How I Wish They'd Give Us More

So here's my attempt to try to review the long-overdue 6th film installment of arguably the most popular fantasy series the world has ever seen - that's right, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

I give the film:





As strongly as I still stand for what I said about Watchmen being an unfilmable text, the complete opposite can be said for the books of Harry Potter. Yes, I believe that the magical worlds created by J.K. Rowling on paper should definitely have its place on the silver screen. And I'm glad to say that this movie version does depict the fantasy realm rather successfully, save for some minor glitches along the way.

Being the 6th book in this formidable franchaise which has been all-too-familiar with the legions of fans worldwide, Harry this time around discovers an old book that belongs to a person named the 'half-blood prince' during his Potions class with new character, Professor Slughorn. Meanwhile, Death Eaters are wreaking havoc again, threatening to penetrate Hogwarts, and even destroying a bridge in the Muggle world. Harry is also introduced - by the ever-trustworthy Dumbledore - to more dark secrets pertaining to Lord Voldemort, which proves pivotal in his fight against the Dark Lord.

Evidently, there are many events going on, and director David Yates does his best in melding all of them into a coherent narrative for the audience to digest. The action pieces are what's worth mentioning here: being the most expensive film in the series so far, the money is put to good use here in this effects extravaganza. Giving the fans a beloved treat - Quidditch!, finally - the magical sport was filmed with both adrenalin and flow. Besides the impressive fire sequences, each location and set seemed to be detailedly laid-out. Be it the playful shop of Fred and George's, or the dream-like scenes of Dumbledore visiting a young Voldemort - all of them were meticulously orchestrated to perfection.

Of course, as it always happens with the Potter books-to-films translation, there's bound to be this rushed pacing to flesh out the entire story (although the movie did hit the 2 hour 30 min mark), which, in the end, leaves the audience a bit short-changed. Exciting moments like the attack of the Weasley's residence ended as quickly as it came, creating almost no tension at all. Which is a shame, seeing that it was a supposed to be a devastating moment, with the congregation of so many conflict-driven characters.

But the film did pile-up on one thing, though, which was the teenage romance blossoming among our younger leads. Those moments provided appropriately humourous distractions amidst the dark goings-on. Although, I felt, Harry and Ginny could've shared much more chemistry. Plus, the lack of focus on the titular Half-blood prince is also extremely jarring.

However, one particular gripe, is the handling of the death of a main character. Mirroring a similar situation in Order of the Phoenix, the director doesn't seem to put in much elaboration on the passing of the person. I'm sure the audience would've wanted to see how the leads dealt with such an event. But, that might be asking too much for a film that is trying its best to appease every fan.

FINAL SAY: I would not be too quick to say that this is the best in series of films, but it is indeed a competent installment to ready us for the concluding film of the Potter books, Deathly Hallows, which will be separated into two movies. Smart move, Warner.
~


On a side-note, I'll hereby provide a small, totally-based-on-my-own-opinions ranking of all the Potter movies to-date.

(In ascending order of merit):

6) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - sticks out like a sore-thumb in terms of style. Worked very well as a book, though.

5) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - a rather unexciting installment concentrating on a large snake.

4) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - this one sets the mature tone for the later installment of the movies. Fantastic acting.

3) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - love is in the air. Slicker production values pushed this film a notch higher.

2) Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - the magical one that started it all. No one can forget the amazement and wonder of J.K. Rowling's beloved fantasy being translated to screen for the first time. Thank goodness they got it right from the start.

1) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - hailed by many as the best of the movie series so far, seeing that it had good material to work with. A Tri-Wizard Tournament that pits two other magic schools against Hogwarts, plus all the exciting challenges being put up, leading up to the memorable, tragic end. Pity about the hairstyles, though (Harry and Ron looked like aunties!) Should've just kept them short.
~

So there you go. Already can't wait for the final two movies! Argh.

Down with sore throat and flu. Sickening.

Take good care, peeps!

WEEE!

Finally got out of my lazy shell to blog. Besides the awesome-tastic, mind-blowing WKWSCIFOC09, I'll blog 'bout those events before that as well. Prawning, mahjong, movie, birthday, camp, settlers' cafe......

Firstly, prawning with Hannah and Baoyuan.

One of the smaller prawns we caught..

I didn't know prawns had such long lobster-like pincers!

Our catch! Hannah totally pwned me and Baoyuan.

Next prawning place I wanna go is the one at Bishan!
~


Had Mahjong + Movie with wenj, van and liangwei. Caught Duplicity.
I give the movie:





It's always nice to see a beloved actress grace the screens again - and the sight of Julia Roberts with her mega-watt smile more than makes anyone day. Although Duplicity revisits familiar genres (it's Ocean's meets Bourne), the competent actors do bring wit and freshness to the plate.

Roberts and Owen both play collaborating spies who conspire to con two rival mega-corporations. Their motive - to pit the two companies together and make-away with this secret recipe that could be worth millions.

With beautiful locales, biting dialogue and numerous plot twists, you'll either be thoroughly entertained or thrown-off by the storyline. Here's my piece of advice: don't think too much, just go along with the ride.

FINAL SAY: It's welcoming that a witty little flick can appear amidst the barrage of mega-blockbusters and mindless family stuff in the theatres. Get ready to laugh and be confused. But don't worry, you'll get it in the end.
~


And just one day before my camp, attended Zhihui's early 21st together with Cheryl and Weilun. (Pearlyn!!)

This setting just reminded me of the super-paiseh thing that happened between me and zhihui's dad. Shan't repeat it here :X

Our signature "MAYBANK!" pose =D

Us with zhihui's present - a slick, classy laptop case. And us mock-puching it to represent Pearlyn. Hur..
~


Andddd......... now for pictures from the most awesome camp in Singapore. NTU's Wee Kim Wee School of Communications and Information Freshmen Orientation Camp 2009!! (Wow, that was a mouthful).

Borrowing a line from a classic song: "We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun..." Besides that, there's that hush-hush event that got everyone mind-f*****. Pardon me, but that word best summed up the experience :X

Here are the photos courtesy of the wonderful seniors of WKW! =DD

~


First OG outing later. Co0L! Two questions on my mind now: should I go for Hall Camp (planning to stay only one year) and should I get a MacBook??

Hmmm...

Take care, peeps!

Life Back in Singapore

Okay, so my Japan post is not ready yet. There are so many hundred photos!!

I just went to develop them - all 463 - at a neighbourhood photo kiosk. Each is worth 25cents. You do the math.

You can take a look at a fraction of them on Facebook, actually. But if you want a more concise, chronological one, wait patiently (very patiently) for my post =)

So life back in Singapore is great. Except for two things. Work and the weather. =P

Ok lah, work is always the same, new challenges everyday; all the different types of customers I hear everyday. But the weather... is it just me or is Singapore turning into a gigantic oven? The other day I was shopping at Bugis Street and the wind was actually hot air. We're being baked alive, people. We need help.

Anyway, rubbish aside, done a lot of things since I'm back.

Met up with the Japan Trip people to exchange photos and indugle in one of my fave hobbies: Mahjong. Hehe. After I completed my two HUGE albums worth of photos, let's meet again to view them =))

Went to attend my bro's NPCC Annual Parade at Home Team Academy. Extremely warm day. Everyone around me was practically drenched in perspiration.

Here are some photos:

Nice clouds..

The march-in.. Yup my bro is part of the guard-of-honour.

My bro, circled in red; my cousin, Justin, circled in green.

People started falling out. At first they thought he don't need the stretcher.... but then...

...they were wrong. Poor guy couldn't even move. No one in the crowd couldn't care less about the long-winded prize presentation. They were all counting the number of people who were falling out in the parade... including....

...my brother! The guy in front of him had fallen out. I guess he must've been affected by it. But he's fine. After 5mins he insisted on going back to the parade; however, his instructor didn't allow it.

Group photo...
~

Celebrated two birthdays..

First, my bro's 14 year old at Shokudo:

That's my cousin, aka god-sister, Carolyn.
~

Then there was my colleague's Weilun's birthday at Fish & Co.:

He (the one in green beside me) is totally caught off guard when the cake appeared. Haha, Operation Wei Lun's birthday is officially successful!
~

It was still sizzling hot when it was delivered to us. Although we waited like 10mins for this, but it was worth it!

It's at Empire State restaurant at iLuma, the new (quite ugly-looking) building at Bugis, which I went on Saturday afternoon. Anything with hot, melted chocolate tastes heavenly! Two people finishing it is just nice..

Caught 17 Again at the iLuma's cinema, Filmgarde, after that.

I give the film:





One thing's for sure: Zac Efron is officially a bonafide Hollywood star. Moving on from prancing about in musical numbers in High School Musical, this is Efron's first foray into leading man territory, and although he still plays a basketball jock, the body-switching storyline allows him to show off his acting chops, and he does deliver.

FINAL SAY: If you look pass the cliche, you'll find this an enjoyable, sometimes hilarious and heartwarming movie about cherishing your loved ones. Girls will enjoy it 100%.
~

Caught two much talked-about movies on the flight back from Japan to Singapore. One is Revolutionary Road and the other is Suspect X.

Firstly, the hotly-anticipated reunion of Jack and Rose, aka Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.

I give the movie:





The two of them never looked better. Directed by Winslet's husband, Sam Mendes, Revolutionary Road is about a 1960's sub-urban American couple's downward spiral into marital Hell and unbliss. If there is one kind of movie I hate, it is depressing movies, and Road is certainly not a smooth-sailing one. But the costume and set-design is pitch-perfect; the supporting cast is great; however, it's the electrifying performances of the leads that are so captivating.

FINAL SAY: When the film climaxes and you hear them utter "I hate you" to each other, you can literally feel the whole room ready to explode into a ball of flame. It is that intense, and it requires a hell lot of chemistry to carry that off. However, if you're feeling emo, don't watch this. Officially one of the most depressing movies ever.
~

Next, Suspect X, based on the hit Japanese detective TV series, Galileo.

I give the film:





What you get from Japanese is originality - something which Hollywood so blatantly chucks aside. With Suspect X, it is a murder mystery that is both compelling and heartbreaking, I don't see how anyone should give this brilliant movie a miss.

From a nail-biting early sequence in the movie, you already learn who is the killer. However, it is the process that makes this movie interesting, and somehow, the filmmakers managed to keep the suspense (and the audience's interest) all the way until the credits roll.

Those who already watch the equally brilliant Galileo series on TV, you'll know how this works. But this case didn't really deal with Physics, like in the series; instead, it is a psychological warfare between the lead and the killer - much like a life-action deathnote but minus the exaggerating supernatural element.

FINAL SAY: Great acting and moving storyline - recommended. FYI, news have it that CSI is being turned into a movie soon. Hopefully, they get adapt their TV series as good as the Japanese people do theirs.
~

Can't wait to collect the 463 photos from Fujifilm this wednesday. Wow, can't believe I took that much photos.

Will be watching Star Awards 2009 tonight, aka The Little Nonya Prize Presentation Ceremony =P Let's just see how many awards that show can sweep. I'm just hoping 一切完美 (Perfect Cut) gets recognised!

Take care, peeps!

Life is (one hell of) a Rollercoaster

Oh my gosh, erm, like where do I even start!?

It's been, what, more than a month? What atrocity, man!

Okay, get ready for one long post of pictures, little anecdotes, and every other thing in between to fill this one month void.

But anyway, for those who knew what happened in my family, maybe you could understand why, for this period of time, I just didn't feel like updating at all.

Okay, at the risk of sounding emo (which I'm trying to abstain from), let's just say my job is another huge reason why the first thing I reach home, I think about collapsing on my bed (let alone logging onto the internet and writing about more stressful stuff, and be reminded of them in the process).

To lighten things up first, let me indulge in a few moments of stress-release.

(Content removed by author)
~

The next thing some of you probably know from the picture.

Well, I guess now since the situation has stabilised, I guess I should write about this harrowing and unfortunate event that happened in my family, particularly, to my dad.

It was the week before Chinese New Year. It was another tiring day at work and I just entered the MRT with my colleagues, preparing to go home. It was then that I read this SMS from my mom: "Daddy attack by bees in Malaysia. He now at the eye specialist."

I remembered feeling shocked, and exclaiming, prompting both my colleagues' concern as well. I called my mom immediately - it was also then that she explained to me something which the initial shock didn't make me realise: why was my dad at an eye specialist?

She said that my dad was at the golfing green that morning when he was attacked by the bees. I then recalled that my dad had drove across the causeway together with my neighbour for a golfing trip. But the worst had yet to come. The next thing she mentioned - something so out of this world that it made my stomach churn - my father was stung in the eye by a bee during the attack, and the sting was still embedded in his pupil.

The only expression I could muster at that time was a loud "HUH?". That has got to be one of the most outrageous things I've ever heard. At that moment, I knew it was not a matter to be taken lightly, and my both colleagues could tell from the expression on my face.

The bad news didn't stop. Apart from being badly stung on the body, my dad also sustained multiple scrapes on his limps from running and falling while escaping the bees. His brand new Nokia phone was damaged after he jumped into the pond, but the most serious issue was that the doctors in Malaysia couldn't remove the sting so my dad insisted on coming back to Singapore (wise move, right?). My neighbour, who also suffered from bee stings, drove my dad all the way back, both of them vomitting and suffering from fever throughout the journey.

Dumbfounded, all I could ask at that time was his condition. She kept saying it was "serious" in a very hushed tone, but insisted I should go home first, because my younger brother wasn't aware yet. Feeling flustered and extremely uneasy after hanging up, I finally SMS-ed my mom to suggest one last time if I need to go down. It was her reply that made up my mind: "Doctor said too deep can't remove it. Now we at mount elizabeth A&E dept."

I had to rush down.

He went into day surgery, one hour, and he was out. He couldn't even remember anything about the operation because of the local anesthesia given. Thankfully, the sting was removed. But for two days, my dad couldn't open his affected because it was too swollen.

After being hospitalised for 3 nights, he was finally discharged; but because of the damaged cornea, it will be a long route to recovery. Full-recovery is not certain yet - it's still too early to tell.


But what my uncle said was right: “平安就好” (it's a blessing he is safe)

I really want to thank my relatives who visited - their immediate concern was touching and it did provide the necessary support for mainly me and my mom to tide through the unfortunate event.

And of course, the well wishes and regards from my colleagues and friends. Thanks for the understanding, people! I really appreciate it =)
~

Okay, emo incident aside. I think it's time for the tsunami of pictures and events that I've missed out on updating. Really sorry if I've forgotten any. There are just too many. Here we go!

In absolute random order (basically, what I can remember, I hantum first):

1) Zhiwei and Peijun's Birthday Celebrations!

Celebrating your birthday at Fish & Co means standing on chairs, doing embarrassing things, and letting the whole restaurant know about it.

This joke, I predict, will go on for quite some time.

Fungi, if you see clearly, you're in the picture too!
~


2) Fungi's 21st!
Memoirs of a Geisha... er.. not really, hor? And the raising of the pink cloth at the back 小龙女-style is just because we don't know how to tie that ribbon.

If you must know, our nonya is holding a basket of bananas. Oh my, I can't stop laughing.

Sorry szern I took this photo. I knew what you said about it on your blog, but it's the most complete one =p
~


3) Vivien's 21st!
It's the Geek with his Bimbos.. 超级 unglam 的 lor..

My table. Tess you're right.. I am a lucky guy =P

My 'lucky draw' prize. It reads: My friend was in Nepal and all she brought me back was this lousy T-shirt. Yea, she really went Nepal. And yea, all she brought me back was this lousy T-shirt.

05S10 band members rock!
~


4) Serkun's 21st!

This photo seriously needs some touch up.

'Peace' is the word of the day.

Told you it'll be a joke. Redefines the meaning of 无所不在..
~


5) CNY 09!
花开富贵！

Steamboat rocks!

We should've never opened that box =x

And so it begins...

Our dear banker Keifer looking confident...

My dad sneaking a peek at my cards..

And the night's best Pokerface goes to... Szetho! Pro-kia.. taught us how to do the 'chip combining' move.. Which I think Bernard (Szetho's left) is trying out.. Haha..

(Thanks Bernard for the photos!)


Oh my gosh, it's been so long since I've reviewed a movie! Well, managed to catch 2 movies during CNY period. Sad to say, this has got to be one of the most dismal offering of CNY movies in recent years.

Only one blockbuster, in my opinion, was worth the watch. I even caught a chick-flick on the first day of CNY, which explains how bad the situation was.

Similar movie posters - similarly boycotted. Why? The Wedding Game, although was #1 at the box office, is incidentally one of the most unnecessary local movies ever. Love Matters, well, it's a Jack Neo movie. 'Nuff said.


Movie 1) Red Cliff 2
I give the movie:






(Yep, that's my new movie-rating. That stands for 3.5/5)

As thrilling and as clever as the war strategies go, it was all quite a feeling of been-there-done-that this time around. Besides the battle scenes being long-drawn, useless plotlines such as Zhao Wei and a simple-minded soldier's relationship, and Lin Chi-Ling's idiotic way of distracting the enemy (I can't believe he fell for that) all marred the movie from closing off the 2-part epic nicely.

Last Say: Watch it only if you've watched part one.


Movie 2) Bride Wars
I give the movie:






Not exactly the best that chick-flick queen (Kate Hudson) and chick-flick princess (Anne Hatthaway) have to offer. Hatthaway, by the way, is nominated for an Oscar best actress for another movie about getting married (Rachel Getting Married), but she is not getting married in that movie.

Ok, lame puns aside, I did enjoy myself in this movie (c'mon, those two actresses are gorgeous) but yeah, it can't be taken seriously.

Last Say: Watch it only if the other movies available are The Wedding Game and Love Matters, which, incidentally, is what happened to me! Still, it did have its funny moments =)

And of course, what's CNY without a visit and mahjong with Lamerz? Aside to szern, I hope you have stopped your sounds-ang-moh-but-not-ang-moh english accent =p

Ming Ming's 21st!
Sorry, no pictures. But yea, made me think.. how should I celebrate my 21st birthday this year?? Hmmm...
~

6) Slumdog Millionaire!

Met up with Bernard, Colin, Bobo and Junming to catch that Oscar nominated film @ PS. If only it wasn't for Junming's blunder (he mistook the third row from the front as the third row from the back) I believe I would've enjoyed the movie slightly better. (But of course, if we sat behind, we wouldn't be able to enjoy that extra 'sensory' experience - wink, inside joke)

That said, the movie is the first great film I've watched of 2009 =)
I give the movie:






This movie is truly an energetic triumph - from is brilliant pulsating score, to its breathtaking and colourful visuals of the slums of India - if Oscar was based on audience's votes, this film will surely win Best Picture (hey, it just might, after sweeping the Golden Globes and SAG awards).

Fundamentally a love story, the thrilling plot also revolves around the boy's historic win on India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?. Did he cheat? Is he a genius? How did he get to know all the answers?

Let this fascinating movie enchant you and you'll find the answers (and perhaps, love) along the way.

Last Say: I want to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button to see which is better. But currently, this movie is my million-dollar bet for Best Picture (figure of speech, people).

~
Okay, I guess that's it? Obviously not. But I can't possibly remember so many things.

Anyway, will start to blog more frequently now.

Work is not getting easier. Bleah. Just thank goodness I'm learning things along the way.

Take care, peeps!