Filed under: Movies
Highlander (1986)
“I have the power! Aye, the quickening that empowers me! I feel everything! I know… I know everything! I am everything!”
Christopher Lambert’s best film to date perhaps? The subsequent Highlander movies might have ranged from plain mediocre to absolute rubbish. But this original from 1986 is without doubt a classic. Not only did it become a popular enough franchise to spawn several sequels, which did well to extinguish the magic of the original, it also led to the creation of a drama series revolving around a certain Duncan Mcleod and an animated series to boot. Sean Connery playing the most unconvincing Spaniard ever, the concept of immortality, the riotous Queen soundtrack, the B-grade yet effective grainy look of the film; knowingly or unknowingly contributing to the feel and atmosphere all combine to make this a memorable film. The constant flashbacks employed throughout the film also serve as a great device in revealing the back story which spans a few hundred years. The franchise might have concluded tepidly with Highlander:Endgame, (though in truth it should have with the first film) but Highlander still maintains its immortal status. (No pun intended by the way)
As requested from one of our groupies that goes by the moniker of Goofy, she wants to have the honour of dedicating this song to the beloved WUMmy. For everything that you have done for her sanity, her taste in music and how you have managed to leave a lasting impression to all the people who have been ahem-fortunate enough to have known you… So here’s to you; our beloved acquaintance. We at the AVB sincerely hope that you, our readers, enjoy one of WUMmy’s personal fave tracks of all time.
- the banker -
Filed under: super d's musings
I am typing out this entry in the unlikeliest of places; Uncle WUMmy’s room. He is fast asleep now after having gorged himself on tons of fried chicken for lunch. He is quite a glutton. He had left the door slightly ajar. So I managed to sneak in and get on his computer. He really needs to clean his keyboard though. There are all kinds of stains on it; I can’t make out exactly what.
Pa and Ma come over for lunch every Sunday. They have been doing so since they got married. I guess it’s under the pretext of ‘maintaining close family ties.’ Though I don’t believe they make these regular visits because they actually believe that; more because they feel obligated to. I would not have a problem with this personally if they did not drag me along as well. As if 5 days of pesky Grandma babysitting me isn’t enough to be sufficiently irritating. And don’t get me started on Uncle WUMmy.
It’s pouring. I hope it continues this way for the rest of the evening. That way, football is sure to be cancelled; the expression on Uncle WUMmy’s face would be quite a picture if that happens. Pa and Uncle WUMmy play football at the school where Pa teaches on Sundays and Thursdays. Uncle WUMmy always goes on about how he’s such a feared footballer because of the tenacity and robustness he displays on the court. Personally, I don’t think he’s much of a footballer and only resorts to such methods of intimidation to make up for his lack of technical ability. I hope one of these days someone puts an end to his playing days by delivering one of those ‘horror tackles’ he’s infamous for. That would be poetic; it would also put an end to his tiresome bragging.
They are showing E.T. on television. The creature sure does look scary. Uncle WUMmy described him as an “ugly cunt” just before he went to bed. He ought to take care of what he says Uncle WUMmy. Thankfully, I’m not impressionable enough to pick up on such crass profanity. But I sure hope Uncle WUMmy’s tongue doesn’t slip when he’s relief teaching those monstrous children down at Pa’s school. Apparently Uncle WUMmy has a tough time dealing with some of them. Personally I think he’s getting a taste of his own medicine. He behaves like an overgrown child himself; especially at home.
Arrghh…I hear Grandma calling out my name. I better make my exit now. I somehow don’t think she’d survive the experience of seeing me hammering away on the keyboard. I hope to share more of my thoughts with you in the near future. For now…Goodbye!
-Super D
Filed under: Movies
It was one of those late Saturday nights (or wee hours on Sunday mornings for that matter) out with the Banker, perhaps out of sheer boredom, (no, not because of the Banker.God forbid.), that I began pondering about the 80s, and in particular the films from that era that I fondly remember. I decided then to compile a list of films which could be identified as being uniquely 80s and which best defined it. To avoid any controversy, the 80s is taken to be the period from 1981-1990 ahem.
The movies in question do not necessarily have to be the best ones from this period in terms of critical acclaim or be regarded as being of ‘Oscar pedigree’. (for those who take the Academy awards seriously) So, obvious choices like Oliver Stone’s Platoon and Wall Street, or Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket do not necessarily have to be on this list by ‘default’.
I also deliberately avoided, perhaps a little unlike myself, films that were generally regarded as overtly ‘dark’ or ultraviolent (by 80s standards of course), and preferred my list to consist of films which fell more along the lines of light hearted family fare. That meant the automatic elimination of some of my favourite films like Terminator, Scarface, Blue Velvet, the 2 Alien films and Die Hard as contenders. This of course should not detract from the fact that these films are classics. They just simply do not fit the specifications with regards to the list I’m compiling.
It is also required of course that I have seen the films in question. I will not compile a list of films based solely on reputation or general consensus. So sadly, films like Steven Spielberg’s E.T, Richard Donner’s The Goonies, Terry Gilliam’s Time Bandits and John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club (I have seen only part of it), will not make the list; though I’m certain 80s aficionados would probably want to kill me for what would widely be perceived as an act of blasphemy. Oh, and I am not including Empire Strikes Back simply because the Banker doesn’t like it. So if you have a gripe with that exclusion, take it out on the bastard.
Lastly, I have opted to select at least one film from each year of the decade. So effectively that means no 2 movies on the list would be from the same year of release. This might mean excluding certain films that might be regarded as dead certainties. But because we do not want to undermine the quality or the contribution made by these ‘unfortunate’ films, they will instead make their way to our list of honourable mentions. So here goes in chronological and in no particular order of merit, the 10 definitive films of the 1980s. (more…)
Filed under: The Banker's Teenage Diaries
The dreadful 7th part of the banker’s wonderful adolescent adventures.
Well, its getting closer to Hari Raya Aidilfitri. We have already fasted for 25 days and 5 more days to Hari Raya. *ARRGHHh!…when will you ever fuckin get to it!*
I guess most of the Muslim households have already stocked up for the special occasion; but I guess some of the more patient ones would shop late when the prices would go down. This may due to the fact that the sellers want to clean their stock as fast as possible. *we learn something new everyday* The best bargains are usually the night before Hari Raya. There, you can expect more than 70 percent discount on goods. The Chinese are celebrating Chinese New Year on Friday. The Muslims would be celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri on Sunday.*and The Hindus would celebrate Deepavali 10 months later* The following Monday would be a public holiday. *fuck me...that’s never happened before!*
From what I can see, Fatimah is quite ecstatic because she will be going to the home of the man of her dreams. She keeps telling everyone what she’ll be wearing and what make-up she will be using. I guess putting on a good impression for one’s parents will always be a daunting task.*a note to those who are not in the know; Fatimah and Alanis Morisette wannabe are one and the same person*
I as usual, will keep my cool when visiting people’s homes. I guess I should not be expecting as much money as the last few years as I am much older now. * surely you can only be at most a year older than you were the previous year?* Well, thats okay. As long as I have enough to eat and drink, that will be enough reward for me. *oh how magnanimous and understanding of you kind sir.*
04 February 1997
Filed under: AVB EXPOSE
I’m back after a long hiatus. Can’t blame me. The site was so derelict, even hosting my shinobi image on the masthead couldn’t do much to entice me to type. So, I bade my time, stood by the sidelines and tried to comprehend what the hell all the noobs were up to and what was riding up their ass crack.
You know a place is doomed when the main contributor, moderator, editor and publicity chairman is WUMmy. Hence, I had to step in. Today I will expound on a story. A tale that has many different elements written into it. However, unlike a normal fable, I’ll let you know the moral now. The moral of this story is: Delete all files before handing over a borrowed thumb drive [including hidden files and folders].
Recently, I had the pleasure of viewing a recent graduate’s resume in the bold search for a job in this topsy turvy market. I’d like to think I learnt a few lessons in life after scrolling through the measly two pages his entire life encompassed.
Let me start with the first section that slaps you across the face like when you walk through the opening automatic doors at Paragon after sweltering in humidity outside.
” Profile: Ability to work in consensus…insightful views…effective…motivated learner … resourceful … detail oriented … responsible … ethical”
Now, the last bit totally murdered me. Ethics! From the man who fucked a monkey? This is Africa all over again. Still undeterred I proceeded to skim the rest of the skimpy facts and figures he had listed.
So, our protagonist lists down his past work experiences, taking careful note to include his part time experience as a phone surveyor because it is highly applicable in his job search in the IT industry. That’s right chummy, pull up those minis, polish your heels and get ready to get some phones slammed down on you, “She had me at Hello” will be your new tag line.
Bemused, I couldn’t stop now. Under activities, on why he was the Treasurer of a society for 2 years running: “was consecutively selected for this post due to my competence”.
And no resume is complete without its resident fib. I mean if top CEOs do it in the case of their degrees, why not this chap? It was something minor. But I caught it anyway. Since when does belonging in a sub-committee [read: lowly minion] mean “Management”? That he was “commended for my hard work and dedication” didn’t rock my boat either. You dirty, self praising cunt.
I’m done. I hope WUMmy gets a job pretty soon based on his “hard work and dedication”. Now, you can fuck off too. What you waiting for? Moral of the story?
- Ah-neh
