A 'Knocked-Up' and 'Lame' Saturday

(P.S. I'm still drafting my Deathly Hallows review. Promise it'll be gd!)

Saturday was fun. Went for morning movie with zhiwen at vivo city ... pity didn't have time to walk around. So long never jalan jalan at vivo le ... but anyway, we managed to catch a great movie : Knocked-Up ! And after the movie, went over to zhiwei's house. Lamerz had a really surprising birthday celebration for me ... haha, pleasantly surprised =)

But first, a short review of Knocked-Up.

I give the movie : W o o o o W (3.5/5)


The movie stars Grey's Anatomy actress, the oh-so-hot Katherine Heigl and the not-so-hot Seth Rogen.



Short Synopsis: Fat "single+broke" bloke meets hot "up-and-rising-reporter" girl in pub, and due to a "contraceptive mishap", the girl gets knocked-up, and the rest, they say, is history.


My Comments: This is a really crude but hilarious movie. It is M18, so don't expect it to be squeeky-clean and polite. The movie is peppered very occasionally with nude women and the dialogue is filled with F's (if you know what I mean), but what the heck, it is reminiscent of the Army but MINUS the nudity, of course.


Besides being very very funny (because the scenarios are so true), it is also surprisingly touching and affecting, which will appeal to the female audience (which is probably why this movie has become a sleeper-hit in the US). The supporting cast are strong in their own rights: Katherine's sister is an extremely uptight and crazy bitch while her husband (if you remember him as Phoebe's boyfriend in Friends), is perfect as the hen-pecked trying-to-get-a-life man in her life. Their two little daughters are delightfully quirky, and it all adds up to a mad-packed delivery climax that promises to 'deliver' the laughs.


Go catch it if you're mature enough =)

After the movie, I made my way over to zhiwei's condo to play mahjong with zhiwei, fungi and yeewen, while waiting for the rest to come. Initially, I went thinking that it would be a celebration of Yw's birthday. But yup, being Lamerz Inc, surprises were in store.

When they turned off the lights, I still casually pretended for the sake of Yw. I mentioned: "Whoa, black-out ah?" Little do I know, when I stood up, they were standing there with a birthday cake and one-lighted candle, singing the birthday song.

What can I do? Just smile in surprise lor ... 'cause I really was surprised. I mean, my birthday was in May =D Wahaha, but still glad that they celebrated. Next one would be Yw's I guess ... maybe in September. LOL

We cut the cake and ate while the girls presented peijun this photo album of hilarious photos. All the 'black pages' were supposed to be me. Neat little joke. =P Then they showed this very noisy video of the process of making the album. Can't hear a thing. Just a lot of screaming as usual =P

Finally they presented my present. It was this really cool model ship made of little wooden pieces. Fungi took the trouble to paint it black so that it would 'resemble' The Black Pearl. Get it? Haha, it is now proudly displayed in my glass cabinet. Together with my Strike Freedom and Nike Transformers. Hee.

Once again, thanks guys! Can't be grateful enough. =))

Well, next post shall be my review of the last Potter book. Till then ... I'll be in Tekong. Sucks to be me.

PRELUDE to a Review

The first thing I'll say is : I'VE NOT FINISHED THE BOOK, therefore NO SPOILERS AHEAD.

The next thing, well, is that I've reached chapter 20+, and I finally got to know what-the-heck is the Deathly Hallows. But of course, I shall not reveal it.

I'm now in camp (I won't say over here why I have internet access), far far away from ppl outside who have finished the book, or who already know who is killed in the book. Urgh, it's been hell trying to live in secrecy myself. I've been telling my friends (esp Szern) not to mention anything about the fate of characters in the book, because I want to enjoy it fully. I also resorted to skipping one whole page of a newspaper as long as I see anything written about the seventh book. Not easy lor, when so many in camp are itching to tell me 'bout it.

Anyway, those who have the book would know what the symbol above represents. Of course, again, I shall not disclose what it really means, although it appeared on that orange-paper-bag which comes along with the book purchase (see previous entry).

The reason why I put the symbol there is simple: it just proves what a freaking-good book Deathly Hallows is. I'm sure some of you must've read the glowing reviews by critics; and I've to say I'm not surprised. From what I've read so far (chap20+), it has been a hell-of-a-ride. The plot takes a very exciting twist when light is finally thrown on the symbol above, and I really can't help but marvel at what a fantastic writer Rowling is.

It is obvious she planned the last book ever since Book 1. The intricate plot speaks for itself.

The more I read, the more I want to flip to the back and just read the Nineteen Years Later chapter. But for now, I'll just have to read it patiently, although the story is getting mindblowingly kan-cheong.

This is just a prelude to the review I intend to write after I finish the book. For those who don't bother reading the entire volume (but want to know what the hell is going on) you can look forward to a comprehensive review ;)

Sigh. Maybe I'm just really sad that the series is coming to an end.

Good luck, Harry (and friends)! =x

That DEATHLY-Orange Paper Bag

The time was 7:15a.m. when I reached Northpoint's (Yishun) POPULAR. I had just booked out from SISPEC camp and decided to drop-by and collect that thing.

I expected that I would not have to wait a second to get my hands on the final installment of J.K. Rowling's fantasy-franchaise. However, I was so wrong. There were already two queues snaking at the two counters when I entered. Unable to suppress my smirk, I joined the presumably shorter one and finally got hold of the adult version of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS a good half an hour later.

I have to admit that I was quite excited. Fourteen minutes ago, at 7:01a.m., history was made. One of the most stupendously-incredibly-extraordinarily successful books of our generation (and probably our parents' generations) finally reached the hands of the public (12:01a.m. London time). It's crazy, I tell you. How many millions of people (adults and children) across the globe have awaited for this momentous day to come. And there I was, silently collecting my piece of history in the humble heartland mall.

I'm sure, like me, all of you who have read the beloved books would have grown so attached to the characters, particularly Harry, Ron and Hermione. That's why I was so distraught when I took a glimpse at the prologue of the 7th Book, consisting of a poem and a short paragraph on Death and everlasting friendship. It is inevitable. Rowling already mentioned a bloodbath. I hope she handles it well so that the readers can handle the deaths well.

My younger brother just walked into the room and read the last chapter of the book, Nineteen Years Later. I warned him gravely that if he so were to breathe a single word of the plot to me, he would suffer a fate of eternal doom. Suffice to say, he told me that from what he read, "it was a perfect way to end the series". He is only twelve years old.

Argh, I can't wait. But the book would have to wait. I'm going out now. However, nevertheless, I'm sure that the streets of Singapore (at least for today), would be filled with people carrying that proud, little orange bag, which contains an item that would undoubtedly go down in history as something special in their hearts.

(Read previous post for review on Order of the Phoenix)

Harry's "Adult" Film and JJ's Polished Sounds

As you can tell from the title, I am reviewing a movie and a CD.

#1: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

#2: 林俊杰's 西界 (westside) CD

Hope the insights are useful =)

The scoring system is in "WoW"s.

WoooooW = Excellently-excellent. Can't get enough of it.

WooooW = Well-made. Worth your every $.

WoooW = Good entertainment.

WooW = Argh! Life is short. Don't waste your time.

WoW = Like, wow. Please kill me.

[ picture from http://laist.com/2007/07/12/harry_potter_an.php ]

AN EXCELLENT BENCHMARK FOR THE FINAL TWO MOVIES

Rating: W o o o o W (4.O/5)

David Yates is the least-known director who helmed the wildly successful Potter film franchaise. But how the heck did he manage to churn out such a slick, well-filmed movie, I'll never know. Order is a very lenghthy book, so you can imagine Yates' arduous task of creating an enjoyable-yet-sensible film. At 138min, Yates' succeeded fairly-well, while I know fans of Rowling's books will not be happy for the amount of scenes he axed from the plot, and the short-cuts he took. (Notably, Ron's Quidditch-champion stint, and the fact that Yates totally ignored Ron and Hermione becoming prefects at Hogwarts.) But in my opinion, they are all inevitable.

Here's what's good about Order.

What strikes me most is the fantastically-delicious acting, mainly from the veterans. Imelda Staunton turned in a stunning tour de force performance as villainous-you-just-want-to-slap-that-bitch-face Professor Dolores Umbridge, the sinister woman working for Ministry of Magic, who brings her reign of terror to Hogwarts complete with her toadface and disgusting pink outfit down to her fine, china tea cup. Maggie Smith wows again as Professor McGonagall - two of the best acting scenes were delivered by her and Imelda, and another one with Professor Trelawney (a sympathetically-jittery Emma Thompson). The men were equally comfortable in their roles as well, particularly Alan Rickman as Severus Snape (he is PERFECT) and Gary Oldman as Harry's godpa Sirius. One complain though: what a lousy way to handle Sirius's death.

Of course, I shouldn't ignore the young leads, who vastly-improved way beyond my expectations. Daniel Radcliffe is so comfortable playing the long-suffering boy who lived. He handled his emotions very well throughout. Emma Watson (Hermione) is fast-becoming a serious, credible actress to watch-out for and her upcoming onscreen-beau, Rupert Grint (Ron) does well to keep up with her. Despite a few solid praises I've read of Evanna Lynch (playing the loony role as Luna Lovegood), she is rather under-used in the movie. Let's hope she matures well enough to be as excellent as Ginny, who seems effortless in her role.

As mentioned in The New Paper, Cho Chang's first kiss with Harry was worth the hype. But here's my nagging complain: please lah, I think there are a million other Chinese girls prettier than Katie Leung lor. However, you can't deny that finding one with a delicious Scottish accent is easy. Kudos to her on that.

Last but not least, the final showdown at the Ministry of Magic is ENOUGH to get you your $9.50 worth. The CG-set of the Dpt of Mysteries is stunningly-ominous, and the Dumbledore-Voldemort fight was exhilarating to say the least. Flying shattering glasses, street-fighter-style wand magic concoctions. The Ministry of Magic, complete with its towering in-house office cabins, was a sight to behold. Voldemort's possession of Harry at the climax was both heart-wrenching and intensely-filmed.

Whoa, that was long. But anyway, Yates directed a master of a film, complete with his sweeping breath-taking shots of Hogwarts castle. Although there was no exciting Quidditch, Order is one solid film. Definitely on-par with Goblet of Fire, but with a darker, adult-edge.

+

[ picture from http://music.yule.sohu.com/20070629/n250829267.shtml ]

JJ FORMULA NEVER FAILS
Rating: W o o o o W (3.5/5)

I didn't even know JJ had a new disc until I saw it shot straight to number one in Taiwan on MTV's Top20. I was impressed and being a fan of good, local music, I went to purchase it.

Got it on a steal! $7.50 - was a 20% discount. It's the original China-import version.

Anyway, on the first spin, I must say I wasn't hooked. The Killa, his first single (yes, the one with the controversial JJ-mutilating-girl music video), failed to impress me. His second single, Westside, was a not-bad ballad, complete with his signature vocal riffs.

However, on a second spin, the CD grows on you. The Killa, as I discover, is a sleeeeek groovy single, making JJ a strong contender for Jay Chou's R&B-king status. His ballads, still, are the strongest here. Westside has the ability to stick to your head - and I mean it in the best way possible. The Channel 8 drama, Kinship song, 大男人·小女孩, is a sweet lullaby. 不流泪的机场 and 自由不变 are very polished ballad that showcases JJ's song-writing and vocal prowess. Lastly, BABY-BABY is a very enjoyable bubblegum pop number that will get you singing along in your car (if you play it inside, that is).

Only one complain: the track, K-O, is rather irritating and uninspiring.

All in all, it is a great effort, considering the short period he had between this album and the last (曹操). Get this if you are looking for polished Mandarin pop.

What Took Me So Long?!

( insert title ) Always wanted to start a blog since Blogger became Hot. But guess I was too busy. Anyhow, here I am, with a blogname I think describes my attitude at best.

I was thinking how I should begin this - ahem - 'virgin' post, then I thought, what the heck, let's do a Q&A-style. Here's the lame-ass first entry. Enjoy :) hee.

The interviewer speaks in Courier; and I reply in Italics.

]

Hi Wilson.

Hello.

Tell us more about the blogname. Why wilsoniscurious?

I'm glad you're curious. (laughs) I'm at an age where life presents a lot of possibilities. I'm quite excited about University; about contributing to the society; about discovering new things.

Whoa, quite philosophical. So what are you doing now?

Typing my blog.

(rolls eyes) As in, what are you doing in your life now.

Oh. (laughs) I'm currently serving the nation in the army. OOC-ed.

Can you kindly explain to the girls not serving NS what you mean?

I'm Out Of Course from SISPEC. Due to medical reasons. Just doing sai-gang lor. Waiting to be posted out. Very sian actually. Anyway, FYI, there are girls serving in Foxtrot company in SISPEC, you know. Caused quite a stir-up among the guys. Whoa, I tell you -

We are digressing. You can speak to your NS buddies about this. So, moving on, what will this blog be about? Will you be criticising people? Reporting daily news? Weather forecast?

Er, no no. Nothing political. I'll just be talking about army life. Nothing much I can talk about now. And what I do during the weekends, which is my only free time. So sad right? :(

Awww. (rolls eyes)

HEY!

Anyway, so what do you do during the weekends?

Go out with friends lor. I enjoy watching movies. (96360926 - sms me if you want to go out for a movie) Actually, I'm thinking of starting this occasional review page whereby I give my comments on recently watched movies. Kind of a movie buff. Would like to review music also. I listen to almost any kind of music. English, Mandarin, Canto, Band pieces ... bla bla.

Heard you've just moved house. How is it?

Chey. I think everyone knows that lor. I like to invite my friends over during weekends also.

Do what?

M&M. Movie and Mahjong.

You are quite lame.

Sometimes, it's MMS. Movie, Mahjong, Stayover. (96360926 - sms me for MMS)

Okay, stop. You are really lame.

Thank you. I'm part of this clique called LaMeRz, InC. They are my close friends from secondary school. We used to spend our time going cycling and crapping about anything we can crap about. My JC clique (TRP) also likes to crap a lot. But we're a more subdued bunch. We prefer to think we are more matured.

That's.. er.. nice. Thank you for your time. Enjoy your blogging experience.

Huh? That's all ah? I'm not finished yet lor. I also like to write short stories during my freetime. I also enjoy good food. And sleeping. And swimming. And sleeping. And.. and..

ZzZz.

Okay, fine. I need to book-in anyway. With my rifle and my buddy and me-e-e

Shut up.