Spinning Gasing

To call this film a complete waste of celluloid would be an understatement.

The acting was unconvincing to say the least, especially from actor Craig Fong, who couldn't have acted stiffer. As far as story goes...well...what story?! The "film" is nominally about Harry Lee, a Malaysian of Chinese descent who comes back to his home country after flunking out of every course he took and tries to start a band.

The film has ever cliche you can think of -- sex, tension among band members and a little bit of racial tension thrown in.

The problem is that even with a subject that's been covered adequately by even the most amateurish directors, this movie is all over the place and the whole thing just feels contrived with parts that would make even the most hardened reviewers' hairs stand on end.

I would say that this movie is different and refreshing from the rest of the local Malaysian releases out there. The storyline and acting could be better but good considering most of the cast are new in the industry. I would be interested in seeing more of teck Tan's work in future.

Good debut attempt from Teck Tan.

Harry Lee, played by Craig Fong, the protagonist, returns to KL with news that he has failed in his studies. His autocratic, typically Chinese father is disgusted, and Harry leaves home after a major argument over determining life directions. Western-influenced, Harry really wants to form a dance-music band and become famous. Yati, Harry's childhood friend, is a modern city girl in her early 20s. Although Yati adopts a fashionable gen-x lifestyle, she has been raised to believe in her Malay culture and Muslim religion, both of which are under threat in this fast-developing country. Her personal perspective is a balanced one; she observes her religious rites, but is in no way a fanatic. Harry forms a new band, which comprises Yati, Chantal (a glamorous Eurasian singer), Ariff (a gay keyboard player) and JJ (an Indian percussionist and tabla player).

The story revolves around these five figures in achieving their dreams and encountering social and cultural obstacles. The movie touches on issues that are not touched by majority of the Malaysian movies: clashes of ethnic groups and contrasting faiths - but in a modern gen-x setting.

Overall, the movie is very sincere in reflecting the current society in Malaysia. Acting wise, Ellie Suriyati played Yati very well with convincing facial expressions. Though she may look forced sometimes, she manage to hide it with her natural suave moves and authentic look. Craig Fong, on the other hand, sounded pretentious with his too-thick Australian accent, which is very unrealistic to represent the country's youth. Also, dont understand why he had to bare his chiseled body in almost every scene... a crowd puller or a heart-throb in creation?

I was hoping that my faith in the quality of malaysian films would be restored by this film after so many years, but sadly this film is not it. The same problems plaguing malaysian films are STILL there - unrealistic, overacting etc. why the big deal about the girl suddenly being entranced and then dancing on the beach? nobody does that...only crazy people do, or only during tourism promos. how about the thing about "mee maggi cepat dimasak sedap dimakan" thingy? TOTALLY unnecessary! I was plainly disgusted, not delighted by that time-wasting little scene.

Once more, to Malaysian directors and actors/actresses - u dont need a huge budget or need to show lots of skin in order to make a good film! what u need is a great story, a great script and great acting, that's it.

firstly i would like to state that I'm an 19 year old Malaysian who is annoyed at MOST of Malaysian movie, i really am, most of Malaysian movie are typical love story. But lately there are some titles which really attracts me to the cinema one of them is Spinning Gasing.Spinning Gasing is by far the coolest Malaysian movie i ever seen but still lacks of being great.The acting was good, Chantal was natural,Yati was unexpectedly good, harry was okay but his accent was way over acting,Ariff is not bad (he's the comic relief), JJ was either there or not.The plot was good i can see nothing wrong with it.Either than that I salute the director to go quite over the edge a little in this movie,people who seen this movie you may know what i mean.All in all this movie is good but can be better.I give it a 7/10