Tuesday, March 30, 2010
I got it!
I've gotten the answer I wanted. I've been accepted. I'm going to be a traffic engineer. I've not been given the salary I wanted, but that's expected and i'm glad it's within my expectation of how much they are willing to offer.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Aftermath of Interview part 2
Ever since my 2nd interview on friday, i've been having pretty good food for dinner. Hog's breath on friday and Senki earlier today!! I enjoyed a lot!!
I've been stressing about the interview for the past week, and it's been getting on my nerves every now and then. Good thing my mum has not bug me about it much. That's a relieve. The bigger relieve is that it's over, and I think I did not screw up too badly. I was told to wait for answer which will come by the end of the coming week. *fingers crossed*
Hog's breath on friday evening was heavenly!! Ordered a mega 400gm prime rib to share with dear companied with a finger food platter. It's the best steak I've had in ages. It really hit the spot (as the saying goes, even though I have no idea where the spot is. it's one of those places where you will know when it happens!!)
Senki, japanese food buffet, loads of salmon and swordfish sashimi. Did not overfill myself, stopped after 1 huge round of everything I wanted and 3 round of sashimi. It's not easy to tell yourself to stop during a buffet. Buffet goers will know what I mean, especially asians. We always wanna get the best value of what we paid for.
The best part, after all that food, I'm not feeling too guilty about it, cos it's about time to go for a long walk!! 3 time in the past 7 days.. not bad I would say....
I've been stressing about the interview for the past week, and it's been getting on my nerves every now and then. Good thing my mum has not bug me about it much. That's a relieve. The bigger relieve is that it's over, and I think I did not screw up too badly. I was told to wait for answer which will come by the end of the coming week. *fingers crossed*
Hog's breath on friday evening was heavenly!! Ordered a mega 400gm prime rib to share with dear companied with a finger food platter. It's the best steak I've had in ages. It really hit the spot (as the saying goes, even though I have no idea where the spot is. it's one of those places where you will know when it happens!!)
Senki, japanese food buffet, loads of salmon and swordfish sashimi. Did not overfill myself, stopped after 1 huge round of everything I wanted and 3 round of sashimi. It's not easy to tell yourself to stop during a buffet. Buffet goers will know what I mean, especially asians. We always wanna get the best value of what we paid for.
The best part, after all that food, I'm not feeling too guilty about it, cos it's about time to go for a long walk!! 3 time in the past 7 days.. not bad I would say....
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Xin Wang HK Cafe
simple fare done well is always something that fits my palate well.At Xin Wang, they serve the usual overpriced "cha chan ting" food, but the plus point here is that the food is done well. Even though there's the occasional microwaved stuff like the "bo luo bao", there's a lot of good stuff here. For the past year or so i've been going to this cafe quite often and yesterday I found a gem on the menu!! Yes, a gem.
Special Pork Rib Beehoon, it's basically the taste of the canned pork ribs infused into beehoon. When done well, it can be the most appetising beehoon you have ever eaten. The version I had yesterday was really well done, every strand of beehoon was filled with the fragrant & fatty taste of canned pork ribs. Sinful, I know. Yummy, you will know after first taste.
Special Pork Rib Beehoon, it's basically the taste of the canned pork ribs infused into beehoon. When done well, it can be the most appetising beehoon you have ever eaten. The version I had yesterday was really well done, every strand of beehoon was filled with the fragrant & fatty taste of canned pork ribs. Sinful, I know. Yummy, you will know after first taste.
Disaster movie day, Category 7: End of the World versus Haeundae
Watched @ Funshion
I dun mean to be lazy and have 1 post for 2 movies, but cos I watched these 2 disaster movies one after the other. I cant help myself but to compare them, and the result is rather shocking. Here's the background to the 2 movies and my views on them.
Category 7, a 4hr mini-series originally aired on CBS in 2005. it's a very detailed and well thought thru plot which follows directly after Category 6, another mini series in 2004. It's basically about these killer tornadoes that are blowing out of proportion due to global warming and intense heat output of the metropolitans of the world. The pace of the movie is good, even though I watched 4 hrs straight, it's actually gripping enough to keep me in my seat and watch on.
Haeundae, a 2008 disaster film from korea. The basic plot revolves around the possibility of a mega tsunami hitting korea from the coastal town of Haeundae. Although the movie is only 2hrs long, I was really quite irritated by it, mainly by the vagueness of its genre. It's supposed to be a disaster movie, yet i is loaded with pointless drama and korea slapstick comedy!! 2 hrs of the movie, only the last 20mins consisted of the tsunami and its impact. I'm disappointed, really disappointed. Special effects in this movie is rather laughable as well, they did a tremendous job making the impact and onset of the disaster feel very heavy, very devastating. But yet somehow, buildings, bridges, people, survive the impact. Oh, and the director seems to like to kill off the characters in twisted ways!! Survive one turmoil only to get killed at the next turn. Too much korean comedy here. I'm just glad I fought off the urge to watch this movie when it was in the theatres here last year. Phew...
Spikefire ratings: (Category 7)
Story & Plot: 8 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 8 out of 10
Overall: 8 out of 10
Spikefire ratings: (Haeundae)
Story & Plot: 5 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 6 out of 10
Overall: 5.5 out of 10
Pictures
I dun mean to be lazy and have 1 post for 2 movies, but cos I watched these 2 disaster movies one after the other. I cant help myself but to compare them, and the result is rather shocking. Here's the background to the 2 movies and my views on them.
Category 7, a 4hr mini-series originally aired on CBS in 2005. it's a very detailed and well thought thru plot which follows directly after Category 6, another mini series in 2004. It's basically about these killer tornadoes that are blowing out of proportion due to global warming and intense heat output of the metropolitans of the world. The pace of the movie is good, even though I watched 4 hrs straight, it's actually gripping enough to keep me in my seat and watch on.
Haeundae, a 2008 disaster film from korea. The basic plot revolves around the possibility of a mega tsunami hitting korea from the coastal town of Haeundae. Although the movie is only 2hrs long, I was really quite irritated by it, mainly by the vagueness of its genre. It's supposed to be a disaster movie, yet i is loaded with pointless drama and korea slapstick comedy!! 2 hrs of the movie, only the last 20mins consisted of the tsunami and its impact. I'm disappointed, really disappointed. Special effects in this movie is rather laughable as well, they did a tremendous job making the impact and onset of the disaster feel very heavy, very devastating. But yet somehow, buildings, bridges, people, survive the impact. Oh, and the director seems to like to kill off the characters in twisted ways!! Survive one turmoil only to get killed at the next turn. Too much korean comedy here. I'm just glad I fought off the urge to watch this movie when it was in the theatres here last year. Phew...
Spikefire ratings: (Category 7)
Story & Plot: 8 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 8 out of 10
Overall: 8 out of 10
Spikefire ratings: (Haeundae)
Story & Plot: 5 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 6 out of 10
Overall: 5.5 out of 10
Pictures
Monday, March 22, 2010
The Lovely Bones
Watched @ Funshion
This movie revolves around the death of 14 yr old gal, little susie. shot in first person view where she views life unfolding after her death. it's nicely shot in a way we follow little susie on a journey of self-realisation, even though it's after death; to see how her family reacts, how her killer reacts.
it's an interesting story to follow.
the main character susie is a relatively new actress, but she had put in a good performance. She's also supported by great actors around her.
But this is not a movie to watch if you are tired. it's kindda slow, so if you dun have the energy, you'll probably fall asleep.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6.5 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7.5 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10
Official Website
Pictures
This movie revolves around the death of 14 yr old gal, little susie. shot in first person view where she views life unfolding after her death. it's nicely shot in a way we follow little susie on a journey of self-realisation, even though it's after death; to see how her family reacts, how her killer reacts.
it's an interesting story to follow.
the main character susie is a relatively new actress, but she had put in a good performance. She's also supported by great actors around her.
But this is not a movie to watch if you are tired. it's kindda slow, so if you dun have the energy, you'll probably fall asleep.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6.5 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7.5 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10
Official Website
Pictures
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Interview #1 - part 2
I have the 2nd interview. It's next friday, in a way i'm glad to get it, and yet i'm totally nervous wreck having to face it. Arggh!
The Rebound
Watched @ PPStream
A love story about a woman with 2 children who just got divorced and a younger man who just got jilted. It's a simple and straight forward love story. No huge bad guys in this story, it's all sweet and inspiring for the most of it.
Simply nice and entertaining.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 7 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10
Pictures
A love story about a woman with 2 children who just got divorced and a younger man who just got jilted. It's a simple and straight forward love story. No huge bad guys in this story, it's all sweet and inspiring for the most of it.
Simply nice and entertaining.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 7 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10
Pictures
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Interview #1
Just came back from my first interview. Butterflies are flying in the butterflies in my stomach!! The interview proceedings was informal, so I felt less anxious compared to the initial butterflies in butterflies in butterflies. Even though less anxious, I think I still did badly, I wasnt able to answer simple questions like "what have you done so far?" or "what was your favourite project?". I really hope they do call me back for a 2nd interview. I think I would like the job very much....
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Life aint the same without a working phone
Ever since my phone went cuckoo, i've been using my handphone with the earpiece. Without the earpiece, I could not hear anything. So basically I've been walking around today with a earpiece in my ear all the time, and with newpaper while waiting for dear. I feel so much like some uncle!! But that aint the main issue, the lost of sound from the speakers is so bad, that I would not know the phone is ringing unless I happen to stare at the screen of the phone. This totally keeps me on a nerve-wrecking stage all the time. Cos i'm concern that calls would be coming in to ask me to go for interview and such, and i might miss it.
The cool thing today, I got a call to go for an interview next week, I think it's fate that i happened to look at the phone screen when it rang. phew...
Oh yah, I wanted to get a Samsung UltraTouch, but somehow that phone is totally not availbale at and Singtel, M1, Starhub shop that I scourge thru yesterday. That sucks!! Spent most of the day look for it, IT show, Suntec, Funan, Vivo... even geylang.. NONE!! End of the day, it seems fate is making fun of me, cos in the end I found the phone on singtelshop.com. It's coming tml!!!
The cool thing today, I got a call to go for an interview next week, I think it's fate that i happened to look at the phone screen when it rang. phew...
Oh yah, I wanted to get a Samsung UltraTouch, but somehow that phone is totally not availbale at and Singtel, M1, Starhub shop that I scourge thru yesterday. That sucks!! Spent most of the day look for it, IT show, Suntec, Funan, Vivo... even geylang.. NONE!! End of the day, it seems fate is making fun of me, cos in the end I found the phone on singtelshop.com. It's coming tml!!!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bye Bye L760
Have been using my current phone for a long time, have always been pondering when to get a new phone. But that decision has been made for me today. My phone is spoilt!! No sound from it suddenly, it seems that the connection to the speaker is somehow broken. Sms still works and conversations can still be made if I used the headset.
But that's only temporary, the solution will be IT SHOW!! yeah!! hahaa...
But that's only temporary, the solution will be IT SHOW!! yeah!! hahaa...
Being Human
Watched @ GV Marina
The plot is simple, employee (Mark Lee) of a slimming company got fired. He got angry and wants to take revenge, he did so by setting up his own slimming centre and went to ridiculous lengths to outdo his former employers. And while he was doing his deeds, he often is face with his inner conscious, who magnifest himself as NoNo, rationale of the inner conscious looking different from the person? Ugly thoughts make the inner conscious look ugly.
Slapstick comedy, funny spurts here and there, overall it's still acceptable. The biggest no no lies in the ending, lame lame lame!!! this is wat happens when people run out of ideas. Oh the camera effects, very amateurish!!!
So watch it if you enjoy Jack Neo's comedic sense, but you can also watch it if you wanna see who his mistress. The character's Mark Lee's sister-in-law.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 5 out of 10
Overall: 5.5 out of 10
The plot is simple, employee (Mark Lee) of a slimming company got fired. He got angry and wants to take revenge, he did so by setting up his own slimming centre and went to ridiculous lengths to outdo his former employers. And while he was doing his deeds, he often is face with his inner conscious, who magnifest himself as NoNo, rationale of the inner conscious looking different from the person? Ugly thoughts make the inner conscious look ugly.
Slapstick comedy, funny spurts here and there, overall it's still acceptable. The biggest no no lies in the ending, lame lame lame!!! this is wat happens when people run out of ideas. Oh the camera effects, very amateurish!!!
So watch it if you enjoy Jack Neo's comedic sense, but you can also watch it if you wanna see who his mistress. The character's Mark Lee's sister-in-law.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 5 out of 10
Overall: 5.5 out of 10
Pictures
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Daybreakers
Watched @ Funshion
This is not the usual vampire story, vampires are immortals, but killable. They are still afraid of daylight and still feeds on human blood. The story begins in the future where most of the world's population are vampires and are facing a shortage of human blood to feed the vampires. Although the producers are the same ones as Matrix, I think the plot is kindda poor in that sense or maybe vampires are just not as smart as i thought.
Humans are captured and bleed dry for their blood, and when dried, they dispose the human. HOW DUMB IS THAT!!?? Even the Matrix from that long ago has the common sense to keep the humans alive for the extended shelf life. And the vampires in this movie simply used humans like disposables, dumb vamps!! It's probably cos the script was written so so long ago, perhaps way before the matrix and perhaps way before they heard of cloning.
Those are the worst loopholes that have left me utterly disappointed with the plot, otherwise it could have been a much better movie. oh yah, i think the producers also tried very hard to stereotype their vampires, in this movie, they are weak, they just dun age, but they can be killed quite easily.
However, I do like the twist in the vampire legends, vampires can turn back into humans, and man can return a plague of their own back onto the vampires. I liked that part.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 6.5 out of 10
Official Website
Pictures
This is not the usual vampire story, vampires are immortals, but killable. They are still afraid of daylight and still feeds on human blood. The story begins in the future where most of the world's population are vampires and are facing a shortage of human blood to feed the vampires. Although the producers are the same ones as Matrix, I think the plot is kindda poor in that sense or maybe vampires are just not as smart as i thought.
Humans are captured and bleed dry for their blood, and when dried, they dispose the human. HOW DUMB IS THAT!!?? Even the Matrix from that long ago has the common sense to keep the humans alive for the extended shelf life. And the vampires in this movie simply used humans like disposables, dumb vamps!! It's probably cos the script was written so so long ago, perhaps way before the matrix and perhaps way before they heard of cloning.
Those are the worst loopholes that have left me utterly disappointed with the plot, otherwise it could have been a much better movie. oh yah, i think the producers also tried very hard to stereotype their vampires, in this movie, they are weak, they just dun age, but they can be killed quite easily.
However, I do like the twist in the vampire legends, vampires can turn back into humans, and man can return a plague of their own back onto the vampires. I liked that part.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 6.5 out of 10
Official Website
Pictures
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Pandorum
Watched @ Funshion
2 crew of a ship wakes up from deep sleep to find themselves more or less isolated on a spaceship which mission they cant remember due to extended period in deep sleep. It's another "end of the world and we are the one survivors" story, this mission was to send them to a distant planet which is much like earth and supposedly able to support life.
Pandorum is actually a mental disorder which is described in the movie as something you get while being in space and isolation for too long. But the whole screwed up ship started off with 1 guy getting pandorum and started acting like god.
It's not a bad movie, except for the question about howdoes the guy who saves the rest of the passengers wake up?? If the crazy guy could control the ship that well, why let this guy wake up?? hmmm... let's just leave it to fate for movie's sake... Oh I like the happy ending, bad guys die, good and innocent people live on...
However it would probably be better to watch it under better conditions which I had. Blu-ray would be nice...
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 6 out of 10
Overall: out of 10
Official Website
2 crew of a ship wakes up from deep sleep to find themselves more or less isolated on a spaceship which mission they cant remember due to extended period in deep sleep. It's another "end of the world and we are the one survivors" story, this mission was to send them to a distant planet which is much like earth and supposedly able to support life.
Pandorum is actually a mental disorder which is described in the movie as something you get while being in space and isolation for too long. But the whole screwed up ship started off with 1 guy getting pandorum and started acting like god.
It's not a bad movie, except for the question about howdoes the guy who saves the rest of the passengers wake up?? If the crazy guy could control the ship that well, why let this guy wake up?? hmmm... let's just leave it to fate for movie's sake... Oh I like the happy ending, bad guys die, good and innocent people live on...
However it would probably be better to watch it under better conditions which I had. Blu-ray would be nice...
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 6 out of 10
Overall: out of 10
Official Website
Pictures
Up in The Air
Watched @ Funshion
The story is basically about Ryan (George Clooney), a guy that flies about more than staying put; a guy who flies about just to fire people the company management are too chicken to. To me it's an interesting plot to begin with, hell I never knew you can have a job out of firing someone. Anyway, it's an interesting plot, Ryan is a loner, who is trying to deceive himself that he is alright being alone, and he even sidelines by going around teaching people how it is alright to be alone.
Natalie (Anna Kendrick), the understudy to Ryan, trying to learn the real meaning of firing someone while she tries to organise the whole process into some clockwork procedure. Ryan has a theory that firing someone is not just "firing" someone, it encompasses much more, and it's something very personal and have to be handled with care. Ain't that an irony with his "it's alright to be alone" attitude, once again, it's interesting.
A-list actors provided A-list acting, it's very believable at the end of the day. That's what makes movies good.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 7 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love 'em.
Natalie Keener: That's racist.
Ryan Bingham: I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alex Goran: What a weasly prick.
Natalie Keener: Yeah, but what does that make me? Someone who falls for a prick.
Alex Goran: We all fall for the prick. Pricks are spontaneous, they're unpredictable and they're fun. And then we're surprised when they turn out to be pricks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan Bingham: You know why kids love athletes?
Bob: Because they screw lingerie models.
Ryan Bingham: No, that's why we love athletes. Kids love them because they follow their dreams.
Official Website
Picture
The story is basically about Ryan (George Clooney), a guy that flies about more than staying put; a guy who flies about just to fire people the company management are too chicken to. To me it's an interesting plot to begin with, hell I never knew you can have a job out of firing someone. Anyway, it's an interesting plot, Ryan is a loner, who is trying to deceive himself that he is alright being alone, and he even sidelines by going around teaching people how it is alright to be alone.
Natalie (Anna Kendrick), the understudy to Ryan, trying to learn the real meaning of firing someone while she tries to organise the whole process into some clockwork procedure. Ryan has a theory that firing someone is not just "firing" someone, it encompasses much more, and it's something very personal and have to be handled with care. Ain't that an irony with his "it's alright to be alone" attitude, once again, it's interesting.
A-list actors provided A-list acting, it's very believable at the end of the day. That's what makes movies good.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 7 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
Ryan Bingham: [on getting through airport security] Never get behind old people. Their bodies are littered with hidden metal and they never seem to appreciate how little time they have left. Bingo, Asians. They pack light, travel efficiently, and they have a thing for slip on shoes. Gotta love 'em.
Natalie Keener: That's racist.
Ryan Bingham: I'm like my mother, I stereotype. It's faster.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alex Goran: What a weasly prick.
Natalie Keener: Yeah, but what does that make me? Someone who falls for a prick.
Alex Goran: We all fall for the prick. Pricks are spontaneous, they're unpredictable and they're fun. And then we're surprised when they turn out to be pricks.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan Bingham: You know why kids love athletes?
Bob: Because they screw lingerie models.
Ryan Bingham: No, that's why we love athletes. Kids love them because they follow their dreams.
Official Website
Picture
Monday, March 08, 2010
Job Application Bombardment
It's now exactly 2 months since my job application for LTA & Surbana. They probably found someone else, cos the job vacancies are no longer there. So I have embarked on a bombardment journey today. Here are the list of jobs I've applied for!! hehe..
- Urban Planner (Development Control)
- Urban Planner (Physical Planning)
- Engineers Programme Planning (Civil)
- Engineering Officers (Civil) Marina Coastal Expressway (I just realise this is a diploma position, I wonder if they will love me for applying.. haha..)
- Assistant Director, Emergency Preparedness
- Cadet Pilot
- Assistant Manager, Airline Development
- Manager, Corporate Strategy
- Manager, Airport Operations
Friday, March 05, 2010
Invictus
Watched @ Funshion
Based on a true historical event, and how tru is it that great stories arise from the toughest of times. The story revolves around Nelson Mandela, the first elected president of South Africa after the fall of apartheid, and how he used rugby to unite his racially torned nation.
Acting is great, no questions. Matt Damon & Morgan Freeman put it a hell of a show for me. Despite Morgan Freeman looking much taller than Nelson Mandela, he really did a wonderful portrayal of the man. They have to work the expression and accent, it's one thing to act a character, it's another to totally mimick and be the character.
The story plot is not entirely true, cause I just found out that the Invictus poem was never used in truth. Nelson Mandela gave the Springboks captain a passage from Theodore Roosevelt to inspire him instead of the Invictus poem depicted by the movie. But that's just detail, I can overlook that, I can live with the Invictus.
This movie is very strong emotionally, it's a great era, great feelings. One can only wonder what the 2 men felt during those days. Just for interest sake, this is the Invictus poem
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
And the passage that Nelson Mandela gave to the Springboks Captain, I find it just as inspiring.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 9 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 8 out of 10
Overall: 8.5 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman):
I thank whatever gods may be,
For my unconquerable soul.
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brenda Mazibuko (President's Aide): You're risking your political capital, you're risking your position in the party, you're risking your future as our leader.
Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nelson Mandela: I was thinking about a little wager.
New Zealand PM: How about, all your gold for all our sheep?
Nelson Mandela: I was thinking about a case of wine.
Official Website
Pictures
Based on a true historical event, and how tru is it that great stories arise from the toughest of times. The story revolves around Nelson Mandela, the first elected president of South Africa after the fall of apartheid, and how he used rugby to unite his racially torned nation.
Acting is great, no questions. Matt Damon & Morgan Freeman put it a hell of a show for me. Despite Morgan Freeman looking much taller than Nelson Mandela, he really did a wonderful portrayal of the man. They have to work the expression and accent, it's one thing to act a character, it's another to totally mimick and be the character.
The story plot is not entirely true, cause I just found out that the Invictus poem was never used in truth. Nelson Mandela gave the Springboks captain a passage from Theodore Roosevelt to inspire him instead of the Invictus poem depicted by the movie. But that's just detail, I can overlook that, I can live with the Invictus.
This movie is very strong emotionally, it's a great era, great feelings. One can only wonder what the 2 men felt during those days. Just for interest sake, this is the Invictus poem
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
And the passage that Nelson Mandela gave to the Springboks Captain, I find it just as inspiring.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 9 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 8 out of 10
Overall: 8.5 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman):
I thank whatever gods may be,
For my unconquerable soul.
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Brenda Mazibuko (President's Aide): You're risking your political capital, you're risking your position in the party, you're risking your future as our leader.
Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nelson Mandela: I was thinking about a little wager.
New Zealand PM: How about, all your gold for all our sheep?
Nelson Mandela: I was thinking about a case of wine.
Official Website
Pictures
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Dear John
Watched @ GV Marina
A long story about a lightning fast love at first sight between 2 individuals. The story begins pre-Sept11, and when all seems to be flowing towards a happy ending, fate steps in and brings them Sept11. But that's not the end, fate seems to like to visit this ill-fated couple more than others.
The good thing about such romance flicks, it's not difficult to act it well, you just need to have experience in love, and nowadays, who doesnt?? especially people who looked like them!!
However, it's still a touching story, and I liked the final seemingly happy ending.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 8 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7.5 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
John Tyree: Our story has 3 parts a beginning, a middle and an end and although this is the way all stories unfold I still cant believe ours didnt go on forever.
Official Website
Pictures
A long story about a lightning fast love at first sight between 2 individuals. The story begins pre-Sept11, and when all seems to be flowing towards a happy ending, fate steps in and brings them Sept11. But that's not the end, fate seems to like to visit this ill-fated couple more than others.
The good thing about such romance flicks, it's not difficult to act it well, you just need to have experience in love, and nowadays, who doesnt?? especially people who looked like them!!
However, it's still a touching story, and I liked the final seemingly happy ending.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 8 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7.5 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
John Tyree: Our story has 3 parts a beginning, a middle and an end and although this is the way all stories unfold I still cant believe ours didnt go on forever.
Official Website
Pictures
Wolfman
Watched @ Cineleisure lvl 6
A gory werewolf movie, the plot is quite flat, perhaps cos I knew from the start of the movie that Anthony Hopkin's character is the villian in this movie. I suppose that was the supposed twist in the show, but nope, that did not happen for me.
The love story weaved within the movie between Lawrence & Gwen, well, is weak too!! Can anyone see why it would happen? NOPE!! not me!!
The worst part of the plot was the origin of werewolf's lycanthropy is from the hidden mountains of india!!?? WTH!?? oh well...
Just watch it for good acting and good action sequences and gory scenes... IGNORE THE PLOT!!
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 3 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 5 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
Colonel Montford: [Sir John shoots a statue next to Colonel Montford causing him to fall off his horse] Damn you Talbot!
Sir John Talbot: I'm sorry Colonel. I meant to shoot you. You see I'm not as good a shot as I used to be.
Official Website
A gory werewolf movie, the plot is quite flat, perhaps cos I knew from the start of the movie that Anthony Hopkin's character is the villian in this movie. I suppose that was the supposed twist in the show, but nope, that did not happen for me.
The love story weaved within the movie between Lawrence & Gwen, well, is weak too!! Can anyone see why it would happen? NOPE!! not me!!
The worst part of the plot was the origin of werewolf's lycanthropy is from the hidden mountains of india!!?? WTH!?? oh well...
Just watch it for good acting and good action sequences and gory scenes... IGNORE THE PLOT!!
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 3 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 5 out of 10
Favourite Lines:
Colonel Montford: [Sir John shoots a statue next to Colonel Montford causing him to fall off his horse] Damn you Talbot!
Sir John Talbot: I'm sorry Colonel. I meant to shoot you. You see I'm not as good a shot as I used to be.
Official Website
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