Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Went to watch Vicky Cristina Barcelona with Derrick earlier today.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a romantic comedy, an exceptionally sensual one i must add. With the smoldering cast of Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, and Rebecca Hall, how staid can the show be?

The movie explores the themes of commitment, passion, love and art, and it achieves its objectives well with the talented cast and the engaging story filled with romance and insanity. Penelope Cruz is sizzling as the fiesty and loopy Maria Elena, Rebecca Hall is wonderful in her role as the realist at the crossroads who ate the forbidden fruit, and Javier Bardem exudes his natural charm that the women can't seem to resist.

The story may seem a little exaggerated for the conservative but the show is firmly rooted in reality. The beautiful backdrop of the Barcelona cityscape adds points to the show as well. Woody Allen has created another fascinating tale of love and lust after the well made Match Point.

Everyone will be enticed by the forbidden fruit. It just depends on whether we decide to eat it or walk away.

****

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Back!

Back from Tioman and i had a great time there. It is the first time that i see such crystal clear waters at the beaches. It is also the first time i went swimming with so many fishes around me and see live coral.

I'm severely sunburnt as usual. My skin will be peeling in a few days time.

A pile of assignments, projects, and job applications still await to be completed. I will have to put in much more effort for the rest of the recess week considering the fact that I have enjoyed myself thoroughly for the past 4 days already.

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Recovered

Leaving tmr morning for Tioman for a short getaway as it is the 1 week mid term holiday next week.

Back on Tue.

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Sick

Been down with sore throat and intense headache for the past few days.

I guess the stress from the 2 back to back tests had probably caused my illness but luckily the tests are over.

Will be going to Tioman from Sat to Tue. Hopefully i'll be fully recovered by the time i head there on sat.

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Chaos

The financial world is in turmoil. One bank falls and another gets absorbed. A ripple in the US economy can cause tsunamis all over the world but now a storm is already unleashed. Just compare the decline this year for the Shanghai Composite Index versus Dow Jones Industrial Index will suffice; 60% versus 13.8%.

Our neighbouring countries are in political turmoil. A leader get ousted while another simply refuses to get ousted. Using too many tactics might cause its downfall.

The hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones are lashing out on as many places as possible. Places from Central America & US to Taiwan are affected by the catastrophes.

Even babies are not spared (by the tainted milk powder problem in China).

The newspapers nowadays should be renamed the 'bad news' paper.

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Mamma Mia!

Went to watch Mamma Mia! with my jc friends today.

Mamma Mia! is about the story of Sophie, a young woman living on a picturesque Greek island with her mother, Donna, and they are in the midst of preparing for Sophie's wedding. Sophie becomes troubled by the fact that she has never known her father as she was the result of one of her mother's summer flings. When Sophie stumbles upon her mother's diary, she learns that there are three possible men who could be her dad. Without telling her mother, she invites all three to her wedding.

Synopsis summarised from RT.

Mamma Mia! is a fun, optimistic and lively musical with a good cast of actors and actresses; Meryl Streep embodies the fun loving and hip mother, while Christine Baranski is a hoot with her hilarious antics. However as a musical, the vocal department definitely falls short of expectations. Some of the scenes in the musical are definitely campy or cliché, but fortunately the energetic cast saves the day.

The second half of the movie turns pensive with the looming wedding and the father issue unresolved. The movie doesn't do too well being serious and it teeters on the edge of boredom. Luckily, the gorgeous backdrop of the Greek island with light glistening on the surface of the sea leaves us constantly in awe. Overall, it is still a rather enjoyable movie that can brighten up our day.

***

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Trailer

Boy A Movie Trailer

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Boy A

Went to Vivocity to watch Boy A with Qy and Ys earlier today and it is a really good film.

The show is about a child offender who is released after 14 years in jail. Through another identity, he assimilates back into the society with the help of a fatherly caseworker. Bit by bit, he overcomes his insecurities and his lack of social skills through his friendly colleagues and a new girlfriend.

The story develops at a steady pace while unraveling the innate characters of Phillip and Eric/Jack as well as the heinous crime which was committed prior to their arrest. It serves as a stark contrast to the rather staid but plain-sailing life he has now although the past comes to haunt him when he sleeps at night.

The title role played by Andrew Garfield is pitch perfect as the shy and insecure yet charismatic Jack. The characters in the movie are very well developed and we are able connect emotionally to the different characters.

Nothing will be able to undo the wrong which is committed before. Society is indeed cruel to people with tainted pasts and this movie depicts its unflinching attitude. Heartfelt and riveting with wonderful performances, this bleak film is unsettling and poignant in its themes of forgiveness. Highly recommended.

****

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Updates

Went to have lunch after the design meeting on tue and tried the food at Nanyang Executive Cafe as it was YS birthday as well. The interior is quite nice and it felt a bit weird to be in a restaurant and in school as well. The food is above average for some dishes and the price is not too expensive as well.

Lunch @ Nanyang Executive Cafe

Went to Comex on thur and got myself a 640 gb 3.5 external hard disk for $150. Hard disk and flash memory are getting cheaper and cheaper.


Went to watch WALL.E at The Cathay with Stephen on Sunday and it is another great show from Pixar. The characters in the show are very endearing and we are able to connect emotionally with them through their adventures and romantic escapades. The show is entertaining and captivating, bringing us to a world full of waste, and a place where robots are made to clear up the mess as well as doing all the menial chores for humans.

Although the robots do not converse much with each other, we feel the affection between Eve and Wall.e mainly through their little action and facial expression. WALL.E is a charming, tender, moving and imaginative animation for the young and old to watch.

****

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