The Best Film Characters of All Time

Screw Twilight, Hannah Montana and HSM. Those films don't have character appeal or good acting.


10. John McClane from Die Hard
While not not notch acting, Bruce Willis played Lieutenant John McClane as one of the most enjoyable characters in action films. Although he jokes even at the face of death, John McClane has moments where he is serious. Example in Die Hard 4.0 where his daughter is kidnapped. Also not to mention his sadistic and mocking laugh and the line "Yippe-Ki-Yay Mother****"


9. Tony "Scarface" Montana from Scarface
Perhaps Al Pacino's most iconic role, excluding the role of Michael Corleone in The Godfather series. Maybe it's because Tony Montana suits the new generation of drugs, booze and sex. A deep contrast to the disciplined and honored Michael Corleone, Montana has a loud dirty mouth. Probably the most foul mouthed character I've ever seen. Not even John McClane could top the number of times Montana said the "f" word. Personally, I don't quite REALLY LOVE the character but dang, I won't do this list without him. Most people remember Montana as the first film character who yelled the famous line "SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND!" which has been parodied countless of times.


8. The Terminator from Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Due to the fact that the robots... erm cybernetic organisms from The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and Terminator Salvation are different characters, I'll identify more to the one from the first sequel. While Arnie played the first one as a cool and chilly yet brutal villain, he returns as a cool, macho and awesome hero. He was the only time a robot could create so much emotion among viewers where he says "I know now why you cry, but it's something I can never do" before he is melted in the molten steel. Alongside the phrase "I'll be Back" is the equally iconic "Hasta La Vista, Baby".


7. Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story
I'd have to say Buzz Lightyear is the most positive thinking characters of all time. the phrase "To infinity and beyond" is proof enough. Although he did break down and "emo-ed" when he found out he's a toy after his arm broke of during an unsuccessful attempt to fly. Yet in Toy Story 2, he returned as the hero-who-never-gives-up when Woody was kidnapped. There's also a scene when he attempted to fly and ended up FALLING WITH STYLE and opened his eyes pointing to Woody "CAN!". I wonder what Toy Story 3 will be like although I'm not quite happy with a Spanish speaking Buzz Lightyear. He is heroic, but at times he is goofier than any of the toys. "YOU SEE THE HAT! I'M MS NESBITT!!! MUAHAHAHAHA"


6. Darth Maul from Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Okay, Lord Maul might not be as iconic as Lord Vader but his rorschach tattooed face makes him the scariest adversary a Jedi could face. While Darth Vader's lightsaber combat employs bone-crushing and mighty swings ans strokes, Darth maul is a more agile and feeble duelist capable of wielding the double bladed lightsaber or lightstaff. He doesn't speak much but the lightsaber duel between him against Obi-Wan and Qui Gon Jinn was awesome. I mean only Darth Maul was awesome. He swings his lighsaber with a velocity Darth Vader could never dreamed of and is exceptionally skilled in melee combat. Played by wushu champion Ray Park(X-Men and G.I. Joe), you know what to expect.


5.Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribean
Perhaps the best film acting never to receive and Oscar nomination, Johnny Depp's Captain Jack is a mixture of pure drunken stupidity, brave and enjoyable heroism and the treacherous deadly air of a pirate. How caan we take our eyes off his gestures during speech and his mad and wild runnings. Don't let this fool you, he almost beat Davy Jones in a swordfight. Perhaps Captain Jack Sparrow is a braver and more high flying version of Indiana Jones.



4. Vito Corleone from The Godfather and The Godfather Part II
The only time ONE character received TWO Academy Awards, how can you leave a masterpiece like that out. The infamous Marlon Brando played him in Part I while Robert De Niro took over for the flashbacks of Part II. Brando played him as a raspy voiced yet wise patriarch of the Corleone family, the most powerful mafia organization of the world. Despite his background dealing with casinos, rackets, drugs and booze, we get to sympathise with him. His quiet yet convincing grieving of his son Santino and dying of a heart attack while playing with his grandson at the garden, he's a lovable character.

Robert De Niro played him with the wise and family-loving personality of Brando's version with the brash, charm and wittyness of a younger man. Especially during the scene where he negotiates with Don Fanucci and later shoots the man. Despite his portrayal of Vito as the protagonist contrast to Pacino's Michael as the antagonist of The Godfather Part II, De Niro has his dark moments. Shooting down Don Fanucci at a dark corridor and carving Don Ciccio's stomach for revenge... CHEESY


3. The Joker from The Dark Knight
The make up, the scary severed cheeks, the cackling laugh, WHY SO SERIOUS? Heath Ledger's Joker is the scariest film character not to come from a horror film. It is a mix of crazy and wacky elements and the psychopathic and murderous elements of Jack Torrance from The Shining played by original Joker Jack Nicholson. Jack Nicholson played the joker in Tim Burton's Batman in 1989. He's the funnier Joker but not the better. He's the most enjoyable joker but not the one you can't take eyes off. Ledger fills in the gaps. It is true, I agree that Jack Nicholson's take is closer to the comics but Heath drives the Joker as a dark and cynical yet charming villain. He rarely jokes onscreen but his voice and speech dominates The Dark Knight.


2. Darth Vader from Star Wars
I'll be marked TRAITOR of Star Wars is he's not on the list. Lord Vader is the epitome of pure villainy. The black suit and armor, the voice that signifies doom, the scary breathing. He'll be a kid's nightmare but a cool character for teens and adults. In Episode I, he's a cute and cheeky boy. The less said about Episode II the better. In Episode III, he plays a Jedi version of Michael Corleone from The Godfather Part II. The story of how a good man becomes evil. Skywalker/Vader is meant to scare us but we are meant to sympathise with him as a tragic hero. A badasss villain but a hero at the same time. Though no emotions and acting are seen under the mask. I really enjoyed Hayden Christensen's acting in Episode III. Yelling at his true love, mocking his best friend. All a repeat of Michael Corleone but has a lot of originality of it's own.



1. Michael Corleone
Al Pacino's a great actor. The Godfather Part II is just one of his great performances in the 70's. The Godfather, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, The Godfather Part II and Justice For All all gave Pacino Oscar nominations. That totals FIVE NOMINATIONS in 7 years. That's a streak impossible to beat dude. Anyway, Michael Corleone is portrayed under the shadows of Brando's Vito Corleone in Part I. In Part II, he transforms from the good and law abiding citizen who loves his family into an evil man who kills everyone who ever loved him physically and mentally. He kills his brother Fredo, beats the shit out of his wife and alienates himself.But what was his sin? It was not, as we might have imagined or hoped, that he presided over a bloody enterprise of murder and destruction. No, Michael's fault seems to be pride. He has lost the common touch, the dignity he should have inherited from his father. And because he has misplaced his humanity he must suffer. We sympathised him in Part I for being in the wrong family. In Part II all sympathy is lost. Part III delivers the saddest film ending ever. His daughter gets shot by the bullet meant for him and screams in agony, revealing how much he treasured his family. It is said that the fact that Pacino didn't win for Part II was the biggest Oscar upset ever. Up till now, Pacino's performance in Part II is the best I've seen. He doesn't have the visionary character appeal of Darth Vader or Buzz Lightyear but replaces it with acting and a tragic story.

Movie Reviews: Infernal Affairs Trilogy

I'm always a big fan of Oscar winning hits. So far, no American film which bagged Best Picture disappointed me except for Slumdog Millionaire. The Departed was an enjoyable crime movie, obviously because of Martin Scorsese whom gave us all time classics (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas) with Godfather alumni and multiple Oscar winner Robert DeNiro.

But The Departed is a remake. So it was necessary for me to watch the original art.


Much like The Departed, Infernal Affairs is a fast paced crime thriller. A cat and mouse game played by the cops and criminals. Much in the vein of Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino's Heat. But there's a shred of difference that makes it very intriguing. An undercover cop infiltrating the Mafia... I mean Triads as well as a Triad member infiltrating the Police Force.

The plot is essentially identical to The Departed but directors Andrew Lau and Alan Mak created a universe more intense and psychological compared to it's Hollywood counterpart. The Departed follows a typical tone of a Martin Scorsese film... A violent, dirty and cynical half of the American society. Infernal Affairs digs deep into the minds of Chan Wing Yan(Tony Leung) and Lau Kin Ming(Andy Lau).

Not to be missed are the performances of comedian Eric Tsang from the Super Trio Show as Triad Boss Hon Sam and Anthony Wong as Superintendent Wong Chi-Shing. I'd mark Anthony Wong as the one who gives the best acting among the main cast. Too bad he was given the backseat was killed early in the film. Don't worry, we'll see much of him in the prequel Infernal Affairs II.

However, this film is a little bit boring compared to it's successor. Maybe it's because I've watched The Departed long enough to anticipate the next move. But it's like reading Mario Puzo's The Godfather, you need to respect the original.

The pairing of Tony Leung and Andy Lau is also quite effectve. A reminiscent of the teaming of Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino in Heat.

8.0/10... Actually 6.5 but additional marks are given for inspiring an Oscar winner.




I'd like to identify Infernal Affairs II as a superior prequel to it's predecessor. The directing team of Andrew Lau and Alan Mak
takes the prequel in a more intense and productive story with a darker and more cynical tone. In the way that The Godfather Part II delved back into Brando's Don's formative years, Infernal Affairs II fleshes out beginning of Yan(Shawn Yue) and Ming(Edison Chen) as undercover components in opposing sides. It also explores the early friendship of Superintendent Wong and Hon Sam during their early days during the early to mid 1990's.

However, I find certain plot points simillar to The Godfather series, particularly The Godfather Part II. That's why I like it...LOL.

The subplot involving veteran Mob boss Ngai Kwun's death in the hands of Ming(prior to his days as Hon Sam's mole in the police force) and the rise and takeover of his son Ngai Wing-Hau(Francis Ng) parallels the end of The Godfather and The Godfather Part II.

Ngai Kwun was the boss of bosses/Capo di tutti capi of the Triad five families. Much like Vito Corleone,all bosses need to have his permission in business dealings. Hon Sam's scheming wife Mary(Carina Lau) ordered Ming to push the button so her husband could take over. The other "big four" bosses conspire to topple Wing Hau to consolidate their power. Much like the scenario in The Godfather Part II where Hyman Roth, Fredo Corleone and Frank Pentangelli rubbed out Michael Corleone.

At the same time, Superintendent Wong is relying on Hon Sam for information and sends out Yan as a mole in Wing Hau's mob. It is revealed that Yan came from a mobster background. Things got ugly as Ngai Wing Hau found out Mary Hon conspired with Superintendent Wong to kill Ngai Kwun. Superintendent Wong is demoted and is pending trial for conspiracy murder. However, he is receiving support from police force who will stop at nothing to bring down Ngai Wing Hau. Superintendent Wong gets his nerve after Wing Hau bombs his friend's car.

Wing Hau also rubs out the big four and Hon Sam in retaliation for their refusal to co-operate. However, Mary Hon worked alone and Hon Sam is very loyal to Wing Hau. The killings of Wing Hau's enemies occurred at the same time. Flashes of each assassination come spontaneously much like all 3 Godfather movies. Wing Hau also sends his family to Hawaii in the ensuing war.

Mary Hon goes into hiding after Ming saves her. Ming begins to flirt with Mary who angrily berates him and attempts to meet her husband in Thailand but is violently mowed down by a car driven by Wing Hau's henchmen.

Hon Sam also stays in Thailand and attempts to conspire with a Thai drug dealer to overthrow their respective bosses. Superintendent Wong enlists Hon Sam's help to testify against Wing Hau but runs away at the last minute. In turns out Hon Sam's That buddies have held Wing Hau's family hostage. Wing Hau holds Hon Sam at gunpoint with Superintendent Wong and his men asking him to stand down. Before Wing Hau could pull the trigger, Superintendent Wong shoots him in the head. A devastated Yan cradles his dying half brother in front of his own comrades.

This film distinguishes itself from the original to explore a more gangster orientated storyline and a violent mob war. The film is quite complicated but isn't confusing. Finally, Anthony Wong's character is shown full circle as Edison Chen and Shawn Yue are given the backseat. Eric Tsang plays a jollier version of Hon Sam before his downfall.

However, Francis Ng plays his character of Ngai Wing Hau identical to Al Pacino's Michael Corleone from The Godfather Part II.As happened with Pacino's Michael Corleone, Ngai the family's rank outsider suddenly develops into its main man, and he sets out to avenge his dead father, as well as take on the other Triad clan. Wing Hau also points out his father's ways and quotes and is a strong family man also like Michael Corleone.

Whereas Francis Ford Coppola weaved The Godfather into his narrative, here it remains very much on the margins. Thankfully, at its core, it's a skillful, absorbing crime thriller.

8.7/10... The best Hong Kong film not to be participated by Stephen Chow I've ever seen.



Unlike it's predecessor, Infernal Affairs III doesn't measure up to the previous 2 movies and it's only motivation is to end the story and make Lau Kin Ming "pay for his sins" like Coppola's The Godfather Part III. This sequel explores Yan's final months investigating Hon Sam's dealings with a mainland triad boss Shen(Chen Daoming). Also in the picture is another of Hon Sam's police moles Inspector Yeung.

In the process, Yan gets into trouble and is introduced to psychiatric treatment with Dr Lee(Kelly Chen), his love interest in the first film.

It also flashes back and forth into the days after Yan's death. Inspector Yeung is working to reveal Hon Sam's still thriving mole. Andy Lau returns as Ming, now paranoid of his previous actions is hitting on Inspector Yeung hard to prove him as the mole, giving him some breathing space.

Over time, Ming becomes paranoid and is hallucinating himself as Yan trying to find the mole. In the end, he found the edvidence he needed and proceeds to arrest Yeung. Before he could play the tapes, Shen appears and plays the tape provided by Yan, proving that Ming is the mole. Ming begs for forgiveness and in a moment of madness shoots down Yeung fatally. He attempts suicide but only manages to cause brain damage and lives the rest of his life haunted and mad.

This film is a poor effort to cash in the series and is hastily assembled. Only the ending portraying Ming's downfall is worth watching. the plot involving Yan and Hon Sam's dealing with Shen doesn't come to terms with the original film. The romantic sub-plot involving Yan and Dr Lee is kinda boring.

It's like The Godfather Part III of the series. The plot being too outlandish and convoluted, as well as the storyline being too based on continuity, rather than just a "stand alone" story. It's impossible to understand this film without watching the first film. It is also confusing with footage of Yan alive and dead showing up without any indicating of time frame. This flashback sequence is a pun of The Godfather Part II with footage of the rise of both Michael Corleone and Vito Corleone. However, the timeframe shifting in The Godfather Part II occurs only 4 times and plays for at least 20 minutes for Vito's story. Infernal Affairs III does this more than a dozen times.

To me, it's just "another Hong Kong movie"... 4.5/10

Movie Reviews: Die Hard Quadrilogy

Screw Rambo... John McClane is the Hollywood's coolest human action hero(the coolest ever action hero is Terminator). Having watched Die Hard 4.0 a handful of times and Die Hard 2: Die Harder on TV, I finished the puzzle by buying a Die Hard 4 in 1 DVD.




Die Hard begins when NYPD cop John McClane visits his wife at the Nakatomi plaza, a corporate skyscraper on Christmas Eve. A group of terrorists led by the icy Hans Gruber(Alan Rickman who played Snape in Harry Potter) takes control of the city. Fortunately for them, the security guards are killed off easily BUT unfortunately, there's McClane.

McClane makes a few kills and gains an MP5 SMG's plus some magazines, some C4 and detonators, European cigarettes and lighter from his kills. He tries to steal a shoe as he was barefoot in his wife's room when the chaos ensued. He throws it off saying "Nine million terrorists in the world and I get to kill one with feet smaller than my sister." This proved to be McClane's undoing because the men shot the glasses and forced McClane to flee with a bleeding foot.

McClane makes a few attempts to call for back-up. He gets back-up in the form of Sgt Al Powell(Reginald VelJohnson)a cop who sits behind the desk who gets his first taste of action when McClane called.

The terrorists mysteriously lacked motives and demands unlike others. In the end, it appears that Hans and his goons wanted the trade bonds secured in the Nakatomi building worth 800 million dollars.

However all ends well when McClane kills em all.

Not surprisingly, this film set a new standard for action films and launched Bruce Willis into Hollywood. Arnold Schwarzenegger was the first choice for John McClane but director John McTiernan turned him down. Obviously Arnie didn't have the cowboy persona that John McClane has. Arine also lacks the humor and fast talking persona of John McClane. Kudos to Bruce Willis. I couldn't imagine someone other than Bruce Willis playing John McClane... Van Damme? Stallone? Steven Seagal? BOOOO...

Alan Rickman also did a good job playing Hans Gruber, the villain. He's sort of a more quiet and sinister version of an Al Pacino character. A charming sociopath + gentleman.

Die Hard is an awesome action film. Quite logic, packed with gunfights and explosion that put Rambo to shame. McClane is also part of the treat. A tough but funny guy who often jokes and laughs in the face of death. Hard to imagine Arnie doing the same.

This movie has a solid 8.5/10....

Also, my dad took my mom to see this show on a date before I was born... Jeez, good movie but not for lovebirds...LOL




Bruce Willis returns as John McClane in the sequel. McClane recently moved to the LAPD to spend more time with his wife and kids. This time, his wife's life is again jeopardised when American rebel mercenaries thwart the airport's communication and landing systems, forcing the planes to circle the area with the risks of running out of fuel. Guess what, it's Christmas again and John McClane is going the distance to avoid his wife's plane to crash.

The mercenaries led by Colonel Stuart(William Salder) are aiming to collect their ally, General Ramon Esperanza(Franco Nero), a drug lord and dictator of Val Verde(fictional country).

Now, this sequel takes John McClane outdoors. From the baggage area to the runway to the underground tunnels. This film has bigger explosions(planes exploding) and more gunfights that the first film. The climax is when John McClane brawls with Colonel Stuart and his conspirator Major Grant on the wing of Esperanza's plane... Cool stuff eh?

Despite being an efficient and terrific action entertainment, this film lacked one vital part. A good villain. General Ramon Esperanza, Colonel Stuart and Major Grant just doesn't measure up to the standard set by Alan Rickman's Hans Gruber in Die Hard. However, we get to see Robert Patrick(the T-1000 liquid villain in Terminator 2: Judgment Day) as O'Reilly, one of Major Stuart's soldiers in his film's debut. Although he almost kicks Arnold's ass, he is easily shot down by John McClane... SWT...

John McTiernan refused to return to the director's chair. He chose to make the popular The Hunt For Red October instead. He is replaced by Renny Harlin who later directed other action machines such as Stallone's Cliffhanger, Deep Blue Sea and recently 12 Rounds with John Cena...

Of course you'll enjoy and laugh off this movie... A respectable 7/10....




Die Hard: With A Vengeance marks the return of John McTiernan to the director's chair. Also, John McClane is now divorced and has since returned to the NYPD.

This time, a mysterious terrorist by the name of Simon plays a game with the NYPD particularly with McClane. The game called "Simon Says" tasks McClane to push his limits by doing near impossible tasks with the threat of blowing up a public place should McClane fails.

This time, McClane has a partner. Zeus Carver(the one and only SAMUEL L JACKSON), an Afro-American extremist who hates white men including McClane. However, he is pulled into Simon's scheme when he saves McClane's life, interfering with Simon's original game plan.

It turns out Simon is actually Simon Gruber, the big brother of Hans Gruber from the first film. In his games, he attempts to humiliate and mock McClane in public in retaliation of McClane's killing of his little brother. Simon is as cunning as his brother and is certainly more aggressive and ruthless. Hans is primarily a schemer but Simon is both a schemer and a front line soldier.

Behind his revenge is to steal the gold bullion from Wall Street. Like his brother, Simon is both a terrorist and big time thief.

The third film is my least favorite of the four Die Hard films. Although it marks the return of a cheesier and icier villain, Simon Gruber(Jeremy Irons. He played the equally icy Scar in Lion King) but it lacks gunfight and brawls. McClane also sheds most of his humor and jokes less on-screen. However, the notion of Bruce Willis teaming up with Samuel L Jackson gives the film it's redeeming quality. It is also the darkest film in the series, with McClane being an angry guy after being humiliated by Simon's games.

This film is good, but not as good as it's predecessors or successor. It is interesting yet not so exciting. A favorable 6.5/10 for this one...




Die Hard 4.0 brings John McClane into the 21st century. A group of hackers plan to decimate the United States government by taking out all transportation, stock markets, utilities, electricity etc. Despite the age of technology, John McClane is still there to save the day.

This is the biggest film of the Die Hard series. It has a cool villain(the hacker) and an interesting plot. More gunfights, explosions, McClane taking on a F-22 Raptor jet. Also there is a scene where John McClane and a hot kungfu chick kicking each other's asses. Although McClane retains his trademark humor, it is considerably less compared to the first two films. Maybe McClane is now a wiser man.

Die Hard 4.0 is only surpassed by the first film. 8.0/10

New Movie Reviews

I'll start off with critically acclaimed Oscar winning films...



Silver screen legend Jack Nicholson bagged his first Oscar for Best Actor in this film beating Al Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon and I can't disagree. It'll be a kick to watch Jack Nicholson's trademark over-the-top laugh.

The story goes with Nicholson's character Randall Patrick McMurphy, a social misfit and a rebel of the outside world(much like me). He fakes insanity and enters a mental hospital and befriends the wackos there. The film consists of an ensemble cast excluding Nicholson with all inspiring acting. Brad Dourif(famous for supplying the voice of Chucky in Child's Play) plays the vulnerable and shy yet friendly Billy Bibbit, Dourif got an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Danny DeVito(Twins, Batman Returns, Junior) plays the always-smiling midget Mr Martini, and Red Indian actor Will Sampson as the mute and delusional Chief, Sydney Lasick as Charlie Cheswick. My best pick is Max Taber played by Christopher Lloyd(who played Doc in Back to the Future).

McMurphy tries to boost the patients morale and oppose the icy and tyrannical Nurse Ratched(the actress won Best Actress). He teaches Chief to play basketball, plays poker with Max Taber, Billy Bibbit, Martini and others. He also serves as a big brother figure to Billy Bibbit. McMurphy and his gang go on all wacky and comedic adventures such as stealing a bus to go deep sea fishing.

However, the comedic atmosphere turns gloomy when Cheswick challenges Nurse Ratched and demands his cigarettes. McMurphy tries to defend him but ends up beaten, luckily big 7 foot tall Chief saves the day. However, all three are taken to undergo electroshock therapy. Before the therapy, McMurphy gets chief to converse with him. Tired of Nurse Ratched's outrages activities, McMurphy stages an escape with his girlfriends and Chief on Christmas night. McMurphy holds an illegal farewell party with his friends. However, Billy Bibbit has a crush on one of McMurphy's girls. McMurphy asks Billy to go to bed with her and waits with the hospital windows opened.

Unfortunately, McMurphy fell asleep, so does everyone including Bibbit and the girl. Nurse Ratched berates Billy and the others for the mess. A scream distracts the personnel, giving McMurphy and Chief a chance to run. Instead, McMurphy fears for Billy and follows the others.Poor Billy commited suicide out of shame. Nurse Ratched asks everyone to go on with the schedule and blames McMurphy for the incident. An enraged McMurphy attempts to strangle the nurse but is knocked down by the guards. Not even Big Chief could help him.

Days later, Harding is playing poker with Max Taber, Cheswick and Martini and discusses of McMurphy's whereabouts. That night McMurphy is escorted back into the ward. Big Chief rushes to welcome his friend. It turned out Nurse Ratched drilled a hole in McMurphy's temple, rendering him mentally disabled for good. Chief tearfully begs for his friend to come back but to no avail. Unable to let McMurphy live a meaningless life, Big Chief suffocates his friend.

Big Chief, now more determined than ever, hatches an escape plan introduced by McMurphy involving breaking the windows with a heavy sink. McMurphy failed his attempt but Big Chief's 7 feet tall body breaks the sink loose and destroys the windows. Max Taber wakes up and cheers for Big Chief, waking everyone up. However, it is uncertain if all of the patients escape.

This film has a few sexually suggestive themes as well as some profanity. Other than that, a classic Oscar champion.

I give this film a 8.5/10.




Another Best Picture winner, The Deer Hunter is the most emotionally shattering film I've ever seen. Second only to Passion Of The Christ. Directed by "big budget flop king" Michael Cimino, Deer Hunter is one of two Cimino helmed films that made a profit. Cimino is known for his boundary breaking, risky and dangerous writing and directing. However The Deer Hunter made it to the top without toppling down.

Starring The Godfather alumni Robert DeNiro(Don Vito Corleone in Godfather Part II) and John Cazale(Fredo Corleone in Godfather I and II) as well as a then unknown Christopher Walken. DeNiro was nominated for Best Actor while Walken won the Best Supporting actor. Cimino bagged BestScreenplay, Best Director and Best Picture.

The film follows a group of friends. Steel factory workers and deer hunting enthusiasts. The main guys are Mikey(DeNiro), Steven, Nick(Walken) and Stanley Stosh(Cazale). The friends attend Steven's wedding less than a week before drafted into Vietnam. Later after the wedding, a drunk Mike goes nuts but Nick stops him. Nick begs Mike not to leave him alone if anything happens in Vietnam. Mike agrees.

The group goes deer hunting one last time and Nick says goodbye to his girlfriend Linda(Meryl Streep).

The film cuts to Vietnam. Mike, Nick and Steven are forced to play Russian roulette. A suicidal game where one bullet is inserted into a revolver and the cylinder is spun. The participants are forced to pull the trigger once each. Steven cheats by raising the gun above his temple so the Viet Cong dudes leave him to drown. Mike puts in three bullets for extra gains. Mike bravely pulls the trigger three times without a live round. Mike and Nick shoots the Viets down and rescue Steve.

The two drift down a river where they are spotted by a helicopter. Nick makes it but Steven falls and breaks his legs. Mike goes down after him. Nick, alone and paranoid is showing signs of insanity and heads out for Saigon's red light district. Nick enters a Russian Roulette parlor not noticing Mike is also watching the game. A Frenchman who operates the parlor encourages Nick to play. Due to his experiences, Nick is determined that he will survive every Russian Roulette game and grabs the revolver and pulls the trigger on himself and his competitor and storms off into the Frenchman's car. Mike runs after him but falls behind.

Mike returns to America alone. Steve and Nick all mysteriously have disappeared. He is reunited with Stosh and the others. They all go deer hunting again but this time Mike couldn't bring himself to fire a gun at anything, fearful of Vietnam. He also starts an affair with Linda, Nick's girlfriend. With the help of Steven's wife, Mike finds out Steven is still alive and is recovering in a Vietnam hospital.

Mike returns to Vietnam and finds out Steve has lost both his legs after the incident. Steve has also received loads of cash from "someone in Saigon". Mike determines this to be Nick and sends Steve home. Mike buys his way into the parlor with the Frenchman's help and finally sees Nick, prepping for another game. Mike tries to make Nick comes to his senses but Nick spits on him and pushes him back(the most intense scene of the whole film). Mike reluctantly agrees to play against Nick as a last resort attempt.

Mike and Nick survived their first round. Before Nick can pull the trigger again, Mike reminds him of their hunting trips. Nick finally comes to his senses but is already too emotionally drained and dazed to stop playing. He smiles to Mike and says "One shot" but Mike still tries to stop him. Nick's final shot proved to be loaded and blows his head off. Mike tries to revive him. But hey, no one can survive a headshot.

Mike keeps his promise of not abandoning Nick and brings his body home. Mike, Linda, Stosh, Steve and the others toast in their friend's honor.

This film is full of profanity. Typical 70's Oscar classics. Also abit of sexual themes. But a strong message of friendship and the side-effects of war make up for all the dirty stuff. DeNiro and Walken's acting are enjoyable.

This film would have me a 9/10. However, it's not like Star Wars or The Godfather type of film that you'll get hooked onto. The second time you watch it, you'll loose the interest.




Critically acclaimed two time winner for Best Director(Born On The Fourth Of July, Platoon) and the screenwriter of Scarface directs this intense political thriller about the mysterious assassination of John F Kennedy.

The film starts with the news headlines of JFK's murder. We are also introduced to Lee Harvey Oswald, played by Gary Oldman, JFK's "murderer". District Attorney Jim Garrison(Kevin Costner) attempts to uncover the mystery behind the inconsistencies of President Lyndon Johnson's official autopsy.

Garrison goes as far as denying President Johnson's Warren Commission and intensifies his battle against politicians and his suspect, a businessman named Clay Shaw/Clay Bertrand(Tommy Lee Jones). He also runs into trouble along the way as well as being deserted by his wife and family due to his obsession towards his case. Garrison also traced edvidence to President Johnson, the Mafia and CIA.

The story is pretty much this. But with several flashback scenarios that gives different theories of what could have happened. It also serves as a documentary that tells of the USA Government's flawed and inconsistent report. I've always believed JFK's headshot came from the front, not from Lee Harvey Oswald who's nest is behind the motorcade. But this movie solidifies my belief that Lee Harvey Oswald didn't work alone.

However, you might have a hard time understanding this movie. Being a complex movie, it has many twist and turns but keeps you glued to your seat wanting to know more. this film is also a good History lesson, better than any of the lame and slow-paced shit you find in Sejarah textbooks.

7.5/10.




As far as District 9 goes, it is essentially Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution. We take Fidel and his comrades out of the picture and replace them with aliens. INTERESTING!

It is said that a UFO docked near Johannesburg, South Africa and the aliens(nicknamed prawns) are moved to District 9, s slum area to seperate humans from prawns. The aliens are squeezed off their weaponry and technology and bullied by soldiers. To make things safe, the aliens are to be moved to District 10, and area
far from the city.

Leading the operation is Wikus, a prawn hater. He gets squirted with alien goo while investigating an alien settlement and his DNA begins to change into alien like features. He is now the only man who can operate alien weaponry because these laser guns bal bla bla only respond to alien DNA.

Wikus is now a fugitive and teams up with Christopher, a prawn who wants to go home. Wikus makes a deal so he can return to human form and Christopher can go home. Damn I'm lazy to type the whole thing.

This film is full of profanity and violence. But the scene involving the alien robot-endoskeleton is as cool as Transformers. the special effects are believable too. However, I didn't enjoy the plot's inconsistencies and twists.

6/10....

How it all happened....

All work and no play makes Doink a dull boy. Or an emo boy whatever... We made him play...




>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Breaks my heart....

ELS Annual Dinner

OK... Finally something for me to say in this meaningless and meaningful life...

The day started in the morning, I went to Ibai to help prepare stuff... I was the first to arrive with a guitar+case, an amplifier, my bag and a piano...HAIZ... Then Amanda and Chee June arrived and the list goes on. We set up the PA, tested the guitar and piano and the rehearsal went on... Actually not really, only a handful really rehearsed, the others couldn't be bothered...

When it was all done, I had to go home to stack up my guitar. Then Willert, Choon Khai and Michelle hitched a ride to church. Despite the fact that me and Willert were supposed to be practicing for our band performance later at night, we couldn;t run away from being part of the church's worship team. I was on the bass and Willert was on guitar. I also bought a new guitar cable since the old one snapped and I need to play on Annual Dinner...

Julia Ma came back from Australia which added to the necessity of going to church. Unfortunately my old friend Caleb Ma couldn't come. So Julia shared about her new life. Australia is definitely more interesting than the quiet town of KT.

So I left early. Went home for a bath, brush and hairdo. For the first time I wore a tie because I was the MC for the night. I double checked my guitar and left.

I reached there, tuned the guitar and set up my stuff. No time for final practice. The dinner started. I was so damn giddy being an MC but I did what I had to do. Joke around. Bla Bla Bla. Then my mom called saying she wants to see the band performance, lagi tension...

When it was our time we did what we did. Me, Arul, Willert, Nagend and Gan. Our first slot was Fall For You and Pork and Beans. I disliked Fall For You the most because I thought the song was quite boring. I even wrote my own guitar solo to heat things up. But I messed a few notes of my guitar solo. Pork and Beans was a fun song so it was OK.

The night took of as usual. Dinner, thinking of what to say and running back and forth for the sideshows. Surprisingly, all of the performances were good especially Choon Khai's Japanese song and the dance by Amanda and Vivian. In the LCDS days, band performance was the top dog for the night. I guess the streak was broken.

When Choon Khai sang, I gave him a thumbs up for encouragement. Then I got a cramp at my leg. So damn embarrassing. Luckily I got up for the lucky draw. Then Arul came to me saying we're gonna do the third song "Wake Me Up When September Ends" which was the original plan. We had our time cut short but the AJK's arranged a slot. We just did what we could and left.

Then the Form 5's sang graduation song BLA BLA BLA and we packed up. But there was a lot of last minute photos to be taken. The teachers shoo-ed us off LOL. I went home have a bath and watched the band performance videos.

Honestly, I hate watching myself playing guitar. I will fall asleep. I think it was embarrassing in a way I don't know how.

So, Annual Dinner 09 was a huge success. It was the best I've attended in my four year time at the club. But good luck was not without hardships becuase due to stress, there was a tangle between the AJK. Luckily it wasn't intense. It was all for the club's best interest.

Photos....

Kuantan Trip

I had to leave the church early on that day as I have to go to Kuantan. My uncle and aunt from Japan are coming for a short visit... And Jim is dropping by too.

Jim got stuck in a horrible jam. The dark side of Hari Raya. So we had a chat. I also learnt the darker side of Japan. People get depressed easily. That fact hit me hard. I thought Japan was a happy and all-smiles country given to the existence of Danny Choo dancing in a stormtrooper outfit in the streets of Tokyo. The rate of suicide is 300 a day which adds up to 100,000 a day plus the additional fatalities. By additional fatalities I mean the emo dicks will pull someone into the train tracks or drive his truck into several people. Damn, so anyone wanna go Japan, stay behind until the train comes or you won't eat char koay teow ever again.

Of course whenever my family goes holiday there'll be tons of food. We also purchased some new DVD's, this time we brought in some HD DVD's but they were all movies at least 20 years old. JFK, Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nest, The Deer Hunter and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, all theold Oscar winning classics. I also brought Watchmen, District 9 and Die Hard 4 in 1 collection. Then we went for some movies. Although don't watch non-english speaking movies, this time I made an exception.



The last time I watched a non-english speaking movie in cinema was CJ7. This one fared better. The show was relatively funny as of all of Jack Neo helmed movies. But this film throws in a few thrills too. The first story "Streets Got Ghost" which revolves around people eating the oranges meant for the ghosts is the least funny and least scary of the lot. The second one "Forest Got Ghost" is the funniest of the three which concentrates on two inexperienced and un-trained soldiers taking a shortcut. While it's not the scariest, it did gave the scariest jump the movie offered.

The third story "House Got Ghost" is also very funny but is the scariest of the three. Basically a continuation of Money Not Enough 2, the story has the ghost of the deceased mother haunting her three sons. The catchiest and cheesiest of the scenes is where the mother calling out "Lu ciak pa a be?" and ominously appears full screen, giving us a jump and appears on tv, imitating The Ring. The music, atmosphere and make-up made the gentle and kind old lady we see in Money Not Enough 2 as scary as Ju-On.

As an extra note, the soundtrack is composed by our very own NameWee best known for the critically acclaimed but controversial Negarakuku.

The film was good. Worth 6.5/10.

POem of a troubled soul...

Why is it when my faith gets to the top,
Something big and bad comes and block,
At times my faith is soft,
At others it's as hard as rock,
My own damned soul I mock,

I wanna break free,
See the things I used to see,
But I unknowingly planted evil's seed,
I really need my creed,
The Lord's guidance I need,
Help me Jesus I plead,

Happiness is fading further from me,
Why don't you come home to me,
The Lord's love is deeper than the sea,
However I'm so corrupted I can't feel Thee,

I want my promised eternal salvation,
But I might be heading to damnation,
Evil and lust isn't the Lord's creation,
Yet it has brought my faith to destruction,

Literature All Day

I haven't uploaded such posts yet so I think it's time to do one.

We had an inter-class drama competition. The drama must be heavily based on the literature stories covered in form 4. So I played a mafia/loan shark/gangster named Mr Barzini who was the main antagonist of The Godfather. I hoped they could name him Corleone or Vitti or Capone or even Soprano.

But I choose to wear clothes that resemble Al Pacino's Tony Montana from Scarface. Yea, the guy behind the famous "SAY HELLO TO MY LITTLE FRIEND! quote"



See the resemblance...

So I borrowed Wee's pistol manik and I rolled up paper for a cigarette. Actually in the actual story "The Necklace", the loan shark received no screen time but I pleaded for them to put it in. But every mafioso needs a banger/solidati/enforcer. So Eevy took the role with a shotgun. Um, don't know if there ever was a girl in the maifa structure. There was one part I needed to bang someone's head with a gun and I actually hit him. How hard I dunno.

We got fourth place. I had to say we were outmatched by 4H who did The Sound Machine. Asyraf could really act. The Darth Vader hat really fitted the mad scientist story. And Kai Vin looked goofy in postman costume for the 4AA drama based on Sonnet 18...


Pictures...


Look Pal... You f*ck with me, you f*ck with the best. I'm Tony Montana.


I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse...



Mr Postman...

Poem

Bad seed,
Fueled by monstrous greed,
The evil lust you must feed,
Greed can grow from money to weed,
It all ends when you go back to your creed,
In which the Lord's forgiveness you plead,
Where into righteousness he will lead,

The Godfather's Revenge Book Review

Although I still prefer the first novel, this was the first Godfather novel which I read the whole book. In my reading process of The Godfather, I skipped a few pages to avoid the painfully boring subplots involving Johnny Fontane and Lucy Mancini.

The Godfather's Revenge will be rated as the 2nd best novel in the Godfather novels. Despite the fact that Nick Geraci remains the main character, there is more action in this novel compared to The Godfather: The Lost Years in which it was all dialogue. We get to see Michael Corleone showing signs of diabetes as in the third film. In this novel, Michael tries to cope with his children and ex-wife Kay while finding romance in his brother Fredo's ex mistress, Rita Duvall. In The Godfather Part II, Michael teases consigliere Tom Hagen about his mistress. This novel goes in deeper, with Tom being a suspect of his mistress' murder. At the very end, Tom is killed by Nick Geraci. However, Nick is betrayed by Don Stracchi and left alone for Michael Corleone to finish off. Interestingly, this novel shows that the Corleone family had a hand if President Kennedy's assassination.

For people who preferred the first Godfather movie, The Godfather and The Sicilian suits you best. For the fans of the Part II and Part III films, Winegardner's expansion of Mario Puzo's story will be your type. As for me, I prefer the Sicilian drama of Puzo and the first film but also crave for the complexity and Americanized violence of Part II and Part III which is what you'll find in Winegardner.

As until now, only four Godfather novels have been published. I really hope either Mark Winegardner or someone else will pen another novel. Who knows, in 10 years time I might be the author of a new Godfather novel... HAHA... Dream on... However, I would enjoy a storyline which involves either Vito Corleone or Michael Corleone fight a war with the Chinese Tongs, Chinese Triads or the Japanese Yakuza. That'll be epic. Russian Red Mafiosi and Irish Mobsters will also fit the bill... But I would root for the Oriental mobs. They also deserve some recognition. Example, as with Al Capone's Valentine's Day Massacre, the Chinese Triads staged the Golden Dragon Massacre in San Fransisco where two Chinese gangs clash in a restaurant.

The Coves of Taiji, Japan

Every year at a certain time, the lagoons of Taiji turn red with innocent blood. The innocent blood of dolphins. Yet, it's perfectly legal... Sick stuff dude...

What Course should I take....

My aunties and parents keep rushing me on making these decisions. When I was a kid, I wanna be a skydiver, a cowboy, a Jedi and all those silly crap... I'm now considering these courses....

- My first alternative is to take a double degree on English/Mass Communication. That way, it's easy to look for a job for a newspaper or magazine. I could maybe write books, poems etc. On top of it, it's this choice that my mum wants me to do.

- Marine biology. Maybe, but the pay is painfully low if you are like the 85% of marine biologists in Malaysia who works for the Fishery Department. But the other 15% get big cash working for Aquaria KLCC or Sentosa Island's Aquaria. Yea, I love the ocean but it's hard to fins a job with this one. Eat seafood your whole life dude.

- Art. I'm quite good at drawing but art like marine biology doesn't pay the bills unless you get as good as Picaso, Da Vinci or Michaelangelo. I could be a cartoon artist but that would have to be in USA or Europe unless I'm as successful as the all incredible LAT. However, my sense of humor sucks so I need someone to fill in the jokes for me to draw. I love comics, I mean the funny ones such as Zits, Pickles and Shoe but my all time favorite is CALVIN AND HOBBES.

- Paleontology. After watching National Geographic and Jurassic Park dozens of times, I think it's a fun idea to go dig up dinosaur skeleton. There are many drawbacks, dinosaurs don't inhabit Malaysia maybe because the country is full of garbage which means you won't find dinosaur bones. However you will find artifacts and and skeletons from zaman neolitik, zaman logam and zaman paleolitik which is kinda lame. And you need to go to somewhere in USA to get such a course which costs money. However, these seemingly worthless old bones cost big money. One complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton cost 7.6 million USD.

Any comments or suggestions will be deeply appreciated thanks. I might consider taking more than one of these choices. I might work and save then study again.

Movie Reviews - Spielberg's Movies

I recently bought a 4 in 1 DVD set. It included Empire of the Sun, Schindler's List, The Color Purple and Munich. 3 of these films gained critical nominations at the Academy Awards except for Empire of the Sun. As I said, every movie fan must watch Spielberg's movie because he's the most accomplished film director Hollywood has ever known. So far, I've only watched two of the four movies. Empire of the Sun and Schindler's List. And both were two of the best films I've ever seen.




1987's Empire of the Sun was a box office failure although this doesn't mean it's a bad movie. Starring a 12 year old Christian Bale before his Batman career. Empire of the Sun tells the story of Jamie Graham later nicknamed "Jim" as he is separated from his parents when Japan attacked his hometown of Shanghai.

A lonely ventures back into his parents' old mansion and eat food scraps for a few weeks. He ventures into Shanghai to fins his parents but is instead found by Basie, an American who uses Jamie as a tool much like Fagin in Oliver Twist. Jamie and Basie are transported to a Japanese Labor Camp where he lives with both British and American incidents. There, he befriends a Japanese teenager who aspires to be a kamikaze. The sad part is due to hectic experiences in the labor camp, Jamie eventually forgotten how his parents looked like.

But all ends well, Jamie is sent to an orphanage where kids have either lost of got separated from their parents during the war. As other kids wait anxiously to be reunited with their parents, Jamie stands quietly and weeps. However, his mother comes and convinces Jamie who he is and bla bla bla... The end.

I give this movie an 8.5/10. It is full of epic grandeur and drama as well as several good laughs. The CGI scenes where the American Mustangs bomb the labor camp are reasonably well done. The type of drama is also unique. Example, compared to The Godfather where the drama keeps you amazed, Empire of the Sun digs into your emotion. Don't be surprised if you cry watching this film.

Steven Spielberg's friend and collaborator John Williams who composed music for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, E.T., Harry Potter and Superman introduced an epic score spearheaded by the choir based Suo Gan which is in Welsh language. Also, a very young Ben Stiller gets a small role in this movie. Fortunately, he's not hard to spot.





Schindler's List is one of Steven Spielberg's most critically acclaimed movies. Although it doesn't have the cultural significance of Jaws, E.T., Close Encounters With the Third Kind and Jurassic Park, this film is reasonably well made. Unfortunately, this film is kinda strange especially for a film directed by Spielberg. I'll tell you why later.

The movie tells the legendary tales of German businessman Oskar Schindler(played by a very young Liam Neeson) who owns a metal factory. He initially sees Jewish people as cheap workers for his factory due to the fact that he needs not pay their salary. Due to the fact that the Germans enjoy shooting the Jews, he gets a compensation by the German army which profits him further.

Despite this, he treated his workers much better than the Germans. He also befriends his Jewish accountant Itzhak Stern as well as tyrannical German SS commander Amon Goth. One day, Oskar witnesses Jews being executed by the thousands in the Plaszow Camp. This makes him warmer to the Jews and so the legend grew that his factory is a refuge for Jews. Desperate Jews attempt to enlist themselves or family members in his factory and this fustrates him. He eventually accepts most of the request.

In their gratitude to Schindler, the Jews worked quickly and productively. Thus, earning Schindler a truckload of money. He also advises Amon Goth that the power of compassion is greater than the power to kill. Amon almost came to his senses twice but in the end falls into evil. First, He pardons a Jewish servant who failed to clean his bathroom properly but shoots the boy when he exits his house. Second, he became friendly to his Jewish maid as if like a lover but ends up whacking her.

Schindler is toched further during his birthday party where German SS Officers are invited including Amon Goth. The Jews present him with a simple cake, however he thanks them and kisses one of them in the forehead. Enraged at Schindler's compassion, Amon orders Schindler to be put in jail for kissing a Jew.

Schindler finally made his decision to save the Jews when he witnesses the incineration of Jewish bodies killed by the gas chamber executions. He then compiles a list of 1,200 people and shows them to Amon and says that he needs more workers for his factory. The move is greenlit due to the fact that other Germans are stealing Schindler's Jews. Schindler counters this problem by bribing SS Officers.

Back at the factory, Schindler forces his workers to make bullets that won't fire. Thus, causes him to go bankrupt. One day, Schindler announces Germany's defeat in the war and explains that British Law is replacing laws set by Germans. In British law, Schindler will be executed due to the fact that he benefited from slavery. He says he will spend his final hours in Germany with his workers before he exiles himself.

The aged Jews pull out their gold teeth and melted them to make a gold ring for Schindler. As he is presented with the gift, Schindler is depressed about not being able to save more Jews and stated his car and jewelry could save at least a dozen more lives. Itzhak Stern however consoles him and bids farewell before he leaves Germany with his wife.

Only 4,000 Jews are alive in Poland by 1990. But the descendants of Schindler's Jews number by 6,000 all over the world. Today, we may be talking about at least 10,000 Jews are alive today because of Schindler's actions.

No wonder Pastor Koshy wanted to screen Schindler's List at the church.

Now I tell you why the movie is weird. To depict a reality of the Jews sufferings, Steven Spielberg had his actors and actresses in the nude at certain scenes so the "those things" are clearly visible. Now imagine Steven Spielberg directing a bunch of naked goons...LOL....

However, this ilm can be scary at times because unlike Indiana Jones where Nazi's are just power crazed villains, Spielberg portrayed the Nazi's in Schindler's List as pure evil. As if they are Satan's servants. The amount of emotion in this film is also equal to Empire of the Sun. However, the scary-ness of this film caused me not to enjoy it too much.

Spielberg also stated if he'd done Schindler's List first, he would not have been able to direct Jurassic Park due to the amount of emotion in the movie. True enough, studio executives forced Spielberg to do his dinosaur epic before he did Schindler's List. Wise move as Jurassic Park earned more than 900 million dollars worldwide. Schindler's List was a big hit at the oscars, winning Best Picture and Best Director.

John Williams composed a piano ballad soundtrack for the film. At times, a horrifying theme (kinda like combining horror movie soundtracks with Darth Vader's theme) is used. The film is reasonably well made although it would be better in the eyes of Western film critics.

I give it 8/10 although the cultural significance of Schindler's List is almost equal to The Godfather.

Random poems

I've known many people in my life,
Some help me live and thrive,
Some are as annoying as bees from the hive,
Good ones are necessary for life,
Bad ones I wanna slash them with a knife,


The power of greed awakens,
Desire of power fills the vacant,
Once the dark door you open,
The code of discipline you've forsaken,
Absolute power cannot be given,
It must be taken,

Don't worry. I'm fine. I write poems for fun only...

The Godfather's Revenge and Harry Potter 6 Review...

The final piece of Mario Puzo's mafia masetro puzzle.

HAHAHAHA.

My collection of The Godfather novels is COMPLETE! The Godfather's Revenge is the fourth and final book in Mario Puzo's mafia masetro piece is MINE!!!!

Like the previous book, The Godfather: The Lost Years aka The Godfather Returns, The Godfather's Revenge is written by Mike Winegardner. Although closely following the canon of Mario Puzo's original two Godfather novels, Winegardner uses a different style of language. The Sicilian-ish language is much more Americanized with some vulgar language inside...swt...


One drawback of Winegardner's expansion of Michael Corleone's career as Don is that it differ's greatly from the movies due to one small but pivotal element. In the first movie The Godfather, all the heads of the 5 families opposing the Corleone organization Emilio Barzini, Phillip Tattaglia, Carmine Cuneo and Victor Stracchi are all gunned down by Corleone hitmen during the famous baptism scene.

In Puzo's original, only the two spearheading Dons Barzini and Tattaglia are executed. Cuneo and Stracchi surrendered to Michael Corleone. In Winegardner's novels, the survivors play expanded pivotal roles compared the first novel. The Godfather's Revenge also explores the upstart of Osvaldo "Ozzy" Altobello whom was once a Tattaglia caporegime. Osvaldo became the main antagonist of The Godfather: Part III who organized the Immobiliare plot.

I've gotten back The Sicilian and The Godfather: The Lost Years from Nagen due to the fact that to understand Revenge, understanding of The Lost Years is critical because the main story arc of the two novels are the same. Nick Geraci, a former Corleone capo, tries to execute his revenge on Michael Corleone's empire.


Puzzle completed...


Stacked up...


Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince kinda sucked. Despite it's dark atmosphere, the plot is draggy and contains little of the action that made Harry Potter moves enjoyable to me.

Book Reviews... The Godfather and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed....

I finished reading the first and original The Godfather novel weeks ago but yet to put up a review. So here goes to my first review.



Like the movie itself, The Godfather novel is a true masterpiece. Instead of focusing on just only one theme, it branches out into many other elements. With crime as it's root theme, the themes of romance, action, thriller and of course family plays major parts in the novel.

The crime elements of course are about the Corleone family's dealings and infrastructure. From Don Vito Corleone, Camporegimes Pete Clemenza and Salvatore "Sally" Tessio, Consiglieres Genco Abbadando and Tom Hagen. Also included is a flashback arc about Vito's rise to power as shown in The Godfather: Part II.

The element of romance explores Michael Corleone's relationship with Kay Adams in USA and Apollonia when he's exiled in Sicily. Also included is Santino Corleone's illegitimate relationship with Lucy Mancini. Family elements consists of Vito's relationship with his children. The thriller element deals with Vito Corleone's main hitman Luca Brasi who is Vito's Jason Voorhees. Of course we get a slab of mafia action.

By reading the novel, you can conclude that director Francis Ford Coppola never truly wrote the script. He directed most of the scenes according to the novel itself. So Mario Puzo must be given the credit. Of course Coppola should be given credit for selecting splendid actors such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert DeNiro and Robert Duvall to play the characters. The film follows VERY close to the novel. More close than Harry Potter as far as I'm concerned.

There's just one flaw in this masterpiece. I kinda dislike the characters of Johnny Fontane and Lucy Mancini who are covered in a few chapters. Good thing Coppola almost erased them from the movie.

Due to the fact that I've read the book after I've watched all three movies, it didn't make much difference. BUT, you know the novel is the ORIGINAL piece. Needless to say, the first novel is better than my other Godfather novels The Sicilian and The Godfather: Lost Years.






My brother bought the novel Star Wars: The Force Unleashed from USA. With my current sci-fi fascination now being passed from Star Wars to Godfather, getting a Star Wars novel revived my interest in Star Wars which still remains my craziest childhood fascination. The novel is also based on the Force Unleashed video game. Although I know how the story goes, the novel's detailed language explores into the Force. Good reference if you wanna write a fan fiction Star Wars novel.

The novel starts of with Darth Vader promoting his apprentice to a level in which he is allowed to hunt down Jedi. However, his apprentice Starkiller/Galen Marek is an "unofficial" Sith apprentice due to Darth Bane's "Rule of Two" where there can only be two Sith Lords at one time. One master, one apprentice. Despite his lack of the Sith Lord pangkat, Starkiller's force ability surpasses Darth Vader because Vader lost his potential after getting toasted in the volcano.

But as the novel progresses, things heat up with Starkiller going on missions to kill 3 Jedi Masters. Rahm Kota being the first, followed by a war bitter Kadazan Paratus. His hardest battle was Jedi High Council member Shaak Ti who possessed the ability to control Rancors(bipedal monsters that resemble dinosaurs. Luke Skywalker killed one owned by Jabba the Hutt in Star Wars Episode VI). This process is repeated, mission after mission. This makes the middle part of the novel kinda boring. One thing I also despise is Starkiller's romance with Juno Eclipse, an Imperial pilot.

Then Darth Vader almost killed his apprentice to avoid being killed by his master Darth Sidious for breaking the Sith Rule Of Two and prove his allegiance. Vader gave his revived apprentice new orders, Form a Rebel Alliance to distract Emperor Palpatine's spies. A frustrated Starkiller broke his ties with Vader, adopted his birthname Galen Marek and formed the Rebel Alliance not to distract Palpatine but to avenge his master. Despite his noble actions, he remained a practitioner of the dark side.

Vader eventually captured the Rebel Alliance conspirators and left Marek for dead. Juno revives Marek who proceeds to the un-operational Death Star I to free the rebels. Darth Vader goe to duel his apprentice. Knowing his apprentice's lightsaber skills exceeds his own, Vader tried to bash him up with the force. But the tables turned, the extremely powerful Vader was overpowered by his former pupil. Emperor Palpatine then burned Rahm Kota with Sith lighting so Marek left the badly wounded Vader to save his friend.

The dreaded Emperor surrendered and asked Marek to strike him down just like what he will ask of Luke Skywalker 4-5 years later. Marek refuse to give in and moved away. Palpatine then blasted lighting at Kota and the other rebels. Marek who was as powerful as Yoda, was able to block Sith lighting with his bare hands and could even wield lighting on his own due to his Sith tutelage. Vader recovered and commanded a platoon of stormtroopers to blast down Kota and the rebels who escaping to Juno's ship. Marek then "unleashed" the force within him by giving out all he had, even the force necessary to sustain life, killing himself and all the stormtroopers, mildly injuring Vader and Palpatine as well as enabling his friends to escape.

The novel was dark and had little subplots compared to my other novels. It really focuses on the whole "Jedi vs Sith" concept. The Force Unleashed project which comprised of the game, comics, toys and novel is definitely better than the dreadful Clone Wars movie and TV series. Probably the best non-live action movie Star Wars material ever made so far.