WALL-E

This is going to be a terribly, terribly biased review, but what can I say? Pixar just knows how to make things work.

This time around, Pixar brings a love story to the big screen, beautifully bringing to life the adventure of a robot named WALL-E who travels into space to pursue EVE, a robot sent to earth with a top secret "Directive." What ensues is a simply glorious tale of love, perseverance, and the idea that perhaps the finest things in life are those that are right in front of us.

Indeed, compared to their other works, this film certainly contains heavier content. Beginning the story on what resembles a somewhat post-apocalyptic earth, the story continues to incorporate humorous but actually rather horrific possibilities for mankind's fate while toying with several end-of-the-world, pop culture references (note the pet cockroach in the teasers).

That aside, however, there's still plenty of humor delightfully sprinkled throughout the movie. In fact, while rather ironic, WALL-E's personality is human enough that the movie can mirror the ups and downs of human emotions themselves, causing us to frown at WALL-E's letdowns, smile at his curiosity, boo at his adversaries, and cheer for his determination. What makes this movie so beautiful though is WALL-E's pure simplicity as a robot, which somehow manages to expose the most basic nature of the human heart. Really, I would say the average audience member should be able to empathize with WALL-E's loneliness and then heartfelt fascination with EVE.

As for the other characters, EVE herself has a determined and fiery personality, and she and WALL-E are later accompanied by a team of "rogue robots," each with its own crazy character that just keeps the laughs rolling. (My personal favorite is M-O, the little cleaning robot.) The horribly obese Captain of the Axiom is also rather entertaining, and evokes plenty of chuckles as long as the viewer chooses to ignore just how bad his obesity really is.

Furthermore, apart from the aforementioned, the computer animation is outstanding, smooth, and flawless. I know I say that every time, but Pixar pioneers this state-of-the-art technology (always experimented with in their short films) in order to incorporate it into their feature films. And in this movie, the audience sees just how accomplished Pixar is as the studio takes its creations for the first time into space. Spaceships, stars, and galaxies galore, the detail and imagery is stunning, and as a Pixar fan, I love seeing how far the studio has come from its Toy Story days to today.

Overall though, WALL-E is a truly fantastic film that I really think only a person without a heart could not enjoy (sorry to that person). While the story delves into several humorous but actually very real issues, it still manages to present itself as a simple but unique love story that truly is like no other. While this movie is already unique due to its ability to tell a story with little dialogue and by relying on mostly music and character movements, it is outstanding because of its ability to show us what is beautiful in life. And it is that which makes it such a completely memorable and worthwhile film to watch.

In fact, I really don't even think I can rate this film. It's just too meaningful to be given a number. But if I must...

Rating: 5/5

Though if it made sense to, out of 5 I'd give it a 10.

Oh, and by the way, the short film in the beginning was absolutely hilarious too.

Picture copyright (C) Disney Pixar.

Season's Call

It's hard to believe that more than a year ago, on Thursday, June 21st, I started this blog with my first post, entitled "Season of Goodbyes." That was the day the Class of 2007 graduated, the day my peers and I officially moved on to fill their shoes and became what they were no longer... seniors.

Defying the whirling wind,
I am searching for the lost season.

Today, however, I did not partake in the joy I felt a year ago. It was a different feeling. Actually, I didn't know how I felt. It didn't make sense to me. After all, how I longed for this day to come! The day I could leave behind the wretchedness I put myself through, the immature teenagers, the endless schoolwork, all the unnecessary stress. I never dreaded this day, never feared it. In my heart I always wanted it to come.

Even if it's only a little, it's towards the direction I'm aiming for
that vivid memories provoke me.

But I wasn't happy. I wasn't sad or regretful or anything either, but it was hard to smile. Following the advice of Dr. Seuss, I wasn't sad that it passed, but happy that it happened. And according to my own beliefs, I always felt that there is nothing to regret in the past if I am happy in the present. But somehow, I had smiles to give to others, but none to give to myself.

And it made no sense. I had the whole world in front of me, but somehow, even if I wasn't going to look back, it was if something was telling me that I could, and it was alright if I did.

How many fates should I accept?
Does it have an end?

But that's not what I wanted. I was looking for finality. I wanted the blade of a guillotine to drop down upon these scrawny ties. I wanted to move on, free as a bird, with no one to control me, with no strings attached. But it wasn't like that. Even if I never saw all these people again, however small of a role they've each played, they've all been a part of my life.

That's why I'm not afraid, even tomorrow,
because I always feel you in me.

And somehow, it's not really goodbye, because the only place a person's existence is true is in another person's heart. The bliss I was expecting from leaving everyone behind instead manifested itself as something strange, something different, merely because to erase them from my memories was to destroy a part of my own heart.

You taught me how to love.
I feel like I can do anything.

And perhaps the reason why I'm not sad is because those who mean most to me I know I will definitely see again, and so tonight was not a night of goodbyes after all, but one of well-wishing, optimism and hope.

The world sketched in the dream,
I want to unfold it before your eyes.

And the people I have with me now are the people I'll have with me forever. They'll share with me their futures, and I'll share with them my own.

That's why I'm not afraid, even tomorrow.

Life is destined to repeat itself. Like how Spring leads to Summer, Summer to Autumn, Autumn to Winter, and Winter to Spring... while each season may seem to have an end, in reality, it's a cyclical process that only leads into new beginnings. It's a natural occurrence, and all we can do is look ahead.

My beloved season calls me...

Congratulations, my friends. Congratulations, Class of 2008.

...because I always feel you in me.

(Season's Call - Hyde)

Death Penalty

The Supreme Court decided today that "the death penalty is unconstitutional as a punishment for the rape of a child."

You know, usually I don't know where I stand on the death penalty. To me, most modern day executions don't seem to constitute cruel and unusual punishment (as long as it's not torturing the person). Even if it's not really that logical to take a life for a life, it does seem somewhat fair in a rather perverted way. There's also the "benefit" of not having overcrowded prisons, and thus either less funds are directed towards prisons or the country can concentrate on rehabilitating those who are convicted of other crimes... although one of the gravest consequences of the death penalty could be accompanied by the question, "What if he didn't do it?"

When it comes to rape though, I do advocate the death penalty. Rape is an intentional crime, carried out consciously upon a helpless victim. It leaves the victim mentally, emotionally, and possibly even physically scarred for life. Rape is committed for no other reason than for the offender to satisfy his or her perverted need for power at the expense of an innocent bystander, causing trauma that may fade but will never disappear from a victim's life completely.

I'm happy Barack Obama disagrees with the Supreme Court Decision. If I may quote him, "I have said repeatedly that I think the death penalty should be applied in very narrow circumstance for the most egregious of crimes. I think that the rape of a small child, six or eight years old, is a heinous crime, and if a state makes a decision under narrow limited well defined circumstance the death penalty is at least potentially applicable."

Though honestly, if Obama is elected president and he has the opportunity to nominate a new justice, I think he's going to have a hard time finding a liberal judge without strict liberal beliefs. (Sandra Day O'Connor, we need people who approach problems like you do...)

Nonetheless... well said, Barack Obama. Well said.

Oh, and if you're wondering why I was MIA for so long, it's because A) Hillary is out of the race and I'm suddenly rather disinterested in politics again, B) I REALLY don't have any work to do now and thus since I have nothing to procrastinate on my creativity light bulb doesn't light up as much, and C) I'm wrapping up my school year. Senior Picnic passed, my last day of classes passed, Senior Countdown passed, Senior Sunset passed (that is, if it didn't rain that day), grad parties are beginning, I just wrapped up prom yesterday, and I'm graduating tomorrow.

Busy, busy, busy. But I'm having such a great time.

Mystery on Fifth Avenue

Article here.

Visuals (or for those who don't like to read) here.

So apparently, this family moved into an Upper East Side apartment and decided to renovate their new apartment and make it more personal. As a result, the designer Eric Clough turns the apartment into an intricate custom-made scavenger hunt for the family, complete with puzzles, clues, and even its own story book and theme music.

... Okay, not only is the apartment in the Upper East Side, but it's sophisticated and incredibly unique as well? And it manages to encapsulate something fantastic within the sharp reality of New York City... amazing!

Of course, the 4,200 square foot apartment did cost $8.5 million even before renovations (which cost $300 per square foot), but even so...

I'm still very, very, very jealous.

Crazy Southern Chick

Congrats to Crazy Southern Chick who managed to make so much of an impression on me in one sighting that I just had a nightmare about her as I was napping and therefore felt the need to blog about today's events.

So I was sitting with Roni in the lobby after our last Science Research meeting, where there's this girl standing there. Normal enough. A blue van pulls up to the school though, and an old teacher who is also hanging about the lobby asks us if it's for us. Don't know why, but the girl suddenly decides to chime in herself, repetitively, "IS ANYONE WAITING FOR A BLUE VAN? IS ANYONE WAITING FOR A BLUE VAN?" (Oh, and there's no one else in the lobby.)

Um... weird. Girl leaves. We continue talking until it's time to go outside.

We continue to talk. Suddenly, in random bursts...

"STOP TALKING ABOUT ME."

Er....

"I KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ME."

I realize to whom she's directing her shouts to, and think they're joking. Never seen the girl before. Maybe they were friends?

"YOU FUCKING WITH ME, BITCH?"

Whaaaaaaat. Where did that-

Then in a mocking tone, "UHAHA, UHAHA. LOOK AT ME. I'M A BITCH. I LIKE TO CUT MYSELF... I'M FAT."

Whoa! Obviously not friends. Southern accent became apparent though... Strange girl gets rebranded as Crazy Southern Chick.

Roni turns to me and quietly says, "Are they from the middle school? There's no way they're in high school. I mean... look, she even has an animal backpack."

I respond, "Nah, they must be from the middle school. I've never seen them before."

A group of underclassmen boys comes out of the building, calling the three girls' names.

CSC side-gallops her way towards them with her head unnaturally bobbing to the side with each step. In a horrid attempt to speak in a flirty voice, "Wah, those BITCHES are making fun of me."

"Who's making fun of you," the boy asks.

"Them! Go beat 'em up for me!"

WOW. Is that what you do down South? And I thought Southern girls were supposed to have class!

I kept wondering if I should have intervened, but eventually it became time to go. Besides, I wasn't about the stop CSC from making a complete fool out of herself when the other party wasn't in danger of getting hurt... or even remotely bothered. When I boarded the bus, the other kids on my route started to voice their confusion over the whole matter, and I find out from one girl that CSC just moved here and is actually a sophomore.

WOW. Really? Because she looked and sounded like some immature, pubescent little middle schooler who was cursing to impress the big kids. Amazing!

Yeah, screaming and cursing at random people... NOT cool, and NOT the way to make a good first impression on your new school.

But of course, sometimes the things that should be most logical to people make me want to cry most.

The Most Beautiful Clothes

“The most beautiful clothes that can dress a woman are the arms of the man she loves.” - Yves Saint Laurent

And that must be the most beautiful quote I've ever heard.

Yves Saint Laurent died Sunday from a brain tumor at age 71. Today, France Salutes the Ultimate Couturier.

End Story

Clinton to End Bid and Endorse Obama

I guess that's it then... it feels weird to have that little flame of hope finally burn out.

No Decisions Tonight

Hillary is staying in for now, but I still want to cry. Somehow, I think the reason why I'm so emotionally attached to her is because I know that feeling... to work so hard and not get what you truly deserve in the end. All her life she's played second fiddle to everyone - hey, that's politics and even life itself - but everyone seems determined to keep her there.

Is it because she's a woman? No, I don't think that's as much as a factor as everyone thought it would be. I still don't understand why people were calling on her to drop out of the race as early as March though. The woman has a right to fight for what she believes in, does she not?

Oh, and I lied. If Hillary loses (and if I could vote this November), I would vote for McCain. I know I criticized those Hillary-supporters in the past as being close-minded fools (Sorry?), but I just don't feel that Obama has proven himself competent enough to be President. In the past, I said, "I'll take the risk and give him a chance," but honestly, it's not really a risk I want to take anymore. I don't really have problems with the Republicans... I just don't believe in that religious mumbo-jumbo that ends up ostracizing homosexuals and condemning abortion. While I have more liberal views regarding society and social standards, my views on the economy and such are conservative. And right now I would definitely rank the economy as the most urgent issue to be addressed.

The Republicans are navigating slightly towards Democratic ideals too. I don't really expect them to keep their promises, but if McCain wants to see a second term then we should be slowly clearing out of Iraq and global warming should be addressed somewhat (I think... I didn't read the article at the time). While it's a clear attempt to attract Hillary's disgruntled voters (hey, it's working on me), if he actually goes through with what he says, I think it will be alright.

Sigh... I don't know anymore. I think part of me is glad that I have an excuse not to vote this coming election, even if most of my friends will be casting their ballots for the first time.