*~ bLoG V ~*

World Crisis

Italy currently is in a volcanic alert in the island of Stromboli. This volcano has been active for about 2,ooo years already and now it is starting to spread its lava. The last eruption in 2002 caused a tsunami. Although, this situation is life threatening, however, there is no evacuation.

This is a situation where I believe America should react and send people over for aid. The president should send people over to Italy and announce an immediate evacuation because if not than it might be too late once the lava really spreads in the island and it might also cause another tsunami.

We, as the role model nation, should not only inform the evacuation but also to let the Italians be sheltered in our sheltered homes because the last thing we want to know is our ally dying from liquid fire and drowning to death.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6401701.stm

*~ bLog IV ~*

Movie Review

WHERE THE HEART IS

Sometimes, we are touched most by a simple story well told; such is offered by "Where the Heart Is". Natalie Portman plays Novalee Nation is pregnant in the movie. In a world of confusion and cynicism where young women are so often brought down by pregnancies , Novalee achieves her success by her head-strong and determination with an innocence that seeks the best for people around her. Everyone she knows, even those who have betrayed her, are touched. Novalee, however, does not view herself the same way as others. In her own being, she is full of doubt about her worth.

Novalee leaves Tennessee in an old car with her handsome, white trash boyfriend (Willy Jack played by Dylan Bruno) on a trek to California. They are, however, not going to Hollywood or the beach, but are headed for Bakersfield, a central California farm town. The thought of living with Novalee and taking responsibility for the child are just too much for Willy Jack. He abandons Novalee at a Wal-Mart in Oklahoma. In order to survive, she stays in the store every night. James Frain ,Novalee’s friend Forney is a librarian who has to take care of his mentally disturbed sister. He takes part in Novalee's life by smashing through the plate glass window of the Wal-Mart in order to get Novalee to the hospital to deliver her baby, Americus. The critical element of the story is for Novalee and Forney to find a deeper love for each other, but they have to communicate and overcome their lack of self-confidence since they are good friends.

"Where the Heart is" is not a fairy tale. It comes from the heart of a white, trailer trash, unwed teen mother who ultimately transforms her life and that of others by the purity of love and innocence that conquers cynicism.

*~ bLog III ~*

MOVIE REVIEW

Curse of the Golen Flower

"Curse of the Golden Flower" was directed by Zhang Yimou, who also directed "House of Flying Daggers". According to critic Scott Tobias, Zhang is " so wrapped up in the stunning décor and choreographed ritual that he loses his grip on the nuts-and-bolts labor of plot and character development". I would have to disagree with Scott. With no doubt, Zhang did focus greatly on the exotic scenery but he, however, did not lose his grip with the story.

The story is based on an empress who tries to seduce her step son, while he is having an affair with his unknown half sister. The emperor tries to mentally damage the empress, which leads to her betrayal with her real son in trying to destroy him.

It is well understood that the characters of the narration are in actual fact messed up. Maybe this is a reason for Scott to believe that Zhang lost it with the narration, but in fact it is not the narration but just the how the narration is difficult for not-so-open minded audience to accept because it is not common.

Overall, "Curse of the Golden Flower" is very much similar to "House of Flying Daggers" because both have vibrant colored sceneries and shakespearans narration. Therefore, this new film by Zhang is another hit for me.

http://www.avclub.com/content/node/56892