Friday, September 10, 2010

That "In" Feeling

I've said many times now that we have find the basics of everything. People can achieve anything simply because they know the roots of something. But, how do we actually find the basics? And mark my words, basics is everything. I read a quote today and said, "Don't just build castles in the air,  build the foundations underneath them."


So, the big question really is, how? How do know that we have found the basics for something we want to do? It is not enough to merely judge, and say, " Yep, I think i found my way already". This would of course lead to us being complacent and in the end lose focus.


What then? Alright, lets add a little emotion to it. Lets say, " Sports is all about determination." That's your basics, but like I said, it ain't enough just saying it. So, now, we feel it. It is simple. Just say it and feel it to mean it. (that's a little corny)


You see, when we feel what we've said, which is adding belief into our words, we get the chance perform it. By saying, thinking and feeling like determination is very important in sports, it's easier to be determined. The same thing applies to most basics.


Well, what're you waiting for? Go find your basics (and remember to feel it).



The writer feels that people like Steve Jobs or Roger Federer are still going strong due to their impeccably strong, upheld beginnings.

Email me at adler_ng@hotmail.com.

Review of The Week!

Movie : The Avengers (2012)

Awe-inducing, funny and action-packed, this could be the superhero movie of the year (not that there are many).



It is unusual for directors to modify the genre of superhero movies. To be precise, if we are looking for some popcorn entertainment, Joss Whedon could have easily turned this into a full-blown alien-versus-superhero affair (that actually would not be too bad). Interestingly to note however, he does not. With an affinity to blend action scenes with tongue-in-cheek humor, he balances the tone of the movie to be both rewarding and most definitely, superhero-themed.

There are plenty of noteworthy things you can brag about this movie. The cinematography, the script, the visuals, the cast, the production design. Surely though, there would be one or two flaws, but they are not really meant to be called 'flaws' per se. Bending the laws of physics, 'saving the world' is saving the US and how Hulk manages to comply to orders are just some of the minor 'flaws'. These are probably things that you would just like to ignore for the sake of giving the director the benefit of the doubt.

It is quite evident that Whedon has made this film his own. He incorporates humor into almost every scene, as if things are not to be taken too seriously in the world of The Avengers. And it should be like that. Again, the emphasis on superhero movies usually lie on destruction, life-saving and personalization of characters. But here, there is some of that, but not completely. No chessy lines. No rushed pacing. No cliche-ridden narrative. (Just Loki speaking in a not-so-sharp English accent.)

The movie can also be likened to last year's Deathly Hallows (Part 2); a lot of hype, and duly delivered. At least we could expect how the last Harry Potter movie was meant to be : an emotional, epic battle. The Avengers did deliver but there is something different to the whole theme that somehow manages to change our view on how superhero movies should be in the future. Is it Robert Downey Junior's Shakespearean jab at Thor? Or is the excellent cinematography of sticking to single shots instead of quick-fire editing? Heck, it could even be Scarlett Johansson's semi-obscene display of bust. Anyhow the movie is a success, most definitely.


Unprecedented, now that is one word to decribe Joss Whedon's take on a superhero movie.


Personally*... Stay in your seats till the end; there are rumors that an extra scene is added to the US version of The Avengers, for compensation of the late release.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/894039/reviews/

Spark of inspiration?