Haven't updated in a while, not for the lack of inspiration, but time. And probably motivation.
Work has been busy, especially since next Friday would be my last day, so there are a lot of things to wrap up and hand over. The clients aren't in good shape but I think they'll survive. I'll leave the sappy conclusion till next Friday, if time permits then.
CDs wise, I've bought too many! Like close to 10 over the past 2 months. 蘇打綠's "陪我歌唱" album is a minor disappointment. The 'live' CD faced an uphill task trying to capture the essence of their 'live' performance, which I can only describe as mesmerizing. It didn't fall flat, but didn't exactly deliver either. You really have to be there to experience the incredible energy of a 'live' 蘇打綠! The studio CD fares even worse - it's nowhere near the quality of their first three full-length albums, so I'd rather non-sodagreen fans give this entire album a miss and get their second album instead.
Caught two movies over the past month with the gang - "Iron Man" during aj's chalet and "Accuracy of Death" yesterday.
"Iron Man kicks off summer on a blazing high note and practically dares the competition to measure up. It's been years since a movie superhero was this fierce and this funny. All praise to acting dynamo Robert Downey Jr., who brings so much creative juice to the party that Iron Man achieves instant liftoff. " (Variety) Christian Bale (Batman) may have finally found a worthy contender who's less serious, more flamboyant, and a lot funnier. Downey also has the help of the stunning (in more ways than one) Gwyneth Paltrow. There's really no need to elaborate on the obligatorily dazzling special effects, though the script could do with a bit of editing to tighten the pace. But then, I'm just nitpicking.
"Accuracy of Death", though, really needs some 'picking up'. Those who've seen the movie should know what I mean. It goes about 3 apparently isolated acts at a leisurely, yawn-inducing pace and tries to connect them together at the end, with a modicum of success. "The middle one suffered through a whole emotional and narrative disconnect from the other two, with slow pacing and uninteresting yakuza characters to fill time", to quote an apt review.
Unlike the sense of shocking revelation in "The Sixth Sense" and "Memento", the twist at the end imparts a sense of artificialness because the connection is not well developed and it seemed more out of convenience than genuine brilliance.
The clues, or so-called threads that link the episodes together are scarce and laughable - (1)girl who becomes singer; (2)guy whose mother who abandoned him happened to be a singer; (3)old woman who happened to abandoned her son. It turns out that (1) and (3) are the same person, and (2) is their son. What a great surprise! Erm yeah. And don't get me started on the absurb plot.
But I did like the third act and its feel-good vibes. The themes of life, death, happiness and fulfilment of purpose in life are not all bad but just woefully underdeveloped. Takeshi Kaneshiro's death god is likeable and goofy, good for eye candy and some laughs but otherwise bland and uninspiring. The telepathic mongrel is more irritating than cute, and quite redundant. All in all, "Accuracy" is quite disappointing for a Japanese production.
The good thing is I got some revision in Japanese, and it feels good to be able to catch words, phrases and whole sentences here and there. I really should watch more Japanese dramas, if only Mediacorp would dump the weepy Korean dramas and screen more of them.
Vietnam backpacking trip coming up. I'm excited and apprehensive at the same time, but it's excellent prep before the big move. Ciao soon.
May 18, 2008
Jepalang Update
April 13, 2008
This week
One word: busy! Work has been piling up, and I've been clocking 12-hour days, without any OT pay. =( The novelty is starting to wear off, I guess, and I've come to conclude that it isn't a job that yields instantaneous, immediate satisfaction - especially when your clients are not entirely appreciative. My current batch is already better than the previous, just that a lot of them are too preoccupied with other stuff, and I can't say I can't empathise. Perhaps I should just be like Melvin and leave them to their own devices. *evil grin*
I like yakking with the colleagues, and discussing stuff that we're gonna do in uni. At least I now have people to lunch with, and I've sorta graduated from micro-supervision, but I've also been given (somewhat) more work. Give and take, I see it as "job progression" and that's probably something to be happy about.
The job isn't exactly difficult but the returns are more long-term and you'd need a lot of patience and passion to sustain a career, say for 30 years. Probably not my dream kind of job, but then again, the same can be said for a lot of occupations.
___
Finally met up with the gang yesterday for a belated birthday celebration for Zebra and it was fun! But tiring as usual, because I'm perpetually sleep-deprived (thanks to chronic insomnia) and alcohol intolerant.
We watched "Definitely, Maybe" which was cool and great for valentines but I'm not too into the romance genre so it didn't do much for me. But at least it's more sophisticated than your typical rom-com fluff, so I was sufficiently engaged to not have succumbed to ZzzZz. The cast of relative unknowns (except for Rachel Weisz and Abigail Breslin) made up for the lack of star power with honest performances, and the script, though meandering and lacking in a climax, is not without its charms. At the very least, it eschews cliched dialogue that plagues many similar Hollywood offerings for sincere and heartfelt lines and manages to deliver a wholesome, feel-good experience.
After that was dinner at Holland V followed by chilling at Wala-wala. I like the mood and the vibe! Music's great as well but it was loud when the band started to play, such that a lot of the vocals was drowned out as all the instruments vied for attention - a common gripe when bands play 'live' gigs. A little more balance would have been great. And some of the song choices were pretty obscure but it's all good. They are really talented, esp. the drummer and guitarist!
I was drifting off midway after just one small glass of vodka but managed to stay awake till the end. The un-sober me is still quite good at "big fish-small fish"! *beams proudly* There wasn't any more public transport by the time we left so we walked all over trying to look for Night Rider buses but to no avail.
Did I mention Zebra was lugging along a 10+kg dumbbell - his birthday present - the entire way (with some help from the rest)? LOL. Way to go, I'm sure he'll develop a drool-worthy body pretty soon. Then he can make full use of the NUM Mr. Hamsup singlet we got him. Muaha.
Anyway we eventually decided to share a cab back to AMK/Hougang and I slept over at Zebra's place. Thanks, bro. =)
April 5, 2008
Tanned couch potato
Haven't been blogging much lately for a few reasons:
- The dearth of noteworthy movie and music releases
- Can't blog about my job without revealing too much
- Too much TV!
Well you can't blame me for watching too much TV. I have been so deprived for the past 1.5 years! And Mediacorp has somehow managed to put out a string of hits in “破茧而出”，“黄金路” and now “一房，半厅，一水缸”.
Some might think the latter is just a brainless dramedy - that's what I thought initially as well - but it does have the makings of a light-hearted social commentary/satire with amusing caricatures of Singaporeans. Though not without its failings, it is great for a few laughs, and the ensemble cast boasting many experienced thespians and former A-listers deliver with aplomb. Li Yin Zhu's "Auntie Automatic" is thoroughly classic, and definitely one of the most memorable and hilarious characters to grace local screens. I'm rooting for her to win the best supporting actress Star Award! And I must add, the newcomer playing Carol(Xiu Zhen) is uber chio and the best thing is, she can act!
I started catching “青蛙王子拜金女” midway and it's pretty much fluff. Nothing serious or thought-provoking, but somehow interesting enough to keep me watching. Along the lines of "My Sassy Girlfriend", I guess. I like the way they do humour in Korean dramas - it somehow manages to be slapstick and understated at the same time. Their comic timing is so different, which is probably what makes it refreshing.
If you're wondering why this couch potato is tanned, it's not because of the UV rays from all that TV viewing. I got a healthy dose of vitamin D when I went cycling with my army mates last Sunday. We covered much of the Eastern Coast Park Connector Network, and Louis estimates that we covered at least 35km over 5 hours with a lunch stopover at Changi Village. Way to go, man. Cycling must be the most enjoyable form of exercise - I just love the breeze in my face and the feeling of speed. But we almost died at all the up-slopes. And the weather was so erratic - super sunny one moment and it started raining the next. Agonised over where to have dinner and finally settled on Carl's Junior @ Suntec because of the free flow drinks. -_-" LOL. But the burger was nice!
Rock climbing next week? Let's see how it goes. For now, the TV and that comfortable couch is beckoning. Ciao!
March 22, 2008
Juno!
Caught "Juno" on a spontaneous date with aj. The both of us had wanted really badly to see this pic since it was released, but somehow procrastinated until now. We ought to become movie buddies since we share a penchant for critically-acclaimed movies, most of which are more "thinking" and less of your average popcorn flicks. Then I'd have someone to watch obscure films with!
But don't be mistaken, I love my popcorn flicks and blockbusters. In fact I've caught practically all the major blockbusters released in the past two years. It's just that I have no affinity for poorly reviewed fare, which a lot of these tend to be, and they often turn out to be a woeful waste of time and money that I try to avoid these days.
Ok back to "Juno", which really isn't "obscure" in any sense of the word. A quirky indie sleeper hit, yes, but an accessible one at that. Much more so than "No Country for Old Men", I'd safely say, but this in no way diminishes its merits because it's meant to be a different kind of movie.
My verdict: "Juno" is an absolutely fab, hilarious movie. Definitely one of the best comedies I've watched in a while - better than "Knocked Up" even - because it's lighter on slapstick and heavier on wit.
Who says teen flicks can't be intelligent? "Juno" has plenty of smarts in the form of the sharp-tongued titular character played by the incredibly talented Ellen Page, as well as courtesy of the Oscar-winning script.
The entire movie is peppered with acerbic one-liners, sarcasm-infused drawls and witty retorts that put your brains on overdrive just trying to process all that humour - irony, sardonicism, cultural references and all - spilling forth. But once you get into the swing of it, the laughs come naturally and it's an absolute joy to watch, especially with an appreciative audience.
If you're looking for emotional depth, there's plenty as well. Juno and her coming-of-age story is as endearing as it gets. The potential adoptive parents - Marc (Jason Bateman) and Vanessa (Jennifer Garner) - start off as a typical, likeable couple but morph as their personalities emerge and complexities arise in their seemingly comfortable marriage, prompting Juno to question if "love can be forever". Juno's parents, played by the excellent J.K. Simmons (who looks eerily familiar because he's the editor in Spiderman) and Allison Janney, are genial and brimming with compassion. With due credit to the cast, it's "a film bristling with vitality and heart, without resorting to glibness or sentimentality." -USA Today
It's not frequent that a comedy gets nominated for so many academy awards and wins for best original screenplay. The quality genuinely shows.
And to round it off, "'Juno' is hilarious and sweet-tempered, perceptive and surprisingly grounded. It's also a gust of fresh air, perspective-wise." - LA Times
Unreservedly recommended.
March 15, 2008
More Confetti; We are all Masochistic!; Reviews Galore
Happy birthday, sis! All the best in your studies and future endeavours - including in finding a bf. =)
Can expect even more confetti next week. LOL. And my bleeding wallet isn't happy.
Anw I have been pretty free this past week - those who know will know why - so I managed to catch "No Country For Old Men", and "The Spiderwick Chronicles" (erm not my choice). Add to that "黄城 "(erm not my choice again) last week and "The Kite Runner" two weeks ago.
Hmm not too shabby, but I'm missing "There Will Be Blood" and "Juno"(!!), which I still really want to watch. I've kind of given up on the rest. And people have been recommending this and that movie but I don't think I have that much time and $$ to catch them all so yeah. More movie dates, anyone?
黄城夜韵
Nostalgia, man. My first time watching 黄城 was in J1, to support aj. Missed J2 (coz of blocks and they say it sucked), and then went in J3. J4... I was probably stuck in the jungles so yeah. And now J5! It's always great seeing the 黄城 people putting in so much blood, sweat and tears for the production, and reaping the rewards - the experience, the friends - at the end of it.
I always ask myself if I'd have joined 黄城 if given another chance. I dislike impossible hypothetical questions, because there's really no point, but indulge me for a moment. I seriously think I'd have, because I've always wanted to be part of something big - like a performance, or a team competition. Like SYF as well, which I, too, regret not being part of.
But maybe because I've only seen the end result, the glorious moments, and not fully grasped the sacrifices they entail. As they say, 台上一分钟，台下十年功. ATEC comes real close, I guess, and the satisfaction of having completed it was immense, especially after all that we went through. It definitely wouldn't have been the same had it been just a walk in the park.
So there, we're all masochistic in some way because we find joy in challenges. We make life difficult for ourselves (or life make it difficult for us), and celebrate when we live to tell the tale.
Ok back to the drama itself. The entire production felt very amateurish, which is to be expected of a predominantly student production. But what disappointed most were the scripts.
The first play is your typical "try-to-be-cheem" melodrama but the actors failed terribly trying to pull it off. Can only say 历练不够 bah. Zebra was dismayed by the quality of the props as well.
The second was slightly better. The script actually held a lot of promise with the interesting premise - all the characters actually had a part in causing the death of the twin of one of the girls, and the sinister stories unravel when they find themselves trapped in a haunted house. They succeeded in creating the ominous atmosphere but alas, the twist that everyone was looking for didn't materialise - just as the ghosts didn't - and they settled on an less-than-satisfying abstract ending after copious moralising.
The third was, by consensus, the best of the lot. As are most comedies, it was relatively easier to digest, but managed to strike a chord with the audience with its straightforward presentation, laudable acting and a pertinent theme.
The Kite Runner and No Country For Old Men
Both book adaptations share breathtaking cinematography and rousing scores but the latter demonstrates, by far, greater competence in scripting, acting and direction.
Which is only to be expected, as "No Country for Old Men" swept four oscars for best picture, directing, adapted screenplay and supporting actor while "The Kite Runner" garnered only average reviews.
"Another triumph for the Coen Brothers, No Country has the perfect mixture of suspense, humor, and desperately compelling performances. The seemingly simple story hides a more complex narrative, and high tension is maintained throughout." - RT consensus
But whereas "Kite" is buoyed by the commercial sensibilities of Khaled Hosseni's debut novel, "No Country" feeds off Ian McEwan's dark morality tale. So I guess "No Country" is not for everyone unless you are satisfied with the seemingly simple story, but "Kite" should be palatable to those who've read and loved the book, though it is nowhere near as poignant or touching.
The Spiderwick Chronicles
"A decent entertainment -- not up there with the 'Harry Potter' and 'Lord of the Rings' sagas, but a notch above 'The Golden Compass' and 'Narnia'." -Time
So there, another fantasy picture cum CGI fest. Nicely done, but boasts nothing we haven't seen before. Rather like "Bridge to Terabithia" in look and feel, but expect more action and humour thrown in for good measure.
February 17, 2008
Blockbuster Update
I know cobwebs are gathering around my blog so here I am to sweep them away, with a "blockbuster" update no less.
CNY was great, not because of the ang pows, but the company and all the goodies! 04S7A 团拜 especially, and the mj session at zebra's house. Lady luck has finally shown her true colours - her presence is so ephemeral and unpredictable, but that's probably the beauty of it. If only I could get hold of a bottle of Felix Felicis!
My router has been giving me problems but I've gotten a new one and my internet connection speed has finally picked up! Yeah. So all along it wasn't SH's fault. I just haven't been realising the potential of my bandwidth.
I'm starting to build rapport with some of my clients, but a number of them are will be leaving soon so it's kinda sad. The job isn't hectic but definitely can be stressful, with 20+ expectant faces staring at you and holding on to your every word. I enjoy the experience though when I'm with some of the clients, but the rest of them just bore me to tears. It's not entirely their fault though, just the way human dynamics works - sometimes there's just no sparks. Chemistry is the word! =) (pun intended)
Blockbuster 1
I am hooked on "Heroes"! Or technically, was hooked. Hayden Panettiere (Claire) is so chio~! I was rushing through season one but the ending was so anticlimactic. And the first episode of season two didn't look that promising either. Well now that most of the mystery has come to light, the impetus to watch has been diminished. Which might explain why ratings in the US for season two dropped. And the WGA writers' strike (which has now been resolved) didn't help.
Blockbuster 2
I've only watched CJ7 so far, and it's rather mediocre. Definitely not comparable to Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer. Only a few parts were truly hilarious, and it isn't that much of a tear jerker either. The entire effort just feels half-baked, the characterisation weak, and the plot surprisingly hollow, even by Stephen Chow's standards. The movie lasted less than 90min but it failed to sustain my interest with its recycled jokes and so-so CGI effects. I still miss the 无理头 周星驰.
Variety has a pretty good review (better than all the local reviews combined) which nicely sums it up: "Heavy on CGI slapstick and light on meaningful emotional content, "CJ7" is a spotty first foray into family-friendly entertainment by Hong Kong multihyphenate Stephen Chow. "E.T."-inspired comic fantasy about a poor boy adopting a cute alien catches the eye but not fully the heart with its undernourished father-son dynamics, critter hijinks and smattering of social commentary."
So that's all for this very random update.
P.S. From now on, I'll only blog if there's something I really want to share so I'll probably switch to fortnightly updates.
January 16, 2008
Eastern Promises
My first movie of 2008 turned out to be an excellent thriller helmed by David Cronenberg. The acclaimed director of "A History Violence" (which I missed coz it was rated R21 IIRC) reteams with Viggo Mortensen - best known as Aragorn of LOTR fame - and ropes in Naomi Watts (21 grams, King Kong) to create sufficient mainstream appeal for a film that is otherwise not your common Hollywood fare.
The fact that "Eastern" managed to keep me in rapt attention for the entire length of the movie bears testimony to the accomplishments of the script, direction, production, and acting. It certainly didn't seem like a 1 hr 41 min movie, and that's as great a compliment as I could give.
If "Enchanted" is your typical colourful Disney/Hollywood illusion/delusion of a near-perfect world where characters sing, dance, fall in love and live happily ever after after a few minor hiccups, "Eastern" is the antithesis, and possibly much closer to reality. Cold, dark and harsh, it explores the "dark side" of human nature, and recognises that people may not be what, or who, they seem, because the line between "good" and "bad" is never as distinct as we'd like it to be. The characters are self-aware and sophisticated, motivated by different forces but so inextricably intertwined that you'd never doubt, for a moment, that you'd do what they've done had you been in their shoes.
And not surprisingly, the most recognition goes to Mortensen's daring, and at the same time, nuanced performance, "stunning in its intensity and cunning in its ambiguity" (Philadelphia Inquirer) - you really have to see it to understand. It "lends a moral complexity to Eastern Promises that makes it much more than just a very accomplished action thriller" (New York Post). As for the much reported nude fight scene - and yes, you do get to see Mortensen's willy for those interested - I'd leave you to come to your own conclusions.
Of course, one could look at the violence and deem it as excessive and sensationalistic (akin to the sex in "Lust, Caution"), but its stark protrayal of gory brutality is very much justified in creating an awareness of the circumstances the characters are thrusted into, and hence genuine fear and empathy without which the gravitas of the film would be seriously diminished.
Perhaps USA Today best sums it up: "If you don't mind bloodshed and are drawn to taut thrillers with fascinating characters portrayed skillfully, Eastern Promises is just the ticket."
P.S. And I almost forgot about the brilliant Golden Globes-nominated score! Some of the riffs sounded vaguely familiar, and I instantly understood why when I saw the credits - the score is by Howard Shore, who composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced (most of) the music for the entire LOTR trilogy - my all-time favourite soundtrack.
January 1, 2008
Top 2007
Top 5 Movies of the Year:
I was rather selective with the movies I watched in 2007, depending on Rotten Tomatoes' critical consensus for good measure. It turned out pretty well because I had some genuine difficulty picking just 5 from an eclectic mix of 20 odd, mostly excellent films I caught in the past year. In no particular order, though I've attempted to pick movies from different genres. A pity no Chinese movie impressed enough to make the list, though I thought Lust.Caution was a worthy contender - poignant, beautifully melancholic, well acted, and great production values all around, but slightly lacking in the 'wow' factor - minus the sex.
Top 10 Albums of the Year:
Six of '06's Top 10 released new albums in 2007, but sad to say, none of them made the list. I was positively underwhelmed by F.I.R. and 林宇中's new releases, while 张惠妹 and 櫻桃幫 suffered from lack of exposure on my part. 曹格 and 林俊杰 failed to surpass their past efforts, allowing newcomers to take their place in this year's list.
2007 saw me getting into indie music in a big way, thanks in large part to sodagreen. 'nuff said about them. Cheer Chen was a logical progression, being an acclaimed earlier protege of sodagreen's mentor-producer. Having also featured in 2005's edition, I've always had something for her girlish voice and intimate compositions. The Decemberists' indie rock formula is refreshing, unlike anything on the pop charts - much like sodagreen when I first heard them, while NIN strikes a chord with their inspired alt rock sound.
And then there are the usual suspects - Stefanie and Tanya, both on their first new release after switching labels, and finding renewed success. Peggy's long-awaited album didn't disappoint - juxtaposing a fairy tale theme with greyish undertones, it was sombre (real dark) but brilliant. Fish and Ayaka represent the successful commercial releases, delighting with their mainstream, k-friendly tunes.
As usual, I only rank albums I purchased (but not necessary released) in 2007, which is a lot, actually. I don't even want to know how much I spent on all these CDs lest I die of haemorrhage of the heart.
And once again, in no particular order. 11 albums listed in view of sodagreen's dominance - their first two albums should have been in past years' Top 10!
《無與倫比的美麗》 蘇打綠
《小宇宙》 蘇打綠
《蘇打綠同名專輯》 蘇打綠
《花的姿態經典實錄》 陳綺貞
《許願盒》 許哲珮
《逆光》 孫燕姿
"Goodbye & Hello" 蔡健雅
《崇拜》 梁靜茹
"First Message" 絢香
"The Crane Wife" The Decemberists
"Year Zero" Nine Inch Nails
December 30, 2007
無與倫比的美麗
拖了好久好久的樂評。 但即使再忙,也不想埋沒這麼一張好專輯。 看了幾篇專業樂評, 覺得寫得很貼切, 就在此無恥摘錄, 融合個人淺見, 寫出一篇拼盤樂評吧。
比起首張《同名專輯》的濃烈獨立音樂風格，或是初聽《小宇宙》的震撼驚艷，《無與倫比的美麗》整體上予人較通俗(accessible)的感覺。遊走在主流與非主流,商業與質樸，《無》取得了微妙的平衡。若你對蘇打綠，或是獨立音樂不熱衷，《無》是不錯的切入點。
從首張《同名專輯》青澀真摯的學生氣息，到第二張專輯《小宇宙》中對社會的初試窺探，金曲獎“最佳樂團” 蘇打綠這第三張大碟延續了前兩張詩意而不艱澀、簡約而不單調的多元曲風，在民謠搖滾的基調下融入更多的古典元素，企圖流行與古典的結合，展現有別以往的風采。
與其他樂團不同，蘇打綠擁有古典樂科班出身的阿龔與其弦樂功底的加持，給與他們編曲上更大的實驗、創意空間。蘇打綠編曲一貫的用心, 也在這張專輯得到了充分的發揮。《無》加進了大量獨特的管絃編曲，旋律刻意的鋪陳使曲目不曾間斷，聽覺的空隙僅抽象地由音樂呈現。
《無》裡包含了十種情節，卻不是十首歌的集錦。不連續去探究什麼，不在同一個問題上打轉，《無》有的是完整的起承轉合與豐沛的情感舒發。
起
最初三首歌皆愉悅放縱，一開場由弦樂、電吉他與鼓音襯底的《遊樂》放開懷抱展開歡欣的序幕; 《花茶》以絢麗多姿的編曲，寫*莫待無花空折枝*; 還有《四季狂想》慵懶迷幻式唱腔的輕電子, 輕松營造美麗景象。
承
曲風一轉，《左邊》述說愛後徒剩餘溫的悵然，伶仃的吉他跟鋼琴，到大提琴點綴孤獨氣氛，加上主音吳青峰深情唱腔，保持蘇打綠感人情歌的一貫水準。
接著,自然轉入點題歌《無與倫比的美麗》。 這首歌的配置與編曲簡單卻有一股難以言喻的力量，是一首以悲傷詮釋「被陪伴的幸福」的作品。悲傷, 因為在最體貼的情感面前，無須任何形式的自我遮掩，也可以不再害怕。幸福, 因為被允許盡情哀傷。如此優美的意境, 配上詞中的“蝴蝶”、“草原”、“夏天”，的確美麗。
好戲才剛開始。編曲玩上了癮, 緊接的《白日出沒的月球》張力十足，混合著幾種不同的變奏 - 由急促跳躍到恍如歌劇演繹再到輕巧，以弦樂過場，最後還來一段雷光夏式的呢喃 - 跌宕有致，讓我們眼花撩亂地奔跑著欣賞，在這六分鐘的音樂歷險中發覺層層趣味。金曲獎“最佳編曲”應屬大熱。
轉
《這天》不再澎湃，回到人類情感本質，感人卻不至於痛徹心扉的美麗旋律，處在「夠深刻了嗎 來躺下吧 讓我輕撫你安慰 傷害我後的疲累」溫柔包裹的詞句之中，受傷顯得像是殉道。那無反顧的意願、原諒至愛的執著很是拉扯著聆聽者的心情，也會讓這一些散落的傷害顯得更容易收拾，帶著溫柔的手勢與語氣，讓一切平息。
清爽小品《簡單生活》，曲詞並非出自吳青峰手筆，抽走了深沉情緒，歌曲就如歌名簡單活潑。編曲只用了吉他、優克李林、中提琴和雙簧管 - 吉他與優克李林的配合，中提琴與雙簧管的對話，全然讓人放輕松，就好像四位天使在純白無凈的空間中，開心的彈奏著樂器，輕松的哼唱歌曲。簡單其實也可以很美。
《城市》又回到灰冷的調子，像上張專輯的《小宇宙》般看城市人的失落悲哀。詞寫得很深刻, 但沒《小》的火爆, 反而多了淡淡的憂傷美。那重重相疊的和聲，開場與結尾漸進的試探著弦樂的表現力度，是非常 大氣的作品。
合
蘇打綠說到底也是樂觀的，經過九首歌的期盼、失落、灰心之後，結尾曲《相信》仍然信奉忠於自己便能快樂,七分鐘悠然編曲，讓人由激動慢慢回復平靜，日子還得要過。 相信“不完美的完美”何償不是一種美的信念。
仔細聽來，蘇打綠的文藝氣質在這一張專輯裡意外的凸顯，而爆發力未見如以往的諸多憤怒意念，反倒玩弄著美妙弦樂像是迪士尼老卡通般。在本次專輯內，以這樣的特點貫穿整 張專輯，也算是一個流行與復古的互相呼應。
要是沒有蘇打綠這樣的樂團，台灣的樂團之路都不會泛起歌詞文藻的精美光澤。有些人用心唱出歌曲，但總是無法以歌詞賦予的影像打動眾人，甚至連想像的空間都一起被剝奪。哼起曲子容易，完美的表達意境才是艱難的，二者合併，一切會變得更有意思。
青峰的筆觸像是詩詞，可以深且華美，也容許淺而愉悅，寫起每段音樂都孕育出故事，寫曲也是複雜多變，以一人之姿盡所有能事。這樣說是有點過削弱了其他團員的努力，當然，團員們的表現是水準之上的優秀。不論是提琴手、鼓手、鍵盤，在團體的和諧搭配下，以弦樂鋪陳出一條蘇打綠的康莊之路，這些都是尚未有人能跨 入的領地。但作品的創作意象仍涵蓋在主唱的思惟裡，青峰的輻射力度讓人無法對其他事情聚焦，轉而陷入聲音的表演，這是很自然也是很確定的一件事。
佩服青峰, 更熱衷蘇打綠一次又一次呈現的“無與倫比的美麗”。
推薦曲目: 《遊樂》、《左邊》、《白日出沒的月球》、《這天》、《城市》
摘錄:
香港經濟日報 C20 | 音樂 | By 林希 2007-11-14
MTVChinese.com| By 手指練銀槍
*備註:
[名句] 有花堪折直须折 莫待花落空折枝
[全诗] 劝君莫异金缕衣，劝君异取少年时；有花堪折直须折，莫待花落空折枝。
[析赏] 君－你，金缕衣－金线做成的衣服，比喻华丽贵重了。
此诗旨在劝人珍惜记取少年青春时光，好好运用把握，莫令岁月空蹉跎－劝你不要贪惜什么华丽值钱的金缕衣，劝你要珍惜少年时候的大好春光；金缕衣再珍贵，终可再得，只有那青春时光，就象那枝上的花儿，正当开花，美好可折的时候，你就要去折，不要等待无花了，才再去折空枝！
P.S. 赫然發現和zzyo對這張專輯和獨立音樂的觀點很相似!
November 7, 2007
Stardust
I am a sucker for the fantasy genre, be it books or film, so it should come as no surprise that "Stardust" really appealed to my inner escapist. At 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, I entered the theatre with high expectations and am glad I wasn't let down.
The magical world of Stormhold isn't nearly as fantastical or expansive as Middle Earth, but it's colourful and exciting nevertheless. What really distinguishes this fantasy movie from the likes of LOTR and Harry Potter is perhaps the abundant whimsy. "Sprinkled with tongue-in-cheek humor, fairly adult jokes and some well-known faces acting very silly"(Variety), the ensued hilarity makes this one enjoyable, laugh-out-loud ride.
Of course, a great movie wouldn't do without a great plot (think "King Arthur), and "Stardust" benefits from being a Neil Gaiman (American Gods) adaptation. "Its sensibility stays true to Gaiman's style: heroic, wryly funny, but bloodthirsty as great fairy tales can often be"(Charlotte Observer), and it manages to keep the audience engaged by seamlessly weaving three sub-plotlines -the princes, the witches, and the hero, each racing to find the star to fulfil their vested interests- together into an intricate story of adventure and romance.
Impressive special effects have become the hallmark of any decent fantasy movie, and "Stardust" does not disappoint on this count. Visually arresting and boasting a number of magnificent sets and opulent costumes, the excellent production values are apparent. The soundtrack, which bears some semblance to LOTR's, is expectedly well orchestrated and stirring. The catchy theme song, "Rule the World" by Take That (see Hobble-Goggle), though, is less classical and more pop rock, perhaps hinting at the modern sensibilities of this dated tale.
The ensemble cast deserves mention as well. Charlie Cox(Tristan) comes of age convincingly, his charisma coming through as the movie progresses. Robert De Niro's Captain Shakespeare, who has a penchant for cross-dressing and the cancan, is campy though strangely likeable, while Claire Danes(Yvaine) delivers a less than stellar performance, and lacks the ethereality to portray a fallen star, glowing special effects notwithstanding.
Michelle Pfeiffer steals the show as the evil witch queen. "Only an actress as beautiful as the graceful Pfeiffer would allow herself to be rendered bald, aged and grotesque by startling special effects and makeup and have such a great time in the role... Her Lamia is resourceful and genuinely scary rather than cartoonish"(Hollywood Reporter).
All in all a blast of a movie, and shouldn't disappoint if you are a fantasy fan like me.
October 15, 2007
破茧而出
Controversial themes, action-packed sequences, and with interesting plot twists to boot, "破茧而出" is one of Mediacorp's more inspired dramas in ages.
From the trailers, soundtrack, sets, costumes to hairstyling, the entire production screams "sleek". Coupled with charismatic leads, a great supporting cast and generally competent acting, what you have is a brilliant cop suspense thriller that gets the viewers tuning in religiously every night.
Rui-en might just have found her breakthrough role as the standoffish policewoman, which suits her ice queen image to the T. She also throws some convincing punches and kicks, and it's a real thrill seeing her kick some ass. However, she does show her soft side and inner turmoils, which adds to the realism of her character.
Yvonne Lim delivers another sterling award-baiting performance as the cheerful psychiatrist turned rape victim turned vengeful vigilante, showing that she's not just a pretty face - she does look really pretty in this show! - and it's not by sheer luck that she's found some success in China.
For the guys, it's really the villains, including Thomas Ong, who stand out. Both Terence Cao and Chen Hanwei appear miscast and floundering, and it's apparent Mediacorp is in need of younger male leads to replace them. Which makes it all the more surprising that "Star Idol" winner Bryan Wong has so far been typecast either as a sissy or a gay...
Besides the various cases threaded together by the CID's concurrent hunt for a terrorist group which takes a leaf from the ideologies of Light/Kira in the "Death Note" series, the title of this serial is also very 耐人寻味. "破茧而出" literally describes a butterfly emerging from its cocoon (茧), but in Chinese, there's also another saying - "抽丝剥茧", which could be a metaphor for the sequential unravelling of evidence before the truth finally emerges. The English title, "Metamorphosis", could also be an allusion to Lim's character's transformation.
The season finale will be shown tonight, and hopefully, it ends on a high note.
September 30, 2007
愛.歌姬
Realised I haven't posted a review (read: unqualified impressions) in ages. Not that I haven't been buying CDs or watching movies, it's just I've been busy and lazy.
"The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Ratatouille" should make my year-end top 10 list, but none of the CDs I bought recently is exactly noteworthy. 张悬's 《亲爱的...我还不知道》 , despite zzyo's enthusiastic recommendation, is too esoteric for my tastes. And Corrinne May's "Beautiful Seed" fails to surpass her previous albums with the bare bones arrangements and religious-themed lyrics.
I was really looking forward to F.I.R.'s new album, 《愛.歌姬》, but it didn't seem very promising when I previewed it. It'd be difficult to replicate the phenomenal success of their first album, but they are increasingly veering towards bubblegum pop, and Faye's amateurish compositions do nothing to inject new blood into their music. Hopefully it'll grow on me with time.
蘇打綠's 《無與倫比的美麗》 scheduled for a year-end release is the only album I'm looking forward to for now. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't disappoint, having heard two of the tracks. Typical sodagreen, with the titular track having a beautiful melody a la 《小情歌》 and another with an energising and lively vibe. I want to see their Taipei 小巨蛋 concert!
August 18, 2007
Block Leave Musings 4: 4 Movies
Caught 4 movies this week - Rush Hour 3, Secret, The Simpsons and Knocked Up.
If I had to recommend one, it'd be Knocked Up. But it's showing at only 1 or 2 screens now, so I had to go all the way to Vivocity to catch it today. Fortunately, it was worth the trip. "A hilarious, poignant and refreshing look at the rigors of courtship and child-rearing, with a sometimes raunchy, always witty script that is ably acted and directed", as the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes aptly sums up.
The Simpsons movie was pretty good until I saw Knocked Up. It's hilarious at some parts as well, but mostly in a dumb Homer way. I find him incredibly irritating... And there's only so much satire you can stuff inside a 1hr 20min movie. Not exactly the thought-provoking "cartoon for adults" I was expecting it to be.
Many critics panned the tired formula of Rush Hour 3, but isn't that a problem with most sequels this summer? Anyway I thought it was pretty alright. There were some funny moments, while others fell flat, but overall it was pretty entertaining, esp. the climax at the Eiffel Tower. Jackie Chan did look pretty haggard, and his stunts are relatively subdued compared to his earlier works. Age is catching up with him, it seems.
And lastly, Jay Chou's directorial debut, Secret. Nothing outstanding, but I really liked the interesting twist at the end. It takes a while to figure everything out, and I think some in the audience came out of the theatre scratching their heads. But there are some glaring plotholes, and of course, the production isn't as sleek as with more accomplished directors. Still Gui Lun Mei really lifted the show with her nuanced acting and captivating looks which aj is going gaga over.
Next up, The Bourne Ultimatum. No mean feat to coax 5 stars out of Ms Ong Sor Fern, seems like a must-watch.
July 22, 2007
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Disclaimer: Spoilers abound. Proceed at your own risk.
A mighty good read, and a worthy conclusion to a phenomenal series. J.K. Rowling has outdone us all with her remarkable plotting, weaving a gripping tale with such vividity and poignancy that it'd be impossible not to be moved and unreservedly impressed, especially for those who have grown up with the characters.
And as if taking a leaf from Orwell's book (pun intended), she has satirised the series (the Nazi regime being of particular interest) to ensure her books a place among the literary classics. As if it wasn't enough that they have become the best-selling tombs in modern history, and she herself is set to rival Roald Dahl as one of the favourite children's fiction author of all-time, becoming a billionaire in the process.
I'm now overwhelmed with this warm, fuzzy feeling after reading the exhilarating ending, and the genial epilogue. The resolution certainly didn't disappoint, and the final showdown must have been the climax of all the climaxes. I could virtually feel myself in the Great Hall, withholding my breath as I witness the duel that had been hinted at since the Prophecy was revealed.
Of course, the deaths were disturbing, especially the one of a certain house-elf, but the character that has seared himself into my memory is probably the one who redeemed himself eventually, as most would have guessed.
Before I give away any more of the story, I think it's time to stop gushing and let those who haven't read it for themselves. Cheerios.
July 7, 2007
Busy
The past few weekends, including this one, have all been pretty packed, despite having Fridays off as well. I've watched 3 movies - Hot Fuzz, Transformers & Die Hard 4.0 - in 2 weeks, and surprisingly, all of them exceeded my expectations.
"Hot Fuzz" is your typical witty Brit fare with a huge dash of outlandishness and violent action.
"Transformers" is way cool and ridiculously hilarious, plus I was mighty impressed with Shia Labeouf (Sam), as well as drooling all over the bootilicious Megan Fox (Mikaela).
Die Hard 4.0 ("Live Free or Die Hard" in the US) claims top spot on my movie list this summer, with a good balance of a plausible plot, great action, good humour, apt characterisation, and charismatic leads. I really liked Justin Long (Gabriel), as well as Timothy Olyphant (Matthew Farrell). The latter, like Shia Labeouf, is not your typical good-looking A-lister, but exudes a certain down-to-earth charm that just makes you
want to root for him. Bruce Willis (John McClane) distinguishes his hero franchise from the rest with a penchant for humour even in the most perilous of situations, but his invincibility (like most other film heroes) amidst numerous explosions was bordering on absurdity.
Next weekend should be even more fulfilling, with ATEC firmly out of my mind, and Harry Potter 5 in the theatres. But for now, it's preparation for early book-in tomorrow (3pm!! to help OC do up his maps...) and the toughest test yet next week.
Wish me luck.
June 22, 2007
小宇宙
大家都称之为中文乐坛的一股清流，蘇打綠是我今年至今最大的音乐发现。出道两年即凭第二张专辑《小宇宙》获得金曲奖最佳乐团。《小宇宙》也囊括了其他6项提名的肯定，包括作词、作曲、编曲、歌曲、制作、专辑，能入闱的都入围了。
相信大家对《小情歌》一点也不陌生。也就是这首歌让蘇打綠入围了作词、作曲、编曲、歌曲四项大奖， 还让主唱青峯获得了最佳作曲奖。可是，如果你以为《小宇宙》里就这么一首好歌，你就大错特错了。好久没听到一张概念完整，而且首首动听的专辑了，而《小宇宙》就是这么一张杰作。第一次把整张专辑一次过听完的时候，就有一种震撼的感觉，令人感叹原来民谣摇滚 (folk rock) 也能如此充满能量与生命力。
无论是《小情歌》的温柔委婉，《You Are, You Will》的轻盈愉悦，《小宇宙》的烂漫不羁，《暂时失控》和《已经》的自然洒脱，还是《背着你》的忧伤深邃，无不让人动容。每一首歌都有其独特的韵味，尤其在编曲方面下足了功夫，绝不会让人有似曾相似的感觉。像《You Are, You Will》前奏与尾段的苏格兰风笛，《小情歌》简单的钢琴主轴，《暂时失控》的电吉他ｓｏｌｏ，《被雨困住的城市》的ａｃｏｕｓｔｉｃ伴奏，和《无言歌》的不插电（ｕｎｐｌｕｇｇｅｄ）呈现都让人有耳目一新的感觉。
当然，主唱青峯独特偏柔的嗓音与唱腔也赋予蘇打綠其独一无二的特色，让它从另一个层面上和其他的乐团作了一个明显的区分，从而树立它独有的band identity。青峯音域之宽，唱功之了得自然不在话下，不过真正令我钦佩的是他在诠释每一首歌的时候都会有截然不同的感觉，随着旋律的起伏唱出其所要表达的意境。
《小宇宙》就像一杯极品苏打，初下肚暖胃，接着在口中释放出无穷的滋味；喝完后在嘴中残余的味儿久久无法消散，让人回味无穷。极力推荐。
推荐曲目： 全部
June 9, 2007
Ocean's Thirteen
"Ocean's Thirteen" is surprisingly good, after the disappointing sequels that were Spiderman and POTC. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus says "another slick and entertaining heist film", and I fully agree.
Apart from the introduction which presents the premise of the heist, the rest of the movie benefits from tight pacing and a decent script. There are quite a few funny lines, in-jokes and various real-life references, but I'm not sure the heartland audience -we watched at Junction 8- had any inkling, because there weren't many laughs except at the slapstick humour parts. Which sort of diminished my enjoyment of the movie, because I was quietly smirking instead of laughing out loud, and feeling awkward when it seems that I'm the only one/few who got the joke. I'm pretty sure that if I were watching with a younger/more ang moh audience, there would have been more commotion in the theatre.
Anyway, those who have watched "11" and "12" would know this movie isn't, and shouldn't be about the laughs. The real highlights are the multitude of elaborate tricks Ocean and gang have up their sleeves, and in that regard, I think the scriptwriters were pretty ingenious. Its predecessors and m:i:3 set pretty high standards for the "heist" genre, so I'm glad "13" isn't a letdown in the stratagem stakes.
It helps that the sets were well-designed, and the all-star cast gave a laudable performance. A sombre-looking George Clooney demonstrated why he is only one of two men twice voted the sexiest on the planet; the other being co-star Brad Pitt, who looks slightly haggard though still oozing manly charm. Matt Damon has grown into his comedic role since the first movie, and it's one of those rare instances that I'm impressed by him. I liked Andy Garcia's playful wile, though Al Pacino was less ostentatious and more subdued than I was expecting him to be as the main antagonist. Ellen Barkin, the only notable female in the testosterone-charged cast, was also great comedy relief as the "woman of a certain age" who has fallen head over heels over Damon's character - with a prosthetic nose, no less.
And the Oprah segments are incredibly hilarious, yet pretty inspiring!
Overall a satisfactory movie experience, and a breath of fresh air amidst all the CGI-infested summer blockbuster sequels. Great for guys and gals alike.
May 31, 2007
Overbloated POTC
You can never have too much of a good thing (e.g. $$). So when you feel something is too much, it probably isn't a good thing. "Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End" is one of those instances when a movie tries to stuff in too much for its own good.
Clocking in at 2 hours 48 min of swashbuckling action, it's way overbloated. You probably wouldn't fall asleep, but it does get you wondering at some point when it is ever going to get down to serious business and quit dilly-dallying around, like Captain Jack Sparrow.
Many people can't seem to get enough of Johnny Depp, who reprises his role as the most famous pirate since Captain Hook. But the producers probably got a little too carried away this time round. What you get is too much, or rather, too many Jack Sparrows, in dubious scenes reminiscent of a certain 'Hougang Chalet'. Otherwise, Depp is dependable as always to deliver an excellent performance and draw in the big bucks.
Double/triple-crossing also happens more often than in any mafia movie, with characters switching allegiances at the snap of a finger. Which can be pretty confusing if you are wondering who's on who's side, and sometimes you're not sure if they're even making sense. It all just seems a little contrived. Or rather, there are too many "hidden agendas" giving rise to a number of convoluted and awkward plot twists.
Cast-wise, apart from Depp, Chow Yun Fat (Sao Feng) and Geoffrey Rush (Barbosa), most of the other leads put in mediocre performances. Keira Knightley (Elizabeth) shows some guts, but her looks probably get more attention than her acting. Orlando Bloom (Will) is forgettable, and a much bigger vase than Knightley. Naomie Harris (Tia) was superb in her cameo in Dead Man's Chest, but brings nothing much to this movie. Tom Hollander (Lord Beckett) is a little too sissy for my tastes, and can't positively command the screen as the biggest villain in the trilogy.
That is not to say the movie is worthless. As with its predecessors, the sets, action and effects are meticulously designed and brilliantly executed. Humour, fortunately, is sustained, thanks in large part to the many sidekick characters, including a monkey and a parrot. The rousing score and haunting theme ('Hoist the Colours') also stand out. If the producers could just trim the excesses, and cut it down to a lean and mean 2 hours, it might have been a more worthy conclusion to this popular trilogy.
Anyway, everyone's gonna watch it regardless of the reviews, so I wouldn't even bother to recommend it (or not). But at 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, you might do well to curtail your expectations before entering the theatres.
May 11, 2007
Bridge to Terabithia
Watched this movie on a date with aik joon today. Was deliberating between this and "28 Weeks Later"- both well-reviewed new releases - but opted against the latter as aj didn't want something gory.
Anyway "Bridge"'s trailer is highly misleading, but I already knew this before entering the theatre, so I couldn't say I was tricked into watching it. Touting it as "from the producers of the Chronicles of Narnia" and focusing mainly on the visual effects of a colourful fantasy world (by WETA of LOTR fame) , its accomplishment as a "powerful portrayal of love, loss, and imagination" (Rotten Tomatoes) is greatly understated.
To quote more reviews (since I'm lazy to think and can't possibly express myself as well as these critics):
"Everyone involved genuinely seems to believe in the power of imagination to enliven -- and enlighten -- the darkest realities, and that's a magic this film captures beautifully" -New York Daily News
"The beloved children's book has not just survived but thrived in its adaptation to the screen, its delicate combination of coming-of-age angst, tragedy and fantasy handled with assurance and taste" -Washington Post
"Elaborately mounted, expensively produced and filmed with style and empathy" -Chicago Tribune
So if you are looking for action a la "Narnia" or "LOTR", you might be sorely disappointed. But otherwise, it's a heartwarming (and at times, heartwrenching) film worth seeing, albeit on DVD and not in the theatres.
And finally, I shall leave you with this quote:
"Terabithia picks up a lot of emotional punch as it rolls along, and anyone leaving the theater with a dry eye should be checked for a pulse" -Detroit News
For the record, there was no need to check for a pulse in my case. ;)
May 6, 2007
Birthday, Spidey, Tank
Happy birthday, aik joon!!! He seems to have bad blood (pun unintended) with mosquitoes, for them to give him dengue twice and now malaria (both mosquito/blood-borne diseases, if you didn't get what the pun was about). I'm pretty sure he now shares my abomination for mosquitoes.
Jinny, zejia and I popped by his house today midnight (0000hrs) to give him a birthday surprise. We had a birthday cake and song, like what we did for zejia's birthday (albeit in the dying seconds and with a really miserable slice of cake). Hope we can carry on the "tradition", though we should opt for less fattening cakes in the future. LOL.
Watched "Spiderman 3" on thursday. A bare bones review would have read something like this: The action and CGI rocked but the plot and dialogue sucked, esp. in comparison to the critically-acclaimed sequel.
But for most of us action junkies, the many well-choreographed and executed action sequences would have been a real blast. It's almost non-stop action peppered with crappy dialogue (except , probably, for Aunt Mae's wise words), many subplots, and comic relief moments. There are attempts at characterisation, especially with Sandman, but having time split between 3 villains meant they aren't (or couldn't be) as well developed as Dr. Oc in spidey2. Can't have the best of both worlds, I guess, unless you're talking about the LOTR trilogy by Peter Jackson, which took three 3-hour++ films.
I thought Toby Maguire (Spidey) put in a credible performance, switching between wide-eyed earnestness and the darker venom-consumed spidey pretty convincingly (apart from the comical interlude). Kirsten Durst (MJ), as usual, could not extricate herself from the sobbing/screaming vase stereotype of the fairer sex in male hero comics. But she shares a chemistry with Maguire, developed over three movies, and that's great.
Went back to HC to watch Tank's school concert (free) after the movie, and I was pretty impressed. Not because he was a great 'live' singer, but because, to quote zejia, "he sang seriously, making sure every 尾音, 拉音, 假音 and every 转音 was done probably...the thing I had felt most today was his sincerity and the effort (he) put(s) in when he sings". 认真的男人最吸引人。Yep, plus he's humble, and I can see how his down-to-earth demeanor easily endears him to his audience.
One more day of rest tomorrow, and it's back to camp.
