Clean sweep at Hong Kong Film Award...not quite unexpected

Last night was the Hong Kong Film Award (HKFA)...dubbed the Academy Award of the Hong Kong film industry.

As mentioned in previous entry...A Simple Life (桃姐) is expected to win big...and they did...the film took home all 5 major awards...Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress...the last movie that had the same record was in 1996...Summer Snow (女人四十)...also directed by Ann Hui
(story in detail http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2012-04/16/content_25155661.htm)

This cover photo at www.cfp.cn tells it all

  

Out of the 5 nominees for Best Film...I've only watched 2...A Simple Life and Overheard 2...

I really enjoyed Overheard 2...I think it is better than the first Overheard...but between the two I know the more compelling story of A Simple Life would win...

Besides the major awards...I'm always interested in the nominations for supporting roles...while the lead roles tell the story...good supporting actor/actress make the film much more entertaining to watch...

this year, I'm more interested in the supporting actors...4 veterans and 1 young man who got the Best Actor award just last year...I watched Jimmy Wang in Wu Xia, Kenneth Tsang in Overheard 2 and Paul Chun Pui in A Simple Life...I love them all, very solid veterans...but my fav. is Chun Pui in A Simple Life...I always enjoy watching him on screen...

The award goes to Lo Hoi Pang for Life Without Principle...and the film also gave So Hang Shuen the Best Supporting Actress award...and some say the best actor also should have gone to Sean Lau for his lead role in this film...hmmm...sounds like a good film...must put this on top of my to-watch list

I was actually looking out for Wu Xia...one of the Hong Kong movie I enjoyed the most last year...most of its nominations were for technical merits...although it didn't win in most of the categories it was nominated, not even Donnie Yen's choreography...I'm quite happy that at least it won the Best Cinematography because I think it was beautifully filmed...with twisty interesting plot...I even thought it would at least get nominated for best film...but then what do I know about film...I'm just a cinema-goer...

A Simple Story...A Simple Life

It's been sometime since I last wrote...got distracted for far too long...recently reading a book that makes me want to write again...perhaps I will talk about the book later.

I'll start again with a movie I watched last week...a simple movie telling a simple story...A Simple Life

One of my favourite movie poster, simply captivated.

I first heard about this movie last Sept. when it was selected for the prestigious Venice International Film Fest. I got interested because it's not common a Hong Kong film got selected, not to mention the favourable comments. So I checked out the synopsis and trailer.

The line up itself tells a lot about the quality of the movie...Directed by Ann Hui, probably one of the best story teller in HK...Andy Lau, one of my all time fav. actor...and Deanie Yip, I won't say she is one of my all time fav. but I always enjoy her acting...Immediately I put this very high on my to-watch list. Knowing that the movie most probably will not be screened in Ipoh, I was prepared to watch on tv when they release the DVD later.

Last week while checking out cinema listing, saw this movie in the list...I was quite excited and surprised that they are screening the movie in Ipoh...it is quite rare for high quality award winner to be screened in Ipoh...the only award winners shown here are Kid's Choice Award winners (twilite alvin puss bla bla bla) and Golden Raspberry Award winners (Jack n Jill...the one and only movie that clean sweep all the golden raspberrys). It was indeed a rare threat for movie-goers in Ipoh...I won't want to miss this on the big screen...

I think it was very well done...simple yet beautiful...classic Ann Hui movie.

Its not the usual mainstream melodramatic tragic movie where they create scenes to squeeze you till you cry...the emotion is quite subtle...and lots of space for the audience to ponder...either you find it touching...or you don't...it's that simple

I seldom feel like watching a movie for a second time...especially not HK movie...but Deanie Yip played the character so well...I want to watch again just to see her act...

The chemistry between Deanie and Andy is really a joy to watch...

The string of cameos by remarkable and veteran actor/actress really spiced up the movie...

It is a 2 hour movie...which is quite long by HK movie standard...but it didn't feel long at all...

If it still screening at your local cinema, you may not want to miss this...

(By the way since Venice, this movie has been bagging all the major awards in Asia...the next one is HK Film Award where it is expected to take home all the major awards...)

HP7...end is near...but not yet

it's been some time since I last stepped into a cinema...can't even recall the last one I watched...inception?

so on monday...after completing a halfer in Penang the day before (personal best...yeahoo!)...decided to go for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows...

few reasons:
1) i love GSC at Qb-Mall...the seat is so much more comfy compared to TGV Ipoh
2) since it was a monday afternoon...can beat the crowd and get the perfect seats
3) dun really have time to watch at Ipoh

honestly...after the HP6 disappointment...(the half blood prince was one of my fav...but the movie just couldn't build the story and tension up to the level achieved by the lengthy book)...don't really have much expectation...moreover it was directed by the same director who did HP5 and HP6...David Yates...which i personally think are the more boring HP movies

perhaps like most of us around my age...we just want to finish the story...see how it ends...
but then i get a little bit more excited when i knew it was done in 2 parts...which is a good thing...and so i hope they didn't repeat the same mistake they did with HP6

and this time around...it wasn't disappointing...in fact i find it entertaining

two and a half hours for part 1...just nice for the story to build...no rushing...less unexplained events

and the action was so much better...what one would expect from a fast-pace Hollywood action movie...just sit back and let the movie take you for an action-packed ride...although perhaps a little bit too fast for my eyes
again...i was so surprised to learn the director also did HP5 and HP6...so different

it also got a generally positive review from New York Times...

and then...of course...hermione is no longer a little girl...but a young lady...a hot one too...
when she appeared in that irresistible red dress...really want to jump into the screen...give her a hug and make out with her

after playing more or less the same thing for the last 6 movies...finally the trio were playing something different...more mature...and more emotion...well they are teenagers now...they should do better
oh did i mentioned how handsome harry was?
oh had ignored ron?...sorry mate

and the animated short story was so cool...(i hope i didn't spoil it for you)

the only problem is the many characters...if you just followed the movies without reading the books...i'm quite sure you can't remember whose who...especially when they all appeared at the same time

it's not really a major problem...you can still go with the flow and enjoy the rest of the movie...
but if you want to really enjoy without any blur...you may want to refresh your memory a bit by checking out this list...(the problem is that it is a list of all the characters...not only those appeared in this movie)

in a nutshell...i think this is one good HP movie...if they can maintain this...i think it's going to be a great finale
July 2011...I've got at least one movie to look forward to

Ip's the Man...2

watched Ip Man 2 today...having watched the first Ip Man...it's not really a movie i wanted to watch so much...but don't have a choice...do I?

due to the weekend + holiday...and the double "Man" release...the cinema here became super packed...nothing better to do mar

i went to buy tickets on saturday morning (10.30am)...and all the shows listed on the screen was already full up till midnight...except Losers (duh)...and Kickass (double duh)...and Hooperz (triple duh)

both the Mans only left front seats...3rd row from the screen...

so if i were to choose either Man to watch from 3rd row...knowing the typical holikayu's flying-all-over-the-screen action movie...i put my bet on Ip Man 2

i watched the first Ip Man on DVD at home...and i didn't really enjoy that movie much...and i don't think it deserved to win the HK Movie of the Year...after watching today's show...i think the small screen and the tiny TV speakers killed the good movie for me...

Ip Man 2 in cinema was entertaining...with the large screens...and the much much better sound system...even though watching from 3rd row...it wasn't that difficult...though i had some pain in the neck after the movie...literally

not much to expect from the story...very predictable...very wong-fei-hung (if you know what i mean) kind of movie...

but then it was once upon a time since wong sifu's captivating martial art movies...so it's nice to have Ip Man taking over that niche...with his much faster and more furious punches...violently furious...yeah we like to see blood all over the face, don't we?

i guess i don't have to comment much on the Man...Donnie Yen...

when he's not fighting...his gentlemanly manner...forever calmed and composed...simply mesmerising...

when he fights...well in a few scenes my heart rate is directly proportional to the rate of his punches...damn he's good

and a strong performance from Sammo Hung indeed...

for the last few movies...he portrayed the big gangsta boss with nicely ironed suits...who hardly fights that hard...or hardly have to fight at all...

in this one?...well i see a Sammo Hung that I've not seen on screen for a long long time...

another reason for me to watch this movie...Huang Xiaoming! (黃曉明)...oh he's so handsome...

my message...

see this in the cinema...you're more likely to be entertained

see this on DVD...you're definitely likely to kill a good Chinese martial art movie

next up...Ironman 2...see which is the better Man

a good Malaysian movie indeed...

been waiting for this movie for some time...finally watched it today

we were seated on the second row...hesitated at the ticket counter...but it got early bird discount...and we really want to watch this...today!

from the official website

front seats are always intimidating...very tiring to watch...the screen appeared so vast you don't know where to focus your attention...but not this one...

i totally forgot i was in the second row after 5 minutes into the movie...
in fact the perspective was so pleasing...this is the first movie i actually enjoyed watching so close to the screen...

there are a few reasons i wanted to watch this movie so much...

1) it tells a heart-warming puppy love story featuring a lot of beautiful local scenes...

2) it features a lot of local singers
you want to see Gary and Victor and Fish and Yi Jie Qi on screen...don't you?

2) it's leading actress is Lee Sin Jie!!!
i can assure you the movie could have failed without her...oh how i love to see her on screen...

3) it's directed by Ah Niu...the famous songwriter-singer
one may ask...what's so special about a movie directed by a songwriter-singer?...
most likely he's just trying his luck in directing...
most likely it's not even a sincere try...
most likely it will not turn out good because he's a music-man...not a movie-man...
it is for this very reason i've been anticipating this movie...

if you're familiar with Ah Niu's song...you'll realise his songs are very easy but sincere...straight to the point...very descriptive at times...
it's like he's trying to bring the listener into this visionary world with his songs...
and now he's trying to do it with a movie...and i expected it to be good...

and i think it turned out to be quite good...real good
well i guess we can say the cast are quite famous international artist...but they are no actor/actress...most of them are singers...
only Lee Sin Jie...oh how i love to see her on screen...there were a few scenes where she really made my heart skipped a few beats...seriously...

it doesn't has expensive reconstructed backdrop...only real untouched buildings and real streets...and they were presented in a very beautiful way...
it doesn't has very beautiful actor/actress (ok...Lee Sin Jie is beautiful in her own way) with very beautiful wardrobe and heavy make-ups...in fact most of the time they were wearing t-shirts and slippers...

if (a very big IF) i were to make a movie...this is what i always have in mind...a simple story told in a very simple but beautiful way...
at the same time, with my own creative way, showcasing the beautiful and forgotten places in the country...bringing them to screens for people to know and appreciate...

if you love a simple heart-warming love story...you should check this out...in the CINEMA!!!
please support local production so that we can have more of these beautiful movies on screen...thx

p/s: u may want to bring some tissues or handkerchief with you...

2 chinese movies back to back...which is the better one?

the answer will come later...

on Sunday...watched Being Human...a Singaporean movie by Jack Neo...

first a little bit about the director...
if you don't know him yet (despite his famous scandal)...he's famous for making funny, down to earth (the local earth) movies...with plots and jokes we, the average working class, even us living across the strait, can identify with...and often with a few touching scenes...also we can easily identify with...
my better half is a fan of his movies...so I'd watched almost all his movies since Money No Enough...
and my favourite of it all is Follow The Law...for it's pleasant story...and great acting by the actor/actress...especially Fann Wong...my idol on screen...ahhh (wiping my salivas)

back to this movie...despite the touching and inspiring story...i always find his movies...somewhat incomplete...not perfect...
the same goes with this one...it has a simple story we can connect with...a few touching scenes (thumbs up to the actor!...and the irresisstable Yeo!)...very good cast...especially the funny guy NoNo...
but i just don't like the way the story was told...the flow...maybe it's just me...


and then on Monday...we went to watch Beauty On Duty...

again...a little bit about the director...Wong Jing
if you don't know him yet...he's famous for making Hong Kong comedies...if you look at his filmography...you'll find most of the great HK comedies we, followers of HK movies, love so much in the 90's...

this movie reminds me of the chaotic Love Undercover (新紮師妹) starring Miriam Yeung...even their cast are almost similar (just almost)...and i can say both are almost equally as entertaining...
that's right...when it comes to Wong's movie...the keyword is not "good"...but "entertaining"...
and that's what this movie is...i almost forgot the last movie that made me laugh so much in the cinema...definitely not the disappointing Just Another Pandora Box...i did not laugh one bit...can i ask for a refund?

i think a comedy can hardly goes wrong with Sandra Ng (of course i did not watch All's Well, Ends Well 2010...which my sis said wasn't so good) and Jim Chim...another genius comedian...

and as Ah Sa's (Charlene Choi) acting is improving with every movie she made (you can forget Storm Rider 2 for a moment...which wasn't really her fault but the stupid script)...she's also slowly turning into a pretty young lady on screen...very pleasing to watch...very

In a nutshell...
Jack's was quite predictable...has both funny and touching moments...but i was quite annoyed by the flow...

Wong's was super predictable...yet i find it much funnier and more entertaining...

So which is the better one?
who am i to give such verdict...see for yourself lar...hahaha

both are very contrasting movies...if you want to watch either one of the two...it shouldn't be very difficult decision to make...

p/s: looks like they are not showing "Echoes of The Rainbow" in Ipoh...*!&*@&*#$%^&*+&W^$&

So did the titans clashed?

"In Greek religion, the Titan were a race of powerful deities, descendants of Gaia and Uranus, that ruled during the legendary Golden Age. Their role as Elder Gods was overthrown by a race of younger gods, the Olympians (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, etc.), in the 'Battle with the Titans' (Titanomachy)...from Wikipedia"

I'm always fascinated by stories from the Greek mythologies...simply because of the coolness of their names...they just sound so...cool...
and how elaborate their stories can be...

and recently i seem to be reading and watching and playing a lot of them...
when you start searching one name...more will prop up and you can't help but just click and click and click...

it started with Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief...though it's based very loosely and childishly on the mythologies...the movie did gave a good introduction to those who are not familiar with these stories of ancient gods...

and then i spent a weekend playing God of War on my cousin's psp...again there were names everywhere...names and stories that excite me...haha

and now...lastly...i watched Clash of The Titans last Sunday (sypnosis here)...

this is actually a famous depiction of Perseus

it's more like Clash of The Olympians and Man...and nope...the titans did not clash in the movie...in fact they have no screen time at all...

i find this movie quite entertaining...with a few fast paced breath taking action sequences, and adventure...mission, solve riddle, acquire item, fight boss...boys just like adventures, don't we?

the story based loosely on Greek mythology is interesting too...but a little bit too predictable...after all it's an action movie...can't expect too much i guess...

if you'd watched Percy Jackson...and enjoyed its story and adventure...but thought it was too childish and innocent, and you'd like it to be more bloody and violent and sexy (oh smooth and fair skin)...you may want to check out this movie...

How do you know if an action movie is good?
to me...it has to be able to make me "wow" in the cinema...
i have to admit it managed to get a few "wow" out of me...perhaps one or two scenes...

but at the end of the movie...only 2 "things" remained in my mind...Io and Andromeda (oh smooth and fair skin)...
and this movie reassured me...again...that...i don't really like Sam Worthington...

"Up in the Air"...a good one

when i first read the synopsis (i wasn't even paying attention)...i thought it's just another warm romantic comedy...with pretty Hollywood people...with a slice of life...a little bit of "Terminal" vs "Dan in Real Life" kind of movie...ok


until i came to know that it was nominated for 6 Oscars...including best motion picture...
and George Clooney was nominated for best actor...
and both the actresses were nominated for best supporting actress...
and most important of all...it was from the director of "Juno"

now it became a must watch isn't it?...although it did not win any oscar

this movie is funny...simple and light storyline...yet emotional and thought-provoking
GC is cool...his character is cool...Vera Farmiga is hot (lady in business suits...ehem)...Anna Kendrick is cute
do you need anymore reasons?

if you run out of movies to watch before the opening of Alice this Thursday...check this movie out before it's off the screen...
it's already not available in Ipoh...so sad...i'll have to get the DVD soon

if you could spend the ringgits going to cinema for some silly chinese new year movies...why not try this oscar nominee?
(and don't worry...although it is an Oscar nominee, it's not overly "arty")

the right movie for this hot season of love...

first of all...a very Happy Chinese New Year to all (who are celebrating)!!!
still got 3 more days to go...don't stop yet!!!

i did observed...one of the favourite thing most people love to do during chinese new year is to go cinema and watch movie...
more so in a small city like Ipoh...you have a bunch of friends who came back from everywhere...but not many places to go and things to do...so...go cinema lor...
this year i got to watch one movie with the gang...the 72 Tenants of Prosperity 2010 (72家租客)

it's a nice movie...that's all...nothing much to talk about...
i enjoyed the movie not for all the "stars" they bragged about...but the simple, funny and warm story...
and the 3 of my favourite artist...Jacky, Eric and Anita...to watch them on screen were real fun...
and also the funny guy wong cho lam

today i went to the cinema again...
since i could not bring my beloved to the cinema on V's day...which was a good thing...
because this movie opened only yesterday...and i think it's the only right movie for this season of love...

and so today...we watched Hot Summer Days (全城热恋)


when i saw the poster...and then the trailer...immediately i want to watch this movie with her...

first of all...how could you resist the cast!!!

• jacky cheung (again my favourite)
• rene liu (em...no comment...but i know she can act really well)
• daniel wu (i think he's the most handsome asian on screen)
• vivian hsu (i think she's the most pretty asian on screen)
• nicholas tse (i think he's the most 'man' asian on screen"
• barbie hsu (i think she's the best actress among the taiwanese idols)

and a few others who i don't know but they turned out to be quite good on screen...

(you can read the synopsis from the hyperlinks above)

this movie is all about love...
if you are single...you will enjoy the warm stories, the cast and the beautiful scenes...

and if you have a beloved...both of you should really go to this movie together...and if your (or your beloved's) lacrimal (emm...tear) glands are somewhat sensitive...some tissue papers may come in handy...

this movie makes me want to do two things...

• the story made me want to hold her...
• the cinematography made me want to hold my camera...

as stated above...
i think this is the ONLY right movie for this season of love...
i don't think i want to watch some howling beasts with my special one to celebrate our love...duh
do you?

(this movie is so hot and ironically as i was typing this...it rained super heavy here in Ipoh)

a nice movie for the weekend...

while having my lunch...instant noodle with Vietnamese ham and chicken meatball...and a cup of iced white coffee...
watched a DVD...a good one...

found this DVD in the shop one day...
to begin with...it won the Oscar for the Foreign Movie of the Year...
having seen...and impressed with Oscar's Foreign Movie of the Year for 06 and 07 (German and Austrian respectively)...i'm very curious with this one...
moreover...i'm a big fan of Japanese movies...

there's something charming about the way the Japanese's style of story-telling...
perhaps its the similarity of our culture...i mean as a Chinese...not Malaysian...
i like their stories...i've seen a few movies whereby their stories are simple...yet they have many little but significant characters...interesting little sub-plots...little twists...each little stories delivering messages of their own...

not to mention their brilliant soundtrack...and how they make the mature ones look so charming...the young ones look so beautiful...and the little ones look so so cute...

back to this movie...it's an interesting movie as it brings us to look into the traditional Japanese encoffining...putting a deceased into the coffin...something i never knew of...
and along the way...there are interesting people and interesting stories...each looking at death at a different perspective...

do check this movie out if you need something alternative to the over-commercialized transforming metals...