Film: Filial Haven (Singapore)

'Filial' means having relation of a child to a parent 'Haven' means safety. If combine together, it's a elderly nursing home. That's what the tittle says it all. 

Young man going to migrate to Australia soon, leaving his mother alone so he had to send his mother to the nursing home. Even in the process of driving her to the destination, she seems indecisive with that poker face. She also shows a sign of dementia or short term memory loss. As soon they reach and the luggage on the ground, she dropped her very airy handbag with only, a cotton material in it. The son blindly insisted to get her new clothes and threw it inside the car. Soon, another call interrupted and he had take it. 

It was another factor of pushing him to send his mother to the nursing home, could be his wife. He was really annoyed. When the mother goes back to take the bag, he kept on telling her to not take it back until to the point of frustration where he just bluntly said "Why are you making this difficult for me?". 

Soon, it was a sweater she mended for him which really melted his heart, knowing the fact that she cant do anything to stop the son going away. And they hug.

There's the son narration at the beginning, talking about the past and at the end, he and the mother narration, about staying and relationship. 

Oh gosh, I felt really touched by the short film on how the mother believe she should stay and he should leave but holding the a part of his heart in her forever. Narration really works for this short film. Very simple and the flow of a linear structure in 7 minutes. It build up a little by little from indecisive to frustration to emphatical. I really love the grandmother acting and it's very convincing. I myself knows it's difficult to direct elderly non experience actor especially the lady with osteoporosis. I also do enjoy the male acting, it's convincing and not dramatic. It's like he acted from his heart and experience. 

The editing are fine, not so choppy and I really like the narration, giving a sense of beginning and ending. Not to mention, the background of their relationship. Really straight-forward but the feels just hit my heart. The colorist did a great job on maintaining the constant light and color of the film, giving something more of a nostalgic feeling to me. Even the music is pretty depressing yet nostalgic; something that links to remembrance.

I would really give a 4 our of 5 as it's straight-forward, not so PSA-ish and the sacrifice. 

I understand the hardship behind them but also, they follow what the heart wants; Letting go and moving on but the memories holds everything dearly.

"Mothers hold their children hand for awhile, but their heart holds forever"

RIGHT IN MY HEART.

Kudos to the cast and crew! And congratulation on the nomination.

• Award Nomination, Narrative Short Category for River Pursuit Award (SRFF)

I swear I didn't cry.

Film: Waterborne (Australia)

I have always been a zombie-genre lover ever since Resident Evil game comes out but the only problem would be I don't play it but just watching it would have already satisfied me. This also applied to watching in a cinema. 

I dislike watching horror and thriller film in the cinema but I would watch it in my laptop because I can just mute it. Yes, I dislike the fear and adrenaline rushing through my veins or I would be screaming non-stop and might died from it. Anyway, I'm not going talk about my personal matter that soon. 

‘Waterborne’ is a short horror / zombie film written by Melbourne writers Ryan Coonan and Richard Barcaricchio, directed by Ryan Coonan. It’s a prequel to a full-length feature film, currently in development, and was produced by Marisa Brown of Octopod films.

Basically, the film set place in a preservative area/outback where I suppose it's for the wild animals like the kangaroos. When a local ranger stumbled upon a pond full of dead fish and covered with unidentified algae. He knows that something's not right. As soon as the sun goes down, there's another threat lurking around. It seems not only humans are turning into the undead but animals too. 

Zombies kangaroo preying on humans is a first. At least it's not mutated abnormal creature like in those Resident Evil movies. No I'm not dissing about those franchise but they have cool mutated zombies right? Anyway, I can't wait for this featured film! 

I enjoyed the setting of this film which I prefer than the cityscape. Something different - it may only be as prequel of this film set at the outback, but I believe it will be a good featured length film for zombie movie-goers. It's a very simple short film about people getting infected but the cause of the infection is where the tittle says it all. 

Simply to say, it has a short start but escalated very quickly on the same night. I think it's fine for me it escalated quickly as I already know what's the cause. A good prequel short film for a soon to come movie. That's about it. 

Kudos to the cast and crew.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Zombie Kangaroo is all I need.

For more info, click here 

Food: Crazy Crab @ Ara Damansara

Have you heard of Crazy Crab before?

No?

It's haven for crabbie lovers (eater)!! It's quite a big restaurant and around the time from 7 pm to 8.30 pm, there's a waiting list and numerous time, even at 6 something, you'll see crowds are filling up the empty space. And the food is worth my time! I don't think you can miss this sign anywhere and it's huge enough for the naked eyes to sight.

I don't know about you but I trust that sign! Crazy people at Crazy Crabs! Maybe all the pampering on the crabs explained the size of it which I'm going to show you later. You may want to get pampered like the crabs but I sure won't want to get eaten by humans. 

First up, steamed tiger prawn with a really tasty sauce. Simple yet really good if dipped with the flavorful sauce. Prawns are well steamed, no slight overcooked in it.The sauce was actually soy sauce, lemon grass and some elements that I'm not too sure but there was the combination of sweet, sour, salty and spicy! With the scent of lemon grass in it, it makes the flavorful into a whole new level. It may be small though for a tiger prawn or it could just normal typical prawn which I'm not so sure.

Sorry it's half taken, but people couldn't wait for it. Stir-fried noodles with clams or we called it Lala (small little camps). If I am not mistaken, those are glass noddle. It may look very simple but it taste like ocean if I want to exaggerate but it did pack with the good flavor and the crunch of the long beans. There's slight sweetness but not salty enough for me. That's just me, I prefer salty food. 

Anchovies fried rice that has great flavor texture from the fire. We always say that stir-fried must always have enough heat from the fire and the way you use the wok. That's what bring the flavor of a dish. The small anchovies gives a great crunch when eating alongside with  the rice. Again, not salty enough for me. Soon, I'm going to have high blood pressure (don't jinx me).

 LAMB CHOP! Oh YES, LAMB CHOP!! Crabs not just yet but it's going to be there. Oh gosh, I really recommend people to take this because it's so tender, flavorful, melts in your mouth and just right. Enough said. I guess that's just it but the charred on the meat gives a good crunch as well. Crunch on the outside, soft on the inside. And take it as large portion so the next day, you can enjoy it!

Nothing much I could say, tasty but plain. I do like the little spice and it's fried nicely which gives a good texture. Nothing much I could say.

Finally, CRABS. Butter Crab cooked in a claypot. The butter wasn't very oily and it tasted very well with the crab. Enough saltyness and sweetness in the gravy. If you have plain rice and mix with the gravy could be a meal just itself. Adding on the flavorful, doesn't overpowered the natural taste of the crab. Nothing much I could say about this but it's one of the good buttery meal I had before.

 Now, this is the highlight of the dish. Steamed crab are hard to taste the sweetness in the meat if the crab is not fresh. It's a risky move but they have done it very well especially I came to dine in few times. The meat are just sweet and well cooked which I believe that's the taste of the ocean. It brought me to the beach and the scent of the clean ocean. Even the soy sauce with steamed egg below, it taste sweet and salty which suits the flavorful of the steamed crab. It's very similar to my first dish which was the steamed prawn. Adding on, looked at the size of pincers! packed with juicy meat.

I guess that's the true taste of the ocean (To me).

The price are pretty pricey but at the same time, it's really worth the money as you can't find a seafood restaurant near the beach. Great meal for celebration, families or company dinner.

Address: Central Piazza, Oasis Square Ara Damansara, No 2 Jalan PJU 1A/7A

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Games: Pokken Tournament

I personally love Pokemon so much to the point where I have played from the first ever released Pokemon Red to 3D graphics of Pokemon Omega Ruby! New stories, great graphic, stunning poke-creatures and new enemies. Those memories are worthy of my childhood and wasted too much time on it too! Then again, it was worth it when you grew up along with it.

Although the game is getting better with mainly because of the graphic but stories are just getting simpler and easier OR remastering the old 2D version. It’s either they ran out of ideas or trying to delay us until the big surprise which I believe that would happen.

Anyway, I’m not here to talk about my life experience of playing Pokemon until it became an obsession and I still want more from them but I’m here to announced Pokken Tournament! Basically, it’s 360 view of poke-creatures fighting off each other like in those Pokemon series! Especially working along side with the Bandai Namco entertainment which they did Digimon Rumble Arena in PS1 and PS2? Don’t you guys still remember these games? If not, go check out them out! That was the best game I played in 2003. It brings back nostalgic moment.

Not much info about the game besides those gameplays I watched, but overall, the graphic is stunning and sure, Pokemon fans like us would really enjoy the game! 

Unfortunately, it's only available on arcades or Wii U. Hope they release for Xbox One and PS4 too! 

Do check out their demo gameplay in Youtube and you will see how's the battle system like; still retaining with trainer using the Poke-creatures to fight with another trainer. There's also cooperation between 2 Poke-creatures against one for a brief moment to add extra damage.

Cool game indeed.

Fashion: Pestle & Mortar @Bangsar

Pestle & Mortar not just your typical boutique but their clothing are simple but stylish enough to match with any jeans or shorts! They specialize in urban street wear and also, collection of awesome shoes like Vans and Nike. If street wear is your thing, better get your hands on those pieces! 

On the 26th of June, I went for the summer collection launch to witness my first boutique summer launch and yes, I make connections from brand manager, models to content writers from several magazines. How lucky I am! And I also ask for some insider knowledge from a professional photographer which I'm quite lucky to stumble on. It was a good experience and hope to attend more to make good connections. Adding on, all the people are pretty cool to talk to and stylish too! 

About Pestle & Mortar Clothing, it was first established in 2012 by a band of 3 friends whose designs derive from the amalgamation of experiences they have had growing up. Since the conception of the brand 5 years back, there has been an array of collections every season spread 20 productions, each made with Southeast Asian urbanites in mind. The brand operates a flagship store in Bangsar as as an online store and several counters in Tangs departmental stores across Malaysia. (Copy it from the leaflet)

Their summer collection for this year associated with the concept of a party goers - barbeque to feed that cool kids tummy, pools to ease down summer heat and beers to get the festive moment going! 

Aren't these like a precious gem for a shoe-holic? I'm in love with the pattern and style on these shoes! It's like art!

I love clothes with minimalist pattern like these! Like who doesn't!?  It's almost similar to uniqlo collection but they have their own theme while Pestle & Mortar is more variety and malaysian-ize like the cat in the middle. Of course, all their labels have P & M label. Each brands have different style and taste.

Oh yeah, hats....Love that hat in that pic!

And also, I actually talked to the brand manager and he stated that there's a conference of street wear if I'm not mistaken but quite surprised there's such thing. He said that there's a theme for every season like for example, have you notice of floral pattern at every boutique? If yes, that's the theme for the current season! If no, go check every stall, thank you.

Remember to chant, Pestle & Mortar Clothing, T-shirt makers and goods!, Pestle & Mortar Clothing, T-shirt makers and goods! Pestle & Mortar Clothing, T-shirt makers and goods! Pestle & Mortar Clothing, T-shirt makers and goods! Pestle & Mortar Clothing, T-shirt makers and goods! Pestle & Mortar Clothing, T-shirt makers and goods!

Do check out their website and info! (http://www.pencilproduce.com/)

Website: pestlemortarclothing.com

Email: info@pestlemortarclothing.com

Pestle & Mortar Clothing Bangsar (flagship store)

11, Jalan Telawi 5,

Bangsar Baru,

59100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2201 5585

TANGS, 1 Utama Shopping Centre

Lot F305 & S305, Highstreet,

1 Utama Shopping Centre,

No. 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama,

Bandar Utama,

47800 Petaling Jaya

TANGS, Empire Subang

Lot G02 & UG01,

Empire Shopping Gallery,

Jalan SS 16/1,

47500 Subang Jaya

TANGS, The Shore Melaka

Unit GF-01 & 1F-01,

The Shore Shopping Gallery,

No. 193, Pinggiran @ Sungai Melaka,

Jalan Persisiran Bunga Raya,

75100 Melaka

Nerd Unit

65B, Jalan SS15/8A

Subang Jaya,

47500 Selangor

Dolls Store

Lot D7, Block D, Mezzanine Floor,

Fahrenheit 88,

No. 179, Jalan Bukit Bintang,

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Headwear available at:

Thursdvys Coffee Shop

22, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, 

Taman Tun Dr. Ismail,

60000 Kuala Lumpur

Also available online at: 

MajorDrop.com

Zalora.com.my

Straatosphere.com

Travel: A 360 virtual tour to Changi Hospital, Singapore

I know most or all Singapore citizens would be familiar of this place. The place where modern healers turned into a tortured ground. 

Based on, 360snapshot.com, The old Changi Hospital was built only last century in 1935, and was initially called the Royal Air Force (RAF) Hospital. During World War II, it saw numerous war casualties, and eventually when the Japanese occupied Singapore, Changi Hospital was reportedly used as a prison compound – and rumors are that extensive torture took place.

Because of the background of this location, it is known to be haunted (typical) due to the victims of the Japanese occupation. Not much known about the place except people heard screams or whispers and saw shadows figure around. Even to know whether is it haunted, there's less info about the place but there are only stories of the witnesses posted in a scary story sharing community.

Haunted stories: http://www.hungzai.com/haunted-places/old-changi-hospital/

Well, if you're reading this at night, alone in your room and you have the courage, please be my guest to read it.

Anyway, another reason I want to post this up is because the awesomeness of travelling there virtually through one of their website. It's like you're there, virtually and the lighting are well lit. The building itself doesn't look like a torture chamber but it's always hidden beneath those tiles or concrete. Not only it's empty but it's quite clean and the ceiling are not crumpling to pieces especially been left like that for decades if I am not mistaken.

I have no idea why, but the more I looked at it and swivel around with my mouse, I feel uneasy as something will appeared like a jump scare. (Don't worry, there's none)

Here's the link down below to check it out.

Virtual Tour: http://www.360snapshots.com/portfolio/old-changi-hospital/

Food: Espression8. Food Expressionist.

Don't you love comfort food but you had no where to go as other cafe charge you an overprice food yet it's not as good as you think? Don't you wish for reasonable price but have a slight 'class' then the usual place you go?

Well ladies and gentleman, boys and girls of all ages (Drumroll.....) 

Here it is! Espression8 Cafe is the one you been looking for! 

Why I said that? Not because I been there for more than 5 times and one of my friend goes there everyday to eat. It's just the food are good and not to mention, it packs of flavor that would tingle your taste bud! 

Instead of talking, I shall just put pic of food that I recently went. 

As you can see I only took this amount of pic (Unfortunately) I'll promise to take more! Basically, I would really recommend people trying the Farm's Breakfast Pancake...sorry I forgotten the name! but there's scrambled egg and ham in between those layer of pancake. It's like savory with sweet. Pancake was really fluffy and puffy. Adding on when the maple syrup drizzle on top of it. 

It's good. Savo-weet good! Does heaven food taste like that? 

You wouldn't even believe that scrambled egg and ham would taste good with maple syrup. Totally a must try!! By the way, I will give a rough amount because I'm not sure about the price as well but I'll give a clear detail on it as soon as possible. 

Cost around RM 14

Moving on, on the right picture, it's fish fillet with butter rice. I had to order another bowl of butter rice because it was really good but the fish was fine, because it's sauteed. I really have no idea what was that yellow sauce but it's really good when consumed with rice and fish. I don't even know how to explain what's the sauce was but the flavor was there, trust me, I'm a food engineer! If I'm not mistaken, it was more of a buttery taste yet good. Good Fat? 

Cost around RM16

Unfortunately I don't have a picture of a chicken chop with butter rice the last time but it's was so good due to the fact of tender, flavorful chicken mix and match well with the rice (who doesn't feel that way). If I ever come upon the chicken, I'll take a picture of it! And same goes to their Spaghetti. 

Cost around RM 13

The portion was quite small but it's really good. Perfectly seasoned and very flavorful with the herbs and also the right amount of oil and salt. I personally love aglio-olio spaghetti but this may not be the best I ever had, but I really recommend people to try it due to the compact flavor in it. Take the Aglio-Olio one! Oh, by the way, prawns are perfectly cooked (Y). 

Cost around RM13 something.

Sensual Video.

Now then, lets talk about the cake!

Green Tea layer cake, good food - Either RM 9 or 10.

I really had a bad time that day and and I was ranting about it to one of my friend there. I presumed he heard me and decides to make my day. Hahhahaha, so be sure to rant out about your life to get some extra touch! By the way, this is coffee layer cake.

Cost around RM 9 or 10.

So here's the exterior and interior of the cafe. I feel warmth everytime I enter the place. Simple yet appealing. 

Enough Said.

So fortunate for Sunway students!

Overall 4 out of 5 rating I would give.

It's "Been there, done that? Nope, it's been there, will again"

Kudos to the owner and the crew.

Address: 8, Jalan PJS 11/7, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/espression8/info?tab=overview

Mon - Sat: 10.30 am - 10.30 pm

(Closed on Sundays)