All Consuming : jezzme

Consuming "Half-Life 2: Episode One"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:49:40 GMT

by Valve

Why I recommend "Half-Life 2"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:49:20 GMT

by Valve

Just finished Half Life 2 last week, now I’m on to Half Life: Episode One. I LOVE that this series combines small puzzle-type gameplay with first person shooter, and I love the range of weapons you can use for different situations and such. I’m sure that after I finish Episode One I’ll finish it off and play Episode Two, then possibly go back and play the series in hard difficulty mode.

Great Great GREAT game. I think the Orange Box disc has been my favourite PS2 / PS3 game to date. Five games for one? Love it.

Consumed "Half-Life 2"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:49:20 GMT

Half-Life 2

by Valve

WORTH IT!

A story about "Portal"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:09:44 GMT

Portal

by Valve

I loved this game, even though it ate up about two weeks of my free time. The bf is glad to have me back though!

Thankfully, I’ve completed the game and am not so into the “extras” of the game (least steps, least time, etc)

A story about "Cooking at Home on Rue Tatin"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:29:22 GMT

Cooking at Home on Rue Tatin

by Susan Herrmann Loomis

Classical French cooking tips and recipes, like quiche lorraine, monkfish with creme fraiche, onion confit, and many others.

Great cookbook!

A story about "Walk Hard"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:23:25 GMT

Walk Hard

by Jake Kasdan

Cheesey. The film had its moments, but I fell asleep a little over halfway through.

A story about "Ratatouille"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:16:20 GMT

Ratatouille

Great plot, great story, great animation.

I’d have to say it amused me more because the sounds, sights, and nuances of the kitchen made sense to me (used to work in restaurants). I loved the characters in the kitchen (Horst, and his menacing thumb!) and how Linguine was trained in the movie.

Would watch again, but understand how it fell short of some reviewers’ expectations.

A story about "Ray (Widescreen Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:30:30 GMT

Ray (Widescreen Edition)

by Taylor Hackford

I watched the extended version on DVD, i must say that it adds alot of character development, although it leaves it slightly choppy since certain scenes change with the extended versions.

I loved the flashbacks to Rays’ childhood and I love that Ray Charles himself had met Jamie and deemed him “worthy” of the role after jamming with him!

Would recommend this movie for a rainy night in, or a hot summer night.

A story about "Please Vote for Me (Sub)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:38:41 GMT

Please Vote for Me (Sub)

by Chen Weijun

I was up late one night and happened upon this documentary following 3 third graders vying for the position of class monitor in their class.

As I watched this film, I marvelled at how mature and confident these 8 year olds appeared to be in the democratic process. Public speaking in front of ~40 of your peers? Debating? Responsibility? These are things that make some adults cringe.

Yet, Cheng Cheng, Luo Lei and Xiaofei accomplish these tasks with coaching and support from their parents.

It is very interesting to see pint sized “politicians” emerge in the film, as well as their tactics, hopes, and fears throughout.

Worth viewing!

A story about "The Namesake"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:52:04 GMT

The Namesake

by Mira Nair

It’s always hard to translate a novel onto the big screen, but I believe Mira Nair did a suitable job. However, if you have not read the book, you may be missing integral parts of the portrayed culture and significance of some scenes.

I like how the movie concentrates on the mother as much as the main character, Gogol / Nikhil.

Beautiful book, beautiful movie. Loved the scenes of Calcutta, the Taj Mahal, and the relationship between Ashima and Ashoke, contrasted by the relationships of Gogol. It was also interesting to see Kal Penn in a serious role; the DVD also includes an interview with him from the Fox Channel.

A story about "Bomberman DS"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:38:23 GMT

Bomberman DS

I am totally addicted to this. Thank god that I don’t own a DS (although I might as well, I think I borrow my sisters’ DS and play it more often than she does).

Favourite play mode? Solo battle, zombie with 7 comp players, split into a team of 3 and 4, or free for all. Love it, love it, love it.

A story about "Six Feet Under: Complete First Season (5pc)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:46:11 GMT

Six Feet Under: Complete First Season (5pc)

by Kathy Bates

Original plot lines with understandable character quirks. Just rented and watched the first disc last night – I think I’m hooked!

A story about "Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:19:48 GMT

Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel

by Chantel Simmons

Finished this book this weekend – I love how it is written by a Canadian author, set in Toronto, and parallels a lot of the authors’ life (or so I’m guessing). I actually enjoyed the second half a lot more than the first half…love how it leaves you with hope and positivity.

A story about "Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:56:26 GMT

Stuck in Downward Dog: A Novel

by Chantel Simmons

Cute book. I borrowed it on a whim at the library, when I went to pick up some items I had on hold, but none of them were books. It’s written along the lines of the ‘Shopaholic’ series but slightly more down to earth. Good escape from reality.

You really have to laugh at some of the main characters’ ignorance and quirks, as well as her friends and families acts of ‘kindness and gratitude’.

Halfway through now. Will be done by Monday.

A story about "Long Life, Happiness Prosperity"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:01:44 GMT

Long Life, Happiness Prosperity

by Mina Shum

Just watched “Long Life, Happiness, Prosperity” and loved it. Not only is it Canadian, and not only is it filmed in Vancouver (I could kind of place some of the scenes), but it is indie as well. Ok, the fact that it stars Sandra Oh (Korean, not Chinese as portrayed in the film!) in a non-annoying role could play a plus as well, but I’m sick and grouchy and stuck at home.

Pros: You can practice your “tri-lingualism” as some of the actors did – in one scene Shuck (Chang Tsang) speaks English, Mandarin, AND Cantonese. Quirky story line. It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry. Lee Tai Tai is hilarious.
Cons: baaad accents. Not only when English is spoken (which is understandable and excusable), but when Cantonese and/or Mandarin is spoken or read. Korean Oh playing Chinese character Kin Ho. Come on.

While this movie could be said to spark and spur some trying stereotypes, I say that the characters are a little too real, and that’s what makes the movie.

A story about "rice congee"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:11:19 GMT

rice congee

I’m sick. bleeeeh

With the flu.

Sore throat, hacking cough, headache, and muscle pain. Took the day off to do nothing around the house, because I simply do not have the energy.

However, having said that, congee is the perfect “sick” food. Simple, nutritious, and bland. Good for sore throats and soothing. sigh

A story about "Metropolis (Restored Authorized Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:45:56 GMT

Metropolis (Restored Authorized Edition)

by Fritz Lang

I’m about 45 minutes into the movie – the DVD cover at the library looked interesting. It wasn’t until I got home that I found out it was a silent film!

Pros: Intriguing plot line, interesting directing
Cons: Overzealous silent film “acting”, horrible makeup (even in black and white)

Finished watching this a couple days ago. Must say, the concept and the directing was great for its time. The number of extras and crew must have been huge. Kudos to those who remastered it.

A fine balance... (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:36:05 GMT

A Fine Balance

by Rohinton Mistry

...between hope and despair.

This was a really great book – beautifully written, weaving the tales, mishaps and joys of four characters in the caste society of India.

Mistry Rohinton takes you through a whole range of emotions – joy, anger, disappointment, happiness, apprehension, worry, and hope. Scenes, sounds, and landscapes of India are described in great detail.

Strongly recommended.

A story about "Amy's Organic Lentil Soup"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:12:59 GMT

Amy's Organic Lentil Soup

by Amy's

I love lentil soup – but this was my first time trying Amy’s Organic Lentil Soup.

I can say that it is very high quality – the ingredients weren’t all together over cooked (as retorting usually deems them), but at the same time, I don’t think I really liked the recipe. There were carrots and potatoes and onion seed or something that I wasn’t expecting.

I wanted more lentil flavour, less mystery herb & spice.

A story about "Fortune Cookie"

nobody@allconsuming.net (jezzme) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:09:58 GMT

Fortune Cookie

One of our clients always brings us little treats or goodies when she drops by (it really should be the other way around!).
This time it was fortune cookies!

“All facets of your life are looking up.”

Indeed, it is. :)