Teaching, Week 3

Here's an outdated update on Week 3... cos tomolo will be end of Week 4 already :P

Anyway, wk 3 started off with a bang... an MC on monday, hee. Made the fullest use of it by catching a film (Kinsey). It was an almost perfect Monday. Apart from being recognised by a high-profile student from 1 of my classes at Citylink. Horrors.

Week started late and ended early, Thurs being the last working day. Pretty uneventful teaching week, but a thoroughly enjoyable long weekend. Week 4 has been much more frentic... will update again after tomolo. For now, it's straight to the bed. Need the energy to really enjoy Friday... after school dismissal that is :)

The Cubicle

Film Review 4: Kinsey

"Let's talk about sex". The tagline, screaming for attention, in fact leads to a subtle potrayal of the truly extraordinary life of Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey.

Liam Neeson takes on the leading role with superb sensitivity, taking us on a journey through the mind of Kinsey the sex researcher and Kinsey the flawed human. As a devoted researcher of sexual behaviour in humans, his dedication is almost peerless; he persists in separating scientific discovery from real emotions. To him, science can explain everything: bisexuality, having multiple sexual partners, and even willingly allowing your own spouse to sleep with another man or woman. In his quest for scientific results, he does not think twice in sacrificing any principle or any partner, which inevitably leads to destructive consequences. You may gradually develop a great sense of pity for him, yet you may also find it hard to blame anyone but Kinsey himself for stubbornly refusing to allow his feelings to get in the way of science. Such is the contradiction of emotions you feel in the course of the film, not unlike the constant turmoil brewing in Kinsey’s heart, no matter how strong he portrays himself to be.

Laura Linney puts in a credible performance as Kinsey’s wife Clara McMillen, effectively displaying the full range of emotions in her bid to bravely stand by her husband’s every decision. My choice of “main presence in the film” goes to Peter Sarsgaard in a supporting role as Clyde Martin, a student researcher handpicked by Kinsey and a key factor in giving both Kinsey and Clara one hell of a emotional roller coaster ride. His performance is daring to say the least, yet not too overpowering that it overshadows the story’s main focus.

I would have greatly preferred the film to end with some form of closure, yet it might also seem unfair for it to do so. Kinsey’s life is an enigma that will perhaps always be so difficult to comprehend.

Who should watch: People who wouldn’t mind having their “beliefs” being challenged and openly put into question.

Who shouldn’t watch: People who strongly believe that the ratio of Adam and Eve is strictly 1:1 and that there can’t be Adams without Eves, vice versa.

Rating: 7.4

Teaching, Week 2

Week 2 started well with a 2-day crash course in teaching over at Teacher's Network, not so much as the overall effectiveness, but more so the extra hour of sleep I got those 2 mornings! It was a good break from going school and the lecturer was quite entertaining and insightful. 38 years in MOE... try beating that!

All good things must come to an end and thus came Wed morning I trooped back to school. A brand new timetable greeted me and caught me totally unaware with no lesson plans in hand. So I thought up some last minute word games for my English classes. Then came the History classes on Thur and Fri, which ended up with me flopping my 1st attempts of passing off as a competent Sec 2 History teacher with (up to) Sec 2 History background. Luckily the kids weren't paying much attention anyway, heh.

In the midst of this madness did came an event which was really meaningful, to say the least. I got "arrowed" to take charge of a class to help out in packing foodstuff at Tengah Airbase for the tsunami victims. My school volunteered our students to help out the Red Cross for this good cause. I was extremely tired after a busy day of teaching and had to admit that wasn't something I was looking forward to. But what I experienced was truly touching. Throughout the 4 hours of packing, I witnessed for the 1st time what the IJ spirit was about. We were so deeply focused in our tasks at hand that it really made me wonder why the hell these girls find it so hard to pay attention in class. Oops, just ignore my spastic comment. To see the girls working so hard for a common cause was very heartening indeed. Their spirits were so high that although we were dead tired at 6pm, they still managed to shout out school cheers to congraulate each other for a job well done. In the end, we managed to pack a total of 11,100 sets that single afternoon, a truly amazing figure with just 300 plus Sec 3 students.

Well, I think I overwrote, so here's to week 3 and more History drama classes! Bye for now!

Film Review 3: Meet the Fockers

Alright alright, the choice of movie has to go "downhill" someday right? Well, everyone needs a crappy movie once in a while, especially when you're in need for some mindless entertainment.

Mindless it indeed was, although not as lousy as I thought it would be. It certainly does have its moments, albeit in sporadic fashion. Some memorable gags aside (think foreskin and fondue), the film sometimes overly rely on playing around with the incredulous family name for several cheap jokes. The movie stars Ben Stiller as his usual loser-being-caught-in-ridiculous-situations self, and a strong veteran cast that includes Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand. The cast does an "alright" job, though I'm sure they are capable of much better performances. Have this sneaky feeling that they are merely going through the motions after pocketing their respective paychecks.

One character who completely stole the thunder and grabbed all the attention from the others is none other than the impossibly cute and talented "Little Jack" as De Niro's grandson, played by real-life twins, Spencer and Bradley Pricken. The 2-3 year old toddlers' performances are nothing short of incredible... you just have to watch it for yourself! The fact that he alone was probably responsible for 30% of the laughs says a lot about how "adequate" the rest of the cast were.

Disclaimer: I've not watched Meet the Parents before, so perhaps my judgement was affected? Decide for yourselves!

Who should watch: Stressed up folks who require easy laughs using minimal brainpower.

Who shouldn't watch: People who think De Niro really belongs to the mob. They should continue to think so.

Rating: 6.7

Teaching, Week 1

Frankly speaking, everything's still in a daze. Too early to tell if teaching's really my cup of tea. Students have progressively settled down better, but then again, 2 new history classes beckon next week. Plus the fact that I haven't done any full-scale marking yet. The thought of that is enough to kill. Let's see how it goes from now.

Film Review 2: Big Fish

Not a "current" film, but a film that I was looking forward to watch for a long time. Had the pleasure of watching it with a bunch of friends as well, in the (dis)comfort of my home, heh :P

Big Fish is a beautiful and sensitive piece of work, combining the trademark weirdness of director Tim Burton with the discovery of their true inner selves by both father and son. The cast is nothing short of impressive.... from Albert Finney as the father Edward Bloom, Ewan McGregor as the young Edward and the timelessly gorgeous Jessica Lange as the mother Sandra Bloom. Not to mention the surprise choice, French stunner Marion Cotillard as the daughter-in-law and the highly versatile Alison Lohman as the young Sandra. Even resident scene stealer Steve Buscemi makes an appearance, which further livens up the already excellent casting.

However, it is the relatively unknown Billy Crudup who left the greatest impression on me. As Will Bloom, his understated desire to be the filial son is often pecked back by his father's insistence of telling him stories that to him are merely exaggerated tales concocted by the senior Bloom. Will yearns for the truth, true facts that will enable him to understand the man he thought he never did. The most touching moment comes in the end when Will finally accepts his old man for the way he has always been. Will conjures up one last story on behalf of the dying Edward, a story befitting enough for the sending off of the master storyteller himself.

As touching as the film was, it somehow fails to reach the level of sensitivity shown in Edward Scissorshands -- to me, still the best effort from Burton. Perhaps it isn't fair to compare them because ES had THE two masters of weird, Burton and Johnny Depp, easily a perfect match to tell a perfect story. Big Fish certainly has the creative elements, if given a more consistent treatment, would no doubt have made it a more outstanding film that would've left a greater impact on audiences.

Who should watch: Those who want to sit through a good touching story with excellent and unique visuals

Who shouldn't watch: Burton fans who have set their expectations way too high since the 1st glimpse of his brilliance 15 years ago.

Rating: 7.5

Disillusionist

Yes perhaps I already am one. Very disheartened in new career. Being forced to take on a teaching subject I've not touched since Sec 2 is just about all I needed. Thanks lor.

But then again, it's only Day 2 and 2 lessons down. Am I being too easily discouraged? It's really tough, esp for an untrained teacher like myself to get thrown into the very deep end immediately. A bad scenario indeed. But if I can pull thru this difficult period of time, won't this be an invaluable experience? I've gotta learn it the hard way, and that in turn will toughen me up for the future, even if eventually I do decide to switch careers.

The silver lining in every cloud sure is hard to find. Guess I just have to stare harder at those clouds :P

Mini Nike Premier League Blue Ball

Souvenir from London. Couldn't stop juggling it the whole of last night, ha! Step aside Ronaldinho!

Opening Film Review: Kung Fu Hustle

Stephen Chow is without doubt, the greatest comedy actor alive. Having grown up with his nonsense, he’s my constant source of inspiration for deadpan humour, silly slapstick and dry wit. So it comes as no surprise that I entered the cinema with mad anticipation; it has been 3 long years since I caught the scintillating Shaolin Soccer.

SC has long idolized Bruce Lee, and so being the director himself, is able to fulfill his childhood dreams of paying homage to his late idol and the legend of Kung Fu. The end-product is a CGI effects laden martial arts comedy fest that leaves nothing for the imagination. Which is of course, not a necessarily good comment.

The fighting scenes are top-notch, no arguments about that. A generous amount of screen time is dedicated to past Kung Fu legends who really do bring out the beauty of fist fights, wooden staff wielding and stunning footwork. Added to the effects, it is one hell of a Kung Fu film. Herein lies the problem: There is simply not enough of SC and his brand of madcap nonsense that he’s so capable of producing. The limited times when he flexed his comedic muscles were the most brilliant moments of the film, and not those when he ripped off his shirt to reveal his impressive six-pac or his little-known martial arts skills. I only wish I could laugh as hard and as much as in his previous efforts. Still, SC should be respected and admired for putting himself in a backseat and letting his love of Kung Fu take centerestage.

However, to the non-SC fanatics, this is a lovable film that will guarantee a great time in the theatre. Credit must be given to the incredible supporting cast, like the wonderfully casted Yuen Qiu as the colourful loud-mouthed (literally) landlady, who give the film the extra edge in entertainment value. There is no better way to enjoy comedies than to experience the joy of laughing heartily together with fellow audiences in the cinema.

Who should watch: Kung Fu fans and anyone who is dying for some quick laughs

Who shouldn’t watch: SC fanatics who’ll kill themselves if this isn’t as good as Shaolin Soccer

Rating: 7.7

Return of film reviews

Am trying to resurrect my dying interest to talk about movies. First one coming up soon. Here's the link to my previous reviews:

http://imdb.com/user/ur2247756/comments

Pre-1st Day Jitters

1.13am... can't fall asleep. Can't fathom the fact that I'll be facing a class of 40 pupils in 6-7 hrs time. Yes, the cubicle can indeed be freaked out.

Start of a new year, a brand new blog..... brilliant. This blog shall not suffer the fate of its predecessor (i.e. it shall last more than at least 1 month).