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Monday, August 21, 2006

Smiles....

N.B.: The source of the photo above: http://naqbi.freeservers.com/photo.html

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...

Surah LUQMAN (031.010)
He created the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; He set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and He scattered through it beasts of all kinds. We send down rain from the sky, and produce on the earth every kind of noble creature, in pairs.

Surah LUQMAN (
031.013-014)
Behold, Luqman said to his son by way of instruction: "O my son! join not in worship (others) with Allah: for false worship is indeed the highest wrong-doing." And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.

*******************

My Baby You - Marc Anthony

As I look into your eyes
I see all the reasons
why my life's worth a thousand skies
you're the simplest love I've known
and the purest one I'll own
know you'll never be alone
my baby you
are the reason I could fly
and 'cause of you I don't have to wonder why
baby you there's no more just getting by
you're the reason I feel so alive
though these words I say are true
they still fail to capture you
as mere words can only do
how do I explain that smile
and how it turns my world around
keeping my feet on the ground
I will soothe you if you fall
I'll be right there if you call
you're my greatest love of all
I feel so alive

Baby Baby - Amy Grant (edited-in case you want to sing along)

Baby, baby, I'm taken with the notion
To love you with the sweetest of devotion
Baby, baby, my tender love will flow from
The bluest sky to the deepest ocean

Stop for a minute Baby, I'm so glad you're mine, yeah You're mine


Baby, baby, the stars are shinin' for you
And just like me, I'm sure that they adore you
Baby, baby, go walkin' through the forest
The birds above a-singin' you a chorus
Stop for a minute Baby, I'm so glad you're mine, oh yeah

Baby, baby, in any kind of weather
I'm here for you always and forever
Baby, baby, no muscle man could sever
My love for you is true and it will never

Baby, baby, always and forever Baby, I'm so glad Here for you, baby I'm so glad you're mine Baby, I'm so glad When I think about you, it makes me smile Baby, I'm so glad that you're mine Baby, I'm so glad...

Star - Bryan Adams (edited)

What cha wanna be - when you grow up
What cha gonna do - when your time is up
What cha gonna say - when things go wrong
What cha wanna do - when you’re on your own

There’s a road - long and winding
The lights are blindin’ - but it gets there
Don’t give up - don’t look back
There’s a silver linin’ - it’s out there somewhere
Everybody wants ta be winner - everybody has a dream....We all need a shinin’ star when things ain’t what they seem

P/S: So, have you counted how many smiles (the word) up there? :)

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

To rude or not to rude?


First of all, pardon me for the horrendous drawing above. I'm trying to be 'not rude' here. Though, I can't really stop you from feeling somewhat outraged by the real-life photos shown.

Not too long ago, many Malaysian papers (if not all) put up on their front page, news about KL city folks being ranked by the Reader’s Digest magazine, as the third (after Bombay and Bucharest) most rude people. The were mixed feelings over the news. Some accepted the news with open minds while others were quick to react and object.

In my opinion, we should not quickly jump and shout when our a*s is bitten. Instead, we should swallow the criticms first, then ponder the accuracy or inaccuracy of the 'facts'.

I remember back in the school days, an article/thesis written by a British chap caused a furore among Malaysians (especially the ministers). Basically he wrote that young Malaysians were not given enough opportunities to excel and always considered inexperienced by those who were older. Only those who have reached the 'Belia' category (around 40 years of age and above) could be trusted to hold some important positions in organisations/companies.

Don't ask me why that guy wrote that... I can't remember. But when I heard the news at that young age, I somehow agreed with his statements. Even till today, for someone who is 30 and below (especially), SOME ELDERLIES are quick to label us 'budak hingusan' (a kid with running nose). Expressions like "we have eaten more salt than you have" or "don't interfere, this is old folks' matters only" are often heard. However, I can't deny that the society has slowly started to accept that young minds/opinions/talents nowadays are vital and crucial in shaping our nation.

Now, back to rudeness. We see/hear rude Malaysians everyday. In the streets, in buildings/malls, over the phone conversations and even in places of worships (sometimes). Some examples are:

1. Beating the red light. Sometimes drivers are more rude if the junction is controlled by traffic policemen: we have heard it before where the men in uniform or other road users being hit by drivers who refuse to stop even when the signal is raised.

2. Pedestrians come last to most motorists. Sometimes, they won't even budge to stop at pedestrian crossings with 'pedestrian' traffic lights, endangering the lives of those who have the right to cross. Bear in mind my dear inconsiderate motorists. You too are pedestrians, whether you like it or not. For examples, when you walk to your car or from your car to a grocery store across the road. Or how about when you walk along the street to a stall for lunch. Respect pedestrians the way you want to be respected. Don't consider them unimportant or look down on them just because they don't have a ride (your subconscious mind might think this way without you realising it).

3. As for those pedestrians, they are those motorists who are considerate enough to risk themselves being hit by unsuspecting vehicles coming from behind, to stop and give chance for you to cross safely. As a matter of courtesy, please do raise your hand (if you can) or smile or nod as a thank you. And please DO try to cross as quickly as possible. Don't take your own sweet time to walk very slowly as though you haven't eaten for a year.

4. Other road manners to follow, that don't really consume much of your own and your vehicle's energy:

(a) please keep your distance (a gap of at least half a car) from the vehicle in front of you, whether traffic is smooth flowing or jammed. And please don't take over in a rather impatient manner should you notice the driver in front of you follows this rule.

(b) a motorcyclist is 17 times more at risk to be involved in an accident than other motorists. So, bear this in mind the next time you intend to pull some stunts while riding the machine, and especially if a loved one(s) is riding with you.

(c) you may know telepathy or you are a natural telepathist, but other road users are not! The signals are there for you to use. People don't know whether you want to turn right or left just because your mind is telling you where to go. And should you park your vehicle where you shouldn't be (like in emergency lanes), use your emergency lights!!

(d) other than making way for pedestrians to cross, make way also for your fellow motorists (provided it is safe to do so). A little help goes a long way and you shall be 'rewarded' when you least suspect it.

(e) there's no need to honk! It won't make any difference if the jam is packed. Also, have a little patience should the traffic is not moving immediately after the light turns green. Most of the time, the vehicle at the most front is letting all the motorcyles to leave first, you know, for safety sake.

(f) say, while trying to change your lane, you accidentally knock a car in front. When you notice you've only caused minor scratches to the car, you immediately ignore what happen and speed off? A similar incident happened to me and wife while I was behind the wheel a couple of weeks ago. Without knowing the extent of the damage to the car, I actually gave chase only to find out that the driver was an elderly person. Initially, he completely denied he knocked us before, but after I kept on shouting from inside our car (it was not safe to step out due to busy traffic), he changed it to "there are no damages to your car." As though hadn't shown enough rudeness, he even closed his car window even before we finished talking. Would you agree that we might have cooled down a little bit, if only that old b**tard said one simple word - SORRY. Quite a good example he was showing to his generation, huh? Another lesson that we learned was, be careful of who you give chase to - they might turn out to be road bullies!

5. Please don't block other people's way especially if the path is so small. I mean seriously, can't these people think? There was a day when I needed to pick up my favourite Oreos at a supermarket. The small entrance to the path was blocked by a lady on the phone, apparently waiting for the person on the other line to pick up. I actually had to squeeze myself (now larger than before) between her and the racks. What irritated me the most was her 'poker' and dont-care look, seeing me 'struggling' to pass through. Talk about overcoming obstacles to reach your goal ha! Sigh...

6. Handphones - you can't live without them but at times, you HAVE TO live without them! In the cinemas, sometimes we hear ringtones/music that are not part of the movie's sound effects, disturbing our concentration. Believe it or not, there are those who pick up the phones only to say out loud, "I'M AT THE CINEMA, I WILL CALL YOU BACK..." So, what are you? An arrogant, immature prick? Then there's the constant need to check or send SMS'es while the movie is running. The illuminated screen is really an eye sore, mind you! Not enough with that, as though they are enjoying irritating others, they also giggle and comment with their mates about the contents of the SMS'es. If the movie doesn't strike you to be interesting at all, by all means, please DO LEAVE.

7. At cinemas is one thing, in places of worships is another. When one is praying to God with khusyu' and tawadu', one does not need to hear your J-Lo's latest hit song or Doraemon's official tune when someone tries to call or sends you an SMS. Whenever you can remember to do so, please swich off your ringtones or better still, switch off your phone completely. Don't be ignorant or arrogant before The Almighty. And please, don't pick up your phones and talk about your last night's date that didn't go well, or chit chat with an old friend you accidentally stumble into, while there are people who are still praying.

8. The same phone rules apply when you are attending a seminar/course/talks. Please respect the speakers in front and other guests around you. Please also refrain yourself from talking with other guests unless required to do so.

9. Please practise your tounge to say the word 'thank you' or its equivalent (if in other languages). Once, I held a door at a shopping mall for a couple to pass through, only to hear giggles from them, and the girl actually commented "Jaga pintu ke? Kih Kih Kih...." i.e. "Are you a door guard?"

10. Be professional if you are answering calls at your workplace. Should you need to transfer the call, let the caller know. Don't let him/her wonder how come the line goes quiet or what is happening when all of a sudden, a music is playing on the other line.

That is how I view rudeness is, though of course there are many other examples. However, the Reader’s Digest (RD) magazine has totally different standards to define what it considers rude and what is not. RD sent reporters into the principal city of 35 countries to conduct a survey of local politeness. Three tests were employed: dropping papers in a busy street to see if anyone would help; checking how often shop assistants said “thank you”; and counting how often someone held a door open. They consider the city folks are somewhat rude if door-holding, paper-picking and thanking the retail customer are not part of the culture.

Hmmm... what? Who set those standards anyway? World's Rudeness Organisation? First of all, the RD team should know that a majority of houses (close to 100%) in Malaysia (around city centres or villages) don't come with hydraulic doors (is that what they call them?) where the doors close themselves after being pushed when someone enters or exits. Therefore, most Malaysians are not used to this hold-the-door-for-you culture because such doors are only fixed in office buildings.

Furthermore, it's true that we DO say THANK YOU, but we are not accustomed to say so to customers, especially at retail shops [try to go to our villages - the kampung folks are all friendly lot like they all belong in the same family. But when it comes to buying stuffs at grocery stores, they (customers and shop owners/shop assistants) can talk about everything under the sun other than saying THANK YOU when a purchase is made]. In fact, we don't even have the expression HAVE A NICE DAY in Malay language!

Though these habits (door-holding, paper-picking and thanking the retail customer) can be learned and practised, I don't think they are important enough to help strengthen our nation!

What one considers rude, may not be for other people. Try New Delhi for example. The traffic over there is so crowded and the drivers so ruthless, but then things are still somewhat in order in the midst of chaos and all the honks! You may cringe or even scream when the taxi driver makes an emergency turn to the right, ignoring the incoming traffic or trying to squeeze between two fast moving vehicles. And yet, when meet with a polite driver you hear the taxi driver snickers "this must be a new driver, slowing me down", implying that it is the polite driver who is 'rude'.

Also, try to compete with the politeness of us Malaysians based on OUR STANDARDS! We Malays bow our body a bit when walking in front of elderly person(s) and kiss their hands when we shake hands. This is one of the manners that we have been taught with, for many generations. I can't imagine any Westerners doing that! Let alone trying to be as polite as the Japanese. This is not something to wonder about. Most of their kids don't even know who their fathers/parents are anyway. They may be advanced in certain aspects, but their society is actually crumbling with each passing day.

Here's a NEW standard to determine the rudeness behaviour of some people in some countries. Sometimes, ONE RUDE PERSON is all it takes for the whole country to be despised and labelled the same.

1. Say you are F. You like the house belongs to your neighbour P. One day, you decide to attack P, kill some of his family members and banish the rest, forcing them to become refugees. Then, you claim that house P now belongs to you and from time to time, you are becoming the impending threat to your other neighbours and beyond.

The photos above show how your kids signing their names down on rockets, the same rockets that are used to bomb a helpless country, causing deaths to mainly women and children. Didn't your prophets ever taught you, that women and chidren should be spared when fighting in a war? If your girls can act so 'inhumane', imagine how your adult men would behave when they have weapons at their expense? One need not wonder, as the AL QUR'AN CLEARLY STATES THAT YOUR PEOPLE ARE CONDEMNED BY ALLAH (GOD), DUE TO YOUR INTRUSIVE BEHAVIOUR/NATURE.

2. You believe you are a super power, the world's police (huh?). You claim you fight for human rights and democracy and yet you use your veto so discriminately. You treat your citizens of different races or religions (almost) equally, though most probably, you just need their taxes. At the same time, you behave totally to the contrary when it comes to your foreign policies, despite knowing that they greatly affect the birth countries of your ethnic people. YOU ARE THE BIGGEST HYPOCRITE AND THE BIGGEST DEVILS IN DISGUISE.

3. You are sucking up to the world's police. You have no stand on certain issues other than to please the devils. Your intelligence is deteriorating when it comes to forming your own opinions or coming out with solutions on world's crucial matters. YOU PRACTICALLY HAVE NO FACE AND HAVE PUT YOUR PEOPLE IN UNNECESSARY DANGER!

4. You are the most inconsiderate cartoonist the world has ever seen. Your drawings on a certain prophet, aiming to attack a certain religion are a disgrace. You have hurt the feelings of many people and the republishing of your strips in certain other countries have caused the hurt to manifest itself in the form of violence. Lives lost, buildings burned, world turns to chaos when we have enough trouble as it is. But then, I guess that's your nature right? THIS IS WHAT YOU HOPE WOULD HAPPEN ANYWAY - MORE INSTABILITIES AROUND THE WORLD.

5. When certain people change religions, the matters should be dealth with in the most professional and religous way. Leave the matters to those who are more knowledgeable and they should just stay in your religous body's records only. There is no need to make a mountain out of a molehill to the extent of challenging the constitution, questioning the status of your beloved (really?) country, ignoring your 5 RUKUN NEGARA, spreading lies to foreign media (commenting on something that you don't fully understand is the same as lying) and jeopardising the country's stability and peacefulness. You have left scars deep in many people's hearts. A point to ponder - please respect other religions and at the same time, RESPECT YOUR OWN RELIGIONS TOO. Should you wish to learn or find out more or even question or argue about certain things, please do consult your religious leaders/gurus. We have plenty of qualified gurus out there (with years of experiences in learning and teaching) and from both genders (if for some reason, you are worried that a particular guru is gender biased). Don’t go complaining or ridicule your own religion in your websites or blogs, in newspaper columns and worse, talk to foreign journalists of different religions or to your ex-university’s (national based or not) websites/alumni. YOU HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO PROTECT YOUR OWN DIGNITY, YOUR OWN RELIGION, YOUR OWN FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, YOUR OWN FELLOW CITIZENS AND YOUR OWN COUNTRY.…

So, having listed the above, can you guess the TOP FIVE MOST RUDE COUNTRIES? And sadly, I have to include country no. 5, though that may be taken out once things are sorted out peacefully.

Coming Soon:
1. Keluhan hati seorang lelaki Melayu - a letter to the PM himself and the Agong. I, as a concerned citizen have stepped up to bring up some suggestions to these respected figures over how to tackle/handle some of our local issues.

2. New French Kiss - so there's a new definition of French kiss... you just hit your (probably hard-headed) head towards your lover's/opponent's chest. Read all about it and the verdict that follows...

3. The 'CHARM'ing idiot box - The hit TV series has wrapped up its magic after 8 years. Read on as I take you through its magical years.

4. Fantasy adventure or fantasy love? - Forget about Lord of the Rings or even Harry Potter for a while. Here comes Capt. Jack Sparrow in his 'pirated' fantasy adventure, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Also, meet up with Kate Forster and Alex Wyler as they both fall in love in front of a magical mail box that separates them two years apart in The Lake House.

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Thursday, August 10, 2006

One Saturday Morning

For the first time, I'm going to mix Malay and English languages in my entry, due to my overwhelming feelings and since this issue is closer to home (and to most Malaysian readers). Here it goes:

Assalamualaikum, pada Sabtu lepas (5 August 2006), me and wife telah pergi ke Pusat Islam Negara untuk menghadiri Forum Pengukuhan Akidah yang dianjurkan oleh Alkis (Alumni Kolej Islam Selangor). Walaupun dianjurkan oleh Alkis, namun Forum itu dibuka kepada umum.

Antara topik yang dibincangkan ialah Group IFC serta Artikel 11. Buat pertama kali, penceramah dari PAS dan UMNO duduk sebumbung, sebelah menyebelah bersatu hati dengan NGO-NGO lain dan masyarakat Islam umum, bertekad hendak memperkuatkan akidah umat Islam Malaysia (khususnya) supaya kita jadi satu umat yang teguh pendirian dan iman.

Oleh itu, kalau ada yang dah terlibat dengan politik atau pun memang penyokong kuat sesebuah parti, it's time that we unite. Differences in politic parties should not separate us. It's time that we leave behind our differences whatever they may be.

May I request that you (the Muslims especially) be careful with this IFC Group. If and only if, you really have to choose (whether for or against Article 11) it's better to stand in the middle than voting 'for'. Why? Because if you read their arguments and reasons to fight for this Article 11, it's possible that you might be influenced to support them.

And why again? It's because they use logic. Kalau nak ikut sangat logic, mahu soal sembahyang and hormat ibu bapa pun akan di argue. So, daripada sokong diaorang tu and silap-silap dapat dosa, nanti jawab la sendiri bila Allah tanya ya!

Kenapa kita tak perjuangkan Amal Ma'rof Nahi Mungkar (betul ke spelling?) instead? They (IFC) talk about human rights (perjuangkan sangat la idealogi Jewish tu, patutnya human rights mereka yang kat negara berperang tu yang diperjuangkan!) But how about Muslims Right and most importantly, how about God's right?

Then, they also argue kenapa nak halang muslims buat maksiat dan mereka cuba kawal atau sekat terus kuasa pejabat agama. We are imposing these laws and arrest them, mainly to educate them. They are not being tortured or executed or mistreated in any way while in detention. In fact, some have voluntarily went through some trainings to learn moral and Islamic values with successful results. Lagi satu, yang kena tangkap tu Muslims aja. We/they (pejabat agama) never arrest non-Muslims unless really have to (like berkelakuan tak senonoh di khalayak ramai). Kenapa non-Muslims nak sibuk-sibuk sangat, concern sangat pasal their human rights (Muslims who are arrested)? How about the rights to those Muslims' parents and their families? They too want their rights to be upheld. They want their children to see the light dan kembali ke pangkal jalan.

We are not against non Muslims. We are against non-Muslims who are against us. Bila Muslims dah ditolak ke dinding, jangan nak assume and judge bukan-bukan bila kita fight balik.

Diaorang cuba challenge kita gunakan law, kita akan challenge semula guna law juga. Diaorang buat roadshow ke sana sini. Kita buat juga dan dapat penyokong berpuluh-puluh, malah berjuta-juta kali ganda.

Kalau sebelum ni, government pernah haramkan certain penceramah Islam dari beri ceramah kat masjid hanya kerana mereka dari parti lain (despite no political talks were conveyed) and dengan cepat tangkap penganut Islam yang dianggap penderhaka. Tapi kenapa government tak guna kekerasan yang sama pada mereka (group IFC) ini? They have openly criticised us not just locally, but internationally. Memburukkan nama Malaysia, nama Melayu dan nama Islam pada media asing sewenang-wenangnya. Ini perbuatan penderhaka dan patut dihukum sekeras-kerasnya. Bak kata pepatah, kerana nila setitik, rosak susu sebelanga. Takut hanya kerana puak-puak kecil ni, satu Malaysia kacau bilau.

Zaman British dulu, British terlalu berhati-hati bila sentuh soal agama dan British lepaskan urusan itu pada Raja-Raja Melayu untuk handle. If they could show their respect, why can't these people?
Amboi, sekarang orang Malaysia sendiri nak kurang ajar, tak makan ajar, tak boleh nak diajar dan tak pernah belajar ke? Tak tahu nak bersyukur ke atas nikmat yang ada kat negara sendiri ni?

Kalau nak masuk singing contest tu, sanggup mintak tolong mentor/guru ajarkan. Tapi when it comes to finding out about Islam, apatahlagi mendalami/study secara menyeluruh, kenapa tak mintak ulama-ulama yang mahir dan berpengetahuan luas yang telah belajar/mengajar bertahun-tahun lamanya tolong tunjukkan?
Jangan nak pandai-pandai (muslims and non-muslims alike) buat research sendiri, buat conclusion sendiri, then sebarkan teori sendiri hingga timbulkan huru-hara. Also, not once have we heard Muslims yang pandai-pandai buat assumption sendiri about other religions, then make his/her opinions public. Have we? Have we? So, bugger off! Don't drag us to hell fire with you!!!

Tulisan ini bukan fitnah atau diada-adakan, mahupun lahir dari fikiran aku sendiri. Perkara ini telah dibincang secara terbuka semasa forum itu.
Pak Lah and Agong perlu lebih bertegas dengan mereka (ahli IFC). Perkara agama perlu dibincang secara tertutup dan among experts only, not to be openly ridiculed for the whole nation to witness. (Harsh) actions and punishments must be taken soon against these people!

Hari Ahad ni, ada seminar discuss about Muslims Right kat Hotel Plaza. I don't know further details bout it. Kalau ada sesiapa yang tahu, tolong chip in sikit. Pergi la beramai-ramai ke tempat tu, aku tak dapek nak pergi... balik kampung.

In case anyone wonders why I marah-marah dan beremosi nih? Well, semua Muslims yang hadir forum hari tu, termasuklah yang lain di seluruh Malaysia berperasaan yang sama dan most probably, atas sebab yang sama. We are concerned about the future of our children and children's children and so on. Wassalam.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, it's the overweight Abdunman, whose tummy is now bulging.... :)











Review rating system:
***** - 'super good' movie; don't miss it.
**** - good movie; try to find the time to watch it.
*** - average movie; you may or may not like it.
** - crap movie; watch only if you have nothing else to do.
* - 'super crap' movie; don't watch it at all!

Note to fellow Muslims: If you do want to watch the movie(s), please still do obey your prayers and whenever possible, still strive to do so in jemaah. Wallahua'lam. Thank you.

Hey, it's that familiar music score again; that familiar 'trademarked' hairstyle with curly cowlick over the left side of forehead; the familiar-looking red cape; the familiar artistic costume design in blue; the familiar 'S' symbol in red, embossed within a five-sided polygon against a yellow-coloured background; and who can forget the familiar red boots and red 'outer'pants to match.

The poster of the first Superman movie says, "You'll Believe A Man Can Fly". This year, we get to see the man flies again, and he hasn't aged a bit (in fact, getting younger). We missed his heroic moves - how Clark Kent dashed into some enclosed space (like a phone booth) to change into Superman without being seen; how he, with all his might, stopped a giant heavy machine from crushing some innocent civilians; how he swept across the sky with lightning speed, unlike any flying bird or moving plane out there; and how he defied gravity, lifting his girl (Lois Lane) up to give her the bird's eye view.

Here's a list of his other abilities:

1. His X-ray vision enables him to see through anything except lead. Ladies, let's just hope Superman is not standing outside your bedroom wall and for some reason, he is up to no good :)

2. Imagine having a pair of eyes that can function like a magnifying glass, where you can zoom in to some extent, to see something at a great distance. Well, Superman can...

3. His microscopic vision helps him find things as small as Lois Lane's paper clip, stuck in a thick rug.

4. Through his heat vision ability, he can fire invisible beams of intense heat from his eyes at a target. All he has to do is to focus on the target before activating this power. Superman can decide how wide or small an area that he wishes to aim, and the temperature can be as hot as that of a nuclear detonation. Now, don't you wish he was around when you just can't find the match to light a fire?

5. Super-hearing - Like a blue whale (yes, the mammal), he can hear any sound at any volume or pitch. Say, he suspects you of talking bad things about him across the hall, he just needs to filter out unnecessary sounds like the traffic outside or the sound of a vacuum cleaner, and listen to your words only.

6. "Super breath" - he can blow winds, as strong as a hurricane, or freeze a target (pray that his breath is minty should he does this to you). He can also breathe in large amounts of air in the event that he needs to suck in poisonous gas trapped in a closed room (for example) and dispose it some place else.

The first Superman movie was released back in 1978. During a span of 9 years, four Superman movies were released, with Christopher Reeve leading the cast. Now, after almost 20 years since the last movie was released, we waited with bated breath for the new Superman movie. New lead actors/actresses, new feel to the movie, new(er and slightly modified) costume and new plot.

The movie is directed by Bryan Singer, who had successfully brought X-Men I & II to life. So, people have high expectations over how he handles Superman materials. However, the 2006 movie is not the continuation of Superman IV, but instead the story actually resumes after the alien convicts landed on Earth in Superman II.

A newcomer Brandon Routh is superb as Clark Kent/Superman (luckily it's not that Welling guy; he is so boring in Smallville). Kate Bosworth dies her hair brunette to play Lois Lane. Oscar winner Kevin Spacey goes baldy as Superman's nemesis, Lex Luthor. Then, there's James Marsden who plays a very likable character, Richard White, Lois' new love interest. From an X-Men to a normal man (no, no mutant remedy is involved in his transformation), you hate Richard for being in Lois' life, but at the same time, you don't really mind him standing there, between Superman and Lois. Oh yes, there's also Tristan Lake Laebu who is Jason, a young boy whose genes is somewhat extra-terrestrial. Every cast member carries out their roles perfectly, despite some who seem to think that Bosworth is not aggressive enough to play Lois Lane.

Superman shows human emotions and his romantic side in a number of scenes. Though some may not enjoy it, what's the harm of showing the human side of him? After all, he was raised by humans, he deals with humans (whether as their friend or when combatting crimes) in his daily activities, he's in love with a human and in this particular chapter of Superman's life, there's another man in his girl's life. Surely that must have been devastating for him after his long tiring journey of finding his home planet. Like adding salt to an open wound, she even wrote an essay, "Why the World Doesn't Need Superman" and won a Pulitzer Prize for it. But does Lois really despise Superman that much, and has she really moved on with her new guys (fiance and a son)?

Lex Luthor, who has been sprung from prison due to Superman's absence to testify in his trial, steals Superman's technological secrets for his world domination plan(s). Using the secrets, Lex is able to create masses and masses of land, to the extent that he can put a new continent on the world map. However, just like any devious plans in the world, it comes with destruction of others. The (future) death of many doesn't bother Lex as he considers them dispensable (sounds like a common Is***l* to me), as long as there are those who are willing to buy his lands or willing to pay to live on his 'properties'.

Go watch this movie if you love Superman, love having a good time at the movies, love feeling romantic while watching a movie with your loved one, love good comics or books adaptations, and love the fact that despite good things having been absent for many years now, they will return with full force one day and they will prevail, Insha' Allah (sorry, get a bit emotional here)... Overall rating: *****

Monday, August 07, 2006

The Last X-Men Standing (Spoilers ahead!)

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Review rating system:
***** - 'super good' movie; don't miss it.
**** - good movie; try to find the time to watch it.
*** - average movie; you may or may not like it.
** - crap movie; watch only if you have nothing else to do.
* - 'super crap' movie; don't watch it at all!

Note to fellow Muslims: If you do want to watch the movie(s), please still do obey your prayers and whenever possible, still strive to do so in jemaah. Wallahua'lam. Thank you.

SUMMER is one of the seasons that many Hollywood movie distributors aim for, in releasing new movies. The other would be towards-the-end-of-the-year season, where movies released during this time are usually potential oscar contenders.

If most winter season movies rely on the (almost) impeccable acting performances, the best screenplay ever written (original or adaptation), articulate directors and intricate costumes/sets/make-up; summer movies mainly deliver star power or highest paid actors, superb special effects, action-packed sequences and fast-paced storylines.

X-Men 3 is (or was) one of the most highly anticipated movies for this year's summer. The early millennium (2000) welcomed the adaptation of the popular Marvel comic of the same name. This is followed by its sequel three years later - X2: X-Men United.

Let us get acquainted with some of the children of the atom who have appeared in one or more X Men movies; the super heroes and super villains, each born with a unique genetic mutation, with extraordinary powers:

1. Professor Charles Xavier - the world's most powerful telepath and an optimist who believes that humans and mutants can coexist. His 'school for the gifted' has taught students how to control and direct their powers for the good of mankind.

2. Magneto - as the name implies, he can control and manipulate all things metal. Because of that, he was imprisoned inside a plastic prison in X2 and needs to fight against a government's army who uses plastic weapons in X3 (which can shoot of course, not that they are weapon toys or something). Magneto is Xavier's nemesis who is against Xavier's beliefs and efforts to make things right (despite them being friends back in the old days).

3. Wolverine - with an animal-like fury and sense of smell, Wolverine's skeleton is made of adamantium and has retractable claws. He also has healing powers, that enables him to heal quickly from deep cuts and broken bones. However, it's not known whether he can heal as easily if someone throws harsh words towards him, since as they say, 'words cut deeper than knife' :). He also falls for a girl with red hair (Jean) despite knowing her boyfriend (Cyclops) can fire red beam from his eyes.

4. Jean Grey - she is telepathic, so she doesn't need to use telephone to 'telecommunicate' with other people. She's also telekinetic, so she can lift tonnes of weights and hardly break a sweat. She has a double personality, whose other name is Phoenix, 'dying' to come out and play. Don't dare kiss her or cross her path when Phoenix is dominant, for she'd probably disintegrate you to pieces.

5. Cyclops - wears the coolest shades, but they are not for us to borrow, for they help Cyclops to control his power. The thing is, Cyclops can't open his eyes without the shades on. Otherwise, his eyes will release an energy beam so powerful, it can rip holes through mountains (if not your hearts hehe). He has small screen time in X2 and even smaller in X3.

4. Storm - Don't blame it on the weatherman, but blame it on Storm :) She pretty much can manipulate the weather. Probably keen in getting wet, most of the time, she causes clear weather to become windy, rainy and stormy. Oh yes, she can fly too...

5. Rogue - she caused a boy to fall into a coma after kissing him. Basically, she can suck the energy and probably the life out of you just by touching, rubbing, holding, hugging and kissing you. So, you can imagine the stress that she endures, especially now that there's a boy (Iceman/Bobby) who likes her for who she is. As Rogue puts it to him, "you're a man Bobby, your mind only wants the one thing..." So, how long can Bobby (no matter how 'cold' he is inside - no pun intended) stand in this relationship without getting any forms of physical contacts?

6. Iceman (Bobby) - As the name suggests, he can create a block of ice in a matter of seconds and transfer cold energy to make things that are hot (other than Rogue), become cold and icy. He befriends with Kitty and this makes Rogue jealous. Therefore, when Rogue learns that someone has found the "cure" for mutancy, she is among the first in line to volunteer and be injected with the remedy.

7. Mystique - She's a metamorph who can transform herself to become anyone, man or woman, complete with the right personality to match (the right voice, attitude and even the outfits too... hmmm?). She's very bluish and scaly and with unsexy voice. But when a bullet that contains the "cure" accidentally hits and changes her into a normal human forever, Magneto abandons her and remarks that Mystique used to be beautiful in her mutant form.

8. Pyro - You don't want him to play with matches. Though he can't create fire, he can manipulate it and cause some serious damage if he 'fires' you. He used to be Iceman's classmate in Xavier's school. But after crossing to the other side to join Magneto, he somehow particularly targets Iceman as his enemy. Probably he thinks that 'ice' and 'fire' can never be friends.

9. The Beast - If Mystique is the 'bad blue', The Beast is to the contrary (despite his name). He is one of the mutants who doesn't look normal from the outside and whose mutation isn't hidden. He is both brain and brawn. He's an intelligent mutant, with areas of expertise cover genetics and biochemistry. Despite his bulky size, his superhuman strength, agility, endurance and speed helps him to fight whenever he's required to.

10. Kitty - Be careful if she cuddles with you, for she can drag you into a wall or a floor and leave you stuck in there (while she escapes since she can walk through concrete or any solid matter).

X3 unfolds with Cyclops being miserable over Jean's 'death' until he discovers that Jean is still alive at the bottom of Alkali lake. But this leads to his disappearance/death(?) which has shocked all of his mutant friends, and Jean is very much linked to the incident. In my opinion, Cyclops isn't dead, as in one scene when Jean seduces Wolverine, she begs him to kill her "before I kill someone". So, this means that she hasn't really killed anyone prior to that.

Another 'shocking' death is the disintegration of Xavier at Jean's house. This almost causes the students to drop school and the school to be closed down. This shows the human side of all the mutant students. Despite having super powers, they still have fears/they are overwhelmed by emotions, and mourns over the death of their loved ones.

The final fight scene is very entertaining. Beast gets to show his beasty side. Kelsey Grammer of the hit sitcom, Frasier, is suitable as Beast. He's almost unrecognisable under that makeup and prosthetics. Also, watch as Kitty shows bravery towards her much bigger and stronger opponent, Juggernaut; Wolverine and Beast work hand in hand in tricking/defeating Magneto and how Phoenix (or rather, the dark side of Jean) gets really angry towards the end, disintegrating everything - from humans to mutants and buildings to vehicles (though I wonder how come humans and mutants don't disintegrate into pieces of meat and bones, with blood splatter all over? Instead they look like they are all made of some kind of metal).

X3 is another one of those movies with a closing scene that comes after the credits rolled. Obviously it's a marketing strategy of reaping more sales, as some people are probably willing to watch it again (once they find out they've missed the scene the first time) just for that closing scene, if not for the whole movie (unless you want to sneak into the cinema when the credits start to roll hehe). However, don't you think what a great service for the cinemas if they can announce over a speaker or something that there's one more scene after the credits, just as people are leaving?

As for me, I usually wait till the credits are finished only when I buy new DVD/VCD's. You know, just to make sure the DVD/VCD is not faulty from the start right to the end, so that if it is, I'd ask for a replacement. Although of course, I normally do something else (like reading or drinking a cup of coffee) while the credits are rolling instead of watching each credit religiously. That would be boring of course...:))

Back to X-Men 3, to conclude... efforts to 100%-accurately adapt the many years of X-Men comics to movies are not easy. But we can agree that all the three movies have greatly satisfied the general movie goers (fans or non-fans alike). Further, different people are exposed to different versions of X-Men. Some grew up with the comic universe, while others with the animated tv show and/or newspaper comic strips. Overall rating: ****