Movie Title: Meet the Robinsons
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (6/10)
Year: 2007
Meet the Robinsons official site: http://www.meettherobinsons.com/

The hype for 3D animations is back. This time around Disney is here to show us how weird… is weird. Smartly promoting their 2D skills, most cinemas will show a almost 10 minutes short 2D cartoon. The one I saw was the 1938 Micky Mouse’s “Boat Builders”.

Seriously, it’s kinda fun watching back some good old cartoon we all grow up to recognize. I notice everyone in the cinema had a good laugh watching the short cartoon. Right, I simply think it was a great move to cross sell their 2D stuff… just like how Pixar always show some short clips of their other 3D work. Something short but nice and best of all entertaining in every single way.

Movie begins with a sepia colour tone scene. A mysterious looking lady was carrying a new born baby quietly and secretly walk up to an orphanage building. Looking left and right.. she then left the baby at the doorstep. When the orphanage owner, Mildred (Angela Bassett) heard someone knocking on the door, she opened the door to find a cute new born baby lying in the box. She then took in the baby.

Years later, the little baby grew up to be an intelligent and creative boy named Lewis (Jordan Fry). Interested in science, Lewis comes out with lots of inventions. Everyday, without fail he would invent, invent and invent. Lewis is working on his newest peanut butter and jelly invention, thinking his invention could help his adopters in their daily life. Unknown to him, his adopters have serious allergy over peanuts. To make matters worst, his invention got stuck half way while demonstrating. The machine then blow out and mess up the whole room with peanut butter and jelly. The angry adopters left almost instantly.

Upset and frustrated, Lewis runs to the orphanage roof top. Mildred chase after him trying to make him felt better. Mildred was surprised when Lewis mention the amount of times he have been rejected by the adopters. Lewis felt so rejected and unwanted, he even mention how he felt so sad that his real mother didn’t actually want him. Mildred trying hard to calm Lewis down mentioning that his real mother might have difficulties raising him up or she feeling lost at the point of time. After listening to what Mildred have to say, Lewis is determined to find his real mother.

In order to find his mother, he would have to depend on his memory. Hence, Lewis decided to create a Memory Scanner to help him remember what he happen back then and help locate his mother Lewis drew sketches and more sketches. Lots of testing have been done to correct things. With him working on his Memory Scanner day and night, this caused his room mate Goob (Matthew Josten) to have sleepless nights.

Lewis is more than excited to show his latest invention at the Science Fair. Mildred told him to be back soon as she have arranged a meeting for Lewis to meet his new adopters. He even told Mildred he is tired of being rejected and his only intention now is to search for his real mother.

At the Science Fair, many other kids is ready to show what they have… some includes exploding volcano, fire ants. While trying to set up, Lewis bumps in to Wilbur (Wesley Singerman). Wilbur told Lewis he is a cop from the future and he has came to protect him from the Bowler Hat Guy (Stephen J. Anderson). The judges for the Science Fair lead by Dr. Lucille Krunklehorn (Laurie Metcalf) made their stop at Lewis’ table to look at his invention. They were quickly amazed when Lewis told them what his invention could do.

Unknown to Lewis, the Bowler Hat Guy and his atrocious hat, Doris is set to sabotage Lewis work. Doris went and unscrew some important part in Lewis’ invention which caused the invention to fail. It caused a big mess at the hall. Disappointed with the outcome, Lewis ran to the orphanage’s roof top again. He tear out all the drafts and sketches of the Memory Scanner. Wilbur helps him pick the sketches and ask Lewis to not give and go back to the Science Fair and fix the Memory Scanner.

Thinking it was a flop, Lewis refuse to return to the Science Fair and fix his machine. When Wilbur gets a little too pushy, Lewis doubted the fact that Wilbur is a police from future. Lewis asked Wilbur to prove that he is from the future. Left with no choice, Wilbur push Lewis down from the roof top where they landed on his spaceship (in stealth mode). Wilbur then brings Lewis on a ride and went to the future. Lewis was so amazed with what he saw and started to believe in Wilbur. Wilbur then asked Lewis to fix his Memory Scanner but Lewis refused to do so. He figure he could just go see his mother with this time machine.. instead of fixing the Memory Scanner.

They both got in to a fight which ended up crashing the time travel on the grass of the Robinsons mansion. Wilbur then make a deal with Lewis whereby he will bring him back in time to meet his mother if he will stay and fix the time machine.

The Bowler Hat Guy steals Lewis’ Memory Scanner invention when Lewis ran out from the Science Fair. He then brought the invention back to the future and tries to sell the idea as his. However he was unsuccessful as he have no idea how the machine functions and he don’t even know how to turn it on. He is then thrown out from the building. In order to fix the machine and knows how to make it work, the Bowler Hat Guy is set to capture Lewis.

On the other hand, Wilbur hides Lewis in the garage and told Lewis to not go anywhere, stay there and fix the time travel. Worried that Lewis is easily recognized, Wilbur even put on a fruit punch hat so that no one could see his hair. While trying to look for Wilbur, Lewis got sucked in through the tubes and ended up at the Robinson’s garden. There he got to meet Wilbur’s grandfather who is busy looking for his teeth, Wilbur’s uncle, mother, cousin… ah almost everyone except for his dad.

Soon it was dinner time, Lewis join along and was introduced as Wilbur’s classmate. He had so much fun at the dinner table. There Lewis saw some invention similar to his peanut butter and jelly machine. Like what happen before, it got stuck and Wilbur suggested Lewis to fix it. The outcome is similar to what happen previously. The machine exploded and mess up the whole dining area. Instead of being angry, Wilbur’s family supported Lewis.

The Bowler Hat Guy then peeks around the Robinson’s mansion trying to capture Lewis. He tries to hypnotize a few animals in to capturing Lewis… which includes hypnotizing one of Wilbur’s mum, Franny’s (Nicole Sullivan) genetically enhanced singing frogs. When the plan was proven to fail, The Bowler Hat Guy went back to the past and grab a T-Rex and brought it to the future to capture Lewis. Proven that The Bowler Hat guy just isn’t a born to be villain, his plans fail again.

After all the drama, The Robinsons decided to adopt Lewis as a family member. Lewis was excited and gladly accept the offer. Wilbur knows things like this could not happen and he purposely pulled Lewis hat off to reveal them. When the Robinsons know Lewis was from the past, the family told him it is impossible for them to adopt him. To make matter worst, Wilbur blurb out that the promises he make to Lewis was fake. He did that so that Lewis would help fix the spoilt time travel.

Feeling frustrated and cheated, Lewis ran away with the Bowler Hat Guy who promise to bring him see his mother if he would help him fix the Memory Scanner. Right after he fix and show the Bowler Hat Guy how to operate the machine, he revealed that Lewis is actually Wilbur’s father in the future. He also told Lewis that he is actually his room mate, Goob in the past. He blames Lewis for turning him to be what he is now. Apparently, Goob lost the most important baseball game by falling asleep and he fails to catch the ball. He blames it all on Lewis because Lewis work day and night on his Memory Scanner and make it hard for him to fall asleep.

After the lost, he becomes grumpy and eventually scares away a lot of adopters and left alone in the orphanage. He even told Lewis that Doris is one of his invention which he later shut down when he notices Doris have her own thinking and plans. However Doris escapes and partner up with Goob to take revenge.

Wilbur tries to save Lewis but failed as the Bowler Hat Guy ran them down with the time travel machine he stole from Wilbur. The Bowler Hat Guy then runs to InventCo Inc. trying to show them his Memory Scanner machine and change history. As the Bowler Hat Guy is about to sign the contract, Lewis notice things around him is changing and Wilbur is disappearing. Lewis then head to the garage and he manage to fix the time travel and go back in time to stop the Bowler Hat Guy from signing the papers.

When Doris tries to stop him, Lewis look up to Doris and told her he will never ever invent her and Doris disappears in thin air. Lewis then takes the Bowler Hat Guy for a ride in the time machine to notice that Doris was actually using him. She plans to turn the future world to a dark world where the hats rule the world by mind-controlling everyone who wears them.

The Bowler Hat Guy then seeks for forgiveness. Lewis then asked Wilbur and his family to take the Bowler Hat Guy as family. Before they could say yes, the Bowler Hat Guy walk away. Wilbur then met up with the future him whereby he show him a lot of things that he had done. Wilbur then decides to send Lewis back to the present. Before going back… he drop by at the past on the night Lewis’ mum decided to abandon Lewis, keeping his earlier promise.

However he just let his mother walk out from him when he got the chance to see how she actually look like. Wilbur then asked Lewis why he did that, Lewis only replied… he have a happy family in the future. Wilbur just smile and send Lewis back.

Back at the present times, Lewis tries to fix things. He walk pass the baseball field just in time to wake Goob up which resulted a different ending. He then goes back to the Science Fair asking for a second try. The judges decides that Lewis deserve a second try. Dr. Lucille volunteer herself as the subject to the experiment. When the Memory Scanner manages to show the actual event that happen back then, Lewis knew who they were. She was Wilbur’s grandparents which means they adopted Lewis. At the Science Fair, Lewis also stumbles upon a cute girl who has a display involving frogs. Lewis quickly know she will be his future wife and they soon started to be friends.

Being a typical Disney cartoon, all of it surely an educational ones. With content like never stop trying, don’t give up when meet with failures and of course the core.. keep moving forward. Like Chicken Little, I somehow think this animation is yet another forgettable one. Okay… at least Chicken Little was more memorable due to it’s catchy song but Meet the Robinsons just fail to capture me as something different.

The character development was rather surface as a lot of other characters weren’t really groomed up. Everyone have quite too little show time. At a point, I even felt they tried too hard to fit too many characters to the show.

Yes, there isn’t anything technically wrong with the show… but it just fails to light me up. Surely not one of the best animation movie of the year. See it if your kids, nephews, cousins bug you to bring them to the cinema. Watch it only if you ran out of options to see in the cinema.

Movie Title: Stomp the Yard
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/10)
Year: 2007
Stomp the Yard official site: http://www.stomptheyard.com/

Street dancing… ah it just felt so hot thinking about it. Right, I always felt street dancing is hotter than any of those ballroom dancing. Why? I sorta think street dancing are more natural, following the beat, freestyle. Everyone have their own different moves. Unlike ballroom dance which gives me the impression it was rather fake, the costume is too over, the smiles is so fake and ugly like you wonder why they smile at times and it felt like they are pretending to be someone they are not. In short… just not my cuppa tea.

Similar to You’ve Got Served, Stomp the Yard starts of hitting the audience with a pumped up street dance scene. A dancing competition is kicking on at one of the undergrounds in Los Angeles. Everyone is pretty much hyped up as it is quite a big thing. Goon Squad, headed by DJ (Columbus Short) and brother Duron (Chris Brown) has been eyeing on this team on the stage which have practically defeated 2 other rival team.

When they won again, Goon Squad head up to the stage to challenge them. A bucket is passed around as they take in bets. Goon Squad drop a roll of cash in to the bucket and the best part starts. Both group starts to show their moves where everyone goes head to head including the girls. It’s been made obvious the two groups didn’t like one another. When the audiences announce that Goon Squad wins the round, the other group was pretty much angry and challenge them for another round of dancing by throwing more money in to the bucket.

DJ was excited and quickly agreed. Duron on the other hand was happy that they won and wanted to leave with the money they earned. DJ then persuade Duron by telling him that they can’t win without him. Duron initially rejected the idea, however he didn’t want to leave his brother behind hence he decided to do it. Before they go for the challenge, Duron reminded DJ that it’s a teamwork and ask DJ to stop thinking it’s all only about him as they work in group.

The challenge gets more exciting. The crowd was cheering like crazy. Everyone is enjoying what they are watching. As the challenge gets more heated and personal, Duron jump out from behind and pull a great move and led Goon Squad to another victory. As the battle of dances ends, they all decided to walk home.

The Goon Squad was walking home when they were stopped by the group they defeated. They wants their money back. DJ refuse to give them the money back and they all fight. The fight ended badly where the leader of the other group pulls out a gun a fires at Duron. Duron died on the spot. While everybody ran away, DJ was stun crying and hugging over Duron’s body. DJ was then arrested for the fight.

After Duron’s death, DJ’s mother decides to send him to Atlanta to study. DJ first arrived at Atlanta where his uncle, Nate (Harry J. Lennix) picked him up. When they reach Nate’s house, Nate’s wife, Jackie (Valarie Pettiford) welcome him and showed him around. They even offer him to visit them when he could as DJ would be staying in the dorm. Before leaving, Nate warned DJ that his opportunity to study in Truth University isn’t an easy one as Nate used lots of his contacts to get him a place there.

On the registration day, DJ tries to runaway but Nate manage to stop him and send him to the university. Forcefully, DJ went to queue up to register. Just as he was looking around, he spotted April (Meagan Good). He then leaves the line trying to catch up on her. When he lost sight of her, he tries to get back to his place and this cost and argument. He was too late to notice that April saw the argument.

After registering, DJ headed to his dorm room, whereby he share a room with Rich Brown (Ne-Yo). Rich told him the rules of the room and then invited DJ to a party later but was rejected by DJ. DJ then went out for a walk and saw the Theta Nu Theta having a step show. It was something new to DJ as he have never seen anything like this before. He finds it rather funny as they refer to steps like that as a type of dance. Things was going on fine until Theta’s rival fraternity, Mu Gamma Xi came in to the picture and steals the show.

As the Mu Gamma Xi is marching in, DJ saw April and decides to chase after her. Not noticing he was disturbing the Gamma’s march, DJ almost have a fight with Grant (Darrin Dewwit Henson). Leader of the Mu Gamma Xi, Zeke (Laz Alonso) then warns DJ and they continue to march right up to the Theta’s show making it clear that they are the 7 time defending champion of the National Step show.

DJ finally have a chance to talk to April only to know that she already have a boyfriend. The jealous Grant then over and warn DJ to stay out from him and April. That night, Rich and his friends went down to a local club and invited DJ along. It was one of those nights where people from other cities represents their city to dance.

Being a senior and his hate for DJ, Grant kept picking on DJ. After picking up on DJ, Grant head to the dance floor and sexy dance with some girls. Coincidently, April walks in and saw what Grant was doing. April was furious and Grant tries to explain to her that he is just dancing. April make it clear to Grant that she dislike what he was doing. Grant was then summoned to the dance floor. As he is walking to the dance floor, DJ walked up to April and told her she doesn’t have to be treated like that. Grant ran back to ask DJ to leave her girl alone when he saw them talking.

DJ then take this opportunity to challenge Grant at the dance floor. After Grant finish performing, DJ shows his move, mocking everyone other contestant including Grant. The crowd went crazy and was cheering for DJ. Even Rich is not shy to mention that DJ is his roommate. Grant dares not challenge back as he know he could not top DJ’s moves.

The next day, while working for his uncle, DJ was approached by Grant, Zeke and 2 other Mu Gamma Xi members. Zeke wanted to talk to DJ. However, DJ claimed he is busy with work and rejected Zeke’s offer to chat up. Zeke then ordered his boys to do DJ’s work while he and DJ have a little talk. Zeke was impressed with DJ’s moves and wanted to recruit him as one of the Mu Gamma Xi’s member. DJ refuses Zeke’s invitation and insults Zeke. The Mu Gamma Xi gang then walks of leaving DJ to continue his work.

The Theta Nu Theta members noticed DJ’s talent as well. They then requested Sylvester (Brian J. White) to recruit DJ as a member as well. Unlike the Mu Gamma Xi, Sylvester make it clear to DJ that he could send in his form and he will be reviewed to see if he fits to join. DJ asked Sylvester if this is the best he could do as the Mu Gamma Xi gave him a better offer. Sylvester then ask DJ to join the Mu Gamma Xi if he thinks they strive a better deal. Sylvester then explains to DJ about brotherhood and how they all work as a team.

Later that evening, DJ was mowing the lawn when he suddenly notice April jogging by. He tries to get near to April not knowing it will scare her. He then tries to ask April out for dinner but was quickly rejected when she says she have to do tutoring. DJ then went to the tutoring reception and asked what subject April is tutoring and he took up the subject. When the tutoring is almost done, DJ asked April to dinner again. This time they make a bet to answer any question about the subject. If DJ could answer the question, April will go dinner with him.

DJ manage to answer the question and April brought DJ to this local hang out place where they dine. DJ did mention about the Mu Gamma Xi and Theta Nu Theta trying to recruit him after sawing him dance. April was happy for him and told him to check out the Heritage Hall to understand more about the fraternity. After dinner, they dance and ended up kissing each other when April pull away later on.

The next day, DJ passed by the Heritage Hall and walked in to see what it is all about. There he saw a lot of pictures dedicated to the men and women who were in fraternities and sorority. That afternoon, the Mu Gamma Xi are having a ceremony where pledges are made in to members. As the Mu Gamma Xi’s new members are revealed, the Theta Nu Theta members came interrupting the Mu Gamma Xi’s ceremony. The Theta Nu Theta new members also revel themselves. Everyone of them introducing their new nickname. DJ’s nickname is Knucklehead and does some moves to hint to the Mu Gamma Xi that their title is now in jeopardy.

While tutoring, April notices that DJ is now a member of the Theta Nu Theta when she saw his jacket. DJ noted that he notice a lot of things about her as well. April didn’t believe DJ and asked him what is her favourite colour. DJ figure it was green since April always wear green eyeshadow, a green stone on her ring and he even guessed April car is green in colour. That night, Grant asked April to dine in an expensive restaurant. There, he wanted to propose to April. Confused and wanting to find out if Grant loves her, she asked him what is his favourite colour. He picked all the wrong guesses. April was almost in tears while Grant asked if this has anything to do with DJ.

When April kept quiet and kept apologizing, Grant insulted April and even called her ungrateful. April then leaves Grant. Right after she broke up with Grant, he went to look for DJ and they both then got together. A few days later, Grant and the Mu Gamma Xi members were laughing at DJ when they saw him mowing the lawn. Grant quickly kept quiet when he saw April jump on the mower and hug DJ tightly.

The Theta and the Gamma are both having their secret rehearsals as the competition is near. Sylvester is trying his very best to teach his members the moves. One day while practicing in an empty and abandon pool, DJ’s move was secretly recorded by the Gamma’s. Grant decided to keep the record and study DJ’s move to put it to use in their dance coordination.

On the Theta side, the members spirit is getting lower and lower when they can not follow up to the steps and thinks it is difficult. DJ then teaches them his street styles. When Sylvester sees that, he got angry and tells him that stepping is not a rap video. DJ disagrees and told Sylvester that this is what dancing is all about. Sylvester then challenge DJ and his boys. At the challenge, both teams are about to even up when DJ decides to do a solo thinking it would lead his team to victory. Instead, they lost because it is a team event. His team was angry and disappointed with him. Right after the event, he remembered what Duron used to tell him. DJ then apologizes to the team. Sylvester and the boys welcome DJ back and even allows him to teach them a few new steps to be used in the dance moves.

While studying, DJ promise to bring April to try the best fried chicken in town. He then drive her to his Nate’s house for lunch. There DJ introduced April to his uncle and auntie. Nate and Jackie was surprised when April told them her mother passed away 5 years ago while his dad is the Dean of Truth University.

On the other side, the Gamma’s are researching on DJ and found out what happened in Los Angeles. They presented their research to the school board whereby they all agree to suspend DJ from school. DJ then receives a phone call from the Dean, Dr. Palmer (Allan Louis). Dr. Palmer make DJ a deal telling him he could continue to further his studies if he stop seeing April. However, DJ disagrees.

The Theta’s was upset over the fact that DJ is leaving them just 3 days before the championship. Dr. Palmer on the other hand told April the truth about DJ’s background. When DJ breaks the news to his auntie and uncle, they were shocked and speechless. They then told DJ the truth where it was partly their fault. It turns out Dr. Palmer and aunt Jackie used to date each other until Nate showed up.

On the day of the championship, Jackie went to look for Palmer about the deal he offered DJ. Palmer told Jackie that he didn’t want her daughter to make the same mistake as Jackie’s. Their conversation was overheard by April. Angry and disappointed, April told his father she is walking out of his life.

Dr. Palmer then agrees to reinstate DJ as he fear of loosing his daughter. That afternoon, DJ and April went to the National Step Championship. Both the Theta’s and Gamma’s are so close to winning. They both manage a tie. For the tie-breaker, the team will have to choose a team member to get head to head with one another.

The Theta chose DJ as his street dance knowledge could help lead them. Grant step up stating he could win as he already analysed DJ’s moves and told Zeke he could win. It was a heated competition. Just when the Theta is doing great, Grant did the exact routine DJ did in the tape. DJ was surprised but he quickly pulled out Duron’s glove from his pocket moving his body backwards and doing Duron’s best move which was shown earlier in the movie.

The Theta’s won the championship for the very first time. The Theta and April hugged DJ. The scene is then captured and appears on the wall at Heritage Hall.

If you really ask me, I would say there isn’t much plot to the movie. Seriously… it is one of those back to basics type of story. Love story… fall in love with rivals girl.. then get together.. wins championship.. still together… yeay.. ending. See… it’s kind of typical. I could practically pick out 100’s of movies with plots like this. What really interest me is actually the dance moves. Right… and to me, this is what that differentiate one dance movie from another.

Of course it’s none other than their dance choreography. What is best about this movie, both the lead actor and the rival are actual dancers and choreographers. Hence the dancing are believable and seriously good. What impress me is they really do act well especially Grant’s role. He really manage to make me think he is one bad person.

Nevertheless, ignore everything else and just focus on the dancing. You will tend to find it more entertaining and worthwhile. If you fail to concentrate, this movie is just another don’t bother to watch movie.

Movie Title: The Pursuit of Happyness
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (7/10)
Year: 2007
The Pursuit of Happyness official site: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thepursuitofhappyness/

Many just kept wondering how come such a big movie with big stars in it have a trailer with spelling mistakes at it’s movie title. For me… it never cross my mind they make any mistake. Looking at the font play… one would be sure it is done in a purpose and the purpose… you gotta really see the movie to actually understand it.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is one of the famous phase in the United States Declaration of Independence and yes, the movie title is derived from this famous phrase. This movie is made based on a true story of Chris Gardner, a self-made millionaire who struggled with poverty, homelessness while raising his son during the early 80’s.

This movie is a self narrated drama movie. It started of showing how Chris Gardner (Will Smith) and his wife, Linda (Thandie Newton) struggles with their life trying to bring up Christopher (Jaden Smith). Back then, Chris is a struggling salesman who spend most of his days selling portable x-ray scanners. At first Linda and Chris thought this item would be a hit and they would get rich. They ordered the x-ray scanners in big bulks, taking up most of their saving. However this x-ray scanner is seen as unnecessary and expensive as the standard x-ray scanners at hospitals are sufficient enough.

Due to this, Chris struggle almost every single day to sell the machine. Linda on the other hand have to work 3 jobs a day. Pressure adds on when a letter came from the government claiming for tax and the owner is buzzing them for rents. Due to their financial condition, Chris could only afford to send Christopher to a nearby childcare operated by Mrs. Chu (Takayo Fischer) who just let the kids play with toys and watch television.

Chris make numerous complains that Christopher should not be watching tv and that Mrs. Chu should teach Christopher something instead. However he was quickly shut down when Mrs. Chu asked Chris to pay up for the fees he owes her. The best one and most related to the movie comment was when he asked one of the maintenance worker to repaint the wall and highlighted that happiness is not spelt as “happyness”.

Everything was working fine until one day Chris accidently ran in to a Wall Street broker who informs him all one needs to do his job is be good with people and numbers. From then onwards, Chris is motivated to be one of them. He secretly went for an interview to join their internship programme. He then try to walk up to Jay Twistle (Brian Howe) but he was too busy to entertain him. Chris got Jay’s attention when he shared a taxi with Jay and manage to fix the “cube game”. Then onwards, Jay contacted Chris telling him he was shortlisted out of the 20 people and asked him to go for an interview.

On the other side of the story, Linda just couldn’t take it anymore. She decides to bring Christopher along and leave Chris. However, being a dedicated father, Chris insist that Christopher should stay with him. Just when things seems right, it went all wrong. Chris’ owner asked Chris to shift out immediately as he have to repaint the walls as someone else decides to rent the place. Chris promises to paint the house instead to buy some time. While painting, Chris was busted by the police when he fails to pay his parking tickets. To add to the excitement, he was jailed for the night as the police officers need to ensure the cheque is cleared before they could actually release him.

Upon his release, he ran and attended the interview without even changing or cleaning up the paint on his face. Despite his untidy and messy outlook, he got the offer as he was determined and went all out to get it. His happiness was quickly washed away when he was told that he is not getting paid during the internship. Which means he will have to support himself and his son without any promise of a paying job in the future.

Knowing this is his only best shot, he accepted the offer. He and Christopher then move to a nearby motel with cheap rates. Everyday, he would send Christopher to childcare then head of to work. In his internship, they are all given clients listing and they were required to call as much customers as possible to seal deals and takes a final test. Chris would call up people in the list without stop and doing it quicker than anyone else using his own techniques.

Chris still sells his x-ray scanners as a part time job. Life seems just a little better when he manage to sell a few scanners. Just when he felt at the top of the world, the government just took money from his bank account when he fails to pay the tax. He was pissed and lost when he found out about the issue. What is even worst is when he was thrown out from the motel and is now homeless.

At work, Chris manages to call a big “potential” client. He was however late for their appointment when his superior insisted that he help him park his car. Chris then manages to find out where the client stay and pretend he is visiting some friends nearby with Christopher. He then strike up a conversation, apologizing for not being punctual on the appointment. His client then invited him to a football match. It was really a great match. However his client told him he is not interested in his products. Chris was a little disappointed as he thought by closing the deal, this would secure him a paying job. However, his client did introduce him to a few other friends which initially did help him.

Out of work, after being thrown out from the motel.. Chris and his son would have to queue up in front of the house for homeless. The numbers they take in are limited and the line is only open at 5pm everyday. Hence, Chris would have to finish work earlier and faster than anyone else to ensure he doesn’t lose out.

There were a few times when he and Christopher could not get a place and they would have to stay at their railway station. It was really pitiful. things turn a little brighter when Chris manages to fix one of his “lost and found” x-ray scanner. With the money, he then rented a good room and stayed the night with Christopher.

The result of the internship is soon to be reviewed. Chris was being called to the office and was told that he successfully secure a job as he did really well during his internship. Chris was in tears when he heard the news. He was really relieved as it really takes him a great effort and courage to come this far.

Yes, it’s a nothing much to tell tale. A true story of how someone struggle to get to the top. The plots are almost as similar to every other true story of how some millionaire struggle for success. We have probably seen it so many times. But what differ this movie from the rest is the emotional and bonding factor.

I somewhat think casting Jaden Smith (Will Smith’s actual son) to take up the role as Chris Garner’s toddler son was a great move. The father and son bond is just so natural on screen. It really moves people and bring out a lot of family ties. Not to even mention their act was so so so good. I really think Will Smith deserves his nominations and awards for his role.

Right, this is a movie with lots of talking which means lots of listening. The narrator practically tells a lot of things which was not shown to cover back everything that was not visually seen. I must say the colour of movie wasn’t really appealing to me but… thinking how it was set in the 1980s… okay.. I forgive them.

It was basically a great movie… probably a little boring for some… well, see it if you really need some boost to be motivated in striving for success in life.

Movie Title: Sympathy for Lady Vengeance
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (8/10)
Year: 2005
Sympathy for Lady Vengeance official site: http://www.geum-ja.co.kr/

Ah… I finally can sit back, take a deep breath and relax a little at home watching this show. Knowing this is the third instalment to Park Chan Wook’s revenge trilogy. I am still in search for his first instalment “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”. If someone practically have it, I hope you can tell me where to get it :). I watch Park’s second movie titled “Oldboy” and wow… trust me, it’s a MUST WATCH as it is a totally different type of plot and even storyline.

Knowing this movie is the third one of the trilogy (the movies are not connected with one another in any character or story development. They just share the same theme. The 3 movies focuses and resolves around the word revenge) I know I just have to watch it. What is even more encouraging, my friend highly recommend it.

Starting of the movie with a stunning opening title, I know nothing in the movie can go any wrong. It reminded me a lot of Nip Tuck’s opening except the fact that this was a little better. A little more mysterious yet elegant. No kidding… even if you have no interest in watching the movie.. just spare some time looking at it’s opening title.

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance started of focusing on it’s lead character, Lee Geum Ja (Lee Young Ae of Jewel in the Palace). The 23 year old Geum Ja was released after 13 years of imprisonment. Upon released, she was greeted by a Christian minister presenting her with a white tofu cake to symbolize a new beginning and purity. However, Geum Ja just push the cake from the minister’s hand, insults him and walked off putting on her trendy sunglasses.

The show then flashback on what happened 13 years ago. Geum Ja is a problematic student. Everything went worst when she found herself pregnant and no where to go. She then appears at the door of his teacher, Mr Baek (Choi Min Sik). Mr. Baek appears to be a kind man giving Geum Ja a place to say and food.

Later, Geum Ja was caught and prisoned for kidnapping and killing a 7 year old boy, Won Mo. The detective of the case kept forcing Geum Ja to give the details of how he killed the little boy. At one point, Geum Ja was brought back to the scene to recreate the scene of how she killed the boy. As it turns out, Mr. Baek is the one that should be arrested instead of Geum Ja. However, Mr. Baek threatens to kill Geum Ja’s new born daughter if she refuses to take the blame. Her case got the biggest media coverage at that point of time as many was shocked looking at her beautiful and innocent appearance.

When in prison, she is devote herself to Christianity and is being labeled as “Geum Ja the Kind Hearted”. Having and saintly and angelic face, Geum Ja befriends with her fellow cell mates. She donates kidney to one of her cell mates. She even take care of a Northern Korean spy who trust no one. In return of their friendship, the spy passes a book to Geum Ja containing a blueprint of a handgun. Besides that, she even helped kill a prison bully by feeding her bleach everyday. The prison bully even praised Geum Ja for being kind before knocking out which practically show how she hides her cruelty and revenge behind her saintly and angelic face.

The movie then brings us back to the moment where Geum Ja was released. With the help of her fellow cell mates, Geum Ja decides to put her 13 years of revenge plan to action. She visited them all trying and gaining help from them which includes building the handgun from the blueprint Geum Ja receive from the Northern Korean spy. Besides that, her other fellow mates gives her a place to stay, cloths and even a job at the bakery since Geum Ja is very talented in baking cakes.

One could really see her transition from being an angelic and pure person to a girl with a bright blue jacket and blood red eye shadow look. While putting her plans to action, Geum Ja visited the Won Mo’s parents. She chop of her last finger as an act of asking for forgiveness from them. They send her to the hospital in which she uses all her savings to sew her fingers back again.

Besides asking for forgiveness from the victim’s family, she also tries to look for her daughter. She is curious what would have happened to her daughter as she have not seen her before. Geum Ja then breaks in to a building trying to locate and gather details of her daughter. From the records, she finally get to know her daughter is named Jenny (Kwon Yae Young) and is currently staying with her foster family in Australia. Knowing that they do not speak Korean, Geum Ja memorizes a few lines in English and the family. She even write down a letter to describe her presence.

The family is of course happy to see Geum Ja, however Jenny was a little upset as she didn’t understand why Geum Ja left her behind. Jenny did mention that Geum Ja would have to say sorry to her at least 4 times in order for her to forgive her. That night, Geum Ja decides to sleep with Jenny. Jenny then asked Geum Ja how to call “mum” in Korean whereby Geum Ja just replied “Miss Geum Ja”. The next morning, as Geum Ja was about to leave for Korea, Jenny decides to follow. However Geum Ja refuse to but quickly agreed when Jenny threatens to slit her throat.

When they return to Korea, Geum Ja plans to kidnap Mr. Baek with the help of his wife who went to prison together with Geum Ja. Mr. Baek’s wife actually drugged his dinner. Getting information from the minister, Mr. Baek attacks his wife first, beating and ties her to the chair after knowing she have been secretly meeting and talking to Geum Ja. While looking at his wife across the dining table, Mr. Baek fell unconscious after eating the drugged dinner.

On the other side, Mr. Baek hired some man to kill Geum Ja and her daughter as they were walking on a quiet street. The guys try to use chloroform on Jenny and Geum Ja. Jenny was unconscious, but Geum Ja manage to escape and shot the two guy with her handgun. Upon surviving the attack, Geum Ja heads to Mr. Baek’s house to find him unconscious and ties him to a chair and transports him to an abandoned school outside the city.

Mr. Baek starts to tremble when he saw Geum Ja looking at him. She then starts to strangle Mr. Baek like how she re-enacted suffocating Won Mo in her confession. At that point of time, Mr. Baek’s mobile phone rings. Geum Ja took his phone only to notice a few child toys were found decorating the phone, including Won Mo’s favourite marble. Geum Ja then notice by taking the blame for Mr. Baek has caused a few more children to fall victim to him. Being very angry, she shot his feet.

Geum Ja and Mr. Baek’s wife then look around the house for other evidence. They finally found some video tapes being taped under his table. The content of the tapes made Geum Ja even more determined to kill him. The tapes contain evidence of how Mr. Baek torture and kill the children. The detective that arrested Geum Ja finally know the truth and helped her find the other victim’s parents.

The victim’s parents then gather together at the school and watched the tapes. After watching the tapes, the angry parents then start discussing on what to do to Mr. Baek. Geum Ja suggested beast like Mr. Baek should be tortured till death which to surprise, all the parents agreed to her idea. They then figured and think of how they should proceed with the idea. They all ended up wearing raincot and taking weapons like hammer, knifes and everything they could find and lined up. Each have a chance to go to the next room to have a piece of Mr. Baek. The last parent eventually killed Mr. Baek with a pair of scissors that belonged to his grandson whom was killed by Mr. Baek.

Each of the parents picture was then taken to ensure that none of them can betray the others and surrender themselves. They then buried the corpse outside with Geum Ja shooting Mr. Baek’s body. Before covering the corpse, she threw the handgun in and buried him.

After a busy day, Geum Ja invited the parents to the bakery shop where she work. She serves a cake to the parents. They all sang a birthday song and then eat the cake. When everyone is silently eating, one of the parents suddenly said that it is a sign that some angel has passed by. Then then finished the cake and goes separate ways.

Geum Ja then carries a cake and walk home. Jenny then runs toward her barefooted and hug her tightly. Geum Ja then open the box and revealed a white box cake… similar to the one the minister presented to her on the day she was released from prison. Geum Ja then tells Jenny to “live white”. Jenny then tasted the cake and tries to give Geum Ja a taste. However she just stay stun. Jenny then told Geum Ja that she should live even more purely. Jenny then dances around and tries to catch a snow with her tongue symbolic of the receiving of the consecrated bread in the Christian society. Geum Ja then starts crying. Instead of catching a snowflake she drops her face to the cake with the narrator saying “Farewell…” and Jenny hugging Geum Ja from behind calling her “Miss Geum Ja”.

I really love the cinematography was shot. This is totally different from the previous instalment in terms of plot and story wise even it resolves around the same revenge theme. Oldboy pretty much tell about the act and consequences while Sympathy for Lady Vengeance pretty much talks about the process and the after thought of revenge. Which practically completes the revenge theme in a whole.

The film was shot beautifully. The colour play the director used to express the different stages and changes was simply amazing… from a pure and angelic girl wearing white to her wearing a striking blue jacket with blood red eye shadow and a toned down to black leather jacket towards the end. Wow… I somewhat think without much narration itself, the colours and the cinematography itself explains everything in a subtle way.

Although it is not as good as Oldboy, I somewhat think Park is still the man. His ideas and concept for his movies are remarkable and undeniably talented. Times like this, I somehow just wish more directors could come out with more movies like this. Yes… with Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, it totally secured Park as one of my favourite Asian director.