Unfeeling Mr Spock

A quote from Mr Spock - “You mistake my choice not to feel as a reflection of my not caring, while I assure you it was precisely the opposite.”

It sounds very ironic but this is and can be the truth sometimes. There can be stages in life when we choose not to feel, seemingly apart from the people we hold dear most, simply for the only fact that we care too much.

The attachment, the conditional love we invest in, grows to the extent that it overwhelms, magnifying our feelings a thousand fold for every related word and action we come into contact with. It becomes unbearable to feel, so we choose not to feel anymore, shutting out these emotions so it no longer cripple us, allowing ourselves to do what is necessary.

So how can we ever judge a person for not feeling as much as us? Beyond feeling is not a good measure of past caring ... 

Hidalgo - Breed and Bloodline Matters Not

Passed by Sembawang Music Store in Plaza Singapura yesterday and there's an ongoing 50% discount storewide and seeing that, i popped in for a quick look to see if there are bargains to be gotten.

And guess what, i left the store with 2 DVDs, Hidalgo and Sunshine at the cost of $17. These 2 films are not immensely popular or well received but are films that i have good impressions about having caught them on the big screen couple of years back.

Talking about Hidalgo, you can read a brief summary about its plot here - Hidalgo. Its a film that has several meaningful messages that underlines it. One of the stronger messages that came across, is that breed and bloodline does not matter, what matters more is the spirit and determination of the the sentient being, regardless of man or horse.

Does it matter if a horse is mustang and not pure breed? And does it truly matter if a man is born of a lowly station and not a royalty? What matters more is the determination and effort made to reach the final goal. Even one born of the lowest station can rise to the occasion with the right effort. Buddha has taught this numerous times, over and over again that even the lowest caste is subjected to the law of kamma and can attain enlightenment with the right effort and determination.

Here's a good quote from Shirley,James that on how transient all earthly deeds are and how are men will be brought equal ultimately ~ "The glories of our blood and state are shadows, not substantial things; There is no armour against fate; Death lays his icy hand on kings: Scepter and crown must tumble down, And in the dust be equal made with the poor crooked scythe and spade."

So not matter if you have been born blessed or surrounded by hardships, it's wonderful merits to reflect and look beyond materials, making a constant effort to better ourselves so we can bring liberation, love, peace and joy to the people around us. With metta.

The Leap Years

Just watched The Leap Years on DVD - its not too bad a film.

Nothing to really rave about but nonetheless it is one of the better local films that appeared on the big screen this year. Btw, i do feel that Singapore was portrayed rather beautifully throughout the show.

If you wish to learn more about the film, you can visit the official website - http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/TLY/

What really caught my attention was the quotes used at each junction of the movie. Two of them especially.

William Shakespeare: It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.

Robert Frost: In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

I find it very Zen like, very much in the spirit of buddhism. Just like what Buddha has once said, "You are the child of your past, parent of your future, the captain of your own ship."

These quotes remind us how we are the ones who really determine how we live and how impermanent all conditioned things are.

Things and events are always in a constant flux and though we may not have complete control on how these events will turn out but we definitely can influence them and even more so, to decide on our own mindset about them.

It goes on, does it not?

Little Buddha

In many ways Little Buddha is a companion piece to Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor. A beautiful travelogue and history lesson unfolds in the two parts of this film: a historical text of Siddhartha (Keanu Reeves) and the contemporary quest of Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), who believes he has found the reincarnation of his former teacher in a Seattle child. The ancient, magical tales sweep away the blasé contemporary action. Ruocheng's presence drives the story of discovery as the child learns about the teachings of Buddhism. A visual feast that will dazzle both young and old. In fact, were it not a religious icon, the youngsters might want Siddhartha dolls after viewing his magical on-screen adventures. Beautiful cinematography by Vittorio Storaro. --Doug Thomas

Finally, i managed to lay my hands on a copy of this film! It was a number of years ago when i first read about this picture. Since then, i have been asking around the local shops if they have a copy of this dvd. Apparently being a pretty old film, released in 1993 and coupled with the fact that this is not a mainstream film, i couldn't find it despite trying numerous places. Even so, i kept a lookout for the film whenever i go into a dvd shop.

Sunday was my lucky day - on the way home, i dropped into Gramophone (Cathay) after my classes. Didn't really have anything in mind but just ahead to browse around for awhile (since its on the way) and see if i might chance on a lucky find and boy did i get lucky!

What should i say about this film? Stunning, beautiful, breathtaking, emotions and thoughts provoking, magical, simplistic? Apologies for the limited vocab but i have really no idea how best to describe this film except that it really connects. All i can say, its really in a class of its own. =) Haha, on a note, Keanu Reeves sounds really trying with that indian accent, dubbing might have been a better option.

Nice Quotes from Recent Shows

Some interesting (and quite applicable to life) quotes from recent shows that i watched. =)

Heroes - Hiro Nakamura: "You don''t need super powers to be a hero"

Rocky Balboa - Rocky Balboa: "The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit, it is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much can you take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!"

Bridge to Terabithia - Leslise Burke: "Just close your eyes and keep your mind wide open."

Bridge to Terabithia - Leslise Burke: "You are who you are - not your parents."

Ghost Whisperer - Melinda Gordon: "What happens to these people in their last moments, it really matters."

Tales from EarthSea - ゲド戦記

ゲド戦記 (loosely translated as Ged's War Chronicles) is produced by the Studio Ghibli, the studio who brought us the much acclaimed films such as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Grave of the Firefiles and My Neighbor Totoro.

However, the film was directed by first-timer Gorō Miyazaki, son of Hayao Miyazaki and the difference in style is quite noticeable. It is somewhat lacking in warm sentimentality that was present in some of Ghibli's earlier film.

The film was loosely based on the 3rd and 4th book of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series. If you read the book prior to watching the film, you will find that some characters and some scenes were followed closely (including the dialog) but that was where all the similarities ended. The plot on the whole was pretty much on its own. The author's response sums it all up - Response by Le Guin

Even so, as a film itself, i must say it was quite enchanting and enjoyable. Spirited Away was the sort of anime that deserves 5 full ticks and i would rate this film about 4 & 1/2 ticks. =)

Rat-a-too-ee

Yes, it's a rat film but in many ways the film is more humane than most of the shows we see nowadays. Lots of values and moral teachings are embedded within the film but one stands out as the main.

The one qoute - Anyone can cook - is repeated throughout the film. The true meaning of this qoute by the great chef Gusteau is finally revealed by the ultimate food critic Ego at the end of the film. Wanna know? Watch the film and take my word for it, its worth it. It's a ratty film but i'm not gonna rat on it. =)

Official Website - Ratatouille

Bridge to Terabithia

The Bridge to Terabithia - a truly heart-wrenching experience to a magical land that can only be built with the power of imagination and love.

Jess, the son of a small time farmer, was mostly by himself in school as he dwells in his own world surrounded by drawings of imagination. Things change when a new classmate, Leslie transferred to the school. Leslie was not too unlike Jess, she often lived in her own world of imagination created and relayed through her flair with words.

Both were neighbours separated by a road, living on their own plot of land near the woods. Although the friendship started off on an uneasy note but it grew as time goes and they became each other's best friend. Tired of being bullied in school and neglected at home, they escaped into the woods, to a place that belongs only to them and no one else.

Leslie, a very beautiful girl as she is both outwardly and inwardly, opened up Jess's mind to a magical kingdom, the kingdom of Terabithia. A secret land that belongs to them truly and where all became possible. Their love for each other, powered with imagination took them to places and experiences that they can proudly say its theirs and no one else.

When everything was going so wonderfully for them, Jess lost Leslie to an unfortunate accident while Jess was out with his teacher on a school trip. Jess went into a state of shock and denial as he couldn't bring himself to believe the fact that Leslie was gone. But the love of Leslie was strong in him, along with the love of his family and advice from his father, he learnt that despite all, Leslie still live in his heart.

With that, he rebuilt Terabithia, the way he knew best to remember Leslie - through a world they built that belongs to them and all who believe in the magic of love and imagination.

This is the link to the Official Website.

I'm not too sure why but somehow i felt a kindred to the film. It brought laughters and smiles to see such love and bond between the two of them. And it brought tears to my eyes when Jess learnt that Leslie was no longer around and it still does now when i think of the scence again.

Iwo Jima

Recently purchased 2 dvds from Gramphone - Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima.

Both films were directed by Clint Eastwood and were meant to be complementary films as they both revolve around the 35 days battle of Iwo Jima during WWII, one from the perception of americans and the other from the japanese.
It shows how different reality can be when it is viewed thru different people of differing mindsets. Even within the americans and japanese themselves, their views can differ greatly.

More importantly, the 2 films presented the frontline soldiers in most down to earth manner; they did not think of themselves as heroes. Both the americans and japanese alike, most of what they wanted was to stay alive, to make it home to their families if ever possible.

Nothing heoric about the main cast of both films and this is what made it truly compelling and moving, more real life than reel life. =)

Rumour Has It - Be Present

Watched the DVD starring Jennifer Aniston and Kevin Costner about a week ago. Nice enough DVD with its little funny and touching moments. What i remembered most vividly from the film was a qoute from Kevin Costner.

In the show, he mentioned that the most powerful two words that someone had mentioned to him and transformed his life are "BE PRESENT". By being present, are we only able to cherish what we have at the very moment itself. What we have at the moment is all displayed in front of us. It is not some far-off dream destination that we have, or a dream partner that may never materialise but the very people that surround us on the very piece of ground we stand on in this very moment.

Maybe that the reason sometimes when sitting beside people who are close (like my family, qin, ling, mark and more..) to me, i'm always able to look inwards for a quiet moment and feel truly blessed.

Let's all BE PRESENT! =)

Pan's Labyrinth

A Spanish film set in the 1940's countryside of Spain. It tells of a tale of a little girl (Ofelia) travelling with her mum (Carmen) who joins her newly wedded husband (Vidal) in their new home. There, it starts a tale of fantasy in the midst of harsh reality of warfare. For the full synopsis, you can visit their website www.panslabyrinth.com

Although its film that has won numerous awards, it is not for those who cannot appreciate dark beauty at one of its better moments. If Alice in Wonderland is the pretty version of surrealism, then this must be the dark and twisted version. The faun is no pretty faun like the one you may have seen in Narnia. The faun in this film looks more like the devil in disguise and the magical creatures that Ofelia met are no angels. Even the fairies are in dark colours like dirty green and dark blue to help better portray the gloominess of the show.

What really stands out in the show is the ability of the director to mix reality with fantasy in a very fine line, leaving you wondering if those magical creatures are for real or just simply the conjurement of Ofelia. Other than this, this film really brings out the best and the worst of the human nature during war time. A tale of all sorts of human emotions, love, hate, pride, humility, compassion.

Oh, by the way, the show is somewhat graphical in nature, so if you are those squemish people, don't watch it.....

Happy Feet

3 of us celebrated Mark's birthday last weekend. Quite the simple affair ~ dinner and a midnight show.

Come to think of it, for the few of us as we get older, such celebrations becomes simpler and more personal with just a few good friends gathering for a good dinner or just a good cup of coffee.
Had a late dinner at The Manhattan Fish Market in Plaza Singapura. We are fairly pleased with the food, sharing a platter for 3. To make the meal a healthier one, 3 of us shared a plate of salad. Well, one ought to try to have some greens as a daily habit.

After that, we moved on to Cathay for a late nite show. No prizes for guessing what show we caught. Think the title says it all ~ Happy Feet. Quite a good movie that caters to both the young and old.

For the young, there are lots of cute and loveable characters like Mumble, Gloria, Lovelace the Guru and the five latin penguins namely, Ramon, Lombardo, Nestor, Rinaldo and Raul that provides all the cutesy and laughable moments.

For the adults, the movie will provide much food for thoughts. In the movie, it will touch on the fact that the elders of tradition and religion should not hold on to their faith and teachings blindly, ignoring other possibilites that is outside of their world.

It emphasises that tradition and religion should also be in touch with the outside world which is everchanging. We should not ignore the ideas no matter how radical or how young the person who is offering the advice. Otherwise decline is almost certain if faith is followed blindly.

Another major message that the movie is bringing across is the amount of damage that we are doing to Mother Earth. How bad the pollution is today and how over-harvesting of Earth's resources is damaging her every single moment. It asks us to consider how we may improve the lives of all the beings sharing this Earth.

The next time we dispose our little piece of rubbish, let us be mindful and dispose it in its proper bin provided for it. Let's not just dump in into the drain or stream as it may well end up in the vast ocean and harm some little life out there. =)

In anycase, do enjoy Mumble and his gang if you are watching it anytime in the near future! =)

童夢奇緣

One of the latest Andy Lau films that i caught on discs. Applause to Teddy Chan the director for the excellent direction he provided for this film and the cast for a most commendable performance. =)

This is definitely one of the better HK films i've seen in recent times. Very enchanting story plot to begin with and it's wonderfully coupled with a most unexpected ending (not anti climax sort of ending but definitely not a fairy tale ending).

If you wish to see this film, try not to read any further ~ might spoil your enjoyment of the show. Haha, and i have no wish to spoil your day...

.
.
.

Here goes ~

In the film, Guang is a kid who puts the blame for the death of his mum (suicide) on his father and stepmother. He tries all means to make life difficult for them and badly wishes to be free of his family.
 

Through fate, he meets a stranger who invented a potion that speeds up one's life process. Guang tries to steal it but ends up breaking the test tube. Though broken and the potion spilled, his blood is already tainted with the formulae (a cut on the hand by the shattered glass). Next morning, he wakes up a man in twenties.

As a young adult, Guang is fascinated by the seemingly endless possibilities placed right in his face. Things like standing up for his buddy, saving him from the bullies, chasing after his pretty teacher, permission to drink and many more. However, he realises soon that it is not all fun and that there is a heavy price to pay... ~ he's growing old too rapidly.

He soon realises a number of truths including the fact that his stepmother is really the first wife, not the third party as he always thought. He also realises how much unconditional love his father has been giving him and how hard the father is salvaging to keep the family going. "Sometimes the truth is not what we perceived it to be" ~ very nicely done in the film to remind us not to be too judgemental or critical. At the same time, not to be overly attached to our self-formed opinions. Realising his own folly, he goes back to the inventor and ask for an antidote in hope to revert all things to its original stage.

When Guang ask for an antitode, the inventor said there isn't one. Guang broke down and regrets badly his actions. The old fella said, "Life is a process that is irreversible but no matter how short a time you have left, there is always hope." Really loved the way it's being said ~ very zen like, shows that it doesn't matter how much time is spent but if one learns to treasure the present moment, if one puts in the effort, it is never too late. Afterall, the past is gone, future yet to come and we only have the present. A moment spent in diligence and love is better than years spent in laziness and hatred.

Heehee, guess i wrote too much...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

A must see film if you are one of those kids that were deeply enthralled by the tv series screened on our local television network in our younger days! And i was definitely one of those kids! =)

If you are wondering, i'll just give you some bit and pieces of info about it. The current movie and the tv series made in the 80's are based on the second book in the series known as the Chronicles of Narnia (7 books altogether if i'm not mistaken).

Animals are given a makeover in the show. In this magical world behind the doors of a wardrobe, all of them are bestowed with human intellect, characteristics and the ability to speak. Some, like the beavers, reminds you of good-natured neighbours while some, like the wolves, reminds you of unscrupulous evil-doers that will stoop to nothing to reach their goals.

Of course, it is not without its share of mythical creatures. They include the proud and noble centuars, smart and watchful griffons and many more. No matter how special or uncanny these mythical creatures are, they all bow to one true king ~ Aslan (the Lion).

Though a lion is not a mythical creature, it is deemed the center role and held in the highest regard in the film. Not that it is not majestic looking but it is really king because of its unconditional love for its subjects and its unparrallel wisdom (that the Witch in the show can in no way compare, no matter how cunning and devious she maybe).

This only proves how important it is to be sincere in your dealings with people around you, as the true-self will prevail. And lies can never diminish the truth, no matter how well thought and planned the lies are. Not only that, there are a great number of virtues and morals that the film imparts ~ kinship, determination, faith, trust, etc... I'll leave it to you to discover its magic like i did. =)

BONJOUR MONSIEUR SHLOMI

It's definitely rainy season - it wasn't a sunny sunday. On the bright side, i had plenty of "rest" - Zzzzz... Been a long time since i lazed around. :)

Well, after a good rest in the afternoon, went out for a cup of coffee with buddy JH in the evening. Guess what, i bought the DVD - Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi. Been a couple of months since i watched any movie and since i was out, and so happened to venture into Laser Flaire, and so happened to lay my eyes on it.... Oh well, you know the rest of the story - the part where i reach into my pocket and ya, paid for it...

It was money well spent, a most excellent and heartwarming film. Glad C recommended me this film. :) It's an Israeli film with english subtitles. Some of the better films that i seen are not blockbusters but rather small budget films like this (where people in the production put their heart and soul into it).

It's a film filled with much laughter - some of the parts are really comical, and yet it was not without its human element where it really excels in. Loved the Grandpa in the film. Nope, i'm not going to divulge anything more but i'm always good for a lending session on that DVD. You can watch it yourself and decide if it's that good. :)