sunshine through the fog - movies_theatre_performances_etc

The Pursuit of Happyness

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 19:20:00 +0800

When: 10 Mar 2007 (Saturday)

Where: GV Vivocity

What: Drama & Biopic

Synopsis: Chris Gardner is a bright and talented, but marginally employed salesman. Struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his five-year-old son evicted from their San Francisco apartment with nowhere to go. When Gardner lands an internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm, he and his son endure many hardships, including living in shelters, in pursuit of his dream of a better life for the two of them. happiness.

My take: No, it's not a spelling error. "Happyness" is how it's spelled at the childcare that Smith Jr attended in the Chinatown of San Francisco. The only thought that kept running through my head throughout the entire movie is: Poverty is a scary scary thing...

Dreamgirls

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 23:00:00 +0800

When: 7 Mar 2007 (Wednesday)

Where: Orchard Cineleisure

What: Drama, Musical/Performing Arts and Adaptation

Synopsis: Effie White, Deena Jones, and Lorrell Robinson - three friends from Chicago - are a promising singing trio called The Dreamettes. Accompanied by their songwriter C.C. White (Effie's brother), they travel to New York to compete in a talent show at the Apollo Theatre. Although the girls lose this first bid for fame, their talent attracts an ambitious manager by the name of Curtis Taylor, Jr., who uses unscrupulous tactics to move the girls from backup singers of superstar James "Thunder" Early to superstars of their own. Curtis reshapes the group to "crossover" from R & B to the lucrative pop music scene. Lead singer Effie gets replaced by the more attractive Deena and is eventually dropped from the trio. The group evolves into a more sophisticated group, The Dreams, with a lighter sound and chic look. They successfully attract a "whiter" audience and The Dreams rise to international stardom. The money, fame, and adulation, however, doesn't bring them happiness.

My take: I didn't know it's a musical! Not too bad...

The Da Vinci Code

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Wed, 31 May 2006 23:27:43 +0800

When: 30 May 2006 (Tuesday)

Where: GV Grand - Gold Class

What: Drama, Thriller and Adaptation

Synopsis: Famed symbologist Professor Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre museum one night where a curator has been murdered, leaving behind a mysterious trail of symbols and clues. With his own survival at stake, Langdon, aided by the police cryptologist Sophie Neveu, unveils a series of stunning secrets hidden in the works of Leonardo Da Vinci, all leading to a covert society dedicated to guarding an ancient secret that has remained hidden for 2000 years. The pair set off on a thrilling quest through Paris, London and Scotland, collecting clues as they desperately attempt to crack the code and reveal secrets that will shake the very foundations of mankind.

My take: I guess since I've not read the book I still find the show quite watchable. Nicely paced. Doesn't hurt that I like Tom Hanks and Audrey Tautou. :)

P.S. This time round, we ordered hot dogs and chicken wings on top of the standard popcorn + drinks. Hee... Now we know it's FREE! :p

Over the Hedge

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Wed, 31 May 2006 23:19:53 +0800

When: 27 May 2006 (Saturday)

Where: GV Plaza Singapura

What: Comedy, Kids/Family, Animation and Adaptation

Synopsis: Spring has sprung, and Verne and his woodland friends awaken from their long winter's nap to discover that a tall, green "thing" has mysteriously cropped up right through the middle of their home. Enter RJ, an opportunistic raccoon, who explains that the world beyond the hedge is the "gateway to the good life" where peculiar creatures called humans live to eat, rather than eat to live. Suspicious and even a little jealous of RJ, the ever-cautious Verne wants to keep his blended family safely on their side of the hedge. But, proving the adage that one man's garbage is another man's--or rather animal's--treasure, the manipulative RJ tries to convince the woodland band that there is little to fear and everything to gain from their over-indulgent new neighbors. Eventually, RJ and Verne form an unlikely friendship as they learn to co-exist with--and even exploit--this strange new world called suburbia.

My take: Didn't even cross my mind to watch it until my sweetie got gree tix for it and he said it's got prettty good review - 4/5. Think I've really outgrown cartoons. Quite very the bored at several points during the show. A lot of the scenes feel very deja vu. Predictable. But probably not as bad for the kids since they've not watched as many as us so the jokes and cutesy stuff are still relatively ticklish and fun for them. Oh well. No more cartoons for me in the next xxx years...

Brokeback Mountain

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 14:08:46 +0800

When: 8 Mar 2006 (Wednesday)

Where: GV Marina

What: Drama, Romance & Western

Synopsis: An epic love story, set against the sweeping landscapes of Wyoming and Texas, that tells the story of two young men--a ranch-hand and a rodeo cowboy--who meet in the summer of 1963 while driving cattle on a mountain range. They unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection, one whose complications, joys and tragedies provide a testament to the endurance and power of love.

My take: There's been so much hype about this I've wanted to watch it for the longest time! Finally arranged to watch it last night - despite nearly not making it, after what happened and what not... But glad we did because it was nice. I thought the pace was a bit slow, but not too draggy and generally rather touching, especially the part when he first discovered the blood stained shirts hung together... and at the end when we see that he kept the shirts but this time, with the white one outside and the blue inside. Its intimation was subtle but resounding. And very heart-rending...

The Family Stone

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 12:30:00 +0800

Realised I wrote below last Sunday but never posted it. Saved as draft all this while. Getting blurer by the day... So here it is...

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When: 8 Jan 2006 (Sunday)

Where: GV Grand

What: Comedy, Kids/Family and Romance

Synopsis: The Stones, a New England family, have their annual holiday gathering. The eldest son brings his girlfriend home to meet his parents, brothers and sisters. The bohemian Stones greet their visitor--a high-powered, controlling New Yorker--with a mix of awkwardness, confusion and hostility. Before the holiday is over, relationships will unravel while new ones are formed, secrets will be revealed, and the family Stone will come together through its extraordinary capacity for love.

My Take: Totally predictable. I guessed pretty much the whole storyplot and ending when I first saw the trailer *smug*. Frankly wouldn't have watched it on my own initiative but since Pris wanna... It's quite enjoyable, actually despite the complete lack of any element of surprise. But then, it's not meant to be a thriller, so I guess that's ok then. It's heartwarming and heartrending. It's not ha-ha funny but there're some chuckleful moments. Don't go with overly high expectations and it's a nice show with an ending that lets you walk away feeling good. It's a Christmas movie, whatdaya expect? ;>

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Mon, 26 Dec 2005 23:37:33 +0800

When: 26 Dec 2005 (Monday)

Where: GV Grand - Gold Class

What: Action/Adventure, Romance, Thriller and Remake

Synopsis: Follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings--Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter--in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide and seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming, peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs, and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.

My Take: It's not bad. Great animation, graphics and all. Stuck pretty faithfully to the original book - what I can remember of it anyway. I thought it was pretty well-executed but not overwhelmingly impressive. Obviously, it's deeply reminiscent of the likes LOTR and Harry Potter. However, it doesn't grip like the former but neither does it disappoint like the latter. I don't walk away from the theatre bursting with anticipation for the next instalment as I did for LOTR. But I wouldn't mind watching the sequel(s) - I didn't watch any of the Harry Potter series after the first one. Kinda middle-of-the-road I guess...

What I enjoyed more were the cinema and free food/drinks courtesy of my dear, in turn courtesy of his trader, in turn courtesy of CSFB (another 5 days before this name cease to exist! :p). First time I've been at the Citibank Gold Class theatre at Great World City's GV. Really nice. The seats let you lean all the way back, with foot rest and all so you basically watch leaning backwards - doesn't matter even if you're in Row A (where the trader & wife were) or B (where we were). Kinda like those lux seats on lux coach rides to Msia... Hahaa... Ordered food and drinks from the lounge which the staff brings in at various intervals. All free! On reflection realised we should've ordered more (really regretted not getting the chix wings! hee...) But then we were not 100% sure it's free so didn't dare to order too much - the prices are pretty inflated. We saw someone order champagne! Gosh... oh well... next time we'd know. Hope there's a next time! :D

King Kong

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 11:50:38 +0800

When: 19 Dec 2005 (Monday)

Where: GV Plaza Singapura

What: Action/Adventure, Romance, Thriller and Remake

Synopsis: Flamboyant, foolhardy documentary filmmaker, Carl Denham, sails off to remote Skull Island to film his latest epic with leading lady, Ann Darrow. Native warriors kidnap Ann to use as a sacrifice as they summon "Kong" with the local witch doctor. But instead of devouring Ann, Kong saves her. Kong is eventually taken back to New York where he searches high and low for Ann, eventually winding up at the top of the Empire State Building, facing off against a fleet of World War I fighter planes.

My Take: Not really my genre of movies but it turned out nicer than expected. The ending was very sob-inducing, much to the amusement of Joo, with me sniffing and shaking away reaching into my bag for tissue and all. Naomi Watts look uncannily like Nicole Kidman though... Kinda weird. Adrien Brody's broodingly handsome, in a totally unfathomable way - I can't stop staring at his hooked nose. How can something so warped add so much charm? Sigh... A trifle over 3 hours, it's smooth transitory pace makes it endurable and enjoyable. I thought the dinosaurs and the whole jurassic park deal a bit ott though... Kinda obscures the subject title...

Prime

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 13:40:40 +0800

When: 12 Dec 2005 (Monday)

Where: Orchard Cineleisure

What: Comedy and Romance

Synopsis: In colorful, bustling modern-day Manhattan, Rafi, a 37-year-old photography producer reeling from a recent divorce, meets David, a 23-year-old painter recently out of college. Rafi's therapist, Dr. Lisa Metzger, who is working to help Rafi overcome her fears of intimacy, finds out that Rafi's new lover is--unfortunately for Lisa--her only son, David. Both David and Rafi must contend with their 14-year age gap, vastly different backgrounds and the demands of David's traditional mother. Despite their intense attraction, the charmed couple soon realizes that vastly different ages and backgrounds create much conflict. A Jewish hip-hop lover and closet painter who still lives with his grandparents, David has little in common with Rafi--a non-practicing Catholic from a wealthy, broken family who travels in the sophisticated, high-end world of fashion.

My take: I loved it! It's smart, funny, charming and achingly realistic. While I was laughing away at Meryl Streep's agony-stricken psycho sessions with Uma Turman, I can still fully sympathise and feel her pain and helplessness. While the ending is no fairy tale, it's believable and bittersweet. It's a good, relaxing watch that doesn't feel like it's trying too hard. Very enjoyable.

Quidam

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Sat, 17 Sep 2005 00:40:00 +0800

Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. It could be anyone, anybody. Someone coming, going, living in our anonymous society. A member of the crowd, one of the silent majority. The one who cries out, sings and dreams within us all. This is the "quidam" that Cirque du Soleil is celebrating.

A young girl fumes; she has already seen everything there is to see, and her world has lost all meaning. Her anger shatters her little world, and she finds herself in the universe of Quidam. She is joined by a joyful companion as well as another character, more mysterious, who will attempt to seduce her with the marvelous, the unsettling, and the terrifying.

I love it!!! One of the best performance I've ever seen. In fact, it might well be the best. Exhilarating. Breath-taking. Out of this world. Words cannot describe the amazing and beautiful feats performed in front of our eyes.

In the opening act, German Wheel, man and wheel are one, the acrobat with his fluid movements perfectly mastering, living with and within the wheel. Statue - Vis Versa had me gripping my seat in trepidation and marvel at their strength, coordination, balance and control. I split my sides laughing at the clown acts, especially the second one. The Aerial Contortion in Silk is lissomeness personified. And in Banquine, human beings were thrown up in the air, passed around, lifted up, as though they weigh nothing, gracefully, weightlessly. And these are just a few that I really liked. The rest are no less awe-inspiring - I'm just too tired/lazy to write about all of them right now.

Thanks to my sweetie for the tickets - actually should also thank his trader who gave them to us free. We got great seats!

True, there were some misses - 2, actually, that I can see. But it's a live performance, these are human beings, human makes mistakes. That's it. Anyway, none of them are grave, show-stopping mistakes. They just graciously picked up their stuff and went on with the show.

It's really a must-watch. I'd go the next time the Cirque du Soleil comes to town, even if I have to pay for it myself!