Thursday, December 31, 2020

Year in Review

Escaping 2020

Can we all agree to pretend that 2020 never happened? This year has been filled many untold tragedies for so many people. My family and I are one of the lucky ones who made it through relatively unscathed, and for that, I am thankful. We spent a lot of time indoors together and even found time to watch a few TVB dramas. 

TVB Series 

Okay, we found time to start a few TVB dramas, but I didn't actually finish most of them. 

  • Forensic Heroes IV - Is it possible to create a more emotionless series? Discover crime scene, collect evidence, run a few tests, case solved. Rinse and repeat. 
  • Brutally Young - The best drama in a long while. I can't remember the last drama that had me at the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next episode. Five stars if it had ended at episode 16. 
  • Airport Strikers - You would never know this was a police series because there was so little policing. 
  • Death By Zero - Nice to see TVB trying something new, but it was not my cup of tea.
  • Al Cappuccino - How this series got 22 award nominations is a mystery. It had too many annoying characters, which is too bad because I could not enjoy the few breakthrough performances. 
  • The Witness - Him Law and Kelly Cheung make a cute couple in the few scenes that I saw. 
  • Line Walker: Bull Fight - On my list to finish, but will probably move to the dropped list soon. 
  • Legal Mavericks 2020 - See above. 

American TV
  • Designated Survivor - The first two seasons were great. The last season can be skipped, unless you didn't get enough election talk this year. 
  • Kim's Convenience - A hidden gem that is set in Canada!
  • FBI - A routine procedural. 
  • The Queen's Gambit - I caught the chess craze even though I am terrible at.
  • Quiz - A 3 episode mini-series about a cheating scandal on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? I will gladly debate the verdict with anyone who has watched it. 

Movies

Remember when going to the movie theaters was a thing? At least I saw Tenet in theaters and didn't pay $30+ for Mulan
  • Parasite
  • 1917
  • Birds of Prey
  • Bad Boys for Life
  • Onward
  • Tenet 
  • Mulan 
  • I'm Livin' It
  • P Storm
  • Black and Blue
  • Crazy Rich Asians
  • El Camino
  • My Spy
  • Charlie's Angels
  • Irresistible 

I skipped (forgot) my blog anniversary post this year, so to everyone still supporting my blog, thank you! May your 2021 be immensely better than 2020. 


Wednesday, December 16, 2020

TVB Anniversary Awards 2020 - Nomination List

The TVB Anniversary Awards 2020 will take place on January 10. Here's the nomination list:

Best Actor
Lau Dan - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Eddie Cheung - Of Greed and Ants
Edwin Siu - Of Greed and Ants
Ben Wong - Of Greed and Ants
Matthew Ho - The Dripping Sauce
Raymond Wong - Forensic Heroes IV
Matt Yeung - Airport Strikers
Joel Chan - Brutally Young
Shaun Tam - Brutally Young
Hubert Wu - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Mark Ma - Life After Death
Moses Chan - Death By Zero
Wayne Lai - Death By Zero
Owen Cheung - Al Cappuccino 
Sammy Leung - Ratman to the Rescue
Chris Lai - Go! Go! Go! Operation C9
Him Law - The Witness
Willie Wai - The Witness
Raymond Lam - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Kenneth Ma - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Michael Miu - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Benjamin Yuen - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Vincent Wong - Legal Mavericks 2020
Joey Law - Hong Kong Love Stories

Best Actress
Mandy Lam - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Koni Lui - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Joyce Tang - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Jeannie Chan - Of Greed and Ants
Elaine Yiu - Of Greed and Ants
Rebecca Zhu - The Dripping Sauce
Alice Chan - Forensic Heroes IV
Selena Li - Forensic Heroes IV
Roxanne Tong - Airport Strikers
Shiga Lin - Life After Death
Priscilla Wong - Life After Death
Katy Kung - Death By Zero
Ali Lee - Death By Zero
Crystal Fung - Al Cappuccino 
Samantha Ko - Al Cappuccino 
Kelly Cheung - The Witness
Mandy Wong - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Sisley Choi - Legal Mavericks 2020

Favourite Female Character
Joyce Tang - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Jeannie Chan - Of Greed and Ants
Elaine Yiu - Of Greed and Ants
Rebecca Zhu - The Dripping Sauce
Sharon Chan - Forensic Heroes IV
Alice Chan - Forensic Heroes IV
Selena Li - Forensic Heroes IV
Regina Ho - Airport Strikers
Gloria Tang - Airport Strikers
Vivien Yeo - Brutally Young
Zoie Tam - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Yoyo Chen - Life After Death
Shiga Lin - Life After Death
Priscilla Wong - Life After Death
Elena Kong - Death By Zero
Ali Lee - Death By Zero
Angel Chiang - Al Cappuccino
Crystal Fung - Al Cappuccino 
Samantha Ko - Al Cappuccino 
Winki Lai - Al Cappuccino 
Kelly Cheung - The Witness
Pinky Cheung - The Witness
Sisley Choi - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Mandy Wong - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Katy Kung - Hong Kong Love Stories
Venus Wong - Hong Kong Love Stories

Favourite Male Character
Eddie Cheung - Of Greed and Ants
Edwin Siu - Of Greed and Ants
Matthew Ho - The Dripping Sauce
James Ng - The Dripping Sauce
Raymond Wong - Forensic Heroes IV
Matt Yeung - Airport Strikers
Joel Chan - Brutally Young
Shaun Tam - Brutally Young
Hubert Wu - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Mark Ma - Life After Death
Moses Chan - Death By Zero
Wayne Lai - Death By Zero
Owen Cheung - Al Cappuccino 
Brian Chu - Al Cappuccino 
John Chiang - Al Cappuccino 
Vincent Wong - Al Cappuccino 
Chris Lai - Go! Go! Go! Operation C9
Him Law - The Witness
Willie Wai - The Witness
Raymond Lam - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Kenneth Ma - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Michael Miu - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Benjamin Yuen - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Paul Chun - Legal Mavericks 2020
Joey Law - Hong Kong Love Stories

Best Supporting Actor
Tony Hung - Of Greed and Ants
Hugo Ng - The Dripping Sauce
James Ng - The Dripping Sauce
Fred Cheng - Forensic Heroes IV
Jonathan Cheung - Forensic Heroes IV
Bob Cheung - Forensic Heroes IV
Carlo Ng - Airport Strikers
Hugo Wong - Airport Strikers
Ram Chiang - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Stephen Wong - Life After Death
Timothy Cheng - Death By Zero
Brian Tse - Death By Zero
Brian Chu - Al Cappuccino 
Jack Hui - Al Cappuccino 
John Chiang - Al Cappuccino 
Henry Lee - Al Cappuccino 
Tsui Wing - Al Cappuccino 
Kent Cheng - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Benz Hui - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Wu Fung - Legal Mavericks 2020
King Lam - Hong Kong Love Stories
Jason Pai - Hong Kong Love Stories

Best Supporting Actress
Andrea So - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Lenna Yeung - The Dripping Sauce
Sharon Chan - Forensic Heroes IV
Roxanne Tong - Forensic Heroes IV
Gloria Tang - Airport Strikers
Moon Lau - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Zoie Tam - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Yoyo Chen - Life After Death
Amy Fan - Death By Zero
Kamen Kong - Death By Zero
Elena Kong - Death By Zero
Helena Law - Death By Zero
Angel Chiang - Al Cappuccino
Kelly Fu - Al Cappuccino 
Winki Lai - Al Cappuccino 
Pinky Cheung - The Witness
Mayanne Mak - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Lesley Chiang - Legal Mavericks 2020
Suet Nay - Legal Mavericks 2020
Mimi Kung - Hong Kong Love Stories

Most Improved Actress
Hera Chan, Angel Chiang, Regina Ho, Kamen Kong, Iris Lam, Bella Lam, Moon Lau, Tiffany Lau, Andrea So, Gloria Tang, Joey Thye

Most Improved Actor
Brian Chu, Arnold Kwok, Patrick Lam, Joey Law, Mark Ma, Ricco Ng, James Ng, Karl Ting, Brian Tse, Telford Wong, Dickson Yu

Best TV Partnership
Kenneth Ma, Hubert Wu - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Priscilla Wong, Shiga Lin, Yoyo Chen - Life After Death
Moses Chan, Timothy Cheng - Death By Zero
Wayne Lai, Elena Kong - Death By Zero
Vincent Wong, Owen Cheung, Brian Chu - Al Cappuccino 
Owen Cheung, Sisley Choi - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Maria Cordero, Luk Ho Ming - Good Cheap Eats 9
Pakho Chau, Benjamin Yuen - The PakhoBen Outdoor Show
Dodo Cheng, Fama - Do Did Eat
Elena Kong, Siu Sau Heung - Lady Cook
Liza Wang, Sammy Leung, Dickson Yu - Liza's Online
Steve Lee, Helen Tam - The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show
Chris Lai, Sharon Chan - Happy Dinner Together

Best Series
Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Of Greed and Ants
The Dripping Sauce
Forensic Heroes IV
Airport Strikers
Brutally Young
The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Life After Death
Death By Zero
On-Lie Game
Al Cappuccino 
Ratman to the Rescue
Go! Go! Go! Operation C9
The Witness
Line Walker: Bull Fight
Legal Mavericks 2020
Hong Kong Love Stories

Best Theme Song

Best Host
Luk Ho Ming, Crystal Fung, Bella Lam, Joey Thye, Maggie Wong, Leonard Cheng - Young and Restless
Mayanne Mak, Crystal Fung, Bowie Cheung, Tiffany Lau, Regina Ho, Judy Kwong, Eunice Chan, Honey Ho, Sonya Chan - Sidewalk Scientist 
Nancy Sit, Raymond Cho, Fred Cheng, Kayee Tam - Cantopop at 50
Bob Cheung, Sammi Cheung - Neighborhood Treasures (Sr. 8)
Maria Cordero, Luk Ho Ming - Good Cheap Eats 9
Pakho Chau, Benjamin Yuen - The PakhoBen Outdoor Show
Dodo Cheng, Fama - Do Did Eat
Jack Wu, Kirby Lam, Phoebe Pang - How to Buy a House
Elena Kong, Siu Sau Heung - Lady Cook
Liza Wang, Sammy Leung, Dickson Yu - Liza's Online
Tony Hung - Life on the COVID Map
Telford Wong, Danny Hung, Nicklas Lam, Enson Lau, Antonio Ng - Homegrown Flavours
Steve Lee, Helen Tam - The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show
Chris Lai, Sharon Chan - Happy Dinner Together
Amigo Chiu, Sammi Cheung - Bong Bong, Amigo!

Best Non-Drama Programme
Big City Shop, All Things Girl, Kids, Think Big, Scoop, Own Sweet Home, Young and Restless, Cantopop at 50, JSG Awards Presentation 2019, 2020 Fortune Show, Arabian Days & Nights, Neighborhood Treasures, Sidewalk Scientist Coronavirus Special, Solo Road Trip, Inspiring Journeys, Hipster Tour Spain & Portugal, My Life of Living Dangerously, The PakhoBen Outdoor Show, Do Did Eat, Homemade Therapy, Breathe in the Forest, Savoury Taiwan, How to Buy a House, Lady Cook, Liza's Online, Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2020, Solo World, Life on the COVID Map, Homegrown Flavours, The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show, Taiwan Fun 101, Happy Dinner Together, Bong Bong, Amigo!, Europe Drive-In, The Locked Down Chefs Go Partying, 5G Rewrites Our Stories, TVB 53rd Anniversary Gala, Big Big Shopping Nite, Triumph in the Skies Contest, The Voice 2020

My Favourite TVB Drama - Malaysia
Ratman to the Rescue
Maidens United
Of Greed and Ants
The Dripping Sauce
Forensic Heroes IV
Airport Strikers
Brutally Young
The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Flying Tiger II
Life After Death
Death By Zero
On-Lie Game
Al Cappuccino
Go! Go! Go! Operation C9
Love of a Forgotten Century
The Witness
Line Walker; Bull Fight
Legal Mavericks 2020
Hong Kong Love Stories
Come Home Love: Lo and Behold

My Favourite TVB Actor - Malaysia
Sammy Leung - Ratman to the Rescue
Eddie Cheung - Of Greed and Ants
Edwin Siu - Of Greed and Ants
Ben Wong - Of Greed and Ants
Matthew Ho - The Dripping Sauce
Raymond Wong - Forensic Heroes IV
Matt Yeung - Airport Strikers
Shaun Tam - Brutally Young
Joel Chan - Brutally Young
Hubert Wu - The Exorcist's Meter 2.0
Bosco Wong - Flying Tiger II
Ron Ng - Flying Tiger II
Mark Ma - Life After Death
Wayne Lai - Death By Zero
Moses Chan - Death By Zero
Owen Cheung - Al Cappuccino 
Chris Lai - Go! Go! Go! Operation C9
Kevin Cheng - Love of a Forgotten Century
Him Law - The Witness
Willie Wai - The Witness
Raymond Lam - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Michael Miu - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Kenneth Ma - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Benjamin Yuen - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Vincent Wong - Legal Mavericks 2020
Joey Law - Hong Kong Love Stories
Lau Dan - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold

My Favourite TVB Actress - Malaysia
Elaine Yiu - Of Greed and Ants
Jeannie Chan - Of Greed and Ants
Rebecca Zhu - The Dripping Sauce
Selena Li - Forensic Heroes IV
Alice Chan - Forensic Heroes IV
Roxanne Tong - Airport Strikers
Priscilla Wong - Life After Death
Shiga Lin - Life After Death
Ali Lee - Death By Zero
Katy Kung - Death By Zero
Samantha Ko - Al Cappuccino 
Crystal Fung - Al Cappuccino 
Kelly Cheung - The Witness
Mandy Wong - Line Walker: Bull Fight
Sisley Choi - Legal Mavericks 2020
Koni Lui - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Joyce Tang - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold
Mandy Lam - Come Home Love: Lo and Behold