Tuesday, September 2, 2014

張智霖《Chilam Crazy Hours Live》大馬 演唱會 2014 (Chilam Crazy Hours Live Press Conference)- 27 August 2014 (Paradigm Mall)

































Chilam celebrated his 43rd year on earth with a press conference in Kuala Lumpur for his "Chilam Crazy Hours Live In Malaysia" (张智霖疯狂有时大马演唱会2014). Malaysia was selected as his first world tour stop, in appreciation of local fans' support for his Malaysia TVB King victory last year. Sporting a leaner frame, Chilam was in upbeat mood when greeting the media and fans. Half-way through the Q&A session, the organizer surprised Chilam with an aeroplane shaped cake and all sang the birthday song in unison. The questions fielded by Chilam mostly touched on the filming of "Triumph In The Sky" (the silver screen version) and upcoming his concert.


Chilam shares very little scenes with Sammy Cheng and frequent collaborator, Charmaine Sheh. Right after the Malaysia concert, he will be rushing back to the UK to continue with location shooting. His love interest is played by Taiwanese Mandopop singer, Amber Kuo. Chilam also revealed that he is happy to work together with ex-TVB mate, Louis Koo, again. Praising Mr Kool (Louis) for still being as fit as a bull moose, Chilam refreshed our memories when he divulged that they had in-fact team-up before in the well received drama, "Cold Blood Warm Blood", almost two decades ago. Captain Cool is also seriously contemplating sending his son, Morton, to a boarding school in UK. His current hectic schedule prevents Chilam from participating in "Dad ! Where are we going ?", declining a lucrative offer from HuNan TV station.


Wifey, Anita Yuen, would be around to support him on the concert day but is not making any official special appearance. Pressed by the emcee on whether he will be baring skin (just like his three sold-out concerts in HK recently), Chilam did not give a direct answer. He played coy and said that he has to adhere to the country's restriction. From his response, I am guessing he won't be since Malaysia is quite a conservative Muslim country. Apart from local singer Z-Chen (aka Cheong Chi Seng), his other guest performer is Him Law. Chilam revealed that he usually invite guests that share the same last name,Cheung, such as Jacky and Nick Cheung. Same goes for Z-Chen. He admires Z-Chen singing skills and they will be performing a duet. I was kinda startled by his reply to the emcee's question on why Him was invited. Chilam merely answered - "Ask the organizer." Lol ! Clearly hinting that if he has a say in this aspect, Him might not be his first choice. Frankly, I do not think there is any discord between them but this is just Chilam and his wife's assertive in-your-face personality. The power couple prefer to say what is in their mind rather than giving politically correct responses.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Cafe.Waiting.Love 等一个人咖啡 - (movie premiere and meet the fans in Malaysia) 23 August 2014














































Giddens Ko 九把刀 looks set to strike gold again with "Cafe.Waiting.Love" 等一个人咖啡 (adapted from his novel of the same name) which is the second installment to his love trilogy. Coincidently, this movie hits the cinemas at a time when heartthrob, Kai Ko (the protagonist from "You Are The Apple of My Eye") was engulfed in a shocking drug bust in Beijing.  Helming the movie is Chiang Chin Lin  江金霖 (the assistant director of "You Are the Apple of My Eye" 那些年,我们一起追的女孩". 

Not a fan of Mandarin movies, the primary reason that draws me to watch "Cafe.Waiting.Love" 等一个人咖啡 is former canto-pop goddess,Vivian Chow. She is the most ideal artiste to play the melancholic, heartbroken beautiful cafe proprietress. It's great to see her again after a hiatus of 4 years.  Going for the movie premiere with little interest, I walked out of the cinema impressed by the interesting plot and fresh talents. It is a teenage angst romantic comedy with a touch of supernatural elements that tugged on the heartstrings and brings you two solid hours of joy. It will also make love birds view soy bean custard and taiwan sausages in a different light and cabbage could very well become everyone's new quirky pet. 

Megan Lai 赖雅妍 sacrificed her long mane to make a 360 degrees turn from her usual feminine look to a smart andro barista,Abusi. Megan divulged that many could not recognise it was her, which means she nailed her role to a T. In-person, Megan has striking facial features and she is red hot chic! She took lessons in coffee brewing and fellow cast members often asked her to make them a cuppa during break time.  

The two rookies here are Bruce 布鲁斯 (sorry, no family name given) and Vivian Sung 宋芸桦. Both bring incredible zest to their respective characters and for newbies, they did an exceptional job. Bruce grows on you as the eccentric yet lovable bikini-clad-college dude in roller skates. Together with Vivian, they exudes marvellous chemistry. Vivian plays a high spirited college student who develops a crush for a regular customer of the cafe, who turns out to be.....watch the movie to find out the twist ! The concept of this cafe plus the possibility of having a barista that can brew any special coffee concoction requested by the customers is so cool. 

Megan Lai  赖雅妍, Vivian Sung 宋芸桦, Bruce 布鲁斯 and director Chiang Chin Ling  江金霖 spent two days promoting this movie in Malaysia. Go support this stupendous movie  等一个人咖啡 when it opens in Malaysia on 28 August.

Movie synopsis:-
College freshman Si-Ying getting a part-time job at the Cafe Waiting Love coffee shop. She falls for Ze Yu, a guy who always sits in the same spot at the shop and seems very popular among the girls. Meanwhile, A-Tuo, a college senior comes to the shop and runs into Abusi, a tomboyish barista who is the reason for his breakup with his ex-girlfriend. A-Tuo's friends tease him and when Si-Ying stands up for him, the two become good friends. However, A-Tuo develops feelings towards Si-Ying, who only sees him as a good friend until A-Tuo decides to leave Taiwan to embark on traveling.