Chung King Express Deleted Scenes

Chungking Express is one of my favourite movies of all time. I found these two videos on YouTube. Wong Kar Wai explains the inspiration and concept behind the movie.

Reviewing - The September Issue

I bet you all didn’t know there is this facet of me…

I had been writing this review since last year, but was unable to complete it somehow. I decided to just clean up and post whatever which I had written.

Though  “fat”  and  “fashion” does not rhymes, but in recent years, under the  influence  of fashion-related TV shows i.e. America Next Top Model, Project  Runway,  Ugly  Betty  and The Devil Wears Prada, I have taken a keener  interest  in  Fashion.  Not that I have become more stylish as a result  (on  the contrary I have none to speak of), but I have grew more curious about the industry.

2009 seems to be a year dedicated to powerful women in the fashion industry. Earlier showing in Singapore, there was the movie “Coco Avant Chanel”. A movie supposedly about Mademoiselle before she became the legendary “Coco Chanel”. I too had wanted to watch it but did not manage to do so before it went down. Then after that, there was the documentary movie “The September Issue”.

Directed by RJ Cutler, the man who made the documentary titled “The War Room” which famously documented the Clinton’s (Mr Clinton’s) presidential campaign. The September Issue talks about how Vogue editor team worked on and published the largest issue (to date) of magazine in September 2007. Interestingly, the movie also gave a rare insight of how Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of America’s Vogue, run the magazine.

This movie can’t come at a better time, I feel. “The Devil Wears Prada” book was supposedly based on her. There were much speculations on whether she is really as the “devilish” or hard to work with as portrayed in the book/movie. This movie captured her at work, letting us to judge for ourselves on what kind of a person she really is.

Like Anna described herself, she is a very decisive person. I can definitely see that quality of her in the documentary. Anna knows what she wants and articulate her likes and dislikes to her staff clearly. So decisive she was that she will not hesitate to take out a millions dollars worth of photo shoots if it will not work in the magazine. 

She is also very goal driven person. Her father suggested to her that she should be editor of Vogue when she was young and amazingly she never derailed from her father’s wishes since then. Of course, there is also the pageboy bob haircut which she had stick to for decades. I am very amazed by her determination. How many of us can really stick to one thing and hold onto it till the end? It takes a lot from a person to do so.

Despite all the notorious criticisms of her, many of the staff at Vogue had worked under her for years, some even decades. In her own words, if she is really that bad of a person, then her staff must be a glutton for punishment.

While many people had known her to be cold (not sure if it was inherently a Brit thing), but she does have a warm side.  Other than Anna Wintour – The Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, she is also a mother.

I remembered most vividly of the scene where the director interviewed Anna’s daughter, whom she affectionately called “Bee”. Director asked what Bee would like to do as a career which she promptly replied that she is interested in Law. As Bee was elaborating, the camera turned towards Anna. Despite remained smilingly, there is a disappointing look in her eyes. Anna had hoped that her daughter would want to become an editor of Vogue like herself. Perhaps sensing the disappointment from her mum, Bee knowingly turned and apologised to her mum before she continued to elaborate on her choice.

I also remembered the movie ended with interview scene with Anna where she was first asked on what she thinks is her strength, which she had replied “Decisiveness”. When asked of her weakness, she replied in a somewhat resigned smile “My children”.

There is no doubt that Anna Wintour is a talented woman. She had helped to launch many famous designers’ career. That is an unrivaled contribution to the fashion industry. However, it was always conveniently overlooked by others. At times, I cannot help but to wonder whether criticisms were directed to her because of her gender. Would people still be so critical of her if she is not woman?

What do you think?

Check out the official trailer of The September Issue

Ch 8 抢摊大行动 - Bedok Reservoir Rd Chicken Rice

Ok, anyone watched the channel 8 show - 抢摊大行动’s Bedok Reservoir Chicken Rice episode just now?

I felt so sorry for the hawker – Xiong. He lost the gold medal because of one vote!

I have been a fan of the show and have watched several episodes this season. Out of so many hawkers who participated, Xiong showed the most enthusiasm. I was pretty impressed by him from start that he appeared to be positive despite his plight. Also, different from the usual 抢摊hawkers who always appeared blur and slow, he do not even need to be prompt by the host Quan Yi Feng and Zhong Qin to listen or to start asking questions and even took initiative to ask the Chef relevant questions. Of course, one might argued that he had 20 years of experience to begin with, thus appeared to be at ease and could learn the rope fast. But what is more heartening is that he displayed positive attitude throughout the show.

I thought he had a high chance of getting gold, but too bad he met a difficult食客 (eater)。 She commented that the rice was too hard and that the chicken meat was uncooked. I was slightly flabbergasted when hearing her comments. Indeed, I did not taste the chicken rice myself, but from what I see the chicken meat looked quite decent, the boiled chicken looked quite tender. Rest of the 29 eaters also thought that the food is nice. Furthermore, Chef Judges also gave their thumbs up. Contrary to that eater’s controversial comments, executive chef from Fairmount rebutted that the rice texture was just nice, not too hard nor too soft. Chef Daniel commented that chicken meat is also perfectly cooked.

I wondered if there were any selection criteria for those eaters? Though the show (not sure whether out of politeness) addressed them as foodies, but I doubt that they are really foodies. You see, anyone off the street can eat and tell you their preference, but not everyone knows how to eat. Eating and knowing how to eat are different skills sets. It is not easy to be a food critic. Now you know, food blogs are more than beautiful photos and tempting words.

Not sure who is more unlucky, the female eater who happened to have eaten a piece of uncooked meat, or Xiong who served her that fateful plate of alleged uncooked chicken meat…

I wish Bedok Reservoir Chicken Rice all the best and hope he would keep up the standard.

How to differentiate a good Chicken Rice?

Actually, what the lady said was incorrect. Good chicken rice texture should be slightly firm, flavourful when eaten on its own and most importantly emitting fragrance of the fried onions and ginger. Unless she is referring to chicken rice balls, otherwise no one eat soft chicken rice.

Usually, when eating boiled chicken meat, you should be able to taste the tenderness and moisture in the meat. In order to retain the tenderness and moisture, cooking time and method are the crux of a good boiled chicken. Boiled Chicken are not boiled all the way, they are in fact boiled for 20 - 30 mins and left soaking in the hot water for 20 - 25 mins. This cooking method allows chicken meat to retain moisture and is usually just done. It is also common to see blood in the bones and thigh meat near the bones, but most of the time, they are not undercooked.

Boiled Chicken meat should also not have texture of the roasted chicken meat. Roasted Chicken (usually fried) is more well done and would have a firmer texture, less moisture.

Little Nonya 3 Minutes Extra Footage -The Final Nail...

Ok, what was that? Heavily publicised for a no content whatsoever to speak of 3 minutes footage? They just wasted 3 precious minutes of my time...

Just yesterday and this morning, I was thinking Mediacorp finally know how to play the marketing game. I had thought they actually shot an alternate ending to feed audiences' dissatisfaction with the original one. Though it was not new tactic for TVB did it once for their drama - La Femme Desperado (女人唔易做), so little Nonya will have the ending that Yue Niang and Chen Xi finally get together in the end. Plus the Chinese News Paper speculated the writer actually had 5 version of the ending, I was so into the thought of an alternate ending!

Whatever happened to the producer’s comment when asked if there will be a sequel – 见好就收?

This is typical – 画蛇添足。 Not one somemore, but three feet*.

Hai~ should have ended at the peak, now it is officially crappy show. Wasted my effort to try rebutt those bad press earlier on.

Read also:

• So, What is really wrong with "Little Nonya"?
• More on the drama "Little Nonya"

*Additional Note - Looks like the snake will have 6 feet now... Not sure if it is true, but I just heard that they are going to repeat the 3 minutes footage tomorrow... LOL...

More on the drama “Little Nonya”

Ok, as mentioned in my earlier post on “So, what is really wrong Little Nonya”, here is my observation on why Jeanette is not entirely to blame for Juxiang able to understand what people are talking about even though she was not facing them.

To clarify first, all these are my guess and observation, thus it might not be correct. Let me know if you have other findings.

One of the scenes which I have noticed that has this error was the first episode. The first mistress (Lin Mei Jiao) asked to look at Juxiang’s embroidery and commented that her daughter Meiyu’s cannot be compared with her’s at all. She commented that it looked good on its own, but is pale in comparison against Juxiang’s. She wanted Juxiang to exchange with Meiyu’s.

All through the dialogue, Juxiang was seen standing behind the first mistress, so by right deaf Juxiang would not have heard what she commented. I analysed and thought that they are made to stand that way to suit the camera angle i.e. the scene would look good for aesthetic reasons. Then if so, it was obviously an instruction from the Director and the logic part was sacrificed for camera angle. This is why I think it is not fair to pin it as Jeanette’s poor acting skill.

I looked through the second time and I had another thought. You know how people with missing senses are more sensitive than common people like you and I? I guessed Juxiang might not have relied entirely on lip reading, but on the body language and facial expressions of the speaker. She might not understood 100% completely on what the person want but maybe 70% or even 80% of the content, mostly guessing her way through.

Like the above example which I have cited, the First Mistress was holding both shoes patterns and talking away holding them. I would have guess this is not the first time that Juxiang was subjected to such unfair exchange and if you were her and had been bullied through your life, wouldn’t you have some clue as to what the first mistress wants?

While we are speculating on the possible reasons, it would be better if the drama had been clearer and had more patience in revealing the story. In reality, they cannot since they have a budget and they had spent a lot on the show already. It is supposedly one of the most expensive drama they have ever produced, I read. Anyway, as the week goes by, I have discovered some more loopholes.

• At the Chen’s place, it was Chen Xi’s Chor Chor 80th birthday. They are trying to find a suitable bride for Chen Xi. It was said that Yue Niang was illiterate and she has to sew Chinese character. Later, she remembered the characters above the board at the alter hall and sew them. When Chor Chor asked her about the characters and what they meant, she read out the words and explained more proper than any of us could on the meaning…
  
• Yue Niang went to look for Chen Xi to warn him that someone is trying to harm him. She was intercepted by Zhen Zhu. The scene showed that it was night time. Then in continuing scene, Libby was relating to Chen Xi later on how she knew about the possible harm. It showed Libby saw Yue Niang walking out of Chen Xi’s house in board day light. Huh, what happened here?
  
• Again, the illiterate Yue Niang can read the letter which the Hotel manager wrote for her.

Since my first post on the drama “Little Nonya”, I have also been doing my own research online to see what others have commented about it so far. Many of the comments which I read are negative. Actually to be fair, there are some good about the show too. Let me start the ball rolling to list out some good of “Little Nonya”.

Good Acting from the Supporting Roles – Not in any particular order

Guan Xu Mei -管雪梅

She is one of the senior entertainment reporters in SPH, but I think she acted before in the past. Even though she is only given cameo roles for the first few episodes as “Tua Gu”, Juxiang’s aunt and Pan Ling Ling’s Mother, I find her acting quite good. In fact, her expression is more natural compared to Lin Mei Jiao.

Ng Wei – 黄慧

I am sure everyone agreed on her lively interpretation of Ah Tao, the Ma-Jie. It was really good acting from her and was always very expressive. I think she is a very hardworking artist who speaks very clear Mandarin. If only, she can present a more realistic persona as a host, I am sure that people would accept her more. I find her sometimes "act" too much when MCing which hides her true character from people.

Xiang Yu – 向云

Needless to say, Xiang Yun managed both the characters with ease. I can totally tell apart whether she is acting as “Tian Lan”, Juxiang’s mother or aged “Yue Niang”. Actually, I just found out from Little Nonya Wikipedia page that her role was supposed to be filled by Huang Bi Ren? It was because Bi Ren did not renew her contract, thus was awarded to her. Wow, so this role is reserved for the “professional” level actress only. I am sure either one of them would execute the role with ease.

Li Yin Zhu - 李茵珠

Another experienced actress who managed the role well. Though some commented that she did not have enough presence as the matriarch of Chen’s family, I thought her acting was quite impressive already with very natural expression. I thought in one of the scenes against Qi Yi Wu - it was as though her nose can act too.

Apple Hong Yi Xin - 洪乙心

She also improved a lot in acting. She started to show that she can be versatile actor in drama "Just in Singapore" as a soft-spoken Vietnamese mail-to-order bride. In this show, she was casted as a baddie too – a disgruntled wife who is neglected by Pierre Png's character. I actually pity her character that she was forced to be ruthless by the environment.

Dai Yang Tian - 戴阳天

Forgot to add him. He is one of the better looking actor which Mediacorp has discovered recently. Most importantly, he act well and has an interesting persona, kind of cool and playful. I guessed he would probably make it to Ah Ge level if he continues to perform well.

Good Props and Sets

Needless to say, I am sure many of us are awed by the beautiful decorations of a traditional Peranakan house. While some of the scenes are shot on-set at Malacca, I noticed they have created replicas set of the Peranakan house. Though unable to compete with the real one which looked like a palace, one can tell that they tried their best to re-enact the scene.

Hmm... I am feeling a bit sad that the show is coming to an end very soon. I wondered if the new drama by Chen Li Ping and Zhong Qin will have an interesting and substential plot. In meantime, I will be chasing "Little Nonya" every night till it end!

Read also - Little Nonya 3 minutes extra footage - The Final Nail

So, what is really wrong with “Little Nonya”?

I have been chasing the latest Channel 8 Drama series “Little Nonya” every night. I must say that the storyline is a rather welcoming change. For once, the storyline is unique on Paranakans’ culture and that it was set in the 40’s. It has been a long time that we ever had a local TV drama that was set in period times. For some time, many of the drama produced were in modern context and that all of the stories line sounded so similar that I almost could not tell one story apart from the other one. I practically watch only Cable TV shows then and it was until Li Nan Xing’s “Golden Road” that I started watching Channel 8 again.

Hailed as a big production and the annual Mediacorp’s anniversary drama, “Little Nonya” was heavily publicized and had garnered rather much attention from people even before it started showing. However, the first episode was practically drowned by criticisms and is still drawing criticisms episode after episode. There were people commenting that the lead actress, Jeanette Aw’s acting was poor and that the storyline was lousy.

I thought the criticism on Jeanette Aw’s acting was a rather unfair comment to her and many of them did not even elaborate on why her acting was poor. To clarify first, I am not a Jeanette’s fan, but I thought her acting was acceptable and she actually improved a lot. I find her role as Juxiang a rather good interpretation of a deaf and mule girl.

The only part that I thought she was unnatural was that she gestured too much. It is like there are gestures/expressions for every sentence of thoughts. However, this is a very common flaw in local TV drama. I attended a short film course sometime ago. The lecturer pointed out local TV drama will act “extra” in order to make it easier for people to understand. For example, when an actor is exiting the scene through a door, he/she would say I am leaving, and then open the door and leaves. However, you will not see these “extra acts” in film (excluding Jack Neo’s flim) or real life. The actor/you and I would just open door and leaves. (I might not be able to explain in his exact words, but this is roughly what he meant.)

Then the complaint about her voice is really far-fetch and cruel. I do not remember her natural voice to be that low-keyed in her earlier drama. She obviously put in a lot of effort to suppress that kid-ish tone and had improved a lot on her intonation, but those people who criticize it did not manage to hear that and still criticize her like for the sake of criticising despite the effort. That, I find is personal attack already and it is very mean to put people down like that.

Anyway, Jeanette’s acting skills should be the least of concern now. Recently, I find it harder to follow up with the storyline as it is getting more and more confusing on the facts. Some parts were so absurd that it is beginning to spoil the big production. The problem should lie with either the Scriptwriter or the Director.

I have listed some areas which I think is problematic or questionable. Do read them and see if you agree with my observation.

Poor Execution and Missing Punch

Yamamoto brought Juxiang out to the field to take photos. Halfway through the bicycle ride, Yamamoto stopped and asked Juxiang to wait for him. He disappeared for a while and Juxiang began to panic and went to look for him. He re-appeared into the scene with some wild flowers on hand for her.

I believe this scene set the tone for later on why Juxiang is so insistent and convinced that Yamamoto will return from the Japan, but the execution on the scene is poor. It barely leaves an impression and the hint of setting the tone is too subtle.

Yueniang’s Mama (Xiang Yun) just came back from hospital. They were having dinner in the living quarters when Pan Ling Ling walked in. She wanted to move Xiang Yun upstairs where they had prepared a room for her. Xiang Yun rejected and replied that she is more comfortable in the servant quarters. Pan Ling Ling went on to make some snide remarks on how their food belonged to Huang and she would have approved it if she had asked for permission first.

I think the punch line was not delievered. It makes me questioned if she had come in to point Xiang Yun that she was to stay at the servant quarters or she had come in to check on what they will be eating. In either case, she was not snide enough and the motive were confusing and unclear...

Loopholes: Explanation needed

• Yamamoto was killed in the forest. Why would the Japanese soldiers bother to carry Yamamoto’s body back to the headquarters?
• How did Yueniang manage to travel from Singapore to Malacca alone and during war-time? Not forgetting that she is only a kid...
• Her mama had trained her for some years to be a proper Nonya, but yesterday plot, Lin Mei Jiao revealed that she had only stayed in UK for 2 years…… So how come all the children grow up so fast? They were still kids when they boarded the steamship to UK… Suddenly, they all come back as adult and look old...

Besides the above examples, there are many more which I did not list down. So, what happened? Didn't they double-check the storyline before it was pushed out? It is not the first time that poor execution and loopholes in storyline had spoilt a drama.

A very good example would be "Golden Road" where the sloppy ending practically wiped off all the good review for the show. Story did not explain how Li Nan Xiang was able to claim Rou Gu Mei's body out of the mortuary (loophole) and Producer explained how the ending scene for Tay Peng Hui did not turn out as it should be. Tay was supposed to be killed by a robber when he refused to give up his wallet as there is photo of Felicia Chin inside. That scene was to show that some humanity in him and his love for Felicia Chin’s character. However, we only saw Tay robbed and killed by robber...

It is not easy to gain back some trust from viewers, but the company managed to do so. Before viewers really give up totally on local productions, maybe the company would like pull up their socks and showed us that they can still produced good show. A truly good show which we have nothing to fussy about. Something like they used to do in the past, good quality show which all of us would rush back home at specific time, just so that we can catch the next episode.

Would we experience that again?

Read my additional comments on Little Nonya at More on the drama "Little Nonya" and "Little Nonya 3 Minutes Extra Footage - The Final Nail..."

Labels & Love (And the City)

Get carried away... Whoever that comes up with the slogan should be rewarded! I managed to catch the movie yesterday and thought perhaps we were too carried away. The content were hardly subtantial and I don't understand what is the hype about.

I have never watch the series before, but know that the famed HBO series had nude and sex scene in it. The show popularised Comopolitan cocktail drink, famous Manolo Blahnik high heel shoes and branded bags.

While the series main focus is on the 4 main characters's sexual desires and fantasies, the movie is milder as it focuses on love and labels, as in finding love and the perfect branded bag and heels. The whole show feel like one overage "girls" slumber party !

I really wonder what happened to their families members. Their world seems to be only revolved around their friends. The characters are somewhat overly superficial and that they fall over heels on brands and labels.

I mean some of the plots just does not make sense and seem unrealistic at times. I have to admit that it is an entertaining show as part of it are quite funny. However, it is quite boring as there isn't much content. If you have not watch it, I suggest you watch it on weekday. It is not worth $10.50.

Don't get too carried away.

压抑的年代

那是个压抑的年代。

第二次世界大战期间， 以亚洲国家和亚洲人应该团结起来对付和抵抗美国与英国的势力为借口，当时比较先进日本以强暴和残酷的手段占领中国和几乎所有的亚洲国家。为了证明被占领的国家都已归顺于日本帝国，当地的人们已经恢复了战前的日子，日本委派了当地人成立“临时政府”。 这些“临时政府”的官员其实都是汉奸。

那段时期，人们的生活贫苦，天天活在恐惧当中。 当时，他们的爱国情操高涨，人人都尽量出钱出力为国家出一份力。有能力的年轻男子都自告奋勇到前线抗战，没法打仗的文艺份子则负责募款盼望能够以自己微薄的力量救国。 一群天真的大学生策划了一次的刺杀活动，目标是其中一个“临时政府”的官员 - 易先生。

压抑的王佳芝

战前，父亲带着弟弟逃到英国去，留下她一人在中国。 父亲曾答应会接她到英国同住，但一直没有行动。 父亲后来通知她自己已经结婚了，但是没有钱接她过去。那是她第一次被遗弃。

她到香港读大学期间，在好友的怂恿之下，参加了话剧社。在成功的办了一场抗战话剧的大学生们，决定策划一场更加实际的抗战计划，刺杀刚好在香港的汉奸易先生。王佳芝在同学的怂恿下答应参与，伪装成麦太太接近易先生一家，目标是要色诱易先生以便行刺他。 为了那次计划，她牺牲了自己的贞操。可惜刺杀计划没落成，易先生一家搬回了上海。 她受到了打击，失落的回到了上海。

一年后，话剧社的同学找到了她。这一次，他们不再是没有目标，幼稚的策划刺杀的大学生。他们当年的策划被一个抗战组织看在眼里，决定要故施旧计让麦太太引易先生上钩。她成功了得到疑心病重易先生的信任。

压抑的易先生

当了日本帝国成立“临时政府”的官员的易先生其实每天都活在恐惧之中。害怕别人刺杀他，所以他不相信任何人，不能和任何人分享他的心事， 不愿让别人看到他在想什么，所以他始终一个表情。他非常的压抑。

他觉得装难搞的麦太太很有吸引力。她是唯一看着他眼里没有害怕表情的人。这种得不到永远是最好的刺激，让他对她感到倍加有好感和迷恋。在麦太太的面前，他才有了自己还活着，自己是人的感觉。

"鸽子蛋" 的转捩点

他特地为心爱的麦太太买了一颗钻戒， 心细的他不知道她会喜欢什么，所以要她特别去选喜欢的钻石。那六卡拉的粉红钻被王佳芝称为鸽子蛋。 原本要在取钻戒当天刺杀易先生的王佳芝，在临门一脚放弃。 她不忍心杀害对她一网情深和非常信任的易先生下手。因为她虚情假意对待的易先生竟然是最关心和疼爱她的人。

刺杀行动失败过后，她不知所错。利用她来刺杀易先生的那班同学，始终没有出面相助。她在人群中徘徊, 那是她第二次的遭到遗弃。 最后决定回到易先生给她的寓所，因为她觉得那里才是"家"。可惜，她始终没回到"家"。

"戒指不是我的"

被背叛的易先生最后并没有出手救王佳芝。但是为了王佳芝，他流露了从未有的人性脆弱的一面 - 伤心和不舍。

他爱上了王佳芝。。。

Les Choristes (The Chorus)

This is one of my favourite french movie. I don't understand french, but I love to watch French movie. I find the plots creative but simple and usually has very interesting twist in the story. For this movie, I especially love the touching les avions en papier (paper plane) scene and of course the angelic voice of Jean-Baptiste Maunier.

Trailer of Les Choristes

Les Avions En Papier Scene







Cerf Volant