"hell" yeah

"free forevermore"

National Day is around the corner but whenever the radio station plays the good ol' National Day songs from the 90s, I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness. I worry about the future of our Singaporean society and the "strawberry generation" of my time. I can only wish that my worries are unfounded. That this young nation will stand the test of time and be "free forevermore".

Books

2 friends recently released their works for sale. Support local.

Our Gurkhas: Singapore Through Their Eyes by Zakaria Zainal

Gurkhas. The word evokes images of an elite force dedicated to protect and serve. Loyal and impartial, these men from Nepal have undergirded the security of Singapore through turbulent times — like the Indonesian Confrontation, Hock Lee Bus Riots and Maria Hertogh Riots — as well as stood guard over historic events, like the first General Election of Singapore in 1959.

Through the poignant anthology of portraits and anecdotes, experience first-hand accounts of key milestones in Singapore’s history, and marvel at the contribution of the silent sentinels who have dedicated their lives to this nation.

For pre-orders at a discounted price, visit: http://zakariazainal.com/blog/bio/gurkhas-pre-order-page/

 
The Amazing and Amusing Adventures of Sam & Sara - The Zen of All Kinds of Stuff by Shen Shi'an and friends.

As featured in this comic strip collection of their 100 (mis)adventures, ‘Sam and Sara’ is subtle, direct, zany, zenny, quirky, unpredictable, playful, counterintuitive, philosophical… about the infinite complexities, contradictions and tensions of life. Their experiences are funny, yet not just for laughs, as they are also about our misperceptions of reality, and how we can become kinder and wiser in everyday life. As each episode is self-contained, in a sense, they are the essential nuggets of unconventional wit and wisdom that we look forward to when reading novels and watching movies!

TO purchase the book at 15% early bird discount, visit: http://thedailyenlightenment.com/2012/07/get-sam-sara-book-here

Bat Toys

My earliest memory of a Dark Knight movie is Tim Burton's 1989 Batman. My mom bought me the "Quick Change Suit turns Bruce Wayne into Batman" figurine in 1990 and I still have it. Unfortunately, Bruce "Michael Keaton" Wayne is today without his suit, 22 years on.

 

From the same series is the "Iron Winch Batman" toy figurine above. Still in its packaging. 22 years old "treasure". Glad I found it.

I will dig out the Bruce Wayne figurine and Joker in his Joker-Mobile (whatever you call it) from the toybox once I have time.

Heath Ledger's Joker from Nolan's The Dark Knight.

Nolan

Caught The Dark Knight Rises on Friday evening.  Nolan, you're freaking brilliant.

Like Robert Rodriguez and Kevin Smith, Christopher Nolan launched his career with a low-budget feature, Following, costing only US$6, 000 to make.

Memento (2000)

The Prestige (2006)

The Dark Knight (2008)

Ok, can.

Quentin Tarantino

"To me, movies and music go hand in hand. When I'm writing a script, one of the first things I do is find the music I'm going to play for the opening sequence."

The opening of Reservoir Dogs is one amazing cinematic moment.

 Pulp Fiction (1994)

 Inglorious Basterds (2009)

 

Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003)

 Kill Bill: Vol 2 (2004)

4 out of a possible 7.  Reservoir Dogs, which Pang has very kindly brought it over from Tokyo has since been collecting dust at his home.

One of my pet peeves is that I have little patience and tolerance with people who are over-reliant on others. You're an adult, stand on your own two feet!

The Wong Kar Wai Collection

DVDs amassed thus far.

As Tears Go By (1988)

Days of Being Wild (1990)

 

Special collection that comes with some postcards.

Yuddy.

Chungking Express (1994)

Imported US copy. First piece of WKW masterpiece.

Ashes of Time (1994)

This one, army daze.

Fallen Angels (1995)

I spent close to $70 bucks for this.

 Happy Together (1997)

Comes with a personal "adventure" in Bangkok and other back-story. 

In The Mood For Love (2000)

Sometime back in university, I had a sudden strong urge to watch ITMFL (I didn't have a copy then) immediately and Zak has it. He wasn't in hostel then so I desperately climbed out of the window and broke into his room (hostel neighbour) for his disc. True story.

2046 (2004)

ITMFL & 2046 Four-Disc DVD Boxset. I remember this one. $65 from Jurong Point.

 Comes with 8 pieces of bookmarks.

 My Blueberry Nights (2007)

My first WKW film on the big screen. One of the first to catch it in Singapore during sneak preview (with Zak and Ziliang). A group exclaimed when the opening titles were rolling, "Eh, directed by a Chinese?" They were probably there because it was featuring Jude Law.

 Ashes of Time Redux (2008)

WKW fanboy. Mai siao siao. When we had to do our professional internship in junior year, I wrote an email to Jet Tone asking if they will accept me as an intern / free-labour even though I cannot speak Cantonese. I ended up staying in SG. Goes without saying what happened.

因上努力，果上隨緣。

"佛教中有句話，叫做因上努力，果上隨緣。
也就是說，在我們可以把握的部分盡力而為，
至於最終結果如何，就順其自然而不是一味強求。"

it's the time of the year again

As per tradition, the alumni returns to "Hotel California". Always a good chance to catch up with everyone, who's working where and sorts.

Embrace

I only discovered Embrace during my freshman year in 2006 and it dominated my headphones for the next one year, especially "Gravity". Reminds me of those nights mugging at the benches and the long midnight walks around the university ground. 

Petaling Street

A short weekend trip to Kuala Lumpur as part of an annual interaction with our Malaysian counterparts. We only have limited free time in the evenings so some of us were determined to get into the heart of the action, i.e. KL city, (our hotel is in the outskirts). We went against the advices of the taxi drivers, "Traffic jam! 3 hours!", and went ahead with the journey. The result is exploring KL city where we were "hassled" politely (and constantly) by street pimps who seemed to have the knack to tell that we are Singaporeans,

"Hello mister, you want ladies?" (Offers business card)

"Er... sorry no but where is Petaling Street ah?"

After a 45-minutes walk, we finally arrived at Petaling Street where the entire gang had a taste of real Ramly burgers, which we concluded unanimously that even though the Singaporean version is "pirated", ours taste better. Surprisingly because when it comes to street food, Malaysia always beat us flat.

As the tagline of a Malaysian film goes, "Heroes are not made. They are born in Petaling Street."

 

 

 

The gang posing with a makeshift Ramly stall (which cannot be seen) as if it is a cultural icon. Photo credit to a local busker/musician who was queuing up for a burger as well.

Petaling Street Warriors (2011) dir. by James Lee & Sampson Yuen

ACE CAMP 2012

This one shot with a 5DMkII, 7D and 60D. May the light of the Triple Gems continue to shine in everyone's hearts.

45 years of National Service

2012, celebrating 45 years of National Service. On hindsight, I wished I could have done better during my 2 years 2 months with the military. That regret is one major factor in my current career choice. Never mind the Internet trolls with a vendetta. Thank you all, generations of Singaporean sons.

This one, I heard, shot entirely on a 5DMkIII.

un-romantic comedy

 When Hainan Meets Teochew (2010) dir. Han Yew Kwang

Can love sparks when a manly woman (sissy) meets a womanly man (butch) and how romantic can it be? Catchy tagline to call it the "un"-romantic comedy. A very "Singaporean" film that is not pretentious. Probably the first local feature to be shot entirely with a HDSLR camera.

I like how Han Yew Kwang always uses minimal locations, limited central characters, everyday people and everyday stories but in his own original and a quirky way. He is like Singapore's own version of Wes Anderson. Both main leads are not professional actors but anchor the film pretty well. I personally can sense the loneliness of Hainan-Boy even when Meihui was in her arms. 

One line from the movie, "If a man wants to get married, marry a Teochew girl." An endorsement for the girlfriend.

Go-Far 2009

Never knew this photograph existed. Bad hair day. Towards the end of Junior Year was the memorable GO-FAR (Going Overseas For Advanced Reporting) programme. Bangladesh has the warmest of people but the traffic drives you mad.

Our multimedia production, which was done ad-hoc. 2am and the CNG raced through the Dhaka streets while the druggies stagger.

The Bedroom

"Imagination is more powerful than knowledge."

Steadicam Merlin 2

To buy or not to buy?