The story is about how an island came to be filled with unwanted dogs.
Liked the nice quirky animation of the boy and the dogs! Also liked the interesting use of multiple languages!
Monday, October 10, 2022
Sunday, October 02, 2022
Soul
The story is about the adventures of a jazz musician when he travelled to the underworld to be reborn again.
Not really a fan of jazz, so couldn't quite appreciate the music. Liked the parts where the little brat was trying to find his niche in life and experiencing what life is all about!
Friday, September 30, 2022
Inside Out
The story is about the emotions felt by a young girl called Riley after she moved to a new place with her family. We see what is happening around her and inside her head.
Liked the interesting world inside Riley's head and the adventures by Joy and Sadness! Learned that it is good to have a mix of joy and sadness!
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Drifting Home
The story is about a group of school children trapped in a magical "haunted" building that drifts around in the ocean.
Liked how the children worked together to survive! The back story of the mysterious boy and the two main protagonist was a bit hard for me to follow though.
Tuesday, August 02, 2022
The Classroom of Youth
The story is about a group of young Korean students during the early sixties.
Liked the contrast between the family dynamics of the couple's family. Was a little bit shocked towards the end by the revelation of the secrets and was really puzzled by the ending but overall I still liked the film.
Monday, July 18, 2022
Pom Poko
The story is about how a group of Japanese raccoon dogs fought over human to keep their land from being developed into a residential area.
Liked the interesting transformation skills of the Japanese raccoon dogs! Was quite surprised by the twist towards the end with the foxes!
Thursday, July 07, 2022
Belle
This is a modern remake of the Beauty and the Beast story set in the metaverse.
Liked the nice songs in the film! I preferred the real life part than the metaverse part of the story.
Sunday, May 22, 2022
CSC Online Scrabble Competition 2022
The CSC Online Scrabble Competition is an annual event for organisations in the civil service to take part in a friendly game of Scrabble. It was held online on 21st May 2022 from 9.30am to 5.00pm. A total of 20 people from 6 organisations took part including one from MINDEF.
Here's my match report.
Game 1: Sharon Chia (HDB)
I had SLEIGHED (63) while she had ATEBRIN (75). Spotted FELTERS but missed finding the place to put it. Scored well with the big scoring tiles such as JIB (28), XU (27) and LUZ (48) to win. Bingos missed on examination: LARIATED, ENCALMED, CARINATE, HOLEYEST, DATURAS, FELTERS, ONDATRAS, ANTBIRDS, RHINITIS, OUTSTRIP and BRIQUETS. BRIQUETS might have turned the game around if she had played it as it would have scored 137 points.
Won 434-324. 1-0 spread +110
Link to game
Game 2: Noormah (PA)
I had BlOTTED (100) while she had pISCINAl (66+5). I challenged HERMA, pISCINAl and AMIRATE unsuccessfully, giving my opponent 15 points but high scores with XI (37) and EQUIp (42) helped me to win. Bingos missed on examination: MARINATE and DURATION.
Won 446-275. 2-0 spread +281
Link to game
Game 3: Toh Wei Bin (HDB)
After winning two games, I had the chance to meet the top seeded player from HDB. I had SITTErS (68) while he had VEINING (78) and FATUITY (80). Challenged his VERD, MUGFUL, WAWE/ABUNA, VEINING and OPEPE unsuccessfully and played phonies such as VERDS* and CORALESS* that were challenged off. Realised that I could have played OARLESS somewhere else instead. I could also have played SOLERAS down the TWS lane when FATUITY was put down but missed it. Bingos missed on examination: LESSORS, OARLESS, SOLERAS, CESTODES and COTTISES.
Lost 259-568. 2-1 spread -28
Link to game
Game 4: Joseph Tan (HDB)
Met another player from HDB. Didn't play too well at the start where I phonied with REGATING*, WADE/JE* and WAIF/FLINK*. Was trailing by about 50 points when I decided to open up the board with GUE hoping to back hook it with some letter. He played SWAN opening up the rightmost TWS lane. I had AAEINER? and thought for a long time to decide if ARANEId or ARANIdE* was valid as I had phonied too many times. I managed to put the correct bingo down and was just able to pip my opponent by 10 points as he went overtime. Bingos missed on examination: PREBOARD, RAZORING, INERTIAE and INTWISTS.
Won 373-363. 3-1 spread -18
Link to game
Game 5: Abdillah (HDB)
Met yet another player from HDB as they sent a total of 9 players. Almost half the field were from HDB! None of us had any bingo for this game and I managed to win by scoring consistently with words like TZAR (42), FY (32), SCENT (40) and NAVE (44). Bingos missed on examination: TZARIST, GILLETS, CENTESIS and TEUCHTER.
Won 409-268. 4-1 spread +123
Link to game
Game 6: Marlon (LTA)
Was lucky to have two bingos early in the game, INDORSE (75) and RATIONS (69) while his ALLEGGRO* was challenged off. Played two phoneys though, HELI* and OWS* which made the score closer than necessary. Was deciding between WOS and OWS* that would play down the TWS lane but decided that OWS* looked more correct. I also chickened out of GUB/BOK as I forgot if GUB was valid and played GUT/TIK instead. Ended up with a small win as Marlon went over time. Bingos missed on examination: FRENUMS, TEAPOYS, ESTRIOL, HELICOID, TOILINET, DEVOTION and KILOBITS.
Won 372-338. 5-1 spread +157
Link to game
Game 7: Toh Wei Bin (HDB)
First KOTH round and I am playing the top seeded player again! I had LENSiNGS (77+5) and he had CENTONEL (62+5), RECOALED (84+5) and TREADER (76). I had two phoneys, BOLLET* and ORADS*/SWIPE and finished with a slightly better losing spread than before. Bingos missed on examination: LOBELETS, REFLUENT and ENNOBLERS.
Lost 324-558. 5-2 spread -77
Link to game
Game 8: Choo Kay Wei (HDB)
Last KOTH round and I must win to get into top 4. Had a pretty easy game as I had two bingos, REFUSEd (84) and UNROOFS (83) while my opponent had none. Thought for a long time to decide between UNROOFS and SUNROOF, but realised much later that both were valid. Bingos missed on examination: FEVEROUS, ELIXIRS, STRIGIL/GIRLIEST, STARLIT, UNSHORN and RELIGHTS.
Won 435-362. 6-2 spread -4
Link to game
I played with players from HDB, LTA and PA and was placed 3rd eventually. This was much better than I had expected and would definitely need to make fewer mistakes if I were to try to improve on this placing next year.
Here's my match report.
Game 1: Sharon Chia (HDB)
I had SLEIGHED (63) while she had ATEBRIN (75). Spotted FELTERS but missed finding the place to put it. Scored well with the big scoring tiles such as JIB (28), XU (27) and LUZ (48) to win. Bingos missed on examination: LARIATED, ENCALMED, CARINATE, HOLEYEST, DATURAS, FELTERS, ONDATRAS, ANTBIRDS, RHINITIS, OUTSTRIP and BRIQUETS. BRIQUETS might have turned the game around if she had played it as it would have scored 137 points.
Won 434-324. 1-0 spread +110
Link to game
Game 2: Noormah (PA)
I had BlOTTED (100) while she had pISCINAl (66+5). I challenged HERMA, pISCINAl and AMIRATE unsuccessfully, giving my opponent 15 points but high scores with XI (37) and EQUIp (42) helped me to win. Bingos missed on examination: MARINATE and DURATION.
Won 446-275. 2-0 spread +281
Link to game
Game 3: Toh Wei Bin (HDB)
After winning two games, I had the chance to meet the top seeded player from HDB. I had SITTErS (68) while he had VEINING (78) and FATUITY (80). Challenged his VERD, MUGFUL, WAWE/ABUNA, VEINING and OPEPE unsuccessfully and played phonies such as VERDS* and CORALESS* that were challenged off. Realised that I could have played OARLESS somewhere else instead. I could also have played SOLERAS down the TWS lane when FATUITY was put down but missed it. Bingos missed on examination: LESSORS, OARLESS, SOLERAS, CESTODES and COTTISES.
Lost 259-568. 2-1 spread -28
Link to game
Game 4: Joseph Tan (HDB)
Met another player from HDB. Didn't play too well at the start where I phonied with REGATING*, WADE/JE* and WAIF/FLINK*. Was trailing by about 50 points when I decided to open up the board with GUE hoping to back hook it with some letter. He played SWAN opening up the rightmost TWS lane. I had AAEINER? and thought for a long time to decide if ARANEId or ARANIdE* was valid as I had phonied too many times. I managed to put the correct bingo down and was just able to pip my opponent by 10 points as he went overtime. Bingos missed on examination: PREBOARD, RAZORING, INERTIAE and INTWISTS.
Won 373-363. 3-1 spread -18
Link to game
Game 5: Abdillah (HDB)
Met yet another player from HDB as they sent a total of 9 players. Almost half the field were from HDB! None of us had any bingo for this game and I managed to win by scoring consistently with words like TZAR (42), FY (32), SCENT (40) and NAVE (44). Bingos missed on examination: TZARIST, GILLETS, CENTESIS and TEUCHTER.
Won 409-268. 4-1 spread +123
Link to game
Game 6: Marlon (LTA)
Was lucky to have two bingos early in the game, INDORSE (75) and RATIONS (69) while his ALLEGGRO* was challenged off. Played two phoneys though, HELI* and OWS* which made the score closer than necessary. Was deciding between WOS and OWS* that would play down the TWS lane but decided that OWS* looked more correct. I also chickened out of GUB/BOK as I forgot if GUB was valid and played GUT/TIK instead. Ended up with a small win as Marlon went over time. Bingos missed on examination: FRENUMS, TEAPOYS, ESTRIOL, HELICOID, TOILINET, DEVOTION and KILOBITS.
Won 372-338. 5-1 spread +157
Link to game
Game 7: Toh Wei Bin (HDB)
First KOTH round and I am playing the top seeded player again! I had LENSiNGS (77+5) and he had CENTONEL (62+5), RECOALED (84+5) and TREADER (76). I had two phoneys, BOLLET* and ORADS*/SWIPE and finished with a slightly better losing spread than before. Bingos missed on examination: LOBELETS, REFLUENT and ENNOBLERS.
Lost 324-558. 5-2 spread -77
Link to game
Game 8: Choo Kay Wei (HDB)
Last KOTH round and I must win to get into top 4. Had a pretty easy game as I had two bingos, REFUSEd (84) and UNROOFS (83) while my opponent had none. Thought for a long time to decide between UNROOFS and SUNROOF, but realised much later that both were valid. Bingos missed on examination: FEVEROUS, ELIXIRS, STRIGIL/GIRLIEST, STARLIT, UNSHORN and RELIGHTS.
Won 435-362. 6-2 spread -4
Link to game
I played with players from HDB, LTA and PA and was placed 3rd eventually. This was much better than I had expected and would definitely need to make fewer mistakes if I were to try to improve on this placing next year.
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Keep on Walking: The Man and his Higher Course
This is a documentary about a famous Taiwanese director Li Hsing who directed many genres of movies.
Didn't know that the director was also involved in organising the Golden Horse Awards besides directing films! Learned a bit more about the director's personal life and a few more of his classic works through this documentary.
Sunday, May 01, 2022
Mama
The story is based on the childhood memories of the director when her mother was about to give birth to another child.
Liked the nice countryside scenery and different sets of people ate together everytime! Not much of a plot but I learned a little bit of how people lived in the countryside then.
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Chinese Shortcuts: Online Shorts
The online shorts consist of three films: "The Poem of Pakistan" is about a Pakistani rediscovering his roots while living in Hong Kong, 念念烟城 is about a teenager going back to his late father's hometown and "賴桑の黑色喜劇" is about an experienced actor showing the newbies how things are done.
Liked the nice poems in "The Poem of Pakistan", the farm full of tomatoes in "念念烟城" and the enthusiasm of the experienced actor in "賴桑の黑色喜劇".
Sunday, March 13, 2022
Angela's Christmas Wish
The story is about how Angela tried to get her father home from Australia back to Ireland for Christmas.
Liked how the film placed fathers as the central characters! A nice heartwarming short story to watch with your kids!
Thursday, March 03, 2022
Boyhood
The story is about a boy growing up from a child to a young adult who is just about to enter college.
Quite amazed by how the director spent 12 years making this movie to capture the protagonist growing up! Wonder if he'll make a companion piece called "Girlhood" in the future?
Sunday, February 06, 2022
Hi, Mom
The story is about a girl travelling back in time to meet her mum before she was born and her mum was still single.
Liked the warm mother daughter relationship! Think most parents would want their kids to be healthy and happy like what the mum said! Was pretty impressed by the twist at the end!
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Asakusa Kid
The story is about Japanese director, Takeshi Kitano's relationship with his teacher who taught him how to be a comedian.
Liked how hardworking and talented Kitano is! Was impressed by how he incorporated comedy in his daily life like what his master preached!
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
The House
The movie consists of three short segments about the same house but with different characters.
The first segment was the strangest! Can't quite understand what was going on with the house but the baby was really good at climbing up and down! The second segment was the most disgusting with all the bugs! The third segment taught me that sometimes we should learn to let go and start afresh.
Monday, January 17, 2022
Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop
The story is about how a boy who loves making haiku poems became friends with a girl who is a social influencer.
Liked the cosy atmosphere at the day care center! The haiku poems were quite nicely crafted!
Monday, January 03, 2022
The Farewell
This is based on a real story where a grandma's family who were living overseas came back to China to visit her as she had terminal illness. The grandma didn't know about it and they used a grandson's wedding as an excuse to gather.
Was really surprised that it was based on a real story as I thought it was quite unbelievable! Great acting by the lead actress!
Monday, December 27, 2021
Love in a Puff
This is a love story about two people who met when they were smoking in the smoking box.
Liked the interesting interview segments that were interspersed in the film! The lead actress was pretty charming despite saying swear words occasionally.
Saturday, December 25, 2021
Stand By Me Doraemon 2
This movie is based on a Japanese manga Doraemon. Doraemon is a robot cat who has travelled from the future to be friends with Nobita to ensure he has found happiness before it can go back. In this sequel, he is intent on fulfilling his grandmother's wish.
The travelling back and forth in time reminded me a bit of "Back to the Future II"! The grandmother is my favorite character! She is not fazed by anything that she sees and hears and also gave excellent advice to Nobita at the end!
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