Hungry Games

Oooh my beloved hawt Katniss

Hola~ It has been a while since I last posted a movie review and here I am first time ever blogging from a cyber cafe. The Hunger Games is one of the most awaited movies for me in 2012. I never read the book franchise neither do I know the franchise even existed before I watched the trailer. The trailer looked very promising and it has a very interesting concept so I went to watch the movie the first week it premiered. What was my verdict on this movie? It was GREAT!!! XD.

SYNOPSIS

The Hunger Games was described by IMDB as....

"In a dystopian future, the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives."

TRAILER

All Hail Hitler!!

REVIEW

Gary Ross has directed a couple of movies prior to The Hunger Games, none that I have seen before, all seemed decently rated but they all seem not as successful as the recently premiered. As mentioned earlier, this movie has a very strong fan base and a very interesting concept, none ever popularized before (at least from any American movie). I know some movie critiques will say that the movie is actually stealing the concept from Battle Royale (a Japanese movie dated back in 2000 by Kinji Fukasaku) but actually little that they know this movie was based on this popular children game. Just kidding LOL.

Only 1 hippo will survive the Hungry Hippo games, may the odds be ever in your favor. Nom! Nom! Nom!

Lets start with the story line. The overall story line was decent and sometimes a little bit too cliche it becomes... uncliche. Reverse psychology... I like it. I however saw a lot of hidden potential opportunity of this movie that was not utilized. Unlike its predecessor (Battle Royale... lol ok im cutting it out), Hunger Games lacks character developments of other districts which might be very interesting. Hunger Games also could use the opportunity to use the elements of surprise of clever scheming and betrayal. That would add more spice to those who like interesting twists... like me :) 

I also dislike the fact that all the tests/hardships were focused on the protagonist by the GM. But I will assume that they still give obstacles to those from other districts its just that they don't show it to the viewers. I am sure all the so-called flaws and misses in this movie was due to the same normal problems all movie adaptations from popular novels had; the difficulty to fit everything in a novel into a 120 minutes movie.

They said Hunger Games was better... well I guess I have to respect their last words :)

The main spotlight of this movie for me was the acting by Jennifer Lawrence. She played the role of Katniss Everdeen, a normal girl living with her mother and daughter in District 12. She led a difficult life resulting to the reason behind her awkward distant behavior. She was the first from her district who has ever... volunteered to be the tribute for the Hunger Games to replace her sister whose odds... seemed not to be in her favor. Hahaha.

Another star in this movie was Elizabeth Banks who played Effie Trinket. Her "Johnny-Depp-Acting" (yes it is a noun now) was quite remarkable. Stanly Tucci was awesome too. It takes exceptional talent to play the roles of futuristic characters who have weird culture and behaviors and both of these actors nailed them. Josh Hutcherson has improved a lot in his acting career but his acting was mediocre in this one. I am expecting more from him in Catching Fire. If it take too long to come out I might end up reading the book.

Effie Trinket and Katniss Everdeen singing the duet"The Boy Is Mine" dedicating it to me XD

Overall, the movie was a very good watch. A definite watch for fans alike and a very interesting watch for normal people who looks for something to do during your free time. A very strong recommendation from me. The box office collection of 33.1M USD exceeded the 3D remake of James Cameron's, Titanic by double. That's a good sign no?

TRIVIA

Facts

On February 22nd, four weeks before The Hunger Games' release, Lionsgate began selling advance tickets. Not only did the ticket sales break the one-day record originally held by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, but also accounted for 83% of the ticket sales of the day.

The name of the main character, Katniss, is derived from the name of a group of edible plant species, genus "Sagittaria", commonly known as "arrowhead". This is a reference to the character's archery skills.

MY VERDICT

Storyline - 8
Acting - 8
Cinematography - 7
Replayability - 6
Overall - 7.25


IMDB - 7.6
Rottentomatoes - 85%


I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~

An Angel's Smile

Friday prayers had just finished and the day is scorching hot. It is like these times when you wish there are some cendol stalls around to quench the parching thirst deep in your throat. Blurry mirages seem to be visible on the road due to the heat and I have to walk a great deal of distance to get to my destination. Wiping the sweat off my forehead for what seemed to me for a hundredth time, I could see far ahead along the way a café called “Ipoh Kopitiam”.

*

“Since you are not deciding let’s eat there!” she said with a hint of glee.

“Why on earth do you want to eat at Ipoh Kopitiam? I thought by now we both should be tired of Ipoh”

“I don’t know. I just feel like it. You always admit that when I follow my instinct, good things turn out”

“But I hate kopitiams! They serve awful food and I don’t drink coffee!”

She pouted and I conceded, as usual.

We both studied in a local university in Perak back around 2004-2008 and Ipoh seemed to be the nearest city. Of course, we did not know each other back then. I was pretty much a recluse rotting in my own dormitory playing computer games only occasionally going out because of two things; classes and food (most of the time because of the latter). Besides, she was my junior and our activities and interests seemed to be totally opposite we never crossed path.

She joined the same accounting firm as mine after graduating. We worked together reporting to the same superior for a couple of months before we had our first conversations. I was never good with strangers so it is obvious that she made the first move to talk and introduced herself.

“Hey, are you always like this?” she asked, casually, like it is the most natural thing to do.

“Like what?”

“Like that! You are always so quiet and not sociable. No one will approach you if you stay on like that.”

“I don’t really care. I am fine with how I am right now.”

“Well it’s a shame.” and then she walked away. “It’s Hana by the way.” glancing back for a short moment and then continue walking towards her cubicle.

Those were the first few words that we exchanged. We started dating a few months after. I couldn’t exactly recall when was it the first time we started the dating spree and for what reason. We went out for dinners and movies several times. Unlike other normal couples, we do not have any labels for our relationship. I was technically not her boyfriend and she wasn’t my girlfriend either, and we both were comfortable that way.

“Hey are you going to order something?” she asked, breaking my train of thoughts.

“Ah yes I’m having whatever she’s having” I responded subconsciously to the waiter.

The waiter scowled as he walked away for I had wasted his time. It is not that it is my intention to do that. It is just my thoughts easily derail and before I knew it, people get angry because I was staring into nothingness or being unresponsive.

“You are boring.” she said without feeling at least bit guilt.

I raised my face, confused.

“You always played safe and you are not adventurous at all. For instance, you ordered the same dish as I did. Don’t you ever want to try something else or at least have your own choice?”

“I treat any food as sources of energy to the body. I barely care about the taste of food, as long as it is edible and all the nutrients are sufficient.”

She seemed to be not satisfied with my explanation but conceded the argument almost immediately. She took out a magazine which she just bought just now from a plastic bag and started unwrapping it. It is still an exciting mystery to me how women likes to read those crappy magazines filled with celebrity news and updates. I think it is the exact same perception from women towards men’s hobbies and interests. I guess we do come from two different planets.

The food arrived and we had our peaceful meal together. The humidity of the air and the swirling waves of wind coming from the ceiling fan were pleasant. The radio was playing a very familiar tune I could barely recognize. The room was cozy and I did feel at home; and she was in place; she feels like home.

She raised her head and my heart skipped a beat. Only seconds later I realized that she was staring right through me. She wore this heartbreaking facial expression I’ve never seen before my whole life. I turned and try to catch what she was looking at but I saw nothing.

I turned back facing her as she continue her read. I need to ask her what she saw that changed her disposition so suddenly. The sadness in her eyes made my heart break. I need to ask her the reason so badly but I am afraid that it’ll worsen the situation. I carefully arrange the words in my head, opened my mouth but nothing came out but a short sigh. It continued to be what seemed to me the longest silent meal I have ever been to.

*

“Hey dood are you ok?” Asyraf asked.

I blinked a few times, just like those who react after being under a strong hypnosis. As a matter of fact, I do feel like I just woke up from a very long dream. I did not realize how long have I been staring into nothingness up until Asyraf noticed that something is wrong with me. I looked around and realized that I have walked a fair amount of distance from the last place that I was conscious of my whereabouts.

I frantically look around for the Ipoh Kopitiam and when I found it, I saw Farhana sitting across someone who appears to be…me. She was there looking straight at me with that exact same sadness on her white porcelain face. As I was trying to change my direction towards her and was about to start running, she smiled. It was the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, those of one might mistaken would come from an angel.

Seeing her smile halted my movements. I stayed still where I was standing for a few seconds and turned back to the original direction I was facing. I knew I had to move on. I tried to take a step forward but my right foot seemed so heavy. I tried to move my foot but it doesn’t seem to budge an inch.

It took every ounce of effort I had when I finally managed to move my foot. The second my right foot sets back on the hot steamy road is when I realized that I return to hearing moving cars and pedestrians chatting, those you normally could hear on a busy Friday. I felt that the world came back to its original course after a long halt.

The few steps onwards seemed easier to take and I felt like a huge conscious burden had been lifted off my back.

“Yeah… I’m fine”

“………………… Weirdo”

Turning 27; Resolutions!!

Good evening homosapiens... Yes it has been a while since I last posted anything on this blog... More than a month to be exact... I have been preoccupied with alot of things lately and it has not been quite very pleasant if you ask me... It has been quite a painful and disheartening journey the past month :( ... but I guess its ovaries~~ (pardon me but thats the "improvised term" from "its over" used amongst us magic players... its kinda funny if u ask me)

Turned 27 this year *sigh*

Back to the main agenda!! I turned 27 recently and unlike most people out there... Im embracing my age with a warm heart... hurrah hurrah!! Lets start with things I knew about on my birthdate before we start searching the net on other interesting facts related to 28th February...

DRAGONBALL!!

Dragonball started to air on 28th February 1986. This anime/manga franchise has been one of the earliest manga I read (of course it was in Malay) and it has brought a big impact to not only me, but the whole anime industry... Of course it was a bit mainstream and cliché but back then, but this was the awesomest of all awesome!! All I have to say is... Thank You Akira Toriyama :)

Epic Son-Goku is EPIC!!!

RALPH!!

Another interesting fact is I share the same birthdate as... Raphael... one of the members of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... Out of the four he is the most badass turtle... Unfortunately Im nowhere as cool as him tho hahaha >.< Come to think of it, how on earth does he know what date he was born... he was just a mere turtle before the mutation process... oh what the heck :p

Bring me those turtle food pallets!!

OTHERS

Other intersting stuff that I just looked up from the internet was...

1940 – Basketball is televised for the first time. (I bet it was in black and white... racism tsk tsk)

1959 – Discoverer 1, an American spy satellite that is the first object intended to achieve a polar orbit, is launched. It failed to achieve orbit. (It got touched by energon and pledge allegiance to Decepticons)

1991 – The first Gulf War ends (Wohoooo... World Peace dood~)

1997 – GRB 970228, a highly luminous flash of gamma rays, strikes the Earth for 80 seconds, providing early evidence that gamma-ray bursts occur well beyond the Milky Way. (I wonder what'll happen if we got showered by alpha rays instead... scary radioactive shit yall)

Lotsa meh stuffs aye?

RESOLUTIONS

I will most likely be carrying on with my previous resolutions back in 2011... I will strive for those resolutions that... I could not manage to achieve and at least make progress towards the long term resolutions... Yoshhaaa~~!!! For those who did not manage to follow my previous post about my 2011 resolutions, link is here. 

However, I do have an extra resolution this year... I wanted to lose weight to at least before Im transferred to this forsaken land Kerteh. I have been gaining alot of weight ever since and it has been very worrying hahaha... darn it... before long I would be able to practise Baika no Jutsu!! Hahaha touch wood touch wood... *knock*

Im close to becoming Chouji... maybe I should cosplay as him?

OUTRO

Well all in all... I would like to thank all my friends who joined the big dinner (even tho it was a disaster...). Those who wished me even tho I treated birthdays as just another ordinary day haha. Seriously, birthdays are overrated. 

It has been a very exciting age, 26. Made new valuable friends after the transfer and discovered alot of things in life Ive never thought I would experience. Faced some heartbreaks along the timeline. Life is short (I might be reaching 1/3 of my life already) hence why not live it to the max.

I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~

The Dullest Hour

Yes, I watched it in 3D coz there aint normal once here in Kerteh

Hello peeps! During my solitary days alone in Kerteh, I decided to catch a movie in Mesra Mall. After scrolling through the internet for the latest movie, I hav decided to watch The Darkest Hour. I never wanted to watch this movie coz I thought it was some creepy ghost movie, but I figured out it was a sci-fi survival movie!! One of the genre that I like hence my expectation skyrocketed but later shot down like a dead pigeon.

SYNOPSIS

The Darkest Hour is described by IMDB as....

"In Moscow, five young people lead the charge against an alien race who have attacked Earth via our power supply."

Yes thats all that is for the synopsis at the point of time I wrote this post. I'll reedit this post once there is a more detail synopsis on this movie.

TRAILER

Mommyyyyy, keep them away from me!!! T^T

REVIEW

This movie by Regency Enterprise and Summit Entertainment have given me high hopes through their somewhat promising trailer. Any sci-fi freak would fall for this since the idea is similar to a zombie outbreak survival. However, unfortunately I found myself yawning throughout the movie constantly glancing at my phone looking for the time for the movie to end.

I have to admit that the concept of the invasion is quite interesting and I did enjoy probably the first 20 minutes of the movie where they stayed in the room for days and surviving (with a dead body!!!!). But as the movie move on and touched on the technicality part, it becomes questionable to curious minds... not in a good way. Fighting against something you cant see was not as hard as it seems like in Stephen King's The Mists for this movie. And to top that, the CGI for when the ET is visible is so bad it looks abit... cartoonish. x_x

I wish the ET stays invisible and as cool as that forever but nooooo... you hav to spoil it

The acting too was quite normal and nothing interesting really. Having casts like Emile Hersch and Olivia Thrilby as main characters to this movie does not help. Im not really blaming the actors. Sci-fi thriller movies focuses on the storyline and build-up thrilling components that makes viewers restless. But these ETs are not that scary at all when U hav heads on where and when they are coming.

"Psst Ben, how come U get the blonde"

"What... lemme hav some fun Im gonna die later on in this movie"

"... Spolier fag!"

The only thing I liked about this movie is the refreshing skies (or destruction) of Moscow instead of your normal typical LA or NYC invasion. They called McDonalds, Макдоналд in Moscow. How could they Russianize (I just made this word up just now) an American name. Maybe we should call it McDollah here instead *cough2* back to the review.

All in all, I rarely say this but yes its coming... DONT watch this movie unless you hav nothing better to do.  This movie sucks big time I think Ud enjoy watching the trailer more. Seriously... =_=

TRIVIA

Facts

This movie was not screened in advance for North America's critics. Maybe they are afraid of what views they might get from this crappy movie that could ruin their earnings.

MY VERDICT

Storyline - 4

Acting - 4

Cinematography - 3

Replayability - 2

Overall - 3.25

IMDB - 5.2

Rottentomatoes - 10%

I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~

Sideboarding

Good morning peeps >w< This post is about Magic so it might be abit long but bear with me

I told ya in the intro that I will touch a little bit on Magic: The Gathering. I know I should make and intro to the trading card game itself but since I had a good question from one of my friends recently. I am going straight to.... Sideboarding (hang in there for a while noobs :p).

Be reminded that this is my views entirely, Im no pro especially when it comes to Constructed format. 

Intro to Sideboarding

As most of us are well aware of, every T1 and T2 decks allows us to have 15 cards as sideboards for players to change between the original cards in the deck. In competitive tournaments, the 15 sideboard cards should be registered together with the maindeck cards. Sideboard is very important as some might say, the 15 sideboard cards are the performance determinant factor of a particular deck. What cards should I put in the sideboard list U ask? Im just about to go there... be patient young padawan.

Types of Sideboards

There are two types of sideboarding (or three if you take into consideration the combination of both)

• Reactive Sideboards

Reactive Sideboards requires a lot of attention and knowledge about the meta game (the current deck trend in the community or tournament). Reactive Sideboarding refers to siding in cards that is super effective against the deck that U are up against at the point of time. Since the sideboard size is only 15, one should maximize the usage of that 15 slots for cards taking into consideration the probability of match-ups against the deck. 

In other easier terms, you dont want to waste having 4 slots in your sideboard for some cards to go against decks that people are not playing. U might end up not using that card at all.

Since alot of people is playing wolf run with Inkmoth Nexus, running Wring Flesh in my sideboard is a good idea 

• Proactive Sideboards

Proactive Sideboards is a basically a second gameplan for your deck. Bear in mind that not all decks out there are suitable for proactive sideboarding. 

An easy example for those regular players out there is, a swap from Pyromancer's Ascension to Kiln Fiend is one example of a very good proactive sideboarding (some might also call this transformational sideboarding). Noticing that the opposing player is playing green and thinking ahead that he might side in naturalize for the enchantment, why not make those Naturalize a dead card in his/her hand by siding out the enchantment and gearing into beatdown burn with kiln fiend instead.

 

Pyromancer Ascension to Kiln Fiend, always a good surprise x_x

Once this transformational sideboards is widespread, it allows U to make opponents think into U making transformational sideboard even though ur not. Its like playing poker!! How many cards should reserve for sideboards U ask? What? You didnt ask?.... Im gonna tell you anyways so shut the fug up.

# of Sideboard Card Copies

This was actually the question asked to me by one of my friends. To my opinion sideboard card copies depend on what role does it represent as a sideboard card and against how many decks does this card is effective with. Do take into consideration the number of sideboard cards which is also already in the maindeck. Lets do a little breakdown for those types:

• Tranformational Cards (3-4)

Usually deck build around these are combo cards. Lets look back at the Ascension deck. This deck mainboard 4 Pyromancer Ascension and transform to beatdown + burn mode. In order to win the game, these newly born Kiln Fiend is the win con hence having 4 pieces is necessary.

•  Super Effective Cards (2-4)

Cards like these may vary in numbers as it depends on the effectiveness of the card and ability to be at least decent against a number of other decks in the meta. These cards are usually suitable for proactive sideboarding. If its good against other deck as well, increase the numbers to optimize your sideboard limited size.

• "Tutorable" Cards (1)

Cards like these might be essential in having an edge against your opponent but as the term implies, it is tutorable. For those new to magic, tutor is a widely known term defined by a cycle of well-known cards back in Classic Sixth Edition (I think) as looking for a specific card in your library. A good example for this is the once off Swamp in previous Valakut decks to fuel Memoricide which is "tutorable" with Rampant effect.

• Secret Tech!! (1??)

Hahahaha, as this is where opponents go "Wha? who the hell plays this card?! Im not prepared for this $h1T!!". It is somewhat useful against some decks but not that good in your deck to have more than one copy as some of this card does not fit that well. Simple example is Elesh Norn in GW Gavony piloted by Martin Juza recently. Elesh Norn hav a very high casting cost which makes it not very suitable for a deck which runs a small number of lands but against monored or mirror, the praetor serves as a one sided wrath and overrun to your cute creatures. Apart from that, the praetor is way out of burn range.

Example :

Lets go through a simple example of my UBw control's sideboard list

1 piece

Quite a good sideboard card now where flashbacks cards and graveyard recursion is abundance. Already have 2 in mainboard so 3 copies is more than enough for a costly counterspell.

2 pieces

This card is good against other UW decks which uses Phantasmal Image + Sun Titan. Also decent against token decks but both this decks does not see play that much recently hence 2 copies are enough. Remember to target the Titan not the Image as it will fizzle due to the Image's trigger effects. T^T.

3 pieces

This card is very good against the current meta. The main reason I run this in my sideboard is to go against Inkmoth Nexus in Wolfrun decks but apart from that, this card is also very very effective against agro decks killing 1 drops such as Stormkirk Noble and Champion of the Parish not to mention those pesky illusions. Being an instant gave me an advantage for me to reuse this card with Snapcasters.

1 piece

Playing black gives me the access to the best removals of the set. Having 1 in main board and another Doom Blade makes a piece of this awesome card sufficient as sideboard.

2 pieces

Even though black has the access to the best removals, unfortunately the only board sweeper available for black is Black Sun's Zenith. It is pretty decent but quite costly. Ablility to reshuffle this after blowing up the board is quite a big plus as this deck allows frantic digging with Forbidden Alchemy.

2 pieces

This card is very good against control players which runs alot of counterspells. Against those players this card is alot better compared to mana leaks when players go on a "draw-go" mode until someone pull the trigger.

2 pieces

A hidden gem most people hav forgotten due to the banning of Stoneforge Mystics. This is exceptionally good against agro players in buying time before Wurmcoil Engine. Semi resistant against board sweepers and creature removals.

2 pieces

The meta with alot of wolf runs makes this card better than any other counterspells out there. The restriction does not allow you to play it mainboard but a hard counter for 2 mana on the sideboard is very hard to ignore. Also quite effective against agro red decks.

Wow! Thats a long one. Well that is to be expected I guess.

I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~

Pirates of the Coffee Bean: Stranger Nite

Hawt hawt hawt

Hello peeps, in the intro i told you about having movie reviews here in the blog so here it is :P. The poster are not even the main characters u say? Who cares!! Naked mermaids r hawt hawt hawt!!! (couldnt get one WITHOUT that guy so i guess this will do *sigh*)

SYNOPSIS

The Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger's Tide is described by IMDB as....

"Captain Jack Sparrow (Depp) crosses paths with a woman from his past (Cruz), and he's not sure if it's love -- or if she's a ruthless con artist who's using him to find the fabled Fountain of Youth. When she forces him aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, the ship of the formidable pirate Blackbeard (McShane), Jack finds himself on an unexpected adventure in which he doesn't know who to fear more: Blackbeard or the woman from his past."

TRAILER

OMGWTFBBQ!!!

REVIEW

I really enjoyed this movie by the collaboration of Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer ... the first time I watched it that is... maybe it is because of it is one of the long awaited movies in 2011 aaaand I really love pirates movies... after watching it the second time recently I just realized that this movie is aint that good... not as I remembered how it was back then :(

The storyline is very simple, expected of the fourth instalment of the POTC franchise. With an established fan base, all you need is a subpar storyline, a few main actors and voila!! Millions of dollars will flow non stop into your pockets. $$$$. As some of U know, im a sucker for twisted unexpected endings. This movie however, unlike its predecessors... lacks it. The ending is quite predictable and I could not really find myself enjoying the climax of the story. Heck! I couldnt even notice the climax!!.
(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

Second highest paying actor for 2011 (50 mil) and 2009 People's Magazine Sexiest Man Alive (??) 

The acting however was superb!! Lined with one of my favorite actor, Johnny Depp... the story was brought to life and given a slice of excitement and laughter. With a resume of weird acting he had done in the past, I doubt there will be no one else more suitable for his role in this movie. Honestly, I think his acting in POTC is more like a drunken-pirate-drag-queen and that what makes him interesting.

"I still cant believe ur my dad"

"What r u saying! We look sooo much alike! Now lets make out"

"....." 

Geoffrey Rush (Barbossa) did quite well too if i might say. Penélope Cruz was also good as expected but nothing more than expected. She is so hawt with those pirate clothes and boots even for her age (whats her age again?). Oh and those awful random cast love story arc is soooo bad and out of place. Yes, im talking to you naked mermaid and young preacher!! You should be ashamed of yourself. >w<

All in all, it is an enjoyable movie to watch for some laugh with friends after a long day at work. And a must watch if you are a big fan of Johnny Depp or the movie franchise.

TRIVIA

Favorite Quotes:

Angelica : How is it we can never meet without you pointing something at me?

Jack Sparrow: Captain, I wish to report a mutiny. I can name fingers and point names.  (I LOLed hard)

Hidden Credits:

Immediately after the credits, Angelica is shown sitting on the beach when the voodoo doll of Jack washes ashore. She picks it up and smiles evilly.

MY VERDICT

Storyline - 6
Acting - 8
Cinematography - 8
Replayability - 5
Overall - 6.75

IMDB - 6.6
Rottentomatoes - 33%

I guess that’s all for now. Good day freaks~