Confession Of Pain (2006)

Release Date: 28th December 2006
Details: 111 mins, PG, Crime/Thriller
Starring: Tony Leung, Shu Qi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Chapman To, Xu Jinglei
Directed by: Alan Mak, Andrew Lau
Local Distributor: Shaw Organization

In a city of love and prosperity, a city of lost hope and premature death, veteran detective Hei (Tony Leung Chiu-Wai) feels it all: the hurt, the helplessness, the horror. When his father-in-law, the billionaire benefactor Chau, is gruesomely murdered in his palatial mansion, he enlists the assistance of his former partner turned private detective, Bong (Takeshi Kaneshiro).

On the surface, the murder smacks of a vendetta that has taken a lifetime to fulfil. But no sooner has Bong agreed to crack the case with Hei than he realises nothing is what it appears to be. Undoubtedly, they are after a monster in a perfect crime: every detail was meticulously orchestrated, every motive conveniently justifiable, and every culprit and potential witness mysteriously eliminated.

But Bong has his own demon to fight. Ever since the suicide of his pregnant girlfriend, he has lost his joie de vivre, even though he still retains the finest instincts of a man hunter. As he digs deeper and deeper into the case, all evidence seems to point to Chau’s daughter and Hei’s hysterical wife, Susan. But then the killer ups the ante by murdering Susan as well. Bong starts grappling with the suspicion that the man they hunt is someone very close to them, someone on the verge of a total breakdown.

Like lost souls in a city of fallen angels, the cop, the private detective, and the killer are doing what they must. Every step of their journey takes them closer and closer to one another, until a shocking denouement in which no stone is left unturned and no one can escape unscathed.

Official Website: http://www.confessionofpain.com/

I think the directors tried to make it a movie with 'sense' and 'feel'. It did to a certain extend, but the storyline isn't something interesting that will make you "Wow!". A rather normal, expected storyline. The directors should have made it reflective, which will make it more interesting but may lose the 'sense' and 'feel' that they would like to produce.

It isn't a lousy movie, yet it isn't something impressive that leaves a deep impression. Overall, it is slightly above average. Watch it if you like any of cast or for the 'feel' of the movie.

Rating: 3/5

Eragon (2006)

Release Date: 14th December 2006
Details: 105 mins, PG, Fantasy/Action
Starring: Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Djimon Hounsou, Edward Speleers, Sienna Guillory
Directed by: Stefen Fangmeier
Local Distributor: 20th Century Fox

"The sands of time cannot be stopped. Years pass whether we will them or not... but we can remember. What has been lost may yet live on in memories. That which you will hear is imperfect and fragmented, yet treasure it, for without you it does not exist. I give you now a memory that has been forgotten, hidden in the dreamy haze that lies behind us..." - Brom the Storyteller

Before your grandfathers' fathers were born, and even before their fathers, the Dragon Riders were formed. To protect and guard was their mission, and for thousands of years they succeeded. Their prowess in battle was unmatched, for each had the strength of ten men. They were immortal unless blade or poison took them. For good only were their powers used, and under their tutelage tall cities and towers were built out of the living stone. Wealth flowed into the cities of Alagaesia, and men prospered.

Though no enemy could destroy them, they could not guard against themselves. And it came to pass at the height of their power that a boy, Galbatorix, was born. At ten he was tested and it was found that a great power resided in him. The Riders accepted him as their own, and he exceeded all others in skill. Gifted with a sharp mind and strong body, he quickly rose among the Riders' ranks.

The Riders grew arrogant in their power and ignored caution. During a reckless trip Galbatorix and two friends were ambushed, his friends killed, and his dragon slayed. For months he wandered, becoming more and more mad, until he was found unconscious by a kind farmer, and returned to the Riders' council.

When the Riders refused to grant him another dragon, Galbatorix grew mad with rage. Vowing revenge on the Riders, he began to hone his use of dark secrets, learned from a Shade. Then, in the dark of the night he stole a dragon hatchling, and convinced Morzan, a weak-minded Rider, to join him in his practice of dark secrets and forbidden magic. Together they gained strength, and waged a war of revenge against the Riders. Twelve more of the Riders, desiring power and revenge, joined Galbatorix, and they became the Thirteen Forsworn.

In the last bloody battle, Galbatorix gained dominance over all, and anointed himself king over all Alagaesia. And from that day on, he has ruled.

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it's the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself.

Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands.

Official Website: http://www.eragonmovie.com/

It's some story like LOTR just take it's all about dragon and the dragon rider. The storyline isn't something new however the scences were shot fantastically. It's nice to stare at the screen when the dragon is flying but it can make you giddy if it continues for more than 3 minutes with the dragon making sharp turns. Haha!

Overall, I find this a nice movie. Catch it if you can! And I bet it'll have another part of this story coming on screen.

Rating: 3.5/5

House of Flying Daggers (2004)

US Release Date: 3rd December 2004
Details: 119 mins, Action/Foreign
Starring: Ziyi Zhang, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro
Directed by: Zhang Yimou

Set in the year is 859 AD, as China's once flourishing Tang Dynasty is in decline, unrest is raging throughout the land. The corrupt government is locked in battle with rebel armies that are forming in protest. The largest, and most prestigious of these rebel groups is the House of Flying Daggers, which is growing ever more powerful under a mysterious new leader. Two local captains, Leo and Jin are ordered to capture the new leader and the two hatch an elaborate plan. Captain Jin will pretend to be a lone warrior called Wind and rescue the beautiful, blind revolutionary Mei from prison, earning her trust and escorting her to the secret headquarters of the House of Flying Daggers. The plan works, but to their surprise, Jin and Mei fall deeply in love on their long journey to the House. Danger lurks in the forest surrounding them, and the wind is still, as if sensing the tension in the air. What lies ahead for Jin and Mei, these star-crossed lovers? If this is true love, then why are there plots in their heads, and secrets in their hearts?

Official Website: http://www.sonyclassics.com/houseofflyingdaggers/trailer-open.html

I personally find that it was shot very beautifully with a high balance in the aesthetic martial art moves and colours of the scenes and costumes. That's what director Zhang Yimou is best at. Not forgetting the scenes shot at far distance and the fast scenes accommodated with the background music that compliment so nicely. Well done!

However, I find the storyline not as good and the tempo at certain parts of the movie too slow. If not, this is quite a well shot movie. One last thing regrettable was the passing of Anita Mui, making it a loss of an actress in this movie and maybe due to this, certain parts of the script had to be rewritten.

Rating: 3.5/5

Plaignez-vous

People when you buy Levi's jeans, make sure you get your receipt and make sure you check the pair of jeans. Make sure it's not defective in workmanship. I had just experienced below satisfactory or rather lousy customer service at Levi's Plaza Singapura outlet. I wasn't issued with a receipt and to make things worse, my receipt was 'taken' by someone and had the points inherited claimed. Who else would have done that other than the sale assistant? I was given a lame excuse by the supervisor 'maybe some customer took the receipt and claimed the points'. You mean the customer went to dig into your rubbish bin?

And the jeans that I'd exchanged for 2 times proves to be defective in workmanship. The Arcuate Stitching Design® trademark on the back pockets, easily recognized as the "double arcs" displayed on each side of the back pocket are not sewed properly. I'm gonna complain this to the Asia Pacific Division Headquarters that is luckily situated in Singapore. I wanna make sure I get what I want! Hmmp!

I don't wish to be a nasty customer but the staff who had served me made me wanna do this. I'll complain you PS sup. I won't feel sorry for you. You shall be responsible for your action.

Modèle Androgyne ||`

Nice ones? Arrgghh! Definitely! Must grab!!!

Christmas is round the corner!

Wah! Can you feel it in the air? The coming festive season is in the air! A sense of joyous and fun-filled get-together period for everyone.

How would I spend my Christmas this year? Should be with my WXSE group. We spend it together every year without fail. Yup.

I want quality Christmas present this year! So I gotta inform the one who is going to prepare my present and make sure it is with quality. Haha!

Slient night. Holy night. Lalala...

And I think I won't be able to travel overseas this year. BUT! I still gotta survive. Hee!

Christmas is round the corner, which means 2006 is ending real soon too. Well, it's time to look back what I did and how I had spent this year etc. My resolutions? Hmm... I think I'm quite happy that some of the resolutions I set are fulfilled and are going to fulfill. Which also means that I have and is going to achieve my goals. I'm grateful to my faith, The Gohonzon.

This year is really a tough year for me. I can even say that it is the worst that I had ever had. For those who are not informed, it all happened in the very beginning of this year. I suffered some setbacks, quite serious ones I thought. My mentality changed because of all these. I won't wanna say much since all is over. If you would wanna guess what had happened, refer to the posts in January. =)

So what I look forward in 2007? Many things! It should be a very hopeful and promising year for me. And it will be! =) Let me see...

• I'll be going for my studies which I have been waiting for quite some time.
• I'll continue to attend enrichment classes to, of course, enrich myself.
• I'll find time and money to travel to overseas. This is a must! Even a short trip will do.
• I'll continue to value the values which I learnt. These are treasures.

With that, I'm tired of blogging too long post and shall end here.

Modèle Androgyne

Can you get the feel I want my image consultant? Help me get these the next time we go shopping. Wee! Wala wala! =)

What Tarot Card are You?

You are The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

Link: http://www.flarn.com/~warlock/tarot/

谁能体谅我?

I know it's not you. That I should waste time and effort to keep with it. It doesn't pay off. Does it? Who cares when only I'm thinking and not you. Am I demanding? Shrugs.

Hopefully it's only my thinking. I do hope things can work out. Which I wanted. Who doesn't want it? Well, but my trust for such things ain't high. As usual. Perhaps that's my fate. And I should accept it? No. Wait till I'm older perhaps. I'm still hopeful.

But on the other hand, I... I don't really know what I want. I'm contradicting, I know. Haiz...