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:

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. 

"AT POINT BLANK." Short Film

My friends & I finally completed our second short film entitled

 "AT POINT BLANK."

SYNOPSIS:

John & Tim are best friends, that is until Tim decided to join the mob & work for them. Things didn't work out when they failed a job tasked to them. This attracted the attention of the police. The mob bosses have plans for them too. They are now at a dead end. They are at "point blank".

Directed, Written & Edited by 

Jemsen Tan

Script Edited by 

Reagan Ng, Syafinas Ibrahim 

Starring 

Nicholas Tan, Shaun Ong, Hor Gwo Ruey

with Voices of 

Reagan Ng, Syafinas Ibrahim, Iriene Heng

Edited by 

Jemsen, Trinston Chooi, Brandon Song, Hor Gwo Ruey

Music by 

DyIansMusic

[LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, SHARE.]

Thanks! (: 

My 2nd Stop-Motion Short VIdeo.

Made this a long time ago. My second attempt at stop-motion animation. :P 


Although, its only 30-seconds long, but enjoy. (:










Story: A stickman who was trapped in an iPhone escapes from captivity & then pursued by it's maker. 


Total of 105 frames. 


Thanks for watching. (: Share, Like, Subsribe. 

'Marvel’s The Avengers‘

ELECTRON. 

Electrokinesis. 

I would create the superhero of Electron. With his ability to control & manipulate electrical charges around him & create electricity. Here is how he gained his powers.. 

ABILITIES: 

He not only create electricity also harness electric currents from any electrical sources & create an electrical ball by concentrating electrons & electrical charges and forcing them together.  With this, he is able to throw balls of electricity that are as lethal as a lightning bolt towards enemies in the knick of time! 

Besides that, he could also charge an electrical device too. Just in case, a car can't start, he could harness electrical charges & direct them to the car. Thus, starting the car up. How convenient is that? ;)

Furthermore , with deep concentration, he could focus on creating electromagnetic powers. this is done by running an electric current to an object. With this, he could almost achieve the ability of Telekinesis... 

Lastly, he could generate an electrical force shield by manipulating electrical charges into a shield. This can protect him from enemies too. 

"But with great power, comes great responsibilities.." 

Besides all these abilities, if he is unable to control his powers, it may lead to an unstable electrical storm. But, if controlled properly, he is able to control not just storms he created, but also storms nature created & use it against his enemies!! 

Comic version of Electron.   

Noticed he have a pair of titanium gloves on his hands? 

This is to enable him to easily control his powers and not backfire at him, 

In later times when he was recruited into the Avengers, he removed his gloves 

(as shown in the first image) because he is able to control his powers . 

One thing unique thing about him, is that he don't need any weapons, or armor...He just needs the electrical charges which are already around us.

He will definitely be able to assist the rest of the Avengers in defeating villains. He could assist Thor; by creating an electrical storm, Ironman; just in case Ironman's armor went out of juice, he could charge him like a battery charger, Captain America; just in case Captain America lost his shield, he could generate an electrical force shield.  ;)

Electron should be included in the next Avengers movie. 

2012. (:

"The year has come. 

The year which the Mayan calender will end. 

The year which the world will...."

OKAY, let's not scare ourselves that the world will come to an end on this year. :P 

I mean no one knows when or how the world will end. Those are just predictions, and they're not always right. The world could end at anytime, it could end in the next 100 years or it could end right now. 

2011 has passed. Now, it's a dawn of a new year which means new beginnings. 

So, just live life as it is & seize the moment! 

So, let's not be paranoid or anything and let's just usher the new year with joy & fruitfulness.

And here's a less horrifying picture. lol.  (:

Happy New Year 2012 !! (:

Thanks to all my blog readers & everyone who supported this blog.
And I look forward to this year and I hope you do. =)

Subscribe & share this blog.
Also like this blog's facebook page here.  

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 

[ADV] Aladdin : The Musical @ Sunway Lagoon

ALADDIN : THE MUSICAL @ Sunway Lagoon! 

Yes, yet another musical from "The West End Production". (known for Les Miserables, Magical Musicals, Peter Pan : The Musical, and many more) 


I'm quite sure you lovers of musicals would totally do not want to miss this one. ;)

Meet them @ Sunway Lagoon ! OR Win yourselves free tickets to this musical here.


Thanks to AllMalaysia.info!

“What would Puss in Boots do?”

"So, what would I do if I was Puss in Boots?"

"Elo amigo! "

Well, first, I am honoured to even step into his shoes, umm...I mean boots.hehe. 

Okay, back to the question; how would I defeat the bad guys if I was Puss in Boots?

Firstly, he,as a cat; naturally, has 9 lives. 

With this special & unique skill. If I ever got shot, killed or whatsoever, ( that is very,very unlikely to happen, since I'm Puss In Boots!) I can still live! And at the same time, the bad guys will be shocked because they think I'm dead, but in actual fact, I'm not! HAHAH. :D

Secondly, I will utilize Puss' "Zorro" trained skills against the bad guys.

"Zorro?" you must be thinking, yes, Puss was actually Zorro's apprentice.

"Well, that's explains my hat, and my sword, but the boots; its mine." Hehe ;) 

I have mastered all his moves, his fighting techniques, and everything he taught me. 

I will bring on his swashbuckling legacy on till my 9th lifetime ends...that is. 

Finally, my last skill; my secret weapon. 

*jengjengjeng*

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--

-

"Awwww" then *BANG*  my enemies will get caught by me in a split second! ;]

Yes, I know many of you might know Puss in that scene from Shrek 2 right?

That's the secret weapon. If any situation gets out of hand, he will use the "cute" face skill.

While the bad guys are preoccupied, at the right moment, I will strike and take them down! :D 

- - - - -

"Therefore, if I am Puss in Boots, with those skills, I will bring down the bad guys & restore justice to everyone!! "

Even better, with my new found friend; Softpaws, Kitty Softpaws. 

We will take on the world and we protect the innocent! ;D

REALIZED. -a short film.

"NOW SHOWING."

If you all have read my previous post here,

This is our group's submission for the MY Challenge. 

 It tells the story of a student named Ah Kim & how he changed to a better person. 

So, here it is, It's sort of an amateur film. Hope you enjoy it. (:

So, hows it?  Do leave a comment. :)

“I’m a Pirate, Take Me To Stranger Tides!”

{WELCOME TO CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW'S PIRATE RECRUIT}

Captain Jack Sparrow is assigned to find the Fountain Of Youth & is in need for more crew members. 

" DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A PIRATE? "

"SINCE YE IS NEW TO D' CREW, LET ME ASK YE A RATHER SIMPLE QUESTION.WHAT ARE THE 3 BEST THINGS ABOUT BEING A PIRATE & WHY? "

                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------

" IN MY OPINION, THE 3 BEST THNGS ABOUT BEING A PIRATE IS : "

#1. SAIL THE SEVEN SEAS.

What's a better way to see & travel the world, then to sail across the globe.

"Live to sail, Sail to live!! "

#2. AN UNEXPECTED ADVENTURE EVERYDAY.

You won't know where danger might be, so better be ready! 

" That's mine!"  "No! Mine!" "It's mine!!" 

#3. LOOT & TREASURES.

The main reason for to be a pirate. Imagine what's in all the treasure chests; gold, jewel, & unimaginable riches.

" We're rich me hearties! RICH!! " 

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"Good answer. You'll be shortlisted to my crew. Get ready to sail on stranger tides, lad!"

.................................................................................................................................

*the story above is fully fictional.

Ironic Images #2

Here's another dose of irony. from " Ironic Images". ;D

If you haven't view my earlier post of Ironic Images click here. 

Today's theme is about irony on buses.. 


In today's business minded world, everyone is competing among each other...they uses catch phrases & taglines to grab the customers attention....


For example, like these...

#1 

Super Nice??

Hmm..what does it means?? :P Well, look at that..there's a horse logo at the bottom of the bus that resembles a  "Da Ma Cai " ( a Big Sweep Company ) logo. (bottom) 

So, you can actually buy lottery in the bus?? lol..no wonder it's " Super Nice ".

#2

"Naik Selalu" or in English translation it's " Always Ride "

Yup, this bus is asking us to always ride with them..lol..

Hmm... there's 2 "recycle" logos at the front & end of the bus? This Bus is Recyclable?? That's why they ask us to always ride them.

Recycle Paper! Recycle Plastic! Recycle Buses!! ahahah.. XD 

#3 

VVIP Seat?? :O

So, are they saying that the Prime Minister rides in this bus?? 

Ahahah...hope you got your daily dose of irony today! ;D 

*all images & statements are fro entertainment purposes only, I do not mean to effect the buses' business on purpose, Thank you. 

Scrat's Continental Crack-Up!

As of my post on The Review Of : Gulliver's Travels here.


There is a short film just right before the film; " Scrat's Continental Crack-Up! " 
Starring " Scrat " from the movie " Ice Age. "


Do watch it. Very funny.. ;D 





Ahahahha.. :P