Chronicles of May

Well, this has been an eventful month. I'm going to miss May so much when the new month comes around tomorrow. 

The first and second week of May were marked with examinations and then my birthday. I visited Gardens by the Bay with my mother on the 10th to "celebrate" the summer holidays as well as to see the tulips from the Netherlands. 

On the 11th, I had a post-birthday dinner at Outback Steakhouse with the family. 12th June is officially the start of the summer holidays. 

The much anticipated Star Trek: Into Darkness featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as the villain opened in Singapore on 16th May. I watched it in glorious IMAX 3D at Shaw Lido with my friend on the 18th. It was an awesome experience as we were seated right in the middle of the giant screen. As a fan of his whom main reason for watching this film was because of him, I grinned/laughed at inappropriate moments. There's just this sense of pride in seeing him in his breakthrough role in a Hollywood blockbuster. For the second time, I watched it with my cousin, who is a fellow fan, on Monday, 20th May. 

The following day, I went back to the university to pay the rest of the fees for the Thailand field studies, in cash, I might add. Sometimes, the university can be so rigid and inflexible. 

I had a short and nice meet up with my good friend from secondary school on Wednesday. Ahh, the good, old days of secondary school where stress means doing homework and passing tests/examinations. 

The final week of the month was passed in a frivolous manner. This is my idea of relaxation; of giving my brain a break from all those months of hard work. When June comes around, the countdown for the field studies starts. Of course, I simply cannot wait to get home. I will be literally counting the days till I get back to Singapore, to my comfortable life, home and bed. 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

On Wednesday, I managed to catch a second showing of The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey with a friend. For the first showing, I watched it in normal 2D. This round, it was through the new technology, IMAX 3D HFR. 

I have to say, despite all the naysayers, I feel that the much improved 48 frames per second is so much clearer and coupled with 3D, the whole movie experience is made cooler, more stunning and awe-inspiring. Some parts of the movie feels like one of those 4D shows in theme parks. Additionally, as a special treat, we got to have a 9 minute preview of Star Trek into Darkness and saw Benedict in 3D! How awesome is that? I was crossing my fingers in hope of seeing this trailer and wow, was it a treat! 

There is much doubt about the need to spilt one book into 3 separate movies but I find that by doing so, the characters are given more breadth and the storyline has more depth. The typical movie-goer gets to enjoy, understand the different characters and their stories better as compared to a movie that is rushed.

The cinematography is gorgeous and the scenery shots are simply breathtaking! Of course, Sir Peter Jackson did the right choice by insisting that Martin Freeman played the role of Bilbo Baggins. Martin Freeman is simply brilliant in portraying the main lead with the right amount of wide-eyed innocence for a middle-aged man. He's made for the role, or rather, the role is made for him. The other supporting cast are just as brilliant!

I had a bit of a giggle when I saw how "adorable" he was portrayed in the film. It's so different from the other well-known role that he plays, Dr John Watson. He's so steadfast and reliable in Sherlock.

It has been ages since I last read the book and to be honest, I can barely remember a thing in it. Thus, I do not feel that the movie is unfaithful. I know the scriptwriters has woven in additional material to beef up the characters and boost the excitement and intensity. 

Now, of course, I can't wait for the second instalment - The Desolation of Smaug which features Smaug the dragon played by Benedict Cumberbatch!  

Celebrations

This came a bit too late but oh well.

I officially celebrated my birthday last Saturday with a dinner at Bosses at Vivocity. It has been such a long time since we went there.

On Sunday, I got to celebrate at my cousin's house with Awfully Chocolate cake, pizzas and KFC. Yes, I realised this is the 3rd year I had a cake from Awfully Chocolate. I'll change next year on.

I know that people usually have a obligatory 21st birthday party but I'm not like others, right? Parties are not really my area or my division. I will feel so awkward being the center of attention. So, no thanks.

On Monday, since it was holiday in lieu for my brothers and I am on holidays anyway, the parents took a day off and we went to catch The Avengers on IMAX at Shaw Lido.

The movie is really awesome! I'm not someone who really like action-packed movies but The Avengers is an exception. Perhaps, I just have more interest in certain heroes movies than other superheroes, say Superman or Batman. To be honest, I think a strong motivator for my liking is the share of good-looking actors in it. Lots of girls certainly thought so.

I added a couple of new charms to my Pandora bracelet. I chose a blue swirly Murano glass bead and a red enamel poppy flower bead. Actually, I wanted to get a flower dangle but it costs too much. Maybe, I will get it later on. Maybe, I will change my leather bracelet to a silver one. All these could only happen when I get my pay so I have to grit my teeth and put in more hours during this holiday.

I already received my traditional gift, a key, from the parents. It is a heart-shaped key pendent, made from rose gold with two little diamonds from Lee Hwa Jewellery. I usually prefer silver jewellery but because there was a lack of designs from the silver collection, I chose to go with rose gold instead.

All in all, I'm extremely grateful to have "survive" for this long and cheers to many years to come. I once told myself that I have to live till I manage to visit the countries I like.

Second Thoughts

The IMAX experience at Shaw Lido is super cool! The screen is really big and you can really feel like you are in the movie. I'm glad our seats are quite near to the centre but wish that we could have sit further back. It does get a bit disorientating to concentrate when the screen is that big.

Second time watching Deathly Hallows Part 2 and I still cried at the same scenes. I just can't help my tears.

The first half of the film is more true to the book than the later half, I can conclude that now. The Gringotts break-in and escape are very enjoyable. But when the trio reached Hogsmeade, that's when things start to speed up and get all mix up.

How does Ollivander know about the Deathly Hallows at all? Most people don't even heard of them. He only knows that the Elder Wand exists but not that it is one of the Hallows.

I feel that the whole battle is altogether too rushed.

Harry shouldn't have come out to challenge Snape like that. Like I say before, students should have been send to safety with those opting to fight staying on. The Order of the Phoenix should not arrive at that timing! It's really too fast-pace.

The idea of Harry not hiding from everyone didn't sit well with me. He is in plain sight when he wasn't suppose to let people know.

Why wasn't Hagrid sad that Harry has been killed? He should be in grief or at least, sniffling when Narcissa announced that Harry was dead. A bit of emotion would set the morbid scene right.

Why was Voldemort hugging Draco? That's an awkward scene. Like what a fan said "Voldemort doesn't hug people!"

Bellatrix and Voldemort getting blown to pieces is funny and unncessary. They should just drop to the floor and die.

Why didn't anyone cheer when Harry killed Voldemort?! The boy-who-lived just finished off You-Know-Who, for Merlin's sake! You would have thought that people would be a little more grateful and happy about that. That scene wouldn't even need lines, just cheering, whooping and hugging Harry.

The scene where Harry broke the Elder Wand still irritates me. So what now, he is going to use Draco's wand forever?

Now, I know I nit-pick a lot, I practically break apart the whole movie. I can take heart that many fans did so too. We want to see what we read in the book, that's all. It's that simple.

Despite all my complaints, I still think this is one of the better movies in this franchise.

I just feel, like so many other fans, that this last instalment could be better, longer and more detailed. I heard that critics generally like it but haven't you notice, critics do not represent the fan-base. Our opinion always contradict with theirs and I mean, always. To each his own, anyway.

The fandom is the one bringing in the money that guarantee the success of the franchise. In layman terms, the fandom is the money-tree. Who else would go for a movie multiple times?

It have the potential to be the best film in the series, but somehow the crew ruined that chance.