The Overture

Sawasdee. SabaiDee Rue?

or

Hello~ How are you?

 Today I'm here to talk about The Overture a film made in Thailand in 2004 based on the life of Luang Pradit Pairoh.

The Overture Poster

The Overture which is set in Thailand during the peaceful times before and until the pre-world war 2. A better description of the timeline would be during the reigns of King Rama V to VIII. The main character is played by 2 actors who portrays the younger version and older version of Luang Pradit Pairoh or known as Sorn Silapabanleng, who is the most famous traditional Thai music master. Sorn plays the ra-nad ek which is a form of Thai xylophone. You would see the conflict or intense duel of the young Sorn with another music master Kun-In. The battle is like a battle between Yin and Yang where Sorn plays smoothly and beautifully where else Kun-In plays very aggressively and intensely. The older Sorn faces the restriction or the ban of traditional music during the oppression of the Japanese. During the oppression, the military wants to hasten up the development of the country by removing traditional music and bring in more modernize products such as record player, wine, coffee and so on.

The movie is such an inspirational, beautiful and at the same time intense moment in it. You would be awe, feel serene and lose your breath in different part of the movie. At the beginning you would see Sorn slowly grow up into a skilled player and would win every competition he went since he was a boy. Later on, he faces challenges and conflicts when he met a more skillful and aggressive player whom is Kun-In. He later then plays under a nobleman who will provide him a skillful instructor and lastly face Kun-In again during a duel. Time fast forward where the old but master of traditional music Sorn trying to tell the army to protect their heritage and honour if they want to withstand outside forces.

The 'Respectful' and 'Mature' Sorn.

I really like the older version of Sorn because he is more calm, noble and respectful while the younger Sorn seems to be stupid, arrogant, childish and so much more. There are quite a few times I really want to bash his head into the instrument for those annoying moments. BUT! Later on he would somehow grow on you when you see him grow up into a more respectful and mature player. He doesn't have the look on his face where he wants to show off anymore. When he won the duel between him and Kun-In, he went over to his stage and bow down to him to show his respect.

Sorn looking into the light.

I would recommend you to watch this movie even if you do not like history, musical or bibliography movie because IT IS THAT GOOD.

I do not know why it is given low rating of 7.2 at IMBD and 6 at Rotten Tomato.

I would personally say that this movie deserve at least a 9 or 8 out of 10. The rating lost would be due to the confusion where you have to watch a little more longer to find out the weak transition of story between the younger and older Sorn's Story.

 Once again..... My Trademark:

Thank you, come again

You brave man?

Aye! Alright?, Awright?

What you on the day?

Don't mind me there trying out a Scottish slang. If you want to know what I said up there. It's just

"Yes! How are you?"

"What are you up to today?

Sooooooo.

Let's talk about brave this time this week. A movie that is made by truly yours, Disney Pixar. Obviously when we are talking about Pixar, it is going to be another computer animated film that is made extensively to look like real life by the incorporation of physics into clothing, hair, environment and others. When I stated Disney as well, it is meant for anyone of any ages that brings moral values into the film. Disney is all about bringing a meaningful movie with values to the audiences.

Top: Merida, King Fergus, Queen Elinor
Bottom: Harris, Hubert, Hamish

So what's the movie about? The movie's setting is in the Scottish Highlands and tells of a story of a princess named Merida who is quite rebellious and was completely against getting into a forced marriage that is arranged by her parents. Merida's family consisted of her father, mother and her three little triplet brothers. Side characters such as the witch/part-time woodcarver and the maid bring extra comedy elements into the movie. American made film lately have a somewhat changed cliche phrases; one of them that i really recall from this movie is said by the witch/part-time woodcarver is 'Never conjure where you carve'. This phrase obviously is a change sentence from "Don't shit where you eat". Brave also brought back one of its previous trademark broom from Fantasia(1940)'s Mickey Mouse and the Broom accompanied by The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas.

I don't really see the connection between the moral values in this movie and the title of the movie.. The story is much more towards family values, co-existence, compromising and don't eat cupcakes made by a witch. The movie have a touch of fantasy and light comedy in it that would tickle the cute and funny bone in anyone when watching the mischievous triplets doing their thing. Maybe a little hint of being brave in going against your custom and mother?

The Triplets or Hilarious trouble makers

 I would say that i really enjoy the movie mostly because i really like the triplets. It would be awesome to see more action from them, running around, causing havoc and at the same time saving their sister, Merida. They have a very innocent and somewhat mischievous feel to them in both human and bear form. Even when watching them being a lil' devil, everyone would just laugh it off and go "awwwww". Like a wolf in a sheep skin but this time 3 lil devil in kids/cubs.

Rotten Tomato have given the movie a 78% approval rating and 6.9 out of 10 from the average rating from 218 reviews. One of them stated that "the movie offers young audiences and fairy tale fans a rousing, funny fantasy adventure with a distaff twist and surprising depth." Metacritic gave the movie a 69 out of a 100 and is considered generally favorable.

On to my rating i would give is a 7 out of 10 for a Pixar movie.

Once again.....

Thank you, come again

Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa Review - The return of Karate Bro [Spoiler Alert]

So? What do I think about Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa?

The alternative name for the movie is 

Clash of Empires

"The Malay Chronicles: Bloodlines".

And here's a complimentary Trailer for you readers to watch. 

The poster for Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa

The movie is quite good comparing it to the local made movies from Malaysia. This is the second time in my life that i enjoyed (a lil) a local made movie. The first is "Gaduh", which is honestly interesting where you would wish that teacher in the movie is able to teach you in your previous high school. I don't think there are many teachers from high school who really gives a 'care' about you.

Getting back into topic now, The movie talks about the tale that focuses on Merong Mahawangsa, his adventure, past and origins. Although Merong is a very interesting character, the one who really got most of my attention is Marcus Carpenius whom is portrayed by Gavin Stenhouse. Marcus Carpenius is the Prince of the Roman Empire and he requested for Merong to escort him to Langkasuka, where he will meet and get married to Meng Li Hua, the princess of the Han Dynasty. 

Marcus Carpenius, Portrayed by Gavin Stenhouse

[Spoilers]

Marcus Carpenius somehow reminds me of an old movie, The Karate Kid (1984). Why do I say this? Well, Marcus is shown to be "killed off" at the part of the kidnaping of Princess Meng Li Hua by Kamawas, a pirate who is blessed with damage immunity by a little necklace. 

Few months later, he is saved by Admiral Liu Yun. This time Marcus clothing changed from the Romans clothing into Chinese clothing. His Chinese clothing somehow resembles the karate kid's "Karate Dougi" and at the same time Marcus wears a headband. Another funny aspect is at the beginning of the movie he uses a broadsword and after being saved, he started using Tonfa, an Okinawan baton that originated from China. I do not know what kind of training he underwent but it must be so harsh that it made Marcus into a Pacifist. (A sword user turned into a karate tonfa user)

Marcus's Roman clothing

Marcus's Karate Kid clothing

But seriously, If he chose to decapitate Kamawas, this would save so much time of the cliche long winded story of "save the Princess". Just chop the damnation head, next thing is that the necklace will fall off and viola! Happy ending. :D (The immunity just seems to be some ignore pain steroid with extreme fast healing.) If he only did this earlier, Admiral Liu Yun wouldn't have died.

It's funny to see Marcus' unexpected and sudden transformation. For the movie, I would give it a rating of 8 out of 10 competing against the local movies and only 3 to 4 out of 10 competing against the every movie that i have watched.

So.....

Thank you, come again