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Proud to be Malaysian
What a surprise. A Malaysian games studio has won the BAFTA (games) award in London (http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/5/21/technology/20090521123327&sec=technology). Well, basically, the parent company is in London but the studio is in Malaysia, somewhere (I presume in KL/Cyberjaya). The company in discussion is Codemasters Studios, believe it or not? This is just amazing. I never thought Codemasters (London based Game Company) would set up their studios in Malaysia, let alone win awards for it.
For those gamers that never bothered to remember what games did Codemasters produced, I’ll list some of them:
- Colin McRae Dirt – very famous rally game, which I have already completed.
- Race Driver GRID – an awesome game and I’m looking forward to my copy soon.
Plus they are also in the development period of Dirt 2 and other projects, which people are eagerly waiting.
I’ll probably mention what game won it for Codemasters Studios (Malaysia). It was Race Driver GRID. Amazing right? I really never thought Malaysia could be in the gaming map. Wonderful. My hope for the future: Blizzard or Bethesda would set up a studio in Malaysia and all of us could be proud of Fallout or Starcraft. Now that is a dream. So, PM Najib, get moving and ask those game studios to set up in Malaysia. They would provide a nice stream of income.
Peace out. Maybe I’ll review Colin McRae Dirt later on. Kudos to The Star for the article
Mamak Nite by UQMSA
Mamak Nite is coming again. We (since I am part of the committee) will be tweaking with the format slightly. We’ll be selling tickets this time around. I have included some information on the upcoming Mamak Nite in this blog post:
Date: 29th May 2009
Time: 5.15 to 8.30 PM
Place: Rooftop Terrace, UQ
Menu: Delicious Malaysian Cuisinse (of course) and includes Roti Canai (wouldn’t be mamak if this was not here), Mee Goreng, Chicken Curry, Beef Rendang and Steamed Rice. Also includes Kuih-Muihs as desserts and Teh Tarik as drink. We also serve for all you vegie brothers and sisters
Price: AUD 7.00 (This is really reasonable for the food and place). This is our token of appreciation to our members for their support (Yes, we are giving a subsidy to all of you).
This will be a members only event and shame on those UQ Malaysians that are not our members. But yeah, you can join before you buy the tix and get the tix after that. Please also bring your membership cards in order to buy the tix.
We will be selling tix on 21st, 26th*, 27th* and 28th* of May near the Main Refec from 12 – 2 PM (*: subject to tix availability). As a plus, we will be selling the all time favourite Nasi Lemak to our members tomorrow. I’ll be the seller tomorrow so hopefully I’ll see you guys then. Peace out.
Oh yeah, check out the advert below:
Delicious Food Ahoy
Star Trek’s Review
Star Trek
My Take on Star Trek:
1. This Movie is just awesome. For someone like me that is not a Trekkie (Star Trek hardcore fan), I am able to enjoy the movie with its razzmatazz and over the top technology without any difficulty at all. This movie is enjoyable and makes me wanting for me.
2. First on the cast:-
- Chris Pine is believable as a captain of the Enterprise (The name of the Spacecraft that they are traveling in) and he did mention that he did his homework on Captain Kirk. So, good on him. However, he did mention that he modeled his acting on Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones and Han Solo which can be seen from the action scenes that they perform.
- Zachary Quinto is not too bad as Spock. He shows all the conflict evident within his half Human-half Vulcan character (Vulcan: Alien Race in Star Trek, his pops married a human). It is evident within him of the human emotions that are present and his control of the emotions. I guess getting some advice from Leonard Nimoy does help. Honestly, I have never seen him acted in Heroes before, seriously I have never seen Heroes. Lame right?
- Karl Urban: His acts as Bones does make him as one of the closest friend of Captain Kirk.
- Simon Pegg: What else can I say. He acted in Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. Two very good movies, IMHO. He provides some sort of comedic relief as well. In addition, he does seem smart in the movie unlike his other acts. He is also an engineer (WOOT for Engineers and Warp Drive).
- Leonard Nimoy: Well, he is indeed the original Spock. So, no comments needed.
- Other Casts: Makes the whole movie come together and fit by itself.
3. JJ Abrahms did a very good job with the directing. A bit of Star Wars influence, I agree since audience nowadays like their movies fast-paced-with-plot-expanding-as-you-go type. So, this is a no brainer. He did reinvent the whole franchise again and did a job in doing it. There are 2 more Star Trek films coming up and I can’t wait for them to come out (Yeah, everything is about making a trilogy, money is everything).
4. Congratulations to Star Trek for its actions and acting. It deserved the accolades and box office collection it is getting.
5. Some interesting facts:
- Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto are close friends. Hence we can see the chemistry between them.
- William Shatner (comedian and the original Captain Kirk) wanted to be given screen time in the film similar to Leonard Nimoy (he just misses being Captain Kirk) but was refused since he would not fit the purpose.
- Both Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto could not perform the Live Long and Prosper Salute ( the V shape fingers salute) and needed extra help. Quinto got his fingers glued and Pine got his fingers tied up together. It is a shame right? I can do it without any help but my fingers were damaged by Volvo doors before, so that might be the reason that I could perform the salute.
- I got to watch the preview screening in Australia. So basically I got to watch the movie earlier than all of you guys by about one week plus earlier. Thanks to Contagious and Ali for being my date. Lolz.
6. My verdict: Watch this film. You would not regret it unless you don’t like Science at all. Nah, just kidding. Watch it and I believe you’ll enjoy it. I guess I had enough Superheroes for a change (no Wolverine). For better quality reviews, I would recommend http://www.rottentomatoes.com as they have one of the most unbiased review online.
Thats all for this morning. Peace out.
Welcome Note
Hi all,
This is my first blog post and I welcome all of you to read it. My posts will cover a wide range of areas, mainly my life experiences, family, friends and current affairs. Though I will occasionally cover some other topics such as:
- Gadgets and maybe reviews (If I own them)?
- Games and reviews, if I own them
- Entertainment stuff, especially movies (when I get free preview screening from Contagious)
- Science and Technology, if I feel like reading some extreme, heavy items and explaining them
- Economics from my ignorant point of view
- Politics (contentious word)
- Religious thoughts (as if I have lots)
I welcome readers to make comments and share your thoughts responsibly. I quote some famous blog writer: “The internet is not a vacuum.” We all need to be responsible for what we write since we are adult enough (I suppose).
I’m looking forward on my take of Star Trek (Kudos to Contagious) on my next post.
Engineering Life worth Living 
