A Night Under the Stars
Saturday- 7 October 2006. I spent the night under the stars (err, i mean under the thick haze) in The Padang. Why on earth I risked myself exposing myself to the zillions of smoke particles in the air? By the way, the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) index in Singapore hits the highest so far this year (around 100++), reaching an unhealthy level. Well, there’s this Asia’s Largest Outdoor Cinema Festival. Yeap, you read correctly. I went for an outdoor cinema; Nokia Starlight Cinema.
The outdoor cinema is unlike the usual cinemas where you sit on the comfortable cushion chairs, superior surround sound system, dark room except for the screen and of course the cooling air-con. At the Padang, we sat on the ground (on canvas), sound system was “okay”, there were visible lights (street, building, car lights)  around and well, it was a bit hot. The night view there is nice, especially the lighted Old Supreme Court. P/S: Not forgetting the new Supreme Building that looks like one in Star Wars at the right side of the old one.
Nokia Starlight Cinema is a yearly event and today was the last movie screening of the entire two weeks which started from 27 Sept 06 to 7 Oct 06. Well, which movie was screened? Err movies I mean. I spent my 5 hours there watching X2: X-Men United and X-Men: The Last Stand. I haven’t watched X-Men 3 yet, so this was a chance for me to watch it on the big screen. Anyway, I had a pair of complimentary tickets, but I ended up watching alone because didn’t manage to find someone to watch with. My sis wasn’t free, my friends were busy with studio project, school work and mid term tests. But I doubt they would want to watch under such bad haze even if they are free.
I reached there at around 7.15pm and there were quite a lot of people. Just managed to grab a spot near the back but oh well, anywhere will do. Then I waited and waited and waited. The movie was supposed to start at 8.00pm (it was stated in the ticket) and guess what, they screened it only at around 8.25pm. Darn. Oh ya, before the screening, I took a photo with some “X-Men”; Wolverine, Angel, Jean Grey and Storm. They were walking around in their X-suits. Yeah.
 
Well, movie started so I thought at least I can enjoy the movie but guess what, there’s this irritating guy in front of me and keep moving his head and position around. I had to move left, right, left, right. Why can’t he just watch the movie with minimal movements?
After the first movie, there was a supposed to be 20 minute intermission (toilet break). But as usual, they dragged for another 10 minutes. In the end, I finished watching at 12.40am. Since there wasn’t any more public transport, I took a cab home; paid a sum of $10.80 for the extra night charges. So, is this Nokia Starlight Cinema worth going? Well, it’s a good experience. Never in my life had I watched a movie on a big screen in the city under the stars. But I think one or two times is enough, (especially when you are watching alone). Anyway, I would still prefer watching it in the cinemas- it’s cooler and you don’t have to sweat while enjoying the movie. You can go for it next year but definitely not under such unhealthy condition- HAZE. I really hate haze!!
Look at the hazy view!
Oh ya, I think I was a bit too much in trying to risk my health. I went jogging last night at 12am around the campus when the PSI index was at its high level of 136. It was really hazy and yeap, I was a bit out of my mind!!!
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