Good shows

This week has been a hectic one yet at the same time quite happening. While I have been slogging very hard to get certain things done by mid-September, I have had a fair share of recreational activities although they all revolve around dramas, which are fortunately my favourite form of leisure. I managed to catch 3 pretty good shows this week and I like to jot some thoughts down lest I come back again in the near future to recollect some feelings when watching these productions.

Wild City (迷城)

I was once a huge fan of Louis Koo that I would watch almost all of his films. This one was an impromptu decision because a friend was keen and asked for my company. I like how the director Ringo Lam established the characters, especially Shawn Yue's role. The way Ringo Lam cast the roles of Louis Koo and Shawn Yue in very different lights yet highlighted the rapport between them really convinced and delighted me. However, I find certain parts too cliche, although I could tell and did appreciate that Ringo Lam attempted a breakthrough from the typical Hong Kong mise en scene. The last scene, however, was slightly disappointing because I was expecting a lot more when it came to Tianmin's (Louis Koo's character) last line as it was meant to be a closure. Yet he ended off with "忘我" (which means to  'forget oneself') and I thought that was far too cliche for an ending. Nevertheless, I always enjoy action pact films so this one still fits the bill in a way. It was thrilling in every way possible, maybe slightly too violent. 

Inside Out

Initially I had no intentions to catch this film but my colleagues were raving about it and since I felt I needed a break, I decided to catch it. I must say I was deeply appalled by the whole idea of this production and could not help but believe the producer of this film must be someone very sentimental. This animated movie is in no way meant for children but instead, more for people who are in that awkward stage between being done with adolescent years and somewhere in the beginning of adulthood. There is a lot to think through and to recollect. I think the character Bing Bong will probably relate to and touch the hearts of some people who once had imaginary friends when they were kids. If anything, I think one lesson I took away from this movie was that there is no joy without sadness. Sounds very, simplistic. Yet very realistic. I thought about the bad times when I was numb about everything in my life. Now I know, our core memory should have a good mix of joy and sadness. Watch the movie and you know what I mean. 

December Rains（雨季）

I had missed watching Chinese stage plays. It had taken me nearly three weeks to contemplate whether or not to purchase the tickets for this play. A big part of me feared that it would be boring and I would waste quite a bit of money to catch it. Luckily for me, it was considerably good and of course, the money was well-spent. First and foremost, Andie Chen's singing surprised me tremendously. He may not possess a wide vocal range but he played very well with his vibrato. The role of Ying Xiong suits him quite well because he acts rather convincingly as a protester in the revolutionary era, if you have watched him in the Tumultuous Times before. Considering most of the actors and actresses are the third generation cast, I think they have fared well. Although the plot of this play has been established way long ago, I think its re-emergence is just in time for our local production to hop onto the bandwagon of the recent trend of recollecting old school memories in Asia. Youth, dreams, regrets, love, family, friends and whatnots. So sweet, yet so bitter. I wished we had more of such productions.