Saturday, May 31, 2014

Another 4 movies!

Yeah I'm really enjoying my free time visiting the cinema. So, another 4 movies down. I don't write down what the plots were about so that I don't spoil the fun. Anyway you can just read it online as well. I don't like to copy and paste content onto my blog. 

All 4 movies were equally good in their own way, I'll give all 4 of 5 stars, but my favourite was Grace of Monaco.



1. Grace of Monaco

CAST
Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth, Frank Langella, Paz Vega
DIRECTOR
Olivier Dahan
LANGUAGE
English with Chinese subtitles
OPENING
22 May 2014
RUNTIME
103 mins
RATING
PG


Short review: This is truly worthy of the Cannes' opening film, no doubt about that. The cinematography was perfect. Story was great. Very classy project. Nicole Kidman, woohoo! Hurry catch it before it's off screen.





2. Overheard 3  窃听风云 3

CAST
Sean Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo Daniel Wu, Zhou Xun
DIRECTOR
Alan Mak, Felix Chong
LANGUAGE
Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles
OPENING
29 May 2014
RUNTIME
131 mins
RATING
PG13 - Some Violence and Coarse Language


Short review: Third of the series, less heavy than the previous two. Plot was complicated but easy enough to digest within the runtime. Kept me hooked onto the screen with various small twists here and there. Lau Ching Wan plus Louis Koo. What can go wrong? Masculinity paired with geek. 




3. Disney's Maleficent

CAST
Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson, Juno Temple, Lesley Manville
DIRECTOR
Robert Stromberg
LANGUAGE
English
OPENING
29 May 2014


Short review: Okay, I really love how the story ended with a major twist from the original Sleeping Beauty diegesis. That really got me even though through out the movie I was glued on how AJ's cheeks looked so chiselled.





4. Aberdeen 香港仔

Cast: Louis Koo, Miriam Yeung, Gigi Leung
Director: Pang Ho-Cheung
Genre:Drama
Language: Mandarin
Release Date:22 May 2014
Running Time:97 minutes


Short review: This movie is an art masterpiece. So many stories running parallel but gelled by the theme of family. Touches social issues, touches locality. By the way, Golden Village is the exclusive distributor. Even though this movie went down extremely well with me, but do note that it is not as easily acceptable to others due to its artistic directions. 




Credits: movie information taken from cathay and golden village's website. Trailers from YouTube.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Realisation.

At the end of the day, it is faith that gives me the strength and bravery to supersede what had failed me physically.

Bangkok trip postponed =(

In view of the military coup in Bangkok now, I have postponed my trip to October. It was a goodwill gesture by FlyScoot to offer free rebooking subjected to fare difference.

So, after I landed back in Sg on Friday evening, I was kept busy with this rebooking thing.

I had to top up slightly more than a hundred dollars for the two tickets I booked, but nothing beat the safety of my dad. Yeah, I know that my Thai friends and tailor told me it's 'super safe'. I would have went ahead if it's my solo trip, but can't risk my family.

Had been keeping myself updated with FlyScoot's Facebook page with regards to Bangkok bookings. Lots of unhappy customers complaining about how other budget airlines, as well as FlyScoot's parent company SIA, are offering a refund option too. I would personally love a refund too, but I believe it is already a goodwill by FlyScoot to offer free rebooking and/or rerouting to other destinations. It beats forfeiting my tickets entirely. I mean, when presented with options, it is good enough, just pick the best.

Alright, so I'm actually quite unhappy to lose about $200. However, no one wanted the unstable political situation. Not as though FlyScoot caused the coup, and when we're angry, we're blinded. Don't show your annoyance towards FlyScoot's call centre staffs. I waited for 20 minutes before I was connected with a customer service officer, but am still grateful for their service.

I don't think shouting at them and demanding for their supervisor will land you a refund, so don't. When you are about to do this, think of how your superior at work scolds you for no apparent reason. Hold it in.

Apart from the fare difference, I also had to forfeit one night's hotel cost for cancellation.

After my talk with FlyScoot, I made a call to Bangkok for hotel cancellation. It was important to me as no-show will incur the cost of entire duration, and I was supposedly bound for Bangkok in less than 48 hours. Managed to make the call slightly past midnight and was greeted by a polite Thai-speaking lady. With my limited knowledge of the Thai language, I squeezed my brain a little and asked if I could speak English instead. It may have sounded simple but I'm glad I was still able to speak this little bit, effectively.

All in all, let's hope that the people of the land of smiles will be able to get through this episode safely.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Vlog #9 - Gold Coast Adventures Part 1: Sea World


And so I visit Gold Coast, Australia from 9th May to 14th May and simply fell in love with it. The landscape, weather, people, food. It's winter now so it's pretty cooling, much similar to Liverpool's summer when I was there in 2012. The entire place was like England's shadow; my cup of tea. But, the plane ride to Gold Coast is only 7.5 hours, almost half of what it takes to Liverpool. Similar goodness, half the distance. So good for me who's so 'homesick' for my alma-mater.

Thank you for your continuous support and sustaining till Vlog #9! In fact the number 9 is an auspicious number for Thais, akin to the Chinese's number 8 =) So I wish you all a good fortune too! HAHAHA

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Movie rating of 6 currently running films.

Managed to catch a few movies recently. Arranging it from personal favourite to least favourite, so Godzilla took the cake!


Godzilla

CAST
Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, Sally Hawkins, David Strathairn, Bryan Cranston
DIRECTOR
Gareth Edwards
LANGUAGE
English with Chinese subtitles
OPENING
15 May 2014
RUNTIME
123 mins
RATING
PG 13 - Some Intense Sequences


The Story in One Sentence: Good guy Godzilla saves the city from bad-ass monster couple.

Takeaway: Excellent cinematography with good build up and story. 

My Rating: 4/5





X-men: Days of Future Past


CAST
Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Halle Berry, Ellen Page, Peter Dinklage, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Evan Peters, Omar Sy
DIRECTOR
Bryan Singer
LANGUAGE
English
OPENING
22 May 2014
RUNTIME
133 mins
RATING
PG 13 - Some Violence and Brief Coarse Language


The Story in One Sentence: Clash of baddies in a mirror-reflection style story line.

Takeaway: Astounding CG, complex story line with double period crossing characters. At 133 minutes, it is probably the most worthwhile movie in terms of duration. 

My Rating 3.5/5




Walk of Shame


CAST
Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden, Gillian Jacobs
DIRECTOR
Steven Brill
LANGUAGE
English with Chinese subtitles
OPENING
08 May 2014
RUNTIME
96 mins
RATING
NC16 – Coarse Language


The Story in One Sentence: Hapless reporter gone wild in a delusional pursuit for dream job

Takeaway: Light-hearted humour. Unexpected plot. I totally enjoyed this. Plus, scopophilia!

My Rating: 3.5/5




Brick Mansions


CAST
Paul Walker, Robert Maillet, RZA
DIRECTOR
Camille Delamarre
LANGUAGE
English (No subtitles)
OPENING
24 Apr 2014
RUNTIME
90 mins
RATING
PG 13 - Some Violence and Brief Coarse Language


The Story in One Sentence: Action packed parkour-gangsta diet with unexpected plot twist.

Takeaway: Good against bad, turned around. Nice adventure that kept me glued to the screen.

My Rating: 3.5/5




The Amazing Spider-Man 2


CAST
Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Colm Feore with Paul Giamatti and Sally Field
DIRECTOR
Marc Webb
LANGUAGE
English with Chinese subtitles
OPENING
01 May 2014
RUNTIME
142 mins
RATING
PG 13 - Some Violence


The Story in One Sentence: Phew Phew Swoosh Swoosh Phew Garhhhhh End.

Takeaway: Can do so much better. Bad ending. Good CG though. Was okay for the complimentary ticket I received but probably wouldn't want to bear full price for this.

My Rating 3/5




Filial Party


CAST
Christopher Lee, Mark Lee, Ann Kok, Hayley Woo
DIRECTOR
Boris Boo
LANGUAGE
Mandarin
OPENING
08 May 2014
RUNTIME
113 mins
RATING
PG 13


The Story in One Sentence: Did I just enrol in film-making module again? Production of local variety show runs into morality conflict.

Takeaway: Not top of the race due to immense competition from foreign giant productions, but a commendable attempt to bring across good values and moral. Support our local movie scene. It is better than some 'other' local movies per se.

My Rating: 3/5



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*All movie tickets paid in full by thewriteperson, except for TASM2. Movie information taken from cathaycineplexes.com.sg*

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Vlog #8 - SATS Premier Lounge, Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2


Vlog #8 features a quick walk through cum review of the SATS Premier Lounge located at Terminal 2, Singapore Changi Airport. The lounge was of average quality.

Thank you for watching.

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