It's A Zoo Out There

2012-01-27T13:54:00.002+08:00

Hello 2012!

I've been neglecting my blog for far too long, but also realize that the amount of free time and energy I have has decreased significantly over the past couple of years.

However, It's A Zoo Out There will turn 10 this June, so I shall endeavour to keep it going on a regular basis.

To all my loyal followers, a big thank you for your patience. :)

For this year's inaugural entry, here's a beautiful picture of Mr. Spacey, chosen because it showcases his gorgeous hands. He's been rather silent on Facebook and Twitter recently, perhaps because he's finishing up The Bridge Project's world tour in New York this month. Hope to hear from him again soon!

A new obsession for 2012 - The Sing-Off! This competition features a capella groups and has me hooked big-time. The musical talent is mind-boggling, the song choices inspired, and the panel of judges intelligent and insightful.

Compared to American Idol - which I previously found addictive ( especially the seasons which featured the likes of Adam Lambert, David Archuleta and Casey Abrams ) - The Sing-Off is way higher in terms of the IQ factor.

Or maybe I'm just getting older. It's been 12 years after all. :)

The photo? These lovely young men are from the Yellowjackets, based at The University Of Rochester. My favourite is Aaron Sperber, the blond chap standing third from right. He sings lead regularly, but made me swoon with his rendition of Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You in episode 3 ( YouTube link on the right under Video Selection Of The Week ). Ending with a romantic kiss on judge Sara Bareilles' hand, the performance made me melt into a pool of quivering jelly. I mostly dig older guys, but Aaron, you're awesome! :D

Speaking of awesome, check out Jeff Lindsay's 5th Dexter novel, which has the protagonist playing cloak-and-dagger games with a stalker who turns out to be equally cunning and deadly. Not as entertaining as his earlier work in terms of laugh-out-loud humour - likely due to fewer appearances from Dexter's foul-mouthed foster sister, Deborah - and certain chapters tend to ramble without clear purpose. Still, my commitment to the series ( written and small-screen versions ) is unshakeable, so yes, I'm reading every single word until the very last page.

Another awesome event: Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol! Saw it twice last month but didn't manage to post a review though I desperately wanted to. In a nutshell, (1) it's the best of the MI films so far, (2) Brad Bird is a genius, (3) Jeremy Renner is freaking hot, (4) the stunts are unbelievable, and (5) despite initial misgivings about Scientology fanatic Tom Cruise - Andrew Morton's damning biography made me boycott his movies for a while - I have new-found respect for his balls of steel!

Can't wait for the DVD release, woohoo!

Last but not least, the divine JR. I've seen him in SWAT and North Country, but really sat up and took notice of his Oscar-nominated turn in The Hurt Locker. However, he has never looked better than in MI4, and handles a gun like a pro. I also enjoy his flair for comedy, as shown in a scene where he got cold feet about hurling himself onto a giant rotating fan.

Glad to see his career finally taking off - MI4, The Bourne Legacy, The Avengers and more. He's already 40 but looks almost 10 years younger. Every actor peaks at a different period in his life - JR hit it with The Hurt Locker, but that peak is likely to continue for quite a while. Looking forward to what's coming!

Two more things to look forward to: overseas trips, one in April to an Asian country I love, and another to Europe in September. Both offer elements I love - culture, good food, gorgeous scenery and excellent climates - but couldn't be more different.
I decided one holiday a year isn't enough, and am trying to arrange more trips while my mum is still fit and active. Because there'll come a time when I won't be able to leave Singapore as and when I feel like it, which is a little depressing, so let's not dwell on the subject.

2012 feels like it's going to be spectacular. Let's see if I'm right. :)

2011-12-02T20:06:00.002+08:00

The Year In Review

I had a choice between writing this or posting a naggy entry on a group blog. I decided being happy is a better option. :)

After a year which I thought couldn't possibly be topped - i.e. 2010 - I've been proven wrong, and am definitely not complaining!

And the fact that the best and most exciting events occurred within a period of 2 months has wreaked havoc on quite a few vital organs, not to mention my already mauled sleep cycle!

Returning to the USA was a major highlight, of course, and I still remember the moment I spotted the lights of New York City as the plane approached during its descent. Sheer joy coursed through my veins, and only escalated further when we arrived at the beautiful Marriott Marquis hotel and were treated to a view of Times Square from our room.

Over the next 6 days, we revisited a few familiar sites, and dropped by a couple of new ones. The Museum of Modern Art is gorgeous, and I could've sat for hours, staring at one of Monet's water lily canvasses, if I didn't have a show to catch that evening!

But nothing beats Broadway, the biggest reason for my return to the Big Apple - and trust me, I can't stay away for more than 4 years at a time!

Every theatre - except for the Lucille Lortel in Greenwich - is within easy walking distance from the Marquis, and even the simple act of collecting my tickets from the box office then standing in line to enter the venue gets my heart pounding.

But sitting in an auditorium with hundreds of fellow theatre fans, as magic unfolds on stage... the amazing talent, the tour de force performances, the soaring music, the major bawling they induce... it really makes you forget your own life back home just for those few precious hours, as you allow yourself to be transported to another world.

I love it. Sooooo much! :)

Watching 5 very different shows - didn't have time for more, unfortunately - was a dream come true! The Book Of Mormon, Follies, Phantom Of The Opera, The Submission and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying all left me spellbound and craving more. However, Follies and Phantom win hands down for the cast's heartrending portrayals. Crying at a Broadway musical is, in my opinion at least, an absolute must! :)

The cherry on top? Seeing Daniel Radcliffe up close outside the stage door, just an arm's length from me as he stopped for a split second before hopping into the waiting SUV. ( Heavy rain that night, so no meet-and-greet with the fans. ) And let's not forget Jonathan Groff, who blew me away with his warmth and record-breaking hug! :D

Next, a blissful week in Orlando, Florida, hopping around Disneyworld, Universal Studios and Seaworld.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is tiny, but the atmosphere is festive, and butterbeer is extremely delicious! Like a perfectly blended vanilla shake mixed with gingerale. I have a very low tolerance threshold where high-speed rides are concerned, so Flight of the Hippogriff was about as much as I could take. And it was fun! :)

Disneyworld is everything I imagined it to be, even though the crazy weather made me miss Epcot and Animal Kingdom ( and there're strictly no refunds for pre-paid tickets, argh! ). Still, Magic Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios more than made up for that. The 'live' shows are the best I've seen ( also visited Anaheim and Tokyo previously ), and the fireworks displays are so beautifully choreographed I couldn't help tearing up. Those timeless Disney melodies are super-potent!

However, I was surprised to discover that another Orlando attraction is dearer to my heart than Disneyworld. Yep, Seaworld stole my heart, and part of it will remain there forever. :)

If you're ever in that area, make sure you drop by. It's absolutely lovely, and if I'd had time, I would've gone twice ( 2nd visit is free! ). The one at the Gold Coast is wonderful, but Orlando's is at least two times larger, with many more opportunities for hands-on interaction with dolphins ( without paying a hefty price for "special encounters" ) and most importantly, the orca shows!

I've been so busy since returning home, I haven't been able to transfer my photos and videos to the computer. Let's hope I'll get to do that this month, including uploading the vids to YouTube. There's one of the baby dolphin pool, where these adorable mammals bob their heads up and down so they can see you better. If it doesn't make you smile, you're made of bloody stone.

After that, a long stay in San Francisco for sightseeing and an emergency medicine conference. Unfortunately, I found SF underwhelming in terms of scenery and activities. But the locals swept me off my feet completely, and a guy at our hotel's front desk is so impressive I made sure to send a complimentary email to his manager. ( He's also very cute, but that's beside the point. :))

Pier 39 is great, but the shopping's even better. Hawaiian pearls, fresh from oysters you hand-pick yourself! I was lucky to choose 3 different colours ( white, pink and blue ), and was only too happy to pay extra for gorgeous ring and pendant settings.

But my favourite place in SF? Macy's, haha. The sales staff are amazing - so friendly and helpful, with the power to grant obscene discounts after minimal haggling. No more new stock in the storeroom so you have to buy what's on the rack? Extra 10% off. Buy more than 3 items in a single style? 10% off too! On top of 50% slashes for selected brands, ranging from Kenneth Cole to Calvin Klein to Ralph Lauren! And tourists get a 10% discount card! My head's spinning! :)

The perfect cap to the 4-week trip? The excellent Scientific Assembly, run annually by the American College of Emergency Physicians. After an especially stormy year on the work front, I suffered a severe episode of burnout, which was miraculously cured by this congress. The speakers are so inspiring, the lectures are expertly delivered, and uplifting quotes abound on a daily basis.

My favourite: We do the impossible every shift, and we make it look easy. :D

So I came home, recharged and ready for anything. But as expected, after a week, I was back to my crabby old self, no thanks to the insane patient numbers and various annoyances which slowly ate away at my attempts to remain upbeat and optimistic. Dammit!

Little did I know that help was on the way. On 3rd November, my mom and I attended David Foster's concert at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre. And what transpired almost gave me a heart attack! I somehow managed to work through an episode of incapacitating stage fright - thanks in large part to Mr. Foster's encouraging smile ( thank you! ) - and will always draw on this fabulous memory every time I feel like crap. Which happens a lot during shifts. So if you see me staring into space with a goofy grin on my face, just give me a moment to switch from mad to glad. :)

Last but not least, Kevin Spacey's much anticipated return to Singapore. The long wait - 15 years! - was worth it, and watching him twice as Richard III is something I will always cherish.

I am also aware of the unbelievably good luck E and I were blessed with, when we managed to meet Mr. Spacey in his car outside the stage door, and he so kindly stayed to speak to us and sign autographs. His personalized message for E is so appropriate, and there was even an indication that he enjoyed the encounter as much as we did, when he cheekily pointed out his co-star, seated beside him, during our conversation. That was priceless! :)

And today, I received an email from his personal assistant at The Old Vic, confirming that my fan letter and enclosed donation to the Kevin Spacey Foundation has been received by Mr. S ( I was worried the cheque may get lost during The Bridge Project's world tour ), and that he will write to me soon.
I'm just glad the cheque is intact! If I hear from Mr. S, that's a bonus! :)

Best of all, though, is news that he'll be back in the near future, to collaborate with the Singapore Repertory Theatre on future projects. Let's hope it will involve another stage performance!

Celebrity and holiday experiences aside, however, it's been a life-changing year on the whole. Appreciation for the arts is one thing, while contributing funds is a completely different kettle of fish. Following Mr. Spacey's Twitter and Facebook updates, reading numerous interviews, being privy to his packed schedule in Singapore ( shows, workshops, fundraisers ) and seeing the depth of his dedication in his fiery performances, I finally understand what it takes to be in this business.

To get a clearer idea of what he goes through, read this Wall Street Journal article, dated 1st December 2011. To quote Dana Brunetti, his close friend and collaborator: "Kevin can plow through scripts, plow through plays, do conference calls, do everything he's doing at the Old Vic, do everything I need him to do... and then he'll do a three-hour play, go to a fund-raiser afterward, meet somebody for drinks, walk his dog and go to bed — and wake up, walk his dog, go jogging, read three scripts. It's like, 'How the hell do you do this?'"

I honestly have no idea where he gets all that energy. Maybe it's possible when you're doing something you love, which got me thinking that it's about time I get off my butt and start putting aside some time for serious writing. As in submit an entry for a legitimate competition and see where I stand. ( Was supposed to do that this year but as usual, medical work got in the way. Hmph. )

Other valuable lessons learnt in 2011? That nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it and have God on your side. That good deeds, even if they aren't acknowledged immediately, will be rewarded in some way later on. That total strangers are capable of acts of immense kindness ( thank you for the gorgeous David Foster concert photos! :)). That even huge stars can epitomize kindness and generosity when you least expect it!

I really can't imagine how life can get any better than this, but as Mr. Spacey has said many times, "If you've been lucky enough to have a dream come true in your life, make sure you have another dream."

For 2012? A trip to Spain and Portugal. A do-or-die short story submission to an international writing contest. Chief editor duties for a massive emergency medicine-related paper. Perhaps a return to the Singapore Medical Association's newsletter? ( I've been asked to take over The Hobbit's column, but do not deem myself worthy. :))

2013 and beyond? Watch Mr. Spacey on stage at The Old Vic in London. Go back to Broadway, Las Vegas and Paris. Visit the Southern part of the U.S. - there's a tour of Savannah, Georgia, including sites featured in my favourite novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil ( which, incidentally, stars Mr. Spacey in the lead role - uncanny? Yes! :)). Visit Canada, Hawaii, the rest of Europe. Get my writing off the ground so I don't need to rely on my medical career as much ( I can enjoy it more that way ). Become a patron of the arts. Etc, etc.

“As for the future, your task is not to foresee it, but to enable it.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” - Abraham Lincoln

"To infinity - and beyond!" Buzz Lightyear

:)

2011-11-27T15:56:00.004+08:00

My Life Is Complete :)

Thank you for dropping by my blog and please prepare yourself for a VERY gushy entry, which is completely warranted, because:

1) Kevin Spacey has been my favourite actor for about 15 years now, and will always remain at the top spot. :D

2) I can't believe how blessed I am to not only be able to meet my favourite actor ( how many of us are lucky enough to have Hollywood stars visit Singapore, let alone star in a play? ), but to meet him TWICE in less than 12 months.

3) Both encounters were truly amazing for different reasons, and unforgettable!

4) Mr. Spacey's immense kindness to so many during his 2-week stay in Singapore is nothing short of mind-boggling. :)

First, a recap of the very first time I met Mr. S last December, just to give you something to compare with.
And for those who are unaware, he later sent me a personal reply to a fan letter I passed to him. Yow!

Okay, on to last night's events.

It was the closing performance and I will post a proper review soon. I attended with my cousin's 15-year-old daughter, E, and this was the very first time she was seeing a play.

As expected, she loved every minute of it, and we were treated to a lovely address by Mr. S during the curtain call, as he thanked all of us for coming to see the show, for the "warmth and affection" showered upon them by everyone they met, assuring us that "those of you who live in Singapore have much to be proud of".

I'm trying to recall whether he said he'd be back in the near future - E, help me out?

After that, we made a beeline for the stage door, located on B1 near the glass doors leading to the carpark.

I was shocked to find nobody there - the cast and crew don't count!
There were a few doors, so we positioned ourselves at the one which looked most promising ( follow the arrows ). A guy in a suit passed us and helpfully said Mr. S "will not be signing autographs", that he'll be leaving from another door and going straight to the car.

So we shifted ourselves and stood near the car instead, a black Audi sedan ( is that the correct term? ) where a Chinese man sat at the wheel, waiting.

About 20 minutes passed, and various cast members appeared in small groups, heading in different directions. A few walked up the ramp leading to the main road, saying they were going to a restaurant nearby ( I bet it's One Fullerton, famous for its nightlife ). Others strolled by, smiling and even waving hello when they spotted us holding the Richard III programmes. We were hoping to speak to Chuk Iwuji, who's terrific as the Duke of Buckingham, but he didn't come our way, darn.

Isaiah Johnson, who plays Lord Rivers ( Queen Elizabeth's brother ) is unbelievably friendly and stunned us when he said a big happy "Hi!" as he passed us. He spoke to another man a few metres away, then returned to where we were standing. At this point, E walked up to him and asked for a photo, to which he immediately agreed. After that, he told us "I love Singapore!" and that "I want to come back!"
I answered, "That's great! We'd love to have you back here anytime!" :)

Next, Nathan Darrow, who plays Lord Grey and Henry, Earl of Richmond, appeared wearing a cap, chatting with Simon Lee Phillips ( Sir James Tyrrel ) and Gavin Stenhouse ( Marquess of Dorset ).

E went up to Darrow and requested a picture, but strangely, he looked perplexed, and repeated, "You want a photo?" But he obliged and gave E a hug during the shot, before hauling a couple of big bags to the waiting Audi, depositing them in the trunk then entering the vehicle on the left ( back seat passenger ) side.

Another tense 5-10 minutes passed, then we heard voices approaching from round the corner. Lo and behold, Mr. Spacey materialized, walking with a group of actresses, among them Annabel Scholey ( Queen Anne ) and Hannah Stokeley ( Young Edward Prince Of Wales ).

Stokeley spotted us instantly, flashing a warm smile and waving - awww. :)
They said their farewells to Mr. S and left ?for the other waiting Audi SUV? - they didn't go to the main road, I think.
Mr. S entered the car on the right, behind the driver, then turned to his left to talk to Darrow. He didn't appear to have seen us.

At this moment, E and I looked at each other, contemplating our next move.
E: Oh no, he's gone into the car.
Me: What do you think? Should we go over?
E: Errr...

Earlier during our wait, I predicted that if E were to go up to Mr. S, he wouldn't ignore her, mainly because she's so young, and encouraging young people to develop an interest in theatre is one of his missions.

This, coupled with E's conviction to not let her fear result in a lifetime of regret, prompted her to steel herself and stride over to his window.

I followed behind, stopping a couple of metres away, out of Mr. S's direct line of vision.

As she stood outside, he was still turned the other way, talking to Darrow. The latter spotted E when she waved, and she gently pointed at Mr. S. Darrow then informed Mr. S of what was going on, and he turned to face her. E waved again and gave him a big smile.

There's a split second when I held my breath and felt my heart almost stop - I'm not kidding! I had no idea what Mr. S's mood was like, and wouldn't have blamed him for refusing to do anything further. Perhaps just shake his head to indicate he isn't quite prepared to meet fans tonight.

I honestly couldn't believe it when he gestured to the driver to roll down the window. It took about 5 seconds 'cos there're 2 parts ( a dark inner one, and a normal outer panel - that's an Audi for you :)), then Mr. S leaned over, a curious expression on his face.

KS: Hello. [ I almost passed out - we didn't offend him, thank goodness! :) ]
E: *super-excited* Hi, Mr. Spacey!
She stretches out her hand and he immediately takes it, giving her a firm shake.

E pauses, and I worry that she's tongue-tied. This is, after all, her very first face-to-face encounter with a star.

I step forward and Mr. S turns to look at me.

Me: Hi, this is E, she's 15, and this is her first play.
KS: *looks pleased* Oh! Did you enjoy it?
E: Yes, I did! You were AWESOME! *says the word "awesome" with immense gusto*

KS: *gives her a HUGE smile* That's great!

( Did he also thank her for coming to the show? E, please confirm. )

KS: *suddenly points at Darrow* This is Richmond!
E: Yes, I know! I took a photo with him! *laughs*

I can see Darrow through the window, and he's laughing as well. :)

E: Can I have your autograph please?
KS: Sure!

I quickly fish a marker pen out of my pocket - incidentally, it's the same pen he signed an autograph with last year when I first met him. A lucky charm indeed! :D

Me: Thank you so much! *he takes the pen from me*

We turn to the centrefold of the programme, a 2-page spread of Mr. S and Annabel Scholey, in that scene where she's plastered against a wall and he leans in close to ask, "Why dost thou spit at me?"

KS: How do you spell your name?
Me and E: It's E*****

He writes each letter as we spell it out, adds "To" before it, then scribbles something below before signing his name at the bottom.

Me: *trying to decipher the words* Something to more theatre?
KS: Go to more theatre!
Me and E: Ohhhh, go to more theatre!

He returns the programme to E, then I tentatively ask if he can sign mine too.
He doesn't smile, and hesitates for just a moment, but then says, "Sure!" ( Whew! :))

I don't know if he's tired and maybe not too enthusiastic about being ambushed, so I expect him to just scrawl his name and be done with it.

KS: What's your name?
Me: *stunned* Err, XX.

And here's the weird part - he doesn't ask me how to spell it.
Last year, he requested this, but yesterday, he wrote it out all by himself, without any assistance from me!
Which leads me to wonder - he probably has a vague memory of me somewhere, even if he didn't acknowledge it specifically. Hey, that is, in my book, TOTALLY AWESOME! :D

He goes through the same drill - writes my name first, then adds "To" before it. The message below - Thank you! ( exclamation mark included - none last year, only With Thanks ). Yes, I analyze everything, haha. :)

He hands the programme and pen back.

Me: There's a letter that C ( from the Singapore Repertory Theatre ) helped me pass on to your personal assistant.
KS nods.
Me: Have you received it?
KS: No... *looks concerned*
Me: Well, there's a donation to your foundation inside, so I hope you'll get it. It's with your assistant at the moment.
KS: Oh yeah, don't worry, I will.

During this exchange, he turns around to face me directly, and is sitting in a rather uncomfortable position. I also notice 3 other women standing behind us - no idea where they came from - but Mr. S never once breaks eye contact or gets distracted. So cool. :)

I realize he's been extremely generous and that we should take our leave.

Me: Thank you so much! It's been great having you in Singapore. Hope to see you again soon!
KS: *smiles* Bye!

( E, if you remember this differently, let me know. My brain was turning to mush at this point! )

E and I walk away and the other women step forward. I hear them greet him and he says "Hi", but we don't hang around to see what comes next. However, there was nobody else around so I'm sure he chatted with them and signed autographs too.

I developed a serious case of insomnia when I got home. Slept at almost 4am, and was up again at 7:30am, thanks to the tonnes of adrenaline coursing through my veins, haha.

After hounding the SRT for weeks, asking for a chance to meet Mr. S, it couldn't be arranged because of his tight schedule. Plus, I'm not a VIP or big-time sponsor. Understandable.

Add to that the fact that I had to miss the SRT fundraising dinner at St. Regis, because I was supposed to work the night shift, but ended up falling sick and taking MC. I was told that Mr. S was spectacular at the event, climbing onto tables to entertain the guests. OMG, kill me, kill me now!

And last year, despite shaking his hand, getting an autograph and a beautiful photo which I will treasure forever, I kept wishing I could've spoken to him a little.

So I finally got my second chance! And I really can't believe how fortunate we are!

E is on cloud nine like me, and I'm sure she will take Mr. Spacey's words to heart. I too will make sure she is given opportunities to enjoy the theatre on a regular basis.

Best of all, Mr. S has promised to return in the near future, to collaborate with the SRT on more projects. I can't wait to hear about those, and next time, I will attend 3 or more performances, so let's hope the ticket prices will be more affordable.

Thank you, Mr. Spacey, for your generosity and kindness! You have changed yet another young life, and made me a supporter of the SRT and your foundation. Jack Lemmon would be proud. God bless and may you continue to have a fulfilling career and leave a great legacy through your tireless work in arts advocacy. :)

2011-11-19T00:47:00.000+08:00

Finally, I saw Mr. Spacey on stage. And it was AWESOME! :)

2011-11-15T20:42:00.000+08:00

Ramin Karimloo rocks! :)

2011-11-05T07:12:00.002+08:00

My Cup Runneth Over - Again!

A review of David Foster's concert, followed by my amazing encounter with him.

Thank you, Mr. Foster, for your immense kindness! :D

2011-11-01T16:44:00.001+08:00

Broadway Show Review #4: The Submission, starring Jonathan Groff and Rutina Wesley.

2011-10-19T08:12:00.000+08:00

Broadway Show Review #3: The Book Of Mormon

2011-10-15T08:36:00.001+08:00

Broadway Show Review #2

2011-10-12T06:38:00.002+08:00

Broadway Show Review #1

Long overdue, but hopefully worth reading. :)

2011-08-31T20:30:00.001+08:00

Let The Countdown Begin!

Yes, it's that time of the year again, when I prepare for a long trip overseas, and recuperate from burnout.

I tend to restrict myself to one holiday every 12 months, but it may be better to take 2-3 short ones instead. Only problem: not being able to get leave. Department's really short on manpower. Hope that doesn't last too long.

David Foster fans rejoice! He's returning to Singapore for the second time in 12 months, performing with two of my favourite singers - Michael Bolton and Russell Watson.

The best seats in the house are reserved for "VIPs", and the top-priced tickets don't even guarantee the best views. No matter. I got lucky last year when the concert organizers helped me snag second row places. I mustn't be greedy. :)

Will I try to grovel my way into a meet-and-greet? You bet! I'm told Foster's very busy and requested a restriction on the number of meetings he has lined up, so I'm going to see if Bolton or Watson will be more obliging. Especially Watson, who is known to be extremely friendly, and whom I'd like to congratulate for overcoming a serious illness.

And since one of the shows falls exactly on my mum's birthday, if we do meet Watson, I will definitely ask him to sing something for her. And you can be 100% sure that he won't say no! :)

In other news... oh yes, there was a little itty-bitty thing called the Presidential Election. Also known as Farce #2, after Farce #1 ( i.e. the General Election ).

I can accept the final result, but please, don't call this a "victory" for the sake of saving face. When will these people publicly acknowledge the precarious positions they're in, and stop acting smug and self-righteous?

5 more years, and they may have to eat their words.

What else...

Was appointed "adjunct assistant professor", which sounds fancy, but doesn't come with additional protected time for teaching. It does, however, come with extra money. :)

Having a ball planning the upcoming trip. Catching at least 3 Broadway shows, including one that stars Daniel Radcliffe, and another that just won the Tony for Best Musical.
Day trip to Washington, D.C.
Visiting 3 massive theme parks in Orlando.
Then off to San Francisco for a medical conference, a visit to the Napa Valley, a tour of the Californian coast, and an afternoon at UC Berkeley where a friend's daughter just started term.

Also meeting a JC pal and having dinner with a renowned emergency medicine professor in NYC.
Not to mention giving a lecture at Mt. Sinai Hospital ( at the professor's invitation ). Quite nervous about that!

Oh yes, supposed to "interview" another emergency physician from New York, who may be interested in working with us. I hope my pessimism doesn't scare him off, haha.

And there's a celebrity New Yorker my mom INSISTS on meeting, if I manage to persuade him via Facebook. All I can say is, he's on American TV, he's gorgeous, rich, single, super-friendly ( i.e. replies to all my messages, believe it or not ), and my mom wants a picture with him at all costs.

Think I'll come back even more exhausted than ever.

But at least I'll be happy! :D

2011-08-12T20:00:00.004+08:00

Mad About Improv-a-ganza!

Just a short post about a show I'm currently addicted to, and which I'd like to rave about. :)

I've been a fan of Drew Carey's for many years, since his Drew Carey Show and Whose Line Is It Anyway days. Was a little bummed when he became the host of The Price Is Right, but hey, he hasn't forgotten his comedy roots after all!

Can't exactly recall how I found out about Improv-a-ganza, but wasted no time in downloading online episodes. There're about 40, and I'm currently at Ep 23. And I still can't get enough of the guys. :D

If you've never watched Carey's improv series before, you're in for a huge treat! The "games" are creative and often really tough, and the cast is absolutely top-notch. Ryan Stiles and Carey are the current regulars, with Whose Line veterans Wayne Brady and Colin Mochrie dropping in on and off.

Other standouts include Jonathan Mangum ( adorably boyish despite being 40 years old, wow! ), Brad Sherwood ( as goofy as ever ) and Chip Esten ( the best-looking of the lot :)).

I, however, have latched onto Jeff Davis, also a Whose Line alumnus, who now features much more prominently on Improv-a-ganza.

[ note: There're LOTS of people named Jeff Davis, so if you want to Google search, type "Jeff Bryan Davis". You're welcome. :) ]

As I was saying, I am positively OBSESSED with JD. The turning point was this sound effects segment from episode 3, about 2 garbage collectors.
YouTube doesn't have the full clip, but all the best parts are in there. The first time I saw it, I almost died laughing. No, I'm not exaggerating. :D

Here's another fabulous clip! Things to take note of:

1) Drew Carey is a whiz at picking volunteers ( you will notice this when you watch the entire series );

2) The older women are a lot hornier than the younger ones. Yeah! :)

3) The guys doing the serenading love to play up the cougar factor. To illustrate, check out this Jeannie clip, lol. :D

4) JD flirts outrageously with the ladies, regardless of their age, and boy, do they reciprocate! Watch the Song For Pam video closely and you'll see the woman practically drooling over him. I know exactly how she feels, heh! :)

5) Skits are best appreciated if you understand the terminology - "carpet matches the curtains", "swingers", etc. The songs are actually damn dirty, but the guys are experts at utilizing euphemisms. Bravo!

Another superb clip is from BBC TV, with my other favourite, Jonathan Mangum. Hilarious!

Shall let you chew on these for now. More to follow in my next post. :)

As my upcoming U.S. trip draws near, I'm bummed out about the end of Catch Me If You Can's Broadway run. No idea why it's going to stop after about only 6 months on stage, despite Norbert Leo Butz's Tony win. Was really looking forward to seeing it!

On the plus side, I have an opportunity to see Kevin Spacey in San Francisco, because Richard III will open while I'm there. So what if I'm already going to watch it twice in Singapore? I'm always game for theatre overseas, hopefully at a beautiful and historic venue, with a crowd that at least understands what's going on.

[ Have attended enough local events to say that most "theatregoers" here are clueless. For pete's sake, read up before you go to the damn show! ]

I'm still hunting for a musical to take Catch Me's place though. Or maybe a play... Philip Seymour Hoffman and Alan Rickman are starring in a couple of fall productions, but these will likely open after I've left New York. Sigh.

Till next time.

2011-07-30T20:12:00.002+08:00

Ah, Life!

Watched Captain America, and didn't like it much. Apologies to fans and moviegoers who loved it, but try as I might, I checked my watch 5 times during the 2-hour film. But at least I didn't take a toilet break - a lot of other people around me did. Yay, strong bladder muscles! ;)

I actually wanted to enjoy myself as much as possible. After all, it has many elements that appeal to me - e.g. an underdog who becomes a hero, WWII and lots of Nazi-whacking, a great cast...

So, what happened?

I guess having the best ingredients can't guarantee a tasty dish if the cook isn't on the ball. And director Joe Johnston was, IMHO, not an ideal choice for this particular production.
His previous films include Honey, I Shrunk The Kids ( fluff ), The Rocketeer ( fluff ), Jumanji ( fluffy fluff ), Jurassic Park III ( very fluffy fluff ), Hidalgo ( so-so, even with Viggo Mortensen as the lead ), The Wolfman ( a case of severe misuse of a stellar cast ). The only movie which is not too bad is October Sky, but that was drama, not an attempt at blockbuster action.

( In case you're wondering, I've seen all the abovementioned shows. )

However, believe it or not, I went to see Captain America with zero inkling of Johnston's involvement. Aside from Chris Evans, I knew little about the supporting actors as well, though I recognized quite a few of them as they appeared in succession.

First, I must commend Evans for breaking out of his cocky-smart-aleck mould, thanks to a breakout role in Fantastic 4. Didn't see much of him in subsequent years, but a recent viewing of The Losers made me realize he may be more interesting than I originally thought, and I'm glad he did not disappoint as Steve Rogers.

In stark contrast to his Human Torch persona, Evans plays Rogers with ample restraint, yet successfully conveys the character's inner strength in a number of heartwarming scenes. He remains low-key even after an eye-popping transformation into the super-buff Captain America, but still generates sparks with fellow cast-mates, and handles the stunts well.

Supporting actors worthy of special attention include Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark ( that's Iron Man Tony Stark's daddy ); Sebastian Stan as Rogers' best pal, Bucky; and Hayley Atwell as the plucky but well-coiffed Peggy Carter.

Hugo Weaving - from The Matrix and Lord Of The Rings - is a fine actor in his own right, but too cheesy for words as Red Skull.
Tommy Lee Jones and Stanley Tucci, even finer actors than Weaving, are completely wasted in peripheral roles.

More grouses: there're loads of big action scenes, but most feel forced, and I can only recall a couple which stood out ( the mountain train chase is one, and another featuring a tiny helicopter-like aircraft detaching from Red Skull's Stealth plane is pretty cool too. ).

One bit I did not appreciate: Red Skull's Storm Trooper army, and all those laser guns. Is this Captain America or Star Wars, dammit?!

Reviews have been good, so everyone will probably make a nice profit, and the franchise is likely to continue.

In the meantime, we can look forward to The Avengers, which will have Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and Black Widow ( among others ) joining forces. Directed by Joss Whedon - hope he does a better job than Johnston!

Almost fell out of my seat when the Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows trailer came on before the Captain America screening. There was no mention of it in the magazines I've been reading so religiously. Empire, what the heck!?

I LOVE the first Sherlock Holmes movie to death, and the sequel promises much much more. I'm absolutely thrilled! :D

I'm also extremely tickled by the fact that the "get that out my face" joke from the original is repeated. I really thought I was the only person on Earth who loved that line. Apparently not. Thank you, Mr. Guy Ritchie. :D

December 16, 2011 - I may watch it twice if it's excellent. :)

Something else worth rejoicing about this week: the return of Justified, starring the very delicious Timothy Olyphant. I had to give up on the last few episodes of season 1, when the plot got a little unwieldy, but the season 2 pilot proved that the story's back on track, with loose ends neatly tied up, and a new cast of colourful characters for U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens to stare down.

Olyphant is so bloody hot, I hope Justified will be adapted for the big-screen at some point. I bet he'll look gorgeous in a cineplex!

In closing, yet another Broadway musical I intend to see, if I can persuade my mother to agree to 4 consecutive shows over 4 nights.

Stephen Sondheim, Bernadette Peters and Elaine Paige - plus a star-studded supporting cast, staged at the Times Square Marquis Theater.

The song I most want to hear: Buddy's Blues. If it's anywhere as good as Mandy Patinkin's 1985 rendition, I'm happy!

Please say yes, mum. :)

2011-07-20T20:39:00.003+08:00

Ah, Life...

It's a little better than the "Updates" or "More Updates", no? :)

Kevin Spacey photo of the moment: a poster shot from Horrible Bosses, the dark comedy which has done surprisingly well at the box office, sparking rumours of a possible sequel.

As usual, yet another KS film fails to hit local theatres, so I'm waiting for the online version. Promises to be a hoot, but I'm no fan of Jennifer Aniston's.

On a related note, my seats for The Bridge Project's Richard III have been confirmed. 3rd row centre. You can't beat that! :D

My current bedtime companion is Steve Martin's latest novel, An Object Of Beauty.

If you're a fellow fan of Martin's films, but are as yet unfamiliar with his literary works, then I highly recommend The Pleasure Of Your Company, which had me in stitches. :)

An Object Of Beauty is the polar opposite of Company, more in the style of Shopgirl - leisurely, almost aimless at times, but rewards the patient reader in spurts of inspired prose and sparkling plot developments that keep you turning the pages.

I've read my fair share of "leisurely" novels, since John Berendt is my favourite author ( Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil, The City Of Falling Angels ) and another fave, Thomas Hardy, also writes in a similar manner ( Jude The Obscure was a challenge! ).

Martin can't quite compare to either writer, of course. And I think, out of his 3 fictional tales I've covered thus far, this is the weakest.

While insights about the world of art-dealing and art-collecting are intermittently fascinating, it's difficult to identify with characters who seem totally self-absorbed and frivolous, spending tens of millions of dollars on paintings ( or 1.2 million bucks on what looks like an unfolded kitchen sink, mounted on a wall ).

Perhaps Martin intended for his readers to feel alienated? I hope not.

I will, however, praise him for a few well-written chapters, especially one situated near the end, where an eclectic group of art lovers gathers for an evening of fine food and animated chatter.

The best - and also worst - thing about art is how it may be interpreted, regardless of genre and period. The photos of selected works will either make you gasp with pleasure, scratch your head in confusion, or wince in disgust. Someone paid XX dollars for that piece of CRAP?!, you ask.

I'm no conoisseur of modern artists, preferring more conventional masterpieces - portraits, landscapes, and oooh, exquisitely rendered sculptures of beautiful homo sapiens or majestic creatures! I guess that's why the Louvre, Metropolitan and Egyptian Museums left me awestruck. Besides, straightforward concepts are so much easier to understand, and less likely to induce a migraine.

I almost gave up on finishing the book, but since I'm less than 30 pages from the final paragraph, I shall endeavour to complete it, then move on to my next reading assignment, Shakespeare's Richard III.

Next, a couple of new TV series I'm sampling.

First, The Killing, a crime drama revolving around the investigation of a young girl's murder in Seattle.

May not sound like much on the surface, but the pilot episode was riveting, and I am hooked.

Much credit goes to Mireille Enos, whose name I can't even pronounce, who plays the lead character, the quiet but whip-smart detective, Sarah Linden.

Already nominated for an Emmy, she exudes strength and class without the need for any over-the-top antics. Since I haven't seen the subsequent episodes, I can't comment on whether she deserves the nomination, but compared to other new shows which try way too hard to please, to the extent of being ridiculous ( Body Of Proof, The Glades ), The Killing looks much more promising.

[ Available online, not sure if or when it will be on local cable. ]

Another interesting new series is Teen Wolf, which just premiered on AXN Beyond on Monday.

Touted as "based on the movie" of the same name, it couldn't be any further from the truth.

The film, starring the adorably boyish Michael J. Fox, had a cheesy plot and bad makeup. The TV show, starring the darkly handsome and super-buff Tyler Posey, is actually quite scary, with convincing visual effects to boot.

Posey, whom I clearly remember from Maid In Manhattan ( he played Jennifer Lopez's cute young son - how he's grown! ) shows potential. He may not be that great an actor - peers Shia LaBeouf and Anton Yelchin beat him hands down - but there's a lot of room for improvement, and I hope he makes an effort to hone his craft.

I just hope there won't be crazy plot twists like The Vampire Diaries, which made my head spin. I tend to stop watching when I stop understanding what's going on.

Also on my must-watch list: The Closer season 7. I can't praise this show enough, having followed it from the very beginning until its peak in seasons 5 and 6, culminating in Kyra Sedgwick's Emmy win in 2010.

There're A LOT of crime dramas in TV Land, but The Closer rarely disappoints. The writers never take the viewers for granted, so each standalone story is complex yet plausible. Twists and turns abound, resulting in shocking conclusions which also, somehow, make perfect sense.

I've also grown very fond of the entire cast, who make up the squad at Priority Homicide / Major Crimes. The early seasons are especially funny, as the detectives grudgingly learn to accept, then respect, their new leader, then forge strong bonds as they successfully solve one complicated crime after another.

Such a pity Season 7 will be the last. But hey, it's always better to bow out when you're at the top, right?

I will miss you terribly, Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson.

2011-07-03T12:43:00.005+08:00

More Updates

This entry's Kevin Spacey picture features a shot taken from The Bridge Project's Richard III production, directed by Sam Mendes, currently on an 8-week run at London's Old Vic Theatre.

Reviews so far have been positive, though one critic couldn't get over the thought of it being "a calculated performance".

I don't know what the hell that means, but IMHO, every performance is calculated, so get off your high horse already!

My tickets for 2 of its Singapore shows have been confirmed, though exact seats are still unknown. Paid a small fortune for them, and begged for good locations, so please don't disappoint me!

Will definitely read the play a few times before its run here. Must memorize the best parts so I can savour them better when Mr. Spacey's reciting the lines.

Public sales began on 1st July, so please go to SISTIC before they're all gone.

Most exciting! :D

Now, on to a list of shows I watched recently. Thank you, Megavideo. :)

Game Of Thrones is based on a fantasy novel series I haven't read - yet. May not get around to it anytime soon, so catching the HBO TV adaptation is good enough.

For someone who knows nothing about the books, episode 1 left me quite disoriented. Still, the superb cast, expert direction and beautiful costumes kept me going, and by episode 2, I was completely hooked.

Empire magazine also helped, with its excellent guide on the characters and various storylines. The number of players is staggering, and the exotic names make things even more difficult for newbies like me. So make sure you do some research to maximize your enjoyment!

I'm fascinated by tales set in a different era or world, but can be fussy when it comes to TV series, which demand a viewer's patience and loyalty. How else can it draw audiences back, week after week? I was addicted to The Tudors, but gave up on Rome, Camelot, Spartacus and The Borgias.

Game Of Thrones, however, excels in all aspects - acting, direction, costume and set design, script. Each episode is expertly paced, keeping the viewer on the edge of the seat, hungry for more.

Sex, violence, and Machiavellian maneouvres are present in abundance. Where the former two are concerned, I recommend online resources, because local cable's version - IF this ever sees the light of day here - will be heavily censored. ( Same thing occurred with True Blood S3. )

Characters-wise, no doubt fans have their personal favourites. Mine include Daenerys Targaryen ( played by Emilia Clarke ), the platinum-blonde princess who is married off to the leader of a barbaric tribe ( played by Jason Momoa, who will next be seen in the big-screen remake of Conan The Barbarian ), to further her evil brother's plan to reclaim their father's throne.

There's also Jaime Lannister ( Nikolaj Coster-Waldau ), twin brother to Queen Cersei ( Lena Headey ). The diabolical siblings plot constantly, and also commit incest without guilt. Yes, graphic scene inserted.

Pint-sized Peter Dinklage plays the third Lannister, Tyrion. One of the show's best roles, full of snarky attitude and witty one-liners.

Even the children shine. In particular, Arya Stark ( Maisie Williams ) with her fire and courage, and Joffrey Baratheon ( Jack Gleeson ), a teenage prince whose cunning and cowardice make my blood boil.

Now you understand why I'm addicted. A+++! :)

Give it a go. You won't regret it!

I'm a big fan of horror shows, even when they're bad heh! I'll just sit through the whole thing to see what happens in the end. Because if there's a good jolt to be had, I want it. :)

The Ward stars Amber Heard, an actress who seems to be enjoying her status as the go-to girl for slasher flicks ( e.g. All The Boys Love Mandy Lane, Zombieland, The Stepfather ). She's quite good actually, so let's hope she rises above this label quickly. There's no shame in starting out in B-grade films, as long as you climb the ladder at some point.

This movie is a little more interesting than the standard gore-fest. It's set in the '60s, a time when psychotherapy remained brutal and unethical. There isn't much blood-letting either, with director John Carpenter preferring to let the eerie mental asylum do all the work.

Creepy dark corridors - check. Frequent thunderstorms with lightning - check. Weird asylum staff - check. Strange bumps in the night - check.

The premise is that there's a ghost terrorizing the inmates, supposedly the vengeful spirit of a dead patient.

I guessed the ending somewhere around the halfway mark. Easy when you've seen Shutter Island. :)

Jolts-wise: there're a few. One of them almost gave my mum a heart attack. Do NOT sit too close to the screen. :D

Not a bad way to spend 90 minutes. B+

I watched Unstoppable because of generally strong reviews. Not a fan of Denzel Washington or Chris Pine, and while the first half dragged, the last 30 minutes were worth the time spent waiting for the tension to build up.

The plot is simple: careless train operator results in a runaway 39-car locomotive; toxic chemicals on board; risk to thousands if train derails and explodes; multiple attempts to stop the train fail, so it's up to these 2 heroes to save the day. And they do. Naturally.

It's entertaining enough, but credit goes to Washington and Pine for maintaining their dignity despite the formulaic script. And director Tony Scott needs to understand that jerky camera shots make some people nauseous ( i.e. me! ).

Rating: B

On to Source Code, which Empire kept raving about.

Jake Gyllenhaal is an interesting choice for this blockbuster, because he always seems to be lurking just under the A-list radar, even after acclaimed turns in Brokeback Mountain and Zodiac.

One of my favourites, though, is Jarhead. Such an under-rated classic. More people should see it!

With Source Code, JG is once again in leading man mode, this time a military pilot recruited into what looks like a time-travel programme, a la Groundhog Day, in an attempt to sniff out the person responsible for a massive train explosion.

I enjoyed this movie immensely. It's well-directed so the repetitive scenes ( each 8 minutes long ) don't grate on your nerves. Each new clue gets your pulse racing just a little more, and there are memorable performances from JG, Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga.

Heck, even the villain does a great job.

The last 15-20 minutes are especially poignant. Won't reveal spoilers here, but get your hankies out!

Rating: A

I've left The Adjustment Bureau for last because it totally blew me away, and I am once again very VERY impressed with Matt Damon. Can't believe he wasn't on my Top 10 Favourite Actors list before!

Screenwriter George Nolfi directs for the first time here, adapting a Philip K. Dick short story titled "Adjustment Team".

Viewers can interprete this any way they like, depending on their religious or personal beliefs. Even the script offers alternative explanations to the baffled David Norris ( Damon ).

There's much to appreciate - suspense, action, romance, even humour. The cast includes Emily Blunt, Mad Men's John Slattery, and The Hurt Locker's Anthony Mackie.

But what I think will stay with the viewer long after the credits stop rolling, is the undeniable chemistry between Damon and Blunt.

Their characters' first meeting in, of all places, a public restroom ( the scene, for obvious reasons, isn't available on YouTube ), lasts maybe 5 minutes, but ends with an unexpected kiss that sent shivers up my spine. I could literally feel the heat between the two actors. It was sensational!

This is probably why the rest of the film works so well. When you become invested in the protagonist's struggle, you start rooting for him to defy the odds, no matter how much they're stacked against him. And the Adjustment Bureau is practically ruthless when it comes to "sticking to The Plan", complete with a nifty little black book which looks suspiciously like Harry Potter's Marauder's Map. :)

Blunt is a revelation as Elise. She's an actress I love to watch - The Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning, The Young Victoria, Wolfman, The Jane Austen Book Club - but this is the first time I actually saw her abilities as a newly trained dancer. In fact, her on-screen performance looks so authentic I'm shocked to learn that she picked up the skills during a boot camp!

Again, the various elements come together seamlessly - the bathroom meeting, Elise's dances, the Bureau's incessant interfering. Layers are unveiled as each scene unfolds, and every new piece of information propels the story forward. There are, IMHO, no redundant bits in this film.

The heart of the tale is, undoubtedly, the love David and Elise have for one another. You may not fully grasp the reason/s behind the strong bond they share, but rest assured, that too will be explained in due course.

Ultimately, it is Damon's powerful portrayal which drives the film all the way to the finish line. I have seen him in everything from Good Will Hunting to The Talented Mr. Ripley, from The Bourne series to Ocean's Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, from The Rainmaker to The Departed to Invictus, even comedies like Stuck On You and The Informant!

I took his versatility for granted for so many years, mainly because I saw a Ben Affleck interview once ( Inside The Actors Studio with James Lipton ), and he ribbed Damon for his "method acting". Perhaps that's why I never took him that seriously, even when he won the Oscar for co-writing Good Will Hunting. I always thought he tried too hard to impress, and that cheapened the performance in some way.

Not anymore. Damon has finally awed me enough to earn a place on my Top 10 list, and I apologize for not recognizing his talent much earlier. With The Adjustment Bureau, he embodies all the qualities of a full-fledged movie star - looks good on-screen, is 100% believable in a challenging role, generates sparks with fellow cast members, and leaves audiences yearning for more, more, more!

Make sure you see this movie! Rating: A++++! :D

I will leave you with an Oprah interview montage from YouTube. It contains only a short clip from the best one - for All The Pretty Horses, in 2000 - but guess it'll have to do. Damn that I lost the video tape recording when I moved house!

Till next time...

2011-06-21T13:19:00.002+08:00

Update

I've been neglecting my 2011 resolution to post Kevin Spacey pictures for every blog entry, so it's about time I restarted.

Eagerly awaiting my tickets for Richard III! Costing me a small fortune ( requested 2 shows and good seats ), but heck, I don't intend to buy an iPhone or iPad, and this is way better than any gadget. :)

And speaking of the iPad, I think some people are really going overboard with their obsessions. I mean, bringing it to a hair salon? One young woman sitting next to me was fiddling with her iPad while getting her hair styled. Then gave up when she couldn't get any wi-fi. Big joke.

I always have my novel / magazine within easy reach. Already own 2 laptops ( non-Apple products, and proud of it ). More than enough for me.

2 more Michael Fassbender films worth mentioning.

Fish Tank's a small British indie movie which swept quite a few awards not too long ago, but probably isn't available in Singapore, so I'm extremely grateful for the Internet.

Without giving away too much of the plot, it's sort of a coming-of-age tale, involving a teenage girl with mum issues, whose life is forever altered by her relationship with mum's boyfriend.

You can interprete that any way you want. There is absolutely no possibility of predicting what's going to happen next, and my own mother - who usually doesn't appreciate "indies" - was riveted for 2 hours.

Strong performances all around, but of course, MF is yet again exceptionally watchable in his role as "mum's boyfriend", oozing sex appeal, cheekiness and paternal concern in equal amounts.

This is one of those productions where dialogue is intermittently sparse, and imagery conveys the story effectively. Lots of interesting characters and surprising moments, with a pivotal scene that IMHO came out of nowhere causing quite a jolt!

What I love most about Fish Tank: there's no clear delineation between good and bad. Sure, everybody has their individual flaws and make mistakes, but the viewer actually understands the motivation behind their actions, and may not necessarily condemn them for it.

To make more sense of what I'm saying, just watch the movie. It's excellent!

Another excellent MF film is Hunger, also a British "indie", tracing the last 6 weeks of Irish Republican Army member Bobby Sands' hunger strike ( he eventually died, by the way ).

This is not for the squeamish. Its depiction of prison life is harsh, with the actors fully committed to their roles, i.e. full frontal nudity - lots of it.

Again, there're scenes with little or no dialogue, illustrating the mundane moments of incarceration. But when the tension spikes - e.g. bath times, believe it or not - the violence is positively harrowing.

This photo of Fassbender is one of the reasons he shot up to #2 on my favourite actors list. He is astounding as Sands, and I only wish the segment documenting his emaciation could've been a tad longer. After all, MF starved himself for the sake of his craft.

I'm also very impressed with a lengthy scene - no camera cutaway, mind you - between Sands and a Catholic priest who visits him in prison. I think it lasts about 20 minutes, and the conversation is practically non-stop. It's like watching a stage play unfold. The Oscars really overlooked this gem.

Now, I'm eagerly anticipating MF's next project - A Dangerous Method, playing Carl Jung opposite Viggo Mortensen's Sigmund Freud.

May not come to local theatres, but never mind. There's always Megavideo. :)

Something else I recommend: The Kennedys TV series, starring Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Tom Wilkinson and Katie Holmes.

Got it from the Net, after it aired in the U.S. in April this year. Only 8 episodes, jam-packed with information, boasting stellar turns from Kinnear, Pepper and Wilkinson as Jack, Bobby and Joe Kennedy, respectively.

Holmes has always struck me as a bland actress, and remains true to form here. Casting her as Jacqueline Kennedy wasn't a good decision, but at least she doesn't annoy me as much as she usually does ( e.g. Batman Begins, yech ).

That aside, Kinnear deserves much praise for his distinguished portrayal. There're so many different elements to the story, which covers everything from the Kennedy family's tragic history and JFK's less-than-ethical election campaign, to his tumultuous White House term ( Bay Of Pigs, Cuban missile crisis, racism in the South ), a marriage troubled by numerous affairs, and his battle with painkiller addiction.

My mother was especially delighted with the show, being a walking encyclopaedia where Kennedy trivia is concerned. She was practically on cloud nine when a certain juicy nugget of information - that she read in a memoir - was included in a key scene. Hats off to you, mum! :)

A few minor complaints: 8 episodes are insufficient when covering such massive ground; too little about Marilyn Monroe's involvement with both Kennedy brothers; the other Kennedy siblings are completely ignored; skimming over both assassinations.

The last 2 episodes feel terribly rushed, but at least the first 6 are terrific.

And may I add that Kinnear and Pepper have never looked better. :)

Can't wait to see the Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber concert at the Marina Bay Sands Grand Theatre. Promises to be a great evening!

Also booked tickets to Rain, the Beatles tribute extravaganza, which I initially considered watching on Broadway.
Contrary to what was suggested in the press, this is NOT the Broadway cast. Might be the guys who tour internationally, and may not be as top-notch as the group in New York, but I'm okay with it. Don't have that much time in NY anyway...

... because I booked tickets to yet another musical, Catch Me If You Can, woohoo!

This makes it the 3rd one I'm watching, and mum says, "Enough! We may be jetlagged!"

But actually, based on previous experience, we suffer jet lag only after returning to Singapore. I was bouncing off the walls when we arrived in the U.S. Even went for a 3-hour walk around L.A. :)

The countdown to our trip has begun. No major disasters please!

2011-06-09T09:06:00.008+08:00

Pure Indulgence

It's been a long while since my last indulgence-themed post ( sometime in 2010, I believe ). It's about time for another. :)

I've become a massive Michael Fassbender fan in recent weeks, thanks to Jane Eyre and X-Men: First Class. I noticed MF a couple of years ago during his memorable 30-minute performance as Lt. Archie Hicox in the extremely funny Inglourious Basterds. I missed a few subsequent releases ( other than Centurion, were the others even shown in Singapore? ), but am now catching up thanks to the Internet.

As mentioned, MF's short but high-profile turn in Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece will always remain as one of his most defining roles. A dashing figure in military uniform ( British and German ), hair slicked back, sporting a crisp English accent then reprimanding in fluent German, even simply clicking a cigarette lighter - it was clear that he was destined for stardom. He remained slightly below the radar for a year or two, but has made a huge splash in 2011. I certainly hope his career will continue to soar.

Here's the movie I watched recently, titled Eden Lake.
It's a British psychological thriller revolving around a couple whose weekend trip to an isolated picnic haunt turns into a nightmare of infinite proportions, when they meet a group of homicidal teenagers.

I'm not the squeamish type, but had to shield my eyes during a few scenes. Not because of the blood quotient ( though that's present in ample quantity ), but the disturbing subtext lying just beneath the surface.

In this tale, the adults are the hapless victims, the kids their ruthless tormentors. And if that doesn't make you squirm, then the severity of one boy's psychosis will definitely do the trick.

MF isn't the star here, but plays a supporting role beautifully. You empathize with his character, whose hotheadedness leads to his downfall, and that famous MF intensity never wanes. ( I just noticed he bears a resemblance to Sting. Interesting. :))

Still, the movie belongs to lead actress Kelly Reilly ( who also appeared in Pride & Prejudice and Sherlock Holmes ). She does the plucky heroine routine well, and the teenage cast is top-notch.

My review isn't doing it the justice it deserves. Eden Lake is much more than what's written here. Every viewer will react differently, and the film will occupy your thoughts way after the end credits stop rolling.

Next, Centurion, which I watched earlier this week.

Not well-executed, but recommended for MF fans.
He plays a Roman centurion on the run with fellow soldiers, as they're relentlessly pursued by a group of savage Picts.
Again, MF excels as an action star, this time wielding giant swords and smashing skulls with aplomb. But for some strange reason, his unwavering gaze receives a lot of attention here. Is it due to the lighting, the makeup, or the director's discretion? Either way, I enjoy it very very much. :)

Now, a series of glamour shots, obtained from a Google images search. There're many to choose from, but the first ( and the last ) is especially engrossing, thanks to my obsession with hands.

And MF has 2 of the most gorgeous ones I've ever seen. Loooong, tapering fingers are right up my alley. :)

An interesting pic featuring a motorcycle - though I much prefer him in suits sans grunge.

If the Jane Eyre makeup artist had been any good, Mr. Rochester would've looked like this!

And mark my words, someday ( and soon ), MF will play a monarch. And he will make all the women swoon at his feet. :)

Need a napkin for my drool. :D

2011-06-03T20:21:00.009+08:00

Review Of X-Men: First Class

**spoilers beware**

**spoilers beware**

**spoilers beware**

[ Note: site links are highlighted in bold blue font. ]

Followers of my Twitter and Facebook accounts would, by now, be apprised of my high praise for this film. If my effusive comments prompted you to watch it, I hope you're happy that you did. :)

I'm no comic book fan, but having seen all 4 preceding X-Men blockbusters, with each successive movie worse than the one before it, I had high hopes for this "reboot", mostly because its 2 leads, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, like their older counterparts Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan, are respected thespians capable of adding dignity to any film project they undertake.

My expectations were also elevated further by the eye-popping trailers and positive early reviews following its premiere screening last week.

Now that other critiques are pouring in ( check out Rotten Tomatoes for a quick summary ), I'm happy to note that the majority of opinions remains favourable, with only a small number of negative contributions. Although I must admit I was taken aback by Time magazine's Richard Corliss' grumpy assessment. He's usually quite spot-on, but perhaps not this time.

Here's the funny thing about me: I can be a huge stickler when it comes to historical accuracy, but allow film-makers ample liberties when other mitigating factors come into play.

In this case, the Cuban missile crisis has evil mutants yanking the puppet strings, culminating in a climactic showdown involving opposing groups of mutants, the Russian and U.S. naval fleets, and some major mind-blowing action on the high seas. ( More on this later. )

There's much to like if you can get past that initial hurdle, i.e. suspending your disbelief for just 2 short hours. Most importantly, the cast is superb. You can't go wrong with a McAvoy-Fassbender combo ( their first on-screen collaboration, with more to come in the confirmed sequel ), and there's strong support from Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne and Nicholas Hoult.

Bacon, whose career I've followed for almost 30 years, since his Footloose dancing days, is an interesting choice for mega-villain Sebastian Shaw, a mutant who harnesses high levels of energy for diabolical purposes, and whose connection to Magneto is a driving force in this story.
It's interesting because Bacon isn't known for playing bad guys, much less a bad guy of this magnitude, in an X-Men movie no less.
I thought he did a very good job - menacing without being over-the-top, very stylish in attire and gait ( that famous swagger is still there :)), holding his own among the younger, gorgeous cast members.

Byrne and Hoult deserve special mention for their understated performances as a CIA agent and Hank McCoy / Beast respectively. You may remember Byrne from Troy and Damages, as well as the current release, Insidious. Hoult, on the other hand, cut his teeth playing precocious young teens in About A Boy and A Single Man, before a massive growth spurt rendered him almost unrecognizable.

Both characters aren't fully fleshed out, but are the most likeable and memorable, in my opinion at least. There's a lot going on in this film, and quite a few of the bit players get lost in the whole spectacle.

Jennifer Lawrence, who plays Raven / Mystique, is given ample screen time in key scenes with both McAvoy and Fassbender, but still fails to win me over. I saw her in Winter's Bone - it bored me to death, rave reviews be damned - and remain unimpressed.

January Jones as Emma Frost also left me cold. I don't know if she was attempting to play up her character's icy quality, but her acting was painfully wooden.
She will, however, no doubt be fantasized about by millions, thanks to her outrageously campy wardrobe.
I'm particularly fond of one movie critic's description of her as a "giant disco ball". You know, when she whips out that impenetrable diamond shell. Pretty cool. :)

Which leaves the 2 leads.

First, McAvoy. Perfectly cast as the highly intelligent and kind Charles Xavier, he adds sparkle by showing Professor X's fun, flirtatious side. Before he became wheelchair bound ( the circumstances are revealed in a tragic sequence that is wonderfully executed ), he was a skirt-chaser like any normal, heterosexual young man - imagine that! :)
I've seen enough of his work to recognize his distinct style - that unmistakeable laugh, the twinkle in his blue eyes, an impish grin, effortlessly switching to emotional intensity and tears on cue.
His portrayal of Charles is warm and regal, a kindly mentor and fearless leader. Sadly though, he doesn't have that much high-octane stuff to do, spending quite a lot of his time on-screen with a couple of fingers delicately pressed to his temple, frowning like he's constipated.

Now, on to the undeniable star of this summer vehicle, namely Fassbender.

It's actually rather ironic that his name comes second in the credits, and that McAvoy, not him, was cast first. Because X-Men: First Class appears to devote its best material to Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, giving Fassbender ample opportunity to show off.
And show off he does. In the most beautiful ways. :)

Where do I start? How about the James Bond homage, where Erik travels to exotic locales to hunt down Nazi war criminals, employing creative torture and execution methods? Or maybe that scene where Erik attempts to capture Shaw on his yacht, ripping a long metal chain through the vessel like a madman?
Then there's the mind-bending finale, as Erik first heaves a giant submarine out of the ocean, then singlehandedly halts a whole slew of high-velocity missiles in their tracks, before gleefully waving them back to their sources.

Anyone notice Fassbender's got exquisite hands? One of my fetishes, sorry. :)

My personal favourites:

1) Erik's surprisingly subdued farewell to Shaw, by pushing a Third Reich coin gently through the latter's skull.

2) And easily the best part of the entire movie: Erik, with Charles' guidance, learns to unlock the strength of his power, using it to ( get this ) turn a humongous satellite dish.
Unfortunately, the clip isn't available on YouTube, and words don't do it justice. But it is, IMHO, the film's most poignant 5 minutes, revealing not just the depth of friendship and trust between the 2 men, but also highlighting Erik's bottomless pit of personal pain.

Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. I am officially awed by both actors. :D

Many have already predicted great things in Fassbender's future, with critics recommending him as a worthy successor to the James Bond franchise should Daniel Craig decide to retire.
I fully support that motion! Consider this Fassbender's unofficial audition for the iconic role. :)

[ You may notice I've added him to my list of favourite actors, debuting at a very high #4. Sadly, John Cusack needs to be reshuffled. His recent career choices have not served him well. ]

Hats off to director Matthew Vaughn, who helms the film with great skill. The big scenes are expertly handled, allowing maximum thrills without causing confusion. The quieter ones are equally riveting, a good example being the chess game played by Charles and Erik as they discuss their differing worldviews.
I keep hearing fantastic things about his other movie, Kick-Ass. Must download it and watch ASAP!

Kudos to the screenwriters ( a team that includes original X-Men director Bryan Singer ) for what I consider a terrific job with the script. It isn't perfect ( I can pick out a few glaring loopholes ), but considering the immense number of characters being juggled amid the chaos, the final product stayed coherent and convincing enough. Some great lines in there, especially between Charles and Erik.

Last but not least, the awesome soundtrack, by a composer I'm hearing about for the first time, named Henry Jackman. I pay close attention to the music every time I watch a show, which is precisely how I discovered John Powell and other rising stars. Check out the X-Men: First Class theme, accompanied by a cool montage.

I LOVE THIS FILM. CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO BE OUT ON DVD. MAKE SURE YOU GO SEE IT IN THE CINEMA - IT IS UNBELIEVABLE ON A BIG SCREEN! :D

p.s. If you're interested in another excellent film about the Cuban missile crisis ( this one's based on fact ), I highly recommend Thirteen Days. The Megavideo link works.

And since I'm going on leave starting this Sunday, I'll try to find time to post a review of another Fassbender movie I recently watched: Eden Lake, a low-budget British thriller that outdoes many Hollywood productions, and which is so disturbing it kept me up a few nights. No kidding.

Something else I'm VERY excited about: tickets for The Bridge Project's Richard III are finally available. This year, however, features priority booking for SRT Friends, which necessitates a donation. And I'm wondering if the size of that donation will determine what seat you're given. Argh!

Am hoping an insider I've been in touch with for some time will be able to help. Definitely don't want to sit all the way in the back!

Looking forward to seeing you back in Singapore soon, Mr. Spacey. :)

Also ( hopefully ) in the next entry: waxing lyrical about The Tudors season 3 & 4. Have been watching this almost everyday. It's bloody addictive!

2011-05-26T20:51:00.001+08:00

The Week In Review

After boycotting American Idol season 10 for a week, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to watch the final 2 episodes.

I definitely had very high hopes for this bunch. There was a lot of talent ( except for Paul McDonald, whom I consider the biggest fluke ever. ), but voters were inconsistent, especially in their treatment of Casey Abrams.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. He's the best of the lot, and deserved to be in the finals. The only other contestant I deem a worthy contender is James Durbin.

As Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson have said countless times: this is a singing competition. Instead, AI10 has turned into some weird popularity contest, and I can bet the new Facebook voting option ( which allows up to 50 votes per person ) resulted in tweens and teens staying glued to their computers / iPhones / iPads, frantically clicking away.

How else to explain the freakish success of the mediocre? Lauren Alaina has a voice, but Pia Toscano beat her hollow before being unceremoniously eliminated early in the competition.

And Scotty McCreery? I fail to understand the appeal. He looks very ordinary, sounds bland, and lacks charisma. I'm sure he's a nice, innocent young man, but winner of the AI title? Nah...

I'm sure Lauren and Scotty will gain confidence and maturity with time. But will they be lucky enough to attain Carrie Underwood's degree of success? Something tells me they probably won't.

Always rooting for Casey and James. I hope they get recording deals and outsell the 2 finalists. :)

Are you excited about X-Men: First Class, due for worldwide release on June 3rd? Can't believe I didn't post a picture till now.

The star-studded cast includes Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Rose Byrne, and Jennifer Lawrence ( Best Actress Oscar nominee from True Grit, in case you're wondering ), but none of them compares to the 2 leads, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender ( pictured ).

McAvoy fans will know him well from The Last King Of Scotland, Atonement, Becoming Jane and Wanted ( I own many of his films on DVD :)). When I first learned he landed the role of the young Professor X, I was practically swooning. Because it's one of the coolest superhero roles ever, and this fine actor is perfect for pulling it off.

If the special effects don't swallow him up, I'm prepared to be awed by his talent once again. I predict a sensitive yet strong performance, peppered with heart-pounding action sequences that show off his physicality in the best possible way ( remember his turn in Wanted? I love that movie! :)).

Someone I'm watching closely - already mentioned in the previous entry - is, of course, Michael Fassbender. This being perhaps his biggest role yet, I hope he does well so it will lead to even better offers in the future.
After remaining just under the radar for years ( audiences might have noticed him in Inglourious Basterds, but didn't catch his name ), this could be his breakthrough performance, and he definitely has an edge over McAvoy with his tall lanky frame and movie star looks. But Jane Eyre isn't his best moment. Blame the makeup artist.

Last but not least, the movie poster for Tintin! I don't know about you, but I think it's fabulous. :D

Short post. Am still in the midst of a bad week, and nursing a painful mouth ulcer.

2011-05-20T14:33:00.003+08:00

Update

It's been 3 weeks since the last blog entry and of course, lots has happened.
The General Election revealed major cracks in certain constituencies which were considered sure-wins for the ruling party, and the Workers' Party secured a coup in Aljunied.

PAP supporters may hail the overall result as favourable, but considering the fact that the opposition contested many districts for the very first time, the proportion of votes for the latter was indeed significant. Even in Marine Parade, which is led by behemoth Senior Minister Goh, the PAP scraped by with only 57% of the total vote.
Not good...

In the subsequent weeks, there've been major reshuffles in the Cabinet, something I can never quite understand. For example, the Education Minister will now be in charge of Defence, and he's actually a breast surgeon by training. The ex-chief of the Monetary Authority of Singapore will take over at the Ministry of Education. Excuse me, but HUH???

And let's not forget the exit of our Senior Minister and Minister Mentor. However, I have a gut feeling it's all for show. We can imagine what happens behind closed doors, especially when the ex-MM is the PM's father. These people don't have normal dinner conversations like the rest of us, okay?

Anyway, we shall see how the new arrangement pans out.

On to more lighthearted topics.
This poster is for an upcoming comedy due for release in July, starring Kevin Spacey. Check out the cool trailer here.

The only cast member who looks out of place is Jennifer Aniston. Playing a sadistic maneater dentist with a penchant for phallus-shaped food. Err, yuck?

I fully expect Mr. Spacey to outshine everyone. Nobody matches him in the nasty-boss character department. Perfect example: Buddy Ackerman in Swimming With Sharks. My favourite KS role ever!

I do, however, like Jason Bateman a lot. Since his Hogan Family days on TV, in fact.

Looks like it's going to be one big rollercoaster ride. Will it come to Singapore?

Watched the much-hyped Jane Eyre last night at the newly renovated Lido cineplex. There were only approximately 100 seats in the theatre, but with lots of leg room. Audience comprised mostly middle-aged Caucasian couples and locals in their 20s or 30s. A generally well-behaved crowd except for 2 idiots seated behind me, who giggled during almost every scene, but shut up when I loudly told my irritated mother, "They're probably DRUNK!" :)

So does the film live up to my expectations? Definitely not. This is a problem when I read movie reviews. I start getting extremely excited and prepare to be blown away, only to be disappointed. But I'm not saying it was a bad show. Just that it wasn't quite worthy of all the praise it received.

The cast is very respectable. Mia Wasikowska, who became a household name in Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland, has made some interesting choices since her big debut, recently in Oscar darling The Kids Are All Right. My cousin's 15-year-old daughter also happens to be her doppelganger, albeit with Asian features. I'm not kidding. :)

There's also Judi Dench, whose dignified presence is always dependable. And Jamie Bell is another favourite of mine, after his breakthrough performance in Billy Elliot ( the movie, not the musical ).

But the actor I was most eager to see was Michael Fassbender ( pictured above ), someone whose name didn't really register though he played a memorable role in Inglourious Basterds ( he looks fabulous in military attire :)), but who impressed enough in the Jane Eyre trailer to make me leave my home on a weekday and drive downtown to catch a late night screening.

I deliberately avoided YouTube clips of cast interviews, though I enjoyed the trailers immensely ( Gothic horror, wooo! ). It was the right decision, since I just found out he isn't British ( watch this clip ). Don't know about the rest of you, but this would've spoiled the whole experience for me.

IMHO, the only reason anyone should see a TV / film adaptation of Jane Eyre is Mr. Rochester. Same goes for Mr. Darcy in Pride And Prejudice. Casting this role is vital to the production's success, and in this respect, I believe Fassbender excels.

He may not be as handsome as I had hoped ( makeup artist, hello? ), but his performance is sufficiently tormented, even if his chemistry with co-star Wasikowska is rather lacking. The pivotal scene where Jane tells Rochester she is leaving Thornfield is meant to be heart-wrenching, with the latter tearfully begging her to stay.

Fassbender handles this beautifully, though again, I felt some discomfort seeing him and the very young Wasikowska locked in a tight embrace.

Perhaps other scenes are more palatable, and I am confident I will enjoy the film after watching it a few more times ( same thing happened with Pride & Prejudice ). Check out this clip. And how about this one? Fassbender's "You transfix me quite." is simple, yet enough to make one's heart race. I love Victorian love stories. :)

So how does the lead actress fare? I think she does a pretty good job considering her relative inexperience and the heaviness of the material. I believe she will improve further with time, the same way Natalie Portman did this past decade.

My biggest complaint, I suppose, is the editing. How much of it is the fault of director Cary Fukunaga versus film editor Melanie Oliver is anyone's guess. Condensing this particular novel into 2 hours is no mean feat. Remaking it for the 21st century audience is even tougher. Joe Wright did a marvelous job with Pride & Prejudice. Unfortunately, Jane Eyre does not live up to that standard.

Still, it isn't a bad way to spend a couple of hours at the cinema, especially if you're a literature fan. And pay attention to the soundtrack, composed by Dario Marianelli ( also responsible for Pride & Prejudice and Atonement ).

Besides, I have another opportunity to see Fassbender in action soon, as Magneto in X-Men: First Class, with one of my fave actors, James McAvoy. Looking forward to that! :D

In the meantime, I'm going to rewatch his performance in Inglourious Basterds. Rakishly dashing as Lt. Archie Hicox, easily the best-looking male in the entire cast! Can't believe I didn't check his name in the credits. Here's a link that works. He appears at 64:30, continuing on to the superb, tense tavern scene. ( Sadly, Hicox dies. )

Cable has endless reruns. Shall record this the next time it airs. :)

I am highlighting this TV series because I watched it many years ago, when I was in primary or secondary school. Local stations used to broadcast BBC productions back then, and I loved it so much I bought the DVD recently. It is an EXCELLENT adaptation, mainly because of Timothy Dalton ( previously James Bond in The Living Daylights and Licence To Kill ).

Regardless of how his career has nose-dived since his 007 heyday, I will always remember Dalton as one of the finest British actors around. I also consider him my favourite James Bond ( second fave: Daniel Craig :)).

Here's a YouTube clip of that pivotal scene I mentioned earlier. It is a million times more affecting than Fukunaga's version. Watch Dalton as he paces the room like a restless lion, breathless with anxiety and fear. Listen to his voice, thunderous then tremulous. See the tear trickle down his left cheek as he kisses his co-star, holding her tight against his chest.

If you don't want to buy the DVD, then watch the entire series in 10-minute installments, on YouTube. Your choice. :)

Before I sign off, a link to the official trailer for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn, due for release this Christmas.

I love the comic book series. I am a huge fan of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson. I took The Lord Of The Rings tours when I visited New Zealand in 2003, and our guide drove us right past Jackson's home in Wellington. So yes, I will be watching this at the cineplex! :)

2011-05-01T13:31:00.004+08:00

The Turning Point?

I have cast a vote at the General Election only once in my life. That was in 1997, when I was 21.

It is indeed sad that, in a First World country like Singapore, the majority of citizens isn't given the opportunity to exercise a basic right by participating in a democratic process at regular intervals.

There was a period when the younger generation was criticized for being politically apathetic. Now, as Generation Y comes of age and harnesses the power of the Internet, the tide has turned, and it is nothing short of a tsunami.

I remember how, back in 1997, I attended a Workers' Party rally at Yio Chu Kang Stadium, and heard Tang Liang Hong stir the tens of thousands who attended, with an impassioned speech in multiple languages and dialects. It was an unforgettable experience, and I felt very sorry for him when Cheng San went to the PAP, and he was forced to flee the country.

This year, I see a worthy TLH successor in the form of the National Solidarity Party's Nicole Seah. I have been viewing YouTube clips of her rally speeches, and she is a remarkable speaker, especially when you consider her tender age.

Hot issues being debated include the skyrocketing costs of living, subsidies for the poor and elderly, ministerial pay, etc. There is significant overlap with what was covered back in 1997, and I can't help wondering: is it because the ruling party isn't solving these chronic problems, or are they merely part and parcel of any country's general woes?

What the PAP needs to worry about now are the increasingly disgruntled 20- to 30-something-year-old voters, who are much more vocal and unafraid of telling you to go f*** yourself. They eagerly engage senior politicians and, as illustrated by a recent university student's witty quip to the Prime Minister, are more than capable of making you look stupid in front of the mass media.

In 1997, my mind was made up the minute the GE was announced.
This time, I remain undecided 5 days before Polling Day.

Being 14 years older is a factor. At 21, my comprehension of political issues was hazy, and my vote was significantly influenced by my parents' views.
One's temperament shifts over the course of a decade. So does one's ability to exercise moderation in the face of controversy and inflamed emotions.

While it is true that the PAP has messed up in certain areas, it has also succeeded on other fronts. However, the opposition will naturally gravitate towards the former in order to win votes. This can be a double-edged sword - a decision made in anger is rarely the right one. A cooling off period the day before polling will do nothing to extinguish that.

If the PAP is startled by the degree of hostility they're witnessing from many Singaporeans, it didn't develop overnight. Every General Election sees its fair share of political rallies, and the crowds at opposition party events easily outnumber those at the PAP's. The same issues are brought up, and every 5 years, the resentment builds further. Many have been waiting for the chance to cast their votes, and now... they have it.

It's practically confirmed that the ruling party will lose a few constituencies. The extent of that loss, however, is open to speculation. I moved to a new residence 5 years ago, and now stay in a neighbourhood which is considered a PAP stronghold. Imagine my surprise when this stronghold got contested by an opposition party, led by someone from another district. Apparently, he feels confident enough to run here, and the PAP's response can be described as 'panic mode'.

So that makes me a 'swing vote', correct? We're the ones the politicians will fight the hardest for, since we could go either way. Whichever party I end up voting for, I hope it will realize that times have changed, and certain issues that have been hanging over our heads for eons need to be addressed once and for all. As costs of living reach unbearable levels, even middle-income ( or upper middle-income ) groups will feel the pinch, and you can't just focus on the welfare of those with low salaries. Singles - especially those taking care of elderly parents - should not be ignored when dishing out financial goodies. Foreign talent has its advantages, but should not result in the marginalization of Singaporeans.

The biggest mistake the PAP may be making is the refusal to admit accountability for certain actions they have taken. I, for one, place more value in a person who is willing to accept criticism, re-evaluate his stand, and hopefully alter his decision when presented with hard facts and unpleasant truths, than somebody who refuses to listen and repeatedly defends himself in the face of indisputable evidence.

Trying to attend a few opposition party rallies this week. May post an entry if I succeed.

2011-04-26T13:49:00.008+08:00

Review of Maroon 5's concert
25th April 2011
Singapore Indoor Stadium

Before I begin, here's a link to my review of their 2008 gig, to give you an idea of the differences between the 2 shows.

I previously swore that I wouldn't attend another Maroon 5 gig because, in all honesty, I didn't think their last one was worth the money.

However, I changed my mind when Hands All Over was released. While reports suggest it hasn't done very well sales-wise, I find it positively hypnotic, to the point where I can blast it for weeks on my car stereo or my iPod, without getting sick of any of the songs.

Suffice to say, my decision to see them a 2nd time proved to be the right one. Yesterday's show was electrifying! :)

Here's the set list:

Misery
If I Never See Your Face Again
Harder To Breathe
Give a Little More
The Sun + Billie Jean mash-up
Won't Go Home Without You
Never Gonna Leave This Bed
Secret + What's Love Got To Do With It mash-up
She Will Be Loved
Wake Up Call
Shiver
Stutter
This Love

Encores:

Hands All Over
Makes Me Wonder
Sunday Morning

Plus points:

1) Definitely less noisy compared to 2008, which almost perforated my eardrums.

2) Adam Levine was much friendlier, as evidenced by quite a bit of banter with the audience, bouncing around the stage and posing for photographs, even conducting a nice singalong session on She Will Be Loved.

3) The whole band looked stoked by the deafening cheers from the crowd, which comprised many more youngsters this time round ( i.e. teenagers, who have a lot of money to spend, I see ). I know lead guitarist James Valentine was grinning from ear to ear. And there were moments when Adam and James threw T-shirts and even a drumstick into the audience. :)

4) Many slow numbers, which I personally feel should be increased further. Adam sang the ballads beautifully, and I especially enjoyed the mash-ups - special mention to his cover of Tina Turner's What's Love Got To Do With It. Mesmerizing... please record it for your next album. :)

5) A stage setup that is superior to the sparse 2008 design - or to be accurate, what design? Last night's had a cool wall of spotlights behind the band, adding dramatic effects throughout the show. Nice!

6) A lengthier show - 90 minutes compared to 2008's 75.

Other standout performances: a very poignant Won't Go Home Without You, an epic Wake Up Call ( much more memorable than their 2008 version! ), and a superb Sunday Morning which had everyone roaring the lyrics.

The best of the night? A toss between Secret ( have always loved this song, glad Adam sang it! ) and Won't Go Home Without You ( sounded phenomenal! ).

Kudos as well to the amazing audience, who definitely made the show a success. I was surrounded by teens, and their enthusiasm is very infectious indeed. Wonder how Maroon 5 feels about appealing to high schoolers? Their fans are getting younger and younger, haha.

Last but not least, many compliments to the rest of the band, especially Valentine and bassist Mickey Madden. If you listen to their latest album, Hands All Over, the guitar and bass feature very prominently on many tracks ( especially the super-catchy ones ). Maybe they're responsible for the hypnotic effect. :)

Verdict: an terrific evening with a terrific band! Will definitely see them again when they return!

But... it would be nice to see them in more formal attire next time round. They wore the same T-shirt-and-jeans getups again. Adam looks scrawny, he needs a jacket!

Haven't had time to download photos and a video ( of Makes Me Wonder ) just yet. Stay tuned...

2011-04-24T08:00:00.002+08:00

Let The Countdown Begin :)

In less than 7 months' time, The Bridge Project will return to Singapore, with Kevin Spacey leading an illustrious cast as they stage Richard III.

I have waited forever for this chance to watch Mr. Spacey on stage, and intend to utilize the opportunity as fully as possible:

Attend at least 2 performances.

Help publicize the event by collaborating with the SRT.

And yes, have a proper conversation with Mr. Spacey, if I'm lucky. ( I need to thank him in person for replying to my fan letter! :))

And to those of you who haven't been converted by my numerous recommendations just yet, please refer to this classic clip featuring one of his most memorable roles, i.e. John Doe in David Fincher's Se7en.

A friend of mine watched Mr. Spacey on Broadway a few years ago, in a production titled Moon For The Misbegotten. She was in her mid 20s at the time, but was practically swooning as she recounted the evening to me. Of course, it helps that she's also a big fan of his. :)

Some don't quite understand why I find Mr. Spacey so appealing. It's an acquired taste which hasn't altered in 15 years or so, and I'm convinced it will remain status quo indefinitely.

Listen to me: his stage performances are DAZZLING. DO NOT MISS IT!

2011-04-18T14:41:00.004+08:00

Entry #7

A quick browse of my blog's 2011 archives thus far reveals a significant and troubling drop in frequency of posts.

While work commitments account for part of this trend, I also admit to neglecting this site somewhat.

A case of blogger's fatigue? Perhaps. But considering my intent to divert personal writing efforts to 'less frivolous' pursuits, it's anyone's guess when the next entry will pop up.

However, rest assured that if there's something worth discussing - especially if it's a Kevin Spacey-related event - the updates shall continue. :)

Recently, through the kindness of a fellow KS fan, I was able to download the entire Nancy Hanks lecture which was delivered by Mr. Spacey in Washington, D.C. a fortnight ago. Picture resolution wasn't great, but the sound quality was terrific, and that's all that matters to me. :)

If you haven't seen it, go to the link provided in my last post. If your computer - like mine - for some strange reason, refuses to play the video, drop me an email and I'll try to send the file to you directly.

Once again, Mr. Spacey delivers a beautiful speech, this time for a heavenly 40 minutes, which is 4 times the length of his usual TV interviews, and twice the length of his chat with Channel NewsAsia when he was in Singapore a few months ago.

However, this lecture is of course very different from an interview. Mr. Spacey has the stage all to himself for the entire duration, speaking on a topic that is near and dear to his heart. It is a powerful speech, its impact strengthened by Mr. Spacey's obvious passion for the arts, as he shares many personal experiences from teenhood all the way to his full-fledged career as an Oscar- and Tony-winning actor.

I am also very pleased to learn about the upcoming launch of the Kevin Spacey Foundation, as well as his support for artistic talent in the Middle East.

When he became my all-time favourite actor more than a decade ago, my appreciation was directed mainly at his acting / singing / directing talents. Now, he is described as a 'political activist', The Old Vic's 'artistic director', and 'founder' of an organization that aims to provide opportunities for others to succeed in film and theatre industries.

I am deeply awed by this gentleman. :)

Also, I watched Casino Jack last week. A hilarious movie in spite of its actual content ( lobbyist Jack Abramoff gets nabbed for breaching ethical codes, embezzling funds and getting mixed up with shady characters ), with a hysterically funny performance from Mr. Spacey.
Watch out for 2 key scenes where Abramoff acts out like a 5-year-old - when he gets fired, and while pitching a movie idea to producers.

Next on my to-watch-once-available list: another comedy starring Mr. Spacey, titled Father Of Invention.

Something else that's been making me laugh really hard: Mary Roach's Spook, which I chanced upon while browsing the Paranormal section of the public library. ( Yes, believe it or not, the library has a Paranormal section. :))

Why was I there, you ask? Well, I've been fascinated by things of this nature since I was a kid ( blame it on a personal experience which haunts me to this day, pun intended ). But a decision to take on a legitimate writing project led me to explore this genre further, and Roach's book caught my eye immediately.

I'm already more than halfway through, and hooked to the point of reading way past my bed-time, or whenever there's a free moment.

It is, quite simply, one of the best books I've read in a very long time. Probably not since John Berendt's City Of Falling Angels, which was maybe 4-5 years ago. ( Berendt's my favourite non-fiction author; fiction honour goes to Thomas Hardy. )

Roach writes fluently, though you need a very good command of the English language to follow some of her lengthier sentences. What I find amazing are (1) her detailed and tireless research, which take her around the globe, even to the point of enrolling in 'medium school', (2) an astute eye for minutiae, especially physical idiosyncrasies ( the more eccentric, the better ), and best of all, (3) an uncanny ability to turn the mundane into side-splitting, laugh-out-loud observations, through the simple use and manipulation of the written word.

The most entertaining of the lot ( up to the current bookmarked page at least ) involve well-aimed jabs at scientists ( quite a few of whom are medical doctors ) who conduct crazy experiments in their search for proof of the paranormal, various kooky theories about the authenticity of ectoplasm ( 'vaginally extruded' tickling my funny bone repeatedly :)), amd more kookiness at a medium school in the UK ( at a legitimate university, not some New Age nut's home ).

I've opted to leave specific quotes out of the picture, because this is a book that needs to be - that MUST BE - read from beginning to end, in order to savour the full effect of Roach's rapier-sharp humour.

It's always such a pleasure to discover a new author whom I can follow obsessively. While John Berendt figures out the subject for his next novel ( which, based on his 1-book-a-decade pattern, will be published no earlier than 2015 ), Roach shall keep me company.

Before I sign off, I'd just like to express great excitement over the soon-to-be-released X-Men: First Class, starring the accomplished James McAvoy. Woohoo! :)

2011-04-09T13:06:00.004+08:00

Kevin Spacey's Nancy Hanks Lecture

This entry is meant to highlight the above speech, which Mr. Spacey made only a few days ago at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

YouTube clips can be found here and here.

The full speech is here.

[ Thank you to members of a Kevin Spacey fan mailing list for providing this info! ]

Mr. S is one of the finest speakers I know of, effortless at commanding the stage and audience. He is passionate about arts advocacy, and delivers yet another inspiring address.

A worthy quote:

"... I also believe that if you have been successful in the business that you wanted to be successful in, then it is your obligation to spend a good portion of your time sending the elevator back down. That was a phrase that Jack Lemmon used to share with me all the time and one that I have now adopted as my own.

...We can all send the elevator back down, 'cos it doesn't matter what floor you're on. In life, there's always someone just below, just waiting for the chance to be invited up. Our job is to make sure the floors we live on are not so high that we can no longer hear the voices of young people crying out for an opportunity that will help shape their lives and help shape a better country."

Another speech, given at the Congressional Arts Kick Off. This was prepared for a House appropriations subcommittee hearing which was unfortunately cancelled at the last minute.

"Sometimes, a person of experience - and it just so happens that Jack Lemmon was a huge idol of mine - can say just the right words, at just the right time, to a young person, and change their lives."

I know exactly what he means. A number of key figures have shaped my future in various ways, like a secondary school English teacher who complimented and nurtured my early interest in writing, a strict piano teacher who pushed me to a Distinction grade, senior medical colleagues who guided my career path.

Local schools don't focus on the arts as much as those in the U.S. and Europe, but I have never regretted my choice to major in Literature back in RGS, and can't imagine life without creative writing, films, plays and musicals.

Mr. Spacey gave me an epiphany last December, one which I will endeavour to never lose sight of. I didn't manage to express this in my fan letter ( which was prepared before his interview and our meeting ), but if I have the opportunity to speak to him in person when he returns with The Bridge Project, I will be sure to convey my appreciation.

Last but not least, a link to his MSNBC interview with Chris Matthews on Hardball.

p.s. And who in the world at DreamWorks Animation is reading my blog?! :D

Have a good weekend!

2011-04-04T20:21:00.001+08:00

Cloud Nine!

Actually, make that cloud nine hundred and ninety-nine! :D

For readers who aren't connected to me via Facebook, the reason for my euphoria is this: Mr. Spacey, whom I have been a huge fan of for around 15 years, personally replied to my fan letter, which I was lucky enough to hand to him during our short meeting at the Audi A8 launch last December.

( I'd end every sentence with an exclamation mark, but am exercising great restraint. :))

These are photos from one of his pre-Audi event press conferences, if you're wondering.

Mr. Spacey's letter was posted from The Old Vic Theatre in London, and reached my workplace within 10 days. I included my name card in the envelope I passed to him, you see. Efficient postal service! And thank goodness the precious missive was conveyed to me safely. It could've gotten lost in the whole heap!

First, I am awed by the fact that Mr. Spacey read my letter. He has an extremely hectic schedule, especially these past 4 months, jetting around for the awards season ( he executive-produced The Social Network ), then post-Oscars, continuing with numerous interviews, even hosting former Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev's 80th birthday bash.

To be honest, I had no idea what would happen to my letter the night I presented it to him. Yes, he thanked me and put it in his jacket pocket, but I wouldn't have blamed anyone if it had gotten misplaced or forgotten, considering his whirlwind timetable and all that packing / unpacking.

So I am truly amazed that he still has the letter almost 4 months after receiving it. I can't imagine where he stored it before responding. :)

Second, the warmth and graciousness of his reply floored me completely. He thanked me for my 'kind letter' and for being 'thoughtful' for taking the time to write to him. I mean, this is what a fan should say to his / her idol, not the other way round!

Third, my letter was pretty long ( 1 full page, single-spaced, in rather small font ) and moderately gushy, but he definitely read the entire thing. Because he picked out a few paragraphs / sentences and addressed them directly. One of which is my question about whether he's met Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin, who's now residing in Singapore and avoiding all the reporters. Answer: yes, Mr. Spacey has indeed met Eduardo, and thinks he will continue to elude anyone who tries to get him to 'go on the record' ( that's a direct quote from Mr. Spacey, by the way ).

Fourth, he sounded apologetic about my fan mail package, sent in late 2008, not being acknowledged after such a long time. I've already emailed The Old Vic on 2 previous occasions, and we all agree that it probably got lost en route to London. But Mr. S said he'd look for it when he goes through the boxes in his office, because he intends to open every single one of them during his stint with The Bridge Project, at least when he's in London.

Actually, my 'package' is a manila envelope rather than a box. But it may be better if he doesn't find it, because I hope to thank him in person when he returns to Singapore to play Richard III, and this time, I will make sure to bring a proper gift of appreciation!

I received his letter just before my shift on April Fool's Day. People must've been wondering why I had a goofy smile on my face for 8 whole hours.

The smile's still there, just a little less goofy. :)

So Mr. Spacey, if you read this, a big THANK YOU for the wonderful gesture. :D

Other happy news: I have confirmed tickets for 2 Broadway shows, booked 6 months in advance! Orchestra level, centre block aisle, for about US$140 each. A steal, in my opinion, since I paid more than double for Jersey Boys ( but of course, those were in the premium section, because all the shows were otherwise sold out ).

Which 2, you ask? The Book Of Mormon, and the Daniel Radcliffe musical ( with the loooong title ). If I could have my way, I'd watch one show every single night, but my mum's worried about jet lag, so she's asked me to restrict myself. For now. Fear not, I shall continue to wear her down. :P

Before I sign off, a link to Casino Jack, one of Mr. Spacey's recent releases, and a role for which he received a Golden Globe nomination.

Have a good week!

2011-03-30T19:48:00.005+08:00

Entry #6

I realize I made a resolution to write more this year - and that includes blogging - but I haven't really stuck to my convictions so far, mostly for work-related reasons.

However, this latest entry could not be delayed any further, as my excitement about a return visit to Manhattan necessitated some serious Web-surfing on not-to-be-missed shows.

Before I begin, the latest Kevin Spacey photo. Here, he's pictured with director David Fincher ( the genius behind Se7en, Zodiac, Fight Club and The Social Network ). They're teaming up yet again for a TV series, House Of Cards, which has been picked up by Netflix. I hope it hits local cable soon. If not, there's always Sidereel. :)

Recently, I've been reminiscing about Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning musical I caught back in 2007, when I finally fulfilled a lifelong dream to see Broadway. It was nothing short of life-changing, and I've been itching to go back ever since.

Why has it taken me 4 years to do it? Well, there're lots of other places on my travel list, and since my holidays involve parents, I need to take their preferences into consideration as well. Luckily, my mom's just as nuts about musicals as I am. After all, she's the one who introduced me to movies like The Sound Of Music when I was in kindergarten. And she was ecstatic when I showed immediate appreciation for West Side Story, South Pacific, My Fair Lady, Oliver!, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, The Student Prince and The King And I, when I was in primary school.

Despite not having the chance to catch any revivals ( we missed out on South Pacific, Gypsy and West Side Story ), watching Jersey Boys was absolutely delightful. I finally understood why Broadway has remained so popular for so many decades, and still marvel at the magic that goes on almost everyday in the numerous old theatres scattered along that long New York avenue. The buildings are old, the sidewalks cracked, the stages creak and there's a musty smell inside the auditorium. But when the lights go down and the curtain goes up, you'll feel your heart soar and the world will never be the same again!

Here's a revival I'm eyeing, which stars Harry Potter boy Daniel Radcliffe. I've seen video clips of him singing and dancing, and it's easy to see why reviews have been positive. Don't expect Raul Esparza / John Lloyd Young / Jonathan Groff in terms of powerhouse vocals. He's obviously going to draw crowds no matter what, and all he has to do is carry a decent tune and keep up with the other cast members.
Definitely high on my list. No regrets about missing his turn in Equus - I'd feel too weird about looking at a naked boy. :P

This one, I'm going to watch FOR SURE. Like, if I can't get normal tickets, I'm going for the premium seats, which cost US$300 a head. ( That's what I did for Jersey Boys - best S$900 I ever spent! Actually, a jackpot machine in Caesars Palace paid for that. I had fantastic beginner's luck. :))

The Book Of Mormon opened only a week ago, and has already received rave reviews. Check out its official website for a hilarious interview clip ( bottom right hand corner ) with Jon Stewart, in which he talks to creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone ( the gurus behind South Park ).
It had me in stiches, man! What is it about the word 'Mormon' that makes everything sound funny? I've met a few myself - young American men who are wholesome, well-mannered and unbelievably gorgeous. My mom dated a few in her heyday too, as evidenced by old photos. One of them looks like John F. Kennedy Jr, okay? Insane!

Wonder if the male cast members will be equally handsome? I just want to hear the songs, one of which has the words 'Mormon' and 'hell' in the title. The last musical I laughed till I cried at was a regional production of Avenue Q. I need another kick, so let's hope I get tickets to this one!

Am considering this a bit more carefully. There's been so much hype - mostly in the form of negative publicity - and a severely overblown budget, it would seem a shame to NOT watch it, no?

Video clips are quite impressive, but only heard part of one song, which wasn't that great. If I have time, and if the ticket prices are reasonable, I may give it a go.
( Anyway, if one of the stuntmen injures himself, I'll be the first to offer my medical services. :))

I may not be a huge Beatles fan, but there're enough effusive reviews on the Internet to pique my interest. More than 2 hours of non-stop music from the group's massive catalogue, covered by musicians who've mastered not just the singing, but even the tiniest mannerisms of Paul, John, Ringo and George.

It truly is the closest thing to watching the real Beatles in the flesh. Shall think hard about this. :)

I love the film version starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria. The original cast included Kelsey Grammer, whom I've followed on the TV series Frasier for eons. Harvey Fierstein ( remember the raspy-voiced dude from Independence Day? ) and Arrested Development's Jeffrey Tambor are the successors. Haven't checked out videos from Playbill.com just yet, but it's on my radar.

Last but not least, a Cole Porter classic that features old-fashioned jazz. More importantly, one of my favourite Porter songs, I Get A Kick Out Of You, is in this musical. Thinking, thinking... :)

I desperately want to see Raul Esparza, but his run in the Tom Stoppard play, Arcadia, ends in June. Need to track him down, argh!

p.s. I hope Jason Mraz writes music for a Broadway show in the near future. It's guaranteed to be a big hit!

2011-03-15T13:16:00.001+08:00

Withdrawal!

A week after Michael Buble's phenomenal show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the symptoms have yet to abate.

Been combing through YouTube for clips from the concert, and really have to thank the many fans out there who uploaded footage!

My favourite is this one which tracks Michael as he hops off the stage and makes his way to the platform in the centre of the arena, before singing Home with the 10,000-strong crowd then strolling back the other way.

My cousin's daughter can be seen very clearly during the later half of Home, and the back of my head is visible just a couple of metres behind Michael as he's escorted to the stage. Can't believe how close I was to the man! Makes me feel worse! :P

I also have a very soft spot for this video I took, with Michael performing Billie Jean and Twist & Shout. I compared this segment with many others from his previous shows, and it's become pretty obvious that he was on a major high that night!

One, he sang a short bit from another MJ song, to raucous laughter from the audience, before launching into Billie Jean. Did not do this in other countries, at least from what I've seen so far ( i.e. he just went straight to BJ ).

Two, his reaction when someone in the audience - a man just a few rows directly in front of me - caught the hat he threw out was priceless! He looked positively ecstatic, yelling "Yes!" a couple of times. Also did not happen elsewhere. He was enjoying himself thoroughly! :D

I realize that he does a lot of covers, and that critics target him for this. But I think there's an important role for artistes like Michael, who choose to support a genre which might otherwise have sunk into oblivion, who do these great songs justice by performing them beautifully, and who keep the jazz legacy alive by bringing it to millions all over the world, especially the younger generation of music lovers.

I grew up listening to jazz, thanks to my mother's invaluable influence. I know exactly what Michael means when he reminisces about his own childhood, which was shaped by his father and grandfather, both jazz fans.
Sometimes, I feel really sad that no-one at work shares my passion. I spend so much time at the hospital and have nobody to gush to! So when a concert like this happens, and 10,000 rabid fans holler the lyrics to jazz classics, filling the massive arena with their voices, it fills a huge void in my heart.

Michael is also special to me because I discovered him on my own, without any assistance from the radio or TV, etc. I first heard his album playing at Great World City's That CD Shop back in early 2003, and had no idea who he was. The song was The Way You Look Tonight, and I was so hooked I bought the disc immediately.
The rest is history.

Reading my October 2005 blog entry again is a wonderful way to relive the night I met him in person. Again, searching YouTube clips reveals that he isn't always that friendly to fans. He usually takes a photo, signs an autograph, and moves on. To this day, I have no idea what possessed him to get so cheeky with my mum and I, even grabbing our backstage passes to scribble on after he'd already initialed my programme.

I really hope my cousin's daughter will get a chance to experience this the next time he returns to Singapore. I promise you, E, I will do everything I can to make your dream come true! :)

Shall leave you with lyrics from one of his recent hits, Haven't Met You Yet. As you know, I rarely pay attention to the words unless it affects me emotionally in a huge way. But Michael's comment about this piece giving hope to all those who think they're unlucky in love made me sit up, and this verse deserves special mention:

I might have to wait, I'll never give up
I guess it's half timing, and the other half's luck
Wherever you are, whenever it's right
You'll come out of nowhere and into my life

Someone broke my heart badly 11 years ago, and I've been single ever since. Somehow, this song helps me feel a lot better about my current situation, and since my mum keeps telling me she has a 'strong feeling' I'll get married one day ( trust me, her ESP ability is not to be trifled with! ), maybe I'm not a lost cause after all.

So thank you, Michael, for many great memories, and please come back soon. :)

2011-03-11T12:08:00.006+08:00

Review Of Michael Buble's Concert
9 March 2011
Singapore Indoor Stadium

I waited 5 years and 5 months for Michael Buble to return to Singapore, and the reunion was absolutely spectacular!

This marked my 3rd time watching him on stage, but was made that much more memorable because I brought my cousin's 15-year-old daughter, E, along. She's been a huge fan of his for years, and was excited not just by the prospect of seeing her idol 'live', but of being at the Indoor Stadium for the first time ever.

The review in Life! today was very positive, but the featured photo didn't quite do the entire setup justice, and dwelled more on Michael's banter.

So I've posted a few pictures to show off the amazing stage design ( click to enlarge ), and will talk more about the music and audience reaction.

Opening number Cry Me A River got things started at 8:30pm. As the band played the dramatic intro, Michael's silhouette could be seen behind the enormous curtain covering the entire stage, and when the drapes parted, the 10,000-strong crowd roared its deafening welcome.

This song has been redone quite a few times, but I love the arrangement on Michael's version - very James Bond-esque! - and his powerful vocals are perfect for this classic.

Immediately after he finished the piece, he sat down and spoke to the audience for about 10 minutes. Very different from his previous shows when he talked less and introduced the band much later. This time round, he mentioned how he arrived a day early and went sightseeing. He visited the Marina Bay Sands and the Night Safari, even calling out and saying hello to 2 people in the stadium who brought him around.

His hilarious intros for the band members seemed ad-libbed. Sure, he's done this a million times before, but from what I could see, no-one knew what he was going to say because they had pretty shocked / embarrassed expressions on their faces, and at certain points, weren't even sure who he was talking about!

Pianist and musical director Alan Chang remains a close friend and long-time tour mate. Still looking boyish but slightly haggard ( the same can be said of Michael as well ), it finally hit me that I last saw these guys when I was 30. They've come so far these past 8 years. I can still remember their first Singapore show at Suntec City in 2003. How time flies. I feel old! :)

Michael then launched into At This Moment, also from his 2009 Crazy Love album.

And since this IS the Crazy Love tour, the repertoire featured many other titles from the release, including All Of Me, Georgia On My Mind, Crazy Love, Haven't Met You Yet, All I Do Is Dream Of You, and Heartache Tonight.

From the other albums:

Michael Buble: For Once In My Life

It's Time: Home, Feeling Good, How Sweet It Is, Song For You, Save The Last Dance For Me.

Call Me Irresponsible: Me And Mrs Jones, Call Me Irresponsible, Everything, I've Got The World On A String.

He also sang Mack The Knife, bits from Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, Aladdin's A Whole New World, and Twist And Shout( from the John Hughes comedy, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, one of my personal faves! ).

There was an awkward segment when Michael asked the audience about Ferris Bueller and didn't get much of a reaction. I was in the 12th row, so I couldn't tell him how much I love that movie. If you haven't seen it, go look for it online!

p.s. Enjoyed the giant bouncing balls which Michael kicked into the audience during Twist And Shout. Made the atmosphere so much more festive! :D

Regular readers will know that I always highlight a 'magical moment' from every show I attend. For Michael's 2005 gig, it was his soulful acoustic performance of You And I. This time, I was completely hypnotized by Georgia On My Mind, which he crooned seated next to the piano, with only Alan and the bass / guitar for company. Beautiful!

Here's a YouTube video - can't see Michael but the sound is excellent!

I was also pleasantly surprised by the number of songs from his earlier albums, especially It's Time, which I personally feel is his best work so far ( E agrees :)). Just wish he could've done You Don't Know Me and Try A Little Tenderness, because he interpretes them so wonderfully!

Here's a good view of the stage. Pictures in the Straits Times and Life! featured close-ups of Michael, but I think the stage design deserves special mention.

Definitely a lot more elaborate compared to 2005. Really love the multi-screen backdrop with the juxtapositioning effect. Kudos to the technical crew for doing such a marvelous job!
( The ticket price doubled this year - now I know why! )

This was taken when Michael, in typical form, hopped off-stage and visited his fans in the back. In 2005, he walked one round and returned to the stage after a few minutes. This time, he had a platform placed at the rear of the floor area, just in front of the tiered section. Accompanied by a guitarist, he belted out Home, a huge hit 6 years ago.

E and I sprinted to the base of the platform but were blocked by the last few rows of seats. I stayed put, but E climbed OVER the seats and ended up just inches from Michael's feet - now THAT'S what I call devotion!

Before I knew what was happening, the song ended and Michael made his way back to the front. Unfortunately, I was blocked by a crowd of people near the aisle, and only caught a glimpse of him as he zoomed past, surrounded by burly bodyguards.
My mum, however, was waiting for him at row 12 as he approached. She got an unobstructed view and even managed to stretch out her hand to touch his left shoulder! But alas, all the cameras were with E and I, so sadly, no photo. Darn!

But at least someone uploaded a YouTube video of the segment. I can see E and myself in the crowd, woohoo!

As the crowd got more revved up, the final song began and a tonne of confetti rained down from the ceiling. The cheers grew 10 times louder and the atmosphere was just unbelievable. Everyone was screaming, jumping around and laughing uncontrollably as we became covered with the stuff. Woohoo!

For the encore, Michael obliged with 3 songs, but I can only remember Feeling Good and the closing number, Song For You.
Yes, I easily forget details when I get over-excited. Even E couldn't recall the song order when I asked. But she loved every second of the show and we're both thrilled to hear Michael say he will be back in Singapore very soon, and may even perform for more than one night. YES! :D

If anyone else who was there happens to read this, please fill in the blanks if possible, and leave any comments you have about the evening.

3 videos from the gig will be uploaded today. Please scroll down the page.

Thank you, Lushington Entertainment, for making this concert possible!

Next gig on my list: Maroon 5, April 25. :)

2011-03-04T19:58:00.002+08:00

Entry #5

I was right about not being able to post an entry till some time after the Oscars.
No big surprises, with a slight upset when The King's Speech overtook The Social Network late in awards season, going on to clinch the coveted statuette when it mattered most.

Hollywood - or more accurately, The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences - loves to feel good, and I do think the voters chose The King's Speech because of its uplifting, inspiring theme. Take a look at the list of previous Best Picture winners and see if you can spot any trends.

I've always been vocal about my distaste for Forrest Gump, which beat The Shawshank Redemption back in 1994. My anguished scream of "Noooooooo!" was probably audible in multiple districts. Thankfully, The King's Speech is a much more dignified and intelligent film, and thus more deserving of this honour. ( Don't get me wrong, Forrest Gump is entertaining enough, but Best Picture? Not by a long shot. )

Congratulations also to Colin Firth and Natalie Portman. Certainly hope the latter won't be hit by the Best Actress curse. She's got a baby on the way!

The hype surrounding hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco proved laughable as both failed miserably in their global debut. Anne's nerves manifested as shrill laughter and stammers, while James spent most of the evening squinty-eyed with a goofy grin on his face.
The chemistry was definitely lacking, the jokes fell super-flat, and that bit where James dressed in drag will go down in Oscar history as one of the most tasteless gags EVER. What the hell was he thinking!?

Don't expect either back for a second gig. I think the Academy should stick to what works, and let the comedians run the show. ( One good exception: Hugh Jackman, who isn't technically a comedian, but did a fine job in 2009 nonetheless! )

Check out Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin from 2010, and Neil Patrick Harris' opening number ( ask him to host sometime! ).

But my all-time favourite will always be the incomparable Billy Crystal.

And you never know... maybe Kevin Spacey will host someday as well. He's got my vote! :)

It's about time I commented on the American Idol contestants ( aside from excited tweets, that is :)).

You guessed it: Casey Abrams is at the top of my list of favourites, for a number of reasons.

1) he's got one of the most incredible voices I've ever heard;
2) he's an amazing performer, whether over-the-top or acoustic;
3) when he adds the bass, I just MELT;
4) I love his self-deprecating humour;
5) underneath all that facial hair, I'm pretty sure he's a handsome dude!

His rendition of Georgia On My Mind during Hollywood Week gave me major chills, man. No-one else has had such an effect on me this season, so I'm rooting for him to win this!

Don't you just love how he plays the bass? It's so unusual to see a young person not only embrace this instrument, but also play it so damn well. It isn't just a prop, it's an extension of himself, and I applaud him for knowing who he is at the tender age of 19, for picking a genre that's off the beaten path, for sticking to his beliefs and belting every lyric with 100% conviction.

Taylor Hicks did the same thing back in 2006, and despite not doing well post-American Idol win, he remains one of my all-time favourites, and I still hope he'll make a breakthrough someday.

Shall reserve my comments for the other AI10 contestants for another entry. Don't like them enough to write anything yet. Go, Casey! :)

2011-02-26T12:15:00.001+08:00

Review of Kumar's Amazing Race 25 February 2011, Esplanade Theatre

can be viewed at Just Watch Lah.

It was soooo goooood. :)

2011-02-19T19:57:00.002+08:00

Entry #4

Yet another Kevin Spacey photo I'm seeing for the first time. :)
And since it's possible I won't get to post anything till after the Feb 28 Oscars, here's wishing him and the rest of The Social Network team best of luck!

Today's discussion centres on the latest Best Picture Oscar contender I sat through.
I've read a few reviews and received mixed opinions from friends ( they didn't like it ), but for me, it was a very enjoyable, satisfying experience.

Reasons:

Predisposing factors: I'm a fan of dark psychological thrillers ( good example: my obsession with the Dexter TV series and novels ); Tchaikovsky is one of my favourite composers, and Swan Lake is of course my favourite masterpiece; and while I'm not the sort to pay to sit through a ballet performance, I do enjoy watching it on the small / big screen.

And with a stellar cast to boot, the combination is pretty much perfect.

Natalie Portman should, IMHO, win the Best Actress Oscar. Her portrayal of tormented, emotionally fragile Nina Sayers is heart-breaking. While the performance is subdued ( Portman's voice barely rises above a whisper in most scenes ), the tension is palpable from beginning to end, as various stressors threaten to derail the poor girl's shaky psyche.

There're many to choose from: a domineering mother who removes the doorknob so her daughter can't leave her bedroom; the slutty new ballerina who pretends to be Nina's best pal then betrays her; the overbearing ballet director who should be sued for sexual harassment and molestation.

Nina's pain is, to some degree, incomprehensible. I found myself wondering how a young woman this beautiful and talented could allow herself to become a victim. How, even after being named the lead in Swan Lake, her insecurity failed to abate. And the extent of her paranoid delusions and hallucinations is truly terrifying, when one considers her meek, submissive personality. One can only guess at the amount of pent-up frustration brewing within, unleashed in the form of imagined sexual aggression and physical violence.

Barbara Hershey deserves special mention for her role as the super-creepy mum. I've watched my fair share of really scary horror movies, but some of her facial expressions are giving me nightmares!

Mila Kunis is a massive revelation as Nina's rival, Lily. After pottering around in That '70s Show and a number of so-so films ( Max Payne, Forgetting Sarah Marshall ), she finally flexes her acting chops as one of the meanest female characters I've ever come across. Lily's venom is toxic to the core, yet that much more dangerous because she knows how to ensnare her prey. That is one vicious b****!

I'm also very impressed with Vincent Cassel, who plays ballet director, Thomas Leroy. I have a vague recollection of seeing him in a Hollywood production previously, but his role in Black Swan will remain a vivid memory for life.
He may be in his mid-40s, but oozes sexuality in every scene. Pay attention to one segment where Thomas rehearses with Nina alone in a studio then practically attacks her.
If you want visuals, go to this link, and fast forward to 46:15.

Yow. :)

Next on the list - True Grit, and maybe The Fighter.
Yes, I'm passing on 127 Hours. I have my limits!

2011-02-08T14:10:00.001+08:00

Entry #3

... is dedicated to this year's Oscar-nominated films.

And if you're wondering what's on Kevin Spacey's T-shirt, go to this page. :)

This past week, I managed to see The King's Speech, The Kids Are All Right, and Winter's Bone.
And having already watched Inception, Toy Story 3 and The Social Network, I have to say that the lineup is pretty impressive. Though I expect Black Swan to blow me away when I get the chance to view it.

Considering the diverse selection, my current favourite at the moment is The King's Speech. Granted, it may not appeal to that many people, but I grew up with significant exposure to British fare ( books, movies, TV shows, music ), and really enjoyed this.

Director Tom Hooper has done a marvelous job juggling all the different elements without losing his bearings. The opening scene itself invokes a wide spectrum of emotions, as you watch the protagonist's futile struggle in front of thousands, his every choke horrifyingly audible.

What follows is a fascinating account of life in the British monarchy, albeit a rather dysfunctional version since throne abdication doesn't happen that often ( if ever ). The two princes couldn't be more disparate despite being the offspring of the same overbearing father. And Bertie's gradual transformation as his reluctant sense of duty gives way to triumphant jubilation is nothing short of exhilarating.

IMHO, Colin Firth is fully deserving of his Oscar nomination, and is well-positioned to win. I've seen him in quite a few roles, but he has outdone himself as George VI. His performance is finely tuned yet appears totally effortless. Watch for a segment just before his big WWII speech, when he rehearses with his therapist and uses every trick up his sleeve, resulting in a side-splitting explosion of vulgarities and assorted noises.

Geoffrey Rush, as always, remains a distinguished and unforgettable presence, scoring an Oscar nod as well. But this is definitely Firth's tour de force, and I am rooting for him all the way. :)

The Kids Are All Right will probably never make it to DVD here ( was it even shown in the cinemas? Oh well, who cares. ), so try to watch it overseas or online if you can.

Though nominated in multiple categories, I don't predict any major wins. Is it enjoyable? Yes. Is it jaw-droppingly good? Not really.

While the premise is interesting and the A-list cast helps it stand out from the rest of the pack, it didn't linger the way other nominated films did.
Inception almost drove me crazy for 2 weeks. Buzz Lightyear's Spanish phrases got stuck in my head. And The Social Network's cool one-liners dominated my tweets.

I do, however, appreciate Mark Ruffalo's turn as a homewrecker. Oops, apology about the spoiler. :)

Winter's Bone is a surprising contender, to say the least. A cast of unknowns, a simple story set in the middle of nowhere. For me, it was not easy to sit through, but I did it so I could see for myself what the deal was with lead actress Jennifer Lawrence, who nabbed her first leading role nomination at the tender age of 20.

She does possess an ethereal quality. Very pretty despite the minimal makeup and hillbilly attire. Reminds me of a young Renee Zellweger, without the squeaky voice. Unlikely to beat awards favourite Natalie Portman, but she still has a long career ahead of her, so let's hope she plays her cards right.

I'm probably going to avoid 127 Hours, purely because of the stomach-churning arm-amputation scene. I may be a medical professional, but for some strange reason, certain types of movie gore give me the heebie-jeebies. This falls in the same category as dolphin-slaying ( i.e. The Cove, which I also refuse to watch. ).

More next time.

2011-01-30T10:59:00.001+08:00

My Review Of Russell Watson's Concert, 29th January 2011

... is posted at JustWatchLah.

Enjoy. :)

2011-01-28T08:38:00.001+08:00

Entry #3

I realize the titles are very unimaginative, but I'm on a roll here, so bear with me. :)

This week's Kevin Spacey photo is a publicity shot for yet another upcoming release, Margin Call.

The synopsis itself reeks of Wall Street 2 ( which sucks, by the way ). But I'm game to watch anything with Mr. Spacey in it, even if it's bad ( e.g. The Life Of David Gale ). But this, like Casino Jack, probably will not make it to local cinemas, so I'll have to rely on my Megavideo subscription once more.

And speaking of Megavideo, I need to find time to watch all the Oscar-nominated films within the next 4 weeks, before the actual awards ceremony. Am most excited about The King's Speech and The Kids Are All Right. Have already seen The Social Network, Inception and Toy Story 3. Won't be making any outright predictions, but am partial to The Social Network because Mr. Spacey's an executive producer. :)

A pity he wasn't nominated for his role in Casino Jack. Fans and critics have lauded his performance, but alas, the Academy isn't jumping on the wagon.

American Idol season 10 debuted last week, to much fanfare. Sadly, the formula remains the same, though with a slight shift away from the negative. No more Simon Cowell and his nasty comments. The new judges are generous with their compliments, but only Steven Tyler stands out with his unexpectedly bubbly sense of humour.

Jennifer Lopez can't be happy about being outshone. She tries so hard to be the mother hen, but Tyler's sincerity and kindness come through in simple acts. Tonight's episode featured a young man whose fiancee is wheelchair-bound and mentally handicapped after a tragic accident. The judges asked to meet her, but only Tyler gave her a hug, before hugging members of the contestant's family. Randy Jackson and Lopez kept their distance. C'mon, you're on national TV! Act a little!

Am currently halfway through Sex And The City 2. My mum LOVES the franchise, and despite really bad reviews of the movie sequel, we're both enjoying it immensely.
In fact, Abu Dhabi looks so magnificent that we're seriously contemplating a holiday there. We have Australian friends who jet there annually. Maybe we should meet up. :)
My only grouse is that the actresses have aged significantly since the last film, yet refuse to act appropriately. Sarah Jessica Parker's wrinkles make her attempts at being girlish practically laughable. Are you going to keep at it even when you turn 50?
Chris Noth - aka Mr. Big - however, looks fabulous. Went through a heavily-overweight phase, but has slimmed down tremendously, and flaunts it in a few shirtless scenes. Good for him!

Another guilty pleasure: The Secret, which I started reading a couple of days ago, out of curiosity. Granted, the premise itself is ludicrous. I mean, if everything in life were this easy, there'd be no poverty / famine / cancer / obesity, etc.

I tested it out this afternoon, concentrating REALLY hard on a climate change I desperately needed ( long story ). Didn't materialize. But the all-important final outcome, which I also pictured as vividly as I possibly could, did come true. So I don't know if The Secret is working in a roundabout way, because I haven't mastered it yet, or is it a load of bull, plain and simple?

Tested it again during my night shift, with mixed results. Wished for a VERY quiet call, but it was busy until about 4am, before slowing to a trickle. Nothing unusual, but then, we got a bonus in the form of a transitional year resident ( the equivalent of a house officer ), who's extra-numerary, so we ended up with 5 MOs instead of the daily 4.
The Secret's merry-go-round power in action yet again? Hmmm...

Writing efforts-wise, my new and completely secret blog hasn't quite taken off yet, but I know I must be patient, and am confident that with time, a breakthrough will materialize. Have been reading many other more well-known blogs, which awe and humble me. While many have complimented my skills with the written word, I know they are nothing compared to the world's biggest players.

But in an effort to push myself and take this seriously, I intend to enter an international writing contest and submit a couple of entries. Have been tossing around a few ideas, settled on the dominant themes and narrative arcs, but need quiet time to flesh them out properly.

Not easy at all!

Perhaps my mind will stop drawing a blank when I go on a week's break starting today.

Till next time...

2011-01-14T13:59:00.002+08:00

Entry #2

One of my New Year resolutions for 2011 is to post a Kevin Spacey or Kevin Spacey-related picture with every post I make here.

This entry's selection: a poster for Casino Jack, a movie that is getting rave reviews and which has earned Mr. Spacey a Golden Globe nomination, but that will probably never see the light of day in local cinemas.

( And if you're wondering what The Social Network has to do with the Hollywood star, he executive-produced it. )

As expected, Mr. Spacey's been doing a whirlwind press tour promoting the new film. A few videos worth sharing:

1) His appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live a few weeks ago. Part 3 is especially enjoyable, because he does an impression which I've never seen before, but which is also 100% spot-on. ROFL :D

2) A super-hilarious interview with Conan O'Brien, where he does yet another impression I'm seeing for the first time.
( For the record, I think Conan is 10 times funnier than Jay Leno. :))

3) Just uploaded: a priceless exchange with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report, aired this afternoon Singapore time. Who is Keyser Soze? *cue ominous music*

If you can, catch the 'live' telecast of the Golden Globes awards ceremony, to be shown on cable ( not sure about free-to-air TV ) this coming Monday from 9am onwards. I'll be post-call, and Mr. Spacey's confirmed to be presenting, so I'm not going to miss this for the world!

How have the last 10 days been otherwise?

Aside from the usual work hassles - the MOs are regressing and require more hand-holding with each passing day, how ridiculous is that - I've been pushing myself to write a lot more than I used to, and devouring writing resource materials with gusto.

I've also set up yet another blog, at a site that's famous for offering book and movie deals to writers who manage to distinguish themselves from the pack.

My first entry a week ago was very well-received, considering I'm a newbie, and I've been bitten by the writing bug in a major way, drawing inspiration from readers' comments and tips from established and successful writers in the magazines and books I'm now poring through.

Just wish I could've started all this 10 years ago. Life could've been very different!

To friends who've asked, I'm sorry I can't direct you to the new blog, because I need complete anonymity in order to let go of my inhibitions.

I may, however, consider revealing this blog to the frequent visitor from Google headquarters, if s/he drops me an email. I am not joking. :)

So please forgive me if the posts on It's A Zoo Out There aren't as effusive as they once were. I have a finite amount of energy, and this needs to be diverted elsewhere, at least for the time being.

Wish me luck, and have a great weekend!

2011-01-03T20:19:00.006+08:00

Entry #1

Through some cruel twist of fate, I started feeling under the weather on the first day of 2011. Since then, my symptoms have developed into a full-blown upper respiratory tract infection, but at least without a fever or significant lethargy.

Still, it's a pretty crappy way to start the new year.

For my inaugural 2011 post, I've chosen The Social Network, which I just watched over the weekend ( couldn't find the time to go to the cineplex ).

Having read all the rave reviews and noted its increasing number of major awards wins, I was apprehensive - I always am, when personal expectations threaten to overshadow a film's actual merit.

However, I am happy to report that I enjoyed every second of the movie, despite the many debates out there over just how accurate a depiction it is.

Mark Zuckerberg is portrayed as a major douchebag, and Napster founder Sean Parker as a party animal who also causes a rift between Zuckerberg and his loyal best friend, Eduardo Saverin.

While based on a book by Ben Mezrich ( who also wrote the novel that spawned the film, 21 ), it is a one-sided account reaped from interviews given by Saverin, +/- transcripts of depositions given by the various parties ( I haven't read it, so I'm guessing here ).

As such, I'm pretty certain there's a large amount of liberty being taken, resulting in a biased view of the truth.

So I watched The Social Network with some degree of skepticism, and have no idea what to believe. But I suspect the majority of movie audiences accept what's portrayed on-screen, and can't imagine what effect this has had on Zuckerberg ( one upside: he was crowned Time magazine's Person Of The Year for 2010; not bad for a so-called douchebag :)).

Does the film live up to the hype? Definitely. I'm a long-time fan of David Fincher's work ( Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac ), and he does an excellent job here, coaxing breakout performances from the actors and juggling the different storylines adeptly.

Kevin Spacey said during his interview in Singapore last month, that The Social Network is one of those unique films that doesn't feature explosions or sex, and yet manages to engage moviegoers through a great script and cast.

The two elements certainly complement each other beautifully. Jesse Eisenberg may not be stretching his capabilities that much ( he played another talkative, fidgety nerd in Zombieland ), but he does amp things up a notch, making those lawsuit depositions crackle with tension.

Kudos for casting a relative unknown in a role that was made for him. However, I do wonder if Shia LaBeouf might have been a better choice - less sulky-faced, hence more likeable. Plus, Shia's a few years younger than Jesse.

Andrew Garfield is someone to watch, especially after clinching the Spider-man lead as Tobey Maguire retires. Beside being extremely good-looking ( love that hair! ), he's got some serious acting chops to boot. Look out for a scene where Saverin confronts Zuckerberg at the Facebook office, in front of Sean Parker. Absolutely superb!

Armie Hammer, who plays the privileged Winklevoss twins, also shines. It helps that he has the right background ( grandson of a wealthy oil tycoon ). He walks with a swagger, speaks with a crisp accent, and has the cocky attitude down pat. Let's just hope he doesn't get pigeonholed into similar parts for the rest of his career.

As for Justin Timberlake, I've never been a big fan of his, be it music- or acting-wise. His turn as Parker is fun, but nothing to really gush about. I honestly think he should just stick to singing and dancing.

Aaron Sorkin's screenplay is the first I've truly appreciated, having watched A Few Good Men, The American President and a few episodes of The West Wing. I can't make any comparisons with the actual book ( 'cos I haven't read it ), but he deserves an Oscar for churning out a script that incorporates so many different facets of the Facebook phenomenon, transforming a relatively dry subject into the Superbowl.

The one-liners come fast and furious. Harvard undergrads are portrayed as ruthless go-getters and snooty elitists ( true to a certain degree, no doubt ).

The most refreshing bit, though, is being able to watch a film that features highly intelligent young people talking up a storm and doing things that end up changing the world. College life isn't just about getting drunk and getting laid. Sometimes, staying in your dorm room typing in computer codes is way cooler.

Crossing my fingers that it will win the Best Picture Oscar. Hope Kevin Spacey will deliver a speech! :)

2010-12-11T19:51:00.000+08:00

New Directions

...to borrow an often used motto from Glee.

And yes, the Kevin Spacey photo clearly indicates that I'm still reeling from the meet-and-greet!
( This is just one of many shots freeze-framed by a fellow KS fan from the video clips I uploaded on YouTube. Thank you so very much! )

But that's not the main gist of this entry. As the title aptly says, my recent encounter with the great Mr. Spacey jumpstarted a dream which has been brewing for way too long. A dream I've had since childhood. A dream many friends and relatives ( even my mother ) have asked me to pursue ( without jeopardizing my day job, that is ). A dream one friend seriously offered to finance, if I ever needed assistance. A dream which almost took flight 7 years ago when this blog gained global attention during the SARS epidemic.

While medicine - emergency medicine, in particular - is something I enjoy to a certain extent, it has become clear over the past decade that it is not fulfilling a deep void in my psyche.
Sure, I get to help people, earn good money, blah blah blah. But at the end of the day, what I yearn for most is a chance to express myself, and to make an intellectual and emotional impact on others.

I know that I will never be a renowned expert in my current profession. No passion for medical research, little protected time for teaching / mentoring, hate administrative duties. Work has become an endless stream of undifferentiated shifts, fraught with PR annoyances and systemic obstacles. The monotony is mind-numbing, and patients / relatives these days offer minimal appreciation for healthcare providers.

This past week, I made a number of decisions and took action to set things in motion.
First, an effort to establish collaborative working relationships with key people in the entertainment industry, to further the objectives of a group blog I contribute to.
Second, joining an online community which provides peer support and critiques on writing efforts. I haven't provided a link to the site because my username's a little obvious, so would prefer to maintain a degree of privacy in that area.
However, if anything interesting occurs, I'll be sure to post an update here. :)
Third, contemplating a medical website idea proposed by a tech-savvy reader. Anticipating a minefield of restrictions to manoeuvre around, but hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Initially planned to blog at the end of the month to herald in the New Year, but since I'm at the computer now, it wouldn't hurt to do a quick summary of 2010's main events.

1) Not to belabour the point, but meeting Kevin Spacey wasn't just the highlight of the year, it has been the highlight of my life!
The fact that it occurred so unexpectedly is definitely a bonus. Sometimes, when you have lots of time to anticipate something, the actual event itself loses the oomph factor.
Although I think being post-call that evening resulted in a degree of lethargy which blunted my affect. If I'd been physically and mentally optimal, I would've bordered on manic!
Never in a million years did I ever think I would have a chance to come face-to-face with my favourite actor.
Add this to my meet-and-greet with Jason Mraz ( my favourite singer ) in March 2009, and I'm pretty much done with my personal list of People I'd Like To Talk To Before I / They Die.

2) France. Or more specifically, Paris.
Again, an unexpected surprise. This country has never been a priority in my travel plans, and was chosen only to accomodate my mom.
Even I was shocked by the effect it had on me. I've never visited a place that made me exclaim, "I don't want to go home!" before.
Paris is so exquisite, but I didn't have time to see most of the city, so a definite return is on the cards. Think maybe on my 40th birthday. Might hop through a few favourite destinations at one go. :)

3) Got promoted at last. My habit of procrastinating proved dearly when a journal writeup was massively sidetracked. But I proved a few things to myself in the process. On to the next 5, so I can make senior consultant when the time comes.

4) Took the plunge and went for Lasik surgery, because my glasses were giving me intractable headaches and contact lenses were becoming a problem. My high myopia and astigmatism haven't deterred the wonders of modern technology, and thanks to an opthalmologist who comes highly recommended by many, results have been good so far, and will probably improve with time.
No regrets at all. :)

5) Memorable concerts: attended very few shows this year, but Jamie Cullum and David Foster were both fabulous and worth every single cent.

6) Favourite movie of 2010: hands down, Inception. Didn't get to see The Social Network, which I'm pretty sure I would've enjoyed as well, so will have to wait for the DVD release.
In any case, if it wins the Best Picture Oscar and Kevin Spacey makes the thank-you speech, I will hit the roof. Literally. :)

7) Favourite TV shows of 2010: Dexter and The Closer. This is, in my opinion, as good as it gets in terms of acting and writing. I do have other favourites, but none comes anywhere close to these two.

Plans for 2011?

1) Non-work-related projects, mentioned earlier.

2) A trip back to the USA with both parents, visiting a couple of cities we haven't seen yet. But Manhattan is definitely on the itinerary. Watching a few Broadway musicals, meeting up with old friends, maybe getting one of them to bring me backstage at the Lincoln Centre ( he's got connections :)).

3) Gearing up for Russell Watson and Michael Buble's shows. Have a contact in the music industry who might be able to grant me access to the artistes.

4) The Bridge Project, featuring Kevin Spacey in the lead role of Richard III! Okay, no more gushing for now. :)

Another good year is about to conclude. Here's to an equally great 2011.

2010-12-02T14:44:00.008+08:00

The Best Day Ever!

This entry contains additional details which Kevin Spacey fans may be interested in, so if you want a condensed version, go to the other post on Just Watch Lah.

As you know, my blog is named in Mr. Spacey's honour. So's my Twitter username.
And while he won Oscars for his roles in The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, it was actually The Negotiator that turned me into a diehard fan.
The exact moment? A tense scene where Spacey's character, hostage negotiator Chris Sabian, blasts the police and FBI for storming a building without his okay, then pleads for Danny Roman's ( Samuel L. Jackson's ) life.
If you watch that bit, you will hear Spacey's voice break. And that was when I knew that he was my all-time favourite actor.

Through the years, I've seen many of his films, often multiple times.
Personal fave: Swimming With Sharks, in which he plays the boss from hell, Buddy Ackerman. You absolutely MUST watch this movie. "You...have...no...brain." LOL!

Other faves: American Beauty, The Usual Suspects, Se7en, Beyond The Sea ( which he also directs ), Pay It Forward and Recount.

Ever since I started travelling annually, I've tried to see Mr. Spacey on stage, but the timing just never seemed right. And sending a fan mail package to The Old Vic 2 years ago didn't help either. He's probably too busy to read everyone's letters, or the envelope's gotten lost somewhere.

And when he came to Singapore early this year to promote The Bridge Project, I was devastated that I didn't get a chance to meet him.

So when an old friend alerted me about the Audi A8 event, I used every means possible to get tickets.

I've already discussed the interview segment and mentioned a list of general impressions, so here're a few extra things.

The majority of the audience didn't seem to be huge Kevin Spacey fans. Yes, he was bombarded by quite a few guests later on, but I suspect they were just making general conversation, and haven't seen a lot of his less famous films. From what I could hear, Spacey was talking about his work in the theatre more than anything else. Nothing very specific.

A few of the guests were rather rude. Even though I was quietly waiting my turn and arrived first, others barged in front of me before I could step forward, monopolizing the actor for the next few minutes as I waited. Again.

But this had its advantages. Since I had a reason to be there, I used the time to take a very good look at Mr. Spacey, who was just inches away from me. I also listened to him speak, and couldn't help thinking how surreal it was to be standing right next to a man I've dreamed of meeting for more than a decade!

My first encounter took place in the general buffet area, just outside the restricted access lounge. Mr. Spacey's assistant initially wanted to usher him inside, but I pleaded with him for a few minutes and asked if his boss would oblige with an autograph, to which he smiled and replied, "You can ask him!"

I wanted to take a quick photo with him, but MY CAMERA JAMMED. Yes, my brand new Nikon Coolpix which is only a few months old, decided to die on me at the most crucial moment, ARGH!

So the only thing I could do was fish a DVD out of my bag ( I brought 3 just in case ), and due to the time constraint ( his assistant was getting very antsy ), I decided to pass him the first one I pulled out, which happened to be Swimming With Sharks. How strange is that! :)

Once Mr. Spacey was done with the last guest, I quickly stepped forward and stretched out my hand. He immediately took it and gave me a smile, as I introduced myself and told him I'm a "very big fan" of his. I think I rambled on for a bit, explaining how my camera jammed and asking if I could have his autograph instead. He instantly agreed.

I promised myself that, in the event that I got to meet Mr. Spacey, I would do everything in my power to recall as many details as possible, instead of getting flustered and forgetting things, like I did with Michael Buble.

Here's what happened:

I gave him the Swimming With Sharks DVD box.
He opened it, likely looking for the booklet inside.
There was no booklet, because I'd mailed that to The Old Vic. But I didn't tell him this.
He then started to remove the DVD sleeve located on the outside of the box. It is, as you know, tough to manipulate, because there's a plastic cover over it.
When I saw what he was doing, I asked him to sign the disc instead, because "it's easier".
He didn't say anything to that, just smoothly whipped the sleeve out ( like magic, haha ), put it on a nearby table, and asked me for my name.
That really stunned me, because I honestly didn't expect it. I just thought he'd sign his name and that would be it.
So for a split second, I was speechless. But I recovered pretty quickly, and spelled out my name as he wrote it down with a marker pen I brought.
While he was doing this, I mentioned that he once answered one of my tweets, but he didn't acknowledge it specifically, though it looked like he heard my remark.
And since I'd met celebrities before, I took that as a cue to not push the issue, and stood there patiently as he scrawled the rest of the autograph for me.

Here's another surprise - I thought he'd just hand the stuff to me in pieces, but he slotted the sleeve BACK into the plastic cover, and closed the box, before returning it to me with a smile!
I thanked him profusely, and just as he was walking off, he spotted my pen still on the table, the same time I was about to reach for it.
He then REVERSED, took the pen in his hand, and gave it to me. At this point, I blanked out, but vaguely recall him saying something along the line of "Here you go."
I think. Sorry! :)
Before we parted, I passed him an envelope, saying that it's a "fan letter". It's from me, of course. Nothing mushy ( not my style ), just how much I admire his work, my tributes to him on Blogger and Twitter, etc.

Then he entered the lounge.

I loitered outside the area for a while, not because I wanted to bug him again, but for the simple purpose of looking at him a little longer. ( Hey, he's my favourite actor, I can't just walk away! )

About 5 minutes later, Mr. Reinhold Carl, managing director of Audi Singapore, said hello to my mum and I ( details of our earlier exchange on Just Watch Lah ). Upon hearing that my camera malfunctioned earlier and I never got a picture, he led me inside the lounge and deposited me behind Mr. Spacey, asking me to wait for my chance once he's done talking to the other guests.

The next 10 minutes were very tense. 4 ladies chatted with him, followed by a large Caucasian man - who, by the way, JUMPED QUEUE. Then Mr. Spacey's assistant tried to ask me to leave, since I'd already gotten an autograph. I told him that Audi's managing director asked me to get a photo, then he backed off a bit, but I could tell that the first chance he got, he was going to whisk his boss away from me.

Lo and behold, a male Audi staff member came to my rescue. I think it's because I helped him track down the event photographer earlier, and the gesture paid off! He took my camera and told me he'd snap a photo for me. Then when the assistant protested, the Audi guy sternly said, "One photo! Just one photo! She's been waiting for a very long time!" ( There's actually a double meaning there, 'cos I've been waiting more than 10 years, not 10 minutes! )

When Mr. Spacey was finally free, I stepped forward and apologized for bothering him again, explaining that my camera was now functional and could we take a fast picture?
It would've been understandable for him to say no, or to look unhappy about the intrusion, but none of that occurred. He smiled, faced the cameras ( mine and the event photog's ), moved in close and gently placed his hand on my back. I was a little worried that he might look at the wrong camera, but he gazed straight into mine, so the picture turned out great!

A quick thank-you and farewell, and I was outta there!

After getting home, I scrutinized his autograph because I couldn't tell what he'd written ( other than our names ). It's quite illegible! Later, I figured it out: To XXXXX, with thanks, Kevin Spacey.
Cool. :D

I can't wait to see him as Richard III next year! Will I try to meet him again? You bet! Hopefully there won't be such a big crowd to fight through, 'cos I'd really like to ask him a few questions.

It's been the perfect end to a very good year. Am so thankful for the many blessings I've received. And there're even more to come in 2011, I'm sure!

To end off, my permanent tribute to Mr. Spacey - am changing my profile to a quote from his late mother. Because so many of my own dreams have come true, and it's important to always have new ones.

Thank you again, Mr. Spacey, for your kindness and graciousness!

p.s. Finally, after multiple attempts, all 3 video clips are up! Part 3 contains Mr. Spacey's hilarious Bill Clinton impression, and ends with his mother's inspiring quote. Hope you enjoy it!
( p.p.s. that is NOT me coughing in the background )

2010-11-28T07:45:00.004+08:00

My Cup Runneth Over

I've been festering in a cesspool of blue funk this past fortnight, and it would've taken nothing short of a miracle to lift me out of it.

So the fact that 3 miracles occurred within days of each other is, in my opinion, nothing short of divine intervention. :)

First and foremost, my scoring 2 passes to one of Kevin Spacey's appearances at the Audi A8 event.
Initially, it was a near impossible task, especially since I had no inkling about the campaign itself, until a pal sent me an SMS and gave me the shock of my life.

Next, wrangling for tickets with the general public just didn't cut it for me, so I sent someone an email and basically grovelled, but was politely told, "Sorry, I can't help you." Which I totally understand.

The big break came when I recalled receiving an envelope with the Audi logo in the letterbox earlier this week. It was addressed to my dad, but since we receive a lot of junk mail on a daily basis, we end up tossing most of these in the recycling pile.

I called my mum from work - yes, I was desperate - and she rummaged through the heap before ringing me back with the best news ever: it was indeed the invitation I was hoping for!

Quick email back to the Audi guy, who happily put me on the guest list, and sent me the confirmation the very next day.

No word on whether there'll be any Q&A, meet-and-greet or autograph-signing. Programme shows a 30-minute slot for the talk itself, followed by a dinner buffet.

But you can bet I'll try my DARNDEST to get close to Mr. Spacey. No, I'm not stalking the man. But surely you can imagine how eager I am to shake his hand and take a photo, if possible. I absolutely love his work, and think he's sexy as hell. :)

More to follow after the event itself!

As a tribute to Mr. S, videos of his priceless impersonations. ( If I get to ask him a question in person, I'll either request an impression, or a short song. :))

At the AFI.

My personal fave, from Inside The Actors Studio.

As for the other 2 miracles: tickets to Russell Watson and Michael Buble's concerts! :D

By the way, I finished Dexter Is Delicious a few days ago.
As usual, not the strongest in terms of detective work, but explored Dexter's conflicting emotions in-depth, with a most unexpected plot development in the last chapter.

I mean, I thought I'd gotten used to Jeff Lindsay's wacky ideas after 4 novels, but even I didn't see this coming! Bravo for that!

And the TV series? Season 5 episode 8 deserves an Emmy. Just for that one episode. It's that good.

I'm not kidding when I say that I love Dexter Morgan. Not in a romantic sense, of course, but in a sisterly way. When you follow a show this closely and start investing your personal feelings in its characters, you begin to care for them very deeply.

And Dexter, in all his bloodthirsty dysfunction, is one of my personal heroes.

Why am I highlighting S5 Ep 8? Because it combines impeccable writing with flawless acting, and seals the bond between Dex and survivor-turned-accomplice Lumen.
Dexter, as many fans would know, is a solitary creature when it comes to murder. His attempt at partnership in season 3 ( with a trigger-happy Assistant DA, no less ) ended in tragedy, so having him try this out a second time is definitely dicey.

However, the writers are so adept at developing his relationship with Lumen ( plus the utterly convincing acting from Michael C. Hall and Julia Stiles ) that I never once doubt that they'll end up together.

*spoiler beware*

There's a scene where Lumen is attacked by a killer who recognizes her, and Dexter comes charging into the hotel room, strangling the scumbag until he loses consciousness and releases the poor woman.

It may seem routine to most viewers, but I found it extremely poignant. Dexter, with his propensity for cold, calculated violence, is also one of TV's kindest, most caring personalities.

There's also a conversation that discusses Dexter's motivation for killing.
D: Some people deserve to die.
Lumen: Is that what you believe?
D: Well, some people don't deserve to live.

If Michael C. Hall doesn't get an Emmy next year, someone's head needs to be chopped off!

2010-11-26T15:34:00.003+08:00

Kevin Spacey Returns To Singapore!

So soon? He was just here earlier this year before The Bridge Project's The Tempest hit the Esplanade.

I'm not complaining! :)

Strangely enough, I didn't know about the Audi A8 launch campaign until a good friend brought it to my attention.

Just called the hotline to register, but they're going to draw lots for the public, so let's hope I get lucky.

He'll be there all 3 days. How cool is that!

p.s. Doesn't he look gorgeous in this photo? Should've made this year's People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive issue. :D

First Michael Buble and Russell Watson's concerts, now this. My heart can't take any more adrenaline!

2010-11-17T18:37:00.001+08:00

Reviews

A couple of quick ones.

First, the updated version of Hawaii Five-O, which I absolutely LOVE. :)

Cable aired 2 episodes these past few days. The pilot was mind-bogglingly good, for many reasons.

There's the excellent cast, led by Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan, carrying on the bro-mance trend that's become so popular in recent years.

Whoever picked these guys deserves an Emmy award, 'cos I haven't seen such a great male pairing since Law & Order. Most detective shows these days prefer man-woman combos, probably so they can up the will-they-or-won't-they romance factor.
So it's very refreshing to see 2 hunky dudes bickering their heads off, and the scriptwriters really whip it up with the witty one-liners.

Of course, most of the credit goes to O'Loughlin and Caan, who share the most delicious chemistry on-screen, and trade insults with gusto. The former is all icy stares and business-like calm, the latter a ball of nerves and temper flares. I find it especially funny when the shorter Caan scolds the towering O'Loughlin. Just brings to mind an image of David nagging Goliath, heh!

Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park provide the obligatory Asian ingredient, but don't make that big an impression, in my opinion. However, I'm glad to see minimal makeup on Park, a welcome change from the goop that's usually piled on actresses' faces - good examples: all the CSI series, all the teenager shows ( 90210, Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries ). But I don't exactly buy into the hard-sell that Park's character is a kick-ass tough-as-nails cop worthy of joining the task force. Better to just let her use her feminine wiles and leave the whacking to the macho men, no?

One more thing worth mentioning: the super-slick action scenes, which caused my jaw to hit the floor. A memorable chase sequence in Ep 1 had O'Loughlin slide onto the back of a stalled car just as another one came crashing head-on into it. Doesn't sound that fantastic when I write about it, but trust me, it was wild!

He's been through a number of short-lived TV series, like Moonlight and Three Rivers, so let's hope Hawaii Five-O will be his breakout role, just as McDreamy helped Patrick Dempsey jumpstart his career.

As for Hung season 2, the censors are turning the show into an incomprehensible mess, so I may have to resort to my online sources for help.
It's definitely losing steam because the novelty is wearing off, so I may not stick around for season 3.

In other news, Russell Watson is finally performing in Singapore!
I've been a fan since his debut album almost 10 years ago, so you bet I'll be at the concert, with mom in tow.
Am also hoping for some "special access" privileges, so fingers crossed. :)

2010-11-15T20:36:00.001+08:00

Holiday Musings - Part 5

Due to a glitch in the Blogger software, some of the posting features aren't working very well, so let's see how this turns out.

It's been 3 weeks since my last entry about France, so I think it's about time for another one!

Choice of subject: the majestic Notre Dame cathedral.

I took A LOT of pictures, but picked these because they're among my favourites, and offer some of the best views.

From what I could see, most tourists cram themselves outside the main entrance ( right ), which features 3 separate doors and the famous Gallery Of Kings statues ( below ).

As a first-time visitor, I was initially disoriented by a long queue of people, whom I thought was lining up to enter the church. Turns out they were waiting to go up the stairs to the roof, which can take up to an hour!

Once inside, there's more to see, from statues of famous saints ( including Joan of Arc ), to numerous small prayer chapels, beautiful paintings, an altar, and of course, the famous rose windows.

I'm told by certain photography enthusiasts that my photos of the windows turned out great. Guess I got lucky, since I don't use a fancy or particularly expensive camera. Nikon Coolpix is good enough for me. But I did upgrade to a higher ISO, better zoom and 15 megapixels. :)

After spending about an hour strolling around the interior - was referring to my trusty Eyewitness travel guide on all the interesting sights - my mum and I went outside to walk a full round and view the exterior structure from a 360-degree perspective.

We met very few tourists along the way, which is a huge pity. The cathedral is breath-taking from every angle, and we stopped many times to gawk at the pure awesomeness of the architecture. Flying buttresses, hello!

There's also a lovely rose garden at the other end, where you can sit by a small fountain for a short breather, or bask in the sun.

Following our little walkabout, we ended the trip by listening to the church bells chime the 12 o'clock hour, after which they launched into a protracted bit of melodious clanging.
I was transfixed, and captured the interlude with my camera's video recording function.
I could practically picture Quasimodo in the bell tower! Such a beautiful summer day. My mom LOVED it. :)

Other Updates

Have been reading up a storm, zipping through Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan's The Fall, before moving on to Jeff Lindsay's Dexter Is Delicious.

The Fall - Book 2 of The Strain trilogy - was disappointing because it pales in comparison to Book 1, which blew me away.
The writing has lost the oomph factor, the chapters don't flow smoothly, the action scenes feel forced, and the plot fails to develop in a manner that sustains my interest.
I do a lot of bedtime reading - need to wind down after my frequent evening shifts. How easily I doze off is a good gauge of how terrific / abysmally bad a novel is. And I had a lot of trouble staying awake with this one. Unlike The Strain, which kept me up till 2am at one point.

Another gripe: the totally irrelevant blog and diary entries from Fet the pest exterminator, and Ephraim Goodweather the infectious disease expert. Not well-written at all, and worth skipping entirely.

Will I read Book 3? Of course. I wouldn't be able to live with myself otherwise. Just hope it will match The Strain in terms of excitement and plot / character development.

I also hope a film trilogy - or better still, a TV series! - is in the works. Am already imagining Robert Downey Jr in the Goodweather role, with Gerard Butler as Fet. If my choices become reality, I'm going to buy lottery tickets! :)

Dexter Is Delicious, on the other hand, is currently giving me insomnia. Book 4 - Dexter By Design - was unremarkable, but Book 5 has author Jeff Lindsay back in top form, exhibiting a degree of laugh-out-loud dark humour I haven't seen since Dexter In The Dark.

Can you possibly fathom how a novel about a serial killer can make me chortle heartily, even after a crappy shift at the hospital? Since I've been watching the TV series online, it's even more interesting that I'm experiencing what's essentially 2 separate realities in Dexter Morgan Land. On television, he has a baby son named Harrison, lost his wife to the Trinity Killer, rescues a young woman from a pack of perverted murderers and subsequently helps her hunt them down.
On paper, his new daughter is called Lily Anne, wife Rita is alive and well, the Miami police squad searches for a possible vampire / cannibalistic cult, and Dexter's bloodthirsty brother, Brian ( who was killed off in season 1 ), returns with what sounds to me like a sinister ulterior motive.

Balancing the 2 story arcs is making me dizzy, but I'm also loving every second. :)

Something else I highly recommend: The Walking Dead.
This new TV series airs on local cable just 5 days after its U.S. telecast, woohoo!
Based on a graphic novel and executive produced by Frank Darabont ( who directed the excellent Shawshank Redemption ), the pilot episode got me hooked fast, and Ep 2 convinced me that yes, this show is worth my time.
Why? Well, don't expect hard-core action, sex / nudity or any big stars. The pace is rather slow - lots of talking, strategizing, trying to escape from one place or other. Zombies don't make the most fascinating villains either.
Maybe it's my personal preference, but I enjoy the verbal sparring between the plucky survivors, with their power plays and heroic/ desperate attempts at staying alive.

The main draw, however, is Andrew Lincoln, an actor I never knew of until now. As deputy sheriff, Rick Grimes, he is believably gritty and handles the action scenes extremely well. The supporting cast benefits from solid direction, especially in Ep 2, when they look positively horrified while chopping up a dead zombie then smearing its foul-smelling innards on their clothes, in an attempt to disguise themselves during an escape.

Also helps that Lincoln reminds me of another favourite actor, Viggo Mortensen. Slight physical resemblance, especially that strong jawline and scruffy chin. And they both handle their firearms most magnificently. :)

I'm also currently into The Vampire Diaries. Granted, it's directed at teenagers - specifically the Twilight fans - but I have my guilty pleasures too ( Gossip Girl heh! ) and this show is much less annoying than the Twilight movies.

Are you on Team Stefan or Team Damon? I like the former, because honestly, Ian Somerhalder's range of facial expressions is so damn limited. He tries to look evil, but how badass can an arched eyebrow be?
Paul Wesley, on the other hand, excels at being tormented.

But I have to say, distorting the vampire legend is so WRONG. I prefer my bloodsuckers nocturnal. And why is it always a male vamp who goes after a human girl?

Other new TV shows on cable, which I will try to review soon: Hawaii Five-O, and Hung season 2.

Last but not least, any guesses for People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive 2010?

I have this horrible feeling that Robert Pattinson's going to be on the cover. But then again, People mag rarely bestows this title on someone in his 20s, so let's hope that trend continues.

If I had my way - quirky taste and all - I'd choose ( in order of preference ) Robert Downey Jr, Viggo Mortensen, Clive Owen, Keanu Reeves and Edward Norton.

I adore George Clooney, but he's been featured twice already.
Kevin Spacey is sexy in my book, but not an ideal candidate looks-wise.
James McAvoy's hot, but too young for such a title.

D-day: November 17!

Till next time...

2010-10-31T14:33:00.000+08:00

Review Of David Foster & Friends concert

Posted today, available at Just Watch Lah.

Enjoy. :)

2010-10-29T09:56:00.003+08:00

Reviews

Okay, I'm going to abandon the Bliss theme because frankly, I've lost count.

Will also take a short break from the holiday posts, because I really want to write about some other good stuff. :)

Here goes.

Movies

An assortment of rented DVDs, online versions, and Krisworld fare.

Caught Knight And Day en route from Paris to Singapore. Surprisingly enjoyable! Not a particularly big fan of Cruise or Diaz, but this little caper turned out to be extremely fun, with great chemistry between the leads, a bonus in the form of Peter Sarsgaard ( I LOVE that guy :)), and another bonus - John Powell helming the excellent score ( he also composed for The Bourne Identity, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Shrek and other blockbuster animated films ).

Robin Hood was a major letdown. Lots of big players in the form of the Ridley Scott-Russell Crowe partnership, and co-stars Cate Blanchett and Mark Strong, but the script was so anti-climactic. Horrible ending! Supposed to set things up for a sequel, but frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

Prince Of Persia gave me a headache. Was hoping I'd drool over Jake Gyllenhaal the same way a certain female Movies.com reviewer did, but my heart rate didn't budge one bit. All that supposedly witty / flirtatious verbal sparring between Jake and Gemma Arterton just falls flat. Yawn...

Shrek 4 is another big yawn. But hey, it was the last of a marathon session on the plane, so I guess I should give it a second chance when it hits cable.

Rented DVDs:

It's Complicated - hilarious! I started to appreciate Meryl Streep's acting skills very late in her career, specifically after her perfectly poised turn in The Devil Wears Prada. This rom-com provided an additional draw for me: Steve Martin, whom I absolutely adore.

Written and directed by Nancy Meyers, who's responsible for The Holiday and Something's Gotta Give, I knew from the get-go that I would love this film, because I've watched the other two multiple times and never tire of them.

The script is smart and realistic, the cast spot-on in terms of characterization and comic timing. I don't fancy the fat-and-hairy Alec Baldwin as a romantic lead, but hey, I thought Jack Nicholson was super-cool in Something's Gotta Give, so I can't explain my preferences.

Everybody's Fine - had me in tears half the time. Yes, I realize that as I grow older, I cry over movies a lot more. And 2010 has been a whopper. Actually, it's the cartoons that really get to me, but for some reason, this Robert de Niro drama was very affecting.

His portrayal of a lonely widower trying to connect with his grown-up offspring is poignant yet understated. All those shots of him travelling solo across the country were just soooo sad. Maybe it's because my own parents are hitting their 70s, and I would be devastated if they ended up like de Niro's character.

Special mention goes to Sam Rockwell, whose sensitive performance as an underachieving son is quite heart-breaking.

Thank goodness there's a happy ending to the whole saga. :)

Jennifer's Body - I know it didn't get the best reviews, but I kinda dig this movie! ( p.s. It helps that the DVD isn't censored. There's some girl-on-girl action which will definitely get snipped in the cable version. )

What saves this horror flick from B-grade hell is Amanda Seyfried, an actress I've never cared for much, but couldn't take my eyes off here. She does the terrified expression very well indeed!

Johnny Simmons steals some of the lead actresses' thunder with his boyish good looks and sweet demeanour. But it's Adam Brody's cameo as a Satan-worshipping rocker that provides the biggest jolt. Guy-liner, anyone? :)

Shutter Island is now my 2nd favourite Leonardo DiCaprio film, after Inception.

Equally trippy in terms of grand concepts, but much easier to understand. Thanks to Martin Scorsese, the overall result is effectively dark and ominous. Have you seen Cape Fear, also directed by Scorsese? Very Alfred Hitchcock-esque. Love it!

Up In The Air - made me think a lot more than I thought I would. Much has been said about lead stars George Clooney and Vera Farmiga, but I feel that supporting actress Anna Kendrick deserves the greatest credit here, for her memorable portrayal of an ambitious young graduate with unexpected weaknesses and complicated character flaws.

Ryan Bingham's comment about the irrelevance of marriage is a hoot - "I just don't see the value in it." ( Clooney is, after all, marriage-phobic in real life ) - yet also full of truth. I should know - I'm relationship-phobic too. And proudly so. :)

On to the animated films, both viewed online. Thank you, Megavideo!

Toy Story 3 - yes, definitely the best of the trilogy, and a fitting conclusion to a delightful franchise ( though deep down, I'm crossing my fingers that Pixar's execs will change their minds and continue this magical journey ). I laughed till my sides hurt and cried my eyes out. The new characters are beautifully fleshed out ( Timothy Dalton's Mr. Pricklepants and Michael Keaton's Ken doll are priceless! ) but never outshine the anchors ( Woody, Buzz, the Potato Heads, Jessie, Rex, Hamm etc ). It's a fine balancing act on the director's and writers' parts. The massive box office earnings are proof that they did everything right.

How To Train Your Dragon is the crowning glory of this list. I didn't have time to see it in the cinema, but watching it on a computer screen proved to be an amazing experience nonetheless.

Sure, I take issue with the accent discrepancies. I mean, the story's about Vikings, and you have an assortment of Scottish and American twangs, which make zero sense.

Still, I found myself completely engrossed in spite of the huge boo-boo, mostly because the cast members do such incredible jobs with their vocal performances.

Gerard Butler is perfect as the brooding, towering Stoick, while America Ferrera ( from Ugly Betty ) is a revelation as the ferocious tomboy, Astrid.

But it is Jay Baruchel as Hiccup, who steals the entire show. He resembles the cartoon character to some extent, and the artists capitalize on that by adding mannerisms which greatly enhance the whole awkward / comic element.

Once again, John Powell's soaring music drives many of the action sequences, especially the ones involving Hiccup zipping through the air with Toothless.

Ultimately, however, I love this film because of its big big heart. Even more than Toy Story 3, believe it or not! There're multiple emotional subplots that somehow manage to avoid stifling each other, and you find yourself rooting for everyone ( dragons included, 'cos they're the good guys too! ).

And being an ardent animal lover, the scenes where Hiccup bonds with the different dragons really got to me, man. There's a little one that curls up under his arm and starts purring. I'm not joking! Made me think of my pet cat, Nemo. Awww.... :)

Last but not least, some juicy TV.

Dexter season 5 is off to a rousing start, as Mr. Morgan indulges his Dark Passenger in an effort to cope after his wife's violent demise. He offs a vicious serial killer early on, but now has to contend with an unexpected witness who's proving to be a tad unhinged. Add to all this baggage the constant attention required by his infant son, Harrison, who's already begun to sink his teeth into fellow playmates. Plus a chain of bloody beheadings committed by a cult-like sect.

Michael C. Hall continues to enthrall, and was cheated of a well-deserved Emmy for season 4, argh! Let's hope he strikes gold with S5.

Julia Stiles provides the Hollywood cred this time round ( following in the footsteps of John Lithgow and Jimmy Smits ), and turns in the best performance of her career as Lumen, the mysterious survivor who may or may not result in Dexter's eventual undoing.

I also recently caught the premiere episode of The Good Wife season 2. Am extremely grateful to the writers for expanding Josh Charles' role in the series. Lots of similarities with his Knox Overstreet character from Dead Poets Society, as Will Gardner declares his love for Alicia Florrick, but is cruelly thwarted by image consultant Eli Gold ( deliciously played by Alan Cumming ). The injustice!!!

Anyway, much as I like Chris Noth, who plays Alicia's straying husband, Peter, I want Will to win this battle.

Yes, I watch waaay too many movies and TV shows for my own good. But they make me very very happy. :D

2010-10-22T19:37:00.001+08:00

Holiday Musings - Part 4

aka Foodie Adventures. :D

If I'm not mistaken, this was taken in Sarlat, which
is famous for its foie gras, and listed on our
itinerary. ( Thank you, Google search engine! )

No-one on our tour wanted to try the dish, out of
respect for the poor geese. Our French guide
tried to make the whole process sound like the
most natural thing in the world, but we weren't buying it!

As you can see, there's a lot of canned duck over there.

They also sell canned escargots. Wonder what that tastes like.

A quaint restaurant ( right ) in the same town, where mum and I cooked our own seafood on hot stones for lunch.

Yes, I should've snapped a picture of the meal rather than the
eatery, but somehow, I didn't think the French would like it.

Over at Carcassone, everyone was practically sucked into this beautiful store located near a medieval castle.

And yes, I asked for permission before clicking away. :)

Bought an armload of goodies, mostly cookies and candies. Flavours for the former range from orange and various types of berries, to chocolate and nuts.

The interesting bit is how the cookies didn't go bad
even though it took us more than a week to finish
the stash, and had only a paper bag in which to store them.

Do they taste as good as they look? You bet. They literally melt in your mouth. Yum. :)

Of course, what would a trip to France be without

a little wine-tasting?

Sadly, I'm not a big fan of wine, and couldn't buy
any to present as gifts to friends and relatives ( airline restrictions and all ), but I do enjoy sampling the local fare. For free. ;)

I was very surprised at the affordability of the
products. One bottle of very decent rose wine, for
only 4 Euros!?
The best price I've ever come across anywhere in
countries I've visited. And I've been to vineyards in
Italy, Australia and New Zealand.

In case you're wondering, the booze is from Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

I've included the tree-lined main street in Aix-en-
Provence because I had one of the best slices of
fresh pizza here.
Hot from the oven, the size of my face, dripping
with cheese and tomato sauce. 3 Euros. GAH!

Here's Nice. Took this while waiting for our dinner
at a cafe which served a super-delicious meat-and
noodles dish, totally not what we expected.

And if you read the earlier entry, you may recall my
appreciation for the eye candy, i.e. the many gorgeous waiters. :)

Monaco's Grimaldi Palace is tiny, but the streets
are crammed with people, and finding food when
you're on a tight schedule can be a real nightmare.

Luckily, the restaurants operate like well-oiled
machinery, and we got our main courses within 5
minutes.

Better still, they were perfectly cooked, I constantly dream about the cream sauce on my escalope.

( Was also served by yet another super-handsome waiter. :))

The lakeside town of Annecy is picturesque and full of friendly locals who're generous with their smiles and greetings.

Believe it or not, we had Vietnames takeout for lunch. Good,
not awesome, but for some reason, sitting on a bench along
the canal and getting sunburnt despite the chilly temperature
made that afternoon very memorable for me.

The lake and mountains are in the other direction. Breath-taking!

Our next stop was the ski resort town of Chamonix,

where we froze our fingers off, in summer no less.

This is the photo I took from my hotel window. The real thing is HUGE. And I mean MASSIVE.

I ironed my clothes facing this! Cool? You bet. :)

Food-wise, we had a wonderful, leisurely afternoon

tea in the centre of town ( seated next to us were 2

hot American men who couldn't figure out what we

were saying - we spoke Mandarin and Hakka to

throw them off ). Followed by a dinner consisting of

heavenly Indian cuisine.

But the absolute best meal I had in France was at

this lovely little hotel in Beaune.

There was a group dinner on arrival, which was

delicious. But the next evening, we splurged on a

MUCH better meal for just the 2 of us.

The chef's Japanese, with jaw-dropping skills.

He made meat-flavoured mousse, which sat on

top of the most amazing aspic. We only ordered the main course, but received 3 additional goodies

before and after, plus macaroons ( with to-die-for

fruit-flavoured dip ) for the finale.

The wagyu beef made me clutch my chest with sheer pleasure,

and I can't even remember what my mom ate, just that she couldn't stop gushing about it either.

I'm sure there's something similar in Singapore taste-wise, but

it would probably cost tonnes more, and tweaked to cater to

Singaporeans' preferences. Nope, not for me.

Flower shot's from Dijon ( right ), where a street market stall sold the most delectable honey-roasted peanuts.

The peanut seller couldn't speak much English, but got really

excited upon finding out where we're from.

The Singaporean landmark he immediately identified with?

None other than Marina Bay Sands. All that gesturing actually

made perfect sense. They should incorporate it into the

official sign language vocabulary!

Once again, the water mill restaurant in Fourges,

with its unbelievable apple pie.

This is another part of the Tuileries Gardens. Put

it up because our hotel's behind that building to the right, and it's surrounded by excellent eateries.

I previously mentioned Angelina's, famous for its

rich hot chocolate brew and millefeuille ( a multi-

layered pastry with cream and custard ), where we

chatted for hours with my penpal, E.

There's also a lovely Irish pub close by, that serves

( I kid you not ) chicken with whiskey sauce, and

steak seasoned with Guinness stout.

I couldn't really taste the liquor ( I love steak! ), but

the beef couldn't possibly be any juicier.

The bartender, who brought us the menus, looked

like a 16-year-old version of Josh Groban, and had

the most adorable Irish accent.

He's obviously at least 18, since he pours booze

for a living. Extremely friendly chap. Wish I could've

chatted with him more, but mom was tired out so we returned to the hotel after filling our stomachs. Darn.

Last but not least, the Notre Dame cathedral.

A restaurant just across the street serves beautiful

escargots, cooked in a sauce with a name that I can't pronounce.

Again, top-notch service from the waiters, especially a bespectacled fellow who presented each platter with dramatic flair - i.e. he would swoop over to the table and move his arm in a wide arc, before setting the plate or bowl down and proclaiming, "Voila!"

It's common practice in France, but he definitely took first prize in terms of showmanship. I regret not tipping on this trip, but interestingly enough, the French don't expect it.

Also recommended: French tea. The leaves are imported from Asia, but blended in France. I LOVE it!

Underwhelming: French ice-cream. It's nothing special. You want the truly fabulous stuff? It's in New Zealand - brand name Tip Top, flavour apricot. Droooool. :)

2010-10-12T14:12:00.000+08:00

Holiday Musings - Part 3

...is dedicated to Giverny.

I took loads - and I mean LOADS - of photos in the 2 hours we were there, but here're a few of my favourites.

Not going to write too much in this entry. Best
to just let you enjoy the brilliant colours of the
exquisite flora.

A pity that Monet's water lily pond didn't have
any blooms when we visited. Too early? Too late?

The compound isn't large, and it's easy to feel

bored if you aren't into nature. No problem for

my mom and I though. We spent the entire 2

hours ooh-ing and aah-ing over the flowers.

I do, however, wish it could've been sunnier.

Photos never turn out perfect when it's cloudy.

Quite possibly my favourite shot from the entire

holiday.

Taken just outside a water mill / restaurant in

Fourges, where we had a delicious lunch before

heading to Versailles.

Couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted these

cows in the nearby river. They were surprisingly

quiet as they dipped and drank.

A few other tourists came over when they saw

me snapping with my camera.

They all had smiles as broad as the one on my

own face. :)

Last but not least, the beautiful water mill itself.

The whole region - Giverny and Fourges - is breath-taking to say the least. That coach ride through the countryside will always remain one of my most vivid memories of France.

It certainly marked the exact moment I knew I didn't want to return to Singapore.

Till next time...

2010-10-08T15:46:00.000+08:00

Holiday Musings - Part 2

After finally downloading my holiday photos into the computer, it's been a little difficult deciding what to write about first.

In the end, the magnificent Louvre won the toss.

This entry isn't meant to provide exhaustive information. As you can see, I've left out the paintings ( yes, I have a shot of the Mona Lisa ), and won't be naming every single sculpture featured here.

Rather, I'm sharing my impressions, and hope these pictures will whet your appetite should you be fortunate enough to visit this museum in the future ( or if you've already been to the Louvre but bypassed the sculpture galleries, perhaps these will prompt you to hunt them down next time ).

I could not include all the photos I took, of course, so these are the highlights.

As mentioned in an earlier entry, the Met in NYC was breath-taking, but the Louvre's setup is literally jaw-dropping.

The fact that the building used to be a royal palace certainly makes a huge difference. But the layout of the many pieces is key to one's enjoyment.

Witness the vast spaces and natural lighting. Lots of staircases to navigate, with lots of benches where one can sit and stare for as long as necessary.

Interesting to note that staff numbers are almost negligible in these areas. You can probably touch the statues to your heart's content - I didn't though - whereas attempting to do so at the Met will get you a harsh reprimand ( yes, I brushed a finger over a marble lion and a guy came out of nowhere to tell me to stop. Hmph! )

It never fails to amaze me, how an artist can fashion such beautiful forms from hard rock. Surely sculpting is much tougher than flicking a paintbrush over a canvas?

Having walked through the Met's gallery at length, I also notice a different theme at the Louvre, primarily the predominance of the human form, with animals providing a more secondary presence.

I just love the melodramatic flair, from cherubs weeping in a kneeling position...

... to young women stabbing themselves in the chest.

There're also quite a few male figures posing erotically. Here's one good example ( miniature-sized ). I've got a photo of another that's much larger and bordering on obscene, but chose not to post it here.

However, if you're my Facebook friend, it's in the photo album. :)

I've read about visitors molesting sculptures in museums. Picked up on the security cameras. Now I understand why!

Another characteristic I enjoy about sculptures: they're 3-dimensional.

While most people prefer to view them from the front, I make it a point to walk a complete round, looking at the piece from every possible angle.

Impossible to do so with every single one, but a definite must for the more beautiful statues.

Even our guide brought the entire group behind the Venus de Milo, just so we could admire her curvaceous back.

Another famous sculpture you absoutely MUST see from a 360-degree perspective: Michelangelo's David in Florence. It's awesome!

It was a lovely day indeed. The place was crowded but not stifling.

Made a short pit-stop on the way back to our hotel. Spent time sitting at this fountain in the Tuileries Gardens, facing the Place de la Concorde's obelisk, with the gorgeous Arc de Triomphe in the distance.

Lots of tourists and a few locals doing the same, as pigeons scurried beneath our chairs and seagulls flew in from the Seine to take a break.

One of the best days ever. :)

Am of course very saddened by recent news that France is high on the terrorists' hit list. While my mom and I are extremely lucky to have escaped potential danger, we hope nothing tragic will befall Paris and its locals.

In other news...

Am currently glued to a biography of Jeffrey Dahmer, by Brian Masters.

The book's been sitting on my shelf for a while. I tend to buy novels and ignore them in favour of borrowing others from the public library.

Had to start reading this to clear some space, and can't believe how terrific it is.

Will post a few choice quotes next time round.

I've known about Dahmer since my college days, when his crimes made global headlines. I had some inkling about his twisted rituals, and learned more about them through various documentaries on cable TV.

But Masters provides the reader with a truly in-depth analysis of Dahmer's actions, which are not fuelled by cruelty or sadism ( no matter how perverse and horrific they may be ). In fact, once you understand what motivates his bloody deeds, you actually start to pity him.

Don't think anyone's made a movie about Dahmer yet. Maybe someone should.

2010-10-05T16:04:00.004+08:00

Adam Lambert Photos & Videos from the Singapore Grand Prix, 26th September 2010

Taking a short break from blogging about France, so Adam's S'porean fans can have a look at these.

Please feel free to download! Just right click on your mouse. :)

Here's a shot of the crowd at the Village Stage
in Zone 1.
I arrived with a couple of colleagues who didn't really feel up to jostling with the die-hard Glamberts in front, so I stayed near the back for the first 20 minutes or so.

Once my companions left for the F1 drivers' parade, I was free to roam as I wished, and managed to "excuse me, pardon me" my way through to a much better position, close to the stage. Woohoo!

Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly which song matches each picture. Offhand, the ones with the backup dancers probably include Fever, Strut and If I Had You ( these came later in the set, after I moved ).

Ah, Adam looks gorgeous, as always. :D

If anybody remembers what he was singing in this shot, please leave a comment. I was too excited and busy with the camera to take note. :)

Adam did not disappoint with his performance - flawless and powerful vocals, sexy stage presence, lots of attitude that complemented the fast numbers fabulously.

Special mention goes to his live rendition of Soaked, which I tried to record but my camera decided to die on me so I missed out on the glory notes. Argh!

Adam's at his best when in the high registers. I got goosebumps despite the sweltering weather, and my male colleague - who's married with kids - even leaned over to comment that Adam's got one impressive set of pipes!

The Sunday show was only 40 minutes long. Supposed to start at 5:40pm but was delayed till 6pm, so I felt a bit cheated ( 20 minutes is significant! ). Not sure what happened, and there was no encore, most likely because the organizers wanted the crowd to go watch the drivers' parade ( but honestly, no-one there could care less, we were all screaming for Adam! ).

Still, it was great to see him at last. I've been a fan since his days on American Idol, and it was a lucky coincidence that he happened to be at a stage near my location, on the one day I was at the race.

The icing on the cake: I didn't have to pay for anything. :)

Best wishes for a long and successful career, Adam! I hope to see you at a full concert - with seats this time - in the very near future.

YouTube video links are also up!

If I Had You, and Strut.

Enjoy!

2010-09-25T09:29:00.002+08:00

Holiday Musings - Part 1

It's been a hectic week back in Singapore, but I think a blog entry will help keep some of the nostalgia in check.

For the record, I miss France. Tremendously.
And yes, it is indeed the best overseas trip I have ever had.

Chats with friends who've been there previously revealed experiences that ranged from unpleasant to downright terrifying. The general consensus being that the French are typically unfriendly, kinda snooty, and occasionally prone to racially-motivated acts of aggression.

These same friends were understandably surprised by my overwhelmingly positive accounts. As per my usual habit, I joined a tour group comprising travellers from all over the world. We visited the French countryside for 2 weeks via coach, with a local tour director handling our travel arrangements, but were regularly left on our own to explore the area separately.
Thereafter, my mom and I extended our stay in Paris for another 6 days.

As such, we had ample opportunity to interact with the locals and observe them in their natural habitats, so to speak.

Of course, I'm familiar with this style of touring, having taken at least 1-2 overseas trips every year for the past decade, often with the same company, or flying solo with mum +/- dad in tow. I would've opted for a completely independent free-and-easy format, if not for the language barrier. ( Sadly, while I was offered the chance to study a 3rd language in secondary school - I was interested in French - my parents eventually decided not to enrol me in classes. )

So why do I say this is the best trip ever? Not because of the scenery ( New Zealand and Bavaria top my personal list for now ), and not because of the fun factor ( NZ, Tokyo, Las Vegas and Manhattan take the cake ).

It's hard to pinpoint one particular reason, so I'll mention a few:

1) I find France's rich history and culture endlessly fascinating.

2) The French language is music to my ears. It sounds good even when you curse. :)

3) Paris is now my favourite city, toppling Manhattan from the top spot.

4) I was lucky enough to meet many friendly and kind locals everywhere I went. Not just in shops / restaurants / hotels, but on the street as well. Assistance was rendered when requested - despite the language issue - with a few even going out of their way to help us out, and always with a big smile.

5) Our tour director, F, was beyond excellent. Took fabulous care of us on a daily basis, and taught us tonnes about French idiosyncracies. His commentaries were insightul and peppered with hilarious anecdotes. He may not be considered good-looking, but his charm more than makes up for it. Really like him. A lot.

6) The tour group was, as always, an eclectic bunch. Lots of Australians and Canadians this time round, and surprisingly, zero Americans. A first! Met a fellow doctor - another first! A few of our meals together practically turned into Saturday Night Live skits, causing me to laugh so hard I teared up and almost choked on my drink. Great memories. :)

7) Lots of foodie adventures. Croque monsieur, escargots, poulet / canard / poisson / St-Jacques cooked to perfection ( can't describe them exactly 'cos most of the menus were in French ). Even had a lunch where I cooked my own fish on a hot stone. And a dinner in Beaune prepared by a Japanese chef, consisting of pre-appetizers and pre-desserts that stimulated the taste buds beautifully ( fish- and beef-flavoured mousse, anyone? ), with a wagyu beef main course which I will sigh about forever.
Let's not forget a lunch in Nice, just steps away from the Grimaldi palace, featuring an escalope of some kind ( indecipherable menu yet again ) that melts in your mouth, drenched in the most heavenly cream sauce.
Can't imagine what my cholesterol level is like right now. Hopefully my liver is working properly.

8) All the beautiful French people. Naturally, those in Paris are usually dressed to the nines while those in the countryside are more casual. But there's no denying their drop-dead gorgeous looks. I used to drool over the Italians, but the French are 10 times better.
( I stare at the locals a lot when I travel, so trust me on this. :))

What I enjoyed most was the eye candy at restaurants, hotels and shops. The service industry appears to be dominated by men ( excluding women's boutiques, that is ), and a lot of these 20- and 30-something-year-olds look like models. Tall, slim or athletically built, perfect teeth, perfect hair, flawless manners, oodles ( and I mean ooooooodles ) of charm.

Compared to all the other countries I've visited, the French definitely take service very seriously, practically elevating it to an art form. At restaurants, if you stop to read the menus posted on the notice board outside, someone will usually come up to you to offer you the actual thing, invite you to sit down, or hover in case you have a question ( usually with a welcoming smile or greeting ).
At hotels, aside from opening doors, the bellhop follows you right into the lobby, offering help with your packages even though you don't ask for it.
At one renowned tea shop, the sales staff ( I'd just like to mention that I had the best time talking to him 'cos he is so freaking, unbelievably handsome :)), followed me around as I selected flavours, arranging the boxes on a counter to keep track of my purchases, opening containers for me to smell the tea leaves, then giving me loads of extra bags to present as gifts to my friends / relatives.
At a famous perfume shop in Nice, a lady also followed us from counter to counter, even though we didn't request her help. She took the trouble to describe all the fragrances in a bath soap set we were inspecting, and we ended up buying 5 of them.

9) Lots of memorable places / activities.
More to follow in a later post, but here's a compressed list.

#1: the Louvre, which was just a 3-minute walk from our hotel. Crowded and a nightmare to navigate ( I got lost twice even with a map in my hand, so don't be a hero, just keep asking the staff seated in the various rooms for directions ), so booking a guided tour proved the right decision. ( Our guide for the day, V, is a walking encyclopaedia, has a delicious sense of humour and is clearly gay. Loved him to bits. :))
We covered a few of the must-sees ( Venus de Milo and Mona Lisa, to name two ), before being left to our own devices.
I made a direct beeline for the sculpture galleries, which are AWESOME. I thought the one at the Met in NYC was amazing, but this is way more impressive. I could've stayed there all day, but started to get a headache while mum's energy level began to wane, so we left around mid-afternoon.
Will definitely return the next time I'm in Paris.

#2: a Segway ride around the city.
If you're going to ride a Segway, Paris is the place to do it!
But a word of caution: if you haven't ridden one before, it can be very VERY dangerous.
Evidence: my mom fell off and dropped out of the tour, and I lost my balance just before the tour ended, crashing into a barrier and giving myself a humongous bruise on the leg. ( At least nothing happened during the tour itself, which lasted 4 hours. Great value for money! )
The contraption is quite easy to manoeuvre, especially if you know how to ride a bicycle ( balancing ability is key ), but the tour guides for this company are mostly young guys in their 20s, and they go extremely fast on the narrow sidewalks. Add the heavy foot traffic, numerous crossings and uneven ground, and you've got disasters waiting to happen.
Doesn't help that everyone has to sign indemnity forms before the tour starts.

#3: Giverny, aka Claude Monet's place of residence.
About an hour's drive from Paris, quaint and, IMHO, utterly enchanting.
I booked this tour purely out of curiosity ( the water lily pond featured in his famous painting is located here ), but found myself falling in love with the place.
Will of course upload photos at a later date. The water lilies weren't blooming when we visited, so we concentrated on the main garden just outside Monet's house.
It isn't large, and in fact looks totally chaotic, with an unkempt appearance. But somehow, it actually works. Lots of exotic, strange-looking blooms, in a riot of bright colours. There're many paths for you to stroll along, and every one offers something new to gawk at.
The house itself is, again, quite small. The paintings are copies - originals were moved to museums ages ago - but make sure you enter the studio, which is clearly the largest room in the building, and arranged to match a photograph taken many years ago.
The place has a very peaceful, happy vibe. I felt the same way when I visited Winston Churchill's Chartwell residence 15 years ago.

Also stopped for lunch at a lovely 200-year-old water mill / restaurant. The dessert was a slice of apple pie with a sauce that is to die for. Spent 15 minutes in the beautiful garden, snapping pictures and gazing at a bunch of cows soaking in the river. There was just... something about that scene. Pastoral is the best way to describe it. I honestly could have stood there looking at those cows for hours.

10) The French's appreciation of Asian women.

As the tour progressed, I began to realize that all that friendliness wasn't a case of simply good manners or maintaining service quality.
Perhaps we're considered a little exotic - although this seems a tad impossible in tourist hotspots like Nice and Monaco, but that's where I kept getting stared at. Most flattering, I must say. :)
A few of them asked whether I'm Japanese, and my penpal E, who plays for the other team ( if you know what I mean ), kept beaming at me appreciatively from across the table during our 3-hour chat, even though it would've made more sense if I'd been a guy.
Ahhh, European charm at its best. :)

Shall conclude the post here for the time being. There's still lots more to discuss, but that will have to wait till my medical cover duties at the F1 race are completed.
Just found out that my location is in close proximity to the stage where Adam Lambert will be performing. Hope I get to see him in person! :D

2010-09-12T21:26:00.001+08:00

Quick Update From Paris

aka Bliss Part 27. :)

It's Day 18 of my vacation, and just returned to the City of Lights yesterday evening, after concluding a 2-week-long tour of the countryside.

Details from our journey will follow in a later entry. For now, all I can say is that I'm enjoying myself thoroughly, and have been most fortunate to meet many locals who've been nothing short of delightful. Made lots of new friends from the tour itself. Our Tour Director and coach driver have also exceeded expectations, and I was very sad to bid them goodbye.

However, my mom and I now have another week to explore Paris on our own, with a couple of outings to Versailles, Giverny and the Loire Valley lined up as well.

Considering a few horror stories I've heard from various people who visited France in recent years, I was definitely apprehensive about making the trip. Not sure if it's our good fortune, or whether the French have mellowed, but all our experiences thus far have been very pleasant.

The cuisine had its ups and downs, but I blame it on the organized tour group dinners, a few of which were rather disappointing. But when my mom and I went hunting for restaurants on our own, we often struck gold. I already count at least two of our meals - in Beaune and Monaco - among the best I've ever had. There was another one in a small town, but I don't even know the name of the place, and we basically ordered randomly from a French menu.

Perhaps that's part of the appeal of these gastronomic adventures - not really knowing what we're going to get, so when the meal turns out to be great, it makes the whole experience that much better.

Also, let's not forget all the handsome young male waiters who seem to have cornered the restaurant business. Hardly see any waitresses around anywhere, not that I'm complaining. :)

It really is quite amazing how unbelievably good-looking some of these chaps are. At one sidewalk cafe in Nice, there were 4 gorgeous hunks strolling around at the same time, with the best of the lot - a dark-haired version of Ryan Gosling (!) - serving us. And believe it or not, I managed ( though ununtentionally ) to get him very flustered at one point. Don't ask me why, I just sat back and enjoyed the display. :)

And yes, it appears that Asian women are prized by the Frenchmen, both young and old. I guess it helps that I look much younger than my real age, plus the fact that I dress well and smile a lot more when I'm overseas. It's easy when you're not bogged down by stress or fatigue. The weather also agrees with me, as evidenced by a healthy tan and perpetual rosy cheeks. :)

Mum and I are now staying at yet another different hotel in Paris. First one when we arrived in late August was in the Opera Quarter. Second one was yesterday, near the Eiffel Tower. Today's is in the Tuileries district - excellent location, close to many museums and monuments, all within walking distance. And our toiletries are from Bulgari. Yow. :D

The Rue de Rivoli is just a street away. Met E, my penpal from Paris, for afternoon tea at Angelina, and ended up chatting for 3 whole hours, about everything from food to music to family. My mom joined us, of course ( she was NOT going to let me meet a stranger in a foreign country alone ), and can't stop singing E's praises either. The restaurant was packed to the brim, with lots of tourists and a few locals, but definitely a fashionable crowd. I was particularly pleased with a table adjacent to ours, populated by 4 gorgeous young men who fit the jet-setting, playboy mould to a T. I think one of them sat next to mom and I at a Chinese restaurant later during dinner, but with a different chap whom he didn't seem to know that well, based on their conversation. That was interesting. :)

This is what I love about France ( not just Paris ). People-watching has never been one of my favourite pursuits - I prefer to eat and run in Singapore, who the hell cares about the other diners? But the French have helped me learn to relax and appreciate life a lot more. The first few days were a little tough, as we waited up to 30 minutes between courses, and a typical dinner took 2-3 hours to complete. As our trip progressed, time passed more smoothly, and I found myself daydreaming, savouring a beautiful sunset, feeling the cool breeze on my face, and really tasting the food I was eating.

I'm often homesick when away for more than 2 weeks, but currently find myself extremely reluctant to return to Singapore...

2010-08-24T12:41:00.002+08:00

Bliss Part 26

My long block of annual leave started 3 days ago, and the exhaustion has finally hit me with its full force.

Happens every year. Funny how being free of work commitments - particularly gruelling shifts - can make you feel even more tired compared to normal days. This is why I spend a lot of my time snoozing on coaches when on tour. Makes my mother a bit naggy - "You're missing the guide's commentary!", "Look at the scenery!" - but after a while, she understands my needs and leaves me alone.

Of course, if our Tour Director turns out to be a gorgeous hunk, I won't be sleeping much this time round. Heh. :)

Speaking of gorgeous men, there're quite a few of them at the YOG. Covering the boxing event for a few days, and I can finally say that I see the appeal of the sport, even though my background knowledge is considered pathetic.

Yesterday, I spent 2-3 hours with near-ringside seats, thanks to my involvement with the on-site medical team. Turned out to be quite exciting, and discovered the important - and damn powerful - roles referees play.

Interesting bit of drama between the American coach and a ref from China, when the latter stopped the match in Round 1 and declared the Russian boxer the winner, apparently because he didn't think the American boy was fit to continue. I swear a real fight would've broken out if not for a big group of YOG officials intervening. Those of us in the medical team were on edge for 10 minutes, ready to apply bandages and bring a stretcher!

I also had a nice eyeful of a few of the better-looking referees, mostly in their 20s or 30s, all Caucasian. They had to walk right past our station during each match's 2nd round ( awaiting their turns to referee or judge the next match ), and often came right up to us to get gloves and gauze. Everyone looked very serious, but I'm sure if we'd given them a smile or two, they would've reciprocated.

A big shout-out to the GREAT audience at the boxing arena yesterday. Lots of energetic locals yelling their support for the athletes, plus a few foreigners - from African and Germany - practically coaching from their seats in the stands.

Can't imagine what it's going to be like during the finals on Wednesday! :)

Have also been catching up on a few favourite movies. One I'd like to highlight is The Illusionist, starring Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell ( Jessica Biel's in it as well, but I just find her soooo bland ).

Was released around the same time as The Prestige ( Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman ), and probably suffered a poorer box-office performance as a result of it. A real pity, because The Illusionist is, in my opinion, far better in terms of plot, script and acting.

Paul Giamatti is splendid as Chief Inspector Uhl, a far cry from his typical high-strung or comedic persona in most of his films. His scenes with Edward Norton are tense and riveting. The costumes are to-die-for, and Norton's delivery of master magician Eisenheim's stage performances are elegant, even sexy. ( I happen to be a David Copperfield fan, and quite a few of the illusions featured as quite similar in terms of theatrical flair. )
Highly recommended!

Time for a break before heading to the YOG venue.

2010-08-20T08:11:00.002+08:00

Eat Your Heart Out

Here's that cover I mentioned in the last entry.

Didn't realize the hoopla it was causing in the States. Bet this'll be banned from local newsstands.

Some critics have labelled season 3 "vampire porn". Not an entirely inaccurate assessment, but hey, the characters comprise bloodsuckers, shapeshifters, lycans and other supernatural beings. Don't expect G- or even PG-rated stuff, okay?

If there's anything to complain about, it's the ludicrous Twilight series which, granted, needs to be diluted to cater to the tween girls set, but is clearly unrealistic to the point of insulting the viewer's intelligence.

And may I just say that Alexander Skargsgard ( left, who plays Viking vamp Eric Northman ) is absolutely delish this season. Much more screen time and interaction with fellow characters - men included, if you know what I mean. :)

2010-08-19T10:20:00.003+08:00

Bliss Part 25

Another crazy week has gone by. And when I say crazy, I mean ER patient attendances hitting 450 post National Day weekend. Ridiculous!

Coupled with one busy night shift and 2 others in P1 and P2, with no proper off day in between ( spent that teaching at an ultrasound workshop ), plus a tonne of travel preparations...

The result? A number of surgeon friends expressing concern about my "losing a lot of weight" and "looking damn tired".

Thank you, at least you noticed. Colleagues who see me everyday can't tell the difference.

Oh well, another week has gone by, and I'll be OUTTA HERE very very soon. :D

Hence the Bliss theme continues heh.

A couple of cool TV episodes to recommend:

True Blood season 3 episode 8 is so fan-freaking-tastic, it made me cry. Seriously.
Of course, it helps if you're a fan of the show and have been following it since the pilot.
Funny thing is, despite the violence, gore and ( sometimes gratuitous ) sex scenes, S3 has surpassed S1 and S2 in terms of script and character development.
There's a lot more wit, the cheesiness ( e.g. Bill and his melodramatic "Sookie!" proclamations ) has been toned down significantly, and previously secondary roles ( Eric in particular ) are now front and centre.
And need I say more about Franklin Mott? It really sounds like he's dead, but still makes erotic appearances in Tara's subconscious, with hilarious results.

Another GREAT series you really mustn't miss: The Closer.
Season 3, which currently airs on WarnerTV every Tuesday night, is sooooo unbelievably amazing.
Just caught Episode 6, one of the funniest yet ( there were a couple of great episodes in S2 as well ).
Again, a huge advantage if you're a loyal fan. I've developed great affection for all the characters, and their dynamic relationships make the experience that much more enjoyable.
Challenging cases, humourous dialogue, nefarious criminals and justice conquering all - this is as good as it gets, people.

Hmm, it appears that local cable has skipped episode 5 ?reason. Hallmark did the same thing with The Good Wife ( something concerning a cartoon that mocked the prophet Mohamed ). Should catch the online version sometime to find out why.

Off standby today but feeling gross. Still have to get a whole lot of errands done. Sigh...

2010-08-07T21:20:00.000+08:00

Bliss Part 24

Another fortnight has passed, bringing me even closer to my upcoming vacation. :)

What else is there to be happy about?

First, one of my all-time favourite actors, John Cusack, is now on Twitter, woohoo!

Haven't quite managed to coax a direct reply out of him just yet, but I'm optimistic that I will succeed at some point.

Second, I just found out that my Tour Director is a guy. With a very nice name. I hope he'll look good as well, but am more concerned about whether he's going to be accomodating, which is the most important factor.

Having encountered enough female tour guides over the years, a man will be a welcome change. Cross fingers. :)

Third, True Blood season 3. Blowing my mind with every new episode, but needs to tone down the gore a little ( yes, even I can't stand it sometimes ).

My appreciation for Franklin Mott ( played by a gaunt but delightfully overwrought James Frain ) hit its peak in episode 6, but promptly came to a swift conclusion when poor Franklin's skull got bashed to smithereens by an angry Tara.

But that's not how vampires die, right? So he could actually survive this? All right then. :)

Fourth, the Glee compendium of music. Volumes 4 and 5 contain so many of my favourite tracks, I hit cloud nine when I first blasted them on my iPod.

There's the groovy tribute to '80s disco ( Safety Dance ), the awesome rock duets ( Dream On, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Faithfully ), a jaw-dropping rock anthem ( sexy Jonathan Groff sings Bohemian Rhapsody ), Broadway hits ( I Dreamed A Dream ), Burt Bacharach covers ( One Less Bell To Answer ), swing ( Lady Is A Tramp ), Lady Gaga classics ( Bad Romance, Poker Face ), ending off with a beautiful rendition of Over The Rainbow.

The Glee cast is so talented and versatile, they can do no wrong regardless of what's thrown at them. Lea Michele and Groff ( whom I've loved from the first time I heard them on the Spring Awakening soundtrack, despite never watching the musical ) are vocal powerhouses with serious acting chops. Cory Monteith ( Finn ) has improved tremendously within one season, now hitting glory notes effortlessly. Mark Salling's ( Puck ) role keeps getting juicier, and his performance of Lady Is A Tramp showcases his talent perfectly. Chris Colfer ( Kurt ) is unbelievably excellent, whether belting a Lady Gaga piece or delivering high kicks on a Broadway number.

The guest stars are also great fun, especially Neil Patrick Harris ( superb job in Dream On ), Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel ( both Broadway veterans ).

But my favourite, of course, has always been Matthew Morrison. Fell in love with his voice on the Hairspray sountrack ( B'way musical, not the inferior Hollywood movie version ), and never tire of his many performances on the TV show.

Wish Jersey Boys' John Lloyd Young could've caught a bigger break though. Surely he deserved something better than a tiny cameo in one episode? Would've been nice for me to be able to say: I've seen this famous Glee actor in person! :)

Fifth, the Sun Festival 2010 cometh! This year's lineup is much better than 2009's, IMHO. Definitely attending at least one of the events, after I ask the organizers a few questions. Must get my money's worth, after all.

Still, if David Foster's coming, why not Clay Aiken or Josh Groban? ( He produces albums for both guys. ) Argh!!!

Anyway, enjoy the pictures. Till next time...

2010-07-23T08:05:00.006+08:00

Bliss Part 23

First, the countdown has begun.

Yes, it's that time of year when I prepare for a long overseas trip, to preserve what sanity I have left. And the past 10 months have reinforced the fact that one vacation is sorely insufficient.

So as I do tonnes of research for the upcoming tour - and believe, the reading alone is keeping me up nights - I've also asked my parents about the possibility of a shorter trip to a nearby destination, sometime next April / May.

Sounds like they're all for it. Only issue is my annual leave, which is already almost maxed out ( I take some of that leave when I do medical cover for sports events ), and the state of my pocket ( I pick up the tab for my parents' travel expenses ).

But the way I see it, if you don't spend quality time with your family now, you'll only regret it later.
And my parents are fun travel companions - game for anything from taking a speedboat down NZ's Dart River, to helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon, and running around Tokyo's subways. :)

Other things to smile about:

Nip/Tuck season 5 - now airing on AXN Tuesday nights at 11pm.
I completely skipped season 4 because I didn't even know it was on TV till it was too late, but fans will still be able to follow the storyline, since Sean and Christian have uprooted themselves from Miami and moved to LA to make a new start.

3 episodes in - albeit with the usual snips from the censorship board - I'm totally hooked. Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon have never looked better. The script remains tight and filled with dark humour. And the kooky characters, they just keep a-comin'. Bradley Cooper is a hoot as a narcissistic TV actor starring in a medical drama that makes absolutely no sense. One hilarious scene has the "doctor" shocking a "patient" with 580J! I laughed till my sides hurt. :D

Portia de Rossi also guest stars, but I'll refrain from revealing any spoilers. Let's just say it's a most delicious plot development. :)

True Blood season 3

Airs on HBO Monday nights, but honestly speaking, don't bother with the PG-rated local cable version, because it takes too much away from the uncut original. And you need to see this sans snips.

I've given up on reading the novels ( too long-winded for my taste ), and I'm very sure the TV adaptation is far superior.

S3 launches like a rocket from the get-go, as Bill gets kidnapped by a pack of werewolves and Sookie enlists the help of Eric the Viking vamp to find him. Lots of new characters enter the picture, from Alcide the super-hot werewolf, to Franklin Mott ( perhaps the scariest vamp on the show ), and Sam's long lost family of shapeshifters.

The nudity is abundant as well, and the problem is, a lot of the more important conversations occur while one or more cast members is in the buff. So if you watch the censored version, you'll have no idea what the heck is going on.

And since we're all grown-ups here, let me just tell you there're a couple of sex ( or near-sex ) scenes which boggle the mind. One involves Franklin and Tara ( the ultimate orgasm, it appears ), another between Bill and Lorena ( twisted - literally! ), and a truly bizarre exchange between - of all people - Bill and Sam. The last one's soooo weird. But in a funny way. :)

I'm sure you can find it online somewhere. Megavideo, you're a lifesaver. :)

2010-07-16T19:48:00.001+08:00

Inception - A Review

Yes, I've finally decided to stop the Bliss theme. For now, that is. :)

The last film I caught at the cineplex was none other than the very enjoyable Iron Man 2. And as my work / family / social commitments continue to escalate, a trip to the theatre has become a major decision. So if I think a movie isn't worth the time or effort, I'm more than happy to wait for the DVD.

I didn't plan on watching Inception. It wasn't something I'd been anticipating with bated breath, though I did mark the release date in my diary.

And no, Leonardo DiCaprio is definitely not the main draw for me. Rather, it's director Christopher Nolan, whom I've worshipped since seeing the jaw-droppingly awesome Memento years earlier, followed by his next masterpiece, the best Batman installment thus far - The Dark Knight.

So what's the verdict, you ask? A rating of 8.5/10, compared to perfect 10's for Memento and The Dark Knight, to help you understand the comparison a little better.

BEWARE OF SPOILERS AHEAD

I'm not the sort who enjoys rehashing plotlines, so let's just share opinions here.

The best thing about Inception - aside from its genius director / writer Chris Nolan - is the cast.

A true dream team led by DiCaprio, and beautifully supported by Marion Cotillard ( whose turn in La Vie En Rose haunts me to this day ), Cillian Murphy, and the massively talented but sorely underrated Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

First, Leo DiCaprio. I've had mixed feelings about him for many years. Loved some of his work ( What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Romeo + Juliet, The Man In The Iron Mask, Catch Me If You Can, The Aviator ), disliked some of it ( The Beach, Body Of Lies ), was relatively unaffected by Revolutionary Road and Blood Diamond, and couldn't get past the foul language in The Departed.

I also didn't enjoy watching him balloon in weight over the past decade.

So yes, I'm thrilled to see him back in top form, thanks in large part to Nolan's deft guidance ( he always draws the best performances from his actors ). Of course, the script already provides rich material for Leo to chew on, but his portrayal of Cobb is extremely admirable, so bravo for that.

Second, Marion Cotillard. I personally think she has the best role in the movie, despite not having the most screen time. I knew little about her character, Mal, before seeing Inception, so learning more about her as the story slowly unfolded added a lot to the overall enjoyment.

This is only the 4th Cotillard film I've watched, but her meteoric rise to fame in recent years is certainly well-earned. She always pours her heart and soul into every role she plays. And even though a distinctly foreign accent can sometimes prove an insurmountable obstacle in Hollywood, her skills as a thespian have practically wiped it out of the equation.

She looks really cool shooting a gun. Action flick in the works, I hope?
( A check with IMDB reveals perhaps the next best thing: yet another thriller about a disease outbreak, co-starring Matt Damon and Jude Law. Add a few shootouts please. :))

Third, Cillian Murphy. I'm not familiar with his work aside from the Batman movies and Red Eye, but couldn't be happier that Nolan picked him for a pivotal role here. Robert Fischer Jr, heir to a sprawling business empire, is tormented by his father's last words, yet compelled to follow in Fischer Sr's footsteps.

Cobb and team's assigned mission: to somehow convince Fischer Jr to tear this empire apart, by planting the idea in one of his dreams.

Which brings me to point #4 ( and don't worry, Joseph Gordon-Levitt will not be missed out :)).

The astounding script, written by Nolan himself.

Wachowski brothers, consider yourselves beaten to a pulp.

Sure, there's bound to be some comparison with The Matrix, but Inception doesn't need to rely on kungfu stunts and New Age mumbo-jumbo to hold an audience's attention.

Instead, we have fascinating conversations about the dream process, how we perceive our subconscious experiences, and the ability to train one's mind to defend itself against intruders.
In Nolan's world, dreams can have multiple levels, with the deepest ones lasting decades when in reality, only minutes have gone by.

My favourite plot ingredient: the "kick" - a failsafe method whereby dreamers can be awakened from even the most potent sedation. Usually preceded by a trigger - e.g. a particular piece of music - followed by a physical jolt of some kind, ranging from a simple chair tilt to driving your van off a bridge.

How bloody cool is that! :D

Fifth, the visual effects. They are fan-freaking-tastic. 2 in particular have stuck in my mind:

1) A scene where Cobb and young apprentice Ariadne ( Ellen Page ) practise constructing and manipulating dreamscapes. She manages to literally fold the scenery, so certain parts move vertically, and others turn upside-down.
My jaw dropped.

2) The final section of the film, where Cobb's team put Fischer Jr under, and move through each subconscious layer in turn. There's a thrilling car chase, a zero-gravity hotel scene, an avalanche, and to top it all off, a trip to Cobb's own secret world, where skyscrapers stretch as far as the eye can see.

And yes, sixth. Joseph Gordon-Levitt, whom I know best from his teenage years on 3rd Rock From The Sun, and adorable performances in 10 Things I Hate About You and (500) Days Of Summer, has carved a career and gained a cult following from indie films, with very occasional forays into mainstream blockbusters.

As Cobb's right-hand man, Arthur, JGL is always dressed to the nines, his dark hair slicked back, his facial expression either serious or mildly irritated. His character may be a tad one-dimensional - most of the team members don't have much of a backstory - but his screen presence is clearly felt, and he is perfectly capable of holding his own against the likes of Leo, Cotillard and Ken Watanabe.

I am especially impressed with his gun skills. This dude has action star written all over him. He looks like a pro handling firearms. Someone please hand him a role that is worthy!

I guess my main complaint about Inception is the ending, which was a little abrupt. I understand what happened to Leo, but would've liked an explanation about Watanabe's character's fate as well - the latter was in major subconscious limbo, did he make it out with his mind intact?

Also, there were a few other plotlines I didn't fully comprehend, the biggest of which is Mal's descent into madness and suicide, apparently a direct result of Cobb's manipulation. Heavy stuff.

Overall, Inception was definitely not a waste of time, and I will watch it again once it hits cable. I'm quite surprised that the movie has stuck in my head for more than 24 hours, for reasons unknown. I just can't help replaying certain scenes over and over again in my head, as if there's some subliminal message embedded somewhere, making it impossible to erase the images from my mind.

Mr. Nolan, are you conducting an experiment of your own? :)

Whatever you do, DO NOT MISS THIS.

2010-06-26T12:15:00.001+08:00

Bliss Part 22

... is catching 5 international musical child prodigies on-stage, for an almost 2-hour concert that cost only $60 per head!

I'm now co-contributor on JustWatchLah.com, thanks to a friend who recruited me into his motley crew of writers.

So future reviews will probably be transplanted to the other site, but I'll provide the necessary links here, of course. :)

First post located at here. Enjoy!

2010-06-24T08:52:00.003+08:00

Bliss Part 21

A quote from Darkly Dreaming Dexter:

"Anyone can be charming if they don't mind faking it, saying all the stupid, obvious, nauseating things that a conscience keeps most people from saying. Happily, I don't have a conscience. I say them."

A startling but not entirely unexpected discovery: despite featuring the same killer as the TV adaptation, the book's storyline is, in fact, markedly different.

For example, the portrayal of detective Maria LaGuerta on paper is unkind to the point of being a little vicious, whereas the screen version is the exact opposite.

And the Ice Truck Killer doesn't make his grand entrance until the last few chapters, unlike the TV character played by Christian Camargo, who enjoys lots of screen time wooing Dexter's foster sister before abducting her then confronting Dexter in a climactic showdown.

I'm sure there're fans out there who may not appreciate this discrepancy. I, for one, embrace it wholeheartedly. :)

Once again, author Jeff Lindsay's macabre sense of humour is infectious. I highly recommend those who are inclined to read every single Dexter novel and watch all 4 seasons of the TV series.

Another recommendation: Jeepers Creepers 2.

I saw this quite a few years ago, but it remains a huge favourite of mine.
Doesn't boast any big movie stars or eye-popping special effects, but thrives on great acting and well-paced direction, coupled with moments of sheer terror thanks to expert psychological manipulation.

A good litmus test: if the opening scene fails to affect you in any way, don't bother watching the rest of it.

I also recommend Paranormal Activity.

This one's creepy. So creepy I don't want to watch it ever again. The first half hour's pretty unremarkable, but things turn around quickly after that, and there's one scene in particular that made my hair stand on end big-time.

DO NOT see this movie alone. And definitely NOT before a night shift! :)

Last but not least, an interesting new comedy, Accidentally On Purpose.

I'm a fan of Jenna Elfman, and couldn't be happier to see her back in fine form as a youngish cougar.

Priceless post-coital quote: "I feel like I tasted the rainbow." LOL!

So many shows, so little time...

2010-06-18T09:19:00.001+08:00

Bliss Part 20

YouTube clips from the 2010 Tony Awards!

Matthew Morrison is soooooo delicious. :)

And some kind soul has uploaded the entire ceremony.
Begin with Part 1 and move your way down the list, woohoo!

[ p.s. Check out Part 4, which has a totally hilarious bit at 5 min 20 secs. I shall not ruin the surprise. :) ]

As for Glee, part 2 of season 1 is just too marvelous for words, so here's a chunk of fabulous video clips!

My current favourite: an earth-shattering performance of Dream On by Morrison and Neil Patrick Harris. The last 20 seconds are unbelievable!

Next fave: a dreamy Morrison-Kristin Chenoweth duet on One Less Bell To Answer. I already love this song, but these 2 Broadway veterans whacked it right out of the stratosphere!

3rd fave: another Morrison-Chenoweth duet, this time on Fire. Fantastique!

The best part? The songs are all downloadable from the Internet. Yes!

Something I haven't blogged about yet - my birthday celebration, which by the way, is still ongoing. :)

The b-day weekend itself was spent at the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort. Booked a hotel room for the night and brought my parents along for the ride.
Spent more than 12 hours at the casino itself, retiring to bed only at 3am.
Greatly enjoyed the slot machines - one of which paid me $250 within an hour heh! - but also had a good time watching others at the card and roulette tables. Didn't try my luck at any of them though. $25 per game of blackjack?! I'm too wimpy to blow that kind of money...

A couple of days ago, I spent a laughter-filled evening with friends and relatives, eating our hearts out at Pete's Place at the Grand Hyatt hotel. Haven't been there in quite a while, but the food remains excellent, and I am especially pleased with the fact that I may have matchmade 2 young people in the process. Let's hope for a good outcome! :D

I've got a few other meet-ups scheduled, and the gifts keep trickling in. Some were expected, some were not, but they are all warmly appreciated so thank you! :)

Of course, the real b-day celebration will take place only in late August, when I take my annual holiday overseas. This year's destination promises lots of excitement, particularly in the food and wine departments. I've already contacted someone via a penpal site, who's more than happy to take me around. Looking forward to that!

Current recreational reading: Darkly Dreaming Dexter - i.e. Part 1 of the Dexter series.
Of all the novels, this is the only one that's similar to the TV show, and although I've seen the small-screen version, the book is no less enjoyable.
One of my favourite quotes comes very early: I am a very neat monster.
More quotes to follow shortly. :)