Sunday, January 6, 2008

More published pieces for you to read in early 2008


Two beloved local landmarks in one picture --
the Wong Tai Sin Temple, and
Lion Rock that inspired a beloved Hong Kong anthem

Such is the way of the world of magazine publications that the issue of bc magazine with a 3rd January 2008 cover date actually was written up, etc., back in late December, before the office temporarily shut down for the holidays. So, if truth be told, I feel a bit more removed than usual from the published pieces that I wrote for it. Still, there's no denying that I get quite a bit of satisfaction upon seeing the following works in print and, also, to be able to share them with you on account of the magazine being available on-line as well as in a hard copy format:-

i) Seven, Not Six -- a feature article on a seven man a capella group from Illinois, USA;

ii) The Godfather of Cantopop -- a feature article on legendary composer (including of that Lion Rock anthem) Joseph Koo;

iii) My Blueberry Nights -- a review of Wong Kar Wai's mesmerizing latest;

iv) Assembly -- a review of Feng Xiaogang's first ever war drama;

v) Linger -- a review of Johnnie To's latest attempt at romance;

vi) Trivial Matters -- a review of Pang Ho-Cheung's latest entertaining offering; and

vii) Editor's Diary -- ten things to check out in Hong Kong between January 3 to 16.

6 comments:

Glenn, kenixfan said...

Well, "Linger" does not sound so appealing now. LOL. So the characters speak Mandarin because the actors are not natural Cantonese speakers (they could have always been dubbed) or because of their characters? I forgot that To did "Yesterday Once More" which was dull and lifeless; it was like a long watch commercial with Sammi and Andy.

I do have hope for "Trivial Matters" and should probably watch my DVD of "Exodus" before this DVD is released.

YTSL said...

Hi Glenn --

Yeah, "Linger" was quite the disappointment. On a brighter note: I really enjoyed "Trivial Matters" -- parts of which are surprisingly affecting.

Anna said...

Wow this look delicious....
Mine Is Up Too:
Every Beat Of My Heart

YTSL said...

Hi Anna --

Hmmmm, I think I spy a Photo Hunter gone astray (t)here! ;S

Madara said...

Thanks for the Joseph Koo piece. Fascinating tidbits about Run Run Shaw and Mona Fong's importance in his career. Any chance you can do a longer interview with him at some point covering his entire composing career? I keep seeing his name in Hong Kong movie credits, including many old Shaw Bros. movies. I first heard of him when I saw A BETTER TOMORROW. I'd love to hear what he has to say about so many different epochs of HK movie history.

YTSL said...

Hi leo86 --

You're welcome, and thanks for reading it! :)

Alas, I don't think a longer interview with Joseph Koo is in the offing as, among other things, he's famously shy and also, these days, makes his home in Vancouver and only takes occasional trips back to Hong Kong.