Star Trek

Starring: Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Chris Pine, Winona Ryder

Directed By: J. J. Abrams

Released By: 7th May 2009

Run Time: 127 mins.

Genre: Action

“Star Trek” tells the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created, the U.S.S. Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy, and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil whose mission of vengeance threatens all of mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter rivals. One, James Kirk (Chris Pine), a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. While the other, Spock (Zachary Quinto) was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable of leading their crew through unimaginable danger, boldly going where no one has gone before. 

I’ve never in my life watched a movie with such smooth, rich, advanced-technology visual delight and fast-paced as Star Trek. The visual effect is absolutely a breakthrough, creating a whole new world for a franchise that has lived for around 50 years. It doesn’t stop there. Casting for the movie is excellent and the whole thing is just so incredible there’s no doubt this film will live up the franchise once again and also gain new fans, especially young adults. Even though the duration of the movie exceeds 2 hours, you won’t sigh at all about the length duration. This movie will make you beg for some more. The use of humor and action blends extremely well in the movie. This is a mainstream classic at its best. Thumbs up for J. J. Abrams!

Movie Review (B-)

Angels And Demons

Starring: Tom Hanks, Stellan Skarsgard, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor

Directed By: Ron Howard

Released By: 14th May 2009

Run Time: 138 mins.

Genre: Thriller

Adapted from the novel “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown, the film follows the story of Robert Langdon, a well-known Harvard symbologist investigating a murder victim, branded with the Illuminati ambigram. Following his investigation, he soon discovers that a cult group is on a trail to murder four cardinals and destroy the St. Peter’s Basilica during a papal gathering.

The second Dan Brown’s book featuring Robert Langdon’s character has finally been immortalised onto the big screen. In comparison to Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons would appeal more as it is easier to understand and grasp. The genius symbologist has been called upon to solve the mystery kidnappings of 4 cardinals and the theft of the highly volatile and explosive anti-matter. Armed with his expanse knowledge of history and matters relating to the Church, Tom Hanks playing the lead role will take you to a breath-taking journey while he unravels and tries to solve the case of murders and the potential catastrophe in hand. What I really liked were the scenes showing renowed palces such as St Peter’s Square, the Sistine Chapel and the likes, as they are truly a sight to behold (even if some were sets, they were amazing sets!) It was really clever of Dan Brown to coin up such a story using artwork, symbols and statutes and merging the conflict of science and religon into it. Entertaining piece but unfortunately not oscar-worthy, imo.

Movie Review (A-)

This economic crisis arrived a few years too early.

I do not have enough moolah to purchase my own property yet. Frustrating.

I was looking through the newspaper and was intending to find advertisements on handphones but I got distracted by the many advertisements featuring comfy looking properties. I think it is difficult to expect help on this matter, looking at the seeming pathetic state now. Yet at the moment I have not amassed enough $ for the matter. Hence this has become a situation of can-see-cannot-touch.

But it should not be an impasse for too long.

Something suddenly struck me as I am writing this entry: Do people plan for their future or do they intend to live off their parents till they are in the 40s? Probably they think they can inherit the property after the demise of their parents? Rolls eyes.

I seriously believe that if one does not plan for the future, there will be no future. Unlike most other things, plans need to be crafted at least in large brushstrokes, else the future will not materialises - one doesn’t wake up at the right side of the bed one morning and discovers he has the ability to own a house (excluding strike Toto etc).

I woke up with a spinning head today morning. It did not make any sense because I did not really drink. Probably fatigue.

Work

Rushed to work. I needed more time to review the drawing given by my client therefore no choice but have to work on Sat.

After the working, I walked briskly to Toa Payoh central for late lunch with Joe. Koufu foodcourt. I thought that the hotplate noodle is quite good!

Shopping in Orchard

Slightly recharged after lunch from work, we raced to the MRT to take a train down to Orchard. Ok I am exaggerating - we did not race, we simply walked a little faster. The next agenda in the list is shopping at Isetan. Isetan Private Sale. Managed to go for it courtesy of Joe! Wheeee….

Damage taken for Isetan Private Sale amounts to 0.8($35 + $55) - $5. Got myself a belt and polo shirt, both from Mango HE. I think that nutty Joe suffered more damages - he got himself a shirt from Cortefiel, a belt from Mango HE, a Passporte working shoe, and a Levis shirt.

Shopping is fun, though tiring! Gosh, I was drained after Isetan. We ambled to Tangs to grab bubble tea, before walking to Taka for Round Two. Guess sale had started. Hahahah…

Damage taken for Guess Sale amounts to around $80? Got myself a teeshirt and a sweater. Hahahah… That Joe suffered much more than me once again. He got 2 underwears, 1 tee shirt, 1 shirt, and 1 working shirt. God bless his wallet.

I surmised total damage taken for myself is pretty modest. Haha.

Dinner

Dinner was at Heeren’s Pasta Waraku with Joe and Gary, who met us there. That idiot, as usual, met me with a scowl for having missed his phonecall. Woosh. lolx. Dinner was quite fun talking to both of them.

After dinner, Joe went off to meet friends for movie. Gary and I then walked around Heeren and Paragon, looking for more sale. We did not buy anything in the end, but somehow it was quite fun to walk around aimlessly. Grinz.

Dive!!

Starring: Sosuke Ikematsu, Junpei Mizobata, Asaka Seto, Kento Hayashi

Directed By: Naoto Kumazawa

Released By: 14th May 2009

Run Time: 120 mins.

Genre: Comedy

“Dive!!” is a Japanese movie based on Eto Mori’s novel and directed by Naoto Kumazawa. It tells the story of a young diving team whose sights are set on competing in the Olympics.

I knew and heard abouth this movie since last year from YOUTUBE and really didnt expect it to be shown in Singapore. It is a great movie for all though the story line is a little normal but yet all the 3 actors were brilliant!! It was touching at parts and yet engaging and entertaining to see the stunning scenes of the dives in the movies. Every dive were captures to almost perfection. Go watch it and it will sure inspires you to follow your dreams and treasuring the moments when you have dreams and you are willing to go after your dreams.. Go DIVE into the cinema now….!!!

Movie Review (A)

Hello…
MAS SELAMAT has been arrested in Malaysia. Well, this should be really surprising considering how LONG it has been since he escaped from Whitley Road Detention Centre.

I had a hard time memorizing for the last paper tomorrow. Hope I won’t forget those important answer halfway through the exam!

But, I always will.

What to do!

Bye, I am going to do some things.

X-men Origins: Wolverine

Starring: Liev Schreiber, Ryan Reynolds, Jonathan Demme, Dominic Monaghan, Hugh Jackman

Directed By: Gavin Hood

Released By: 29th April 2009

Run Time: 108 mins.

Genre: Action

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” goes back to the time before the X-Men trilogy to tell the story of Wolverine’s epically violent and romantic past, including his complex relationship with Victor Creed (who later becomes Sabertooth) and the ominous Weapon X programme. Along the way, he encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends in the X-Men universe.

Movie Review (A)

17 Again

Starring: Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Michelle Trachtenberg, Zac Efron

Directed By: Burr Steers

Released By: 16th April 2009

Run Time: 102 mins.

Genre: Comedy

Mike O’Donnell was once the most popular guy in high school - handsome, charming, the star of the basketball team, with a college scholarship in his future and a lifetime of experience that baffles even his closest friends. That was then, this is now - or is it? A magical transformation finds Mike reliving his past in the present day as a 17-year-old in the same high school he attended 20 years ago. However, this time around, his own teenage kids are his peers and his wife is the unsuspecting object of his affection.

Movie Review (B)