It’s less than 2 weeks away to the Oscars and we are now in the midst of plenty of major precursor awards from the critics and the guilds in recognizing the best of Hollywood films released in 2022. In fact, most of the precursor awards have passed including the Producers Guild of America Awards (PGA) and Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) which took place just in the past weekend.
‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ made history as the first ever film to win 4 awards at the SAG. Before the ceremony, the film has 5 nominations in 4 categories and won in all the 4 categories including the coveted best cast ensemble award. Actors do really love and adore this film, particularly its cast. Who doesn’t love them? Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie-Lee Curtis, Stephanie Hsu and several others including the legendary 94-years old James Hong. The acceptance speech at the final award (cast ensemble) which is turned into a tribute to James Hong is momentous. James himself was quite funny too on his speech.
Very well deserved win to everyone (well maybe except for Jamie-Lee Curtis as the other nominees in her supporting actress category are more superior than her in terms of performances). The film really wins everything everwhere all at once! Haha (except for BAFTA where it only managed to win editing to everyone’s shock!. British academy had poor taste in judging films). It is also very rare seeing that the 4 acting winners at the BAFTA are totally different with the 4 acting winners at the SAG. It’s going to be an exciting race at the Oscars. Close calls in all the acting categories except for maybe the supporting actor where Ke Huy Quan is the most solid frontrunner.
I’m so happy for Michelle Yeoh. She deserved this lead actress award and need to win this to stay on the race to win best actress at the Oscars. Her main competitor, Cate Blanchett had beaten her in many previous major precursor awards. Let’s hope the momentum stays on for her to become the first ever Asian to win best actress at the Academy Awards. I knew; many are saying Cate’s performance in ‘Tar’ is the best. I personally felt both Michelle Yeoh and Cate Blanchett are equal in their respective performances. After that, I am thinking who is overdue and in need of this recognition? Cate has won Oscars twice and she would have many more future opportunities to get awards. That’s not the case for Michelle. This is her once-in-a-lifetime chance. Hence, I’m rooting for her (also partly because she is a Malaysian and I’m of course supporting my own country along the way!).
I like the way this year’s SAG Awards is being presented. The ceremony was available for live streaming on YouTube so everyone is able to watch it easily online. No commercial ads. No music playoff to cut short the time for the award’s winners to speak. Clips of all nominees are presented. And lastly…the result are so much more exciting and great!
Here’s below the result only for the film categories for the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards (didn’t bother the television categories as I do not watch any US television series):
Motion Picture Cast
Babylon The Banshees of Inisherin WINNER: Everything Everywhere All at Once The Fabelmans Women Talking
Male Actor in a Leading Role — Motion Picture
Austin Butler, Elvis Colin Farrell, The Banshees of Inisherin WINNER: Brendan Fraser, The Whale Bill Nighy, Living Adam Sandler, Hustle
Female Actor in a Leading Role — Motion Picture
Cate Blanchett, Tár Viola Davis, The Woman King Ana de Armas, Blonde Danielle Deadwyler, Till WINNER: Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Male Actor in a Supporting Role — Motion Picture
Paul Dano, The Fabelmans Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin WINNER: Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once Eddie Redmayne, The Good Nurse
Female Actor in a Supporting Role — Motion Picture
Angela Bassett, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Hong Chau, The Whale Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin WINNER: Jamie Lee Curtis, Everything Everywhere All at Once Stephanie Hsu, Everything Everywhere All at Once
Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Avatar: The Way of Water The Batman Black Panther: Wakanda Forever WINNER: Top Gun: Maverick The Woman King
Brendan Fraser also needed this best actor win to stay in the race for the Oscars as Austin Butler had prevailed at the Golden Globes and the BAFTA. So for best actor it will be battle between Brendan and Austin. Colin Farrell has lost a lot of momentum at this point. For best actress, it’s just between Cate Blanchett and Michelle Yeoh (sorry for the other nominees!). Supporting actor is likely a lock for Ke Huy Quan. Supporting actress is a bit more crowded with a three-way race between Kerry Condon, Angela Bassett and Jamie-Lee Curtis (I’m still picking Angela Bassett for the Oscars win).
A24 dominated the SAG this year (as both ‘The Whale’ and ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ are from A24 studio). ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once’ is now a clear frontrunner for best picture at the Oscars after winning SAG ensemble on top of the previous major win at Producers Guild of America Awards (PGA), Directors Guild of America Awards (DGA) and Critics Choice Awards. It is also set to win at the upcoming Writers Guild Awards (WGA) and Independent Spirit Awards which are to be held on this coming weekend.
(Images in this post are from various online sources)
It all began with introduction of extradition bill to the laws of Hong Kong. This move is seen by most Hong Kong citizens as a China’s interference and sparked a mass protest in early June. The protest back then was orderly and calm and saw over million of participants flooding the streets and squares to show their objection to the bill.
Several months later on, the protest had evolved into greater call for democracy and protection of the unique ‘one country, two system’ rule after Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam had withdrawn the bill and called it ‘dead’. At this point, I do admire the determination of the protesters to be able to carry on protesting for this long (for months!).
However, things get really ugly recently. I can still ignore the vandalizing acts that these protesters have done to the city’s infrastructures (MRT station, shops, malls, banks, government buildings, etc) as well as road and airport blockage attempts. These acts had already gave a huge impact to the city’s economy and tourism. However, burning a man alive when he voices out his disagreement to the protesters?! Hitting another man of the opposing side with a brick?! (and the victim died.) That has seriously gone overboard. Burning down shops that have close link to China is also a very unwise thing to do.
These protesters are not only childish but they have turned violent. This already strays away from their earlier call for democracy. They should have stayed on with their protest in peace and order. The police will not use force if you don’t. They are just protecting themselves and is protecting the country from further destruction. You cannot claim yourself loving Hong Kong if you keep destroying it with such means. Protest with peace is still the best solution.
Thinking that the government will not hear if you just protest calmly? No, they will still hear as the protest has already gained international attention much earlier on already and that gave pressure for the Hong Kong government to really look into the matter. They have already withdrawn the bill, and with more proper communication, I’m quite certain they will employ more steps to solve the concerns by the public later on.
There are a lot more peaceful ways to protest than creating weapons, vandalizing, and attacking people and police officers. They do fire shots at times due to the urgent need to just protect themselves from harm inflicted by the protesters. It’s all clearly shown in the videos captured. Most of these protesters (especially recent ones that do all the violent acts) are just very young students. They should think deeper for the place they called home and not be immature.
I knew those who support the protest will hate me for what I’m saying here and will shut me up since I’m an outsider. However, I believe I have a right to give my opinion too. In the beginning (and even now), I do support the call for democracy and protection of Hong Kong special rights. But I strongly oppose the recent violence done by these irresponsible protesters that have gone extreme and uncalled for. I do understand your anger and frustration, but still…no to violence.
I have visited Hong Kong once before and I do hope visit the place soon again (definitely not now since it is in chaos). Hong Kong is a very beautiful place and I do wish that the city will get back to peace and order very soon. The protest (already lasted half a year by now) can still go on but should not involve any more violence. That is the best way to do if you sincerely love Hong Kong.
(Images in this post are from various online sources)
Screen Actors Guild Awards is the third of the big five major Hollywood film awards and it serves as a major hint especially to the acting races for the upcoming Academy Awards. To recognize the best of actors in 2018 films, the 25th Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards took place last evening with 9 award categories for television and 6 categories for film. I’ll miss the television section as I don’t watch them.
So here are the list of winners for the 25th Screen Actor Guild (SAG) Awards 2019 (only for film categories) along with my opinions:
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture “A Star Is Born” “Black Panther” – WINNER
“BlacKkKlansman”
“Bohemian Rhapsody”
“Crazy Rich Asians”
Opinion: Hated this outcome very much. ‘Black Panther’ is seriously overrated. I don’t find anything spectacular about this movie in every aspects and yet it is so beloved by critics (I don’t get it at all). It is an average superhero movie at most (there’s a lot more much better superhero movies than this one obviously). Anything other than ‘Black Panther’ should win this. I think ‘Black Panther’ won this just because they had a large cast and they are all black (it’s all about celebrating diversity in recent years…but hey, Crazy Rich Asians is slightly more deserving than ‘Black Panther’ too). This doesn’t mean that ‘Black Panther’ is now the frontrunner for best picture in the Oscars because the two do not relate to each other much in recent years (which I’m glad). Well, this outcome also means that ‘A Star Is Born’ is totally out of picture and will only win for original song on next month’s Academy Awards. Its frontrunner status is certainly gone as it doesn’t win any major precursor prize to date. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ won Golden Globe for best motion picture – drama, ‘Green Book’ won Golden Globe for best motion picture – musical or comedy and Producer Guild Award (PGA) for best theatrical motion picture, ‘Roma’ won best film at Critics’ Choice and now ‘Black Panther’ won best cast at SAG. ‘A Star Is Born’ is no where to be seen. In fact, the movie came before the ceremony with most nominations (at 4) and ended up losing all of them (as predicted). Yes, that’s another overrated movie.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Christian Bale, “Vice”
Bradley Cooper, “A Star Is Born” Rami Malek, “Bohemian Rhapsody” – WINNER
Viggo Mortensen, “Green Book”
John David Washington, “BlacKkKlansman”
Opinion: So glad that Rami Malek won in a very close competition with Christian Bale. This looks like a repeat in 2015 when Michael Keaton is the frontrunner after winning Golden Globe for best actor – musical or comedy and then winning both best actor – comedy and best actor in Critics’ Choice. Christian Bale is in that exact same position this year. However back in 2015, Eddie Redmayne suddenly surges out of no where and won Golden Globe for best actor – motion picture drama and then won at SAG. He then proceed to win at the BAFTA and the Oscars too in the end. Now, Rami Malek is on the same path with him. It’s the exact repeat of 2015. May people are predicting Christian Bale to win best actor in the Oscar next month after his double win in Critics Choice but I never got persuaded by that. I stay with Rami Malek all the way from the beginning because his performance as Freddie Mercury in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is marvelous and blew me away. Christian Bale is great too as Dick Cheney in ‘Vice’ but this is certainly Rami Malek’s breakthrough year. Sorry to the other contenders, you are just there to fill in the slots. There is literally no competition from the remaining nominees already clearly at this point.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Emily Blunt, “Mary Poppins Returns” Glenn Close, “The Wife” – WINNER
Olivia Colman, “The Favourite”
Lady Gaga, “A Star Is Born”
Melissa McCarthy, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Opinion: It’s finally the year for Glenn Close to take the Oscar. Although her performance in ‘The Wife’ is not the best in her impressive career that spans few decades or the most outstanding among the nominees, but no one should have a doubt that she is one veteran actress who is very much loved and is long overdue for an Oscar. This is certainly her year and no one will be obstructing her path to grab that Oscar (since now she swept all the best actress prize in the major awards already). She is expected to take the BAFTA next month too although there is a strong competition from a home favourite, Olivia Colman (she’s a British). Sorry, Lady Gaga. For me, she was just doing fine in ‘A Star Is Born’ (great singing of course and some good emotional scenes and that’s it) but so many had gone crazy by over complimenting her performance in that film. Like what I said many times before, she was literally only playing herself in that movie and that’s not a big challenge. Even Melissa McCarthy is better than her as the former nailed that dramatic role in ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ which is a total opposite to her usual comedic roles in the past.
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role Mahershala Ali, “Green Book” – WINNER
Timothee Chalamet, “Beautiful Boy”
Adam Driver, “BlacKkKlansman”
Sam Elliott, “A Star Is Born”
Richard E. Grant, “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”
Opinion: Well. Mahershala Ali is now on his way for his second Oscar although I find that it is way too soon to award him again. I would personally pick Richard E. Grant or even Timothee Chalamet (who shockingly got snubbed at the Oscars nomination). I hope that Oscars will pull off an upset in this category next month.
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Amy Adams, “Vice” Emily Blunt, “A Quiet Place” – WINNER
Margot Robbie, “Mary Queen of Scots”
Emma Stone, “The Favourite”
Rachel Weisz, “The Favourite”
Opinion: Wow! This is very surprising. Emily Blunt got snubbed for a nomination in the Oscars and yet she won it here at the SAG. She is fantastic in ‘A Quiet Place’ and I’m actually happy for her win here. There is no love for Amy Adams again unfortunately and she is predicted to win this one easily as Regina King is snubbed here (a strong contender after winning Golden Globe and Critics Choice). Both Emily Blunt and Regina King got snubbed in the BAFTA and we will see who will win there. Now, the race for best supporting actress in the Oscar is still wide open but Regina King remains the frontrunner at this stage.
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture “Ant-Man and the Wasp”
“Avengers: Infinity War”
“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs” “Black Panther” – WINNER
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout”
Opinion: The immense love for ‘Black Panther’ here is insane and had me annoyed. I don’t mind ‘Black Panther’ winning this and not the best cast. But winning this and the ‘best cast’ (the top honor) is beyond what I can bear with. I don’t hate this film but I just don’t enjoy it and certainly didn’t find it deserving to be winning major prizes and even get nominated for best picture in the Academy Awards.
So, next up will be the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) to be held on 10th February 2019 and is the last major film awards before the coveted 91st Academy Awards aka the Oscars on 24th February 2019.
(Images in this post are from various online sources)
Here comes the second out of five major Hollywood film awards honouring the best of 2018 films; Critics Choice Awards 2019. After a shocking major win by Bohemian Rhapsody in Golden Globes in the last weekend, the film wins nothing in Critics Choice, cementing the fact that critics (Broadcast Film Critics Association, BFCA) really do not like the movie as much as Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
Here below is the full list of winners (only for film categories) for the 24th Critics Choice Awards along with my opinions:
BEST PICTURE
Black Panther
BlacKkKlansman
The Favourite
First Man
Green Book
If Beale Street Could Talk
Mary Poppins Returns
Roma (WINNER)
A Star Is Born
Vice
Opinion: Ahhaa…a foreign film wins the top honor and that is very unusual. It means that ‘Roma’ is really an excellent film and is now the strong frontrunner for the Academy Awards next month. Usually, whichever film wins Critics Choice for best picture will win the Oscars for the same. Seeing Bohemian Rhapsody not even nominated for the 10 slot here is a strong sign that the film isn’t appealing to critics. The critics are all wrong. On the other hand, ‘A Star Is Born’ is losing some strength. It will still pose a big risk to Roma for best picture win in the Oscar though.
BEST ACTRESS
Yalitza Aparicio, Roma
Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns
Glenn Close, The Wife (WINNER)
Toni Collette, Hereditary
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born (WINNER)
Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Opinion: A tie, seriously?! Just ignore Lady Gaga and hand this to Glenn Close only. Now, it shows that Lady Gaga is still in position to grab the Oscars and it now makes the best actress race much more exciting with a three-way fight (Glenn Close, Lady Gaga and Olivia Colman). Lady Gaga is good in ‘A Star Is Born’ but isn’t impresssive enough for best actress honour. For me, she is just acting as her own self (a person who can sing as required for the film) with some added emotion in to make it work. It’s nothing difficult especially for her whom is a talented singer.
BEST ACTOR
Christian Bale, Vice (WINNER)
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Willem Dafoe, At Eternity’s Gate
Ryan Gosling, First Man
Ethan Hawke, First Reformed
Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
Opinion: Rami Malek is robbed. Best actor should easily goes to Rami Malek for his marvelous performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. No one could top that. Christian Bale is just doing something so similar with Gary Oldman last year (portraying as a fat politician). The exact same formula and you get to win best actor again. The critics just love to see actors transformed literally with huge makeup and gave them best actor honour. Christian Bale is good in Vice but Rami Malek is a step ahead clearly. Now, it depends on SAG (Screen Actors Guild Awards) end of this month to determine who will be the frontrunner for the Oscars next month. It’s now between Christian Bale and Rami Malek. Others have all lost their momentum especially Bradley Cooper. He just seems doesn’t have luck for awards every year.
BEST DIRECTOR
Damien Chazelle, First Man
Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma (WINNER)
Peter Farrelly, Green Book
Yorgos Lanthimos, The Favourite
Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Adam McKay, Vice
Opinion: This is a lock in. Alfonso Cuaron had been snatching all the precursor awards for best director for his work in Roma. He will went on to win Oscars, taking that award twice which is an impressive achievement.
#SEEHER AWARD
Claire Foy
Opinion: Don’t know what’s this about. It’s something about an award to honour woman in film industry.
BEST COMEDY
Crazy Rich Asians (WINNER)
Deadpool 2
The Death of Stalin
The Favourite
Game Night
Sorry to Bother You
Opinion: A good recognition for ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. I would have thought that ‘The Favourite’ would win this easily. Looks like ‘The Favourite’ isn’t getting a lot of love here surprisingly.
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Christian Bale, Vice (WINNER)
Jason Bateman, Game Night
Viggo Mortensen, Green Book
John C. Reilly, Stan & Ollie
Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool 2
Lakeith Stanfield, Sorry to Bother You
Opinion: Christian Bale again. It reminds me of Michael Keaton winning both best actor awards in Critics Choice last time but ended up losing the Oscar to Eddie Redmayne. I hope the same case applies here (Rami Malek is my pick for the Oscar). It all comes to the SAG most likely to determine the eventual Oscar winner.
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns
Olivia Colman, The Favourite (WINNER)
Elsie Fisher, Eighth Grade
Rachel McAdams, Game Night
Charlize Theron, Tully
Constance Wu, Crazy Rich Asians
Opinion: Yes, certainly! Olivia Colman is great in ‘The Favourite’. She still has the momentum to go for the Oscar glory (but now looks more likely that Glenn Close will prevail due to overdue factor for the Oscar).
BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Black Panther
Crazy Rich Asians
The Favourite (WINNER)
Vice
Widows
Opinion: Agreed. The best thing from ‘The Favourite’ comes from the great chemistry and performances from all the three main female leads in the film; Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE
Annihilation
Halloween
Hereditary
A Quiet Place (WINNER)
Suspiria
Opinion: Agreed on this too. ‘A Quiet Place’ is an impressive film and it ranks among my top 3 most favourite films last year.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, Vice
Claire Foy, First Man
Nicole Kidman, Boy Erased
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk (WINNER)
Emma Stone, The Favourite
Rachel Weisz, The Favourite
Opinion: Regina King won at the Golden Globe and now at Critics Choice. So is she an Oscar frontrunner? Not so fast. She had been snubbed surprisingly for even nomination at the SAG and BAFTA. It makes the supporting actress race intense this year. All the nominees in this category are incredible by the way.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Mahershala Ali, Green Book (WINNER)
Timothée Chalamet, Beautiful Boy
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Sam Elliott, A Star Is Born
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Michael B. Jordan, Black Panther
Opinion: Ohh, looks like Mahershala Ali is on his way to his win his second supporting actor win at the Oscar so soon. Many would have thought that this would go to Richard E. Grant. Anyway, Grant still remains the darkhorse for the remaining awards.
BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Elsie Fisher, Eighth Grade (WINNER)
Thomasin McKenzie, Leave No Trace
Ed Oxenbould, Wildlife
Millicent Simmonds, A Quiet Place
Amandla Stenberg, The Hate U Give
Sunny Suljic, Mid90s
Opinion: Nothing to comment here as I didn’t watch ‘Eighth Grade’.
BEST SONG
All the Stars, Black Panther
Girl in the Movies, Dumplin’
I’ll Fight, RBG
The Place Where Lost Things Go, Mary Poppins Returns
Shallow, A Star Is Born (WINNER)
Trip a Little Light Fantastic, Mary Poppins Returns
Opinion: Very much expected. ‘Shallow’ is a powerful and a beautiful song and is going to sweep all ‘best original song’ awards. I personally like this song a lot too.
BEST ACTION MOVIE
Avengers: Infinity War
Black Panther
Deadpool 2
Mission: Impossible — Fallout (WINNER)
Ready Player One
Widows
Opinion: I disagree to this choice. Fallout is good but it is just like a typical Mission Impossible movie with nothing exceptional. I would have prefer ‘Infinity War’ or even ‘Ready Player One’ to take this one.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Grinch
Incredibles 2
Isle of Dogs
Mirai
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (WINNER)
Opinion: Now, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is the clear frontrunner for the Oscar next month after winning also at the Golden Globe last week. Incredibles 2 has lost the momentum heavily.
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Bo Burnham: Eighth Grade
Alfonso Cuarón: Roma
Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara: The Favourite
Adam McKay: Vice
Paul Schrader: First Reformed (WINNER)
Nick Vallelonga, Brian Hayes Currie and Peter Farrelly: Green Book
Bryan Woods, Scott Beck and John Krasinski: A Quiet Place
Opinion: No comment as I didn’t watch ‘First Reformed’. This movie jumped out of nowhere and win this. Many didn’t expect ‘First Reformed’ to win anything. Now that is quite surprising.
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole: Black Panther
Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty: Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Barry Jenkins: If Beale Street Could Talk (WINNER)
Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper and Will Fetters: A Star Is Born
Josh Singer: First Man
Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Kevin Willmott and Spike Lee: BlacKkKlansman
Opinion: ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ gain back some momentum after its win here in adapted screenplay. Didn’t watch the movie.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Alfonso Cuarón, Roma (WINNER)
James Laxton, If Beale Street Could Talk
Matthew Libatique, A Star Is Born
Rachel Morrison, Black Panther
Robbie Ryan, The Favourite
Linus Sandgren, First Man
Opinion: Didn’t watch Roma but I knew it is a black-and-white film. The film must be really good in capturing lighting even when the final product is just black and white without colours.
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart, Black Panther (WINNER)
Eugenio Caballero and Barbara Enriquez, Roma
Nelson Coates and Andrew Baseman, Crazy Rich Asians
Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton, The Favourite
Nathan Crowley and Kathy Lucas, First Man
John Myhre and Gordon Sim, Mary Poppins Returns
Opinion: Some love for Black Panther. I didn’t enjoy Black Panther like what most critics do but I do felt fine with the film winning best production design.
BEST EDITING
Jay Cassidy, A Star Is Born
Hank Corwin, Vice
Tom Cross, First Man (WINNER)
Alfonso Cuarón and Adam Gough, Roma
Yorgos Mavropsaridis, The Favourite
Joe Walker, Widows
Opinion: Good for ‘First Man’. Now, the movie gained back also some strength for contention of some technical awards in next month’s Academy Awards. This is one of them. ‘First Man’ does really have great editing.
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Alexandra Byrne, Mary Queen of Scots
Ruth Carter, Black Panther (WINNER)
Julian Day, Bohemian Rhapsody
Sandy Powell, The Favourite
Sandy Powell, Mary Poppins Returns
Opinion: Quite surprising for a superhero film to win best costume design. It means that the critics really love Black Panther a lot. I would have picked ‘The Favourite’ or even any other nominees in this list.
BEST HAIR AND MAKEUP
Black Panther
Bohemian Rhapsody
The Favourite
Mary Queen of Scots
Suspiria
Vice (WINNER)
Opinion: Expected. The body and face transformation for Christian Bale in Vice alone earns the film the trophy. Same as what ‘Darkest Hour’ had done last year to Gary Oldman face and body. Boring…
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Avengers: Infinity War
Black Panther (WINNER)
First Man
Mary Poppins Returns
Mission: Impossible — Fallout
Ready Player One
Opinion: Black Panther again. Boring again…I personally think that this award should goes to either Infinity War or Ready Player One.
BEST SCORE
Kris Bowers, Green Book
Nicholas Britell, If Beale Street Could Talk
Alexandre Desplat, Isle of Dogs
Ludwig Göransson, Black Panther
Justin Hurwitz, First Man (WINNER)
Marc Shaiman, Mary Poppins Returns
Opinion: Yes. The score in ‘First Man’ is the most outstanding aspect of the movie. Period.
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Burning
Capernaum
Cold War
Roma (WINNER)
Shoplifters
Opinion: Wow…Roma taking this as well as the best picture! Roma is the biggest winner. Looks like I have to check out the movie soon to see how great it is.
Right. That’s it for Critics Choice. The next major awards (the third one) will be the Screen Actors Guild Awards to be presented on 27th January 2019 (Sunday).
(Images in this post are from various online sources)
TVB Anniversary Awards 2018’s presentation ceremony had just concluded less than an hour ago (ceremony from 8.30pm to 11.00pm) with all the 16 awards presented and here’s the winner list alongside my opinions (I think I’m the fastest to post the full list of result with all the details and my thoughts):
Most Improved Male Artiste: Matthew Ho
Very expected result as Matthew Ho is the only outstanding one this year among all the nominees in this category. He really had a stellar year especially from his performance in Life On The Line. Looks likely to be among the next leading men in TVB series soon.
Most Improved Female Artiste: Crystal Fung
I am predicting Roxanne Tong to win, but end up Crystal Fung is the winner. I’m happy with this outcome too as I find her performance in Apple-colada this year to be very good although she is a very new actress. Roxanne Tong has quite a huge chance for win in these two years but she missed them unfortunately.
Best Supporting Actor: Oscar Leung (OMG, Your Honour)
Didn’t watch OMG, Your Honour so couldn’t comment much. Surprised that KK Cheung isn’t even nominated in this category from his brilliant performance as the late emperor in Succession War. He in my opinion is the best supporting actor this year easily.
Best Supporting Actress: Mandy Lam (Come Home Love: Lo And Behold)
I didn’t watch that drama and so I couldn’t comment much. I heard that her breakout year is last year but she didn’t win it last year so this year’s award is a consolation for her. I would prefer Angelina Lo to win as she really did very well as the mean mother-in-law in Who Wants A Baby?. I’m also surprised that Vivien Yeo didn’t make it into Top 5 after receiving recent critical praise from her role in The Learning Curve Of A Warlord.
Most Popular TV Male Character: Kenneth Ma (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)
Everyone is surprised! Even Kenneth himself is surprised. His role in Deep In The Realm Of Conscience is quite a minor one and isn’t anything memorable or spectacular. I would prefer Chris Lai to win instead. Now, Kenneth won this award three times (but never best actor award) and holds the record for being the actor with most wins in this category. He won this time because he is really a favourite among his TVB colleagues and management staff. Not a deserving win though.
Most Popular TV Female Character: Alice Chan (Deep In The Realm Of Conscience)
Although I don’t find her acting in Deep In The Realm Of Conscience to be amazing, but her role as Princess Tai Ping is a standout in that drama filled with so many female characters. Surprised that Selena Li is not even in the Top 5 which is a joke.
Best Leading Actor: Joe Ma (Life On The Line)
Congratulation to Joe Ma for clinching the TV King title but I don’t think he deserves it. He still need some work on his facial expression during his acting. A bit wooden and tried too hard (but didn’t work well) in certain scenes in that drama. I would prefer Dicky Cheung to win it from his impressive performance in The Learning Curve Of A Warlord but it looks like now the late broadcast of the series really means a huge disadvantage in competing for awards. Quite surprised that Ruco Chan or Lau Kong cannot even make it into top 5. They are even more deserving than Joe Ma.
Best Leading Actress: Ali Lee (Who Wants A Baby?)
Congratulation to Ali Lee! At least she is not going home empty handed this time. I’m quite surprised that Mandy Wong wins nothing for the evening but I think it’s because she already won two awards (Singapore and Malaysia) earlier. Same goes to Benjamin Yuen who get nothing tonight too (which is right). Ali Lee did very well in Who Wants A Baby? and it’s quite deserving that she wins TV Queen this year. A bit pity to Mandy but I knew her time will come soon too.
Best Drama: Life On The Line
No problem for this drama to win as I remembered I am really impressed by the chemistry of the young actors, some moving moments and touching life messages in the end of almost every episodes from this drama. The drama is not perfect (quite boring in certain parts) but should be fine, judging from the current lower standard of TVB series. I would prefer The Learning Curve Of A Warlord or even Succession War to win actually but I knew they won’t.
Singapore and Malaysia’s Most Favourite Drama: Threesome
I didn’t watch this drama but I think I will watch it soon since it is only comprising of 18 episodes. Didn’t expect the drama to be receiving such huge support from both Singapore and Malaysia.
Professionalism Awards: Angelina Lo, Timothy Cheng, Jimmy Au
Very happy for Angelina Lo to win. A consolation prize for her after losing the supporting actress award. She is a great veteran actress who had took on a lot of roles as mother with various different angles and personalities. Timothy Cheng had starred in quite a lot of dramas this year and his contribution being recognized here is fantastic too. Also a consolation to Jimmy Au after losing the supporting actor award.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Nancy Sit
Although Nancy Sit isn’t starring in huge number of TVB series, but her contribution to TVB and to overall Hong Kong’s entertainment industry for a whopping 60 years isn’t to be sidelined. Hence, I find her deserving of this lifetime achievement award. She had also been involved in a lot of films and hosted a number of non-drama programmes. She continued to be active in her career and huge congratulation to her for winning this!
Best Non-Drama Programme: Faraway Brides 2, Cooking Beauties, Sammy On The Go, Young And Restless, Think You Know Tokyo?.
5 awards for this category. Too many winners and dragging the ceremony insufficient runtime. Have only watched ‘Cooking Beauties’ out of the five winners. The previous 2 shows (hosted by Ronald Cheng, Edmund Leung and Alex Fong) in this female cooking programme franchise many years ago are much better though.
Most Favourite TV Partnership: Edwin Siu & Raymond Cho (Two Men In A Kitchen)
They just won the same award last year (with Matthew Ho). I prefer to let this award to go to the other group (Matthew Ho, Joey Law, Arnold Kwok and Bob Cheung for their amazing and heartfelt chemistry in Life On The Line). Ohh, Edwin took this opportunity to formally announce that Priscilla Wong (presenter for this award) is his wife. What a surprising romantic moment.
Most Popular Drama Theme Song: ‘Wishing People To Last Forever’ by Hana Kuk – ending theme song for ‘Life On The Line’
Hana Kuk had sang a lot of theme songs for a number of TVB series in recent years. Anyway, her live singing is quite bad. This song is good but isn’t memorable. However, there isn’t any outstanding theme songs this year and so I don’t find it surprising for this song to win.
Best TV Host: Kristal Tin (Women at 40)
Didn’t watch it and surprised that Kristal Tin did well in hosting too. And she is all alone hosting this particular show. She is so emotional when accepting this award (it’s almost like her accepting best actress again).
(Images in this post are from various online sources)
I enjoyed the original Harry Potter film series a lot. The film series added magic to my teenage years. When its last film was out back in 2011, I felt sad to bid goodbye to the wizarding world wonderfully created by J.K. Rowling. I was very excited when she decided to write 5 films set in the same wizarding world after that, and till now, 2 films have been released including the recent Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. The film follows the adventure of Newt Scamander again as he takes on Grindelwald, a powerful dark wizard who had escaped from prison and is on his quest for worldwide wizard supremacy.
The film is a must watch for Potter fans but is certainly a must miss for ordinary moviegoers. You will not understand most of the plot details if you have not been following the Harry Potter universe in the past. I am not an extreme Potter fans (but I do still know some details of this magical universe) and I find it hard to digest the story. It is too complicated and the movie did no good by introducing so many new characters to make things more confusing. There were a lot of scenes with spells and magic but I can’t feel the charm out of them (I felt a lot of that in Harry Potter films despite much lesser spells cast). It’s certainly not about quantity or visual effects but about the building up of material and atmosphere in this aspect to exude the charm and excitement. Fantastic Beasts film series didn’t quite succeed on that although it has better visuals as expected in the current standard.
It’s nice seeing more of Johnny Depp this time as Grindelwald and the young Albus Dumbledore portrayed by Jude Law. As there are too many characters hanging around now, even Eddie Redmayne portraying as the main character, Newt Scamander is getting much lesser screen time. J.K. Rowling tends to go big and further expand the universe but she does it too quick now and the approach becomes a distraction and confusion for the general audiences. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald’ a total of 6.8. Anyway, it’s cool to watch scenes of the Hogwarts school on the big screen again in this movie that gave us back all the Harry Potter memories.
The nomination list for the 76th Golden Globe Awards set to take place on January 6, 2019 is out and it marked the beginning of major Hollywood award season. First of all, I’m surprised of some snubs (director Damien Chazelle for First Man, lead actor Ryan Gosling for First Man, A Quiet Place for best motion picture – drama, supporting actress Michelle Yeoh for Crazy Rich Asians, etc). I’m also surprised by Bohemian Rhapsody making the cut to be in the 5 nominees for best motion picture – drama (I’m actually happy in this case as I find it a great movie). I’m also shocked to see Black Panther in the same category (this superhero movie is super overrated…I have to disagree with a lot of people on this one). Although Michelle Yeoh is snubbed, but I’m still glad of some recognition to Crazy Rich Asians elsewhere (for Constance Wu in best lead actress in musical or comedy and best motion picture – musical or comedy).
A Star Is Born looks likely to win best motion picture – drama while Alfonso Cuaron is the guy to beat for best director from his work in Roma (didn’t see that but saw a lot of praise for his directing of that movie). Since Bradley Cooper looks likely to lose best director to Cuaron, I think he will get the best lead actor – drama instead although I prefer Rami Malek to take that one instead.
(Images in this post are from various online sources)
TVB Anniversary Awards 2018 will be held on 16th December 2018 (Sunday). This year, the awards ceremony returns to its usual mid-December slot after last year’s grand 50th anniversary celebration that saw the 2017 awards being pushed to January 2018. It is still fresh on our mind seeing Vincent Wong winning his first best actor win from his impressive performance in Legal Mavericks. On the other hand, I believe most of us could still not believe our eyes when we saw Natalie Tong being crowned best actress from an ordinary performance in My Unfair Lady.
Now, we move on to another year with another list of dramas and performances. Basically, the nomination list for TVB Anniversary Awards includes everyone and every drama that aired in that particular year. Hence, there is nothing exciting about it. TVB should reduce nominees for each categories to top 10 or top 5 to make the race for competitive. Now, the TVB artistes aren’t feeling anything and not even a little proud as basically, you will get nominated once you have a series released in that year.
(Image source: TVB official webpage)
I will post parts of the nomination list below alongside my usual thoughts for each categories: (highlighted in bold is my predicted top 5 while those with X at the back is my preferred top 5 picks)
Best Drama
Come Home Love: Lo and Behold <愛·回家之開心速遞> The Forgotten Valley <平安谷之詭谷傳說> Watch Out, Boss <波士早晨> Threesome <三個女人一個「因」> Birth of a Hero <翻生武林> Apple-colada <果欄中的江湖大嫂> Daddy Cool <逆緣> X Stealing Seconds <棟仁的時光> Deep in the Realm of Conscience <宮心計2深宮計> Succession War <天命> X Who Wants a Baby? <BB來了> X The Stunt <特技人> Another Era <再創世紀> Life on the Line <跳躍生命線> X OMG, Your Honour <是咁的，法官閣下> Fist Fight <兄弟> X Wife Interrupted <救妻同學會> Learning Curve of a Warlord <大帥哥>
Predicted to win: Life On The Line
Wanted to win: Succession War / Daddy Cool
Opinion: Succession War is seriously underrated and I don’t get why it doesn’t get the popularity and rating it deserves. It is much more interesting and engaging that the draggy Deep In The Realm Of Conscience. The only downside to Succession War is Shaun Tam’s poor performance in it. So far besides than some cool actions, Fist Fight seems to be just fine. Learning Curve of a Warlord starring Dicky Cheung would have aired only 10 episodes by the time the ceremony comes and it should be pushed to next year’s list instead.
Best Actor
Lau Kong for The Forgotten Valley X Raymond Wong Ho-yin for Apple-colada Wayne Lai for Daddy Cool X Carlos Chan for Daddy Cool Kenneth Ma for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Edwin Siu for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Ruco Chan for Succession War X Lai Lok-yi for Who Wants a Baby? X Shaun Tam for The Stunt Roger Kwok for Another Era Benjamin Yuen for Another Era Pakho Chau for Another Era Joe Ma for Life on the Line Matthew Ho for Line on the Line Ben Wong for OMG, Your Honour Eddie Kwan for OMG, Your Honour Vincent Wong for Fist Fight X Mat Yeung for Fist Fight Dicky Cheung for The Learning Curve of a Warlord Tony Hung for The Learning Curve of a Warlord
Predicted to win: Benjamin Yuen for Another Era / Joe Ma for Life On The Line
Wanted to win: Ruco Chan for Succession War / Vincent Wong for Fist Fight
Opinion: TVB is so crazy in love with Benjamin Yuen this year and is on their obvious path to heavily promote him. His acting improves but still there is a huge room of development before he can reach best actor material. After sweeping the two Favourite Lead Actor awards for Malaysia and Singapore recently which are totally too much for him (not deserving), it’s just not the time yet for him to win in TVB Anniversary Awards this year. I would rather see past TV king winners like Ruco or Vincent to win again this year. Dicky’s series would have been out for only 10 episodes as stated earlier and his chance is slim. And why is Steven Ma missing in the list but Kenneth Ma and Edwin Siu are there? Three of them were in Deep In The Realm Of Conscience and Steven is even the first male lead. This is absurd.
Best Actress
Louisa So for The Forgotten Valley X Grace Chan for The Forgotten Valley Mandy Wong for Threesome X Eliza Sam for Apple-colada Rosina Lam for Daddy Cool Natalie Tong for Stealing Seconds Nancy Wu for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Alice Chan for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Selena Lee for Succession War X Elaine Yiu for Succession War Ali Lee for Who Wants a Baby? X Tavia Yeung for Another Era Niki Chow for Another Era X Moon Lau for Life on the Line Grace Wong for OMG, Your Honour Louisa Mak for OMG, Your Honour Rebecca Zhu for Fist Fight Sisley Choi for The Learning Curve of a Warlord
Predicted to win: Mandy Wong for Threesome
Wanted to win: Ali Lee for Who Wants A Baby? / Niki Chow for Another Era
Opinion: I wouldn’t have huge objection if Mandy wins, but wouldn’t it be nice to hand out the award to someone else who is deserving this year too such as Ali or Niki since Mandy already took two awards (Malaysia and Singapore).
Most Popular Male TV Character
Wayne Lai as Ho Wing-nin in Daddy Cool Carlos Chan as Chung Ting-kwok in Daddy Cool X Benjamin Yuen as Tsang Tung-yan in Stealing Seconds Kenneth Ma as Yam Sam-shu in Deep in the Realm of Conscience X Edwin Siu as Ho Lei in Deep in the Realm of Conscience Ruco Chan as Heshen in Succession War X Shaun Tam as the Jiaqing Emperor in Succession War Lai Lok-yi as Elvis Yip in Who Wants a Baby? Pakho Chau as Ching Hoi in Another Era Joe Ma as Mak Tsoi-tin in Life on the Line Matthew Ho as Cheuk Ka-kit in Life on the Line Ben Wong as John Fan in OMG, Your Honour Eddie Kwan as James Yiu in OMG, Your Honour Oscar Leung as Charles Chiu in OMG, Your Honour Hugo Wong as Michael Lai in OMG, Your Honour Vincent Wong as “Fever” Cheung Fei-fan in Fist Fight X Mat Yeung as Leo Ha in Fist Fight Hubert Wu as Lee Yan-long in Wife Interrupted Dicky Cheung as Dik Kei in The Learning Curve of a Warlord X Tony Hung as Ma Tan in The Learning Curve of a Warlord
Predicted to win: Benjamin Yuen in Stealing Seconds / Vincent Wong in Fist Fight
Wanted to win: Carlos Chan in Daddy Cool
Opinion: If Benjamin Yuen won this, he will not win best actor. I would rather hoping this situation to happen. But in this category, I’m rooting for Carlos as his role as the great grandpa in Daddy Cool is funny and likable and he did very well in it.
Most Popular Female TV Character
Joyce Tang as Hung Sheung-sin in Come Home Love: Lo and Behold Rebecca Zhu as Ku Man-yi in The Forgotten Valley Mandy Wong as Evie Fong in Threesome X Grace Chan as Sau Tsoi-sam in Birth of a Hero Eliza Sam as Barika Lee in Apple-colada Crystal Fung as Chan Yuk-man in Apple-colada Rosina Lam as Aki Chong in Daddy Cool Natalie Tong as Kris Ching in Stealing Seconds Nancy Wu as Wong Chun in Deep in the Realm of Conscience X Alice Chan as Princess Taiping in Deep in the Realm of Conscience X Selena Lee as Empress Xiaoherui in Succession War X Elaine Yiu as Changmei in Succession War Ali Lee as Ellen Tong in Who Wants a Baby? X Samantha Ko as Katina Hui in Who Want a Baby? Gloria Tang as Chu Siu-wai in Another Era Kelly Cheung as Mandy Man in Life on the Line Grace Wong as Ophelia Mok in OMG, Your Honour Kaman Kong as “Sitting” Ma Sze-ting in Fist Fight Moon Lau as Jill Chiu in Wife Interrupted Sisley Choi as Cheung Yuen-yuen in The Learning Curve of a Warlord
Predicted to win: Ali Lee in Who Wants A Baby? / Mandy Wong in Threesome
Wanted to win: Selena Lee in Succession War
Opinion: If Mandy Wong win best actress, this award will then go to Ali Lee likely. I have this feeling that Ali Lee will not go home empty handed this year. My personal favourite for this category is actually Selena Lee. Her role in Succession War is again underrated. She did it so well and gracefully. She deserves some serious recognition and is overdue for TVB awards.
Best Supporting Actor
Jimmy Au for Come Home Love: Lo and Behold Louis Yuen for The Forgotten Valley David Chiang for Birth of a Hero Jazz Lam for Apple-colada Andrew Yuen for Apple-colada Willie Wai for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Savio Tsang for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Joel Chan for Succession War X Jonathan Cheung for Succession War X Tsui Wing for Who Wants a Baby? X Bowie Wu for Another Era Karl Ting for Another Era Joey Law for Life on the Line Arnold Kwok for Life on the Line Bob Cheung for Life on the Line X Oscar Leung for OMG, Your Honour X Hugo Wong for OMG, Your Honour Jackson Lai for OMG, Your Honour Telford Wong for Wife, Interrupted Raymond Wong for The Learning Curve of a Warlord
Predicted to win: Jimmy Au for Come Home Love: Lo And Behold
Wanted to win: Bob Cheung for Life On The Line
Opinion: Looks like the race for supporting actor this year is nothing exciting. I have a feeling that since Jimmy Au missed out the chance to win last year and so this year will be the time to compensate.
Best Supporting Actress
Joyce Tang for Come Home Love: Lo and Behold Mandy Lam for Come Home Love: Lo and Behold Zoie Tam for The Forgotten Valley Crystal Fung for Apple-colada X Kaman Kong for Apple-colada Elvina Kong for Daddy, Cool Jacqueline Wong for Deep in the Realm of Conscience X Susan Tse for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Akina Hong for Deep in the Realm of Conscience Stephanie Ho for Succession War Angelina Lo for Who Wants a Baby? X Samantha Ko for Who Wants a Baby? X Gloria Tang for Another Era Jeannie Chan for Life on the Line Kelly Cheung for Life on the Line X Pinky Cheung for Life on the Line Kirby Lam for OMG, Your Honour Tiffany Lau for Fist Fight Toby Chan for Fist Fight Vivien Yeo for The Learning Curve of a Warlord
Predicted to win: Jacqueline Wong for Deep In The Realm Of Conscience
Wanted to win: Angelina Lo for Who Wants A Baby?
Opinion: TVB usually likes to contribute shock in this category (even Rebecca Zhu is shocked to win this award last year when she heard her name called out). TVB would want to hand out this to Jacqueline Wong so that she won’t be that ‘far behind’ her boyfriend, Kenneth Ma. Angelina Lo stood out in this race for her powerful performance in Who Wants A Baby? and this wonderful veteran actress deserves it more than anyone else this year.
There are some other categories too but I won’t be putting my focus on those.
The 90th Academy Awards took place on March 4th, 2018 (Sunday) in Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles. Well, it’s Monday’s morning (the next day) for us in Asia to catch the ceremony live. I am very excited for this year’s result as I watched a lot of the nominated films this year including all the 9 films nominated for best picture. Well, for your information, the films nominated are the ones released last year (in 2017). Jimmy Kimmel hosted the ceremony for the second time consecutively and he did quite well. The best picture mix-up error made last year became the highlight of his talks this year besides than the currently viral issue of empowering the females in Hollywood.
Here below is the full result of the 90th Academy Awards along with the list of nominees and my opinions:
BEST PICTURE
Call Me By Your Name
Darkest Hour
Dunkirk
Get Out
Lady Bird
Phantom Thread
The Post WINNER: The Shape of Water Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Opinion: I’m so delighted that ‘The Shape of Water’ wins best picture for this year when the race is too close to call. This movie is certainly my best out of the 9 nominated films. It has a daring story, amazing performances by lead and supporting cast, beautiful score, mesmerizing production design, great cinematography, and fantastic direction. What more can you ask for? The movie excels in almost all categories and it is further proven by securing 13 nominations in the Academy Awards (the biggest ever this year) and winning 4 (also the biggest winner). I’m predicting earlier that ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ will win after its triumphant victory in Golden Globes, SAG and BAFTA although I don’t wish too because I didn’t enjoy the movie. I’m very happy for ‘The Shape of Water’ winning in the end to my excitement. It has now won the Golden Lion, Critics Choice, PGA, DGA and the Oscar.
LEAD ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins, The Shape of Water WINNER: Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Margot Robbie, I, Tonya
Saoirse Ronan, Lady Bird
Meryl Streep, The Post
Opinion: I’m okay with Frances McDormand winning (also very much expected) but I would prefer to give this win to someone else who has not win an Oscar before. Sally Hawkins is incredible in ‘The Shape of Water’ and it’s a pity that she lost here. Frances McDormand is amazing in ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ by the way. I like her more and more after seeing her going on the stage in the past two months receiving Best Actress trophies and giving speeches with style.
LEAD ACTOR
Timothée Chalamet, Call Me By Your Name
Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out WINNER: Gary Oldman, Darkest Hour
Denzel Washington, Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Opinion: Expected again. It is finally the year for Gary Oldman, a great actor to take home an Oscar. Although I do not enjoy his performance as Winston Churchill in ‘Darkest Hour’ (the movie is also boring to me), but I’m still fine with him winning just like how I was fine with Frances McDormand winning. It is more like a career award for him. Timothee Chalamet is actually the best among these 5 nominees in performance wise but he is too young and too early for an Oscar. I believe there is much more chance for him to get nominated and winning later in his future career (which is going to be bright).
DIRECTOR
Paul Thomas Anderson, Phantom Thread
Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
Christopher Nolan, Dunkirk
Jordan Peele, Get Out WINNER: Guillermo del Toro, The Shape of Water
Opinion: Expected outcome too. I’m happy that Guillermo del Toro wins for his amazing directing in ‘The Shape of Water’. I think only his visionary mind would be able to accomplish such movie. Now all the Three Amigos (Alfonso Cuaron, Alejandro G. Innaritu and Guillermo del Toro) from Mexico have won best director in the Oscars.
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mary J. Blige, Mudbound WINNER: Allison Janney, I, Tonya
Lesley Manville, Phantom Thread
Laurie Metcalf, Lady Bird
Octavia Spencer, The Shape of Water
Opinion: Also expected. Allison Janney gave a memorable performance as a fierce mother in ”I, Tonya’. Her character stood out more than the other strong contender, Laurie Metcalf who also portrayed a mother (in ‘Lady Bird’).
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe, The Florida Project
Woody Harrelson, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Richard Jenkins, The Shape of Water
Christopher Plummer, All the Money in the World WINNER: Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Opinion: Yes…expected too. Besides Frances McDormand, Sam Rockwell steals the show in ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’. Now, Gary Oldman, Frances McDormand, Allison Janney and Sam Rockwell became the first group in history to have a clean sweep in all the five major televised awards show in the same year. All four of them won in Golden Globes, SAG, Critics Choice, BAFTA and the Oscars.
ORIGINAL SONG
Mighty River, from Mudbound (Mary J. Blige, Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson) Mystery of Love, from Call Me By Your Name (Sufjan Stevens) WINNER: Remember Me, from Coco (Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez) Stand Up for Something, from Marshall (Diane Warren and Lonnie R. Lynn) This Is Me, from The Greatest Showman (Benj Pasek and Justin Paul)
Opinion: I’m fine with ‘Remember Me’ winning but I actually prefer ‘This Is Me’ to win instead for the more powerful and catchy the latter is. I somehow find that ‘Remember Me’ is moving but has too simple lyrics and is overused in the movie ‘Coco’.
ORIGINAL SCORE
Dunkirk, Hans Zimmer Phantom Thread, Jonny Greenwood WINNER: The Shape of Water, Alexandre Desplat Star Wars: The Last Jedi, John Williams Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Carter Burwell
Opinion: Yup! A very deserving win. Alexandre Desplat’s score for ‘The Shape of Water’ is unique, magical and it suits the movie’s vision very well.
CINEMATOGRAPHY
WINNER: Blade Runner 2049, Roger A. Deakins Darkest Hour, Bruno Delbonnel Dunkirk, Hoyte van Hoytema Mudbound, Rachel Morrison The Shape of Water, Dan Lausten
Opinion: I didn’t watch ‘Blade Runner 2049’ and hence not much comment on this but I have heard a lot of good feedback to this movie especially on its visuals and cinematography (lighting design).
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Big Sick, Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani WINNER: Get Out, Jordan Peele Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh
Opinion: I’m happy that ‘Get Out’ is not going home empty handed with this win here. A very competitive category. This is a very close race between ‘Get Out’, ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’. A horror movie that is so intelligent and achieves a level higher than all the other films in this genre should be acknowledged and I’m glad that the Academy did.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
WINNER: Call Me By Your Name, James Ivory The Disaster Artist, Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber Logan, Scott Frank, James Mangold and Michael Green Molly’s Game, Aaron Sorkin Mudbound, Virgil Williams and Dee Rees
Opinion: Competition is so much more less intense in adapted screenplay. ‘Call Me By Your Name’ is the clear favourite already because it is the only film which is also nominated for best picture. Enough said.
SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION)
DeKalb Elementary
The Eleven O’Clock
My Nephew Emmett WINNER: The Silent Child Watu Wote: All of Us
Opinion: No comment. Didn’t watch any of these.
DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT)
Edith+Eddie WINNER: Heaven Is a Traffic Jam on the 405 Heroin(e)
Knife Skills
Traffic Stop
SHORT FILM (ANIMATED)
WINNER: Dear Basketball Garden Party
Lou
Negative Space
Revolting Rhymes
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
WINNER: A Fantastic Woman (Chile) The Insult (Lebanon) Loveless (Russia) On Body and Soul (Hungary) The Square (Sweden)
DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE)
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
Faces Places WINNER: Icarus Last Men in Aleppo
Strong Island
ANIMATED FEATURE
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner WINNER: Coco Ferdinand
Loving Vincent
Opinion: There is no competition this year for animated features. ‘Coco’ excels by a mile. It is a wonderful (both colourful and moving) animated movie and Pixar always do well here. Anyway, this movie reminds me a lot of 2014’s ‘The Book of Life’ (also an animated film…very similar theme and vibe).
FILM EDITING
Baby Driver, Paul Machliss and Jonathan Amos WINNER: Dunkirk, Lee Smith I, Tonya, Tatiana S. Riegel The Shape of Water, Sidney Wolinsky Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Jon Gregory’
Opinion: I prefer ‘I, Tonya’ to win. I find that ‘I, Tonya’ has much more obvious masterful editing than the other nominees. The Academy seems to have deep fascination to war films and will keep choosing them to win in technical categories like this ‘film editing’ and both ‘sound mixing’ and ‘sound editing’.
VISUAL EFFECTS
WINNER: Blade Runner 2049 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Kong: Skull Island Star Wars: The Last Jedi War for the Planet of the Apes
Opinion: Bad outcome for ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise. After three attempts, this franchise still couldn’t manage to win an Oscar for their brilliant visual effect (the apes really look very realistic). This final film of the series delivers the highest chance for it to win but lost to ‘Blade Runner 2049’ in the end for the more futuristic looking visuals in the latter.
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Beauty and the Beast Blade Runner 2049 Darkest Hour Dunkirk WINNER: The Shape of Water
Opinion: Another victory for ‘The Shape of Water’. Very well deserved. The sets in the movie are incredible and adds up a lot to let the audiences immerse into the story and the setting.
SOUND MIXING
Baby Driver Blade Runner 2049 WINNER: Dunkirk The Shape of Water Star Wars: The Last Jedi
SOUND EDITING
Baby Driver, Julian Slater Blade Runner 2049, Mark Mangini and Theo Green WINNER: Dunkirk, Richard King and Alex Gibson The Shape of Water, Nathan Robitaille and Nelson Ferreira Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Matthew Wood and Ren Klyce
Opinion: I still couldn’t find the difference between ‘sound mixing’ and ‘sound editing’. Academy, just combine them into a single category. The winner and all the nominees in the two categories are the exact same. What’s the point?! ‘Dunkirk’ is exceptionally good in sound and is right to win these two although I find it overrated (I didn’t enjoy the movie).
COSTUME DESIGN
Beauty and the Beast, Jacqueline Durran Darkest Hour, Jacqueline Durran WINNER: Phantom Thread, Mark Bridges The Shape of Water, Luis Sequeira Victoria & Abdul, Consolata Boyle’
Opinion: The only win for ‘Phantom Thread’ as predicted. The movie about costumes is winning ‘Costume Design’. Well, what more can I say?
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
WINNER: Darkest Hour, Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski and Lucy Sibbick Victoria & Abdul, Daniel Phillips and Lou Sheppard Wonder, Arjen Tuiten
Opinion: A deserving win for ‘Darkest Hour’ for its amazing work on Gary Oldman in transforming him into Winston Churchill. The Academy should expand the nominees to 5 just like the other categories.
Well, the 90th Oscars has ended. The major awards season for 2017 Hollywood films is over too. ‘The Shape of Water’ becomes the biggest winner with 4 wins including the coveted ‘Best Picture’ title. ‘Dunkirk’ slightly over-performed with 3 wins while ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ slightly under-performed with only 2 wins. ‘Coco’, ‘Darkest Hour’ and ‘Blade Runner 2049’ each has 2 wins. ‘Call Me By Your Name’, ‘I, Tonya’, ‘Phantom Thread’ and ‘Get Out’ each has 1 win. ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘The Post’ are the two films nominated for best picture and not winning anything at all. I find that there is no clear favourite for this year’s Oscars and the awards are well distributed to a lot of movies. This year’s outcome is one of the most satisfying in my personal opinion as most of the results is much expected.
(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)
The 24th Screen Actors Guild Awards was held yesterday on 21st January 2018. It is the third of the five main trophies to be won in the annual awards season for Hollywood films. There were Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice before this Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Now, there are two more major ceremonies to follow to wrap up the honouring for 2017 films and they are the BAFTA and the Oscars.
I’m putting up the full list of winners (nomination list included) for both television and film categories. I am also putting in my opinion to summarize what I felt on the awards presented in film categories.
24th Screen Actors Guild Awards’ Full List of Winners
Motion Picture Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Timothee Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name”
James Franco, “The Disaster Artist”
Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out”
Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour” *WINNER
Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Judi Dench, “Victoria & Abdul”
Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”
Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri” *WINNER
Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”
Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
“Baby Driver”
“Dunkirk”
“Logan”
“Wonder Woman” *WINNER
“War for the Planet of the Apes”
Opinion: Looks like Gary Oldman (best actor), Frances McDormand (best actress), Sam Rockwell (best supporting actor) and Allison Janney (best supporting actress) are going to make a clean sweep at all the five major awards. They have done so in Golden Globes, Critics Choice and this SAG. They are certainly the frontrunners for the remaining ones; BAFTA and Oscars. Looks like the dark horses (Timothee Chalamet in best actor, Sally Hawkins in best actress, Willem Dafoe in best supporting actor, Laurie Metcalf in best supporting actress) appeared to have no longer posing any threat at this stage. Although I did not enjoy the movie ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, but I have to admit that this film is going to be an Oscar frontrunner for best picture. It has won best motion picture-drama at Golden Globes, and won a number of acting awards in Critics Choice and this SAG. The other movie that is considered a strong contender now is ‘The Shape of Water’ (I prefer this one). However, I think its chance is lesser than ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ because the Academy members (comprising mostly of older generation) would not enjoy a sci-fi movie about a woman falling in love with an amphibian and will only consider it as a technical excellence. I’m also very surprised that ‘The Shape of Water’ or ‘Call Me By Your Name’ didn’t even get nominated for the cast ensemble (but ‘Get Out’, ‘Mudbound’ and ‘Lady Bird’ did). Last but not least, I’m delighted for ‘Wonder Woman’ to win the action performance by a stunt ensemble. Definitely an awesome movie.
Television Awards
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock”
Jeff Daniels, “Godless”
Robert De Niro, “The Wizard of Lies”
Geoffrey Rush, “Genius”
Alexander Skarsgard, “Big Little Lies” *WINNER
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies” *WINNER
Jessica Lange, “Feud: Bette & Joan”
Susan Sarandon, “Feud: Bette & Joan”
Reese Witherspoon, “Big Little Lies”
Laura Dern, “Big Little Lies”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Jason Bateman, “Ozark”
Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us” *WINNER
Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
David Harbour, “Stranger Things”
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Millie Bobby Brown, “Stranger Things”
Claire Foy, “The Crown” *WINNER
Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”
Laura Linney, “Ozark”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish”
Aziz Ansari, “Master of None”
Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Sean Hayes, “Will & Grace”
William H. Macy, “Shameless” *WINNER
Marc Maron, “GLOW”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Uzo Aduba, “Orange Is the New Black”
Alison Brie, “GLOW”
Jane Fonda, “Grace and Frankie”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep” *WINNER
Lily Tomlin, “Grace and Frankie”
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
“The Crown”
“Game of Thrones”
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
“Stranger Things”
“This Is Us” *WINNER
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
“Black-ish”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm”
“GLOW”
“Orange is the New Black”
“Veep” *WINNER
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
“Game of Thrones” *WINNER
“GLOW”
“Homeland”
“Stranger Things”
“The Walking Dead”
The next awards is the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) to be presented on 18th February 2018.
(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)
TVB love to deliver shocks in their annual awards presentation by announcing result that is surprising to the majority of people. It is no exception for this year as well. The Hong Kong’s TVB Anniversary Awards 2017 is delayed a month to make way for all anniversary dramas to finish airing and also to express the much grander 50th anniversary celebration the television station is having in late 2017 that extends now until early 2018. Here below is the full result for the awards (held on the evening of 21st January 2018) along with my opinions for each categories:
TVB Anniversary Awards 2017’s Winners List:
Best Non-Drama Programme “The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show” – WINNER “Miss Chinese International Pageant 2017” “Love at Last Sight” “Feng Shui for the New Year” “Cantoxicating!” “Dinner Ma’s” “Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)” “Dream in the Ring” “HK Gag Gag” “Anchors with Passport (Sr. 3)” “The Place We Call Home” “Neighborhood Treasures (Sr. 7)” “Public Housing Outing” “Hong Kong Round the Clock” “Easy Come Easy Health” “Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)” “Cantopop at 50” – WINNER “Pay It Forward” “Sidewalk Scientist” “Retiring in Paradise” “Litigation at Home” “Big Big Kids Awards 2017” “All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)” “Young and Restless” “Buskkkkk Music” “The Big Big Channel Nite” “Amazing Summer Splash” “Fun Abroad” “Chef Minor (Sr. 3)” “C AllStar Thai Odyssey” “Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017” “Faraway Brides” – WINNER “Starry Starry Talk” “The Sisterhood Traveling Gang” “Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)” – WINNER “Sir Ben Prop Guide” “Helen Goes to Kyushu” “The Ultimate Street Sorcerer” “Sammy on the Go” “Line Walker: The Hunting Game” “EYT: Anniversary Edition” “Diva Liza 50-Year Special” “TVB Anniversary Gala” “The Heavenly Party” “DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)” – WINNER “Tung Wah Charity Show 2017” “Gala Spectacular” “Dickies on Tour” “J.S.G. Awards Presentation 2017”
Opinion: Didn’t expect that TVB decided to hand out five awards in this category. I enjoyed ‘The Sisterhood Traveling Gang’ but it lost. Anyway, I didn’t have much interest in this category every year. Moving on…
Best Host(s) Lee Ka Ting & Helen Tam (“The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show”) Gigi Wong (“Eating Well with Madam Wong (Sr. 3)”) Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”) Nancy Sit, Michael Lai, Raymond Cho & Karen Tong (“Cantopop at 50”) Mayanne Mak, Kaki Leung, Roxanne Tong, Crystal Fun, Tiffany Lau & Bowie Cheung (“Sidewalk Scientist”) Tony Hung (“Retiring in Paradise”) Luk Ho Ming, Louisa Mak & Crystal Fung (“Young and Restless”) Bob Lam, Mayanne Mak & Linna Huynh (“Chef Minor (Sr. 3)”) Janis Chan (“Faraway Brides”) Lai Chi San (“Starry Starry Talk”) Evergreen Mak, Joyce Tang & Elena Kong (“Bazaar Carnivals (Sr. 3)”) Benjamin Au Yeung, Mayanne Mak, Luk Ho Ming, Bella Lam & Liz Ji (“Sir Ben Prop Guide”) Helen To (“Helen Goes to Kyushu”) Sammy Leung, Samantha Ko, Mayanne Mak & Jacqueline Wong (“Sammy on the Go”) Carol Cheng, FAMA, Kenneth Ma, Edwin Siu & Priscilla Wong (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”) – WINNER
Opinion: I do expect the hosts for ‘DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr.2)’ to win because it’s Carol Cheng. Anyway, she is really good in hosting and her chemistry with FAMA and also the other co-hosts are amazing and fun to watch.
Most Improved Female Artiste Rebecca Zhu (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Hong Kong Round the Clock”) Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”, “Bet Hur”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Gag Gag Summer”) Mayanne Mak (“Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2017”, “Sammy on the Go”, “Line Walker: The Hunting Game”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”) – WINNER Zoie Tam (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “My Unfair Lady”, “Legal Mavericks”, “My Ages Apart”) Roxanne Tong (“Provocateur”, “My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “The Tofu War”, “Sidewalk Scientist”) Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”, “Nothing Special Force”, “Sammy on the Go”)
Opinion: The first shock of the evening. Mayanne Mak would be my last choice in this nomination list and yet she ended up winning. Artistes who are doing non-drama programmes are usually not being much acknowledged but here she comes taking home this prize to everyone’s surprise. I would prefer Jacqueline Wong to take this as I do see that she really improved a lot this year. Hey…where is Sisley Choi? She deserves a nomination here as she is seriously the most improved actress of all for this year. But hey…surprise later on.
Most Improved Male Artiste Owen Cheung (“The No No Girl”, “Legal Mavericks”, “HK Gag Gag”, “Amazing Summer Splash”) Matthew Ho (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Tiger Mom Blues”, “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”, “Tiger Mom Blues Returns”) Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 5)”, “Sir Ben Prop Guide”, “TVB Anniversary Gala”, “Young and Restless”) Hugo Wong (“May Fortune Smile on You”, “Legal Mavericks”, “The Exorcist’s Meter”) Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”, “My Ages Apart”) Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”, “Bet Hur”, “Love and Construction”, “All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”) – WINNER
Opinion: I knew Mat Yeung is finally going to win. His hard work for the past many years is finally paid off. The other deserving candidates, Owen Cheung, Hugo Wong and Matthew Ho can wait for the coming years to get this.
Best Supporting Actress Stephanie Ho (“Recipes to Live By”) Kaman Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) Mandy Lam (“Lo and Behold”) Joyce Tang (“Lo and Behold”) Kelly Fu (“Burning Hands”) Vivien Yeo (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) Eileen Yeow (“The No No Girl”) Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”) Zoie Tam (“My Unfair Lady”) Toby Chan (“Legal Mavericks”) Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”) Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) – WINNER Grace Wong (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Harriet Yeung (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Elena Kong (“The Unholy Alliance”) Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) Alice Chan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Katy Kung (“My Ages Apart”) Sharon Chan (“Heart and Greed”)
Opinion: Second shock of the evening. TVB gave us surprise on all the awards in female categories. Yes, Rebecca Zhu has improved in her acting too, but I don’t think her performance deserves a supporting actress win yet. Her role in ‘A General, A Scholar And A Eunuch’ is also too ordinary and easily forgotten. I can see just now that she herself was very surprised when her name is announced as the winner. I would prefer Elaine Yiu, Susan Tse, Sharon Chan, Grace Wong or even Samantha Ko to win.
Best Supporting Actor Hugo Ng (“Burning Hands”) Matthew Ho (“Tiger Mom Blues”) King Kong (“Destination Nowhere”) James Ng (“Destination Nowhere”) Mark Ma (“Lo and Behold”) Fred Cheng (“Provocateur”) Mat Yeung (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) Max Cheung (“My Unfair Lady”) Lai Lok Yi (“My Unfair Lady”) Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”) Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”) Timothy Cheng (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) John Chiang (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”) Joel Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) – WINNER Kwok Fung (“The Unholy Alliance”) Carlo Ng (“The Unholy Alliance”) Benz Hui (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Brian Tse (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Kenny Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Ram Chiang (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Ho Yuen Tung (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Hugo Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Louis Yuen (“Heart and Greed”)
Opinion: I’m happy that Joel Chan won. I noticed him several years ago and he had already been doing awesome job back then. It’s finally time for him to win and he totally deserved it. I was quite nervous before the winner is revealed because I’m worried that Jimmy Au (another favourite and he also starred in ‘The Unholy Alliance’ with Joel Chan) may win because of his seniority and popularity as being Hong Kong’s version of James Bond. He can take that nickname but his performance is too plain. Joel is very emotional when delivering his acceptance speech.
Global Netizens Favourite Series “Rogue Emperor” “Recipes to Live By” “May Fortune Smile on You” “Burning Hands” “Tiger Mom Blues” “Destination Nowhere” “Lo and Behold” “Provocateur” “Married but Available” “My Dearly Sinful Mind” “The No No Girl” “My Unfair Lady” “Phoenix Rising” “Bet Hur” “Legal Mavericks” “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch” “The Unholy Alliance” “The Tofu War” “Line Walker: The Prelude” “Nothing Special Force” “Oh My Grad” “The Exorcist’s Meter” – WINNER “My Ages Apart” “Heart and Greed”
Opinion: This is a new category and it allows all people (not just from Hong Kong) to vote online for this one. I’m delighted that ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ won because it really deserved. It’s such a small production with lesser known cast and yet able to make huge impact with great and touching storyline and wonderful performances by its actors and actresses. Does that mean this series will not win the ‘Best Drama’? Yes…unfortunately.
Most Popular TV Partnership Vincent Wong & Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”) Vincent Wong & Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”) Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Matthew Ho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”)– WINNER Ruco Chan & Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) Joel Chan & Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) Moses Chan & Jessica Hester Hsuan (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Benjamin Yuen, Priscilla Wong & Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Kenneth Ma & Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Moses Chan & Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”) Ha Yu & Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) Maria Cordero & Luk Ho Ming (“Good Cheap Eats (Sr. 6)”) Benjamin Yuen & Mat Yeung (“All Work No Pay Holidays (Sr.2)”) Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu, Selena Li & Paisley Hu (“The Sisterhood Traveling Gang”) Carol Cheng, C Kwan & Luk Wing (“DoDo Goes Shopping (Sr. 2)”) Wayne Lai, Edwin Siu, Raymond Cho & Raymond Wong (“Dickies on Tour”)
Opinion: I’m happy for the three actors from ‘A General, A Scholar And A Eunuch’ to win because their chemistry on-screen is really awesome and fun to watch. I remembered a lot of funny scenes involving the three of them in that drama.
Most Popular Series Song 四方 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Hoffman Cheng 心暖 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Kenneth Ma & Niki Chow 乾杯 (“Rogue Emperor”) – Ronald Law, Hoffman Cheng & Yao Bin 天賜的味道 (“Recipes to Live By”) – Maria Cordero 財神駕到 (“May Fortune Smile on You”) – Wayne Lai, Amy Fan, Pal Sinn, Matthew Ho & Kelly Fu 一輩子守候 (“The Princess Weiyoung”) – HANA 不變的愛 (“Tiger Mom Blues”) – Edwin Siu 迷 (“Destination Nowhere”) – Fred Cheng 獨來獨往 (“Provocateur”) – Gallen Lo 地盡頭 (“Provocateur”) – Fred Cheng 真心真意 (“Married but Available”) – Fred Cheng & Stephanie Ho 印記 (“Married but Available”) – Kayee Tam 籠牢 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Alfred Hui 你走的那個晚上 (“My Dearly Sinful Mind”) – Fred Cheng 我有我美麗 (“The No No Girl”) – Nancy Wu 我不會撒嬌 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Stephanie Ho 手中沙 (“My Unfair Lady”) – HANA 陪著你走 (“My Unfair Lady”) – Kayee Tam 我不歸去 (“The Legend of the Condor Heroes”) – Kayee Tam 用愛邁步 (“Phoenix Rising”) – Kelly Chen 久別重逢 (“Eternal Love”) – HANA 十倍奉還 (“Bet Hur”) – Fred Cheng 心眼 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Vincent Wong 愛近在眼前 (“Legal Mavericks”) – Stephanie Ho 戰勝吧 (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) – Fred Cheng 一觸即發 (“The Unholy Alliance”) – Ruco Chan 家中的太陽 (“The Tofu War”) – Nancy Sit 天網 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Pakho Chau 忘記我自己 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – HANA 安守本分 (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) – Vivian Koo 快樂快活人 (“Nothing Special Force”) – Kayee Tam 畢業之後 (“Oh My Grad”) – Mag Lam 你在我心間 (“Nothing Gold Can Stay”) – Jinny Ng 到此一遊 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu – WINNER 遙不可及 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Hubert Wu 泣血薔薇 (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – Jinny Ng 誇世代 (“My Ages Apart”) – Hacken Lee 別再記起 (“My Ages Apart”) – Jinny Ng 我本無罪 (“Heart and Greed”) – Susanna Kwan 欲言又止 (“Heart and Greed”) – Vincent Wong & HANA I Promise (“Heart and Greed”) – Linda Chung
Opinion: My preferred choice is the ending theme song for the series ‘Line Walker: The Prelude’ by Hana Kuk. The song and its melody is much more beautiful than the others.
Most Popular TV Female Character Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”) Koni Lui (“Lo and Behold”) Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) Samantha Ko (“My Unfair Lady”) Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”) Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”) – WINNER Tracy Chu (“Legal Mavericks”) Rebecca Zhu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”) Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) Elaine Yiu (“The Unholy Alliance”) Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”) Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”) Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Moon Lau (The Exorcist’s Meter”) Susan Tse (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Mandy Wong (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”) Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”) Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”) Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)
Opinion: Third shock of the evening…but I’m actually agreeing on this outcome. Sisley Choi defeated a lot of favourites (Ali Lee, Nancy Wu, Elaine Yiu, Elena Kong, Natalie Tong, etc) to take this prize to everyone’s surprise again. However, I find that Sisley Choi really did very well for her ugly role in ‘Legal Mavericks’. She is very natural and her performance is amazing in that one. Hence, I’m actually fine with her winning this although many others may disagree with me. This is just like what happened when Grace Wong won for her character in ‘A Fist Within Four Walls’ that shocked quite a lot of people in the previous edition of this awards. No wonder there is not even a nomination for Sisley in ‘most improved’ category. She immediately elevated to the ‘favourite female character’ category. Anyway, she talked too much during her acceptance speech just now.
Most Popular TV Male Character Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”) Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”) Raymond Wong (“Married but Available”) Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”) Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”) Vincent Wong (“My Unfair Lady”) Andrew Yuen (“My Unfair Lady”) Natalis Chan (“Bet Hur”) Owen Cheung (“Legal Mavericks”) Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Jimmy Au (“The Unholy Alliance”) Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) Cheung Wing Hong (“The Tofu War”) Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”) Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) – WINNER Hubert Wu (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”) Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”) Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)
Opinion: Happy for Kenneth Ma to win this award again (he had won this before back in 2012 for his role in ‘The Hippocratic Crush’). However, this means that he is not going to win best actor later and I pitied him for that. He hardly get any good roles in recent years. Then, he had this role as ‘Ma Kwai’ in ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ and he did very well in it. This must be his chance for best actor. But again, he didn’t have the luck to snatch it. I hope that he will get more good roles later on and will one day win best actor. He deserves it.
Best Actress Lin Xia Wei (“Burning Hands”) Sharon Chan (“Tiger Mom Blues”) Elena Kong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) Kristal Tin (“Destination Nowhere”) Jacqueline Wong (“Provocateur”) Nadia Chan (“The No No Girl”) Jessica Hsuan (“My Unfair Lady”) Natalie Tong (“My Unfair Lady”) – WINNER Sisley Choi (“Legal Mavericks”) Nina Paw (“The Unholy Alliance”) Nancy Wu (“The Unholy Alliance”) Nancy Sit (“The Tofu War”) Roxanne Tong (“The Tofu War”) Priscilla Wong (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Mandy Wong (“Nothing Special Force”) Ali Lee (“My Ages Apart”) Susanna Kwan (“Heart and Greed”) Louise Lee (“Heart and Greed”) Michelle Yim (“Heart and Greed”) Eliza Sam (“Heart and Greed”)
Opinion: Fourth shock of the evening. TVB really do it all wrong for the female categories. I’m really disappointed that Kristal Tin did not even make it into top 5 list as revealed in the ceremony. This is a big snub for Kristal as I find her performance in ‘Destination Nowhere’ is the best of all in 2017. It was such a challenging role and she nailed it, and yet a lot of people had simply forgotten or ignored her. She is my pick for best actress. Natalie Tong! Well, for me, she is not a leading actress material yet. My other choices would be Elena Kong, Nina Paw, Ali Lee or Jessica Hsuan. I never even have a sight on Natalie Tong and she prevailed in the end. I also disliked that drama ‘My Unfair Lady’. It was such a boring series.
Best Actor Tony Hung (“Recipes to Live By”) Wayne Lai (“May Fortune Smile on You”) Ben Wong (“Tiger Mom Blues”) Gallen Lo (“Provocateur”) Eddie Cheung (“The No No Girl”) Frankie Lam (“My Unfair Lady”) Vincent Wong (“Legal Mavericks”) – WINNER Raymond Cho (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Edwin Siu (“A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch”) Ruco Chan (“The Unholy Alliance”) Lai Yok Yi (“The Tofu War”) Pakho Chau (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Michael Miu (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Benjamin Yuen (“Line Walker: The Prelude”) Roger Kwok (“Oh My Grad”) Kenneth Ma (“The Exorcist’s Meter”) Bobby Au Yeung (“My Ages Apart”) Moses Chan (“My Ages Apart”) Ha Yu (“Heart and Greed”) Bosco Wong (“Heart and Greed”)
Opinion: Congratulation, Vincent Wong! He has an amazing role as a blind lawyer and he delivered in ‘Legal Mavericks’. I find both him and Kenneth Ma are equally good in 2017 and I have to give the edge to Kenneth Ma because of his seniority. Since Kenneth has won ‘My Popular TV Male Character’, Vincent must get something and so, here it is. However, I do find that he is a bit too early on winning best actor. I’m sure he would have plenty of great roles later on and hence having more chances to win this next time (but not Kenneth). That is why I felt bad for Kenneth in losing this one. I seriously don’t mind him winning both ‘My Favourite TV Male Character’ and this ‘Best Actor’.
Best Series “Rogue Emperor” “Recipes to Live By” “May Fortune Smile on You” “Burning Hands” “Tiger Mom Blues” “Destination Nowhere” “Lo and Behold” “Provocateur” “Married but Available” “My Dearly Sinful Mind” “The No No Girl” “My Unfair Lady” “Phoenix Rising” “Bet Hur” “Legal Mavericks” “A General, a Scholar and a Eunuch” “The Unholy Alliance” “The Tofu War” “Line Walker: The Prelude” “Nothing Special Force” “Oh My Grad” “The Exorcist’s Meter” “My Ages Apart” – WINNER “Heart and Greed”
Opinion: TVB should reveal the top 5 for this category. I’m particularly surprised by this outcome too. My preferred choice would be ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’. I didn’t watch ‘My Ages Apart’ but I do heard some good comments for that drama. I didn’t expect ‘those good comments’ (not really as critically-acclaimed as ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’) would translate to ‘best drama’ win, the last major prize of the evening. I didn’t expect a drama which is themed on nonsense and exaggerated stuff get to win this top honour.
Special 50th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Awards
Liza Wang, Luo Zhongbing
Opinion: This a special award to coincide with the station’s 50th anniversary and it replaces the usual lifetime achievement awards. That means Liza Wang is getting this prize again (she had won Lifetime Achievement before several years ago). The other one, Luo Zhongbing is a behind-the-scene man who worked relentlessly for TVB and is acknowledged now with this honour.
That’s it for TVB Anniversary Awards 2017. It concluded after a ceremony that slightly exceeded its planned two and a half hour broadcast time. ‘The Exorcist’s Meter’ took the most awards (3 – theme song, popular male character, and global netizens favourite series). ‘Legal Mavericks’ is just behind with 2 wins (best actor, popular female character). ‘A General, A Scholar, And An Eunuch’ also performed better than expectation with 2 wins (supporting actress, partnership). ‘The Unholy Alliance’ had one win (supporting actor). These are my favourite TVB series in 2017. And none of them won ‘best drama’ in the end as that prize went to ‘My Ages Apart’ (and I didn’t watch that because I don’t like drama that is excessively long…it has 50 episodes and I also don’t like its premise). ‘Heart and Greed’, the third installment to the highly successful ‘Heart of Greed’ franchise failed to win anything (unlike its predecessors that swept a lot of awards last time). Well, that is expected because this third installment is poorly made and is no where near the quality of the first two ones.
Alright. That’s a wrap up to TVB dramas and awards for year 2017. Now, it’s time to move on to new and coming dramas in 2018.
(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)
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