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.
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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.
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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

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

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

Gut Wrenching

Yesterday, I finally understood the feeling behind the phrase "gut wrenching". My stomach felt as if it was being twisted about from the inside, SUPER PAINFUL!!!

BUT amazingly, I still managed to survive the day and got home safely at the end of everything. I feel better today, but perhaps that's cos I had nothing except water and "Po Chai" pills the whole day.

Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief

Watched @ GVMax

The movie is an adaptation from a series of storybooks of the same name written by Rick Riordan. The acting in the movie says, teen pop movie from start to the end, but i'm happy to accept that sort of entertainment.

The storyline is interesting though, the whole premises of the story is based on ancient greek mythology, which somehow manages to exist in this modern world. Modern parallels are cleverly used to depict places and characters in ancient mythology.

This movie is direct by the same guy who direct the 1st 2 installments of Harry Potter.

Watch this if you are interested in teen fantasy and greek mythology.

Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 7 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 8 out of 10
Overall: 7.5 out of 10


Favourite Lines:
Chiron: [from trailer] Use this to defend yourself. It's a powerful weapon.

Percy Jackson: This is a pen.
Chiron: Only use it in times of severe distress.
Percy Jackson: This is a *pen*.

Official Website

Pictures

72 Tenants

Watched @ FilmGarde Kallang Leisure Park

It's a slapstick comedy for the Chinese New Year season. It has a HUGE cast consisting of almost all the leading stars in HK's TVB station. THe comedy effects are quite powerful, but it could have been much better if we could watch it in the original cantonese version.

Acting is quite good considering it's mainly for the comedic effects.

On the whole, it's good family entertainment for the holiday season.

Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 7 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 8 out of 10
Overall: 7.5 out of 10

Official Website

Pictures

Little Big Soldier

Watched @ Cineleisure lvl 9

This is Jackie Chan's production, and the result is simply a typical Jackie Chan production. In his type of productions, the storyline doesnt matter, and pointless twists often occur.Comedy is quite effective in the show and the acting required is quite limited, hence focus lands on the action sequences. The action this time is not bad but could have been more.

So my recommendations for this movie is simple, lower expectations and you'll just enjoy the little things in the show.
Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 6 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 6.5 out of 10


Favourite Lines:
挺好的。(this is selected simply for the number of times it was used!!!)

Pictures

Hello Singapore!! Hello end of RT!!

Back in Singapore last night, super tired, slept till noon today. We went to BKK with one check in luggage of 15kg, came back with two 15kg and one 20kg, huge buys!! But i'm not the main culprit, haha!! Definitely not the biggest spender either. I just wanna bring dear to BKK together!! Asap!!

Final session of RT just now, I have finally completed the whole course!! Failed the finally IPPT and kindda did worst den before, but no matter, I'll have more time to train, I will!!

I got my first aid certification and it comes in a tiny little card!! looks unreliable if you ask me. hahaa..

From now to CNY, it's housekeeping time!! ANd also time to cycle down to TJC everyday.

Sawadee 2010 pt2

Dinner at Fuji Japanese restaurant yesterday was quite good, cheap as well. Oh the wasabi is the freshly grated type, so quality is apparent here and also gives a greater kick compared to the usualy powdered one we are used to back in singapore. & of us ate quite a lot but total was not over 5K baht!! oh, mum and keli had lunch at crystal jade which cost just as much for just the 2 of them!!!!

Spa yesterday was quite an experience, scary too. The place was nice and classy, I did mine in a private room, the masseuse was quite good, and almost every part of the body was taken care of, but i was more in need of a foot massage than full body back then. The Spa is healthland Spa located at Sathorn Road, it's quite a popular place so most tazi drivers actually roughly know where it is, and it's quite easy to recognise, just look out for a big golden bungalow.

Spent the bulk of the day so far at Platinum Mall, Fashion apparels wholesale shopping centre, it's really near our hotel and we really spent alot of time there. And after that long duration, I'm not done with it yet, there are still spots I have not covered!!  bought several tshirts from there for yanli mostly and 1 for myself. I learnt this time that platinum not only has lots of choices for fashion, it's also full of food choices.

Dinner today was at this german beer place recommended by Russel, the food there was not bad, the pork knuckles was really crispy. However, the best part of the place is that it has somehting like a cabaret show going on, a few singers, LOADs of props, cameras, lightings, the whole nine yards. The customers there are also very spontaneous to the performance, many of them are dancing wildly around their tables as the night wore on.

It's the last night in BKK already, I would say so far the purchasing has been fruitful. Good trip so far...

Sawadee 2010

It's my 2nd day in BKK, and I just got back from Chatuchak, the place is still huge, HOT, crowded, Hot, exciting and last but not least HOT! I bought only a few tshirts there, but those are nice tshirts which I had not seen anywhere else so far. So I'm happy with that simple buy.

Yesterday was a hectic day too, set off for here early in the morning and got to the hotel almost noon. bulk of yesterday was spent visiting the tailors for my shirts and suits and pants, thereafter it's shopping, while the rest went to the thai massage at Wat Pho, we stayed shopping at the aircon'd centres.

Den it was to chinatown to get "dog shit"!! Bought loads of them for my house for this cny. Yesterday's dinner was at a rather dodgy chinese seafood restaurant to chinatown, the food was actually good, if not for it's dodgy surroundings and numerous sightings of "xiao qiangs", i would actually visit the place again.

Finale of the night was visiting Suan Lum night market, din not managed to buy anything exciting there except for some small souvenirs. Keli and I did manage to do a 15min fish spa. Those fishes are SUPER hungry for my dead skin!! I seemed to be a good source of it... :P

It's time to leave and head for dinner, followed by Sky Bar, followed by SPA!!

RT Mania pt2

IPPT session today, totally burnt out after the first shuttle run station........ result.. fail...

RT Mania!!

Just finished my 4th straight day of RT. It's kindda crazy as it seems and what's crazier? That's not the end, I still have 2 more consecutive days more of RT sessions. All these cause i'll be missing next week's sessions due to my upcoming thailand trip, so i had to do makeup training sessions. After this 6 days in a row RT mania, I hope earn some leeway to eat up in bangkok. hehee.

RT has been ok so far, training's not extremely tough, but I do find their training quite lousy. The exercises that they are doing are really old school, it's older than my bmt days which was almost 10 years ago. They are doing lunges, both front and back, and squats, all these have been phased out in my bmt training cause of excessive stress on the kneecaps, and yes, my knees are definitely feeling it. OUCH!!

I can feel some stamina building up in me after the runs, especially during this past few days of daily running. Not fast, but at slow speeds I managed to keep jogging for at least 4 rounds.

4 down.. 2 more to go!!

The Blind Side

Watched @ The Cathay

This is one of my favourite movies of recent times. The movie is based on the true story of NFL star Mike Oher. Although I know very little about NFL, I know that sports is one of the channels in USA that black people there can excel in and have more often than not be the catalyst to bring them out of poverty.

The story starts off with a clip of a play in NFL, depicting the importance of the blindside, the quarterback's blindside. That was a real footage and even though we do not see the extend of the damage in the tackle, the player's reaction says it all! And this is the story of NFL's recent greatest protector of the blindside, Mike Oher.

But this is not just about the player becoming a star. It's about the family that he met and learned to love. Sandra bullock, plays the mother, Leigh Anne, of this family, the Touhys. It was a Thanksgiving eve that started the threadings of Mike and the Touhys.

The story of Mike and the Touhys was told in a very touching fashion. Even though I believe much of the facts have be dramatise and idealised, it's still an amazing story to believe in. Watch it to experience it.

Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 9 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 8 out of 10


Favourite Lines:
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In Mike's new room,
Michael Oher: This is mine?
Leigh Anne Touhy: Yes sir.
Michael Oher: I never had one before.
Leigh Anne Touhy: What, a room to yourself?
Michael Oher: ...A bed.
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Leigh Anne Touhy: If you so much as set foot downtown you will be sorry. I'm in a prayer group with the D.A., I'm a member of the NRA and I'm always packing.
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Michael Oher: [after pushing an opponent all the way off the field] Sorry coach, I stopped when I heard the whistle.
Coach Cotton: Where were you taking him?
Michael Oher: The bus, it was time for him to go home.
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Leigh Anne Touhy: Michael, I want you to have a good time but if you get a girl pregnant out of wedlock, I will crawl into the car, drive up to Oxford and cut off your penis.
S.J. Tuohy: She's not kidding.
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Sean Tuohy: Who would've thought we'd have a black son before we met a Democrat?
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Sean Tuohy: We were wondering if you would like to become a part of this family.
Michael Oher: I kinda thought I already was.
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Leigh Anne Touhy: You're right.
Sean Tuohy: Wow. How'd those words taste coming out of your mouth?
Leigh Anne Touhy: Like vinegar.

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Official Website


Pictures

Legion

Watched @ Cineleisure lvl 9

I was actually looking forward to watch this movie, most of the movies which have involved paul bettany so far have been not bad. sadly, this time it's not encouraging, his acting was not the issue, is the loose plot. Angels fighting angels, god losing faith in men, doesnt sound all that bad. But the way everything was put together was quite disappointing. There's too much reference that can be seen from history. worst of all was...

It's a waitress who is the target of saving cos she bears the child who would be the saviour. Think terminator. Oh the gun fights remind me of terminator too. The ending also reminds me of terminator, I wonder if they are going to have legion 2.

Notice there's no devils or demons in this movie, why? cos the minions in this movie are angels. So where did all the demons go? on holiday, since now angels are doing their job of possessing and killing. :P

Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 5 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 6 out of 10

Favourite Lines:
Gabriel: I would not have shown you such mercy.
Micheal: Which is why you have failed him.

Official Website

Pictures

First Aid @ SJAB

for the past 3 days I've been attending a day course at the St John's ambulance HQ at beach road. Why? cos i'm trying to get my first aid certification so that I could register myself as a coach at SSC. It took me quite a few years since my coaching cetification to come for this course, inertia I guess. But now since i'm quite free, it's time.

total cost was around S$115 inclusive of 3 days parking at the HQ. the course runs thru 3 days from 8.30am to 4.30pm. I think we were lucky to have a pretty experienced teacher. He's a volunteer at SJAB, long time volunteer. He's 83 on wednesday and he was involved in the hotel new world collapse rescue operation. That was like ancient already. But yah, along with experience also comes lots of war stories which he likes to narrate every now and then, that's when I start falling asleep.

Over the course of 3 days, I'm confident i've equipped myself with sufficient knowledge to administer at least some first aid which situation happens. But the real question here is, given the the knowledge of giving first aid, would you do so? That's a question that the teacher has subtlely ask many times (oh yah, he has a knack of give "subtle" hints.) When a situation happens, would you react immediately to help or would you rather be a "stamford raffles" to just stand there and watch instead of lending a helping hand. seriously I think in singapore, people love stamford raffles ALOT!!!

The Spy Next Door

Watched @ Cineleisure lvl 9

Just catched the show late last night, and surprisingly the cinema is a full house on a monday midnite session. Even though the cinema has nothing more than 10-12 rows, a full cinemas once again prove that there are LOADs of Jackie Chan fans in singapore. WOAH!!

The plot of the story is quite solid, cause it's simple and logical. Although I'm not sure about CIA ever loaning agents from China, especially in this currently political climate. Well, let's says it's plausible. hahaa.

The introduction into the movie was a short clip of Jackie Chan's poast movies, that was pretty cool. He has really done many movies with similar themes. Comedy is always present in his movies. In this one, the action is still quite amazing given his age.

Therefore, simple watch and enjoy.

Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 7 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 7 out of 10
Overall: 7 out of 10

Favourite Lines:
Bob Ho: Family is not about blood relations, but about the people you love and the people who loves you.
Official Website

Pictures

Treasure Hunter (刺陵）

Watched @ GV Marina

Treasure hunter is a movie you really shouldnt watch if you are looking for a plot in the story. The plot is really weak, when you compare with the western movies like mummy and indiana jones, treasure hunter is really weak, pointless and broken.

As for the acting, jay chou and lin chiling are not exactly the best actors around. looks and style are their main selling point, the movie is bordering on comedy. the desert scenes offer not much value to the whole story, it's just dusty & more dust flying around.. WEAK!!

There's much hype on the visual effects, but seriously, good effects need  to be there for a purpose that supports the plot. With the weak plot, the effects are just there trying to bulk up the movie on it's substance. simply saying, the effects are not bad but falls flatly in the movie plot.. conclusion... WEAK!!!

Spikefire ratings:
Story & Plot: 4 out of 10
Audio & Visual: 5 out of 10
Overall: 4.5 out of 10

Favourite Lines:
蓝婷：我们是两个世界的人。
乔飞：虽然我们属于不同的世界，但是现在你在我的世界，我会保护你。


Official Website

Pictures

Life after NUS

Life after NUS have been good so far. Small events happen every now and then. So it's time to recollect and lay them out.

• RT have been manageable so far,
• I learnt how to arrange for Make-up training
• I have MIO Tv at home, but there's nothing interesting to watch. It's for the soccer which will start next season anyway.
• I've arranged for my first aid course and it will be start next tues to thurs, 3 full days of course. After which I'll make myself available on GeBiz as a volleyball coach.
• I went to Body Worlds to look at plastinated human bodies!! I missed it the last time it was here. They really looked cool. Some how the more I look that those bodies, the more i'm reminded of "bak gua"!! BUT I personally find the exhibit not as "WOAH" as it was promoted to be. Interesting, yes. Cool, yes. Woah?? NOPE...
• Haven been to any movies in more than a week!! Kindda sad abt that, cos my dear is so busy last week. Hopefully it will be better from now on.
• Went to Xiaowen's place for gathering, Potluck. I made Cheese Baked Rice. It was well received. I think I can replicated what I did if needed, but the flavours might change though. Anyway, her house was HUGE, it was the old type of mansionette. They got it for a very very good deal! Good for them.
• Tenghui & Fuliang are getting married too, looks like my cchs gang is getting tied down pretty fast. It all started with jimmy. hahaa..
• Planning to make a short trip to BKK before CNY to buy clothes for work and CNY.  
• Spent a night at Down Town East chalet after dear's event there. I was totally reminded why we have not gone to a chalet for so so so long!! It's small, dark, dirty & noisy....

RT aka Remedial Training

Remedial Training is sort of like a punishment implemented to make NSmen like myself, who failed ippt, to get some physical training. Going for RT made me feel like returning to BMT once again. The anxiety, the fear, the pain and the aches all returning to me at once.

I find that I am now much less fit than the time I was first enlisted. Physical training is straining my every muscle group. After the warm-ups, i'm already drained!!

RT is a good thing for me, I'm using this chance to lose some weigh and get some momentum going for exercise. I'm taking it slow though, physically my body cant take extreme, i've enrolled myself with the obese gang and go for a less strenuous training regime. But i'll up the ante as soon as I can, cycling to Bedok camp for future trainings and extra day of self training is in the pipeline.

Bye 2009 & Hello 2010!!

2009 has bee a pretty good school year for me. At times I really struggled, but somehow I survived. I did not do exceptionally well, but enough for me to scrape trhu with a passable degree. That's simply my biggest and ultimate goal for 2009, I guess have achieved it to some extent.

physically, it's still a pretty bad year for me. injuries and physical inertia are frequently popping up on my schedule to do anything. maybe it's just in my mind, mind of matter people say, easier said than done I say.

With this new year, I simply do not know if i'll love it or hate it. Love it cos it's a new beginning and options are wide open for me to do almost anything. yet anything doesnt really seem possible. while living in singapore gives me a planned out and lazy life if I chose it, which I have been choosing all my life. It now ends, and I have to choose a path.

look for work? a somewhat permanent one to get my income steady.

or spent the years I have left in this "energetic" body for some adventure?

volleyball is something i've been shunning in the past year. not committed to it at all in the past year. perhaps it's also time to pick it back up again.

so many choices, so many possibilities, so little in my head moving to make a decision.

So i'm going to do things the way I always do. Take things in my stride, when they fall in front of me, then it's time to do them.