Making right on past wrongs

Heard a lot of good press regarding this book and movie, so I finally decided to rent it.

Kite Runner: Awarded a "Truly Moving Movie" honour

The story is set in America and Afghanistan, with 2 boys as the main characters. One is wealthy and of high status, Amir, the other is a servant's son, Hassan. Amir is intellectual, waited on hand and foot, spoilt. Hassan is courageous and overtly loyal to the point of self sacrificing. Despite this, they are close friends up to the point of Kabul's kite flying contest. Both boys worked together and managed to clinch the kite flying tournament. Later on, during a moment of incredible cowardice, Amir allowed Hassan to be beaten up for his sake. Amir even went so far as to get Hassan and his father evicted from his home, deeply wronging his companion and severing ties with each other. Then the Russian invasion of Afghanistan began, and Amir flees to America.


Amir leads a sheltered, safe life in America, whilst the Taliban takes over Afghanistan. Later on, news reaches Amir that Hassan has been murdered in Afghanistan, and that both these childhood friends are really brothers of the same father.


Trying to right a wrong with Hassan, Amir journeys into the heart of Kabul to pluck Hassan's young son, Sohrab away to America for a better life. On the way, we see examples of Taliban extreemism, violence, injustice. After mortal danger, Amir succeeds in locating and whisking Hassan's child, and rightfully his nephew back to America.


The film concludes with Amir teaching Sohrab kite running, and gives Hassan due praise for all his skill and nobility by sharing all of Hassan's goodness with young Sohrab. Sohrab, although initially treating Amir as a stranger, slowly accepts Amir, and the Amir's wrong is slowly being righted.


I thought this film would be highly preachy. There are some gruesome highlights, e.g. stoning of an adulterous couple. But other parts are handled with deftness, e.g. class and social standing, honour and shame, courage to stand up for belief and being loyal to those you care about.


One of my favourite scenes is how Hassan's bravery with the slingshot is again shown by Sohrab years later, and again it was done in defence of Amir.


Another part I love is the beauty of Kabul and the Afghan mountains. Instead of the images of war and violence, we often forget that the Afghan countryside are amongst the most scenic in the world. Kudos to the film makers for highlighting this.

That is postcard perfect, that is...

Righting a wrong done to an innocent party is not a new theme for movies. Kite Runner succeeds in using childhood friendship as the key element and ending it with a salute to this element again when Amir reaches out to Sohrab.

It was a good movie. It exceeds expectations. Is it exceptional in the tear jerking and heart moving department? Not for myself personally. But in a world where high tech gimmicks and unbelievably photogenic movie stars grace the screens, Kite Runner is a welcome breath of fresh Afghan mountain air. Here's hoping more such tales of human spirit continue to be written and made to films.

Sohrab-jan.... fly as your father flew.

Secret and Glasses

“Secret”
“Follow the notes upon the journey
At first sight marks one's destiny
Once the voyage comes to an end
Return lies within hasty keys”

Mr Chou's movie directorial debut

Recently had the chance to watch this movie directed and acted by Jay Chou himself. I am very impressed with the story and the music. It is about two young pianists of different times, chancing upon each other via a very special piece of music, and of course, falling in love. I've always had a soft spot for movies about music (The Red Violin, The Legend of 1900 etc.). I really like the story and the heart tugging moments of the film. Chou's pronunciation sucks as always, but the acting is more belivable than in his other movies (e.g. Initial-D, Curse of the Golden Flower). Must be highly attributed to the fact this is a movie about pianists ho ho ho... The time travel arc has been done many times, but this one's take is fresh and some scenes like the liquid paper on the desk was just genius.

Mr Jay Chou, I applaud and salute your movie. This was highly romantic and enjoyable! I'm trying to learn the movie songs on my piano now.

On a side note, I picked up a new pair of glasses today. Had my eyes tested the week before, and I'm shocked that my astigmatism went up so much! I used to have just a little on my right eye, now I have it in both. I am also very shocked at how much a pair of new glasses cost these days. Heck even the frames can be in the excess of RM1000. Why is this possible? Is inflation to blame? Money, money, money.... it's a rich man's world. So for the poor man like me, I was only able to bring myself to fork out RM500 (including lenses). Sigh... hope this pair lasts me a good while! What do they look like, you ask? See below for a tiny picture. Why tiny? Because currently got a lot of pimples... so I'm shy to post a bigger one ho ho ho ^.^

Most people say I need rectangular frames, so I went with it

Chocolate and Vanilla

Had the oppurtunity to see the movie 'Hairspray' with a friend of mine last Sunday. Highly, marvellously entertaining show. Hats off to Nikki Blonsky with her believable and lovable portrayal of Tracy Turnblad.

Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) ensuring that the hair spray industry never need worry about hitting next quarter's sales targets

Towards the ending, the music sounded too similar. But it has quite a few catchy tunes. The opening one of 'Good Morning Baltimore', and 'I can hear the bells' I can't get out of my head. John Travolta was okay... I don't know why they couldn't get a real female actress for the part though. You tend to laugh much more at his character simply because you know it is a guy. Michelle Pfeiffer was quite a letdown. There was just no punch or sizzle to her portrayal of the villain.

The show does highlight issues of negro and white segregation. The terms 'chocolate' and 'vanilla' are used extensively throughout the show to describe negros and whites. Whites are partrayed as less than angelic, negros as underdogs. A plus sized body being a disadvantageous is also discussed, albeit in a thoroughly slapstick fashion. Because it is parodied so much, this particular message is kind of lost.

Of course everyone wants freedom to do and be what they wish, and still gain acceptance from family, peers and society in doing so. And it is entirely understandable to be suspicious, even antoagonistic towards the new and unfamiliar. And it would be great to have foresight as to whether a change is for the better, and also, pehaps just as important, whether it'll be accepted well enough.

I think about my own country of different skin colours, the varied tongues and cultures. We school together, eat together, salute the same national anthem together. Camraderie like Tracy and company is still an exception rather than the norm. Our differences are too old and familiar to be called as such anymore. I ponder at my own relationships and those that I've witnessed. Why are we not more integrated in inter-race relationships? It is a beautiful thing that Tracy and company have. We could do with more beauty in this oft bleak world.

Maybe I will come to a better answer after more bowls of cereal...

Does Koko Krunch Duo (choc and white choc) has the answer I seek?