Isle Of Dogs

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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

Internet Movie Database Link

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.

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.

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.

Internet Movie Database Link

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".

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!

Internet Movie Database Link

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?

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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!

Internet Movie Database Link

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!

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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.

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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!

Internet Movie Database Link

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!

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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.

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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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Over the Moon

The story is about a young girl flying to the moon to find Chang E after learning that her widowed dad intends to remarry.

Liked the nice friendly sibling relationship between the young girl and her future step brother! The moon setting looked quite futuristic!

Internet Movie Database Link

Whisper of the Heart

The story is about a girl who is an aspiring writer falling in love with a boy who wants to be a violin maker.

This felt a bit like "Only Yesterday" with only the childhood segments. Both films also have English songs sung in Japanese! I liked the Shizuku character as she felt like a nice girl-next-door character who is trying to find her way in life!

Internet Movie Database Link

Dangal

The story is about a father training her daughters to be world class wrestlers so that they can win medals for India.

Liked the nice songs and the father daughter relationship in the film! Didn't like the parts with the coach who was depicted as evil for no reason. The director also tried too hard to make the match exciting by making it an almost impossible task for Geeta to come from behind.

Internet Movie Database Link

Mulan

The story is about a girl who went to the Army in ancient China to fight against foreign invaders by disguising herself as a man.

Liked the nice songs and the great problem solving skills of Mulan! I also liked the warm father daughter relationship!

Internet Movie Database Link

A Dog's Journey

The story is about a loyal dog that remembers its purpose to protect its owner's granddaughter even after going through several deaths and rebirths as a different dog.

Liked the nice heartwarming plot! The two main characters were really likable too! The evil side characters were a little bit of a caricature though and the part where the granddaughter walked away normally after a car accident didn't quite make sense.

Internet Movie Database Link

Found

This is a documentary about three cousins going back to China to find out more about their past. They were abandoned by their parents in China and adopted by Americans.

Liked the strong bond among the cousins and their journey to search for their identity! The potential sister of Chloe really looked like her! Can't really blame the father from doubting the report!

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Lovers Are Wet

The story is about how a young man who worked in a cinema at a small town befriended a strange couple.

Liked the folk song sang by the protagonist. The film was a bit abstract for me though.

Internet Movie Database Link

Night of the Felines

The story is about a group of women working in a Turkish Bath in Tokyo, focusing on a love triangle relationship of one of the women.

The film felt a bit like a mix of "Streets of Shame" and "When a Woman Ascends the Stairs". The love triangle relationship was the strangest one that I have ever seen!

Internet Movie Database Link

Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist

This is a documentary on a Japanese animation director, Satoshi Kon. He is well known for blurring the lines of dream and reality in his films.

It was great to hear that so many directors admired him and were influenced by him! Was pretty surprised to learn that the voice actress for Mimi in "Perfect Blue" was a former idol! Would love to catch "Paranoia Agent" if I have the chance!

Internet Movie Database Link

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

This is a story about a young man who loved the sea and two women falling in love with him. One of them is a handicapped woman called Josee.

Liked how Josee modified the mermaid fairy tale to describe her situation in the library! A pretty apt film to watch shortly after the Paralympics games!

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Misha and the Wolves

This is a documentary about a woman called Misha who recounted a fantastic childhood adventure to her neighbours and friends that later became a bestseller book.

Liked the interesting twists and turns in the documentary! The perspectives from the different experts and friends helped to shed light on the person the protagonist really was!

Internet Movie Database Link

Stand By Me Doraemon

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.

Was a little bit disturbed over the use of the giant egg gadget to win over Shizuka but I realized that it was meant to set up for what was to come next; Nobita to prove that he is worthy through his own merit. I was moved by his determination to be less dependent on Doraemon towards the end!

Internet Movie Database Link

ciNE65 MMA 2021 (Winning Films)

There were 12 winning films at the ciNE65 movie makers award 2021. They explore and express the Singapore Identity by telling us what Singapore means to us through film with "Stronger Together" as this year's theme.

Liked "Knock Knock!" the best as it shows the nasty and nice encounters of a hearing impaired delivery man! "Siti" comes in a close second as a heartwarming film that describes how the helper knew her employer much better than the employer's daughter and was treated as part of the family in the end. I also liked the light hearted "Ala-mask!", "Little Miss Mischief" and "Whirling Gears"!

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The Diam Diam Era 2

This is a sequel to "The Diam Diam Era" and it is about how people grew up in Singapore during the 1980s seen through one extended family.

Thought the director didn't paint a very good picture of the opposition parties. Especially didn't like the supposedly English educated chairman. Glad that the cousins made up in the end!

Internet Movie Database Link

The Diam Diam Era

The story is about how people grew up in Singapore during the 1980s seen through one extended family.

Liked the familiar old Singapore sights and sounds! Really brought back old memories! A little bit sad that the Xinyao singer was just a pretty vase with very little spoken lines.

Internet Movie Database Link

CSC Online Scrabble Competition 2021

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 5th June 2021 from 9.30am to 3.30pm. A total of 34 people from 7 organisations took part including three from MINDEF.

Here's my match report.

Game 1: Choo Kay Wei (HDB)
I scored well with ZOA(38) and QuOTES(51) to win the game but could have scored even more. First, I chickened out from front hooking my S to an existing CAG on the board only to have my opponent play it later. Then I had the chance to play LAITIES but back hooked the S to an existing NE on the board. It got challenged off but I wasn't sure which was the phoney so didn't play LAITIES again when I had another chance to play it.

Won 360-274. 1-0 spread +86

Game 2: Khaili (MHA)
I bingoed with TINNIER(70), OUTSPEED(76) and scored well with QIN(39), CANDY(36), ZOS(36) and KA(40) while he bingoed with SOWABLE(68), SCARIER(72), INNATELY(62) and MALTESE(77) and scored well with HAM(36). Gave my opponent extra 15 points for challenging SOWABLE, GOBO and MALTESE.

Lost 423-469. 1-1 spread +40

Game 3: Daniel Lam (PA)
I bingoed with GREATER(73), SELLERs(68) and scored well with ZAS(46) and VILLA(32) while he scored well with FAYED(33) and HM(40).

Won 413-308. 2-1 spread +145

Game 4: Govinda Ghale (MHA)
I bingoed with OUTSIDER(62) and scored well with SECO(38) while he bingoed with AWAITeD(78), LAUDERS(76) and scored well with QUIZ(48), GOURDY(44), JINGLER(46) and CABs(36). Didn't do well as I also mistakenly front hooked an E to QUIZ instead of S and phoneyed with OARSLINE* hoping that it woud be good.

Lost 308-474. 2-2 spread -21

Game 5: Cecilia Koh (HDB)
I bingoed with AStERIA(70) and scored well with SLAW(34) and PLEDGE(36) while she scored well with EX(38) and ZOs(43). Must be getting a little bit tired as I challenged simple words like HEIR. Thought it should be spelled HIER*.

Won 395-341. 3-2 spread +33

Game 6: Rosan (MHA)
Didn't manage to play with Rosan as he had urgent work to do, so I was given a bye.

Won 150-75. 4-2 spread +108

Game 7: Koh Jing Xuan (MINDEF)
I bingoed with SLeNDER(71), WEARIER(83), OVERlOAD(63) and scored well with AFTER(36), OF(33) and OK(36) while he bingoed with BOTANISE(89) and scored well with QI(31), INJECT(32), ZEST(58) and DIXIE(32).

Won 439-378. 5-2 spread +169

Game 8: Sharon Chia (HDB)
I bingoed with ANnUItY(66) and scored well with FAVOR(30), KART(31) and LUZ(46) while she bingoed with LAPSERS(72), CASTERS(84) and scored well with DEX(37). My phoneys with GOW* and TAUTIER* also got challenged off. Was really lucky as I was trailing my opponent since her first bingo but just overtook her by a little bit by bingoing out.

Won 388-347. 6-2 spread +210

I played with players from HDB, MHA, PA and also with my own team mate! Won all my games with HDB but lost 2 out of 3 games with MHA. Final result was 5th placing out of 34. Not too bad in my opinion considering the number of mistakes I made. Hope next year will be an online competition again so that I can play in the comfort of my home!

Like the Dyer's Hand

This is a documentary of a Chinese literature scholar, Ms Yeh Chia-ying who taught in universities around the world.

Not really a fan of Chinese poetry but the film gave me a peek on the minds of literature scholars! I think writing poetry probably helps to exercise the brain as the protagonist looked very sharp despite her old age.

Internet Movie Database Link

All About ING

The story is about how a family coped with the father's terminal illness of liver cancer.

Liked how the film was told from the perspectives of the mother, the son and the father! Gave me a better understanding of what everybody was thinking about.

Internet Movie Database Link

The Good Daughter

This is a documentary about the life of a Vietnamese woman who married a Taiwanese man to help her family escape poverty.

Liked how the film gave a balanced view of what everyone thought of the situation: the mother-in-law, the husband, the wife and the wife's family.

Internet Movie Database Link

Little Big Women

The story revolves around the wife, the daughters and the mistress of a man who died early in the film.

Liked how the film slowly revealed what happened in the past through flashbacks and casual conversations!

Internet Movie Database Link

Classmates Minus

The story is about the lives of four middle aged men who were good friends since high school. They are in different jobs: a director, an insurance agent, a paper house maker and a temp worker.

Liked the voice over narration that gave the film a distinctive Taiwanese flavour through its language. Was a little bit surprised by the ending.

Internet Movie Database Link

Fresh Wave Short Film Showcase

The short film showcase consisted of three films from Hong Kong: "The Bridge", "busydoingnothing" and "Eternal Sunshine". "The Bridge" is about a family who lives in different places such as Hong Kong, Hainan Island and Shenzhen but gathered for an ancestral ceremony. "busydoing nothing" is about a young woman working at a thrift shop. "Eternal Sunshine" is about how an old woman looked after his autistic son.

Liked the relaxed lifestyle at the countryside in "The Bridge", the interesting encounters at the shop in "busydoing nothing" and the heartwarming mother and son relationship in "Eternal Sunshine". Gained a glimpse on what are on the minds of Hong Kong people from these short films.

Singin' in the Rain

The story is about how a movie company transitioned from silent films to sound films.

Learned about this film from the MIT Open Courseware, The Film Experience Course. Liked the nice songs and exciting dance choreography! The plot was interesting too! Didn't know there were so many technical challenges involved!

Internet Movie Datbase Link

MIT OCW The Film Experience Lecture 12: The Musical (continued)

A Tale of Three Sisters

The story is about how three sisters from a small village longed to live in the city by becoming nannies to rich people's children.

Quite slow moving but I liked the nice mountain scenery and the love among the sisters! The husband turned out to be smarter than I had expected!

Internet Movie Database Link

It Happened One Night

The story is about a rich girl falling in love with a young man while running away from home.

Learned about this film from the MIT Open Courseware, The Film Experience Course. Liked the intense verbal exchanges between the couple and the adventures that they went through! Thought the director did a good job in creating an ending without the presence of the female lead!

Internet Movie Database Link

MIT OCW The Film Experience Lecture 8: The Work of Movies; Capra & Hawks

A Family Tour

The story is about a family touring Taiwan under unique circumstances. The grandmother is in a tour group while the couple and their child followed her around in a cab.

Liked how the film tried to explain how mainland Chinese, Hongkongers and Taiwanese have different ways of thinking due to their background! Didn't realise it was partly inspired by the director's own story until I checked out the reviews!

Internet Movie Database Link

The General

The story is about a train called "The General" that was stolen during the American civil war.

Learned about this film from the MIT Open Courseware, The Film Experience Course. Liked the nice storyline and the exciting stunts performed by Keaton! Was really surprised when he stuffed his girlfriend in the sack and got her to remove the carriage pin while in the sack! She was not just a beautiful vase as I had imagined!

Internet Movie Database Link

MIT OCW The Film Experience Lecture 2: Keaton

7 Letters

This is an anthology of seven short films by seven different directors to celebrate SG50.

Liked the scary monster in "Cinema", the mischevious kids in "That Girl", the tense family relationship in "The Flame", the friendly neighbour in "Bunga Sayang", the quest to find out about one's past in "Pineapple Town", the nice voice over narration in "Parting" and the historical pictures of Singapore in "GPS".

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That Girl in Pinafore

The story is about the hopes and dreams of a group of young people who loved Xinyao.

Liked the nice music that went along with story very well! The plot on the other hand didn't really make sense towards the end but I thought it was still a good effort by the director who brought us back to Singapore in the 90s!

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Mirai

The story is about a family that consists of father, mother, a big brother and a baby sister. The big brother does not really like his little sister as his parents pay more attention to her now.

Liked the fantasy sequences involving different characters from the past and future! The ending was really well done as it joins all the dots to form the overall picture!

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