Here are the 24 official nominations for Best Series. Read on to see who deserves to win and who will win.
Best Selling Secrets, The Building Blocks of Life, The Money-Maker Recipe, The Speech of Silence
Since these are the series that I decide to skip, it would not be appropriate for me to express my thoughts on them. Furthermore, because all these are low-productions with mediocre stars with the exception of Esther Kwan from Secrets, their chances of winning are low.
Wasabi Mon Amour, The Seventh Day, The Master of Tai Chi, Your Class or Mine
These are the series that I began watching because I was bored; however, I either never managed to finish them or I just fastforward certain parts. Wasabi was a worthwhile series for those who enjoy culinary; furthermore, its Japanese style resturant and sushi looks delicious and quite professional. Also, the pairing of Michael Tao and Louisa So was not a bad idea as they did not chemistry. The climax of Louisa’s character was the best part to the series.
With the numerous praisals and expectations for a second collaboration of the rumored couple, Kevin and Niki, I tried Seventh. However, I was a disappointed. The story was once again a typical romantic relationship between two individuals who compose of diverse personalities. The prince this time is a mysterious, dangerous, yet compassionate and carefree man while the princess is the usual kindhearted, sympathetic, and pretty girl. We all expect them to fall in love sooner or later and because of a terminal disease, the princess dies. While the idea of a narrator was refreshing, the Japanese backgrounds and scenery were splendid, the serial lacked the basic components of intensity and realism. After episode sixteen, I believe I skipped all the way the ending.
When was the last time TVB filmed a purely philosophical series? Well, Tai Chi is not a show about fighting and kung-fu. Indeed, it is one that explores and digs deeper into the genre and how tai chi is associated with real life. Although the series was meaningful, passionate, and serious, it lacked the fundamentals of comic relief that usually keeps the audience motivated to watch a series. Sure, the scenery may be spendid with nice cataracts and beautiful blossoms, but when more than half of the characters are annoying, it may be difficult to finish the series. I have to admit that I stopped halfway and even before I stopped, I was fastforwarding some parts.
Class is a series that is only worth watching if you’re bored. While the prominent stars of the series are only Bobby and Sheren and perhaps veteran supporting stars like Derek and Benz, the newcomers who not weak. For one, I enjoyed Oscar’s acting. Instead I was not as fond of Him Law who played Benz’s son on the show. The script was not grasping and the horribly written characters for Bobby and Sheren did not help boost the morale of the show either. I stopped after episode twelve.
Word Twisters’ Adventures, Marriage of Inconvenience, Survivor’s Law II, D.I.E., Love Exchange, When a Dog Loves a Cat
These series were okay and recommended for comedy purposes.
Twisters’ was a purely comical story based on a single women, Lap Lan Ching Ching, who dares to challenge male lawyers’ at court. While enjoyed every bit of the comedy here, it has a low chance at the anniversary simply because series aired in 2007 is usually forgotten.
Marriage again is comedy which explores the lifestyle of a single man with two women: one who he just divorced, but loved and the other who he treats a daughter and agrees to help him. However, despite Bobby as lead, I would not recommend the series nor does this series stands a chance against the popular grand productions at the Awards Ceremony.
After five years, TVB decided to release a sequel — or not– to the famous Survivor’s which boosted the career of fadan Myolie and siu sang Raymond. Even Bernice received more attention from audience as a result of a rather poor performance of Jessica. However, this time around, TVB seems to be boosting Kenneth’s career to the next level after winning the Most Improved Male award in 2006. With singer Ella Koon, rising star Selena Li, and returning star Sammul, TVB united the cast to film the sequel. Though the results were not as intended as chemistry was lacking in the four leads and cases were less interesting, it received enough exposure to the audience to prove Kenneth a capable actor.
D.I.E., surprisingly, shocked everyone its spectacular ratings during its last week. Though its second under Moonlight Resonance, I think both series are overrated. While D.I.E. definately has what it makes to be a true comedy with stars like Roger, Sonija, Derek, and even returning veteran Margie, it was in no way memorable nor did it develop a great impact on the audience. I enjoyed watching the series, but only because of Margie and Derek’s chemistry. Of course, let’s not forget Kitty Yuen who plays the cute little ghost!
TVB lied about Love being a romantic thriller. How was it thrilling? Where is the romance, by the way? Sorry, but even with one of my favorite actors, Michael and returning star, Anita Yuen, the story failed to capture my heart. Even Power and Krystal’s love turns out to be not as strong as I thought it would be. Seriously, what is TVB thinking with the pairing of Power and Tracy and Michael and Mandy? The story about Eddie and Angela dying in a car accident — or not an accident, perhaps — was dragging on for twenty episodes. No offense, but I did not even watch the last episode even though it was only going to take forty-five minutes to find out how and why everything happened. By the time, I was just exhausted and wanted to end it.
I’m not at all suprised that Dogs turned out to be as trashy as its title sounds. Initially, I did not understand how a story about a cat and a dog falling in love will capture the audience. If the series were not to satisfy the thirst for craving Gallen fans, I didn’t think the series would have any viewers. Myolie, who usually receives tons of support from fans, failed to give a memorable performance with her indecisive and emotional character. I am not at all surprised on how Dogs did in its ratings.
The Gentle Crackdown II, A Journey Called Life, The Silver Chamber of Sorrows, Legend of the Demigods, Last One Standing
Hidden gems!
I had no plans to watch Crackdown simply because I’m not a big fan of comedies. However, I am suprised to see myself watching the series two times in half a year. The story for Crackdown may be exaggerated to a certain extent with the five officers speaking their lines and Johnson’s love for Elaine may be lame, but Wayne’s character saves the show with his logical arguments against the high-position corrupt Ming officials. I simply loved the way he had a passionate attitude towards justice and fought against the greedy lords. The last five episodes were the best part of the show even though the ending was quite predictable!
The title Journey itself was enough for me to keep away from the series. The cast did not interest me except for Steven (I do not consider myself a Steven fan, but I like him more than Moses). However, I was wrong. If you are the type who loves Heart of Greed, then this might not be the ideal serial for you since it lacks the nonsensical quarrels about money and the golden words Louise speaks at the end of each episode to rescue the family. Journey is a more natural, simple, and less draggy version of Heart; it can be heartfelt at times and in all ways, it is better than the overrated forty-episode drama.
Sorrows was not a grand production with a jammed-packed well-known cast, but it was sufficient for me. Perhaps it did not appeal to the audience as TVB was not over promoting the series nor were they attempting to make it as popular as Heart, but if you are the type who loves family dramas, then you couldn’t miss out on this one. Sorrows ultimately explores the lifestyles of inferior women during a period after the Qing, in the 1920’s. The title perfectly suits the series as all the women will go through tears and sorrows at one point in their lives in their constrained lives that are supposedly less superior to men’s.
Demigods is a lightheated fantasy tale about three friends who eventually makes a name for themselves as heavenly gods/goddess. As Linda’s first costume drama, she was better than I thought. Great acting was also seen in Benny and Sunny’s acting. The only shortcoming with the series is its background, CGI effects, costumes, and hairstyles. Well, it’s more than one. I lied. The CGI effects were excessive at some point, backgrounds were fake, costumes were not attractive, and hairstyles looked like tornados.
Although I would not consider Standing a superb series, it is certainly better than the typical comedies TVB likes to make. Some claim that this is the male version of Phoenix Rising and I do hope that is true. Phoenix was one of my few favorites last year and I thought the series was gripping and heartfelt. Unfortunately, I was more interested in watching the three sisters than two guys, both who are selfish in their own ways. While Standing was good, I thought the series can be depressing at moments. It creeps you out with Roger’s character coming into the picture, especially she dropped her mother on the floor!
If at one point you are looking for a series to watch, I would definately watch one of these!
Forensic Heroes II, Moonlight Resonance, The Four
Are the sequels better? Perhaps a bit overrated are the following:
After twenty-five episodes of hype over murders and forensics, the audience tried patiently to await another thirty-episodes of intense mysteries. With the addition of TV King Kevin and TV Queen Charmaine, you might think the series would be better this time around. Of course, that’s why they’re crowned right? Well, I guess not since the series gets boring as it is relvolved around Charmaine. And only Charmaine. While Bobby and Yoyo’s scenes were significantly lowered, Frankie and Kevin’s scenes were signficantly increased. What a disappointment for non-Charmaine fans!
Last season, TVB presented the audience with forty-episodes of non-stop arguing and quarrels! Since everyone loved it so much, lets brainwash them again and this time, we don’t even need to have a well-thought out script. Let’s simply rush the production so we can release it in time in August to satisfy the hungry Heart fans! But remember, we need the ludicrous arguments to capture everyone’s attention. And don’t forget Louise’s golden words! Just throw a few at the end of each episode so the angel can rescue the day. We don’t even care if the script connects.
The Four has been my most anticipated series of the year. I was thrilled when TVB decided to release it. Unfortunately, just a few episodes into the series, I knew it was not as interesting as I thought it would be. Originally, the series was thirty episodes planned; but, unfortunately, TVB cut it to twenty four instead. I think the length of the series matters as its impossible to develop four characters and five relationships in such a sort amount of time. Even thirty episodes may not be sufficient, but perhaps forty. Most wuxia series have around forty episodes. Thus, all the relationships were shallow and everything lacked connection and development into the story was weak. Fortunately, one of the best things about this adaption is the four’s dissimilar personalties. That is definitely something to look forward for those of you who haven’t watched the series yet.
War of In-Laws II, Catch Me Now
My favorites! I’m saving the best for the last!
In a comedy series, there are bound to be some exaggerations; but I did not mind. War is definiately worth watching especially for those who miss the Boscolie pairing. Once again, TVB reunites the threesome — Lisa, Myolie, Bosco — to film to a War sequel. Unlike its prequel, I believe that there was a moral and theme to the series which makes the series meaningful; Lisa learned her lesson of being bossy and there was a sufficient amount of screentime to develop the three major characters. Also, the replacing of Shek Sau for Benz was just a great move! Benz has the charismatic nature of an actor while Shek Sau bores me out by the way he speaks his lines.
Originally, Catch was not an exciting series for me. I simply thought it would be a small production despite the fact that it was Idy’s comeback production. Furthermore, I’ve never been a fan of Damien (no, not even with his veteran status), Joe, or Fala. Overall, I did not like the casting for the series. However, I cannot be more wrong as the series was captivating especially with the scenes of Damien’s team versus Joe’s team. While the series was interesting, I thought it had potential to be better and dig deeper into the theme of the series. As much as I hope that Idy would get an interesting role, and maybe one that is more than Damien’s girlfriend, that did not happen. At some point, I was even fed up with the character and thought it was annoying. Aside from this single character, the series is worth your time and I have to applause Koni Lui for her well done performance on her debut. For sure, more will be coming!
Overall, if I were to chose best series, the award would definitely not go to Moonlight Resonance and please don’t kill me for this. The series simply had the most flaws amongst all series because TVB rushed the production. I think there is a distinguishing line between “liking” and “best”. If you like a series, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is a “good” series. I chose War of In-Laws II.
Okay, now which is your favorite series this year? Are you one of those who prefer fantasy tales? Or silly comedies?
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