Blue Valentine – Derek Cianfrance

“You’ve promised me.” Dean (Ryan Gosling) said in despair. Cindy (Michelle Williams) shifted her body towards the cupboard. Inhaled deeply covering her tearful eyes. In a split second we were taken back to the day, which they got married. Tears were also running down their faces. The instant comparison reveals the reality of life – blue is the new word for love.

Blue Valentine depicts the fading sparks of a couple. 6 years of marriage could be a blink, or a lifetime. Dean was brought up in a broken family, his only wish was to love and provide his family unconditionally. On the other hand, Cindy was living with grumpy parents. She never wanted her family to be anything like her parents’. She kept putting effort in her marriage. Nevertheless, it soon became a burden.

“Think of Frankie (their daughter).” Dean urged. “I did!” Cindy relied. “No. You didn’t” Dean lowered his head covering it with his arms. Brought up in single-parent family is not uncommon in today’s society. And it has become less and less important in holding a family together. Living in the shadow of a broken family, Dean eagerly wanted to fix everything. It was not only his call, though. Dean married Cindy because of Frankie, who was not genuinely his. His love for her is greater than who the kid is related to. He dared to take the responsibility, which was not even his. And it’s only because of one word – Love.

“Do you wanna have a baby with me?” Dean asked Cindy when they were in a motel. In which he just wanted to have a good with his wife. Some people may be content with their life devoted to their family, some may want something bigger a career, a passion, or anything that can make them feel good. One point to another, people grow, they won’t stay in one place forever, and it’s a matter of time who’s going walk faster than the other. In this case Cindy did. She wanted to be doctor, she ended up being a nurse because of Frankie. She just has a bigger, greater vision than Dean. She’s got no one to blame but herself.

What I like about the movie is the bona-fide of relationships. Couples fight because their dream is different from the other. They fight because they are not confident enough to walk through live together. They fight because their sparks has gone. They fight because they have grown apart. However, none of these could cost a relationship. What really costs them their marriage is one of them has given up.

The subtleness of the movie makes you ponder your own life. What are you running after? What is enough? Gosling nailed his part flawlessly, while Williams had to keep up her pace to Gosling’s. To be honest it could spend more coverage on their daily life than sex. What really triggers Cindy to make the decision. Overall, it is a good experience watching it.

The Kids are All Right – Lisa Cholodenko

18 years, you have been living in a lesbian family, always known you and your brother came from the same sperm donor but a different mother. There must be a certain kind of curiosity about what the donor would be like. Unlike "Queer as fork" the mothers knew the donor; apart from that they are pretty much alike - a lesbian family bearing kid(s) having family of their own.

There are movies about gay couples starting their own family, how they struggle this and that, but not problems when the kids are grown. Recently, I have been reading and watching a lot of family dramas and movies, there is one, which makes me stop and ponder the possibility of having a family on my own - Ricky Martin's memoir “ME”. I have always acknowledged about the concept of surrogacy but it never sounded real to me until Ricky Martin announced his adorable twin.

I reckon this could be easier for lesbian family as they don't have to go through the whole surrogacy process, however, choosing the right donor and bearing the baby could be more plaintive than picking a surrogate and the donor. I'm not sure whether this is an advantage or not (for homosexuals), when have you decided to have kids, you could also decide the color of their skin, eyes, hair... Etc. Of course the cost would be a lot more extravagant. Morally, people are still questioning the vices and virtues of this issue. But this seems to be the only option for the gay family to have their own family (blood related family).

Who is my father? Or mother? Would be frequently asked in many LGBT families, if they are even adopting a kid. I was bought up in a single parent family with an absent father. Would see my birth mother once in a while. There is never a minute in my life I questioned the involvement of my parents. However, deep down I wished I had family like other normal kids. There must be similarity in those homosexual families, not that having two dads or mums are not enough, it is just sheer curiosity that everyone is having both mum and dad in lieu of the alternative. In this case they are looking for their dad. What would he be like? Bonds forged not only between the kids and the donor, but also one of the mothers in the movie.

The movie could have taken the other direction, resentful and all. The humor used in the movie made it more approachable, I could still hear people in the cinema giving awful comments or long exhalation when the leads are kissing. No matter how fast changing our world is now, there are still plenty of people out there don't approve nor understand us. I may even say some of us don't have any clue of having a gay family, how it is like. Watching this kind of movies is somehow assuring. Telling us it is just the same as the others. We argue, we fight, we make mistakes, we forgive, we love, and most importantly we care. We have to have the courage not only embracing ourselves but also embracing our loved ones false.

As well as enjoying the dynamics of the family there are still loads to ponder afterwards. When is my time to start mine?

The film won the Golden Glove Award for Best Motion Picture and Best Actress - Annette Benning.

My Favourite Albums – 2010

My Favourite Albums – 2010

The only criterion of being on this list is, album that I have been looping through out the year. (Randomly Ordered)

1. The XX – XX

A London Based band, members consist of Romy Madley Croft, Oliver Sim and Jamie Smith). “XX” was their debut album released in late 2009. “XX” reached highest peak at #3 in the UK. Ever since I bought their album, I can’t stop myself from listening to their songs.

2. Scissor Sisters – Night Work

American band formed in 2001, “Night Work” is their third studio album. I thought their second album was the greatest thing on earth, but “Night Work” just kicked it out of its throne.

3. Empire of the Sun – Walking on a Dream
Australian electronic band, they sound similar to MGMT. But yet excites me with every single track. “Empire of the Sun” is their debut album released in 2008.

4. Lady Gaga – The Fame Monster
Not much introduction needed, one thing you may not know is Telephone was first written for Brittney Spears, later Spears was asked to feature the song rather than having the song. Due to unacceptable terms from Spears, Gaga found herself a replacement - Beyonce.

5. Franz Ferdinand – Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
A rock band from Scotland, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand is their third studio album released in 2009. The band announced in Feb 2010 that they are working on their forth album.

6. The Kooks – Konk
English indie band, my all time favourite, have been listening to them since the album was released in 2008. Can’t wait to hear their third album which announced in the marking in 2009.

7. Local Natives – Gorilla Manor
An indie rock band based in Silver Lake LA, have their debut album released in the UK in late 2009. Which is the one I keep listening this year.

8. The Gossip – Music for Man
American indie rock band, Beth Ditto is such a diva, listening to her voice could make you melt! Most of the people like me knew them this year. But they are super active in the indie world, “Music for Man” was already their forth studio album which lead them to wider audience.

9. Hurts – Happiness
An English synthpop duo, started being active in 2009 and “Happiness” is their debut, which brought them a huge success in the European market. Even Kylie Minogue featured a song in their album.

10. Vampire Weekend – Contra
American indie rock band, this is their second studio album. The band faced lawsuit due to using an old picture of Ann Kirsten Kennis who was a former top model, claimed the band used the photo without her consent. Despite all that the album is incredible.

Eat Pray Love – Ryan Murphy

What is the word to describe your life now?

Possible is my word. Anything could happen in anytime. And I’m waiting for more doors to be opened.

I would say, “Glowing” for Ryan Murphy. I was blown away by him, AGAIN! The incentive of watching this movie is to find a better psychological state, awaiting love to arrive. Never did pay attention to who is the director. But once I saw the credits and Ryan Murphy’s name appears on the big screen: “WOW” was my reaction. From “Nip/tuck” to “Glee” and now “Eat pray love”, how diverse the topics are, and he is getting better and better in making every moment looks its best.

I don’t think I have to summarize the movie, as the Name itself speaks for itself. It’s about Eat, Pray and Love. The three words to describe the year Liz (short for Elizabeth in the movie played by Julia Roberts) goes on a journey after a heartbreaking divorce. Eat in Italy, Pray in India, and Love in Bali. However, the three words only say what she has done in these three beautiful places but not what she inspired.

I don’t remember the exact wordings, but it goes like this: People are afraid of being destroyed. Something has been built in them, but they cannot let go. It might be painful at first. Being destroyed is only another new beginning, a new transformation. And transformation may lead to a new revolution. I couldn’t agree with this more. When people get content with their current life, they tend to just avoid all possible changes. Like, a relationship. After years the couple have already grown apart but due to the experiences they share and the fear of fighting loneliness, so they stay together, because they don’t want to start to know someone all over again. It could apply anywhere. The point is people try to remain as stable as possible. And it could be a bad thing for some of us.

Dolce Far Niente, Italian meaning the sweetness of doing nothing. Living in a cosmopolitan city like this, it’s really hard to enjoy doing nothing. When everyone around you is literally running and you just jog you’d immediately become an outcast. I wish I could just give myself f a break. A day just hanging around at home and doing nothing would be an energizing event. Liz finds her way in Italy, where will I find mine?

Dolce Far Niente, Italian meaning the sweetness of doing nothing. Living in a cosmopolitan city like this, it’s really hard to enjoy doing nothing. When everyone around you is literally running and you just jog you’d immediately become an outcast. I wish I could just give myself f a break. A day just hanging around at home and doing nothing would be an energizing event. Liz finds her way in Italy, where will I find mine?

This is a story of an adventure in finding oneself. Personally, the first part Rome is the most intriguing part. Comparatively, the other two are less interesting. But yet they are still a lot to take in. And they are all big common obstacles we encounter everyday. Like forgiving ourselves, and let the past be the past. We all know they are living among us but how many of us know how to face it.

There are a lot to take in, a lot to digest. “Eat Pray Love” is a really inspiring piece. It’s more than love. It’s more about how you define your life and what you want it to be.

If you are lost and insecure, this is a must for you.

Inception – Christopher Nolan

I wrote this because I had a dream. A dream that seems real.

The dream was just as vivid as it happened in reality. I couldn’t believe it was not true. People keep telling me dreams are coming from people’s sub-consciousness, they are always saying that I just want something too bad that I dreamt it up.

But after watching Inception recently, it has totally changed my perspective on dreams or it opened up a whole new world of possibilities. Let say the whole concept of taking and implanting ideas into someone’s thought are plausible. Then the problem is simple, most of us don’t know how to control the entrance: when, where, and who to meet in our dreams. If we could master the skills, we could control who to see and where to go in our dreams.

Is it really practical that people could meet in a different space of time? How accurate the information we see in the other world is authentic? If we could acquire information by this mean, then living in present time could be much easier, as we always complain the limited time we have per day, what if we could maximize the number of hours we could control? What if we could attain knowledge during our sleep? Is it possible? If inception is true then it could possibly happen.

If dreams are really built by people’s consciousness and sub-consciousness, what we see in dreams are others perception or their projection on certain scenario. As people could not control where they will be in dreams, sometimes they maybe end up in people’s bad memories and experiences, which we call nightmare. How about we see someone familiar? Same concept like the possibility we come across our friends in reality, that we mistakenly visit our friends’ dreams.

So can we say that there is “another world” ahead of us? There is a huge possibility if Inception is true. The problem of proving all this relevant is extremely difficult. One, dreams will fade away as soon as we wake up; two, most of the people never did take dreams seriously; and three, people will think you are crazy if you take like this. Alright, but is it really important to prove all this? To me? NO. knowing all this might be true give me an opportunity to believe the moments I have had are real.

This is my first time that I am so inspired by a movie. Christopher Nolan’s movies are always my favourite! From Memento to Prestige and now Inception, they could always set your mind to whole new direction.

Exam – Stuart Hazeldine

Looking at the poster itself will mislead you this is a horror flick. When I made up my mind picking up this movie gave me chills. After engaging 101 mins, I realized this is more than another thriller/drama. Simple settings, but yet thought-provoking.

At first I thought this was just another “Saw” like movies. Which people were confined in a room and were forced to make insane decision and save themselves by self-abuse. However, Exam is nothing like Saw. 8 candidates are trying their best to be chosen for the spot at this enormous medical company.

Unexpectedly, the only flashback the movie has, is the announcement by the invigilator. Apart from that, nothing else, not even the candidates backgrounds. Like we are one of the invigilators, sitting behind the glass and watching them perform. Unlike ordinary text, this does not require to write, although a pencil has been provided to each candidate. “If anyone spoil the paper intentionally or accidently you will be disqualified.” So how to pass the text with 7 other candidates and a blank question paper?

You will be granted years of life after joining the companying. There is an unknown disease affecting the people in the movie. As some of them reveal the truth of applying the job, is the medication is not affordable. Even some of the candidates are infected. And this disease is vigorous as medication should be taken everything one hour. What does it imply?

This company wealth ranked top 10 in terms of nation wise. Which mean more and more people are turning to them for healthier life. With better means, man life could be prolonged. Or deadly disease is spreading uncontrollably. Or maybe both. There is no clear time setting, this leave us wondering what could the disease probably be? Is it then, now, or later?

Brilliant thought about the characters. They are perfectly divided into different ethic groups and backgrounds, white, yellow brown, black, professional gambler… which leads us to another open question. Are we equal? This is for you to think.

Well-written script. The movie runs precisely with the exam time. The minutes passed quickly. Few disturbing scenes but it won’t distract you from enjoying the movie.

All about love – Ann Hui

Ann Hui is testing the limits of the Kongers. Homosexual and bisexual are not often being discussed openly in Hong Kong. Comedian Sandra Ng and the come back act of Vivian Chow, together make an easier penetration to the audiences. Telling us the life of being an upper class/ mid-aged lesbian facing the changes in the lives.

Some woman loves babies, while others are in total opposite. Some will change their mind when they get older. People used to say, there is a biologically clock inside every woman, telling them or warning them about their last due date. Their motherhood suddenly appears, the urge of having their own baby rush into their minds consciously or subconsciously. In this case the two leads found pregnant after one of their casual hook ups.

In Chinese culture, we were used to man fooling around being polygamous. However, when it came to woman they seemed to be absolute fidelity. Death penalty would be sentenced if they were caught. Meanwhile being a single mother is always tough. As time change, girls nowadays can be equal as boys. It’s no longer a surprise when you find pregnant without a dad. Nevertheless, it can’t be apply to everywhere, there are still some old fashioned and religious people. I have heard stories of Christians being asked to leave church, as they are feared to set a bad example for the others.

This movie is trying to break so many rules, no matter man or woman. They are given certain roles or rules to follow. What they suppose to do, or not suppose to do. It is about stereotyping and labeling. Homosexual has become more common in today’s world, not to mention those bisexual. However, bisexuals are often being labeled as sluts, as they have a wider choice compare with the gays and straights. The movie mentions an interesting point, what is the difference between the homosexual and the heterosexual, when they are both not accepting or respecting other preferences. Homosexual always whines the misunderstandings of others but they are blind to realize they are no difference.

Most of the people afraid of changes, they feel comfortable in places they find familiar. Whenever there is a slight intrusion, they tend to panic and put up their guards. In order to stay in their comfort zone they banish novelties. They curse it and give them evil names. The leads may encounter similar things in the story. I’ll say why do we have to limit ourselves by living in tons of regulations. Labeling others or even ourselves does no good to us. Sometimes fortunes might be hidden behind our insecurity.

In spite of the fact that the movie warps up so many social issues, it still delivers it’s message lightly rather than too seriously. We are able to enjoy a few good laughs and give a thought of the message. Credit goes to the selection of the cast. A comedian and a come back actress are a surprise combination. Although the latter’s not-so-believable acting may distract you at times, with the aid of the two male leads William Chan and Cheung Siu-fai it fades into a minor issue.

If you think the messages are way too heavy, treat it as a comedy and just enjoy a good laugh.