I noticed that movies nowadays almost always have some sort of subliminal message. For instance, the viewing of Avatar today brought the film geek in me to another level, what with James Cameron’s special effects on crack, the high definition quality of 3D images, insane cinematography albeit mostly CGI and of course, superbly choreographed action scenes, oh and love those blue creatures/people.
But despite all these known ingredients for your successful, billion dollar grossing, popcorn blockbuster movie, they always seem to add in messages of being socially responsible, especially to the environment.
Sure the movie blew me away, but it almost made me think about how big corporations like Kleenex who destroy virgin forests in Northern Canada to make ‘the softest tissue in the world!’. The Na’vi people in Avatar could just as well be the protector of the forest, while big nasty corporations destroy the magical Pandora for what? A ridiculous amount of money, of course.
Capitalism is basically the only solid religion left in our society today, we can’t escape it, in fact, we ourselves feed it. We all play some part in our dying planet, big mean corporations are just something solid we can put a blame on because their actions seem the most obvious.
But can we really live without those soft tissues? Do we really know what’s going on to our planet out there? How many people would die to protect our earth like the Na’vis? And most importantly, do these messages even get through to us?
Avatar has a strong focus on its message – choose your side, and fight for what’s right. The only problem is, in real life, there are so many grey areas that movies like Avatar fail to address. Then again, it’s a holiday blockbuster movie, you spend $15 to enjoy yourself, not think about freaking virgin forests in Northern Canada. Right?
Avatar: mysticism, ecology, action and a hint of cliché
Dec
2009
I’m pink and black and blue for you
I woke up a bit disorientated this morning. You know, that feeling that you weren’t sleeping and doing a lot of moving about but hey why am I in bed and my limbs are still trying to wake up?
Only after taking 35 mins of getting ready and while waiting for the water to boil for a cuppa tea did I realise that I had the weirdest dream last night. And sure enough, it involved a lot of moving about.
I dreamt that I was in some sort of uni, and funnily enough jaclyn and her boyfriend were in my class and I kept asking them questions about math homework. And then (yes, there’s more), I was running around this uni, which looks a lot like Nimonster’s old uni in Northridge, and somehow I couldn’t find my class and was getting panicky. I swear, I went up this stairs turn here and there and went in circles but somehow couldn’t find my damn class! And it was already 3 mins past the class starting time and I really hate being late for classes.
So in the end, I asked someone (god knows why I didn’t earlier, my dream-self must’ve had some male-ego-don’t-ask-for-directions thing going on). So apparently, my class was like Harry Potter’s Room of Requirement (yes, I like Harry Potter and I remember things from the book shuddap), so I had to think about my class really hard while at this particular spot and the door would magically appear for me.
google image
So this is what I’ve deciphered from the dream: I have a deep desire to have magical powers so I can use it to pass my exams, which I really hate because I don’t do well under the pressure of time and mystery questions potentially from any of the 25 chapters the lecturer did NOT go through.
I can’t get Chairlift’s Bruises out of my head. I need to stop going to the pharmacy, Target or Kmart for nonsensical toiletries and makeup. I am craving for pasta, risotto to be exact, even though I’ve just had pasta yesterday. Oh, and I’m in dire need for Grey’s Anatomy to make my life make sense again.
I tried to do handstands for you
I tried to do handstands for you
everytime I fell on you
Yeah, everytime I fell
I tried to do handstands for you
But everytime I fell for you
I’m permanently black and blue
Blue for youuuuu
Oct
2009
bukan nak kontroversi, tapi nak bercerita
So my uni wasn’t kidding when they said my Masters is a full-time course. I thought they were bluffing like Monash. When I did my full-time undergraduate course at Monash, I somehow managed to work 2 jobs, take on an extra subject during one semester, AND managed to pass everything. Right now, I have 4 subjects and no job and I can’t even find the time to watch tv/pee/shit/any other leisure activities. Well, at least classes are interesting and I get to do class papers on Xbox and Tiffany & Co. That’ll keep me interested. Hopefully.
Got my half-girl badges last week! 
— —
On a sad note, Yasmin Ahmad, a notable Malaysian director and executive creative director for the prestigious advertising company Leo Burnett passed away suddenly last week. Seriously, as if this year cannot get any worse. If you’re a Malaysian, you are sure to know of Yasmin Ahmad’s famous Petronas ads during the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya period. Even for a person like me who’s living overseas, I would scour youtube for her latest ads during those festive season. Her stories are always full of love, kindness, and a strong message that tugs at your heart. In a country with so much censorship in the media, she still managed to convey her message of anti-racism with such simplicity and honesty. She was never afraid of who she is and what she represents despite all the controversy. She is truly a legend, and what I aspire to be.
I don’t think you would be able to understand the full impact of her ads and movies if you’re not Malaysian. I am proud to be Malaysian Chinese but sad about what my country has become. Why is it so hard to find peace? Why can’t it be resolved civilly, for the sake of our children? It is so sad that so many of us choose to run away, leave the country and settle with calling Malaysia our ‘hometown’, and not ‘home’ anymore.
I love being Malaysian. I always emphasise that I’m MALAYSIAN Chinese. Not Chinese. China Chinese is a whole different culture. I don’t get angry when people think Malaysia’s just some South-East Asian country where people still live on trees. Instead, I laugh at their ignorance. But what makes me sad is when people just dismiss us as a third world country (which we are not, we are probably more advanced than most western/european countries) and not want to learn more about us. Because we have so much to offer despite our shitty government antics.
Anyways, here are a couple of my favourite Yasmin Ahmad ads and a tribute video to her. You can read more about her life and career here. I’m think I’m gonna watch Sepet again.
“I hope my films are more evocative than provocative.”
– Yasmin Ahmad (1958 – 2009)
Aug
2009
Must I go on pretending, where is my happy ending?
I wonder if it is true that the most wonderful books are ones we relate to. I relate to Clare and Henry, their lives, hopes and dreams. This is more than a science-fiction romance story, it is philosophical and deep. I understand when Henry whispers to Clare “It is dark now and I am very tired. I love you, always. Time is nothing.” I understand the waiting, the sadness, the yearning, the worrying and the wanting. Even to the last words of the last page of the book is beautiful: “I waited for you, and now you’re here.” How can you not love a book that starts like this:
Clare: It’s hard being left behind. I wait for Henry, not knowing where he is, wondering if he’s okay. It’s hard to be the one who stays.
I keep myself busy. Time goes faster that way.
I go to sleep alone, and wake up alone. I take walks. I work until I’m tired. I watch the wind play with the trash that’s been under the snow all winter. Everything seems simple until you think about it. Why is love intensified by absence?
Long ago, men went to sea, and women waited for them, standing on the edge of the water, scanning the horizon for the tiny ship. Now I wait for Henry. He vanishes unwillingly, without warning. I wait for him. Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments lined up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?
- The Time Traveler’s Wife
Audrey Niffenegger
I would recommend this to Nimonster because I know he loves a discussion about the concept of time, and Niffenegger’s philosophy of time is nothing less than beautiful. But I am afraid he will relate to Clare and Henry, and feel the sadness like I do. But then again he doesn’t even have time for me anymore, so I doubt he’ll have time to read a book.
It’s been more than a week since I finished the book. But its story and sadness is still lingering within. I guess it is true then. The most wonderful books are ones we relate to.
Jul
2009
I am not the campaign, I am the movement!
I finally watched Milk. What an incredible movie, especially with the incredible Sean Penn and amazing director Gus Van Sant. You’ve got to watch it to believe it. Another thing about the movie was how it reminded me of San Francisco and how much I miss it. There’s just something about that city. Maybe it comes from all the movements and fight for rights, all that passion, blood, sweat and hope. Picture taken one cold rainy morning, not a bad one especially since Nimonster was rushing me to cross the road, lucky I got my snapshot!
“If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door.”
- Harvey Milk
Jul
2009
Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone
It’s been a week of many changes. 2009 officially sucks. It can die and go to hell.
My cousin came for 10 days and went. How quick 10 days passed. I think Brandy will miss her a lot. She’s such an animal person. My cousin that is, not Brandy.
I brought my cousin to so many chocolate places. San Churro was one of the places we tried out together – milk chocolate and hot churros are TO DIE FOR.
Visited Dali’s exhibition with a couple of girlfriends. Exhibition was absolutely AH-mazing! Day out with the girls absolutely fun and just what I needed.
Over the week, I have also decided to further my study, and have just sent in my application for Master of Advertising at RMIT University. Jaclyn, please do not freak out. I’m still quite blasé about whether I get accepted or not. In the meantime, I’m happy just hanging around the house in my pajamas since work at Pearson ended. Workdays without work is better than having the weekend off after a long week of work.
I need a haircut. I might dye it jet black. I might pierce my tongue this week. I might go on a couple of dates too. I might do a lot of things. I like change, most of the time.
Why is the gingerbread man still smiling? I need to learn from him.
Jul
2009
Sichuan Hotpot Night
Hotpot is always special. There’s something about the combination of hot fumes, oily spicy soup, cold weather, good company, meat, and garlic seaseme oil sauce. I’ll let the pictures do the ‘talking’ eh…
I am super Asian when it comes to food, which literally means I am quite adventurous with food. In fact, one of my things to do before I die is to eat fried insects, which I couldn’t find when I spent 6 weeks in Shanghai! How can they not have fried insects in China!? I have a feeling I wasn’t looking in the right places. Next time, for sure!
Oh-my-god-we-ate-too-much-but-very-happy-and-satisfied-gluttonous-people
Doo San recommended a movie – Quarantine. I’ve seen the preview but never gave much thought to it. Since it’s a night out, why not. I like gross scary movies anyways. The movie poster pretty much says everything about it, which is cool cause complicated plots would not go well with overfed people who are slowly going into a food coma. And, we challenged ourselves to BUBBLE TEA (with very good pearls) during the movie. I thought my stomach was gonna explode if I laughed too hard. Luckily it was a scary movie so not much laughing except the occasional “oh my god that guy is so stupid hahaha”.
I’m gonna miss nights out like these with my favourite (and only) Korean friend Mr. Doo San and Sub Rosa when I’m in America.
Nov
2008
