This is an open invitation to anyone who reads my blog. We have a really good musical segment planned and I think it will be an awesome experience.
Showing posts with label FGA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FGA. Show all posts
Saturday, April 4
Good Friday
This is an open invitation to anyone who reads my blog. We have a really good musical segment planned and I think it will be an awesome experience.
Wednesday, May 2
Short and Sweet - Theatre Review
Last Sunday, I went to watch Short and Sweet, the inaugural instalment of a play writing competition organised by NAFA (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts). Basically, a collection of 8 new and original 10-minute plays, written and performed by both professionals and amateurs in the local theatre scene.
Some of the plays were very very good. Notably:-
1) Remembering the Kites.
Performed by Lim Kay Tong (who looked alot like Gandalf in this role, according to Aarika) and Sonny Lim (who looked like the Kung Fu Master in KingFu Hustle). This play was about 2 old timers, who seemed to have problems remembering the past, even if their lives, or at least the life they were holding on to desperately, depended on it. Needless to say, with such illuminaries, and a fairly solid script, this was one of my favourites. Unfortunately they ran over 10 mins, so they were disqualified. Yes, we were all, like, WTH?
2) Exchanges
This one was a Wild card winner, meaning the audience didn't have to pick them, because the judges, who have veto, picked this one. A simple tale about a couple who meet after 15 years, and all the pain, joy and memories that accompanies it. Each has a gift for the other, and the play ends without telling the audience what she gave him. This totally consumes us for the rest of the evening. "What was in the bag?" Does anyone know?
And then there were the duds.
1) Haven't.
With a name like that, you have to expect some half hearted portrayal of an afterlife, and that's exactly what we got. I was happy to see that it put some Indian actors to work, but that's all that play was good for. I didn't understand the plot, one of the characters didnt even need to be there, and most of it was existential hogwash anyway. Maybe the playwright "haven't" got it yet. How it was shortlisted baffled me.
2) 4 seconds.
This was another Wild Card winner, but I didn't like it. It seemed like another attempt to exploit the pain and loneliness faced by homosexuals to sell a story. I hate the fact that plays like this armtwist you into accepting homosexuality as "normal". That if you didn't like it, then you were labelled homophobic. Much as I don't like watching 2 men kiss, what bothered me about this play was not the "Give the homo a chance" subtext, but the "homos are "normal" too" agenda. You are not. There is no "normal". Deal with it, the way the rest of us deal with our own failings and insecurities.
The rest of the plays were good, not great. Frostbite gets an honourable mention here because my friend Candice was in it, and she is an amazing and talented actress. Go see her in "ON North Diversion Road".
Short and Sweet is a marvellous idea, an event that we need more of, and publicise more. The audience turnout was dismal at best (although the organisers claim the finals are sold out). But look out for the next one. Local theatre needs this.
Some of the plays were very very good. Notably:-
1) Remembering the Kites.
Performed by Lim Kay Tong (who looked alot like Gandalf in this role, according to Aarika) and Sonny Lim (who looked like the Kung Fu Master in KingFu Hustle). This play was about 2 old timers, who seemed to have problems remembering the past, even if their lives, or at least the life they were holding on to desperately, depended on it. Needless to say, with such illuminaries, and a fairly solid script, this was one of my favourites. Unfortunately they ran over 10 mins, so they were disqualified. Yes, we were all, like, WTH?
2) Exchanges
This one was a Wild card winner, meaning the audience didn't have to pick them, because the judges, who have veto, picked this one. A simple tale about a couple who meet after 15 years, and all the pain, joy and memories that accompanies it. Each has a gift for the other, and the play ends without telling the audience what she gave him. This totally consumes us for the rest of the evening. "What was in the bag?" Does anyone know?
And then there were the duds.
1) Haven't.
With a name like that, you have to expect some half hearted portrayal of an afterlife, and that's exactly what we got. I was happy to see that it put some Indian actors to work, but that's all that play was good for. I didn't understand the plot, one of the characters didnt even need to be there, and most of it was existential hogwash anyway. Maybe the playwright "haven't" got it yet. How it was shortlisted baffled me.
2) 4 seconds.
This was another Wild Card winner, but I didn't like it. It seemed like another attempt to exploit the pain and loneliness faced by homosexuals to sell a story. I hate the fact that plays like this armtwist you into accepting homosexuality as "normal". That if you didn't like it, then you were labelled homophobic. Much as I don't like watching 2 men kiss, what bothered me about this play was not the "Give the homo a chance" subtext, but the "homos are "normal" too" agenda. You are not. There is no "normal". Deal with it, the way the rest of us deal with our own failings and insecurities.
The rest of the plays were good, not great. Frostbite gets an honourable mention here because my friend Candice was in it, and she is an amazing and talented actress. Go see her in "ON North Diversion Road".
Short and Sweet is a marvellous idea, an event that we need more of, and publicise more. The audience turnout was dismal at best (although the organisers claim the finals are sold out). But look out for the next one. Local theatre needs this.
Sunday, February 18
Movie Review - Ghost Rider
Going out on Chinese New Year Eve is fanstastic. The streets are empty, and also many businessed are closed, many others like TCC and McDonalds are open. And of course the cinemas are open.
That's how Rhordan, Yeronn, Dalton and I ended up watching the 12:10 showing of 'Ghost Rider'. The other movie showing at that time was Notes on a Scandal, which neither of the children were keen on seeing. So Marvel mayhem it was.
If you are really into either Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes, good computer graphics, or all three, then you may find this movie quite entertaining. Don't expect any deep social or moral lessons, a la Spiderman, or deep rooted character development.
The story is about stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze who gives up his soul to become a vigilante, to fight against power hungry Blackheart, the son of the devil himself. Blackheart and his gang of weird fallen angels provided for much enjoyed creepy fight scenes and great CG.
The stoy of course, is based on the comic character created by the inimitable Stan Lee, who is one of the executive producers of the movie. Nicholas Cage who got into serious shape for this role (we were wondering if his 6 pack was CGI-ed as well!), did justice to the character of Blaze, with his long expressive fingers pointing out villains. Even though half the time, he is portrayed as a blazing skull, fans of Nick wil still get to see enough of him.
The Eva Mendes character, however, was kept shallow and "damsel in distress". Playing Roxanne, Johnny's love interest, Eva was constantly dresed in tight fitting, boob revealing blouses that did great justice to her supple body, but not to her reputation as a skilled actress.
That's how Rhordan, Yeronn, Dalton and I ended up watching the 12:10 showing of 'Ghost Rider'. The other movie showing at that time was Notes on a Scandal, which neither of the children were keen on seeing. So Marvel mayhem it was.
If you are really into either Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes, good computer graphics, or all three, then you may find this movie quite entertaining. Don't expect any deep social or moral lessons, a la Spiderman, or deep rooted character development.
The story is about stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze who gives up his soul to become a vigilante, to fight against power hungry Blackheart, the son of the devil himself. Blackheart and his gang of weird fallen angels provided for much enjoyed creepy fight scenes and great CG.
The stoy of course, is based on the comic character created by the inimitable Stan Lee, who is one of the executive producers of the movie. Nicholas Cage who got into serious shape for this role (we were wondering if his 6 pack was CGI-ed as well!), did justice to the character of Blaze, with his long expressive fingers pointing out villains. Even though half the time, he is portrayed as a blazing skull, fans of Nick wil still get to see enough of him.
The Eva Mendes character, however, was kept shallow and "damsel in distress". Playing Roxanne, Johnny's love interest, Eva was constantly dresed in tight fitting, boob revealing blouses that did great justice to her supple body, but not to her reputation as a skilled actress.
Wednesday, December 13
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)