Despicable Me 2

Despicable Me 2 is oozing with cuteness as the minions continue to be despicably silly. 

When the secret laboratory in the Arctic Circle mysteriously disappears, the Anti-Villain League (AVL) has no other choice but to recruit Gru for their new mission.   Pairing of Lucy Wilde, the new AVL agent and Gru spark new chemistry between the duo.  The undercover work led Gru to a super villain El Macho and discovery of the plot behind the deadly mutant chemical, PX-41.  

Like all wholesome family entertainment, Gru, Lucy, the girls and minions save the world from hostile takeover by El Macho, thereby ending the story beautifully with an 'ahem' expected wedding.

The first movie definitely performs much better than the sequel.  This is partly because viewers form expectation of what Gru, the girls and the bubbly cute popping yellow capsules, I meant minions, are likely to do and behave.  Overall, it is still a fun and lighthearted movie to cheer you up.     

Rating:  4 out of 5 fairy clouds.  For the unexpected rendition of "I Swear" and "YMCA" by the minions, I gave this animated movie an additional 1/2 cloud.  

Brokeback Moutain

It took me 8 years before I have a chance to watch Brokeback Mountain.   Not that it was censored or blocked, but I didn't have the time to find this movie.

The story of Brokeback Mountain is simply one of forbidden love and pressure of society against same sex relationship.   It has taken Ennis de Mar 20 years to acknowledge his undying love for Jack Twist.   He finally realizes how precious Jack has been to him and it is a love which he cannot replace.  It is a difficult feat for a man who does not handle emotions well as he has been brought up to be all manly and not mushy.  

The movie is amazing.  The story is well-told and beautiful.   You feel for both the lovers and also the people around them.   Coupled with the good acting by the two male lead actors, I can only say superb.  

Rating:  5 out of 5 fairy clouds.   No one should miss this excellent movie.   Go watch it if you have not, unless you are a homoprobe, then please stay away.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Way before Frodo inherited the cursed magic Ring, The Hobbit recounts the adventure of Bilbo Baggins 60 years ago, a prequel to Lord of The Ring.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is first installment of a 3-part movie.

The peace-loving and homely little Hobbit Bilbo is minding his own business in the Shire when Gandalf The Grey rekindles his fantasy of the Middle Earth, a world beyond the river where no respectable hobbits will venture.

Unknowingly and in fact unwillingly to a certain extent, Bilbo becomes the thief on assignment by the company of 13 Dwarves, led by Thorin.   The mission is simple, they want to reclaim their rightful ownership of the gold and treasures lying under the Lonely Mountain that was stolen by Smaug, the Dragon.

Traveling into the wild, the group passes through Misty Mountain and is unfortunately captured by the Goblins.  The Hobbit is a race unknown to these vile creatures and hence Bilbo is separated from the group.  Here he meets Gollum for the first time and pockets the Ring that he won as a wager from the riddle game, forcing the poor creature into leading the way out of the mountain.

Having narrowly escaping death, Bilbo rejoins the Dwarves who manage to free themselves from the Goblins, only to find themselves landing into another battle with the Wargs and then save by the Eagles with the help of Gandalf.  What's next for Bilbo and his company?  Well, either you read the book or wait for part 2.

Rating: 5 out of 5 fairy clouds.  Great to watch The Hobbit on the big screen.   I read this book more than 10 years ago and resented the movie directors for producing Lord of The Ring first.   Better late than never.  The Hobbit is a much lighter read and fun filled adventure through the eyes of Bilbo.  Strange that Frodo is such a negative little fellow, totally opposite of his mischievous uncle.

To be honest, I can't wait to watch Part 2 and listen to the deep and rich voice of Benedict Cumberbatch.   *DROOL...

Fifty Shades of Grey

Of all the kinky fuckery, you'll get Fifty Shades of Grey.   I do not typically review book but I think this trilogy deserved some as it got me thinking too much and some old personal issues actually surfaced.  Much said without details.

I consumed the entire 3 books within a week as I wanted to know how the story ends.  You can hate me for this but I won't give a damn.  I'm cold, just like Grey is.

The plot is simple.  Boy meets girl.  Girl falls in love.  Love changes everything.   Now Boy loves girl.  They live happily ever after.   Erotica is plenty and description lousy.   Of the myriad of English descriptors, only few were used and repeatedly overused literally speaking.  It gets boring after reading the same "cut-and-paste" sex scene over umpteen times. 

What I like about Fifty Shades?  Apart from the fact that it is romantic, it is really a girl's fantasy to meet a man who is absolutely crazy and protective of you and the additional perks, he is rich, filthy rich that the world suddenly becomes an oyster served on a golden (perhaps platinum) platter.

What I hate about Fifty Shades?  It romanticized BDSM relationship and that love can change a man.  I'm sorry to burst the bubble, baby.  That only happens in your imagination and perhaps on the big screens of Hollywood.

Yes, yes, consenting adults in BDSM are simply people who seek alternative lifestyle.  I have no issue with that.  However, I honestly doubt that a man who gets such a kick from beating the shit out of little brown hair girls will suddenly switches over to prefer vanilla.  NAH-UH!  I'm sorry to say that the reality should be that he is damn angry as hell and looks forward to beating the living daylight out of you for daring to walk out.   Power is never fair in such relationship. Oh yes, he loves you, in the department of pain. 

Oh yes, about the love.   Since when love changes everything in the real world?  When a man drops everything and runs charging to where you are, stalk you or track you down via GPS, you run girl.  RUN.   Yes, he definitely loves you till death do you apart.  That is not protection baby, that is a maniac on the loose.   If you stay, you have not regards for your own safety, as Ana always does.

Oh ya, and one other thing.  It is depressing to see depressing people with no self confidence who will give up power (and do anything) just to receive love.  It isn't right and its NOT healthy.   Everyone deserves to be loved and no one love is more grand or inferior than another love.  

Rating:  4 out of 5 fairy clouds.   It is really an enticing book but remember it is fifty shades of fantasy.  On a lighter note, it gives hope to girls and women who are bored of their lives and relationships.  God bless E. L. James for the good deed and creation of Mommy Porn. 

I may read it again when I have some free time a few years from now.   But seriously, I like to read the version of Fifty Shades through Grey's mind.  I'm an INTJ, can't blame me for analyzing every details till death. Let's look forward to the movie for now. 

Ted

Little eight-year old John Bennett's dream came true when a large-size teddy bear comes to life and becomes his only best friend.   Fast forwarding to current day, the 35-year old John is still clinging to his thunder buddy and getting high together.

After dating for 4 years, Lori finally has enough of John's nonsense.  He remains to be a boy who never grows up because he is still best friend to a teddy bear.  The storyline is pretty much predictable and requires little imagination of how the next scene should proceed.

Ted is not your typical warm, friendly and nice teddy bear.   He is a fouled mouth and unruly little teddy bear, sugar-coated by his cute cuddly fuddly fuzzy fluffy exterior.  But this makes him rather charming and funny.  Yet, he is also a reflection of the owner who simply refuses to take responsibility for anything in his life.

There are a couple of funny moments and jokes made by Ted that I find quite amusing, from his curt remarks that won him a job at the supermarket and subsequently a promotion, to the numerous letters he wrote to Hasbro for his small ****.  Crude toilet humours are still worth some laughter when you watch a trashy movie.

Rating:  4 out of 5 fairy clouds.  Do manage your expectation.  The feeling I got from watching Ted is like you are watching a kid who never grows up, still living in a fantasy world.   In reality, John would have been a lousy friend, boyfriend and person, essentially loser.  But a handsome face helps you discount his bad. 

The Hossan Leong Show Flying Solo!

It has been close to 4 years since I watched Hossan Leong in his own personal show.   The first was the Late Nite @ Esplanade - Hossan Leong in 2008.  I was definitely surprised and very much entertained by his Flying Solo act.

The show felt very much like a real game show with game/quiz and lucky draw interspersed throughout his main acts.   I had a good laugh watching his move from personal song-and-dance to Monica Chng, the entrepreneur of 48-Restaurant-Fish-Fingers-and-Toes-Spa and last but not least a pole dance segment.  I never knew he had that much muscles for such a skinny boy.  I'm thoroughly impressed by like how Monica Chng will say it, "Hai ker" (translation: yes in Cantonese).

The show was totally well sponsored by pole dance studio to Pearlie white toothpaste and of course, the biggest sponsor of all, Scoot!  One pair of lucky winners is flying free to Melbourne Australia.   Surprise! Surprise!

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 fairy clouds.   Abso-freaking-lutely worth the ticket price for a good matinee.   I love his act and gag and is definitely looking forward to more of his performances in the future.   Do support the local artists if you can.  I think many of them are doing a great job.

Army Daze

ATTENTION!  Michael Chiang's Army Daze has been running for 25 years.  This year, the comedy theatrical continues to highlight the comical antics of the new recruits and their lives in Pulau Tekom.

I don't have an affinity to Singapore's national service as I was too young to understand what my brother had gone through, and neither male friends to share any of their 2.5 years miseries.   I'm totally watching the play from perspective of a foreigner.

I wasn't particularly impressed by the storyline and suspect that it may be overused, over-simplified and over-played, i.e. too much exaggeration and hence becoming too predictable.   Overall, the choreograph was decent and music/song was well delivered.

I can't stand the Aunty Lucy part and suspect that Margaret Chan's rendition could be a lot better.  To me Auntie Lucy is a middle-income HDB auntie and that doesn't gel with the concept of a rich auntie who lives in Namly Drive, Sixth Avenue.  In addition, she is supposed to be amiable and approachable, not the snobbish nose-in-the-air mother.

Enlai's rendition of Hokkien peng (soldier) as Corporal Ong needs a lot of improvement to accentuate the broken English.  I usually enjoy his performances in other plays, but not this one.   I wonder if  Sebastian Tan would be a good choice.  

And the X-man... just proves to show the scriptwriter's bias (or should I say implicit dislike) for the current president.   Seeing it once is funny, but after a few different plays with the same pun, it gets repulsive and I wanted to say "Give it a break, you are really boring me with old idea.  Move on with your disappointment and try something more interesting".

Overall, this play doesn't fare well with me.   While I find it entertaining, it doesn't provide me with much laughter except for a few "Ohh..." and "Hohoho".  I do give brownie points to Norleena Salim's performance as I totally watching her sing.  Her powerful voice really kick a punch! 

Ratings:  3.5 out of 5 fairy clouds.  I was more disappointment than intrigued.