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Sunday, April 14, 2013

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

I have always been a fan of Stephen Chow....maybe because while most people find the dialogue and funny side of the movie alone, I also see the genuine and honest conversation. Why the hypocrisy? If you don't like someone, just say it. 

Anyway, when I found out bout the movie Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, I was a bit disappointed because Stephen Chow will not star in the movie...instead, he chose the director role.

The story kicks off with a stirring opening sequence involving a fake demon hunter, a fake water demon and a Taoist monk (the man that would be Tripitaka) Chen Xuanzang (Wen Zhang) dedicated to demon expulsion via love, kindness and a book of 300 nursery rhymes. 

Failing to get the job done and strung up for being a hoax, Xuanzang watches helplessly as the real water demon appears and wreaks havoc on a small village. 

The day is ultimately saved by real-deal Duan (Shu Qi) and her Infinity Flying Ring. Despondent at his failure, Xuanzang goes back to his master (Cheng Sihan) who tells him his lack of faith was the root of his demon banishing ineptitude. 

Cue the journey to betterment and wisdom.

Constructed in segments pivoting on encounters with the various demons Xuanzang meets -- the opening fish demon, the Gao Family Inn and its Pig Demon proprietor (Chen Bingqiang), the closing Five Finger Mountain segment and a run-in with Sun Wukong, aka the Monkey King (Huang Bo) with short bridging bits -- Journey to the West is more picaresque than pure narrative. 

But Chow and his army of writers manage to hold on to their themes and ideas through each set piece. The central conflict in the film grows from Xuanzang’s very Buddhist quest to honor the greater love for all things under the sun -- demons included -- and Duan’s more earthly quest for physical and romantic love. 

Shu Qi was amazing throughout the movie. The humour and charisma between her and Wen Zhang was awesome, although I believe Stephen Chow did a better job during his own act in "A Chinese Odyssey" with Athena Chu. 

Her aggressive pursuit of him makes Xuanzang uneasy, and challenges his already fragile hold on his faith. 

The film has a dark undercurrent, entertaining and colorful as it is. Chow has no time for unwritten rules that say toddlers can’t die on screen; the Pig Demon’s lair is truly grotesque; and the Monkey King isn’t the impish charmer that has dominated popular culture. 

The film’s 3D and CGI is adequate, and though it goes needlessly overboard in the closing segments, for the most part it avoids the effects-as-message trap. Journey to the West may not rank among Chow’s classics, but it’s a crowd-pleaser that also serves as a reminder of what the director can accomplish when he’s on his game.

Of course, Stephen Chow did not forget to use his classic quote back in the Chinese Odyssey.


 "Once I had one true love in front of me,
but I didn't treasure her
it was only when I lost her, 
that I felt regretful.
It's the most painful ordeal in this world.
If I'm given another chance
I will say three words to her
"I love you"
If there a need to put a time limit to this love
I hope it's ten thousand years"


Of course, this time it was simpler: "I love you". 1000 years, 10,000 years...

I guess somehow, Chow knew how to bring us back to the good old days by putting elements of the past into his new movies...I guess that's the reason why some people put it simply for this movie: "Seeing Stephen Chow in the different casts"


Friday, April 12, 2013

[Lyrics] Finding My Own Way by Charlotte Church



I'm Just Finding My Own Way


Looking back on memories
Thinking how things used to be
Is it me, or was it simple then?

If I stumble, if I fall
Would you help me up at all?
Take me in, let me come home again

Will someone tell me, how life should be
Understand me, but let me be me

I'm just finding my own way, in my own sweet time
If I'm making a mistake at least it's mine
If I travel down a different road, to the one that you would take
I'm just finding my own way

If you ever see me cry
Don't you worry I'll be fine
I know you only want what's best for me

It may be a long way home
But the path I take's my own
I'm not waiting for my destiny

Will someone hold me, when I'm lonely
Understand me, let me be me

I'm just finding my own way
In my own sweet time
If i'm making a mistake
At least it's mine
If I travel down a different road
To the one that you would take
I'm just finding my own way

And if you found me all alone
Would you lend a helping hand?
And all I need from you my friend is for you to understand
And if you would be my comforter
Someone to love
Then you'd help me find my way
(help me find my way)

I'm just finding my own way
In my own sweet time
And if i'm making a mistake
At least it's mine
If I travel down a different road
To the one that you would take
I'm just finding my own way
I'm just finding my own way
I'm just finding my own way
I'm just finding my own way

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Just Give Me A Reason by Pink (feat. Nate Ruess)

For some reasons, I wanted to post something about this song. I love the song, the lyrics, the vocal and both the singers. 

Everyone will definitely agree that the vocal of both Pink and Nate Ruess are just amazing....on duet, the two of them are stunning. 




I am the kind of people that will look into the lyrics in a song, all the more if the songs are as powerful as this one. 



Powerful vocal and amazing song
Of course, the charisma between the two aren't really there but even the official video was done in a very creative manner. The charm of the two singers are just brilliant. The music, a thumbs up...the vocal, an amazing combination....perfect in a lot of ways....and the lyrics, being written very creatively...such meaningful and rhyme....

Listening to the song with my Beats headset makes everything even more beautiful. I just couldn't find the right word to describe the beauty of the music to my ears as I listen to it over the Beats headset. 





Right from the start
You were a thief
You stole my heart
And I your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me
That weren't all that pretty
And with every touch you fixed them

Now you've been talking in your sleep oh oh
Things you never say to me oh oh
Tell me that you've had enough
Of our love, our love

(Chorus)
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

I'm sorry I don't understand
Where all of this is coming from
I thought that we were fine
(Oh we had everything)
Your head is running wild again
My dear we still have everythin'
And it's all in your mind
(Yeah but this is happenin')

You've been havin' real bad dreams oh oh
You used to lie so close to me oh oh
There's nothing more than empty sheets
Between our love, our love
Oh our love, our love

(Chorus)
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/just-give-me-a-reason-lyrics-pink.html ]
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

I never stopped
You're still written in the scars on my heart
You're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

Oh tear ducts and rust
I'll fix it for us
We're collecting dust
But our love's enough

You're holding it in
You're pouring a drink
No nothing is as bad as it seems
We'll come clean

(Chorus)
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
Oh we can learn to love again
Oh we can learn to love again oh oh
That we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again

Thursday, April 4, 2013

[Lyrics] Carry On by Fun.

Another nice song by Fun., Carry On.



Well I woke up to the sound of silence
And cries were cutting like knives in a fist fight
And I found you with a bottle of wine
Your head in the curtains
And heart like the Fourth of July

You swore and said,
"We are not,
We are not shining stars"
This I know,
I never said we are

Though I've never been through hell like that
I've closed enough windows to know you can never look back

If you're lost and alone
Or you're sinking like a stone
Carry on
May your past be the sound
Of your feet upon the ground
Carry on

Carry on, carry on