'Christopher Robin' (2018)

  'Christopher Robin' tells the story of what happens when you grow up and forget everything you once held dear. The film introduces us to a grown up Christopher Robin played by Ewan McGregor. We watch the young Christopher Robin transform into an adult in the first few moments of the film. We watch him playing with Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and the gang as a child to see him grown up and too busy with work to play with his own daughter. The grown up Christopher Robin is consumed with responsibilities of work and providing financially for his family that he has forgotten what is really important in life. With his marriage falling apart and his relationship with his daughter in jeopardy, Christopher is too blinded by his job to see how much of a mess he is in. Just when you think poor Christopher Robin is going to lose everything, his childhood buddy, Pooh shows up to help him find the way. A trip back to Hundred Acre Woods leads to a great adventure just like back in the old days.
  Marc Forster does a wonderful job of telling this new version of Christopher Robin story. It reminded me of how much of innocence, imagination and capacity to love we lose as we get older without even realizing it. Often times, many of us find ourselves throwing all of our energy and time into our jobs and work to the point that we forget what is really important. Pooh bear and his gang of friends reminded me that family, friendship, and sense for adventure should always come first, and we should always laugh a little everyday to be constantly reminded to never grow up.

IMDB-7.3/10
Metascore- 60/100
Rotten Tomatoes- critics- 72% Audience- 84%
Yong's score- 4.5/5

World War Z (2013)

I loved the world created by Max Brooks' novel, 'War World Z'. It told the oral history of what came to be known as the zombie war. The collection of personal accounts of survivors were haunting and memorable. The film version was not quite what I imagined. I felt this movie had the potential to be so much more considering its kick ass source material.
Brad Pitt plays Gerry, a former UN investigator who is called back to duty when the world is faced with the zombie chaos. Gerry accompanies a scientist in search for patient zero in order to better understand the disease and find a way to stop it from destroying humanity. The journey is filled with action and drama. And yes, a lot of zombies. This film takes on a very fast pace. Once the zombies start coming, it just takes off. I was more interested in seeing the build up to the origin of how the zombie disease began and how things got out of hand. Instead what I saw was a sprint to find a cure. It was disappointing. I got to say, 'World War Z' has one of the most aggressive zombies I've ever seen. They are very angry group of zombies. Anger issues.
This movie isn't terrible, but it won't blow you away either. I'd take 'Shaun of the Dead' any day in a zombie movie battle. It's an enjoyable average zombie flick filled with enough action, drama, and zombie chase scenes to keep you interested.  



IMDB- 7.4/10
Metascore- 62/100
Rotten Tomatoes- Critics- 67% Audience- 86%
Yong's rating- 3/5 stars.

Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Stranger than Fiction is another wonderful film directed by Marc Forster. Harold Crick (will ferrell) is a lonesome and quiet IRS agent who suddenly starts to hears his own life being narrated by a very well spoken british woman. Unknown to Harold and the author is that he is a main character in a novel being written by the author (emma thompson). Along with help from an English professor (dustin hoffman), Harold is forced to find out the identity of the mysterious narrator and whether his story is a tragedy or a comedy. In the process, harold learns to appreciate all the little things that have been missing or simply being unnoticed in his life. it is never too late to pursue your dreams and passions no matter how silly they may seem. i mean, isn't life rather too short to fill it with regrets and what-ifs? all the actors give a very solid performance and the writing is excellent. go check this out if haven't yet.

IMDB-7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes- Critics-72% community-82%
Yong's Rating- 10/10 (must see)

Finding Neverland (2004)

-Hello everyone, I had started making movie recommendations from my facebook notes, and i have decided to start blogging instead. I will gradually move most of my reviews from facebook to the blog and start to make new reviews as well. Happy movie watching! here's my first post from when i decided to start making movie recommendations.


-Since I love watching movies, i mean who doesn't? I've decided to start recommending a movie every or every other week, in other words whenever i feel like it. everyone has been out at the local movie rental store and couldn't find a movie to rent, or in today's terms, queue up on your netflix. so i'm just trying to help out. I will write about how i discovered the movie and why i think it is worth watching.
so I thought I would start out with a wonderful movie i discovered during one of my own long trips to the blockbuster. That movie is Finding Neverland, directed by Marc Forster, who i believe is one of best directors making movies today. when i first picked up the box for Finding Neverland, I thought, who needs another movie about peter pan, and i put the box down. after circling around the entire store about five more times, i found myself back at the same spot. once again i picked up the casing, and by this time, a movie about peter pan didn't sound too bad. i mean i loved Hooked. Plus it starred Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, so i thought it couldn't be too terrible. once i watched the movie, it quickly became one of my favorite movies, and i was glad there was nothing else good to rent that night.
Finding Neverland is about the author of Peter Pan, and how he was inspired to write the timeless classic. the movie is heartwarming and shows what a wonderful gift a child's imagination is. also how a little kindness to a stranger could build into lasting friendships. Johnny Depp and Kate are superb in this film and truly makes you feel what they are going through. who wouldn't mind taking a little trip to Neverland?

Imdb rating-8/10
Rotten tomato- 91%, critic-83%
Yong's Stars-10/10 (must see)