Thank You and Goodbye Michael Jackson

Just like this photo, you will always be remembered and respected.

The Ultimate King of Pop.
R.I.P. The Legend of the Legends.

Transformers 2 - The Revenge of the Fallen

Wow here it comes finally! The long awaited, most talked-about movie of this year is finally here! Not sure if you are as excited as i am but i have been waiting since the first one. I have always been a Transformer fan since i was a kid. They used to show it on TV in Hong Kong. And without a doubt, a fortunate kid like me, was able to buy a Transformer. Though i did not have an image of me buying any character apart from Optimus Prime and Megatron. I think they were the only popular ones or were the only ones available in HK.

Transformers, as a movie, is nothing less than a visual enjoyment and entertainment. Even until yesterday, i could still have visions of different cars trun into various types of robots. Imagine you were the main character fighting alongside all the Transformers, wouldn't it be the greatest thing ever happen to you in your life? Isn't that like a dream come true? Both Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay have successfully brought the comic, imagination and dream to 'reality'. Props to them both.

This time, the limelight is still shining on Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox (of course!), Optimus Prime and Megatron. But Bumblebee has his turn, fighting bravely to protect Sam and the bond between Bee and Sam is nothing but love. Who would you take a bullet for?

Transformers 2 has also added new robots such as 'Rampage' the tiger, 'Frisbee Girls' the bikes and 'Twins'. The expansion of the squads have put more freshness into the film, which i believe they will have bigger roles in the next one.


Though i still found something that i feel pretty strange about. Like the whole trip of searching for the matrix, those scenes are like Shia's other movie - Indiana Jones, Nicholas Cage's National Treasure and Da Vincci Code 2. Then i do not think it is good to make a Decepticon transform into human mode as they like. I mean that is a nice move by the writer, though does it mean they can transform into human looks and hide amongst people on Earth? That kind of lost the essence of Transformers. I also wonder how they are going to keep up with it in the next one.

The 'Decepticon-turned-human' who tries to seduce Sam, real name Isabel Lucas, was born in Melbourne, Australia and stared in an Aussie TV episode called 'Home & Away'. Watched her on TV while i was in M-Town and now on a bigger screen, this is like two different things and totally different level. I wonder how she got into it but i wish her the best. Australian Pride (even though i am not).

Have you watched it yet? Shoot me with your reviews and comments. Much love.

From CoCo to Chanel - What a life change

少女香奈兒：由低下階層，到上流社會，名設計師，魅力釋放

<a href="http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?vid=8634604a-f016-45fa-b979-17dffc32002c" target="_new" title="Water bird"> Video: 少女香奈兒</a>

The Captain has recently watched the life story of CoCo, who later became one of most well-known household names - Chanel.

It was a good story, even though i am not sure how much of it is real (you know movies). But undoubtedly it was encourgaing and inspiring. The from-below-to-the-top storyline surely motivates a lot of hearts to work their way up to achieve their goals. I am definitely one of them.

You never know what is going to happen with Fly. It might be a world brand someday, it might be a top local company. Either way, i am just going to bring out the best products for consumers, my community and people around me.

A picture of Focus's Crossover Project

One of the most exciting competitions i have ever played in!

之前The Captain在這裡提到將會出席一個射球比賽. 這是第一屆的'金巴崙長老會籃球隊'的投籃比賽. 當C Sir致電邀請我時, 我心裡想, '射球比賽? 不是吧? 我的射術從來都不太好, 是我最弱的一項.' 但當聽到會有不同範疇的射球比賽時 (請看下圖)和參加的選手水準挺高的, The Captain當然不會放過這個令自己進步的機會!


講起今次比賽的發起人 - Henry Sze aka 'C Sir', 他是一個很特別的人. 他不單是一個丈夫, 一女一子的父親, 一個畢業於電影系卻熱衷於籃球的教練, 一個前甲組球員, 一個激進派人仕 (請原諒! 哈哈), 他更是一個非一般的基督徒! 他令我了解到更多世間的不平事, 不只是他所講的, 而是他親身經歷的. 在此不多說與他認識的過程, 日後有機會再跟大家分享. 大家可以到C Sir的網誌看看他的籃球世界及對世事的獨特見解.
http://c-sir.blogspot.com/
http://www.reboundministry.com/index.html
http://c-sir-coaching.blogspot.com/
http://www.c-sir-dream.blogspot.com/

好了, 說說今次的比賽. 比賽共有4部份: Steve Nash Shooting Game, NBA 3-point Shootout, NBA Shooting Stars Game & Swingman Shooting Game.

在'Steve Nash'比賽中, 我很快便射入近距離的9球, 當我以為自己會很快完成這個項目時, 正如我之前所說, 我的3分很不濟, 限時到了都只射進了一球. 過份! 很失望的同時, 亦令我想起最近看的一本運動心理學書 (稍後交代) 裡面提到的'將失敗轉為正面的力量', 決定之後要射得更好!

3分賽, 19中5. 很低的數字. Shooting Stars是不計在個人總得分內的, 我被編排到跟一個只有13歲的小朋友同隊, 我很欣賞他. 我相信如果他在往後的日子能跟上好的教練, 受正統的訓練, 他會成為一個挺好的球員!

到了Swingman Shooting Game. 這是我最期待的環節. The Captain的遠距離射術真的不敢恭維, 但對中距離, 轉身射球 (turnaround jumper)和壓力下射球還是可以的. 'Swingman'首先要做一個Pull-up jumper, 然後繞過障礙物去到底線射3分, 之後到對面接傳球Turnaround jumper. 在2分30秒內不斷重複, 最後計算射進多少球. 我自己將這個環節當作練習, 特意要求C Sir傳球時傳到我的左手, 讓我好好的練習turnaround j. 雖然只是2分30秒, 聽起來很短, 真正比賽時卻是很長的時間! 射球, 快速跑加上集中力其實是很累的. 我到後來的pull-up jumpers全都射失了, 是因為我的腳已經很累, 導致我射球的力量是由身體先發出, 而不是腳先發出, 所以起手時身體不平衡令到出手都失去節奏了.

後記:


這個非常有創意的比賽, 除了令我對自己的射術了解更深外, 還加強了我對自己起手的信心. 更重要的是讓我認識到幾位對籃球都很有熱誠的年青人.

當然, 可改進的地方也有許多. 但我所見到的是一班很有組織, 很齊心的年輕人. 為了搞好是次比賽, 他們會做好自己的崗位和聽從領導者的指令. 金巴崙長老會籃球隊的一班年青人是應得讚許的!

正如C Sir所說, 香港很難有正面的籃球文化及風氣. 要發揮這種精神, 要提倡這股風氣, 應該由我們這一班人做起!

Twitter

The Captain has just created a Twitter account.

Look me up -

http://www.twitter.com/LoknessMonster

Peace.

Duplicity (最佳情•敵)

The Captain unusually had a little bit a availability today and was wandering in a shopping mall. Downstairs was a nicely renovated cinema, The Captain went down to have a look at the movie schedule, saw 'Duplicity' featuring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, and he was thinking, 'oh well, since i haven't seen a movie on my own in ages...' Checked the time, good fit of his schedule, then headed to the cashier and bought a ticket.

Summary: 'Duplicity' talks about 2 corporate spies try to set up a con that will ultimately and eventually lead them to enjoyable and luxurious lifestyles, yet are being played instead. The romantic storyline between Julia Roberts and Clive Owen is well planned.

The following is a comment by 'Shek Kei' from Yahoo! Movies (HK).

《最佳情•敵》鬥智奇緣 明報 : 2009-06-11 (星期四) 5:06 AM
【明報專訊】繼《誘心人》之後，茱莉亞羅拔絲再與英國男星佳夫奧雲結上片緣，合演驚險鬥智的愛情喜劇，相當合襯，佈局也奇情有趣，可惜她有點過氣，他有點濕水，未能擦出熱鬧浪漫的火花。

《最佳情•敵》（Duplicity）的編導東尼驕萊，編過賣座片《叛諜追擊》系列，首次執導佐治古尼主演的奇情片《敵對同謀》，描述倒霉律師與工商業大集團鬥法，橋段與手法都不俗，甚獲好評。現在新作拍攝工商業間諜，十分「扭計」，還增添愛情妙趣，然而成績不及前作。

其實故事構思好玩，美國CIA女特工與英國M16男間諜，結上男歡女愛而又爾虞我詐的奇緣。幾年後這對冤家狹路相逢，都已轉行投入商營機構，變為工業間諜和商界臥底，一起捲入兩大公司陰謀鬥法。男女主角究竟是情人拍檔，還是各懷鬼胎的敵手呢？劇情就由頭至尾扭來扭去。

此片妙在拍間諜而脫離了政府，玩臥底而超出黑白道，事實上商場如敵國，情場如戰場，往往比官方和黑幫更競爭激烈。這次商戰加情戰，就很曲折蠱惑。

至於男女主角有驚有喜的情緣，則令人想起荷李活盛行「幼兒化」「魔幻化」之前的成年人奇趣舊片，例如柯德莉夏萍與加利格蘭合演的《花都奇遇結良緣》（Charade），以及她和彼德奧圖合演的《偷龍轉鳳》（How to Steal a Million）。

九十年代大紅的《風月俏佳人》茱莉亞羅拔絲，近年失色了，今次有演技有台型，但明星魅力就不及當年柯德莉夏萍。女星始終比男星受年齡影響，中年後仍然星光輝煌的很少。佳夫奧雲保持風流瀟灑，只是他一向性格不強，火力不猛。

片中鬥智鬥法也比較誇張，如果像高安兄弟拍《CIA光碟離奇失竊案》那樣漫畫化搞笑，可能過癮。現在導演處理通俗喜劇還未熟練，又經常賣弄幾年前、幾月前的時空交錯，複雜鬆散了，不夠緊湊爽快。

雖然不滿意，《最佳情•敵》也有不少妙處，肯定不會陳套和弱智。

石琪

5,671 IMDb users have given a weighted average vote of 6.7/10 as the rating for 'Duplicity'. And i would rate it at 7/10. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1135487/

The director of this film, Tony Gilroy, has a tremendous background of writting and directing cops-crime, investigation and adventure thrillers such as State of Play (by Russell Crowe, one of the most-wanted-to-see films that i have not seen), Michael Clayton, The Bourne Trilogy and Bait.

Veteran actor Denis O'Hare's versatality of acting has definitely added some extra colors to this film.

There was one scene that had 4 squares showing different places with Julia Roberts's face on the right hand side of one square (she was pissed off after an interrogation with the female staff of B & R Travel), and there was another square showing a metal/bronze lion in London on the right hand side of the square. I guess the director tried to put these 2 pictures together and to show 'at that very moment, Julia was like a lion, she could eat anyone off when she is angry'. It was a very good scene.

I give this film a 7 out of 10 because it is not a new idea, kind of reminds me of 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith'. But i need to give some props to the film music composer - James Newton Howard. I really enjoyed the music in Duplicity, put in at the right time and the best time, very fitting and classical, which match the themes very well.

I just did a little research on him and geez, he has done loads of great jobs of composing for Awards-winning movies such as The Dark Knight, I Am Legend and Blood Diamond.

Let me know what you think of the movie.

Updated NBA Blog & My Boy - P. Mills is entering the Draft!

Just updated my NBA column (in Chinese): http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/siubox

另外, my boy Patrick Mills (Aussie pride!)將會參加今年既NBA選秀! 以下係Draft Express對佢既一d分析:

Recapping what was learned from 2009 Eurocamp
By Jonathan Givony, for NBA.com. Posted Jun 8 2009 11:26PM

The 2009 Reebok Eurocamp is officially in the books, and NBA teams now move to their next destination: the highly anticipated group workout sessions hosted by the New Jersey Nets.

The Eurocamp served a variety of purposes for all 30 NBA teams in attendance here, which included general managers such as Danny Ainge (Celtics), Steve Kerr (Suns) and Donnie Walsh (Knicks). NBA coaches such as Mike D'Antoni (Knicks) and Jay Triano (Raptors) and dozens of other scouts were also in attendance.

DraftExpress Eurocamp All-First Team

Point Guard: Patrick Mills, 6-foot-1, Australia, Mills may have been a bit inconsistent in terms of his playmaking skills and perimeter shooting, but he left a strong impression with his blazing speed, terrific ball-handling skills and excellent mid-range game, which had some teams comparing him to Aaron Brooks. Mills likely stays in the Draft now, and could be a solid pick late in the first round or early in the second.

Source: Jonathan Givony is President and Director of Scouting of Draft Express. The opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the writer.

Busy Schedule

The Captain最近都比較忙..

The Captain的球會上星期聯賽獲勝!

The Captain的球會與另一籃球會作友誼賽交流.

The Captain被邀請為'香港籃球體育事工'撰寫NBA專欄.

http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/siubox

The Captain與'香港籃球體育事工大使隊 (Ambassadors)'將會與'忠僕號 (Doulos)'籃球隊作友誼賽交流並擔任招待及翻譯.

http://www.mvdoulos.org/

http://www.emmanuel.com.hk/doulos/

The Captain被邀請參加'Shooting Stars'大賽.

最後, 送給大家.....

Talk Shoes

最近收到一位讀者的回應, 當中提到很重要的一點, '寫英文是好, 但也要照顧到香港的讀者啊!' 所言甚是! 所以The Captain由現在起會多寫中文! 亦在此多謝該位讀者的提醒! 你看到上面這幅圖了! 由現在起The Captain會在此成立名為'Sneaker Talk'的專題, 好讓大家討論一下籃球鞋!

而今次想跟大家討論的球鞋是近期比較受歡迎的四款以Zoom Air為底部氣墊的Zoom Flightclub, Zoom MVP, Zoom Soldier 3 & Zoom Kobe 4.

Zoom Flightclub

外觀像極了當年名震一時, 外號'The Glove手套'的Gary Payton專屬球鞋Zoom Flight 98. 其實這次擷取Zoom Flight 98經典元素再加上現代進化科技就是要向Zoom Flight 98致敬.

鞋面仍然採用巨型Nike標誌及彈性布料全鞋包裹特徵, 外觀上非常鮮明. 再加上Flightposite形式之皮環, 另一端加上魔術貼從而增加球鞋的穩定性及對腳踝(ankle)的保護. 而開孔網布不但令視覺效果更為突出, 此舉亦增加球鞋內層的透氣度.

外側後跟位的圓形標誌乃今年專為代言球星所設計的. 上圖為Tony Parker專屬, 其他球星如J.R. Smith也是Zoom Flightclub愛好者之一.

Zoom MVP

專為2007年度MVP - Steve Nash所打造的代言鞋款. 以他最愛的Air Max 90跑鞋及Jet Flight為靈感, 很有他個人風格.

筆者稱此類鞋為'功能鞋' (functional shoes), 顧名思義著重功能大於外表. Mid-Cut設計加上內靴腳踝位置加了彈性保護, 包裹了整個腳踝部份. 而類似'Nike Free'的任意屈曲外底(Outsole)再加低重心及輕巧設計大大提高了後衛所需要的靈活移動.

Zoom Soldier 3

LeBron James附屬球鞋. 多年來一直受球迷歡迎的Soldier 3採用了與Zoom LeBron 2相同的'Ballistic'尼龍作為鞋面質料, 還一樣用上魔術貼皮環(兩條)特別加強腳掌固定. 鞋底同樣有深坑紋加強爪地功能. 今次使用前後腳掌分離式Zoom Air令底部支撐更佳. 我相信Soldier 3在支撐及靈活度上能夠取得平衡全賴分離式Zoom Air及魔術貼皮環.

外觀上, Soldier 3的質料及鞋頭的漆皮(亮皮)已經搶到不少風頭! 以筆者擁有兩對LeBron的經驗來說, Soldier 3在設計上絕對追得上潮流!

Zoom Kobe 4

Kobe本人提出以'短筒(Low-Cut)及徹底與雙腳結合'為構思的Zoom Kobe 4, 成為了史上最輕的籃球鞋! 其概念來自同樣需要全場跑動也需跳躍頭槌的足球員. Kobe自小喜歡足球, 他發現足球的跑跳程度不遜於籃球, 於是向設計師提出這個大膽的念頭!

功能上, Zoom Kobe 4前腳掌避震'Lunalite'來自太空科技, 藉此減輕鞋重. 鞋身則採用強度高過Carbon Fiber的新科技Flywire支撐鞋面. 而外底的刻紋靈感正是由蜘蛛俠而來. 筆者亦有Zoom Kobe 4 'Playoffs'特別版, 非常輕, 貼腳, 筆者非常喜歡! 大家亦可到以下網頁看看Zoom Kobe 4廣告.

http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikebasketball/en_US/notmybrokenankles

舉一項非正式統計, Zoom Kobe 4乃本年度最熱賣鞋款! 在香港可說是全面斷市. 不過筆者昨晚收到內幕, 本月底香港會有Zoom Kobe 4全黑色, 大家可密切留意!

LeBron did not shake hand after loss

No one likes to lose, especially someone as competitive as you, who's as used to winning, and winning big as you. You have won more in your short life than most people do in their entire lives. But that doesn't give you the right to be a poor loser, on the rare occasions that you lose.

Then, you got dressed, and walked out without speaking to anyone other than your teammates. Not to the Nike reps that were, reportedly, waiting to see you (they'll understand), to the Magic players in their locker room (not cool, again) or to the media that was waiting for you.

On that last one, I know: who cares? Well, a lot of people. You may think what we do doesn't matter, but we're still the conduit through which many fans that don't have Twitter or Facebook pages or anything else get their information about their teams and favorite players. You may not think so, but LeBron, you stiffed them, too--many of whom are your loyal fans. You know that thousands of kids emulate you, want to be like you. Is this the lesson you want them to learn?

You did congratulate the Magic on Sunday for their victory, which was good. But you still said you were right not to shake hands. Not so good.

"One thing about me you gotta understand; it is hard for me to congratulate somebody after just losing to him," you told the Cleveland Plain Dealer back in Cleveland on Sunday. "I'm a winner. That's not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you are not going to congratulate them [for] beating you up. That doesn't make sense to me, I'm a competitor and that is what I do. It doesn't make sense to me to go over and shake somebody's hand."

LeBron, I think you're great, on and off the court. You're a wondrous player, and better yet, a very level-headed young man who is mature beyond all possible expectation. But you couldn't be more wrong on this one.

You don't get to dictate the terms under which you're going to be gracious. You either are gracious, or you're not. I have no doubt that you were incredibly hurt, and angry, and frustrated after Game 6. But you know what? Karl Malone and John Stockton were hurt and angry and frustrated after losing the Finals, twice. Jerry West was hurt and angry and frustrated after he lost in the Finals eight times. Eight. Six times to Bill Russell's Celtics. After the last, in 1969, according to Robert Cherry's biography of Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell held West's hand, and John Havlicek said, "I love you, Jerry."

Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing and Dominique Wilkens and Mark Price and Clyde Drexler and Gary Payton and Reggie Miller were hurt and angry and frustrated after each one of them was vanquished--in some cases, multiple times--by Michael Jordan and the Bulls in a playoff series. Kobe Bryant was hurt and angry and frustrated last year, after his Lakers got a 37-point beatdown by the Celtics in the final game of the Finals.

They all shook hands. They all spoke to the media afterward.

You think those kids your St. Vincent-St. Mary's teams pummelled in the state finals in Ohio for three years weren't hurt, and angry, and frustrated? Most of their basketball careers ended with those state title games. A lot of them didn't have college scholarships to keep playing ball, and almost none of them had NBA dreams. How many of those kids came up to you afterward and shook your hand, said 'good game,' or congratulations?

You were incredibly gracious last March in Columbus, when you watched SVSM win another state basketball championship, this one over Dayton Thurgood Marshall. Afterward, you consoled Thurgood's star player, who was in tears after losing in heartbreaking fashion. You think that kid walked off the court and into the night without congratulating any of the SVSM players on their hard-earned victory?

You don't congratulate someone after they've beaten you up? You're wrong.

Mike Tyson, of all people, is an example. After getting destroyed by Lennox Lewis in 2002--"one of them down home, Mississippi ass-whippin's," as his former trainer, Tommy Brooks, so eloquently explained to HBO in the "Legendary Nights" documentary of the fight--Tyson displayed a grace and class in defeat that leaves no excuses for anyone else that's lost a game. He apologized to Lewis for his crass pre-fight comments about wanting to harm Lewis's children. He gave Lewis full credit for knocking him out. He sat for numerous post-fight interviews.

"I am thankful for the chance," Tyson said. "He knows I love him and I hope he gives me the chance to fight him one more time."

It wouldn't hurt if you showed up at the Finals and shook Dwight Howard's hand, but however you want to handle it, you should handle it. It doesn't make you less of a winner to congratulate the dude that beat you. It makes you even more of a champion.

Source:
"LeBron needs to take a lesson from another Cleveland icon"
By David Aldridge, TNT Analyst
Posted Jun 1 2009 12:25AM on NBA.com