The Private Life of Mr and Mrs M

The story is about how a couple started to have more conflicts when the wife became busier with work.

Didn't really like the film too much. I thought the director could have explained a bit more why the wife had to conceal her secret towards the end.

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Kiki's Delivery Service

The story is about how an apprentice witch trained to be a real witch in a new city.

Liked the cute actress who acted as the apprentice witch!

Internet Movie Database Link

Gravity

The story is about how an astronaut coped after losing contact with the rest of her colleagues in space.

Liked the excellent special effects! Sandra Bullock looked pretty fit in this film!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Homesman

The story is about how two people embarked on a journey to escort three mentally ill women from Nebraska to Iowa.

Not really a fan of Westerns but decided to watch this as it was the only English film showing at the Avignon Utopia cinema. Was amazed at the resourcefulness of Tommy Lee Jones!

Internet Movie Database Link

Her

The story is about how a single man developed a relationship with his newly purchased operating system.

Liked how the man systematically taught the operating system about his world and the voice of Scarlett Johansson!

Internet Movie Database Link

Like Father Like Son

The story examines what it means to be a father when two couples discovered that their sons had been switched several years ago and attempt to switch back.

Liked how the director showed that there was no fixed formula for family life as both families have different philosophies in coping with issues!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Wind Rises

This is a biography of a famous Japanese plane designer who helped to advance Japan's air defence industry during the second World War.

An inspiring story about an engineer who was passionate about his work! Wished there could be more of such films!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Lego Movie

The story is about how an ordinary person helped to stop an evil tyrant from destroying their world.

Liked the amazing set that was constructed completely from lego bricks and the nice soundtrack!

Internet Movie Database Link

Scenes from a Marriage

The story is about the marriage life of a Swedish couple who had been married for ten years with two daughters at the start of the film.

Liked the intense psychological study of the characters! Great acting by the both of them!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Soong Sisters

The story is about the life of the Soong family where each of the three daughters married someone famous.

Learnt quite a bit of Chinese history from this film! Maggie Cheung looked pretty young in this film!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Inheritance

This is the last film of the "Masaki Kobayashi Against the System series". Skipped the third film, "Black River", as I saw it before already. The story is about how a rich dying man tasked his subordinates to find his three illegitimate children in order to split his inheritance.

Sort of knew how things would turn out in the end as the movie was narrated as a flashback but I was still pretty impressed by the ingenuity of the person who managed to outwit and outsmart everyone else in the end!

Internet Movie Database Link

Marriage Blue

The story is about four pairs of couples in Korea. Some are newly married while others have known each other for a long time but they each encounter a road block in their way that they have to overcome.

Liked the pretty actresses in the film! Nice scenery at Jeju Island too!

Internet Movie Database Link

I Will Buy You

This is the second film of the "Masaki Kobayashi Against the System series". The story is about how several businesses competed to get a young rising baseball star to sign a contract with them.

Not much baseball action and don't really understand the logic of the politics behind the competition as I thought a closed bid system would solve everything at once.

Internet Movie Database Link

The Flower Girl

The story is about how a young girl had to sell flowers to support her family as North Korea was not liberated by the communists yet.

Liked the nice songs and the great acting by the actress!

Internet Movie Database Link

Ilo Ilo

The story is about how a family went through the Asian Financial crisis in the late 1990s together with their maid.

Liked how the family remained united despite going through all sorts of difficulties! Great acting by the actors!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Thick-Walled Room

This is the first film of the "Masaki Kobayashi Against the System series". The story is about life in a prison camp for Japanese war criminals shortly after the second world war.

Liked the interesting stories of each of the prisoners! The former interpreter, Yokota, reminds me a little of the protagonist in the director's "Human Condition" trilogy.

Internet Movie Database Link

Summer with Monika

The story is about how a young couple resigned from their low paying jobs and escaped to an island for a while before returning back to face reality.

Great acting by the actress who played Monika! I also liked the nice black and white cinematography!

Internet Movie Database Link

Pieta

The story is about how a mother sought revenge in her own unique way from a loan shark!

Liked how everything tied together nicely in the end!

Internet Movie Database Link

Mandala

The story is about how two monks searched for the meaning of life in the countryside and in the city.

Nice cinematography! The film reminds me of the director's 1993 film Sopyonje.

Internet Movie Database Link

Preparation for the Festival

The story is about life in a rural countryside with many eccentric characters, focusing on a young man who intends to leave his hometown and go to Tokyo.

Liked the interesting plot and the pretty actresses in the film: the demure choir girl, the submissive gangster's wife and the nymphet who has lost her memory!

Internet Movie Database Link

Sisters of Nishijin

The story is about the decline of the kimono making industry in Japan during the early 1950s.

Liked how the family tried hard to keep their dreams alive despite the obstacles in their way!

Internet Movie Database Link

Disguise

The story is about Japan's geisha industry in the early 1950s.

Liked the detailed portrayal of the lives of geishas! Reminded me of "Streets of Shame" by Mizoguchi Kenji and "The Geisha House" by Fukasaku Kinji.

Internet Movie Database Link

The Ball at the Anjo House

I thought there will be a long queue for the free tickets but was surprised that not many people turned up. As I was early, I had a quick scan of the "Princely Treasures from the House of Liechtenstein" exhibition at the National Museum before the show.

The story is about a rich family becoming poor after the war and had to sell away the house.

Liked how the film portrayed the change in people's behavior when their social status change! Great acting by the ex-chauffeur and the maid!

Internet Movie Database Link

Rent a Cat

The story is about how a cat loving person started renting her cats to lonely people around her city.

Liked the nice leisurely pace of the film! The salesgirl at the car renting company looked quite cute with her hair clip!

Internet Movie Database Link

Gate of Hell

The story is about how a samurai tried to get the lady of his dreams even though she is married and wrecked the lives of many people in the process.

Liked the interesting plot and the colorful costumes! Great acting by Kyo Machiko!

Internet Movie Database Link

PSTAR Scrabble Games 2013

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 (Bukit Batok) on 18th May 2013 from 10am to 5pm. A total of 31 teams took part. MINDEF had one team taking part this year.

Here's my match report.

Game 1: Singapore Sports Council
My first opponent was against Zaid Ismail from SSC. Had quite an easy game as I bingoed twice with MARrIED(82) and SAUNTER(71) while he made phoneys with SKIE* and GA*. Learnt a new word "SCONE" from the table next to me. Thought it could be a phoney until my friend explained to me that it was a common word for a type of cake.

Won 473-182. Our team lost 1-2.

Game 2: Singapore Powers
My second opponent was against Oi Leng from Singapore Powers. She was a pleasant old lady who kept her cool even though she was trailing. Had quite an easy game too as I had three bingos: ROISTED(73), SERAFIN(78) and DERIDEd(75). Learnt a new word "BURR" from her.

Won 503-289. Our team won 2-1.

Game 3: Singapore Sports Council
My third opponent was against Azmi from SSC. SSC had two guys and two girls in their team including a reserve, so I was a bit disappointed that I only got to play the guys in their team. This turned out to be an exciting close game as our scores were neck-in-neck until the final few turns. I was fishing a little bit at first before bingoing with ISATINE(71) but he scored big with ZA(44), SUQ(44) and BENCH(50). I think the turning point came when he tried to score big by hooking the Y of OY to an existing FEET on a triple letter score cell. Luckily FEETY* was a phoney and I challenged it off!

Won 387-364. Our team lost 1-2.

Game 4: Ministry of Social and Family Development
My last opponent was against Goh from MSF. Had a EEILMRT rack on my second turn and I tried MELTIER(70) which turned out to be valid when challenged! My RECURLED* a few turns later got challenged off though! I should have played RECULED or ULCERED instead! Learnt a new word "SKIM" from him.

Won 393-255. Our team won 2-1.

LTA, MOE, HDB and SSC were the top 4 teams. MHA received two consolation prizes for coming in first in both the second and third tier. The MINDEF teams did not win any prizes but we had a really fun time! Hope we could do better next year!

One Tree Three Lives

This is a documentary about a famous writer who has stayed in three different countries in her life: China, Taiwan and the Untied States.

Liked the screening of the old news clips and how the director pieced a fuller picture of the writer's life through interviews of her acquaintances! Thought she was a charismatic old lady!

Internet Movie Database Link

Pina

This a documentary about Pina Bausch who was a famous dance choreographer based in Germany. She died recently and this film is a tribute to her by her students.

Liked the full length dance pieces such as "Rite of Spring", "Cafe Muller" and "Kontakthof" as well as the impromptu pieces by the students! All of them show much creativity!

Internet Movie Database Link

Street Angel

The story is about a girl who was thrown into prison for trying to steal and solicit in the streets to pay for her mother's expenses. She escaped to work in a circus where she fell in love with an artist but was caught again just after he proposed to her. They reunited again after she had served her term.

Liked the nice music and the interesting storyline! Great acting by the beautiful leading actress!

Internet Movie Database Link

Patisserie Coin de rue

The story is about how a young girl accidentally became a professional baker and helped a small bakery survive through a crisis together with a group of friends.

I was expecting something similar to "Jiro Dreams of Sushi", so I was a bit disappointed as the film did not show much of the cooking process as well as the end product. Liked the carmaderie shown by the team though!

Internet Movie Database Link

Amour

The story is about how an old man took care of his wife at home with the help of a nurse after she had a stroke.

Liked how the film captured the little details of the couple's lives and the dream sequences!

Internet Movie Database Link

Old Romances

This is a sequel to "Old Places" and it is about old places in Singapore, some of which are not around any more.

Liked the nice voice over narration as well as the interesting people and places featured in the film! Might visit some of them when I have the time!

Catherine Listening to the Rain

The story is about the relationship between a mother and a daughter. Both had husbands who neglected them and both of them described their plights through fairy tales that they passed down to their daughters.

Liked the parallels drawn between the two generations and how Catherine managed to change the ending of the story in the end!

Child's Play

The story is about how an only child who lived with his step mother coped with his loneliness by playing with an imaginary friend.

Liked the suspense and the portrayal of the psychological impact of a broken family to a child in the film! Great acting by the step mother!

The Man in the Cupboard

The story is about how a couple met each other and got married but slowly drifted further apart. The man hid in a cupboard in an attempt to murder his wife.

Liked the interesting dating sequences and how the husband tried to cover his tracks! Nice quote from "Heart of Darkness"!

The Fiend of Athens

The story is about how the life of a bank clerk changed after he was mistaken for a wanted serial killer.

Liked the interesting story and the beautiful lead actress who sang well too! The actor looked a bit like Tom Hanks in my opinion.

Internet Movie Database Link

The Women from the Lake of Scented Souls

The story is about the sad fate of two women in a Chinese village who were married to men with some form of disability. One was crippled and the other was mentally retarded.

Liked the nice cinematography and the interesting drama!

Internet Movie Database Link

Oktobertilefest Scrabblemini 2012

This is my first time taking part in the inaugural Oktobertilefest Scrabblemini organised by Tony Sim at his clubhouse in Tanah Merah. A total of 18 people took part in this one day event. We played 10 games from 12pm to 10pm with 10 in div A and 8 in div B. The environment was quite nice as we could see people swimming and jogging while we play.

Game 1: vs Rajeev Batra
Had an easy first game as I was paired with a newcomer. Won by having a bingo and challenging off his phoney.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: ANTLIAE(87) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: BIDER*
My High Moves: BIKERS(37), POST(40), FUM(36) Opp High Moves: JOUST(66), ZEE(31)
W 397-298, +99. 1W 0L (Accum spread +99).

Game 2: vs Eden Choo Jing Yu
I was trailing most of the game until I decided to try SEQUOIA hooking the S to an existing FEW on the board. Didn't have hope that FEWS was good when Eden challenged but it happened to be good! Then I followed up with a high scoring ZO(64) and maintained my lead to the end of the game.

New words learnt: FEWS, RAWIN
My Bingos: VOICERS(81), SEQUOIA(112) Opp Bingos: ANNULETS(64), RECOPIES(68)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ZO(64) Opp High Moves: JEU(39), FEW(30), RAWIN(36)
W 449-401, +48. 2W 0L (Accum spread +147).

Game 3: vs Dylan Sharma
Lost badly as Dylan had one bingo and made many high scoring moves.

New words learnt: DOONA, DISE
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: RECLINE(67)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: RECLININGS*
My High Moves: BRIBE(30) Opp High Moves: GANES(36), FIVE(38), ZESTY(70), FEWER(33), NEWT(31), JAR(35)
L 288-460, -172. 2W 1L (Accum spread -25).

Game 4: vs Quek Sim Ho
Lost badly as Quek had four bingos.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: RESEEDS(79), FOXIEST(125), REVUIST(89), CLONERS(81)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JOW(44), TAW(38), PAT(30), GYM(34), ZEK(32) Opp High Moves: SUQ(32)
L 274-589, -315. 2W 2L (Accum spread -340).

Game 5: vs Seow Kai Yuan
Lost as I had one bingo while Kai Yuan had three bingos.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: READINGS(74) Opp Bingos: IDEALIST(69), DEFINING(61), ESTRONE(71)
My Phoneys: RECUE* Opp Phoneys: BREADINGS*
My High Moves: JO(34), FORAY(44), CHIVE(51), WINGS(39) Opp High Moves: ZO(36), KAT(41), YEW(42)
L 396-468, -72. 2W 3L (Accum spread -412).

Game 6: vs Jethro Prudencio
Lost narrowly as Jethro scored well with SQUARE(48) towards the end and finished first. Would have won if I did not challenge BUTTY and RAIA.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: SINGLET(74) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SNEDDERS*
My High Moves: NERTZ(36), GABY(30) Opp High Moves: MOCK(36), BUTTY(33), VEEPS(30), SQUARE(48)
L 336-345, -9. 2W 4L (Accum spread -421).

Game 7: vs Shahrul Kamal
Lost as we had one bingo each but Shahrul had many more high scoring moves.

New words learnt: BENI
My Bingos: RENDERS(75) Opp Bingos: HOTCAKES(83)
My Phoneys: RETINGED* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: YAR(32) Opp High Moves: BENI(32), VITAE(35), MIZ(56), SCAW(31), MARES(35), BAPS(37), BENJ(36)
L 348-460, -112. 2W 5L (Accum spread -533).

After 7 games of round robin, we were divided into two sub-groups. The top half were Eden, Dylan, Quek and Sky. I was in the bottom half with Shahrul, Jethro and Rajeev.

Game 8: vs Shahrul Kamal
Had a rematch with Shahrul and I played better this time round. Won as I had two bingos against Shahrul's one bingo. It also helped that his attempt to try to find a bingo towards the end of the game was unsuccessful.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: HASTIER(67), DELATING(67) Opp Bingos: TROOLIE(66)
My Phoneys: BENJI* Opp Phoneys: TRAPMEN*, UNGRIPS*, SPRUNGS*
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: RIZ(41), OX(36), QAID(34), MEAT(36)
W 429-332, +97. 3W 5L (Accum spread -436).

Game 9: vs Jethro Prudencio
Had a rematch with Jethro and I didn't give him any chances this time round as I beat him convincingly with two bingos to one and a series of high score moves.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: LINTIES(75), ANTIDOTE(66) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: GAUNTERS*, REELIER*, TEH*, HIER*
My High Moves: GAUZE(34), FAX(60), OW(31), CHATTERS(44) Opp High Moves: FROWNS(40), VIRES(41), QI(33)
W 522-247, +275. 4W 5L (Accum spread -161).

Game 10: vs Rajeev Batra
Had a rematch with Rajeev and had a closer game this time round. Won due to my opponent's phonies and I was able to hit most of the triple word score cells with my S and blank.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TIB*, MIT*
My High Moves: JOBS(39), PIQUE(41), SOZ(46), REX(33) Opp High Moves: JIHAD(59), BROILS(45), NICE(31)
W 373-333, +40. 5W 5L (Accum spread -121).

Won half of games and had the rare opportunity to play with Masters players like Dylan and Quek. Had fun and I hope to do better if I take part next year!

Lourdes

The story is about how a wheelchair bound young woman visited Lourdes as part of a package tour in the hope of a miracle recovery.

Liked the interesting characters and the beautiful countryside scenery!

Internet Movie Database Link

Wolf Children

The story is about how a woman fell in love with a man who had wolf genes in his ancestry, had two children and raised them in a countryside after the father died.

Liked how the kids transformed into wolves in different situations! The music was nice too! The film reminds me a bit of "Only Yesterday" by Isao Takahata.

Internet Movie Database Link

Demons

The story is about how a samurai was robbed of his hard earned money and sought for revenge.

Liked the interesting plot and how the director described the psychology of each character!

Internet Movie Database Link

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

This is a documentary about Jiro who is a famous Sushi master chef in Japan.

Liked the interesting look into the sushi-making tradition and the interviews with the different people who contributed to the success of making a delicious sushi!

Internet Movie Database Link

Scrabble Nationals 2012 (Day Two)

Game 9: vs Eugene Kok
Our scores were pretty close after we each had a bingo at the same turn. I pulled ahead after scoring well with the Z and the X, while he scored well with the J.

New words learnt: AIRDATE
My Bingos: ETESIAN(73) Opp Bingos: AIRDATE(71)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: TEAZING(41), XU(52) Opp High Moves: JONES(45)
W 377-319, +58. 6W 3L (Accum spread +358).

Game 10: vs Jia Jun
I managed to edge out my opponent from Marsiling Secondary School despite being out-bingoed two to one by having several high scoring moves.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: DOLTINGS(61) Opp Bingos: GENUINE(83), REWRITE(84)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: INE*
My High Moves: FIZ(45), EEK(30), MISER(34), YEH(34) Opp High Moves: OX(52)
W 435-407, +28. 7W 3L (Accum spread +386).

Game 11: vs Jeyaseelan
I was beaten convincingly by this up and coming Scrabble player from NTU as I was out-bingoed three to one.

New words learnt: EATCHES, ARSIEST
My Bingos: INTERNS(80) Opp Bingos: EATCHES(83), ATONIES(66), ARSIEST(76)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: HAJ(38) Opp High Moves: ZONE(45), VAIL(38), FUEL(30)
L 317-491, -174. 7W 4L (Accum spread +212).

Game 12: vs Joseph Tan
I probably should have closed the bingo lane at the bottom but luckily my opponent was not able to bingo out with a AEPRSX? rack and an existing E on the bottom left hand corner to overtake me. He tried EXPERiAS* but it was challenged off.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: DIATRON(64), SCATTED(81) Opp Bingos: DUALITY(82)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: EXPERiAS*
My High Moves: BIKE(34) Opp High Moves: -
W 448-349, +99. 8W 4L (Accum spread +311).

Game 13: vs Mahendra Morghan
I think I had even better luck than the game against Shahrul. Won easily as I out-bingoed my opponent four to one.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: PLAINER(68), SOUTANE(72), LETTERs(69), WEAVERS(75) Opp Bingos: GRADINS(80)
My Phoneys: HOCS* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: SEZ(41), HO(33) Opp High Moves: FAB(32), KOALA(36), OX(36)
W 547-346, +201. 9W 4L (Accum spread +512).

Game 14: vs zzBye

W 175-100, +75. 10W 4L (Accum spread +587).

Game 15: vs Aloysius
Was trailing my opponent by about 80 points before I gained back the lead by bingoing with a four-timer LAKESIDE(98) and followed up with PAX(58) as the "I" was just underneath the triple letter score.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: LAKESIDE(98) Opp Bingos: FORgETS(69)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: PON*, OZONED*
My High Moves: PAX(58), ZONED(39), BOTT(31) Opp High Moves: JOIN(37), PEEING(30)
W 466-320, +146. 11W 4L (Accum spread +733).

Game 16: vs Jeyaseelan
My most feared opponent and I had to meet him again in the King of the Hill segment. This time my losing margin was much smaller and I think I could have won if I had not challenged so many of his valid words.

New words learnt: DANNIES, EOLITH
My Bingos: IRRITATE(68) Opp Bingos: DANNIES(73), NEGROID(79)
My Phoneys: LATES* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: ONY(33), KEF(35), VAC(32), ZEROS(50) Opp High Moves: DOPY(46)
L 387-398, -11. 11W 5L (Accum spread +722).

Finished the tournament with 11 wins and 3rd position. Hope to do better next year!

Scrabble Nationals 2012 (Day One)

This year's Nationals is held at Bishan CC and it is the first time that division B had to play 16 games. I met Bee Tiang, Aloysius and Valli at the food court for a drink before the actual registration.

Game 1: vs Catherine Tong
Catherine was the only female player in division B and I was quite impressed by how she could multi-task by reading a Chinese novel in between moves! Lost to her even though she was not fully paying attention to our game.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TINDERS(70) Opp Bingos: STEWING(82), REaLIsED(74)
My Phoneys: PERTY* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: - Opp High Moves: HODS(36)
L 333-439, -106. 0W 1L (Accum spread -106).

Game 2: vs Gabriel Cheang
I could have won if I knew the bingo to a ADEIMT? rack that had to end with "TED". Decided to try MIrATED* but I should have known that it was the anagram for READMIT that had no other anagrams.

New words learnt: MIcATED
My Bingos: GIDDIES(92) Opp Bingos: TREASON(71), CANNIER(84)
My Phoneys: MIrATED* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JAB(31), XU(31) Opp High Moves: ZAIRE(58), QIS(40)
L 327-426, -99. 0W 2L (Accum spread -205).

Game 3: vs Winston Gwee
Had two blanks early in the game and was able to bingo with CoIFfED(76). The scores might have been closer if Winston did not phoney twice.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: CoIFfED(76) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: PRIVE*, FYE*
My High Moves: QUA(32), ZINC(30) Opp High Moves: GRAPE(43), LASH(42)
W 363-285, +78. 1W 2L (Accum spread -127).

Game 4: vs Neo Wei Sheng
Wei Sheng had superb bingo power! Would have lost even more if he did not also phoney a lot to offset the overall margin.

New words learnt: ORIOLES
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: URINATE(85), ORIOLES(75), SOUTANE(73)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TRIAGER*, UNTRAIN*
My High Moves: HIKES(36), LEY(34), XU(50), FATWA(38) Opp High Moves: ZOL(36)
L 350-449, -99. 1W 3L (Accum spread -226).

It was around 1.30pm when I finally had time to go for lunch with Winston and Valli. The food court was just across the street and was much more convenient than at Toa Payoh West CC! Heard that there was a famous Chicken Rice stall but did not try as it had a very long queue.

Game 5: vs Shahrul
This was a bingo pack game where both of us had three bingos each! Won as I scored well with the J and the X and gained 34 points with his GLITZES when he tried in vain to bingo out.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: MODERATE(69), OUTLIER(72), ISATINE(74) Opp Bingos: SOREDIA, BOUNCED(77), CLEARING(82)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SOREDIAS*, GIPE*
My High Moves: JAP(41), WEX(51), POM(31) Opp High Moves: KAB(30)
W 538-372, +166. 2W 3L (Accum spread -60).

Game 6: vs Ng Ming Wei
I managed to keep my lead after scoring one bingo as my opponent phonied several times.

New words learnt: FAERIE
My Bingos: INTERNS(69) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: VIZ*, DINTY*
My High Moves: JOTS(32) Opp High Moves: TUX(30)
W 376-260, +116. 3W 3L (Accum spread +56).

Game 7: vs Tan Wei Jie
I out-bingoed my opponent two to one and won rather easily. I think he made a similar mistake as Shahrul when he tried to finish first but ended up phoneying and allowing me to finish first instead.

New words learnt: SORBATE
My Bingos: GROANED(73), LINTERS(65) Opp Bingos: SORBATE(77)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SORBATED*, GLINTERS*
My High Moves: CUZ(35), KIN(35), WAI(30), CAB(32) Opp High Moves: HEATY(30), EREV(31)
W 466-303, +163. 4W 3L (Accum spread +219).

Game 8: vs Low Bee Tiang
I could have won by a bigger margin if I had not tried to prevent Bee Tiang from bingoing but ended up letting him score big with the Q and the Z instead.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: GODETIA(77), KARITES(89), AWNIEST(88) Opp Bingos: TOASTING(68)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JA(38) Opp High Moves: HOE(31), QAID(47), LUZ(47)
W 481-400, +81. 5W 3L (Accum spread +300).

Finished day 1 with 5 wins and 3 losses. I won all my games after lunch! Hope I could maintain such good form for the second day!

The Pornographers

The story is about how a man who made pornographic films struggled to provide for his family.

Liked the anthropological study on the ordinary people and society in general!

Internet Movie Database Link

About The Pink Sky

The story is about what happened after a young girl found a wallet filled with money. She lent some of the money to an old friend and started a newspaper with the wallet's owner and her three friends.

Liked the nice black and white cinematography! The young girl looked quite cute too!

Internet Movie Database Link

Nishi Ginza Station

The story is about the adventures of a hen pecked husband when his wife went on a holiday.

Liked the interesting fantasy sequences on the island! The stationery shop girl looked quite cute too!

Internet Movie Database Link

Jurong Green CC Mind Sports Day

The Mind Sports Day had Scrabble players and Weiqi players competing in the same venue and it was interesting to see how the two different tournaments were conducted! Scrabble announcements were made in English while those from Weiqi were made in Mandarin. The Weiqi judges also had big name tags written in Chinese clearly pinned on their clothes to specify their role and they looked quite cool!

Game 1: vs Eugene
Eugene is from the Ministry of Trade and Industry. I have beaten him twice before, so I thought it will be an easy game but it turned out to be a very close game. Both of us opened with a bingo and added the second bingo during the game. I caught his BDTV in the end for 20 points when I finished first but it was not enough to beat him.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: RUINATES(61), METRICS(67) Opp Bingos: LEOTARD(68), ERASION(84)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: ANNOUCED*, UI*(10)
My High Moves: QADI(34), FAT(35), CRAZE(32) Opp High Moves: HELP(37), YOURS(37), VEX(32), MOP(31)
L 405-416, -11. 0W 1L (Accum spread -11).

Game 2: vs Zainudin
Zainudin is from Ngee Ann Poly. He had two blanks at the start but phoneyed with SPOUNGE* that was challenged off and this allowed me to score with CREEK(32). He bingoed later but I was able to score consistently to beat him.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: ENDITES(83) Opp Bingos: SPONGED(83)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SPOUNGE*, GRAIT*(24), HAI*
My High Moves: CREEK(32), AX(52), QUIST(53), ERA(31) Opp High Moves: ZO(35), WOED(32)
W 469-341, +128. 1W 1L (Accum spread +117).

Game 3: vs Winston
Winston is from Ngee Ann Poly. I had a few places to put my bingo TESTERS but chose a place that allowed my opponent to score big with EXITS(50) in his next move. Later, I also played a move that allowed him to score big with ZEE(49). Maybe I could have won if I didn't make these two mistakes.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: TESTERS(76) Opp Bingos: SOGGIER(74)
My Phoneys: BOYR*, UNSURGE* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: BROWN(32) Opp High Moves: EXITS(58), ZEE(49)
L 335-402, -67. 1W 2L (Accum spread +50).

Game 4: vs Catherine
Catherine is from HDB. I had one bingo and she had none but she scored very consistently to win.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: UGLIEST(69) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: LUN* Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: WYES(38), ABLER(33) Opp High Moves: TAX(33), DENS(34), JEW(38), GAILS(30)
L 326-361, -35. 1W 3L (Accum spread +15).

Game 5: vs Linda
Linda is from Ngee Ann Poly. She bingoed late in the game to beat me as I did not close up the board earlier on when I was leading.

New words learnt:
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: SCOWLER(104)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: AUN*
My High Moves: ZEE(40) Opp High Moves: -
L 296-383, -87. 1W 4L (Accum spread -72).

Game 6: vs Zainudin
Zainudin is from Ngee Ann Poly. None of us had a bingo but I was able to score more consistently to win.

New words learnt:
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: THYE*
My High Moves: SHONE(41), ADS(35), STARK(34) Opp High Moves: -
W 338-263, +75. 2W 4L (Accum spread +3).

Game 7: vs Chew Chuah
Chew Chuah is my colleague and he has already won the tournament by winning all his games in the previous rounds. Our scores were very close until he decided to play CURVE with the E next to the TWS lane and I had ADENUW? on my rack. I saw UNsAWED but was not sure of it and played DAWN instead for 44 points instead. Later, I bingoed with NUTRIENT(74) and maintained my lead to win.

New words learnt: MOUE
My Bingos: NUTRIENT(74) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: SLIB*
My High Moves: PEW(30), DAWN(44), LOVER(32), FAXED(46) Opp High Moves: MOUE(33), ZOO(32), GUESTS(330, YEA(30)
W 424-348, +76. 3W 4L (Accum spread +79).

Finished the tournament with 3 wins and 7th position. Thought I could have done much better but it was fun playing with old friends. Hope to see more new players in the upcoming Nationals!

PSTAR Scrabble Games 2012

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 (Bukit Batok) on 26th May 2012 from 10am to 5pm. A total of 30 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.

Game 1: LTA 1
My first game was against Jimmy from LTA 1 whom I lost before in the 2009 PSTAR games. Learnt a few new words like JUICER and PAVIOR. I also realised that ORAS* was a phoney as it was challenged off when I tried to back hook my SITZ to an existing ORA on the board. Won easily with two bingos CADENZAS(91) and ETIOLIN(77) while he had none. My team mate lost narrowly as he realised that the tile bag had an extra T but a missing Q only after the game was over.

Won 416-312. Our team lost 1-2.

Game 2: CPF 1
My second opponent was against Boon Khee from CPF 1 whom I have played many years ago in a previous PSTAR game. He bingoed with LATTICE(73) but I scored well with XIS(41), ENEW(33) and IZAR(42) to overtake him and win in the end. I got away with a phoney GOW* when I played ENEW.

Won 409-367. Our team won 3-0.

Game 3: CAAS 2
My third opponent was against Shi Han from CAAS 2 who was the only guy in his team. He phoneyed with ABRUPTED* but bingoed twice with SCoRNED(74) and SURGERY(73) to win. Might have won if I had not chickened out of VINAL early in the game.

Lost 356-367. Our team won 2-1.

Game 4: HDB 2
Was hoping to play with at least one girl, so I sort of got my wish when I played against Serene from HDB 2 although it was not exactly what I had in mind. Was thrashed by her as I allowed her to score with a four-timer bingo HISSERS(111) by back hooking the S to WOMAN. I could have taken the same spot with a CEIRST? rack if I had played the anagram whose third letter is an S.[1]

Lost 329-460. Our team won 2-1.

MOE 1, MHA 3, MOE 2 and LTA 1 were the top 4 teams. HDB and CPF received consolation prizes for coming in first in the second and third tier respectively. The MINDEF teams did not win any prizes but we had a really fun time! Hope we could do better next year!

Quiz answers (highlight to see clearly)

[1] CISTERN

Let the Wind Carry Me

This is a documentary on Mark Lee Ping Bing who is a famous cinematographer.

Liked the film clips and the nice song towards the end!

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Illusion Travels by Streetcar

The story is about how two employees secretly took a de-commissioned streetcar out for a ride for one day.

Liked the interesting play about Adam and Eve as well as the adventure in the streets!

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Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion

The story is about how an ex-police chief got away with murder as his staff ignored obvious clues and tried to find other scapegoats.

Liked the weird soundtrack and the actor who played the charismatic ex-police chief! Nice black comedy!

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A Small Act

This is a documentary about how a small act by one person could have a big impact on someone else's life. A Swedish teacher's donations helped to sponsor the secondary school education of a young boy from Kenya. He studied law at the Harvard University, worked at the United Nations and started a fund to give scholarships to more needy children from Kenya.

Liked the intimate exploration of life in both Sweden and Kenya as well as the use of flashbacks and news clips to explain the relationship to the outside world.

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A Poet

The story is about how Sukarno systematically eliminated pro-communists in Indonesia in the mid 1960s by locking them up in prison cells to be executed. One of them was a poet from Aceh and he was famous for composing traditional folk songs called the Didong.

Liked the nice songs and how everything was filmed inside the prison cell behind bars to highlight the situation of the people then.

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The Long March

The story is about what a soldier had to go through in his fight for the Independence of Indonesia in the late 1940s.

Learnt a little bit more about Indonesian history from this film. The nurse looked quite pretty with her big round eyes!

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Melancholia

The story is about how two sisters coped with the stress of getting married and the impending crash of a giant planet named "Melancholia" towards earth.

Liked the pretty cinematography in the prologue, the interesting special effects and the great acting by the two actresses!

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Jurong Green CC Cup 2012 (Day Two)

Game 6: vs Sundram Pillai
Sundram is an ex-colleague of Bee Tiang. Was leading quite comfortably when I opened up for my opponent for him to put HEALERS(91) down the triple word lane. I still managed to win by a small margin but now I realised that having a good rack leave becomes less important as the game progresses.

New words learnt:
My Bingos: ScENTED(82) Opp Bingos: HEALERS(91)
My Phoneys: TEP* Opp Phoneys: VOA*, UNcARES*
My High Moves: YEX(39) Opp High Moves: QUIMS(52), ZA(31)
W 381-375, +6. 3W 3L (Accum spread -116).

Game 7: vs Steven Surya
Steven Surya is a student from Indonesia. I played with him three times during the 2011 Causeway Cup and lost twice. Lost to him again as we each had two bingos but he scored very well with his power tiles. Missed STORMIER down the triple score lane with an EIMORST rack and an existing R on the board.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: BENDERS(82), MOISTER(76) Opp Bingos: LATINAS(76), NEATENS(80)
My Phoneys: Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: QIS(39) Opp High Moves: FIX(54), JOW(38), PING(34), WILE(33), LEAZE(77)
L 385-538, -153. 3W 4L (Accum spread -269).

Game 8: vs Low Bee Tiang
Thought I would have an easy game with Bee Tiang but it was not to be. He had a bingo early in the game and I phonied at a crucial point of the game to give him a second bingo for him to seal the game.

New words learnt:
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: WRESTED(101), UNVEILS(76)
My Phoneys: YADI* Opp Phoneys: cLARIOUS*
My High Moves: EF(30), WHIPS(34), DETAIL(32), DAB(36), PI(30), CIVE(36) Opp High Moves: REX(31), SQUIZ(56)
L 389-438, -49. 3W 5L (Accum spread -318).

Game 9: vs Mary Morgan
Mary Morgan was a friendly old lady from Ireland. We had one bingo each and I got away with DES* while both LUB* and PELK* were taken off the board. It was a close game and I just pipped her for a win

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: ANEROID(73) Opp Bingos: NETTLES(74)
My Phoneys: DES*, LUB* Opp Phoneys: PELK*
My High Moves: WE(31), OYS(30) Opp High Moves: GAZE(34), PRONG(35), JOT(31), HOX(31)
W 381-371, +10. 4W 5L (Accum spread -308).

Game 10: vs Neo Wei Sheng
Wei Sheng is Jeremy's school mate from Raffles Institution. Had close to zero chance of meeting Jeremy now at this King of the Hill stage as he is on top of the leader board while I was close to the bottom. Our scores were pretty close until he bingoed with TaNGELo(77) using two blanks and scored well with REX(40) two moves later for him to seal the game.

New words learnt:
My Bingos: - Opp Bingos: TaNGELo(77)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: MIRTH(39), UNDID(34), AHIS(38), ECAD(31) Opp High Moves: ZIP(37), REX(40)
L 315-409, -94. 4W 6L (Accum spread -412).

Game 11: vs Harryadi
Harryadi was the third Indonesian player that I played. Hendy Yohanes was the only Indonesian player that I didn't play with . We had one bingo each but he scored well late in the game with AMNESIA(30) across the triple word score lane to maintain a 20 point lead to win.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: PERVeRT(76) Opp Bingos: rOARIEST(74)
My Phoneys: Opp Phoneys: NOP*
My High Moves: KEN(30), PLOY(33), AMNESIA(30) Opp High Moves: ZORI(36)
L 350-374, -24. 4W 7L (Accum spread -436).

Game 12: vs Kok Eugene
Was very lucky in this game as I had both blanks, all the power tiles and three S to win easily.

New words learnt:
My Bingos: STuDIES(64), MEANINg(65) Opp Bingos:
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: COGENT(40), ZINS(44), OAF(30) Opp High Moves: WITE(33)
W 488-257, +231. 5W 7L (Accum spread -205).

Finished with 5 wins and 7 losses. Was a little bit disappointed as I had expected to win at least half the games but it was an interesting experience to play with so many new faces at a local competition!

Jurong Green CC Cup 2012 (Day One)

This is my first time visiting Jurong Green CC after its renovation and it looked brand new! At least five overseas players were participating in division B: four from Indonesia and one from Ireland. Went for lunch with the Indonesian players before coming back for the first game.

Game 1: vs Gabriel
Gabriel is an NTU Scrabble player. I challenged three times unsuccessfully while he challenged off my TOYA*. I have mixed it up with HOYA and TOYO. We had one bingo each but he was able to score much better than me most of the time to win.

New words learnt: TOWY, ALOW, ECOS
My Bingos: NAILERS(61) Opp Bingos: RIOTING(79)
My Phoneys: TOYA*, GRIMS*(39) Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: GRIMS*(39), JOHN(30), VIRL(30), KI(41) Opp High Moves: ALOW(44), FEMS(50), TEX(31), EQUID(30), ROJI(36)
L 352-453, -101. 0W 1L (Accum spread -101).

Game 2: vs Reynaldo
Reynaldo was another Scrabble player from NTU. Had better luck this time round. I had two bingos against my opponent's one and was able to score better most of the time to win.

New words learnt: -
My Bingos: DARLINGS(61), PANIERS(66) Opp Bingos: GLUEING(81)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: TAJS*
My High Moves: BOWER(38), FY(32) Opp High Moves: VIBE(39)
W 436-329, +107. 1W 1L (Accum spread +6).

Game 3: vs Shahrul
Shahrul was working in Singapore Polytechnic. I was trashed by him as he had four bingos versus one from me.

New words learnt: RESOLING
My Bingos: CREATIN(76) Opp Bingos: BASInET(75), TRIAGES(69), PLAINEST(64), RESOLING(75)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: -
My High Moves: JAR(30), ZETA(33) Opp High Moves: MAFIA(35), YEA(34), TUX(32)
L 382-475, -93. 1W 2L (Accum spread -87).

Game 4: vs Eugene Kok
Eugene was the third NTU Scrabble player that I played. I had very good tiles to bingo three times to win but he scored well with the KQXZ tiles to stay not far behind.

New words learnt: STIRK
My Bingos: PREVENT(80), CENTERED(63), SODAINE(66) Opp Bingos: -
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: STRINK*
My High Moves: DOC(30) Opp High Moves: ZITS(39), QIN(32), DEX(33), SKIRT(36)
W 464-343, +121. 2W 2L (Accum spread +34).

Game 5: vs Albert Martono
Albert was the first Indonesian player that I played. He had very good tiles but I also gave many points to him as I took some risks to open up the board for myself. Think I may have given him the high game of the day.

New words learnt: POINDER
My Bingos: UNITERS(66), CLINGERS(72) Opp Bingos: GUINEAS(79), INeArTH(87), POINDER(100)
My Phoneys: - Opp Phoneys: rT*
My High Moves: OB(31) Opp High Moves: FOX(38), ITA(47), YEVE(36)
L 367-523, -156. 2W 3L (Accum spread -122).

Finished day 1 with 2 wins and 3 losses.

Village People Radio Show

The story is about the lives of ex-Malayan Communist Party members who ended up staying in Thailand.

Liked how the image relates to the narration like the ant procession, the chained monkey and the play about the abandoned baby!

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DSTA Inter-PC Scrabble

This is the first time DSTA is organising an inter-PC Scrabble competition and six people from various PCs took part: Chew Chuah, myself, Hung Peng, Seow Kie, Yew Hang and Peng Kee. We played a total of 3 games in straight King-of-the-Hill format.

Game 1 vs Seow Kie
I had ALIENED(76) and scored well with MAKE(40), ZAG(38), TRAYS(32) and JILT(36) while her UNCITE* was taken off the board. My TRAYS(32) was formed by front hooking the S to an existing CAP but she did not challenge SCAP* and I win easily by 434 to 225.

Game 2 vs Chew Chuah
I have not played Chew Chuah for a long time already and I knew he was a formidable opponent! He had WRONGED(81) and IONISED(67) while I had SHERIAT(96). I phonied with RAKIEST* and ETICS* which were taken off the board and I lost by 363 to 447. Missed the two anagrams for AEIKRST!

Game 3 vs Yew Hang
I had LATTICE(79) and he had TOURING(74). I also scored well with KAM(30), YIP(30), LOW(36), TUX(30) and DEATH(63) to win by 434 to 309. We had one phoney each and they were both challenged off. I had UNAILED* while he had ZOE*. Missed the two anagrams for ADEILNU!

In the end, Chew Chuah won first position with 3 wins. I won second position by having a slightly better spread than Hung Peng who won third position. It was fun but a little bit distracting to be the organiser at the same time. Would probably consider hiring an external tournament director the next time round.

A Separation

The story is about how an Iranian couple's decision to separate affected their lives. The father had to employ a maid and an incident led to a legal dispute between the two families.

Liked the interesting plot and how the director slowly revealed what actually happened from different perspectives!

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The Naked Island

The story is about how a poor Japanese family lived on a small island despite the difficult environmental conditions.

Liked the director's deliberate attempt to take away the dialogue and let the family's action speak for itself!

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Mother Joan of the Angels

The story is about how a priest helped to exorcise a possessed nun in a convent.

Great acting by the actress who acted as Mother Joan! I also liked the nice choral music! Felt that the nun's uniform in "Black Narcissus" looked prettier though.

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The Thin Red Line

The story is about how a group of American soldiers felt when they went to fight in a small Pacific Island with the Japanese during Second Word War.

Liked the nice philosophical voice over narration and the interesting flashbacks!

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Hugo

The story is about how a young boy whose father died came to live in the train station and came to know an eccentric old man who is a toy shop owner.

Liked the nice black and white old movie clips shown and the nice cinematography!

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The Dream of a Ridiculous Man

This animation is based on a short story of the same title by Dostoevsky. A man's attempted suicide was interrupted by a young girl in the street and he had a dream about utopia when he went home to sleep.

Liked the beautiful painting style and the interesting plot that painted a vision for the future of mankind!

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Happy Thank You More Please

The story is about how six young adults living in New York juggle love, friendship and the responsibilities of adulthood.

Liked the nice folk music soundtrack!

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Happy End

The story is about how a man was given the death sentence for killing his wife and lover told in reverse chronological order.

Liked the interesting concept but the special effects of eating, talking and walking in reverse got tiresome after a while.

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Ways of the Sea

The story is about people who illegally travelled from the Phillipines to Sabah by boat to look for work.

Liked the docu-drama approach and the nice song in the film! Great acting by the little girl!

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In Two Minds

The story is based on a folk tale about how a new bride spent a few years with a ghost that took the form of her husband while he was away on business and what happened after he returned.

Liked the colorful cinematography, the innovative use of static shots and the beautiful music! The plot was interesting too!

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Sunflower

The story is about the relationship between a father and his son over a period of thirty years from the late sixties to the late nineties in China.

Nice paintings at the art exhibition and liked how the father and son reconciled towards the end! Thought the director could have condensed the plot a little bit more though.

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City Lights

The story is about a tramp's relationships with a blind girl and a rich man.

Liked the interesting plot and the nice ending!

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Sita Sings the Blues

The story is based on an Indian epic, the Ramayana, that described the ups and downs in the relationship between prince Rama and his wife Sita after they were banished to the forest.

Liked how the director weaved her own story into the film and used different ways to tell the same story! It was refreshing to learn the plot through the discussion among the three narrators! The songs were appropriate and nice too!

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My Magic

The story is about the relationship between an alcoholic father who used to be a magician and his son who was cared for mainly by his grandmother.

Liked the quiet scenes such as the one where the train passed by in the background. Didn't really like the magic shows which were too extreme in my opinion.

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Thirst for Love

The story is about how a young widow became her father-in-law's lover but secretly had a desire for the apathetic gardener.

Liked the interesting psychological study into the different characters! Great acting by the lead actress!

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Margin Call

The story is about how a group of traders discovered the real risk of mortgage based securities in 2008 and the boss of the company decided to sell everything off the next day.

Great acting by Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons! Hoped they could explain a little bit more on some of the financial terms though.

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Black Sun

The story is about how a jazz loving Japanese encountered an injured black American soldier who was wanted for murder and carried a machine gun.

Liked how the friendship grew between the Japanese and the American despite their difficulty to communicate with each other!

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I Hate But Love

The story is about the love-hate relationship between a well known DJ and his manager cum lover.

Liked the nice little journey across Japan on the old jeep! Both the DJ's girlfriend and the jeep owner looked quite pretty!

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The Warped Ones

The story is about how a jazz loving delinquent took revenge on a young reporter who had tipped him off to get him in jail by raping his girlfriend. She became pregnant and had to take drastic steps to make things "normal" again.

Liked the fast pace action and the interesting twists to the plot!

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The Artist

The story is about how a popular silent film actor coped when silent films gradually became obsolete with the invention of talkies.

Liked the performance of the dog very much! Didn't quite understand Valentin's reluctance to move into talkies though and felt the later part of the film dragged a little.

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Beam

The story is about a small boy who made friends with an unknown neighbour by shining a beam of light at each other for several nights.

Liked the intimate portrayal of the family! Great acting by the little boy!

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Mee Pok Man

The story is about a mee pok stall owner's obsession with a prostitute who frequented his stall.

Liked how different people used different language to communicate in the film and the voice over narration from the diary! A little bit too creepy for my taste towards the end though.

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Intimidation

The story is about how a man's senior position in a bank was threatened when someone who knew about his illegal loans confronted him.

Liked the interesting human psychology games played in the film and the detailed examination on how the bank worked internally!

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Passing Fancy

The story is about how a blue-collared worker helped a young retrenched woman to find a job and how his infatuation with her affected his relationship with his colleague and his son.

Great acting by the father and the son!

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Carmen

The story is about how the director of a Spanish dance company searched for a lead dancer for his new dance production "Carmen" and how his life slowly began to resemble its plot.

Liked the beautiful dance sequences! The actress who played Carmen looked quite pretty too!

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Gorsch The Cellist

The story is about how a cellist in the orchestra improved his skills with the help of several animals living in his neighborhood.

Liked the nice music and the interesting plot! The cat, the cuckoo bird, the badger and the mouse all looked very cute!

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A Christmas Tale

The story is about a Christmas family reunion. The mother is having cancer and needs a bone marrow donor from her descendants, the eldest daughter is not on good terms with the middle son and the cousin is still in love with the youngest son's wife.

Found it hard to follow the plot initially as it rambled on in different directions but everything tied together very nicely in the end!

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Lunch On The Grass

The story is about how a young woman fell in love with a scientist who just discovered the power of artificial insemination and was advocating it in the late fifties.

Liked the intellectual debate on the use of artificial insemination and the comedic elements of the film!

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A Day In The Country

The story is about what how a French family from the city spent one day in the country for their holiday.

Liked the nice scenery in the countryside and the actress looked quite pretty! The ending was a little bit sad as the protagonists thought back about the happier moments in their lives.

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Causeway Cup 2011 (Day 5)

Round 40 vs Moses(Nigeria)
My third time playing Moses. Won with my INERTIA(69) against his EGOTISE(74) and SENTRIES(58). He almost had a third bingo GUANINE if one of the A on his rack was an I.

Round 41 vs Hanne Marks(Australia)
A rematch with Hanne. Missed an opening bingo with LOGOUTS when I decided to play OUTLOGS* instead as I remembered INBOXES* was no good in a previous game. Lost as she scored with MALTING(77) against my PLEASED(77) and RETAINS(62).

Round 42 vs Nidhi Singhvi(India)
A rematch with Nidhi. Won as I had FRAGILE(72) against her RESHINE(86). My STAN* and her DURATES* and FOXT* were challenged off.

Round 43 vs Steven Surya(Indonesia)
A rematch with Steven. Won as I had CREASED(76), RODENTS(87) and RUMbLED(89) against his ACCURATE(74), VENDERS(74) and TELAMON(77). He made two mistakes that gave me the win. First, he did not challenge off my DIPH* when I played HOI back hooking the H for 28 points. Then, he opened up the board with TIT, emptied the bag and allowed me to bingo out with RUMbLED(89).

Round 44 vs Martin Waterworth(Australia)
My third time playing Martin. Lost as he had WIRIEST(71) and OVERHAND(45) while I had TORNADE(73) and TRADING(73). Should have blocked the TWS lane with BAPU instead of leaving it open for him to score with WAXES for 45 points back hooking the S to BAP.

Round 45 vs Steven Surya(Indonesia)
My third time playing Steven. Both of us were out of top ten contention so it was more like a friendly match now. Lost as he had LUNGERS(79) and was able to score well in the end game while I and AUNTIES(72).

Won 25 out of 45 games in the end and was placed 24th position out of 84 players. Thought it was not too bad considering some of the mistakes that I made. Will miss participating in the Causeway Challenge as this is the last one being held.

Causeway Cup 2011 (Day 4)

Round 30 vs Adele Tan(Malaysia)
Had a rematch with Adele and lost as she bingoed with NONAGES(71) while I had no bingos.

Round 31 vs Marcus Loke(Malaysia)
Had a rematch with Marcus and lost as he bingoed with GRUNTER(74) and CENTRIES(85) while I had no bingos.

Round 32 vs Sunny Wright(Australia)
Won easily against this elderly lady from Australia as I had TOADIES(67) and FINERIES(62) against her SPOILER(62).

Round 33 vs Caroline Scowcroft(Australia)
Won easily against this lady from Australia as I had OUTSIDE(72) and FITNESS(77) while she had no bingos.

Round 34 vs Moses Oguwa(Nigeria)
Had a rematch with Moses and won with my SIERRAN(71) and RELINED(77). Would not have been able to play RELINED if he did not open up with RECT* for me to front hook with an E.

Round 35 vs Nicky Huitson(UK)
Lost to this lady from UK as she scored with DOATING(80) and MARINAS(66) against my STEERER(70) and RAVINES(84). Thought I could out with AULE* but it was challenged off.

Round 36 vs Carolyn Watt(Australia)
Won this lady from Australia as I scored with MILEAGE(72) against her ROSETTE(73). I think she gave the game away as she tried to bingo three times with phoneys, PANICED*, CONEISH* and COCHINE* and they were challenged off.

Round 37 vs Steven Surya(Indonesia)
Lost to this young man from Indonesia as he scored with BETTING(75) and MUTINGS*(76) against my RETINAE(69). Should have challenged both MUTINGS* and DES* when he played the bingo back hooking the S to an existing DE. I challenged off his FUADS* and KOURAN* though.

Round 38 vs Rex D'Souza(India)
Lost to this middle aged man from India as he had OARIEST(63) and ENTRIES(68) against my SNORTIER(67) and LEGATORS(60). Missed a turn when my TREASION* was challenged off as I thought that it was good.

Round 39 vs Martin Waterworth(Australia)
Had a rematch with Martin and won as I scored with DIALERS(66) against his POUNCES(67).

Causeway Cup 2011 (Day 3)

Round 20 vs Nidhi Singhvi(India)
Won this young lady from India with my SHAFTED(91), NAILERS(79) and SOAPIER(69) against her ERASIONS(64) and ENTERED(62).

Round 21 vs Betty Eriksen(New Zealand)
Won this lady from New Zealand with my DETOURS(69) and BANDITS(68). Saw the bingo with a AEGILOS rack towards the end but I thought it was unplayable as I kept thinking there was only the A front-hook to an existing REW on the board.

Round 22 vs Colleen Walker(Australia)
Won this lady from Australia with my ETAERIOS(74) and ERINITE(73) against her SCOUTER(87) and SLANTED(72).

Round 23 vs Pasit Teeka(Thailand)
Lost to this small boy from Thailand as he scored well with DILATES(72) and QUITE(78) while I had nothing.

Round 24 vs Marcus Loke(Malaysia)
This must be my worst game ever in this competition. Lost to this intensely competitive teenager from Malaysia as he scored with CORNEAL(75), COMPRISE(92) and METTLED(76). I had a EENOSTV rack towards the end and tried LOVENEST* with a floating L on the board but unfortunately it was challenged off.

Round 25 vs Maureen See(Australia)
Lost to this lady from Australia as she scored with SPIRULA(77), ANODISE(73) and CARTAGE(91) against my STAINED(73). I could have opened with a bingo if I have played REFLUENT instead of FLUENTER* which was challenged off.

Round 26 vs Zeenath Ariff(Malaysia)
Won this lady from Malaysia as I scored with TEDIEST(93) and REGARDED(72) against her SINUATE(68). I also scored well with DIFF(40) and challenged off her BINED*.

Round 27 vs Jean Noonan(Australia)
Had a bye for this game to win 175 to 100.

Round 28 vs Adele Tan(Malaysia)
Lost to the president of the Malaysian Scrabble Association as she scored with LINAGES(66) against my PROBERS(78). My REGATED* was also challenged off.

Round 29 vs Jessie Lim(Singapore)
I was trailing behind this Singaporean Masters player until I finally found a bingo with SINUATES(66) and scored well with XI(52) using her UNCI on the board to win.

Causeway Cup 2011 (Day 2)

Round 10 vs Asad Raza Merchant(Pakistan)
Managed to win this young boy from Pakistan by scoring consistently against his two bingos ATEBrIN(72) and STRIVEN(73).

Round 11 vs Hanne Marks(Australia)
Lost to this elderly lady from Australia who played TREAGUES(73) against my VECTORED(83). Each of us phonied once. I played TEP* while she played ARGUTES*.

Round 12 vs Hema Abeyasinghe(Malaysia)
My luckiest game in this tournament was against this young lady from Malaysia. I had five bingos INEARTH(77), REALISE(79), ATONERS(78), LEOTArD(90) and WHEELED(81) while she had GLOSSIER(82). I missed her PAG* phoney while she challenged off my AlLOTED*.

Round 13 vs Anocha Sirithongchai(Thailand)
Played against this pretty Thai girl last year and I remembered we had a really close match. It was a really close match this time round too. I had RAINIEST(77) while she had DoUBTER(94) and TENSION(67). Eked out a win because I managed to out first and because she phonied twice with ReDEBUT* and TONNIES*.

Round 14 vs Sunny Wright(Australia)
Won this elderly lady from Australia with my PAsTRIES(80). I also got away with PRUNY*(20).

Round 15 vs Jenny Coetzee(Australia)
Won this elderly lady from Australia with my ANISOLE(76) and RELATES(68) against her DISHIER(84).

Round 16 vs Hamza Sheik(Pakistan)
Won this young boy from Pakistan with my INBOXES*(106) and JUTE(43) against his RAILERS(72). His URA* phoney was also challenged off.

Round 17 vs Lim Sha Lyn(Malaysia)
Lost to this young lady from Malaysia as she bingoed twice with EARLOBE(72) and SEATING(75). Her RUDY* was challenged off though.

Round 18 vs Moses Oguwa(Nigeria)
Played with Moses the second time and lost as he scored consistently while I bingoed twice with CAJOLED(73) and REMAINED(62). My UVE* phoney was also challenged off.

Round 19 vs Syed Taha ul Huda(Pakistan)
Won this young boy from Pakistan with my DUELERS(70), ENTASIA(68) and TRIBALS(101) against his INQUeRE(93). He should probably have played ENQUIRy instead of INQUeRE as INQUeRE was just next to the TWS lane which enabled me to score well with TRIBALS back hooking the S.

Causeway Cup 2011 (Day 1)

This is the tenth and last Causeway Cup. The Open section had the same number of players like last year but the format has changed to king of the hill with no repeats.

Round 1 vs Aubrey Millet(India)
My first opponent was a middle aged man who was a professor from India. Missed a chance to move ahead when my SENATERS* played with a AEENRTS rack and a floating S in the bottom center to hit the TWS cell was challenged off. Later, he scored well with MAVINS for 50 points and we had one bingo each. He had REAPING(78) and I had ORIENTS(73). Lost by more than 100 points in the end.

Round 2 vs Tashwindran(Malaysia)
Tashwindran was a small boy who was a beginner. Won easily as I challenged off two of my opponent's phoneys and played two bingos, NEGATION(71) and ATRESIA(68).

Round 3 vs Moses Owugah(Nigeria)
My third opponent was an young man from Nigeria. Lost by slightly more than 50 points as I had REGAINED(59) while he had STONING(67) and SLENDER(70).

Round 4 vs Martin Waterworth(Australia)
Martin was a bespectacled man with a beard whom I played a few months ago at a Scrabble event in Singapore. I had ETESIAN(71) and LATRINES(59) while he had UPFOLDS(85) and AdVIsED(74). Got away with UNCAN* and scored well with ZEA(32) but he also scored with EXIT(33) and JEAT(38) to lose by about 100 points.

Round 5 vs Gary Pollard(Australia)
Gary was a casually dressed Australian and had a beard similar to the one from Nigel. Lost by over 100 points as my opponent had KEEPERS(72), OVERAGE(92) and MEANIES(65) while I only had VANTAGE(82).

Round 6 vs Mary Morgan(Ireland)
My first female opponent was an elderly lady from Ireland. I had RULIEST(72) and scored well with QUINS(66) to take the game.

Round 7 vs Umair Khalidi(Pakistan)
Umair was a young boy from Pakistan. Won easily with my ENDEARS(71) and ENGRAVED(67) against his RELISTS(66).

Round 8 vs Tsholofelo Modise(South Africa)
My second female opponent was a girl from South Africa. Had SEERING(81) and ATELIeR(74) to win pretty easily. Should probably have played IRATELy instead of ATELIeR as she was able to score well with SHE(30) subsequently with the H on the triple letter cell.

Round 9 vs Maureen See(Australia)
My third female opponent was a woman from Australia whom I played before at last year's Causeway Challenge. Lost as I did not have any bingos while she had DANCIER(76).

You are the Apple of My Eye

The story is based on a autobiographical novel written by Taiwanese author, Giddens Ko, about his youthful days spent with a group of friends and a pretty girl in class.

Liked the interesting plot and the actress who played Shen Jiayi! Not sure if the male nudity scenes were really necessary and felt the film dragged a little bit towards the end though.

Internet Movie Database Link

Best of Stuggart Animation Festival - International

Liked "The Cow Who Wanted To Be a Hamburger", "Changeling" and "Monstre Sacre" the best for their interesting storyline!

"Tatamp" was a nice musical animation experiment. "The Lost Thing", "Nullarbor", "The Boy Who Wanted To Be a Lion", "The Box" and "Preferably Blue" were also not bad. Didn't really like "The External World" as it was too pessimistic.

Best of Stuttgart Animation Festival - Baden Watenburgh

Liked the "Princess' Painting", "Tom & Die Ameisen" and "The Visit" the best as they were pretty straightforward and easy to understand.

"On the Way Back Home" was imaginative and "Loom" was beautifully drawn! The rest of the films "Sunday 2", "Ravenboy", "Es Geht Um Alles", "Halbschatten", "Orpheus' Pony", "Kopfsache" and "Meinungsmeer" were too abstract in my opinion.

Among the trailers, I liked the last one with the tatoo characters the best!

Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva

The story is about how Professor Layton solved a mystery that stemmed from an ancient legend together with his assistants.

Liked the interesting puzzles that the team had to solve! Great action sequences too!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Straits of Love and Hate

The story is an adaptation of Tolstoy's novel, "Resurrection". A girl's life is ruined by a rich guy but he only realised his mistake years later and wanted to make amends.

Liked how the director managed to distil the essence of the long novel by discarding the legal, political and religious aspects! The scene where the guy first begged for forgiveness in his room was particularly well crafted in my opinion!

Internet Movie Database Link

Amour Legende

The story is about a couple from Taiwan travelling around a foreign island with Spanish speaking inhabitants. The guy has forgotten about the past and relies on his partner to guide him along.

Liked the interesting flashbacks but was confused about many other parts of the film!

Internet Movie Database Link