17 Again

Shan't give a longgggg review since I watched this ions ago. But there's this quote that I really liked:

"Of course I want to live in the past. It was better there."

Man, I totally can relate.

Didn't have high expectations for the movie and had only watched it for Zac Efron.

*dramatic pause*

And it really was below expectations. Drats, lollll.

So, 1.5/5!

Matilda

Matilda is a movie that depicts of this girl with genius abilities but however, is not appreciated by her ignorant family members, as well as the badass headmaster, Ms Trunchbull. The only person who embraces her is her homeroom teacher, Miss Honey, who is in many ways like Matilda - lacking of a loving home. The movie concludes with the antagonist going down and the protagonist receiving the happy ending that she deserves. Typical, but very much gratifying. All in all, awesome movie!

I love this book-adapted movie!!! Mainly 'cos Matilda has been my favourite childhood book since FOREVERRRR. In fact, i'm still a great fan of Roald Dahl books! Why so awesome!! Hahhah! But anyway,  back to topic, I love that the movie follows intrinsically with the original. My mind was flipping the pages of my battered and old Matilda book while watching the movie. Brings back so much memories!

Matilda topping the Cheerios with her 'powers'

Seeing that this was a 1997 production I suppose, the 'magic' effects were done pretty well with little loopholes to pick on (unlike this, lollll). And I definitely have to give credits to the settings in the movie! How can it be so similar to what I have always imagined, back when I was reading the book?!!! Maybe it's only me, maybe it appeals to more, but it's so thrilling to see the images that you pieced together based on only words, come together in motion pictures! My childhoooooooooood. :O

    Matilda's best friend, Lavender

I'm one who has little liking for young kids in reality but the characters in the movie are too dramatic and unique to not like! Except for Matilda, while the other young actors have relatively lesser lines, they to me have very significant presences that greatly contribute to the overall making of the fantastic movie! Kudos!

Alright this may be a biased rating but whatevs! It's a 5/5! :D:D

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Since I watched the more modern version of this book-adapted movie before, which happens to be freaking good, I thought I would have hated this older version. But turns out that it is pretty okay. The characters were pretty well-chosen, in the sense that they look apt for their individual unique roles.

However, although I can't blame the relatively poorer effects and technology used due to the time context, I feel that the plot is rather draggy for some parts. For instance, I don't like how the process of finding the golden tickets takes up like half of the entire movie! And it's weird how they add in random scenes of random people going to the crazy large extent in getting the golden tix, (cue: random rich man gets kidnapped and the ransom is the last case of wonka chocs! & the wife was even reluctant to do so, lol much there!) . Ah! I definitely didn't like the part where they replaced the cute squirrels in the novel with large ugly geese! :O

I think this movie has some musical elements intentionally incorporated into it but alas, I almost skipped them all 'cos the songs were aye, droopy and boring and sad.

Rate: 2/5 (but then again, maybe im not in a good position to rate since there might be some bias towards the modern adaptation)

Toy Story 3

The movie that I had always wanted to catch after hearing fellow friends rave so much about it being touching and what not. Thus, can't imagine my luck when I see it available in the library to loan for freee! hehehe. Anyway, i'm glad it didn't fall short of my expectations. It was indeed pretty awesome.

I like that Toy Story 3 cuts to the chase and fills the audience in of the conflict occurring, almost immediately from the opening of the movie. The pace is rather smooth and comfortable so there's hardly draggy moments. The strong bond that the toys share amongst themselves was exceptionally heart-warming I think. The toys' commitment to Andy was admirable too. When I see them, I can't help imagining that my toys work that way too. They move around at night and have feelings. I bet my Tigger badmouths about me a lot since I fix his tears with ugly safety pins instead of sewing them up nicely. Forgive me!

 one of the touching scenes: Andy parting from his playmates. & there's Bonnie the sweetie. 

Rate: 4/5

The Haunted Mansion

2nd time watching (same goes for Wimpy)! I remembered loving it in the past and even listing it as one of my faves. But now, maybe not so much. Absolutely love the singing busts though. :D They are so darn good.

Rate: 3/5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid shows this mature (aka self-proclaimed superior) boy, Greg, who entered middle school with great ambitions to emerge victorious: coming out as class' favourite in the year book. Of course, things didn't turn out the way he wanted and who else to get the brunt but his supportive best friend, Rowley. Rowley is a lovable character that is comfortable in his own unique skin. However, Greg blames him for impeding him in his route to popularity and thus, takes great measures to transform him to some one like him (narcissism at its max *rolls eye). There are some conflicts in the midst, but are fortunately reconciliated towards the end, rather satisfactorily. 

First of all, I really like Rowley! His chubby apperance coupled with his naive, kind inner self is too fricking cute. :D Another fave is the soul character - Fregley. The typical clown (like very literally, no positive connotations attached) in school, he makes a vital character whom you will either be larely entertained by or feel just purely grossed out with (i'm a mix of both the former and latter). However, while some characters are really bonuses to the movie, I feel that there can more climax moments in the story as the plot appears rather flat and draggy at times. But then again, maybe this is a little too much to ask for a movie that runs on the perspectives of a middle-school goer. Oh well.

Fregley: "Do you want to see my secret freckle?"

(which turns out to be a black mole with hair, lol)

Rate: 3/5