Happenstance

texts of December.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:18:00 +0000

I woke up and it's a beautiful Friday morning, and I think it's becos of u.

Going 2 get a cup of coffee..was tinking bout u too.

love u!

love u more.

and then it's September.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:27:00 +0000

每段感情都非常珍贵

他的好
你就放在心扉

记得有个人
曾让你那样的心碎

It's possible that my heart...can be broken.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:00:00 +0000

3 days went on like forever.

and then.

With all my heart.

where the wild things are

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:39:00 +0000

now i remember, this is what magic sounded like.

The Idiot.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:46:00 +0000

I stared at my monitor screen for a long while, not too sure how to start this particular entry. But I feel the need to write out most of these thoughts before it passes, I think, in a matter of time. Like the fleeting moments after which we often forget to write down the things that actually mean, a lot to ourselves.

At 25 degree Celsius, my room felt cold enough with the air-conditioning as it is, but no less colder than the news I have received via the updates from peers and colleagues on Facebook. In fact, I just frozed.

I met Yasmin during one of the workshops that was held by the organization I'm working for. She was a guest speaker and she shared with us her own philosophy towards human relationships, she spoke of how she seek out the genuineness in people, and how she always managed to inculcate her brand of sensitivity into her works for film and television. She exuded a certain charm, and gave off a whole lot of light (and humour) during her presentation, and that no one was able to draw their attention away from her. Yasmin Ahmad is a human. One who understands oneself, and feels for the others.

After the talk, I went up to her and like a shy fan, asked to take a picture with her. She readily agreed and flashed out a cheeky grin for the snap. As she turned to walk away, I muttered "You're so..."

She looked back, bewildered and wondered what I was trying to say.

"You're so... full of heart."

She gave a laugh.

"I'm just an idiot", she said.

A very, very nice idiot. I thought to myself.

Words cannot express how I feel at this moment. Even though I've only met her for a brief session, I felt I've learned a great deal of a lesson about making sense of what lies ahead in my own practice of filmmaking, and to a certain extent, the appreciation of life for what it is. Truly, she is a role model. Most importantly, she brightened up my day.

For the people who knew her well, I'm sure they would have a whole lot more stories to share.

Asia has lost a brilliant filmmaker.

The world has lost a great person, whose heart will always be irreplaceable.

I am optimistic and sentimental to the point of being annoying, especially to people who think that being cynical and cold is cool. Everyday, I thank Allah for everyday things like the ability to breathe, the ability to love, the ability to laugh, and the ability to eat and drink. - Yasmin Ahmad

Goodbye Yasmin. You will be missed.

now i know i can dance to dylan.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:17:00 +0000

Mcbealism

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 16:19:00 +0000

Yes I'm out of the hiatus. But then again, I never really took a break. Many things happened - A newfound career, which could potentially be my calling after all, and then, and then, nothing much else.

Maybe it's because I have nothing interesting to write about, or that I've just been thinking about a different direction I might go with the blogging. Well they've all been random thoughts, and random is good.

I've been to Indonesia lately for work, and it was the first time I felt I've finally became a working adult.

But this entry is not going to be about that.

I bought the entire collection of Ally Mcbeal (all 5 seasons, thank you pirates) and happily think I'm in for a good reminiscence, remembering how much I've enjoyed the series many years ago.

Starting from the pilot, all the main characters came back into my mind while I was watching it. John Cage and his frog, Richard Fish and his fetish for wattles, Elaine's annoying staple in every single episode, her eavesdropping into any office conversation, Ling's 'deathly' stare, Billy's indecisiveness and of course Ally's eccentricity and her highly imaginative fantasies.

I'm stalled at Season Two at the moment and there's no deny that there are several gem episodes that I can never forget - the boy who tried to sue God; the man who saw the unicorn and the tie-in episode with the cast from The Practice.

Just something bugs me. Perhaps it was how bitter i felt when Ally couldn't decide between Billy and Greg. Or that she rejected a good-natured rabbi just because she doesn't want to try to find the connection. Or that she was constantly imagining the worst of all the good men she met. Like the guy with the salad sauce - ridiculous. And she claims she's alone. That annoys me. It wouldn't have been the case few years back. Now I think she's just a dumb, narcissistic, indecisive weakling who has not and never will find love, when all the while, she has been loved.

But maybe it's just about me. We are similar, in the same chronic manner.

I think, it's possible my heart cannot be broken.

If Brad Pitt does win the Oscar on Sunday night...

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:18:00 +0000

he deserve it for being perfectly beautiful.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. :)

Quite exactly 5 years ago

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:11:00 +0000

I completed a film about never to stop trying, no matter what. About the 愛拼才會贏。

It has never been more relevant until this point in time.

And.

I'm sticking with it.

just an incredible feeling

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 02:07:00 +0000

that i have got nothing but time to waste.

No, not a good thing.

10 films

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 02:11:00 +0000

Despite the fascination with exploitation cinema for the past year (something you can never get in SG), I have easily put together my 10 favourite films (in no particular order) of the year that went past so quickly, I can hardly realize it.

10. Cloverfield (Matt Reeves)
Such a commercial premise, but yet more engaging than any 'disaster' movies that I have ever watched.

9. The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan)
So long, but such long good fun.

8. Tropic Thunder (Ben Stiller)
oh,ridiculously funny and was never intended to be smart, which is what makes me applaud for it.

7. Help Me Eros (Lee Kang-Sheng)
Like frogs falling from the sky in Magnolia, the last scene never got off my mind and brought me on the verge of tears from its cinematic beauty.

6. Juno (Jason Reitman)
Teenage pregnancy never seemed more cool.

5. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (Julian Schnabel)
Superb storytelling and perspective. It's amazing and great how it never became a melodrama.

4. Rumba (Dominique Abel, Fiona Gordon and Bruno Romy)
Awkward and offbeat. A comic that came literally from tragedy.

3. Wendy & Lucy (Kelly Reichardt)
Tour de force performances. And it's just about a woman looking for her dog!

2. Flower in the Pocket (Liew Seng Tat)
It's rare to see something so simple and so full of heart. So many flaws but yet so endearing.

1. Tout est parfait (Yves Christian Fournier)
Wow.

best.of.2008.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 04:23:00 +0000

2008 is a year of reminiscence for the sights and sounds.
the discovery of Demy, Ozu and Lubitsch.
and a year which the music of The Who has never been more relevant.
a year (possibly the only year) that the often-underrated Aussie albums played an integral part, in my listening experience.

Sort of in a particular order, but it all depends on the mood.

10. Chairlift - Does You Inspire You?
Sort of like a homage to the 1980's retro pop. A lot of fun and introspection. If '1234' was the anthem for the 3rd Generation of the ipod Nano, then 'Bruises' certainly displays the bittersweet relationship (of the 4th Gen Nanochromatic and its consumers?) :P

9. New Buffalo - Somewhere, Anywhere.
Sally Seltmann doesn't have a voice as ethereal as Feist though they have similar styles, but the album has the right amount of quirks, darkness and intimacy that matches The Reminder.

8. Jason Mraz - We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things.
There is very little to complain really. The good songs are really, really good. A reliable album, as always. I'm Yours is a little overplayed around here though, not including the fact that my housemate plays it at least 30 times a day.

7. Jakob Dylan - Seeing Things
The songwriting never did surpass his own dad. (at least methinks he never intend to do so) But I think he stands firmly on his own ground, with an acoustic, mellow masterpiece, or rather a modern take in the style and attitude of Bob. Definitely a sexier voice though.

6. Kimya Dawson - Alphabutt
Essentially an album for kids, (and their parents) and yet never losing her anti-folk roots. Might come across as pretty self-indulgent in style for some (like Jack Johnson, but much less annoying.) but it never fails to put a smile on my face every time I listen to it.

5. Bitter:Sweet - Drama
Probably a guilty indulgence, and the closest to a 'dance' album I ever liked. So playful, so flirtatious, so drama!

4. Adele - 19
Only started listening to the album after watching her sing "Make You Feel My Love" on Jools Holland.That blew me away and I was pleased with the rest of the album. Emotive and melts my heart.

3. The Panics - Cruel Guards
Like Coldplay, but with an overly-nasal voice from the lead. Quite a trait though.A wonderful, wonderful album nonetheless. The first single 'Don't Fight It' is absolutely, the best song I've heard this year.

2. Little Red- Little to Litte Red
I don't know, how do you exactly categorize this seemingly nostalgic piece (like The Beach Boys), but yet it's so young, hip and refreshing. Happy music? They are great on record and better live.

1. Rachael Yamagata - Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart
Yes, I forgive you for taking so long to put out a second album, for it surpassed all my expectations. I was ignorant to think you wouldn't be able to top the first one. Once again, you've given me sleepless nights. Love you. Come back and see me soon.

2008

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:11:00 +0000

2008.A year full of sweet, and bittersweet moments.
Along with an anxiety that's different from any past year's.
Faces to remember as I depart. lots.
The Swanston Street and the Bowen Lane.
The Kemp. The chain smoking of A.J.T.
Leaving Me. The ranga tango and the public art.

and then home.

oh russ, u r so notti.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:24:00 +0000

In the same week, two different movies made me groaned, for very different reasons.

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!

Never have I had a more enjoyable cinematic experience.
Karate chops, men getting bashed up and ran over by a Porsche.
Oversexed, big breasted women, incest and screaming racism, Russ Meyer is sexploitation cinema at its best.
Oh just remake any of it, QT.

On the other hand, this adaptation of a teen soapy novel is an absolute, serious contender for the worst picture of the year. IMMHO.

Thank heavens for the free tix.

leaving me

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:32:00 +0000

dilemma

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:39:00 +0000

I have a choice.

1) Stand true to my creative instincts - I might get into the bad books of a tutor(not-so-impt), lose a certain audience (as presumed by the tutor) by giving the film I've always wanted to make, an open-ended closure.

2) Give up the resistance in order to make a film and its ending that only somebody else like. I can stay out of trouble. Trouble is, it will probably haunt me for the rest of my life.

No fight.

for you-ooo (nano song)

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:20:00 +0000

I tried to do handstands for you
But everytime I fell for you.

why does my heart feel so bad?

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:45:00 +0000

I pretty much cried inside.

Elephants- Rachael Yamagata

If the elephants have past lives
yet all destined to always remember
It's no wonder how they scream
Like you and I they must have some temper.

Tropic Thunder.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:38:00 +0000

I went in with low expectations and was pleasantly, pleasantly surprised! Ben Stiller has yet again made a "zoolander-ish' laughed-out-loud satire on Hollywood. Robert Downey Jr. was unrecognizable. And brilliantly funny. Tom Cruise's got perhaps, the breakthrough role in his career looking like Paul Giamatti. Ben Stiller was Ben Stiller and Jack Black was well, still Jack Black.

moo. And the cows went home.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:33:00 +0000

my year at MIFF

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:55:00 +0000

1. RUMBA

It is the most tragic story told in the funniest way possible. For the first time during a movie I contemplated in a conscious manner whether to laugh or cry, which either makes it a senseless show, or a compelling one. Going with the latter, it's Wes Anderson meet Jacques Tati, and absolutely with the musical sensibility of Almodovar.

2. HELP ME EROS

Lee Kang-Sheng has most definitely picked up the ropes from Tsai Ming-Liang in the style of ambiguity and magic realism, though not as masterfully executed by the latter. But I actually like this film better than some of Tsai's films. Maybe because it had a little more sentimentality, and perhaps Lee might just be a more engaging storyteller. I had goosebumps during several parts of the film, in a good way.

3. ACCELERATED SHORTS

The haze, it stood out from the murky rest.

4. PRIVATE LESSONS

Daring, although I think it could have gone further. Towards the end we never knew the characters' true motivations, which makes it rather compelling. 105 minutes with no likable characters.

5. WENDY AND LUCY

Never knew Michelle Williams could held her own so well and gave a painfully real and heartwrenching performance. The minimalist's favourite.

6. 24 CITY

Not a film that sustains interests easily, especially on a lazy weekday afternoon, I dozed off several times during the first quarter but as Jia started to blur the distinction between documentary and fiction, I began to realize actually how fascinating it was. But what was it about? I thought it was a documentary, but I'm not exactly sure.

7. OTTO; OR, UP WITH DEAD PEOPLE.

The idea of a political-zombie film, sex between zombies and the one-liners made everyone in the theater cringed and laughed out loud. It's SO bad that it's good. Amusingly I heard it was one of the audience favourites this year.

8. FLOWER IN THE POCKET

The most endearing film I've watched at MIFF so far is in fact, the first Malaysian feature I've seen. Not technically adept for sure, but it is made and acted with such heart that you can just ignore any other flaws.

9. EVERYTHING IS FINE

Absolutely the best film I have seen this year. I never liked films on teenage adolescence but this changed my mind. Well-played flashbacks and an utterly realistic view about life, although I will never understand the characters' true intentions.

10. DONKEY PUNCH

Sexy film. Predictable. Not much gore as it seemed to promise. Boring.

11. BOOGIE

A true-to-life premise, which is what made the movie stood out for me.

12. WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN?

The kind of film you love and applaud while you're watching it, but as you step out of the theater, you'll be asking, what was the point?

13. ACCELERATED DOCOS

The only one I remembered vividly was one that's called "River of No Return" Really nice insight about some of the indigenous people and the central character. The Marilyn Monroe references was delightful and full of heart.

weep at the 4 minute mark.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:26:00 +0000

don't. look. back.(something so vague, it might not mean anything.)

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:00:00 +0000

Work has taken a toll on me.
From Lady D. to Pennebaker,
the soap and the 1234.
oh man. With a movie camera.
i like school.
but must get over it soon.
for now, i want to see.
polynesians one more time.

the bees are leaving

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 04:46:00 +0000

今天特別冷我想，是冬天來了。

feisty twins.

noreply@blogger.com (P.A.O) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:57:00 +0000

Sally Seltmann from New Buffalo may sound less ethereal, but the album turns out just as delightful as The Reminder. And she co-written 1234!