I’m impressed! …with the producers and director of the Ip Man film! I like action movies but I don’t like brutal violence and bloody movies. So when I was first recommended to watch this by my sis, I was like “I watch when I free ya” cuz the cover of the dvd have pictures of man fighting only so I thought it’s just another guy show.. And that’s what I did, I watched when I was bored. I actually switched from Treasure Hunter to this cuz Treasure Hunter is so boring at the start. But this movie is not about violence and blood. The action part is about appreciating martial arts and using it as a defence. The violent part comes after 2 of Ip’s friends died under the Jap soldiers, then Ip master wanted to show the Japanese what it is to mess with the Chinese so he started fighting to kill. Below are some scenes from the movie, together with some best quotes. :)
The gentle side of Ip Master; “No man is afraid of his wife, there are only men who respect their wives”. Love is about respect and trust. Respect is not about fear, for fear makes actions compulsive rather than willing. Trust is not about the freedom to keep secrets for it is frankness that builds trust.
I’m glad he gave the northern hooligans a good lesson. ;)
Posted this pic not bcuz I think it’s nice… Came across this picture while serving net and was thinking why did he come in “unbuttoned shirt”, with that belt and neck chain to meet Ip man?! Tt’s so unlike his character in the movie! And I immed change my mind abt how gentlemanly & heroic he looked… LoL Readers, pardon that I’m making a fuss over unbuttoned shirts but I can’t stand unbuttoned shirts like that unless of coz, at hm… Men who purposely unbutton their shirts thinking they look very macho had me feeling disgusted… hahas >.< I prefer his look in the movie than the one here… =P But I think Donnie Yen is a good actor. He acted well in B&A too...
Digression: Talking about clothes, our dressing does have an impact on the impression it creates because it sorts of represent our character or our thoughts and perceptions. Though it does not mean it is our true character but other ppl will perceive so, especially strangers or new friends whom we first meet. Simply put, nobody wears a tie to the beach just as nobody wears slippers for an interview, and nobody wears a party dress at home too (unless you are having a party at hm). Plainly dressed can mean not sophisticated and easy going. Dull or nude colours can mean formality, serious, or quiet. Loud colors can mean chatty, lively, confident and daring. If you think abt it, you wld agree that there’s a theme for our everyday life. And we wear the right clothes that suit the theme or our feelings at the moment… But always remember never try not to be yourself. It’s important that you feel comfortable with what you are wearing for the occasion too! =)
Another best quote on appreciating and respecting martial arts: “Although martial arts involve armed forces, but Chinese martial arts is Confucian in spirit. The virtue of martial arts is benevolence. The violent will never understand the principle of treating others as they would treat themselves because they abuse their power and turned it into violence to oppress others.” Gosh, this style is so like Batman who fought for justice!
I rate movies good when they can evoke emotions in me similar to what the characters in the movie are feeling. So for love movies, it must make me fell in love with the character. For fascination movies, it must get me fascinated [Spiderwick, Avatar (to a handicapped man, Pandora was a whole new world of possibilities) etc.] . For action movie, it must get my heart racing. For inspiring movie, it must make me walk out of the theatre feeling “wow”. For sad movies, of course, I must be able to sob. But knowing me, I’m considered an easy person to please when it comes to movies (so I can’t wear eye shadow to movies. =P). Meaning most movies achieved their effects unless it’s really bad… One e.g. was Ice Age 3 vs Up. I had a hard time trying to laugh for Ice Age 3 and thinking why are the rest laughing so hard when the jokes are not original or funny (I only find the poisonous gas part funny), while I laugh a GREAT deal for Up, to the extent that I almost ached my waist… Lols~
Watched Bodyguards and Assassins too but don’t find it that nice bcuz there’s too much violence and blood spills over a cause that I don’t quite click with… As in, I’m not a political person so movies involving politics doesn’t click with me. I agree that it’s for the future freedom of China but the movie seems to overdo the violence and deaths making it very gross and making the revolution associated with such cruelty that I was a bit turned off... Every man that I hoped survived died, and I can’t bear to see that... =/
------it all takes the courage to believe------ ; {1:39 PM}
Christmas is 23 hours away~ And my favourite song for X'mas this year is ...The First Noel by David Archuleta! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B38lNVuR-PY
------it all takes the courage to believe------ ; {1:34 AM}
Avatar (2009) is a science fiction film directed by James Cameron. Shall not elaborate on the story plot in order not to be a spoiler (you can wiki it anw if you really want to know about the story before watching it). Instead I shall give some comments on the plot and movie.
Basically, the best thing about the movie is that it’s simply very beautiful – meaning the visual effects, soundtrack, character development etc. But the story is not that original as it’s very similar to Princess Mononoke (a Japanese animated film). But I like films with such beautiful landscapes and anw.
I’m a nature lover~ In fact, I enjoy physical geography since Secondary School. I’m totally in love with new age uplifting classical too. A bundle of this, the music, the sceneric nature, how I wish I could capture all of them through my hands on paper with paint, brushes, colors etc. Hence, you can understand why films like this appeal so much to me. =)
Besides that, it’s the “free spirit” feeling as well. This is the second movie that I have ever watched with audience clapping after the movie.
Inside each and everyone of us, is the true innocent self that awaits to be discovered. As what I've told a friend recently who believes in horoscopes, horoscopes may be true a few million centuries ago, where stars and planets guide living nature. But after years of evolution, civilisation and interactivity, these have definitely changed how people think, feel and believe. Habits, values and thinking may change over time. It may hence no longer aligns with what the horoscope says. What’s important to know is to live a life that is you. No matter how or when or where you are born, you choose to be who you are today because you have a choice. Sometimes we take a longer time to discover ourselves, but one day we will.
One thing I’ve come to learn is to always have faith in yourself and in the people around you. When we are first born into the world, we came with nothing but we are given an opportunity to live a life which we must hence be forever grateful for. So live your life well. Never complain about giving more because it is only right to do so. Appreciate gratitude but never demand them because no one command gratitude for giving you life in the first place, especially our parents.
Trust. Do not let unfortunate circumstances or experiences change who you are. If your values are right, hold on to them. Be proud of them. Treasure the good, forget the bad. Be patient with yourself and with things around you. Somehow, things will work out. Otherwise, just let go of them.
The system seems to work by circular logic, just like energy that can never be destroyed. It transfers and goes round and round. What you believes in, the universe knows and accepts and then gives it back to you. Just as how The Secret explains it – by the law of attraction.
So to find true feelings, be sincere. To gain knowledge, be humble. To find true happiness, be passionate.
Best quote from the movie: “It’s difficult to fill a cup that is already full.”
It's simple. The key to discover yourself is to first empty yourself. Put down your arrogance and pride and start to learn. Observe and understand. Remember, a pure heart always win. And have faith in that.
------it all takes the courage to believe------ ; {1:58 AM}
I've quite made my decision on which offer to accept so it's time to celebrate! Given that I had a whole day to myself, I decided to give myself a shopping treat! So I wanted to go Far East but it was already close to 5pm so I decided to go AMK hub instead and GOSH! I had no regrets!! Been ages since I last went to AMK hub and there seems to have everything I like and need! sO I bought myself a formal blue dress for work, a simple loose turtle-neck blouse (for work, school or casual), 2 knee length skirts (1 for my mum), and got a free casual off-shoulder blouse and a free membership too! hahas.. Was pretty happy that everything didn't cost me a lot.. So shopping today had been very successful, fun and effective! I alr got myself a nice dress for Chinese New Year quite some time ago.. So the next time I will be shopping again is probably after x'mas when there's LOTS of sales! =)
------it all takes the courage to believe------ ; {10:14 PM}
Today had been a very tiring day for me as due to my nervousness, I only slept 4 hours the day before and had two interviews to go for.. =|
My first interview went okay. Not perfect but okay. Guess I was pretty nervous so I didn't give the politically correct answer for the standard questions. But I think the one thing that the partner like is that we share the same views about life and places importance on achieving our life dreams besides work. I told him that I listed down 20 dreams that I wanted to achieve in my life in Sec Sch and he asked me to state my top 3 dreams. I was stuck for a little while as I've achieved quite a few of them and I hadn't consider which should be the top ones for quite some time. Amw, after talking to him I realised that I learnt a lot from him too. Being more experienced and all rounded than me, his insights are far greater and meaningful.
Next I went for my second interview. It's definitely more relaxing now that it's the second one already. The ambassadors did more selling than the partner though and I kind of trusted them because I heard the same thing from my friends who interned there. Good welfare =) Well, this time I wasn't grilled with those standard interview questions but with questions about my modules, events and projects that were easier to answer. But I guess it still comes back to the fact that it was a second interview so less stressful. And both company told me that advisory appeared glam but is less interesting and that it's hard for fresh grad to excel there.. So Mm... Lols.. Then I had 3 nice cream puffs before gg for a company tour and I went to visit my tutor as well.. hahas.. I'm really glad to see her again! She always look so confident, pretty and young even after so many years in Audit! Esp Bank audit which I heard to be quite xiong! - my role model.. hahas
Almost forgot mentioning, my $50 high heel shoes were totally soaked in rain water today!! Super sads.. Super heart pain!!!
I really feel very blessed today. I have a tutor who has so much faith in me that I'm really touched. I think that being optimistic is very important. Sometimes in life we may get upset or hurt but these are just miniature setbacks compared to life promises. If you work hard enough you will grow yourself to be who you can be rather than who you think you are. Besides, today reminds me of one of my values, which is having faith in myself and in the people around me. And we should always remember Dwight Eisenhower's advice that says let's never waste a minute thinking about unhappy thoughts~, as well as Nick Vujicic's advice that it matters not how many times you tried but whether you will finish it strong.
So now it's time for a big decision to be made.
------it all takes the courage to believe------ ; {8:44 PM}
I love Art, I appreciate the beauty of nature, I like to skate by the sea, I'm totally into music, I wish to dance like no one is watching, I think fencing is totally cool, I enjoy watching how every single detail come together in a movie, I like to read books when I want some time alone.
I really admire Artists, music composers, dancers, film makers, fencers, skaters etc.. But I can't be everything.. lols..
And it's so raining everyday! =(
------it all takes the courage to believe------ ; {2:02 PM}
Today is officially the last day of my semester! And I would really like to do this:
WHHHEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!
Okay, I've just let out some of the heaviest stress ever!!!
This is one special semester where I had to deal with the most ups and downs and where I spent most time alone to think.. I sort of feel tt after this period I can probably be a good philosopher alr.. Lols.. Everything was still okay till 1 Nov when my grandpa left us. After that few days, sch work became super hectic, life became rather unpredictable.. But there are some of the most memorable times during the semester too.. Like exploring a new University, Birthday celebrations, late-night-CP-mugging stories and and much more..
So when happy and sad memories clashes tog in the shortest period possible, what happens? you felt like you are caught in a super long semester and you're so glad it's finally over but will never forget everything that happens.
Come to think of it, I really dun wish the next semester to start any time soon!
------it all takes the courage to believe------ ; {12:57 PM}
Likes...
Art: sketching, painting
Music: country, soft rock
Sports: skate, cycle, dance
Movies, Books: adventurous, meaningful, inspiring
Nature: Sightseeing
Making a difference
Fantacise her life like Anything but Ordinary.
