little miss may

I’ve been the regular Pirate Queen the last couple of months, downloading movies whenever I get my hands on a clear, almost DVD-quality copy. Despite the streaming services available now as mentioned by angel, I’d still prefer to keep them after I’ve watched my share, just in case… well, in case I get bored and want to watch again lah. Which might probably be never, but never say never! Hor?

Inspired by velverse and her 28 in ONE movie review post, and also by this and this, I thought I’d share with you some of the better movies I’ve seen in my Movie Marathon Madness for this month:

 

40 Year Old Virgin [2005]
Cast: Steve Carell, Catherine Keener
Director: Judd Apatow
Rating: 8/10

The first time I heard the name of the movie, I thought it was some cheesy, cheapskate flick. But oh, on the contrary, it was one of the funniest ones I’ve seen about how a man was still a virgin at 40, and his colleagues / buddies were trying to get him laid. Share this with your kids who are old enough to understand the topic of sex - it ain’t all that bad saving yourself for that someone special!

 

Atonement [2007]
Cast: James McAvoy, Keira Knightly
Director: Joe Wright
Rating: 8/10

It’s no wonder that this movie is a Golden Globe winner for Best Motion Picture and nominated in 7 categories for the Oscars — the cinematography and art direction will just take your breath away. A sister tries to put right a terrible wrong she did when she was younger, though alas it was only words in a book that she could fulfill her promise. Put aside your dislike for the lead actress if you aren’t a fan of hers; the story will grab you more than the stunning green gown she wore.

 

Fracture [2007]
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Rating: 7/10

Though somewhat highly rated in other sites, I found it a little weak compared to the other thrillers in which Anthony Hopkins had acted in. Nevertheless his performance as a jealous husband who kills his wife and almost getting away with it, is worth one watch at least, even if it’s on a smaller screen.

 

I Am Legend [2007]
Cast: Will Smith, Alice Braga
Director: Francis Lawrence
Rating: 6.5/10

Maybe it’s one too many Will Smith movies, maybe the story bored me, maybe I thought he over-acted in this one. Whatever it was, I wasn’t too impressed with flick except for the cool effects of how they transformed New York City to a desolate, deserted place where the hero goes in search for survivors of a biochemical disease. Zombies, zombies everywhere…

 

The Illusionist [2006]
Cast: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel
Director: Neil Burger
Rating: 8/10

This movie came out slightly after (or was it before?) The Prestige, and I thought it was one of those copycats which tried to steal the limelight from the latter. I was so wrong — I have to admit that the mysterious tale of a magician who uses his powers to set free the woman he loves was absolutely… enchanting. Loved the tricks. Loved the illusions. How on earth did that orange tree grow in front of our eyes?

 

The Namesake [2006]
Cast: Irfan Khan, Tabu, Kal Penn
Director: Mira Nair
Rating: 9/10

Have you ever wondered what your name means, or why it was given to you? From the director who brought us Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake is a definite Must See™. Watch for the beautiful costumes, breathtaking scenes and sweet filial tale which make this film a magnificent watch. No Bollywood song and dance in this one, but at least they still had the voluptuous women in saris!

 

The Notebook [2004]
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams
Director: Nick Cassavetes
Rating: 7.5/10

I bawled my eyes out on this one, only because it’s such an apt, sentimental chick flick about everlasting love. Some say it was over-done with too many heart-wrenching scenes and soggy performances, but you just can’t deny a good love story that warms the cockles of your heart. The older actors, Gena Rowlands and James Garner, were the icing on the cake.

 

Paris, Je T’Aime [2006]
Cast: Various
Director: Various
Rating: 8/10

Paris, “Pah-ree”, je t’aime. 18 directors made 1 short film each, all taking place in the City of Lights at different times and corners, celebrating the language of love in different ways. Almost like Love Actually, yet not quite, since not all the stories come together in the end. This, by the way, was my inspiration to the script I wrote for my second short film. Shooting that in February, woo-hoo!

 

Stranger Than Fiction [2006]
Cast: Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Thompson
Director: Marc Forster
Rating: 8/10

I’ve always wanted to watch this when I first saw the trailer. What would you do to turn off that voice in your head, especially when it’s telling you that you’ll die an untimely death very soon? Life’s more than just counting brush strokes, or summing up large numbers in your head, or even taxes, as Harold Crick found out. Quite a gem and a keeper.

 

Sunshine [2007]
Cast: Cliff Curtis, Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh
Director: Danny Boyle
Rating: 6.5/10

They said it was a good movie, I thought it was so-so. Think Armageddon but with less testosterone, and of course with our Michelle Yeoh as one of the crew who tries to re-ignite a dying star. A rather interesting situation to ponder upon, though — will we really have to do this in the future, when the Sun really starts to wane?

 

Superbad [2007]
Cast: Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
Director: Greg Mottola
Rating: 8/10

This Super Bad movie is Super FUN to watch! At first I was rather taken aback by the amount of times these young actors say f**k in this movie, but oh it’s so hilarious the way the story went! If you were ever the nerd or “outcast” in school and tried everything you could possibly do to be cool, this is your flick to watch.

 

Waitress [2007]
Cast: Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion
Director: Adrienne Shelly
Rating: 7/10

No, I didn’t watch it because of the pies she baked. Or the funny names she gave them. It came quite highly rated on some sites and I thought I’d give it a go, and I’m glad I did. Everyone deserves a second chance to start fresh, with a little bit of help from good friends. Put some money in my piggy bank, anyone?

 

 

And that concludes my 12-in-1 movie review, folks! Not quite half of velverse’s, but quite an achievement for me already. What’s next for February? Any recommendations?

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I no like this…

Before my tag homework starts piling up uncontrollably again, here’s one to be ticked off the list — fresh out from the oven, still warm, baked for LB in 10 Things to Really Hate.

What’s there to hate? Oh, lots and lots, but too much of it just makes us all miserable, sad creatures, eh? Piles and piles of salt would be great to simmer down a lot of those petty dislikes. However there are those that just won’t get any better, no matter how salty it gets.

10 Most Hated Things:

01. Cockroaches, flies and pesky mosquitoes
02. Evil, inconsiderate, intimidating, nosey, pretentious people (and then some)
03. A dead forbidden fruit and any other of my favourite gadgets K.O-ing
04. Government tax, service tax, income tax, road tax, this tax, that tax… and tolls
05. Those stuck-up, know-it-all, empty vessels who really don’t know much
06. Broken hot water heater on a cold, cold day
07. Very dirty, filthy, unhygienic places
08. Take-for-granted people
09. Losing a loved one
10. A broken heart

 

 

…but I like that!

I might’ve mentioned to some of you that I’m currently taking a Directors and Film Makers course. Guess what? We finally did our shoot of the short film last weekend!

For those going “huh?” in their minds, let me do a quick long-story-cut-short summary:

…the company I work for asked if I wanted to learn about filming;
…I said yes, and they paid the bill;
…started this part-time course in September;
…wrote a script;
…my story got picked as the project;
…and 3 months later, we did the shoot!

What’s the story about, you ask? It’s about 2 college friends, one who bragged about a full-on weekend coming up while the other one didn’t, and what really happened in the end was a flip — the quiet one got all the action, whereas the bragger didn’t. Hence that title on the clapper you see above: Beauty & the Brag.

It’s been really fun all the way through, from coming up with an idea, writing the script, pitching it, casting, setting up all the equipment, and having a go at each of the crew roles, including the oh-so-important Director… *grin*

Although we finished the shoot last weekend, the film won’t be edited and ready until next March. I’ll send around a link to the short film (it’s only about 5 minutes long) once it’s available for public viewing. Watch out for the credits then — I get acknowledged as scriptwriter! Woo-hoo!

I’m thinking of doing the Advanced Course now, where I get to make my own short film and get directorial credits. Imagine that! Director wor… how fancy. This comes out of my pocket, though. Starts in January 2008 but I’ll have to submit my application by tomorrow evening. Shall I? Shall I?

*Imitates Princess Director*
Faitik mai wai! Faitik!! Gimme sexy! Gimme sultry!
Roll camera…
and…
A C T I O N ! !

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It’s been awhile since I went to a live production of sorts, whether a musical or an orchestral performance. So when Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (the Barber of Seville) came to town, I jumped at the opportunity to watch a real opera at Sydney’s very own Opera House.

At first I thought I would have problems getting a date to share the experience with, but with sheer luck and a very willing Italian, I recruited my boss (yes, he’s the Italian), who in turn gathered a Brazilian (our colleague) and an Aussie (a lady friend) to join in on the fun. Whee! A foursome!

Clothed in my LBD™ (Little Black Dress), I felt rather “cultured”, especially when in the company of two very well-dressed gentlemen in suits and an equally elegant lady friend, at the opera. With a little fizzy champagne during intermission, it was almost like living the high life!

The production of Il Barbiere di Siviglia was spectacular in my books. At first I wondered if I would enjoy watching and listening to something sung in old Italian, but with the help of English surtitles at the top of the stage, it made things much easier to comprehend. I loved every minute of it! The stage (which I sneakily took a photo of just before it started), the settings, the costumes, the arias, the orchestra…

After the show, we had a bit to eat and drink at the Opera Bar. Despite the loud, rather out-of-place, live rock-meets-jazz music which we had to almost shout above to be heard, we had ourselves a pretty good evening watching the world go by with one of the best views of the Harbour Bridge.

And this morning, I realised that I first stepped foot here in Sydney exactly 12 years ago. Pretty fabulous way to celebrate my “anniversary”, eh? Cheers!

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I’ve been tagged once upon a time by CutiePie on hit songs when I was 18. And just yesterday, I was reminded by L B that I have yet to fulfill that tag! Nothing like a double whammy to get things going, eh?

The Rules
1 Go to www.popculturemadness.com
2 Select the year you turned 18
3 Get all nostalgic over the songs of the year
4 Write about it
5 Pass this tag onto 5 others

Now, I must admit that upon looking at the list of songs that topped the charts when I turned 18, I didn’t know 3 of the 10 greatest hits. What?! How could that be? I actually had to download K7, RuPaul and Dr. Dre to see if their songs were one of those I’ve heard before but just never knew the title. But nuh-uh, I didn’t know them at all. Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang had a familiar twang to it, but… no clanging bells either. Oh well… I guess they didn’t appeal to me then, and after listening to them awhile ago, I knew why! LOL!

So, what hits did I know and like from the list?

1. What Is Love - Haddaway
2. Come Baby Come - K7
3. Hero - Mariah Carey
4. In The Still Of The Night (I’ll Remember) - Boyz II Men
5. Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
6. Can’t Help Falling In Love - UB40
7. Dreamlover - Mariah Carey
8. Supermodel (You Better Work) - RuPaul
9. Nuthin’ But a “G” Thang - Dr. Dre
10. Cryin’ - Aerosmith

Mariah Carey, but of course! Boyz II Men! Aerosmith! They were the “in thing” way back then. I was such a pop-song fan. Used to love listening to their songs over the radio (never owned a CD player then, poor me… no Uncle Joe either). Rod Stewart’s Have I Told You Lately was a classic even my parents loved. And who could forgo UB40’s remake of Elvis Presley’s oh-so-famous hit, with a little bit of reggae thrown into it?

Now I’ve gotta figure out a way to stop Haddaway from singing in my mind… So the disco…

what is love
baby don’t hurt me
don’t hurt me
no more…

Oh, I know!! I’ll just pass the groove on to…
angel
Ah Boy (for turning 18 in dog years)
kat
ehon- When I was 18, I listen to …
Paris Beaverbanks - I’m too sexy for this tag

48 comments