Review of Spellbound (2002) by M R — 11 Feb 2004

Ahh, my body aches. Having done my fitness test today, where, as expected, I failed miserably, it has shown to me just how severely out of shape I am. Those extra ponds are really adding up. With that I have decided to make a resolution- cut down on junk food and increase physical excercise. And yes, I know that resolutions are useless becos pple dun really follow them through. Well I half expect to fail in my endevour to reduce weight from my increasingly stocky demeanor. But nevertheless I hope to be able to succed. My current weight Stays at abt 75-76kg and I hope to drop it to the 69kg I was some 4 mths ago. A dauting task, no doubt, but one I am committed to. . Nah, I doubt its gonna be achieved, but I do hope to put the breaks on my weight gain at least and perhaps reduce it to early 70s number.

There is another threat of retest for physical fitness test, which I again fully expect to fail in addition to Tekong, which is frankly the bane of my exsistance. Man I simply hate the SAF!

Well back to reviews.... First up its the retro 80s movie Flashdance. Well lets see- cliched, texbook plot:CHECK.

Uninspired Acting: CHECK.

Predictable plot and storyline :CHECK.

A recipe for mediocity. But what save it from the abyss is an absolutely smashing soundtrack, including "Manhunt", "I need a Hero" and the awesome and evergreen " WHat A Feeling" by Irene Cara. That together with slick dance moves make it a cool movie, certainly bettter that the criticaly acclaimed but, in my opinion lacklustre, Billy Elliot. But one demerit point I must impose is an utterly useless and simply nauseous scene with a dance sequence that has lights flashing on the screen. I half expected to fall into an epilectic fit woth the needlessly glaring strobe lights flashing. It detract for the overall viewing experice of the movie and has little cinematic value.

Next up is Spellbound. It's a docu-movie with a subject matter that seems as interesting and exciting as Metaphysics 101- spelling bee competition. But which might have well been a dry, dull movie is given almost nail-bitibg suspense as one watches young preteens duel for the title of spelling bee. The Suspense is palpable as one watches them slowly procouce each word,each syllable like it would have a life changing effect on thier future. Seriously, this is more engaging than watching AMerican Idol! In between you also get to listen to words you never knew existed, and be humble by kids who could spell words you didm't even understand. It also showcases the multi-racial aspect of american life and the immense pressure put on the kids by their parents and themselves upon their shoulders. Sometimes, you really want to grab them and tell them to go get a life! The Kiasuism of AMerican families is no less that of the Singaporean parent, eager for their child to have a competitive edge.

Once Upon A time In Mexico can be summed in 4 words:

SOME STYLE, NO SUBSTANCE.

And the style issn't even mindblowingly awesome like Kill Bill, which was practically oozing with style. WHile the opening scene was not bad, the rest of the scenes are largely mediocre with an occasional flash of brilliance. Together with a contrived and largely non exsistant plot, this is one action movie you'd be better off missing. Catch Kill Bill instead.