Movies under the Stars

Stella Artois has organised Starlight Movies 2004 at the Fort Canning from 17 Jun to 17 Jul. Spent $16 to lie under the stars and watch Finding Nemo and Whale Rider on Saturday.

We arrived at 7pm and got a reasonably good spot to spread out our mat. Crowd was alright, not as many irritating SPGs or college students like 2 yrs ago when I was there. I was expecting more people but it's better to have more space around the mat then have someone's feet next to your face. It was a breezy night and that's the best weather to have! Most of the families left after Finding Nemo. And we got to enjoy the next movie "WhaleRider" after the chatterboxes shuddup. (They had to be shh-ed to realise. *REB*)

Whale Rider is a highly acclaimed New Zealander production about the Maori tradition. The movie started off with muffled sound system (and chatterboxes), so I couldn't figure out what they are talking about. As the movie progresses, the plot thicken and the climax build up (and the audiences were really quiet!). It is about a young maori girl trying to prove to her chief-grandad that she's the next successor. As it is never the tradition to pass on the title to a girl, the grandad got mad at her for trying to break the tradition and being disrespectful to the tradition. There's a very touching scene where I belive most of the female at the Fort were trying to fight back their tears - me too. (*sob sob*) I must say, the actors were really good! Esp the little girl. No wonder she won the best actress award.

It is a very enjoyable and good movie, with subtitles. NZ accent is a little over-whelming. It's worth 5/5!

If you are interested in going for the Starlight Movies, and it's your first time, here are something you should take note.
1. Fill in the qtnaire and grab the goody bag. There's a copy of "Stuff". In it (other then 'nice pix') there's a coupon that admits 2 to Starlight movies on wkdays (Tues-Thurs and Sun, Mon close).
2. They have food stalls.. limited unless nachos, cheezy dogs, ice creams, evian and stella artois are good enough for you.
3. Bring cushions or pillows if you can afford it. It'll relieve your hands to support your head when you lie down to watch the movie.
4. Great event to bring pets and kids.

Where is everyone?

Just realised that postings are dwindling here besides Rachel's weekly movie reviews (thanks for that by the way).

So is everyone busy somewhere else? Anyone spoken to Uncle Leong lately?

Well, on my part I've been settling into the new job and now trying to plan my exit strategy. Seems a bit fast but somehow just can't seem to get used to this environment.

Oh yah.. got a new gmail account as well... 2 weeks ago I was busy clearing up my yahoo email and suddenly I get 100mb free from them and annuder 1gb from gmail. Anyway if anyone wants one I still have a few invitations left. Just let me know.

Announcement

Announcing the arrival of Lutfil Hadi Bin Mohd. Remy on 19 June 2004. Congratulation to Remy and Yati! Great job Yati!! Baby boy looks big and healthy! When will the circumsion ceremony be?? *u^

Harry Porter 3: The Prisoner of Azkaban

Oh how much they have grown! It's about time to replace them. Hahaha. The kids look more like 15, 16 then 13 years old.

At some point of the movie, it was really fast pace, at some other points, the conversations are too draggy. If you haven't read the book, you might not beable to follow. Even if you had, you might need to refer to them again. If you are not a fan of fantasy or Harry Porter stories, you might not enjoy this movie.

I enjoyed the movie, it was fun and thrilling. However, it was more fun reading the book then watching it. Guess the script writers didn't do such a good job. In comparison, the first instalment is better. Especially the Quidditch match!

How many stars is it worth? 3/5 because I'm bias, I'm a fan of Harry Porter!!

The day after tomorrow, where will you be?

I read a critic about the movie "The Day after Tomorrow" that the scientific facts or hypothesis presented in the movie were incorrect or absurb. So I was a little influenced by that comment when I watched the movie yesterday night at GV Plaza.

Well, it is interesting to use the weather as the basic of the story. However, among the disaster movies such as Deep Impact, Armaggadon, The Core, this one has become so expected. There's always a dog involved, a divorced family (to protray the American culture?), a president, a bad guy who learned his mistakes, foolish people who dont heed advices, a young hero who save his love and they kiss and make out, an older expert sacrificing.. and so on. Plot is too predictable. Special effects are not bad, but not good enough. I'd wish they will focus more on the greatness of the disaster, and protray the fear and how scary they are. I didn't feel anything. There some climaxes but it didn't get me too excited. Really, if its a story about the weather, show more of the hurricanes, storms and tsunamis, how they form, why and how scary they can be. Instead, they could only manage computer simulation used by the meteorologist.

Either acting isn't too convincing or the director fail to deliver the emotions. This deserves 2/5 stars.

Have you heard?

Who are the judges for the Singapore Idol (SI)? I heard there's 4 of them. (y do we need 4?? can't decide who to invite?) Dick Lee (guessed it!), Douglas Olivero (cool! think he need stock up on his foundation liao.), Florence Lian (she's still around?! :O) and some Hype Record director-talent scout who discovered Jeanette Aw, Phyillis Quek and Michelle Saram. (does he know music? director so free one ah?)

Of the lot, Florence Lian looked questionable. Can a former DJ know much about being a singer? I wonder how will SI turn out. The host already turns me off but I'll be curious to find out who are the people competing and are they any good.

One thing for sure, I won't have the courage to audition when I know my own standard. Hahaha. :P

Wah happen?

Hmm, just realised that the layout changed and all the comments are lost. Wah hapened?

Shrek 2. Just checking whats the ending after the credits part? Was there more then 1? Cos after the first credits there was another round of credits.. am I making sense here?

Oh.. just realised someone's upgraded to a D70. Having fun?

The Gospel of John

I watched "The Gospel of John" on the computer yesterday. Once again, the destiny of Jesus Christ has touched me and I cried again. :~(

This movie narrated the chapter of John from the New Testament. It also explained the things that had been said and done, according to the Bible. It takes you through the final journey of Jesus; the miracles he performed, the teachings (which are really hard to understand), the final hour, the crucifixion, and his rising.

This movie takes on a different angle compare to "Passion of Christ". Same story, but "Passion" focused on the agony and tortures that Jesus had gone thru. It had a greater impact on mankind while "Gospel" gave a better explanation which I think will benefit only the believers. Although "Passion" followed closely to the Bible, it had the director's own additions that may be interpreted differently by different people. "Gospel" is almost the Bible brought to screen, except there's variations to what I've read. I guess the Bible had been reproduced so much that there's deviations or variations from the original. Who knows the original then?

A picture tells a thousand words. Watching the movie allows me to understand the Bible better and it certainly left a deeper impression in me. I'm a "graphic" person. I remember pictures better then words. ;)

Excuses Excuses

My excuse is I'm using a 64mb laptop in the office now running Win2k so it's really really really and did I mention really slow. heh. to much trouble to post whilt at work.
Btw, just so u guys (n gals) (n not guy not gals type if any) know, my office only allow
MSN now so wun see me on Yahoo much .. unless got web version :P

Oh yah.. and managed to catch Van Helsing before it ended.. anyone can enlighten me.. he's supposed to be the angel gabriel? The story like got a lot of holes leh (the vampires also lah)

Shrek 2

Fantastic! So funny, I am still laughing. (I caught it on last Friday). It is better then Shrek 1! Must watch, it's worth 4.5 stars!

I have been busy recuperating and working (need to compete with co-workers :| ) that I haven't been blogging religiously. What's your excuse?

Next: Day after Tomorrow, Harry Porter (opens next thurs)

Trojanism and all things Greek

Aren't they georgeous? I mean, if the Greeks really look like Brad Pitt and Eric Bana in The Troy.. I'll be the horse they ride on. (So cheesy.. hahaha)

The Troy, a great movie with gorgeous men. I spoilt the enjoyment of the movie because I was too distracted by Brad Pitt and his beautiful body. Fantastic fight scenes and interesting story. Director did an excellent job in telling the story on screens. Sadly, I've nothing more to say about this movie other then Brad and Eric Bana (totally dig his body.. *drool*). Orlando? Well, he acted well, so much so that I don't want to remember him as Prince Paris. He shall remain as the swift Legolas.

I should watch the movie again, and this time, pay attention to the show. I still can't forget his naked body.. sigh..

And what is wrong with the movie theatres these days?! Cineleisure's sound system failed me! So disappointing. :(

Vampire Slayer

Van Helsing.. if he's really as cute as Hugh Jackman, I'll turn myself into a vampire to let him pierce through me. *wink wink* Haha..

Alright, back to the movie. The bad thing - I was bored at certain points of the movie. The story/plot is expected. Well, it can get kinda drama but then again, it should be expected out of such movie. I was looking for more climax but since it was expectable that the good won't die, I wasn't too excited when the good guys were in danger.

The good thing about it thou, is the graphics. Really cool and fun to watch. And of course, Hugh is nice to look at, Kate too of course. It's worth, 3/5 stars.

Friend went to Eng Wah Suntec and reported bad sound system. The sound can go mute at the exciting part. I went to GV Plaza and the sound system also sux. One side of the speakers go mute and back on minutes later. I guess Orchard Cineleisure is still the best, although it can be deafening. You can do what I did, plug in ear phones. Hahah.

Hopeless eye for a guy

Gross. Just seen the finale of "Eye for a guy" and I'm so disgusted and disappointed. Ok, she choose Sivet (sounds like a name for cats) which I agrees with her choice. But she's now dating Mark? Fine, if love blossom, great! But she's letting Mark to go to Paris with her and Sivet when it's suppose to be Sivet's "prize" for winning the game?! That's outrageous. What does she expect Sivet to do when two of them will be pretty much stuck to each other? According to Sivet, they were not suppose to contact each other until they go on the Paris trip. But Mark jumped the gun and has now started seeing Rachel. Mark really turns me off. Can't she tell that he's so fake and dating her is just to prove that he's still the winner? Man! Good on Sivet for not wanting to pursue Rach anymore. No good man would after what she has done. Well, I hope Rach is also playing the field like Mark, or I hope I'm wrong about Mark. Either way, it's one irritating couple, from the way they speak.

50 First Dates

Romance comedy by Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore who last paired up in "The Wedding Singer". I enjoyed the wedding singer better thou. This one had lotsa slapsticks and corny jokes which fails to deliver the punch. Nevertheless, there's still lotsa laughter. (I was wondering why the two gals next to me were laughing so hard when I was frowning at the corny jokes. It wasn't even that funny!) Crazy gals aside, it's still a funny romantic girlie show. I was with a guy so didn't really feel much of a romance out of the movie. Haha.

Adam sang in the movie again, and it sorta sound the same as in the wedding singer. You'd pity Lucy (the gal who lost her short term memory) for having to begin each day with so many emotions. But you'd also envy her for having such a sweet guy willing to do so many things for her. That's from a gal's point of view of cos. ;)

Next: Van Helsing, Troy, Blood Brothers (chinese)

My lazt s

Decided to get off my lazy a** before starting work and finally took some pictures of cordelia using the stuff I bought from Donald's friend.

It's up at http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/~cleek/img/baby/

I'm so slow

Wanted to catch hellboy but when I finally got around to it on friday..dammit practically all the cinemas not showing anymore. In the end had to watch Dawn of the Dead which actually seems to have a lot more stupid people in the show rather then dead people.

Oh well....

Kill Bill Vol. 2 on Tuesday

What's happening? No one is blogging??

I caught Kill Bill last Wed and I liked it! It is not as good as Vol.1 but I still enjoy the martial arts, humour, dramatic effects and the story telling. I must say, Quentin Tarantino is really not that bad. (hahaa althou ugly).

The audiences disturb me. They laugh when it's not funny. Just because the movie present the show in a dramatic, oldies-chinese-martial-art-movie way? So what if the high priest can stand on sword? Qing-gong does exist! They just can't appreciate the way the director intend to shoot the movie. It kills my mood, when I'm enjoying the dramatic effects and martial arts. I guess they just can't associate that kind of "chi-na-wu-shu-pugilistic" mannerism with the american ang moh.

I can already tell Vol. 3 is going to suck.

Next: 50 First Dates, Van Heilsing

Job Vacancy

A friend of mine at NYP is looking urgently for a Software Engineer, proficient in C/C++. The job will probably be programming in C++ for gaming software. Knowledge of computer graphics is an advantage but not a requirement.

Contact me if you are keen.

Friday update

1. Saw "Taking Lives" on Wed. So-so movie. Interesting story, expected plot, typical acting. It worth 2 stars out of 5 but Ethan Hawk earns them another one start. :"> He's damn cute in the show. Kiefer Sutherland (the lead actor in 24) was good, pity he wasn't given much to play.
2. Barney's World Tour is coming to Singapore.

3. Black Eye Pea is coming to Singapore!!!!!!!

4. Kill Bill vol2 opens today!! "They" want to do the vol.3 but Uma don't want to continue anymore. Good move Uma. Cos Vol3 I heard, is stupid and getting too draggy. :|

Movie weekend

Went to watch "Hell boy" and "Hidalgo" over the weekend. Both were interesting and entertaining. Althou there isn't many climax in the show, I wasn't thinking about the time and enjoyed the movie. Maybe it's just the protrayal of "macho man" that got me 'enjoying' the show. I'd say 3 stars out of 5, the kind can watch, can don't watch, or watch during wkday sort.

Next, Kill Bill 2, Taking Lives, Starsky and Hutch, 50 First Dates.