Let The Right One In

Watched Let The Right One In after school on wed with Stephen. The review and synopsis are as follows.

Let The Right One In is not really a horror show and is actually a vampire love story. Don't mistake this movie with Twilight because the two movies are miles apart. Oskar is a 12-year-old outcast who is frequently picked on by his classmates. He dreams of getting his revenge, but he never stands up to the boys. With the arrival of his new next-door neighbor, 12-year-old Eli, Oskar may finally have found a friend, ally, and first love. But Eli is no ordinary girl: she must keep her pale skin out of the sunlight, she can perform inhuman physical feats, and she has a thirst for blood. The bodies begin to pile up, but Oskar can't stay away from the girl who has finally given him courage.

The plot might sound a little ludicrous to some people but the storytelling is very matured and the movie never shies away from the dark themes. Mortality, love, vengeance and loneliness are the main themes of this movie and the director does quite a good job with them. The character development is great and the romance is well crafted as well. This movie is a poignant, unsettling and haunting story that will make you wonder the boundaries of love.

***1/2

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White Palms

Watched White Palms with Qy after attending the Spring Singapore recruitment talk. The synopsis and review are as follows.

Having suffered as a boy under a brutal Communist-era coach, world class gymnast Miklos, moves to Canada years later in search of a new start - only to find himself unwittingly perpetuating the very same cycle of abuse among his own pupils. Redemption appears in the unlikely form of Kyle, a troubled, young Canadian teen with the potential to become a world champion. The friendship and rivalry between teacher and student forms the basis of this gripping sports drama.

This drama on the psychological effects of childhood abuse is based on the true story of the director's brother and it is compelling and realistic. The story is brutally honest and it does not hold back on the fear of the coach, the hopes dashed, and the emotional scars. The cast does an impressive job with the abusive coach, the young gymnastics coach with his hidden past, and the aloof and promising student.

White Palms is an interesting and dark film with great character development despite it being a little underwhelming at times.

***1/2

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81st Academy Awards Winners

Complete list of winners at the 81st annual Academy Awards, presented Sunday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles:

- Motion Picture: "Slumdog Millionaire"

- Actor: Sean Penn, "Milk"

- Actress: Kate Winslet, "The Reader"

- Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight"

- Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

- Director: Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire"

- Foreign Film: "Departures," Japan

- Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire"

- Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, "Milk"

- Animated Feature Film: "WALL-E"

- Art Direction: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

- Cinematography: "Slumdog Millionaire"

- Sound Mixing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

- Sound Editing: "The Dark Knight"

- Original Score: "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman

- Original Song: "Jai Ho" from "Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar

- Costume: "The Duchess"

- Documentary Feature: "Man on Wire"

- Documentary (short subject): "Smile Pinki"

- Film Editing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

- Makeup: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

- Animated Short Film: "La Maison en Petits Cubes"

- Live Action Short Film: "Spielzeugland (Toyland)"

- Visual Effects: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

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O... Saya

O... Saya from Slumdog Millionaire Soundtrack

I am hooked to some of the songs in Slumdog Millionaire and this song is my favourite. Those who watched the movie will appreciate the song even more. A R Rahman is nominated for 3 Oscars including Best Score and 2 nominations for Best Song (O Saya and Jai Ho).

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He's Just Not That Into You

Watched He's Just Not That Into You with my jc friends yesterday. I'll never watch movie when i'm sitting front row seats at Causeway point ever again. I had sore neck when the movie ended which resulted in a bit of a headache. Anyway, back to the synopsis and review of the movie.

Based on a self-help book written by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo concerning the ever-widening gap between genders and the misunderstandings that often arise between couples. In one of stories, Gigi who can't seem to get a firm grip on the men in her life pursues an advice columnist who never quite knew what he wanted in a relationship.

I expected this movie to be more of a comedy than romance movie judging from the trailer but i received more of the latter instead. I am not saying that this movie is not funny but the best moments of this movie are already in the 2 trailers (Trailer 1, Trailer 2). This movie is entertaining and comical to a certain extent.

It professes to be a romance guru movie but i do doubt some of the advices given due to the numerous stereotypical roles in the movie. My eyes rolled when an actor in the movie proclaimed that "a girl doesn't love you if she doesn't sleep with you after she has gone out with you for a month". And I wonder why teenage promiscuity is on the rise considering the type of media they are exposed to.

Besides some cliched dialogue, the cast generally is quite likable comprising of Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly and Ben Affleck, etc. The love stories are light on depth and saccharine on taste. They are like an assortment of desserts, appealing and nice to look at, draws people in due to the romantic factor, but is ultimately forgettable.

**1/2

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Night Safari

Went Night Safari with Edwin and Meibin on thur. We went to see the animal show at 8.30 pm and it was quite disappointing despite the best efforts of the host. There were animal appearances, animals walking on thick ropes, a simple game, and animal recycling cans and bottles.

Quite a big crowd

Animal guessing which covered hand with grapes

Otter recycling cans and bottles

Nice zebra themed cafe

3 of us

Fish tank

We were not allowed to use flash photography and i took photos of the pictures of the nocturnal animals instead. Sometimes, we were not able to find the stated animals in the enclosure as the animals were either far away from the glass panes or in the darker parts of the enclosure.

Forgot what species this is

Another species of nocturnal animal

On the tram ride

Leopard

Tiger

Indian-crested porcupines

Fossils and some bones

Zebras in the vicinity

This plane looks a bit out of place in the jungle hut themed entrance

Woks, pots and pans as musical instruments

Group photo before leaving

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Valkyrie

Watched Valkyrie with Qy and Ys in the evening today. The synopsis and review are as follows.

Based on a true story, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg is a loyal officer who serves his country all the while hoping that someone will find a way to stop Hitler before Europe and Germany are destroyed. Realizing that time is running out, he decides that he must take action himself and joins the German resistance. Armed with a cunning strategy to use Hitler's own emergency plan - known as Operation Valkyrie - these men plot to assassinate the dictator and overthrow his Nazi government from the inside.

Valkyrie tells the story of an assassination attempt that is compelling and nailbiting from the 2nd hour. The 1st hour comprises of discussions of the details of the assassination as well as the preferred method to take over the country. The story works due to the historical accuracies and the cast does a relatively good job as the colonels and generals who were willing to sacrifice their lives for justice to be done.

Valkyrie celebrates the valiant effort of a group of distinguished and honourable colonels and generals who tried to save their country from all the mindless killings and occupation. The movie is a respectful attempt to glorify the brave men that had the guts to go against Hitler.

***1/2

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The Wrestler

Watched The Wrestler with Daryl on sun. The synopsis and review are as follows.

Randy "The Ram" Robinson, a 1980s-era pro wrestler, has become a burnt-out shell of his former self. After he has a heart attack during a small-time match, a doctor tells him he could die if he fights again. In an effort to build a new life, Robinson takes a job at a deli, tries to build a romance with a stripper and attempts to mend the broken relationship with his estranged daughter. But the prospect of a rematch with his old nemesis, the Ayatollah, proves too tempting to resist, even if it means risking his life.

The Wrestler is a character driven film and it does a fantastic job with Ram as the imperfect but highly motivated and driven pro wrestler with a gentle soul. Mickey Rourke gives a soul rendering performance that is not only physically demanding, but also emotionally draining. We wince and grimace at every cut and bruise that Ram gets, we hope for the best outcome in the romantic relationship between Ram and Pam/Cassidy, and we pray that Ram comes out safe and sound from every setback.

This movie is pitch perfect in the casting from the amazing Mickey Rourke to Marisa Tomei as the stripper as Ram's love interest, and also Evan Rachel Wood as Ram's estranged daughter. The Wrestler is a gripping, highly realistic, and emotional movie that is sincere and genuine in its storytelling. Highly recommended.

****

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