RSS Feed (xml)
So this weekend has been quite happening by my own(poor) standards. Friday night had dinner at the Nonis Mansion/Museum. I'm still waiting on Mariel to give me a particular photo. She can't upload the pic because she is fasting on Facebook for 40 days, and so am I.
I also watched Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince. I don't know how to quantify my opinion of a movie into a rating so I basically just have 5 categories:
1. MUST-WATCH! (Don't die without watching this.)
2. Recommended
3. Good but not very memorable.
4. Only watch if you're bored.
5. AHH MY EYES!!!! (Takes out own eyes)
My verdict: If you're a Harry Potter fan or a Hermione fan (you know who you are), you would watch it regardless of my verdict. And you should as it is arguably the best of the series so far. If you are neither however, I would put it at "Good but not very memorable".
For the past few posts, I have been elaborating on the answers of my Facebook quiz "How Well Do You Know the Yeah" quiz (only 23% of the participants passed). Just in case you're feeling a bit lost, here are the questions & answers:
1. In regards to food, how health conscious am I?
Answer: All men die, not all men truly live!
2. I am comfortable doing all these alone except for:
Answer: Shopping for clothes.
3. My ideal way of spending time with friends is:
Answer: Just hanging around talking about the good ol' times.
4. According to Dr Chapman there are 5 Love Languages, mine is:
Answer: Physical Touch
5. The Bible character I really look up to is:
Answer: Jonathan
6. I find it very attractive when girls wear:
Answer: Baby-doll dresses
7. What do I do when I'm really really bored?:
Answer: Scroll through my collection of movies.
8. In MPH, you will most likely find me in which section?:
Answer: Magazines (Sports & Tech)
9. I struggle with this EVERY single day:
Answer: Depression
10. What did my mum originally wanted to name me?
Answer: Stanley
So far I have discussed 6 questions. Today is Episode 7. I recently stumbled across this quote: -
So true. When I'm really really bored I scroll through my collection of movies. I usually just re-watch my favourite scenes of particular movies. So here's a brief run through of some of the movies I usually re-watch.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Baldwin IV is one of the most tragic characters in Christendom history and was appropriately given a memorable portrayal here. Overall the original movie wasn't that spectacular but there is an extended Director's cut version which includes an additional 45 minutes to the movie that adds considerable more depth to the characters and plot. Zhou remember to get from me.
My Verdict: Recommended. (Extended Director's Cut Version)
A Few Good Men (1992)
"You can't handle the truth!" - Colonel Nathan Jessup
I actually like crime thrillers that feature courtroom drama. This movie along with A Time to Kill is probably my two favourites of the genre. It is about the trial of two marines who are being charged for the murder of a fellow marine. The two marines claim that they were ordered by their superior officer, Colonel Jessup (Jack Nicholson) to do so. But obviously all evidence and anything that will incriminate the highly respected Colonel have been removed. The two marines are defended by Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a very clever attorney but one who initially thinks the case is a lost cause. Later on he has a change of heart and fights back with conviction. The courtroom is filled with highly-charged conversations that eventually culminate with Tom Cruise facing off with Jack Nicholson in one very heated debate.
My Verdict: Recommended.
Schindler's List (1993)
The list that would save generations.
Schindler's List is a very highly rated movie that is based on the true story of Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman who saves more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust of World War 2. He starts of as an ambitious businessman who sees the opportunity in profiteering from the war and decides to starts an arms factory. Eventually he feels compassion for the Jews and with the help and encouragement of his Jewish accountant, he employs a significant number of them into his factory while throwing away his fortune in the process. The movie is shot in black and white and this really gives a timeless sense to the movie. Schindler's List is the most critically acclaimed movie of Steven Spielberg's career and that says it all really.
My Verdict: MUST-WATCH!
V For Vendetta (2005)
V: "My turn."
To be honest, I went into the cinema with very low expectations. I had heard of good reviews by some friends(but some people are just more easily satisfied than others), but my first impression of the movie was that it was just another failed superhero flick with a lame-looking superhero costume. I'm happy to report that I couldn't of been more wrong. Background story: The year is 2038, the USA has been ravaged by war and plague. Britain survived but is now under totalitarian rule. The story begins when a mysterious masked terrorist named V bombs a government building and starts to murder a number of people including members of the political party. Eventually the true purpose and motive of the murders will be revealed and suffice to say, there is more than meets the eye. V is portrayed by Hugo Weaving, and just like Edward Norton in Kingdom of Heaven, his face is concealed behind the mask for the entire duration of the movie. Nevertheless he manages to give a very powerful performance and his voice couldn't have been more perfect for the task. This movie features a great plot that tells the story of hope and the pursuit of freedom against totalitarianism. Oh and by the way the final confrontation scene was awesome!
My verdict: MUST-WATCH!
Memento (2000)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the man who would later make such great movies as The Prestige and The Dark Knight, Memento is a very unique psychological thriller. This movie is about a man named Leonard who is searching for the man who raped and murdered his wife. There is one small problem though. Leonard is suffering from anterograde amnesia, which renders his brain unable to store new memories. The last thing he remembers is the rape and murder of his wife. Therefore he has to rely on tattoos and polaroid photographs in order to record important information and clues. For the first half of the movie, you'll probably have no idea what is going on. This is because the movie is in reverse chronological order. The movie is divided into several scenes. In the beginning of each new scene, Leonard has just lost his recent memories. Therefore he has absolutely no idea where he is or what he was doing. At the end of each scene, the events that just occurred will fade from his memory. By the second half of the movie you will start to understand and appreciate the ingenuity of the film, leaving you very curious as to what will happen next (or rather what has already happened prior to this). Confused?
My Verdict: MUST-WATCH!
I could go on and on. There are a several other movies that really deserve mention here but this is just Part 1. Will do Part 2 some other time. Really tired now.
Ciao.
I also watched Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince. I don't know how to quantify my opinion of a movie into a rating so I basically just have 5 categories:
1. MUST-WATCH! (Don't die without watching this.)
2. Recommended
3. Good but not very memorable.
4. Only watch if you're bored.
5. AHH MY EYES!!!! (Takes out own eyes)
My verdict: If you're a Harry Potter fan or a Hermione fan (you know who you are), you would watch it regardless of my verdict. And you should as it is arguably the best of the series so far. If you are neither however, I would put it at "Good but not very memorable".
For the past few posts, I have been elaborating on the answers of my Facebook quiz "How Well Do You Know the Yeah" quiz (only 23% of the participants passed). Just in case you're feeling a bit lost, here are the questions & answers:
1. In regards to food, how health conscious am I?
Answer: All men die, not all men truly live!
2. I am comfortable doing all these alone except for:
Answer: Shopping for clothes.
3. My ideal way of spending time with friends is:
Answer: Just hanging around talking about the good ol' times.
4. According to Dr Chapman there are 5 Love Languages, mine is:
Answer: Physical Touch
5. The Bible character I really look up to is:
Answer: Jonathan
6. I find it very attractive when girls wear:
Answer: Baby-doll dresses
7. What do I do when I'm really really bored?:
Answer: Scroll through my collection of movies.
8. In MPH, you will most likely find me in which section?:
Answer: Magazines (Sports & Tech)
9. I struggle with this EVERY single day:
Answer: Depression
10. What did my mum originally wanted to name me?
Answer: Stanley
So far I have discussed 6 questions. Today is Episode 7. I recently stumbled across this quote: -
Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save.
So true. When I'm really really bored I scroll through my collection of movies. I usually just re-watch my favourite scenes of particular movies. So here's a brief run through of some of the movies I usually re-watch.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
This is a movie based on the Crusades in the 12th Century. There are several historical inaccuracies, but it does portray the political, religious and cultural tensions that existed in that era. Although not as highly regarded as other historical epic films (Braveheart, Gladiator etc), Kingdom of Heaven does have its memorable scenes. Jerusalem is in the possession of the Christians, but war is inevitably at their doorstep as the Saracens are mustering under the great Muslim leader Saladin. The movie is centred around Balian (Orlando Bloom), a blacksmith-turned-knight who eventually finds a purpose in life for himself in Jerusalem. But for me the character that steals the show is Baldwin, the leper King of Jerusalem who is brilliantly portrayed by Edward Norton. Despite the fact that his face is not shown throughout the entire movie, he was the star of the movie (Orlando who?) and his scenes were by far the most captivating. 
Edward Norton's highly acclaimed portrayal of King Baldwin.
Baldwin IV is one of the most tragic characters in Christendom history and was appropriately given a memorable portrayal here. Overall the original movie wasn't that spectacular but there is an extended Director's cut version which includes an additional 45 minutes to the movie that adds considerable more depth to the characters and plot. Zhou remember to get from me.
My Verdict: Recommended. (Extended Director's Cut Version)
A Few Good Men (1992)
"You can't handle the truth!" - Colonel Nathan JessupMy Verdict: Recommended.
Schindler's List (1993)
The list that would save generations. Schindler's List is a very highly rated movie that is based on the true story of Oscar Schindler (Liam Neeson), a German businessman who saves more than a thousand Jews during the Holocaust of World War 2. He starts of as an ambitious businessman who sees the opportunity in profiteering from the war and decides to starts an arms factory. Eventually he feels compassion for the Jews and with the help and encouragement of his Jewish accountant, he employs a significant number of them into his factory while throwing away his fortune in the process. The movie is shot in black and white and this really gives a timeless sense to the movie. Schindler's List is the most critically acclaimed movie of Steven Spielberg's career and that says it all really.
My Verdict: MUST-WATCH!
V For Vendetta (2005)
V: "My turn." Remember, remember the 5th of November. The gunpowder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
To be honest, I went into the cinema with very low expectations. I had heard of good reviews by some friends(but some people are just more easily satisfied than others), but my first impression of the movie was that it was just another failed superhero flick with a lame-looking superhero costume. I'm happy to report that I couldn't of been more wrong. Background story: The year is 2038, the USA has been ravaged by war and plague. Britain survived but is now under totalitarian rule. The story begins when a mysterious masked terrorist named V bombs a government building and starts to murder a number of people including members of the political party. Eventually the true purpose and motive of the murders will be revealed and suffice to say, there is more than meets the eye. V is portrayed by Hugo Weaving, and just like Edward Norton in Kingdom of Heaven, his face is concealed behind the mask for the entire duration of the movie. Nevertheless he manages to give a very powerful performance and his voice couldn't have been more perfect for the task. This movie features a great plot that tells the story of hope and the pursuit of freedom against totalitarianism. Oh and by the way the final confrontation scene was awesome!
My verdict: MUST-WATCH!
Memento (2000)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, the man who would later make such great movies as The Prestige and The Dark Knight, Memento is a very unique psychological thriller. This movie is about a man named Leonard who is searching for the man who raped and murdered his wife. There is one small problem though. Leonard is suffering from anterograde amnesia, which renders his brain unable to store new memories. The last thing he remembers is the rape and murder of his wife. Therefore he has to rely on tattoos and polaroid photographs in order to record important information and clues. For the first half of the movie, you'll probably have no idea what is going on. This is because the movie is in reverse chronological order. The movie is divided into several scenes. In the beginning of each new scene, Leonard has just lost his recent memories. Therefore he has absolutely no idea where he is or what he was doing. At the end of each scene, the events that just occurred will fade from his memory. By the second half of the movie you will start to understand and appreciate the ingenuity of the film, leaving you very curious as to what will happen next (or rather what has already happened prior to this). Confused?
My Verdict: MUST-WATCH!
I could go on and on. There are a several other movies that really deserve mention here but this is just Part 1. Will do Part 2 some other time. Really tired now.
Ciao.
