PSTAR Scrabble Games

The PSTAR Scrabble games is an annual event for organisations in the civil service to take part in a friendly game of Scrabble. It was held at the Civil Service Club on 15th July 2006 from 10am to 5pm.

Here's my match report, with quizzes marked with [number] and the answers given at the end of the report. Don't look at the actual board positions if you are trying the quizzes.

I was there a bit earlier to help draw the pairings for my team. The new Collins dictionary is used for this tournament and many players were talking about the new words to be studied. MOE, HDB and CPF had 3 teams each. A friend of mine told me that she hoped that she would not draw against MOE or HDB as they had very strong players.

My first draw resulted in my team playing against MOE 2! My team mates complained a little bit when they knew their pairings.

Game 1: MOE 2
MOE 2 consisted of three ladies, Ruby, Valli and Selvi. After discussing about the lineup, it was decided that JP played against Ruby, CC played against Valli and I played against Selvi.



It was a very closed board at the start. I opened with CHIZ with the I on the star, she played HA underneath and I played VAW on top. There is almost no more place to put any more tiles! The board started to open up a little bit more when I put ANY back hooking the Y on the triple letter score to the ACH on the board to score 39 points. I accidentally closed it down again when I played EAU underneath to get rid of my vowels. Feeling frustrated over the closed board, I opened up with REV but this seems to be a mistake as Selvi promptly put down a eight letter bingo with a DEIMOPS rack through the R[1] for 76 points.

Had AMORU?? on my rack on one turn and I phonied with AMOURed* that got challenged off! Think I overheard the word checkers on what was wrong with the spelling and I managed to put ArMOURs for 86 points on my next turn. Almost ran out of time towards the end of the game and I was lucky to put down the late Q and J that came my way.

Won my first game with 409 to 307. My team also won the match 2-1!

Playing in the tournament is very much like sitting for an examination! The organisers announced the end of the game after exactly one hour after the start of the master clock and everyone is supposed to drop their tiles and calculate their scores even though the individual clocks have not reached the time limit yet. Was figuring out why such a case would happen as the maths added nicely with 25 min playing time to each player and only 5 min overtime was allowed. After one day of thinking about it after the tournament, I finally realised that it was because they did not take into account the time taken for challenges which would freeze the timer. The time taken for challenges would then depend on the number of challenges per game and the average speed taken to process one challenge.

My second draw resulted in my team playing against HDB 2! Oops, two bad draws in a row!

Game 2: HDB 2
JP played against a Chinese guy, CC played against Jessie and I played against Serene.



Serene started very strongly with a bingo: HOARDER for 80 points which I challenged unsuccessfully and a high scoring EXEC for 43 points! I was lagging far behind until I managed to bingo with a ACEILT? front hooking to an existing GIO on the board setting the blank as a "T"[2]. By turn 8, I was only 5 points behind but she pulled further ahead in her subsequent turns.

One interesting rule that my opponents told us before the start of the game was not to turn the board around during the game but to view it sideways. I realised the rationale of this rule towards the end of this game!

The board provided by the official sponsors had no grooves to place the tiles properly on it and it was not designed to rotate smoothly as it is rectangular in shape. During the course of the game, the tiles began to shift sideways even though we tried to move the board minimally. The situation was so bad that I mistakenly put down JOLE, front hooking the E to an existing TEA on the board. Due to parallax error, I thought the EA belonged to another column and noticed it only after my turn. Luckily, Serene did not see my error. She made the same mistake as I as she tried to front hook a B to the ETEA* a few turns later, but I challenged her off!

Lost my second game with 360 to 432. Our team also lost the match 1-2.

Lunch was provided by the organisers and it was quite delicious! After lunch, my third draw resulted in my team playing against IRAS 2. Not too bad although one of my team mates said he preferred us to play against CPF that had many pretty lady players!

Game 3: IRAS 3
Our opponent is an all-girls team. JP played against a Chinese girl, CC played against Sally and I played against a Malay girl. Lost my score sheet so can't comment on the games. Just remembered that my opponent phonied with TIB* and I phonied with CUL* for my game.

Our team won 3-0.

We were placed in the Silver category after 3 games. There were 4 teams in the Gold category, 12 teams in Silver and 14 teams in Bronze. The prize distribution is such that there are 4 prizes for Gold, 3 for Silver and 3 for Bronze, so we still had a chance to get some prizes at this stage. This is a KOTH game and we were placed against HDB 3.

Game 4: HDB 3
JP played against Catherine, CC played against Joseph and I played against Sufarman.



Was very lucky in my game as I had two bingos back to back with a DEGINRS[3] and a AEHILNS[4] rack. After that, I drew two blanks from the bag to form AEETQ?? on my rack which had two possible bingos[5] by itself. Missed the eight letter bingo through an existing N[6]. Scored not too bad with the "Q" for 48 points though.

Won the last game 418-303. Our team won 3-0 and had a cumulative spread of 335 to come in tops for the Silver category teams! Ngee Ann Poly grabbed the top two positions in the Gold Category. Hope we could do even better next year!


Quiz answers (Highlight to see clearly):

[1] PROMISED
[2] TACtILE or LATtICE
[3] DINGERS or ENGIRDS
[4] INHALES
[5] EQuATEd or EQuATEs
[6] pETANQuE

Superman Returns

The story is what happens after Superman returns to Earth after a trip back home. He meets up with his ex-girlfriend Lois Lane, saves people and fights against bad guys.

The soundtrack still sounds very nice after all these years! Nice special effects with Superman flying around and lifting gigantic things! The human side of Superman is portrayed pretty well! Liked the piano piece played by the little boy that is played in "Big" too.

Internet Movie Database Link

The Road to Guantanamo

This is based on a real incident when a group of British Muslims who were friends, got captured by the Americans in Afghanistan shortly after the September 11 incident. They were held in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for two years where they were interrogated.

Interesting "mockumentary" style where the group of friends recounted what happened with interspersed documentary footages! The first part of the film looked like a tour programme about the adventures in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The second part describes their captive lives where they were not allowed to talk to each other and was physically and mentally strained! Liked the flashback scenes that contrasted their "before and after" lives.

Internet Movie Database Link

Rain Dogs

A Malaysian film about how the life of a young man changed after he met up with his brother working in KL during school holidays and many unexpected things happened.

Liked the scenes when he ended up staying in his uncle's place and he made friends with his nephew's tutor. She and her sister spoke in Malaysian style Chinese and it sounded quite charming to the ears! Liked the nice scenery in the peaceful village too!

Respire

A very short film that describes what happens when everyone has to wear a mask 24 hours a day. The mask looks quite cool and even has a hole for people to smoke and drink! Not really sure how they can eat with the mask on though. There is a end-of-the-world feel to it and the music is quite nice!

Internet Movie Database Link

Lightning

The DVD title is mistakenly stated as "Okuni and Gohei" which is another movie directed by the same director, Naruse Mikio, in the same year of 1952. Saw "Lightning" a few years ago during the Naruse Mikio retrospective a few years ago at the Japanese Association and thought the film look suspicously similar to it from the opening scene. Quite confirmed that it is the same film when I finished watching it as I found several other scenes that look similar.

The story is about a family of an old woman and four children, each from different fathers. The youngest daughter, Kiyoko, is frustrated living in the family. Her eldest brother in law is unfaithful, her second sister hangs out with a rich guy and her brother is jobless and plays pachinko all day. She is also being pressured to marry the rich guy whom her second sisters hangs out with, whom she dislikes.

Interesting look at how the family members interacted with each other! Great acting by the actress who played Kiyoko! She looks quite cool in her bus conductress uniform! Found out from this link that the director has made another film on bus conductresses, "Hideko the Bus Conductress" a few years earlier! Would be great if I have the chance to watch that together with "When a Woman Ascends the Stairs" and "Yearning"!

Internet Movie Database Link

Roman Holiday

Just realised that I saw two 1953 film on the same day! Saw RH on Central but missed the first half an hour of it. The story is about a princess's adventure in Rome while on holiday there.

The princess, Ann, was given a tranquilizing shot when she tried to slip out from home but managed to escape anyway. She ended up sleeping on a bench and was taken home by a reporter, Bradley, who didn't know who she was at first. He then volunteered to show her around Rome. I began watching the film when they showed Ann deep in sleep on Bradley's bed.

Interesting to see how Bradley flipped Ann to a couch and she continued sleeping like nothing has happened! The adventures in Rome are interesting too! She walked along the streets, had a very nice haircut, rode on a scooter zipping through the busy traffic and danced in a party at night! Wouldn't be surprised if Rome used this film to promote tourism 50 years ago!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Wages of Fear

The story is about four men on a dangerous mission and the reward is high if they succeed! Their mission is to carry tonnes of explosives across treacherous terrain on an ordinary truck for an oil company and the reward is US$2500 per person.

The film describes the background of these people at the start. They stay in a South American village where there is nothing much to do but to drink and listen to music. The mission itself is very interesting as they encounter many obstacles along the way, much like "Worst Case Scenario" on AXN! Didn't really like the ending as I thought it felt a bit like an anti-climax.

Internet Movie Database Link

Older Brother, Younger Sister

The story is about how the family relationship changes when one daughter came home pregnant but unmarried. The village people talk about them behind their backs and it affected the propspective in-law's opinions of her younger sister as well. The older brother scolds her whenever she is home and the parents are stressed by the incident too.

Noticed the many different ways the film showed the sister reclining on the floor in a relaxed posture which is pretty interesting! The family relationship is portrayed very well and the buns made by the mother look delicious!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Golden Age

There is no clear storyline but plenty of strange images: scorpions fighting, a cow sitting peacefully on a bed, the pope being thrown off the window! All these are coupled with a recurring image of a pair of lovers getting interrupted by figures of authorities.

Read that the director is against repression of any sort including sexual repression which explains what that recurring image is about. There is also a very controversial image towards the end which makes "Da Vinci Code" tame in comparison!

Internet Movie Database Link

Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans

Bought some DVDs at the World Book Fair and this is one of them. The story is about how the lives of a married couple staying in a farm is affected by a temptress from the city.

Nice cinematography and I especially liked the special animation effects from the subtitles! Great suspense in the beginning and I was worried for the protagonists! Dragged a little bit in the middle but the film wrapped up everything pretty well in its closing scenes!

Internet Movie Database Link

Scrabble Quiz

The above board is taken from an actual game.

I just played EE 14J and it is now my opponent's turn.
My score: 355. My tiles: ACDEEN?
Opp score: 331. Opp tiles: HIORTW?
Tiles in bag: -

Here are my quiz questions:
1) What is the best move for my opponent?
2) If he didn't play the best move and played WHO M2 for 30 points instead, what is my best move?
3) If I didn't play my best move as above but played DEAN N1 for 29 points instead, can my opponent still win?

Think Q1 and Q2 are obvious by checking LexPert. For Q3, found a move that will enable my opponent to draw. Can you do better?

9th Singapore Open (Second Day)

Game 6: vs Low Bee Tiang
Could have formed a bingo with ADENORS on my rack and a floating "L" on the board to surge ahead but didn't. I actually thought of the word but decided that it had high chance to be a phoney. After my opponent bingoed with BERTHING(74), I should have just used up the TWS line with my "K" on my rack to form KEB 1A instead of KITED 4A for less points. Allowed my opponent to score twice with the TWS line with AMOK and BINGOS after that. A late VOX(42) managed to narrow the gap but still lost.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: BERTHING(74)
My Phoneys: RADONES* Opp Phoneys: EY*, TTAY*, RETT*
My High Moves: DEFS(30), QI(31), VOX(42) Opp High Moves: VOW(30), HEY(30), ZITS(40), AMOK(30), BINGOS(35)
L 336-409, -73. 3W 3L (Accum spread -244).

Game 7: vs Tan Yao Zhong
Played with Yao Zhong during last year's Nationals and he seems to have grown bigger and taller. Both of us got one bingo each. I played STAINED(82) while my opponent played TAVERNS(96). Was quite surprised that the bag emptied sooner than expected and my tracking seems far off than usual. Realised after the game that about four or five tiles were missing including the blank! It was too late to do anything then but we helped to replace the missing tiles from the spare bag.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: STAINED(82) Opp Bingos: TAVERNS(96)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: CET*
My High Moves: FEH(32), DAISY(37) Opp High Moves: XI(44), WOK(30)
L 388-335, +53. 4W 3L (Accum spread -191).

Game 8: vs Valli
Was frustrated with a very closed board until I decided to open up with EATING 14I. Suddenly, three TWS lines were available at the same time and I was able to score well with FISH O12. Valli was able to score on the other two TWS lines though with EXPOS and JOBS. She also bingoed with LEANEST(66) and won the game.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: LEANEST(66)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: COOR*
My High Moves: FAY(37), FISH(50), RAZED(44) Opp High Moves: EXPOS(53), JOBS(47)
L 351-403, -52. 4W 4L (Accum spread -243).

Game 9: Bye
Not really sure whether to feel happy about having a bye as this means that I play one less game than I am entitled to. Had fun walking around helping people check challenged words! Saw Bee Tiang missing an opening bingo with a AIORTU? rack where he put OUTRAIn* and Serene missing a closing bingo with a AELPRSU rack where she put PAULERS*.

W 150-100, +50. 5W 4L (Accum spread -193).

Game 10: vs Valli
Surprised to meet Valli in the KOTH round as I thought she should be somewhere on top of the field, way out of my league. I bingoed with TRAILED(66) while Valli bingoed with FLEECING(82). She missed a few turns trying for a bingo but was challenged off. It was a very closed board towards the end and I decided to open up. Turned out to be a bad decision as she promptly put down REQUITS(105) back hooking the T to an existing VAU. Later, she scored with FITS(46) underneath REQUITS across the TWS line and won convincingly.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TRAILED(66) Opp Bingos: FLEECING(82), REQUITS(105)
My Phoneys: WALT* Opp Phoneys: SURRIES*, SOURIES*
My High Moves: AX(36), CREW(43) Opp High Moves: SEZ(39), PANE(37), FITS(46)
L 344-501, -157. 5W 5L (Accum spread -350).

Game 11: vs Peter Yu
A game that is full of bingos! I bingoed twice with INEARTH(87) and TIRADES(78) while Peter bingoed with SNORTER(65) and SUCTIONS(61). Held a ACEINO? rack on one turn but wasted it on a phoney with ACONISE*. Drew many high scoring tiles towards the end and counted that there were exactly 7 tiles left in the bag. Changed my tiles and left Peter stuck with them towards the end to give me the game.



New words learnt: ZINGY
My Bingos: INEARTH(87), TIRADES(78) Opp Bingos: SNORTER(65), SUCTIONS(61)
My Phoneys: ACONISE*, AWIDE*, YOR* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: XI(39), HOED(35) Opp High Moves: ZINGY(53), QAT(32)
W 433-419, +14. 6W 5L (Accum spread -336).

Game 12: vs Low Bee Tiang
Second time playing with Bee Tiang. Once again, I got an ACEINO? rack on one turn. Luckily, Winston helped me check the anagrams for it with his PDA just before the game and I played ACONITE(70). Didn't have many high scoring moves after that but managed to maintain my lead towards the end.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: ACONITE(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: IE*
My High Moves: AX(33) Opp High Moves: ROC(35), BODY(33), ZOA(38)
W 353-300, +53. 7W 5L (Accum spread -287).

Managed to squeeze into top 10 with 7 wins and spread -287. Sad that I didn't have the chance to play with Marcus, JoBeth and Jason. Hope to have the chance to play with them sometime in the future!

Over the Hedge

The story is about the adventures of a group of forest animals who found themselves in an urban neighborhood after waking up from hibernation. An outsider raccoon became friends with them and taught them how to steal food from the humans.

Interesting to see the conflict between the raccoon and the existing leader of the forest animals who is a turtle. One is adventurous while the other is cautious by nature. The plan that they came up with towards the end is also very ingenious!

Internet Movie Database Link

9th Singapore Open (First Day)

This is my first time playing Scrabble in Teck Ghee CC. Didn't have much trouble locating it as I have a street directory with the bus stop information in my bag.

Saw many familiar faces as I reached there: Marcus, JoBeth, Valli and Peter Tay to name a few. Haven't seen Peter Tay for a long while since the last time I played him in the Millenium Cup, so was quite happy to be able to play with him again. Found out that I was playing with him for my first game after the organisers did the pairings.

Game 1: vs Peter Tay
Learnt many new words from Peter Tay. Spent a long time deciding whether to put FIBRE or FIBER across a TWS line and was still shuffling the tiles around after I put down the word until I decided that FIBRE looks more right. Catherine who was observing the game at the side told me that both words were valid after I pressed the clock. Lost as Peter bingoed with INTAKES(91) and made many high scoring moves.



New words learnt: OURANG, HIST, FISTY
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: INTAKES(91)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: FIBRE(33), XIS(35) Opp High Moves: HART(36), JADE(37), FISTY(40), MZEE(48)
L 296-450, -154. 0W 1L (Accum spread -154).

Game 2: vs Chua Zhong Jie
My favorite move in this game would be FLORA N9, back hooking the "O" to ROT. Was unsure of ROTO, so was glad that it turned out to be good when challenged! Felt great when I was able to score very well with JILT 15L across the TWS line back hooking the "L" to FLORA on my next turn! Was still able to keep the lead and win when my opponent bingoed late in the game with WEARIES(67). (Short quiz: There is a valid anagram for MANKIES*. Can you guess what that is?)



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: WEARIES(67)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: MANKIES*, VAWN*, NANE*
My High Moves: FLORA(41), JILT(66), SHEET(34), WIRY(38), AH(31) Opp High Moves: MAD(33), EX(31), QUA(41)
L 393-343, +50. 1W 1L (Accum spread -104).

Game 3: vs Victor Gwee
Was totally out of luck in this game! Had the "J" and the "Z", but Victor had both blanks, all four "S" and the "K", "Q" and "X". Made a very silly mistake when Victor put down HaX* M3 next to an existing CLAW L3 and PAN K5. I challenged it off but made no attempt to block it as I thought HeX would be safe as Le* would not be good. Victor promptly put HoX on his next move to score! He won with many high scoring moves and two bingos: TANNERS(66) and SENATES(89).



New words learnt: CHIV
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: TANNERS(66), SENATES(89)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: HAX*, COSTY*
My High Moves: VANE(33), WITE(32), ATE(34) Opp High Moves: PEEKS(61), HOX(45), DIV(35), QUA(35)
L 311-502, -191. 1W 2L (Accum spread -295).

Game 4: vs Ong Wen Hong
Fell behind when my opponent put down ENZYME(44) for his first move but caught up as I made two bingos PRINTERS(74) and TINIEST(71). My opponent replied with DRAINED(76) and with all the remaining "O"s on his rack, he did a pretty good setup with JUT N1. I attempted to block with UG 2N but realised later that he could also have the "G" and the "U" on his rack to form a 3-letter J word. Luckily he didn't see that word and I got away with a comfortable win!



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: PRINTERS(74), TINIEST(71) Opp Bingos: DRAINED(76)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ABLY(32) Opp High Moves: ENZYME(44)
W 410-302, +108. 2W 2L (Accum spread -187).

Game 5: vs Winston Gwee
I started very well with QUAIR(48) but Winston was able to catch up when he bingoed with STRAINS(74). He could have overtook me if he had not wasted a few moves playing phoneys that were challenged off. A nail biting finish and I was just able to edge him out for a win! Probably worth analysing the end game to see if there were more optimal scoring moves.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: STRAINS(74)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: IKE*, TREP*, AF*
My High Moves: QUAIR(48), EX(36) Opp High Moves: RAJ(39), ZOO(34), WHO(30)
L 398-382, +16. 3W 2L (Accum spread -171).

Ended the first day pretty well with 3 wins out of 5 although my spread is terrible. Hope to do better the next day!

Just a small quiz on players in the Scrabble scene:
Guess which player has the favorite phrase: "I am one hundred percent sure!".

I hear him say that so often that I could subconciously hear him shouting out that phrase whenever I think about Scrabble. If you have no idea who he is, just ask any active intermediate player and they'll know straight away!

The Da Vinci Code

The story is about Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou stumbling upon an encoded dark secret and going on a treasure hunt to solve it. Tom Hanks is a renowned author on interpreting symbols while Audrey Tautou is a cryptology expert from the police whose grandfather was murdered.

The puzzles are interesting but it is almost impossible for the audience to solve without any background knowledge so didn't have the opportunity to try to beat the characters in solving them. A lot of screen time is devoted to explain this background knowledge and resulted in too much information overload. Not as exciting as "National Treasure" in terms of the clue solving or "M:I:III" in terms of action sequences. Nice indoor scenery of the churches and the museum though!

Internet Movie Database Link

Mission: Impossible III

The story is about the adventures of a group of special agents working in the IMF, the Impossible Mission Force. Ethan Hunt, played by Tom Cruise, is a veteran planning to retire and have a peaceful life with his girlfriend but decides to take part in a mission when he is asked to.

Great action and very nice teamwork displayed! Especially liked the sequence in the Vatican where the plan is superbly executed! Also like the nice scenery shots in Shanghai.

Internet Movie Database Link

Bewitching Attraction

The story is about the life of a group of professors in a small college. One of the female professors, Eun Suk, played by Moon So Ri, has a dark secret with a new professor played by Ji Jin Hee who just joined them.

Moon So Ri looked prettier in Nine Lives of Korean Cinema which is a documentary about Korean cinema shown during this year's SIFF! She looked like Cora Miao in this film. Was expecting a mindless sex comedy, so was surprised by the long dialogues among the professors and how cold the sex scenes felt. I would give a rating of two out of five stars for its erotic index.

Understood the film better when I realised that the original Korean title is "The Discreet Charm of a Female Professor" from Variety's Review, similar to Bunuel's The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosie. Just like TDCB, there are lots of black humour, flashbacks and scenes that doesn't make sense at all!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Child

The story is about the life of a teenage couple, Sonia and Bruno, who are very poor. Sonia just got a baby and Bruno lies and steals to survive.

Sonia's leopard spot dress and black boots combination looks quite nice!

Felt that Bruno is not as evil as I originally imagined. Although he steals and lies, he still cares very much for his girlfriend and his little buddy. Interesting to see him busy pushing the pram around, crossing the busy highway and bargaining deals with people. Was very surprised at the lack of face to face interaction during some of the transactions!

Incidentally, the girlfriend in "Crime and Punishment" is also called Sonia. The director may be paying tribute to this novel with this film.

Internet Movie Database Link

Election 2

The story is about the events leading to the election of a new Triad chief in Hong Kong. The current Triad chief's godson, Jimmy, had wanted to do business in China and not take part in the election, but he found that he could enjoy special privileges if he became the Triad chief and changed his mind.

Interesting to see the power struggle between Lok, the current Triad chief, and Jimmy. They talked to influential people to garner support, eliminated people in their way and used money and violence to get things done. Very ruthless people who would do anything to get elected! Nice ending that showed that winning the election is not everything and there are consequences attached to it!

Internet Movie Database Link

Noriko's Dinner Table

The story is about what happens to a Japanese family when one of the daughters, Noriko, ran away from home to Tokyo and got involved in a "family rental" business headed by her online friend, Kumiko.

Noriko felt disconnected with her family and wanted to go to different places and see new things. When she reached Tokyo, she sells her service to lonely people by pretending to be their family members. The film questions what it means to be a family by comparing the real family before Noriko ran away and the virtual families with Noriko as a member.

The situation in the family is seen from several perspectives: Noriko, her younger sister Yuka and the father. In each perspective, a different voice is used to narrate what happened to them. Yuka had the nicest voice in my opinion! She quickly understood why her elder sister left but her father was clueless for a long time. I felt very sad for the father when he desperately tried to find out the reason for her daughters' disapperance.

I think the use of flashbacks, dream sequences and telling the story in multiple perspectives very much enhanced the experience of watching this film. Very nice ending! Tension is built up to keep the audience guessing what would happen next but when the tension ends, a very good closure is provided.

Highly recommended!

Internet Movie Database Link

In Search of a Road

This is a docudrama about the past 100 years of history in Sri Lanka with a big focus on the railway line.

Not too used to watching docudramas as I find it strange to see bits of drama interspersed with the documentary. Didn't quite follow the story of the drama, so I didn't feel much for the characters. For the documentary part, the narrator spoke in a very monotonous tone and I fell asleep at some parts partly because of the heavy lunch that I took. The ending is quite nicely done though.

Chinese Restaurants: Beyond Frontiers

The story is about the life of overseas Chinese who survive by running Chinese restaurants. Two families are interviewed from India and one from Brazil.

Interesting to see how the families blend in to the local community and yet maintain their Chinese culture. They train local people to help in the kitchen and serve food but their homes are decorated in a very Chinese style. The families in India also talk about hard times during the Sino-India conflict in 1962 when the foreigners are sent to live in camps.

Internet Movie Database Link

A Short Film About Indio Nacional

This is a black and white silent movie about life in Phillipines during the 1890s. Events that happened during that era were shown in a very indirect manner.

Liked the nice music but the pacing is very slow! Preceding the silent segment, there is a very long take on someone trying to sleep but could not. Quite ironic as I was trying very hard not to sleep when watching this part.

Magdalena The Unholy Saint

The story is about the transformation of a girl called Magdalena after experiencing several major incidents in her life.

Very nice storyline! Was touched by how the characters managed to cope in a crisis situation! Great acting by the actress who played Magdalena!

The Sentinel

An inside look at how the president of United States is kept safe by a group of security professionals and what happened when they found a security breach!

Had fun guessing who is the one that caused the security breach! Shortlisted to a few possibilities but all of them were wrong! Pity that Kim Basinger and Eva Longoria didn't have a bigger role as they were just like "flower vases".

Internet Movie Database Link

It's Only Talk

The story is about the life of a woman in her mid thirties who is suffering from manic depression since the death of her parents. She lives off her savings, spends her time taking pictures on her digital camera to post on her blog, goes out with friends and visits the bath house once in a while.

Liked how well the director captures the emotions of the characters as they interact with each other! I think the different men that the woman goes out with represents her different needs. They include a pervert, a university friend who is a budding politician, a cousin and a fellow manic depression sufferer who is a yakuza. The bath house is a good quiet place for her to relax when she feels tense.

KAFA Animations

A series of animation by the Korean Academy of Fine Arts:

The Woman with Busy Hands
Gas City
Who are You?
Swimming Days
The Wall
Soul's Milk Spring Outing
Mackerel

Liked "Who are You?" the best! It involves a papa bear, a mama bear and a baby bear. The papa bear has deserted his family but he felt lonely and decides to visit them one day. Baby bear refuses to acknowledge her dad unless he can answer some simple personal questions about her. He fails to answer any of them and is kept out of the door. Liked the bears who are cutely drawn and the interesting questions asked by the baby bear!

If You Were Me 2

This is a series of shorts produced for the National Human Rights Commision of Korea.

Seaside Flower is about the life of a child with Down's Syndrome. She studies in a normal school where she gets teased once in a while and she has fun telling ghost stories at home. Liked the realistic account of her day which shows that she is as normal as any other kid!

Hey Man is about what happens when a group of friends gather for a drink and one of them starts to criticise people around him: foreign workers, the unemployed, high school grads and homosexuals. His friends left him one by one and he himself felt ostracised for being so successful in life! Liked the clever setup and the interesting dialogue!

A Boy with the Knapsack is about the unfair treatment of North Koreans living in South Korea. A North Korean girl works at a Karaoke bar and her boss short changed her pay. She asked a North Korean guy who is a great motorbike rider for help. They stole almost 50 cans of coke from the bar, put them in a knapsack and rode off together! Liked the depiction of the friendship between the guy and the girl!

Someone Grateful is about the relationship between an interrogator and his case who is a student activist. Chief Kim had given up trying to extract information from his case through torture and ended up confiding his troubles to him as he is supposed to hand him over to his colleague. Liked how the two guys bonded during the last few hours!

Jongno Winter is about how employers cheated Chinese Koreans working in South Korea of their pay and that many of them froze to death and died of unnatural causes each year. Liked the documentary like story telling that recounted how one particular Chinese Korean froze to death and the events that led to it!

Dictator's Cut / Nine Lives of Korean Cinema

DC is about the history of film making in North Korea while NLKC is about the history of film making in South Korea.

North Korea is a closed society and its leader has a lot of say on what is shown in films. They encourage people to be nationalistic and is very pro-military. South Korea had very strict censorship too at one time but things changed after Seoul held the Olympics in 1988. The artistic freedom given to the filmmakers coupled with the screen quota system that forces cinemas to screen a certain number of Korean films per year has led to the huge commercial success of Korean films today.

Liked the large number of film clips shown in the two documentaries and the interviews with the directors, actors and actresses! Some of the directors featured like Im Kwon Taek, Kim Ki Duk and Hong Sang Soo are my favorite directors and I gained a better understanding towards their films when they explained their rationale of doing certain things.

Gone To a Good Home / Operation Babylift

Decided last minute to catch the 7pm screening at the National Museum as I thought I may not be able to make it on time. This is my first screening at the National Museum which has been newly renovated.

GTGH is about how unmarried mothers were forced to give up their babies for adoption from the 50s to 70s in Australia and the impact on these people many years down the road.

Liked the interviews where many personal stories were told and the re-enactment of what happened almost forty years ago!

OB is about how abandoned babies and children were airlifted from Vietnam to the Western countries for adoption during the Vietnam War.

The theme is somewhat similar to GTGH but the situation is slightly different as it is during an emergency where lives could be lost when nothing is done. Liked the interviews with the Vietnamese children who had grown up now and the news clips of that era which was incorporated in the film.

Perpetual Motion

The story is about how four friends spent their Lunar New Year together. They are successful middle aged women and each of them has been closely connected to the host's husband at one time.

Has always been fascinated by the beauty of the Chinese language in describing intimacy and it is reflected in this show. Liked the stories recounted by the women as they reflected back on their youth! The Lunar New Year special shown on TV is interesting too!

Internet Movie Database Link

Manderlay

This is the second part of a trilogy directed by Danish director, Lars Von Trier. The first part was "Dogville" starring Nicole Kidman which was shown here commercially about a year ago. The story is about how a gangster's daughter discovered that there were slaves in a town called Manderlay and tried to use her powers to liberate them.

Very interesting study into human nature as the film shows how people of different characters react to different situations! Liked the narration, the music and the minimalist style for the set! Many things are just drawn and labelled on the ground and there are no roofs or doors for the buildings! This allows the audience to have full view of what all the chracters are doing at the same time and be less distracted by unnecessary details.

Internet Movie Database Link

Tale of the Three Jewels

Interesting tale about the life of a Palestinian boy living in the Gaza Strip. The place that he lives in is not peaceful and fully armed soldiers can be seen everywhere. Despite all this, he lives a happy life and became friends with a Gypsy girl who asked him to search for three jewels that were lost from her Grandmother's necklace.

Liked the enthusiasm showed by the boy in the things that he does and how well fantasy and reality are blended together! Was pleasantly surprised by the ending that had a nice religious and philosophical touch to it.

Internet Movie Database Link

The Glamorous Life Of Sachiko Hanai

The story is about how the life of a woman called Sachiko Hanai has changed after being hit by a bullet in the head. She becomes super-smart and gets involved with something that affects the whole world.

There is quite a bit of deadpan humour in this film! It even features president George Bush as a man in a mask! Animation and puppet figures are used effectively to depict how absurdly powerful the US forces have become and how they like to show off their strength to other countries. Many scenes are also exaggerated to look unrealistic to highlight how chaotic the world has become.

After being shot by the bullet, Sachiko is unable to synchronise her actions with her feelings. I think it signifies the apathy that young people have with this world and the grave consequences that could follow. People can also look inside her bullet-hole head to see the ideal world that they like to live in.

Sachiko was a call-girl who play-acted as a home tutor before the bullet incident happened. After the incident, she became very knowledgeable and was much more qualified in her role. There are many sex scenes in the film which seem redundant but they are important to show how boring life has become and the men are looking towards Sachiko as a figure of authority and someone whom they can cuddle with, like a baby in a mother's arms.

The ending is very interesting with Sachiko swallowing up the world, perhaps in a dream sequence. I interpret it to mean that she has become mother nature herself and the cycle of life and death has finally completed.

Internet Movie Database Link

I Did Not Kill Gandhi

The story is about how a family cope when their father, a retired professor, shows symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and suffers from a childhood trauma. He was accused of murdering Gandhi, who is the Father of India.

Was touched by the sacrifices made by the daughter to look after her father. She broke up with her finace, quit her job and hunted for the best doctors. Great acting by the actor who played the father! There is also nice documentary footage of Gandhi towards the end!

We Feed the World

This is a documentary on how the agriculture industry and food industry is affected by globalisation.

There are many unusual practices:
1. Truck loads of bread are being thrown away although they are just a few days old.
2. Maize is grown to be burnt as fuel.
3. Large areas of rainforests in Brazil are being cleared to plant soya that is used for chicken feed in European countries.

From the interviews of poor starving people, one can tell how bad conditions are by looking at their dog which is really very skinny! There is also quite a lengthy footage on how chickens are factory farmed.

Very surprised that the little chickens are transported along the factory line like commodities! I also felt sad when one of the workers described how they are slaughtered. The chickens are hung upside down, dipped in water to be electric-shocked and had their throats slit by a sharp rotating blade.

Internet Movie Database Link

If You Were Me: Anima Vision

Six animated films are made for the Human Rights Commission of Korea and each film has a different director and deals with different issues.

Day Dream is about discrimination against handicapped children. It shows a father and a handicapped daughter having an afternoon nap and the day dreams that they are having. Very nicely drawn with a water color painting feel and the stories are well narrated!

Animal Farm is about accepting diversity and not ostracising the odd-one-out. It shows a goat trying very hard to join a flock of sheep in the things that they do but is prevented by the chief sheep. Quite cute to see how the goat comes up with very innovative ideas!

At Her House is about the stresses faced by women doing the housework and looking after the child. It depicts how the wife gets drowned in all the chores that she has to do while the husband just relaxes and watches TV. Liked how the emotional states of the couple are depicted figuratively!

The Flesh and Bone is about discrimination against ugly people. It describes how an ugly family came about through the genes inherited from their great grandfather generation. Very interesting narration on the family history!

Bicycle Trip is about discrimination against illegal immigrants as employers exploit them because of their status. A driverless bicycle rides through the streets and flashbacks are shown at the locations that it stops. Very effective use of flashbacks!

Be A Human Being is about discrimination against people with low academic qualifications. A bunch of animals attend cram school with a human as a teacher and they are told that they can only become human beings when they complete university. The main character is a gorilla who liked collecting insects and discovers one day that he could transform to a human being when he pursues his interest in the forest! There is a twist in the end which I won't reveal here but I felt that it is very touching!

SIFF Opening Film

Caught this year's Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) opening film at Lido. This year's opening film is a Malaysian short film "My Beautiful Rambutan Tree in Tanjung Rambutan" and a Lebanese film "Kiss Me Not On The Eyes".

MBRTTR is about sibling love/rivalry and describes how a rambutan tree came to grow in a family's garden under very unusual circumstances. Liked how the director builds up tension in the film through the little things that the brothers and sisters do!

KMNOTE is about how a young woman prepared for a dance competition and studied poetry at the same time. It is also about her journey in finding herself in the process. My favorite scenes are those with the dancing coach teaching Dunia how to dance! Very nice dancing movements where she sways her body like a sinusoidal curve on an oscilloscope! Also liked the pulsating drum beats that accompanied the dance!

Speaking Up

Saw this on the first day of the Singapore International Film Festival (SIFF) fringe held at the Goethe Institute. The organisers had prepared a mini-buffet feast for the audience before the show started with bread, cheese, fruits and drinks as it was the opening day! Very nice of them!

The film consists of interviews of ordinary people from all walks of life on various topics that affected Hong Kong. It also showed major events like the '97 Hong Kong handing over, newspaper reports on the Tiananmen incident, people staging rallies in the streets etc.

It is interesting to hear the candid responses from these people and how their answers differed due to their different backgrounds! Gained a better understanding of Hong Kong through this film.

A Summer Tale

Saw this at the "swedenmade film 2006" organised by Singapore Film Society. Decided to watch this as it was recommended by movie critic, Dr Wong Lung Hsiung, on channel 8 the day before.

The story is about how two orphans spent their summer holidays with a local undertaker, Mr Johansson. He was quite strict with them at first but the orphans soon became friends with each other and had many interesting encounters with the village people.

Liked the simple story and the life affirming lessons taught by the children!

Internet Movie Database Link

Three Times

Watched this at the newly furbished Picturehouse. Only the ticket sales and cinemas are open on the 5th and 6th floor. The rest of the shops are not ready for business yet.

There are three short stories in TT and they have different themes and set in different eras: "A Time of Love" in 1966, "A Time of Freedom" in 1911 and "A Time of Youth" in 2005.

ATOL is about an NS guy's search for a billiard ball assistant whom he had a game before. ATOF is about the life of a prostitute and it describes the incidents that lead to the fall of Taiwan to Japan through her client. ATOY is about a complicated love triangle in the Taipei city.

Liked the '60s music in ATOL and the nice costume worn by the billiard ball assistants! The opera music in ATOF was interesting and the theme was expressed pretty well through both the loss of freedom of a country and that of a person! Didn't really like ATOY as I thought the music sounded terrible and there was nothing special about the plain citylife scenery.

Internet Movie Database Link

Lim Boon Heng Cup (Day Two)

Game 6: vs Rosalind
An easy game as Rosalind had not been playing for a while and was quite rusty. Had to clarify the rules for her as she didn't seem to be familiar with them. She actually requested to play in the recreational division but was refused because of her ratings attained in 1999! Also heard that Kok Onn's request to play in the intermediate division was refused as he only started playing competitively after the LBH cup cut-off date. Guess the ratings system has its limitation to eliminate both under-qualified and over-qualified players in a particular division.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: IL*(ch)
My High Moves: AWAY(35), YEH(33), BRAVeD(34) CLEAN(30) Opp High Moves: -
W 423-291, +132. 3W 3L (Accum spread +76).

Game 7: vs JoBeth Pan
Was thrashed by JoBeth a few years ago at the NTU open. Had a bingo rack with AEILNRS and played NAILERS back hooking the R to an existing EME but EMER* was challenged off. Could have bingoed by front hooking to an existing TIC on the board! My opponent bingoed three times with tURRETED(62), REALTIES(82), SNORTER(73) and I lost badly!



New words learnt: ETIC, EBON(ch)
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: tURRETED(62), REALTIES(ch)(82), SNORTER(ch)(73)
My Phoneys: EMER*(ch), LOM*(ch) Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: PAS(33), RACIER(36), EX(42), VOLTI(30) Opp High Moves: TIC(36)
L 346-481, -135. 3W 4L (Accum spread -59).

Game 8: vs Peter Yu
My phoney SLINT* was let off as both of us thought it was good. Peter tried to hook an S and I tried to hook a Y and both were challenged off. Later, Peter bingoed twice with SOlDiER(78) and AGONIES(67) and won easily!



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: SOlDiER(78), AGONIES(67)
My Phoneys: SLINT*, EMED*(ch) Opp Phoneys: SLINTS*(ch)
My High Moves: ZO(35) Opp High Moves: XU(39), MED(31)
L 281-449, -168. 3W 5L (Accum spread -227).

Game 9: vs Lim Shi Min
Had a bye as my opponent did not turn up.

W 150-100, +50. 4W 5L (Accum spread -177).

Game 10: vs Sebastien Lim
Start of the King-of-the-Hill round and my second time meeting Sebastien. Both of us had one bingo each. I had TRAiNEE(66) and he had REALISE(68). Was quite confused over what the blank in TRAiNEE represented and played a silly phoney of HiI* which was challenged off. Also made a mistake of not blocking the back hook of MOC next to the TWS cell and allowed my opponent to score with SKEW(57). Just managed to win by 4 points in the end!



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TRAiNEE(66) Opp Bingos: REALISE(68)
My Phoneys: HiI*(ch) Opp Phoneys: TAPINGS*(ch), MOCA*(ch)
My High Moves: TAJ(39), QIS(39), TAX(45) Opp High Moves: HAW(31), ZEA(32), SKEW(57)
W 373-369, +4. 5W 5L (Accum spread -173).

Game 11: vs Catherine
My second time meeting Catherine and thought I had a chance to revenge myself. Couldn't beat her in the end as she bingoed with sTrINGS(72) and scored well while not opening up the board.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: sTrINGS(72)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: VISA(38) Opp High Moves: CRONY(41), QI(32)
W 332-375, -43. 5W 6L (Accum spread -216).

Game 12: vs Peter Yu
My second time meeting Peter and my luck was better this time. Bingoed once with EGOtISE(80) and scored well with the J and the Q. My QUA(38) exposed the TWS cell though and allowed my opponent to score even better with FEINT(48)! Maybe should have played QAT(29) at a safer spot. Was distracted by Rosalind talking to Peter in the middle of the game but was too shy to tell her off as Peter himself didn't complain. Missed a playable bingo with a AILNST? rack at the end but played reasonably well to win.



New words learnt: HOWS(ch), TIPT(ch)
My Bingos: EGOtISE(80) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JEATS(56), FEW(32), QUA(38) Opp High Moves: NICER(30), FEINT(48)
W 390-348, +42. 6W 6L (Accum spread -174).

Came in 11th position out of 16 players. Not quite an above average intermediate player yet but I hope to do better the next time to at least make it to the top half of the field!

Lim Boon Heng Cup (Day One)

Game 1: vs Lim Seng Bock
My first time playing with Seng Bock and I learnt that he was preparing for the upcoming ISBG games. Hmm, someone to look out for when our company takes part in it! Was leading late in the game until my opponent bingoed with PATerNAL(68) using two blanks! Had lots of consonants left and he finished first to add 8 points to his final score to overtake me.



New words learnt: EHING(ch), BOFF(ch), TRIZONE
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: PATerNAL(68)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: AES*(ch)
My High Moves: FIXES(36), KAF(38), PALING(43), MEATY(57) Opp High Moves: QUITS(35), CIG(37), EHING(43), ZERO(48)
L 373-380, -7. 0W 1L (Accum spread -7).

Game 2: Sebastien Lim
Sebastian is Seng Bock's colleague. Was trailing far behind when he bingoed three times in alternate turns: bIPLANE(86), BOILERS(76) and DESTINED(78)! Caught up a little bit when I bingoed with FeNITAR(78) but it was too late!



New words learnt: VIVO, bIPLANE(ch)
My Bingos: FeNITAR(78) Opp Bingos: bIPLANE(ch)(86), BOILERS(76), DESTINED(78)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: LOXY*(ch), QUOIR*(ch)
My High Moves: LOX(33), JOT(35), ZEL(32) Opp High Moves: -
L 380-455, -75. 0W 2L (Accum spread -82).

Game 3: Arul
Played with Arul before at the last LBH cup and I think he must be the most well equipped player in the tournament, with his own board, tiles and clock! He even had extra clocks in his bag that he wanted to sell! Managed to make many high score moves including a bingo with READIER(80) back hooking to an existing DEN. Arul bingoed late in the game with eTAERIO(67) but it was too late. Had ABGNOOS for my rack at one time and saw the bingo in it but didn't put it down as I was not sure of it.



New words learnt: DENE(ch), GABOONS
My Bingos: READIER(80) Opp Bingos: eTAERIO(67)
My Phoneys: JIT*(ch) Opp Phoneys: ENLEARN*(ch), ADIM*(ch)
My High Moves: THY(33), JILTS(38), FRAY(33), ZO(31) Opp High Moves: -
W 412-284, +128. 1W 2L (Accum spread +46).

Game 4: Aloysius
Played with Aloysius before at the last Nationals. A bingoless game but I managed to make many high scoring moves while not opening up for my opponent!



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: ALOT*(ch), WEF*(ch) Opp Phoneys: REL*(ch
My High Moves: ZEAS(43), MY(34), VINAS(36), GHI(33), PRY(38) Opp High Moves: JIVED(35), PEDS(32)
W 338-284, +54. 2W 2L (Accum spread +100).

Game 5: Catherine Tong
Played with Catherine before at the NTU open a few years ago. Bingoed first with ASTRIDE(65) and Catherine bingoed later with sINGLES(78). Had AENPSTU on my rack at one turn but missed the two possible anagrams and put UNTAPES* instead that was challenged off! After that, I made many low scoring moves that did not help to open up the board and lost badly in the end.



New words learnt: PESAUNT
My Bingos: ASTRIDE(65) Opp Bingos: sINGLES(78)
My Phoneys: HANED*(ch), UNTAPES*(ch), PLEG*(ch), YIS*(ch), ASTRIDES*(ch) Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: AIDE(38), JOhN(45) Opp High Moves: OXO(43), CREEK(31)
L 266-422, -156. 2W 3L (Accum spread -56).

Mad Hot Ballroom

This is a documentary about school children in New York taking a ten week ballroom dancing course and preparing for an inter-school competition in the process.

Liked the interviews with the school children and the teachers! The children were very natural in front of the camera while the teachers explained their expectations of them. The kids look so grown up as they danced beautifully and yet they behave like normal children outside class! I also had fun learning about their plans for the future when they grow up.

Internet Movie Database Link

Interesting Talk on TV

Accidentally stumbled on this interesting talk when I was channel surfing. Pheonix TV has a weekly programme where an expert would give a talk on a particular topic to university students with a question and answer session after that.

The topic this week is on 中医的传统与出路 which would roughly translate to the historical value of Tradition Chinese Medicine and its future development. The speaker talked about the different mental models of Western Medicine and Chinese Medicine. Western Medicine breaks the human body into small sub-components so as to pin point the problem and destroy the virus/bacteria that causes the problem. Chinese Medicine treats the human body as a whole system and concentrates on strengthening the body so that the natural defences kick in.

It is also interesting to hear about the speaker's experience during the SARS epidemic and his views on the impending Avian Flu epidemic!

Article Link

War and Peace

The story, based on Tolstoy's novel of the same title, describes what happened during the war when Napoleon tried to conquer Russia around 1812.

Didn't think I could finish watching such a long film at 208 min but Audrey Hepburn acting in it kept me going. She looked very pretty and she wore beautiful dresses and had elegant posture! Was quite confused over the relationship of some minor characters but I still managed to understand the main storyline. It was also interesting to see the war tactics of the Russian and French army towards the end!

Internet Movie Database Link

Sympathy For Lady Vengeance

The story is about a beautiful lady, Geum-ja seeking revenge on a man who betrayed her. This is the last part of the revenge trilogy made by the director Park Chan Wook. The film was shown commercially last year, but I missed it because I was having training overseas.

Interesting to note that I happened to watch SFLV on "International Women's Day" as this film is mainly about women. It describes the sisterly friendship made in jail, the dependence of women on men and the love of a mother towards her daughter. Liked the use of flashback that weaved the story together, the voice-over narration that explained the plot and the many different looks of Geum-ja!

Internet Movie Database Link

Brokeback Mountain

The story is about how two cowboys became very good friends when they were working together at Brokeback Mountain. After finishing the work, they went separate ways but still kept in contact once in a while for many years.

Nice guitar soundtrack and beautiful scenery! I also liked watching the animals such as the bear, the elk, the sheep, the horse and the dog! The bear looked extremely ferocious in one scene! It is also interesting to see how the cowboys battle the elements but still manage to have a great time together. They share a dark secret though.

Liked how the film described what happened to each of the cowboys when they went separate ways. Great acting by Michelle Williams especially when she discovered the dark secret of her husband and when she confronted him about it! Liked the well executed ending too!

Scrabble Poll

Would like to conduct a poll on what you would do in the above situation.

Your tile is ENOPST?, where would you place your tile?

A) POTS H1 for 36 points with a very good leave of EN?. Quite possible to get a potential bingo on the next turn
B) POSTmEN 5D for 73 points. A safe choice that does not open up the board for your opponent and scores well.
C) NEPOTISm 2H for 74 points to open up two TWS cells. One person gets one TWS cell each. It is also possible for someone score a nine-timer and the person could be yourself.
D) Other choices, please explain

Jurong Green CC Mini

Game 1: vs Peter Yu
I first bingoed with DEsTAIN(86) but Peter replied with CHINE(47) down the TWS. Our score was quite close a few turns later until I had an EEIRSZ? rack. It was a bingo-prone rack but there was no place to put it except for a CRIT on board that looked like it had potential for a front hook. I tried SEIZuRE and RESIZEs in consecutive turns to front hook the last letter to CRIT but both were challenged off. By then, Peter had decided to close off the board and I played badly after that. I went over time by 2 minutes and had many low scoring moves.



New words learnt: CRIT, CHINE, LANT,
My Bingos: DEsTAIN(ch)(86) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: ECRIT*(ch), SCRIT*(ch) Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: CHINE(ch)(47)
L 298-359, -61. 0W 1L (Accum spread -61).

Game 2: Marcus
After Marcus bingoed with EARLIER(78), I got one blank each for the next two turn. I bingoed with INHALeD(74) then got ENOPST? for my next turn. Spent a long time thinking of a 7-letter bingo but couldn't think of any. Finally, I saw an 8-letter one through a floating I on the board to form NEPOTISm(74).



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: INHALeD(74), NEPOTISm(74) Opp Bingos: EARLIER(78)
My Phoneys: RUP*(ch) Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JIB(35), FEZ(39), VINO(33) Opp High Moves: GEY(ch)34, CUM(31), SHA(36)
W 435-377, +58. 1W 1L (Accum spread -3).

Game 3: Kum Zi Peng
Bingoed twice with BRUISES(75) and DANGERS(71) but lost the lead when I challenged PIOY and PIOYE in succession and ZP bingoed with TOADIEs(78). Managed to overtake him with a RUG set up to score with QAID(34) and BINGS(45) down the TWS line in succession. I lost in the end though as I went over time by 3 minutes and challenged his second last word, HILLO, which was good!



New words learnt: PIOY, PIOYE, ENVOI, HILLO, HILLOA
My Bingos: BRUISES(75), DANGERS(71) Opp Bingos: TOADIEs(78)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QAID(34), BINGS(45) Opp High Moves: WOK(31), MUTED(30), PIOY(ch)(31), ECU/PIOYE(ch)(30), FEZ(37)
L 374-378, -4. 1W 2L (Accum spread -9).

Game 4: Serene Ngu
Got to a bad start when I phoneyed with DOV* while trying to score with the V on the TWL cell. Managed to catch up when Serene phoneyed with CATLINES* which was challenged off and I bingoed with TINTERS(79). I scored very well with the Q with QUAT(52) and was lucky enough to get both blanks late in the game to further capitalise on the Q with the TWS cell.



New words learnt: GIRO, GIRON
My Bingos: TINTERS(79) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: DOV*(ch) Opp Phoneys: CATLINES*(ch)
My High Moves: WRITES(40), QUAT(52), QUeLl(36) Opp High Moves: PEAS(40), ZILA(31), XI(38), LEANS/GIRON(ch)(32)
W 427-356, +71. 2W 2L (Accum spread +62).

Game 5: Victor Chua
I bingoed with RAVINES(67) and Victor bingoed with TRIPLES(71) shortly after that. The board was quite close after that and I was frustrated with having no place to play my tiles. I played many phoneys that were challenged off while Victor managed to score consistently to maintain his lead. Must learn how to play well in a closed board in the future!

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: RAVINES(67) Opp Bingos: TRIPLES(71)
My Phoneys: FATA*(ch), DEIN*(ch), NEG*(ch) Opp Phoneys: GIL*(ch)
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: HAZILY(38), JETE(38)
L 335-390, -55. 2W 3L (Accum spread +7).

Game 6: Chia Guo Cong
I won Guo Cong during the last Millenium Cup and was feeling confident although I knew that my opponent had very good word knowledge. We made many high scoring moves consecutively at one time! I bingoed first with CREVISE*(80), then he bingoed with RAINDATE(68) that exposed two TWS cells. I scored with DJIN(47) with one of them, Guo Cong scored with QUIM(69) with the other one, then I scored again with ZEX(52)! I bingoed a few turns later with fACTION(77). For my last turn, I had a comfortable lead and I didn't check what tiles my opponent was holding although I was diligently tracking it. In the end, he managed to bingo out with SLAINTE(69) and snatch an extra 16 points from my EHITU? rack to beat me by one point!



New words learnt: RAINDATE
My Bingos: CREVISE*(80), fACTION(77) Opp Bingos: RAINDATE(ch)(68), SLAINTE(69)
My Phoneys: CREVISE* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: DJIN(47), ZEX(52) Opp High Moves: QUIM(69)
L 415-416, -1. 2W 4L (Accum spread +6).

Game 7: Ang Chew Chuah
Started very well with QUEEN(48) and bingoed with BRIDGES(80). I also made many high scoring moves including VARS(38), front hooking "A" to BRIDGES to capitalise on the TWS cell. Should have played AVA for that move as I had an excess of "A"s but I wasn't sure of it. I knew that AVO and AWA were good but was always confused whether AVA and AWO* were valid. Ran out of good tiles near the end and Chew Chuah slowly closed the gap with GoODIES(67), VOX(35) and ZOO(41).



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: BRIDGES(80) Opp Bingos: GoODIES(67)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QUEEN(48), WHERE(32), QUOIF(34), VARS(38), HARMeD(41), YEAT(34) Opp High Moves: TAK(32), VOX(35), ZOO(41)
W 413-382, +31. 3W 4L (Accum spread +37).

Game 8: Chia Guo Cong
Was quite surprised to play Guo Cong again for the "King-of-the-Hill" round as I was expecting to play against either Peter or Marcus. Once again, he demonstrated his excellent word knowledge as he played VINIC, ENDIRON and BENNY in succession which I challenged the first two unsuccessfully. Managed to pull ahead as I bingoed with TOGGLER(76) and INERTIa(70). I also capitalised on the TWL cell with AH(32) that also served as a set up for SKIT(41) across the TWS cell. Guo Cong could have scored more for his last turn with ROOs back hooking QI with the "s" but he didn't as he was unsure of the word.



New words learnt: VINIC(ch), ENDIRON(ch), BENNY
My Bingos: TOGGLER(76), INERTIa(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: DEX(41), AH(32), SKIT(41) Opp High Moves: VINIC(ch)(33), ENDIRON(ch)(37), BENNY(38), JEWEL(32), NAZI(34)
W 420-340, +80. 4W 4L (Accum spread +117).

Had fun playing in the mini but was frustrated with the many silly mistakes that I made. Looking forward to the upcoming Lim Boon Heng cup! Hopefully, I would have learnt not to repeat the same mistakes by then!

Mansfield Park

This is yet another film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel. The story is about how a poor girl, Fanny Price, was sent to live in her rich relative's house and what happened when she grew up. She kept in contact with her old home by writing letters to her sister. Among her rich relatives, Edmund shares the same interest as her and is her good buddy.

The plot is interesting and I was very impressed by what a good judge of character Fanny was! Liked the way the contents of the letters were presented to the audience in a story-telling style. Fanny and her sister both looked quite pretty!

Internet Movie Database Link

Emma

This is a film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel of the same title about a young single girl who likes to play matchmaker to her friends. Heard that the film "Clueless" is based on the same novel but have not had the chance to watch it yet.

Gwyneth Paltrow plays the title role and I thought she was very meddlesome at first. She had advised her friend, Harriet Smith, to turn down a marriage proposal from a fine young man as he was only a poor farmer! Mr Knightley was a very good friend of hers as he gave her advice when she most needed them.

Emma was trying to match make Harriet Smith for the most part of the film and there were many handsome guys, each with different characters, to choose from. Besides handsome guys, there were also many pretty girls in the film. These include Emma's ex-governess, Mrs Weston, and her friend, Jane Fairfax.

Internet Movie Database Link

The Constant Gardener

The story is about a diplomat trying to find out the circumstances behind a dark secret. He and his wife were working in Africa where big pharmaceutical companies were helping the Africans test for AIDS and TB.

The flashbacks were used quite effectively to show how the couple met. Great performances by Ralphe Fiennes and Rachel Weisz who played the diplomat couple! The scenery also looked pretty nice in UK and Africa. Was a bit confused over how the dark secret unravelled at first but slowly understood what happened in the end.

Internet Movie Database Link

Fearless

The story is about the life of a famous Chinese martial arts expert in China. He fought in matches for fame at first, went through a low period in his life and finally realised the importance of improving himself instead of beating others as well as unity is strength.

Certain parts of the film may not be historically accurate, but the message that violence is not the best solution is brought across positively. The martial arts sequence is nicely choreographed and the village life scenes are pretty interesting too! Also liked the sportsmanship of both contestants in the last battle!

Internet Movie Database Link

Best of British Animation Awards Vol.5

The final collection of British Animation consists of the following films:

The Girl and The Horse | Rebecca Manley | 2003
Taps | Matthew Gravelle | 2003
How Mermaids Breed | Joan Ashworth | 2002
Survey | Joe King | 2002
Gifted | Emily Mantell | 2002
Extn. 21 | Lizzie Oxby | 2002
Takuskanskan | Selina Cobley | 2003
Tennents: Body Armour | Darren Walsh | 2002
NSPCC: Cartoon | Frank Budgen & Russell Brooke | 2002
Terrence Higgins Trust: Cavern Club | Manu Roig | 2002
Butterfly | Glenn Marshall | 2002
Killing Time at Home | Neil Coslett | 2003
Little Things | Daniel Greaves | 2003
Dad's Dead | Chris Shepherd | 2002
To Have And To Hold | Emily Mantell | 2003
Fish Never Sleep | Gaelle Denis | 2002
How To Cope With Death | Ignacio Ferreras | 2002

"How Mermaids Breed" is pretty interesting and educational. "Killing Time at Home" is a sad story about how old toys get chucked away when people got tired of them. "To Have And To Hold" is an interesting mix of short stories a few days before a meteorite hits the earth. "How To Cope With Death" features "Matrix-like" action sequences of a grandmother!

Best of British Animation Awards Vol.4

Missed Vol 2 and 3 the previous day.

The collection consists of the following films:

BAA 2002 Title sequence | The Charactershop | 2002
Novelty | Leigh Hodginkson | 2001
Metalstasis | Matthew Hood | 2001
The Lucky Dip | Emily Skinner | 2001
Intolerance | Phil Mulloy | 2000
Rockin' & Rollin' | Richard Jack & Daniel Greaves | 2001
Daddy | Stephen Cavalier | 2001
Home Road Movies | Robert Bradbrook| 2000
Plain Pleasures | Sarah Cox | 2001
Q. Music.com | Sam Morris | 2000
Tennents: Pintlings | Darren Walsh | 2001
Aero: Kiosk | Alyson Hamilton | 2001
Hot Spot | Mark Brierley | 2000
Father and Daughter | Michael Dudok de Wit | 2000
Mr Grimby's Video Diary | Neil Jack | 2001

Saw "Father and Daughter" at other screenings before and I think it is quite nice! The animation has an impressionistic feel to it with pretty girls riding on the bicycle and nice background music. Also liked the director's previous work: "The Monk and The Fish" that had a similar style.

Besides "FAD", I also liked "Metalstasis", "Intolerance" and "Daddy". "Metalstasis" is about a robot who is sick because there were rats in his body, "Intolerance" is an anthropology study about aliens from the planet Zog and "Daddy" was about how Dad kept the whole family together over the years through vacations on his trusty old car.

Atame!

Was deciding whether to stay for the next two screenings of British Animation at Singapore History Museum as Arts House was also having free screenings of Spanish films at the same time. Decided to walk over there and found that they were screening Atame! by Almodovar.

Atame! is an unusual love story between a kidnapper and his victim. Ricky was just released from a mental hospital and the first thing he did was to look up Marina, an actress whom he met a year ago during a one night stand. He kidnapped her to make her slowly fall in love with him so that he could lead a normal life with a job, a wife and kids.

What's interesting is the process by which the couple turn from enemy to friends. The lines were also quite funny. Antonio Banderas acted as Ricky and he looked very young in this film! The actress who played Marina also looked quite pretty!

Internet Movie Database Link

Best of British Animation Awards Vol.1

This collection of British Animation is screened free of charge at the Singapore History Museum. There were five different screenings over two days and this was the first of them.

The following films in vol 1:

Scat, The Stringalong Cat | Ian Sachs | 1995
Butcher's Hook | Simon Pummell |1995
The Wooden Leg | Darren Doherty & Nick Smith | 1994
Many Happy Returns | Marjut Rimminen | 1997
The Wrong Brothers | Steven Weston | 1995
Jumping Joan | Petra Freeman | 1994
Reputations: Title sequence | Philip Hunt & John Kennedy | 1994
BBC2: Campaign Idents | 1995
Ah Pook is Here | Philip Hunt | 1994
Feeling My Way | Jonathan Hodgson | 1997
Smarties: Smartipants | Luis Cook | 1995
Hilary | Anthony Hodgson | 1994
Martell: Legend | Pat Gavin | 1995
Terrence Higgins Trust: Knobs In Space | Luis Cook & Dave Alex Riddett | 1995
Mr Jessop | Brian Wood | 1996
Triangle | Erica Russell | 1994
Sticky Business | Ed Taylor | 1997
(Extract) A Close Shave | Nick Park | 1995

Saw "The Wrong Brothers" and "Triangle" before at other screenings and they were quite nice. "The Wrong Brothers" is about two brother's attempt at building a flying machine while "Triangle" is a visual treat about the aesthetics of dance movement and music. Also liked "Hilary" which is a fairy tale told by a father to his child on a strange planet.

Match Point

The story is about a tennis coach's (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) climb up the social ladder and how luck plays a big part in people's life. He married a rich student's sister and had an affair with his brother-in-law's ex-fiancee (Scarlett Johansson) that threatened to get him into trouble.

Great acting by the tennis coach! The plot is very well written and it makes the audience wonder what he would do next and how things would turn out in the end! Scarlett Johansson looks quite pretty too! There is some interesting dialogue but the bad thing is that there is no Chinese subtitles and you need to stay focused to catch what is being said.

Internet Movie Database Link

Broken Flowers

The story is about a single middle aged man, Don, going on a journey to visit his old girlfriends. His girlfriend just left him and he received a mysterious letter saying that he has a nineteen year old son who may be looking for him. His friend, Winston, who is a self professed amateur detective persuaded Don to go on this journey to find out who is the mother.

Don is a very bored guy who watches TV and listens to music all day. During this journey, he visited four of his old girlfriends: Laura, Dora, Carmen and Penny. It is interesting to see how the different characters are living their lives after twenty years, which is a bit like a class reunion.

Besides the part about meeting up, I also liked how the director shows him sitting on the plane full of strangers or finding his way on his rented car. The journey itself is fun! The dream sequences by Don about what happened in the day looked quite cool! The ending is pretty interesting too! Hmm, reminds me a bit of "Lost In Translation".

Internet Movie Database Link

Millenium Cup Scrabble Stats

I had set myself several goals prior to this competition:
1) Win 50% of my games
Failed. I won 6 games out of 15 excluding the bye, equivalent to 40% of the games.

2) Come in top half of the competition
Failed. I came in 9th out of 11 players. Need to win at least 3 more games to be 5th.

3) Score more bingos than phoneys
Yeah! Met this goal!

Here are the statistics:

Bingos = 16
RETAINER(62) GLISTEN(67) OUTLEARN(68) RATIONED(68) REAGENT(68) TAURINE(69) MOSAICS(74) CANTERS(75) MORALES(76) TAINTED(76) GRACIEST* (86) MALTERS*(90) VAINEST(90) EQUATES(91) EQUATOR(91) DEFECATE(98)

Unchallenged Phoneys = 5
FELDS* GEEL* GRACIEST* MALTERS* YROW*

Challenged Phoneys = 9
COITER* KES* MAB* MIU* NAZAL* PINTIER* POE* QUITER* THOR*

Bingo to Phoney ratio = 16:14 = 1.14 > 1.0

Millenium Cup (Day Two)

Game 7: vs Victor Chua
Wanted to put LET front hooking the T to OHO early in the game but chickened out as I was only half sure. Later in the game, Victor was able to use that spot to bingo CRINGES, front hooking with the S. Lost as my opponent made two bingos and many other high score moves. I also missed his phoney on his last move.



New words learnt: TEGUA
My Bingos: EQUATOR(91) Opp Bingos: SALINES(75), CRINGES(77)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SID*
My High Moves: DI(31), YOU(37) Opp High Moves: ZHO(30), HA(40), REVOTE(30), FONT(36), MEM(31)
L 391-481, -90. 2W 5L (Accum spread -390).

Game 8: vs Bee Tiang
Might have seen THINGIER in SA News on the way here but have forgotten about it and gave 5 extra points to my opponent.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: RETAINER(62) Opp Bingos: PHIALLED(97), THINGIER(85)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: OVET*
My High Moves: SIZED(55), FLUX(48) Opp High Moves: JOE(32), -
L 402-421, -19. 2W 6L (Accum spread -409).

Game 9: vs Ismail
Thought I scored quite well with YETIS(47) 14K but Ismail did better with QUA(48) 13M! The end game was quite squeezed with little place to put any tiles but my opponent was still able to find spots for his Z and V on his rack.



New words learnt: HALITES
My Bingos: MORALES(76) Opp Bingos: TRAINEE(66), HALITES(97)
My Phoneys: POE* Opp Phoneys: ODEAN*, LATTIES*
My High Moves: YETIS(47) Opp High Moves: BAD(33), QUA(48), EX(30)
L 376-425, -49. 2W 7L (Accum spread -458).

Game 10: vs Chew Chuah
Lost as my opponent made many high scoring moves!



New words learnt: NIEF, MOIT
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: NOTATES(72)
My Phoneys: PINTIER*, COITER* Opp Phoneys: LAGGIEST*, FLOB*
My High Moves: QIS(34), FAH(30) Opp High Moves: ZAG(40), WAY(30), EXERT(60), BE(32)
L 347-450, -103. 2W 8L (Accum spread -559).

Game 11: Bye

W 50-0, +50. 3W 8L (Accum spread -511).

Game 12: vs Bee Tiang
Managed to catch quite a few phoneys but failed to challenge WOR* on my opponent's second last move! Might have won if I had done so!



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: REAGENT(68) Opp Bingos: RATTLES(69)
My Phoneys: MIU* Opp Phoneys: FRATTLES*, ADOLF*, OSS*, WOR*
My High Moves: YEP(33), HAS(31) Opp High Moves: CLONE(33), HEN(32), FLAB(35), YEX(30), LUZ(39)
L 371-395, -24. 3W 9L (Accum spread -535).

Game 13: vs Bee Tiang
Got away with MALTERS* and would have lost if my opponent had challenged.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: MALTERS*(90), VAINEST(90) Opp Bingos: JASMINE(109)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: XI(37) Opp High Moves: BO(33), FRIZ(32)
W 409-395, +14. 4W 9L (Accum spread -521).

Game 14: vs Bee Tiang
Was able to bingo and made a few high score moves. My opponent had bad tiles and couldn't score well.



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: RATIONED(68) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: BULK(30), TUX(36), LEZ(42) Opp High Moves: -
W 378-321, +57. 5W 9L (Accum spread -464).

Game 15: vs Bee Tiang
My opponent bingoed on his very first move with WHARFED(89) and I had to play catch up from then on. Luckily, my tiles were good and I overtook him with quite a few high scoring moves.



New words learnt: MING
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: WHARFED(89)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: RIZ(32), PUNNED(34), VORS(31), KIP(32) Opp High Moves: -
W 392-331, +61. 6W 9L (Accum spread -403).

Game 16: vs Bee Tiang
Won by having two bingos that offseted my opponent's high score moves!



New words learnt: -
My Bingos: GLISTEN(67), CANTERS(75) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: NIG*
My High Moves: HARDIER(30) Opp High Moves: ZEA(33), BOIL(32), FOAL(32)
W 431-287, +144. 7W 9L (Accum spread -259).

Millenium Cup (Day One)

I joined the Millenium Cup this year as I wanted to complete all the major Scrabble competitions in Singapore. I took part in the NTU Open, the Singapore Open, the Lim Boon Heng Cup in 2004 and the Singapore Nationals in 2005. This year's Millenium Cup is held at the Teck Ghee "Zone B" RC and it was my first time going there.

A total of 21 players took part with the top ten in division A while the rest in division B. I was placed in division B and the format was round robin and five rounds of King of the Hill.

Game 1: vs Lim Li Wei
Li Wei pulled ahead after he scored his second bingo. I had ACI?RST shortly after but had no place to put it. Saw a bingo line in the middle with a "G" at H8 and "EE" at 9I, so I tried GRACIeST* (86). Li Wei didn't challenge even though he knew it was a phoney as it allowed him to play DONSIEST(85) 15A.



New words learnt: MARITAGE, SALARIAT, DONSIEST
My Bingos: TAURINE(69), GRACIEST* (86) Opp Bingos: MARITAGE (79) SALARIAT (75) DONSIEST (85)
My Phoneys: KES*, MAB* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: TAXI(36), HES(34), CLINK(40), QUA(32) Opp High Moves: GYVED(30), JOT(39), VEND(36), OH(32), ZAP(41)
L 409-531, -122. 1 Loss (Accum spread -122).


Game 2: Peter Tay
Our scores are very close until I put down JIN N2 hooking to XI M3. I knew that all the "O"s and "D"s have been used up, so I thought the TWS cell would be safe. Realised that I missed out another possibility when I drew the last blank from the bag after my turn. Was able to score with FAdE(40) and pull ahead to win!



New words learnt: OREIDE, STAW
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: GEEL*, NAZAL* Opp Phoneys: QUEPO*
My High Moves: QUEP(34), SECOND(38), ZIN(36), JIN(32), FADE(40) Opp High Moves: YO(30)
W 371-331, +40. 1W 1L (Accum spread -82). (Mistake in toucanet. I was left with a single-score letter tile when Peter finished and I forgot to add that to his score).


Game 3: Valli
The board was very closed after the first 3 moves of BOXED, META and WAT all stacked nicely one above each other. I changed tiles several times with no idea what to do next as both of us were unwilling to open up. Scored quite high with a phoney YROW* later which I thought I have seen on my 3 letter hook list. My eye sight must be getting worse as I now realised that it was VROW on the list. Hmm, maybe I shouldn't have saved paper by printing four pages on one sheet of paper.



New words learnt: GAZOON, ROIL, CURIA
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: YROW* Opp Phoneys: ARDL*
My High Moves: YROW*(53), KILLS(44), QUADS(33) Opp High Moves: BOXED(36), WAT(42), JOCO(33), CURIA(32), SQUID(34)
L 333-374, -41. 1W 2L (Accum spread -123).

Game 4: Chia Guo Cong
We had an exciting game with lots of high scoring plays and finished the game in just 11 turns! I had very good tiles and was able to bingo easily with simple words. Had AENOSRTU at one time and I was trying very hard to fit what I thought was a potential bingo, UNROASTED*, through an existing D in O8. Was very puzzled why it did not fit until I realised that I had overdrawn and the S was taken away from me. Luckily, it was still my turn and I was able to bingo with OUTLEARN through an existing L on the board.

Guo Cong had only 2 bingos but he scored very high with non-bingo words! It was unlucky that he drew the X on his last move and I was able to bingo out with DEFECATE(98) down the triple score line.



New words learnt: DOLLING, SLADANGS, LEERIER, KITH
My Bingos: MOSAICS(74), OUTLEARN(68), EQUATES(91), DEFECATE(98) Opp Bingos: SLADANGS(70), LEERIER(75)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: REELIER*
My High Moves: YOU(38), VEIN(40) Opp High Moves: YEH(44), JUDOS(63), FRITZ(74), KITH(54), WAB(33)
W 541-456, +85. 2W 2L (Accum spread -38).

Game 5: Shanthikumar
Was trailing behind after Shanthikumar scored his bingo. Thought I could have caught up if I hadn't tried to hook R to an existing QUITE on the board and got no points for that turn. He let go my phoney FELDS(35) on the last turn as it allowed him to bingo out with REJOINED(117) which is the high word of the day.



New words learnt: REJOINED
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: CHANTER(91), REJOINED(117)
My Phoneys: QUITER*, FELDS* Phoneys: LAK*
My High Moves: QUAIS(38), FELDS(35) Opp High Moves: WYN(30)
L 308-438, -130. 2W 3L (Accum spread -168). (Mistake in toucanet. I was left with FAV and 18 points were added to his score of 420.)

Game 6: Zi Peng
Had no chance of catching up as Zi Peng scored two bingos early in the game. Bingoed with TAINTED(76) but it was immediately followed by Zi Peng's GALORES(74). Lost badly in the end.



New words learnt: ADRY, STRAWEN, FAINE
My Bingos: TAINTED(76) Opp Bingos: REVENGES(65), STRAWEN(94), GALORES(74)
My Phoneys: THOR* Phoneys: -
My High Moves: WIRED(36), AD(30), GJUS(36) Opp High Moves: HOY(32), AX(31)
L 359-491, -132. 2W 4L (Accum spread -300).

Le Grand Voyage

LGV is about the journey of a son and father on a pilgrimage from France to Mecca by car. Along the way, they met many interesting people and had their fair share of adventure together.

One of my favorite reality show is "The Amazing Race" that features eleven teams of couples racing around the world for the prize of one million dollars. This film is something like it except that only one team is featured and the objective is to reach Mecca.

Just like TAR, there are also detours and roadblocks along the way. They detoured from the highway to go on the small roads and some incidents caused them considerable delay. Liked the beautiful scenery and the nice verses quoted by the father to his son!

Internet Movie Database Link

The World

The story is about the lives of people working in a theme park in Beijing. The theme park has many miniature building models of famous monuments around the world.

The park looks beautiful and performances with dancers dressed in the national costumes of various countries are interesting! The personal life of these dancers are not so glamorous though. Their workplace is crammed and they don't have a chance to actually travel around the world.

Liked the depiction of the friendship between Xiao Tao and a Russian dancer. They managed to become friends despite not sharing the same language. Also liked the short animation clips shown in between scenes!

Internet Movie Database Link

Singapore Shorts DVD Compilation

Bought this compilation of 9 award winning short films by Singapore directors on New year's day.

"3 Feet Apart" is a funny animation about the love story between a boy born with a handphone in his head and a girl born with speakers in her ears! They have to stay 3 feet apart otherwise a loud noise would be emitted from the speaker.

"Birthday", "Locust", "Mother" and "While You Sleep" are the more abstract pieces that focuses more on the emotions of the characters rather than the storyline. "Birthday" was a bit boring at times. Liked how "Locust" and "Mother" flash images while a narrator tells the story in the background. I also liked the black and white cinematography in "While You Sleep" and its minimalist style.

The rest of the films are: "Autograph Book", "The Secret Heaven", "The Call Home" and "Moving House". "Autograph Book" is interesting as they have people act out what they wrote in their friend's autograph book! "The Secret Heaven" had a cute little girl as the protagonist. "The Call Home" shows quite realistically the life of a foreign worker living in Singapore. "Moving House" is a touching documentary about a family moving their ancestors's remains to the crematorium as legislated by the government. The director of MH is very good at capturing people's emotions and I felt how sad the family were at losing their old traditions.

DVD Info

Blood and Bones

The story is about the life of a Korean, Kim Shun Pei, who emigrated to Japan in the early 1920s and started a family there. He is a very violent man and often hits his family members and workers for no reason at all.

The reason for Kim's violence is not explained but we see how his family members and workers are affected by him through many interesting anecdotes described by the film. The actor who plays Kim, Kitano Takeshi, is perfect for this role with his cool poker face look!

The cinematography is nice with breath-taking scenery and I learnt some basic lessons in 20th century history from the film. It showed soldiers going to war during the Second World War, the rising popularity of communism and the split of the Korean Peninsula resulting in Koreans going back from Japan to North Korea.

Internet Movie Database Link