A Freak's Review

D.I.E. Again

2009-09-19T22:40:00.004+08:00

Rated as my favourite drama series of 2008, D.I.E. is back again with a second season. And this time, there is no disappointment at the end of the 25 episodes. There is only addiction.

Synopsis from MuShieMoShiu

Members of the once dissolved “Death Investigation Extension (D.I.E.)” have been called together. Yue Chi Long (Kwok Chun On), Cheung Ching Yee (Kwok Jing Hung) and other team members are all gearing up to crack unsolved cold cases with their usual out-of-the-box style. Ying Ching Ching (Kwok Sonija) has been looking forward to this for a long time. She is so excited that she even brings along her baby son to work! Long is not happy about this, yet he has no choice but to take turns with other team members to take care of the baby, bringing about rounds after rounds of hilarious episodes. Ching discovers by chance that her son has inherited Long’s supernatural powers. In order to prove to Long she is as capable as him as an inspector, Ching makes use of their son’s powers in investigating. Long is even more displeased, and their relationship has suffered a great deal. Later, Long finds out that a bad guy is using Ying Pui Pui (Nancy Wu), Ching’s younger sister, to attack Ching and their son. Long gets ambushed and put in a coma, during which he has an out-of-body experience. Seeing that his wife and son are in danger, his spirit takes over Yee’s body, unexpectedly resulting in…

... a drama totally worth watching! The chemistry between Sonija Kwok and Kwok Chun On is back to burning like fire as they resume their roles as husband and wife in D.I.E. Again. As lovey-dovey as they can be, it's clearly expressed that each of them are individuals whom have a personality of their own. Their characteristics and personalities were not compromised to ensure that their characters are credible. You'll still see them going against one another when it comes to investigation styles, and yet lovingly in love when they are back home after working hours. This is a true reflection of what true love is supposed to be: Never compromise who you are to be with the person you love.

One new actress you should keep your eyes on in this series is Jessie Sum, who played the role Icy in the drama. She must be new in the entertainment industry because I don't think I have seen any TVB series with her in it. She is this sharp beautiful looking girl who totally rocks in her character in this series. She can carry the serious character perfectly charmingly, be a flirty girl, or simply be Miss Beautiful. Yet, she is so attractive in all the different roles required of her. A TVB potential to be looked out for, definitely.

The other actor whom I am fancy of is the handsome smart looking Stephen Huynh. He played the role Pierre in this series. Very charming in his white suit. Overall, the entire cast is a brilliantly put together harmony. I've never watched a drama series in which I love every character in the show. There's always bound to be someone I dislike in a series. But with D.I.E. Again, I'm in love with every single character. Probably it's because all the actresses and actors involved are playing roles which are totally different from their usual ones, and they actually successfully brought out the essence of each character. A job well done indeed!

Thank you, producer, for not allowing the awful ending in the first season to repeat in D.I.E. Again. In fact, for this series, the ending is perfectly superb because it displayed that the scriptwriter has given much thought into the entire 25 episodes. I love this very much. And I could watch it all over again if there is nothing else on my waiting list.

For all you TVB lovers out there, this is a must watch! So what are you waiting for, grab the DVDs and popcorn and start investigating through D.I.E. Again!

College Musical

2009-09-14T20:39:00.002+08:00

I came across this series of video while I was browsing YouTube one day. The trailers look great, but the storyline is quite disappointing. Nevertheless, the music and vocals are impressive. So if you have nothing to do on a Friday night, go watch the 5-minutes episodes on YouTube. College Musical will definitely remind you of Highschool Musical.

Happy Merdeka 2009!

2009-08-31T16:05:00.001+08:00

More Than Blue

2009-08-30T15:39:00.002+08:00

This is a very very sad story. Clearly the producer has chosen a perfect title for such a sad story, More Than Blue is a beautiful love story about how powerful love can be when it truthfully bound two hearts. Love will cause us to do everything we can to express our love for someone and be loved in return.

Radio producer, K, was abandoned by his mother when he was a young child. Rejected and alone, his life changed when another orphan named Cream entered his life. Two lonely orphans quickly became the best of friends, living under the same roof and taking care of one another as they grow up. They became friends, family and perhaps, lovers. But when K discovered that he has only 200 days to live, the possibility of building a future together broke into pieces.

Not wanting Cream to be alone when he is gone, K began to look out for a potential guy to fill her life with happiness. When he discovered that she was interested in a well-known dentist, Joo-Hwan, he strategises a plan to get them together before his time is up. Will he succeed? Is this what Cream wants? Will he have the courage to give away the woman of his love to another man at the altar?

More Than Blue highlights the deep emotions of pain, hurt and confusion a person will go through when they have to see the person they love most building a lifetime with someone else. It reminds us that love can make us laugh and cry at the same time, be happy and sad in the same seating, and how we can be so hopeful and hopeless in a romance situation. Most of all, love causes us to be selfish. We will always act on our love for others, and that itself does not mean that we will not be selfish when we are in love. We could be anything!

Hansel & Gretel

2009-08-27T22:24:00.001+08:00

This is freaky! Like totally freaky! Freaky movie enhanced by utterly rich colours that bring out the creepiness of the entire story, Hansel & Gretel has a wonderful story to tell about children growing up... and adults refusing to grow up. And it begins with young man, Eun-su, who is on his way to meet his mother. He is driving when an intense phone conversation distracts him and gets him into an accident. It happens so fast, there is no help as he faints behind the wheels. When he gains consciousness, he wakes up in the middle for the forest. And his freaky adventure begins.

In the dark forest, he meets a girl who kindly takes him to her home because night has fallen. He seeks rest in her home and is introduced to the family of five. He feels weird in their midst but couldn't quite tell what is amidst. His intention is to leave first thing in the morning and look for a way back to the main road. But that's not what the family has in mind.

Hansel & Gretel looks like a child's fantasy movie; what with all the goodies featured in the home of the settings. A house full of cookies, candies, toys and balloons - there is no better heaven for any children in this world. And I thought, "Oh well, this looks like a good children movie for laughter." Only to find it totally otherwise.

The story takes on a peculiar twist of the fairytale Hansel & Gretel, which all of us have grown up listening to. It's this place where a young man walks into and simply couldn't find his way out of the home forever. Conquered by three equally cute and adorable kids, you'll find yourself shivering with fear yet smiling at the same time as the story unfolds. Definitely not suitable for children below the age of 12. So parents, watch it on your own!

Oh! My God 2

2009-08-08T21:40:00.002+08:00

I have not watched the first Oh! My God, but this second installation has proven to be quite a hilarious take and a perfect choice for a laid-back evening at home.

Oh! My God 2 is a story about the son of a taxi tycoon who takes life for granted by being a rich spoilt brat. He goes around spending money on unworthy things and even steals his mom's money when he needs more. One day, his mom decides to stop giving him money and he is forced to be a taxi driver in the family's business to earn a living and pay back the money he has stolen. That is when he meets the girl of his love.

Yet another simple love story which is both predictable and easy to understand, Oh! My God 2 brings insights of the ordinary day-to-day lifestyle of the town folks. From a porno gay hiding in disguise to a lady having a goose as pet, the series of hilarious scenes makes the movie watchable. In the midst of funny scenes, a love story unfolds with such simplicity that it reminds me how simple love should be.

Recommended to those who think Love is complicated. Love is indeed simple and straight to the point.

Brave Story: New Traveler

2009-08-06T22:21:00.000+08:00

"This is one amazing PSP game which I could play over and over again if there is no other game on my playlist!"

The game begins with an introduction to the life of an 11 year old boy. I named the character - Cmate. The first scene unfolds with him and his friend, Miki, enjoying a quiet evening together at the park. Suddenly, Miki collapses. At the hospital, he learns that she may not be waking up from coma afterall. Feeling helpless as a friend, he wishes that there is something he could do to save her. Like many wishes, his comes true.

"Beyond the door you can change your destiny!" - a voice speaks. With the wish to save his friend, an amazing journey begins in the world of Vision. There is no guessing what's ahead with each step, but challenges are definitely paving the game to an exciting adventure where bravery, friendships and personal growth come into play.

The amazing thing about Brave Story: New Traveler is its storyline which is nicely crafted to motivate you to move on from one level to another. It's not another lame storyline placed in a game just for the sake of having a story to it, Brave Story: New Traveler is all about the story as much as it is about the concept of the game.

Turn-based roleplaying method of gaming, your character usually teamed up with two others of your choice in his adventure. And with each adventure, you learn something new about the world of Vision and the way life takes place in this mystical world. It emphasizes on how our bravery can shine through in times of need and we have to be bold to face the challenges in our life.

With great graphic effects and cool sound effects, this game got me hooked for a couple of weeks. I was looking forward to move on to the next level all the time, while unwilling to let the game ends. But when it finally ended, I've got to say that I was satisfied. Because the accompanying scene that brought the game to an end was a fantastic one. You'll have to finish the game to know what I mean.

The Naked Kitchen

2009-07-29T23:00:00.001+08:00

"If there is one thing that The Naked Kitchen tells me, it's that the human body is controlled by lust."

The story begins with Mo-rae and Sang-in celebrating their first wedding anniversary. While Mo-rae is looking for a gift to surprise her hubby, she bumps into a stranger at the gallery and unexpectedly have sex with him (which to me seems like a forced scheme to begin conflict between the two main characters considering Mo-rae is totally in love with her husband). Mo-rae returns home with a guilty heart but it only gets worst as the visitor that Sang-in has invited to stay for the time being is none other than the stranger whom she has just had sex with. Thus, begins the twisted love story of two men and a woman.

I can't help but feel that the entire story is forcefully written. Each mini plot that links the story together does not blend properly resulting in a jerky storyline. For example, why would a faithfully in love Mo-rae have sex with a stranger all of a sudden? Why would Sang-in suddenly quit his job to start a new business of his own? Why would a young man flirt and tease his best friend's wife, especially when she is so much older than he is? And most puzzling of all, why is it that Mo-rae has never come across any other boys or guys in her entire life but Sang-in? Don't they have other boys in the neighbourhood in which she grew up in?

Strange, absolutely strange. Everything seems so forcefully put together, it's such a distraction to the minds of those who are trying to put the entire puzzle together to see the big picture. The Naked Kitchen is not a memorable movie which you will remember the next day. So if you are looking for something impactful that your heart can tune into, go watch another movie. But if you are interested in stringing pieces of mini plots together, this may just do the trick.

Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (3D version)

2009-07-27T21:38:00.005+08:00

First thing first, never watch an animation in 3D mode. I have done that once with The Polar Express at iMax cinema in Berjaya Times Square a few years back; besides the train ramming close to my nose, nothing else is unique. I was silly to make the same mistake twice, but there I was sitting at GSC Mid Valley one midnight last week watching Ice Age 3 (Dawn of the Dinosaurs) in 3D version. Honestly, the 3D effect could not get any better when the film is already an animation. It's like paper dolls, the animation pops up just a little but that's it. You should watch Jurassic Park in 3D, not an animation.

Secondly, I have not watched the first and second installation of Ice Age though my brother has probably watched it a thousand times every day in front of the TV. (Yes, he likes to watch the same movie over and over again for at least the next 6 months before moving on to something else). But it's okay. Even if you have not watched Ice Age prior to this, Ice Age 3 is easy to follow with its simple and straight forward storyline. Everything about the plot is predictable. It's just a great family video to make sure everyone is smiling and goofing around during family time.

I won't be elaborating on its simple storyline. Check out the trailer below to find out more for yourself!

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children - the movie

2009-07-26T21:50:00.001+08:00

If you have enjoyed playing Final Fantasy VII on PlayStation as much as I did, I am sorry to say that you might be disappointed with the movie. But at least you will be able to understand the entire story that surrounds the main plot of Final Fantasy VII Advent Children (the movie).

The film is based on the successful roleplaying game - Final Fantasy VII - taking fans all over the world to the life that takes place two years after the events of the game. Starring Cloud Strife, the soldier who fight alongside Zack in the game, the story focuses on the new city which the survivors of Midgar has built. It's a very short tale that follows the adventure of Cloud as he unravels the cause of the devastating plague - Geostigma.

Nothing exciting to engage the audience. Perhaps the fans would watch right till the end, but I doubt a non-gamer would. I'll pass the next Final Fantasy movie if this is all I can get out of a famous game. The mini movies in the game itself is much more exciting.

Ghost 2

2009-07-18T16:58:00.000+08:00

The previous season has been brilliant! And it made me wonder how the producer and scriptwriter are going to top that. It's like... you had a great show and then everyone expects a sequel, but most of the time, the sequel screws up the entire fan base. Why? Because it never gets as good as the first one. But this is not the case with Ghost 2.

With Ghost 2, it's an extraordinary case of success as the producer brings in new talents, pretty faces and a bunchful of talented crew. And when I say TALENTED, I mean really really talented new faces that 'wow' the audience and make people wonder, "Why haven't I notice this actor and that actress before?" Well, it's because you have been looking at celebrities, not the talented ones.

This second season takes place exactly two years after the mystery of Zack Imran's murder is solved. Despite losing the one she loved, Eza continues to be a fulltime journalist and successfully conquers the headline in her publication. Right beside her now is her loving editor and fiance, Fariz. Although they will be tying the knot soon, we can see Eza still clinging on to the ring which Zack has left behind for her. Could they have been more than just friends? Could it have been love? Ghost 2 answers these questions which have been playing in the hearts of many when the first season ended.

In this season, a second ghost appears known as Harum (starred by Isma Hanum). However, Eza's main investigation throughout the season is on the disappearance of Alicia Soo, the daughter of socialite prominent defense attorney, Edmund Soo. As she put on her investigative cap, Eza discover more and more links that complete the big picture of the missing Alicia. Along the way, she becomes friends with Alam (starred by Anding - photo above) who can see things by simply touching something/someone. It's almost supernatural-like, but the director didn't overdo it. Thus, Alam shines out as a dynamic character that captivates the heart of many.

More and more cases take place as she investigates about Alicia. Each individual case is somehow linked to one man - the mystery person who has kidnapped Alicia. He is a psycho who would communicate with Eza in hope that she would write about all the murders that he has committed. Freaked out, Eza tries to ignore his request but realises later that it's not within her power to deny him. In the case of Alicia Soo, she discovers more about Zack, the one whom she loved previously.

Ghost 2 is slightly darker than the first season. It has a more eerie feel to the tone and manner presented, and a pinch of evil that can be felt throughout the entire season. The scenes are more detailed and precise, making it surreal yet very realistic at the same time. The settings are well chosen and the cinematography has been almost perfect. It takes on a totally different approach, yet the director has successfully make the audience feel like it's of one world with Ghost.

This has to be one of the best English drama Malaysia has ever produced, and I reckon would be loved by the world (if only they learn how to appreciate the Malaysian culture instilled in it). A definitely must-watch Malaysian English drama! Catch it at www.8tv.com.my now!

S-Diary

2009-07-17T23:14:00.003+08:00

"A very well-written love story with a good measure of soundtrack, talented cast and fantastic cinematography."

S-Diary immediately raised to the top of my must-watch list as the credit rolls up the screen. Not because my favourite actress, Kim Sun-An, is staring in it. Neither is it because the hot cute guy I like, Gong Yoo, has a shirtless scene in the movie. But it's because S-Diary is indeed a very well produced masterpiece.

The story begins with Jini (starring Kim Sun-An, the same lead actress in Kim Sam Soon) who just got laid off by her current boyfriend because he has issue with her high level of commitment requirement. He challenges her to ask all the boyfriend she ever had previously if they have really loved her in the past. Initially, she thinks it is a stupid idea. But as she reads her diary on the love life which she has been through, she realises that perhaps, the only way to cure this commitment freak living inside of her is to face the past. And so, she started writing letters to her ex-boyfriends to claim what they owe her.

S-Diary highlights the different kind of love we experience in life. It could be a teenage crush, one-off fling or simply dating younger guys - every step of the way influences the way we approach love in the days ahead of us. It also reminds us that if we have to do something in order to move on from a past love, we have to do it. It's only fair to ourselves and to the ones we have once loved.

This is a must-watch for all Korean film lovers and for those who truly believe in love.

10 Promises To My Dog

2009-07-17T08:44:00.001+08:00

The 10 Promises
1) Listen patiently to what I have to say.
2) Trust me, for I am always on your side.
3) Play with me a lot.
4) Don’t forget that I have feelings too.
5) Let’s never fight, ‘Cause someday, I’ll be big enough to win'.
6) If I don’t obey you, I have a good reason.
7) You have school, and friends. But as for me, I only have you.
8) Stay my best friend even when I’m old.
9) I’ll only live about ten years, so let’s make every moment count.
10) I’ll never forget our life together. So when my time comes, please be by my side.

These simple promises may seem weak and fragile but in 10 Promises To My Dog, the set of promises carries a different weight - the weight of love, fear, sorrow, laughter and blissfulness.

10 Promises to My Dog is artistically-speaking beautiful. It's a simple story about a young girl who wanted a puppy so much that her dying mother gave her one to keep her daughter company when she is gone. The story highlights the 10-year adventure of the girl and her puppy that was faithful to keep her company from childhood to adulthood. In between, there's the factor of love, friends, career and family.

This is one movie that puppy-lovers would love and those of you who are looking into taking a pet into your home, this is a must-watch. Very touching, heart-breaking and emotional.

LYJ Restaurant - Signature Dish

2009-07-06T20:21:00.000+08:00

Photo taken from Malaysia Most Wanted Food

Last Saturday, I self-invited myself to a gathering Simeon's friends were having and found myself spending a lot of time on the road. The location was Sungai Buloh (Yup, the other end of the state from where I live). But I was willing to travel because the idea of feasting on Pun Choy was thrilling. Let me briefly explain the dish to you. Pun Choy (or better known as Basin Dish or Big Bowl Feast in English, I'll rather call it Layers Of Foodilicious) is a scrumptious meal cooked in a large wooden wash basins to be served to the multitudes back in the olden days. In today's world, the same meal is served in a huge round metal tray kept warm on a portable stove.

The last time I had this dish was about 10 years ago and I was too young to remember the taste of it. Mom said it came in layers with the most expensive ingredient (abalone) at the bottom of the pot while the top layer was mushrooms and vegetables. Can you imagine how all the sauces leak from the top to the bottom of the dish? The perfect synergy. However, the one which Simeon's friend bought from Restaurant LYJ took on a different approach; the Pun Choy was layered with braised pork knuckles and mushrooms at the bottom of the metal tray before topping various others (in yee sang style) such as fish stomach, chicken feet, prawns, roast duck and steamed chicken to complete the dish.The result of it: A less synergetic flavour.

Of course, it got better once we mixed it around the tray like rojak but the flavour simply wasn't well synergized. Strong flavour from individual ingredients could be tasted depending on where you scoop from and what you pile on your plate. The layout of the ingredients certainly make a whole lot of difference as far as Pun Choy is concerned. If all ingredients are layered like layers of dough on top of each other, it would have been superb and perfect. And more vegetables too! Unlike the original Pun Choy, the one bought from LYJ Restaurant was carnivorous. It was 95% meat and 5% vegetables - not a healthy blend. Nevertheless, it was good and satisfactory.

I have a feeling that my family would love it (we have a liking towards anything braised and meaty). Considering the price for each Pun Choy (which can feed at least 12 - 15 pax) is below RM300, I just might load all of us into the car for a grand feast. Such is our family's motto: It doesn't matter how far we go as long as the food is worth traveling for. So it's time for me to gear up my stomach for the next round. Anyone wants to join?

Transformers 2

2009-07-05T21:35:00.002+08:00

What a show-off!

That's the first thing I wanted to say went the credit rolled up the screen as the movie came to an end. Transformers 2 is a total show-off of what the team behind Transformer the movie can do with CI-fied robots. It has one of the weakest story plot in the many movies which I have watched. If it wasn't for the curiousity of wanting to see what's next after the legendary Transformer movie, this second sequel is a total waste of time.

You should watch this:

- if you are interested to check out how HOT Megan Fox can be

- if you want to see how matured Shia LaBeouf has turned out to be

- if you wanna know that robots can be sensual in many ways

- if you are a total fan of Transformers the cartoon

- if your day has more than 72 hours (because the characters didn't sleep from day 1 to day 3)

- if you are looking out for great CI effects

You shouldn't watch this:

- if you are expecting it to be as good or better than Transformers the movie

- if you are looking for a good story plot

- if you have other blockbuster movies to choose from

Transformers - If ever there is a 3rd sequel, it has better be focusing on the story instead of the graphics because story sells first, graphic is just a side dish.

A Total Waste Of Make-Up

2009-06-27T14:52:00.002+08:00

A Total Waste Of Make-Up certainly wasn't a total waste of time because the journey through the pages was simply superb. It's like living in someone else's shoes, precisely named, the shoes of Charlie Edwards.

Charlie is turning 30 in a couple of weeks' time. Unlike other women who are married with children at her age, Charlie is the most single and available woman in town. But how could it be? Her curves are perfect, her body is slim and sexy, her face shines up like an angel, and she is the personal assistant to one of Hollywood's sexiest movie star. In any cases, she could easily fit into the most eligible single woman in the entire country - but she is single with no one after her heart. With her younger sister's wedding just 6 weeks away, Charlie feels nothing but sorry for herself and begins to wonder if she will ever fall in love afterall.

Written with the first person point of view, we travel through the 6-weeks journey of Charlie as she seriously looks into every perspective of her love life. She questions why she hasn't found the man of her dreams, why her best friends have live different love life in contradiction with what they believe in, what should she do in order not to scare potential boyfriends away, etc. Besides that, the story also exposes readers to the lifestyle of super rich celebrities as Charlie brings us into the world of her boss, superstar Drew Stanton.

The interesting bits about A Total Waste Of Make-Up can be found in the way the story is being told by Kim Gruenenfelder - A string of advices written for the future generation. It's a welcoming break since the chapters are being told in one long breath. The time and settings of the story only changes when the chapter comes to an end. Thus, having snippets of advices in bold fonts in between the paragraphs is a welcoming reading break for the eyes and mind. The snippets form a complete love guide when put together; it's like reading two books in one. A smart approach indeed.

Well done, Kim!

Chen Fatt Restaurant

2009-06-21T16:40:00.001+08:00

Yesterday, we brought Grandma out for dinner seeing that I have stayed at home with her the entire day. The fresh air was much needed, not to mention the little exercise required to walk from the car to the restaurant was very much welcomed since I did nothing but rooted myself in front of the laptop for the past 9 hours. I get nausea every time I sit still at one spot without movement for too long.

We decided to visit an old restaurant we used to favour at Seri Kembangan known as Chen Fatt Restaurant. It's a legendary restaurant established half a century ago by Grandma's friend. Why I do I say that it's a legendary dining place? Back in the 1940s, Chen Fatt Restaurant is the place to eat; families swarmed from all over Klang Valley to this restaurant every night just to get a taste of its traditional homecook Hakka delights. When I was much younger, we frequented the place every fortnight and until today, I can't forget the smooth taste of their signature dish - Tauhu Kang!

I haven't had Tauhu Kang(photo above) at any other places because it's not easily found in Klang Valley, or anywhere in the nation for that matter. It's one of the dishes that made Chen Fatt Restaurant back in its glory days. Like the name suggests, Tauhu Kang is a type of soup delight. With tiny diced tauhe as the main ingredients with pieces of scallots, prawns and mushrooms - the soup is soft and smooth - somewhat tastes like sharkfin soup from the big restaurants. It's so delicious, Grandma had two bowls!

Next up - yet another signature dish - Poh Lei(Glass) Chicken Feet. I know, it doesn't look all that great in the photo above, but it is indeed a fantastic salad dish. Cold de-boned chicken feet garnished with cucumber slices, onion rings, dashes of peanuts and sour plum sauce, this is one must-have dish when dining at Chen Fatt Restaurant. Miss it, and you won't even remember why you come all the way from Ulu Klang just to dine.

Another dish that caught my tastebud is the Polo Boneless Pork. There was one at every table around us, so we thought we should give it a try. Not too bad actually, the meat nicely absorbed the strong sweet taste of pineapple giving it a punky taste. Grandma didn't like it because her tongue is sensitive to pineapple, but the rest of my family finished it up in no time.

There were many other dishes that look good when served to the customers, but we kept dinner short and simple. After all, we really did only wanted the Tauhu Kang. It's to crave for! Everything else was just added value to the beautiful Hakka delights we were having. Grandma kept asking for the owner, Chen Fatt, a friend of hers but the old man has retired. Not surprising since he is in his early nineties. I'm just glad that his son took over the business successfully retaining the original taste of the signature dishes.

So well, what are you waiting for? Head over to Jalan Besar, Seri Kembangan today and try out the food for yourself. Bring your old folks. They are sure to love it!

After This Our Exile

2009-06-20T22:36:00.000+08:00

When I first read the synopsis of this film, I half expected it to be another silly movie (you know, one of those that has a sad title but being presented in the lamest comedy that equals to jackass) but I was surprisingly engaged to the screen as the first scene of After This Our Exile unfolds. It didn't run across my mind that this award-winning film could be different from the many I have watched. No wonder it successfully won a couple of awards during the 2007 Asian Awards season. It was simply intelligent! Definitely one of the best Father & Son story in the entertainement industry. I truly encourage families to watch this because as the credit rolls up, your heart will somehow be overwhelmed with gratitude for the people you love the most - your family.

Filmed in Malaysia, heartthrob Aaron Kwok slipped effortlessly into the role of Shing, a Chinese violent man who has insecurity issues, thus manifesting it upon his loved ones. He lives with his girlfriend and they have a son named Ah Boy. A poor man trying to make a living by working as a chef, Shing is first and foremost a fulltime gambler, before a father, resulting in huge debts with the local loansharks and the runaway of his girl. With nothing left but Ah Boy, Shing tries to strive through day by day with the little money he can get hold off - even if it means forcing his son to be a thief.

In this story, we get to see a different side of Aaron Kwok (compared to the many superhero, prince charming movies which he has been staring in). In After This Our Exile, a darker side of him is being portrayed, which I have yet to see in any production previously. He is aggresive, violent, rude and loud - and maybe a little clumsy - but definitely charming in a more rugged and realistic way. I actually felt sympathetic towards his character at the end of the movie, which is totally unexpected. (Would would be sympathetic towards a father who abuses his wife and forces his son to be a thief?)

A beautifully shot movie to begin with, the message of the story is even more beautiful. Subtle but beautiful. Director Patrick Tam successfully teleports me (the audience) into the tough lives of lower working class Chinese ethnic in Malaysia. The melodrama is draggy and slow but necessary to enhance the lifestyle of this working class to perfectly bring out the authenticity of the story. A perfect warp into one of the local culture we often overlooked.

A well deserved award winning film recommended to all Malaysians in the world. Don't press the FastForward button halfway through; It's the art that counts!

Zodiac Girl - From Geek to Goddess

2009-06-15T22:05:00.004+08:00

"Goodbye, life." - Two simple words that mark an ending of the past and a fresh new beginning of the future. And that's how Cathy Hopkins has chosen to start her Zodiac Girl story in the life of Gemma, the Gemini girl who is to be the main character of From Geek to Goddess. The first two words bid goodbye... and the adventure begins.

From Geek to Goddess is a teenage story that boosts one's confidence to a whole new level because it encourage the readers to be confident with who they are inside. Sending out the message through the daily life of Gemma Whiting - a young girl who is sent away for private school - this story is anything but boring. It's not as predictable as other teenage stories, yet the wave that carries through the pages is light and easy. It's an enjoyable casual read.

Synopsis extracted from Pickabook
Gemma is pretty cheesed off...a distant relative has left her family some money and her parents are sending her to a posh boarding school so she won?t see all her mates for ages. Things go from bad to worse with Gemma's too-shy roommate Ruth and the vicious-but-pretty school bully Sara. But things look up when for Gemma when she's chosen as a Zodiac Girl. With her own fighting spirit and some sage zodiacal advice she negotiates her crazy new world of boarding school rituals, salon makeovers, manic dogs, old folks' homes, school play auditions and much more. Will she come out on top?

Tarikh Luput Cinta

2009-06-13T14:58:00.002+08:00

Tarikh Luput Cinta is one of the books that have a beautiful title, so beautiful that you wonder if the contents would be as interesting as the title suggests. Many times, story title does an effective job of setting our level of expectations before we begin flipping the pages. And many times, I have been disappointed. Thankfully Tarikh Luput Cinta is as exciting and splendid as its short synopsis suggested. And I have only one word to describe the story: Suspenseful!

And this suspenseful tale begins with three individuals - Airel, Imanina and Rezzal - receiving a challenge letter from an anonymous millionaire. The objective is for them to compete among each other to inherit a total of RM22.5 million upon the passing away of its owner. Starting out as strangers to participants to friends, the three of them uncovers mystery after mystery as the deadline draws near. Along their journey, they discover that someone out there is against them inheriting the grand prize and tragedies begin to mushroom in their lives.

While most tragedy tales would leave you crying with sympathy for the characters, Lynn Dayana takes on a different approach in this story. She cleverly delivers a series of tragedies into the story that leaves you looking forward to what's in the next chapter. With each turn of page, you find yourself clinging onto the edge of your chair as a burning sensation gushes through your emotional keeping you guessing the missing pieces of the complete picture.

Besides the splendid storyline, another thumbs-up for the characters in the story. Well crafted personalities that engages well with readers, the writer certainly has brought characterisation to the next level. You'll enjoy the bond shared by all three main characters as they build friendships around their competiting selves. Expect them to make you smile, laugh, cry and be entertained because they will draw you into their world and suddenly you are a part of their circle. And everyone around you will be staring at you because you are laughing aloud on your own with the book in hand.

Tarikh Luput Cinta is a well-written book indeed! I have no regrets for picking it up and am looking forward to Lynn Dayana's next book. Keep writing, sister!

My Wife Got Married

2009-06-11T22:38:00.000+08:00

Two former colleagues, Deok Hoon and In-Ah bumped into one another at the subway one day. He who used to have a crush on her back in those younger days takes the opportunity to court her, which turns out to be very easy as they realise the deep passion they share for soccer. From friends to lovers, Deok Hoon still feels insecure even though In-Ah has become his girl. Thus, he proposes to her. She is reluctant at first as she thinks that marriage is something she would never seek for, but they get married anyway. A few months later, In-Ah breaks the news that she wants to get married - again. She doesn't want a divorce with Deok Hoon but his blessings to marry another man.

My Wife Got Married is a movie I wouldn't recommend watching simply because the storyline is too draggy. It feels like the entire story could have been told within 30 minutes but is forcefully stretched so that it could be produced as a movie. With each slow scene, the story becomes more and more predictable, thus lacking the power to engage audience to want to watch further. As much as I want to say the story is plain silly, it does carry a message to those who are confused in love. Highlighting the mystery of loving someone, My Wife Got Married reminds us that it's okay to lose control of ourselves when we are in love. Because love is strange in many ways.

Crazy Love

2009-06-06T15:03:00.002+08:00

A simple short story about love that touches the core of your heart and reminds you of the good old days of being a teenager, Crazy Love by Eric Brown is an easy to read book that spells the first love that comes into teenage's life. Taken from the perspective of a young beautiful girl, Trish, Crazy Love brings you into a 7-days journey of a love so young yet so strong.

Trish is a popular girl in school. Her two good friends love her because she is beautiful, smart and has control of her life. Every guy in the school wants to go out with her. She is the superstar everyone looks up to while some may detest her for being such a bitch. One day, during a school trip at the zoo, Trish decides to play a trick on Denis, a nerd who no one pays attention to. She tells him that she likes him and asks him out for a date which she doesn't plan to turn up.

But things takes a different turn when she actually turns up for the date. Problem is, she can't let anyone knows about it because the beauty and the nerd could be the hottest gossip in town if it ever leaks out. So she keeps lying to her friends that she is just looking for a chance to prank Denis while she slowly and surely finds herself falling in love with him. That's until Denis finds out about her lie and leaves her.

Light, easy and simple - a book that anyone can read within 30 minutes and smile at the end of it in reminisce of a teenage life we used to have. Isn't love beautiful and innocent when we were just teenagers?

Diva

2009-06-04T14:52:00.002+08:00

Synopsis from Malaysia Movies of Yahoo.com
Kartika (Ning Baizura) is a famous Malaysian diva who is successful in the West and is greatly adored at home. However, the one person she wishes to reach out to is her mother. She returns to Malaysia and with the help of her childhood sweetheart, Arman, she tries to win over her mother's heart by training the students from her father's music school to become pop stars. The students are transformed into great performers under the group, JIWA. However, things turn awry when the students revolt against her for personal reasons. Now, Kartika has a secret that will save her name and reputation... but what is it?

Diva is totally disappointing. Not that I am not in support of local movies, but this was totally a waste of my time. It felt like a movie shot in the 90s. And the acting skills of the actors/actresses were really bad. The storyline was too predictable. In short, even watching at home via DVD was not worth the time spent. I just didn't like it.

Always On My Mind

2009-06-02T14:35:00.002+08:00

It's an old series, I know, but I have only watched bits and pieces of it when Always On My Mind was aired in Malaysia. So when I found the videos uploaded on YouTube recently, I decided to watch it all over again from the beginning. And it was good; perfectly timely since the Swine Flu is currently conquering the world. Always On My Mind reminds me to be mindful of cleanliness as it would affect our health at the end of the day.

Opening the scene with my favourite actress, Fann Wong, laying helplessly in the emergency room as her colleagues try to save her life, Always On My Mind, is a dramatic tale of broken hearts and relationships. It tells of how a person approaches the topic love and family when the past has robbed her of everything she thought she ever had.

Dr Guan Sijia (Fann Wong) is a brilliant doctor specialising in lung tumour illness. She is capable in her profession and possesses a pleasant personality that attracts many suitors. However, due to her past relationship, she is unwilling to open the doors of her heart to another man. She strongly believes that she is the wife of her ex-boyfriend even though they never got the chance to be married before he died in an accident. Therefore, she takes on the responsibility to care for his family - mother and an autistic younger brother.

Always On My Mind emphasizes the importance of our heart. The topic LOVE can be seen in its various forms such as Sijia's close bond with her young nephew, the siblings relationship with her brother, her forever commitment to her ex's family, her acceptance of a new guy (Dr Tiger). The series studies the heart of each character and brings across the message that no matter what the condition of our heart is, when love comes, it just comes.

Guyaholic

2009-05-24T08:53:00.001+08:00

A surprisingly easy-going and relaxing book!

I brought along Guyaholic to the beach when I was leaving for Kuantan Beach last week because I needed something light and easy for the relaxing holiday ahead. I was in the midst of reading Summer's End but somehow decided to take a break from it since Summer's End is quite a heavy reading material. So an hour after I checked into the resort, I picked up Guyaholic and went to the beach. And there I sat by the ocean for the next hour as the story captured me into another world - the world of V Valentine.

V Valentine is the greatest playgirl in her community. Her beauty and intelligence give her the upper hand when it comes to hookups with guys. She gets to choose who to hookup with and how long. And thus far, she has only been with the same one guy for two weeks - never more. She simply enjoys bouncing from one guy to another, just like her mom does with her boyfriends. However, everything changes in a hockey game when a hockey puck shoots towards her and she landed in the lap of Sam Almond. She has thought that it would be just another fortnight fling, but relationship takes on a new definition with Sam. And when she screws up between them, she doesn't know what to do next but to run as far as she could from the one she loves.

Guyaholic may be just another high school love story. But with Carolyn Mackler's trademark blend of humour, Guyaholic turns out to be quite an enjoyable read even to the adults. With each page, I am reminded of how it was like growing up and entering adulthood. The problems which V Valentine faced in the story are incredibly realistic and relate-able.

At the end of the day, I finished the novel learning the one thing which I have learnt so long ago: That you can only run away from your feelings for as long as it takes before you must deal with it (somehow). And that makes Guyaholic one of the best books I have ever read this year.