yamizi's layman review - The Sorcerer's Apprentice

A simple story with a straightforward plot. Good versus evil. I like that. There are days where I prefer to watch simple stories like this.

As mentioned in my twit not long ago, that from my observation, evil usually wins. That makes me look forward to having the good people win, even if it's only in the movies.

I like that idea that Plasma Balls look exactly like Hadoken.

The part where Dave beat Morgana with his multiple Plasma Ball attack was quite distastefully done.

I thought the ending would be more dramatic if the undead were really raised then allow Dave to really release some beautifully CG-designed spells to save the world.

I like the little conversation between Morgana and Dave, and the beauty of English language playing with initials:-

Morgana: You do have the power of Merlin but you lack the strength and skills.

Dave: Yeah but I have brought science with me.

What's with the s?

Horvath's disappearance can be an easy reason for a sequel.

yamizi's layman review - Inception

Simply mind-blowing. I love the story. It is interesting to see the story that touch on the potential of the human mind. I personally feel that there are some points about the mind and scenes that run parallel to the Buddha's teachings on mind and reality.

I also like that the way they enter the shared dream, not by any supernatural power but through technology instead. This is what got me like the show as well, keeping the supernatural event to the very minimal. You will only see strange weathers and defiance of the law of physics when there are disturbance in the real world or say, the domain in the preceding level.

The movie is interesting that besides exploring the potential of the creativity of the human mind, it interwove with detective-like storyline to that adds the cinematic effects.

I like how Cobb (played by Leonardo) kept bringing up the importance and significance of the potential drastic effect in planting an idea into a person's mind. This is very much to how the Buddha had taught in taking care of our minds and to keep purify the mind.

Mind is the forerunner of (all unwholesome) states.
Mind is the chief; mind-made are they.
If one speaks or acts with an impure mind, due to that,
suffering follows, just like the wheels follow the hoof of the draught-ox.

Mind is the forerunner of (all wholesome) states.
Mind is the chief; mind-made are they.
If one speaks or acts with a pure mind, due to that,
happiness follows, like one's own shadow that never parts.

Dhammapada 1 1,2
The Buddha

However, just like how Cobb had said, that thought has to be very deep rooted into the subconscious mind, which is something that is difficult to get in. Movies aside, I find that the repetition of certain behaviour would have programmed what we think in our subconscious minds. The problem is that if a thought is so deeply rooted, it will be very difficult to be removed. Sounds like how habits and thought patterns are formed.

Another interesting thing to note is that if Mal is simply Cobb's memory, then it would have said that Cobb was simply entangled with his own projection. Just that this projection was so much stronger because of the guilt that Cobb had towards Mal.

This also run a bit parallel to what we learn in meditation that is sometimes it's our attachments (any type of emotions towards the subject) to the thoughts that make them strong.

Not to forget the controversial cum cliffhanger ending. Was Cobb still dreaming? The Totem looked like it was losing its spin though but...it will be more eerie if the Totem fell then spin back on its own...right?

Anyway, the following poster is repost from here. A very good summary and explanation to what had happened.

電影《葉問前傳》--- 觀後感

這部戯講述了葉問的成長與如何習得所謂的“正宗”與“非正宗”的泳春拳。但歷史上，葉問好像沒有葉天賜這位義兄吧？有時就對於像這樣的片子感到困擾，因爲我是對於歷史存在的人物是極有興趣，但爲了達到電影效果，便穿插了自己所編的故事進去。雖然如此，這戯的故事還算不錯。

感到有趣的是裏面的打鬥場面與之前兩部的有些不同，但這也是我個人認爲的。我沒習過泳春拳，但乍看之下，倒覺得甄子丹和杜宇航所打出來的泳春拳有些不一樣。不知道這是否是因爲動作導演的關係或者還真的因爲杜宇航從小便練泳春拳的關係。

其實我還蠻期待梁朝偉版的葉問。因爲我喜歡梁朝偉，哈哈！

yamizi's layman review - The Karate Kid (2010)

I have blogged about my anticipation for The Karate Kid movie earlier. I also understood that it drew criticism over its title, being The Karate Kid but in the movie it was Chinese Kung Fu that was picked up by Drey (Jaden Smith), the protagonist in the this movie.

I have also found out from wikipedia, the move titles are different in China, South Korea and Japan. I think the difference in movie titles seems to have happened in other movies before and I can never understand why can't the producers decide on one good movie title and standardise.

I find that this is really not exactly a remake but in fact added a bit depth to give mature viewers a good thought about life. I sort of feel that there are certain Taoist-philosophy embedded throughout the movie.

I really appreciate the contents in the movie and I am impressed with Jackie Chan's performance. This is probably his only movie in his entire career that has only one fight scene throughout the show. Maybe it's really high time for Jackie to try out movie of other genre and this movie could be one of them. I really enjoy his performance in the movie by starting out as an unfeeling maintenance man to an eccentric displinarian.

I liked the self-control part where Yu Rongguang grabbed Jackie by his wrist and taunting for a challenge. It felt like as if Jackie would going to fight him there but it didn't happened. I wonder is it because of the Mr Han seems not to be so good in health. We can see him panting heavily after fighting the kids off for Drey, not so typical of Jackie's character huh? Yu Rongguang seems like a more successful master whereby he has more students and being fit on his own. Jackie in the show, however, is still nursing from the loss of his family.

It was obviously that Jackie couldn't agree with his methods of martial arts training and that's why we can hear him telling Jaden, "That is not kung fu, that is a bad man teaching very bad thing!"

I am also impressed with Jaden's performance especially during the scene where Jackie lost himself. I'm not sure is this an American movie trend but I realised in recent movies, the heros have, instead of make belief that they are invincible, been made to look as fallible as any other men. Jackie would have been Jaden's hero but he had his issues as well.

Just found an interesting difference between Mr Miyagi with Mr Han. Mr Miyagi was a dedicated soldier during the War World II and had his wife and son eventually died during complicated childbirth. As compared to Mr Han who was partly responsible for causing the death of his wife and son. I felt that the grief that they harbour will be very different. Mr Han still can't remember what was the argument that he had with his wife that led to the tragic accident. He hopes it was something important. But...would that help to lessen some of his pain? I quite like that the movie didn't say what was that something that Mr Han cannot remember. I find that it is not necessary to explain everything when you're doing a storytelling.

I quite like the boy who played the role of Cheng. He's so cute in the first place and playing the bad boy makes him look so cool! Pardon his English but I think he had done his best for that! I even like how he did his frontal thrust kick. It sure looks painful!

The only part that I found it pity was actually the kissing scene between Jaden and the girl. I thought that if the romance was removed and a mutual but close friendship in place would be more appropriate.

I especially like the scene that Jaden questioned Jackie about the Taoist nun (I think is she?) and the cobra. The theory that Jackie explain is so spiritual and falls along the line (that I believe) that spirituality and martial arts are closely related. I guess I will remember this line from Jackie to Jaden for a long time:-

"Being still and doing nothing are two different things."

電視劇《我在你左右》--觀後感

《我在你左右》是一部最近剛播完的新傳媒的製作。故事大綱講可以在這裡閲讀。筆者雖無法追看每一集，但是還是對此連續劇有了些感想。

我一向來都喜歡彭耀順的戯。有趣的是彭耀順通常在第八波道的戯都似乎以喜劇爲主而恰巧他在第五波道的卻是較嚴肅的角色。

還以爲他難得可以在第八波道走比較正經的戯路時，卻得知這是他與新傳媒的最後一部戯，難免可惜。

彭耀順在戯裏給我的第一印象便是他的華語進步了好多好多啊！這就已覺得他很用心和努力。

起初被這部戯所吸引是因爲在戯播映的不久前與一名友人談到陰陽眼。那這戯裏頭，彭耀順所飾演的文安便有這能力。我便很好奇，這部戯的故事會是怎樣的。

有趣的是這部戯裏沒有宗教的味道，那文安的那種“不怕鬼”的膽識不知怎麽來。不知是否可以當作“平日不做虧心事，夜半敲門心不驚”的體現。

也不只如果哪兒天我能與靈界的朋友溝通是否能如文安一般的灑脫自在。

大致上覺得整部戯的教材很正面。雖然這部戯的題材是有鬼（就是陳漢瑋飾演的張揚），但他並非嚇人的恐怖片或走的怪力亂神的。覺得這部戯有兩個要點。

一是懂得珍惜及感激身邊的人。這無常一來，任誰也無法阻擋。沒有人會一直陪在你身邊的。

再來便是我們人與人之間的密切關係。雖然兩個人可以不相識，但是有時前者所做的或說的會間接影響到後者。所以我們處事方法要比較有覺照。搞不好你下次丟個香蕉皮會釀成他人的不幸。

只是覺得最後一集有點可惜。如果說張揚的靈魂得以到另一個世界或者去轉世的話，會更能警惕無常的實在。可憐的是張揚的靈魂依附在文安的身上，而文安的靈魂依附在那化妝師身上。就覺得這結尾蠻牽強帶過。

我覺得這部戯的遺憾就是缺少了遺憾。

電影《葉問2：宗師傳奇》--- 觀後感

《葉問2：宗師傳奇》延續了上一集的原班人馬，再次的呈現精彩的武打動作片。筆者通常希望對於講述歷史人物的電影，其内容會跟著正史走。但這部戯與上一集一樣是不跟正史走的，所以唯能把期望放動作上。

《葉問2》一樣的把詠春拳的貼身靠打的技巧的獨特性質給展露出來。筆者覺得最接近實戰的應該為天台上，葉問一對三的那場景。那個“問手”的段落也蠻有趣的。應該只有有練拳的人才會懂那是什麽意思。

漁場一場就有點牽強了。縂覺得如果與那麽多拿著傢伙的人打應該不會這樣一車輪戰的方式對陣吧。應該是四面八方一起來襲才對。

在茶樓的桌上比試也有另一番風景。在限制著的範圍及時間内得保持個人平衡及不敗的餘地算是一種極大的挑戰。慣於貼身靠打風格的詠春拳本來就不會是一個大問題。只是對這部戯的失望在於第二位拳師，鄭師傅所用的八卦掌。筆者有幸認識一些練八卦掌的前輩們，所以對戯裏的鄭師傅的動作招式也略知一二。很可惜的是戯裏的八卦掌招式雖然正確，但是在運用上卻非常的錯。那些轉身的動作不是那樣子用的。看到了一套如此精致的内家拳，即八卦掌，在這戯裏被糟蹋，心裏不免有點沒落。。。最多只能“怪”戯裏的鄭師傅“學藝不精”，單練了外形而無神韻。

洪震南與葉問那一戰也排的相當好。雖然我對兩家拳法認識不深，但在動作上卻很明確的展示了個別的特質、招招清楚。這與洪金寳及甄子丹在《殺破狼》裏以混合搏擊的對決有很大的對比。

兩人對決到最後到桌子被打倒分半，不分高低。這。。。有點誇張了吧。。。怎們說這部戯講的算是近代的武林史，而非武俠小説，怎麽兩人都飛了起來呢？

雖然這部戯沒跟正史走，但其實故事的前半段還蠻喜歡的。至少還有點真實感。畢竟在二戰後開武錧當然不會是一件容易的事。也喜歡看洪震南與葉問那種從厭惡到猩猩相惜的火花。而後至與英國拳王，龍捲風對陣，而整個武林界能放下己見而團結也拿捏的好。

看到洪震南被龍捲風痛毆時，還真的一股無名火在胸裏冒起。也不只是否看這部戯時，是否受到本地小學母語制度風波影響，縂覺得很惋惜華僑不懂得珍惜華人的傳統及智慧。當葉問以二字鉗羊馬鎖住龍捲風的頭并不斷的以日字沖拳一直往龍捲風的臉轟下去時，我也不禁的在戲院裏喊了個“爽嗎！”（以福建話喔）。

當然時候覺得有點笨，這畢竟也只是一齣戲。可能也受了背景音樂的影響而一時不覺得情緒也被牽著走了。看這部戯終究也是爲了看甄子丹打而已，所以應該無需這麽激動、認真。

但這部戯還是體現了中國武術的内涵。就在一名練武者越有成就時，反倒會越内斂。我很喜歡這訊息。練武的基本也是在於強身、防身，絕非練了功後仗勢欺人。我會銘記葉問在戯裏對黃梁的那句話：-

“貴於中和，不爭之爭”

yamizi's layman review - Shake Hands With The Devil

I got to watch this show for attending the film study. This film is an adaption from a book of the same title.

Thanks to Roderick for giving us a brief background information that happened around this tragedy.

It is a heavy film for me.

Initially I thought that the movie will be pretty much the same like Black Hawk Down, We Were Soldiers, that type of genre.

It turns out to be very different. The movie was shot from this Force Commander's perspective and of course the Force Commander should not be fighting at the frontline!

However, Roméo Dallaire, the Force Commander, faced a different type of pressure and stress. How he felt so helpless by being a Commander who commands over limited firepower and very restricted rule-of-engagement in a hot zone.

There are questions left in my mind after watching the film:-

1. I can probably never understand why the UN disapproved Dallaire's plan to seize the weapons caches. It reminded me of the infamous quote from Edmund Burke, "The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.".

2. I can also probably never understand that with the escalating tension that was reported by Dallaire, the rules of engagement became more stringent (which is usually meant for areas that have no eminent danger) making the peace keepers facing higher risk and putting them into disadvantage. Which caused the death of the Belgian soldiers.

3. I also do not understand why Dallaire was asked to withdraw his troops when they had already set up sites to protect innocent displaced personnel.

On a lighter note,

4. I wonder did the scene where Dallaire and his personal staff assistant were aimed with machine gun for walking past the road check set by the solider really happened.

5. Did the scene where Dallaire shaking hand with someone pointing him with a gun at point blank really took place? I thought that the way Dallaire handled the situation was wise. He neither admit nor deny his identity. He just approached to shake hand with the man who was told to kill him with his signature smile.

6. Did the scene where Dallaire shooting the dogs that were chasing the chickens really happen? That suggested that he was breaking, the stress and pressure was just so overwhelming.

After the show, it left me pondering what are the roles of the UN. Does performing peacekeeping duties means to compromise the troops' safety? It's kind of weird isn't it?

I was very sad to know the death of the Belgium soldiers. Especially it was due to following the protocol. I believe they had never expect their ending would be so tragic. They were special forces but murdered without able to put up a fight. What was not shown in the movie was that they died in a very indignify manner. The perpetrators were jailed eventually. Maybe it's just me but I feel that it's a pretty good deal for these perpetrators who have destroyed and wrecked the lives of so many people but they were only jailed. I felt something really wrong here. It led me thinking that why people become soldiers. Maybe they really love their country but damn, they died in a foreign land in the most indignified and disrespectful manner.

Even thinking of this movie now brings on a certain dark emotion in my heart. Sighs...