Big Swing And A Miss

Speaking of disappointment, two movies that I watched last week explain how mediocrity can dangerously harm a highly respected and anticipated brand name or franchise.

Let’s start with the Hollywood summer blockbuster bomb, G.I. Joe. I’ll begin with something more objective – 6.1/10 rating from imdb.com, 4.7/10 from rottentomatoes.com while on the website it also says “…a cartoonish, over-the-top action fest propelled by silly writing, inconsistent visual effects, and merely passable performances.” Well I can’t agree more on that.

Walking into the cinema with a joyfully fed stomach (slightly sugar-high) and accompanied by not one but three female chaperones, I was ready to be entertained. While not a big fan of sci-fi movies, I’ve seen enough G.I. Joe action figures to conjure a slight interest in finding out what the successful Hasbro franchise has to offer via a completely different dimension of entertainment. The snake-themed movie started out strong and was able to catch my attention with its 17th Century setting, plus Rachel Nichols and Sienna Miller are both insanely hot. I thought to myself, “this is gonna be good”. But unfortunately, that concluded the up side of the story. The flooded $90+ million box office is obviously financed by innocent individuals, like me, who lost in a gamble for believing that a plastic toy could expand into a Hollywood must-watch.

As the 2 Joes broke through a streetcar, its windows shattered along with my high expectations; the rest of the movie was mixed with dissatisfying CGIs, gags that fall under the cliché category, physical paradoxes that even Einstein could hardly make convincing, and a plot that resembles Dr. Evil’s master plan. Acting was mediocre, same as the fighting scenes and same as the explosion effects. The production team did, however, succeed in one aspect, G.I. Joe action figures will continue to sell thanks to its over-the-top combating body gear and weapons. But, one thing for sure, I won’t be watching its sequel.

Next up, Knowing by Nicholas Cage. 

OK, I am a Nicholas Cage fan, plus he has a standalone reputation, just like Will Smith, for offsetting the deficiency of the rest of the crew. So, I decided that this movie must be watchable. Well, the build up of the story is pretty compelling consider I had to stop roughly 1/3 into the movie to slowly work up my courage again to confront those ghost-like albino folks, who could shoot light from their mouths. The “knowing” or prophecy component is kind of cool and the intensity is definitely there. Plus, like I said I am a Nicholas Cage fan (palms up and shrug).

However, time to time, you just feel like sucker punching Cage for poor parenting or I guess the script writer for allowing unnecessary tensions to manifest. Example A: If you knew your kid has been followed by suspicious stalkers, wouldn’t you keep a closer eye on him? Don’t go turn around and shout in the phone, turn back only to find out that your kid has gone missing. Example B, no Example B because all the flaws are similar to Example A, but in different settings. Let’s just say that there are more holes in the story than a Swiss cheese, just like in G.I.-non-human-Joe. The biggest upset, however, comes at the end when a gigantic UFO, shining xenon white light, descended out of nowhere (Yes, you heard me, a UFO), and no one besides the main characters saw it (how on earth?). Nicholas Cage, witnessing the disc-like flying object, dropped down on his knees in horror and disbelief, and although watching the movie in bed, I also dropped down on the ground (in my head) even lower than Cage. The absurd ending ripped the whole movie and my hopes apart, completely (way to ease the tension I guess?). A tip when making a movie: try not to combine a horrific thriller with an alien intrusion that has a massacre style finish. Minus 2 for Nicholas Cage here.

Now let’s pray that Lost doesn’t wind up like Knowing. Otherwise, you can expect something far worse than rotten tomatoes from the fans.

Cradle to ..... ?

It wasn't until after I tidied my room that I realized the heaps of "garbage" that have been squatting in my crib. Like many people around me, I hate throwing away stuff because it denotes, or seems like, an ending and a farewell to precious memories. And as the garbage people who will ship away what was once my properties, my physical ties with these objects will also perish in eternity.

No matter how much a risk taker you consider yourself to be, no one truly enjoys the feeling of snapping out of an old habit or situation. And it seems all too painful when one loses someone close, ends a long term relationship, moves to a new condo, or simply when one has to clear out a closet. Now staring at my once beloved childhood board game that is quietly lying on top of a pile of cluttered scrap paper and dated bank statements inside the black bin bag, a mixture of bewilderment and joy come rushing to me. On the one hand, I am mesmerized by the happiness that it once delivered; on the other, I am ambivalent about whether I should rescue it from a place where it doesn't seem to belong or allow it to finish its journey with other "genuine" junk.

Too often, we've heard of songs or read articles that tell us to let go, just way too often. All those "learn to let go before getting hold of something" SEEM and SOUND right, yet should we become its entourage? Well, things come and go, same as life, same as an era, a dynasty, a kingdom, same as a celebrity's popularity, as well as a piece of clothing. But essentially, you can only own so much before it is done for. How many books will you stack up before throwing out some when you move out? How many t shirts can you wear for life?

Whatever has a beginning must also come to an end. By losing something, you are continuing on one of the many stories that you have started "writing", and by losing something, you are finding the right piece of puzzle that will help complete your experience because the memory is always here to stay (I'll exempt the ones with alzheimers). Now stuffing the garbage bag with old magazines, high school textbooks and collectables that I simply cannot see myself indulge in anymore, I am merely saying goodbye to the entities.

And as I took a trip down the memory lane, I was reliving the past while inhaling 21 June's air. What really counts is the piece of memory that becomes part of you.

Bye is never a bye, but rather a chance for new excitements and challenges :D

Open your mind and wake up!

What is wrong with our society? People dressing in almost identical outfit to work; walking emotionlessly trying to avoid any possible body contacts; lining up in stores for the "latest fashion". What has the economy transformed us into? Robots that only care about money making, and spend your so called luxury - salary and free time - on expensive clothing, computers and fancy restaurants? This is just vile, and unacceptable to some extent.

Don't get me wrong, I am a bit of a sucker for brand names too. But at the same time, I know it's time to backtrack a bit. Look at the people in developing countries, look at documentary films, or simply look at kids. Why are they so happy, so easily satisfied? And why can't we achieve the same?

Recently I have been reading a book called How to be Free, I wouldn't say I agree totally with everything that's mentioned by the author, but it has surely got me thinking. Everything surrounding us is controlled by a belief or a system, a system that alleviates freedom, individualism, originality and rebellion. 

This system is called capitalism.

As an Economics major, I do give a lot of credits to pioneers, Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes, Henry Ford, even Tang Xiao Ping, who led this capitalist society to its fullest. Without them, traveling from Hong Kong to Toronto may still take months. Without them, I probably won't be able to enjoy John Legend or Jason Mraz's music. However, this system also promotes dullness, boredom, money-making, mass production and A LOT OF brainwashing.

Consume consume consume.... Spend spend spend

What used to be evil and ugly is now the new trend. Small corner stores are now replaced by huge monopolized supermarkets that basically decide on what you eat. Wal-mart is evil because it creates low paying, boring jobs; it claims to offer the lowest price to create that "smile" on your face. What you probably don't realize is that Wal-mart is profiting like crazy and the money is mostly from the poor. And do you remember that childhood candy or book that you used to love? Bet you can't find them in Wal-mart because they are replaced by fattening Mars bars and Spongebob Squarepants.

TV, some say one of the best inventions, is slowing eroding our lifestyles too. Aeroplanes, buses, taxis, subway, restaurants, schools and even hospitals are flooded with flatscreen TVs. There's no escape from it. We are all spoon fed with advertisements which only serve one purpose, MNCs want your money :) And the message is very clear- "New is good, old is bad, spending is good and investing is good, even borrowing is good, but doing nothing with your money is a sin. So you'd better start working your ass off and give us all your money, because I need to buy a yacht that I will drink my bottle of 1974 Bordeaux on."

I think it's time to step back and think of a cure. Open your mind, not to new ideas but old ways of thinking. Take a walk instead of taking the subway where you get to see only concrete and boring faces. Plant something at home, even better if you can plant some kind of vegetables. Yes it takes time but it brings you away from the plastic-wrapped vegetables that tastes like paper. Start going to local markets instead of chain supermarkets for we need to help preserve the originality and good food. Put down your XBOX 360 and go fishing or rock climbing with some friends :) Pick up a book whenever you're thinking of flipping on your TV, life can be more meaningful than channel surfing.

To be very frank, living in a capitalist society but thinking of reliving a simple life, I am struggling and stuck in a dilemma too. But I know I need to do something. We all need to do something.

Thanks for reading

April Fools

When was the last time you got punk'd on 1st April and actually thought it was brilliant?

It's been a long long time for me, and I'm waiting for its return. I think the problem here is that 4/1 is too big of a date and people are way too conscious about it. Here's an idea, fivefold the number of occasions and randomize the dates so people get reeeaaal confused. Then organize some huge event and don't mention about the word 'Fools'. Think about it, what if that whole Earth Hour thing was just a scam to fool people. Wouldn't it be awesome? We all need jokes once in a while, good ones especially. 

I'm sure most of you have noticed, but well just in case you haven't... go take the subway, have a walk in any business district, go to a shopping mall or just drive around. All you can find is, well nothing ... on people's expressions, which is kind of intimidating. Instead of kids laughing, running around, you hear them crying, and instead of hearing greetings on the street all you can hear is music coming from the little white magic box, that holds 243987385 mp3s, in your pocket... and some occasional sirens that one simply can't ignore.

What's wrong, huh? City life, that is what's wrong. We hear about sickness and diseases every day from family and friends. When we flip open the newspaper we see news about global warming and some suicide bombing in Baghdad. And as we sit in our isolated cubic rooms, looking into the 14.1 inch laptop screen, we are completely falling into the trap of what we call the city life.

It's April Fools folks~ get out and enjoy your day. Go ahead have a good laugh with your buddies and family over some stupid jokes because a good childish prank may exactly be what we need every once in a while. 

ps. I'd love to set up this lock to 'entertain' my roommate, but I guess it's not particularly the brightest thing to do

understanding.....

my first post here

A different perspective means a new way of understanding

December 20th, I injured my right knee. Went to the emergency room and waited for 5 hours, from 11:30pm - 4:30am. I was annoyed, well basically furious at the low efficiency of public health care. I waited and waited, got my x ray taken and turned out negative, ie. no broken bones. They gave me crutches and let me go. Out in the cold, middle of the night (morning really), I felt uneasy, lost and simply lonely.

A distance from me sat a taxi, the only one that I could find, which I was desperate to get into. Home seemed so far away to me at that moment, all I wanted was the "ahhhhhhh" sigh of relief when I jumped into my bed. Back to reality. Unfamiliar with my crutches, I slowly hopped my way forward. I heard footsteps, closer and faster every second. Anxious and feared, I thought it was some thug trying to take advantage of the newly handicapped asian boy. Instead, a well-dressed gentleman ran pass me and waved to the cab. Yes, he rode on it and the cab was quickly out of my sight. 'How selfish!' I thought to myself, 'can't you see that I was going for that cab buddy?!' Well, too busy balancing my steps, I quickly brushed off the thought and moved on. No moving objects whatsoever was under my radar, so I decided to wait for a cab at a larger intersection. A cold and miserable night it was, snow/ice was still everywhere, my crutches weren't giving me much support, the 20 metre hopping drained me out very quickly. I was tired, been up for 20 hours, snowboarded, limped, waited in the ER, hopped. I was confused, at the verge of breaking down. The pain and upset, more importantly the emptiness, were very heavy on my shoulders. I called my mom, then my girlfriend just so I could get enough boosting from them. I blamed them, at the very moment, for not being there with me, well just a thought.

After 15 minutes of waiting, an angel descended from heaven. Slowly I figured the halo of that angel was actually the headlights of a cab. I climbed into the back seats clumsily. Told him my address, and the driver was pissed because it was merely a $6 trip while I took him from a 'long trip' I overheard from his radio. I felt sorry but didn't apologize because i thought that was his job, and hey, I AM INJURED and IN PAIN! I thought the tension would build up once I closed that door, but in return he asked about my injury and had sympathy over me. I gave him a $2 tip in return. :p

Finally home, my sigh of relief was way softer that I had anticipated, and I realized that I'm the only one there. I broke down and cried, for maybe 20 seconds. It was very soothing, a great 20 seconds of stress release.  The stress from an exam that I wrote the day before, from the emptiness that I felt earlier. So here I am, December 28th, a week after the incident, what have I learnt?

I realize that understanding is happiness. Before feeling devastated, you should think about what others might have been through and consider different explanations. This may sound like mom talking, but it is true. First of all, my disappointment in public health care. Well, I might have waited for 5 hours, but the hospital had probably saved a handful of desperate patients. Public health care ain't so bad after all, I had a x ray, another doctor's appointment and a MRI scanning, all free of charge. 

The gentleman who pretty much cut 'my' line and took that cab was probably having a family issue, maybe his kids were sick, maybe his wife was upset about his long working hour, maybe he was late for a train.........Maybe? Maybe a lot of things. Being self centred and hating the world isn't going to help. I blamed my mom and girlfriend remember? They were probably blaming themselves for not being there for me, why should I be giving them extra debts? Besides, I should be happy that I had someone to talk to, someone who could give me strength. I needed them.

Cab driver. He was pissed but I could have saved him a long drive, where the person waiting had gone by the time he arrived. Not to mention the triage nurse at the ER, who had serious attitude. But I figure my wait might have been nothing compared with her night shift. Seeing tens of homeless people a day does drive someone crazy, I believe. 

So, dawn or dusk? Your call.