Raving success: NIM’s island!!

Very surprising no one was in the theatre when I watched this movie. Nim’s island provides entertainment, morals and inspiration. The little girl, starring Abigail Breslin, gives us a pictorial comic image of her lost mother at sea. She lives with her dad, Gerard Butler, on their south pacific island with an albatross, seal and lizard. They co exist peacefully with the wildlife in the jungles.

The turning point is the book adventures of Alex Rover getting delivered to them. it’s Nim’s hero , he is so brave and fearless, nothing fazes him. In the States, San Francisco, the author of Alex Rover has problems getting out of her house. Alex is short for Alexandra, Jodie Foster. She’s excellent, I kept laughing at her being kind of a neat-freak using several bottles of handwash detergent to clean herself, making people deliver her things on the door without stepping out of the house. Later, it’s revealed to people who don’t understand why as agoraphobia.

One day, Nim’s father sails off to sea to find more sea creatures. He’s a renouned marine biologist of National Geographic. But he is no seafarer, upon his journey back, his boat meets a storm. I felt terrible for him, tossed about like a small person. It’s heart- rending that Nim didn’t follow him when he asked her to. From that point onwards, I thought it would be a sad ending.

Meanwhile, Nim is eluded that the author is really Alex Rover, a guy. Excitedly she emails ‘him’ that she’s willing to help answer any questions. Her father answers his email daily. The author dares not venture out of her house, thus she can’t do research. She requests for Nim to help her find out what’s it like inside a volcano. She climbs a volcano and injures herself falling down. You can see the contrast between the feisty little girl and the timid (scaredy cat) woman- Nim braving the rocks sliding down with only a rope and her lizard for company; the agoraphobic not daring to leave the house at all. Nim waits for her father to return in vain. More tourists want to invade their island, so she hatches a plan to bomb them off with crawlies. Even after the tourists take off, only one boy knowing she’s there, her dad still does not come home. She’s so courageous that I admire her! It is my secret dream to live with animals in the jungles, being totally free and wild.

Meanwhile, when Alex learns of her plight, she tries to navigate there with only the rough coordinates. That’s a hilarious sequence of moments which shouldn’t be missed. Alex herself speaks to her character looking like a nutcase to an audience, arguing why she is even going there in the first place. On the final leg when she gets a boat to the island and is abandoned midway, the main thing driving her is poor Nim with an injury.

Ironically Alex is almost drowned in the seas and saved by Nim and her seal. The girl is furious with her when it’s not the perfect strong man that has come to right things.

The most poignant moment is apparent as Nim finally gives up hope and breaks down. Foster timidly reaches out to hug her… and they both acknowledge that they need each other’s company. Nim thought that she could live with her pets only, but deep inside she felt desolate and lost. And yet the satisfying conclusion will bring you tears and laughter. Action comes in little bursts, but the warmth and practicality will be a solace. It well-deserves a commendation.

Diary of a Hapless house husband

It's in the form of a diary of Sam Holden. It is a fictitious name also for the author himself whose photo is there and took over his wife at home temporarily. Cheered me up, wish for a TRULY happy holiday, not nagging and do-this-do-that. Already can't go anywhere... Why are people so oldfashioned? Time should be made for fun!

Men who think it is easy looking after two kids at home should read this. The children Peter and Daisy are very funny. When Sam scolds them, they talk back. They use vulgarities shit and fuck. See adults, stop criticising coz you can't be an angel totally. One of the most humorous examples is Sam making a timetable to bring the children to playdate and preparing food for them etc. Firmly wanting them to work! In the end it doesn't work! Kids make a mess, fall down... up to mischief. Deciding he has had enough of this life, Sam wants to do a parttime work, fireman! Haha, he's petrified he's got to hang off by one leg from a ladder. He decided on a rash impulse after seeing a drama.

His wife Sally... she's a career woman. Sally is practical but wouldn't betray him. He thinks she is having an affair outside the home, as she is so near a man. Sam hates him, follows the two adulterers doggedly... bribing the cabby and the waiters with lousy money. He's too poor to do that and he's still going ahead! Crazy. Then sent a note to scold the asshole, who went to the gents. His wife felt sorry for him, and told him it was a misunderstanding.

This is why life is dull and when you want peace, it is too much. But you can't take too much thrill and thrall. Watching a horror movie is better than being a parent. Salute! But Parents should be less oldfashioned, it's not easy but how can we co exist if we're constantly reprimanded? Moaning and groaning too, why do people groan so much? Just Be happy!
It will work out in the end

Golden Compass Review

I've not read Philip Pullman's work at all, but I was not lost in the movie at all. It is a fresh way of telling a fantasy story. The plot just unfolded magicallty, nothing short of that! The sceneries and North pole are so beautiful, it is almost like you have gone there with them too. Lyra, the heroine, is hesitant about her intelligence. She can trick people into doing what she wants to accomplish, yet regrets later. She stood up to a large enemy and managed to come out alive. A young person of such courage is so rare.

I definitely think Dakota Blue Richards looks like the other Dakota too. Yet not as weepy in looks, she carries herself like an honorable child of the prophecy. Reader of the Golden Compass! Cool. I want that kind of skill too!
Most of all the concept of demons being the children's familiars is slightly disturbing to me. They are their spirits and if either the human or the animals is killed, then the person ceases to exist.

Animals are my favorite and I always liked them and think they deserve better. Actually, it is the phrasing that is bad I think. They should have called them their totem animal like the Native Indians. The movie warns of the familiars becoming unstable, morphing into many shapes and sizes. Authorities will bring an end to this morphing. No, the children can't let that happen!
Lyra's ferret changes to a cat and a hawk instantaneously. Very well done.

Part of the reason why I wanted to see it was because of Nicole Kidman. I like her acting. She plays the convincing Mrs Coulter, the villain. Bullying children, yet a sweet and kind woman who adores kids. She's a guardian to Lyra but later, more is made known. Her pet is the only mute one, a golden tamarin. Not since Poison Ivy has she reprised a villainous role. Kidman's charisma and grace is apparent in her dressing and perfect manners. This reminds me of an E! show aout her fashion sense. All dresses complement her. Sexy and fierce.

Relationships are challenged, sides change quickly, nothing is what it appears to be.... I want more. There will be 2 more parts, aww!
I wish they had shown Lyra giving the compass to her father at least before finishing. Lyra and her companions fly towards the horizon to find him. I plan to read the books as I want to see what happens next, hahaha. The subtle knife and the amber spyglass. It brings courage to children.
The animals are cute, wild and powerful. Although they are animations, the polar bears are especially real looking. I heard of a controversy that Pullman is promoting athiesm? Nah I didn't feel that when I saw this, just go for it. It's just like another Narnia.