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
Saturday, June 29, 2013
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
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
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
Saturday, June 22, 2013
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
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
Monday, June 17, 2013
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
Liked the interesting plot and the colorful costumes! Great acting by Kyo Machiko!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, May 18, 2013
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!
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!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
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
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
Saturday, March 09, 2013
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
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
Saturday, February 16, 2013
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
Liked the nice music and the interesting storyline! Great acting by the beautiful leading actress!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, January 26, 2013
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
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
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
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
Liked how the film captured the little details of the couple's lives and the dream sequences!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, December 15, 2012
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!
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!
Saturday, December 08, 2012
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!
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!
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"!
Liked the interesting dating sequences and how the husband tried to cover his tracks! Nice quote from "Heart of Darkness"!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
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
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
Saturday, October 20, 2012
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
Liked the nice cinematography and the interesting drama!
Internet Movie Database Link
Saturday, October 06, 2012
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!
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!
Saturday, September 29, 2012
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
Liked the interesting characters and the beautiful countryside scenery!
Internet Movie Database Link
Thursday, September 13, 2012
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
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
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