Sugar cravings

Was going through some photos from our recent trip, and came across this mouth-wateringly, teeth-achingly sweet collection of cakes.  We indulged on these sweet little cakes when we were in Malang, Indonesia.  They’re from the Roti Tugu Bakery, around the corner from the Tugu Malang Hotel.  I would go back to Malang just for these cakes. Yes.  They are THAT good.  

Movies reviewed: Prometheus

Very rarely do I suffer from complete and utter disappointment.  Sitting in the cinema as the credits rolled on Prometheus was one such moment.  I was perplexed, bewildered, deflated.

Prometheus is the hotly anticipated, it-is-but-it-isn’t prequel to Alien.  Ridley Scott returns to the helm to provide a back story to the world that he created in 1979 when he directed Alien.  Clearly there was something about Alien, since its creation there have been four Alien (directed by Scott, James Cameron, Jean-Pierre Jeunet and David Fincher) and two Alien Vs Predator movies.

Whatever it was that Alien had was evidently lacking in Prometheus.

In Alien Scott creates a terrifying world, adeptly using environment and situation, as opposed to special effects, explosions and violence to unsettle and scare the audience.  The aura of suspense and claustrophobia that he creates leaves the audience in as much uncertainty as the doomed crew of the Nostromo.  It is both sci-fi and horror, blended seamlessly. It is also, still, the best Alien film in the franchise.

Seasonally classic

Old Hollywood, the grand old dame, an era with gilded golden edges, imbued with an elegance and class that no longer exists.  The time glows like the youthful face of Marilyn Monroe (who, I learned recently, achieved the look by maintaining a fine coating of facial hair which reflected light making her appear luminescent).

On a chill winter or autumn afternoon there are few things better than curling up and watching your favourite film for the hundredth time.  I have watched many of them from the comfort of my couch on my reasonably sized television on such afternoons (and evenings, and even not so chill days, and often not just limited to winter and autumn…).

But, finally, thanks to Dendy, I’m going to get the chance to see these films on the big screen.  The cinema has just finished it’s Autumn Allure season classic films, with the winter season Winter Wonderland to commence on 4 June. 

M and I saw three movies from the first program (M may have seen 4, but it doesn’t count because this isn’t his blog!).  There is something special about seeing old films on the big screen akin to meeting an old friend for the first time.   Despite it being the umpteenth time I’ve seen some of these films, on the big screen it was a completely different experience.

Isla in Casablanca appears more vulnerable, her love for Victor more evident, her longing for redemption from Rick more palpable.  Rick on the other seems less smooth, more barbarous but no less magnetic.  Like the layers of its characters the movie charms more on the big screen, offering up more secrets, hinting more obviously at motivations, long seeded regrets and resentments.  It is, in essence, more beautiful and complex.