The Glamour - Christopher Priest

1 victim, 2 witnesses, and 3 statements, which side the story we should listen to.

The story was written backwards but it seemed the other way round. One of the characters, Richard suffered from amnesia, which he had lost partial of his memories. There were so many versions of his life, one from his hypnotised sections and the other from Sue. One happened in France and the other happened in the UK, which left me thinking which was the real version. When he started to believe Sue’s version, the intrusion came in when Richard found out Niall (Sue’s ex) knew everything about him, not simply “things” but his future. Everything suddenly became surreal. How could Niall know everything? Or he simply was just being schizophrenic.

"Wish you were here,” signed X. the post card from France.

Christopher Priest led us to a huge confusion. Especially the post cards, they appeared in the story 3 times featured 3 versions, First before the accident was sent by Richard, Second also before the accident was sent by Niall and third after the accident was sent by Richard. Again, which was the actual one?

"We all make fictions. Not one of us is what we seem. ... The urge to rewrite ourselves as real-seeming fictions is present in us all. In the glamour of our wishes we hope that our real selves will not be visible."

Once the narrator revealed what was the true meaning of ‘the glamour’, which was the invisibility of a person. It was like playing a jigsaw puzzle, pieces by pieces you assembled a world in front of you. When I tried to relate the whole idea of glamour to the world, it does make sense; people are always trying to hide things from each other, at home, at work, everything, and everywhere. People always hide the truth of themselves, which is why people switch on their invisible mode.

No matter you were invisible or not, people could still sense the differences. People knew you were hiding something. There is no absolute invisibility. Not knowing the truth doesn’t mean not aware of its authenticity.

It seemed like there was someone invisible behind me forcing me to turn the pages, pushing my head down. I just can’t stop myself thinking about the book. Christopher Priest really got the power to pull me into the story. This book was first published in 1984, more than 2 decades now, its actually timeless, it will captivate you within seconds.

Something Like Summer – Jay Bell

There is something unique about this book, which set it apart from its genre. Sometimes homosexual themed novels could be carried away by the idealistic life of a peaceful gay world or the protagonist always ended up with the hot cute guy or happily ever after endings. “Something like Summer” does fit into one of these shoes, however, unlike the others it presented in a more sophisticated way which takes us on a roller coaster ride.

Jay Bell takes us through Benjamin Bentley’s life. Ben came out when he was 14. Since then he had been with different curious guys, no one was really looking for long lasting love but just fooling around with him. Until one day he saw a cute jogger in his neighborhood and hoping one day they could be boyfriends. And of course life wasn’t always we hoped it was but life continued. So what happens?

The novel is broken down into 3 parts: one, high school, two, college and three, adulthood. Life is supposed to be full of surprises and dilemmas. Despite that the fact that sometimes it could be easily fit into those cheesy scenarios, then these relatable crossroads pulling you closer to Ben, feeling as helpless as Ben keep your fingers turning the pages urging your mind read faster than your actions. It would be a tough call for me, if I were Ben. I guess most of us would feel the same way too. It’s already difficult to forget your first love; it would be even harder if you have unsettled feelings for them. I kept asking myself when I was reading it, would I do the same? I love about this novel is that it kept me thinking throughout my read.

It’s really hard to run away from those stupid little mistakes we made, the real challenge is how we handle them. One wrong move could cost your entire relationship. And how strong your relationship is could also put into account. I don't know why I felt I was in Ben’s shoes, not that I have any similar happened to me. It’s the power of the author, how he decided to write about a life of a person, it feels like I was growing up with Ben. Sometime this kind of story would get a bit boring but not this one.

The story is a bit unexpected, not a bad ending nor a happy ending. I was dumbfounded and needed some time to take in what I have read, in a good way. Overall it became one of my all time favourites. And I have to say there aren’t many on that list. So I’m really impressed.

Boy A – John Crowley

Eric Wilson (Andrew Garfield) is given a new identity when he is released – Jack Burridge, in order to help him readjust life after spending years in juvenile prison for murder. Under the help from a rehabilitation worker Jake is given a job and a place to live.

No matter what he had done in the past, Jack seems to be a genuine, good person. From the fresh backs of his childhood we know he was brought up in a broken family, alcoholic father and a mother dying from cancer. Constantly being bullied. He was never a bad kid. When the bad influence and malevolent Philip Craig came to the picture, Jack quickly follow suit Philip’s behaviours maybe his loneliness drive to the hands of evil. Later we learnt that Philip was sexual abused by his brother. It seemed to explain his provocative actions.

This is not a typical get back to the society story, it’s about a kid never once has stepped his feet into the world. The movie did not mention any of his imprisonment. It starts from his last day of prison. He has been living in discipline almost his entire life. His soul is purified and innocent. How he interacts with the actual world is compelling to watch but yet brutal.

Something is haunting Jack, the real reason why his friend Philip Craig (the second defendant of the drastic murder) reported committed suicide but Jack suggested it was the opposite. Neither of boys took the sole responsibility of the murder, neither of them gave any detail to determine who should be locked longer. Which implies the close bond between the boys. The story implicated Philip was the troublemaker. And it was Philip who started it. The story never reveals the truth but it was obvious.

From the beginning of the movie we could almost predict the ending. Why he has to change his identity? Which implies people are not forgetful, in order to live a better life one must change ones name to penetrate the people without a trace. How ironic people say giving others second chance which only implies to those with minor record.

People are not perfect, and every single one of us deserves a second chance. We have no right to deprive others’ chances because of our prejudice and preconception.

FM84 2011/5/9 Vol 2

FM84 逢周二下午六時播放


第一節【兩位主持本周電影口味分享，少不了品評一下本周新上畫電影】
本周上畫 / Tony要強烈為大隻雷Thor辯護，討伐4res / 由《Limitless》（逆天潛能）的藥物借用引伸至美少女戰士其中一集？ / 阿根廷電影《XXY》（我是女生，也是男生）帶出的性別錯摸很值得深思




第二節【音樂雜談】Tony主理
樂隊Hurts訪港，Tony熱熾推介 / Billboard榜動態更新，歌曲飆升有時似股市 / Lady Gaga新歌MV出街Tony無好感？ / Maroon 5也來香港，Tony棒場




第三節【電影專題雜談】4res主理
Pixar 25周年展覽介紹 / 4res和Tony一人選一套最喜愛的Pixar作品

FM84 2011/5/2 Vol 1

FM84 逢周二下午六時播放

第一節【兩位主持本周電影口味分享，少不了品評一下本周新上畫電影】

本周上畫 / Tony和4res看了些甚麼 / 順便講兩句itunes有相當廉宜的電影租貸服務？

第二節【音樂雜談】Tony主理

美國藝人銷量提升法 / Lady Gaga新碟上榜只能踏入梗頸十；力邀Britney Spears作featuring的Rihanna終如願登上Number One趕落Katy Perry / 來自美劇Glee的音樂推介

第三節【電影專題雜談】4res主理

由3D肉蒲團延伸至本土情慾片的文化？ / Tony推介兩套歐美情色電影

Twelve – Joel Schumacher

Consider this is a crossover between Gossip Girl and Skins. It’s Spring Break on the Upper East Side. We don't need too many details to determine how wasted our generation is. The story is based on the controversial novel written by Nick McDonell published when he was 17. Which many people questioned whether his background or his connection got him the deal or the opposite.

The story opens with White Mike (Chase Crawford from Gossip Girl) the drug dealer once wealthy but after his mother’s death he dropped out from school and started dealing with his ex-classmates. White Mike is the key to the story. He intertwines with every one. with the narrator Kiefer Sutherland gives us enough information to understand the characters we don't have to ponder much.

I like idea of having a bunch of spoiled kids trying to have some fun in their Spring Break. The story doesn't really focus on anyone maybe White Mike but it's the full picture makes it more appealing even the so-called good kids are willing to buy drugs for the people they like. Kids with good grades would sacrifice their virginity for drugs. The desire of being in page 6, wanted to get laid and more. In my eyes I don’t see any bad kids, they are just struggling to stay tune with their peers or even standout from them. They don’t have any intention to hurt anybody but mostly they are selfish and self-centered.

I don’t think it matters if we can’t remember who’s who in the movie. This is just not the point. The movie is just making a statement by telling people no matter how beautiful they seem to be, deep down there is an unleashed monster awaiting a chance to ambush their pray in order to get what they want.

This is just a peek in today adolescent’s life. What I see lead to all this is the lack of parental attention, I am not taking about supervision or guidance. They are just not there when their kids needed them. All they need is some love from their parents.

I do have to admit there is way too much of narrating. I believe the audiences are smart enough to understand what is really happening. Would have loved the movie more if there had been less or no VO.

To me this is just sheer reality.

Buried – Rodrigo Cortés

Waking up in a confined wooden coffin, buried somewhere in the middle of Iraq. With a blackberry, a Zippo and a pencil. Do you think you find your ground again?

We stay under ground in the wooden box through out the entire movie, and the only person we could see is Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) a contracted truck driver working in Iraq. Somehow he is buried alive, and luckily he isn't buried deep, as he can still use his cell phone. Later we leant that he is intentionally being held captive.

They are not terrorists, they are just like Paul, the provider of the family, and somehow their jobs are taken away by foreign employ. It is clear what they want is money. Otherwise, they would not go down to this path, holding people hostage asking for ransom. We could only guess they had been mistreated and they wanted to be heard. That’s why they are asking Paul to make videos and making it public.

On the other side, Paul is asked to stay focus not to make any irrational moves like making the video. Trying every possible way to find help. At the end, he received a phone call by his contractor telling him his contract has been terminated due to some reason, through which the contractor will hold no responsibility of Paul’s situation and even if he is dead, the insurance company will not need to pay a dime for his lost. How irresponsible!

Given a cell phone, seems a wonderful idea of getting help. The truth is the endless call waitings, atrocious reception, and insane voice mails make it impossible to get through. Communication nowadays should bring convenience not complication.

We tell lies to comfort people. To avoid the inevitable - let them lose hope. People will sacrifice themselves in order to live. However, not every dream comes true with the sacrifice made. The only thing you could do is keeping your finger crossed.

It is really hard to make a good movie in such quality with this limited budget. Let alone only one actor is hire for the movie. The movie draws your attentions by music, lighting and the actor. You couldn’t rely on anything more but the thrilling plot and the cinematograph.

The intensity comes from idea of being jailed in a limited movement environment together with the darkness. The director Rodrigo Cortés is definitely trying to infect us with claustrophobia. And giving Ryan Reynolds a chance to prove he is worth more than a vase.