Star Trek derp derp

I saw Galaxy Quest a few days a few days ago. It’s an extended parody of the Star Trek franchise, a comedy geared towards the Trekkie fandom. I’ve never had any interest in Star Trek, so you can treat this article as if it’s your grandparents reviewing the internet. HEY LOOK I’M THE 100,000th VISITOR I’M SO LUCKY ON THE WEB!

The setting emulates that of the situation of the Star Trek franchise in real life. The epic, popular, inherently geeky scifi tv show has been canceled long before, leaving behind an obsessive fandom and a jaded cast who are mostly sick of being forever chained to space paraphernalia and cheesy lines. The one person who isn’t, is Jason Nesmith, Galaxy Quest’s mirror of William Shatner (who played Captain Kirk in the real Star Trek). The other cast members of the original ST series are mirrored too, as are common elements of that show and even real-world things to some extent etc. you get the idea, it’s a big parody.

The opening twist is that an alien race thinks that the tv show Galaxy Quest is real, and the good aliens bring in the cast of the show to negotiate with the evil aliens. Nesmith, who played the Captain in the tv show (and weirdly acts like the captain leader guy in real life too), makes a mess of the negotiations, entangles the rest of his old cast members in galactic warfare, hilarity ensues. This movie is straight-up and devoted to parody – even supposedly emotional scenes are all some sort of callback to something from Star Trek.

If you’re a Star Trek fan, I don’t know if you’ll appreciate all these references to the original series or if you’ll seethe with rage at the disrespect to imagined galactic crisis management. You’ll still get the subtler gags if you’re the sort of person who notices patterns across cheesy television shows, or if you read TVTropes. Like how the leads tend to tear their outfits a lot, token archetypes, improbable macgyvering and all that. If you’re not a fan though, you should still find this flick rather funny, if relentlessly simple. I’m pretty ambivalent towards Galaxy Quest, though I can’t say that it’s boring or lousy. The movie knows what it wants to do and does it, which is more than I can say for halfway hack-ups like District 9.

Written by Chen Sing Yap

Set during World War II, in German-occupied France, Inglourious Basterds tells the tale of two plots to terminate the German leaders of The Third Reich. The first through the eyes of Shoshanna Dreyfus, who seeks her revenge after her family’s murder, and the other, a group of Jewish Allied soldiers set out to spill German blood.

Like most of his films (Kill Bill vol. 1&2, Pulp Fiction etc.), Quentin Tarantino has a knack for using music as a tool to intensify the action and performances on screen. The music used in the movie has also played its part in making Inglourious Basterds so quirky yet entertaining. It gave off this good old western feel to it, something you wouldn’t expect from your typical war movie, say… Saving Private Ryan, Thin Red Line. Just to name a few.

Tarantino definitely has an acute eye for talent, as seen in his casting of Christoph Waltz as Nazi Colonel Hans Landa. I personally felt that Christoph Waltz stood out amongst the many talented actors and actresses in the film. His portrayal as a Nazi Colonel could not have been more bone chilling. For me, I would definitely have to rate him as one of the greatest villains of all time, among the likes of Heath Ledger’s Joker. Now that’s a feat for someone I’ve not heard before; no wonder he deserved his Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Packed with a quirky sense of humour, facetious dialogue, and a whole lot of suspense, Inglourious Basterds will never fail to entertain and leave audiences wanting more. Be reminded, Inglourious Basterds is no history lesson. It is a piece of art.

Now that’s a BINGO!

Written by Ryan Wong

Inglorious Bastards 2009 Trailer – Funny videos are here

Crash is about how the characters of different races and social status in the city of Los Angeles are linked together in a series of events that take place in the movie. The film showcases each character’s point of view, their background and how the other characters in the movie affect their role in society.

Randi Tan examines the dramatic conventions of the movie Crash.

Facing the Giants is a film directed by Alex Kendrick whom also acted as the main character in the film, Grant Taylor. The film was released on September 29 2006, with the genre of Drama, Religion and Sports.

It is also rated PG as it contains football violence and topics like infertility and depression.

Find out more about the movie and watch the podcast by Amanda Loh.

The podcast you are about to see is extremely unpleasant.

If you wish to see a podcast about a happy little elf, I’m sure there is still plenty of seating in theatre number two.

However, if you like stories about clever and reasonably attractive orphans, suspicious fires, carnivorous leeches, Italian food and secret organizations, then stay, as I retrace each and every one of the Baudelaire children’s woeful steps.

My name is Rachel Yap, and it is my sad duty to document this podcast.

V for Vendetta was released in 2005 and directed by James McTeigue. It mainly stars Natalie Portman, as Evey Hammond, Hugo Weaving, as “V”, Stephen Rea, as inspector Finch and John Hurt as Adam Sutler. The film is set in the future of Britain as a fascist state and it revolves around the desire of people wanting to regain their freedom of speech and to be rid of a totalitarian state.

Discover more and watch the podcast by Sanjay Pal Singh Bhuttar S/O Mahn Mohan.

Memoirs is a 2005 film adapted from the novel of the same name, directed by Rob Marshall, and the film stars Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Gong Li and Ken Watanabe.

The podcast will be discussing the artistic arrangement of visual details in the film: Memoirs of a Geisha. This includes settings, props, costumes, and make-up. Also, we will be exploring some of the crafts of making moving pictures in the same film, such as lighting and framing.

Nigel Soh Chee Hng

So, just who are the best villains? Hear our very own SGNewWave members share their opinions!

Ou Yang Feng (Eagle Shooting Heroes)

We’ve always seen Tony Leung Chiu Wai as the suave and charming guy who take on sentimental and chivalrous roles…is there one time we remember him playing the bad guy? Yes, that’s him as the baddie Ou Yang Feng from Eagle Shooting Heroes, a parody of Louis Cha’s martial arts novel. Tony plays a villain who wants to usurps everyone’s power and become the invincible one in the martial arts realm. He also owns one of the most ridiculous skill himself – the Toad Style Technique where he literally acts like a frog each time he does the attack. He plots to kill and doesn’t really love his lover, only using her to help him succeed his goal. Nonetheless, a charming baddie beneath the moustache.

- Winnie Tan Lay Hian

Chucky (Child’s Play)

My best movie villain? None other than…CHUCKY from the 1988 movie, Child’s Play. The freakiest, meanest, horrific doll that ever existed! His husky voice, the scar on the face and the nasty grin are enough to send a chill running down my spine. After watching Child’s Play when I was younger, I still remember how this character has impacted me so much – I became so afraid of dolls. Remember those baby dolls which can open and close its eyes depending on the way you hold it? Well, I used to sleep with them, but then, I start having imaginations that this doll will try to kill me when I sleep. Because every time I woke up, I realize that the doll will be in a different position. I ditched away that doll with no regrets, but still, Chucky continues to haunt my mind. “Hi, I’m Chucky, and I’m your friend till the end. Hidey-ho!” *shivers*

- Nurul Ain Muzlan

Tom Ripley (The Talented Mr. Ripley)

Movies, are usually completely idealistic. The good guy gets the girl and defeats the bad guy. However, Mr Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) from The Talented Mr. Ripley is the sort of villain that wins at the end. He kills and gets away with it. However, what is truly most harrowing about the character is the method he employs. Firstly, he is introduced to the lavish and decadent lifestyles of the Greenleafs, and he falls in love with that lifestyle, and the charming Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law). In pursuit of the dream life, he then murders Dickie and steals Dickie’s identity then lives Dickie’s wealthy life by building up a web of deceit and expert forgery. He then murders more people to protect himself and to keep the identity he stole. When the charade is finally up, his brilliantly orchestrated crime is completely oblivious to the Police and Greenleaf’s father. The latter even gives him a sum of money. Excellent crime, but Tom is not spared of the consequences. The extent of the depravity of his mind and morals caught up with him and he continues to murder people in the paralyzing fear of being found out of his wrongs. In the end, he has truly become a beast, and by all means a true villain even to himself.

- Rachel Chong

Joker (Batman)

The Joker. When played by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger.

He’s been tormenting Batman for a whole half century and is recognized as one of the most prominent bad-guy figures. The Joker is a sadistic lunatic bent on nothing more than vindictive malice, sure he gets caught every once in a while by Batman, but he always seems to find a way back out and onto the streets of Gotham.

- Winona Hwang

John Doe (Se7en)

Despite not seeing him killing anyone in the film, his victim usually die in gruesome methods that are linked to the Seven Deadly Sins. An obese man who dies by force feeding, an attorney who dies bled to death by cutting off a pound of his meat, a street thug who got his hand cut off, tongue chewed off and rotting like a zombie yet weirdly alive, a prostitute who got killed by having sex with a man who is forced to wear a strap-on with a blade at its tip and many more gruesome killing methods. He is so sick that he cut off the fingerprints at the tip of the fingers so he leaves no clues behind for the detectives, yet at the same time letting them use unconventional means to find him in a well devised plot to fulfill his cycle of seven killings.

- Fong Chan Teng

Have you ever seen a movie where you think the bad guy’s action is justifiable? No? Meet John Doe.

Nothing much is known about this guy except that he is sick of people committing sins on a daily basis. So, he starts killing people who commit sins such as Sloth, Greed, Pride, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony and Lust.

His weapons of choice vary from the usual knife to wait for it… spaghetti meals.
Appearing for less than an hour, you may think this guy is overreacting and looking for attention but his last move will make you pause and rewind your DVD again while you gaze at your TV screen in disbelief.

- Muhammad Afiq Jaafar

Anton Chigurh ( No Country For Old Men)

I was torn between him and Keyser Soze (Kevin Spacey) in The Usual Suspects, but I just went with him as he was much more creepy and… unpredictable. Javier Bardem just oozes coldness and creepiness in the way he talks and kills. He maintains tension throughout the whole film, being a calm and calculated murderer. The scene where he confronts a shopkeeper is outstanding. Give you the chill. Anton Chigurh IS the best villain.

- Foong Yan Qiu

Mrs Ganush (Drag Me to Hell)

The most evil villain I can think of is Mrs. Ganush from the movie “Drag Me To Hell”. I was so traumatized by her scary look until I could not sleep for the whole night after watching the movie! Just because Christine Brown never approves her extension on her mortgage payment, she cursed her?! Mrs. Ganush even pulled Christine Brown’s hair when she was already dead!

- Serene Tang

This holiday smells of nuts and cheeseballs for Alvin and his friends are round the corner again. After awing many with their chipmunk vocals performing songs like Bad Day and Christmas Don’t Be Late, the trio are back for more rock ‘n’ roll with the Chipettes.

The movie opens with the chipmunks performing on stage and within minutes, our favourite troublemaker, Alvin, causes an accident that sends their beloved Dave to the hospital. With Dave absent from home, who will now take care of the three little chipmunks? Rest assure, for Dave has made necessary arrangements for them to go to school and has put a guardian in charged to take care of them. Yes, you heard me right. The Chipmunks are going to school to have a proper childhood, as Dave insists.

While all the fun and bullying unfolds in school, Ian Hawke returns from the garbage dump with another evil plot – to exploit the innocent Chipettes and destroy the Chipmunks. When Chipmunks meet Chipettes…what will happen between them?

The movie is a fun, enjoyable family film and for all those who love to get struck by more chipmunk cuteness. Comparing to the previous chipmunk film, the Squeakuel sees more conflict within the Chipmunks and what the movie sells – cuteness. Plot wise, I preferred the first movie which I felt was much more stronger in terms of story and emotions. There was the establishment between Dave and the Chipmunks’ bond but the Squeakuel concentrates on the Chipmunks’ school life and a band competition and pretty much ends it that way. Most of the time, Dave lies in the hospital and appears at the end to dance with crutches.

It’s true that one probably don’t get enough of the chipmunks after watching the first, but the sequel really made me thought that they were selling cute moments and had ignored the story development. Audience sure paid to see what they expect – singing and dancing chipmunks topped with cuteness and more cuteness but on top of that, I think we’re still looking for a good story to follow along with the adorable characters. Sure I love Alvin’s coolness, Simon’s glasses and Theodore’s sentiments. The Chipettes performed well but still I rooted for the Chipmunks team, that is to say the Chipmunks’ character were much more developed aided by the first movie. I didn’t felt much for the Chipettes, not to mention they don’t have much room for development in this movie.

The movie ended kind of abrupt for me…if there is a part 3, would I still watch it? My answer is still a Yes. I guess I still want to see more of Alvin and gang even though the story may not be the best. In terms of amusement, this film probably score a 4 out of 5 with the singing and dancing but story wise, it needs a lot of polishing. Nonetheless, it is still an entertaining watch for this festive season if you are in for something cute.

- Winnie

So, just who are the best villains? Hear our very own SGNewWave members share their opinions!

Ou Yang Feng (Eagle Shooting Heroes)

We’ve always seen Tony Leung Chiu Wai as the suave and charming guy who take on sentimental and chivalrous roles…is there one time we remember him playing the bad guy? Yes, that’s him as the baddie Ou Yang Feng from Eagle Shooting Heroes, a parody of Louis Cha’s martial arts novel. Tony plays a villain who wants to usurps everyone’s power and become the invincible one in the martial arts realm. He also owns one of the most ridiculous skill himself – the Toad Style Technique where he literally acts like a frog each time he does the attack. He plots to kill and doesn’t really love his lover, only using her to help him succeed his goal. Nonetheless, a charming baddie beneath the moustache.

- Winnie Tan Lay Hian

Chucky (Child’s Play)

My best movie villain? None other than…CHUCKY from the 1988 movie, Child’s Play. The freakiest, meanest, horrific doll that ever existed! His husky voice, the scar on the face and the nasty grin are enough to send a chill running down my spine. After watching Child’s Play when I was younger, I still remember how this character has impacted me so much – I became so afraid of dolls. Remember those baby dolls which can open and close its eyes depending on the way you hold it? Well, I used to sleep with them, but then, I start having imaginations that this doll will try to kill me when I sleep. Because every time I woke up, I realize that the doll will be in a different position. I ditched away that doll with no regrets, but still, Chucky continues to haunt my mind. “Hi, I’m Chucky, and I’m your friend till the end. Hidey-ho!” *shivers*

- Nurul Ain Muzlan

Tom Ripley (The Talented Mr. Ripley)

Movies, are usually completely idealistic. The good guy gets the girl and defeats the bad guy. However, Mr Tom Ripley (Matt Damon) from The Talented Mr. Ripley is the sort of villain that wins at the end. He kills and gets away with it. However, what is truly most harrowing about the character is the method he employs. Firstly, he is introduced to the lavish and decadent lifestyles of the Greenleafs, and he falls in love with that lifestyle, and the charming Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law). In pursuit of the dream life, he then murders Dickie and steals Dickie’s identity then lives Dickie’s wealthy life by building up a web of deceit and expert forgery. He then murders more people to protect himself and to keep the identity he stole. When the charade is finally up, his brilliantly orchestrated crime is completely oblivious to the Police and Greenleaf’s father. The latter even gives him a sum of money. Excellent crime, but Tom is not spared of the consequences.  The extent of the depravity of his mind and morals caught up with him and he continues to murder people in the paralyzing fear of being found out of his wrongs. In the end, he has truly become a beast, and by all means a true villain even to himself.

- Rachel Chong

Joker (Batman)

The Joker. When played by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger.

He’s been tormenting Batman for a whole half century and is recognized as one of the most prominent bad-guy figures. The Joker is a sadistic lunatic bent on nothing more than vindictive malice, sure he gets caught every once in a while by Batman, but he always seems to find a way back out and onto the streets of Gotham.

- Winona Hwang

John Doe (Se7en)

Despite not seeing him killing anyone in the film, his victim usually die in gruesome methods that are linked to the Seven Deadly Sins. An obese man who dies by force feeding, an attorney who dies bled to death by cutting off a pound of his meat, a street thug who got his hand cut off, tongue chewed off and rotting like a zombie yet weirdly alive, a prostitute who got killed by having sex with a man who is forced to wear a strap-on with a blade at its tip and many more gruesome killing methods. He is so sick that he cut off the fingerprints at the tip of the fingers so he leaves no clues behind for the detectives, yet at the same time letting them use unconventional means to find him in a well devised plot to fulfill his cycle of seven killings.

- Fong Chan Teng

Have you ever seen a movie where you think the bad guy’s action is justifiable? No? Meet John Doe.

Nothing much is known about this guy except that he is sick of people committing sins on a daily basis. So, he starts killing people who commit sins such as Sloth, Greed, Pride, Envy, Wrath, Gluttony and Lust.

His weapons of choice vary from the usual knife to wait for it… spaghetti meals.
Appearing for less than an hour, you may think this guy is overreacting and looking for attention but his last move will make you pause and rewind your DVD again while you gaze at your TV screen in disbelief.

- Muhammad Afiq Jaafar

Anton Chigurh ( No Country For Old Men)

I was torn between him and Keyser Soze (Kevin Spacey) in The Usual Suspects, but I just went with him as he was much more creepy and… unpredictable. Javier Bardem just oozes coldness and creepiness in the way he talks and kills. He maintains tension throughout the whole film, being a calm and calculated murderer. The scene where he confronts a shopkeeper is outstanding. Give you the chill. Anton Chigurh IS the best villain.

- Foong Yan Qiu

Mrs Ganush (Drag Me to Hell)

The most evil villain I can think of is Mrs. Ganush from the movie “Drag Me To Hell”. I was so traumatized by her scary look until I could not sleep for the whole night after watching the movie! Just because Christine Brown never approves her extension on her mortgage payment, she cursed her?! Mrs. Ganush even pulled Christine Brown’s hair when she was already dead!

- Serene Tang