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Mad Max: Fury Road

I’d never seen the original 1980s Mad Max, and only watched Mad Max: Fury Road because I had some time on my hands. The following 120 minutes after that was just pure cinematic poetry in non-stop action.

To say that Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2-hr car chase is not in any way an exaggeration. The fact that it’s directed by a 70 year old man, who’s last 3 films in the last 17 years included Babe: Pig in the City, Happy Feet, and Happy Feet Two is just unbelievable.

Although this is technically a sequel, there’s no need to be aware of any backstory. As the film opens, civilization has collapsed due to a nuclear fallout, and the world largely becomes a desert wasteland. Survival is the name of the game, and before we can say “Ew, did Max just eat a two-headed iguana??” he’s captured by a group of pasty teens called the War Boys, and brought back to the Citadel led by cult leader Immortan Joe, to be used as a human blood bank.

But none of this matters as Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron), Immortan Joe’s trusted lieutenant, has betrayed him and made off with his five (really hot) wives!

Presenting… the 2015 Spring Summer Derelict Collection!

Max gets strapped to the hood of the car (continuing to supply blood) and flung into pursuit, and here we begin what’s possibly the greatest car chase ever seen in history. The action never lets up, and the visuals are simply exhilarating.

George Miller first had plans for a mad max sequel in 1998. It’s since been mired in development hell due to various circumstances (Writer’s strike, September 11 attacks, other projects coming up), but he’s never given up, and thanks to that, we’ve been given this insanely awesome film.

He’s announced that a sequel is already in the works, tentatively titled Mad Max: The Wasteland. What a lovely day that will be!

http://vbrisket.com/groups/white-gold-can-get-yellow/members/ Rating: 10/10

Oli meets the Alpacas

May

Oli took his first overseas trip as he turned 6 months, after furious research into possible destinations that:

1) wouldn’t be too long of a flight time

2) is relatively child friendly

3) can allow us to have a relaxed itinerary

4) all of us can enjoy

We settled for New South Wales, specifically Hunter Valley and Sydney.

Despite the anomaly of a storm that hit NSW the week before we were there, things worked pretty much most of the time, and we weren’t affected by any road closures or damages to work around. In the end, we chose a combination of a relaxing Hunter Valley Alpaca Farm to be the first leg of the trip, followed by a whirl of Sydney City.

Off we go!

First off, a little shout out to Starline Alpacas for the wonderful little hut. It was a lovely, peaceful and sprawling farm (we got lost in the farm looking for our hut the first night as we drove down the darkness). The 200 alpaca (yeap!) farm also included the token sheep, some pigs, ducks and an amazing view as you can see for yourself! Fair warning though, Alpacas totally http://rodneymills.com/cbnypkr6/buried-secrets-of-wwii.html will spit at you!

Since this was Oli’s first trip, naturally, his overzealous parents took mostly pictures of him looking at things:

Oli looking at Kangaroo

Oli looking at goats

Oli being looked at by Alpacas

Oli looking at Seagulls

Oli looking at a boat

Oli looking at Alcohol

Oli looking unimpressed

Oli looking at Coffee

Oli looking at the wrong side of the scenery

Oli looking at the harbour

Oli looking like Mummy!

Oli looking at Daddy

Oli looking worried

Oli sporting the overturned cap, looking like it’s 1996

All in, it was a fun and relaxing trip. Most importantly, it made us realise that we totally can bring Oli out to see the world, and enjoy the process of it!

Parenting +10!

Now to plan our next destination…

We’re addicted to holidays!

Being Daddy, Musings holidays, hunter valley, sydney Comments Off

It’s not how you begin the journey, but how you end it

Mar

The past week represented a turning point in the Singapore landscape. The passing of our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, shook a nation, and prompted us all, a nation of grumbling complainers, to become markedly more patient, tolerant and downright kind in waiting in line to pay our final respects to the man to undoubtedly brought Singapore to where it is today.

Although Singapore is not without its own set of problems today, they are for today’s leaders to solve. He had to do what he did in order to ensure the survival of Singapore, then in a very precarious situation from the merger and subsequent separation from Malaysia.

While watching the live funeral procession on Sunday, and the subsequent interviews with foreign dignitaries, I came across this clip with the King of Bhutan, who recounted his experience with Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. When he asked Mr. Lee for advice, LKY told him, Ït’s not how you begin the journey, it’s how you end it.”

Elsewhere on the internet, we find text everywhere espousing about the journey, and not worrying about the end. We’d hear advice saying “it’s all about the journey”, and I just thought it interesting how 2 very contradicting pieces of advice this was, and if there was an underlying philosophy, or which types of people sat on which side of the fence.

My take is that leaders would take on the former philosophy of the ends justifies the means, and that it’s how you end the journey that counts, while followers prefer to take on the scenery and enjoy the ride, because at the end of the journey, they actually have nothing to show for. (This might probably be why I see a lot more of “enjoy the ride” types of advice, because let’s face it, there are infinitely more followers than leaders in the world)

Let’s see how Mr. Lee lived his advice to the King of Bhutan.

The Beginning

He co-founded the PAP in 1954, and first won the Tanjong Pagar seat in 1955. In the 1959 National Elections, the PAP won 43 out of 51 seats, making him the first Prime Minister of Singapore. This was a time of chaos, a time of rebuilding after WWII, and definitely a time of uncertainty across the world.

He’d also led the meger and subsequent separation from Malaysia from 1963 – 1965. Post independence in 1965 was another huge test for LKY’s cabinet, in a bid to show the world that we can stand up on our own, and be accounted for in the world, that we’re not just making up the numbers on Earth.

The End

By the time he’d left us on 23 Mar, 2015, we’ve become arguably the most successful nation in Southeast Asia in economic terms, have world renowned land, sea and air infrastructures, and have even “won” the not-sure-if-i’m-proud-of-it title of world’s most expensive city.

He’s built up a nation that is now attracting huge foreign investments, and which often acts as a hub into the rest of Asia.

He’s left his family with an abundance of wealth and opened doors that will pave the path for future successes downstream.

So yes, it’s not how you begin the journey, but how you end it. And that’s the mark of a true and impactful leader.

“His journey, his physical manifestation may have ended, but I think his legacy will live on forever”: Bhutan King His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who was at Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s State Funeral Service today. cna.asia/lkystatefuneral

Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Sunday, March 29, 2015

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Space Internet by Elon Musk

Jan

Elon Musk’s SpaceX just got a lot richer, and a lot more interesting. Google and Fidelity Investments have just pumped $1billion into SpaceX, owning roughly 10% of the ambitious company.

Musk plans to use the investment to develop low-Earth orbiting satelites that will bring low cost internet to the world. While low cost internet access is a great thing, that’s just phase I. Phase II involves lining the satelites all the way to Mars, so that when we finally colonise Mars, we’ll have internet access to send back selfies.

Exciting times ahead!

Amazing, Sustainability Comments Off

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Jan

In the last installment of The Hobbit (finally!), Smaug the Smug is reduced to a prologue, couldn’t even last till the opening title!

Well, that’s cos the title no longer contains Smaug, but ‘The Battle of the Five Armies’. I’ll wait while you count the five… yeah, it’s a little confusing.

I used to be a gold hoarder like you, then I took an arrow in the chest

So, Desolation of Smaug left us with Smaug breaking out of Lonely Mountain, gold encrusted, pissed off, and headed straight for Laketown. He razed through almost the entire town before he took an arrow to the chest. With that (quickly) out of the way, the dwarves had little time to celebrate their reclamation of Lonely Mountain, as word of Smaug’s death would spread quickly (via Twitter?) and other factions would come and fight for the gold and pristine views.

As Thorin and gang work overtime to reinforce their entrance, the Elves, Orcs and leftover humans from Laketown come knocking for a cup of tea and more.

So there you have it. The five armies. Wait, there’s only 4 of them: Dwarves, Elves, Humans, Orcs.

Are you able to guess the last “Army”? Yup, it’s the eagles from Dial-An-Eagle service. Uber never stood a chance in Middle Earth.

Uber never stood a chance in Middle Earth

Wait, can we still call it a battle if it’s 4 against 1? Shouldn’t it be called “The Massacre of the Orcs”?

Rating: 7/10

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The Interview

Jan

There’s so much to say about the film ‘The Interview’ that is not about the film, but the circumstances and controversy surrounding it, the Sony hack, it being pulled off theatres initially, then releasing it on a few indie theatres alongside VOD.

But first, let’s get the review out of the way.

In and of itself, The Interview is a mediocre comedy about a bumbling, arrogant talk show host from Skylark Tonight and his producer scoring an interview with Kim Jong Un (because he’s a huge fan of the show), and subsequently coerced by the CIA into making the interview an assassination mission. The usual toilet humour accompanies a Seth Rogen directed/produced film, but This Is The End had much better humour in it.

In my opinion, the best bit was the Eminem cameo right at the start of the film, and things went downhill from there. James Franco acted like he was acting, and Seth was just being Seth. The only laudable actor in this movie is Randall Park, who plays Kim Jong Un as a shy, actually almost likeable dude who just needs his father’s approval, and secretly likes Katy Perry songs (who doesn’t??!).

Definitely not worth getting hacked and having all that sensitive information out in the open for such a film! If you really want to watch something, I’d suggest a re-run of Team America.

Rating: 3/10

Freedom of Speech/Expression needs to be used responsibly

I understand the need for us to be able to freely express ourselves in order to spur creativity, inspiration and innovation. But I think this freedom should not be taken for granted, and certainly not abused.

The plot and depiction of the assassination of Kim Jong Un in The Interview is simply overstepping the line. No wonder he (allegedly) sent an army to hack into Sony. I’d do the exact same thing.

Obama said that Sony shouldn’t have “pulled” the film from theatrical release, and that freedom of expression should not be stifled by threats, what if the opposite had happened?

What if North Korea, or Russia had made a movie that explicitly showed the assassination and facial explosion of Barack Obama in the name of freedom of expression? Would he have sat back and said “Wow Russia, that was a hugely entertaining piece of fictional filmmaking. I am Barack Obama and I endorse this film.”?

It’s one thing to go on SNL and make fun of yourself, but it’s another for an enemy nation (or at least a non friendly) to release a movie about killing (AND ACTUALLY KILLING) your President, and not do anything about it.

Freedom of Speech needs to be accompanied (at all times) with common sense and basic etiquette.

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2014 in review

Jan

2014 marked the start of an entirely new phase in our lives, where we added parenthood to the CV of Life. To tell that story, we first have to go back to February of 2014, when we took a short getaway to Margaret River in Australia.

It was a wonderful, stress-free, thoroughly enjoyable vacation where we ate, drank and generally had lots of idle time to explore the wonderful sights and sounds Margaret River had to offer. You could say it was a farmtastic stay.

Our accommodation of choice was this lovely little farm called Margaret River Hideaway, where we had a cosy little cottage all to ourselves. With Margaret River town just 3km away, driving to and from the farm was a cinch!

Some pictures from the trip:

The. Best. Meal. Ever.

Little did we know, that when we came back from Margaret River, we would bring back more than bellies full of wine! We got pregnant!

Never been happier to hold up a stick of pee

Do I look fat in these?

Since then, it’s been a roller coaster ride of gynae visits, freaking out over our pending parenthood, gushing over our pending parenthood, and watching as many movies as we could before he popped.

Then came the day, 28 Oct 2014.

Seeing him for the first time in the flesh was just the most amazing moment. And although it’s only been 10 weeks, his every movement and growth over this short period of time is nothing short of mesmerising to watch and be a part of.

New dads to be: Be as involved and as helpful as you can be, both for yourself and your wife. Feeding, bathing, diaper changing, cooing, rocking him to sleep… you don’t wanna miss out on any of these moments.

So we’re now a trio! And I can’t wait to do more as a trio!

3’s not a crowd la!

Being Daddy, Musings Comments Off

2014 in review – Film edition

Jan

This year saw a mixed bag of movies, some good, others perhaps not meeting expectations.

Here are my top 10 picks for 2014:

10. The Lego Movie

Essentially a 100 minute lego advertisement, but done so well and with so much heart, we’ll even forgive the tired ‘The Chosen One’ trope. Plus, with the sountrack, everything is indeed awesome!

9. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I

One of the few series that, in my mind, got progressively better ever since the dud that was the first Hunger Games. Mockingjay was my least favourite of the books, but I found the film version of war politicking intriguing.

I still don’t get how Peeta has any kind of chance over Gale though.

8. Godzilla

Yes, Bryan Cranston died less than a third of the way through the film, but let’s be honest. No one goes to a Godzilla movie to watch Bryan Cranston, badass as he may be.

No, people go to a Godzilla movie to watch THIS! Fuck Yeah Atomic Breath!

7. Open Windows

Open Windows is a delightful little indie written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo. If you haven’t heard of him, I suggest watching TimeCrimes, his 2007 time-travel feature debut.

Open Windows stars Elijah Wood as an obsessed fan who bites off more than he can chew when he finds that he has won a dinner date with his favourite actress Jill Goddard (Sasha Grey!?!!).

Plot sounds generic enough, but the conceit of the film is similar to the found footage genre, where most of the action takes place on Elijah Wood’s laptop, via several program windows, hence the title Open Windows.

6. Coherence

Technically a 2013 film, but it was released late in 2013, and I only saw it this year, so I’ll put this film under my list for this year. Another indie gem, a dinner party goes awfully wrong after a comet fly-by opens up parallel universes with parallel dinner parties.

What would you do, if your situation in your universe kinda sucked?

5. Gone Girl

A breakthrough performance by Rosamund Pike, in my opinion. Brilliantly directed by David Fincher, the man who made making a website look exciting.

I’m definitely setting time aside in 2015 to read the book.

4. X-Men: Days of Future Past

One of the best sequences of the film was the rescue of Magneto, heavily dependent on QuickSilver, and it’ll be interesting to see how the same character is depicted in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

DOFP was also crucial in that it connected the 2 separate X-Men series, serving as a sequel to First Class as well as The Last Stand, featuring cast from both with equal-ish screentime.

If DOFP is a sign of things to come, I can’t wait for X-Men: Apocalypse.

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

I always felt that Cap was one of the weaker characters for the standalone films, and wasn’t too impressed with The First Avenger. But The Winter Soldier totally blew me away with the action, plot, and the overall impact in the aftermath of the film. The pacing never let up, and the action never let me down.

2. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes told of how a certain ALZ-113 virus gave modified intelligence to an ape named Caesar, and how that same virus would be calamitous to mankind.

10 years after the events of Rise, a generation of intelligent apes have made themselves a home and community in Muir Woods, while the human race dwindled and collapsed.

A chance meeting between the remaining humans in San Francisco and the apes and a misunderstanding between them would lead to an impending war. And if the prelude to the all out war could be so intense, sign me up for the actual war please!

Mark down this date. July 29, 2016!

1. Edge of Tomorrow

Tom Cruise dies again and again until he wins. Aside from the ending, everything else about the film was just about perfect. It was a real toss up between this and Dawn for my number one spot, but i’m sorry, in my books, aliens always wins apes.

What were your favourite films of 2014?

I will share some of 2014’s most disappointing films in a future post! Time to feed the baby!

Movie News, Movie Reviews Comments Off