Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge

Synopsis: The story revolves around Kurapika who became a Hunter to take vengeance on the Class-S crime group Phantom Troupe who massacred his clan for their unique eyes. The eyes of the Kurta clan turn scarlet in times of anger or emotional agitation and are considered the most beautiful treasures in the world. Kurapika continues to pursue the Phantom Troupe but an unknown party has stolen his "scarlet eyes". With the help of Gon, Killua and Leorio, Kurapika' s life was saved. However, the Phantom Troupe shows up before them and blocks their way. The true identity of the one with the No.4 spider tattoo is about to be unveiled. [Source: Cathay Cineplexes]

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This can be considered a side episode from the main storyline, focusing on the phantom spider No 4 that Hisoka replaces. It is quite refreshing to watch all the characters again, battling enemies with their special moves. One advice, if you have not watched the anime before or know about its storyline, please stay away from this movie. If you have completed the anime until the point it ended, please enjoy the show!

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Rate: 7/10

The Grand Master

Synopsis:

It starts as the story of Ip Man.
He was born and raised in Foshan. From the time of his youth he took part in contest after contest of skill in and around the Gold Pavilion. Then, one day, Master Gong arrived from the Northeast to hold a retirement ceremony at the Gold Pavilion.
One retires, one steps forward.
But who is entitled to be called a grandmaster? Ip Man? Master Gong?s daughter, Gong Er? The self-described 'rascal' of the Northeast? Or is it Master Gong, who took the Northern martial arts to the South?
Some are looking to recover what belongs to them. Others want to achieve enlightenment. Then there are those who are only ever able to start fires and light lamps, and those who observe the currents of a chaotic and war-torn world from the sidelines.
Kungfu, a horizontal and a vertical, falling, rising, charging forward, carrying on.
An era, rising and falling, scattering, regrouping, counter-attacking, advancing.
It starts in Foshan. Its heart is in Dongbei. Its feet are on the ground in Hong Kong.
This can no longer just the story of Ip Man.
It is the path of the grandmaster: Being. Knowing. Doing. [Source: Golden Village]

 

This is not exactly the type of movie that I am looking forward to. With Wong Kar Wai as the director, this movie turns out to be more of story telling and plot reflection rather than the fast and furious martial arts fight. It gets pretty confusing at times as the movie jumps around in different time zone. The movie can get boring at times, and on a side note, I really wonder why is the character "Razor" in the movie? He didn't seem to have any link with Ip-man, or is it a plot to make up the movie film time to 125 mins? My recommendation: Avoid this movie if you can.

 

Rate: 3/10 

Thailand Day 4 - River Taxi and Platinum Mall

07 Jan, 1100 - Last day of our Thailand trip. We slept late and woke up to have breakfast in Pair's house. After breakfast, we took a river taxi with Pair's mom down to Platinum Mall. It was an interesting and amazing experience that people can get to places via the series of river canals built over the years.

River Taxi

Platinum Mall

After the shopping trip at the mall, we proceed to the airport via the sky-train. It was a rather smooth ride and we arrived at the airport within 30 mins! With that, it marks the end of our 4 days journey in Bangkok. Congrats to Eve and Ong again and wish you two a blissful marriage!

Thailand Day 3 - Ko Kret Island

06 Jan, 1115 - Ko Kret (locally known as เกาะเกร็ด) is a small island located in Chao Phraya River in the province of Nonthaburi, and is some 2 km long and 1 km wide, 20 km north of Bangkok. Thank you Ong & Eve for sparing the time to bring us there. We enjoy the cycling trip round the island! =)

Stall selling fried vegges before boarding the boat to the island

Stopping by a local desert stall, which was retrofitted from the original timber house

Traditional pottery making

Beautiful Sunset by the river side

Roast Chicken for dinner! Yummy!

Thailand Day 2 - Ong & Eve Wedding

05 Jan, 1100 - So happy for both Ong & Eve that they are now finally husband and wife! This is the highlight and the main reason for our travel to Bangkok this year. We managed to meet up with some of our Cedar Point Thai friends and had a great day chatting with one another.

Catholic Wedding

Exchange of ring

Cedar Pointers!

The church where the wedding ceremony was held

Thai custom for the newly wed

The party begins at Pier 92

Complete with a river side view of Chao Phraya River

Ong & Eve - the newly weds

Cedar Pointers again

Evening view of the river

Thailand Day 1 - Bang Pa In Palace

04 Jan, 1200 - Board an early flight out of Singapore and touch down at Bangkok around 8am to attend a friend's wedding on Saturday. It has been such a wonderful journey to meet all the Thai friends from Cedar Point where it all began in 2009. Pair has graciously hosted us for this short trip and has planned to show us around Bangkok, starting with the Bang Pa In Palace in the adjacent province.

European Style palace build around the 1800s, which is unique in Thailand

A mixture of Europe and Thai Culture

Reflection in water

Chinese Style Palace which I think was influence by the close trade with the Qing Dynasty

Les Miserables

Synopsis: Ex-prisoner Jean Valjean is hunted for decades by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's young daughter, Cosette, their lives change forever. [Source: Yahoo! Movies]

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Finally, the musical moves to the screen! Having seen the Broadway in NY, overall I think the movie is decent. The music is definitely not as nice, but the singing was relatively good. Screen play wise, it provides a better understanding of the story than the musical. This is definitely a must watch show for the holidays!
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Rate: 7/10

How I wish to go back to NY to relive the experience again...

CZ12

Synopsis: Also known as "Armour Of God III: Chinese Zodiac", "Chinese Zodiac" is a Hong Kong action film produced, written, directed by and starring martial arts veteran Jackie Chan. The movie is a sequel to "Armour Of God" and "Armour Of God II: Operation Condor", where Chan stars as a Chinese hero named Asian Hawk, who is not unlike Indiana Jones. This time, he has to bring back the bronze head statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, which were sacked by the French and British armies from the imperial Summer Palace in Beijing in 1860. [Source: Yahoo! Singapore Movies]

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The movie was not as spectacular as what I expect. Most of the movie featured the old Jackie Chan style, running and jumping all over the place doing those seemingly impossible moves. One point that was interesting was the fight while free falling in mid air. That was really something new that he have not done before. Other than that, all is pretty normal and expected of a Jackie Chan movie.

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Rate: 6/10

Australia Day 6 part 2 - Fireworks at Darling Harbor

27 Oct, 1800 - With little time to spare, we decided to make full use of our pass bought on the first day and do sightseeing on a boat.

Enjoying the sunset at Manly Wharf

Luna Park in the night

Sydney Harbor Bridge with its lighting

As the time creep towards 8pm, we make our way down to darling harbor to wait for the last event of the day - Darling Weekend Fireworks

We had an enjoyable day indeed.

Australia Day 6 part 1 - Circular Quay & The Rocks

27 Oct, 0800 - Woke up early in the morning to visit the Rocks and to eat its famous pancake for breakfast. However, as we have forgotten where the restaurant is located, we have to resort to searching the shops around the area based on our memory from 3 years ago.

Managed to snap this beautiful picture from circular quay showing the Sydney Harbor Bridge in the background

A tree in full bloom

The iconic soldier on the Rock

And the restaurant "Pancakes on the Rock" selling its famous pancake. Luckily, we managed to find it and have a fulfilling breakfast =)

The weekend market out in full force. (Available only on Sat and Sun)

The Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House from a slightly different angle (Taken on a boat)

The Sydney skyline

The Luna Park, which we did not have a chance to visit

The Sydney Harbor Bridge

Live band performing in a cafe along the Opera House

 

Australia Day 5 part 2 - Wildlife Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussuad's & Sealife

26 Oct, 1100 - After the morning breakfast at Sydney Fish Market, we rushed off for our next part of the journey - to complete the Wildlife, Madame Tussuad's and Sealife in 5 hours. These 3 attractions are situated next to each other on the banks of darling harbor. We didn't plan for this initially, but since we have bought the entrance ticket as part of the Sydney Tower package, we have to at least tour them to make our money worth.

Wildlife Sydney Zoo, Madame Tussuad's & Sealife

Interesting facts about Koala at Wildlife Sydney Zoo

Curious wallaby

Is this bird a statue?

Lunch at I'm Agnus - Juicy steak

After lunch, we decided to visit Sealife to view the beautiful underwater species, starting with corals and jellyfish

Sharks swimming lazily above us

Last destination - Madame Tussuad's and here I am taking a picture with Hu Jintao, the president of the People's Republic of China

A racer for the Formula One Red Bull team!

Night view of Sydney

Too bad, we could not take any pictures on the Sydney Tower as loose items are strictly forbidden to be brought out of the building. We did managed to catch the sun setting on the horizon (which was beautiful) and the weather is freezing cold with wind blowing at you 100m up in the sky. =p