Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Eternal Darkness


Left in the shadows,
Standing there alone,
Crying the tears of pain,
Where are you in this eternal darkness?

Walking along the path,
I don’t care much for where I go,
I keep thinking if I walk long enough, I’ll be saved.
Where are you in this eternal darkness?

THUMP!
Body falls,
Mind and soul shut down,
Coldness surrounds me; I’m dying in this alone eternal darkness.

Suddenly, I feel a warm sensation.
A being standing before me,
A glimpse of light is seen.
Who or what is it that saved me from this eternal darkness?

Is it an angel?
Is it a hero?
Is it a human?
Who are you?

It’s my savior.
Saving me from the coldness that once surrounded me,
From the pain that I endured for many years,
And from the lonely darkness.

Light spreading throughout my heart,
The wall falling down that protected me,
Finally a smile is shown upon my face,
I’m no longer alone in this world.

I am saved.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Slumdog Millionaire

 The familiar movie, “Slumdog Millionaire”, is known all over the nation for the way it’s filmed along with the actors/actresses who played the roles given to them and the directors who, well of course, directed it. Directors, Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan, worked together to turn this mixture of Bollywood and Hollywood movie into a success. And I sure believe they did turn it into a success. In this movie Dev Patel played the role of Jamal Malik, the Slumdog who happened to win the 20,000,000 rupees in the show “Who wants to be a Millionaire?” His brother Salim Malik, who was played by, not a very famous actor, Madhur Mittal, stole the love of his life, threatened to kill him and turned him into a thief for part of his life. Now Freida Pinto, who played Latika in this movie, was the love of Jamal Malik’s life, the destined one for Jamal. This movie basically revolves around these three characters and what happened to them. In his journey to be with his one and only love, what brings him that close to it? Was it because he’s a genius or because he cheated? Was it because he got lucky…or because it was destined?
Throughout the movie, the actors had played their parts very well, in my own opinion. Freida Pinto played the older Latika. Dev Patel played older Jamal. I believe they both played their parts well. Dev made it look like he was really focused on finding the answer to those answers which did not involve his past life. Latika was played well as well, her emotions; any female could understand what she was going through even if they hadn’t gone through it themselves. And these are the two characters I liked the most in this movie. Their characteristics are what most people should have in real life. I like the fact that someone is a leader and independently thinking. Not going with the flow, seeing through people’s lies and knowing when to choose right rather than wrong. To lead someone or a group of people takes a lot of courage, and though it doesn’t seem like Jamal was doing it on purpose, he was able to gather courage in those who hadn't had before.
This movie is recommended for anyone who has an open mind, to learn new cultures. Sure, this movie has a bit of religion in it, and is a mixture with India’s culture. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that this is going to be another boring lecture or documentary. No, this movie is far from that. “Slumdog Millionaire” is one movie that you don’t want to miss out on. It shows, as I’ve said before, the story of the three characters and what goes on in India, today, whether we like it or not. Treating women, as if they are just some delicacy to be enjoyed, or taking kids for granted and taking their eyesight away or their baby brothers/sisters away for more money, this all happens in India today.  As you watch this movie, you get to see the world through another’s eyes. It’s worth watching some violence and some inappropriate scenes to imagine what life wouldn’t be if we weren’t American.
We, Americans, take almost everything for granted because everything is given to us, but what about those who aren’t as lucky as us? What about those who have to go through life, separated from those who love and care about them? This takes us through the poor and riches of India, some less fortunate than others and some more fortunate than others.
As I’ve said before, two of the main characters are Latika and Jamal. Two main characters in the movie are Jamal and Latika. The story is based on the two character’s love story. Jamal is a leader, independent thinker, he doesn't do as told until he understands that changing is the inevitable. Latika is basically a broken doll, who doesn't have the will to go against those who are over her. In my opinion, yes they are like real people because once you break someone until they are just too weak-willed to actually standup, that’s what happens. Jamal is an ideal man, who stands up for what he believes in. A man who believes in his love.
If you haven’t realized, this movie is a drama movie. A bit of Romance mixed in it, a lot of action/adventure in it, but most of all, this movie is very dramatic. The scenes you go through will make you feel all the emotions that go along with the characters. From the depressed emotion you feel when Latika is taken from Jamal, the many times she is, to the anger you feel when Salim does all the things he does just to gain money. You feel almost exactly how Jamal feels throughout the movie.
Throughout the movie, Jamal is very persistent in giving all he can to get the love of his life back into his life. He even goes onto the show, not for the money, but for the fact that he knew that Latika would be watching and sooner or later they would be together. Though Latika only thought that they would be together in death.
Now if you have seen the movie, “Bride and Prejudice”, you might see where this movie is coming from. Since in 2004, another mixture of cultures were brought together.  Basically the classical tale of “Pride and Prejudice” brought into a Bollywood Production with Indian music and Indian actors/actresses. The movie had the language mixture in there, with English as the main language but partial Hindi/Punjabi. Just as this movie, “Slumdog Millionaire” is also based on the book “Q & A” by Vikas Swarup.
The rest is up to you, would you like to see a normal, poor 18 year old boy win the love of his life by going through so much punishment because he knew the answers to almost all the questions? Or do you think that this is just another boring film?