Review Of : The Journey

Finally found the time to review "The Journey". (:

Directed By Chiu Keng Guan

Starring Ben Andrew Pfeiffer, Lee Sai Peng, Joanne Yew Hong Im

Synopsis:

Uncle Chuan is an old-fashioned and conservative man staying alone in Cameron Highlands leading a lonely retired life. His only hope is to reunite with his only daughter Ah Bee who will be returning from overseas after graduation and stay together as a traditional family. Finally Ah Bee came back after graduation but she brought back her foreign boyfriend Benji with her and they planned to get married. Uncle Chuan vigorously opposed to the marriage due to Ben’s frivolous behaviour but he failed to change his daughter’s mind. At the end, Uncle Chuan agreed to their marriage reluctantly, with a condition to be fulfilled- their wedding ceremony must be a Chinese ceremony. According to the Chinese culture, son-in-law Benji is obliged to deliver the wedding invitations together with the father-in-law. To realise a promise of young age, Uncle Chuan decided to invite all his 11 ex-primary classmates that are now located all over Malaysia to attend the daughter’s wedding. He has planned a route map to visit all these ex-classmates in order to hand them the invitation card in person. Benji has agreed with the task but insisted to travel in his motorcycle. Without much choice, the journey of a long distance road travel of Uncle Chuan accompanied by Benji kicked started unwillingly.

By far, the best local film I've watched! 

I was initially shocked that this film beaten "Robocop" in the local box office but then again, it was indeed a really good film. The Journey is an amazing story that is more than your average typical CNY movie. It has a funny yet touching story accompanied with breathtaking visuals. Although I've not watched Chiu's previous films like "Great Day", I'm sure if you've watched (which by now, you should) The Journey, you'll agree that this is one of the few local films which I'd say "has standard" and really make us proud. 

The story is simple but funny yet meaningful that revolves around the themes of culture, unity, love  & family values. Although the themes were not firmly conveyed, but you can feel the connection (especially if you're a local Malaysian) through the various culture explored in the film. I like how Chiu & his screenwriter used the point of view of a British guy to explore the story.

The plot is well thought out, which gives each character enough screen-time and enough depth in their character in a realistic way by exploring conflicts, history and etc. Despite that some scenes in my opinion feels a little rushed into, but overall a job well done!

The acting was good, especially coming from a new batch of actors. The characters as I said, was well thought of, from their school history, how they connect to one another and how it affect one another. This kind of story with depth is what really caught my attention, because it is kind of uncommon in some local films.

The visuals, was breathtaking (only if it's in IMAX hahhaha:P ) The cinematography and production design of the movie was well taken care of. Many scenes just look like it's taken for a postcard or a photograph. The cinematography really shows the beauty of Malaysia's diversity from the geographical aspect to the cultural. 

In a nutshell, if you haven't watched "The Journey", you MUST, at least once. Amazing, enough said. (:

My Rating?

Plot : 4/5

Storyline : 3.5/5

Characters*: 4.5/5 

Effects** : 4.5/5

OVERALL : 8.5/10.

Trailer:

Time-lapses | 2013

Happy New Year 2014! (: 

Hope you all had a great 2013 and a greater 2014! 
Here is a short video collection of time-lapses I made throughout the year. Hope you enjoyed it! 

Time-lapse photography is basically taking photos of a subtle moving object/scene and using all of those shots to make a video. Like a stop-motion video or a slideshow (in a way)

I used my Nikon D3200 with an intervalomater (a gear attached to a camera that automatically take a certain amount of shots at a given interval through a given time-span) and mounted on a tripod.

Thank youu! (:

Design For The New Youth Credit Card.

"Rise & Fulfill."  

Youth. A generation that is so capable of so many things, so many changes, and yet we, as youth still doubt ourselves. 

Youth. A generation that dreams, BIG dreams, and yet we, as youth think that the dreams are unreachable.

We think we're not good enough. We have doubts. 

This is all normal, but sometimes we have to just stop dreaming, and start taking actions; to fulfill our dreams. To turn the dreams to reality.

It is time for us to RISE and FULFILL our DREAMS.

~

The main concept and message of my card named; "Rise & Fulfill" is to send a message to all the youths of the nation that we should stop daydreaming of the 'What ifs" of life, instead we should start focusing on how we could make those dreams to reality. 

Once we got a great idea, we should start by taking a productive step by just taking a leap of faith and start working on the idea, even though how seemingly small an idea may seem then, we do not know how much the idea is capable of creating and changing lives. 

"A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on." 

 - John F. Kennedy 

I hope this brief post got my message over. I hope that this message will get through all the youths that will use this card and remember that; there are a lot ahead of them; a lot of opportunities and goals that have yet to be accomplished. 

We, as YOUTHS, should stop taking our DREAMS merely as just 'dreams', but we should RISE and take ACTION to those 'dreams and turn them to REALITY. 

Review Of : Step Up Revolution

Just watched 'STEP UP REVOLUTION' today in 3D. 

Directed By Scott Speer


Starring Alyson Stoner, Adam G.Sevani, Stephen Boss


Synopsis: 
STEP UP 4 is the next installment in the worldwide smash Step Up franchise, which sets the dancing against the vibrant backdrop of Miami. Emily, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, arrives in Miami with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer, but soon falls in love with Sean, a young man who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting edge flash mobs. The crew, called the MOB, strives to win a contest for a major sponsorship opportunity, but soon Emily's father threatens to develop the MOB's historic neighborhood and displace thousands of people. Emily must band together with Sean and the MOB to turn their performance mobs into protest mobs, and risk losing their dreams to fight for a greater cause.


(Source: NUSANTARA EDARAN FILMS)

A really creative movie with amazing dance moves. 

When I say that,  I mean their concept in comparison with previous Step Up movies. 

I would first give applaud to their extremely well-choreographed dance scenes, all the flash mobs scenes were really creative & synchronised. Even the opening scene began really well. 

Eventhough, a number of reviewers gave low ratings for this movie, I beg to differ. Yes, the story line might be a little bland, but the amazing dance scenes really cover up their simple story until you wouldn't notice the simplicity of the story but awed by the flash mobbing scenes. Love the office flash mob scene. (above) 

Watch this movie for the dance scenes and be amazed. Period.


Like I said, expect less on the story, but focus more on enjoying the dance moves as a whole. And I should watch previous Step Up movies, not necessarily, but they are few characters that are brought back into this fourth installment. 


Story-wise, I think it wasn't that bad as people said. In my opinion, it was just right to fit in for this movie. Yes, it may be kind of bland, but it wasn't all that bad. This film focused more on 'wow-ing' the audiences with the dances instead of the plot. So, like I said, watch Step Up Revolution for the flash mob dance scenes. 
Acting. Putting aside some other cliche factors, the dancers were really in sync. Kudos to that. 
Visually, the movie be entertaining for the viewers. Contains great dance moves with a good concept behind it. I watched it in 3D, but its not necessary though.
Music. Lots of current songs are used for this film. Really nice choice for the scenes though.


All in all, Step Up Revolution is entertaining for viewers who love dancing and also for those who seek for being entertained. 

My Rating?

Plot : 4/5

Storyline : 2.75/5

Characters*:4/5  (Amazing dance moves? 5/5)

Effects** : 3.75/5

OVERALL : 7.25/10.

Trailer:

First try at Stop-Motion Animation

So, how's your holidays? (: Hope it's good.

Well, lately, I've just discovered "stop-motion" animation and therefore I tried doing it. 

A stop-motion animation (also known as stop action) is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. -Wikipedia.

Normally, stop-motion animation is done with clay/plasticine figures or Lego.

Well, in my case I did using my drawing of my stickman! :p

And the end-result is this. Do watch it. (: 

Yes, mine looks more like a photo-story or a slideshow. :/
This is because I lack smaller movement details and more shots. (if that's the right word for it :P )
This clip only consists of 58 photos altogether. 


It's actually quite simple, but a little time-consuming to do.
All you need is: 

• a camera, (preferably with a small tripod attached to it) 
• an object you want,(e.g. clay figure, Lego, stationery & etc; up to your imagination! :p)
• a brightly lit room, 
• a simple movie-making software (e.g. Windows Moviemaker will do) 
• and of course yourself.

You can search on "how to make motion-stop animation" or you could click here.


I might try to do a much better one in the future. :D 

The Lost Generation...

I am not much of a poetry lover, but this poem is astonishing!


The poem is written by someone named Jonathan Reed.


Do watch it till the end.. 



Fantastic isn't it?


This poem really gives people hope in changing their mindset.


GBU &  Have a great day ahead ! :) 

Wau

A few weeks ago, my class did a painting...
I drew a Wau.

Here Is An Example...





But a real Wau, should be more or less like this...


Okay, that's all for now!

An Amazing Painitng...

I got this from an email...



CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS??!!!

This drawing was drawn by ONLY A STROKE OF A PEN!!!!

Warm and Cool Colours

What are warm and cool colours ??

As, you can see above, is a painting of Autumn ( warm) and Winter ( cool ) .

The colour chart below will be a good guideline to colour temperature :-





Okay that's all for now ! =D

Perspective Potrait

Two weeks ago, during our art class, we learnt about " Perspective Art " . Above is what I did .( a picture of the Eiffel Tower) .

Here is The Definition of Perspective :


Perspective begins with a horizon line, which defines the farthest distance of the background and a central vanishing point.

More info click here

Creative Art With Vegetables!!

Last week, we learned to use vegetables to " print " on paper.

The Ingredients are Brocoli for bushes, Lady's Fingers ( okra ) and 4-Angled beans for small flowers, Garlic for the leaves of the roses, " Siu Pak Choy" for the roses, carrots for the bee's body and sliced potato for the bee's wing and Beautiful Poster Colours!!

So, the next time when your mum have extra vegetables you can try this creative art printing and have fun!