The Naked Kitchen

"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.

Read more...

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

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!

Read more...

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children - the movie

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.

Read more...

Ghost 2

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!

Read more...

S-Diary

"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.

Read more...

10 Promises To My Dog

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.

Read more...

LYJ Restaurant - Signature Dish

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?

Read more...