The title to this movie did not grab me and I was not going to see it, but after a beautiful but hot day at the swap meet with my sister and niece, and lunch at Genki sushi, there was time and the idea of air conditioning sounded really good.
IMDB rating is 8.5 and the synopsis sounded interesting so I decided to chance it, especially after I found out Sandra Bullock was in it.
The two movies I thought of when I saw this movie were Amores Perros and Short Cuts. The acting was very good. The bad cop tells the good cop that if he stayed in the police force for awhile, then he would eventually lose himself and not remember who he was. That is is one of the main themes. How does a person keep his/her integrity when life bumps them around, and clouds their ideals? How do we reconcile it when people we have "judged" don't conform to our picture of them? What is the basis for bigotry and racisim? How does the best of every person get expressed?
I have a bit of difficulty imagining that in a city the size of Los Angeles, people would run into each other as much as these people do.
There isn't much humour in this movie; mostly angry people just trying to survive. I give it 4/5 acorns. It made me think.
Speaking of acorns, the closest thing that came across to an acorn at the swap meet was a walnut sewing kit. Okay, well, not that close:), but I loved it anyway. See the picture.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Uzumaki Review
Uzumaki means spiral in Japanese. This is a movie about spirals. It is strange in a way only the Japanese appear to produce. The characters are strange, and a plot is hard to spot. It is the kind of movie that makes one go "huh".
I won't say more as I do not want to spoil it, hehe.
I think it's my TV, or everyone is very green in this movie.
Rate: 2/5 acorns
I won't say more as I do not want to spoil it, hehe.
I think it's my TV, or everyone is very green in this movie.
Rate: 2/5 acorns
Friday, May 27, 2005
The Hidden Blade Review
This is a great period samurai flick. It takes place during the Tokugawa era, and is a similar tale to Twilight Samurai, another great movie.
One theme is in westerns, like Unforgiven. A fighting man has a code of honor he lives by but realizes the life he trained and lived for is no longer valid. The big difference is that the gunfighter has no master and for the samurai, loyalty is everything.
For Katagiri, the last straw is the disgusting behavior of his Lord.
There are two great martial arts scenes. An all out one and another involving the title technique. I think the showdown in Twilight Samurai was better, but they were both great.
I give this movie 5/5 acorns.
One theme is in westerns, like Unforgiven. A fighting man has a code of honor he lives by but realizes the life he trained and lived for is no longer valid. The big difference is that the gunfighter has no master and for the samurai, loyalty is everything.
For Katagiri, the last straw is the disgusting behavior of his Lord.
There are two great martial arts scenes. An all out one and another involving the title technique. I think the showdown in Twilight Samurai was better, but they were both great.
I give this movie 5/5 acorns.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Killing the Buddha
My niece found a saying in a Zen book "If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him."
I cheated and looked it up on the Internet because it was very puzzling to me. The way I interpret this is that whatever preconceived notion I have about Buddha, or any thing or any one for that matter, is not true. What I see in my own mind is my notion and therefore not the true Buddha. In order to really get of glimpse of the real Buddha, I would have to empty my mind of what or who I think Buddha is.
This echos the empty bowl idea in that book that Heidy gave me, Everyday Sacred. If I am full of ideas of what and who Buddha is, I will not exprerience the real Buddha.
" Free your mind and the rest will follow
(Why oh why must it be this way)
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
(Before you can read me, you gotta learn to see me " ...En Vogue
I guess this idea is different then getting a lobotomy.
I cheated and looked it up on the Internet because it was very puzzling to me. The way I interpret this is that whatever preconceived notion I have about Buddha, or any thing or any one for that matter, is not true. What I see in my own mind is my notion and therefore not the true Buddha. In order to really get of glimpse of the real Buddha, I would have to empty my mind of what or who I think Buddha is.
This echos the empty bowl idea in that book that Heidy gave me, Everyday Sacred. If I am full of ideas of what and who Buddha is, I will not exprerience the real Buddha.
" Free your mind and the rest will follow
(Why oh why must it be this way)
Be color blind, don't be so shallow
(Before you can read me, you gotta learn to see me " ...En Vogue
I guess this idea is different then getting a lobotomy.
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Star Wars Review
I watched this movie today and give it 5/5 acorns. I believe almost all the loose ends were connected. There were as many subplots flying around as light sabers. The Jedi look to be in deep trouble.
The special effects and costumes were all really wonderful. In fact so wonderful, that
the present episode appears more technically advanced then the original Star Wars.
I'll have to watch this a few more times to get all the great quotes.
This series can't really stand alone. I met a person today who said, "I can take it or leave it." "I never really got into the first one." Watching this episode would certainly be difficult for her to follow.
I love all the actors/actresses in this one.
May the Force be with you.
The special effects and costumes were all really wonderful. In fact so wonderful, that
the present episode appears more technically advanced then the original Star Wars.
I'll have to watch this a few more times to get all the great quotes.
This series can't really stand alone. I met a person today who said, "I can take it or leave it." "I never really got into the first one." Watching this episode would certainly be difficult for her to follow.
I love all the actors/actresses in this one.
May the Force be with you.
Monday, May 23, 2005
No more 24
I watched the two hour finale of 24 tonight. I only made it through 20 minutes of Jazzercise so I could be sure to make it. I was not disappointed. The Ex President redeemed himself, but left the country in the hands of slime. The actor playing the current President does a very good job of playing him, and I may hate him for a long time.
The real question is whether or not 24 will be back for another run. I'm thinking a period of time should elapse like it did between season 1 and season 2. That would allow for wiping out that wimpy President, and an all new CTU cast. I have become attached to Edgar and Chloe and of course Michelle and Tony, but Jack needs a rest!
He should go off to some foreign country and bask in the sun and perhaps contemplate his fortunes. The Chinese can send Jet Li or someone who knows kung fu after him.
So now the real question. What will I watch next week? With the end of 24 and American Idol, I'll just have Yoshitsune to watch on Tuesday night. Hmmm, but I do have a bunch a movies to catch up on.
I give 24 5/5 acorns.
The real question is whether or not 24 will be back for another run. I'm thinking a period of time should elapse like it did between season 1 and season 2. That would allow for wiping out that wimpy President, and an all new CTU cast. I have become attached to Edgar and Chloe and of course Michelle and Tony, but Jack needs a rest!
He should go off to some foreign country and bask in the sun and perhaps contemplate his fortunes. The Chinese can send Jet Li or someone who knows kung fu after him.
So now the real question. What will I watch next week? With the end of 24 and American Idol, I'll just have Yoshitsune to watch on Tuesday night. Hmmm, but I do have a bunch a movies to catch up on.
I give 24 5/5 acorns.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Kung fu Hustle Review
This was an entertaining comedy with the look of a Western and a comic book, and a little bit of Chinese Ghost Story. This is not one of those movies you go home afterwards and ponder the deep meaning or have long discussions into the night with friend about what it all means. WYSIWYG.
I will give it 3/5 acorns.
BTW, I cut out of day two of Music Qi dong. I stayed up to 11pm last night and tried to connect with Master Wu, but I think at this point in my life, I am one of those people who will not do the exercises and so I won't get the maximum out of it. I decided to clean the living room, and run some of those errands that I have been putting off for awhile instead.
I found a nice black laquer chest for the living room to put my DVDs in. Free delivery! YAY! The furniture left in the house when my parents moved out is black. I thought about changing it, but I kind of like it. Perhaps I should think of realizing my childhood dream of having a black room. I will get a wall sized televison, black drapes and a black leather sofa. But then again, maybe not. Heh.
I will give it 3/5 acorns.
BTW, I cut out of day two of Music Qi dong. I stayed up to 11pm last night and tried to connect with Master Wu, but I think at this point in my life, I am one of those people who will not do the exercises and so I won't get the maximum out of it. I decided to clean the living room, and run some of those errands that I have been putting off for awhile instead.
I found a nice black laquer chest for the living room to put my DVDs in. Free delivery! YAY! The furniture left in the house when my parents moved out is black. I thought about changing it, but I kind of like it. Perhaps I should think of realizing my childhood dream of having a black room. I will get a wall sized televison, black drapes and a black leather sofa. But then again, maybe not. Heh.
Saturday, May 21, 2005
And now for something Reeaallly Different!
http://musicqigong.com/english/index.htm
An opportunity arose in the shape of a free ticket to see Master Wu Shen and his Music Qi gong, so I took it. I scurried over after work to the Hawaii Convention Center to see him.
As an aside, the Convention Center got off to a controversial start, rumors like...
"They discourage local event", parking and traffic are bad, blah blah blah. This is only the second time I've been in it, and it was woefully empty. It is very beautiful, but there were more workers then conference goers. I'm a bit worried about the Center's fate.
Anyway, when people asked me where I was going, I had to admit I really wasn't sure. It turns out Mr. Wu is now an assistant professor over at the John Burns School of Medicine, in Alternative Medicine. He speaks Mandarin and it took a while to get used to the translator. The idea is that if our yin yang is balanced, we will be healthy. He uses exercises and music to harmonize our innards-kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and stomach, and that results in good health.
One thing he said is that it only works for people who are dedicated to doing the exercises and listening to the music. He plays 30 instruments and has 5 CDs, one for each of the organs.
All I can say, is that it is really different and if it works for some people, it is better then taking a bunch of pills.
The closest I've come to something like this is Acupuncture. I tried it for Depression since I hate taking pills, and I think it did help.
I notice that Mr. Wu's techniques are very much like meditation or self-hypnosis.
An opportunity arose in the shape of a free ticket to see Master Wu Shen and his Music Qi gong, so I took it. I scurried over after work to the Hawaii Convention Center to see him.
As an aside, the Convention Center got off to a controversial start, rumors like...
"They discourage local event", parking and traffic are bad, blah blah blah. This is only the second time I've been in it, and it was woefully empty. It is very beautiful, but there were more workers then conference goers. I'm a bit worried about the Center's fate.
Anyway, when people asked me where I was going, I had to admit I really wasn't sure. It turns out Mr. Wu is now an assistant professor over at the John Burns School of Medicine, in Alternative Medicine. He speaks Mandarin and it took a while to get used to the translator. The idea is that if our yin yang is balanced, we will be healthy. He uses exercises and music to harmonize our innards-kidneys, heart, liver, lungs and stomach, and that results in good health.
One thing he said is that it only works for people who are dedicated to doing the exercises and listening to the music. He plays 30 instruments and has 5 CDs, one for each of the organs.
All I can say, is that it is really different and if it works for some people, it is better then taking a bunch of pills.
The closest I've come to something like this is Acupuncture. I tried it for Depression since I hate taking pills, and I think it did help.
I notice that Mr. Wu's techniques are very much like meditation or self-hypnosis.
Wednesday, May 18, 2005
Yoshitsune, NHK Taiga Drama
This url has nice summaries of this series on Yoshitsune. http://www.sonic.net/~tabine/Heike/Heike_Yoshitsune_taiga_summaries.html
and this one a short blurb about the figure
http://www.samurai-archives.com/yoshitsune.html
Yoshitsune is a historical figure who generated a lot of fantasies and stories. He is the subject of Noh plays, Kabuki and old Akira Kurosawa movie, Tiger by the Tail. One of his vassals, Musashibo Benkei, the warrior monk, has generated a lot of stories also.
He lived in the mid 1100s in pre-Shogun Japan. In that time, being Emperor was boring business, and they tended to retire early and leave the title to an infant son. The Regents wielded the real power. The Hojo and Fujiwara families supplied the regents. In addition, because Emperors tended to have many sons, two other lines descended from his household, the Heike (Taira) and the Genji (Minamoto). Why they had two names, I don't know.
Yoshitsune himself had at least 3 names. He was born Ushiwaka, raised as Shanao, and then became Minamoto no Yoshitsune when he had his manhood rite.
The actor playing Yoshitsune is very handsome!!!
I look forward to this ongoing series.
and this one a short blurb about the figure
http://www.samurai-archives.com/yoshitsune.html
Yoshitsune is a historical figure who generated a lot of fantasies and stories. He is the subject of Noh plays, Kabuki and old Akira Kurosawa movie, Tiger by the Tail. One of his vassals, Musashibo Benkei, the warrior monk, has generated a lot of stories also.
He lived in the mid 1100s in pre-Shogun Japan. In that time, being Emperor was boring business, and they tended to retire early and leave the title to an infant son. The Regents wielded the real power. The Hojo and Fujiwara families supplied the regents. In addition, because Emperors tended to have many sons, two other lines descended from his household, the Heike (Taira) and the Genji (Minamoto). Why they had two names, I don't know.
Yoshitsune himself had at least 3 names. He was born Ushiwaka, raised as Shanao, and then became Minamoto no Yoshitsune when he had his manhood rite.
The actor playing Yoshitsune is very handsome!!!
I look forward to this ongoing series.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Unleashed Review
I saw this Jet Li movie today and although it was a bit corny in places it was saved by some great fight scenes and Morgan Freeman.
Hoskins is the bad guy and he is pretty slimy. Morgan Freeman's daughter is goofy and sweet. It's highly implausible to me that two New Yorker's would take in a weird stranger that bleeds all over the place and hides under the bed, but then having never been to New York, I will have to defer to real New Yorkers on that one.
I like that the gravity defying twirling was minimized a bit in the fight scenes. It works in fantasy stuff, but not so well when it's supposed to look real.
Jet Li fit well in his role. He is much better at being serious and even sad then Mr. Jackie Chan as comedy comes so natural to him.
Morgan Freeman is great as the mentor, and of course he has that wonderful voice.
Not Oscar material, but very entertaining. I give it 4/5acorns.
Hoskins is the bad guy and he is pretty slimy. Morgan Freeman's daughter is goofy and sweet. It's highly implausible to me that two New Yorker's would take in a weird stranger that bleeds all over the place and hides under the bed, but then having never been to New York, I will have to defer to real New Yorkers on that one.
I like that the gravity defying twirling was minimized a bit in the fight scenes. It works in fantasy stuff, but not so well when it's supposed to look real.
Jet Li fit well in his role. He is much better at being serious and even sad then Mr. Jackie Chan as comedy comes so natural to him.
Morgan Freeman is great as the mentor, and of course he has that wonderful voice.
Not Oscar material, but very entertaining. I give it 4/5acorns.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Kingdom of Heaven Review
I saw this movie today and right off the bat have to give Orlando Bloom 5/5 acorns. He was wimpy in Troy, but very wonderful in this movie.
The movie itself brings up a lot of questions about the history of the period of the Crusades. Time to get the history books out. The story was a bit disjointed and so as a whole I can only give it 3/5 acorns. The party I saw the movie rated it from 1-5. It is more memorable then the recent King Arthur, imo.
The big war scenes with all the computer enhancements are getting a bit old.
I'll have to watch Kung Fu Hustle next.
The movie itself brings up a lot of questions about the history of the period of the Crusades. Time to get the history books out. The story was a bit disjointed and so as a whole I can only give it 3/5 acorns. The party I saw the movie rated it from 1-5. It is more memorable then the recent King Arthur, imo.
The big war scenes with all the computer enhancements are getting a bit old.
I'll have to watch Kung Fu Hustle next.
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