searching..

I used to be someone with big dreams
someone who knows what she wants
someone with the enthusiasm to do it all
pursuing always, no matter what..
 
seems like the dreams are all so far away 
seems like many doors are so hard to reach
however it is not the end,
as there is another world within the world we know.

our lives are defined by opportunities
even the ones we miss
yet there is always a new pleasing journey
as long as there’s a willing heart to find
there is a sure beauty within..

therefore, a new road I shall find
as long as I live, I will always learn
to treasure, to cherish, and to appreciate
and truly enjoy all those that I have for now.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' (drama film) 2008

The 2nd movie which I watched by myself and left without any regret. Probably one of the best movies that I have ever watched. It is indeed, special.

From the start, the well-usage of flashback captured my attention. I love the level of art direction, particularly scenes in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, that contains high level of details. Also, the presentation of historic scenes made me felt as if I were watching old movies. Moreover, I personally love the hints of art culture; Chopin’s Polonaise piano scene and the glamour and life of ballet dancers. Amongst those, the scenes of the sunrise and the silhouette dance left very strong impression.

The movie reminds me of how the facts of life are unavoidable, however, it values the time that each human temporarily has in this temporary world. At the same time, it also proclaim about how love transcends over time and conditions. It never fails. To sum up, it is a movie that allows me to smile, a movie that allows me to cry. It will be a movie that I will never forget.

The Great Debaters

"An unjust law is no law at all" ~ Augustine of Hippo (354-430).

Based on an article written about the Wiley College debate team by Tony Scherman for the 1997 Spring issue of American Legacy, “The Great Debaters” is the second film directed by Denzel Washington and produced by Oprah Winfrey’s company, Harpo Productions.

The film, based on the true story, chronicles the effort of the notable poet, social activist and educator Melvin B. Tolson (Washington), a volatile debate coach who uses his eloquence to shape a group of students from a modest black college in East Texas into an elite debate team with an equal footing with whites in the American South. Eventually, the Wiley team succeeds to the point of receiving the invitation to debate Harvard University’s championship team, where the issue of: Nonviolent civil disobedience versus the rule of law was vividly debated.

The movie also explores the social milieu of Texas during the Great Depression including not only the day-to-day insults and slights African American endured, but also a lynching. Segregation, prejudice, and racial discrimination are the major themes in the film, as well as the heights of the fight for the freedom rights. According to the New York Times movie review, “Its steadfast humanity, its literacy, its passionate belief in education, its faith that history teaches invaluable lessons and it’s strong, emotionally grounded performances: There are enough things to admire about The Great Debaters.” (Leading the Charge to Inspire the Underdogs, Stephen Holden, NY Times, December 25, 2007)

Engaging from the start, with many clever words usage and strong historical themes portrayed in the movie, it is movie not meant to entertain, but a movie where it draws the viewers to comprehend the reality and to inspire those who ‘do what they have to do in order to do what they want to do.’

Sources:
http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/12/25/movies/25deba.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0427309/quotes
http://www.matchflick.com/flicks/17938
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Debaters