The Celtics finally managed to do something that they have not done during the past 2 series.
The finally won away from home.
With that accomplished, they closed down the Pistons 4-2 to emerge as the Eastern Conference Champions and set a date with the Los Angeles Lakers for bragging rights as the World's Champion. Lakers earlier routed the defending champion San Antonio Spurs 4-1 where Kobe Bryant shows why he is the league MVP by carrying his team to the first finals for the Lakers since 2004.
Celtics started strong in game 6 today and led up until the middle of third quarter, where Pistons had a 10-2 run and started to pull away as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter. Just when it seemed the Pistons might be in control with a 70-60 lead early in the fourth, the Celtics scored nine points in less than 2 minutes and went on a 19-4 run that put them ahead 79-74. No thanks to Wallace.
Wallace really had a bad game. He had 5 fouls, 4 points out of 2-12 shooting with 0-6 from the three-point line, and 3 turnovers, one of them was a poor pass after a defensive rebound that turned into a basket for the Celtics.
And when they were down by 6 with less than a minute left, Wallace attempted a three which missed badly, and when Tayshaun Prince committed a turnover off a steal from Posey, it was as good as over for the Pistons.
But it's good to see Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in the finals. They deserve to be there, after playing in the league for so many years. Garnett was with the Timberwolves for 12 years, and never made it to the finals. Allen was with the Supersonics and it was even worse there. While Pierce has been with the Celtics for 10 years now, it is the team that drafted him in 1998.
So it's going to be Celtics-Lakers finals. Boston has 16 NBA titles, the Lakers 14. Their rivalry, while most recently heated in the 1980s, goes back to the days of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. In the 1980s, it was Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. This year, it's going to be Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce. Another history in the making, more Hall of Famers creating histories.
Whatever it is, it is definitely going to be a great finals.
Saturday, May 31
Friday, May 30
Cruel Intentions
In the game of seduction, There is only one rule: Never fall in loveOne of my all time favourite movie is Cruel Intentions. It is something that I can watch time and time again, and everytime, it feels like it's the first time I'm watching it. The plot is superb, with a perfect mix of satire, wit and drama. The writers really did a great job, there is never a dull moment in the movie, and the lines were delivered with perfection and grace.
While Sarah Michelle Gellar played the evil and cunning Kathryn, Reese Witherspoon was Annette, the epitome of goodness in the movie, a virgin and she upheld such moral values that shamed the Brady Bunch. Ryan Phillipe as Sebastian was as charming as ever, and witty as well as handsome, a potent combination to any girl out there. Of course he can be easily mistaken as swinging on the wrong side, what's with his golden curls and red cheeks. Not your typical macho bad boy with long hair and unshaven face.
The soundtrack for the movie was sublime, with songs from Placebo, Counting Crows, Craig Armstrong and my favourite, The Verve. You can't help but feel for the characters as the songs compliment them at the right moments.
There are many scenes in the movie that I love, but the one scene that really took my breath away was the one when Annette was on the escalator, and as she moved up, Sebastian was standing and waiting for her at the top. And to add perfection to the moment: Colorblind by Counting Crows was playing in the background.
Annette: I'm impressed.
Sebastian: Well, I'm in love.
And then they kissed with so much passion that it looks like they were trying to eat each other.
And of course there was the part where Kathryn kissed Cecile to let her feel what first base is all about.
But I think Kathryn has the best lines in the movie. Don't believe me? Here are some quotes to proof my point:
Kathryn: She's quite cute, you know. Young, supple breasts, a tight, firm ass... uncharted booty... Be her Captain Picard, Valmont. Boldly go where no man has gone before.
Kathryn: I hate it when things don't go my way. It makes me so horny.
Kathryn: Eat me, Sebastian. It's okay for guys like you and Court to fuck everyone but when I do it, I get dumped for innocent little twits like Cecile. God forbid I exude confidence and enjoy sex. Do you think I relish the fact that I have to act like Mary Sunshine 24/7 so I can be considered a lady? I'm the Marcia fucking Brady of the Upper East Side, and sometimes I want to kill myself. So there's your psychoanalysis, Dr. Freud. Now tell me are you in, or are you out?
Kathryn: You were very much in love with her. And you're still in love with her. But it amused me to make you ashamed of it. You gave up on the first person you ever loved because I threatened your reputation. Don't you get it? You're just a toy, Sebastian. A little toy I like to play with. And now you've completely blown it with her. I think it's the saddest thing I've ever heard.
Kathryn: Tastes good. So I assume you've come here to make arrangements, but unfortunately, I don't fuck losers.
Kathryn: Sebastian, that little wager you mentioned earlier. Count me in.
Sebastian: What are the terms?
Kathryn: If I win, then that hot little car of yours is mine.
Sebastian: And if I win?
Kathryn: I'll give you something you've been obsessing about ever since our parents got married.
Sebastian: Be more specific.
Kathryn: In English, I'll fuck your brains out.
Sebastian: What makes you think I'll go for that bet? That is a 1956 Jaguar Roadster.
Kathryn: Because I'm the only girl you can't have, and it kills you.
Sebastian: Put it away
Kathryn: You can put in anywhere.
Sebastian: [Bites his lip] You've got yourself a bet, baby.
But the best bit of the movie, is of course, the ending. Sebastian died, Kathryn was exposed, and Annette got the 1956 Jaguar Roadster. It might not be a happy ending, but it's definitely a good ending.
Sebastian charming himself into Annette's pantiesThursday, May 29
Interlude (6)
She was in my dreams last night.
I have not seen her for more than 10 years. In fact, I have not been in contact with her for that long too. The only face I still remember is from an old photograph, and I have no idea how she looks like nowadays.
Yet, I know it was her last night.
I only remember her thick and wavy hair in the dream. The rest was a big blur, and I have shady images of her face in my mind. But her presence was so strong that I woke up looking for her.
But all I found was myself alone in bed.
I have not seen her for more than 10 years. In fact, I have not been in contact with her for that long too. The only face I still remember is from an old photograph, and I have no idea how she looks like nowadays.
Yet, I know it was her last night.
I only remember her thick and wavy hair in the dream. The rest was a big blur, and I have shady images of her face in my mind. But her presence was so strong that I woke up looking for her.
But all I found was myself alone in bed.
Ezora is not the new Bella
After a grueling 60 episodes, Bella finally met her doom when she succumbed to her death just before gaining her revenge over the three stooges. She was cackling madly, and gloating over her victory while babbling incoherently and at the same time, pouring some gasoline over her captives. With a lighter ready in hand and a gun in the other hand, she managed to make them begged for their life, and just before her moment of glory, she dropped to the ground, paralysed from the waist down, and if that wasn't the cue, the whole gang burst out into the screen, I mean into the room.
With her final breathe, she told her husband that she loved him, even after what he did to her.
The end.
And I can't believe I stayed on for 60 episodes. I know I can be addicted to TV, but never to this kind of dramas. And I tell you, there were plenty of dramas along the way. Too much for me to handle, come to think of it. But stayed I did, and when it was over, a huge sense of relief washed over me. Never again will I commit myself to such arduous task. To rush home from work early, and stayed glued in front of the TV at such hours, just thinking about it send shivers down my spine.
Overall, Bella wasn't that bad. The storyline was a bit flawed, but acceptable. Some of the characters were just redundant, but the lead characters were superb. I would have preferred another ending, where the bad guys get burned (but not dead) and Bella didn't die but lose her mind and had to be admitted to the mental hospital.
Don't you think that would be a better ending?
Anyway, now that Bella is over, another drama is filling up its spot, and from the look of it, I'm glad it sucks because that means I won't be glued to it. Okay, I admit, I saw a few episodes already, but that was purely because I am so used to be watching TV at that hour. But now that I know it is not worth my time, I won't be watching it anymore.
Yes, Ezora sucks. Simply because she is engaged to her long-time sweetheart, who went to the city to work and somehow got engaged to another woman (who is rich and also a bitch). So now the guy is juggling between two fiancees, and I think he is planning to marry both of them.
Well, I'm not going to stay and find out how this will end. But if you do, let me know. Simply because I'm just curious.
With her final breathe, she told her husband that she loved him, even after what he did to her.
The end.
And I can't believe I stayed on for 60 episodes. I know I can be addicted to TV, but never to this kind of dramas. And I tell you, there were plenty of dramas along the way. Too much for me to handle, come to think of it. But stayed I did, and when it was over, a huge sense of relief washed over me. Never again will I commit myself to such arduous task. To rush home from work early, and stayed glued in front of the TV at such hours, just thinking about it send shivers down my spine.
Overall, Bella wasn't that bad. The storyline was a bit flawed, but acceptable. Some of the characters were just redundant, but the lead characters were superb. I would have preferred another ending, where the bad guys get burned (but not dead) and Bella didn't die but lose her mind and had to be admitted to the mental hospital.
Don't you think that would be a better ending?
Anyway, now that Bella is over, another drama is filling up its spot, and from the look of it, I'm glad it sucks because that means I won't be glued to it. Okay, I admit, I saw a few episodes already, but that was purely because I am so used to be watching TV at that hour. But now that I know it is not worth my time, I won't be watching it anymore.
Yes, Ezora sucks. Simply because she is engaged to her long-time sweetheart, who went to the city to work and somehow got engaged to another woman (who is rich and also a bitch). So now the guy is juggling between two fiancees, and I think he is planning to marry both of them.
Well, I'm not going to stay and find out how this will end. But if you do, let me know. Simply because I'm just curious.
Tuesday, April 22
Down and almost out
I had a good piece about the NBA playoffs ready to be posted, when I suddenly realised that my favourite team is on the verge of being knocked out of the first round.
Not that there's anything new with that, since the Rockets with Tracy McGrady have never make it pass the first round before. Come to think of it, McGrady has never made it to the second round in his 10 years playing in the NBA. He was knocked out when he was playing for the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic and now, I think he has jinxed the Houston Rockets as well.
What more can I say?
Rockets managed to finish a respectable fifth in the highly competitive Western Conference and managed to grab homecourt advantage against their first round opponent - Utah Jazz. Being eliminated by Jazz last year in 7 games, I'm sure revenge must be in some of the senior players mind, especially McGrady. But they fall in the first game, trailing throughout the whole game and shooting at a miserable 37% from the field. The main culprit: McGrady and Bobby Jackson, who is starting in the absence of point guard Rafer Alston.
And if I thought the first game was just a minor hiccup, they proved me wrong by losing the second game. So there goes the homecourt advantage. There goes the whole season just like that, and suddenly, 22 games winning streak seems like an eternity away. What's good is a streak if you can't just hold it up long enough to get you far in the playoffs?
Not that there is no chance for a comeback. There is still 5 games left in the series, and anything can happen. But statistically, it's a bit far-fetched. The Jazz is 37-4 during the regular season playing in Salt Lake City. That means they only lost 4 times, and that is indeed an impressive record. The only bright side about this is one of the losses is to the Rockets, so maybe there is still hope.
But in order for that to happen, they need to shoot better, distribute the ball more and one thing for sure, McGrady needs to step up and carry the team on his shoulder.
That, in my opinion, is the only way they can break the jinx.
Not that there's anything new with that, since the Rockets with Tracy McGrady have never make it pass the first round before. Come to think of it, McGrady has never made it to the second round in his 10 years playing in the NBA. He was knocked out when he was playing for the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic and now, I think he has jinxed the Houston Rockets as well.
What more can I say?
Rockets managed to finish a respectable fifth in the highly competitive Western Conference and managed to grab homecourt advantage against their first round opponent - Utah Jazz. Being eliminated by Jazz last year in 7 games, I'm sure revenge must be in some of the senior players mind, especially McGrady. But they fall in the first game, trailing throughout the whole game and shooting at a miserable 37% from the field. The main culprit: McGrady and Bobby Jackson, who is starting in the absence of point guard Rafer Alston.
And if I thought the first game was just a minor hiccup, they proved me wrong by losing the second game. So there goes the homecourt advantage. There goes the whole season just like that, and suddenly, 22 games winning streak seems like an eternity away. What's good is a streak if you can't just hold it up long enough to get you far in the playoffs?
Not that there is no chance for a comeback. There is still 5 games left in the series, and anything can happen. But statistically, it's a bit far-fetched. The Jazz is 37-4 during the regular season playing in Salt Lake City. That means they only lost 4 times, and that is indeed an impressive record. The only bright side about this is one of the losses is to the Rockets, so maybe there is still hope.
But in order for that to happen, they need to shoot better, distribute the ball more and one thing for sure, McGrady needs to step up and carry the team on his shoulder.
That, in my opinion, is the only way they can break the jinx.
Friday, April 18
Just breathe
Breathe, just breathe.
Pain is just a state of mind.
Even if my body is feeling the full wrath of it. But I have a strong mind, and I should be able to numb the pain away.
Theoretically.
For now, all I need to do is just breathe.
Pain is just a state of mind.
Even if my body is feeling the full wrath of it. But I have a strong mind, and I should be able to numb the pain away.
Theoretically.
For now, all I need to do is just breathe.
Thursday, April 10
Ghost
I have always wanted to write about it, but I kept telling myself to wait for the next episode, and each episode, I kept telling myself that. Until finally, there were no more episodes.
You see, everytime when I thought I had everything figured, there was another curve ball thrown, and everything went back to square one. Yes, the plot was that good, it was so good that I think it deserve a mention.
The plot was extremely good.
There, I've mentioned it.
But hang on, not only was the plot good, the songs in the series were definitely good too. I especially love the opening theme, and I've been searching for it with no luck so far. I think they should have a soundtrack for it, although it's unlikely, since it was only a 10 episodes series. Nevertheless, I would be the first one to buy it if word of the existence of the soundtrack is true.
If you think the plot and the songs were good, wait till you see the lead characters. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Cheryl Samad. I think she played Eza really well, and the way she brought Eza to life, it was absolutely magnificent. But don't believe every word I say, since I might be bias considering I've had a crush on her for ages now. I love her sad and terrified face, and when she cried in the show. You don't get to see that often, and I can really feel her sadness or anger. I wonder if she is seeing anyone at the moment. I wonder if she would be interested in me. I wonder if she would be sad if she misses me.
Not that it will ever happens. But I digress. Now where was I?
Did I mentioned I watch the series because of her?
Apart from Cheryl, Nazrudin Rahman also played a big part in the series. You might remember him as the cheery and happy guy from other 8TV series, namely KL Lights, and also Realiti. You just can't help it but laugh when you look at him. He has such a funny face, that it is weird to see him sad and angry in this series. But that proves that he can act, and act well he did.
Ghost is basically not your typical Malay series. Unlike Bella, and other such dramas from TV3, where there are lots of rich people, corporate battles and love triangles, it is more relaxed and provide a fresh insight to the imagination. You'll be wondering about the connections of each characters, and how the story would end. Of course, anything is possible, until you watch the final episode. It is such a mind blowing experience that it feels like you're watching CSI or Criminal Minds.
I know a lot of people have reservations about mixing English and Malay in dramas, but I think it is perfectly normal. We converse in both languages in our everyday's life, and what is wrong with portraying our unique Malaysian life in a series? Of course, there are limits to everything, but I think Ghost shows that you can mix about anything as long as you do it correctly.
Of course, it helps a lot having Ng Ping Ho of the Kopitiam fame as the director.
So what is it all about? Basically, it's about Zack Imran, a famous movie star, who died in a car accident. He was drunk, and he smashed his car and died. But that wasn't the whole truth. He was murdered, and that was why his soul still wander around. To find his killer.
Enter Eza, a young and smart journalist for a tabloid newspaper. After being dumped by his boyfriend, she encountered Zack at the parking lot, and offered him her place to stay for the night, since he looked lost and disorientated. Little did she know at that time that Zack has died, and she was the only one who can see and communicate with him.
After convincing Eza to help him, their investigation revealed more about themselves that they would like to admit. Zack wasn't an angel when he was alive, and the deeper they went into it, the more Eza got to know about him. Bad stuffs. And the suspects were plentiful. Almost everyone introduced in the series have reasons to kill Zack.
But I'm not spoiling it up for you. For those of you who missed the series (it was aired on 8TV Sunday at 10.30pm), you can still catch it here. Watch them all, there are only 10 episodes anyway.
For now, I'll leave you with the opening theme, written by Douglas Lim and Chelsia Ng.
You see, everytime when I thought I had everything figured, there was another curve ball thrown, and everything went back to square one. Yes, the plot was that good, it was so good that I think it deserve a mention.
The plot was extremely good.
There, I've mentioned it.
But hang on, not only was the plot good, the songs in the series were definitely good too. I especially love the opening theme, and I've been searching for it with no luck so far. I think they should have a soundtrack for it, although it's unlikely, since it was only a 10 episodes series. Nevertheless, I would be the first one to buy it if word of the existence of the soundtrack is true.
If you think the plot and the songs were good, wait till you see the lead characters. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Cheryl Samad. I think she played Eza really well, and the way she brought Eza to life, it was absolutely magnificent. But don't believe every word I say, since I might be bias considering I've had a crush on her for ages now. I love her sad and terrified face, and when she cried in the show. You don't get to see that often, and I can really feel her sadness or anger. I wonder if she is seeing anyone at the moment. I wonder if she would be interested in me. I wonder if she would be sad if she misses me.
Not that it will ever happens. But I digress. Now where was I?
Did I mentioned I watch the series because of her?
Apart from Cheryl, Nazrudin Rahman also played a big part in the series. You might remember him as the cheery and happy guy from other 8TV series, namely KL Lights, and also Realiti. You just can't help it but laugh when you look at him. He has such a funny face, that it is weird to see him sad and angry in this series. But that proves that he can act, and act well he did.
Ghost is basically not your typical Malay series. Unlike Bella, and other such dramas from TV3, where there are lots of rich people, corporate battles and love triangles, it is more relaxed and provide a fresh insight to the imagination. You'll be wondering about the connections of each characters, and how the story would end. Of course, anything is possible, until you watch the final episode. It is such a mind blowing experience that it feels like you're watching CSI or Criminal Minds.
I know a lot of people have reservations about mixing English and Malay in dramas, but I think it is perfectly normal. We converse in both languages in our everyday's life, and what is wrong with portraying our unique Malaysian life in a series? Of course, there are limits to everything, but I think Ghost shows that you can mix about anything as long as you do it correctly.
Of course, it helps a lot having Ng Ping Ho of the Kopitiam fame as the director.
So what is it all about? Basically, it's about Zack Imran, a famous movie star, who died in a car accident. He was drunk, and he smashed his car and died. But that wasn't the whole truth. He was murdered, and that was why his soul still wander around. To find his killer.
Enter Eza, a young and smart journalist for a tabloid newspaper. After being dumped by his boyfriend, she encountered Zack at the parking lot, and offered him her place to stay for the night, since he looked lost and disorientated. Little did she know at that time that Zack has died, and she was the only one who can see and communicate with him.
After convincing Eza to help him, their investigation revealed more about themselves that they would like to admit. Zack wasn't an angel when he was alive, and the deeper they went into it, the more Eza got to know about him. Bad stuffs. And the suspects were plentiful. Almost everyone introduced in the series have reasons to kill Zack.
But I'm not spoiling it up for you. For those of you who missed the series (it was aired on 8TV Sunday at 10.30pm), you can still catch it here. Watch them all, there are only 10 episodes anyway.
For now, I'll leave you with the opening theme, written by Douglas Lim and Chelsia Ng.
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