Fooman’s Fandango

Saw the Geisha movie last night.

Man, its S L O W….

At around 90 mins, which the length of Wallace and Gromit, I thought 3 hours had gone by. Then it goes on for another hour.

Havana is still the slowest movie I’ve ever seen. The Winter Guest comes close, but the characters were interesting enough that I was willing to see it through. Slow as it was, I actually liked it. But I digress.

Don’t even bother with Havana even if someone gives it to you free. Winter guest if you like arty movies. Hey, its directed by Alan Rickman and you get to see Emma Thompson in a tub.

Back to the feature.

Boring…

One dimensional characters.
Caricatures, really. The business minded mamasan. The kindly servant/assistant mamasan. The friend who’s going to betray our heroin at the end, various dirty old men. The noble hero. The hero’s highly principled sidekick. Various bumbling foreigners (Americans, this time around). The bee-atch (played splendidly by Gong Li) The ‘cool and smooth’ mentor and of course our tragic heroine.
Everyone plays true to type with no surprises.

A movie about the ’secret’ world of Geishas, based on a book written by a middle aged white guy? Come on!

Actually I find the movie quite disturbing.

It romanticises what is basically a tale of child prostitution and slavery. Older rich men bidding on the virginity of young girls. Bleh. And its supposed to be a grand moment when she breaks records by fetching 15,000 yen. Hmm, in 1937, 10 yen could buy 20kg of rice, textiles for summer clothing for five persons, and 125kg of charcoal. That’s a lot of rice, clothes and charcoal for a bbq.

Towards the end, when its revealed that the Chairman had a hand in Sayuri becoming a Geisha its supposed to be a tender moment as we’re shown that both loved each other so much that they took steps to bridge their world so they can be together.

Hello? He’s a already big successful Tai Kor when he meets Sayuri by the bridge. She’s what, like 12 years old at that point? He gets Mameha to take Sayuri under her wing so that Sayuri can become a Geisha in order for him to be with her. Pretty disturbing if you ask me.

And you just know, that Pumpkin is so going to play Sayuri out.

There have been lots of complaints about the inaccuracies. One scene stands out. At the end the chairman is locking lips with Sayuri. This is 1940s Japan. A successful businessman is going to be kissing his favourite geisha in a park in broad daylight? I know its makes for a good shot, but that’s never going to happen. I don’t think they would even dare do it today, let alone post war Japan.

Upside? Its beautifully shot movie. I would have edited it to half its length. But Spilberg has never asked me to work with him.

Verdict: If a movie ever needed the Jerry Bruckheimer treatment, this would be it.

To rant? Or because I’ve got nothing better to do? Dunno.

Finally finished the wedding video. Hit a creative block. Couldn’t decide between making part of it slick and viewer friendly or putting in everything so the couple can leave the DVD as a legacy for their children and children’s children.

Decided on the latter.

Oh yeah, I’m officially starting work on the 6th of Feb after CNY.

Time to wrap up stuff like the Sarah DVD and sort out budgeting and spend church money.

Oh yeah, need to let the new recruits we’re having a production meeting right after CNY. Easter isn’t all that far away and I’m tired of only having one month or less to do major video projects.

I had KFC’s Big Fish Sandwich yesterday. Basically its twice the size of the standard fast food sandwich with a slice of cheddar and tartar sauce on top.

Mine had been sitting around for a while, so the tarter sauce was started to break apart and becoming greasy which melded the bun to the fish. The cheese had hardly melted so that makes me wonder what its made from. Taste wise, on the salty side.

At least Sharon has something to eat now at KFC.

I’m still hoping for KFP someday.

Well, Apple has gone Intel. Technically they had development prototypes out last year, but its now in production. No, its not a Pentium, but Intel’s new Core Duo chip.

The first machines out the door are the iMac and MacBook. After 13 years, the PowerBook is no more. The Mac Mini, iBook and PowerMac will follow later this year. So… is the new PowerMac going to be called the MacMac?

Oh yeah, I turned 39.

… and all through the house, not a creature was stirring except for a mouse.

Well, its almost time for the annual Mac lovefest and Steve show. The usual mac sites have been fairly quiet. A few predictions and ‘leaks’ but we’ll see what happens in a couple of hours.

I’ve been wallowing in my own little pity party of late. I ended the year mentally, physically and spiritually tired. Video-wise, it was a spectacular year, but I was drained and just felt like slacking off.

Something happened today which reminded me that we live for things larger than ourselves. An incident occured which required direct intervention. I was not ready spiritually for the whole thing. By God’s grace things are ok, but it was a reminder that I’m not living for myself. I’ve been redeemed at a price. Its not that my life is not important to God. On the contrary. God really does care about what goes on in my life. Its just that God knows better than me. Inspite of what I may think sometimes.

God allows lack, for us to minister to one another. I need God to be able to minister and to help others. If I’m ‘away’ from God its difficult as I’m doing it in my own ability.

1 Peter 5:8 (Amplified Bible)
“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour.”

To me this verse is basically saying that I do not have the luxury of slacking off and being mediocre in my christian life. I have to be vigilant and alert, not just for myself but for others around me.

During the new year service I was reminded about why I should be excellent in all that I do. I’m not doing it for myself, parents, church, pastors, bosses, clients, etc.

God is excellent and He deserves nothing less from me. Mind you, its not perfection, as only God is perfect, but I need to do things above and beyond the average and ordinary.

Mediocrity, ‘chin-chai’ness’, tidak apa, are not options really. The good Samaritan, not only stopped to help the man, but he took care of him, cleaned his wounds, took him to the inn and even paid the inn keeper to take care of the man, promising to reimburse the inn keeper for any extra expenses.

I guess this sets the tone for this year.

Have a good one, all.

Not! Won’t be starting till next week. Not complaning. That gives me time to finish editing Alvin and Miranda’s wedding vid.

Is it just me or is season 5 of Alias getting very stupid?

Today I attended the first of many weddings for this year. Two awesome people who’s contributed much to my life. Thanks guys for your servant hearts. God bless you both.

On another note. The battery in my camera was totally dead at the wedding. Doh! Especially considering how obsessed I am about keeping batteries in the video cameras charged all the time.

Back to KK tomorrow then off to work the next day. So much for never wearing a shirt and tie again.

We’ll see if the blogging drops off or not.

Its been a good break. Catching up with friends and not having to edit video, although I attended a couple of production meetings.

Hmm, one more week to MacWorld, then Bday.