it through the night. The staircase was really steep; more than once I remember climbing up to the bedroom on my hands a knees.

I'm sure I listened to a lot of music while I lived in that house. I was working in the record library at the time so getting loads of freebie CDs and gig tickets. It was probably around the time Britpop started imploding, so my album of choice was more than likely This Is Hardcore, the perfect soundtrack to my life right at that moment (and, ironically, my favourite record of the 90s).

But it's not Pulp that reminds me of that house, and that dark, dark time. It's not Radiohead either, though they would be similarly appropriate. Actually, it's Sonny & Cher, I Got You Babe. My overriding memory is of watching Groundhog Day on DVD, struggling to laugh, hearing that song come round again and again and again...

A couple of mates rescued me a few months later, offering me a room in a shared house in a much more pleasant area, and happier times (while they lasted). I'll always be grateful to Matt and Greg (and Dave, who was moving out) for getting me out of that pit.

Important Artifacts And Personal Property From The Collection Of Lenore Doolan And Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion And Jewellery

Leanne Shapton's book, the full title of which I've written once and will not do so again, has a wonderful concept. It's a catalogue of lots for an auction held on Saturday the 14th of February, 2009 (there's a clue) at a New York auction house. Each of the items on sale, few of which would have any real value at auction, represents a different stage in the relationship between two people, 26 year-old cookery columnist Lenore Doolan and 39 year-old travelling photographer Harold Morris.

It begins with photographs and a party invitation and ends with collections of dried flowers. Make of that symbolism what you will. In between you'll find everything from mixtapes to diary pages, braziers to pyjamas, china dogs to salt shakers, books, ties, umbrellas, cocktail mixers, cake stands, menus, travel clocks and post-it notes... all meticulously documented with lot numbers, images, dimensions and reserve prices. It's the ephemera on which we build our lives, yet it tells an all too recognisable story of the rise and fall of a love affair, finding heartbreaking detail in the minutiae. There are times when that level of detail bogs us down - maybe not every one of these lots is entirely necessary - but after finishing this book I felt I knew these characters inside and out... though some details of their relationship are left to the reader's imagination / speculation.

TV Meme

Stolen from Samurai Frog as usual...

Pick five of your favourite shows, in no particular order, before you read the questions below, then answer them!

1. Moonlighting
2. NYPD Blue
3. Lost
4. The X-Files
5. The West Wing

(And yes, I chose at least two of these shows just to piss off Kelvin. Well no, I didn't really, but I'm sure it will anyway.)


01. Who's your favorite character in 2?

Andy Sipowicz, obviously.

02. Who's your least favorite character in 1?

Herbert Viola. (Sorry, Dave.)

03. What's your favorite episode of 4?

Tough... the one that sticks in my head is Tooms. It sets the template for the Monster Of The Week episodes. Mythology-wise, I'd probably say Duane Barry.



04. What's your favorite season of 5?

Much as I enjoyed the show post-Sorkin, particularly the battle between Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda, it was never quite the same when the creator left. And considering the almighty 'get out of that!' crescendo of his final season, I'd have to pick that - season four.

05. Who is your favorite ship in 3?

I've had to google this. Apparently, in young person meme speak, ship (or 'ship) is short for relationship.

I'd probably say Sawyer and Hurley, except they don't seem to have had much time together lately. It's all Sawyer and Miles nowadays, isn't it? Sawyer and somebody, though preferably not Kate.



06. Who is your anti-ship in 2?

Anti-ship? Now you're really starting to confuse / bug me with your hep yoof lingo. But I've lucked out here, since just about every relationship Andy has is an anti-ship. Andy & Lt. Fancy would be the obvious choice.

07. How long have you watched 1?

I watched it from the very first episode, right through to the end. And I still miss it, even though the last couple of seasons were well past their best.

08. How did you become interested in 3?

Again, I watched it from the debut, and was hooked from the off.

09. Who's your favorite actor/actress in 4?

Duchovny. With Anderson a close second.

10. Which do you prefer: Show 1, 2 or 5?

If I had to pick, 2.



11. Which show have you seen more episodes of, 1 or 3?

Lost has now had twice as many episodes, so its the winner by default.

12. If you could be anyone from 4, who would you be?

Mulder, naturally. Though I'd more likely be Skinner.

13. How would you kill off your favorite character in 1?

Why would I want to kill off David Addison? He's my hero!



14. Give a random quote from 1.

The bad guy catches David spying on him from a window ledge...

"What the hell are you doing out there?"

"Me? I'm committing suicide."

"From the second floor?"

"I took poison."

15. Which character from 5 would be a good guest star on 2?

Well, Bradley Whitford had a recurring role as an annoying reporter in NYPD Blue's early days, and Richard Schiff popped up on the show twice... and it'd be interesting to see Bobby Simone taker on Matthew Santos... but I'd love to see Andy Sipowicz go head to head with Jed Bartlett (you just know Andy wouldn't appreciate Bartlett's liberal policies).

16. Would a 3/4 crossover work?

Obviously. Mulder would solve the mystery of the island in one episode. Only nobody would believe him.

17. Pair 2 characters in 1 that would make an unlikely but strangely okay couple.

David Addison and Maddie Hayes.

18. Has 5 inspired you in any way?

Sorkin's writing has been an inspiration. As to the show itself, it'd be nice to think that an administration as benevolent as Bartlett's might one day find its way to power... but really, that's more of a fantasy than anything we ever saw in The X-Files.



19. Overall, which show has the better cast, 2 or 4?

I'd edge towards 2 on the basis that at its best, Denis Franz leads a powerful ensemble. But then I'd be reminded of David Caruso's ego and little Ricky Schroeder...

20. Which has better theme music, 3 or 5?

The West Wing. Lost is just a swirl.