#TLmoviewatch2023 : Aquaman2

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is a satisfying sequel, impressing with an improved story, visuals, and a badass villain. Despite flaws like missed jokes, mediocre acting, and lazy dialogue, it remains a decent DCEU film!

6.5/10#AquamanAndTheLostKingdom#Aquaman2 pic.twitter.com/fYO7IMKxWw

— Ben (@Ben_vlbd) December 19, 2023

 

Just watched #AquamanAndTheLostKingdom and kinda lazy to write my thoughts. probably this comment is close to what i would say. 

Partly my heart felt bittersweet to see how DCEU ends like this, knowing all the mess from the top that compromise the potential it supposed to have.

 

In fact, the marketing for this is quite low-profile, in some superheroes movie context.

 

meanwhile, props to James Wan for not needing to make too much reference to Justice League, unlike other DCEU movies. In fact, he gets to build his own world freely.

oh yea, got post-credit scenes. Considering DCEU ends here, it's confirmed it's just for fun la. If you don't get grossed by it, because it meant to be for fun only. 

Well, we move on now to James Gunn's DCU era now... let's see how it goes.

okok.. personal score? yaya, 6.5/10 too la...

#TLmoviewatch2023 : Journey to Bethelem

 

Watched this musical and I am surprised how good it is.

The songs in there, just beautifully written and sung. I gonna loop their soundtrack then. Meanwhile, it's light and fun story while rooted what was written in the Scriptures.

 

It feels like watching those old-skol Disney animated movies or Greatest showman.

 

Fun and heartwarming movie, in short.

 

7/10 

 

Quick TV series review

Some quick review of series that I watched recently.. just sharing quickly before I keep delaying my thoughts...

1) SQUID GAME the challenge

Honestly, I not sure why some fellas put themselves through such suffering.. well.. all because of money...

The show again shows the ugly side of humanity. Sometimes it's painful to watch how things unfold.

Then again, money makes people do ugly things.. isn't it..

 

For extra read :-

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20231127-is-squid-game-the-challenge-unethical-or-top-entertainment

 

2) MONARCH legacy of monsters

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Apple TV (@appletv)

Interesting premise. I was hyped by it but so far it's slightly in the brink of snooze-fest. But it's some plots that kinda intrigued me.

Maybe I expected too much that I will see a lot of monsters. Even Godzilla appeared awhile. I WANT MORE!

 

I do hope.. and holding on to that hope for more monster scenes.. 

 

3) SCOTT PILGRIM series

I am halfway through it and I am enjoying the vibes of it.

The fact they got the cast of the Scott Pilgrim movie to voice the characters is a win for me as well.

 

4) DESSERT MASTERS S01

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MasterChef Australia (@masterchefau)

I enjoy watching Masterchef.. but it's the US and Australia ones that I follow closely. However, I love Australia one because it always has a soul in it.

This spin-off is intriguing and it was fun. Nice to know that there's s2 next year.

 

 

 

#TLmoviewatch2023 : The Marvels

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marvel Studios (@marvelstudios)

I actually enjoyed The Marvels.. way better than Quatumania, Thor 4 and even the first Captain Marvel movie. While it is billed among the "shortest" MCU movie (105 minutes), somehow it felt just nice. Short and sweet, all to say.

Pros : Lovely chemistry between the 3 heroes. In fact, I didn't find Carol and Kamala annoying here. I enjoyed the fight scenes though.

Cons : villain is forgettable. Nick Fury is meh here somehow.

The fact is a space adventure, well.. you gotta catchup with the stories and some "sciences" quickly.

I think the story builds on the fact that the audience should already know what happened prior to this -- watching the WandaVision and Ms Marvel series. But yea, you can skip (the forgettable) Secret Invasion. Think about it like a smaller scale of (first) Avengers movie, bringing some people together and the story goes on quite fast. Maybe some will find it an issue because you can't dwell with someone too much.

On that note.. the final scene and mid-credit scenes build towards the larger MCU picture and the future. That mid-credit scene, probably most important in recent years. Comic geek in me felt pleased and excited.

The movie has its flaws but it is still enjoyable.

I give it 6.8/10

[TL2023moviewatch] TMNT:Mutant Mayhem

 

Kinda disappointed that Malaysia didn't release this in cinema. Not sure what's their reason for it.. 

But well, finally got to watch Mutant Mayhem and man, it was good. Can't help to think that it does give the similar vibes like the first Spiderverse movie. Agree with those who said it's one of the best animated movie this year (or even this past few years)

It setup a sequel so I am looking forward to see what it transpires.

 Rating : 8/10

 

 

[TL2023moviewatch] MissionImpossible : Dead reckoning pt1

via GIPHY

I have lost count of the times that I've seen Tom running like this, in the movies that he is in. I guess you can call him... the running man 

Jokes asides.. movie itself. Honestly, one of the best MI movie. Hype is real. Also, I honestly so caught up that I wish it could just go on and on.. despite long movie and knowing there's part 2... 

 

 

via GIPHY

But tbh too, I just find how it all leads to this iconic scene.. a bit ridiculous.. haha

I give it 8/10

[TLmoviewatch2023] Transformers:RiseOftheBeast

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Transformers (@transformersmovie)

 

It may not be perfect and got a bit long winded but personally, it’s probably the top 3 transformers movie for me, alongside Bumblebee and the very first TF movie. 

 

Yes, it helped me get over all the mess that Michael Bay caused in TF movies, especially Age of Extinction and Last Knight.

 

I actually love the Maximals designs. As someone growing up watching BeastWars, man, i am happy

 

Ending tag though, childhood relived. 

 

All in all, I enjoyed it. 

 

And oh, when Optimus Primal shouted “Maximals.. MAXIMIZE!!”… my inner child was happy and emotional

 

RATE : 3/5

day 152 of 2023

 My MAY-bank looks like...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝐓𝐈𝐌 𝐋𝐈𝐌 (@timlim12)

[TL2023moviewatch] GOTG3

Believe the hype. GOTG3 is the best MCU entry since Avengers: Endgame.

The story has a lot of heart. Man, it tugged my heartstrings. How the story is wrote, really thought everything to the next level.

Personal score : 9/10

p.s. Got two post-credit scenes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 𝐓𝐈𝐌 𝐋𝐈𝐌 (@timlim12)

Anyway, this happened last week when I was hanging out at KL. So happened pass by this, and so happen I wore Avengers shirt.. everything was unplanned, kay…

Back to the movie, it’s something not to be missed. Certainly one of the best movie of 2023.

[TL2023moviewatch] Super Mario

 

Growing up, the Super Mario game is THE most iconic game that any kid would play. I have probably played a few versions of it.

So, watching this movie does and certainly brings back a lot of memories playing it. Everything about it feels as though I just went back to play it. The characters, the music (i love how smart it was presented) and some Easter eggs.

And it also wiped away the nightmare that I had when I was young... maybe some may know there was a Mario (live) movie which was made in the 90s. As young as I was, I was shocked by what I watched.

Back to the animation movie, I had so much fun watching it. Totally enjoyed it. Dare I say, another gaming franchise given the right treatment. Well done, well played.

P.S. -- following footsteps of MCU :- there's 2 post-credits

 

3.8/5 for me

[TL2023moviewatch] MMPR:Once&Always

 

Watched MMPR:Once and Always. Tbh, if you watched a lot of those Super Sentai (or Kamen Rider) anniversary specials, it does feel like that.. which I personally think that it is a good thing that they (like finally) do something like this (for the franchise & the fans)

There are a lot of details that PR fans need to catch but once you do, it makes sense & it's kinda smart that they did so.

I do agree with some fans that the Megazord sequence should have been better. o well.

The last scene was a nice touch. It moved my heart.

The whole special is truly a love letter for PR fans. As someone who grew up watching PR, I really appreciate this special a lot. Kudos to all involved.

Personally hope there's more Power Rangers specials like this for die-hard and new fans.

[TLmoviewatch2023] Tetris

 

I just watched this movie and man, the movie was surprisingly good. It's basically the story behind Tetris and how it became the most sorted game in the world.

 

Love the 80s vibes in it. And man, the game do bring back memories of playing it when I was a kid.

 

Btw, you can experience the original Tetris design here :-

https://bit.ly/playtetris_e60

[TL2023moviereview] Shazam 2

While it doesn’t have the charm of the first movie, well.. understandable.. since the kids have grown up since the last movie… Shazam 2 was still enjoyable. The humour in it is certainly different from the first movie, again I guess the fact is the kids are grown up while sometimes making lame references to pop culture.

It has its unique place in the DCEU/DCu/DCwhichever universe that they want. I guess sadly with the new DCU movie slate, it’s hard to tell what's next but nevertheless, I guess it landed in a sweet spot, no matter what the future holds for the movie.

There’s a major cameo and some character surprises (at the end of the movie and 2 post credit scenes).. i considered them a good payoff for those of us who have been following DC stuff for some time.

 
7/10 for me