病中随意找戏看，有天挑到这部"Intolerable Cruelty"。看了片头，才欣然发现是科恩 Coen 兄弟的作品。印象中觉得自己是科恩兄弟的粉丝。後来找来清单点算，才知道其实才看过他们5部作品： Raising Arizona, Fargo, The Big Lewboski, O Brother Where Art Thou? , The Ladykillers。其中， Raising Arizona 和 The Big Lewboski 太过古怪，不太喜欢； The Ladykillers 虽然有 Tom Hanks 坐镇，依然是失败之作。O Brother, Where Art Thou? 感觉还不错。真正拍案击节叹赏的是 Fargo。话说回来，这对怪胎兄弟确是奇才，即使是失败的作品，仍然有可观之处。判为”失败“也许太过，不如说”未成功作品“？最低限度，看科恩兄弟的戏，不用担心会忍不住半途关机。
"Intolerable Cruelty"一贯的独特黑色幽默，一贯的精彩离奇转折，确实好看。George Clooney 表现不如在 O Brother, Where Art Thou? 或 Three Kings。却也未失水准。Catherine Zeta Jones 的表现，个人认为可媲美她在Chicago的得奖演出。加上好戏者Geoffrey Rush 和 Billy Bob Thornton 等绿叶的陪衬，实在赏心悦目。其他的小角色如 Cedric The Entertainer 的 私家侦探， Irwin Keyes 的 "Wheezy Joe" 都让人忍俊不住。
这不是科恩兄弟的最佳作品，却也是上乘之作。这部戏票房不过不失，影评亦不佳。IMDB 才 6.4 分。对于这么好看的戏而言，委实是教人"无法容忍的残酷"。
Thursday, August 13, 2009
PPH
I used to think that PPH stands for "post-partum haemorrhage"; meaning excessive bleeding after child birth. Hence should have nothing to do with me...especially after I finished my OBGYN posting...18 years ago!
Well, on 6th August this year, I underwent PPH: Procedure for Prolapse and Haemorrhoid, in Lam Wah Ee Hospital, Penang. It is also called "stapled haemorrhoidopexy" or something to that effect. In English:- I went to a general surgeon (Dato Dr Yip Kok Thye), he used a 2 grands stapler (haemorrhoid circular stapler) and stapled my donkey.I am supposed to be able to go back the next day.
The procedure was performed under spinal anaesthesia: the anaesthetist pricked my back, injected Marcaine and knocked out my donkey. I was awake through out. The procedure took about 20 minutes (my feeling, I didn't have stop watch), then I was wheeled to the ward and CRIB (Complete Rest In Bed) for 12 hours. CRIB means I was not supposed to go to toilet and should do everything on my bed.
This prohibition was proven to be redundant, as hours later, I found that I couldn't pee! If you are into medical term: we call it "urinary retention". I was on iv drip and I was drinking water, so my bladder was ballooned up quite fast and threatening to burst. Reluctantly, I pressed the bell and agreed to be catheterized. Again, in English, it means a male nurse will come in, put in a tube to drain out the urine. I was catheterized twice on that evening, and once the next day! And the spinal was wearing off and my donkey was hurting!
The next morning, Dato Yip asked me whether I wanted to go back. I replied that I couldn't pee. So I stayed. And was referred to a urologist. Afternoon, I managed to squeeze out about 100cc after my bladder was filled to the brim. I was rejoiced! After that, I squeezed out about 100c every 15 minutes or so. I felt like having a premature BPH (benigh prostatic hypertrophy). Just before I was wheeled down to see the urologist, I managed to squeeze out 250cc, so happy :-)
The urologist prescribed Hytrin 1mg bd, which worked like wonder (or maybe I was improving anyway). That night, just before I went to sleep, I managed to void my bladder. Phew, what a relief!
Next morning, Dato Yip wanted to send me back home again. But I said, "no shit!" Yes, I haven't passed out anything solid or liquid from my donkey after the procedure, just some gas. So I was given the ultimate purger: Fleet Phospho Soda. I guessed the pain must had been as bad as child birth! Eventually, around 4pm, I "delivered"!
Well,the "post-partum haemorrhage" was minimal, not much bleeding. Dato Yip is a good surgeon. I believed the surgery was well-performed. I am sure that it is not preposterous, for me to look forwards to a speedy recovery (V-shaped or W-shaped) from bottom in foreseeable future.
(Don't watch if you want to have good appetite)
A brief explanation of haemorrhoid surgery
What happened to me about one week ago...
Well, on 6th August this year, I underwent PPH: Procedure for Prolapse and Haemorrhoid, in Lam Wah Ee Hospital, Penang. It is also called "stapled haemorrhoidopexy" or something to that effect. In English:- I went to a general surgeon (Dato Dr Yip Kok Thye), he used a 2 grands stapler (haemorrhoid circular stapler) and stapled my donkey.I am supposed to be able to go back the next day.
The procedure was performed under spinal anaesthesia: the anaesthetist pricked my back, injected Marcaine and knocked out my donkey. I was awake through out. The procedure took about 20 minutes (my feeling, I didn't have stop watch), then I was wheeled to the ward and CRIB (Complete Rest In Bed) for 12 hours. CRIB means I was not supposed to go to toilet and should do everything on my bed.
This prohibition was proven to be redundant, as hours later, I found that I couldn't pee! If you are into medical term: we call it "urinary retention". I was on iv drip and I was drinking water, so my bladder was ballooned up quite fast and threatening to burst. Reluctantly, I pressed the bell and agreed to be catheterized. Again, in English, it means a male nurse will come in, put in a tube to drain out the urine. I was catheterized twice on that evening, and once the next day! And the spinal was wearing off and my donkey was hurting!
The next morning, Dato Yip asked me whether I wanted to go back. I replied that I couldn't pee. So I stayed. And was referred to a urologist. Afternoon, I managed to squeeze out about 100cc after my bladder was filled to the brim. I was rejoiced! After that, I squeezed out about 100c every 15 minutes or so. I felt like having a premature BPH (benigh prostatic hypertrophy). Just before I was wheeled down to see the urologist, I managed to squeeze out 250cc, so happy :-)
The urologist prescribed Hytrin 1mg bd, which worked like wonder (or maybe I was improving anyway). That night, just before I went to sleep, I managed to void my bladder. Phew, what a relief!
Next morning, Dato Yip wanted to send me back home again. But I said, "no shit!" Yes, I haven't passed out anything solid or liquid from my donkey after the procedure, just some gas. So I was given the ultimate purger: Fleet Phospho Soda. I guessed the pain must had been as bad as child birth! Eventually, around 4pm, I "delivered"!
Well,the "post-partum haemorrhage" was minimal, not much bleeding. Dato Yip is a good surgeon. I believed the surgery was well-performed. I am sure that it is not preposterous, for me to look forwards to a speedy recovery (V-shaped or W-shaped) from bottom in foreseeable future.
(Don't watch if you want to have good appetite)
A brief explanation of haemorrhoid surgery
What happened to me about one week ago...
Saturday, June 6, 2009
咖啡论
老爸卖咖啡粉, 原因是老爸的老爸卖咖啡粉。据说老爸的老爸卖咖啡粉卖得很成功，是当年的“咖啡王”。生意做得很大，店屋买了一间又一间，可惜命不长。过后就家道中落了。老爸卖咖啡粉没有他老爸厉害，不过也把我们几个嗷嗷待哺的小瓜们养成大瓜，大瓜们过后自力更生成熟成老瓜。
我在小瓜时期天天喝黑咖啡。中学时放学一回来就打开冰箱取冰块注入老妈子早上泡的黑咖啡，就是“kopi O peng"，在我后来移情豆浆水之前，一天喝四大杯。
当年没有”三合一“这样折堕的东西，念大学时，带一包咖啡粉南下。不过，人性之懒。是万年不变的。要自己泡，就没了兴致。咖啡粉收久了，香味就散失了。不想浪费，就问一屋的麻甩佬谁要喝？几个傻子点头後，我就浓浓地泡了一大壶。最贪便宜的胡须佬喝多了几口，结果一夜失眠，次日双目涨红，後来病了几天，据说从此不喝咖啡。
目前这份工作，办公地点离住处远，要早起。每天到办公室，第一件要务就是喝一杯浓咖啡，一般可以应付早晨的工作效率。午后嘛，悬梁刺股也不是办法，注射咖啡因也是要打瞌睡的。开始也有点担心，这样子每天喝咖啡对我这老弱的身体好吗？后来看了Nescafe的广告才释然：哎，原来咖啡和水果是一类的，都有很多很多的抗氧物质。人家雀巢是国际大公司，又找来大美人玛雅卡琳来代言，肯定信得过。
所以刚刚收到健聪的邀请，某年某月的某一天在某处穿某种颜色的衣服喝咖啡，我马上就答应了。还灵机一动创造了”咖啡论“：甭管是黑咖啡白咖啡，让您脑袋清醒的就是好咖啡！
我在小瓜时期天天喝黑咖啡。中学时放学一回来就打开冰箱取冰块注入老妈子早上泡的黑咖啡，就是“kopi O peng"，在我后来移情豆浆水之前，一天喝四大杯。
当年没有”三合一“这样折堕的东西，念大学时，带一包咖啡粉南下。不过，人性之懒。是万年不变的。要自己泡，就没了兴致。咖啡粉收久了，香味就散失了。不想浪费，就问一屋的麻甩佬谁要喝？几个傻子点头後，我就浓浓地泡了一大壶。最贪便宜的胡须佬喝多了几口，结果一夜失眠，次日双目涨红，後来病了几天，据说从此不喝咖啡。
目前这份工作，办公地点离住处远，要早起。每天到办公室，第一件要务就是喝一杯浓咖啡，一般可以应付早晨的工作效率。午后嘛，悬梁刺股也不是办法，注射咖啡因也是要打瞌睡的。开始也有点担心，这样子每天喝咖啡对我这老弱的身体好吗？后来看了Nescafe的广告才释然：哎，原来咖啡和水果是一类的，都有很多很多的抗氧物质。人家雀巢是国际大公司，又找来大美人玛雅卡琳来代言，肯定信得过。
所以刚刚收到健聪的邀请，某年某月的某一天在某处穿某种颜色的衣服喝咖啡，我马上就答应了。还灵机一动创造了”咖啡论“：甭管是黑咖啡白咖啡，让您脑袋清醒的就是好咖啡！
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
独臂刀
独臂刀是大导演张彻的经典杰作。
独臂刀由倪匡编剧，明显取材于金庸“神雕侠侣”的杨过。然而张彻拍出了阳刚武侠风格，捧红了王羽，赢得口碑和票房，也为自己奠下王国的基础。
独臂刀在1966年面世，后来王羽和张彻在1967年又推出续集“独臂刀王”。之後王羽离开邵氏。邵氏用旗下的大将姜大卫和狄龙，在1971年推出“新独臂刀”。张彻同样走回阳刚的路线，又下一城。
姜大卫和狄龙是我童年时最喜爱的明星。尤其喜欢姜大卫。刚刚看了“新独臂刀”，忽然觉得年轻时代的姜大卫有七分像周杰伦。姜大卫和狄龙比较，狄龙比较高大威猛，具有大侠风范，像长得英俊的郭靖。姜大卫比狄龙矮了半个头，身形也没那么魁梧，不过眉宇间多了忧郁气质，神情也比较酷，是杨过的真人版本。“新独臂刀”剧情没怎么样，拍摄手法，现在看来也没什么大不了。不过看明星，重温童年回忆与经验，还是很过瘾。
张彻用姜大卫和狄龙拍了很多影片。1973年推出“刺马”，以清末四大奇案之一的‘张文祥行刺马新贻案’为蓝本，狄龙演马新贻，姜大卫饰张文祥，得亚洲影帝奖。2007年陈可辛以“刺马”改编拍“投名状”，李连杰演狄龙的角色，金城武演姜大卫的角色。李连杰演得比当年的狄龙稍好，金城武远不如当年的姜大卫，刘德华则远胜当年的陈观泰。总结来说，“投名状”好过“刺马”，新未必不如故。
1966年的“独臂刀”，近三十年後被徐克改编重拍成1995年的“刀”。徐克是改编重拍的高手，黄飞鸿被他注入新生命，在好莱坞流行Reboot前就Reboot了黄飞鸿，倩女幽魂，新龙门客栈等。1995年的“刀”，是在香港电影和徐克的低潮时期的挣扎力作。虽非没有缺点，我觉得是徐克的精采成功作品之一，拍得比原作好。可惜票房并不成功。徐克虽然早已经不在顶峰，缺少了徐克的香港电影，始终还是感觉得到缺憾。
独臂刀由倪匡编剧，明显取材于金庸“神雕侠侣”的杨过。然而张彻拍出了阳刚武侠风格，捧红了王羽，赢得口碑和票房，也为自己奠下王国的基础。
独臂刀在1966年面世，后来王羽和张彻在1967年又推出续集“独臂刀王”。之後王羽离开邵氏。邵氏用旗下的大将姜大卫和狄龙，在1971年推出“新独臂刀”。张彻同样走回阳刚的路线，又下一城。
姜大卫和狄龙是我童年时最喜爱的明星。尤其喜欢姜大卫。刚刚看了“新独臂刀”，忽然觉得年轻时代的姜大卫有七分像周杰伦。姜大卫和狄龙比较，狄龙比较高大威猛，具有大侠风范，像长得英俊的郭靖。姜大卫比狄龙矮了半个头，身形也没那么魁梧，不过眉宇间多了忧郁气质，神情也比较酷，是杨过的真人版本。“新独臂刀”剧情没怎么样，拍摄手法，现在看来也没什么大不了。不过看明星，重温童年回忆与经验，还是很过瘾。
张彻用姜大卫和狄龙拍了很多影片。1973年推出“刺马”，以清末四大奇案之一的‘张文祥行刺马新贻案’为蓝本，狄龙演马新贻，姜大卫饰张文祥，得亚洲影帝奖。2007年陈可辛以“刺马”改编拍“投名状”，李连杰演狄龙的角色，金城武演姜大卫的角色。李连杰演得比当年的狄龙稍好，金城武远不如当年的姜大卫，刘德华则远胜当年的陈观泰。总结来说，“投名状”好过“刺马”，新未必不如故。
1966年的“独臂刀”，近三十年後被徐克改编重拍成1995年的“刀”。徐克是改编重拍的高手，黄飞鸿被他注入新生命，在好莱坞流行Reboot前就Reboot了黄飞鸿，倩女幽魂，新龙门客栈等。1995年的“刀”，是在香港电影和徐克的低潮时期的挣扎力作。虽非没有缺点，我觉得是徐克的精采成功作品之一，拍得比原作好。可惜票房并不成功。徐克虽然早已经不在顶峰，缺少了徐克的香港电影，始终还是感觉得到缺憾。
Sunday, April 12, 2009
根管治疗
为了写这篇东西，谷歌了一下，才知道Root Canal Treatment 中文叫“根管治疗”。
昨天冒雨赴牙医之约，完成了一颗牙的根管治疗。牙医是同学的弟弟，收费已经大手笔折扣，依然让人牙痛。
第一次做根管治疗是学生时代，让同年的牙科系学生当实验。像给实习的理发学生剪头发一样：做一下，要让老师检查，一颗牙齿做了很久，很多次。又没有打麻醉针。有一次老师检查时把仪器往内一探，直探神经末梢，痛得我眼泪马上喷射出来，毒咒她老娘祖宗十八代。第二天还发炎生脓。@#%&× 话说回来，这颗牙根管治疗过程随苦，但效果不错，这么多年了，牙齿还在。只是颜色泛黑，不像首相皮肤白里透红。
学生时代挨义气给牙科系学生当实验白老鼠，把牙齿，该补的补，该拔的拔，该镶金的镶金，该带银的带银。。。结果好多年牙齿都没事儿。算是善有善报吧？
好多年後，又有牙齿要做根管治疗了。这次轮到芙蓉的另一位牙医朋友挨义气，免费帮我动工。这位台湾毕业的朋友经验老到，手艺亦佳。虽然那次是比较复杂的後牙，去了三次就搞掂了。效果也很好。只是他生意很好，麻烦他不好意思。所以，後来读硕士离开芙蓉後，就找另一个牙医，帮我修补另一颗大牙。那牙医看完x 光片，说我那颗牙病情复杂，样子又长得衰，要介绍我去找牙医专科。我只好又飞车会芙蓉找老朋友，结果一样是去三次搞掂。只是又欠他一屁股的人情。
这次的牙病，不想再去芙蓉。想起有一次去慈济义诊时曾经遇到同学的弟弟，就向朋友拿电话去找他。朋友弟弟的诊所在快乐花园。外表不起眼，设备却一流。他做根管治疗，有用到价格不菲的Endodontic Microscope。费用只收我接近一半。所以，这次又欠他半屁股人情债。
总而言之，每一次做根管治疗，都是医好牙齿，欠人屁股。回头想想，吾三十而不立，四十而惑，人到中年，依然有朋友肯卖我面子，赊我人情，也算我为人不坏，不算失败。感觉还是温暖的。
昨天冒雨赴牙医之约，完成了一颗牙的根管治疗。牙医是同学的弟弟，收费已经大手笔折扣，依然让人牙痛。
第一次做根管治疗是学生时代，让同年的牙科系学生当实验。像给实习的理发学生剪头发一样：做一下，要让老师检查，一颗牙齿做了很久，很多次。又没有打麻醉针。有一次老师检查时把仪器往内一探，直探神经末梢，痛得我眼泪马上喷射出来，毒咒她老娘祖宗十八代。第二天还发炎生脓。@#%&× 话说回来，这颗牙根管治疗过程随苦，但效果不错，这么多年了，牙齿还在。只是颜色泛黑，不像首相皮肤白里透红。
学生时代挨义气给牙科系学生当实验白老鼠，把牙齿，该补的补，该拔的拔，该镶金的镶金，该带银的带银。。。结果好多年牙齿都没事儿。算是善有善报吧？
好多年後，又有牙齿要做根管治疗了。这次轮到芙蓉的另一位牙医朋友挨义气，免费帮我动工。这位台湾毕业的朋友经验老到，手艺亦佳。虽然那次是比较复杂的後牙，去了三次就搞掂了。效果也很好。只是他生意很好，麻烦他不好意思。所以，後来读硕士离开芙蓉後，就找另一个牙医，帮我修补另一颗大牙。那牙医看完x 光片，说我那颗牙病情复杂，样子又长得衰，要介绍我去找牙医专科。我只好又飞车会芙蓉找老朋友，结果一样是去三次搞掂。只是又欠他一屁股的人情。
这次的牙病，不想再去芙蓉。想起有一次去慈济义诊时曾经遇到同学的弟弟，就向朋友拿电话去找他。朋友弟弟的诊所在快乐花园。外表不起眼，设备却一流。他做根管治疗，有用到价格不菲的Endodontic Microscope。费用只收我接近一半。所以，这次又欠他半屁股人情债。
总而言之，每一次做根管治疗，都是医好牙齿，欠人屁股。回头想想，吾三十而不立，四十而惑，人到中年，依然有朋友肯卖我面子，赊我人情，也算我为人不坏，不算失败。感觉还是温暖的。
Sunday, April 5, 2009
换子疑云 Changeling
换子疑云 Changeling
*Spoiler warning*
把戏看完，萤幕上打出 Directed by Clint Eastwood，才惊觉又是他的作品。Clint Eastwood 年轻时是偶像明星。六十年代以 Sierra Leone 的“美元三部曲”The Dollar’s Trilogy 风靡天下。后来西部片式微，Clint Eastwood 又以辣手神探 Dirty Harry 系列翻身。同时，他演而优则导的努力也开始交出成绩。Unforgiven (1993) 以后，Mystic River (2003), Million Dollar Baby (2004) 连续获奖，奠定他的传奇地位。更神奇的是，他居然还可以作曲，Mystic River (2003)和 Million Dollar Baby (2004)的电影原创音乐就是他作的。
其实早该察觉出是Clint Eastwood 导演之作。换子疑云 Changeling 沉稳平和的节奏，灰暗的色调，和Mystic River (2003) 同出一辙，不煽情，不做作，热心冷眼，的确是Clint Eastwood 的导演风格。他虽然还没有一部殿堂级的代表作，不过以近八十的高龄，源源不绝的创作力，全是优秀作品，没有一部烂戏，实在神奇。
Changeling 一开始打出 True Story；不是 based on true story， 而是 true story。情节令人心悸，心痛，心酸。当年 Walter 失踪，全国震惊，相互帮忙搜寻。不知道还有没有人记得一年多以前大马人全国动员搜寻失踪 Sharlinie？多年以后，有人会把现今的事迹拍成电影吗？后世的导演，拍摄某年某月的某一天，一位飘洋过海的女子被残杀毁尸的故事时，对凶手们，会这么沉稳冷静吗？
*Spoiler warning*
把戏看完，萤幕上打出 Directed by Clint Eastwood，才惊觉又是他的作品。Clint Eastwood 年轻时是偶像明星。六十年代以 Sierra Leone 的“美元三部曲”The Dollar’s Trilogy 风靡天下。后来西部片式微，Clint Eastwood 又以辣手神探 Dirty Harry 系列翻身。同时，他演而优则导的努力也开始交出成绩。Unforgiven (1993) 以后，Mystic River (2003), Million Dollar Baby (2004) 连续获奖，奠定他的传奇地位。更神奇的是，他居然还可以作曲，Mystic River (2003)和 Million Dollar Baby (2004)的电影原创音乐就是他作的。
其实早该察觉出是Clint Eastwood 导演之作。换子疑云 Changeling 沉稳平和的节奏，灰暗的色调，和Mystic River (2003) 同出一辙，不煽情，不做作，热心冷眼，的确是Clint Eastwood 的导演风格。他虽然还没有一部殿堂级的代表作，不过以近八十的高龄，源源不绝的创作力，全是优秀作品，没有一部烂戏，实在神奇。
Changeling 一开始打出 True Story；不是 based on true story， 而是 true story。情节令人心悸，心痛，心酸。当年 Walter 失踪，全国震惊，相互帮忙搜寻。不知道还有没有人记得一年多以前大马人全国动员搜寻失踪 Sharlinie？多年以后，有人会把现今的事迹拍成电影吗？后世的导演，拍摄某年某月的某一天，一位飘洋过海的女子被残杀毁尸的故事时，对凶手们，会这么沉稳冷静吗？
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