ludicrously speaking

What can i say, this supposedly highly-anticipated blockbuster lacks publicity and hype. Nobody around (around me at least) seemed to be heavily talking about it. Christian Bale is not making any effort pushing this movie, as with all his other “art-house” career moves. I mean come on, at least Katie Holmes working her butt off smooching Tom to invite more tabloids. I’m upset not because the movie’s bad, on the contrary, it’s one of the best comic-to-screen superhero movie i’ve watched (FACT: I actually clapped as the credits started rolling.), it was dark, intense and thankfully, believable. I give Christian two thumbs + two toes for completing the character that Michael, Val and the lousy (C)looney substitute could never be. Given his credible ability playing all these sinister roles combined with a twisted edge, he has had Batman written all over him right from the start. And i’ve yet to factor in his made-to-order good looks. He is perfect for the role.

I find this installment particularly intriguing as it deals with Batman as a real person dealing with his inner demons. Half of the film was spent looking into his closet, digging into his past, unraveling the caped crusader we placed on a pedestal and admired all these while. Now, he has a face and a heart we can truly relate to. Nothing beats having a question well answered.

A noteworthy mention, Gary Oldman reinvents himself as a good cop and shines amidst a room of clichés, namely Morgan Freeman (the intelligent, wisdom spewing old black man who seem to know more than it is humanly possible. E.g: Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, blah blah..), Liam Neeson (heavily oppressed and always the person who needs to brew some big thinking plan or teach something. Anal, anal, and more anal. Think anal roles, look for Liam. E.g: Schindler’s List, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace), Ken Watanabe (reprising his role in the Last Samurai, *yawnz* boring…) and last but not least, the key to injecting humour in any Hollywood films - throw in a Brit. Michael Caine as trusted man-servant Alfred.

As a closing note, I just wanna say I love this movie and give it 5 outa 5 stars. I haven’t been so entertained in a long long time. ;p Loves it.

I was initially quite reluctant to check out their sophomore. But i was convinced by a friend who loves them dearly. As i went on my downloading spree, the songs hit me one after another. I found myself jiving uncontrollably amidst the funk infused tunes. Completely won over and impressed, i’m rating this as the Best Album of 2005 right here and now. Other than being insanely entertaining, one of the tracks titled, Gone Going, features my fave artiste in recent time, Mr Jack Johnson. Just for this song alone, they’ve got my heart. Not money thou…kekeke… Despicable, i am.

these days, an otherwise simple device to make phonecalls is so packed with features, one wonders when there will ever be an end to these mind boggling functions. Here’s an idea;

Samkia Motosonicson A8888, the revolutionary Fortune-Telling* Phone! Comes with Abacus calculator and Aura Colour-changing Covers. Also packed with 12bit DVD quality Ring Chant** Fantastic game that includes; Dish Spirit Busters, Crack the Fortune Cookie and Burn the Incense! Also comes with A666 attachments, allowing you to prevent mishaps and unworldly encounters.

* Prediction subjected to individuals. Only applicable to Chinese owners. Superstition required.
** Forget ring tones, introducing Ring Chants, the first of its kind in the market! Up to 200 sutras and holy scripts for you to choose from. Answering the phone would never be the same again!

Yet another slick, beautifully crafted Wong Kar Wai movie. In Eros, his offering titled, The Hand, captures the man’s artistic eye for details and story-telling capability. Having honed his skills editing films in his apprenticeship years, he has successfully come into his own with his distinctive style and flair for directing. But having watched quite a number of his film, i’ve realised the man works with a formula. A sure win one it seems. Here goes,

1. Always begin with a simple story. The simpler it is, the more time you can spend elaborating with props, metaphors and other neglected details in a normal commercial film. To date, its always about love.
2. Dress your actors in classy suits, and actresses in immaculate cheongsams. The more dated they look, the more surreal the story becomes. Plus, any god-forsaken beings once dress in one of these, could instantly up their appeal factor by several notches.
3. Get famed photographer, Christopher Doyle to work on the set. The rich textured scenes filled with vibrant colours are the result of this award winning cinematographer’s talent. Not forgetting art direction from Mr Zhang Shu Ping. The blurred moods, cropped angles, and the infamous mirror reflection view are all the works of this awesome fella.
4. Its almost ritual for the film to have melancholic, overcast feel to it. Playing with saturation of colours creates the illusion of intensity and somehow enhances the passionate dialogues and body languages of the cast. Point to note: Do it as slow as it takes. People tend to look sexier when they are slow. haha.
5. Lastly, always play with the audiences’ mind. Keep them guessing and yearning for more. Sprinkle the film with puns and relations between different scenes. Do it generously to create that rich flavour that is truely WKW.Always leave questions at the end; arty folks dig that, cause it allows them to think beyond the film.

i’m the sort that needs to sit down, have a place to chill when i go clubbing. Aimlessly wandering with a beer in hand while trying to look at ease just doesn’t make the cut. very seldom i find myself stranded,  i account this to knowing the right people, being at the right place and time. Last night, i was completely out of my elements. Was in this new club with cover charges waived, my gang were most probably wondering wat’s up my ass (no pun intended, just pure slang), as i was visibly upset not having a cozy corner to settle in. We even had trouble getting everyone to stay put at a spot to decide wat to do and drink. So i gave up and left for Wine Bar to meet my other group. In sharp contrast, i found myself instantly at a bustling round table and drinking in high spirits, gallantly accompanied by people i enjoy. Even as we proceeded to Velvet after that, we were spared from the ridiculously long queue and swiftly ushered in.

So now, who ever say it’s wrong to choose your friends? kekeke.

They call me a born optimist. It’s true. I haven’t felt negativity for the longest time. You see, my life is a huge mess of contradictions and blurred lines, i cannot separate a lot of things from right or wrong, and i dunno if my ignorance is a blessing or a curse. I wake everyday accepting this world for the way it is without having too much to complain.

The place i work, drains me of my energy and creativity through endless projects and tight deadlines, but i’m thankful because i’m honing my skills and gaining experience with each passing day. The sense of fulfillment makes it all worthwhile.

My niece drives me up the wall with her antics till i raise my hands in exasperation, yet  when she cuddles up on my lap telling me about her day in school, smiling the most adorable smile, my heart simply melts. I cannot function daily without thinking of her.

My mum’s heighten concern about every detail in my life turns me off big time. But i love her, more than she will ever know; i dun recall a day i ever had to worry if i have enough to eat, money to spend, a family that is she to turn to. contented and greatful, i am.

I thought Silvercabs were the more exclusive class of taxis, just a notch under our premium Mercedes ones. I thought wrong. I was duly educated by one taxi uncle today, who informed me that Silvercab was just name, meaning they could happily call themselves Royalty Cabs, Luxurious Cabs or Lee Kwan Yew Cabs for crying out loud ( but of which is taboo). The Silvercab line is owned and operated by Cycle and Carriage, a big car dealer in Singapore. But as the usual cynical loud-mouth cab driver puts it, “Aiyah! Everything these days half owned by government wan la!” Hmmm… anyways, this piece of information caught me halfway as i was wondering if the cab could have offered perks like internet access or cable channels on its techni-box thus elevating its standards amongst the competitors. Guess that’s a thought i’ll keep for the time being.

I ditched my lousy, old malfunctioning rat today as i returned from the PC Show with a replacement. It costs me a mere $10.90 despite looking sleek with its white frosted cover and optical navigation sense. But shit happens, as i plugged in the USB cable, the damn thing lit into life and started flickering in shades of blue and red, nearly glaring me to death. The appropriate theme song at that instance would be some bad techno rave as i cupped my head in desperation. Yucks. I hate my new mouse.