Earth Hour... a grand slam or a sham?

Picture by M.Ramos

For those who did not pay attention to any news at all, Earth Hour is to occur at March 28, 2009 8:30pm. This event is created by World Wildlife Fund and is to be held on the last Saturday of March every year. Households and businesses are asked to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise the awareness towards the need to take action on climate change (source Wikipedia).

This year, there are around 82 countries, and more than 2100 cities that are participating in Earth Hour 2009. Please note that this event is to instill public awareness on global warming and NOT to reduce global warming. Many critics have been lambasting this event with some even saying that the energy saving is equivalent to taking off six cars on the road.

Even though my arguments seemed to be siding with the environmentalists, I have to confess that I will not be 'doing my part' by turning off the lights, tv, laptop and fan in my room. First of all, I am renting a room. So, if I turned off everything, then my room will be stuffy (my room has a very small window) and the mosquitoes will be attacking me immediately. Besides, what am I supposed to do in such an unearthly hour? (no pun intended). It's too early to be sleeping, I can't read, write, listen to music, play games, watch movie, etc... so, am I supposed to just loiter in my room in darkness?

I can go down to the living room sure, but my housemates would never be a part of this programme and thus, even though I turn off the lights in my room, I would be in the living room watching tv under the fan and bright light... so, it will defeat the purpose of not using electricity. I won't bother to be talking to my housemates about this since we're not that close and I'm no environmentalist. Besides they are heavy power users. They would be having a laptop in front of them, with the Streamyx on, and the tv with Astro decoder blaring in front of them.

Of course, even though I am not participating Earth Hour, it doesn't make an an ungrateful bastard who is not thinking of the future generations (which I really am not :P) and is demeaning Mother Earth. I am not participating in it because the Earth Hour has already reached its objective... and that is to create the awareness of global warming. I am aware of it... so, job done, case close :P.

Instead, I would reduce my daily usage of electricity... well, not really, to be more accurate, I will not waste any extra electricity... meaning I will turn off the lights when I leave the room, I will turn off my laptop when I'm not using it, I will not use my laptop and tv at the same time, etc. This, in my own small way is supporting the environmentalists preaching... however, I would never do anything extreme such as swearing off all electrical appliances and not using a fan when I sleep... that is just nuts.

But to answer back the title of my blog... I think that this whole thing is a sham. Yeah, sure people are claiming they can see the stars and stuff but to do nothing for one whole hour is a waste of time and as they said, time is priceless. It's true that many would be caught in the trend in joining this event but once this event is over, it's back to electricity wastage again. I mean, how many cities can you celebrate Christmas and New Year without lighting up the city or displaying fireworks? (Fireworks will contribute to global warming lah) How many can just turn on the lights of the room that they are at and turn everything else off? We turn on the lights to make a city livelier and in some extent, safer... and I dare say that Mother Earth is not important enough for most people to risk their safety from burglars, snatch thefts, muggers, rapists and murderers. And I am still afraid of dark, so I will be in constant fear if I just turn on the light in my room while the rest of the house plunges into darkness.

So, turning off the lights (or to be more exact, non essential electrical items) will expose people to unecessary risks. If we are willing to celebrate holidays without those money burning firework and dazzling display of lightings, we would help in delaying global warming, reduce the spending of a country without risking our safety! Why don't we all just watch stars to celebrate holidays? Taking off those extra lightings for holiday celebrations would save more electricity than you can by not using electricity for just one hour a year. So, yup, I would say that this whole event is a sham!

I already am doing my part in saving the Earth... it's time for those of higher power do something more tangible. Stop celebrating any event! Stop shopping! Stop using handphones! Stop eating hot food! Stop drinking hot drinks! Stop using air-conds! Stop using hot showers!

I wonder how many can do even one of the things mentioned above :P. We do not need to do anything extreme or drastic... it is true that the Earth is in a bad condition but just like a fat person going on diet, it would not do to not eat at all or skip meals... instead we need to reduce the portions of the meal itself. In other words, reduce electricity usage everyday but not just go crazy and not use any electricity at all... it won't last!

Movie Review 23: The Tale of Despereaux

Title: The Tale of Despereaux

Director: Sam Fell, Robert Stevenhagen

Running Time: 1 hour 23 minutes

Genre: Animation

This story is about how a rat, Roscuro (Dustin Hoffman) who indirectly caused the death of a queen and thus caused him and all other rats to be banished from the kingdom. It also talks about how a mouse, Despereaux (Matthew Broderick) who is born differently from other mice and was shunned by his society. The story goes later develops where the fate of this rat and mouse is intertwined as one seek forgiveness while the other seek glory.

First of all, do NOT bring your children to watch this movie. It is by far one of the few animation film that has a really complicated storyline (not as confusing as Final Fantasy, though). The children would have a really hard time in understanding what is happening.

Also, this film is set in a dark and sombre mood, and while it has some comedic actions, you just could not bring yourself to laugh out loud. That is not to say that the story is not engaging... it is as there are some action sequences that make you sit at the edge of the seat, but the problem is with the mixture. It is too complicated for children, however, the values presented such as chivalry, forgiveness, truth, blah blah blah are presented in a very childish manner. So, adults would not feel right watching this kind of film. Despite that, there are values which are unsuitable for children, like betrayal, vanity, pride etc. being the major themes all over the film.

If you're those who's looking for superb graphics, look somewhere else. The graphics are mostly of last generation, with almost none effort spend on humans at all. The rat and the mouse (the main protagonists) are not cute at all too.

In conclusion, it's a very short movie that is unsuitable for children or adults.

Observation: How did Despereaux managed to turn the page of the story book to read it?

Bottomline: Short and disappointing

Bamboo Rating: 2.5 / 5.0

Movie Review 22: Dragonball: Evolution

Title: Dragonball: Evolution

Director: James Wong

Running time: 1 hour 29 minutes

Genre: Fantasy

You know, I was tad little disappointed when I found out that the movie is just 89 minutes. We have reached an era where movies lesser than 2 hours would feel rushed, shallow and low budgeted. Fortunately, there are still some redeeming qualities of the movie.

This movie is about Goku (Justin Chatwin) who is on a mission to gather all seven mystical dragonballs to prevent Piccolo (James Masters) from getting them first. Along the way, he met up with Bulma (Emmy Rossum), Master Roshi (Chow Yun Fatt) and Yamcha (Joon Park) who help him.

First up, just in case you don't know it, dragonball series is a really super famous manga during my younger days. This movie, though is an adaptation of the manga series, is modified to suit the current generation. Fans of the dragonball manga might find it disturbing since there were a lot of changes that make it barely similar to the original series.

However, I must say that the director did an okay job with this one. A person of my age would most probably laugh when there's a film that shows humans shooting energy balls from their hands, but the director managed to convey this in a more mystical and convincing manner than in Chun Li's movie.

Justin Chatwin's portrayal of Goku might not sit well with a lot of people, but I think he did try his best and it is difficult to make an impressive performance when you are wearing orange coloured clothes while shooting "ki" balls from your hands :P. However, his final KameHameHa (which is portrayed differently from the one in manga) is impressive. You can basically see him sucking the Earth's life force :P.

The main problem or selling point, however, is Chow Yun Fatt (maybe applicable to Asians only). His presence was overwhelming. Basically, you'll be focusing your attention on his antics and thus the attention is veered away from the main protagonist whenever he's on screen. His presence however did liven up the movie and it might have been a failure without his presence.

Ultimately, as in all fantasy type fighting movies, the ending came in a really abrupt manner. Well, of course I have known how that green Piccolo will die but I still feel quite uncomfortable when these initially super powerful bad guys will just get defeated so easily. Whatever happen to villains that just won't die?

While this movie does not allow me to relive the sweet memories of the manga, it did a good job of making such a cheesy story into a believable (marginally) story for the current generation. Oh by the way, rumour has it that if the movie reception is good, there'll be a second and third installment! Apparently, the second installment script is already finished!

Observation: James Masters is super cool when he destroyed the house by just clenching the fist! Watch for it!

Bamboo Rating: 3.2 / 5.0

Bottomline: Definitely would be well accepted for children below 8

Movie Review 21: Watchmen

Title: Watchmen

Director: Zack Synder

Running time: 2 hours 43 minutes

Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Action, Thriller

Boy, oh boy... this is an extremely long movie. If you're watching it in a cinema, be prepared to suffer from cramped legs and maybe a visit to the loo. I'll tell you when is the best time to visit the loo during the movie :P. This movie is even longer than "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" which is really long already... but the main question is, will you feel that it is a dragged out movie or is it so exciting that you'll even forget that it's an almost 3 hours movie? And oh, by the way, the Director's cut, which I believe is the version that will be out in Blu-Ray, has a duration of 3 hours and 11 minutes! And oh, this movie is based on a comic book with the same title which was published in 1986 and 1987.

Well, I am happy to announce that it doesn't really feel that long... except for your bladder. The story is quite engaging and it's not your typical hero movie. Basically, the movie is about a retired hero/vigilante who was brutally murdered and his "co-workers" tried to find the murderer only to uncover a more sinister plot.

Notice how I used the word vigilante? This is because these "heroes" doesn't really have any super powers... although I still have no idea how the patterns on the mask of one of them,  the Rorshach (Jackie Earle Haley) changes all the time. The others of the Watchmen group are the Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman), Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup) and Ozymandias (Matthew Goode). With the exception of Dr. Manhattan, none of them have super powers... although Nite Owl II is more like Batman, with his technology advanced devices and Ozymandias is supposedly to be so fast that he can catch a bullet... but definitely not Superman fast.

Anyway, the story itself might be a little bit confusing in the beginning and it is imperative that you pay attention to the opening of the movie because it basically summarizes the event in between the time of vigilantes and the time where vigilantes are outlawed. Also, some of the characters mentioned have a predecessor and thus, you might mistaken one for the other. For example, there are 2 Nite Owls and 2 Silk Spectres... one elder and one younger.

Although Rorshach is one of the more "Wolverine" attitude type character, he would not really receive the popularity gained by Wolverine cause when he was unmasked, you would be just so disappointed.

Anyway, the main difference of this movie from other superheroes movies is that this movie is brutal and cold. There'll be lots of gore and blood and these 'heroes' does not exhibit what a normal definition of hero is... just remember, that they are better suited to be called as vigilantes instead of heroes.

The story is really nice and refreshing, although it could have used a little bit more action. However, one thing that I did not like much is the all powerful Dr. Manhattan. When you have someone as powerful as him, there really is no point in being a villain. He is even more powerful than Superman, practically indestructible and don't have Superman's kryptonite weakness. I think he is too powerful to be introduced in the 'hero' side.

However, this is still a recommended movie that all should watch... if you're interested in this genre of course... keep an open mind and you'll enjoy it.

Suggestion: Visit the loo when Silk Spectre II and Nite Owl II are having 'intimate' moments.

Bottomline: Good, engaging movie.

Bamboo Rating: 3.8 / 5.0

Credit Card Cancellation

Wow, I had one of the most pleasing service encounter with phone banking today! I figured that it is just stupid to pay RM2 everytime I pay my Citibank credit card charges every month, so I decided to cancel the card... although I really love their Evergreen point reward system.

Anyway, I phoned them and ask for credit card cancellation. The person on the other line did the normal stuff by confirming my identity by asking some questions. And then, inevitably, she offered to not charge me annual fees for the card, which by the way, is a whooping RM195! Yup, they sort of force me to change my Clear card to a Gold card and so, my annual card fees are RM195! Who the heck would want to pay that? Sure, I could have made a call and they are supposed to waive that, but why the hassle... why not just get one that is free for life in the first place?

Anyway, back to the topic, I steadfastly refused to accept the fee waiver in order to continue to use my card. Besides, as I said, it was really the RM2 Giro fees that puts me off. And of course I did not say that or she'll launch into a tirade of counters and reasons. But I was really itching to tell her another reason I wanted to cancel the card. It was something that happened two years ago (yes, once someone slighted me, I'll remember it forever!). I was purchasing something which was above my card credit limit (and by the way, they gave me a really low credit limit). I had to use Citibank card because it was the only card that I have that allowed me to pay the product in 0% interest installments. So, I phoned them and asked for a temporary limit increase and was rejected... which would not have made me angry if that guy did not give me the reason for doing so.

He actually said that he rejected my application because my account was not good! That **********!!!!! I'm like Monica (from Friends) in some way. I pay the credit card charges immediately when I receive the bills every month and I pay in full! And since I changed my statement to E-statement, it meant that I pay it every month immediately the statement is available online! And he has the balls to say that my account is bad!!!

Well, one of my friend theorize that their definition of 'good account' is for someone who uses a lot and pay the minimum only every month so that they can suck your blood through the interest rates. Well, if that's so, I'd rather be a 'bad account' customer.

Phew, it's good to get that off my chest since I did not tell that to that gal. And surprisingly those were the only attempt that she made to convince me to stay back as a customer. I guess I really am a customer with 'bad account' afterall huh? :P

And when I check my credit card account online shortly afterwards, it was already cancelled! Talk about efficiency... there's where one should benchmark it!

Movie Review 20: STreet Fighter - The Legend of Chun Li

Title: Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

Director: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Genre: Action, Thriller

You know, it's strange that whenever I told someone that I'm going to watch this movie, they would roll their eyes heavenward and sigh. It's as if they are saying that I'm just like any typical guy who's watching this movie just for boobs and pretty gals.

First of all, this movie is NOT a typical Chun-Li movie with those tight ass cheongsam, super short skirt and super big boobs. Sure, there are people in the movie who has the same name as the ones in Street Fighter game, but as the director himself said, it would be just ridiculous to have a have half naked claw wielding Vega posing as an assassin.

Okay, so the summary of this movie is that Chun-Li (Kristin Kreuk) is a half Asian half Caucasian female pianist who is on the hunt for her father's murderers. The main villain is M.Bison (Neal McDonough), but don't expect a red uniformed commander who can spin with dark energies surrounding him! :P

However, despite my arguments above, this movie is still a total failure. There were lesser than 20 people in the cinema! Initially, I thought this would just be some flesh to flesh punching and kicking type of movie, however when the director introduced the "qi gong ball" it pretty much killed the rest of the movie.

That and the fact that the villains of the movie are defeated just too easily. The fighting scenes are extremely short and before you got worked up with the fighting, it's all over. The same thing happened even at the final battle. M.Bison was initially shown to be a super powerful attacker, but in the end, he just suddenly lost to Chun-Li. And all those "transferring conscience into the baby" crap is just too ridiculous.

Kristin Kreuk is able to pull off as a strong kick-ass daughter with stunning effect. Sure, she doesn't really look like the original Chun-Li but damn, she can fight. I initially did not like her very much in the first season of Smallville (as Lana Lang), but ever since the episode where she was portrayed as a vessel for a witch, it was when I was showed her acting prowess. She can be weak, strong, evil and good at the same time! However, she has been constantly acting in B-Grade movies like Legend of Earthsea... and you can't really like a character too much in a sloppy film.

Neal McDonough as M.Bison is okay I supposed, since he does exudes a certain evil with his super fake smile. However what I don't understand is if he had "transfer ed his conscience" into his daughter, why does he keep his daughter alive? And what does it mean that his daughter is his weakness? If he is purely evil, he won't give a damn what happened to his daughter... afterall, he did kill his wife in cold blood.

And the other Street Fighter character, Charlie (Chris Ken) did not manage to get a fighting scene at all! The lines were inappropriate at times too... and the jokes are what we Cantonese called "cold jokes"... meaning after you heard the joke, your respond would be "duh". :P

Basically, it's just a promotion movie for the Street Fighter 4 game that is introduced recently to the consoles to get gamers worked up and buy that game. However, I would say that this film failed to do just that.

Observation: How on Earth did Gen (Chun-Li's teacher) failed to even touch M.Bison while Chun-Li managed to kick the crap out of him really confuse me.

Bottomline: Terrible movie

Bamboo Ranking: 2.0 / 5.0