adrianism...

Da Vinci Antidote

I've yet to read the full book (but i've read the condense version), and i've seen 3/4 of the movie (something happened somewhere in the 2nd quarter *sigh*). Dan Brown's style of writing has captivated me, and naturally i enjoyed the book more than the movie. I enjoyed it just as a story and not as factual work.  After reading the condense version of the book, i knew the 'facts' in the books were worthy of laughter. When people ask me what do i think about the book, i would say "it is a work of fiction, but much of the storyline includes actual figures and places". Let's just say someone wrote "Adolf Hitler did not commit suicide after World War 2. Till this day, he is being hid in Germany". There may be a possibility to that claim, but do we concrete proofs to point to that? Similarly, there are possibilities to the claims of the book, but proof have proven otherwise, and the orthodox beliefs of Christianity still stand to the scrutiny.

Anyway, i recently read two books refuting or rather setting straight the information presented as 'factual-fiction' in the 'Da Vinci Code'. One is entitled "The Da Vinci Deception" (by Ted Sri), while the other is "A quest for answers - The Da Vinci Code" (By Josh McDowell). I enjoyed the former more - which was presented in a Q&A format, while the latter was written as a dialogue between 3 fictitious people discussing the issues in the book. Oh ya, i'm supposed to lend them to Lionel Goh!

Tuesday nite-out

After cycling to (Jonathan), (Valerian) & (Gary, Elli, Edmund, Joel) house, i found out that Joel (and kawan2 sewaktu dgnnya) all going out for movie. Actually, the whole afternoon i was thinking to go out that night, and since they were going, so decided to join them :) Before going to the cineplex, we dropped by 'Nasi Lemak' shop in town (somewhere opposite Kafe Perwira). My first time there, and hence, camera must come into action :P

L-R: Jonathan, Lionel, Elle, Gary, Edmund, Nicole, Jerome, i, hehe...Joel cameraman. And this is their nasi lemak which they offer (click the thumbnail to see full picture):

I've tasted better ones. But anyway, i think the teh tarik is just a bit too expensive - RM1.80. I think the 80cents is the service charge for 'tarik-ing' the tea. Okla, as long full it's ok.

After dinner (supper for me), we went to watch "The Fast and the Furious - Tokyo drift". The only thing about the movie is the drifting part - gives the thrill! So i told myself "i must learn how to drift :P JK", hmmm, maybe i should! :D Let's see, maybe one day in future.

After the movie, it seems that Joel was in the mood of drifting. Just see the picture on the left! See how he drives (click the thumbnail to see anime :P) (iboh manas Joel)

hehe...

Movies watched lately

Recently, i watched a few movies:

1) Fun with Dick & Jane - Didn't really enjoy the movie at first, cos there seemed to be a lot of 'silly-comical' ideas (expected whenever jim Carrey is acting). But it shows how people can act when they are so desparate to go on surviving. Personally, the only think i like in this movie is the twist towards the ending - when Dick, Jane and their friend decided to use the money they funneled from the former boss' account to pay back all the ex-employees of Globaldyne, and make it seem like it was the greedy boss who decided to make the repayment.

2) Memoirs of Geisha - I don't really understand the story...hmmm... all i understand is that it is about the life of this particular Japanese girl - who got sold to a Geisha house at a young age, and thus destined to be a 'Japanese Servant Woman' - a Geisha. Kind of pitiful...

3) Bean - Rat Race (i'm not sure if that's the right name) - a hilarios movie i'd recommend! haha! Basically, it shows to what extent humans can go in a competition with no rules just to find the 2 million dollars promised. What happens along the way is the funny part :) This movie also ends with a twist - all the money they have been fighting for ends up being donated to a 'feed the world' program :P

4) "I not Stupid 2" - A Singaporean Movie by Jack Neo. I've watched "I Not Stupid 1" and i loved it. So far, i like the movies by Jack Neo - firstly because there's always plenty of lessons to learn from that movie (and often very touching too), secondly, i guess because it is set in a Singaporen setting, and as a Malaysian, i can relate to the events and the plot of the movie. This movie centres on what can go wrong in a family when love is not shown, when parents don't have time for their kids and when communication between parents and children are in a breakdown. Jack Neo has the talent of combining serious and hilarious elements and presenting them in a down-to-earth way. I'd recommend to Chinese speaking friends :)

5) Behind the Hedge - quite funny :) If you're thinking to watch some animation, go for it!

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Ha! went to watch 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe' last night. I've never read the book by C.S. Lewis (but i've read his 'Mere Christianity' and quite enjoyed it, and also like many of the points and examples he raised in it). For a person who does not know Christian teachings, s/he will just see this movie as just another movie. But i must say, this movie is rich with Christian message, though hidden:

1) Hope
2) Sacrifice
3) Love
4) Jesus
5) Resurrection
6) Sin
7) Temptation

One scene which really hit me is when Edmund first came across the so-called Queen of Narnia. With ther magical liquid, she could make any kind of food/drinks really appear. This really caught Edmund's attention and he asked her for Turkish Delights (i bet they must be his favourite snack). When he asked for more, she promised him her castle was filled with them. Her condition was to bring all his siblings to her castle. But when he actually went to the castle, and failing to bring along his siblings, he was badly treated. And of course, no Turkish delights for him. This reminded me of temptation and the devil. Often when i have been tempted, i get hooked by the promises of pleasure. So i give into temptation, and of course, there is pleasure, but only for a while. Only later after i have sinned, i realise the devil actually wants my soul.

Don't compare the movie effects with The Lord Of The Rings, but overall, it was ok.

Access this webpage for a Catholic perspective review.