(Please read ONE BY ONE SLOWLY) they are all wonderful :)
Friday, October 29, 2010
Quotes & Pictures from one of my favourite blogs http://theuberblog.tumblr.com
http://theuberblog.tumblr.com is a blog full of beautiful inspirational pictures & words. These are just a few of my favourites.
(Please read ONE BY ONE SLOWLY) they are all wonderful :)
(Please read ONE BY ONE SLOWLY) they are all wonderful :)
Saturday, October 23, 2010
WEEKLY DIARY
I'm sorry it has been a while since I wrote a post. I’ll write more regularly from now on, as I feel that the more I write, the more I want to write whereas the less I write, the more I can’t be bothered. And also the reason I have a blog in the first place is to reflect on my daily/weekly life. So I’ll write a weekly dairy every week, no matter how busy I am. Afterall there is a reason it’s called a weekly diary :)
Things I love this week :
Oprah article '11 ways to find your calling'. It is about 11 people from all different career background talking about how they know about what they want to do with their life. I find it lovely and inspiring. These are the 4 (in bold font) that I most relate to (although all are lovely).
1. Peggy Whitson PhD
NASA's Most Experienced Astronaut (377 Days in Space)
On day three or four of my first orbit in space, I remember thinking, "I get to stay up here." It was this sensation of being in the right place. I knew then that I would be back. One hundred and eighty days later, it was still hard for me to leave.
I love the word 'of being in the right place'. I like to dance & perform, part of it is because of the sensation I feel when I am on stage. It feels like I am in the right place and it always feels amazing, even since I was a little kid performing in a school christmas concert. I'm sure the same thing apply with other jobs (vet= around animals, writer = laptop, chef= kitchen).
2. Judith Jamison
Dancer, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
I live my life day by day with a lot of prayer and not necessarily immediate revelations, because I always think God takes his good time in lettin' you know what's doin'.
I love this because it reminds me that if you want to be something good, there is no such thing as a short cut. Something worth achieving needs tremendous hardwork and a lot of mistakes and problems to build up experience and maturity. It needs 'a good time' to get there.
3. Kathleen Sebelius
Former Governor of Kansas, Now Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
I am a believer in the need to take a few risks. You don't get a new job unless you put yourself out there. I'm not suggesting jumping off the tops of buildings without parachutes, but having some willingness to say, I don't know everything about this, but, boy, I can learn it as well as anybody, and I can roll up my sleeves and work really hard. So I'm going to walk through that door, and if it's not open I might kick it a little bit and then walk through.
I like the word 'kick it a little bit'. Life is not easy and at the end of the day however wonderful our peers are, we still have to stand up for ourselves. And all those successful person are usually the ones who are not afraid of obstacles and show a lot of determination and guts and courage to ‘walk through’ them.
4. Masaharu Morimoto
Iron Chef (Food Network), Owner of Two Eponymous Restaurants in New York and Philadelphia
I had two dreams. One, I wanted to be a professional baseball player. The other was to be a chef. Every couple of months, right after my father got paid, we went out to dinner as a family. My father was relaxed, my mother pleased to be out. I admired the sushi chefs, who looked very cool in their starched white jackets behind the sushi bar. That was one of my happiest times as a child.
This one reminds me of my childhood dream. When I was a kid and (at that time) I wanted to be a ballerina, it was first because of the pink tutus. It was the whole appearance that I fell in love with: the pink tutus, ballerina buns, how the ballerinas have their head up and posture straight. I thought they look so elegant and pretty.
I love this picture from http://-sexappeal.tumblr.com
I also love this interview from Madison magazine Nov 2010 edition.
MY BALANCED LIFE by Charlotte Dodson :
Here Miranda Kerr and Rachael Finch’s yoga teacher explains how various therapeutic approaches, from the dietary to the creative, keep her body and mind in shape :
DAILY: Every morning I start my day with a glass of lemon juice and purified water. Lemons are alkaline-forming and aid in balancing out any acidity within the body, and water activates my internal maintenance systems. Along with this, I take a shot of E3Live, a wonderful aqua-botanical superfood that acts as a tonic for the mind and body.
WEEKLY: I strum my heart once a week during a guitar lesson. The rhythmic patterns and vibrational colours of music provide the quickest route to connecting with your inner soul- to finding that place of peace and pure joy. It gives me time to zone out and disconnect from my inner dialogue and enter into the world of melody and tone.
MONTHLY: With the amount of yoga I practice and teach, a remedial massage releases any stressors and built-up impurities I may be holding onto and maintains my body’s vitality on all levels. My masseuse nurtures my physical self from head to toe and puts my various alignments into perfect balance.
I love this Disney quotes from http://rachealxgreatestever.tumblr.com
I love MoS Burger.
I used to live in Singapore and there is this Mos Burger outlet which I love so much. This week I suddenly have this urge to eat them! MOS Burger is one of the largest hamburger chains in Japan. After returning to Japan from living in Los Angeles, Mr. Sakurada started his hamburger shop venture and set up the first MOS Burger shop in Tokyo in 1972. MOS stands for Mountain Ocean and Sun. Committed to producing food fine-tuned to the Japanese palate, Mr. Sakurada inspired his team to create innovative products that would stand the test of time. One of the finest creations was the Rice Burger, which proved a smash hit when it was launched in Japan in 1987. I love those rice burgers. They are so amazing!
Hot Yakiniku Rice Burger
Yakiniku Rice Burger
Ebi Rice Burger
Unagi Rice Burger
Teriyaki Chicken Burger
5 Things I do this this week :
- I have been saying good morning to the person standing next to me in the elevator.
- I saw 'Eat Pray Love' in the cinema. Bali is gorgeous and those italian foods! Oh My!
- I have finished watching the TV show 'Drop Dead Diva' season 1 &2. I love that show! Stacy is so adorable.
- I had a wonderful facial at Ella Bache. Not only my beautician has a flawless face, she is so lovely too.
- Last weekend there was this Australian Salsa Classic, which is the national competition for salsa. Watching the competition gave me a mixed feeling. I was somehow sad because it made me miss skating. In a way it made me miss my skating friends and those skating years, the competitions that I used to participate and friends’ competition that I used to watch and support. I always love watching skating competitions because I got to sit back and see people stressing out :) Lol I know but seriously after going through all those stress yourself (the day before, for example), it was nice to be in the audiences, just cheering and watching a show, not worrying too much. So yes, I miss my skating years :(
picture from http://allthosenames.tumblr.com
picture from http://-sexappeal.tumblr.com
Things I love this week :
Oprah article '11 ways to find your calling'. It is about 11 people from all different career background talking about how they know about what they want to do with their life. I find it lovely and inspiring. These are the 4 (in bold font) that I most relate to (although all are lovely).
1. Peggy Whitson PhD
NASA's Most Experienced Astronaut (377 Days in Space)
On day three or four of my first orbit in space, I remember thinking, "I get to stay up here." It was this sensation of being in the right place. I knew then that I would be back. One hundred and eighty days later, it was still hard for me to leave.
I love the word 'of being in the right place'. I like to dance & perform, part of it is because of the sensation I feel when I am on stage. It feels like I am in the right place and it always feels amazing, even since I was a little kid performing in a school christmas concert. I'm sure the same thing apply with other jobs (vet= around animals, writer = laptop, chef= kitchen).
2. Judith Jamison
Dancer, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
I live my life day by day with a lot of prayer and not necessarily immediate revelations, because I always think God takes his good time in lettin' you know what's doin'.
I love this because it reminds me that if you want to be something good, there is no such thing as a short cut. Something worth achieving needs tremendous hardwork and a lot of mistakes and problems to build up experience and maturity. It needs 'a good time' to get there.
3. Kathleen Sebelius
Former Governor of Kansas, Now Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
I am a believer in the need to take a few risks. You don't get a new job unless you put yourself out there. I'm not suggesting jumping off the tops of buildings without parachutes, but having some willingness to say, I don't know everything about this, but, boy, I can learn it as well as anybody, and I can roll up my sleeves and work really hard. So I'm going to walk through that door, and if it's not open I might kick it a little bit and then walk through.
I like the word 'kick it a little bit'. Life is not easy and at the end of the day however wonderful our peers are, we still have to stand up for ourselves. And all those successful person are usually the ones who are not afraid of obstacles and show a lot of determination and guts and courage to ‘walk through’ them.
4. Masaharu Morimoto
Iron Chef (Food Network), Owner of Two Eponymous Restaurants in New York and Philadelphia
I had two dreams. One, I wanted to be a professional baseball player. The other was to be a chef. Every couple of months, right after my father got paid, we went out to dinner as a family. My father was relaxed, my mother pleased to be out. I admired the sushi chefs, who looked very cool in their starched white jackets behind the sushi bar. That was one of my happiest times as a child.
This one reminds me of my childhood dream. When I was a kid and (at that time) I wanted to be a ballerina, it was first because of the pink tutus. It was the whole appearance that I fell in love with: the pink tutus, ballerina buns, how the ballerinas have their head up and posture straight. I thought they look so elegant and pretty.
I love this picture from http://-sexappeal.tumblr.com
I also love this interview from Madison magazine Nov 2010 edition.
MY BALANCED LIFE by Charlotte Dodson :
Here Miranda Kerr and Rachael Finch’s yoga teacher explains how various therapeutic approaches, from the dietary to the creative, keep her body and mind in shape :
DAILY: Every morning I start my day with a glass of lemon juice and purified water. Lemons are alkaline-forming and aid in balancing out any acidity within the body, and water activates my internal maintenance systems. Along with this, I take a shot of E3Live, a wonderful aqua-botanical superfood that acts as a tonic for the mind and body.
WEEKLY: I strum my heart once a week during a guitar lesson. The rhythmic patterns and vibrational colours of music provide the quickest route to connecting with your inner soul- to finding that place of peace and pure joy. It gives me time to zone out and disconnect from my inner dialogue and enter into the world of melody and tone.
MONTHLY: With the amount of yoga I practice and teach, a remedial massage releases any stressors and built-up impurities I may be holding onto and maintains my body’s vitality on all levels. My masseuse nurtures my physical self from head to toe and puts my various alignments into perfect balance.
I love this Disney quotes from http://rachealxgreatestever.tumblr.com
I love MoS Burger.
I used to live in Singapore and there is this Mos Burger outlet which I love so much. This week I suddenly have this urge to eat them! MOS Burger is one of the largest hamburger chains in Japan. After returning to Japan from living in Los Angeles, Mr. Sakurada started his hamburger shop venture and set up the first MOS Burger shop in Tokyo in 1972. MOS stands for Mountain Ocean and Sun. Committed to producing food fine-tuned to the Japanese palate, Mr. Sakurada inspired his team to create innovative products that would stand the test of time. One of the finest creations was the Rice Burger, which proved a smash hit when it was launched in Japan in 1987. I love those rice burgers. They are so amazing!
Hot Yakiniku Rice Burger
Yakiniku Rice Burger
Ebi Rice Burger
Unagi Rice Burger
Teriyaki Chicken Burger5 Things I do this this week :
- I have been saying good morning to the person standing next to me in the elevator.
- I saw 'Eat Pray Love' in the cinema. Bali is gorgeous and those italian foods! Oh My!
- I have finished watching the TV show 'Drop Dead Diva' season 1 &2. I love that show! Stacy is so adorable.
- I had a wonderful facial at Ella Bache. Not only my beautician has a flawless face, she is so lovely too.
- Last weekend there was this Australian Salsa Classic, which is the national competition for salsa. Watching the competition gave me a mixed feeling. I was somehow sad because it made me miss skating. In a way it made me miss my skating friends and those skating years, the competitions that I used to participate and friends’ competition that I used to watch and support. I always love watching skating competitions because I got to sit back and see people stressing out :) Lol I know but seriously after going through all those stress yourself (the day before, for example), it was nice to be in the audiences, just cheering and watching a show, not worrying too much. So yes, I miss my skating years :(
picture from http://allthosenames.tumblr.com
picture from http://-sexappeal.tumblr.com
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
FOOD DIARY (SEPTEMBER)
Breakfast at Baffi & Mo, Redfern
French Toast with Passionfruit, Lemon curd, Ricotta and Strawberries.
Peppermint Macaron with Flat White
Last month on the 7th is my birthday. I woke up around 7 am and walked to the Fishmarket to have a lobster & some prawns & oysters for breakfast :)
Cakes from Adriano Zumbo Pattisserie
Mont blanc Macaron, Raspberry & beetroot macaron,
SHABALICIOUS: Caramel crunch, caramel sponge, caramel cheesecake, caramel chew & caramel cream cheese mousse.
Passionfruit Tart, Lemon Tart.
(top) WHEELY WEMON: Lemon agar agar, Kalamansi creme legere, lemon dacquoise, lemon meringue batons, lemon puree & Kalamansi curd (Gluten Free).
(middle) I'LL GET BACK TO YOU BARRY: Chocolate yogo creme brulee, soft chocolate gel, chocolate cereal crunchy, chocolate sable breton, chocolate caramel mousse, chocolate plaquette.
(bottom) I don't remember this one. Chocolate with some sort of chilli in it. Not my fav.
2042 Cafe & Deli, Newtown
I love this place, it's a cafe & restaurant and deli in one roof, which they also serve wine & cocktails. The deli has wonderful selections of local & imported cheese, cured meats, antipastis, jams, olives, teas, freshly made cakes, tarts & biscottis.
The jamon iberico comes from free-range pigs that feed on acorns in the oak forests on the border of Spain and Portugal. The deli and restaurant opens until late most nights.
Schultz Smoked Wagyu Beef, Hot Spanish Salami, Prosiutto di Parma, Jamon Iberico (24 months).
At the bottom, is some beautiful jam for my (beautiful) bread :)
Ribs from Hurricane Grill's
Hmm, Big, lean, tender Pork Ribs. This famous tasty Hurricane's Pork ribs is basted in Hurricane's own special rib sauce originating from South Africa and grilled until tender, and served with baked potato with sour cream and chives.
Pizza from Pizza Mario, Surry Hills.
Pizza Margherita 'extra' (buffalo mozzarella, parmesan, fresh tomato, and basil).
Pizza Mario is my no1 favourite pizza restaurant/take away. Their pizzas are the traditinal ones and just the most delicious & amazing. I remember the first time I ate their pizza, I keep thinking about it for days until I had to go and buy another one. Their pizzas is thin and dough-y. They follow these 5 disciplines:
- after rising, the dough must be worked and shaped only with the hands.
- the oven must be only wood burning
- the pizza must be cooked on the oven surface and not in any pan or container
- the toppings must not be in conflict with the rules of gastronomy
- the pizza should be soft, well cooked, fragrant and have a high soft crust.
Pizza Mario is the only pizzeria in Australia given the seal of approval from the Verace Pizza Napoletana – the governing Italian body that makes sure pizzaioli (pizza makers) are doing the right thing by their clientele.
Swirlie's Frozen Yoghurt
I love frozen yoghurt, they are healthier than ice cream and taste just as good. This is the(Premium low-fat) Green Tea Frozen Yoghurt with Cranberries.
Gelato from Gelato Messina, Darlinghurst
(Left to right) : Figs poached in marsala, Italian nougat, Dulce de Leche, Pistachio, Coconut Pandan.
Gelato Messino has won numerous times as the most favourite gelato/ice cream retailer in Sydney. Their product is made fresh on the premises daily, offering a range of 40 flavours and selection of gelato cakes.
"When making gelato at Messina we ask ourselves one simple question, “How would they have made it 100 years ago?” The answer to this simple question is; use ingredients in their raw, most natural form. “Ready made ingredients” such as colourings, flavourings, preservatives and pastes are not used in our gelato at Messina. Because of that, we achieve full bodied texture and flavour in all our gelato. The dairy flavours have less fat content, and our sorbets are completely fat free, dairy free and full of fruit."
French Toast with Passionfruit, Lemon curd, Ricotta and Strawberries.
Peppermint Macaron with Flat WhiteLast month on the 7th is my birthday. I woke up around 7 am and walked to the Fishmarket to have a lobster & some prawns & oysters for breakfast :)
Cakes from Adriano Zumbo Pattisserie
Mont blanc Macaron, Raspberry & beetroot macaron, SHABALICIOUS: Caramel crunch, caramel sponge, caramel cheesecake, caramel chew & caramel cream cheese mousse.
Passionfruit Tart, Lemon Tart.(top) WHEELY WEMON: Lemon agar agar, Kalamansi creme legere, lemon dacquoise, lemon meringue batons, lemon puree & Kalamansi curd (Gluten Free).(middle) I'LL GET BACK TO YOU BARRY: Chocolate yogo creme brulee, soft chocolate gel, chocolate cereal crunchy, chocolate sable breton, chocolate caramel mousse, chocolate plaquette.
(bottom) I don't remember this one. Chocolate with some sort of chilli in it. Not my fav.
2042 Cafe & Deli, Newtown
I love this place, it's a cafe & restaurant and deli in one roof, which they also serve wine & cocktails. The deli has wonderful selections of local & imported cheese, cured meats, antipastis, jams, olives, teas, freshly made cakes, tarts & biscottis.
The jamon iberico comes from free-range pigs that feed on acorns in the oak forests on the border of Spain and Portugal. The deli and restaurant opens until late most nights.
Schultz Smoked Wagyu Beef, Hot Spanish Salami, Prosiutto di Parma, Jamon Iberico (24 months).At the bottom, is some beautiful jam for my (beautiful) bread :)
Ribs from Hurricane Grill's
Hmm, Big, lean, tender Pork Ribs. This famous tasty Hurricane's Pork ribs is basted in Hurricane's own special rib sauce originating from South Africa and grilled until tender, and served with baked potato with sour cream and chives.Pizza from Pizza Mario, Surry Hills.
Pizza Margherita 'extra' (buffalo mozzarella, parmesan, fresh tomato, and basil).Pizza Mario is my no1 favourite pizza restaurant/take away. Their pizzas are the traditinal ones and just the most delicious & amazing. I remember the first time I ate their pizza, I keep thinking about it for days until I had to go and buy another one. Their pizzas is thin and dough-y. They follow these 5 disciplines:
- after rising, the dough must be worked and shaped only with the hands.
- the oven must be only wood burning
- the pizza must be cooked on the oven surface and not in any pan or container
- the toppings must not be in conflict with the rules of gastronomy
- the pizza should be soft, well cooked, fragrant and have a high soft crust.
Pizza Mario is the only pizzeria in Australia given the seal of approval from the Verace Pizza Napoletana – the governing Italian body that makes sure pizzaioli (pizza makers) are doing the right thing by their clientele.
Swirlie's Frozen Yoghurt
I love frozen yoghurt, they are healthier than ice cream and taste just as good. This is the(Premium low-fat) Green Tea Frozen Yoghurt with Cranberries.Gelato from Gelato Messina, Darlinghurst
(Left to right) : Figs poached in marsala, Italian nougat, Dulce de Leche, Pistachio, Coconut Pandan.Gelato Messino has won numerous times as the most favourite gelato/ice cream retailer in Sydney. Their product is made fresh on the premises daily, offering a range of 40 flavours and selection of gelato cakes.
"When making gelato at Messina we ask ourselves one simple question, “How would they have made it 100 years ago?” The answer to this simple question is; use ingredients in their raw, most natural form. “Ready made ingredients” such as colourings, flavourings, preservatives and pastes are not used in our gelato at Messina. Because of that, we achieve full bodied texture and flavour in all our gelato. The dairy flavours have less fat content, and our sorbets are completely fat free, dairy free and full of fruit."
Thursday, October 7, 2010
MY FAVOURITE FOREIGN MOVIES
I love foreign movies. These are 16 of my very favourites in no particular order. They are all amazing in their unique, different ways. They are all from different genres, Most are French, but there are also others from other countries. I repost this old post because I add 10 more movies. Please share with me your favourite foreign movies. x
1. Downfall (German)
This movie tells the story of the final days and downfall of Hitler. The duration is quite long but it is so intense from beginning to finish. This movie (to me) is the best made movie ever. and the most perfect. I'm not into war movies but this is just have to be seen to be believed.
Awards = 15 wins and 13 nominations (including nominated for best foreign movie 2005 academy awards)
2. Les Choristes (France)
This movie tells a story of a school teacher (and musician) and his modest ambition of having the school choir to sing his song and his modest ambition to teach music. It is the most touching and endearing movie and the music is just the most haunting and beautiful.
There are also some very funny and charming moments. But everyone who watch this movie will cry at the end. One word to sum up this movie 'magical'.
Awards = 11 wins and 21 nominations (including nominated for best foreign movie & best music 2005 academy awards)
3. Head on (Turkey)
This movie tells a love story between two very different people, 40 year old man and a 20 year old girl who are from different cultural background and met in a psychiatric facility after both trying to kill themselves. Watching this movie is like a rollercoster emotional journey, there are very real romantic moments, and there are the most tragic bitter moments. The characters are very complex and emotional and the actings from both lead actor/actress are just the most amazing. The ending is sad :( but the love is beautiful. This is my personal fav movie :)
Awards = 23 wins and 11 nominations (including won best film in 2004 European Film Awards)
4.Priceless (France)
I've probably watched this movie way more than I should. A real feel-good movie. The most charming movie. Probably not everyone would agree because this is not the typical hollywood romantic comedy. Girl meet boy. Get married. No. The girl here is a gold digger. Played by my fav actress Audrey Tatou. First of all, i dont think anyone speaks charm more than Audrey Tatou. And the most amazing thing about her is she is not the sexiest or the most beautiful star (like Penelope Cruz or Marilyn Monroe). But she has a very unique face, combined with a very extraordinary acting. She is just so special and she made very good choices with movies. I love all her movies.
Awards - 1 win and 1 nomination
5. Amelie (France)
Every minute of this movie is pure genius. We see the ordinary world through the eyes of Amelie and she makes everything much more extraordinary. Amelie, with her own sense of justice decided to help those around her. And punish those who are bad. For 20 years the director Jean-Pierre Jeunet collected small astonishing and intriguing moments in his life, taking notes in his diary. The things in this movie are quite an everyday thing, but watching it, the way it is made, directed and acted are so magical and such a total escapism. Its like entering another world. A lot of people say that this movie is a masterpiece. I can't be more agree.
Awards = 51 wins and 46 nominations ( including 5 oscar nominations)
6. The diving bell and the butterfly (France/USA)
This is a true story of Elle France editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who in 1995 ( age 43) suffered a stroke that paralysed his entire body except his left eye. He then made his memoir using that left eye by blinking to communicate every single alphabet for every words in his books. Yes every single word! This is a very remarkable story told and shot from Jean-Dominique's body (you see the world as he views) making watching it just even more real and heartfelt (especially the sealing of his eye part). The way this movie is made really can't be any more beautiful and the audiences also experience some truly funny moment in alot of scenes. Also feeling Jean-Do's sorrow trapped like the diving bell while his imagination and the gorgeous cinematography make you feel like a butterfly. An amazing inspiring movie.
Awards = 41 wins and 33 nominations (nominated for 4 oscars)
7. He loves me He loves me not (France)
Another brilliant movie starring Audrey Tatou. I love French thriller. It is so tastefully done. This movie is about a crazy love. And who does love film better than the French? This film has a surprise for you. You just got to watch it. I won't spoil it for you!
Awards = 2 nominations
8. Caramel (Arabic)
This movie is a story of the friendship of 6 women in Beirut, whom 4 of them work in a beauty salon. What happens when they get together, gossip and talk about life and love happiness and problems. This movie is beautiful in its simple, modest way. It is enchanting and charming. You can't help but falling in love with all the women and their characters. The movie has this warm, watchable enjoyable feeling and yet it touch you and move you deeply. The fact that 2 of the main characters never acted before and this is the director's debut film, just amazed me even more. I can't help but fell in love with this film.
Awards : 4 wins and 5 nominations
9. Maria full of Grace (Colombia)
This movie is about a young pregnant 17 y o Colombian who becomes a drug mule to make some desperately needed money for her family. She comes to America by swallowing 62 pellets of cocaine in her stomach. In America, problems happen but in the end she decided to stay in America to be able to give a better life for her child.
Maria has such a high human spirit which is so touching. You can feel her nerve, fear, lost and hope. What is also amazing is the fact that this is a Colombian movie which is written/directed by an American and it is low budget. That simplicity makes it so believable and real. It touches such a sensitive subject, and it succeeds.
Catalina Sandino Moreno who played Maria is brilliant and was nominated for best actress at the Academy Awards.
Awards = 30 wins & 22 nominations (nominated for 4 Oscars, win Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival)
10. In the mood for love & 2046
Wong Kar Wai is my most favourite movie director. I've seen all his movies that I can get access to. His movies are the types of movies that I feel strongly connect to & that I can so feel and relate to. It's funny because his movies are a bit of 'in its own world', even fantasy-like. It's very hard to describe my feeling, I feel like those things in his movies are the stuff that are in my dreams & imagination & fantasy the whole time. I get this dejavu whenever I watch his films, its like it's tailored-made for me. Strange.
In a whole, maybe also because his movies are lush and visually gorgeous. He can always capture the romance and passion beautifully (or sad at times, or both at the same time), the storyline is simple, yet made rich, it often doesn't have a proper ending (which I can make my own ending the way I imagine it). Not all movies can get away with that, but his movies are so special and intimate, you kind of know how it is going to continue. Always beautifully sounded, the tracks are softly played but the melody is gorgeous. His movies are the sorts of movies that you remember long after you see it.
Awards : In the mood for love (31 wins and 23 nominations), 2046 (22 wins and 30 nominations)
In the mood for love was awarded 'Best Foreign Film' in the 2001 France Cesar Awards & 2001 German Film Awards and 'Screen International Award' in the 2000 European Film Awards, and 2046 was awarded 'Screen International Award' in the 2004 European Film Awards. Wong Kar Wai was awarded 'Best Director' for his other movie 'Happy Together' at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.
Wong Kar Wai's first full English feature film "My blueberry nights" opened the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, starring Norah Jones, Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman and Jude Law.
11. L'appartement (France)
L'appartement is an elegant romantic thriller with its brilliant plot. It will absorb you from the start, and keep you guessing and feeling suprised and amazed until the very end. This movie starred the beautiful Monica Belluci and the French superstar Vincent Cassel. This is the first French movie that I've ever seen (long time ago) and I've forgotten the plot now but I still remember how brilliant it is, at the same time beautiful and sophisticated (How does the French does it?). I was in awe for a few days. The movie was out in 1996 and until now, people hasn't forgotten about it. It is that 'classic'. The American remade this movie (Wicker Park, starring Josh Hartnett and Rose Byrne) and of course this original version is the one you should watch first.
Awards = 2 wins & 1 nomination (win BAFTA Awards for best foreign movie)
12. Spanish Apartment (France)
I've lived in foreign countries away from my parents since I was 12. And since then, I've shared apartments/houses/rooms with so many different types of individuals. That is why I love this movie so much. It's about a few people from different countries and characters who live in one apartment. Not often you get to see a movie with a few different languages in it. This movie is also a very delightful comedy which you will remember for a long time. It shows friendship, some happy or crazy moments when you are young. And it is so funny! (My favourite actress Audrey Tatou was in it too).
Awards = 8 wins and 8 nominations. (It also won Audience Award in 2003 Sydney Film Festival and 2003 Brisbane Film Festival)
13. The class (France)
Some movies evoke my emotion. Alot of movies of course make me sad or happy. But only a rare few can make me angry. This movie does it. This is the story of Francois Begaudeau (whom he played himself), who also wrote the book upon which this movie is based on. He is a junior school teacher in France, where the students are multi-cultural and come from middle working family. It gives us insights on how frustrating and hard it is to teach children. And we cant really hate the children because they are children. It shows what happen beneath that classroom wall. Back when I was in junior school, we listened to whatever the teachers said, but in this movie, it is more of a two-way communication classroom. Students listen to teachers and vice versa. Some of what the students said are quite interesting!!
This movie doesn't really feel like a movie, it's like half a movie half a documentary. It feels really real. It's outstanding.
Awards = 9 wins and 14 nominations (including the coveted Cannes Palme D'or 2008 and Academy Award nominations for best foreign movie 2009)
(This video doesn't really show how outsatanding this movie is)
14. The white haired bride 1 & 2
Visually gorgeous, beautifully acted. Brigitte Lin is one of the most beautiful and one of the most gifted Chinese actress. She plays the betrayed lover and you can feel her love and betrayed emotion. This is truly one of the most visually breathtaking movie I've ever seen. And I was so happy that the sequel is as good as the original.
15. City of God (Brazil)
Whenever I see people/ movie critics's top 10 best/ favourite foreign films, this movie is always included. This is a very powerful and heart wrenching movie that shows a true story of crime and horrifying violence in Rio de Janeiro. The editing is probably one of the best editing I've ever seen in a movie. You are always in the edge of your seat, and this is not some horror fiction, this is real. Real people whose life are so wasted in fights and gangs and die too easy. This movie is such an eye opener.
Awards = 55 wins and 25 nominations (nominated for 4 oscars)
16. La Vie en Rose (France)
"Her voice is the soul of Paris". This is the true story of Edith Piaf, a French singer who has one of the most beautiful voice EVER! Beautiful is almost an understatement, her voice is one of a kind, special, unique, it is overloaded with heart and soul. It has so much depth and feeling that you can feel her passion, even though you don't see her sing. Marion Cotillard performance in this movie is magnificent, I dont think anyone can play Edith Piaf better than her. Her acting is stunning and the makeup is unreal too(Oscar win for make-up) Marion transformed from this beautiful actress to this very believable old woman. The love story is very touching. I haven't feel moved by a love story like this one for a very long time. And I love the French setting in that older era. It is so french :)
The Oscar winning performance of Marion, combined with the colourful passionate true story of Edith Piaf (and combined with the most beautiful soundtrack) make this movie one of its kind. It is just special.
Awards : 29 wins and 33 nominations (win 2 Oscars including best actress to the very deserving Marion Cotillard)
1. Downfall (German)
This movie tells the story of the final days and downfall of Hitler. The duration is quite long but it is so intense from beginning to finish. This movie (to me) is the best made movie ever. and the most perfect. I'm not into war movies but this is just have to be seen to be believed.
Awards = 15 wins and 13 nominations (including nominated for best foreign movie 2005 academy awards)
2. Les Choristes (France)
This movie tells a story of a school teacher (and musician) and his modest ambition of having the school choir to sing his song and his modest ambition to teach music. It is the most touching and endearing movie and the music is just the most haunting and beautiful.
There are also some very funny and charming moments. But everyone who watch this movie will cry at the end. One word to sum up this movie 'magical'.
Awards = 11 wins and 21 nominations (including nominated for best foreign movie & best music 2005 academy awards)
3. Head on (Turkey)
This movie tells a love story between two very different people, 40 year old man and a 20 year old girl who are from different cultural background and met in a psychiatric facility after both trying to kill themselves. Watching this movie is like a rollercoster emotional journey, there are very real romantic moments, and there are the most tragic bitter moments. The characters are very complex and emotional and the actings from both lead actor/actress are just the most amazing. The ending is sad :( but the love is beautiful. This is my personal fav movie :)
Awards = 23 wins and 11 nominations (including won best film in 2004 European Film Awards)
4.Priceless (France)
I've probably watched this movie way more than I should. A real feel-good movie. The most charming movie. Probably not everyone would agree because this is not the typical hollywood romantic comedy. Girl meet boy. Get married. No. The girl here is a gold digger. Played by my fav actress Audrey Tatou. First of all, i dont think anyone speaks charm more than Audrey Tatou. And the most amazing thing about her is she is not the sexiest or the most beautiful star (like Penelope Cruz or Marilyn Monroe). But she has a very unique face, combined with a very extraordinary acting. She is just so special and she made very good choices with movies. I love all her movies.
Awards - 1 win and 1 nomination
5. Amelie (France)
Every minute of this movie is pure genius. We see the ordinary world through the eyes of Amelie and she makes everything much more extraordinary. Amelie, with her own sense of justice decided to help those around her. And punish those who are bad. For 20 years the director Jean-Pierre Jeunet collected small astonishing and intriguing moments in his life, taking notes in his diary. The things in this movie are quite an everyday thing, but watching it, the way it is made, directed and acted are so magical and such a total escapism. Its like entering another world. A lot of people say that this movie is a masterpiece. I can't be more agree.
Awards = 51 wins and 46 nominations ( including 5 oscar nominations)
6. The diving bell and the butterfly (France/USA)
This is a true story of Elle France editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby, who in 1995 ( age 43) suffered a stroke that paralysed his entire body except his left eye. He then made his memoir using that left eye by blinking to communicate every single alphabet for every words in his books. Yes every single word! This is a very remarkable story told and shot from Jean-Dominique's body (you see the world as he views) making watching it just even more real and heartfelt (especially the sealing of his eye part). The way this movie is made really can't be any more beautiful and the audiences also experience some truly funny moment in alot of scenes. Also feeling Jean-Do's sorrow trapped like the diving bell while his imagination and the gorgeous cinematography make you feel like a butterfly. An amazing inspiring movie.
Awards = 41 wins and 33 nominations (nominated for 4 oscars)
7. He loves me He loves me not (France)
Another brilliant movie starring Audrey Tatou. I love French thriller. It is so tastefully done. This movie is about a crazy love. And who does love film better than the French? This film has a surprise for you. You just got to watch it. I won't spoil it for you!
Awards = 2 nominations
8. Caramel (Arabic)
This movie is a story of the friendship of 6 women in Beirut, whom 4 of them work in a beauty salon. What happens when they get together, gossip and talk about life and love happiness and problems. This movie is beautiful in its simple, modest way. It is enchanting and charming. You can't help but falling in love with all the women and their characters. The movie has this warm, watchable enjoyable feeling and yet it touch you and move you deeply. The fact that 2 of the main characters never acted before and this is the director's debut film, just amazed me even more. I can't help but fell in love with this film.
Awards : 4 wins and 5 nominations
9. Maria full of Grace (Colombia)
This movie is about a young pregnant 17 y o Colombian who becomes a drug mule to make some desperately needed money for her family. She comes to America by swallowing 62 pellets of cocaine in her stomach. In America, problems happen but in the end she decided to stay in America to be able to give a better life for her child.
Maria has such a high human spirit which is so touching. You can feel her nerve, fear, lost and hope. What is also amazing is the fact that this is a Colombian movie which is written/directed by an American and it is low budget. That simplicity makes it so believable and real. It touches such a sensitive subject, and it succeeds.
Catalina Sandino Moreno who played Maria is brilliant and was nominated for best actress at the Academy Awards.
Awards = 30 wins & 22 nominations (nominated for 4 Oscars, win Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival)
10. In the mood for love & 2046
Wong Kar Wai is my most favourite movie director. I've seen all his movies that I can get access to. His movies are the types of movies that I feel strongly connect to & that I can so feel and relate to. It's funny because his movies are a bit of 'in its own world', even fantasy-like. It's very hard to describe my feeling, I feel like those things in his movies are the stuff that are in my dreams & imagination & fantasy the whole time. I get this dejavu whenever I watch his films, its like it's tailored-made for me. Strange.
In a whole, maybe also because his movies are lush and visually gorgeous. He can always capture the romance and passion beautifully (or sad at times, or both at the same time), the storyline is simple, yet made rich, it often doesn't have a proper ending (which I can make my own ending the way I imagine it). Not all movies can get away with that, but his movies are so special and intimate, you kind of know how it is going to continue. Always beautifully sounded, the tracks are softly played but the melody is gorgeous. His movies are the sorts of movies that you remember long after you see it.
Awards : In the mood for love (31 wins and 23 nominations), 2046 (22 wins and 30 nominations)
In the mood for love was awarded 'Best Foreign Film' in the 2001 France Cesar Awards & 2001 German Film Awards and 'Screen International Award' in the 2000 European Film Awards, and 2046 was awarded 'Screen International Award' in the 2004 European Film Awards. Wong Kar Wai was awarded 'Best Director' for his other movie 'Happy Together' at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.
Wong Kar Wai's first full English feature film "My blueberry nights" opened the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, starring Norah Jones, Rachel Weisz, Natalie Portman and Jude Law.
11. L'appartement (France)
L'appartement is an elegant romantic thriller with its brilliant plot. It will absorb you from the start, and keep you guessing and feeling suprised and amazed until the very end. This movie starred the beautiful Monica Belluci and the French superstar Vincent Cassel. This is the first French movie that I've ever seen (long time ago) and I've forgotten the plot now but I still remember how brilliant it is, at the same time beautiful and sophisticated (How does the French does it?). I was in awe for a few days. The movie was out in 1996 and until now, people hasn't forgotten about it. It is that 'classic'. The American remade this movie (Wicker Park, starring Josh Hartnett and Rose Byrne) and of course this original version is the one you should watch first.
Awards = 2 wins & 1 nomination (win BAFTA Awards for best foreign movie)
12. Spanish Apartment (France)
I've lived in foreign countries away from my parents since I was 12. And since then, I've shared apartments/houses/rooms with so many different types of individuals. That is why I love this movie so much. It's about a few people from different countries and characters who live in one apartment. Not often you get to see a movie with a few different languages in it. This movie is also a very delightful comedy which you will remember for a long time. It shows friendship, some happy or crazy moments when you are young. And it is so funny! (My favourite actress Audrey Tatou was in it too).
Awards = 8 wins and 8 nominations. (It also won Audience Award in 2003 Sydney Film Festival and 2003 Brisbane Film Festival)
13. The class (France)
Some movies evoke my emotion. Alot of movies of course make me sad or happy. But only a rare few can make me angry. This movie does it. This is the story of Francois Begaudeau (whom he played himself), who also wrote the book upon which this movie is based on. He is a junior school teacher in France, where the students are multi-cultural and come from middle working family. It gives us insights on how frustrating and hard it is to teach children. And we cant really hate the children because they are children. It shows what happen beneath that classroom wall. Back when I was in junior school, we listened to whatever the teachers said, but in this movie, it is more of a two-way communication classroom. Students listen to teachers and vice versa. Some of what the students said are quite interesting!!
This movie doesn't really feel like a movie, it's like half a movie half a documentary. It feels really real. It's outstanding.
Awards = 9 wins and 14 nominations (including the coveted Cannes Palme D'or 2008 and Academy Award nominations for best foreign movie 2009)
(This video doesn't really show how outsatanding this movie is)
14. The white haired bride 1 & 2
Visually gorgeous, beautifully acted. Brigitte Lin is one of the most beautiful and one of the most gifted Chinese actress. She plays the betrayed lover and you can feel her love and betrayed emotion. This is truly one of the most visually breathtaking movie I've ever seen. And I was so happy that the sequel is as good as the original.
15. City of God (Brazil)
Whenever I see people/ movie critics's top 10 best/ favourite foreign films, this movie is always included. This is a very powerful and heart wrenching movie that shows a true story of crime and horrifying violence in Rio de Janeiro. The editing is probably one of the best editing I've ever seen in a movie. You are always in the edge of your seat, and this is not some horror fiction, this is real. Real people whose life are so wasted in fights and gangs and die too easy. This movie is such an eye opener.
Awards = 55 wins and 25 nominations (nominated for 4 oscars)
16. La Vie en Rose (France)
"Her voice is the soul of Paris". This is the true story of Edith Piaf, a French singer who has one of the most beautiful voice EVER! Beautiful is almost an understatement, her voice is one of a kind, special, unique, it is overloaded with heart and soul. It has so much depth and feeling that you can feel her passion, even though you don't see her sing. Marion Cotillard performance in this movie is magnificent, I dont think anyone can play Edith Piaf better than her. Her acting is stunning and the makeup is unreal too(Oscar win for make-up) Marion transformed from this beautiful actress to this very believable old woman. The love story is very touching. I haven't feel moved by a love story like this one for a very long time. And I love the French setting in that older era. It is so french :)
The Oscar winning performance of Marion, combined with the colourful passionate true story of Edith Piaf (and combined with the most beautiful soundtrack) make this movie one of its kind. It is just special.
Awards : 29 wins and 33 nominations (win 2 Oscars including best actress to the very deserving Marion Cotillard)
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