Editor's words
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编者的话
最近是否欣赏到精彩的电影, 书籍, 或是CD? 如果至今还令你回肠荡气不能平静的话, 不妨把感受写下来与我们的读者共享. 现在就开始行动, 往vivi@xmrb.com里发英文短评吧(字数在400字内). 一经采用, 必有稿酬.

 

The Aviator
By Mike

The Aviator is a really good, old-fashioned movie - the kind of film they don't make any more, about the kind of person who would struggle to exist in our politically correct, litigious, bean-counting world. Hughes was a maverick, running his businesses in the kind of personal, passionate way that would be difficult if not impossible in today's business climate.

Hughes founds his own aircraft company, shatters speed records, flies round the world, and with Katherine Hepburn (Blanchett), but their relationship is problematic; when she leaves him for Spencer Tracy, he is devastated, and the cracks in his psychological make-up start to show.
The film paints a picture of a genius - charming, smart, decisive, cool - whose personal obsessions and phobias ultimately destroyed him. The film chooses not to focus on Hughes' descent into madness, but tells the story of the handsome young Hughes, in love with risk and technology.

The film reflects this in its look, which is exquisite. It reflects the cinematic looks of the three decades in which the story takes place, and is a fantastic recreation of the golden ages of Hollywood and aviation. DiCaprio is as compelling as Hughes, appearing in almost every scene, retaining our sympathy even when urinating into milk bottles in his screening room.
The Aviator is perfect for those dull afternoons when there's nothing on TV. Crouch in your sofa, grab some popcorn, and sink into it.

The Aviator is a really good, old-fashioned movie - the kind of film they don't make any more, about the kind of person who would struggle to exist in our politically correct, litigious, bean-counting world. Hughes was a maverick, running his businesses in the kind of personal, passionate way that would be difficult if not impossible in today's business climate.

Hughes founds his own aircraft company, shatters speed records, flies round the world, and with Katherine Hepburn (Blanchett), but their relationship is problematic; when she leaves him for Spencer Tracy, he is devastated, and the cracks in his psychological make-up start to show.
The film paints a picture of a genius - charming, smart, decisive, cool - whose personal obsessions and phobias ultimately destroyed him. The film chooses not to focus on Hughes' descent into madness, but tells the story of the handsome young Hughes, in love with risk and technology.

The film reflects this in its look, which is exquisite. It reflects the cinematic looks of the three decades in which the story takes place, and is a fantastic recreation of the golden ages of Hollywood and aviation. DiCaprio is as compelling as Hughes, appearing in almost every scene, retaining our sympathy even when urinating into milk bottles in his screening room.
The Aviator is perfect for those dull afternoons when there's nothing on TV. Crouch in your sofa, grab some popcorn, and sink into it.

 

Million Dollar Baby
By Jennie

Maggie Fitzgerald (Swank) is one step shy of white trash and unwavering in her decision to rectify it. Boxing is her ticket out and she hounds Frankie Dunn (Eastwood) to train her until her enthusiasm and excessive appearances at the gym wear him down.

Observing from the sidelines is Scrap, a washed-up fighter and overseer of Frankie's grimy L.A. corner known as the Hit Pit. He's the yin to Frankie's yang, the voice of reason and calmest port in the storm.

Frankie is a mass of contradictions, a guilt-ridden Catholic with an estranged daughter, a love of Yeats and a mile-long list of irreverent issues to test his faith. He works his religious beliefs with the same fervor that he works Maggie, who exorcises her own demons with fiercely combative will. Together the pair overcome staggering personal odds and take Maggie all the way to the top, with heartrending consequences. Eastwood is a marvel, not only for his gritty performance but for the skill with which he directs, produces and scores this masterpiece.

What begins as a seemingly standard ode to the sport of boxing evolves into a darkly intimate portrayal of risk, resolution and dark, dark places. A prize-winning knockout.

 

 

A Day Without Rain
By Lily Yang

I hate rainy days. I like sunny days and Enya's seventh official album named "A Day Without Rain" is my favorite CD. What a fantastic coincidence. Objectively speaking, "A Day Without Rain" is an absolute masterpiece. The incidental music, the rhythm, the lyrics, the melody and the singer of course are impeccable. In this album, the four songs I like best are "Wild Child", "Only Time", "Flora's Secret" and "Lazy Days".

"Wild Child" lets me feel carefree and I think of my happy childhood once this song plays. Bare feet, muddy skirt, a ring of beautiful flowers round the head as I try to catch fish in a small stream. Besides this, the melody is very catchy, and I find myself singing along in no time.
"Who can say if your love grows as your heart chose-only time… And who can say why your heart cries when your love lies-only time…" The above words are from the lyrics of "Only Time". Yes, just time can give us faith, expose the lies and teach us what true love is.

"Flora's Secret" is a love song with a pleasing melody and rhythm.

"Lazy Days" is easily one of my favorites. A completely amusing song about having a day or two or more to do "nothing". The loose lyrics and spunky melody combine to form a joyous atmosphere. And the "da da da" in the song makes you want to dance.

Overall, this CD is just too perfect for words. My only complaint is the length -just 34 minutes, a little too short.


Vocabulary
litigious 好打官司的
bean-counting 精打细算的
maverick 持异议者
problematic 有问题的
phobia 恐惧症
compelling 强迫的
rectify 纠正
washed-up 失败的
estrange 疏远
irreverent 不敬的
heartrending 悲惨的
gritty 刚毅的
knockout 杰出者

 

 

Rod Stewart



说到摇滚就不能不提到爱尔兰裔英国人Rod Stewart, 这位在乐坛上素有"摇滚公鸡"之称的歌手, 20岁之前就已在欧洲各国走唱. 在1963年加入了第一个乐团Five Dimensions, 正式开始了他的职业音乐生涯. 1964年Rod Stewart 加入Hoodhic Koodhic Man乐队担任主唱, 并与Decca唱片公司签约, 两年后他又加入了The Jeff Beck Group乐队. 1971年他的个人专辑推出后大受欢迎, Rod Stewart在英国迅速走红. 在那之后的几年里, Rod Stewart运用其独具特色的沙哑嗓音, 丰润的作曲才华及多变的舞台魅力, 不断寻求突破以塑造多样化的个人风格, 终于自一个蓝调歌手蜕变为纵跨70-80年代的摇滚巨星.

"Sailing"这首1975年的英国冠军歌曲, 是Rod Stewart最广为人知的一首歌. 这首歌曲在他那通常被人称为豆沙喉般的声音诠释下, 显得异常动听. 而这首歌更被香港巨星张国荣改编成中文版"全赖有你", 令它在世界各地再度传得街知巷闻.

Sailing
I am sailing
I am sailing home again across the sea
I am sailing stormy waters
To be near you, to be free

I am flying
I am flying like a bird across the sky
I am flying passing high clouds
To be with you, to be free

Can you hear me?
Can you hear me through the darkness far away?
I am dying, forever trying
To be with you, who can say?

We are sailing
We are sailing home again across the sea
We are sailing stormy waters
To be near you, to be free

 

 

Xiamen Kaiming Movie Complex 厦门天地开明电影城 4月1日起隆重上映 《卡萨布兰卡》"Casablanca" 主演: 英格丽·褒曼 地址: 江头北路69号 Ticket line: 5517918