Spent my weekdays...

Last few days, I watched 'The Wrestler', and 'Defiance', and couple series of CSI Vegas and Grey's Anatomy. I think the Wrestler is a good movie, but I didn't like the ending, I felt betrayed cause we had to make our own conclusion about the aftermath of Randy the Ram, after he did his final move...what the hell was that? Overall, Mickey Rourke gave a solid performance as an outdated wrestler...If I must say, this movie is a one-man show of Randy 'the Ram', but dun forget Marisa Tomei also, who's starting to showing more of her skin.

'Defiance', on the other hand, is a good movie at the beginning, until I get bored towards the middle...and the war choreographer was suck...looks unreal for me. I think they are chasing for PG13 rating or so. Good to see Daniel Craig played different role than Bond. Other than that, this is a decent movie but it is a little bit too long.

Now, the talking point, no more Gil Grissom in CSI, replaced by the new character played by Laurence Fishburne. Too bad, they will make a hell of a team together, unfortunately, there can be only 1 leader. In my opinion, Gil Grissom is by far, the smartest character ever created on TV series, especially when dealing with crime investigation. Never used any guns, his brains and the way of thinking was remarkable, although his love interest story was kinda....'cold'...or sucks in my opinion...But still, CSI LV is my favourite TV series...and it's 9th season gonna end soon. Hopefully we can see Grissom more in the future...

Grey's Anatomy...Meredith...I hate you even more...make up your mind please...Derek, pls find other girlfriend, leave meredith, or leave the series!!!....Yang, you're the most 'realistic' person in the series...keep it that way. Izzie, get a LIFE!!! Lexie, pls stay away from this hospital...find your own life...your sister doesn't take care of you enough...Sloan, you're a good man so far this season...the rest of the crew was doin...'okay'. In the end, this series need something to boost up the story, cause it's starting to make me bored and exhausted...

I'm planning to finish 3rd season of Dexter, and watch the unwatched episodes of 30 rock and the Office, and maybe follow up 7th season of 24...

Stay (Faraway, So Close)

Green light, Seven Eleven 
You stop in for a pack of cigarettes 
You don't smoke, don't even want to 
Hey now, check your change 
Dressed up like a car crash 
Your wheels are turning but you're upside down 
You say when he hits you, you don't mind 
Because when he hurts you, you feel alive 
Hey babe, is that what it is 

Red lights, gray morning 
You stumble out of a hole in the ground 
A vampire or a victim 
It depend's on who's around 
You used to stay in to watch the adverts 
You could lip synch to the talk shows 

And if you look, you look through me 
And when you talk, you talk at me 
And when I touch you, you don't feel a thing 

If I could stay... 
Then the night would give you up 
Stay...and the day would keep its trust 
Stay...and the night would be enough 

Faraway, so close 
Up with the static and the radio 
With satelite television 
You can go anywhere 
Miami, New Orleans 
London, Belfast and Berlin 

And if you listen I can't call 
And if you jump, you just might fall 
And if you shout, I'll only hear you 

If I could stay... 
Then the night would give you up 
Stay...then the day would keep its trust 
Stay...with the demons you drowned 
Stay...with the spirit I found 
Stay...and the night would be enough 

Three o'clock in the morning 
It's quiet and there's no one around 
Just the bang and the clatter 
As an angel runs to ground 

Just the bang 
And the clatter 
As an angel 
Hits the ground

by U2, taken from the album "Zooropa"

Do they ever love you back?

Tonite, I was doing my packing job, when I turned on the TV, and saw the cute Drew Barrymore on a movie. The movie was Fever Pitch, which was based on a book by Nick Hornby (same title, only in the book, it's about an Arsenal huge fan). Well, the story was like this, a high-school teacher Ben Wrightman (Jimmy Fallon) is a good catch. He's charming, funny and great with kids. When he meets Lindsey Meeks (Drew Barrymore), an ambitious business consultant whose spirit is as luminous as her beauty, their attraction is immediate. Sure, they have their differences. She's a workaholic; he loves his summers off. He lives and breathes the THE BOSTON RED SOX (quote: super duper fucking' OBSESSED). 

Ben always watch every Red Sox games, not missing an inning. On the other hand, Lindsey is a no-go about baseball, meaning she does not know any shit about Red Sox. Well, she tried...read the books, went to the games, doing her best to keep the balance between the job (she works her ass to get a promotion) and Ben with his 'Red-Sox life'. Until one day, well...u know...Lindsey couldn't stand it anymore...So, whose fault is it? Ben who's lost in his obsession...or Lindsey who can't understand Ben at all? One thing for sure, Lindsey made a bold move toward the relationship when she accompanied Ben to watch the live games...maybe it's normal in the US or Europe, when people become obsessed with sports...but not HERE!!!! especially not HERE!!!!!!!

 

Ben didn't understand with Lindsey (guys...always), he thought she'd understood him from the beginning, until a kid told him..."Do they (Red Sox) ever love you back?"....whoa!!! That's a jackpot...bull's eye!!! Mind you, in history, Red Sox never won any trophies since 1918 if I'm not mistaken. So, it's like...a one-sided love afterall...

Yeah, I'm a Man United Fan...and fortunately they're winning trophies...Am I an obsessed fan? Perhaps...Last 2 seasons...I almost watched every matches...always keeps me updated with their latest news...felt so bad when they're losing...felt so good when they're winning....buying their merchandises...

I'm grateful enough, my girl is able to understand this...she always put her ears on whenever I told her stories bout Man Utd...She used to dislike football, looked at it as a useless sport, when 20 people fight each other for a stupid ball (kinda stupid actually, someone breaks your legs because he just wants the ball!!!).

Present day? She knows Rooney, Ferguson, Cantona, Ronaldo, and she is aware there's a Korean guy in the team, and she knows that we may not be able to watch Giggs and Scholes playing any more near the future...She knows the difference between league, cup, or champions matches (she stayed up with me up till morning watching last year Champions Final)...And she understands OFF SIDE!!! Gosh, I couldn't expect anything more than that. 

Perhaps, the thing she likes is that I'm not an obsessed person. I could keep the balance between Man Utd and 'girlfriend' times...(quote: prioritizing things). She was also grateful that I like football, enjoying it with friends together, rather to go the clubs or hanging around till midnite drinking, or other...'useless' things...

Oh well, I love Man Utd (they kept a good run at this moment!!!), and I love her also...yeah, in this case, 'THEY' really love me back...

I'm engaged....

Gosh, never thought I'll have to start using those words...I know I'm 26, and now my friends are starting to upload their own or friends' marriage pics....So probably, it's not too early for me to do this...yeah, it's time...Mentally, I think I ready for that...financially...well, we'll catch it up soon enough....meaning , after I got my work, I guess no more spending...(no more LEGO, forget PS3 or Xbox 360, etc etc etc)....

At first I was thinking...'Oh, I'm gonna be engaged...oh well, things will be the same'; hahaha well, I'm proud to say... (from my point of view)...it's slightly different....whenever I look at my girlfriend, ups...fiance....I'm thinking...whoa, this woman will be my future-wife...

MAN, now I just spoke a new word...'future - wife'... when I haven't got used to say thwe word 'fiance'...how heavy is that??? 

Nah, it's not a burden...it's full of excitement, I must say...From my stand point, I believe we're a happy couple, we care for each other and we learn from each other...and those things involved debates, fights, screaming (nay, I'm just exaggerating...)

Thanks for all the wishes from our family and friends...wishing us the best, guys!!!

Slumdog Millionaire

What does it take to find a lost love?

A. Money

B. Luck

C. Smarts

D. Destiny

I've been eager to watch Danny Boyle's latest Slumdog Millionaire, since it was gaining lots of interest after won numerous awards from various film festival, and it is an Oscar favorite contender. It is touching, memorable, contains many social issues, also hopes and dreams, from the eyes of a young impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik. He is just one question away from the "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" biggest prize. But then, he was suspected of cheating, caught by the police, and interrogated. During this process, Jamal told us an amazing story of a Mumbai Boy, where each answer from the quiz questions unfolds his living experience, from his admiration of Amitabh Bachan, complicated relation with his brother, the fighting of finding his lost childhood love, and last but not least...trying to fulfill his destiny...Based on the book Q&A, by Vikas Swarup, i guarantee, you'll be blown away....Nice Job, Danny!!!

All the cast play their role adequately, it's interesting to see the growth of these young siblings played by different actors, and you can't feel the gap, it was just running smoothly...I bet, the long lost love of Jamal, captured the attention of the guys, since she's so sweet, appears to be so  vulnerable, but also struggle for her own freedom. 

It's been awhile I've never seen a movie like this, it's refreshing yet thrilling. What really hits me is that if somehow we can change the setting of the story into Jakarta, it will fit perfectly...damn, how come no one from 200 million people don't have the idea to make a movie like this??? or at least write a decent script, find a good notable director to make it...rather than invest the money in some teenage movie trash or really bad horror movies.

Overall, Slumdog Millionaire is the best film of the year and one of the most exhilarating film-going experiences

My review: 9/10

2008_a reflection..

Goodbye 2008! 

It was a good year I must say. A whole new experience actually, cause I spent almost a year (well, you can cut the mid year break) in Singapore, pursuing my master degree (finished that, yippie)...yeah, living abroad was good (for now), and teaching me lots of stuff (yeah, 'life is tough' doesn't sound so cliche anymore'). And also, living with OTHER PEOPLE also gave me many lessons (I can hear Suri says, "I TOLD YOU!!!"). 

So, what are the memorable moments which I can pick up from the hat (not in particular order, mind you)...hmmm, lemme see...

The final presentation...we fucked it up, but I still got an A. I'm a happy man...

Remember statistics??? 1 week of it, and that's already pushing us to the limit.

I can start with the completion of my postgrad studies, which was a relieve...yeah, no more exams!!!! (hopefully)...tell you the truth, the 1st semester didn't give me headache, it was okay enough. But, after I spend the first 2 weeks of the 2nd semester , under this fuckin' module called RESEARCH METHOD, and start studying statistics, logic, and little philosophy (too many bullshits, way toooo many), now we're talking...the last month of the final paper deadlines and final exams, was the toughest moment of the year...the good thing, I lost weight...4 kgs...and 2 days after the exams, got sick, terrible flu...and Suri got it from me afterwards, even worse....oh well, anyway, I got my results already, and it was really satisfying...and from Suri and my parent's standard...they said, it wayyy above 'satisfying'. Gotta say thanks a lot for their support all these time (thanks mum, dad....especially for the prayers, and the..ehm ehm...financial support...ehm)....

I almost missed Jason Mraz, whew...

Okay, how do I spend my time in S'pore...I can skip the shopping and orchard, too common. SINGFEST was a new experience for me...watching live performance!!! I was just 10 m away from Jason Mraz, whoa...I think it's the closest I can get, compared with my friends, though, hahaha...It was tiring, all day long, got free tanning, dehidrated, etc etc...but...I can't wait to watch SINGFEST09...

He is supposed to move in together this year...

Hangout with friends were fun, and sometimes, lame...my regret was that I didn't spend too much time with highschool friends...cause I felt there's some difficulties hanging out with my college friends. Dunno why, but I felt there's a gap there....well, what I know is, dun depend and ask too much from them...cause most of the time, they will dissapoint you...(not all of them, but i know some cases). But, one thing for sure, Gepenk, you're my best bud out through out the year, yeah...can't wait until we live together later on... 

Obama...this is your year...yeah, I believe in you...go prove it this year what you can do...You're the man!!!

Movies: Until this minute, I've watched Dark Knight for 7 times, and still loving it. But, Wall-E should be my pick for the Best Movie of the year...Kungfu Panda was the funniest one, Indy was dissapointing, Hulk was okay, Bond was still great,  Mamma Mia was my guilty pleasure, Forgetting Sarah Marshall was the best romantic comedy (Definitely Maybe came close). Apart from these titles. I can't remember any more..

Can they pull up this kind of thing again?

SPORTS....Man Utd won the double, nuff said...Nadal conquer the 2008 grand slams, trashing out Federer from the top spot...Sharapova, Jankovic, and Ivanovic...the hot chicks...I hope I can see more from them...Spain won the Euro, Hamilton pissed Massa off on the last lap, and last but not least...Michael Phelps is the living legend!!!

My best friend's wedding

And 2008 was closed by hanging out with my old friends. For Andre and Tessa, congrats for your wedding, it was fun, thanks for appointing me as one of the best men. The best years are coming ahead of you. Davin and Indah, sorry couldn't make it on your wedding celebration in Singapore, but I'm so glad to see both of you together, both of you look great!!.

Alicia, too bad we didn't have time to hang out together, but at least, we were able to meed for Andre and Tessa wed, for the whole day...I'll catch up with you, hopefully this year...

Thanks for the rest, Erick, Icil, Edo, Adri, Aryo, Monic, Kevin, Tetep, Erik, Astrid, and Nyo2. All of you have made the christmas and the new year's eve celebration became memorable. Can't wait to hangout altogether again...

My Sister and Temmy, thanks for the lovely nephew. Oh gosh, Arthur, I wish I can see you everyday and watching you grow bigger and bigger. You're adorable, and I know you're in the right hands. One day, I'm gonna play together with you and teaching you lots of things...

My parents, too many things to be said, but for the past year, thanks for everything...I know maybe it's a bit tough for both of you, cause this is the first we actually were separated, and the house was quite silent. But look now Mum, we can chat together on MSN, isn't that cool??? 

Last but not least, the light of my life, the bunny who gives laughter and the hunny of my days. You've opened my eyes, my heart, and my soul, and I have kept part of you within me. Thanks for making not just and ordinary person, and I believe we are an extraordinary couple.. (crazy couple came close actually, but we'll never beat Andre+Tessa, they're the top of the list). We may encounter too many obstacles, nonsense debates, useless fights....but these things actually making us realize that we need each other. Both of us have our own strength and weaknesses, and along the way, we are opening our selves for us to complete each other (okay, maybe you can puke now!!!)....Love you

God Bless You all...welcome 2009

time for QUALITY MOVIES!!!

Enough with all big budget movies...now it's time for the movies with really good stories with good performance from all the actors/actresses, under supervision of good directors along with good scripts...perhaps i should change the word 'good' with 'great' or 'amazing'...cause I've seen the previews of the upcoming so-called 'Oscar Movies', and most of them already caught my attention:

1. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

An Indian guy, lives in suburban, undeducated, just won "Who Wants to be Millionaire"...afterwards, he was caught by the police with the suspicion of cheating. The storey evolves where each question of the quiz show brings us the touching story behind the success. This is a MUST-see movie. Based on the book "Q&A", and directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting).

2. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

A love story, but not like the ordinary one. A couple, played by Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, has a unique relationships. Benjamin Button (Pitt), was born 70-year old, and start living backward, or in other words, he's getting younger and younger, while Daisy (Blanchett) lives her life normally. The happiest moment for this couple is when both of them are on the similar age. I reckon Pitt, Blanchett, or the director, David Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club) might win prizes.

3. THE WRESTLER

A really huge comeback for Mickey Rourke, with his character potrays an old wrestler struggling with his old life. Quite funny, the character and the actor has the same condition at the moment, trying to reclaim popularity. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, the Fountain), Rourke may suprise all the critics when he got an Oscar next year.

4. THE READER

A woman (Kate Winslet) fall in love with a man much younger than her. Unfortunately, the happy moments was ruined when the woman had been convicted of war crimes, since she was the ex-SS of Nazi.

For now, I can say these 4 movies are on my MUST SEE list...try to add again later on if I found some other interesting movies. Perhaps FROST/NIXON, THE REVOLUTIONARY ROAD, CHANGELING, and MILK will be on my next previews.

BANK JOB - Mixed up robbery

I'm a fan of Jason Statham, the accent, the charisma, the easy going and no-nonsense character. Let's say, I missed his latest movie, Bank Job couple months ago. Trutfully, not that interested, i thought it's gonna be like those Transporter rubbish series. But, after reading most of positive reviews, I thought I would give it a look. 

In the end, it's actually good! A decent movie, without big budget spent on CG or special effects. My girlfriend also seems to like the movie, means that this thing worked well!!! no offense there, honey...

A should-be-easy-robbery evolved into fucked-up-and-messy-complicated-robbery, based on true story (with MANY dramatisation and additional spicy things) on the robbery at London's Barker Street, where it involved MI5 or 6 (what the difference anyway??? still dun get it) in order to obtain sensitive + scandalous pics of one of the royals (used by a black revolutionary and so-called civil rights activist, Michael X to black mail the goverment). They conducted a covert op by hiring a bunch of amateurs (led by Statham) to rob a bank with the intention of taking the pics from the vault. 

The movie comprised of several plots with each has its own problems, the robbers, government, the brothel owner, and the black activist himself. Altogether, it was all concluded in the dramatic ending. The plot was straightforward, but still, it turned the simple robbery became a hectic situation where all the different plots came together (Quite similar with the Guy Ritchie's Snatch, but this one is much more serious type). 

What keep bugging me is that the movie was set on 1970's...but its end result looks like 90's. I supposed they should edit the colouring and the tone to match with the initial setting. Statham looks okay, but still, he seems to be a modern and cool guy, transported through time to the 70's.

Nevertheless, it was a good low budget movie from minor studio. I really think Statham should play more roles with this type, rather to continue as the Jet li-too-many-kungfu-DRIVER!!!

Launching in speed less than 12 parsecs

Actually, I've already made a blog couple of years ago, where it was meant just to spill out my opinions bout movies. It was okay at the beginning, but somehow, I feel like to spilll out views and opinions on many other things. In short, this is gonna be the place for me to comment mostly about everything. Sounds boring huh? Well, we'll see, hope it's enough to gather some attention and starting a discussion. 

Updates:

just finished my exams, my last semester...sounds great!!! but here comes the headache, job hunting...In the middle of this f*cking economic crisis, finding a job would be the last thing on ur mind, doesn't it? Oh well, I'm securing a job at NUS at the moment, just need to be confirmed...but I would like to see other options first...

Oh well, I prefer to have short break first...going back, meet my fam and lovely nephew, the doggies, and start making all those LEGOs which I still kept sealed.

In the mean time, I'm enjoying my lazy...really lazy weekend...