TV series, new seasons ... Part 1

Last September was the month where most of the new seasons of TV best series premiered. Some of them are the veterans (CSI Las Vegas has just entered their 10th season, and there are some nice sophomores (Lie To Me and Mentalist). Let's see, how many of them which I follow week by week, shall we?

CSI Las Vegas (10th Season)

What a perfect episode to start with. The 1st episode opening blew me away, and I saw Sara Sidle made a return. Can't believe I spent almost the last decade to follow this series. Until now, I still believe this is the best among all other CSIs, and too bad we lost Grissom in the last season, which I think is one of the best and memorable main character in the TV series. But, eventually, his replacement, Laurence Fishburne is good enough to make the story keeps interesting.

The Mentalist (2nd Season)

This series is like a getaway car from all those boring crime series. Well, in my opinion, Patrick Jane gave us something new by using his amazing skill of analyzing the situation and connecting the dots on solving crimes. Although, as my friend told me, in some cases, it's like a guessing and point finger game. It's really amusing to see Patrick and his CBI friends (my favorite guy is the Chinese one) try to catch bad guys every week, and you surely can't miss Patrick's strange and sometimes confusing way to pick a suspect. Similar premise to Lie to Me in that the main character uses his exceptional observational skills to detect when people are lying, The Mentalist has the added bonus of an intriguing motivation for the lead character (i.e. catching Red John).Damn good!

Lie To Me (2nd Season)

When my friend told me that the Mentalist is like "so bullshit", he recommended me to watch this series instead. And he was damn right, this one uses scientific approach (but still, it's a guessing game). It is very entertaining to see an a lie expert on catching bad guys lying. Carl Lightman and his crew are people who you don't want to mess with, especially on hiding things. And just like Patrick Jane, Carl is just a one damn good main character.

Dexter (4th Season)

Entering this season, it always makes me curious, how a serial-killer is able to raise a kid and maintaining a healthy relationship with his family. I think this is one of the best product of the TV series for the past few years. There's no 'good guys' here, and you have yourself a serial-killer cop who has his own codes to settle things down. A psychopath but only targeting bad people, a protagonist inside a antagonist character. Whoa, that is sick, but that's why I like it a lot.

CSI New York (6th Season)

The difference between this and the Las Vegas one, I believe is on the emotional elements. In some cases, I think the NY crew has more interpersonal issues, and most of the time, it shaped the whole story, e.g. having babies, haunted by the past, or dark secrets. But other difference is that this the 'brighter CSI', since most of the time we always see the day scenes, which makes it less darker than the LV. But among all the CSI head, I always see Mac Taylor is the strongest and the perfect leader. Nevertheless, he can deal the problems either on lab or on the field nicely. The low point of this series is that sometimes the handling of the cases are just beyond my imagination (I just don't believe NYPD has those super high-tech equipments, but this also goes to the LV). But, we'll see how things are going for this season.

Other new series which I'm interested to follow are FLASH FORWARD, SONS OF ANARCHY, and CASTLE, since I heard so many good reviews on those. That's all for now, I'll continue with the comedy series for the next part.

You should have come, buddy!!!

Sounds weird for a blog title, but I've been telling me those words for the past week. So, what's the case? Well, I didn't attend my best friend's wedding. As simple as that, but truthfully, it matters in the end. A week before her marriage, my buddy asked me whether I can make it or not, and I told him I couldn't make it, plain and straight answer. Then, a question that blew me away..."But, she's your best friend, rite?"...and on that instant, I was speechless. Eventually, I didn't make it to the wedding, and told her that I was terribly sorry I couldn't come and wish her the best.

Since then, I started to roll out the memory for the past few years. Well, she's the first friend I made back in college. We went through a lot, ups and downs, and we were even in the same final year project group. Whenever we had a normal conversation, it was just like cats and dogs, or in other words, we were never agreed on anything. Nevertheless, she was a good listener whenever I need some ears to talk to, and she helped me through one tough time (my break-up). Yes, I remember when I pissed her off so badly that I almost can't forgive my self. But things have changed since then. Eventually, she's a good friend indeed.

Oh well, what can I say? I'm happy for her now, hope she is blessed with her new family, and can't wait to see when the junior comes out! And I miss all those nonsense fightings. In the end, it's the small things which we cherish from old buddies.

Now, let's see, who's next in line for the wedding, I should book the ticket plane !!!

PS:She used purple for her wedding theme, no surprise there, huh?

What's wrong with comfort and efficiency?

Mike: Well nothing, except no one wants to fuck it.

Now, let's see how good is the other Gerard Butler movie, THE UGLY TRUTH? Well, surprisingly good and entertaining. Well, it still has some cheesy elements (but hey, without them, this kind of genre is like eating pizza without cheese). Katherine Heigl somehow always easily connects herself with this kind of character (remember Knocked Up and 27 Dresses?). Well, in other words, it is highly possible that we'll see her again in other future romantic comedy movies (although the next project, KILLER, collaborating with Ashton Kuthcer may provide some surprises). She's hot, somehow dumb, a control freak producer, but I felt she's too good to be a girl who hasn't been dating for about a year (yessss, including the sex). I mean even before she transforms, it's almost impossible for guys to ignore her in the first place. She plays a TV show producer, Abby, who feels that she lacks of dating, and eager to find a hot hunk to accompany her. The only problem is, she's to naive and idealistic to find the perfect guy. In short, she just won't find a boyfriend with her current attitude.

Now, on the other hand, Mr. Butler gives us something really new, which makes us laugh. When I read he took a major role in this movie, I was totally skeptic, I mean, Gerard Butler, the King Leonidas himself. I thought he learns his lesson from P.S. I Love You or Nim's Island that he should avoid comedy or drama. But this time, I think it works, especially with his American accent. He's funny, outspoken, talkative but without being annoying, and being a cool charismatic guy without that over the top confidence. Now, Butler's character is a hardcore TV personality, Mike Chadway, who spills the beans about the ugly truth on what makes men and women tick. Abby's boss decides to hire Mike to have his own segment, THE UGLY TRUTH, into her morning show, which eventually attracts viewers and increase the ratings. Abby was totally despise Mike in anyway, but eventually, he made a deal with her, that he will transform Abby in order to gain interest from her neighbor, who apparently, is a hot single surgeon. And in return, he can have his job at the show.

But, it doesn't take a genius to see where this story ends, does it?

Actually, I was planning to watch Tim Burton's "9", but since the ticket was out already, and I felt like I have to give my girlfriend a break from watching 'my kind of movie', then I decide, oh well, once in a while, let's watch cheesy movie. Well, it turns out to be entertaining. Funny as it is, and hot as Heigl can be, I felt that some of the cast are underused, such as Mike's sister and her son, which I thought can be much more fruitful if they were given more portion, especially towards the end. The underwear vibrator scene was hilarious, and the ugly truth itself was damn right to the bottom. So, guys, bring your partners to watch this, I'm sure you'll learn something from it...

My Rating : 7.5/10

This is not something you can control!

Last week, I managed to watch both GAMER and THE UGLY TRUTH, which happens to have Gerard Butler. On one side, GAMER is a typical action movie with some gore and it was combined with some sci-fi as the backdrop storyline. While on the other hand, THE UGLY TRUTH is a comedy romantic genre which I thought was surprisingly good! It's kinda awkward to see Butler playing in this kind of movie, but he did well in the end. So, let's get goin' with the first one.

GAMER, in short, tells a story where the advanced technology in the future is capable to bring the online gaming into the new level, where real people actually control real people. The genius, and also psychopath behind this idea is Ken Castle, (Michael "Dexter" C. Hall), who creates 2 worlds, SOCIETY and SLAYERS. For the first world, just imagine you're playing THE SIMS with actual people being controlled under your command. And for the second one, well, basically, it's COUNTER-STRIKE with using real people get shot and blown into pieces. In Society, people are getting paid to be controlled, where as in Slayers, the death-row inmates are lining up to be brutally 'played' by teenagers. The rule for the second world is simple, those who managed to survive 30 rounds, get their freedom. Meet Kable (Butler), the Slayer superstar who somehow managed to play 27 rounds, just 3 more for his freedom and to reunite with his family. Along the way, there's a hacker named Humanz (Ludacris), whose mission is to put this virtual world into an end, because he thinks that Castle apparently has different agenda. Humanz's plan is to get Kable's cooperation to help him with his plan.

I guess, Gerard Butler is the new one-man action actor, since his killing spree in this movie can be equally compared with Stallone's RAMBO. He didn't have that many lines, and what he did was just shooting and bashing heads. Nevertheless, Kable's character was written all over him. Too bad Michael C. Hall didn't get too much screen time, since I believe he's that good to be psychopath! Amber Valetta is refreshing enough on every scenes, especially with tight latex and her stupid body language of being controlled, it was just hilarious. Ludacris, well, basically he talked too much, John Leguizamo and Kyra Sedwick were just passing through. Oh yeah, last but not least, I have no idea why on earth Milo Vagina or whatever his name (the guy from HEROES) wanted to play a such idiotic character as a super lusted guy wearing Bumblebee color latex clothes. Gosh!!!

So, actually GAMER is not that bad, just an okay movie, easily forgettable along the time. The concept is not new, it's like a combination of the MATRIX in a much more easier to decipher, and RAMBO, and similar with THE CONDEMNED. The action scenes are cruel enough, and quite gory, and you'll see limbs flying everywhere. But overall, the story pace is relatively fast, and through out the movie, most of the time you'll be entertained by lots of actions and fighting not forget body parts. I felt that this movie was trying to condemn commercialization of violence, but along the way, they commercialized that violence itself, funny huh? Although, it gave us message the danger of the virtual world and its advertising for escaping reality where you can become anyone you want, especially for youths and teenagers.

My Ratings : 7/10

What's the best way to go about disarming one of these things?

And Sergeant William James answers, "The way you don't die, Sir!". That's the instant reply from an US Army bomb squad stationed in Iraq, who has only 1 job to do, disarming bombs. In this movie, "The Hurt Locker", it tells a story about a group of three bomb squad, who risk their life everyday in the field to clear the roads from bombs planted by the extremists and local militants. When I watched "Speed", "Blown Away", or even "McGyver" series, disarming bombs looks kinda cool, and you can potentially become a hero afterwards. But, after watching this thing, suddenly disarming bomb should be one of the least job you would take.

Just imagine, you are wearing the heavy anti bomb suit, walking toward the bomb, in the middle on an Iraqi town, don't know that someone near can trigger the bomb, or someone will shoot your head. Bottom line, anything could happen, and suddenly, the only thing that left is just your bloody helmet. That's the intensity and the indescribable risk of becoming the bomb squad, especially within the hostile territory. Just as I quote from the IMDB wesbite, they are forced to play a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse in the chaos of war, in a city where everyone is a potential enemy and every object could be a deadly bomb.

This is one of the Hollywood best flick, or I can even mention, 'fresh' and 'original' production of the year (actually it was released last year, mostly in film festivals, but it was not-widely released couple of months ago). Too bad the studio didn't release it widely enough on more screens to get it acknowledged. But nevertheless, the movie which is surprisingly directed by a WOMAN (Kathryn Bigelow), still gained respectable reviews from both critics and viewers. The story is good, the casts are great (notably the unknowns Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie), the action pace is just perfect where it managed to build the tension and the suspense scenes bit by bit. Well, you just don't know when the bomb will explode, do you?

The opening scene where it shows the slow-mo of the explosion was staggering, and even a realistic one. Means, NOBODY, not even James Bond, can sustain the injuries made by the bomb, even within the 100 m radius. The sniper scene is also great, and the suicide bomber in the end is intense. Other than the action scenes, the drama and the characterization of these 3 bomb squad members tells us a different story. One guy (James) can't stand to live 'normal', he always needs the adrenaline rush and the excitement and the suspense of disarming bomb. One guy (Sanborn) tries to be a good leader, but he can't stand of the fact that he may lose his life in the battle field for stupid reason. And the last guy (Eldrige), well, he's a naive soldier, not a coward, but this thing is just too much for him to take, where losing someone you know is part of the game. While the three members face their own internal issues, they have to be aware of any person at the bomb sites, some of who may be bombers themselves.

Too bad people seems unaware that this kind of movie exists, and sadly, it won't earn so much money compared with, let's say, Michael Bay's TF2 : Revenge of the Fallen (I repeat it once again...failure, and completely idiotic). Perhaps with this one as an example, and also District-9, it can set a new standard how to make GOOD MOVIE, without monstrous budget, and low profile casts, and last but not least, a good script!

My Rating : 8.5 / 10

September 09/week#2/ - England, Batman, and Wii-hacking

Well, it's confirmed, England will go to South Africa next year, after demolished the Croats 5-1. Back then, Gerrard and Lampard was just like oil and water, and now they just make England which I think has the best midfielders in the world. 2 goals each just proves to the critics that they can perform as good as in the club level. It's still a long way to go, though, and they haven't faced the upper tier teams, but nevertheless, I'm happy to see them go through the group stage, without losing and score the most goals compared to any other country. Although, the issue is that when some of the starters get injured, players like Rooney is hardly substituted, since he always provides the inspiration and the energy for attacking. But, I believe Don Capello has something in his mind to fill up the hole when it's necessary.

Batman Arkham Asylum is well made videogame afterall. It has actions, stealth, Batman's gadgets, all the main characters, and many other things. Just can't get enough of it. Although, since the game occasionally crashes out, it just annoys me...should I buy the original one, huh? (imagining Suri's looking at me with her killer stare....ooohhh...damn, pretty scary!!!)...I guess, I just have to wait for someone to upload the original copy of the game and a decent crack-fix into it.

And, finally...I managed to crack my Wii so it can play the games directly from the external HD. I just bought a 1 TB Western Digital HD, to fill it with the movies, TV series, 3Ds max libraries, comics, songs, etc; which has already consumed 80% of my previous WD 500GB. With a bit of patience and focus, tweaking here and there, finally...I can backup all my Wii games onto the HD, and I won't have to change CDs anymore. And to spice things up, using the USB loader GX to read the HD, it also capable to use some cheat codes....niceeeeee !!!! (Mind you, don't have time to finish all the games in the 'right' way...last time I did this with metroid, I spent almost 3 months....)

Currently, I'm listening to Mat Kearney, A Fine Frenzy's and Ingrid Michaelson's new albums. Kudos to Mat Kearney, his 'Closer To Love' just nicely stuck in my head for several days. I downloaded his previous albums, and just played them randomly on my iTunes along with the other two artists. Between them, I'm listening to David Gray, Colbie Calliat, and Reba McEntire. Now, I'm not that bored any more with my iPod tracks.

During the midweek, Suri and I managed to catch 2 Al Pacino's movies, 'The Insider' and 'The Godfather'. I was quite skeptical that Suri will enjoy watching both, since they are quite 'heavy' for her standard, especially for 'the Insider'. Mind you, the movie was directed by Michael Mann, who also makes 'Heat', 'Collateral', and the latest one, 'Public Enemies'. Suri was almost sleeping during watching the latest two. But in the end, it came up that she enjoys this one. Well, apart from the 'based on true story' premise, I believe Russell Crowe's performance and the tobacco industry issue managed to grab her interest.

On the other hand, 'The Godfather', is amazingly a very good movie after all. Surprisingly, she likes it a lot also, although the movie was 3-hours long. Along the way, I told her who is Marlon Brando, James Caan, and Robert Duvall. She was quite surprised to see Al Pacino was so young compared to the other movie. Well, it has 25 years difference, I guess it explains all. I told her that in spite of so many remakes and reboot projects in Hollywood these days, I'm sure that no one has the guts to remake the Godfather trilogy again. I don't think Hollywood will have another Brando, Pacino, De Niro, and other amazing casts such as this one. Till next week then...

Notes: Someone just ask me to watch Grudge 3, and write the review...

September 09/week #1/ - Between Batman and Metroid

I can say there was nothing much happened during last week....apart from Temmy and Elis were coming to SGP, everything else was just plain. Until this week, my PR hasn't come out yet, and it's been 4 months. Gosh, tired of waiting actually, and to stay in SGP without any proper ID is just so trouble some. Hopefully, this matter can be done by this week, reallyyy hope soooo...

Fortunately, I managed to make myself busy during the day, since I got myself new games to try. Apart from struggling to finish up Metroid Prime Corruption, now I have Batman : Arkham Asylum (which is highly recommended) and Muramasa (another top notch game for Wii). Means to say, it's been a while since the last time I played good games.

No EPL matches this week, means I went out for the weekend (that should be a relief for Suri afterall). Temmy (my bro in-law) was coming to town, and he's really fortunate to come to SGP in a such good timing. Vivi was just having her b'day last Wed, and she treated us a buffet lunch at Marina Square, and Temmy was invited also. Afterwards, we took a trip to Marina Barrage, since Temmy is really fond of taking pictures, and in the end, I thought he was over enjoying himself there. He told me that he's definitely coming back again someday, and he'll bring the tripod next time =).

Another best friend of mine, Elis, spend her weekend with her hubby by buying cheap tickets to SGP. It's been a year since the last time I met her, and that time, both of us were so occupied we didn't manage to have an enjoyable chat. This time, although it was just a short meeting, we managed to grab some coffee at Border's bistro and killed the time by nice talking.

On Sunday...well it was a lazy Sunday. It was raining hard in the morning, which was just like a pill to extend your sleep. Well, Suri and I just stayed at home, she did some browsing, and I managed to reach the last boss stage for Metroid, really should wrap this thing up by next week!!! It's about time to finish up that game, and I'm eager to continue Batman. During the night, we discussed the budget for our wedding, and after we ran down the list, the number was quite huge, but it was still a considerable figure, since we've prepared a similar budget. But still, I prefer to cut down some expenses, just as a precaution to prevent the budget burst.

So, what to do for this week, huh? :

1. Finish Metroid Prime : Corruption

2. Discuss the design competition with other members

3. Finish up the master plan tracing (getting bored now)

4. I'll think something later on...

Another 'me' in different era?

Last but not least, today I'm wishing a happy birthday for my cute nephew, Arthur. He's 1-year old now, and I hope lots of good things will come to him this year. GBU always !!!

Crack the Shutters

You cool your bed-warm hands down

On the broken radiator,

And when you laid them freezin' on me,

A mumble can you wake me later.

But I don't really want you to stop,

And you know it so it doesn't stop you,

And runs you hands from my neck to my chest.

Crack the shutters open wide I want to bathe you in the light of day,

And just watch you as the rays tangle up around you face and body.

I could sit for hours finding new ways to be odd each minute,

Cause the daylight seems to want you just as much as I want you.

It's been minutes it's been days.

It's been all I will remember,

Happy lost in your hair

And the cold side of the pillow.

Your hills and valleys,

Are mapped by my intrepid fingers;

And in a naked slumber, I dream of this again.

Crack the shutters open wide I want to bathe you in the light of day,

And just watch you as the rays tangle up around you face and body.

I could sit for hours finding new ways to be odd each minute,

Cause the daylight seems to want you just as much as I want you.

Notes:

This song perfectly describes what a guy feels when he's madly in love. This song goes to someone who has successfully made me crazy in love, with all the ups and downs.

Welcome to District-9, your 'friendly' neighborhood!

My oh my, I didn't see it coming. District-9 was quite 'humble' not to put so many ads along with other blockbuster summer movies, but with so many interest gained, especially after some viral marketing and lots of positive feedbacks, many claims that this is the one of the best movie of its genre. When we are fed up with bad big budget movies with overrated CGI, its over the top budget, and last but not least lame storyline, DISTRICT-9 offers us something really fresh, a truly and remarkable unique experience of how enjoying a sci-fi movie (which often neglected by common audiences, unless you're a damn geek). Once again, Peter Jackson as producer, gives us another masterpiece of its kind.

PLOT

As a whole, the movie is divided into 2 chapters, the first part is a kinda semi-documentary, where it explains the origins of the alien mother ship who is accidentally stuck in the Johannesburg sky. After 20 years, the aliens live side by side with humans, since their mother ship was broken down, and nothing can be done about it, since the important component of it was missing. Since then, the aliens (prawns, how the people named them) creates a slum and do illegal trading with the Nigerians, within the area which later called DISTRICT - 9. Similar with the apartheid era (that's why Johannesburg was chosen), the discrimination attitude toward the aliens are worsen. No aliens are allowed to enter the inner city, their district is heavily guarded, becomes a militarization zone. To handle the hectic situation, the government create a MNU (Multi-National United), a private company which specializes in weapons research and security subcontracting where its sole objective is to watch and take care the District-9 issue. Apparently, MNU is planning to relocate the whole prawns into District 10, a more remote are, where it can also be referred to a 'concentration camp.

Hi, I'm Wikus bla bla bla, please sign this and get out!

An MNU officer, named Wikus van der Merwe (played brilliantly by an unknown actor Sharlto Copley), was assigned to handle the relocation task, which apparently, uses lots of force and manipulation tactics. Wikus is just an ordinary guy, has a beautiful wife, and just given a handful task by his father in-law, who happens to be the head of MNU. During the relocation and raid process, he found a strange canister within one of the prawns' house (named Christopher Johnson), where it accidentally sprayed some liquids to his face. Time after time, he becomes sick and something strange is going on inside his body. Then, he becomes the conflict of interest, between the MNU and the prawns, and this poor guy has to endure many things which he can't imagine before, just like U2's song, 'Stuck in the moment, and you can't get out of it'. Well, I'll leave the rest for you to watch, but mark my words...the second part of the movie...will blow your mind (yes, and you'll see lots of things blowing up literally).

One big giant robot who do has lost of f*ckin' amazing weapons

REVIEW

What surprise me is that the movie is tend to be serious, as it's really happen in our own backyard. The documentary style of the movie reminds us a lot of J.J. Abrams Cloverfield, which adds the realism of the story. All the unknown actors are brilliant, much better than any movie you see for the whole summer, and the plus thing, we've never seen them before, which kinda makes them like real people in the real situation. The discrimination issue is a parallel story of the real apartheid during the 1960's in South Africa, where all the blacks were residing in District-6. Not to mention, the slums potrayed in the movie, was actually a REAL slum in the present day, and it's just been evicted, well so much for potraying reality, huh?

And to satisfy us, the second part of the movie is full of non-stop actions, with lots of alien's weaponry, which blows us apart (and the enemy too, in million pieces). I warned you, those who can't stand see body parts missing, limbs spattered, finger's chopped, etc, better get your plastic bag ready. This is the kind of action scenes that I've wanted, not with CGI blood, or like a cartoonish one. The way Neill Blomkamp direct these scenes is truly amazing and thrilling. I think the future action movie should take a look how he did it with D-9. Somehow, with only $30M budget, Blomkamp with Jackson (not to forget WETA, his company who made Lord of The Rings visual effect) managed to come up with a magnificent visual imagery (and much MORE convincing that TF2 or GI JOE).

Bottom line, D-9 is truly an original movie, not just an ordinary sci-fi movie, but it is also a drama with deep characterization of how person can endure an extraordinary condition within the beyond-extraordinary situation. At it’s core, this film is many things. It’s not just a sci-fi action film. It has some serious undertones from oppression and intolerant to the evil things that man is capable of. What makes it more satisfying, the ending is open to a highly anticipated sequel (better check it by yourself). In the end, this is a really must must must must see movie of the year. It's already in my top 3, after UP and Star Trek.

My Rating : 9/10

Good afternoon. Are you in need of any assistance today, sir?

I'm listening to track#3 from UP soundtrack, "Married Life". This song just represents nicely what UP got to offer, the sadness, exciting, happiness, and beauty. UP so far is my favorite movie of the year, and it's Pixar at its best. It's original, it's touching, and it made me cry (man, just watching the first 15 minutes and re-listening to the soundtrack already tore down my cry-barrier). The opening scene where it reveals the story how Karl meet Ellie and their marriage life, accompanied only by a wonderful music with no dialog at all, is the most touching scene ever in a movie. You get all the idea where their life was so happy, with the ups and downs, they complete and encourage each other. It's the reality, the painful one, when one of them had to go away, how the other one can cope with his life. It's a basic human story, where every beautiful beginning must have an ending. In this case, Karl Fredricksen has to live with it.

He becomes a different person, just like every other old men, grumpy. What's worst, his environment where new buildings are erected, has become his other nightmare during the daytime. Then he met Russell, a wilderness explorer, who just came by to ask whether Karl needs any help. This segment opens a new chapter of Karl's life.

After some inconvenient incident, Karl was forced to move out from the house. Sad and felt helpless, accidentally he found Ellie's old diary, where she had planned to fill the last chapters when she had reached the Paradise Falls, the dream land where it has been the last resting place since she's was little. In order to fulfill his beloved wife's dream, Karl starts an adventure, to search for the Paradise Falls, and put the house there, so Karl can spend the rest of his days together with the beloved house, along with Ellie's memory. Using the balloons to lift UP his house, embarks to find the Paradise Falls, and accidentally, brings Russell with him.

Once again, Pixar lives up the hype, beyond our expectation. It's like every each year, they always comes up with new standard of story telling. I thought Wall-E was their top notch production, but somehow, UP managed to be better, (damn, give 'em an OSCAR already for best picture). It's not all about sensory bombardment and volume, it's a perfect family movie, and also for couples, not just for kids. It's love story at its best, it has valuable lessons about friendships, and it teaches us to not give up achieving our dreams.

just like Russell said, "But it's a TALKING dog!"

All the cast played their role perfectly, especially Russell who seems to be the star of the movie. The voice acting is natural as any kids in his age. His enthusiasm and curiosity along with his friendly habits, is well done played. And if you see the cast list, I only recognize Christopher Plummer and Delroy Lindo, and don't know whatsoever for the remaining cast. It has always a Pixar trademark, that they prefer to spend the budget on the story and the perfect visualization rather to pay A-class actors/actresses (DREAMWORKS, are you reading this???). We only got several characters, not to many (except for the dogs), but all of them managed to deliver us a wonderful crafted Disney movie.

There are so many things I would like to write about UP, I have promoted this movie to all people I met, and asked them to bring the whole family to be a part of a wonderful experience (my mum and dad enjoyed it a lot). It's nice to see this kind of flick, and it's worth to rewatch over and over again. Damn, I can't wait to see the next Pixar project. Play the below audio clip to re-charm your memories again with the wonderful experience of UP.

My Rating: 10/10