Confessions of a Shopaholic

I saw this yesterday at a pre-screening hosted for the company. I was surprised we were able to score two pre-screenings in a row. Someone in Marketing and/or Merchandising must be working very hard. We even managed to be in the movie; I wonder how much that "product placement" spot cost us, since we've been in a loss position for the last two years and it wasn't even declared a recession then. Ah, corporate America.

So, yes, this is a chick flick. You can be mean and call this Sex and the City lite. I'll defend this one and say SATC is about love. This one is about money and more appropriately, about debt, which most of us have in this recession. I felt very guilty after watching the show because I know I have an enormous Amex bill this month. I've always been diligent in paying the entire balance every month but I wonder if I should when the next payment deadline comes in about 10 days.

My bill is a good double of what I usually swipe. Where do I get this extra money from; my ass?

I feel like Rebecca Bloomwood in that sense. So where is my gorgeous Englishman Hugh Dancey. Gawd, he's so cute. Ladies, watch this movie for the Englishman. You will not be disappointed. Move aside, Orlando Bloom!

Coraline in Real D 3D

I went to see the new Coraline movie yesterday. Based off Neil Gaiman's book, it is coming out in theatres this Friday February 6. I don't think I had seen any 3D movies as a kid, so this was my very first proper 3D movie and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The technology they use now has several names like "Real D" or "Tru 3D". It's like calling a cola drink Pepsi or Coke. The 3D effect is what you would expect, and the movie creators do go out of their way to create dimensions and textures that make solid use of 3D properties in film , so look out for sharp objects coming your way.

The viewing equipment has come a long way from the red-and-green-lens paper-framed glasses you would expect for watching 3D images. The ones given out yesterday resembled Ray-Ban Wayfarers, and were one-size-fits-all plastic-framed glasses with grey plastic lenses. They did not distort my ordinary vision but seemed to magically bring out the 3D motion with spectacular liveliness when viewing the movie.

The film studios have now taken the liberty to making new movie trailers in 3D as an enticing preview of more magic to come.

As for the film Coraline itself; technology aside; it was a great movie. Not really G-rated 100% kid friendly as there are some aspects of the plot that may not be suitable for children. Anyone above 12 should be safe. This is Tim Burton's work after all.