Backlog: Malaysia - Singapore Travelogue pt.1

Generally, I won't say that I'm in favor of traveling. Not enthusiast, at least. Hence, when an opportunity to travel appeared before me, I wasn't really hyped up for the task. However, time and again, I found myself actually enjoying traveling. The past week is one of an instance where I found myself enjoying traveling.

I was on an office's errand in Pekanbaru last week. A week off-work for a three days duty? Why not? So, me and a couple of friend from the office went to Pekanbaru. On an impulse, my wife bought me a ticket to Kuala Lumpur, and one of my friend, unknowingly asked me, half-joking, about going to Singapore after Pekanbaru. I told him about me and my wife's plan to go to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and shown him our respective round-trip tickets and he immediately jumped into the wagon and so, there we were, three of us, with a huge baggage, two laptops, plenty of dirty clothes, and a totally unplanned trip.

Mind you, none of us three has ever gone to an unplanned, unsponsored trip to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore before. My friend comes from a rich family (filthy rich family) that never in his life he stayed in less than a 5-star hotel whenever he went to Singapore with his family and no, I'm not kidding. My wife and I comes from a rural village where our idea of delicacy is simply plenty of rice and chillies and had planned to have this trip as cheap as possible. Go figure how we managed our differences.

Malaysia

Initial plan: 0840 hrs from Pekanbaru, 1025 hrs arrived in Kuala Lumpur, immediately bought an over-night train ticket to Singapore, spent an evening sight-seeing in Kuala Lumpur, enjoys local delicacies, etc, and finally head to Singapore with a 2230 hrs train, scheduled to arrive in Singapore around 0400 hrs. Perfect plan, if you asked me.
Miniscule details: None.
Execution: Our plane got delayed. Instead of 0840 hrs from Pekanbaru, we departed at 1015 hrs. Arrived at Kuala Lumpur at 1155 local time. My friend, whose passport due to expired in 4 months immediately put himself in trouble at the custom. Apparently, it seems that there's a new rule that your passport must had at least six months of remaining validity before entering Malaysia. We had no idea about this rule, although that the custom in Pekanbaru has warned us about it. The custom dude even said in a harsh tone that my friend shouldn't even be permitted to enter. Fortunately, my friend could produce our return ticket from Batam and wise enough to keep his mouth shut (he was Bataknese and they often stereotyped as being hot-tempered) and so, he was permitted to enter.

After having a small lunch at the airport, we decided to head to Kuala Lumpur. This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur so we spent a little bit of time fuzzing about deciding what to do next in the terminal. We decided to go to KL Sentral as its name suggest that it was located in the center of Kuala Lumpur and after asking for direction a bit, we board a bus (fare: RM 9) that heads to KL Sentral. The trip took an hour, the road was definitely better than in Jakarta, but the driver seems a little bit timid that although the road was beautiful, wide, and traveled by few, the driver put his speed at check all the time.

In KL Sentral, we're asking around a bit for means to travel to Singapore. This is where our plan deviates greatly. Only three tickets available for the night train, first class (fare: RM 125 each). But, the ticket-master refused to sell us ticket because the tickets were meant for two females and one male not one female and two males as our party currently consists of. Even a persuasion from my wife couldn't wavered the ticket-master to sell us the tickets. That leaves us with only one option even if my wife disapproved greatly, we couldn't see any other feasible way to travel to Singapore. Bus.

For a RM 7, we ride a taxi to Pudujaya bus station. I tried to converse with the taxi-driver but he doesn't flinch, either he is deaf (which is unlikely, given his profession) or he loathe us for bringing huge baggages to his taxi and for traveling a very short distance to Pudujaya (you could actually walk from KL Sentral).

Arriving at Pudujaya, we tried to keep up with the plan of bought an advance tickets to Singapore as late as possible, and spent an evening in Kuala Lumpur but of course, there's no ticket to satisfy our needs. Improvising greatly, we asked for a direction to Johor Bahru instead and bought three tickets (RM 27 each). This include us running around crossing the crowded street, bumping and probably stepping another passerbys, with our heavy luggage (my friend's total luggage was around 18 kg, mine has around 12 kg, and my wife has around 7 kg). The trip wasn't actually as bad as I would've expected. We could really get some decent sleep from KL to Johor Bahru and except for one stop where we were ushered to switch bus by the driver, there's nothing to complain about the trip especially considering that the fare was one fifth of the train's fare. Without accident, or anything worthy to report, we're arrived in Johor Bahru bus station around 2130 hrs local time (Almost 5 hrs travel).

But our problem actually had just made its official start. To be continued.. tomorrow.

In case

..you're wondering, I'm at Pekanbaru right now, writing this post from the local hotel. I'll be here for about three days, and then rendezvous with my wife in Kuala Lumpur for about a day, and in Singapore for a couple of days. Therefore, this blog might not going to see another update for a week.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008)

The X-Files - I Want to Believe. I was a pessimist when it comes to sequels. Especially if the original was out ten years ago, from a celebrated TV series that has deeply integrated into a special part of my childhood and which I've grown a fondness upon. Further, the sequel was subtitled "I Want to Believe" which more like a justification from its creators (Chris Carter and co.), an echo of hope that they themselves didn't quite confident with it and need to put an assurance to us, the target audiences, even to themselves that they wished to believe that the film would turn out okay.

Watching the original X-Files film, for me (first time almost nine years ago, second time just a couple of days ago), it's like watching three episodes of the series crammed into one two hours cinema experience. That's not saying much, I know, but here's the catch, these three episodes were actually among their best episodes. I wish i could say the same with The X-Files - I Want to Believe.

Some years had passed since the last we saw Scully and Mulder shoulder-to-shoulder against the unexplainable, logic-defying cases that is The X-Files. The X-Files has been closed, Dana Scully is pursuing her career in medical and Fox Mulder, bearded and grumpy, as ever, are living together in a secluded house. They had cut their ties to the FBI. Meanwhile, a case of missing FBI agent and subsequent tip from a 'phsycic' who claims to have a 'vision' on the agent led the FBI to open the old files and requested Mulder to be back on the investigation team. Of course, in order to have the film rolling, Mulder agreed on one condition that Scully hitch the ride as well. Now, this led me to questioned the fed's credibility. I mean, come on, a tip from a 'phsycic' who claims to have a 'vision'? Well, whatever works for you, Carter. Anyway, my level of appreciation to this film hits the extreme low when we saw a picture of George W. Bush accompanied with the familiar Mark Snow's theme. I murmured to myself, "What the fuck was that?" that apparently was too loud that made people who sit immediately to my left thrown her frown at me. It's not that I'm pro with George W. Bush and all, but really, the scene was absolutely a clear in-joke and mockery but just like every bad jokes out there, I don't get it.

For me, the appeal from X-Files series was its conspiracy theory and on-and-off chemistry between Scully, the skeptic and Mulder, the believer. Mind you, I love X-Files series, so in love that I was actually proud to share the same birth date (obviously different years) with Fox Mulder. Therefore, when the former was clearly absent, it's only logical that it left me with a whim of un-satisfaction. Even so, I totally dig the decision to this. After missing for some years, it's only appropriate that Chris Carter made the decision in order to gain new audiences who never ever heard of the X-Files before (I believe, that these new audiences are actually those that can't get the ticket for The Dark Knight and decided to bought ticket for another film that they haven't seen. Thus, The X-Files). Thus, even if I sorely missed CSM and the Lone Gunmen, I could understand. But, what infuriates me more is the apparent lack of commitment from David Duchovny and especially, Gillian Anderson to reprise their role. Maybe it's just me, but I cannot see their mutual respect to each other's view, their genuine concern of each other that so apparent in the series and in the first film, and, this is the worst, although they have been living together, I see no affection, let alone love between these two.

The film's "mystery" was also largely disappointing. The execution was dull and tedious, the revelation was a "meh", and even if at one point, Mulder was put into a peril, we (well, I) don't see any immediate believable danger that threatened him and considering that this happens at the near climax of the film, it shows that how much detached the characters of this film to yours truly here.

My rating: *1/2 / **** - A largely lame excuse for a "reunion", let's hope that Chris Carter (who was excited about a "sequel") could put his feet on the ground again, and let this film gone into a forgotten history.

Red Cliff (2008)

Red Cliff. My knowledge on the history of China, particularly on the epic - yet often highly exaggerated - legend of the Three Kingdom is quite small. Of this miniscule knowledge I've got from comics (no, not the popular "Legenda Naga" comic which I loathe) and especially, games, I took a personal liking to Cao Cao for I think he is one with a noble reason to unite all of China despite his questionable methods, and Guan Yu for his understandably fictionalized and much exaggerated deeds and moral values. Therefore, when John Woo said that his two episode films about the Battle of Red Cliff will be based on historical fact, I was clearly flourish with anticipation. Of course, I don't have any idea about the differences between the historical facts and its romanticised counterpart and therefore could take any depiction of it with a grain of salt.

Red Cliff, episode one runs too long to my liking and it certainly won't appeal to casual viewers who had no idea nor care about the Romance of the Three Kingdom. Therefore i think that it's a wise decision to release this film into one single episode in the North America rather than two episodes just like what we saw here in Asia. Me and my wife agreed that there are many points in the film where the tone shifted uneasily, slowed down to a bore, and threatened my wife (who has a relatively short attention span) into a slumber. Further, we're agreed, not because we're sexist and all, that the role of women characters in this film are ones that put a huge question mark in our head and put a serious dent in the overall. For example, the birth scene. I really don't think that it would hurt anyone had the scene was eliminated entirely.

This film depicted the battle of Red Cliff or as this episode concerned, the first part of the battle of Red Cliff which happened right at the end of Han dynasty and arguably, trigger the event that led into a much known tale of Three Kingdom. The battle pitched a Northern army led by Cao Cao against the southern coalition of Liu Bei and Zhou Yu at the place called Red Cliff which even if the actual place was still a speculation, it was believed to be located somewhere along the Yangtze river bank.

For a viewer who had a prior engagement to the history (or fiction) of Three Kingdom this film could actually become a pleasant experience, my wife and I had a brief discussion on Who's Who during the film and we're actually pretty good in guessing each and every prominent characters that appear in this film. It's no brainer really, Guan Yu, Zhuge Liang, and Zhang Fei were quickly identifiable as they were given attributes that doesn't far off from their physical description in books and once their roles were established, the rest easily follows.

As I've said earlier, the film runs too long and a quick glance to the poster, it's obvious that this episode is mainly concerned with Zhuge Liang (Takeshi Kaneshiro) and his blossoming rivalry with Zhou Yu (Tony Leung) and if I could say it so myself, their chemistry was an okay one, not that "wow" but quite not that "meh" as well. Cao Cao had pretty much the same treatment with most of books and games about Three Kingdom out there, a cocky and arrogant antagonist albeit an excellent strategist almost at par with Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu. My problem lies with Liu Bei. Although I'm really not into his character, I had wished to see a powerful and charismatic character. He is after all, a man that could made powerful men such as Zhuge Liang and Guan Yu and Zhang Fei pledge their loyalty to his cause. Sadly, I found none of the said qualities in this film. Worse, on one scene, he is treated as no better than a comedy film's clown. That, and those white doves.

My rating: **1/2 / **** - A film that appeals more to the History of Three Kingdom savvy. Fight scenes were few and far between given the long running time. If I could make a comparison, "Warlords" (also with Takeshi Kaneshiro) proves a better fare for a film.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Disclaimer: This review is undoubtedly, understandably biased. Those who look for a fair-and-square review might want to head elsewhere instead. That being said, The Dark Knight is definitely on top of my list of 2008, heck, it's the Best film of all time if you asked me, Heath Ledger deserves an Oscar or I'm going to steal it for him, and.. oh yeah, Christopher Nolan is God!

Years ago, as I returned from the theater after the premiere of Batman Begins, I told my room-mate that its sequel is going to be a blast for we see Batman flips a Joker card hinting his next opponent in the sequel. I said to him excitedly, "Dude, we've never seen a Joker in any Batman films before!" Puzzled, he said, "Really?! I thought we've seen him already" Confident and cocky, I assured him that no, we've never seen a Joker before and of course, being a proud and a self-proclaimed Batman's no.1 fan I had refused to admit that I was wrong but the truth is loud and clear and there's no escaping it. We did saw a Joker back then in the 80's when Michael Keaton donned the masked vigilante for the first time.

I've seen the film of course, but somehow the Joker's presence in that film really slips from my mind. I totally forgot about him. In fact, the only other thing than Batman himself, I only remembered Vicky Vale from that particular film. Now, after I've seen The Dark Knight, I think I know why Jack Nicholson's portrayal of Joker slips from my mind.

Jack Nicholson is a great actor, no doubt about it but there's always a certain line that shouldn't be crossed even if you're a great actor. Ripping Joker, one of the most distinguishable villain in the comic history, out of his root is one such line and really, had you asked me, what Jack did to Joker is what i'd like to call a murder of a character. His portrayal of Joker is literally begged and screamed to be forgotten. Heath Ledger (and Nolan) despite the fan's initial reluctance to accept him as the Joker (a reluctance that slowly turns into an eager anticipation, if i may add) has more than manages to brought Joker back to its root, a sickening super smart villain with a cold ice running in his veins. This is, after all, the Batman's ultimate, numero uno, nemesis we're talking about here.

In a sense, the Dark Knight is actually more about Joker and Harvey Dent than it is about Batman. Nolan introduces us to two of the most important character in Batman. Harvey Dent, superbly played by Aaron Eckhard whom also deserves some award - aw, who am I kidding? Give every single person in this film an award and I won't even uttered a single breadth of complaint - is, was Batman's closest ally next to Jim Gordon (the venerable Gary Oldman) in the effort of cleaning the street of Gotham from injustice and crime. Enter Joker whose needs of crime and terror leverages into more of a passion than a mere money or fame. It takes little from him to prove that he is indeed the only villain of Gotham that could stand up against Batman. Arguably, he even stands taller as in the end, in my opinion, he had won the fight against Batman and that's why the Joker is Batman's nemesis. Jerry Robinson would be proud of his creation.

Arguably the most sophisticated and adult superhero film ever to come out of the pages of a comic book, The Dark Knight won't appeal to children. Parents who thought that Batman is the same Batman as they used to know, expecting their children to had a good time would in for a surprise. I could almost put the almost three-hours of The Dark Knight into a drama and in my opinion, you had to love drama before you could appreciate what The Dark Knight has to offer.

Acting wise, surprisingly, Christian Bale was outshone by almost everybody (except Maggie Gyllenhaal perhaps). His persona as Bruce Wayne, the millionaire, still the best that this franchise had to offer and I think, he is better as Bruce than he is as Batman. Gary Oldman is as good as ever. He is a spitting image of Jim Gordon from the comic anyway. Hence, no complaint from the comic fan, no complaint from general viewer, everybody wins. Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine had their share of shining moment. But really, the star of this film is of course, Heath Ledger who hardly recognizable under that Joker make-up. He was lingering like a memorable dream (pleasant or un-pleasant, your call) during the first half and when he was more palpable during the second half, it's like to see that dream had come to life and more than ready to bite you or embrace you, your call. He steals every single scene he's in right after his first banter with Batman. My favorite Joker moment: (Mouthed the word) "Six" Everyone who has doubtful that Heath would pull the ultimate Joker should dig themselves a hole and buried themselves in shame. Unfortunately, we won't ever going to see Heath returns as Joker anymore and whoever succeeded him had a gargantuan mountain to climb.

With The Dark Knight undeniable success (already taking the spot of biggest box-office opening of all time from Spider-Man 3), it is easy to see that a comic book adaptation film is not how it's used to be decades ago. Just like its paper and inks counterpart, the comic book adaptation is laden with deep and complex characters. No more silly and five-year-old comic-stuffs galore (point finger to Joel Schumacher who painted the supposedly dark and gloomy Gotham City with bright purplish colors). The comic books nowadays are filled with philosophical thoughts and subtle messages. No doubt this trend has been transferred to the silver screen as well. Plus, more and more world-class actors and actresses willing to play superheroes only after their unending passion and deep research on the hero themselves. I think it is safe to say that after Robert Downey Jr. and Christian Bale, the power-that-be, the men and women behind the decision to green light another hundreds-of-million dollars budget of a superhero film would think twice and maybe more when they put a name to shoulder the leading role and this at least half-way guaranteed that another superhero film, be it from Marvel or DC line of superheroes, would worth the wait. Oh, how I love comic.

My rating: ***** / **** - Don't expect me to give a fair judgement, if fairness was accounted for, I would give it a four star rating, anyway.

Choice

Well, we, humans had plans, but God may have other plans written for us. The child in me had to sit one out on this occasion as though I had planned by any means to go and see The Dark Knight tonight, my wife had to be hospitalized for a fear of fever (Demam Berdarah) and the husband (me) by all means should go out of town to take care of her, am I right? Of course, I am.

"Dark Side of the Rainbow"

This is a well-known trivia related to The Wizard of Oz (1939) but I bet there's still a score of many out there who has never heard of it. Let alone tried it for themselves. Dark Side of the Rainbow is the name used to refer to the act of listening Pink Floyd's masterpiece, "The Dark Side of the Moon" while watching the film. Supposedly, the visual of the film has a subtle synchronization with the music of the album providing some sort of a live soundtrack.

A couple of nights ago, for the first time, I tried it for myself. As noted in various sites in the Internet, I should begin playing the CD right after the Lion in the opening scene closes his mouth after his third roar. Well, as far as I'm concerned, though, I don't see what's all the fuss about with the synchronization. It probably because I've never seen the film before yesterday, or simply my timing isn't right.

As far as the film goes, for a film that released in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was rich and manages to look expensive. I've always been a sucker for a musical film anyway and I should say that The Wizard of Oz is notoriously famous for its "Over the Rainbow" song. So, yeah, despite the flawed overall visual quality, I could enjoy The Wizard of Oz and it would be one of the first film my daughter (or son, whichever came first :D) would see along with Sound of Music. No TV for my kids!

Anyway, here's a video of one of the scene from the film that supposedly synchronized with my favorite track from the album.

Yours Truly, Best/Worst Batman

While Christopher Nolan's take on the Batman franchise without a doubt outshone both Tim Burton's and especially Joel Schumacher's stinker duds, I was on a close opinion to chose Michael Keaton as the best Batman with Christian Bale a close second (the order of it MIGHT change after i saw The Dark Knight, though), but I've had no doubt whatsoever to name Christian Bale as the best Bruce Wayne. The worst Batman/Bruce Wayne? I should say that all Batman fans must unanimously name George Clooney as the worst Batman/Bruce Wayne. No. Frickin'. Doubt.

Can't. Wait. Any. Longer.

Okay, i'm now officially restless. James Berardinelli at ReelViews.com, one of the few film critics i'd like to hear from (probably due to his educational background in Electrical Engineering which in my opinion, doesn't stray that much away from Computer Science) has given this film a solid four stars, the first i've seen from him in a long time. Damn! And the word is, that this film arrived at our local theater on July 18th. Shoot 'n Crap, i'd say! But, no matter, July 18th or July 16th, you can count on me being the first in line for The Dark Knight.

Mustn't. Punch. the. Wall. for. Impatience.

Building the Hype. The Dark Knight

As if the film needs more hype than it already has. This film's hype is crazy. Probably the craziest hype ever in the history of film. I mean, even if Batman Begins doesn't really has that power to bring down the box-office much like Spider-Man film which of course, had you asked me, a clearly understatement, the duo Chris Nolan and Christian Bale still heralded by many as ones who responsible to revive the legacy of the second greatest detective in the fiction history (second only to Sherlock Holmes) and we, self-acclaimed Batman fans were ready to eat anything they had to offer as a sequel. Added to that, Warner Bros. has been throwing us gimmicks regarding the film more than we could chew. Added to that, again, the death of Heath Ledger the dude who plays the main villain, the glorious villain that many has come to accustomed with as probably the ultimate villain Batman ever had, surely upped the ante of the anticipation level.

Anyways, news has it that Indonesia is among the first country who has the privilege to see The Dark Knight earlier than most along with Australia (the home country of Heath Ledger) and Philippines. I sincerely hope that it would be the case for if it is true, i would skip work on July 16th. Now, if i could find an old Joker costume and could muster enough courage to don it on the screening day, that would be a blast.

"The Square Root of Three" by David Feinberg

Quite probably the single best thing that could be obtained from Harold & Kumar Escape from the Guantanamo Bay which otherwise a stoner film merely repeating the formula that put its predecessor (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle) into the map of fans of intentionally stupid comedy film is this poem by Kumar, "The Square Root of Three" which according to some quick info from Google was written by David Feiberg. I can't help but smirked in amusement.

"I’m sure that I will always be
A lonely number like root three

The three is all that’s good and right,
Why must my three keep out of sight
Beneath the vicious square root sign,
I wish instead I were a nine

For nine could thwart this evil trick,
with just some quick arithmetic

I know I’ll never see the sun, as 1.7321
Such is my reality, a sad irrationality

When hark! What is this I see,
Another square root of a three

As quietly co-waltzing by,
Together now we multiply
To form a number we prefer,
Rejoicing as an integer

We break free from our mortal bonds
With the wave of magic wands

Our square root signs become unglued
Your love for me has been renewed"

The overall film was okay, i guess, if you're a fan of the first film, you'd love it. It's full of ridiculous thing over another, as Harold & Kumar trek their "epic" journey from Guantanamo Bay to Texas, and meeting one cartoonish character after another from a bottomless swim party, a Cyclop inbred, a KKK party, to a smoking weed session with unexpected ally. This film is cock-full of racial stereotypes and enough nudity, profanity and of course, weeds to grant a solid R rating.

My rating: *1/2 / **** - Pretty much an enjoyable time wasting experience. However, a 110 minutes of running time might be a little too long for most to this kind of film.

Red Cliff... Not!

Anyone else excited to see John Woo's rendition of the most decisive battle in the Chinese History? I do and therefore i was pretty excited to learn that this film will hit the local theater tonight at midnight. However, as my wife, a Chinese history buff, won't let me see the film without her, i had to hold the reins and wait for her instead in two weeks time. Hey, just trying to be a good husband, here. Hopefully the film was still around at the time.

Another sad news, we won't see Hellboy II: The Golden Army anytime soon in Indonesia even if it is already hit the theater everywhere else. It irked me a lot on how ignorant those fools at 21 network really are. I mean, sure, Hellboy is an almost unknown superhero here, but, as far as i'm concerned, the first film is the best superhero film after Batman and that is only because i'm a fan of Batman. Further, Selma Blair is hands down, the best superhero's female sidekick ever. I don't even know who to direct my rage towards to for the lack of appreciation from the so-called movie-goers in Indonesia that ultimately led to the decision to push back the release of Hellboy II, yeah, movie-goers indeed, tasteless movie-goers, in fact, i wouldn't call them movie-goers, just a bunch of kids with too much of time and money and too little of everything else (including taste). Go see that Eddie Murphy's newest dud, Meet Dave, instead which perhaps not surprisingly, arrived on a spot-on schedule. I hope that they don't screw up again when The Dark Knight scheduled to arrive. Given the Batman's reputation, i wouldn't think that they would screw it up but hey, there's no limit to stupidity and taste-less-ness.