Coming to Cinemas (28/3/2013)

As we enter into the final week of March, summer blockbusters are already on its way to keep us busy for the next few months. This week we have a long anticipated release, that should have been in last year's summer release, and the first conclusion to an Ip Man series.

You'll find the trailers of the releases for this week below.

G.I. Joe Retaliation

Director: Jon Chu
Cast: Channing Tatum, Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki, Ray Park, Lee Byung-hun, Ray Stevenson, Arnold Vosloo
Running Time: 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Language:: English
Classification: P13
Synopsis: A new director, Jon Chu ("Step Up 3D"), is brought into the fray for the next instalment of "G.I. Joe". This time, the G.I. Joe team have to stop Zartan (Arnold Vosloo), Storm Shadow (Lee Byung-hun) and Firefly (Ray Stevenson), after they managed to escape. But it is not going to be easy for Zartan is now in disguise as the President of the United States. All the world leaders are coerced to do his bidding, and the world is on the brink of war with Zartan launching nuclear warheads towards innocent populaces. With some new heavies on the payroll, the G.I. Joe team has got a lot on their hands, not to mention pasts to resolve, especially for Snake Eyes (Ray Park) and Storm Shadow rivalry that goes back to the time when they were under Blind Master's tutelage.
Trailer Impressions: Delayed for nearly a year from its initial release date last year, whether it was because of 3D post conversion or because of Channing Tantum, the only reason why I going to see this is because of ninjas. Out of all the 90s cartoons being adapted into cinematic franchises, I thought that the G.I Joe franchise is one that would make the transition into the gritty 'realism' on the 21st century better than most others. While Stephen Summers' adaptation of the first one wasn't all that great, but it was still enjoyable. But with Summers out of calling the shots for this one, the pressure is really on Jon Chu, who may or may not step up from Never Say Never.

Ip Man - The Final Fight (葉問：終極一戰)

Director: Herman Yau
Cast: Anthony Wong, Huang Yi, Eric Tsang, Gillian Chung, Jordan Chan, Anita Yuen
Running Time: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Language:: Cantonese
Classification: P13
Synopsis: Director Herman Yau and producer Checkley Sin who were responsible for "The Legend Is Born - Ip Man" return to helm "Ip Man - The Final Fight". Different from previous Ip Man films, "Ip Man - The Final Fight" will focus extensively on Ip Man's final battle in his life, following the period from his forties to his death. Two-time Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor Anthony Wong will portray the titular character while Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress Anita Yuen will star as Ip Man's wife.
Trailer Impressions: Really who has been keeping track with the amount of movies based on Ip Man? The man is like the Wong Fei Hoong of the 21st century or something. So in case you are wondering why Donnie Yen isn't in this one, is because this is the sequel to The Legend is Born - Ip Man, the one starring Dennis To. While I'm still waiting if we will ever see Wong Kar Wai's The Grandmasters, I didn't watch the prequel to this, so I'm not really sure if I would go and see this one. But really, hasn't anyone got bored of seeing Ip Man movies?

Sembunyi: Amukan Azazil

Director: Kabir Bhatia
Cast: Diana Danielle, Remy Ishak, Umie Aida, Sharnaaz Ahmad, Fizo Omar
Running Time: 1 Hour 37 Minutes
Language:: Malay
Classification: P13
Synopsis: Aishah (Diana Danielle) is a young woman living during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya, who, after being knocked unconscious while escaping from the clutches of the Japanese Army, wakes up in a quiet, sleepy village, seemingly untouched by the war. The villagers give her shelter and she begins a new life there. But soon it becomes clear that the village hides other secrets as well. Aishah is haunted by the presence of a young deformed girl whom no one else can see and she discovers that an unknown evil lurks in the surrounding woods nearby the village, an ancient creature that makes the villagers its prey, a demon known only as Azazil. The villagers keep an uneasy peace with the demon through offerings but the moment Aishah enters the village, the attacks inexplicably begin again.

FilmBah's Pick of the Week

After a very disappointing outing with last week's Warm Bodies, I guess my standards have lowered for a bit. I won't lie that I've been excited about G.I Joe Retaliation with low expectations since I first saw the trailer last year, so I'm looking forward to have some stupid fun this week in the cinema.

Releases according to CinemaOnline.