World War Z: finally, some terrifying zombies

Zombies probably are the most sissy among all those vampires, werewolves and other creatures of the night. Yup, they do look terrifying when they come in numbers but somehow, thanks to most of movies such as Resident Evil, zombies appeared more "fun" and at times, ridiculous.



World War Z started off in a bang. The first 10 minutes showed the beginning of zombie apocalypse. The scenes where zombie plague began in a big city will linger for a while in one's mind. How a usual traffic jam turn into a zombie feast is somehow disturbing. And no thanks to the fact that zombies in this movie is rather vicious and fast, and they can really run.

As usual, the story is always a survival story, this time about how Brad Pitt and his family survive the initial zombie onslaught and rescued to an American carrier. Typical of any zombie movie. Then being a former UN agent, he is set on a mission to identify patient zero to help facilitate a cure. Thus, began his mission to Korea, Israel, and other places. In the process, he managed to find new comrades, and lost few ones too. Typical again for any zombie movie.



So, what set this apart from other zombie movies? Definitely not Brad Pitt. Though he does shine in his role as a vulnerable man stuck in the situation and force to leave his family, frankly most decent actor could carry out this role. However, credits need to given to the writers's team to insert some dead-pan funny one liners here and there to lift up the moment. The main plus point is how the director carry the show. This really does feel like a disaster and action movie at the same time, and I can feel my heart pound in most scenes. There are many cliche scenes but somehow it does work in this movie. The action is fast paced, although at some point it may become rather redundant. The zombies really appeared scary when they run, but somehow became clownish  when they were dormant. One may be biting their nails in anticipation on how or where the next zombie will be coming from. We all know that Brad Pitt will survive until the end of the show and somehow he will find a solution but in these kind of movie, it is the process in the middle that counts.



Would this be THE zombie movie? Probably not. It is still not a perfect nor iconic zombie movie. This will still be forgettable by the end of the year, but in the mean time, it is definitely one of the star movie in the summer.

ratings: 3 half poink!
comments: not as funny or memorable as Zombieland or Shaun of the Dead, but it does manage to keep me awake during midnight screening on a working day. Nuf' said.

review, review, review

Time fly by so fast.
I know that my blog is not as popular as some other, I would still thank those who actually read through. I still remember the time when I browsed through other blogs for ideas on food/ movies/ trip, and this is the main reason why I still blog, as an addition to the many many reference online and hopefully my humble opinion can help someone else in any matters.
Many things had changed since I started my first post, so I decide to review back some of my old post. I would not be deleting any post since I put fair amount of effort into each post, but instead I will label on the title if any of the shops are closed [CLOSED], mimicking one of my favourite blog by motormouth. I will be reviewing back some of my personal ratings as well, as sometimes, comparisons are inevitable and I will try to be fair in my own opinions of ratings as well in between the shops.

Lastly, let me remind you that everyone can feel free to disagree with me. After all, all of us are different in many ways, that is the beauty of diversity. Anyhow, continue to enjoy my rambling....

Greentown Dimsum Cafe: Finally dimsum for everyone

I basically adore dimsum. However, there is a drawback for dimsum, most of which is not halal. I am not trying to be racist, but dimsum had been only available for non muslim before this. Greentown Dimsum Cafe changes this.

Situated in Greentown business square, in the newer complex of building opposite David's diner and opposite MP restaurant is this new halal dimsum joint. Just beside the road, in the same row as Berlitz and Chatime, this place is packed during lunch hour.

The main attraction of the restaurant is dimsum. Expect the normal siumai and hagao (meat dumpling and prawn dumpling) to be there in the menu. However, do not expect the slightly more complicated ones such siulongbao (soup dumpling). The main question is how does it taste since now one ingredient is less and probably substituted with chicken (my assumption) instead? Actually the siumai and hagao is not bad. One would not miss the non-halal version here. However, since there are so many good dimsum place around, and Ipoh is basically famous for good dimsum as well, the dimsum here is rather OK. Not to say the dimsum is below average, in fact it is quite good. Just that there are many execellent dimsum shop around. Beside the staple dimsum which seems to be on all the tables, expect the normal dish fare such as fried noodle or fried rice. The claypot rice was a bit bland, and probably not their forte. The tomyam fried rice which I ordered was average since I prefer my tomyam fried rice to be spicy hot which this version is on the milder side.

The lunch is courtesy of one of my officer so I am not sure how much do it cost. Expect the normal price of RM3-5 per dimsum and RM5-10 for the usual rice/ noodle dish. The service is fair in view of the packed restaurant. Do not expect the fine dining decoration or environment here as this place is not trying to be pretentious. It rather mimic the simple dimsum restaurant, no deco, come eat, chat and leave concept. Overall, the fact that this is a halal dimsum restaurant is a plus point. Dimsum to dimsum comparison, there are definitely better choice, but this is the place to enjoy simple dimsum with Muslim friends.

ratings: 3 poink!
comments: halal dimsum. need me to say more?