A Comma

Don’t even mention cliched.

This movie’s worth 9/10, on a totally unbiased view. It was definitely worth the time spent. Yes, I do admit I’m a bit slow on this one, but you can’t deny, movies like these are classics. They are long-lasting one-show wonders, a movie that people talk about for a long time after.

Stars Mandy Moore and Shane West as leading characters, their performance was certainly the least disappointing. Make that applicable to the whole cast, for that matter. Not a star-studded cast, but the supporting actors were enough to make the movie a successful one.

As I was chatting about this movie with my friends, all of us realised the lessons to be learnt from this wonderful movie; i.e. the way to be a gentleman, the way to be more accepting, the way to treat a girl, to learn to be less guarded etc. Personally I’ve learnt many of life’s lessons, such as letting go, and just holding on to what you believe in.

The sweet factor of the movie was definitely present. In one scene, where Jamie gets teased in the cafeteria about the flyer, she turns around to leave only to get stopped short by Landon. Landon was the perfect gentleman in defending her by brushing off his friends, just for Jamie. Protection of interests, showing immense care and concern for her, the beauty of love and the wonderful little things it brings along with it.

Mandy Moore sang well as usual for the musical, though the musical was a little disappointing and not well developed. But who’s to blame? It was only halfway through the movie.

Although everyone hates a bad ending, I believe the movie provided great closure. No spoilers here, so just go watch it, borrow a DVD and you won’t regret spending the measly 20 bucks for a lifetime’s worth of experience and many of life’s lessons learnt.

Rating: 9/10

I am frankly not a big fan of showy, glitzy and glamorous costumes with feathers poking out everywhere. But I must say I was utterly impressed with the way Royston Tan, filmmaker and director of this production, presented the whole getai scene in an astute manner, yet preserving the local flavour.

881 is a film that attempts to bring back the heyday of the getai scene in Singapore, where back in the 80s (and in the 90s), these were popular stage set-ups during the Chinese 7th month to “provide entertainment for the ‘好兄弟’ “ that exit the gates of Hell during the 7th Month. Although they are still rampant in the modern-day Singapore, it has lost its authenticity and for old keepsakes’, the atmosphere of the old.

I am particularly impressed with a few characters.

1. Aunt Ling (Liu Ling Ling); having amazed me in other major roles in other major movies such as I Not Stupid, and the occasional satirical 8.00pm slot comedy; she did not fail again with her witty potrayal of the common Hokkien jokes involving cocks (ie cockerels) amidst other sarcastic remarks.
2. Guan Yin (Qi Yu Wu); for being the male version of a flower vase. (ref) Being mute, he cannot say a single word throughout the film. My Dad was telling me how lucky he was, to earn big bucks for not saying a word. Imagine how much he’ll be earning if he opens his mouth.
3. Big Papaya (Yeo Yann Yann); for being the influenced elder half of the duo, smoking after going through a tough time of rejection by her mother. It takes an influential person to influence another, hence we shall introduce the last person that I’m impressed with.
4. Small Papaya (Mindee Ong); for being the one that was so hawt! <3 She was definitely an adorable face to the movie. Apart from that, her character gets involved in a whole myriad of emotions which I shall not disclose. Tough for her to star in this role.

Overall, although I’m not very pleased with the nose-dripping and teary-eyed scenes of intense emotions – now please don’t get the wrong idea, I’m intensely emotional and sentimental – because they are utterly detestful; (with flu running out of your noses, what you want last to see is the flu slowly trickling down your nostrils. We’re fortunate we don’t get to see any nostril hairs.) I enjoyed this movie a lot and I would give this movie a 5 star rating. Worth a watch if you’re an ardent supporter of local movies.

Oh but one thing to note, don’t watch if you’re a big fan of May and Choy. I grew to hate them after this show, most unfortunately of course. Their spoken mandarin is horrid and they can’t hold a proper sentence. But kudos to them, they’ve tried.

Watch 881, tis the season to be singing.

Many trailers on the prowl and some of the movies worth watching are

• Shoot ‘Em Up (Monica Belluci = <3)
• Hairspray
• The Golden Compass

Oh yeah, let me tell you more about the Golden Compass. The Golden Compass is not called the Golden Compass in the trailer! It is known as the Lithiometer or whatever it did sound like through the speakers. But I think the producers decided to dumb the movie name down to the Golden Compass, just to get the PG rating. -looks smug-

Enjoy your movies and popcorn y’all! And the remainder of your 7th month.