It has been weeks since i last update a blog.
Nevertheless, i really enjoyed the past few weeks of life. Having an 8.30-6 job daily, running around schools, meeting former teachers, coffee, chat with guardroom old chaps...and not forgetting having 2 heavy silver screen treat: John Woo's Red Cliff and Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight.
Today, i decided to go for something lighter. I opted for Antonio Bandera's Summer Rain (El Camino De Los Ingleses). He do not act the film. He directed it. And it will be screen at The Picturehouse for a limited showtime before Bad Habits replaces Summer Rain.
My verdict: This film is strictly for fans of Antonio Banderas or those who want a feel good movie with easy listening music score that goes along with the film only. If spending 119mins listening to Spanish dialogue and reading English subtitles is a torture to you, then don't spend 10 bucks on this film.
This is a teenage coming out of age drama set in Spain during the 70's. Miguelito, a young man who has just left the hospital with a damaged kidney removed, had a crush with a beautiful girl, Luli, at the swimming pool. Miguelito aspires to become a poet, and he falls in love with Luli.
Together with his group of best friends, he experiments love, lust, pain and summer rain.
This was the second time Banderas directing a movie, after his 1999's Crazy in Alabama, where he casts Melanie Griffin aka Mrs Banderas as the leading actress. It's a bit draggy, and there doesn't seems to have much sex (which seriously i do not think it's worth the R21 rating) compared to some of the recent R21 flicks screening in Singapore.
In terms of the development of the story, it goes slow, yet not so steady. With almost everyone looking alike, it is hard to tell who plays the particular character. But what prevents this film from becoming a total failure is a good soundtrack to support the film. In fact, I've never had that comfortable feeling after listeing to the soundtrack of the film.
Overall, the movie is not so great, but it is not so bad either. Rating: 2.5/5
And while walking around The Heerns Shop, i've found Singapore's first Private Structure outlet!
The shop assistant was kind enough to offer me a further discount when he saw the namecard that i am holding (which i just took from the cashier counter). Well, the range is wider than what is offered at department stores in Singapore and KL. But i was informed that the Japan series was kinda old, so i was recommended with Hawaiian series. Nevertheless, Japan series are still a bestseller in the stores.
While chatting with Alen a while ago, he told me that he did mention to me a PS outlet will be opened in Singapore soon. He wished to visit PS in Heerens.
I will bring him to wherever he wants to visit when Alen is in Singapore.
Now playing: This Past Week - The Radio Department
Sunday, 15th June.
Slept till late am, then head down to McD's for breakfast (the same McD where i had breakfast with Alen.) Had a hotcakes set meal together with coffee and The Star papers. (Doesn't have the thought in mind of having hotcakes, but a breakfast in a guard duty few mths back makes me have the craving for Hotcakes with that lovely maple syrup. Remembered that Alen wants a hotcakes with sausage set, as it cost RM0.90 more, and he had the sausage, even though i don't eat sausage.)
Receive an SMS from Alen that he is getting down on late afternoon. So i went to Pavilion for a movie. The Happening by M.Night Shyamlam, very unfortunately. It was painful to go thru the sickening 90mins thriller that leads audience to nowhere in the end. So decided to have a rest at the homestay and head down to Pavilion again to buy a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor for Alen, as his birthday present.
I was told that Size 11 High Cut white shoes was left with only 1 pair. So i bought it and decided to give it to Alen as the present. Head down to Suria KLCC after that. It was a walking distance from Pavilion to KLCC, but it was confusing.
The first place that i look for when i reach KLCC...
A&W! It was amazing that i could still enjoy the rootbeer float in KL. The last time i had the rootbeer float was days before my enlistment.
While looking for Converse Shop at KLCC, i found...
Jimmy Choo Boutique! Yes i know there is a Jimmy Choo counter at Takashimaya SC, but isn't it lovely to see the first Jimmy Choo shop to be set up in KL, while Datuk Jimmy Choo has been working in US for several years?
Here are some of the front view of KLCC before going back to Pavilion for a dinner with Alen.
Alen arrives Pavilion at 7.30pm, and we dine at TGI Friday's. Simply loved the food from TGIF, but a pity it has ceased operation in Singapore since 1994.
And so we decided to have a Angel and Devil set meal at RM39.90. For RM39.90, you get an appetizer, which Alen ops for a Mac n Cheese Bites, which is cheese and macaroni bites...
I opt for a Friday's Chicken, which turns out to be a burger...
Consist of a small burger bun filled with chicken fillet, 3 slices of beef bacon, lettuces and melted Jack Daniel Cheese. Sauce? TGIF's very own sweet-hickroy sauce.
And we decided to add in a Southwestern Chicken Ceaser Salad, where lettuces, diced tomatoes mixed with slices of BBQ chicken breast, top with tortilla chips.
Last but not least, the ultimate sinful dessert: Chocolate Malt Cake!!!
It would be better if it comes with an scoop of vanilla ice cream, and goes along with a cup of vanilla latte...
After the dinner, we went to Converse again for shopping of my shoes. Bought myself a low cut Chuck Taylor white sneakers, size 12. (Goesh, what on earth has happened to Converse Pavilion? No this, no that.)
And we decided to catch The Incredible Hulk at Pavilion. As it was full house, we decided to catch the 12am show at Berjaya Times Square. So we head back to the room for a shower.
It was amazing that the hall was close to full house, despite that it is a working Monday the next day. (we catch the 12am show). Know what? Most cinemas in KL screens midnite show on Sunday as well. That was something that Singapore is lacking.
By the time we slept in the homestay, it was around 3.30am.
We woke up at 8am and had breakfast. We had fishhead beehoon at a kopitiam nearby. Wasn't really in the appetite for a meal, as i knew i am leaving KL in a few hours time. (My coach departs at 11am.) Alen told me not to finish if i couldn't finish up.
Before heading back to the homestay and pack up, Alen pointed to me this shophouse...
filled with balloons hanging up. Looks cute though...
Reached Puduraya at 10.15am and decided to go down to Petaling St to get some food before leaving KL. We went to Fung Wong Confectionary, a well known Chinese pastry house that has been in KL for decades. Bought some pastries and this is the box that they are providing for customers...
The bus left at 11.15am and i told Alen to take care of himself, and thank him for all the time during my stay.
Reached Singapore at 5.15pm, and reached home at 6.45pm due to horrible traffic at Geylang.
My overview of the trip: it was lovely, and Kuala Lumpur is a great place where i brought back many beautiful memories with me. My relatives are there, and so does some of my friends.
Hoping to make a weekend trip during the Merdeka Weekend. And shop for more clothes and mooncakes at the same time! =)
P.S: Alen, if you are reading this, i really enjoyed the time being with you during this period. Words could not express my graditude towards your help. Sorry if there are any miscommunication or any unhappiness during this trip. Take care and hope to see you again in the near future. =)
Cheers,
Dave
