MyView: L change the World

Thanks to Nuffnang, I got to go to a Press Screening for the movie 'L change the World'. It will only be shown in the cinemas on 3rd of April 2008. That's the previleges of being a Glitterati.

'L change the World' is a spin off from the successful manga turned movie Death Note and Death Note 2. In Death Note and Death Note 2, L is the genius detective that is in a battle of witts to catch Kira (Yagami Light) who have been killing criminals using a notebook that can kill a person by writing the name of the person in the notebook hence the name Death Note. In Death Note 2, to prove that Yagami Light is Kira, L wrote his own death on the Death Note and he has 23 more days to live (23 days is the maximum number of days that the Death Note can control the death of a person).

Sypnosis from the official distributor:

"The film presents the “final 23 days of L.” The mystery that the world wanted to know will be revealed.

This may indeed be the inevitable spin-off. DEATH NOTE’s hero was Light Yagami, who stunned the world with his superior intellect. L was the other genius, and the two fought ferocious intellectual battles. To put an end to the seemingly unending conflict, L makes the ultimate choice, leaving him with only 23 days to live. From the moment he makes this decision what will happen in these last 23 days? This void, which was not presented in DEATH NOTE, is, in fact, dense and full of surprises. The mysteries of L that you craved to know will finally be revealed in his last 23 days. Even L, himself, fails to predict the turn of events.

This time, the enemy comes into possession of a “God of Death” made by man. After losing Watari, his mentor and most trusted partner, L faces a crisis of global magnitude. For L, who has solved worldwide cases through the monitor with his superb intellect, this will be the first and last case, forcing him to go outdoors, interact with people and take physical actions. Like Kira, the person in possession of the synthetic “God of Death” also utters the words: “change the world.”

What will happen to L? What will change? The 23 days are packed with turn of events that even L himself cannot predict. The final countdown are about to begin!

Starring Kenichi Matsuyama and directed by Hideo Nakata, L enters a new evolutionary stage in 2008.

Director Nakata’s The Ring 2 became the top grossing film in the United States, and led to offers for this director worldwide, including those from Hollywood. But why did Nakata decide to take on L change the WorLd? A major reason was Matsuyama. Though Matsuyama’s L struck Nakata as being bizarre at first, he was drawn in by this actor’s complete assimilation with the character. “I was fascinated by the power of his presence as one who seems to be unable to manage his long limbs. I will present an attractive L, who is like a demon in our dreams in various settings.” says Nakata. The director and actor have joined hands to create a cooler, more eccentric and aloof L to present aspects of this character, which have never before been highlighted. Matsuyama’s L is definitely a must-see."

L (Kenichi Matsumaya) with his candies and sugar.

The plot as compared to Death Note and Death Note 2 will be a dissappointment for those that expect it to be as twisted and brain tweaking. There' s not much twist in the plot of 'L change the World'. It's more like a in depth development of L. You can see how L deal with death of the person that's like a father to him, and how he interact with children.

The only survivor of the virus outbreak and a math genius. BOY (Narushi Fukuda)

Maki (Mayuko Fukuda) a key to the antidote of the virus.

There are some humour in some scene, and this is the first time the L goes out and do some running and chasing. He usually only sit in front of his laptop to solve all the cases. The actor who played L is Kenichi Matsumaya. I first saw his performance in a Japanese drama series called 'Sexy Voice and Robo', in there he played an Otaku which is very different from L. If I haven't seen the report in The Star, I won't have known that L and Robo is played by him. So, his acting is really in the character.

Kenichi Matsumaya as Robo and Susuka Ohgo as Sexy Voice in 'Sexy Voice and Robo'

Interesting Note: Susuka Ohgo played the young Sayuri in 'Memoirs of a Geisha'

What I can say that, the starting of the movie is quite slow and dull to put the plot of the movie into place, with some flashback to Death Note and Death Note 2. If you're manga or anime fan, you be glad to find that Near or 'N' will he's first appearance in this movie. Clever audience would have guess by now who is 'N' in the middle of the movie. It's worth a watch for those that have been following Death Note whether from the movie, manga or anime. For those that haven't seen Death Note or Death Note 2, you might have a bit of catching to do but this movie can be watch as an independent story because it really doesn't have much continuance from Death Note.

The bad guys. From left, Megumi Sato (Natsune Misawa), Dr. Kimiko Kujo (Youki Kudoh), and Sei Hirazumi (Kouichi Matsudo).

Rating: 2.5/5

I Bumped Into Malaysian Dreamgirl Finalists

I was in Mid Valley Megamall just now. I watched Gone Baby Gone because today is Super Wednesday, ticket only selling at RM 7. After the movie I just walked around the mall, I was about to take the elevator down to the basement when a girl wearing a shiny duck beak cap walked passed me. I took a glance because the cap is really shiny. One glance, and I think that the girl looks so familiar. Then it hit me, she looks like Jay the finalist from Malaysian Dreamgirl.

I turned back and saw two other girls, and one of them from the back really looks a lot like Ringo only much taller. I checked her shoes, and it's about 2-3 inches high, this confirmed that it is possible to be the Malaysian Dreamgirl. So, I followed them from 1st floor down Ground floor. I was trying to make sure whether that girl is Ringo or not. SuspectedRingo glanced back for a split second when I was following them but I didn't take a good look. Now I feel like a stalker, so I don't dare to follow too close.

From the first floor they went up to the first floor again. Hello! Make up your mind la. They stopped to look at the event going on at the center court, so I overcame my fear and approached SuspectedRingo and it is really Ringo aka Cheesie. She's a bit thinner than last I saw her look naturally prettier without heavy makeup. She's quite surprise to see me there too. I told her I went for the Press Screening of 'L change the World' and then for another movie until about 9 p.m.

She then asked Jay to come over, Jay saw my 'I Love Nuffnang' pin. Hope she doesn't misunderstood. They then went inside Oasis Food Court, it turns out that they were coming here for dinner. I was about to recommend pan mee to Ringo but she already ordered Lui Cha. Well, Lui Cha not bad too. We chat a bit, she told me she's fine, and I told her that her supporter also fine and will support her.

Too bad she can't tell me any insider news at all. So, I don't know whether she's there for her last dinner with the other eliminated finalist or they are still in the competition. I only saw 3 finalists there, Jay, Ringo and another girl that I can't see properly. Are they the 3 that got eliminated? Ringo why la don't tell me, make me nervous only.

Well, episode 7, which is an elimination episode if I'm not mistaken will be uploaded tomorrow. I'll be watching it tomorrow to find out.

Finger crossed hoping Ringo won't be eliminated. I voted for you Ringo.

P.S. If anyone know Alison please tell her that Ringo wrote a letter to her.

Updates: Come to think of it the third girl from looking from the back the hairstyle look a lot like Cindy or Eyna.

Looking For Swimsuit Models

Note: This is not an Advertorial because I don't get pay by posting this. This is just a favour for a friend of mine and also to let more people know about this coming audition.



Ok, girls that missed out the audition for Malaysian Dreamgirl but are still interested in joining the modeling industry? Here's your chance, SGX Faces, a modeling agency is looking for swimsuit models for their client Nikonian Academy for their April Swimsuit Photography class.


I'm not sure whether they need guy or not but SGX Faces do look for male model if the need arise, so guys you can try to submit your application too. No, I won't be submitting mine.


Those interested can send your photos to info@sgxfaces.com. SGX Faces will be having an audition to look for swimsuit model. You'll be call for audition after they qualify you. If you are not suitable for swimsuit modeling, you might be chosen for other assignment that they have on hand because there are many other projects going on. No guarantees though.


For further information you can give a call to SGX Faces office at 03-7955 2998 or 012-391 6833 and ask for Andrew Boey. Full contact details here.


Closing date is 7th of April 2008.


Below is a sample shot of the model from the March Swimsuit Photography class of Nikonian Academy.

Click to enlarge:

Model: Natasha

Makeup: Simple makeup by Natasha herself.

Photographer: Andrew Boey (Director of Academy, Nikonian Academy)