Farewell Gene Hackman - my favourite character actor in the 70s and 80s.

 

     Gene Hackman died on 27th Feb 2025, aged 93 together with his wife and dog                                                                              

During my formative years in the late 70s till the early 90s, I loved to watch American movies as the country then was the global leader in soft power. Nowadays, US has denigraded its aura to something akin to a 3rd world country, with so much negative news and has seen a massive drop in the standard of living for millions of ordinary Americans. The ills of the so called richest country on earth are plenty that something like the top 5% live in absolute luxury and the bottom 50% live paycheck to paycheck, and up to 15% are homeless. 

Drug use is endemic in practically all major cities, gang warfare is rampant, and the average life expectancy of American male is 7 years shorter than the average Singaporean male.

Back to the 70s, 80s and early 90s, Hollywood churned out many blockbuster movies of the 2nd World War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Wild West to the millions of impressionable Asians who were just coming out poverty and were fed the staple of US action, love and disaster movies.

I recall Gene Hackman, as first portrayed as General Sosarowlski, the Polish General in the epic movie "A Bridge Too Far". His acting was superb and he led the doomed Polish Brigade at Arnhem which was decimated by the Germans upon landing. There were like 20 top name stars in that era who acted in that movie such as Lawrence Olivier, Sean Connery, Elliot Gould, Robert Redford, James Caan, Liv Ullman, Dirk Brogade and Ryan O'Neal to name just a few.  I have easily watched this movie a dozen times, and still find it so entertaining till this day. 

The other standout movie of his, Mississippi Burning, was with  his portrayal of the FBI agent Mr. Rupert Anderson (he was the partner of Mr. Ward played by Willem Defoe). The movie, one of my all time favourites, was about when the FBI investigated the killing of 3 civil rights movement activists in Jessup County Mississippi at the height of the MLK movement for more c9ivil rights for black people especially in the deep South, in the 60s.

Finally, he played the villain to great effect, when he played the Sheriff of a small town, in Clint Eastwood's hit cowboy movie "Unforgiven" about a former hired killer, who came back to seek revenge for the killing of his wife and family by the deputies of that small town. He earned his second Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for that movie. 

He rose to fame I believe in the movie "French Connection" which I have yet to watch.Another one thing I need to see or do for my bucket list.

Mr. Hackman, a salute to you sir, you formed many good impressions of the US everyman in my formative years. Thank you for that. 

   

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Day 5 Chinese New Year Venue by Sebastien - Desserts

 

Tiramisu 

This is the second post of two for the Venue by Sebastien, a truly exception 'canteen' situated at Downtown Gallery OUE Building Shenton Way. My son chose the Tiramisu, which didn't disappoint, the texture was something else and the cheese was just nice. 

Pistachio Financier 

The Pistachio Financier was the highlight and a very nice way to end the meal. The texture was firm and yet springy, while the cream and the pistachios were just amazing.

If you want to try great French or International fusion foods in downtown Shenton Way, this is the place.

Please remember to book in advance online to avoid disappointment. 

Venue by Sebastien.

01-02 Downtown Gallery,

6A Shenton Way

Singapore 068815. 

  

 

Day 5 Chinese New Year - Venue by Sebastien - Downtown Gallery

Chilean seabass, mushroom bacon ragout with truffle yuzu butter sauce

This was our third visit to this 'canteen style' French fusion food helmed by Sebastien, a husband and wife team who with their stable of hardworking chefs managed to pull off time and again great food at affordable prices in downtown Shenton Way, Downtown Gallery building (OUE) opposite the old Singapore Conference Hall.

The canteen style restaurant is along the walkway at Downtown Gallery and beside the Annalakshimi Indian restaurant. The food is European contemporary with an Asian twist and I dare say that all 3 visits to this 'canteen' did not disappoint AT ALL. 

For the 3 of us, we had the 3 course set dinner, one starter (broccoli salad), duck confit and the pistachio financier for $62 +++, and 2 ala carte dishes, the Chilean seabass, and the pork collar. To top it off, we picked desserts of Tiramisu and Pistachio Financier to round off the meal.  

This being the 4th day of Chinese New Year, I managed to book, without much hassle through one of the several dining portals just the day before, and getting there with parking was a breeze.

The Chilean seabass with mushroom bacon ragout, and truffle yuzu butter sauce was simply outstanding. The seabass was thick and flavourful,  with the mushroom bacon ragout very savoury. I couldn't tell if I was eating mushroom or bacon bits, such was the combined texture and taste which kept me guessing which was on my palette. The ala carte price for this is $42+++ and certainly worth every cent. 

Dip these into the truffle yuzu sauce, and I am in degustation (small bites) heaven. 

 

 

                   36 hours duck confit, truffle emulsion, mesclun, lemon mustard vignarette  

My duck confit was the best I have tasted in a long while. I've been to France a number of times, and savored the best French fare in Paris and Nice. 

Crunchy on the outside and soft, flavourfully succulent on the inside.The 'Ooh Lah Lah' moment was from the first bite, and the truffle emulsion felt like eating some lentil beans but much nicer. Certainly I could eat this another time. While it is a rather 'heaty' food, make sure to drink lots of water or wine to wash it down. There was no hint of 'gaminess' from this masterpiece. 

                              Grilled Spiced Pork Collar, Chorizo and Beans, Chilantra Yoghurt  

The grilled spiced pork collar is the second best of the main courses (Seabass being the best). It was very tender, flavourful and with the chilantra yoghurt, you could easily devour all of this in a short spell of time. This is very unlike other pork dishes, I can't describe it, but the flavour, colour and texture are appeal to my palette.

Price for this ala carte is $ 38 +++. 

Hold on for the next post where I will give my sous (pastry) review of their 2 desserts and overall impression of Venue by Sebastien.

Most of you will know my verdict, but anyway, please do enjoy the pictures above. 

Venue by Sebastien

6A Shenton Way

#01 -02

Singapore 068815

Reservations Required. 

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Happy Chinese New Year to one and all !

My brother's and my family on 30th Jan 2025, 2nd day of Chinese New Year 2025

Here's wishing my extended family, friends, business associates, acquaintences and followers the very best for Chinese New Year 2025 !  To the best of health, family relationships, happiness and wealth this Snake Year !! =

 

Early Chinese New Year at the Singapore Swimming Club 18th January 2025. Our families with our cousin Wynne Leong. 

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QRA International Vision 2030

 

This is the Vision 2030 for QRA International set in 2010. 5 Years on, we are on track with all of the goals set to be a $ 5 Million Revenue Company with a projected EBIDTA by 2027 and US$ 5 Million Revenue Company by 2030. 

Its one thing setting lofty goals, its a totally different thing achieving them.

The actionable items I have lined up and am actively taking these steps. 

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