Gossip Guy(?!)

I haven't blogged for a while... and I'm back! miss me? I have been quite occupied with uni for a while, but now everything turns out fine. 

My title isn't film related this time, it's more tv oriented. I think the Brits over here are also getting the GG vibe, but anyway, I just came across this from El blog mas chic and this from Rykiel Homme's collection 08/09 just reminded me of someone. 

I can just imagine Chuck Bass in that suit and the coat! maybe some of you may think it's more of a Nate style, but I still think that rough edge/refined style kind of suits Chuck more. 

thanks for the comment from hrose, I really like your blog as well. Keep it up! they're so amazing, because every post from yours has something that I like in it. xx

in case, anyone would like to check out her blog, it's http://www.capturethecastle1.blogspot.com

have you ever thought that actually guys gossip just as much as girls do? this week I've seen public entries from male friends who're actually getting a little jealous and have also heard about a certain player's description of his views on "love". Sometimes people think girls are being bitchy about stuff, but guys, they are just as emotional as we are, it's just that they have the bitchy part taken out of the equation. 

alright! enough of that GG obsession (actually I prefer Dirty Sexy Money more from abc, the ppl in there are more glamorous, intriguing and human to me) 

I'll move back to my film reviews soon, since lately I want to do quite a lot of reviews after watching some films... perhaps after next wednesday when I'm done with my last exam. I came here and found that I haven't written anything for a while and it makes me feel empty. I just want to share as much as what I have read on all those lovely blogs out there. 

some are old and some are new ones. 

- Les Chansons D'amour 

- Changeling (one of the best films from Clint Eastwood, because he's not really one of my favourite directors but this film has changed my perspective of the world, of motherhood and of Clint's directing style) :P 

- Priceless (Hors de Prix) 

- The Factory Girl (have I done that before?) 

- Tell No One (this is a thriller, really excellent one, directed by the multi-talented French hottie Guillaume Canet) 

For this Christmas season, I think everyone's going to watch the epic Australia (the thought of the the clothes, Baz Luhrmann, Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman just blows off my mind, albeit that the plot sounds cheesy like a WWII version of Gone With the Wind), and I'm looking forward to watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (you could never miss a Cate Blanchett film esp when there's Brad Pitt in it!) and hopefully Vicky Cristina Barcelona will be released in the UK soon (dying to watch it). 

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Bond is back after two years. 

This time the film picks up one hour after Casino Royale (2006) where Bond shoots White in the arm. So the whole plot is Bond trying to avenge for the death of Vesper's and he meets an ally on his way, Camille, who will lead h

im to another clue, Dominic Greene, leading him to the answer of Vesper's betrayal. 

[spoiler]

I won't say I love it nor hate it, but I'm starting to think Daniel Craig may be the best bond ever. 

The thing that is not appealing in this movie is the shakey scenes where they fight. my reaction was something like for god's sake, just focus and let me see Daniel's face!!! the cinematography is so-so, but the beautiful locations make up for it. They had been shooting the film in Haiti, Russia, Italy, London (as usual) and Austria, and those are really nice places. Makes me want to visit Siena : )

What I love about the new Bond franchise is that they make Bond a more human and vulnerable figure. In the past 007 films, we can only see the reserved and cold side of Bond, but he's actually a man with internal struggles. That fragile side just makes James Bond more attractive I guess. But since it's a sequel to Casino Royale, so I think they'll try to make him more emotionally unsteady. You can actually see him transforming from that person in Casino Royale to a bit of a different person in QoS. 

Don't let the action scenes turn you off, actually they're quite good. Time is different, things have to change. It won't hurt to watch the film if you're a fan of Daniel Craig or James Bond either. The action is different, but Bond is still Bond. 

The Duchess (2008)

It reminds me of Marie Antoinette, but the Duchess is a more political and inspirational film, and it ends more abruptly than M.A.... it makes me wonder... were all aristo women back in that time acting like that?

one thing I'm quite disappointed with this film is that Keira is being typecast as period drama heroines, although her ethereal beauty is cut out for those roles, but I'd be more happy to see her in modern films. 

The Duchess is not those girlish movies like M.A., it's about politics, love and marriage in a more grown up sense. The most intriguing thing that astonishes me is the menage a trois among Georgiana, her husband and her best friend. What is, seriously, the problem with this couple? Doesn't she has the power to drive away her friend from their house?! Georgiana has to take the blame for some reasons that she can't give up her friend for her marriage. what a sensible woman... 

Wife. Husband. Friend. Lover.

The Edge of Love (2008)

it's nothing like Atonement (Whoever says it looks like Atonement seriously needs to rewatch the whole thing) except for the fact that it's set in the war time, and it involves Keira Knightley and her speaking "come back". 

The theme is broad- platonic love, obsessive love, familial love, passionate love... Everything is in there. 

The story chronicles the life of Dylan Thomas, a Welsh poet and the relationship between he and his wife, Caitlin (Sienna Miller), his childhood sweetheart Vera Phillips (Keira Knightley) and Vera's soldier husband William Killick (Cillian Murphy). 

It's a beautiful and moving bio pic about a group of people who are entangled in a relationship that is only clear to them, and the script is written perfectly. Although I still have to admit that I like Joe Wright's filming techniques and everything (The scenery is superb and the music as well!!!) John Maybury's film dazzles me when he doesn't go the way of filming a cliched war epic. It's heartbreaking but it's also bohemian-ish and playful, you can actually feel the female bond established by Sienna and Keira in the film. 

Cillian Murphy's role is a bit psychotic. He can't adapt to the environment that Dylan lives in after he comes back from the war, showcasing the mentality of soldiers back then who were traumatised by the war. 

and I never knew Keira can sing like that! I mean she has the style of a 40s cabaret singer. It reminds me of those songs sung by Edith Piaf and Ella Fitzgerald, all cheeky and romantic and soft. 

Overall, I'd give the film a 8.5/10 rating for its script, cinematic grandeur, in-depth portrayal of characters' minds and its broad range of theme that everyone can respond to even in this day and age. From the film, I just get to know more about Dylan Thomas and how great a poet he is. 

One of my favourite quotes:

"First love's alright as far as it goes, but last love, that's what I'm interested in."

-William Killick

It's become something of a motto for me. Some people can't get over their first love like Vera Phillips, but come to think of it, when you have gone through the feverish period of having a first love, you'll always be on the search of someone that you can hold on to forever, no matter how many breakups you have gone through, and that's the essence of the line.  

The Dark Knight (2008)

TDK is not really my favourite Batman film in the franchise, but Nolan sure did recreate a cast of characters that is esentially dark and flawed.

Bruce Wayne is no longer the really just n' good guy in the previous films. you can also view him as a man tortured by the fact that he's trying to be an equal of Dent, the much loved DA in GC. Heath Ledger's Joker is more neurotic and much more of a psychopath, and he could send a chill down your spine when he laughs with that disturbing and eerie voice. Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent is seen as a destroyed and disillusioned man, one who fights for justice - the White Knight of Gotham City - but ended up tortured by fate. I was kind of destroyed too... when all the time I thought Batman would save Rachel Dawes - it's more of a symbolism in saving Dent, because by that it means Batman tries to restore justice and fairness in the world even to the extent of forgoing his own world.

Sometimes, the truth is better not to be known.
and the lines lead to a series of thoughts in my mind, questioning our existence in this mess of a world.

is chance the only fair way to decide in an unfair world?


"madness is like gravity. you only need a little push."

"You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

really wish there would be a trilogy. wanna see more of Two Face (Aaron Eckhart!!!) and there are rumors that Ewan McGregor is going to be the Riddler. Maybe Chris Nolan is really trying to re-establish a new image to each and every character in the franchise. but definitely not Catwoman and the Penguin, as it's heard that he would never do a remake of those two, Tim Burton still rules!!!

Jeux d'Enfants (2003)

saw it from Soir-de-fete's blog.
Guillaume Canet et Marion Cotillard.
are you still playing games from your childhood?
Julien and Sophie are. but theirs is not an easy game for the those who lack courage and flair.

Are you game?

Emma (1996)

"I rode through the rain! I'd - I'd ride through worse than that if I could just hear your voice telling me that I might, at least, have some chance to win you."
- Mr. Knightley

out of all the Jane Austen movies, Emma is perhaps my favourite, or it is a close second to Joe Wright's P&P (I chose it soley due to the fact that Joe Wright is directing it and Keira Knightley is in it) Emma as a much better plot and a heroine that I like and that I can sometimes identify with, and Mr. Knightley, shall I say he's one of the most charming men in Austen's novels, after Colonel Brandon and Edward Rochester (but he's a Bronte's character) nevermind that.

going to a theme party on this coming friday and everyone has to dress up as movie characters. I'm still thinking which one I should be (considering the troubling fact that I haven't got a costume and it's hard to find a nice one in HK) usually you hv to hv them custome made and I don't have much time. argh. I've been thinking of a few possibilities.
1. Alice in Alice in Wonderland
2. Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz (just because I have a pair of red shoes)
3. Wednesday Addams (the plaits are easy to do compared to the blonde wig I need to get for Alice's character)
4. Helen of Troy in Troy
5. Olympia (Angelina Jolie's character in Alexander)
you see I'm going for the toga ones cuz I really want to have a toga party
6. Holly Golightly
7. Celia in Atonement
or just any flappers in the 20s

Notting Hill (1999)

one of my favourite films of all time.
watched it for over a dozen times and now I'm watching it again. It's the second most watched films in my list after Breakfast at Tiffany's.
Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant just shine in it.

and Richard Curtis. He's one of my favourite screen writers. I love all his films - Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill. but Notting Hill is perhaps the most hilarious and light hearted one with a "surreal but nice" romance.

Up at the Villa (2000)

adapted from Somerset Maugham's novel of the same name, this film is quite an intriguing period drama about how people change under different circumstances no matter how hard they try to stick to their own ideas of themselves.

the scenery is absolutely beautiful and Italy is always the place for a romantic encountering (apart from paris) and yet it is also the ideal venue for murder and suspence i think. the villa, the farmlands, the vineyards, everything just adds up so beautifully and they all seem idyllic and romantic and dangerous at the same time. Reminds me of the book I read some time ago - The Savage Garden by Mark Mills - it's about how a British guy who stays in Italy for the summer in the early 1940s discovers a truth about the family murder in his hostess' villa while the present is slowly mingled with the past, quite an intricate whodunnit novel.

just a change of tone here. watched Johnny English again last night after I saw the ad of Mr. Bean's Holiday in hbo. Steve Carrell's Get Smart is just repeating what Rowan Atkinson did in Johnny English I guess, but this time it's an American spy... but I always think that a British spy is way cooler than those CIA agents. the brit agents are just suave and sleek and everything, maybe that's an influence from my childhood cuz my dad is a James Bond fanatic. haha

the theme song for the film - a man for all seasons is soo hilarious when it's put in the film... the juxtaposition between bond n' english. lol

Angel (2007)

It's finally released in Hong Kong!!!

adapted from Elizabeth Taylor's novel and directed by Francois Ozon, this film is an amazing confection with a slightly melodramatic portrayal of an Edwardian female writer's quest for fame, love and wealth. Many people who watched it say Angel's life is really tragic. but I think her perception of her own life have to be nice, as she decorates the whole Paradise house into somewhat a paradise. the ambiguity Ozon tries to bring out this time is -

whether we're looking at the life she lived or the life she dreamed.

I have to agree with many that Angel Deverell (Romola Garai) is slightly pulled away from the reality as in many scenes. She refuses to grow up when Esme finally takes up the responsibility of a man and goes to war (the story spans the late 19th century and the early 1920s). and the only sad part is she can't catch up with the society when everything changes. It's such a pity that a writer like her experiences a catapult to fame and is suddenly robbed of everything.

the only disappointment in the film is the character of Esme. Michael Fassbender is really good as Angel's husband and the painter. the thing I don't really understand is how Angel can love a man to the extent that she's willing to give up everything for him, and gets nothing in return. maybe true love doesn't ask for anything in return, but it's quite shocking at the end when she finds out abt Esme's past. Sometimes I think Angel isn't ruined by her own ambitions, as Charlotte Rampling's character Hermione says she rather admires Angel for her qualities to get what she wants, Deverell is somehow ruined by her inability to live in the present and her love for Esme. that's why the audience is able to sympathise with Angel when she appears to be a showy person.

quite an oustanding performance from Romola Garai I must admit. She has grown up a lot since I first saw her in I Capture the Castle.

I always feel that this dress is going to create a sensation after Keira Knightley's green biased cut one in Atonement.

a little poetry reading

http://www.wretch.cc/blog/jerocca&article_id=13912749

Jerocca's blog is about films and cultural issues. quite innovative and inspirational. : ) I especially like her entry on Apr 3 about poetry.

"Poetry doesn't belong to those who write it
but those who need it."
- Mario Ruoppolo (Il Postino)

poetry is fashion.
as seen from the recent trend of blooming flowers for summer. this trend does sparkle when accompanied by a line or two of poetry. things don't get as surreal and beautiful without John Keats' La Belle Dame sans Merci

"...I see a lily on thy brow,
with anguish moist and fever dew,

and on thy cheeks a fading rose
fast withereth too.

I met a lady in the meads,
full beautiful - a faery's child,
her hair was long, her foot was light,
and her eyes were wild..."

a kind of fish tail mermaid dress from Zac Posen

this Peter Som is amazing.
a combination of effortless grace and modernity.


the flower child theme is always making a come back in the summer. reminds me of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

watched it today, the one with Sophie Marceau, Rupert Everett, Christian Bale, Calista Flockhart, Michelle Pheiffer and Stanley Tucci.

it's dreamy and poetic. it's my favourite Shakespearean play (Romeo & Juliet is classic, but this one wins my heart whenever I read it or watch the film). with all those faeries and Titannia and the dreamy Oberon. sigh.

just love these two. they're comical in there.

having a pre-summer madness right now. it's still not midsummer thank god, or else it will be steaming hot in here. exam's not done, but since I've finished two subjects, so I'd better come here and write a bit of a blog. just can't resist it. anyway have to get on with my studies. big challenge ahead. argh. starting to get restless again.

bonne nuit.

books... books... more books

just got to know this author - Iain Pears. his books look interesting, kind of mystery/suspense... I don't really know, but I'm interested in the one called The Dream of Scipio.

watched Becoming Jane the other day, and I'm suddenly interested in her novels again. Used to read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, but maybe I was too young at that time (around 12) and seriously as a non-native english speaker I don't really know what Austen's writing about. but now I somehow grasp her words, there's certainly a subtle force in it that makes her novels one of the top books of all time. I'm going to read Bronte's Jane Eyre after the exam too... lots of books unread.

going to finish off Ian McEwan's Enduring Love, the Dreamer... don't really like the plot and background of On Chesil Beach.

haven't finished Antonia Fraser's Marie Antoinette as well... and I'm planning to reread Left Bank. and I'm going to get Oscar Wilde's complete works, F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Beautiful and the Damned and This Side of Paradise. just love his books and the decadence of Jazz Age.

will probably update after the exam.

bonne nuit

guilt and pressure make a fine couple

watched a few movies these days since my whole day is occupied by revision, watching movies on hbo is quite a luxury to my entertainment deprived life.

- Stepmom (8/10)
- To Catch a Thief (9/10)
- Stranger than Fiction (fell asleep halfway through the movie)
- Love and other Disasters (8.5/10)
- The Talented Mr. Ripley (9/10) watched it a few times, but apparently still like it very much
- watching the Royal Tenenbaums now.

there will be Material Girls, Music and Lyrics and A History of Violence. WHY ARE THEY SHOWING ALL THE MOVIES THAT I HAVE WANTED TO WATCH NOW??? there's the Fountain too...argh...

quite tired now... but had to make up for the hours that I used up for sleeping this morning. I pressed the snooze button at 8.30 n' fell asleep again... until like 10.30 when my sis' phone call woke me... she forgot to bring her keys, so had to wait for her to get home so i could get out n' grab my lunch.

hectic days ahead.
13 days to go for the first subject.
then there will be one more week until the most nerve wrecking subject (economics) really i'm not good at it. just wish i could get a C for that. can't get lower than that... or i wouldn't be admitted into law schools everywhere.

bonne nuit

Love and Other Disasters

a light-hearted and adorable romantic comedy. kind of British with a hint of Breakfast at Tiffany's (my favourite movie) and the Devil Wears Prada. It reminds me of those 90s romantic comedies, they are seriously the best and they can't make it like those nowadays. When I watched all those comedies in the 90s (Notting Hill, Pretty Woman, the Runaway Bride...) I was just around 8 or 9, but they made a big impact on me, movies, apart from those tear jerking ones, can be once in a while funny, poignant and warm.

Brittany Murphy is definitely in her best form, playing the UK Vogue intern who tries to help her friends find love. and the cameo appearance of Orlando and Gwyneth is really nice and sweet, especially when the film is ironic in a way to show the stereotypical hollywood movie everyone yearns to watch - a happily-ever-after romance with a blonde heroine.

and life is always not like a movie. but coming across a familiar scene would be interesting enough.

The Age of Innocence (1993)

Martin Scorsese's "most violent" film.
it's mentally violent, which is different from his usual physical violence.
A romance with inner turmoil of its protagonist between conformity and emancipation. What is real and what is fake? To what extent would we give up our reputation, family, fortune for love? or is it lust?



"Newland Archer: You gave me a glimpse of a real life. Then you asked me to go on with a false one. No one can endure that.
Countess Olenska: I am enduring it."

"No one could ever be jealous of May's triumphs. She managed to give the feeling that she would have been just as serene as without them. But what if all her calm, her niceness, were just a negation, a curtain dropped in front of an emptiness? Archer felt he had never yet lifted that curtain."

"He could feel her dropping back to inexpressive girlishness. Her conscience had been eased of its burden. It was wonderful, he thought, how such depths of feeling could co-exist with such an absense of imagination."

Edith Wharton's words are fascinating, subtle and inspiring.

Oscar

they say this year's Oscar was surrounded by psychopaths who got nominated. anyway it seems that each year there's a different theme for the winning pictures. there are definitely lots of romance in the 90s, but it's harmless once in a while to show blood thirsty thrillers. the genre isn't so much of a matter as long as the director, the actors and all the other working units know how to master the art of film.

this year things are making sense finally after several years of disappointment. Marion Cotillard got Best Actress in the Leading Role, Cate Blanchett in the supporting role, that guy who starred in No Country for Old Men got the male supporting role and Daniel Day Lewis got the best actor in the lead role. Now they're making some sense. at least this year they're having some sort of international appreciation for the films. seriously, that year with the Crash as the Best Picture, I don't know how they did it. that's like the worst among the 80 Best Pictures. wth. But anyway this year it showed that everyone is worthy of those little gold statues. because the coen brothers they're awesome! n' the actresses n' actors who got nominated for the leading roles are amazing people. many of them are character actors. they act.

but when you see that footage they had about the voting system... i mean c'mon... look at those people, some of them are not serious enough, and may I say they're kind of biased. There's certainly a winning formula. and some people are destined to get the award. some however, like Johnny Depp, Peter O' Toole, they got nominated for i dunno, say many times, and still couldn't get their share... what's the problem here... but anyway these people are still much loved by the audience. not taking an oscar doesn't mean those people can't act. they have substance, it's just that they're not lucky. that's all.

The Illusionist (2006)

When it came out at almost the same with the Prestige which starred Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine, many have thought that the Illusionist was merely a copycat. It thrives on another storyline, to be precise. The Prestige may be more attractive in terms of star allure, but the Illusionist deals with a heavier subject, it shows the loopholes of government administration, the way of life under autocratic rule and most of all, how an illusionist could hypnotise the entire nation, as well as the audience.

The Prestige reveals rivalries and depicts how vengeance and greed could devour a man. On the other hand, The Illusionist conveys how vengeance could be done with grace. Edward Norton delivers an excellent performance as the disturbed and secretive illusionist. This film gives you the feeling of having gone through a marvelous magic show, rather than having a bit of disappointment after you knew they have revealed all their tricks in the Prestige. The Illusionist, on the contrary, gives you a sense of fascination and leaves the audience happy about his show. He just makes you wonder how he does it.

My Funny Valentine

Valentine's Day but I'm still working my ass off. sadly I haven't met mr. right watever. still have to get going with the exam.

top ten romantic films that I'd recommend (my all time favourites)

1. Breakfast at Tiffany's
2. Love Actually
3. Serendipity
4. Atonement (it's kind of tragic but still really good)
5. La Parapluise de Cherbourg
6. Kate and Leopold
7. Moulin Rouge
8. Sabrina
9. The English Patient
10. Casablanca

some are tearjerkers, but hey it's doesn't matter they're still great love stories. : )

Serendipity is really my thing. I believe in fate more than hard work sometimes. and some people are just lucky all the time. lucky in all different ways. if there's really a guy like John Cusack's character, and I really get the chance to meet him like that, and even after 7 years, that's destiny, not conincidence really. I'd really marry him in a second.

Breakfast at Tiffany's is still in my top three list cuz it's just sooo good. light hearted and heartbreaking at the same time. it's about the fear of committment.
when Paul tells Holly that he loves and she belongs to him (that'll be problematic in the 21st century... feminists will be arguing that as sth against females) Holly thinks being in love with someone is locking herself in a cage. but those aren't equal i think. ownership and love are two separate things. when you love someone you technically own them, but literally you won't cuz that'll suffocate the relationship...

these 10 are ten different love stories from ten different points of view. different relationships and teach us a lot about love. "all you need is love" that's what they say in Moulin Rouge. : )

and here's the lyrics to the song that I love. really valentine-ish.

My funny valentine
Sweet comic valentine
You make me smile with my heart
Your looks are laughable
Unphotographable
Yet you're my favourite work of art

Is your figure less than greek?
Is your mouth a little weak?
When you open it to speakAre you smart?
But dont change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little valentine stay
Each day is valentines day

things I like

On the verge of brain suffocation due to immense and uncontrollable cramming of subjects into my brain, I'm constantly getting a vision of my future. hmmm...that scares me a bit actually. I'm getting serious because life is tough and serious now. have to be sophisticated for a while. and think straight.

read a post on imdb about women being crazy and acting nuts from 18-25 while men would continue with that period into their 30s... I think i'm quite insane these two years. and i still have some more years to get wasted, so I'll start getting serious for two more months and fall into the black pit of hope/confusion/dreariness... for another 2 months and get the results. and I'll be free. but growing up isn't that fun. I haven't thought about this for a long time. Actually being a grown up you have to cope with lots of things and that's not easy, at least not like those dreams i used to picture myself as a shopaholic living in paris looking at the eiffel every day.

maybe this time I'll type out the things or people that I like ... at least they motivate me to work and remind me of my good days. : )

• the 20s and 40s are still my favourite period of time. used to dream about living in that period. i'd rather face war than face school... trying to be honest really.


• psychological thrillers, and suspense genre


• Johnny Depp and Tim Burton collaboration.


• John Cusack just made the list. suddenly have a liking for his films. i used to like him when i first saw him in America's Sweethearts. and I saw it today. not really a great movie, but reminds of me those great romantic comedies in the 90s like Notting Hill. make me smile every time. and he actually did blog in the internet about war and america and hunter s. thompson.


• everything french or british


• F. Scott Fitzgerald


• Daphne du Maurier


• movies from the 40s


• vintage


• poetry, literature


• macarons (really want to try those from lauderee)


• aston martins, mini coopers (i'll learn how to drive one day!)
  
• joe wright he's really talented.


• writing (i actually want to be an illustrator for children's books or just an author. but I'm not going to major in lit... anyway if i hv earnt enough after my 30s i'll quit my job and start writing and writing. I want to be a screenwriter as well. I can't act and I always have a thing for movies, so maybe that's the job for me. who knows? that's the good thing of the film industry, different types of talents can find their way into the business as long as they have a passion for films)

I'm a child from another period, my mum used to say. She always says you like old stuff. yes, I guess I like old stuff, and they're nice and nostalgic. maybe I'm really from another time period.

Sweeney Todd (2008)

TIM BURTON IS BACK! with long time collaborator/frd Johnny Depp n' wife Helena Bonham Carter. : )

it's a homage to the old classic horror movies. a bit like sleepy hollow n' edward scissorhands, and that brings out the best of Burton as a director of the gothic genre.

the singing is amazing. and it's johnny depp's first time to sing on screen. as well as Alan Rickman. Jamie Campbell Bower is quite fascinating too. and Jayne Wisener recalls the Christina Ricci look in Sleepy Hollow.

it's a story about revenge eating up on itself. a love story, murder and horror added up together, quite comical too, all put into a musical. really i haven't seen a musical that can make your hair jump but all the while sends out lots of messages about humanity. There's no clear line between evil or good. Frankly, everyone in the film is quite nuts about one thing or another.

hope depp could get his oscar after the golden globes. he should have got that award after so many nominations... but oh well there are still lots of competitive actors like tommy lee jones, viggo mortensen and daniel day lewis... maybe johnny depp is the dark horse... we never know.

I'm still having this gothic craze. whenever tim burton's movie's out i got this craze. lol and i got myself a black and white stripe dress today. HAHA : ) it is quite a trend this summer. i'm going to stock up on this. saw one that i really want to buy already. a halter neck. hmmm : P

overall ratings:

cinematography - 4.5/5 (the cgi opening is a bit of a turn off)

music - 4/5

casting - 5/5
art direction - 4/5

costume - 4/5

Heath

RIP
Heath Ledger (1979-2008)

Rebecca

reading My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. it's a bit like Rebecca. the femme fatale, the sinister adviser, but it's written from a male perspective. One of my aspirations is to write from a male point of view, it should be really interesting.

have done my portfolio. ALL DONE! quite happy about it now.

wanted to re-watch Rebecca, but couldn't find the dvd anywhere. so i just went to youtube. hehe youtube's the greatest invention ever!!!
i have also ordered the umbrellas of cherbourg from hmv. get to watch it next week! hooray!

but just one more month and it will be our mock exam. wth. 70 days till AL. a bigger wth!

C'est la vie

having many days of holidays right now, but after that it will be horrid study time day and night. oh gosh... I really have to fulfil my new year's resolutions. i need to get into the unis in the uk!!! have to get at least 2As n' 1B < that's what my teachers predicted... hv to put more effort in it n' there's not much time left actually... but life recently is a bit relaxing and carefree, maybe cuz I'm trying to live loose rather than choking myself. anyway it's mid jan and exam will start in mar 31... so shitty now... dun want to ruin my life (as they say if u dun get into uni ur ruining ur life)

still having dreams and aspirations
-though i'm getting into law ... i kind of want to be a screenwriter actually. but since u can't really survive in hollywood now as a screenwriter, u need to find other jobs to do.
-want to take up a part time job after the exams n' then spend all my salary on things i want to buy in a day! or a few days...
-want to travel around europe, esp greece, rome, italy, france (st tropez, monaco, paris, provence, monte carlo), london, cornwall, denmark, milan, actually i wanna try going to siberia too. : P

sometimes i do believe in karma though i'm an atheist. but sometimes i think life is dependent on luck. really. luck plays a huge part in our life. (match point is a bit too dramatic, but sometimes u can't deny luck plays a part in ur life... many things are inevitable n' when they come either they are fortunate things or unlucky ones, it's depending on ur luck) but karma it's another thing. but sometimes things wont get back at you u notice. so i'm still confused with this philosophy.

c'est la vie. bonne nuit.

Atonement (2007)

the best film adaption of novel in recent years!!! Ian McEwan's Atonement is quite a tough job for directors to transform into a film and Joe Wright did it again!!! he's soooo brilliant.


the story about the disillusioned Robbie Turner who was falsely accused and stripped of his social status just because Briony Tallis told a lie.
"You don't have to be 18 to own up a lie." heard something similar in the film. and actually it's really a shame for her not to own up that lie until she's 80! the ending is sooo devastating both in the book and the film. I cried when I read the book and watched the movie, and the book is the first book that i've ever cried about.

"Dearest Cecilia, the story can resume. The one I had been planning on that evening walk. I can become again the man who once crossed the surrey park at dusk, in my best suit, swaggering on the promise of life. The man who, with the clarity of passion, made love to you in the library. The story can resume. I will return. Find you, love you, marry you and live without shame."

the music score is really nicely done. really want to buy a copy of it to fill up my emptiness before the DVD comes out. pls make it faster. i want to watch the movie again. apparently this kind of convoluted storyline is not welcome in hong kong because people don't have the brain to process everything. and what's more, there were more foreigners in the theatre than hongkongers. people simply don't have the patience or the depth to appreciate this type of film.

cinematography 10/10

acting/casting 9/10
music 9/10
ending 9.5/10
dunno who will win the oscars but surely since Joe Wright got so many nominations for this movie in the golden globe, he'll surely be among the oscars list!!!