Movie Review: The Imitation Game

THERE ARE SOME SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Hello readers,

As promised on my previous post, I went to JEM and watched the recently Oscars nominated film, The Imitation Game. The film starred Benedict Cumberbatch as the inspiring mathematician of today, Alan Turing and Keira Knightley as Joan Clarke, who was one of the team members breaking the German codes during the World War Two.

The Imitation Game is rather an interesting, non-fiction film which do justice for the late Alan Turing. The film shows about his early life, life during World War Two and also how he lived till he committed suicide at the age of 41. Although the film is based on a true story, some of the scenes are fictitious including how the relationship between Clarke and Turing was portrayed. Prior to watching The Imitation Game, I did read an article on TIMES regarding about whether can machines think and if you haven't read, I suggest you to find the article which you may find it surprising.

I have to honestly admit that Benedict Cumberbatch's acting performance did justice to Professor Turing. I may be a fan of his acting including how I hated his character as Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate, however I would say that his portrayal of Turing was beautiful. Not only was Cumberbatch good, even the younger portrayal was amazing (I seldom come across child actor who portrayed the character's younger self properly). The story was indeed a simplicity and how the screenplay transformed into a film was something I think every human being should deserved to know.

The Imitation Game is not only a film about Alan Turing's life and career, but also how the society in those days have a different perspective from what we know today. Being a homosexual was a crime during Turing's time and he was prosecuted for that reason. In today's context, everyone knows it is okay to be different from others and nowadays, people are coming forward regarding their sexual orientation. If only Turing lived on to this era, I bet he would be proud of his invention which is widely accepted and studied in either universities or general knowledge.

The film also taught me that although people may looked smart on the outside, sometimes there are flaws which we, humans failed to notice. Turing was a victim of injustice and was not only prosecuted but harshly treated by getting some hormones medication to stop being a homosexual. It took many years until in 2013, when Queen Elizabeth II lifted gave him a pardon for his war activities.

The Imitation Game is a film which will warmed your heart and maybe try to appreciate what you have in the world. You can be different, just like Alan Turing himself. Like what Turing once questioned, Can Machines Think?, I believed everyone can be a machine.

Ratings: 8.5/10

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Lack of update

Hello readers,

As you can tell from the post title, I apologize for not being able to update for more than two weeks. I have been catching up on homework, class tests and also juggling between my co-curricular activity and Student Council.

Since the beginning of the year, I have been involved in many events such as the recent Parents-Teachers Meeting for the Secondary One students. I stayed in school from 7am to 9.20pm last Friday for CCA and the mentioned event. This was my first time staying back for a school event which was held at night. It was sure fun for me when I got to wear the blazer since I seldom wear it.

Besides PTM, I stayed back last Wednesday for CCA Try Out Session which sadly, we only have 17 Secondary One students joining Chinese Orchestra. I can tell you since last year, the number of students joining has been getting lesser and lesser. The most number of students joining the CCA was back in 2013, where there were nearly 26 students joined.

Since 2012, I noticed a change in my schedule. As years gone by, I have been actively involved in events which I never thought I would participate. Speaking of which, even my Whatsapp has been notifying me on different group chats too! Maybe joining Student Council and Chinese Orchestra is a blessing. :) With my GCE 'N' Levels coming in July, I better work hard and achieved my goal in aiming 11 points and below. I really want to enter Polytechnic Foundation Programme, argh!

Well, that is all I have for now. This coming Saturday, I will be watching The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley, so do look forward to a review which I will composed and post on the same day! The reason why I will be watching the film is because I waited for two years, two years for the true story of Alan Turing. I did read an article on TIME regarding Turing and Cumberbatch's interview, they were pretty much interesting! Another reason why I wanted to watch the film is because there is six more days to my birthday, a way of celebrating!

Alright, I shall end here and till next time!

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Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Open House

Hello readers,

My apology for not updating this blog for nearly two weeks and I do notice 0 views for last week. I was busy wifh school's programme called Spirit of Excellence (I can't remember the Spanish translation which is the official programme title), which included school mass dance, learning study skills and even going to polytechnic open house.

Last Friday, I went to Ngee Ann Polytechnic's School of Engineering, where my schoolmates and I attended a guided tour around the different booths including Aerospace Electronics, Computer Engineering and Engineering Science. To be honest, we only went to School of Engineering because it was part of our school's plan. The same day, cast of Ah Boys To Men 3 were there and that added up to the crowd. Goodness, I just don't understand why would people go Gaga over them!

Besides visiting School of Engineering, my friends and I got ourselves a recycled plastic key chain design by Diploma in Product Design & Innovation students. I got myself a Batman logo and it turned out pretty nice, except I pitied my friends for having a "cut off" or folded design. The designs were super cool though, also there were people doing ink stamp bags too!

Having not to explore around schools on Friday, I decided to head back there on the last day of Open House and I visited two schools: School of Information Technology and School of Film & Media Studies. The first school I visited was the School of Information Technology, where I explored different booths such as Financial Informatics, Information Technology and the lastest course, Information Security & Forensics (if I'm not wrong, the diploma course's name should be like that). I was intrigued by the latest course because it reminded me of Person of Interest, where Government watched you and when it's time, they would look for you. Infirtration of personal data is somehow the 21st century problem, especially how nowadays computers are not properly protected.

The second and last school I visited was School of Film & Media Studies. For this school, I remembered the tour vividly. I was amazed by the equipment used for Diploma in Film, Sound & Video. They have different crew members such as sound-in-charge, cameraman, director and so much more. As part of the tour, I got to sit in the Preview Theatre where a lecturer told everyone about the SgNewWave, a CCA where you get CIP hours for viewing and reviewing a film. He also showed a student's work which was beautifully crafted about his trip in Myammar. At the end of the talk, I managed to collect goodies! :)

Part of the tour also allowed me to see the green studio, where the Diploma in Digital Visual Effects always used. I saw the footages of how they turned from a nothing-interesting settings into a realistic one, including a gun which is digitally drawn and added into the footage. Cool right? After the whole tour, I decided I should stick to my old dream to have a Diploma in Film, Sound & Video!

Well, I hope most Singaporeans get to enjoy the Open House yesterday and also for those collecting GCE 'O' Levels' results, I wish you all the best and good luck in your next path to success! Here is a photo of the goodies I collected at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. ;)

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Happy New Year!

Hello readers,

I just want to say Happy New Year to all my readers out there! I can't imagine how far I have come since I opened this blog three years ago, from 1000 views to at least 3500 views. Devil In The Skull is my dearest blog to me, he is like my son, my flesh of blood.

Well, besides Devil In The Skull, I also like wished my friends a happy new year too! It has been nearly four years since I met my fellow friends through Chinese Orchestra, Student Council, my class and even outside events such as HarmonyWorks! Conference and CampTeen. To be honest, this is my first time I felt I needed to write a short tribute to my friends since I never felt so closed to people before.

Since school starts tomorrow, it will be a long day and a week for all of us, especially when Secondary One students are joining the school. Just like me three years ago, these students need guidance and comfort when they are in the new environment. Besides that, 2015 is a year where I have to set my priorities such as my upcoming GCE 'N' Levels in mid August or September.

With this short update, I hope you, readers, have a lovely New Year and go out, seized the day! There are many opportunities waiting for you out there!

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