At the movies - 2012

What was supposed to be a time away from work related headaches turned out to be a big group gathering. And it all turned out like that because of the simple reason being that neither of us could get a ticket for the movie. And hence the search was expanded, and in the end we ended up watching the movie 2012 at the Alamanda Putrajaya.

As I received/heard mixed reviews on this movie, I went in without any expectations whatsoever. My main focus was to enjoy the night out with the gang and especially just immerse myself in the fun activity that we call "movie watching experience". Popcorns, ice lemon tea, a cold and dark theatre, and you almost have everything in hand.

Unfortunately, the naysayers won the day that night. The movie was way below what was expected or a disaster movie, much less a Hollywood movie with a big budget. And this is coming from me, who has no expectations whatsoever of the movie (!) There was plenty of plot holes that I could list down, but since this is a big budgeted Hollywood movie, that is expected.

But I was more disappointed with John Cusack's performance in the movie, he seems almost lazy throughout and did not come out as believable as the reluctant hero-cum-doting father-cum-ex husband still in love with ex wife guy. In short his performance in the movie was below par as what is usually expected of him.

The other actors fare worse, although Woody Harrelson almost (almost...) saved the movie with his antics. He looked like he was having fun in an otherwise drab movie and I just wished he was on screen longer. At least that might have stifle more yawns out of me.

The action sequences were interrupted with scenes about family bonding, more so about the father and son relationship. One or two characters is okay, but all the main characters have that type of scenes, playing over and over again throughout the movie, interrupting what should have been a good action sequences put together. Well, when you think about it, the trailer is wayyyy better than the movie. The action sequences never stopped in the trailer. The guy that did the trailer must be applauded.

Then there's this whole end of the world thing. Gosh, I think we just got duped. I really thought that it's gonna be the movie that give us something to think about for our future, but it looks as if the movie makers just wimped out towards the end of the movie and decided not to destroy the world. After building up all that "world is going to end" crap and "we told you it's coming" sh*t in the previews, marketing and adverts, the movie just fell flat on the face. And at the end of the movie I really wish they would have done a better finale.

But, the graphics are good. I really applaud the Hollywood film makers for this. the graphics just blew me away...That's about all that's good in the movie.

The box office performance is quite good, so I doubt the film makers will care what the film critics or anyone who came out of the movie not liking the movie will say. I heard that they're developing a tv series based on the survivors' stories. And they would recoup back the millions that was invested in the movie. I just wish I could get back my RM10 from the cinema for a very poor movie...

Now, let's go back to YouTube to check out the trailer again...it's even more fun...:)

Photoshoot: Putrajaya - Taman Botani

My very first photo shoot with a model! Well, not really a professional model, since this is her first time and have never modeled before. This is also the first time I went out with my friends for a model photo shoot, and the first time I have someone other than my wife to be the model. It was nerve wrecking since I have no idea what to do actually. Thank God we have someone to guide us, and he was very patient in showing us what to do.

One of the major things I learned was that the photographer has to know what he/she wants. i.e. settings, props, backgrounds, composition, and most importantly what type of poses. Well, you can't just have the model stand there like the Buckingham Palace guards, can you? It'll look like you're shooting a mannequin.

For props, I borrowed one of my boys' guitar...gitar kapok...as they called it, and which they reluctantly lend it to me. "Tak nak gitar elektrik ke, bang Wan? Gitar ni dah lama..." Yes, there were spider cobwebs on it (which is partly my fault since I forgot to clean it up a bit) and 2 very cute lil stickers on one end...hehe. The other prop, was (proud to say this) my red Kurnia Insurans umbrella. Well, they did only say: "bring a red umbrella!"...and that's the only red one I have...heh.

The model is Linda's (thanx Linda!) sister in law: Che Yu. She got into the groove of things pretty quickly despite the fact that she's never modeled before and basically is not familiar with the other photographers including myself (with the exception of Linda, obviously). It helps that she's patient with us struggling around (well, we did roll around on the ground to get some of the shots, which made her laugh). After a while, I too had Che Yu doing some poses that was in my head, which must have worked at some point...we did get the shots, yes? Jay Manuel - eat your heart out... :p

I love every minute of it, and I want to do more shoots. Practice, practice, practice.

These are some of my favorite pictures from the photo shoot:

Check out more in my flickr...