Monday, April 30, 2007

Movie Review: NEXT

Question: “Is it worth to go see NEXT in the movie theatre?”
Answer: "Put my two cents in, you should keep your money in your wallet and wait for Blockbuster. Next question! "

Honestly I didn’t go in with much expectation before I attended the screening for NEXT. Well, the movie stars Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, and Jessica Biel. How bad can it be? Ha, I wish I knew what I know now! The whole experience is like dreaming – a nightmare to be precise.

For 96 minutes I was confused and lost. A lot of the stuff didn’t make any sense to me. I’m still trying to figure out where the terrorists come from and why they steal the nuclear bomb to blow up Los Angeles. The movie is based on “the Golden Man,” a short science fiction story by the late Philip K. Dick. Hollywood must really adore Mr. Dick. In the past we’ve seen Blade Runner, Total Recall, Screamers, Impostor, Minority Report, Paycheck, A Scanner Darkly and now Next – all adapted from his work.

The problem with NEXT is that you are hardly sitting on the edge of your seat because the protagonist is clairvoyant and he tells you everything before it happens. What’s the fun in it? His superpower is not only a burden for himself but also takes away our enjoyment. You don’t have to wonder what’s next since it’s always played out beforehand. Once you know how the gimmick works, you probably don’t care to watch the rest of the film.

However, Jessica Biel is still the eye candy you expect her to be. She doesn’t have much to say but she sure looks sexy. After all, she’s now ranked #6 sexiest woman in FHM magazine and #1 by STUFF. If I may add, Nicolas Cage needs to do something about his hideous hair. Is it just me or it looks like a toupee? It’s just ugly beyond words.

If Philip K. Dick were still alive, what would he say about this movie if he saw it? May he rest in peace.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Movie Review: VITUS - 想飛的鋼琴少年

Vitus is Switzerland’s national pride for it was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards 2006. Since I’ve never watched any movie by director Fredi M. Murer, I have no idea what his other work are like in the past. However, Vitus is certainly a “Feel Good” movie. If you are at a crossroads in life or contemplate whether to pursue your dream or discard it, this movie might be an inspiration.

There are several actors chosen to portray the protagonist at different ages. In my opinion, the six-year-old, Fabrizio Borsani is by far the cutest and the most adorable one. However, the twelve-year-old, Teo Gheorghiu is in deed an established pianist and the winner of San Marino International Piano Competition in 2004. This is Teo’s first movie and he excels in not only piano but also acting.

I highly recommend the original soundtrack and it is definitely worth keeping in your iPod. The music is no doubt the soul of this movie and it can connect the viewers to the film without words. From the first scene, I was intrigued because of the music.

The protagonist is a child prodigy and his parents have high hopes for him. He can obey his folks and become a world renowned pianist or follow his heart and do what he desires.

Does that sound familiar? It’s a story that we can all relate to. You don’t have to be gifted to understand that what our parents expect of us is usually what they want or something they were unable to accomplish. They already figure out what’s best for us and what lies ahead in our future.

Just think back to your childhood when the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” was first posed to you. Of course, you’re young and you didn’t know what you know now. Your dreams were altered according to your parents’ liking. They will try to influence your ideas and direct you to where they want you to go.

However, that is not to say that they are wrong. In fact, sometimes I’d hate to admit that they are right on the money, like it or not. My mom was opposed to dancing but she liked piano and violin. In order to keep my dancing classes, I had to take piano and violin as well. That was our deal. Though eventually I dropped both instruments, I wish I had put in more efforts in classes. Every so often when I see a piano, I wish I can just play for fun. I remember my mom said to me, “You’ll regret it. How many people would die for such opportunities? You don’t have to be a musician but instruments can be great hobbies.” Ain’t that the truth?

“Are you sure that you want to be a dancer? Dancers don’t earn enough to make the ends meet. A starving artist…is that what you want to be when you grow up?” That’s the great cop-out my mom gave me for quitting the dance class. What a terrifying thought! A starving artist?! Like the bum on the street?! Yikes! That’s not how I envision myself years from now.

Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I continued to dance and ended up as a professional dancer. I’m already a starving artist in the broadcasting industry. Would I be worsened as a dancer? Maybe. But I would rather make that decision for myself, not because my mom said so.

Is it possible that our culture forbids the children to think on their own? Our parents tell us whom to be best friends with, what major to choose, and which job to take. Who knows? Perhaps your significant other is hand-picked by your folks too because supposedly they know the best. So, what’s left for you to do in this lifetime? Some argue that parents’ decision-making is for the best interest of the children. Therefore, they carefully choose the right path and make sure that the journey to success is less bumpy. But life is no fun if everything is meticulously calculated. For some reason, the road less traveled seems more exciting and probably holds endless possibilities.

In the end, even the child prodigy wants to be treated like a normal kid. His parents’ expectations suffocate him and playing the piano becomes a tedious job. Once he breaks free and regains his childhood like most kids, he rediscovers his passion for piano.

If everything has been decided for you, perhaps it’s time to steer the wheel of fortune by yourself. All along you’ve been measured by the things you cannot control. What would you do differently if you didn’t have to worry about pleasing your parents or winning the approvals of others? What do you want to be…and I do mean anything…when you grow up? Without inhibitions, you’d better start thinking for yourself!

Friday, April 27, 2007

Movie Review: A片特攻隊 The Moguls

Not everyone is here to change the world. Making a difference is good enough.
不是每個人生來都要作些驚天動地、扭轉乾坤的事業,只要能作出些小小的改變,就很足夠了。

From the movie title, The Moguls, you would think that it’s a story taking place in New York or Los Angeles where the hotshots usually live. Ironically, it is set in a small town where everyone knows each other and possibly all grew up together. On top of that, the all-star ensemble cast transform themselves into a bunch of regular guys, Barney, Some Idiot, Otis, Moose, Emmett, Moe & Ron (they’re brothers! Try to say their names fast. It’s quite fun!) So, from the get-go, it’s going to be a comedy.

The movie begins as the divorcee Andy goes to visit his son Billy for his birthday. Unfortunately Andy’s unemployed and he can’t afford an $80 basketball. Andy’s ex-wife Thelma is now married to Howard, a wealthy guy who is so rich that Billy gets a basketball court inside the house with Michael Jordan’s autograph on every basketball! Andy is afraid to lose Billy’s love ‘cuz he can’t provide his son such a posh lifestyle. Against all odds, Andy decides to get off his butt and do something about his life. And he manages to convince everyone to take a part in his life changing project.

The group effort is to make an adult film – not your average adult film. It’s an amateur’s porno. Of course they constantly run into problems and that’s what makes this movie funny. In one scene, they are ready to film the foursome – a white girl vs. three black guys. After the brothers drop their pants, the filming has to stop. See, size does matter! That scene is hilarious and no nudity is even shown!

Andy puts all his hopes and dreams into this project. On one hand, he wants his son to respect him and look up to him as if he’s somebody. On the other hand, it’s probably mid-life crisis because he feels that he has not done anything in his life so far. Therefore, making this porno is very important to him personally. Eventually their team work not only changes his life but also everyone involved in it!

So, who says you have to change the world? That’s the job for superman, batman and spider-man. The most memorable quote from spider-man’s uncle says, “With great power comes with great responsibility!” I’m sure that most people don’t want to deal with the responsibility to change the world. But we can make a difference in our social circle or the community we live in! Without Andy’s crazy idea, Barney will never get the girl he loves and some idiot will still be dreaming about Hollywood while in film classes.

In the past most small towns in America are portrayed as homes for religious cults. When we label someone with a ‘small town mentality’, it usually means that the person is close minded. What I love about this movie is that it revives the image of small towns and gives them a good name! After you’ve seen this movie, you won’t look at small towns the same ever again!

If I can only give you a few words to sum it up, then they’ll be: small town, total losers and heartfelt. And you just need to remember Andy’s motto: No Guts, No Glory!

Now my question for you is do you want to be a mogul living in a small town or a regular joe living in a big city?

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Hanging out on Union Street


我結不結婚 關你啥事

從小到大最不喜歡參加婚禮。小時候覺得喜酒真是難吃,長大了討厭在喜宴過程被逼婚。尤其是新婚夫婦的年齡和我相仿,那麼自以為關心以及愛管閒事的人真是源源不絕! 小琪和我同年生,她妹妹也和我妹同年;因為我爸和小琪父親以前是高中同學,我們四個女生從小的時候就常常玩在一起,直到各自出國唸書才斷了聯絡。終於我們四個之中,有一個要走向婚姻之路。小琪要定婚的事我早在一個月之前就知道了,而且聽說她覺得自己能比我早一步進入禮堂很驚訝! 我從我媽那裡聽到第三手的消息。她對她媽媽說,"沒想到我居然比DIVA還早結婚!"

這是什麼意思?我還是聽不太出來這到底是褒還是貶,非常耐人尋味! 譚小姐妳就要結婚啦,幹什麼故做一副吃驚的樣子!Yes, Believe it…You’d better believe it!

小琪的父親在高鐵就任高階主管,所以喜宴會場出席的高官名人不少,而且他們廢話也特別多。哇,連殷琪都來了!為了等這些沒有時間觀念的官員,全場可是餓著肚子等到一點半才開始,比預定時間晚了一個小時。遲到已經很不上道了,致詞落落長,而且開口閉口都在講高鐵。到底是譚家嫁女兒還是高鐵落成典禮?如果新娘是我,我應該會先把麥克風消音,再把這不識相的傢伙趕出去!

"今天大小姐我要出嫁,你是來鬧場的嗎?給我滾出去!" 當然,新娘不是我,算你們這些長舌公走運!

很多長輩在這種場合容易落淚,除了父母之外,就是祖父母最受感動!小琪的外婆是個典型的外省籍奶奶! 在訂婚儀式的過程當中,一想到外孫女要嫁到日本去,她可是頻頻拭淚。一見到小琪未來的日本公婆,立即用高八度的大聲喊叫:一定要好好照顧她! 重複了五六遍,好像怕對方沒聽清楚,根本完全無視對方是日本人,聽不懂半字中文! 那樣的真性情連我在一旁看得也有點眼眶泛紅! 她一見到我就連忙問我父母何時吃我的喜酒,我媽笑說還沒個影呢!

我跟她老人家說:我爸說要養我一輩子啦! 不用擔心!

她只顧自己的年紀越來越大,回我一句:ㄚ頭,我怕我活不到吃妳喜酒那一天! 她緊握著我的手,直說:越大越漂亮了! 要找個好人家嫁了才好!

其實我一直不是很了解為什麼老一輩的不停催促我們結婚。既然我沒打算生小孩,結婚也就不是很重要。如果可以找個孤兒嫁,就不用擔心傳宗接代的問題。

有一回前男友開車,我們要送我媽去阿媽家,還順路接我姑姑一起去。一上車,我姑姑就問我媽我今年幾歲,又問何時可以吃我們倆的喜酒。我心裡很想把車子靠邊停,請她自行前往。吵死了,一上車就碎碎唸,還很不上道的問些有的沒的,儘是講些不重聽的話。最後還問我一句:快一點啊! 我在等吃妳的喜酒啊!

我給她個白眼,冷冷的回她一句:應該是等不到! 我怕妳活不到那時候。突然車上變得鴉雀無聲!

我還是比較喜歡主持喜酒,打扮的漂漂亮亮出席,站在台上亮相一整晚! 最近一次的婚禮活動主持,現場的男士一直盯著我的粉紅色禮服看,沒錯,胸線開的很低,可是真的很美! 在新人送客時,不斷有男士賓客對我說,今天妳最漂亮! 雖然新娘不是我,我也樂得開心的不得了! 當主持人既不用給紅包,還可以賺費用當零用錢。更不會有白目的人一直問:何時可以吃妳的喜酒啊?一直追問也沒用,不會因為你的窮追不捨,突然有個白馬王子憑空出現,對著我問:Will You Marry Me?

所以呢,Get Off My Back and Mind Your Own Business! 如果真的嫁不出去,也輪不到你來關心,我爸不就說了嘛,我可以養我女兒一輩子! 對於女兒出嫁,做父親的心中一定是五味雜陳,我爸只會關心我的工作,卻也從來沒有提過我應該要定下來。有句話說的好:女兒是父親上輩子的情人! 我真的相信我父親是我上輩子的情人!

我從不把交往中的男人帶回家介紹給我父母,多看多錯。反正沒有論及婚嫁的,他老人家都不用認識。他看了搞不好難過吧,心想女兒怎麼和這種人瞎攪和! 基本上沒一個過的了我爸那一關。就算他不說出口,我大概也猜的出來他心中在想什麼。這一個穿著不得體,那一個長相不稱頭,不然就是:憑你一副窮小子樣,拿什麼養我女兒?

我自出生大家都說這女孩和她爸爸一個樣,連鼎泰豐楊老闆第一次見到我就說:妳和妳父親是一個模子打出來的! 所以我去鼎泰豐可以藉由酷似父親的容貌,搶先享用美食! 從小,我父親疼愛我的程度有時嚴重到連我媽都吃味! 第一次買車,我說二手的就好,他還是買一台全新的吉普車給我。考上ICRT之後,我說坐計程車上陽明山就好,他還是買一台全新的休旅車給我。記得小時候家裡經濟不是很好,我參加學校舞蹈團受邀出國表演,自費的金額和一整個學期的學費一樣多,他二話不說,借錢只為了讓我夢想成真。

如果有一天我真的嫁出去了,我父親應該比誰都還捨不得吧! 當年毅然決定讓我出國唸書是父親的大力支持,唯一希望我留在美國的也是他! 雖然我回來台灣,他還是一直鼓勵我再回去美國進修。他不像一般的父母,不會催我趕緊找個男人嫁了。連我提議想搬出去住,他只丟了一句話:妳嫌我們家不夠好啊! 其實就是父親把我照顧的太好,才會看不上別人家啊! 果真有論及婚嫁的對象,都會被我拿來和我父親比較。我知道這樣是不公平,不過我想這輩子也不會有男人比的上我心目中的最佳白馬王子! 這樣看來我的戀父情結還挺嚴重的!

其實我媽也很開明! 她一切看在眼裡,也不會問我是否有交往的對象。她說:妳身邊的男人九成都被嚇跑了! 還有剩下一成呢?嚇到全身動彈不得啊!

身邊的朋友都說父母很愛逼婚,一直提醒年齡已經老大不小。可是我媽說:誰說結婚一定比較好?如果真的找不到身心靈契合的男人,不如自己生活來的自在快樂! 她希望我是為了真愛而進入禮堂,因為在一起會有更好的未來而結婚! 所以我不用擔心父母對我進行逼婚,他們老神在在,女兒不是不嫁,只是時候未到!

如果找不到一個夠好的人,不如自己一個人來的開心快樂!

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

妳最近比較胖喔!

十多年不見的長輩,在昨天看到我之後,很震驚的對我說了一句話:原來妳現在這麼瘦! 我心裡想,我胖還是瘦關你啥事啊?有時候對於如此白目的人,我真想狠狠的給他一巴掌! 然後在離開之前再冷冷的丟一句話給他:原來你這麼沒教養! 可是我父母親都在場,實在不方便說教,只好忍住。不然依照我的個性,對於這種沒有禮貌的傢伙,一定好好修理他。

在結束美國多年的生活之後,我回到台灣最不能忍受的就是,很多人喜歡一見面就說:妳最近比較胖喔! 個人的體重管理成功與否已經成為大多數人的開場白。這是個很差勁也很沒禮貌的問候語,比起用三字經來問候都好不到那裡去! 為什麼個人胖瘦的程度要被拿出來當成打招呼用,我到現在還是不懂。就是我變胖或變瘦也不可能會影響到其他人的生活,那為什麼一直把胖瘦掛在嘴上是要做什麼用?真的很無聊,沒事找碴嘛。

將近一年不見的已婚女性友人在即時通訊上跟我說:聽說妳最近超級火辣,身材一級棒! 有消息指出妳變得超瘦,這麼厲害啊! 我連忙澄清是空穴來風,沒有的事,她還安慰我,這樣很好啊,被別人稱讚妳性感火辣應該要高興! 她說結婚之後,已經忘記什麼叫做賣弄性感,也不能再像以前一樣,穿著性感小野貓一樣的裝扮四處去玩,因為身材已經發福,所以她很羨慕我,雖然只是聽別人說,根本沒有親眼見到我。我只能說一聲:瞎啊!

人性就是這樣,喜歡批評,人家變胖了就要大肆嚷嚷,讓人家想一頭撞死算了,胖成這樣活著幹什麼用。但是人性呢,也見不得別人好,想盡辦法要雞蛋裡挑骨頭。以前在購物台工作時,十多個女性購物專家中,我算是最大隻的。我個子不算高,但是我骨架大,天生又有肉感,再加上我在美國生活多年,看的出來我的營養比較好。潔玲一直把我當成擋箭牌,而且她跟我說,希望我維持現狀,永遠不可以比她瘦。只要有主管或者是工作人員跟她說,最近她在電視上看起來比較臃腫,她都會說,反正妳比我胖,我就不會是最胖的。結果有一天,有個在懷孕中的髮型師,大概心情也不是很好,無意之間觸犯了潔玲心中的痛。她覺得潔玲最近變胖了,不僅如此,還以讚嘆的口吻對著潔玲說:韻凡最近變瘦了,而且好瘦喔! 潔玲都要抓狂了,兩個人差點吵起來,最後搞的不歡而散。後來遇到潔玲,她還罵我很有心機,沒事瘦下來幹什麼,搞的她很難過日子。

上禮拜重返購物台,一走進曾經是天天工作的辦公室,小胖經理說:哇! 妳瘦了一大圈,看起來更年輕,整個人變得更亮麗! 果然是我同月同日生的知己,知道該對我講什麼話。 潔玲看到我連忙衝過來,連忙問道:為什麼變得這麼瘦?我想我都離開九個月了,已經不在這裡工作,她還在跟我計較,真的很幼稚啊。她還要我把外套脫下來,讓她看到我的手臂還是肉肉的,她才開心的走了。女人有時候真是無聊透頂,連這種事也要拿出來比較。

我的小學同學喬治在電視圈很久了,我詢問他的意見,想知道他對於我如果走向幕前有什麼看法,他很誠實的跟我說:以台灣演藝圈的標準,我實在太大隻了,這裡不流行有肉感的女性美! 話雖不重聽但是很中肯,而且是我自己要求他給一些客觀的意見,不喜歡也得接受。我所見過的藝人是一個比一個瘦,連喬治都瘦的像隻瘦皮猴;像是吳彥祖啊,也比一般和他同年齡同身高的男人瘦;多年以前我們認識的時候他也沒有現在瘦。因為要上鏡頭的關係,幾乎所有螢光幕前的藝人在現實人生中都很瘦。吳彥祖不久前來台灣宣傳夜宴,我們碰面的場合有很多藝人,印象最深刻的是張震比我想像中還要來的矮一點,也瘦很多。 而最近得獎不斷的周迅,也讓我震驚不已! 她的甜美在台上台下都是一致的,她嬌小的身形讓我想到一句成語:弱不禁風。

記得蔡依林剛出道時,為了宣傳新片打歌來電台上通告。對於剛從美國回來不久的我,她的身材在我眼中活像是個小學生,但是她在電視上看起來也還好啊! 螢幕膨脹的效果很驚人! 林依晨一直被媒體說她的臉肉肉的,不久前我在一個記者會開始之前遇到她,我們都在休息室準備,面對面的看著她,我怎麼看也覺得她的臉蛋小的可憐! 前兩天在一個聚餐的場合和祝釩剛同桌,他自我介紹的同時,我心裡想著:好瘦啊! 臉蛋都陷下去了,這麼高的男人怎麼可以這麼瘦,難道這真的是觀眾喜歡的嗎?

今年華語專輯新片中,我最喜歡李玖哲的Baby是我,雖然他是美國長大的韓國人,我聽的懂他唱的中文歌,聽周董的歌我需要看歌詞。媒體說李玖哲是小胖子,我覺得很不公平,他的歌聲那麼動聽,他到底長什麼樣子根本不重要嘛! 而且他根本不胖啊,是其他歌手太瘦,Nicky只是骨架大了點,一點都不胖! 搞清楚嘛,他是壯,不是胖! 他是歌手,不是模特兒,又不是靠臉蛋在賣唱片!

還好美國談話性節目天后歐普拉不是出生在台灣,她要是想在台灣演藝圈發展,一定會處處碰壁,也不可能有她今天在美國這樣的成就。因為對於不完美,對於不符合要求的身材,在台灣是不太有機會露臉的,更不用談什麼成功的機會。上不了螢光幕那來的電視節目呢?

你知道啊嗎?美國永遠的性感女神瑪麗蓮夢露 (Marilyn Monroe)的三圍是37-23-36! 名模的教母辛蒂克勞馥 (Cindy Crawford)的則是34-24-35。這兩種身材在台灣,還是會被經紀公司趕回家,叫你瘦下來之後再來報名選秀。

台灣的媒體喜歡公佈藝人的三圍體重和罩杯尺寸,實在很無聊啊! 結果就有人以為藝人的身材是美的標準,開始痛不欲生的日子。明明活的好好的,幹什麼跟美食過不去? 真的羨慕藝人餐餐吃不飽的日子嗎?真的希望在和愛人擁抱之後,得到的評價是"像是在抱一捆骨頭"?以蔡依林162公分的身高,再加上只有40公斤的體重,我只能說連一個六年級的小學女生都比她有份量! 我和她身高一樣,但是我在小學四年級就破四十大關啦!在公眾人物瘋狂似的追求不符合健康學的體重數字的同時,是否想過自己的行為已經影響到熱愛他們的粉絲?如果小學女生發現自己已經超過心目中的超級偶像Jolin的體重時,我相信會有人不擇手段的盲目追隨,所造成的影響很難評估。因為這年頭連成人都會盲目的追星了,更何況是青少年呢!

台灣女生喜歡把"我該減肥了"掛在嘴上。生日那個禮拜和幾個朋友去水美溫泉會館去泡溫泉,同行的女生在還沒下水前,包著一條浴巾,就一直嚷著說她太胖,不好意思露出身材。我聽來就覺得很假惺惺,都已經前胸貼後背了,還要減肥?在我看來,對於身材的要求,以你心中的那把尺來衡量,而不是以藝人的三圍體重為標準,是胖是瘦還是做自己最快樂!

Monday, April 23, 2007

影評: 不思議幸福列車

來自日本的"不思議幸福列車",被稱為現代版的桃花源記;我覺得近年來日本電影的風格都是淡淡的,對於習慣重口味的台灣觀眾,無非也是一件好事。人生的幸福不應該就是從最簡單的地方開始?

"不思議幸福列車"即將在母親節上映,我建議平常工作忙碌的朋友應該放下壓力和瑣事,走進電影院放鬆一下。片中的神秘火車把旅客帶到一個現代桃花源,讓眾人的人生有了重大改變。但是出發前並沒有人知道最後會抵達何處,說真的,你敢搭一部沒有目的地的火車嗎?其實那需要莫大的勇氣。就像把自己的命運交給陌生人,風險太大了。但是如果你的生活一成不變,而且永遠處於追趕跑跳碰的狀態,唯一能夠讓自己徹底解放的辦法就是把所有一切都放下,頓時會覺得全身肌肉鬆懈,這也是一種舒壓放鬆的方式。

現代社會過度忙碌,讓人喘不過氣,不知道我們是捨不得還是不敢放下。真的有機會去休假,卻為了安排假期的瑣碎是事給搞雜度假的好心情。所以我現在度假的方式都很隨性,不再準備"To Do List"。接待的朋友都會熱心的問有什麼特別想吃想玩想看的。我真心的覺得能夠睡到自然醒,和久未碰面的朋友相聚,開心的吃喝玩樂,這樣就很棒了。上個週末有個老朋友來訪,他頭一次來台北,我全程奉陪,但是我並沒有安排滿滿的行程。我們非常隨心所欲的到處看,走遍了全台北。從我家到台北101把信義鬧區走一圈,回程還跑去通化夜市;又從信義路的鼎泰豐走到中正紀念堂,還晃到總統府,一路走到西門町;從忠孝東路四段和復興南路逛到微風廣場,又延著市民大道走到延吉街,經過敦南誠品,最後一路走回遠企。一路上我們聊遍天下事,認識十五年來兩人第一次這麼輕鬆的偷閒,而且每經過麵包店和商家,不論有名氣沒名氣,都走進去瞧瞧有什麼可以試吃。試吃的美味真不少,不花一毛錢就吃飽!就像電影中的小鎮醫生說的:走路時看到的風景大不同,放慢腳步更能體驗人生的美好。

阿媽只有小學畢業,但是我記得小時候常常在阿媽的口中聽到有趣的俚語。每當有人匆忙的從她身邊經過,她會轉過身來,施展出潑婦罵街的氣勢,大喊:趕什麼火車?趕著去赴死啊!趕去投胎作鬼吧!"每天趕著上下班,趕著吃飯睡覺,一點樂趣都沒有!有人說現在努力工作以確保將來退休有好日子過。萬一你活不到那個時候怎麼辦?萬一你和電影裡的阿伯一樣,因為太拼命工作,從未有機會帶另一半去旅行;真的有錢有閒的時候,老婆撒手西歸。那會是個一輩子的遺憾。

品冠去年的專輯"愛到無可救藥",歌詞寫道:幸福是被愛的人需要。那種愛不僅僅是愛情,父母、手足、朋友都是愛的來源和對象。電影中的歐吉桑中年失業,家庭又缺乏溫暖,孤單到想和高中女生一起自殺。歐吉桑打電話回家,女兒一句"我們等你回來喔!"讓他的人生又燃起一線希望。前幾天看到一個朋友在MSN上寫著:Loneliness is a state of mind. 我沒有和他線上對談,也沒有悄悄傳簡訊給他。我撥他的手機,"你在想我喔!來,我讓你請我喝杯咖啡!"果然,幸福是被愛的人需要。

Monday, April 16, 2007

影評: 巴黎拜金女

記得大學畢業前,我的指導教授要求每個人上台發表三十秒的演說。題目是:畢業之後最想要做什麼?我想也不想,直接脫口而出:I wanna be a socialite!

什麼是socialite?就是現在我們說的名媛。當時我和一夥姐妹淘最喜歡打扮的美美的出席各大派對,我們這群夜行動物,每晚結束前都會互相比較誰釣到的魚兒多,以手上留著電話的紙條總數量分高下。如果把我在夜生活所有的時數加起來算時薪給我,我大概會賺翻了!在學校的教授和同學見到我的機會遠不及夜店門口的保鑣!

所以那時候我以為這樣的日子不錯啊,吃喝玩樂都有人包辦,我只要以最佳狀態出席場合就好,這不就是名媛的生活嗎?而且名媛是不用工作的,生活多麼的悠閒自在!今天報紙以大篇幅介紹Tom Ford在紐約第五大道上的全新旗艦店,豪宅式的建築,最令人好奇的是店內將以"Butler"和"Maid"來取代店員。哇,這麼屌,這種有錢人的玩意兒就是專門給名媛的!

曾經有朋友問我,你覺得自己是"拜金"還是"敗金"?我們現在可是住在一個M型社會,這是個事關名譽的問題。如果說自己拜金,那會被批評為虛榮;如果承認敗金,那就會被指控為浪費。其實我應該都不是。

拜金是二十一世紀的趨勢,現在是笑貧不笑娼的年代。媒體的喧嚷把有錢人的生活描繪成人間天堂。報章雜誌總是把時尚派對裡的華服名牌一一介紹出來,讓讀者看的是眼睛一亮,更是羨慕不已!其實那樣奢華的生活對大多數人來說,距離是非常遙遠的。

敗金是在卡奴風暴這幾年產生出來的新名詞。為什麼會有社會新鮮人明明一個月收入兩萬五,卻非要去買一個標榜限量但是要價八萬塊的鎖頭包?搞的自己每天只能吃泡麵過日子。女人面臨的精品誘惑已經到了一個氾濫成災的地步。全身穿戴著昂貴的名牌似乎給人一種特殊的安全感,虛有其表以為這樣就可以成為上流社會的成員之一。

想要知道你到底是拜金還是敗金,那有一部新電影你一定要看!以「艾蜜莉的異想世界」風靡全球的法國女星奧黛莉朵杜Audrey Tautou主演的"巴黎拜金女 Hors de prix"讓你體驗正港的法氏奢華,你可以再靠近一點,瞧瞧這世界上除了郭台銘以外的好野人是如何的享受人生。由法國人來講頂級奢華是最恰當的,因為世界上叫的出名字來的精品有七成以上都是法國品牌。

"巴黎拜金女"全片在法國、摩納哥、蒙地卡羅拍攝,包括法國南邊的尼斯。風景之美,讓人巴不得可以馬上中個樂透頭獎,坐著頭等艙去度個有錢人專屬的奢華假期。當然少不了的是女主角身上穿的、腳上踩的、手上戴的、肩上背的都是動輒幾十萬,甚至百萬的精品。在這電影裡,你也可以大開眼界,清楚的看到什麼叫做頂級套房,光是個浴室就比我們一般的住家還要大!

我想以精品名牌為號召,一定會吸引很多崇拜奢華富裕生活的女性朋友,因為只要是女人,免不了受到衣服包包鞋子的誘惑。尤其這部片子引領大家去體驗這輩子不見得有機會嘗試到的頂級奢華。人活著總是要有夢吧!

看完"巴黎拜金女Hors de prix"讓我想到1961年的電影Breakfast at Tiffany’s。都是釣金龜婿的故事,法國巴黎版對上美國紐約版,男女主角都讓你看得又好氣又好笑。而且女主角都是骨感型的美女,讓你在看完之後會暫時放棄吃甜點的慾望,因為"為什麼她們可以,而我做不到?" 然而同樣的心態,也讓人不禁要問為什麼她們都可以遇到金龜婿?我只能說這種事可遇不可求,真的讓你遇上了,你確定你能接受一個又老又禿,說不定還可能不舉的男人嗎?釣上個多金的男人也是要付出代價的。

天下沒有白吃的午餐!"巴黎拜金女Hors de prix"的女主角雖然吃喝玩樂有男人買單,但是再多的金錢也彌補不了心靈上的空虛,而且胃口越來越大,不時淘汰更新,要想辦法更上一層樓,枕邊人必須是下一個比上一個有錢。在男人眼中她也不過是個商品,商品終究是會被淘汰的,永遠都有更漂亮更新穎的商品產生!金錢也掌控她的一切,包吃玩樂也包自由。

我想,有錢人也不見得是個個大方。不過,最令人受不了的應該是俗氣的暴發戶,一副我有錢所以你得聽我的話,看我的臉色過日子。上個月在新加坡的烏節路上逛街,看到一個年事已高,而且長得比鐘樓怪人還要抱歉的老男人,他一手提著大包小包的戰利品,一手牽著一個足蹬三寸高跟鞋,打扮的花枝招展的拜金女。他的臉上帶著撲克牌似的表情,而他的女伴則是一副趾高氣揚,不可一世的樣子,而且可怕的是她的長相讓我想到瘋女十八年。當我們同時在櫃台結帳時,店員很識相的,頭也不抬,冷冷的把總結數目唸出來,想說一定有人會掏錢出來。拜金女熱情的看著她的金主,這時老人家說話了:妳當我是開銀行的嗎?花別人的錢應該比較過癮吧!今天買了這麼多還不夠嗎?這裡結帳完之後,給我乖乖的回家,不准出門!買那麼多漂亮的衣服卻無處可去,只能說"悲哀"!

當年前玩伴女郎安娜妮可史密斯Anna Nicole Smith下嫁八十幾歲的富豪,人人都說那是一筆金錢交易,只有安娜說她是為了愛。都還來不及申請離婚,這石油富商老頭子就自動去天國報到,安娜和富豪的子孫就此展開了遺產爭霸戰。我記得在電視上看到那個老男人的樣子,光是想像他們的婚姻生活就讓人想作嘔,我不知道應該同情那老頭子還是安娜妮可史密斯Anna Nicole Smith,拜金生活不是人人都能過的。

既然是商品交易,牽涉到金錢,一個願打,一個願挨,各取所需,似乎就沒有什麼對錯的問題。我只能說,每個人的價值觀不同罷了。多金的男人心裡有數,女人喜歡的是自己的鈔票。如果有男人娶個家世顯赫的妻子,也許他可以少奮鬥三十年,從此容華富貴一輩子。那又如何?因為從此以後大家背地裡一定稱他為"小白臉"。那請問男人最在乎的尊嚴要放那裡?

"巴黎拜金女Hors de prix"裡令人感動的是,明明只是個飯店小員工,卻願意讓心愛的女人散盡自己辛苦打拚,努力節省下來的錢。因為人的慾望是永遠不會滿足的,但是願意犧牲小我,只求愛人的物質享受,這樣的男人應該是真心誠意的。

記得十七年前的"麻雀變鳳凰 Pretty Woman",不但讓茱莉亞蘿勃玆Julia Roberts這個大嘴婆一炮而紅,也讓全世界看到所有在比佛利山莊的Rodeo Drive設店的名牌。我總覺得茱莉亞蘿勃玆Julia Roberts少了那種穿戴精品的"架勢",換句話說她似乎缺乏高貴的氣質,是名牌的價值造就了她。但是奧黛莉朵杜Audrey Tautou不費吹灰之力就穿出精品的美感,是她在穿華服,而不是品牌在襯托她。

人外有人,天外有天。如果你有機會搭上Bill Gates比爾蓋茲,你還會巴著郭台銘不放嗎?你就算有錢,永遠都會有一個比你更有錢的人。更何況,談錢是多麼的俗氣。所以除了錢,你還有什麼是可以讓人佩服的呢?

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

影評: Venus - 只要是男人,就應該好色 You Dirty Old Man!

不管是台灣日本韓國的偶像劇,我從沒看過。可能有人覺得這很不可思議,但是我覺得沒什麼了不起。不過,讓我覺得比較驕傲的是,我花在看電影的時間上遠遠超過看電視的時間。雖然我不是個專案的影評,但是我看電影的角度都和別人不太一樣。

昨天看了國片"六號出口",兩位男主角都是拍偶像劇出身的,果真是型男!今晚去看了"維納斯Venus",Peter O’Toole 彼德奧圖的演出實在太精采!想當年他在電影" 阿拉伯的勞倫斯(Lawrence of Arabia)"中是多麼的迷人,稱他為美男子一點都不為過,現代的型男還不及他的百分之一!那一年是1962,三十歲的他可是英姿煥發;什麼叫歲月不饒人,看看今年七十五歲的他,銀幕上的老人家不知道為什麼讓我覺得比我96歲的阿媽還蒼老!

到底六號出口在那裡?其實就是捷運西門站的六號出口,大家和朋友約見面,最喜歡在這個出口,人潮聚集在這,發傳單的自然而然也喜歡往這裡擠。六號出口旁邊的誠品以前是一家麥當勞,當時日本流行援交妹,我們也不落人後,店裡的老人家也熱烈參與金錢交換青春的交易。新聞報導一出來,大家開始用有色的眼光來看待在西門町的老人,其實這樣是很不公平的。因為總有一天我們也會老的!

昨晚和以前的同事在線上聊天,我們認識十年了。他驚訝的說:妳都33歲啦,我都45了呢!以前都是用幾乎嘲諷的心態來看身邊的老人家,如今自己也要邁入老年了!

其實,我想他將來老了一定還是很帥,就會像是Sean Connery史恩康納來一樣,a distinguished gentleman!我爸今年六十了,也是個distinguished gentleman,看過的熟女們都稱讚不已!

在維納斯Venus片中,Peter O’Toole 彼德奧圖的角色,a distinguished gentleman情不自禁的迷戀上一個少女,而這個少女卻讓這看似天真的單戀變質,成為她穫得物質的方式。到底他是迷戀女色還是想跳完青春的最後一段舞曲,你自己看過電影之後再下決定。

但是,這裡要講的就是"dirty old man"!為什麼會有dirty old man的存在?我一直相信只要是男人,就應該好色,這樣才符合常理。管你是異性戀還是同性戀或是雙性戀,隨便你,只要你高興就好。但是男人嘛,一定色的啦!子曰:食色性也。當好色的男人年老之後,他就成為一個dirty old man。

前幾天聽同事說,電台每天的郵件以前都要總機小姐自己去櫃台領。自從明芬來當電台總機小姐之後,櫃台的保全大哥都會親自送進來。因為明芬每次去櫃台的時候,都把她豐滿到快要湧出來的上圍停放在桌面上,就這樣邊聊天邊簽名邊收信,讓保全大哥眼睛不知道要往那裡看才好。如果這時候桌面下舉起旗子來,也是應該的。你要知道櫃台的保全大哥是輪班制的,每天都有不同的人值班,但是我相信他們大家對於明芬的波濤洶湧應該到老都不會忘記,尤其當他們變成dirty old men的時候,一定更懷念那少女般的酥胸及美腿!

果然薑是老的辣,Peter O’Toole 彼德奧圖的演技不但幫全天下的dirty old men除罪名,也讓我們深深的相信懂得欣賞美麗的人、事、物是無罪的!更何況,追求愛情是不分年齡的,只要你想要,任何人都應該有權利享受愛情的酸甜苦辣。人人都希望去愛人和被人愛,再老的年紀也不應該有任何影響。

在我心目中,今年的奧斯卡最佳男主角應該要給Peter O’Toole 彼德奧圖的!那些評審欠他一個公道,等他們自己不久之後也成為dirty old men的時候,他們就知道自己犯下多大的錯誤,居然讓Peter O’Toole 彼德奧圖空手而回。奧斯卡獎比一去不復返的青春還要殘酷!

Monday, April 09, 2007

很瞎的廣告

剛才在廣播聽到一個賣房子的廣告,真是沒有說服力到家!我自己做廣播這麼久,對於寫得這麼差的廣告文案應該是比一般聽眾敏銳。因為實在太好笑,所以迫不及待要跟大家分享。

這個廣告找來關之琳。這是一個不錯的選擇,女星常常和富商有緋聞。我很喜歡她的,漂亮寶貝一個而且聽說很會理財!再半年就要四十五歲的關小姐真是保養的好,根本看不出她的熟女年齡。等我到她這般年紀,希望我也可以如此青春美麗。

在短短的三十秒裡,讓我笑得打滾的那一段是關之琳說:我在台北找到比香港半山更漂亮的地方!不但有山有海,還有捷運!第一次有別墅就蓋在捷運旁邊!

這是什麼笑話!別墅沒事蓋在捷運系統旁邊幹什麼?如果都有錢買別墅豪宅了,要捷運幹什麼!這些寫文案的大哥大姐顯然不清楚真正的有錢人要買豪宅的時候心裡在想什麼,真是瞎到我無言以對。就算沒見過有錢人,可以幻想一下嘛!實在太沒有common sense!通常考慮的首要條件是住家環境是否隱密,以防狗仔隊偷拍。不然你去問問關之琳她怕不怕被狗仔隊拍到和愛人親熱的畫面。周邊的大眾交通運輸是否便利關富豪人家什麼事?你覺得關之琳會去坐捷運嗎?不會嘛!而且最好是沒有公車站牌在附近,捷運也最好繞道而行,不然公車捷運雙面夾攻,好野人晚上都不用睡覺了。

所以我不知道這個豪宅的廣告鎖定的族群是誰。但是它的娛樂效果不錯,每聽一次,就會讓你哈哈大笑!

Monday, April 02, 2007

Curiosity Kills a CAT!

Lately my friends are quite concerned with my love life. I wonder if it’s due to my age – 33 & 1/2 or they expect me to be romantically involved with someone because just about everyone is dating. NOT ME!

I’ve said it once too many and I’ll say it for the record: I DON’T FIND ANYONE INTERESTING YET!

Don’t get me wrong. I do meet some of the finest young single men out there (sometimes married ones too!) but they simply don’t turn me on. It’s not their fault. I know what I want and I’ll know it when he’s got it. Most guys are better off being my friends and they can expect a lifetime friendship with me.

In my younger days I dated nonstop to a point where I lost track of the guys I’ve been out with. I’ve gone on dates because I wanted to embrace equal opportunities and give boys the benefit of the doubt. Who knows? Maybe they’d prove me wrong.

Now I’d rather stay home than go on a meaningless date when I know that fine young man will get nowhere with me. There’s no time like the present and that’s why men shouldn’t waste time on me when I'm 99.999% sure that I’m not interested.

Since I don’t have much to share in regard to my love life, some have come up with ideas of their own.

I received a friend’s Email the other day and he wrote, “I’m sorry that things didn’t work out with Mr. Canada.” I can’t begin to tell you how annoyed I was when reading that Email. WHAT?! What are you sorry for? ‘Cuz I’m not!

Here’s the scoop! We hit it off and had a great time together. It was definitely more than a fling. We’re mature adults and we handled it like the grown-ups. But it’s not like we tried to pursue anything further. However, I won’t rule out anything in the future. In the meantime we both have important matters to attend to and therefore we’re happy with the way things are now.

It’s been so long since I met anyone who can make my heart flutter. Some can sustain through the first impression and then it’s downhill after that. Perhaps I’m jaded and I end up losing my interest fast.

Maybe I’m jinxed ‘cuz every time I meet someone new, I find out something unpleasant about him that will cause me to lose my interest instantly.

During a dinner party last Saturday, a girlfriend asked me if marriage is in the future. I sure hope so. She’s married to an almost perfect gentleman who’s a bit slow. He drives her crazy when he pauses too long for no reason. So her motto is “Not all marriages are meant to last forever. You do have a choice – DIVORCE.”

Call me old-fashioned. I don’t plan on divorcing my future husband after I say “I Do!” Therefore, I’m taking it very seriously. On the other hand, I get turned off easily.

Once on a date I was being scolded for spending money on a pair of shoes from Gucci. I couldn’t understand why he was giving me hell. It’s not like I called him up while trying on shoes in the store and asked him to buy me a pair of Gucci.

Here’s another occasion. We shared a cab on the way home and my date insisted on spilt the fare. There’s nothing more of a turn-off than this!

There’s a guy I met through work whom I was slightly interested. He called and invited me to have dinner with him on his birthday. How little I knew that what he wanted the most is for me to pay for his big fat juicy steak!

Recently I attended a gala with a seemingly generous gentleman. The goody bags almost ran out but one was left. He took it gladly and shoved it in his coat pocket without offering it to me. I wasn’t offended but I vowed not to be seen in public with him ever again!

So, please stop asking if I’m romantically involved with anyone. When I say No, it means N-O, NO! Don’t second-guess the future state of my happiness. If there’s anyone worth my time and effort, trust me, you’ll see us two lov birds all over tghe planet! You'll get so sick of our lovey dovey. Until then, try not to jinx my love life!