MOVIE: IP MAN 2

I didn't catch Ip Man, as I usually avoid martial art flicks. But I acceded and in a momentI was catching Ip Man 2 with my friend at AMK cathay. It couldn't be that bad, eh? After all, Ip Man received rave reviews. And any show with Sammo Hung is usually delectable. I was wrong.


Synopses: I hate writing synopses. go google it yourself.

Review:
My oh my. The movie started well enough, with Donnie Yen(Ip Man) acting every bit a hero. Cringe at the overacting of his first disciple. The fight scenes were well choreographed, though i can't help but notice that Ip Man's moves are always repetitive. Too much use of the "fast forward" meant that the motions were too fast sometimes to follow.
However, midway through the movie, the plot collapses like a pile of bricks. The bricklayer went on a strike. By the time you get over the ridiculous overacting of the Western actors, you arrive at a equally superfluous and mundane plot. It is almost as if the movie unfolds in your mind even before the scene is enacted on the movie screen. It is as predictable as a Minesweeper game at beginner mode. By then, you will be watching a repeat telecast on the same martial arts moves. Lynn hung (as Ip Man's wife), by far the better actress, is sorely under utilised. Her two expressions consisted of a blank face, and a smile.
The only saving grace of the movie was the transient humor provided by Bai Yun, who is marvelous as a police inspector's sidekick. The film's take on glorifying China's cultural medallions and anti-western sentiments(again) falls so flat, it like watching the movie in a cinema with seats that aren't elevated at all. Donnie Yen acts like the wooden sticks he's training with throughout. Sammo Hung's antics and limp attempts to instill patriotism couldn't save the movie from deflating faster than a balloon pierced to death.

Bad. Horrifying. Almost as bad as the stinker Spiderman 3. Nope, I retract that, but leave it for another time okay?

2 out of 10, for Bai Yun's humour and Lynn Hung's providing limited visual entertainment.

SOCCER: LIVERPOOL VS CHELSEA 2TH MAY 2010

This match happened last week, but as nothing much happened...

The unique backdrop was this: If Chelsea were to draw or lose, Manchester United would be able to leapfrog them into 1st position. Liverpool fans would not allow this. But these are professional players paid tens of thousands a month. Surely they would not throw this match away (forget about qualifying for the champions league)?

What a horrendous match this was, a totally insipid performance from Liverpool ( In case you guys don't know, I am Liverpool fan). I was watching this match with my cousin at his house, and I could remember more details of our conversation than the match itself. Which says a lot about the non-existent entertainment value of the match.

so what exactly happened?

First ten mintues: Nothing happenend. Great. I am now eating and striking up conversation with my cousin.

20mins: Chelsea looking nervy and conceding space but liverpool players are doing rugby conversions.

33mins: Great Assist by Gerrard! Drogba scores! Amid cheers from the reviewer. Groans from my cousin. He's a Manchester United fan. He must be convinced that Liverpool is throwing the towel.

Half time: Nothing happened till half time. My cousin is responding to the twitter, blog, facebook, sms taunts at him. Why was Mascherano played as right back? He acts like a defensive midfielder even at that position, but he didn't need to cover as much space, and his lack of pace meant that he was exposed by Kalou and Malouda constantly.

Liverpool players tire. Chelsea seemed to have recovered from their early nervousness, and with a one goal cushion, stroke the ball confidently, with more purpose and pressed forward in search of the crucial second. They needn't do that though. Liverpool players looked as though they are just waiting for the final whistle so that they go for their holidays.
My cousin and I are deep in conversation now.

50+ mins: GOALLLLLL!!!!!! From Monster Masch's flank, a cross was sent in and the influential Lampard scores. I am not going to rant at Rafa though.
My cousin: "Let's go for supper now." Haha.

90 mins: Final whistle blows, but my cousin and I are already talking about lala land. The post match celebrations (Er, commemorating the last game of the season at Anfield) were more interesting than the match itself.

Overall: 2/10