Author: Wilfrid

Categories
I See I Write

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2006 Made My Blood Pressure Boiling

*** GASP ***

After dinner, Cynthia and I was pondering what to do. I knew she would be happy left alone in her fantasy World of Warcraft and she gently reminded me that Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2006 would be airing in Singapore tonight. I have watched the TV trailer of the show and hell yes, I want more! (The trailer stopped halfway with a black screen showing the text “You Want More” before basting the TV audience with more tantalising images.)

If you don’t know what “Victoria’s Secret” is, I don’t know where to begin. I first heard of this wonderful brand back in the days when I went for a 3-weeks training in US a good number of years ago. My training roommate and buddy Colin wanted to get a few Victoria’s Secret products for his girlfriend (now wife). I still remember when Colin held up a very flimsy and sexy pantie and asked the salesgirl if that was comfortable and functional at all. The lady replied: oh yes, I am wearing it now! Uh-huh … and she was really attractive as well. You should have seen Colin’s face turned red almost instantly.

I am not a fan of fashion shows nor into beauty pageants. But Victoria’s Secret Fashion show?! It is a different story. The filming of the show is good showing some of the hectic scenes behind the curtains. One time, a high heel shoe slipped off from one of the models when she started walking the runway and she finished the catwalk with just one shoe. Truly amazing that if viewed from a distance, you wouldn’t even notice the difference.

I found one clip from YouTube and if any of my friends wish to view the show, I have it recorded in DVD quality! (Cynthia was like: Huh? You are recording it?! And I was like: Huh? Duh!)

Related Link: Victoria’s Secret’s Official Website.

Categories
J Pop Music Reviews

Made In Twenty (20) – Another Japanese Album By Korean Singer BoA

She released her first Korean album (rank #10) at the age of 14. She released her first Japanese album that hit the chart #1 position 2 years after. Subsequently, she released albums in both Korean and Japanese markets (all at #1 position). At the age of 20, she has her 10th full length album in Japanese. She is fluent in both Korean and Japanese, able to converse in English and now learning Chinese Mandarin. She dances well and is very beautiful. Her name is BoA.

Call me having a stereotype on Korean culture but I think they are best in producing tear-jerking dramas and not necessarily in the music industry. That explains why I have yet to own a Korean CD. BoA is a South Korean and that rules out all the possibilities of me owning any of her 5 Korean albums. As for her Japanese albums, my mindset is or rather was that … leave the music to the Japanese and she is not one. Last year, Cynthia got me BoA’s OUTGROW when she came back from her business trip at Japan. I did quite enjoy listening to that.

“Made In Twenty (20)” – an album of just over 60 minutes – is packed with typical Japanese Pop music (except the last track “Last Christmas”). The slow ballad “Winter Love” is definitely my favourite. I find myself listening to this album a lot as it does grow on me. I am still trying to get used to BoA’s voice but I definitely love the music.

The album comes with a DVD as well. Instead of all music video clips (like many do), she only includes 3 music videos and fills the rest of the disc up with 10 live clips from various albums of hers. I was expecting a live concert full of dances (that was how I noticed her in the first place) but it is not. The clip below is from her DVD and that showcased her vocal ability that is full of emotion. Even if you are not currently a BoA fan, be warned, you can easily be converted into one after viewing this DVD.

Related Entry: BoA – The Face – And The Conquest Continues

Categories
Drama Movie Reviews

My Coincidences And The Illusionist – A Magical Movie

Before reviewing on this Academy Award-nominated (Cinematography) movie, I wish to touch onto a category that I seldom have a chance to pen the stories down. Mainly because “coincidences” are usually in bits and pieces. I have this ability to remember certain faces in a short time frame (I am sure many of you can do that too) and because of that, I recognise the same lady whom I saw on my way to work, then on my way out for lunch, and when I was walking back to my car after a long day’s work, I saw the same lady having coffee break with her friends – all in one day. I mean, what’s the odd of that right? Or the same person I saw in consecutive days and never to see him or her again. Some friends of mine pointed it to the pattern of routine. But still, what’s the odd?

Couple of days ago while having lunch with Cynthia at Thomson Plaza (up north), I saw this young girl with her grandparents inside the same food court I was dining at. It was her big eyes and oval facial shape that I remember of. Then on the night I finished watching “The Illusionist” at Plaza Singapura, I walked out of the theatre and saw her in make-up with her boyfriend by her side. We must have watched the same movie. Again, what’s the odd?

Magical as my coincidences may seem, “The Illusionist” is truly one magical show. I wanted to give this movie a pass because the context sounds too much like “The Prestige” – another movie about illusionists that I happen to like a lot. While “The Prestige” makes it clear that magic does not exist, “The Illusionist” leaves a lot of room for imagination. At times I found myself gasping with the magic showed on the screen.

A drama written and directed by Neil Burger and starring Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti, “The Illusionist” is a story of love, politics, and magic. The only qualms I have over this magical movie is that at times the pace is a bit too slow for me and I wish that the script is less predictable. However, no doubt it is an artistic movie to watch.

Categories
J Pop Music Reviews

Ayaka’s First Message Still At No.1 In HMV Chart

I am truly amazed at Ayaka’s debut album’s staying power in Singapore’s HMV Japanese chart. Not even megastars such as Ayumi Hamasaki or Koda Kumi can challenge that. I am sure Ayumi’s Secret has reached #1 position some weeks ago but this couple of months old album still reigns.

I bought this album quite some time ago and what prompted me to do so was Ayaka’s voice. Japanese singers tend to have this higher than normal pitch (according to my buddy Tong Kiat – who worked in Japan before – Japanese girls tend to speak like that too in any normal day). Ayaka has this thick, powerful, and soulful voice that drew my attention when I first sampled her album. If I was to blur out the language, her vocal style is closer to the western music than her Japanese peers. Excellent control of her voice with beautifully executed accentuation and vibratos.

Now that is the good things about her. The album however has songs with uneven quality. Some songs are really good (like the one below called “I Believe”). Some songs are quite forgettable. When “First Message” was released in Japan, it was the highest selling album of the week as well as the highest selling debut album for a female artist in 7 years. Commercially it is quite an achievement.

Categories
I See I Write

I Looked At HMV’s Japanese-Korean Chart And Got A Shock

As I was sampling one of the CDs at HMV Orchard, my eyes wandered off to the charts displayed on the wall. In front of me was the Japanese-Korean chart and many of them have already become my own CD collection (those with links to my review blogs).

1. Ayaka – First Message
2. BoA – Made In Twenty (20)
3. YUI – From Me To You
4. Koda Kumi – Black Cherry
5. Angela Aki – Home
6. Ayumi Hamasaki – Secret
7. Rain – Rain’s World
8. Nana Starring Mika Nakashima – The End

I am really surprised with the staying power of Ayaka’s First Message. Singaporeans must have loved her. And YUI’s debut album finally re-released in Singapore. About time I must say as HMV must have realised that Singaporeans are ordering the album via the Hong Kong HMV website. I have almost bought Angela Aki’s Home. Angela is a mix between Japanese and Taiwanese with an unique soulfully soothing voice. The music is a bit soft for me though but it may appeal to you. And of course if you observe closely, female artists rule the Japanese-Korean chart.

Categories
My Hobbies Oil Painting

My 3rd Oil Painting – Seletar Reservoir Under A Cloudy Blue Sky (2007)

Click here to enlarge

One day I woke up early ready to send Cynthia to town. I looked out of my window and what a lovely view! I saw a slightly hazy blue sky casting a misty silhouette over the Seletar Reservoir. The urge of wanting to paint was overwhelming. But first I must send Cynthia off.

(Click here or the thumbnail to view a larger image.)

On the way back, I got more and more excited. Clouds of fluffy shape floated above me waiting to be painted. Once I reached home, I wasted no time and set up my humble painting studio in my living room. Using my window frame as the view-finder, sketching exercise was a whole lot easier. In retrospect, I shall sketch the clouds the last and use a colour other than light blue. By the time I finished my sketching, the clouds have already moved and formed into somewhat different shapes. Oh, one more thing. Windy days post extra challenge to painting clouds as well.

It is so true that always paint from life. I saw so many different shades of blue from the sky and so many different shades of green from the trees. I took a picture right after I finished with the painting and the photo just does not do what the nature offers justice (click here to view the photo).

My buddy Tong Kiat thinks that the cloud on the top-right-hand corner looks more real (does he mean that the rest of the cloud …). Cynthia thinks that the cloud looks like a horse (hmmm). And my sister Lora told me that one morning she stared at the painting and saw the clouds moving. Hope you like it as much as I do. To tell you the truth, beautiful clouds aside, my proudest achievement is that tiny chimney and the tanker from a far distance. I was tempted not to put the tanker into my painting. It is the smallest subject that requires the highest concentration.

Click here for my oil painting “gallery”.

Categories
Diary

A Family Gathering at Mumtaz Mahal

From left to right: Cynthia, Benny (my sister's boyfriend), and Lora (my sister)

Avid readers of my site may have already known that my sister Lora (the lady in pink on the right) who currently lives in Hong Kong has been dating my buddy Benny (the dude behind the two lovely ladies) whom is the very first Singaporean I befriended with when I made Singapore my home back in 1995. The lady in red on the left is of course my “boss” Cynthia as now I am her personal driver, butler, cook, and etc. No price in guessing why my sister is in Singapore this week. Think “V”.

I always love to take my friends and families to Mumtaz Mahal, a Northern Indian cuisine at Far East Plaza (Orchard). The boss of the restaurant is so friendly that he always greets me personally and we always shake hands like good old friends. I don’t order from the menu; I just ask the boss for recommendation. The food is delicious. I first fell in love with Northern Indian food back in UK and Mumtaz Mahal can easily the best Northern Indian restaurant I have been to so far. Give their Tandoori chicken a try and you won’t regret it. Their home made mango ice-cream is mouth watering. What I find interesting is that after we finish the home made ice-cream, they always serve us complimentary mango ice-cream (different texture from their homemade one but is also delicious). Oh, one more thing: don’t forget to wrap up the entire meal with a cup of Masala tea as well!

Categories
Drama Movie Reviews

The Last King Of Scotland – Gruesomely Charming

We practice democracy within our Movie Review Squad. I personally would have given this movie a pass not because it is not a good show but my preference is in the vague order of originality, witty scripts, beautiful scenery/people … and a bit of tastefully done sex scenes won’t harm.

I can’t help but to compare “The Last King Of Scotland” with “Blood Diamond”. Both movies have plots originated from Africa; both are equally intense and gruesome; and both leading actors are nominated for this coming Oscar. Forest Whitaker who acted as the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin has already earned him a Golden Globe Award. I still hope that Leonardo DiCaprio will win the Oscar this year but knowing the strong correlation between Golden Globe and Oscar (so I am told) … we shall see.

“The Last King Of Scotland” is based on Giles Foden’s award-winning debut novel of the same name as inspired by real people and real events. A story spins off from a Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan (James McAvoy), who found himself becoming the physician and advisor of Idi Amin. Idi Amin is real while the character Garrigan is fictitious (loosely inspired by Amin’s English-born associate Bob Astles). Unlike “Blood Diamond” that is constantly gruesomely intense (or intensely gruesome?) throughout the show, the first half of “The Last King Of Scotland” is actually quite enjoyable to watch. The acting is great and I especially like McAvoy’s carefree character Garrigan. The transformation slowly took place when the charming Amin turned into a brutal monster. Towards the end, it was just blood and gore. I heard a lot of gasping from the audience behind me.

A movie with lots of quality acting, at times humorous scripts, and a slowly build-up of intensity. “Blood Diamond” has a lot of outdoor shots so I got to enjoy the culture side of Africa. Majority of “The Last King Of Scotland” was shot indoor or at some locations that did not seem to be uniquely African. If I have to choose one to watch, “Blood Diamond” no doubt. Having said that, “The Last King Of Scotland” is a show worth watching … for the acting I would say.

Related Blog and Link: Blood Diamond – Intensity With Great Performance (my blog), Official Site for “Last King Of Scotland”.

Categories
My Hobbies Oil Painting

My 2nd Oil Painting – Giant Lettuce and Five Tomatoes (2007)

Click here to enlarge

My 1st Oil Painting was a plate of fruit, a bottle of wine, and a small magazine. This time round, I wanted to try something slightly different (click here or the thumbnail on the left to view a larger image). Too bad, all the grapes I have bought couple of days ago are already inside my stomach. Since I didn’t have flowers in the house, I have decided to paint my lettuce inside the refrigerator together with five tomatoes. The working title of my second oil painting was “Dinner at Seven (You Are Mine Tonight)”. That explains the knife by the way.

(Quick look at the painting against the live setup)

I found painting the lettuce was the most challenging part of all. Looking closely, there were lots of light and dark areas in a certain pattern. Comparatively, making the tomatoes to look 3D was much easier.

My second painting aside, I currently run into some unresolved logistic difficulties. Depending on the colours I use, some parts of the paintings may take up to 2 weeks to get reasonably dry. According to the experts, oil paintings take up to 6 to 9 months to dry to a stage that can be varnished and framed up to the walls. So meanwhile, what do I do with all my wet paintings? I have already used up 3 boards (coming next: Seletar Reservoir Under A Blue Cloudy Sky) and each board costs slightly more than S$5. I have to find a way to temporarily hold my paintings to dry for at least 2 weeks and to store them nicely thereafter for 6 to 9 months. Right now, I have no clue (any suggestions?).

In an attempt to quicken this drying process, from my second painting onwards, I use a drying agent called Alkyd Flow Medium. It supposes to work wonder and I can see the immediate effect on how fast my paints dry up on my palette (I must have overdone it a bit). After I was done with the painting, time for washing up and I have ignorantly used my hands to clean the dippers that had Alkyd in it. All of a sudden, my hands were covered with this very sticky stuff that could not be washed off. Whatever I touched got sticky too. It took me 20 to 30 washes with lot of hand soap to get the Alkyd off my hands. After that horrifying experience, I use lots of paper towels to wipe the dipper clean after each painting session instead. Not everything can be learned from the books I guess.

Click here for my oil painting “gallery”.

Categories
J Pop Music Reviews

Does Koda Kumi’s Black Cherry Rival Ayu’s Secret?

Koda Kumi’s new album’s cover may or may not resemble to Ayumi’s “Secret” – though I do see the similarity, the staying power (at number 1) of this album does rival Ayumi’s RAINBOW. To be honest, I do collect Koda Kumi’s albums and DVDs and enjoy listening to her as a talented young Japanese. But as a rivalry to Ayumi? I listen to this album with a pair of extremely critical ears.

Four years junior of Ayumi, Koda Kumi has already released 35 singles, 5 studio albums, and 3 compilation albums (compares to Ayumi’s 40 singles, 8 studio albums, 3 compilation albums, and countless remixes). Koda Kumi may not have a look that kills, she does have the sex appeal to compensate. Some of her videos are so hot that the CD/DVD comes with a “Mature 18” sticker.

“Black Cherry” is packed with 18 songs of close to 72 minutes and it comes with a sizzling hot DVD as well. Now, I wonder how it can get away with a “PG” sticker (I have linked one of the video at the end of this blog as it is too hot to be placed in my site). My initial reaction to “Black Cherry” was mixed. A good number of songs are the Hip-Hop type – a genre that I don’t in particularly fancy except when I am inside Ministry of Sound. The slow ballads and the rock songs though is a different story as I do enjoy listening to them immensely with a tint of guilt. Perhaps I have this “rivalry” mindset and being too critical. After a few listen to the CD, I do find that the songs are pretty good. Enjoyable with high chance that you will listen to the entire album again and again (like I do). The DVD is pretty good as well although I can say with full confidence that Ayumi’s Secret’s DVD is much better.