Friday, February 22, 2008

It's Oscar Night, people!



Will Daniel Day-Lewis continue his sweep of acting accolades or will Johnny Depp finally gets his redemption?


Can Marion Cotillard continue her winning streak into Oscar Night?


Will Cate Blanchett be stuck again with a Supporting Role Oscar as with the Leading Role Oscar from the same role as ER (that's gotta be a first) eluding her once again? (oh was she robbed in 1999)


Can the Little Film that Could ("Juno") beat out bloody sagas ("No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood") and bring home the Oscar statuette?


Oh and all the marvellous writing nominees... "Juno", "Michael Clayton", "The Savages", etc.


AND


Best Original Song nominees from "Enchanted":
"That's How You Know", "So Close" and "Happy Working Song"!!!

So much to look forward to :)

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The 32nd Hong Kong International Film Festival


It's that time of the year again to plan for back-to-back movies over the long weekends!


The 32nd HKIFF Catalogs are now available at Urbtix outlets and performance venues!


Advanced booking will begin on 23 Feb 2008 at 10am!


See you at the movies:)

Monday, February 18, 2008

You Are Not Alone...

"Thing to remember is if we're all alone, then we're all together in that too."

Saw this movie today ("P.S. I Love You") and the line that stood out was this one... not a bad line, actually, considering that we don't have many good lines from movies these days.

This Rom Com is really not that good of a Rom Com. Just the other day, I also heard on NPR that we just don't have those classics like "Sleepless is Seattle" or "When Harry Met Sally" or even "Notting Hill" made these days. Instead, we have these mediocre movies like "Fool's Gold" being the only major release for the Valentine's Day week last week in the US (followed by "Definitely, Maybe" this weekend).

McConaughey and Hudson? *yawn*

Is it because we're missing star power in this genre? It's true we don't have stars like Julia Roberts or Meg Ryan nowadays (Witherspoon in her post-Oscar slump, Heigl still being prepped up....) and we are missing leading men as well? Is Rom Com just going away as we speak? What was the last good Rom Com that I saw? hmmm... I think it was 2006's "The Holiday". Winslet is always a pleasure to watch, and Jack Black was a good and fresh match. Diaz is getting a bit... tiring; and I never saw the chemistry between her and Law. But still, the Winslet-Black part was so enjoyable, and the whole plot works quite well, so this was the last good Rom Com that I saw. Another good contender is "Music and Lyrics." Ok movie, but there was just ZERO chemistry between Grant and Barrymore. That was just a complete mismatch. But the campy music made it fun to watch. Maybe it's not that we lack the stars, we just need good writers.

Speaking of movies... remember the 2008 HKIFF is coming! Early booking starts next Saturday (Feb 23).

Here are some of my fave Rom Coms... hope to add more to the list soon...

Doctor Marcia Fieldstone: Tell me what was so special about your wife?
Sam Baldwin: Well, how long is your program? Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were suppose to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic.

Edward Lewis: So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?
Vivian: She rescues him right back.

William: I live in Notting Hill. You live in Beverly Hills. Everyone in the world knows who you are, my mother has trouble remembering my name.
Anna Scott: I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.

Robbie: [singing] I wanna make you smile whenever you're sad / Carry you around when your arthritis is bad / All I wanna do is grow old with you. / I'll get your medicine when your tummy aches / build you a fire if the furnace breaks / Oh it could be so nice, growin old with you. / I'll miss you, kiss you, give you my coat when you are cold. / Need you, feed you, I'll even let you hold the remote control. / So let me do the dishes in the kitchen sink / Put you to bed when you've had too much to drink. / Oh I could be the man to grow old with you. / I wanna grow old with you.

Iris: I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn't know you had inside you. And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade.


Lucy: Can I have one last first kiss?

Harry Burns: I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

李宗盛 @林一峰

本來沒有plan去看Chet 的Concert。但怫然空降一個很吸引的offer,又怎可能放過呢。。。

全晚Chet Lam所唱自己的歌,我真的一首都不識。熟悉的反而是他跟梁祖堯合唱的“微涼”以及他跟李宗盛合唱的“愛的代價”。

有李宗盛的原因,原來是因爲“大哥”送了一個結他給Chet。我自己記得大哥是很多年前看“明天會更好”的MV時見過他;之後就是因爲他寫歌及監製憶蓮國語唱片的關係。往後憶蓮奉子承婚,我都曾經覺得他們是門當戶對,而且是工作上的好拍檔。但當然大家都知道,愛都是會變成往事的。

李宗盛的歌曲及歌詞很細膩,可以帶出人(不只是女人)對情的盼望、期待;他為我們帶來的幸福、溫暖;分手的煎熬、寂寞帶來的不安、痛苦的領悟、把心放開的決心。。。愛情、親情、友情,每一個感受、每一種思念,橫過20多年的作品,一定有觸動我們心靈的。

年多前在紅舘終於看過他的Live演出(就是那場有成蟲搗亂的一晚),一個男人,拿著結他,在unplugged的setting中,好有heart的音樂就是我們8,000+個觀衆的共同語言。

以下是大哥的其中一首經典

Sunday, February 10, 2008

如果可以在Facebook上面。。。

有個“藐人”既Function甘都幾好喔。。。

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Kung Hei Fat Choi



As we enter the Year of the Rat, I wish you and your family a properous New Year, with great health and togetherness.

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

沒有電視的晚上 Nights without a TV

一個plan左很久的動作,終於在友人搬家的推動下成爲事實。
我就是這樣的了,要有些推動力,要人逼逼,才會動。
事緣上年我自己搬家之後,因爲地方勁細,而我還是用著以前在“大屋”搬過3次的2001年新力牌34"平面方角Trinitron大電視,所以一直都想換一部Flat Panel。。。省些地方嘛。。。

10個月以來,又想過很快又搬(幻想居多。。。),所以以爲之後才再買;有時就因爲未能決定budget,產品琳琅滿目,很難下決心;而且又要一顆兒把電視cabinet換,不想花太多多餘錢(吃喝玩樂重要嘛。。。)所以最後都有很多因素都令我決定把它留下來(講來講去都是excuses一大堆)。

不過一路都有留意LCD電視的價錢的,所以都已經心中有數。

之後。。。大約兩個禮拜前,阿AC話因爲搬屋,舊傢私不要,剛巧他的custom-made電視cabinet及Shoe cabinet就是我所需要的size。。。

不久之後。。。決定把他們買下來,從來沒想過會買朋友的二手家具。但沒所謂啦,一家便宜兩家著,大家開心。

但是呢。。。我好像什麽準備都沒有;要等到上星期六,早上八度、下著雨的時候,才:
1。打電話叫收買佬上門收電視(價錢都不錯)
2。好在有AC幫手安排搬運師傅把傢私送到府上(AC只是一條街之隔)
3。把舊電視cabinet裏面的CD、DVD、VCD搬出來(其實很多應該要丟咯)
4。把舊cabinet搬走
5。接收貨物
6。同老豆吃午飯(幫左我成朝)
7。去買電視(仲途徑Lane Crawford買左對鞋,呵呵呵)

兩日後,即現在,很滿意新家具的安置,整個房間都鬆動了,剛剛電視已經送到,但還未安裝,所以已經是第二個晚上沒有觀賞電視。還好,終於在年28完成了大掃除,感覺真好!明天師傅把LCD安裝好便可以真真正正迎接新年嚕!

幸好有個Friend話幫我錄下今晚的“翡翠戀曲”,gum之後可以睇番。。。:)

有時d野,都係無端端發生,而結果是出乎意料的好。假期將至,心情不錯!!!

Thursday, January 31, 2008

A yearly tradition

How do you want to do it... with all of your close friends? a selected group of friends? spread it out into multiple gatherings? an intimate candle-lit dinner for two? or just plain-old family gathering?

I've tried it all.

So this year, it's back to the basics. I remember one year, maybe 4 or 5 years ago, it was Chinese New Year time and both of my parents were back in HK. It was one of those strange events (maybe due to the alignment of some cosmic forces) that we were all reunited under one roof. While it's not like it never happens anymore, it was still special considering the circumstances and the timing.

I heard before somewhere, that birthdays are not really a celebration for yourself as a being, but more an occasion to thank your parents for bringing you into this world and trying their best to raise you into a decent human being.

So while last year's big feast is still a vivid memory... I mean, I don't think I ever had that big a group sitting together in my honour, plus the fact that it was also the debute of a new beau, whom, sorry to say, has taken an eternal leave of absence... it would remain as it is, good memory, from the past.

Thinking back and reading some of the old posts, I dubbed last year the start of a great decade... things were finally working out in all sorts of ways, I was comfortable. But like everything else, good things also come to end. That does not mean my run is over though. Entering the 2nd year of the decade, I look at myself, and I see a slightly more seasoned person, with a few more scars here and there, but making good progress. That's what living is about, right?

So, back to square one... or, maybe more appropriate: just another beginning, among the many and many more we all will face, and should be glad that we can do it again and again :)


Thursday, January 24, 2008

... On the road again... where to? by what?

Borrowed the title from a dear friend's heartfelt email today. Thanks. ;)

Have been thinking about a new Entry for the last week... but didn't know what to write after pouring my heart out. Well.... just whatever, I guess...

- I am enjoying my on-the-go music quite much, and have gotten back in touch with music that used to fill my life. This one in particular stood out tonight when I was at the gym...



So, back to the title. Sometimes we choose to get off the ride, and sometimes we're kicked off... does it matter if we are off at the right stop or not? Probably not. On the road again... to seek another ride, or to tackle the challenge on your own? Maybe that's the journey we all have to take.

(will keep it short this time... ran out of BS to say)

P.S. Wordy: Took your advice and now we are finalizing our plans for March. Looks like it's a go! Also re-thought about my August travel plans. :)

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind


It's one of my favourite movies. I love it's wackiness, I love Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey, I love the suggestion of loving the same person the 2nd time around, and I love the open-ended ending. So when you are really given a second chance, would you take a go at it again?

______________________________

Recently, on 3 separate occasions, this film was presented to me once again. A dear friend wrote me a note referring to this film, which led me to watch the film again last week, and a couple of days ago another dear friend emailed me and told me that she'd just watched the movie again and that prompted her to write me.

Erasing a memory that hurts so badly... for the time-being... is a quick fix. Oh how we want to get pass the sadness, how we want to emerge from rock bottom, how we always reminisce happy times, and how we cannot make a connection to reality...

The film suggests that despite having your memory erased, you still end up falling in love with the same person over and over again. Do we really learn from our so-called "mistakes"? And even knowing that it hadn't worked before, Joel and Clementine still decide to try again. Is that just being a hopeless romantic, or is that a belief that love is always there but it's timing and events that alter the outcome? So, love alone, really is not enough to sustain a relationship? But that's not even the point of the movie... because it's the process that we see Joel and Clem enjoy, when they really "live" the relationship, that they both want to go back and experience it, remember it. Another movie (which I also like) shares a similar theme, Adam Sandler's 2006 flick "Click".

_____________________________________________

Just did a simple search online, and this movie has some pretty good taglines:

I already forget how I used to feel about you.
Our memories makes us who we are. You can't change the past.
Would you erase me?
This Spring, clear your mind
I'm fine without you.
Do I know you?
You can erase someone from your mind. Getting them out of your heart is another story.
Replace My Memory
A comedy for anyone with a past they'd rather forget.

_____________________________________________________

I especially like the 3rd to last one...

"You can erase someone from your mind. Getting them out of your heart is another story."

Some people erase someone by running away, others do so by having a rebound, some resort to different substances, etc. I wonder, can you remember and forget at the same time? The reason I said this is because some say,

"oh you just need to forget about it and move on"

But then some say,

"Remember the good times, learn from it, treasure the memories"

You have to know one thing, that moving on is not that easy.
It's not like you're leaving everything behind and moving somewhere else; you're still in the same space breathing the same air going to the same places. Everything stays the same and the difference is tiny, miniscule. It doesn't even make a difference to ANYBODY else in this World but you, and you alone. That's why you feel so alone. You feel like you're in this perpetual Black Hole.

But we all crawl back from this Black Hole... dunno how (oh would somebody please tell me), but we all eventually make it, because the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is our will to love, our will to fall in love.

Unpublished posts

A few posts remain in Draft status, most of the time it's because I started writing it, but didn't finish it at that moment, so it'd remain in the "black hole" forever.

Not that I don't want to finish it, but this blog is about my feelings, and sometimes just some BS comment I'd like to make at that moment. When the moment passes, you just lose interest or you don't know how to continue writing. The concepts are gone, or "outdated", or maybe, forgotten.

Feelings come and go. And yes, you can't predict, guarantee, or hold on to a feeling. (But that doesn't mean that we can't try, right?)

... I've just lost my train of thought...

Sometimes, you get exhausted from feeling so much, and it becomes... a blob... a thing that you can't quite define. Maybe it's a good thing to be numb.... blah blah blah, blah blah blah...

Sunday, January 13, 2008

What can you do

What can you do.
What can you do?

I wish something could be done... :(

Saturday, January 12, 2008

十八年前的事

今晚我放棄一位摯友的音樂會,去了一個跟舊中學同學的聚會。
當年只完成中二課程的我,十多年來都沒有跟中學同學有什麽來往。但其中都有一兩個最終成爲很要好得朋友。

十幾個同學中,有好幾位,真是差不多十八年都沒有見過。好奇的是,十四位中,至少有三四個什麽都沒有改變。可能有些是肥了、頭髮少了,但與我所記得的真的沒有太大出入。不過,可能走的時候年紀還小,所以,幾個個別同學個子高了、大舊了。

母校裏,中一到中三是同班的,然後中四開始分理科及文科班。小弟沒有經過中學選科或會考的洗禮。。。中二已經遠走亞美利堅,所以跟這些由少玩到大的老朋友真的沒有太大的集體回憶。十多個年頭大家做了什麽?往英國讀書的有、澳洲的都有、當然香港的就更加多。現在,有些當上什麽投資銀行的顧問、分析員,作核數的也幾個,醫生、電訊設備系統、心理醫生、建築師、律師、工程師、外展訓練導師。。。大家都有了自己的calling。十四個人,七個已經結婚。我想,都差不多了。。。人生行到第三個十年,都應該有確定及清晰的方向,找到分享生命的另一半。是他們的生活“正統”?或是我的生活沒有方向?大有可能兩者皆是。

他們是否開心,我不清楚;亦未有太大興趣探討。始終,大家的世界不同,成長得過程不一樣,沒有什麽同樣的經歷。有時覺得自己的經歷大不同,但是亦只是自己太自我中心。每個人都有自己的故事,奈何要評論其他人的生活呢?自己有時做太多武斷的評論,爲什麽?是要自己提高對自己的評價?自我欣賞度過低?自尊或自我價值較低?未知。。。

很多時候,自己是内向的;沒趣亦沒時間去應酬。與自己一班圍内好友一起,感覺是舒服的,亦頗有安全感。雖然重遇十多嵗時的一圍同學是一個。。。“很不同”的聚會,但始終有點兒格格不入。起初我們還要作自我十年回顧的介紹。。。有點兒生硬、而且有點悶罷。沒有關係的關係,是根本大家的世界從一個共用的班房變成十四個小宇宙而所以演變成完全的斷線,還是十多年都沒見就是大家彼此關係的見證?這些可能就是答案。

與之前“Regret”一篇相呼應,其實有些記憶是埋在腦後。同學提起班房中的瑣事。。。“王伯”、“Mr. Siu”、“Miss Mok”是十多年來遺忘了的片斷。想起某些同學的趣事、老師的花名,都令自己會心微笑。

聚會結束後,飛過中環第二場,與一班摯友吃甜點。很多事,盡在不言中。講的笑話、小小的點頭,已經可以令我說:心領了。

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

苦中作樂, Reprise

When the going gets tough the tough keeps going.

Seems like an inspirational quote that we should pledge alligence to during times like these. If anything, I realize one thing... that there is really nothing you can do to make you feel better. There's no quick remedy, nothing you could do to make it hurt any less. You can try to fill you schedule with dinners, movies, gym, exercise, etc. but really, none of these would help. It's like going to jail, it's a fixed sentence, and you're gonna do time no matter what. But if somehow you have good behaviour, they might let you out early and finally you get back to your old self. Previously, I had taken the route of being on exile, and that turns out to be a bad idea... because you simply prolong the healing process and you never really get over it. So... Jail vs. Exile, for the long-term well-being, jail time seems to be the "better" way. (c'mon, is there really a BETTER way for this?)

My X'mas present turns out to be a blessing for times like these, and I am rediscovering some songs that I used to like alot, including this one:

某次 某晚 生命中某人
臨分手也狠 說世界誰比我親
我信那兩秒的我 曾經是最開心的人
幸福純屬偶然 誰介意沒永生

*還記得幸福的感覺 苦中可作樂 已堪稱快樂
 誰為寂寞戀愛 將來也許更寂寞
 能記得受苦的知覺 苦中總有樂 還祈求甚麼
 若永久一起無方 我也懂得難過
 已證明 曾發生的不算幻覺*

你說每次見到我 良心便再得到試煉
熱戀容或偶然 朋友永遠發展
Repeat*

你能對我講 曾真心喜歡著我
亦已真心不喜歡我 還求甚麼
Repeat*

Sunday, January 06, 2008

無題

有時d歌詞真係寫得好到肉...



最好 有生一日都愛下去
但誰人 能將戀愛當做終生興趣
生活 其實旨在找到個伴侶
面對現實 熱戀很快變長流細水

可惜我 不智或僥倖
對火花天生敏感
不過 兩隻手拉的太緊
愛到過了界那對愛人
同時亦最易變成一對敵人

*合︰也許相愛很難
就難在其實雙方各有各寄望 怎麼辦
要單戀都難 受太大的禮會
內疚卻也無力歸還
也許不愛不難 但如未成佛升仙
也會怕愛情前途黯淡
愛不愛都難
未快樂先有責任給予對方面露歡顏

#得到浪漫 又要有空間
得到定局 卻怕去到終站
然後付出多得到少不介意豁達
又擔心有人看不過眼

合︰可惜我 不智或僥倖
對火花天生敏感
不過 兩隻手拉的太緊
愛到過了界那對愛人
同時亦最易變成一對敵人

重唱 *,#

合︰無論熱戀中失戀中都永遠記住第一戒
別要張開雙眼

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

I could only feel the excitement...




Happy New Year.... WHOA>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Monday, December 31, 2007

Farewell 2007

Was starting a post about a Recap of 2007, but got too side-tracked and of course it'd be late now... so, that will be posted under a separate post later. :)

In the meantime, I wish you a safe and fun New Year celebration welcoming a fruitful 2008 for all. :)

Mx reporting from the USA

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Regret

It has taken me a long time, but I have finally learned the word "regret" on this trip.

My friend YH said that maybe I just like having drama in my life and having self-pity from time to time. But, whether it's true or not true, I do sincerely feel, that there is much to regret about. I don't know whether making this small trip is the right thing to do, or just a way to feel more sorry about myself. Instead of celebrating a colourful past, I feel sorrow and sadness. Is it the rainy weather? the familiar streets? the people? the season? or everything combined which remind me so much of it.

Life is hard.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

American style Christmas, American Life

Reporting on location from the US, so I use English ga la (actually, the problem is I can't find the Chinese input method here...)

Arrived yesterday after a 12-hour flight... after unloading my stuff at home, went nearby to an American diner, and had a true American-style waffle with 2 eggs and sausages... YUM! Sorry, didn't take a picture... but I guarantee you it was really good. Nothing beats warm butter and real maple syrup.

In order to get over jetlag, I tried my best not to sleep during the day... so I drove our family's old Camry that has over 110k miles on it. Still runs perfectly, and in good condition. Do you notice that we don't have any old cars in HK? Of course not counting those classic cars. But it's hard to find many "cheen chut" in HK. Mostly it's because of registration requirements and the inconvenience of having to go through the required smog checks every year after the car turns 7 years old.

Anyway, after breakfast I went to the local gym, the REAL 24-hour fitness. It's a Friday and it's still quite packed during lunch. Like the no-frills style gym, almost looks like it's housed in warehouse. My take is... a gym is a gym. As long as it has adequate equipment in good condition, that's all I need!

Another of my favourite living in the US, is going to the bookstore. Barnes and Noble and Borders are two of my favourites. I like Borders better, because B&N is just getting too big. But anyway, after gym I headed to B&N and browsed through the periodicals sections. Always a good way to spend spare time, looking through gossips magazines, Travel and Leisure, Fitness, Real Estate and stuff. I also like looking through Robb Report Christmas edition, where they showcase the most outrageous Christmas gifts... this year, a Ferrari F1, a 300-carat diamond, million-dollar yachts, etc. Good to dream from time to time.

Went to a movie afterwards... "Enchanted".

Had been looking forward to seeing this movie since seeing its trailer in late Summer, and also reading it on Donald's blog. What a fresh approach to Disney classics. And the characters are so lovable! The little girl Morgan (played by Rachel Covey) is just so adorable. And though I've never been a "Grey's Anatomy" fan, Patrick Dempsey also did quite well, and is very charming,and what's there not to like about his character? Prince Edward (James Marsden)'s character is quite hollow, maybe written to reflect reality in fairy tales? That nothing is ever perfect. Marsden sings quite well though. Amy Adams is just a pleasure to watch, and of course how could you not love a fallen Princess in Sin City?

It's always a favourite thing of mine to catch movies in the US, because they don't get released in HK until months after. I'll probably also do:
The Savages

Charlie Wilson's War

I'm Not There

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

27 Dresses

No Country for An Old Man


Hope I've got enough time :)

Saturday, December 15, 2007

2007 bye bye!!!

December is half way over, and as I mentioned back in October, the last 2 months of the year always fly by so quickly.

This is not a "Recap of 2007" post yet, but since I'm just COMPLETELY bored now, I might as well write some random thoughts down.

1. I love old pictures. Last week I bought an old vintage photo (real one, not a reproduction) for a friend's birthday. It's a photo taken in 1950 from Bowrington Road towards Leighton Hill, where he and his wife live now. It's not of anybody's interest unless you are into that sort of stuff, and since the location is so obscure (Leighton Hill was a former Government Staff Quarters site), it has never been published in any of those "Old Hong Kong" books. But I thought it was such a rare find, and my friend liked it much (or so he claimed, haha). The photo of course is quite expensive, but hey, to see that it's money well-spent, THAT's priceless. If you're ever into these old photos, reprints or otherwise, check out Picture This at Prince's Building in Central. This is where I bought that photo. I also found another similar store, but at a lesser known location, at the junction of Old Bailey Street and Hollywood Road. They seem to have a big collection, but not as "packaged" as Picture This. The name of this store just escaped me, but when you stand at that junction, you'll see its entrance at the foot of the steep decline that is Old Bailey.
2. Preservation of King Yin Lei seems to be a hot topic lately. I am for sure all for preservation of these built heritage, because most of our beautiful architecture are gone forever. That is why I like looking at old photos... you'll be amazed of what kind of buildings that once stood in HK. But then, we don't have a comprehensive policy to balance property rights and the need to preserve these places. If you think about it, these property owners, most likely investors, are "penalized" for owning a piece of beautiful architecture. There needs to be a way to create a win-win-win situation for all.
I've included a few of these buildings, still standing or gone forever, for you to check out. :)
3. The end of 2007 signals an end to many things. I really hope 2008 would be as eventful as it has been in 2007. :)
This mansion is now redeveloped into one of the most expensive piece of real estate in the world. You can own one of the 4 houses now stand here for a hefty HK$400m+.

This property, referred to as Kingslere Hotel, stood on Kennedy Road at the turn of the 20th century. I have yet to identify it exact location, but I suspect it to be somewhere near the present-day Monmouth Terrace.

Funny how we have to bring the train back to Tsim Sha Tsui after the demolition of this beautiful train terminus in 1978.


What is this today? Filippino Central: World-Wide House.


And this? You might be surprised. This is HSBC in the 1920s.

The old "Lo Chun Ting" is not the object of my fascination, it's that white humongous apartment building in the bottom right that is interesting. It looks exactly like an apartment block taken from London. This is present-day Peak Galleria.

Still one of the most classical building ever stood in Central. Don't know when exactly it was demolished, but back in my primary school days, it had already become an indistinguishable Government structure with a public car park and post office. Present-day location: part of Cheung Kong Centre where the retail space and the pubic toilet are.


Not far from the above photo, the building on the front left is now the benchmark of Central office rents and sales: No. 9 Queen's Road Central.

The future of this? Who knows?

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Planning for Cherry Blossom?

Whoaaaaaaaaa..... (Courtesy of the website quoted below)


A plan discussed long ago, and a trip I've always wanted to make.... Now we finally begin some intial discussions and initial planning.

But seems like seeing cherry blossom in Japan as a group requires some ingenius planning...

1. Only long holiday in March is Easter, which is the 2nd to last weekend of March in 2008.

2. According to A Beginner's Guide to Cherry Blossom Viewing, on average, cherry blossom comes at the end of March/beginning of April for Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto.



3. When you involve more than 4 people in the planning it'd get VERY messy when it comes to airlines, hotels, or even WHICH city to visit.


Oooooooooooh!

Of course, the actual time of the trees blossoming varies depending on the weather that year. For example, in 2007 and 2006, Tokyo had her cherry blossom on March 20 and 21, respectively. Osaka/Kyoto had about 4-6 days later. So, we still might be just a tad early... and what a disappointment it'd be if we are just too early by a few days!


But anyway, maybe we'll think of another good reason to visit Japan... what about the food, the shopping, the new developments, the hot springs, the ryokans, or just being silly with a bunch of good friends on the streets of Tokyo? All sounds good to me. ;)

Ahhhhhhhh~~~~!

Monday, December 03, 2007

When are you a quitter, and when are you a realist?

Funny...

I had some free time this weekend, and watched some TV at home.... (it's something I don't do much of anymore, but once in a while is fun)


There was America's Next Top Model, and then there was Project Runway. I am NOT the fashion kind, AT ALL, but it's still fun watching these so-called "reality" series.


In this week's episode of ANTM, this gal Ebony decided that she's had enough. Despite her cool looks, slender and tall build, and very bitchy attitude, she decided that modeling is NOT for her. That is after begging Tyra Banks (Exec Producer) to pick her in her audition tape, and doing quite well in previous photo shoots. When she volunteered to be "voted out", Tyra said she "the most unattractive thing in the world is a quitter" (Yes, I just checked it from YouTube to verify), and so Ebony goes.

Of course I'm not providing commentary on this, but it just got me thinking... when is quitting OK because you realize that it's just not gonna work however hard you try? Now of course you can say, for work situations, you just try for a little while longer and in the meantime, look for something better. Which I agree. But what if this is about relationships? You can't do that absolutely!

Can you rationally make a decision that no, it's not gonna work, and break it off? And we all say, oh of course, why waste each others' time? But if you think carefully, wouldn't you try your best to see if it could work because there's already so much invested? Especially when apparently both sides are still into each other?
.......................
The property market has been on a rapid upswing for the last couple of months. But as most other investment tools, stocks, bonds, funds, etc., those so-called "experts" always tell us, we should set a target when to sell and when to cut losses. Does it apply to relationships too? hmmm.... hmmmmm.... hmmm... P-r-o-b-a-b-l-y...

Funny how we resort to songs we love for guidance. Then I think, what do those lyricists know? What make their lyrics a bible to love? Doesn't it belittle relationships because it's just a whole bunch of sappy words that rhyme? That was a joke. :) but honestly, what make these classic love songs reference materials of how we should handle relationships? Isn't that the beauty of human interactions, because everyone is different, so every relationship is different? But it seems not! Because the same issues always seem to come up. Stories you hear from friends, ones that you experience yourself. It is true, it's those sappy love songs on "Repeat" mode.

Here's one of those songs: "At the Brink of Love and Pain" by Faye Wong <愛與痛的邊緣>



A song I was listening to when I worked 'till 4am last week: "Getting Off By Mistake" by Sammi Cheng <落錯車>(that's a funny translation, eh? haha)



One of the newer Sandy favourites of mine: "Poor Communication" <詞不達意>



What we should aim to become? Sandy's "Goodbye Sadness" <再見悲哀>


再見悲哀 - 林憶蓮
作曲:Eric Kwok
填詞:林夕
編曲:Eric Kwok/Ted Lo
監製:Eric Kwok

*再見悲哀因我不再計較任何結果
 甚麼都可以坦蕩未在乎誰是錯
 我兩眼合上失去甚麼 是與非也掠過
 別固執到問一切為何

 再見傷感因我不易被淚流留住我
 甚麼的境界都愛自自然地渡過
 去到最尾就如與物忘我 回復身心最初
 面對心鏡內一片平和
 鳥聲瞬間閃過 (這麼最好不過)*

除了心 只有心 可以解心鎖
煩惱多 因我要得多
微似砂 輕似煙 怎會有風波
有惆悵 跌入了恆河

情路太彎 過就過 當是個經過
感動的愛 當做一次砌磋
沿途上遇上甚麼 都欣賞過
投入時便快樂一起過

REPEAT*

傻也好 痴也好 因你記得多
忘記的 比你記的多

懷念最好 我便會 繼續愛惜我
花瓣飄過 美在不顧結果
人存活在世就似沙粒飛過
誰又曾為了誰褒貶過

REPEAT*

這麼最好不過 全是一種經過

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Have you cast your vote today?


本來都沒有特別留意、亦沒有心去投票。
但始終:投票權是作爲公民的權利,我們應好好運用。
在現有的機制下,這是我們唯一可以參與的民主選舉。所以投那個候選人都好,最緊要是你沒有白費這個不是世上人人都可以擁有的基本權利。

我今早已經投票啦!

Friday, November 30, 2007

2:20am, what's on my mind?

Never thought I was the type that would stay at work until this late, but then, what can you do? When the company is understaffed and people are not delivering as you expected, it either means you have to shift one gear up, or you look for something else.

Well, I'm trying... (which one? haha)

It's actually not as bad as it sounds. 2:25am now, listening to David Tao on my computer... waiting for a draft from a colleague who's sitting 20 feet away... after that I'll need to compile it into the main text and send it out. Why do I bother to tell you all this anyway? I think because I am dead tired and I am not thinking straight....

Oh, it's now one of Jonathan Li Chong Shing's classic "Hard to Stand the Loneliness". Love this song. Not that because I'm lonely or anything... but it perfectly depicts the sentiments of people of our age... 寂寞难耐、时光不再、只有自己为自己悲哀、这一次我的心情不高不低不好不坏。

2:28am, when can I go home?

Was just googling earlier, and found that there's another blog by another C H Mak... he's blog is on Yahoo... seems like he's a father or something, because there's a picture of a dad holding a baby in his arms... Funny, I am coming up in Google searches nowadays... not that there are many instances, but still good to be seen "out there". *sigh* things we do when we are just... wasting time....

2:30am... Miriam is singing "Here Comes the Wolf". Missed her concert last month. Most people who'd seen it said her singing was quite good this time... well... IT'S ABOUT TIME. Like some of her songs... but it seems her songs are very forgettable. The song might be a hit for a year, but when you listen to it again next year you'll find it SO DATED. What could she do now? Stuck in that time in her career when she could either be put on the alter (Sun Toi), or she could open up a new blood path?

2:33am... A-Mei singing "May I Hold You, My Lover?" Yes, please.

2:34am... Was thinking about my travel plans again. It looks like my US plans might be changed. My travel companion is cancelling, but my ticket is non-refundable... so I might still go, but for a shorter period of time. Oh well, will see see. No rush anyway. I'm out of paid leave already, so cutting it short wouldn't mean much to work... I should probably just try to enjoy some time off work.

2:36am... I checked a few blogs everyday... Fun's, Wordy's, and Donald's Movie Blog. Fun's is always fun to read. Not only his writing is funny, people who leave messages on his blog are also funny too. Wordy's always very insightful, and I don't have any friends like him... or so it seems from reading his writing (I don't actually KNOW him). Love it when he writes about his adventures around town at all those yummy Japanese restaurants. Donald's a true movie buff and he's my source for notable upcoming movies... Now I don't have to buy Entertainment Weekly anymore for movie reviews. Donald's quite comprehensive and well-stocked.

2:39am... Now Fong Dai Tung is singing "Love Love Love". Went to a small concert he gave earlier this year at the Arts Centre. This kid is quite amazing, but not sure if he'd ever make it big in the local market. Hong Kong afterall is not a place for those with pure talents. But Khalil is a joy to watch in live performance. Very talented, very comfortable on stage.

2:41am... Sammi sings "Getting Off at the Wrong Stop". She's never been my favorite, but a couple of her songs make it into my "music library". I think it's the melody and lyrics that I love about this song. There is a tragic beauty about getting off at the wrong stop and maybe it's predestined?

Ok, I'll end right here now because if you're not asleep yet, I will be. ;)

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Sandy Live '07: 強力回歸

Courtesy of Sandyandme.com
是尾場的關係?當然。

之前九晚鬰左甘耐,尾場一次個釋放出來。

昨晚顯然是fans大聚會。死硬派必然之選。前九晚的問題,其實是憶蓮差不多被逼要收斂。皆因死硬派分散曬,群衆力量未能合二爲一。前幾次的Concert,4場、5場,頭尾場一定是自己人天下,而中間的周末場(星期四、五),都一定大有捧場者。今次就分散左,唯有尾場才能聚首一堂。
沒想到“自制空間”都是一首跳舞個,就是大家個躉已經等左九晚,已經急不及待。
今次之前沒有聼過演唱的,有“早晨”(作爲換衫/中場位,令過程更加順暢),“再見悲哀”(出奇地沒有忘記歌詞,因歌詞實在kiu口)。
“哭”已經升華至今年Concert的highlight。我覺得憶蓮其實可以再多改旋律的唱法,令歌曲更加耳目一新。

Encore部分是前九晚都沒有的。尾場又怎能缺少?一開始,“詞不達意”,貫徹始終,是國語大碟“呼吸”裏面的一首熱門sidetrack。之後的“為你我受冷風吹”,雖然是熱歌,但經過重新編排,用soft rock配樂,加了一點搖滾味道,更加grunge,顯示歌者的無奈及不忿,與淒麗的原曲有明顯的分別。

一次Encore已經滿足,誰知Sandy再次出場,而期待的“傾斜”再出,熱血沸騰、全場勁唱。跳完再跳,又來多次“逃離鋼筋森林”,以爲一定會完,點知要我們唱“依然”。雖然反應沒比我想象中熱烈,可能背景配樂太大聲?但令到2007年尾場超越1996年“憶蓮盛放”尾場、8號風球全場棒都唔走的情景更熱烈,就是近代經典“沒結果”。其實“沒結果”都唱過不少次。但自1993年“天地野花”之後,勁嗌的尾段都已經刪掉。今次,差不多有1993年那次的勁嗌,但唯缺最後最後最高的一part。但話雖如此,今時今日Sandy的performance,比1993年因嗌而嗌的version有過之而無不及,亦比以往1996及2005年的來的徹底,並以全場沸騰至頂點的氣氛下作Finale。

This is Completeness. 是一個時代的總結,另一個的開始。做過紅館、會展、匯星,連sidetrack再sidetrack都唱埋,仲可以玩什麽?不如重新開始?
Courtesy of Imagezero

Monday, November 19, 2007

Sandy Live '07 Take Three - Incomplete? Complete...

實在太High.
需要時間collect下d thoughts.
原來缺少了的互動,是要一班死硬派fans去做就的。
今次演唱會的intended effects,終於在11月18日尾場完全釋放。。。

Please let me have a private moment with this euphoria....................................

Saturday, November 17, 2007

闊別2年,慢左添。。。


上次跑10k,是2005年嚕。上年跑過15k、又玩過兩項(遊水+跑步)、這兩年又試過Ocean Swim。沒時間練更長途(半馬?),唯有再玩10k啦。

天水圍,奈何最近被冠以什麽“悲情xx”(其實,我對標簽比較抗拒。點解要把整個社區定位成一個形容詞呢?做些有建設性的建議罷),自己對他的認識只基於新市鎮規劃、區内樓盤。天水圍的規劃,從一個社區概念(neighbourhood concept)出發。你會發現,圍繞市鎮公園是嘉湖山莊不同期數的住宅群。中間除了有體育場、酒店、商場,還有面積頗大的園林公園。有輕鐵、西鐵,有三號幹綫、西部通道。在平面上,規劃做的不錯。問題出於那?其實新市鎮由初期開始(荃灣、屯門、以及沙田等)都希望做到自給自足的功能。意思是本區生活、本區工作的目標。長途commute,既浪費時間、更不符合可持續發展理念。但是在香港,中環、金鐘、灣仔、尖沙嘴始終是employment centre。連政府都不肯把行政中心遷離市中心。做成Central-Wanchai Bypass一定要建、中區寫字樓租金日日上升(差不多到1994年歷史高位咯)、每天地鐵上班下班時間都逼爆。政府爲何不帶領市場到新的地區,創建一個新的Administrative Node?講是容易,内裏的issues很多很多。
Anyway,呢篇blog的原意是講10k...

沿著天水圍外圍路跑,都使不錯的一條路綫。天色不錯,只是從港島去新界東北,真是很遠。西隧後、長青隧道、再丁九橋、大欖隧道。。。都要40分鐘。

Nike 10k很多人參加,而且大多數是跑的,不像渣兜10k,很多無聊人只掛拍照。

成績退步了一點,唯有在2008渣兜10k新賽道再挑戰自己罷。



AM / FI / MM
(Courtesy of Fun生活)

Sandy Live '07 Take Two - 再度懊惱

Rundown已經定下,根據Sandyandme.com的每天報道,從第六場(14號晚)開始已經沒有什麽變動。

15號,星期四,第七場,陪阿媽去看。她對憶蓮的歌沒甚印象;我知道Sandy唱冷門歌,對媽都應該沒有任何分別。就讓她接觸我其中的一個摯愛罷。

ahem.....

都沒有什麽好講。憶蓮始終是憶蓮。前幾天聼過某網上留言用“不同凡響”來形容2007演唱會。都算非常貼切。作爲忠實粉絲,我只可以說,我是支持Sandy的。不如分享一下一些片斷罷。

Fun的:“誰像你好”


今次我最愛的一首:“哭”


將成爲繼“微涼”之後的另一首熱冷歌。。。破曉的別曲,有憶蓮自彈自唱:“夢了”


9場"Incomplete"後,尾場(18號)會是完滿的結束嗎?她不在乎,但我是期待。。。

Sunday, November 11, 2007

令人懊惱的嘗試

“走在大街的女子”(courtesy of Fun生活)

望到頸到長埋,但小弟終於在昨晚看了Sandy '07 Live。
之前要求Fun閉嘴,自己亦沒有去check其他fans的留言板。。。

其實一路以來都知道今次的演唱會形式不同。沒有快歌之餘,會以歌會友。

新venue,一直在留意floorplan。其實都不會期待什麽華麗製作。我覺得budget是一個問題。雖然貴飛要$680。但場地始終是小,而聽講雖然場地日租比較便宜,但setup cost都不平。而且,打正以歌會友旗號,當然是一切從簡啦。

結果,是一個簡單的白色background、一條像"Truman Show"片尾的一道通往“世外”的樓梯、一條搭上天的木梯、及考考你想象力的“人面或花樽”立體雕塑,就成爲今次的舞臺。

憶蓮在某interview上,早已提過聘請日本的lighting及visual effects大師為她做創作。不能否認,visual的確是一流。尤其是其中一幕用Sandy的一些相片油畫化再morph、另外把NYC的建築變成波波都很有趣。當然“走在大街的女子”的多個憶蓮一起唱的Acapella亦是very visually stunning。至於網上一些留言提及的那片雲及那盆盆栽。。。我就沒有什麽感覺嚕。

令我懊惱的,不是簡單化的舞臺藝術,而是她決絕的零交流。我贊成,紅館的大型舞臺製作、次次都唱的“瘋了”、幾乎是指定的跳舞medley是可以免的。我記得我都曾經想過,如果Sandy可以開一個純音樂爲主的concert, 如她在臺灣試過的Unplugged,或在更小型的nightclub做個更intimate的聚會,就一流。今次我覺得她的idea,是想只focus在音樂上。Venue是適合的。燈光及音響都好。座位只屬ok。但可能令坐在後排的觀衆未能清楚看見。(can't they put the back section on a riser? Maybe not)選歌,很明顯是選了極偏門的“非大路非滄海遺珠”-即比遺珠更偏門的偏門歌。OK,如果要考考真fans的耐力,或一般觀衆對憶蓮“新的舊歌”的接受度,她是大膽。不能不承認,若沒有她當年做“野花”的guts,可以肯定就沒有憶蓮的神話,沒有了中文樂壇的經典。所以她的大膽,是我敬佩的。但爲何她一反常態減少與fans的交流、互動?昨晚她encore的發言,差不多是要我們接受她今次的堅持;而她的淚光,就好像她自己亦經過很多的掙扎才會下這個決定。聼歌,當然音樂爲首,但現場的難得,就是與歌迷的互動。以往每次的光景,除了一首又一首的classic之外,就是Sandy的真情流露。我不能忘記1996年的歲月流金Medley,2002年的“至少還有你”、2004年的“給我等最久的人”2005年的“感情不老”及“細水長流”。每次無論Sandy及歌迷都有多元的互動。我們熱情的反應,源自Sandy的溫暖、溫情。

今次的Concert,it's almost like a piece of Art.。藝術家的構思、他們的見解、想表達的東西,不是每個人可以明白。而concert裏面在background不時都寫了很多虛幻的statement,或藝術家/Sandy的ideals/principles。其實,若Sandy想以一個Art Project來構思這個演唱會,不如就印些場刊,表明曲目(起碼演唱會完了我們都不會奢求encore再encore),並解釋她想表達的意思。我去欣賞一件藝術品,都起碼有個label或一段文字。

我欣賞Sandy的堅持、她的大膽。但我始終懷念她與我們較親切的聚會。But Sandy, what a great accomplishment!

(courtesy of Fun生活)

後記:多首冷門歌中亦有一兩首大路歌。我十分喜歡“哭”的新編曲。除了新的唱法之外,整首歌改頭換面,猶如一首新歌。聼了“Incomplete”之後,想想。。。是暗示這個series未完,有part 2?

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Eventful October




“'Twenty'團友,請望鏡頭;有海豹嗎?”

不久前先至話10月會很忙。今日都已經來到10月27號嚕。。。

到現在爲止已經與5個天枰座的friend吃過飯: AM, PL, JH, FI, PC,還有我哥。。。仲欠他一份禮物添。。。不過他已經收到最大的禮物了,一個BB女。 :)

.....

今年應該是驛馬星動。中秋去了澳門1晚。重陽去了臺北4天。前兩個星期六又去了什麽香園圍、蓮麻坑、沙頭角field trip。剛剛又安排了年尾的北美之旅。都覺得幾幸福架。。。呵呵呵。又是時候開始計劃下年的旅程了。其實建議是很多。單單每日同阿Fun發白日夢都已經有十七八個地方話要去。目的地的概念其實真的是有的:

日本:差不多3年沒去了。Midtown都沒去過。京都就更加有成7年沒去嚕。可能終于可以看到春天的櫻花?日本的美食就更加不能放過,尤其是看過Wordy的日本遊記;多羡慕。。。成功機會:40%

加拿大/美國:阿Fun又令我懷念北美的自然風光。以前去過Yosemite、Grand Tetons多次。Whistler,Mount Rainier,Death Valley都去過。其實我很嚮往去住下的Cabin啊,一班人整早餐,去Hiking,圍住個火爐講下故仔、玩下Games。不過同道中人沒多個;仲要撲到阿美利堅gum遠。。。成功機會:少於20%

北京:離香港不遠,而且景點多多。加上2008奧運,究竟會大亂還是不能錯過?數數手指,上一次去都已經。。。很久以前(約9年嚕),要去去走走逛逛看看。。。成功機會:95%
南非洲:一個要好的舊同學去了Zambia工作。當然要把握這個機會去看看咯。除了獅子老虎之外,當然是風土人情啦。但時間與金錢是個很大的concern。要計計條數先。。。成功機會:30%

當然,其他如上海(90%)、曼谷(50%)、星加坡(70%)呢d短綫遊就梗會去既。只要睇下有沒有人發板架姐。

......

最近行山,終于再次衝出港島區(西貢/新界太遠啦吧),並首次登上釣魚翁。雖然當天煙霞好勁,但都不損我們5人的心情。貴為“香港三尖”之一的釣魚翁,其實不難攀。只是南面的山坡非常峻峭,下山比較難。好在我們選擇由那邊登峰,從北面下山。不過都米話,上到山頂都幾嚇人架。。。來緊周日,大老山。


頗峻峭的釣魚翁北面
......

有個要好的朋友有近親過身。黯然覺得有點兒傷感。除了擔心朋友的心情之外,又自我反省有沒有盡做兒子的本分。自己大學時候已經搬往大學住。跟遠在SIN的麥爸爸相見時間就更少。雖然最近幾年他大部分時間都在香港,但都好似沒有特別什麽考順。上年他大壽都是近年唯一特別為他搞的一件事。。。麥媽媽近年都來香港多了,而離緊11月又會見到她了。上年跟他去了一個短trip,都很開心。甘又一年了。。。

.......

有沒有相可以分享先。。。等我看看。。。。

Here they are:


已經吃完的美味排骨


AM極力推介的貓空纜車上俯瞰臺北市


貓空的龍門客棧:自己泡凍頂烏龍都幾好玩

最左邊:入口即溶的Toro

位于台北101, 85樓向外望的景色:上方是松山機場

Saturday, October 06, 2007

October 1st

近排都睇左不少戯。比較出乎我意料的是“C+偵探”。一向都唔係Aaron的fans。甚至會對他的作品有點抗拒。不過朋友話要睇,咪陪他咯。
以爲是一般港產警匪片,開場才知到是在泰國取景的Suspense thriller。再睇下,至知道是小弟敬而遠之的鬼片。。。真是孤陋寡聞。
我喜歡的原因,一定與郭富城無關。但他亦算是交足功課;那些爛attitude都夠型夠格。
整套片成功之処,就是引人入勝。故事鋪排由一個無離頭的差事,變成一個越來越怪的連環兇殺案。製作認真,有黃德斌及商天鵝、成奎安、廖啓智。有笑亦有淚。是我近年比較欣賞的港產片(是港產的嗎?)。(“跟蹤”都好,但故事太太太簡單了)。其他有關黑社會、警匪片不是我的一杯羹。
------

中秋後,有兩個長weekend:十一及重陽。Thank heavens。30號去了行山,由跑馬地行上陽明山莊,再去淺水灣。朋友們要上山下水,所以便選了這條。都好,行過無數次,而且不算太易。到了淺水灣,四點幾,太陽已經不太猛,天色奇好,倒是一個末夏的優悠假期。


晚上去探剛搬進將軍澳的表姐。不是她渴望將軍澳的優美環境(!!!),而是女兒入了附近一所直資小學,便舉家搬進區内的一個新樓盤了。小朋友很開心,因爲Club House有個小朋友天地。唉。。。住客開心就得啦。

1號悠閒地過了一天,下午看了“I Now Pronoune You Chuck and Larry”。ok la。Can't expect too much。看之前與Fun在某Burger joint嘆過下午茶。(註:熱狗不太好食)

晚上在海港城用晚膳並在附近欣賞煙花。尖沙嘴看煙花始終比港島多処優秀。



(怫然閒覺得自己在寫中學時候的週記添)

Monday, October 01, 2007

我看“色戒”


易與王



DonaldFun的好評,以及“接收到”的信息,已經對“色戒”有不少的期望。而係甘高的期望之下,我敢衷心的說,“可能有更好的嗎?”雖然套戯完了之後沒有哪些深層的討論或細心的分析,但以一套電影來講,單看劇本、演員表現、配音、背景等(老香港做的很真哦),真是近乎完美。


自己沒有看過張愛玲的原著,對中國近代史亦未有什麽了解。其實本來都沒有心急要早看的,但coincidentally得知皇后戲院將結業,便在星期六加班之後跑落中環,好在又有位,便因“色戒”第一次、亦是最後一次進入皇后了。聽講現在的戲院是以前“變身”前過千的座位的大戲院的超等,所以座椅特別舒服、坐下去之後張凳是會“suet”出來的。


10月1號的皇后戲院

9月29號的戲票





戯來講,聽説劇本與原著很近。劇本節奏適中,前段鋪排得很好,可以感受到王佳芝的半推半就成爲間諜的前科;本身肯為愛人付出一切的王,貫徹始終。對鄺裕民的、對易先生的都是。我給湯唯的演出吸引住,對她的表現十分欣賞;簡直蓋過任何其他演員的光芒。梁朝偉的表現,充分表現易的戒心、用情慾捆綁、完全佔有對方的心理戰。之前是傳媒焦點的勁激床上戯,其實開場很久都未開戰,可能就是令人極度期待的原因之一?

製作認真、每個細節都滿分完成,就是沒有一個地方可以批評罷。。。Easily one of the best films of 2007...



喂,其實若果你對“麥先生、麥太太”的豪宅與“易先生”香港的住所拍攝場地的地點有興趣。。。麥宅是位于寶珊道30號(曾經在2005年以HKD$3億元賣出,但最後沒有完成交易)、建成超過五十年的古老大屋,而易宅就是曾經在王家衛“2046”中作爲“東方酒店”場景的域多利道政府物業(傳聞是以前政府盤問及拘留政治疑犯的地方)。

域多利道政府物業:租庇利炮台的一部分(source: www.hk-place.com)