I watched an pretty obscure French film called 13 Tzameti. At least I think so, as the dialogue is in French. But then, some of the dialogue sounded like German, and my friend claims that the cityscape of some scenes reminds him of Italy. This friend is a certain 19 years old guy who just spent 1 month travelling in Europe. And he is going to spend a fortnight in Dubai, at the famed 7-stars hotel.
I'm so jealous that I want to kill him. Which brings us back to the movie, which is a really about a perverse game of murder. The protagonist is a kpo young renovation contractor who unwittingly becomes involved in this recreational gamble as one of the 13 contestants. The participants stand in the circle facing the back of the person in front. Each holds a revolver containing 1 bullet. When the ligh bulb at the centre lights up, they shoot the guy in front of them. For the benefit of some, a revolver has 6 bullet slots, meaning u have a 1-in-6 chance to die and a 1-in-6 chance to kill the one in front of you. And finally, some die in the first round. The tension and fear escalates as each revolver is loaded with 2, then 3, then 4, bullets in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, and the final fuel. Not to mention the high stakes of millions involed.
I'm not going to tell you the ending. It's quite haphazard and ridiculous and you will go "What the hell?" And while the movie is 1 1/2 hrs long, the first 25 min is trash and the last 15 is the warped ending. But the middle 50 min alone is well worth your ticket price. The characters emote with so much force and life, and the atmosphere is so intense and gripping, that it's mind-blowing, heart-stopping, breath-taking, nerve-shredding and nail-biting.
And there's a reason while I wrote such a meandered post for this film. While people flock to watch cheap flicks like Epic Movie, the theatre that i watched this movie at today is barely 5% filled. And it's at most a 200-seater. I don't get it. While do good films like 13 Tzameti, Thank You for Smoking and Mrs Henderson presents get banished to the small and ulu cinemas even on their first week of screening? Even Mr. Bean gets the Grand Cathay. While I agree that these films are likely to garner only a small audience, the lack of trying by the cinema distributors is simply exasperating.
As is my conversation with the auntie selling popiah yesterday.
Me: Auntie, I want a popiah, takeaway.
Auntie: Chilli?
Me: No. I don't want beansprouts as well.
(She spreads the sweet sauce on the popiah skin and prepares to use the 2 utensils to scoop the main ingredient thingy.)
Me: Auntie, wait. I don't want the parsleys as well.
(She slams the 2 utensils on the board.)
Auntie: Like that how I wrap the popiah?
Me: But last time I came, another auntie also can do it wat? I go other stores, they also can do it wat?
Auntie: Hey, if you want like that, I very hard to wrap, the skin will break easily.
I was about to go on that I can not buy if she cannot do it when another auntie from the stall came and pacified the situation. I was so pissed off that I was on the verge of unleashing my barrage of verbal assaults on her. Maybe my order is a bit demanding, but her attitude is appalling. I'm sure this is the kind of service that will make us the island of 4 million smiles.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spartans rule!
Prepare for glory! No, no.. Prepare for the coolest movie ever! Well, at least since Sin City. Prepare for 300! I caught the movie yesterday, and am still reeling in awe at the grandeur and sheer coolness of the picture.
Imagine 300 soldiers up against an army of one million. And the soldiers are clad only in a helmet, swimming trunks and a red cape, armed with a spear, a sword and a shield. Imagine 300 Manhunt-ready eye-candies for the girls out there. I bet half the cinema audience are drooping saliva.
That's besides the point. 300 is really about how King Leonidas of Sparta led 300 Spartan elite soldiers against the mighty million-strong Persian army, which consists of slaves, elite masked "immortals", giants, armour-plated rhinoceros. humongous LOTR-worthy elephants, barbarians, sorcerers, and archers whose arrows released could together block out the sun. The army can even cause an eathquake when on the move. But no problem was too big for the Spartans. At most, they just fought in the shade.
And the battle scenes are the coolest stuff ever. You will gape at how the Spartans annihilate one threat after another with grace and unblinking power. You will wonder at the alluring backdrop and stellar cinematography. You will laugh at the hard-wired humour and calmness of the Spartans in the face of peril.
Ultimately, this is a tale of courage and sacrifice, of how 300 Spartans fought and died and inspired all Greeks to stand together against the divine Persian army. But heck it all, it's one of the coolest and grandest movie ever.
PREPARE FOR GLORY!
Imagine 300 soldiers up against an army of one million. And the soldiers are clad only in a helmet, swimming trunks and a red cape, armed with a spear, a sword and a shield. Imagine 300 Manhunt-ready eye-candies for the girls out there. I bet half the cinema audience are drooping saliva.
That's besides the point. 300 is really about how King Leonidas of Sparta led 300 Spartan elite soldiers against the mighty million-strong Persian army, which consists of slaves, elite masked "immortals", giants, armour-plated rhinoceros. humongous LOTR-worthy elephants, barbarians, sorcerers, and archers whose arrows released could together block out the sun. The army can even cause an eathquake when on the move. But no problem was too big for the Spartans. At most, they just fought in the shade.
And the battle scenes are the coolest stuff ever. You will gape at how the Spartans annihilate one threat after another with grace and unblinking power. You will wonder at the alluring backdrop and stellar cinematography. You will laugh at the hard-wired humour and calmness of the Spartans in the face of peril.
Ultimately, this is a tale of courage and sacrifice, of how 300 Spartans fought and died and inspired all Greeks to stand together against the divine Persian army. But heck it all, it's one of the coolest and grandest movie ever.
PREPARE FOR GLORY!
Monday, March 12, 2007
Just leave
I see that more than a few have taken offence at my blog of late. I was quite shocked to see epithets of vulgarities used on my tagboard.
I'm not particularly shocked, for I have made more than a few enemies so far and it would not seem far-fetched for them to exact their revenge here. But I do not know. These people could really be enemies or are simply passers-by. Yet, whichever the case, I am still disgusted with such an act of cowardice and discourtsesy.
My post here today is not to declare a challenge or make war. I simply don't want to see such comments on my tag-board anymore as they are rude and unconstructive. For these people, if you know me, then I feel that you are just a low-down coward for using anonymous names to post impolite comments. It's nothing more than a despicable and desperate act to get back at me for whatever I have done to you. If I have really done henious deeds to you, you can contact me, in your real name, via any means and tell me what I have done wrong. I will make up. We have all done hurtful things unconsciously before. If it's just some petty minute issue, I implore you to just let things go and move on in life than waste your time in engaging in such petty pursuits. If you do not know me, then I'm perplexed as to why you took so much offence at what I've written to the extent that you have to post such extreme comments. My opinions voiced are pretty harmless. Honestly, if you do not know me and, for whatsoever reasons, are really angered by what I say, simply excuse yourself from my website forever. There is no cause for you to degrade yourself in such an unneccessary way. There's also no need for you to disturb my other readers by letting them read profanities and irrelevant comments in my website.
I have removed all expletives and unruly, rude comments on my tag-board. I hope all who are unhappy with my blog simple turn away and engage in better pastimes. I have no wish nor the time to indulge in such further pointless exchanges with you anymore.
I'm not particularly shocked, for I have made more than a few enemies so far and it would not seem far-fetched for them to exact their revenge here. But I do not know. These people could really be enemies or are simply passers-by. Yet, whichever the case, I am still disgusted with such an act of cowardice and discourtsesy.
My post here today is not to declare a challenge or make war. I simply don't want to see such comments on my tag-board anymore as they are rude and unconstructive. For these people, if you know me, then I feel that you are just a low-down coward for using anonymous names to post impolite comments. It's nothing more than a despicable and desperate act to get back at me for whatever I have done to you. If I have really done henious deeds to you, you can contact me, in your real name, via any means and tell me what I have done wrong. I will make up. We have all done hurtful things unconsciously before. If it's just some petty minute issue, I implore you to just let things go and move on in life than waste your time in engaging in such petty pursuits. If you do not know me, then I'm perplexed as to why you took so much offence at what I've written to the extent that you have to post such extreme comments. My opinions voiced are pretty harmless. Honestly, if you do not know me and, for whatsoever reasons, are really angered by what I say, simply excuse yourself from my website forever. There is no cause for you to degrade yourself in such an unneccessary way. There's also no need for you to disturb my other readers by letting them read profanities and irrelevant comments in my website.
I have removed all expletives and unruly, rude comments on my tag-board. I hope all who are unhappy with my blog simple turn away and engage in better pastimes. I have no wish nor the time to indulge in such further pointless exchanges with you anymore.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Why do we cry?
When I first saw the title of the movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" in a poster, I read it as 'Letters from 1(st) WO (Warrant Officer) Jima". When I related this incident to my colleagues at Singtel, I had the guys spilling over with laughter for half an hour. Sigh.
Anyway I thought it apt for me to catch this film with my army buddies who have braved untold dangers with me during my 1 1/2 years in Sembawang Air Base, risking our very lives to defend the base from terrorists, especially military toughies which hold the ranks of Major and above, who try to smuggle laptops, pirated DVDs, camera handphones, etc etc into the base.
Ok, back to the point. My judgement was quite right after all. Letters is not another soapy war film that focuses on war-torn couples and frilly love like Pearl Harbour, but a true war movie about kinship, loyalty, courage, vulnerabilities, and quite literally, blood and tears. Men take central stage as they display bravery, weakness, and all sorts of epiphany through the battle. But that doesn't mean women are next to nothing. Behind their facedes of toughness and resilience, they show their true selves as they write letters to their mothers and wives. There was one poignant moment, as a Japanese officer read a letter found on a dying US soldier from his mother. Borrowing a line from Ken Watanabe, "I swore to die to protect my family, but the thought of them makes it difficult to keep that promise."
Towards the end, I was almost moved to tears by many heart-aching moments. Which actually led me thinking, why am I crying for the Japanese soldiers? They invaded Singapore, and SE Asia and China, and made life hell for our forefathers. In fact, why do we cry when we watch soapy Korean romance shows, or when we read tragedies and disasters on newspapers? I mean, the lives and deaths of the characters, real or fictional, are none of our business after all.
Then I was enlightened, sort of. The keyword is Humanity. i think that we are not actually crying for the protagonists, but for humanity itself. I believe that all humans are ultimately connected by a sense of humanity that transcends all barriers. No matter how ruthless and cruel one might appear to be, I believe he still have that bit of conscience and humanity left somewhere in his heart. Just like Darth Vader who returned to the good side when his master is about to kill his son. Maybe that's why Clint Eastwood can produce a Japanese film. Perhaps that's why we all cry.
Anyway I thought it apt for me to catch this film with my army buddies who have braved untold dangers with me during my 1 1/2 years in Sembawang Air Base, risking our very lives to defend the base from terrorists, especially military toughies which hold the ranks of Major and above, who try to smuggle laptops, pirated DVDs, camera handphones, etc etc into the base.
Ok, back to the point. My judgement was quite right after all. Letters is not another soapy war film that focuses on war-torn couples and frilly love like Pearl Harbour, but a true war movie about kinship, loyalty, courage, vulnerabilities, and quite literally, blood and tears. Men take central stage as they display bravery, weakness, and all sorts of epiphany through the battle. But that doesn't mean women are next to nothing. Behind their facedes of toughness and resilience, they show their true selves as they write letters to their mothers and wives. There was one poignant moment, as a Japanese officer read a letter found on a dying US soldier from his mother. Borrowing a line from Ken Watanabe, "I swore to die to protect my family, but the thought of them makes it difficult to keep that promise."
Towards the end, I was almost moved to tears by many heart-aching moments. Which actually led me thinking, why am I crying for the Japanese soldiers? They invaded Singapore, and SE Asia and China, and made life hell for our forefathers. In fact, why do we cry when we watch soapy Korean romance shows, or when we read tragedies and disasters on newspapers? I mean, the lives and deaths of the characters, real or fictional, are none of our business after all.
Then I was enlightened, sort of. The keyword is Humanity. i think that we are not actually crying for the protagonists, but for humanity itself. I believe that all humans are ultimately connected by a sense of humanity that transcends all barriers. No matter how ruthless and cruel one might appear to be, I believe he still have that bit of conscience and humanity left somewhere in his heart. Just like Darth Vader who returned to the good side when his master is about to kill his son. Maybe that's why Clint Eastwood can produce a Japanese film. Perhaps that's why we all cry.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Emphysema
It's been a hectic week, so much so it's quite stifling. But yet still quite fun actually. Basically, this week revolves around employment, OT, movies, mahjong, and a stayover, plus the hype in my office over release of the 'A' Levels results on Friday.
While I understand the anxiety of the girls in my office over the results release (all the guys have taken theirs two years back), I would just like to point out a simple fact. The A levels is, in truth, just a passport. A passport to the university that your want to go and the course you want to pursue. And if your are a high flyer, the scholarship you want. And nobody's going to remember if you achieved 4As or not in 10 years' time. It's merely a jumping patform to more things in your life. Yeah, so I hope that everyone is satisfied and happy with their performance and may they achieve their goals in their future endeavours.
While I understand the anxiety of the girls in my office over the results release (all the guys have taken theirs two years back), I would just like to point out a simple fact. The A levels is, in truth, just a passport. A passport to the university that your want to go and the course you want to pursue. And if your are a high flyer, the scholarship you want. And nobody's going to remember if you achieved 4As or not in 10 years' time. It's merely a jumping patform to more things in your life. Yeah, so I hope that everyone is satisfied and happy with their performance and may they achieve their goals in their future endeavours.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
E-age Education
-= Joke of the Post =-
A little boy goes to his father and asks “Daddy, how was I born?”
The father answers: “Well son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway!
Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo.
Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe.
We sneaked into a secluded room, where your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive.
As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said: You got Male!!!
A little boy goes to his father and asks “Daddy, how was I born?”
The father answers: “Well son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway!
Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo.
Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe.
We sneaked into a secluded room, where your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive.
As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said: You got Male!!!
Friday, February 23, 2007
From thespian to lesbian
I watched
Epic Movie on 15th Feb with Ah Wee, William, Randy and Hock Soon,
Ghost Rider on 16th Feb with Eugene,
Just Follow Law on 19th Feb with my mum, sis and bro,
Protege on 20th Feb with Randy, Hock Soon, Hern Khoon and Wei Meng, and
Notes on a Scandal on 22nd Feb with Hui Xin.
And I believe I have just set my newest personal movie record. Don't ask me why, I have no idea how I clocked this achievement.
Anyway, I need to fulfil my egotistical knack for commenting on every movie I saw. Protege is a typical Hong Kong mafia flick, starring a very charismatic Andy Lau and eye candies Louis Koo and Daniel Wu. Just Follow Law had me gaping with a crotch-scratching Fann Wong. I like Jack Neo's insightful and hilarious jibes at officialdom, but as usual, his movies turn quite preachy and melodramatic at the end. But both are festive and friendly box-office films for everyone to enjoy.
However, the heavyweight, in my opinion, lies in Notes on a Scandal. Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett truly live up to their Oscar nominations by delivering evocative and nuanced performances. Judi Dench, my favourite granny actor, is truly scary yet humanly as a psycho lesbian that it is quite disturbing at some points. Her obvious disdain for the students in her school, her barbed remarks towards her incompetent colleagues, her muted outrage at her betrayal, her subtle manipulation of Cate Blanchett, every pore (and wrinkle) of her oozes the thespian air. While the Academy judges might find her and the show too dysfunctional, I think Helen Mirren of The Queen should abdicate in favour of this Grand Dame.
Anyway, Hui Xin found the freckles-infested 15 years-old guy Cate Blanchett had a affair with quite cute. I thought he was ok only.
Epic Movie on 15th Feb with Ah Wee, William, Randy and Hock Soon,
Ghost Rider on 16th Feb with Eugene,
Just Follow Law on 19th Feb with my mum, sis and bro,
Protege on 20th Feb with Randy, Hock Soon, Hern Khoon and Wei Meng, and
Notes on a Scandal on 22nd Feb with Hui Xin.
And I believe I have just set my newest personal movie record. Don't ask me why, I have no idea how I clocked this achievement.
Anyway, I need to fulfil my egotistical knack for commenting on every movie I saw. Protege is a typical Hong Kong mafia flick, starring a very charismatic Andy Lau and eye candies Louis Koo and Daniel Wu. Just Follow Law had me gaping with a crotch-scratching Fann Wong. I like Jack Neo's insightful and hilarious jibes at officialdom, but as usual, his movies turn quite preachy and melodramatic at the end. But both are festive and friendly box-office films for everyone to enjoy.
However, the heavyweight, in my opinion, lies in Notes on a Scandal. Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett truly live up to their Oscar nominations by delivering evocative and nuanced performances. Judi Dench, my favourite granny actor, is truly scary yet humanly as a psycho lesbian that it is quite disturbing at some points. Her obvious disdain for the students in her school, her barbed remarks towards her incompetent colleagues, her muted outrage at her betrayal, her subtle manipulation of Cate Blanchett, every pore (and wrinkle) of her oozes the thespian air. While the Academy judges might find her and the show too dysfunctional, I think Helen Mirren of The Queen should abdicate in favour of this Grand Dame.
Anyway, Hui Xin found the freckles-infested 15 years-old guy Cate Blanchett had a affair with quite cute. I thought he was ok only.
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