The Thieves

What a thrill of a movie!

More than rivaled Ocean 11, 12, etc! Apart from having no big Hollywood names, this action- packed movie sure has some great acting, snappy dialogue.

Fabulously charming great crooks and con men and women!

The Complete Ngaio March Collection

I have done it ! I have completed the entire Ngaio Marsh collection. All 11 omnibuses.

DCI Banks

 I watched a few episodes of DCI Banks on television and got hooked on the series. This chance viewing started me on the mission to complete ALL the books by Peter Robinson available in my local library.

 So far, I have devoured 17 books and am in the midst of #18.

Reading a series that spans over 2 decades from 1987 to the present day is like going back through time while moving forward into the future. As I progressed, I witness the changes in not only DCI Banks's career and personal life but societal trends as well. Especially through the music
 that DCI Banks love
.

Sitting on my shelves awaiting:


While I await from the library to launch the latest two books:

Headhunters

A sophisticated thriller adapted from the writing of famed Norwegian novelist Jo Nesbo.

I have read several of Nesbo's crime thrillers. But wow, this movie not only does his writing justice, it went beyond. Excellent cast, great pacing, strong direction.

A must see that beats loads of glam up flicks from Hollywood lacking grit and substance. Let's hope those folks dont try to remake a mess out of this.

 Jiro Dreams of Sushi and I am in love with him.

I love his philosophy of life, I love his dedication. I love his labour of love.

Sushi...deceptively simple..a miracle of taste. I will never gobble down sushi like a turkey ever again. 

小孩子的邻居

Love this book by Haitani Kenjiro.

Written from the perspective of children, it unflinchingly tackles in a seemingly innocent and direct way the serious issues of life and living.

The first story moved me tremendously, how a young girl with a serious heart problem come to realise the value of life and the courage to meet the future.

I saw the movie first and then read the book. I do not know which I love more. 


The Hedgehog is the tale of Paloma a young girl who had decided to  girl end it all on her upcoming 12th birthday. Using her father's old camcorder to chronicle the hypocrisy she saw in adults, Paloma learned about life and living from the building concierge, Renée and made friends with a new elegant Japanese neighbour. She observed and began to comprehend that there were kindliness and allies to be found beneath prickly of exteriors. As the unlikely friendship deepens, Paloma's own coming of age becomes a much less pessimistic prospect. 


The book, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barberry, however, has a lot more dimensions. And, dare I say it, lots of elegance. The last 25 pages moved me tremendously. 

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

If only old age and retirement can be be outsourced..but would you take the trip to do so in India?

Loaded with some laugh out loud moments, it is the comic turns by the stellar award winning actors that make this movie special.

At times poignant, though without some cliched misplacement of the script, I nevertheless love this movie. For the colours of a India I have almost forgotten, for the humor in addressing a pertinent issue that we all must inevitably face one day.

Like usual, for a different experience and to let your own imagination take flight, I also invite one and all to read the original book by Deborah Moggach on which the movie was based on.

Have fun!

重逢新遥30周年演唱会 (Reunion Xinyao 30th Anniversary Concert)

Like a Michael J Fox "Back to the Future" moment. Travelling in 4 hours back to my youth when music was fun and the accessory of the day was a guitar.

It does not matter whether you read the Japanese, Chinese or English edition.

The magic is in the story.

The hero is  the writer who makes this story and the "story" of stories
comes alive for us.

This is a book for the young at heart, for the ones who still believe. In adventure, in magic, in love and in heroes

The Avengers

All my superheros come to life. But my favorite in this movie happens to be the one without super power. Black Widow. Without the benefits of super strength, power of flight, or a shield, much less bow and arrows; this one women take on Loki's army.

三島屋変調百物語事始

Love Miyuki Miyabe's stories. And this one in particular has healing powers. It reminds me of how the telling of one's story free the spirit and how the listening to others' tale will uplift your own soul.

I love this movie. It is about everything i love. Books, movies, adventures, and the innocence of a child. Most of the all - appreciating the value and purpose of each of our lives.

It also strikes me that HUGO is also the name of the Genome organisation! Both search for the meaning of life differently.

In the end, we are only humans. It is the magical world of music, books and movies that coloured our world and lives.

Opening the universe to one and all - if we believe!

Spring Awakening

Spring has awoken. And it was an eye-opening surprise - for different reasons.

This is the first Pangdemonim production I have seen. I always applaud anyone who has the guts to pursue their dreams to the fullest. So i clapped with two hands and feet for Adrian Pang and his associates.

It was enjoyable but somewhat marred by the occasional inappropriate tittering of the audience. Not just the younger members but the older ones as well. The "mature theme" was clearly broadcasted but are my fellow red-dotters so "unexposed" or is it a matter of the audience not being ready for it? For goodness sake, the play was written in the 19th century and its already the 21st!

So perhaps the play was made for this little island - the issues being tackled and mismanaged by the characters remain as contemporary as ever. Despite the gap of over a 100 years.