The story is about the love between a teacher, Yuri, and her student, Mirume. Mirume had two close friends, En-Chan and Domoto. En-Chan liked Mirume secretly while Domoto liked En-Chan secretly.
Interesting exploration on how feelings between teacher and student could develop and their consequences! Both leading actresses looked quite pretty!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Still Walking
The story is about a Japanese family reunion. The son and daughter of the family brought their spouses and children to pay their parents a visit and to mourn for their brother who died in an accident.
Liked the warm family spirit evoked through the interactions among the individual family members! The daughter-in-law looked quite pretty too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the warm family spirit evoked through the interactions among the individual family members! The daughter-in-law looked quite pretty too!
Internet Movie Database Link
US$9.99
The story is about the lives of a group of people staying in a Sydney apartment. The title refers to the price of the "Meaning of Life" book that a young unemployed guy bought.
Liked the subplot about the small boy and his piggy bank as well as the old man and the angel the best! Thought the love between the re-possessor and the super model was quite scary. The telemarketer sounded quite sweet!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the subplot about the small boy and his piggy bank as well as the old man and the angel the best! Thought the love between the re-possessor and the super model was quite scary. The telemarketer sounded quite sweet!
Internet Movie Database Link
Friday, April 24, 2009
Wendy and Lucy
The story is about how Wendy, a woman with very little money, spent a few days in a small town on the way to Alaska when she found that her dog, Lucy, was missing.
Great acting by the lead actress and I liked the well written script! Her encounters with the many ordinary people during her stay were interesting! These include a kind hearted security guard, an overzealous supermarket employee and a technically savvy car mechanic among others.
Internet Movie Database Link
Great acting by the lead actress and I liked the well written script! Her encounters with the many ordinary people during her stay were interesting! These include a kind hearted security guard, an overzealous supermarket employee and a technically savvy car mechanic among others.
Internet Movie Database Link
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Fish Eyes
The story is about life in a small town during the China Olympics period.
Liked the nice desert scenery and the simple life that the father led! Thought the three-way relationship of the father, the son and the mysterious girl was quite interesting!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice desert scenery and the simple life that the father led! Thought the three-way relationship of the father, the son and the mysterious girl was quite interesting!
Internet Movie Database Link
Monday, April 20, 2009
A Big Road
The story is about the lives of three women in Shanghai.
Liked the jumbled up fragmented shots that required the audience to piece the story together themselves! Thought the daughter who was treated like a servant by her step mother looked the prettiest!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the jumbled up fragmented shots that required the audience to piece the story together themselves! Thought the daughter who was treated like a servant by her step mother looked the prettiest!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Dada's Dance
The story is about a girl's search for her biological mother together with her neighbor. The girl's name was Dada and her neighbor had peeked at her when she was performing a little dance at home one day.
Great acting by the two leads who also took part in the script writing process! Personally, I thought that Dada's friend Coco and the lady at the inn looked slightly prettier than her.
Internet Movie Database Link
Great acting by the two leads who also took part in the script writing process! Personally, I thought that Dada's friend Coco and the lady at the inn looked slightly prettier than her.
Internet Movie Database Link
Agrarian Utopia
The story is about two farmers working on their friend's land as they were heavily in debt.
Interesting look at a typical farmer's life! The children had fun playing in the field but worked hard as part of a team when it was harvest time! Liked how the seasonal and weather changes were depicted in the film!
Interesting look at a typical farmer's life! The children had fun playing in the field but worked hard as part of a team when it was harvest time! Liked how the seasonal and weather changes were depicted in the film!
Disengagement
The story is about how the death of a woman's father led her to embark on a journey to search for her daughter who was living in the Gaza strip. Israel was carrying out a disengagement plan to evict all Israelis living in the region then.
Had not heard of the Israeli disengagement plan before and I wanted to find out what it entailed! The police had to literally evacuate the place, carrying people away when they did not cooperate and destroying the vacated buildings!
Internet Movie Database Link
Had not heard of the Israeli disengagement plan before and I wanted to find out what it entailed! The police had to literally evacuate the place, carrying people away when they did not cooperate and destroying the vacated buildings!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Promised Land
The story is about how a group of East European women were sold to Israel to become prostitutes.
Didn't quite like the style of the film that simply showed what happened to the women within the span of a few days. Would have preferred either the documentary approach that explained the background information on the history of human trafficking or the more personal approach adopted by feature films that described the stories of the women in more detail.
Internet Movie Database Link
Didn't quite like the style of the film that simply showed what happened to the women within the span of a few days. Would have preferred either the documentary approach that explained the background information on the history of human trafficking or the more personal approach adopted by feature films that described the stories of the women in more detail.
Internet Movie Database Link
The Beetle
This is a documentary about the history of a man's vintage Volkswagon and how he travelled to Jordan to restore it even though his wife was about to deliver.
Liked the interview clips with all the previous owners and the arguments between the protagonist and his wife on whether to dump the car! Was quite happy for them that everything turned out pretty well in the end!
Liked the interview clips with all the previous owners and the arguments between the protagonist and his wife on whether to dump the car! Was quite happy for them that everything turned out pretty well in the end!
Yuri's Day
The story is about an opera diva's journey back to her hometown. Her son who was traveling with her suddenly disappeared and she had to cope with the stress.
Interesting look at the small town life and very nice choral music! Thought the opera diva found her true calling by staying back and contributing back to her hometown!
Internet Movie Database Link
Interesting look at the small town life and very nice choral music! Thought the opera diva found her true calling by staying back and contributing back to her hometown!
Internet Movie Database Link
18 Grams of Love
The story is about what happened when the husbands of two couples became suspicious of their wives and started to write love letters to each other's wives to test them.
Thought the script was excellent! It was funny and yet meaningful at the same time! Liked how the director incorporated martial arts, literature and Chinese orchestra music into the film! I would have bought the DVD on the spot if Sinema had sold it in its shop!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thought the script was excellent! It was funny and yet meaningful at the same time! Liked how the director incorporated martial arts, literature and Chinese orchestra music into the film! I would have bought the DVD on the spot if Sinema had sold it in its shop!
Internet Movie Database Link
The Story of Mr Sorry
The story is about the life of a ear-wax cleaner who became world famous after being shrunk by his boss as he was able to get inside people's ear and do a more thorough job. He was also able to see his customer's subconscious mind and in the process, he found out what happened to his missing sister.
Liked the interesting storyline and the psychological build up towards the end! I thought the images inside the customer's subconscious were very nicely depicted! They may not have been as nicely drawn as the dreams in "Paprika" by Kon Satoshi but the raw emotions were conveyed more clearly! This is my number one animation of the year so far!
Liked the interesting storyline and the psychological build up towards the end! I thought the images inside the customer's subconscious were very nicely depicted! They may not have been as nicely drawn as the dreams in "Paprika" by Kon Satoshi but the raw emotions were conveyed more clearly! This is my number one animation of the year so far!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Birdsong
The story is about the journey of three wise men to find Jesus and to present gifts to him who was still a baby at that time.
Liked the use of natural light and the sense of time progression with the long takes! Thought the underwater scenes of the men pulling the boat along and their conversations were interesting! The angel looked quite pretty too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the use of natural light and the sense of time progression with the long takes! Thought the underwater scenes of the men pulling the boat along and their conversations were interesting! The angel looked quite pretty too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
My Only Sunshine
The story is about a girl growing up into a woman and how it affects the people around her.
Liked the nice cinematography that showcased the sea and the countryside as well as the black humor! The pace was a little bit slow and I felt bored at times though. The painted faces that appeared towards the end reminded me of "Pierrot le Fou" by Godard.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice cinematography that showcased the sea and the countryside as well as the black humor! The pace was a little bit slow and I felt bored at times though. The painted faces that appeared towards the end reminded me of "Pierrot le Fou" by Godard.
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sincerely Yours
The story is about the life of illegal foreign workers in Taiwan seen through the eyes of an Indonesian girl and a Thai guy who are a couple.
The leading actress looked quite pretty! Liked how the director focused on the small little things that the two protagonists did and how he introduced various Taiwanese customs to the audience!
The leading actress looked quite pretty! Liked how the director focused on the small little things that the two protagonists did and how he introduced various Taiwanese customs to the audience!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Love Your Neighbor
The story is about how a married couple learned how to get along with their next door neighbor after they moved to a new place.
Liked how the two couples tried to see things through the other's perspective and learned more about themselves in the process! The ending is nicely executed too!
Link
Liked how the two couples tried to see things through the other's perspective and learned more about themselves in the process! The ending is nicely executed too!
Link
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Gran Torino
The story is about how an old Korean War veteran got to know his Vietnamese neighbors better after the son tried to steal his car, a 1972 Gran Torino.
Liked the nice storyline and how Clint Eastwood's relationship with his neighbors evolved! He was initially prejudiced against them but became their friends after gaining a better understanding of their culture!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice storyline and how Clint Eastwood's relationship with his neighbors evolved! He was initially prejudiced against them but became their friends after gaining a better understanding of their culture!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Scrabble Quiz
This is modified from an actual game during the 2009 Lim Boon Heng Cup.
Your score is 348 with a ABEEFGY rack.
Opponent score is 357 with a AEKORRU rack.
It is your turn next. Can you overcome the 9 points deficit for a win?
Lim Boon Heng Cup 2009
Had a choice to play in either division B or C but decided on C as the potential returns on investment would be higher and I would have the chance to play with new upcoming talents!
When I arrived at Jurong Green CC on Sunday, I realised that almost 50% of the players in division C were regular PSTAR players like Ruby(MOE), Bee Tiang(?), How Fatt(CPF), Hozario(PA) and Karen(CAAS).
Here's my match report, with quizzes marked with [number] and the answers given at the end of the report.
Game 1: vs Stifen
My first game was against an NTU inter-hall player from Indonesia. Heard that his hall won last year's inter-hall games and he was part of the winning team!
I pulled ahead when I bingoed with INSTEAD(76) and stretched my lead when I scored well with QUAD(37) and FIXED(48). Missed a bingo towards the end when I phoneyed with WiLTERS* on a ELRSTW? rack to front hook the S to an existing COG on the board. If I had announced the blank as another letter, I would have formed a valid word. What would this word be?[1]
New words learnt: COOF
My Bingos: INSTEAD(76) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: WiLTERS* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QUAD(37), FIXED(48), LINY(33), BE(30) Opp High Moves: BURP(35), WE(35), KA(33)
W 455-289, +166. 1W 0L (Accum spread +166).
Game 2: vs Lai How Fatt
My second game was against an experienced player from CPF whom I never had a chance to play with in an actual competition.
I bingoed first with RENTIER(76) and he caught up with INSURES(71) a few moves later but I bingoed again with TWISTER(82), maintaining my lead until the end of the game.
New words learnt:
My Bingos: RENTIER(76), TWISTER(82) Opp Bingos: INSURES(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: AKEEING*
My High Moves: COMET(35), AIDING(30) Opp High Moves: FIX(38)
W 403-310, +93. 2W 0L (Accum spread +259).
Game 3: vs Janet Tay
My third game was against a lady who had a hearing disability. This is my first time using hand signals to announce my score.
I phonied twice in this game. First I tried to back hook BRR with an S that was immediately challenged off by her. Then, I tried to back hook PLY with an S. It was challenged off again! Realised later that it was DRY and PRY that took an S back hook.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: STAGERS(72) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: BRRS*, PLYS* Opp Phoneys: BIR*
My High Moves: QUILT(31) Opp High Moves: -
W 379-263, +116. 3W 0L (Accum spread +375).
Game 4: vs Ruby Sim
My fourth game was against a lady from MOE who was a regular player. Had a warm up game in the morning with her and lost as she bingoed out with PREEVING.
I bingoed first with TRAINED(70) but she was not far behind as she scored consistently. She pulled ahead when she scored with TUX(40) but I leveled up again with QUA(47). Our scores were only one or two points apart towards the end of the game but I managed to edge her out for a close win!
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TRAINED(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QUA(47) Opp High Moves: SEZ(38), MOP(33), TUX(40), DEAL(32), QUAIL(31)
W 395-383, +12. 4W 0L (Accum spread +387).
Game 5: vs Low Bee Tiang
My fourth game was against a regular scrabble player who also played in the PSTAR games. Had a 6-4 record against him, so I knew it would be a close fight!
Lots of mistakes from both of us in this bingoless game. I phonied with JORAN* when JORAM was valid and later with LUNER* when I tried to open up. He also phonied several times and allowed me to catch up. I scored again when I front hooked his HOW with DUNE across the triple score lane and maintained my lead after that. I had a EILNNSU tile at one time and considered playing LUNNIEST* using an existing T on the board but decided against it. Do you know what the anagram for LUNNIEST* is?[2]
New words learnt:
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: JORAN*, LUNER* Opp Phoneys: FEX*, VOLTER*
My High Moves: FEZ(30), PYA(30), SHADE(47), QUIN(33) Opp High Moves: VOX(43), VOTER(31), HOW(35)
W 382-337, +45. 5W 0L (Accum spread +432).
Game 6: vs Stifen
Last two games were King-of-the-Hill and I had a rematch with Stifen.
This time round, he bingoed twice with BuLLETS(68) and SINGERS(76) while I only had one bingo with DENIALS(75). I was still leading on my second last move but he played an excellent end game to finish all his tiles and pulled ahead for a close win! I had challenged him twice unsuccessfully but it wouldn't have made any difference to the result of the game if I hadn't done so.
New words learnt: GABY
My Bingos: DENIALS(75) Opp Bingos: BuLLETS(68), SINGErs(76)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TIPE*
My High Moves: QI(35), ZIN(32), AW(31) Opp High Moves: VIDS(33)
L 384-395, -11. 5W 1L (Accum spread +421).
Game 7: vs Stifen
Another rematch with Stifen.
Led comfortably after I bingoed with PASsING(78) and scored well with DUNK(40) and REX(33). He had a chance to nail my Q towards the end but I managed to escape with QiS, front hooking the S to an existing EGO on the board. Lucky guess for me as I was totally unsure of the word!
New words learnt: SEGO
My Bingos: PASsING(78) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: ZITES* Opp Phoneys: CLEAK*
My High Moves: DUNK(40), REX(33) Opp High Moves: THEY(41), PLACER(32), FIZ(36)
W 386-285, +101. 6W 1L (Accum spread +522).
A little disappointed that I did not get to play with some of the younger new faces in the division as I ended up playing many of the regular players but overall it was still a very good Scrabble experience!
Quiz answers (Highlight to see clearly):
[1] WeLTERS
[2] UNSILENT
When I arrived at Jurong Green CC on Sunday, I realised that almost 50% of the players in division C were regular PSTAR players like Ruby(MOE), Bee Tiang(?), How Fatt(CPF), Hozario(PA) and Karen(CAAS).
Here's my match report, with quizzes marked with [number] and the answers given at the end of the report.
Game 1: vs Stifen
My first game was against an NTU inter-hall player from Indonesia. Heard that his hall won last year's inter-hall games and he was part of the winning team!
I pulled ahead when I bingoed with INSTEAD(76) and stretched my lead when I scored well with QUAD(37) and FIXED(48). Missed a bingo towards the end when I phoneyed with WiLTERS* on a ELRSTW? rack to front hook the S to an existing COG on the board. If I had announced the blank as another letter, I would have formed a valid word. What would this word be?[1]
New words learnt: COOF
My Bingos: INSTEAD(76) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: WiLTERS* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QUAD(37), FIXED(48), LINY(33), BE(30) Opp High Moves: BURP(35), WE(35), KA(33)
W 455-289, +166. 1W 0L (Accum spread +166).
Game 2: vs Lai How Fatt
My second game was against an experienced player from CPF whom I never had a chance to play with in an actual competition.
I bingoed first with RENTIER(76) and he caught up with INSURES(71) a few moves later but I bingoed again with TWISTER(82), maintaining my lead until the end of the game.
New words learnt:
My Bingos: RENTIER(76), TWISTER(82) Opp Bingos: INSURES(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: AKEEING*
My High Moves: COMET(35), AIDING(30) Opp High Moves: FIX(38)
W 403-310, +93. 2W 0L (Accum spread +259).
Game 3: vs Janet Tay
My third game was against a lady who had a hearing disability. This is my first time using hand signals to announce my score.
I phonied twice in this game. First I tried to back hook BRR with an S that was immediately challenged off by her. Then, I tried to back hook PLY with an S. It was challenged off again! Realised later that it was DRY and PRY that took an S back hook.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: STAGERS(72) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: BRRS*, PLYS* Opp Phoneys: BIR*
My High Moves: QUILT(31) Opp High Moves: -
W 379-263, +116. 3W 0L (Accum spread +375).
Game 4: vs Ruby Sim
My fourth game was against a lady from MOE who was a regular player. Had a warm up game in the morning with her and lost as she bingoed out with PREEVING.
I bingoed first with TRAINED(70) but she was not far behind as she scored consistently. She pulled ahead when she scored with TUX(40) but I leveled up again with QUA(47). Our scores were only one or two points apart towards the end of the game but I managed to edge her out for a close win!
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TRAINED(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QUA(47) Opp High Moves: SEZ(38), MOP(33), TUX(40), DEAL(32), QUAIL(31)
W 395-383, +12. 4W 0L (Accum spread +387).
Game 5: vs Low Bee Tiang
My fourth game was against a regular scrabble player who also played in the PSTAR games. Had a 6-4 record against him, so I knew it would be a close fight!
Lots of mistakes from both of us in this bingoless game. I phonied with JORAN* when JORAM was valid and later with LUNER* when I tried to open up. He also phonied several times and allowed me to catch up. I scored again when I front hooked his HOW with DUNE across the triple score lane and maintained my lead after that. I had a EILNNSU tile at one time and considered playing LUNNIEST* using an existing T on the board but decided against it. Do you know what the anagram for LUNNIEST* is?[2]
New words learnt:
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: JORAN*, LUNER* Opp Phoneys: FEX*, VOLTER*
My High Moves: FEZ(30), PYA(30), SHADE(47), QUIN(33) Opp High Moves: VOX(43), VOTER(31), HOW(35)
W 382-337, +45. 5W 0L (Accum spread +432).
Game 6: vs Stifen
Last two games were King-of-the-Hill and I had a rematch with Stifen.
This time round, he bingoed twice with BuLLETS(68) and SINGERS(76) while I only had one bingo with DENIALS(75). I was still leading on my second last move but he played an excellent end game to finish all his tiles and pulled ahead for a close win! I had challenged him twice unsuccessfully but it wouldn't have made any difference to the result of the game if I hadn't done so.
New words learnt: GABY
My Bingos: DENIALS(75) Opp Bingos: BuLLETS(68), SINGErs(76)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TIPE*
My High Moves: QI(35), ZIN(32), AW(31) Opp High Moves: VIDS(33)
L 384-395, -11. 5W 1L (Accum spread +421).
Game 7: vs Stifen
Another rematch with Stifen.
Led comfortably after I bingoed with PASsING(78) and scored well with DUNK(40) and REX(33). He had a chance to nail my Q towards the end but I managed to escape with QiS, front hooking the S to an existing EGO on the board. Lucky guess for me as I was totally unsure of the word!
New words learnt: SEGO
My Bingos: PASsING(78) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: ZITES* Opp Phoneys: CLEAK*
My High Moves: DUNK(40), REX(33) Opp High Moves: THEY(41), PLACER(32), FIZ(36)
W 386-285, +101. 6W 1L (Accum spread +522).
A little disappointed that I did not get to play with some of the younger new faces in the division as I ended up playing many of the regular players but overall it was still a very good Scrabble experience!
Quiz answers (Highlight to see clearly):
[1] WeLTERS
[2] UNSILENT
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Nipples
The story is about how a beer commercial model ended up marrying her fan who still supported her after her topless photos leaked out in a magazine. Her husband had viewed her as his idol and had a fear of seeing her nipples as it contradicted his idea of a perfect woman.
Interesting look at the problems that a fan-idol couple could face! The film also gave an insight into how the model agency worked. Liked the cute motorcycle ridden by the protagonist as it was made more personable with a voice control speed limit warning system!
Link
Interesting look at the problems that a fan-idol couple could face! The film also gave an insight into how the model agency worked. Liked the cute motorcycle ridden by the protagonist as it was made more personable with a voice control speed limit warning system!
Link
Dragonball Evolution
The story is adapted from a Japanese comic of the same title. Goku, a kungfu expert, is on a quest for a set of dragon balls that will enable a dragon to grant him a wish to stop a powerful alien from destroying the earth. He met several colorful characters along the way.
Thought the actress who played Chi Chi looked quite cute! The alien's female personal assistant looked scary! A little disappointed that they toned down Master Roshi's character by quite a bit!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thought the actress who played Chi Chi looked quite cute! The alien's female personal assistant looked scary! A little disappointed that they toned down Master Roshi's character by quite a bit!
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Le Bonheur
The story is about the consequences after a married man had an affair with a girl who worked at the post office. The title means happiness and the film examines what this means.
Liked the nice classical music by Mozart and the simple but well told story! The lines were witty and I liked how the social issues were brought out in a satiric way! Thought it would be even more appropriate if this was shown during International Women's Day instead.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice classical music by Mozart and the simple but well told story! The lines were witty and I liked how the social issues were brought out in a satiric way! Thought it would be even more appropriate if this was shown during International Women's Day instead.
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Watchmen
The story is about how a group of retired masked superheroes got in touch with each other again after one of them, the Comedian, died mysteriously. Dr Manhattan, Ozymandias and Silk Spectre II worked for the US military to create a new energy source. They were informed of the Comedian's death by Rorschach who also contacted Moloch and Nite Owl II.
Liked the series of flashbacks that introduced both the Comedian and Dr Manhattan! The special effects and fight sequences were well choreographed too! Felt that the story could have been condensed further though. The ending caught me by surprise and I was a little bit confused as to who exactly was the bad guy.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the series of flashbacks that introduced both the Comedian and Dr Manhattan! The special effects and fight sequences were well choreographed too! Felt that the story could have been condensed further though. The ending caught me by surprise and I was a little bit confused as to who exactly was the bad guy.
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, March 07, 2009
The Exterminating Angel
The story is about what happened when a group of rich people were mysteriously trapped in a house for a few days after a dinner reception.
Great ensemble piece! Liked the dynamics of the human interaction both inside and outside the house! Nice special effect for the dream sequences! The bear looked quite cute but I pity the group of sheep!
Internet Movie Database Link
Great ensemble piece! Liked the dynamics of the human interaction both inside and outside the house! Nice special effect for the dream sequences! The bear looked quite cute but I pity the group of sheep!
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Departures
The story is about how a young married cellist returned to his hometown with his family when he became unemployed and trained to be a funeral professional.
Nice interesting story that is both funny and sad at the same time! Liked the beautiful cello music and the pretty Ryoko Hirosue! Great performance by Masahiro Motoki who looked convincing as both a cellist and a funeral professional!
Internet Movie Database Link
Nice interesting story that is both funny and sad at the same time! Liked the beautiful cello music and the pretty Ryoko Hirosue! Great performance by Masahiro Motoki who looked convincing as both a cellist and a funeral professional!
Internet Movie Database Link
Friday, February 27, 2009
He's Just Not That Into You
The story is about the misconceptions about dating and the subtle differences between men and women in terms of attitude and behavior.
Pretty interesting although I wished I haven't seen the trailer prior to this! Some scenes were not as funny the second time round. Liked the semi-documentary style where they interviewed people on the streets about their opinions on dating and marriage in general.
Internet Movie Database Link
Pretty interesting although I wished I haven't seen the trailer prior to this! Some scenes were not as funny the second time round. Liked the semi-documentary style where they interviewed people on the streets about their opinions on dating and marriage in general.
Internet Movie Database Link
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Shadows
The story is about how three black siblings in United States during the late fifties faced discrimination and how they tried to blend in with the crowd.
Thought the ending scene of "Simon of the Desert" is pretty similar to the opening scene of this film! Liked the scenes that featured the sudden realizations of Leila and Tony at different junctures of the film!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thought the ending scene of "Simon of the Desert" is pretty similar to the opening scene of this film! Liked the scenes that featured the sudden realizations of Leila and Tony at different junctures of the film!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Simon of the Desert
The story is about how a religious man spent his life on top of a column praying and giving advice to people while dealing with the devil's temptation at the same time.
Realized that I watched the film on the director's birth anniversary after I watched the accompanying documentary. Liked the director's funny sense of humor and the various incarnation of the devil! Think she looked the nicest as the little girl in sailor's costume! A pity that there wasn't a proper ending due to a lack of budget.
Internet Movie Database Link
Realized that I watched the film on the director's birth anniversary after I watched the accompanying documentary. Liked the director's funny sense of humor and the various incarnation of the devil! Think she looked the nicest as the little girl in sailor's costume! A pity that there wasn't a proper ending due to a lack of budget.
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, February 21, 2009
The Wrestler
The story is about the life of a well regarded middle aged wrestler, Randy the Ram, who was famous twenty years ago. As his physical condition deteriorates, he tried to find fulfillment in other aspects of his life like doing a regular job, finding a partner and mending ties with his daughter.
Went to see the film as I loved "PI" and "Requiem for a Dream" by the same director! Great performance by Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei! Liked the unlikely friendship between them and the peek behind-the-scenes on how the wrestling community worked! Felt quite sad for Randy who tried hard to gain acceptance but somehow seemed to bang his head against the wall.
Internet Movie Database Link
Went to see the film as I loved "PI" and "Requiem for a Dream" by the same director! Great performance by Mickey Rourke and Marisa Tomei! Liked the unlikely friendship between them and the peek behind-the-scenes on how the wrestling community worked! Felt quite sad for Randy who tried hard to gain acceptance but somehow seemed to bang his head against the wall.
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, February 07, 2009
What On Earth Have I Done Wrong?
The story is about the process of making a mockumentary about the Taiwanese current affairs and how the director manages his personal life at the same time.
Liked the family drama on the relationship between the director and his partner as well as between him and his mother! The interviews on the topic of happiness were interesting and the ending was well crafted!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the family drama on the relationship between the director and his partner as well as between him and his mother! The interviews on the topic of happiness were interesting and the ending was well crafted!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Loto Sex
The story is about how a wife helped her husband cure his compulsion to gambling on lotto tickets through very unorthodox ways. She invented a domestic version of the game where the husband can only get intimate with her only when he won a prize!
Liked the interesting idea and the depiction of the couple's relationship! They grew from ignorant newly weds to become a more matured and understanding couple in the end! Realised that there is a whole series of similarly themed films by FullMotion label similar to what Balzac did in "La Comedie humaine". Would love to catch other films in the series if I have the chance!
Link
Liked the interesting idea and the depiction of the couple's relationship! They grew from ignorant newly weds to become a more matured and understanding couple in the end! Realised that there is a whole series of similarly themed films by FullMotion label similar to what Balzac did in "La Comedie humaine". Would love to catch other films in the series if I have the chance!
Link
Thursday, January 29, 2009
The Reader
The story is about how an encounter with a German woman, Hanna, affected a young man's life. He read to her story books and had an affair with her for one summer. They lost contact after that and the young man discovered Hanna's dark secret years later.
Great acting by Kate Winslet who acted as Hanna and I thought young Julia looked very cute in her two ponytails!
Internet Movie Database Link
Great acting by Kate Winslet who acted as Hanna and I thought young Julia looked very cute in her two ponytails!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Rachel Getting Married
The story is about how a woman called Rachel organized her own wedding day with the help of her family members. Her sister, Kym, took a few days off from the rehabilitation center to attend her wedding.
Liked the simple storyline and the dynamics of the family relationships! Loved the exciting dishwasher competition and the explosive face off between mother and daughter towards the end! Have only seen the lead actress, Anne Hathaway, in "Brokeback Mountain" as well as this film and I thought she is a pretty good actress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the simple storyline and the dynamics of the family relationships! Loved the exciting dishwasher competition and the explosive face off between mother and daughter towards the end! Have only seen the lead actress, Anne Hathaway, in "Brokeback Mountain" as well as this film and I thought she is a pretty good actress!
Internet Movie Database Link
This Land Is Mine
This is a propaganda film made during World War II by a French director about life in a small town governed by German soldiers. One person started a small resistance movement and it had a great impact on a timid middle-aged school teacher.
Interesting story and I was quite impressed with the middle-aged school teacher's speech in court! The two female leads looked quite pretty too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Interesting story and I was quite impressed with the middle-aged school teacher's speech in court! The two female leads looked quite pretty too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Milk
This is a biography of Harvey Milk, a businessman-turned-politician who started the gay movement in the 70s.
Liked the old news clips that were informative! Thought it would be interesting if Milk had a one-to-one battle with his nemesis, Anita Bryant, instead of the other guy! Didn't really understand the politics portion of the show especially the character of Dan White.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the old news clips that were informative! Thought it would be interesting if Milk had a one-to-one battle with his nemesis, Anita Bryant, instead of the other guy! Didn't really understand the politics portion of the show especially the character of Dan White.
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Women of the Night
This is about how women became prostitutes in post-war Japan told through the stories of a widow, her sister and her friend.
Interesting plot! Thought this might be a pre-cursor to "Life of Oharu" filmed four years later with the same lead actress, Tanaka Kinuyo, with a similar theme. Didn't really understand why she did not choose to stay in the women's home as it offered food and shelter with a lot of pros and very little cons.
Internet Movie Database Link
Interesting plot! Thought this might be a pre-cursor to "Life of Oharu" filmed four years later with the same lead actress, Tanaka Kinuyo, with a similar theme. Didn't really understand why she did not choose to stay in the women's home as it offered food and shelter with a lot of pros and very little cons.
Internet Movie Database Link
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea
This is a kids adaptation of the mermaid fairytale about how a small fish with magical powers fell in love with a five year old boy and wanted to become human after he scooped her up from the sea.
Liked the nice storyline, the cute fish/girl and the catchy soundtrack at the end of the film!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice storyline, the cute fish/girl and the catchy soundtrack at the end of the film!
Internet Movie Database Link
Osaka Elegy
The story is about Ayako's fall in society when she accepted her boss's indecent proposal in order to raise money to save her father.
This film is part of the Criterion Eclipse Series 13 boxset also named as Kenji Mizoguchi's "Fallen Women". The other titles are "Sisters of the Gion", "Women of the Night" and "Streets of Shame".
Liked the nice storyline that explained Ayako's actions due to her circumstances! Thought she celebrated a little bit too soon towards the end though.
Internet Movie Database Link
This film is part of the Criterion Eclipse Series 13 boxset also named as Kenji Mizoguchi's "Fallen Women". The other titles are "Sisters of the Gion", "Women of the Night" and "Streets of Shame".
Liked the nice storyline that explained Ayako's actions due to her circumstances! Thought she celebrated a little bit too soon towards the end though.
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Hearts and Minds
This is a documentary about how the Americans got involved in the Vietnam War and its impact on both countries.
Liked the interviews with the people from the different sides and the newsreel clips! Gained a better understanding of this historic event after watching the film.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the interviews with the people from the different sides and the newsreel clips! Gained a better understanding of this historic event after watching the film.
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Elephant and the Sea
The film is about how a young man and middle aged man lived their lives after a mysterious disease struck their fishing village.
Liked the nice country side scenery and how the theme of emotional paralysis was elaborated through the performances of the two protagonists! Learnt a bit more about the film after the director revealed his influences by Hong Sang Soo during the Q&A. Realized that the prostitute scene with the middle aged man could have been adapted from a similar scene in "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well" while the young man's behavior could have been taken from "Turning Gate". The young man's friend's sister looked quite pretty in the pink dress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice country side scenery and how the theme of emotional paralysis was elaborated through the performances of the two protagonists! Learnt a bit more about the film after the director revealed his influences by Hong Sang Soo during the Q&A. Realized that the prostitute scene with the middle aged man could have been adapted from a similar scene in "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well" while the young man's behavior could have been taken from "Turning Gate". The young man's friend's sister looked quite pretty in the pink dress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Story of a Prostitute
This is a love story between a prostitute serving the Japanese Army during the Second World War and a corporal.
Thought this film had a similar anti-war theme as the director's two other works: "Fighting Elegy" and "Gate of Flesh". Liked the manga visual style of the film, especially the surreal imagined scenes and the slow motion static shots! Nice story and great performance by the lead actress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thought this film had a similar anti-war theme as the director's two other works: "Fighting Elegy" and "Gate of Flesh". Liked the manga visual style of the film, especially the surreal imagined scenes and the slow motion static shots! Nice story and great performance by the lead actress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, December 13, 2008
For Every Minute I Live, I'll Enjoy Sixty Seconds
This is a documentary about how a retrenched middle aged man living in a small county town in Hunan spends his time.
Initially it was interesting to follow the protagonist around but got boring after a while as we realised how monotonous his life was! Reminds me of "Lim Poh Huat", a Singapore short film that describes how a Singaporean security guard working as a part time extra went about his day.
Initially it was interesting to follow the protagonist around but got boring after a while as we realised how monotonous his life was! Reminds me of "Lim Poh Huat", a Singapore short film that describes how a Singaporean security guard working as a part time extra went about his day.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
The Nibelungen: Kriemhild's Revenge
This is a sequel to "The Nibelungen: Siegfried's Death". Following her husband's death, Kriemhild wanted to seek revenge on her husband's murder and plotted to do so after King Attila proposed to her.
King Attila had a very cool image and Kriemhild looked very scary with her vengeful eyes! Quite sad how the thought of revenge could destroy families and wreck havoc on entire nations. Liked how the contrast between the loyalty among the Nibelungens and the cold blooded actions of Kriemhild slowly built towards a grand finale in the end!
Internet Movie Database Link
King Attila had a very cool image and Kriemhild looked very scary with her vengeful eyes! Quite sad how the thought of revenge could destroy families and wreck havoc on entire nations. Liked how the contrast between the loyalty among the Nibelungens and the cold blooded actions of Kriemhild slowly built towards a grand finale in the end!
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Cape No. 7
The story is about how the people living in a small town near the seaside formed their own band to perform at a beach party. Cape No. 7 is the address of an undelivered package that fell into the hands of one band member who is a postman.
Interesting to see the lives of the ordinary people in the small town! Liked the quirky old ex-postman and the enthusiastic drummer! The music was nice too! Didn't like the two main leads and the subplot about the story of the undelivered package.
Internet Movie Database Link
Interesting to see the lives of the ordinary people in the small town! Liked the quirky old ex-postman and the enthusiastic drummer! The music was nice too! Didn't like the two main leads and the subplot about the story of the undelivered package.
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Nibelungen: Siegfried's Death
The story is about how the dragon slayer, Siegfried, helped his future brother-in-law win his bride through unfair means and suffered in the end because of this.
Liked the plot where it explained how Siegfried got his super powers, the special effects for the cute lethargic dragon and the great looking outdoor sets! Quite scary to think what could happen when two women quarrel!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the plot where it explained how Siegfried got his super powers, the special effects for the cute lethargic dragon and the great looking outdoor sets! Quite scary to think what could happen when two women quarrel!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Port of Call
The story is about how a girl from a broken family and with a secret past fell in love with a sailor.
Thought the girl looked a little bit like Reese Witherspoon! Interesting storyline and I liked how the relationship of the couple evolved with time!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thought the girl looked a little bit like Reese Witherspoon! Interesting storyline and I liked how the relationship of the couple evolved with time!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Quantum of Solace
The story is about how a British spy called James Bond tracked down a mysterious organisation and helped a beautiful lady in the process.
Liked the big touch screen monitor at the headquarters as well as the cool Sony Ericsson phone! It was hard to follow the plot as it was a little bit convoluted but enjoyed the action sequences! Disappointed that there was little interaction between James Bond and Camille.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the big touch screen monitor at the headquarters as well as the cool Sony Ericsson phone! It was hard to follow the plot as it was a little bit convoluted but enjoyed the action sequences! Disappointed that there was little interaction between James Bond and Camille.
Internet Movie Database Link
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
The story is about how a lion, a giraffe, a zebra and a hippopotamus originally from the New York Zoo escaped from Madagascar where they were trapped in the first episode to land in Africa when their plane crashed.
Liked the slick moves performed by the lion, the funny dialogue and the interesting storyline!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the slick moves performed by the lion, the funny dialogue and the interesting storyline!
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Days and Nights in the Forest
The story is about four young men from the city spending their holiday in a chalet in the forest and how they met two beautiful ladies staying nearby.
Liked the funny moments, the nice tribal music in the background and the psychological tension towards the end!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the funny moments, the nice tribal music in the background and the psychological tension towards the end!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Singapore Shorts Vol 2
This is a collection of 9 Singapore Shorts. Each of them has a family related theme.
Among the shorts in the DVD collection, I had seen "Match Made" at last year's Singapore International Film Festival, "Absence" at a Singapore shorts screening at National Museum, a large part of "Gourmet Baby" on television and "Yesterday’s Play" at Kinokuniya's DVD launch prior to this. I had also heard of "Imelda Goes to Singapore" at Biennale 2006. The other films are: "Labour of Love - The Housewife", "A Family Portrait", "Autopsy" and "Wet Season".
Liked the well crafted documentary in "Match Made", the music in "Imelda Goes to Singapore", the story of "Gourmet Baby" and "A Family Portrait" as well as the interesting use of animation in "Wet Season"! The two nieces in "Gourmet Baby" looked quite cute and the food looked delicious!
It was interesting to see how both "Yesterday’s Play" and "Autopsy" explore the mother and son relationship in their own ways! The former is shot as a single scene with monologues from both son and mother while the latter is shot as a series of flashback scenes coupled with a Q&A session between mother and son in the background.
Didn't really like the strange story in "Absence". I also felt that "Labour of Love - The Housewife" was stretched too long and tried too hard to drum its message to the audience.
Asian Film Archive Link
Among the shorts in the DVD collection, I had seen "Match Made" at last year's Singapore International Film Festival, "Absence" at a Singapore shorts screening at National Museum, a large part of "Gourmet Baby" on television and "Yesterday’s Play" at Kinokuniya's DVD launch prior to this. I had also heard of "Imelda Goes to Singapore" at Biennale 2006. The other films are: "Labour of Love - The Housewife", "A Family Portrait", "Autopsy" and "Wet Season".
Liked the well crafted documentary in "Match Made", the music in "Imelda Goes to Singapore", the story of "Gourmet Baby" and "A Family Portrait" as well as the interesting use of animation in "Wet Season"! The two nieces in "Gourmet Baby" looked quite cute and the food looked delicious!
It was interesting to see how both "Yesterday’s Play" and "Autopsy" explore the mother and son relationship in their own ways! The former is shot as a single scene with monologues from both son and mother while the latter is shot as a series of flashback scenes coupled with a Q&A session between mother and son in the background.
Didn't really like the strange story in "Absence". I also felt that "Labour of Love - The Housewife" was stretched too long and tried too hard to drum its message to the audience.
Asian Film Archive Link
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Yamamura Showcase
This showcase consists of the following short animations:
Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor (2007, 21 min)
A Child's Metaphysics (2007, 5 min)
Fig (2006, 6 min)
The Old Crocodile (2005, 13 min)
Pieces (2003, 3 min)
Mt. Head (2002, 10 min)
Your Choice! (1999, 10 min)
Bavel's Book (1996, 6 min)
Kid's Castle (1995, 5 min)
Kipling Jr. (1995, 15 min)
A House (1993, 5 min)
The Sandwiches (1993, 5 min)
Imagination (1993, 5 min)
Perspektivenbox (1989, 4 min)
Japanese-English Pictionary (1989, 12 min)
Aquatic (1987, 5 min)
Was most impressed with "Mt. Head" by its interesting storyline and powerful narration! Felt quite sad when I watched "The Old Crocodile" and I thought "Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor" looked innovative! The series involving two birds: "A House", "The Sandwiches" and "Imagination" was quite cute too!
Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor (2007, 21 min)
A Child's Metaphysics (2007, 5 min)
Fig (2006, 6 min)
The Old Crocodile (2005, 13 min)
Pieces (2003, 3 min)
Mt. Head (2002, 10 min)
Your Choice! (1999, 10 min)
Bavel's Book (1996, 6 min)
Kid's Castle (1995, 5 min)
Kipling Jr. (1995, 15 min)
A House (1993, 5 min)
The Sandwiches (1993, 5 min)
Imagination (1993, 5 min)
Perspektivenbox (1989, 4 min)
Japanese-English Pictionary (1989, 12 min)
Aquatic (1987, 5 min)
Was most impressed with "Mt. Head" by its interesting storyline and powerful narration! Felt quite sad when I watched "The Old Crocodile" and I thought "Franz Kafka's A Country Doctor" looked innovative! The series involving two birds: "A House", "The Sandwiches" and "Imagination" was quite cute too!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Freedom Project
The story is about how people fled earth to live on the moon because of an ecological disaster, how survivors from earth made contact many years later and how these two groups reconciled their differences.
Liked the exciting music from Utada Hikaru and the interesting characters! Nice storyline that is well paced!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the exciting music from Utada Hikaru and the interesting characters! Nice storyline that is well paced!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sing to the Dawn
The story is about how the life of a group of Thai villagers changed with the construction of a casino.
Liked the nice songs and the strong storyline! Didn't really like the 3D animation as I thought the characters looked quite stiff. Might have enjoyed it better if they were done in the traditional 2D style.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice songs and the strong storyline! Didn't really like the 3D animation as I thought the characters looked quite stiff. Might have enjoyed it better if they were done in the traditional 2D style.
Internet Movie Database Link
Monday, October 27, 2008
Piano Forest
The story is about how two guys became good friends through playing the piano. One was rich with his own practice room while the other had to play on an abandoned piano in the forest.
Liked the nice piano pieces and the friendship between the two guys who have quite different personalities!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice piano pieces and the friendship between the two guys who have quite different personalities!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, October 25, 2008
International Shorts Showcase 1
There are altogether seven shorts: "Yellow Sticky Notes", "Procrastination", "Fantasmagorie 2008", "Bloom", "Irresistible Smile", "Death By Scrabble" and "Mesh"
"Yellow Sticky Notes" shows the to-do lists of an animator from when he was still a student until he graduated and started working. "Procrastination" describes what it means to procrastinate. "Fantasmagorie 2008" is about the interaction between old and new digital animation. "Bloom" is based on an Indian folktale. "Irresistible Smile" describes a day's work of a flight attendant. "Death By Scrabble" describes the strange happenings when a couple played scrabble. "Mesh" is a mathematical video on the impact of geometry on science and how digitisation is used in computers.
Liked "Yellow Sticky Notes" as it was a personal account from an animator's perspective and "Mesh" as it was very informative!
"Yellow Sticky Notes" shows the to-do lists of an animator from when he was still a student until he graduated and started working. "Procrastination" describes what it means to procrastinate. "Fantasmagorie 2008" is about the interaction between old and new digital animation. "Bloom" is based on an Indian folktale. "Irresistible Smile" describes a day's work of a flight attendant. "Death By Scrabble" describes the strange happenings when a couple played scrabble. "Mesh" is a mathematical video on the impact of geometry on science and how digitisation is used in computers.
Liked "Yellow Sticky Notes" as it was a personal account from an animator's perspective and "Mesh" as it was very informative!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tokyo!
The film is made up of three short stories about life in Tokyo. "Interior Design" describes the small Tokyo apartments through a just-married couple, "Merde" describes the xenophobic Japanese through a dirty old foreign-looking man who created havoc in the streets. "Shaking Tokyo" describes how an extreme introvert who avoided eye contact with people and stayed indoors all the time changed after an earthquake struck.
Liked the innovative "Interior Design" and "Shaking Tokyo"! The twist towards the end of "Interior Design" was interesting and the pizza delivery girl in "Shaking Tokyo" looked quite cute! Thought the poster showed her in a hair salon but realised that it was her helmet! Didn't like "Merde" as I thought it was a little bit boring. The news anchor and the Japanese translator were the only saving grace of this segment of the film.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the innovative "Interior Design" and "Shaking Tokyo"! The twist towards the end of "Interior Design" was interesting and the pizza delivery girl in "Shaking Tokyo" looked quite cute! Thought the poster showed her in a hair salon but realised that it was her helmet! Didn't like "Merde" as I thought it was a little bit boring. The news anchor and the Japanese translator were the only saving grace of this segment of the film.
Internet Movie Database Link
Thirst
The story is about the thirst for love told through a ballet dancer's relationships with her two lovers and the encounters of her recently widowed friend.
It was a little bit hard to follow the plot as there were many flashbacks and flashforwards. Thought some of the lines spoken were pretty well constructed and made a lot of sense!
Internet Movie Database Link
It was a little bit hard to follow the plot as there were many flashbacks and flashforwards. Thought some of the lines spoken were pretty well constructed and made a lot of sense!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Go West: A Lucky Luke Adventure
This is a Western about how a super hero called Lucky Luke helped a group of pioneers to travel from New York to California within 80 days while battling an evil salesman, the Daltons brothers who were bank robbers travelling with them under lock and chains as well as unfriendly Indians.
Thought the battle of wits between the bad guys and the good guys was interesting but some of the gags got a bit too repetitive at times! Nice exciting finale!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thought the battle of wits between the bad guys and the good guys was interesting but some of the gags got a bit too repetitive at times! Nice exciting finale!
Internet Movie Database Link
Between dogs and wolves
This is a compilation of 8 short animations that are either about dogs or wolves.
"Three Little Pigs" made use of wire coils to create the shape of the animals and the narration was funny! "The White Wolf" was about how a pair of brothers made friends with a wolf in the jungle and it was interesting but certain scenes were a little bit sad. "AP 2000" was exciting as it described how the fleas on a dog fought against the latest anti-flea micro-robots in computer-game style!
Fell asleep during "Last Howl" and "Marvelously Grey", so not really sure what the stories were about. "Ponpon the Dog" was very nicely done as it described the flashbacks of a dog just before it was about to be hit by a truck! "Raining Dogs" was too abstract for me and I wasn't sure what was going on. "Dog Days" had a very innovative script about how a baby girl and a male baby dog accidentally switched families one day and their life stories years later!
"Three Little Pigs" made use of wire coils to create the shape of the animals and the narration was funny! "The White Wolf" was about how a pair of brothers made friends with a wolf in the jungle and it was interesting but certain scenes were a little bit sad. "AP 2000" was exciting as it described how the fleas on a dog fought against the latest anti-flea micro-robots in computer-game style!
Fell asleep during "Last Howl" and "Marvelously Grey", so not really sure what the stories were about. "Ponpon the Dog" was very nicely done as it described the flashbacks of a dog just before it was about to be hit by a truck! "Raining Dogs" was too abstract for me and I wasn't sure what was going on. "Dog Days" had a very innovative script about how a baby girl and a male baby dog accidentally switched families one day and their life stories years later!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Vampyr
The story is about a young man's encounter with vampires in a small town.
Liked the eerie atmosphere and the great special effects! The old vampire looked very scary!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the eerie atmosphere and the great special effects! The old vampire looked very scary!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, September 27, 2008
ISBG Scrabble Games 2008
The ISBG Scrabble games is held every two years, for statutory boards to take part in a friendly game of Scrabble. It was held at the PUB Recreation Center on 27th September 2008 from 9am to 5pm. 15 statutory boards are divided into four groups where round robin matches are played to select the top two teams from each group. This is then followed by a series of elimination rounds to decide the top 4 positions.
Here's my match report, with quizzes marked with [number] and the answers given at the end of the report.
Our first game was against NParks.
Game 1: NParks
Had a bye for my first game so I had a good walk around to see how the other players were doing. Noticed that the IRAS team was quite bored as they were in group A where there were only 3 teams and they had a bye in the first round. HDB and CPF had excess players and they were having practice matches against themselves. I also saw Adeline's end game where she tried AZOS* and ZOAS* in succession and they were challenged off by her opponent! Do you know what is the only back hook for AZO?[1]
My team won the match 4-1!
Our second game was against LTA.
Game 2: LTA
My opponent was a jovial man with a loud voice. Saw him previously at the final game of this year's PSTAR tournament as he was sitting diagonally across me. Had ADEIMT? at one time but gave up thinking of a bingo out of it. There are 10 anagrams for it out of which two are common words![2]. I overtook him when I bingoed with RADIAnS(70) but he was not far behind as he scored steadily. Had a lot of vowels subsequently and I exchanged several times while allowing my opponent to score heavily with EX(36) and SUQ(47). Thought I had a chance when I challenged off his TEB* in the final few moves but he scored with BrUISE(28) along the TWS lane on his next move and I lost.
Lost my second game with 357 vs 378. Our team also lost the match 2-3.
Our third game was against NUS.
Game 3: NUS
Had a relatively easier time when I surged ahead after my opponent played OB just next to the TWS lane and I bingoed with TAPERED(103). I scored steadily while keeping the board close. He had a bingo later with LAYINGs(77) but it was a bit too late. Adeline did very well against Karthik who was one of the most experienced masters player from NUS! She was trailing until she bingoed with a EHIKOOS rack[3] just above the TWS lane and scored big again with MATH underneath. It was a close match and she managed to win by just a few points.
Won my third game with 454 vs 314. Our team also won the match 3-2.
It was an interesting situation after the end of all the small group matches as NUS, LTA and DSTA all have 2 wins and 1 loss. NUS beat LTA 3-2, lost to DSTA 2-3 and won NParks 5-0. LTA lost to NUS 2-3, won DSTA 3-2 and won NParks 5-0. DSTA beat NUS 3-2, lost to LTA 2-3 and won NParks 4-1.
First step to unravel the dead-knot was to look at the matches involving just the 3 teams. All 3 teams had a 1-1 match record and 5-5 games record. Next step was to look at the matches involving all 4 teams. It was here where we lost out. All 3 teams had a 2-1 match record but both NUS and LTA had a 10-5 record while DSTA only had a 9-6 record. NUS was named group champion as they beat LTA in their head-to-head match.
I wonder what would happen if we also beat NParks by 5-0. The rules did not spell out how they would differentiate the sub-group rankings in this case. Hmm, maybe it should have been more comprehensive to cover all possible scenarios.
Packet lunch in the form of seafood fried rice was provided by the organisers. It was not very good! After lunch, some of us went back home while Jiang Pern and Adeline stayed back to play a few more informal games. Learnt later that LTA won 1st place, NUS 2nd, HDB 3rd and CAAS 4th.
Quiz answers (Highlight to see clearly):
[1] AZON
[2] DAyTIME. MEDIATe (Other angagrams: DIAsTEM, IDEATuM, MEDIAnT, MIcATED, MIsDATE, rEADMIT, TAEDIuM, TAMmIED)
[3] HOOKIES
Here's my match report, with quizzes marked with [number] and the answers given at the end of the report.
Our first game was against NParks.
Game 1: NParks
Had a bye for my first game so I had a good walk around to see how the other players were doing. Noticed that the IRAS team was quite bored as they were in group A where there were only 3 teams and they had a bye in the first round. HDB and CPF had excess players and they were having practice matches against themselves. I also saw Adeline's end game where she tried AZOS* and ZOAS* in succession and they were challenged off by her opponent! Do you know what is the only back hook for AZO?[1]
My team won the match 4-1!
Our second game was against LTA.
Game 2: LTA
My opponent was a jovial man with a loud voice. Saw him previously at the final game of this year's PSTAR tournament as he was sitting diagonally across me. Had ADEIMT? at one time but gave up thinking of a bingo out of it. There are 10 anagrams for it out of which two are common words![2]. I overtook him when I bingoed with RADIAnS(70) but he was not far behind as he scored steadily. Had a lot of vowels subsequently and I exchanged several times while allowing my opponent to score heavily with EX(36) and SUQ(47). Thought I had a chance when I challenged off his TEB* in the final few moves but he scored with BrUISE(28) along the TWS lane on his next move and I lost.
Lost my second game with 357 vs 378. Our team also lost the match 2-3.
Our third game was against NUS.
Game 3: NUS
Had a relatively easier time when I surged ahead after my opponent played OB just next to the TWS lane and I bingoed with TAPERED(103). I scored steadily while keeping the board close. He had a bingo later with LAYINGs(77) but it was a bit too late. Adeline did very well against Karthik who was one of the most experienced masters player from NUS! She was trailing until she bingoed with a EHIKOOS rack[3] just above the TWS lane and scored big again with MATH underneath. It was a close match and she managed to win by just a few points.
Won my third game with 454 vs 314. Our team also won the match 3-2.
It was an interesting situation after the end of all the small group matches as NUS, LTA and DSTA all have 2 wins and 1 loss. NUS beat LTA 3-2, lost to DSTA 2-3 and won NParks 5-0. LTA lost to NUS 2-3, won DSTA 3-2 and won NParks 5-0. DSTA beat NUS 3-2, lost to LTA 2-3 and won NParks 4-1.
First step to unravel the dead-knot was to look at the matches involving just the 3 teams. All 3 teams had a 1-1 match record and 5-5 games record. Next step was to look at the matches involving all 4 teams. It was here where we lost out. All 3 teams had a 2-1 match record but both NUS and LTA had a 10-5 record while DSTA only had a 9-6 record. NUS was named group champion as they beat LTA in their head-to-head match.
I wonder what would happen if we also beat NParks by 5-0. The rules did not spell out how they would differentiate the sub-group rankings in this case. Hmm, maybe it should have been more comprehensive to cover all possible scenarios.
Packet lunch in the form of seafood fried rice was provided by the organisers. It was not very good! After lunch, some of us went back home while Jiang Pern and Adeline stayed back to play a few more informal games. Learnt later that LTA won 1st place, NUS 2nd, HDB 3rd and CAAS 4th.
Quiz answers (Highlight to see clearly):
[1] AZON
[2] DAyTIME. MEDIATe (Other angagrams: DIAsTEM, IDEATuM, MEDIAnT, MIcATED, MIsDATE, rEADMIT, TAEDIuM, TAMmIED)
[3] HOOKIES
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Please Vote for Me
This is a documentary about the class monitor elections in one of the primary schools in China. Three primary 3 students have been shortlisted and they have one week to convince their classmates why they should be class monitor.
A very funny film that touches on the lives of the students and their parents! It was interesting to see how people react in different situations!
Internet Movie Database Link
A very funny film that touches on the lives of the students and their parents! It was interesting to see how people react in different situations!
Internet Movie Database Link
Though I am Gone
This is a documentary about an old man recollecting what happened to her wife during the Cultural Revolution.
A very depressing movie as we learnt about the atrocities performed by the students in the name of ideology! Would be interesting if the director could interview one of the Red Guards but there was no "the-other-side-of-the-story" to be heard. Learnt about the existence of a Cultural Revolution Museum from the protagonist. Would like to visit it if I have the chance!
A very depressing movie as we learnt about the atrocities performed by the students in the name of ideology! Would be interesting if the director could interview one of the Red Guards but there was no "the-other-side-of-the-story" to be heard. Learnt about the existence of a Cultural Revolution Museum from the protagonist. Would like to visit it if I have the chance!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Patriotism
The story is about how a Japanese soldier decided to commit seppuku (the act of killing oneself by slitting one's belly open) and his wife's reaction to it. This is an adaptation of the director's own short story.
Liked the silent film look and feel, the minimalistic noh theater setup as well as the great acting by the actor and actress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the silent film look and feel, the minimalistic noh theater setup as well as the great acting by the actor and actress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Fitzcarraldo
The story is about how a young man dreamed of building an Opera house in the jungles of Peru. He encountered many difficulties and even had to drag a streamboat across a mountain in the process!
Had a pleasant surprise initially when I saw that Claudia Cardinale was the lead actress but realised that it had been almost twenty years since she acted in Fellini's "8 1/2" and Visconti's "The Leopard". She still looked beautiful but not as young as before. Liked the nice jungle adventure and the great acting by Klaus Kinski!
Internet Movie Database Link
Had a pleasant surprise initially when I saw that Claudia Cardinale was the lead actress but realised that it had been almost twenty years since she acted in Fellini's "8 1/2" and Visconti's "The Leopard". She still looked beautiful but not as young as before. Liked the nice jungle adventure and the great acting by Klaus Kinski!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Decalogue
This is a 10 1-hour episode TV series made in Poland that is loosely based on the Catholic Ten Commandments.
Liked the excellent script and the modern interpretation of the commandments! It is interesting to see how each character is placed in a situation where he or she has to make a moral choice where there is no clear right or wrong! Episodes 2, 3 and 8 are the most boring while episode 10 is the most funny! Episodes 4, 5 and 7 are pretty good but my favorites would be episodes 1, 6 and 9!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the excellent script and the modern interpretation of the commandments! It is interesting to see how each character is placed in a situation where he or she has to make a moral choice where there is no clear right or wrong! Episodes 2, 3 and 8 are the most boring while episode 10 is the most funny! Episodes 4, 5 and 7 are pretty good but my favorites would be episodes 1, 6 and 9!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, September 06, 2008
PSTAR Scrabble Games 2008
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 6th Sep 2008 from 10am to 5pm. A total of 38 teams took part. MINDEF had two teams taking part this year.
Here's my match report, with quizzes marked with [number] and the answers given at the end of the report.
Chew Chuah helped to draw our first pairings for MINDEF 1 and it was against the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) team 1. MINDEF 2 played against the all girls team from CPF 2. I saw that Peng Kee was really happy with his draw!
Game 1: MEWR 1
Had a bye as my opponent could not make it on time. Played a friendly game with Linda from Ngee Ann Polytechnic instead. My luck was pretty good! I bingoed with TEARIES*(74) and AILERON(73). What are the 2 anagrams for AEEIRST ?[1] I also guessed correctly the "C" front hook for OFF and scored with CHAIN(59) by hitting the triple word cell. Linda could only bingo with BARTENDED(75). If only this was an actual game where it really mattered!
Our team won the match by 3-0.
Next game was against IRAS 2.
Game 2: IRAS 2
I played against Chris who was from the same reservist camp as me! It was a closed board with no bingos from either of us. I scored big when he opened up the triple word score lane with WaRNS(40) and JET(39) by capitalising on the double letter score. Was lucky to be able to play my Z late in the game with ZETA(23). If not, the score line could have gone the other way round.
Won 310-280. Our team won convincingly with 3-0.
Had free lunch catered for us after our second game and it was delicious!
Our third game was against CPF 1. Hmm, I remembered our third game at last year's PSTAR games was against them too!
Game 3: CPF 1
I played against Chee Keong, the same player whom I played last year. JP and CC had a switch of opponent from last year. Missed my opponent's opening phoney HINE*. He bingoed with SWaYERS(88) and scored big with sEZ(64) and OX(38). My only big scores were OATH(44) across the triple word lane and PEAK(35). Maybe I should have blocked when my opponent played OVER with the O hovering underneath the triple letter cell. Didn't realise he had the Z!
Lost 324-403. Our team won with 2-1.
After 3 rounds, MINDEF 1 was placed in the top category that consisted of the top 6 teams: HDB 1, HDB 2, LTA 1, MINDEF 1, MOE 1 and NP 1.
Our final game is against HDB 2.
Game 4: HDB 2
I played against David. Our scores were neck-in-neck after both of us scored one bingo each. I had SoRRIES*(74) while he had InTRUDE(68). What are the 2 anagrams for EIORRSS ?[2] I was leading slightly towards the end until he scored with JOBS(37) to pull ahead.
Lost 375-391. Our team lost narrowly with 1-2.
In the end, MINDEF 1 came in 4th placing among the top category teams. We beat MOE 1 and HDB 1 who both lost 1-2 in terms of spread. LTA 1 came in 1st, NP 1 came in 2nd and HDB 2 came in 3rd. MINDEF 2 had a pretty good showing too with 2 wins and 2 losses! Had fun seeing so many familiar faces! Hope we could do even better next year!
Quiz answers (highlight to see clearly)
[1] AERIEST, SERIATE
[2] ORRISES, ROSIERS
Here's my match report, with quizzes marked with [number] and the answers given at the end of the report.
Chew Chuah helped to draw our first pairings for MINDEF 1 and it was against the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) team 1. MINDEF 2 played against the all girls team from CPF 2. I saw that Peng Kee was really happy with his draw!
Game 1: MEWR 1
Had a bye as my opponent could not make it on time. Played a friendly game with Linda from Ngee Ann Polytechnic instead. My luck was pretty good! I bingoed with TEARIES*(74) and AILERON(73). What are the 2 anagrams for AEEIRST ?[1] I also guessed correctly the "C" front hook for OFF and scored with CHAIN(59) by hitting the triple word cell. Linda could only bingo with BARTENDED(75). If only this was an actual game where it really mattered!
Our team won the match by 3-0.
Next game was against IRAS 2.
Game 2: IRAS 2
I played against Chris who was from the same reservist camp as me! It was a closed board with no bingos from either of us. I scored big when he opened up the triple word score lane with WaRNS(40) and JET(39) by capitalising on the double letter score. Was lucky to be able to play my Z late in the game with ZETA(23). If not, the score line could have gone the other way round.
Won 310-280. Our team won convincingly with 3-0.
Had free lunch catered for us after our second game and it was delicious!
Our third game was against CPF 1. Hmm, I remembered our third game at last year's PSTAR games was against them too!
Game 3: CPF 1
I played against Chee Keong, the same player whom I played last year. JP and CC had a switch of opponent from last year. Missed my opponent's opening phoney HINE*. He bingoed with SWaYERS(88) and scored big with sEZ(64) and OX(38). My only big scores were OATH(44) across the triple word lane and PEAK(35). Maybe I should have blocked when my opponent played OVER with the O hovering underneath the triple letter cell. Didn't realise he had the Z!
Lost 324-403. Our team won with 2-1.
After 3 rounds, MINDEF 1 was placed in the top category that consisted of the top 6 teams: HDB 1, HDB 2, LTA 1, MINDEF 1, MOE 1 and NP 1.
Our final game is against HDB 2.
Game 4: HDB 2
I played against David. Our scores were neck-in-neck after both of us scored one bingo each. I had SoRRIES*(74) while he had InTRUDE(68). What are the 2 anagrams for EIORRSS ?[2] I was leading slightly towards the end until he scored with JOBS(37) to pull ahead.
Lost 375-391. Our team lost narrowly with 1-2.
In the end, MINDEF 1 came in 4th placing among the top category teams. We beat MOE 1 and HDB 1 who both lost 1-2 in terms of spread. LTA 1 came in 1st, NP 1 came in 2nd and HDB 2 came in 3rd. MINDEF 2 had a pretty good showing too with 2 wins and 2 losses! Had fun seeing so many familiar faces! Hope we could do even better next year!
Quiz answers (highlight to see clearly)
[1] AERIEST, SERIATE
[2] ORRISES, ROSIERS
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Sakuran
This film is adapted from a Japanese manga and it is about a girl growing up in a brothel and becoming the top prostitute.
Liked the colorful kimonos and the nice soundtrack! The lead actress, Anna Tsuchiya, was a pretty interesting character too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the colorful kimonos and the nice soundtrack! The lead actress, Anna Tsuchiya, was a pretty interesting character too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Pathos
This is a follow up to "Broken Blossoms" and it is a documentary about the director's role as a woman, a wife and a mother.
Liked the last segment best as I thought the director's daughter was very cute! It was also interesting to see how a midwife clinic worked!
Liked the last segment best as I thought the director's daughter was very cute! It was also interesting to see how a midwife clinic worked!
Broken Blossom
This is a documentary about the impact of the director's miscarriage on her.
Liked the scene where the director talked about her feelings towards the miscarriage! I also learnt a bit more about her during the Q&A session later!
Liked the scene where the director talked about her feelings towards the miscarriage! I also learnt a bit more about her during the Q&A session later!
Birth / Mother
This is a documentary about the director's grandmother and how she gave birth to a baby son.
Liked the reality TV style with the extreme close up shots!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the reality TV style with the extreme close up shots!
Internet Movie Database Link
The Banishment
The story is about what happens when a gangster went to stay in the countryside with his family that consists of his wife, his son and his daughter. Their peaceful lives were disrupted by a bunch of unexpected events.
The countryside scenery was beautiful and the portrayal of the husband-wife relationship was interesting! Didn't quite understand the last bit of the flashback towards the end though so I was not as moved as I thought I would be.
Internet Movie Database Link
The countryside scenery was beautiful and the portrayal of the husband-wife relationship was interesting! Didn't quite understand the last bit of the flashback towards the end though so I was not as moved as I thought I would be.
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The Eternal Breasts
The story is about the life of a female poet who died at an early age due to breast cancer.
The pacing was slow and I thought the story could have been condensed! One thing that puzzled me was the relationship between the poet and the reporter towards the end.
Internet Movie Database Link
The pacing was slow and I thought the story could have been condensed! One thing that puzzled me was the relationship between the poet and the reporter towards the end.
Internet Movie Database Link
Love Letter
The story is about the plight of Japanese women who served the US soldiers during the second World War. After the war, they had to pay someone who knew English to write love letters to their former lovers to ask for money to survive.
Considering that it was a debut effort by Tanaka Kinuyo, it was not too bad! Thought it could be improved by deleting unimportant scenes which did not contribute to the main storyline.
Internet Movie Database Link
Considering that it was a debut effort by Tanaka Kinuyo, it was not too bad! Thought it could be improved by deleting unimportant scenes which did not contribute to the main storyline.
Internet Movie Database Link
Wordplay
This is a documentary about the world of crossword puzzles.
Pretty comprehensive! Learnt a bit about the creators of the puzzles as well as the interesting people who do the puzzles both as a recreation and competitively! Didn't know that Bill Clinton liked to do crossword puzzles too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Pretty comprehensive! Learnt a bit about the creators of the puzzles as well as the interesting people who do the puzzles both as a recreation and competitively! Didn't know that Bill Clinton liked to do crossword puzzles too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Wanderer's Notebook
The story is about how a woman called Fumiko struggles to survive and eventually becomes a successful writer.
Liked the sequence where Fumiko tried to find a job but was rejected repeatedly. Some parts were really funny!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the sequence where Fumiko tried to find a job but was rejected repeatedly. Some parts were really funny!
Internet Movie Database Link
Ginza Cosmetics
The story is about the life of a middle aged bar hostess who has to support her young son.
Felt that this was like a precursor to "When a Woman Ascends the Stairs" which was made 9 years later! Thought the director has improved on his story telling skills in WWAS by presenting just the core ideas that he wanted to transmit to the audience.
Internet Movie Database Link
Felt that this was like a precursor to "When a Woman Ascends the Stairs" which was made 9 years later! Thought the director has improved on his story telling skills in WWAS by presenting just the core ideas that he wanted to transmit to the audience.
Internet Movie Database Link
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Sandakan No. 8
The story is about the plight of poor Japanese girls who were sent overseas to work as prostitutes in the early 20th century. This is told through flashbacks from an old Japanese woman to a researcher whom she befriended.
Liked the friendship forged between the researcher and the old Japanese woman! Nice story and the use of silence during two key scenes were pretty effective!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the friendship forged between the researcher and the old Japanese woman! Nice story and the use of silence during two key scenes were pretty effective!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Mad about English
This is a documentary on how the people from China learned English in preparation for the Beijing Olympics. These included an elderly man who wanted to be an Olympics volunteer, a taxi driver who wanted to converse well with tourists, a young student who wanted a better future, an English tutor who wanted to spread his teachings and a foreigner who wanted to get rid of every wrongly translated signs.
It was interesting to see how enthusiastic the people were about learning English! I thought the multi-lingual police was quite funny when he imitated the New York accent! The sales people at the Silk Market were pretty good too!
It was interesting to see how enthusiastic the people were about learning English! I thought the multi-lingual police was quite funny when he imitated the New York accent! The sales people at the Silk Market were pretty good too!
Saturday, August 02, 2008
The Spirit Compendium
The story centers around a special book that is able to provide answers to your queries. A guy used this book to solve a few problems faced by him and his house mates during the hungry ghost festival.
The cast was pretty good looking and the outdoor scenes looked beautiful! I also liked the songs and the special sound effects used whenever something supernatural was encountered!
The cast was pretty good looking and the outdoor scenes looked beautiful! I also liked the songs and the special sound effects used whenever something supernatural was encountered!
My Dad is a Priest
The story is about the relationship of a father and a son. The son is still studying in school while the father is a priest who is slowly losing his memory because of a recently diagnosed alzheimer's disease.
Liked the simple storyline and the close father-son relationship depicted! Thought the father acted really well when he showed the effects of alzheimer's disease!
Liked the simple storyline and the close father-son relationship depicted! Thought the father acted really well when he showed the effects of alzheimer's disease!
La bete humaine
The story is about the dark side of human nature shown through the encounters of a worker at a railway station.
Liked the nice country side view during the train rides and the in-depth study of the psychology of the characters!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the nice country side view during the train rides and the in-depth study of the psychology of the characters!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Juno
The story is about what happened after a high school student discovered that she was pregnant. She decided to go through the pregnancy and got someone to adopt her baby.
The plot is straight forward but the director captured the relationship among Juno, her parents, her friends and the adoptive parents pretty well! Minus point would be that it was a little bit too wordy and the teenagers used some slang that was difficult to understand.
Internet Movie Database Link
The plot is straight forward but the director captured the relationship among Juno, her parents, her friends and the adoptive parents pretty well! Minus point would be that it was a little bit too wordy and the teenagers used some slang that was difficult to understand.
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Scrabble Nationals 2008 (Day Two)
There were a few casualties at the start of day two. Kum Zi Peng and Gan Cher Siong dropped out from div A, Lester Phong, Dinna Lim and Low Bee Theang dropped out from div B. This tested the skill of the tournament director to do a proper pairing so that those who were absent would meet each other. The proper pairings was eventually done with the help of Tony and Wei Bin. If there was a TD handbook, this should probably be one of the FAQ.
Game 5: vs Shahrul
Managed to close up the gap to about 18 points after my opponent scored his second bingo but he extended his lead further with AKE(30) and HEXING(39) towards the end of the game and I lost.
New words learnt: INDOLES, HEXING
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: CHARRING(76), INDOLES(65)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ABE*
My High Moves: QI(46), FILTH(36), ZIT(35) Opp High Moves: BEES(30), AKE(30), HEXING(39)
L 409-364, -45. 2W 3L (Accum spread -92).
Game 6: vs Timothy Tan
Played badly at the start as I had lots of vowels and I played them for very few points while allowing my opponent to score big. Improved a little bit towards the end as I managed to score big with some of my tiles but couldn't catch up by then.
New words learnt: MOULDERS
My Bingos: DESIRES(70), LANTERNS(74) Opp Bingos: MOULDERS(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: XI(34), CUBIT(30), WRIT(39), HENRY(34) Opp High Moves: KI(33), QADI(72)
L 390-416, -26. 2W 4L (Accum spread -118).
Had a birthday celebration for the tournament director after our second game and everyone in both division A and B were given a slice of cake each. I happened to be queueing after Serene and Yen Nee. Heard Serene requesting to have a small piece while Yen Nee wanted an extra large piece. Hmm, thought it should have been the other way round to balance things up?
Game 7: vs Eden Choo
Close game! Managed to edge out a win despite being outbingoed two to one.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TARDIER(82) Opp Bingos: DILUTES(66), INSTEAD(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: COEDITS*
My High Moves: QATS(33), TWIRLED(45), VAU(31), FY(31), WINCE(39) Opp High Moves: WHIZ(43), TAK(31), OX(50), SIDE(32)
W 447-438, +9. 3W 4L (Accum spread -109).
After our 3rd game, I went to a nearby food center together with Winston, Victor and Timothy for lunch.
Game 8: vs Khamis
Khamis played the same phoney "ABE" as Shahrul in an earlier game. Think this must be one of the more common three letter phoneys played. Lost as I was outbingoed two to none.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: ENTAILED(61), FIGURES(72)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ABE*
My High Moves: JOLLY(46), HUB(32), YON(42), PAN(32) Opp High Moves: AXE(36), WHET(37), FUNS(33)
L 343-393, -50. 3W 5L (Accum spread -159).
Game 9: vs Soo Yi Wei
Had a comfortable lead after the first few moves and I extended my lead further towards the end with DITZ(47).
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: RIOTERS(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: AF*
My High Moves: CRAFT(32), FY(38), WAIST(34), WE(36), DITZ(47) Opp High Moves: -
W 463-210, +253. 4W 5L (Accum spread +94).
Game 10: vs Ruby Sim
Had a comfortable lead after I scored two bingos early in the game. I maintained my lead with a bit of help from Ruby who phonied twice and changed her tiles several times.
New words learnt: CARL
My Bingos: BEARING(63), TAINTED(73) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ZIENS*, UVO*
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: WOWS(40), ZA(37), AD(30), VIES(36)
W 449-322, +127. 5W 5L (Accum spread +221).
Game 11: vs Eden Choo
Played Eden once again in this KOTH round. Realised that I was really rusty when I took a long time to think of a bingo with a AEINTT? rack. Wanted the blank to be an S and in the 3rd position so that I could have a double double. Eden scored big in the middle of the game and extended his lead with a late bingo in the game.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: INSTATE(80) Opp Bingos: GLINTED(74)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QIS(42) Opp High Moves: DJINS(33), JEE(32), ORAD(30), WIZ(42)
L 347-428, -81. 5W 6L (Accum spread +140).
Game 12: vs Ganapathy
Would have wanted to win the last game so that I could at least have an equal number of wins and losses but I really had no form in this game and lost badly.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: STARTED(74), STAPLED(75)
My Phoneys: WAM* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: IWI(30), OOM(30) Opp High Moves: FAX(34), FURY(42), ZEE(32), ROUND(31)
L 287-479, -192. 5W 7L (Accum spread -52).
Finished the tournament with 5 wins and out of top 10. Hope to do better next year!
Game 5: vs Shahrul
Managed to close up the gap to about 18 points after my opponent scored his second bingo but he extended his lead further with AKE(30) and HEXING(39) towards the end of the game and I lost.
New words learnt: INDOLES, HEXING
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: CHARRING(76), INDOLES(65)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ABE*
My High Moves: QI(46), FILTH(36), ZIT(35) Opp High Moves: BEES(30), AKE(30), HEXING(39)
L 409-364, -45. 2W 3L (Accum spread -92).
Game 6: vs Timothy Tan
Played badly at the start as I had lots of vowels and I played them for very few points while allowing my opponent to score big. Improved a little bit towards the end as I managed to score big with some of my tiles but couldn't catch up by then.
New words learnt: MOULDERS
My Bingos: DESIRES(70), LANTERNS(74) Opp Bingos: MOULDERS(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: XI(34), CUBIT(30), WRIT(39), HENRY(34) Opp High Moves: KI(33), QADI(72)
L 390-416, -26. 2W 4L (Accum spread -118).
Had a birthday celebration for the tournament director after our second game and everyone in both division A and B were given a slice of cake each. I happened to be queueing after Serene and Yen Nee. Heard Serene requesting to have a small piece while Yen Nee wanted an extra large piece. Hmm, thought it should have been the other way round to balance things up?
Game 7: vs Eden Choo
Close game! Managed to edge out a win despite being outbingoed two to one.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TARDIER(82) Opp Bingos: DILUTES(66), INSTEAD(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: COEDITS*
My High Moves: QATS(33), TWIRLED(45), VAU(31), FY(31), WINCE(39) Opp High Moves: WHIZ(43), TAK(31), OX(50), SIDE(32)
W 447-438, +9. 3W 4L (Accum spread -109).
After our 3rd game, I went to a nearby food center together with Winston, Victor and Timothy for lunch.
Game 8: vs Khamis
Khamis played the same phoney "ABE" as Shahrul in an earlier game. Think this must be one of the more common three letter phoneys played. Lost as I was outbingoed two to none.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: ENTAILED(61), FIGURES(72)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ABE*
My High Moves: JOLLY(46), HUB(32), YON(42), PAN(32) Opp High Moves: AXE(36), WHET(37), FUNS(33)
L 343-393, -50. 3W 5L (Accum spread -159).
Game 9: vs Soo Yi Wei
Had a comfortable lead after the first few moves and I extended my lead further towards the end with DITZ(47).
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: RIOTERS(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: AF*
My High Moves: CRAFT(32), FY(38), WAIST(34), WE(36), DITZ(47) Opp High Moves: -
W 463-210, +253. 4W 5L (Accum spread +94).
Game 10: vs Ruby Sim
Had a comfortable lead after I scored two bingos early in the game. I maintained my lead with a bit of help from Ruby who phonied twice and changed her tiles several times.
New words learnt: CARL
My Bingos: BEARING(63), TAINTED(73) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ZIENS*, UVO*
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: WOWS(40), ZA(37), AD(30), VIES(36)
W 449-322, +127. 5W 5L (Accum spread +221).
Game 11: vs Eden Choo
Played Eden once again in this KOTH round. Realised that I was really rusty when I took a long time to think of a bingo with a AEINTT? rack. Wanted the blank to be an S and in the 3rd position so that I could have a double double. Eden scored big in the middle of the game and extended his lead with a late bingo in the game.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: INSTATE(80) Opp Bingos: GLINTED(74)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QIS(42) Opp High Moves: DJINS(33), JEE(32), ORAD(30), WIZ(42)
L 347-428, -81. 5W 6L (Accum spread +140).
Game 12: vs Ganapathy
Would have wanted to win the last game so that I could at least have an equal number of wins and losses but I really had no form in this game and lost badly.
New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: STARTED(74), STAPLED(75)
My Phoneys: WAM* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: IWI(30), OOM(30) Opp High Moves: FAX(34), FURY(42), ZEE(32), ROUND(31)
L 287-479, -192. 5W 7L (Accum spread -52).
Finished the tournament with 5 wins and out of top 10. Hope to do better next year!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Scrabble Nationals 2008 (Day One)
This year's Nationals is once again held at Toa Payoh West CC. I went earlier in the hope of catching the masters players in action and saw Jiang Pern doing a post game analysis with his opponent as he just narrowly lost by 1 point. Had lunch and played a friendly game with Ruby before division B officially started.
Game 1: vs Winston Gwee
Our scores were neck in neck until the last few moves. I got away with STERILED* when I back hooked ZED to an existing STERILE on the board. Think I had mixed it up with STERILISED. Anyway, I made a silly mistake on my last move. I played GIN for 19 points, forgetting that Winston also had an "A" on his rack and he managed to bingo out with ERASION to win!
New words learnt: AWNER
My Bingos: TRIPLET(79) Opp Bingos: STERILE(73), ERASION(76)
My Phoneys: STERILED* Opp Phoneys: JUTED*
My High Moves: PRY(32), ZED(42), AWNER(43) Opp High Moves: BOX(61), TAJ(30), QI(31), WOK(39)
L 406-474, -68. 0W 1L (Accum spread -68).
Game 2: vs Lester Phong
He pulled ahead after his ROSEATE bingo. Mistakenly thought that HOE had no front hook but Lester promptly put EAGLES down the triple lane on his turn. I managed to narrow the gap with JET(36) and XI(38) but lost the game effectively after he scored heavily with DWEEBS(40) down the triple lane. For my last move, I could have saved 15 spread points if I had played CWM instead of BEAGLES.
New words learnt: ROSEATE, INTIL, DWEEBS
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: ROSEATE(72)
My Phoneys: DICY* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ZAS(38), JET(36), XI(38) Opp High Moves: NOMAD(30), QI(33), DWEEBS(40)
L 302-378, -76. 0W 2L (Accum spread -144).
Game 3: vs zzBye
Played a friendly game with Lester's girlfriend during my bye. She was lucky with several bingos like CATFISH and TRAIPSED. Tried PERTInG* when I had a ?EGIPRT rack but was challenged off!
W 150-100, +50. 1W 2L (Accum spread -94).
Game 4: vs Ganapathy
Mistakenly thought that RAINING(79) had no front hook when I was deciding how to back hook the "N" of my bingo to an existing PROVE on the board. In fact, there were four possible front hooks! Ganapathy scored very well despite having no bingo but I maanged to pull ahead with my second bingo TOILETS(70) when he opened up with CENTS(15).
New words learnt: GRAINING, FANNY
My Bingos: RAINING(79), TOILETS(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: GOF* Opp Phoneys: NES*, JUDE*, JUDES*
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: PIE(37), AGON(33), BREWS(48), FANNY(53)
W 427-380, +47. 2W 2L (Accum spread -47).
Finished day 1 with 2 wins and 2 losses.
Game 1: vs Winston Gwee
Our scores were neck in neck until the last few moves. I got away with STERILED* when I back hooked ZED to an existing STERILE on the board. Think I had mixed it up with STERILISED. Anyway, I made a silly mistake on my last move. I played GIN for 19 points, forgetting that Winston also had an "A" on his rack and he managed to bingo out with ERASION to win!
New words learnt: AWNER
My Bingos: TRIPLET(79) Opp Bingos: STERILE(73), ERASION(76)
My Phoneys: STERILED* Opp Phoneys: JUTED*
My High Moves: PRY(32), ZED(42), AWNER(43) Opp High Moves: BOX(61), TAJ(30), QI(31), WOK(39)
L 406-474, -68. 0W 1L (Accum spread -68).
Game 2: vs Lester Phong
He pulled ahead after his ROSEATE bingo. Mistakenly thought that HOE had no front hook but Lester promptly put EAGLES down the triple lane on his turn. I managed to narrow the gap with JET(36) and XI(38) but lost the game effectively after he scored heavily with DWEEBS(40) down the triple lane. For my last move, I could have saved 15 spread points if I had played CWM instead of BEAGLES.
New words learnt: ROSEATE, INTIL, DWEEBS
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: ROSEATE(72)
My Phoneys: DICY* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ZAS(38), JET(36), XI(38) Opp High Moves: NOMAD(30), QI(33), DWEEBS(40)
L 302-378, -76. 0W 2L (Accum spread -144).
Game 3: vs zzBye
Played a friendly game with Lester's girlfriend during my bye. She was lucky with several bingos like CATFISH and TRAIPSED. Tried PERTInG* when I had a ?EGIPRT rack but was challenged off!
W 150-100, +50. 1W 2L (Accum spread -94).
Game 4: vs Ganapathy
Mistakenly thought that RAINING(79) had no front hook when I was deciding how to back hook the "N" of my bingo to an existing PROVE on the board. In fact, there were four possible front hooks! Ganapathy scored very well despite having no bingo but I maanged to pull ahead with my second bingo TOILETS(70) when he opened up with CENTS(15).
New words learnt: GRAINING, FANNY
My Bingos: RAINING(79), TOILETS(70) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: GOF* Opp Phoneys: NES*, JUDE*, JUDES*
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: PIE(37), AGON(33), BREWS(48), FANNY(53)
W 427-380, +47. 2W 2L (Accum spread -47).
Finished day 1 with 2 wins and 2 losses.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Help Me Eros
The story revolves around the lives of an unemployed person, his counsellor and a group of betel nut sellers.
Liked the surreal scenes of the cosplay sequence and the acrobatic sex sequence! Most of the other scenes were a little bit boring though.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the surreal scenes of the cosplay sequence and the acrobatic sex sequence! Most of the other scenes were a little bit boring though.
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Chocolate
The story is about how an autistic girl fought her way to retrieve money from people who owed her mother money. Her mother was the lover of a Thai gangster but fell in love with a Japanese man.
Thought the autistic girl had a cool pose when she was a baby! Pretty impressed by her ball catching skill when she became bigger too! Nice martial arts action! My favorite move would be the one where she bent backwards to slide under a table while avoiding a flying cart!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thought the autistic girl had a cool pose when she was a baby! Pretty impressed by her ball catching skill when she became bigger too! Nice martial arts action! My favorite move would be the one where she bent backwards to slide under a table while avoiding a flying cart!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, July 12, 2008
5th Singapore Short Cuts
Saw five shorts at this first free screening at National Museum:
Lorong 27 by Kenny Tan
- Interesting story about an exchange student's adventure during his stay at his host's place at Geylang Lorong 27!
Pontianak by Raihan Harun
- Quite a scary story about a mother who died from child birth and who wanted to take her living daughter away too!
Lim Poh Huat by Lee Wong
- Interesting story about an ordinary guy who works as a security guard full time as an extra part time!
Embryo by Loo Zihan
- An abstract piece which I had no idea what it was about!
Zo Gang + Zo Hee by Jacen Tan
- Two very humorous pieces! A little bit sick of the main protagonist in the end as he was always complaining but I learnt a lot about the problems faced by film makers! The girl at the substation looked quite cute!
Lorong 27 by Kenny Tan
- Interesting story about an exchange student's adventure during his stay at his host's place at Geylang Lorong 27!
Pontianak by Raihan Harun
- Quite a scary story about a mother who died from child birth and who wanted to take her living daughter away too!
Lim Poh Huat by Lee Wong
- Interesting story about an ordinary guy who works as a security guard full time as an extra part time!
Embryo by Loo Zihan
- An abstract piece which I had no idea what it was about!
Zo Gang + Zo Hee by Jacen Tan
- Two very humorous pieces! A little bit sick of the main protagonist in the end as he was always complaining but I learnt a lot about the problems faced by film makers! The girl at the substation looked quite cute!
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Pierrot le Fou
The story is about a married man leaving his wife and kids to go on a journey with his babysitter.
Liked the interesting dialogue between the couple and how the different settings and genres were used! The couple would be on a beautiful island at one moment and then driving around in the city at the next moment. The genre would switch from romance, action, crime and even to a musical! All of them were nicely gelled together!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the interesting dialogue between the couple and how the different settings and genres were used! The couple would be on a beautiful island at one moment and then driving around in the city at the next moment. The genre would switch from romance, action, crime and even to a musical! All of them were nicely gelled together!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Beyond the Clouds
This consists of four short stories on the relationship between man and woman. They are linked by a narrator who is a director walking around Italy looking for inspiration.
Liked the first and the last short story! Thought that the narration was a little bit too wordy though! The last short story reminded me a bit of "Beyond Sunrise" made in the same year. Both had a couple talking to each other about small little things while walking around in the city.
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the first and the last short story! Thought that the narration was a little bit too wordy though! The last short story reminded me a bit of "Beyond Sunrise" made in the same year. Both had a couple talking to each other about small little things while walking around in the city.
Internet Movie Database Link
Blowup
The story is about a few days in the life of a British photographer living in London during the sixties. The title refers to a darkroom technique of enlarging the details of a photograph to see them more clearly.
Was expecting an action packed movie with lots of explosions when I saw the title of the movie but this film had none of those. Nevertheless, I liked the psychological study on the lead actor and the innovative ending that summarised the overall theme of the film very well!
Internet Movie Database Link
Was expecting an action packed movie with lots of explosions when I saw the title of the movie but this film had none of those. Nevertheless, I liked the psychological study on the lead actor and the innovative ending that summarised the overall theme of the film very well!
Internet Movie Database Link
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Antonio Gaudi
This is a documentary on the architecture of a Spanish architect called Antonio Gaudi.
Liked how the buildings incorporated elements of nature like trees and sea shells into the design! They looked very nice!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked how the buildings incorporated elements of nature like trees and sea shells into the design! They looked very nice!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Red Desert
The story is about the psychological trauma that resulted after a woman got into a car accident.
Liked the strange soundtrack that sounded like music from outerspace. It reminded me of "Solaris"! I was also reminded of "Woman In the Dunes" made in the same year while watching the film. The dialogue was pretty interesting with lots of nice catch phrases! Great acting by Monica Vitti who played the neurotic housewife very well!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the strange soundtrack that sounded like music from outerspace. It reminded me of "Solaris"! I was also reminded of "Woman In the Dunes" made in the same year while watching the film. The dialogue was pretty interesting with lots of nice catch phrases! Great acting by Monica Vitti who played the neurotic housewife very well!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thursday, June 26, 2008
I-San Special
The story is about a bus trip from Bangkok to a small town in NorthEast Thailand. The passengers behaved normally off the bus but became actors of a radio drama when they boarded the bus.
The radio drama worked pretty well despite having the plain bus interior as backdrop! It was also interesting to see how the real life of the passengers mirrored the one acted out in the radio drama!
Internet Movie Database Link
The radio drama worked pretty well despite having the plain bus interior as backdrop! It was also interesting to see how the real life of the passengers mirrored the one acted out in the radio drama!
Internet Movie Database Link
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Vanquished
The film consists of three short stories. Each story is about youths that commit crime out of boredom during post war Europe.
Liked the opening scene that explained the objective of the film very clearly through the narration and newspaper cuttings! All the three stories were interesting in their own ways! The girl in the "Rome" episode looked the prettiest in my opinion!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the opening scene that explained the objective of the film very clearly through the narration and newspaper cuttings! All the three stories were interesting in their own ways! The girl in the "Rome" episode looked the prettiest in my opinion!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, June 21, 2008
China
This is a documentary about China during the middle of the Cultural Revolution in 1972. It is divided into three parts and describes Beijing, Henan, Suzhou, Nanjing and Shanghai.
Liked the narration that explained Chinese culture through activities such as acupuncture, taiji, acrobat and culinary delights as well as the depiction of ordinary folks at home, at play and in school! Especially liked the song and dance performance by the nursery school kids!
Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the narration that explained Chinese culture through activities such as acupuncture, taiji, acrobat and culinary delights as well as the depiction of ordinary folks at home, at play and in school! Especially liked the song and dance performance by the nursery school kids!
Internet Movie Database Link
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!
The story is about the adventure of three female strippers driving across the desert.
Wonder how many movies have three or more exclamation marks in its title? Liked the exciting comic book type action and the funny dialogue in the film! The characters were interesting too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Wonder how many movies have three or more exclamation marks in its title? Liked the exciting comic book type action and the funny dialogue in the film! The characters were interesting too!
Internet Movie Database Link
Monday, June 16, 2008
Olympia
This is a documentary on the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Liked the opening scenes for both parts of the film! Each of them showcased the beauty of the human body in a different way! The individual events were interesting to watch too! The tension among the competitors and the enthusiasm among the supporters were well depicted!
Part 1 Internet Movie Database Link
Part 2 Internet Movie Database Link
Liked the opening scenes for both parts of the film! Each of them showcased the beauty of the human body in a different way! The individual events were interesting to watch too! The tension among the competitors and the enthusiasm among the supporters were well depicted!
Part 1 Internet Movie Database Link
Part 2 Internet Movie Database Link
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