One Run, Two Movies, Three Books

Batallion run yesterday. It was fun, but mighty exhausting, considering the longest distance I've done in 4 months is 2.4km. Torrential rain at the end saved us from static exercises (euphemism for numerous repetitions of push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks and what nots). Anyway it was the first time I was told to seek "shelter" under a tree during a thunderstorm. We were soaked (still standing under the tree, mind you) by the time the briefings ended.

Determined not to squander the half-day off we were forced to clear, I asked zejia out for a rendezvous. Accompanied him to NYGH to help out with their drama production after lunch and I must say he's a pro director! So 佩服. LOL.

We then watched "The World's Fastest Indian" with Yuling. I fell asleep at the beginning coz it's rather boring and I was so tired. A very down-to-earth plot based on a real story, kept afloat mostly by the incredible portrayal by Anthony Hopkins. "Overcomes its formulaic storyline thanks to Anthony Hopkins' warm and endearing portrayal of an age-defying thrill seeker", to quote Rotten Tomatoes. Not exactly the most inspirational movie I've watched, but the happy ending is both heart-warming and fulfilling for the audience who've traversed this long and enjoyable journey along with old Burt Munro, mishaps and all.

A happy ending was not to be for "King and The Clown", however, though it was still a good movie IMHO. Dubbed the Korean version of "Brokeback Mountain", it tells a touching and tragic story of "a delicately effeminate male clown caught between the affections of a despotic king and a fellow performer". It's not so much the homosexual element that stirs, but rather the engaging plot and nuanced acting. At once humourous, entertaining, shocking and melancholic, it calls on the audience's various emotions as the story unfolds, and successfully develops the characters such that you feel for them, and understand the motivation behind their actions.

I've also had some food for thought with "The Kite Runner", "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" in recent weeks. As most of you would know, the first 2 are recommended by NLB, and they are indeed very good books, especially "The Kite Runner". The prose is simple but effective, and you can read it like any other novel though it's very much a piece of accomplished literature filled with metaphors, irony, and themes such as love, betrayal, identity, etc.. "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "The Five People You Meet In Heaven", both by Mitch Albom, on the other hand, are inspirational stories which carry certain lessons for the reader. Not my favourite genre, and I tend to forget all those "lessons" almost immediately after I put down the book, but enjoyable reading material nonetheless.

Catching "Pirates" tomorrow, and I've got a few new CDs. Might post some short impressions tomorrow if I have the time. Ciao.