TRAVEL TO MOVIES: SHAFT

Director: Tim Story

Cast: Samuel L. Jackson , Jessie T. Usher , Regina Hall , Alexandra Shipp , Titus Welliver , Avan Jogia , Luna Lauren Vélez , Richard Roundtree , Isaach De Bankolé , Aaron Dominguez

Plot: "Shaft" is the next chapter in the film franchise featuring the coolest private eye on any New York City block. JJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Usher), may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend's untimely death, he needs an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ's youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft (Jackson) agrees to help his progeny navigate Harlem's heroin-infested underbelly. And while JJ's own FBI analyst's badge may clash with his dad's trademark leather coat, there's no denying family. Besides, Shaft's got an agenda of his own, and score to settle that's professional and personal.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shaft_2019

My Movie Review: The movie is still enjoyable despite its by-the-books buddy action comedy:) Shaft is a regressive sequel that is outdated and sometimes get trap in its own silliness yet still deliver wholesome old school fun' that critics may disagree but most audience can appreciate:) Jessie T. Usher is up for a challenge being the New Shaft as he find his best friend found dead make him start to investigate get some action and ask help to his dad after not seeing in years! Regina Hall is bringing some flavor she's funny keeping it light as Maya protective mother to JJ Samuel L. Jackson son once he enters the fray however, the pace of the film picks up faster! The story is secondary to Jackson’s performance, with the film more a collection of ideas for scenes than a coherent film, it is hard to care about how it ends, their third act, or its resolution! Alexandra Shipp is a welcome addition as she balance the pairing with smarts and a little sass!

Movie News: There’s a new “Shaft,” and why not? Just to be clear, the latest movie with that title, directed by Tim Story, stars both of the old Shafts: Richard Roundtree, who created the role in the 1971 original and its several sequels, and Samuel L. Jackson, who revived the franchise almost 30 years later. They play father and son, and third generation is represented by Jessie T. Usher a dynasty of complicated men. One smooth, one crude, one woke. With plenty of work to do. It isn’t as if the complexities of race, masculinity, violence and capitalism that the first “Shaft” spun into blaxploitation gold have gone away. But this iteration, in spite of a smattering of topical references, is steadfastly not political. Its main comic idea the sometimes funny script is that Shaft (the one played by Jackson) is not politically correct. He’s another one of those grumpy older guys with lots to complain' about us in particular the younger generation!

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/13/movies/shaft-review.html

TRAVEL TO PLACES: TAIWAN-- (NTUT) TAIPEI TECH

My Personal Experience: I went to National Taipei University of Technology this year April 22, 2019, together with my sister. We went there unknowingly while finding Huashan Creative Park since we're there we decided to take peak and come across vendor selling big sweet potatoes! Taipei Tech is a environment friendly campus surrounding halls with tall trees and green plants!

(NTUT) Taipei Tech

Established in 1912, Taipei Tech is among one of the oldest universities in Taiwan. It was first established during the Japanese Colonial Period as the Auxiliary Industrial Institute of the Education Affairs Office of the Civil Administration Department. The Institute consisted of only three departments (Woodcraft, Metalwork and Electrical Engineering) ushered in an era of industrial education in Taiwan. In 1948 the school was renamed as Provincial Taipei Institute of Technology providing five-year associate degree programs. In 1997, the school was promoted to University Status and renamed National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) Taipei Tech!

Source: https://www-en.ntut.edu.tw/p/404-1006-36971.php

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: MIDSOMMAR

Director: Ari Aster

Cast: Florence Pugh , Jack Reynor , Will Poulter , Vilhelm Blomgran , William Jackson Harper

Plot: Dani and Christian are a young American couple with a relationship on the brink of falling apart. But after a family tragedy keeps them together, a grieving Dani invites herself to join Christian and his friends on a trip to a once-in-a-lifetime midsummer festival in a remote Swedish village. What begins as a carefree summer holiday in a land of eternal sunlight takes a sinister turn when the insular villagers invite their guests to partake in festivities that render the pastoral paradise increasingly unnerving and viscerally disturbing. From the visionary mind of Ari Aster comes a dread-soaked cinematic fairy tale where a world of darkness unfolds in broad daylight.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/midsommar

My Movie Review: The movie is almost out of body experience it was extreme in some levels! Midsommar is a masterpiece ready to unfold you might lose yourself watching it and be drawn to something else it has unpleasant effect that's very endearing to the point you can't believe in a broad daylight of festivities as tradition and culture can bring so much terror and sinister turn! There's saying once you see it you can't unsee it this film bring memory imagery that will stock and scare the living daylights beaten and smashed bodies are cut up and burned in base alive! The cinematography was on a high note from location in light, coloring of the cult members to their white linen costumes to almost-technicolor brightness of the sky, the fields and their flora:) Florence Pugh is the perfect blend of beauty and insanity her face is so open and transparent I felt her emotions through and through as she was trapped in big flower bonanza in the ending:) Jack Reynor is exposed never expect that coming, Vilhelm Blomgran is a mystery that creeps, William Jackson Harper is out of the Good Place and Will Poulter continues to revolve in films:)

Movie News: Midsommar movie makes Sweden look like a horror show for American viewers! The horror film Midsommar turns family-friendly Swedish festival into a cultist ritual but some viewers are having trouble separating fact from fiction, and that's a problem writes US native Madeline Tersigni. Director Ari Aster tries to scare fans with his sophomore film Midsommar, which takes place in Sweden during the beloved June festival. The film revolves around a young student Dani (Florence Pugh), who follows her boyfriend Christian (Jack Reynor) and his two friends to a Midsummer festival in a rural Swedish village. Against a backdrop of picturesque countryside and the midnight sun, it turns out that the commune is actually a cult and Americans are plucked off one by one by the sadistic Swedes as part of ritual Midsummer sacrifice. So far, so normal but since its release, the film has received interesting feedback from American viewers who have confused the film's antics with actual Swedish tradition, with Twitter users and Facebook full of people vowing never to set foot in the Scandinavian country!

Source: https://www.thelocal.se/20190723/american-filmmakers-turn-sweden-into-a-scandal

TRAVEL TO PLACES: TAIWAN-- SMOOTHIE HOUSE TAIPEI

My Personal Experience: I went to Taiwan's Smoothie House Taipei this year April 22, 2019, together with my sister. We went there to know the hype and taste one of their popular dessert! World Famous Mango Snowflake Ice Smoothie is feature in CNN food and claimed recognition that's why is a must try when in Taiwan- its plenty make sure you have someone to share with:)

Smoothie House Taipei

Smoothie – World Famous Mango Snowflake Ice Smoothie – Original Mango Snowflake Ice Shop on YongKang Street! Competitive media coverage, Central kitchen with HACCP & ISO 22000 Certification, Triple High Efficiency Automatic Reverse Osmosis, RO purified water ice blocks, with seasonal fresh fruits of Taiwan to create tasty innovations. Leading the healthy trend of fruit shakes, we use fresh fruits straight from local farms. Together with our exclusive recipes – We prepare them into a healthy, delicious and nutritious “Smoothie” for you to enjoy:)

Source: http://www.smoothiehouse.com/index_e.php

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: THE LION KING

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Donald Glover , Beyonce Knowles , Chiwetel Ejiofor , Seth Rogen , James Earl Jones , Billy Eichner , John Oliver , Alfre Woodard , Keegan-Michael Key , JD McCrary , Amy Sedaris , Eric André , Florence Kasumba , John Kani , Shahadi Wright Joseph , Josh McCrary , Jay Lee
Plot: A live-action musical drama adaptation of Disney's 1994 classic animated film by the same name. It tells of a lion named Simba and his journey of becoming king, which is not easy path as his uncle has plans of his own to take over the throne. The battle for Pride Rock results in Simba's exile but with help from two newfound friends, he will return for what is rightfully his!!

Source: https://www.insing.com/movies/disney39s-the-lion-king-2019/id-26f00000/

My Movie Review: The movie is photorealistic for its own good features such virtual triumph:0 The Lion King is an event not to missed prepare to be mesmerize how this tale come full circle as history repeats itself for the better with incredible songs that fills the room- delectable sound and strong voices that make characters fully realized its a live-action take with astounding roar! Young Simba is the cutest cub acting like a grown up lion as he appear cuddly playful matched with endearing voice and try to find his roar' that sounds like a squeal plus can laugh in danger! King Mufasa is mighty I never expect to like him that much keeping his kingdom balance and safe specially the cubs giving fatherly advice while showing soft side bonding to Young Simba:) Scar scream danger even just looking him intimidates pushing King Mufasa in the cliff tough to watch he make this stunning remake darker and more violent with the help of the bad hyenas:0 The action take up a notch in the fitting finale that is epic as lions get to fight for their kingdom:)

Metacritic Reviews: The new version amplifies and deepens all that is good in the original. The key is the visuals. Photorealistic computer-generated imagery renders African landscapes and animals with astonishing realism. This movie has such breathtaking visuals. The story is amazing. Just because it is a remake some people are hating on it. I truly believe that this live action is a 10/10 in my opinion. The Lion King is monumental achievement of technological advancement. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. This is a visual masterpiece! While staying true to the original, it adds something new and fresh! It is a visually stunning experience, Favreau does take his version to a whole new scale visually. There’s something about this Lion King, which, like the original, has its narrative roots in “Hamlet,” that feels so much more Shakespearean and — there’s no other word for it — so much more tragic than the 1994 feature-length animation, in which the story’s darker themes were subliminal, not center stage!!

Source: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-lion-king-2019

TRAVEL TO PLACES: TAIWAN-- HUASHAN CREATIVE PARK

My Personal Experience: I went to Huashan Creative Park in Zhongzheng District this year April 22, 2019, together with my sister. We went there to visit one of the hippest park in Taiwan! Huashan Creative Park is made for millennial like me I love the pop of color from the nature's green marry with breezy establishments creating a cool vibe and awesome outlet for art scene!

Huashan Creative Park

Huashan Creative Park is one of the biggest and most interesting creative parks we’ve visited in Taiwan. It’s located in Zhongzheng District in Taipei, and boasts multiple exhibit spaces, shops, and cafes within the park grounds. But aside from what’s on display there, one of the things I found most interesting about this creative park is the space itself. It used to be a winery during Japanese rule, producing sake and ginseng wines, as well as breeding moth orchids of all things. You recognize it by its distinctive chimney towering from the winery’s old boiler room!

Source: https://www.willflyforfood.net/2018/04/24/9-creative-parks-museums-to-visit-in-taiwan/

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: YESTERDAY

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: Himesh Patel , Lily James , Kate McKinnon , Ed Sheeran , Joel Fry , Alexander Arnold , Ana de Armas , Sophia Di Martino , Lamorne Morris , Meera Syal , Karma Sood , Harry Michell

Plot: Set in the '60s and '70s, a young man one day wakes up and becomes convinced that he is the only person on Earth who remembers English rock band The Beatles ever existed. Jack Malik is a struggling singer-songwriter in an English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie. After a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed. Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them! Jack becomes the overnight sensation, with a little help from his agent:)

Source: https://www.insing.com/movies/yesterday-2019/id-f7f00000/

My Movie Review: The movie is a beautiful mess the inspiration even it's flow was right but there's something wrong with it supposed to be a feel good flick yet I've felt uneasy watching it! Yesterday is a fantasy about a world without the Beatles turns into a greatest hits show where they showcase songs made famous by the band in a whimsical mostly unbalance off-pudding:( Watching the trailer felt good hearing the songs made me excited I thought I'll be having fun in the cinemas yet the general feeling its quite the opposite worrisome melancholy over sadness!! Himesh Patel is unexpectedly well act singer but this man the reason why the experience suck I've never felt any kind of enjoyment as he rise to fame his emotions- down and full of despair:( I felt discourage if fame look like this your not having fun despite the huge loving support of fans sign me out I wish they shown upside of being a star with the exception of Ed Sheeran and going to picturesque locations on few world tour that they got it right but that's not enough!!

Critics Consensus: Yesterday may fall short of fab, but the end result is still a sweetly charming fantasy with an intriguing -- albeit somewhat under-explored -- premise. Fuelled by the engaging chemistry of its leads and the unflagging wonderment of the music, it zips along. But it can never quite reach escape velocity from the weight of its silliness. The structure is a mess. The characters are plastic. And the lines are Seventies sitcom bad. Give "Yesterday" credit for taking a sideways approach to honoring the Beatles. But this Boomer fantasy only pretends to dive into a true appreciation of what made the group a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. Alas, after a promising first hour, Yesterday plunks one wrong note after another (including one particularly sour interlude), and eventually collapses under the weight of impossible expectations. A profound meditation on morality and individualism needlessly morphs into generic romantic-comedy. It's fun but overly simplistic to the point of utter banality!!

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/yesterday_2019

TRAVEL TO PLACES: TAIWAN-- TUTTO FRESCO RESTO

My Personal Experience: I went to Tutto Fresco Resto in Hotel Relax II this year April 22, 2019, together with my sister. We went there to eat breakfast prior start to our jam-packed day! Tutto Fresco Resto is a pleasant surprise I thought the food would be more traditional turns out my breakfast favorites are still around- chicken fingers, bacon & ham and variety of loaf bread:)

Tutto Fresco Resto

The hotel provides a convenient self-service coin-operated laundry washing machine. You can rest assured that your accompanying clothes will be refreshed and comfortable. The breakfast offers a delicious buffet for guests: hot dishes, salads, coffee, tea, fruit juices, hot porridge, freshly cooked vegetables, soups and breads, selected fruits. Breakfast Restaurant Location:) Access Hotel Relax II (Tutto Fresco Restaurant) For extra breakfast costs NT 250/one person!!

Source: http://www.hotelrelaxclub.com/relax2/en/facilities.html?id=5

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: MA

Director: Tate Taylor

Cast: Octavia Spencer , Diana Silvers , Luke Evans , Tate Taylor , Missi Pyle , McKaley Miller , Corey Fogelmanis , Juliette Lewis , Allison Janney , Gianni Paolo , Victor Turpin , Dante Brown

Plot: Loner Sue Ann is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in the quiet Ohio town, to buy some booze for her and her friends. Sue Ann sees this as her chance to make some friends, albeit much younger ones. She not only agrees but even lets them hang out and drink at her house. The only rules to follow are one of the kids has to stay sober, no cursing, no going upstairs and everyone has to call her Ma. Unknown to the party teens, her hospitality hides a dark intention!

Source: https://www.insing.com/movies/ma-2019/id-f9f00000/

My Movie Review: The movie is a claptrap stalker thriller that saves the best craziness on the last parts- lips sewn shut, burned with an iron, put white paint on a face & make out then stab:) Ma is some calculated obsession then batshit crazy with a fun crowd of teenagers looking for a place to party but it turns out she has some pretty dark secrets as she remember the past and the wrong doings she experience' the young characters are unknowingly drugged by the villain! Octavia Spencer rules in it with a strong mix of terror and annoying face that's creepy when to much in focus yet the guts she shown breaking her the stereotype image of a dramatic actress! Luke Evans made some scene stealing appearance in movies nowadays like Murder Mystery on Netflix, the recent action spy flick Anna and now here a father who got tied and strip by Ma:) The two chicks and a trio of boys are fun to watch make an instant squad goals as they shine showing their unique personality audience can relate as parents who grown old can relate too:)

Metacritic Reviews: The most fun I've had at the movies this year and that's all I'm gonna say. Ma is one loony little horror film, and Octavia Spencer has a grand old time being the craziest thing in it. OK guys, its a horror movie, so loved since it started, so proud of all them. Ma may not cover entirely new ground, but the execution still manages to be refreshing. Attempts to be a psychological campy thriller but gets so lost in trying to construct a message that all the exaggerated thrills die before even lifting off. Ma is a showcase for Octavia Spencer's ability to turn her typecast traits into utterly disturbing obsession destabilization, but the film's less potent genre punch never lives up to its main character's psychotic allure. In the end, the filmmakers settle for stigmatizing victim hood, abusing Sue Ann almost as much as her former tormentors. She easily switched from being that nice old lady who lives next door to that psycho killer next door in a matter of seconds. Love this movie so much' so stop the servation:)

Source: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/ma-2019

TRAVEL TO PLACES: TAIWAN-- LONGSHAN TEMPLE

My Personal Experience: I went to Longshan Temple in Wanhua District this year April 22, 2019, together with my sister. We went there to kick start second day in famous historical sites! Longshan Temple is a nice place to visit in a early morning when the sun is shining brightly that in mind we grab the opportunity to pose along the temple on the entrance and corner around it!

Longshan Temple

The most well known temple in Taiwan, the Mengjia Longshan Temple was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian as a gathering place for Chinese settlers. Located in the old village part of Taipei, Wanhua District, this temple has stood the test of time and lasted through several natural disasters and wars. During World War II, the temple was badly damaged by American bombers during the Raid on Taipei after an accusation the Japanese were hiding arms inside the temple. Located one block to the east is the historic Bopiliao (剝皮寮), a walking street with Qing Dynasty architecture and museum. Longshan Temple is one largest and oldest temples in Taiwan. The entrance is free but donations to maintain the upkeep of the temple are accepted:)

Source: https://guidetotaipei.com/visit/longshan-temple-龍山寺

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

Director: Jon Watts

Cast: Tom Holland , Jake Gyllenhaal , Zendaya , Jacob Batalon , Jon Favreau , Marisa Tomei , Samuel L. Jackson , Cobie Smulders , Tony Revolori , J. B. Smoove , Angourie Rice , Remy Hii

Plot: Peter Parker goes on a school trip to Europe with his classmates. While abroad, Nick Fury recruits him for a mission that requires him to join forces with Quentin Beck a.k.a. Mysterio, a master of trickery and illusion who claims to be from a parallel Earth in the Multiverse. Together they will battle the extradimensional humanoids known as the Elementals.

Source: https://www.insing.com/movies/spider-man-far-from-home-2019/id-95ef0000/

My Movie Review: The movie is the best spider-man got to balance complexity in fun breeze:) Spider-Man: Far From Home is larger sequel as it goes global with vacation theme adventures away beyond the friendly neighborhood as it blend teen romance and superhero action perfect. Amazing visuals that are so precise make me blown away with adrenaline blast of events with pure emotion that lives up to everyone's expectation moving forward to the MCU''s next phase! Tom Holland is a gift that keeps on giving- personal and heartfelt, innocent yet keen, providing both the likeable awkwardness that’s integral to the character and such remarkable physicality! Secondary characters are more involved in the plot like Ned Peter’s best friend brings laughter as he found a girlfriend instantly the interactions were so hilarious and cute giving a young vibe Happy Hogan gets a subplot in which he develops feelings for Aunt May but also gets to step into the mentor role to Parker and Brad Davis whose Peter got intimidated with MJ's attention:) Jake Gyllenhaal is a heroic figure in all the marketing materials out-smart everyone revealing Spider-Man's identity to the world to a surprise video making this a full-on blockbuster triumph:)

Movie News: After the momentous finale of Avengers: Endgame, some Marvel fans will feel let down by the soft, spoofy opening of Spider-Man: Far From Home and the generic events of the first hour. The film is amusing in a PG, teen-action-comedy way, but after a fire monster erupts from the bowels of Prague and a wobbly Peter Parker (Tom Holland) watches from the sidelines as a more mature, authoritative superhero dubbed Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) saves the city, you might think, “Is that all there is?” The second half of Spider-Man: Far from Home is a single, scary, brilliantly sustained climax in which what’s real seems just as improbable as what isn’t. There’s a good reason for that it’s all CGI! At its most dazzling Far From Home disintegrates its own illusions and reassembles them before your eyes, and you share Peter’s existential vertigo. And you can’t resent Peter for tying himself in knots over M.J. Zendaya is an original. She doesn’t make you feel that M.J. is part of Peter’s movie but that he’s part of hers. One more thing: You really need to stay for the two post-credit sequences! The first is a very worrisome surprise, the second is a colossal joke that lands, making the film seem even wittier!

Source: https://www.vulture.com/2019/07/spider-man-far-from-home-2019-review.html