February 09, 2010
Musings of a Chinese Gourmet
This is a supreme example of how to write an book on a subject that nearly everybody can claim to be an 'expert'. First published in 1952, the book, reflects on the roles of food in both state affairs and home front, and explores the rich history and culture in things we deem ordinary and common. The charm of it is that the author is a true gourmet and knows how to enjoy life to its full extent whatever situations he finds himself in. The author is a rare species these days - for I am not sure how many Chinese can claim to know BOTH Chinese and Western cultures on equal standing.
February 02, 2010
I've loved you for so long
I was lucky yesterday: when searching the database, I found, to my disbelief that there was a copy on the shelf.
It is one of the best films I have watched recently: the performance, the script... all subtle and with great depth.
PS:
I had wanted to watch it for a second time, but at the meanwhile, reluctant to do so. The film is not meant to be a suspense, but in effect, it is on first viewing. This is because the 'crime' Juliet committed was not revealed to us until 1/3 into the movie, and once we learnt what kept her in prison for 15 years, we became effectively an ally of Lea's husband - worried if she would do it again and felt our hearts jump to our throat whenever she was left alone with Lea's young daughters. We also wondered if her budding relationship with the two completely different men would come to anything... and that if the unconditional trust Lea had on her rather withdrawn sister was misplaced.
But I did watch it for a second time and found that this time round, I was able to relax a bit and focus more on the sublime performance, especially on that between the sisters who did look alike in a subtle way. To play the role of Juliet the way Kristine Scott Thomas did required some great courage - to appear on the screen at one's true age with hardly any make-up or special effects to enhance their appearance. It is in a sense a gamble from both the director and the actress - to star someone who looked deprived of love and no longer cares for how they presented themselves to the world.
And in the end, one can only ask why that we are not treated to more films of such high quality.
It is one of the best films I have watched recently: the performance, the script... all subtle and with great depth.
PS:
I had wanted to watch it for a second time, but at the meanwhile, reluctant to do so. The film is not meant to be a suspense, but in effect, it is on first viewing. This is because the 'crime' Juliet committed was not revealed to us until 1/3 into the movie, and once we learnt what kept her in prison for 15 years, we became effectively an ally of Lea's husband - worried if she would do it again and felt our hearts jump to our throat whenever she was left alone with Lea's young daughters. We also wondered if her budding relationship with the two completely different men would come to anything... and that if the unconditional trust Lea had on her rather withdrawn sister was misplaced.
But I did watch it for a second time and found that this time round, I was able to relax a bit and focus more on the sublime performance, especially on that between the sisters who did look alike in a subtle way. To play the role of Juliet the way Kristine Scott Thomas did required some great courage - to appear on the screen at one's true age with hardly any make-up or special effects to enhance their appearance. It is in a sense a gamble from both the director and the actress - to star someone who looked deprived of love and no longer cares for how they presented themselves to the world.
And in the end, one can only ask why that we are not treated to more films of such high quality.
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