Rags

Rags is an original Nickelodeon movie starring Max Schneider and Keke Palmer. Max was first exposed to the world in the short-lived 'How To Rock'. The show was horrible despite a strong first episode but Max is one of the saving graces of the show. He has since then established himself as a popular Youtuber who does wonderful covers. I'm a big fan of Max. I'm uncertain about Keke but I think she started out from True Jackson, V.P. and she starred in 'Joyful Noise'. I first heard of her from the song 'Tonight' which was played during the ending credits of Night At The Museum. Others who appeared are Drake Bell (as the narrator and 'fairy good-mother'), Avan Jogia (sporting a posh accent and looking hot as always) and what's-his-name who starred in House of Anubis (lol sorry).

Enough of the actors and actress, Rags is about a young man named Charlie Prince (Max) who enjoys singing and performing. However, he was stuck in working as a cleaner/slave in his late mother's cafe under his stepfather and stepbrothers without earning even a single penny. Despite being mistreated by his step-family, a married couple staying under the same roof as him - Martha and Diego- cared for him and treated him like their own son. Meanwhile, popular and successful Kadee Worth (Keke) was not satisfied performing songs that did not define her. To make things worse, her fake relationship with another hot star named Finn (Avan) was established to help her sell more records. Her father is the chairman of Majestic Records who turned a deaf ear to her pleas to simply be her.

Through Shawn(Drake)'s involvement, Charlie was able to work in Majestic Records as a janitor and recorded some demo songs. Charlie helped Kadee express herself through the songs she wrote by herself. Kadee was grateful towards Charlie and fell in love with Rags, who's actually Charlie, who performed in her exclusive party and encouraged her to be "just you". When Charlie/Rags was about to rush home before his stepfather checked on him, Kadee stopped him to ask for his identity but she was answered with a kiss. As Charlie/Rags made his way home, he dropped his demo CD in the process which Kadee picked up.

Unable to forget about Rags, Kadee took charge and held a search for the Rags. She first told Charlie and gushed about Rags in front of him. However, his step-father found about his identity and trapped him in a closet which brought enough time for his son to steal his thunder and be Rags instead. Charlie managed to escape but was too late as his step-brother already stole his identity. Upset, during the celebration of the success of finding the real Rags, Charlie was about to leave but was stopped by Kadee who eventually found out when Charlie accidentally slipped out about being "just you" earlier on. Charlie and Kadee then sang their own solo songs, and Charlie soon found out that his late mother actually passed the cafe down to Charlie not his step-family.

The movie then ended with Charlie and Kadee singing a duet song 'Me and You Against The World' in front of a huge audience, with her father and Shawn beaming among the crowd.

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Verdict

I really love this movie. To be honest, when this movie was first announced back in 2012, I couldn't wait to watch it until it was fully released. I love Max and I love stories where the gender roles are reversed. And I watched the performance of 'Me And You Against The World' in Kid's Choice Awards beforehand and freaking love it. (Though I couldn't find the clip anymore, sadly)

Even if it is predictable, it is still enjoyable to watch, bringing smiles to my face and making me sing and dance to the songs. I tell you, Max can perform really well and I fell in love with him even more when I watched it again just now. Drake's appearance was brief but his role is pivotal to turning Charlie into a 'bonafide artiste' and indirectly strengthening the relationship between Kadee and Charlie. 

Acting-wise, it is pretty solid. I only disliked the stepfather but I guess he was meant to be hated. Everyone else is pretty good, playing their roles well as they should be. I think Keke and Max has wonderful chemistry with each other. I think they make a really great couple in my opinion.

The music is amazing, especially the ones sung by Max and obviously 'Me and You Against the World'. I have their songs in my phone and still listen to them till this day. 

At The Clinic

Amber sunlight dabbed through the curtains of my room and pricked my eyes, making me groggy. It seemed to coerce me out of my cosy bed. I staggered to the bathroom. My head was throbbing in pain. A temperature was building up in my temples. My vision was blurry and I could feel a foreboding nausea. "I think I need to visit the doctor," I mumbled.

I informed my parents and Dad contacted my teacher regarding my condition. Together with Mum, I faltered feebly to the clinic in the vicinity of my flat. Mum helped me to register with the clinic assistant at the counter. Rows of bottled medicine and receptacles of various pills were lined up on the shelves. The sight of them sent a shiver down my spine.

The television which hung on the wall was humming at an almost inaudible volume. None of the ashen-faced patients paid any attention to it. Bouts of coughs and sneezes, however, could be heard. Everyone's focus was on the queue number on the flashing digital number plate.

"173" was illuminated in neon red on the black display box above the door to the consultation room. I was relieved that it was finally my turn. I knocked cordially on the doctor's door before entering with Mum.

With a seraphic smile, the amiable general practitioner, Dr Tan, greeted us. She took my body temperature and examined my chest with a stethoscope. "You have just caught a cold. You will be fine with some rest," she reassured me with a tap on my shoulder.

When we got home, Mum cooked some porridge for me. I had my lunch and consumed the medication. Then, I dozed off and slept as soundly as a newborn infant till 7 o'clock in the evening.

Words and expressions

1) a heavy heart

Aloysius left for the airport with a heavy heart.

2) angelic

I did not expect Serene to be so michievous since she has such an angelic face.

3) as high as a kite

I was as high as a kite when I found out that I had topped my class in the examinations.

4) astonished

I was astonished when I saw my grandfather. He had not aged since the last time we met ten years ago.

5) chirped

"It's such a beautiful morning!" Karissa chirped.

6) destination

The South Korean district of Gangnam became a popular tourist destination after a song had been written about it.

7) dewy-eyed

The dewy-eyed bride walked down the aisle with her father as the guests applauded. 

8) distributing

Last week, Isaac was distributing flyers at Holland Village.

9) down in the dumps

Ron felt down in the dumps because the parents did not allow him to join the competition.

10) elapsed

Although ten years has elapsed since we graduated from university, it seems like it was only yesterday that we first met.

11) embraced

The couple embraced each other when they met at the park.

12) etched on my memory

The scene of the accident will forever be etched on my memory.

13) gratitude

To show her gratitude to her parents for seeing her through college, Penny decided to treat them to a holiday abroad.

14) having a whale of a time

We were having a whale of a time on the rollercoaster ride.

15) infectious

With his infectious enthusiasm, the singer was able to get the audience to dance to his songs.

16) make conversation

Amelia tried to make conversation with the child who seemed to be lost.

17) mingle

You should mingle with your guests and not stand alone in a corner of the room.

18) moppet

A brown-haired moppet offered me a stalk of rose when I walked into the art gallery.

19) orphanage

After his parents' death, Oliver was sent to an orphanage.

20) tugged

Anne tugged at her father's arm when she saw a car coming in their direction.