WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (2011)

Oleh SYAZWAN ZAKARIAH
syazwan_zakariah@astro.com.my

PADA era Great Depression, Jacob Jankowski dilihat mempunyai masa depan yang cerah. Dia bakal menamatkan pengajian di kolej berprestij dalam jurusan veterinar, seterusnya mempunyai kehidupan yang stabil.

Bagaimanapun, Tuhan merencanakan yang sebaliknya apabila ibu bapanya meninggal dunia akibat kemalangan semasa dia menduduki peperiksaan akhir.

Tidak layak menetap di rumah sendiri kerana bapanya menanggung hutang, Jacob bergelandangan sehinggalah dia mencuri naik sebuah gerabak keretapi yang mengubah destinasi kehidupannya.

Keretapi itu adalah keretapi kumpulan sarkas Benzini Brothers yang dimiliki August dan isterinya, Marlena yang merupakan penghibur utama.

Ilmunya mengenai haiwan melayakkan dia bekerja dengan pasukan itu. Namun dia tidak mampu menolak perasaan cinta terhadap Marlena dan secara senyap, menjalinkan hubungan di belakang August, lelaki yang sanggup melakukan apa saja demi wang dan kuasa.

Water For Elephants adalah kisah cinta Titanic (1997) di atas keretapi. Bukan saja kerana isinya tentang asmara dua insan berlainan kasta, tetapi filem ini bermula dan berakhir dengan olahan serupa. Menerusi teknik imbas semula yang linear, saya dapat menangkap persamaan di antara dua filem tersebut.

Sesuatu yang menyegarkan mengenai Water For Elephants ialah latarnya yang berlegar dalam dunia sarkas, satu tema yang semakin terpinggir di sebalik lambakan adaptasi komik superhero atau filem sambungan dan bikin semula.

Rasanya kali terakhir saya menonton filem mengenai dunia sarkas ialah Big Fish (2003) arahan Tim Burton.

Barangkali kerana itu, saya lebih seronok mengikuti kisah survival Benzini Brothers untuk menjadi kumpulan sarkas terunggul, berbanding kisah cinta Jacob dan Marlena. Tambahan pula dengan lakonan cemerlang pemenang Oscar, Christoph Waltz yang menggalas peranan August sebaiknya.

Penonton dibawa merasai kesengsaraan yang terpaksa dihadapi pasukan itu, di sebalik cahaya terang dan warna-warni pentas sarkas. Bagaimana mereka gusar dan takut dengan kepimpinan August yang sering membuat keputusan di luar batas kemanusiaan, demi memastikan Benzini Brothers terus bergerak.

Seperti wataknya dalam Inglourious Basterds (2009) dan The Green Hornet (2011), dia menampilkan sisi yang selesa pada awalnya sebelum menunjukkan kejahatan.

Kebijaksanaan Waltz ialah memberikan dimensi kepada watak August. Ada ketika penonton dapat merasai betapa dia terdesak akan kehilangan isteri dan syarikatnya.

Kepada mereka yang sangsi dengan kemampuan Robert Pattinson, dia bukan lagi pontianak ‘kayu’ seperti dalam saga Twilight (2008). Dia tidak hebat, tetapi sekurang-kurangnya mampu mempamerkan spektrum emosi seorang lelaki yang cuba mencari arah hidup.

Raut tampan dan sifat budimannya membuatkan penonton mahu terus mengikuti filem ini.

Sebaliknya, Reese Witherspoon sekadar mengisi tempat kosong untuk watak heroin. Dia kelihatan kurang selesa sebagai primadona sarkas. Gerak lakunya janggal, begitu juga dengan babak-babak romantis di antara Marlena dan Jacob yang seakan tidak asli.

Sebagai peraih Oscar, semestinya Witherspoon punya pesona dan keupayaan, tetapi dia tidak bersinar dalam Water For Elephants. Keserasian di antara Jacob dan gajah bernama Rosie lebih dirasai. Penulis skrip, Richard LaGravenese (P.S. I Love You, 2007) bijak membina hubungan unik di antara dua mamalia tersebut.

Ada minit-minit filem ini kehilangan genggaman, membuatkan penonton mahu cepat berakhir. Apatah lagi ia berjalan tanpa sebarang kejutan dan boleh dibaca seperti kebiasaan novel cinta.

Begitupun, sebagai peminat filem tanpa CGI melampau, saya berterima kasih kepada Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend, 2007).

Dia mengembalikan pengalaman tontonan filem-filem klasik Hollywood yang mudah, ringkas dan menghiburkan. Nilai produksinya tinggi dengan sinematografi, set dan kostum yang cantik serta skor muzik James Newton Howard yang efektif.

The LEGO Movie

Despite its ‘educational value’, the minifigures have charmed with their cute simplicity – an unassuming blandness that’s seen them seamlessly adapt various big-name properties (Star Wars, The Lord Of The Rings, Harry Potter, all the key marvel and DC characters), which has skyrocketed their popularity and collectibility far beyond the specified age ranges listed on the boxes. The spin-off videogames – with their slapstick cut-scenes – haven’t done any harm either.

Ignoring previous straight-to-DVD features (made for the likes of Bionicle and, erm, Clutch Powers) and the Star Wars shorts, a LEGO movie has felt like a long time coming. But can a toy best known for its miniature scale really fill the big screen? And how do you resist making the thing feel like one extended commercial break for the Danish company’s latest wares?

Thankfully, The LEGO Movie is so madcap hilarious that you never feel like you’re being sold out. The appointment of directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller was a shrewd move. Having cut their teeth on the immensely likeable Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, they went live-action with high-school cop-com 21 Jump Street. On paper, that should have been a shameless cash-in too, but it ended up being one of 2012’s most satisfying comedies.

Here, they’ve assembled a cast of regulars from your favourite US sitcoms (Chris Pratt and Nick Offerman from Parks And Recreation, Will Arnett from Arrested Development and Alison Brie from Community) and teased great work from A-listers (Liam Neeson, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman) to ensure that the funnies fly thick and fast. Bigger than the star names, though, are the supporting cast of LEGO favourites who’ve been roped in to fill out the ranks.

Arnett’s Batman is inspired: a moody blowhard who’ll only work with black bricks (“or very, very, very dark grey ones”). He might get the lion’s share of the belly laughs, but there’s plenty more to go round – 21 Jump Street stars Channing Tatum and Jonah hill have a cracking dynamic as Superman and Green Lantern, and Neeson’s terminally conflicted Bad Cop (whose rotating yellow brick head occasionally flips to the Good Cop side) is an unexpected highlight.

Front and centre, though, are the new creations. Emmet Brickowoski (Pratt) is a bog-standard construction worker who follows every instruction to the letter, until a run-in with punky Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) – imagine a cuddlier Lisbeth Salander – sets him on course to fulfil a prophecy. Their banter creates more sparks than your average romcom and, like many of the gags, you wonder if it’ll be lost on younger kids.On their travels, they take in the Old West, ‘middle Zealand’, Cloud Cuckoo Land and the high seas, teaming up with Batman and souped-up pirate metalbeard in an effort to stop the dastardly Lord Business (Will Ferrell) putting an end to freewheeling creativity with a mysterious weapon known as ‘the kragle’.

If the plot sounds creaky, rest assured that it’s skewered and subverted as much as Batman and co. possibly can – genre tropes are mocked, ‘chosen ones’ are in for it, and The Terminator’s just one classic movie touchpoint up for parody. There’s an anarchic childlike glee to the way it’s all thrown together – as with actual LEGO sets, pieces can be reassembled to create something entirely new – and the various set-pieces, including freeway chases, shootouts and laser-sharks play like blockbuster versions of the fan videos you’d find on Youtube.

Reportedly part stop-motion, part CG-animation, you won’t notice the joins. There’s an insane level of invention on display – the world is brimming with hilarious background detail, and everything you can see is made of LEGO pieces, even the water. The characters are given more expressive eyes and mouths than their toy counterparts, but their movements are just as restricted – and the animation makes a virtue of this, from their clippy hands to their plastic wigs.

The world lends itself to 3D, the stereoscopy making it feel like you could reach in and take part. It’s not without its flaws. Some of the set-pieces feel a little too noisy, and the resolution to one particular plot mystery isn’t entirely satisfactory, taking you out of the moment ahead of the climax. and given the irreverence for just about everything, there’s rarely a feeling of genuine peril.
Even so, it’s likely to be a film that you’ll want to revisit, to catch some of the background gags you missed first time and to wallow in its joyously nostalgic environments.

Mango Smoothie

Ingredients

• 3 mangoes, peeled, pitted, and chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1/2 cup plain yoghurt
• 2 cups milk
• 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Methods

1. Place all ingredients to a large mixing bowl, blend with bamix until smooth.

Shrimp With Garlic And Basil Oil

Ingredients

• 24 jumbo tiger shrimp or langoustines
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Two generous handfuls of shredded basil leaves
• 1/4 cup/60 ml olive oil

Methods

1. Cut the shrimp in half lengthwise. Mince the garlic.
2. Shred the basil leaves. Toss together with the shrimp halves and the olive oil in a glass bowl.
3. Cover and let sit in the fridge for about an hour. Remove half an hour before cooking.
4. Heat the oven to broil.
5. Spread the shrimp over a baking sheet, dribbling over any basil oil that stays behind in the bowl.
6. Broil 5 minutes until the flesh is cooked.
7. Serve immediately, if not sooner.

Howard Hughes - The Aviator

Howard Hughes, an aviator and film director, was born on December 24, 1905, in Houston, Texas. He inherited his family's successful oil tool business and began investing in films. He produced several films, including the hit Hell's Angels.

Profile

Businessman, film producer, film director, and aviator. Born Howard Robard Hughes, Jr. on December 24, 1905, in Houston, Texas. While he is largely known for being one of the wealthiest men and one of the most famous recluses, Hughes had many professional accomplishments before withdrawing from public life. Son of a successful oil drill tool manufacturer, he inherited the family business in 1923 at the age of 18. He used some of his fortune to finance films, beginning in 1926. He produced several movies, including the World War I epic Hell's Angels (1930), which featured expensive aerial fight sequences and a then-unknown actress named Jean Harlow. Some of his other significant films were Scarface (1932) and The Outlaw (1941). During his days in Hollywood, Hughes developed a reputation for being a playboy, dating such actresses as Katherine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Ginger Rogers.

Hughes developed a passion for flying and founded his own aircraft company in the early 1930s. Besides designing and building planes, he risked his own life several times testing planes and setting new world air speed records in the mid- to late 1930s. While he is credited with many aviation innovations, such as the first retractable landing gear, he is also remembered for one of his biggest flops—the Spruce Goose. Hughes labored on this oversized wooden sea-plane for years, finishing it in 1947. It was only flown once.

After a terrible plane crash in 1946, Hughes began to retreat from the world. He bought part of RKO Pictures in 1948, but he never visited the studio. In the 1960s, he lived on the top floor of the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, Nevada, and conducted all of his business from his hotel suite. Few people ever saw him, which led to much public speculation and rumors about his activities. It was thought that he suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder and had a drug problem. Hughes eventually left Las Vegas and began living abroad. In 1971 an allegedly authorized biography of famed recluse was announced, but it turned out to be a scam. The authors were later imprisoned for fraud.

Hughes died on April 5, 1976. After his death, numerous fake versions of his will surfaced, leading to a battle over his fortune. In 2004, Hughes' life returned to the spotlight with the feature film The Aviator, which depicted his early days. Leonardo DiCaprio played the billionaire as a dashing, troubled young man. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his portrayal of Hughes.

Labor Day

Based on Joyce Maynard’s 2009 novel, Labor Day marks a departure for director Jason Reitman, best known for indie-coms with a side order of snark, from Thank You For Smoking to Young Adult. A kidnap tale with minimal violence that evolves into a low-temperature romance, this is an odd beast, but one that comes from the heart.

Narrated by the adult Henry Wheeler (an unseen Tobey Maguire), the story flashes back to 1985 when he was a teenager living with his fragile, post-divorce mother Adele (Kate Winslet). Life for young Henry (played by Gattlin Griffith) takes a turn when he’s approached by the injured Frank (Josh Brolin) at their local supermarket.

Forcefully requesting shelter, Frank’s soon back at Adele’s house – where news broadcasts make it clear he’s a wanted man, having escaped prison while serving 20 years for murder. But Adele doesn’t raise the alarm; rather, intrigued by the presence of this gruff but sensitive man, she lets him recuperate…

Describing Labor Day makes it sound, well, laboured. The downtrodden divorcee who falls for the ex-con with the heart of gold sounds like the makings of a bad airport novel. Take the sensuous scene where Frank teaches Adele how to make a peach pie. Cheesy? Yes, but not to the point you’ll be sticking fingers down your throat.

If subtlety is key here, both Winslet and Brolin lead the way, favouring gentle touches rather than grandstand gestures. True, the finale may well be unrealistic, but the director’s belief in his characters has earned him a shot at it. One for the shameless romantic, then.

BPL 2013/14 (Game 27) - Liverpool 4-3 Swansea

Liverpool sekali lagi terpaksa berhempas pulas bagi memastikan tiga mata berharga terus menjadi habuan berharga pada perlawanan ke 27 liga bagi musim ini. Bermain dihadapan penyokong Liverpool dan di stadium Anfield bukanlah alasan untuk pasukan Swansea mudah mengaku kalah malah tentangan sengit berjaya dipamerkan.

Bersama-sama kejar mengejar menjaringkan gol membuatkan kita berdebar-debar untuk menantikan keputusan penuh selepas tamat perlawanan. Walaupun pada awalnya kelihatan Liverpool bakal mengadakan majlis kenduri gol, tetapi ia berjaya dinafikan oleh pemain-pemain Swansea. Bayangkan dalam masa 20 minit terawal, Liverpool berjaya mendahului 2-0 melalui jaringan Sturridge dan Henderson, dalam masa 6 minit selepas itu juga Swansea berjaya menyamakan kedudukan 2-2 melalui Shelvey dan juga Wilfried.

Dimanakah silapnya? Kelemahan di barisan pertahanan yang dikemudi oleh Skrtel dan Agger nampak terlalu longgar dan mudah untuk ditembusi. Yang terbaiknya, selepas menjaringkan gol, Shelvey tidak pun membenarkan kawan-kawannya meraikan jaringan tersebut malah mengangkat tangan sebagai tanda hormat terhadap penyokong Liverpool dan bekas pasukannya. RESPEK!!!!!!!!!

Sturridge terus membuktikan bahawa beliau addalah penyerang terbaik apabila berjaya membawa Liverpool mendahului 3-2 sebelum tamat separuh masa pertama. Tidak lama selepas separuh masa kedua bersambung, Skrtel telah membuat kesilapan yang besar kerana telah membuat sekatan kepada Wilfried di dalam kotak penalti. Suka atau tidak, Liverpool terpaksa menerima keputusan pengadil untuk memberikan Swansea sepakan penalti. Walaupun Mignolet berjaya membaca arah sepakan penalti tersebut, tetapi sedikit kelewatannya untuk merebahkan badan membuatkan Wilfried berjaya menyempurnakan sepakan penalti ini.

Seperti orang kata, kalau dah rezeki tak kemana. Begitulah kisahnya dengan jaringan kemenangan yang dijaringkan oleh Henderson. Walaupun percubaan pertamanya berjaya dinafikan oleh penjaga gol Swansea, tetapi tindakan beliau yang terus meluru kehadapan berjaya menyudahkan bola muntah untuk menjadikan keputusan 4-3 hingga tamat perlawanan.

Suarez terus buntu untuk membuat jaringan. Jika beberapa perlawanan sebelum ini beliaulah mesin gol bagi Liverpool, tetapi kini beliau sedang melalui zaman kemarau yang berpanjangan. Nasib baik assist-assist beliau banyak membantu rakan-rakannya untuk menjaringkan gol. Kira berjasa jugalahkan.

Secara keseluruhannya Liverpool masih lagi bermain pada tahap yang baik cuma adakalanya keghairahan memburu gol membuatkan pertahanan menjadi longgar. Sikap suka bermain-main didalam kawasan sendiri kerap juga hampir memakan diri sendiri. Apapun tempat ke-4 liga terus dimiliki oleh Liverpool untuk terus mengekori rapat tiga pasukan diatas. Harapnya tiga pasukan teratas tersebut akan melakukan kesilapan pada perlawanan akan datang bagi memudahkan Liverpool untuk memintas dan mengungguli carta liga pada akhir musim. YNWA.....

LIVERPOOL : Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger (Toure), Flanagan, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling (Allen), Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge (Moses)
SUBS : Jones, Teixeira, Toure, Moses, Allen, Aspas, Cissokho

SWANSEA : Vorm, Rangel, Chico Flores, Williams, Taylor, Britton, de Guzman (Hernandez), Shelvey (Canas), Dyer (Ngog), Routledge, Bony
SUBS : Tremmel, Amat, Tiendalli, Canas, Hernandez, Emnes, Ngog

Kredit: Kelab Peminat Liverpool Malaysia
http://kp-liverpoolmalaysia.blogspot.com

El Toro Butchery & Grill, Subang

Suka akan western food ? untuk kali ini saya ingin berkongsi tempat untuk menikmati juadah masakan barat yang terbaik bagi pengemar Steak.

Terletak di Subang jaya, lokasi restauran El Toro Butchery & Grill berada di enterance Subang Avenue.  landmark terdekat adalah Carrefour Subang Jaya dan Mesiniaga, selain itu ia berdekatan KTM komuter subang jaya hanya 3 minit berjalan kaki.

Konsepnya yang santai tetapi ekslusif sesuai untuk lepak bersama kawan atau keluarga. Selain menyediakan masakan barat di sini menjual daging import premium mengikut potongan bahagian kegemaran anda.

Selero Negori, Subang Jaya

Bagi yang menggemari masakan Padang dan Negeri Sembilan, anda bolehlah berkunjung ke Restoran Salero Negori. Terletak di aras 2, BB Plaza, restoran ini menampil konsep yang lain dari yang lain. Konsep 2 dalam 1 ini membolehkan pengunjung yang berkenan dengan perabot antik yang terdapat di dalam restoran ini memilikinya.

Setiap perabot termasuklah kerusi dan meja tempat anda menikmati hidangan mempunyai tanda harga yang boleh dirujuk. Dibuka pada Julai 2007, cawangan di BB Plaza ini merupakan cawangan Restoran Salero Negori yang ke – 4 daripada 5 cawangan kesemuanya. Perniagaan anak – beranak ini diusahakan oleh keluarga Encik Azman dan isterinya Puan Khalkani serta dibantu 3 anak mereka Khairunisa, Azim dan Fifi.

Ikan Bakar Jalan Istana bellamy

Have you ever heard about “Ikan Bakar Jalan Istana”? Those place is the famous venue in KL if you want to find Ikan Bakar (roasted fish). The quality? yes it is, the taste is just like the one you can find at the seafood reataurant at Klang, Umbai, and many more famous places for ikan bakar. But the different is, you dont have to go for holiday or near beach to find those fine quality of Ikan Bakar. Now ready to serve your stomach as near in KL itself.

The location is just behind Istana Negara (Agong house). I you do not know where is Istana Negara, the best way is just take cab and the cab driver know where is Ikan Bakar Jalan Istana. Time serving is from 11am until 10pm in weekdays and 11am till 4pm in saturday. Sunday they’re close.

There is about 3 different restaurants that able to serves you Ikan Bakar. Each of the restaurant have different quality and different style of cooking. Which one is the best? I can’t say so at this point of time, but from my experience the first restaurant they called it “Wak restaurant” is the best so far.

However, the second restaurant seems famous which had been covered by several newspaper, magazine and even TV3 programme called “Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan”. The last (at the end of the row) restaurant (Ikan Bakar Ramli) is just simply “extra” where people called it. This is because if you can’t find any seat left at first two restaurant than you have to eat at the last restaurant which also serve Ikan Bakar as the main dish.

The pricing is slightly expensive at first two restaurant. The main reason given by the owners is that they are using grade A seafood (fish, prawn, squid, kerang) which collected from Port Klang every morning. Among the seafood available is Ikan Pari, Ikan Terubuk, Ikan Kembong, Ikan Cencaru, Sotong besar, Udang Besar and Kerang.

So if you don’t know where to go for lunch or dinner today, just drop by at Ikan Bakar Jalan Istana to try it by yourself. If you are so lucky, you could find some Minister or even celebrity having their dine over there. So let’s go now!

BLACK CANYON COFFEE, ALAMANDA

Setelah berjumpa client di kawasan putrajaya, penulis mengambil kesempatan untuk mencuba makanan di Alamanda Putrajaya. Bertempat di food court, banyak pilihan untuk mencuba pelbagai jenis makanan tetapi pada masa tersebut tempat duduk agak terhad kerana time makan tengah hari. Hanya terdapat beberapa tempat sahaja yang masih kosong dan antaranya ialah Black Canyon Coffee (BCC).

Suasana di BCC agak menarik dan tenang dengan layanan nya agak mesra. Di sini terdapat banyak pilihan untuk dicuba dari kategori Nasi, Noodle, hinggalah western food. Terapi akan menghairankan didalam menu tersebut terdapat tulisan thailand… herm mungkin BCC ni berasal dari sana kot? Untuk makan tengah hari, penulis mencuba set promosi yang terdiri daripada Phat thai, Mini tomyam dan Ice cream manakala untuk minuman Black Canyon Ice Coffee.Tiada yang menarik dari segi makanannya, bagi penulis harga tidak berbaloi dengan apa yang di beri, jauh lebih sedap jika makan di kedai makan masakan thai yang lain. Coffe di BCC rasa agak masam dan sangat manis, bagi penulis coffee sepatutnya pahit dan ia mengigatkan penulis rasa coffee yang berasal dari Vietnam yang sememangnya rasa masam.
Pada pendapat penulis, mungkin BCC ini sesuai untuk mengadakan launch meeting bersama pelanggan bukan untuk family. 

Yazid Burger, Anjung Shah Alam

Sekarang burger bakar tumbuh bak cendawan, dari Rawang Burger bakar, Burger bakar Kaw Kaw, Burger Bakar Abang Burn dan macam – macam lagi dan di merata rata tempat.
Saya mengenali Yazid Burger ini ketika ia masih di jual menggunakan van di belakang Management and Science University (MSU). Ketika itu terdapat  pelbagai pilihan burger yang ditawarkan seperti Burger Sos Mashroom, Burger Satay, Tom Yam, BBQ dan sebagainya. Untuk saiz biasa yang beratnya 250g berharga RM 4.50 – 6.50 ia amat berbalai.  Tetapi secara tiba – tiba ia menghilang diri sehinggalah saya menonton pada Jalan – jalan cari makan di TV3.

Terletak di Medan Selera Anjung, Seksyen 7 Shah Alam (belakang UNISEL). Yazid Burger menawarkan burger dengan beberapa saiz yang paling kecil 250g = RM 10, 500g = RM 20 dan yang paling besar 1KG = RM 40 dan anda boleh membuat pilihan :

1. jenis roti ( oregano, garlic, honey oat, dan wholemeals)
2. jenis patty ( satay, blackpepper, bbq, mushroom, n tomyam)
3. jenis sos ( tomato, cili, mustard, mayonis, thousand island n bbq)
4. jenis sayur ( salad, bawang, tomato, timun, kobis, n carrot)
5. jenis buahan ( epal, nenas, n zaitun)
6. daging ( ayam atau lembu)
7. sos tambahan ( blackpepper, mushroom, cheezy, n jalepeno)
8. cheese ( 2 keping, 5 keping, dan 10 keeping)

Jika anda susah hendak membuat pilihan, just order ” apa – apa jelah” .  Yazid Burger dibuka dari jam 11 pagi – 11 malam, tetapi harus di ingat selalunya jika anda ke kedai burger ini jam 9 malam kemungkinan besar burger sudah habis, untuk selamat anda boleh membuat tempahan terlebih dahulu melalui : email yazidburger@gmail.com atau sms ke 019 6888709.

Chow Yun-fat berhasrat menderma seluruh hartanya bernilai HKD1 bilion

[HM] Hong Kong: Bintang filem aksi terkenal Hong Kong, Chow Yun-fat berhasrat menderma seluruh hartanya bernilai HKD1 bilion (RM425.2 juta) untuk tujuan kebajikan apabila dia meninggal dunia.

Pengumuman itu dilihat akan meningkatkan nama baiknya yang sememangnya terkenal dengan sifat rendah diri dan pemurah. 

“Saya merasakan duit itu bukanlah milik saya. Saya hanya bertanggungjawab menjaganya sementara waktu! Kerana itu saya akan mendermakan semuanya kepada badan kebajikan yang lebih memerlukan,” kata Chow.

Pelakon itu menyatakan sejak kecil lagi dia diajar berjimat cermat oleh ibunya.

Kini apabila mencecah usia 58 tahun dan tiada anak untuk dijaga, Chow mahu mendermakan kesemua harta simpanannya sebagai tanda penghargaan kepada masyarakat atas apa yang dia kecapi selama ini.

Bintang yang terkenal di peringkat antarabangsa itu menyifatkan dirinya sama seperti orang biasa dan dia mendapat pujian ramai kerana sering menggunakan pengangkutan awam, tidak memakai pakaian mahal dan menggunakan telefon bimbit yang “ketinggalan zaman” walaupun dia kaya dan dikenali ramai.

Apple Cinnamon Galettes

Ingredients

• 1 recipe 2-crust pie dough, shaped into 2 logs and chilled
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 Tbsp + 1/2 cup packed dark brown or demerara sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 cups peeled and thinly sliced Granny Smith, Cortland or other tart apple (about 3 apples)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 6 tsp unsalted butter
• 1 egg whisked with 2 Tbsp water, for brushing
• Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

Methods

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line 2 baking trays with parchment paper. Pull the pie dough from the fridge 20 minutes before rolling.
2. Slice each log into 3 pieces and roll each piece out on a lightly floured work surface to just under 1⁄4-inch thickness and 8-inches across. Place 3 onto each baking tray and chill while preparing the filling.
3. Stir the sour cream, 2 Tbsp of brown sugar and vanilla together. In another bowl, toss the apples, remaining 1⁄2 cup of brown sugar and cinnamon together.
4. Spoon the sour cream into the centre of each rolled piece of dough and top with the sliced apples. Place a teaspoon of butter on the top of each tart. Fold the dough over the apples, making 5 or 6 creases overlapping each other so that the apples are almost fully covered. Brush the pastry with the eggwash and sprinkle generously with granulated sugar.
5. Bake the galettes for about 25 minutes, until the pastry is a rich golden brown colour. Let the galettes cool for at least 20 minutes before serving warm, or cool completely and serve at room temperature.
6. The galettes should be served warm or at room temperature, but can be stored chilled for up to 3 days.

Caramel Springs

These garnishes are little coils of caramelized sugar can be used to decorate cakes or individual plated desserts. Like any small decorative work, they take a little practice - they key is to boil your sugar JUST until it starts caramelizing, not turning a full amber colour. This provides a cooked sugar with more flexibility, and is easier to stratch and spiral.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tbsp glucose syrup** or white corn syrup

Methods

1. Before cooking your sugar, have ready a parchment lined baking tray, a few clean tablespoons and a few wooden spoons with straight, unpainted handles. Lightly grease the handles with cooking spray or vegetable oil (rubbed on with a paper towel).
2. Add the water, sugar and glucose (or corn syrup) to a small saucepot and bring to a boil over high heat, without stirring. Continue to boil, occasionally brushing the sides of the pot with cold water, until the sugar barely begins to colour. Remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool to the point where it no longer drips off a spoon in droplets, but can be pulled and stretched (be careful, it will be hot)
3. Dip a tablespoon in the caramel and hold the wooden spoon over the pot, letting the caramel slowly catch onto the handles of the wooden spoon. Slowly twirl the wooden spoon so that the caramel wraps around it, spiraling into a coil or “spring”. After about 5 to 8 rotations, set aside the spoon to set for just a minute, then carefully twist and remove the spring and set aside. Repeat this with the remaining sugar (it does take a little practice to develop a rhythm and flow) and don’t worry if a few springs break or aren’t perfect – these can be crushed up and sprinkled onto desserts or ice cream. If the sugar becomes to hard to work with, put it back on low heat and stir just a little to re-melt it.
4. The springs will keep up to a week in an airtight container.
5. **Glucose syrup can be found where you find cake decorating supplies.

Takers (2010)

KARAKTER sekumpulan lelaki memakai sut mahal yang menggambarkan betapa hebat atau kayanya mereka bukanlah sesuatu yang asli dalam pembikinan filem Hollywood.

Lebih-lebih lagi apabila mereka adalah penyamun dan penyangak. Contoh terbaik ialah siri Ocean's Eleven (2001), Ocean's Twelve (2004) dan Ocean's Thirteen (2007) dari Steven Soderbergh.

Takers tidak lebih sekadar pengulangan semula elemen-elemen tersebut. Dengan plot, watak serta koordinasi lagak ngeri yang klise, filem arahan John Luessenhop ini tidak menjanjikan sesuatu yang berlainan.

Mengimbas sejarah pembabitannya dalam arena pengarahan, ini merupakan filem keduanya selepas drama bajet rendah Lockdown (2000).

Takers dianggotai sekumpulan penjenayah licik yang mempunyai pelbagai latar belakang dan kemahiran. Mereka bersembunyi di sebalik topeng kerjaya yang lain, seperti memiliki bar dan kelab.

Mereka nyaris ditangkap dalam satu insiden, tetapi terselamat apabila salah seorang ahli kumpulan, Ghost menjadi mangsa penjara. Ghost kemudian dibebaskan awal kerana berkelakuan baik.

Biarpun kepulangannya tidak diterima, namun kumpulan itu bersetuju dengan pelannya untuk merompak van-van keselamatan. Bayangan keuntungan berjuta dolar mengaburkan mata mereka tanpa menyedari Ghost ingin melunaskan dendam.

Pada masa yang sama, penonton diperkenalkan dengan dua karakter stereotaip polis yang cuba memburu kumpulan ini.

Jack sedang berdepan dengan masalah peribadi seperti perceraian dan ketagihan alkohol; manakala Eddie mempunyai konflik keluarga seperti masalah kewangan dan anak pengidap penyakit kritikal.

Sub-plot seperti ini sengaja direka bagi menambahkan drama serta menyelitkan imbangan moral di antara perwatakan hitam dan putih.

Takers memenuhi ciri-ciri tipikal sebuah filem aksi seperti letupan, tembak-menembak dan kejar-mengejar. Malah, Chris Brown yang menjadi salah seorang penerbit filem ini mendapat babak kejar-mengejar yang paling panjang dan paling mendebarkan. Malah, kematian wataknya juga yang paling dramatik.

Tidak dinafikan, adegan-adegan rompakan masih mampu memberi ruang keterujaan dan debaran. Walaupun stail sinematografinya agak bergoncang ala siri filem Bourne (2002-2007), namun ia kemas dan tidak memeningkan kepala.

Takers adalah sebuah filem yang mudah. Karakter-karakternya satu dimensi, bahkan jalan cerita dan kejutannya boleh dibaca sejak awal lagi.

Filem ini terlalu berusaha keras untuk menjadi sebuah drama jenayah yang cool, slick and stylish (rujuk Heat, 1995 atau The Italian Job, 2003) sedangkan ia bukanlah perintis dalam genre sebegini.

Lihat saja babak awal filem apabila mereka berjalan dalam gerak perlahan membelakangi helikopter meletup. Bukankah ini sudah ditonton beratus kali?

Barangkali kebijaksanaan Takers terletak pada pemilihan pelakon. Selain Brown, filem ini turut dijayakan bintang rap T.I sebagai Ghost (yang sejarah hidup sebenarnya pun keluar masuk penjara) serta dua aktor kulit putih pujaan ramai, Paul Walker dan Hayden Christensen.

Kehadiran Matt Dillon, Idris Elba dan Jay Hernandez sedikit sebanyak membawakan kredibiliti kepada standard lakonan, tetapi aktres sehebat Zoe Saldana hanya muncul dalam beberapa adegan tanpa memberikan impak. Kalau watak itu diserahkan kepada pelakon tidak ternama pun tidak menjadi masalah.

Masih banyak yang didahagakan penonton selepas filem ini selesai. Biarpun mungkin ada yang mahu melihat Takers sebagai naskhah hiburan semata-mata, secara peribadi saya tetap mengambilnya sebagai pilihan terakhir.

Oleh SYAZWAN ZAKARIAH
syazwan_zakariah@astro.com.my

HIKAYAT MERONG MAHAWANGSA

HAMPIR setiap kerajaan mempunyai hasil sasteranya sendiri yang berkaitan dengan perkembangan sejarah seperti asal usul raja-raja dan negeri.

Menurut ceritera Melayu lama, Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa (HMM) menerangkan mengenai penubuhan negeri Kedah dan tampuk pemerintahannya.

Biarpun mempunyai beberapa versi, cerita yang disampaikan dari mulut ke mulut selama beberapa generasi itulah yang menjadi teras pegangan sesuatu kerajaan sebagai satu dokumen sah bagi pengabsahan hak dan kuasa raja.

Seperti Puteri Gunung Ledang (2004), filem HMM dihasilkan dengan asas mitos yang diketahui dan diterima umum - cuba mengekalkan fakta sejarah sedaya mungkin. Meskipun pada awalnya, saya membayangkan adanya burung garuda dalam HMM, seperti teks yang pernah saya baca semasa kecil.

Barangkali pengarah Yusry Abdul Halim dan penulis skrip Amir Hafizi mempunyai alasan mengapa menukarkan burung garuda kepada puak geruda dan jentayu sebagai nama kapal.

Legenda HMM adalah sebuah hikayat yang wujud sebelum kedatangan Islam. Justeru, terdapat beberapa elemen yang mungkin tidak wajar atau sensitif untuk dipaparkan.

Berlatarkan tahun 120 masihi, HMM mengisahkan seorang nakhoda dan pahlawan bernama Merong Mahawangsa yang berasal dari keturunan Iskandar Zulkarnain. Dia dipilih angkatan Rom bagi mengiringi Putera Rom ke Langkasuka, untuk dikahwinkan dengan Puteri China dari Dinasti Han.

Kekuatan dua empayar itu dicemburui puak lanun Geruda, lalu menculik Puteri China untuk dijadikan tebusan.

Di hujung perairan Selat Melaka juga, Merong dan angkatannya diserang sehingga berlaku pertempuran yang akhirnya mengangkat Merong daripada seorang gelandangan menjadi wira.

Memang tidak adil untuk membandingkan HMM dengan filem Hollywood, apatah lagi dengan bajet sekitar RM8 juta saja, walaupun acuannya ketara mengikut blockbuster luar.

Sekali imbas, penonton akan terbayang keganasan dan gerak pantas filem 300 (2006), babak laut dan kapal dengan dialog humor ala siri Pirates of The Carribean (2003-2007) atau kecantikan kesan khas dan sinematografi Queens of Langkasuka (2008).

Keaslian barangkali bukanlah misi utama Yusry, kerana sifat mana-mana filem pun berkitar kepada pengulangan yang serupa - baik dari segi teknik mahupun penceritaan. Rasanya Yusry juga tidak mahu HMM versinya dilihat sebagai karya sejarah serius secara total. Sebaliknya medium yang tetap menghiburkan.

Walaupun isinya berat, HMM adalah satu fiesta mata dengan props, set dan imej janaan komputer CGI yang menakjubkan.

Skripnya agak ketat, berjaya menyampaikan apa yang mahu diceritakan dalam tempoh singkat - kurang dari dua jam. Mudah difahami, filem HMM dipersembahkan secara bercerita oleh pewaris Merong iaitu Phra Ong Mahawangsa atau nama Islamnya, Sultan Mudzafar Shah.

Saya tertarik dengan penggunaan pantun gurindam yang membawa kepada pencarian Merong. Pantun yang diingati daripada ibunya itu dijadikan klu yang berjaya menimbulkan intrig.

Pantun itu bukan sekadar bidalan tentang dua cinta yang tidak bertemu, tetapi satu alamat yang diterima oleh pawang Kesum tentang kedatangan seorang penyelamat.

Pantun itu juga memberi makna yang jelas kepada babak akhir, tentang pengorbanan Merong menghapuskan Taji, ketua kumpulan Geruda yang mengamalkan sihir. Babak penghabisan ini merupakan momen yang paling dramatik dan berjaya bagi saya.

Selaku pemeran utama, watak berat Merong digalas Stephen Rahman-Hughes seadanya.

Dari sudut ketangkasan dan aksi dia memang boleh dipercayai. Tetapi ruang penjiwaannya masih kosong. Babak di mana dia memberi kata-kata semangat sebelum bertarung habis-habisan agak formulaic dan dibuat-buat.

Lakonan aktor veteran Datuk Rahim Razali sebagai Kesum, tidak banyak berbeza. Kecuali kostum dan rambut panjang putihnya. Jing Lusi sebagai Puteri China agak kaku. Namun, diselamatkan oleh persembahan bersahaja inangnya, Ying Ying lakonan Nell Ng.

Saya menyukai Ummi Nazeera sebagai Embok yang sifat rapuhnya amat dirasai - betapa dia berasa sunyi akibat kematian ibu bapa, kehilangan mahkota dan penantian seorang perwira.

Sementara Khir Rahman beruntung kerana diberikan peranan jahat, Kamawas yang membolehkan dia lebih menyinar.

Secara peribadi, saya menyifatkan HMM bukan sekadar kerja terbaik Yusry, tetapi produksi terbaik KRU Studios selepas menerbitkan tujuh filem.

Oleh SYAZWAN ZAKARIAH

Kredit: http://rebiufilem.blogspot.com

Scottish shortbread

 

 Ingredients

• 200 g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
• 50 g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling over
• 125 g unsalted butter

• Chocolate, orange and caraway:

• zest of 1 orange
• 30 g good-quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
• 1 teaspoon caraway seeds

• Lavender and honey:

• 2 tablespoons lavender honey
• 20 g lavender sugar (use only 25g caster sugar in the main ingredients when making this version)

• Lemon thyme and vanilla:

• ½ a small bunch of fresh lemon thyme, leaves picked
• zest of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste

Method

I know you can buy shortbreads everywhere these days, but great as some of those biscuits can be, nothing comes close to a batch cooked that day, or even that week. It's having the real version of something, rather than the 'buy one get one free' version, that makes us appreciate it. The simplicity of these biscuits makes them a wonderful base for desserts with cream and fruit, or a crumbly topping for trifles and stewed fruits. But for me the very best way to celebrate this humble biscuit is with a cup of tea.

You can have these biscuits plain, or scent them with everything from lemon or tangerine, to lavender, lemon thyme or caraway seeds. Just don't go mad with these flavours, because a little goes a long way and these are nicest when the flavours are subtle.

Preheat the oven to 170°C/325°F/gas 3. Mix the flour and sugar together in a mixing bowl. Rub in the butter with your thumb and forefinger, then add your chosen flavourings (if you're using chocolate or seeds you might want to push these into the dough at the end, after you've rolled it out) and squash, pat and push it into a dough. Don't knead it, you just want to pat it down flat. Push or roll it out until it's 1cm thick – do this directly on to a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper so you don't have to move it. Once it's in the shape you like – which could be square, round, or a few small finger-shapes – feel free to thumb or pinch the edges. If it splits or tears, just press it back together – but remember, the less you work the dough, the shorter and better these biscuits will be.

If you want to score lines on the shortbread so that you can click the biscuits off into pieces later, you can. Sprinkle over some caster sugar, then pop the baking sheet into the oven and cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it – you want a lovely light golden colour (unless you're making the lavenderhoney version, which will be darker). Leave to cool, then put away in a tin or serve. These will be delicious for two or three days and make a lovely present for someone special.

 

http://www.jamieoliver.com

Chicken Mushroom Soup With Senduduk

Ingredients

• Main:
• 1000 gr. chicken stock
• 1 box Shimiji mushrooms
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 slices of lemon
• 8 slices of young ginger
• 1/2 red Thai pepper, sliced with seeds
• 8 leaves of Senduduk, finely chopped
• 6 Kaffir lime leaves, sliced
• 2 pcs. bay leaf
• 1 pc. star anis
• 8 pcs. cloves
• 16 pcs. black pepper corn
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 4 sprig thyme
• 2 sprigs of mint leaf
• Fish sauce, to taste
• White pepper, to taste
• Cayenne pepper, to taste
• Grapeseed oil
• 30 gr. butter, unsalted
• Garnish:
• 12 slices of red Thai chili pepper
• 4 pairs of mint leaf

Methods

1. Preparation:
2. Cut the roots of the mushrooms and separate the mushrooms from each other.
3. Add grapeseed oil to frying pan and heat the mushrooms to golden brown.
4. Strain the oil off and divide them into 4 soup bowl.
5. Add 3 slices of Thai chili pepper and a pair of mint leaves as garnish.
6. Heat up the chicken stock with all of the above ingredients left and add fish stock to taste after the stock simmered for 5 min, rested off the heat for 45 min with lid on, strained and reheated.
7. Presentation:
8. Pour into the 4 soup bowls (with the mushrooms inside) tableside.

Biodata Carlos Slim Helu

1940
Carlos Slim is born on January 28, in Mexico City.

1961
He completes his professional studies in civil engineering at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (known by its Spanish acronym UNAM), where he also taught Algebra and Linear Programming; he taught the latter while still studying, meaning he was simultaneously a student and professor.

1965
He incorporates Inversora Bursátil and becomes its chairman of the Board of Directors. By acquiring Jarritos del Sur and incorporating Inmobiliaria Carso, he begins to establish the basis of what later becomes Grupo Carso, whose name combines the first syllables of Carlos and Soumaya.

1966
At the end of this year he marries Soumaya Domit Gemayel.

1968
Acquires and manages Mina el Volcán SSG Inmobiliaria, S.A.

1972
Pedregales del Sur, S.A. starts operations.

1976
Acquires 60% of Galas de México, a printer of labels and calendars, and significantly improves its operations.

1980
Grupo Galas, today Grupo Carso, is formed, whose principal activities at the time were industry, construction, mining, retail, food and tobacco.

1982
During the 1982 economic crisis, with the country’s finances almost paralyzed, Carlos Slim continued to invest in companies such as Reynolds Aluminio, Sanborns, General Tire, among others, until 1984.

1984
Acquires Bimex, S.A., Hulera El Centenario Firestone, 40% of British American Tobacco, and 33% of Anderson Clayton. Also buys Seguros de México, today Seguros Inbursa, and creates Grupo Financiero Inbursa by integrating Seguros de México, Fianzas La Guardiana and Casa de Bolsa Inbursa.

1985
Joining the Group are Sanborns, Dennys, Fábricas de Papel Loreto y Peña Pobre, Pamosa, 50% of Hershey's and Artes Gráficas Unidas

1986
Acquires Empresas Nacobre, Minera Frisco and Química Fluor, and increases the Euzkadi stake.

Fundación Carlos Slim Helú, A.C. is created, a non-profit philanthropic organization whose objective is to serve Mexican society by contributing to the development and training of human capital through ongoing high-impact and wide-ranging programs.

1990
Grupo Carso goes public with an Initial Public Offering, which is followed by mergers of the Group’s companies and international IPOs.

At year-end, the company wins the bid to acquire Telmex jointly with Southwestern Bell and France Telecom, after which Carso Global Telecom, the holding company for Telmex, is created. The brand Telcel is also created, from Radiomóvil Dipsa, S.A. de C.V.

1991
Acquires Hoteles Calinda (today, OSTAR Grupo Hotelero).

1992
Acquires Condumex.

1993
Acquires the majority interest in General Tire and Grupo Aluminio.

1994
Museo Soumaya is established this year with holdings that include more than 64,000 works of art; in addition, the non-profit museum conducts research, conservation and promotion of Mexican and European art through permanent, temporary and traveling exhibitions.

1995
Fundación Telmex is established, one of the most important philanthropic organizations in Latin America, whose vision is to contribute to Mexico through education, health, nutrition, justice, culture, personal development, environmental conservation, sports and disaster relief, generating opportunities that foster the comprehensive development of Mexicans for the betterment of the country.

1996
Grupo Carso is split into three companies: Carso Global Telecom, Grupo Carso and Invercorporación.

1997
Buys Sears Roebuck. In telecommunications, Telmex USA starts to operate.

1999
Buys Pastelería Francesa El Globo. Also acquires an interest in Tracfone, a cellular company in the United States. Carso Infraestructura y Construcción, S. A. (CICSA) is created, a Mexican construction and engineering company and part of Grupo Carso’s infrastructure and construction division.

Soumaya Domit de Slim passes away, leaving an invaluable legacy; she always worked for the personal development of Mexicans, with several projects that are still active. These include the Asociación de Superación por México, A.C., the creation of a legal framework for organ donation, and writing a series of handbooks entitled “True Joy is Sadness Overcome”, among many others.

2000
América Telecom, the holding company for América Móvil, is established and acquires an equity stake in the cellular telephone companies ATL and Telecom Americas, in Brazil; Telgua in Guatemala; Conecel in Ecuador; and Techtel in Argentina.

Fundación del Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México is created, with the aim of rescuing and revitalizing Mexico City’s historic downtown area.

The chairman of the board of directors of Telmex, Carlos Slim, and the chief executive of Microsoft, Bill Gates, announce the launch of their Spanish portal T1msn (today ProdigyMSN). This strategic alliance would soon become the leading portal in Mexico.

2001
Continues to acquire shares of cellular telephone companies in Brazil, including Tess, Telet, Americel and a larger stake in ATL.

2002
US Commercial begins operations in the United States. Acquires majority share of Comcel in Colombia; of Techtel in Argentina; and increases its equity stake in cellular telephone companies in Brazil.

2003
Continues the expansion of América Móvil’s operations with the acquisition of shares of Celcaribe, which operates in Colombia; BSE and BCP in Brazil; CTE in El Salvador; and CTI in Argentina.

2004
América Móvil’s position in Latin America expands with Entel of Nicaragua; Megatel in Honduras; and most of the stock of CTE in El Salvador. Buys AT&T Latin America with operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru, and creates Telmex Latinoamérica. Subsequently the company acquires Chilesat, Techtel, Metrored and Embratel.

2005
The Chapultepec Agreement is signed, whose full name is the National Agreement for Unity, Rule of Law, Development, Investment and Employment. This document was an invitation to assume shared responsibility for the progress of the country, which was signed by more than 1,200,000 Mexicans interested in the well-being of the country.

Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo en América Latina, (IDEAL) was formed to promote the development of these issues and to combat backwardness by training and developing human and physical capital through sustainable, non-profit investments.
Mr. Carlos Slim Helu was awarded with the Galardon del Salon del Empresario granted by Impulsa and Grupo Editorial Expansión.

Participation in South American telecommunications companies is strengthened with the acquisition of the most important telecom in Brazil: Embratel. The company also diversifies with the airline Volaris and operations in mining and real estate, among others.
2007
Fundación Carlos Slim Helú, A.C. will pursue its supporting program with an initial asset of 4 billion dollars, and will create three Carso Institutes: Health, Sports and Education. This Foundation has already donated 100 million dollars, added to the 100 million dollars provided by the Canadian businessman, Frank Guistra, will support Bill Clinton’s initiative, as well as his foundation in order to fight the poorness in Latin America.

Grupo Carso sold a 30% of its 50.1% of the tobacco industry, Cigatam, to its partner ALTRIA GROUP, (also known as Philip Morris) in 1,100 million dollars. Likewise, it sold its subsidiary of layers and tiles, Porcelanite, to Grupo Lamosa for 800 million dollars.
On November the 20th, Felipe Calderon Hinojosa, President of Mexico, granted Fundacion Telmex with the Sports National Award, for its commitment with the sports in Mexico. Also Copa Telmex received the Guiness Record for being the amateur tournament with the most number of competitors around the world.
Fundación Telmex, along with Fundación Carlos Slim Helú, A.C. created the Instituto Telmex del Deporte (Sports’ Telmex Institute ) that will support sports men and women with more than 250 million dollars for the purpose of the Olympic Games and will create the necessary conditions to equip public schools in Mexico in order to promote and practice sports.
Grupo Sanborn´s acquired the license of the retailers chain Saks Incorporated and on November 28th the famous store Saks Fifht Avenue opened in Santa Fe, a Shopping Center in Mexico City.
The Assembly of Shareholders of TELMEX approved the initiative of cleavage of its operations in Latin America, as well as the business of Seccion Amarilla  (Yellow Pages) to form a new company called TELMEX International

2008
Carlos Slim Helu reaffirms its commitment to cooperate with the cause of ALAS, with a donation of $110 million to support programs for children.

On June 10th, 2008 began the listing of TELMEX International Exchanges in New York, Madrid and Mexico .
Vivian Fernández de Torrijos, First Lady of Panama, and Carlos Slim Helú, signed in June 23, an agreement to apply maternal and infant health programs in that country, through the Carlos Slim Institute of Health.
Carlos Slim Foundation and TELMEX announced the donation of 100,000 computers to more than 1,400 public schools in Mexico.

In August, President William Clinton, Carlos Slim Announce New Investment Projects in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru for more than $50 Million dollars.

Performs a financial investment acquiring equity partnerships of 6.4% in The New York Times Company.

On September, Grameen Trust and Fundacion Carlos Slim announced an Alliance to create Grameen-Carso, which will afford with micro credits to the neediest in Mexico with an initial asset of about 45 million dollars.

In October, Grupo Financiero Inbursa (GFI) formalizes its strategic alliance with La Caixa de Barcelona through the subsidiary Criteria Caixa Corp., increasing its wealth from 41 billion to 54 billion pesos, allowing them to continue contributing the financing for the development of the country, as well as accelerate their growth in banking for families. With this increase La Caixa participates with 20% of the equity of GFI.
In November, the Embassy of Lebanon in Mexico awarded The National Order of the Cedar in Grade of Grand Officer to Carlos Slim for his philanthropic labor.
For second consecutive year Fundación TELMEX was granted with two awards: the Sports National Award, for its commitment with the sports in Mexico and the Guiness Record for Copa TELMEX, as the biggest amateur tournament around the world.
On November 30, Eng. Carlos Slim, along with Alex Rodriguez, baseball player of the New York Yankees, visited the new “Sports Center Ciudad Jardin TELMEX Bicentenario”, the biggest sports center in Mexico located in the old waste dump of the Bordo de Xochiaca, in Nezahualcóyotl.

Eng. Carlos Slim Helu was nominated member of the Executive Board of RAND Corporation (Research and Development), a nonprofit research organization in the United States, which offers assessment and solutions about commerce and politics, among other aspects, throughout the world.

2009
On January it signed the agreement Acuerdo Nacional a favor de la Economía Familiar y el Empleo convoked by the Mexican president Felipe Calderon.
On February 9th he participated in the Forum of analysis, proposals and agreements México ante la Crisis: ¿Qué hacer para crecer? (Mexico facing the Crisis. What to do to grow?), organized from January 27th to February 16th by the Mexican Senate’s Belisario Domínguez Institute.
The New York Times Company increased its actions to 6.9%.
On March he was awarded Man of the Year 2008 by the World Boxing Council.
Grupo Carso reveals its 2009 Plan in which it is revealed an investment of 29 thousand 280 million pesos during the present year and the creation of 34,885 employments. In this same document it is also revealed that Fundaciones Carlos Slim and TELMEX will make a social investment of 7 thousand 900 million pesos.
He signed the Pacto Nacional por la Vivienda para Vivir Mejor, convoked by the Mexican Government. The main objective of this Project is to support the construction and refurbishment of 800 thousand homes during 2009.
Grupo Carso revealed in April the new look of Ostar Grupo Hotelero (before known as Calinda Hotels).
Mr. Enrique Peña Nieto, Governor of Estado de Mexico and Mr. Carlos Slim Helu inaugurated the Sports Center Ciudad Jardin TELMEX Bicentenario, an ambitious project of ecological rescue that was built on the surface of an old city dump known as Bordo de Xochiaca, in Nezahualcoyotl.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Fundacion Carlos Slim announced an initial investment of $100 million dollars to support the conservation of biodiversity and promote sustainable development in Mexico.
Mr Carlos Slim Helu received the ESADE award in recognition of his philanthropic and entrepreneurial management, during the XIV Anual Celebtration ESADE Alumni, Barcelona.
Last June 30, 2009, Mr. Carlos Slim Helu received the George Washington University President's Medal, the most distinguished academic award, in recognition of his philanthropic and entrepreneurial management.
On August 17, Carlos Slim signed like honor witness the Commitment with the Freedom of Expression, Mexico 2009, summoned by the Foundation for the Freedom of Expression, A.C. (Fundalex).
On August 19, Carlos Slim attended the ceremony in which the Federal District’s Legislative Assembly (ALDF) awarded journalist Jacobo Zabludovsky with the Citizen’s Merit Medal 2009 in recognition of his professional career and his personal contribution to life in Mexico City.
On September 7, Mr. Carlos Slim announced the establishment of Inbursa Foundation, which will jointly operate with its similar La Caixa of Barcelona. The foundation will begin to operate with an one-thousand million pesos endowment, so enhancing the social responsibility aims that Fundación Carlos Slim has embraced since more than 20 years ago.
Carlos Slim Foundation and Grameen Trust have launched the Grameen Carso microfinancing program with 45 million dollars on September 24, 2009.
The Alliance WWF-Carlos Slim Foundation and ConcentrArte project present the book “Cuatro Ciénegas: La mirada de sus niños”An invitation to preserve the richness of the valley, natural laboratory for the evolution of species.

2010
Mr. José Luis Luege, general director of National Water Commission (Conagua), and Mr. Carlos Slim did sign a contract for building the Atotonilco Waste Water Treatment Plant past January 7, 2010. The plant is designed to be one of the biggest hydraulic infrastructure works in México.
Carlos Slim Institute of Health start this January 19, one of the world’s largest research projects for public health in México on the genome of cancer, as well as on the genome of diabetes and some variations of renal insuffiency.
Mr. Carlos Slim Helú, Mr. Carlos Slim Domit, Telmex's executive board chairman, Mr. Héctor Slim Seade, Telmex's general director, and other top Telmex's executives presented this January 20, the Plan "TELMEX 2010 - Technology-Innovation Drive".
On March, the President of Lebanon, Mr. Michel Sleiman, did honor Mr. Carlos Slim by awarding him the Lebanese Gold Order to Merit, while the Jezzine Municipal Government did name him Honorific Citizen.
On April, about two thousand million pesos will be invested in biodiversity projects and sustainable development in six priority regions of Mexico. Investment capital will come from an agreement between Semarnat, WWF and Carlos Slim Foundation.
ITU and UNESCO announce on May 10, in Genéve, Switzerland, the creation of top-level global Broadband Commission for Digital Development and it is co-chaired by Mr. Carlos Slim.
Grupo Carso presents the Plan 2010 in where establish a investment program of 39 thousand 300 million pesos in 2010. In the present year Grupo Carso have increased 35% their investment in respect to 2009, with the objective of create jobs, forming human capital, advancing research & development, and more.
On June, President Bill Clinton, Carlos Slim and Frank Giustra, launch a 20 million Dollar Fund for Small and Medium-Size Firms (SMFs) in Haiti
On June, the Carlos Slim Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the government of Spain and the IDB, launch the Mesoamerica Health 2015 Initiative. The aim of this Initiative is to reduce the gap in health equality faced by the poorest 20% of population living in Central America and Southern Mexico.

On June 16, América Móvil did announce definitive results of Telmex International and Carso Global Telecom Bids. As a consequence of this process, América Móvil has become the owner of 93.56% and 99.4% of Telint and Telecom capital stock, respectively.
This 15 of July, the high-level advisory group of the United Nations Organization (UN), on energy and climate change, in where Mr. Carlos Slim is a member, met today in Mexico, to design new forms public-private partnership and support the overall objectives of access to energy and energy efficiency.
Mr. Carlos Slim did impart a keynote address in Business Summit Mexico 2010: “Take-off Time: Actions for Change, in Toluca, State of Mexico.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) did award Mr. Carlos Slim the WBC Humanitarian Prize of the Year in November because of his bestowals to the world boxing.
Grupo Financiero Inbursa celebrated its 45th Anniversary in the new Soumaya Museum building, located in Carso Plaza, in Mexico City.

2011
On January 31, Mr. Carlos Slim announced that Grupo Carso will invest 44.65 billion pesos in 2011, meaning a 13.6% increase from the year before.
Mr. Carlos Slim presided the celebrations marking the 20th Anniversary of the privatization of TELMEX, in the new building housing the Soumaya Museum.
On June 2011, Fundación TELMEX obtained the following achievements: 222 thousand 322 scholarships, 746 institutions supported with computer equipment, 266 thousand 864 bicycles were donated through the Ayúdame a Llegar program, 656 thousand 869 surgeries and 6 thousand 805 transplants, 11 million 756 thousand bags of one kilogram of nutritious sweets, 83 thousand 414 Social Bail Bonds, 28 thousand 704 tons of humanitarian aid, and 126 thousand 397 men and women teams, in the TELMEX soccer cup.
In August, increasing its share from 6.9% to 7.5% in The New York Times Company.
Increases its stake in Saks, which becomes the major shareholder of these department stores, to earn 16% of the total shares of this company.
In October, Carlos Slim Foundation published the book “Centro Histórico: 10 años de revitalización” (Historic Center: Ten Years of Revival).

The Hispanic Society of America did award the Sorolla Medal to Carlos Slim Foundation due to its contribution to the arts and culture.

Also in October, Carlos Slim Foundation donated Plaza Mariana to the Archdiocese of Mexico City. The architectural complex includes a crystal-made crux signaling the plaza’s four main areas: Guadalupe’s Museum, Evangelization Center, Columbarium, and Market Place for former peddlers. The work benefits about 20 millions annual pilgrims and visitors.
Mr. Carlos Slim participated in the Broad Band Leadership Summit, being organized by the International Telecommunications Union in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss the current problems of the industry at a global level.

In December, America Movil and Carlos Slim Foundation joined the Global RED Initiative to have the first HIV/AIDS free generation in 2015.

2012
In February, Mr. Carlos Slim was awarded the Great Cross of the Order of Civil Merit and Honor because of his humanitarian labor by the Mexican Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and the Red Crescent Societies.

In May, Mr. Carlos Slim was awarded the George Washington University Honoris Causa Degree because of both his philanthropic activities and contribution to business growth and community development in Mexico and Latin America.

Carlos Slim Foundation donated 3 million dollars for expanding Broad Band service for the benefit of U. S. Latin family homes.

In July, Mr. Carlos Slim hosted the Montevideo Circle in Mexico City. The Montevideo Circle is a forum for presidents, former presidents, diplomatic, businessmen, and global leaders. After sixteen years of existence, that was the first time that the Montevideo Circle meeting was hosted by a businessman.

In September of 2012, TELMEX Foundation announced the following achievements: 259,445 grants, 746 institutions being benefited by computer-equipment donation; 329,960 bicycles for the program "Ayúdame a llegar" (Help me to get at); 923,486 extra-mural surgeries; 7,363 organ and tissue transplantations; 94,284 social bailouts; 13,232,000 nutritional candy 1 kg packets; 28,758 tons of humanitarian aid, and 12,341 male and female soccer teams participating in TELMEX tournaments (Copa TELMEX).
Mr. Carlos Slim was recognized because of his Leadership in Philanthropy by former President Clinton in the Sixth Annual Ceremony of Clinton Global Citizen Awards, on September 24.
The United Nations' Global Business Coalition for Education launched the Education First Initiative on September 26. Mr. Slim stands for the only one Latin American man with a seat in the advisory room for Latin America.
Also in September, Mr. Slim was awarded the Gibran National Committee Prize because of his contribution in divulging the knowledge of Lebanese poet Gibran Khalil Gibran's poetry, philosophy and painting.
On December 12, Mr. Carlos Slim was bestowed the Dwight D. Eisenhower Global Leadership Award by the Business Council for International Understanding.
Also on December, Mr. Slim joined the Happy Hearts Fund initiative for rebuilding school buildings in Veracruz, México.

2013
On January 14, Salman Khan and Carlos Slim announced the Educational Alliance to offer free access to world-class education for Mexico and Latin America population.
Mr. Carlos Slim participates in the first Global Education and Technology Forum at Twitter's San Francisco offices, January 31.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)'s new complex was inaugurated in Texcoco, Mexico, in February. Both Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Carlos Slim Foundation supported the creation of that modern center for the advancing of agriculture research and productivity.

In March Mr. Carlos Slim hosted the International Telecommunication Union's 7th Broad Band for Digital Development Commission Meeting, of which Mr. Slim is co-chairman.

UNAM Foundation and Carlos Slim Foundation granted 753 fellowships for UNAM Engineering School' students English courses.

In April the Carlos Slim Health Awards 2013 were conferred. Carlos Slim Foundation (created in 1986) divulged its own health-care achievements. The Carlos Slim Health Institute celebrated its Sixth Anniversary.

In the Global Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi, Carlos Slim Foundation did announce that it has committed 100 million dollars to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).