Archive for January, 2007
Back to furious late nights.
So, it’s back to some furious late nights.The frustration’s probably not at the long hours though. Just that I’m not getting things done.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Rules of the game
Basic explanation of what the scores mean.The score for each film is given on a ten point scale. The scores reflect how much I like the film, and how much artistic value I feel the film has. Usually the score is a mixture of these two feelings, i.e. films that score high should appeal to [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( 1 so far )The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) is and is not several things. It takes a critical look at the fashion industry in a satirical manner, but it is not a satire; it involves some romantic elements, but it is not strictly a romantic comedy; in the end it is a conventional story of a girl trying [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Unknown (2006)
Unknown (2006) is built on not entirely novel concepts: 5 people wake up in a abandoned warehouse, all having suffered temporary memory loss. They don’t remember who they are or how they got there, but they do realize that they are in danger, since one of them is tied up and one has been shot. [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )On the Waterfront (1954)
On the Waterfront (1954), possibly represents Marlon Brando at his prime. This is perhaps only the fourth or fifth film I’ve seen him in (the first obviously being The Godfather, the other few include Apocalypse Now and A Streetcar Named Desire), and my impression of this actor is definitely heavily influenced by his performance in [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Saw III (2006)
Saw (2004) was brilliant for its originality. The concept was innovative, the twists were fresh, and the plot was wickedly sick but also mind probing. It will never be reckoned as a masterpiece, nonetheless, it will probably become a cult favorite.Saw II (2005), was unsatisfying. My main complaint was that it had too many characters [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )何谓“主旋律”
何谓”主旋律” 今天各大网站都转载的一条新闻，就是广电总局的新规定，所谓”从2月份起的至少8个月时间内，所有上星频道(各卫视频道)在黄金时段一律播出主旋律电视剧”。其发言人原文大概是这样：”今年对所有电视节目都是一个特殊的年份，为了创造良好的环境和条件，广电总局要求：从2月份起的至少8个月时间内，所有上星频道在黄金时段一律播出主旋律电视剧。为此，广电总局对电视剧设立了四级审查制度，即所有省级电视台播出的电视剧提前一个月报省广电局，而后由省广电局报送省宣传部，再由省宣传部审核后报送广电总局，最后广电总局报送中宣部文艺局，审批通过后再播出。”看到这样一条规定的人，想必首先想到的问题就是：何谓”主旋律”啊？以我国一贯的政治宣传传统，主旋律大概就是指歌颂我党，歌颂国家，赞美劳动人民，赞美社会主义伟大制度的。色情、暴力，那一定不是主旋律的，低级媚俗，那一定也不是。反映社会问题的，揭露社会阴暗面的，也不利于”和谐社会”的发展，那便自是不能归入”主旋律”了。也就是说，”主旋律”必定是歌功颂德的，只有这样才能体现我们祖国伟大制度的优越性。反是任何负面的素材，都可以名正言顺地被咔嚓。严肃地说，危害至少有这么几点。对自由艺术创作的影响。影视剧创作者无法自由发挥自身的创造性，而必须接受给定的题材与风格。后果就是优秀新颖的节目的减少。对相关产业的影响。电视节目也是个产业，也应讲求市场规律。过度的政策干预，乃至任意的限制，都会打击制作者乃至投资者的热情与信心，进而影响产业的健康。电视节目失去独立的声音，只是政治宣传工具。如果真要说主旋律，那么”主旋律”也不应是党的”主旋律”，不应是广电总局的”主旋律”，而应该是人民的主旋律。广电总局没有资格也没有能力替全中国十三亿人民群众决定什么是主旋律。社会的热点，人民关注的问题，应该得到表达与反映。况且，人民群众从来都是有艺术欣赏能力的。真正优秀的、具有艺术价值的节目，不需要特殊政策的保护与关照，也能够战胜所谓的庸俗节目。所谓的庸俗，也应是允许其存在的一种供大众消遣的娱乐方式。当电视上庸俗泛滥时，老百姓自然会有对更高雅艺术的欣赏需求–相应的，好的节目也就会获得成功。所有类型的节目都是有其存在的合理性与需求的，本来就应通过看不见的手去调节和满足人民的需求，而不是强行地管制。真没想到，这么一个破题目都扯了这么多。说来说去就一个观点，应该是由人民去确定”主旋律”，而不是将”主旋律”强加于人民。
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )The mediocrity of the masses
Last night as I was watching with bleary eyes Ding Junhui battling it out with Ronnie O’Sullivan, I accidentally thought of something else. I read on Sina a provocative headline that if Ding wins the Masters, then Snooker would become the new Ping-Pong in China. Well, that’s an interesting thought.Oh well, unfortunately Ding lost. But [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )The Black Dahlia (2006)
It’s hard to be critical towards such a film. But it’s hard not to be either.On the one hand, The Black Dahlia has stunning sets and costumes, and the feel is great. The cinematography feels “old”. The mood is brilliantly set. I was all set for an engrossing plot.And that’s where on the other hand [...]
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )TV Marketing
Phoenix TV is bring out some new programs for the new year, and one of their plans is to re-enforce their position as a channel with serious news coverage. The particular plan I’m talking about is their branding of their “star” analysts, who have now each got a special show with names related to them.In [...]
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