"Very basic strategy. If your enemies know where you are, then don't be there."

解不开的未知数

humanity took a good idea and, like always, built a belief structure on it.

确认过眼神 我遇上对的人

lost in transition

After 8 years of basking as the undisputed best, All Blacks return to being the best team that's not the world champ. The scourge of tournament rugby, where although credit to English tactics and some outstanding individual performances, it's a day everything went wrong for NZ - a call against you, a pass inches off, the ball bouncing wrongly.

That said, this was gonna happen. 2011 was the most complete and experienced team, 2015 was a blend of class and rising youth. 2019 did not see a successful transition and when push came to shove, the roster was just not good enough.

Mo'unga could not orchestrate, Aaron is declining, there's only 1 good starting centre, Bridge is overrated, Cane could not fill the boots, Retallick is unfit and the front row has deteriorated.

同门 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. the last good Hong Kong triad film, before China and Taiwan productions began taking over.

The Blue Mansion 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. maybe not the best local film, but maybe the best screenplay. if you haven't seen it, it's best I don't reveal more. and don't we all miss Emma Yong?

I'm a needle starting at zero, going the other way.

长得丑不是你的错 但出来吓人就是你不对

i like motion pictures

Wonder Woman was good, but Joker will be the film that regains DC respect. that respect extends to the writers and director, who took a familiar subject, injected fresh and convincing elements, while staying faithful to the source. origin stories don't get better than this.

like Venom, you may ask, how do you make audiences empathise with a villain? the creators not only managed this, but did it by boldly juxtaposing him against his well-loved rival Batman. I left the cinema uncertain what's good and evil anymore.

even a fool gets to be young once.

American Beauty 20th anniversary

20 years ago this month. centred on the idea of beauty, this film's numerous themes and emotions triggered rightfully introduced the genius of Sam Mendes.

暗战 20th anniversary

20 years ago this month. one of my greatest Hong Kong films. that cool, that intelligence and that unforgettable love line.

Fight Club 20th anniversary

20 years ago this month. a film like no other. more so, probably the most surprising twist I have encountered.

District 9 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. the ultimate sleeper hit, finding that sweet spot between social commentary and pure entertainment.

好像在拜拜
除了不知道对方能不能够听得到之外
对我自己讲的话是不是真心的也没什么把握

The Sixth Sense 20th anniversary

20 years ago this month. the film that spawned a glut of films anchored on a single twist. the film that began my sometimes unrequited love for M Night Shyamalan.

Let's sort the buyers from the spyers, the needy from the greedy, and those who trust me from the ones who don't.

North by Northwest 60th anniversary

60 years ago this month. with the technology 60 years advanced, not many filmmakers can claim to produce mystery-thrillers like this.

可怜之人必有可恨之处

mad hen.

Dead Poets Society 30th anniversary

30 years ago this month. several films have come and gone about how one inspiring teacher can change your life forever. this is the father of those films.

女人如花花似梦

"Isn't it what we wait for? To meet someone and they're like a lens and suddenly you're looking through them and everything changes and nothing can ever be the same again."

Inglourious Basterds 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. since Tarantino's next film is imminent, here's recommending probably my favourite film of his. a cathartic story with several indelible scenes.

树大必有枯枝 人多必有白痴

Up 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. as someone who almost never fancies animated films, I found this easy to like. gentle, tender and simple, without over-animating.

champions minus De Bruyne

City won the title more or less WITHOUT their best player De Bruyne. they did add Mahrez (£60m), who actually played fewer matches than Sterling, Bernardo, Sane and David Silva.

Liverpool added Alisson (£55m), Keita (£53m), Fabinho (£39m) and Shaqiri (£13m) after reaching the Champions League final.

United added Fred (£53m) after finishing runners-up.

Arsenal added Torreira (£27m), Leno (£22m) and Sokratis (£14m).

Chelsea added Kepa (£72m), Jorginho (£51m), Higuain (£8m) and Kovacic.

I rarely praise rivals, but credit is due.

You took your first pinch like a man and you learned the two most important things in life. Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut.

她说人最大的烦恼就是记性太好

"Anyone who spends a significant amount of time with me finds me disagreeable."

State of Play 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. when journalism and thrillers intersect. for those who find serious journalism films like Spotlight boring.

Saint Jack 40th anniversary

40 years ago this month. the best Hollywood film shot in Singapore is not Crazy Rich Asians.

佛典有云
旗未动
风也未吹
是人的心自己在动

"There are these butterflies in Central America. They're blue and orange and yellow and have poison in their wings, just enough to stop a bird heart. But the birds know this somehow, so they don't eat them. But there are other ones, butterflies, they're orange, blue and yellow too but no poison wings. They're just flying around, looking dangerous, getting by on their looks."

生死有命 富貴在天

The Matrix 20th anniversary

20 years ago this month. the film that left this 12-year-old stunned by the magic of cinema and the start of a trilogy that would consume me for years.

"I'm Shiva, the God of death."

Oscars 2019: who should win

Picture

1. The Favourite
2. Roma
3. A Star Is Born
4. Bohemian Rhapsody
5. BlacKkKlansman
6. Green Book
7. Vice
8. Black Panther

it's a long shot. it's not a Hollywood darling like A Star Is Born (self-consciousness), Green Book (civil rights) and Vice (politics). it's not as powerful as Roma. but Roma is slightly quiet for me while The Favourite is just a non-stop riot with a flawless screenplay, glorious acting and mesmerising cinematography.

Directing
Alfonso Cuaron
Spike Lee comes a close second, but although Roma isn't perfect, the way Cuaron shot something he also wrote steals, unfairly, my vote.

Actor
Viggo Mortensen
the way Rami Malek has been winning everything tells you the field isn't stellar. I love Bohemian Rhapsody, but is Malek that good? I would be okay with Christian Bale taking it because he's watchable in everything, but by transformation alone, none became a completely different person like Mortensen as Tony Lip.

Actress
Olivia Colman
she might just lose to an also-good Glenn Close due to politics, but Colman's performance isn't just a year-best, it's one for the ages.

Supporting Actor
Richard E Grant
Mahershala Ali is gonna win it, this we know. but I found the performance not among his best work. Grant is my favourite in this field, with Adam Driver deserving of special mention.

Supporting Actress
Emma Stone
Rachel Weisz and Regina King are favourites, some will say Amy Adams is winless in six noms. but the one true standout, who plays it like it's her film, who's more deserving than her 2017 Oscar, is Stone.

Original Screenplay
First Reformed
the only original story in the field. several moments of excellent writing too.

Adapted Screenplay
BlacKkKlansman
everyone's a worthy nominee in this category, but I pick this Spike Lee joint for how it balances hate and humour.

看得见彩虹
我们却都看不见风

hurry fall asleep or the boogeyman will come for you.

莫问前尘无悔 但求今生无愧

everything is a mythical, cosmic battle between faith and chance.

500 Days of Summer 10th anniversary

10 years ago this month. a film that shatters the portrayal of love on screen. one with the curious ability to first make you give up on love, then in subsequent years realise this is indeed what love is.

贫在闹市无人问 富在深山有远亲

The Blair Witch Project 20th anniversary

20 years ago this month. a work that changed filmmaking and movie promotion.

some folks just believe in the things they've heard,

and the things they read,

nobody knows what awaits for the dead.

i like motion pictures

I grew up on documentaries and have managed to see many award winners and I dare say Shirkers has a real chance at an Oscar. it blew me away.

it has a nice setup, the protagonist is very American, it's about filmmaking, it's a unique and incredible story, it fills the third act despite the antagonist's absence, and it's devastating.

Interview with Taiwanese actor Jasper Liu - Part 2

Interview with Taiwanese actor Jasper Liu for movie More Than Blue