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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

May Choon Says: Finally, Hong Kong’s longest-dating celebrity couple have got hitched.

Charismatic Tony Leung and vivacious Carina Lau tied the knot in Bhutan on Monday, after being together for some 20 years. Theirs was a liaison blessed by Buddhist monks and witnessed by a small group of 80 close relatives and friends, including retired pop queen Faye Wong and former actress Lin Ching-hsia. Speculation is also rife that a baby is next on their agenda.

But, will it be happily-ever-after for To-rina? Will their union last when they are polar opposites in terms of personality? She is as exuberant as he is introverted. She speaks her mind whereas he keeps it all in. She’s a party animal, while he prefers to stay at home.

Some say opposites attract, but how far is too much?

Tell Us: Do you think To-rina will last forever? Do you think couples who are polar opposites have lasting power?

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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With regards to the marriage of Tony Leung and Carina Lau, I am almost certain that it would not be an everlasting one.

Celebrity couples are known to having two, three, or even four marriages one after another within a short period of time. Taking Hollywood celebrity couples for instance; Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, and even Brad Pit and Jenifer Aniston, whom everyone once thought were the ‘perfect couple’ and arousing envy among people. Still, their marriages didn’t work out.

Despite the fact that there are still some existing celebrity couples whose marriages remained unshakable, sadly, they are only the minority few that fills the rest of the percentage in the percentile scale. Tracy Pollan and Michael J. Fox have been married for 20 years since 1988, and they are one such example of a long lasting couple.

For couples who have polar opposite characteristics, I would definitely agree that there is something about these opposite forces which brings attraction and live to a couple. If one person in the relationship is talkative and the other party has a quiet nature, miscommunication and squabbles are unlikely to happen. One party talks, the other listens, which correspond to the definition of communication - sending and receiving of speech, thoughts,etc.

Thus, polar opposite characteristics can actually helped to improve an everlasting relationship and targeting towards an eternal marriage. However, this can only be referred and applied to non-celebrities just like you and me.

After all, celebrities are people who lead a completely different lifestyle from us.

Lynn Huang

I like to congratulate both Carina Lau and Tony Leung for their recent marriage in Bhutan.I have the pleasure to have met the couple when they were in Singapore in the late 90s when they were special guests at the opening of Jazreel Low’s Wedding Boutique.I am glad that they have finally tied the knot after been together for 20 years.I believed that their marriage will be a happy and blissful one because it is the differences that attracts each other.There is a famous saying “Opposite attracts”.I do not believe any marriage will be a happy one without love, respect, tolerance and compromising at times.I also like to wish Both Carina and Tony the very best of health as well as to love and cherish one another.

Ace Kindred Cheong

I was pleased and glad that Tony finally took Carina down the aisle and “legalised” their togetherness, guess its not for themselves but for their elderly folks….

If they continue to lead their separate “interests” and enjoy what they have been doing before they got married…yes it would be a lasting marriage. Frankly if you followed their “stop-watch” relationship they indeed had taken “non-transparent” marriage vow……in good times and bad times…..when Carina was kidnapped and Tony was there for her…..

If they continue and not be clouded by doubts on “is he ” or “is she” with co-stars “chemistry” relationship (Maggie Cheung and Terry Gou respectively) they will last till their golden years.

They should continue to respect each others space and always, always remember that whatever they do they should not make each other look bad….business is business like movies whether done tastefully or art it is inevitably will through cristicism…the most important thng is that they respect each other and answerable to each other including their elder….

Have a blessed marriage Tony and Carina, love is never a bed of roses, its the ups and downs in togetherness that test one to its end….

Candida Ang

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

May Choon Says: We’ve seen the critically-acclaimed Nip/Tuck and then reality TV series like The Swan and Extreme Makeover. In Korea, drama Before & After became a hit among TV viewers. Plastic surgery seems to be the fantastic way to go on the goggle box.

And now, local TV station Channel U has jumped onto the nipping and tucking bandwagon with its own series based on the business of plastic surgery, called Perfect Cut.

Why has it taken so long for Asia to finally jump onto this nip-tuck trend? Some say it’s because aesthetic surgery is the “in” thing now, it’s becoming more affordable and it’s become less of a stigma compared to before. Even our own local plastic surgeons like Woffles Wu and Martin Huang have become known for skills and patenting plastic surgery techniques.

But is plastic surgery still too sensitive a topic to be dramatised? In our more conservative Asian society, celebrities or starlets who opt for such procedures still refrain from talking publicly about it. Compare that to the West, where celebrities like Kelly Rowland and Pamela Anderson have openly declared they have gone under the knife.

Tell Us: What do you think of TV shows that centre around plastic surgery? Is it still a hush-hush topic?

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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In response to the article on Singaporean’s attitude towards plastic surgery.I like to say that many people have gone under the knife.I am not here to say if such is wrong or right.Personally, i would not even think of such.I like to ask if those who have gone for such treatment is, why can’t they accept themselves for who they are and how they look?I have read that the most people who have gone for such are the Koreans.The only time i believe such to be done is when someone has met with an accident who survived but has been disfigured because of such or when someone has been borned disfigured as well.

I believed technologies are improving day by day and is it possible that one day, such surgery is so advanced to a stage that we can look who ever we want to.If such is possible, then there will be many “Clones” walking around on planet Earth.

I personally believed we should not encourage plastic surgery because we should accept who we are because everyone is unique.I like to be enlightened by the relevant authorities on their view of such surgery and what measures have they implemented to safeguard those who have decided to go for such surgeries?

Ace Kindred Cheong

Technically, aesthetic surgery is a specialty concerned with the correction of form and function. It is undeniable that this phenomenon is becoming increasingly common and no longer falls into the category of taboo. In 2006 for instance, nearly eleven million went under the knife in an effort to improve their physical appearance, with breast enlargement being the most popular procedure. This is a five percent increase from the year 2005 and this growing popularity does not seem like it is going to alleviate anytime soon.

Formerly seen as an issue that provoke frowns of disapproval, aesthetic surgery is now as common as catching a flu and now have clinics sprung up all across the globe. Some people are even willing to travel across boundaries just to attain the best possible aesthetic treatment. “Hotspots” for plastic surgery have also surfaced with Japan, Thailand and China being most popular for licensed and illegally-performed procedures. As part of a billion dollar industry, it is important for us to acknowledge the growing significance of aesthetic surgery.

The fact that celebrities now are being extremely open about correcting their looks with the help of a scalpel is also noteworthy. Action film star Jackie Chan sought double-eyelid surgery in 1976 in an attempt to achieve a more “westernized” look. Ayumi Hamasaki has also been rumoured of having thirty to forty surgeries done. As role models and influential individuals of the society, there is little wonder why aesthetic surgery is indeed becoming the “in” thing.

Amelda Nira Hamdan

TV shows that centre on plastic surgery are as good as their portrayal of the benefits, dangers and ethical issues of plastic surgery. It is important that such an important tool of mass media be used accurately and responsibly.

Plastic surgery just like any other branch of medicine is able to bring wellness to the patient and of course has its unique risks and moral controversies. There are of course valid reasons why people pay so much attention to plastic surgery. American serials like Nip/Tuck and their paparazzi’s focus on celebrities’ cosmetic procedures have tainted the views of audiences around the world.

Someone who is unsatisfied with his or her appearance, a congenitally deformed child or an accident victim may want an improvement by the surgeon’s knife. It is not simply an issue of vanity; there is also the self esteem and other psychological aspects which play a factor. Ultimately it is an exercise of freedom of choice after weighing up the potential pros and cons. There are also unfortunately quack doctors cashing in on this vulnerability.

It is therefore important for TV shows to mirror reality and let us know whilst it may be a quick and even only way to bigger eyes or straighter nose, there are dangers and not everyone needs it. Some people just need a bigger personality.

Unsurprisingly, plastic surgery is no longer a hush hush topic because of all the attention it is receiving. So many stars have confessed to this surgical quick fix and many have gained the fame they so desired. Of course blotched jobs like Michael Jackson’s melting nose left a bad impression and also became gossip fodder.

Yet not many people would admit they have visited Woffles Wu or Kim Byung Gun (renowned South Korean plastic surgeon). Why is that so? It is precisely the same reason as why they opted for the cosmetic surgery. They have a brittle confidence and self perceived inferiority. So they opted to change themselves physically to overcome the deficit. However by discussing their own changes they would be forced to remember their past weaknesses and they certainly do not wish to relive those humiliation.

Hng Pek Khee

Sheela Says: What does your favourite drink say about you? In 2005, a UK-based chartered psychologist spent a week in a pub and to actually try to answer this question.

Apparently, if you are a red wine drinker you are a mature person and if you drink a white Zindafel - an inexpensive quaffable fruity white wine - you think you’re sophisticated but actually you have no clue. Women who drink cosmopolitans are Sex and The City fanatics and Carrie Bradshaw wannabes and men who drink cosmopolitans are well, gay.

Apparently it makes it easier for someone at the bar to figure out your personality based on your drink before they hit on you. I happen to be a gin and tonic, Bloody Mary and dirty martini drinker with an occasional yen for a glass of champagne and a Mexican beer with a twist of lime - not necessarily on the same night. What does that say about me?

I think what  your drink should say about you is that you just want to have a good time, relaxing at your favourite bar with your poison of choice. We play enough mind games at the office… do we really need them at the bar? If you really want to get to know person, just buy them drink and start a conversation.

Tell Us: Does your favourite tipple say anything about you ? Or is it all just cocktail pop psychobabble?

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

Our favourite booze speaks volumes about us. First it might reveal where we come from, you have Singaporeans overseas asking for the Singapore Sling in the bars and pubs, you see an expatriate drinking the Irish Car Bomb or a Guinness Stout you know he is Irish or if he is sipping the Bordeaux Clairet or Chenas you are looking at Mr France. There is more to it of course. The more adventurous of us prefer the shots and flaming martinis, the mature ones the XOs and VSOPs if they are rich or just Tiger beer if they are not. Then you have those who just want a good time on a nightout without too much excitement and they might just choose a Blue Haiwaiian or a Long Island. Also ever wonder why bartenders put so much efforts into naming their drinks? Precisely because drinks convey a message, so actually your favourite drink is your way of sending out a signal to other observers. Drinks like Sex on the beach and Kiss on the Lips could mean you are a hopeless romantic. Doctors and nurses might just like Painkillers and Grateful Dead. It is also no surprise the Americans are increasingly falling for Bushwacker and Obama’s favourite drink is El Presidente.

Tan Wei Teng

Do you think your favourite tipple says something about your personality?

To a large extent, it is true. Your favourite tipple usually says a lot about your lifestyle and personality. For instance people who prefer wine usually depicts luxury and status. Fruity mixed drinks tend to attract people who are more fun and frivolous. In other words, even though drinks may not be as accurate as real scientific tests, it is still useful in giving us a rough idea about a person’s personality.

Amelda Nira Hamdan