Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate

From Sex and the City / Season 4 Episode 18 / "I Heart NY" 

Carrie: Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate. Without them, what would shape our lives? Perhaps if we never veered off course we wouldn't fall in love, or have babies, or be who we are. After all, seasons change. So do cites. People come into your life and people go. But it's comforting to know that the ones you love are always in your heart. And if you're very lucky, a plane ride away.

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We Love Julie Andrews!

Earlier this year, a UK journalist who was working on a feature on Julie Andrews, asked me to contribute a short paragraph on this beautiful woman. I just found the piece I wrote while digging around for something else.

Here it is:

I’ve often said that no one weaves magic on screen like Julie Andrews. I grew up watching Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music which made me wish to know someone as enchanting as this lady. 20 years after watching her films as a child, I’m an English teacher at an elementary school in Korea and I’m using the songs from her films when I teach. Julie owns whatever scene she’s in – without much effort, it seems. Poised, sharp and beautiful, she is as graceful as ever after all these years and still loved by many all over the world.

White Gold: Off circuit in a week?

Image from Google Images

White Gold is a film focused on the history of South Africa's sugar can industry and the migrant workers who left their native land (India) to seek a new life in South Africa. I first heard about the film on TV where various shows were commemorating the arrival of the first Indians in the 1800's.

Being a South African production, I was very keen to see it and was delighted to know that it was in my hometown (EL) starting from last week Friday. Due to other obligations and my mum not being well, we postponed seeing it and made a mental note to watch it next (this) week.

Today seemed like the perfect day, but when we checked the Ster Kinekor's movie listing in the paper, we were disappointed to know that it was already off circuit.

I needed to know why, so we made a call to Ster Kinekor - who told us that if a film doesn't do well within the first weekend, it's taken off circuit. Is this fair? I'm leaning towards no...

Eat Pray Love - The Movie

When I heard that Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir, Eat Pray Love (EPL) would be delivered to us on the silver screen, I must admit that I was a bit skeptical. I’m not easily swayed when books are turned into movies. 

 I read the book sometime last year and I wanted everyone I knew to read it as well. 

It's the kind of travelogue that makes you want to chat about it with a friend over coffee. You'll want to salivate over the pizza in Naples, you'll want to learn more about the tradition of arranged marriages in India and you'll want to discuss the colourful characters the protagonist meets in Bali. 

When I heard that Julia Roberts would star in the film, I couldn’t imagine anyone else essaying the role of Elizabeth Gilbert. Perhaps it could just be a hit. I've waited a long time to see this film (friends in the US saw it back in August already!) so on Friday, October 7 2010 my mum and I watched it together.

“I want to go some place where I can marvel at something.” 

This is what Elizabeth (Liz) Gilbert tells her friend after realizing that she has “no pulse”. A woman who should have been happy with what seemed like a full life (a career, husband and new home) she felt like she was in a rut and as a result, she lost her thirst for life.

Many of us can identify with this feeling. Why am I here? Who am I?

Yongsan & Ocean World

Wednesday, August 18 2010

On Wednesday, Darmesh needed a few more gadgets so we went back to Yongsan and actually ended up watching a movie after shopping.

We watched Ocean World in 3D. It's a documentary film directed by Jean-Jacques Mantello and speaks of animal life in the ocean. ONLY after the opening credits, did we realize the film was dubbed in Korean! Nevertheless, we stayed and watched it - the 3D underwater images were simply incredible.

Ocean World movie poster in Korean

The subway ride home was entertaining. There was a man (intoxicated with alcohol) who was making small talk, in Korean no less with my mum and when he got off at his stop, he gave my mum his fan! We got off at Bupyeong Station to give my brother a taste of underground shopping, but by that time the stores were already closing.

Step Up 3 - 3D & Shopping

Wednesday, August 11 2010

Step Up 3 (3D) movie poster in Korean

My mum also surprised me and had an abundance of energy the day after her long flight to Korea. Mum, Darmesh and I went to Bucheon and (don't judge me!) watched Step Up 3 in 3D. It was incredible! 

As many of my friends know, I don't enjoy shopping. When I used to go to this department store (either to a restaurant or movie) I never went 'shopping' so on this day when I was there with my mum and brother, I guess it was the first time that I even noticed some of the stores!

Exhausted from the heat, we got home pretty late, but my brother and I went out for about an hour or two to a pub near my apartment. 

With mum in Bucheon

Dinner, Movie & Moffle

Monday, August 9 2010

Now before you judge us for watching so many movies, remember that it was really hot to be outdoors. Also, the movies in Korea are definitely worth going to. On Monday, we took it easy at home and spent the day just chilling out. Around 4pm, we were ready to face the outdoors. I took Darmesh to my favourite Korean restaurant where he had Bi-bim-bap and I had Bo-ri-bap. After that, we went to watch Inception (which deserves a blog post on its own). In short, we couldn't understand why people were raving about it as much as they were. Bottom line - we didn't enjoy it.

Around 9pm we went to Bucheon and again, my brother was amazed with the buzz. On a Monday night! We ended up at a nice cafe where we had a "moffle" which is basically a waffle with tiramisu. Sounds deathly divine, but was pretty light.

We decided to make our way back home around midnight and wanted to take a cab home. Everything was fine, until I realized that the driver had taken another turn (which I wasn't familiar with) and took a very long route to get me home. When I recognized the school that I work at (about 15-20 walk from my apartment), I told the driver that we'd get off there. So we walked home, but not to worry - it's safe. I even stopped at a shop to buy laundry softener! The good and exciting news was - my mum was arriving the following day :-)

Shrek 4 - 3D

Sunday, August 8 2010

I'd been waiting to see Shrek 4 in 3D. When Darmesh and I arrived back in Seoul from Jeju, the first thing I did was to check if it was still playing. CGV in Gangnam was the only cinema showing it - for the last time.

I didn't even have to think twice about it...and off we went to Seoul.  It was my first time going to that CGV - it was pretty nice, especially that I got to learn about a Twin Combo popcorn: You can get salted & caramel popcorn which comes with a divider...I never knew!

Anyway, we both thoroughly enjoyed Shrek 4. We had a bite to eat at Subway and made our way home. We were both exhausted. It was also extremely hot.

SALT

SALT movie poster in Korea

                                Wednesday, August 4 2010

As I said, I thought we'd take it easy for the first day or two, knowing how tired my brother would be, but no! He was ready to go out straight after breakfast. I didn't want to trek out to Seoul just then, so we went to Bucheon and spent the day at Hyundai Department Store. Many people would argue against watching movies in a foreign country, but honestly, watching movies in Korea is an experience not to be missed!

We watched SALT (Angelina Jolie). Now I'm not a Jolie fan, but oh haute damn! This chick kicked ass...and how!

After the movie, we had lunch and did some shopping. We made our way home to quickly get ready and meet up with my friend, Joo-hyeon.

Love, Barack Trailer

I'm really looking forward to this political comedy starring Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and Avatar star, Laz Alonso. You can see the movie poster here.

The Social Network - Trailer

A story about the founders of Facebook:

My 4D Experience

How to Train Your Dragon ~ 4D

Picture this: You're watching a movie. The opening scene is of a sea. Would you you feel sea sick watching it? Probably not. What if your seat was rocking back and forth and swerving to the left and right according to the camera angles?

What if you actually felt the water spray on your face?!

Now imagine this: The scene is in a forest. The camera pans over green grass, tall trees and flowers. Would you think you're going crazy if suddenly you're able to smell the grass and flowers?!

This is the future of cinema.

This, my friends...is 4D!

On Tuesday, June 1 I watched How to Train Your Dragon in 4D at Times Square in Seoul. My friend, Sarah and I thought the most that would happen would be that our seats moved. Before the movie started, a CGV staff member announced that it was advisable not to eat or drink during the movie as the seats would rock.


As the as lights dimmed, Sarah said to me - "Please don't scream!" but as it turns out, she was shrieking more than me! It was an incredibly cinematic experience and definitely worth the money (double the price of a regular movie ticket).

We think the scents come from the back of the seats

Korea: World Cup in 3D Theaters

Published a few days ago in Korea Times.

Local theaters including CGV and Lotte Cinema will screen 2010 South Africa World Cup games in 3D at select theaters around the country between June 12 and 23.

By Lee Hyo-won

The 2010 FIFA World Cup team members representing South Korea have been announced and Red Devil T-shirts are selling fast in stores. Instead of scrambling for a spot in Seoul Plaza to tune into the world's most watched sporting event, why not head to a movie theater, where you don't have to worry about people stomping on your shoes?

Major theater chains around the country will screen live broadcasts of games, that offer not just air conditioning and state-of-the-art sound systems but also, in tune with the times, 3D vision.

"It ain't you all, it's y'all"

I'm a self-confessed Rush Hour fanatic (all of them), mainly for the hilarious scenes between Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker. Check out this clip where Carter shows Lee how to get down ^_*

Angelina Jolie in SALT

This is the (Korean) movie poster for Angelina Jolie's forthcoming film, SALT. According to New York Daily Times, the actress is "unrecognizable" (thanks to Photoshop, I guess!) I'm not a big fan of Jolie, but will probably watch this film when it releases next month. (Release date for Korea is July 29 - which happens to be my birthday ^_^)

In the film, Jolie plays a CIA officer accused of being a Russian spy.

Step Up 3D trailer

Here's another movie I'm really looking forward to  - Step Up 3D. Directed by Jon Chu, it will star Rick Malambri, Adam Sevani, Sharni Vinson and Alyson Stoner. It will be the second dance film to be shot in 3D (the first was Street Dance 3D). 

Artists featured on the soundtrack include T-Pain, Flo Rida, Trey Songz, B.o.B, Sean Paul, Girlicious and J Randall.

The Karate Kid

Remember: Always Strong!

I'm eagerly awaiting the release of The Karate Kid with Jackie Chan & Jaden Smith - son of the original Fresh Prince, Will Smith. The shots of Beijing, China shown in this trailer promises a visual treat - I recognize some places that I visited earlier this year!

First Look: Love, Barack

Here's my article that ran on BollySpice in February about the film:

Mallika Sherawat has been cast opposite Avatar star, Laz Alonso in a political comedy, Love, Barack. The film is set during the frantic days leading up to the 2008 US Presidential elections. Mallika will play the role of Democrat Aretha Gupta, a devoted Obama volunteer coordinator who unexpectedly falls for her Republican counterpart (Alonso), a handsome African-American working for the local McCain office.

The inspiration for the story comes from the numerous publicly-documented campaign romances that sprung up around during the Obama Presidential win. Experts have speculated that this resulted in an “Obama baby-boom”

"Laz Alonso is a talented and exciting actor. I'm very lucky to be working with him," said Mallika in a statement.

The film will be directed by Doug McHenry and will also star Ruby Dee, Gerry Bednob and Loretta Devine.

Mallika has previously made Hollywood news when she landed a small role in a Jackie Chan movie, The Myth. She is currently doing another Hollywood film, Hisss directed by Jennifer Lynch which also stars Irrfan Khan.

Accent Training for Inspector Jacques Clouseau

I've been a fan of Steve Martin ever since Father of the Bride. Contrary to what many people think and feel, I thought he was hilarious in Pink Panther (and the sequel) as Inspector Jacques Clouseau. In this clip, he is being tutored by an accent coach before embarking on his great American adventure. So funny!

Sex & the City 2: Anti-Muslim?

Image from Google Images

Article from here.

While I'm waiting with baited breath for the release of Sex & the City 2, I've also been waiting for critics to make headlines with something like this. What do you think?

Los Angeles: Carrie Bradshaw is in trouble and it has got nothing to do with Mr Big. The much awaited sequel 'Sex And The City 2' has been accused of being "anti-Muslim" by critics who have also panned the film for lacking "script and soul."

The sequel to the 2008 hit sees the four New Yorker girlfriends travelling to the far-flung sand dunes of Abu Dhabi, but reviews say that the sojourn conjures up a "scathing portrayal of Muslim society", according to industry bible 'Hollywood Reporter'.