Movie Review: The Croods

"Never not be afraid!" Huh?

I love animation movies for it's beautiful pictures, beautiful stories, and beautiful lessons :)

I love how colorful this movie is.

"After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy."

Directors : Kirk De Micco, Chris Sanders

Stars : Nicholas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds

Current IMDB rating : 7.5

Again, I went to the movies without knowing what kind of film I'm about to watch. But it's fun, though. By not knowing anything, not having any expectation, I can happily be surprised by what I watched. And this one, is an absolute sweet surprise. I didn't even know my favorite Emma Stone is also took part in this film! This is the first sweet surprise. And Ryan Reynolds is the number second :D

The film is about a cavemen family that holds a motto "Never not be afraid!". They believe that the motto will guide them to survive in their harsh world of desert and wild beasts. But then, something happen to the earth and break apart their safe cave. They need to move to find another safe place in another part of the earth with the help of a more modern guy named Guy. And the journey is about to change their life forever.

Just like what I wrote on top of this post, I love animation movies! They're just... beautiful! I love how people can be soo creative, inventive, and inspiring when they make an animation film. And this one is no exception. At first, I can't believe myself that what I heard is really "Never not be afraid". But after thinking and watching for a few minutes, I got the idea. This film is trying to say that we need to be brave to face challenges, to face new things. Challenges and new things are not always negative. If we can handle it properly, it will have it's own advantage to us.

This film is also hilarious with it's rich and unique characters (both human and other creature characters). I love Belt the monkey! He's always have this simple punchline that hit me hard haha. 

Technically speaking, the quality of the animation is fantastic. The movement is super smooth and the picture is so colorful! You'll love how they use colors in this movie. I think it would be best to watch it in 3D. The only minus they have is just that the characters don't sing at all (Sorry, I love musical drama haha).

The IMDB rating is already pretty high. But I'm so confident to give even higher score to The Croods.

I give them 9.0/10.0! You should definitely watch this film! 

Movie Review: Olympus Has Fallen

The White House is becoming a Fire Red House and then an Abandoned House.

It's ironically fun to see the United State in deep crisis ;D

Fire Red House

"Disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning finds himself trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack; using his inside knowledge, Banning works with national security to rescue the President from his kidnappers. "

Director : Antoine Fuqua

Stars : Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman

Current IMDB Rating : 7.1

 

So, I went to the movies with my friends today (FINALLY! AFTER ALL THIS TIME I FORGOT HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BUY A MOVIE TICKET). I didn't get many choices since my friends actually already decided to watch this film. I wasn't really sure what kind of film is this. Looking at the title, I thought it's another film about Rome or some other historical thing! haha so embarrassed about my own stupidity.

 

The film is about rescuing the president of the United State that was being held as hostage by some Asian terrorists (and a traitor). The main character is Gerard Butler (as Mike Banning) whose heroically (is this even a proper word?) being the only person the country can rely on at that time.

 

First, I'd like to comment: another Asian terrorist? Come on.. We're not that bad. (As if you're an angel yourself, dear Americans). It's kinda boring how American movies often use Asian as their main antagonist character. Be creative, dear Uncle Sam's children! Why don't you try African? Or Australian? Or Mayan?

 

Second, the plot line is actually kinda cliche: A major crisis is happening, no one can do anything about it, and then a hot guy appear to be the only hero everyone can rely on. Drama.

I also can't stop thinking about: is it really possible to break into the White House and kidnap the president with less than a hundred personnels? This film made it look so easy and possible. But, in reality, I don't think so. 

 

But, generally speaking, I was really entertained! I'm not really a big fan of action movies. But when I watch a good one, I have to admit that those blood and gun fight can be a moodbooster sometimes. The action is good, the effect is smooth, and I like the tension of the drama. I like how they made The God (read: Morgan Freeman) to have a political power too :D

 

I catched a good quote: "I won't die without a fight"

 

Overall, it's good. And I think I'm gonna give a higher score than the IMDB's.

 

 I give Olympus Has Fallen 8.0/10.0!

(Unnecessary) Announcement

Attention to all of you, happy people. I have an announcement to make.

It's not a very important one. But still, it's my blog, though :D

Let me make everything clear before I'm getting into another movie review. I just wanna say that if you're looking for a complete synopsis of a movie, I'm not giving them.

I really love watching movies. And I believe, there's nothing fun about reading synopsis without watching the movie itself. I also hate those spoilers telling you how the ending of a movie.

So, if I wrote a review and you're interested, I suggest you to watch it instead of searching for full synopsis or even a trailer. Why shouldn't you watch trailer? As for me, to be surprised by what you get when you watch a movie without having any sneak peek is really fun! You should try it.

And this will also applied for other reviews, like book or music.
Ciao!

DIY: Bread Pudding

I'm so proud of myself to be very productive this time!

Finally, I can make something edible other than any variation of instant noodle :')

 

So, last week, I successfully motivate myself to make a food without instant noodle (this is a history for me). My mom asked me to buy a bag of sliced bread and until a night before the expiration date, we still have about 6 slices. I felt responsible to do something with the bread because I'm the one who bought it. And then, A thought about bread pudding suddenly came to my mind even though I never really taste one (or even see one) before. All I know is that I heard it's easy to make. So, I googled it.

 I found some recipes of bread pudding, and I can tell you that basically this dessert is really easy to make!

I'm gonna tell how I did this preparedless-pudding-project.

Here's the ingredients you need:

1. 5 slices of bread

2. 350ml of milk

3. 2 eggs (or 3 small eggs)

4.   50gr of butter (melted)

5. 5 tablespoon of sugar

6.  a pinch of vanilla powder

7. your own extra ingredients (I use some bananas and oreo)

You also need to prepare a medium-size baking pan and an oven/steamer.

Here's how to do it:

1. Boil the milk and sugar with small/medium heat until the sugar melted (you might need to keep stirring)

2. Melt the butter

3. Stir the eggs

4. After the sugar melted, put the bread into the milk and stir it up until the bread is mushed. Leave it for a few minutes.

5. Pour the butter, eggs, and vanilla powder into the bread dough and mix it up.

6. Spread a few butter inside the pan to avoid the pudding to stuck in the pan. 

7. I spread some oreo crumble into the pan to be the topping

8. Pour half of the dough into the pan, and then I put banana slices on top of it.

9. Pour the rest of the dough.

10. Bake/steam it for about 25 minutes. I use traditional steamer, so I don't know how high the heat you need to bake it in an oven.

You can check if the pudding is done with a toothpick. If it's not sticky, then it's done.

It's better served cool.

 So here's what an ideal bread pudding looks like:

Google Version of Bread Pudding

   And here's my own made Oreo Bread Pudding with Banana!

My Own Version of Bread Pudding!

 Hahaha it's faaar far away from perfect, I know. But still, I'm so proud of myself to make this dish.

 I recommend you to try it! (Especially for you who never took a step into the kitchen before) It was really fun.

 Tell me if you made one and show me a picture of your creation! :)

Movie Review: This is 40

I always wondering how life in 40 would be like. "This is 40" kinda give the 'right' image

I'm 22, and This Is 40

"A look at the lives of Pete and Debbie a few years after the events of Knocked Up."

 Director & Writer : Judd Apatow

Stars : Paul Rudd & Leslie Mann

Current IMDB Rating : 6.3

This is actually a sequel of the movie "Knocked Up" but I watched it anyway without watching the earlier movie. The reason why I interested to watch this movie is because of Paul Rudd. Always love those sparklingly clear eyes of him and his funny act. I still remember his good act with Jennifer Aniston in Wanderlust.

So, the movie tell us about the family of Pete and Debbie with two daughters, Sadie and Charlotte. Pete owns a record label which is having a rough business time, just like the clothing store Debbie owns. With all the drama about money, parents, children, and friends, This is 40 is not a movie about a happy family life.

In my opinion, This is 40 is simply too long. You know what's the risk of a long movie? Boring. Lot's of problems to solve made this movie need about two hours to finish. This is crucial. There are some movies which successfully kept the viewers interested the whole long time, but I gotta tell you that this movie isn't one of them. There are some times that I really want this movie to end, although I also find some part of the movie where I want to know more about what's happening.

But I have to admit that you can get lots of life lessons from the couple.
First, don't lie to your partner. If you find it necessary to lie to your partner about something, make sure everything is locked up.

Second, don't you ever think to give your children every Apple product they ask. Really, a kid whose having iPod, iPad, iPhone, and Macbook at the same time is rarely become a sweet and smart kid.

I also like how this movie show us the drama about Pete and Debbie's parents. Pete's dad whose having a 10 years old triplet without a paycheck, and Debbie's dad whose trying to get back into his daughter's life after a looong time of no communication. It makes me think of how my relation with my parents would be like in the future.

 I agree with the rating from IMDB viewers. This movie worth about 6.5/10 to watch.

Introduction

Welcome to my first blog post ever!

First, let me introduce myself and what you might find in my blog later.

I'm Sau, twenty-something, not-so-normal kinda person (and so are you!).

Basically, I'm gonna tell you about the things I like.

And I really like to eat and watch movies.  Also available in my favorite list: music, clothing, video games, gadget & internet, etc. So, you know what to expect.

 Why should you read my blog? Because... why not?

You might find it fun to learn new things from one's point of view.

Ciao!

XOXO