神探伽利略

Have finally exhausted my 6 days of tv-watching craze! Once in a while I get into one of these moods, when I feel like doing nothing except to sit & eat & watch tv till very late at night.......this time, it's taken a bit longer than usual to run out of steam, maybe cos I can no longer do nothing except sit & eat & watch tv. Have to cook dinner, play with Sam, so can only fulfill my craving at night after Sam falls asleep........

Noticed this Jap drama serial initially cos it's starring one of my fav male actors, 福山雅治. Was crazy over his previous show 美女与野兽, hence very glad he's acting again.

This time, his character is a very serious Physics professor, whose interest in proving the non-existence of paranormal activities results in him helping the female lead, an enthusiastic new police detective. He's a genius in his own field, and many other areas, showcasing different talents (eg. cooking, boxing, archery, etc) in different episodes.

There's a different crime story, coupled with a seemingly paranormal activity, and a different guest star actor/actress, in every one of the 10 episodes. Also, the scientific solution to the 'paranormal' activity will be explained & demonstrated in the lab (to the ignorant female lead), so can pick up a bit of physics along the way.

What attracted me aft the 1st episode is the kind of attraction between the male & female leading characters. Initially they were so formal to each other, always arguing sarcastically. By the end, the petty arguments & sarcasm remains (which is the fun part), but they are friends who obviously care for each other (romantically or just pure friendship, that's up to one to interpret).

The only "silly" part of the show, I find, is the interpretation of the thought processes of the male lead. I suppose there aren't many sensible ways to indicate how the genius' came to his brilliant conclusions, but I still find it silly to watch the presentation: the male lead scribble formulas & equations on the nearest available flat surface, with whatever he can lay his hands on to write with. The theme music starts in the meantime, then realisation struck, a stream of formulas & equations & screenshots of critical questions zoom to the final scene of the male lead striking his signature pose (3 fingers spread out on the centre of his face).

If not for the actor's good looks, I think I would have been laughing my head off........

Nodame Cantabile

Was in a very bad mood, so watched a new episode of Nodame Cantabile SP Part 1, despite the late hour.

Oh, it was great! Aft the 2 hr show, I'm back in a sensible mood. Am willing to empty the dustbin instead of letting it attract ants & cockroaches overnight, which was what I was seriously contemplating before the show.

So wanna share my current fav: the Japanese drama serial, Nodame Cantabile, 交响情人梦.

It's a adaptation of a jap comic, and the show retained some of the comic elements, eg. person being thrown abt like a rag doll. This I find amusing, adds to the 'anime' feel. Ultra exaggeration of certain aspects (eg. female lead's flat is dirty = room really looks like a rubbish dump!) makes the show even more light-hearted, very suitable for cheering oneself up!

The show is basically a standard love story, the female lead (Nodame) chasing aft the dream prince male lead (Chiaki). What makes this show different is its classical music background. Story occurs in a music university, Nodame plays the piano, Chiaki (being the dream prince) plays the violin, the piano, & aspires to be a conductor.

For every few episodes, there will be a showcase of some classical piece, which the leads would have been practising. At some point, the history of the piece would have been explained.

So aft hearing the signature tune of the piece several times, & knowing the music's background, it became much easier for a classical ignorant like me to remember the piece. So much more effective than listening to a CD or listening to hubby explain! ;P

This is my fav classical piece from the show, love the way it's being presented! It's also the show's ending theme:



Now Astro (Malaysia's cable tv provider) is showing the serial on Sunday 3pm on the 8TV channel. Hubby watched episode 1 the other day, & he agreed it was good. :)

Only problem is, the show being in Japanese, have to read the Chinese subtitles, & it's difficult for me when it comes to the technical music terms. Luckily had watched the show on vcd, I had to pause the disc several times to read the subtitles!

The show is so popular back in Japan they flimed 2 additional special episodes in Paris & Prague. So can get to watch the beautiful scenery in addition to the good music! Can't wait to get my hands on the dvd!

Yes, will splurge on dvd instead of vcd for the SP. The show's good enough to worth it (for me)!