Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Inhuman Beings







Abuse abuse abuse.
What is it that sparks such a disturbing manner into one's thoughts till the point it produced excitement and joy?
Its not an act of sanity.

I've been watching a lot of animal abuse videos posted on youtube and mainly Facebook, lately. A hooded teen throwing helpless new-born puppies into a river, a sexy woman stabbing a poor kitten in search of some love in the eye with her heels, twisted chinese girls sitting on glass placed on top of an innocent bunny till its being crushed to death and now,a most recent one that happened right here in Malaysia is a chinese man, slapping and tossing a poodle across the room after it failed it's lessons in standing only on its hind legs. Seriously?!

Since when did these creatures were ever able to be human in the first place?...Never had and never will.
But as for these so-called humans, they are doing a really good job at becoming inhuman. In fact, its a disgrace to label them anything more than an animal!
They're sick people with the heart of Satan's.

Since the video of the abused poodle started popping up on facebook about a few days ago, thousand of outraged viewers has been ganging up on finding these abusers in the video for some cruel yet fair revenge. Big and important names from th government has also made calls in complaint of the grueling act.

The video was posted up by someone who claimed she had discovered it on a thumbdrive and decided to upload it on the popular video streaming site > Youtube.
It became a popular hit. It saddened me, as a Muslim Malaysian, of how cruel AND stupid our locals can behave towards an animal!
As I'm writing this, I am also holding back tears in pity for the poodle. And no, im not just saying this to add in the dramatic episode. Personally, i love dogs. And i've been wanting one for myself to share love and care between us humans and them animals. After all, we came from one creator. But of course being a Malaysian muslim, i am restricted into owning a dog and this enraged me to think that those unfortunate innocent animals have to fall in the hands of knowledge-less people.

In the 15 minuets-long video, a shirtless man is seen yelling and shouting (in cantonese) at the poodle to stand on only its hind legs while a woman was recording the event. After failed attempt of the poodle to do so (hence, its a dog -_-) the man then started slapping and tossing the hurt dog across the room.
I have not personally watch this video yet and i dont think i even want to.
Just looking at these pictures makes me sick to my stomach and im typing this being completely PISSED OFF!
Idiots! *pardon my language but without a doubt, they deserve more than just foul language.

I HOPE that the authorities would soon get those involved in the video in handcuffs and behind bars if not on the electric chair.

Please people, start behaving like one.



NO TO ANIMAL ABUSE!
Atif
**************

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Books: For One More Day



Its funny that i suddenly just 'gave birth' to my interest in reading. And this book makes me wanna continue reading!
Mitch Albom's 'For One More Day' is indeed a heartfelt book worth the read.
The book tells a story of a guy who lost contacts with his daughter and ex-wife, this lead him to the point of suicidal and as he involved himself in an accident, he found himself back at his childhood home, talking to his dead mother for a day. I shall not reveal the ending and details. Thats up to you to read up on it.

Mitch writes with simplicity which makes the book readable to anyone and his imagination on this story will lead u to tears as u go from one chapter to another.
Of all the days i took time to read this book, it only took 2 days to finish it up. Yes, this is indeed a MUST-READ among her other work such as '5 People You Meet In Heaven' and 'Tuesdays With Morrie' (which i have yet start reading, though i WILL).

ps: me being young, i just realized they made a movie of this book too! I would strongly advise you to take a read first before watching the movie. :)

Honest TRUTH: Khurafat ~ Perjanjian Syaitan




So Its been a week since the movie has been released in our local cinemas, and words are flying out and about that this movie, KHURAFAT, is one of the best horror movie and a must-watch this year.

'Best'? 'Must-watch'?.....my question, which part???
As i confirmed my tickets, i was excited to know that what im about to watch is something my friends were tweeting about and how our local newspaper 'The Star' reviewed it as a horror movie filled with thrills, screams and suspense!
Little did i know i would walk out of the cinema feeling fooled, betrayed and above all, VERY upset with our local 'audiences'/film-critics on letting out false statement on KHURAFAT.

Perhaps some of you are saying im putting the standards a little bit too high on our local film industry and THIS was good enough. But if 'THIS' is good enough and my standards are 'too high', then when oh when will our industry starts improving into producing quality movies?
We will never go far if KHURAFAT is considered a good movie in the public eyes. Our audience plays a big cause, but thats another controversial topic.

Ok now, the FLAWS:
Typical malay scripts. Cliche' to-the-max and therefor, making it extremely unrealistic in our day to day conversation. Yes, it is always nice to read a well-spoken, formal dialogue BUT..that does NOT apply when it involves hearing it. Unless the movie is set way back in the early 19's or 18's, formal and polite scripts are just less believable to our present-day life-style. How can we relate ourself into the movie? When we cant relate, how would they expected us to enjoy the movie in full concentration? The audience will not get to feel or 'menghayati' the movie. And the number one criteria in making a good movie, is to make it as believable as possible.
Next we have the most obvious flaw through out the movie. "Camera, ACTION!" its like the director forgotten one important ingredient in making a realistic movie. LIGHTS!!! Can someone pleaseeeeeee turn on some lights on the set?! Yes i know the theme of the whole movie is based on chills and dark suspense moments, but when a scene is only lighted up with a 44 watts spotlight in the office, it makes us think of why haven't the hospital paid their bills yet? Unnecessary thoughts such as these will interrupt one's flow in the movie's storyline. In fact, there was a laughing chapter among the audience as one made funny assumptions on why there isn't enough lights in the scene!
Bad acting. Bad actresses. Nothing new in out local cinema problems. Who is in charge of the movie's casting dept? Why are they hiring such lousy actors? Can i even be extra cruel in being honest?..yes i can. UGLY UGLY actors! Not all of course. But some very unfavourable faces on the big screens. There are many many other actors who can play those roles much better. But it seems like talent and looks is blind when it comes to those in charge of the casting department. Yes, yes, yes. They were blind as a bat and the only thing they were doing was listening to the actors script reading without looking. Most probably why they didn't put the 'Doraemon' VO > Fasha Sandha in it. That, i must say was a good move. THE ONLY good move done.
Typical movie line and repeated scenes made KHURAFAT another obvious film to waste time one watching. Ghost at the back, girl looks back, ghost goes missing, girl looks around, girl does slow head turn to the obvious direction of the ghost..and TADAAAA there's the ghost!!!! Shocking and original right? *sarcasm*
You'll find yourself watching these types of scene through out the movie and if this sounds all too familiar, well it's probably because these are THE scenes used in EVERY local horror films. Predictable, typical, old-school, boring..YAWN ;o

There are plenty other details into making KHURAFAT a disappointment in my book, but biggest of all was that i held on to the false hope i got from local movie critics and easy-to-please audiences. Maybe it's my fault to think that finally, our Malaysian directors, that Syamsul Yusof ( who also starred in the movie. Another M.Night Syamalan? ), has finally come up with an original ghost movie with plenty of twists and unexpected story-line. Nevertheless we ( or in this case, I ) was lead to feeling nothing less than being annoyed and upset that i have wasted a good 1hour+ of my life! Will our Malaysian filmmakers ever make an original film? isn't it time already?! -__-

A friend i went to watch with said that KHURAFAT shouldn't have been nothing more than a telemovie and i have to put on my full agreement on that statement. KHURAFAT was not worth the hype.

If i had to rate KHURAFAT,
MOVIE rating: 2 stars.

.FAIL.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

New Year, New Changes

Happy new year to all my readers!
Yes, I'm well aware that I'm now about about 2 weeks overdue. My apologies.

Anyhow, On 11.1.11, I turned 22! Happy B'day to meeeeeeEEEEEEe.
hehehe
No i dont feel old or physically different. Neither wings or (visible) horns have pop'd out from my head YET. And whats with this "So how does it feel being 22?" question??
How else am i suppose to feel?!

Moving on...on the start of 2011 itself, the 'universe' has showed and promised me change for the year. POSITIVE change!!! FINALLY!!!
2010 wasn't a good year for me. Filled with mischiefs and other countless dramatic moments i kept to myself.
This year, although its just beginning, Im happy to say that things are looking brighter for me.

So here are some updates on my personal life:
LOVE. oooohhhhh how i remember i hated that 'L' word. It has abandoned me for one whole year and now its BACK and its REAL.
Yes, I've been shooting cupid in the head lately but i forgot to shoot Karma! Careless me. tsk tsk
Now, Karma has played its card on me and im reminded again to NEVER say NEVER.
You might be asking "what's so bad if Karma has provided you love?". Well yes it is a positive thing and i WANT this kind of Karma on me. But how sure are we that this will last? What if things ends abruptly and im left with another broken heart yet again? Then THAT'S what you call a slap in the face.
Truth is, neither of us knows where this road will lead us. But a good friend once said to me recently ( and I try to remember this often ) > Every time your in a happy place, take a step back, breath in, enjoy the moment, and breath out. Do it again and again to make time moves slower. Its all about appreciation. And that is what WE have to do.
Simple...but difficult.

And what about my career you ask?
Career?? Atif Zulkifly working?
LOL
Yes peeps, The time has come. I shall not reveal much at this point of time, for im not yet officially working yet. But when i am, i'll keep ya'll posted aites!
One hint on this topic though: Im gonna be very busy and tired of flying ;)

I'd love to reveal more of my 2011 life but this will only lead from one yawn to another. Basically, i just wanted to update my blo with a simple 'Happy New Year' greeting but since im way overdue and its way too short, this was the best i can come up with.

Thanks for reading this far. And i'll keep more posts up soon
Meanwhile, If u have not heard....Justin Bieber is coming to Kuala Lumpur.
No, im nto a fan but i figured you guys would like to know anyways ;p

Till then, stay safe!
xoxo