GAME NIGHT (Malaysia, 01 Mar 2018)

Genre: Comedy
Running Length: 1:40
Cast: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler, Sharon Horgan, Billy Magnussen, Lamorne Morris, Kylie Bunbury, Jesse Plemons
Director: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein
Screenplay: Mark Perez

If you have not watched the trailer for GAME NIGHT - DON'T! Because some of the best bits were revealed in the trailer and it kinda ruined my experience when I watched the movie: "Oh, I know what's going to happen next." (So, I've decided not to include the trailer here in the usual spot)

What's this movie about?
A group of friends who regularly meets for game nights (charades, monopoly, RISK etc) decides to participate in a "real-life" solve a murder mystery game one day. But little did they know, it's not a game they are playing, or are they? This may sound like a thriller horror movie, but it's not. It's a comedy and it's funny.

What I like about it?

• It kept me guessing throughout the movie whether it's a game or not. And the clever twists works. 
• The comedy! There is a variety of comedy type genre here; from LOL cringe-inducing moments to clever pop culture references. For movie geeks, you'll love the many references.
• I got to know the main characters and their relationships better throughout the course of the "game". That's a nice way of revealing who these people are. 
• Some stylish camera work. 
• Rachel McAdams. I didn't know she could do comedy. Yeah, there were some scenes which she was overacting but overall, she is as good as Jason Bateman. 
• Jesse Plemons. Period. 

What I didn't like?

• The comedy is a little uneven at times and it does go on a bit too much. 

RATING: 7.5/10

ZOOTOPIA (2016)

 

Genre: Animated

Running Length: 1:48
Cast (voices): Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Jenny Slate, Nate Torrence, Octavia Spencer, Shakira
Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore
Screenplay: Jared Bush, Phil Johnston

Considering what's happening in our country, ZOOTOPIA is another timely released movie on embracing our differences. Although many animated movies involving the animal kingdom have lightly explored this theme, Zootopia has done it so directly and cleverly without being preachy. And thrown into the mix is the classic mismatched partnership as they race against time to solve a mystery case.

The case in question here is a series of disappearance of predators in a city ie. Zootopia, where all mammals live harmoniously together. So, it's up to an overly optimistic rookie bunny cop (Goodwin) and a cynical con-artist fox (Bateman) to figure out who's behind the kidnappings.

There are many things to like about this movie. Firstly, Zootopia the city itself is a visual marvel as the animators have created different worlds eg. Tundratown, Rain Forest District within the city and with so many interesting details it's worth re-watching again and again. The animation is just outstanding. And of course, the characters are very lovable (and some are just plain quirky) especially our two main characters. OMG, their expressive cute ears!

There is a very moving moment involving the backstory of our fox, which sums up the theme of co-existence neatly for me. Despite our obvious differences, we have much more in common than we think eg. our need to be loved and accepted, our hopes and dreams and our fears. It's just that we don't talk publicly about such things. If we only do so, we will discover that we are all flawed creatures trying to make sense of our existence in our broken world. And that's what makes us, human.
   
All in all, Zootopia gives its audience plenty of food for thought, is funny and more importantly has a lot of heart.

Rating: 8.5/10