Had the chance to watch The Socerer's Apprentice recently. Went in with much anticipation after having watch REPEATED trailers of it (sometimes twice at the same screening)...sort of gotten brain-washed by them!
Well, the movie had a fairy-tale start to it...ok, expected since it has to do with socery and wizardy and all the hocus-pocus stuff.
The next 15 minutes or so went pretty well telling the story of Dave as a kid, with some pretty cool socery fight scenes between Balthazar and Horvath.
The nightmare for me started right after adult Dave showed up...watching the rest of the movie was like watching a horror show, where one had to literally close one's eyes when the horror scenes show up. In this case, the "horror scenes" would be referring to scenes with Dave in them...
After sitting through the rest of the show, I can only conclude that either his acting career is being screwed up by the director/scripwriter or he just blew his own chances with his horrendous acting.
The show could definitely do better with other "Daves" and not Jay Baruchel. Jay would be perfect for roles such as side-kicks entrusted with mediocre acting just so as to make the lead actor look good...
Remind me not to watch any movies starring Jay...ever again! And it sure has been a really long time since we've seen Nic Cage starring in a A-grade flick. Now that is something that Nic should seriously consider before his acting credentials go poof into thin air.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Opps, Malaysia has done it again...
http://news.malaysia.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4077309
I could not help but laugh my head off when i read the above article 'Malaysian thieves return police car, with written apology', amused at how dumb the thieves can be. Of course, this only serve to further enforce the fact that crime rate in Malaysia is indeed appalling!
To begin with, I'm not sure if it's really a case of dumb and dumber theives or them simply being audacious and trying to prove that they can do whatever they want and the police can do nuts about it.
I wonder what would the police think about the message 'Sorry police, wrong target!'. I couldn't help but imagine the cops gathering around the car and saying "lucky the theives target other car, if not we sure need to go out and search for them and write report...now can relak!" Once again, the police or ministry can conveniently sweep this under the carpet, labelling this as an isolated case and claiming that "the general population still appreciate our efforts and feel safe. Our safety level is still better than SOME OTHER COUNTRIES"
No one would want to complain or raise objection either...since we're afraid, once again, that the police will say "if the people don't appreciate what we are doing, we might as well not serve on the grounds!" So as to not evoke such sweeping statements that do not go through much thought process..I'd say we keep quiet, resign to our fates, lock our doors tight at night, and pray for our own safety...
I could not help but laugh my head off when i read the above article 'Malaysian thieves return police car, with written apology', amused at how dumb the thieves can be. Of course, this only serve to further enforce the fact that crime rate in Malaysia is indeed appalling!
To begin with, I'm not sure if it's really a case of dumb and dumber theives or them simply being audacious and trying to prove that they can do whatever they want and the police can do nuts about it.
I wonder what would the police think about the message 'Sorry police, wrong target!'. I couldn't help but imagine the cops gathering around the car and saying "lucky the theives target other car, if not we sure need to go out and search for them and write report...now can relak!" Once again, the police or ministry can conveniently sweep this under the carpet, labelling this as an isolated case and claiming that "the general population still appreciate our efforts and feel safe. Our safety level is still better than SOME OTHER COUNTRIES"
No one would want to complain or raise objection either...since we're afraid, once again, that the police will say "if the people don't appreciate what we are doing, we might as well not serve on the grounds!" So as to not evoke such sweeping statements that do not go through much thought process..I'd say we keep quiet, resign to our fates, lock our doors tight at night, and pray for our own safety...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
CNY bad for this shop?
Was doing some last-minute CNY shopping at Orchard Road recently and I came across this window advertisement out front of a retail shop. Seems like the retailer is bemoaning the arrival of the New Year. Probably feeling CNY is going to bring bad business to the shop with all the huge discounts they will be giving... What a way to welcome the New Year.
On second thoughts, looking at the mannequins swapped with tiger heads, the 'ARRRGH!' may be meant as a tiger's roar...in this case, it sure is darn bad interpretation I would say! :)
On second thoughts, looking at the mannequins swapped with tiger heads, the 'ARRRGH!' may be meant as a tiger's roar...in this case, it sure is darn bad interpretation I would say! :)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Crime rate in Malaysia not bad??....
I came across a mini report titled 'Some people tarnishing country's image' on the 20th Jan 2010 print edition of The Star. After reading the report, I can only shake my head in disbelief and at the same time laugh in amusement.
The report cited our (Malaysia) dear deputy home minister commenting that certain quarters are tanishing the country's image by claiming that the police had failed to ensure public safety.... He was replying to a recent online poll with 20,000 respondents claiming they felt unsafe! My funny bones were tickled when he said the poll was only reflective of 0.03% of the population!!
That was a very dumb comment i would have to say. I hope it was a slip of the tongue rather than he meaning what he said. If indeed he meant it that way, is he implying the other 99.97% of the population felt very safe?? Who is he trying to joke to...
Does it require a poll with the ENTIRE population to convince him?? I would say other than the 'law enforcers', most of us would tick the very same box as the 0.03% polled previously!
Logically speaking, isn't that how polls work? To take a sample population for testing? And given that its an online poll, the respondents would generally come from various geographical locations and from various walks of life, making the poll results as fair as possible.
The icing on the cake was him commenting that "crime rate here is not as bad as certain quaters claim, especially when compared to other countries." Is he comparing Malaysia with the likes of Zimbabwe and Angola?? Who is he kidding man...
A throw of the stone in the streets of Malaysia would more likely hit someone who has been a crime victim than not...
The national crime laboratory has identified 52 initiatives to tackle the national crime rate...I can only wonder how soon can these be implemented, and if we will notice ANY positive changes at all if they are ever implemented... maybe in the next 520 years...
The report cited our (Malaysia) dear deputy home minister commenting that certain quarters are tanishing the country's image by claiming that the police had failed to ensure public safety.... He was replying to a recent online poll with 20,000 respondents claiming they felt unsafe! My funny bones were tickled when he said the poll was only reflective of 0.03% of the population!!
That was a very dumb comment i would have to say. I hope it was a slip of the tongue rather than he meaning what he said. If indeed he meant it that way, is he implying the other 99.97% of the population felt very safe?? Who is he trying to joke to...
Does it require a poll with the ENTIRE population to convince him?? I would say other than the 'law enforcers', most of us would tick the very same box as the 0.03% polled previously!
Logically speaking, isn't that how polls work? To take a sample population for testing? And given that its an online poll, the respondents would generally come from various geographical locations and from various walks of life, making the poll results as fair as possible.
The icing on the cake was him commenting that "crime rate here is not as bad as certain quaters claim, especially when compared to other countries." Is he comparing Malaysia with the likes of Zimbabwe and Angola?? Who is he kidding man...
A throw of the stone in the streets of Malaysia would more likely hit someone who has been a crime victim than not...
The national crime laboratory has identified 52 initiatives to tackle the national crime rate...I can only wonder how soon can these be implemented, and if we will notice ANY positive changes at all if they are ever implemented... maybe in the next 520 years...
Saturday, January 16, 2010
$Moneylending$ ads everywhere...
In recent years, the most prominent sight (i would say) to hit Malaysia are print ads of 'money lenders'. These ads are literally EVERYWHERE! As long its a spot the public eye is exposed to, 'smack' up goes a poster advertising 'Pinjam $$, Low Interest, Call 01X-XXXXXXX'. From the back of a public toilet door, road signs, lamp-posts to shop fronts, nowhere is left untouched by these moneylenders and their ads.
Of late, innovation has struck these people as well, with names such as 'OBCB Credit' and 'RBH Credit' popping up on their ads. Not only that, their ads have appeared hanging from overhead flyovers across major roads...Contents have even taken a "softer" tone, with some advertising: "We are not moneylenders, we just want to help you!" What a full load of crap i say...
On major roads, the road signs are not spared as well. Many have their directions obscurred by the ads...we are talking about about directions to hospitals and other amenities! Come on, this is definitely too much to swallow! Both new residental and commercial parks are not spared within weeks of opening. 'No Entry' signs, 'One Way Traffic' signs and even handicap parking lot signs are all defaced by these thugs.
It has become an ever increasing eye-sore to everyone, with the exception of people who could use with their services i suppose...These acts of vandalism, acts of defacement, are spreading like an epidemic across the country, from the heart of cities to the quiet countrysides. While we lament about the lack of infrastructure and the quality of the exisiting infrastructure, these irresponsible buggers couldnt care less and continue vandalising exisiting public property without any fear of the law. On the other hand, it is of interest if the law to tackle this problem or to tackle these illegal moneylenders even exist! So much "resource" has been put into arresting people accused of drinking or placing bets that are forbidden based on religious grounds... Heck, I don't see any efforts at all in tackling these vandals or the masterminds behind them!
Even with HUGE leads given in the form of phone numbers posted on these ads, there appears to be a severe lack of action taken against these vandals, or more correctly, illegal moneylenders. Of course, we cant just blame the authorities for the lack of action. The vandals, the main culprits, should be shamed in public with the posters pasted all over themselves for a start and then sent packing to jail to enjoy the curry rice and free accomodation there while getting massaged by the rotan. In addition, the printers that supply the ad materials should also not escape punishment. I say a severe fine and revoking of license to operate will be a good deterrence to the availability of these ads in the first place.
So much have been invested to erect our public facilities and so easily have they been destroyed. These vandalistic acts are definitely going to cost our public coffers (when the states DO take action) in efforts to restore the facilities to their original appearance.
Of late, innovation has struck these people as well, with names such as 'OBCB Credit' and 'RBH Credit' popping up on their ads. Not only that, their ads have appeared hanging from overhead flyovers across major roads...Contents have even taken a "softer" tone, with some advertising: "We are not moneylenders, we just want to help you!" What a full load of crap i say...
On major roads, the road signs are not spared as well. Many have their directions obscurred by the ads...we are talking about about directions to hospitals and other amenities! Come on, this is definitely too much to swallow! Both new residental and commercial parks are not spared within weeks of opening. 'No Entry' signs, 'One Way Traffic' signs and even handicap parking lot signs are all defaced by these thugs.
It has become an ever increasing eye-sore to everyone, with the exception of people who could use with their services i suppose...These acts of vandalism, acts of defacement, are spreading like an epidemic across the country, from the heart of cities to the quiet countrysides. While we lament about the lack of infrastructure and the quality of the exisiting infrastructure, these irresponsible buggers couldnt care less and continue vandalising exisiting public property without any fear of the law. On the other hand, it is of interest if the law to tackle this problem or to tackle these illegal moneylenders even exist! So much "resource" has been put into arresting people accused of drinking or placing bets that are forbidden based on religious grounds... Heck, I don't see any efforts at all in tackling these vandals or the masterminds behind them!
Even with HUGE leads given in the form of phone numbers posted on these ads, there appears to be a severe lack of action taken against these vandals, or more correctly, illegal moneylenders. Of course, we cant just blame the authorities for the lack of action. The vandals, the main culprits, should be shamed in public with the posters pasted all over themselves for a start and then sent packing to jail to enjoy the curry rice and free accomodation there while getting massaged by the rotan. In addition, the printers that supply the ad materials should also not escape punishment. I say a severe fine and revoking of license to operate will be a good deterrence to the availability of these ads in the first place.
So much have been invested to erect our public facilities and so easily have they been destroyed. These vandalistic acts are definitely going to cost our public coffers (when the states DO take action) in efforts to restore the facilities to their original appearance.
Monday, January 4, 2010
of Mamaks & ayam
A couple of nights back, a few friends and I were engaged in a M'sia favourite past-time, having supper at an Mamak shop. Everything went ok, until the waiter came to take our order... As he swept through the group of us, almost regardless of what food you'd order, he would ask 'Nak tamba ayam tak??'. You order a naan, a roti, mee goreng or tosai, and out popped this question from him.
Now, everyone knows how expensively are the ayam priced at Mamaks...and here, the waiter is trying to brainwash us that if we don't order our food either with ayam or pattaya style...our food basically going to end up tasting like crap.
It seems nowadays even at Mamaks, the waiter have to cross-sell and up-sell their menu. Gone are the days that we can just order a teh-tarik and a roti kosong without looking like Mr Scrooge. It is commendable though, how deftly the waiters slot in this question and before you know it, you'd have a ayam (goreng/rendang/curry), like it or not, infront of you...
Sunday, January 3, 2010
food to die for - funny food signboard
Was having breakfast at a coffee-shop in Klang a couple of weeks back when i came across this signboard of one of the foodstalls. Had to fight hard to contain my laughter when i saw the words 'BETTER GUARD MEE HUN SOUP' being used to describe what i believe is actually 'BITTER GOURD MEE HOON SOUP'! I guess we are being warned to eat at our own risks! There's probably either something potent in the soup or you're going to have to catch the MEE HUN they will be flinging at you once ready.
Somewhere and somehow, something went really wrong in getting the message across on the board...
Still, it sure provided plenty of humor for a grumpy early breakfast-goer like me...
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