CLASH OF THE METALS

Sometimes our responsibilities go beyond ourselves. Sometimes we have to be responsible for other people’s problems. “Their War, Our World”. It is said that we are not alone in this universe. A long time ago, in the planet called Cybertron, there was a war so vicious between the protector Autobots against the destroyer Decepticons. They are living beings, pretty much the same like us, but more powerful and sophisticated.

The planet Cybertron finally destroyed and shattered but their war somehow continue in our planet. The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime tries to protect our Earth from being consumed by the Decepticons, commanded by Megatron. It is said that they arrived and dwelled in our planet since the beginning of our civilization, seeking matters and power source to support their life.

Unfortunately, the Earth is dying and collapsing even without the existence of ferocious Megatron and his Decepticons army. We are destroying our own Earth as we eliminate the forest, disrupt the nature’s balance and pollute the air. We are the ones who are responsible for the destruction of Earth. There are too many “Decepticons” than “Autobots” in Earth – We, humans, are no exception – There are too many destroyers than protectors.

Optimus Prime and his friends feel responsible to protect our Earth because they cannot let the humans pay for their mistakes, but what about our own mistakes? Who is going to pay for it? We are also at war with our own kind to save our own world.

As Optimus Prime said, “Humans deserve to choose for themselves”.

Fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing. Whoever we are, we decide and make our own fate.

Whether you’re a mighty Transformers or ordinary humans, you can still do something to save the day.











Ivan the Freelancer

NOT JUST PHYSICAL

Above the sky, there’s always another sky. As you already know, you can always learn things the hard way or the easy way. Some people learn martial arts not because they want to, but because they have to. Some people learn from masters in peaceful and quiet rooms, while others learn from real violence on the streets - the streets that teach us the most valuable lessons in life - that is... if you manage to survive.

It reminds me of my past where I used to watch people trained martial arts and finally join them. In peaceful times, it seemed useless to learn martial arts, as there is no need to practice them. But martial arts is about discipline whether in times of peace or chaos.

Experience taught me that whether you learn it through the hard way or the easy way, the results will always depend on yourself. To defend and protect are the main purpose of learning martial arts. If the purpose is simply to attack or destroy, there’re lots of other lethal instruments other than martial arts that you can use.

Kung fu can be hard but it can also be soft. It requires as few movements as possible to defeat the hardest attacks. But what can a man do – or cannot do with kung fu? In times of trouble or peace, from families to wars, this movie tells you all.

Ip Man – The celebrated kung fu master of Bruce Lee.

It’s not just physical. It is the combination between mind, body and soul.







Ivan the Freelancer

SECRET ADMIRER - Ivan’s Journal

The moment you made these, we chatted.
Our voices met through oceans.
I used to say that you have beautiful hands…
It turns out to be true.
The hands that holds mine.

Cloths and fabrics, floss and threads, needles and pins.
Stitching and sewing, combined with fancyworks.
The little smiling fairies.

Now they’re smiling in my hands.
For I will keep them for safekeeping.
I treasure them, because they’re your handmade.

Your handmade… My admiration…














Your secret admirer

ENEMIES WITHIN

A childhood tragedy drove Samir Horn into a dangerous quest which involved terrorism and bombings. With Roy Clayton and his partner as FBI agents close to his tail, Samir must complete his mission – A mission which you will keep guessing during the movie, whether his mission is justified or not.

From the life in the city, into a prison and terrorist’s network, this is a good movie that speaks about reality. The reality speaks that we’re at war – fighting between ourselves – useless wars. How can we kill each other while we don’t realize who’s the true enemy really is?

You can never sacrifice other people to defend your own faith. Samir is willing to get his hands dirty to uncover the truths behind these useless wars. But how far can he go?

You can do the wrong things in the right way, or do the right things in the wrong way – You are responsible for everything that you have done… and everything that you have “not” done.

In the end, we should all shake hands and realize that the true enemy lies within our own self and egos.

If there’s no forgiveness, at least we have to try to defeat our own egos.









Ivan the Freelancer

BONE TO METAL

Every one of us has an origin. Even this world somehow has its own origin. The story began when young Logan experienced a terrible tragedy in his family, where he was driven out from his house. Along with his cousin Victor, they ran away and swore to protect each other as brothers.

The war raged from world war one until Vietnam War, where they fought together and survive through all the wars… because of their regenerative powers which kept them alive. Things went bad between them after they joined the other mutants and involved in dangerous missions under the command of the wicked William Stryker.

Victor went violent and Logan was forced to leave the team. Their paths separated since then. But their destinies as mutants and brother unite them again and again in dangerous quests between good and evil, plus seeking their own self image and destiny.

We all know that people’s character was formed more by his/her environment and surroundings, rather than his/her origins. But from this movie we can learn that the same environment can create two different personalities and characters.

You always have a choice. It is not your environment that makes you like you are now. It is you… and only you who can decide what you want to be. Decisions and destinies are always in your own hands. As long as you’re sincere and have good intentions, what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger.

Logan became Wolverine – Bone to Adamantium metal - his claws were forged through hard times.

Where are you from? – is not that important.

What do you want to be? – is far more important.

What you become? – is the most important.













Ivan the Freelancer