Movie Review - Defiance

BONDing in the Balkans by the Bielski Brothers

Movie Title
Defiance
Year
2008
Genre
War Drama

Story
Based on a true event, 3 Jewish brothers - Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig), Zus Bielski (Liev Schreiber), Asael Bielski (Jamie Bell) became unsung heroes when they helped shelter a group of Jewish refugees from the Nazis in the forests of Eastern Europe during WWII.
Acting
Acting from the leads was top-notch, as can be expected from a movie by Edward Zwick, who produced other top-billing movies like I Am Sam, The Last Samurai and Blood Diamond. Powerful stuff from the 3 leads although Craig & Schreiber basically hogged the limelight for most of the movie.

Overall
The film was over 2 hours! I have to say that while I was watching it, I couldn’t wait for it to end. Not because it was a bad movie or that it had bad acting, it’s just that it was not entertaining enough to warrant 2 hours of the viewers’ time. However, it was refreshing to see that during a war, there are heroes like the 3 brothers who rise to the occasion and do their bit to help restore our faith in humanity.

Rating: 5.5/10

Food Review - Lilian Bak Kut Teh

NameLilian Bak Kut Teh

Food
Bak Kut Teh
Location
Klang – Nearby the Klang Jusco
Getting There
This is a tricky one because I am not entirely familiar with Klang. The landmark to look out for is the Jusco that is visible from the Federal Highway if you are entering Klang from KL. Once on the road that leads to Jusco, just follow the road until you pass Jusco on your left (with the Fed Hwy directly behind). The road is an anti-clockwise semi circle that leads back to the Fed Hwy. The restaurant is at a row of shops at a left turning just before the Fed Hwy.

ParkingAmple parking on the street in front of the restaurant.
Service
Service is warm and friendly as it is a family run business where you will be served by “uncles” and “aunties”.

Taste
The rice was fluffy and nicely done, not clumpy. The BKT and the soup was very fragrant- which makes it hard to resist. I personally prefer the non-clay-pot version because the flavors are stronger as there are no vegetables or Tau Pok, etc to “water down” the flavors. However, it is still very good BKT.
Ambience & PresentationIt is quite an old place but it is very well ventilated, kept and clean. A point to note is the way Chinese Tea is served because it is very different from how KL/PJ does it. The hot water re-fill kettle is placed on top of a gas tank right next to the guests’ tables where guests are expected to self-serve. Guests are given the clay tea-pot, traditional tiny tea cups and a small pot complete with a quaint little strainer for guests to filter out the tea leaves from the beverage.

Variety
The BKT is available in the standard clay-pot or non-clay-pot varieties. We ordered the clay-pot version with the works (ie: Mushrooms, lettuce, Foo Juk, Tau Pok, different parts, etc).

Rice is a must to go with the fragrant BKT soup. The rice comes in a plastic plate but there are condiments that are a must for the rice – the fried shallots! For added oomph, some like to add the black soy sauce, chili padi and chopped garlic to the meal.
Value for Money
Under RM50 for 2 pots of BKT with rice, vege and Chinese Tea. Go try it!
Overall
Good BKT. It’s not the best but Klang is after all BKT paradise. So, you can’t really go wrong. Good food at good prices in a quaint little place that serves up a dose of nostalgia.

Food Review - Restaurant Mei Sin (Hor Fun with Shredded Chicken Meat & Lum Mee)

Name
Restaurant Mei Sin
Address
16, Medan Imbi, 55100 KL.
Food
Hor Fun with Shredded Chicken Meat
Lum Mee
Location
North of Jalan Imbi

View Larger Map
Getting There
Once you spot the tiny field that marks the Medan Imbi, you will see it as it occupies the prominent corner shop of Medan Imbi. It is also diagonally across from the famous Soo Kee Beef Noodles and directly opposite the 7-11.

Parking
There are ample parking spaces either at the road side or at any of the nearby open-air parking lots available.

Service
As you can expect from stalls that operate from within a coffee shop, the service is quick and efficient. However, do take note if you are there during peak hours as that may lengthen the wait.

Ambience
It is a very old coffee shop (2 shop lots) with many tables and stalls tightly packed within the limited space. However, this will be reminiscent of the nostalgic coffee shops/kopitiams that are all the rage these days. This is the real deal.

Taste
The soy sauce is key to the taste of the complete package. Excellent stuff this! The Lum Mee is also one of the better ones around where the ingredients are generously included and the gravy is just at the right thickness, not watery like some places .
Presentation
It doesn’t make excuses for what it is or isn’t. It is just simply and neatly presented as the shredded chicken is nicely arranged on top of the dry noodles soaked in soy sauce with a generous sprinkling of freshly cut spring onions and deep fried garlic on top! Yummy!


Variety
This stall only prepares 1 item but they do it oh so well! However, there are of course other stalls that sell Chicken Rice, Pan Mee, Lum Mee, Siew Pau, Fried Kuey Teow, etc.


Value for Money
For either the Hor Fun or Lum Mee, both are under RM5 – everybody can afford it!

Overall
Great tasting and cheap. That’s a killer combo that must make me label these 2 as must tries!