the readviewer

Courtesy of Nuffnang, I had the privillege of being invited to a premier screening of the latest movie from Steven Spielberg last month...

The movie: Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan.

To be honest, the waves that was generated for this movie felt more like tame ripples, but it carried the heavyweight name of Spielberg, whose name is etched in our memories forever because of movies like E.T., Indiana Jones, Men In Black and the very graphic Saving Private Ryan. I need to digress a little, but did you know that Spielberg was also responsible for monster hits in my childhood like Pinky and the Brain, and ANIMANIACS!!


So, back to the movie premiere. After having dinner, decided to head over to the GSC Cinema in 1-Utama to collect the movie tickets. However, before reaching the movie premiere, I saw someone who looked like he could use some serious help... honestly, it's not easy doing this 24-7....




The only problem was, I had to go soon for my movie screening... so, with great reluctance, I had to leave Mr. Celcom Monk there......

Went and collected the tickets.....


and of course headed straight into the cinema hall...

Eagle Eye wasn't a film that I had been really anticipating, so I went in with fairly not much expectation.

The movie plot revolves around the plot of two random strangers, Jerry Shaw (LaBeouf) and Rachel Hollaman (Monaghan) who are pitted together by a mysterious woman. The only thing that they know about this woman, is that she can see everything that they do and and she knows EVERYTHING about them. She needs them to follow her instructions, failing which dire consequences await.

The acting skills of LeBeouf and Monaghan were pretty good, but for me, the show stoppers in the movie were actually two very talented actors who I didn't know were in the movie.

Presenting, Defense Secretary Callister:



and also presenting, Agent Thomas Morgan:


...played by the very versatile and extremely talented Billy Bob Thornton

For this readviewer, these two actors stole the show.

However, besides the acting, the plot wasn't exactly very groundbreaking. It was more just a slicker presentation of previous shows such as Enemy of the State and The Net. Even more heartbreaking was that the villian I suspected (and was desperately hoping wouldn't be the case) turned out to be true...

Someone once told me, sometimes, you just gotta give logic a rest and just enjoy the movie. Do that, and I'm sure you'll enjoy Eagle Eye.

Until the next post, this readviewer is signing off!

That's a pretty provocative statement isn't it? Yes, I will not be surprised if some readers even leave insulting and nasty comments just because of the title itself. But I still stand by my conviction that communism has left its mark on this country's democracy until today without most of us knowing it. Read on....

The year was 1948. Malaya, under the rule of the British, was in a state of disarray, still trying to recover from World War II (WWII). To make things even worse, they were also battling communist insurgents who were organising guerrilla attacks. The British had declared a state of Emergency after 3 European plantation managers were murdered in Perak. They also passed the Emergency Regulations Ordinance 1948 which allowed the detention of person(s) suspected of being communist sympathizers or helping the communists for up to a period of 1 year WITHOUT trial. The British labelled this as "preventive detention", or today's corporate culture, it would be called being proactive.
In 1960, the state of Emergency was ended and by then, Malaya had already achieved its independance from her colonnial masters. However, the threat of these Communist guerrillas was far from distinguished and communist sympathizers were still many. The Malayan government decided that preventive detention was still needed and passed the Internal Security Act (ISA) under Article 149.

Today, 48 years later, the threat of communists planning guerrilla attacks and communist sympathizers have all but evaporated. The only communists left are those who relate to their ideology and yet still enjoy the perks of democracy. Heck, even China themselves cannot be called a true communist regime when they condone capitalism! But yet, the ISA still exists in the Malaysian Constitution.

Even more disturbing, this law that was intended to be used against terrorists and threats against national security has been abused time and time again to serve the interests of those in power. In 1987, the biggest abuse of the ISA was done under Ops Lalang. 106 Malaysian citizens were arrested and detained without trial under the ISA.


More recently, a little over a week ago actually, the ISA keris was again unsheathed and 3 people were detained under ISA. The famous internet-journalist / blogger / expose king Raja Petra Kamaruddin, better known as RPK in the cyberspace was detained along with Teresa Kok (MP Seputeh) and Tan Hoon Cheng, the Sin Chew Daily News reporter.

Besides the 3 names stated, others who have suffered under this draconian act are figures like Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Karpal Singh, Chandra Muzaffar, Maximus Ongkili and Jeffrey Kittingan, just to drop a few names.

The longest imprisonment under ISA was Loo Ming Liong, detailed for 16 YEARS (1972 -1988) because he was SUSPECTED to be a communist.

As far I know, none of these people have been brought to court to be tried for the charges to which they imprisoned under ISA. Some of these figures have been brought to court and charged, but the charges were either not the same, or amended. How unfair is that?


ISA was an act that was initiated because of the unrest in Malaya at that time and because of the threat of communist agendas. These agendas are gone (the Bangkok treaty is proof of that), and even Malaya is now Malaysia. Why is ISA still here? Why do we still condone it?

And that is why, the legacy of communism still lives in Malaysian democracy through the use and abuse of the ISA.

Here's a question: Have ANY of the detainees under ISA since 1960 till present day ever been successfully charged and convicted with being communists?

NOTE: This very dissatisfied readviewer is totally against ISA, regardless of who uses it and who it is used on. Anyone who is deemed to be a threat should be given their day in court and a chance to defend themselves. Until the day ISA is abolished, this readviewer readily maintains that Malaysia does not practice democracy. Rather, is only practices an illusion of what democracy should be.

PS: For those of you who would like to know more about ISA and speak up against it, there will be a forum entitled Abolish ISA tomorrow. The details are given below:


Panel of speakers include:

• Lim Guan Eng (Chief Minister of Penang, former ISA detainee)
• Teresa Kok (MP - Seputeh, former ISA detainee)
• Khalid Samad (MP - Shah Alam)
• Nurul Izzah Bt Anwar (MP - Lembah Pantai)
• Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (Lawyer / Bar Council President)
• Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Chairman, Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA aka GMI)

The wives of the current ISA detainees (Raja Petra Kamaruddin aka RPK, M. Manoharan and V. Ganabathirao) wil be present and will be given the opportunity to speak

What do most young working adults in Malaysia have in common? The fact that most don't cook at home. And it's no different with this readviewer, who only ever seems to cook when there is a party or pot-luck to attend. Otherwise, there just doesn't seem to be time. Don't you think so too?

ignorant fool AKA me: Bang, yang ni macam mana nak makan? Sedut je? (Hey man, how on earth do I eat this funky looking bone? Do I just suck it out like some drink?)

bewildered seller: Ah, ya lah. Sedut je! Nak beli? Cubalah! (Like duh! Just suck it you moron. That's what the straw is for! Say, wanna buy one to try? I mean, you've already wasted 2 minutes and 3 customers of my time)

ignorant fool AKA me: Berapa harga dia? (Well, not to be insulting or anything, how much do I gotta pay for this bone which I would usually get for free from the market?)

bewildered seller: Murah je, RM13.00... tapi kita bagi dengan daging dan soup sekali (because you wasted my time, it's RM13.00. But because you look like nice guy, I'll throw in some beef and soup as well...numbskull)

So, here's the scenario... it's night time and we're travelling along the main road when suddenly I'm told to turn left into this contruction looking area..... and stop there.

The only difference between a Hollywood movie and the scenario I was in was that nobody died or gets shot in the head. And the other difference, I'm supposed to be on the way to dinner!

Well anyway, after passing this under-construction building, yours truly suddenly sees some bright lights that dance on my car window, enthusiastically beckoning you....

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Subang's best kept secret: Ben & Nick's Diner, or more fondly known as B&N Diner

Looking at the fairy lights already makes me warm and fuzzy... eh, seriously lah... don't tell me even this photo doesn't make you feel all happy and feel like going... aaaaaahhhhhHHHH......puas.


But eh, makan also not yet... sorry... got carried away....ok ok, back to B&N...
Once I got over the very pretty lights, I go in and I'm greeted by none other than famous Jim:


The first thing that I notice is the very homely feeling that you get. The furnishing and decoration is simple, but nice. It's not wannabe, but it's not tacky either....




After that, very quickly, the next thing that hits me is... "WAH, a bit small right the place?"

Seriously, B&N has a very small seating area inside......but after you sit down and look at the table, you feel as if the decoration on the table is there specifically to answer what every other Tom, Dick and Harry is wondering about the space.....


They provide us with menus and straight away I knew that I already liked this place. Anyone with menus like this definitely gets into this readviewer's good books.... funny lines and quirky quotes definitely I like! =)


And just because it's not the most famous eatery right now, it does not mean that it hasn't caught the attention of those whose reviews warrant attention...


So, we order our food... and the first dish that comes along is the garlic bread (RM3.90).


Now, the thing that is good about the garlic bread is the fact that they toast it well. And because it is fresh, it is crispy instead of the "masuk angin" feeling. Plus the taste is yummy with enough ingredients. Presentation wise, not so nice, but hey, if the food tastes good, the presentation can close one eye lah!

Next up was the mushroom soup (RM6.90), which was really creamy and yummy. It goes really well with the garlic bread as well! They give a slice of garlic bread with the soup, but for those who really enjoy soup and bread, you might as well order a garlic basket....


The Caesar Salad (RM18.90) that we ordered was a little special because we requested for chicken meat to be used instead of beef. The vegetables are tasty, and the meat is heavily marinated with oregano herbs which gives the meat a very nice taste... for RM18.90, it's pretty pricey for a salad, but the portion is worth the money and there is enough to go round, even for our party of 6.. of course, don't bring all the food killer friends lah... then that one definitely not enough...


The first main dish to arrive was the Cajun Pasta (RM17.80) and it looked good. It also tasted as well as it looked... the chicken meat was tender without that chicken-y taste, the sauce had a unique flavour, unlike your typical pastas, the cheese plentiful, so yeah.. it was good... now look and drool...


My Combo blanket (RM18.90) was the next main dish to arrive and I was smacking my lips in anticipation when it arrived. Beef and chicken meat are grilled well wrapped in a tortilla served with a generous portion of salad... again, the generous use of oregano herbs makes this something to savour and enjoy...


Next up was the Cajun Chicken (RM13.90).... Served with mashed potatoes, coleslaw and a small bowl of sauce, it's really worth the price. I must also add that the coleslaw wasn't murdered with too much mayonnaise which was a plus..


Then the Chicken Chop (RM13.90) arrived... it looked pretty much the same as the Cajun Chicken, except that the sauce is different (mushroom sauce) with peas and the taste of the chicken isn't as nice as Cajun Chicken.


We all ate to our hearts' content and our plates were pretty clean by the time we were through.. here's proof:


After we finished eating, Sonny (the owner of the shop) comes over to find out whose birthday we were celebrating... and guess what? The birthday boy got free apple crumble AND homemade bread and butter pudding, both of which came with a scoop of ice-cream! Wah, we were SO impressed! And I must say, even though we were quite full, greediness took over. And boy was it worth being greedy that night!


We couldn't possibly move at that moment, so we took some time to talk to the owner. Sonny is actually a retiree who decided to start of shop with his 2 sons Ben and Nick. In June 2007, B&N Diner was born... no prizes for gussing what B&N stands for. Ben is actually the chef in the kitchen, while Nick drops by every now and then to help out.


It would be worth noting that B&N does cater for specific occasions and the restaurant can be booked for functions...


Due to that and the fact that B&N isn't exactly the biggest place in the world, it would be best if you made reservations before going there to avoid having to stand around with a rumbling tummy...



I don't have a map and I'm too lazy to draw one, so here the address:

ben & nick's diner (next to Carrefour Subang)
lot g10, e-tiara service apartment,
persiaran kemajuan,
47500 subang jaya.

tel: 016-2010189

Anyone of you been there? Share your experience with us!

till the next readview, this is the readviewer signing off...


PS: Sonny, if you're reading this, my apologies that this readview came out later than expected =)

So far, this readviewer has reviewed movies and also some wonderful local news that brings a new meaning to the word "gatal" (that's itchy in English). In the pipeline is also a review of a website, hopefully.... but that's another topic for another day...

Is it just this readviewer, or does there seem to be a heck lot more perverts who enjoy peeping at others via hidden cameras? Check out a report I read in today's newspapers:

It's bad enough that these pervs seem to take a liking to watching men taking a pee-pee, it's even worse to find out that the police personnel in Menggatal refused to take the report of the people lodging the report. I mean, why NOT?? This is very mind-boggling... if I wrote the report, I'd probably make some slight, subtle changes....


After reading this report.. something really kept bugging me... where on earth is Menggatal?? I mean, with a name like that, you can blame me for thinking that the people there are all constantly itchy or pervs? For those unbelievers, it's a REAL place....


But I couldn't find anything much about this really special Menggatal Police Station... so I decided to let my imagination do the thinking for me... and I think it'd probably look something like this:


Then comes the next question... why didn't these Menggatal police officers want to allow the report to be lodged? Well, I'm guessing they want us Malaysians to start thinking ahead and think more civic consciously...


I mean, it's ok if you want put camera in the toilet, just let them know-lah! Who knows, there could be some very willing volunteers....

But yeah, maybe some of you feel very strongly that this is downright wrong and that the police can't just say no and you want to do something about it. Guess what? You can! You can do your bit to ensure that people know what is happening in this driving school in Menggatal....



A driving school that puts cameras in a MEN'S toilet, a police station that doesn't wanna take the report regarding the camera... makes me really wonder whether the people in Menggatal are really that gatal or not... =)

Till the next readview, this is the readviewer signing off...

The year is 2027. The governments of the world have crumbled, including governments of the mighty United States, France, Italy and even Malaysia. The only functioning government that still stands is the government of England. The English government refuses to allow refugees and immigrants from other countries to enter England...

The only thing that makes this predicament even more depressing is the fact that the humans have not seen the birth of a child in the last 18 years.

That is the premise of the movie that I had a chance to watch last weekend entitled: Children of men, which stars Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine and Claire-Hope Ashitey as the characters that are central to the premise of the movie.

The movie itself isn't exactly oven hot stuff, having been released in 2006, but I never had the chance to watch until just a few days ago.

Loosely based on the 1992 novel "The Children Of Men" by P.D. James, the story revolves around disillusioned activist Theo Faron (Owen), who has since become a withdrawn white collared worker trying to forget his past.

His low profile existence is shattered when his ex-wife Julian Taylor (Moore), now the leader of a rebel group known as Fishes, requests his help to safely deliver Kee (Ashitey) to an illusive group of scientists known as the Human Project, who seek to end humans' inability to conceive and give birth.....


The only problem with this proposition is that Kee is an illegal immigrant who is also the first human to be pregnant in the past 18 years. Will Theo embrace his past and put his entire future and existence in danger to help this girl who may hold the key to man's continued existence?


This movie is not for the casual watcher who likes love stories or blow-em-up movies that require little thinking and are nothing more than eye-candy.

There are no exquisite battle scenes, and no captivating one-liners that will stick in your head. Instead, the depressive depiction of humanity and the very graphic death scenes linger long after the movie ends. However, the hope and sacrifice that drives this movie is also the theme that stays with you after watching this movie.

These are movies that I personally enjoy, because they have that element of making you really wonder whether this could be a scenario that humankind will have to deal with in the not-too-distant future.

The storyline isn't the most complex, but the way the movie is shot really strikes a chord with even the most hardened of viewers and tugs at your heartstrings.

Acting wise, the star of the show for me was Michael Caine's portrayal as the cannabis smoking Jasper Palmer. He totally transformed himself for his role and I still catch myself sneaking a grin thinking about his two most famous quotes in the movies: "Hi Amigo" and "Pull my finger"... you'll need to watch the movie to know what I'm talking about.

All in all, the theme and setting of the movie is somewhat dark and sordid, but the crux of the movie hails the triumph of the human spirit and the determination to fight for what's right. It's definitely not something you would recommend to kids and those with a weak heart.


PS: Here's an interesting fact... watch the beginning of the movie and you'll catch Kuala Lumpur in the movie's news.... unfortunately, it's just a brief glimpse and it's not very flattering... those of you who've watched the movie, did you catch it?

readviewer signing off.... don't worry, I promise, the next article will NOT be regarding a movie...

So, it's like this.. it's an Adam Sandler movie, so you know it's gonna be comedy. But it's an Adam Sandler movie, so you know it's gonna be physical comedy. Slapstick, physical comedy. But that's ok, cause those kind of movies catch my fancy too! Anyone remember "Waterboy" and "The Longest Yard"? I figured you would...

I was born in an era way past ABBA and their staple europop-musik, but I fell in love with their music as a little kid when my parents used to play casette recordings (yes, it was THAT long ago) of their songs at home. And besides their music, I think I know why they got famous as well:

So, probably you guys will be thinking, what's the difference between a REview and a READview? Why the need to reinvent the wheel?

With readviewer, we're hoping that we'll be able to create a space where you don't just take in everything that we say... we want you to READ the words, VIEW the images, and then give us feedback, regardless of whether it is criticism, comments or compliments.

Of course, if the feedback coming in is flame-bait or pure rubbish, there will be no hesitation to delete it. We want this place of the internet to be constructive in nature, be it complimentary or otherwise.

So, what now brown cow? Well, for a start, if you want us to review anything, just drop us a comment or email us here: readviewer[at]gmail[dot]com . We do not have issues with reviewing food places or parties even with certain conditions... if you want to know more, why not just email us?

We look forward to hearing from you!