Category: MediaBlog
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Finding Purpose in Redemption: Lessons from Ordinary Angels
Read more: Finding Purpose in Redemption: Lessons from Ordinary AngelsDuring a recent flight to Paris, I stumbled upon the movie Ordinary Angels, starring Hilary Swank. I hadn’t heard of it before but decided to give it a try—and it spoke to me deeply for numerous reasons. Inspired by a true story that took place during the 1994 North American cold wave, the movie follows…
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How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My Vision
Read more: How a Manga, a Middle School Friendship, and a Global Perspective Shaped My VisionMy short trip to Paris to visit my dad also gave me the chance to reconnect with my best friend from middle school. We met at a prestigious middle school in Paris, located near the Eiffel Tower, surrounded by stereotypically wealthy French students. He comes from Algerian ancestry, and I am of Chinese descent, which…
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From “Stan” to Stability: Lessons from Eminem on Overcoming Addiction
Read more: From “Stan” to Stability: Lessons from Eminem on Overcoming AddictionBeing back in Paris for a few days to reconnect with family and friends brought back memories of Eminem’s song Stan, featuring Dido, released in 2000. Although I don’t know much about Eminem and rarely listen to rap music, this song caught my attention when it was heavily played during its release. I’d be lying…
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Kickboxer, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the Power of Awareness
Read more: Kickboxer, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and the Power of AwarenessI met a good friend recently, someone I’ve known since we both joined the same IT course 12 years ago. He’s not just a friend but also a martial arts champion of France, which immediately brought to mind a movie I loved as a child: Kickboxer, directed by David Worth and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.…
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Exploring Cultural Perspectives in “The Cat Returns”
Read more: Exploring Cultural Perspectives in “The Cat Returns”I met some friends from high school yesterday, and it reminded me of the time we watched The Cat Returns, a Studio Ghibli movie, together in theaters. Back then, I didn’t know any Japanese, but I noticed something fascinating: the English and French titles of the movie were not literal translations of the original Japanese…
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Unlocking the Mind: The Interplay of Mental Illness, Music, and Brain Health
Read more: Unlocking the Mind: The Interplay of Mental Illness, Music, and Brain HealthToday, I wanted to delve into the sixth song of the album Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence, released by Dream Theater in 2002. It’s actually a 42-minute epic divided into eight distinct parts. I listened to Dream Theater quite a lot in my 20s, and this particular song holds a special place in my heart.…
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“2001: A Space Odyssey” and the Future of Humanity: Reflections on Consciousness, AI, and Global Unity
Read more: “2001: A Space Odyssey” and the Future of Humanity: Reflections on Consciousness, AI, and Global UnityI recently watched 2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick during a flight to Paris to visit my father. Despite its iconic status, I had never seen it before. My only prior knowledge was the use of Richard Strauss’s famous classical piece, “Also Sprach Zarathustra.” Watching this masterpiece for the first time, I was struck…
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Chihayafuru: A Tale of Friendship, Growth, and Brain-Boosting Lessons
Read more: Chihayafuru: A Tale of Friendship, Growth, and Brain-Boosting LessonsWe recently watched the live-action movie series Chihayafuru (a trilogy) with my wife. She asked me if I had heard of Carta before seeing it. Surprisingly, I hadn’t even come across the name. Carta is a Japanese game where two participants duel on a tatami floor, aiming to be faster than their opponent in finding…
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Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for Unity
Read more: Resident Evil 5: A Controversial Journey and a Call for UnityReleased in 2009, Resident Evil 5 stands as a significant entry in the iconic horror series that first captivated audiences in 1993. Known for its gripping storylines and terrifying gameplay, the series has become a classic in the zombie-horror genre. This installment, however, sparked heated debates due to its setting and cultural implications. Set in…
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“Wish” on Disney+: A Reflection on Society and Dreams
Read more: “Wish” on Disney+: A Reflection on Society and DreamsWe watched “Wish” on Disney+ yesterday. My wife had already seen it once with her sister last year when it was released in theaters, but it was my first time. During karaoke with my in-laws, I had heard some songs, particularly one I assumed was sung by the villain of the movie. My wife wasn’t…