Review: Role Models

With a paper-thin plot, Role Models shouldn’t work, but yet it delivers plenty of laughs with just the right amount of heart.

Danny (Paul Rudd) and Wheeler (Seann William Scott) are friends with polar opposites in personality selling drinks marketed as an alternative to illegal drugs out of a Minotaur truck. Wheeler loves his job dressing up as the minotaur mascot while Danny is generally unhappy and angry with the last 10 years of underachieving life and decides to improve it with a quick fix by proposing in the most impulsive and unromantic way.

Predictably, he not only gets rejected, but also gets dumped, sending him into a accelerated downward spiral. He consequently gets both Wheeler and himself into legal trouble for wrecking a school statue with their Minotaur truck.

Danny’s now ex-girlfriend and attorney manages to get them a bargain of either 30 days in jail or 150 service hours in a mentorship programme at Sturdy Wings. The choice was obvious.

But the duo quickly realized they were getting more than what they bargained for. As if the tough-talking, rhetoric spewing no-nonsense founder who takes pride in sharing about her cocaine ridden past wasn’t enough, Wheeler is given charge with Ronnie, (Bobb’e J. Thompson) the profanity spewing and breast-loving pre-teen who is notoriously uncontrollable, (no volunteer at Sturdy Wings have lasted more than a day with him) while Danny’s charge is Augie Farks, (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) a teenage nerd who was enrolled into the programme because his parents thought that his interest in L.A.I.R.E. a live action role-playing game was abnormal.

Hilarity ensues with witty dialogues generously peppered with sexual innuendos and slap-stick sequences.

Strangely, the pairs develop an odd bond. The common, uh, love for the female form weirdly works and has Ronnie looking up to Wheeler’s big brother role. Danny and Augie share the circumstance of being in situations they don’t want to be in. At the same time, Danny learns a thing or two about pursuing one’s own joy and happiness from Augie’s live fantasy universe.

With only a few hours left clear, both Danny and Wheeler messed things up with their charges and jeopardise their only ticket out of jail time. In an effort not to disappoint their charges, Wheeler and Danny work to make things right…

The story finally culminates to a royal rumble equivalent in L.A.I.R.E., a climatic spoof of epic medieval clashes with foam swords that was spectacular as it was hilarious. Every player in the game sportingly plays by the rules and even acts out his most exaggerated death sequences with his best contort facial expressions of pain and anguish.

The movie was surprisingly likable as it somehow manages to balance funny sexual innuendos, slap-stick, a dose of feel good and a welcome absence of seriousness. Role Models isn’t exactly the sophisticated film fit for Oscar nominations, but if you are looking for some mindless fun through coarse language and brief, gratuitous nudity, this is a movie you shouldn’t miss.

The Kallang Roar Movie

Don't be fooled by the less than polished marketing, Kallang Roar is a great movie.

Once upon a time in Singapore, football was a passion that united the people. People would congregate at a common TV set or make the pilgrimage to the Kallang Stadium as the Lions take on the Malaysian state teams. Entire blocks would erupt with shouts of jubilation whenever Singapore scored a goal. It was the healthy Singapore-Malaysia rivalry that united the people on this little red dot. It was the golden era of Singapore football.

The Kallang Roar Movie recounts the struggles of "Uncle" Choo Seng Quee, the legendary coach behind Singapore's first Malaysia Cup trophy since 1965. Having made champions of rival countries' teams, "Uncle" Choo returns home in a bid to lift the Malaysia Cup and reignite the people's passion in football after a 12 year losing streak. However, he was flatly denied the chance. Undeterred, he sought to train and groom his own team for Singapore in defiance. It would be a decade later when he finally assumes the position of national coach to lift the prized trophy.

In his first full-length feature film, independent filmmaker Cheng Ding An successfully captured the passion and emotions on and off the pitch. Scenes from the matches were carefully choreographed to replicate the actual footage for authenticity. Even the cast picked for this movie bear very close resemblance to the actual football legends themselves. Best of all was the infectious and electric atmosphere of excitement and euphoria at the stadium will literally have you cheering for the Lions as they played and won the game despite rough playing opponents and biased refereeing.

Beyond the games, it was a glimpse into the ordinary individuals who would become the local heroes and legends that thrilled millions with their feet. Some struggled between living out their passion for the game and fulfilling responsibilities as sons, husbands and fathers. Others tread on love and addictions. Even boardroom politics played a part in moulding Singapore football.

Above all, Kallang Roar is a story of grit, courage and humanity behind our nation's triumph in 1977. It was about how one man's undying patriotism and passion in the beautiful game that captivated and inspired the country. More importantly, it was a life lesson that success is not without patience and sacrifice.

This is probably the best movie about local football ever made and a worthy tribute to Singapore's first sporting heroes.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

It is amazing that a novel written in 1864 remains a contemporary inspiration. When Professor Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) chances upon his brother’s notes-riddled copy of “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, he took his nephew, Sean on an expedition to Iceland in search of answers.

Set in modern day, this adapted cinematic experience references a number of the relationships and plot developments as told in the original novel while quickening the pace of the story with the help of technology and perhaps the tried and tested Hollywood storyline formula that effortlessly distills a one-week read to a 90-minute feature film.

Brendan Fraser once again plays his signature typecast of the goofy adventurer, (much similar to The Mummy series) guaranteeing plenty of laughter from comical moments amidst life threatening predicaments. Josh Hutcherson plays the reluctant nephew who will be best remembered in the show for leveraging on Google and hopping from one floating rock to another that is reminiscent of classic video games. Icelandic native, Anita Briem is credible, though plain, as the tough, rugged and beautiful mountain guide that incidentally doubles as the obligatory love interest and eye candy. The characters weren’t exactly complex and effortlessly likable, likely due to the target audience of children.

Intended as a 3D experience, Journey to the Center of the Earth on the normal screens is nevertheless great family fun and a geeky and thrilling theme park roller coaster ride of an experience. Though the 3D version would most likely be much more immersive as the screenplay is generously peppered with 3D gags allowing for the audience to be spit in the face, hit by a yo-yo and splattered by prehistoric mucus. The same technology would have made the mine cart ride sequence, the voyage through the underground sea of prehistoric creatures and a tyrannosaurus rex chase scene much more fun, exhilarating and visually spectacular.

While fast-paced and ceaselessly entertaining, it is a regrettably short and incomplete homage to the great vision and imagination of Jules Verne which would probably disappoint the discerning fans of this literary classic.

Money No Enough 2

Ten years after Money No Enough, Jack Neo and his team return to bring us Money No Enough 2, once again casting the spotlight on the common local man’s life while poking fun at our uniquely Singaporean mentality and our government policies. At the same time, the movie hits home on common predicaments of families and addressing our eroding virtues.

Along with computer graphics (abeit tackily done), the movie presented snippets of local life in outrageously hilarious scenarios envisioned by Jack Neo. Then everything is zapped back to reality because Singaporeans are essentially only capable of complaining but yet afraid of challenging the status quo and facing the consequences.

Jack Neo, Henry Thia and Mark Lee are cast as brothers, each with varying income levels, representing the low, middle and high income groups in Singapore and effectively portraying the varied mentalities and attitudes towards money and how each earns his keep. Yet all share a common trait, the belief that money is never enough.

Funny and cringe-worthy at the same time was the numerous and shameless product placements generously peppered throughout the movie. Undoubtedly killing-two-birds-with-one-stone, getting funding from sponsors while taking an intentional stab at local film making where money is indeed not enough.

Also look out for impersonators of a certain amiable health minister and a member of parliament.

Yet Money No Enough 2 focuses as much if not more screen time on family, sending us a strong reminder to check our bearings on the moral compass. As true colors surface in crises, A strong underlying message that money is not everything, that one’s true wealth is having the company of his loved ones. A perfectly contrasting rebuttal to the government’s ceaseless push for economic advancement.

The surprisingly poignant plot brought out what could arguably be the best performances (though methodical) by Henry Thia and Mark Lee to date. Jack’s turn as the rich, vain, calculative, risk-taking second brother, in contrast, felt like a disconnected and gratuitous appearance, intentional or otherwise.

Henry’s role as the gullible and filial pushover of an eldest brother was realistic as he was endearingly comical. As husband and wife, the on-screen chemistry between him and Lin Ru Ping was heartwarming and sincere. Mark’s selfish, irresponsible, hot-tempered and loose-tongued youngest brother’s repentance for his wife’s forgiveness on his past mistakes was moving, even if it is conveniently scripted.

Additionally, Lai Ming’s performance as the Alzheimer’s disease stricken mother to the 3 sons was bittersweet and heart wrenching as her condition deteriorated. Her readiness to shower unconditional love despite her circumstances effortlessly tugged at heartstrings and served as a touching tribute to all mothers.

My only disappointment was perhaps a lack of stronger resolution and calls to action. Optimism was so briefly preached by the most improbable and maybe inappropriate of characters. The message of sufficiency and thanksgiving was almost mistaken as resigning to fate. There are even hints of government’s preachings.

Still, Money No Enough 2 is undoubtedly a must-see for all in this season as we celebrate the nation’s 43rd birthday. It will bring the much needed prescription of laughter and perhaps some tears.

Review: Man Jeuk (文雀)

The term "Man Jeuk" (文雀) or sparrow is a Hong Kong slang for pickpockets. Aptly, the story is about a team of pickpockets leading a carefree life until each member crosses path with an enigmatic lady who seeks their help to regain her own freedom.

Clever but rather predictably, the bird was used to link the ideas of the characters together. One party being "sparrows" and the other party eagerly seeks the freedom of a bird.

The movie had a simple and straightforward plot. I readily give it away and rest assured that it wouldn't affect the movie experience. I guess the show never intended for any clever twists to make you go, "Oh, that's clever." Instead, the director, Johnnie To presented it as a visual spectacle, capturing the sights and sounds of Hong Kong in a way that has probably been forgotten.

Johnnie To successfully created something of a parallel universe of Hong Kong that maintains its old world charm amidst the ever rapid pace of change. Beautifully and romantically shot, every scene was intricately filled with the old world charms of Hong Kong. The classic eateries where the team of four pickpockets gather daily for their meals of simple and distinct Hong Kong fare. The colonial buildings where the damsel in distress plays her cat-and-mouse game to shake off her unwanted bodyguards. The long flights of steps that connect the distinctive back alleys that have been made so familiar. The tight, angular spiral stairwells that are so unique to Hong Kong. The costume design was simple and effortlessly timeless with a good dose of vintage. It was almost like a walk back in time, until an extra picked up his a rather modern cell phone to answer a call.

The cast didn't exactly shine in the movie as they weren't necessarily portraying the most well thought out characters. They looked good in all the scenes and definitely fit the roles, but that's probably all there is to it. But the performances probably aren't going to earn the casts any nominations.

Perhaps the simplistically made was an intended homage to the classics that came from the golden era of Hong Kong film. A story of the underdogs having their day. Mild slapstick scenes to twitch the corner of our mouths. I guess it was Johnnie To's intention was to re-introduce Hong Kong films to his audience's regular staple of Hollywood films. It might even be part of a continual effort to establish a niche for Hong Kong films.

My verdict: Watch it if you are looking for something refreshingly different from Hollywood films, it is definitely something to catch if you love great cinematography or just starting to get into art films. The simple plot removes the need for any additional thought to process for the audience to concentrate on being visually pleasured from start to finish.