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October 30, 2006
Now what?!
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My Streamyx was down yesterday and even my Network card was down. I kinda suspected something may be wrong with my network card, so I took it to a computer store, paid RM15-00 to have my network card fixed (strangely that thing can't find my driver, so to speak) and reinstalled and voila, streamyx again! In fact a bit faster this time. So my downtime was TMNet or my network card? I can't figure it out. Anyway holidays over but I am on MC today. Can't stop vomitting and no I am not pregnant.
Have you watched The Prestige? I am going to add this line into my every post until someone or rather many say YES I DID. You have gotta watch this movie. It is so very good.
Anyway I have problems with Blogger also. Sighhhh....
October 29, 2006
Six steps to Christian Bale
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I as gobsmacked by this one fact that I didn't notice until now. Did you know that there is a very short link, as in 1 step link between Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman? No I don't mean because they're both superheroes but rather Hugh Jackman's wife, Deborrah Lee Furness co-starred with Christian in Newsies, like maybe 2 o 3 years before she met Hugh! She was Christian's best friend (character named David)'s mother!! Shocking! I wonder does Christian himself even remember? How come those interviews never mentioned this eh?
I am still in total disbelief that The Prestige's tomato-meter at rottentomatoes.com is like only 70s where as Babel is like 80s. I guess good old twist and turn stories are not favourites and yet every review I have yet said good things about this movie, even when the review is negative! Hmmmm.. have you seen the prestige? Not yet? What are you waiting for? Spoilers? Go now! And do read the book, eerie stuff.
By the way I am so looking forward to Harsh Times but I have a feeling Malaysia may not be screening this ...
Guess what?? & all about Internet addiction
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I am in total disbelief. I am connecting using STREAMYX!! It is on! And I hope for good!!
Sigh... I just found out the bad news. Jaring's dialup service has increased charges and my god, it is expensive. RM5 per month for 600min of usage which is equivalent to 10 hours and RM60-00 per year! And any additional cost will be 1 cent per min. But still too expensive. My sister will jump if she hears this since her last top up was 1 year ago which shows how "frequent" she use the Jaring acct. This is very sudden, very drastic.
10 hours? Like how much I use for ONE day! Anyway just now I used Jaring dialup and I realised my god, that was really slow. So slow! Slow slow slow! Streamyx ain't that fast!
Anyway checked the Broadband service for Jaring. Alas, wired or wireless, my area is not covered. This is like @$#%&* man! Why? I am stuck with Streamyx. Now I am paranoid about off-ing my modem. Like what if I can't get online tomorrow? But this prove one thing. My modem is ok, the problem was them. And they never even put an announcement to say outage at cheras area. And I just typed one nasty letter to them like 10 min ago before I tried my Streamyx line.
I now know what it is like to live in fear, perpetual unending fear that even when good times come I still fear the fear. I know my fear is petty but if you have dealt with their tech personnels believe me you will know how I feel. Funny thing is they aren't stupid or rude, just clueless. Ok maybe I am petty, maybe I am the one clueless and maybe I am addicted to Internet. In fact I think I am addicted to the Internet. What is addiction? When something is a must rather than a maybe. Let me see...
1. I must surf every night and every day even when I have nothing to surf
2. I always check my mailbox like every 10 min even when I know the last time I checked there's no mail, but just in case
3. I get freaky when thunderstorms are here because that means I can't surf!!
4. Streamyx downtime - I got worse. I freak out like I did a few hours before, I can't enjoy my holidays and my stomach has this sick feeling like I wanna puke
5. Even when I know it is pure torture, I still call the tech support and having to listen to that sleep inducing music for one hour before my call is answered just so that I get my complaints across and wishing my line restored
6. I always surf those few places, one night of no surfing I just can't sleep!
I AM ADDICTED!! HELPPPPP!!! Maybe the cure is buying a laptop.
What do you think?
Sighhhhhh...anyway Monday is coming soon and back to work I have to be. Let me just scream a bit ok...
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! WORKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you.
October 28, 2006
My Streamyx is down!
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I tell you, the worst has happened. My Streamyx is really down, so down that I am feeling down myself. I am writing this using my good old dependable Jaring and I have made my choice; when my 2 years is up, I will check if Jaring Broadband's sevrice extends to Cheras area. To be fair Streamyx is rarely down, in fact never but since late last night, I can't get connected. No service was available was one reason, and when service was available, it was for a fleetingf moment. My DSL light is ok, my modem I hope is ok, my ethernet is ok, so I was scratching my head what is the bloody problem. As sual calling the "techs" at TMNet is like stabbing myself again and again and again, pure agony. I tried in the morning, I finally got through at 3 pm or so and yet my problem persists. Most popular line, will open a report. One consolation was I was told that since late last night those in Cheras area were calling about the service disruption, but the girl said no outtage has been confirmed yet. So I assume there must be an outtage because one second got service, then don't have, can't connect at all either because remote computer did not respond (probably because no service) or phone line is busy (when there's service but still can't get through). I am not even bothered with writing emails to TMNet. Pointless.
Let me ask my fellow Cheras-nite people. Do you have the same problem as of last night? Especially those in Bandar Damai Perdana, Cheras area with tel nos beginning with 9101XXXX? What can I do? Just wait?!
Please assure me it is not my modem, ethernet, tel line, etc. I am sick with worry. And my Jaring account is ticking away with the cost ...oh so expensive.
HELP!!!
October 26, 2006
Updates
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I watched The Prestige for the 2nd time yesterday at the cinema. Even better than my first viewing in light of my undertsanding of the movie. Therefore I have updated my spoilers section as I made a very grave mistake about one thing in the movie. Have you seen this movie? No? Please give it a try. I a totally in awe of Christian Bale after this movie. His performance in here is not as wide ranging as in Equilibrium but I mean this man has got to be nominated for An Oscar and win because he is one of the most exciting and really talented actor. I just wish he has a better fashion sense or rather that he cares about his fashion sense. You an find my review in Movies.
October 23, 2006
Updates - Updated The Prestige
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I just updated the The Prestige review with major spoilers that are in white font. I could not understand why some could not understand a few plot points so I thought I give my own version. Please do not discuss them in Post A Comment. Email me if you wish.
October 21, 2006
Updates - new reviews
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All by me. Admittedly, my worst is The Acadamy. The difference between a review and an opinion is that an opinion does not contain much or any plot details or spoilers. First time in history I managed to actually write a totally spoilers free review for The Prestige. >> Beautiful Illusions [S'pore] Note : May load slower than usual as loads of youtube videos
>> The Academy [TVB] >> The Prestige [Mov] Note : May load slower than usual as loads of youtube videos. Please when posting your comments (especially spoilers) in my review of The Prestige, bear in mind some has yet to watch this movie. So try to write Spoilers free comments or if you wanna discuss, email me.
A REMINDERWhen posting comments in a review, please 1. USE POST A COMMENT. The shoutbox is for general posts only 2. DO NOT USE ANY PROFANITY. I don't know the F word escapes Blogger's no word list but it did. One comment in The Last Breakthrough review of mine was offensive and I deleted it because it was not only laden with profanity, but it suggests certain unthinkable stuff. I do not welcome brash prfanity type of comments. I am sure you can express yourself better than that. 3. ALWAYS INCLUDE YOUR NAME. Anonymous is too popular a name you see? So do write your nickname if you can. 4. DO NOT QUESTION WHY MY REVIEW IS CRITIQUE. Frankly I am sick of such comments. A review IS a critique, a critique IS an opinion and an opinion IS personal albeit may or may not be biased or even prejudiced. If you can't understand the differences or even the sameness of it all, please do not read my reviews or any reviews in here. Go and read episode summaries devoid of any opinion. In fact do avoid my Episodic Thoughts. It's good if you question many things, but questioning why a review is not a review or a critique is not a review is not one of those. As always looking forward to your reviews, submissions and comments.
GREETINGS TIME!!
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October 15, 2006
Coming Soon : The Beginning
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Thanks to Sehseh for the info. This is NTV7's new series, I believe a co production with Singapore since I could see Felicia Chin in it. To tell you the truth, I read the synopsis and I was very confused. I did not recognise the other actors but I could see a newly buff (and not just fat and he does look older, maybe the lightning) Shaun Chen and a pretty Felicia Chin. I do not think highly of Felicia Chin's acting but Shaun Chen in maybe yet again as a villain may be very interesting. He did look intense into those pictures. Anyway starting tomorrow at I believe 9.30pm on NTV7, do check out the series which I believe may be a complete dud. The story itself is confusing and over the top and typical TVB-ish series with probably more bad actors (other than my Shaun Chen of course)and if done badly even I may be tempted to switch to Healing Hands III on ASTRO but that is not a better option. I suspect with this series he will garner a new set of fans who may not know him as Xiao Xin and who may appreciate good acting despite bad storyline so I am working hard to reopen my Shaunsation.
Check out the website. Looks cool.
By the way you can see his girlfriend in action in Food Of Life, if it ever comes to ASTRO at all.
P/s : Thanks to Pearl for pointing out a huge mistake. I thought her name was Fiona Xie but actually that short haird mousey looking girl is Felicia Chin.Other than Shaun Chen, I wonder who are the others? Someone can identify?
October 12, 2006
TVB Anniversary celebrations
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Check out the clips at Sehseh's Blog. I wonder whether one day they'll run out of songs, sketches, singing old TVB series' songs and fashion shows so that perhaps there may be something new to watch? And even their song and dance routine are like your sekolah menengah sketches, probably worse. I remember the anniversary were once fun to watch, now it's just routine and boring. Maybe TVB ran out of budget.
Celebrity couples never to be : Amazing Photoshop work
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You have got to see the photoshopped pictures of olden days and current celebrities couples to see really good Photoshop job. I can't repost them here so you have to go toWorth1000.com to see them. Good quality stuff. Who is your fae couple from the pics? All of them very good but the funniest has got to be Marilyn Monroe and Bill Clinton. See them for yourself.
October 11, 2006
TVB Awards
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It's that time of year again, And interestingly, TVB will be showing the celebration show and the awards show separately. After so many years, FINALLY. Anyway thanks to Sehseh for the list and you can check out her choices at her website. The following are the nominations, sadly I haven't seen most or maybe all of them. Tell me your choice, my choice are mostly based on past acting performances so it's not accurate ... TVB Best Actor Awards
01. Ekin Cheng - Always Ready 02. Kevin Cheng - Under The Conapy Of Love 03. Bosco Wong - Under The Canopy Of Love 04. Steven Ma - Safe Guards 05. Adam Cheng - Bar Bender 06. Chung King Fai - Welcome To The House 07. Raymond Lam - La Femme Desperado 08. Michael Tse - La Femme Desperado 09. Bowie Lam - The Dance Of Passion 10. Moses Chan - The Dance Of Passion 11. Damien Lau - Men In Pain 12. Ron Ng - Men In Pain 13. Bobby Au Yeung - Forensic Heroes 14. Frankie Lam - Forensic Heroes 15. Sunny Chan - Love Guaranteed 16. Kenneth Ma - Love Guaranteed 17. Wong Hei - CIB Files 18. Joe Ma - Maiden's Vow 19. Lawrence Ng - At Home With Love 20. Andy Hiu - Lush Field Happy Times MY CHOICE : Based on merit alone, Bowie Lam, Adam Cheng and Bobby Au Yeung.From a recent review by Black Eyed Susan, Steven Ma seems to be a good bet. I would like to see Bobby Au Yeung win something.
TVB Best Actress Awards01. Liza Wang - When Rules Turn Lose 02. Kenix Kwok - A Pillow Case Of Mystery 03. Niki Chow - Under The Canopy Of Love 04. Shirley Yeung - The Biter Bitten 05. Sheren Tang - La Femme Desperado 06. Ada Choi - The Dance Of Passion 07. Charmaine Sheh - The Dance Of Passion 08. Gigi Lai - The Dance Of Passion 09. Nnadia Chan - Trimming Success 10. Louisa So - Men In Pain 11. Toby Leung - Men In Pain 12. Yoyo Mung - Forensic Heroes 13. Linda Chung - Forensic Heroes 14. Melissa Ng - Love Guaranteed 15. Christine Ng - CIB Files 16. Maggie Siu - CIB Files 17. Charmaine Sheh - Maiden's Vow 18. Sonija Kwok - Land Of Wealth 19. Tavia Yeung - Land Of Wealth 20. Myolie Wu - Lush Field Happy Times MY CHOICE : Based one merit alone, probably Myolie Wu but she has won before. I can't believe Niki Chow, Shirley Yeung and Sonia Kwok are in this category because much too early to be in here. So is Charmaine Sheh. This year may be Charmaine Sheh's year but have Ada Choi won before? If not, it could be her year. Anyway I saw a clip at Sehseh's blog where Liza Wong back Myolie and I think this is the seroes where she gained weight issit? Has it been broadcast? Anyway with Liza Wong singing you praises and she is one of TVB's most powerful woman, I think Myolie has a chance. I hope she wins, because then it would be done with and next year someone new.
TVB Best Supporting Actor Awards
01. Ha Yu - Under The Canopy Of Love 02. Wayne Lai - Safe Guards 03. Kwok Fung - Safe Guards 04. Lau Kong - Safe Guards 05. Cheung Chi Kwong - Safe Guards 06. Power Chan - Bar Bender 07. Johnson Lee - Welcome To The House 08. Kenneth Ma - La Femme Desperado 09. Lee Ka Seng - La Femme Desparado 10. Byran Leung - La Femme Desparado 11. Chung King Fai - The Dance Of Passion 12. Kenny Wong - The Dance Of Passion 13. Chan Hung Lit - The Dance Of Passion 14. Lee Seng Cheung - Men In Pain 15. Raymond Cho - Forensic Heroes 16. Paul Chun - Love Guaranteed 17. Sammul Chan - Maiden's Vow 18. John Chiang - Land Of Wealth 19. Lau Dan - Land Of Wealth 20. Jack Wu - Lush Field Happy Times MY CHOICE : Merit alone, almost everyone in this list. But I would love to see Wayne Lai win somthing. It should be his time. For any series, it doesn't matter.TVB Best Supporting Actress Awards
01. Shirley Yeung - Always Ready 02. Natalie Tong - Under The Canopy Of Love 03. Evoone Ho - Under The Canopy Of Love 04. Kingdom Yeun - Welcome To The House 05. Kate Tsui - La Femme Desperado 06. Cindy Au - La Femme Desperado 07. Chow Ka Yee - The Dance Of Passion 08. Helen Ma - The Dance Of Passion 09. Sharon Chan - Trimming Success 10. Halina Tam - Trimming Success 11. Rebecca Chan - Men In Pain 12. Florence Kwok - Men In Pain 13. Akina Hong - Men In Pain 14. Rain Lau - Love Guaranteed 15. Angela Tong - Love Guaranteed 16. Kiki Sheung - Maiden's Vow 17. Clarie Yiu - Land Of Wealth 18. Nancy Wu - At Home With Love 19. Gigi Wong - Lush Field Happy Times 20. Selena Li - Lush Field Happy Times MY CHOICE : Florence Kwok because I am glad she's back, if she is the said Florence Kwok.
Most Improved Actor Awards
01. Lai Lok Yi - Always Ready 02. Kenneth Ma - The Herbalist Manual, La Femme Desparado, Love Guarenteed, LFHT 03. Kevin Cheng - Under The Canopy Of Love, Trimming Success 04. Steven Ma - Safe Guards, Land Of Wealth 05. Sammul Chan - Bar Benders, Maiden's Vow 06. Raymond Cho - Welcome To The House, Forensic Heroes 07. Johnson Lee - Welcome To The House 08. Michael Tse - La Femme Desperado 09. Vinci Wong - The Dance Of Passion 10. Kenny Wong - The Dance Of Passion 11. Stephen Wong - Trimming Success 12. Ron Ng - Men In Pain 13. Charles Szeto - At Home With Love 14. Jack Wu- Lush Field Happy Times 15. Matthew Ko - Lush Field Happy Times 16. Amigo Chui - Jade Solid Gold 17. Sam Mei - 15/16 18. Ronald Cheng - Beautiful Cooking 19. Edmond Leung - Beautiful Cooking 20. Alex Fong - Beautiful Cooking MY CHOICE : Ronald Cheng? I like him. Not Ron Ng. Did he win before? I would like to see Raymond Cho get some recognition. But I really want Johnson Lee to win, if he is that Johnson Lee I am thinking. Why is Kevin Cheng, Sammul Chan, Steven Ma in this category when Charmaine Sheh is not in the same category? I think Kevin Cheng might win although it is very confusing why he is in this category at all.
Most Improved Actress Awards01. Linda Chung - Always Ready, The Biter Bitten, Forensic Heroes 02. Selena Li - The Herbalist Manual, Lush Field Happy Times 03. Sharon Chan - Lethal Weapons Of Love And Passion, Trimming Success 04. Tavia Yeung - A Pillow Case of Mystery, Land Of Wealth 05. Elaine Yiu - Safe Guards 06. Shirley Yeung - The Biter Bitten 07. Leila Tong - Bar Benders 08. Sharmon Tang - Welcome To the House 09. Chung Wong - Welcome To The House 10. Kate Tsui - La Femme Desperado 11. Vivien Yeo - Forensic Heroes 12. Chow Ka Yee - The Dance Of Passion 13. Toby Leung - Men In Pain 14. Natalie Tong - Under The Canopy Of Love, Forensic Heroes, Most Important Is Health 15. Nancy Wu - At Home With Love 16. At 17 - Jade Solid Gold 17. Cathy Chow - 回味無窮, 近廚得食 18. Siu Yee - 15/16 19. Clarie Yiu - Most Important Is Health 20. Cindy Au - La Femme Desperado, 心大心細 MY CHOICE : If Charmaine Sheh have been in this category she would have won. And she should be in this category as I have said many times. Glad to see fellow Malaysian Vivien Yeo in the list - she is that girl right? But as I have seen her debut acting before which was nothing short of awful, I am apprehensive in supporting her. Based on merit alone and a body of word, why is Tavia Yeung in this category? Hasn't she won this before? Definitely not Natalie Tong who is inconsistent or even Cindy Au who isn't that good. Can't think of anyone. I guess give it to Tavia again.
Best Series Awards
01. Always Ready 02. The Herbalist's Manual 03. When Rules Turn Lose 04. Greed Mask 05. Lethal Weapons Of Love And Passion 06. A Pillow Case Of Mystery 07. Under The Canopy Of Love 08. Safe Guards 09. The Biter Bitten 10. Bar Bender 11. Welcome To The House 12. La Femme Desperado 13. The Dance Of Passion 14. Trimming Success 15. Men In Pain 16. Forensic Heroes 17. Love Guaranteed 18. CIB Files 19. Maiden's Vow 20. Land Of Wealth 21. At Home With Love 22. 肥田囍事 MY CHOICE : You tell me. Haven't see any of them at all. Based on reviews it could be The Dance Of Passion.
Very difficult for me to comment since I haven't seen them. If you look at the list TVB is slowly creating Emmy Awards ala People's Choice Award instead of half baked award show. It's good that way BUT some people must be struck off the list to give this award show some credibility. It should be based on performance, not popularity and this performance apart from being judged by public or even TVB themselves, why not invite journalists, reviewers, critics to cast their votes too? If not it will just be another year of useless bonus to the stars.
October 09, 2006
All about Journey To The West
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Amazing Youtube! Thanks to Pearl for posting some at her website, I decided to post several versions here ...
THEMESONGS & THEMEMUSIC
The original CCTV version - Opening theme music
CCTV version - The themesong with the lyrics usually heard at the end of the episode - I don't think this is the original singer - rock version
CCTV version - original themesong from the series itself
Still my most favourite version with the best song - TVB
Not my favourite version by TVB but darn, GREAT SONG by Benny Chan - better than 1st one in fact - my most favourite JTTW themesong thus far
Note : See if you can get your hands on the instrumental - it was with erhu and it rocked!
In fact JTTW II has the honour of having the best songs.
The Taiwan/China version I so so so so so hate & hate the song also - WHY DICKY?!?!?
The original 1978 Japanese version - the first in fact - Monkey
I know there is a later Japanese version Saiyuki somewhere. Can't find it.
THE DIFFERENT SUN WUKONGs
Here are the various Monkey Kings ...
China CCTV version
ZHANG JINLAI
The definitive Monkey King that had me in awe
Ok this was subbed in Tibetan (cute) but just notice that man's expressions! If I can't find some decent clips of him, I will rip some for you later.
TVB version - JTTW I
DICKY CHEUNG
Still a favourite of mine, more of an updated version of the Monkey King with a hip hop-ish twist to it.
TVB sequel - JTTW II
BENNY CHAN
The poser who tried to be both Dicky and Zhang and failed miserably. Luckily this clip had an even more annoying poser, just watch and you'll see.
China/Taiwan production
DICKY CHEUNG
WHY, DICKY??
Japan version - 1st adaptation - Monkey
Masaaki Sakai
I think more of a comedy.I think TVB followed the comedy element of this version with the dramatic elements from the CCTV.
HK movie adaptation
Stephen Chow
A more sinister Monkey but I feel a very good interpretation, if only the storyline was not a total crap. A great big thanks to Pearl for the link.
The Different Tong Sam Zhong
CCTV version
Not sure if you realised this, but Tong Sam Zhong in this series had a total of I think 3 actors, two of them I can identify, can't identify the 3rd. Not sure why the CCTV had to use so many different actors for the monk, but you can see a pattern when and which situation that particular actor will be featured. Although the performances were above average, I personally felt one actor in here was to me the ideal and definitive Tong Sam Zhong, in terms of the characterisation of the book because he was exactly like the book, scared all the time. I hated the book's version because I was kinda spoiled by Kong Wah's regalness. Anyway here goes, not sure of their names...
The 1st and recurring Monk
Usually seen in stories where he is usually kidnapped by demons or require acting of really major fear and regret. This is the ideal characterisation from the book and the actor does look spot on. If you see him a little older in later episodes, that is because the series continued filming about a decade later I think. Ideal since the real people in the journey took that long also.
The 2nd and recurring monk
I may have mistaken this with the 3rd. Anyway, this one is usually in scenes where the monk is cool, calm and in less strenous situation, where no major acting is required. I thought this actor did badly.
Still looking. Coming soon
The 3rd monk
I haven't finished watching this series yet so I can't recognise this monk, so this had to be the 3rd monk. He didn't look like the chubby first one or the badly acted 2nd one. Anyway subbed in Vietnamese. I stand to be corrected on this one.
The movie version
Law Kar Ying
A comedy actually, he is portrayed as some so longwinded, demons rather kill themselves than to listen to him. But in the last scene, it was all Wukong's dream and Law Kar Ying put on an excellent interpretation in the last seconds where his monk was actually a man of few words and very authoritative. I like that better but can't find that clip.
TVB version
Kong Wah
Although not as accurate as the book in terms of description or even characterisation earlier on, but to me Kong Wah embodies the qualities of the monk in his excellent interpretation. Graceful, clear speech, walking one step at a time, never looked like he was in any hurry, dignified even in the face of danger and unafraid and determined, I am sure many will disagree with me but I feel Kong Wah is the definitive monk in terms of the spirit of the book. I like the fact that a mere mortal of only decades old is wiser than the disciples of a few thousand years old combined, which shows he may be weak in flesh but he is wise in wisdom. That is why the Monkey king and the other 2 respect him and follow his teachings. He was great in JTTW I and still great in JTTW II.
Still looking for one in Cantonese version. I found some Vietnamese dubbed that had me laughing whenever he opened his mouth.An example of Kong Wah's performance is as above, minus the sound.
Japanese version - Monkey
Masako Natsume
A woman. Very revolutionary. It was after this version that it became the tradition in Japanese versions that a woman plays the monk.Probably because of the element of young pretty boy. She died in 1985, from leaukimia at a very young age.
Irrespective of who is your favourite, you must agree, the story is timeless and each versions, good or bad has its moments.
October 08, 2006
Updates II : Reviews
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The last batch before I run out of reviews to post except those that I am going to write but have yet to put down anything concrete, mud or steel. Sighhhh... Anyway all very good reads. I especially like the quote that I chosen for The Academy, you can view it on the top of this page. Kept laughing everytime I read it. That is exactly how I feel too except Bridget managed to even spell it out, to me until now I still do not know what they were saying. I am sorry to say, the training in The Academy looked more like Rakan Muda training than a training future policemen aka law enforcers aka more like whiny people. Can we trust them with our safety? Thank god The Academy is just TV. I thought Yummy Yummy was coming to ASTRO, instead I am bombarded with Healing Hands III everyday and so we continue the sorry sad love life of Lawrence Ng's character. I wonder which girlfriend he has now that has some health problems? Anyway...reviews... >> Love Bond by yours truly (ahem!) [TVB] >> Han Wu Da Di [China/Taiwan] by Elizabeth All are in the TV Series Reviews category.
Enjoy! Any new reviews anyone? Come on, don't just post your reviews at you know where, try my little humble website here, traffic count like 2 per day but still TWO is quite a lot of people! I mean TWO same people, one of them probably me BUT still still got some souls in here...make this place a bit warmer eh? Anyway going through a minor renovation process. You won't even notice it when I'm done.
Updates : Reviews
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I haven't posted the link in the China/Taiwan reviews page yet since I have a few more to add. But I am very excited about this new batch of reviews. All very well written, quite a lot of spoilers ( so avoid them if you don't wish to know, I guess just stop at the summary section) and very informative as well as have very good opinion to share. I just finished posting this long one that can really rival my reviews in terms of length. After reading it I felt like checking out the series! I am not sure if it is posted in other websites and I think the theme in this series must be very popular because I did a search on it to find out the English title and I got several versions. Han Wu Da Di by Elizabeth [China/Taiwan] aka Great Emperor Wu of Han
Note : More like China since it's a CCTV production.
More reviews to come. Any submissions? Forget about my rants about the encoding and stuff. I want your reviews!! New ones of new series or old series I don't care! Send them all to me at funnlim AT gmail.com (cc to point2e AT myjaring.net). Anyway I feel heartsick. I am watching Delicious Relations and I realised Seagull wrote a review on this years ago and the link is dead. I tried finding my review on Under Same Roof, since I am watching it again and again the link is dead. Geocities! I hate you!!
REVIEWS : PROBLEM SOLVED!!
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Yeah!! I figured out the problem! It's the Blogger codes in my reviews blog! Now no more problems! So use any format you want! Even the older reviews like CIB are cured! Let me know if you come across any reviews with the funny symbols in place of - ' " So happy!!
October 07, 2006
UPDATE : THE PRESTIGE
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Re my post HERE and I just found the Behind The Scenes for The Prestige. I am now so very eager to see this movie because they tell a little and yet told nothing! A must see!! So so so eager!!
One man's poison is another man's ...
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Is it meat? Can I say cure instead? What's the original saying?
Anyway I was reading through comments about Equilibrium (I wrote a review on this movie in Reviews > Movies) and how many kinda trashed it. It is that kinda movie that either you love it to death or you trash it to death. After watching it for the 6th time, I have to admit I love it to death. The story is not great, like I said in my review it has the potential of shooting itself on the foot. What I disagree most with those who trashed it was that the performances were awful, mostly Christian Bale quite simply because every single scene involves him. I don't want to talk about the gun scenes, actions scenes, shooting scenes, kung fu scenes, etc. Let's just talk about acting itself. Comments ranging from he was horrible, most wooden performance of the year to he had little to do were all unjustified. I reluctantly admit that there exists such a thing as bad movie, excellent performance, or maybe average movie, ground breaking performance. If his performance was wooden, I can't think of what to say of many so called expressive performance. I appreciate subtlety and I became a hard core Christian Bale fan after watching Equilibrium which I will proclaim is Christian Bale's best acting performance thus far, until another film comes along. It was just sad it had to be this movie. From the beginning till the end of the movie, his character experienced so much of emotional changes that frankly it feels like 10 characters summarised into one. From stone cold gaze to realisation to confusion to anger to acceptance to love to heartbreak to murderous intention to honourable intention to satisfaction to well, every single human emotion there is, you can find them in this movie. Honest! If you haven't seen it, check it out. His American Accent was good. I can't understand why many criticised it. I find his accent in The Prestige more weird than his American accent and he is kinda English/Welsh/British whatever. British actors can do English accent without a hitch. It is in my opinion his best acting performance ever because he had to do so much in such a short time. That I feel lies the charm of this movie.
I tell you one of these days he will win an oscar. He will be celebrated and honoured with a lifetime achievement award when he is 60 and above, if he lives that long and I believe he will. If not him, who else?
Well maybe River Phoenix if he didn't die so early. Don't know him? Know Joaquin Phoenix? When Joaquin was Leaf, he had a more famous, more talented and better looking older brother who gave a good performance in Stand By Me when I think he was 13? Anyway died very young, drug related problem causing heart arrest I suppose. Point is, River Phoenix could have been Christian Bale and Leonardo DiCaprio. A great great pity. I am having this nostalgic sentiments because I just watched Stand By Me again. Can't believe of all the 4 child actors, only Jerry O'Connell, that fat whiny timid boy in that movie grew into a tall handsome man with a credible career. Whatever happened to Will Wheaton? And that actor who played Teddy Duchamp (whom I feel was the best actor amongst them 4 although River Phoenix was charismatic, like Christian Bale was at that age)?
Which brings me to The Departed. Everybody loved it but said it was a direct rip off of Infernal Affairs. People, that is the purpose of remakes right? But instead of triads, we have mobs. Instead of an older actor like Anthony Wong we have I think Mark Wahlberg. Sorry, Marky Mark? Overrated actor and worse is everybody said he was great. Is it Marky Mark in the first place? Career defining moment for Matt Damon it seems who everybody lauded in Bourne movies. The Bourne movies to me are extremely insanely dumb. I like Matt Damon but could he be that great? Let me watch first I suppose but I think next year's Oscars for the male leads may need to extend to 10 names instead of 5! Anyway reading the synopsis I must admit The Departed follows the story of Infernal Affairs closely, maybe much too close. I saw Infernal Affairs, for once I thought "Andy Lau really can act!" and it was to be Andy Lau's crowning moment as truly an actor, no longer a teen idol or pretty boy entertainer. The Departed had a lot to live up to but I think Leonardo DiCaprio is enough to convince me to watch this movie. His performance alone in The Aviator held my attention for an otherwise lack lustre and inadequate movie. But wouldn't it be great if Chistian Bale is given Andy Lau's character? He can be as cool as a cucumber. Why Matt Damon? At least it wasn't Matt Damon's best friend in life, Ben Affleck. Anyway Andy Lau said this movie had too much swearing in it. Aiyah can you imagine a polite Victorian conversation in The Departed? I highly doubt it.
If there is any indication, this year to next year the one actor who will be dominating the cinemas is Christian Bale. He has 3 movies debuting already I think, The Prestige, Rescue Dawn and Harsh Times. And he is still filming, not that he wasn't as busy before but now he is making big time movies. He is now so famous pictures of him grumpily taking a ticket summons from his car can be seen anywhere in the Internet. That's fame my friends. But I think I am quite right to say girls love him for obvious reasons and guys love him too. I really notice that, he is one actor that everybody agrees is great and also agrees he is underrated and I am sure now everyone will agree and would like to see more.
Anyway, I am still in disbelief that Heath Ledger is The Joker. Another overrated actor given an opportunity of a lifetime which he will either screw the chance by being God awful before the many greats in a movie OR spurred by the greats to perform better than his own expectations because he wouldn't want to look bad. Imagine next to Christian Bale? Pale in comparison. Then what about Gary Oldman? Lagi teruk. Then there's Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman...one greater than the other, one more illustrous than the other. The new Batman movies will I guess be known as the American Harry Potter since everybody famous and everybody great will act at least once in Harry Potter, so will that be with Batman movies. Lucky Ledger who didn't deserve this chance although his smile is like cheshire cat's smile, so no need special effects already has that look. I still cannot imagine Jake Gyllenhaal was almost Batman. Anyway why I rant about Batman? I just saw the awful Batman And Robin. I pity George Clooney. His Batman/Bruce Wayne does look like he is suffering from Parkinson's Disease but that's not the reason it tanked. Seeing the anatomically correct suits and the cheesy dialogues were just enough to emulate the effect of a nuclear bomb blast.
Point is there is no point. This is just a rant.
October 06, 2006
Summary of everything entertainment
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They're indeed made for each other
... in terms of fashion disaster. Charmaine Sheh and Benny Chan attended a wedding reception recently and with all the money they earn, with all the fashion tips they had, with all the stylists at their disposal and the fact that thousands of cameras will be taking their pictures and posting them everywhere, what did they turn up with? Possibly the worst hairstyle/perm of the year courtesy of Benny Chan ...  And the worst fashion sense and I won't say of the year because she had her worser days, courtesy of Charmaine Sheh who looked like she cut up her leather sofa and just piece this awful plastic looking dress that's too leather, too short and really a fashion overkill even when she had very little or no accessory. Her hair looked like she was going for some tea event instead of a wedding dinner. I can't see her shoes but let me guess, black boots perhaps? The dominatrix outfit minus the revealing parts is really awful. That bad you ask? See it for yourself and I rest my case...  I can only conclude these two rumoured love birds should marry one another to create cute pretty squeeky voiced babies with the worst fashion sense. At least none of them were dressed lesser than they should which is a blessing. Not that everybody else was any better. I am just not bothered to post about anyone else. Worst Series
Oh just a note. The Academy is still on despite the fact that it should have ended even before it began. This is one of the worst series I have ever seen, plot wise, pacing wise, character wise, casting wise and of course acting wise. Tony Leung and gang should be so very glad that their original series about the police academy is still the best despite the fact that the acting in that series was also not that great either, but at least there is a story. This The Academy is like a broken CD player, same song over and over again. Boring? Oh no, not boring at all because how can a series render someone bored when it has already rendered someone comatose? The Gentle Crackdown. I am going to write a review for this one because I have much to say. It is not bad but I have my reason to say why this series suffer from overkill of every sort. Upcoming reviews & my motivation
I am now watching the original Chinese Journey To The West and I could only conclude TVB's version is still my most favourite but the monkey is a different matter and that I am also watching Fann Wong's Beautiful Illusions which I made the mistake of reading the episode synopsis, kinda killed the suspence. Fann Wong may have aged a little but she looks every bit as beautiful as I first saw her plus a few lines on her face (skin a bit pale but still as flawless) and her acting is shall I say, still great, if not better? I also want to write a review on that. I saw an old Japanese series called The Daughter Of An Iguana and the title alone spurs me to consider and will make me write a review for it as well as a very funny series called Delicious Relations which is good enough to motivate me to write for it. I feel motivated these days to write reviews although my pace is a bit slow and my comments mellowed over the years. I guess the beginning of my motivation was watching Zhang Jinlai aka Liu Xiao Ling Tong's masterful performance as the Monkey King that motivated me to start tapping on my keyboard again and I have yet to finish that series. Very slow because frankly if not for this man, I wouldn't bother really. I have my reasons. Sehseh was kind enough to inform me that I think NTV7 is showing a Chinese series called The Beginning starring Shaun Chen in the role of the villain. Could it be a second Yi Xin Ren? Anyway the strange thing is I have yet to see the Trailer, never read a word about it in the papers. This is like a mysterious series for me and until now I still do not know what is it about. Yummy Yummy is coming soon and I plan to do an Episodic Thoughts for that series although I may miss some episodes because I simply can't miss my House MD, Grey's Anatomy and whatever else more interesting on the telly. Can't wait for these movies
Talking about interesting stuff, I really look forward to the upcoming movie called The Prestige.     Trailer looks fantastic, the website is awesome and the fact that it stars Hugh Jackman (already got me drooling) and also Christian Bale (my fate is sealed)together in one movie, both acting powerhouse although Christian Bale more powerhouse than Hugh Jackman who is at least 2 to 3 feet taller than dear Christian (I doubt Bale is 6' 2", more like 6' or less because Jackman is reportedly 6' 2" and he looks like it), like Wolverine Vs Batman, I simply can't wait for this series to arrive. I also look forward to The Departed, the Hollywood remake of the already excellent Infernal Affairs and I bet a few oscars may be guaranteed for this series. Also looking forward to Harsh Times and one more series about a POW, all by Christian Bale. Wonder if cinema will show? And I can't wait for that movie that will pair Hollywood's biggest ego (with talent to match) Russell Crowe and Hollywood's mmost underrated and scorn publicity (but also with talent to match his disdain for the papparazzi), Christian Bale. Oscar! Oscar! Movies and TV series are getting better, alas it would be great if I can just find my TVB JTTW. Where is this elusive Holy Grail of mine? Where? What else? Good books
Ah yes, I recently read Stephen King's novellas. I never liked his long winded horror stories but his novellas, like The Green Mile (same as the movie, maybe longer and in some ways better but the actors were spot on) and Different Seasons (which consists of 4 stories, 3 of which were made into movies, two of which became classics like Stand By Me and Shawshank Redemption - the movies were better but the stories were by itself a masterpiece). I never knew he could write so well. Harry when will they give you justice?
Last but not least, did anyone notice the new Harry Potter movie in the making? I think the Order Of The Phoenix? This is Luna Lovegood....  My question is where is her big glassy eyes? Where is her I don't care if you think I am weird kinda persona? Where is her glasses? Why is she so pretty? I don't think I will like this movie much, not that I liked the book better because it was one of the worst of the series, the latest one was the worst of course ... Suri Cruise? How old you'd say?
Saw the pictures of Suri Cruise, Tom Cruise' mysterious baby girl with Katie Holmes in Hot Magazine? I showed my mom and she said 4 month old? More like above 6 months old. I can't help but agree, not because of her size but because her back seems way too straight for a young infant baby of below 6 months. Also for a moment I thought Asian baby? Theories have emerged about Suri Cruise that I will not repeat but you can read them here at Dlisted.com. I wonder too ... No doubt the baby is pretty, serious but pretty.
Battle of the celebrity baby girls
Who is the prettiest celebrity baby? Suri Cruise? Shiloh Jolie Pitt? Unknown Bale?Unknown because until now nobody knows her name, either Luca or Emmeline, your guess is as good as mine.  I haven't talked about Apple Martin and etc, the bigger ones. My pick would be Shiloh because genes is on her side. Unknown baby is very cute but also grumpy looking like daddy whilst Suri is pretty but you wait and see, full sensual lips, nice full hair, big eyes, great jawline, Shiloh has it all. In conclusion
Ok, that's about it. I will shut up now.
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