看了“Gran Torino”脑海浮现的是曹操的短句：“老骥伏枥，志在千里。烈士暮年，壮心不已。”Clint Eastwood在 “换子风云” 写过了。同一年，他居然还有“Gran Torino”这部作品：自导，自演，自己制作，还开口唱一段主题曲！
Changeling 是一部沉重的电影，所以好久都不想碰“Gran Torino”。有人把“Gran Torino”归类为 Comedy ; “Gran Torino”固然有让人忍俊不住的时候，可是，Clint Eastwood 在年届八旬粉墨登场，当然不会只是博君一粲。“Gran Torino”是Ford 1972 年出厂的一款中型车， 和片子的主角 Walt Kowalski 一样不合时宜。除了作为 “红鲱鱼”（Red Herring）, “Gran Torino”也象征着主角的大美国主义和英雄主义精神。影片以一场丧礼开场，另一场丧礼结束，起承转合之间，独具匠心而不落俗套。诚然，在二十一世纪的银幕上当英雄，不可能像上世纪一样英明神武一尘不染，总得有点阴暗的角落，结疤的伤痕，“Gran Torino”不能免俗，也不需要免俗。
片中的Hmong，搜寻了一下，才知道是老挝的苗族人，原本在山里狩猎为生，与世无争。越战时被卷入战火，作为美国的盟友，舍生忘死与北越死战。美国撤退后，被越南和老挝当局种族清洗屠杀。残余的人越过原始森林逃到泰国，一部分辗转移民到美国，就是片中描述的社区。一个种族在历史地理上的轮回奔波，得失要如何厘清？刀枪血光下取得的疆土，百年身后依然是“荒塚一堆草沒了”。
成王败寇，人世间的得失，确实难以捉摸。Clint Eastwood 以洗练的沉稳电影语言，表达睿智的生死观，2008 年交出“Changeling”和“Gran Torino”两部作品。前者以Angelina Jolie领衔，后者Clint Eastwood 粉墨登场。票房成绩是“Gran Torino”胜出一倍！事前谁能预料？Clint Eastwood 的电影，总是让人沉吟回味。
Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
朱门圆月
昨天云枫谈起，说到他部门月饼泛滥。有同事吃到皱眉。不禁让我想起“朱门酒肉臭”这名句。
月到中秋，今晚就能看到圆不圆。海源原本筹备今晚团聚，围一炉火锅；临时飞去菲律宾当义工一星期，就取消了。世间多灾难，奈何？
想看一部和月有关的电影，就把箱底的APOLLO 13搬出来。看完的感想是：何止 Houston we've got a problem? Problem 到处都有。解决问题的人，永远比不上制造和推卸问题的人多。那三个差点就永远漂游太空的太空人，有一大班人不眠不休设法解决他们的问题，还算是少数的幸运儿。
今月曾经照古人，古人不见今时月。当我们变成古人时，那未来的人们，看到的月亮又是如何的面貌？也许，到时已经移居月球，看不到脚下月球的全貌了。
月到中秋，今晚就能看到圆不圆。海源原本筹备今晚团聚，围一炉火锅；临时飞去菲律宾当义工一星期，就取消了。世间多灾难，奈何？
想看一部和月有关的电影，就把箱底的APOLLO 13搬出来。看完的感想是：何止 Houston we've got a problem? Problem 到处都有。解决问题的人，永远比不上制造和推卸问题的人多。那三个差点就永远漂游太空的太空人，有一大班人不眠不休设法解决他们的问题，还算是少数的幸运儿。
今月曾经照古人，古人不见今时月。当我们变成古人时，那未来的人们，看到的月亮又是如何的面貌？也许，到时已经移居月球，看不到脚下月球的全貌了。
Thursday, August 13, 2009
无法容忍的残酷
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"。
"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"。
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。
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