BACK TO THE CINEMA AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS

8TH JULY 2022 ~ After more than two long years, I was back to the cinema. This time to watch a record-breaking Malay movie "Mat Kilau" at GSC theater in KSL Mall. Guess it was good to be back.

To my relief, there were not many people and the theater hall was not full. People went crazy last week, I supposed, trying to get in the queue to be the early ones to watch this movie, especially during the weekends.

So how did I find the movie? Everything was overdone, in my opinion. The fighting scenes, the sound effects, the camera techniques as well as the script and surprisingly, the level of violence. However, the quality of the film was far better than the rest of the usual, boring Malay movies and this movie should set a benchmark for our local filmmaking. Definitely a must see for people who like martial arts, Silat in particular - because the fighting just never ends.

MOVIE REVIEW - "JOKER"

"Joker" told the story of the protagonist's bitter past, what had happened to him much earlier - about his sick mother and his sad childhood. There was no fighting like what you always see in a superhero movie but there were very graphic and violent scenes, hence the movie is rated 18. And Batman did not make his appearance at all on the screen.

"Joker" is a heavy drama and could be in the genre of psycho thriller. I believe we already have a nominee for the best actor for the upcoming Academy Award.

Thanks Mr. Musleh for the time and company at GSC Paradigm Mall. We should do this next time when you come home for your semester break.

early dinner at Kenny Roger's

Then there was this short reunion with two ex-students of SMK Taman Universiti who are siblings, Mr. David Leong and and Mr. Leong Jing Chen.

MOVIE REVIEW: "JOHNNY ENGLISH STRIKES AGAIN"

Johnny English a.k.a Mr. Bean a.k.a Rowan Atkinson is back. If you love him, this is the movie you should not miss. What you have to do is just sit back and enjoy the whole thing. Do not worry if you missed the two prequels series before this as it is a prerequisite to know what has happened in the previous movies. There is already too much stress out there so just laugh along with all the funny acts. I surprisingly find Rowan Atkinson still funny and the whole thing hilarious.

*NOTE: My very first movie screening at GSC Cineplex at Paradigm Mall, Johor Bahru on 22nd September 2018.

THE LAST TIME WATCHING A MOVIE AT GSC PELANGI LEISURE MALL

12th October ~ I neither bowl nor smoke sisha, and I don't sing in karaoke but I watch movies, once in a while. My favourite cinema was situated at Pelangi Leisure Mall, the oldest cineplex in Johor Bahru town. A few reasons why I liked the place: (1) It was near my house so I could just drive there anytime I wanted when the urge to watch a movie arose - even at 12:00 a.m. on my own, without being accompanied by anybody; (2) The parking fare was cheap - it was just RM1 per entry and at one time it was free of charge, or if people went out late after watching a midnight, the parking booth where we should be paying for the parking would already be closed and we just drove off like that.

Unfortunately, the place was getting too old to compete with other new and modern cinemas around town. People had turned away to other places to watch movies and the cineplex in Pelangi Leisure Mall had to be closed down on the 17th October. 

The last movie outing here on the 12th of October was to bid "goodbye" to this place where I had watched numerous movies: English, Malay and Chinese. What is going to happen next, I do not know. Is it closed for renovation and upgrading, or will it be closed forever?

For one thing, I am going to miss this place, a lot. Thank you GSC Pelangi Leisure Mall for all the fun, good time.

MOVIE REVIEW - DARK SHADOWS

Not getting enough of vampire love story, went to watch this movie, other than to see Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer. It was a story of a vampire who came back to the family mansion after being imprisoned in his coffin for two centuries. Believe it or not, there were just too many similarities with the Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire series but what do you expect? We are talking about dracula here except this one originated from Liverpool, was not as good-looking as Edward and a bit too old. And the movie was also funny but not to the point that would bring tears to your eyes. And how did the story end?: the girl the dracula was in love with tried to commit suicide by jumping off the cliff so Barnabas Collins a.k.a Mr. Dracula had to kill her and suck her blood so she would be turned into a lady vampire and they could live happily ever after. One word to describe the storyline: PREDICTABLE.

By the way this movie is rated 18 as there are scenes not suitable for kids. Actually I was quite disappointed with the film. The expectation was higher most probably because Johnny Depp was the lead actor and it should as good as the Pirates series. I will give 3 out of 5 star rating, or perhaps only 2 1/2. 

*btw, those who go to watch movies at Pelangi Leisure Mall, now you have to pay RM1 for the parking fee.

**thanks to Mr. Zulhairi for accompanying. [some other time, we go again, okay?]