Unriddle

I guess everyone knew this was coming.

Two anchors, four reporters and zero credibility

We are not the 9.30 news. We tried asking for that slot, but they said 'no'. We are so exclusive that we only come up once a week. Believing us is like believing crocodiles make good pets. Contrary to popular belief, any similarities to actual people or events are purely coincidental.

Just in case

This is the last book review for the mid-year break and this time, it's on a Monday. This is "Just in Case" by Meg Rosoff.

Here lies arthur

It's not Monday, but it's a review, so somehow it fits into this category. Here's the book review, "Here Lies Arthur" by Philip Reeve.

The show packed with gossips

A new gossip show in town! Brought to you by the variety producers behind "Paris & Milan", "Buzzling Cashier" and "Life Transformers".
This show features seven hosts, Guo Liang, Kym Ng, Quan Yi Fong, Michelle Chong, Zhou Chong Qing, Marcus Chin and Henry Thia, who roleplay as famous people and celebrities around the world, mainly from Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and Singapore, and discuss about current affair topics from the character's perspective and give their views on things that truly matter. A gathering of international and local artistes, including “Jac Key Chan”, “Lee Ann”, “Chris-tofu Li”, “Patty Howl”, “Li Jinx”, “Yow Yow”, “DD Hsu”, “Risss Low”, “Jacky Woo”, “Aiyah” and “Gao Ning Feng”!

I must say, I enjoyed this show very much. Every episode is packed with laughter. Even the actors and actresses themselves cannot control their laughter! If you're the gossip monger, this show is packed with juicy gossips right up to the fullest! The show actually discusses everything and anything, with almost nothing to hide. You may even find out something new or shocking about your favourite stars through this platform! Topics that have been discussed include the stars' take on gambling in conjunction to the opening of the casinos in Singapore, the "Most Trusted Star List" coined up by the media is various countries and even the very recently Jack Neo saga (with footage of the press conference included if you missed it).

It has been a long time since I've watched an entertaining variety show (the last was Paris & Milan). If you're finding for shows of this genre, this show is a must-watch for you! In this show, the oh-so-famous Aunty Lucy has her own column, so if you are a fan of her, here's another show to take note of.

Someone has uploaded the episodes to YouTube, so you can watch them here.
Catch "Black Rose" every Tuesday from 8 to 9pm on Channel 8.

Rating: 4/5 (Wonderful!)

Fulfilling a simple request

Has been a long time since we had a special feature. Here's one to break the post barrier! Today's review is about this book, "Waiting for Normal".

This is a story of an innocent child nicknamed Addie who has only one wish. It's a simple wish, yet finding the solution to fulfill it is like finding a needle in the haystack. Addie's parents have divorced, twice. During Mommer's second relationship, they had two more children, who grew and became closer to Addie as time passed. When they divorced, Addie was separated with her half-sisters, stepfather and step-grandfather and left with Mommers to live in a simple tavern under the train tracks. There, she meets new friends in the minimart across her house and in the process learns about the horrible truth about cancer and adopts a hamster in the process. Mommers started to go out with another guy called Pete and was usually not at home. Addie grew closer to Soula and the others at the minimart. When a fire broke out in the house, Addie was put in the care of Jack, the step-grandfather.

Addie's waiting for normal, but how do you define normal? No changes, or just like the past? Learn and mature with Addie as she overcomes life's problems one after another. Oh, and together with her hamster.

For those whose hearts go out to her, don't fret. She gets half of her normal at the end and lives "happily ever after", but you've got to read the whole story to know how it ends! This is a wonderful story, written in plain words. The story is really touching, especially when you see Dwight giving out his love, care and concern. You can also see the story progress as Addie becomes more independent. She doesn't have a "love for learning", but her curiosity lets her learn much more.

Who is Hannah? Who is Katie? You just got to read the story.

Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)

The runner that solved the maze

Sorry for the late Review Monday! Was busy yesterday, but oh well. Better late than never. (:

Finally, the first Review Monday that is NOT related to a show. Today I'm gonna do a book review, or what we all know as Book Talk, about "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner. It is a trilogy (book with three parts). I've only read the first part, but I enjoyed it and definitely WILL get the next book once it is released. One of my favourite books is "The Hunger Games", which is also a trilogy. I will share this book will everyone in the next possible Review Monday (or just leave it as Friday Book Talk).

Right, back to this book. The synopsis: A guy suddenly finds himself in a lift and transported to another world. The people there work to survive. For two years, they have been sending people into the dangerous maze to find the way out. They believe that the only way to escape this place is through the maze. However, when the first girl arrives in the island and promises no more, they experience a cut in food supply and this confirms that the way out is now crucial for survival. Will they be able to escape and go back to the real world? Read it to find out!

There is a twist at the end of the story. I will not reveal it here; I will leave it to you to find out. This is an interesting adventure story, where lives are controlled by the children/teenagers themselves. I would encourage this to everyone who loves adventure stories. If you liked "The Hunger Games", you will surely like this one.

Rating: 4/5

Reunion or not?

Today's Review Monday will be about the current Channel 8 9pm show "Happy Family".
The plot starts from 10 over years ago where the grandfather chased all his children out. He then adpoted a girl called Yang Xiaodong. 10 years later, the grandfather gets a stroke and Xiaodong aims to get all his children back for a reunion. However, it's not as simple as it seems. One of them was hit until she became limp and is unable to give birth anymore; one had swore 10 years ago that he will never return until he becomes rich, which did not happen after 6 failed attempts; the other one married to a Japanese and is under close grip by his wife, not allowing him to go back after being chased away. They have a shop in Chinatown where another Chen Liangcai is hoping for a reunion with his daughter and wife. Will the story have a good ending and will the family reunite?

Until today, I thought the show was only average. I thought it was just a typical show, without the Chinese New Year festive feeling. Thus, the show did not accomplish its objective. However, I thought Rui En's acting as a carefree and happy-go-lucky person was well acted. The others were okay, although I enjoy the family of Mei-e the best (the family of 4). It is really refreshing, though it can be boring at times. The different characteristics of the family members make it interesting to watch.

Rating: 3/5

They make life better

I wanted to do a review on Happy Family, but decided not to as it is still too early to judge and comment on the show. I might do it next week. Instead, here's a meaningful variety show that won the "Best Variety Show" in last year's Star Awards and have come back for a 2nd season.
That's right. Life Transformers 2 is a variety programme hosted by Quan Yi Feng and Christopher Lee. This programme aims to help the less fortunate in life, for example treatments for sickness, work for the jobless, school for the children and house cleaning. Through this programme, we are able to feel for them and see how fortunate we are when we see the other society in Singapore. They have their problems, we have ours, but whose is harder to solve and more important for survival?

It pains to see them suffer without anyone helping. Come on, where have all the kind people in the world go? Fortunately, those willing to help have applied as volunteers. In fact, this process not only helps the less fortunate, it allows them to learn an important life lesson that can only be experienced, not taught. Through this show, we can also see the true side of the two hosts. While filming, they are able to crack light jokes despite of their feelings then. This really stands out to me and I really appreciate their efforts. This show would have easily obtained the "Most-Watched Variety Show" in this year's Star Awards 2010 if not for "The Wedding" of Christopher Lee and Fann Wong.

I personally feel that Quan Yi Feng is a host of her own. She is often asked to host helpful programmes like "Buzzling Cashier" and "Life Transformers 2" as she really can host it. Life Transformers 2 is really a nice and touching programme and we should all watch are remind ourselves to be happy with what we have.

Life Transformers 2 runs every Monday at 8pm for 1 hour with 10 episodes per season.

Together, we conquer

As promised, I will be posting drama reviews. However, I decided to expand it to include books, movies and other interesting stuff, so I will just categorize them under "Review Monday". Oh, and to add colour to the blog, I will be posting comic strips randomly, mostly to make my point. That's Leoj in the banner above.

I wanted to complete this review yesterday, but I did not have the time. I will now post, just in time for the last episode tonight at 9pm!

That's right. "Together" is the Channel 8 Year End Blockbuster 2009, running for 36 episodes at 9pm everyday from Monday to Friday. The story is setback to the 1967, right after the WWII ended. It mainly revolves around the lives of 6 friends who live together in a shophouse. The story reflects true events of the past, like the Robinson Fire and the shortage of rice at one point of time in history. $4 eye lash rental, 1967 Car Race etc. stuffs from the olden days that our seniors will remember. As the story progresses, the years increase rapidly and they slowly grow up, getting more involved in the world and relationships. The finale today will end in the 1900s where North Bridge Road will be demolished and they have a final reunion dinner at the shophouse.

This is not just a typical plot. There are not many times where shows are set in the olden days in recent years as usually these shows require more time to prepare and film due to the differences in the time period. Two good examples are 2008's Blockbuster "The Little Nyonya", which caused a sensation and a craze of the peranakan culture, and 2007's Blockbuster "The Golden Path", in which the first few episodes were set in 1980s. There is another one planned in 2011, where the blockbuster will be a musical ("A Song to Remember" - tentative title) and set in the 30s and 40s which 10 original soundtrack. (A chance that it might be filmed in China!) I love this genre of shows as the storyline is refreshing and the characters are interesting to watch. The actors fared well, up to expectation, since most of them are experienced. The bad guys were real bad, and the good guys were excellent. I actually liked the plot when it involved action where policemen were dragged in the scene, but they were slowly eliminated (corrupted) and the last one standing disappeared without a trace. Wrestling was also included as one of the major components of the show.

It would be better if more details were provided and explained in depth, as nearing the end of the show, there were alot of things unexplained, left for the watcher to guess and interpret. However, I have to admit that the linking of the story was amazing, and I hope that Mediacorp will produce more shows of this genre in the future.

Rating: 4.5/5