Ally’s Thoughts: Dreamy Eyes/ Mắt biếc (2019)

Hi friends and readers,

Recently, I watched a Vietnamese movie on Netflix called Dreamy Eyes (Mắt biếc) released in 2019. Here is a description from IMDb:

Through heartbreak and betrayal, a young man’s unrequited love for his childhood best friend endures for a generation in this sweeping romance.

And here is the trailer for the movie.

As usual, I’m not going to review about the movie but I want to share about the theme or questions that made me ponder after watching it. I was actually want to talk about the thought of how long someone should wait but I talked about this movie to a friend and she raised a question that was really interesting to me.

This post may contain spoilers, if you don’t want to be spoiled, feel free to divert your attention away right now. If you are unfazed to any spoilers, come and join me to ponder-land.

First, let’s talk about the first question.

How long should we wait for someone?

In the movie, Ngan has been attracted to Ha Lan since young. He did not set his eyes on anyone else even after a lot of things happened between them. The story span until they are in their thirties. In the end, when both realizes that one has been sacrificing too much and the other has been taking everything for granted, it’s probably too late.

I believe the question is not really straightforward as it seems. It really depends on the situation. Is it one-sided? Is it mutual? Is it long distance? Is it this? Is it that? Is it about pursuing one’s dream career or passion?

In a different perspective, it is also relatable to the concept of ‘right person at the wrong time’. In which a concept that I don’t favor at all. To me, there is no such thing as ‘the right person at the wrong time’, it’s just the unfavorable situation that leads to someone decided not to pursue and cut off the relationship. Most probably out of the inconveniences that happened.

Back to the question, in terms of waiting someone, why does waiting even an option? I see life as a journey and each of us is moving forward to a different direction and it’s never a linear path. Why we even have to wait? Why not go through the journey together and see if it’s working or not? It’s the so-called test. Most likely the notion of I’ll wait is just compensating in lack of a certain aspect of the relationship. In a way, I’m babbling too much at this point.

For example in the case of this movie, Nhan patiently waiting for Ha Lan and sacrificed everything for her. While he most likely has a high hope that Ha Lan will return to the village with her and accept her love, I noticed that he never really communicate what he really wanted. If I remember correctly, there were not a single scene that they really talk about what they want from each other.

As for my opinion, before we even say we are willing to wait for someone, we need to be clear on so many things first. Have the necessary talk on needs and expectations, future plans, and be decisive on what do we really want. I think in a way, the idea of supporting each other will be the key that leads to the better option which is ‘why wait. let’s get through this together’.

What about you? What’s your idea of waiting for someone?

Do you choose someone that love you OR someone that you love?

I had a conversation with a friend and I told her about this movie. We ended up talking about the question above because I asked her who will you choose, someone that love you OR someone that you love?

Because in the movie, while Ngan was pursuing Ha Lan, there is a character that has been chasing Ngan, Hong. I see Hong in the same position as Ngan but somehow, Hong was really clear with her intention and often try to convey that feeling to Ngan. Unfortunately, it’s unrequited.

Then, my friend said something that really, again took me to ponder-land. She said;

Do you love someone because you need them? Or do you need them that’s why you love them?

At first, it does sounds the same thing but after giving it a deeper thought, it’s really different. From my perspective and understanding nowadays, there are so many ways to show love to someone. In a romantic context, the goal doesn’t have to be ‘being in a relationship with the person’. To be able to show support is also a form of love. It’s also about understanding how much you are willing to give without losing your self-worth.

As for the question she asked, I’ll choose the person that love me within the certain acceptable context. Again, life is not always black and white. It depends. Each one of us might go through a similar situation but completely different background.

It’s been awhile since I write something that is really interesting to ponder. Please, feel free to share your thoughts and opinion on the comment section!


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Live well friends and readers!

That we alone, understand.

This is a tribute to a 2013 Turkish film, Kelebegin Rüyasi (The Butterfly’s Dream).

Life is a hallowed word,
Simple and weightless,
Like a breeze of wind,
From the eyes of the ignorants,

But life from the heart,
Of those who struggles,
As the ground tore them apart,
Shackled them to uncertainties,

And the path of suffering,
That we alone, understand.

Ally’s Thoughts: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)

Hi everyone,

I just finished watching The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on Netflix. I added it on My List for quite some times. Only now I have the feel to watch it. I am glad not a second wasted on this movie.

The movie is based on a novel with the same title written by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows that was published in 2008.

The movie is about Juliet, a writer from London received a letter from a book club in Guernsey called The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Yes, it’s a mouthful one indeed but there are circumstances. Led by curiosity, Juliet went to Guernsey to uncover the truth behind the book club.

As usual in Ally’s Thoughts segment, this is not a review of a movie but more on sharing few points and perspective that really caught my attention in the movie. There might be few spoilers around, if you don’t want to be spoiled, turn around now.

The place we truly belong

Perhaps, not everyone would resonate about it. However, there are people out there that are looking for a place they would call home, family, and longed for familiar connections with the people around them.

Imagine there are so many things going on in your life, suddenly, you feel that the thing that is happening to you feels so distant. While you have accomplished so much, yet, you still feel something missing.

That thought made you wonder and ponder, made you searched to understand. You are looking for an answer, no mediocre ones can really satisfy you. While everyone around you tried to convince you otherwise, you kept on and believe in the voices of your heart.

I believe that is what Juliet has experienced. She was not ready to settle in her current state. She still couldn’t get off her pasts and searching for something to give her strength to move on. She found a reason when she received the letter from Dawsey.

She was probably doubting herself a lot before making that decision. To step out and look for something. Driven by her curiosity and guts. She couldn’t let go. This was shown many times in the movie.

Even when there were resistance directly telling her to stop and carry on from the book club. She stayed in Gurnsey and building deeper connection with the club members. Her strong feeling keeps on guiding her to stay for the sake of uncovering the truth. In the end, she uncovered the truth about the club and the truth about herself. The truth about what she strongly believed.

I believe that there are plenty of times in my life, I tried to be rational about things. There are times when I decide to ignore my feeling and live up to the standard norm. Nothing wrong with that, the decisions were made by myself. There are no points in regretting them.

However, there are plenty of time as well that some decisions left my feeling to voice out louder. The feeling went so intense that I can’t ignore. Later, the feeling won over my rational decision.

Perhaps that was the decision that we truly belonged. Like there are forces that intervened and brought out new perspectives.

There are so many quotes from the movie I wished to share but there are not many available in the web. Even so, I would really love to share this one.

Such a small thing, just a book. Yet, it brought me all this way.

Juliet

There are times when the smallest thing in our life made us brace ourselves and brought out the courage inside us. Some may be insignificant to others but to us, it leads us to the place we truly belong.

Now, I really need to find the book and read it. That is how it usually happened to me. Movies first, then the books.

Ally’s Thoughts: When We First Met (2018)

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Source: Listal

Hi everyone!

To be honest with you guys, I don’t remember the last time I went to the cinema. Previously, I would watch new movies every week. As for now, I’m not that active anymore. However, I spent my weekend watching movies on Netflix. Yes, I tried the free one month subscription. Mainly because I wanted to watch one Netflix original movie, When We First Met (2018).

I know some might say, this is just a typical romantic comedy with cliche plot… Do tell me what movies are not considered cliche nowadays. All I wanted to say is that, its all about how we enjoy watching it.

For those who are not familiar with my segments, this is not a movie review. This segment is my random thoughts about the movie. Usually I will talk about my experience discovering the values in the movie. Without further ado, lets get this thought of mine started.

The synopsis:

Noah spends the perfect first night with Avery, the girl of his dreams, but gets relegated to the friend zone. He spends the next three years wondering what went wrong – until he gets the unexpected chance to travel back in time and change that night – and his fate – over and over again.

Imagine this, you were given the ability or a chance to go back in time and do things that will fix the errors you made in the present time. You try to fix your relationship for example. However, whenever you changed something, things will changed in the future as well. Whatever you do come with consequences or so called the butterfly effect.

I believe we all experienced this before, ‘If only I can turn back time and do this…’ thinking when we regret or unsatisfied about something that happened. I have been in that kind of situation countless of time. However, I would just take a deep breath and accept it and move on.

I have a firm believe on things happened for a reason or more. I don’t believe in coincidence. It’s just which perspective I would look when something happened. No matter how bad things are, we don’t have the superpower or the capabilities to turn back time. For us, time just move forward without waiting us. If we get left behind, we will be left behind.

Simple way to put it, if you spent your young days doing meaningless things and that realization came very late to you, you can never get back the youth you had. All you have now, is the coming old days. Whats worst is when you started to regret without the strength to move on.

I know how tough it can be… especially when the things that happened was really heavy. You feel that the world fall on you and you can’t get up at all. The first person that can help you is yourself and not the first person to reach their hand to you. To me, if someone reach their hand to help you but you don’t want to help yourself, things will be hard and might now work out.

It is important for you to find the strength to help yourself first and only then you will be able to appreciate more the helps and supports from others.

Ally’s Thoughts: The Movie By My Side (2017) Feels Deep

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I heard about the movie last month after I watched some videos in Youtube and the trailer was recommended. I knew that Jinnyboy and his crew was working on a movie but I didn’t know that the movie will be released in September. After I watched the trailer, the urged to watch it is the only motivation I need. To be honest, its pretty rare for me to watch local films but I believe in their production and they will capture younger and modern audience, after the movie today, I was right!

By My Side is a love story between Faye and Ben. They knew each other ever since primary school and fell in love with each other. Their relationship was tested after they completed their SPM exam and Ben furthered his study in Australia. Can they stand strong? You have to watch it if you are in Malaysia.

There are only two ways to watch the movie currently, through video streaming service Tonton and watch it at TGV Cinemas.

Why this movie is worth mentioning?

When it comes to local movie in Malaysia, some Malaysian can be skeptical and treating them one eyed which pretty much because how lame it is. However, recent years there are many good local movies that made their ways to the audience heart and gained numbers of followers. While some can be experimental, indie and out of the ordinary, there are ones that are enjoyable and memorable.

The movie is straight forward, two young lovers separated by decisions and wanted the best for their life. What makes it interesting was how it was presented! As I was watching it, the beginning part of the movie already played us emotionally. The instant connection on how relatable the movie is.

Most of the audience on my row, cried and despite the witty lines trying to cheer the mood up, we mercilessly thrown with deep quotes that I can’t think of anyone but Lang Leav (The scripts made me imagined it that way). Even so, some of the lines are lame and sounds try hard but I think its pretty much what happened in our daily Malaysian conversation.

One point that I want to share about the movie is ‘distance’.

It doesn’t matter if it is in relationship, friendship, family, or such. Distance can make everything distant. When distant take over, it will create a big problem that will eventually ruin everything. Why? Whenever we feel distant means we lacked in communication. Real communication. A simple conversation no longer  invoke the same feeling that we used to feel. It only created more confusions than it to clarify.

We really need to communicate so we could understand each other better.

You can watch the trailer below.

I’m not sure if it was intentional or not but there is a scene was presented as the same scene as La La Land did! I cried the girl sitting next to me cried as well. Well, I did offered her a pack of tissue but she said no nicely. At least I tried. 😀

Ally’s Thoughts: Ali And Nino (2016)

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Image from: http://www.1news.az

Hi, everyone!

I recently watched a movie called Ali And Nino. It is a book adaptation with the same title by Kurban Said. The book was first published in 1937 and the book has been translated more than 30 languages.

The plot simply described by IMDB as,

Love story of a Muslim Azerbaijani boy and Christian Georgian girl in Baku from 1918 to 1920.

Simple and neat!

If this is your first time reading Ally’s Thoughts, do not worry about spoilers because I don’t really give away spoilers. If you can’t trust me, please avoid reading.

If you are an adventurous reader, you will surely understand why I enjoy this movie so much.

So, let’s start.

When it comes to love story we all know how romantic and disastrous it can be, depending on how the plot goes. By the simplified plot description above, it is about intercultural love. This is the main reason why I decided to watch it. Other reason would be the setting of the story. The story sets in 1918 which you might say a time of war and turbulence.

For a romantic drama, some might look for the happy ending and some might want to see some twist at the end of the movie. I am looking for something else. I’m looking for the progress in the movie.

What happened in the beginning of the story? What kind of choices did they make? What kind of conflicts are they having? Did they settle things in the most cliche ways? How the characters react to an event? These are the things I’m looking for.

So, what is the thing that made me really enjoy Ali and Nino?

My answer would be, the journey.

This movie will take you on a journey of diverse culture, ethnic, religion, landscape and history.

Imagine you fall in love with someone that you know your parents will never accept. Then, the world throw wars at you. Just to add the flavor in the plot, you have dreams to achieve. How complicated that would be? Will you changed? Will you be put to your knee when it tests you?

It can be complicated but that is the jewel of the movie. The journey they took to the amazing colors, architectures, complex politics, cultural differences and the nature of war.

It made me understand a little about their way of life back then. In some part, the way of life is still practiced today. I am totally at awe with these elements.

I would like to share a dialogue that I really enjoy.

Nino: Will you marry a fallen woman?
Ali: Are you ready to stay in this hut forever?

What is a fallen women? Why they need to get used living in the hut? You need to watch it for yourself.

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Image from: Publishers Weekly

As for now, I will be looking for the book. Hopefully it will be available in major international bookstores here. My finger is crossed.

I would recommend this movie to someone who enjoy romance and drama. One who have eyes in culture. Also, bored people that don’t know how to spend their time.

I wish everyone have a great and lovely day ahead!

*Some quick fact: My name can be read as Ali too and perhaps that is my name? Shhh…

Movies In Six Words Pt. 5

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Hi everyone! I only been able to watch some movies lately because I just finished watching Vikings! Yep, cleared Season 4!

Anyway, here are my movies in six words!

The Illusionist: Tutorial on making your girlfriend disappear.

Remember Sunday: Ruin a relationship by not listening.

Knock Knock: How to be traumatized helping others.

Swiss Army Man: Harry Potter is dead but useful!

Accidentally In Love: Not your average accident scene people!

Lone Ranger: Epic cowboys riding high speed train.

Imperium: Harry Potter supports the white supremacist.


Any movies come into mind?

Ally’s Thoughts: La La Land (2016)

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Image from: lalaland.movie

Hi, everyone! How is your weekend? Great I hope!

Why now Ally? La La Land was months ago! Why now? It’s never too late. Correct?

I actually watched this movie last month and I was hit pretty bad emotionally. Let me be honest, I was seriously skeptical about this movie at first. La La Land? Seriously? What is with this vivid eye piercing color in the posters? The actor and actresses… I have no problem and I actually like Ryan’s movies. Not a fan of Emma though.

As usual, Ally’s Thought is not about movie review but more on how I feel about the movie. So, no worries! If you have not watched it, minimum spoilers here!

Okay! Here we go!

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Image from: Tumblr

Have you met someone that really plays a big role in your life? I mean, not in the sense of family but strangers that entered your life and became someone so close to you that they changed you?

Those strangers can be the person next to you in a public transport, the person sits next to you in a theater, the person who waited for the bus with you or someone that you met long ago and suddenly appeared again!

When they entered your life, little by little they changed you. They are being supportive and you feel that the both of you can spearheads the future together! Both of you are unstoppable!

Definitely, you are the luckiest person in the world! However, when you are sharing your life with someone special, conflicts are bound to happen. When that happened, you need to decide, you need to make decisions.

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Image from: Tumblr

For me, decisions are not about good or bad. Decisions are about living the best of your life. Others may think that you made bad decisions, but for yourself, it is the other way around. Sometimes, you think you made the best choice but you did not get the best out of it. You can’t turn back time, you need to live with it and focus on the next decisions in life.

The movie shows these points very well in my opinion! Okay, that is my first part. Now, why I enjoyed this movie so much other than the thoughts that rummaged my brain so much while watching it.

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Image from: Cinemasiren

When we want to say a movie being musical, it is not about the movie plus people singing and dancing! In my opinion, it is more than that. Good musical movies will share these characteristics!

Plot to be remembered,
Scenes to be remembered,
Songs to be remembered,
Dances to be remembered,

And it touches,
Your heart and your soul.

And I totally dedicate this poem to the movie!

La La Land have great soundtracks! Any beat from the songs will make you recognized it instantly and you will be able to pull the emotions in you!

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Image from: Asian Movie

I’m not sure if you enjoyed musical but I grew up with Bollywood movies (Malaysian will understand!), some songs will just keep playing on repeat inside your head. La La Land gave me the same effect!

I know there are others who dislike the movie and said that this movie is overrated. I don’t blame you and surely, I am not mad. In a different perspective, this movie might not be the best movie compared to the others but I believe every movie has their own strengths.

My eyes were teary on the epilogue and totally relatable. You may have different results and will give you the best in your life. However, once you made your decision, you need to brace yourself and work your way to be better!

Have you watched it? Did you enjoy it? Share your thoughts with me.

Movies in Six Words Pt. 4

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Hi lovely people!

Let’s hit this week movies in 6 words segment!

The Girl Next Door: How high school students making porn.

John Wick: Kill his dog, he kills you.

The Godfather: Not a mob movie, trust me.

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids: Irresponsible father experimenting on his kids.

The Terminator: “I’ll be back!” is what matter.

Rocky: Lost your motivation? Watch this!

It: How I hate clowns, even now.

Warm Bodies: Even zombies fall for the blonde.

Enjoyed it? Do catch the other part if you missed them!

Pt. 1
Pt. 2
Pt. 3

If you want to take part in the tag challenge, here is how to do it!

[Tag Challenge] Movies In 6 Words

Until next time!

Ally’s Thoughts: The Giver (2014)

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Image from: The State Times

Good day everyone!

This thoughts still keep coming doesn’t it? This movie was recommended by Singledust. Check out her amazing short stories that can really captured your innocent side!

If you have not watched the movie and hate spoilers, don’t worry because there are not much spoilers in here.

Who believes in a perfect world? A Utopia? The movie shares that vision where everyone are equal and same. Which they called ‘sameness’. The movie ‘Equals’ shares almost the same idea. In order to achieve peace and serenity, emotions and feelings need to be stripped away from humanity.

So how do I feel about it? What are my thoughts against this idea? If there is a point one day where humanity decided to vote or to choose (which most likely will not happen because, we will surely be forced), I will not vote or support and I am on the side of opposing this very idea. Why?

Before I tell you why, I wanted to say that I do understand the benefits of living in such condition. I must say, human are complex being. They have mind and thoughts which makes us different compared to animal. Animal lives based on their instinct and not mind. That is what I believe and I do accept others will have their own opinion in this matter.

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Image from: Pinterest

There was a time in my life, that I believe this world can run without money. I asked people about it. They would say, impossible. We need money. We cannot live without money. If there are no money, are using barter system? The barter system has flaws!

They are not wrong, really. However, the world that I believe can work without money. How? Imagine this, you wanted something from me, lets say I grown apples and you want them. I would say,  ‘take it’. I do not want anything in return. Then, I went somewhere and wanted something. They gave me and ask nothing in return. The thoughts that you might have now, that is impossible! Of course when we gave something, we wanted something in return. If you think about it, is that not greed? Where is the sincerity of giving something or sharing something that we have? Think about it.

Again, this is not in small scale, this is global. You wanted to travel just get your ticket from the flight company. You wanted to watch a movie, go to the cinema and get your ticket. You want to get groceries, go to the supermarket and take it. Perfect? Ask yourself, what do you think of my idea? Acceptable? Totally rejected? Why? Tell me in the comment below.

It may look perfect. Wonderful utopia indeed. But there was this one guy shared his thoughts, he said, ‘True it is a wonderful world. But, one thing that they will not have, the improvement and innovation. Your idea somehow will be filled with people who has no motivation to improve themselves. They know they can just get the things that they wanted and they will get lazy eventually’. I do not object, there are truth in his words.

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Image from: Pinterest

Now, let me share why I  will be on the opposing side. In order to achieve this perfect world, sacrifices had to be made. In this part, your emotions and feelings. The society in this movie stripped the feeling of love, loss, desire, freedom and sadness. They will decide what you have to do and what you will do on your life. If you do not fit in any roles in their society, you will be ‘released’ in other words, ‘put to your eternal sleep’.

I detest the idea. We are being naive by believing that we have no need of emotions and feelings. We believed we can play god. How arrogant is that? I actually have another opinion which is religion oriented but I am trying to be general as I can in this post.

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Image from: http://www.ceylonguidance.com

Let us do some imagining activity right now. We are to create a peaceful world. Where do we start? Individual! Yes, that is the answer. I have the power to create a better world. You have it, he have it, she have it and  everyone have it! Next one is the method. Everyone need to implement the same method in achieving peace. If its different, you see what happened nowadays. When we have the same mindset and the same method, we will move in unison towards peace. Then comes the order and rules to maintain. I believe there are more but I cannot think further right now.

What I truly believe, be it in reality or fantasy, everyone has the same opportunity to help in creating a better life. The doctors, the teachers, the writers, the engineers and everyone. If  they are willing to see and open their eyes, know whats good and wrong, come to an understanding. We can! First step is ourselves.

There are many aspects and perspectives that we can see in the movie. And I am just talking about the background of the movie itself and not on characters.

As for the movie part, I do enjoy watching it. If you are interested in sci-fi and utopian genre. Do give this movie a chance.