New Student Promo!

Click on picture to Enlarge.
~

Okay, I know, blatant advertising, but she's my mom. The promotion is good, too, and trust me, you'll be in good hands. =)

Any questions feel free to ask. You can SMS me to arrange an appointment if you don't wish to call. For my friends, my mom has promised a special (undisclosed) offer of the price. Do consider! =)

Take care, people!

Blockbuster Fury

Just came back from Genting with some of the usual paverts! Photos will be up here soon. Was a great trip to destress and all; but I realised that many of the rollercoaster rides that were thrilling to me when I was younger wasn't so thrilling to me anymore =(

But corkscrew and flying coaster still remain the best ones!

Now, for three blockbusters that happened over the past weeks + one significant event:

Firstly, one of the hottest musicals ever to grace the Esplanade:
Yep, went to catch Chicago the Musical at the Esplanade with hy and kenny! It was slick, sharp and sexy. It's been four days but the soundtrack is still in my head. (Maybe 'cos I bought the original 1996 cast recording after the musical) It's $30 but well worth the money for the tunes. Anyone wants? Just ask!

This is as unappetizing as it looks! PEOPLE, PLEASE BEWARE OF FLAVA LAVA (WESTERN FOOD STALL) AT ESPLANADE'S GLUTTON'S BAY! My seafood pasta turned out to be nothing but garlic pasta, and Kenny's fish and chip above was lousy ttm. No skill, no effort, no taste. You've been warned.
~


Next is my treat for my family on Mother's Day @ Orchard Central's Ootoya.
The food and service are awesome. And it's affordable too. The 45min-1hour queueing for a space in the restaurant is justified, I believe.

Then it was off to Food Paradise (dad's treat) for the umpteenth time of the month.
To the one that was initially skeptical about this flavour, it's actually quite nice! Can try it next time =)
~


And now for the blockbusters:
I give the movie:





Despite some people saying that this was not as good as it should be, I actually think otherwise. What you loved about the first movie (Robert Downey Jr's irresistible ego-character and the special effects) are back in full-force, plus a few excellent extras (Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Mickey Rourke as Whiplash).

I cannot complain much when a movie delivers all that its audience wants. Just sit back and you're in for a cool and adrenalin-filled ride.
~


Caught this at a GV that I've never visited before:
I give the movie:





This will mark director Ridley Scott and actor Russell Crowe's 5th collaboration (most notably of which was 2001's Oscar Best Picture Gladiator), and the product is an above-average film that is expected of the award-winning duo.

Robin Hood tells the tale of how the man became the outlaw who robbed the rich to give to the poor, and the take is rather unconventional. Gritty fight scenes are played out against epic battles at coastlines, and these moments of grandeur are supported by a strong cast which includes Cate Blanchett and Max Von Sydow (last seen as a German doctor in Shutter Island).

A sequel is inevitable - but will it be the big blockbuster its advertising campaign sets out to be? The current RT rating stands at 44%, but I predict it will rise further when the movie is officially released (it premieres at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, and until then, the press is not allowed to publish any reviews).
~


Alright, still tired from the Genting trip. Shall sleep in tomorrow before joining Wang and the others for the discussion!

Take care, people!

Time to Plan

Yep, my exams are over. Time to start planning for this looooooong holiday. I have an internship in mind - shall apply for it on Monday! Wish me luck ;)

Many other things are happening that demand my attention, too - both public and personal. Hope I can handle all of them well. And sorry I didn't blog for so long!

This is our second (and possibly last) hall party! If you find this photograph oddly familiar, well, it's the same place, same food, and same Blissful-Eve pose from last time. =)

Okay, I'm going to spam photos now. Let's go!

View from Kenneth's house at the Duxton. The journey begins ...

We're going all the way to the Top.


And we're here!

That's Sentosa and the IR! Kenneth you're so fortunate!

Rolling clouds are beautiful...
~


And now for some food pics~

(warning: don't see them if you're hungry)

Best part of this? The sweeeet coconut ice cream.

Authentic Teppan-Yaki for bro's birthday!

Special pasta sauce (fish roe) with Japanese baby scallop. Slurpishly nice.
~


Before moving on to my poems, here are some movies that you guys might want to check out:

First up, my short review of Date Night.
I give the movie:





Given the undisputed comedic talents of its stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey, it is already granted that this film would be hilarious. But what surprised me about this tale of a date night gone wrong is the comedians' abilities to turn in emotional performances.

For married couples who think they've lost their spark, this one's definitely for you. For the rest, just have a great time.

Exciting car chase, by the way.
~


Next up, the opening film for this year's Singapore International Film Festival, Mao's Last Dancer or 舞.
I give the movie:





Based on the extraordinary true story of a boy from rural China who was plucked from obscurity and eventually tracing his tumultuous journey to become principal dancer for the Houston Ballet, this film is buoyed by the brilliant choreography featured in the movie.

Directed by Australian director Bruce Beresford, the tonal shifts in the flashbacks in China and the 'present' times of 1980s America sometimes made the movie lose its emotional footing.

But ultimately, its themes of freedom and artistic passion carries this inspiring movie all the way to the end.
~


Okay, this was what Kenneth requested, and I've been wanting to share my poems (which were assignments for my Intro to Creative Writing [HZ101] course) for quite awhile. Hope you guys enjoy this selection; feedback is absolutely welcomed! =)


Canvas

Sometime ago, when the canvas was white,
I used to think I could paint
anything.

An orange sun, a green meadow, some birds;
the canvas bore no boundaries,
nothing.

Then came a time the canvas was filled
with endless figures, colours -
everything.

Now I hope I have my blank canvas again,
and what I paint actually means
something.

~


Nostalgia
(to my grandparents)

My earphones sing a song to me -
A tinkling of the chimes,
Like lifting a veil into the past

Her voice echoes down the five-foot ways
I no longer walk on
But I see them,
faded oddly-brown

Strings are plucked clearly
as if he sits beside me
That old man from so long ago
who sang his stories till I slept

The keys tinkle, although I can't see
But as sure as they are
black and white
Her melody always strikes a chord

Skin is hit in a rhythm
almost like beats in my chest
Every sound it makes, I see
he holds onto the stick

I close my eyes and lean forward -
the song skips suddenly
Now my earphones sing a different song
and I sing along

~


And lastly, a visual poem featuring 5 Haikus.
You can click on it to enlarge.
~


Okay, hope you guys enjoyed that!

Shall write poems more often outside of the curriculum.

I guess that's all for now. IPPT this Saturday =S Chicago this Sunday! =D

Take care, people!

加油!

Many of us are so stressed lately; evidently, the exams are here. I have either been too busy or too lazy to blog (mostly because of the former). Call me crazy, but I am blogging here in the middle of revising for COM208.



JJ Lin is one of my most respected local/regional musician. 'Add oil' everyone! Including those in the photo below:
Yea it's true, we look like angels =) in our own world =)
~

Click on the poster below to see my review of (the awesome) Kick-Ass!
~

And I had the opportunity to catch Martin Scorsese's latest masterpiece, Shutter Island, with a film-buff who simply adores him. I don't have time to write the review, I'm sorry, but here's a short one:
I give the film:





Short Review:

Not only is this going to be destined as a Martin Scorsese classic (his techniques here are superb), this is also probably Leonardo DiCaprio's best work yet.

A richly-realised and breathtakingly dizzy trip of a taut psychological thriller, this film will keep you at the edge-of-your-seat and guessing even after the credits roll.

Trust me, even with an ambiguous ending, the experience is satisfying.
~


I am happy with the results of my poetry assignment. Shall share them with you guys probably after the exam. Trying to find a way to reproduce it and put it up at my new house. Twin has even copied one down in his notebook. Am honoured.

And thanks for the congratulatory Eiffel Tower!

Okay, back to the notes.

Take care, people!

Vital Statistics

I tagged this on Yinghui's tumblr, then I realised that it really describes me now:

I wanna be a procrastinator
I wanna be a dreamer
But now
I can only be a chao mugger

Should have added this into my HZ101 collection of poems. HAHA.

I can't believe I'm studying statistics for Communication Studies. My non-science brain can't take so much of this.

Take care, people!

GRR

Everybody, 咬紧牙关! This semester is proving to be crrrrazy. I'm now having the battle of the Six-es. MB106 vs. COM206. And then there is COM202. COM208 is looming in the background. HZ101 is always there (I love you, Creative Writing course, but I'm sorry I don't have much time for you).

Sorry, for those non-NTU people, the above paragraph would've seemed like gibberish. But for those NTU WKWSCI students, well, our nightmare ain't over yet. The E-word is coming. Starts with E and ends with an S. EEEKS.

I'm supposed to be doing work, but here I am. I have to rant and unwind. I'm sorry, projects will have to wait. Here are some cheery photos =)

Beautiful Checkered Day! It does seem like we're in blissful happiness, doesn't it? Eve says it all.

Vanessa, if you're reading this, I'm quoting you: Bakerzin macarons are "berry booms".

Cheers to a night of unspeakable and un-repeatedable "I Have Nevers". Merril, you have our salute. And Eve is blissful again.

Notice the 'red' consistency. This can also be a Burberry advertisement, with Hui Ying as the model. Backdrop? Toa Payoh HDB.

Contrary to Wang's belief, we are not in Thailand. This is our Victory photo outside Holland V's Crystal Jade after our epic 30-basket battle with Xiao Long Baos. I'm swearing off meatballs for at least a month.

Talking about epic battles........

I give the movie:





Too many Hollywood blockbusters have failed us recently.

Alice in Wonderland wasn't wonderful. The Lovely Bones wasn't lovely. And Clash of the Titans, well, wasn't exactly a Titan-ic achievement.

But this can be said: if you're looking for good, campy fun, Clash is the movie for you. With engaging special effects and mysterious and grand settings, the movie sweeps you off many times, but it also throws you back onto the ground hard and fast.

Perseus (Sam Worthington from Avatar) the demi-god - who is the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) - has to slay the head of Medusa in order to stop the Kraken (offspring of Ralph Fiennes' Hades) from wreaking havoc in a city.

If you're confused already, that is the thick, Greek back-story that is flashed out on-screen for this remake of the original and beloved 1981 classic. But the story never gets boring. Rather, this is one movie that I actually wished was longer.

With a myriad of Gods, demons, monsters, witches and creatures, a longer running time would definitely satisfy the viewers even more.

FINAL SAY: That said, this is still an enjoyable romp of a movie. A no-brainer but still a passable, loving homage to the good ol' times of Greek mythology.
~

OKAY. Resting time. Back to reality. Jia you!

Take care, people!

Bored. But still Busy.

I am blogging in lecture. Bah.
Quite a failed Theme Day. So pathetic! Watch this space for the next one. It is awesome. (See, I've been so busy that my photos are no longer timely anymore)

Anyway, this is my 180th post! Okay, random.

Two of my movie reviews for SGClub are finally up! They are for and Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler and The Book of Eli. Meanwhile, am reviewing The Lovely Bones for The Nanyang Chronicle and The Men Who Stare At Goats for SGClub.

On top of all these, there are those @#$%^%$#@ assignments... it scares me just to think about the deadlines.

Firstly, The Book of Eli.
I give the movie:

Director: Albert Hughes, Allen Hughes

Starring: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing International

What is the risk of blending a post-apocalyptic adventure with a storyline centering on faith? The result is the uneven The Book of Eli – a frequently violent but often thrilling film with a strong message to tell.

Denzel Washington stars as the titular Eli, himself a loner traveling the wasteland remains of Earth after a cataclysmic war. In his possession is a book that is apparently the last copy of its kind in existence, which Carnegie (Gary Oldman), the head of a shady town, is desperately trying to get his hands on.

Eli, the blade-wielding lone warrior, finds himself cornered many times, but his somehow formidable combat skills allow him to slash out of the situations, providing some of the film’s most bloody moments.

Indeed, this devastatingly dry state of the Earth is extremely inhospitable, with humans turning into hand-quivering cannibals, and where KFC wet-wipes have become a valuable commodity in the parched habitats.

But directors Hughes brothers have build up enough action to lead Eli towards the West, where he supposedly wants to impart his teachings from his book which he holds his beliefs dearly.

The dumbfounding twist in the film’s final act will most likely go down two ways with the audience:

- For believers of faith, it would make the protagonist’s journey throughout an inspirational one, guided firmly by prayers.

- For skeptics, however, the last act would serve as a surprise knock-out, and it just may have them shaking their heads and muttering, “I don’t believe.”

Believer or not, the film’s portrayals of intense violence might come across as a deliberate contrast to some, but off-putting to others. Are the brutalities really necessary when the future of mankind already seems so bleak?

For Eli’s powerful intentions, let’s just hope viewers do not get blinded by some of its misdirection.

~

And next, Kaiji.

I give the movie:

Director: Toya Sato

Starring: Tatsuya Fujiwara, Yuki Amami

Rated: PG

Distributed by: Encore Films

This live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese manga series revolve around Kaiji (Tatsuya Fujiwara of Death Note fame), an aimless young man who hates his mundane job as a cashier at a convenient store.

But things change when he suddenly finds himself in a large amount of debt, after his friend – of whom he is a guarantor – goes missing. Thus, when a female loan shark (Yuki Amami) offers him a seemingly tentalising deal to clear his debts, he jumps at the chance, unaware of the dangerous strings attached.

The contract is simple: board a cruise ship to play a game with similar ‘losers’ like him. If one wins, all debts will be cleared, and one will be rewarded with a handsome cash incentive. The game is simple, too: Rock, Paper, Scissors.

But needless to say, things turn complicated at the get-go. Kaiji’s twist of fate came when he changed the outcome of his own game, and it was a downward spiral from there.

He needs to face two more obstacles – a daredevil stunt atop two towers and a deceptively easy card game with high stakes – before he can be granted his freedom.

And these supposedly thrilling games are where the movie falters the most.

The premises of the games are the most intriguing, but would it be best served as an anime or just preserved in its original manga form? The towers scene, especially, seem to drag on while the melodrama, accompanied by jarring overacting, turns to a deafening notch.

The third and final stage – a medieval-like card game – proves to be the most exciting, but eventually builds to a surprisingly predictable climax.

But I am guessing that fans will still lap this all up. According to Toronto J-Film Pow Wow blog, Kaiji is already slated for a sequel, after this first movie became one of the biggest box-office hits of Japan in 2009.

While the social commentary about corporate companies controlling our insatiable consumerism is commendable, the same thing cannot be said about the film’s psychological thrills.
~


Apparently, 2 reader didn't like these 2 reviews, and voted quite low for the articles. I stand by my ratings - they were not good movies. So far, those that were released in the cinemas recently were mediocre at best, including The Lovely Bones =(

Omgosh.. she is droning on and on and on................ (yes, I'm still in lecture)

Bored. Bored. Bored. Busy with assignments.

I can't believe I completed my blogging and she's not done yet. Cannot be right.

Take care, people!