Alive in Joburg (Hoping for District 10 in 3 years...)

Where to begin? The showing was delayed for more than 1/2hr, I almost wanna call for a refund; the air-con was on full blast until I have to have my own intermission thus missing few minutes of show, some parts of the analogue film have defects that was so disturbing on screen... but heck, District 9 is by far one of the best film I have watched this year!

Like all good Sci-Fi, a thriller on the surface but a social commentary at its core, the small film that could (30mill budget to Hollywood standard is nothing), shot with faux-documentary style, really blows me away (with its exploding Tesla guns). In the end, the film celebrates the strength of camaraderie and takes stabs at many social political issues such as refugees, racial prejudice, threat of giant corporate power.

Although the "Produced by Peter Jackson" on the credits are one of the first things that attracted my attention, as a director, Neill Blomkamp is now on my radar. Here's hoping more good things to come. Heck, I'm crossing my fingers for District 10 already... "I'll be back in three years. I promise" -- Christopher Johnson

Now, I gotta go find that original short film D9 is based upon...

P.S. Next time, remember to bring a jacket whenever step into GSCs...

FB hazzards

Be careful what you post on Fcaebook! (or remember who you added!)

This lady learn the lesson the hard way.

So you've watched he movie...

Ever wonder what G.I.Joes or Cobra do when they are trying to kill each other?

The Ballad of G.I. Joe from Olivia Wilde

Now I would to know what the Autobots and Decepticons do in their down time...

You wanna be "In The Loop"?

This must be the cleverest "full-of-swearing" political satire I ever watched....!



This film has the bests of British and American humour. Tho' it's full of swearing, not particularly family friendly. Not meant to be anyway, seeing as it is a sharply observed satire on the previous UK Blair government on the issue of war. I particularly enjoy the British humour.

Best Cantonese K-song ever?

林海峰 - 流行曲

For those who understands Cantonese, and has a sense of humor this song is absolutely tongue in cheek!

Yo Joe!

Caught this on the first day it landed on Pg. OK, so it's "another mindless summer crap", and it's selling Americanism (again) but the Joes has been part of my child/teenage-hood so I am tempted to take a look. For what it's worth, I applaud the clever script that creates it's own Cobra origin story but still relevant to G.I.Joe lore.

My verdict: G.I.Joe 09 > Transformers 09
Down side: no Lady Jaye, uniforms a la X-Men and why was Iron Man doing here?
Tidbit: there's suppose to be a subtle connection between the two G.I.Joe and TF movies... see if u can figure it out... TF vs Joes anyone?

Debut albums that rock my world Part 1

I first heard of "David Tao 陶喆" through an interview of our local 4-piece all male vocal group "Baby" (now defunct?) on a Chinese radio broadcast. One of the vocalist whose style I enjoyed named DT's music as a great influence. I have never heard of such person then and therefore have little idea what kind of music DT was doing.

By sheer chance, while I was browsing thru the CD section in a bookstore, something caught my attention. The music album cover is simple and striking, with heavy blue coloured tone and the singers face only partially revealed. It is done in a very abstract kinda way with the name 陶喆 (taozhe) was printed up front. I suddenly recall the recent broadcast I just heard and how they joked about DT's name is made up of 2 吉，which means "good" in Chinese. They would purposely mispronounce his name as 陶吉吉 (taojiji).

Impulsively, (the cheap price tag helps) I snag up this CD along with some other a;bums. I really dunno what to expect from the CD but as I pop it into my player and listen from track 1 to 15, anticipation turns to surprise, and in turn I was totally mesmerised by the music. I was completely floored by how wonderful this CD was crafted. The production was something I would never expect coming from a Taiwanese release. I vaguely remember what else I bought that day from the CD section, and find myself putting DT's debut studio solo release, as it turns out to be, on repeat. The more I listened, the more I am awed by how perfect was this work of art. I am quite sure the vocals, compositions, production, arrangements, mixing etc, would win even Grammys if it would to qualify. As with all his later albums, DT was the composer, arranger, frequent instrumentalist and producer.

This is one album that I have never been bored with, never skip tracks and, IMHO, never gets old.

David Tao Debut Album Tracklist:

1.Airport Take Off
2.飛機場的10:30 (Airport in 10:30)
3.Airport Arrival
4.愛 很簡單 (I Love You)
5.沙灘 (Blue Moon)
6.十七歲 (Our Love)
7.望春風 (Spring Wind)
8.王八蛋 (Bastard)
9.是是非非 (Yes No Song)
10.流沙 (Everything's Gone)
11.Take 6 Minus 3
12.心亂飛 (Do I Do I)
13.再見以前先說再見 (Say Goodbye)
14.沙灘 鋼琴版 (Suite Blue Moon)
15.Answering Machine

Movies watched recently...

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009 - Fantasy) A- "hope this getting-better trend will mean the last 2-part film based on book 7 will be very very good!"

新宿事件 (2008 - Drama, Action) B+ "Jackie Chan can do meaningful drama!"

保持通话 (2008 - Action, Thriller) A- "Unexpectedly satisfying for a remake!"


Blood: The Last Vampire (2009 - Action, Horror) C+ "Is this going to be worst film starred by Jun Ji-Hyun?"

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009 - Action, Sci-fi) B- "CGI transforming robots bashing each other are fine but please, do have a better plot, if there's a next time..."


梅兰芳 (2009 - Biography, Drama) B+ "good drama, but not enthralled by Beijing Opera..."

12 minutes that are better than most 2 hrs

Many summer movies might take away many of your 2 hrs but I think only a handful can be as artful, meaningful and entertaining than this less than 12 minutes short.

Best thing is the main characters were silent through out this sweet little gem, which brought home the impact.



Interesting concept + capable cast and crew + good use of soundtracks = great experience!

Funny clip by Jack Neo

If there's one South East Asian filmmaker that's worth my attention, it'll be Jack Neo.

Here's a funny clip to promote his recent film, Love Matters. (Tho', after watching it, not one of his bests...)



lesson of the day: don't put your phone next to the iron!