THE VILLAGE OUTING

Irene, Haozhen and a history teacher who couldn’t remember my name!

My day began as usual. I wrote my long review of Doom 3 and proceeded to torture myself with my exercise routine. After I finished my exercise today I couldn’t even lift up my arms. I had to force my arm movements because they were so worked out. I still have that stinging sensation even as I am typing this blog update. But as they say: no pain, no gain.

After the torturing routine I had a cold shower and got ready to meet my friends for the village movie outing. I met Michelle and her wonderful friends, Irene and Haozhen at Long John Slivers. Our good friend Latiff was also there.

After the brief introduction, we all decided to dine at KFC because Michelle and I had coupons. I am not sure if dine is a good word to associate KFC with. But hey it’s my blog, and I am entitled to write bad English.

So we had our dinner at KFC but it was more like my lunch. I didn’t eat whole heartily at home because I was really disappointed with my grandmother’s cooking today. I couldn’t complain at home so I decided to starve until I reached Cathay Cineleisure.

As we ate, I got to know Michelle’s friends a little better. This was a rare opportunity to see how Michelle got along with her female friends. Her friend were indeed good sports and were hilarious at times. I am just wondering how they put up with Michelle. Haha, just joking Michelle. Its fun being around Michelle, she makes everyone laugh and have a good time.

The only spoiler was the show that we watched. Although it was good, I am afraid M.Night Shyamalan attempt of the village is not going to have many positive feedbacks in Singapore.

The Village is a strange choice for a would-be US summer blockbuster. It moves slowly, and depends more on atmosphere than on plot or action. In a way, Shyamalan seems to be relying on his reputation to pull off one of his revelations

This is the blockbuster equivalent of an art film, and its audience will be limited. However, for those who like the director's body of work, appreciate The Twilight Zone, and have a high suspension of disbelief threshold, The Village is likely to satisfy.

Don’t get me wrong, the movie does have creditable merits, but as an avid moviegoer, I felt disappointed more like cheated because the director resorted to cheap scare tactics. And the most irritating part of the movie is that the story was taken from some book which at this point in time I have no recollection of its title or its characters minus those we do not speak of.

Adrien Brody, coming off his Oscar-winning turn in "The Pianist", is wasted in a silly and somewhat insulting role as the village idiot. This is sad way to waste a wonderful actor’s ability.

Well after the movie we all sat down at the newly renovated food court and had a nice quiet chat before heading home. I was accompanied by Michelle on the MRT. We talked about a few things and before I realized it, I had to say my goodbye.

I got off the following stop, and walked back home. As I was walking down from Causeway Point, I saw my history teacher from secondary two, Mr. Singh. I quickly hasten my pace and got away from his clutches.

It’s not that I hate the man. It’s just that he talks way too much. There is one incident I clearly remember that strike me every time I see this man. It happened after the final semestral exams. I was 1st in class that year. It was my 1st time in my whole life I have gotten into the top 5 position. My previous best was ninth and that was during mid year.

Mr. Singh came up to me and said he wanted me to go to express and had talked 2 hours to the committee to allow me to seat for the express paper. And then he called me Gandhi! How could a man talk 2 hours about me without knowing my proper name!

Back then if you passed those papers you were promoted to express. I really wanted to show my relatives that I had what it took to be in express. You see in Indian communities relatives like to boast about their children being smarter than other children.

Seeing this as my chance to show off, I studied on the week of Deepavali. Anyone who knows me knows that Deepavali is the most important day for me. But ironically I never made it. My friends who took the same papers in the opposite class got those express papers with answers from their form teacher 2 days before the exams.

And to my horror and to their delight the same papers came out. I hadn’t had the time to prepare, and wasted my opportunity. Incidentally those two passed while my female friend Nadia and I failed.

Sometimes I wonder what if I passed that paper and went on to polytechnic a year earlier. Would I be the same person I am today? But I am glad I didn’t pass that papers or else I would have never met my polytechnic friends. They are something special, each and every one of them.

So till my next post ya, its bye from Ganz.

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