What is life?: March 2005

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Million Dollar Baby deserves the Millions, Billions.

Powerful, powerful film. So real, and sincere.
Would u rather have had a chance to sizzle or fizzle into oblivion with a mediocre existence?


"Author: jotix100 from New York


If anyone had doubts about the genius of Clint Eastwood, they should run, not walk, to see "Million Dollar Baby", perhaps the best movie that came out of Hollywood is past year.

Mr. Eastwood has that rare quality in choosing an odd story to bring to the screen. With this film he accomplishes what could be, perhaps, the best movie about boxing in history. In the first place, the story by F. X. Toole, in which the movie is based, is an odd choice. We have seen, so far, men boxers, but there is a world out there where women boxers compete in this sport that is not well known, or not commonly seen. The adaptation by Paul Haggis is excellent.

"Million Dollar Baby" has a rhythm of its own, seldom seen in boxing formula pictures. Thanks to Tom Stern almost black and white cinematography, this sordid world of second class gyms in the poor areas of the inner city, makes the film more interesting in its texture. Enhancing it all is the great musical score that Mr. Eastwood, a jazz enthusiast, has created. Music has always complimented Mr. Eastwood's work, but never in such a way as in this movie.

If you haven't seen the film, please stop reading now.

Frankie Dunn, is a man who has trained boxing champions. He is a man at odds with himself. He has demons within him that are tearing away at his soul. We watch him going to mass on a daily basis, but does that qualify him as a devout Catholic? Not according to Father Horvak, who sees a troubled soul in search of redemption.

Frankie's letters comes back, returned from a daughter that wants nothing to do with him. Frankie, at the beginning of the film, loses the services of one his better boxers because a richer competitor is willing to pay the fighter much more. Frankie keeps the older Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris employed in the gym because he feels guilty in having let this former boxer down at the highest point of Scrap's career.

Into this world comes Maggie Fitzgerald. She is a young woman who wants to make it as a fighter; she comes from a white trash background and everything is against her. The only reason she has been allowed in the all-male gym is because she has paid six months worth of membership. We watch Maggie as she struggles on her own without any help from Frankie, the man she would like to interest in coaching her. Frankie realizes there is potential in this young woman, who he sees on a daily basis practicing, and he relents. Maggie proves she follows his instructions well. Then we watch her progress as she wins fight after fight until the million dollar fight with the vicious title holder.

The ironic twist toward the end of the movie arrives out of nowhere; it shakes us up because it was totally unexpected. It makes Frankie and Maggie become father and daughter. Because of the guilt he feels in his own life, Frankie does the right thing in accepting the responsibility of the situation.

The ending is the only thing that feels a bit manipulative in the film, although it's handled with a lot of taste, as it would have been worse in the hands of another, less capable director. The only other complain is that Mr. Eastwood speaks in a whisper, which distracts from what is going on, as we strain our ears to catch every nuance of the brilliant dialog. Also, the voice over by Morgan Freeman's character is at times, unintelligible.

This is a film totally dominated by Clint Eastwood. As an actor, he brings to the role total credibility as the tormented soul inside Frankie. Hilary Swank makes a brilliant Maggie, the ambitious girl that gets much more than what she bargained for. Ms. Swank has the best moment of her career after her work in "Boys Don't Cry". Working with the right elements, Ms. Swank is an actress that works with little gestures to achieve her input in the character she is playing.

Morgan Freeman is excellent as the beaten Scrap, a man who "could have been a contender". He underplays this character with sensational results. Brian O'Byrne, a theater actor who has been seen in two important plays this year in the New York stages, makes an impression as Father Hovark, who seems to understand Frankie. Margo Martindale is convincing as Maggie's mother.

Sometimes it takes a lot for a film to be good. All the right elements were gathered by Clint Eastwood for this movie. It makes one wonder what will his next project be, or if he can surpass the milestone he created with "Million Dollar Baby"."

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

What do you know about God, what do you know about prayers?

(I wrote -- during cell, didn't know I can list down this many... mind was blank initially -- and stressed when another cell member wrote down so many. :P)

God:

*He's the Saviour, the Redeemer
*Trinity -- Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit
*performs miracles
*lets us choose -- free will
*His Grace doesn't come from doing good works
*He is the Almighty, there is nothing he can't do
*He loves us unconditionally
*His answers are Yes, No, Wait.

Prayer:

*prayer pleases the Lord
*prayers can work even after the event has passed
*prayers bring forth miracles
*faith put power into our prayers
*prayers breaks down demonic influences in the spiritual realm

Proverbs 3:5 Do not rely on your own insights.
Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own mind is a fool.
Luke 22:42 Not my will, but thine, be done.
TOOK AUTHORITY OVER SATAN
James 4:7 Resist the devil and he will flee from you
John 10:3-4 & 27 His sheep hear His Voice, know His Voice, and follow Him.
Psalm 32: 8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you (becos the fear of the Lord is upon me, I obey).

Seek means to AIM AT AND STRIVE AFTER.

Sunday, March 13, 2005

This time I DANCE!

Dear Tama,

How are you? I hope this finds you well. I'm a 26-yr-old from Singapore, in South East Asia. Wonder if you've been here before.
I came across your book as I was browsing and picked up the book as the word "danced" leapt up to me, urging me to take a second look.
Your book speaks volumes to my soul... feeding it, rousing it from a deep sleep.
I am caught now -- pending a career change -- as I do know what I do NOT want. I have become ineffective, as I'm so busy climbing the wrong wall.
As I go through exercises in "Beginning with an end in mind" -- I see my parents, sister, work associates and church mates seeing me as a "sincere, true, dependable, committed provider and a God-lover". But I do not know if what I do to feed my soul will be enough to be a provider.
I've yearn to be a copywriter for advertising. I do not even know if it's what I should embark on. Write for a living.
Yet another part of me says be practical, go work in a bank, sales. Security, money scream out at me due to a fear of lack.

What should I choose? Walk my path or provide and burn in hell? I do not like sounding wishy-washy, but it seems to be the case now.

Please advise.

Sincerely,
Sophia
p.s. Please revert to my email when available? Thanks so much.

Sunday, March 06, 2005

Music makes my spirits soar (I hope you dance -- Lee Ann Womack)

Ode to my family -- The Cranberries -- reminds me of staying at Blk 30 Marine Terrace, my first kiss, drizzle on the beach... and VJ being minutes away, but still late.

Hahah.

"My perfect day would be one that doesn't require you to get out of your pyjamas. The best day that I had recently was Thanksgiving. I literally got a house full of people, kids, dogs, and I got out of bed and started cooking in my pyjamas all day. You only take a shower when the food is cooling and you change into clothes for dinner. You'd have a coffee in the pyjamas, check on the turkey, and play with the dogs in the garden... that was an incredible day. It was chaos, but it was an organised chaos (chaos that causes your spirits to soar, yeah! FUN, FUN, FUN) You don't have to be the entertainer or host. Everyone has their own things to do. And at the end of the day, you have a glass of wine to tell yourself it's a job well done. That to me is the ultimate day," Bullock discloses.

"Why is getting married and having children being the pinnacle? Why is that the goal for women? Why is that the last step in life? Why is that if we don't have that we have somehow failed in life? It may be a biological urge, but do people have to listen to it? You can adopt. Too many people are having children that they shouldn't be having them. Children always get harmed and they always suffer."

Bullock takes a moment and says frankly, "No child will be borned to me that wasn't borne in a partnership out of love and with two parents that are going to be great father and mother regardless of wat happens in life. There are so many unwanted children in the world. If I have the opportunity to adopt a brood of them, I will definitely do that. I'm not going to damage any child because of my selfishness."

Seems that I've always remembered that session during service years ago while I was still in Uni... to adopt, even though I'd love to have my own kids. I love kids. And of cos I'm afraid of mixing own and adopted! Hmmmm. Guess it's still too early to say or think that.

*in italics are my thots*

Friday, March 04, 2005

Dissed.

Disappointments in human beings. People whom I believe to be good turned out to be evil.

Conniving selfish liars. Misplaced hope, I suppose. Thankfully I'm not emotionally attached. Just disappointed. Don't think I rem how love feels like anymore, I think. Numb. Jaded. But in another way... I guess tt's a saving grace for me -- not being emotionally attached.

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

Certain people ought to be shot

I think I've forgotten how to be pissed. Or mad. It's like I gave up on that birthright. To think I used to called "Sergeant" at home, cos I get mad and scream.

Maybe I shld be more like tt, and learn to get back at people. And the games they play. Maybe certain ppl simply ought to be shot dead. Capital punishment.

S is a married man

S is a married man who's still living with his very nice wife n lovely children.Don't be the 3rd party.He's cheated on his wife b4.Check with people who know both