Other Bits - My Korea Trip

OK, it's been a while since I started this blog and I had kept it from being too personal except for my views and comments within the blog posts.

From this post, I hope to share more of my more personal stuff with you than just my opinions. The following are snippets of my recent trip to Seoul, Korea in Nov 2010.

Despite the superb public transport system, you can't navigate within the city without a trusty English Map!

Somewhere in the Myeongdong district, we come across the Korean version of,...what else, Starbucks!

A stone's throw away was the genuine deal, purportedly the only Starbucks outlet in the world where the signage is not in English! Of course, I cannot verify this, so, my friends who globe-trot, kindly shed some light on this matter!

Sunset at the West Side of the Seoul Fortress Wall (north of Namdaemun).

These photos were from within the Changdeok Gung (Palace)

This was taken from a stall at the Kwang Jang Market (in the Jongno area)

These were from the Gwanghwamun/Sejong Plaza area where the monument of King Sejong sits prominently.

These were during the Changing of the Royal Guards Ceremony at Gwanghwamun.

These are photos of the famed Cheongye Stream, running across Seoul City from the West to the East of the fortified city.

This is the Iconic Jongno Tower in the CBD of Seoul.

The Namsan Tower is a place frequented by young couples who place "love locks" (honest!) to ensure the longevity of their affection for one another!

This is the location of the Korean time capsule where future Koreans will probably find the recipe to Kimchi and a collection of Korean dramas.

Away from the prying eyes of the security guards outside the Korean President's compound - the Blue House (Cheongwadae)

Within the Royal Jongmyo Shrine.

Movie Review - Megamind

Movie Title
Megamind
Year
2010

Genre

Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Story

Comic fans will immediately recognise that the origin is a spoof of our dear friend Kal-El (aka Superman for non-fans) - 2 babies from different planets within the same doomed star systems were sent away by their parents to an unknown future. Their rivalry developed en-route to Earth.

As fate would have it, Megamind ends up on the dark side while his nemesis - Metro Man (Brad Pitt) ends up being the hero adored by all in Metro City. Over the years, he, along with his loyal sidekick - Minion (who is actually a fish in a fish bowl attached to a robotic gorilla's body!

Voiced by David Cross) have tried to conquer Metro City but each time, foiled by Metro Man. However, when, against all odds, he finally succeeds in destroying him, he is left without a purpose!

Faced with a dilemma, he then concludes that all he needed was to create another hero to replace Metro Man. Hence Titan, or Tighten (Jonah Hill) was born. However, as with all schemes by Megamind, they don't go as planned!

Acting

I have to admit that altho I'd never been a fan of Will Ferrell (especially with such duds like the Land of the Lost), but I have to say that I quite enjoyed his performance here. Meanwhile, Tina Fey (who plays damsel not-so-much in distress Roxanne) had never quite made any impression with me, with the only movie I remember her being is was the recent Date Night (with Steve Carell) was less irritating and was easy for viewers to relate to.

http://tiny.cc/rul90

Overall

Of course, the story was extremely predictable and doesn't offer anything new, but that's not the point! It does not come close to the level of Up or Toy story where viewers are brought along am emotional roller coaster - making viewers laugh one moment and cry the other. It was a very enjoyable experience and I'm certain many would agree with me, regardless if you're a fan of the genre or not.

There were genuinely quite a number of funny moments, especially the homage to Marlon Brando's Godfather was hilarious!

So, go bring your kids, with your other half, buddies or just go on your own and enjoy the movie!

Rating: 6/10