Recently just watched an American gangster film, American Gangster. And yesterday, I watched a Russian mafia film, Eastern Promises. Hmmm... . kinda like good film on gangster.
Eastern Promises is a film by David Cronenberg, starring Viggo Mortensen (Nikolai Luzhin), Naomi Watts (Anna Khitrova) and Vincent Cassel (Kirill).
The story started with Anna, the midwife, delivered a baby for a teenager in London. And when the teenager had die, Anna is determine to know the details of her diary in Russian. When she finally get to know the truth behind the diary, things started to get messy. The film focus on the scene behind the world of the girl's diary, the Russian mafia. It also let the audience catch a glimpse on the symbolic tattoo on the body of a Russian gangster. Beside the diary and tattoo, Easter Promises had added a twist into the story as well.
The Canadian director had shot the film coolly with Nikolai getting rid of evidences on a dead man. The fighting scene of Nikolai with the thugs would let one miss a breathe. Eastern Promises may started off slowly to some, but when the story gradually pick-up, it made one sit up.
Well, I wonder which is the next gangster film I would be watching next .... hee... ..
Well, to date, I had watched gangster films on American, Russian, Italian, Brazilian, Hong Konger, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean... .. :)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
American Gangster
Just watched the film American Gangster, by Ridley Scott, starring Denzel Washington (Oscar winner) and Russell Crowe (Oscar winner).
It is a must-watch film! To release a great film, it needs a great story, great script, great director and great actors, etc. Well, this is an incredible and amazing movie! Not to be missed! I suppose this film is up for Oscar nominations. And look out for their retro style costume, sunglass, hairdo! hee... ..
American Gangster tell the story of a black guy building his brand. A story on the drug world during the Vietnam war and Mohammad Ali period. Denzel is Frank Lucas. A man who is fillial, cunning, go-getter and fearless. A rag-to-riches business man. A man who bring his mother to church on every Sunday. A man who handed out a truck of turkeys to strangers on Thanksgiving Day, just like his mentor. Russell is Ritchie Roberts. A man who hold high moral compass and daring. A cop who turn in piles of money, which can last him a luxury life, to the police.
The main focus on the story is of course Frank. An enterprise man (it amuse me that this film show Frank how to run a business and talk like a successful businessman, something which I didn't really see much in a drug film before) who made a name by himself. A black guy who had break into the Italian mafia drug stronghold. A guy on top of the game. A story on how he run his operation. His trips to the Golden Triangle, how he smuggle the opium to US, then to their process 'factory', and finally, to his 'distribution centres'. Oh, his operations remind me of the Hong Kong film, by Derek Yee, starring Andy Lau, Daniel Wu and Louis Khoo in The Protege. A story on how Frank work his way to become a godfather and his downfall. Btw, look at Denzel! He is incredible.
American Gangster also tell us on how Ritchie remain a righteous cop in a corrupting police force. Ritchie is an ex-Marine, who later join the Israel police force. And return to US to become a detective in New Jersey. A story on how he eventually head a team of anti-drug team. A team that consist of good cops, nothing less. Well, it also show his other side of story, that he is not a good husband and father. Oh, btw, Ritchie love potato chips, don't he? He made himself sandwich with potato chips in them! hee... .
Ritchie eventually caught Frank, who was sentence to 70yrs behind the bar. Ritchie become a Prosecutor Attorney and later become a Defence Attorney. As a Defence Attorney, he reduce Frank sentence to 15yrs, who was released in 1981. Ritchie choose to become a Defence Attorney, because he could choose to protect those who are in need. Well, I had to say, both Frank and Ritchie led an eventful life.
There are lots of interesting quotes in this film:
"Most important thing in business is honesty, integrity and hard work" - Frank's enterprise spirit.
"Never forget where we came from" - Frank's fillial and family spirit.
"Do what? Run? Hide? This is my home, my business, my wife, my mother, this is my country. I arn't going nowhere" - Frank's fearless attitdue.
"Either you're somebody, or you arn't nobody" - Frank's go-getter spirit.
This is a true story. Top grade.
What is a good guy? And what is a bad guy?
A guy who sold drugs, but a fillial son. Is he a bad or good guy?
A guy who stand by the law, but not a good father. Is he a good or bad guy?
A father who steal food for his son, is he a good guy?
Lots of times, what is usual stuff to you, is not usual stuff to me.
Seeing people poking needles is common to some. But not to some.
What is right, and what is not?
Many times, good and bad is just divided by a fine line.
Many times, we led a grey live.
Well, I wonder how are Frank and Ritchie doing now. Drop me a line if you know. :)
I admire them.
It is a must-watch film! To release a great film, it needs a great story, great script, great director and great actors, etc. Well, this is an incredible and amazing movie! Not to be missed! I suppose this film is up for Oscar nominations. And look out for their retro style costume, sunglass, hairdo! hee... ..
American Gangster tell the story of a black guy building his brand. A story on the drug world during the Vietnam war and Mohammad Ali period. Denzel is Frank Lucas. A man who is fillial, cunning, go-getter and fearless. A rag-to-riches business man. A man who bring his mother to church on every Sunday. A man who handed out a truck of turkeys to strangers on Thanksgiving Day, just like his mentor. Russell is Ritchie Roberts. A man who hold high moral compass and daring. A cop who turn in piles of money, which can last him a luxury life, to the police.
The main focus on the story is of course Frank. An enterprise man (it amuse me that this film show Frank how to run a business and talk like a successful businessman, something which I didn't really see much in a drug film before) who made a name by himself. A black guy who had break into the Italian mafia drug stronghold. A guy on top of the game. A story on how he run his operation. His trips to the Golden Triangle, how he smuggle the opium to US, then to their process 'factory', and finally, to his 'distribution centres'. Oh, his operations remind me of the Hong Kong film, by Derek Yee, starring Andy Lau, Daniel Wu and Louis Khoo in The Protege. A story on how Frank work his way to become a godfather and his downfall. Btw, look at Denzel! He is incredible.
American Gangster also tell us on how Ritchie remain a righteous cop in a corrupting police force. Ritchie is an ex-Marine, who later join the Israel police force. And return to US to become a detective in New Jersey. A story on how he eventually head a team of anti-drug team. A team that consist of good cops, nothing less. Well, it also show his other side of story, that he is not a good husband and father. Oh, btw, Ritchie love potato chips, don't he? He made himself sandwich with potato chips in them! hee... .
Ritchie eventually caught Frank, who was sentence to 70yrs behind the bar. Ritchie become a Prosecutor Attorney and later become a Defence Attorney. As a Defence Attorney, he reduce Frank sentence to 15yrs, who was released in 1981. Ritchie choose to become a Defence Attorney, because he could choose to protect those who are in need. Well, I had to say, both Frank and Ritchie led an eventful life.
There are lots of interesting quotes in this film:
"Most important thing in business is honesty, integrity and hard work" - Frank's enterprise spirit.
"Never forget where we came from" - Frank's fillial and family spirit.
"Do what? Run? Hide? This is my home, my business, my wife, my mother, this is my country. I arn't going nowhere" - Frank's fearless attitdue.
"Either you're somebody, or you arn't nobody" - Frank's go-getter spirit.
This is a true story. Top grade.
What is a good guy? And what is a bad guy?
A guy who sold drugs, but a fillial son. Is he a bad or good guy?
A guy who stand by the law, but not a good father. Is he a good or bad guy?
A father who steal food for his son, is he a good guy?
Lots of times, what is usual stuff to you, is not usual stuff to me.
Seeing people poking needles is common to some. But not to some.
What is right, and what is not?
Many times, good and bad is just divided by a fine line.
Many times, we led a grey live.
Well, I wonder how are Frank and Ritchie doing now. Drop me a line if you know. :)
I admire them.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Talk Less, Win More
"When we do not win, manty times people have questioned the way we play,
when you want to play a different style,
first they fight,
then they accept it and,
if you win, they love it.
But out style has to be convincing efficiently-wise,
because if you don't win,
then people will always question you.
The best thing for us to do is not talk too much and win games."
Arsene Wenger
when you want to play a different style,
first they fight,
then they accept it and,
if you win, they love it.
But out style has to be convincing efficiently-wise,
because if you don't win,
then people will always question you.
The best thing for us to do is not talk too much and win games."
Arsene Wenger
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Truth Or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat
I had finally watched Truth Or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat, a Hong Kong movie. This film is made a few years back, around Yr 2003. It is a story revolving around 6 youth. 4 guys and 2 gals. They live together under 1 roof and often party and play hard. One day, while playing Truth Or Dare, they had dare with each other that they would each achieve something worthwhile within a year. The loser will have a penalty, which they are all disguised with..... ..
Of course, it is story about their friendship, love life, and they personnal goal in life. Actually, the story centre more on 1 of the gal, a writer, whose goal is to publish a book, her book. Along the way with her book, there is a love journey about her. Well, in the end she had fulfilled her dream. Her book could be found in bookstore's shelf.
It is a simple story. But it really tell the facts on what is going on through some youth. And of coz, it is a fantastic feeling to see your workpiece up there. Well, she must be overjoyed. Wish her all the luck in her future project :)
In the film, 1 of the guy's mum sing a cover on Beyond song. Well, I have to say.. . she sing it greatly and able to convey the 'touching' emotion in the song. Well, the guy sum it up "actually my mum know music more than I do".
It is a true story.
Oh, my friend, Adrian, is going to have his art exhibition with his other friends next week. Good luck to him as well :) .. ..
.. . and good luck to people who are in the process of showcasing their work to the world :)
Of course, it is story about their friendship, love life, and they personnal goal in life. Actually, the story centre more on 1 of the gal, a writer, whose goal is to publish a book, her book. Along the way with her book, there is a love journey about her. Well, in the end she had fulfilled her dream. Her book could be found in bookstore's shelf.
It is a simple story. But it really tell the facts on what is going on through some youth. And of coz, it is a fantastic feeling to see your workpiece up there. Well, she must be overjoyed. Wish her all the luck in her future project :)
In the film, 1 of the guy's mum sing a cover on Beyond song. Well, I have to say.. . she sing it greatly and able to convey the 'touching' emotion in the song. Well, the guy sum it up "actually my mum know music more than I do".
It is a true story.
Oh, my friend, Adrian, is going to have his art exhibition with his other friends next week. Good luck to him as well :) .. ..
.. . and good luck to people who are in the process of showcasing their work to the world :)
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Mr Chicken Rice
Do you love to eat Singapore chicken rice? Would you pay S$25.00 for a plate of delicious chicken rice?
Haaa... I had always been tempted to try out the famous S$25.00 chicken rice at Chatterbox. But luckily I didn't. Well, the original S$25.00 chicken rice cook had been retrenched from the hotel and here he is.. started his very own chicken rice stall at Downtown East .. Heee... and recently I had try his S$5.00 version with my Princess!!! When I know that he had open his new stall at this place, I had always feel like going there to try it. But that day, we happened to go there for a chalet, so I thought we should go and eat it! Well, ... the rice is tasty with great aroma. But I feel the chicken is 'so-so' standard. The chilli sauce is good but it is too spicy, well, I feel that it would be better if it is less spicy. Ohh. The deep fried tofu is absolutely fantastic. The tofu inside simply melt into your mouth. Wowww. One must order the chicken rice set and enjoy the 'melting tofu'!
Well, after tasting the chicken rice set, I find that it is great, but I am quite disappointed as I had expected it to be so really really fantastic as I had set a high standard for it. I would probably try it again.. when I am around the area. I doubt I will travel all the from my nothern home.
Well, I wonder how do the S$25.00 regular customers kept going back? Don't they think that there are also some other great chicken rice around Singapore? Those stalls may not taste as great as they feel it (different people, different taste), but with S$25.00, I could enjoy great S$4.00 Hokkien Mee, S$4.00 Char Kway Tiao, S$5.00 Chicken Rice and S$3.00 coffee, toast bread and boiled egg set and 1 movie ticket.
:)
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