Lester Mak

Ok, not really that much to say this week. But I did spend most of this week watching a few movies on DVD.

* ITCHY HEART (2004) *

No, it’s not something I need to scratch, but a pleasantly surprising film in which Lau Ching Wan learns what true love is whilst his wife was away. An old girlfriend in the form of Carina Lau and a young temptress in the gorgeous Cherrie In help him recapture his youth. Whilst the plot may be cheesy, it is in fact a very good film.

* HIDDEN TRACK (2003)*

Jay Chou-inspired movie in which a heartbroken girl goes in search of the ‘hidden track’ on one of Jay’s albums that epitomises her broken relationship. She travels from China to HK to look for it, encountering different people’s definitions of love and finding the answer to her own search. Starring Po Po and Shawn Yue, it is also one I’d recommend for it’s Amelie-like magic.

* SLEEPLESS TOWN (1998) *

Chinese gangs in Tokyo, a man who’s trying to stay out of trouble, and revenge on his former partner-in-crime is on the cards. Plus his former partner’s girlfriend appears to spice things up. A story with lots of twists and turns, it is very enjoyable, and well worth a watch!

* ASIAN FILM FEAST *

There are a whole load of films from Asia coming out at the moment that are causing a stir. Hero has been the big release recently (although 2 years late) with Jet Li, Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi, and a fine film it is (although it is more tailored for western audiences than those in the Far East). Meanwhile, House Of The Flying Daggers, which was well lauded at Cannes appears later this autumn, whilst another Cannes film, 2046, albeit the unfinished version at the time, is now finished and will be hitting our screens soon. There’s lots being said about these films, and I’m looking forwards to seeing them all soon.

* IF ONLY… THEY MADE THE REST OF THE BODY… *
My article of the week this week fondly reminds me of Japanese chindogu, those weird inventions that the Japanese make that could be useful sometimes. Such as the hat you wear on the Tube which has a sign on it for your stop in case you fall asleep, or the umbrella with holes in it so it doesn’t blow inside out.

Well, Japanese girls now can say hi to the boyfriend pillow which has an arm and the torso of a bloke. No arms, no head. Well, let’s see who hogs all of the duvet now?!