Playlist: Songs From The Flicks

Another playlist! This playlist was actually inspired by a snippet from RTHK's 25th Anniversary Retrospective, that retrotvb was kind enough to share around here after I took way too long to translate the show (heheh, sorry about that retrotvb!). Anywho, the film songs part of the retrospective was one of my favorite bits of the show, and I decided to dedicate a small tracklist to it. The songs aren't really in any particular order, but each one I think has something special - either adding ambience to the film itself, wonderfully penned lyrics, a beautiful melody or even all three. Please enjoy!

1. "The Days Back Then"- Leslie Cheung <"A Better Tomorrow">

Now this song was composed by the great Joseph Koo and the lyrics were penned  by the late (and also equally great) James Wong. The song goes back to telling of how things were and still are the same, even though everyone has gone and joined triads and quit triads, like Leslie's character, in the film. And yes, this song also serves as a bittersweet memoir for not only a one in a million talent like James Wong, but a superstar like Leslie. This is one of my favorite Leslie classics, I could listen to this track on repeat, all day.  

2. "Like An Old Friend Coming To Visit" - Anita Mui <"The Twin Bracelets">

This poetic song with it's lyrics written by Albert Leung (who just happens to write about 99% of all lyrics for Cantopop and Mandarin songs) is actually just a very charming piece. And the Queen of Cantopop, Anita Mui gets to label this as one of her signature tracks, with her warm voice, painting color over the lyrics and bringing the song to life, yet with a yearning for unrequited love and a reunion. Definitely very pleasant to the ears. 

3. "Rouge" - Anita Mui <"Rouge">

I would say this piece and movie, which share the same title, really cemented Anita's talent as an actress, as well as a singer. There are a few lines  from the last verse that stand out and linger with me (just like how Fleur's restless soul roams the Earth looking for the man that once said he loved her).

Now that's emotional. Anita is one of those few artists that can really pull at your heartstrings, with great (albeit sad and extremely depressing) lyrics by Edward Tang, as well as a haunting melody composed by Michael Lai.   

4. "Dream Chaser" - Shirley Yuen <"A Moment Of Romance">

Now this song just happens to come up at one of the most bloody and violent scenes in the whole movie. And rightly so! Jacqueline Ng is running in her white wedding dress while Andy Lau is getting stabbed in a bloody battle. Anyway, beautiful tune composed by the very Law Tai-Yau (there is a Mandarin version of this song they used for a drama starring Kathy Chow) and Yuen Fung-Ying's voice is a perfect match for this track, although diva Sandy Lam could easily own this track, just like she did at her performance with Jacky Cheung at the HK film awards some years back.  

5. "A Chinese Ghost Story" - Leslie Cheung <"A Chinese Ghost Story">

Another Leslie track. This time it was all James Wong's fault - music and lyrics. This movie was great, man. The song was great too - with it's classical kind of phrasing and flutes going in the background. Just like a ballad, telling a story, it brings to mind a ancient Chinese parchment with beautiful watercolor artwork as accompaniment. 

6. "Dawn, Please Don't Come" - Sally Yeh <"A Chinese Ghost Story">

Another fantastic theme song from A Chinese Ghost Story. But this one's sung by Sally Yeh and the composition and lyrics are both by James Wong. This is a pretty haunting melody, in terms of a ghostly kind of story-telling. All very well suited to the movie. And this song is powerful in creating a link between what was happening on screen. Even now it still conjures images of Leslie's character trying to block out the sunlight coming though the cracks, in a desperate attempt to save Joey's ghostly character.

7. "Chase" - Leslie Cheung <"He's A Woman, She's A Man">

Now I've included another Leslie classic, but I've put in the clip from the movie with with Anita Yuen in it. Haha. You don't need me to explain the humorous dialogue at the beginning (subtitles are your friend!). But on a more serious note, this song is really touching. If someone like Leslie sung this to you, I think it would probably make you want to marry him. His voice, again, is full of emotion and every word and phrase is sung with a heartfelt control. 

8. "Come Back To My Side" - Sammi Cheng <"My Left Eye Sees Ghosts">

Any Sammi fans out there? So I decided to slip in a song from the post 80's-90's era   to balance things out. But no no, this song I do actually like, personally. And it's another ghost film! Not that I have a thing for ghostly films…but then again, maybe I do. This one's another wistful longing kind of song where Sammi sings out the feelings of her character in the film about her dead husband. In my opinion, she does a pretty good job on this track and packs in the emotional punch too, so don't be surprised if you begin to get teary-eyed.   

9. "Years of Friendship" - Ekin Cheng <"Young And Dangerous">

Okay, so we all know Ekin's vocal ability isn't the greatest…but you gotta admit, this is a pretty catchy song (especially the chorus). It also goes well with the whole rough-bad-boy theme in the movie. This was one of the films that helped Ekin to breakaway from his TVB image (and from the company). If you're into triads and stuff, give this film a try. It's based on a graphic novel, anywho. 

10. "Beautiful For Life" - Sammi Cheng <"Love On A Diet">

This is a pretty uplifting song, actually. So, it was used for Love On A Diet, when both Andy Lau and Sammi are both trying to run around in fatsuits lose weight. It's really about the realization of about how grateful you are, having someone like Andy around. I guess the take-home message is really about feeling that you are lovable. Or something like that. Nice melody and very suitable lyrics by Albert Leung.

11. "The Most Important Thing Is Fun" - Sam Hui <"Working Class/King Worker">

Alright, I'll admit it. This is a very fun song. Pretty funny lyrics too. Well, what can I say, Sam Hui is a pretty talented guy, coming up with a song like this. And wow. Joey Wong does sure look mighty fine in the video! She was a pretty good actress, actually. Not usually doing the over-the-top thing or underacting. But anyway, bak to the song. It just makes you want to get up and dance, no? 

12. "Laughter Over The Deep Blue Sea" - Sam Hui, James Wong & Law Tai-Yau <"The Swordsman">
This is a very kind of poetic and there is a very good translation here from Hun. It is written with a very, very oriental feel to it and even though James Wong wrote the lyrics to this song, he had to actually bring out a lyric sheet in concert one time. Haha.

13. "A Woman's Heart" - Anita Mui <"The Heroic Trio">

I consider this one of Anita's signature tracks, because it showcases her versatile ability. Compared to the other fast and upbeat theme song from The Heroic Trio, she's able to weave this composition by Law Tai-Yauwith the lyrics by Albert Leung into this very sad and wistful ballad. It's like you can hear her heart breaking with every word she sings. In a way, like hoping for something even though you know that it will never happen.   

14. "Karma" <"The Tai-Chi Master">

Jet Li, man! Jet Li playing with a ball on water. You'll have to skip forward in the video to about 4 minutes until you start hearing any hint of a song coming through. Though the preamble is quite funny to watch (even without subtitles!). I tend to seriously feel like I'm repeating myself with another Law Tai-Yau composition. Well, let's just think of it as just a treat for the fans of his compositions. Because honestly, he is a really a talented composer and musician.

15. "Man Of Determination" - George Lam <"Once Upon A Time In China II">
Only George Lam can sing these kinds of songs. Anything to do with martial arts and you know, being a man and all that jazz. It's actually because of his moustache. PSYCHE! I'm just kidding. But the man does sure have a gruff voice which is very, very good for these kinds of songs because it boasts of blood, sweat and tears. 

16. "Forgetting You Is Like Forgetting Me" - Faye Wong <"Bride With The White Hair">

Couldn't make a list without the beautiful Faye Wong now, could we? That just wouldn't do! One of Brigette Lin's signature roles as the white-haired maiden, with the ever-so-handsome Leslie Cheung, as the leading man. Now, if you haven't seen the film, don't get the wrong idea! This is not one of THOSE kinds of flicks! The camera may be focusing on the fact that the two lovers are expressing their love in a physical sense, but that is all. Faye's crystal-clear voice really nails this one.    

17.  "Don't Ask About Life" - Anita Mui <"The Heroic Trio">
This is very contrasting to "A Woman's Heart", right? Though I do think that it's worth a second listen, you're welcome to skip to 4:30 if you want to hear the second track. Though the backstage cast photo is very nice,
just looking at Maggie's ditzy moment in this video is very nostalgic...and funny. The song - it's fast, catchy, upbeat and with strong vocals. Sister Anita is a very versatile singer indeed. But yes, less questions, on with the song!  

18. "A Youthful Heart" - Jacky Cheung <"Fong Sai Yuk">

Though I would have liked to include a more interesting video instead of a script with just the credits rolling on it, I hope this track will suffice. It's heroic sounding, but yet not overly powerful in terms of bursting a vocal pipe and is really quite catchy. James Wong wrote the lyrics. But I do recommend the movie, which also stars Josephine Siao, as his mother which makes a funny thing to watch.    

19.  "Heart Afire" - Sally Yeh <"Fight And Love With A Terracotta Warrior">

Another Sally track, but hey, she was one of the undisputed Queens of the 90's. I'm actually not into any kind of patriotic song (especially in the name of Communist China), but this one sits well with me. Why, you ask? Well, let's just say I've always had a thing for Sally and her vocals really do bring out the aching sadness of this song - like her heart really is amidst the flames. Zhang Yi-mou directed and starred in this film along with Gong Li, which feels like a very long ago. 

20. "Very Nice!" - Chow Yun-Fat, Joey Wong & Sally Yeh <"Diary Of A Big Man">

Okay. Just to end things off nicely, here's a wild card in the mix. It'll make you laugh, that's for sure - Chow Yun-Fat and his darned charisma and funny ways. Curse you. I cannot resist! LOL. And did I mention, the two leading ladies - Sally Yeh and Joey Wong? That two-timing jerk. I'm kidding. Very nice!  Very nice, indeed :D

Review: TVB 45th Anniversary Gala (2012)

If you want to watch the gala, you can watch it at hyn5's blog here. Okay, so the title’s a little misleading. This isn’t really a review but more of a rant. As one of the most hyped up events since who knows when TVB started and of the whole year, another disappointment in the sack. The past few years haven’t been any better, unfortunately. What happened to the anniversary gala? When did it become more about promoting new artists and less about being a show for the audience? This is why I’m with Felix Wong (and a lot of other people) when they say that TVB just don’t cut it anymore. There needs to be competition. Although my cable provider is a proud supporter of TVB, I’d be happy for them to up their game and to see new (and good) series from other television stations. Just like a lot of their programming, the gala has become a joke. One big farce.

Opening sequences, full of self-promotional material and trying to kiss up to the government by trying to convince them not to hand out a free-to-air license to CTI. After some bad singing (Cally Kwong was just about the only Miss HK that could sing) and some bad dancing (especially by Pierro Ngo – so stiff! Stick to acting man!), we finally have the hosts come out.

Girls’ team, a dance around a net and doing some hanging acrobatics. Seriously not really impressive, to be honest. But nice song. “Once Upon A December” from 20th Century Fox’s Anastasia, if anyone’s interested.

Running up walls and climbing monkey bars from the boys’ team. I really didn’t see any entertainment value in that. Adding a little bit of fire for effect also did not add any points to the performance.

 I think it’s safe to say that even though there were performances and acts this year, some were just crude. Way too crude. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can take the cream pie in the face act easily as much as the next person, but what I found BLATANTLY DISGUSTING was Eric Tsang’s behaviour towards King Kong. Alright, sure his Cantonese is funny and he’s been laughed at for looking like a monkey but that just simply doesn’t give Eric Tsang the right to stuff his half-eaten bun covered in his spit and glob into King Kong’s mouth. His lack of cleanliness and respect for people amazes me sometimes. If he wasn’t standing so high in the hierarchy that is TVB and whatnot, he wouldn’t be able to get away with this kind of behaviour. This is not what TVB is supposed to stand for. Quite frankly, I am sick of their clear disrespect towards the audience, thinking that we would find something as disgusting even the slightest bit funny. Now I don’t know if the local Hong Kong audience find that kind of stuff funny, but as someone who actually has to pay for cable, I’m seriously considering pulling the plug.

More random filler-in acts, with singing and dancing, with slapstick stuff. What do I say? BRING BACK THE MUSICALS! I didn’t see a hint of collaboration or cohesiveness within any of the groups – the dancing was all over the place (you could clearly see some actors and actresses moving in the opposite direction from the rest of the group). However, I must commend Kiki Sheung on her very good acting ‘in numbers’ segment. That being said, I would have enjoyed it if she sung a song. In a musical. They should really get their singers to sing and their actors, to well, act. Of course, if an actor can sing well, then that’s another story. Just jam them into a musical. And you know what? I don’t care if they lip-sync (to their own voices, of course). It was somewhat funny to see the men dressed up in women’s clothing, like Moses Chan and Wayne Lai but they should really keep these slapstick kinda acts to a minimum (just 1 per show sounds just about right). Johnson Lee’s impression of Adam Cheng was pretty LOL. I thought it was nice how they paid tribute to the stars of EYT. Tributes are always welcome.

But on a sidenote, it’s nice to see that Wayne Lai’s been rewarded for his long slog at TVB. The competitions for their staff (mainly their actors and actresses) I mean, I have no problem with. The gala, after all, should be about celebrating the success of the television station, as well as rewarding the people who make up part of that success. My problem is with the quality of the gala, the acts that go in and the performances that come out. I don’t even know why the flag was awarded to Eric Tsang’s group. Sure, they say it’s votership, but that sounds like a whole lot of crap to me. THIS IS A GALA. People want to be entertained. I saw some half-asleep and very bored audience members when the cameraman chose to pan to them. So there you have it, like the half-eaten bun that King Kong got stuffed into his mouth, this year’s gala was something you had to force yourself to watch and spat out like leftovers nobody wants.