Seen And Heard: Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen

Woww, I actually don't know how to start writing about this. Anyway, yeah after months of anticipating, hundreds of hours being teased and drooled by the trailers, tv spots and many more, the time has finally come; I have actually watched Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen! Before I go any further, let me just brief you on the happenings surrounding this movie. All of our premieres should start on Thursday (they'll show pre-scrennings on Wednesdays), and somehow for this movie the premierre date was shifted a day earlier (and don't ask me, I don't know why). The buzz coming out from this movie was so big, all of the tickets are merely sold-out till next week! I do not kid you, I received feedbacks ranging from online bookings to people who queued for tickets, and radio commentaries. I can't even get access to GSC's website to check out the tickets! Let me tell you this, as far as I can remember, that NEVER happened before! I can't believe the magnitude of the hype for this movie (and all the more reasons to actually watch this movie). Long story short, my sister managed to get tickets for it @ GSC Signature, The Gardens (nothing beats watching an awesome title at awesome cinema, with comfy huge seats, less crowd (well, that's what I think at first)). So midnight at 12, I was there, ready to watch the movie I've been waiting for so long.

Now I'm attempting to write what I think about the movie. Before that, I've been receiving buzz about how 'not so good' the early reviews went, so I decided to actually check out what they have to say before I say anything. I'm trying to be realistic with what I am about to write, also to give some reassurance as to what I felt is true and not.

Let's go to some plot summary, shall we? (Note to readers: spoilers ahead!). First of all, I thought the title itself was referring to the fall of the Autobots due to revenge by the Decepticons, which...is not! The Fallen is actually a character on this movie (more on that later). So the Autobots and the military have formed a special force to combat the remaining Decepticons (the universe has started expanding, introducing cities like Shanghai and Cairo). On the other side of the world, Sam (played by Shia LeBouf) is moving on with his college life, and his ever awesome
superhot girlfriend Mikaela (that's Megan Fox y'all!), trying to work things out in a long distance relationship. All of a sudden, Sam got all wacko when he touched the frags of the AllSpark (the huge cube thingy majiggy) and saw images of weird symbols, ancient Cybertronian language of some sort; which in the end led it to a deadly machine once built by the Decepticons. The Transformers as we know it depends on Energon as their source of energy, and they sort of harvest it from planet to planet (with exception of planets with living beings). That's where The Fallen steps in. He is apparently the degil one, wanting to harvest Energon from the sun surrounding Earth. They then had this civil war (which happened thousands of years ago) whereby the key to leadership throne (on this movie it's called the 'matrix'). Anyway, the matrix was sealed off by the elderly leaders hoping the The Fallen will not ever find it, till today. So thus begin the battle in order to attain the matrix (oh and did I not mention, Megatron was resurrected by his fellow Decepticons?) and apparently take commands from The Fallen. And let me tell you this, it is lonnngggg battle!

So that's about the plot summary summary (I can't be bothered to write everything). Go watch it yourself, haha. Let's get to the good parts, shall we? In this movie, you'll definitely see new robots (for those who followed the series way back then), you'll know what I'm talking about. We're talking Constructicons forming into Devastator (it's massive I tell you!), Demolisher, Soundwave (the weird talking comunications Decepticon), Sideways, even Arcee is in! And the action was kick-ass in my opinion. You definitely feel like living in your childhood again, watching this characters battle it out. The battle and actions scenes have been increased up a few notches, and if you're into having a good time watching a good popcorn movie with mates and all, this if for you! The destruction magnitude is just gargantuan (I felt sorry for those who built the pyramids, let's just say it has undergone massive makeover) Another reason to watch it? Megan Fox! Simply translated, hot, hot , hot!!!

So, let's go to the 'not so good' aspects according to the viewers. First, the length of the movie claimed to be too long, and so some of the scenes are made too draggy. I can't complain much about the the lengthy running time. It is a little bit on a long side, but heck, the action scenes are long too! I got out of the cinema thinking ' man tere was nothing in between, action action all the way). I do agree on the draggy scenes though. The college scenes were a little long. Next people claimed that it lack storyline. Now, this I have to comment! I don't expect much storyline at all (at long as it makes sense, it's fine by me!) I'm not here to see a brilliant masterpiece of storytelling, I want to see top notch action sequence, things got blown up and stuff. That is why I wanted to watch Transformers in the first place! Robots in action turns me on! (haha, there, I said it). I'm not expecting to watch another 'The Dark Knight' and 'The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button', if I wanna see those type of movies, I'll get tickets for it. This is just not about that. Then, there's the comedy aspects of it. I think some are great additions but some of it are plain unnecessary. This is not a comedy. I don't expect to scene funny scenes in all scenes.

I know in the end this movie will not satisfy everything. So I suggest you guys to go and watch it, and give yourself a thought about how it went. Personally, I went to see robots (and Megan Fox) in action, and I managed to appreciate it. I enjoyed my time watching, it was a good popcorn movie with stimulating visuals, although some of the plot aspects can be improved or removed. A 6.5 stars from me. To those of you who haven' watched it, go to your nearest cinema now (let's hope that they're still tickets) Signing off, transform and roll-out!

p/s: do you have to ask why do I put Megan's pix on the header?

Waiter Rant: Thanks For The Tip - Confessions Of A Cynical Waiter

I happened to catch a few minutes of Oprah, and she was then recommending this book 'Waiter Rant' which she thinks is a good read. Basically it is based on a highly acclaimed blog of the same name, which basically...is about the raves and rants of the writer, living as a waiter. The blog apparently won an award for best writing in a weblog in the 2007 Bloggie Awards (I never know such award exists). Anyway, I thought that it might be an interesting read. So, I went to MPH, found the book and bought it!

I kinda enjoyed his style of writing. He is a little bit comical, but definitely a no-nonsense when it comes to speaking his mind. It gives an everyday person like me an insightful view of how restaurants are managed and how tough it actually is to be a waiter. In the book he addresses things like how people suddenly turned into their very own Anthony Bourdain when it comes to scrutinizing food, how dependable restaurant staffs are to tipping by customers, working your levels up in the ranks, not to mention the very basic question; why be a waiter? His writing is as if we are writing a blog, no proper formats, language structure like in those higher end literature, which managed to keep me reading till the last page.

Another thing, he incorporated simple phrases in Spanish which he learnt and conversed with his fellow immigrant colleagues throughout the years working (including pendejo, which I think is another word for butt-hole). I did learn some Spanish then! (if that counts as one). Also, reading this book tells you that the writer, although a waiter (which some might say is not decent job to be proud of) is actually a very observant,insightful and definitely knows his stuff well. He even shares 40 tips on how to be a good customer, and not some pain in the ass which only is waiting to get kicked out by the manager

So there you go, another book read and much-less reviewed. Feel free to check it out at MPH or other leading bookstores, if reading this sort of book is your cup of tea, although I think it is worth recommending (hey, even customers @ Amazon gave great reviews on this book, just in case you need a second opinion). Next, I might try reading the now-crazed Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. My sister has all of her series, I might just took it from her. We'll see...Roger and out!

How Not To Twitter

Just in case you're wondering, Twitter is now the 'it' thing it today's world of social networking, and just like Facebook, Myspace and many other social networking sites, Twitter has taken the world by the storm with its unique concept. Unfortunately, there will always be somebody who took these things to the extreme. Austrian Times have reported that a teenage girl was electrocuted due to Twitter. Apparently she was twittering in her bath tub when suddenly her laptop dropped into the bath. How ironic, Twitter's catchphrase is 'What Are You Doing', and little that she know that subconciously she was about to type 'got electrocuted with 2000 volts, in the tub'...

Good Hospitality In Malaysia; We're Not Quite There Yet, Aren't We?

Last night I was Bangsar Village with my mum and my sister. After strolling along the retail outlets, we headed to have dinner (if you happen to check my Twitter, you know where are we dining). Anyway, we had our dinner and all (great food, ambiance was not bad at all, a cute chick was dining with her friend at the table beside, cehh sempat lagi usha tuh). We're about to leave the premise and there it strikes me, no 'thank you, please come again, have a pleasant evening' or any of that sorts of phrases you usually hear. From there onwards my mind starts to wonder. This is not the first time I have encountered this sort of acts in Malaysia, whether it's an entering a retail outlet, dining, even going for a haircut.

Back in the UK, I truly admire on how they treated their customers. They treated each and everyone with utmost respect, warmth together with a welcoming smile. While shopping, the salesperson will not follow you as if they are stalking you, but somehow their behaviour translates into the words 'I'll be here if you need any help'. They'll let you roam around their huge (or narrow) space. Upon payment, they'll ask you 'will that be all?' and they'll say thinks like 'thank you, please come again'. Honestly I'm saying, even if you're not buying anything that day, the treatment that you got makes you want to buy at least something, or perhaps enter the shop the next time. Even when I'm getting a haircut, they'll treat you like your favourite customer, asking if the water temperature is warm enough, if you'd like a scalp massage. I tell you, it is worth every ringgit and sen spent (in this case, pounds and pences).

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Malaysians are a brute when it comes to being hospitable. Heck, Malaysians are renowned as being a very welcoming and very warm people. But sometimes this sort of small gestures makes you wonder if Malaysians are actually warm in personality. If you ask me, if he/she does all of this small things, it's either his/her upbringing is delightful, or he/she have been trained well in hospitality.

In my observation, you will get these 'extra' treatments if you are 1) a very seasoned, regular customer. 2) a well known somebody. 3) you happen to know the owner (or someone influential) of that establishment. Oh not to mention 4) How you present yourself (I've heard that the typical apek in pagoda shirts and flip flops did not receive a fair treatment even though he's got two Benz and a BMW back home). Yes, it's not about whether you know people, it's about whether people know you. The element of 'double standard' is still there, and I think it's gonna take a while before it vanishes once and for all. Sometimes if you're lucky you can even see the hideous faces of the promoters having a bad day. The negative energy is scattered all over the place, the first thing you want to is to leave the place.

So, that is what I have to say about this topic. I say, everyone deserves a fair treatment, be it a window shopper, or a fashion diva; whether he orders only a teh o limau suam, or treats a table of 10. Any comments are welcomed!

When The Going Gets Tough...Will You Work Without Pay?

An interesting development following our upsetting economic crisis. Apparently British Airways (BA) is giving their staffs (that's 40,000 employees, mind you) option of working without pay up to a month, in order for the company to stay 'afloat' amidst the crisis. Wow, talk about being desperate. Apparently this is happening around us as we speak. Back home, I went for lunch a few days back, with a colleague of mine together with his mates from this well-renowned automation and systems company, and he claimed that the company is also taking cost-cutting measures, whereby they have to take 10 days of unpaid leave in 6 months. I guess the heat is now felt by almost everyone; even the professionals in well-established corporations. Let's hope that my company will not resort to this measure as well. It will definitely be a bad sign to the employees, and to the nation, as we have and always been the bread and butter of the nation. So spend wisely people, coz you'll never know whether you'll still get a paycheck by the end of the month!

More on the article can be found here

Web Albums Updated

I have just updated my Web Albums with some new pics. Feel free to check it out later by clicking the above logo, or the side bar!

His Name Is Yehya...

I happened to watch Jimmy Kimmel on Star World and I came across this character; Yehya. He was doing this interview at the MTV Movie Awards 09 and I thought he was just hilarious. So, I did the usual; looked it up on You Tube and shared it with all my readers. Enjoy laughing your ass off and have a good day!