Movie review: The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2

Dribble, dribble, dribble. Not for fawning over the dreamy, living-dead Edward Cullen, but because, I may have fallen asleep with my eyes open and dribbled on my hand.

For goodness sake, what was I thinking? The hype over this Bella girl, this Edward vamp and a shirtless wolf had me religiously "researching" the first few movies. Watching what all this fuss over glittering vampires was about. (Seriously. Still can't accept that vampires glitter, in the sun. NO GLITTERING. Opposed to glitter.) Their dainty fangs had me hooked in the fourth instalment of pasty creatures with issues beyond my comprehension.

Due to the fervour with which I had whipped myself into after the bed broke from "that scene". I became obsessed with the release date of this final chapter in Stephenie Meyer's fantasy. So much so, I picked up Vampire Diaries in the interim to assuage my craving for blood - or really - to watching the undead indulging in their craving for human snacks. (Wow, what's wrong with me ... ?)

But this, was ridiculous. Not being a snob - as it's good for me to believe I'm someone who likes to keep an open mind - but, what in the world was this about ... ?

Granted the long, sweeping scenery scenes were melancholic and added the hauntingly beautiful appeal necessary for vampire love stories. However, my tears come not from the beauty of their relationship, but, from the realisation that I will not get those two hours of my life back. I lost two hours of my life watching a girl fulfil her dream of dying. Just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

Just a host of contradictions that leave my head twirling. The promoters have targeted the fanatical hormones of a teenage crowd, and I'm the one getting emotional over it.

Tweens will be pleased to see perfectly coiffed hair extensions and perfectly placed eyelashes.

However, for the die-hard Bella-Edward fans, the tender, longing, love-lorn gazes have been noticeably muted in this movie. It seems the devoted pair have toned it down a bit in the presence of their devastatingly beautiful daughter, Renesmee.

This movie is not for any analytical mind which craves subtext, subtlety and complications. The opposite: for moments of intense need to switch off said brain, this is the perfect choice.

I guess if you want mindless, mediocre, big-budget productions that pass for entertainment, then by all means. Safe enough to take your ten-year-old (except for one, or two, bedroom scenes).

Just a thought though, here in NZ $17 (an adult ticket price), can buy you a fairly decent dinner or lunch - with a drink. That at least nourishes, instead of sapping you of the will to live in a dark theatre, feeling like a mindless zombie, watching glittering vampires.

Until next time,

Jos

Verdict: Leaves a bland - yet surprisingly bitter - aftertaste. The memory that lingers is one I wish to forget. Hope this doesn't last, forever.
Rating: 1/5

IMDb rating: 5.9/10 (click here to go to the site.) 
Rotten Tomatoes' Tomatometer: 48% (spending time reading the comments alone would suffice. Make me feel a bit better that others have suffered the same fate.)

Description: "Brought back from near-death by Edward after childbirth, Bella begins her new life as a vampire and mother to their daughter, Renesmee. When the Volturi are led to believe that Renesmee was not born as a vampire but, rather, turned into one in violation of their code, the Volturi set out to destroy the child and the Cullen clan. The Cullens band together with vampires from around the world to stand united against the Volturi."

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What happens when you read the word "Muslim"?

Stunned by my own biases, and how in my mind, there are negative connotations associated with "Muslim", and not for others.

A muslim is a person who adheres to the faith of Islam. Photo / rgbstock.com

It wasn't until I typed out, "A Christian can think of Jesus or God, a Muslim can reflect upon Allah," that I realised the insidious way society's overly negative portrayal of Muslims has tainted my own impressions of people not unlike me.

It was a shock when I realised how typing out "Christian" drew forth no negative thoughts, but, when it came to "Muslim" there seemed to be a slight hesitation and aversion to the word. 

Disgraceful on my part. But, frighteningly ingrained. A prejudice I didn't believe existed in my mind until this moment. 

Reflection is in order as to how - without even understanding these people of a different faith - I could have come to the conclusion that negative feelings should be drawn from the mere mention of this negatively stereotyped "other". 

Suicide bombings, female oppression, exploiting religion and using it as an excuse for warfare. These tragedies seem linked to the mention "Muslim". How is that even possible? 

News story after news story seems to clearly demarcate a place for Muslims in the "horror inflicted upon humanity" section. 

A passing comment here, a "war on terror" article there and incredulously, my mind has formed the impression that Muslims as a whole deserve to be categorised as "scary other capable of inflicting evil". 

Well, then, what about Christian white supremacists; the German effort to exterminate all Jewish people; or even the effort by a Communist China to reign over the largely Buddhist Tibet?

Death and terror have followed each of those references, however, there still doesn't seem to be the over-aching "evil" association which corresponds with the mention. Can't say Chinese, Germans, or Christians are evil due to the choices of a select group which made an indelible mark in our history books.

So why then, after all is said and done, is there the impression that "Muslims" seem far worse? There is no excuse for what happened on 9/11, and what continues to be seen in the media with a little girl being shot for wanting education for her fellow companions.

But, it's safe to say, my mind should not be made up because most stories/remarks have lumped this group into the unsafe category.

It's because there isn't any other view, therefore, I can't assume the worst. Just wish it were easier to understand a group of people society deems too dangerous to portray in any other light.

Can't believe what people - myself included - are capable of doing: condemning people to negative stereotypes formed through incomplete inferences.

Being in the minority group, I know what it's like to have incomplete reasonings heaped on me in the form of discrimination. It's not a good feeling, that's why it was disappointing to see how easy it was to do to another. Scary how we/I can disregard people so easily.

Mistrust, misunderstandings and the brain's inability to see that "other" people have a different title, but still bleed red. No wonder there's a war on terror. Why shouldn't there be if we're constantly finding things to scare ourselves with?

I chanced upon that sentence which woke me up as I was writing notes from the Dalai Lama's book called An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life.

There he implores for us to understand that "fundamentally, all beings are equal to you in their wish for happiness and their desire to overcome suffering."

It's so easy to flow with the tide of public opinion. Takes a bit of courage to think otherwise. Reckon His Holiness is onto something with a call to be brave in having an open heart.

This song by Kevin Daniel just happened to be playing in the background as I started writing of my own ignorance. Think it reminds me I have to be a bit brave to challenge the ease with which I sway with majority opinions.

Until next time,

Jos

Please feel free to share what you think. Have you ever chanced upon a moment which made you question your own prejudices? What about the realisation that you had a bias/prejudice?

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More than just a piece of paper

A scroll which contains something more important than what's written on the paper itself. Photo / rgbstock

Dreams, hopes and aspirations. Is it possible to hold these in the palm of your hand?

Symbolism. The impact, the logic and then there's the emotion.

What occurs when people cradle an inanimate object like the holy grail? You couldn't pry it away with a crow bar.

What allows for something others wouldn't hesitate to dump in the trash, to become so valuable to another? A relic; a keepsake with an emotional tie that goes deeper than the peeling paint/varnish/shredding fabric?

What occurs in that moment when something becomes more than just a thing, and transcends its original value, becoming a priceless artefact seeped with the importance of someone's thoughts?

Thinking turns it into a treasure.

Like a piece of paper.

Entwined within the words "graduate" are both ink on the tangible level, and hope, on the deeper one.

A piece of paper becomes symbolic for all that a student wishes for, all that she/he hopes to become. There's magic mixed with sweat, coffee and tears. It's hard work driven by determination to become someone better. To be someone you can, or your parents can, be proud of.

Symbolism in an object.

For all the past graduates. Your dream is still there alive and waiting for you. That piece of paper which once meant so much, is now a symbol of the sleep-deprivation i.e. your hard work, resourcefulness and determination. A symbol of what you can achieve. Of what you still have yet to achieve. Of what you're capable of.

For all the graduands. I hope the message is keep on keepin' on. Exams are nearly over and a new dawn will break soon. The dawn of a future where you see yourself holding a piece of paper which holds much hope and promise.

Until next time,

Jos

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The little girl in pink

Life-like image drawn of the little girl. Photo / Joselyn Khor

Was walking in my own world of melancholy, thinking, what happened to the great days of old when the simple things in life were what mattered?

Just as that thought slipped past the net of endorphins fighting to barricade themselves in my brain I passed a girl no more than four.

Wearing a pink t-shirt and shorts combo she stood away from her dad, who had set himself between their brown labrador and me. The littler one of about two in a tutu, ceremoniously checked the letterbox.

The little girl in pink held my gaze and uttered, "Hello," a coy smile lighting up her face.

Just as I passed she added quickly, "Have a good day!"

Through a simple salutation, this wee one showed how kids can nourish the soul with their honest compassion.

Her view of a happy world untainted and uncorrupted by melancholy, or defiled by a merry-go-round of worries, picked me up in an instant.

A reminder that my own thoughts were the ones dragging me down, and how easy it was to switch by going back to the basics. This little girl was capable of brightening up my day.

Happiness, yes, it's that simple.

Until next time,

Jos

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The Big reTHiNK: Cast of Wayward Seniors caught on cam

(Clockwise top left) "Ruth", "Doug", "Sandra", me, "Alma" and "Jasper". Photo / Erin Gaffney 

Here's my team!

They surely did surprise me in rehearsal today. It was awesome to see them co-operating and trying out my requests, however over-the-top those seemed.

Saw them feeling a bit squeamish at times, but it seemed like they just sucked it up, powered through and cracked a few limitations that may have been hidden away in their psyche.

They listened, took in advice and delivered on a level exceeding expectations. Hoorah! Finally saw what I wanted to see in their performances.

The chemistry was there as they chose to reveal the idiosyncrasies of their characters, and also, a commitment to their lines which was wonderful to see. From what was observed in the time given to show what they were made of. They showed their capabilities, and then some.

I have been hard on them, must admit that point. The understanding is, the play's eight minutes. But, if those eight minutes stick out in your mind when you watch the show. Then pride and joy will be shooting out of my eyes. 

Ultimately, it will be for you to judge whether my nuttery was called for or not.

In five days, the great wish will be for you to experience what I'm talking about.

Until then,

Joselyn Khor

Tickets: From Q Theatre.
Ticket prices: $20 - $30 (Wed 03/10 to Fri 05/10), Gala Night Sat 06/10 $30 - $40.
Further information: Click here. The shows will run from Wednesday, October 3 to Saturday, October 6.
Facebook events page: The Big reTHiNK at Q.

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An ode to actors I cannot forget

Fascinated by the stage.

It's a curious position to be in. Sitting in the prime spot, smack bang in the middle of the seating area. Here, able to soak in the intensity, drama, minute facial expressions, and subtle brilliance of performances. This confounding situation I've alluded to is masked by the captivating interplay of darkness willing your eyes to focus solely on the vision before you. A vision which is enthralling, if done right.

The curious position I found myself in tonight, was that of an audience member, watching actors feeding me their passion through their impossible-to-fake tears, their taut bitchy faces or extravagant kingly gestures.

Watching all this unfold in the audience is magnificent and frightening at the same time for you know not what will come, and have no power to control what should be.

As a director, you advise, you bark orders, but on the night there is nothing left but to trust. These actors whom you see possessing a multitude of abilities are trusted to relive those rehearsed moments, but not only that, bring something inexplicably raw and uncompromisingly real to the stage.

In these moments, the voice of the director is a faint memory as actors themselves conjure up unforeseen capabilities that no order could inspire.

It is this capacity of actors to relive past pains, draw from that experience and drown in the sorrows of their stage skins that made being in the audience such a curiously wonderful experience.

In rehearsals, what we see, are sometimes tired faces that have memorised lines; walking the familiar walk to their positions.

However, on performance night. These sluggish specimens seem transformed. Their complexions glisten with a wilful wisdom as they strip away their inhibitions. From these expressions of complete concentration, you can almost envision their minds eye, seeing them enclosed in a cocoon, seeing the exterior slowly cracking away with each step they take towards centre stage so that as soon as the light hits them, these slugs become unimaginable creatures you cannot recognise. The beauty and grace of these stage vixens and beasts overcome their calloused, tired, human lineament. Inhabiting an otherworldly presence. One that can grasp your gaze and hold your breath at the same time.

'Acting' n.: the art or practise of representing a character on stage or before cameras.

Simple to read, hard to act upon.

In the dark, you see these forms before you, playing out the scenes. The fine line between reality and fantasy exists on a scale that the actor must balance precariously on. The weight of their performance can see them falling over the edge becoming too superfluous dragging you out of the scene, or so lacklustre as to make you aware of the dust dancing above their heads as they deliver their lines without sincerity, or even expression.

No, walking that fine line between reality and fantasy is an uncompromising necessity. A tyrannical rule which seeks to defile the sanity of directors and leave actors in a bubbling mess of self-loathing over the slicing words of harsh critics.

It's hard to walk on this tightrope of stage craft. Hard to find that balance, but when it's struck and the actor unfailingly captivates the audience as a daredevil does on that rope 200 feet in the air, you know you've chanced upon something extraordinary. You've laid your eyes on a person with the devilish finesse of a con artist twirling you around her pinkie. The stage vixen however, not only wants your attention, she craves your emotions. By the pure daring of her vulnerability laid bare, it seems you are allowed to open yourself up to the scene unfolding before you.

True beauty lies in performances that no longer allow for the definition of acting. The beauty of stage craft is the moment you no longer see the world around you as seats and the stage. The beauty becomes the moment you're invited into the life of that being in the actor's minds eye. The one you could've sworn you caught a glimpse of as he was heading towards the spotlight centre stage. The one that now exists before you as the remnants of the cocoon remain in the wings. A new being, a new life. Explosive energy and vivacious technique. The master of the craft is a master at trickery. Able to con you with their tears. The beauty of it is when you are awoken by the dampness of your cheeks having fallen as you caught that glimpse of theirs.

Actors. Like ghosts, the visions of you will haunt me as I walk out of those theatre doors.

Humbly yours,

Joselyn Khor

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Big reTHiNK update: One week and a bit left, eek!

Fuzzy peek at what I've been using in my DIY room for props and other things. See if you can make anything out. Photo / Joselyn Khor

Hi guys,

So the Wayward Seniors team has one week and a bit to go before they stun you onstage at Q Theatre.

Progress has been fantastic. Their deadline to remember lines came and went, with lines sticking to memory (for the most part).

Stage directions have been sussed and we just need to make sure you guys can hear them, so a bit more work on voices to go.

In the video I say they just completed their fourth to last rehearsal - not good with numbers on the spot - I meant fifth (or sixth) to last.

Costumes have been organised and I'm in the process of adding finishing touches to one of the actress' costumes. Praying everything will stay in place, otherwise feathers will be ruffled.

In other news. Sunday saw me driving to Titirangi's Lopdell House to meet a strapping gentleman who goes by the name of Henry Atkinson. Gathered around this stoic figure of a man - we had comedians, artists, writers and directors posing in green and pink for the Titirangi Tatler.

Photographer for the day: Taimi.

If you want to check out the behind the scenes shots, have a gander here.

Nice little trip, got to meet others involved in The Big reTHiNK, plus I got a free coffee out of it. Score.

Another photoshoot's coming up this Sunday and this will involve everyone, I believe. So all those acting and directing will be present.

Wonder if chaos will ensue. From what I've seen of this photogenic bunch, doubt there'll be cat fights or evil glares from across the room because at this point something definitely is amiss: egos.

Guess that's what you get when you're involved in something like reTHiNK, "craziness" is accepted because what's "normal"? Idiosyncrasies and oddities take centre stage leaving egos in the cold, and owners of upturned noses find themselves stumbling as the door hits them on their way out.

At least, that's my impression so far. We'll have to wait till Sunday to see if egos appear. As they say it's all an act for the camera. Now the real show will be what appears behind the scenes.

As I watch it unfold, wonder if there'll be any free coffee?

Until next time,

Jos

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