The story is about the battle between a female government agent called the Golden Swallow and a group of bandits who kidnapped her brother.
Saw this movie at the National Museum "Under the Banyan Tree" screening which was a free-of-charge outdoor screening at night. Liked the nicely choreographed martial arts moves! The Golden Swallow looked quite cool and the musical pieces were interesting! I thought "A Touch of Zen" by the same director was slightly better though.
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Chariots of Fire
The story is about how a group of friends trained hard to represent England in the 1924 Olympic Games athletics event.
The soundtrack was quite famous and I often heard it during my secondary school days. I also got interested after watching clips of it from one episode of the "Fuwa" TV series about the adventures of the Beijing Olympics mascot. Liked how it focused more on the human relationship rather than on the training technique alone!
Internet Movie Database Link
The soundtrack was quite famous and I often heard it during my secondary school days. I also got interested after watching clips of it from one episode of the "Fuwa" TV series about the adventures of the Beijing Olympics mascot. Liked how it focused more on the human relationship rather than on the training technique alone!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, May 24, 2008
2008 Singapore Open Scrabble Championship
Took a ride from Winston to Anchorvale CC and was surprised to be greeted by a bunch of friendly students! They helped with the registration process and passed us our goodie bag as well as our personalised sticker.
Pre-tournament Practice: vs Victor Gwee
Had a practice game with Victor before the start of the tournament and was thrashed by him who outbingoed me three to one. :( Managed to find DOVeTAIL from ADILOTV?, can you find the other valid anagram?[1]
New words learnt: CONNERS(78)
My Bingos: DOVeTAIL(72) Opp Bingos: CONNERS(78), STRIpED(98), LAIRISE(63)
My Phoneys: NEX* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ZOL(32), DEAF(36), KEX(33), QAT(30) Opp High Moves: HALVE(30), JOR(38), WAIS(47), THREE(36), WANT(35)
L 323-511, -188.
Game 1: vs Ismail
Didn't have a good track record with Ismail, so wasn't feeling too confident. Had an ADIONRU rack at one turn with a floating T on the board and was deciding whether OUTDRAIN* or DRAINOUT* looked more valid. Decided that both might be wrong and played off OU in the end. Can you find the valid anagram that I missed?[2] I also got away with a phoney VARIEST* with an AEIRSTV rack, can you find the 3 valid anagrams?[3]
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: VARIEST*(77) Opp Bingos: URINAtED(68), SOLvENT(63)
My Phoneys: VARIEST*(77) Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: BEZ(34), JIG(31), HAND(36) Opp High Moves: PAW(33), FAINTER(42), HIVE(37)
L 330-436, -106. 0W 1L (Accum spread -106).
Game 2: vs Winston
Pulled away after scoring two bingos, but allowed Winston to narrow the gap towards the end when he bingoed with two blanks on his rack. Bingoed with REPRISE with a EEIPRRS rack. Can you find the other 3 valid anagrams of which one is a common word?[4]
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: REPRISE(76), DEADENS(75) Opp Bingos: KNEeLEd(75)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: RIO*
My High Moves: QIS(36), MY(32), TAX(54) Opp High Moves: FEZ(30), HONE(38)
W 410-353, +57. 1W 1L (Accum spread -49).
Packet lunch was provided after the end of the second game. Had fried rice with vegetables, fried chicken drumstick and fishball which were not too bad! Was already looking forward to the tea break to be held at the end of the tournament!
Game 3: vs Bye
Had a bye after lunch and wanted to tour around the CC but realised that there was really nothing much to see as construction work was still ongoing.
W 100-50, +50. 2W 1L (Accum spread +1).
Game 4: vs Ang Chew Chuah
Both of us changed tiles several times but my rack remained terrible until I managed to close the gap by bingoing with INVITER(100) down the triple score lane front hooking the V to an existing ENDINGS on the board.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: INVITER(100) Opp Bingos: SeASONS(82), ENDINGS(73)
My Phoneys: MIU*, MIN* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JUS(32) Opp High Moves: ZA(31), BAND(33)
L 352-432, -80. 2W 2L (Accum spread -79).
Game 5: vs Chen Huang Zhi
Was feeling confident as I had a very good record against Huang Zhi. He missed a chance to score big when he played the Z on a double word score cell to form Z?, REZ and ER? but announced the blank to be O instead of A. I promptly challenged off ERo* once he confirmed the end of his turn!
New words learnt: LICH
My Bingos: MOOdIER(76), SEALING(74) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ERO*
My High Moves: QAID(34), TAJ(30), FOP(32) Opp High Moves: XI(34), SeZ(36)
W 526-266, +260. 3W 2L (Accum spread +181).
Game 6: vs Ismail
In 4th position with the last KOTH round to be played. Had a good chance to come in top three if I won this game but my hope was dashed when he bingoed twice towards the end of the game to win by almost 150 points.
New words learnt: ZOIST
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: ASTOUND(67), OTARINE(70)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: HIVES(37), AFT(31) Opp High Moves: ZOIST(71), JANE(38)
L 290-431, -141. 3W 3L (Accum spread +40).
Post-tournament leisure game: vs Ang Chew Chuah
Played a leisure game with Chew Chuah while waiting for the prize presentation ceremony. Thought I could avenge myself but was thrashed by him again. Learnt two interesting words: OOSPERM and SPOOR from this game though.
New words learnt: OOSPERM, SPOOR
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: SADDeNS(79), OOSPERM(91)
My Phoneys: LURVINGS* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: MOG(36), QIS(30) Opp High Moves: LUNGY(33), CHUNK(30)
L 286-420, -134
Had teabreak after the prize presentation and it was delicious! Especially liked the chocolate cake and the nice hot tea! Came in 5th out of 9 players in the end. Hope to do better during the upcoming Nationals in July!
Answers: Highlight to see clearly
[1]VIOLATED
[2]DURATION
[3]TAIVERS, VASTIER, VERITAS
[4]PERRIES, PRISERE, RESPIRE
Pre-tournament Practice: vs Victor Gwee
Had a practice game with Victor before the start of the tournament and was thrashed by him who outbingoed me three to one. :( Managed to find DOVeTAIL from ADILOTV?, can you find the other valid anagram?[1]
New words learnt: CONNERS(78)
My Bingos: DOVeTAIL(72) Opp Bingos: CONNERS(78), STRIpED(98), LAIRISE(63)
My Phoneys: NEX* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ZOL(32), DEAF(36), KEX(33), QAT(30) Opp High Moves: HALVE(30), JOR(38), WAIS(47), THREE(36), WANT(35)
L 323-511, -188.
Game 1: vs Ismail
Didn't have a good track record with Ismail, so wasn't feeling too confident. Had an ADIONRU rack at one turn with a floating T on the board and was deciding whether OUTDRAIN* or DRAINOUT* looked more valid. Decided that both might be wrong and played off OU in the end. Can you find the valid anagram that I missed?[2] I also got away with a phoney VARIEST* with an AEIRSTV rack, can you find the 3 valid anagrams?[3]
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: VARIEST*(77) Opp Bingos: URINAtED(68), SOLvENT(63)
My Phoneys: VARIEST*(77) Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: BEZ(34), JIG(31), HAND(36) Opp High Moves: PAW(33), FAINTER(42), HIVE(37)
L 330-436, -106. 0W 1L (Accum spread -106).
Game 2: vs Winston
Pulled away after scoring two bingos, but allowed Winston to narrow the gap towards the end when he bingoed with two blanks on his rack. Bingoed with REPRISE with a EEIPRRS rack. Can you find the other 3 valid anagrams of which one is a common word?[4]
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: REPRISE(76), DEADENS(75) Opp Bingos: KNEeLEd(75)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: RIO*
My High Moves: QIS(36), MY(32), TAX(54) Opp High Moves: FEZ(30), HONE(38)
W 410-353, +57. 1W 1L (Accum spread -49).
Packet lunch was provided after the end of the second game. Had fried rice with vegetables, fried chicken drumstick and fishball which were not too bad! Was already looking forward to the tea break to be held at the end of the tournament!
Game 3: vs Bye
Had a bye after lunch and wanted to tour around the CC but realised that there was really nothing much to see as construction work was still ongoing.
W 100-50, +50. 2W 1L (Accum spread +1).
Game 4: vs Ang Chew Chuah
Both of us changed tiles several times but my rack remained terrible until I managed to close the gap by bingoing with INVITER(100) down the triple score lane front hooking the V to an existing ENDINGS on the board.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: INVITER(100) Opp Bingos: SeASONS(82), ENDINGS(73)
My Phoneys: MIU*, MIN* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JUS(32) Opp High Moves: ZA(31), BAND(33)
L 352-432, -80. 2W 2L (Accum spread -79).
Game 5: vs Chen Huang Zhi
Was feeling confident as I had a very good record against Huang Zhi. He missed a chance to score big when he played the Z on a double word score cell to form Z?, REZ and ER? but announced the blank to be O instead of A. I promptly challenged off ERo* once he confirmed the end of his turn!
New words learnt: LICH
My Bingos: MOOdIER(76), SEALING(74) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ERO*
My High Moves: QAID(34), TAJ(30), FOP(32) Opp High Moves: XI(34), SeZ(36)
W 526-266, +260. 3W 2L (Accum spread +181).
Game 6: vs Ismail
In 4th position with the last KOTH round to be played. Had a good chance to come in top three if I won this game but my hope was dashed when he bingoed twice towards the end of the game to win by almost 150 points.
New words learnt: ZOIST
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: ASTOUND(67), OTARINE(70)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: HIVES(37), AFT(31) Opp High Moves: ZOIST(71), JANE(38)
L 290-431, -141. 3W 3L (Accum spread +40).
Post-tournament leisure game: vs Ang Chew Chuah
Played a leisure game with Chew Chuah while waiting for the prize presentation ceremony. Thought I could avenge myself but was thrashed by him again. Learnt two interesting words: OOSPERM and SPOOR from this game though.
New words learnt: OOSPERM, SPOOR
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: SADDeNS(79), OOSPERM(91)
My Phoneys: LURVINGS* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: MOG(36), QIS(30) Opp High Moves: LUNGY(33), CHUNK(30)
L 286-420, -134
Had teabreak after the prize presentation and it was delicious! Especially liked the chocolate cake and the nice hot tea! Came in 5th out of 9 players in the end. Hope to do better during the upcoming Nationals in July!
Answers: Highlight to see clearly
[1]VIOLATED
[2]DURATION
[3]TAIVERS, VASTIER, VERITAS
[4]PERRIES, PRISERE, RESPIRE
Monday, May 19, 2008
Red Psalm
The story is about a group of Hungarian peasants revolting against the authorities during the late 19th century.
The movie was full of symbolism and pretty hard to understand. Liked the nice songs and the neat mass choreography though!
Internet Movie Database Link
The movie was full of symbolism and pretty hard to understand. Liked the nice songs and the neat mass choreography though!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Kidz in the Hood
The story is about an African girl asking a tattooed Swedish rock band guitarist to be her foster parent after her grandfather passed away.
Interesting musical that combines rock and hip hop! Thought the African girl's classmate cum neighbour was a little bit too smart alecky for her own good though.
Internet Movie Database Link
Interesting musical that combines rock and hip hop! Thought the African girl's classmate cum neighbour was a little bit too smart alecky for her own good though.
Internet Movie Database Link
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Ear
The story is about a couple returning home from a party and finding it bugged with listening devices. The wife refers to them as "The Ear" which gives rise to the movie title. The director shot the movie in Czechoslovakia after the Russian invasion in 1970 and it was banned for many years.
Liked the nice black and white cinematography as well as the pychological drama on the couple's relationship! Thought it was more direct and intense than "The Lives of Others"!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice black and white cinematography as well as the pychological drama on the couple's relationship! Thought it was more direct and intense than "The Lives of Others"!
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
W.R.: Mysteries of the Organism
The film starts off as a documentary on a famous psychotherapist called Wilhelm Reich. It then digresses to discuss about the relationship between national ideology and personal love through a fictional story on two Yugoslavian girls.
Interesting to see how the different ideas seemed to talk about the same thing when combined together! Liked the nice Russian choral music and the studious look of the female lead when she wore her spectacles!
Internet Movie Database Link
Interesting to see how the different ideas seemed to talk about the same thing when combined together! Liked the nice Russian choral music and the studious look of the female lead when she wore her spectacles!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Speed Racer
The story is adapted from a comic book and describes the dark side of professional car racing through the Racer family.
The car tracks are beautifully constructed just like a roller coaster and the special gadgets equipped in the cars are very interesting! Also liked how the family helped each other during a period of crisis!
Internet Movie Database Link
The car tracks are beautifully constructed just like a roller coaster and the special gadgets equipped in the cars are very interesting! Also liked how the family helped each other during a period of crisis!
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Kes
The story is about the school life of a young English boy from a single-parent family and how he trained a falcon to be his pet.
Nice story and great acting by the little boy! Learnt a bit more about the education system in Britain during the late 60s.
Internet Movie Database Link
Nice story and great acting by the little boy! Learnt a bit more about the education system in Britain during the late 60s.
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, May 04, 2008
In the Realm of the Senses
This is based on a true story about an obsessive love affair between a man and his servant, Sada, in pre-war Japan.
The theme of obsession was very well illustrated in the film! Liked how focused the couple were in experimenting and indulging in their sensual pleasures! The dream sequences by Sada were pretty interesting too!
Internet Movie Database Link
The theme of obsession was very well illustrated in the film! Liked how focused the couple were in experimenting and indulging in their sensual pleasures! The dream sequences by Sada were pretty interesting too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Iron Man
The story is about how a rich technopreneur, Tony Stark, in the defense industry decided to stop manufacturing weapons and go into the human-robotics interface field. It is adapted from a Marvel comics of the same title.
Gwyneth Paltrow, who acted as Tony Stark's personal assistant, wore many pretty dresses in this show! Liked the systematic way by which Tony Stark tested and improved his prototype as well as his working relationship with his personal home robot!
Internet Movie Database Link
Gwyneth Paltrow, who acted as Tony Stark's personal assistant, wore many pretty dresses in this show! Liked the systematic way by which Tony Stark tested and improved his prototype as well as his working relationship with his personal home robot!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Andrei Rublev
The story is about the life of a Russian painter called Andrei Rublev during the early 1400s.
Learnt a bit about Russian history from the film and the interesting people that Andrei Rublev met! Liked the nice cinematography that showcased the beautiful Russian landscape and the grace of the horses!
Internet Movie Database Link
Learnt a bit about Russian history from the film and the interesting people that Andrei Rublev met! Liked the nice cinematography that showcased the beautiful Russian landscape and the grace of the horses!
Internet Movie Database Link
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