Stars: Louise Fletcher, Victoria Tennant and Kristy Swanson
Drama | Horror | Mystery | Novel-Tied In
IMDB: After the death of her husband, a mother takes her kids off to live with their grandparents in a huge, decrepit old mansion. However, the kids are kept hidden in a room just below the attic, visited only by their mother who becomes less and less concerned about them and their failing health, and more concerned about herself and the inheritance she plans to win back from her dying father, to the point of murder...
My 2 Cents Yes, this is an old movie but, today I actually pulled it out just to watch it again. If you didn’t know yet, this is a movie based from one of VC Andrews novel of the same name “Flowers in the Attic”, the beginning of “The Dollangangers series.
The horror of abuse, neglect, incest… all roll in one. I remembered reading this book and reading it in one go. The pages just turn and turn and I would gasps in horror, reading how event after event rolls. Watching it again, just brings up the horror it brings. I forgot how Chris actually feed his little brother his own blood, so his little brother would eat, because their evil Grandmother “forgets” to feed them. The emotional turmoil of watching, how the children grew up in a room, for years, unnourished, deprived of sunlight and normal lives, just became what the evil Grandmother tried to avoid in the first place.
Ayu and Malik, two sibblings is going through their darkest moments of life when their beloved mother just passed away. Malik feels so depressed believing he was the main cause of his mother’s death. During one of the evenings after a fight with his sister, Malik left to take a stroll in the forest. On and on he went until he realised he was lost and the next very moment, he appeared in another dimension called Magika.
Not only had he gotten himself lost, he was captured by a Nenek Kebayan and her follower, Awang Kenit. He is now subjected to be used as an experiment by the Nenek Kebayan to produce Essence of Youth made of human child’s tears. Upon hearing Malik’s cries for help, Ayu rushed to help her brother and she too is sucked in the Magika mystical land.
Ayu had to endure various types of challenges and obstacles in finding and to save her brother in her journey in the Magika world. And so begins the encounters of both the siblings with famous Malay heroes and myths like Badang, Dragon of Tasik Chini, Nenek Kebayan, Puteri Bunian, Pak Pandir, Hang Tuah and the Warriors of Melaka, Puteri Gunung Ledang, Bawang Putih and a lot more characters. The irony of it, all these characters actually sing in their conversation with each other!
Will Ayu be able to rescue Malik and leave the mystical land of Magika? What happens to Badang, Nenek Kebayan and other characters in Magika? Will Malik be able to overcome his dilemma over his mother’s death? Come and watch Magika the movie which is destined to be a phenomenal in the local filming industry while already setting a record to be the first local musical movie and it will be reaching our cinemas in 2010.
I have hold off from watching this movie for a bit while because I do not wish to get dragged in all the hype it is causing. Of course, I got rather curious after hearing it was getting awards after awards even before it reached the mass audience. Yes.. It is kind of taking example from the movie “The 10th Kingdom”, but hey, I don’t really care about that, at least they are trying to revive and keep the old legends and mythology alive throughout the years. I actually know people who picked up books regarding characters within this movie, just to know their origins. Edry has done quite a masterpiece to this movie. awesome soundtrack and a completely great script in interweaving the literature together into this movie.
Storywise: This movie actually begins with the taboo of playing during sunset,… or you might be kidnapped by “ghosts”.. not exactly ghosts, probably suited if I called them some sort of fairies and some other Paranormal beings. It started fast but what actually keep me watching is to answer the mysteries of “Who is the mother?” and “Why is Malik a brat?” other than it is a great watch.
I’m pretty much emo when I was watching this. I was cursing the hell out of Malik, for being a jackass unappreciative little brat, regardless being a tearful kid. That’s my summed up for that Malik character. He however made it up later in the movie.
I like to share a few memorable scenes with you guys and these actually popped up to me:
There’s this moment in the movie with Ayu encounter with the Orang Minyak: Orang Minyak: Kecik ni? *points somewhere in the groin area* Ayu: uh huh kecik tu. Nampak? Orang Minyak: Dulu Kecik, sekarang dah Besar Ayu: Besar? *with this cute innocent clueless look*
I’m not criticizing, but only people who knows the story would understand what exactly is the interaction about. Suppose to be very um.. dirty *laughs*
Does this one makes you want to look for a book regarding it? Badang (Mawi AF5): Menurut cerita, Naga Seri Gumum ni…tak apalah
I love the cgi with Maya Karin (there are 10ths of her) and the Dragon transforming M. Nasir. That was actually one of the smoothest transformation I have ever watched. That itself is a bravo!
Beautiful colors, beautiful scenery, catchy songs that hooked you from the start. I actually know them by heart after just one watch *tongue in cheek*.
I also like to dub this as the “superstars movie”. All the big names in the entertainment industry are in this movie and it kinda tickles me, they actually hired M. Nasir as the Keeper of Lake Chini. To all of my out of South East Asia friends and readers. N. Nasir is one of the top most big respectable names in the entertainment industry in this part of the world.
Then, there’s Ziana Zain. Her part in this movie will overshadow her past movie parts. *lol* I mean it! That Nenek Kebayan character overshadows everythign else she had done prior to that. :P
Ning Baizura did an awesome number as an old Puteri Gunung Ledang.
By casting the Sharifah sisters, Edry has shown the daughters of Cikgu Fatimah could actually sing and not just being her daughters other than just actors..
There’s no big parts in this movie, just small parts that are efficiently done. I don’t fancy much musicals but this has manage to be one of my favorite movie. Not bad, for Edry’s movie debut. I’m actually looking forward in watching his next movie.
Some of the Mythology & Legendary characters included: • Pak Pandir & Mak Andeh • Puteri Bunian • Nenek Kebayan • Mahsuri (I’m sorry I can’t get rid of that Ping Pong from my head lol, as well as her flopping in the back drop) • Hang Tuah & Friends • Badang • Puteri Gunung Ledang • Orang Minyak • Bawang Putih, Bawang Merah • Pak Belalang • Dragon of Lake Chini
If you like Beauty and the Beast, and you would like to see a modern interpretation of it. You would probably love this. I know I am impress and I can’t wait to watch it.
Title: Lagenda Budak Setan Genre: Romance, Social Adapted from: Lagenda Budak Setan; by Ahadiat Akashah Language: Malay/English (Malaysia) Starring: Farid Kamil, Lisa Surihani, Que Haidar, Nurfaizura
First of all, truth be known, I have never read the book this movie is adapted from before I watch this movie. I don’t even know it has been adapted from a book to be honest. To be more honest, I didn’t think of wanting to even watch this movie in the first place. I heard all the hype, the tears, the whining, the emo the movie pull out from its audience. Like a moth to a flame, I have decided to sit and watch it.
This feature the life of two people, namely Kasha and Ayu. Kasha is known to be the campus bully and Ayu is the fresh newbie student that just transferred in from another school. After a bad prank involving a lizard in a coke can, and a rescue act, Ayu and Kasha was drawn to each other like magnets. Ayu managed to motivated Kasha to turn into a new leaf. Kasha and Ayu became the campus couple not long after, but one day Kasha, had to go do his thesis somewhere far that last for a year or so. With a heavy heart they part and the inevitable happens as Ayu’s ex, Azmi; came into the picture, bearing the bad news that her mother has a heart attack, and Ayu has to come back, to take care of her sick mother. Seriously, Azmi just added the vomit factor when he called Ayu’s mother, “Ibu” (mother). Much to Ayu’s dismay, her mother requested Ayu to marry Azmi (her ex). Ayu isn’t happy anymore. Things turn into worse as Azmi’s jealous streak strikes as he abuses her mentally and physically. Those scenes are horrible and very emotional to watch. Until now, I don’t think I want to watch Que Haidar for a bit while until that scene goes away in my head. It is just horrible! >.< Especially what he force Ayu to do what she did. Ayu then drove furiously and crash onto the incoming traffic.
A year later, Kasha came back, and all he knows Ayu went off and married another. Then another woman, Amelia,=; came into his life, who strangely reminded him of Ayu. She walks like her, talks like her, have the same tastes with her. That affects him in every way. Then he found out she is Amy with a new face. They resume their relationship, from where they left off. Another worse turn for the worse. Azmi came back and ruin everything. His jealous streak came in and ruin everything when his rampage accidentally pushed Amy into a bad concussion, that she ended up having a very terrible amnesia. She forget who she is, who she was, her family, Kasha, their love, everything. Kasha does his best restore her memory…
My view? Oh gosh, the damn abuse scenes are really graphic. I don’t recommend this to kids. It is a tear jerker for some and honestly… most other than that… to me, this is more of a light movie for me. Forgetable… Yes.. forgetable. Harsh, aren’t I? Yes bravo though to Que Haider for being a evil villain and actually become hate-able =X. The soundtrack however is wow… I could listen to it 24/7. and that is an evergreen song! Bila Cinta by Gio and Fifi with their own different individual version of that song, are soothing and reaching into any body’s soul.
I should have made a movie review out of this since I have written a review for the book itself. This is an adaptation from the book of the same name. As I said before in my review, I have watched this movie first before I actually attempted on the book itself but I have realized this is surprisingly a well made movie. It's hard to find an adaptation that goes well with a book. There are a couple of these adaptation but this is the best one so far.
The screenplay is well written, I'm actually moved by it. I couldn't choose any other better actors for the parts. okay a few but point given they actually make good in this movie. I don't have to tell you (to the ones who actually watched this), that it's different. in a twisted way. Overall. love it!.
There's a copy of this book somewhere in the DAH section of the library where I work. . When I heard they are making a movie out of it, all I could think was, um.. how can they make a movie out of a book THAT thin? I guess now I know. Like I said, it's a thin book, I can't say anything much about the plot line, since that would probably spoil it all.
Anyhoo, the animation is absolutely smooth. I love it! It rans smooth. the scenery is awesome. All I could say is thumbs up!
Ever since I've read The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold; a couple of years back, I have fell in love with it. It became one of my favorite modern piece of literature ever! A tale about a murdered girl, looking down on Earth from her own heaven, to watch how her family is doing, and she watched the ongoing of her own murderer life after he killed her. Her thoughts unfold through the pages.
When I heard they are making a movie out of it. I was what I could feel can only describe as "afraid". "Afraid" they will ruin this excellent piece of treasure the author have offered the world. I have watched a few movie adaptions that really gone bad in my point of view. I was actually disappointed with them. But I am so glad, this movie cut the deal. It came out absolutely as darling as the book has been.
The movie pulled me in, just like the book did. I even have moments where I actually said, "don't go there." The scenes were wonderful. I applause the director's direction through out the movie.
I leave you with a thought: If the man knew what's in the vault...
Lisa. Librarian. Member of Brunei Librarian Association. Published Writer. Reviewer. Brunei Book Blogger. Book Seller. Reading Culture Advocate. B:Read. Brunei Book Swap Association. TV Series, Movies, Anime, Gadget Junkie. Aims. Get more people to read. Promote reading by giving my own guidelines, reviews, lists. etc Books has been part of my life ever since I was a kid. Being a librarian however was just sheer luck. Movies & TV is a way to chill-axing and I occasional review what I watch. Preferences: Horror, Mystery, Adult, Young Adults, Thrillers, Children, & things in between. More...
favourites:♥ These would mark my personal favorites regardless my own rating.
1 spade:♠♠♠♠♠ ☼ could not finish 2 spade:♠♠♠♠♠ ☼ struggling through 3 spade:♠♠♠♠♠ ☼ not amazing, but not bad 4 spade:♠♠♠♠♠ ☼ well worth your time 5 spade:♠♠♠♠♠ ☼ definite shelf-keeper
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