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The expression "B movie" historically referred to a low budget movie made as the 2nd feature of a double bill; some "filler" entertainment. However, the term has come to mean a movie of a lesser quality, something which may be worth a look but not necessarily something where you'd shell out your hard earned bucks to see at the theatre. Wait for the DVD; rent it at Blockbuster; hope that one of the specialty channels will show it at some point. Watch it if you've nothing better to do; watch it if you're sick in bed... and can't get up to change the channel.

But don't shell out your hard earned bucks to see it at the cinema.

39% at Rotten Tomatoes? [groan] 2 hours of my life! 2 hours that I will never get back! God only gave us so much time in this world and I just spend 2 hours of my precious allotment on 39%. The Expendables? The dispensables!

"Yes, but did you like it?" I hear you ask.

It was horrible. But I know from experience that if I like a genre, a certain type of film like an action or spy film, it is almost like I can't stay away; I just have to see it even if I suspect it's going to be a stinker. After all, how will I know exactly how bad it is unless I see it? How else to explain my presence in the theatre when Rotten Tomatoes ranks it with 39%? Okay, I went because I wanted a theatre hotdog.

Sylvester Stallone is an industry, a movie icon and there is no denying him as a cultural influence over the years in the film industry. He's had his ups with the likes of Rocky and Rambo and he's had his downs with some forgettable films but he has certainly succeeded in imprinting his name on our collective consciousness. Consequently, this film under his tutelage was in itself a guarantee of public attention. However, Mr. Stallone just didn't stop with his own name on the marquee; he managed to attract a considerable list of big name action stars to develop an ensemble film. The term "ensemble cast" means that each actor gets roughly equal time so there is no single star per se.

Developing a story about a group of elite mercenaries who have a mission to overthrow a Latin American dictator, Mr. Stallone's intention was to pay tribute to the blockbuster action films of the 1980s and early 1990s. He managed to gather together various stars from those decades, including Dolph Lundgren, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger (the latter two in cameo roles), plus more recent stars such as Jason Statham, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, and Steve Austin. Looking at such a list for the cast would seem like a guaranteed hit, a sure fire way of bringing in the crowds but I repeat that the film was horrible. Ha! Is that going to stop you diehard fans from going to see it? [laughs] No way! ... I just realized: "die hard" fans, a sideways reference to Mr. Willis? :-)

I must admit that I found the one scene where we have Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester on the screen at the same time amusing. Sylvester and Arnold are playing fellow mercenaries while Bruce is the man doing the hiring. Bruce questions both of them about doing the job during which Sylvester and Arnold exchange sarcastic quips. Finally Arnold says, "Give him the job. He likes to play in the jungle."

As Arnold walks off. Bruce asks, "What's the matter with him?" to which Sylvester replies, "Oh, he just wants to be president."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUSps7eIxto

Unfortunately, that's the high point of the entire film! Well, at least for me. Nevertheless, there are still enough blowing-stuff-up, fist-fightin', testosterone-filled moments to satisfy the most rabid fan of action films and those with a calculator will have their work cut out for themselves trying to tally the body count.

According to Wikipedia, there are a few back stories of interest. Mr. Stallone asked Jean-Claude Van Damme but he refused so Stallone asked Van Damme's other Universal Solder star, Dolph Lundgren. Stallone asked Steven Segal to do a cameo but Segal refused. Sandra Bullock was rumoured to be involved - she and Stallone were in Demolition Man (1993) - but that didn't pan out. Whatever the case, Sylvester did manage to attract a lot of interest in this project.

Despite a mixed critical response to the film, it has done decently at the box office. It had a budget of $80 million and seems to have now made a profit with gross revenue of $104 million. Sylvester has been reported to be mulling over a sequel depending on how well the film does and was quoted as saying, "If this does perform, I think it will open a little more liquidity in funding the sequel. I have an idea ready to go. People think doing a sequel is easy, but it's not because you need the element of surprise. I'm going to try to do something that's quite radical."

For all the trivia aficionados:

• Dolph Lundgren, the Swedish actor, got his break playing opposite Stallone in Stallone's movie Rocky IV (1985).
• The restaurant chain Planet Hollywood, competition to the Hard Rock Café, was started in 1991 with the backing of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. The chain has gone bankrupt a couple of times. Arnold backed out in 2000.
• Bruce Willis got his big break in the television series Moonlighting, from 1985 to 1989.
• Arnold Schwarzenegger's accent was deemed so thick in his first film Hercules in New York, 1970 that his lines were dubbed after production.
• Mickey Rourke for his role in the movie The Wrestler (2008) was nominated for an Oscar but lost out to Sean Penn. Rourke left acting from 1991 to 1995 to go back to his career as a boxer.

References

Rotten Tomatoes: The Expendables: 39%
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_expendables

Wikipedia: The Expendables
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Expendables_%282010_film%29

Wikipedia: B movie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_movie


2010-08-30

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Was invited to take a shopping trip to Kuala Lumpur!! Since my virgin trip in 2005, which I didn't much like, I've been to KL many times afterwards and have always enjoyed myself thoroughly!!

I guess the reason why I didn't enjoy myself that much the first time round was coz:

1) Having been to only JB in Malaysia, I expected KL to be like the former. It's totally not like JB and it's a lot more cosmopolitan, and correspondingly, of course, more expensive than JB!

2) I was a poor student and didn't bring much money to spend having not expected to spend that much.

3) I didn't know where to shop or where to go!!


Thanks to Nuffnang Malaysia and the close relationship it has with Nuffnang Singapore, I sometimes get the chance to go over to KL for blog-related stuff. After a few more visits I got to know the place better, and also I really like the KL and the KL nuffnang bloggers! :D (And feel slightly ashamed of my old KL blog entry coz it DOES sound ignorant. Fine, I admit it)


Why is KL awesome as a tourist destination?

(And I am not just saying this coz this is an advert)

- The food is... I dunno... RIDICULOUSLY YUMMY!! Their hawker food beats Singaporean hawker fare hands down!! Every meal I had there is super duper nice!! Even KFC is nicer there! The most unassuming food store will serve you a delicious meal!

- If you know where to shop, everything is a steal!!

- The culture and people there are so similar to Singapore/Singaporeans... I find that endearing. At least no communication problems!

- KL is a lot more relaxed about their rules and regulations in comparison to go ol' Singapore. So can chew gum, bargain prices etc, no problem!


Enough yakking... Photos!

Flew Air Asia! And there to pick us up:


They are part of the team who organized to bring me over. Thank you!!

And also they are the best tour guides EVER!!

First thing they asked was "Are you guys hungry?" and that's my favourite question to be asked. Besides "Would you like me to give you a million dollars?" but nobody has asked me that so far.

So the answer was YES!!! and we were on our way from the airport to DIM SUM!!


Mike and I ordered this ridiculously yummy drink. It's called 3 layered tea or something and it's TEA/MILK/GULA MELAKA...

The gula thing at the bottom is DA BOMB!! It tastes like gooey melted brown sugar, but also like caramel or butterscotch and it has a hint of coconut! Love it.

The tea is mad nice. MAD NICE!


Our first round of dim sum. Brought by enthusiastic waiters in a huge tray for our selection!! Pick whatever you want and it's yours!

Looks so unassuming but THAT IS THE BEST CARROT CAKE I'VE EVER HAD. Hands down. Crispy on the outside, super soft and melty on the inside.

Address:

Restoran Loong Seng
No. 50, Jalan SS2/66
47300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 03 78762349

Resembling blimps, we return to the hotel for a short while before meeting for lunch...


Our hotel is the super luxurious Gardens Hotel! :D (Actually we stayed on 25th but went to the top to register)

We just anyhowly picked a cafe near the hotel for lunch: Alexis bistro and wine bar.

I ordered Duck Confit salad coz I was still super full...



And that... Is also one of the best duck confit I ever had. -_-

The skin is super crispy and hot and sinful! Love it :D

How come anyhow choose one restaurant also turn out so nice one!!


This is a megamall in the heart of KL city with all sorts of luxurious brands, so if you are into designer brands you can go there!!

I remember frantically looking for the newly opened Pavilion a few years ago when I was in KL, because...


Juicy is my favourite brand and the experience needs to be completed together with all the shamelessly pink furniture in the shop! And I don't need to go to USA to do this anymore, it is available in KL!

Didn't find anything I really wanted though...

(Yes I know there is a Juicy store in Singapore but it's really tiny and doesn't sell most of the season's items.)

After this we sat down to enjoy a fashion show...


Not only are lots of the brand names on sale, fashion shows are going on every weekend in many of the malls!! Too many to list, so if you are planning to go to KL for a shopping trip, check out the events HERE.


She promised to bring me shopping at her favourite mall in KL, so off we went to Sungei Wang Plaza!

Again and again I've heard the comparison that Sungei Wang is like Far East Plaza... But I think like not really leh... Maybe it's just coz I'm used to Far East but I think Sungei Wang has a lot more character!!

The reason why I say it has more character is because of the people inside!! There are youngsters dressed really jappy and they really really doll up!! Even the guys!! Super interesting to watch.

However most of the mall is still filled with normal looking people lah, mostly young adults.

The exterior of the building is totally old-looking (like far east! lol) but once you walk inside it's all super trendy!


Ok I'm a bad blogger and I get easily distracted so this is the only photo I managed to take of the mall.

BECAUSE THE SHOPPING IS FANTASTIC!!

There are super a lot of shops selling all sorts of clothes, shoes, accessories, bags etc - and there are hundreds of signs everywhere exclaiming "RM 25 - 29" and true to their word, nothing in the shop costs more than 29 RINGGIT = SGD $12.40.

HEN ER XIN. I went crazy. AND SOMEMORE THE THINGS ARE NICE!!


Behold:


And this is a super soft furry pink dress!! RM 28 (SGD $12) I think. Although it's not thick it's not something Sgreans usually wear so I'm gonna wear it when I go overseas!! :D

ARE YOU JEALOUS OR WHAT!!!!

Too bad Cheesie had to go for a dinner meeting otherwise I'd have stayed at Sungei Wang till it closes and still won't go lor!! Far east my a**!! Far east where got so cheap?!?!?!

I LOVE SUNGEI WANG /sobs



After this, seafood dinner with Jason and Darren:


Bamboo clams are one of my favourite seafood choices but they are not easily available in Singapore!! The only place I know that sells it is Jumbo seafood and they only sell the adult version - one freaking clam for $8 or something, not including tax!!

This plate of bamboo clams is not expensive as I recall, and the baby version taste exactly like the adult ones lor... AND GOT SO MUCH MORE!!

SLURP


Sorry to do this to you - the freshest, juiciest stingray. So soft it melts in your mouth... And wet with lemon juice + sambal. MY GOD I WANT SOME NOW

Yes all these are available in Singapore too, but the bill is much cheaper in KL! :D

Done for the day!!! Went back to the hotel:


Got ready to meet Tim, Audrey and Cheesie for lunch!! It was dim sum again. Tim's suggestion and he didn't know we had dim sum for breakfast yesterday but I LOVE DIM SUM so I didn't tell him hehehehe


Aforementioned dim sum coming in trays like these... BEST LAH DON'T NEED TO WAIT MORE THAN 2 SECONDS FOR YOUR FOOD.


This puff thing with omgsauce inside... I call it omgsauce coz I don't know what it's made of but it involves salted egg yolk and it's all warm and oozy and sweet and custardy and totally delish.


OK I HAD ENOUGH I THINK THESE MALAYSIANS ARE TRYING TO MAKE ME FAT!!! Why everything so delicious -_-

The restaurant's name is called Jing Xuan but I don't know the address!!

After this we went to Tim's place to chill for a bit (ie roll around in my newformed fats)


It's about this guy who is saving his son and you make decisions to make the game go on... Quite cool.


Meanwhile............












Lousy blurry photo a distracted Tim took for us... He so enthu about the game even though he played it a million times!


After this, Jason and Darren brought Mike and I to 1 Utama, which had the thing I most wanted to buy back to Singapore...

Hint: It's in a pet shop!!!



(And photography totally allowed btw, just without flash. See what I mean by they are way more lax about rules??)


Look at this puff!! After it went back inside its cage, it peered out at us for 2 straight minutes just looking curiously - with one paw and one fluffy tail hanging out!!

It is too bad Sugar gliders are not allowed in Singapore... However, the shop we went to, Petsmore, was more than friendly and allowed their customers to interactive with their pets!!

I think KL is worth a visit just to play with the gliders omg. SO CUTE!!

Woah!! Can't believe I had so much fun in 1.5 days in KL!!

Grand prize - RM10,000 (!!!) + hotel stay + shopping vouchers

2nd to 10th place runner-ups get digicams, video cams and all sorts of other prizes sponsors!

To win, participants must create a video representing "I Love To Shop In Malaysia."

It's up to you to decide what kind of video you want to present so long as it's fun and enjoyable to watch! All you have to do is to upload your video to Youtube and submit it on the form posted on SHOPMALAYSIA.MY! To get more details, click the link!

Quick, coz submission ends 30th September!


Remember you have to join Shop Malaysia's facebook fan page to qualify so click HERE!!

And follow @shop_malaysia on Twitter for more updates. :D