Sometimes I guess I think too much. I should probably stop reading too much into things. I should just take everything at face value. I shouldn't care that an event that's supposed to last 3 hours doesn't go perfect. But I do. And which is why I feel like shit now looking at all the props and stuff for uni studios. Not there. It's just not there. My mind plays scenarios whereby the freshies laugh and mock at the structures we've tried to hard to reinforce. The armour which we spent so much time painting and putting together. Everything just about failing.
Stress.
I think too much about what others think. I try to remain neutral to the extent that I get splitting headaches from listening to opinions of various factions. I enjoy letting time fly by just talking cock and nothing doing anything productive. But soon after
I'll probably get a phone call asking me to go home as it was getting late. No more enjoyment. The past few days have been really nice. Stressful but nice. Spontaneous nice. Never had that in a long time. Months? Years? I miss that feeling.
Shit.
What am I getting myself into? Stop thinking. Just concentrate on the camp. Fire fighting. Everything will be okay. I wish. I really wish.
Sigh.
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Initial Disappointment
It was quite... bad. I had never read the book nor watch the anime. But I didn't find it engaging. Tedious to follow actually. Silly story which I didn't really care about (read: zero character development) just basically fast cars and punks driving fast cars. Hardly anything exciting actually. I did like the tofu car though. Thought it was cute. But well. Execution needed work. Alot of work. Sigh. Seriously they have really wasted the talents of Anthony Wong and Kenny B in such a production. Ah well. But from the start we all knew it was a movie not made for the passion of the anime. But rather to bank in on its popularity. And also Jay's popularity. If you thought Benedict Goh was bad, think again.
The racing scenes weren't exactly that well shot. Initially I liked the sudden swinging of the camera angles. But then they didn't use it to their advantage during the racing scenes. Instead they liked to focus on the shoes. Shots of them moving the gear stick and pressing the accelerator. It's weird la. People wanna see the cars when they race, not exactly the shoes. I personally preferred it when they zoomed into the car and gave us a driver's eye view of the race. But it didn't last. It was like all 5 seconds and it was over. Pretty wasted. If they did it more often it might have made me like it a little more. Oh well. Couldn't help thinking that as I was watching the racing scenes that they shot it all at like 20-30km/h and sped it up during post production. Kinda gives one a different perspective on it all now doesn't it? Sure, some stunts are real. Like drifting when the car's alone is pretty much real. But when more cars are involved, everything was shot slowed down. Also one can pick out CGI cars replacing the real ones when they're like further down the mountains. Makes it seems as though they're not even trying. Sigh.
Overall, for all the hype, it was a disappointment. Didn't stick to the anime, slipshod patchwork of a script, repetitive driving stunts (if any actually)... makes out for a mediocre movie. Entertaining in big groups or if one's into racing. But if you want the rush of racing and/or speeding, it's much better doing it yourself.
HKG cinema still has a long way to go to relive their Infernal Affairs days. But here's hoping.
The racing scenes weren't exactly that well shot. Initially I liked the sudden swinging of the camera angles. But then they didn't use it to their advantage during the racing scenes. Instead they liked to focus on the shoes. Shots of them moving the gear stick and pressing the accelerator. It's weird la. People wanna see the cars when they race, not exactly the shoes. I personally preferred it when they zoomed into the car and gave us a driver's eye view of the race. But it didn't last. It was like all 5 seconds and it was over. Pretty wasted. If they did it more often it might have made me like it a little more. Oh well. Couldn't help thinking that as I was watching the racing scenes that they shot it all at like 20-30km/h and sped it up during post production. Kinda gives one a different perspective on it all now doesn't it? Sure, some stunts are real. Like drifting when the car's alone is pretty much real. But when more cars are involved, everything was shot slowed down. Also one can pick out CGI cars replacing the real ones when they're like further down the mountains. Makes it seems as though they're not even trying. Sigh.
Overall, for all the hype, it was a disappointment. Didn't stick to the anime, slipshod patchwork of a script, repetitive driving stunts (if any actually)... makes out for a mediocre movie. Entertaining in big groups or if one's into racing. But if you want the rush of racing and/or speeding, it's much better doing it yourself.
HKG cinema still has a long way to go to relive their Infernal Affairs days. But here's hoping.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Are we done yet?
The unemployed critic had something to say regarding the 'black' comedy "Are We There Yet?"
For about 90 minutes, "There" rambles on and on with its cornucopia of pratfalls and stupidity until it finally reaches a conclusion that's insultingly safe and idyllic, but keeps in line with the bizarre vision Levant and Cube have for this film. Another tired, offensive entry into the family film sweepstakes, "Are We There Yet?" is an appalling experience that no adult (or kid for that matter) should be subjected to. On the plus side, it makes for great birth control. ----- 0/10
Couldn't have said it better.
For about 90 minutes, "There" rambles on and on with its cornucopia of pratfalls and stupidity until it finally reaches a conclusion that's insultingly safe and idyllic, but keeps in line with the bizarre vision Levant and Cube have for this film. Another tired, offensive entry into the family film sweepstakes, "Are We There Yet?" is an appalling experience that no adult (or kid for that matter) should be subjected to. On the plus side, it makes for great birth control. ----- 0/10
Couldn't have said it better.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Two Thumbs Up!
i clapped. I cried. I hooted as the curtain fell. Nope. This wasn't a play, nor was it a musical. It was Batman Begins. It was truely simply the best Batman/comic movie I've ever seen. That meant it surpassed Spiderman. Quite an amazing feat i must add. I didn't really expect much though I secretly did wish that director christopher nolan could deliver a decent Batman film with david goyer. I attribute the low expectation to all the horrible merchandising and promotions Batman was tied to. Marinda? Pepsi? Not to mention the horrible toys. Ugh. Ugly and disappointing. Visiting Isetan today, I also chanced upon rows upon rows of Batman pencil cases and school bags. This overkill reminded me of Batman Forever and Batman & Robin. Very apprehensive I was. All made me question whether Goyer could help Nolan with the enormous writing task and undo the damage Schmaucher had done with his last 2 instalments. Goyer a veteren on comics such as JSA and the recent Blade trinity series seemed abit to 'Marvel'-listc for Batman. But well. As mentioned above, when the curtain fell, I felt amazed. It was simply breathtaking.
I clapped at the end as the curtain fell. I would have given a standing ovation but that would look pretty stupid. Many others shared my sentiments as applause rang about LIDO 1. Not bad for a DBS Black Card event. I cried when Batman jumped from the top of Arkham Asylum straight down into the rioting inmates with the wonderful score of Hans Zimmer ringing in the background. It was truely a Kodak moment and instantly it hit me hard. The Bat was back. Not the one with Bat nipples and zany colorful villians. This was the real deal. This was what we've been reading about in the past few years. The issues covered really hit home to all Bat fans everywhere and though it wasn't much of a twist, Liam Neeson as Ras Al Gul was a pretty interesting take on the Batman Ras relationship. Ninjas? Not corny anymore. Man with a sack on his head? Not funny. Scary. Cameos by Mr Zasj and when LTA Gordon handed over a playing card to Batman at the end of everything. Priceless. I could have screamed for joy when the card turned out to be a Joker. Christopher Nolan and David Goyer have convinced one Bat fan that there is new life yet in the Bat franchise. Bale has convinced everyone that he IS Batman. Everyone was perfect. Judging by the rave reviews I overheard after the show, count on this to be a huge summer hit. Up yours George.
As the final stills from the movie flashed across the cinema, the title Batman Begins finally rolled across the screen. Though it signalled an end to the best Batman/comic movie ever, it truely did, as its name suggest, that this was just the beginning and there was more to come. I can't wait.
I clapped at the end as the curtain fell. I would have given a standing ovation but that would look pretty stupid. Many others shared my sentiments as applause rang about LIDO 1. Not bad for a DBS Black Card event. I cried when Batman jumped from the top of Arkham Asylum straight down into the rioting inmates with the wonderful score of Hans Zimmer ringing in the background. It was truely a Kodak moment and instantly it hit me hard. The Bat was back. Not the one with Bat nipples and zany colorful villians. This was the real deal. This was what we've been reading about in the past few years. The issues covered really hit home to all Bat fans everywhere and though it wasn't much of a twist, Liam Neeson as Ras Al Gul was a pretty interesting take on the Batman Ras relationship. Ninjas? Not corny anymore. Man with a sack on his head? Not funny. Scary. Cameos by Mr Zasj and when LTA Gordon handed over a playing card to Batman at the end of everything. Priceless. I could have screamed for joy when the card turned out to be a Joker. Christopher Nolan and David Goyer have convinced one Bat fan that there is new life yet in the Bat franchise. Bale has convinced everyone that he IS Batman. Everyone was perfect. Judging by the rave reviews I overheard after the show, count on this to be a huge summer hit. Up yours George.
As the final stills from the movie flashed across the cinema, the title Batman Begins finally rolled across the screen. Though it signalled an end to the best Batman/comic movie ever, it truely did, as its name suggest, that this was just the beginning and there was more to come. I can't wait.
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