Never too late for an old joke.

Suggested sequels to Bangkok Dangerous.

1. Baghdad Dangerous-er

2. Singapore Expensive

3. London Lagi More Expensive

4. Beijing Polluted

5. Jakarta Hazy

6. Kuala Lumpur Kan Cheong

7. Ljubljana Hard to Spell

8. Addis Ababa Hungry

9. Yangon Depressing

10. Boston Visit Only OK Lah But Live There Quite Sian

11. Johor Buay Song

12. Los Angeles Bankrupt of Ideas If They’re Churning Out Crap Like 'Bangkok Dangerous'

Bangkok Dangerous is Number 30. Moody Nicholas Cage is always cool. I kinda enjoyed the film actually though I reckon the original must have been even better (only caught snippets of it on Youtube). I miss the sights and sounds, flavour and smell of Bangkok. With things so cheap, it feels like total freedom. Minus the traffic that is.

rock on

The mind is really the most powerful entity on earth. Often, we attribute miracles to workings of greater powers above. But really, we are only underestimating the ability of the mind, our own grit and determination, positive mindset and attitude that we ourselves can move mountains and change the courses of rivers.

Danny Boyle is really one of the world's most talented filmmaker but often unrecognised. 127 Hours is such a cool film with all sorts of MTV techniques which serious directors may like to shun but in the hands of Boyle, it becomes a masterpiece. The success and trademark of Boyle's films is how he always manages to mash up all sorts of modern day filmmaking techniques and fit into classical narratives. Slum Dog Millionaire is shot guerrilla style ( Security Guard, "No filmming here.") and while it's often difficult to continue success after a hit, Boyle sure did it with this film. A lot of credit has to go to James Franco's solo performance. He practically carried the entire film. Definitely not just another pretty boy in Hollywood. Wonderful music, contuning the partnership with Bollywood's A. R. Rahman (That's the strange thing about films. Collaboration of materials and talents across cultures). I like autobiographic films that end off with a footage or a picture of the actual person they are portraying. Same with this film, but it avoids getting too excessively melodramatic and that's a plus point. Definitely one of the best films I've seen in the past year.

On set. This is film Number 47. It will be interesting to see how far I can go and how much I can remember.

(46) D & G in Changde

Changde was a Chinese victory. War reels show Chinese KMT soldiers parading Japanese POWs, white flags and war spoils. A victory that pitted a mere 8,000 KMT soldiers against 40, 000 Japanese.

Finally got my hands on a copy of this DVD. Have been trying to watch this film since it came out last year. Heard good reviews about it. What's most interesting is that it is a People's Republic of China film portraying the heroics of the KMT soldiers during the Sino-Japanese war. Part of the growing number of films from Communist China, recognizing the heroism of the KMT, whom you must admit, played a larger role against the Japanese than the inlying CCP.

Shall watch it tonight.

Updated: What began with an interesting premise ended with a disappointment. It's bascially 90 minutes of non-stop war-grit-action, but poor on character motivation. Perhaps it's political that the film didn't show the eventual KMT victory.

West Coast

Didn't know there were junk boats around this area. Many routes to take but what weather lies ahead always remains unclear. Perhaps the best thing about life is really the journey, not so much the destination. Or perhaps the former it's a consolation for those who have the heart, tried their best, but ultimately lack that bit of luck. But luck may really not be anything superstitious, hocus pocus but merely opportunities.

(45) Paris, je t'aime

Place des fêtes was my favourite out of all 18 of the shorts. I was quite disappointed with Doyle's though.

Universal Adapters

Universal Adapters: Ensuring satisfaction of strange ladies by helping maladaptive children.



A really weird film from my friend.

Servant Leadership

Values of which i hold close to my heart, especially in matters that cannot be quantify by fame and money. If you love something, you want to take ownership of it, it's like your own child, and then you want to put in the best you can to it, personal sacrifices, because it's worth it, without expecting anything. Expect nothing else, except to hope that it would grow up to become healthy, intelligent and successful.

It's the same way I hope the youth group can continue to grow.

"The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature."

"The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?"

- Robert K Greenleaf.

(43) Millions

Growing up, I couldn't fathom the fascination the adults have over striking the lottery. That was way before graduation. Entering the workforce, you finally understood how one raffle, lottery, could change a person's life. Everybody needs a little bit of hope.

Way before Slumdog Millionaire was Millions, a very small but powerful film featuring children as the main cast but a very adult story. Strong Christian/Catholic themes as well.


Speaking of which, my Millions DVD suffers from another case of passing through too many hands . The problem is I have loaned out so many books and DVDs which I passionately collect, only for some to lost its ways with the irresponsible few. Not easy being a good guy eh?

The things I see everyday, maybe I'm beginning to lose faith in humanity.

Catalogue

Maybe cinema can't save lives. But cinema, sure as hell, can make you feel life is worth living.
- Subhash K. Jha

I'm in the process of cataloging all the films I've watched. I have over 200 titles on my shelves and another hundred more ticket stubs. I'm only at Number 42 thus far. Some were recorded in retrospect, most are what I have seen recently. There will be more to come and the catalogue will be a good reminder of the wonders of cinema and the dreams that I have. It's like playing your chess and taking a retreat.

(42) Idiots

All is well.

Follow excellence and success will chase you, pants down.

(41) First Shot

Seeing the real world, the real streets. See how far it goes, if I have got what it takes to take them all on. And now to live up to the promise.

You can't find First Shot in the stores anymore. It's such an old and obscure film. The only way I could watch the film is via online streaming (kudos to the Chinese). Doesn't break new ground but is a much better rendition than Wong Jing's I Corrupt All Cops.

I know this is such an overdone joke with you but I cannot blog about this film and let you off.
Thiam Peng, do you have a twin brother?

The 5D

Fresh from graduation and without a job, I broke and smashed my bank and spent close to 4 grand for the 5DMk2 and its peripherals. The irony is that while I have not fully-utilized the camera for my own endeavours, the camera has exchanged many hands. I'm quite upset that the camera, a prized possession, went out in good condition but returned with holes and knocks and scratches all over, and yet no one had the decency to admit, each time it came back with another flaw. Except one of course and I appreciate your honesty for it, and no, I'm not blaming you. If anything, I thank you instead for reminding me how precious the camera is and how I have to play it fair, especially since I've had my fair share of failures and sacrifices in my filmmaking endeavours. Now fortunately for the one-year warranty but it also means that the camera is now out of bounds.

(40) Playback Time

CARSON CLAY PICTURES
presents

CARSON CLAY

in a CARSON CLAY production

of a CARSON CLAY film

PLAYBACK TIME

No lah... it's really just Mr. Bean's Holiday.

(39) 一轮明月

What do people live for?

So beautiful.

(38) It's a Great Great World

(37) The Darjeeling Limited

Jack: Which direction did your's go?
Francis: What do you mean?
Jack: Your feathers... mine blew toward the mountains
Francis: That's not right. It's not suppose to get blown away. You're suppose to blow on it then bury it.
Peter: I didn't get that. I still have mine.
Francis: You guys didn't do it right. I asked if you read the instructions. You did it wrong... I tried my hardest. I don't know what to do.

(36) Ashes of Time Redux

每个人都会经过这个阶段，见到一座山，就想知道山后面是什么。
我很想告诉他，可能翻过山后面，你会发现没什么特别。
回望之下，可能会觉得这一边更好

DIY Audio Monitoring

Sound is always the bane for HDSLR video.

DSLR headphone setup with Røde VideoMic from christian sundsdal on Vimeo.

Faith

They who have faith in the Buddha have faith in the best, and for those who have faith in the best the result is the best. Anguttara Nikaya II.34

Faith in Buddhism is requires wisdom, not blindly believing. True faith and conviction must come from an investigative mind and critical analysis.

Insomniac

Fishball noodles at Meiling Street. Now my favourite lunch time hunt. A mere 5 mins drive away from the office.

Happy Frankenstein Day

As per tradition...

Buddhist Filmmaking

Student: You often criticize a film by saying that it is too aware of the audience. But when people make films, especially in the West, the point is to entertain people.

Chogyam Trungpa: If you are completely confident in yourself, you don't have to think about the audience at all. You just do your thing, you just do it properly. This means YOU become the audience. What you make is entertainment, but that needs a certain amount of wisdom. When an artist does a painting for commission, there is a good likelihood that his painting will be one-sided because he is aware of the audience and he has to relate to the educational standards of the audience. If he presents his own style without reference to the audience, they will begin to react and automatically their sophistication will develop and eventually will reach the level of the artist....You see, we have the responsibility of raising the mentality of the audience. People might have to reach out with a certain amount of strain, but it's worth it. The whole civilization then begins to raise its level of sophistication....The beautiful thing about Buddhism, if I may say so, is that Buddhists don't try to con you. They just present what they have to say as it is, take it or leave it.

Mindfulness and Murder

A dead body found in the holy sanctuary of a Buddhist monastery and the cops refused to investigate. A former detective-turned-monk takes on the investigations. A film noir featuring unlikely characters: Thai Buddhist monks. Organized crime, fake monks, corrupt cops and drug business.

"I saw this project as an opportunity to send a message and make people realize how Buddhism in Thailand is being abused. By solving the crimes and finding the murderer, Father Ananda is protecting the Buddhist Sangha".

Short Films

The Birds That Shakes The Jute Fields is one of the nominees for Best Documentary at Singapore Short Film Awards. Screening on 5th March, Programme O, 5:30pm to 6:30pm at The Substation. Shuhui is also nominated for Best Art Direction for our thesis film, A Light in the Darkness. 4th March, Friday. Programme J, 8:45pm to 10pm.

Good to also know that there are quite a number of works from WKWSCI selected for competition and screening. Epiphany, Soi Chang, Post-Love, Zombies Ate My Cold Dead Heart, and A New Hope, Knockout. May have missed out a couple more. But already a good indication that the alma mater is doing well.

Chess Masters of Meiling Street

Lunch time adventure. Hidden within an old and forgotten estate, men in their prime and ties watched carefully the chess masters.

Security Guards

Wee morning of the Third Day of the Lunar New Year, in an empty shopping mall (closed for the night) at the heart of Orchard Road. Young people and their rowdy games outside, complacency that life is always within their control. What a contrast.

Tara

She loves climbing onto my bed, snugging herself comfortably. My mom says it's because it stinks, the bed.

Kassapa

Had a good discussion with Jianyong during the drive to Seng Kang.

Lets make Kassapa a house that leads its members by serving, mentoring and guiding them to do their best in their growing years.

Nobody Filmmaker

Filmmaker Magazine, Are you a Nobody Filmmaker?

I have no festival awards, no films on the circuits, I gave up on a career in the industry, I don't make a living out of shooting films and videos anymore. I couldn't bear to watch my thesis film. I think all my shorts from school are campy, predictable and pretentious. I'm a hobbyist/wannabe/guerrilla/day-job/Sunday HDSLR-wielding nobody filmmaker. I fight crime in the day, then write scripts at night. I'm not wallowing in self-pity. I kinda enjoy the status quo.

I enjoy the freedom of shooting what I want on my own free time and my own creative liberties without any pressures, without having to compensate by working long hours on TV, events, then chasing late payment and the elusive monies just so I can feed myself. I once worked on a TV series for an entire month without a single day off and I wonder if this the way to achieve my dream, of making my own films. I don't have the answer yet and I don't think anyone has it. At least for now.

Angulimala

Looking through video clips of 300 and Sin City, doing some research on the techniques of chroma keying. You must admit Frank Miller is a visionary, despite filmmaking a much later obsession. I've never tried shooting on green-screen but it's something to try and which I think fits the material I hope to develop: the redemptive tale of Angulimala, a ruthless serial killer who eventually became a Buddhist saint (and a patron to mothers in labour, new life and reforming prisoners).

Previous efforts include a 1960 Hindi film,


and a 2003 Thai version, which I struggled to stay awake while watching it play on VCD. Yes VCD, back in those days eh.

(35) Moon

Gerty, is there someone else in the room?

Lets innovate. I like all these small films and how they always manage to go around the bends of limitations and work with big ideas, without blowing budgets or give in to constraints. Moon is one of them. You have a studio, you create a set, and you work with only one live actor.

I always wonder what it is like to shoot your entire film within a studio. It's one of the few things I regret not attempting back in university; fully-utilising the tv studio and shooting on green-screen. You have lots of time and space to play with your set, without the worries of the elements. Plus no tempers flying on set, thanks to the humidity of the weather.

(34) Mongol

I want to ask you: All Mongols fear the thunder... but not you?

I had no place to hide from the thunder... so I wasn't afraid anymore.

(33) Detriot Metal City

I really want to be a trendy pop/folk singer

but I'm in a Satanic death metal band. I kinda got tricked into it by a boss from hell.

Go to DMC!

A man without his values and principles is reviling.

Yet a man who stick to them may eventually find himself to be very lonely.

(32) All's Well, Ends All 2011

I thought it was going to be campy and was horrified to know that they have booked my ticket. But went along and found it really enjoyable.

Happy Lunar New Year 兔 you!

恭喜发财

万事如意
心想事成
国泰民安

Gary Neville retires from football.

"I have been a Manchester United fan all my life and fulfilled every dream I've ever had,"

"There are so many people I want to thank and, of course, top of that list is Sir Alex. He has given me so many opportunities and countless support over the last 20 years - he is truly one of the greatest managers - and I have to thank him for that." - Gary Neville.

"Gary was the best English right back of his generation. He is an example to any young professional; hard-working, loyal and intelligent. As a United fan born and bred, his fantastic career at Old Trafford has cemented his place in the affection of the club's supporters everywhere." - Sir Alex.

Such loyalty and dedication amidst the growing millionaire club. You will be sorely missed and your contributions for the past 3 decades appreciated. Thank you.

(31) Viva Erotica (1996)

Directed by Derek Yee. A satire take on the Hong Kong Category 3 film industry, and how struggling arthouse filmmakers may be forced to shoot blue films to earn a living.

There's no point in making art films, nonsensical movies can be good too!

Can you please learn to be like Wong Jing, not Wong Kar-wai?

Yee is in big trouble! Only $7, 000 collected from 24 cinemas!

"A STREETCAR WITHOUT WHEELS"? How can a streetcar be without wheels? Of cos' it's a box office disaster!

Direct a porn film? I don't do immoral things.

Don't you know? Famous Japanese arthouse directors started out making porn.

I was going to become a footballer, but my football career ended halfway. Now, my movie-making career is going to end halfway as well.

Making movies is similar to football. You need teamwork.

So this is your boyfriend? A porn director?

Use whatever film saved from the fire, edit them and then send them to the European arthouse cinema.

You're nothing if you stop making movies. What else can you do? I love you because you are a filmmaker.


Sorry, no screenshots of Shu Qi without her clothes. Leslie Cheung is greatly missed. Elvis Tsui is really a talented actor, despite being an active participant in Category 3.