Temporary Sadness

This is not a comeback to blogging. I don't know what it is. I just feel like even Facebook and, especially, Twitter can't offer me a satisfying medium to pour my own true emotions and thoughts.

I should have blogged this last night after the conversation after I had with Ron but I didn't. Can't help but draw comparisons to Paper Towns. Margo Roth Spiegelman. What an enigma. Alluring with her exciting adventurous spirit yet she's a very flawed character riddled with complications. Sounds like a person I know.

But do I even actually know her? Even after all those conversations I had, thru phone, online chatting and in school. I'm starting to think I don't even know what she's truly like. Just inserting an image of how my Ron is suppose to be. No matter how I tried, I could only suppress the feelings. Yet I was secretly hoping that something amazing would happen. After last night, I know I can no longer hope for such fairytale endings. It's gonna end ugly, that's all.

Something in me broke last night.

(To be continued)

Internship Really Screws Your Mind

I bade him a silent goodbye with a little wave and stepped out of the bus. With his back turned facing me, I thought to myself as he went ahead on his journey back home, "So this is how it starts. Little topics to talk about and a wave for a farewell gesture. We are indeed moving on ahead with our lives."

Maybe I'm just being too sentimental or whatever.

Anyway, school's starting in a day's time and I'm afraid of what's about to come. Have some weird shit going on between me and some people and myself. Don't know what I'm going to do, but I hope I would think rationally... Well, isn't that some classy bullshit.

I Can't Dance or I Won't Dance?

Step Up 3D is an atrocious movie. Predictable and cliched. Not a big fan of the story. But man, did they step it up with their dance moves! But what made me like this movie better than the other "Step Up"s is that they included this Broadway-like dance sequence, which is choreographed amazingly and it reminds me of old musicals. Love it!

Enjoy!

Short Movie Reviews

X-Men: First Class

Honestly, I was never a fan of the X-Men movies. Big ensemble cast with A-List characters from the X-Men comics... Besides Prof X and Magneto, you've got Jean Grey, Wolverine, Sabertooth, Cyclops, Storm, Mystique and Rogue. It reminded me of the classic X-Men cartoons. That show was great by the way. But for movies, you need time to develop the characters, which I feel was lacking in the movies. Plus, 2 out of 3 of the original X-Men trilogy were Wolverine-centric. Even "The Last Stand" and "Wolverine Origins" was kind of bad.

"First Class" works because the characters are given enough time to develop and you know the filmmakers have given thoughts to how much screen time is needed for a character. The chemistry between James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, both played by Charles and Erik, is the anchor point of the movie and it feels very different from the original X-Men movies. And watching how the young uncertain mutants mature into their own is definitely a treat.

The movie moves along at a fast pace but it still captures the charm and the essence of it. Never was there a dull moment for me. Thank you Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman.

I don't know how America in the 60s' look like but the production design is a visual feast for my eyes. I absolutely loved the color palate they used for different scenes to depict the time period in the 60's. From the warm colour theme used in the beginning for the high-end sleazy bars to the CIA holding rooms, the Sebastian's submarine interiors, Charles' cobblestone and wood mansion... It's so darn good.

Last Words: Best X-Men movie ever.

The Hangover Part II

Stu, Phil and Alan are back. Or better known as "The Wolfpack". And also coming back for the sequel is their friend/enemy, Chow, the crazy naked asian who jumped on them and whacked the shit out of them with a crowbar in the first one.

Basically, Part II is simply a rehash of the same plot-points used in the first film and the real reason why people are still flocking cinemas to watch the sequel is because of the interactions between the 3 leads. Granted, the situations are more outrageous and disgusting, and to add, the films follows the same formula of using the shock values to make audience laugh and groan.

But the dialogue was lacking the snappy sarcasm and funny lines. Come on, "You're literally too stupid to insult." line from Stu and Mike Tyson's cameo are just freaking hilarious. And they're only some of the best things about the first film.

Overall, it could've been better, but I still enjoyed quite a lot it.

Last Words: Stu's songs are what makes these movies good.

Stuck on the Puzzle

I'm not the kind of fool

who's gonna sit and sing to you,

about stars, girl.

But last night I looked up into

the dark half of the blue,

and they'd gone backwards.


Something in your magnetism

must have pissed them off,

forcing them to get an early night.


I have been searching from

the bottom to the top,

for such a sight

as the one i caught when I saw your...


Fingers dimmed in the lights

like your used to being told that you're trouble

and I spent all night

stuck on the puzzle


Nobody I asked

knew how he came to be the one

to whom you surrendered


Any man who wasn't led away

into the other room

stood pretending


But something in your magnetism

hadn't just made him drop

whoever's hand it was that he was holding.


I have been searching

from the bottom to the top,

for such a sight

as the one I caught when I saw your...


Fingers dimmed in the lights,

like your used to being told that you're trouble,

and I spent all night,

stuck on the puzzle.


I tried to swim to the side,

but my feet got caught in the middle,

and I thought I'd seen the light,

but oh, no.

I was just stuck on the puzzle.

Stuck on the puzzle.

My Say On Animation

After watching Sylvain Chomet's The Illusionist, I realized some animation artists have gone too far with emulating real-life. We're calling movies like Finding Nemo, Wall-E and Up gorgeous animation, but we have forgotten the majesty of 2D hand-drawn animation. Animation is not supposed to make things look like real-life. It's an artist canvas and there's a different style to how they want viewers to view their work. I propose for more hand-drawn animation in the future.

Well, the movie has a very basic plot. It's about this magician who is stuck in a phase of change in an era where magicians are of a dying breed of entertainers. Rock bands emerge and these old-timers go out of jobs. Thankfully, there is still one who enjoys a trick or two and she follows the magician on an adventure to find his new place in the world.



I like this movie quite a lot. Though it's depressing but I'm in love with the quirky characters and colour palette chosen for this movie.

P.S. I've been wanting to blog about this. It only recently dawned on me that I had this in my mind to say...

Sharing Things

Was just looking around YouTube for videos to watch. The Oxford Comma video has a certain Wes Anderson feel to it and A-Punk has a kick-ass psychedelic chorus.

2 More Days

2 more days and I believe my life is going to be more hectic than I ever think it will be. Internship is starting soon and I went swimming just yesterday, only to have my back sunburnt. Should have put more sun tan lotion, I guess.

Found out that my arm is suffering from an old injury I didn't even know until now. Shouldn't have came to me like a surprise because my shoulder has a crack sound consistently whenever I do strenuous exercises and it hurts quite a lot.

I also had a wonderful dinner with two great friends as a mini-celebration for a video and besides, I owe N. Without her effort and input, this video wouldn't be possible or quite easy to come together. So this dinner was a form of a "Thank you" to her. We spent the night at Swensons' listening to my best mate story about his story about a crush he recently has. But the whole conversation was highly amusing with N and me, mostly me, disturbing him. I have to say this but he reminds me of my own experience.

Enough of that...

So, Stop.

Just hung out with my secondary school percussion members and alumni. It was those rare occasions that you never see alumni and members going out for an outing. Thanks to Wei Jie and Cheryl for the Pizza Hut treat.

I don't know what else to say already...

Boombox Is Not a Toy~!

Been re-checking the songs done by The Strokes (great band, by the way). Turned out the frontman, Julian Casablancas, was a guest singer on Andy Samberg's side hilarity-music project. Who's Andy Samberg? Nevermind that. Just watch the video. It's a hysterical video for me but some people might not like the nature of the content..

Michael Cera Madness

Scott Pilgrim is finally going to be released in Japan and Edgar Wright and Michael Cera are currently doing a press tour in Tokyo. Thought I post some Michael Cera's pictures from Edgar's blog here because they are hilarious... I just love Michael's intense looks, they are randomly epic.

Another Year

It's time to assess this year's Best Pictures...

(P.S. I haven't watched all the movies but the minimalist posters looked awesome)

 This is one heck of a movie. Strong performances from the ensemble cast. It could be another trainwreck idea of a movie. But seeing Chris Nolan weaves the emotional part into this bold concept of dreams and their dreamers gave me chills. Take everything you know about the real world and chuck them out because this movie just blows your mind literally. Well-deserved nomination.

 (Didn't see it)

 (Didn't see it)

 Really love this movie even though it's a dark psychological thriller. Darren Aronofsky takes the most basic shots and crafted an amazing picture. The cinematography is chosen purposefully and it adds to the  overall dynamic feel. It's such a personal experience and it presents itself as a First Person Narrative. Everything we see, we see it through Nina's eyes. The jealousy, the fragility, the perseverance of the character is shown and all this couldn't been done without Natalie Portman's tour-de-force performance. Highly recommended. Never have I been left breathless at the end of a movie.

 Thought this was a weird choice for best picture. If an animated movie gets nominated for best picture, wouldn't it mean that it's a sure win for Best Animated Feature? It's a great, great addition to the Toy Story series and it's third entry solidifies Toy Story as one of the greatest trilogies of all time. It's funny, it's touching, it's relatable... Who knew the idea of talking toys could move an entire generation to tears? I know I cried when I watched it. Toy Story 3's theme just goes straight to the hearts of millions.

 The Social Network is just amazing to watch. Pay attention though because the dialogue literally goes on like a machine gun. It's fast and deadly. Aaron Sorkin's script has the best dialogue I've ever came across. Of course, dialogue isn't enough. With poor direction and cast, the movie will never go anywhere.

Here comes in director David Fincher, juicing grade-A performances from a bunch of unknown young actors. It could be easily be made as a TV-movie but David Fincher really knows how make a movie flow from shot to shot, scene to scene. The camera work is brilliant, the overall haunting techno/strings music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross gave the movie a totally distinct feel. David Fincher deserves Best Director for this one.

 Just watching the opening credits of this movie, it is so clearly distinct that this is a Danny Boyle film. Its heart-pumping music and dynamic direction reminded me of his previous efforts, Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire. James Franco gave his most sincere and heartbreaking performance as a free-spirited adventurer. The amputation scene was wonderfully done with the clever use of fake blood and static sound to represent the pain Aron Ralston was going through. Overall, it was nothing special.

 Highly entertaining for a period drama about a stuttering monarch's struggle to voice on the behalf of his people. Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush's relationship is the highlight of the movie. Their impeccable chemistry as a mentor/student that blossoms into a friendship at the end is inspiring.  This could be a very dull movie but there are simply too many moments of comic relief and heartfelt dialogue that your eyes can't pull away from the screen. The editing is what made this movie flows from scene to scene effortlessly.

Having said all that praise, Tom Hooper did not deserve Best Director Award. Nomination yes, but not Award-winning. Oh! Did I mention the production design was really good? I don't usually like period drama but the actors and the script made it so good.

(Didn't see it)

So that's all folks. Even though you may not read my post, it's fine. Just enjoy the posters... I dare you. =P

A Little At A Time

Lots of stuff happened over the past few days. Apart from the slow drag on a few unplanned days, it has been a pretty awesome experience so far.

Class chalet was a freaking blast from the start to the end. So... not many people turned up for the chalet. Did I expected it? Yeah. Was I disappointed? Sort of. I mean it's sad that we're not even united as a class. But who's to blame for all this different traits and personalities? To say that they are not the chalet-type of people, it's highly suspicious. It's the company you're going with that matters. And most of them probably don't like hanging out with the other half of the class. That's the vibe that I get from these classmates. So, no point insisting that they come.

We played NERF for almost 2 hours with intervals in between matches at the chalet. XJ and N went to get food and drinks from Changi Village during some time. Me, Jon, Ali and Tok Sheng sat around the table upstairs playing Monopoly Deal while Nigel, Fin and the rest of the DA people were downstairs talking God knows what.

XJ and N came back then we sat around the table eating, drinking and talking nonsense as usual. It was almost like the Sydney Trip. The 6 of us, except... Ron and Zaidah were missing and Jon replaced them. Nevertheless, it was great fun. Man, I missed Sydney..

Around 3AM, Jon and Ali stayed back while the rest of us went for a little trip around Old Changi Hospital. We wanted to go in but Tok Sheng strongly advised not to. In other words, he restricted us from going into the building with his highly entertaining experience with the seance he conducted. In the end, we just sat at a bus-stop, admiring the haunted hospital from outside.

But I was really curious and want to find out if all this creepy shit is real. So, XJ and me then snuck out for a second round with Ayin to walk about area once again and this time, we were closer to it than we ever walked. Pardon me, it was my first time there at night so I'll tend to sound a little more amazed than others. Skipping a few juicy details here, before we entered the spooky, dilapidated, dark and silent building, we decided it would be best for us to head back.

The thing about OCH is that, there is just something wrong with the building itself, I kid you not. Especially at night. It looks really morbid and un-fucking-believably dark. In the morning, you can see the building really clear  and honestly, it looks peaceful, pure and innocent. The contrast between the white-painted building in the day and the darkness that engulfs it is stark. Like the personality of OCH changes overnight. I cannot imagine agreeing to Alistair's suggestion to stay in the OCH for even just a night. This place is just a little too evil for my taste.

But I would like to go back again, this time to check out the interior. But maybe this time, with a bunch of friends.

So that was my virgin experience of the OCH and along with my awesome stay at the Changi chalet. Great fun, great company, great night. =D

Let's see if I can update more tomorrow.. For now, I'll bid whoever is reading this. Have a good night.

Oscars tomorrow morning. My selection for Best Picture would be... Black Swan. I've never seen such an arresting visceral experience coupled with, what would seem, a typical psychologically-driven script. All right, I'll save the rest for tomorrow.

Maps That Look Like Mazes

Who says mind maps are useful and organized? My head feels like one now and I don't know where and how to start. Multiple branches into the unknown and my lack of knowledge and skills are limiting my choices and paths.

I need peace.

"Too many guys think I'm a concept, or I complete them, or I'm gonna make them alive. But I'm just a fucked-up girl who's looking for my own peace of mind; don't assign me yours."

I remember that speech very well.

"Wheeeeee~!!! This is so much fun!"

I hate to sound primary school-ish but today had been the greatest fucking day of my holidays so far!

What seemed like a normal day out with a really good friend turned out to be something special. I mean, the company with her has always been great (Your company always do mean a lot to me, Zaidah.. I'm really sorry if I seem awfully quiet and a bore =/ ). It was just the places she brought me was really an eye-opener.

First up, she brought me to a pancakes restaurant for lunch. The little restaurant, disguised as a quaint and colourful house, was located around some pubs and LAN shops in Dhoby Ghaut and I did not know of its existence until now. But, oh my whatever-deity, was it savoury! Never had pancakes like this before. It was pretty damn good. And I thumbs up the recommendation. It passed my taste bud sensors and scored an E for Excellent! Congratulations, Strictly Pancakes, you passed the buds.

After that, we went to nearby shopping mall to search for Zaidah's stuff. Had no idea what it was until I saw the shop and I was thinking: Man! How do you know all these places?! Anyway, the shop sells a specialized type of cameras that produce unique-looking pictures. Lomography is the term, if I'm not wrong. I ain't too sure about what the different type of cameras do also...

I looked around the shop, marveled by the different types of cameras, pictures and displays. I was really taken aback by what I saw and I scrutinized almost everything in it. I thought the dim lights and choice of old (It sounded old to me... =/ but it was awesome music) music gave the shop a distinct feel and distinguishable look from the rest in that mall.

Accompanied her to get Swiss Rolls afterwards. Then we had teh tarik along a small street in Bugis. Honestly, I thought that was the end of the day until she drove us to a pier around Marina to enjoy some sights and relax over there. We were nearly drenched to our jeans. I was drenched throughout though...

Nevertheless, it was a spectacular day. Right now, my life at home is just one big definite bore and Zaidah brought me out of the mundane to unfamiliar yet exciting places I didn't know exist.

I think I can safely say that Singapore still has a lot new venues to explore for me.

"What's So Funny About Spending V-Day Out Alone?!"

"Random thoughts for Valentine's Day, 2004. Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap." - Joel Barish, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

I don't know about feeling crap, but maybe because the sight of countless couples on streets on this particular romantic day makes me feel awkwardly weird.

I hate the idea of staying at home on Valentine's Day. I mean, why are those couples allowed to have fun while single people go work their ass off or stay home? We're allowed to have fun, right? Whether with friends or just being by yourself. That's why I always go out on Valentine's Day.

You don't need a partner to spend V-Day. You just need yourself and a couple of bucks.

So here's what I did on V-Day:

1. Went out to watch The King's Speech: Great film, really. The impeccable chemistry between Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush is a delight to watch on screen. Greater in-depth review coming up soon...

2. Wanted to have sushi for dinner but all the places are packed with couples and there were long queues, even at my regional mall. So I have to settle at...

3. Burger King. I bought myself a meal (upsized), a chocolate sundae and two Mexican drumlets. I don't usually spend this much on a meal but fuck it, you know.. It's V-Day.

4. I went home after the meal. Night was still young and I knew what to do that night. I put Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on my television set while I constructed a birthday gift from a friend.

I thought there was gonna be cutting involved. Thank God there's wasn't. But it's not bad right? Considering the fact that I suck at Art and Crafts subject back in my primary and secondary school days. It looks wonderful, really. =D

Also, Eternal Sunshine may be the greatest movie to watch on V-Day. It's sweet yet poignant. Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Charlie Kaufman (writer) and Michel Gondry's (director) efforts are mind-blowing. It's the perfect film to watch on V-Day.

It's similar to 500 Days of Summer as both deals with the deconstruction of a relationship but I never once thought 500 Days was a romance movie.

So, whether V-Day is crap, I don't think so.

You just need a little planning and a single will be satisfied.

Great Stuff

Way too awesome to put into words...

Lil' Wrestling Robot

 This little devil is distracting me from my studying D=

The devil's creator... Frowning because she wants to go HMV.

Zombie robot~! Hmm, now that I wanna see in a movie..

No fingers were harmed in the making of this robot

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I want to die right now and resurrect when I want to. My heart is killing me. I want to cry but I don't want to do it alone. The nights are being terrible to me and my will.

I cannot taste food and enjoy it like how I used to. I only taste my tongue's staleness. My mind draws a complete blank. I do not know what I'm thinking anymore.

I have probably lost most of my senses now.

Tiny Little Ants

Repetition

Had a really vivid dream about someone again. It came from my own struggle with reality and desire. I do not know why I had that dream. The only difference is I did a few parkour moves all over the place. The people in my dream complimented me. It was almost self-complimenting myself. It was weird too, but self-assuring.

I do not know what my future holds for me but I'm willing to take the risks, even if it costs me something valuable. May I be blessed with wisdom to make the right decisions.

The Rose Petal Remains

Been trying to conjure images in my mind without the help of influences from films, TV shows and music but they always somehow slip in. I even think of them when I'm half-asleep, eventually waking up and losing all of what my mind had randomly thought of.

I used to think my neighbours were girl classmates who were working on a secret project of theirs and it involves voyeurism. Whenever, I looked out the window of my room, I could feel that they were watching my every single move. They would giggle to themselves and take notes down to evaluate if I were a great guy to hang out with. I really do shudder at the thought of the idea. Paranoia always got the better of me and my imagination just screws me up even more.

But I like imagining things, you know? Imagine how things would play out. It's really similar to writing a script and you're the lead actor in your movie.

Before you say I'm really obsessed with the medium, think about it...

Aren't you writing a script everyday? The moment you wake up from your slumber, you're already thinking ahead of what to do. Before you interact with a person, you have already thought of all the possible reactions the person is going to have. You would think before you speak. You would have plan everything. Isn't writing a script akin to planning what to do and say?

The thing about writing a script to your life is that you will have expectations and the bigger the letdowns are when the reality don't meet your expectations.

I guess what I'm saying is: Write your life with caution.

Uppitydate

17 January... I will somehow always remember this date. Yan Ting was probably the only friend who loved me when I was in Sec 3. Her comment: "Why you so stupid cut yourself?" snapped me awake.  I could not understand why I was so shocked at her and then overwhelmed with affection for her.

It was the attention she was showing for me and I mistook it for "love". Things happened and I said stuff I should not have said. One thing led to another, the flame in our friendship went out and was never rekindled.

She wasn't just another girl I like in my miserable, insignificant life. She was the girl who tried to show me the way of self-respect by loving myself, and I failed to see the message. Loving oneself means you have to live with the mistakes you make, your weaknesses, your little imperfections... Accepting who I am.

I am a little insane than the rest but have sensitive feelings. I can be insensitive at times and I flare up whenever things are not going my way. I am selfish too but I try to change my ways whenever possible. I have speech impediment and I suck at public speaking. Annoying people is my speciality and sometimes the things I talk don't come out the way I intend it to be. I try to be caring and sometimes I try too hard. I just need people's assurance and acceptance to feel safe and satisfied.

That's how I'm built. That's me.

So thanks, Yan Ting, for your love as a friend. I wish you a merry, happy 19th birthday today, woman. Your awesomeness to kick boys' ass and chipmunk voice will always be remembered.

And more gratitude to Su Juen, my amazing percussion senior and close friend, who took the time to enlighten me in the wee hours of the morning about myself, even though she had school the next day.

Why is it always my great girl friends have their birthdays in January?