I didn’t manage to catch it during their release and it is only yesterday that i saw it on DVD. I enjoyed this wonderfully original story from start to end. A story that reaches out to the heart and soul of Singaporeans on their hopes, dreams and discovering life.

Singapore Dreaming chronicles a working class family living in a capitalistic society, struggling with the frustrations of unfulfilled middle class ambitions. Its explores a Singaporean drive to attain the riches of the 5Cs, feeling frustrated by the gulf between his middle class dreams and his working class reality. There is always a bigger car to want, a nicer condo to live in. It is portrayed as the generalized way of how Singaporeans tend to see, judge and give their respect.

Like how the China beer girl sized us up in the movie, “Singaporeans love to complain about everything, yet they are willing to give up their dreams and do something else - because of money”.

I kind of remember watching this film when I was like 10, 12 maybe? This is one classic film that I can relate to, especially in my younger years.

I could recall reading up the TV guide in paper before sitting right in front TV in anticipation to watch those Golden Harvest HK films during the 2230 movie slot, either on Wednesdays or Fridays. Those were the days where Taiwanese variety show were completely non existant. Those were many movies, but ghost or vampire flicks (gui xi) have always had a special attachment to me. Like this one.

Theme Song - A Chinese Ghost Story

I borrowed the DVD at the library today, while I don’t exactly remember the story, I took a chance since I figured film maestro Tsui Hark is its producer. Well, sure enough it is nothing less of my expectation. The production has every element to make up a great orthodox Chinese movie. It has punching humour, great flying fight scenes, really realistic monster and most importantly a grand love story entwined between a human and a ghost. Oh boy, was she beautiful. The main character is played by the late Leslie Cheung as a rather lost, timid tax collector and his opposite by the super gorgeous Joey Wang as the female ghost (Xiao Qian). And then, there is the Taoist Monk - Wu Ma as a ghost-hunter, depicted as if he is suffering from some closeted mid-age crisis. Long story put short, both fell in love even though they were’nt suppose too. In entirety, I has a utterly enjoyable experience watching it back, relishing the good old memories of the early 90’s..

Ok. Considering that I have been scouring this for a long time, I have got to be surprised to find this in the library. After reading the synopsis, it clear to me that I HAVE to watch it.

Basically its about the rivalries among concubines to whom the master chooses to sleep with everyday. Oh yah, have to mention that Gong Li is one of them. It is proven that reading that may result in varying exilaration.

I squatted to lower racks and begun running my fingers throught the dvd spines, straining my focus to register the different titles. When I saw it, I dragged it out immediately and smiled by myself for being so lucky. Next, I secretly peered over shoulders for any ah peks and aunties that could be vying the same interest and pulling of the “I need it more then you” stunt. I think I was being paranoid. But most of all, I think I am lucky. No ones is around me.

This film is crafted in a close door manner which intimacy is none existant to the viewer but generally understood. Chief ploy relying on the subtle yet discriminating politics between the 3 concubines and the head wife. The idea is whomever the master choses the sleep with the night before, she will get to have some odd privileges, also implicitly gaining a upperhand in the running for the household. So every evening, the four ladies would stand outside their quarters within view of each other and then some lantern fella would walk down their aisle and place a big red lantern, infront of one of them

As I think you know, would indicate the master desire to sleep with for the night. Those same guys would then proceed to light up alot of big red lanterns inside the compound of the “chosen one”. The lighting of the lanterns is depicted in painstaking extent, apparently a tradition that has been passed down for generations. Foully interesting right?

I don’t wish to give up too much of the details, but I have to admit the artful directing and rich characters in the film brought about more then just the survial of the shrewest equation. But also the equality and purpose of the Chinese women in the past. It relates on how education and social exposure can bring about different ideologies against traditional conventions.

In the past, if you are one rich man in China having more then one wife, it is really important to make sure the babies they bear is yours

I have to confess that I am an addict. I addicted to Scofield and Linc. I had to buy the whole series when it came out. I didn’t care. I am a junkie and I finished the 2nd season within 2 days. 2 days of which is at about the time, around 4 days before my cross cultural management exams. I cannot take it if I don’t finish it

Allow me to return to the time when I finished the last espisode of season 1. I was absolutely gutted by the ending. I’m sure most did. I tried imagining how the plot is going to lean towards season 2 once the characters successfully broke out from prison? For a while it didnt look too promising. Seems like it has to regress into a pretty stereotyped plot - fugitives running from authority.

I was wrong. It was amazing from start to end. As I transit between increasing episodes, I told myself countless time that it is gonna be the last episode before I turn it my pc off. It was a uphill challenge and I am glad that succumbed to my own temptation. Basically, I had resorted to continue until I my eyes became so heavy I had to sleep. I am writing this straight after I finished the last one. I feel whole again. I feel liberated. No more addiction.

This is one Chinese 80’s nostagia flick! Tsui Hark’s or known by the chinese speaking community as Xu Ke, directed this film still as a unknown. It was one of his earliest work and it remains to be a treat to watch even after so many years (released in 1986).

Chinese film goddess Ling Ching Hsia teams up with 80’s Hongkong starlet Cherie Chong, (from An Autumn’s Tale) and music siren Sally Yeh, to a story of slightly serious political observation injected with slap stick humour, fight scenes. and the chinese opera. The movie seeds a underlying message during the political intrigue in China after the first revolution. Ling Ching Hsia’s role is limited to her serious dispostion as the educated general’s daughter with a master plot expose illegal foreign borrowings during the first chinese revolution’s regime. The big screen is amply stolen by both Sally and Cherie whom are absolutely hilarious.

Try to listen up for the Beijing Ya - “Peking Duck” joke.

Anyone who is familiar with the Romance of The Three Kingdoms, would define the Battle and Red Cliff the watershed of the epic novel. Historically, the battle is claimed to be have involved over half a million men. It is the aftermath of this battle that moulded the great empire of China into the 3 kingdoms of shu, wei and wu.

I have nothing to write further about this film because it has not been made. YET, I am compelled to write. Because today, I read in some internet that Chinese filmaker John Woo is poised to be sign as the director for the film, starring Chow Yun Fatt and Tony Leung, slated to be release in 2008.

I will try to keep this updated to any news I hear about it.

- 29 April 2007 -

Chow Yun-Fat was originally selected for the role of Zhou Yu. However, he pulled out on 13 April 2007, just as shooting began. Chow explained that he received a revised script a week earlier and was not given sufficient time to prepare, but producer Terence Chang disputed this, saying that he could not work with Chow because the film’s Hollywood insurer opposed 73 clauses in Chow’s contract. Chow was replaced by Tony Leung Chiu Wai, who had previously rejected the role of Zhuge Liang.

- 17 May 2007 -

There’s been another twist in the casting for John Woo’s historical epic. A publicist for one of the film’s investors claims Chow Yun-Fat has agreed to rejoin his old friend’s star-studded cast. He is likely to play one of the smaller roles and has yet to sign the contract. The Hong Kong star generated negative headlines after quitting the cast of the high profile epic. Previous reports say he was dropped from the cast because he put forward “nearly one hundred unreasonable demands.”

Hey, this is really the saddest movie I have ever watched.

But I never cry.

The plot begins in the later part of the second world war, period of time when Japan was under attack from the allies. The backdrop is of village folks living in anxiety from contant air raids. Could tell that the director probably make some efforts to eludes the very general viewer’s perception of war aftermath, but focuses on the characters dire situation during the destruction

The main character is compelled - as a older brother to take care of his younger sister when their mum was killed during one of the raids. As they struggled without money and a place to stay, pride, selfishness and ignorance, forced the siblings into desperation, relying on each other, with no other seeming resort. They had no food and money and in time, due to malnutrition, his sister got really sick.

The story then painstakingly devolops as you literally see the physical detoriation of his sister untill it is overly heart wrenching to predict or comprehand how it the plot would move on. The endearing cries of the baby sister and deperate exhales from the older brother just dragd at my heart. It is a masterpiece story. The candy container and fireflies would be long remembered

I told myself not to waste food next time.

My crave to watch this film is partially due to the many reviews I read before and its quite incredible cast. What say me. It was disappointed. I think alot will disagree - I simply do not understand the movie.

I had to strained my eyes, stop for a second or two to figure how the plot is meant to intend. I don’t understand how 2 stranger’s birthday greetings seem to connect. Whats that about? The second story is differently better. Better props this time, which includes the model planes, towels and soap. So as per norm, only consolation is Tony Leung’s disinterested demeanour and his self deluded humour. Faye Wong almost seem awdward with the camera. Is that her intention? Seriously it wasnt too convincing.

And that California song. This movie has assisted me to acceralated my opinion of that song. If I were the shop uncle, I would deep fry the cd.

Its either incredibly artistic or I’m not good enough for it.

Table for 2? With Chow’s not so good pronounciation, the phrase seems destined to be timeless best one liner in movies