The Bodyguard (1992)

I wanna dance with somebody.  I wanna feel the heat with somebody.

At a glance:

One of the highest grossin films of all time in its day, The Bodyguard (1992) is a TV rerun staple that has come to serve as a grim reminder of how sweet Whitney Houston's voice once was, before all that coke, alcohol and Bobby Brown beatings took its toll. Despite gettin a Razzie nomination for her role here as popstar Rachel Marron, one should realise that the mezzo-soprano essentially played herself and this was a suitable, non-offensive part to play for what was to be her film debut. Movie is an R-rated adult thriller about a singer gettin stalked by an unknown person while Kevin Costner plays a bodyguard that closes in on the case.

Bad news on the doorstep:
The uncomfortable (and unconvincin) chemistry between the lead pair is actually part of the story line but I guess even that defence gets blown to bits when they put in all the anthems that mark a romance of the ages e.g. I Have Nothing, Run To You and of course, the definitive I Will Always Love You. The Bodyguard (1992) was never goin to be anywhere as good as the soundtrack CDs it would sell - but it was an iconic look into the campy 90s.

Perennial wonderment:

If Whitney would do it all over again.

Reminds me of:

The prospect of havin sex with a black woman.

I can't remember if I cried:

When we heard that Whitney has passed away at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on 11 February 2011. Cause of death unpublished at the time of writin.

Amacam joker, berapa bintang lu mau kasi?

Strange endurance. Glitzy stuff. Houston's last screen appearance will be alongside American Idol winner Jordin Sparks in Sony Pic's Sparkle (releasin Stateside August), a remake of the 1976 movie loosely based on the careers of The Supremes. Guess you can catch her in that.★★★
Bonus material:

Jordin Sparks and Whitney Houston in the upcomin Sparkle (2012).

The day the music died:

R.I.P. Whitney Houston
(9 Aug 1963 – 11 Feb 2012)

The New Daughter (2009)

At a glance:

Remember the little girl who played Ofelia in Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)? Or the little boy who played Angelina Jolie’s missin son in Changeling (2008)? Well, these children, together with a depressed-lookin Kevin Costner, one of the most recognisable American leadin men of yesteryears, now star in a forgotten movie that sits permanently in DVD bargain bins worldwide after a limited release Stateside.
Bad news on the doorstep:
Mix mutilated cats and burial mounds with a moody pre-pubescent teen girl and you’ll get this supernatural thriller. Its best intentions you will unfortunately find yourself forgettin as it drags past the 100-minute mark. Despite some classy shots and an impressive, successful and interestin production design, The New Daughter is cumbersomely overlong and conceptually underhit, relegatin itself to horror movie fans’ download lists and DVD curio catalogues by the last act.

Perennial wonderment:

How Kevin Costner went from bein the most in-demand male lead in Hollywood after Dances With Wolves (1990) and Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991) to bein a bit-part actor and B-grade movie producer today.

Reminds me of:

Pet Sematary (1989), Pan’s Labyrinth (2006), The Orphanage (2007) and Shelter (2010).

Amacam joker, berapa bintang lu mau kasi?

Rated PG-13 Stateside but NC-16 in Singapore, the flick does however have some savin grace and will do the trick if you’re lookin for a horror movie to pass the time. Its psychosexual subtext and sequel-suggestin finale will largely be lost on regular cinema-goin audiences but complaints about The New Daughter will not trump its ticket admission price if you actually saw this on the big screen. On the DVD, try it at your own peril and keep your expectations low.