August 17, 2007
Swan Lake and other things
- Alive Not Dead archive
Things that bring color to many consecutive days spent programming on a computer: good music, good movies, and good live performances… One of the benefits of this job is that I get to practice my skills in building web sites, but also get to enjoy watching lots of great movies (at Rotten Tomatoes) or concerts and performances (like 24 Herbs last week).
I just got back from a fantastic performance of Swan Lake performed by the Hong Kong Ballet.
This is the fourth performance I’ve seen by HK ballet and I was particularly impressed with this performance for several reasons.
First, the performance by principal ballerina Faye Leung as the Swan Queen was fantastic – and I don’t think I’m using hyperbole here. I was really frequently impressed by her flawless physical motion and moved by her acting ability. I hadn’t seen her do any lead roles previously, although I was impressed with a brief Nutcracker dance that she was in, so I look forward to seeing her perform again.
Second, this was my friend, Selina’s special day – she starred in the first act in a solo and quartet dance AND choreographed four special dances in the third act – quite an achievement. Her quartet dance in the first act with AnD artist Crystal Costa was particularly impressive – it was a treat to see them perform together since I know they’re also such close friends.
Finally, and regrettably, this was one of the final performances for Crystal here in Hong Kong. She leaves in three (now two) days for London where she’ll moves on over to be a soloist. dancer for the English National Ballet.
sigh I haven’t known her for very long, but there are several things that I’ve learned – besides being a fantastic ballerina, she is also the following:
First, the performance by principal ballerina Faye Leung as the Swan Queen was fantastic – and I don’t think I’m using hyperbole here. I was really frequently impressed by her flawless physical motion and moved by her acting ability. I hadn’t seen her do any lead roles previously, although I was impressed with a brief Nutcracker dance that she was in, so I look forward to seeing her perform again.
Second, this was my friend, Selina’s special day – she starred in the first act in a solo and quartet dance AND choreographed four special dances in the third act – quite an achievement. Her quartet dance in the first act with AnD artist Crystal Costa was particularly impressive – it was a treat to see them perform together since I know they’re also such close friends.
Finally, and regrettably, this was one of the final performances for Crystal here in Hong Kong. She leaves in three (now two) days for London where she’ll moves on over to be a soloist. dancer for the English National Ballet.
sigh I haven’t known her for very long, but there are several things that I’ve learned – besides being a fantastic ballerina, she is also the following:Crystal is a wonderful cook
… a rockin’ drummer chick
… has awesome taste in books and music
… and a sweetheart personality.
Have a safe journey to London, Crystal. You’ll be brightening up their dreary, foggy days soon!
… has awesome taste in books and music
… and a sweetheart personality.
Have a safe journey to London, Crystal. You’ll be brightening up their dreary, foggy days soon!
First, Superbad by Judd Apatow (40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up):
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCcagk26siA
I’ve loved every movie this guy has done and this looks to be the best one yet according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Next, a VERY different movie… I look forward to everything that Jodie Foster does because she’s still one of the best and smartest actresses working in the business right now. The ‘The Brave One’ trailer is not particularly good, but I’m really interested in the movie after reading her take on the character. Basically, it’s a return to Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver, but what if the vigilante doing justice was a woman and not a complete sociopath to begin with. Is it okay to empathize with a murderer looking out for revenge?
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_PT4zvbhFw
Finally, I wasn’t a huge fan of Elizabeth, the breakthrough movie ten years ago for Cate Blanchett. I felt that it was pretty dry and emotionless. However, this new follow up movie, Elizabeth: The Golden Age looks REALLY promising and it will be interesting to see the SECOND half of one of the most fascinating lives in human history…
Incidentally, her performance in Elizabeth is a reminder of one of my favorite movies, The Lion in Winter where Katherine Hepburn gives one of the most moving and showy performances on the silver screen as Eleanor of Aquitaine…
Anyone else a fan of the movie? They don’t make movies with that kind of witty, cutting, and moving dialogue and acting anymore… Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn fill up the screen as only stars of the times past can…
Next, a VERY different movie… I look forward to everything that Jodie Foster does because she’s still one of the best and smartest actresses working in the business right now. The ‘The Brave One’ trailer is not particularly good, but I’m really interested in the movie after reading her take on the character. Basically, it’s a return to Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver, but what if the vigilante doing justice was a woman and not a complete sociopath to begin with. Is it okay to empathize with a murderer looking out for revenge?
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_PT4zvbhFw
Finally, I wasn’t a huge fan of Elizabeth, the breakthrough movie ten years ago for Cate Blanchett. I felt that it was pretty dry and emotionless. However, this new follow up movie, Elizabeth: The Golden Age looks REALLY promising and it will be interesting to see the SECOND half of one of the most fascinating lives in human history…
Incidentally, her performance in Elizabeth is a reminder of one of my favorite movies, The Lion in Winter where Katherine Hepburn gives one of the most moving and showy performances on the silver screen as Eleanor of Aquitaine…
Anyone else a fan of the movie? They don’t make movies with that kind of witty, cutting, and moving dialogue and acting anymore… Peter O’Toole and Katherine Hepburn fill up the screen as only stars of the times past can…