Turned, Traitor and Homeland

Michael Cuesta may have directed a good plot line for a movie based on the Israeli stories of Prisoners of Wars.

However, there is much down-side.

Casting-wise I think they have a great line-up of stars from Claire Danes to Damien Lewis as Nicholas Brody the POW, Morena Baccarin and Mandy Patinkin.

However, they got drown in information overload especially the background to get the show going.

I do hope that Season 2 will be better edited and faster moving to get the excitement  onto the edge of our seats.

Damien acted well but I do have my misgivings of the Claire Danes-Carrie character as too over-dramatic for a bipolar character. Mandy was well paced and so was David Harewood as Estee, Head of the CIA.

Let us see whether Season 2 will be cast in a more solid mould.

No Gangnam Style for Francis Yeoh and YTL Corp

Turning into a dull warrior

If ever there is a moribund counter on the Bursa KL, of late it must be YTL Corp.

Reason-it is family-centric failing its minority shareholders every which way but win.

Throughout 2012, it swapped papers with a big swap in YTL Cement, converting bonds into paper and ESOS programmes.

Like the perennial East Coast floods, YTL Corp can hardly move an inch.

Lately, EPF has been selling YTL Corp down the river as the company plays catch-up with Treasury buys.

The dividend of 1 sen is also unconvincing to lure in strong volume holders.

Maverick without marvels?

Now, the news is coming from the woodwork that Francis is likely to take YTL Power private.

No cash deal-another paper swap flooding more YTL Corp shares into the market.

Unless magic happens, I do not see any forward march on the counter.

Delightful Anecdotes on Daughters

These surely are well thought anecdotes of  father and daughter relationships.

So much truth.

Asphyxiated on Astro

OSK Optimism on ASTRO

The Investment Bankers can say what they want.

The shareholders of Astro are constipated and asphyxiated.

The way it is happening shows debility to even move back to the IPO price of RM 3.00.

As usual you have prophets and seers such as OSK that are so visionary to see Astro at RM 3.40; more than 10% of its IPO price offer.

I do not see any vigorous action but of a weak-willed counter full of sellers than energized volume buyers.

Maybe we can see stronger buying  next week as the clock ticks off on Father Time into the New Year.

Mayhem on the Boardwalk

This is the latest Prohibition cum  rat-a-tat-a-tat mini series to hit the small screen.

Packed with overwhelming violence, it is tight and does not do injustice to the liquor wars that flamed the eastern seaboard of the USA in the 1920s.

Helmed by the wizard of cinema magic, Martin Scorcese, this series is an on-going never-ending tale of Nucky Thompson who ruled with an iron fist and  handfuls  of cash for everyone from runners to the candidate for the US Presidency and his key staff.

Great series.

The fourth season will begin next month.

Watch it to savour the magic tale as played out by Steve Buscemi as Nucky and his horde of gun-toting villains.

Season of Grace;Season of Giving for X'mas and New Year 2013

Season of Goodwill and Kindness

Well, it's that time of the year again;

When we wish and pray for all dear and near, the very best of our love and affection;

It's that time of year when we pray for grace from our Father in Heaven;

To touch the lives; and reclaim good health of those who are in pain and in sickness;

Is that time of the year when we renew our bonds of friendship with loved ones;

When we forgive and forget all the misunderstandings that the world has brought upon us;

To recall the challenges that we overcame and recognize those yet to be overcome;

To all these close ones be they friends, relatives and even foes:

We wish them all goodwill among men and peace and blessings;

Merry X'mas and a joyous New Year 2013.

Amen.

Are They Really That Worthless?

Victim of an Unfair Cartel?

Are old cars really worthless even though they run as smooth as mercury?

Since when did the price of second hand cars went into self-destruct mode?

Was it after the much rushed thoughtless New Automotive Policy launched during the former PM's era which apparently wiped out many second-hand car dealers?

I think there could be some cartel fixing by second-hand car dealers and adjusters to ensure most cars which are still good in running condition fetch no more that scrap value.

My conclusion-it must be so since a car manufactured in 1995 can now only fetch a few hundred ringgits and one manufactured in 2000, possibly one grand.

Only option left.

Keep these cars well as even new cars will sink in value given these atrocious second hand market price fixing.