Night in Rodanthe

I read this book by Nicholas Sparks many years back. My first book by this author and subsequently I devoured all the books by him.

So I was excited when I found that this book has been made into a movie and starring Richard Gere!

And so we went to watch on Sat. We weren't expecting to catch the early mrn show but as luck was on our side, we got there just in time. Sat down just went the show started. We need not sit through all the trailers and advertisements. Perfect.

Anyway, to me personally. I think the movie didn't disappoint. Granted that my failing memory has forgotten the story (almost) completely save for the ending, I enjoyed the movie. And definitely the beautiful inn right on the coast.

Oh ... and did I say .... Richard Gere is still oh-so-charming at this age!!!!!!

Happy Birthday

One friend sent me an mp3 and highly recommended me this movie.

I was just shop hopping in Kovan when I went into this music/movies shop. I was amused when I found out they also had movie rentals and this movie title caught my eye. Remembering my friend's recommendation, I immediately rented the VCD.

Turned out to be a very nice movie. I like it. Very simple storyline but played by a good cast. A sad ending as warned by my friend, who refused to tell me the ending when he first told me about the movie. The movie is very taiwan made, in the way it was directed and filmed ... reminded me very much of this Kokoru website that I used to visit many moons ago which I have already totally forgotten about until watching this movie. At one point watching such flash movies seem to be very popular, but now it had fallen behind the times hehe .. (i think lah, at least i dun watch them now?)

After watching the show, the song my friend sent (which was like the movie theme song) was even more meaningful and more touching. Thanks Jik for recommending me this movie, sending me the song & lyrics!!! :)

The lyrics to the song below

有多少爱可以重来

常常责怪自己当初不应该

常常后悔没有把你留下来

为什么明明相爱

到最后 还是要分开

是否我们总是徘徊在心门之外

谁知道又和你 相遇在人海

命运如此安排 总叫人无奈

这些年过得不好不坏

只是好象少了一个人存在

而我渐渐明白 你仍然是我不变的关怀

有多少爱 可以重来

有多少人 愿意等待

当懂得珍惜以后回来 却不知那份爱 会不会还在

有多少爱 可以重来

有多少人 值得等待

当爱情已经桑田沧海

是否还有勇气去爱

Priceless

I wanted to catch the movie Priceless and again thanks to someone who didn't mind watching a possibly chic flick, we headed to Vivocity to check on whether we would be lucky enough to catch the 1+pm show.

I was prepared not to be able to catch the movie considering we didn't make any booking, and seeing the snaking queue at GV Vivo just didn't boost my confidence! Thankfully friend has the Visa Platinum and we joined the Visa Platinum Priority queue. Hooooray!!!! (Now I'm motivated to get meself a visa platinum too!!!) We managed to get ourselves decent seats 6 rows from the screen, near the aisle but thankfully the theatre was a small one so no complaints where we were seated.

The movie, a French film, was a romcom (romantic comedy) starring Audrey Tautou (from the Amelia fame) & Gad Elmaleh. An easy and engaging movie powered by a strong cast led by these 2 actors. The actor, someone whom I'm unfamiliar with, turned out to be an extremely good actor. I wouldn't say it is a must watch, or that it is a movie that leaves you moved or anything like that. Nope, it doesn't. But it was a movie that lets me forget my troubles for a good one over hours, and with a few good laughs, I'm not asking for anything more. :)

Meet The Robinsons 3D

The last time I watched a 3D show was eons ago and so decided to watch MTR 3D at Vivocity.

Vivocity is still MADNESS with just wayyyy tooo many people. Definitely not a place for the faint hearted! Almost felt giddy just being there with all the buzz and activity *faint*

Movie wasn't that entertaining to me. I didn't quite enjoy it what with the blurry images (I can't place my source of grievance but just that the 3D images didn't look sharp and I just felt like I couldn't focus on the picture properly) and being too near to the screen (sigh, have to blame myself for booking such lousy tix! I should have just opted for seats along the aisle but further from the screen, then centre seats but closer to the screen. *whack head*) My lack of sleep for the past few days only exacerbated the situation and I fell asleep half-way into the show... so missed the part about the relationship of each member of the Robinson family ... -_-"
Anyway, dun tink I miss much la, a simple storyline .. nothing great I have to say. Almost contemplated walking out half way into the show coz glutton me was feeling v v hungry haha

Roentgen later commented that he is quite sure the movie screens weren't aligned properly hence resulting in the blur images. So chim ... trust our smart lokun to know the answers to such stuff :P *hail* Anyway, assigned him to lodge a complaint with GV so that hopefully we get our $$ back ! :P Oh, did I mention the screen went blank for like .. 10s in the middle of the movie ??? Not sure whether any of the patrons went to complain about it after the movie :P

Hopefully will catch a better show soon .... Spiderman next month ... should be something to look forward to ... also waiting for Ratatouille but that would be in June.

Movie kakis that joined in the fun include Roentgen, Renoh, Angel, Charmane & Teelee. Teelee still feeling under the weather. Poor guy. Seldom see Teelee sick. Pls take care and get well soon!

Blood Diamond

I just watched the movie Blood Diamond. First heard about this movie from chao mien. Didn't think I would be interested in such a "heavy" storyline but was intrigued to watch it after my swimming teacher gave me rave reviews about this show.

So on Sunday, being sian about having nothing better to do, and not wanting to waste my weekend just rotting at home, I decided to go catch this movie ...

And am I glad I did. The movie is simply awesome! In short it is about how rough diamonds are used by rebel movements to to finance wars against the legitimate government and how civil war is rife in the country and killing is rampant. I was totally engaged in the show the entire 2+ hours! Although the story isn't real, but I think most of it is based on what is / was actually happening in Africa. So armed with my curiosity, I googled to find out a little more about blood diamonds:

1. Watch this to have a very quick & simplified understanding of what this is all about.
   


2. Conflict diamonds - Conflict diamonds, sometimes called blood diamonds, are diamonds that are sold to fund the unlawful and illegal operations of rebel, military and terrorist groups. Countries that have been most affected by conflict diamonds are Sierra Leone, Angola, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo -- all places where citizens have been terrorized, mutilated and killed by groups in control of the local diamond trade.
   


3. Kimberly Process Certification Scheme - There indeed is such a process. Why Kimberly ? Because in May 2000, Southern African diamond producing states met in Kimberley, South Africa, to come up with a way to stop the trade in conflict diamonds so that consumers could be confident that their diamond purchases do not contribute to violent conflict or human rights abuses.
   
   However, there are also reports that say the Kimberly Process, which is self-regulatory and voluntary, is nothing more than a public relations stunt in the part of the diamond industry. You can read more about it here.
   
   Download this to find out what you, as a consumer, can do when purchasing diamonds.
   

I'm sure this movie will help spread awareness about this illicit activity that is on-going in Africa (I for one is now a little educated about how my desire for a small little rock may cost so many people their lives). No doubt such awareness may be temporary and people will forget as time passes, especially when the repurcussions cannot be seen nor felt by the consumers, I'm still glad that this movie was made and brought the world to the attention of how millions of people out there are still suffering from such trade. While we are a population blessed with the everyday comfort and luxuries (all we worry about is having more $$, more time, less fats - haha, finding our purpose in life etc.), there are still millions out there suffering and living in hell. Worse of all, being tortured and abused and massacred by their own countrymen.

Well, with Valentine's Day near, do think about (and ask the few basic questions as mentioned in point 3 above) if you are choosing a rock for your loved one.

Is this going to put off the general public in buying diamonds ? Of course not. But hopefully people may start to insist on conflict free diamonds. Its only when there is demand and pressure from the market, that more could be done.

Highly recommended movie. In fact, one of the better movies I have watched in recent years.

Charlotte's Web

I just went to catch this movie on New Year's day and I have to say I love it !

Its a very simple story but very heart-warming and beautiful. Again reminding us about the true significance of friendship and also about the ordinary miracles around us. Apart from the heart-warming lessons, there are also harsh realities presented in a gentle way such as you can't keep one's attention or curiosity for long. Something that seemed extraordinary today, will become forgotten or lose its nobility tomorrow. And that when someone/something has lost its value, he/she/it will be discarded.

One of the original songs in this movie is Ordinary Miracle sung by Sarah McLachlan. Very nice melody. Actually I'm one who don't really pay much attention to the lyrics more the melody, rhythm :P

Anyway, I found the lyrics and would like to share the beautiful lyrics here ...

It’s not that unusual

When everything is beautiful

It's just another ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it's time to snow

Don’t need to teach a seed to grow

It’s just another ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift they say

Wrapped up for you everyday

Open up and find a way

to give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable

Like every time a raindrop falls

It's just another ordinary miracle today

Birds in winter have their fling

But always make it home by Spring

It's just another ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday

Please don’t throw your dreams away

Hold them close to your heart

‘cause we’re all a part…

Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle?

It seems so exceptional

That things just work out after all

It's just another ordinary miracle today

Sun comes up and shines so bright

And disappears again at night

It's just another ordinary miracle today

It's just another ordinary miracle today

I'm very happy to catch such a meaningful movie in the first day of 2007. Thanks to B & J for the company ! Glad I managed to catch this show with you ! :)

Afternote: Just recently Roentgen shared with us about how he has seen so many cases of people (with wife & children) in hospitals but having no visitation nor support while there are others who have no families and yet very well taken care of by the friends around him/her. Watching this show just helps to reinforce the point about the importance of kinship & friendship. About doing good for others and for yourselves. It doesn' t matter if I remain single but it matters to me to lead a fruitful life and to hopefully be blessed enough to have a group of wonderful friends around who will care enough to visit me when I'm old, withered and dying. :P Of course, everything starts with me ... can I be someone who will be loved by friends ?
And once again lead me back to a question that I ponder occassionally, who will cry for me when I die ?

Wow, heavy stuff for the 2nd day of the new year :P