Today we watched Dunkirk on the big screen. I got to know about the movie after reading an article on it in Time magazine. It was portrayed as one of the best movies in 2017. When I got home and told my kids about it, they too have heard about the movie from internet reviews. This time I wanted to get it right, after all this is no ordinary family Marvel movie where you go, watch and have a good time. This was a historical movie and one that is probably quite close to their hearts.
So, in preparation, the kids read up on World War 2 event at Dunkirk and the Time magazine article. It was exciting though because this was the first time we were going to watch a sort of 'war movie' in the big screen. There wasn't much dialogue but you still get that feeling of suspense and anticipation of what was going to happen next.
It was really a different sort of experience for the kids. Perhaps for a generation that is used to seeing a lot of visual effects, short sharp witty dialogues, battle scenes with lots of shootings and big explosions, you probably think this movie deserves a rating of PG 13 because it didn't really have those kind of gory scenes with blood spurting everywhere yet, it was scary for the little ones. I think It was the scene at the beach as the soldiers were lining up and waiting...just waiting for the ship to come and rescue them; Then suddenly, you hear this faint roaring sound that gets louder and louder until finally you see the silhouette of enemy jets coming towards the beach; and the sound of that engine roaring and knowing that they were going to drop bombs at any second. I think the fear of the imagination is more horrifying than graphics. My two under 14 kids were gripped with fear and perhaps it unleashed their imaginations unlike before.
It is definitely a good movie to watch. The star of the movie was not Harry Stiles but it was definitely those spitfires. I would go back and watch the movie in the big screen just to see those spitfires on air. The idea of them using real vintage spitfires for some of those shots was just incredible. Me and my younger son love planes and spitfire is just one of our favorites. I would give the movie a 5 star just for those spitfire scenes although we were hoping to see Messerschmitt but they used Heinkel instead, I supposed the German planes weren't the center of attraction for the movie.
The center of attraction was of course those civilian boats that came to the rescue for the trapped British soldiers at Dunkirk and that too captured the imagination and emotion of the audience. My two older kids definitely recognized the significance of that. In one scene when a soldier asked "Are you from Deal" we smiled because that was where we used to visit Grandpa and Jenny, and played at the stony beach. I guess it must have brought some connection to them, knowing that this event happened right on the other side of the Channel from where they would run around and throw pebbles into the sea water.
I think the movie did give an impression to the kids that war is messy, gruesome, it is not like seeing it from a F22 or B2 point of view. The reality of war is suffering and the British soldiers (and the French including those not represented in the movie like the Algerians etc...) suffered; and they were scared, frustrated and desperate to cross that bloody channel to get home.
It is a great movie. It was simple with expressions and gestures to convey emotions, not much dialogue and yet, intense and gripping. A bit of history on world war 2 and appreciation of those spitfires would make this your favorite movie of the year.
Showing posts with label My movies review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My movies review. Show all posts
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Sunday, 3 November 2013
KL ZOMBIE....terrific! *spoilers*
Another fun and entertaining movie for our local actor Zizan. Me and kids loved it! and my favorite bit is that the women (and girl) kicked ass. Yup! that's what we need some Malay women movie kicking ass for a change and not just crying and going "tolong! tolong!" like whims with no back bone.
As much as the dramas and movies are 'supposedly' a reflection of the society; I believe movie makers and script writers have a big role in influencing the mentality of a society. If our local movies keep portraying women as brainless, spineless and constantly being bullied then, indirectly that is the message we are passing and subconsciously, people start to believe that is the truth. However, if we portray women as strong, independent and able to defend oneself, we are sending a positive message regarding our women and hopefully, influence people to believe that is what they are and how they should be treated i.e. with respect!
Apart from the 'ass kicking' the movie is also funny and at times, a bit scary...although, the idea of zombies dominating the world, infecting everyone is far from unique but I like this version of zombie apocalypse because it has local culture within it. It is not a carbon copy of Hollywood or Bollywood. It is essentially a Malay movie.
Also, unlike other movies where "LOVE" is the only theme with nothing else happening in the whole entire movie. In this movie, love is just a side-line or a side menu with the "running away from zombie" and fighting for survival as the main theme. Yup! Truly enjoyed this movie.
Let's have more Malay movies with strong kicking ass women and other issues being the theme such as "fighting for the survival of our rain forest" or "against pollution" or "better road safety". I mean we have so many issues to make a movie of other than love or ghost.
As much as the dramas and movies are 'supposedly' a reflection of the society; I believe movie makers and script writers have a big role in influencing the mentality of a society. If our local movies keep portraying women as brainless, spineless and constantly being bullied then, indirectly that is the message we are passing and subconsciously, people start to believe that is the truth. However, if we portray women as strong, independent and able to defend oneself, we are sending a positive message regarding our women and hopefully, influence people to believe that is what they are and how they should be treated i.e. with respect!
Apart from the 'ass kicking' the movie is also funny and at times, a bit scary...although, the idea of zombies dominating the world, infecting everyone is far from unique but I like this version of zombie apocalypse because it has local culture within it. It is not a carbon copy of Hollywood or Bollywood. It is essentially a Malay movie.
Also, unlike other movies where "LOVE" is the only theme with nothing else happening in the whole entire movie. In this movie, love is just a side-line or a side menu with the "running away from zombie" and fighting for survival as the main theme. Yup! Truly enjoyed this movie.
Let's have more Malay movies with strong kicking ass women and other issues being the theme such as "fighting for the survival of our rain forest" or "against pollution" or "better road safety". I mean we have so many issues to make a movie of other than love or ghost.
Wednesday, 30 January 2013
"The Impossible" : thoughts on the movie
Thursday 24th January 2013 was holiday for Maulidur Rasul and Monday 28th January 2013 was holiday for Thaipusam. The best thing about Malaysia is all the holidays! This Friday 1st of February 2013 is Hari Wilayah but unfortunately no holidays for me cause I don't work in Wilayah and then 11th February 2013 is Chinese New Year. Hooray! more holidays.
Anyway, last Monday I went to see "The Impossible" with my daughter. We shared this large popcorn between us and I have not eaten so much popcorn in my life!
The movie was fantastic. It was of course based on the true horrifying experience of a British family on holiday in Thailand during the Christmas period of 2004 when the deadly Asian tsunami struck. The actual footage of the tsunami was too much to fathom. It was terrifying.
However, it was not simply a disaster movie. It was about an experience of a boy and his mom, the strong bond between them, her lessons for him, to be brave, selfless, giving... Some people will call me a delusional optimist but I believe that everyone has the ability to become a better person. Sometimes a disaster may bring out the worst in people, it may bring out the worst form of individualism, selfishness, anger, panic, irritability but on the other hand, it may bring out the best in people....strength, courage, patience, selflessness, compassion, responsibility and leadership.
This movie truly lifted my spirits. It was one of those movies that made me feel really happy because despite everything that could potentially go wrong in this life...a person can come out the other side better, stronger, wiser and most importantly more compassionate.
To me, this was by far one of the best movies I've watched within the last 12 months.
Anyway, last Monday I went to see "The Impossible" with my daughter. We shared this large popcorn between us and I have not eaten so much popcorn in my life!
The movie was fantastic. It was of course based on the true horrifying experience of a British family on holiday in Thailand during the Christmas period of 2004 when the deadly Asian tsunami struck. The actual footage of the tsunami was too much to fathom. It was terrifying.
However, it was not simply a disaster movie. It was about an experience of a boy and his mom, the strong bond between them, her lessons for him, to be brave, selfless, giving... Some people will call me a delusional optimist but I believe that everyone has the ability to become a better person. Sometimes a disaster may bring out the worst in people, it may bring out the worst form of individualism, selfishness, anger, panic, irritability but on the other hand, it may bring out the best in people....strength, courage, patience, selflessness, compassion, responsibility and leadership.
This movie truly lifted my spirits. It was one of those movies that made me feel really happy because despite everything that could potentially go wrong in this life...a person can come out the other side better, stronger, wiser and most importantly more compassionate.
To me, this was by far one of the best movies I've watched within the last 12 months.
Sunday, 16 December 2012
The Hobbit: love, friendship, courage and destiny
Last night we watched "The Hobbit" and I must say it was one of the best movies ever made in 2012. I love "Lord of the Rings". I love the book and the movies. I can spend days on ends analyzing every character, every plot, every dialogue and every scene.
Anyway, the movie started at 8.30pm and it went on for nearly 3 hours. However, we were glued to the screen. Despite knowing what will happen next, I was totally mesmerized by each scene. My favorite character though is Gollum A.K.A Smeagol. He is evil, nasty and repulsive and yet, I just loved him. He is cute and funny. Most of all, there is just something likeable about him and one can't help feeling sorry for him.
He was this ordinary creature and yet, he was destined to find the Ring. The Ring consumed him and eventually, he became the servant of the ring. He lost his good nature, his good self and turned into this repulsive creature and all his previous traits were lost. He lost his way...and yet there he was, sad and vulnerable.Without the ring, he became nothing.
There is so much to say about the story, about hope, trust, courage and most of all...it is about fate. Each and every one of us have a destiny to fulfill. As Muslims, we believe that God has decided everything and everything has been written in the book of "Lauh Mah Fouz" but instead of just playing our parts like actors who memorize their lines, we have not been given the script nor the lines. Instead, we have been given a choice. The choice maybe limited but nevertheless it is an important choice and decision to make because it is a choice between good or evil, haram or halal, right or wrong way to respond to things. For that choice or 'free will' we have been given a responsibility. If we choose the right path, we will be rewarded but if we choose the wrong path, we will be punished.
In The Hobbit, each character seem to have its part to play in this vast picture of battle for middle Earth. Yet, it seems that the littlest of creature, the most insignificant in the eyes of men are those who hold the biggest part to play. So, what part do we play in this world? and do we play the hero or the villain? Are we a player or a pawn? Which side do we serve, the darkness or the light? What is our destiny? The answer lies in us, in the choices that we make and how seriously do we strive to fulfill our responsibilities to the best of our ability.
Anyway, the movie started at 8.30pm and it went on for nearly 3 hours. However, we were glued to the screen. Despite knowing what will happen next, I was totally mesmerized by each scene. My favorite character though is Gollum A.K.A Smeagol. He is evil, nasty and repulsive and yet, I just loved him. He is cute and funny. Most of all, there is just something likeable about him and one can't help feeling sorry for him.
He was this ordinary creature and yet, he was destined to find the Ring. The Ring consumed him and eventually, he became the servant of the ring. He lost his good nature, his good self and turned into this repulsive creature and all his previous traits were lost. He lost his way...and yet there he was, sad and vulnerable.Without the ring, he became nothing.
There is so much to say about the story, about hope, trust, courage and most of all...it is about fate. Each and every one of us have a destiny to fulfill. As Muslims, we believe that God has decided everything and everything has been written in the book of "Lauh Mah Fouz" but instead of just playing our parts like actors who memorize their lines, we have not been given the script nor the lines. Instead, we have been given a choice. The choice maybe limited but nevertheless it is an important choice and decision to make because it is a choice between good or evil, haram or halal, right or wrong way to respond to things. For that choice or 'free will' we have been given a responsibility. If we choose the right path, we will be rewarded but if we choose the wrong path, we will be punished.
In The Hobbit, each character seem to have its part to play in this vast picture of battle for middle Earth. Yet, it seems that the littlest of creature, the most insignificant in the eyes of men are those who hold the biggest part to play. So, what part do we play in this world? and do we play the hero or the villain? Are we a player or a pawn? Which side do we serve, the darkness or the light? What is our destiny? The answer lies in us, in the choices that we make and how seriously do we strive to fulfill our responsibilities to the best of our ability.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Frodo:Then I know what I must do. It's just… I'm afraid to do it.
Galadriel: Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.
Galadriel: Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.
Sometimes we are afraid of the future, of the choices we must make. Sometimes we know what we must do but we are afraid to venture it. Most of the time we do not choose our destiny and yet, we are given a task we may feel it is too big for us to handle. Yet, it may give us relief to know that even the best of mankind in history felt the same way. This reminds me of Maryam (may Allah be pleased with her) when she left her home, heavily pregnant, chastised by her community and then, she went into labour. She was in pain with nothing to eat nor drink. She never chose that life and yet, it was given to her as a burden, as a gift. She sat next to a trunk of a date-palm and she said "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight." (Surah Maryam:23).
Whatever responsibility, test or pain that is given to us, we simply have to accept and make the best of it. However, through the test we will find love, hope, courage and friendship. The most important gift of all is when we find tranquility in God.
I can say so much more about The Hobbit but I think that's enough for now...
Saturday, 24 March 2012
The Hunger Game
I watched a movie called "The Hunger Game" today. It was introduced by my daughter who has read the entire trilogy. Since it is from a book so, I do not feel guilty for this spoilers so BEWARE >>>>>> SPOILERS!!!
I am so smitten by the main character, Katniss Everdeen played by Jennifer Lawrence. She portrayed a very strong and brave character. The character imparted an important lesson in life that strength comes not from hate, anger or vengence but strength comes from love and compassion. Katniss volunteered herself as a contestant in the deadly 'Hunger Game' in order to replace her sister. She did the most daring move in order to save her sister's life.
When I sat with my daughter at Secret Recipe sharing a piece of cake with hot chocolate. I told her this. I said "Do you know where strength comes from?"
She said "No"
I told her that strength comes from everything that Allah SWT tells us to be and the most important feeling that gives us strength is love. I told her that the Prophet Muhammad SAW is the strongest person to have ever lived. He carried the burden of the message of Islam to the whole of mankind and his strength came from his love for Allah, for the message, for us...his followers, his Ummah.
My daughter then looked at me funny and said that I sounded like Dumbledore (well...except of course Dumbledore does not give usrah on Islam)
"Well..." I laughed and laughed and couldn't stop laughing for a while before saying "It doesn't matter, you can pretend we are in one of the scenes in Harry Potter with Mummydore"
Allah SWT tells us that we should love Him above all others and to love our Prophet SAW. He tells us not to hate, to not have vengence but to forgive. He tells us to have mercy on every soul and every living creature. Love is not something that one can rationalize...if we rationalize too much about love then the love will turn to hate, anger or disappointment. A pregnant mother has such high hopes and expectations for her child, that the child will be healthy, intelligent and beautiful but if she was to give birth to a child who is mentally handicapped or disabled in some way, she would still love the child and she would not rationalize her love.
The other thing that gives us strength is Trust. Allah SWT tells us to have Tawakkal in Him which is really about trust. He tells us to trust Him so deeply that we put our lives, our past, present and future in His hands. He also tells us to have hope, to have hope in Him, in His forgiveness, His Mercy and that He will give us what is best for us. We just have to ask and be patient.
And when my servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the supplicant when he calls upon Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me, that they may walk the right way Surah Al Baqarah: 186
Cato on the other hand is a villain. He appears as a heartless, cold blooded killer but every person is a product of his past experiences. That is the weakness and the limitations of every person, every human being. We are who we are because we have learned to think, feel and respond in a certain way. The way we 'learn' is through experiences. Everything that ever happened to us is stored in our subconscious or we can talk about the Hippocampus - Amygdala - Neocortex if you want to be more scientific.
Our experiences determines how we will behave whenever we encounter a similar event. At the end of the movie, we saw something in Cato despite the tough exterior there is weakness inside of him when he said he would kill one last time..."and why not, this is all I've ever known" He was born and brought up for only one purpose, trained to win this 'Hunger Game'. He was trained to kill, to fight, to be brutal but that hasn't made him strong rather it made him weak. Anger, hate, brutality and arrogance will only destroy the person from within but love, patience, compassion and forgiveness are the virtues that bring strength and freedom to the inner self.
These are all the virtues that are mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith of Rasullullah SAW
Abu Said narrated that the Prophet SAW said "The one who tries to have patience, Allah will grant him patience. And no one has been given a better or larger gift than patience."
On the authority of Anas, who said: I heard the messenger of Allah say:
Allah the Almighty has said: “O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as its.”
 |
| Katniss Everdeen |
I am so smitten by the main character, Katniss Everdeen played by Jennifer Lawrence. She portrayed a very strong and brave character. The character imparted an important lesson in life that strength comes not from hate, anger or vengence but strength comes from love and compassion. Katniss volunteered herself as a contestant in the deadly 'Hunger Game' in order to replace her sister. She did the most daring move in order to save her sister's life.
When I sat with my daughter at Secret Recipe sharing a piece of cake with hot chocolate. I told her this. I said "Do you know where strength comes from?"
She said "No"
I told her that strength comes from everything that Allah SWT tells us to be and the most important feeling that gives us strength is love. I told her that the Prophet Muhammad SAW is the strongest person to have ever lived. He carried the burden of the message of Islam to the whole of mankind and his strength came from his love for Allah, for the message, for us...his followers, his Ummah.
My daughter then looked at me funny and said that I sounded like Dumbledore (well...except of course Dumbledore does not give usrah on Islam)
"Well..." I laughed and laughed and couldn't stop laughing for a while before saying "It doesn't matter, you can pretend we are in one of the scenes in Harry Potter with Mummydore"
Allah SWT tells us that we should love Him above all others and to love our Prophet SAW. He tells us not to hate, to not have vengence but to forgive. He tells us to have mercy on every soul and every living creature. Love is not something that one can rationalize...if we rationalize too much about love then the love will turn to hate, anger or disappointment. A pregnant mother has such high hopes and expectations for her child, that the child will be healthy, intelligent and beautiful but if she was to give birth to a child who is mentally handicapped or disabled in some way, she would still love the child and she would not rationalize her love.
The other thing that gives us strength is Trust. Allah SWT tells us to have Tawakkal in Him which is really about trust. He tells us to trust Him so deeply that we put our lives, our past, present and future in His hands. He also tells us to have hope, to have hope in Him, in His forgiveness, His Mercy and that He will give us what is best for us. We just have to ask and be patient.
And when my servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the supplicant when he calls upon Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me, that they may walk the right way Surah Al Baqarah: 186
 |
| Cato is Katniss biggest competitor |
Cato on the other hand is a villain. He appears as a heartless, cold blooded killer but every person is a product of his past experiences. That is the weakness and the limitations of every person, every human being. We are who we are because we have learned to think, feel and respond in a certain way. The way we 'learn' is through experiences. Everything that ever happened to us is stored in our subconscious or we can talk about the Hippocampus - Amygdala - Neocortex if you want to be more scientific.
Our experiences determines how we will behave whenever we encounter a similar event. At the end of the movie, we saw something in Cato despite the tough exterior there is weakness inside of him when he said he would kill one last time..."and why not, this is all I've ever known" He was born and brought up for only one purpose, trained to win this 'Hunger Game'. He was trained to kill, to fight, to be brutal but that hasn't made him strong rather it made him weak. Anger, hate, brutality and arrogance will only destroy the person from within but love, patience, compassion and forgiveness are the virtues that bring strength and freedom to the inner self.
These are all the virtues that are mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith of Rasullullah SAW
Abu Said narrated that the Prophet SAW said "The one who tries to have patience, Allah will grant him patience. And no one has been given a better or larger gift than patience."
On the authority of Anas, who said: I heard the messenger of Allah say:
Allah the Almighty has said: “O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as its.”
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Analysis of the new Vampire movie
I watched 'Eclipse' yesterday and despite its 'feel good' factor, complete fantasy, Vampires and Robert Pattinson, I can't help feeling absolutely nauseated by the whole thing. I felt completely annoyed to the extend that I have to write it down in my blog and share it with all of my friends.
I have read all four twilight books (embarrassingly) and this third movie confirms one thing...it is purely a naive girl's fantasy.
1. The whole movie resolves around one girl and how the whole town is there to protect her. I mean how egocentric is that?
2. She meets this Filthy rich guy and he doesn't have to work. Okay, most guys who have time to puppy-dog around for a girl are pretty skinned.
3. She meets this gorgeous guy and he doesn't have a million other girlfriends. Okay, that is pretty lame unless the guy has Iman and Taqwa (i.e. he won't be going out with any girl for that matter but will simply get married)
4. She has two guys chasing after her and they will 'wait' for her and let her go if she decides to go for either one of them. Okay...how noble! Are we living at a time of chivalry and Cavalry?
Okay, I can list a few more but I haven't got time right now...
My only fear is that girls will watch this movie and actually believe in this fantasy or influenced to attain such 'romantic' ideal. I know most girls will not because they are more intelligent than that but still, it is important to point out that hollywood movies are full of fantasy. Just like if you're watching a monster movie, you know there's no such thing as a monster and of course, vampires are a big clue that this movie is actually fictional. Hence, the dream guy is fictional and this romance is fictional.
I wish they would write books that actually encourages girls to be strong, to achieve something for themselves, to be independent thinkers instead of chasing after 'love'.
It is important especially for Muslims, if you intend to watch these kind of movies to place yourself in reality and understand that we are here to worship Allah, to understand what is allowed and what is forbidden and not to get completely absorbed by fantasies and lies...
Remember surah Nisa 118-119
"Allah cursed him (Syaitan) and he (syaitan) said "I will take an appointed portion of your slaves. Verily! I will mislead them and surely I will arouse in them false desires and I will order them to slit the ears of cattle (false worship) and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah. And whoever takes Syaitan as his protector (wali) has surely suffered a manifest loss. He (syaitan) makes promises to them and arouses in them false desires and the promise of Syaitan is nothing but deception"
I have read all four twilight books (embarrassingly) and this third movie confirms one thing...it is purely a naive girl's fantasy.
1. The whole movie resolves around one girl and how the whole town is there to protect her. I mean how egocentric is that?
2. She meets this Filthy rich guy and he doesn't have to work. Okay, most guys who have time to puppy-dog around for a girl are pretty skinned.
3. She meets this gorgeous guy and he doesn't have a million other girlfriends. Okay, that is pretty lame unless the guy has Iman and Taqwa (i.e. he won't be going out with any girl for that matter but will simply get married)
4. She has two guys chasing after her and they will 'wait' for her and let her go if she decides to go for either one of them. Okay...how noble! Are we living at a time of chivalry and Cavalry?
Okay, I can list a few more but I haven't got time right now...
My only fear is that girls will watch this movie and actually believe in this fantasy or influenced to attain such 'romantic' ideal. I know most girls will not because they are more intelligent than that but still, it is important to point out that hollywood movies are full of fantasy. Just like if you're watching a monster movie, you know there's no such thing as a monster and of course, vampires are a big clue that this movie is actually fictional. Hence, the dream guy is fictional and this romance is fictional.
I wish they would write books that actually encourages girls to be strong, to achieve something for themselves, to be independent thinkers instead of chasing after 'love'.
It is important especially for Muslims, if you intend to watch these kind of movies to place yourself in reality and understand that we are here to worship Allah, to understand what is allowed and what is forbidden and not to get completely absorbed by fantasies and lies...
Remember surah Nisa 118-119
"Allah cursed him (Syaitan) and he (syaitan) said "I will take an appointed portion of your slaves. Verily! I will mislead them and surely I will arouse in them false desires and I will order them to slit the ears of cattle (false worship) and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah. And whoever takes Syaitan as his protector (wali) has surely suffered a manifest loss. He (syaitan) makes promises to them and arouses in them false desires and the promise of Syaitan is nothing but deception"
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