It’s Independence Day weekend and for those who will be staying home (like me) during the long weekend, I am recommending the films below. They are all foreign films (not if you’re Japanese or Korean). I have them as part of my tiny DVD collection. They aren’t new. They’re about at least 3 years old already and I’m guessing that most of my readers have not seen them yet. I’m a huge fan of martial arts films especially the ninja and samurai. That’s not the only reason why I’m recommmending them, however. These films possess deeper meaning. I have found those meanings in my own perception. It’s up to you to find for yourself.
I will recommend more films later on.
SHINOBI — The movie contains one of the greatest fight scenes ever shown on film. The hero and heroin possess amazing powers and the fit the actors portraying the characters. Probably one aspect of the movie that made me love it is the cinematography. Amazing, amazing, amazing.
AZUMI I — The first of the two. The history of Azumi; how she became. An excellent display of swordplay. I’m a huge fan of the ways of samurai. I’m a man who adores perfection through simplicity and the samurai way of life is that. Simple, precise, perfect. The pretty face of Azumi is a plus.
AZUMI II — The second installation. The continuation of Azumi’s journey towards cleansing. Aagain, contains a great display of swordplay. Unlike most sequels, this one did not disappoint me. Azumi still looking good especially with a cloak (that’s when she really kicks ass).
SHADOWLESS SWORD — This is a Korean film that I can proudly recommend. Korean films are becoming better and could probably replace Hollywood. The film contains another excellent display of swordplay. A must see.
July 4th, 2008
“We The Living” is about a struggle of three individuals in Soviet Russia. Ayn Rand claims that the heroin inherits all the philosophical ideas from her.
In the beginning of the book, Kira was my model. She did not care about anyone but herself. She walked the path which would make her happy. She denounced society because according to her, oneself always comes first. The highest reverence of man is himself. Selfishness is a virtue.
A few chapters later, I lost interest on Kira. She contradicted herself because she fell in love. Her love affair(s) is unconventional. So what? She attached herself to another and that created a “society”. This is the beginning of her downfall and she never rose back.
I have been attempting to detach myself completely from everything — emotions, society, etc. I had the opportunity to complete the task 4 years ago. I also had another opportunity 5 months ago. Both opportunities were shattered by an emotion that everyone seeks and what caused Kira her downfall.
Once a man is detached, he shall live life like a comatose. So far, I have devised three phases in order to achieve complete detachment: (1) detach yourself from blood, (2) detach yourself from love, and (3) detach yourself from dependence. I shall explain each one.
Detachment from blood means to extract yourself from your family and relatives. This does not mean casting out of the house (you will do this in the third phase). What I meant here is to not care what happens to the family. You shouldn’t feel grief, envy, jealousy regarding the family. This may be the hardest because you grew up attuned to this form of collective. It’s the basic form of society — family.
Detachment from love means to not be in love with anybody. This is difficult as well because the emotions playing here are very enigmatic. However, this is the only phase where you have to overcome something that’s not inherent. It’s injected. It’s poison to selfishness. Total self control is needed in this phase. Strong will to resist external temptation is a must.
Detachment from dependence is not exactly independence. Independence is the result, but is not the task. This is the most difficult of the three because you will have to abandon all connections. You will no longer depend on others in order to live. You will not have a job, acquaintances, connection to the world. You will be completely alone.
The first phase, I have partially completed. There are still stray emotions I need to sort out. The second phase, I should have the full control in this. For now, I can’t say I have this taken care of. Lastly, I need to save in order to accomplish the third phase. I have a long way to go… What about you?
June 1st, 2008
I have a TOGO playlist in my iPod Nano containing 8 songs. They are all love songs save one. Most of my collections contain songs of heartbreaks. I’m not saying I’m heartbroken. I think good songs are written during a downfall of an artist because there are so many emotions. An artist who didn’t experience a downfall isn’t an artist at all — in my opinion.
I’ve seen you cry, I’ve seen you smile.
I’ve watched you sleeping for a while.
I’d be the father of your child.
I’d spend a lifetime with you.
I know your fears and you know mine.
We’ve had our doubts but now we’re fine,
And I love you, I swear that’s true.
I cannot live without you.
- Goodbye My Lover, James Blunt
This is my favorite James Blunt song. I emphasize favorite because it’s only one. These lines are loaded. I hope I never get to personify this song. I don’t know the whole story of this song and I’m not sure if he wrote this out of experience. Playing it solo in a piano made the song more beautiful. It’s a beautiful sad song I guess.
I’ll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You’ve been the only thing that’s right
In all I’ve done
And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we’ll make it anywhere
Away from here
- Run, Snow Patrol
One of the few Snow Patrol songs I love. The melody is just beautiful. The lines above tell about an escape from everything (I think) — from criticizing eyes. Sounds familiar to me. Just listen to the song if you have a chance and you’ll understand. I had to pick a line so I picked the first verses.
As I say goodbye to the way of life
I thought I had designed for me
- Try, Nelly Furtado
I guess it’s the music that made me like this song. The lines above simply tell us that there is a design for life, but it’s nearly impossible to go by that design. It’s feasible, but nearly impossible.
Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end
- All Good Things (Come To An End), Nelly Furtado
Very true. Need I elaborate? That’s a life cycle. That’s why I always thought that life shouldn’t be taken seriously because it’s a game within the circle. Why struggle when in the end all is lost? Life is a game in which the outcome is already decided before it starts.
May 27th, 2008
The second batch of lyrical lines that I’ve picked from my playlist. It took me more than a week to complete this batch. I’m not as inspired as the last one I guess. That’s the problem when you are reading while listening. You have to give the book priority.
Deep in my heart
There’s no room for crying
But I’m trying to see your point of view
- My Eyes, Travis
As I’ve said in my past entries, I am not an avid fan of Travis’ music, but rather the band’s style. Only thing though about them is that few of their songs either describes me or describes my philosophy. These lines describes my emotions. I keep them inside and I never really pour them out on someone. I pour them out on music most of the time. If I’m soundtripping loudly, it means I’m letting out a steam. It’s quite healthy really. Yeah, that’s it — I keep everything to myself. You’ll probably notice this on the demeanor on my face.
He pulled a gun from his jacket
He said I was going to die
It gives me so much satisfaction
To watch you beg and cry.
I just made up this story
To get your attention makes me smile.
- I Stopped To Fill My Car Up, Stereophonics
I enjoy listening to this song because it brings me into the story. Kelly Jones is a superb storyteller indeed. The lines above is a literal cry for attention — and it’s a good one at that. I especially like the last line. I would be considered anti-social, yet crying for attention. Aren’t we all? If I could play a goddamn guitar (which I’m sure I won’t because I have nervous coordination issues) I would be playing this song over and over again.
There’s things I want
There’s things I think I want
There’s things I’ve had
There’s things I wanna have
Do I want the dreams?
The ones we’re forced to see
Do I want the perfect wife?
The word perfect ain’t quite right
…
I’m just looking
I’m not buying
I’m just looking
Keeps me smiling
- Just Looking, Stereophonics
This is the first Stereophonics song that I heard and I’ve been a fan ever since, collecting all their albums. I think that the lines above has put what’s real and what’s not into words. I’m not sure yet if I’m just looking. Am I trying to grasp or am I just standing on the curb watching things pass by. It’s fascinating to not know what is real and what isn’t. Something so simple, yet if we stop and ponder we would be in a limbo trying to figure the thing out.
Cannot wake up in the morning
Without you on my mind
- Almost Lover, A Fine Frenzy
The lines above are for Mai. The song isn’t. Only the lines. My mind is filled with her images when I’m conscious. If you want her out of my mind, you have to knock me unconscious, but that doesn’t mean she won’t be in my dreams.
May 18th, 2008
According to Thomas Hobbes, the state of nature is the state where each individual would have the right, or license to everything in the world. I believe that if society is stripped down — of everything artificial — we would be in that state. The world was originally in a state of nature.
Before I go any further, here I define a state as a point in space, not a governing one or a collective.
Hobbes’ assumption of the natural state led him into proposing a social contract — ultimately creation of society. For my own behalf, I will only accept the truthfulness of Hobbes’ assumption.
In the state of nature where a man can do what he wants is the foundation of my selfishness. If a man was originally allowed to do what he wished — free from constraints of society, then he should be forever allowed to do what he wants to do regardless of its effect on others.
It is not difficult to acknowledge the state of nature because it is always present, only hidden by the artificial curtains enveloping it. It is a sad thing, however, that when a man is born, he is conventionally acquainted to the artificial state and will take him a lifetime to realize that there is indeed a state with no constraints.
May 14th, 2008
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