Let's Kung Fu Panda

The first installment of Kung Fu Panda proved a hit in our household. Certainly we were looking forward for the follow-up and it was not a surprise when the boys asked me to take them out to watch it on the first weekend the movie came out. After the frantic search to get tickets for the early morning show, we finally settled for the seats a TGV at Capsquare. Armed with soda and popcorn - everyone was hyper at this point, we had ver high expectations for the movie.

The start was actually quite funny, setting up the plot for the movie. A bit of action and punchline here and there. But by midway, it because e obvious that the writers were telling a story of something deeper. It was an origin story, on where Po came from. He must have been half expecting that he was adopted and his father Ping was a bird. The actions came fast and furious, but it was laced with some sappy moments. Puan Anita broke down a couple of times believe it or not. But then again, she was Puan Anita ......

The pace built up again towards the end, which was needed as my boys were getting bored with the heavy dialogues. This time, the pace became relentless, and jokes flowed nicely. There were plenty of nice touches and the ending was although predictable, was well-conceived. There was also a bit in the end which hinted toward another sequel ....

All in all, it was a good day out for the family. Certainly highly recommended for the kids and the kids amongst us. However, if you were planning to watch it with a date, just make sure you go for an evening show as the theaters would be full of noisy children in the morning and afternoon showings.

TGV at Capsquare

As mentioned in my previous post, the only available ticket for Kung Fu Panda II that Saturday morning was at Capsquare. Even though we have been to the place a couple of times, this was the first time we actually fought a movie there. The cinema was nothing fancy. It was your typical TGV venture. None of those Gold Class you see at other joints.

I would write more on the movie. The cinema we watched the movie in was small and cosy. The air conditioning was not too cold and the seats were very comfortable. We settled ourselves at the back row where they offer a twin seat. The sound system was not too loud. Just nice. And even though we were right at the back, the distance to the screen was not too far at all. No complains there. The leg-space were also quite big, and getting in and out of the seats just in case you would need to answer the Nature's call mid movie was also not a problem.

We had the usual popcorns and drinks. The price we paid for the seats we actually very cheap. The twin seats were actually the most expensive and it did not offer discounts for children. However, since we watch the show before noon, we got the early bird discounts. It was only RM10 per seat. Toilets were also quite near and most importantly, you get a full bar of 3G signals from inside the theaters, just in case you were airing for the call from hospital or SMSs and emails.

Parking and traffic going in and out of the place were also not a problem. Definitely we would come here again, if we couldn't get a ticket at our usual place at Pavilion ........

Outplayed. Outclassed.

No doubt about it. The better team won. Barca passed better. They retained the ball as if it was their birthday present. And United scored with their only shot on target. Even Giggsy went irate towards the end of the game. To be honest, we shouldn't complain really. Barca had 67% possession and we did not even get ourselves a corner all evening.

Maybe this was justice. We did not really play well all season. To be honest, we got lucky with winning the Premier League. With a few of our key players retiring, we had no choice but to invest on personnel. I foresee at least three new signings including a new goalkeeper. And with that, we would be going through another transition next season. As for this one, we got what we deserved and a bit more.

I was really amazed at how skillful Iniesta and Xavi at dictating the pace of the game. ManYoo have plenty to learn in that department I'm afraid what we look at the very top level. We were thoroughly well beaten. Outplayed. Outclassed. Even Sir Alex knows that.

Big Build-up

Compared to the years gone by, the build-up for this year's chapter of Champion's League Final was among the most boring, even though it promised a mouth-watering tie. The two teams which were known for their attacking prowess, ManYoo certainly having the edge in defense but would they be able to withstand the tsunami of Messi and Villa with Iniesta and Xavi pulling the strings behind them.

The question about United coping seemed to be the biggest debate. There were simply no other story, apart from Ryan Giggs' - of all people - off the field conquest apart, which was worth writing about. The two managers seemed to be warning up to each other. There were simply too much respect between the two teams. Listening to the interviews certainly put mr to sleep. How Xavi relishes to play with Rooney, how much respect Iniesta has for for Scholes. How Pique reminisced about his four years at Old Trafford. There was simply not enough needle! There was even the opinion of how much better United is now since Ronaldo left for Madrid. The togetherness of the squad and all that crap!

This does not mean that the event would not be a grand one. The end of the road for such legends such as van der Sar and Scholes. The emerging talent of Chicharito. How Rooney would rise to the occasion.

As for me, the match being played on a weekend was a blessing. No more late Wednesday evenings waiting for the matches and struggling to go to work the next day. I was at NZ when I wrote this entry, true to the ritual of getting myself the Tandoori and new ladna for the big match. The matches this season can never get any bigger than this one though. With my Veron shirt, United will prevail! Shame that I would not be joing the Prime Minister in Putrajaya tonight. We might be in danger of having the team rebranded 1ManYoo by one of their pseudo-fan!

Searching for tickets

I have promised my boys to take them to watch Kung Fu Panda II this weekend with their exams done and all. One thing I forgotten to do was to book them the tickets. Big mistake!

It turned out that this was the first day of school holidays - my boys do not share the same holidays as the public schools unfortunately. Therefore, everyone it seems were going to the cinemas. Our usual cinema at Pavilion we're sold out all day even though they we're opening a couple of screens showing Kung Fu Panda with a third showing it in 3D. The Gold Class were showing Prates of the Caribbean - maybe they were still too young for Jack Sparrow yet. 1Utama, sold out until 4pm. Mid Valley, tough luck. Even Wangsa Walk Mall turned out a disappointment. The only place available for the moment Wasserstein Capsquare. And they have plenty of seats left. Online booking done, and we got the early birds discount to go with it.

The initial plan was to ask if Idlan's classmates were keen to tag along. 11.30 am turned out to be too early for everybody unfortunately. Looking at the available tickets, I didn't think we had much of a choice. Remember guys, if you were desperate for tickets, TGV at Capsquare might be the best bet!

We were just waiting for Idlan to hit the shower after his breakfast. We should be good to go at around 11 am. Kung Fu Panda FTW! I just needed to make sure that I resisted clicking on Nur Kasih The Movie though!