Sepi the movie

Another product from Kabir Bhatia but with a slightly different 'take' on life, love and loneliness.
Although not as riveting as Cinta, Sepi's plot has its own twists and turns that made the audience sit up and made sense of some of its scenes.
In a nutshell, it is a narrative of three people's lives that intersected at one fateful moment and unravelled from then on.
Adam, a chef, realised that he should marry the woman he loves rather than settle for the one who loves him; Sufi, a shoe maker, ran from the memories that haunted him to a destiny denied; and Imaan, a playwright, woke from a coma to bid farewell to her past and greet her future.
Syed Hussein as Ean was convincing as the persistent suitor to Baizura Kahar's feisty Imaan while Pierre Andre's Khalif was a self-effacing 'phantom' who was jealous of her new relationship yet not bold enough to stake his claim.
Muhammad Riefqie's Ashraff was credible as a grieving yet discerning child.
http://www.sepithemovie.com/

Gong Xi Fa Cai

http://www.care2.com/send/card
Well, I have yet to read and review my 'free' novel but managed to take a break from early semester schedule since most people around are on a holiday mood anyway.
Happy Lunar New Year to all friends and (acquired) family members who celebrate the cultural festival.
The Year of the Golden Rat has a special meaning for me since my late mother was born in the year of the Rat. Although she was no Rat (perhaps a Ratatouille), she had the misfortune of having to deal with many who were not even born in that year. Speaking of Real Life Rats (RLRs - of animal and human forms), I wonder if a person close to me should seek help (and if so, where?) for her phobia as a result of having encountered too many 'human rodents' in her past. It will certainly make her take incremental steps to change her solitary life to one that is more fulfilling.
In any case, here's a description of people born in this 'auspicious' year:
Rats are imaginative, honest, charming and generous - although they do have a tendency to be aggressive. They are expressive and talkative, yet keep their problems to themselves. The Rat is sensual and loving. They are very loyal and devoted to their families. They are quick-witted and get things done fast. They are confident and usually have good instincts. Stubborn as they are, they prefer to live by their own rules rather than others. They are very organized and talented. The Rat makes a good business person, politician, writer, critic or publicist.
Famous people born in the Year of the Rat:
Ursula Andress, Marlon Brando, Englebert Humperdinck, Burt Reynolds

Nigel Barley's "Rogue Raider"

Rogue Raider
The tale of Captain Lauterbach and the Singapore Mutiny
by Nigel Barley
It is the First World War and Julius Lauterbach is a German prisoner of war in the old Tanglin barracks of Singapore. He is also a braggart, a womaniser and a heavy drinker and through his bored fantasies he unwittingly triggers a mutiny by Muslim troops of the British garrison and so throws the whole course of the war in doubt. The British lose control of the city, its European inhabitants flee to the ships in the harbour and it is only with the help of Japanese marines that the Empire is saved.
Rogue Raider is the adventure story of how one ship, the Emden, tied up the navies of four nations and how one man eluded their agents in a desperate yet hilarious attempt to regain his native land. It is fictionalised history but a true history that was deliberately suppressed by the authorities of the time as too embarrassing and dangerous to be known. Revealed here, it brings vividly to life the Southeast Asia of the period, its sights, its sounds and its rich mix of peoples. And through it an unwilling participant in the war becomes an accidental hero.
Boy, am I glad I won a free copy of the title from Monsoon Books in Singapore.
Now to find the time to read and review it.
To win a book, do check out: http://www.monsoonbooks.com.sg/freestuff.html

The Golden Compass

Although features about the novel and movie focus on the writer's criticism of the church or organised religion, I would extend that to the critique of the social and education systems in straightjacketing people from their intuitive, creative and innovative spirit.

Kokopelli, All Stars & Enchanted

Another birthday, another round of treats and movies.
Dinner at Kokopelli on Saturday evening was alright but the ambience and service could certainly be improved with more plants, misty fans, table cloths, place mats, classy music and skilled service.
All Stars was the next best place we could get after Chilli's was full on Sunday evening. The broccoli soup and nachos were great and the t-bone was better than the sirloin I had the night before. Then off to GSC to catch "Enchanted".
Actually, ISA and I wanted to watch "Across the Universe" or "Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium" but "Enchanted" matched our schedule.
We were, however, not dissapointed. It's wonderful how Disney re-invented itself by turning their saccharin sweet tales of princes charming and beautiful princesses into contemporary spoof of true love and "happily ever after".

FLAMS da place

Nothing like a 'fine dining experience' to delight the palates and the senses.

Beowulf - Pride is a curse

Another screenplay by Neil Gaiman. Another spectacular showcase of legend and larger than life characters. Definitely a far cry from the oldest surviving epic about the adventures of the sixth century Norse warrior written in pre-10th century A.D. Old English, by no means an 'easy' read even for English lit students.

Auburn's Slow Burn

'Radio Free KL Pt. Deux'
I may not be able to appreciate ISA's brand of music but it doesn't stop me from promoting it and perhaps taking a lil peek, if I feel up to it.

For readers of ISA's generation, it's Auburn's turn to burn along with other bands of similar frequency - Fathulistiwa, Komplot, The Mindless Show and Oddity at The Annexe, Central Market, KL, on November 3 2007 (Saturday) at 2pm.

Wish Upon a Star

'Being a romance set within the realm of fairie'

ISA, who initiated me to Neil Gaiman's work, had sent me a lovely e-card a few weeks prior to the release of the silver screen adaptation of Stardust.
I had found Gaiman's fantasy comic-novels a welcome escape into vicarious adventures that a 'frozen' woman such as myself hadn't allowed herself to partake.
Be that as it may, the movie version of Stardust enthralls me as a big screen picture book that comes alive and invites me to identify with the key character in the 'fairie' tale - Yvaine the Star, of course.
And I didn't mean that in an egoistical, narcisistic manner, but in a lonesome kindred spirit kind of way. Or had I been a Star all this while but simply never realised it? Hah! Dream on, lady, dream on.
In any case, an enormous fan of Gaiman's books finds Yvaine "passive and soppy", which is why I could relate with her character. I wish I could be more assertive and competitive, though, like Michelle Pfeiffer as Larnia the wicked witch. But I think Yvaine the Star shines brightly enough with her musings on human foibles and her love for the very ordinary 'shop boy', Tristan Thorne (Charlie Cox).
The story opens with Tristan working in the very ordinary grocer’s shop in the very ordinary English village of Wall. The only thing that's not ordinary about the Wall is the wall that divides the 'real' world from the land of Faerie on the other side, a wall that its inhabitants are forbidden to cross.
Now, Tristan is besotted with one Victoria Forrester (Sienna Miller), the Wall's most beautiful and most pampered of all the damsels in that village. In his bid to outdo his competition and to win her hand in marriage, he rashly promises to venture into Faerie and bring her back the shooting star that fell on the other side on an evening when they were having their moonlit picnic. Having made his way into the magical kingdom of Stormhold, Tristan is surprised to discover that his star is not a lump of rock but an incorrigibly fractious young woman named Yvaine (Claire Danes), whose leg was injured when she fell.
Despite her protests, Tristan is determined to present Yvaine to Victoria. However, he soon finds himself having to protect her since Yvaine is in real and present danger - her heart is sought after by Larnia and her ugly sisters, who need to devour it to restore their youth and beauty. Since she has on her a magic chain and pendant that was tossed by the deceased King of Stormhold, she was also sought by the Princes of Stormhold, who have to transform the gemstone on the pendant to ruby in their claims as rightful heirs to the throne.
With evil witches and murderous pretenders hot on their heels, Tristan and Yvaine get to hop onto Stardust's adventure ride filled with a graceful unicorn, a prince with his 'ghostly' sibilings on a macabre stage coach, a cross-dressing captain and his motley crew of swashbuckling pirates in a flying ship, and more.
DeNiro's performance was impeccable; Cox is a rising star, convincing both as the naive and innocent younger Tristan as well as the more suave and debonair version. Pfeiffer shone as the wicked witch, brilliant both as a youthful beauty and an old crone.

Selamat Hari Lebaran

Minal Aidil Wal Faizin
Walaupun saudara serumpun di tanah seberang
Sudah tiada lagi Rasa Sayang
Namun saya tetap kasih dan sayang
Pada semua umat Islam dan Alamin
Kartu eidulfitri ngak bisa ngpos
Masalah dengan server, ya Mas Tos
(Bekas pacaran arwah sister,
Dicekup buat cukup meter!)
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Maaf Zahir dan Batin
Salah Silap Harap Ampunkan
Jika memandu pulang ke kampung
Jangan lupa stoppan di Petronas
Jika tidak pun, stoppan jugak ya, Kang Mas!
Wassalam

Lost Horizon at Shangri-La

To offset my dissapointment at having to cancel a trip to Paris, I seized the opportunity of a get-away weekend at Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa in Penang. I had another offer to visit the Cameron Highlands but, unfortunately, I can't be at two places at the same time.
We were whisked off from the launch of 'Every Baby a Book' at the Equatorial in Bukit Jambul by the loquacious Khor, who drove us to the doorstep of Rasa Wing, where we were warmly welcomed by Suleiman TAR, Rasa Sayang and Golden Sands' Director of Communications. While our luggages were checked-in by a personal conceierge, we sipped our complimentary cocktails, admired our welcome gift of white orchids and chatted with Suleiman in the exclusive Rasa Wing Lounge. Upon arrival at our spacious and stylishly decorated 1281 sq ft Rasa Premier Suite, we had our photo taken by the bell-hop and our needs taken care of by Syuen, our very own round-the-clock butler.
The suite has a separate parlour/sitting area, and a private balcony with a huge soaking tub facing the luxuriant garden and the ocean. Apart from having our nightly lavender and tuberose baths drawn by Syuen, we also took a dip at the Rasa Wing pool, next to the Chi Spa, where we were pampered to one of its signature spa therapies, aptly called Rasa Asmaradana.
Our neighbour was Chef Spinosi, who prepared his designer label pasta, Spinosini, for entree, main dish and dessert at our cozy dinner tete-a-tete with him and Suleiman at the Feringgi Grill.

Breakfast was a generous buffet spread at the Spice Market Cafe while high tea was a delightful sampling of canapes and fine teas at the garden terrace of the Rasa Wing Lounge. Lunching on Chef Salad and fruit juices at the Poolside Bar while watching people swimming, sun bathing or engaging themselves with recreational activities was a welcome reprieve after the spa treatment. We were indeed sad to bid farewell to Suleiman and his team who had been such hospitable hosts throughout our short stay at Rasa.

alias Grace @ KLPac

This is a must-see for all those who believe in giving voices to the subalterns, dead or alive. Kudos to Caroline Lee for her spell-binding performance that captivated the audience for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Walking away from the "Pandora's Box", I can't help feeling thankful for being born a woman in this day and age.
SYNOPSIS:
"Murderess. Murderess. The word rustles like a tafetta skirt across the floor."
In 1844 sixteen-year-old Grace Marks is convicted of the brutal murder of her employer and his pregnant mistress. Eight years later she is offered the chance to redeem herself, but telling a story is never an innocent act.
In her brilliant portrayal of the celebrated murderess in the play alias Grace, award-winning Australian actress Caroline Lee transforms into Marks in a performance as intimate as it is dangerous. The character is based on the real-life Grace Marks, one of the most notorious Canadian women of the 1840s.
Alias Grace, Margaret Atwood's multi-award winning novel, has been adapted for the stage by Laurence Strangio. The KL production is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australia International Cultural Council in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Relations between Malaysia and Australia.

Anak Bulan Di Kampong Wa' Hassan

I missed "Anak Bulan" the last time it was shown at KLPAC but determined to catch it at Kampong Jawa, Klang, on June 13 2007. Although I spent my formative years in Kampong Melayu Kaki Bukit, Singapura 14, I considered myself a city slicker for being born in a cosmopolitan city and subsequently moved to Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. Now that I'm older and wiser, I learned to appreciate the simplicity of rural life and wished I still had a kampong to return to for the holidays or for a retirement settlement.

The Actors Studio

with the support of/dengan sokongan
Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage/Kementerian Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan (KeKKWa)
present/mempersembahkan
GENE SHA RUDYN in the text written by/dalam karya tulisan
ALFIAN BIN SA’AT
“Anak Bulan Di Kampong Wa’ Hassan”
Director/Pengarah: Gene Sha Rudyn
Writer/Penulis: Alfian bin Sa'at

Cast/Pelakon: Gene Sha Rudyn

“Anak Bulan Di Kampong Wa' Hassan” tells the story of Kampong Wa’ Hassan, the last Malay kampung (village) to fall victim to Singapore's efforts at modernisation. Far from a nostalgia trip down memory lane to a romanticised Malay kampung, this is a journey of discovery of the true worth of a kampung, filled with real-life characters in all their rawness, and the true loss in the dispossession of it.
“If 'to know me is to love me', then the way for us to understand why Orang Kampung love the kampung is to get to know the kampung that they know.”

- Gene Sha Rudyn
“Anak Bulan Di Kampong Wa' Hassan” mengisahkan tentang Kampong Wa’ Hassan, kampung terakhir di Singapura yang menjadi mangsa dalam usaha Singapura mengejar kemajuan. Jauh berbeza daripada sebuah lamunan romantika tentang sebuah Kampung Melayu yang penuh nostalgia, malahan ianya merupakan satu penerokaan mengenali nilai sebenar sebuah kampung, yang padat dengan watak-watak nyata lagi asli, dan kehilangan sebenar dengan pemupusannya. “Kata pepatah ‘Tak kenal maka tak cinta’. Jadi, kalau kita nak faham kenapa orang kampung cinta sangat dengan kampung, kita kenalah mengenali kampung yang mereka kenal.”

- Gene Sha Rudyn
Dates & Time:
Wednesday / Rabu 6 June 2007 - Kampong Bekor, Manong, Kuala Kangsar, Perak
Saturday / Sabtu 9 June 2007 - Kampong Pulau Betong, Balik Pulau, Penang
Wednesday / Rabu 13 June 2007 - Kampong Jawa, Klang, Selangor
Sunday / Ahad 17 June 2007 - Sungai Karang Darat, Kuantan, Pahang
Wednesday / Rabu 20 June 2007 - Kampong Bukit Cina, Melaka
Saturday / Sabtu 23 June 2007 - Kampong Parit Haji Ali, Batu Pahat, Johor
ADMISSION IS FREE!
For more information, please contact:

Lina 012-203 9198The Actors Studio @ BSC 03-2093 0400

The Actors Studio Greenhall Penang 04-263 5400

My Fair Lady The Musical

I had to abandon two sets of friends to seize the opportunity to watch MFLTM at the KL Convention Center on the evening of May 18th. KL being the supposed cultural hub of Malaysia had, of course, to observe Malaysian time and tolerate Malaysians' idosyncrasies. In other words, the actors had to wait for the audience taking their own sweet time dribbling into the auditorium and perform while babies are bawling their lungs out!

Apart from that, we managed to enjoy the show and the hor douvres during the interval. However, I still prefer the film version with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. NiA wished Eliza had rode into the sunset with Freddy but I had to remind her that the play was based on 'Pygmalion' which was written by George Bernard Shaw in 1916. In any case, I chose to interpret it as a question of compatibility between two human souls and tried to ignore the age difference between the protagonists.

Goodbye Boys

NiA decided we do something different on Mother's Day and watch a local indie movie for a change.

Goodbye Boys is a coming-of-age story set in 1990 against the backdrop of Kinta Valley. A group of eight Form Five Ipoh boys went on a 5-day 100km hike to fulfill a King Scouts requirement and returned to become young men just in time for the Farewell Prom organised by none other than the Convent girls. Reminds me of my numerous journeys with Yat to Batu Gajah, Tanjung Tualang and Ipoh during my secondary school holidays. And those '90s ballads were worth listening and humming to again.

http://www.redfilms.com.my/goodbyeboys/story.htm

Marche Movenpick

Have always wanted to dine at Marche Movenpick and finally had the chance on Mother's Day. Love the European marketplace and hawker style concept, the fresh fruit juices, the creamy risotto, the super sausage and the Alps Coffee.

The staff can perhaps be more generous with their smiles and the local patrons could certainly practice restraint in piling their plates!

Bean there...

Couldn't resist sharing this, courtesy of Paulene Leong:
mrbeanbastic.wmv
From the bottom of my heart, I wish you all the best, Bean, on your future project/s.
Do keep us entertained with your shenanigans and silly antics!

R Strauss Oboe Concerto, MPO, April 13-15 2007

Zai and I were simply thrilled to get complimentary tickets to the MPO after the event at NN Gallery. I'm now beginning to appreciate western classical music and able to distinguish the sounds and moods evoked by the different musical instruments, be they string, wind or what-have-you. As a novice, I can proudly say now that horns produce a "lively theme", strings have a "jagged rhythmic edge" and flutes and clarinets are reminiscent of a "charming rural or pastoral" past.
http://www.malaysianphilharmonic.com/index.php
So, this time around, I had a splendid time at the DFP, savouring both the music of Ravel (Valses nobles et sentimentales), Strauss (Oboe Concerto) and Dvorak (Symphony No. 7 in D minor (Op. 70)), as well as the desserts (tiramiru, almond choc and carrot walnut, haha!)
"Inspired by the music of Schubert, Ravel’s “noble and sentimental Waltzes” was originally written for a concert where the audience had to guess the composer ... Dvorák’s Seventh is widely regarded as the greatest of his nine symphonies while MPO Principal Oboe, Simon Emes, enchants us with the Concerto Richard Strauss wrote for one of the American soldiers sent to guard him at the end of the Second World War."

Garden of the Heart, NN Gallery, April 7-30 2007

This is one solo exhibition with a difference, from the moment the art enthusiast walks into the gallery til the moment she steps out.

Now, I'm no art connosseur, just a lover of aesthetics. And was I fascinated by the creative floral arrangements that greet the visitors at the foyer. The air was fragrant with the sweet smell of tuberoses, 'melor', 'tanjung' and 'kenanga' (gosh, can't find the translations in English on the net and no kamus dwi-bahasa at hand) as well as 'bunga rampai'.

The theme is Sufism, from the flowers to the music and, of course, the works of art. Garden of the Hearts marks Dato' Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir 21st solo exhibition and showcases 24 new works. And as any novice could tell, Islamic arts is more about conformity and contemplation, rather than creativity, which represents the Islamic way of life and revolves around the worship of the Almighty and appreciation of his creations on Earth.

The collages and other works at the exhibition focus "more on geometrical images and colours which evoke feelings of calmness, enlightenment and spirituality". This "dynamic new body of work ... is reflective of the artist’s recent experiences which marks an evident change in style and a significant development in her artistic expression." And this recent change in style is the result of her travels to many different parts of the world, including Sumatra and Yemen, to retrace her roots and search for solace and serenity in her cultural heritage.

www.nngallery.com.my

The Oxford & Cambridge Gala Boat Race Ball 2007

This is one event that I simply wouldn't skip, not only for its style and sophistication, but for its scrumptious food, clever conversation and melodious music.* http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consuelo_Velázquez

So there we were, last Saturday night, in our best black dresses and shawls and killer heels to the Carcosa Seri Negara, where we rubbed shoulders and introduced ourselves to the charming crowd.
Speaking of sparkling as well as dry wit from eloquent professionals, socialites and diplomats, this is one joke by a former ambassador that I simply got to share:
A doctor of numbers wrote a letter to his wife justifying the reason why he had to meet his 18 year old mistress. Although he still loved her and would not dreamt of divorcing her, she was nonetheless already 54, and hence, could not satisfy him any longer. But as a responsible husband, he will be home at midnight. However, when he walked into the hotel lobby for his rendevous, he was greeted by a fax from his Old Wife, which said:
"Since you have an 18 year old girl as your lover, I too have taken an 18 year old boy as my lover. I'm sure as a mathematician, you have no problem figuring out that it's faster for 18 to go into 54, than for 54 to go into 18. So, honey, please don't wait up! Love, your wife"
*

And here's to those who did not make it to the Ball:
Besame besame mucho,
each time I bring you a kiss
I hear music divine.
So besame besame mucho,
Yeh I love you for ever
say that you'll always be mine.
Dearest one, if you should leave me
then each little dream will take wings
and my life would be through.
So besame besame mucho,
yeh I love you for ever,
make all my dreams come true.
Oh this joy is something new,
my arms are holding you,
I never knew this thrill before.
Who ever thought I'd be
holding you close to me
whispering it's you I adore.
So dearest one,
if you should leave me
then each little dream will take wings
and my life would be through.
So besame besame mucho,
yeah I love you for ever,
make all my dreams come true.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=z619poRNQto