Sunday, January 30, 2011

Not An Angel, Neither A Punk

*Took this pic, and now writing a 'story' on it.

not an angel, neither a punk

Why not an Angel?
Well, first up - the stuff that I'm doing & have been doing all has a cause behind them. Like for example promoting Malaysia, promoting Malaysian talents.. and now under Project O&O (#PONO), me & my partners are working to provide a platform for Malaysian youths to speak up, and inspire the society.

These sure sounds - Angel-ic, at least. But to say we I'm your Oh-Holy Angel, is not me lah. I'm your average guy here, and am just like everyone else. I indulge in what other guys indulge in. Though these are not sinful in my eyes, but it's not your idea of say, an Angel, I suppose..

And on not exactly being a Punk?
Well, I may be hot tempered & easily offended at times, but I know how to control myself when it matters most.
For example, I don't initiate a physical fight, usually only protecting myself from danger... for the fact that I don't think the 'bigger/ stronger' should take advantage of the 'weaker'.

On damaging property, err... the closest I have is to only dent Volvo car door (ooops!), but no spraying on walls or anything like that.

And I think I also carry myself well enough despite at times, I do feel like err.. telling some people off.

So, yeah, not really a punk too - I guess?

But would I like to be more one or the other? Well I'm happy being who I am so far, though maybe a lil more punk-ish would be cool. When I say punk here - I mean, more care less (& a lil more direct) in some ways if toes are wrongly stepped. But I still hold on to my belief of no initiating any fights :)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The CNY Movie For 2011: Great Day! (天天好天)

When I first read that the producers of last year's CNY movie, Woohoo, are coming out with a movie, I got all excited. Last year's CNY movie by Astro has been simply awe-some and still have fresh memories with me.

So it was obvious that I'd watch Astro's movie for this year too! And I must say that I wasn't at all disappointed.. for it sure lived up to its expectations!

great day movie reviewSo what about this movie, aye?
Well, it's simply touching & heartwarming. And oh yeah, funny too!

great dayThis show emphasis a lot on relationships, family ties & togetherness - like the relationship between father & son, children & their elder parents/ grandparents, friendships between friends.... all the stuff that you will feel especially during the Chinese New Year.

tian tian hao tian
And then there's the togetherness of the 'kampung spirit' that many of us Malaysians & Chinese communities worldwide can relate to someway or rather.

great day movie mother son son
great day grandfatherApart from its heartwarming theme, what I like about this movie - is the shots in the village. I just love the kampung views! (yeah call me a Kampung Boy! haha!) Btw these scenes reminds me of how blessed we are in this beautiful country (seeing is believing!). But it's not just the kampung views that are nice. Even the KL views that we are so accustomed too is quite well taken here (there's one scene where one of the actors were on a motorbike around the city).



Another thing that this movie has done well is to make it funny. Cos usually movies that are funny are not that heartwarming, but this CNY movie managed to do juggle both very well.

At times, I laughed, and a times, my heartstrings were touched. And that's what makes this movie special.


So, if u want to watch a CNY movie this Chinese New Year period, well, you don't need to go all blury over the many shows out there. I'd highly recommend this... if you are Malaysian. And even if you are not, I think this movie can touch you too!

*Simply love the title Great Day (天天好天) - also translated as tian tian hao tian = everyday good day!

Did I Really Watched A Singapore Movie?

Yeah, I don't believe it myself.. that I actually watched a Singapore movie just a few days ago.

While I must admit that I've been quite supportive of Singapore movies while I was in the island city when I stayed there my good 8 years.. but after a few good start, I felt the movies in Singapore were getting too cliche, and boring.. and have too many irritating stuff: lots of shouting and arguments, mother in law is always furious, a good fair of weeping (not crying), and it's about money (or lack thereof).

Hence, my vow to not watch Singapore movies - unless they got standard lah.

So, what made me change my mind the other day?
Well, I was invited to a blogger's preview of the movie Homecoming. In my mind, well, Chinese New Year is just round the corner and since this is free (I got to admit this), hence, I thought why not. Besides, there's a fair bit of Malaysian talents in this productions too! (that sure is a pull factor for me).

homecoming movieSo how do I find this movie? One word: Surprised.
Yes, this movie stayed away from the stereotyped Singapore productions.No money talk, no mother in law getting angry, no weeping with loads of tissues & hands.

There was only one part in the beginning that made me cringe when there were loud arguments. But apart from that, the rest of the movie is rather hillarious and at times touching.

Jack Neo acted well (which btw I think he should stick to his feminine roles - playing the mother here). The relationship between Mark Lee & his daugther is the highlight and was done rather well too.

The movie is also nice cos it was filmed in KL (and informing the viewers that it is KL! - not a fake olden days Singapore or something), hence giving the movie a wider spectrum of things and a wider scope to cover.




My conclusion: All in all, this is a decent CNY movie, one that has restored Singapore productions in some way (in my humblest opinion, ehem).

So, if you are in the CNY mood, then go ahead to watch this. But don't expect to remember this movie as yr memorable CNY movie for the years to come. If you want that, then I'd say watch the all Malaysian production Great Day which is way more touching and meaningful (and I'm not being biased here - as much as I love Malaysia more, seriously).

*Malaysia's Double Vision is one of the co producers for this movie. Malaysian Ah Niu is also one of the main stars in Homecoming.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

My 3rd Video And #PONO

Been having some fun times playing with video recording, and video editing recently.. Yeah, my aim of going more into productions. Hehe.

I've been using iMovie to edit my first 2 videos, but somehow it kinda screws up - again (can't launch it) - and I don't know what's the error. So, for this 3rd video, I used YouTube video editor & audio swap.




Well, it kinda works for this video, in some ways.. cos our timings were right, hence no trimming needed. However, I didn't get to do any light editing or stuff like that.. Yeah, it's just adding on the appropriate audio - in this case the music, and voila!

Oh, I had a hard time choosing which song was good.. and besides, I wanted to test this YouTube functions, so here's another version - the Slow Version, with the song changed.


Oh, btw, these videos are with regards to my new work that I'm doing with my 2 other business partners from Eleven Angles (not Angels, mind you.. don't think we are! haha!). The project is called Project O&O (Project One & Only) or for short #PONO (that's our hashtag on twitter too btw).

project o&O
Ah, so what's this project all about? Well, it is to search for Malaysia's Youth Ambassador. Oooo.. heavy stuff! But well, apart from looking for someone with leadership qualities, we are also looking for someone who can connect to the youths in general - ie, whacky & fun loving! (now, it sounds a lil less heavy haha).

Anyway, I've actually been on this project since 3rd quarter last year. I came into this project, as I realised I could work on the productions stuff - which has been something that I've always been interested in. Apart from the side videos like the one above, we are gonna create a MTV in this project too!

Anyway, along the way, my project scope has expanded and has taken an extra level. Just early this year (ie less than 3 weeks back), I became Project Leader. It wasn't something I had expected but it's something that I think I've got to do for this moment to steer this project.

The responsibility sounds heavy and I'm a lil afraid at times. In fact, all 3 of us are. But I think our commitment to this project will see it through.

Yes, we heart this project for what it is doing for the youths & society, but also.. for the fact that this project is to lead Eleven Angles to greater things!

So, here's to #PONO.. and my 3rd video! :)

*To follow the competition, join our Facebook Fanpage at Project O&O or follow us on our twitter at PONO .