My Pre-Wedding pics

First of all, thanks a lot for Sigit and Tito from THE UPPERMOST who has done a terrific job of taking the prewed pics...they look splendid! Guys, you've put lots of character and emotion onto the pics. Not to mention how you frame all those scenes, you guys really have the sixth sense on these things....

We had 2 days of photo shooting in Singapore, with all the places have been chosen nicely by both Suri and the photographers. I guess all those research works prove really fruitful in the end. There are 7 places in total, with 1 particular spot which is quite far to reach (and only few people acknowledge the place whereabout). Truthfully, it was very tiring, especially with both hot and rainy at the same day. Lucky for us, the weather had been very nice to us, especially on the first day when he had the shoot at Marina Barrage. It was cloudy until afternoon, whew...can't imagine if the sky was clear.

For me, the favorite spot is the Upper Seletar Reservoir during the sunset and the high tide. The whole scene was just fascinating, and I love it even more in the photos. The city view from the Pinnacle @ Duxton was also breath taking, since we're at the 50th storey with the whole Singapore city view in close range.

Special thanks also for Norma, the make-up artist, who has transformed my pretty girl into a beautiful princess. I like her a lot when she wears the pink polka dot dress and the veil, reminds me of Audrey Hepburn (too bad we didn't bring the sun glasses).

So, with the courtesy of THE UPPERMOST, here are some of the prewed pics. You can check them out from their website http://theuppermost.com/ or their facebook page (just search theuppermost). They are highly recommended, and these guys are really damn funny also, so you get the whole package of photography and entertainment. I've lost words on praising you guys...Nice working with you!

Someone has to say ENOUGH...

Okay, in this context...ENOUGH of stupid, useless, and brainless remakes. Clash of The Titans somehow fits into that category, although the movie is still enjoyable to watch. But if we're talking whether this remake is necessary...well, I certainly don't think so. Clash of the Titans is a remake of 1981 version, which has been considered as cult movie, along with the special effects used to create the various creatures in (done brilliantly by Ray Harryhausen who employed stop motion animation). I managed to take a look to this 1981 version, just to prepare myself for the 2010 one. Although it's a 2-decade ago movie, I believe in term of cinematic experience, it's entertaining, apart from cheesy dialog, but hey, it's a movie about the Greek Gods anyway. I must say, I was curious to see how this old version will be remaked. Will they keep the old plot or the characters, or will they even show the robotic owl Bubo? Judging by the trailer, it seems good, but after a horrendous 120 minutes of 3D, the movie seems so flat.

Okay, the big picture, it's a story of Perseus, who didn't realize he's Zeus' son, until Hades made a mess of him and his family. Perseus started a journey to settle unfinished business with Hades. Along the way, he is accompanied with a band soldiers, black Pegasus, wood-cursed guy, and a hot chick as a Bubo replacement. Then, just like video games storyline, they have to encounter new 'bosses' on each story segment (somehow, this reminds me how similar this is with Percy Jackson), until they Perseus have to do one on one with the mighty Kraken.

The main problem for when I was watching this, was the 3D effect was so annoying, I was surprised when I opened up my glasses, the image was clear and bright enough, with a bit of blurry effect, but it is still watchable. Then, I decided to watch halfway through without the glasses. I guess CLASH OF THE TITANS made a perfect example how eventually, 3D makes a movie looks so bad.

The Medusa scene is a major improvement, she made a good cameo, actually.

Apart from the horrendous 3D visualization, the story line appears to be quite flat, lack of emotion, and the I felt they rushed a lot of things. No matter how lame the 1981 version was, at least it still had a concurrent plot, at least the reasoning for Perseus journey is based of a logical cause (he was deeply in love with Andromeda). I felt by tweaking the story here and there, and adding Hades to the story line somehow changed the story main plot. In the old version, the gods have the sufficient portion of screening time, where Zeus was the bad guy, because he has lost his minds, not to mention, his ego as made other gods turn their backs on him. While on the 2010 version, the movie focuses too much on the human side, leaving a very little plot for Zeus and the gang.

On the bright side, the CGI team made a good job on bringing the mythological creatures into life. Some shots of the scenery was remarkable, and the fighting scenes are nicely choreographed, although I don't buy the fight scenes with Calibos when Perseus started to do some back flip and kung-fu style...damn it, they should see how 300 do their battle fights.

Kraken 2010 --> it's dull, underused, and lame.

Overall, CLASH OF THE TITANS is somehow entertaining in some parts, but mostly flat, forgettable once you leave the cinema, a so-so remake, and a very underwhelming 3D. My suggestion? Please go HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON for a 2nd viewing...it's much worth it...

My Ratings : 6.5/10

Easter and Baptism

First of all, Happy Easter for all my Christian friends....This is the first time I celebrate Easter in Singapore, and I must say, this must one of the most memorable mass I've attended so far, and also the longest...I picked up St. Mary of The Angels church, since I really like the ambiance and also, the design itself (damn architect)...another reason is that I was eager to see two of my besties to be baptized. So, Linda and Koeslid....happy for you both!!

Yeah, I just realized I've never been to the baptism event where the catechumens are drown in the pool. And the good thing about this church, is that the pool is right there in the middle...(Man, those people from WOHA really know every single important element of church design).

The mass started at 9PM, but for getting seats sake, we arrived 1 1/2 hour earlier, but still, most of the seats had been booked (not surprising though), haissss...I really hate the S'poreans way of booking tables and seats. Good thing the Priest gave announcement that first come first served...eat that !!! Eventually, I got a seat, along with Kary and Ferdinand, which was very cool...since I dun have to endure the whole mass alone.

For the mass itself, it took 3 1/2 hour, the longest in my experience, but perhaps the least boring I've ever attended, since they managed to keep the mood alive, and Fr. John and Derrick sometimes uttered few nice jokes. But perhaps, the additional factor which kept me on my seat maybe the aircon. Don't get me wrong, but I guess the cool air managed to keep most of the felt people comfortable.

But, the high moment of that evening was the baptism ritual, where each of catechumens are drowned in the pool, as the symbol of 'being born again'. Some funny moments were occurred though, where some of the them gave funny reactions during or after being drowned...

So, for Linda and Koeslid, I know it's been a tough 1 1/2 half year of RCIA period, but I believe it's also been a precious period to prepare yourself of becoming Catholics...and I'm sure this will be fruitful in the end. So, welcome to the club. For Linda, I guess now you can change ur schedule to Sunday Mass :)...actually I was planning to grab a pic of you both yesterday, but I guess all of us had been very tired, whew....(remembering that total 5 hours spent at the church).

In the end, I felt joyful and highly spirited, thanks for a wonderful evening.

Luke 24:6-7

"He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."