The Kite Runner

I know many of you might have watched this movie at film festivals, advanced screening etc. But I still think that, it's worth a mention here.

I learned about this story when it made its big break as best seller in the states. Having the pre-assumption that the Americans were always appealed by the exotic eastern tales that came abundant in market after the Afghan war. It was their atonement for their government invading the middle east for political agenda.

6 years later, the movie adaptation of the story is released. I was refrained from watching it for the same reason. I was vain enough not to be as vain as others to hunt for the same pot of gold. Eventually, I succumbed to the writer's strike and had to dig of something to get by.



The story is about 2 childhood friends that turned out to be blood-related. Amir, whose father has kept the secret of his half-brother all his life, answered to a calling from home when Hassan, his half-brother died and left a son in Kabul alone. The story focuses on his inner journey to define his identity after trying to be like his father when he's just different on his own for good. The climax unravels near the end of the movie when he finally pushed himself to recognize a mistake he made as a child and redeemed his sin by making amends to Hassan's son.

I would say the cinematography is exceptional and there are quite a few memorable scenes - Amir reading letter written by Hassan after self-learning writing for a long time, young Amir insulting young Hassan by throwing rotten fruits at him in order to overcome his own guilt, the early scene when Amir asking Hassan if he would eat dirt as he requested...and a lot more. What lies in my memory will be the scenery of Kabul before Russian invasion. I know it's a make-shift from a few unknown locations in China. However, back then, you do see hope and joy in Afghans.

Overall, the pace of the story is perfect but the core plot only appears after 1 hour 30 minutes which is 75% of the length. The story in front might be arranged to present Amir's personality and inner battle but his journey in Kabul is not explored with more details as it should.



The history has evolved, the country has changed but the story has captured the essence of humanity that we should not forget. Love, friendship, and loyalty.

Watch it if you can. Read it if you can. Do both if you can.

I'll get a copy of hardcover soon.

Keep you updated.

Ratings: 7/10

Get Ready!

I've been on very tight budget lately, all for the cause of upgrading my lens to a multipurpose Nikon 18-200mm f3.5-f5.6 VR. It could be cheap for you but definitely it's not that cheap to me. Sometimes, I almost want to give up and start playinig with simple camera body, low budget and no restrictions of lens capabilities.

Perhaps, building ReadyCam is a good start! Readycams is a collabo by Corbis and Readymech. The construction is simple. Download, print and build your own pinhole camera.

Merde!

This is what keeps me going and feeling intrigued to learn French, at my own pace. Isn't it a known fact that learning to curse is the fastest way to pick up a foreign language? First, try it with your boss.



Enjoy the site!

Erin Tyner

Certain illustrations for nursery rhymes can turn out to be a surprise for you. Erin Tyler builds story-telling images with mini people and low-tech materials. These scenes are built in her living-room window using props from a junk drawer.


The man with twister


Sometimes, I just don't know how these people get their fantastic ideas.

If you're interested to get a print for yourself,visit her Etsy Shop and click on Buy :)

Penelope

Another entertaining movie I'll add to my list that starts growing thin. Penelope was filmed in 2006 but only released early this year in the States. I did not go on digging for the reason but the story itself is captivating enough for me not to doubt its quality.

Born with the snout of a pig, young Penelope Wilhern (Christina Ricci) spends her life a virtual prisoner in her home. Believing that the only way to break the curse is to marry one of her own kind, she meets a number of suitors, but all reject her. Two devious men , one with a grudge against the family, hire a man to pose as a suitor, but complications arise when he begins to fall in love with Penelope, and she makes a bid for freedom.

© 2008 Summit Entertainment.


Does this sound familiar to you? Turn pig's snout into scissors and Christina Ricci into Johnny Depp, you get Edward Scissorhands, maybe with less Tim-Burton-ish grim.

The Cover

Playboy. It never occur to be that some pictures in Playboy can be tasteful for once.
Thanks to PlayboyFrance for fronting Lou Doillon on their cover.



(via)

Coalition for Tibetans

I honestly do not read much on local news or sometimes world news too. But, I do know one thing that disgusts me, is how the monks had to go to the extent of hunger strike, self inflammation or street protests to remind the government and the world that the disastrous social and political madness should be put to halt.

After Burmese monks were injured in a series of protests,Tibetan lamas reenacted the strategy to free Tbet from China's gripping anarchy. The irony submerges when China has recently been removed from the list of worst human rights offenders by US State Department.

I will not say more.


( Copyright by Reuters / Shruti Shrestha )


Please read further at my discovery source - Boingboing.net. Even Reuters or GoogleNews might not disclose much enough of what's happening in Tibet with the big boy controlling the media leaks, I guess.

Fall without wings

The election in Malaysia just ended. The immediate aftermath we witnessed was mass fatality that thrilled the people. Those with high profile or the douchebags, all slipped through the cracks, had their wings torn and suffered in the same fate of death. Or, some, with heart attack.

Some say the snake is up for the throne as we all were tricked to perceive him as our salvation. We'll know the answer in 5 years time.

The Tilted Room

I almost thought it's a happy ending short film. What a surprise. You should watch this.

Don't let this happen

Even the animals are having target practice. This is an awareness campaign by WWF China to protect wildlife. So, don't let them resort to such self-survival disgrace.

(via)

Michael Ferris Jr

When I enter this page, I was struck by the patterns imprinted on human flesh. Perhaps, it's not the patterns that struck me, it's the sculpture that has such resemblance to prehistoric beings that awed me. Well, Apocalypto by Mel Gibson, gave me quite unforgettable memory that Mayans or people of prehistoric era, bear tattoes on their face as a portrayal of war achievements or bravery. These patterns that look like shooting targets remind me otherwise - Chinese pressure point maps. Yes, I thought I just revisited my childhood memories of being dragged to Chinese Sin-se clinics with huge anatomy diagram on the wall and it's enclosed with pressure points for acupuncture. Whatever, I hope you get me.

I still don't quite own the artist's eye. Tell me what you see.


Maybe, you'll see something in Michael Ferris Jr's sculture.