Schindler's List (1993)

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

I thought it was gonna be another boring old movie...

BLACK AND WHITE... Sooo oldddd....

It strikes me as I thought why do we have to watch so many boring in few consecutive weeks? But after watching it down, it got more interesting and the plot, acting was splendid. In the movie not only was good, but they were emotional and funny parts that eventually caught the attention of audience and the likable to the movie.

It started off as German taking action on Jews and treating them as servant. Prejudice and discrimination on the Jews were treating them as prison and kills for no reason which have the sake of fun. Aggression is the main theme that portrays from the German soldiers to the Jews. In return, learned helplessness was shown in the Jews as they cannot do anything but to obey their orders or run/escape for not getting killed. Being a slave was another option as some ended dead or torture brutally. Playing an important role, Oskar Schindler uses his own money to buy the Jews from the German soldier to save life. Where till the end, he still regretted that why can't uses all his ring on his finger to save a few more. He make a list of Jews to be safe and make a guts to make a confrontation to buy the slave from German soldiers.

If one day I had such power and money to do the same, I would do it too! Humanity and the harmonious among each of every of us is important as God created us to be special.  I want to feel good, happy and warmth just like Schindler did. Each and every of our fate is written to ourselves thus we have to be brave and fight for our rights and how we want to end up. Never try never know, and must not give up! Seek help if we must and do not be shy to fight for something we believe in.

People saved by Schindler 

Grace Is Gone (2007)

How sweet is this? 

What do you do when u lost the one you love the most with all your heart? In this movie, Stanley Phillips (John Cusack) heard the unfortunate news that his wife died while serving for his country in the army. Using the Kübler-Ross five stages of grief model to explain Stanley situation is where he displays every part of it. In the picture, he will denial, anger, bargaining, depression and lastly accept as what is the reality. 

1. Denial 

Stanley denied that his wife is dead when the army forces came to give their respect to the                   family. He denied and did not want to address the matter when his daughters came back. He brings his daughters to arcade and eat some food to maybe tell them what had happened. Eventually, he cannot take it and decided to bring their daughters to a spontaneous trip to Enchanted Garden. 

2. Anger 

Stanley was super duper angry when he heard that his brother, John mention that his wife died and why he did not mention to his daughter. Stanley pushes his brother to a wall fiercely and angrily as he cannot accept the fact that his wife died. He also dare not to express his anger to his daughter and thus allow them to do what they want such as wear a earring.

3. Depression 

He is ultimately sad that his wife is not there with them when they decided to go to                             Enchanted Garden. He will call back home and imagine that his wife is there and                                 express it out. Stanley was hoping that his wife might somehow call back him and talk to him. There was a time he did not want to go out and wanted to cry out loud in his brother place. He cried and sleep alone to avoid the pain and suffer. 

4.  Bargaining 

He did his very best and try to control his anger and management. He bargain most of the time with his oldest daughter. He did not scold his daughter even though she smokes at such small age. He even brought up to smoke with his daughter and try something new. He thinks that this way he probably will be less sad as he still got his daughter on his back. 

5. Acceptance 

However, after spending a day with their daughter, he finally bring them beside a beach and told them the unfortunate news. The oldest daughter was unable to accept it, but with the love from his father, she accept it. At the end, they hug one another. 

In the whole movie, I realize that the father and daughter always each others hands no matter where they go and walk. This touches me as the feeling of love with father and daughter is strong than ever. As I had never lose a close one before, except I was small I lose my grandparents. My grandma and I was close once as she would take care of me. It is a waste that she passed away early and I was still small. I jealous those that have grandparents and still able to have such good relationship such as cook plenty of nice food, siblings or cousin getting together. This relationship warms me and realize that family love creates a lovely and warm atmosphere to people like me. 

Smile and keeps sadness away! 

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste, Touch, .....? 

The Sixth Sense was a blockbuster movie back then as it was play around the whole wide world and whole wide television channel. I remember when I was in a secondary school, probably during my exam day, this movie caught my eyes as my dad said this is a nice movie. Bruce Willis was even acting in this movie therefore it fully caught my attention and I jump on my sofa and sat nicely to watch this movie. So yea, I skip my study time to watch this movie. As I like movie that is adventure, action and horror, well I can say that this movie is non-stop busting mind movie that keeps catching your attention.

Similarly, with the movie "Mercury Rising" act by Bruce Willis of where a child with autism able to see secret code in a crossword puzzle. Whereby, in this movie is where this child is born with a gift of see-ing the dead. Many movies and research have been showing and proofing that is alien, ghost or spirits living among us together. One believe in what they believe in. I cannot answer for the world that there is ghost or no ghost, but is just what we perceived and see accordingly.

Psychology of fear is one of the factor that scared us. Basics responds is normally fight or flight. As in the movie, is mainly fight and go ahead to see what is going on so that they can continue their movie. A heighten Adrenaline that excites you as my friend was closing her eyes as she was watching the movie where there is ghost. She was scared when they "ghost" appeared and when the music got intense. As I have watch it before, it still kinda excites me as some part I have forgotten.

I still like the ending of where he noticed that he is the ghost and it mind-blown the audience. My friend sitting beside me got shock while she noticed he is the real ghost. It twisted our expectation and became a attractive and blockbusting movie. I am also impress by the producer mind as he can make the actor, Bruce Willis not to talk to "real human" and still nobody ever notice it. Overall, I like movies that is beyond our expectation and be prepared while embrace it for whatever come to us in life.

Whale Rider (2002)

Do you believe in magic? 

In this movie, I find it a miracle that one is chosen to talk to spirited one's. For me it is like when an individual, is chosen to be a superhero. In the episode series, the flash, he believe he is the chosen one by the lightning and do goods to save the world and whoever is in trouble. Whereby, in this movie, we can see that a leader is also to be chosen to lead. At the start, "there was no gladness when I was born" was when Pai twin brother died with her mother. As a grandfather, he was very upset and was not happy about it as the hope of a leader is lost. Koro then ask his son to "kill" the baby as he was not proud to have a girl to continue the "heir" from a leader family. 

     Gender bias and inequality was being shown from the start to the beginning. Pai and the grandfather Koro was always seen arguing. We also can see that Pai love his grandparents more than anything but eventually then it comes to something important, a leader have to be chosen at that time. Koro is the leader in his culture Maori and at that period of time was the time of choosing a new leader as he was getting old. Therefore he started training the youngsters and choose a leader. Pai wanted to take part in the leadership training but traditionally girls cannot be a leader. This is where we seen Pai and Koro argue with one another. Pai did not give up in practicing to be a leader as probably he had an inner voice telling her to do so. She then ask for her uncle help to train her to beat Hemi in the Taiaha fight. 

     After 3 years as I was back from Australia at standard 6, I had to adapt to the culture at Malaysia. I can say that there is a difference between there and here. Malaysia have a hectic kind of days where there is a lot of homework and exercise but not in Australia. So I believe that adaptation is also important follow my time as changes are meant to keep up to the world today. Even though it is hard to accept, but as long you believe in yourself anything is possible. Whereby for Koro in the movie, he should believe in his family and be open so that regret should never be seen. I believe it is hard to accept in a traditional family, but things are fated and probably a sign of something greater. 

     As she was the chosen one, many youngsters had failed the task given by Koro. This was when Koro lost hope and felt sad. To me, Pai role was to tell the audience that rules can be broken to make a change. Pai character is shown to prove that every males and females are the same, what males are able to do, females can do too, or probably better. It is to break the stereotype and prejudice of a female to the audience and change a perspective in see-ing thing differently. 

Forget Paris (1995)

Well, love again aye?  

Well, I did not expect this movie coming. I have seen too much love in most of the movie but this is the movie I cannot relate to myself. Why do I say that? Well, I have been in love with a girl that is married? Or been to Paris? How romantic it is for us Asian that never been to Paris to able to fall in love and create such memories together. Well, in this story Mickey Gordon faces all this romantic yet dramatic relationship. Mickey Gordon is a professional basketball referee whom flew all the way to Paris to buried his dead father. Whereby, that is where he met the love of his life, the lady whom were the manager of the airport and the one whom help bury Mickey's dad. How ironic and funny it is to felt for one another based on such incident. Well, for me, I think I got attracted by Mickey's joke and how he makes a girl laugh with his lame jokes. I remember studying social psychology it stated that physical attractiveness plays an important role as it is our first impression of an individual, but well Mickey is not this one, Instead, his sense of humor make a good impression that catches Ellen attention

So, what is love? Well for me, love is an emotion, expression that makes our heartbeats beats faster, heighten our physiological arousal and mentally influencing playing with our mind. In short, I believe that means "misses someone or thinking about someone" The saddest part in this movie is that Ellen is already marry but still looking for someone which really shows an bad example to the audience. But anyway, love of never giving up one another is the part it hits me the most. Each day, we faces a new challenge but for Mickey his hardest challenge is choosing between the job he love or staying by the side with his wife. In the other hand, his wife is willingly to sacrifice her job at Paris to come and get marry with Mickey just for LOVE. How powerful is that? After some time, Ellen felt alone and wanting Mickey to quit his job just to be with her more often. Well, well, well. After much argument and so on, they finally realize they love one another and need one another so they willingly decided to be together forever. 

According to Sternberg's triangular theory of love, passion, intimacy and commitment is the key to develop a strong bond of an healthy and romantic relationship. Well of course, there are also many factors to contributing a relationship such as trust. The passion, intimacy, and commitment is strong as they have such happy ending. If the passion is not there, why would Ellen ran away to work again, then come back again? If the intimacy is not strong, why would Mickey gave up on the game halfway and decided to find her back? If you ask me, love is blind? Yes, love is patient, and love is kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4). A balance of investment between work and relationship is a must to have a long-lasting love with one another. Commitment is an important factor to contribute in the relationship. For example, committing to take care of Ellen's parents is a burden as he is old and have sickness of repeating things over and over again. 

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

Believe what you believe in!

It struck me as why must a guy dance? Doesn't it shows that it is a girl thing? Until I saw the ending, I realize how powerful the influence and persuasion it can be. Dance not only a girl thing, but together with a male, it creates an outmost atmosphere that it influence, shock surrounding people or even bring tears from the joy. Influence and control is one of the main point that is portray from Scott's father. We can see that Scott's wanted to try a new dance and did not care about the victory. Many others were brain washing him as why would you want to try a new dance that does not guarantee your win? Many believes he could have won easily by dancing the old moves but instead he was pressure by the people surrounding. Influence and control was shown by Scott's dad as he influence Scott to dance his new move at the end. As the music was cut off, Scott's dad clap his hand to make a music tempo so that Scott could continue his dance move and instead it bring tears to the audience. It not only bring tears to the audience, it also bring a type of dream come true to his dad as he wanted to dance his new move while his was young but got stop by others. Asch (1951) conformity theory can be related to Scott doing the same old dance due to the social pressure but luckily at the end his dad words touches him and did what Scott believes in. Therefore, it is important to pursue in our dreams as we what we want to be and not stop by others nor stop because of what others think we cannot achieve.

Why dance? I believe it not only trying to express self, identity and emotion but it tries to push our limit to try something new. We soon and eventually will get bored of doing the same thing every year, but why not try something new and push ourself to something out of our comfort zone? Social influence is also shown in this movie. Obedience, conformity and compliance is shown throughout the movie. But compliance is the one touches me the most. Scott changes his behaviour in dancing his own move with most help but mostly alone, because of his dad's words at the end. At first, he show obedience due to his mother wishes and wanting to win a trophy. Luckily, he show it all off, shock the crowd and his competitors. Hurrayy!

Happy yet amusing ending!

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)

Why most of the movie is about love? This got me thinking as most probably love is what we need and is simple as that. 

It makes me hungry when I see food but yet it satisfies us. Showing love through cooking is brilliant as nowadays youngsters prefer outside food rather than home cook food. For Chinese New Year, a reunion dinner is super duper important for the Chinese or maybe others too. But the point is that a reunion together is equal to love. By portraying many vehicles such as motorbike, vans, truck and cars in traffic, it strikes my mine as no matter how busy we are, we still come back to our family.

As in the title, eat drink man woman can be interpret to food drink sex and love. As this is such simple basic needs for an individual of a human being. As explain by Maslow, basic needs is needed to achieve self - actualization where the full potential is achieve. Mr Chu have been getting old and almost have achieve most of the basic needs whereby only have relationship problems with the three daughter. For me, I think Mr Chu have not reach self - actualization and therefore by working on the relationship he will be able to be more happy and blessed . But at the end, the relationship got better and I believe he is happy and warm once again as this is what most of the Fathers hope and want from the family. 

Gandhi (1982)

How could you sacrifice so much and stay humble at the same time? 

You would probably be the one to back away when you are scolded by some police officer. Probably to give up after many failures of being whack by police officer. Probably would not kneel on your knees and pick up the passport that is thrown on the floor. Well, not this one. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Gandhi dare to stood up to make the country and his people a better place. Due to his action, he has been a "father" to most of his people. But how does he have such persuasion over his people and why do they like him so much? 

          

 Humble and kind. I believe is the key of persuasion of being like and influence others. With a big heart and staying humble at the same time to make a different touches the people around you. According to Dr. Robert Cialdini (1987), there is 6 principles of persuasion which are reciprocation, social proof, commitment and consistency, liking, authority and scarcity (supply and demand). As by looking those words, it mostly explains the meaning of those words. Whereby, Gandhi shows most of this persuasion of technique in reaching to the people out there to join him. Gandhi uses his action and the power of speech to influence others to follow his footpath. For the principle of reciprocation, being first plays an huge implication. By doing what others are afraid to stand up against the British, he make a huge statement and wants everyone to stands for their rights without any violence as shown in the movie.

Gandhi fights for human rights, equal treatment nor should be discriminated with race, societal status, religion, sex or even skin colour. Gandhi fighting spirits tends to surprise me with his action where nobody is able to destroy except himself. With such great act. he not only earn the respect from me, but i guess the whole wide world. According to Maslow, people are motivated to achieve certain needs (McLeod, 2014). Whereby, he have almost fulfill most of physiological, safety, love/belonging and self esteem needs, he reaches the stage of self-actualization. He realize his personal potential or fulfillment on what to do which is to make a world a better change even he could have the chance to be a lawyer that earn big bucks.

Thank you Gandhi, for making a difference and plays a huge role model to all of us! :)

References

Cialdini, R. B. (1987). Compliance principles of compliance professionals: Psychologists of necessity. In Social influence: The ontario symposium (Vol. 5, pp. 165-184). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Hillsdale, NJ.

McLeod, S. A. (2014). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

       

Running on Empty (1988)

     Most of the movie portrays LOVE. This? This is FAMILY LOVE!

     I love my family. Therefore, there is no doubt that I love how the movie portrays how the family support one another, solving the problem with one another, and even discuss romantic relationship between one another. A family without secret! A family without secret that shares everything with another is the kind of family that we all wish to grow up in this fast pace world today. As we all one day comes with trouble, the first thing we need is the support from family love. It is undeniable that blood is thicker than water, so I believe family is the pillar of strength for us! 

   In this movie, it revolves the parents of Annie and Arthur Pope whom were responsible for the anti-war protest bombing of a napalm laboratory whereby a janitor happened to be nearby and was injured badly. Bringing the guilt and crime, they have to run away and stay away from the radar. With bringing their children, they have to stick together as family is a unit to them. Attachment to them is the important thing as that is what left of them, family. 

     Having parents to support one another when we have difficult. It can not only touches our heart or melt our heart as leaving their son to further his career as a musician alone. "We all love you, now, go out there and make a difference" touches me as Danny, the eldest son from now onward have to be independent. It reflected me of an parents having to let go their precious son/daughter outside from hometown to survive and be independent, it hurts me. Nobody wants to see their child suffer. As in the movies, supporting one another as now they have only each other left, it is heart broken to leave their child alone by himself. 

     Using Bowen family systems theory to explain this such emotional bonded family. It is a theory of human behavior that views the family as an emotional unit and uses systems thinking to describe the complex interactions in the unit (Kerr, 2000). The family of Danny is connected emotionally to one another. In most part of the scene, Danny support and love his mother through hugs and kisses. Danny aren't afraid of walking to his dad and give him a kiss when he came home late after visiting his girlfriend after such late night. The family is bonded with such strong emotional bond and willing to love one another as now they are what they have left. Danny also bought his girlfriend, Lorna to his family. Danny's family surprisingly also accepted the girlfriend and dance with together. With this such love, anything can be done together and overcome together! 

No family is perfect… we argue, we fight. We even stop talking to each other at times. But in the end, family is family… The love will always be there.

References

Kerr, Michael E (2000). “One Family’s Story: A Primer on Bowen Theory.” The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. Retrieved from http://www.thebowencenter.org.

A - WAKE - KE - NINGS

Awakenings (1990)

     When the lights when off, I assume awakening was some horror movie. But instead, Awakenings was shown to be a pillar of strength for humanity to never give up and strive for what we believe want and what we believe in. I have been thinking lately that what if one day, waking up differently? It struck me on my nerve that Dr Sayer (Robin Williams) never gave up on the patient that have experiencing difficulties or some sort of disorder that unable to move a muscle. From time to time, he never gave up on the patients and tries different method to improve their situation. HOPE was found to be the inspiring movement for each and everyone of us. It is to be shown that using positive psychology of hope to motivate others and catch the attention of viewer in this movie. Leonard (Robert De niro) also have shown that he is willing to proof the sickness can be cure and fight what he deserve.
     Leonard have lost 30 years of his life living inside in a helpless body but good reflexes. He agree to shows that with the drug, L-Dopa to cure the sickness, he is willing to help Dr Sayer get sponsorship for the drug to help others. As such, he is willing to be in the recording of the development since the first day of the cure. After a period of time, he fight for what he needed to be done as a human by getting to get a relationship with a girl after been stuck in a body helplessly and fight for the right to have freedom. Learned helplessness is also found in Leonard as he tries to escape and avoid that nothing will ever bad happened to him after taking the drug. He is positive about it but at the end, the symptom of getting back to his previous stage was simultaneously appearing after some time. Leonard was positive the whole time and still tries to get a relationship with the girl. He also never stop giving up and does not believe the symptom is slowly appearing back until he reaches a stage where he is back to the old stage. Therefore, he stay positive and give hope to others when he know he is going to turn back to his old stage.
   

“The human spirit is more powerful than any drug and THAT is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. THESE are the things that matter.”

Leonard never stop wanting to contribute in Dr Sayer video for his research on the drug to his sickness. Maslow's hierarchy of needs can be explained through Leonard where reaching self actualization. Leonard had found meaning of his life where reaching physiological needs, safety and security easily through the love of his mum. Whereby, after waken from his nightmare, he also tend to build close relationship with girls where the mother also kinda jealous which shows that sense of connection is building one another. A strong self - esteem is also build in the Hospital where doctors , patients sees Leonard differently as he become more confident and unique as a human being. Leonard never have up fighting for his right and life even though many obstacles hit him. With the help of Dr Sayer, he get to experience a normal life like the others such as trying to get a relationship with a girl. This is where Leonard reaches self actualization of being acceptance, finding purpose of life and inner potential when he still can. 

Be grateful with our life, and do great things before is too late! 

Cinema Paradiso - LOVE

Cinema Paradiso (1988) which is originally known as Nuovo Cinema Paradiso. 

     
     A young boy passion towards film never dies. Toto never stops trying and always have the creative ideas of going up to the cinema of the projecting booth to explore more. For example, he wanted to go up to Alfredo whereby he took the chance when he saw Alberto's wife. He quickly ran to the wife and quickly took it up for Alfredo to eat his lunch. In there, he met Alfredo. With much approaches, they tend to build a "Tom and Jerry" relationship which at first they had many argues, bully and ended up chasing and beating away Toto. This relationship at first sounds annoying but slowly it become funny and love-hate relationship. Surprisingly, they ended up like father-son relationship that melted our hearts. 

     With the basics of love, Alfredo taught him everything he knew and even treated him like a son. Even he knows Toto spent most of the money on cinema which supposingly to use the money to buy what the mother order to buy, but ended up getting scold and beat. Alfredo saw this and eventually willing to pay the money back to help Toto. With such naive love, they start to bond together and touches on all of our heart. As they love bonded within one another, the film suddenly got caught on fire. Everyone was rushing out from the cinema and running away, Toto quickly rush in and pull Alfredo out. With the strength of a small child, he had to pull him down the stairs. Toto never gave up and pull him down with all his might till he get away from the fire and safety. While others are trying to run away for their life, Toto risk everything he have to get help. This love relationship is stronger than the bond with his biological mother that demonstrates to us. 

     Toto have strong passion on Alfredo projectionist job. Therefore, by taking Alfredo as a role model. He was taught and taken up the job when Alfredo went blind after the fire incident. Through the theory of Bandura's observational learning, which Toto was learned and taught everything by Alfredo. Toto observed and learned most of the knowledge of film through observing and building interest.

     Alfredo insisted Toto not to return Giancaldo, his hometown, never speaks nor want to hear from him again. I believe Alfredo believe Toto have a bigger and better future outside and wanted him to focus on being successful and not thinking backwards. In fact, the movie that touches me was the emotional story line that shows unconditionally love towards one another. At the end, Toto came back to pay respect for the funeral of Alfredo. Alfredo also indeed did not forget about Toto that compile all of the kissing scene that were deleted when Toto was small.