Friday, June 11, 2010

Me and The Karate Kid Film Release

When The Karate Kid, directed by John G. Avildsen was first released on 22th June 1984, I had not even come out from my mother’s womb. Over a quarter of a century later, Harald Zwart stepped in Avildsen's place to direct the remake of the movie. Both film versions share almost the same plot. If Avildsen’s directed version sets in 1980s and also in the country of America, Zwart’s film sets in the postmodern world and takes place in China and partially in the States. Most of the incidents in Zwart’s remake version are adopted from Avildsen’s movie, starting from Dre Parker and his mother’s transfer to China to the former’s experience while seeing Mr. Han and a number more to list till Dre’s victory over his opponent, Cheng in the final bout of a kungfu competition. If Miyagi calls Daniel LaRusso as Daniel-san, Han addresses Dre Parker with the name Xiao Dre.

In spite of all the similarities, there are actually some changes made to adapt to the different time frames and circumstances in both movies. At least one can notice the use of sophisticated gadgets like mp3 handphones in the remake movie compared to Avildsen’s version where in the 80s, those gadgets were not popularly used. Besides, Japanese karate is taught by Miyagi to Daniel in contrast to Chinese kungfu which is learned by Dre from Han. During both protagonists’ bouts against their respective opponents, even though both are injured and they stand on their single legs, Miyagi tells Daniel to focus but Han does not say anything to encourage Dre. Daniel eventually lands his kick to Johnny’s (the antagonist of the original film) chin while Dre kicks on the top of Cheng’s head to bring him down.

When the remake of The Karate Kid was released yesterday, its tickets were sold like hot cakes. I had to miss two occasions to watch this film with my brother before I could grab the tickets to watch it at Cathay Cineplex in JB City Square. Both of us had to sit at the first-row seats because most of the back seats were occupied by other movie freaks.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

My Nature of Quick Temper

I once threw a bunch of keys on my laptop keyboard and the keys bounced and hit the LCD screen of my laptop. It cost me a laptop and I had to buy another laptop. The whole incident was indirectly caused by my classmate who kept igniting my feeling of hatred towards him. I do admit that my jealousy towards him was the chief cause behind this feeling of hatred.

A few months back, there was a day at night, upon learning that a girl I used to like had a boyfriend, I smashed a mirror into pieces. I was upset. Why didn’t she tell me about her status and her availability earlier? Why did she give me a false hope by letting me keep her company in Kuala Lumpur on a Saturday evening? Why did she accept my Valentine gift? All these questions came across my mind when I became insane that night. I’m glad this feeling of crush has lost its appeal and I don’t have to see her again.

Last night, I was pissed as a workmate of mine urged me to send two plates of cooked food to some customers quickly in such a rude way. Everyone knows how I work at my workplace. I was not intended to slow down sending the food to the customers. I only wanted to check what the two plates of food were because they looked almost the same even though they were not. I did not talk to her that night. As she happened to tap her palm on my shoulder, I pushed her palm away. Fuck that bitch!

After I went back from work, I could not help yelling at another workmate whose current residence is same as mine. We stay at a hostel rented by our boss. This stupid Filipino disturbed and distracted my friend and I who were watching musical video clips by trying to imitate loudly the sound of a man singing a song played on my laptop. But only before I was about to post this entry, we shook our hands as a sign to forget the friction that we had.