(as they say, the road to hell is) Paved with Good Intentions

Singapore Dreaming is my favourite local film so far, hopefully the pioneer of many more worthy productions in our comparatively fledgling film industry.

This is the essay before the film, that was later published. It has been awhile since an address has hit me with such resonation, the other perhaps being Steve Jobs’ one at Stanford. Curiously, their case-in-points are almost similar.

On the other hand, this is might be the quintessential film on the lives of ordinary Singaporeans - HDB dwellers. No scholars, professionals, nor old money here. Folks who visit the Singapore Pools as faithfully if not moreso, than church or temple devotees. Yet this film is produced by 2 professionals who now call New York home & Dr. Woffles Wu, a top Singaporean plastic surgeon. I do wonder how they manage to hit the nail so sorely on its head, but I guess that is where all the correspondence with HDB-dwelling Singaporeans came in handy.

The Blossoming of Maximos Oliverios

A very overdue review of The Blossoming of Maximos Oliverios, which showed at the Cathay Picturehouse in 2007. This movie manages to be lighthearted despite carrying heavy themes of crime, homosexuality & one-sided love. You’re likely to fall in love with Nathan Lopez’s convincing performance as an openly gay 12-year old in a family of gangsters. I did. The Oliverios have no mother, so Maximos relishes his role as the lady of the house with much verve. Its all fine & dandy, until Maxi falls for someone on the right side of the law. This movie has alot of heart, & is worth watching just for Nathan Lopez. It is shot beautifully, despite the settings in a village slum.

Tempts me to explore other pinoy films. Salamat, I enjoyed this.

an Ode to Hong Kong Cinema

I never quite could get down to writing movie reviews, unfortunately. Afterall, for the many twos of life’s hours spent on a single movie (2000 movies = half a year of non-stop film!), writing a couple of lines to honour a cinematic effort should be easy, no? Perhaps this post should really be titled “I Have a Lazy Bone”. I avoid television dramas to justify movie time, but I’m too lazy to write a couple of lines.

But today I will tackle the memory leak, & recall my favourite HK movies. Because Hong Kong films are generally on Love, Wu Xia / Kung Fu, History or Slapstick, I assume films would be easier to qualify as compared to my love for English/Foreign film.

I’m wrong of course, so I’m leaving out all the guilty pleasures (no Hui Brothers, Stephen Chow, Jackie Chan & Leslie Cheung movies!)

I must confess, my days of serious Chinese film watching are long gone. They were most rampant in primary school, when Channel 8 would show up to 3 good films any given weekend. Was the Media Development Authority more lax back then? My tastebuds now opt for lesser Chinese films unfortunately, perhaps because interesting films also seem harder to come by.

Without further ado… My favourites of Hong Kong & Chinese cinema.

Pineapples

Chungking Express is my favourite Wong Kar Wai film. I like films when I can remember their plot amongst the flurry of many movies you see. Especially when a film changes how you see certain daily objects forever.

I took away two things from Chungking Express. One: I really wanted to see the Chungking Mansions for myself and two: Canned Pineapples. Alright, and also a slightly diminished love for California Dreamin’ after hearing it over & over.

Faye Wong looking blithe.

The Pineapple Lines

He Zhiwu, Cop 223: Any canned pineapple that expires on May 1?
Cashier: You know what day it is today?
He Zhiwu, Cop 223: April 30?
Cashier: Right. You think we sell outdated stock?
He Zhiwu, Cop 223: There’s still two hours to go.
Cashier: Nobody would buy it. Get a fresh one.
He Zhiwu, Cop 223: People like you are hung up on freshness. You realize what goes into a can of pineapple? The fruit must be grown, harvested, sliced, and you just throw it away! How do you think the can feels about that?

calm

On Sunday morning,

gingerly sifting through the newspapers,

to Astrud Gilberto.

Things You Learn

From watching Friends

1. Traffic policemen named Hanson & Petty love being flattered by obvious puns on their name.

2. Make sure your walls are thin. Or else life would be an absolute bore.

3. Do not count Mississippi-ly unless told to do so. Effectively, that means never.

4. Hiking in Europe will get you action every single time.

Things You Learn

From watching the Office.

1. Always, always type the right email address. Packing & Packer are not the same.

2. Be careful which Temp guy you choose to run your errands. You may have to call him Boss tomorrow.

3. Sausage-eating skills are essential in becoming Regional Manager. So is fire-walking. And carrying eggs in spoons while blindfolded.

4. If you hear strange noises at midnight on the Shrute family farm, do not investigate.

5. A beard, or the ability to sprout facial hair, gives you extra credibility at work.

Wonder if #5 applies to the fairer sex.

Things You Learn

From watching SATC

1. Do not put on any random firefighter’s overalls at the local fire station.

2. Twenty-somethings live in dumps & skimp on toilet paper.

3. Don’t marry a man who replies “Alrighty” after you propose. Avoid men who say Alrighty to everything.

Cover of a cover

The Stereophonics are coming to town… Well its unlikely I’ll be there, but this reminds me of the song that made me take notice of them in 2005.

Ironically, its a cover of a Rod Stewart cover. A testament to the song really.

Handbags & Gladrags