Urbanscapes + Flu = Swine Flu??

FACT 1:
There was one confirmed case of H1N1 among the 10,000 who attended Urbanscapes last weekend (Read more, KLue Urbanscapes 2009)

FACT 2:
I attended Urbanscapes. I caught a cold a day later..

Aikkssssss! Does that mean I am now infected with swine flu?

Well, as I post this, feeling much better..
no serious symptoms as yet..
therefore, believe that it ain't swine flu..
will monitor health over next few days...
staying mostly indoors for now..
will make it out alive..

*overdramatizing*

URBANSCAPES was awesome by the way..

A different not to mention new scene to me altogether..

wouldn't mind delving into it again in the near future...
next time, less shopping, more watching performances..

If you knew me well enough,
then you wouldn't be surprised that I came home empty handed,
despite the tons of opportunities to shop till I dropped.

Me good ol buddies did drop,
but not me..maybe coz I have yet to realise the thrill of shopping.
No worries, next year guys, I promise!!
(don't hold ur breath though..=P)

P.S. Those who attended Urbanscapes are advised to get a check up..especially if ur displaying flu like symptoms..like me, although I opted not to go to them doctors.

Bad judgement? Maybe.

I'll post something up again soon just to let you guys know i'm still alive.
Haha.

Wait, that wasn't funny. Laters!

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

make your own here

The Fallen finally arrives...and we go: WOW!!

It was always going to be an awesome film. Before the release, before the trailers, before everything, right after the first ended. Even if there were miraculously any flaws or weaknesses, many didn't even notice while most couldn't even care.

And so we went, we watched, and as was written in stone, THEY CONQUERED. Transformers 2 was TREMENDOUSLY A.W.E.S.O.M.E (although this alone probably doesnt do it enough justice). It was worth every cent of the 12 bucks I paid and you can bet that I'll be watching it again..sometime soon I hope.

The CGI effects were fantastic again this time around, makes you believe the robots are actually there in physical sense but not quite..oh, if only they were. The autobots and decepticons just seemed so other worldly (which in fact is true...) while their vehicle counterparts were plain slick and stylish. Some of the humour (ahem..a notable increase in sexual innuendos mind you) just makes you roll over in your seats laughing while the raw emotion exuded by the seemingly indestructible autobots leaves you watery eyed at times..oh yes, you will shed a tear, trust me.

You could say that this movie has two categories of awesome: one category alone is held by Megan Fox...but let's not get into that shall we, since it could well lead to a very descriptive not to mention a tad perverted discussion on the topic. So let's move along now. But here's a pic though, just so you get the 'feel'.


Special mention goes to the 'jakuns' (uncivilized idiots) in the cinemas who couldn't keep it in their pants everytime Megan Fox popped up on screen. Seriously, where is thy dignity? The ooooingg and ahhhing needs to stop please or in the future, cinemas will have to do a check on hormone levels before allowing patrons into their theatres. I mean its scary don't you think, what goes on in the dark?

Back to the main reason the movie rocked. The action scenes were probably most enjoyable although at times a bit messy. But who's complaining? It is after all the whole point of the film. Explosions everywhere and the never ending sound of clanking metal is truly a thrill to watch..made all the more exhilarating on the big screen.

Also, the backdrop of deserts and pyramids as battlegrounds were absolutely brilliant since it gelled very well with the entire theme of the movie. Dont have to worry about damage to public property at least. Haha. What more can I say? The last time I felt this contented was the 4th of July 2007..no guesses as to what for.

And so, Transformers 2 is movie of the year for me, in a league of its own compared to the rest. Come to think of it, it represents the best of the last two years, while the period in between the first and second installment is almost forgotten now. Indeed, it is one of a kind and there shall be none like it, as hard as others may try to emulate. So kudos to Michael Bay and crew for giving us another fantastic two and a half hours, and a reason to continue waiting for the third one in the not so distant future.

To those of you who stood up at the end and applauded the movie, I say that it was an understandable and thoroughly justified gesture. Unlike everyone else however, I fought the urge to do just that, but not for lack of enthusiasm believe me. Till the next one then. Roll out!!

A tale from the slums bags the riches, shame on you Bollywood..

So its Slumdog Millionaire fever around the globe at the moment, bagging eight Oscars out of its ten nominations...a truly amazing feat given that it hardly seemed to constitute what good ol' Americans would consider their cup of tea. But surprisingly, they loved it and that has made all the difference, to the cast, to the crew behind the film, and perhaps, to Indian cinema.

Given that the film is originally in English, with a British director I might add, it does not exactly fall into the Bollywood category. However, the storyline behind the film is essentially very much like your everyday Hindi movie, with a number a songs (Jai Ho in particular was awesome) and what else, a somewhat epic LOVE story. Why then did this movie receive so much praise and commendations at the highest level while most other Bollywood movies have thus failed to even get recognized by the larger audience? I'll tell you why. Two names: Danny Boyle (director) and Simon Beaufoy (writer). The contribution of these two people was critical to the film's success. Of course, Vikas Swarup (author of Q&A on which the film is based upon) also deserves some mention for coming up with the idea in the first place but in my opinion, the magical touch of those two did wonders. The actors were well, mere players in this project but delivered convincing performances nevertheless, so take nothing away from them.


The funny thing though is that there is a bit of an irony behind the success of this film. Allow me to point them out. First, the fact that it takes a British director to deliver Indian cinema from the slums (pun unintended) all the way to the freakin Oscars! Now we all know what the Indians think of the British and all but seriously, Danny Boyle has given Indian cinema hope! So forget that his ancestors oppressed yours and be thankful! After all, never before has an Indian based movie come remotely close to winning an Oscar although some have previously been recognized internationally. But hell, the Oscars?? Not even close!

Secondly, who knew that an Oscar winning project could be found in India's own backyard? Literally! Of late, many Bollywood producers and directors have been travelling to foreign destinations to shoot their movies in an attempt to expand their audience reach. Apparently the conditions in India were not interesting or appealing enough, so to speak. Well, wrong again. Danny Boyle comes along and probably says, "Let's show the world what India really is like, the core of it" and walla, the Oscars 'come a knockin'. Therefore, shame on you Bollywood for not thinking of this sooner. Turns out all the world wanted to see was your backyard and her you've been nosing around other backyards while overlooking your own.

It's also dissappointing that some high profile figures such as Amitabh Bacchan choose to condemn the movie in the aftermath of its success. That clearly has jealousy written all over it. It musnt be nice knowing that a foreigner accomplished something you couldn't and hence, instead of showing appreciation, you condemn its portrayal of the slums, which by the way is reality. No wrong done there.

The achievements garnered by Slumdog Millionaire has been a phenomenon like no other, something unimaginable even to the crew who intended it to be a low budget production that would perhaps gather an audience, but definitely not one this huge! Looks like the movie's title has complemented its reputation by raking in the millions and the future of Indian cinema has been given a lucky break, just as those child actors from the slums were. Perhaps they would do well to build upon it and make more movies like this. As of now, Slumdog Millionaire owns the stage...

Obama's 100 days checklist....

Lets talk football....

How is it possible that a football junkie like myself not have a single post on football, you say? Well then, lets talk football for once.

As you may or may not know (depending on ur knowledge of the BPL of course), bloody Liverpool will usher in the New Year at the top of the table, a feat they've not accomplished in what seems an eternity (take note u overzealous Reds fans). The only reason for this is that my beloved Chelsea have not been able to capitalize on their slip ups, falling short aginst much LESSER opposition mind you. Damn. It has indeed been bloody frustrating watching them over the last few weeks. I swear one of these days im gonna get a heart attack. Just when u thought they were gonna win the game, they so 'obligingly' prove otherwise. Most recent evidence: 2-2 draw with Fulham. Idiots. And my oh my, what of Stamford Bridge? Their feat of 86 unbeaten matches now seems so surreal. All this from a team AND a manager that felt so right at the beginning of the season. Ah, how fortunes change. Oh, and having three brothers (two Man U fans and the other an Arsenal follower) who UNSURPRISINGLY hate Chelsea to bits does not help my
situation at all. They prefer to bask in the glory of our shortcomings, getting on my nerves in the process.

Now even good ol Man Utd, whose performances of late have ALSO hardly been title worthy, stand a chance of snatching 2nd spot from the Blues. I must admit though, the thought of man u completing a treble of premiership titles is bearable. Liverpool, not so much. Coz nothing spells H-A-T-E more than Liverpool does. And this fortunately is the one sentiment my brothers and I share. Hence, i refuse to believe that Liverpool will still be top come end of the season. Sooner or later their rivals will catch up and then they'll be the same team we've known for so long, ruing the might and could-have-beens of their season (only an opinion, no harsh feelings intended towards any person living or dead). Lucky for them, they can at least take pride on the fact that 3rd placing is prolly the worst it could get, since Arsenal will be nowhere near the top three. I do however find the Gunners a very intriguing bunch of players. Only they seem to be able to lose to teams like STOKE city, Hull (at home) and Fulham but yet record victories over the likes of Chelsea and Man U, heck they nearly did it against Liverpool too. How in God's name does that happen? I presume only God knows.

Wow, I can go and on when it comes to football. Nywayz, ive just had all of this on my mind lately (since theres nothing much to think about...the hols do have this effect on one) and decided to put it into writing. A simple conclusion from all this is that Liverpool are oh so surprisingly on top, Chelsea are capable of so much better, Man U are waiting in the shadows before they deliver their crucial blow, and Arsenal are hopelessly unpredictable.

If Liverpool DO somehow win the title this season, then kudos and well done. At least u guys will have something more to talk about other than the miraculous not to mention fortunate night in Istanbul 3 freakin years ago. Till then, I suggest u keep ur fingers crossed coz there's a storm coming. Whether its in the form of Chelsea or MU remains to be seen.

Looking forward to an epic encounter at Old Trafford next week. Hehehe....

Till the end of the season then. Season's greetings and a Happy New Year!

Of empty promises and hols thus far.....

Forgive me readers (as if anyone ever reads this crap) for I have sinned. Its been 28 days since my last post.

Yes, I know i promised to be devoted to this blog during my hols and what not but here's the thing: a wise man once said and I quote,

"Promises are easier made than kept..."
Akil Yunus, 2008

And so, its only natural that I couldnt keep the promise. My apologies are nevertheless due for being such a lazy ass during the last few weeks and leaving this blog unattended. HOPEFULLY it wont happen again although i wouldnt bet on it. Sometimes i think maybe i was right all along..that blogging isnt a niche of mine, evidenced by my total ignorance of its existence for some time. Lol. But you know what? This mite just be as productive as i can get for the next 2 months since there's a very slight chance of me finding a job sumwhere..unless of course it involves watching movies and lots and lots of eating (yes, hard to believe but im 2 kilos up n counting...:)

Still struggling to pass time..suddenly wish sem 2 wud just start tomorrow and I wouldnt mind one bit...being stressed at least means im doing something but no, still a long way to go before dat happens by which time my brain prolly 'karat' already. Story books have kept me going though...now reading The Appeal by John Grisham..its gooooodddddd. Waiting for the Eclipse to arrive though, as in the Twilight series although an actual eclipse would be cool too...maybe i'll get powers then. Lol. Ok, perhaps a bit too much of Heroes has got me talking crazy.

Had my lil cousins over this last week and boy did they turn the house upside down! The noise and the racket..phew! But they kept things interesting in my otherwise boring existence, so im grateful, especially my cutest little cousin..just feel like squeezing her cute little face everytime i c her..lol.

Well, that wraps it up for now...and here's promising to regularly update this blog from now onwards. just bear in mind what i said before...given my usual progress, i predict the next post will be out sumtime near Chinese New Year or something...happy hols everyone! :)