Plot from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1078588/synopsis
Conceived by means of in vitro fertilization, Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) was brought into the world to be a genetic match for her older sister, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva), who suffers from acute promyelocytic leukemia. Because of her sister's dependency on her, Anna is unable to live the life she wants; in and out of the hospital constantly, she cannot take part in extracurricular activities such as cheerleading or soccer. When Kate turns 13 she goes into renal failure. Knowing that she will have to donate one of her kidneys to her sister, Anna sues her parents for medical emancipation and the rights to her own body. Attorney Campbell Alexander (Alec Baldwin) agrees to work for Anna pro bono. The film is interlaced with flashbacks that detail the strong relationship between Kate and Anna, as well as how Kate's illness has affected her siblings' lives. Before the result of the case is known, it is revealed that Kate had asked Anna to file for medical emancipation. Believing that she would not survive the surgery, Kate wants to die. Anna wins the case, and due to her sister's wishes does not donate her kidney. Kate later dies at the hospital. The family moves on with their lives, being changed by Kate's death, but every year on Kate's birthday they go to Montana, which was her favorite place in the world.
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My Sister's Keeper is a 2009 American drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, and Alec Baldwin. I have watched the movie, and give it 5 stars! it is definitely worth watching. the movie is extremely poignant and i practically cried during the whole movie together with my friend! It is an excellent show to watch. No wonder we love watching US media products.
Why have we become more westernized? Even to us, Christmas is more popular than Mooncake festival! Well, it is because we are exposed to media products on televisions and movies that mostly belongs to the US. The US flim market is very big. Compared to Singapore's recent local flim, the blue mansion, which movie will you choose to watch? most likely, the sister's keeper. It is normal for one to perceive that made-in-america flims are better and of higher quality as they have a larger pool of much capable workers.
US media product has since dominated the media market. It is the biggest exporter of television programmes, main supplier of motion pictures at global theatres and home video markets,and is dependent by many countries to meet their countries' programming needs. For example, mediacorp actually telecast American Idol on channel 5 to occupy prime time TV slots. Singapore has around 4.6 million people. Not everyone watches TV all the time. As, the demand in Singapore is low,we do not produce many singapore-made shows and just slot in american programms to entertain the audience.
I feel that generally US media products are made more creative, interesting and daring compared to Singapore products. Perhaps we already have this idea in our mind that the caucasians are of a much superior race. If you switch on the TV now, which channel will you switch to? We are not picky viewers. It is just that local shows do not appeal to us more. Its might be due to the difference in taste and preference of the each person. I mean, i definitely must give credits to some really entertaining local shows like "Sayang Sayang" and "Phua Chu Kang". These shows are humourous and novel. But what about Singapore Idol? I joined this year's SG idol and I know what it is like. it is exactly the same as American Idol, except the fact that we are still stuck in Singapore.
Hello Vanessa!
ReplyDeleteBasically, i concur with your views on the exposure and dominance of Us products in Singapore, especially in terms of media. However, you mentioned about the US media being more daring and less conventional. I personally feel that this is due to differences in cultures in two different countries. Singapore is largely westernized but we cannot deny that we are still a rather conservative society. For instance, in Perth, they show cable shows which have nude scenes and they do not censor it at all. In Singapore, these shows are banned for moral values and other reasons. Thus, it is important to take into account the two different settings we live in and our cultures.
hey dear!
ReplyDeleteindeed, most of us will find that shows from other countries are better as compared to our own. i for one prefer hong kong shows.
perhaps, there's just too much of a censorship here and not much novelty. =(
Lack of originality hinders our media's progress in the international market.
ReplyDeleteSingapore Idol, Who wants to be a millionaire are examples of adopted western variety shows, shown here in Singapore. Though initially, such variety show might seem really appealing and interesting to us, it dies off after a short while. This is due to its continual repetition of the same old boring stuff, which is further worsen by the fact that the original ones aired in America are far more entertaining.
Hence I believe that the media in Singapore should start coming up with more entertaining and original ideas, before everyone in Singapore starts turning to the internet to keep themselves occupied.
HI Van,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Adrian. Singapore should stop copying US reality shows and come up with something original of its own. What the Singapore media companies fail to understand is that not all copycat versions of the US reality shows will see the same success. In fact, often times localised reality shows here fail or do terribly on the ratings simply because audiences here are different from the US. We are not as spontaneous and forthcoming, preferring to 'face-save' than be willing to take a chance.
I say that producers here should start being original in creating productions or tv shows!
Hi Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteI suppose due to media we are exposed to westernized shows more often and their actions and culture unknowningly seep into how we live our lives. This is perhaps why Singapore is more liberal and open than compared to 20 years back.
Singapore is such a small country, it does not have much influence in the world. I agree that western shows are more superior in the sense that they are more engaging and creative, but I think that the standard of Asian shows are in par with that of Western movies. For example, many agreed that Japan and Thailand make one of the best scary movies and personally I like to watch Hong Kong drama series.
Yep, Singapore is rather conservative and unexciting in the shows she produces but that is perhaps due to the small population we have over here. Ain't much profitable if we produce expensive shows because of our small market!
Hello van!!
ReplyDeleteWell, i think the lack in creativity and entertaining ideas by the media in singapore as stated by Adrian and Pris is basically due the monopolism of the media industry. As we know MediaCorp is the one and only mass media company we know. Therefore the lack of competition result in the slackness of producing fresh and interesting ideas which prompt them to accept and even copy ideas from the west.
hello vanessa!
ReplyDeleteYes agree with you that the US media products are dominating in singapore over our local production. Guess this is largely due to the the effects of globalisation,where a small country like singapore can get influenced easily by the western culture. So this is why we can see that the local media industry is getting ideas from the western,for eg,s'pore idol.
As we are following and watching these western media products,we are also unknowingly following their western culture.Unknowingly,we are allowing the dominance of the powerful western media.
Hi Van! This is an interesting post! I think it has been built into us that US products and services are definitely better than Singapore's Thus, this makes it difficult to prefer Singapore's products and services over US, even over Japan's--another much preferred products and services.
ReplyDeleteHowever, we do need to consider the fact that US has variety of people that could offer different skills and novelty, which Singapore obviously has little to offer. Another point is that US producers have lots of money to produce their works, which Singapore once again lack of. This goes to show that why US's products and services are preferred over Singapore's.
Even though local media products are becoming increasingly common, many of us would still choose US media product.
ReplyDeleteIt has alot to do with the sort of budget the production team gets and the sort of message the show wants to bring across to people. Local movies are pretty much illustrating the interesting details of our lives while the overseas media product can aim soley to entertain.
I am sure everyone is pretty disappointed with Singapore's media. The media broadcasted is very unoriginal and often, copied from overseas like us, taiwan or hongkong. I don't think singapore being a small country makes a good reason for the lousy media. Another thing is that Singapore media is too safe. They censor EVERYTHING thing afterwhich the show will make no sense after censorship.
ReplyDeleteAll in all, overseas media still wins!
Hey van!! Yea, when it comes to media products, Singapore definitely loses! Personally, I feel that Hongkong/Korean dramas are way better than our local dramas. Save except for a few which were quite nice. However, when it comes to movies, how often do we actually see a local movie being produced? Even if so, it is always the same director/producer. And for Singapore movies, I think only Jack Neo is still passable. Other than that, other local films are just boring!
ReplyDeleteHey there!
ReplyDeleteI guess one reason why local media products are not as well received by the audience as the US media products is because that we are more restricted and binded by the traditional values here in Singapore. Censorship and values do play a big role in restricting the producers in what they can film, hence it is perhaps why we just love to watch overseas media where we can see the difference in the limits.
-Madeline
i think there is one thing that every9one failed to realise why USA films are weatch more than local ones.local ones has childish together with cold and unoriginal jokes that actually anoys viewers who are looking for noveltic shows.moreover, local drama such as pck sayang sayang are all internal jokes that can only be understtod by singaporeans if not malaysians. so how is it possible for other countries to have a good laugh watching it?
ReplyDeletei would also like to add on that singapore directors have a long way to go to reach the same standard as veteran directors such as steven spilberg.Let's compare the movie i not stupid and ET.i wouold rather watch ET as it manage to portray the purpose of the show more than the former.
in order to attract more viewership of local shows, i feel that there is a need for government to train the local directors and mature them!
Singapore are importing too much of oversea products that caused a lack in creativity in local production.Too much a good thing results in a bad thing.Singapore production line are quite complacent with what they are getting,whenever their products are nominated for awards.Maybe more population there are more talented producer oversea.We are lagging behind all these shows.Have to do something about it.
ReplyDeletehey. yes i agree that US movies and variety shows may have a higher budget and thus more fanciful. However, i would like to tie the contents and nature of the programmes to the culture of the country. Singapore being more conservative may not evoke several topics that are seemed to be controversial but yet interesting. The nature of the programmes in Singapore may not be as opened and liberal as in the US. Thus, as Singapore continues to globalise, Singaporeans would find US programmes more entertaining as they are in sync with what Singaporeans viewers want to watch.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, Singaporeans should not despise her own media industry. I would say that Singapore programmes are mostly close to home and this is one of the unique features of Singapore shows.
Singapore films or shows do not appeal to most here and I guess that's due to the fact that we know what its like to live, work and play in Singapore, but most films or perhaps drama serials have a trend that features the "uniquely Singaporean" behaviour and situations instead. Thus, in a way there is no new vibe or hype to these shows and hence US shows tend to hit off better with Singaporeans since it is something different.
ReplyDeleteHowever I do feel that Singapore's media industry should deserve some credit. For example, Eric Khoo has produced several award winning films such as "My Magic" and "Be With Me", which went on to be premiered at the international film festival Cannes. This is certainly proof that Singapore films can successfully stand up to scrutiny from a sophisticated international art house crowd.