Golden Bell Award 2009, After-Post

Did you guess right? Or were you shocked?

Golden Bell Award 2009, Pre-Post

The 44th Golden Bell Award nominations came out on the 10th. I planned to write a paragraph or two about it and cram it in one of those E-News Round Ups (read the last AND first one here). But since 1) I’ve already devoted a hefty amount of time recapping some of the dramas and 2) condensing the information (and comments) into a few paragraphs is going to test my ability to be succinct (translates to: too much trouble), I thought I might as well do it the proper respect and give it its own post.

In summary, there is a total of 1,435 pieces competing for 33 awards this year. Out of the submitted pieces, only 149 made it to the final round at the award ceremony, which is scheduled to be hold on — mark your calendar (or wait for my after post) — the 16th of October.

E-News Round Up, 8/20 – 8/30

Originally I planned to fill the “What’s New” section (refer to panel on right) with Chinese Paladin 3 recaps, but the writing is getting monotonous and unrewarding. It’s time for a switch, say a rough entertainment news round up?

Marriage & Relationship

The hottest one right now is the news coverage on Andy Lau‘s marriage and children (impending and existing,) the fertility tests for a child, daily, sometimes multiple times per day. (Yes ladies, he’s happily married. Last June in Las Vegas.) Following the discovery of Andy Lau’s sneaky marriage, it’s now confirmed that Miriam Yeung (on Aug 11, 2008) and Leon Lai (on March 9, 2008) have also secretly married their respective partner in Vegas. Vegas seems to be the all time favorite wedding spot for the rich and famous!

Then, there was the serial report on Joe Chen/Chen Qiao En (Fated to Love You, Prince Turns into Frog)‘s split with her Australian boyfriend of four years proceeding her newly discovered, alleged “romantic” involvement with Easy Fortune Happy Life costar Roy Qiu (Invincible Shan Bao Mei) — which I planned to write about but eventually gave up on account of extreme heat. I know that’s a pathetic excuse, but let’s face it, this weather really is too hot for writing. I’d rather be spitting out watermelon seeds under a fan than staring into a computer screen.

Anyway, they seem to spark great chemistry on and off screen. Whether this hook-up is true or not, I hope paparazzi’s attention doesn’t or didn’t smother any possibility for happiness.

via: ynet, udn, liberty times, omy, sina

Black & White – A Montage-esque After Post

As a compromise between the poll result and what I was willing to do, I’ve decided to write an After Post rather than a comprehensive Overview. The latter simply takes too much time.

In this After Post, I’ll rant and rave about what I liked (characters) and what I didn’t like (characters!) — because I’ve been itching to dissect them for a long time! *evil cackle* I’ll re-post a selection of screen shots since they sum up the fine points of this drama quite well. Finally, by reader Lisa’s request, I’ll talk about my expectation of the Black & White movie to wrap up this post. (God, I sound like a snotty critic writing this! And, it’s about to get worse… Bear with me.)

Black & White, Episode 24 (Final Episode)

It came after all, the danger of carrying the chip. A self-important killer steps out in front of Xi Ying and rests his rifle on one shoulder. He smirks arrogantly and says, “Kill you or not, I’ll get the chip.” — speaking too soon — before the smug smile can disappear, the lights in the subway station shut off.

Black & White, Episode 23

Mr. Chen is taken away.
Mr. Chen is blindfolded and brought to a warehouse.
Mr. Chen’s protectors are all dead.
Mr. Chen’s disappearance nearly drove his daughter crazy.

Black & White, Episode 22

“What are you doing?!” A very bad actor yells at Hero. (Whadda you think? He’s abducting your Barbie in broad daylight.) “Follow me!” Hero grunts at Mu Sha, ignoring the flight assistant’s (the said bad actor) frantic attempt to interfere. — I say “frantic” as a terrible hyperbole. Like, barely moving kind of frantic. — “You’re not dead?” Lei Mu Sha struggles back. Uh-uh, that’s no way to talk to an ex-lover! “Thanks to you.” Hero retorts defensively, “My life is pretty resilient.” “Did you know what you’re doing is against the law?” — Using the Law to stop Hero huh? Our pretty lady must’ve ran out of witty comebacks.

Black & White, Episode 21

Under his two body guards’ protection, Hero fled for his life.

“I want him alive!” Zai Tian clamors as the commotion unfolds right before his eyes.

Black & White, Episode 20

The Old Man’s look of shock gradually softens to a smile. “Alike, very alike.” he marvels. “What?” already choking on tears, Hero musters with great difficulty. “Your eyes. They look exactly like your mothers.” (Er, I just mentally dropped a wig on Hero’s head… Let’s just say the resulting image does not look very flattering.) “Who are you?” Hero demands confirmation, apparently not taking the all too plain truth very well.

To deepen Hero’s frustration, the Old Man walks away, shaking his head left and right while muttering to himself, “I was wrong. I was completely wrong!” “Can you PLEASE tell me what is going on?” Hero begs, “Isn’t Chen Zai Tian your son? What am I? Are we brothers?”

Black & White, Episode 19

The gun, the prints, and the body, all that’s missing is a scented note saying:

I got you! ♥ Happy belated April fool’s!

— Love, Mu Sha

PS: See ya in another 5 yrs!

xxoo

She might as well try to rub it in his face, that way, he’d have someone to blame on. But deep down, Hero knows that the fault is his, which only made him the more furious. With himself.

At least, one thing is for certain – he won’t be engaging in reckless sexual behaviors any time soon.