Papa John's Pizza: still generic pizza

While waiting for movie, there is always time for a good dinner. While walking around Aeon Station 18, we decided to try out Papa John's Pizza for a change.

Located in the ground floor of Aeon Station 18, there are other branched elsewhere in other shopping complex. I bet the taste should be the same irregardless. The seating is really spacious, too spacious for my liking in fact.

The menu is basically pizza. Although there are other western dishes such as pasta, but basically the staple food here is pizza. We decided to order the set dinner for 2 which come with a deep fried platter (RM33; RM38.30 after tax). The platter is a bit of a let down. Oily, the deep fried sotong with fries felt they are soggy with oil. The chicken wing is the saving grace, with a tinge of spiciness.

The pizza...the mexican ole pizza served with chicken and pepper (jalapeno?). It tasted rather ok. Love the tinge of spiciness there, but the taste is rather generic. Probably tasted more toward Domino type of pizza. And still taste better than Pizza Hut though. The crust is thin, so at least would not feel so full after finishing the whole plate.

Overall, it is still a franchise pizza joint, and it correctly tasted as such. The taste is rather fair, with bit more exotic choice on the menu. However, if you love pizza, probably there are other better joints.

ratings: 3 poink!
comments: generic, generic

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: revisit to Middle Earth

Lord of the Rings is one hell of a franchise. Yes, the books probably are classics themselves but Peter Jackson set the benchmark for action fantasy in his 3 films. In the recent prequel, he may want to outdo himself again. However, there is always a danger what prequel can do to a franchise. Look at Star Wars which remain a good example for NOT to mess the a successful series with a few prequel.



However, the Hobbit, the book, according to my wife, add to the rich LOTR series by providing some history and background to the story. However, being a much thinner book, how Peter Jackson split it up into 3 books is still a wonder.



The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first of the Hobbit trilogy (movies, not the book, which is only one single book). It basically tells the tale of how Bilbo Baggins obtain the Ring and his adventures. That would explain a whole lot of things in the LOTR movies as well. The story is basically simple, though it bear some similarities to the first movie of LOTR as well. Dwarves lost their kingdom to Evil Dragon. The few left over dwarves with their prince and Gandalf the grey wizard enlist the help of Bilbo to go back to their underground kingdom. In the journey, they manage to outwit some trolls, being hunted by Orcs, met the Elves, captured by goblins, met the orcs again. Finally after near 3 hours later, the group finally end near the door of the dwarves kingdom. In the midst of it also, Bilbo met Gollum and manage to steal his ring.



The similarities between LOTR original 3 movies: the Hobbit do boast of great, breath taking cinematography. New Zealand really need to thank Jackson for boosting their tourism. The story itself felt epic. The action scenes are well done, not just the hand held camera- blurring type of sequence in most films. The CGI is top-notched, blending well with the whole cast. Other good thing about the movie is the script. It was well written with a tinge of humour evenly spread out. The casting is perfect. Martin Freeman is the star in a way, as Bilbo Baggins. He portrayed the hobbit well, from the early timid halfling to a hero in the end of the film. Ian McKellen, though getting old, is always charming as Gandalf. The dwarves, well, they look more like CGI than real persons anyway. To any LOTR fans, the reference to many, many items in the movie remains a reminder to the good memories of watching the original 3 movies.



No movie is perfect. As much as I would love to please my wife by saying the movie is perfect, it is not. For starters, 3 hours seems bit too long for the simple story. One may argue it sets the pace and base for the 2 movies to come.I do certainly hope so. With so many midget with testosterone overload (look at their beard!), at one point, I thought I was watching a CGI cartoon instead. The whole movie also lack the intensity of the LOTR. Then again, it is based on the Hobbit, which is a simpler book, intended for younger audience compare to LOTR.

However, I do enjoy the movie in the end. Just need to remind myself that this is NOT LOTR.

ratings: 4 poinks!
comments: for the record, my wife gave 6 out of 5 poink!

Wreck It Ralph: tribute to the arcade

It was a spontaneous decision to catch a movie on a cheap Wednesday. There are only limited choices. Twilight or some cartoons. This is a no-brainer. Of course, we chose the animation.



Wreck-It-Ralph is a simple, straightforward Disney animation. Ralph, is the bad guy in a arcade game, Fix-It-Felix. After being neglected for 30 years just because he is the villain of the game, he decided to earn his respect in other games. In the process, he unleashed some space alien bug into another racing game. He also befriended a glitched racer in the game and finally earn a friend instead. And by doing so, he finally accepted his role in the game.

Typical Disney story. Yes, the story is sooooo predictable that probably anyone can tell the whole story in the first 10 minutes. Yes, there is also the moral values in the whole story: accepting yourself. The story is basically for kids.



Anything for the rest of us? The humour is there, but nothing to shout about. After finishing the movie, I cant recall any good jokes to discuss. The animation is good, but by today's standard, that is the norm rather an exception. The only things that set this apart is the video games, arcade reference. Being an avid player in my days, with my 20 cents coins donation into arcade machine, this show appeals to the 70-80's babies in some way. I love the reference to Qbert (though it was never famous here), Street Fighter, Sonic....it must have cost a fortune just to buy the licensing. Other than that, the race scene in the climax is nicely done, however, I bet it is even better in 3D.



Overall? Nothing special, except the video games reference. Other than that? Run-of-the-mill Disney animation.

Ratings: 2 half poink!
comments: As excited to see Bison in a bad guy anonymous  it is disheartening to find that they gave a sissy voice to Zangief. Minus poink!

Spice Of Penang: street delight in comfy seats

First of all, I had to apologize of not blogging much. Not that I had left the blogosphere, but the fact is my HTC Touch 3G had finally retired for good. Therefore, I am stuck with my old Nokia phone at the moment without any camera. Somehow, blogging about food without picture is rather tasteless. At least at the moment, using Colleen's phone to capture the pic, which in turn is definitely better than my old HTC anyway.

As usual, during my on-call week in Ipoh, gave me many chance to eat out. Bringing mum-in-law along, I chose somewhere rather new and decent. The new shop lots behind Aeon/ Tesco in Ipoh Garden would be a smart choice since there are many, many new shops mushrooming there (provided they can last, they tend to open fast, and close down as equal).

Spice of Penang, as the shop name suggest, probably house a kopitiam style food under a air-con environment. Located at the corner of the complex, just go from Tesco towards the new row of shops, look for the same row as Redcom (computer shop, with the biggest billboard there). I was there for dinner but I can safely assume that it should be open for lunch as well. Not very sure whether it is a chain, but likelihood there is others in the same chain in Penang or KL as well.

The shop is small, sort of open air but the ventilation is good. Although new, the workers are decently welcoming. Tables are spacious for a small shop, surprisingly. Deco, is as expected, not the star in the shop.

tumeric rice with roast chicken (nasi kandar style)

The menu, oh my, is sort of full of varieties of street style dishes. From nasi lemak to nasi kunyit; from fried noodle to fried rice. The usual chicken chop. Cant find any pork dish though. The other thing missing is soup noodle, which I do not miss anyway. The drinks is the usual ice, tea, coffee and cendol. This would remind you of Old Town or Pappa Rich kind of menu. So, how is the food.... surprisingly good. This remind me when Old Town is still a shop instead of a chain. How they use to make good nasi lemak before it got generic. The food is really fast, considering the whole shop is full of patrons.

nasi lemak with rendang, OTK style

First, mother-in-law ordered nasi lemak with rendang ayam (RM6.90). The whole presentation reminded me of OTK. The taste is rather good. Like how OTK was before they go chain. Colleen asked for nasi kunyit with ayam panggang (RM9.80). Bit of the pricey side, but the tumeric rice (not nasi pulut though) goes quite well with the roast chicken. The taste reminded you of the nasi kandar, especially the sauce where I would ask for "sos campur-campur". Both of the chicken shared a same shortfall. I guess they are "grilled" in a oven, where both the chicken, despite the above average sauce, is too dried. Too dried until it is rather hard, and without any juice. Though it may be crispy, but if anyone want it to be crispy, they can just deep fry the bird, so to maintain some juicy feeling when you bite into the meat, rather than as if biting into a toasted bread. Mine was tomyam fried beehoon (RM 5.90). Although the taste is good, many would do it as well. It was too wet for my liking though, I prefer mine to be dry. And it was laking the "wok-hei" of something that is fried right out from the wok.

tomyam fried beehoon

Despite all my complains, the whole dinner, as a whole, is rather good. Given the choice, the environment, the fast service, I would definitely come again.

ratings: 3 poink!
comments: it could be higher, but the chicken just drag it down. Definitely a good alternative for OTK or Pappa Rich.I believe with time, this can outdo the former two.

Spice Of Penang
30, Jln Medan Ipoh 1D,
Medan Ipoh Bestari,
Ipoh.

Cold War: unpolished diamond

The ads were pushing up the expectations. Probably the best HK movie of the year, the next Infernal Affair. Well, I would probably agree on the first part, the rest of HK movie this year appeared too mediocre even for any mention. But, Infernal Affair? Too far apart. 

I would blame all the promos. I enter the cinema with much anticipation for Cold War, though Tony Leung and Aaron Kwok are not my top favourite actors, but I have much respect for them in many of their works.

The story began rather simple, an EU unit got kidnapped with all 5 police personnel held ransom. Operation code named Cold War was launched. Initially deputy police commissioner of operation played by Tony Leung was in control by default since the police commissioner is not in the country. He is typically brash, and since his son is also held ransom together with the team, he went all out, mobilizing all the police force. Aaron Kwok who played the deputy of management, wrestle power from him and functioned as the head of operation Cold War. The ransom operation is partial failure since Chin Ka-Lok character was killed off, the bad guys got the money, but at least the rest of the victims were released unharmed. The second part of the movie began with ICAC receiving some information that the whole kidnapping was an inside job. So many red herrings were thrown in that keep you guessing who is the real culprit. The movie end with sort of a twist revealing the true villain.




The good things: the story is rather good, but the execution left you wanting for more. Writing of the script need some polishing, when I reflected after the movie, the story is full of holes, so much so that it look like the road in Malaysia (not the pre-election road-la). The cinematography is excellent, the views of HK as a metropolitan is breath-taking. Some of the action scenes, although infrequent, is executed rather well, especially the shooting in the ransom scene.



The bad..... acting. No, not by the top few actors. Tony Leung, Aaron Kwok, Chin Ka-Lok, Gordon Lam are all natural in their character. Tony Leung with his brash, impulsive dad, but calm and cocky when needed. Aaron Kwok in his melancholic face, Chin Ka-Lok in his street style, and Gordon in his suit, making you guess whether is he the good or bad guy. Nope, all of them shine. It is the rest of the crew that left you wondering why are they there. Aarif acting looked forced. Andy On, look like a cameo. Charlie Yeung.... she do look pretty, but as a top police officer... she just cant carry it out. The final let down is the twist....which was bit disappointing. The first part is nice, the suspense of how the police force handle a kidnapping case on the background of power tussle in the top rank officer. The second part is superb and great, with ICAC in the picture and the culprit is anyone's guess. Once they reveal the villain, the story goes downhill, the ending became sooooooo far-fetched.



Still, it is still a better HK movie this year, but as one blogger put it, if it is done by a more experienced team (remake in Hollywood?), things may be so much different.

ratings: 3 poink (I would love to rate higher, but the ending just pull down the whole thing)
comments: watching this is like eating a big plate of char-kue-tiao. The smell and the first few bites left you hungry for more. The next few bites lift you to cloud 9, thinking this may be the best char-kue-tiao ever. However, once you hit the last bite, you just feel "jelak" .....

Skyfall: new addition to the Bond legacy

I still have some reservation on Daniel Craig as James Bond. Somehow I do not buy the "battered personality" that he portrayed. However, I do agree that he brings some reality to Bond's legacy. Casino Royale attempted to show Bond as a human rather than a super spy. I did not quite enjoy that, though I love what Dark Knight trilogy did to Batman.

Therefore, I had more reservation on entering the cinema for Skyfall. I think by now, most people would have read the introduction to the movie. This time is not about some evil villain taking over the world nor causing havoc in between nations. Something regarding loyalty to M. (*SPOILER AHEAD*). A rogue agent came back for revenge since he was betrayed by M when he went overzealous in his mission. Totally business and executive decision. Bond, as expected stood by M, helped her defeat and kill Silva. (*SUPER SPOILER AHEAD). M dying in the end was a rather poignant but nice touch. See, no evil scientist on some new killer satellite.

Was it that good? Well, yes and no. The movie open nicely. Sort of homage to the series. You know, the montage of scenes from the whole movies. Silhouette of the girls. A haunting song by Adele. Perfect opening. Chase scene as opening. Superb. Nice action there. The first half was really good. Works well like a good spy movie. Chasing down some clue which lead to more clue. Throw in some nice Bond girls there and by the time censor finish with it, Bond girls would be just left with few minutes of screen time. Finally appearance of the psychotic villain. Acting was rather nice, with a dose of humour and drama when needed. Not too cheesy. Daniel Craig, I was happy to say, is rather suave as Bond this round. Javier Bardem, as Silva the villain, is nicely psychotic, though not as memorable as Joker. Judi Dench as M is, well, Judi Dench, so do not expect anything less from her. The way how things go Silva way is really genius in a spy film. 

However, once Bond escape with M, things go rather generic there. From a Bond movie, it felt more like a Die Hard or Harrison Ford's action movie. Hero in disadvantage situation. Villain with a group of minions which get picked off slowly by the hero. Hero vs villain one on one.....



Hold on to your hate mails first. Despite what I said, most people enjoy the show, so much so that there will be people who crown Skyfall as the best Bond movie ever. To me, it is a good Bond movie. But the best? Not quite yet. Hey, I am entitled to my own opinion right!

ratings: 3 poink! (wife insisted that a different opinion: she gave a 4 poink!)
comments: not bad. just that I did not enjoy the second half.