Review on "From Paris With Love"

Movie reviewed and why I suddenly reviewed a movie *GASP* on this blog.

Why did I watch the movie?

1. Luc Besson : CHECK!
2. Storyline : seems good
3. Action : Since it's Luc Besson, should be good
4. John Travolta : Check
5. Jonathan Rhys Meyers: Check

Yup, I'm a fan of Luc Besson. I was converted after watching "Taken". "Taken" was believable, action was fast but never confusing, characters were believable. It also showed us the darkness of human trafficking, which was the main selling point of the movie and for me to watch it :)

So yeah, "From Paris with Love" was a sensible movie choice for me. Plus, the movie deals with terrorists, guns and betrayal...all in the City of Lights and Lurveee....

The movie has good pace, and great storyline. There's never a dull moment in the movie. And the storyline that links drug-dealing, terrorism and espionage is absolutely believable. There are people will go all out to do what seems right to them, and that just what suicide bombers and counter-terrorist agents do. Exchanging drugs for guns isn't all that new, and to get information about from people who deal in these kinds of things requires both brain and brawn, which i thought was well-illustrated in the movie. Having beautiful women to seduce the intended targets is commonplace (007 always does that), and unfortunately, women are gullible creatures (I'm really jabbing my own foot with this statement).

Character development was also great for me, especially James Reece (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers). I especially liked this character because you see him go from this really ambitious guy, to "Holy ****, what did I get myself into?", then finally someone who manages to put his emotions aside, get the job done and say "I don't know if I really want this". Character Charlie Wax (played by John Travolta) was also great as  a gun-toting, shoot 'em all to Hell guy, who's just really good at his job, yet sensitive enough to the notice people's pain.

If there's a gripe, I would have to say it was quite similar to "Taken". But even that's a plus point. So my only complaint, it will have to be: Why are the reviews from so-called paid, movie-reviewers so bad? The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was complete waste of time and talent, yet it got fantastic reviews. Ah, whatever.

_________________________________________________________

To the real reason I'm reviewing:

1. Terrorism is a real thing. And it's not new. We have to be constantly on the ball to notice what's around us.
2. Women: Let us not be gullible.
3. In Islam, screwing around is haram. Having sex with someone as a means to an end is not jihad. It's plain prostitution for a "cause".
4. Suicide bombing does not , and will not solve any problem. The "I'm at peace" and " I'm doing this for a higher cause" crap is, well..., crap. If really that religion is so great, and that God is so absolute, HE definitely does NOT need human help at all. When you do such stuff, you're just making fun of your own religion.
   OH, and suicide bombing doesn't bring much casualties too, I'm afraid. Then again, the world has one less fanatic, no?
5. In the world's eyes, there is absolutely NO ABSOLUTE RELIGION. If there ever was, the world would have only one religion.
   Everyone thinks theirs is the one true religion, be it pantheist, monotheist and whatever religions there is. So, can we just get along with each other and make the world a better place, instead of blowing up something somewhere in the name of XX religion?

Tolerance is key, although acceptance is even better. We post-modernists should be looking forward to better futures, instead of regressing to the jahilliah (ignorant) period of the Dark ages.

WHACK A GROUNDHOG

ever played whack a groundhog?you know 12 or more holes in a box in which plastic (or animated) groundhogs pop out randomly while player tries to whack 'em with sticks?

Opportunities are like whack a groundhog. Opportunities pop out at random. sometimes you whack them. sometimes you don't. sometimes you even accidentally whack your friends and yourself.

What's important is that you pick up that stick and stat whacking as hard, and as accurate, as possible. Once the "groundhog's" down, it's up to you to deal with it: throw it away, waste it, or use it to it's fullest extent.

Stick, anyone?

Malaysia is under attack

Refering to the report:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h_FEwuQT1QGXZTri7-iegwxwae0w

I believe Malaysia has redefined the terms "extremists" and "terrorist". The recent desecration of churches, gurdwaras and now, mosques, have just proven what extreme measures these individuals are willing to do to ensure this country falls into racial and religious distrust. They are hoping that Malaysia falls into chaos so that they may openly threaten the lives of those who are aren't on their side, and at the same time, come up and "reveal" themselves to be the heroes of the day.

Malaysia, don't fall into this trap.

I repeat: MALAYSIA, DON'T FALL INTO THIS TRAP. 

PDRM, we need your help. Get those perpetrators and ensure Malaysian citizens can calm down.

These people are the real traitors of Malaysia. Every single day that passes double the threat to Malaysia's security in all aspects, especially these: social, economic and political.

Social: Malaysians now can no longer have a peace of mind. The question on everyone's minds is "Who's next?". Distrust of each other has heightened. No one is sure of who is the wolf in sheep's skin. I believe the brain drain in the near future will escalate, simply because there isn't a sense of security.

Economic: Investors now would think twice about investing in this country. Those who already invested in the country may consider pulling out. No one can predict whether the next May 13 incident will happen again. Not to mention those who migrated (current and future) will no longer contribute signicantly to the country's economy.

Political: Need I mention the implications of this matter? Malaysia has to get her house in order before "assistance" is "offered".

Malaysia is not yet in deep trouble. However, Malaysia will be if these fiery remarks from prominent "leaders" keep stoking up the negative feelings of all Malaysians.

I've said it twice and I'll say it again: MALAYSIA, DON'T FALL INTO THIS TRAP. 

This is the time we have to rise up against those who wish to do Malaysia harm. Not fall into their trap to make us kill each other. These people are like vultures: scavengers waiting for the right time. Don't give them that satisfaction.

God: Can He create a rock so huge He can't lift it?

My junior (Mathilda) and I were just talking on this subject earlier. It was a question posted by her friend, and as a Christian she was naturally stumped for answers.

My counter question to that is: If God had so much time to create something as meaningless like that, why did He create humans?

I mean what GOOD are humans? We wreck His creation, break every law ever created, start wars with each other, commit terrible crimes towards our fellow human beings... To cut the long story short, we seem addicted to breaking God's heart. If I were God, I'd wipe the slate clean and start again from scratch. Humans are just too bothersome.

But He didn't. He didn't wipe us out.

Do you know why?

Because He loves us so much, He was willing to even experience death to become closer to us.
John 3:16, ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." [NIV]

Let's face it. If you were God, would you create something meaningless just because someone nudged you (and called you a loser when you didn't)? Or would you create something that you will cherish forever, something that you would be willing to die for?

Some Christmas Cheering...

Christmas is most often a time of giving and receiving. Have you ever bought a Christmas present? A present that that person wanted all along? Something as simple as just a few pairs of.....socks? Read on for a heartwarmer...

December 23, 2009 

Operation Shoebox

Mary Southerland Today's Truth
James 1:17 (NIV) "Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows."

Friend To Friend
Before you hit the malls and plunge into the last days of shopping frenzy, set aside some time to pray, asking God to direct your shopping trip and give you insight as you purchase each gift.  Interesting thought, isn't it?  I have to admit that I tend to plan, think and worry about Christmas gifts more than I pray about them. However, I recently heard a true story that has changed my perspective on Christmas giving.

Each Christmas, Operation Shoebox collects and sends over eight million shoeboxes stuffed with small gifts such as candy, school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo to children across the world.  In Mexico, hundreds of boys and girls gathered at the church in a small village, excitedly anticipating the arrival of their precious shoeboxes. 

Delightful chaos erupted as bulging shoeboxes, wrapped in brightly colored paper and ribbon were passed into the small, eager hands of each child. Wrapping paper was hurriedly ripped into pieces and tossed aside, a smile spreading across the face of each child as their long awaited Christmas treasures were revealed. 

However, one little boy dissolved into tears as he lifted the lid of his box and peered inside to see what he had received for Christmas this year. One of the Operation Shoebox volunteers spotted the little boy and hurriedly made his way across the church to see what the problem could possibly be. With the help of an interpreter, the volunteer asked the now sobbing little boy, "What is wrong?  What is in your box?" With tears streaming down his face, the little boy said, "Socks!" The worker instantly understood and assured the little boy that he could trade his box of socks for another box that might have crayons or a piece of candy in it. Alarm spread across the face of the child as he vigorously shook his head and quickly jerked the box away from the now somewhat confused worker. 

Clutching the shoebox to his chest, the boy began sobbing out an explanation to the interpreter who listened for a few moments and then, with tears spilling out of his own eyes, turned to the volunteer and said, "You won't believe this!" Taking a deep, steadying breath, the interpreter explained, "This little boy has a rare skin condition with which he was born. It seems to affect his feet more than any other part of his body. The doctors have tried various medications and treatments but finally told the little boy that nothing will work and his feet will never heal unless he begins wearing cotton socks. His parents cannot even afford food for this boy; much less provide socks for their son. So, all year long, he has been praying for socks." 

Have you ever considered the idea that your Christmas gift may very well be an answer to someone's prayer?  I have to admit that I have rarely, if ever, made a Christmas gift list with that criterion in mind. Always in a hurry, my first thought is usually how to find the greatest deal at the lowest price in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of effort and hassle at the first store I enter - and hope the person likes it - because that is what he or she is going to get. Ah, yes. That is certainly the heart of God, isn't it?

Join me in making this Christmas season different. Do not allow television ads, catalogues or shopping fliers dictate the gifts you give this year. Turn your Christmas list into a prayer list and you may very well end up giving an "operation shoebox" gift to someone you love. 

The BTN and TNB Wordplay.

The BTN and TNB Wordplay.BTN, Malaysia’s “pride and joy” set up during Mahathir’s time to promote “further understanding” among those select few who “needed” to understand the dynamics of society.

Yeah. RIGHT.

BTN is UMNO’s brainwashing machine to bring more division. Apparently they truly understood and embrace our colonists’ concept of divide and rule.

In December 16, 2009 New Strait Times, page 6, Anwar said that his speech was leaked out and revealed that he was once a racist bigot and that was in his “UMNO days”. Advice to you, sir, you should have admitted that you were once a bigot but now you no long are one because you have seen with your own eyes how much more nation-building integrity non-UMNO members have compared to those UMNO members you know. Just say your eyes had been opened and mind enlightened. Otherwise, you’d just be open to another slew of slanderous talk.

Najib, of course, had to agree BTN’s “contribution to the country”, because otherwise, he might’ve been thrown to the UMNO slaughterhouse. But since Nazri, I believe, is in-charge of BTN’s revamp, my suggestion to him is that he doesn’t just revamp the whole thing, but make it’s modules available for the public’s scrutiny. After all, if the government wants to show the rakyat their sincere interest in progressing the country, they should not treat the rakyat as fools.

That is, of course, if they still want our votes, and loyalty to the country. As we already know, we have a serious case of brain drain not only because the opportunities available overseas, but also because the rakyat’s faith in the country has dwindled to the extent it encouraged them to get out of the country.  Best part is many of the migrants are Malays.

Another point to UMNO, if you guys think that your “ketuanan Melayu” is so great, and the rest of us are just a bunch of “pendatangs”, then I think it would only be fair that you stop using the rakyat of other ethnic backgrounds to represent Malaysia in sporting events. After all, we are just “pendatangs”.

Moving on to TNB (NST, Dec 16,2009, page 19). You need to review the pacts HONESTLY. Stop jacking up prices as your mother likes it (English equivalent to “suka mak hang”). Sure you people get all the profits now, but it will bite you back at the end of the day. No, most probably not in your day, but in your children’s or grandchildren’s time. Then again, you guys probably don’t care about the ugly legacy you’re leaving behind, no?

And if you hadn't realised it already, if you shift the "B" in BTN to the back, you'll get TNB.

Coincidence? Or is it Malaysia's next conspiracy theory?

Language Problem or Racist Problem?

Commenting on:

Prisoners Barred from Using Mother Tongue

Malaysiakini, 10 Dec 2009

What the HECK?!

Seriously, "Malaysians" are so proud of their "multi-ethnic and multi-racial" background. The government is also so damn proud that they had the Tourism Board saying "Malaysia: Truly Asia" all around the world.

So, why can't the inmates speak in their mother tongue?

The officials cite "security reasons", but I say "racist reasons". It clearly violates the basic human right of speech! Sure, we don't want another charismatic, glamorous leader such as Hitler to rise from the ranks of prison inmates, and that's why every phone call is monitored.

However, to cite that the wardens can't understand the language of other ethnic groups and therefore forcing the inmates to speak in either English or Malay, just shows how narrow-minded, bigoted and inflexible these people are. It's no wonder since this undoubtedly had spawned from the idiots who STILL spew out the "Ketuanan Melayu" bullshit.

Fact of life, you wardens and other bigots out there: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language says that estimates of total living languages in the world vary from 3,000 to 10,000. Take a good look of yourselves in the mirror, and realize that in this world, the languages available to humans are too numerous for a normal human brain to digest, much less to master all of them. If this makes you think that this warrants your despicable behavior, then please DISCONTINUE your hiring of translators when you use taxpayers money for your overseas "official" visits.

To Zaini Hassan and his bigoted colleagues,

We know you jokers are giving Malaysians a daily dose of the BTN bullcrap, telling those of "other" ethnicity groups that we are "immigrants" even though some of us have been around since your oh-so-glorified days of the Malaccan Sultanate. To tell you the truth, we are more Malaysian than the whole lot of you, simply because we are more worried for the future of Malaysia than you.

To Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad,

Kudos to your book, "Moving Forward"/"Mendepani Zaman". Malaysia is in need of sincere, forward-looking leaders like you. I sincerely hope that you would not deviate in the future for higher gains or get shot down politically as your many sincere predecessors had experienced.