Seven Billion

“Chen.”

“Chen.”

“No, you’ve to pronounce it like this: ‘Chi-un, but in one go. Chen.”

“But that’s what I said!”

“No, the tone isn’t right.”

I sighed and leaned further against the escalator, wondering why Vietnamese names had to sound so differently from the way they were spelled. Tran, Chen. Tran, Chen.

I have spent nearly five months living in the midst of people coming from places I have only seen on printed paper, or big digital screens. And the journey will probably carry on long after this first semester, with more experiences and discoveries to snapshot and file away in the recesses of my mind. This article takes a look at one very important aspect of that journey so far, the people, with two conclusions.

The Vampire, The Witch, and the Werewolf

Poor Tim Burton. Described by NME as the “web’s favourite whipping boy”, sometimes things don’t go right for the man that clearly tries his best. His work, well-known for its quirkiness, is often subject to polarizing opinion from critics and movie-goers alike. Blockbuster hits like 1989’s Batman doesn’t save him from criticism for some of his less well-received work, like 2010’s Alice in Wonderland. (That said, the latter is still one of the top-grossing films of all time, so I suppose it counts for something.)


As such, it is with a mix of anticipation and curiosity in which one watches any new Tim Burton film. Even more so when you have Johnny Depp as the lead, in a three piece suit and Joker-like makeup. For me personally, it’s an even bigger departure from the usual, as this is the first movie that I’ve watched without knowing any background or reading any reviews beforehand. I was unarmed. And that made me vulnerable indeed.


So, Dark Shadows.

The Ant and The Boot

I’m going to start on a less relevant note – I’ve found a purpose for doing movie reviews.

In my last movie review, I contemplated whether there was any justification for me doing these reviews any more (see the link for info). Then a few neutrons in my brain connected together like in some baby milk commercial, and I happily found a use for them. They’re now officially writing practice. Yes, it’s a boring idea. Useful nonetheless.

I’m not the best person to review superhero movies. Being unfamiliar with the numerous headache-inducing comic versions and their respective storylines, characters and settings does little to help me get comfortable with the latest superhero blockbuster that Hollywood has to offer. 


Sure, the screenwriters know this fact quite well, and often adapt the movie well enough to the mainstream, non-comic-reading audience. But still, a curious soul like me is often unsatisfied with scratching the surface; he/she wants to dig further, like one would after viewing a movie from a trilogy, but this would be like breaking the wall of a reservoir; you’ll drown under the torrent of information.

Happily, you don’t with The Avengers.

When 'Hip' is Dumbed Down for the Masses

I used to be a hipster.

(And if you expected me to roll out a lame ass punch line like “and then I took an arrow to the knee,” I’m sorry to disappoint.)

But wait a second, you say. How could that be? Like I’ve written previously, I was quite the outcast in my childhood. I didn’t catch up with the latest entertainment news, and I was devoid of any sense of fashion whatsoever. I was quite far from cool, in any interpretation of the word. So how in the world could I be a hipster?

Rock, Paper, Suicide

I’m usually very free with hyperboles, but this is probably going to be the most honest post that I’ve ever written.


I think it’s reached that stage where I need to be truthful with myself, about who I am, and what I am not. After reading this post, it’s possible that some of you will have a much worse impression of me. I’m fine with that. You deserve to know who this guy in your life is. I will not mince words; in fact I’ll skip beating around the bush and just burn it down.