Like Sunshine After Rain - Trailer

Cinetopia Production, in association with Splices Creative

Cast includes Julie Hoi, Ang Pei-Chern, Tony Wong and introducing Cindy Chen

Co-Produced by M Fathil Shahab and Tony Wong

Written, Produced and Directed by Jeffrey Chiang

Like Sunshine After Rain ... Soon to be released!

Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Source: DVD (SS2)

The PERFECT film in a time when everything economically seems so bleak, perhaps there is a glimmer of hope after all.


Wikipedia and imdb.com
Slumdog Millionaire is the story of Jamal Malik (Patel), an 18 year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is about to experience the biggest day of his life. With the whole nation watching, he is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India¹s "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?"
But when the show breaks for the night, police arrest him on suspicion of cheating; how could a street kid know so much? Desperate to prove his innocence, Jamal tells the story of his life in the slum where he and his brother grew up, of their adventures together on the road, of vicious encounters with local gangs, and of Latika (Pinto), the girl he loved and lost. Each chapter of his story reveals the key to the answer to one of the game show¹s questions.

Each chapter of Jamal's increasingly layered story reveals where he learned the answers to the shows seemingly impossible quizzes. But one question remains a mystery: what is this young man with no apparent desire for riches really doing on the game show?

When the new day dawns and Jamal returns to answer the final question, the Inspector and sixty million viewers are about to find out.


The narrative is superb, and I was caught leaning off my sofa mesmerised in the dialogue and plot! And what incredible music too :-)

Prem Kumar: Its getting hot in here.
Jamal Malik: Are you nervous?
Prem Kumar: [audience laughs] What? Am I nervous ? Its you whos in the hot seat, my friend!
Jamal Malik: Yes, sorry.

I like this...
Police Inspector: Money and women. The reasons for make most mistakes in life. Looks like you've mixed up both.

And especially this!
Prem Kumar: So are you ready for the final question for 20 million rupees?
Jamal Malik: No, but maybe its written, no?
Prem Kumar: Maybe... '


Brilliantly casted!
Dev Patel ... Jamal K. Malik
Anil Kapoor ... Prem Kumar
Freida Pinto ... Latika
Irrfan Khan ... Police Inspector
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail ... Youngest Salim
Ayush Mahesh Khedekar ... Youngest Jamal

Here's Ayush Mahesh Khedekar who plays the young Jamal K. Malik in one of my favourite scenes! Watch the film to see the lengths he would go through to get his idol Amitabh Bachchan's autograph when he arrives in the slums, in a helicopter!

This is a well celebrated film, check out a list of key awards deservedly won!

2009 Academy Awards
Won: Best Picture

Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle

Won: Best Original Score – A. R. Rahman

Won: Best Original Song – "Jai Ho", by A. R. Rahman (music) & Gulzar (lyrics)

Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

Won: Best Cinematography – Anthony Dod Mantle

Won: Best Film Editing – Chris Dickens

Won: Best Sound Mixing – Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Ian Tapp

Nominated: Best Sound Editing – Tom Sayers (lost to The Dark Knight)

Nominated: Best Original Song – "O... Saya", by A. R. Rahman & M.I.A. (lyrics)

2009 British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA)
Won: Best Film

Won: Best Director – Danny Boyle

Won: Best Adapted Screenplay – Simon Beaufoy

Won: Best Film Music - A.R. Rahman

Won: Best Cinematography - Anthony Dod Mantle

Won: Best Editing - Chris Dickens

Won: Best Sound - Glenn Freemantle, Resul Pookutty, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers, Ian Tapp

Nominated: Outstanding British Film

Nominated: Best Leading Actor – Dev Patel

Nominated: Best Supporting Actress - Freida Pinto

Nominated: Best Production Design - Mark Digby, Michelle Day

2009 Golden Globe Awards
Won: Best Motion Picture - Drama

Won: Best Director - Motion Picture - Danny Boyle

Won: Best Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy

Won: Best Original Score - A. R. Rahman

2009 Writers Guild of America Awards
Won: Best Adapted Screenplay - Simon Beaufoy

Won: Oscars Best Picture

Sin Guat Keong, Lebuh Kimberley - Desserts & CKT, Penang

Guest Blogger: L
Wherabouts: Penang ... Lebuh Kimberley

Once again, thanks to L for this write-up, I had never been to this famous CKT (Char Kuay Teow) joint previously, but seems it (along with the adjacent dessert stall) is rather legendary!

Found this write-up online...
This 52-year-old stall is no-doubt one of the oldest and 'tastiest' Char Kway Teow stall in Penang. There is always an endless queue at this stall, but why is it so special? The significant specialty of this stall is of course their 'killer' ingredient - seafood-infused oil. Seafood-infused oil is simply the cooking oil which has been used to fry prawns before it is used to fry the Kway Teow.
Another special thing about this hawker stall is that the Kway Teow is fried over a charcoal fire, which makes every single plate of Char Kway Teow tastes much better and fragrant. Even though the queue is long, but it is absolutely worth waiting for.

Eatery: Kedai Kopi Sin Guat Keong
Located: Intersection of Lebuh Cintra and Lebuh Kimberly, Georgetown, Penang.
Opening hours: 6pm - 12.30am daily

I love Penang desserts aka Tong Sui :-)

Pork blood, pork bits ... damn popular in Penang!


The legendary CKT!

ps. L had this earlier in the day, seafood noodles ala Penang ... Looks yummy too.

I have no clue where this was at?

Penang - Ferry Ride

Guest Blogger: L
Wherabouts: Penang ... Ferry ride!
Camera: Canon G10

Thanks to L for this long-awaited contribution :-)
I haven't been on the ferry, and can't wait to drive across ... one day, soon!


Penang skyline and another ferry!


Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. The famous ferry service connects Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal in Butterworth to Raja Tun Uda ferry terminal at Weld Quay in George Town in Penang Island.
The ferry service began operation in 1920, under the management of a Chinese-owned company. However, today, it is jointly operated by the Penang Port Commission (PPC) and Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

Pangkalan Sultan Abdul Halim (Mainland side)
First ferry departure : 0600 hours / Last ferry departure : 0100 hours
Pangkalan Raja Tun Uda (Island side)
First ferry departure : 0530 hours / Last ferry departure : 0030 hours

Rates
Pedestrian: Adult RM1.20 , Children (between 5 to 12 years old) RM0.60
Motorcar: RM7.70


The Penang Bridge :-)

Valkyrie (2008) : Tom Cruise

Cinema: TGV Bukit Tinggi Klang (RM$11 @ "Couple seat")

Bryan Singer (X-Men - 2000, and one of of fave films of all time... The Usual Suspects - 1995) produced and directed this gripping war-epic, Walkure (German) or Valkyrie.



Brilliant, first-class casting...
Tom Cruise ... Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
Kenneth Branagh ... Major-General Henning von Tresckow
Bill Nighy ... General Friedrich Olbricht
Tom Wilkinson ... General Friedrich Fromm
Carice van Houten ... Nina von Stauffenberg
Thomas Kretschmann ... Major Otto Ernst Remer
Terence Stamp ... Ludwig Beck
Eddie Izzard ... General Erich Fellgiebel



Tension, suspense and a sombre mood is consistently there throughout the entire dark masterpiece, and this has to rank amongst some of the best films of recent times!

One of my favourite scenes is when Die Walkure plays on Tom Cruise's home turn-table, where the scene turns from elation (Col Stauffenberg being with his family) to despair when the allied bombing begins.

Wilhelm Richard Wagner (Born 22 May 1813, Leipzig, Germany – Died 13 February 1883, Venice, Italy) was a German composer, conductor, theatre director and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or "music dramas", as they were later called).

Die Walküre (The Valkyrie) is the second of the four operas that comprise Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), by Richard Wagner. It is the source of the famous piece Ride of the Valkyries. Wagner took his tale from the Norse mythology told in the Völsunga Saga and the Poetic Edda. It received its premiere at Munich's National Theatre on 26 June 1870 at the insistence of King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It was premiered in Wagner's Bayreuther Festspiele as part of the complete cycle on 14 August 1876. The opera made its United States premiere at the Metropolitan Opera on 30 January 1885.

Food Foundry, PJ Section 17 - Mille Crepe Chocolate and Strawberry

Food Foundry is a rather unique little diner, located in the heart of Section 17's Happy Mansion, a residential flats area. It describes itself as "Your Neighbourhood Food Provider". I had previously visited on a number of occassions and always enjoyed the food here!


Add: Food Foundry, BG-8, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, PJ
Tel: +603 7955 3885
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10.30 am - 9 pm & Sat-Sun 9 am - 11pm

It seems Mille means ‘1000′ in French, so this very popular cake translates to 1000 layers of crepe. The crepes are layered on top of each other till they form a cake, and as far as I know it is one of the only places in Malaysia that serves this yummy and unique dessert.

Chocolate @ RM$9 per slice

My choice as always ... Strawberry @ RM$9

One can also choose Ocha (Green Tea, RM$9) or plain ol' Vanilla (RM$8). Noticed this new sign on the table too ... facebook!

Into the Blue (2005) : Jessica Alba, Paul Walker

Source: DVD (Centrepoint, Bandar Utama)


The "beautiful" cast includes...
Paul Walker ... Jared
Jessica Alba ... Sam
Scott Caan ... Bryce

Stunning dive cinematography and incredible free-diving sequences (i.e. sans compressed air!) ... that's why I watched Into The Blue!


A true dive nut's kinda film! :-)
Bryce: Get out of the water. There are sharks everywhere, look.
Jared: Give me my mask and my fins real quick.
Bryce: You - No, you don't need a mask. There's a shark. I swear the God. He's big. He' looks like Jaws. Get out.
Jared: Yeah, I know, but I lost my watch.
Bryce: You lost - ? You need an arm to wear a watch. Would you get out of the water, stupid? Please?
Jared: Sam gave me this watch for my birthday.
Bryce: I don't care! Sam, get... [Sam tosses to Jared his mask and fins]
Bryce: What are you doing?
Sam: He's fine. They're just curious.
Bryce: Oh, curious as to what? As to what? What his ass tastes like?


And, only watch this film if you can put up with corny one-liners such as these (I enjoyed them!!)
Sam: I believe in you more than the prospect of any treasure.

and,

Bryce: Winners make the rules and losers live by them

and,

Sam: We found bodies. Don't you think we should tell someone?
Bryce: They're drug dealers, Sam. They're not missionaires flying care packages to starving kids in Africa, okay? Don't worry, their girlfriends will have new pimps before the milk in the refrigerator goes bad. It's fine.

Posh Wedding - SS2 Bridal House ala Las Vegas Chapel of Love

Add: 207, Jalan SS 2/24, PJ
Located: Up the road from New Paris restaurant and Mungo Jerry BKT
Tel: +603 7875 6133

SS2 just like Jln Loke Yew has come the Wedding Capital in town! Bridal shop after bridal shop are selling their wedding services ... Phew! Check out the latest addition, yes its called "Posh"!


I had nearly driven past when I noticed ... Yes, it's the Chapel of Love ala Las Vegas!


From their corporate website...
The focus of Posh Wedding is to provide a celebrity style dream wedding at an affordable price; a wedding that would be remembered not just for years but for generations to come by recording the dream event with the most talented and experienced professionals in the industry.Posh Wedding offers you a one-stop service centre in the multi-faceted arena of bridal, makeover and photography. Their expertise extends to every conceivable area of a wedding including the planning, organising and developing the most special day of your life with the sole purpose to truly exceed your expectations in every way possible.

My Elephant, Section 17 PJ - Great Thai food!

Add: Block C-G4 Happy Mansion, Section 17/13, PJ
Tel: +6012 328 5028 (Patrick)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (except Sunday lunch) - Lunch @ 12.00 p.m. - 2.30 p.m., Dinner @ 6.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m.

Originally written for: Malaysian Today






I had previously been dissapointed either by the authenticity, taste, or high prices of some local Thai restaurants in PJ and KL. My lucky has changed! L brought me to My Elephant, not far off Jalan University, one rainy evening and I was immediately impressed by the simple yet modern low-lit decor, tasteful "mood" music, good service, excellent food and value. Whether it is a casual, business or romantic meal, My Elephant seems to cover all bases!



Thai restaurants are reknowned for their multitude of attractive and appetising starters, I chose the Thai Fish cakes (RM$8) which were full of flavour and one could easily enjoy the delicious home-made patties.On my next visit, I would definitely try the Mamuang Talay (Mango Salad with assorted seafood, RM$8), and Miang Kum (Assortment ofgoodies such as ginger, peanuts, chilli and shrimps, wrapped in fresh kadok leaves somewhat like a roll-up!)as well.



The next course had to be the "national" dish of Thailand, Tom Yum! We chose Tom Yum Koong (Prawn @ RM$20), which packed a strong lemongrass-infused flavour, with a surprising sweet-aftertaste that actually gave the dish a spicy-sweet balance. The prawns were of a decent size and fresh, we enjoyed every drop! Some friends also heavily recommended the Tom Sum Pla (Fish), which is a clear soup with mushrooms, galangal andother Thai spices.



As there was only two of us on this occasion, we had difficulty in choosing amongst the many lovely dishes on the menu. We chose the Gaeng Keow Wan (Green Curry Chicken, RM$15) which was L's favourite dish of thenight. Again, not overly spicy, with the right blend of sweetness and creaminess, this was really good. I especially enjoyed the aubergine pieces which perfectly complemented the bite-sized chicken slices. Next time,I must try the Roast duck red curry, which is supposed to be mind-blowingly good, and has to be ordered in advance!



I thought the star of the night was the Otak Otak Omelette (RM$12), I simply love the way Thais prepare somethingas simple as a fried egg, but the otak-otak inside just blew me away! The chilli dip (Yes, Thai dishes alwayscome with a plethora of dips!) brought out the flavours perfectly.



I was pleasantly surprised that My Elephant served Brown Rice (Unlimited helpings at $2.50 each) on a banana leaf, which was a healthy yet delicious balance to what was a really good meal.



It seems a "dessert of the day" is also served, such as the well-recommended Sago Pudding served with Jackfruit and Mango. But on this occassion, we were eyeing the Mille Crepe cakes at the nearby Food Foundry!

Special mention to Precious Pea and Lemongrass for recommending some of the other dishes which I didn't getto savour on this occasion, I shall however be bringing many more friends back here for near-authentic and delicious Thai cuisine, at very reasonable prices.