A Chinese Ghost Story (倩女幽魂)

A Chinese Ghost Story (1987) (倩女幽魂) is another HK box office hit movie from producer Tsui Hark (徐文光) and director Tony Ching Siu Tong (程小東) which spawned numerous similarly theme movies around the late 80s. It is loosely based on one of several hundreds short stories contain in 18th century's Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio (聊齋誌異) by Pu Songling (蒲松齡), written during the Qing Dynasty. Behind the veil of horror, action and comedy, it is actually a romance story between a human and a ghost, a much discussed taboo during the ancient time. There is nothing scary about the movie (although Esther has a fright watching this movie when she was younger), instead the main highlight would be the entertaining aspect of the entire plot.

This movie launches Taiwanese beauty Joey Wang's popularity and cemented the late Leslie Cheung's stardom and as THE super heartthrob in millions of Asian teenagers during that period.

Also starred in this movie is Lau Siu Ming, the sandpaper voice veteran actor more popularly known in his TVB hit series than in movies, the legendary Wu Ma, as well as cameo appearance by slapstick director Wong Jing.

The movie is about a poor scholar Ning Choi San (Leslie) who works as a debt collector to supplement his income. This requires him to travel afar and one day, he came to this town for a scheduled debt collection when he came across a swordsman chasing after some bandits, resulting in a fearful Ning running away from a hut during heavy rain. The rain ruined the records contain in his book, thus the debtor refuses to pay up to Ning. Without the collection of which he is entitled for a percentage to cover his travelling and accommodation expenses, Ning has no choice but to seek a shelter to spend a night. He is ill-advised by a funeral director to go stay at Nan Yuk Tze, an abandoned temple highly reputed to be haunted. He has no choice but to go. Also staying at the temple is a recluse former magistrate now Taoist priest Yin Tze Ha (Wu Ma) who is in the midst of a sword fight with the earlier swordsman who wants to challenge Yin to claim the number one position in swords play. Yin manages to defeat him and advise Ning not to stay in the temple. Ning refuses and stays on, resulting in some stop motion zombies seeking to eat him. These zombies are human corpses killed and stored away by Lou Lou (Lau Siu Ming with a dual voice over), a thousand years old androgynous tree demon which sucks both flesh and soul from its victim using its giant tongue. Lou Lou is assisted by Nie Siu Xin (Joey Wang), a spirit of a concubine killed by one of the wives of a lord and then hastily buried near the roots of the tree demon. She would seduce unsuspecting (and horny) travellers, and whilst "pre-occupied", Lou Lou's tongue would crept up into their throats and suck out everything, leaving an empty husk. The swordsman defeated by Yin would eventually became a victim right after the duel. Ning meanwhile hears a someone plays a qin in the middle of the night and wanders off to find out. He stumbles upon Siu Xin. Ning thought she is human and daughter of some prominent families. He did not fall for her immediately and Siu Xin saves him several times from Lou Lou when she realises he is different and naive. After being made clear by Yin that Siu Xin is a spirit, Ning initially wanted to run away from her but realises he is deeply in love with her by then, and decides to free her from from Lou Lou, who has betroth Siu Xin to the Lord of Black Mountain, another ancient, monstrous demon who commands an army of fallen soldiers. With the assistance of Yin, they manages to free Siu Xin and defeated Lou Lou (who was cast away for a century by Yin's spell but would return for a final showdown in the movie second sequel) but alas, before the dawn breaks, of which Yin and Ning would have to rebury Siu Xin's urn in order for her to reincarnate, the Lord of Black Mountain came and snatch her away into the Underworld to fulfill the contract promised by Lou Lou. Ning and Yin have no choice but to travel deep into the Underworld to save Siu Xin from the vile demon, which turns out to keep hundreds of female spirits within its body for eternity. Both Ning and Yin nearly lost their lives in the subsequent battle but are save by Siu Xin and the Golden Sutra. Coming back into the real world, without much time left, Ning, without even the chance to glance Siu Xin for the final time, bid farewell to her as she disappears.

This movie also gave the late Leslie Cheung one of his most memorable hit songs as well as another one from the late hit song writer, James Wong Jim. The sad ballad from Sally Yeh at the end of the movie also won her a best original score.

Esther ~ knitting Dylan and Suet Nees' shoes.

Esther has been knitting these baby shoes for Dylan and Suet Nee, of which she bought the pattern from a website. Nice! She plans to re-inforce the sole with maybe hemp materials so that eventually if she make one for Chloe, she would be able to use it for walking.

Chloe and Dylan ~ photos.

Brought the two precious to 1-Utama for a little outing last Saturday. Dylan is growing up quickly and very much take on some personalities from his sister, which is shouting and raising his voice all the time. We went to Fish and Co. for lunch but we suspected the taste went abit off tangent that day. The portions are also smaller...at the back of the restaurant is a row of aquarium which is part of 1-Utama's tropical forest enclave. I bought some fish pallets and fed the fishes. Chloe joined in but she is still learning how to "throw" the pellets properly into the fish tanks. Also bought her a pair of Croc at Parade last Sunday with some "jibitz" which she thought are stickers. She insists Esther to take it off for her. I am biased against Croc slip on, not quality, of which is plenty and well built but the design which reminds me of Dutch clogs...

Mom's birthday.

We went to this place in Puchong to celebrate mom's birthday called Cheong Kee, a rather non-descript restaurant but pack to the brim with customers. The dishes are alright but the prawn cook in butter is rather bland. For her present this year, we bought her a nice black leather handbag. Nothing fancy but it is the "heart" that counts.

Outlaws Of The Marsh.

Finally, I completed reading the entire three volumes of Outlaws of the Marsh aka Water Margin (水滸傳) (14th Century) by Shi Nai'an (施耐庵) (ca. 1296—1372) and Luo Guanzhong (羅貫中) (ca. 1330-1400). Translated by Sidney Shapiro (沙博理) (1915 ~) and published by the Beijing Foreign Language Press back in 1980, I have been "hunting" for this edition for quite a while until I manage to get it by chance at KLCC's Kinokuniya bookstore last year. Bound in hardcover with dust jacket, nevertheless the pages are quite fragile and the binding is not the best of quality. A page came off, much to my dismay for the price I forked out for it. The volumes also contain some illustrations. The epic is said to be loosely base on a series of different stories told verbally and then "knitted" together. It is also said that some characters like outlaw leader Song Jiang is a real historical persona. Considered one of the Four Great Classical Novel of Chinese Literature (四大名著) which includes Romance Of The Three Kingdoms (三國演義) (14th Century), The Journey To The West (西遊記) (16th Century) and Dream Of The Red Chamber (紅樓夢) (18th Century), which replaces the infamous The Plum In The Golden Vase aka The Golden Lotus (金瓶梅) (15th Century) upon its publication.

Containing 100 chapters, it deals with the trials and tribulations of each members of the 108 outlaws of the Liangshan Marsh, how they come together, as well as their meteoric rise and eventual tragic downfall, around the mid Song Dynasty. Majority of the chapters began with introduction of each of the key characters and their background, as to how and why they becomes an outlaw, usually due to a certain level of social injustice they suffered. These individuals are depicted as full of honour, loyalty and chivralous, with the collective objective of setting any injustice right and rebel against the highly corrupted ministers and officials occupying the government during that time. Curiously the outlaws held a high level of loyalty to the Emperor and hope that he will forgive them and get rid of the unscrupulous officials surrounding him. However, there are occasional scenes of excessive violence, described in graphic details, which left me uncomfortable at times. These include massacre of an entire family, including childrens and those not responsible, as well as the brutal killings/multilations of adulterous wives.

There has been ongoing debate as to who is the original author of this epic. Some say Shi Nai'an is a psyeudonym of Luo Guanzhong, some argued that he is a student of Shi Nai'an, whilst others say that Shi Nai'an wrote the books and Luo Guanzhong edits it. Nothing can be confirmed. There is a saying that when one is young, avoid reading Outlaws of the Marsh and when one is old, avoid reading The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Chloe ~ toy helicopter.

Bought Chloe a RC miniature helicopter on my way out from Berjaya Times Square when I was there two days ago, her first encounter with any device with RC capability. She is both fasinated and scared by it. Sasa took the lead and immediate showed Chloe and Suetch on how to control the flight...she's an expert, even I could not balance it in the air for more than 2 minutes!

Later at night on 1st April 2009, we bought mom out for a small celebration of her 60th birthday. Happy birthday mom. Thanks for everything thus far. Gave her a small red packet for prosperity and good health...the actual uhmm grand celebration has been plan from this Sat...still cracking my head on what to get her...the food's not bad but neither is that great...nevermind, hopefully to make up for her by this weekend. Chloe and Suetch got both their hands dirtied by touching the signboard...fascinated with the illustrations.

Takara Kerberos Panzer Cop Saga ~ Panzer Jäger Tetsorou Kai.

A (mis) interpretation :

Name : Tetsuya König.
Age : 28 years old.
Rank : Major -Molosser Panzerjäger Spezialkräfte; 1st Panzer Lehr Division; Japan Ground Self Defense Force Bodenselbstverteidigungsstreitkräfte.
Armour Type : Spezial Panzer Anzug Typ 61 (Pz.Kpfk.61).
Std. Armaments : Maschinengewehr 42 machine gun, Panzerfaust 60 anti-tank weapon, Luger P08 artillery sidearm; Stielhandgranate model 24 hand grenades, "Stahlfraser" katana, "Molosser Klauen" steel claws.

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Latest fifth release from Takara (the male Panzer Cop, the three variants of female versions) on their Kerberos Saga range, called Tetsorou Kai of the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. The is the military ie Panzer Jäger protect suit version based on the prototype first used during the Battle Of Stalingrad. It is bulkier and fuller comparitively, with equally excellent articulation expected from Takara on this range. I like the tougher, heavier armour design, and the olive green is actually ok as oppose to when I first saw it on web. The hound mask is different and looks very much fiercer than the Panzer Cop version. Molosser, mentioned in the Wiki, is an ancient war hound. The base Stahlhelm helmet is the same but comes with a separate front half helmet to be strapped on. As usual, I have issue with their decals but a little extra caution carry will get the job done...although the part where I slot in the second bullet cartridge broke when I pressed too hard...luckily it attached back albeit abit loose...the tube where it attach to the breathing mask seem glue on and felt like it is going to give up soon (which I cross my finger it won't happen)...nice to see it actually come with an additional faceless head, for easier slip on of the balaclava, but I suppose it has got to do with some complaints that the fabric is staining the character's face after a while. The weapon which comes with it include the removable grenades attach to both legs (and can be removed to be placed either on the lower legs or on the tight area) and the infamous anti-tank rifle, Panzerbüchse 39 (PzB 39)  which, historically, is discontinued halfway through WWII due to improvement of Allied tanks armour and also reliability issue. Subsequently, I decided to arm this guy with a MG-42, supposedly as an upgrade to the military as opposed to Panzer Cop usage of MG-34. Decided to ditch the Panzerbusche 39 (passing it to the kitbash Panzer Cop sniper instead) to a metal Panzerfaust 60, metal link bullets from MG08 (which by the way not accurate but looks cool), replace the hand grenades with metal version, all from DID, and finally, an arm shield from a spare Kerberos parts to "ensure" better bullet feeding to the MG 42, a pair of extra knee pad from another Molosser, as elbow padding. Again my amaturish attempt at "recreating" an alternative senario for the creation of the Molosser did not work out..this time round, I am lazy and bulk of infos from Wiki. Couple of months later, got imaginative (well, as creative as my dull-ish mind could achieve anyhow...), took off the half baked backpack and replaced it with a proper one, courtesy of a Kerberos police officer. Then added those ninja era three claws (from Hot Toys) like thingy onto each of his hand, to serve as...claws of the hound (whatever that means..) plus a nice katana, shovel, food canteen (?), coz I wanted him to be like a human panzer tank. In real life, this poor fella would have been weighed down severely by the load alone hehe. But then this is fiction and I am happy to let it run wild. And that's the beauty and enjoyment of kitty bashing a figure I suppose. Finger cross he won't collapse under his own weight :P

Samurai Jeans S510XX ~ 24 oz leather patch depiction.

I can't help but laugh when I saw the latest depiction of Miyamoto Musashi (宮本 武蔵) and Sasaki Kojirō (佐々木 小次郎) which Samurai Jeans use for their 2009 limited edition 24oz super heavy weight version of their Samurai range basic model S510XX. As tradition, the heavier the denim use, the more uhm, muscular the characters...but this is waaayyyy too far out. Looks like the 2 legendary swordsmen gone on a food binge! There is nothing muscular about it...more like Big Momma's House. Hahahaha. Image taken from 2nd Rakuten Shop website.