Dr. Who

Posted: Monday, March 26, 2012 by sacul in
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I've been in the Philippines studying medicine for a full 10 months now. Technically, I'm not in medicine yet, as the pre-requisites here require me to obtain a degree in BS Biology. It's been weird here to say the least. Looking back, those 10 moths flew by like they were nothing, gone with the wind. I don't think I've even changed at all, well barring the fact my mum, dad, and friends are convinced that I have an indian accent now. I have 1 more month of BS Biology, and I can't wait to be done with it once and for all. Passing grade here is 75 but it's not really as difficult as it sounds. I can't wait to join MD and finally get my mind occupied with productive things. It's starting to dawn upon me that I am actually going to be a doctor (Well if I pass that is) and that's really fucking big, not because of all the "omg he's a doctor" bullshit that comes with the profession, but I'm going to be dealing with lives, actual living, breathing people and that's scary. That's it I guess. Felt like blogging after a long time due to the fact I had a false sense of inspiration, but alas, it was false.

Long time coming

Posted: Saturday, October 15, 2011 by sacul in
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So it's been awhile. Well that was the understatement of the century. It's been way too long since I last posted anything on here, and as boredom got the best of me, I'm back, momentarily at least. A lot of stuff has happened over the course of oh say, 1 year ? I'm in the Philippines now, studying medicine, well not technically, but yes, I'm on course to become a fully fledged, certified doctor. Tickle your fancy ? Not quite ? Didn't think so. See so many people in Malaysia are now enrolled in medicine that it's become eerily common. But I'm here now and well, I'm older, not very much wiser but nonetheless a man is judged based on the decisions he makes, and I intend to stick it out here, with no intention of raising a white flag anytime soon. That's not to say I don't miss home, I miss everyone and everything, family, friends, food. I swear everything I do and see reeks of nostalgia, filling up my nose and stimulating my senses to no extent. In a place where there is much to do, saying it has been undeniably, painstakingly boring would be a gross understatement. But when life gives you lemons, you sell the damn lemon and use that money to start your own social networking site and become another billionaire. So that's what I am going to do. No, not sell lemons, but become a doctor, and a bloody good one at that. Till then, I'm signing off. Ooh, and there's this girl. Deja-vu .

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHY I GAVE A FUCK

Posted: Thursday, July 29, 2010 by sacul in
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INCEPTION

Posted: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 by sacul in
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Never before have I been so baffled by a movie. Never before have my brains been scrambled before my very eyes and served with a side of toast and orange juice for breakfast. Never before have I left a movie theatre so awed by a movie, so puzzled but what unravelled before my very beady eyes, so lost for words that I was unable to come up with a sarcastic pun, never before. Ladies and gentlemen, Inception is just about the most mind boggling movie I have ever watched. Not since the first ever twist ending M. Night Shyamalan introduced with the Sixth Sense have I been so minfucked by a movie, so lost for words in which to describe it by. What made Inception so great ? Everything. Writer/director Christopher Nolan, the guy who directed epic movies like the money orgy that was the Dark Night and the lesser known yet shrewdly directed The Prestige , perfected this movie in every single way imaginable. The sheer thought and creative provocation required to conjure up a tale so entwined, contrived, and just about any other big word you can imagine must have been massive. How can I review a movie like this ? To even shed a detail about this movie would be a crime against the movie gods, because unlike almost every other movie out there, it's best to go watch this knowing nothing about it. The storyline behind the movie was epic in every single sense of the word. Look up mind boggling in the dictionary and under definitions, Inception should come up. There are numerous twists and turns throughout the plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat and glued to the action, which is thankfully available in bulk. These twist however, aren't your average cheap twists, no. These twists are concocted with such vile deception that you can't help but sit back and appreciate how brilliant the script for this movie really is. The way the director so coyly pulls the wool over your eyes and kept the main twist under wraps is quite remarkable, because had the distractions not been there, you, me and Dupree would all have noticed and seen it coming. Alas, Nolan wasn't given a USD 160 million budget for nothing now was he? The premise of the movie is simple. A fair warning, anyone who hasn't seen this movie, I took the liberty of whiting out this spoiler part, highlight it with your cursor if you wanna read on. Dom Cobb is an extractor, who goes into dreams to steal ideas for his clients. However, he had to stay away from his kids for a certain reason and is finally given the opportunity to see them again, but this time,by planting an idea in someone's head through a dream, instead of stealing one. So he assembles a team to do just that. Still with me ? Because I'm not. The music for the movie is top notch, almost every scene is highlighted with appropriate music that adds tension and drama with Hans Zimmer teaming up with Nolan again (They were together for the Dark Knight too), the best combination since butter and bread. The acting is also immensely good, with Leonardo DiCaprio starring and delivering a damn good performance alongside the younger but also exceptional Ellen Paige with Joseph Gordon-Levitt stealing the show with a sterling performance in what was his first big blockbuster role. What is Inception ? Mad, insane, contrived, intellectual, confusing, masterful, a masterpiece, mind boggling ? Sure, it's all that and then some. But what stands above all the rest ? Inception is bloody brilliant, a movie you simply cannot afford to miss. If Albert Einstein watched movies, this would have been his favourite. With brilliant music, even better actors, and twist and turns that will rock you to your very core, Inception is quite simply, wait for it, the best movie this decade.


You'll love
  • Amazing story
  • Brilliant acting
  • Leaving the cinema in awe scratching your head trying to comprehend what just happened
You'll hate
  • Perhaps you may not be able to follow the movie
  • Missing out on a twist which was laid right before your very eyes
  • The movie ends 

    UPDATE

    Posted: Sunday, July 25, 2010 by sacul in
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    So yeah, it's confirmed, I'm leaving in September. I got the offer letter on Saturday, and I'll be going to Russia in September. Bittersweet. 

    MY WORLD CUP XI

    Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 by sacul in
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    GOALKEEPER  IKER CASILLAS (SPAIN)
    Really is there anyone else you would want in goal ? Kept 5 clean sheets in 7 games and conceded only 2 goals throughout. Saved Cardozo's penalty and Roque Santa Cruz's shot in the Paraguay game and made a stunning stop to deny Robben in the final. Lifted the World Cup as the La Roja's captain and sealed it with a kiss when being interviewed by his girlfriend. A perfect tournament then for Iker. 
    RIGHT BACK  SERGIO RAMOS (SPAIN)
    Made bombing runs down the right flank and was almost faultless in attack and defense. One who watched football for the first time may have mistaken him for a winger. His passing, dribbling and crossing was impeccable. With an array of tricks and stepovers that helped him get past helpless defenders, he was probably more unlucky not to score than Lionel Messi. 
    CENTRE BACK : RYAN NELSEN (NEW ZEALAND)
    Finally, someone not from Spain. Surprised to see him here ? Well don't be. Guess which team remained the only unbeaten team throughout the tournament ? If you said Spain, then you obviously did not watch the Word Cup. It was in fact The Kiwis and their captain was instrumental throughout, even keeping the mighty Italy from scoring until a dive to earn a penalty finally undid that. A rock at the back, pity the rest of team weren't all that good. 
    CENTRE BACK  GERARD PIQUE  (SPAIN) 
    Was it hard picking a Spanish centre back ? Not by a long shot. What was hard was choosing between Pique and Puyol, both of whom were brilliant, but Pique just edged it out. Pique was far more consistent, although he did give away a penalty, he looked cooler than his ageing counterpart, who looked tired on more than one occasion. Plus Pique has dreamy blue eyes whereas you can;t tell if Puyol has eyes with his hair. At 23, he's won it ALL, literally. Man Utd, what were you thinking ?
    LEFT BACK  FABIO COENTRAO  (PORTUGAL)
    Who ? Well, Portugal were toothless in the World Cup, having scored in only one game, the 7-0 drubbing of Korea DPR, but they suck, so that doesn't count. Fabio Coentrao though was the one gem in the squad, creating terrific chances for Hugo Almeida with silky dribbling and excellent crossing. He made the Spanish looked foolish on certain occasions in the quarters and was by far the best and most consistent left back in the cup. At 22, he has the ability the become one of the best full backs in the world. 
    RIGHT MIDFIELDER  THOMAS MUELLER  (GERMANY)
    Another young one, aged 20, Thomas Mueller is quickly emerging as one of the world's best. Think I'm exaggerating ? He had 5 shots on target, and 5 goals, do the math yourself. He combined well with Podolski, Ozil and Schweinsteiger in midfield and led most of Germans brilliant attacks that left England and Argentina wondering why they starting playing football in the first place. Unselfish too, with 3 assists, giving him the Golden Boot award at the World Cup, his first World Cup too mind you. 
    CENTRE MIDFIELDER  XAVI  HERNANDEZ (SPAIN)
    To the untrained football eye, Xavi might seem like an average player, all he does is pass the ball. But it's the way Xavi passes the ball that makes him special. He doesn't make mazy runs like Messi, he doesn't take shots from audacious distances like Ronaldo. But he's better than them. The entire Spain attack was spearheaded by him, making 669 passes in the process, a full 104 more passes than his closets rival. Everyone remembers Villa, but it was Xavi's cheeky backheel to Villa that set him up for the winner against Portugal. It was Xavi's corner to Puyol that was headed in. It was Xavi, Spain's best and unsung hero at the World Cup. 
    CENTRE MIDFIELDER  WESLEY SNEIJDER (NETHERLANDS)
    Wesley Sneijder has had a brilliant year, winning the treble with Inter and coming agonizingly close to winning the Holy Grail of football, and he might have won it too, had Robben's finishing been better. Sneijder plays a more attacking role than Xavi does, but his main strength is the same, his passing. He's ability to deliver razor sharp through balls (Think triangle button on the Playstation) like he did for Robben in the final make him a priceless asset, with the ability to change the balance of any game in an instance.
    LEFT MIDFIELDER ANDRES INIESTA (SPAIN)  
    He may seem like a diminutive, unassuming midfielder, but Andres Iniesta will now go down in Spanish football history, having been the man to finally bring the World Cup to La Furia Roja. Iniesta has silky smooth ball control, and on many occasions gliding past big defenders with ease (Paraguay anyone ?) And he has a tendency to score on those big nights when it matters most. He did it against Chelsea in the very las minute of the Champions League 2 seasons ago, and he did it 4 minutes from the end of extra time, controlling Fabregas' pass with extreme ease before thumping the ball into the net with such aplomb, it almost tore the net apart, just like the Dutch hearts.  
    STRIKER DAVID VILLA (SPAIN)
    David Villa has always been underrated. Unlike Ronaldo, Messi, Torres and Ribery, Villa hasn't been given much attention, partly due to the fact he played at Valencia, who were perennial under achievers. Well all that has changed now. Villa was on hand to carry Spain into the finals, finishing everything and anything that came his way. A brilliant goal against Honduras which was only bested by Van Bronckhurt's goal against Uruguay, a sublime lob against Chile which was done with such ease, it looked easy (It wasn't) and finally finding a way past the defensive minded Portuguese were crucial contributions. Fast, powerful, a shot packed with power and curl, almost the perfect striker. Scary to think what will happen at Barcelona when he links up with Messi and Ibrahimovic.

    STRIKER DIEGO FORLAN (URUGUAY)
    Arguably the most like-able guy at the World Cup (Partly due to the fact his teammate Luis Suarez was the most hated), Diego Forlan was awe inspiring in leading the once powerful Uruguayans back to the realms of success. Sure, they didn't even win a medal, but they came oh so close. Forlan was the master of the Jabulani, using the unpredictable ball to his advantage, striking from long range at every chance with deadly accuracy. Free kicks, corners, volleys and assists, he did it all. Was voted Player of the Tournament and you couldn't really argue with a player who single handedly bringing back glory to a nation who really had no right advancing so far in the tournament. 

    SUBSTITUTES :
    GOALKEEPER VINCENT ENYEAMA (NIGERIA)
    DEFENDER   DIEGO LUGANO  (URUGUAY)
    MIDFIELDER KEISUKE HONDA (JAPAN)
    MIDFIELDER LIONEL MESSI (ARGENTINA) 
    STRIKER LUIS SUAREZ (URUGUAY)
































    Despicable Me

    Posted: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 by sacul in
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    Say hello to the best animated movie of the year. Everyone expected this movie to be epic, beyond epic even. What  with the return of Woody and Buzz, the final conclusion of a trilogy everyone wanted to see. The return of Mr. Potato Head and Rex, the - hold on a minute, the movie I'm talking about isn't Toy Story 3, no. Sure, Toy Story 3 gave everyone a nostalgic feeling, evoking memories of their own childhood and was a pretty damn good movie. Despicable Me however, has silently crept up behind Toy Story 3, and sprinting past it in typical fashion of one Usain Bolt. I must admit, I didn't know anything about this movie, and perhaps that's why I enjoyed it so much, because I didn't expect anything spectacular. Other than the trailer involving those yellow minions you see in the poster above (They are soooo cute), I didn't know a thing. Then details about the movie started to unfold. Steve Carell stars as the main voiceover,  who is without a doubt, the funniest man alive (See Get Smart and then argue with me) , aided by Jason Segel  (Marshall from HIMYM), Russel Brand (Luckiest Man Alive) , Julie Andrews (Sound of Music) and Miranda Cosgrove (The annoying kid from School of Rock) . Now this movie starts to get more interesting, no ? The main draw about Despicable Me has to be the funny factor. Despicable Me is funny as hell (Hell isn't funny, I know), filled with humour that keeps your funny bone (Yes, you have such a bone) tickled like, well, something that's being tickled, alot. If you don't find yourself laughing, or falling asleep during the movie, something IS wrong with you =p. The yellow minions are also a huge part of Despicable Me. Think of them as Despicable Me versions of Toy Story's Little Green Men, except cuter & funnier, by a long shot. Sure, it's a cheap trick to use small men with funny accents and the unability to pronounce words for laughs, but it works. Despicable Me has a very predictable and cliche (Yes I know, it's cliche to say cliche) storyline, but the way it's unravelled really connects with the audience and leaves a lasting impression by evoking numerous emotions (If your a guy, just ignore this part)The score for the movie is also amazing. Combining Pharrell and Hans Zimmer is like combining butter and glue, but it works (So don't discount the butter-glue combo just yet) The Despicable Me theme song at the beginning is the best song I've ever heard in an animated movie, and sets the tone for the rest of the movie brilliantly. If there was one complaint I would have to put forth, and I really had to think hard about this, but perhaps the Little Yellow Men (It'll catch on, trust me)  were used a tad bit too much towards the end, but then again, that's a really small issue. All in all, Despicable Me is a must watch movie, it's without a doubt the best animated movie this year, and perhaps the best movie of the year (Inception might have a thing to say about that) . It's funnier than and has a better story than Toy Story 3, it eclipsed Eclipse (HAH!) and has quietly snuck up, behind everyone and put them all to shame.The bad guy is bad. The cute Little Yellow Men (It will catch on!) are cute and the funny is funny, it really is that simple.  You must watch this movie





    You'll love

    • Absolutely funny
    • Little Yellow Men
    • Amazing Musical Score 
    You'll hate
    • A little too much of the Little Yellow Men
    • Hold on, can't think of anything else
    • I give up