I watched The Core for the umpteenth time this morning. Lst night I watched Air Force One, also for the umpteenth time. Yes, I hear you... both American propaganda.
I like The Core, because it deals with something that will happen: the end of the world.
My best friend thinks I've this morbid fascination with death, but the truth is death is a reality. I've had to endure 5 significant deaths in my 35 years of life, the first at 9 years old. My best friend Sheikh Faisal passed on to a gunshot to his head, some 150 metres away from me.
So I learnt quite early on about the harsh reality of life. Faisal's death moved me in two ways.
I learnt the value of a friendship. Faisal and I had become best friends just a few days before his untimely passing. He lived across from our house. To lose a friend is one thing, but to lose a friend you declared as your best, just days fater the dclaration, and to a gunshot, is quite traumatic.
I also learnt, or rather understood, death was a reality.
Both these lessons make a huge part of what I am today. People I've related the story to, and those who are close tome understand.
Anyway, boy did I digress from the intention behind this entry.
The Core is a movie about how the liquid core some 2,000 miles to the centre of the earth stopped spinning. The liquid movement generates electro magnetic energy that gives birds direction, all navigational equipment their true north and basically protects us from the gamma rays of the sun ( I never understood this one, Anyone? Ash?)
But I was inspired to write this entry because of a line from a character I think is the US Secretary of Defence.
The good scientist who discovered the core's inaction and eventual mayhem was presenting to the Pentagon his discovery when the good General asked, "Why did this happen?"
My first thought if I was the scriptwriter would be to retort, " I suppose you don't believe in God then?"
Immediately after thinking of that retort, my mind was swayed to think of a motivational phrase I often use when I try to give inspiration to my 2 daughters, and friends that come to me for some help.
"You fail only when you fail to try."
I was getting a bit confused here; yes I believe in Allah Subhanawataala, and I believe that trying is the only way to avoid a failure, even if your try ends unsuccesfully.
But a little voice within me was saying to the General, "You dare to think that you can overturn God's will?"
God's will...
As Muslims, we are taught to believe in qadha and qadhar, that your life has been laid out quite to a tee by the Almighty (hey that rhymes!).
But we are also taught to never take life too simply that you stop your will to improve. I mean, if you're born into a family that can barely make ends meet, that is not your destiny. That is your challenge; get out of poverty and improve yourself.
But I was confused because we're talking travelling some 2,000 miles into the centre of the earth, using two untested technologies created by an African-American (a term I have a problem with; I'll dedicate an entry to this one later) scientist, to change perhaps what was the end of the world.
Surely you cannot change the end of the world. Would it be tantamount to blasphemy?
One was a laser-like ray that will cut through just about anything. The other was the vessel that the team would be travelling in. The shape reminded me of a spaceship tv series in the 70s and 80s, "Space 1999". (Man that series had us fooled! We're in 2004 and we still cannot live in space like they did in that much-adored series.)
Anyway the vessel was made from a combination of materials which would be strong enough not just to handle the powerful ray to cut through the earth, but also the immense temperature down at the core. They had a nice name for the material: Unobtanium.
Of course, in the end, the Americans were able to solve the problem, although only 2 of the original 6 member team returned to the surface of the earth.
But I am bugged. Bugged by the fact that the Americans think they can do anything. Good and bad. And the good will of course righfully be revered, but the bad will be made to look good.
Cases in point. Vietnam. Cuba. Afghanistan. Iraq. Can you ever justify the deaths in a war? I can't.
In this case, assuming that the event in The Core IS the end of the world, they think they can go one-up on God.
What about the other movie, Air Force One?
Throughout watching it lst night at mom's place, I was actually picturing George W Bush in that situation. All I can say is, it would have been a very, very short movie. Oh, and Harisson Ford would have declined the role.
To all Hindus the world over, have a joyous Deepavali. May the festival of lights shine upon us world peace and properity.
To my fellow Muslims, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir & Batin. May Allah bless all Muslims peace and prosperity, and may all that is untruth about Islam be proven so in due course.
I like The Core, because it deals with something that will happen: the end of the world.
My best friend thinks I've this morbid fascination with death, but the truth is death is a reality. I've had to endure 5 significant deaths in my 35 years of life, the first at 9 years old. My best friend Sheikh Faisal passed on to a gunshot to his head, some 150 metres away from me.
So I learnt quite early on about the harsh reality of life. Faisal's death moved me in two ways.
I learnt the value of a friendship. Faisal and I had become best friends just a few days before his untimely passing. He lived across from our house. To lose a friend is one thing, but to lose a friend you declared as your best, just days fater the dclaration, and to a gunshot, is quite traumatic.
I also learnt, or rather understood, death was a reality.
Both these lessons make a huge part of what I am today. People I've related the story to, and those who are close tome understand.
Anyway, boy did I digress from the intention behind this entry.
The Core is a movie about how the liquid core some 2,000 miles to the centre of the earth stopped spinning. The liquid movement generates electro magnetic energy that gives birds direction, all navigational equipment their true north and basically protects us from the gamma rays of the sun ( I never understood this one, Anyone? Ash?)
But I was inspired to write this entry because of a line from a character I think is the US Secretary of Defence.
The good scientist who discovered the core's inaction and eventual mayhem was presenting to the Pentagon his discovery when the good General asked, "Why did this happen?"
My first thought if I was the scriptwriter would be to retort, " I suppose you don't believe in God then?"
Immediately after thinking of that retort, my mind was swayed to think of a motivational phrase I often use when I try to give inspiration to my 2 daughters, and friends that come to me for some help.
"You fail only when you fail to try."
I was getting a bit confused here; yes I believe in Allah Subhanawataala, and I believe that trying is the only way to avoid a failure, even if your try ends unsuccesfully.
But a little voice within me was saying to the General, "You dare to think that you can overturn God's will?"
God's will...
As Muslims, we are taught to believe in qadha and qadhar, that your life has been laid out quite to a tee by the Almighty (hey that rhymes!).
But we are also taught to never take life too simply that you stop your will to improve. I mean, if you're born into a family that can barely make ends meet, that is not your destiny. That is your challenge; get out of poverty and improve yourself.
But I was confused because we're talking travelling some 2,000 miles into the centre of the earth, using two untested technologies created by an African-American (a term I have a problem with; I'll dedicate an entry to this one later) scientist, to change perhaps what was the end of the world.
Surely you cannot change the end of the world. Would it be tantamount to blasphemy?
One was a laser-like ray that will cut through just about anything. The other was the vessel that the team would be travelling in. The shape reminded me of a spaceship tv series in the 70s and 80s, "Space 1999". (Man that series had us fooled! We're in 2004 and we still cannot live in space like they did in that much-adored series.)
Anyway the vessel was made from a combination of materials which would be strong enough not just to handle the powerful ray to cut through the earth, but also the immense temperature down at the core. They had a nice name for the material: Unobtanium.
Of course, in the end, the Americans were able to solve the problem, although only 2 of the original 6 member team returned to the surface of the earth.
But I am bugged. Bugged by the fact that the Americans think they can do anything. Good and bad. And the good will of course righfully be revered, but the bad will be made to look good.
Cases in point. Vietnam. Cuba. Afghanistan. Iraq. Can you ever justify the deaths in a war? I can't.
In this case, assuming that the event in The Core IS the end of the world, they think they can go one-up on God.
What about the other movie, Air Force One?
Throughout watching it lst night at mom's place, I was actually picturing George W Bush in that situation. All I can say is, it would have been a very, very short movie. Oh, and Harisson Ford would have declined the role.
To all Hindus the world over, have a joyous Deepavali. May the festival of lights shine upon us world peace and properity.
To my fellow Muslims, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir & Batin. May Allah bless all Muslims peace and prosperity, and may all that is untruth about Islam be proven so in due course.
Comments
A friend is never old, but a friendship turns old with time, and much like wine, it grows better.
Thanks for dropping by my blog, I will make it a point to visit yours soon.
Regards.
AMIR