Wondrous Weekend

As of now, the picture above has become a reality!

I passed my driving test!!! (3 exclamation marks - one for each time I took the test =x)

Even thoughhhhh, I'm still happy =))

The tester really niam-ed a lot along the way. Some were reasonable points, some, I felt, weren't. So when I stepped out of the car, I was ready to reason out with him.

Back at the tester's room, he printed out the test results and laid it in front of me. I eyed that there were quite a lot of points deducted. I knew what he penalised me for and I was ready for a rebuttal.

But of course, I admitted some of my mistakes and I kept saying, "I understand, sir." (See, I so polite)

Then he shot back: "You understand but don't put into action, what's the use?"

Inside my heart I was like "Whatever lor."

But I just said, "Sorry, sir."

It was then that he flipped the paper around and put it in front of me and said: "Go Room 5 and watch your video."

Which basically means, I passed!!! (Because when you pass, you must go watch some safety video before you go collect your temporary license)

By then, I was extremely elated (not forgetting my "Thank you, sir") and then I started sms-ing everyone =)

Has since driven to the interchange, to work, to Expo... all under the guidance of dad, of course. Must get used to the car's performance first. So for those expecting me to 'chauffeur' them around, please wait awhile longer. Hee.

Which leads me to another thing..


Liza Wang's 40th Anniversary Concert

Some of you must be going, "Whhhhaattt!!!???". I had free tickets lah, okay.

But it wasn't bad at all. Quite nostalgic. And she's gotta be the most energetic 62-year-old I've seen, and boy, can she sing. I didn't know she could sing so fantastically. Always knew her as an actress. Here are some pics (guest star, her long-time partner, comedian-cum-singer Low Kar Ying):
She is famous for her wondrous (and sometimes, weird) costumes..

Liza Wang and Luo Jiaying wrapped up the night's finale with their familiar duet.

Had a team dinner on Friday night at Marche! No pictures 'cos my cam's battery was dead that day -.-

On Sunday evening Lamerz went for dinner at Shokudo Jap Food Bazaar. Desserts were on me!

Okay, that's not a picture of a dessert but that's the only photo we took that day haha.


And here's my 15th paternal cousin.. Randall!

=)


Okay, waiting for the Oscars' channel 5 telecast now. So late, because of that Desperate Housewives season premiere. Bleah.

Anyway, 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!

How May I Assist You?

Oh no, I've abandoned my blog for so long =(

I didn't even publish my follow-up on Random Awards 2008. Remember last year's?

These days my mind has been preoccupied with Maybank credit cards promotions and how to make my voice sound as calm and friendly as possible over the phone (those of you who know about my new job will know what I'm talking about).

Anyway, in short, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve were spent playing mahjong with the same group of people. You guys know who you are. You rock!

Then played mahjong on Christmas Day too. You guys rock also!

Had a BMT outing somewhere towards the end of December. Don't know when will I see you guys again but you all rock too!

Okay, I should stop 'rocking' people. Hmm, let's see, I'm rambling here. Sorry, really don't have the time to put up any pictures.

Oh ya, had a k-boxing session with sukai. BON VOYAGE! And take care in london. Definitely look forward to k-ing again. Okay, enough of the praises. We both sing well. Leave it as that.

Successfully intro-ed Bernard's friend's band for jm's friend's dad's countdown party. For those who actually read that sentence.. sorry if it gave you a slight migraine.

The couple of other times spent out, like buying presents, watching movies, dining out, bla bla bla... I can't really remember (but of course I remember a few).

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ALRIGHT, for those who actually read till here, pei fu ni le.

Feeling so tired already.

Belated happy new year! Can't believe my first post of the new year and it's all words.

Yay, dress-down day tomorrow!

Take care, peeps!

My TOP 61 Movies of 2008

Not been updating for so long!! But I HAVE TO post this haha. So many things happened; for one, I started work! But shall update photos and other stuff after the new year. Meanwhile, enjoy this!
~

Gosh, did I really watch that many movies this year? I guess I did =x

Yup it's the time of the year again. Still remember last year's TOP40 movies?

For your benefit, here's a RECAP of 2007's TOP 10:

#10: Sunshine - Scary sci-fi film with dazzling effects.
#09: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Fantastic acting.
#08: Lust, Caution - Bold, sexy and heartbreaking.
#07: Meet the Robinsons - Grossly underrated animation. Very charming.
#06: 300 - Three words: This is Sparta!!
#05: The Bourne Ultimatum - Exciting and smart spy thriller.
#04: Ratatouille - Who didn't enjoy this film?
#03: Hot Fuzz - Hilarious spoof with great action.
#02: Hairspray - Infectious songs and energy.
#01: The Pursuit of Happyness - Happiness never got this touching.
~

So... One year and 61 movies later... my personal list of the Best and Worst movies of 2008 is officially done.

Are you ready? Here we go!

As always, starting with the Worst.
~

The 1.5star category:



#61 Ah Long Pte Ltd (1.5/5)"Are you going to kill us for starring in this horrible movie?"
It’s a shame Mr Jack Neo has lost his touch so drastically. A really bad and pointless comedy. I can’t believe I liked Fann Wong (Just Follow Law) last year, and suddenly hate her so much this year (this movie and the box-office bomb Dance of the Dragon). Jack Neo does very bad movie endings.


#60 Meet the Spartans (1.5/5)
"My fake abs are probably the funniest thing here."
Load of lame rubbish. You’ll chuckle here and there, but it’s still quite a waste of film and 65mins of a person’s life.


#59 Kung Fu Dunk 功夫灌篮 (1.5/5)
"Guy in black: I'm bored."
Awful plot, non-existent love story, humourless and just plain bad. Secret was still an okay-effort, but Dunk just stinks like…something that rhymes with dunk. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch it after half an hour (but I still endured through). Don’t get me wrong, I really admire Jay Chou’s talents…as a singer.


The 2.0star category:



#58 You Don't Mess With The Zohan (2.0/5)
"Don't I look cool? Not."
Largely stupid, Adam Sandler’s brand of crass humour officially don’t go down well with me. The biggest misleading advertising campaign - what a waste of money.


#57 Meet Dave (2.0/5)
"Those dancing people are the size of my nostrils!"
Sparsely funny; this movie about Eddie Murphy as an ET trying to fit in works only when he’s doing the gags. Besides that, the story is rather flat.


The 2.5star category:



#56 10,000 B.C. (2.5/5)
"Easy, tiger."
Nonsensical storyline but spectacular graphics. An old-fashioned and rather lame fable.


#55 Vantage Point (2.5/5)
"Get your hand off me, I can't breathe."
Interesting but implausible plot. Great, intense car chase that deserves a mention. In the end, it’s too gimmicky to be taken seriously.


#54 The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2.5/5)
"Ride me out of this boring movie!"
Biggest Disappointment of the Year! Definitely not as fun as the first two rollicking adventures, probably because this time, it doesn’t technically involve a real mummy. Although the effects are not bad, the new cast members are the disappointments (where’s hot mama Rachel Weisz!?). Besides, it’s a gigantic waste of Michelle Yeoh and Jet Li’s talents.

#53 Jumper (2.5/5)
"Does that really give you a smaller waist?"
Good effects, potentially exciting but ultimately bland. Although Rachel Bilson can’t act (there’s no need to mention Hayden Christensen), she’s still a treat for the eyes.

#52 Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon 三国之见龙卸甲 (2.5/5)

"I'm Maggie Q. I'm hot. Bow down to me now."
Strong starting but let-down by a very lame and sloppy ending. This retelling of one of the greatest generals from Romance of the Three Kingdoms is sketchy, but not without its moments of splendour. Andy Lau shines, as usual, while Maggie Q is useless in this film.


#51 Baby Mama (2.5/5)

"I don't think that's how it works."
Uneven, formulaic and lacking heart, but we’re not asking much from an SNL-cast-led comedy. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler do deliver, thanks to the snappy dialogue.


The 3.0star category:



#50 21 (3.0/5)

"Do I look like 007 in Casino Royale? No? Ok."
The only mistake this movie makes is the cliché-after-cliché it throws to the audience, from the caricatured characters (smart bloke turns edgy after being given the Vegas-treatment) to the predictable mini-twist in the end. But the story (inspired by true events) is interesting enough, and the leads Jim Sturgess and Kate Bosworth do ooze charm and charisma in their roles.


#49 Rule #1 第一诫 (3.0/5)

"Behind you!! Just kidding. I hope."
Singaporean director Kelvin Tong proves he’s reliable in the Asian horror genre with this average offering of an interesting ghost story. Kudos to Fiona Xie for her surprisingly impressive debut movie performance. There are rumours she’s going abroad to pursue a film career!


#48 CJ7 长江七号 (3.0/5)

"Dad, that's not a toy."
Although not as fantastic as Kung Fu Hustle or Shaolin Soccer, it’s still an admirable effort. Touching and funny. The titular green alien is a delightful creation.


#47 Yes Man (3.0/5)"Harry Potter: 40 years later."
NO, man, give us back our funny man! But Jim Carrey did his best in this sometimes sloppy, sometimes funny comedy. Could be a potentially uplifting story but the screenwriters probably gave up halfway. Most of the funny moments are available in the trailer.


#46 The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (3.0/5)

"Project Runway: Medieval"
A useless Prince Caspian aside, this is a competent sequel to the beloved The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Although the pacing and the lack of a solid villain marred the movie, it boasts beautiful cinematography and light humour, which is actually a good thing.


#45 Harold and Kumar: Escape From Guantanamo Bay (3.0/5)

"Erm, dude, where're our parachutes!?"
A genuinely hilarious buddy-flick buoyed by the great chemistry of the two dorky leads. Although it’s stupid at times, this sequel to the first cult-favourite is racy and raunchy; and it even serves up sensible social commentaries about the American culture amidst its mindlessness. Cock-meat sandwich, anyone? (Yuck)


#44 High School Musical 3: Senior Year (3.0/5)

"Singin' in the rain."
The actors got too big for their roles. And there’s just too little drama. But there are a few impressive musical numbers to watch out for. Can’t think of a better way to say goodbye (yeah, right, as if Disney is going to put an end to this cash cow).


#43 Sky of Love 恋空 (3.0/5)

"I'm not talking to you until you dye your hair back."
Quite a big let-down, considering the fact that it had positive word-of-mouth. Probably unsuitable for a movie, as the source material is a cell-phone novel. Though it’s sappy and predictable, this popular Japanese love story is still not without it’s sweet and tender moments (no complains about the cute female lead also).


#42 Hancock (3.0/5)

"I'm not X-Men."
Enjoyable and very interesting plot but it was not handled well. The second half of the movie was potentially exciting but it suffered due to bad pacing. Still, Will Smith and Charlize Theron delivers thumbs-up performances.


#41 The Love Guru (3.0/5)

"You need more office space."
I laughed till I cried; which means this Mike Myers comedy isn’t half-bad. Way better than Zohan, the word-plays and Jessica Alba are what made this film so funny and good.


#40 The Forbidden Kingdom 功夫之王 (3.0/5)

"Stand around. Look serious. Get paid."
Surprisingly good Hollywood movie loosely-based on a Chinese legend. Stilted English and nonsense plot aside, seeing Asian legends Jet Li and Jackie Chan battle it out in the amazing fight scenes is worth your ticket price.


#39 The Bucket List (3.0/5)

"You sure we're gonna do this?"
For it’s goodwill message and beautiful imageries it paints with its script, this film warrants a recommendation. It’s definitely touching - death is always a sensitive issue. Other than that, the movie gets a little tiresome; which is a pity, because Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson deserve to shine.


#38 Speed Racer (3.0/5)

"Did I just mount a kerb?"
Dazzling effects by the Wachowski Brothers (yes, the Matrix guys) but let-down by a boring and uninspiring plotline. But if you love psychedelic stuff, you’ll love this movie for sure.


#37 What Happens in Vegas (3.0/5)

"Honey, we're so happily married."
A cliché-filled rom-com that’s made very enjoyable by the high-energy pairing of Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher. It’s Laugh-Out-Loud from start to finish. This is how a date-movie should be: funny, sassy and of course, sweet.


#36 I Am Legend (3.0/5)

"Was that an earthquake?"
There’s no doubt that Will Smith can act (remember my #1 movie last year?). But this movie was a good example of ‘taking itself too seriously’. Although the message here of mankind’s scientific research vs. ethics is outdated, the movie does still promise some chilling zombie-moments.


#35 Mama Mia! (3.0/5)

"Out of the way - middle-aged women coming through."
Pity. It could’ve been so much better (remember Hairspray last year?). But the songs and the high energy cast are what made this movie a hit after all. There’s no denying the irresistable charm of ABBA songs. Wow, and Meryl Streep sure can sing.


The 3.5star category:



#34 Forgetting Sarah Marshall (3.5/5)

"Honey, it'll be best if you can stop touching your butt."
Wacky and off-beat, this comedy cruises on an already-funny premise. The classic opening 'naked breakup' is definitely memorable. Pardon the pun, but we won’t forget this one just yet.


#33 The House Bunny (3.5/5)

"Out of the way - hot women coming through."
An ace movie of physical humour and Anna Faris’ brand of dumb-blondeness. Besides being knee-slapping funny, this bunny has heart, too. Also starring a slew of celebrity affiliates - Bruce Willis’ daughter, Tom Hanks’ son and Ashley Tisdale’s sister.


#32 4bia (in Thai) (3.5/5)

"Boo! times 4."
These four horror stories strung together by four of Thailand’s leading genre-directors are very different in their content - but there’s of course one thing that’s collectively common: they’re scary! This omnibus of short films work on a level that’s unsettling, in-your-face, and will leave you cowering in your seat.


#31 Across The Universe (3.5/5)

"Let's get it over with. I can't breathe."
Yes, the take on the Beatles’ songs are inspiring and this film is not without its admirable moments (Let it Be, Strawberry Fields Forever), but there’s no excuse for bad pacing and relatively weak character development. Still, beautiful visuals and soulful songs more than made up for it.


#30 Step Up 2 The Streets (3.5/5)

"Shawty had them apple bottom jeans, boots wit da fur.."
Corny title but after watching, you’ll know what ‘The Streets’ mean. Simply put, this movie is slammin’, featuring mind-blowing choreography and a killa soundtrack. Feel-good to the last scene. Way better than the first. Briana Evigan is smokin’ hot.


#29 Kung Fu Panda (3.5/5)

"Fat, furry, and lovin' it!"
With talented voice-overs (Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, Jackie Chan …), this hilarious animation by DreamWorks (probably their best since Shrek - part 1, disregarding 2 and 3) is an enjoyable butt-kicking romp for everyone.


#28 Charlie Wilson's War (3.5/5)

"I hope that's not a trash bag you're wearing for a dress."
An unbelievable-but-true story behind the Afghan’s defeat of the Russians in the 80’s. It’s told by an amazing team: director Mike Nichols, and acting heavyweights Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Suitably light-hearted and entertaining, it’s a neat little movie.


#27 National Treasure: Book of Secrets (3.5/5)

"Am I holding... dog poo?"
Adventure movies with clever, fast-pacing plots are always fun to watch. This film achieved that along with the bonus of a worthy cast. Let’s wait patiently for a part three.


#26 The Incredible Hulk (3.5/5)

"Wow, you definitely look bigger in person."
Not very incredible but still, it’s a fine, action-packed and straightforward telling of the Green Monster. Edward Norton and Liv Tyler turn in nuanced performances in their title roles.


#25 Get Smart (3.5/5)

"Your hair stinks, by the way."
Funniest Movie of the Year! You’re guaranteed to have a good time with the brilliant leads Steve Carrel and Anne Hathaway (looking oh-so-fine) in this remake of the much-beloved TV series. Although the plot was generic, the gags and jokes here just keep coming. This is first-rate entertainment. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is officially a credible Hollywood actor.


#24 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Cyrstal Skull (3.5/5)

"Be careful where you point that thing!"
Absurd but wonderfully old-school, with great effects. Steven Spielberg’s beloved franchise might’ve lost it’s steam a little, but it’s still undeniably well-filmed and enjoyable. Cate Blanchett steals the show with her ugly mob and delicious accent.


#23 Painted Skin 画皮 (3.5/5)

"I am beautiful, no matter what they say.."
This is a movie that begs to be taken seriously. And if you do, you’ll find its themes of love and sacrifice so touching it’ll bring a tear to your eye (as of mine). Moving performances by Zhou Xun, Vicky Zhao and Chen Kun.


#22 Journey to the Centre of the Earth (3.5/5)

"He's actually just yawning."
Although I didn’t catch it in its full 3D-glory, but I still enjoyed this rollicking film through and through. There wasn’t a single dull moment and the effects are thrilling enough to keep you almost at the edge of your seat. Intended for the younger crowd but this will make adults remember the good ol’ times of fun adventure movies.


#21 Cape No.7 海角七号 (3.5/5)

"We beat Titanic, so we can wear whatever we want."
Charming, funny and poignant - this sleeper hit of 2008 is officially the biggest movie in Taiwan after Titanic, which is a great feat. Interesting supporting characters and great music covers up the lack of acting abilities in the leads (Van Fan and Chie Tanaka). Still, watching this after my recent Taiwan trip was definitely a treat.


#20 Four Christmases (3.5/5)

"Get that puking machine away from me!"
This one was quite a find. People expecting a predictable Christmas comedy is in for a pleasant surprise. This film about a couple visiting their four divorced parents is hilarious thanks to the witty dialogue and the great comedic performances by Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon and the brilliant supporting cast. Funny stuff.


#19 Wanted (3.5/5)

"We get it - there's a lot of shooting."
Kick-Ass Movie of the Year! Very loosely-based on the cult-classic-comic by Mark Miller (I’ve read it and it’s good), this movie adaptation will give enough thrills and spills to the average movie-goer. It’s very stylised with the comic’s trademark devil-may-care attitude; plus a sexy performance by Angelina Jolie and breakthrough star James McAvoy, what’s not to like?


The 4.0star category:



#18 Be Kind, Rewind (4.0/5)

"I'm not Robocop. I'm Garang Guni Man."
Quirky and brilliant - this is a hilarious homage to movies. Stars the very comically-talented Jack Black. It’s heartwarming, too.


#17 Horton Hears a Who! (4.0/5)

"You can run, but you can't hide!"
With funny men Jim Carrey and Steve Carrel helming this delightful animated flick, you know nothing can go wrong. A really funny children’s story given modern jibes of humour. It’s self-help messages gives the movie that extra depth to propel it to the 4-star level.


#16 Cloverfield (4.0/5)

"You can run, but you can't hide!"
Yes, some of you hate this film. (Shaky-cam isn't for everyone, I know) But I belong to a significantly large percentage who thinks this landmark monster movie is indeed worth the hype. It’s different - but shockingly effective. Technically a feat. I hope people will still remember this movie in years to come (for the right reasons, please).


#15 Bolt 3D (4.0/5)

"If I could just flick this noisy hamster off the edge.."
The only movie I watched twice this year: once in 2D and once in 3D. And boy was it a visual treat. Besides being hilarious (Rhino the hamster is an instant favourite), it is very well-drawn. As of all Disney movies, it has a wholesome, heartwarming story to tell as well. Extremely enjoyable.


#14 Tropic Thunder (4.0/5)

"All muscle. No brains."
This is definitely the comedy event of the year, with mega stars (Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr and Jack Black) spoofing the very industry their lives depended on - Hollywood. As absurd, violent and grotesque as it is funny, this ‘fake real war movie’ is already destined to be a classic. And Tom Cruise absolutely rocked in his special appearance.


#13 Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street (4.0/5)

"Are you ready for your final cut?"
Macabre and yet, sickeningly delicious musical-adapted-film that is fully drenched in Tim Burton’s trademark goth. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter’s song numbers are backed up by a strong supporting cast. A guilty pleasure indeed.


#12 Murder of the Inugami Clan (2008) (in Jap) (4.0/5)

"Honey, there's a dead man on our window."
This cool, classic Japanese Kadaichi (金田一) whodunit is a steady, stylish movie re-directed by the original 1976 director, Kon Ichikawa. A crime-mystery that’s slow but intriguing, this film’s plot and excellent ensemble acting is something you won’t witness in conventional Hollywood movies. Recommended.


#11 No Country for Old Men (4.0/5)

"I warned you not to insult my hairstyle. But you didn't listen."
One of the most chilling movies to catch in the cinemas. It’s been a long time since Hollywood created a dead-scary serial killer; and this film succeeded very well. Carries a social undertone that’s subtle but relevant. A cinematically-great movie. (FYI: 80th Academy Award for Best Picture)


Are you guys ready for the TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2008? Here we go!


#10 Iron Man (4.0/5)

"Now, I can iron with my hand."
Coolest Movie of the Year! With intense advertising and a stellar cast, this is one of those movies that lived up to expectations in every sense. Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow shine in their roles. The effects are spectacular. Snappy dialogue. Plus! One of the most satisfying movie endings I saw this year.


#09 20th Century Boys 20世纪少年 (4.0/5)

"If you think this is scary, wait till you see my face."
Part 1 of a trilogy, this Manga-turned-Mega Movie lived up to its (relatively unknown) hype. Intriguing, effectively creepy and ironically funny, this definitely whets our appetite for more to come.


#08 Vicky Cristina Barcelona (4.0/5)

"It's not easy living with two hot women."
Favourite Actress in a Movie! (Penelope Cruz) Off-beat, sexy and extremely funny (c’mon, it’s Woody Allen), this ode to one of Spain’s most beautiful cities is a treat for the mature crowd. Penelope Cruz shines in her hilarious role as Maria. A wonderfully lyrical movie.


#07 Ip Man 葉問 (4.0/5)

"Talk to the fist."
It’s been a long time since kung fu looked so graceful but strong on a film (霍元甲 is so weak compared to this movie). Beautifully directed, dedicatedly acted and the martial arts expertly executed - this is the last great movie of 2008.


The 4.5star category:



#06 Red Cliff (1) 赤壁 [上] (4.5/5)

"Battle of the pissed-off men."
For us Chinese, this is one of the most important movies of our generation. With a powerful cast that includes Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro, and directed by the deft hand of John Woo, this historical epic is both majestic and beautiful. It contains the wits and action as a stand-alone film, and builds up enough tension and suspense for the concluding part two of the movie.


#05 Juno (4.5/5)

"Are you sure fast food is good for the baby?"
Defines our teenage-going-on-adult era perfectly. I’m sure all those who just turned twenty (as of yours truly) will appreciate this funny, sweet and warmhearted film. Won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Ellen Page (as Juno) officially rocks! Plus, the soundtrack is a quirky masterpiece.


#04 The Orphanage (in Spanish) (4.5/5)

"Will you play with me, please?"
When was the last time you couldn’t forget a ghost story, long after it was told? This was it for me: Orphanage was a frighteningly original and extremely creepy ghost story. Excellent storyline. Scary - but ultimately - a heartbreaking and poignant film.


The 5.0star category:



#03 Wall-E (5.0/5)

"This taxi is fun. Does it come with fuel surcharge?"
It’s so common for a Disney/Pixar film to enter the Top 5 but they earn it. Amazingly drawn and extremely charming, the studios have once again created an icon that’s instantly lovable. Out of all the ‘save-the-Earth’s-environment’ stuff that came out this year, all it takes is an animation to get us all sit up and take notice. Genius.


#02 The Mist (5.0/5)

"You won't want to know what they saw."
Don’t be fooled by the title. It’s not just another cheesy monster movie. In fact, it contains so many insightful (and very thought-provocative) social issues it’s scary. As a monster movie, it’ll grip you and never let go. Based on a novella by Stephen King, this grossly-underrated film has an ending that will haunt you for a long, long time.


Without guessing, I'm sure you should know which movie tops my list this year. Here's presenting to you the highest-grossing, most thrilling and best-loved movie of the year:


#01 The Dark Knight (5.0/5)

"Only one thing to say - Why..So..Serious?"
Favourite Actor in a Movie! (Heath Ledger) Intense, big-scale excitement and gripping storyline propel this Batman flick to the top of the game. The late Heath Ledger’s bone-chilling performance as the Joker has got to be the most dedicated on-screen acting in a long time. Kudos, also, to director Christopher Nolan for this excellent production. Blockbusters never got this perfect - but no one’s complaining.
Note: The Dark Knight will be re-released beginning of next year to coincide with the Oscars race. Will it finally break Titanic's record? We'll see.
~

Yup that's all folks!

Here's to another year of great movies.

Merry christmas and a happy new year!

Take care, peeps!