Children of Heaven (1998)

I cried watching most parts of this movie. The plot is very simple, but will leave a lot of things for us to ponder.

Nine-year old Ali takes his younger sister's shoes to be mended by the cobbler. On the way back home, he somehow lost the shoes. Knowing that his parents would be upset and do not have any money to buy his sister, Zahra, a new pair of shoes, he keeps the matter from his parents. To solve this problem, Ali asks Zahra to wear his sneakers to school in the morning, while he wears it to school in the afternoon. In that way both of them can still go to school. Ali then finds out that a marathon tournament will be held in the town. He promises Zehra that he would win the third place to get a pair of new shoes for her.


What amaze me the most in this movie is how mature Ali and Zehra are. Growing up in a poor family, both of them know how to not let their parents feel sad and upset. Ali is a responsible brother, looking after his family at such a young age. He knows it was his fault, and he is not hesitate to apologize from his sister. He gives Zehra a pencil, and then a pen (that he gets from his teacher for getting a high mark in a test) to make her happy. Looking at the other students who wear nice shoes, Zehra is sad that she has to wear her brother sneakers to school. She also has to run everyday after school to meet with Ali and give him the sneakers. But she endures it, so that her parents are happy. I believe a normal little girl would have thrown a tantrum if she has to do that.


They are indeed the children of heaven.


Some of us are so lucky. We have many shoes that sometimes we can't choose which one to wear. But, we have to realize that in some parts of this world, people are struggling to survive and some people can't even afford to buy a pair of shoes. 


10/10. Love it so much.

2012 (2010)

I really like this movie. Although the science in it is very exaggerated, but the film is still enjoyable. After all this is a story that brings all the worst-case scenarios together, so some unbelievable, hypothetical, and exaggerated scenes are unavoidable. 

The Earth is acting strangely lately. Earthquake, hurricanes, and several other disasters occur around the globe. While the majority of people are not aware of what is happening, several keen observers, scientists, and average citizens know that the world's leaders are building ships to survive the catastrophe. However, not everyone has the chance to be on the ships. 

Government conspiracy + natural disaster + human will to survive = an awesome movie

8/10 

Royal Peanut Mochi

This evening I bought a box of mochi from an International Market. Mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of glutenous rice. They are also common in Hawaii, South Korea, Taiwan, and some other places. The one that I bought were made in Taiwan.

Talking about mochi, I remember Shin Chan and Doraemon ate them in some episodes of Crayon Shin Chan and Doraemon.

This is a mochi with peanut filling. Besides peanut, there is also mochi with red bean filling at the store. I like it so much because it is sweet but not too sweet. Before this, I have also eaten mochi without any filling in it. It seems that there are indeed, many kinds of mochi.

The Great Match (2006)

This is by far, one of the most interesting and entertaining movies that I have ever seen. One that do not leave me with any regret.

It was the day of the 2002 FIFA World Cup finale. While some people have the opportunity to watch it easily, it is not the case for others. Three groups of people from three different parts of the world - the Mongolian nomads, the Sahara travelers, and the Amazon Indians, try their best to make sure that they don't miss the highly anticipated match between Brazil and Germany.

http://ekjon-cinemaal.blogspot.com/2009/03/la-gran-final2006.html

I was so excited when I watched this movie because I did watch the 2002 World Cup on TV and I still remember how great Micheal Ballack and Oliver Kahn were during the games =)

This movie is so hilarious and it is rich with culture. I found the Mongolian nomads very cute, and I had the same impression of the Mongolian when I watched "Babies", which is a documentary about how babies grow up in different parts of the world.

I would say that the Amazon Indians are the most funniest characters in this movie. They'll do anything to watch the match from stealing the cable to climbing up the tree for reception.

The Sahara travelers are funny as well, they'll argue about everything. But it is really amazing to see how people interact/deal with each other to survive.

Overall, 9.5/10.

Internal Affairs (2002)

An angel disguises as a devil and a devil disguises as an angel. 

Who do you think would win the deduction war?

This story is about a police undercover who infiltrates a gang to uncover their crime, and a gang member who joins the police force to assist the gang's activities. The police department and the gang later finds out that there is a spy within their organization. Therefore, they have to find out the identity of the mole and the cop.

This is one of the best deduction/game theory film that I have ever seen.
It gave me the same feeling that I had when I watched "Death Note" where you don't know who would make a move, and what move would he make.
It's so interesting.

There are so many familiar faces in this movie and that just makes me feel so excited - Andy Lau, Tony Leung(ftw!!!), Eric Tsang, Edison Chen, Sammy Cheng, Kelly Chen, and some others whose names I don't know.

The ending is unexpected to me. I don't really like it, but it is not bad either, not lame at all.
To those who like lame, normal ending like me, there is an alternative ending available in the VCD.

Overall 9.5/10.

I shouldn't be watching movies right now, with all the assignments that is waiting to be completed and submitted. But this movie is worth to be reviewed.

Adinda

Lagu ni... best sangat~

I'm Sorry I Love You (2004)

5. I'm Sorry I Love You (2004)

A man who was adopted by a couple and grew up in Australia comes back to Korea to look for his biological mother. With only three months left to live, he has to use his time wisely. However, hatred, jealousy, and misunderstanding make it difficult for this poor lonely man to live up his remaining days. Fortunately, there is a kindhearted girl who is always by his side.
 

Found this while looking for pictures related to I'm Sorry I Love You. So cute.

I like this drama primarily because it is different from the other Korean dramas. Besides romantic love, this drama also focuses on the mother-son love, which I really like. The ending is acceptable. (7/10)

The Vineyard Man/The Man in the Vineyard (2006)

4. The Vineyard Man/The Man in the Vineyard (2006)

A city girl has to live in the countryside and work in the vineyard for a year before she could inherit the lands from her grand uncle. At first she hates it, but as she learns the hardship and happiness of farming, she begins to treasure her days in the vineyard.

Love it. Many of my friends do not like the lead actor because he is not handsome. I have to disagree with them, I think the lead actor is attractive and he suits the character very well. (8/10)

Couple or Trouble/Fantasy Couple (2006)

3. Couple or Trouble/Fantasy Couple (2006)

An arrogant heiress meets a poor handsome plumber in several unfortunate incidents that leave them hating each other. The heiress then loss her memory in an accident. Taking advantage from this situation, the plumber plans to teach her a lesson by assuring her that she is his girlfriend, and that she needs to baby sit his three nephews.

Not many of my friends like this drama. I'm not sure why. I think this drama is so refreshing and entertaining. Some people question the ending but I actually like it. (8/10)

Coffee Prince (2007)

2. Coffee Prince (2007)

A girl, due to her rough appearance, is mistaken for a guy and hired to work in a coffee house. The girl and the owner of the shop then fall in love, but both of them can't admit it since the girl is afraid of losing her job, while the boss is afraid of being gay.

Love it so much. I usually hate females who pretend to be males in drama because they are usually rubbish, but Yoon Eun Hye did a very good job in this drama. She's so natural. The drama is a bit dull in the middle because the conflicts are being dragged for too long. But I think overall, it is entertaining. (7/10)