Lockout [SQ Inflight Entertainment]

A sci-fi thriller with so many plot holes and absurdities that it's barely watchable on video! Saved only by the charisma of Guy Pearce. But even then, his character's "wit" and "sarcasm" borders on annoying more than charming. Luc Besson's new muse Maggie Grace is pretty on screen and tries in vain to ditch to typical damsel role. Sadly, other the major supporting actors, everybody else on set were bad. The action scenes, other than the opening sequence, were too messy, and directing was clunky. Sad chapter for Pearce.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel [SQ Inflight Entertainment]

Ace British comedy that is filled to the brim with the who's who of British acting royalty. Undeniably there's some Indian stereotypes being portrayed but at least they are not played for cheap laughs. Also, expectedly, when there are so many strings of plot weaving throughout some will surely get short-changed. Nonetheless, this British gem is filled with heart, love and optimism!

[Paris] L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon @ St Germaine

The 3rd L'Atelier I have eaten at, the others being at Hong Kong and Tokyo, but this was easily the best. Acceptably priced degustation menu with every dish exquisitely presented and prepared. Excellent service throughout. Reservation required for first seating at 6.30pm, thereafter was first-come-first-serve. Great wine, good food.

[Paris] Benoit

An Alain Ducasse bistro that's a 100 years old this year. The lunch set was at €36 TTC, 3 course with some amuse bouche and complimentary lapine-starter. It was quite filling especially with the generous portion for starters and dessert. I had the chicken liver terrine which was alright. Tasty if you like liver terrine. The fillet of merlan fish had a very heavy white wine reduction sauce served with vegetables which kinda complements and ehances the blandness (but very smooth) fish. Dessert was again another generous portion of savarin á l'Armagnac. Self-dousing of the liquor and really scrumptious vanilla whipped cream!! Yum! Had a side of escargot which was great but not mind-blowing.

This Means War [SQ Inflight Entertainment]

Tom Hardy and Chris Pine had the best bromance and chemistry in this show. Reese Witherspoon is miscast as their love interest; gone are her days of the young love interest. She's like the new Meg Ryan. Watchable, some good laughs - courtesy of the boys - and to the credit of the show, it does make you guess all the way till the end who she will choose. That last scene was totally unnecessary.

Young Adult [SQ Inflight Entertainment]

Again, I'm surprised by Charlize Theron. She brings to life this detest-able creation of Diablo Cody and manage to infuse in her some sort of complexity and humanity that you can't help but feel compassion and pity for her even as she spirals down a self-destructive delusion. Cody's scripts have always been smart but this time she's too heavy handed on the metaphors; even the title was so in your face.

The Debt [Blu-Ray]

Sadly, this excellent politico-historical thriller did not make it to our shores. Very well acted by the two leading ladies - the 2011-ubiquitous Jessica Chastain, and the regal Helen Mirren - the movie moves along at a thoughtful pace. The time shifts initially may be a bit jarring, but once the main plot goes into drive, it kinds of becomes irrelevant. A very well scripted movie that explores country vs. self and truth vs. lie. The ending may perhaps be a bit too neat such that the grandeur of the philosophical questions that the movie aimed to ask seemed a tad diminished. The directing by John Madden was tight and suspenseful at times, in particular the scenes with Chastain and the antagonist. In all, a great yarn that was supported by a brilliant cast. I think Sam Worthington has potential, just squandered at the moment.