Khalil Fong @ Toronto

Yeah, within six months, I saw my absolute 2 favs (that is Jay Chou and Khalil Fong) in concert in Toronto. This time for Khalil, I'm fanatic (or crazy) enough to go alone to Toronto for this concert. It's the first time that I travel alone and it's an interesting experience, ah the freedom...

Back to the concert, I'm really happy to be there to support him. It really was a music based concert since most of the time, he was performing acoustic and the stage was simple, without any props. I must say that he was really good live this evening and his voice condition was great. He was really interactive with the crowd, he responded to the crowd making it an intimate concert. He even said "Bonjour" and "Je t'aime"...aw....

My only disappointments were that the concert was really short by my standards. It lasted about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Also, only pictures allowed but no video shooting allowed...Grrr...that sucks! But clips of that evening can found on Youtube...oh well...

The concert venue Roy Thompson Hall

The interior of the venue

The encore part with guest Fiona Sit

Playlist of early April

- 值得流淚 - Raymond Lam => On the first hearing, you have the impression that it's a themesong for an ancient drama and it really is one! There is really no classical fusioned song that I don't like so yeah...

- 披星戴月 - Hins Cheung => Christopher Chak is the hot composer now and there are so many songs composed by him lately. Among them, it's this one that I like the most since it grows on me after each repeat.

* March was relatively better compared to February and I'm still in my reading craze thus the lack of updates. But I will eventually post back the reviews of some movies that I wrote like 2 months ago...:p

Playlist of early March

- 不呼不吸幾多秒 - Fiona Sit => Khalil flavored track, very sweet and old school feel; although I think that Fiona's pronouciation of 呼 a bit too odd.

- 二缺一 - Charlene Choi => Okay, I never thought that I would ever put her name here but I think this song managed to surprise me and I do see improvement here. But why this sounds so like 酷愛?

* Right, I 'disappeared' for a month virtually. I officially label February as my depression month. It's the shortest month according to the calendar but it felt really long and I was really really tired. Results: I was so unmotivated that I didn't watch anything (well, just some episodes of Boom Boom Ba). Instead, I spent my time reading chick lit and contemporary romance novels (lame, I know :=)...Therefore, no updates for I-don't-know-how-long...

Playlist of early February

- 祝英台 - Kay Tse => I was a bit disappointed when I first heard it because it's so typical recent Kay stuff but there's nothing to criticize in terms of performance, melody and lyrics.

- 我的回憶不是我的 - Hai Ming Wei & Vincy Chan => Very 90's duet feel that I found myself humming along...

- Allegro Opus 3.3am - Eason Chan=> A song title that is hard to remember but bravo Eason for something so unordinary!

La Lingerie

La Lingerie Synopsis: (from Yesasia)
This story is about four young women. Their lives and their loves tied together by a common thread --- lingerie.

Miu, Donut, Celine and CC come from four different walks of life. Yet they always seem to hang out at the same place, a sexy lingerie shop where Donut works. Miu works for the Research and Development division of a Lingerie company. She's been an over achiever all her life academically and career-wise, yet possessing a failing grade in romance. She recently moves into the house of her deceased, unmarried old maid of an aunt. In her room she sees glimpses of what could become her future, that of a successful career woman who dies a virgin. Just like her aunt's drawer full of fabulous lingerie and underwear, never to grace the sights of a man to share her life with. This epiphany of hers brings about a resolve to finally find someone to fall in love with for the first time. And with it comes droves of suitors of all shapes and sizes, from a rich playboy, a nerdy genius, a bank manager to a self proclaimed "love expert" Lucas who seems to have ulterior motives behind his pursuit of Miu. She needs to rely on her three close and romantically experienced friends to find her way out of this labyrinth. Yet these three "consultants of love" seem to have hit rough patches of their own.


My comments:
I wanted to watch La Lingerie when I saw the trailer because it's by the same people behind the very fun La Brassiere and hey isn't La Brassiere and La Lingerie look like sister movies? Anyway, I'm a bit disappointed by La Lingerie. It's overly long, it's choppy and all the stories doesn't connect well. But when Wong Yau Nam's character exposes the secret/metaphor of lingerie, it actually made think a bit...

Stephy Tang and Ronald Cheng ending up together is questionable because I didn't see how they develop this supposedly love relationship. He wanted to sleep with her but failed, then later decides to have platonic friendship with her by giving tips how to attract guys and finally out of the blue we learn that they do like each. Huh, did I miss something?! I find JJ Jia and Andy On (who spoke almost non-understandable Cantonese) or even Tsui Tin Yau and Kathy Yuen more interesting and believable. Only JJ and Andy's story gives me a little surprise. I seem to see Wong Cho Lam everywhere lately and gosh, he is so over the top in this movie that is almost unbearable, even though I like this guy!

The selling point of this movie is the actresses (and the movie poster) but they are unimpressive. Stephy Tang is cute and all but I still don't like her although I think she's a better actress than a singer. Janice Man continues to annoy me for unknown reasons. Therefore, the redeeming factors are the guys and the cameos; they are more fun to watch.

Painted Skin

Painted Skin Synopsis: (from Yesasia)
Commander Wang (CHEN Kun) and his army go into fierce war against bandits in the western province. There Wang rescues an exceedingly beautiful lady called Xiao Wei (ZHOU Xun) and brings her back to his imperial court. Some time later, in the city where Wang stays, murder takes place every other day and the hearts of victims are all being taken away. The entire city has fallen into terror.

On the other hand, Xiao Wei is deeply attracted to Wang and she is planning in hidden to replace Wang’s wife, Pei Rong (Vicky ZHAO). Pei Rong sees through Xiao Wei and also notices that she acts differently from others, so she seeks help from a ranger called Pang Yung (Donnie YEN) and a female exorcist Xia Bing (Betty SUN), thus unveiling the battle between the good and the evil…


My comments:
I saw Painted Skin about two weeks ago and still don't know how to give comments. The pace can be slow at times, especially the part where everyone is arguing whether Xiao Wei is a demon or not but it's to build the very interesting climax of the movie. I expected a spooky horror + martial arts movie, well the martial arts are there but deep down it's a family/love drama. I was moved at the end by both women's willingness to self-sacrifice for love but the end is too happy ever after to be true. I always wonder what both women see in Wang Sheng to be so hopelessly in love with him? He's handsome yes and loyal but that's it. One thing that surprises me is that Wang Sheng remained loyal to his wife was not that easily seduced by Xiao Wei.

The best parts of the movie is to watch Vicki Zhao and Zhou Xun together. Their so called sisterhood, conflicts and confrontations are the highlights of the movie. I felt that Aloys Chen didn't have much to do in this movie. Donnie Yen is still Donnie Yen to me, looking very cool in epic films. I'm to the point of just noticing his hair and how he walks in his movies, there is one flashback scene where he battles with his long hair flying...he!

JSG Awards 2008

Ah...the second HK annual music award ceremony that I do care...Still didn't watch it yet but just scanning the results, I find them a bit odd but acceptable. However, my reaction to some of the winners is "what the...?!" ~~ Apparently, there are some embarrassing moments this year too...err...

十大勁歌金曲獎
- 跑步機上 - 容祖兒
- 囍帖街 - 謝安琪
- 撈月亮的人 - 楊千嬅
- 龐貝.廿一世紀 - 關心妍
- 歌.頌 - 陳奕迅
- 愛不疚 - 林峯
- 韻律泳 - 何韻詩
- 他的故事 - 張敬軒
- 眼睛不能沒眼淚 - 古巨基
- 她慈我悲 - 李克勤

最受歡迎改編歌曲大獎
金：渴求 - 黃伊汶
銀：只要和你在一起 - 孫耀威
銅：千嬌百媚 - 可嵐

最受歡迎華語歌曲獎
金：心裡話 - 孫楠
銀：小酒窩 - 蔡卓妍 / 林俊傑
銅：Sorry - 方大同 <= (?) I thought it was Love Song

最受歡迎廣告歌曲獎
金：Lucky Star - 容祖兒
銀：I Miss You - 陳柏宇
銅：You Are My Best Friend - HotCha

最受歡迎合唱歌曲獎
金：一事無成 - 鄭融 / 周柏豪
銀：逼得寵物太緊 - 吳雨霏 / 小肥
銅：最難過今天 - 胡杏兒 / 王浩信

最受歡迎男新人獎
金：陳偉霆
銀：黃宗澤
銅：狄易達

最受歡迎女新人獎
金：G.E.M.
銀：鍾嘉欣
銅：馮曦妤

新人薦場飆星獎： 胡杏兒

最佳作曲： Eric Kwok (囍帖街 - 謝安琪)

最佳填詞： 黃偉文 (囍帖街 - 謝安琪)

最佳編曲： 王雙駿 (跑步機上 - 容祖兒)

最佳歌曲監製： 金培達 (寫得太多 - 麥浚龍 / 倫永亮)

2008年度傑出表現獎
金：關菊英
銀：麥浚龍
銅：陳柏宇

最受歡迎唱作歌星
金：王菀之
銀：側田
銅：鄧健泓

最受歡迎組合獎
金：農夫
銀：HotCha
銅：Mr.

最受歡迎男歌手： 古巨基

最受歡迎女歌手： 楊千嬅

亞太區最受歡迎香港男歌手： 陳奕迅

亞太區最受歡迎香港女歌手： 容祖兒

金曲金獎： 囍帖街 - 謝安琪

四台聯頒大碟獎： Binary 歌手：謝安琪 監製：周博賢 / Eric Kwok

* Taken from Coolman Forum

Playlist of early January

- 黑白 - Khalil Fong => Okay, I don't have to mention anymore how much I adore this guy...

- 不潮不用花錢 - JJ Lin => Upbeat song that reminds of me of some American songs that I cant name. Anyway, I like it.

- 西太后 - Eric Suen => I usually like chink-out type of music and I've never heard Eric sing this type of song so I'm a bit surprised.

**
- Just saw the very badly edited/cut version of Chik Chak from TVB. I wanted to write how furious I was regarding those cuts but I managed to find [hopefully] the uncut version; so I'll see.

- No matter how many times I watch this clip, I'm still touched. Touched by their friendship, touched by CR's support for him, touched that he's finally getting his long due recognition...All the best for 2009! :)



***
- Oh wow, tomorrow is the JSG Awards too...I expect to see Raymond Lam, Linda Chung, Bosco Wong, Myolie Wu and Wong Cho Lam getting a little something...wanna bet?

Chik Chak 903 Awards

Happy New Year!!!

OMG....AH....I want to scream and cry for good!!! What a surprise when I wake up and check the results...

專業推介 叱咤十大叱咤樂壇至尊歌曲大獎: 囍帖街 - 謝安琪
作曲: Eric Kwok 填詞: 黃偉文 編曲: Eric Kwok 監製: Eric Kwok

專業推介 叱咤十大　第二位: Love Song - 方大同
作曲: 方大同 填詞: 方大同 編曲: 方大同 監製: Edward Chan / Charles Lee / 方大同

專業推介 叱咤十大　第三位: 下次再見 - 古巨基
作曲: 楊鎮邦 填詞: 林夕 編曲: 雷頌德 監製: 雷頌德

專業推介 叱咤十大　第四位: 跑步機上 - 容祖兒
作曲: 王雙駿 填詞: 黃偉文 編曲: 王雙駿 監製: 王雙駿

專業推介 叱咤十大　第五位: 櫻花樹下 - 張敬軒
作曲: 伍卓賢 填詞: 林若寧 編曲: 劉志遠 監製: C. Y. Kong

專業推介 叱咤十大　第六位: ABC - MC Jin
作曲: Allen Sung / Kevin Nishimura / James Roh / Jae Choung / Stefon Taylor 填詞: Jin 編曲: Kevin Nishimura / James Roh / Jae Choung aka Far*East Movement 監製: Kevin Nishimura / James Roh / Jae Choung aka Far*East Movement

專業推介 叱咤十大　第七位: 路...一直都在 - 陳奕迅
作曲: Adrian Fu 填詞: 吳向飛 編曲: Mac Chew 監製: Jim Lee

專業推介 叱咤十大　第八位: 舉高隻手 - 農夫
作曲: DJ Tommy 填詞: 農夫 編曲: DJ Tommy / 咖啡因公園 監製: DJ Tommy

專業推介 叱咤十大　第九位: 撈月亮的人 - 楊千嬅
作曲: 陳台證 填詞: 林若寧 編曲: 陳台證 監製: 陳台證

專業推介 叱咤十大　第十位: 我哋大家 - 林海峰
作曲: 王雙駿 填詞: 林海峰 編曲: 王雙駿 監製: 王雙駿

叱咤樂壇生力軍男歌手
金獎: 陳偉霆
銀獎: 狄易達
銅獎: 徐浩

叱咤樂壇生力軍女歌手
金獎: G.E.M.
銀獎: 胡杏兒
銅獎: 方珈悠

叱咤樂壇生力軍組合
金獎: Rubber Band
銀獎: Mr.
銅獎: 廿四味

叱咤樂壇唱作人大獎
金獎: 方大同
銀獎: 王菀之
銅獎: 林海峰

叱咤樂壇作曲人大獎
方大同

叱咤樂壇填詞人大獎
林夕

叱咤樂壇編曲人大獎
王雙駿

叱咤樂壇監製大獎
雷頌德

叱咤樂壇至尊唱片大獎
《Binary》 歌手: 謝安琪 監製: 周博賢 / Eric Kwok

叱咤樂壇男歌手
金獎: 方大同
銀獎: 古巨基
銅獎: 陳奕迅

叱咤樂壇女歌手
金獎: 容祖兒
銀獎: 謝安琪
銅獎: 王菀之

叱咤樂壇組合
金獎: 農夫
銀獎: at17
銅獎: HotCha

叱咤樂壇我最喜愛的男歌手
陳奕迅

叱咤樂壇我最喜愛的女歌手
謝安琪

叱咤樂壇我最喜愛的組合
農夫

叱咤樂壇我最喜愛的歌曲大獎
囍帖街 - 謝安琪 作曲: Eric Kwok 填詞: 黃偉文 編曲: Eric Kwok 監製: Eric Kwok

四台聯頒音樂大獎 - 歌曲獎
囍帖街 - 謝安琪 作曲: Eric Kwok 填詞: 黃偉文 編曲: Eric Kwok 監製: Eric Kwok

Results taken from UWants Forum

I'm listening back the show via 903 now and I'll write more when I watch the TVB version...I'm so happy happy for Soulboy, you deserve all the awards you get this year. Sigh...I already see him being stabbed (bashed) by angered fans in forums...ah whatever!