Amir Muhammad's Blog, page 2
February 22, 2013
Nominees for Poster Terbaik, the most important category of Festival Filem Malaysia
Here they are:
This seems tough. I think Seefood has the best shot at winning because it looks of 'international standard' (and the match between the title and image actually does tell a story) but...why does it have to resemble Finding Nemo a wee bit too much?
My favourite would have to be the kinetic and vivid (although, yes, a bit 'Thai action movie') 8 Jam. Simply because it's the poster that makes me most want to watch the film. So there!
Having said that, I would have chosen Bunohan hands down ... if only the film had used its thrillingly portentous teaser poster:
It captures the oneiric spirit of the actual film much better (not that I have anything against Zahiril Adzim's left nipple in the final poster, of course). I even prefer the one they did for its Oscar campaign:
Apa kata anda??
This seems tough. I think Seefood has the best shot at winning because it looks of 'international standard' (and the match between the title and image actually does tell a story) but...why does it have to resemble Finding Nemo a wee bit too much?
My favourite would have to be the kinetic and vivid (although, yes, a bit 'Thai action movie') 8 Jam. Simply because it's the poster that makes me most want to watch the film. So there!
Having said that, I would have chosen Bunohan hands down ... if only the film had used its thrillingly portentous teaser poster:
It captures the oneiric spirit of the actual film much better (not that I have anything against Zahiril Adzim's left nipple in the final poster, of course). I even prefer the one they did for its Oscar campaign:
Apa kata anda??
January 14, 2013
Box-office figures for 74 Malaysian movies released in 2012
1. Ah Beng the Movie: 3 Wishes - RM7.6 million2. Adnan Sempit 2 - RM6.82 million3. Jalan Kembali: Bohsia 2 - RM4.98 million4. Mael Lambong - RM4.88 million5. Istanbul Aku Datang - RM3.58 million6. Hantu Gangster - RM3.45 million7. Hantu Kapcai - RM3.19 million 8. Aku Terima Nikahnya - RM2.75 million9. Bujang Terlajak - RM2.60 million10. Jangan Pandang-Pandang - RM2.51 million11. Seefood - RM2.36 million12. 8 Jam - RM2.3 million13. Nongkrong - RM2.12 million14. Kepong Gangster - RM2.09 million 15. Sumpahan Kum Kum - RM2.06 million16. Sepah The Movie - RM1.9 million17. Sam - RM1.88 million18. Hantu Dalam Botol Kicap - RM1.86 million19.Lagenda Budak Setan II - RM1.81 million 20.Ponti vs Omi - RM1.71 million21. Keramat - RM1.39 million22.The Golden Couple - RM1.34 million (*still showing)23. Fist of Dragon - RM1.26 million (co-production)24= Aku Ada, Kau Ada? - RM1.21 million24= Man Sewel Datang KL - RM1.21 million26. PE3 - RM1.18 million27. Cinta Kura Kura - RM1.17 million28. Berani Punya Budak - RM1.13 million29. Ghost Buddies - RM1.08 million30.Apa Celop Toqq - RM1.07 million31. 7 Petala Cinta - RM1.03 million32. Uncle Usin - RM1 million33. Azura - RM990,00034.Budak Pailang - RM960,00035. Seram Sejuk - RM920,00036. Untuk Tiga Hari - RM860,000 37= Bunohan - RM780,00037=Taikun - RM780,00039=Aji Boy - RM710,00039=Jidin Sengal - RM710,00041. 3 Temujanji – RM700, 00042. Sesuatu Yang Tertinggal - RM690,00043. Hantu Air - RM680,00044. You Believe in Ghost? - RM630,00045. Jiwa Taiko - RM620,00046. Strawberi Cinta - RM590,00047. Halim Munan - RM490,00048. Chow Kit - RM450,00049. Baik Giler - RM380,00050=29 Februari - RM370,00050=Ngorat - RM370,00052. Kahwin 5 - RM360,000 (*still showing)53= Hoore! Hoore! - RM350,00053= Mantera - RM350,00055.War of the Worlds: Goliath - RM280,00056. Salam Cinta - RM260,00057. Karma Reborn - RM250,00058. Aji Noh Motor - RM220,000 59. Gerimis Mengundang - RM220,00060. The Collector - RM200,000 (*still showing)61. X - RM200,00062. Hanya Aku Cinta Kau Seorang - RM180,00063. Aku, Kau dan Dia - RM160,00064. Sofazr The Movie Jiwa Kacau - RM150,00065. Adik Manja Returns - RM140,000 (*still showing)66. Momok - Jangan Cari Pasal - RM130,00067. Chantek - RM100,00068. Prince of the City - RM90,000 (*still showing)69. Air Mata Ibu - RM70,00070. Adutha Kattam - RM60,00071. Zaiton, Ceritaku - RM59,00072. Cinta Beruang - RM50,00073. Leftwings - RM20,00074. Vajram - RM10,000
Some notes:
1. This is the first time that the highest-grossing Malaysian movie of the year is not in the Malay language or any of its 3 most common derivatives: Bahasa Melayu Hantu, Bahasa Melayu Rempit & Bahasa Melayu Jiwang.
2. When Bunohan (the most interesting local movie I saw last year) was released, even some of its admirers found it tough to understand. A University Malaya professor even complained that it was "more difficult than Titanic." And yet it did better than half of the movies last year, most of which were presumably easier than Titanic.
3. Movie producers are now complaining there are too many movies and not enough movie-goers. I say: there are too many movie-goers that producers had ignored for too long, and – guess what? – most of those potential customers ain't coming back.
4. About half the movies in this list (including some worthwhile ones like The Collector and Chow Kit) lost money or barely broke even. This is a case-study in Social Darwinism.
5. The three movies that banked on 1980s nostalgia - Leftwings, Zaiton Ceritaku and Adik Manja Returns – tanked. Contrast this with the American movie Ted. Does this mean Malaysians are more forgetful?
6. The movies that banked on us recognizing 'real-life people' like 29 Februari and Zaiton Ceritaku didn't do great. Perhaps Malaysians don't like reality? (Which explains why there has yet to be a Malaysian documentary to be released theatrically. Two of mine got banned. Ahem.)
7. Two expensive animation projects – Seefood and War of the Worlds: Goliath – were lucky to get generous grants from ... those government agencies that get excited when people mention 'multimedia'. Though their professed targets of "breaking into the international market" has yet to be truly achieved, ambition is always a good thing. Love and strawberries are good also, although I didn't watch Strawberi Cinta.
January 12, 2013
December 18, 2012
December 2, 2012
MALAYSIAN SHORTS (10 Dec)
The last MALAYSIAN SHORTS of the year!
10 December. 8:15pm.
Auditorium, HELP University, Pusat Bandar Damansara KL.
Most of the directors will be present, so grab them & talk to them!
You may also VOTE for your 3 favourite shorts of the night!
Entry is FREE and open to everyone. Spread da word!
FULL LINE-UP:
GIGI PUTIH (14 min)
Director: Shamyl Othman
A trek up Batu Caves by two friends reveals cross-cultural confusions but also communication.
MY PERFECT ANNA (9 min)
Director: Nazri M Annuar
Kita memuja bila hendakkan dia. Kemudian tak endah bila dah dapat dia. Datang menyesal bila dia meninggalkan kita. Made in New York!
TANGGAPANMU (8 min)
Directed by Adib Zaini & Nadia Khan
Three friends get more than their money's worth during their vacation when they bump into a politician at the hotel...
THE LAST SUPPER (5 min)
Director: James Lee
James Lee reinvents himself as an action hero!
Z (6 min)
Director: Ridhwan Saidi
Penyanyi, politikus dan …
KOPI JULIA (5 min)
Director: Tan Bee Thiam
Rashad datang ke rumah kawannya Ikram. Tak sangka pulak mak kepada Ikram ni hot. Adapted from a short story by Faizal Sulaiman.
LUPA (6 min)
Director: Megat Shahrizal
Love in the time of time-travel.
PUASA (7 min)
Directed by Nadia Khan
Ah Meng, challenged by his two Malay housemates, gives fasting a shot on the first day of Ramadhan.
Y3LLOW (12 min)
Director: Ang Yee Sien
Bulton is terminally unlucky. A twist in fate happens when an unexpected object arrives. Made in England!
MOCK MOMOK (6 min)
Director: Sheril A. Bustaman
An interview with... a man who is married to a computer.
...teeming with possibilities of horror, drama, comedy, porno
and even crossed-dissolved episodes of his life rolled into one.
LUKIS TANAHAIRKU (4 min)
Crew: Malek Abdullah, Yihwen Chen & Vanesa Kumaraa
An experimental independent film project involving people from the streets of Malaysia.
PASPORT EKSPRES (18 min)
Director: Rewan Ishak
Ali wants to be a filmmaker but he is feeling uninspired and pressured with other things. He decided to go back to his home state, Perlis.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 101 minutes
September 30, 2012
August 28, 2012
MALAYSIAN SHORTS 3 September
Kelab Seni Filem Malaysia
presents
MALAYSIAN SHORTS
3 September 2012
8:15pm - 10:30 pm
Auditorium HELP University, Pusat Bandar Damansara KL
A dozen new Malaysian shorts will be shown! The directors will be there to mingle
Admission is FREE and open to all!Facebook event page
Line-Up:
TANPA JUDUL (2012, 27 min)
Directed by Azharr Rudin
Hati ini, apa yang ia desirkan, bisu.
DONNA MUST DIE (2011, Romania/Malaysia, 12 min)
Directed by Ismail Jamaludin & Dragos Dulea
Fred, a passive aggressive husband is confronted by his urge for revenge when his lifeless wife Donna accidentally destroys his prized possession. Donna must die! Made when the director was studying film in Romania.
LEMAN (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Ahmad Hafiz Rashid
In a quiet Malay village decades ago, only one English-educated person can read the Rumi script. So when the government posts up a sign that is not in Jawi, everyone turns to him. Best Malaysian Student Short 2012.
BONDA (2008, 6 min)
Directed by Alhafiz Burhanuddin
Memaparkan hubungan antara emak dan anak lelaki. Kasih ibu kekal hingga ke syurga, kasih anak berubah mengikut usia - zaman kanak-kanak, remaja dan dewasa.
ENOUGH (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Vickneswaran
Bass' (Hindi for 'Enough') depicts an orphan character who struggles to survive in the concrete jungle where he resorts to his artistic talents as a means of escapism and livelihood. The film is about exploitation in the art industry.
CONSCIENCE (2012, 5 min)
Directed by Nadia Khan
Shah is a screenwriter who gained fame and fortune with a critically-panned comedy written just for a quick buck. Ashamed of himself, he stows himself away from the world. One day, he receives a visit from his old friend Nik...
KAIZEN (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Shanjhey Kumar Perumal"Don't seek, don't search, don't ask, don't knock, don't demand - relax. If you relax, it comes" - Osho.
LANGAT DI ODU (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Bebbra Charles Mailin
This film is about the longing of a mother (Nenek) for her daughter (Otto). Her daughter had run away leaving her mother to join her lover in India. Narrated by the granddaughter (Cucu) of the family. In Dusun language.
LAWAN (2012, 8 min)
Directed by Azizulhakim Salleh
This is a tale of two rival burger vendors, Boy and Mat. Their rivalry is further heightened with various customer antics.
NESAN TAK TERUKIR (2012, 12 min)
Inspired by two poems -- "Coffin Maker" by T. Alias Taib and "Dead Cloth Seller" by Aan Mansyur -- this shortfilm is about how words spoke by a man, heard by God. But those words actually become a tragedy for him
MASKED (2012, 7 min)
Directed by Khairil M Bahar
On July 10th 2012, Information, Communications & Culture Minister Rais Yatim urged martial arts practitioners to assist in fighting crime. Someone took him seriously.
THE LAST MAN (2012, 6 min, animation)
Directed by Hanif Faiq bin Mohd Hashim
A nuclear plant explosion has send out a catastrophic wave of radiation. Millions of lives have been lost. A sole survivor in Kuala Lumpur is trying to find a cure. In order to conduct his research, he needs a living human test subject.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 125 min.
Majulah filem untuk negara.
presents
MALAYSIAN SHORTS
3 September 2012
8:15pm - 10:30 pm
Auditorium HELP University, Pusat Bandar Damansara KL
A dozen new Malaysian shorts will be shown! The directors will be there to mingle
Admission is FREE and open to all!Facebook event page
Line-Up:
TANPA JUDUL (2012, 27 min)
Directed by Azharr Rudin
Hati ini, apa yang ia desirkan, bisu.
DONNA MUST DIE (2011, Romania/Malaysia, 12 min)
Directed by Ismail Jamaludin & Dragos Dulea
Fred, a passive aggressive husband is confronted by his urge for revenge when his lifeless wife Donna accidentally destroys his prized possession. Donna must die! Made when the director was studying film in Romania.
LEMAN (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Ahmad Hafiz Rashid
In a quiet Malay village decades ago, only one English-educated person can read the Rumi script. So when the government posts up a sign that is not in Jawi, everyone turns to him. Best Malaysian Student Short 2012.
BONDA (2008, 6 min)
Directed by Alhafiz Burhanuddin
Memaparkan hubungan antara emak dan anak lelaki. Kasih ibu kekal hingga ke syurga, kasih anak berubah mengikut usia - zaman kanak-kanak, remaja dan dewasa.
ENOUGH (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Vickneswaran
Bass' (Hindi for 'Enough') depicts an orphan character who struggles to survive in the concrete jungle where he resorts to his artistic talents as a means of escapism and livelihood. The film is about exploitation in the art industry.
CONSCIENCE (2012, 5 min)
Directed by Nadia Khan
Shah is a screenwriter who gained fame and fortune with a critically-panned comedy written just for a quick buck. Ashamed of himself, he stows himself away from the world. One day, he receives a visit from his old friend Nik...
KAIZEN (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Shanjhey Kumar Perumal"Don't seek, don't search, don't ask, don't knock, don't demand - relax. If you relax, it comes" - Osho. LANGAT DI ODU (2012, 10 min)
Directed by Bebbra Charles Mailin
This film is about the longing of a mother (Nenek) for her daughter (Otto). Her daughter had run away leaving her mother to join her lover in India. Narrated by the granddaughter (Cucu) of the family. In Dusun language.
LAWAN (2012, 8 min)
Directed by Azizulhakim Salleh
This is a tale of two rival burger vendors, Boy and Mat. Their rivalry is further heightened with various customer antics.
NESAN TAK TERUKIR (2012, 12 min)
Inspired by two poems -- "Coffin Maker" by T. Alias Taib and "Dead Cloth Seller" by Aan Mansyur -- this shortfilm is about how words spoke by a man, heard by God. But those words actually become a tragedy for him
MASKED (2012, 7 min)
Directed by Khairil M Bahar
On July 10th 2012, Information, Communications & Culture Minister Rais Yatim urged martial arts practitioners to assist in fighting crime. Someone took him seriously.
THE LAST MAN (2012, 6 min, animation)
Directed by Hanif Faiq bin Mohd Hashim
A nuclear plant explosion has send out a catastrophic wave of radiation. Millions of lives have been lost. A sole survivor in Kuala Lumpur is trying to find a cure. In order to conduct his research, he needs a living human test subject.
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 125 min.
Majulah filem untuk negara.
August 18, 2012
My wish for Hari Raya
May we have more of this:
Location: New Jersey USA
And less of this:
Location: Pemuda UMNO (unofficial) Facebook 'fan' page
Ameen. Maaf Zahir Batin.
Location: New Jersey USAAnd less of this:
Location: Pemuda UMNO (unofficial) Facebook 'fan' page
Ameen. Maaf Zahir Batin.
July 3, 2012
Box-office figures for the first 50 Malaysian movies of the year
1. Ah Beng the Movie: 3 Wishes - RM7.6 million
2. Adnan Sempit 2 - RM6.82 million
3. Jalan Kembali: Bohsia 2 - RM4.98 million
4. Mael Lambong - RM4.88 million
5. Hantu Gangster - RM3.45 million
6. Bujang Terlajak - RM2.60 million
7. Jangan Pandang-Pandang - RM2.51 million
8. Seefood - RM2.36 million
9. 8 Jam - RM2.3 million
10. Nongkrong - RM2.12 million
11. Kepong Gangster - RM2.08 million (still showing)
12. Sumpahan Kum Kum - RM2.06 million
13. Sam - RM1.88 million
14. Hantu Dalam Botol Kicap - RM1.86 million
15. Keramat - RM1.39 million
16. Fist of Dragon - RM1.26 million (co-production)
17= Aku Ada, Kau Ada? - RM1.21 million
17= Man Sewel Datang KL - RM1.21 million
19. Cinta Kura Kura - RM1.17 million
20. Berani Punya Budak - RM1.13 million
21. Ghost Buddies - RM1.08 million
22. 7 Petala Cinta - RM1.03 million
23. Uncle Usin - RM1 million 24. Azura - RM990,000
25. Seram Sejuk - RM920,000
26. Untuk Tiga Hari - RM810,000 (still showing)
27. Bunohan - RM720,000
28. Jidin Sengal - RM710,00029. 3 Temujanji - RM1 million30. Sesuatu Yang Tertinggal - RM690,000
31. Hantu Air - RM680,000
32. You Believe in Ghost? - RM630,000
33. Jiwa Taiko - RM620,000
34. Halim Munan - RM490,000
35. Chow Kit - RM450,000
36. Baik Giler - RM380,000
37. 29 Februari - RM370,000
38= Hoore! Hoore! - RM350,000
38= Mantera - RM350,000
40. Salam Cinta - RM260,000
41. Karma Reborn - RM250,000
42. Aji Noh Motor - RM220,000 (still showing)
43. Gerimis Mengundang - RM220,000
44. X - RM200,000
45. Hanya Aku Cinta Kau Seorang - RM180,000
46. Aku, Kau dan Dia - RM160,000
47.Momok - Jangan Cari Pasal - RM130,000
48. Chantek - RM100,000
49. Air Mata Ibu - RM70,000
50. Leftwings - RM20,000
(edited: 10 October 2012)
Box-office figures for the first 30 Malaysian movies of the year
1. Ah Beng the Movie: 3 Wishes - RM7.6 million
2. Adnan Sempit 2 - RM6.82 million
3. Jalan Kembali: Bohsia 2 - RM4.98 million (still showing)
4. Bujang Terlajak - RM2.60 million
5. Jangan Pandang-Pandang - RM2.51 million
6. Seefood - RM2.36 million
7. Nongkrong - RM2.12 million
8. Sumpahan Kum Kum - RM2.06 million
9. Hantu Dalam Botol Kicap - RM1.86 million
10. Keramat - RM1.39 million
11. Fist of Dragon - RM1.26 million (co-production)
12= Aku Ada, Kau Ada? - RM1.21 million
12= Man Sewel Datang KL - RM1.21 million
14. Cinta Kura Kura - RM1.17 million
15. Berani Punya Budak - RM1.13 million
16. Ghost Buddies - RM1.08 million
17. 7 Petala Cinta - RM1.03 million
18. Uncle Usin - RM1 million 19. Azura - RM990,000
20. Bunohan - RM720,000
21. Jidin Sengal - RM710,00022. 3 Temujanji - RM1 million23. Sesuatu Yang Tertinggal - RM690,000
24. You Believe in Ghost? - RM630,000
25. Chow Kit - RM450,000
26= Hoore! Hoore! - RM350,000
26= Mantera - RM350,000
28. Gerimis Mengundang - RM220,000
29. X - RM200,000
30. Chantek - RM100,000
I saw only four!
