Be Human! Have Humanity!

“Animal Farm: A Fairy Story” or known as “Animal Farm” is a 1999 movie whom directed by John Stephenson is the movie that described the life of animals that live in a farm.  These animals have been treated badly by the owner and it shows how human manipulated the animals for their own selfishness.  As usual, let me share briefly about the plot of the movie.  The animals are horses, pigs, dogs and many more which they are being forced to work and eventually being beaten if they refuse to.  The leader of all animals is Napoleon who is a horror, ugly, gross pig and he considered that all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.  As a leader, he should stand on the animals’ right but nevertheless, he betrayed his promise and become equal as humans.  Animals should not wear clothes, but he did.  Even drinking wine and eating together with humans. 

The storyline is simple actually, it stresses on how the animals would like to revenge towards humans but unfortunately Napoleon did not lead them to the right path.  Lots of animals die and it is so tragic, pitiful to watch.  No animal shall kill any other animal.  There is no mercy showed by the human and what we can learn generally is the level of humanity one’s have.  Frankly, everyone knows what animal abuse is and I seriously saying that I am totally against it as animals should be treated well actually.  Every creature in this world has its own feeling and so does us.  That is why we should understand how the living things feel actually.  Animals are so tame if we treat them well which means that they could feel the love that we showed.  So, what I can conclude from the movie is, Be human. Have humanity!

Best Man Wins

 “The Great Debaters” is the next movie that I choose to comment on which is directed by Denzel Washington and produced by the one and only, Oprah Winfrey.  It is based on true story regarding debate and conflict between the white and black people.  But before that, let me disclose a little bit on the plot of this 2007 movie.  It started with the historically black Wiley College whom the debates couch, Melvin B. Tolson trying to place his team on equal footing with whites in the American South.  The debaters are James L. Farmer, Jr., Henry Lowe and Samantha Booke (with an ‘e’).  They won lots of debates due to the help of their couch and eventually, when there is conflict happens to Mr. Tolson, the three debaters have to win without him and finally they actually did. 

 Well, the most memorable scene that I can share is when the white people gathered around and burned a black people alive.  It was gross and pitiful.  That’s all.  Well, I got the message that the movie is trying to deliver and of course I learned lots of skills and moral values especially about enthusiasm.  Audiences could really see that the three great debaters are so into the speech as they are not just trying to win the debate but also delivered the messages.  As we live in this world within different races and customs, we should accept the culture itself, then we would live peacefully and harmony.   Besides, in this movie also shows the friendship among them is tested when Junior falls in love with Samantha but unfortunately she loves Henry.  But eventually they become as one when the trio understand each other situations and accept it whole-heartedly.  In short, this movie compiles friendship, enthusiasm, family and love which we could learn how important it is in someone’s life.  

Romantic or Libertine?

This excerpt is taken from a bestselling book, “The Road Less Travelled” by M Scott Peck, M.D.  It explains about the actual definition of love as most dictionaries only characterize its “symptoms”.  It is interesting to read to majority society as it is stated in the excerpt that the need for romance is sometimes overwhelming. Well, for romantic people, there are actually two types of romance ritual.  The first one is obligatory romance which the lover will celebrate the partner’s birthday or their anniversary by giving gifts.  Meanwhile, the second one is optional romance where the lovers are kind of creative, I guess, as they will try their hard to impress or attract their partner attention by creating big or small events for instance candlelit dinners, overseas vacation or singing romantic songs.  Every romantic will treat their beloved gentle as it is something precious.  

It is differ from Libertine as these people tend to change their lovers frequently because of their low commitment and the unserious of love.  Usually, Libertine would not feel hurt whenever they are breaking up.  In short, they are considered as gamer.  It is like a hand phone without service, all you can do is play games. Taking the partner for granted and hurting them is common for them, I think. 

Nevertheless, it is undeniable if everyone says that love is blind because they would do anything for their beloved.  But the truth is that, whether you are a Romantic or Libertine, love is something which is very special.  It’s hard to come by but once you possess it, you would feel that this world takes everyone to fill it, but it does only take someone to feel yours. Love is universal as family and friends deserve your love too but the most beautiful and everlasting love is between you and God.     

The Adventures of Tintin

The Adventures of Tintin is also known as The Adventures of Tintin: the Secret of the Unicorn outside North America which is directed by Steven Spielberg.  It is an exciting story because the storyline is so adventures.  It compiles comedy, friendship, and enthusiasm which make it more watchable regardless of age.  The plot begins with Tintin himself who bought a model of a three-masted sailing ship, the Unicorn.  Then, he is approached by the sinister Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine who would like to buy it but Tintin rejects the offer.  He also learns that there are at least two model ships. Then, Tintin puts the scroll in his wallet, and suddenly it is stolen by a pickpocket.  He suddenly meets the ship's nominal captain, Haddock when he is kidnapped by accomplices of Sakharine, and imprisoned on the ship, SS Karaboudjan.   He also learns that there are at least two model ships.  Both of them undergo lots of adventures journey as they manage to escape from the ship and travel through the sea and a dessert.  

  

It is such an exhilarating movie for me as it actually teaches the audience to keep on pursuing our right or dream.  For instance in this movie, Haddock lost his right towards the ship although he is the captain.  But within Tintin helps, he eventually realizes that he should hold on into it as he is the last generation to keep the ship in safe.  Tintin in addition, found back the scroll which had been taken by Ivan and together, the scrolls reveal the location of the sunken Unicorn, and its treasure.  The movie ends with a curious ending as when they are in the cellar; they find some of the treasure, and a clue to the location of the sunken Unicorn. Finally, both men agree to continue the adventure.

Germs among Gems

The next article is “Fickle Friends” by Kristen Weir which elucidate on people around us, more specifically is our friends.  As everyone knows that “no man is an island”, we can’t live in this world alone without having neither friends nor family.  Friends are like diamonds that you have to value the most after family, but then they are certain of them who are germs among gems.  It is inevitable.  They are everywhere and might be among us now.  Even I myself have lots of friends but a little number of them is my true friends and the rest are so-called “friends”.  “Frenemies” is the word to describe these types of people.  They can be so kind and eventually they will leave us.  They would only come to us when they are in need, for financial support or maybe they are friendless.  Who knows?

Alright, for those who still don’t get what is “fickle friends” means; let me tell you guys about a story of mine.  Last few years, I “had” a friend that really supported me when we were in secondary school before.  I would say that we are like “best friends forever”, but then when I had an opportunity to pursue my study which she was not, she suddenly left me.  I did contact her but then she seemed to avoid me.  I heard that she gossiped about me to everyone.  Well, I think that I had chosen a wrong person to be called “friend”.  These type of people cannot bear to see someone who is successful than them.  They can be our friend and enemy at the same time that is why they are suitable to be called “frenemies”.  Marcel Proust had said that “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”.  So, be extra careful when choosing friends.  

From Hell

The next movie is “From Hell” directed by the Hughes brothers.  Well, one word to describe this movie is “CREEPY”.  This movie is an adaptation movie from The Jack the Ripper murders.  For those who does not really know who he is, let me disclose it a little bit.  Jack the Ripper was an unidentified serial killer that was popular in the year of 1888 in London.  He killed lots of female prostitutes and removed their internal organs and ate it which is totally gross!  From my point of view, I think that he might thought himself to be a “good” person that would like to end the sin that have been done by those prostitutes.  If the Ripper is still alive in this world, I don’t know how much more will be his victim.  Until now, his identity is remaining unknown.  Who are you actually?

Alright, the movie was great and suspend, I would say.  The scene was classic but real. The duration is almost 2 hours and every moment is a thriller moment for the audiences.  By the way, Johnny Deep looks superb handsome and play his role greatly.  Deep plays the role of Abberline, an investigator for those murders and would consume drugs to dream about the murders.  As for the heroin, Mary Kelly, she and her group are prostitutes that being hunted by the Ripper as one by one were being killed tragically. That case was handled by Abberline, and that was how he knows Kelly.  At the end, when he thought that Kelly was killed by the Ripper, he ultimately dies as he knows that he would never see her again.   Well, Mary Kelly doesn’t die in this movie.  But it was such a sad ending to watch Abberline eventually die because of opium overdose.  

The Pianist

“The Pianist” is a movie directed by Roman Polanski, which was the first movie that I choose to comment on.  It was a heartbreaking movie as it tells a story about a man, Władysław Szpilman that works as a pianist and he experiences the World War II.  I did not totally understand the language as they speak fluently German.  But then by looking at the action, everyone would know that it was a touching war movie.  It starts with the protagonist played a piano melodiously, and suddenly the war takes place.  It did not stop him as he keep on playing because he is really appreciating the music.  Eventually, lots of places have been bombed and he has to live quietly with his family to be safe.  The Britain and France have declared war and he and the family thought that the war will end sooner whenever they hear the announcement on the radio.  But not for long, the Jews were treated terribly by the Catholics.  They face lots of difficulties and live in a terrified surrounding.  They witness lots of murder and people have been tortured if they did not following the orders.  He has been separated with his family and being left alone.  It was kind of sad to watch him surviving alone and live as a fugitive in his own country.  He has to face hunger and tiredness to survive.  I would say that, he manages to play the role bombastically.

At the end, the audiences would probably learn that it is hard to stay alive in that kind of situation, but if you dare to take the risky initiative, the good thing will be at your side.  Never give up and follow the flow.  As ultimately, everything will be fine if you just keep on going.  

Mind's eye

The fifth article is “Thinking Folly” by Eckhart Tolle.  It is such an intriguing exposition as it made me notice something that happens around us.  The author himself explained that we as a human being do know how to think but not how to stop thinking! It’s such an interesting fact to actually realize that we are the slave of our mind.  We’ve been control every time we think which we did not even knowing it.  We visualize images, words and labels using our mind and eventually we can imagine the thing itself.  If we are thinking critically, we would usually being silent because we want to concentrate.  But we didn’t realize that we are actually separating ourselves from the reality, which left only us and the mind.  The mind is controlling us and decide the decision, that’s how powerful imagination is.  According to Einstein, “imagination is more important than knowledge”.  From the information, comes the mind’s eye.  We can think outside the box or beyond anything by just imagining it.  That’s the hidden meaning I guess.  But then mind also need to rest just like us.  If we kept thinking, it will lead to nowhere. 

Nevertheless, a thinker lives in a complex world, because he/she needs to against the other minds, collecting data and analyzing it to churn out great ideas.  Bombastic ideas come from a fascinating imagination.  We think folly or logically, still the issue is the imagination.  We are actually being possessed by the mind and it makes us unconscious mentally.  But I believe that creativity beyond the mind is what we need which is the key to be awakened.  It’s hard to think beyond our imagination, that’s why we need to take an initiative to believe on what we see and we imagine what we want.

Stop Facebooking!

“All the cool kids are quitting Facebook” by Jenna Wortham is the fourth article that I choose.  Well, everyone knows what Facebook is all about and even had one.  It connects you with people around the world.  You can easily get friends and chatting with them.  As for me, I had joined Facebook in the middle of 2010 due to my friend’s recommendation.  At first I thought that it could help me to keep in touch with my old friends who I haven’t seen for years.  Seriously saying, it was really addictive.  I would say that I spend most of my time in facebooking.  Day and night will be with facebook, not a book.  Post statuses, like pictures and tagged someone are the interesting part of it.  Well, it wasn’t for long as it makes one to be fed up with it.  I did notice that the layout and theme had change from time to time, but then it still make one to be boring.  As everyone keep posting something unnecessary about what they are doing. 

In November 2011, I quitted facebook as I found it to be wasting.  All of my precious time with my family and friends had been taken by it.  It took me for almost a month to make the decision as I don’t want to lost contact with my friends.  But then I realize that it already made me losing contact with them.  One of my friends that had deactivated her account before I did has encouraged me to follow her step.  I would say that I was thankful to her as she has helped me to be cool. So, for the girls or guys that still own a facebook, you want to be cool?  Well, simple deactivate your account and there you go! You’ll be cool!

Hitler and Jewish

The most powerful dictator in 20^th century, Adolf Hitler was also a German political and military leader at that time.  At first, I didn't know much about him but I did know that he was a mean guy with no mercy back then and had killed lots of lives.  From what have I known, he would like to create a new religion so that he can be the new prophet.  That was why he willing to kill anyone who were totally innocent to gain his nasty intention.  For the first time when I saw his picture at Google image, I have an impression that he is a cruel guy.  With the short mustache and the “nice” outfits, he made me think about the people that had been his victims.  Why didn't he have a little sympathy towards people?  Why someone like him does exist in this world? Well, different people have their own attitudes.

Alright! Now let me disclose a little bit about The Jews.  During the Crusades, in the late 14^th century, the Spanish murdered thousands people and forced the Jews and Mohammedans to convert their religion.  Yet, the Jews had practiced their religion as Catholics in secrets and eventually made them controlled the government itself.   I didn’t expect The Jews were so hungry for power and would sacrifice any lives to establish their position.  They are liars and selfish because they love to force people to work for them.  They tortured and ended up murdered them if they refuse to do so.  They also hired the Germans to work for them.  I guess that was the reason why Hitler hates the Jewish and would like to kill all of them.  But then, it was only my view towards him which no one actually can accurately guess why he had them killed.  Why did Hitler persecute the Jews? Well, let your critical thinking find out the answer!

Personal VS Professional

The second article is “The Steve Jobs Nobody Knew” written by Jeff Goodell, although I wasn’t a fan of Steve Jobs, but I really admire his ideas and way of thinking.  For those who don’t really know him, I bet you know iPhone and iPad right?  Well, he is the creator of it.  He died in October 2011 and it such a surprise to the world to know the news.  As everyone already know, he owned Apple Inc which is a successful brand and a very well-known name that is love by device fans.  The product had been an admiration by gadget lovers especially.  Steve Jobs invented lots of great hardware and it’s been a hit.  Even my friend owned an Apple phone because she loves the hardware, I guess.

I can’t deny that I love his critical thinking, but all of that was totally change after I read this article which it exposed the real side of him that even I myself had no idea about that.  Is he success in his personal life or his professional life?  Well, Goodell dared to give an inside look of the popular inventor, Steve Jobs.

As Apple ascended, Jobs changed completely.  Everyone around him was like strangers; his temper became his close friend.  At first I thought it only happens only on movies or dramas, but it did take place in reality as well.  Jobs isolated his family and didn’t provide them any cents.  He even denied his paternity until it was confirmed by a DNA test.  Well, I didn’t know what crossed his mind, but family is a treasure that you have to value the most.  Was Apple being everything to him that made him being selfish and arrogant?  Well, nobody knows.  Everything happens for a reason, which he had his.  

Just Be Simple!

‘’The Degree of Happiness”, written by Betrand Rusell is an article that explained happiness is open to any human being, and the other only to those who can read and write.  So, I’m going to initiate my perceptions or points of view of my own understanding regarding this article.  Let’s imagine that we own a land of acre and sum of money, we will be happy, right?  Why?  Because we’re rich, we know how to read and write.  For me, happiness doesn’t depend on your intellectual or what’s in your pocket, but then it relies on your enjoyment of life.   I’ve seen plenty of poor families on the outskirts of town and kids were happily running and playing with their siblings.  They didn’t know how to read and write, but how can they still put smiles on their faces?   The answer is so simple- they’re enjoying themselves. 

Between a simple man that has a cute car, a house and a critical thinker man that owns luxurious cars and a mansion, we would say that both of them had a totally different world and perspectives.  The Mr. Simple enjoys his life to full-fledged and Mr. Thinker was so busy to think until a moment he miss his chance to enjoy his life.  What I’m going to emphasis here is the way we gaining happiness.  What’s the writer tried to explain is that, happiness is open to everyone, and it’s just a matter of searching it and gaining it.  Try to recall the last time when you’re laughing out loud.  Is it when you were having sum of money or we were having fun and enjoying your moment with friends or family?  No matter what’s your answer, there’s a good reason behind it.  Life is too short so take the time and appreciate.  Be Happy!