TAB Singapore – All-in-One Live Entertainment Venue
I have been swamped with work recently (What’s new?) but if you have been following me closely on twitter, you’ll see TAB as my latest favorite hangout.
Located at Orchard hotel, which is at the head of Orchard Road (Opposite The Forum), TAB is the ‘not-so-new-anymore’ kid on the block of the local nightlife scene. Where else can you experience live music with good food and drinks without sitting uncomfortably under the horrible Singapore weather? The kitchen sure knows how to cook up a storm and you’ll be spoiled for choice. I personally love the TAB burger, Fries (which my friends and I all agreed that the fries have this nice slightly sweet taste to it!) and the Chicken Caesar Salad totally won my heart with its freshness.
TAB is probably a dream come true for music lovers like me as they truly support original music! Not only do they provide a platform but they also showcase the talents of local and foreign artists alike in an intimate, relaxing and cozy setting. Last week I had the opportunity to catch the Lenka private showcase that was held at TAB and it was wonderful – the reason being that Lenka was just an arm’s length away and the space allows you to swing along to the music. I have also watched Oak and Gorski‘s gig when they were down in Singapore, it was wonderful to have such great overseas acts being invited and introduced to the locals who may not have come across them on their own. In fact, SMUBE is now playing TAB artists’ songs on Campus Radio apart from our usual YouTube covers artists!
Singaporeans love promotions, don’t they? TAB is clever enough to have a free flow steak sandwiches & fries during Happy Hours from Mon to Fri 5pm – 8pm for all paying customers. Or if you’re a student like me, you can check out the TAB burger deal that comes with a TAB burger, fries and 1 alcoholic/2 soft drinks for just $12.75++ ! What a deal !
So if you are looking for a place to hang out which allows you to satisfy both your tummy and music crave, TAB is definitely worth checking out. Pssst…you know where to find me when I’m not at work/in school ! Hehs.
For more information, you can check out their official site (the gigs, promotions and location etc): www.tab.com.sg
Disclaimer: This is not a paid ad post ! I am simply just infatuated with the place recently..hur (plus SMU Campus Radio loves them!)
Movie Buzz : Astro Boy !
Caught the premiere screening of Astro Boy with the boyfriend at Golden Village earlier on. Before I share my thoughts on Astro Boy, I think Singaporeans are really inconsiderate when it comes to such events which are free seating. I don’t see how you can’t move in - knowing that others who come in later than you will have a hard time moving to the middle seats. OR putting your bags next to you to occupy another seat. Like seriously, quite a disgrace to call myself Singaporean when you are in such situations.
Anyways, the synopsis for Astro Boy reads something like how a typical Japanese cartoon would be like – Set in futuristic Metro City, Astro Boy is a young robot with incredible powers created by a brilliant scientist. The robot then turns into a hero and save Metro City and embarks on a journey in search of his destiny. Cliché but it was not what I was expecting after the nice happy start of the film.
Without a doubt, the best thing about Astro Boy was the hard hitting and rather dark first act that sets the back story. We see the brilliant scientist Dr. Tenma (Nicholas Cage) and his really smart human son being introduced. Not having a single clue of how Astro Boy’s story is like, I would have expected some science-experiment-went-wrong which transformed the son to a heroic figure with super powers as it’s a children-friendly film. How the film went was much darker and the emotional depth was surprisingly effective in the rejection scene which followed shortly between the scientist and the recreated son. I thought this component of the film was well handled and it gave a solid foundation for the film to kick off with.
Overall, the animation was not fantastic but attractive enough from both animation and cinematography perspective. I liked how 2D and 3D animation is blended together to produce a visually appealing piece. I think Imagi (the Hong Kong Animation Studio) did a slick job for the CG and kinda bring the whole story to life. There are a number of ‘useless’ yet interesting characters that piece the film together. For instance, I really liked the 3 robots called the “Robot Revolutionary Front” who were the comical relief in the film. Although it felt as though these sidekick characters were created to take up screen time but I think their presence added the entertainment element – even if they have no positive or negative impact for the story. You can totally agree with the robots’ last line” Well, I guess we didn’t actually do anything” – quite right!
One thing I’ve never liked about animation movies is that you have all these voices of high profile actors are not necessary the best choice. Most of them were emotionless and flat when it comes to portraying their animated characters. Then again, I think guys will like Kristen Bell as Cora even if, in my opinion, Cora’s character was rather weak. I’m not sure how different the Manga is as compared to the film but I find the messages behind the story were literally in your face – like “how fitting in when you’re different from others harder to do than you thought” (somewhere along that line) or how you can never replace your loved ones etc. However, I find the music by John Ottman infused the right atmosphere and really fits the film.
Overall, the movie started off with a bang but weakens as the movie reaches the end. Especially when you were expecting the action to get more exciting – reaching “OH NO,ITS THE END OF THE WORLD” when the red core and the blue core meets…but hell no, it was a “That’s it ?!” disappointing moment for me. I didn’t quite get why the president kept repeating that he is trying to win an election, going on and on about it…like what’s the point ? (inside joke?) Isn’t evil guys suppose to destroy the world with such great power ?! That’s how the story should be like ! (I’m sadist)
It was quite a straightforward story for kids to understand with jokes that are good enough for the adults to chuckle over. I have a soft spot for this iconic figure created by Osamu Tezuka aka “God of Manga” because of his cute hairdo and spunky red boots. So I’ll say it’s a 4 out of 5 (despite my slightly negative review) for this fun family film that everyone can comes away happy for different reasons. It could have been better.
It opens in cinema this coming Thursday, 5th November !
Update on H1N1 : An Epidemic of Stupidity
Everyone is blogging about the whole H1N1 saga of how a fellow SMU student who was “so dumb knowing that US has high infection,yet still decided to travel there.” (antiwisefc, The Straits Times online forum) and being a “troublemaker…should sue her for bringing in the virus!” (deritz, Stomp) It is indeed amusing to see the maturity level of our local news readers who target only on the victims and not the issue itself. I don’t want to be classified as “netizen” because of these people who make such comments. Trust me, I have seen worse on many blogs and other forums – is there a need to start a flame-war ? She did not ask for it.
“The affected student has requested that we not reveal her identity. We request all members of SMU to respect her request and her privacy.” – SMU President’s message on H1N1
I’m sure she is innocent and did not ask for the instant fame for bringing the virus in, who would have wanted to ? It is almost a fact that the virus will bound to land in Singapore any time soon – just a matter of time. Why these personal attacks ? Will it make you feel any better if she dies or be haunted for life because of this ? I don’t think she deserves these treatments. Neither did any of her friends or whichever H1N1 victims out there. Give them a break. Stop hunting them down for more “personal” information. It’s really none of your business of anyone else’s to know who the friend is or who the boyfriend is or what do other SMU students think about this. We want NEWS not GOSSIPS.
As much as I dislike school, I think SMU handled the situation pretty well. Onecentsworth (The Straits Time online forum) commented that “A common sense decision to cancel the trip by the school management would have prevented all the unnecessary consequences now, isn’t it?” A little too late for being the “Smart Alec” isn’t it? In the first place, if we were all to act paranoid and behave that way – why didn’t you blame the people for going overseas for their holiday trips, why not stop people from consuming rice since there is a high possibility for them choking to death…no? Let’s just say if the school did cancel the trip, do you think H1N1 will not happen in Singapore ?
It was appalling to see our local newspapers (namely The New Paper) ‘s articles on the matter. Maybe Ms Joanna Hor and Ms Geraldine Yeo, the newsroom interns did not quite understood the code of professional conduct for journalists. Not forgetting Ng Wan Ching, Veena Bharwani too. Take a look and be ashamed of yourselves. Are you sure you want a future career in journalism ? If so, I do think the future of newspapers is bleak.
Singapore National Union of Journalists’
Code of Professional Conduct
- Every member shall maintain good quality of workmanship and high standard of conduct.
- No member shall do anything that will bring discredit on himself/herself, his/her union, his/her newspaper or other news media or his/her profession.
- Every member shall defend the principles of freedom in the honest collection and dissemination of news and the right of fair comment and criticism.
- Every member shall realise his/her personal responsibility for everything he/she prepares for his/her newspaper or other news media.
- Every member shall report and interpret the news with scrupulous honesty.
- Every member shall use only honest methods to obtain news, pictures and documents.
- No member shall accept any form of bribe whether for publication or suppression nor permit personal interest to influence his/her sense of justice.
- Every member shall respect all necessary confidence regarding sources of information and private documents.
- Every member shall keep in mind the dangers in the laws of libel, contempt of court and copyright.
- Every member shall observe at all times the fraternity of their profession and shall never take unfair advantage of a fellow member.
How do you feel to have your names stamped all over the blog for something that you “never intended” to happen ? Terrible isn’t it ? Did you stop and put yourselves in the victims shoes before publishing the article or make those comments? Dear interns, not only did you published their names but you just had to mention the poor Sars patient after 6 years of some peace in her life. Great job on the research done !
I don’t think there’s anything for us to do right now but just pray that the victims will recover soon and the spread of virus will be under controlled. All i can say is that, I don’t think local newspapers are worth reading anymore if this is what journalism is to them. Oh, and I got all my news updates via Twitter since the official newspapers were down when everyone decided to find out what’s happening. FYI, netizens to me are the ones who broadcast information and news updates in a responsible and mature manner instead of “flame first H1N1 victim”.
End of story.
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good read(s) :
Daryl and his views on Why Singaporean Press Are Like Vultures
DK ‘s Shame on you TNP! Shame on you!
Dorothy’s Communication Thoughts Case #1: Crisis Comms & Mainstream Media
