TRAVEL TO PLACES: SINGAPORE-- TANJONG KATONG ROAD

My Personal Experience: I went to Tanjong Katong Road last December 20, 2022, it's a jump from the date from my last post since I came back to Singapore that year for a second time too around Christmas Season that rarely done as I spent days during those time in the Philippines! Tanjong Katong Road really come alive during at night when neon lights pops, glad I've seen it!

Tanjong Katong Road

Tanjong Katong was an early landmark in Singapore. It marked the eastern boundary of the British settlement that Stamford Raffles established in 1819. The new night light life and old boundaries of Tanjong Katong spanned the coastal stretch from Upper East Coast Road to Tanjong Rhu. While it is now a self-contained estate, Tanjong Katong used to be known for its boathouses and beachside retreats. The main Tanjong Katong Road now stretches from Sims Avenue to Tanjong Katong Road South, Tanjong Katong Flyover link with East Coast Parkway:)

Source: https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail=b07a0dea-48c0-4969-a1d5-9b3eab25021d

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: THE ADAM PROJECT

Director: Shawn Levy

Cast: Ryan Reynolds , Walker Scobell , Mark Ruffalo , Jennifer Garner , Catherine Keener , Zoe Saldana , Alex Mallari Jr. , Braxton Bjerken , Kasra Wong , Lucie Guest , Mellanie Hubert

Plot: A time-traveling pilot teams up with his younger self and his late father to come to terms with his past while saving the future after unintentionally crash landing in 2022.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_adam_project

My Movie Review: The movie is long overdue heard it before and I thought it's never gonna happen until it did but I didn't watch it right away but one click away there's out to be discovery! I thought it lost its momentum for being release later than expected so I decided to skip it for awhile and put it on my list until I came back for it the thing I like were hiding in plain sight! Pretty much what everyone else said this is beautifully well done from start to finish it's a cinematic masterpiece that delivers on every front- the cinematography, the characters arc, an actual great story with great scripting and direction plus lesson in life looking back and moving! Basically what I felt like I was deprived of this whole time longer really good storytelling they finally have it here in this movie with the script and direction are spot on, providing a refreshing change from the typical Hollywood fare and biggest blockbuster with its heart at the center of it! It strikes the perfect balance between emotion and humor, seamlessly blending heartwarming moments with laugh-out comedy exception in an industry saturated with uninspired storytelling! Surprisingly good heartfelt as expected by the reviews and marketing, but also some good sci-fi action love the dynamics of the young actor which was excellent and Ryan Reynolds was always at his best and of course the strong supporting cast was right of no small impact either:) The film ranks as the third most popular movie on Netflix worldwide, accumulating 157.6 million views in its first 28 days safe to say that The Adam Project is a sleeper hit and lowkey success!

Critics Consensus: You've seen Ryan Reynolds do this sort of thing before, but The Adam Project offers slickly entertaining and occasionally even moving sci-fi action. There's nothing as good as Back to the Future, but I think Levy finds the heart to this picture. It really works. There are far worse ways to spend 106 minutes of your life, but The Adam Project seems likely to fade from the memories of Netflix viewers relatively quickly meaning it's pretty in line with most of the Netflix original films that have come before it. Shawn Levy’s straight-to-Netflix sci-fi feature is a heartfelt journey for the whole family. “The Adam Project” latches onto viewers and takes them on an exhilarating joyride. The Adam Project is not a perfect film, but it’s exactly the kind of film we need right now: a highly enjoyable adventure with the right dose of nostalgia and plenty of heart. The Adam Project will undoubtedly be a big hit for Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds. The film goes beyond its sci-fi time travel tropes and delivers some wonderful character-rich performances. Has great character roles from Ryan Reynolds, Mark Ruffulo and new comer Walker Scobell they all have great chemistry that even in times of this being very silly it never goes off the rails! That’s probably all the audience should expect from a picture like this, one released direct-to-streaming for delivery of perfunctory content meant to bring eyes to the service, but not providing the level of quality one can often find at the cineplex. The goal here is to make you feel good about the magic that movies can grab a hold of, even if only temporarily--and how simple father-son pathos can cue the waterworks when it performed well!

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_adam_project/reviews

TRAVEL TO PLACES: SINGAPORE-- MATCHA SMOOTHIE/ ICE CREAM TOP

My Personal Experience: I went to Arab Street and Bugis Street to have dessert before going home we found this cafe selling Matcha Smootie/ Ice Cream Top desserts my sister picked last August 27, 2022, together with her husband we got to chill in this art lowkey cafe around Bugis! I don't know the name of the place cause we drop-by so fast very spontaneous while exploring!

Matcha Smoothie/ Ice Cream Top

Matcha tea, while now a prominent part of Japanese culture, actually originated in China. The practice of consuming powdered tea, including matcha, spread to Japan, where it became deeply embedded in Zen Buddhist practices and the tea ceremony. Today, Japan is the primary producer of matcha and its cultivation and processing techniques have been passed down through generations. The matcha smoothie, a popular modern variation, is likely a relatively recent innovation, drawing on the matcha's popularity, versatility and adaptability to various culinary creations. Uji, a region in Kyoto Prefecture, is considered by many to be the birthplace of matcha, further solidifying its connection to Japanese culture! In Japan, matcha became intertwined with Zen Buddhist practice and the tea ceremony evolving into such cultural staple!!

Source: https://www.google.com/search?q=matcha+smoothie+origin&sca_esv_en

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: THE INVISIBLE THREAD

Director: Marco Simon Puccioni

Cast: Filippo Timi , Francesco Scianna , Francesco Gheghi , Giulia Maenza , Valentina Cervi , Jodhi May , Matteo Oscar Giuggioli , Emanuele Maria Di Stefano , Mauro Conte , Gerald Tyler

Plot: A teenage son of two fathers makes a documentary about his parents but is surprised when a real-life plot twist occurs in his family.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_invisible_thread

My Movie Review: The movie is very forward thinking it's innovative explores the breaking up of a two-dad family and use humour to tackle complex themes such partnership and blood ties! This charming Italian rom-com/coming-of age dramedy is a feel good tale with heart, easy to follow story and creating opportunities to ask questions without sacrifacing the humour and wit! I never know I will have much fun watching The Invisible Thread deals with the cultural issue of same-sex love and dual paternity, has lazy sassy couch vibe but as it progress make sense! Catch up with the major events of Leone’s (Francesco Gheghi) life autobiographical school video project: He has two dads; the cool one is Simone (Francesco Scianna), a restaurateur, and the uncool one is Paolo (Filippo Timi), a furniture retailer. Gay couples can’t legally adopt in Italy, so they found a surrogate mother, Tilly (Jodhi May), to carry a child for them, and although she lives in the U.S., she’s very much a part of their lives. By the time Leone was 11, Simone and Paolo could finally be legally joined in a civil union. By the time he was 15, which he is now, both his fathers’ names could be on his birth certificate, so everything’s officially official, although the legality of that is fluid, so we’ll see if it sticks, or possibly has something to do with the progression of the plot. Gheghi is the movie’s most lovable presence, finding the sweet spot between naivete/confidence, tapping into palpable uncertainty when both qualities are obliterated by fresh circumstances, forcing him to find a new ways to navigate through life:)

Critics Reviews: I really did enjoy The Invisible Thread. While the film is slightly unbalanced from the pedigree of acting performances, and it’s pacing, there’s a lot here to enjoy. The Invisible Thread has its moments, but its mixture of drama and comedy is far too lumpy to recommend. The story didn't thrill me! This character-driven dramatic comedy remains wholly engaging from start to finish. Leone’s 110-minute coming-of-age story might not overstayed its welcome if it wasn’t so frequently interrupted by drawn-out scenes of his two petty, vindictive asshole fathers hysterically yelling at each other, scenes which don’t function either as broad comedy or plausible drama. That’s a tough tone to strike, and credit director and co-writer Marco Simon Puccioni for taking a stab at it, but the gamble doesn’t pay off. What Puccioni ends up with is two movies: A grating divorce saga crossbred with the potentially winning story of Leone’s attempt to muddle his way to adulthood as his personal life shifts from smooth-sailing to perilously choppy waters. The writing is remarkably uneven – ham-handed situations frequently threaten to derail the easy charm Gheghi lends to scenes of teenage travails. A significant plot thread addresses the question of who Leone’s true biological father is, leading to dumb jokes about semen cocktails and actions by Paolo and Simone that come off as cruel and thoughtless, even for these irritating & illogical characters. That's it, happy family so happy!

Source: https://decider.com/2022/03/07/the-invisible-thread-on-netflix-stream-it-or-skip-it/

TRAVEL TO PLACES: SINGAPORE-- TRAS STREET

My Personal Experience: I went to the hip Tras Street in Tanjong Pagar last August 27, 2022, together with my sister who took my pictures to this colorful walls along the hallways and road! Tras Street is a sight to behold with such vibrant energy of the paint through establishments along the way truly an experience itself, this outlets offer different service's most trendy in style!

Tras Street

Tras Street is a street located in Tanjong Pagar in the Outram Planning Area and Downtown Core in Singapore. The road connects Enggor Street and Gopeng Street to Cook Street, and is intersected by Wallich Street. The street is named after Tras, a small town near Raub, Pahang, Malaya. It dates from an 1898 municipal resolution to "use names of rivers and districts in the Malay Peninsula as being better adapted to the purpose than the names of persons or families". Other Malayan place assigned in the same year to new streets laid out on either side of Anson Road near Tanjong Pagar included Bernam (after the Bernam River), Gopeng (after Gopeng near to their Ipoh, Perak), Enggor (after Enggor, Perak) & Raub (after Raub, Pahang)!!

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tras_Street

TRAVEL TO MOVIES: THE WEEKEND AWAY

Director: Kim Farrant

Cast: Leighton Meester , Christina Wolfe , Ziad Bakri , Luke Norris , Amar Bukvic , Iva Mihalic , Adrian Pezdirc , Parth Thakerar , Marko Braic , Lujo Kuncevic , Sinisa Novkovic , Maro Drobnic

Plot: A weekend getaway to Croatia goes awry when a woman is accused of killing her best friend and her efforts to get to the truth uncover a painful secret.

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_weekend_away

My Movie Review: The movie is suspenseful mystery great thriller with twists and turns that bring plenty of surprises, based on the book by Sarah Alderson about a woman whose friend is murdered while they're on vacation in Croatia only to find out the killer's closer than she thinks! Leighton Meester shines the impeccable qualities match as does Croatia primarily filmed in Split, Croatia, the film also features scenes in other Croatian cities like Dubrovnik and Zagreb! Specific locations within Split that's breathtaking and scenic were used include Peristil Square, the Palace Cellars and Zenta Club, I'll like the blue waters you can really feel the vacation vibe! A decent crime drama whilst it may take a little time to get into, The Weekend Away does have an interesting plot , it's a mystery that makes you look further but the culprit is within reach full of surprises, as character who appear suspicious at first glance remains suspicious throughout! While looking for her car keys, she finds beads from a necklace she gave Kate in Rob's coat pocket as the mystery come to unfold, she realizes Rob the husband she loves killed Kate and confronts him while on the line with the police. He admits he flew to Croatia to stop Kate from revealing their affair, argued with her and pushed her into the water before running off to home! The two main cast Christina Wolfe-Kate and Leighton Meester-Beth are just lovely to watch! The duo's class act with that rekindled friendship mystery and all, just make this a perfect 10! Moreover, Ziad Bakri-Zain, Amar Bukvić-Pavic and Adrian Pezdirc-Sebastian, the escort actors' performances boost the edgy experience' as they make any scenes tense and more impactful:)

Critics Consensus: The Weekend Away makes for all excessive painless enough home viewing experience, but Leighton Meester's performance deserved a better film. Not a bad little number, this, well-directed to the genre template by Kim Farrant and with an excellent supporting performance by Luke Norris as Beth's husband Rob. His scene on the phone is a mini-masterclass in emotionally authentic acting. A large glass of white wine on a Friday night! While it does not break the mold of a disappearance thriller in any way, The Weekend Away is an enjoyable 90-minute ride of tension and suspense set in beautiful Croatia. Despite its narrative exaggerations, A Weekend Away is an enjoyable thriller thanks to the escalation of its tension and effective execution. A nifty little thriller that sets up its premise and then draws you in as each potential solution turns out to be another red herring. Leighton Meester tries her best but she can't overcome the holes in the plot. This is the kind of movie actresses make when they wish to prove they're more than just a pretty face - or are desperate to be taken seriously. Meester wears no make-up, dresses frumpy, puts on a few pounds to play a post-partum mom, and goes method.  Fast-moving enough to provide a decent night’s disposable home entertainment for viewers whose expectations aren’t geared higher. The film manages to craft some solid suspense and keeps you glued with a quick pace and some unexpected characters in a truly alluring location. Predictable and clunky as may be, The Weekend Away is watchable as hell serving suspenseful showcase a strong performance from Leighton Meester!

Source: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_weekend_away/reviews

TRAVEL TO PLACES: SINGAPORE-- TANJONG PAGAR

My Personal Experience: I went to Tanjong Pagar for the first time last August 27, 2022, together with my sister and her husband working nearby I want to come finally we made a visit! Tanjong Pajar is unexpected oasis in the heart of business district and it's getting modern by the minute with lot of running food establishments that are uniquely crafted-- truly is on the rise!

Tanjong Pagar

Located at the gateway of the Central Business District, Tanjong Pagar has an interesting mix of old and new charm. It is home to one of the oldest Historic Districts with beautiful conserved shophouses, local hawker centres, modern cafes and markets, hotels, residences, and also the tallest building in Singapore. Tanjong Pagar is probably the most diverse part of Central Business District and the stakeholders hope to capitalize on this diversity, our attributes, assets and offerings to build strong community where the people and businesses are well connected:)

Source: https://www.discovertanjongpagar.sg/about-discover-tanjong-pagar/