When in Rome - My Review

I have been taking my virtual trips to a few countries recently like Kyoto and Rome while still being in Singapore. I was excited to see the view of Rome from a large cinema screen when the movie 'When In Rome' came into the cinemas. Plus seeing the sweet and affable Kristen Bell and the tall and dashing Josh Duhamel zoomed on a large screen doesn't hurt either.

In every movie, the part I liked the best is the beginning, how they captured the essence of the movie through a short introduction that will give you a prelude to the entire movie. The beginning of a movie sometimes is really important as it sets the tone and mood for the next 2 hours. It is like hearing the beginning of a song and knowing that I will or will not like it. And definitely the background music makes a huge impact to enhance the introduction.

The beginning of When In Rome did not disappoint, in fact showing Rome and Italy followed by New York in a bunch of revolving postcards set the tone of the places the viewers will see in this movie. And when the scene juxtapose to scenes of the face of the President on a Romanian coin being tossed into water and finally we see the statue in the Fountain of Love which leads you to the main protagonist of the movie. Yes, the intro of this movie is enchanting, unlike the typical girl running on treadmill and choosing her work attire before going to work. Finally, the intro pans to the scenes of illuminating lights on skyscrapers of New York where the movie begins.....

We are then brought into the Guggenheim Museum with its eccentric but impressive artifacts like flying wolfs on ceilings and luxury cars being hung from the top of the museum to the ground floor which is the location in which almost the whole movie is filmed. As this movie revolves around an art curator who loves her work more than falling in love, I am reminded of myself as the protagonist again. (Why are all love comedies now based on female leads who are strong and workaholic nowadays? There must be a fascination for these type of women.)


And in the movie, she finally fell in love with someone who made her loved him more than her work, the exact kind of guy she was aiming for. Josh Duhamel acted quite convincingly as a goofy and careless guy who gets into accidents wherever he goes. Even though in real life he must be the exact opposite, he was pretty endearing in the movie. And who wouldn't love a man who looks like this? ;)

This is definitely a movie worth watching for its canniness, its magic and the beautiful cast. The other 4 guys whom Kristen Bell puts spells on by taking away their coins from the fountain of love contributes the comic relief. Among all the guys, Danny Devito is the only one worth loving, even though the rest did help her make it to be with the man she loves. Another light-hearted movie for the hopefuls in love.

Butterfly Fly Away - Being A Single Parent

I just watched Hannah Montana The Movie on a plane on the way to Manila. Watching a movie like this on the way to a journey just intensifies the emotions. Most importantly, this movie not only touched me to tears, it left an indelible mark in me towards single parents. One should watch it for the beautiful, idyllic sceneries that was potrayed in the serene hometown of Miley Cyrus, such a contrast from Los Angeles where she comes from.

There is no power stronger than the love of a father. In one scene when Miley Cyrus was changing between her two personas just to go out on a date with the guy she likes, this action irked her future stepmom. As the stepmom ordered her to stop, her father, Billy Cyrus defended Miley and found himself being left by his new lover but it was all worth it. That is the sacrifise he is willing to put himself through for his own daughter so much so that noone else comes first.

It amazes me how a kids movie like that has such a meaningful and deep message and evoked such strong emotions in me. He single-handedly raised 2 intelligent hyperactive children who are now willing to do anything for their father.

I found myself being in the same scenario as I was being pursued by a single father in Singapore two years ago. He was fair to me by being honest about his status very early on and I was fair by telling him that I have a long distance relationship. When he mentioned that he has 2 children at home and that he is going through a messy divorce, that didn't stop us from being friends. What I did not know was that he treated me more than a friend. It is only later that I realised the impact I had on him, his children and his ex-wife. It breaks my heart to hear his daughter calling him on his cellphone asking where he is and when he will be back while I am nicely having a sumptuous dinner or jungle trekking (our fav activity) with him. He did not rush home to be by his children and comforted them through his cellphone. When I asked why he did not go home to his children, he told me he needed a break from his kids as well as the complicated divorce procedures. It was then that I felt I was the only escape he had.

Being a single parent is never easy. I admire those who could do it, not out of their own willingness though. What I am afraid is I am this close to being one myself too.

Slumdog Millionaire - The Book vs Movie

I am so glad I read the book 'Slumdog Millionaire' or the original title being 'Q&A' before I watched the movie. It was one of those books that I could not put down. I was trapped from the first sentence: 'I won a Billion Rupee from a game show and got captured because of that'. I have always been impressed with Indian writers and movie producers in their ability to come up with stories with the most magnificent twists like M. Night Syamalan's 'The Sixth Sense' which then introduced the same concept of twists in a lot of other movies. 'Slumdog Millionaire' did the same amazing unexpected twist and I am so utterly dissapointed that they did not include that same twist in that movie! In fact the movie was so far from the book that I feel like I am watching a whole different story altogether! All Danny Boyle, the producer did was take the concept of the story of a boy living in the slums of Mumbai winning 1 Billion rupees from a game show and did a movie with the same concept of reiterating his life story through each and every answers he gave.

So, here, I will give a blow by blow comparison between the book and the movie without giving out too many spoilers! Go read the book! Even though I wonder if I will feel the same if I had watched the movie first. Yes, I will still remain: The book is BETTER!

The book

The movie

Has 12 chapters which consist of a blow by blow story or encounter that contributed to the answer to each question.

Showed less than 12 questions which is actually a shortened version of the 'Who wants to be a billionaire game!

Each chapter started with his life story that led to him knowing the answer to the question and you will be compelled to guess which question will be formed from the life story while you are reading it. I actually guessed one question right and so proud of it!

The story and question mingled among one another leading to me being confused if the story actually contributed to the answer only to find out that some are meant to be only a story.

The name of the protagonist is Ram Mohamad Thomas and there is a chapter that entails how his name which consist of three races was given.

The name has been changed to Jamal Malik which is an easier to remember name but less significant with no background to the origins of the name.

Ram was an orphan from the start with his life story being how he was transferred from one orphan home to a priest to a begger agent, etc.

Jamal has a mother who was killed during a protest and he is led to run away to the house of a beggar agent.

Ram and Salim are best of friends.

Jamal and Salim are brothers.

There are so many more female characters in the book adding to the colors of the stories.

There is just 1 female character who is very very pretty and suitable for the character potrayed (IMHO).

No mockery of Indian slang. The book is written by an Indian after all!

Consist of the mockery of an Indian slang: "Maybe it is written, no?" The movie is directed by a foreigner after all!

Despite all the differences, fortunately there is one similarity between the book and the movie which I feel was the most important part of the movie: the ending. Will the male and female protagonists end up togther? You have to read the book AND/OR watch the movie to know. Now, let's laugh at Eyeris' funny version of the movie not-review.

My Sex and the City Moments

It's ironic that for a movie that is so controversial, replete with sex and nudity that it's central theme is not steamy at all in fact the theme centers around something that touches the heart so deep it moves every soul that watches it. I have been told to watch this movie by so many dear friends of mine including guy friends and when I finally get down to watch it had I understand what the fuss is all about. 'Sex and the City' could well be one of the best chick flicks I have ever watched, its plot so beautifully written and the characters so well told, noone was left out or overtook the limelight. For someone who grows up with doses of 'Sex and the City' when facing life's trials and tribulations during adolescence (that is when you need it most), one could understand why I could relate to it so much so that when the movie is out, I planned a girl's night out to watch the movie only that it did not happen. But watching it on the plane was just as well.


The moment I shed tears which I found happened to a lot of girls I know was when Carrie (played by the effervercent Sarah Jessica Parker) was jilted at the altar when she found out from a phone call that her soon to be husband, Mr Big got the jitters and decided to not go ahead with the wedding. It was disheartening to see a love affair that held everyone so endearingly to the TV series season after season got ended so abruptly. Carrie had her friends to thank when they protected her from being hurt by Mr. Big, brought her for a vacation only to have her slept through it, fed her emanciated body and made her laugh at the most unpredicatable moment. I was touched when she did the same thing I would have done when I found my girlfriend alone and depressed. On New Year's eve, when Charlotte was going through a separation and had to spend it alone, Carrie got up from her bed after receiving her call and ran all the way to her house, arriving just before midnight to wish her 'Happy New's Year!'

Sometimes people belittle the little actions a friend can do that will make a huge difference. I have been jilted, dumped and ridiculed before. I have cried till my eyeballs almost popped out. Most often than not, it is my girlfriends who came to my rescue, lent me a shoulder to cry on and lent me ears for my problems and most importantly related to my crisis since they have been there before. Among my 'Sex and the City' moments are:

1. After I broke up with my first serious boyfriend of two years (yes, I had a few of 'un'serious ones before), I had not much girlfriends as I had distanced myself from them. However, when I contacted an ex-classmate whom I have lost touch with, she did not hesitate to drive over to my house to chat. She gave me the power to trash my ex, called him a jerk and make me feel confident about myself again while she said the same thing about her own break-up. It was one of the best chat I have ever had since having a relationship. Since then, I told myself never to lose your friends even when you are blissfully in a relationship. You need your girlfriends to put you back on ground.

2. When I was going through my clubbing phase, I remembered getting drunk once and a few guys tried to take advantage of the situation by pretending to comfort me. I was so glad that my girlfriends were there and protected me by pulling me away from the guys. When I passed out, I was thankful that I still found myself back on my bed safely even though I was still in my clubbing attire. To my horror, my wallet was nowhere to be found so I had to call one of my trusted galpal ad found that she kept my wallet and drove over to pass it back to me. I had never been more relieved and promise never to get drunk again esp without galpals :P

3. On the year when I was overseas and had to celebrate Valentines Day alone, I found myself getting very depressed. At that time, I was having a tough patch with my long distance boyfriend and felt like I had to do something to get my mind off negative things. I booked two movie tickets just to be turn down by another guyfriend. Fortunately, I had a housemate who also happened to be alone as she also has a long distance relationship. She agreed to go to the movies with me to watch "PS I Love You". Even though the whole cinema was full of couples who are hugging each other, I had more fun laughing with my friend over some of the scenes and oggling at the gorgeous guys in the movie. I would never have been able to do this with my partner. It was one of my funnest valentines Day and I didn't even celebrate it with a guy!

As quoted by 'Sex and the City', the crucial relationship is the one you have with yourself. Next is with your friends. Without them, life would never be the same. So, tell me, what are your 'Sex and the City' moment?

Chick Flick Chicks

The dame of all shows, the belle of all movies. What makes certain girls stand out above the rest, garnering more female appeal than the rest of the female species?

It started with Meg Ryans as the doe-eyed beauty, always looking forlove in the wrong places and finally falling in love with the simple guy next door. Followed by Julia Roberts as the unique contemporary beauty whose potrayal of a New York hooker falling for a rich elite man brought many more romantic comedies to her helm. The tall blond beach girl called Cameron Diaz was on US most wanted list for chick flicks ranging from silly laugh out loud There's Something About Maryto holiday feel good movie The Holiday. Kate Hudson did not do too bad as the cheery, ever laughing girl who falls in and out of love with the wrong guy. Who can forget Reene Zellweger's porayal as the slightly plump but actually normal weight of a UK girl as Bridget Jones torn between two lovers in incredibly different personalitiesin Bridget Jones diaries which she lter ventured into more challenging roles. An ever lasting American sweetheart who won the votes of the Academy Awards through Johnny Cash is Reese Witherspoon but was lovable in chick flicks like Sweet Home Alabama and Legally Blonde. Now, there is a new entrant into the lovely all-American sweetheart who has also won the long deserved Academy award, Katherine Heigl who now has claimed 2 fairly successful chick flicks: Knocked Up and 27 Dresses. I like her, due to the fact she does not potray the frail, stick thin actresses whose lives depend on love but who can hold her own while maintaining a buxom and voluptuous physique.

So what makes these bevy of beauties so alluring and appealing to the eyes of viewers that people can watch them on the big screens over and over again, laughing at their weird antiques, crying when they are lost and rejected in love and emulating their moves and accents. Why do we love watching the way their eyes curve when they smile, their nose cringe when they are unsure and their pitiful face when they cry? Besides their pretty, doe-like faces, with sunny dispositions and smooth mostly blonde hair, one of the qualities that make them endearing is their strong and independent but vulnerable & emtional attitudes. Despite the strong exterior they present while at work and in public, they are such softies inside, looking for true love in the funniest way possible. I guess this makes them characters that most of us girls can relate to and why us girls and even some guys get addicted to them. Thank God for chick flicks :)

The Year to Watch 'The Leap Years'

If you are proud of your own country, you would produce a movie that highlights the beautiful parts of your country, seen from the lens of a camera. At least that is what I felt coming out of the hopelessly romantic but touching movie called 'The Leap Years'. I have to commend Singapore for making such a great production highlighting the beauties of Singapore never seen through the eyes of a normal, unappreciative citizen. Good work in the locations selected. Among the scenes that captivated me are:

1. 'Wong Li-Lin', the main actress running across the bridge in her wedding gown, fully drenched in rain' (according to one director, it was one of the most beautiful rain scenes he ahs ever seen),
2. 'Qi Yu Wu taking a video camera of the bride on her wedding day, and through the lens of the camera, seeing her less than happy, even impatient look' (it's a different view seeing human emotions through a lens)
3. 'Ananda Everingham' throwing a whole box of wish letters from the top of OCBS building' (a blerdy fantastic way to declare your love)
4. 'The beautiful modified poem written by Ananda Everingham after making Li-Lin wait in the rain only to propose to her, exactly like how Li-Lin first proposed to Ananda when she wanted to date him'
5. 'The beautiful love scene between the 2 star-crossed lovers relaxing on top of a roof, taking in scenic view of the lights from the skyscapers of Singapore along Boay Quay'.

I also liked the quotes written on the calendar every time it strikes 29 Feb, to mark the coming of every 4 years where the 2 lovers promised to meet at the same place and same time. So, while I was toiling away at work, solving the once in 4-years date problem with my company's system, I am so glad I made time to watch this movie on this Leap Year. And I am so proud that the author of the book which this movie is based on is a Malaysian, Catherine Lim.

The romantic rendezvour between the 2 lovers on their first 29 Feb date where they only had 2 hours to kill before he leaves (not in the knowledge of Li-Lin of course) reminded me of my own peculiar yet memorable dates and I thank all the guys whom have left an indelible memory in my mind. Maybe some guys know who they are ;)

1. Barbequing on top of a covered slide Valentines Day where it is raining heavily and everyone is out in a nice, cozy restaurant. I still remember the challenge of starting fire when the wind was blowing incessantly and rain was lapping into the slide. We were left hungry as we could not start the fire for the barbaque and ended up frying the food. It was one of the most romantic dates I had and it was made better when my bf whispered 'It is not the event that counts, it is the company'. Awwww! :)
2. Driving to the top of a hill overlooking the view of Mount Kiara (the beautiful condos with nice roofs and penthouses) eating my fav ice-cream 'Ben & Jerry's' straight from the tub and discussing about owning one of the penthouses there in the future. It was so dark on the journey there we almost didnt make it up the hill.
3. Sleeping in the car when my boyfriend and I could not get a hotel in Genting Highlands, freezing our toes off and only having each other to warm each other up. After that freezing experience I was driven home to sleep. 6 hours later, he drove me up to Genting again as I had a party invitation to party with the Malaysian Idols as well as to watch the finale where Jacklyn Victor won! This exprience still left a sweet magical memory in the mind everytime I think of it. Imagine driving up and down Genting twice even with so little sleep. :)
4. One of the weirdest place is when my bf brought me to an old train track where we just sat and chat, capturing the scenery of a river and people jogging along the river. There were grafitties of I Love Yous on the old wooden panels of the train tracks and we just read them and laugh. The most magnificent one was when we found unsed condom lying on the track and we laughed as we were hanging out at a very uncomfortably popular make-out spot without thinking of doing anything but chat :)
5. One of the most memorable one had to be when my boyfriend drove me to an old jetty far in the north or East of Singapore after 10pm. Scary as it is, the view of the river from the jetty with old boats and fishing rods was pretty fascinating. The worst or best part is when his vehicle broke down in the middle of nowhere and we both had to walk almost 2 kms to the nearst petrol station at 12am on the 7th month of the Chinese calendar (in case u didnt know, it is the Ghost month). We tried flagging down a few cars but noone dared to stop. We had to alleviate our tiredness and fear by keep talking to each other and joking about the situation. When we finally got a taxi, we were so relieved after the more than 1 hour walk. Memorable :)