It's Complicated

That is what we all want to be: Forever 21. This year I'm turning 22! GOSH. The last time I had a double-digit as my age was when I was 11 =(

It is so fun to meet up with this mix of band peeps, and listening to Rayna talk about how she nearly starved to death in Norway (S$20 for a McDonald's meal!) and how she nearly got mugged by a gypsy who keeps trying to kiss her :X

These marvelous-looking waffle-ice cream from Marvelous Cream isn't as marvelous as it looks (I used the word 3 times!). But still, my Belgium black chocolate with banana tasted not too bad.


Back in school, it was Mark Cenite Day a.k.a. Dress All in Black Day!
We really look like some backstage crew, but it's cool!! We came up with this theme because our lecturer, Mark Cenite (the one in blond hair on the extreme right, 2nd row) likes to wear black outfits to lectures.


Happy (22nd) Birthday to Ser Kun and Geraldine!
With that last photo, we combined it with sending Fungi off to Korea at Changi Airport T3.

Popeye's @ T3! I know I've said it before but I'll say it again: one of my fave fast food restaurants in Singapore~

I don't know what happened but SzeRn's face was covered/smacked by Fungi. But anyway, as of now, Fungi would've reached Korea. Take care over there!


Okay, time for movie reviews!


Now, for a 2009 movie that I only got to watch recently, An Education. It will be talked about again come Oscar season.
I give the movie:





Just like the critically-acclaimed The Hurt Locker, this film was released in 2009 when Oscar buzz didn't really start yet, and An Education just faded off in the memories of mainstream audiences. But one gleaming diamond in the rough did remain - and it was the exceptional performance by lead actress Carey Mulligan.

SYNOPSIS:
Set in England, Mulligan stars as Jenny, a 16-year-old student who aspires to be admitted to Oxford. But her strict and no-nonsense upbringing was turned upside down when she meets an older man (a suave Peter Sarsgaard) as he cajoles her into joining him in wild trips to Paris, and leading her into a world where she'd learn things not necessarily taught in the confines of a college.

PRAISES:
Besides a brilliant supporting cast which includes Emma Thompson, Dominic Cooper and Alfred Molina, the natural dialogue from a strong screenplay by author Nick Hornby (of About a Boy) allows us to view the world widening before Jenny's eyes.

FINAL SAY: Although Oscars usually favour the hot-favourites in major categories, I'm hoping they break the convention this year and award the Best Actress to Carey Mulligan, instead of a mainstream win by Sandra Bullock (I still heart you, Bullock). Justice would be done, like how Halle Berry was celebrated for Monster's Ball, and Marion Cotillard for La Vie En Rose.
~

Next, the disappointing Daybreakers.
I give the film:





For a movie with a solid trailer, it is too bad that an A-grade looking premise (and actors) can become B-grade because of the ridiculous narrative. Daybreakers is the kind of film whereby audiences are kept wound in suspense at the beginning (trust me, it is scary) until the plot twists come in and it completely drops all logic - and the audience's interest - along the way.

SYNOPSIS:
In a future where most humans have mutated into vampires, an organisation who harvests human blood for the population's consumption is facing a severe shortage. Vampire Edward (Ethan Hawke) - don't ask me about the name-coincidence - is a scientist who researches on an alternative blood source so that the endangered species (us, humans) will not face extinction. Obviously, Edward sides with mankind, and when he stumbles upon a group of them, he helps them escape the vampires, while at the same time discovering a 'cure' for transforming back into a human-being.

PLUS-POINTS:
I shall not provide any spoilers here, but obviously, there is a lot going on. The movie starts off strongly and rather terrifyingly. Do prepare to grab onto something - or someone - if you don't wish to jump out of your seat. The first 'cure' for vampire-ism will intrigue you, but subsequently when the second 'cure' is discovered...

FLAWS:
...everything falls apart. The film degrades into a bloody rampage of biting and blood-squirting, and before you know it, a bat darts across the screen (another unnecessary scare) and the credits roll, and you're like, "huh?"

FINAL SAY: The movie does address some powerful themes on humanity with a few strong sequences thrown into the mix, but even the presence of Ethan Hawke, Sam Neil and Willem Dafoe can't stop this from degenerating into a lump of bloody mess.
~


Now for the rom-com for the older generation, It's Complicated.
I give the movie:





This movie is about two 50-year-olds canoodling each other again after a decade of divorcing one another. Such a first impression usually puts off many viewers - or to put it in a nicer way, there is only a certain targeted demographic for this film. Let's just hope this movie was at least appealing to them, because for me, it was about a complicated relationship, and that's about it.

SYNOPSIS:
After a quick overnight affair in New York, Jane (a delightfully desperate Meryl Streep) hooks up with her ex-husband, Jake (a hilariously lusty Alec Baldwin), and they rediscover their love and concern for each other. Meanwhile back at home, an infatuation blossoms between Jane and her kitchen architect, Adam (a rather miscast Steve Martin), and you're right, things get complicated.

PLUS POINTS:
The film highlights Jane's lonely plights rather accurately. Writer/director Nancy Meyers (of mature chick flicks like What Women Want and Something's Gotta Give) gives her lead actress ample space to emote as a busy mother of three, dealing with a decade-old divorce. Baldwin's role was also well-written and we identify with his dilemma of leaving his current feisty wife and a hyper-active son who already depends on him.

FLAWS:
But for a film that leads us into a territory where it concerns a touchy subject such as divorce (where three grown-up kids are embroiled in this case), I do not necessarily agree with the ending, which was honestly hastily put as well. As much as I can understand the direction in the end, Martin's underdeveloped character hurt the ultimate outcome of the story.

FINAL SAY: It does have its fair share of hilarity, and Streep does deserve her comedic award at the Golden Globes. But other than that, a weakly-written supporting cast could not lift this film to its potential aim of moving its target audience.
~



My second campus concert after Lala徐佳莹 is none other than the sweet-voiced and sweet-looking 梁文音 =)
Yep, I bought the album (which comes with DVD) along with many other guys who formed up at least 60% of the audience. Went with Fifi, and the two extra tix were taken by Yeewen and Jian Wei. And yes, Rachel Liang (her Mandarin name) signed the CD sleeve:

Okay, I have no idea what she signed, and the only recognisable characters are "NTU" (: And I got to shake her hand! I said to her: "你的歌声很好听." But according to Fifi, who was next in line, I actually said: "你的歌声很好吃." Erm, I don't think I said that leh!

But anyway, after listening to her singing 'live', my current favourite is:

Awww *melts* :X


Okay! Finally I'm done with this post. Hope I can post more regularly, but now there seems like there are mountains of things to do.

Take care, people!