McDull: Me & My Mum (2014) & Doctor Who Series 8 Episode 11 & 12

McDull, Me & My Mum Trailer


Doctor Who Extra - Series 8 Episode 11 - Dark Water


Two unlikely movie / TV show being compared as they both share a theme on death.

First, I'm going to talk about McDull: Me & My Mum. McDull is not a bright kid but he eventually grows up as a brilliant detective "Bobby Mak".  The story is about McDull telling his story of his childhood, his relationship with his mother and how he becomes Bobby Mak.

McDull has a close relationship with his mother. Even though they were very poor, his mother always tried to provide with hin the best and she always made good excuses to make McDull feel better about life.  After his mother passed away, McDull ranaway until one day, he suddenly discovered his talents, after all these years being "dumb".

The theme of appreciating the love of our parents is very touching. I think McDull found it regretful that he didn't stay with his mother but ran away to be a sailor on her last few years. It also reminds us on how we should treasure our time with our  parents.

The second material I want to talk about is the two-part finale of Doctor Who Series 8.  It is surprising that Dark Waters starts with Danny Pink being dead. It makes Clara go crazy and she takes it out on the Twelve Doctor.

When Clara found Danny, he has already been turned to a half-zombie half-cyberman. It's a dilemma for her to decide whether to cut off his emotions by activating the cyberman emotions inhibitor. It's becasue Danny says that the emotions of remembering Clara hurts him so much.

The most disturbing part of the story is that the TV noise we heard is deciphered as "Don't cremate me! X3". So scary!!!!!!!!!!! There is afterlife and the soul is still connected with the body on earth and would feel the cold and pain and even the burning. That's horrible news about afterlife. Those with skeletons preserved will resurrect and rise again as cyberman.

So it is said that the egyptians preserved their bodies for resurrection. If the majority of Hong Kong people will most likely be cremated one day as tombs are in shortage in Hong Kong, will they not be able to resurrect?

Murder On The Orient Express (2010)

This is season 12 episode 4 of Agatha Christie's Poirot. Years ago I read the novel but I could not remember the ending, so this episode is still fresh for me.

This episode again explores the moral issues. Unlike Curtain, Poirot has a very different stance. He said, "You people! With your kangaroo jury, your kangaroo justice! You had no right to take the law into your own hands!...The juries and executioners, they elect themselves! No, it is medieval! The rule of law, it must be held high and if it falls you pick it up and hold it even higher! For all of society, all civilized people will have nothing to shelter them if it is destroyed!"

I wonder how he changed from so reluctant to not turning the murderers in to murdering someone himself.

The acting by David Suchet is so subperb! The look in his eyes, the shivering, all little details give away what Poirot thinks.

I didn't know that Poirot was a Catholic. Then would he go to hell for killing someone? Would he be forgiven as he did it for goodness sake? I wonder.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

The Fault in Our Stars (2014) Trailer

A very touching story which I know I would cry watching.

The story is about two youngsters who both have cancer fall in love with each other and how they seize the day.

One of the most touching scene to me is the conversation between Hazel Grace and her mother when Hazel Grace wants to dash out to see Augustus. I bet most of the people won't find this scene memorable. I don't know why but I realize how my mind resembles a cancer patient, always think that I'm going to die any time soon and that I must seize the day and live a full life.

Another touching scene is when Hazel Grace reads her eulogy for Augustus in front of him in the church. We would never know what others think of us when we are gone. But if at least one person cries for you at your funeral, I think you should be happy that you lived a successful life. The trace you can leave in this world is only in the memory of those who know you. So live larger than life: compose some music, paint paintings, write stories...you want to leave a legacy in this world.

I love the trailer when Augustus says, "To good life Hazel Grace, okay?"  "Okay", she replies.
 

Doctor Who Series 8

Doctor Who Series 8 Trailer

I'm a big Doctor Who fan. David Tennant is my first doctor. Then I get to watch Christopher Eccleston and Matt Smith's doctors, which I both like. But now Peter Capaldi as the Twelve Doctor, who is older and much darker, is hard for me to get used to it.

I like the first episode Deep Breath. Good writing as the writer managed our expectations from Clara's (or the viewer's so to speak) POV on adapting to this new doctor.

But I don't like the episodes follow (up to Mummy on the Orient Express as of today). Can't stop the feeling of "I've seen it before!"

It does not have a strong story arch compared with series 5 and 6. It is said that the reason is to attract new audience who have not seen Doctor Who before.

Character-wise, not very promising either. Clara is having an ambivalent relationship with the Doctor. Besides, Pink is not a very likable character. I still don't understand his importance in the series.

I still hope the ending of this series is splendid. Please don't let me down!

Agatha Christie's Poirot

Agatha Christie's Poirot Trailer

I recently picked up the series, long after it ended in 2013. I watched it backwards starting from series 13. The last episode is Curtain. I was shocked by Poirot's last case (spoilers below).

Poirot was a talented, honorable detective who solved mysteries and crimes in so many cases (13 series!). I thought he represents justice. Surprisingly, in his very last case, he himself was the murderer! He killed because he believed that by killing Norton, the man who psychologically manipulated many others to kill, he would have saved many lives. He knew that he was dying and would want to do something before his death. The question is: is it justifiable to kill someone who you think is guilty for goodness sake? Who has the right to lynch? Will Poirot go to hell?

It reminds me of a Japanese animation Weiss Kreuz. It explores the same ethical questions. The protagonists are four young assassins at night who worked as florists during the day as a cover.  They take orders from an unknown man (kinda like Charlie's Angels) and kill many people who they think are guilty. They think they are doing the right thing. However, one day they meet their archenemy. They were questioned on whether their killing would turn them into the people they hated, those who kill innocent people. The anime did not provide any resolution. None of the protagonists nor antagonists die. The story is left open-ended. But it still lingers in my mind every now and then.

Poirot in Curtain also reminds me of River Song from Doctor Who. The fact is that she and the Doctor has a reverse timeline. The first time the Doctor met her was the last day she ever lived. I now understand how the Doctor feels. I knew how Poirot died and I now get to see the younger him, each episode by episode, until his very first case. Strange feeling.

Miss Marple is also one of my favourite shows. I finished series one to six already (took a while). I hope I get to finish all episodes of Agatha Christie's Poirot soon.

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Trailer

Knowing that this is a movie based on Marvel comics, I am interested in watching it.However, the tone of this movie is different from the other Marvel movies. 

Superheros such as Captain America and Hulk are more uptight, comparatively speaking.  The Guardians of the Galaxy are a bunch of fugitives and outlaws who kick-ass and are the unlikely superheros.  This wrong match makes the characters and the movie fun.

Music brings up the atmosphere of the movie.  The songs are catchy and you would want to download the songs to listen after watching this movie.The plot of the story is so-so. 

It's fight after fight but you won't remember who's who unless you read the comic book.The characters are unique and unforgettable.  Star-Lord is the lousy protagonist who is a thief (or bounty hunter?).  It's funny that Zoe Saldana is featured in so many sci-fi movies including Avatar, Star Trek as well as Guardians of the Galaxy.  Rocket is a mean and talkative racoon. Groot is the loyal team-mate who is a tree.  Drax is impulsive but physically strong.  I'm surprised to see Karen Gillan as Nebula.  What a big break through for her acting. All I can remeber the line is "I am Groot". And he did say a thousand times. LOL.The choreography and the martial arts are amazing. 

Gamora has such good shape.This is a fun and energetic movie but is only recommended if you are a sci-fi fan.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) Trailer

I think Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes are two under-rated movies.

I enjoyed the movie and I didn't notice that time flew.  The movie is 2 hours 10 minute long.

The premise is set 10 years after the first sequel.  By that time, ape flu has caused millions of death.  The ape tribe led by Ceasar lives in the woods and haven't seen any humans for the last two years.  They think humans are extinct until one day a team of humans comes across with the apes.  Tension is built between the apes and the humans as they both fight for survival.


The characters except Ceasar are one-dimentional.  The exploration team of humans consists of the protagonist, a female medic, a son, a screw-things-up character and another forgettable character.  Such a cliche team.  Even Koba is a cliche character.  I'm only interested in seeing how Ceasar makes his moral decisions.


One thing remarkable is that not only the apes use sign language, they speak in English!  As their secondary language, the apes use simple vocabulary and is easy to understand what they say.


I think the best part of this movie is the cinematography.  I remember the scene which an ape (probably Koba) takes over a tank and shoot the humans.  The camera follows the ape's POV and the shot is almost like a video game!  The effect is stunning.


Overall, I enjoy this movie very much.  I expect there will be another sequel.

Big Country - In A Big Country

First time heard this song because of the television show the Carrie Diaries.  It was the prequel of Sex and the City.  I watched the Carrie Diaries just for Freema Agyeman, who played a companion of the Doctor in Doctor Who.

Like the chorus:
"In a big country dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
Stay alive"

American Hustle (2013)

American Hustle (2013) Trailer

This is a story about a con man and his partner being forced to work for an ambitious FBI agent to bust four more con man.

I think the theme of the story is about surviving and struggling by climbing up the ladder to be someone who you are not born to be.

The premise of the story is interesting because it first explores the life of how a con man and woman work together to run a scam. And then when the FBI steps in, their world is turned upside down. And when the ambitious FBI agent wants to expose the corrupted politicians, which involves dealing with mafia, things start to get out of control.

Plot-wise is only so-so. The plot doesn't go anywhere and is all over the place.

Characters, however, are much more intriguing.  Christian Bale's character Irving is lousy, irresponsible and selfish. However messy his outlook is, he is charismatic enough to manipulate people to get what he wants.  Amy Adam's character Sydney is a very attractive woman who knows how to utilize her assets to also get what she wants. She is clever and sexy. All she wants is Irving to leave her neurotic wife and give his heart to her.  Bradley Cooper's character Richie is ambitious and knows exactly what he wants. He has such a bad temper that he beat up his boss when he denied his request for the investigation. I don't sympathize Irving because he doesn't know what he wants, unlike Sydney and Richie, and he is afraid of changes.  Robert De Niro has a small role, but his role as a mob boss is very funny and unforgettable.

There are quite a number of interesting dialogue in the story. Rosalyn, Jennifer Lawrence's character has quite a number of hilarious lines, especially the scenes which she argues with Irving about microwave and the plan.

Overall speaking, it's worth watching this movie for the acting. All actors and actresses played their part well and are very convincing.  Casting director has done a good job. Maybe the writer wrote the characters especially for the actors and actresses.