Been too busy working to update lately.
For the last 2 weeks, I was working part-time as listed below:
1) Researcher for a NTU Professor - 40hrs/week
2) Cat Feeder + House Cleaner @ My Sister's house - 3hrs/day * 11days
3) Tuition Teacher - 1.5hr * 2times/week

On top of that had 3 volunteer duties (Mostly during weekend)
1) AYG Media Relations Assistant - 2 days
2) APEC Ambassador @ Changi Airport - 8hrs * 3days
3) Volunteer at Friends of Children - Abt 2hrs

And I still went to the gym regularly and had dance classes every week. So I was really too tired to update my blog about work. Although I had much to write about my cat feeding experience, staying in the same enclosed space with 10 cats.haha

Up till here, you must be wondering what has all this got to do with my entry's title?
Ok, the movie that prompted me to write my blog today is HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE.
Its the most exciting movie I watched in ages!

Initially was planning to watch after my Primary School friend come back from Taiwan but since I was free after tuition at Bukit Batok. I went to WestMall to catch the movie alone. Yup, Alone. I have been regularly doing that since Primary 5. Main reason is because I find it too troublesome to arrange for people to watch the movie I want to watch. Also, I normally watch at unconventional timing (E.g weekday morning at heartland shopping malls and long after the movie start screening). If you are lucky, you can have the whole cinema to yourself at such timings. I wasn't so lucky today but at least I get to sit at the last row middle seat with no one in front of me :)

What I want to say about the show is that it is superbly filmed! More humor! Especially like the way they design the background and the scenery. Also most importantly, how they edited the original novel. Its different from the book but not entirely so that it will deviate too much. Its fast pace and exciting enough to keep you glue to your seat for 2.5 hours.

However there is this particular scene that I felt the design of the background was a bit strange. At Professor Slughorn's Christmas Party, they use Chinese Lanterns as decorations. Just felt that it didn't really fit into Hogwarts Castle.
In addition, being fast pace has its disadvantages too. For example, in the scene where Harry was persuading Professor Slughorn to come back to teach in Hogwarts, I felt that it was not as convincing because too little time was used in persuasion.

Personally also felt that the movie could do with lesser romance. Whats with the scenes where Ginny feed Harry with pies and help him tie his shoe lace? Also the added scenes where Weasley's house was burned down. Felt that it was a bit extra. Although the mass media often use Romance to attract people into the cinemas but I think most people started reading Harry Potter for the Fantasy and Magic. Romance for the sake of romance in movie isn't what I particularly like.

For the ending, was a little bit sad to know that the major fighting scene inside Hogwarts wasn't part of the film. Felt that it would be a good climax if the last part had that. Snape and the rest just ran away with no one except Harry stopping them. Wasn't really logical.

But seriously think the actors were really good. Especially young Voldermort and Lavendar.Also, towards the ending where they cried after Professor Dumbledore died. Although I knew that would happen, the sad look on their faces affected me much. Couldn't get over it until a few hours after the movie.



Overall, given the constraints of a 500 over page novel turned into a 2.5 hr movie, I think Director David Yates did a really great job. This movie is a must-watch for all Harry Potter fans! Probably will watch it again after my friend comes back :)