Categories
I See I Write

“After Hours” Showing At Channel 5 Now Is Actually Not Bad

Gosh, it is difficult to write this blog. How little do I know about the local entertainment industry, set aside the region. Besides, this is probably one blog that a handful of my overseas readers will not be able to relate and the remaining Singaporean readers will disagree with. But there you go. I try not to write politically correct blogs. I try to stick to what I observe.

One evening while playing back one of the recorded TV programmes, Cynthia was in horror that her favorite show “Desperate Housewives” was not showing at 10pm as it normally did. Instead, “Desperate Housewives” was knocked over to a later time slot by a local production “After Hours”. While Cynthia was fast forwarding the recording at lightning speed, I recognized one of the actresses. She was in one of the magazines … was it FHM? … and then I screamed stop, took over the remote control, and had a closer look. As I was reading the end credits, I did recognize her name and she was in FHM. Okay, she looks better on magazine (so much fairer than on TV) but what caught my attention was the short music video of hers at the end of the show. The song in English is called “So Real” written by the actress herself and though some may criticize her vocal range, I do appreciate singers who write and perform their own songs. Besides she looks hot in the video and guess what? I do like the song. She is Linda Liao.

I don’t know how much you can qualify “After Hours” as a local production. We have a Taiwanese MTV VJ (Linda Liao), a Thai-Chinese MTV VJ who is now based in Singapore (Utt), a Swiss-Chinese MTV VJ whose hometown is at Switzerland (Max Loong), and a local actress who has won a few local awards (Joanne Peh). With such a crew composition, how “local” can the production be? Then again, we are talking about Singapore, an unique land of limited opportunity, limited resources, but happy to leverage on … “foreign talents”.

To be fair, let’s not talk about Utt’s acting. He has a good look and that is about it (sorry Utt, love it when you host MTV programmes though). I think Max’s casual and at times comical acting may win some hearts and that too is about it. As for Linda, I just cannot reconcile with what I saw on the magazine and what is on the screen. I guess she does have the overall package and guys and girls who prefer the slim girl type may adore her. I think her acting is okay. What I like is her well rounded package of a singer/songwriter, actress, and MTV VJ (again, love that video). Out of all four, I do think that our local actress Joanne, the only non-VJ, stands out to be better in terms of acting. I think she looks sweet too.

Some may discount the quality of local production. I do too. But what I like about “After Hours” is the cinematography. Some of the cut scenes do feature a slice of Singapore well – be it as Orchard, Times Bookstore, a street in CBD, Coffee Bean, or just an estate – giving the viewers like myself a sense of familiarity in a good way. Perhaps I am more into making videos these days and have been spending time with YouTube, I do get to appreciate what is behind the camera better. Script-wise, can be corny at times but surprise to say, I do enjoy the lightheartedness after a long day of … whatever (I can’t say the word “work”, can I?).

I think “After Hours” is not bad. You may wish to give it a try with an open mind. All you need to do is not to turn off your TV after “Desperate Housewives”, which I am sure half of the population of Singapore is currently watching.

Related Link: Excerpt from Channel 5 Website.

Categories
Action & Thriller Movie Reviews

Fracture – Great Acting And I Can Understand Why People Love It

Within the Movie Review Squad, we have a dividing preference towards movie genre. For instance, I love horror movies but it is a no-no for Tong Kiat and Cynthia. Tong Kiat and I love Japanese and Korea tear-jerking movies but Cynthia does not. And Cynthia and I know that the slow pace lengthy art movies are best to be watched in the daylight as Tong Kiat will certainly fall asleep inside the movie theater. “Fracture”, starring Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling, fall under the category of both Cynthia and Tong Kiat love it while I am okay with it.

In fact, I am more impressed with the Japanese dinner that Tong Kiat has bought us. He was particularly happy that day and to celebrate this happiness of his, we have our second visit to this restaurant that has a sizable staff strength of authentic Japanese and it is much frequented by the Japanese in all sort of nice clothing. What a lovely scene to watch! (I am especially impressed with some of the … erm … quality of the Japanese waitresses.) The restaurant has expanded taking more of the outdoor space. The food quality is still good but the service level has dropped significantly. I forgot the name of the restaurant but it is by the canal near to Grand Copthorne hotel that is just a stone throw away from Great World City (okay, more like a few long stone throws). There are two Japanese restaurants along Waterfront Plaza so apply common sense and choose the more posh looking one with lots of Japanese. The food variety is different from the generic Japanese meals that we so commonly see in Singapore.

Back to the movie “Fracture”, had I booked it at one of the Cathay cinemas, we would have missed quite a bit of the show. For once, I was glad that it was GV and they usually have 20 minutes of advertisement before the show starts. The movie scheduled to start at 9.15pm and at 9.10pm we were still at the restaurant waiting for our bill. My Movie Review Squad contemplated to walk back to Great World City because it would only take 5 minutes. Walk we shall not! I span the car out of the car park with such a zest that Cynthia and Tong Kiat have to remind me that we have just eaten. My car dashed out of the car park exit, cut across 4 lanes of traffic, made an U-turn, and I felt as though I was testing a new potential F1 circuit in Singapore. By the time we strolled into the movie theater, the show was yet to start. Hooray!

I enjoyed the quality acting of Anthony Hopkins. I have always been a fan of his films. I wouldn’t go crazy on Ryan Gosling but I know Cynthia does. Okay, his acting matched up to his counterpart Hopkins. I am more interested by Rosamund Pike who played in “Die Another Day”. She is so pretty and poised. In fact, if she was to play the role of the prosecutor, I would have given this movie a 5-star (I know, I can be shallow sometimes). And did you know that Rosamund Pike did her study in the same University as mine and not only that, same college (Wadham that is)? If only I was born 7 years younger …

Anyway, without giving out any spoilers, “Fracture” is a movie full of twists and turns with believable plots coupled with believable actings. It is a classic movie of murderer versus prosecutor, exploitation of loopholes in law, making the morally right decisions, and crime scene investigation. The script is tastefully humorous at some point that helps to lift the mood of such a serious movie up a bit. My biggest issue with the movie is that I don’t like the beginning and I don’t like how the plot comes to an end. It is not forgivable that such a meticulous murderer can make two simple mistakes. However I do like the actual ending though. For some, the prosecutor is their hero. Weird to say, I admire the wit of the murderer.

Categories
Music Reviews Pop Rock & Alternative

Good Charlotte’s Good Morning Revival – A Few Great Songs

I had no idea that the front man of Good Charlotte (Joel Madden, age 28) once dated Hilary Duff (age 19) until Cynthia casually told me over … I forgot. Anyway, it was not my intend to buy Good Charlotte’s new album – love their last one though. Cynthia wanted it because of a few catchy songs. I concur. There are a few great songs in the album though I must say, the rest are average.

What intrigued me the most is that after listening to Hilary Duff’s new album (see previous blog) and now Good Charlotte’s one, I must say that their love history has added much texture to the songs. Check this out.

Hilary Duff’s first single “Play With Fire”: (not sure if she is referring to one of her ex, Aaron Carter and the “he” towards the end is Good Charlotte’s front man … I suspect that this song was written before the break-up as she mentioned in her DVD that this song is from her previous era)

And now I hear you saying that you still adore me. But if you think I’d ever get with you again then you can just love me, love me feed the flame. If you want me back again, burn into the sky higher and higher. Baby, can you play with fire?

Ooh, by the way, by the way I’ve found someone who gives me space, keeps me safe, makes me sane. Found someone to take your place. Now I’m safe in his arms. And I decided only he can play with fire.

And in Good Charlotte’s “Victims of Love”:

In the beginning, I tried to warn you. You play with fire, it’s gonna burn you. And here we are now, same situation. You never listen, I never listen.

Everybody’s hurt somebody before. Everybody’s been hurt by somebody before. You can change but you’ll always come back for more. It’s a game and we are all just victims of love.

Here are the opening songs for both artists, the “room” is mentioned in both counts. Good Charlotte’s “Misery”:

Take a look around don’t you see it? See that you are the only real face in the room. No one here has a clue what you’re feeling. Don’t feel bad keep your sadness alive.

And Hilary Duff’s “Stranger”:

Did I ever do anything that was this cruel to you? Did I ever make you wonder who was standing in the room? You made yourself look perfect in every way. So when this goes down, I’m the one that will be blamed. Your plan is working so you can just walk away. Baby your secret’s safe.

Time to move on for the both of them? Good Charlette’s “Dance Floor Anthem”:

We break up it’s something that we do now. Everyone has got to do it sometime. It’s okay. Let it go. Get out there and find someone.

And Hilary Duff’s “Happy”:

I’m happy and I can thank myself. If it were up to you I’d be in my bed crying. But I’m happy and I know that makes you sad. After all the things you put me through. I’m finally getting over you.

Back to the review, there are a number of songs that sound distinctly different from their usual style and they actually work for me. Like their hit single “Keep Your Hands Off My Girl” (see below), you wouldn’t imagine that it is from them. And the beginning of “Victims of Love”? Reminded me of ta-Tu (in a good kind of sense). I personally don’t necessarily enjoy the vocal of Good Charlotte. With that said, there are some great catchy tones in this new album of theirs.

Categories
Diary

Even For That One Moment Of Happiness

I love jogging. I don’t love the sweat per se, nor the sweat even after I have had a deserving shower, nor the taxing effort on my body. Somehow, jogging is the only exercise that constantly challenges my mental strength. And this intense mental exercise at times put me into this mental space that with luck, I experience an explosion of ideas, my imagination can run wild, and I can be filled with a positive energy that I hardly experience outside this mental space that jogging brings forth. Hence, I love jogging.

Ever since my knee injury after my mountain trekking, I have rested my knees when possible. It has been hard on me – to take away the runner in me and I felt being caged up in my own physical space. I have extended my exercise bandwidth on swimming and weightlifting but they are not the same as jogging.

Some of my friends suggested to me to see a physiotherapist (you know how much we hate to see doctors and God knows how much they charge) and to take glucosamine supplement. I checked out the supplement at GNC and even with my friend’s VIP card, each pill costs S$0.83 and the recommended dosage is 3 pills a day. That works out to be the cost of a quarter of a packet of cigarette a day (okay, I don’t smoke – just an illustration). Since my knees did not recover the rate I wanted them to be, I gave in and have been taking 2 pills a day for a good couple of days.

Glucosamine is not a drug approved by the US for medical use in humans. It is a supplement that is commonly used as a treatment for osteoarthritis. The market of supplements business is unregulated but of course, distributors do get sued should there be bad incidents (remember the slimming pills that one of our local actresses took that cost her a liver?). Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is commonly extracted from shellfish and the only major side effect from my research is for those who may be allergic to shellfish – though depending how glucosamine is extracted, the proteins that cause allergy are usually destroyed in the process. Glucosamine has been used as a supplement since the 80s. After I have taken the first pill, the pain on my knees has vanished. I am not sure if it was due to the natural healing process and the pills just came in at the right time but glucosamine seems to work for me. Unlike other approved drugs that are taken by the patients who suffer from osteoarthritis, glucosamine does not mask the pain but rather rebuild the matters in around the joints. Some studies claim that glucosamine should be taken in liquid form because in some cases, the pills will just pass through our digestive system with the company logo intact. The big question in my mind is: if glucosamine is extracted from shellfish, will eating shellfish gives me the same effect? In as much as possible, I prefer the natural way.

Last night before I went to sleep, there was a strong desire within me to resume my ritual of jogging. My knees they seem to have healed well. A friend of mine asked me to give my knees a month to rest but I guess I crave into my desires easily. This morning I woke up, I had a glass of orange juice and 2 bananas. I did my stretching ritual and I felt some nagging pain on my right knee. I said to myself: okay, let’s see how far I can go. I did a walk around my condo, headed to the obstacle course and did my ritual of pull-up – 3 sets of 3 pulls each, 2 sets with my palms facing me and 1 set with the bar over the back of my head. Right then, I think my muscle sore surpassed any pain I may have felt on my right knee.

After my pull-up, time to jog! As I started jogging, I felt like I was gliding over the surface of my usual 4.5 km jogging trail. Right after I exited my condo, I faced the same old slope I needed to conquer. God I missed that little hill. I felt my body switching into a high energy mode, I felt my heart started to pump harder to deliver the energy supply to my muscles, and my lung took in more and more oxygen to facilitate the process. God I missed how it feels every time I jog.

Over the hill it was a gradual descend. That was when I felt some pain on both my knees. Before I hit that halfway mark, I felt the cramp on my abdomen muscles due to lack of practice. Midway I changed the strategy and have lengthened my breath for twice as long taking in air twice as much. My abdomen muscles seemed to have relaxed while I began to feel the familiar pain on my knees I have experienced half a month ago. And I realized that fear from past injuries is probably the nastiest demon that an athlete has to battle with.

In my mind, I wanted bad to complete my route. I said to myself even if this is the last time I can jog I must make it worthwhile. Mental strength is a peculiar thing. Even when my body wanted to give up, thinking that this could be the last time I can jog, my body continued.

I reached the finishing line at 21 minutes – my usual record one month ago (I hit 20 minutes once but mostly at 21 minutes or longer) – covering a 4.5 km. I think my knees are giving me problem again. I will probably give them a week rest before my next jog – aiming to reclaim that 20 minutes record. Even for that one moment of happiness, I think it is worth it.

Categories
Songwriting

So I Have Given The Same Song A Lyrics Remake – What Do You Think?

Jason my guitarist often comments to me that though he is drawn to the darkness of my music, for the good of general public consumption (as we are planning for an open-mic performance soon), it may be hard to hold the attention of the crowd if the entire set of songs are of the same dark mood. This triggered a slice of memory on what my buddy Mark has asked me months ago when I shared with him one of the recording of our jamming sessions – do I ever write a happy song? I look deep into my collection and I can hardly find any happy song inside. I don’t think I am a depressing kind of person. Just that my creativity core is tuned to some of the less happy events that happen within me and around me. I often see hope in tragedies and when I compose my songs, though the mood is dark, I have always tried to drop a line or two of hope inside – even if it is a bitter decision such as walking away from a relationship or keep on praying and don’t lose faith.

In my previous blog, My 151st Song – Your Eyes, I broadcast the song lyrics and I have to admit, there isn’t much hope within the song. It is a representation of the state of mind of someone who has recently experienced a broken heart in whatever ways (this world and beyond). I met up with one of my friends and she said the lyrics is “intense” after chancing upon the lyrics in my blog. Cynthia said that it is “dark” and “fibrous” and those eyes are definitely not hers (she often uses the word “fibrous” to describe a song with complex structure). As I shared with Cynthia the increasing pressure for me to write some happy songs for public consumption, she questioned the need as she does enjoy my dark songs immensely. Fans like Cynthia are hard to come by so I have tried something new. I gave “Your Eyes” a lyrics remake. It is not the same pair of eyes anymore as the topic has changed. I cannot write or perform any songs that I cannot relate so here is my attempt on a happier song – with a different pair of eyes.

Tell me, which one do you prefer?

Your Eyes (Alternative Lyrics)

If looks can cure, I want to know
There is something, I need you to know
You came to my life like a thunderbolt
You’ve shaken my life like no one before

You are a pill and I need more
You make me smile in this ordinary world
Now I can believe what I feel inside
I have changed and I need you more

There is something about the look in your eyes
They shine right through my helpless soul
There is something about the look in your eyes
They are making me to yearn for more
Every time you smile I can see

The joy in your eyes
Makes me feel alive
I love to see you lying by my side
To have that glimpse of your eyes<

The joy in your eyes
Makes me feel alive
I love to feel you lying by my side
To have that glimpse of your eyes

You make my life worth living for
I can see what my future holds
I am someone when you are by my side
I feel free when I see your eyes

Your eyes, they heal my soul
Your eyes, I am longing for
Your eyes, all that I dream of
Your eyes, I cannot live without

 Your Eyes (Original Lyrics)

If looks can kill, I want to know
If there is something, I need to know
Since you’ve been gone, this darkness falls
Since there is nothing that I can hold

You are a drug, I can’t rid of
I am a thug looming in your lawn
No I can’t trust how I feel no more
I can’t adjust and I need more

There is something about the look in your eyes
They pierce right through my helpless soul
There is something about the look in your eyes
They are making me to yearn for more
I cannot rest till I can feel

The tears in your eyes
How you feel inside
If you were me crawling deep inside
To have that glimpse of your eyes

The tears in your eyes
How you feel inside
If you were me craving deep inside
To have that glimpse of your eyes

There isn’t much worth living for
I am doomed point of no return
I am nothing without you by my side
I can be someone if I can see your eyes

Your eyes, they pierce my soul
Your eyes, I am longing for
Your eyes, all that I dream of
Your eyes, I can’t see no more
Categories
Foreign Movie Reviews

Love And Honor – The 3rd Installment of Yoji Yamada’s Samurai Trilogy

I shed half a tear at the ending scene, which is rare as I have an enormous resistance to tear jerking moments in movies – and “Love And Honor” is not even a sappy love story. See for yourself if this is some sort of coincidence. Cynthia is not in town so what should my good friend Tong Kiat and I do? Eat durian and watch a Japanese movie! Without even planning for this (I had no idea that the only Japanese movie showing in Singapore at the moment is this one) or even before, every time a Yoji Yamada’s samurai movie is released, I have always ended up watching it with Tong Kiat while Cynthia has an overseas business trip in all three counts. Tsk, tsk, tsk … little things in life that tickles.

When I first told Tong Kiat that Cynthia would be out-of-town, both of us arrived at the same single word … Durian! And when thinking of durians, the word “Geylang” suddenly lights up in my head. Now, seasoned readers of this site certainly remember the last trip to Geylang (erm … the red light district of Singapore) with my friend Tong Kiat (see previous blog and you’ve been warned!). This time, Tong Kiat suggested taking me to another place for durians … one of the last few Opposition Strongholds in Singapore. Over dinner, it was hard for me not to crack some silly jokes on Singapore politics that I am used to. What is a joke to me may not be that funny as we were surrounded by majorities (and minorities in a national scale of course) who do not vote for the government. Overall, the food was good, parking was horrible (and I nearly joked that had the people in this region love the ruling party more, a multi-storey car park should be on its way), durian was so-so. Hey Tong Kiat, let’s go back to Geylang next time for durians!

Since “Love And Honor” is showing exclusively at Golden Village, we have no choice but to watch it at VivoCity. I personally enjoy watching movies at Cathay cinemas. Who in the right mind would want to pay more for a movie and to be forced to watch 15 minutes of advertisements before the show? Movies at Cathay cinemas always start on time with no or very little advertisements. The booking fee at Cathay is half of GV some more.

Parking at VivoCity was horrible. To avoid jamming up the entire street outside VivoCity – the biggest mall in Singapore – that certainly inconveniences the traffic going into Sentosa, the island resort, the car park attendants kept letting cars in even though the car park was full. Nearly all the slots that can be illegally parked were taken out. Being the law abiding citizen, I spent 45 mins inside the car park looking for a space. My friend Tong Kiat has decided to go the illegal way. In this case, being law abiding did not pay off.

Now, why am I talking so much on food and shopping mall without going directly into business – a movie review? I hesitated in revealing the plot of “Love And Honor”. When Tong Kiat asked me over dinner on what the plot was about, I simply said: bring some tissue papers. Simply put, it is a movie about samurai and it is a movie about love and honor. The duel scene got me intensely excited (I was more like … oh no, oh no, don’t let that happen!), the honor scenes made my blood boiling, and the love scenes made me shed half a tear. I am not sure if you have heard of the other two installments: Twilight Samurai (2002) and The Hidden Blade (2004). “Twilight Samurai” is a classic. Both Tong Kiat and I had no difficulties in remembering what it was about. We did have difficulties in remembering what the 2nd installment was about. Tong Kiat remember the title while I remember the fighting of the clans. I have to say, “Love And Honor” is my personal favorite amongst the trilogy. It is movies like these that let us the foreigners to have a quick look at what the culture and tradition was like during the old days of Japan. These little details can be fascinating to the curious minds.

Categories
Diary

I Do Realize How Much I Love Singapore, My Home

My life history as such, I left Hong Kong at the age of 17 and have studied in UK for a good 6 years. Fell in love with a Singaporean girl and I have decided to settle down in Singapore. Truth been told, in my days in UK, I fell in love with the various cultures of the Southeast Asians – the Malaysians, the Indonesians, the Thais, and the Singaporeans. To me, Singapore is the logical place to be. Within 3 months, I have become a permanent resident (PR) of Singapore. My then girlfriend and I did not work out (which by the way, I am truly happy that she has established a family with her and her husband and her kid) but I persisted on my own and have become a Singapore citizen 3 years after becoming a PR of Singapore. Sang the national anthem without the presence of any of my friends. If not for my overseas assignments, I would have been a Singapore citizen much earlier.

Since then, I have met my Indonesian wife Cynthia during my overseas trips in Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur and have happily settled in Singapore. Recently I have come across a job opportunity in Hong Kong that has everything I dreamed for, except that I have to relocate to Hong Kong. It is very enticing indeed. I have had an interview with the regional CEO and had an phone interview with the managing director of China. I am pretty sure if I give it all that I have, I may have a chance to land my dream job.

But then again, what would happen to my life in Singapore? Cynthia is now having her overseas trip in Jakarta and she called me just to tell me that she can’t live without me. And my frequent lunch with Mark? Movie trips with Tong Kiat? Drinks with my Singaporean friends? And how about my band and my legendary guitarist Jason? All of sudden, I realized how much I am rooted in Singapore.

Singapore is not perfect. There are policies that I may not agree with. But having said that, Singapore is my home and I am blessed with all my friends here who accept this “foreigner” as one of them.

Love y’all (and I do love Singapore too)!

Categories
For the Geeks Game Reviews

Sam & Max Episode 5 – Reality 2.0

Okay, let’s recall what we have so far. We have Sam and Max solved the case of hypnosis in episode 1. We have Sam and Max on reality TV (episode 2) and then acted as undercover mobs in episode 3. We have Max running as the president of the United State of America in episode 4 and in the fifth installment of season 1, Sam and Max have to battle the Internet.

This episode, I have to admit, is pretty hard. At times I really wanted to give up and search the Internet for clues to proceed. Proud to say, I have survived the 1st season so far without relying on the Internet and have solved all the puzzles on my own. This episode resembled so much like some of the massively multiplayer online role playing games that it put a smile on my face. A +2 sword? Potions for +1 meat tastiness? Loots? Lightning bolts? What has the world of Sam and Max become?

I certainly find Reality 2.0 entertaining. The entire familiar street that Sam and Max have walked for the previous four episode has given a totally new face lift with a click of a button. Wear that virtual reality goggles and you suddenly find Sam and Max in a totally new dimension. To solve the puzzles you will need to traverse across the different realities. There is a big surprise when Reality 1.5 booted up and I am not going to spoil your fun. In Reality 2.0, they have advertisements for two websites – Nauseatinglycute.com and bancolavadero.com. Go click on the links and I bet you would love that nauseatingly cute little creature.

I can’t wait for the last episode – The Bright Side of the Moon – to arrive.

Related Links and Blogs: Official Site of Telltale Games, Sam & Max Episode 6 – Bright Side Of The Moon (End Of Season 1), Sam & Max Episode 5 – Reality 2.0, Sam & Max Episode 4 – Abe Lincoln Must Die!, My 3rd Contribution to YouTube for Sam & Max Episode 3 – The Mole, The Mob, And The Meatball, Sam & Max: Episode 2 – Situation Comedy, Sam & Max: Episode 1 – Culture Shock, Sam & Max at Wikipedia

Categories
Book Reviews Non-Fiction

Brand Leadership – Solid Theories And Approach, But Not An Easy Read

My friend KF the Branding Consultant (not KF the Muscleman) passed me a book titled “Brand Leadership” to read. I have always enjoyed expanding my horizon whenever I can. Two reasons for that: (1) I’ll never know what I read or do may come in handy in my future (in another word, get prepared for the unknown unknown) and (2) I strongly believe in the “innovation intersection” where the best place to innovate is to put various different types of disciplines together (it helps me to get out the box).

Books on consulting ideas, theories, approach, and frameworks are not known as easy reads. I have yet to read a consulting book that is engaging. As a confession, I have not survived reading many of the consulting books that I have bought over the years. If not for this blog, I probably would not be finish “Brand Leadership” either. The previous non-fiction book I read was “Medici Effect: What Elephants and Epidemics Can Teach Us About Innovation“. It is a total page turner full of exciting case studies, a great material for trainers and motivational speakers but not necessarily for the consultants. “Brand Leadership” has some great frameworks and I can imagine how a branding consultant is able to readily take them into the battlefield. I enjoyed reading the first 5 chapters, which is consistent with some of the other readers’ reviews I have seen. The author tends to get a bit long winded and the case studies become stale after numerous repetitions. And I love the leading questions that are listed in the last chapter as well when it comes to global brand planning (in the areas of brand strategy, brand-building programs, strategic analysis, and goals and measurement). Those are valuable to the branding consultants who may be new to this aspect of the business.

Essentially, the authors try to advocate the idea that branding strategy is not a one-off project. The organisation (i.e. leadership) has to embrace this constant change and be able to champion this brand planning effort. To constantly evaluate the customers, competitors, and own brand image, to constantly look into the brand strategy versus the brand portfolio, to constantly employ effective action plans to carry out the strategy, and to constantly evaluate the branding effectiveness. This requires a change in mindset especially when the brand has a global presence.

I can draw similarity between branding and the last piece of work I have done – balanced scorecard. The end result of balanced scorecard is a strategy map, a set of indicators, and the processes to sustain this system. Creating a balanced scorecard requires ground level contribution as well as ground level buy-in. Ultimately, it is a set of vision and mission and strategy that an organization can identify with. And if an organisation has a hierarchy of units, each unit may have its own scorecard that has to be harmonized and aligned to the parent unit. To me, it is like internal branding. Branding requires a good look at identity in the areas of brand as product, as organization, as person, and as symbol. There should be a value proposition (very much like vision and mission) and if there is a portfolio of brands (like the units within the organization), we need to look into the relationship and to create synergy. What follows would be action plans to realize the brand strategy, measurements, as well as a system in place to sustain. In fact, pretty much like many of the other management consulting tools out there.

If you want to learn more about branding, the first few chapters should get you started. If you are a branding consultant, there are couple of pages you will need to photocopy and have them pinned to the wall. One of the authors, David Aaker, is highly regarded in the domain of branding. I can certainly see why judging from some of the frameworks he proposed.

Branding is powerful. Large organizations are willing to pay big money to branding because it has a direct effect on the top line. Look around you, branding is everywhere.

Categories
Drama Movie Reviews

Conversations With Other Women – Original in Cinematography, Not Original in Storyline

There are two sides to every love story ...

It is my first time watching a movie in split screen from beginning to the end. In fact, split screen filming is not common. I can think of the TV series “24” that has employed this technique and probably there are some other productions out there but that is it. The idea is that instead of the traditional cut scenes, you get to watch the actor and actress’ immediate facial and body response while reacting to the lines of his or hers counterpart. This can be powerful. As an added feature, the film maker allows the audience to do their own editing, to focus on whichever part that interests them most. “Conversations With Other Women” managed to pull off because Aaron Eckhart and Helena Bonham Carter do have great chemistry in the movie. The sacrifice though is the lacking in tastefulness of the backdrop. I compare this movie with “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset” that are similar in nature with “Conversations With Other Women” but with much better scenery and backdrop. “Before Sunrise/Sunset” is an art. “Conversations With Other Women” seems like an experiment.

When watching “Conversations With Other Women”, I could not help but reminiscing my favorite movies “Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset”. The story of “Conversations With Other Women” started with a man flirting with a woman in a wedding reception and guess what? They have a past history of passion decades ago and the woman has a flight to catch in a couple of hours’ time and to return to her own family. Sounds like the storyline of “Before Sunset”? I screamed rip off in my head while watching the movie.

From the scripting perspective, “Conversations With Other Women” does have its clever moments. It directs the audience to pay attention to the details in both screens and more clues are dropped as the story unfold. I have got to say, there are some romantic moments that though I wish it was Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy who acted out the parts instead, I think these moments are brilliant.

It is certainly a novelty in watching a split screen movie. Most of the time both screens are synchronized in terms of timing. Other times especially when the couple is recalling the past, one screen shows the present while another screen shows the past. It is interesting to note that the split screen effect also serves as a visual metaphor of two people who are apart trying to get together.

On a side note, Helena Bonham Carter looks familiar but I could not pinpoint which are the movies she has acted in. In fact, she has a long list of movies and TV series under her belt including some of those that I know such as Hamlet, Frankenstein, Fight Club, Planet of the Apes, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the voice behind Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and my favourite Corpse Bride! She was gorgeous when she played Ophelia in the movie “Hamlet”. That was back in 1990 when she was 24! How time flies.