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    Media Asia Group

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  • South Africa!

    Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008 3:25PM / Members only

    Dear all,

    If you enjoy South Africa or travel in general, feel free to visit my new albums of South Africa. The first album is on Safari Highlights and the second is on Western Cape. Send me your comments! I'd love to hear from you.

    The hyperlink: http://gallery.me.com/pandarooster

    Enjoy!

    Allan

  • Red Cliff

    Wednesday, Jul 30, 2008 7:54AM / Members only

    The film 'Red Cliff' has garnered much publicity and reaction from various members. To add my assessment, let me begin by camping those who liked the film from those who did not.

    Most of the viewers who enjoy the film are: young, born/grew up overseas, interested (but unfamiliar) in Chinese history, non-film major, die-hard Tony fans; you may be some or all of the above. Those who did not enjoy the film may be because they are: old (like me), history buffs who read The Romance of the Three Kingdoms too many times and took it seriously (like me), and film-majors or critics (not me!) If you are a die-hard Takeshi-fan, you probably are (or should be) in this camp as well.

    It should not surprise anyone that the scrīpt of the film did not follow either the history or the novel closely. For the sake of creating what they think is commercially saleable, the screenplay writers made substantial changes to the original story. Major characters were trivialised (e.g. Lu Su); minor ones were promoted (e.g. both Zhao Wei's character, Sun Shangxiang and Lin Chin-Ling's character, Xiao Qiao) or created (e.g. the kid playing flute). Relations, reasons and motives were altered (e.g. in the novel, Zhou Yu was constantly envious and fearful of Zhuge Liang, and their relations were never cordial), and incidents and elements were fabricated (e.g. the calf-delivery scene). For a good recap of where the film departed from the novel, see Wikipedia's rendition of 'Red Cliff (film)' .

    The offspring of such massive adaptation is a film that contains several memorable action sequences, but misses the mark in depth, breadth, and core values. Some scenes are downright awkward if not altogether mushy. For example, the camaraderie that Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu developed after Zhuge delivered a calf for Xiao Qiao - is as contrived as can be - barely tolerable for a low-budget soap opera, but unconscionable for a USD80 million production. My nomination for the weakest line dialogue of the film goes to Zhuge's response to Zhou Yu when the latter remarked that they were comrades for the moment, but he could foresee that they may face each other as enemies one day - 'I hope that day never comes!'

    The film does not bode well for the reputation of John Woo as a serious director. It would be unfair,  however, to blame all of the film's failings on Woo. The film has suffered from a lot of personnel issues. From the origins of a stellar cast, the roll-call spun like a hotel's revolving door. Chow Yun-fat was in (as Zhou Yu), and Tony Leung (as Zhuge), and Ken Watanabe (as Cao Cao); then Tony Leung pulled out, replaced by Takeshi (as Zhuge). Chow Yun-fat quit just before the first shoot, and Tony Leung came back as his replacement, Watanabe was cut because it was rumoured the role of Cao Cao was too important a role for a Japanese actor. And now it is rumoured that Chow Yun-fat will be back in (in another role). Chow may have recoiled from horror after he read the revised scrīpt and backed off. I know not why he wants to back in.

    Despite all of its shortcomings, the film has generated keen interest. I watched the film with my son, who goes to high school in the States. He told me afterwards that it was really good. So I thank the film for arousing my son's interest in Chinese history.  Credits should also go to Lin Chin-ling. Lin appeared completely unfazed by the steamier scenes, very unexpected from a model turned rookie actress. She was intelligent and beautiful, even though her sultry look is too modern for a woman living in 208 A.D. The eloquent lines she was given helped. In contrast, Zhao Wei, a seasoned actress, looked befuddled. Her only moment came in the form of a cutesy but campy line (國家興亡,匹女有責)"When a nation's fate hangs in the balance, each woman has a duty to serve!" 

    For Tony's fans, his performance is adequate. For the sake of selling the film, Zhou Yu was converted into a warrior and martial artist, which in fact he was not. His was the principal role, towering above that of Takeshi Kaneshiro's Zhuge. On the other hand, I need to poll all those die-hard Takeshi fans out there in the cosmic universe. How did you rate your idol's role and performance? Did you protest against his role being marginalised for the benefit of Tony? Did his character (Zhuge) seem...a little wimpy? Did you blush when he was made to utter that infamous line (see above)?

    Stay tuned for the second episode... 

    Best scene: the battle scenes, especially the "Octagon Formation"(八卦陣)  

    Worst feature: campy dialogue

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  •  
    posted on Friday, Mar 13, 2009 8:56PM  [Report]
    I just found out my type is 'Naturally Original' on the 'alivenotdead.com + adidas' originality quiz.
    Click here to give it a try!
  • posted on Friday, Mar 13, 2009 6:18PM  [Report]
    I just found out my type is 'Naturally Original' on the 'alivenotdead.com + adidas' originality quiz.
    Click here to give it a try!
  • Official artist 
    posted on Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009 5:32PM  [Report]
    Hi Alan! Are you active on this site?
  •  
    posted on Wednesday, Dec 31, 2008 3:20PM  [Report]
    hey Allan, great! to hear from you.. indeed it's been long since we last chatted haa.. im missing it.. talk soon yea..

    and HAPPY 2009!!.. Wishing you and your love ones lotsa happiness & good health.. have a fabulous year ahead!.. =)
  •  
    posted on Thursday, Dec 25, 2008 3:54PM  [Report]
    Hohoho~ Allan, Wishing You And Your Love Ones A Blessed & Joyous Christmas!
  •  
    posted on Thursday, Sep 25, 2008 12:14AM  [Report]
    gotcha.. talk soon.. =)
  •  
    posted on Sunday, Sep 21, 2008 2:15PM  [Report]
    Allan, great to talk last week! (this is Raffi, by the way).
  •  
    posted on Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 12:42AM  [Report]
    i see myself a simpleton.. yet a very complex one.. contradicting yea?.. well i kn myself not either.. for all i kn is im never content even when i kn i so very should.. im mere a jr staff of small firm whom struggles to survive in tis material world like most other.. hate to be worldly but its part and parcel of survival in tis concrete jungle.. many at times tho i hv da choice.. but im nt responsible only to myself, also my family.. so... i never see such responsibilities, or committments burden tho.. cos they cant be replaced anyhow.. =)

    me aint on y!msgr but msn.. r u?

    gotta catch some sleep now.. needa be ready for work in 6 hours.. heh.. btw, im fm singapore..

    nite nite.. talk soon!.. =D
  •  
    posted on Tuesday, Sep 16, 2008 12:06AM  [Report]
    hi Allan.. 'Vivo' means 'Alive' in latin.. mere learned of it by chance.. and HAND.. Have A Nice Day!.. Cindy ^^
  •  
    posted on Monday, Sep 15, 2008 10:11PM  [Report]
    hi Allan.. niceee to cya ard.. i totally agree wit ur point on da fisherman story.. well, nothing in tis world comes as a perfect package.. so.. when possible.. "live by ur rule whilst appreciating and making da bests outta whats in ur life".. know how, be happie...
  • posted on Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008 12:42PM  [Report]
    hi..thank you for dropping by my page=) nice to meet u here too=)
  • posted on Thursday, Jul 31, 2008 8:18PM  [Report]
    hmm...not sure what you mean exactly?
  • Official artist 
    posted on Tuesday, Jul 29, 2008 7:08PM  [Report]
    my friends ended up taking me to Zuma! I remember you mentioned the cuisine. First I was like, "Japanese food in HK?!" but it was fusion all the way and superb food and service!
    As for drinks, all's I remember is bottles of KRUGs and then donno wine after that...

    nyways I added you as friend.
    boat trip was awsome.
    k.i.t
  • Official artist 
    posted on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 6:29PM  [Report]
    Hey Allan! you post up some blogs!
  •  
    posted on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 4:46PM  [Report]
    Let's continue the conversation when you get a chance. I'd like to take the opportunity to hear your ideas after you've looked through the site and heard our plans.
  •  
    posted on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 3:09PM  [Report]
    Nice meeting you on the boat trip.
  •  
    posted on Monday, Jul 28, 2008 10:00AM  [Report]
    it was nice meeting you! Boat trip was fun!
  • posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 11:14AM
    thank you, and bye bye!
  • posted on Friday, May 23, 2008 11:08AM  [Report]
    haha!~ thx!~
    this song is mariah carey !
    song name: bye bye~
    welcome to AnD ~



    ~JIA~
  • posted on Friday, May 16, 2008 1:30AM
    you are welcome
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Dead Not Alive Halloween Party

Thanks to everyone who showed up to this years Dead Not Alive Halloween party. It was a huge success! Check out some of the alivenotdead ghouls and goblins that attended. Ghost Style, Ryan Hui, JuJu Chan, Lester Lee, Celine Hsu, Annie Lin, Craig Leeson, Carl Tsang, Albert Leung, Helen To, Gloria Wong, Johnny Wong, Style Renee RT, Peapops, Jae Leung, Matt Hendrichs, Andrew Lin, 24Herbs, and Solomon Siah. See who else showed up in the alivenotdead Halloween photo gallery 1 and photo gallery 2.

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