But filmmakers continue to pile them on. This week Darah, a new horror film produced by Eric Khoo’s new production company Gorylah Pictures, is playing in the cinemas. But the made-in-Indonesia film offers nothing new in terms of storyline or techniques.

The formulaic story of a bunch of people going to a strange place where they are hacked to pieces is more shopworn than the latest Halloween picture. Darah’s gore levels are higher than most and no doubt this would be its main selling point. But the cheap thrills and the oh-so-predictable storyline still leave us unimpressed.

Now if Darah errs on resorting to cheap thrills, Julie & Julia errs on having not enough of them. Despite a delightfully colourful performance by Meryl Streep as Julia, the movie drags interminably during the Amy Adams segment the Julie segment, where she takes on the role of Julie who does little more than whining about her life.

Still, Meryl’s performance should give her diehard fans something to shout about.

Enjoy.

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> visit agenda page	Malaysia | 23 OCT - 01 NOV 2009 Freedom Film Fest 2009 Presenting 23 heart-moving, eye-opening, award-winning human rights documentaries from Malaysia and around the world, over 3 days in 4 states: KL (Oct 2-4) The Annexe, Central Market Penang (Oct 9-11) Han Chiang College Kuching (Oct 23-25) Sekolah Menengah Chung Hua No.1 Johor Bahru (Oct 30-Nov 1) Tropical Inn. Each screening will be followed with a discussion session with filmmakers & resource persons.