Friday, February 18, 2011

Musical


I have not been entertained by a film with Musical genre for a long time since 2007’ Hairspray. It was fun and very colorful with a not bad storyline too. But I might be bias. Because to me, any film with John Travolta in it couldn’t do wrong. Even though, Travolta played Mrs. Turnblad, a lady and a mother but he did it superbly. A sexy one too!

2009’ Nine was touted as supposedly to be a super sexy and cool but I found it just so-so albeit it’s very dark and somber-mood lighting throughout and the storyline? pffht! it was nothing much to shout about except the glittering list of female actress on it.


During my childhood, what with limited opportunity to catch movies at cinemas, I would say most musicals films that I watched were what is on television at that time and like (most) other childrens who have penchant for anything musical, I was transported to a dreamy and what could be an exciting life with a nanny of my own as in 1965’ Sound of Music and 1964’ Mary Poppins. Julie Andrew rocks! I heart her for a long long time.


Then, I remember a time when everybody are going crazy over 1977’ Saturday Night Fever and 1978’ Grease. And when I got to watched it (many years after it was first released) oh boy! Travolta is really hot, man! And that’s it. I’ve officially fallen for him.


Of recent years, there are few remakes that left lasting impression to me like 1996’ Evita with Madonna played the role of Eva Duarte who was married to Juan Peron, one of Argentina President. I watched the movie with college friends out of boredom and because nothing else playing at that lousy cinema in Kuantan and ended up loving it. For a while, I’ve also gone crazy over the glamour & glitz of Bohemian culture at Montmatre district, Paris as shown in 2001’ Moulin Rouge! and needless to say, Christian (Ewan McGregor) and Satine (Nicole Kidman) are one of my favourite couple on screen. Ever.


And then, of course there was 2002’ Chicago. A musical film adapted from the satirical stage musical that featured Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart and Richard Gere as the delectable Billy Flynn. Queen Latifah and Taye Diggs are also in the movie. I swooned over many excellent tracks from the movie, seriously.

And come on, of course the fantastic songs and dance pieces are the attraction in a musical, right? You could see they did some cool moves and perfectly-executed routines, sang their hearts out and basically, telling the stories through the songs. Like when you’re watching 2006’ Dreamgirls. It was such a joy to see Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx performed the songs in the movie because you know there are singers/performers in real life and they did something different but not entirely strange thing in the film (acting and singing). Not all actors and actresses can sing and that’s a fact. But when an actor or actress took upon the challenge and did musical and executed it well (or at least half decently), I applaud them.

In the case of 2008’ Mamma Mia! I was quite skeptical and wondering how Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth’s performances in the film, but I think they did well. The film was based on ABBA famous songs and needless to say, there are all excellent sing-along tracks. As proven by my nephew and niece who belted ‘Honey, Honey’ and ‘Money, Money, Money’ at the top of their lungs every time we were in the car. For 3 months straight. I died.
So do you like or watch musical-type of movie? At all? Which is your favourite? And tomorrow I’ll let you know what my current favourite is. I have not been as excited like this for musical for a long time!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Wednesday

Just because it's Wednesday. And I just came back from 4-days weekend and my mind kinda mushy (don't it everyday, Chah?!) And the fact that I'm working this upcoming weekend is only making me more depressed.
Apparently, one of the things that make it bearable and cheer me up with no end is looking at my God daughter's pictures! Thank god for Nadine Safiya!


Isn't she the sweetest baby? We share same birthdate. She'll be 1 yo in 3 weeks time, and I'll be 34 (Yikes!)

Yep. I know, I'm ancient :P (More depressing thoughts! Nice.)

Friday, February 11, 2011

Millenium Trilogy

Hello.
Have you read these books? or have you even heard of these super cool, excellent, thrilling and wonderful books that form a 'Millenium Trilogy' created by a swedish author Stieg larsson? If yes, Yeay! and if you dont, Owh man! go get your copies now.

1st book

This is where it all started. We'll get to know Millenium magazine - Journalist, Mikael Blomkvist and also the heroine (and coolest character ever, i think!) - Lisbeth Salander. You might want to read this, if you would like to roughly get some ideas, or glimpse of the story. But I tell you, you'll get hooked to the story. I promise, you'll not regret it :P

2nd book

Ahh..in the 2nd book, the plot gets thicker. Mikael 'Kalle' Blomkvist' path again crossed with Lisbeth Salander's in a most unexpected and suspense-filling story-line. (I think I sounded like a promo trailer clip haha!)

3rd book

And in 3rd book, the story revolve around how Blomkvist is trying to rally up Lisbeth' believers and supporters to help her clean her name from the triple-murders accusation. While, doing that, we get to know more and more secrets of Lisbeth's life and how she became what she is.

Apparently, the books were already adapted into movies with character of Blomkvist played by actor Michael Nyqvist and Lisbeth's was potrayed by Noomi Rapace. However, not to be outdone, Hollywood is also interested to churned out their version of Blomkvist & Lisbeth with Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara (although there were earlier rumors of Kristin Stewart and Natalie Portman were interested/considered for the role too!) signed on as the main characters! I have not watched any of the movie (the Craig/Mara version is not yet out, I think), so i'm very looking forward to that. In fact I would like to see ANY of the movie that I can get my hands on.


or this..
or this..


Now where are my Trilogy books? Nothing beats reading your favourite book and chill out at home during raining days. Perfect.


Listen : If I die Young - The Band Perry

Thursday, February 10, 2011

It's February, already?

Hello y'all.
I hope it’s not too late to wish Gong Xi Fa Cai or Happy New Year to all Chinese friends celebrating the New Lunar year recently. The company was closed for 3 days and as the result, I had about 6 days-long break (plus weekend + 1 day annual leave taken) and headed back to my hometown last week. Nice.
However, the weather was not bright and sunny as I hoped it’ll be. But during the break, me and my gang (my niece & nephew) managed to go swimming for 3 hours despite some little drizzle in the afternoon. Crazy nice.
And this week in my office, few married-chinese friends have been so kind and gave me Ang Pows. Super nice.

And work is catching up real fast. It’s getting busier by the day. And I don’t believe that I’ve been here for 9 years already! Errk! Not nice anymore.

listen : California King Bed - Rihanna