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Jeanmarie Says: So have you caught Twilight fever yet? If not, what are you waiting for? This week, prepare to be inundated with media coverage on the popular book series-turned-movie that has captured the imagination of millions around the world.

I picked up Twilight, the first of four novels, out of curiosity and it was love at first bite. Definitely darker and sexier than Harry Potter, the other page-to-screen juggernaut that Twilight is often compared to.

Having recently seen director Catherine Hardwicke’s film version, I’m glad to report Twilighters won’t be disappointed. Especially since Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen and Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan are perfectly cast, have such sizzling chemistry and hold court from start to finish.

Here in Singapore, I’ve discovered fans from surprisingly myriad groups: Parents and their teenage kids, single and married adults, straight and gay. Yep, Twilight isn’t just for adolescent girls. The forbidden love story between a human teenage girl and her vampire paramour apparently came to author Stephenie Meyer - a Mormon mother of three hoping to earn enough money to pay off her minivan - in a dream. Appropriately, her hero Edward has now become the stuff of every woman’s dream.

I can’t wait to start devouring the next three books, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn - just as I’m already counting down to the movie sequel.

Tell Us: Are you a fan of the book series upon which the movie is based? Do you think the film will live up to all the hype and expectations?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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I am an avid fan of the Twilight saga who looks forward to watching the movie very much. But the trailer shows wrong quotes at wrong scenes, and I personally feel that the movie might not turn out to be so great after all. Most avid Twilight fans who had higher expectations might not be satisfied with this movie.

Vicky Ng

as a fan of the twilight book , i agree that the movie will live up to its book popularity.
even for those youngsters out there who never read the book ,they will be attracted by the looks of the actors

twiguy wannabe

Twilighters

Fan-pires

Obsessive Cullen Disorder

Hate it, love it, call it whatever you like, the Twilight series has garnered thousands of Twi-hards worldwide and even the odd celebrity (Ryan Seacrest). Everyone would , of course, have Emmett-sized expectations of the movie Twilight.

Make one wrong scene and the producers would be receiving hate mail for a decade.

In the beginning, I had my doubt, just like any other fan. (even if the book came with a picture of our beloved vampires, our imagination would conjure up a totally different Cullen Family).
However, after the cast had been vampified, they had no problems winning Twilighters over. Team Peter/Carlisle, anyone?

The cast aside, the movie packs enough punch to bruise even Edward (not that we would want to do that). The fighting cenes were fantastic, i mean vamp-tastic, with enough special effects to keep the guys spellbound. the love scenes were so emotionally charged that every girl was “dazzled”.
Watching the movie was like watching Twilight the book unravel from our imagination to onscreen. It has lived up to our impossible expectations.

How about a round of applause for our favourite vampires?

Gill

i am so totally obsessed with twilight ive seen it 23 times now and that’s nojoke! im serious. the book s will live up to the expectation to the movies because they r really good! ive read them all cant wait till midnight sun comes out! i am obsesseed of robert pattinson i go to hot topic just to get stuff that has him on it i have a t- shirt book mark and also a life size poster he is sooooooooooooooooo hot!!!!!!!!!

jobrolover

I watched the movie twice in two consecutive days. It was an awesome movie, definitely. I heard about Twilight from a friend who was reading the book. We were unaware that there was going to be a movie about it. But she told me it was a good book.

And being a youngster myself, the book will definitely be up to standard with the book. After watching the movie, I could not wait to get the books for myself.

The movie was definitely a 5-stars movie. One word to describe Twilight, AWESOME!

Nurul Jannah Abdul Aziz

THIS IS WORST LOUSIEST UNREALISTIC SLOW AND BORING MOVIE! HOW CAN A VAMPIRE COME OUT DURING DAY TIME! VAMPIRE PLAYING OUTDOOR SPORTS IS VERY STUPID AND RIDICULOUS! THE MOST SICKENING PART IS THE LEADING ACTRESS SHE IS SO STIFF AND DUMB - FEEL LIKE KICKING OFF THE SCREED! WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME WATCHING IT AND GOT PART TWO? WANT TO CHEAT MORE MONEY FROM US? TELL THE DIRECTOR TO STOP THIS PRODUCTION !

Connie Pauline Chan

I’m a late Twilighter, as I only started in October this year, however I fell in love quickly with the books, and have already read all of them numerous times!

I was really lucky you know, I didn’t have to wait too long but just a 3 - 2 months, and as a Harry Potter fan too, seeing how they produced the movie so much like the book, I was really excited to see how Twilight would be.

I definitely swoon over Edward Cullen, who doesn’t! And of course seeing Robert Pattinson in his ‘Edward’ self, he just totally fits the whole role, his crooked smile, simple, yet beautiful, and his hair, and his face, and his built, I couldn’t think of a better Edward, and it surprises me how well he could take this role seeing to his performance as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter & GoF.

I first saw the trailer, and I nearly peed in my pants, that scene where he swoops down and save her, and that part, between them both, “Say it, say out loud. Say it.” “Vampire.”

I simply couldn’t wait to watch it!
But as leaks slowly gets out, I happen to see that very 8 minute preview of when Bella visited his house. That’s when I really got disappointed.

I mean, how far off is that scene? I don’t know why did they have to add that scene, and Alice (Ashley Greene) also disappinted me, she was bubbly, and she was enthusiastic about Bella’s appearence, and in that scene, her face, it was so indifferent! She didn’t skip over like how Alice would, she didn’t squeal and have that excitement in her voice. I think Jasper did well in his “I must keep control” posture, though.

From than on, my expectations really dropped, I know it won’t meet any of it at all. I was really disappointed you know, seeing that scene. It just made me so sad to see that few add-ons, and the lack of enthusiasm in the film, where was supposed to be needed.

I happen to get the premiere tickets to the movie on 9 December. The show started.

Regardless of all those disappointments I’ve had, for every Twilight fan, the anticipation after waiting so long, that wait is over, and every single minute in there, every single detail, it just means so much, and you just appreciate everything. Who cares about the add-ons, you just want to admire at their beauty, at their lines, at that romance.

I’ve already seen the disappointing scenes, and I already expected them, so it didn’t hit me half that much as it did when I first saw it (which I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing :P), however I came out of the movie really pleased, to have finally watched it.

After some thinking, it is still rather disappointing though, for the wait, and it comes out this way.

Imagine this.
You are not even a Twilight fan, you don’t follow the saga at all, you just happen to catch it with your friends.
Look at the minimal amount of information they give there. I think for a non-Twilight person, they might actually be clueless, which leads to one of the reasons why they read the book, to find out more.

Why, for that scene, they add the whole ‘italiano craze’, when they could’ve used that scene to explain more things.
It’s just too fast, all the events, one minute he hates her, and the next, he loves her, and she loves him, and they confess, and you know, everything’s too fast paced. Too fast, too little things.

The main thing too, about the whole book, was the romance, was the sweetness between Edward and Bella, but I felt very little from there, only at that prom scene, but still, again, I felt just that much, and it’s not enough to satisfy the hunger of a person who’ve waited for this movie! And expected so much!

Sigh, yes it is fast, and yes it is actually you can say, very disappointing for a fan, and actually a headful of question marks possibly for a person who’ve not read the book, but than again, I appreciate for them to make this film, for them to have at least tried their best to put the contents of that book into the movie.

I just felt that they could’ve done it the ‘Harry Potter’ way, you know, they could fit one whole book (with that amount of page, and action!) into a 2 and a half hour show, and possibly 3, and see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow, a split into 2 movies! I’m sorry if I’m comparing here, but I’m sure you know too, how ’similar’ Harry Potter is to Twilight. If Twilight is as important, they ought to know how important it is, for a non-fan to know how to follow, without having to read a book.

If you’re going to base a movie on a storybook, following the storyline is very important. We know there are some scenes that cannot be followed, still, the least you could do is to try and meet up with how a fan would feel, would expect.

We don’t expect the exact following of every single chapter, you know, just not the events jumping from one to another. I have to admit though, they did a very good job jumping, as in to say, jumping at the right areas, so it does not clash in anyway, or seem weird.
Ah, still, even though I wish the movie could improve, I think it’s wonderful.

I hope the best for Chris Weitz for his new directing in New Moon than, I can’t wait!

Teresa Zhou Minghui

Yes, love the books. Yes, love the movie. Yes, Love Rob.

Joanna Maria

Jeanmarie Says: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr are generally considered the creme de la creme of Hollywood heartthrobs. But if you’ve seen pictures of them recently, you’ll be thinking twice because those days may soon be over.

Of late, they’ve been sporting furry caterpillars, sorry, moustaches on their top lips for film roles and have sparked talk that this sort of follicular accessory will become a stylish trend because it supposedly makes its wearer that much more masculine, serious and gentlemanly.

I think it just makes them look hum sup (lecherous) - in a ’70s porn actor kind of way. And having to kiss a man with one is a total turn-off.

The trend emerged in the ’70s and I think it should stay dead and buried in that era. Maybe I’m such a hater because I associate moustaches with my dad, who is by no means a chee ko pek but had one ever since I was born and I could never figure out why. He finally got rid of it a few years ago.

It took him 30-odd years to come to his sartorial senses, and I certainly hope Brad and gang don’t take that long to get their razors out. Until then, I’m writing off these hairy ah pehs and going for more clean-shaven hunks.

Tell Us: What do you think of the Hollywood actors’ new look? Can Asian men pull off moustaches?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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I have to say that it all depends on the features of that guy. Facial hair on some men makes them look older while others looks sexier. However, I would prefer a guy without facial hair. He will look so much cleaner and neater. Ok, well, maybe a little bit of facial hair is alright. Too much of facial hair is utterly disgusting. It makes guys look like they have not been bathing for ages. Gross. Same goes for white men too.

Nurul Jannah Abdul Aziz

Jeanmarie Says: The new James Bond movie Quantum Of Solace is out this week, making it Daniel Craig’s second stab at the franchise.

But even though it’s setting UK box office records, it’s also been getting mixed reviews for being inferior to Casino Royale.

Maybe that’s the reason why Quantum opened first in Europe and will only reach the US next week - the producers were probably concerned that a highly-negative reaction in the US would scare off the rest of the world.

Those looking for non-stop action will not be disappointed. The rest of us expecting the trademark sly quips, cool gadgets or even a decent sex scene will be wondering if we stepped into the wrong cinema hall.

And remember the brouhaha surrounding the casting of Craig as the super-cool spy? He redeemed himself admirably in Casino Royale, but without a buzzed-about scene like the one with him emerging from the ocean in his trunks (which he has retired for good) in Quantum, he gives a performance worthy of a Madame Tussauds waxwork.

It’s hard to believe that producers can bring themselve to rave about how he’s “the greatest Bond”. Hello, what’s Sean Connery then?

Craig has confirmed he’ll be back for a third go-around because we all know Bond movies never die, but I’m already over him.

Tell us: Is Quantum Of Solace on your must-see list this year? Or do you disagree with the producers, who call Craig “the greatest Bond”?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number. 

Jeanmarie Says: For the first time in its 60-year history, there’s a brand new category at the Emmy Awards this year - best host for a reality or reality-competition show. Ryan Seacrest (American Idol), Heidi Klum (Project Runway), Jeff Probst (Survivor), Howie Mandel (Deal Or No Deal) and Tom Bergeron (Dancing With The Stars) are the nominees.

But what’s wrong with this picture?

Well, TV hosts - second-class citizens compared to actors - have never left that much of an impression or been honoured for their work, so why start now? Perhaps I’m oversimplifying, but their jobs look easy enough, especially as they repeat their script week after week. Different names, but same signature catchphrases. Does that require much talent?

And how can you fairly compare Seacrest and Bergeron, who helm live competition telecasts, to the rest of the nominees whose shows are filmed in advance? I guess I’m still uncomfortable with the tenuous link between the Emmys and reality TV.

Ever since the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences started handing out trophies for best reality show five years ago, it already seemed to me like a desperate bid to boost flagging viewership using a suddenly-popular genre.

Worse still, how on earth can The Amazing Race win five times in a row? With such predictable and biased results, I’d rather the category be opened up to public voting. Then maybe The Amazing Race’s Phil Keoghan - who was shockingly snubbed for best host - would stand a chance.

Tell Us: Do you think an Emmy category recognising reality TV show hosts is well-deserved and long overdue? Or does it seem like a ratings gimmick?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

Jeanmarie Says: Forgive me for balking when I first heard that yet another Star Wars movie, titled Star Wars: The Clone Wars, was hitting the screens.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed Episodes 4, 5 and 6 - an iconic trilogy which showed us a world of light sabres and the powers of Yoda-speak. But after Episodes 1, 2 and 3 - no thanks to a surly Hayden Christensen - I felt enough was enough. And when director George Lucas said he would not pursue making Episodes 7, 8 and 9, I heaved a sigh of relief.

Besides, in 2003, Lucas had already partnered with the Cartoon Network to produce Star Wars: Clone Wars, a 25-chapter animated series set between Episodes 2 and 3.

Now, we have this animated movie, called Star Wars: The Clone wars, which opens in cinemas this week. And there’s more because this movie is meant to be a percursor to yet another TV series (a 3-D animated series called Star Wars: The Clone Wars… again!) which will debut later this year. There is even talk of a live-action Star Wars TV series, probably in hopes of emulating successful Battlestar Galactica series.

Is it just me or is Lucas taking his Star Wars franchise too far? Why mess with the original trilogy that managed to enthral so many fans? Or are there that many diehard Star Wars fanatics out there who are happy to lap up everything with a Star Wars stamp?

Tell Us: Would you watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars? Do you think George Lucas should stop making more Star Wars clones?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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LETTERS VIA E-MAIL

Ever since i was 17 in 1999, i waited impatiently for every 3 yrs for the next Star Wars movie.

I eagerly await the next star wars flim, The Clone Wars

Now as a 26yr old adult, i still want more star wars flims as Star wars is one of those films that always fascinated me and provides a visual treat for the eyes. It has no blood, sex scenes and has no vulgar language making it one of the most family themed movies with good action scenes and carries a good message at the end of the day.

In 2005, when i went to catch Revenge of the Sith on the very first day, i was pleasantly surpursied to see, mini Darth vaders, X wing Pilots and even a Darth Maul. For those kids, Star wars characters took their attention and they enjoyed dressing up this roles. Why, i even saw 40 yr old uncles dressed up as Han Solos and some Princess Leias among the ladies as they is always a kid in us. Star Wars may not win oscars anymore but it sure makes a good cinema outing for the entire famliy.

When Geroge Lucas finished his Star Wars EP 4 movie he said “There’s a whole generation growing up without any kind of fairy tales. And kids need fairy tales - it’s an important thing for society to have for kids.” Give the kids out there an inspiration to imagine!!!
Siva Ram

Jeanmarie Says: You either love or hate James Bond theme songs, and I think I’m somewhere in between.

So far, there seem to be more high notes (Garbage’s The World Is Not Enough, A-ha’s The Living Daylights, Duran Duran’s A View To A Kill) than low (Madonna’s Die Another Day, Tina Turner’s Goldeneye). And when intense speculation surfaced that Amy Winehouse, Leona Lewis or Duffy were going to provide vocals to the theme song for the new Bond movie Quantum Of Solace, I could just imagine it joining the former list.

But the high-profile gig eventually went to R&B diva Alicia Keys and The White Stripes’ rocker frontman Jack White - who wrote, produced and played drums on the track. It is the first duet in Bond soundtrack history, and I’m sure it will sound just as unique as the decision to put these two together.

I’m just hoping they take it one step further than Chris Cornell’s You Know My Name, the catchy but critically-panned theme song for Casino Royale - at least they’ve got star power and street cred on their side.

But what’s with the title Another Way To Die? I’m disappointed White didn’t show more imagination - after all, he has penned songs with wacky names like Seven Nation Army, Blue Orchid and Icky Thump.

And why does every other Bond theme song need to have the word “die” in it? Well, I suppose it’s easier to rhyme with than “quantum” or “solace”.

Tell Us: What do you think of the Alicia Keys-Jack White collaboration? Which Bond theme songs did you absolutely love - or hate?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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I have been following the career of Alicia Keys since her 2003 album: The diaries of Alicia Keys. The album was to me one of the best R & B collections for a few years. Having shot to prominence, she continued her good work with titles like Unbreakable and No One. Besides her music career, she demostrated her passion for world issues like AIDS and poverty by being an ambassador for Keep a Child Alive, helping kids with the disease in Africa.

In landing this chance to perform the Bond’s theme, she definitely deserves the attention and would help turn the lesser known eccentric Jack White into a success. Jack’s recent hit, Consoler’s of the Lonely, may be what caught the eyes of the producers. Both singers have the substance to make Another Way to Die a hit, and because they have very contrasting styles, that might add another layer of flavor to the song. The producers might also have in mind ! the good girl-bad boy combination of Keys and White to further intrigue the public.

Golden Eye by Tina Turner is my one 007 theme song that is best forgotten. It has the dubious effect of putting people to sleep or worse, incur a nightmare for those unwitting listeners. Californian paper, Metro critisized it for being ” more appropriate for an elevator ride than a roller coaster ride”. Though opinions are divided over Madonna’s Die another Day, I believe it is still one of the better Bond songs in recent years. It was even nominated for Golden Globe’s Best Original theme Song. You have to turn back the years for a truly wonderful 007 theme: Paul MacCartney’s Live and Let Die in 1973. A good theme song brings out the best from the movie and leaves you in a pensive mood everytime you come across it.

The 3 previous songs with the word Die in them sat relatively well with the critics so we might expect much more from this latest James Bond song to die for.

Ong Guan Hong

In response to Strange Bond? I like to say that i am a James Bond fan since young.However, i do not love or hate any songs from the Bond movies.Why should there be love or hate because all the songs are different.

I like to say that i am looking forward to this new collaboration between Alicia Keys and Jack White in the song title “Another Way To Die”.Such collaboration should not be considered odd but new and creative since this is the first in history in the new James Bond movie title “Quantum of Solace”.

Such collaboration to me is a Special Bond instead of Strange Bond.I am looking forward to watch the latest Bond movie when it hits town.

Ace Kindred Cheong

It’s fairly odd to pair R&B princess Alicia Key and rocker Jack White bonding for the upcoming Bond theme. Such collaboration seems never happen before but its good to see the new evolution takes place. Possibly this bond track will attract the younger listener as not many Bond tracks able to survive in the contemporary Top 40 charts, exceptionally the succes of Duran Duran A View To A Kill , Madonna’s Die Another Day and Tina Turner’s Goldeneye.

Anyway my all time favourite bond song has to be the Queen of Pop Madonna Die Another Day for its so unique modern sounding but yet retains the classic bond essence and it got good hooks. And of course the worse Bond track song ever is Sheryl Crow Tomorrow Never Dies cos it sound so lacklustre, boring and bland. Also it has bad lyrics.

Maddy Asri

What do you think of the Alicia Keys-Jack White collaboration? Which Bond theme songs did you absolutely love - or hate?

I was there when Sean Connery gave us the world’s most famous british secret agent. I fell in love with Agent 007 just like millions of fans world wide. Recounting the soundtracks back then, they were always a shade paler than the cinematic product. Perhaps the only music that survived the 60s era was the original James Bond theme.

However from the end of the 60s when Nancy Sinatra took on the mantel of serenading for James Bond’s fans, there was a period of productivity and creativity with memorable results. That period of fertility extended into the 80s.

However in recent years, a combination of poor tunes, uninspiring lyrics and weird choice of singers have casted the 007 songs in obscurity. In Alicia Keys and Jack white, we have a pair of extremely marketable singers with diversing genre. Their crowd appeal and publicity generating factor cannot be underestimated. I would say that they were chosen to revive this struggling accompaniment of the more illustrous big screen buddy.

Admittedly Amy Winehouse would also have been a good choice as she has got the Americans dancing to her tune. Yet a serial adddict would not be the ideal person to help you sell your songs to world nor would she be in the right frame of mind at present.

Alicia Keys has a proven record at the billboards and legion of fans would be waiting in anticipation for her rendition of my most beloved spy flick’s theme. They would more than willing to overlook the relative ignominy of Jack White’s career. Those on the fence about Keys would be curious about this combination and might just lend a listening ear to this duet.

Jack white has a strong musical background having been part of a few successful bands and has proven himself albeit to smaller crowds that he possesses powerful and engaging vocals. This could be his break and perhaps that was what the producers had in mind when they chose him.

By just picking established singers, expectations would be high and they can only go downhill in terms of criticisms picked up. Despite being a wildchild and his eccentricities well documented, White has never gotten into serious trouble. Add Alicia’s squeaky clean image to that and you surely will have parents trying to push the soundtrack album to their kids.

In deciding a first duet for over 30 years of Bond music, it shows the music producers are getting desperate with recent bombs. They are trying to inject some creativity back into the 007 piece. Yet much would depend on the songwriters in coming up with a decent score plus some befitting lyrics. With those two, you are only as good as hot air. Everything should be tied in nicely with the movie itself so that those who go visit the theatres have a comprehensive experience.

You cannot have a song that does not describe the mood of the movie. Look at Golden Eye and the Living Daylights for examples of songs being so dissociated from the movie that they even spoil the movie experience. That brings me to my worst Bond song, as both Tina Turner and Norwegian Group A-ha did not have the charisma to bring out the best of poorly written songs. Their career plummeted after performing for our Secret Agent.

Call me old school but who can forget Sinatra’s You live Only twice and Paul’s Live and Let Die. Everytime I hear Paul MacCartney’s beautiful piece, scenes of James Bond’s pursuit of Mr Big and his romance with Solitaire would course through my mind. It sets my mind free and for that 4.15 minutes I leave all reasons behind and allow my imagination to bring me to secret islands and handsome spies with a license to kill.

Hng Pek Khee

Jeanmarie Says: Am I the only who thinks The Dark Knight is overrated? Worse still, unsuitable for young kids?

Frankly speaking, a lot of the movie’s plot flew way over my head. It felt downbeat, convoluted and much too long. Just when you think it’s over, it’s not. Just when you want to scream “get rid of the Joker already”, he’s back. It was a confusing, ambivalent experience for an adult like me, what more for children? I don’t think they’ll get half of it - unless they were weaned on director Christopher Nolan’s Memento.

Which is why I agree with certain parents, movie reviewers and child experts in the West that the latest Batman film, which is rated PG here for “some violence”, is too dark for kids. Yes, it doesn’t contain explicit blood and gore, but the menace is definitely implied. The Joker does some really creepy, horrific things, and if Two-Face’s burnt and mangled visage that belongs in a horror movie could freak me out, I can’t imagine kids being nightmare-free unless they’ve become desensitised to violent imagery.

Call me old-fashioned and uncool, but I think I’ll stick to comic book-adapted superhero movies like Iron Man, Hellboy 2 and Spider-Man - all feature great action, fun characters, a dash of humour and a romantic kiss or two - and I think your kids should too.

Tell Us: Do you think The Dark Knight is appropriate viewing for young children and deserving of a PG rating? Should parents be more strict on what movies their kids should watch?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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 LETTERS VIA E-MAIL

History is repeating itself. When Time Burton helmed the unfaithful yet, deliciously dark Batman Returns, parents were up in arms protesting against the movie. The result, a kid friendly, critically trashed movie, that ditches the darkness of the comic book, only for the franchise to be killed within 2 movies.

Parents who take their kids to a screening of The Dark Knight, are obviously overreacting and very ignorant. They are ignorant to the nature of the Batman comics. All reviews and articles of Chris Nolan’s franchise mentioned his version being the most faithful to the comic books. If these parents have done their research, they would know that means, the movies are going to be dark, violent, bleak, and not very pleasant in general. Basically, it’s not going to be all sunshine and feel good. It is irresponsible to blame the movie or say it’s too dark when they have not done their homework before taking their kids along for the screening.

Because of these ignorant folks, I now fear for the future of the current franchise. Are we going to get a tone down kid friendly 2 hour toy commercial the next time around? My suggestion for the worried parents is, buy a dvd copy of the 1966 Batman movie starring Adam West, or 1997’s Batman and Robin, since I’m sure this is their misconception of the character, and that is how they want it to stay.

Keith Tan

Being a longtime Batman fan, Im not at all suprised at all and expected that the latest Batman movie would get negative reviews from film critics . With its overly dark overtones and scary characters like the Joker and Two Face, Its only natural that there would be concerned parents and people alike who would cautioned against bringing young ones to this blockbuster.

While there maybe violence and gore in this movie, doesn’t the other past supehero movies also feature violence and gore? For example, the first spiderman movie where we see the Green Goblin getting implaled by his own glider when he tried to kill Spiderman towards the climax of the movie or Spiderman 3 where we see Venom being depicted as an agressive and scary monster with sharp teeth plus Harry Osborne being impaled with a metal stake in the end by Venom.

How about transformers where we see a pitiful Bumblebee seemingly screaming in agony and pain as he was being attacked with deep freeze guns as he was being captured by goverment agents and yet kids loved watching. The common thing with these movies? They are rated PG

Bottomline is that parents need to consider carefully if they really want to bring their children to such movies and to give them parental guidence during the its course. After all, PG stands for Parental Guidence. Its not fair to the film makers when parents complain about the movie being violent and scary after watching with their kids. Its with these reasons that I feel “The Dark Knight” shouldn’t be getting a higher rating. It would only seek to deprive the younger batman fans from watching this superb film.

Chiong Meng Tat

Thanks for your review on the Dark Knight’s PG rating. I shared the same thoughts as many while I watched it.

The film was way too dark for anyone under 13, and even then, I think it would have been more appropriate for a 15 year old.

The crux of the matter centers around the conflicts of marketing Batman. Batman has traditionally been marketed as a Warner Bros cartoon series, and merchandised as kid’s toys, but the reality is that the main comic book itself has for many years now, been targetted for older readers. The studio however, needs to market the film to kids to recoup its mega-costs, even though it’s really adult fare. Director Christopher Nolan made the film he believed was accurate of the Dark Knight’s legacy, but it simply wasn’t for kids. Our censorship board should have revised the rating to PG-13.

Galen Yeo

Now, let me first admit that I’m only going to watch The Dark Knight this coming Thur-Fri with my family, but in my honest opinion, I know a lot more about the adaptations and workings of comic book franchises, such as Batman.

Any true Batman fan would tell you, that the only true non-static representation of Batman would be The Original Animated Series and Batman Beyond, spearheaded and conceptualized by the talented artist Bruce Timm. Batman the Animated Series was also the cartoon series that made everyone realized that cartoons weren’t just meant for children; it was dark, it was gritty and realistic, and did wonders for the Batman mythos (a landmark feature being Bruce Timm successfully created an original character, Halrequin, Joker’s lover/henchwoman, who became a fan-favourite and successfully migrated into the comic books and main canon), and also if I remember correctly, won an Emmy.

I have watched some of the Batman feature-length movies, such as Mask of the Phantasm and recently, Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker. In the latter, these are scenes which were shown: The mental and physical torture of Tim Drake (Robin) at the hands of the Joker and Harlequin; the ‘Joker-ization’ of Robin into a rather terrifying mini-Joker, the graphic beating that Batman gives Joker, and finally, Robin shooting the Joker and collapsing into broken child crying and laughing at the same time.

That it was animated makes no difference. These images are head and shoulders above what is shown on ‘live-action’ shows, and this was shown in its un-cut version on Cartoon Network.

If this movie could be shown on a network meant for children, then there is really no reason that anything the live-action movies has cannot be shown under at most, a PG-13 rating. They are often, hardly anywhere as graphic or violent or twisted whether in actual footage or ‘implied’ footage, as the animated series/movies.

S.O.

Well i can say that it was sure a dark movie. But if MDA were to make a NC-16 Rating it will not be fair for fans of batman especially the small kids who adore the idol so much. Yes there were the part where joker point a knife to a victim mouth and where there was joker punch a pencil through the victim head. Yes i do think its violent. But think of the kids. They like have to wait for them to be 16 to be able to see the most awaited summer movie of all time. But what ever it is, just stick to the rating now. Or just make it PG-13 just to make sure.

Mohammed Indera

I’ve watched The Dark Knight movie. Thrice. That’s how good it is. Sure it is violent and upsets most of our moral values, and yes, perhaps kids below the age of 12 should be shun away from such a film. But raising the movie rating any higher than a PG-13 would be a drastic act.
It may breed radical ideas and violence amongst children, but so does news headlines on terrorist bombings or saturday morning cartoons featuring cheesey unrealistic fight scenes, but violence nonetheless. Take Happy Tree Friends for example. It contains more gore and sadism than any cartoon or PG rated movie will. Yet children still log on to the internet to watch this sick videos after hearing the news from their excited little school friends. Why? Because its STILL a cartoon?
Compared to this, depriving the young ones of watching The Dark Knight would seem unreasonable. So, sure, a psychotic man who smears war paint on his face for intimidation scares little kids. But you can’t deny the fact that the same kids are not exposed to the same amount of violence as driving a persons head into a pencil protruding from a table. There was hardly any gore, let alone vulgarities.
Maybe, parents were shocked by the level of realism in this Batman Begins sequel. But still, WHYSOSERIOUS?
Either way, it’ll end up being shown on Mediacorp Channel 5 with slight censors; but that just ruins the fun of a realistic ‘the-good-ultimately-triumphs-the-bad’ movie.
So should we raise the PG rating status? Maybe to a PG-13 - to satisfy those concerned parents. Other than that, leave the movie be and let others with the ability to highlight the underlining morality of the film to feast their eyes over movie magic! Don’t waste away this chance to see fine actors (such as the late Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman and, our very own, Chin Han as Lau!) perform your favourite abstract heroes and villains on the silver screen! It’ll put a smile on your face!

Liew Yuqi

Indeed, The Dark Night is very different and definitely alot darker than the previous Batman movies. Parents would have definitely brought their kids to watch the film thinking that it would have been more suited for kids like the older Batman films. Frankly, I got a rude shock after watching the film. I didn’t expect to see graphic scenes involving pencils and gory-looking Two-Face in the latter part. I’m sure the director was looking to give the adults a run for their money, but I think he should have softened it for the kids too, considering this is a film about one of kids’ favourite superheroes, Batman. Well, to change the rating for the film would defeat the purpose as this is a Superhero movie meant for kids. Parents just have to make their kids understand that what they see is not real.

D’Souza Amelia

I think we have parents have to be careful of what our children are watching. My hubby and I usually review each shows that we think our daughter might like and then we determine whether she could watch it or not. Our daughter is 5 years old and we do not want her to watch shows that we deem are unsuitable for her age e.g. movies that has too much violence or that might scare her or even those with a lot of sexual innuendos.

While we enjoyed the Dark Knight extremely, we find that it is too dark and violent for her age. Even I find some of the scenes disturbing; definitely not something I want to expose my daughter to. I was actually surprised that it was given a PG rating here as I have read (at imdb.com) that it was given a higher rating for many countries around the world. One wonder if such ratings were given to boost the sales of merchandised toys? We certainly have come a long way from giving an R(A) rating for Bram Stoker’s Dracula back in 1992!

I think, the authority need to recheck the ratings. I applaud their efforts on allowing more to pass censorship but I think we really need to be careful on the ratings. Parents, too should be vigilant about what their children watch at the movies and on TV.

Siti Saad

I’m writing in to AGREE to the recent outcry that The Dark Knight ratings should be raised. After watching the show on the debut day, I do find some of the scenes quite violent especially when the scene the Joker ‘made’ the pencil ‘disappear’ …

Also some other scenes like throwing a person off the building, car crashing, rocket launching, etc.. to adults, we may just it as some entertaining stunt, but for teens we woulodn’t know what kind of impact it will affect in the course of their upbringing.

So, ya - the ratings should be raised

Edwin Wong Kheng Pang

In response to if hit summer blockbuster The Dark Knight is too dark for kids?I like to say that it is not important if such movies is rated PG or R rated.Most important is that all movie goers have to watch any movies at their own discretion.As for the young and immature audiences, it is the responsibility of all parents to educate and remind children that movies which portray violences, sex, murder and so on which could instill the wrong ideas to the youth that such movies are hyped up so that to attract more audience.

When i was in my teens, I loved watching horror movies but each time i watch such movies, i always had nightmares.It was my parents who educate and remind me that these are just movies and i do not need to fear such eventhough such movies appear to be real.

Those who want to watch such movies which so called promote violence, sex, murder and other crimes should watch at their own discretion as well as under the parental guidances.To those who can’t, i would recommend that such people do not watch such movies at all.

Ace Kindred Cheong

With regards to the concern of the blockbuster movie, The Dark Knight, being too dark, I would like to say from a student’s point of view that it is actually not too dark for children.

Having watched the movie, I felt that the blockbuster not only won in terms of the attractive animation and effects but the meaning below the movie. For example, the Joker’s sadistic thoughts and mind thought that people will only care for themselves and not for others but in the movie, and when half of the population could die if they wanted to rescue themselves, no one wanted to hit the switch and kill the other half of the people.

Batman also volunteered to be blamed for the killing of people despite it not being done by him. This shows that the world is not so cruel and unforgiving after all. Despite the lust for money and power, the people do not want to kill another people.

Thus, this could be a very good teaching tool for parents to teach and educate their children on the principles and virtues that one must have to be a successful person of ethnics in the future.

As for the more violent actions, it is that that really make one want to watch The Dark Night. Without these, no one would be interested. The storyline and plot will be boring and predictable. And in the society now we are in, I am sure that children have most probably understand that they are not supposed to do such stuff.

Thus, I feel that the rating should not be raised.

Loh Sheng Hng

My husband and I watched the movie two weeks ago and though our 11 yr and 13 yr old kids wanted to watch as we loved Batman Begins, we said no. the show is too dark and scary. Joker is diabolical in the way he enjoys killing people. It is disturbing to watch. Adults can still process what they see but I think the images would be haunting for kids. It should be given RA for violence or PG. Reviews should also include a cautionary note to parents.

Tina Chua

Jeanmarie Says: As a teetotaler, I’m on the fence when it comes to the budding trend of enjoying pre and post-movie drinks.

My typical routine goes like this: Book tickets online. Dilly-dally at home. Discover I’m running late for the movie even though I had ample time to get ready. Curse through peak-hour traffic as I rush to the cinema. Not enough time to grab dinner, so smuggle a burger in. And maybe buy some nachos and cheese in case I get hungry again. Movie ends. Head home, cursing through the jumping taxi meter. Gee, that sounds pretty sad.

However, unlike myself, an increasing number of Singaporeans have decided to take it slow and easy by indulging in wines, beers and even Cosmopolitans before or after watching a film at outlets like EBar@The Cathay and VivoCity Gold Class lounge which are located near and within the cineplexes respectively.

Although alcohol makes me 1) red 2) puke 3) and sleepy (in that order), I’m all for making the moviegoing experience more leisurely, relaxing and creative. Just as long as these people don’t booze until they are sloshed and get all rowdy during the screening. That will be so much worse than morons who yak on their handphones or dissect the plot - at least they don’t stink.

Maybe then we’ll see the birth of a new breed of cinema pests?

Tell Us: What do you think of cinemas which offer alcoholic drinks before or after the screening? Would you opt for a beer or a Coke before you catch a show?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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It may be innovative but I strongly feel that boozing within the cinema premises, prior to a movie should be discouraged. To assume that patrons will most probably be able to limit their alcohol intake is an understatement.

My advice to movie operators: please weigh the pros and cons and be mindful of the purpose of patron’s trip to the cinema.

Its a time for them to take a breather, relax and most importantly to watch a movie in PEACE!

Try telling someone who just had alcohol consumption to either, ” lower your voice”, or something to that matter and chances are you’ll end up getting punched. Things will definitely turn ugly. Do we want that to happen? Do we want easy accessibility to liqour at cinemas for patrons?

Why ask for trouble? Prevention is better than cure, so total elimination of the idea is highly recommendable.

If you must drink, by all means do so, but do go to the pubs or nightspots.

Families, school children are some of the frequent movie go-ers.

So please spare a thought for them.

Anna Law

I am a coke person while my son is more of a Homer Simpson type. So I guess I will be visiting the snacks stall while the small devil sits down comfortably in the Gold Class lounge sampling his booze and wondering why I always take so long.
Our small garden city does not offer too much in terms of entertainment for the locals.
Usually Singaporeans spend their leisure time at the cinemas, not many people like to brave the sun and storm to go Sentosa or visit the animals in the zoos.
So we spend our money at the cinemas, at the popcorn stalls, at the video games café besides the cinemas and now we have bars to quench our alcoholic spirits.
It is a pretty decent way to make money from the rich, speaking from the cinema owners’ perspective.
Build bigger cinemas, charge even higher prices, throw in some perks and charge even higher and higher fees. So there you are, the lounge for the upper class.
It would be convenient for those with deeper pockets as they get to sit and wait for their movie to begin instead of walking aimlessly around the mall. At the same time they can enjoy small chat over a glass of wine with their companions. You can trust those guys to keep it sober when they enter the movies.
For those who hate the long queue at the carpark or escalators after a show, they can also slip into the lounge and sip a martini or Tiger beer.
Drinking is definitely not for your average office worker or teenage bengs as they usually get their kick from coffeeshops or supermarkets’ beer and wine aisle. So you can still enjoy your movie in peace, rest assured!

Ong Kok Wah

Chill out lounges are a new concept here and only a handful of cinemas offer them. Personally I do not see the potential for growth for these lounges as they are quite exclusive and common folks like you and me are not really ready to spurge on such a luxury.

Given the expensive rentals for space in shopping centres nowadays, the lounges really do need to attract a large enough crowd to be profitable. In our fast paced society, how many of us will arrive an hour or two before the screening of our show just to sip alcohol casually in the cinemas’ lounge? With the convenience of telephone and internet booking, many people arrive barely on time to collect their tickets and head straight for the movies. Time is a scarce item.

So is money. These lounges charge higher prices than your NTUC fairprice or Cheers for alcohol and you can find these minimarts coexisting in the same building as the cinemas’ lounge. Would people waste that extra few dollars just for the comfort of being able to sit down and sip their tipple leisurely? Throw in the rising costs of movie tickets, normal folks will really feel the pinch if they visit these lounges as well.

Of course I do see that these lounges are good for a dating couple or some rich businessmen who do not want to roam the malls and shopping centres before the start of a movie. Couples may enjoy some private time away from the crowd and if they are watching a romantic movie, it might just get them into the right loveydovey mood. Rich people watch Gold Class and choose to stay away from the throngs of people usually present in shopping centers.

Jeanmarie is right in that we do not want drunkards sharing the theatres with us. Just give us a few episodes of drinking trouble and the cinemas and lounges will be under fire from the movie-going crowd. Are the movie stewards prepared to restrain a tipsy troublemaker and prevent him from disturbing the peace of other audiences?

We do not want to encourage drinking and also drink driving. Many of us drive to the theatres during the weekeends and if therr is the option of drinking after the show and avoiding the mad rush for the carparks, some might just oblige. Yet unlike pubs and clubs, these cinemas do not have people to drive a drunk customer home. We do not want an increase in drunk driving and associated accidents just because there are more lounges springing up just beside our cinemas.

Hng Pek Khee

Jeanmarie Says: If you haven’t already gathered from the recent media coverage of the upcoming Batman sequel The Dark Knight, the movie is NOT about Christian Bale’s Caped Crusader.

No, the star of the show is actually the Joker. Yes, ever since he died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs in January, it’s been Heath Ledger, Heath Ledger, Heath Ledger all the way. And more recently, critics and co-stars alike have been campaigning for a posthumous Oscar nomination for his role as the disturbing sociopathic comic book villain.

Yes, I’ve seen The Dark Knight already, and yes, Ledger’s performance is pretty amazing. But is it really Academy Award-worthy? I’m not so sure. Okay, so Brokeback Mountain gave Ledger a truckload of acting cred and awards. And we caught a glimpse of his serious side earlier in movies like Lords Of Dogtown and Monster’s Ball.

But for most of his career, the Aussie heartthrob gave us forgettable fluff or bombastic bombs like Casanova, The Brothers Grimm, The Four Feathers, Ned Kelly, Four Feathers, The Patriot, A Knight’s Tale etc. So at the risk of sounding insensitive, would people be fawning over his thespian greatness if he hadn’t met such an untimely death at the peak of his career?

Well, maybe it’s a case of better late than never.

Tell Us: Do you think Heath Ledger’s Joker role has been overhyped because of his death? Or do you want to watch The Dark Knight even more because of it?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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I’ve been a fan of all these Batman for as long as I can remember. Even before I understood the mythos of the character or even read a comic book. Ever since I bought my first Batman comic at the age of 8 or 9, my interest in all things Bat related has bordered on the obsessive. I’m still rewatching all four (yes, including Batman & Robin) of the Burton-Shumacher, unfaithful adapdation of my favourite anti-hero.

Needless to say, I have bought already bought Dark Knight action figures and also secured my tickets for Thursdays screening of the movie. I have been following the development of Chris Nolan’s franchise ever since the casting of Batman Begins. I’ve followed every detail of the first movie came the moment Nolan was attached to the project. Being a fan of his noir-ish Memento, I was exctied at the prospect of him doing a Batman film.

Yes, I am very hyped for the Dark Knight. A mere glimpse of the trailer leaves me breathless. However, it has nothing to do with the untimely demise of Heath Ledger. My excitement is reaching fever pitch for a few other reasons.

1) Other than the batsuit, Nolan has finally given us a real Batman movie. Imagine the geek in me grinning when I saw scenes in Batman Begins that seemed to have been lifted off panels from the comics.

2) Proper development of the Bruce Wayne character. Ample focus on Batman as opposed to the villian getting top billing. Since there is no origin story for the Joker in The Dark Knight, I’m confident we are getting another Batman movie and not a Joker one.

3) Very good marketing and viral campaign. The main reason for me really. The little websites, the revealing of pictures, psuedo programs like Gotham Tonight. All these little things coming together is making me wish I can sleep through the week and wake up on Thurs, just in time to catch the movie.

As for the Oscar win. I definately cannot judge without seeing the film. Reviews of The Dark Knight have mentioned it being a serious crime thriller, in the vein of Heat and some are even calling it the Godfather 2 of comic book movies. So, if Heath Ledger’s performance is deserving of a nomination, then why not? After all, a few years ago, many of us were shocked at Johnny Depp’s nomination for Jack Sparrow. It might be the Academy opening up to less traditional roles, or trying to connect with a more mainstream audience.

Keith Tan

It may be true that Ledger’s role has been given much more attention due to his untimely demise. It could be that the focus would have been shared between Christian Bale and Ledger were he still alive. However It makes commercial sense. People are intrigue by the moribund. Movies are works of imagination, more so the Batman series as it is a product of gothic and dark fantasy . Perhaps to the producers, his death worked to their advantage. The sinister dark villain in the show has died and every one is curious about the shadowy existence of Heath Ledger in real life. Death is a strong magnet for the masses.

Despite agreeing that his role has been given too much attention, his acting does deserve such an amount of clamour. He has always produced strong performances in the roles he takes on and his interpretation of the Joker is no exception. He was able to arouse this primitive fear in us with his portrayal, a fear perhaps planted by those ghastly demonic clowns and psychopaths in the 80s’ and 90s’ horror films. He showed us that unlike Jack Nicholson’s Joker, he is not just a top criminal. Heather’s joker is a symbol of vileness, the dark reflection of everything the Batman stands for.

The director Christopher Nolan is trying to remould and reinvent the Batman franchise. It has been a highly successful series and previous directors like Tim Burton had created a whole world of fantasy heroes and supervillains, something which audiences liked but soon grew tired of. Nolan faced a huge challenge in reigniting everyone’s interests in Batman and the other characters in the comic. Thanks to Ledger, he has found a character which was evil but yet not straight out of the fantasy world. The new Joker is the dangerous madman who just lives next door.

All the hype has indeed made me crave for the premiere of the Dark Knight. I have heard the preparation Ledger took for his role was meticulous and psychotic. He walled himself up for 6 days and nights in order to create a voice, a personality and a psychology for his role. I admire that dedication. A young talent in full bloom has wilted and died.

If the movie lives up to the hype, then there is also the regret that the Joker will not grace the screen with his dark glory again. Yet if it is indeed such a masterful display, I would not miss it for anything in the world. He is the storm just before the darkest part of the night. Rest in peace, Ledger.

Ong Kok Wah

I do believe the late Heath Ledger’s accidental death has an effect on the movie itself. In fact even before i knew there was a movie on Batman, i have already read the news of his demise. Through this i managed to find a youtube video of him acting as the joker. His acting was superb i would say, the calm posture and sinister mind of the joker is so well protrayed by him that the other villians in the previous movies were just like school bullies.

His magnificent display of the madness and the lack of sanity truly brought out the whole movie. Having since acted in Brokeback mountain, Heath Ledger has been casting in movies that are not popular here, only till then a chance to let him shine as the joker appears. Till date , it could be the best role that he has ever gotten and it could be the role that can spark him to be an established actor in Hollywood. However life was cruel and he couldnt’ live to continue his further endeavours

Yes overall, his death has contribute greatly to the movie, it has been the most anticipated movie that i want to watch and watching it will be a last tribute to him as he left his beautiful memories for us.

Koh Chee Hwee

In response to “Ledger’s Joker Overhyped?”.I like to say that i am sad to read of Heath Ledger who died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs ealier this year.Since he was such a good actor, i am in favour of a posthumous Oscar nomination for him.I do not think his Joker has been overhyped because of his untimely death.However i would watch the movie Dark Knight because I have many favourite actors such as Heath Ledger,Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Christian Bale as well as Ng Chin Han a Singaporean actor.

Ace Kindred Cheong

Early reviews for The Dark Knight strongly praised the powerful performance displayed by both Christian Bale and Heath Ledger.While others may argue that the untimely death of the Academy Award-Nominated actor may have contributed to the overhyped response,I strongly believe that the definitive,terrifying potrayal of The Joker by Heath Ledger that deserves the 2 thumbs up.I just cannot see anyone doing it better than Heath Ledger.

Chairul Nizam

I think Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker was much better than Jack Nicholson’s.

I have been scouring videos and trailers over the internet and i feel that Ledger’s performance has surpassed everybody’s expectations. He brings to the screen someone who is fearless and I believe his performance should land him an Oscar nomination.I dont think that his death has overhyped his potrayal although it has somewhat helped generate the much deserved buzz.

Yahya Alang Mohammad Rom

Mr Heath Ledger has always been in his own right, a man of great talent. Despite getting noticed due to having starred in ‘Ten Things I Hate About You’ as a pretty boy, the man has proved his worth in other movies, namely Aussie film ‘Two Hands’, ‘Monster’s Ball’, ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and now ‘The Dark Knight’.

For me, I didn’t need his untimely death to make me want to watch ‘The Dark Knight’ all the more. When I knew, Ledger was the one playing the Joker, I knew that he would make it his own, without falling into the shadows of Nicholson’s Joker. He is an actor who thrives on a huge challenge and goes all out for it. Having just seen ‘The Dark Knight’, it further cemented the notion of how good an actor Ledger was, and that was without the need for the unfortunate that happened.

It wasn’t Heath Ledger you saw on the screen, it was the Joker.. it wasn’t an actor but a true character beautifully fleshed out from within. Ledger’s Joker delved on being psychotic, unread-able, unexpected, and not much was needed to be done to make sure the Joker stayed with you throughout the film. His presence was just there - strong and controlling. The gaze of his eyes, the flicks of his tongue, the voice and the laughter - it was truly a character brought into life, full force by Ledger himself. Ledger didn’t need try hard to prove himself against what Nicholson created, he was in his own true league - he was THE Joker.

I just feel that it’s such a pity about what’s been going on, the comments about Ledger’s portrayal as the Joker being overhyped or the Oscar stuff and how he doesn’t really deserve it.. the man’s portrayal is anything but overhyped, it’s the industry that adding to it. I believe that the man went into his character with his heart, mind and soul into perfecting it the way he felt it should be. So what about his hard-partying lifestyle and rumoured drug use? So what? There’re many more in the industry who do that as well. Just appreciate Ledger’s final work of beauty and the wonderfully rich character role he left to the industry - just leave the poor man in peace.

Anne Marie Lim

I thought the movie was impressive. Like several that has stated, the Joker outshone Batman. I strongly agreed. For the first time,i felt that evil triumphs over the good. Superheros aren’t like the past anymore,who always outshine the bad. Heath Ledger really impressed me with his acting. A few years back, people talk about Heath Ledger which stars for Brokeback. Now, he will be always remembered as, the Joker. A meaningful quote from him vividly stayed in my mind when the villians asked him why don’t he kill batman? Joker : “If you are good at something, you don’t do it for free”

ZhiQiang

Jeanmarie Says: You know what they say: First impressions count.

So it’s probably with no surprise that now a local dating agency has decided to marry cosmetic surgery and the dating game. It has tied up with a medical group to introduce cosmetic enhancements for its clients.

No doubt, the agency says it does not force clients to get Botox injections or fix their single eyelids. And as the dating industry here gets more competitive, agencies have been gearing up with all kinds of extras and gimmicks to corner the lucrative singles market. But do these two industries make strange bedfellows?

Clients of this dating agency who have undergone such procedures say they feel happier and more confident with their new appearance, and it gives them that little extra for their dates. And if it results in a happy match, why not?

Yet, other singles also feel that such a service promotes vanity and encourages dating singles to put too much emphasis on physical appearances. Besides, what if a date you actually liked found out later that your nose or your boobs aren’t really yours?

Tell Us: What do you think of such a service? If you were a dating single, would you sign up for it?

You can leave a comment here or e-mail us at tnpshow@sph.com.sg. Don’t forget to leave us your contact details: name, age, occupation and e-mail address or telephone number.

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This whole episode reeks of kimchi and bibibap. Korea has multiple
parallels with Singapore. Both countries are highly developed, have a vibrant dating industry, and now , it seems like the Korean influence has truly taken roots in our dating industry in a brand new way. Korea is a nation of cosmetic surgeries. A high percentage of folks in the streets, let alone glamorous stars have manipulated the bodies given by their parents.There is nothing inherently wrong with this. Each to his own after all. However, coupling the dating industry and cosmetic surgery industry feels like a pragmatic move for monetary means with little regard of the true element of romances.What happened to the notions and beliefs of fate and natural beauty? The disembodiment of romantic notions is but the tip of the ice berg in this escalating problem.

The dating industry attempts to speed match people together based on what dating agencies perceive to be compatibility. This is already as artificial as matchmaking done by wrinkly parents in the older days.

Folks in the older days are traditional enough and will try their best to overcome this artificial beginning and stick together. The current dating industry plays the role of the collaborator to differing degrees of success. At best, they are able to combine a bunch of folks together and plaster happy wedding photographs to bait in more customers for good measure, at worst, such artificial combinations falls flat on its face one day, just like silicon implants do not stay on properly forever.

As mentioned above, folks this days are more free willed and are unlikely to have long lasting marriages from such artificial arrangements. Now let’s add an added layer of complication by presenting wannabe Romeos and Juliets all artificially manipulated to look their best prior to their meetings. The result is unlikely to be pretty or satisfactory in the long run. No one in their right mind would be asking a first date ,” Is every part of you authentic?” as that will land you a slap across the cheeks. The Dating industry does a lot of the dirty work, breaking down people into systematic fact files for artificial and human intelligence to dissect and match.In reality that is underestimating the complications of human psychology.The entire dating chain will be accelerated and there will be little opportunity for skeletons in the closets like plastic surgeries to be made known.However. if such details aren’t made known early in the relationship, it’s a likely cause of tensions later on in the marriage.

To conclude, i deem combining the dating and cosmetic surgery industry a pure monetary based marriage of convenience, if you forgive the pun, and it’s something i will not engage in if i want to preserve my sanity, would you?

Peng Tie Lun

My point of view if u want to enhance your physical appearance to score points by all means as this doesnt have any emotional impact lying about your true self. But please do remember and appreaciate what god have given us.

Suhaimi Norman