Yalin

Yalin has written 9 posts for BNE: HOT OR NOT

NOT: Four Lions

By Yalin ⋅ August 14, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Let me preface this review by saying that I do not lack a sense of humour but I don’t believe one can boil down the intricacies of home-grown terrorism into a comedy. The truth is that Morris’ presentation of his characters in Four Lions does not constitute a dark comedy; it is just a bad [...]

HOT: Shrek The Final Chapter

By Yalin ⋅ June 12, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

The fourth and final instalment of the Shrek franchise, Shrek, The Final Chapter. doesn’t take any risks when it comes to its story but still manages to whip up an entertaining experience with a worthwhile new villain, who is as deviously funny as Lord Farquaad from the original. [Spoiler alert] Shrek, The Final Chapter essentially [...]

NOT: Iron Man 2

By Yalin ⋅ May 8, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Comparing the second serving of the Iron Man franchise to its original would be a big mistake. The special effects are better than before, the Iron Man suit is shinier than ever, and we have a new villain who can kick some ass. But it’s a failed attempt as it has none of the charm, surprise, or [...]

HOT: Date Night

By Yalin ⋅ April 19, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Never, ever, take someone else’s restaurant reservation. One little white lie can take your life off the rails. That is pretty much the premise behind the new comedy from Levy, Date Night. Starring the poster children of US comedy, Steve Carell and Tina Fey, the film has to satisfy a lot of expectations on the [...]

NOT: Alice in Wonderland

By Yalin ⋅ March 12, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

Tim Burton is a director with a very distinct view of things. He tends to show the beauty in some of the most unlikely characters, embrace the dark and review a new good within it. Some might say he is the Mad Hatter of the world of cinema. However, his latest film Alice in Wonderland is [...]

HOT: The Road

By Yalin ⋅ January 22, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

What distinguishes The Road (based on Cormac McCarthy‘s novel) from other post-apocalyptic films is John Hillcoat’s focus on the realistic issues that humanity would face in such a situation, raising questions on the ideals of humanity and human nature. What part of humanity do we expect to last in a situation where the world is [...]

NOT: It’s Complicated

By Yalin ⋅ January 13, 2010 ⋅ One comment

I am a little confused with Meyers’ latest. It’s blessed with great acting from Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, but the overall feeling is fake and almost irritating. I am a little confused with It’s Complicated, Nancy Meyers’ latest film. It’s blessed with great acting from Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin, [...]

HOT: The Men Who Stare at Goats

By Yalin ⋅ December 26, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

If someone told you that the US military had approved a special unit to train psychic soldiers in the 80s and tested their effectiveness on goats, would you believe them? Grant Heslov’s feature, The Men Who Stare at Goats, cautions the viewer at first sight by warning that more of the film than what we [...]

NOT: The Lovely Bones

By Yalin ⋅ December 25, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Jackson’s latest outing The Lovely Bones is definitely not an epic film, which has been his forte. By contrast, it is a decidedly small drama with an ensemble cast that’s as good as it gets. On top of that, Jackson’s signature is obvious in the editing, the attention to detail and the special effects. However, [...]