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！