Another paradox: Retreat in Bali

There was another series of suicide bombings in Bali over the weekend.

Now that's serious cause the previous bomber was sentenced to death. And this time the bombings happened soon after the Jakarta bomber was sentenced to death as well.

Indonesia should have already upped their security measures and deployed whatever is necessary to ensure such bombings do not become episodial. But it has, hasn't it?


But.....
PM Lee Hsien Loong is going to go ahead with the planned retreat with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at Bali.

You know what that proves? It's part of the friendly relationship and the prosper-thy-neighbour approach Singapore wants to portray. Not wanting to cause panic and pull out from the retreat, instead, PM Lee goes on record to say that he will continue as planned. We have to give credit when credit is due. I think PM has shown the way. We shall not bow down to terrorism and acts of terror.

I'm saying all this because I hope that the SAF does not expect more from its servicemen and women should there be any security reviews.

Being anal - again

I'm sure many already know that King Kong is getting a rehash this year and will be directed by Peter "LOTR" Jackson.

Well, I saw the trailer on Saturday which was shown before Four Brothers.

I must say that the trailer looks really cool.

But I was stupefied by a line I heard. It goes something like this:

"We have found a map of an uncharted island..."

Woooo.....amazing.....how fantastic! What a marvel!

Here's why.

What does a seafarer understand by "charted"? To make a map of or chart of an area basically.
So wouldn't you think that to have a map of an uncharted island is kinda paradoxical?

It's a little bit like saying,"I only tell lies." I am sure it will fry your logic too.

Coming Soon......Top Ten Best Album Names

V and I were in the cinema this after when she noticed a long slash on the cinema seat in front of her. I then said "The film's crap, let's slash the seats." V laughed and I said that was the title of an album by David Holmes.

I thought I should blog about my favourite album titles. Bricolage by Amon Tobin next came to mind. If you know who Amon Tobin from the Ninja Tunes stable of music makers is and how he makes his music, you will know why the album title is so apt....

I have decided that Fiona Apple's When the Pawn Hits the Conflicts He Thinks Like a King/What He Knows Throws the Blows When He Goes to the Fight/And He'll Win the Whole Thing 'Fore He Enters the Ring/There's No Body To Batter When Your Mind is Your Might/So When You Go Solo, You Hold Your Own Hand/And Remember That Depth is the Greatest of Heights/And If You Know Where You Stand, Then You Know Where to Land/And If You Fall It Won't Matter, Cuz You'll Know That You're Right will not be in the list.

I'm thinking of Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like A Peasant by Belle and Sebastian.

Akan Datang.....

Corpse Bride - What it's all about

Nobody actually thought Tim Burton was making an animated feature that was just about a human marrying a corpse right?

The Corpse Bride does feature the voice talents of Christopher Lee, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.

This is about this Victor guy (Johnny Depp) who was suppose to marry a Victoria girl. While out about in the forest late at night practising his wedding vows, he "accidentally" marrys this dead bride - Emily. Victor and Victoria had fell in love at first sight and really did feel hopeful for a blissful ever after with each other till death do they part. However the corpse bride was certain Victor was the man who would complete her last wish. As the story developed over the next hour, I kind of think Victor and Emily should get together cause they do have genuine common interest in music and piano. But in the end, Victor got together with Victoria (as planned) and Emily transformed into butterflies.

The whole movies says alot about love and marriage in the 21st Century. Let's start with the wedding rehearsal which lasted over three hours because Victor couldn't remember his wedding vows, hence the need to practice in the forest at night. The pastor was extremely particular about the right order of things and having the ceremony well-rehearsed, as if the wedding was important only as an opportunity for the invited guests to serve as witnesses to a civil contract signing ceremony that was proper and conform to social norms.

Now isn't that what marriage is about these days? A social institution. With laws and rules as in a contract and holding the people involve in the civic union responsible for each other.

And what about Victor and Emily? They sure had more things in common (other than one being dead, the other alive). But somehow, Victor, who had fallen in love at first sight, and a certain personal responsibility over Victoria because he had promised her and they were betrothed anyway.

It does reflect on certain aspects of modern life. Should responsibility govern who we choose to live the rest of our lives? Should a social contract between two humans be held against them till death do they part? Or divorce, whichever comes sooner. What if someone better does come along. Are we to give up? Does that make us better humans? Is that what being civilised is all about?

If these thoughts don't run through your mind after watching the Corpse Bride, it's ok. It's still extremely entertaining.

Four Brothers with Marky Mark and his funky bunch was really good entertainment as well. Lots of memorable quips like "I can drink you under the table." "Probably but we ain't talking about drinking sperm right now." and Mark Wahlberg got all the good lines.

But seriously, I thought the movie's plot was similar to alot of hongkong flicks involving themes like brotherhood, loyalty, triads, gangs and you know, the John Woo A Better Tomorrow and Hero series of movies. Lots of gun fire ballets, car chases, family feuds, gangs, corrupted cops, strong family ties. Now John Singleton is a man who has given us Boyz n the Hood as well as 2 Fast 2 Furious. I think he has combined both elements into this movie, strong acting/cast from the former and commercial appeal from the latter.


Ok, still not watched Lord of Dogtown.

I hope Eric Khoo and Wong Kim Hoh's Be With Me will be shortlisted for Foreign Oscar next year.

Showing resolve

Like George 'dubya' Bush, I agree we must show resolve when we want accomplishments.

...........but with greater determination, deeper resolve, and bolder action...........

I'm gonna meet V soon. Fingers crossed, we both make it to town. Hey! Completed my resolution for Saturday.

I feel smug.