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.