MORGAN AWYONG

SOUL SNATCHER – MOVIE REVIEW

In the myth-rich troves of China folklore, there are likely a million entities written about to bless, curse, scare or just remind us what it means to be human. At this intersection of the godly, demonic and human natures, storytellers have been seeking to investigate ethics and morals, while offering up philosophical revelations. They are…

THE CURSED LESSON – MOVIE REVIEW

With all the societal pressure to look good in South Korea, especially when set against such demanding standards, it’s always heartening to see the media tackling the topic. And what better way to exemplify obsession than with the horror genre? Similar to this year’s earlier Beauty Water, the chase for attractiveness leads only to gory…

SAMJIN COMPANY ENGLISH CLASS – A REVIEW

The title seems to suggest a language-centric comedy, but Samjin Company English Class holds a lot more sass in class than playing up botched English deliveries. There’s a great deal of messaging here, from hierarchical ceilings to gender discrimination, but most of all, that doing the right thing might be tough, but always worth it…

THE WIDOW (VDOVA) – A REVIEW

As each country’s film industry finds renewed interest in the horror genre in the last decade, we are seeing interesting projects coming out from lesser-heard places, such as Iran (Under the Shadow). While Russia is relatively known, the scares coming from the country have been a little short, surprising given the rich folklore and austere…

THE SILENT FOREST – A REVIEW

All too often, there are some topics in life we tiptoe around. We either gloss over them, avoid them, or deny them altogether, and even more so when it presents uncomfortable or unfamiliar truths. So imagine when two of those themes come together. The Silent Forest is a bold and disturbing look into the effects…

THE SWORDSMAN – A REVIEW

To me, modern action has nothing on period pugilistic pieces. Guns, lasers, cars and bombs rarely need skill, and filmmakers often depend on bigger explosions to one-up excitement. The clash of fists and swords in comparison, feels more elegant, and often results in a more satisfying payout. They are called martial arts for a reason….

COFFEE OR TEA? 一点就到家 – A REVIEW

Like the double-yolked egg or the extra piece of McNugget, life can be full of pleasant surprises. Coffee or Tea turned out to be one of them. What seemed like a predictable fish-out-of-water story of three unlikely business partners, turned up with some really good dramatic moments within moving themes on home, family, and friendship….

JIANG ZI YA: LEGEND OF DIEFICATION – A REVIEW

If the opening credits are anything to go by, this project took a LOT of work. Studio after studio flashed their vanity intros across the screen, but the most significant contributor is clearly Coloroom Pictures. Initially bought over by Beijing Enlight Pictures to establish themselves as a Chinese animation powerhouse on par with Disney’s Pixar…

IMPRESSIONS OF 1MORE’S COLORBUDS: DO THESE EARBUDS GO BEYOND PRETTY?

The TL;DR is – yes they do. But before we proceed, a little disclaimer. I have been sponsored these Colorbuds by 1More, but the views here are entirely my own. I have not been paid, am not an affiliate and will not receive any referral rewards when you click through my links. Now with the…

OKAY! MADAM – A REVIEW

With leisure travel not returning anytime this year, a movie about flying will either seem like unnecessary torture, or a wonderful temporary escape. Thankfully, with its wacky ensemble and riotous plot, Okay! Madam is likely the latter for its audiences. Mi-Young (Uhm Jung-hwa) is your gregarious stallowner, hawking donut twists and effusive compliments. She’s well-liked…

THE TUNNEL (TUNNELEN) – A REVIEW

Norway has more than 1,100 road tunnels, with only a few of them designed with emergency rooms or escape routes. Some would call this a recipe for disaster or a ticking time bomb but it’s the reality for Norwegians. Since 2011, eight big fires – including one in 2015 involving a tanker truck with 16,500…

I WEIRDO – A REVIEW

Living with a younger brother with autism, I have a front-row seat to how Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects one’s life. The term is used loosely these days for people who fuss over small discrepancies, say a slightly tilted photo frame or their colour-coordinated stationery, but for people like my brother, it is less a…

BEAUTY WATER (FILM REVIEW)

The beauty industry, at last count, was a 532 billion dollar industry. And with Korean skincare and cosmetics trends leading the way for growth in the male sector, one can only imagine how important looking groomed is turning out to be. Let’s admit it – we are swayed by attractive people. There’s even a psychological…

JAPANESE ETIQUETTE 101: REMINDERS FOR YOUR NEXT VISIT

Renowned as one of the most courteous and systematic countries in the world, I wouldn’t blame the first-time visitor to Japan for being overwhelmed. And even if you manage to figure out the subways and navigating the rush hour throngs, there is always the fear that one might make some social faux pas and that…

REVENGE WITHOUT THE FRILLS

Revenge films a la Kill Bill and Old Boy has seen great success from individuals honing their anger into a fine point. Their skills are near supernatural – a nod to their intensity and focus – which stirs the blood in all of us. But would this happen in real life? Cold in July and…

LOVE YOU FOREVER (FILM REVIEW)

China’s movie-making efforts have largely fallen either towards epic fantasy and dramatic action flicks, or the overt comedy that basically doubles as a ham and cheese sandwich. It’s only the odd while you’ll get a romantic piece. Love You Forever is one of these rare attempts, and true to form, features a sprinkling of fantasy…

GREENLAND (MOVIE REVIEW)

There’s nothing like timing a disaster film to coincide with a similar real-life event – minus the devastating consequences of course. Ric Roman Waugh’s Greenland has been released just as the comet Neowise is coursing through our skies. The astronomical phenomena was at its brightest on 22 July, becoming as bright as the North Star…

THOSE WITH PANDEMIC WOES CATCH A BREAK ON CAROUSELL

Because there is time to kill and bills to pay. When Covid-19 landed, it landed hard and fast. It not only disrupted entire industries, but the ensuring ripple effects had a very definite impact on the everyday folks as lockdowns were implemented. And the worst part – the restriction periods got longer and longer. Even…

CAPELLA UBUD, BALI, JUST NAMED NO.1 HOTEL IN THE WORLD

AS AWARDED BY Travel + Leisure 2020 World’s Best Awards Somewhere between the lines of the idyllic and the elegant, a winner emerged on 8th July 202 at the annual World’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure. Not only did Capella Ubud, Bali receive top honours, but parent company Capella Hotels and Resorts also won…

DEPARTURE: WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU CHECK-IN

While flying isn’t in the cards for most of us anytime soon, our fascination with planes is certainly still there. So maybe some flight-themed entertainment might solve our withdrawals. The new series Departure has an aviation premise, but veers away from the romantic travelogue and more towards a “high-octane” mystery thriller. When a plane goes…

SYDNEY AND ITS SURROUNDS WILL FOSTER NEW MEMORIES FOR OLD FRIENDS

The city of Sydney needs no introduction. A vibrant city that brings art, shopping, and world-famous dining experiences in one spot. But to add another layer of excitement, the greater area of its surrounds promises a natural escape that few are familiar with. Hot air balloon rides over vineyards and world-class whale-watching sites are some…

QATAR AIRWAY’S NEW LOUNGE IN SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT IS THE NEXT GENERATION OF LUXURY FOR BUSINESS FLIERS

Last year’s winner for World’s Best Airlines, Qatar Airways has catapulted itself as a brand. I remember how I took one of its first flights when it began, and was already impressed by its high standards. But never one to rest on their laurels, the airline has been striving to add to their value. Their…

HOTEL MUMBAI: FACT VS FICTION

The danger of films based on true stories, is that sometimes people take it for the whole truth. This is often not the case, as movies ultimately have to engage and tell a story within a span of a few hours. Thus the aertistic license being waved. That said, there are plenty of dramatisation that…

LIVING IT UP AT WALDORF ASTORIA BANGKOK

It’s not everyday I spend SGD$400 on a night’s stay at a hotel. But I did from 26- 28 March 2019. Hear me out. I’m not someone who necessarily is in that income bracket to easily drop that kind of money, but remember what they said about experiences? My first encounter with Andre Fu‘s work…

THE MAGNIFICENT FILM UNIVERSE OF A24

If there was ever a film company that displayed a cutting acumen for successful films, A24 would be a shoo-in contender. Founded only in 2012, the company has curated an archive of films known for their commercial and critical success. It’s indie done right – by capturing the flavourful powers of personal expression, along with…

THE DOUBLE LIFE OF JIUFEN

There was already so much I was looking forward to. The pretty tea houses. The scenic views. The romantic lanterns along the street. The only thing better, was to experience it for longer. So for my visit to Taipei in 2014, my focus became more about Jiufen than it was about the main city. And…

NO MORE EXCUSES SINGAPOREANS – IT’S ALL ON YOU

“Singaporean or not, people will want some form of security or peace of mind at time like this especially those with old forks and kids at home. So why we always wana label our fellow citizens those bad names? And how we know that those in q were all Singaporean? This is just simply human…

BOMBSHELL (FILM REVIEW)

Playing out one of the most important chapters – the prologue if you will – of the #MeToo movement, Bombshell drops us into the frenetic offices of Fox News to witness the buildup to the sexual harassment allegations levelled at media mogul Roger Ailes. Director Jay Roach and writer Charles Randolph doesn’t go full The…

THE SNOW THAT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE: HOW A SHANGHAI & SUZHOU TRIP GOT EXTRA MEMORABLE

It was freezing. And haven’t been one to have seen falling snow before this, I ventured if something like that would happen from my local friend. She sniffed, an incredulous expression dealt to my suggestion. “It hasn’t snowed in over 50 years!” Oh well. But a few hours later, heading back to the hotel, she…

TOOTSIES & THE FAKE (FILM REVIEW)

For the uninitiated, tootsie is a affectionate term used in Thailand for a campy gay guy. And celebrating this without restraint, Line TV created a series based on the online accounts of Thachpacha Setthachai, a proud tootsie who does a Carrie Bradshaw and recalls the many humourous episodes he has with his three best friends…