Ratatouille

There is a saying- "Better late than never". Months after the movie, Ratatouille released locally, much to my relief and excitement, I finally able watch the Animation Movie of The Year which was still playing in the cineplex. Yeah!

Pixar did it again! After a rather generic but visually shining "Cars", my initial feeling about this movie was not very encouraging. I was thinking the story was a bit like "City rat and country mouse" or something like that after watching the 1st trailer. Not really fancy that kind of story plot. Soon i heard its developing story which turn out to be something else. Still I didnt get my hope up. When i finally watch the movie, i never expect i was thrown a curve ball by Pixar. And i love it.

Remy was no ordinary rat. He was born able to taste, smell and appreciate fine food- something that his family, brother Emile and father Djangon finds it odd. Guided by Remy's imaginary mentor, the recently deceased legendary chef, Auguste Gusteau, he aims to live a life of gourmet. But in the world where rats are considered as the much feared dirty food stealing pests, it was an impossible dream. Remy's life set to change, when he was accidentally separated from his rat colony and ends up in Gusteau's restaurant in "Paree" (Paris). And his chance came when a new garbage boy, Alfredo Linguini "cooks" up an incident that form a partnership between the rat and the hopeless as a cook boy.

Like the finest food, the movie was served with the best of both world- storyline and visual, all mixed so perfectly. Director, Brad Bird was truly a genius at storytelling combining with the great wizards at Pixar making this movie not only a visual feast but an endearing fun story for the whole family.

True to Pixar's standard, the animation in the movie was truly breathtaking. Paris was rendered in its most beautiful best on the big screen. Food so real you can almost taste and smell it. And characters animated so believable you just wanna hug them (or slap them silly depending on who). Some details were so fine you have to pause the movie to take a better look (one reason to buy the DVD).

The idea of Remy's voice narrating his story through the movie was with all the pausing effect, the talking illustration of Gusteau, the cooking training of Linguini, the rat's prepective of Paris urban life, the visualizing of taste and the trigger-happy grandma was really fun to watch. Any movie-goer whom missed this should have a rat put under his or her shirt.

Bleach: Memories Of Nobody

After waiting for almost 1/2 a year for a subbed version, I finally got my eyes on the 1st full-length Bleach movie- The Memories of Nobody. After much hoohaa in the fandom, is this movie worth the wait? Well, I 'll get on to that soon. Before that a little intro 'bout the movie.

The movie took place after the Soul Society arc of the main storyline, maybe in the middle of the filler story of the anime series ( Those whom are new to the series, better watch or read it to better understand the movie). It was the autumn holiday ( i think it was), Ichigo and Rukia were busy doing the best thing they do- slaying Hollows and giving soul burial. Suddenly they encounter a large group of strange red-headed souls- the Blanks. With communication to the Soul Society strangely cut off, Ichigo and Rukia were at wits in what to do when a female Shinigami suddenly appeared and destroy all the Blanks there. Baffled at the event, Rukia went back to Soul Society to check things out while Ichigo was ordered to look after the playfully childish shinigami, Senna. Soon things turned more grim as a dimension- The Valley of Scream, was manipulated by a group of rogue shinigami oucasts, threaten to destroy both the real world and Soul Society. And what is the connection between the event, Senna and something called the Memory Rosary?

Ok, The movie was not as great as i thought it would be. Seriously, the plot was simple and kinda predictable. It would be better if they just focus on either the storyline or the fight scene rather than crammed a lot of things into it. Some characters were pretty irrelevant to the storyline. Guess they were showed up just to please their respective fans... And as for the fight scene, well- those in the anime series are much better. Though some of the sinkais seems pretty cool to watch here.

As usual, with bigger budget brings better animation. Karakura Town was never been so populated and alive before. The beautiful background cityscape really suit the romantic like atmosphere which were aplenty in this movie (hint hint). Sword fights are more flashy but as I mentioned,unmemorable which was a real pity considering its big screen status and its target audiences. Next time hire a good martial art choreographer. As for the new characters, I really like Seena, a frail, confused girl hidden by her happy face and playfulness. Too bad she got too little fight scene. The mention of her so called lost legendary sword seems pointless. And the head villian hardly makes the impact. Pretty generic too.

Well, this movie has it all- action, comedy, friendship, sacrifice etc but it could be better. It had its touching moments though. I really like its ending song- Sen no Yoru wo Koete from Aqua Timez. And do watch till the credit ends for a little epilogue.

My 3D Animation DemoReel

This is my demo reel. Not bad huh..? It is a video montage of my various animation clips. I was trying testing the new video upload and might as well to have a demo reel online, in case I need to show it to any of my prospective employer. The background music is from Ragnarok Online 2 anime trailer. Do comment a bit. Heh.

Speed Painting For The Otaku

I found this video when i was browsing Japunit. It is a rare cool digital speed painting of a japanese anime character (not sure who is she though). Hopefully one day i may be as good as the artist of this work.
Anyway, enjoy the video along with its cute background music.

Mid Autumn Blues

Firstly- Happy Mid Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival as more commonly said. Although it's one often most celebrated chinese holiday in the calender around but still, you wont find my own household celebrating it as well as the years gone by. I just treat it as any other day amidst the mooncakes and those traditional titbits around the house. And no candle lit decos in the perimeter nor those over-commercialized lanterns. Ain't kids anymore. Maybe I dun have anyone who is joyous to celebrate with.. sigh~

Anyway, on a more happy note, I finally got myself an interview appointment across the straits in Singapore. If successful, i got myself a job as a Graphic Designer in an company dealling with educational mag and stuffs. Hopefully i dun mess up this chance. Wish me luck :)

GTO -Great Teachin' Otaku

I'm officially a teacher now... Well, not full time though but a teacher nonetheless.
I'm now teaching on a weekly basic a class of three pre-secondary students on Bahasa Melayu and English in a local tuition center.

The 1st class which was last Monday, was not easy. With my limited mastery of Mandarin, i'm having difficulty explaining the subjects to my Chinese-educated students. Not to mention one of them keep disrupting the class. Plus they are one curious bunch- on my personal stuffs... Sigh~
Anyway, i think i did well on my part. Hopefully....

On another hand, i'll keep on finding a full time job either locally or across the Johor strait. Depending on the situation i might have to quit the sensei job. Hmm. I see how things first. In the mean time, i best prepare for the next class.

Ragnarok 2 Online SEA

It's been a while i have not blog anything other than myself. Haha.
Anyway, this time i post something interesting for a change.

As, you all well aware, i'm a big fan of Ragnarok Online even though i've not play it for sometime. Still, i'm looking forward for its sequel and hoping to get my hands on it soon. Guess what, the good guys from Asiasoft (thanks god it's not gameflier) are bringing the much awaited Ragnarok 2 Online here in this region. The official website is up and running now and it features a new cinematic video (painfully low-res) and a couple of wallpapers to download. It also got a shortcut to its own official forum and a space to fill up so you'll get updates via email. Still, the website lacks some basic info about the game. Hope they update that soon.
So check it out you guys.

Edited: Here some additional news about the game in this region.

9th Month

August came and gone. And now into the month of September. Sigh~
Been almost a month and yet not much has change. No job, no money, no idea... getting lost.
Yeah, hardly any job here since it's small town after all and no one offering any despite my family network of friends. Or so they say. So now, i'm face with a dilemma- continue staying in hometown and waiting for any job offers- locally or from singapore; or go back to KL where it's more malaysian friendly....
And like all choices, there's the pros and cons of all things.

My mum wishes me to work in singapore or locally so that i can be nearer to home. And by staying at home, i dun need spend any money for anything since almost everything is provided (except pc and online). Not that i doing nothing at home, mind you. As any good son or daughter, i did my share of housework and stuffs. The bad part is that i could be waiting forever for work as time pass by wastefully and Singapore may just be too advanced for me.

If i go back to KL to find job, it might be easier but previous problems that made me leave the 1st time may crop up. 1st is the cost of living- family just dun have the money to let me spent in KL. Second, the transportation- some workplaces just inconvenient to reach, unless u own a car or live nearby. And 3rd is maybe my portfolio- just not good enough or just too unspecialize. I'm a jack of all trades but master of none.
Well, just say i not sure what to do now..

On another note, since i have all the time at home, i been working on a story or stories of my own manga. Everything still pretty rough now and not even sure if i can pull it off. Been doing a lot of concept art these days. Just too bad i dun have a decent pc of my own or else thing will be much easier. On another hand, i been working out too for some time. Yeah, i got fatter and lazier so it's wise to start exercising. Hope i can get fitter and better looking by the year end :D