Movie reviews to 3 films that delivered strong best actress contenders this year.

Ohh. Today is the last day of 2017, and so this is my last blog post of the year. I’m filling this last week of the year with multiple Oscar-bait films; ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘I, Tonya’. After watching these three films, I immediately discovered one similarities among them. They are women-focused features and they delivered strong best actress contenders for this Hollywood film awards season.

‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is a black comedy crime film that follows a mother who, when the police in her town fail to find a suspect in her daughter’s murder, purchases three billboards to call public attention to the unsolved crime, polarizing the community. Although I find the idea behind this story is fresh and interesting, but there is lack of drama and emotional intensity that I was expecting earlier on. I am surprised by how well it is received by the critics. Besides than the great performances by Frances McDormand as the mother, and the two supporting actors, Woody Harrelson and Sam Rockwell as the police officers in this film, there is nothing else memorable. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ a total of 7.0.

‘Lady Bird’ is a comedy drama film that tells the coming-of-age story of a high-school senior (portrayed by Saoirse Ronan) and her turbulent relationship with her mother (portrayed by Laurie Metcalf). Although the whole film is very modest, but the whole atmosphere and the story delivered are very real and engaging. This is further enhanced with excellent performances by Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf. This film also starred Lucas Hedges, Timothee Chalamet (saw him earlier in ‘Call Me By Your Name’),etc. This movie would also be particularly hitting to the heart especially to those who went through similar ordeals in their adolescence years. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Lady Bird’ a total of 7.5.

‘I, Tonya’ is a biographical sports black comedy film which follows the life and career of figure skater Tonya Harding, with particular focus on the 1994 attack on Nancy Kerrigan, Harding’s rival and Olympic teammate. The film features interventions from the characters in mockumentary-style interviews set in modern day, as well as fourth wall breaking. While the idea of basing a story based on a famous figure is no longer new, I am instead fascinated by the use of mockumentary-style interviews and the fourth wall breaking implemented in this movie. Margot Robbie is impressive as Tonya, and the same for Allison Janney portraying as her abusive mother. Sebastian Stan is also good as Jeff, Tonya’s ex-husband. His performance is being overlooked. Anyway, I enjoyed this movie and is pleased with the balance of humor and tragic elements in it. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘I, Tonya’ a total of 7.7.

So, these women; Frances McDormand, Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie have been receiving numerous best actress awards for their performances highlighted here. They appeared to be set for a nomination in the upcoming Academy Awards. Out of these three, who do you prefer more? I personally will pick Margot Robbie but she is very new to the Oscars. Frances McDormand is a veteran actress that a lot will feel that she should be acknowledged while Saoirse Ronan has been nominated before but has never win so she may get some pity votes.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

Last walk in KLCC for the year.

KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre) is an area that I love to visit once in a while because that’s the area in Kuala Lumpur with the most prominent skyscrapers. I think I have been there for at least four times this year including my most recent trip to that area yesterday to have lunch with my friend. Earlier trips to that area were due to my task to do a site analysis for a location selected for my thesis project. One instant thing that I will do once I reached the train station there or in the Suria KLCC shopping mall, I will head out to the KLCC Park and gaze up to the sky to admire and view all the tall buildings around. Although the Petronas Twin Towers will soon no longer be the tallest buildings in the country, but they remains as the most iconic towers in my heart. By the way, they are still the tallest twin buildings in the world! Their beauty is timeless.

I’m fascinated that more and more tall buildings are popping out in that region. The exterior cladding for the already topped out 343 metres tall Four Seasons Place building looks almost completed. The same goes to the 235 metres tall W Hotel & Residences building. Both buildings that are right beside the iconic Petronas Twin Towers are to be completed and opened next year.

In the meantime, I am also disappointed with the very slow progress happening at the construction site for the Fairmont Towers development that claimed part of the KLCC Park. I have been seeing the ground works happening for several years and the towers are still not rising yet. How I wish that the construction speed of this project would be as fast as the Exchange 106 Tower. The Exchange 106 Tower which is projected to complete next year at a height of 492 metres has already reached 450 metres and made a bold visual impact to the city’s skyline already although it hasn’t been completed yet.

And lastly, it’s great to see the landscaping growing well all over the twin towers of the Le Nouvel Residences but they are still apparent enough. This complex has been completed for around 2 years already.

I noticed that there are still some empty plots in the region (within or around the perimeter of KLCC masterplan) and I’m hoping that they would be taken up for great developments soon so that the area will be more dense with awesome skyscrapers to enhance the overall city’s skyline.

(Copyrights reserved to all images in this post)

Full nomination list for TVB Anniversary Awards 2017

The last, the most anticipated and the most prestigious of the three annual awards to honour the best of TVB programmes and artists for the year 2017, TVB Anniversary Awards 2017 breaks the tradition by delaying its ceremony to a month later to allow for the last two anniversary dramas, ‘My Ages Apart’ and ‘Heart and Greed’ to finish airing before the awards. The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, 21st February 2018.

TVB has announced first part of the nomination list early this month in a press conference. The second part is revealed few days ago in another press conference and that leads to the beginning of voting by the Hong Kong public as the whole nomination list is now out.

Here below is the full nomination list for TVB Anniversary Awards 2017 alongside with my top 5 or top 3 picks (highlighted with *), my predicted winner, my preferred winner and my personal opinions:

Best Actor
Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”)
Wayne Lai (“May Fortune Smile on You”)
Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”)
Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”)
Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Vincent Wong (“Legal Mavericks”) *
Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”)
Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) *
Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Roger Kwok (“Oh My Grad”)
Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”)
Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”)
Ha Yu (“Heart and Greed”) *
Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Kenneth Ma

Preferred winner: Kenneth Ma

Opinion: Although Michael Miu has won in Malaysia, the race is still only between Vincent Wong and Kenneth Ma for this coveted best actor title. Both of them have three series this year respectively and of course their most outstanding work is on their respective nominated drama. I find both of them equally good. Hence, the next subject to be in consideration is how long they have been in the industry. Hence, my answer is Kenneth. He hardly get any good roles after his success in 2012’s The Hippocratic Crush. After a long wait, he finally has one good role as ‘Ma Kwai’ in The Exorcist’s Meter and he nailed it. I believe Vincent Wong can wait one or two more years for this award. Furthermore, Kenneth has been very popular in Hong Kong after the airing of The Exorcist’s Meter.

Best Actress
Lin Xia Wei (“Burning Hands”)
Sharon Chan (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) *
Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”) *
Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”)
Nadia Chan (“The No No Girl”)
Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”)
Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”)
Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) 
Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”)
Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”)
Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Mandy Wong (“Nothing Special Force”)
Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”)
Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”)
Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) *
Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”)
Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Jessica Hsuan / Kristal Tin

Preferred winner: Kristal Tin

Opinion: I hate it when a lot of audiences have forgotten how powerful Kristal’s performance is in Destination Nowhere. It was such a challenging role and she delivered it absolutely well. She lost votes because that series is aired long time ago. Michelle Yim and Eliza Sam got nominated? Their roles in Heart And Greed are so minor. I considered them doing supporting roles in that drama only and didn’t deserve the nominations. I left out last year’s winner, Nancy Wu for this year’s Top 5 spot to make way for Elena Kong. She is brilliant in Tiger Mom Blues but she would not win. I also left out Ali Lee who has won in Singapore in the top 5 spot for Louise Lee. It is a disadvantage to Ali for being nominated not from her winning role in Legal Mavericks but from My Ages Apart instead. There should also be a nomination for Grace Wong from her role in My Dearly Sinful Mind. I remembered that she is doing very well in that one. What a huge snub!

Best Series
“Rogue Emperor”
“Recipes to Live By”
“May Fortune Smile on You”
“Burning Hands”
“Tiger Mom Blues” *
“Destination Nowhere”
“Lo and Behold”
“Provocateur”
“Married but Available”
“My Dearly Sinful Mind”
“The No No Girl”
“My Unfair Lady”
“Phoenix Rising”
“Bet Hur”
“Legal Mavericks” *
“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”
“The Unholy Alliance” *
“The Tofu War”
“Line Walker: The Prelude”
“Nothing Special Force”
“Oh My Grad”
“The Exorcist’s Meter” *
“My Ages Apart”
“Heart and Greed” *

Predicted winner: The Exorcist’s Meter

Preferred winner: The Exorcist’s Meter

Opinion: The Exorcist’s Meter stood out and left the audiences in surprise because of its supernatural theme that many didn’t expect would have such a good outcome. The performances, the script and the many touching scenes in this drama are excellent despite this drama not being a big production with heavyweight cast. The dark horse in this category would be Legal Mavericks. I have Heart And Greed as one of my top 5 picks too because I think the drama although not doing that well now but I believe it will accelerate on its last ten episodes.

Most Popular TV Male Character
Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”)
Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”)
Raymond Wong (“Married but Available”)
Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”)
Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Vincent Wong (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”)
Natalis Chan (“Bet Hur”)
Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”)
Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) *
Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Cheung Wing Hong (“The Tofu War”)
Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”)
Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) *
Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”) *
Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”) 
Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Kenneth Ma / Bobby Au Yeung / Vincent Wong

Preferred winner: Vincent Wong

Opinion: I somehow think that Vincent Wong should really get something this year. I have already placed my bet on Kenneth Ma for best actor. Hence, I will give this favourite male character to Vincent. He has a superb portfolio of work this year. However, I think he should instead be nominated for Legal Mavericks for higher chance of winning. I didn’t enjoy My Unfair Lady at all. If Kenneth lost the best actor, then I’m almost 100% certain Kenneth will win this (he has won it before in 2012 for his role in The Hippocratic Crush). Bobby Au is the dark horse in this category.

Most Popular TV Female Character
Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) *
Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”)
Koni Lui (“Lo and Behold”)
Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”)
Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”)
Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”)
Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”)
Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”)
Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”)
Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Moon Lau (The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Mandy Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”) *
Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”)
Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) *
Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”)
Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Jessica Hsuan

Preferred winner: Elena Kong

Opinion: Jessica Hsuan is back to film for TVB. TVB must try their best to acknowledge her and I have to admit she is doing well in My Unfair Lady although I disliked the drama in general. Ali Lee may stunned everyone by emerging as the winner in this category as I see her as a dark horse here. Elena Kong is amazing in Tiger Mom Blues but the drama is aired too early this year and most audiences would have forgotten her awesome character in it.

Most Popular Series Song
四方 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Hoffman Cheng
心暖 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Kenneth Ma & Niki Chow
乾杯 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Ronald Law, Hoffman Cheng & Yao Bin
天賜的味道 (“Recipes to Live By”) – Maria Cordero
財神駕到 (“May Fortune Smile on You”) – Wayne Lai, Amy Fan, Pal Sinn, Matthew Ho & Kelly Fu
一輩子守候 (“The Princess Weiyoung”) – HANA
不變的愛 (“Tiger Mom Blues”) – Edwin Siu
迷 (“Destination Nowhere”) – Fred Cheng
獨來獨往 (“Provocateur”) – Gallen Lo
地盡頭 (“Provocateur”) – Fred Cheng
真心真意 (“Married but Available”) – Fred Cheng & Stephanie Ho
印記 (“Married but Available”) – Kayee Tam
籠牢 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Alfred Hui
你走的那個晚上 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Fred Cheng
我有我美麗 (“The No No Girl”) – Nancy Wu
我不會撒嬌 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Stephanie Ho
手中沙 (“My Unfair Lady”) – HANA
陪著你走 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Kayee Tam *
我不歸去 (“The Legend of the Condor Heroes”) – Kayee Tam
用愛邁步 (“Phoenix Rising”) – Kelly Chen
久別重逢 (“Eternal Love”) – HANA
十倍奉還 (“Bet Hur”) – Fred Cheng
心眼 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Vincent Wong
愛近在眼前 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Stephanie Ho
戰勝吧 (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) – Fred Cheng
一觸即發 (“The Unholy Alliance”) – Ruco Chan
家中的太陽 (“The Tofu War”) – Nancy Sit
天網 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Pakho Chau
忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA *
安守本分 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Vivian Koo
快樂快活人 (“Nothing Special Force”) – Kayee Tam
畢業之後 (“Oh My Grad”) – Mag Lam
你在我心間 (“Nothing Gold Can Stay”) – Jinny Ng
到此一遊 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu
遙不可及 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu *
泣血薔薇 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Jinny Ng
誇世代 (“My Ages Apart”) – Hacken Lee
別再記起 (“My Ages Apart”) – Jinny Ng
我本無罪 (“Heart and Greed”) – Susanna Kwan *
欲言又止 (“Heart and Greed”) – Vincent Wong & HANA *
I Promise (“Heart and Greed”) – Linda Chung

Predicted winner: 忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA

Preferred winner: 忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA

Opinion: My chosen song stated above still remains my most favourite theme song of the year although I have been quite addicted to the songs from The Exorcist’s Meter and Heart And Greed recently.

Most Popular TV Partnership
Vincent Wong & Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Vincent Wong & Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”)
Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Matthew Ho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) *
Ruco Chan & Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Moses Chan & Jessica Hester Hsuan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Benjamin Yuen, Priscilla Wong & Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Kenneth Ma & Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Moses Chan & Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”)
Ha Yu & Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”)
Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”)
Benjamin Yuen & Mat Yeung (“All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”)
Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu, Selena Li & Paisley Hu (“The Sisterhood Traveling Gang”)
Carol Cheng, C Kwan & Luk Wing (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”)
Wayne Lai, Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Raymond Wong (“Dickies on Tour”)

Predicted winner: Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu

Preferred winner: Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu / Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Matthew Ho

Opinion: I think TVB would not want The Unholy Alliance to win nothing. This category is the one that this drama has slightly higher chance of winning due to the great chemistry between Ruco & Nancy and Joel & Elaine. Between these two pairs, Joel & Elaine stood out as I think people are now starting to get bored of Ruco & Nancy pairing already. The three guys in A General, A Scholar And An Eunuch are the dark horse here as I think their chemistry in that drama is one of the most critical subject that makes that particular series good and hilarious.

Global Netizens Favourite Series
“Rogue Emperor”
“Recipes to Live By”
“May Fortune Smile on You”
“Burning Hands”
“Tiger Mom Blues”
“Destination Nowhere”
“Lo and Behold”
“Provocateur”
“Married but Available”
“My Dearly Sinful Mind”
“The No No Girl”
“My Unfair Lady” *
“Phoenix Rising”
“Bet Hur”
“Legal Mavericks” *
“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch” *
“The Unholy Alliance” *
“The Tofu War”
“Line Walker: The Prelude”
“Nothing Special Force”
“Oh My Grad”
“The Exorcist’s Meter” *
“My Ages Apart”
“Heart and Greed”

Predicted winner: Legal Mavericks

Preferred winner: The Exorcist’s Meter

Opinion: This is a new category. This is the only one category that non Hong Kong citizens can vote on. If The Exorcist’s Meter win best series, then Legal Mavericks will win this. Same goes to the other way round. This is like the opportunity for TVB this year to award more than one series. My Ages Apart and The Unholy Alliance are closely behind in this race too.

Best Supporting Actor
Hugo Ng (“Burning Hands”)
Matthew Ho (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
King Kong (“Destination Nowhere”)
James Ng (“Destination Nowhere”)
Mark Ma (“Lo and Behold”)
Fred Cheng (“Provocateur”)
Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) *
Max Cheung (“My Unfair Lady”)
Lai Lok Yi (“My Unfair Lady”)
Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”)
Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”) *
Timothy Cheng (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
John Chiang (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Joel Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Kwok Fung (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Carlo Ng (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Benz Hui (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) *
Brian Tse (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Kenny Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Ram Chiang (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Ho Yuen Tung (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Hugo Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Louis Yuen (“Heart and Greed”)

Predicted winner: Jimmy Au

Preferred winner: Joel Chan / Owen Cheung

Opinion: I have to admit that all the supporting male cast in The Exorcist’s Meter are great but putting them all together in this nomination list made them cancelling each other out in the end easily. Owen has won in Singapore and Joel has won in Malaysia. I have a feeling TVB want to award to someone else. Who will it be? I have a feeling Jimmy Au will win although I see him doing nothing much in The Unholy Alliance besides some fighting and stern-looking scenes. He is being pushed as one of the people that has to be awarded something this year by many Hong Kong citizens.

Best Supporting Actress
Stephanie Ho (“Recipes to Live By”)
Kaman Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”)
Mandy Lam (“Lo and Behold”)
Joyce Tang (“Lo and Behold”)
Kelly Fu (“Burning Hands”)
Vivien Yeo (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”)
Eileen Yeow (“The No No Girl”)
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”) *
Zoie Tam (“My Unfair Lady”)
Toby Chan (“Legal Mavericks”)
Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”)
Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Grace Wong (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) *
Harriet Yeung (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)
Elena Kong (“The Unholy Alliance”)
Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) *
Alice Chan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”)
Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) *
Katy Kung (“My Ages Apart”)
Sharon Chan (“Heart and Greed”) *

Predicted winner: Elaine Yiu

Preferred winner: Susan Tse

Opinion: Elaine Yiu and Susan Tse are the top two contenders in this category without any doubt. They both have won this award before too. I would be hating TVB if the winner is other than any of these two.

Most Improved Male Artiste
Owen Cheung (“The No No Girl”, “Legal Mavericks”, “HK Gag Gag”, “Amazing Summer Splash”) *
Matthew Ho (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Tiger Mom Blues”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Tiger Mom Blues Returns”) *
Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 5)”, “Sir Ben Prop Guide”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”, “Young and Restless”)
Hugo Wong (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Legal Mavericks”, “The Exorcist’s Meter”)
Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”, “My Ages Apart”)
Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “Bet Hur”, “Love and Construction”, “All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”) *

Predicted winner: Mat Yeung / Matthew Ho

Preferred winner: Mat Yeung

Opinion: There is a lot of competition in this category. Matthew Ho has won this award both in Singapore and Malaysia and hence his chance is higher. However, I’m rooting for Mat Yeung to win instead as he has been nominated a lot of times but have never won. What a pity as I find that he is one great actor too. His performance in My Dearly Sinful Mind and Bet Hur are fantastic too. Matthew can wait for another one or two more years.

Most Improved Female Artiste
Rebecca Zhu (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Hong Kong Round the Clock”)
Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”, “Bet Hur”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Gag Gag Summer”) *
Mayanne Mak (“Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Line Walker: The Hunting Game”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”)
Zoie Tam (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “My Unfair Lady”, “Legal Mavericks”, “My Ages Apart”) 
Roxanne Tong (“Provocateur”, “My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “The Tofu War”, “Sidewalk Scientist”) *
Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”, “Nothing Special Force”, “Sammy on the Go”) *

Predicted winner: Samantha Ko

Preferred winner: Jacqueline Wong

Opinion: It is not surprising if anyone of them except Mayanne Mak wins in this category. It’s hard for me to decide for this category. Samantha Ko has been doing well, and so does Jacqueline Wong especially for her role in Provocateur.

Best Host(s)
Lee Ka Ting & Helen Tam (“The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show”)
Gigi Wong (“Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)”)
Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”) *
Nancy Sit, Michael Lai, Raymond Cho & Karen Tong (“Cantopop at 50”)
Mayanne Mak, Kaki Leung, Roxanne Tong, Crystal Fun, Tiffany Lau & Bowie Cheung (“Sidewalk Scientist”)
Tony Hung (“Retiring in Paradise”)
Luk Ho Ming, Louisa Mak & Crystal Fung (“Young and Restless”)
Bob Lam, Mayanne Mak & Linna Huynh (“Chef Minor (Sr. 3)”)
Janis Chan (“Faraway Brides”)
Lai Chi San (“Starry Starry Talk”)
Evergreen Mak, Joyce Tang & Elena Kong (“Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)”)
Benjamin Au Yeung, Mayanne Mak, Luk Ho Ming, Bella Lam & Liz Ji (“Sir Ben Prop Guide”)
Helen To (“Helen Goes to Kyushu”)
Sammy Leung, Samantha Ko, Mayanne Mak & Jacqueline Wong (“Sammy on the Go”) *
Carol Cheng, FAMA, Kenneth Ma, Edwin Siu & Priscilla Wong (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”) *

Predicted winner: Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming

Preferred winner: Carol Cheng, FAMA, Kenneth Ma, Edwin Siu & Priscilla Wong

Opinion: It would be boring if Carol Cheng win this category again. So, I pick Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming to win this as they have also won the same in Malaysia earlier.

Best Non-Drama Programme
“The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show”
“Miss Chinese International Pageant 2017”
“Love at Last Sight”
“Feng Shui for the New Year”
“Cantoxicating!”
“Dinner Ma’s”
“Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)”
“Dream in the Ring”
“HK Gag Gag”
“Anchors with Passport (Sr. 3)”
“The Place We Call Home”
“Neighborhood Treasures (Sr. 7)”
“Public Housing Outing”
“Hong Kong Round the Clock”
“Easy Come Easy Health”
“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”
“Cantopop at 50” *
“Pay It Forward”
“Sidewalk Scientist”
“Retiring in Paradise”
“Litigation at Home”
“Big Big Kids Awards 2017”
“All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)” *
“Young and Restless”
“Buskkkkk Music”
“The Big Big Channel Nite”
“Amazing Summer Splash”
“Fun Abroad”
“Chef Minor (Sr. 3)”
“C AllStar Thai Odyssey”
“Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017”
“Faraway Brides”
“Starry Starry Talk”
“The Sisterhood Traveling Gang” *
“Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)”
“Sir Ben Prop Guide”
“Helen Goes to Kyushu”
“The Ultimate Street Sorcerer”
“Sammy on the Go”
“Line Walker: The Hunting Game”
“EYT: Anniversary Edition” *
“Diva Liza 50-Year Special”
“TVB Anniversary Gala”
“The Heavenly Party”
“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)” *
“Tung Wah Charity Show 2017”
“Gala Spectacular”
“Dickies on Tour”
“J.S.G. Awards Presentation 2017”

Predicted winner: The Sisterhood Traveling Gang

Preferred winner: The Sisterhood Traveling Gang

Opinion: I didn’t watch much non-drama programmes every year. Hence, my only choice is The Sisterhood Traveling Gang as I remember this programme that shows the travel of a group of six female artists in Australia is quite entertaining.

Yup…that’s it for the post. What a lengthy post.

As usual for every year, there will be disappointment in the nomination list. There are some major snubs and shockers. Some didn’t deserve got nominated. Some only has very minor roles and yet got nominated in supporting categories. Some got nominated for the poorer drama. TVB is forever careless in compiling the list. And it is such a long nomination list this year to squeeze everyone in unnecessarily. This makes the nomination nothing much to value for.

The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, 21st January 2018.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

Merry Christmas! Have an awesome one this year!

This year’s Christmas falls on Monday. That’s great as it has turned our weekend a day longer, giving us more opportunities to go for a longer continuous break or a quick vacation. Same goes to the New Year’s Day next week that is also going to be observed on Monday.

Christmas in Malaysia is nothing besides than seeing the extravagant Christmas decorations in major shopping malls in the country. Visiting these malls is the only way to bring Christmas feel to the table too as they are air-conditioned (hence feeling like being in winter and away from the outside heat). There are also various spots to take lovely pictures with the decorations, Christmas music filling the air, and End Year Sale (shopping time!).

(Christmas decorations in Pavilion KL mall’s main atrium this year. This is one of the malls in KL that is spending a lot on decorations annually)

Christmas in Malaysia is more commercialized rather than religiously celebrated as Malaysia is a country with Muslim-majority, I’m not being racist here but I’m trying to send out a message on this festive season that peace and unity should come above all. That is integral to maintain the harmonious state of the nation that comprises of people of various races and religions. There is no place for extremist views. I felt angered and disappointed over incidents such as the ‘Muslim-only launderette’, ‘protest over just a cross sign in Muslim neighbourhood’, and ‘protest over Christian sculptures in a public park’ that happened in Malaysia in recent years. Where is the respect? I believe all religions promote peace and respect. There should never be a thinking that one religion is above another.

Alright. Let’s not destroy the festive mood. How will you be celebrating the day? For Malaysians, we would just be visiting the malls. But for my family, we didn’t even plan to do so as those places are going to be very crowded and traffic congestion is also imminent. We will try to avoid that by staying indoor for most of the day but that’s going to be boring. Hmm…we still don’t have plan for the day. I think we will sort it out and we are still going to enjoy the day!

For all Christians who are celebrating, have a wonderful Christmas! May your wishes come true and may you receive the Christmas presents that you long desire! Have an awesome day with your family and friends! Merry Christmas!

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

 

Had just watched the first two Oscar-bait films of the year, and they are both coincidentally LGBT-themed.

A lot of Oscar-bait films are usually released in December to leave more impression and effects to the critics and awards’ voters. This is also the month when film studios would release a lot of screeners for guilds and film’s associations to vote for the best of the year. Hence, you would see some films that have recently or have not yet been released to the public and yet have their clear-version copy out there in the torrent sites. The first two Oscar-bait films of the year that I have recently watched are ‘Battle Of The Sexes’ and ‘Call Me By Your Name’. They are both coincidentally LGBT-themed. This particular theme is getting a lot of love recently as the general public is now more open towards accepting it.

‘Battle Of The Sexes’ is a biographical sports film loosely based on the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Robert Larimore Riggs. The film dramatizes the events leading up to that match between King (Emma Stone) and Riggs (Steve Carell), and their personal lives, particularly touching on the affair between King (she is married) with her female hairdresser. Billie Jean, a successful female tennis player, fights for the equality treatment of women and challenges the general perception during that period of time that women are ultimately weaker than men in sports. She accepts the challenge by a veteran male player, Riggs who boasts a lot of himself and relaxes before the tournament. King defeated Riggs in the legendary match.

It is a very solid film. It stands out without requiring any over-dramatic scenes but relies heavily on excellent performances by Emma Stone and Steve Carrell. Emma Stone is fantastic in this role and her performance here is even better than her last year’s role in ‘La La Land’ that won her Best Actress at the Academy Awards. Up till now, I still disagree on her Oscar win. She just won because she is popular, well liked by a lot of people, and ‘La La Land’ is getting a lot of love. Her performance in ‘La La Land’ is nothing extraordinary. Her role here is much better and challenging. Does that mean she will have a chance to win it again this year? Nope. She just won it last year (Academy wouldn’t want to award a young actress another trophy that soon). Steve Carrell is also wonderful but I think getting nominations is the furthest he can go. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Battle Of The Sexes’ a total of 7.5. This is an Oscar-bait film but is not getting much buzz lately. Hence, it will get a number of nominations in the coming awards but will mostly likely not winning much.

‘Call Me By Your Name’ is different. This movie is getting more buzz and has received standing ovation during its premiere in film festivals earlier. It is a romantic coming-of-age drama film that chronicles the romantic gay relationship between Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), a 17-year-old living in Italy, and his father’s American assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer). The story is set in Northern Italy in 1983. The movie explored the tension between pain and pleasure experienced by Elio whom is a teenage boy and in the midst of experimenting with his sexuality and falling in love with a guy.

Timothee Chalamet is a young actor whom nobody will recognize on the streets. Now, you have to remember his name. He is the star of the film. At such a young age and with such a daring role, he portrayed Elio with absolutely genuine acting. He is getting Best Actor nominations in a lot of places and having won some. He truly deserved it. The ending scene alone is enough to make audiences weep for his story with Oliver in the movie, and be moved by his performance. Armie Hammer has also done a great job as Oliver and delivered his character in an intimate and restrained way. The chemistry between the two of them is exceptional. Some scenes are quite graphic in the movie but I think it’s fine as in the end, no explicit content is shown. This self-discovery story is moving and is enhanced with great cinematography, scores and performances as highlighted earlier. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Call Me By Your Name’ a total of 8.0.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

 

2017 films that I have watched and list of 10 highest grossing films for the year.

2017 is coming to an end soon. This is the time for me to have a post that compiles a list of films released in 2017 that I have watched. This has been a tradition of my blog here for several years by now.

Hollywood films in 2017 that I have watched:

(The asterisks indicate my personal rating for each movies. 5 is the maximum. The ones in bold are my top 10 selection)

1. Eloise. ***
2. Rings. **
3. Logan. ***
4. Kong: Skull Island. ***
5. The Space Between Us. ***
6. Beauty and the Beast. ****
7. Life. ***
8. The Boss Baby. ****
9. The Fate of the Furious. ****
10. The Bigfoot Project. *
11. Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume II. ***
12. Alien: Covenant. ***
13. Wonder Woman. *****
14. The Mummy. ***
15. Power Rangers. ***
16. Split. ***
17. Get Out. ****
18. Despicable Me 3. ***
19. Baby Driver. ***
20. Dunkirk. ***
21. Spider-man: Homecoming. ***
22. 47 Meters Down. ***
23. War for the Planet of the Apes. *****
24. It Comes At Night. *
25. Annabelle: Creation. ***
26. It. ****
27. Transformers: The Last Knight. ***
28. Leatherface. **
29. Cult of Chucky. *
30. Zombies. *
31. Open Water 3: Cage Dive. ***
32. The Emoji Movie. ***
33. Happy Death Day. *****
34. Jeepers Creepers 3. **
35. Thor: Ragnarok. ***
36. Victoria And Abdul. ***
37. Justice League. ****
38. Geostorm. ****
39. Serpent. **
40. American Assassin. ***
41. Kingsman: The Golden Circle. ****
42. The Foreigner. ***
43. Stronger. ***
44. Mother! **
45. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. ****
46. Birth Of The Dragon. *
47. Beyond Skyline. ***
48. The Son Of Bigfoot. ***
49. Battle Of The Sexes. ****
50. Call Me By Your Name. ****
51. Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle. ****
52. Unhinged. *
53. Lady Bird. ****
54. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. ***
55. I, Tonya. ****
56. The Disaster Artist. ***
57. Coco. *****
58. Breathe. ****
59. The Shape of Water. *****
60. Jigsaw. ****
61. Tulip Fever. ***
62. Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets. ****
63. Darkest Hour. ***
64. The Post. ***
65. Wonder. ****
66. Victor Crowley. ***
67. Phantom Thread. ***
68. Murder On The Orient Express. ***
69. Ferdinand. ****
70. The Greatest Showman. ****
71. Attack Of The Southern Fried Zombies. *
72. Paddington 2. *****
73. Baywatch. ****
74. Star Wars: The Last Jedi. ****
75. Redwood. ***
76. It Came From The Desert. ***
77. Scarecrows. ***
78. Time Trap. **
79. Lake Alice. **
80. The Lodgers. ***
81. Boar. ***
82. Slasher.com. **
83. The Hitman’s Bodyguard. ****
84. The Cured. ***

Malaysian Film in 2017 that I have watched:

(The asterisks indicate my personal rating for the movie. 5 is the maximum.)

1. KL24: Zombies. *

Thailand Film in 2017 that I have watched:

(The asterisks indicate my personal rating for the movie. 5 is the maximum.)

1. Bad Genius. *****

Chinese (Hong Kong/China/Taiwan) Films in 2017 that I have watched:

(The asterisks indicate my personal rating for each movies. 5 is the maximum. The ones in bold are my top 1 selection)

1. Kung Fu Yoga. *****
2. Love Contractually. ***
3. Cook Up A Storm. ****
4. The Adventurers. ***
5. Bleeding Steel. ****
6. Vampire Cleanup Department. ***
7. Journey To The West: The Demons Strike Back. ***

I have been watching much lesser films this year compared to last year (2016). So far up until January 2019, I have watched 93 films. The reasons for that are that I have been spending more time on my study this year (especially on my thesis work) and there are not much films this year that appeal to me. You would have also noticed that I have been writing much lesser movie reviews this year (maybe I’m tired of it already).

December 2017 to February 2018 would be the period of time that I’m going to catch up on more 2017 films just to wrap it up on time before the Academy Awards to be held on March 2018. I have a lot of Oscar-bait movies to catch up later too and I’m looking forward to that. Hence, the total number of 2017 films that I have watched is expected to rise in the coming days/months but it would still be below the amount achieved for 2016 films for sure.

So now, here’s the list of top 10 highest grossing 2017 films as of November 2018:

1. Star Wars: The Last Jedi. US$ 1.332 billion.
2. Beauty and the Beast. US$ 1.263 billion.
3. The Fate of the Furious. US$ 1.236 billion.
4. Despicable Me 3. US$ 1.034 billion.
5. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. US$ 962 million.
6. Spider-Man: Homecoming. US$ 880 million.
7. Wolf Warrior 2. US$ 874 million.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. US$ 863 million.
9. Thor: Ragnarok. US$ 853 million.
10. Wonder Woman. US$ 821 million.

Four films this year successfully joined the 1-billion dollar club. ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ topped the chart this year with expected final grossing to be somewhere around US$ 1.3 billion. ‘Beauty and the Beast’, the live-action remake of the 1991 animated film of the same name came in second place while ‘The Fate of the Furious’, the eight installment of the franchise comes close by taking the 3rd spot. Despicable Me 3 is the highest grossing animated movie this year and it shows that the popularity towards the little minions has not dies down yet. The same cannot be said for ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise as its latest film, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales’ is not getting great box office result like its predecessors (ended up sitting at 11th place) which shows that the interest to this franchise is going downhill now.

Out of the 10 films above, I have watched all but ‘Wolf Warrior 2’; a Chinese film and is the only non-Hollywood film that is listed on the all-time worldwide top 100 box office. The famous ‘It’ movie became the highest grossing horror film in history (unadjusted for inflation) and is a huge box office success with a grossing that hits US$ 700 million. It is now the 12th highest grossing film of the year.

(Post originally written on 21st December 2017 and has been updated on January 2019)

Exciting supertall projects to enhance KL’s skyline soon.

The city skyline of Kuala Lumpur has dramatically changed in recent years. More skyscrapers are being built in the city, dwarfing over older buildings and populating remaining low-rise areas in the city. Here below are some of the on-going skyscraper projects in KL along with their latest updates:

The Exchange 106

This 106-storey office tower is currently dominating the city’s skyline although its construction has not completed yet. Some sources revealed that the tower has now reached about 450 metres in height, making it as tall as the city’s current record holder; the 452 metres tall iconic Petronas Twin Towers. The Exchange 106 Tower by Mulia Group is expected to top out and complete next year with projected height of 492 metres. This tower is rising very quickly and it is now starting to work on its upper portion’s central core. The highlight of this design is on its crystalline-like crown. Hence, the tower now looks very massive yet plain (boring glass cladding all over) at this stage.

Four Seasons Place

After experiencing multiple delays and changes of design in the past, the Four Seasons Place has topped out this year and will be completed next year. It now stands tall besides the Petronas Twin Towers at a height of 343 metres (65 floors). It is the second tallest hotel building in the world and also the second tallest building in Malaysia (after the Petronas Twin Towers). Some criticized the building for leaving huge visual impact to the twin towers as the building is only slightly lower and is very close to the twin towers. Well, we have to accept the fact that the twin towers will soon be dwarfed by more taller buildings in the future (they can’t be the tallest in the city forever, right?!). But the twin towers would still remain iconic for the city. The ‘Four Seasons’ logo will be nicer if it is bigger in my opinion.

Merdeka PNB118 Tower

This project receives a lot of criticism earlier due to allocation of national funding for this huge skyscraper that is thought to be much more useful to be spent on other resources, the impact it leaves to its surrounding historical area, and the absence of need for another supertall tower in the city. Anyway, the project is back on its track now after setting aside those criticisms and also after some issues with its structural foundation. It is now set to rise quickly to be the tallest building of the country by 2021 at a height of 630 metres (118 floors).

(Renderings for Merdeka PNB118 Tower)

Oxley Towers and Fairmont Towers

Construction has been slow especially for Fairmont Towers that sit right besides the KLCC Park. The Fairmont development consists of three towers with the tallest one to reach 380 metres in height with 78 floors. They are projected to complete by 2020 but that is highly unlikely looking from its current construction progress. Work is still at the ground level at this stage which is very slow. The same situation goes to the adjacent Oxley Towers development. Once completed, the taller tower in Oxley complex will be 341 metres tall with 79 floors. I estimate their completion would be around 2022 or 2023.

(Oxley Towers’ development in rendering above)

(Fairmont Towers’ development in rendering above)

(Construction site on the left is the Oxley project while the construction site on the right is the Fairmont project. Four Seasons Place is in the middle in this picture above)

Angkasa Raya Tower

This project has been approved years ago but there is no sign of its construction yet in a plot of land adjacent also to the Petronas Twin Towers. I wonder what is the problem that is delaying this project now. Designed by famous architect, Buro Ole Scheeren, the tower has 65 floors and will have a height of 268 metres. Let’s hope that this project with kick-start very soon.

(Images and information in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

My 2017 is filled with thesis and travels.

After creating a post that compiles the most significant or viral worldwide events or happenings that shape 2017, it’s time to narrow the topic down to my personal journey in this year. 2017 has been a slightly less spectacular year for me but I couldn’t complain much as I still went through the year quite smoothly. Here below are the 5 major things that I have been through in 2017:

My Final Year Of Study

2017 is not only the final year of my postgraduate study but it is also the very final year of my life as a student. There is no intention at all for me to further my studies to PhD level. I am certainly stopping at Masters level that will conclude this year with me obtaining a Master of Architecture from Curtin University. Beginning 2018 and till my retirement, it will be all about working life! Hence, 2017 will be particularly memorable for me as this is the last year that I will be able to enjoy the long study breaks, attending classes in campus, walking in the nice Curtin campus environment (first picture below), and meeting new classmates. As I will be travelling around to look for job next year, I also would be missing Perth, Australia, (second picture below) the city that I have settled in for these past two years for my study.

All The Time For Thesis

Thesis occupies most of my time this year. It is a major requirement for me to complete my study and I placed countless effort, time and passion on it throughout this one whole year. I remembered the days when I could only get less than 5 hours of sleep daily to finish it up, locking myself in my room and staying in front of my laptop working on the thesis continuously for multiple hours, grabbing quick bites for lunch or dinner as not to waste time to catch up on the work, etc. Finally, the thesis is completed and is getting quite a good grade.

Finally Get To Travel To Vietnam

Why do I said that? My family have plan to visit Vietnam back in 2012. We booked a tour, we made the payment, and we are prepared for the trip back then. However, my grandma was getting really ill and passed away few days before the trip. The trip had to be cancelled. This year, we finally able to travel to Vietnam during the Chinese New Year holiday early this year. I went to Hanoi and the famous Halong Bay is truly magnificent. There are also other destinations worth seeing in Hanoi.

First Time In Bangkok

I have been to Thailand for few times in the past but I have never been to its capital, Bangkok. I finally had the chance to visit the city middle of this year during the Hari Raya holiday with my parents. I had a great time visiting some famous attractions there such as the National Palace, Wat Arun Temple, Wat Pho Temple, Asiatique Waterfront, etc. I also visited Hua Hin, a beachside town not far from Bangkok and I got to stay in a hotel’s room facing the sea directly.

Short Holidays Everywhere

Besides than lengthy trips to Vietnam and Thailand, I also occasionally went for some quick trips throughout the year during the study breaks. I went to Genting Highlands (my father’s favourite because there’s a casino up there and also due to the colder temperature up there) – first picture below. I also went to Ipoh for an emergency family matter and had some great meals over there. Recently, I also went to Malacca’s A Famosa Resort to visit its Animal Safari and to Sekinchan (second picture below) and Kuala Selangor to view the beautiful paddy fields and fireflies in the evening.

I did mentioned previously that 2017 hasn’t been particularly good to me especially in financial point of view. A huge sum of money is spent on this final year of my study especially during the last month when I have to submit my thesis (print and bind the report in few copies, print and add base to my large presentation panels, spent money to buy model-making materials and do laser cutting for my final model, etc). And it’s not ending yet. My university is going to ‘attack’ me with a last cash grab before I left in the form of costly expenses for my coming graduation on February next year. I am going to work really hard to earn all that money back very soon beginning next year!

And since I have been travelling back and forth between Malaysia, Australia, Vietnam and Thailand this year, I have to officially announce that I hate taking flights from now on. I am a person that will feel very uncomfortable in a plane especially in long flight. I hate sitting in a tight area for few hours continuously, I hate all the airport procedures and waiting time, and I hate that I could not sleep at all in plane although I tried that many times before in the past. But for the sake of traveling and going oversea, boarding a plane is inevitable.

Now, I look forward to a much more extraordinary year ahead – 2018! About two weeks left before 2017 ends.

The World in 2017: Recap of Major Events of the Year

2017 is coming to an end soon. As with my blog’s tradition, I am here compiling a post that looks back at some major events or viral happenings throughout this one whole year. It’s time for a flashback of 2017 as we prepare to welcome 2018. Here below are the 10 events that are highly representative for year 2017.

Trump, Trump and Trump

Ever since Donald Trump is officially inaugurated as the President of the United States of America early this year, there has been many news, reports and comments regarding him (mostly negative). His iconic hairstyle or gestures have been parodied countless of times. His tweets are also grabbing everyone’s attention with his hilariously unprofessional or unreasonable comments that should not have come out from a President at all. His remarks on North Korea and Kim Jong Un, Jerusalem, fake news, etc have sparked so much controversies. He is certainly the man of the year, but for mostly negative reasons.

Despacito Everywhere

A Mexican music video in YouTube is definitely not to be missed out. The music video ‘Despacito’ by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee broke record as the YouTube video with highest number of views in history. Currently, it has accumulated over 4.5 billion views! Up to this day, I still have no idea what the song is about and I also have no idea why it is such a massive hit worldwide.

Las Vegas Shooting

On the night of October 1, 2017, a gunman named Stephen Paddock opened fire on a crowd of concertgoers at a music festival on the Las Vegas strip in Nevada, leaving 58 dead and 546 injured. He fired more than 1100 rounds from his suite on the 32nd floor of the nearby Mandalay Bay Hotel. About an hour after Paddock fired his last shot into the crowd of 22,000, he was found dead in his room from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His motive is still unknown. The incident is the deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in the United States. The shooting reignited the debate about gun laws in US.

Tragic Earthquakes in central Mexico and border of Iraq and Iran

Two massive earthquakes occurred this year. First was a 7.1 earthquake on September 19 at Central Mexico that kills around 350 people. The second one was a 7.3 earthquake on November 12 that strikes the border region between Iraq and Iran , leaving at least 530 dead.

Manchester Arena’s Bombing

A terrorist bombing attack occurred at an Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester, England on May 22, 2017. It killed 22 people and injured over 100. A shrapnel-laden homemade bomb was detonated as people were leaving Manchester Arena following a concert by the American singer Ariana Grande.

Grenfell Tower Fire

A massive fire broke out at the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block of public housing flats in North Kensington, West London on 14th June 2017. It killed 71 people and over 70 injuries are reported. Police and fire services believe the fire started accidentally in a fridge-freezer on the fourth floor. The rapid growth of the fire is thought to have been accelerated by the building’s exterior cladding, which is of a common type in widespread use. This sparked review of building regulations and fire safety not only for UK itself but also for other multiple countries.

North Korea In The Spotlight

North Korea has been condemned by international community particularly in this year for multiple actions that include test firing a ballistic missile across the Sea of Japan, conducting nuclear tests, and threatening to initiate attacks. Further sanctions have been imposed on the country by various countries across the world and also by the United Nations.

Truck Bombing in Somalia and Sinai Mosque Attack

On 14 October 2017, a massive blast caused by a truck bombing in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, killed at least 512 people and injured 316. The attack is the deadliest in Somalia‘s history, and it is is also the third-deadliest act of terrorism in recorded history, surpassed only by the 2007 Yazidi communities bombings and the September 11 attacks in 2001.

On 24 November 2017, the al-Rawda mosque in Egypt was attacked by roughly 40 gunmen during Friday prayers. The attack killed 311 people and injured at least 122, making it the deadliest attack in Egyptian history. Islamic State is the suspected perpetrators behind this attack.

WannaCry Ransomware Attack

The WannaCry ransomware attack was a May 2017 worldwide cyberattack by the WannaCry[a] ransomware cryptoworm, which targeted computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system by encrypting data and demanding ransom payments in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. The attack began on Friday, 12 May 2017, and within a day was reported to have infected more than 230,000 computers in over 150 countries.

Paris 2024, Los Angeles 2028

The International Olympic Committee has officially announced on September 13, 2017 that Paris is awarded the right to host 2024 Summer Olympic Games while Los Angeles will be hosting the 2028 edition of the games. Hence, there will be no bidding event for 2028 games.

We observed mostly ruins, disasters, attacks, tragic news or negative stuff for this year. Let’s hope that we will be seeing more positive events next year.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

 

A quick trip to Sekinchan.

Sekinchan is a rural area not far from Kuala Lumpur (around 2 hours drive from the city) that is famous for its beautiful paddy fields. My eldest sister decided to visit this place with her family together with my aunt’s family the past weekend. I joined in at a very last minute’s decision. This is my second quick trip after I came back from Australia late last month. The first one was on last week when I went to A Famosa Resort in Malacca (I wrote about that trip in my previous post too). It’s great for an urban people like me to return to rural area once in a while to experience something different and be closer to nature.

Before highlighting the places that we went to during the trip, I must first write about the place that we were staying for a night during the trip. We stayed in Farm Ville Cafe & Homestay. It is a small homestay comprising of few reused containers and the place is facing a large paddy field for exceptional scenery. The price is also quite affordable. This is the first time I’m staying in a container-themed hotel. It was a cool experience although I have to admit that there are some disadvantages such as noise that can easily transmit between containers, lack of covered walkways, and security concern. The homestay has a kids’ pool, cafe, trampoline, bicycle facilities, etc.

The main places that we have visited in this trip are;

Redang Beach (well, this is not in Redang Island but in Sekinchan. This place had been the setting for a Hong Kong drama few years ago that starred Ruco Chan and Rosina Lam…I forgot the drama’s title.)

Sekinchan 3D Art Gallery (small and the displayed arts are not world-class but still a fun place especially for kids)

Sekinchan Rice Processing Factory (a huge factory with gallery explaining the process of creating rice and history of the town)

Firefly Park Resort (this is in Kuala Selangor which is just 30 minutes drive from Sekinchan. Had the opportunity to view the fireflies in the dark on a boat. The last time I had been here doing this was about 2 decades ago when I was just a small kid. Very hard to capture the moment in pictures.)

Sekinchan is a nice place to visit. While the food here are cheap (even seafood too), the entrance fees to the attractions here are a bit costly. I certainly felt overcharged. These kind of places are not that popular in the past. However, in recent years, a lot of tourists flock to these areas as they are not that far from city and they are great spot for quick getaway during normal weekends.