Well, when i watched the movie the first time, i was mainly drooling over how hot Brandon Routh is. And yes indeed, after all these years, he is still as stunningly attractive. I wonder where he is now? I guess sometimes looks alone brings you nowhere...Opps!

Anywayz, i was shocked to see James Marsden playing Richard, Lois Lane's fiance. I mean, last time, i had noooo idea it was him. I only hated that character because i wanted Superman and Lois Lane together and that fiance is just a nuisance in their relationship. I know, how childish right? Well i was like that last time haha. I always watch a show or movie if only the hero and heroine of my choice ends up together. LAME ya...but i wouldn't say i'm out of that phase but at least some improvement haha.

I have a completely different feeling about Richard this time when watching "Superman Returns" this time however. Maybe it's because i like James Marsden haha...
But no, seriously, Richard is actually my favourite character, besides Superman of course.

I think Richard is like the human symbol of Superman. It's like, when Superman left Lois, she found Richard i think because of Richard's similarity with Superman. Well, Richard flies airplanes, so he indirectly, it's like he flies, just like Superman. And there was a scene where Lois Lane asked him, how did you come here and he answered, "I flew". I guess this shows the symbolic representation of Superman in Richard.

The climax of the movie sees Superman in trouble. Richard flew his plane together with Lois and son, Jason, to Superman's aid. I guess it really shows that Superman is really 'human' in his own way, even though he hails from another planet. He needs help as much as we do too. And at the beginning we see SUperman helpin others, and later we see Richard helping Superman.

Richard is also really cool because even though he knows his beloved Lois is in love with Superman, he is there for her. So supportive and that's what made him a real man. He is somewhat like Superman here again, isn't he? Superman is there for Lois.

I feel now that "Superman Returns" have a deeper meaning to it. It's not just a lame remake of comic book heroes. If you ask me, what the whole movie is trying to say is, anyone can be Superman in their own ways. You don't need a cape and a red underwear worn outside to be Superman. And even if you are Superman, it doesn't mean that you don't need help.

Lois in the movie won an award for her article "Why we don't need Superman in our life"
But Superman told her that he hears cries for help everyday and i guess he feels it's his responsibility to help them....I guess we can relate to that. We are no SUperman of course but i'm sure as human you see pleas for help everywhere and sometimes i guess, we should help, like Superman, but within our powers of course.

This lead me to my favourite part of the movie, which is when Superman flew together with Lois and brought her 'hanging' in mid-air in the middle of nowhere. And there he asked "What do you hear?". Lois answered, "Nothing" and he replies, "I hear everything."

I remember this part til now. The exact phrase. Personally, I'm really touched by Superman's reply, I don't know why. Maybe because i feel that he is burdened with that responsibility. For Superman, he has to help like practically everyone...maybe he feels tired too. Have you ever felt that you want to help but you can't? Well, for us, we can just be like "Hey, i Can't help you, I'm not Superman!" But for him, well he is Superman. Plus, who can he confide in?

I am recently exposed to a text on religion etc etc, and how the program "Lost" contains certain depictions of religion that spurred a lot of online discussions about the matter. Of course the main point of the text is a lot more and not important in this context. But because of the article, i thought of how "Superman Returns" might be also used to communicate certain idea of religion.

"Superman" is seen as the saviour in the movie. There was a part in the movie where we hear a voice-over of Superman's father saying that he sent his only son to Earth to help humans. I'm not Christian but isn't that similar to why God sent his only son, Jesus to Earth?

If it is an indirect representation of Christianity, i guess the author of the movie is very subtlely saying that, maybe even the son of God has weaknesses, like Superman - kyptonite. Sorry, i'm not trying to offend Christians but it's just what i feel the movie is presenting because of the scriptwriting.

Superman is seen as the "saviour" in the movie. And the "Saviour" at the end needs to be saved. Or put it differently, even the "saviour" has a weakness too.

I just see some similarities here and there. Again i really do not wish to anger any Christians. Feel free to reason with me because my facts could be inaccurate.

I am not a Superman fan. I'm never. I find Superman fake. I mean, how can one not see that Clark Kent is Superman! Plus i really hate superhero movies where the heroine always seem to need help from the hero. Plzzzz....cal me whatever but in reality, it's not necessarily like that.

But I thank God that "Superman Returns" is quite realistic in some ways. Like at least Lois has character - she's dependent and even though she needs Superman's help, she's not like that useless herself. She doesn't sit and wait for help but uses her brains also.

And i love the fact that the story includes a part in which Richard and Lois helped Superman. It just shows that sometimes, we can do a part even without super powers.

When Superman was in the hospital, in comma, Lois kissed him and then looked at that monitor thingy in the hospital and then she shook her head and laughed. I find this part very realistic haha...because she was hoping that she's in a fairy tale, a true love's kiss would wake a person up. I don't know about you but even tough girls sometimes secretly wish for a fairy tale ending in devasting times. And when it doesn't happen, they'll laugh at themselves for that silly thought because we all know that storybook endings seldom happen. And even if it does, I don't think I'm the lucky one. Trust me, I do think like that sometimes. I guess Lois was feeling exactly the same.

Superman - fictional or realistic...you decide. I mean, Superman to me is just a symbolic representation of someone great, that we feel can 'save' us. Saving us doesn't have to be physically but in so many other aspects and ways. I'm sure deep in all our hearts, we have our own Superman or Supermans. And maybe you are a "superman" to someone else too. You will never know ;P


tammy c

Today's episode of "Ugly Betty" is centered around the above quote. 

Another meaningful episode. That's why i love "Ugly Betty". It's funny always, and entertaining but nonetheless always there to subconsciously make u ponder on stuffs. I think it's a remarkable way to teach people a lesson - don't tell them, but let them think and tell themselves.

In this episode, we see how sometimes we refuse to see, or maybe can't see that what we want for ourselves is affecting other people's lives. 

Betty meets up again with Gio again after his trip to Rome. Gio, who was rejected by Betty previously now hates Betty. Betty did everything she could to once again be friends with Gio, because she doesn't want to be regarded as 'bad', like Gio said she was. 

She wants so badly to be friends again with Gio that she doesn't know that her presence is hurting Gio. He is still not over her breaking his heart.

Gio told her that she didn't do all the things to make Gio feel better, but rather to make herself feel less guilty, which is true. I've definitely been through Betty's situation before and i guess sometimes, we overdo things. We think of ourselves as noble and helpful but in fact, actually, we do it because we want ourselves to be accepted, we want to be "GOOD". 

In Betty's case, she wanted so badly to be accepted again by her friend that she can't see how she's hurting him.

Daniel, Betty's boss found out that his son, DJ is not his real son, but his brother's. He then found out that therefore he would lose custody of DJ to DJ's grandparents. Daniel then plans to evade with DJ because he refuse to give up his son to the grandparents in France.

Daniel only thought of himself and his son, and how bad he wanted his 'son' but he couldn't see that DJ was also all that his grandparents had after DJ's mother died. Besides, DJ's grandparents are good people, deserving of the chance to spend time with their grandson too.

So, in Daniel's case, he wanted to keep his son so badly that he can't see how he's being unfair to DJ's grandparents and how sad those two old folks would be for not being able to have their grandson with them.

Hilda, Betty's sister is in love with Tony Diaz, her son's coach. Tony, however, is married with a wife who he doesn't have feelings anymore. Tony finally decides to come clean to his wife, telling her that he has met someone whom he really loves. Tony's wife, who thought that Betty was the one Tony is having an affair with, accidentally confronted Hilda, and told her that she still loves Tony and wanted a second chance with Tony.

Hilda wanted to be with Tony so badly that she didn't think of how his wife is feeling. Tony wanted to be with Hilda so badly that he also didn't think of how his wife is feeling. He only knows that he loves Hilda and he neglected the fact that his wife might still have feelings for him. 

I love Hilda's words. She said she and her ex-husband never had a second chance because her husband was killed in a robbery. Therefore, she wants to give Tony's wife a second chance with her husband. She doesn't want to be the reason their marriage fail. She doesn't want to be responsible.

In the end, everyone realizes that sometimes we pursue somethings all the way for our own contentment without realizing what we are doing to others. I guess this is something i'd try to think about the next time i want something haha. 

Anywayz cheers to "Ugly Betty" for being the TV show worth watching...

Tammy C

And the award goes to...

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An impressive 8 Oscars, making the movie the biggest winner of the 81st Academy Awards. If you ask me, I think it's so deserving of the 8 awards.

Best Motion Picture of the Year: Slumdog Millionaire

Achievement in Directing: Slumdog Millionaire

Music written for motion pictures (Score) : Slumdog Millionaire

Music (Song): Slumdog Millionaire

Achievement in film editing: Slumdog Millionaire

Achievement in sound mixing: Slumdog Millionaire

Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire

Writing (Adapted screenplay): Slumdog Millionaire

Great directing style, great cinematography, great editing and great writing. I agree! The music is also good because it captures the Hindi Bollywood culture and combines it with some Hollywood flavours. There were a few songs in the movie which caught my attention. They were in English but with Indian-styled melody. Cool and interesting! Haha...Overall the movie is something very new and different.

Previously, there were many British films that combines Indian or Punjabi cultures with the Western cultures such as Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice and even the BBC comedy Kumars at No. 42. All these shows tries to depict Indians living abroad and their cultures.

Slumdog Millionaire I feel, is a movie that integrates the two cultures in a new, creative way. When you watch the movie, you see features of a Hollywood or Western movie to be exact, but also elements of an Indian movie. That means, the movie is true to its roots of the Indian culture but also includes some Western cultures in it. Contrary to the previous integration of both cultures, this movie is set in India, instead of in British or America. But then, you see how even in India, we see the Western influences. Even the program "Who Wants to be A Millionaire" itself is a product from America. 

The British director,  Danny Boyle is amazing because he manages to capture the essence of an Indian movie and incorporate it into one that is "Oscar worthy". I dunno the real definition of Oscar worthy but in my opinion, a movie that is accepted, recognised and admired by the Americans. I mean, the Academy Awards, is grand because of the Americans. It's like a huge thing to win an Oscar, and to even be nominated is already huge. And sometimes, your movie can be crap but if it has anything to do with the Oscars, people would perceive it as good. You may not like a movie and find it boring, but if it has win an Oscar, you'd doubt that you yourself has no taste in movies because you don't get an award winning movie. 

Anywayz back to Slumdog Millionaire. I think the director is really successful. I envy that a British director actually knows how to maintain the Indian feel in his movie, without even using cliche Bollywood techniques like dancing ard the bushes and stuff. 

The storyline is arranged in an extremely creative way. Each question from "Who Ones to Be A Millionaire" will lead to a flashback of the main actor, Jamal's life and his childhood. I love it. The technique of narration is brilliant! I'm really impressed. I mean, I really find that movie makers are trying different techniques and styles when it comes to the incorporation of flashback scenes. Some are highly confusing, while some are simple, yet very cleverly done.

Slumdog Millionaire is actually a very normal story about the struggles in a young Indian boy's life. But again, with it's editing and the way of its unique time and space arrangements make the movie a great one. 

Cinematography - amazing. Beautiful colours that highlights the vibrant Indian cultures but also suitable tones were used to describe the adversities and poverty of the citizens of India. The transitions between scenes were also very nicely done and it connects it scene in a very smooth way. 

The actor and actress are pretty...not necessarily superstars in Hollywood, but able to capture and deliver the script. I wouldn't say their performances are outstanding, the lead actress wasn't that impressive to be honest, but she's pretty in her own natural way. The lead actor too. I love the fact that they are just simple, normal day, average-like people. 

The ending was one of the most beautiful and touching moments i've ever seen. Sometimes, a love scene or romantic scene do not require much. In fact, it doesn't need to involve steamy scenes. It just makes the movie cheap I think. 

A focus on the way the actors look at each other and with the right music that creates the atmosphere, the scene would be one that melts hearts. The ending was beautiful. You feel the happiness for that couple, you feel the joy of being loved yourself. I seldom cry when the couples end up living happy ever after, but "Slumdog Millionaire" managed to make me shed a tear or two. It's the realness of the affection between the two lead characters and alleviated by the company of some really heart-felt music.

I'll end by saying this: "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" is a must watch!!

-Tammy C-

28-Feb-09

I met up with an old friend today - Kerry. I barely him in primary school even though we've been classmates since standard 4. I just remembered him as my competitor in class, the one to defeat in studies. I remembered him as the blur genius, the guy who was always skipping class but brilliant. He is the couldn't-care-less about what's going on around him but still excel in class. He's slowness and blurness were what me and all my friends laughed about last time. 

I guess sometimes the memory you have of a person makes you expect that person to be the same again. It's like you wish that that person was the same person you knew 10 years ago so that you can really relive that time.

But the thing is, some people change and Kerry of all old friend that i met, has changed the most. Even me, i guess, has changed a lot from what he expected me to be. I think he still thought i am that soft-spoken, quiet, shy little innocent girl that i used to be. I guess he was shocked that i am that noisy and expressive. 

For me, suddenly Kerry is that super-duper religious guy, who is so zealous about Christianity. He is also now super-duper responsible and polite. It makes me look bad haha.

I admire his enthusiasm but i just feel that he oversold his beliefs in Jesus and he scares me a bit haha. Today's meeting with him brought me to his church and meeting his friends in church. Of course a lot of the conversation were on Christianity and Jesus. He and his other friend Kah Lok were discussing with me stuff about Jesus and Christianity.

I have nothing against Christianity or in fact, any religion. It's even something that i'm very interested in finding out just for the sake of knowing extra stuff. However, for the time being, I am not planning to accept Christ and believe so whole heartedly. I'm not there yet. I'm in the process and I want to take it slow and discover myself because if it's you yourself who experience it and find out, you'll treasure it more.

I know my friends and family who share with me their God cares about me, and i appreciate that, but i just wish that they don't over do it that it pressures me. I am really useless because i really don't know how to respond.

I have my own set of beliefs about God and religion. I have nothing against all good religion as long as i know that that religion preaches kindness and goodness. I would say, i believe in a combination of all religions.

I guess that is where we differ. They have found Jesus and felt that it is the right path, the truth. I believe in some of Buddha's teachings. See, i say some. Because I don't agree with all of Buddha's teachings. And I'm not afraid to say that and I know that they won't be consequences, I won't go to hell.

Because Buddhism, I believe, is a teaching, a subject. For example, Science or History. If you don't believe in some theory of Science, you don't go to hell right?

And what i agree with Buddhism is Buddha doesn't want us to attach ourselves to him. We don't have to label ourselves as 'Buddhist', even though in Malaysia we have to lar. This is because, we can call ourselves Buddhist but not practice buddhism. Like you can call yourself Muslims, but if you don't fast during Ramadhan or pray, then what are you? Still a Muslim?? It's just a label.

Buddhism say belief and accept anything that is good, righteous. My friends say, "So what is good then? Buddha doesn't tell you. Buddha talks about achieving 'Nirvana', and then tells you it is impossible cuz there are too many rules to follow." 

For me, that's when Wisdom comes in. "Wisdom" is another teaching of Buddhism. "Wisdom" surpasses intelligence. For me, I feel there's no such things as right and wrong don't you think? There's such a fine line. How to define? Although sometimes, black and white, right or wrong is easy to define by consensus, but there are things whereby it's so hard to say due to the circumstances. 

For example, I stole from this really rich guy. Am i wrong? But then I stole because I don't have the money to buy food for my starving 9 siblings. And that rich guy, he doesn't help the poor and the amount i stole might not even have an impact in his life but have a huge impact on mine. Maybe my actions are not wrong. Not right, but not wrong either I'd say.

So, we use our wisdom to judge the situation. That's what i believe. If i have to make an equation:

WISDOM = COMPASSION (LOVE) + SITUATION (REASON) + INTELLIGENCE + JUSTIFICATION

So if your wisdom tells you tat believing Jesus is right, then, go for it...believe in Jesus and God and Christianity. My thinking is....if you have wisdom, you'll know that Christianity is the right choice because of the teachings so you believe and have faith and be a good role model. How do you know Christianity is good? - WISDOM. It links. Like i say, i feel that Buddhism is more like a subject. You can learn Buddhist values but still be a Christian. There might be things that contradicts in the two religions or teachings, but once again, it all boils down to WISDOM. 

I agree with my dad when he says, you really don't have to over-preach some things. Just be good, practice what you believe in and the world shall judge. If you present yourself well and people will know, they'll be impressed and would then try to learn from you. Indirectly you influence people. 

To be honest, i might not have delved enough in Buddhism and the teachings but from what i've heard and understand from it, I agree. 

Buddha is not a God but I do believe in Gods and heaven. I believe that there's someone out there looking out for me in every way. I just don't know who haha. But i also believe in Karma. And Jesus, I don't believe in yet. Like I say, i'd take my time to find out for myself who to believe or what to believe. 

I mean, i can say for sure after today's meeting, i found out that we are completely two very very very very different people with very few things in common. The things that i enjoy and like, he doesn't get. But overall, he is still a very nice chap. And i did like how we reminisce the past, our school friends and all. 

But I did enjoyed the outing with him. I met a lot of his friends, who are UM grads whom i really love hanging out with. We had dinner at his friend's hostel, in which his friend, Hew Ling, cooked for us. She is definitely a good cook and i can see that she and her friends spent a lot of time on the presentation of the food itself. It was beautiful. I met some other girls which i absolutely enjoyed talking to. The one that i like the most that night was Wai Sam. She's so so sweet and there's just this elegance about her that captures me. But I'm straight okay!  It's just that i feel that chemistry when i talked to her. Usually, I know the kinda people I could really hang out with. It's like the moment you see them or greet them, there's this connection. I've felt like this with YY, Huey Ning and Yean Fun, even Ah Chin and all of them are my bestest buddies. 

Wai Sam is like those really nice, motherly friend that you know would make a good wife. I told Kerry that she's the kinda girl I really like but wouldn't become. And I truly think that that kinda girl would be the perfect match for him haha....

Well after all that's said today, I just want to share my point of view and do not wish to offend anyone. I just feel that i don't get a chance to say what i really think about the whole day and this is a way that i feel that i can let go haha....Throughout today, i just feel that i have to really 'jaga' my words and my attitude. I am myself but not completely myself. Icannot swear or say bad words (or blurt out lame and dirty jokes) in front of them cuz they are like so holy haha....and i'm just so ...the opposite haha...

Being with Kerry and his church buddies and all the students from UM makes me think of my own college buddies and how i missed college so much. I saw his girl friends together in hostel, cooking together, chatting and I thought about YY, Lydia and me in the hostel. Doing what we do best, crapping and hanging out in mamak. I went out today trying to reminisce my childhood years and i end up reminiscing also my 4 years of college life and my affectionate college friends that i've grown to love. 

I guess my coursemates have all made me the crazy person i am today and secretly, i couldn't think of any other people whom i'd love to have spend my college years with. They are the best and most enjoyable bunch of people i've ever known. Of course there are times of disagreement with all of them but overall, i think i can always be myself when i'm with them.

So, no matter how disgusting this might sound haha....I love you guys, ABC 2 ;P

Wat i'm doing now? Well calling YY on the phone...we have loads to catch up on

tammy c the awesomist...