NA.S.T.Y

Everything was simply just N.A.S.T.Y at the 'swanky' new cafe at The Cathay. IL CAFE DE ROMA is the name. Roma was totally lacking in the ambience but ILL it sure made me. The indoor area of the cafe look sparse and the furniture looks like its trying too hard. To the extend that they have decided to leave the TAGS on the chairs. At some point, I wondered if I was at Ikea shopping for furniture. There was a small are which I felt had potential though, it was a long shelf with a counter top and allowed people to sit around it. But this even is ruin by a black corner of the cafe where I reckon the store is. A black cloth serving as a curtain hung sloppily and beside it was a IKEA shelf displaying all their sauces and cutlery, exposed to public.

Well, I was hoping the food would be at least edible thing but oh no, you are strongly mistaken. I had a cafe mocha which was average but it tasted more like hot chocolate milk. Hei had some cafe gelato thing which was served in a martini glass which is nothing but 1 shot of expresso and a blop of ice cream. And we shared a bland lousy brownie which doesnt even taste a fraction as good at those $1.20 chocolate cake I can find at my humble neighbourhood confectionery. It was dry and for the first time in my life, the baker uses pine nuts to add the crunch.

I guess the guy that was not wearing a uniform, standing behing the cashier counter was the owner of the place. Firstly he doesnt carry a smile for the customers and when he walked out of the cashier counter to hand a customer a bill. I was shocked that he was wearing 3 quarters and crocos! Not that is wrong, but it just doesnt fit the image they are trying to portray.

Mebbe it was a wrong nite for us to go. See picture below. I'm not sure if you get it. But if you don't let me know. I'd like to think she lost weight

The Protege

So, what can go wrong. With a cast of Andy Lau and Daniel Wu, even if the plot stinks, you are smitten by the 2 hunks. I would include my lovely Louis Koo into the above sentence but they made his character too awful and the make-up too ugly for me to indulge.

But, the plot is surprisingly tight, and the director did not go out of focus. The story sent a extremely powerful message yet it displays a soft, emotional side. It was serious yet it had its spurts of humour (though I thought the audience yesterday laughed a bit too much). It was not perfect of course, the movie was a little too gory to my liking and some parts (especially the 'hand' scene) seems like a horror movie instead of a suspense thriller.

I am however undecided whether Andy Lau was the most ideal person for his role. Sure, its an undeniable fact that he is a great actor and his performance in Infernal Affairs was immaculate, but although his performance was still top class, its just hard to see Andy in the streaks of grey hair, acting as a father of 2.5. Maybe it was also because Anita Yuen's character looked much older than him.

Otherwise, I think this movie is at the top of the charts in my billboard and doubt very much there will be another Chinese movie this year that will be able to knock my socks off as much as this did.

Great job to the entire production crew. And SAY NO TO DRUGS!

Look what I found

What are they looking at

As we finish dinner at VivoCity's Kopitiam, we realise there was a crowd standing outside Standard Chartered, all looking in. Thinking it must have been a robbery or a case of assult, we quicken our pace and started walking towards the bank too.

What were they looking at??? So intently, so engross. Some were even discussing with their friends about something.

Can you tell???? Perhaps a closer look will help you.

I'm not sure if its a new marketing gimmick from Standard Chartered. Luring customer by airing football on their big screen. It's Singapore vs Thailand!!!! ROOOAAARRR