Movie Magic

I guess most of you all have received the invite.

Erm.. is my theme really very challenging? Just wear something that represents the movies okay already. One small accessory also can. Don't have to dress like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. But if you think you can pull it off, go ahead. =P

So far, 45 people are turning up, and a few others pending. Really quite excited 'bout it. But now there's one small hiccup. The bigger function room is holding an AGM on the exact same day. Although it starts at 2pm, don't really know when it will end. Hope it'll end just in time for the party!

Might be roping in someone to be an emcee. But must confirm first. Get ready for a movie-themed night! (=

And, on that topic, caught X-Men Origins: Wolverine over the weekend.

I give the movie:





It's a great movie to look at, no doubt. What it lacks in character development, it compensates with cool action sequences that befits a summer blockbuster. But that said, Wolverine is just a solid back-story about how the super-strong mutant got his tough body and memory lapse of the past. All the characters which appear on the poster are memorable only for the brief moments they appear on-screen, and none of them were given the space to be as memorable as the titular hero.

FINAL SAY: While thousands of fan-boys worldwide are still crying foul over the underused and miscast fan-favourite Gambit, this movie is still popcorn-worthy.
~

And decided to introduce some songs:

1) The Show by Lenka - although it's last year's song, but this gem is still quite a discovery for me recently. Light and not migraine-inducing like most of the music today.

2) Not Fair by Lily Allen - I still can't figure out the lyrics! Weird. But the rhythm is still sticky and groovy.

3) I Told You So by Carrie Underwood ft Randy Travis - fell in love with this song after their debut performance on American Idol. Beautiful melody; a heartfelt, simple love song.

4) Touch My Hand by David Archuleta - also caught my attention when he performed on the recent Idol stage, this is a departure from his usual pop ballads. Something slightly different, and different in a good way.

5) Crazier by Taylor Swift - this talented lass just keeps gettin' better! She didn't win a recent Best Country Album for nothing. This melancholic song is one of her best to date.

Okay, need to start really drafting out a plan for the 21st.

Take care, peeps!

Watch Out

For fans of comic books, i'm sure you've heard of the latest superhero movie in town. But have you heard about how it's such a massive disappointment?

(Mc***** I hope that gives you a heads up as to what my review is going to turn out to be like. Just fyi, I've formed the opinion of this movie on Friday night, right after it ended.)

Anyway, yeah, it doesn't take an idiot to guess that the movie I'm talking about is the stupendously-anticipated (for most guys, including me) "mother of all superhero movies" - Watchmen. And it also doesn't take a fool to guess that I didn't really like it.

I give the movie:






Besides faulting it for being too long (even though huge chunks of the comic book were edited for film), this just brings me to the point that rings oh so true - Watchmen is unfilmable.

Those were actually the exact words that came out the mouth of the classic comic book's revered writer, Alan Moore. Some things, I feel, should be left in its original source material. And Watchmen should be one of them.

Translating a story of emotionally-distraught masked vigilantes onto live-action on screen is a trying task. Even though the competent cast does their best to portray the conflicting emotions of the characters caught in 70's America in a pending nuclear war with Russia, the gaudiness of it all being displayed in real-life is almost too much to stomach.

While the trailer did seem cool (actually, it was with the help of music), witnessing in full-length the slightly-pudgy Nite Owl land on the ground, cape flailing and all, was too cheesy to be taken seriously. And talking about Nite Owl, his rendesvouz with Silk Spectre came across as laughable, instead of steamy.

There are just too many complains that I have for this film, which in the first place, should be left in its brilliant form as a graphic novel. While last year's loose movie adaptation of another classic, Wanted, was very well-received, the film Watchmen had exactly duplicated its source material, which basically made us question, What's the point?
~

Bleah, what a let-down. Maybe it's because the original graphic novel was simply too good (and deep), any other version of it would seem like a tarnish to its highly-respected reputation.

[ Included after reading Mc*****'s review ] - for a different take on Watchmen the movie, please visit here.
~

Went to visit Syad to pay our respects at the Muslim cemetry today with some of the 2002 corneteers - namely Jiemin, Shi min, Hazuan, Yusri and Adrian. It's really heartbreaking and painfully ironic that it takes such a sad and unfortunate event like this for us to come together for a cornets gathering.

Will plan a gathering in May (since my batch most of the people are May babies).

Meanwhile, take care, peeps.

One More Month...

(Feel free to play around with my new iTouch player at the sidebar)

Yep, one more month. Freedom is coming but... the stress seems to be piling up!

But more on that later. Went to catch two movies this week. Makan-ed at Lot1, Central @ Clarke Quay, Kolo Mee and MOF @ Marina Square. PLUS a lot of presents to buy....... all these have put a BIG hole in my wallet. (Which is one stress)

Firstly, Painted Skin.
I give the movie:



Even though 3.5/5 is an above average rating, but honestly, I expected more. First thing, do not believe what the movie tagline says: "More than just a love story". Well, it is actually just a love story.

Although there are moments that border on eerie (the story is from Strange Tales of Liao Zhai afterall), but it is the love triangle between Chen Kun the general, Zhou Xun the Fox Demon and Zhao Wei the suffering wife that tugs at the heatstrings. This is actually the first movie this year that has effectively put a tear to my eyes.

FINAL SAY: Zhou Xun and Zhao Wei's heart-rending acting is the best reason to catch this supernatural/love story.
~

Secondly, 20th Century Boys aka 20世纪少年.
I give the movie:



[ WARNING: This movie is only PART 1 of a TRILOGY ]
Dang, I didn't know that. But besides that gripe, I think this Manga-turned-Mega Blockbuster does live up to its expectations of being the BIGGEST film in Japan this year.

In true Japanese creativity/craziness/quirkiness/brilliance, the plot unfolds and intrigues you so much that you won't really realise that one hour has past and all the movie did was characterization.

In a nutshell, a group of grown men discover that a worldwide virus attack is realising all the end-of-the-world prophecies that they wrote in a comic when they were young. And a masked stranger (see poster) named 'Friend' is orchestrating all these attacks with his own religious cult.

FINAL SAY: It's funny. It's scary. It's ironic. It's great. Shall wait patiently for the next two installments (or maybe I'll just go find the manga =x)
~

Okay, about my stress.

> There's driving (I need to complete at least 15 lessons before my TP which is on 5DEC!).

> I need to find work or I'll have zero income after I ORD!

> Really spending a lot lately. Driving fees too.

> Camp is still busy 'cos of audits!

But ok lah, just need to plan my time properly.

Growing up is not easy.

Today went to listen SMU's Symphonic Band @ Esplanade for free (Beautiful Sunday concert series) with Jiamin and Caijie. Fun, fun. So long never listen concert le. Shopped a bit later. But never spend $. Cannot, lah!

Ok, booking in soon. Thursday Friday off and leave, wohoo!
But Sunday guard. What the sh**.

Take care, peeps!

"Why So Serious?"

..you might ask. Well, then, "let's put a smile on that face." :]

By now you should know which movie I've quoted from. But more on that later.

Seriously (pardon the pun), this weekend have been a treat for the senses, I must say. I've watched two solid movies (both blockbusters), and I must tell you, they both come with my seal of approval.
~

Friday met up with a long-time-no-see friend (we've not seen each other for, like, 2 years?). Intro-ed her to desserts @ MOF, which is now officially my favourite dessert place. And to prove to you that it's my favourite:



Yup, that's right, I've signed up for a MOF membership, which instantly gives me 10% off the bill and a further 20% off selected dessert items! Wow.


Anyway, we caught the movie:
赤壁 (上) aka Red Cliff (part 1)



I give the film:



This has got to be one of the most important movies of our time. For us Chinese, this is a chance to see the Biggest Battle of Ancient China being flashed out as a historical epic, under the guidance of mega-director John Woo, plus a powerful cast which includes Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro.

This majestic film is complete with pulse-racing action and sweeping cinematography which - I dare say - rival that of Lord of the Rings.

On a side-note, the media has been siting 林志玲 as a "花瓶" (decorative flower vase) in the movie. In her defense, she's a very beautiful 花瓶; and she is the exact embodiment of 小乔 - demure, soft-spoken and most importantly, very pretty. Heck, I think her casting is perfect.

FINAL SAY: With all the grandeur of the film and set, you might ask what is holding me back in giving it 5stars? Well, I'm reserving it for the final battle of red cliff itself (赤壁之战), which will be shown at the end of the year. All I can say is, it'll be good. I just know.
~

And now...

THE DARK KNIGHT


I give the film:



One word: "WHOA!"

This is officially the best movie in 2008 so far. The story, the mind-blowing sets (literally), the actors, the kan-cheong-ness, Heath Ledger's acting...... it's all just excellent, I tell you.

I can't even begin to say how amazing is (the late) Heath Ledger's turn as the Joker. Everytime he comes on screen you're drawn to him. You're scared of him. But you think he's funny. Then you think he's freaky. Then funny. Then scary. Yes, you're under the spell of a talented actor.. that's how schizophrenically-good he is.

Everything about this movie is big, BIG, BIG. A Singaporean guy plays a major villain in the movie. Edison Chen makes a blink-and-you'll-miss cameo as.. er, some extra assistant. And I must say, the director filmed the Hong Kong skyscrapers so majestically you won't believe it's hk =x

The story is as heart-wrenching as it is spectacular. And that is only the tip of the iceberg. I've said enough.

FINAL SAY: You'll be blown-off your seat. Believe the hype. Go watch it. Please.
~

Baoyuan, her gf (hannah) and yoketeng came over for mahjong on sunday. Weilong can't make it 'cos he overslept after duty. Nvm, dude, after I come back from Malaysia. Haha.

And, wth, hannah was sooo lucky!

Look at what she 自摸-ed:


SHI SAN YAO!!!!! (I don't know how to write in chinese!!)

Just looking at that gives me the chills...

Random photo of a random shirt and berms I bought over the weekend:

I hope you all don't find out where I bought this from 'cos I don't want to be caught wearing the same thing as you. Thanks.
~

Okay, notice:
I'm leaving for Redang (East Malaysia) from Saturday (26jul) to Tuesday (28jul) with Lamerz, Inc!

(Plus guard duty waiting for me on the 30th when I return. Argh!!!)

Take care, peeps!

WANTED

Cannot be right... although I like mahjong-ing but two straight days?? Quite extreme I must say.

Firstly, friday night (whole week couldn't book out. don't ask) was a get-together for the 'old men' who just ORD-ed in June. Was Lim Pin's birthday also. Thank you for treating us Swenson's! Had a great time catching up and listening to Bobo's really, really weird dreams. =x
~

Mahjong #1
Then it was mahjong - with vince, yt, weilong and jinghang - on saturday, although it was supposed to be a stayover. But in the end we just went for dinner @ Suntec's Ichiban Boshi. I'm sure yt and vince knows how happy I was eating there. I still think the combi-meals are very worth it!
~

Mahjong #2
This time it's at zw's house with - who else? - fungi and serkun.

Then met up with zhiwen for dinner-cum-movie @ Lot 1 (whoa, changed aaaaaalot). Here's my snap-snap review of Wanted.
I give the film:



It's definitely the kick-ass movie of the year, although the comic (a cult-classic by Mark Miller - a must read!!) is way better. It's very loosely-based but don't worry - with all the 'heck-care' attitude, cool shoot-outs, and Angelina Jolie (plus breakout stay James McAvoy) kicking a lot of ass, what's not to like?
~

Okay, I got to book in soon. Shall review Sky of Love in my next post.

(This post seems so rushed!)

Take care, peeps!

Irony

Went to catch Iron Man over the weekend with the people who're going to ORD in my unit (grr, they can't stop reminding me). Then we went to the $10KTV @ Chinatown and sang our lungs out. Bobo even had a special solo that was filmed down by me ;)

Firstly, Iron Man
I give the film



This is one of those rare superhero movies (from Marvel comics who now have their own studio) that completely live up to its hype. I was initially skeptical as well. Iron Man? I hope it's not cheesy. Well, glad to say, it's not.

Robert Downey Jr - prior to initial skeptism - fills the role of Tony Starks perfectly. Acting as assistant-cum-love interest is the ever stylish Gwyneth Paltrow, who rounds off the strong supporting cast.

The effects are notably fantastic and fans or non-fans will be glad to discover that the script is humourous as well.

Although the finale battle seems short-lived, the ending of the movie more than made up for it.

FINAL SAY: Super cool effects. Strong cast. Strong script. Very satisfying ending. What more can you ask for? P.S. Stay till after the credits to check out what's install for the sequel.
~

Yay, $10 KTV rocks (ok, technically it's $10++ but end up only $12, so not bad). Going with TRP (whoa so long never use this shortform) this saturday.

Here are some pics with my camp buddies....

Me and bernard singing.

Bala, Jia Yi, Bobo.

And Colin belting his lungs out. You go, Colin!

Now, presenting the World Premiere of Bobo's hit single, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

~

Went to play mahjong with fungi zw sk today. Really lucky hand sia. Zhi Mo 5 Tai.

Anyway, here's a free Speed Racer keychain from buying the Iron Man popcorn combo. Ironic right?? But anyway, I seriously seriously want to catch Speed Racer. Although Samuel says it makes him dizzy just by watching the trailer, but I can tell it's going to be one hell of a movie.


Okay, booking in soon for yet another busy week. I'm really like a sign-on armskote man lor.

Take care, peeps!