Despicable Me

I last posted something about the Father’s love. Want to add on to that by sharing my thoughts after I watched the movie “Despicable Me” recently. I know it’s quite an old movie already, but I’ve only just watched it on HBO.

So the show starts off by introducing our main Villain, Gru. Or Dr. Gru, if u prefer. His plans of evil villainy involve getting hold of sth called a “shrink ray”. He steals it from some top secret facility in Asia, but his plans are thwarted when the ray is stolen in transit, by up-and-coming rival Vector.

So Gru tries to get the Shrink Ray back from Vector’s fortress. His motive is fame, fortune, to commit the ultimate act of villainy (shrink the Moon and steal it). But then, Vector’s in-built defences prove too much for Gru. He can’t get pass all the sharks, heat seeking missiles, and other defences that Vector has put in place.

But later on in the show, he adopts 3 girls from the nearby orphanage, to use them to gain entry into Vector’s fortress. Along the way, he grows to love them, but doesn’t realise it.

Towards the end, the girls are kidnapped by Vector, and when Gru found out, he immediately stormed to Vector’s fortress. He was willing to hand over the very thing he worked so hard to get (the shrunken moon), and easily got through all Vector’s defences he couldn’t get through previously.

Motivated by love for the 3 girls, he easily dodged missiles, battled sharks, and whatnot to be able to get his girls back. Whereas earlier, when he was motivated by fame and fortune, he was not able to get past any of those defences.

Point being: the power of love, especially a parent’s love for his kids, enables him to do much more than what he was able to do before. To be willing, and able. Reminds me of my God, my Jesus, how Jesus loved us and endured the suffering on the cross, His love that kept him from calling out to his angels. His love that kept him on that cross, until he cried out “It is finished!”

Remember Me

I caught this movie starring Robert Pattinson (yes, the Twilight guy) with my family in the afternoon. It’s not a particularly riveting movie, and I don’t think it will receive any awards at all. According to wikipedia, the reviews are mixed but veering on the negative end.

For myself, I found the starting scene (or prologue, if you will) a bit ominous, almost horror movie-like. But the body was actually quite down-to-earth, especially the more homey scenes, with Pattinson’s character and his date horsing around, as well as him spending time with his kid sister.

Ah, I’d better do a quick plot synopsis. Robert Pattinson plays a character (Tyler Hawkins) who’s still mourning his elder brother who committed suicide some years back. He is caring and all big-brotherly towards his younger sister, whom their workaholic dad seems to ignore. He meets a girl (not giving away spoilers) whose mum was murdered by muggers on the subway when she was a kid, and they bond over their similar losses of loved ones in their lives. All is well and fine, except for a tragic ending, signalled very obviously by tell-tale ominous music in the lead up to the tragic scene. The movie ends the same way it begins, with a shot of subway trains passing by.

I mentioned this movie not to criticise the predictable plot and ending (though I just did.. =P), but rather to share how I liked all the big-brother scenes with Robert Pattinson’s character being the big brother of dreams to his kid sis in the movie. Seriously, I think every girl wants a big brother like the one he acted out (aside from the slightly violent tendencies and the smoking though).

Then I was thinking, when was the last time I experienced even half of this with MY OWN big brother? I’m still thinking. Actually have lar, when I was a kid. Then.. Suddenly (at least in my memory it was sudden) 没有了.

Ah, I also caught Prince of Persia recently, which I think I will save for another post. I just realised that it’s 1.43am, and I’m trying to sleep earlier!!! Au revoir!

Book + Vday (movie) post-mortem

1. Maybe I’m not as ready as I thought I was.

2. Plus, I’m truly quite the skeptic.

Regarding (2), I’ve just finished True Believer by Nicholas Sparks. It was the only novel of his I could find in the public library, and since it seems like all his books are being made into movies, it follows that the books must be quite good.

I was quite disappointed in this book though. (Perhaps that’s why it isn’t a movie…) Basically it just tells of how a journalist from NYC heads to a really really small town to investigate some dead-end case, meets this girl, hangs out with her for a couple o’ days, and suddenly professes his undying love for her.

She gets skittish (I don’t blame her at all), but eventually he convinces her that he will try to settle in her small town and she doesn’t need to follow him to NYC. That’s it, end of story.

Not very exciting or inspiring right?? I also don’t believe in love in 3 days. Do you?

Which suddenly reminds me of Valentine’s Day (movie), which Sy, Pak and I caught yesterday. Not too bad. I like the fact that it doesn’t promote teenage sex. But other than that, I think I prefer movies to focus more on a few individual characters than trying to weave in too many stories at once.

[Oh, for those who need backgrounding. VDay (movie) is filmed in a similar style to Love Actually. It shows the lives of many many couples on valentine’s day. All the characters are somehow linked. The movie also features tons of big name stars like Julia Roberts, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel (I still dunno who she is) and for the younger ones, Taylor Swift and Lautner and some other guys whose names I’ve forgotten.]

There was a mini-plotline that was kinda disconcerting, but I’ll leave it at that. It is not a foreign concept — in fact, I kinda liked the idea the first time I ever heard about it, which was in a novel. But actually watching it in this particular circumstances was just… a little too close to home. (In case you’re wondering, I’m okay, and very sorry to sound so mysterious. There’s nothing strange going on, at least, nothing concrete I know of. Speculation, however, can be another matter altogether..)

Post-movie dinner (with addition of G and Sonia), plus Haagen-Dazs ice cream afterwards was really great! ❤ talking cock and just chatting so comfortably. This is what I really miss in uni. There are substitutes, yes, but things are just different.

On a final note, the staff at Haagen-Dazs vivo city outlet were really nice and attentive! Even though we only wanted to take away a pint of ice cream, they helped us to choose 2 suitably matching flavours, gave us little plastic spoons, serviettes, and even packed the pint in dry ice. 5 thumbs up!

Twilight: summarised

I just caught Twilight (movie) on HBO. Hohoho. It is totally, absolutely, Bad. The book is crap, the movie is just… worse.

My sis (who hasn’t read the books) pointed out that the vampires are so easy to spot, its a wonder no one knows they are vampires. I was thinking, yeah, that’s kinda weird. Then I realised that they’re prolly just following the descriptions in the book, just that when I’m reading I don’t really visualise it.

It deviated quite a lot frm the book. It’s fast (re: plot progression), yet slow (re: courting).

I guess it’s only redeeming quality is Edward Cullen, although the way Bella’s gfs were “starstruck” is damn funny. and his hairstyle look like he just got out of bed (but he never sleeps!).

Up ahead: A brillinat summary of the twilight saga (yea, saga is indeed the right word), in a 16 panel comic strip.

[Slight SPOILERS]

Loves.

Source: http://lucylou.livejournal.com/566295.html

Slumdog Millionaire

(blogging frm email now – Note to self: add in labels later)

I just finished watching Slumdog Millionaire! I actually obtained a copy quite a few months back, but never felt like watching it until today. Well, I was watching Whose Line Is It Anyway on my laptop on the train ride home, but the episode finished at around City Hall. Since I didn’t have time for another episode, I decided, hey, why not watch a movie? (I know, seems like faulty reasoning right?)

I tried to watch UP, but had problems with the sound. My only other option was Slumdog, so I thought, hey, why not?

Wah, it’s riveting man. If I could get away with it I’d probably have tried to continue watching it while walking back home from the MRT. But I also believe in doing my part for road safety. =) But once I got home, wah, straight away went up to my room to continue watching.

Well most of you should have already watched the movie, or at the very least, heard about it. If you haven’t, the movie is about a teenager from the slums of Mumbai who managed to get on the Millionaire show (to win 20 mil. rupees). When the movie starts, he has already correctly answered all the questions up to the last one. Over the course of the movie, his life in the slums is revealed through flashbacks, and how the unique experiences in his life have coincidentally equipped him with the answers to most of the questions on the Millionaire show.

And of course, there is the prerequisite love interest. What movie would be complete without one?

As for the finer plot details, go watch the movie yourself if you haven’t already!!! It’s very good!

There has been some controversy (esp. by Indians, which is understandable) over how the movie depicts the slums of India. Well, after taking HP804 – Coping with Cultural Transition, it’s easier for me to keep an open mind about it and not to stereotype the whole of India as being impoverished and all that. I guess if you take the point of view that with the movie, the director is actually trying to highlight that such conditions exist (be it in India or in other parts of the world where there are slums), and factor in artistic license – movies always exaggerate, don’t they? then you’re fine.

Also, I really really like the ending song, Jai Ho. People might be more familiar with the PCD’s version “Jai Ho (You’re My Destiny)”, but the original version is in Hindi (and Urdu and Spanish too, according to Wiki) The end of the movie has a very bollywood feel to it, with all the cast coming out to mass dance to this song. It also helps that Jai Ho was the mass dance song in my church’s HM’09 camp! Ok, I confess, I’m a closet dancer! It’s really fun and the beat’s good to groove to — Bollywood style. Listening to the song (especially accompanied by visual input of everyone dancing) really makes u wanna get up and dance too! =D

I think with minor adaptations, it wld make a good TJ mass dance song! *grin*

OK, time to do more serious work. Ciao!

P.S. It also helps that the male lead grows on you — I think I’m attracted to the more sensitive type, as opposed to the macho type. Hmm..

Lazy days

Had physics test today. Not bad, though I’m still irritated at the lecturer for completely re-using some questions from last year’s mid-term. Heh. Guess it’s just me wanting to prove that I studied and I *think* I understand the concept. =X

I’ve another test tomorrow but so far have been slacking and stoning.

[UPDATE]

Somehow I never seem to be able to finish off my posts at one shot. Anyways, above mentioned test is OVER! Finally, I can have a week without tests. But unfortunately, after that are the EXAMS. Sians.

I just watched Marley and Me. Not bad lar, considering there’s no typical climax to the movie. I think I need something a bit more from it though. Perhaps I would enjoy the book better. I didn’t cry at the end – maybe cos this version that I have is slightly choppy here and there, making for a less-than-ideal movie experience. Maybe cos I’m watching with my family, or just.. cos.

These 2 days have been really easy-going for me, despite the 2 tests that I had. Partly bcos it’s elearning week… I totally slacked the whole of yesterday away, and even resorted to playing Sims. I realise I like to design houses! That’s like one of the best parts of playing Sims for me.

Hall life has been pretty good. Though I’ve to do chores like cleaning the floor, it makes me appreciate my mum even more. Cleaning just one room abt once a week is enough to make me tired out and sians – I can’t imagine having to clean a whole house as big as mine! Plus cooking and ironing and all that nasty stuff.

Just makes me wish I could be like the princess from Enchanted – I’d just sing a bit and all the animals would come and help me out. Although come to think of it, the idea is quite gross! I think in my house, all the roaches and ants and lizards and beetles would come running, followed by stray cats and crows and maybe my neighbour’s dog. Lol.

I’m hungry!

Bleagh. Shld’ve just went for my dad’s bday celebration (buffet lunch at The Line in Shangri-La) instead of having a late morning and slacking off before the test.

Oh wells.

Looking forward to lunch with my mum tmr. =)

Recent moments of JOY

1. Playing Rock Band with my siblings
My brother’s pretty good at the guitar! I’ve yet to graduate to “hard” mode though. =(

2. Playing Dota with my bro
The games themselves weren’t that great, but it was nice to spend time together.

3. Watching “It’s a boy-girl thing” alone
Finally got around to watching it since stef passed it to me eons ago. The show’s not too bad, though it’s kinda cliche and high school-ish and teenage… Yeah, I’m hovering on the edge of my teens, I know. It’s nice, if a bit unrealistic. Exaggerated too. =X But I like the message behind it. Reminds me a bit of HSM1 as well.

4. Picking up my adorable yet fussy nephew when he was crying — and then he stopped crying! *JOY TO THE WORLD!*
Okay, I embellished a bit. He did start up after awhile, but hey, I think that’s cos he was beginning to get hungry. =P Normally he cries if anyone other than Stef and Josh carry him.

I love my nephew Justin! He is such the cutest little baby!!! *beams*

5. Driving myself home after church in Josh’s small car which groaned as we went uphill
Haven’t driven for awhile. I wonder when will I stop getting that slightly tense, nervous feeling everytime I drive?

Aik. Have to go to school tomorrow. Zzz. Maybe I’ll bring Pearl’s mac over to do the ppt instead of lugging my giant around. Hmmm. Must wake up early. *sigh*