SPL - Donnie's Back!

Ah, Donnie Yen, he's back!!! And he's good!!!!!

One of my favourite kungfu stars from the Orient, his latest offering doesn't disappoint. He's put on some weight, but his kicks are still awe inspiring. SPL, starring Donnie Yen, Simon Yam and Samo Hung, go watch it if you're a fan of the police and thief Hong Kong movies and have been hoping that such movies return to their former glory. SPL is just about there.

There are many posing "act cool" scenes. I don't really like such scenes usually but this time round, they just struck a chord. The uber cool Simon does a watchable cat walk in the police station corridor while togged in a dapper suit. And as they pose after bashing a baddie with baseball bats on a rooftop, you can't help but feel the rush from the cocktail of righteous violence, brotherhood and justice.

The show does get abit lost here and there, especially when we see how Donnie quickly switches sides with just a simple cooked up explanation by the script writers.

SPL, however, is not truly the run of the mill police and thief movie. Intentionally or not, the show seems to be saying that "in the good, there is some bad; and in the bad, there is some good". We see one of Simon's man dumping the crook's money in his car boot with a smirk, only to realise that he kept the money for a worthy cause - criminal act, yet admirable. And then there's Simon's desparate attempt to frame the evil head honcho, Samo Hung, just so as to see justice finally meted out. On the other hand, there's Samo Hung's dual personality of baddie at work, doting father and husband at home.

But, but, the real deal about paying $8.50 for this movie is to watch Donnie kick butts. My God! I'd pack my bags and leave for Hong Kong if he's willing to teach me some. To look and kick like that after all these years is no mean feat, I say.

The final part of the show was a one-to-one between Donnie and Samo's bodyguard, followed by Donnie and Samo. More could have been done to showcase the bodyguard while I felt Samo is too old for such scenes. But all in all, the fight scenes were fantastic.

And of course, the show taught us about karma. There's instant karma and there's long-term karma. In this case, Samo had instant karma. Go watch it. You may wanna pick up some martial arts after that.


redcocoon

Pimping My Ride

The past few months, I have been thinking alot about what to do with my ride. I would probably be stressing about it over the next couple of months too.

Hmmm... to sell or not to sell, that is the question.

Well, my car belongs to the so called high OMV category and it's 5th birthday is coming up in 8 months time. With age comes the need for more replacements. Being continental, it isn't exactly light on fuel consumption.

In recent times, cars have come down to very affordable prices. With a mind of saving up for rainy days, I have been thinking of "downgrading" to a Japanese make. Now, to really enjoy the initial low price, one needs to drive at least a good 6 to 7 years. If you get a new car and sell it in 2 years, you would not be offered a price based on a straight line depreciation. The problem lies herein - I've never owned a car more than 2.5years.

It's not that I'm so well off, it's just that I itch for a new ride after some time. Thus, while it may seem really cheap to buy a new car now, the grim reality strikes when you want to sell it.

With a tight budget, my choices are limited to the man on the street cars. Again, I'm no rich man's son. However, I always feel that a car is an extension of one's personality. The cars I am restricted to really do not scream redcocooooooooon! My friend just got his new ride, which I find is value for money, in terms of metal-per-dollar. His take on his new ride? "It was going at an all time low, it's got a good size, and my current car's time is up, so I bought it, that's all there is to it" I was speechless. Maybe it's just different views, where he treats his car as a Point A to Point B means. I rue the day when such words come out of my mouth. Where's the passion, y'all?!

And then there's this other problem - if I scrap my car now, I would have to top up a shortfall (between outstanding loan and scrap value) of $5k! With so many factors, you see my problem now? In short, I am considering letting go of my current ride, top up $5k, get a new-but-average ride, and sulk for the next 6 to 7 years. My GOD!!!

The truth is, while shopping for the affordable new cars, I was depressed. That's when I realised something was wrong. One should be happy when ploughing down tens of thousands.

As of now, I am leaning towards keeping the 5G's in my pocket, stick with my ride and spend that money when replacements are necessary. My bet is that I wouldn't need that much dough for that particular exercise. Yup, this shall be my strategy, unless of course, I strike the lottery soon.

Pardon me, I'm gonna go place some bets to pimp my ride.


redcocoon

Placebo, si bo?

The urge to quit puffing has been getting stronger recently. A friend's sister and husband managed to quit just awhile back, with the help of a prescribed drug.

Apparently, this drug, when consumed with proper dosage and care, would turn you off the smell of cigarettes. Simply said, you don't like the smell, you don't smoke. However, you still have to overcome the habit of not holding a fag in your hand and the act of inhaling it.

This friend of mine went on to get the drug himself and has been proudly reporting his achievements thus far. Not totally off the fag yet, but smoking significantly lesser. He jokingly offered to give me two days' worth of pills - two tabs actually - but I turned it down cynically,"You sure it's not just Vitamin C? Placebo, si bo???"

I remember trying out another drug a few years back but it sure felt more like a feel-good pill. After taking it, you feel better instantly but wonder if it's really taking effect, or you think it's really taking effect. Ultimately, it's really you telling yourself it's time to stop.

Due to a bad throat, I've stopped smoking. As I write, with shivering hands and running nose, I'm on to my 4th puff-free day. Haven't really told anybody yet cos I wanna be real sure this time. Hopefully, this time it's for real.

Hopefully, without the help of an expensive drug, I can truly call it a day. Then, I can buy myself a better ride with the money saved. If not, at least I tried?


redcocoon

Mommy, Mommy...

It sure feels like a Friday evening, although its only the first day of the week. Well, eve of holiday, no work the next day, so we decided to catch a show - Flightplan.

Wifey told me the movie was screening at 7.30pm, the show was actually supposed to start at 7.10pm. I managed to get there in time. Settled down comfortably, hotdog in hand, all prepared to enjoy the movie. Mood set.

Now, just right behind us, there was this family of 3 - father, mother and son. They were chatting heartily. No problem with that for me as the show hadn't started yet. In fact, it was comforting to witness a sweet, tight family outing. Movie starts, the faultlines began to show. As it turned out, the son was the weakest link.

It took all of just 5 minutes to make my final decision to change seats.

First scene, Jodie Foster sits alone at the subway station.
"Mommy, Mommy... why is she sitting there?"

Following scene, Jodie Foster is packing bags.
"Mommy, Mommy... why is she packing her bags?"

Subsequently, Jodie Foster's daughter is afraid to step out of the front door.
"Mommy, Mommy... what is she scared of?"

I kid you not. Every scene, he'd ask why. Sweet Mommy was trying to explain to him in hushed tones, though she didn't know anymore than he did as the show just started.

Goodness, I don't remember anybody being that clueless as a kid. Frankly, if I were the parents, I'd rent a DVD. You just don't wash dirty laundry in public. We relocated to the next aisle in a jiffy. The show went on peacefully and it turned out quite interesting to me, though my wifey didn't quite like the twist.

Surprisingly though, this time round, no handphone was ringing. Everytime I watch a movie, there'd be a blasting ringtone piercing the silence or an SMS beeping away. But no, not this time.

I thank the movie goers' friends and relatives for not calling them - for I know for sure it's not that everybody decided to heed the cinema's request to silence the phone; it's just that nobody called.

In the meantime, before some ministry decides to have a "Cinema Etiquette Campaign", I ask the person above to give me the strength to accept things I cannot change.


redcocoon