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
I can’t sleep if I didn’t write something about this film. This film is one of the two best examples (the other being the “Thank For Smoking”) to tell the world that some things cannot be controlled however one tries to because these things are designed to be that way. There is no moral ground surrounding them.
If you don’t know what I’m talking about, the movie is about a man who lobbies weapons to warring parties. When he was caught by an FBI, he was immediately released because “he is needed by the government.” If you are so naive about the world, war is caused during peaceful times to create a balance. There will always be war. Peace is a pipe dream. War does not have an antonym. It’s the reality.
May 28th, 2008
If something strikes a nerve in my head I usually blog or linger a thought about it. However, due to some uncontrolled circumstances, I lost my inspiration over the weekend. So here I am again, trying to remember the moment which confirmed and disappointed my way of living. I may have seen a movie that could push “Mallrats” or “Good Will Hunting” down a notch. I’ve only seen “Into The Wild” once, so I don’t know the effect if I watch it over and over again.
“Into The Wild” confirmed my ideals and that it had been lived once. It’s a story of a man (Christopher Johnson McCandless played by Emile Hirsh) who detached himself from society because he hated it so much. He embraced the peaceful and adventurous Nature. He disregarded the material things because he believed it caused. It’s really a very powerful equation because I never thought of it that way. I’ve always thought of it’s result specifically. I’ve always deduced it to suffering. To say that it causes struck a domain with a wider range. Wealth and power causes suffering. His definition precedes mine. It’s a discovery of greater value for me. Wealth and power causes ______. Anything could be filled in the blank and that’s what I meant by a wider range.
I’d really would like to write more about MCandless’ thoughts but I won’t. I would go straight to the disappointment he brought me before he died. His last testament was the confession that “happiness only real when shared.” This is where I still define myself from him. Happiness, as I always believe, is for oneself. Having it shared with someone else does not make happiness eternal. A man’s journey should lead him to eternal bliss and all of us shall perish not achieving it. We are all slaves of love and care. We submit to love. I witness that because I for one have been forced into submission by the feeling of imperceptible care for someone. The selfless and voluntary devotion to someone. The reality of happiness is unattainable because we are not completely detached from society. From the movie, he made friends with others which brought his own demise. He lingered the thought of going back to society to share his experience with others. He was not always true to himself because he always hinted the return to society. His transformation wasn’t complete.
I am fully aware that I cannot come close to what McCandless have gone to, but I strongly believe that my realization is enough for me to live that life inside my head. I shall die not a hypocrite for I am living the things I believe inside me. My shell matters to me not.
April 28th, 2008
Okay, before the night passes, let me make an entry. I won’t be commenting on a subject because I’ve realized that I’ve been onto a single subject and that’s the movies. I should get out more… Soon, that time will come [my dear once-in-a-blue-moon reader should know]. Anyway, I’ll record my day so that I can compare it with my gloomy Sunday last week.
When I was half awake at around 6AM, I sent a text message to the wife. Just letting her know I’m alive and kicking and of course how much I miss her [senti]. Then I went back to sleep. A couple of hours later, I woke up for good and finished the movie I was watching last night - “Nomad (The Warrior)”. Afterwards, I checked my email and the usual stuff I do online. I cooked some instant noodles for a brunch to fill my hungry stomach, washed the dishes and took a shower. I then went to the corner store to buy four (4) bottles of Yoohoo - it’s my latest addiction. I’m surprised it doesn’t give me the loose bowel movement (wow, I dared write it). Went back home and watched a Korean movie called “The Restless” - awesome! Then I watched the Yankee game against the O’s. I’m very superstitious when it comes to my sports team, so everytime Andy pitches, I didn’t watch. Rather, I tried to put myself to sleep. The result? Andy was perfect through the fifth inning. Anyway, the Yanks eventually won - finally! I waited for my father so that I can take the van to the movie theater. I was so hungry that I went out again to the Filipino store to get some food. When I came back my father arrived. I ate quickly and left for the 5:30 show. It was the “Forbidden Kingdom” which is horrible. If you care for your ten bucks, don’t watch it. After that I went home and chowed down some junks.
That’s about it for today…nothing interesting, but at least not gloomy.
April 20th, 2008
Last night I saw on DVD Julie Delpy’s film “2 Days In Paris”. The film hit home. The film has so many features that I will probably miss most of them in this entry. “2 Days” is about a couple - an American and a French – who stopped over in Paris for two days on their way back to New York from Italy. The French girl was reunited with old friends and lovers. Delpy, who wrote, directed and produced this flick, brought out, in my opinion, everything that is negative about the Frenchies. But she didn’t miss the assault on America either.
What hit home really wasn’t the stereotypes. It’s the main theme which is being out of place. I have been feeling out of place these past months. “2 Days” visualized the feeling of being out of place for me. You become passive externally, but deep down inside you are in a revolution. The feeling causes paranoia, jealousy, and pessimism. Paranoia because you don’t belong in a group and thus don’t understand their ways yielding you to believe that they are not the friendlies. Jealousy comes into play and I will withhold my reasons. Pessimism arises because all you would think about are negative things. Those things won’t be visible, though. They are all kept inside you and you become passive outside as a defense mechanism. You show them that you are not out of place while you are wishing that time will come that they visit your own world and kick them where it hurts.
Watch the movie and you’ll understand my feelings.
April 18th, 2008
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