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Reviewed: Life of Pi (3D) IMAX

By Andrea Claire · November 29, 2012 · 0 Comments ·

One just may go too often to GV Gold Class when one gets a 'Top Spender' invite to a movie preview - but this one is very appreciative of the experience at the GV Vivo City IMAX theatre: Life of Pi (3D)

I have not read Life of Pi. I have actually picked it up many times over the years, perused a few pages and thought: This would make a better movie. Apparently Ang Lee could see the stunning visuals and he made them come to life. I left the theatre with one word in my head that seems to be on every reviewers mind: Breathtaking. [I am not a movie reviewer.]

Usually I am not a fan of 3D movies - I generally find the 3D pointless i.e Smurfs (3D)... I hate the glasses - as I wear them I wonder if they have been disinfected. I would prefer to buy a pair to keep handy, carrying my own germs - aside from that - if you see Life of Pi in 2D I would say that would be pointless.

Life of Pi opens in paradise - French India, Pondicherry with ridiculously stunning visuals of the animals in the zoo owned by Pi's father. From beginning to end the movie leaves you in awe - you are pulled in - hook, line and sinker.

Fun fact: In reality, [Yann] Martel [author] named the tiger [Richard Parker] after a character from Edgar Allan Poe's nautical adventure novel The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket (1838). However, there were a number of other men named Richard Parker who are relevant to Martel's choice, and that are linked to tales of cannibalism by shipwrecked sailors. Such tales abounded in the 18th and 19th centuries. via Wiki

IMAX

Honestly - I always book in the Gold Class - I love that you can have a glass of wine and a martini glass full of M&Ms while you watch your movie. [The Gold Class bar food however still lacks the class - so I think they should call it Bronze Class] A welcomed change - this was my first experience in the GV IMAX theatre. Comfy seats with ample legroom - I just forfeit my wine and chocolate.

This was the video presented before the IMAX experience: Dolby Atmos. The audio system that brings your movie experience an added sensory bonus.
Frankly - I couldn't stop staring at his concealer. He seemed to have no makeup on anywhere else since his skin was red and blotchy - so why the added touch of what seems to be Ooh La Lift or a touch of MUFE HD Powder?? If you are a guy and this is what happens to you when you sit in the makeup chair - pull a Clooney and refuse makeup because just like a Life of Pi 2D experience - pointless; so is this makeup.

[I have heard that George Clooney refuses makeup - I have no idea if that's true but no makeup is better than bad makeup.]

Filed in: Movies, 3D
Tagged with: imax, ang lee, golden village, GV gold class, Life of Pi, gv vivocity, dolby atmos

Cinema Review: Katong Gold Class

By Andrea Claire · January 29, 2012 · 2 Comments ·

Relocating back to Singapore almost two years ago now was anti-climatic as I had lived here once already; but Singapore isn't as small as you think. There are many pockets to the city state that are interesting to check out, a plethora of restaurants and waves of shopping.

Many cities are starting to offer Gold Class cinema experiences. My first luxury film experience was in Austin, Texas; Gold Class at The Domain. I was spoiled with their homemade chips with blue cheese sauce...omg. I've tried making them...

My HB and I like to do a date-night every weekend. We love movies. (Although the selection here at times is dismal) Last night we decided to venture to 112 Katong to the new Gold Class.

We saw Haywire directed by Steven Soderbergh. I like his directing.

(photo credit: Adrian Koh)

Katong Gold Class pictured above. Can I just say that the Gold Class food in Singapore gets a bronze at best.The selection seems like a lot but as you turn the pages you discover it's not much different than pub food - it's the same in all of them.

We ordered our food and wine.

My food comes rather quickly, one appetizer followed by another 5 minutes later. I remind the waitstaff that my hb's meal hasn't arrived. Later they return with the bill and I remind them that my hb's meal is still not here. I order another class of wine. When my wine comes, again, I remind them that we are still waiting on my hb's meal... they bring the final bill... still no meal for my hb. Finally, the last ten minutes of the film his meal arrives.

Guess what....

The movie ends, the lights come on, credit roll ends, hb is trying to finish his meal that arrived at the end of the movie... the waitstaff then asks if we can leave the cinema as they need to clean it. WHAT?! Two tickets for the movie alone is $77.

We said: "Absolutely not. You brought his meal at the end of the show after we reminded you over and over and you want us to leave?? He'll be done in a few minutes."

They offered me a feedback form. Um, here's your feedback form.

We try not to eat meals in Gold Class, Singapore since we find the food choice and quality lacking. They really need to rework the menu. I have filled out a feedback form on this in the past.

(photo from Adrian Koh, click to see more photos)

I must say that the Katong location is beautifully decorated with the Peranakan influence.

Would we go back? I do like the location so yes, but just like the other GV Gold Class cinemas we will eat first.

May I recommend:

Cedele in Great World City if you are going to GV Grand.The food here is amazing! I stumbled upon it Christmas shopping. They need to change the marketing a little, I always thought they were a bakery. Try the beetroot burger, amazing!

Brotzeit in VivoCity for those going to GV Vivocity. So many great choices here from German sausage to pizza with rye crust.

If you have a recommendation for a restaurant near GV Katong let me know!

NOTE: Gold Class Katong has 56 plush and super-luxurious Gold Class cinema recliners. GV’s signature Gold Class will offer a sampling of the much-acclaimed Peranakan cuisine, including Otak Samosas, Assam Fish with fragrant Basmati rice, Nyonya Kueh delicacies, in addition to Chef Chris Foo’s signature Western dishes.

GV Katong is located at 112 East Coast Road, Level 4,112 Katong

Getting there was a challenge too. Comfort Taxi. Seven out of ten times they know what they are doing. We get into the cab:

Me: "112 Katong please"

Cabbie: "Where?"

Me: "112 Katong. The new cinema that just opened? In the mall?"

Cabbie: "Huh? Spell it."

Me: "K-A-T-O-N-G"

[he has already been driving]

Cabbie: "Where is it?"

Me: "I don't know. Jurong East?"

[BTW: I was totally wrong not Jurong East. I was Google Mapping the situation]

Cabbie vears off the highway: "What!? Jurong East!? This is the wrong way"

Me: "No!! I've got the GPS it's the right way. It's not Jurong East. My mistake, it's East Coast Park"

[Cabbie is now doing a huge circle to get back to the highway]

Cabbie: "Where is it?"

Me, frustrated: "Urgh. 112 Katong" [pronounced Ka'Tong]

Cabbie: "Ooooh! Katong! I know where that is! [he pronounced it Kat'Ong]

Seriously?! I then tried to call out my gps directions that he said "no need' since he knew EXACTLY where he was going...

A $27 cab ride later. Which is why I try to map out where I am going before the taxi starts to drive... lesson reinforced.

Filed in: cinema
Tagged with: golden village, Cedele, gold class, golden village singapore, Brotzeit, adrian koh, gold class the domain austin