So why did I came up with this idea of a series of letters from my future self? Well, it is because I have long been fascinated by time travel and have always loved watching movies regarding time travel. My personal favorites are:
13. Jumanji
12. The Terminator series
11. Looper
10. Shrek Forever After
9. Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (yup, there is time travel which is important in the story arc.)
8. Men In Black 3
7. Click
6. About Time
5. The Time Traveler's Wife
4. The Lake House (well, the letters are the ones that travels through time.)
3. Il Mare (Original Korean version of The Lake House)
2. The "Back to the Future" Series (Back to the Future 1, 2 and 3)
1. Somewhere In Time
You would notice that majority of these movies are love stories. Why is it that romance and time travel go well together? I guess authors and screenwriters have long been "in love" with the notion of time travel. And the themes in these films revolve around regrets in life's choices, a love so great that it transcends time itself or at times it is just about destiny. I think that a lot of people (although they may not admit it) have some regrets in their life that they have wished they can change. And wouldn't it be just so convenient if you can magically go back in time and just do it differently? To say a word that was not said or to take back something said and change the events in the future? As mentioned in Men in Black 3:
Agent K: Do you know the most destructive force in the universe?
Agent J: Sugar?
Agent K: Regret.
But one important aspect of time travel that one should always remember is called the grandfather paradox. Changing an event in the past would recreate the future with all the good and bad things that happened in it and also prevents the events that would allow you to travel back in time in the first place. So as much as travelling back in time may seem to be a good way to solve one's personal problems in the present it would also takes out your most cherished memories.
I have recently seen #6 in the list which is About Time, it is a story about a time traveler who manages to use his powers to find the girl he met on a "blind" date. Well not your usual blind date since it was on a Dans le Noir or a blind restaurant. Soon he knew that changing the events in the past would have dire consequences in the future. The movie reminds me of The Time Traveler's Wife (probably due to the fact that it also stars Rachel McAdams) but on a lighter theme. Plus it is written and directed by Richard Curtis (Four Wedding and A Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually.) All of these movies are personal favorites too. This guy is so bloody brilliant that he should get a knighthood already. And just like all the other Richard Curtis movies, there would always be a catchy love song to accompany it.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Love Eternally (The Perks of Using White Flower Lesson#3)
Lesson #3 On Love
My Dearly Beloved,
Yes, I am referring to you my past self. You know it's not uncommon for us to say this to ourselves, after all that is the literal meaning of our surname (pun intended.) But seriously, we have always told our friends all this time that no one will love you more than your self. That still holds true even now after 23 years. It is one of the best piece of advice we have ever given and I still continue to say it even now. But here is one more thing you would need to emulate, always remember that everyone needs to receive love from someone else. There is no exception to this. It's what keeps love from going on like a flame in candle being passed from one heart to another.
But my letter to you today is not meant for you to receive love, you still have it (lots of it) in you all this time. It is a reminder for you to give love away in order for it to flourish. You would need to show it and allow others to learn from your actions. Don't keep love static and dormant, keeping love is like holding water with an open palm, it can never be contained. But some people's greatest fear is that if they give out love they would not get love in return. Love always comes full circle, it eventually would come back to the person who gives love - in one form or the other. So why choose fear, if you can choose to love?
And you give love to three different group of people in the world:
And do not forget that you are loved.
Take it from an old man who has his heart filled with loved and continuously gives out love.
And by the way since it is already February (which have always been one of the happiest months for us) I greet you a Happy Valentine's Day.
Bonus soundtrack while reading this blog post: Here is Ellie Goulding's How Long Will I Love You from the movie About Time.
But my letter to you today is not meant for you to receive love, you still have it (lots of it) in you all this time. It is a reminder for you to give love away in order for it to flourish. You would need to show it and allow others to learn from your actions. Don't keep love static and dormant, keeping love is like holding water with an open palm, it can never be contained. But some people's greatest fear is that if they give out love they would not get love in return. Love always comes full circle, it eventually would come back to the person who gives love - in one form or the other. So why choose fear, if you can choose to love?
And you give love to three different group of people in the world:
- Those who love you - your wife, your child, your family and your friends. Yes, it is easy to love those who love you. As I have mentioned to you a while ago everyone needs to be loved, including you. So why not start with those who can give it back to you?
- Those who do not receive love - yes, the unloved. Those who society rejects in physical appearance, social status, sexual preference, religious beliefs or lack of it. Those who were abandoned by their family and friends. Those who have lost everything. They need to receive love most of all. So be different, be the change you need to be and give them the love and attention they deserve.
- Those who can't give out love - these are the unlovable. Those who choose not to love even though they are loved by others. Those who have far too much loved themselves that they forget to give love to others or what is called selfish love. Those who have so much hate in their heart that they have chosen not to love. Yes, even they need to be loved. As I have said love given is never unnoticed. The universe will return it to you not in the way you expect it to be but how you need it to be.
Does these sound familiar to you? Yes, these are the universal truth. It transcends religion it is the secret of life itself. So my urgent plea for you is not to fall into the 3rd category. Do not harden your heart, no matter how life's events has not been according to plan. Things will get better in time, just be patient and see things unfold as you start to plant the seeds for a fruitful and meaningful life.
Here is one more thing that I would like to impart to you, Fall in Love Everyday. Never ever wane in your love, that is the secret for a successful relationship. Do you remember the first time you realized you love your then girlfriend/now your wife? The first time you saw your daughter after she was born? That is the feeling that you need to have everyday. Keep this both in your mind and in your heart.
And do not forget that you are loved.
Take it from an old man who has his heart filled with loved and continuously gives out love.
And by the way since it is already February (which have always been one of the happiest months for us) I greet you a Happy Valentine's Day.
Bonus soundtrack while reading this blog post: Here is Ellie Goulding's How Long Will I Love You from the movie About Time.
Ellie Goulding 'How Long Will I Love You' from Jake Scott Cinematographer on Vimeo.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Fire and Ice
I haven't done a movie review in a long time (since Iron Man 3 to be exact) so I am posting about not only one but two movies I have watched recently. These are The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Disney's Frozen.
Catching Fire is the epic sequel to the 2012 hit movie The Hunger Games starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. Now I would normally stop here after the mere mention of Jennifer Lawrence (you know one of the youngest Academy Awards Best Actress winner whom I have pronounced to have an undying crush on. OK, I am rambling now...) but rarely would you have a sequel which is actually better than the first film.
Catching Fire takes on the story after Katniss and Peeta (seriously Suzzane Collins, you would have to your name your characters that are hard to spell?) won the 74th Hunger Games by acting as star crossed lovers in order for both of them to survive. And the operating word here is "acting." We've known from the first movie that Katniss is in love with Gale but when she and Peeta are sent back to compete again in the Third Quarter Quell (the 75th Hunger Games) could they still pull out the same act again? And at this point questions now arise if Katniss is still acting or she is now really doing this to protect Peter? All of this happens in the backdrop of an impending revolution fueled by Katniss' disobedience in the 74th Hunger Games.
Like all great film series, the details are being laid out in order to build up for the big finale and that is why sometimes the sequel becomes a "go-between" for the third (or fourth) film. In the case of this series Catching Fire really builds up the needed anticipation that would not just cater to the followers of the book but also for those who are just experiencing the world of Katniss Everdeen for the first time through the movies. Jennifer Lawrence have pulled off a great performance that would really make you realize why she won the Academy Awards Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook (another movie I love) and recently as Golden Globes Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture for her role in American Hustle. Catching Fire as a movie really holds on its own and is a great cinematic experience.
If you haven't seen it then order it on DVD or Blue Ray. You won't regret it.
Frozen is a 3D animated musical fantasy film by Disney Animation Studios. It has great songs (reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast and Tangled) and a great story (think Finding Nemo, UP and Toy Story 3.) It really is deserving of the Golden Globes and Critic's Choice nod as Best Animated Feature Film and the nomination for Oscars Best Animated Film and Best Original Song for "Let It Go." Just like all the other Disney princess movies this one is also based on a fairy tale. Frozen is a re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen.
Frozen is the story of estranged sisters Elsa and Anna, princesses of the Kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa possess the power to create anything out of ice. On her coronation as the new queen she accidentally unleashes an eternal winter. She decided to exile herself but Anna is determined to go after her and end the winter. Anna is helped by Kristoff and his steed err... reindeer Sven. The character of Kristoff and Sven kind of reminds me of the characters in Tangled, Flynn and Maximus. Disney probably doesn't want to change a winning formula. But one character that takes the cake is Olaf the Snowman. Although he is really there for comic relief he gives out one of the best lines in the movie "Some people are worth melting for."
The voice cast for Frozen is also exceptional with Kristen Bell (yes that's Veronica Mars for you) as Anna and my personal favorite Idina Menzel (of Broadway's Wicked, Rent and Glee) as Elsa. I believe there is no other singer fitting to sing "Let It Go" as it has a "Defying Gravity" feel to it. Here's proof:
I actually wanted to watch this one as it was eagerly endorsed to me by my little girl. And she is right this is one gem of a movie. I wouldn't mind watching this movie again and hopefully the next time I would be watching it with her. I am going to buy the original DVD when it goes out later in March.
On both movies, there is much to be contemplated upon about family, sacrifice and the meaning of true love. Also what is common about these two films is the portrayal of strong women as the main protagonist. There was meme on Facebook saying that in Frozen it shows that princesses doesn't need a prince to save them. I believe that the women in Disney are holding their own as evidenced in the last Disney outings so far.
So the 2013 movie season finished off on a high note and with the 2014 line up there are more good movies to come and to enjoy.
By the way, I was supposed to give my thoughts on Thor: The Dark World but didn't find anything noteworthy to say about it. Onward to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy then...
Catching Fire is the epic sequel to the 2012 hit movie The Hunger Games starring Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen. Now I would normally stop here after the mere mention of Jennifer Lawrence (you know one of the youngest Academy Awards Best Actress winner whom I have pronounced to have an undying crush on. OK, I am rambling now...) but rarely would you have a sequel which is actually better than the first film.
Catching Fire takes on the story after Katniss and Peeta (seriously Suzzane Collins, you would have to your name your characters that are hard to spell?) won the 74th Hunger Games by acting as star crossed lovers in order for both of them to survive. And the operating word here is "acting." We've known from the first movie that Katniss is in love with Gale but when she and Peeta are sent back to compete again in the Third Quarter Quell (the 75th Hunger Games) could they still pull out the same act again? And at this point questions now arise if Katniss is still acting or she is now really doing this to protect Peter? All of this happens in the backdrop of an impending revolution fueled by Katniss' disobedience in the 74th Hunger Games.
Like all great film series, the details are being laid out in order to build up for the big finale and that is why sometimes the sequel becomes a "go-between" for the third (or fourth) film. In the case of this series Catching Fire really builds up the needed anticipation that would not just cater to the followers of the book but also for those who are just experiencing the world of Katniss Everdeen for the first time through the movies. Jennifer Lawrence have pulled off a great performance that would really make you realize why she won the Academy Awards Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook (another movie I love) and recently as Golden Globes Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture for her role in American Hustle. Catching Fire as a movie really holds on its own and is a great cinematic experience.
If you haven't seen it then order it on DVD or Blue Ray. You won't regret it.
Frozen is a 3D animated musical fantasy film by Disney Animation Studios. It has great songs (reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast and Tangled) and a great story (think Finding Nemo, UP and Toy Story 3.) It really is deserving of the Golden Globes and Critic's Choice nod as Best Animated Feature Film and the nomination for Oscars Best Animated Film and Best Original Song for "Let It Go." Just like all the other Disney princess movies this one is also based on a fairy tale. Frozen is a re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen's The Snow Queen.
Frozen is the story of estranged sisters Elsa and Anna, princesses of the Kingdom of Arendelle. Elsa possess the power to create anything out of ice. On her coronation as the new queen she accidentally unleashes an eternal winter. She decided to exile herself but Anna is determined to go after her and end the winter. Anna is helped by Kristoff and his steed err... reindeer Sven. The character of Kristoff and Sven kind of reminds me of the characters in Tangled, Flynn and Maximus. Disney probably doesn't want to change a winning formula. But one character that takes the cake is Olaf the Snowman. Although he is really there for comic relief he gives out one of the best lines in the movie "Some people are worth melting for."
The voice cast for Frozen is also exceptional with Kristen Bell (yes that's Veronica Mars for you) as Anna and my personal favorite Idina Menzel (of Broadway's Wicked, Rent and Glee) as Elsa. I believe there is no other singer fitting to sing "Let It Go" as it has a "Defying Gravity" feel to it. Here's proof:
I actually wanted to watch this one as it was eagerly endorsed to me by my little girl. And she is right this is one gem of a movie. I wouldn't mind watching this movie again and hopefully the next time I would be watching it with her. I am going to buy the original DVD when it goes out later in March.
On both movies, there is much to be contemplated upon about family, sacrifice and the meaning of true love. Also what is common about these two films is the portrayal of strong women as the main protagonist. There was meme on Facebook saying that in Frozen it shows that princesses doesn't need a prince to save them. I believe that the women in Disney are holding their own as evidenced in the last Disney outings so far.
So the 2013 movie season finished off on a high note and with the 2014 line up there are more good movies to come and to enjoy.
By the way, I was supposed to give my thoughts on Thor: The Dark World but didn't find anything noteworthy to say about it. Onward to Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy then...
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