Still in the Rabbit Hole

I know I am rushing for a last minute assignment right now and it wouldn't be the best time to blog. But my mind is not at peace after realizing the reality of it. So many years i've tried to change for the better, trying to improve. But now I realize, the more I'm trying to be better from my current state, the more I feel its a wasted effort. I just feel like I end up at point A again and all the time spent was just to convince myself that I'm improving. Am I not trying hard enough? Am I already too comfortable with my life? Well I would agree with the second question, but everything I do has led me no where and leads me back to the current state that I am.

Should I just consider on giving up and let life pass me by as the wind in the meadow.

Movie Review: The Three Musketeers (2011)

"All for one, and one for all." Ah! the common phrased uttered by each member of the "Three Musketeers" as they pull out their swords and place it together. A phrase commonly associated with honour, chivalry, and love (or what we call it today as "Bro-mance").

I just finished watching the newly revamped The Three Musketeers this afternoon.

For starters, I guess the show should have been called The Four Musketeers, instead of three due to the fact that a large portion of the film involves a new "recruit" among the Musketeers. You see the young lad in the poster, even that shows he has the spotlight on him. Oh well, aside from the slight miscalculation, in my opinion, overall I would say it was a good film. If you are into the Renaissance/Victorian era films, where people are sophistically and flamboyantly dressed, lords and ladies, fancy sword plays, palaces and castles, and the theme of honour and love, then this movie is worth watching for you.

The cast in this movie are pretty solid I would say. Most of the well-known actors and actresses like Orlando Bloom (Pirates of the Caribbean), Milla Jovovich (Resident Evil), and Ray Stevenson (The Punisher: Warzone). To me, these are the ones well-known.

Honestly, to my surprise, the main antagonists of the movie are played by the Milla Jovovich and Orlando Bloom. Come on man, Orlando Bloom, the "good guy" from Pirates of the Caribbean playing an antagonist role! To me that's a first. I could see he tries his best to be evil, but I think he is trying too hard. His acting doesn't seem natural and almost forced out. Well, can't actually blame him due to his Legolas and Will Turner roles in previous films. Milla Jovovich on the other hand was acted pretty well, playing as a mysterious yet seductive double agent between France and England.

**Some spoiler elements**

In my opinion, the plot of the film is rather straight-forward and predictable. Even the development of characters are somewhat mediocre. There was no twist in the story, evil antagonist plotting in secret, and the element of suspense. Everything was just laid out for everyone to see, even the secret plots the antagonists were planning. To me, the plot failed to raise any excitement and there was no need to bring thinking cap. Overall the plot is basically for entertainment and a visual depiction of that era.

The films fighting scenes on the other hand, reminded me of something very similar. I would say there are elements of Assassin's Creed 2 that can be seen in the film.

See any similarities?? In the first epic fighting scene of The Three/Four Musketeers, they got themselves surrounded and facing about 40 armed guards. Looks like Ezio had his fair share of experiencing such situations. The sword play in the film was fluid and engaging with many fanciful killing moves that resemble Assassin's Creed as well. So a plus point for the film.

If you are a into the Victorian style dressing, then this movie is recommended for you. The dresses are classy and eye-catching. Both the male and female attire are accurately depicted as in the history, well based on their elaborate paintings.

As always, the ladies dress are decked with alot of lace and an especially tight corset that served as a bust-enhancer at that time. Even at that time the ladies wanted hour-glass figures. Wonder how the men would talk to a lady without ogling the lady's "assets". The film really had a wide selection of dresses for their cast. Almost every scene, the cast is in a new outfit. Another plus point for the film.

The last thing I would like to comment is the epic airship battle. Wait? an airship battle, in that era? Yes, it is an airship battle. Airships that were designed by Leonardo da Vinci. It is a very innovative idea to include it into the film. I personally enjoyed it. At first I thought it to be ridiculous, but after watching the film it looked plausible.

Well to end this review, I would say this is a good film if you are wanting to be entertained by mind-blowing CG of the Victorian Era, engaging swordplays, and the gorgeous looking women, I mean dresses.

Reviving the Old Blog

Can't believe how fast time has passed since I started this place of writing when I first arrived in KL. One year, 2 months, and four days to be exact. Honestly, it felt just like a blink of an eye and that which was present has become part of the past. Previously when I was in this blog, I was so excited about my new studying experience in Berjaya University, but all excitement of new environments have its lifespans. When routine takes over, excitement will have already vanished.

Time spent in Berjaya within this past year has also created many memorable experiences. I manage to make friends that I now considered as my second family here where we do almost everything together, manage to learn Wing Chun as well (although still very "noob" at it,but I think I can defend myself), became the Class Rep for my batch (positive thing is you get to complain and are encouraged to do so), and well... I guess I know Time Square in and out by now.

Its now my fourth semester, and becoming ever more "senior" in the university. Most people will tell me to enjoy and make the most out of college/uni life as it is only once in a lifetime. They do have some truth in that, but I still continue to search for something more meaningful, or I do require some enlightenment to see that it is right in front of me. I could say that sometimes I wouldn't know I had something until I loose it, guess that's a problem I'll have to look into.

Signing off now, as I have to catch my shuttle van to college.