WILD CITY 迷城 Movie Review

The much awaited movie from writer-director Ringo LAM sets his sights once again on Hong Kong’s seedy underbelly. In the spirit of City on Fire and Full Alert, Lam’s latest Canto-noir finds unsuspecting bystanders caught in a tangled web of and greed and betrayal, their growing anxieties punctuated with sudden bursts of violence.

Synopsis

When former cop-turned-bar owner T-man Kwok (Louis KOO) befriends a drunken woman at closing hours (TONG Liya), they soon find themselves targeted both by her former lover—a high-powered Hong Kong attorney—and the thugs (CHANG Hsiao-Chuan) he employs. Once Kwok’s underachieving half-brother (Shawn YUE) and a suitcase full of tainted cash enter the picture, the chase turns deadly, with the brothers’ tense family history coming to the surface as Kwok finds himself torn between the triads and his former police colleagues.

Details and Casts

Presented by :    Beijing East Light Films Co., Ltd.

In association with  Oriental Fortune Culture, Beijing Airmedia Film & TV Co., Ltd. , Zhujianng Film & Media Corporation Limited, East Light Film Limited, One Cool Film Production Limited, iQIYI Motion Pictures (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

Production by :   East Light Production Limited

Producer : Kenny Chau   

Directed, Story, Screenplay by : Ringo Lam

Starring : Louis Koo, Shawn Yue,  Tong Liya, Chang Hsiao Chuan , Michael Tse,  Yuen Qiu,  Same Lee, Philip Ng,  Philip Keung,  Jazz Lam

 

Guest starring : Simon Yam,  Jack Kao, Wang Xuebing, Ma Yuke,  Tam Ping Man

Director of photography : Ross W. Clarkson (HKSC)

 

Art director : Jean Tsoi  Billy Li 

   

Costume designer : Ahong Cheung

Music by : Dave Klotz 

Editor : David Richardson (HKSE) 

Sound design :    Onecool & Ramindra Sound Studio Co., Ltd 

Visual effects  : Different Digital Design Limited 

TRAILER

REVIEW

The story centred around Louis Koo ( T-Man ). His love for his step brother, step mother affect his career as a cop. He resigned and became a bar owner and got himself involved with a drunken lady customer and involved T-Man's brother into the world of bribery, betrayal, police, law, car chase,  hired triads from both Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Thanks to the bar lady customer’s lawyer boyfriend who hire them to track down the bar lady customer.

As money was involved, a series of car chase get the movie into high gear. The story got more complicated but enjoyable. There is a contrasting difference between both Hong Kong and Taiwan triad gang. Taiwanese gang does not fully value money but more important was the family brotherhood of  the gang members. In the case of Hong Kong triad they are more practical as they only see money as their motivational drive.

It was a fast action packed movie. You probably won’t have time to go to the toilet. There were violence, fights which were part of the triad way of life. The director added a scene where the weighing balancer carried by Lady Justice, was shot down. Was it a message to say that there was not justice in this world or something more positive? Watch the show, and you will probably have your own interpretation.

It was an enjoyable show for me.  Seeing Louis Koo movies for the second time in a month does convince me that he was a versatile actor. The previous movie Paris Holiday, Louis Koo was a fun and loving person while in this movie, Wild City, it was wild and violence city.

The movie will be showing on the 20 Aug 2015.

Rating

I shall rate it at 3.5/5.

Behind-The-Scene Photos

If you require an event photographer, wedding photographer or any other professional photography services, do email me at see323@yahoo.com.sg . You can also message me at my  FACEBOOK account. To view my photos, click My Flicker Photos

Sony Celebrates Six Wins at 2015 EISA Awards

Sony Xperia™Z3+

§  European Soundbase 2015-2016: Sony HT-XT3[1]

§  European Design TV 2015-2016: Sony BRAVIA™ KD-65X9005C[2]

§  European Professional Compact System Camera: Sony α7 II

§  European Travel Compact Camera: Sony Cyber-shot™ DSC-HX90/V

§  European Compact System Lens: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

§  European Multimedia Smartphone: Sony Xperia™ Z3+

(SINGAPORE, 18 August 2015) – Sony celebrates as six products across its portfolio have been acknowledged by EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) – the largest editorial multimedia organisation in Europe. A trusted organisation, EISA is renowned for using expertise to analyse and assess a range of products, and therefore Sony’s six awards are indicative of its continued commitment to creating truly innovative products that deliver both style and substance.

HT-XT3 Soundbase

European Soundbase of the year 2015-2016: Sony HT-XT3¹

Sony’s HT‐XT3¹ soundbase offers stunning audio quality, extensive network features and a slim, stylish cabinet that can accommodate screens up to 65-inch and 50kg. High‐quality performance is provided by coaxial speakers that incorporate fibreglass reinforced cones and a centred dome tweeter, while powerful bass is delivered by two down‐firing woofers. Connectivity is superb, including HDMI, Ethernet, Wi‐Fi, USB, Bluetooth®, NFC and compatibility with Google Cast™. Hi‐Res Audio formats, such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS‐HD Master Audio, FLAC, WAV and DSD are supported, and thanks to its networking talents the HT‐XT3¹ can be part of a wider multiroom audio system, controlled by Sony’s SongPal app. This is a great‐sounding, well‐equipped soundbase speaker at an enticing price.

BRAVIA™ KD-65X9005C

European Design TV of the year 2015-2016: Sony BRAVIA™ KD-65X9005C²

It’s not often that a TV makes you think ‘Wow’ before it’s even switched on, but Sony’s BRAVIA™ 65X9005C² accomplishes this by virtue of its astonishing styling. This 65-inch screen brings ultra-slim appeal to your living room, being only 4.9mm at its thinnest part. It comes with an innovative mounting solution that sites the screen flush against a wall thanks to Sony’s vertical airflow system, while those installing the 65X9005C² on a TV stand can choose from wide or narrow positions for the sleek aluminium feet. Design isn’t this set’s only strong point, however – the 4K Ultra HD screen together with the Sony unique TRILUMINOS™ Display technology delivers colour‐rich, sharp images that are equally impressive, while Android TV collects all the set’s features in to one sophisticated homescreen.

α7 II

European Professional Compact System Camera: α7 II

The α7 II is a full frame compact system camera of true professional quality that brings strong competition to DSLR systems and offers huge imaging potential in a lightweight body. The 24.3 megapixel full frame sensor brings an incredibly high dynamic range coupled with low noise at high ISO settings, and the Fast Hybrid AF system gives fast, accurate focusing. The magnesium body and new hand‐grip revolutionises the feel and operation over its predecessor, while the built‐in 5‐axis image stabilisation is extremely advantageous if you shoot handheld, especially with close‐ups and slow shutter speeds. This all makes the α7 II a serious alternative to a full frame DSLR.

Cyber-shot™ DSC-HX90/V

European Travel Compact Camera: Sony Cyber-shot™ DSC-HX90/V

The Sony Cyber‐shot DSC-HX90/V is the world's smallest[3] super zoom compact camera with a built‐in electronic viewfinder (EVF). The ZEISS Vario‐Sonnar T* lens offers a powerful 24‐720mm equivalent range that covers a full range of travel situations. The EVF allows eye level shooting and is especially useful in bright light, and retracts into the camera body when not needed. The LCD screen tilts 180°, promoting creative shooting from different angles. Video can be recorded at 1080/60p with very high quality, and the HX90V has a built‐in GPS[4], and Wi‐Fi with NFC capabilities. It's an excellent, pocket‐sized travel camera that can be carried with you anywhere.

Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

European Compact System Lens: Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS

The Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS is probably the best lens of its type, giving some of the finest test results EISA's experts have ever seen. It is incredibly sharp, even into the corners of the image at maximum aperture, and has minimal distortion or chromatic aberration. The level of contrast it produces makes for some great pictures, and at f/2.8 it produces beautifully rendered bokeh, with smooth tonal gradations, thanks to the rounded aperture blades. With sturdy build quality, silent focusing and effective optical stabilisation, it's a lens of the very highest quality.

Xperia™ Z3+

European Multimedia Smartphone: Sony Xperia™ Z3+

The Sony Xperia™ Z3+ offers a unique combination of stylish design, versatility and ruggedness. This 6.9mm slim smartphone is not only water and dust proof[5], but it also comes with advanced multimedia capabilities in terms of superb photography, razor sharp 4K video and high‐resolution audio. A new 5 megapixel 25 mm wide‐angle front camera will enable you to catch impressive group selfies, while the main camera features improved performance in low light and faster processing. The audio section is fully compatible with high-resolution content and will automatically adjust its settings to any connected headphone. And on top of all this, Sony has managed to deliver up to two days battery life[6].

Please note that model numbers may differ from country to country.

If you require an event photographer, wedding photographer or any other professional photography services, do email me at see323@yahoo.com.sg . You can also message me at my  FACEBOOK account. To view my photos, click My Flicker Photos

Maximising business efficiencies with swift and crisp quality prints on the Canon imageCLASS LBP8100n

New A3 monochrome single function printer provides quick, affordable, and flexible printer sharing capabilities, maximizing business efficiencies for small and medium businesses.

SINGAPORE, 19 August 2015 – Canon has introduced the new imageCLASS LBP8100n, an A3 monochrome single function printer targeted at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). With new features designed to improve productivity and efficiency of users, the imageCLASS LBP8100n is capable of delivering faster print jobs with outstanding print quality. Its energy efficient, eco-friendly features enables businesses to lower their total cost of operations (TCO).  The imageCLASS LBP8100n is the ideal device for small workgroup with high printing volume.

“The imageCLASS LBP8100n complements business objectives particularly in a competitive environment where operating costs is a differentiating factor in achieving productivity,’’ said Edwin Teoh, Assistant Director, Consumer Business Marketing, Canon Singapore. “Coupled with its versatile print medium capabilities, the new A3 monochrome printer is perfectly suited for all workgroups and small-medium offices today.”

Improved Business Productivity with High Print Quality

With Canon’s proprietary On-Demand Fixing Technology, the imageCLASS LBP8100n reduces power consumption by up to 75 percent compared to the standard roller fixing method used by conventional laser printers. It delivers printed documents at a quick First Print Out Time of 9.3 seconds, and an impressive print speed of up to 30 pages per minute (ppm) and 15 ppm for A4 and A3 documents respectively, driving higher productivity levels with reduced waiting time for prints. Catered to SMEs, the imageCLASS LBP8100n has a device memory capacity of 128MB to accommodate higher print volume and more users.

The promise of quicker print speeds is also paired with professional print quality from the LBP8100n, delivering printouts up to 1200 x 1200 dpi (equivalent) print resolution. The standard 250-sheet cassette and 100-sheet multi-purpose tray, together with three optional 550-sheet paper feeders easily increased the printer’s total paper input capacity to a hefty 2,000 sheets, to meet the demands of businesses with high-volume printing. 

In addition, the imageCLASS LBP8100n offers great versatility for users in terms of print mediums. It is capable of detecting various paper sizes up to A3 and paper types automatically, making for more efficient usage thereby enabling businesses to be more productive in their workflows. 

Network Ready for Easy Integration

Built-in Ethernet allows the imageCLASS LBP8100n to be integrated to the current network or available print servers, perfect for sharing resources within small businesses and workgroups. 

Compatible with Canon Mobile Printing application, users are able to print a variety of file types, web pages and images from the imageCLASS LBP8100n remotely via all iOS and Android devices, allowing them to perform daily business tasks with increased efficiency, crucial in today’s mobile business environment. 

Easy Maintenance and Energy Efficient 

Combining the photosensitive drum, toner reservoir and waste toner box into a compact unit, the Canon All-In-One Toner Cartridge 333 offers users a hassle-free toner replacement experience. Additionally, the high-yield Toner Cartridge 333 H enables a longer period of operation before the next cartridge replacement. The low-toner alert feature sends reminders to user to prepare replacement cartridges to avoid any downtime. 

Incorporated with power-saving features such as Sleep Mode and Auto Shutdown, power consumption is minimised to as low as 0.8W when the printer is not in use. The new Auto Shutdown function allows the printer to power off automatically after a period of idle, promoting not only eco-friendliness but also eventual total cost of savings. 

Pricing and Availability

The imageCLASS LBP8100n monochrome laser printer is now available at authorised Canon distributors and dealers at $1,099. 

Specification Summary

Print

Print Speed: 30ppm (A4) / 15ppm (A3)

Print Resolution: 600 x 600dpi

Print Quality with Image Refinement: 1200 x1200dpi (equivalent), 2400 (equivalent) x 600dpi

Print Language: UFRII LT

Paper Handling

Paper Input (Standard cassette based on 60-84g/m2): 250 sheets

Paper Size:

(Standard cassette) A3, B4, A4, B5, A5, Ledger, Letter, Legal, Executive, Foolscap 

(Custom Size) 210.0-297.0mm x 148.0-431.8mm

General Specifications 

Memory (RAM): 128MB

Dimensions (W x D x H): 514 x 463 x 282mm

Weight: Approx. 21.0kg (without cartridge)

Power consumption (during standby): Approx. 30W (Average)

Toner Cartridge: (Cartridge 333) 10,000 pages, (Cartridge 333 H) 17,000 pages

Recommended Monthly Print Volume: 2,000 - 5,000 pages

Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 50,000 pages

If you require an event photographer, wedding photographer or any other professional photography services, do email me at see323@yahoo.com.sg . You can also message me at my  FACEBOOK account. To view my photos, click My Flicker Photos

Sony Extends “Through My Eyes” Campaign with RX Cyber-shot™ Cameras

Be amazed by the nuances of daily lives through the eyes of three acclaimed photography enthusiasts from Singapore. Sony today launches the “RX Cyber-shot™ Through My Eyes” influencer campaign, an extension of the “α7 Through My Eyes” campaign announced earlier this May.

With different photography backgrounds and styles, these photographers will showcase brilliant and interesting shots taken using the RX Cyber-shot™ cameras from Sony on a designated microsite. This campaign will also see them share all things photography – from their motivations, challenges, and experiences. Additionally, they will also share thoughts and tips on using the RX Cyber-shot™ cameras – all available on the microsite.

RX Cyber-shot™ photography influencers:

Danny Santos (Portrait & Street Photographer)

What began as a casual hobby of taking candid photographers of strangers in Orchard Road every weekend got professional photographer Danny into where he is today – a professional photographer who specialises in portraiture and street photography. Danny set out his photograph journey with the aim to capture interesting characters and scenes of everyday life on the streets. After three years of casual street photography, his work was recognised and featured on numerous blogs, news sites, and international magazines. A graphic designer then, Danny quit his job and pursued photography as a full-time career. With a broad clientele, Danny now juggles between commercial work for his clients and creating personal photography projects for himself.

Blog:	http://www.dannyst.com
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/dannyst.photography
Twitter:	https://twitter.com/dannysantos
Instagram:	https://instagram.com/dannyst/

Edwin Koo (Documentary Photographer)

Well-known for his recent project entitled “Transit”, which “captures the daily theatre” of commuters of the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Edwin is an independent documentary photographer who focuses on issues relating to human displacement and a lost sense of identity. Edwin’s work has been recognised internationally. He was awarded the Getty Images Grant for Editorial Photography and his work on Pakistan won a third placing in the UNICEF Photo of the Year. In 2012, he was awarded the ICON de Martell Cordon Bleu, which recognises a Singaporean artist for an outstanding body of photographic work. 

Blog:	http://www.edwinkoo.com
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/singaporeson?_rdr
Twitter:	https://twitter.com/kookookookoo
Instagram:	https://instagram.com/singaporeson/

Kevin Lee (Street Photographer)

Kevin is the founder of Invisible Photographer Asia (IPA), a leading and influential platform for Photography and Visual Arts in Asia. As a photographer and creative director, Kevin also actively participates in art and photography across Asia as a practitioner, producer, editor, and in curation. Some of these events and workshops include the IPA Photo Workshops, The IPA Awards, and South East Asia’s first Photobook Festival. Kevin has also served in a jury for well-known photography programmes and competitions such as Singapore Creative Circle Awards, Angkor Photo Workshop, and the Kuala Lumpur International Photoawards.

Blog:	http://invisiblephotographer.asia / http://www.kevinwylee.com/
Facebook:	https://www.facebook.com/invisiblephotographer /https://www.facebook.com/kwylee
Twitter:	https://twitter.com/InvisPhotogAsia / https://twitter.com/kevinwylee
Instagram:	https://instagram.com/invisphotogasia

For more information about the Sony “RX Cyber-Shot™ Through My Eyes” campaign, visit www.sony.com.sg/rx-professionals

If you require an event photographer, wedding photographer or any other professional photography services, do email me at see323@yahoo.com.sg . You can also message me at my  FACEBOOK account. To view my photos, click My Flicker Photos

PARIS HOLIDAY (巴黎假期) Movie Review

SYNOPSIS

Kit leaves Hong Kong for Paris with a broken heart, to start a new page of life and venturing into the wine business. Through real estate agent, Lau Chung, he finds a shared apartment with a weird tenant, Man, a desperate artist going through a bad breakup.

Man hates men after a devastating breakup, in order to get along with Man under the same roof, Kit pretends to be gay. At the beginning, Man’s eccentric and insane behavior gets onto Kit’s nerve, but after knowing Man’s heartbreaking past by chance, Kit decides to stay and teaches Man how to get over a failed relationship, as this is exactly what he has encountered in the past. Kit also helps Man ignites her passion for drawing, which allows Man to regain her confidence and balance in life. Soon, the two get closer and falls for each other.

One day, Man bumps into her ex-fiancé Fai, she is shocked but surprised that she no longer felt any pain - she has really overcome the past relationship with the help and support of Kit. Meanwhile, when Kit and Man are going to move a step forward, Kit’s ex-girlfriend comes to Paris causing misunderstandings which takes a toll on the relationship.

Cast

Starring : Louis Ko, Kuo Tsai-Chieh, Alex Fong, Janice Man, Jeremy Jones Tsui, Hu Jing, Candy Liu

Directed by : James Yuen

Review

This endearing film is about love, its ups and downs, agony and bliss in all its complexity. But it is made simple by the relationship of a man, charismatically played by Louis Ko, and a woman whose challenging role is convincingly taken by Kuo Tsai-Chieh. Both were escaping from failed relationships and were thrown together in Paris in unexpected, awkward and sometimes humorous situations. 

Through the relationship emerge the lessons about love. In times when love is lost, support of friends is critical to your recovery. In our pursuit of success and material wealth, we often take for granted loved ones until they are gone. There are ‘devils and angels’ in relationships and you need to see them as a part and parcel of your life in order to move on. The director, James Yuen, has ably woven into the story poignant and tender moments, with a touch of romance thrown in. Set in Paris, with Eiffel Tower often as a backdrop, the film offers a glimpse of the enchanting city as well as the peculiarity of some Parisian neighbours.

For those in love, the film will bring them the warmth and comfort of having a ‘soul mate’, a point repeated in the story. For those not yet in love or unfortunate enough to be out of love, the film gives hope and a sense of maturity to take one step at a time and learn to enjoy each step taken with the people around you. I found this film well worth the time spent and enjoyed every moment of it.

Rating

I shall rate it at 4/5. The movie will be showing in cinema on the 13 Aug 2015. 

TRAILER 

If you require an event photographer, wedding photographer or any other professional photography services, do email me at see323@yahoo.com.sg . You can also message me at my  FACEBOOK account. To view my photos, click My Flicker Photos