x(x-x) = x2 - x2 = 0
x2 - x2 = (x+x)(x-x)
x(x-x) = (x+x)(x-x)
x = x+x
x = 2x
1 = 2
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Revenge of the Eh...
Ok, I'll say it outright before I get too deep with this review.
I expected to be disappointed by this Transformers film. I entered the theatre with the same mindset I had when going to watch Fantastic Four, and those closest to me will know that while Jessica Alba will make me drool, Megan Fox doesn't really do it for me. Now, let's get started.
Well, the first (second) movie was stellar for me, and for many neutrals as well. This franchise, as you can tell from the title, suffers the same fate as most Hollywood blockbusters, that of crappy sequel syndrome. However, Michael Bay's second attempt at generating many millions of dollars surrounding animated toys isn't altogether craptacular, and I feel there were some good points to take home.
Firstly, I have said many times that the dialogue between Prime and megatron from the previous movie almost made me jizz, because it's almost the same as the "original" showdown exchange they had in the awesome animated movie. You can watch that here (I love that song). Also take note of the way Prime arrives and pwns just about every Decepticon there, and I'll say that there are aspects of this very fight scene that were repeated here, down to the slow-motion floating-in-the-air shooting. I'm a sucker for homages like that, and there is another part in RotF that reminded me of the animated film. Hint: Sad.
One of my biggest worries coming into this movie was Soundwave. Easily my favorite Transformer growing up. If anyone gets me an old-school Soundwave replica, with transforming tapes, I will <3 you so hard. The fact that Soundwave was omitted from the first movie was a minor disappointment, and when I heard he was going to be in this one I had mixed feelings, at best. On the one hand, there was a high chance he'd be totally ruined, but on the other hand it was like finally seeing Gambit on the big screen. Similar results; I'm not displeased with it and the fact that Ravage emerged from Soundwave was a definite plus point. Fans of the older Transformers series, if you remember the little tapes, you might like this.
Err, Linkin park, yay?
Alright. Someone, please tell me what persuaded the film-makers to turn RotF into a film that evoked more laughter than Meet the Spartans? Don't get me wrong, Moulmein High is funnier than Meet the Spartans, but I'm not very happy with the obvious effort that was put into the gags and jokes in the film, when so many other thigns could have been improved. That being said, there are genuinely funny bits.
A big part of the hype for this sequel was the debut and appearance of one Devastator. The Constructicons tradiaitonally have always been an epic part of the Decepticons, and anyone who watched the trailers for RotF would have noted the huge (and that's saying alot) robots that were smashing things all over. Sadly, I have to make it known that the Devastator portrayed here is nowhere near as, well, devastating, as he used to be. You know how Iceman is supposed to be one of the most powerful mutants out there, but in the X-Men films he's a useless punk? Kinda.
Effects are breath-taking at times, as expected, but all the same there are periods where you feel that it's just random mangling of steel and sparks and explosions on screen. Hugo Weaving and the other voice actors do a good job as far as I'm concerned, except for the three or so that, well... I didn't know Autobots speak in jive.
Arcee gets shot in the face! Starscream gets alot more screen time. Wheelie? Really?
The last thing that really put me off I guess is the whole... plot. I want to keep this spoiler free, but when the audience is told of who "the Fallen" are/is (hint), I don't think you'll like it much more than I did. It isn't Megatron. I know right.
Final say? I am disappointed by the film, but I was expecting to be disappointed. As a Transformers fanboy, I was really happy to see Arcee, Soundwave and Starscream (again) as well as more homages to the aniamted film. Negatives include the weak plot and questionable humor (including two separate testicle jokes).
Nothing after credits, get out when the names roll.
I expected to be disappointed by this Transformers film. I entered the theatre with the same mindset I had when going to watch Fantastic Four, and those closest to me will know that while Jessica Alba will make me drool, Megan Fox doesn't really do it for me. Now, let's get started.
Well, the first (second) movie was stellar for me, and for many neutrals as well. This franchise, as you can tell from the title, suffers the same fate as most Hollywood blockbusters, that of crappy sequel syndrome. However, Michael Bay's second attempt at generating many millions of dollars surrounding animated toys isn't altogether craptacular, and I feel there were some good points to take home.
Firstly, I have said many times that the dialogue between Prime and megatron from the previous movie almost made me jizz, because it's almost the same as the "original" showdown exchange they had in the awesome animated movie. You can watch that here (I love that song). Also take note of the way Prime arrives and pwns just about every Decepticon there, and I'll say that there are aspects of this very fight scene that were repeated here, down to the slow-motion floating-in-the-air shooting. I'm a sucker for homages like that, and there is another part in RotF that reminded me of the animated film. Hint: Sad.
One of my biggest worries coming into this movie was Soundwave. Easily my favorite Transformer growing up. If anyone gets me an old-school Soundwave replica, with transforming tapes, I will <3 you so hard. The fact that Soundwave was omitted from the first movie was a minor disappointment, and when I heard he was going to be in this one I had mixed feelings, at best. On the one hand, there was a high chance he'd be totally ruined, but on the other hand it was like finally seeing Gambit on the big screen. Similar results; I'm not displeased with it and the fact that Ravage emerged from Soundwave was a definite plus point. Fans of the older Transformers series, if you remember the little tapes, you might like this.
Err, Linkin park, yay?
Alright. Someone, please tell me what persuaded the film-makers to turn RotF into a film that evoked more laughter than Meet the Spartans? Don't get me wrong, Moulmein High is funnier than Meet the Spartans, but I'm not very happy with the obvious effort that was put into the gags and jokes in the film, when so many other thigns could have been improved. That being said, there are genuinely funny bits.
A big part of the hype for this sequel was the debut and appearance of one Devastator. The Constructicons tradiaitonally have always been an epic part of the Decepticons, and anyone who watched the trailers for RotF would have noted the huge (and that's saying alot) robots that were smashing things all over. Sadly, I have to make it known that the Devastator portrayed here is nowhere near as, well, devastating, as he used to be. You know how Iceman is supposed to be one of the most powerful mutants out there, but in the X-Men films he's a useless punk? Kinda.
Effects are breath-taking at times, as expected, but all the same there are periods where you feel that it's just random mangling of steel and sparks and explosions on screen. Hugo Weaving and the other voice actors do a good job as far as I'm concerned, except for the three or so that, well... I didn't know Autobots speak in jive.
Arcee gets shot in the face! Starscream gets alot more screen time. Wheelie? Really?
The last thing that really put me off I guess is the whole... plot. I want to keep this spoiler free, but when the audience is told of who "the Fallen" are/is (hint), I don't think you'll like it much more than I did. It isn't Megatron. I know right.
Final say? I am disappointed by the film, but I was expecting to be disappointed. As a Transformers fanboy, I was really happy to see Arcee, Soundwave and Starscream (again) as well as more homages to the aniamted film. Negatives include the weak plot and questionable humor (including two separate testicle jokes).
Nothing after credits, get out when the names roll.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Monday, June 08, 2009
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
A MINDEF is a Terrible Thing To Waste
Most Singaporean males will look at, think about, speak of, and otherwise see the above-mentioned acronym and shudder and swear. How many of us have given our time, our blood, sweat and tears to this faceless entity that claims to operate for the benefit of us all?
I'll take some time to speak briefly about certain people who strut around proudly proclaiming their antics in the arts of malingering and beign admitted into a mental institution. You're partially the reason the rest of us good folk have to work as hard as we do. Fucktards.
When I enlisted so very long ago, I was given a "low" medical status due to a shoulder condition, and I shared a bunk with people lacking a lung or sternum. Seriously. I will openly admit that I was fortunate in being assigned the relatively "easy" status I was, but I thought to myself that I'd repay it by doing my best when I was given whatever tasks I was. And I would say I did.
I've regretted many things in life. For a long time I regretted royally fucking up my studies when I was younger, before the army beckoned. Now, with life in University looking particularly rosy from amny aspects, I feel like I've been given a second, albeit expensive, chance to make things right.
And then the army calls us back.
Don't get me wrong. I actually think that National Service is a great benefit to a nation. It's just that the way things are run and done now, all the government is nuturing is a growing resentment (from the youths they've trained to fire rifles) towards those in power. The whole experience probably made me a better person, though it also introduced me to the happy world of swearing and cursing.
And what really sets me on edge is the fact that the army seems to revel in messing up your life.
I know a guy studying abroad now who was denied the opportunity to go overseas for a degree in Medicine because the army didn't let him leave the country, with the threat of exile looming large. I saw him every single fucking day. All he did was lounge around an air-conditioned office (with me) and make fun of sleepy logistics personnel (Travers, among them). Was that so important that they had to deny this guy a chance at realising a dream?
Today my brother was supposed to enlist. It's a day most guys never forget. So he made his way, with my parents who took days off from work, to go to the military settlement of Pulau Tekong, only to be told after several hours that his date was going to be pushed back due to him losing some weight. He was also instructed to make the journey from Pulau Tekong (via ferry to Pasir Ris) to CMPB (which is nowhere near Pasir Ris). All this so that someone could check a box in a form.
In an age where bluetooth and iPhones are as common as anything else, and where "our army" boasts technology that would put James T. Kirk to shame, was this really neccesary?
No, that was fucked up.
I, and a few others in school, have recently been told by our friends at MINDEF that our deferment applications have been rejected. Effectively, they are saying "Ha, fuck you and your education! You need to come back to camp, and pretend to get ready for the war that will happen anytime we push the button!"
WHAT BUTTON?!?
Do we really think that (a) there is a war that Singapore will be part of in the near future and (b) our stores of faulty weaponry and unmotivated individuals will even stand a chance against anything but a platoon of schoolgirls? Trust me, we'd be better off fighting with spears and shields than the spectacular crapfest that is the SAR-21.
So here I am trying to think of a way where I won't miss a full third of my semester because some lazy bastards behind a computer screen decided that anyone not in NUS/NTU/SMU isn't worth the trouble of accomodating for.
The Singaporean government has, for a long time, tried to promote a sense of patriotism and love for our country and all that our forefathers have fought and died for. I get that. But by fucking with a generation of pissed off youth, do you honestly think that anyone is going to bother giving a flying fuck about a country that has strived to hinder their own lives?
Fuck no.
I should go to Buffalo and not come back.
I'll take some time to speak briefly about certain people who strut around proudly proclaiming their antics in the arts of malingering and beign admitted into a mental institution. You're partially the reason the rest of us good folk have to work as hard as we do. Fucktards.
When I enlisted so very long ago, I was given a "low" medical status due to a shoulder condition, and I shared a bunk with people lacking a lung or sternum. Seriously. I will openly admit that I was fortunate in being assigned the relatively "easy" status I was, but I thought to myself that I'd repay it by doing my best when I was given whatever tasks I was. And I would say I did.
I've regretted many things in life. For a long time I regretted royally fucking up my studies when I was younger, before the army beckoned. Now, with life in University looking particularly rosy from amny aspects, I feel like I've been given a second, albeit expensive, chance to make things right.
And then the army calls us back.
Don't get me wrong. I actually think that National Service is a great benefit to a nation. It's just that the way things are run and done now, all the government is nuturing is a growing resentment (from the youths they've trained to fire rifles) towards those in power. The whole experience probably made me a better person, though it also introduced me to the happy world of swearing and cursing.
And what really sets me on edge is the fact that the army seems to revel in messing up your life.
I know a guy studying abroad now who was denied the opportunity to go overseas for a degree in Medicine because the army didn't let him leave the country, with the threat of exile looming large. I saw him every single fucking day. All he did was lounge around an air-conditioned office (with me) and make fun of sleepy logistics personnel (Travers, among them). Was that so important that they had to deny this guy a chance at realising a dream?
Today my brother was supposed to enlist. It's a day most guys never forget. So he made his way, with my parents who took days off from work, to go to the military settlement of Pulau Tekong, only to be told after several hours that his date was going to be pushed back due to him losing some weight. He was also instructed to make the journey from Pulau Tekong (via ferry to Pasir Ris) to CMPB (which is nowhere near Pasir Ris). All this so that someone could check a box in a form.
In an age where bluetooth and iPhones are as common as anything else, and where "our army" boasts technology that would put James T. Kirk to shame, was this really neccesary?
No, that was fucked up.
I, and a few others in school, have recently been told by our friends at MINDEF that our deferment applications have been rejected. Effectively, they are saying "Ha, fuck you and your education! You need to come back to camp, and pretend to get ready for the war that will happen anytime we push the button!"
WHAT BUTTON?!?
Do we really think that (a) there is a war that Singapore will be part of in the near future and (b) our stores of faulty weaponry and unmotivated individuals will even stand a chance against anything but a platoon of schoolgirls? Trust me, we'd be better off fighting with spears and shields than the spectacular crapfest that is the SAR-21.
So here I am trying to think of a way where I won't miss a full third of my semester because some lazy bastards behind a computer screen decided that anyone not in NUS/NTU/SMU isn't worth the trouble of accomodating for.
The Singaporean government has, for a long time, tried to promote a sense of patriotism and love for our country and all that our forefathers have fought and died for. I get that. But by fucking with a generation of pissed off youth, do you honestly think that anyone is going to bother giving a flying fuck about a country that has strived to hinder their own lives?
Fuck no.
I should go to Buffalo and not come back.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
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