29 posts from March 2008

AKADEMI FANTASIA 6 UPDATES : KONSERT MINGGU KEDUA (29 MARCH 2008)

The 2nd week's concert was rather disappointing, with most of the contestants revealing their weaknesses in being more versatile. I could hardly pick my favourite performance, except maybe Stacy's. This week we say good-bye to Ika, and yes it's about time, the girl could hardly sing. Perhaps she'll do better as an actress, with the cute looks.

Pics courtesy of www.astro.com.my/akademi_fantasia

ANUGERAH BINTANG POPULAR BERITA HARIAN 2007 - MAWI DOES IT AGAIN

 

MAWI takes home the overall winner award Bintang Paling Popular for the 3rd year in a row, bagging prizes including RM150k worth from Habib Jewels and a Peugeot worth RM185k. Other winners include Siti Nurhaliza (Penyanyi Wanita Popular), Rosyam Nor (Pelakon Filem Lelaki Popular), Fasha Sandha (Pelakon Filem Wanita Popular), Aznil Nawawi (Pengacara TV Lelaki Popular), and Farra Fauzana (Pengacara TV Wanita Popular & Penyampai Radio Wanita Popular). 

Some of the more memorable performances include LIZA HANIM's rendition of her ballad Merawat Luka Terpendam. What a voice, she blew me away!

SITI NURHALIZA sang Ku Mahu for the opening, quite interesting choreography:

The rock OTAI also teamed up for a number:

 To view complete list of categories & nominations CLICK HERE

ASIAN FILM AWARDS 2008 - KOREAN FILM SECRET SUNSHINE SHINES

The 2nd AFA was held on the 17th March 2008 at the Hong Kong Conventiuon & Exhibition Centre, to celebrate the excellence in asian films. The movie Screat Sunshine from South Korean took home the main categories including Best Film, Best Director (Lee Chang-Dong) and Best Actress (Jeon Do-Yeon). This is the 2nd year in a row South Korea became the top winner, where its film The Host swept the most awards in 2007. 

Lust Caution from Taiwan/China's Ang Lee failed again to outdo the rest, and only managed to achieve one award for Best Actor (Tony Leung), losing out on the rest of its 5 nominations, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actress.

 

To view full list of nominations and winners CLICK HERE

MOVIE ANTICIPATION : 1) RUN FAT BOY RUN, 2) STOP-LOSS, 3) DECEPTION

Three movies to anticipate:-

1) Run Fat Boy Run (English)

Starring : Simon Pegg, Hank Azaria, Thandie Newton

2) Stop-Loss (English)

Starring : Ryan Phillippe, Channing Tatum, Abbie Cornish

3) Deception (English)

Starring : Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams

 

RESTAURANT REVIEW : THE MILL RESTAURANT @ MILLENIUM HOTEL, KUALA LUMPUR (Halal)

This was my 2nd visit to the restaurant, located in Millenium Hotel, along Jalan Bukit Bintang (next to Pavillion Shopping Centre). After a long day at work especially when I had to skip lunch to rush work, it was definitely a treat to pamper myself with a nice buffet dinner.

When you enter the main lobby, take the lift to the 1st Floor. The place is cosy & spacious to spend an evening dining and chit-chatting with friends/families.. I'd say the range of food offerred in their buffet is not very wide, but it is still a good meal to pay as they make it up to you in their quality and taste.

 

There's oysters, shashimi bar, very nice BBQ selection, oriental noodles, prawns and crabs to name a few. I like their oysters and salmon - fresh. And their BBQ is a must try. I was being a glutton when I decided to take my 5th serving as I approached the bar for oriental noodles. The chef recommended me their prawn mee, and it turned out quite good actually.

As for the desserts, not so good. They do have chocolate fountain, quite a bit of fruits selection, fair bit of cakes choices and ice cream. But most of them failed to impress taste wise. My advise is that you do not need to spare too much a space when you're having the main courses, no point since the desserts are not that great.

 

Price wise it's reasonable, espcially if you have Maybank credit card. During my first visit, they had a very good offer, giving 50% discount for any maybank credit card. So we only ended up paying slightly less than RM40 per pax! As for last night's visit, they only had offers for Maybank Amex cardholders, and we got a 30% discount. Normal price per pax is RM79++.

Restaurant Details : Address - Grand Millenium Hotel, 1st Floor, 160 Jalan Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur / Contact Number - 603-2117-4888

Rating : A-

AMERICAN IDOL UPATES - WEEK 24 MARCH 2008

This week we bid goodbye to one talented singer in the competition. Chikezie has been showing consistency in his performances week after week, but chose unfortunately one boring song to perform yesterday, which costs him an elimination from becoming the next American Idol. The other two bottom three contestants were Jason & Syesha.

 

This week my favourite picks will be Michael Johns & David Cook. For Michael, I've always liked all his performances but unfortunately he has yet to get a 'splendid' compliment from the judges until last night, when he finally picked an all time favourite band, Queen's medley, which rocked the place and earned him great comments from all the judges (finally!).

 

I have to admit David Cook initially didn't catch my attention because I did not like his fashion sense. Looks like he has improved in his image (he looks much better lately), and has proven he is indeed talented, consistent and very creative with his songs arrangements, first with his rendition of Lionel Ritchie's Hello and yesterday Michael Jackson's Billie Jean, superb!

Contestants that failed to impress : Brooke (lousy rendition of Every Breath You Take), Archuleta (not too bad but getting boring if he does not prove that he can do more than just great ballads. Twice he attempted faster tempo numbers, twice he failed), Ramiele (chose a song that was too big for her, Heart's Alone, ended up shouting in a few parts).

Pics courtesy of www.americanidol.com

RESTAURANT REVIEW : KURA RESTAURANT @ ONE WORLD HOTEL , BANDAR UTAMA (Halal)

When I found out that Kura Restaurant in One World Hotel is under the same management with my favourite Rakuzen, I could not wait to try it out. Went with my parents, and it was worth the visit.

The deco was similar to Rakuzen, they had the same theme which I liked, only here it is much bigger and spacious. But for some this place can be quite a maze, so careful not to get lost when you're dining there ;-)

 

The price range is slightly more expensive compared to Rakuzen, fair for such since it is after all situated inside a posh hotel. However, as a tip, take notice they do have set of the week, where they have a few selection of set meals offerred for quite reasonable prices, ranging from RM25-RM40+.

 

 

The food here is as good as Rakuzen, if not better. Quality is definitely there. Some dishes came with generous amounts of caviar. Salmon is a must for me and theirs did not disappoint. There were three of us, we ordered two main set meals, two rolls and one garlic fried rice. It was more than sufficient. Bill came up to approximately RM160, worth every penny :-)

Restaurant details : Address - One World Hotel, First Avenue, Bandar Utama City Centre 47800 Petaling Jaya / Contact Number - 603-7681-1160 

Rating : A

AKADEMI FANTASIA 6 UPDATES - KONSERT MINGGU PERTAMA (22 MARCH 2008)

The first concert was held on Saturday 22nd March 2008, with AC Mizal hosting for the first time. Did he pull it off, well we certainly missed good old Aznil and I certainly for one still preferred Aznil, but I'd say to be fair AC Mizal did not do too bad a job, let's hope he gets better as time goes on.

I watched all the performances, and have to say, quality of the contestants definitely are better compared to the first few concerts in every previous season, where we heard really appalling vocals. This time it's not too bad, generally most of them were not terrible and could pull it off, only a few here and there with pitching problems, but definitely not as glaring as previous seasons.

Performances which stood out: I pick Nadia, Riz and Nubhan for Week 1. Nadia does have an all-rounded potential, but I hope she does not overdo her vocal styles. Riz is quite matured on stage, vocals not bad at all. Nubhan has a very unique, husky voice, but seriously lacks charisma and style (kampung sangat).

Yana was the first contestant which was booted in Week 1. To me based on performance she wasn't the worst, but we know very well by now AF is definitely a popularity contest, rather than a talent contest (no matter how much they'd like to claim it as one).

The judges were Ogy, Ning Baizura and guest judge Ajai. And boy did he annoy me. Ajai was trying hard to be the Malaysian 'Simon Cowell' (and failed terribly), giving really harsh comments on the contestants, despite it was their first concert attempt. He came across as nothing but rude, uncharismatic and disrespectful, nothing close to Simon Cowell. Please leave him out in future concerts!

Pics courtesy of www.astro.com.my/akademi_fantasia - A Big thank U!

AKADEMI FANTASIA - SEASON 6 CONTESTANTS FINAL 14

I have to admit, I won't be able to produce sufficient updates on this reality program, as I am not an ardent fan but I'll try my best to give periodic updates whenever I can. Here are the Top 14 contestants chosen:

And here are the Tenaga Pelajar (panel of mentors, teachers and counsellors):

Pics courtesy of www.astro.com.my/akademi_fantasia

MOVIE REVIEW : GONE BABY GONE (English)

Category : Drama, Crime / Starring : Casey Afleck, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman

When I saw the three big names in this movie, I knew it's a must watch. Then when it started I saw it was directed by Ben Afleck, I thought "Hmm...", but luckily, it didn't disappoint me. The movie tells a story about two private detectives (happen to be lovers as well) investigating the disappearance of a little girl. What seems to be a simple kidnap case turns out to be much more than any of their expectations.

Lots of twists for those who love it. The movie gives us a conclusion to the puzzle, but only to later reveal another piece of mystery yet unsolved. What I love about this movie is that it slowly peels layer by layer the actual truth about the case, and at the same time testing the main charatcers on issues like religion, humanity, what's right and wrong, and also their relationship.

To watch trailer CLICK HERE

Rating : B+