Masak Masak

Last Friday night Lauren and I went to my brothers comic book realease at the Over the Moon Launch at Sentido Funf on Gertrude St.. Lauren, being the forward thinker she is, made sure we had our dinner planned and booked for that night. This was at Masak Masak, a Malaysian hawker-style restaurant. Lauren booked this place from seeing pictures of the food on Instagram, and then checked it out online. Along with the delicious pictures, Masak Masak received good reviews online.

Masak Masak had a few set dinner options, and we decided to choose 'Set One', which is for max of 2 to 3 people. The first thing we had was the 'Century egg, pickled ginger, chilli oil'. This was a very interesting little bite size dish, with the egg coming cut in four pieces, and looking a very weird dark colour. It was very tasty, and started our journey off in the right direction. We then continued on our set dinner with 'Satay Beef with condiments' and 'Prawn wonton', fried of course. Both dishes being amazing, I could have had a whole bowl of the Prawn wontons they were so great.

Then the main dishes came out, we didn't think that the set menu would be enough for us, and so decided to add another item to our set dinner. The next on our food journey was 'Slow cooked beef ribs with sambal oelek' along with 'Wok-fried rice, chinese sausage, spring onion' and 'Kai-lan chinese broccoli, oyster sauce, garlic chips'. The beef ribs were huge and just melted away from the bone, and of course were delish. Lauren not normally a fan of fried rice, along with me, found the fried rice really yum. The journey finished with a sweet treat, Petit Four by Luxbite, along with some coffees.

What can I say the 'Set one' dinner was only $49 in total, yes not per person, in total. We really didn't need to get that extra dish, the main servings dishes were larger than what we expected. It has to be one of the cheapest Restaurants we have eaten at in Melbourne, without losing on quality. The food at Masak Masak really did take me back to being at a Singapore Hawker market, I just needed a Tiger beer to complete the flashback moment. The food was amazing, and I highly recommend this restaurant to all, we will certainly be coming back for more.

Mask Masak Menu.

Posted via DraftCraft app

Lagnaa and Singapore

Our first experience at Singapore, in 2010, was only for four days and on the end of a around the world trip. Being food lovers, and being the first time in Singapore we wanted to experience Indian dining at the famous Raffles. You could say our first Indian dining in Singapore was a let down. We clearly made a newbie mistake, Raffles was too over the top in so many ways, except where it counted for us, the food. With the four days going fast, we found that it just was not enough time to experience what Singapore had to offer, and so decided that we needed to come back. About a year later Jetstar provided us with this chance, via one of there special hot flight deal offers.

You could say it was not expected that we were going to be coming back to Singapore so quickly, but being able to get those cheap tickets, we were able to plan an unexpected holiday, back in Singapore. While in Singapore for the second time, we of course wanted to eat Indian, and with Raffles clearly out of the question, it was off to our trusty friend, Trip Advisor, which never lets us down for hotels, and decided to use it to help find a nice Indian Restaurant. Near the top of the list was this place called Lagnaa, and looking at the score and feedback, we decided to give it a go.

Lagnaa is situated in Little India, and on arriving, we were greeted straight away by Shanti. Her lovely smile and friendly persona, made you feel right at home. She took us upstairs and seated us at our tables (upstairs you need to take your shoes off, and sit on the floor, which is half the fun). Shanti then went over the menu, going over the monthly specials, which every month is picked by a panel of guest which vote for the monthly specials, which was then followed by the chillies scale, 1-10. I didn't notice at the time, but on the main floor they have a chillie scale, along the wall, for people willing to take the challenge. Wooden pegs, with people's names on the peg, go next to the level they were able to achieve. To date, no one has made it to level 10, with only one person getting to level 9, this is another blog in itself or something you need to experience by going to Lagnaa.

On our third trip back, we came back to Lagnaa 3 times, during our eight day visit. Trying different items on the menu including the monthly specials. They also do cooking courses, and if you are there at the right moment, you might be able to take part in choosing the monthly specials. One of the things we love about Lagnaa apart from the fantastic food is having the great chats with Shanti. Yes, it is our favourite Indian restaurant in the world, and we miss it as much as we miss Singapore itself. Our advice if you are going to visit Singapore, then this is truly a place you need to visit.

Lauren’s Best of 2012

2012 has been a massive year, a new job with added responsibilities, lots of family stuff happening and lots of films, books and albums (not to mention craft, restaurants, the world of finding decent decaf, the gym and just general faux-hipster time wasting activities). In fact, in 2012 I saw 91 films, I think the most I’ve ever seen.

So, here is the list of the best of 2012.

Films:

Top 20

1. Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present
This was one of the most moving film experiences I have ever had. Watching Marina’s performance art and sharing in her story had me sobbing throughout the entire film. I’ve never felt like that in a film before.
2. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
One of the first films I saw in 2012 and it was hard to beat. It crept up on you. Grey London, bold Oldman (robbed of the Oscar) and Cumberbatch!
3. Beasts of the Southern Wild
This film was phenomenal. It touched my soul and challenged perspectives. Fantasy tinged with harsh reality.
4. Sound of My Voice
I do love a good story about a cult but this was about so much more than brainwashing and strange basement handshakes. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this film. It was a great narrative, perplexing and Britt Marling was incredible. A real highlight of the year.
5. Argo
I’m the first to admit I’m not a big fan of Ben Affleck the actor, but I am a massive fan of Affleck the director. A great film where the predictable suspense still had me covering my eyes!
6. Amour
Heart wrenching. Beautiful. Love.
7. Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. Flying out a window. Renner. Action. Incredible. Enough said. Judge me, I don’t care.
8. Hugo
So beautiful (especially in 3D) that I could have sat in the cinema and watched it again and again. Thank you Scorsese. A lesson in film and a lesson in loveliness, family and dreams.
9. Weekend
A gay love story that was so much more than the average depiction, less nightclubs, more love. A beautiful film.
10. The Avengers
Superheroes!!!!! Loved every minute of Whedon fun!
11. Headhunters
A great Norwegian film that was a hilarious art-heist! Wasn’t expecting much so was totally surprised that this remained one of my favourites of the year!
12. Undefeated
I thought this would be a typical sports doco about the achievements of a wrong side turned good group of kids who win a championship. It was so much more. A moving glimpse of poverty, hard work and opportunity.
13. Diaz: Don’t Clean Up This Blood (Italian Film Festival)
This film slayed me and really affected me for days after I saw it. It reminded me of that time around the Seattle protests and S11 and G20 and what corruption, violence and political zeal mixed with corporate zeal can do to those who believe in the truth and freedom.
14. Looper
A great film with Gordon-Levitt and Willis delivering great performances. Action and sci-fi thrills.
15. The Dark Knight Rises
Nolan delivered an amazing film, made better by seeing it in the front row at IMAX. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a highlight as Batman’s Robin, while Tom Hardy’s mumbling was a lowlight. A great end to the franchise.
16. Woody Allen: A Documentary
So great I saw this twice, once at ACMI and then on ABC. Nothing makes me feel better like Woody and Diane K talking about love and life. My teen hero.
17. Magic Mike
Soderberg for the win! What could have been Step Up with strippers ended up being emotive, gritty and real.
18. The Intouchables
As someone who has spent much of their career working in the disability policy area, often films about people with disability end up being inspiration porn, that is heart-warming stories that make you feel sympathy but hope. This film however was hilarious, genuine and avoided most clichés.
19. Margaret (Extended Version)
Lonergan delivered another great film. I’ve seen ‘You Can Count on Me’ so many times and this is just as good. To get into a teenagers brain to see tragedy, life and New York go by was incredible. Paquin was wonderful.
20. Chronicle
I went into this thinking it was a teen movie and left amazed at the way it was filmed and the impact of the story.


Almost made it to the top 20 but didn’t…

• The Artist
A beautifully shot and heart-warming film that reminds us of why cinema is so important.
• Rock of Ages
This film was a total guilty pleasure, so bad it’s good (along the lines of Burlesque), what more do you need – Tom Cruise, no shirt, singing Guns & Roses Paradise City.
• Cabin in the Woods
I’m so not into horror, in fact I’m so not into horror that I had to read the entire scene synopsis before we went into the cinema, but I surprisingly enjoyed it, I guess Joss makes everything ok. It was terrifying, random and Bradley Whitford was pure understated comedic genius!
• Moonrise Kingdom
A sweet curious tale, amazingly funning, with Bruce Willis a highlight. It was like an animated Norman Rockwell painting.
• Monsieur Lazhar
A reminder of the importance of good teachers and the importance of listening to children’s voices. The performances were emotive and beautiful.
• Safety Not Guaranteed
Funny, complete with Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass, what more do you need?
• Your Sister’s Sister
A well-written, charming indie. Plus Duplass and a love story!
• The Imposter
This unexpected and bizarrely fascinating documentary took me by surprise, twists and turns, reminded me of my two favourite docos of previous years, Catfish and Tabloid.
• Haywire
Soderberg does it again with a film that kind of creeps up on you and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
• Bill Cunningham New York
The story and life of Bill Cunningham was charming and unassuming.

Books (in no order):

• The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman
• Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn
• The Hunger Games Trilogy

Albums

• Patti Smith - Banga
• Cat Power – Sun
• Something for Kate – Leave your Soul to Science
• Ben Folds Five – The Sound of the Life of the Mind
• Bruce Springsteen – Wrecking Ball
• Jay-Z and Kanye West – Watch the Throne
• Nicki Minaj – Roman Reloaded

Other highlights:

• Simon Callow at the Melbourne Town Hall
• Michael Palin – at the Melbourne Town Hall
• Jeffrey Eugenides at the Comedy Theatre
• Sherlock on TV – Freeman and Cumberbatch!
• Hawaii 50 and NCIS LA cross over – when cheesy met cheesier for the win!
• Being introduced to the music of Anthony and the Johnsons by Katee.
• Paul Thomas Anderson and The Master on 70mm at the Astor.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime – National Theatre Live.
• Oscars Day at the Nova.

Ashley's Movies for 2012:

I cannot believe the amount of movies I was able to see in 2012. I gave myself a target for 2012 and that was to see as many movies as I could, and do a blog and score on them. At the end of the year I wanted to post my movies, ranking them from best to worst. And so here it is.

I wanted to keep the rules easy and simple, which mainly was to score them and rank them as I go, so it wouldn't be a messy affair at the end of the year. (Lauren is living through the pain of ordering films as I write) I think the hardest part was during MIFF when I saw over 30 movies in just a 2 week period. During this period I feel like I might of made some rushed scores and ranking decisions. Also, looking at my list now, I feel like I could change a few scores and ranking positions for some of the films, but in the end it is just a little fun, and nothing too serious. You will also find some old classics, which were remastered and shown at the Astor.

What surprised me was that I actually thought I saw more movies during the year than what I did see and that the bulk of the films I saw where during the two week period of the Melbourne International Film Festival. I saw double the amount of movies at MIFF than what I saw in 2011. Also, I saw some National Theatre Live productions at Cinema Nova in Carlton. Which I decided not to include in the list seeing that even though I saw them at the cinema they are more theatre productions and I enjoy them in a different way than I would a movie.

The amounts of movies I watched in the second half of the year dropped due to A-League and Melbourne Heart, but I still got to see some good movies in between the soccer, like Lawless and Argo. You can catch my soccer blog at www.thebigheart.co.

After saying all of that, here is my movies for 2012 and National Theatre Love list. Both list shows the score and the month which I saw the film in:

My Movies for 2012 (Well, all the movies I saw in 2012):
1: The Dark Knight Rises: 4.5/5. July. (I felt like this completed the trilogy, and I think the director is fantastic.)
2: Headhunters: 4.5/5. March. (What a movie, I highly recommend this to everyone before Hollywood wrecks it.)
3: God Bless America: 4.5/5. August. (My first Bobcat movie production. I now see him in a new light, and have to admit I had him typecast in Police Academy. This is violent but it speaks out about the state of America, a must see movie.)
4: Raiders of the Lost Ark: 4.5/5. June. (Re-Mastered and shown at the Astor)
5: Beast of the Southern Wild: 4/5. August. (This and Batman where the only movies I saw twice in the Cinema during the year)
6: Looper: 4/5. November. (It reminded me of 12 Monkeys. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to watching again.)
7: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: 4/5. January.
8: Lawrence of Arabia: 4/5. August. (Re-Mastered and shown at the Astor)
9: The Cabin in The Woods: 4/5. July. (This is one of the movies I think I rated harshly, and think maybe I could have put it in my top 5.)
10: The Imposter: 4/5. August.
11: Undefeated: 4/5. August.
12: Argo: 4/5. December.
13: Martha Marcy May Marlene: 4/5. February.
14: The Avengers: 4/5. May.
15: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai. 4/5. August.
16: Chronicle: 4/5. February.
17: Lawless: 4/5. December.
18: The Artist: 4/5. February.
19: The Ambassador: 4/5. August.
20: Fight for your right Revisited: 4/5. August.
-----------------
21: Holy Motors: 4/5. August. (After rethinking about this movie, if I could restore it I think it might be a 3/5, I would have to re watch it again.)
22: Liberal Arts: 3.5/5. August.
23: Ace Attorney: 3.5/5. August.
24: Save your Legs: 3.5/5. August.
25: Safety not Guaranteed: 3.5/5. August.
26: We are Legion: The story of the Hacktivist: 3.5/5. August.
27: Killer Joe: 3.5/5. August.
28: Into the Abyss (movie): 3.5/5 and also Into the Abyss (TV episode): 3.5/5. August.
29: Best Exotic Marigold Hotel: 3.5/5. April.
30: The Hunter Games: 3.5/5. April.
31: The Muppets Movie: 3.5/5. January.
32: Interrupters: 3.5/5. January.
33: You Will Be My Son, 3.5/5. November.
34: Eames: The Architect and The Painter: 3.5/5. June.
35: Descendants: 3.5/5. March.
36: Mission Impossible 4: 3.5/5. January.
37: When a City Falls: 3.5/5. August.
38: Rampart: 3.5/5. August.
39: The Legend of Kasper Hauser: 3.5/5. August.
40: Robot and Frank: 3/5. August.
41: Nameless Gangster: Rules of the time: 4/5. August.
42: On the Road: 3/5. August.
43: Beastie Boys in Awesome I fuckn shot that: 3/5. August.
44: Something for nothing: The Art of Rap: 3/5. August.
45: Mine Games: 3/5. August. (Another movie I think I rated to high. I wished this was better than it was, it had potential.)
46: Any Questions For Ben: 3/5. February.
47: Make Hummus not war: 3/5. August.
48: Just The Wind: 3.5/5. August.
49: Step up to the plate: 2.5/5. August.
50: J Edgar: 2.5/5. January.
51: A Dangerous Method: 2.5/5. March.
52: L: 2/5. August.
53: Tomorrow: 2/5. August.
54: The Red and the Black: 2/5. August.
55: Crime and Punishment: 1.5/5. August.

And my National Theatre Live productions of 2012:
1: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime. NTL. 4/5. September. (Easily in my overall top 15 for 2012. I really enjoyed this play.)
2: The Comedy of Errors, NTL 3.5/5. March.
3: Travelling Light. NTL 3.5/5. February

You Will Be My Son

Now I haven't forgotten my blogging commitments, but the A-League is upon us, and I have been a busy bee over at thebigheart.co blog site. I have just recently seen this French film and also Looper, more on Looper in my next blog, this is all about 'You will be my son'.

One thing about non Hollywood movies is that they don't need to worry about fitting into any type of format, and so you find more interesting and diverse movies from across the World. With this being one of them. I enjoyed this movie, being about two different families on a French winery. I would have like the start to be a little bit different, I felt like it gave away what was going to happen to early, but then I know others liked how it started.

Apart from that it had a good story line and also some good cinematography of the French countryside, just making you want to go to France on a winery tasting holiday.

Links:
It's movie is not on at Village or Hoyts but you can still catch it at either Cinema Nova, Palace Cinema Como or Classic Elternwick. I would highly recommend you catch this movie while it is still on. We saw it at the Palace, but all of these cinemas are great places to see movies.

Sharmill Films: You Will Be My Son.

Rating: 3.5/5