Monday, November 06, 2006

Scoop. I have watched a number of Woody Allen films over the years, including Deconstructing Harry, Everyone Says I Love You, Mighty Aphrodite, Bullets Over Broadway, Manhatten Murder Mystery, Husbands and Wives, etc. These are all films from the 90s. I have not even mentioned the older ones. I don't think this film is one of his better ones. Despite Scarlett Johansson and Hugh Jackman having top billing, this film clearly still belongs to Woody Allen himself, acting at what he knows best, jabbering none stop to some decent comic effect, and as usual causing more trouble instead of solving things. The plot was overtly weak, and it was rather incredible that the great tarot card killer can try to dispose our heroine in such a whimpy manner, and still fail to kill her ... clearly a disappointment when compared to Match Point, apparently ... hope his next film will be better than this.

Biennale at City Hall. I thought it was close to wickedness that they managed to secure the former building of law and justice for this event. Anyway, several exhibits stood out for their association with the building. I was very impressed with Ho Tzu Nyen's Bohemian Rhapsody Project, which was totally shot within the building, from the main entrance to one of the court rooms. Sure the video was cheesy as hell, but behind it drove a sombre message of the tyranny of power vs the lose of love ones under injustice ... or so I thought. The other piece that I thought hit a powerful statement to the tyranny of judiciary, was Jane Alexander's Verity, Faith and Justice. Red gloves that signified bloodied hands, littered the entire space. Animals that had human-like features, roamed the entire court. There were also flags, little men hanging on a noose, etc. It was one of the more depressing and creepy exhibits I have seen in this Biennale. And speaking of creepy, Jonathan Allen's collection of pictures of Tommy Angel, were also downright sinister. Audience were made to walk in narrow corridors of a labyrinth, and every other corner, hangs a picture of Tommy Angel, looking not quite angelic ... At the beginning of the exhibition was Amanda Heng's Worthy Tour, which was a thinly disguised lesson of our lost heritage, and a timely reminder that if we are not careful, we will lose more of our history and ourselves than we ever thought we were capable of doing. At the end of the exhibition was Tomas Ochoa, Myth of Sisyphus, whereby the artiste interviewed random people of their views of religion, and sucidal bombers. The interviewees were very candid with what they thought, and most if not all condemned the actions of these suicide bombers. And finally, perched at the 4 corners of the City Hall Building, were exhibits called Secret, Interior: Chrysalis, by Donna Ong. The 4 exhibits were unique, outstanding, and quantified different facades of belief. It is hard to imagine that the works of 4 imaginery ... mad people, were actually all by this petite young lady, swinging between an adult's scientific sophistication and a child's innocent naivity. It was a great experience going through the exhibits. Go check them out!

♥ 11:52 pm