On the way to getting a life back.

I caught Below over the last weekend. And man, do I recommend that film. Very cleverly plotted and well executed and no wonder, one of my heros, Darren Aronofsky(Requiem for a Dream) is on the writing team. Below was more than just a suspenseful horror film, it was a very insightful movie on haunting as two conflicting issues, a supernatural phenomenon versus the psychological implications of a guilty or overactive imagination. The characters, after all, are stuck in a tight space within a war submarine, submerged underneathe the dark, cold waters of the ocean. There was a very clever incorporaton of a literary symbol. In one of the scenes, Paige, the rescued Brit nurse and the only woman character in the film, stumbles upon a copy of Macbeth that fell in the hallway mysteriously, from the skipper's quarters. Readers of Macbeth may know that Shakespeare's famed evil protagonist suffered hallucinations of daggers and ghosts of those whom he had murdered. It was a rather clever way to make references to one of the main thematical conflict of the story and also subtly inform the audience that a possible murder might have taken place or is about to take place. I was blown away by the climax and the ending was really powerful. I was rivetted during the entire film.

My job contract ends this Friday!! Woohooo! They had actually wanted to extend it but I decided not to go ahead with that. Besides wanting to go back to my status quo as the Leading Lady of Leisure *hehe*, I also got stuff to prepare for the coming year. Hmm, I haven't broken the news to some folks yet but I guess I'll blog it when I feel it's the right time. Anyway, can't wait for this Friday to arrive, it'll be like the uber TGIF in a long while! =) I've been reading a lot of Streats and Today lately. And there's this one commentary by a forum contributor that really pissed me off last week. He was being such a chauvanistic caveman about local women. So, I sent in a comment, rebutting his very stereotypical insight on women. But sadly, they didn't publish my entry. Oh well. And today, a columnist on Streats let out her steam about a particular contestant on last Sunday's The Weakest Link, commenting that he was being a huge chauvanist. I didn't watch the episode so I couldn't be sure. But importantly, the issue of gender war is such a sore one. I'm all for woman power but I also believe in peace between the two sexes of course. But I feel we've still got quite a journey to embark before everything or almost everything at least will be hunky dory. Anyway, since I'm feeling extra empowered by my womanhood today, I shall shamelessly plug 3 films I feel has grrl power!

The Hours- Based on a novel of the same title by Michael Cunningham, it revolves around the lives of 3 women from different eras who are connected to the classical novel, Mrs Dalloway by Virgina Woolf. Laura Brown an expecting housewife planning a party for her husband but is too occupied with reading Mrs Dalloway; Clarrisa Vaughn a modern woman throwing a party for an author friend of hers suffering from AIDS; and Virginia Woolf herself who is in the midst of writing the said novel. I haven't read the book and I've only managed to watch the trailer. I find films with parallel storylines unravelling simultaneously, very fascinating and from what I gather, it promises to be a very insightful look into what it takes to be a woman approaching life. Stars Nicole Kidman, Meryl Steep and Julianne Moore.

Far From Heaven- Now this one looks really good. I love Julianne Moore, I can believe she can be so self decrapating to her career. I feel she's one of the actresses who's done marvellous work and has her intergrity as an actress in tact when choosing her roles. She portrays Cathy Whitaker, housewife from the 50s whose living out the American dream. Y'know..a successful husband, great kids, social status and just the perfect life. But it all falls apart when she chances upon her husband engaged in adultery...with another man. In her grief, she befriends her gardener, Raymond, a black man and such relationships then were taboo. As the story unfolds, Cathy has to come to terms with her husband's homosexuality and her growing feelings for Raymond and thus deal with reality itself.

Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle- The first teaser trailer just hit the www yesterday I think. Ok, I totally love the first Charlie's Angels. And those who figured it's nothing more than just a bimz-fest so completely missed its true purpose of subversive humour against all testesterone overload spy movies. Anywayz, the teaser is one bad-ass trailer, pun fully intended. =p

That's it for now guys. Oh yeah, the French Film Fest starts today. I've got my tix already and rearin' to go this Sat. Have you guys gotten yours yet? =) And tomorrow I'll be attending Faust at the Esplanade. Been looking forward to that for a while now. Until the next madness...y'all come back now, y'here!

A Serious Lack of Life...and Movies.

Hey guys, work continues to drain the life out of my consciousness. Grateful this is only temporary. I got very little time to keep up with the movies and whatever spare time I got, I'm spending time with my parents or friends or having driving lessons or just unwind in front of the tv. How do workaholics do it??? I'm so behind when it comes to catching films these days, the last two I caught were Mr. Deeds and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Pathetic right? =p The former sucked donkey balls but I did enjoy the latter. I'm a little wary of Red Dragon but I'm so looking forward to catching Below, that suspense sub movie which I feel will go head to head with another horror flick set at the ocean, Ghost Ship. But personally, I don't see a competition at all even though they've got relatively similar themes. The trailer for Ghost Ship doesn't really give me a nice vibe. Looks like one of 'em corny B-grades whereas Below looks like it's got the potential to deliver a more tasteful, suspense thiller. But then again, there's only one way to find out...watch 'em both. =p

Today, this movie geek will shamelessly plug...

Steven Spielberg's latest to be released, Catch Me If You Can. The poster blew me away but wait till you guys catch the trailer, here. Based on a true story, the film revolves around the swindles of Frank Abagnale, Jr(Leonardo DiCaprio) con artist extraordinaire who took on numerous identities and made himself one of the FBI's most wanted dudes. Tom Hanks portrays Carl Hanratty, the zelous agent who's hot on his heels. The film also stars Jennifer Garner(Alias), Christopher Walken and Martin Sheen.

It's been hectic!

Hey y'all, it's been quite a while since I've last updated yah? Sorry to the bloggers whom I usually drop a heya to. It's been hectic to say the least. Yesterday was one of the most exhausting days I've ever had, was out from morn till late night. After work, I headed down to the Esplanade to watch The London Philharmonic Orchestra perform with Ady. Late dinner at Marche afterwards. I hardly see my mum and it seems I'm rarely ever home. Luckily this is just a one month contract. Work's killing me too. I'm not just a temp data entry clerk, apparently my duties include customer service as well and I've got to call tonnes of customers some days. Today being one of them and it's very unfortunate with my sore throat. Because of time constraint, I haven't seen as much movies as I usually do and it's killing me. I'm putting my foot down, this weekend...major movie marathon for me. Thing is, I also need more time to rest and catch up on sleep but it's hard to do that when I still got stuff to do during my free time. Basically I've been watching a lot of prime time tv and cable to unwind. Six Feet Under totally rocks. The Last Of The Blonde Bombshells(on Star Movies), gooooood....Valentine(on HBO), baaaaaad. My thoughts on these programmes have to be reduced to that for now...sad eh? =p

I'll start proper blogging and blog visitations real soon. Right now, I'm poofed out and I feel out of my skin...instead of films, I've got FedEx in the brain..for those of you who're unsure, I'm working at a FedEx office now. =p So, until then, check out this uber cool Catch Me If You Can teaser poster. Yes, that Spielberg movie that's signed, sealed and will be delivered after DiCaprio finally wrapped Gangs Of New York last year. Woohoo!

Movies, Jogging and Work.* What?!?!*

I haven't blogged much lately cuz I've been busy. The usual movie routines? Sure. But guess what, the Queen mayor of Bumsville has found herself a part-time job. Uh-huh, me..moi..I, the Leading lady of Leisure, has actually gotten off her big arse to work as a temporary data entry clerk/customer service officer at FedEx. And not only that, she has started to *gasp* jog on a regular basis! Say it ain't so! Will wonders never cease eh? =p So as you can see, my schedule's been rather filled lately. And with the European Union Film Festival going on last week, I had close to no time to spend just bumming around at home. The film fest was awesome...maybe cuz I love or really like all the films I've picked. =p hehe. I managed to catch Tales From The Vienna Woods, Saint-Cyr, Scholar Gerber and Faithless. Awesome movies they all were. One regret was that I didn't manage to catch Italian For Beginners, one of the Dogme 95 films that I'm very fascinated with. Didn't manage to watch 8 Women at the fest either but I did watch the sneak preview as I've maniacally blogged about a week or so ago. haha. Hot on its heels is the French Film Fest coming later this month, a collaboration between Alliance Francaise and Cathay. I'm all set for that! =)

Apparently according to some friends of mine, a local cinema(Yangtze?) is showcasing La Pianiste once again. But we suspect it's going to be the censored version. Whatever it is, I recommend it totally! I penned my thoughts on it and it's still there in the June archive of my blog. My besties and I managed to catch the uncensored version at the limited Alliance Francaise screening then. *naughty snigger* Haha, but really folks, it's a great film with a lot of things to say. And it's the first time I got to know of a stunning actress, Isabelle Huppert whom I just adore by now. She was amazing in La Pianiste and she didn't disappoint me at all in 8 Women and Saint-Cyr. If you guys can and most importantly, if you want, do try and catch it...at the Ah Pek(Yangtze) cinema!! muahahaha!

24 just finished its (very long) run last week! Sobs! The final ep blew me away. And I got word that the dvd set is released in the US with a special peek into Season 2! More Bauer Power! Yay! Alias had its first season's swan song just now also. And Friends will say their goodbyes next week. *sniff* I'm so gonna miss them all...in the wake of Ally and The X-Files to boot. Oh well. At least Scrubs and Smallville are on its way. And not forgetting Six Feet Under, this Sat 10:30 on HBO!!! Woohooo! These days after 8 hours of slogging in the office, all I wanna do when I get home is to sit back and watch the idiot box all night long. So these programmes are coming just at the right time, eh? ;) Couch potatos of the world unite!


Oh yeah I just added a new fella to my list of links. It's Bert, a funny friend of mine. For more than a few laughs and great music tips(he's a music geek) do check out his blog yah?