DigitalRev TV: Cameras, light & action

For the past few months, I have been researching seriously about what DSLR camera I should get. I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a DSLR for over a year. I’ve been learning a bit about the mechanics of a camera and lenses, TLR, SLR, mirrorless, ¾, full frame. But I'm still having great difficulty on deciding what I want.

In terms of cameras, my family has always owned a canon camera – we use to shoot on film. Then I got 2 canon point and shoot cameras, the ixus and ixy. I love my canon cameras; it’s easy to use, produces great colored pictures, has some nice art filters. So naturally, I would stay loyal to the brand and get a canon DSLR like the 60D, 600D right?

Well, that’s what I initially thought. After going to camera stores and picking the brains of experts, my friends and watching DigitalRev TV my mind has changed some what.

Let me tell you about DigitalRev TV, well it’s a show about cameras. It’s one of the most entertaining shows I’ve seen, I’m absolutely obsessed with the show now. Think of UK’s TV show Top gear but instead of featuring cars, the show features cameras. Like Top Gear, DigitalRev TV has 3 hosts: Kai, Lok and Alamby.

Kai is the frontman of the show, his humor is similar to Jeremy Clarkson’s – it’s blunt and he comes up with some classic one liners. In one video he referred to Justin Bieber as a singing foetus. His humor is bloody brilliant.

From the show I learnt that Canon cameras are large plastic things and the lenses are cheap plastic. Olympus OMD M-5 has a magnesium alloy body with weather sealing. All the features of the SLR are in a more compact size in the OMD M-5. The smaller camera is more ideal for the traveler. Currently I'm leaning towards the Olympus M5, but I shall ponder a tiny bit longer about it. I want to be 100% happy with my purchase.

Back to DigitalRev TV, some of my favourite moments include Kai and Lok painting DSLR cameras (they are not cheap) PINK! Such as a canon 600D, Nikon D7000 even a Leica M8 camera!!! I enjoyed their smoke photography tutorial (let me mention they nearly burnt the apartment down!! Don't worry, they had a bucket of water lying nearby LOL!)

I’ve posted one of my fave DigitalRev episodes below, check it out =) This is where they just abuse a canon 7D camera to test out its durability. You'll be surprise at how much the 7D could handle.

America’s Next Top Model – Nicholas Tse

Hong Kong superstar Nicholas Tse guest starred in this week’s episode of America’s next top model.

5 finalist remain in the competition and they were flown to Hong Kong for the last part of the competition. For this week’s challenge, Nicholas Tse had the girls act in fight sequence. The winner of the challenge would get to star in an upcoming music video of his.

Nicholas did some demos of fight sequences, displaying his professionalism and skills. The contestants were very impressed with  him. The entertaining part was when the girls had to learn the fight sequence. It was obvious the girls are no Maggie Q or Angelina Jolie. A lot of the times the girls looked rather awkward or un-coordinated. It just shows that it’s hard to do action sequences and make them look natural and not rehearsed or contrived.

It was really cool to see Nicholas Tse in America’s Next Top Model.

CMovie news – The Monkey King (2012)

One of the most anticipated films for 2012 is The Monkey King. This blockbuster film has a budget of 60 million USD, it will be filmed in IMAX-3D.

Martial artists Donnie Yen will be playing the title role of the Monkey King. The Monkey role is such an iconic martial arts role in film and TV, and only skilled martial artists are cast in the role. Previous actors who’ve played the Monkey King include: Jet Li, Dicky Cheung, Masaaki Sakai.

The other cast members - let me tell you, it is the D-R-E-A-M cast. Chow Yun-Fat is Jade Emperor. Aaron Kwok is the Bull Demon King. Peter Ho is Erlang Shen. Kelly Chen is Guan Yin. It is a very exciting cast.

The promotional pictures of the film have been circulating the internet. They look great! I really can’t wait to watch this film and see how they interpret the legend of Monkey.

Keep an eye out for it next year! I will keep you posted.

Cmovie Review: Mr & Mrs Incredible (2011)

In this Hong Kong superhero flick, Louis Koo and Sandra Ng play two retired superheroes living in a small village as normal civilians. None of the villagers know of their crime fighting past, and they work hard to hide their superpowers. It's been 10 years since they retired and sometimes they miss their glory days.

Now Mr and Mrs Flint are starting to feel a bit bored with their ordinary lives. Interesting events unfold, causing the couple to think about coming out of retirement.

I didn't know what to expect when I watched this film. From memory I haven't watched a Hong Kong superhero before (It's always been action, crime, romcom). It's always good to watch a movie without expectations and be open to wherever the movie takes you.

This is a very funny film, Louis and Sandra are equally funny, they have great comic timing and chemistry. They both played the characters so well that I can't imagine anyone else in the role. I really enjoyed watching them on screen and banter each other.

There isn't a lot of action or violence in this film compared to Batman, Spiderman. This is more of a comedy, an exploration in to the lives of retired superheroes. I felt the villains could have been introduced earlier in the movie to create more suspense. Also, the film was too neat for my liking, I would have liked to see the heroes sweat it out a bit more.

Overall, this is a fun and enjoyable film.

3.5/5 stars

HK Movie Review - Don't go breaking my heart (2011)

Listen to podcast
Dont go breaking my heart 2011 HK movie review by CherriiPOP

Check out the theme song 'Love is Simple' by David Tao


It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of romcoms. I feel that I’m a walking encyclopedia on this topic, I’ve seen so many romcoms under the sun. A lot of them have become predictable, with movie makers recycling ideas.
I’ve worked out the basic formula of the romcom:

• A love triangle – A romcom always needs tension in relationships
• A rich guy in the love triangle – He adds that fairytale, opulence factor to the movie. Giving the girl the stars, the moon... so to speak
• The guy next door, in love triangle – He’s the one that pic

This leads me to my next movie review. HK romcom 'Don't go breaking my heart'. This is a great romcom film, one of the best I have seen. This film introduces a lot of new elements, reinvigorating the overdone romcom genre. This movie is fresh and fun.

Listen to podcast for a more detailed review

Any girl stuck in a love triangle with Louis Koo and Daniel Wu is super lucky! Gao Yuanyuan plays Chi Yan a woman who is unlucky in love. Her luck changes when she meets these 2 very different and very handsome guys Sean (Louis Koo) and Kevin (Daniel Wu). Sean is the arrogant rich guy who sets out to woo her in lavish style. Kevin isn't quite the guy next door, he looks like a bum but his character is very caring and sweet.

Louis Koo is so so HILARIOUS!!! He had me rolling on the floor laughing in some scenes. Other scenes he made me gush. Daniel Wu definitely brings a lot of warmth to his character. Gao Yuan Yuan character is very likable, she certainly has a tough decision to make.

Very funny film! Definitely a fave of mine alongside romcoms: Bridget Jone's Diary, Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The back up plan, My Tutor Friend, Love Actually to name a few.

3.5/5 stars

Kim Hyun Joong releases his debut solo album

Popular Korean singer/actor Kim Hyun Joong will be releasing his first mini album across Asia on June 8th. Key that date in fans. The album ‘Break Down’ will be released in Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore on the same date.

The track listing has been revealed, the song on the album are:
- Break down
- Intro (Let me go)
- Please
- Kiss Kiss
- Yes I will

Kim Hyun Joong the lead singer of the boy group SS501 decided to release a solo album a while back - it’s great to see that his album will be released very soon. Keep an eye out for it.

Kung Fu Fighting Flight Attendants

Cabin crews from Hong Kong Airlines are practicing the ancient martial arts - Kung fu. They are made to learn Kung Fu to help build team spirit. Another reason for cabin crews learning kung fu is so they can handle drunk or disturbing passengers.

Wouldn’t it be cool to watch a flight attendant bust out a Jackie Chan move on flight against a bad guy? With their fitted uniforms, attendants would have lots of trouble doing kung fu moves. I question whether they will ever use kung fu while on the plane. I do like the idea of employees learning kung fu for good health.

Eva Chan, deputy general manager of corporate communication discussed an example where kung fu training helped employees. These are her exact words: “Normally, a female cabin crew can’t handle a fat guy, especially if he’s drunk, but because of the training, she can handle it quite easy.”

So...The Kung Fu training helps flight attendants move fat guys. If the girls need to build up strength, they can just do weight training? Learning Kung Fu may be overshooting it.

I was thinking, wouldn’t it be cool to have a kung fu movie set on a plane? Flight attendants will fight horrible passengers and teach them a lesson throughout the flight. It could star Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Maggie Q. One of my favourite Kung Fu movies is ‘Shaolin Soccer’ directed by Stephen Chow. I should pitch this idea to him. I will name this movie ‘Airway Kung Fu’. Wow! I came up with an original movie premise! I'm quite happy with myself today =D

Veteran Hong Kong Actor dies 5 times in 5 TV dramas over 24 hours

Hong Kong actors are the most hardworking actors in the world I reckon. Veteran actor Law Lok-Lam, 63, was seen dying 5 times on 5 different TV dramas over 24 hours last week.

Here are the TV shows and how his character was killed off:
Grace Under Fire - Died during martial arts battle
Fate to Fate - Vomited blood
Police Station No. 7 - death was mentioned, no scenes of it
Virtues of harmony - death was mentioned, no scenes of it
Relic of an Emissary - Emperor died of illness

When Hong Kong actors characters are killed off in a TV series, they are given a red envelope with money for good luck. Law got lots of red envelopes for 5 character deaths.

He said in a youtube video posted by TVB (Hong Kong Broadcaster), "When I get a job, I don't care if my character in the drama will die. If he is supposed to die, he should go on and die,"

Some internet postings have reported that his daughter was upset buy his multiple deaths. I guess it would be disturbing if in one day, every channel you flipped to - you saw your father dying in a different way.

Law continues "Why would dying in a drama matter? It's not for real. So my daughter, you shouldn't be unhappy. The most important thing is I've done my job well,"

A TVB spokesman quoted by the Post said: "It was purely a coincidence that Law died five times."

A TVB spokesman quoted by the Post said: "It was purely a coincidence that Law died five times."

Would you like some McFries with Your McWedding?

Remember those awesome birthday parties you had at McDonalds as a kid? Where you and your friends ate Happy Meals, played in the colorful McDonald’s playground, got face painting and took photos with the Ronald McDonald statue. Wouldn’t you like to relive those days and plan your wedding at McDonalds?

Now exclusive to Maccas, you can order your own McWedding for a small price of $1280AUD (only available in Hong Kong). This McWedding includes awesome pink invitation cards decorated with the famous golden arches, décor featuring the man himself – Ronald McDonald and $385 worth of fries and cheeseburgers.

You can order extras for your McWedding such as: white balloon gown rental ($165), balloon wedding cake ($88), huge pink McDonald’s backdrop ($321).

You can choose to say your vowels in the McDonald’s carpark, McDonald’s playground, McCafe, Drive thru, or in front of the ordering counter. Luckily McDonald’s are open 24 hours so you and your guests can party through the night.

Order your McWedding today!

'What Women Want' The Hong Kong Adaptation starring Andy Lau & Gong Li

'What Women Want', the highly successful RomCom film released in the year 2000 starring Hollywood's most bankable stars (at the time) Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt IS getting the Hong Kong Make-Over! With superstars Andy Lau and Gong Li in the lead roles.

Now, when I search my memory I can't seem to remember a modern Hollywood Film getting adapted by Asian film makers before (thinking)... Usually it's the other way around! Hollywood has adapted many successful Asian Films in recent years like The Lake House (from Korea's 'Il Mare'), The Departed (from Hong Kong's blockbuster trilogy 'The Departed') and not to mention all the Japanese Horror films like The Ring, The Grudge. So it's particularly interesting that Hong Kong Film makers have taken a liking to this Hollywood RomCom film.

Being a RomCom walking encyclopedia, the premise for 'What Women Want' is quite original - Giving an alpha male who is clueless about women, the powers to hear ALL their thoughts. This power is highly desirable for men wanting to understand women... but do they really want to know what their ex- really thinks of them uncensored? Or what their daughter is getting up to with her boyfriend? That is dangerous territory...

Andy Lau the King of Hong Kong Cinema, whose movie career has spanned over 3 decades is the lucky guy who is bestowed with this telepathic power. We are accustomed to seeing him in dramatic & action roles, we tend to forget how brilliant he is comedically. The stunning Gong Li, whose film career is equally as impressive, plays his frenemy and love interest. Of all the Gong Li films I have watched, I actually have not seen her in a romantic comedy. This can't be her first romantic comedy? Well I am quite eager to see her in this film and see her lighter side.

It will be interesting to see if this film surpasses the Hollywood orginal!!

This film was released yesterday on Chinese New Year! In Melbourne you can catch it at the Chinatown cinema. For everywhere else, check your local guide!

SBS Asian Double Feature Film for tonight 15/10/10

Every Friday SBS TWO airs 2 movies from Asian Cinema! If you love Asian Cinema, be sure to tune in. The movies on tonight are

9:30 pm - The Princess Blade (Japan).

Awesome Action movie. I watched it a few years ago! From memory it was a bit gory but I really liked the storyline.




11:10 - Confessions of Pain (HK)

This film stars 2 of my fave actors Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro. I tried watching it but I didn't find the story very interesting. I ended up not finishing the film. Let me know what you think of it

Project Lotus – Finalists begin intense 6 week training in Hong Kong

The search for Asia’s answer to the Spice Girls is getting close to the end. Project Lotus announced and posted up photos of the lucky finalists, whom are currently in Hong Kong for the final stages of the competition.

There were so many talented girls that there are actually 27 finalists from 5 countries. Originally they wanted 5 girls from each country and every week they would eliminate girls from each country until 5 girls are left. I’ve posted up the photos of the finalists up on Facebook, congrats to all the girls! What an incredible opportunity they have to work with Grammy award winning producers, songwriters, get a recording contract and be launched worldwide!

Every part of this intense Hong Kong training/auditioning period is being filmed and it will be made in to a reality TV show scheduled to air early next year. By the end of October, the group will be found and they will start recording there first album in the UK. There album will be out as soon as the reality TV show has finished airing. There schedule has all been planned for the girls, now it comes to the hard part finding the girls. It must be really tough for the judges in Hong Kong at the moment.

Project Lotus have been making lots of announcements this week. Announcing who the finalists were! Having a concert where the lucky girls get to perform for a live audience for the first time! The concert is held tonight in Hong Kong! Good luck girls! Also on Project Lotus's facebook, the posted a vid of the girls singing. Do you guys like what you hear?

“Nikita” starring Maggie Q debuts in the US

Movie action star Maggie Q made her TV debut in the US overnight in the much anticipated TV show ‘Nikita’. There is a lot of twitter buzz about the show, so many Maggie Q fans can’t wait for the show.

Maggie Q is a huge star movie star in Asia! But she is relatively unknown in the West even though she has starred in huge action pack blockbuster movies in the US; Mission Impossible III, Live Free or Die Hard. Maggie Q was born and raised in Hawaii by a Polish-Irish father and Vietnamese mother; that accounts for her exotic and unique beauty. She started modelling at the age of 17. In an interview she gave to NY mag, she said that it was really hard getting jobs because of her unique look.

“At the time, they wanted blond hair and blue eyes. Or Asian celebrities”

After rounds of rejections she eventually went to Hong Kong hoping for better luck. Her fate changed when Jackie Chan recruited her and trained her to become the next generation of Hong Kong action stars. Next thing you know, she is one of the biggest movie stars in Hong Kong and she was getting hounded by the paps.

She felt like she was ‘suffocating’ she had no anonymity in Hong Kong.

“you’re incredibly recognisable wherever you go, I could never have a boyfriend. I couldn’t grocery shop for myself. I got very depressed by it.”

Maggie has more freedom in the west. Currently she is filming Nikita in Toronto and here she can do her own laundry, go to the market, drive to work.

This TV show is based on a French film called La Femme Nikita, it’s about a crook junkie that ends up being trained to be a killer by a nefarious organisation. This is the third interpretation of the film. In the 90’s, Aussie actress Peta Wilson starred in the TV show La Femme Nikita. I was a fan of that version, what I thought cool about that show was Peta Wilson had an Aussie accent in it.

Casting Maggie Q in this latest remake is a huge drawcard for the show. Being trained under one of the biggest action stars Jackie Chan, fans can sure expect lots of stunts carried out by the star herself.

“I owe it to my audience. And I’m not 70, so I might as well while I can.”

She’s one tough chick and I love watching girls kick butt on screen. I can’t wait for the show to come to Australia! It’ll air on Channel Go! No debut date has been announced yet. Keep an eye for it.