The Monkey King [Donnie Yen] (大闹天宫 ) Movie Review

This movie follows closely to the cartoons and books I read as a child. The movie set is ok, and the costumes are amazing, however, while watching the movie, I felt that the overly used and abused CG (Computer Graphics) makes the movie feel "kid focused". Sadly, the CG in the movie is not even good CG. very fake/bad made for TV quality, which makes Sharknado look amazing.

The whole movie was pretty entertaining, but for the price of movies today, I would say, you can miss this and wait for the DVD as the big screen does not add anything to the story.

The "Wire-fu" everything seems pretty lame, and along with the blue/green screen effects, the movie feels like a cheap/ low budget flick.

With actors like Aaron Kwok, Chow Yun Fatt and Donnie Yen, it is sad to see that the budget went to the actors not the special effects to say.

Overall, still an enjoyable flick, very cheesey effects.

5/10 - Wait for the DVD

-- Robin Low

Worst Children Books -- EVER!

These books are real...

How did they even get published?

And yes, I'm judging the book by its cover.

-- Robin Low

Why I prefer Manual Lens than AF lens

 

I have always preferred owning Manual Lens over AF lens. I feel that sometimes, the feeling of focusing with your own hands is better than relying on the AF mechanism.

I've owned the Canon L 70mm-200mm f2.8 IS II, 200mm f2 L, and various other lens, and I do like them, however, as a collector, I do not recommend keeping the AF lens for long.

For example, the Nikkor 85mm f1.8.

There are many different versions out there. the Pre-AI 85mm f1.8, AI, AI-S and AF-D, AF-S.

I've owned an AI'd, and a AIS version, as well as a AF-S and AF-D version as well.
And yes, Nikon makes it hard to distinguish between the lens.

- G lens

- VR lens

- AF-S lens

- ED lens

- IF lens

- AF-D

- AI-S

- AI

- AI'd

- Pre-AI

AF-S and AF-D are different lens, AF-S lenses are better quality and they have built in Motor for faster Autofoucs.

In the case of the 85mm f1.8, I did not notice much of a difference in image quality between the manual lens and the AF lens. The build quality was much better on the old AI lens but that is pretty much it. In terms of size, the AF-S lens is generally much bigger and bulkier.

So if you are just guy with a camera, then getting an AF-S or AF-D lens would not really be much of a difference. the AF-S can be a lot more expensive, but it is probably more durable as well.

As a camera collector, I would say the AI, AI-S lenses have pretty much the same coating as the newer lens, just perhaps they are built much tougher with a metal housing. The focusing on the old manual lens are also smoother and you can focus more accurately as well.

I do not usually shoot wildlife or sports, hence I have all the time to focus, and having an autofocus is not important. When shooting portraits, I actually prefer manual focus as I can use live view to slowly focus on the right focus point, check it again before I press the shutter release. The feel of the lens is more important than the AF speed or autofocus for that matter.

When I do street photography, I do manual focus as well. You don't need to focus fast if your aperture is at f5.6. Most things will be in focus.

Having manual lens, for a person that travels means more space in the camera bag. These lens are generally smaller. Many of them are very rugged and they cost less to clean and service.

For example, cleaning my 50mm f1.2 AIS costs about $50 but cleaning my Canon 50mm f1.2L costs $150. And for manual lens, the cost less to buy (used) and they may appreciate in price. I bought my Nikkor 85mm f1.4 for $350, and I can probably sell it for $500.

I would definitely recommend getting fast manual prime lens to shoot. They are usually cheaper (not for some lens) than the AF versions, and they hold their value well.

-- Robin Low

The Secret life of Walter Mitty Movie Review.

Before going to the movie, I've heard good and bad things about the movie. And I would say, many people judge the movie before watching it, because of the movie title or the book.

This is a Ben Stiller Movie. Not really based solely on the book written in 1939. The character is the same day dreamer, Walter Mitty taking on an adventure, however it is not the same as that Walter Mitty Story in 1939.

Movie Description.
"A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined."

This movie does not try to explain the past of Walter Mitty, although some things are inferred. And the whole movie, other than his fantastic daydream adventures, is actually quite realistic, as Walter Mitty is not just some nerd/office worker, he was a teenager who can skateboard in the past.

I like the movie, as it inspires me to do more. Many people limit themselves by looking at what Walter Mitty did, and say that this only happens in the movie, and yes, picking on little details of movie like - flying from NYC to NUUK is expensive. But flying from JFK to LHR to Iceland is relatively affordable. (www.icelandexpress.com)

But that is not the point, many people fear change, yet they make New Years Resolution to change. Many people do not like their work and get into bad situations as they fear the unknown. They may have a lot of other skills and passions, never realized as they were brought up to "get an education, get a stable job, climb up the corporate ladder."

The movie does a good job of embracing the moment, and showing the grandeur of Iceland and Greenland, which I've always wanted to visit. Focusing on this adventure, and how Walter Mitty let go his fears and just seize the moment, the movie does a great job in telling this story.

There are many voices that speak to us and motivates us, why silence them and only let the negative voices in you speak up to tell you about the dangers, and question you on everything you do? Its a great movie showing what adventure lies ahead if we only want to put some irrational fears aside and live the moment.

Again, this has got nothing to do with the book, nothing to do with the other movie about Walter Mitty. This is something else, so don't be disappointed. And Walter Mitty does not become a super hero that save the world from just a regular office guy.

Overall, I feel that the release of this movie is quite timely as it is a great motivating story to change your new year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

-- Robin Low

Overall: 8/10
Catch it in the Cinemas in the new year.

47 Ronin Movie Review

47 Ronin, a movie with a lot of special effects starring Keanu Reeves.

There is not much plot to this one dimensional movie about Bushido and Samurai honor in a fantasy magical setting.

There are some enjoyable and exciting bits in the movie, and the effects are relatively well done. The cast is pretty good as well, but the choice of using a tale that is some what based on some pseudo Japanese legend, and trying to include some Japanese Culture into the whole story does not do it for me.

Not to be a purist, but everyone speaking English in a bad Japanese accent, and having weird semi-realistic Japanese Seppukku scene, and then an unrealistic one at the end does not do it for me.

I am totally fine if this movie was over the top surreal as there is already magic involved, and having it based on some fantasy story would do ok, but trying to make it like some form of Japan Samurai Spirit worship movie with actors speaking in a bad Japanese accent feels slightly offensive to me.

The movie however was pretty enjoyable although it was pretty straightforward, samurai getting honor back movie.

Not much more to say really... Its Keanu Reeves doing what Keanu Reeves does.

Overall, 5/10

Watch it in a matinee or something with friends to have fun, or not watch it at all....

-- Robin Low

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Movie Review

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

This movie is the second part of the trilogy. If you have watched the Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, this movie has more action than just "trying to get somewhere"

Overall, there are 2 scenes which are memorable. The barrel fight scene is simply amazing. It showed you the coordination between the Dwarves, the plate throwing scene from Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is now an axe throwing scene where the Dwarves use an axe, throwing it to another Dwarf who continue to chop at a log over them as they flow down a river in barrels. The scene was fun, exciting and amazing.

This movie though, more than 161 minutes, did not feel long at all. If you like Lord of the Rings, you will like this movie. Strangely, the relationship between Tauriel and Kili was explored here, which I did not understand. Was there a need for the love interest angle?

I like the way this movie bring you back to the reason why Bilbo was chosen... As a burglar to steal an item... And he will take it... From a Dragon.

And yes! There is a Dragon! The second scene is the meeting with Smaug. Indeed the journey reached the destination when they entered the mountain and met the Dragon, and the set / effects in the undermountain was amazing.

I liked the movie overall, however, I did not expect the movie to end with such a cliffhanger. It felt too much like, "Please give me your money for the third movie" rather than a complete movie. For that, this is not a complete movie for which I will not rate.

-- Robin

Star Wars - Balance of the Force Review

If you play the Star Wars Living Card Game, then you are familiar with this game.

Basically, the Star Wars LCG - Balance of the Force is a new expansion for multiplayer.



This game has rules that allow for a 3 or 4 player scenario.

Jerjerrod's Task is a dark side challenge that pits a single dark side player against a team of either 2 or 3 light side players. The dark side player uses a pre-constructed Jerjerrod's Task (included in the set) and each light side player plays their own constructed decks.

In this scenario, the dark side player uses the dark side dial as normal, but it is only used to reduce the cost of the card, Death Star II. The dark side player wins by completing the win condition printed on Death Star II card and not just the dial alone.

The hunt for Skywalker is a light side challenge that pits a single light side player against a team of either 2 or 3 dark side players. The light side player uses a pre-constructed Hunt for Skywalker (included in the set) and each dark side player plays their own constructed decks.

In the scenario, there are 3 rows of objective cards for the dark side players to "search for skywalker" and when the "Return to Tatooine" card is revealed, Luke Skywalker comes into play and the dark side wins if Skywalker is destroyed.


There are also multiplayer rules and new cards in this set, however, as all the objective sets are "Limit: 1 per objective deck" There is no reason to get 2 copies of this set.

Overall, this set does include a lot of things, and does not really add a lot to the Single player version of this game.

I would give this set a 7/10 as the multiplayer rules seemed quite interesting and I need to play more to find out.

-- Robin Low