If you plan to go see Indiana Jones 4 and don't want to completely ruin the experience, don't read this post. This will ruin the experience.
Like so many, I was waiting for Indiana 4 like it was the second coming (well, the fourth). I educated myself about the coming movie from making-off clips published online, and later from review in magazines.
The movie works surprisingly well, and Harrison Ford does an awesome role as Indiana - so good infact, that sometimes I kind of forgot how old he is, and felt definite connection between this and the earlier movies. Also, the young kid does a really good role, and really fits his role wery well.
There's a lot of good old style Indiana Jones humor, and though special effects have taken their place in the movie, a lot of the original feeling is still there.
That was the good things.
Special effects... It is amazing how much you can do these days with computers; to really fool the audience into believing in all the spectacular things. Basically since Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park, we've seen completely realistic CGI's in movies. With Lord of the Rings, the technology peaked for a while, and what they did in the moview was simply awesome (aside from a few Legolas shots).
Well, then came the new Star Wars movies. They proved that even with big money your CGI can suck.
The came several other movies.
I am Legend.
With a budget like that you'd expect to get much more than what they had in I am Legend. If there is anything that ruins that movie (a good one too) it's the fake-looking CGI. They don't fit. They don't look real. They don't work the magic they're supposed to.
Well, guess what? Indiana Jones has plenty of that going on. CGI that doesn't seem real.
The storytelling of the movie was quite clumsy. You don't really feel the movie as such: you don't get into it. It feels distant. There is way too much action compared to actual storytelling. You know, kind of like the over-long sword scenes in Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and 3. There are life-or-death situations and it seems no one is even worried by it. It's acrobatics. Clever shots without any depth into them.
The plot of the movie is not anything to shout about. It sucks. I mean, the story around the plot is ok, but the plot itself... I mean, who cares about a stupid crystal skull? Especially once you start learning the plot has more to it than supernatural.
From the reviews I learned that there would be some lame references of how the South American Indians were in contact with aliens, and how they helped the Indians to build their cities and temples, and brought them technology.
Well, you can rest assured and curse the gods for Indiana Jones 4 has references to aliens. In fact, it HAS aliens. Aliens and paranormal. Way to go Lucas, thank you!
And to make it worse, the aliens are made in that crappy CGI!! If there is one way to ruin a perfectly good movie series, it is changing everything about it and letting people hope you didn't ruin it too badly. Well, I hoped. No reward. The movie has crappy CGI and aliens. Way to go Lucas, thank you!
I can only imagine how much better the movie would've been if they had just tossed all post-1990 technologies away from movie-making, and concentrated on the plot instead.
In the Making-of documentary of the original movies, Lucas and Spielberg say Temple of Doom was the least good of the three. So my question is, why would you try to repeat Temple of Doom - instead of Raiders of the Lost Ark, or Last Crusade?... And even failing in repeating Temple of Doom.
Well, it's a nice movie still. Just don't fool yourself into thinking it's another Indiana Jones.
National Treasure was better. And it hurts me to say that. It really does.
Thank you Lucas. First you ruined Star Wars, now you ruined Indiana Jones. Luckily that leaves very little for you to ruin anymore.
Saturday, 31 May 2008
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Pancake Colours
The happy pills worked, so it seems. I still don't feel 100% ok, but it's close enough for me not to bother the doctor anymore. The pain is gone, and there's nothing more but a slight discomfort left. If anything should go bad again, I'll be quick to go to doctor. As it is, however, the situation has been resolved and no need to discus it further.
In other news, me and my colleague headed for lunch in Causeway Bay. Being a relatively unknown area for both of us in terms of restaurants, we decided to pick something random. So we went to a building where they have plenty of restaurants (in Hong Kong it is common to have a tall building almost full of restaurats and you take a lift where each floor has its designated place(s) to eat). Going through the list of names of restaurants, we decided upon a Korean place.
We never got there.
We took the lift but accidentally got off the wrong floor. The floor held two establishments. One was a cafe, the other was a place called "Pancake Colours". As a joke, we went to the latter. To our surprise the place was actually really nice and the food was good.
I ordered a chicken steak and got something I thought was fish. Anyways, it was good and well worth recommending.
And they have pancakes.
No point to this post. Thanks for reading though.
In other news, me and my colleague headed for lunch in Causeway Bay. Being a relatively unknown area for both of us in terms of restaurants, we decided to pick something random. So we went to a building where they have plenty of restaurants (in Hong Kong it is common to have a tall building almost full of restaurats and you take a lift where each floor has its designated place(s) to eat). Going through the list of names of restaurants, we decided upon a Korean place.
We never got there.
We took the lift but accidentally got off the wrong floor. The floor held two establishments. One was a cafe, the other was a place called "Pancake Colours". As a joke, we went to the latter. To our surprise the place was actually really nice and the food was good.
I ordered a chicken steak and got something I thought was fish. Anyways, it was good and well worth recommending.
And they have pancakes.
No point to this post. Thanks for reading though.
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Not so supercool
I got a damned infection in my ear and it hurts like crap. I've had it for a few days now. It frigging hurts. And I haven't really slept properly for the least few nights since sleeping involves placing your head on a pillow - head, to with the ears are connected, including the ear that hurts like crap. Crap, I tell you!
Now, I don't know why I was bestowed this grand gift of pain, but I sure ain't thankful for it.
Had to go to the doctors too to get some meds for this. The frigging visit cost me HKD 400 (including the meds)! It's not too bad, but it's still money I could've spent on something useful, like 16 BigMac meals. Well, he gave me some happy-pills and ear drops and it should be getting better withing a few days. Taking too damned long though.
I shit you not. Above are the actual pills I got. My antibiotics say "nice" and they are happy and yellow-gray. Super! Also got some painkillers but they just look like normal drugs.
Well, let's see how long it takes for them to really kick in. I wouldn't really like to visit doctors again if the pills don't do the trick. Not because of the money, not because of the trouble - but because I have to wait 3 more days before my medication ends. So, if they don't work - I'll have 3 more days of PAIN ahead of me.
Haha, can't imagine myself, a big man, making such a fuss about a thing like this.
Anyways, life goes on.
Now, I don't know why I was bestowed this grand gift of pain, but I sure ain't thankful for it.
Had to go to the doctors too to get some meds for this. The frigging visit cost me HKD 400 (including the meds)! It's not too bad, but it's still money I could've spent on something useful, like 16 BigMac meals. Well, he gave me some happy-pills and ear drops and it should be getting better withing a few days. Taking too damned long though.
I shit you not. Above are the actual pills I got. My antibiotics say "nice" and they are happy and yellow-gray. Super! Also got some painkillers but they just look like normal drugs.
Well, let's see how long it takes for them to really kick in. I wouldn't really like to visit doctors again if the pills don't do the trick. Not because of the money, not because of the trouble - but because I have to wait 3 more days before my medication ends. So, if they don't work - I'll have 3 more days of PAIN ahead of me.
Haha, can't imagine myself, a big man, making such a fuss about a thing like this.
Anyways, life goes on.
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Supercool
Gloomy Wednesday.
It's a turn for the better, though, since we had a few days of Typhoon-comparable rains and wind. No typhoons here, however, just crappy weather. But it's better now, at least it's calm - albeit gray.
It's funny how you can feel cold, even if it's over 20 degrees out. While living in Finland, that seemed like a ridiculous thing to say.
A friend is coming by for one evening to Hong Kong from Guangzhou so I'm expecting moderate consumption of alcohol in a civilized manner within the safe perimeter of a drinking house. Since tomorrow is a working day, I expect things to go smoothly and without incident.
Nothing more to say today. Except that lately I've been less tired, less pissed-off, and less stressed. And that is a really awesome feeling after a few months of all three of those.
Life is sweet, life is super. If only it was brighter outside.
It's a turn for the better, though, since we had a few days of Typhoon-comparable rains and wind. No typhoons here, however, just crappy weather. But it's better now, at least it's calm - albeit gray.
It's funny how you can feel cold, even if it's over 20 degrees out. While living in Finland, that seemed like a ridiculous thing to say.
A friend is coming by for one evening to Hong Kong from Guangzhou so I'm expecting moderate consumption of alcohol in a civilized manner within the safe perimeter of a drinking house. Since tomorrow is a working day, I expect things to go smoothly and without incident.
Nothing more to say today. Except that lately I've been less tired, less pissed-off, and less stressed. And that is a really awesome feeling after a few months of all three of those.
Life is sweet, life is super. If only it was brighter outside.
Friday, 16 May 2008
Lazydayz...
It's Friday and that means that weekend is just around the corner! Now, I don't take much pride to it but I've become extremely lazy during weekends. Seems I can't be arsed to do anything, really. Well, that is going to change now that I'm having a bit more energy.
See, laziness was direct result of being exhausted by work during week - so any time off I could have, I would really take easy. Well, now luckily things are back to a state that is within limits of acceptable and I can once again start adventuring around Hong Kong! Fun times ahead!
Anyways, weekend's are nice no matter what.
The thing is, living in a place like Hong Kong may sound really fancy to anyone who hasn't done anything similar. However, the basic routines of life are the same everywhere. Of course there are differences between locations but once you get used to one routine, it's the routine you know and follow. So, with routines this place has lost some of its initial charm.
During weekends the routines break a bit and there's time to live. It's really similar to any place, you know, in Finland weekend's are for special things also, whereas weekdays are for work/study. So, you can see my point.
To further the point, in a place like Hong Kong during weekend's it's easy to do a lot of things that refurbish that charm. No matter I've lived in Hong Kong over 2 years, I still find myself amazed by certain things time after time. And of course there are plenty of new things here I haven't even had a brief glimpse of.
That's actually one of the interesting things about Hong Kong, there's so many things packed in this small area that it never seems to cease amaze me. Within a few kilometers you can go from such extremes of wealth, lifestyle, anything.
So, Hong Kong still is kind of a cotton-candy-land for me. There's no denying it.
Actually, I would really enjoy a few weeks of well funded holiday just in Hong Kong - to have the chance to go around in more detail, to see places that take too much time to go to, or are otherwise something I can't - for one reason or another - see at this moment.
Well, let's see what I can come up with during this weekend. Don't have that much money to do anything, unfortunately... made some big investments that hopefully pay off later on. Let's see, let's see.
It's a splendid, sunny day outside with a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. I'm sitting in an office. I need an outdoor job.
See, laziness was direct result of being exhausted by work during week - so any time off I could have, I would really take easy. Well, now luckily things are back to a state that is within limits of acceptable and I can once again start adventuring around Hong Kong! Fun times ahead!
Anyways, weekend's are nice no matter what.
The thing is, living in a place like Hong Kong may sound really fancy to anyone who hasn't done anything similar. However, the basic routines of life are the same everywhere. Of course there are differences between locations but once you get used to one routine, it's the routine you know and follow. So, with routines this place has lost some of its initial charm.
During weekends the routines break a bit and there's time to live. It's really similar to any place, you know, in Finland weekend's are for special things also, whereas weekdays are for work/study. So, you can see my point.
To further the point, in a place like Hong Kong during weekend's it's easy to do a lot of things that refurbish that charm. No matter I've lived in Hong Kong over 2 years, I still find myself amazed by certain things time after time. And of course there are plenty of new things here I haven't even had a brief glimpse of.
That's actually one of the interesting things about Hong Kong, there's so many things packed in this small area that it never seems to cease amaze me. Within a few kilometers you can go from such extremes of wealth, lifestyle, anything.
So, Hong Kong still is kind of a cotton-candy-land for me. There's no denying it.
Actually, I would really enjoy a few weeks of well funded holiday just in Hong Kong - to have the chance to go around in more detail, to see places that take too much time to go to, or are otherwise something I can't - for one reason or another - see at this moment.
Well, let's see what I can come up with during this weekend. Don't have that much money to do anything, unfortunately... made some big investments that hopefully pay off later on. Let's see, let's see.
It's a splendid, sunny day outside with a temperature of 27 degrees Celsius. I'm sitting in an office. I need an outdoor job.
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
phoínix
It's been a long time, way too long. But like Chuck Norris, this blog doesn't sleep - it waits.
It's been a hectic one month - or actually a few months. I hope that with the summer coming, things will ease up and there will be more time also for other stuff than just work and sleep. Of course I can't blame all on work but it's a definite factor. I've had a bit free time which I've been using to my best ability to either rest, or discover new things in Hong Kong. I must say, the latter has become less and less frequent with rest taking more of the spare time I have - but that's simply because after work I've just been unarseable to do anything.
With that said, let's get back to matters at hand.
As mentioned, summer is heading our way. While I just received word that in Valkeakoski it was -1 degrees Celsius this morning, in Hong Kong we're enjoying 27-30 degrees.
Here's a 7-day forecast from our friends at the Hong Kong Observatory:
So we won't be freezing too badly here, as the poor mucks in Finland. Of course, however, getting the warm weather means a world of pain for me. I'm very, very well adapt for cold weather and winter in Hong Kong was just awesome - but I am one of the least compatible of humans to hot weather. So, it's back to t-shirts and sweating like a Schwein for me. Fun times.
One definite bonus of summer in Hong Kong is the blue sky. Blue sky makes me happy. Blue sky is a sign of a nice day. Blue blue blue. Of course blue sky also means it much hotter because the sun is shining straight on us without the protective cloud/smog defense shield to guard us. But it looks mighty awesome. The thing is, during winter we don't have that many sunny days. The weather may be clear, but there is a shroud of clouds covering us most of the time.
But that's all there is to it at this point. No more jabbering about weather.
Within the last few months so many things have happened that it pains me to leave them out all together. Seems such a silly idea to start telling about events long-gone as if they were something new and amazing. So, how about some current events, eh?
Thank you Schweppes! I just found a bottle of grapefruit soda from a close-by 7eleven and it's delicious! Why so happy, you ask? Well, aside from Coke, Pepsi and some basic soda's like 7-up and such, it's really hard to find additional soda flavors here. Ask about all the funky green tea we have, sure, but a decent soda... *sigh*
Actually, a lot of Western foodstuff is hard to come by in Hong Kong. Surprisingly so, actually. I've started to like cooking again after a while of McDonald's and other crap. However, the age-old problem remains persistent; that is, the western foodstuff.
For example, try finding some cream other than whipped cream. Try finding some proper bread other than toast or Chinese crap buns. It can't be done. The list goes on and on but without a context I can't come up with a longer one just now. However, it seems every time I want to cook something western style, there are at least a few food items missing that force me to improvise to some extent. Of course it's fun to try new things - but sometimes I'd rather try the old things, and have that old-home feeling. Well, sucks.
I'm quickly becoming a master of fusion kitchen - balancing between east and the west.
It's been a hectic one month - or actually a few months. I hope that with the summer coming, things will ease up and there will be more time also for other stuff than just work and sleep. Of course I can't blame all on work but it's a definite factor. I've had a bit free time which I've been using to my best ability to either rest, or discover new things in Hong Kong. I must say, the latter has become less and less frequent with rest taking more of the spare time I have - but that's simply because after work I've just been unarseable to do anything.
With that said, let's get back to matters at hand.
As mentioned, summer is heading our way. While I just received word that in Valkeakoski it was -1 degrees Celsius this morning, in Hong Kong we're enjoying 27-30 degrees.
Here's a 7-day forecast from our friends at the Hong Kong Observatory:
So we won't be freezing too badly here, as the poor mucks in Finland. Of course, however, getting the warm weather means a world of pain for me. I'm very, very well adapt for cold weather and winter in Hong Kong was just awesome - but I am one of the least compatible of humans to hot weather. So, it's back to t-shirts and sweating like a Schwein for me. Fun times.
One definite bonus of summer in Hong Kong is the blue sky. Blue sky makes me happy. Blue sky is a sign of a nice day. Blue blue blue. Of course blue sky also means it much hotter because the sun is shining straight on us without the protective cloud/smog defense shield to guard us. But it looks mighty awesome. The thing is, during winter we don't have that many sunny days. The weather may be clear, but there is a shroud of clouds covering us most of the time.
But that's all there is to it at this point. No more jabbering about weather.
Within the last few months so many things have happened that it pains me to leave them out all together. Seems such a silly idea to start telling about events long-gone as if they were something new and amazing. So, how about some current events, eh?
Thank you Schweppes! I just found a bottle of grapefruit soda from a close-by 7eleven and it's delicious! Why so happy, you ask? Well, aside from Coke, Pepsi and some basic soda's like 7-up and such, it's really hard to find additional soda flavors here. Ask about all the funky green tea we have, sure, but a decent soda... *sigh*
Actually, a lot of Western foodstuff is hard to come by in Hong Kong. Surprisingly so, actually. I've started to like cooking again after a while of McDonald's and other crap. However, the age-old problem remains persistent; that is, the western foodstuff.
For example, try finding some cream other than whipped cream. Try finding some proper bread other than toast or Chinese crap buns. It can't be done. The list goes on and on but without a context I can't come up with a longer one just now. However, it seems every time I want to cook something western style, there are at least a few food items missing that force me to improvise to some extent. Of course it's fun to try new things - but sometimes I'd rather try the old things, and have that old-home feeling. Well, sucks.
I'm quickly becoming a master of fusion kitchen - balancing between east and the west.
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