The Way of the Penguin

Owner's note: My first post since this poor blog kena blognapped. Hmpff...

I was at my desk when I heard my colleague asked me, "Keith, what's that movie about the penguins ah?" I didn't take much time to think (because I am a film-buff see) to say, "Batman Returns?" She said, "Not that Penguin la!"

I was shocked. How can I not know what she is talking about?

"The documentary about penguins. What's it called?" She asked. I thought about it and I had no freaking idea what she was talking about. I was confused just like when I was 13 years old and a school mate asked me, "Hey Keith, have you watched Basic Instinct?" I answered, "Nope, I haven't seen that documentary." I was a very outdated boy, thanks to ONE year studying in Shah Alam, where the most happening film of the year was Beauty and the Beast.

Anyway, I asked her, "What documentary about penguins?" She obviously expressed shock as she said, "You don't know about THE documentary of the year? How can? You are the film buff!" I smiled when she said that, confirming that I indeed know more about movies that the kidnapper of my blog, Stephanie Tan.

So two colleagues started telling all about this hit documentary called The Emperor's Journey. In some parts of this world, it's called The March of the Penguins. It made over US$100million at the box-office! It's like this year's version of The Blair Witch Project - low budget, super high returns.

Last Saturday, Ah Steph (actual blog) asked me, "Hey, can we watch The Emperor's Journey tonight?!?" Thanks to my new-found knowledge, I said, "Oh, the hit documentary about penguins right? Yeah, do you know that it is also called The March of the Penguins?" I have never felt so clever in my entire life. Haha...

So we bought tickets at MidValley and by 11.45pm, we were in the cinema. I still think that at almost midnight, it's not really a good time to watch a documentary about penguins. IN a cinema, no less. And, Mandarin version some more. So, it's like one of those half-hour already translated into Mandarin animated cartoon - only difference now is that it's NOT animated and quite slow.

Penguins walk for like 30 days to get to a point where the female penguins become horny. So, like males on Earth, the female penguins outnumber the male ones. Since they are horny, they fight with one another to get the leng chai penguin. And this goes on for like a week.

Then, they find each other. Somehow, the director wanted to create some erotic drama when he shot two penguins in slow pace making out to sexy soundtrack. And, I just sat there and wondering if the penguins should get an igloo or something ...

Overall, I must say it's quite a marvellous production even though I almost fell asleep during the making out sessions and the long walk to the dating arena. And the large bird that tried to eat one of the cute little penguins. Supposedly quite action-packed because Steph's eyes were glued to the cinema screen while mine are trying their best to stay open. Maybe not action-packed enough.

Anyway, penguins are such cute creatures and really go all out to protect their young. And this documentary should win Best Documentary Oscar next year because it's beautifully shot and so informative (now I know why some penguins have more white fur than black). Kudos to the director for actually spending gruelling months in the North Pole to capture the magic that is The Emperor's Journey aka The March of the Penguins.

Penguins can't fly but can march.