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Recommendations?

Finished reading the final book of Harry Potter ... And though I may be alone on this -- I really didn't enjoy the last book as I did with the 1st four's. The ORDER OF THE PHOENIX went just way too slow for my taste and the ending was just "blah". Kinda disappointed.

Need to find a good book to read for my "down-time" at work ... Any suggestions? (No romance novels, please!)

Counter top? Check!

We *FINALLY* finalized our bathrooms countertop today! Yeh! Stopped by the Perfection Countertop in Niles and made our final decisions on the color of Corian countertops.

For the 1st floor full bathroom we decided to go with Tarragon. Trying to go for a relax spa-look ... =) The powder room have a Kohler pedastal sink..so no countertop there.

On the 2nd floor, we went with Gray Fieldstone . It was extremely hard to find the color to match our bluish-grey floor and shower tiles. Hopefully, this will turn out nice. As for the master bedroom, it's granite countertop.

For the basement bathroom, we decided on Sahara. And for our laundry room, we settle for a dark brown color Silt.

Who knew there was so many choice of color?!! Even for the sinks ... there were many shades of white!! (sigh)

Shrek 2

I loved Shrek 1 because it was witty and original. It took what we thought was the basic fairy tale story and twisted it by using cameos out of other fairy tales and putting them into a REAL world with REAL problems. Shrek 2 is nothing different and it does what a basic sequel does: Use the same characters, add new characters, and use the same plot twists/equation that it did with the 1st movie (such as music, singing and satire).

Not only did they keep Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, and Mike Meyers, but we got a taste of Antonio Baneras. I haven’t seen Baneras sing since Evita. And now he should stop!! Hahah.

Go watch this movie. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. Such a high mark because it went out of the way to make me see fairy tales as something more than a child’s story.

What I do have a grip about is previews. I mean, I love watching previews, but some tell too much! A good example would be when Austin Powers 2 came out. The introduction of Mini-Me was soo hilarious when I first saw it, but I just wish they didn’t put the way he was introduced into the preview. And they didn't need to play it OVER and OVER again. And when I actually saw the movie, it just wasn't funny anymore. I mean, I know that the studios NEED to make money by showing these previews so more people will go see it. I like watching previews that don’t show too much of the story off. Just a taste of a movie should be seen…nothing more. I hate seeing a movie and seeing the best parts in the previews.

But some are too little such as Ocean's 12... Can't win them all!!!

Another thing, doesn’t it seem that Eddie Murphy isn’t funny any more as a LIVE person?? I mean his LIVE movies mostly bomb, but the moviews where he is a animated dragon (Mooshu in Mulan) and a donkey do great. Poor guy, he tries soooo hard.

SmallVille

Got the 1st and 2nd season of SmallVille tonight from BestBuy. They had a promotion of buying both season and get $15 off --- so I figured "Why not?!" Patrick always seem to be attached to the series (or to Lana... Haha). As for me, I had only caught a couple of epsiodes here and there -- and it don't seem too bad. Going to try to watch it from the beginning and see how it all started.

Leaving Me Loving You

I just finished watching this new Chinese romantic movie starring Leon Lai and Faye Wong ... and the only thing that came to my mind at the end of the movie was "HUH?!?!" Besides the beautiful scenery of Shanghai and the nice music soundtrack, the movie lacked substance. For a movie that was suppose to be romantic... it didn't touch my heart at all. The love between Leon and Faye's character was never build up ... the romance start, end, and began again very abruptly. I was not able to relate to either character. In addition, the lack of conversation (almost none) in the movie was super annoying. By the end of the 1st hour, I was still looking for the main plot of the story.

If you never been to Shanghai and want some spectular view on the city... then grab yourself some popcorn and Pepsi. If you want a romantic movie (or just a movie with SOME kind of conversational piece) ... move on!

P.S. Ken K -- You can have this one for free! Haha. Don't ever say we don't give you anything!! =p

Troy

Troy vs. Achilles

We watched Troy last night. It’s the re-telling of the Trojan War with the main character Achilles (played by Brad Pitt). Accuracy of the story aside, the movie was pretty good. And to be honest, there are soo many different versions of the myth that everyone remembers the story differently.

The interesting aspect of the movie was that the director and writer did not choose to show any of the magical aspects of Greek mythology. There were no appearances of any Greek Gods and there were no “presence of GOD" either. Meaning that we didn’t see the dipping of Achilles into the River Styx, the trial of Paris, or Apollo’s guiding of the arrow that killed Achilles.

This is a decision that I would have disagreed on. I wouldn’t mind seeing the magic of the gods there. I would have been happy with even a hint of a God striking down someone, like a camera shot of the SUN when Achilles was struck down. But this is something that would make the rating lower. Its probably the Kevin Sorbo “Hercules”writing/directing style that I am used to.

2hr and 45mins running time!!! Sheez. It’s a “gladiator type” movie trying to make Brad Pitt the Russel Crowe character -- killing every warrior that approaches in really cool ways. Of course, they didn’t choose to include the fact that Achilles was bisexual. But like I said, putting accuracy aside… And the movie could have been a bit shorter if we didn’t have to see EVERY character’s funeral. It was like a process of action, action, and action---- then funeral and repeat--- a vicious cycle. I understand that Greeks take death seriously, but I would rather see another aspect of the Trojan War explored than seeing another burning funeral.

Overall, it was a GOOD movie. I give it a 3 out of 5 stars. Gladiator was still a better movie in my opinion. It was probably because of the fighting scenes seemed more vivid and exciting. But then again, “Troy” was still FUN to watch. I wonder who would win?? Maximus versus Achilles!! Haha.

I would recommend the movie to others but I would warn them that it’s a “orgy of blood” followed by the funeral of everyone.

NEXT WEEK: Shrek 2

Toronto Trip

DAY #1
Took us 8 hr drive to get here. Of course we kept under the speed limit!! =P
Checked in at 8pm and went out to Congee Wong for a late dinner.
$12 Canidan dollars for dinner, but we didnt have any CAN dollars as of yet, so we decided to charge. Hmmm. It was a good idea until we tried to paid and the stupid waiter said they didnt take Mastercard or Visa.

Shit!! What to do?! We asked the waiter where was the closest cash station. He said there was none. Then we told him we would just give him a $20 USD which was equal to $27 CAN, but he didnt take it. What a dumbass waiter. You figure he would have taken it and cashed it out later. So we asked another waiter who promptly told us the closest cash station was 3 blocks away. So, here I go leaving Michelle at the table and racing down to the cash station. (BTW, its on Walden/Highway 7 if you guys care.) I parked and tried to get in the bank -- of course its locked and card-accessable so no-go. But there is hope ... because it has a DRIVE-THRU!!.

I drove back and bail Michelle out of our dilemma. Just seconds away from doing the dishes!!! OHHH.. What a Day #1!!

DAY #2
Nothing big today. We got Michelle a new pair of eye glasses. If anyone wants to get new glasses there is no place like Canada to get them (hehe.. kind of like prescription drugs). She goes ahead and picks out a pair of titanium MODO glasses from the first store we walk into. And with the RX she brought from Lens Crafters we get them to do it for $144 USD with Rx Lens included. What a deal considering US jacks the price up for any titanium glass frame to around 300-400 bucks itself!! And the cool thing about it was that it was done under an hour.

And of course we bought a bunch of DVD-9's of Chinese movies. Five movies for $13 USD. This time I don't need to buy bootleg ps2 games because of SuprNova!!!

So we have concluded that Canadian people shopping at Pacific Mall are:
1. Blind
2. Cell phone fanatics
3. Hair freaks
4. Fast FOOD freaks

beacause of the many eye glasses stores, cell phone stores, hair salons, Mcdonalds and Burger King (which are 24 hrs in Toronto)!!

Day #3
Went back to Pacific Mall. Michelle was contemplating on whether or not to get a new pair of sunglasses -- she decided that she will get it at a later time (after walking around the mall in circles for the millionth time). We got MORE Chinese movies (which brings the total to 10 DVDs).

1. Sex and the Beauties
2. My Wife is 18
3. Naked Ambition
4. Itchy Heart
5. Leaving Me Loving You
6. Magic Kitchen
7. Sound of Colors
8. Good Times, Bad times
9. Bichunmoo (Korean movie)
10. Dream of a Warrior

End the day by having dessert at Demetre. We originally found this awesome dessert place in downtown Toronto .... but recently discovered that they have another shop right across our Hilton Garden Inn! The hotel is officially the best place to stay --- close to Pacific Mall and Markham Plaza, have a nearby theatre, Demetre across the street, and last but not least FREE internet service!!

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to YOU
Happy birthday to YOU
Happy birthday, happy birthday
happy birthday to YOU ---- MICHELLE!!!!

Van Helsing

It sucked....

More to come... more in depth review soon.

Update:
OK, where to start.

Who is Van Helsing???
He was the vampire hunter introduced in "Bram Stroker's Dracula." I don't know if he was in any other novels or books, but i remember Dracula. If anyone remembers the movie "Bram Stroker's Dracula"(Reeves, Goldman) Van Helsing was protrayed by Anthony Hopkins.

Who is the director/writer???
Stephen Sommers. He's the guy who did "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns". Both movies were great movies with my #2 favorite B-type actor Brendan Fraiser(Bruce Campbell is still #1). Although those movies had impossible and even DUMB things happening, it was really FUN watching those 2 movies because the movies were ENTERTAINING.

I'll forgive Sommers for making "The Rock" an established actor, but I cannot forgive him for making this movie.

Even though I'm sure that this movie will make lots and lots of money thru press, action figures, and other things, I am dissapointed that this movie was made so poorly. He had Huge Jackman and Kate Beckinsale who are good actors and the special effects were good/ok. But i think the movie lacked a good plot development. It was 2 hours of suffering of me watching and waiting for the story to take form.

I even spent the 9$ for the digital projection version of this movie!!!

I mean the story was OK up to the middle. It was a decent story, but the development of it was sooo BAD. Dracula, Wolfman, Frankenstein and other creatures were sent to GET Val Helsing and his comrades and they all failed. The basic HERO versies monsters plot.

But it dragged and dragged.... Fight after fight it seemed that the director tried to relive his Mummy days. I mean I can forgive a predictable movie plot, but I hate it when a movie cannot do what it was intended to do. And that is TO ENTERTAIN. And I hate it when a movie's ending battle between the main character and the bad guy is protrayed as computer-generated animals. aka.... Mummy returns and Mortal Kombat. I mean how hard can it be just to have the two fight it out with their fists,swords or guns. I mean they can use ANYTHING but i want to see HUMANS fight it out. Even add use some CG in it, but have it look like a human.

I give it 1 out of 5 in a rating scale from Bad to Good. When the previews seem to excite me more than the movie, that is a bad sign. Funny thing about it is that I think I remember reading about a sequel already in the works!!!

PS. Now that I think about it, the similarities between "The Mummy" and "Van Helsing" are uncanny. (except the suckiness) The characters, the plot, and the "action" music, seem soo similar!!! Can u tell??

Guess What?!

FRIENDS 'Til the End

Tomorrow will be the end of a 10 years friendship that had kept me company every Thursday evening. On May 6th, FRIENDS will air it last episode on NBC.

I will truly miss Phoebe's Smelly Cat song, Ross's craziness for dinosaurs, Rachel's fashion, Chandler and Joey's simple minds (MEN!!), and Monica's control-freak nature.

Take this FRIENDS quiz and see which one you resemble the most! As for me, I came out to be the clean-neat freak (now if I can only cook like her...I will be all set!!) . =P

Update:
After catching FRIENDS on Tivo last night -- I admit I was one of those suckers that held my breath when Rachel got on that plane to Paris.

The finale, however, was not what I anticipated. Perhaps it is more the hype -- because I found myself slightly disappointed. I would describe the finale as merely another "typical" FRIENDS episode in which they tried to tie up all the loose ends within 60 mins. But, nonetheless, there were many moments in which I can't help myself but to giggle and laugh along. The baby chicken and baby duck was too cute. Joey will always be my favorite character on the show.

I will truly miss laughing with them every Thursdays evening.

Broadway Musical

We saw the Broadway musical RENT tonight at the Shubert Theatre. It is a contemporary muscial about a group of young struggling artists in New York City's East Village. The story centers around roommates Mark and Roger and their friends and lovers (gay and straight) -- all tenants of the same building who are threatened with eviction by their former roommate Benny (who has married into money and bought the building in hope to turn it into a high-tech cyber-arts studio).

My most favorite character of the show was Angel -- a transvestite. To me, s/he represented what the whole show was all about -- the love, loyalty, and friendship of the group. And for a man, he sure did great job in dancing with those high heels!!

I enjoyed the lyrics to the song SEASONS OF LOVE and NO DAY BUT TODAY -- my two favorites of the entire muscial.

The audience tonight at the Shubert consisted mostly of a young crowd -- compared to the PHANTOM, it was definitely a different group!! Seems like most of the audience have seen the muscial twice already too because they knew exactly when to cheer for their favorite characters. Needless to say, the show got their deserved standing ovation.

If you are a Broadway muscial fan... RENT is a must see!!

"How do you measure a year in the life?" (SEASONS OF LOVE)