23 October 2013

GRAVITY

Gravity, starring one of my favourite actresses Sandra Bullock, is almost a one character movie. If not for George Clooney's brief but comedic cameo, it would definitely be so.

Such one person movies are difficult to carry through to the end without boring the audience or testing their patience. Just like the movie "Buried" starring Ryan Reynolds, how well received the movie is depends solely on the acting prowess of the actor or actress who is single-handedly responsible for the box office ratings.

Sandra looked visibly older and shrunken since the last time I saw her movie. Out alone in outer space, she had to combat her fears and worked against time to save herself and returned back to earth in one piece.

Was I impressed or entertained by her performance? Hardly, I would say. It was just alright and commendable for me. I guess such standalone movies don't quite appeal to me unless the performance deserves a standing ovation. Of course the critics and audience may not agree with me judging from how well the movie performed at the US box office and overtook the new movie "Carrie" over the opening weeks.


MARGINAL PLANTS

Unknown Echinodorus
Here is a range of interesting bog or marginal aquatic plants:

  • Echinodorus
  • Bacopa
  • Lobelia chinensis
  • Limnophila
  • Equisetum hyemale



Flower of the Echinodorus


Bed of Bacopa


Bacopa flowers



Lobelia chinensis



Limnophila

Limnophila flowers


Alocasia

Alocasia flower

Equisetum hyemale





Unknown fern?

Beautiful leaf branching




16 October 2013

EUPHORBIA PULCHERRIMA

Who would have guessed that this shrub with beautiful foliage is the Christmas Poinsettia with the usual colourful bracts? These were leftover plants from the last Christmas.


NYMPHAEA

These pink flower water lilies in the Kingfisher's Lake are always in flower. I am sure I'm not the only one who appreciates it simple beauty.


STERCULIA MACROPHYLLA

Well, well, well, it's a repeat of the flowering again for two of these trees, so I shall save my words.








DELONIX REGIA

Right in the center of the Hub is a large Delonix regia tree and it was flowering when I came across 2 months ago. I am confident the flowering would be more spectacular over time when it develops a more established crown.