Stephen Hawking dies at age 76.

My Facebook home page is suddenly being flooded with many reacting to the one breaking news today. I was shocked to learn that Stephen Hawking has passed away today at the age of 76. Born on 8th January 1942 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, Stephen Hawking emerged successful in the world of science and achieved world recognition despite his struggle with ALS disease.

The excerpt below is from CNN:

     Considered by many to be the world’s greatest living scientist, Hawking was also a cosmologist, astronomer, mathematician and author of numerous books including the landmark “A Brief History of Time,” which has sold more than 10 million copies. With fellow physicist Roger Penrose, Hawking merged Einstein’s theory of relativity with quantum theory to suggest that space and time would begin with the Big Bang and end in black holes. Hawking also discovered that black holes are not completely black but emit radiation and will likely eventually evaporate and disappear.

      Hawking suffered from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a neurodegenerative disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which is usually fatal within a few years. He was diagnosed in 1963, when he was 21, and doctors initially only gave him a few years to live. The disease left Hawking wheelchair-bound and paralyzed. He was able to move only a few fingers on one hand and was completely dependent on others or on technology for virtually everything — bathing, dressing, eating, even speech. Hawking used a speech synthesizer that allowed him to speak in a computerized voice with an American accent.

     “I try to lead as normal a life as possible, and not think about my condition, or regret the things it prevents me from doing, which are not that many,” he wrote on his website. “I have been lucky that my condition has progressed more slowly than is often the case. But it shows that one need not lose hope.”

‘Stephen Hawking’ is a name known worldwide. I have met him before (ahh, just his wax figure in a Madame Tussauds Museum). I also get to know a bit more about him from the 2014 biopic movie ‘The Theory of Everything’ that revolves on his struggling life and romance. The movie which received 5 Academy Awards nominations, won one in best actor for Eddie Redmayne. I do remember that Stephen Hawking also attended the British Academy Film Awards in the same year. His knowledge, discovery, courage, and determination will surely inspires people from all walks of life. May you rest in peace, Stephen Hawking. You remains as one of the greatest in history and will be forever remembered.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

Movie review: The Theory of Everything (2014)

‘The Theory of Everything’ is a 2014 British biographical romantic drama film directed by James Marsh and written by Anthony McCarten. The film was inspired by the memoir ‘Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen’ by Jane Wilde Hawking, which deals with her relationship with her ex-husband theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, his diagnosis of motor neuron disease, and his success in physics. This biopic on Stephen Hawking starred Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Charlie Cox, Maxine Peake, David Thewlis, etc.

I first get to know of this film when people started sharing its trailer not long ago and everyone is already like praising and talking good about it. The trailer looks promising and since then, I have already sensed Oscar buzz for it. And after watching its two-hour film, I can say that this biopic is excellent, and is on the right track to Oscar glory early next year. Even if it couldn’t perform well in Academy Awards, it may still shines well in BAFTA.

This film is a good and a solid platform for me to know better on the life and challenges Stephen Hawking and his first wife had. The plot had successfully delivered that without being feeling empty or shallow. It also didn’t go over the top and stays with the flow for a moving and a touching 2-hour experience watching the film. To be honest with you, there should be nothing much dramatic, exciting or interesting for this kind of film, but it still captures my attention and my emotion very well.

Besides than the good direction, screenplay and cinematography, I believe the most praise for the film still goes to the acting. Eddie Redmayne contributed an extraordinary performance to this extraordinary true-life character as Stephen Hawking. It’s a very challenging role, and he nailed it with his superb tackling of his facial expressions, body movements, and speaking gestures. It comes to no question that his performance in there is more than enough to be called Oscar-worthy in Best Leading Actor race. On the other hand, Felicity Jones whom acted as his first wife, Jane in the film did exceptionally amazing too. The others (supporting casts) are also great. It’s all top-notch acting in this particular film especially from the strength of the two leads highlighted earlier.

There is also those great musical scores for the film that elevates all the feelings for us to be more immersed into the story. Simply wonderful. Its production values are also to be complimented. The movie about Stephen Hawking obviously could not run away from showing some science stuff and crazy equations. But fortunately, the movie didn’t go too much in this as we (normal audiences, not physicist or cosmologist) could not really understand the depth of those science. But the movie still has that ‘science’ to stay true to Hawking’s profession. Generally, the film did amazing in almost all the aspects I can think of for now. It stays simple and humble but it turns out astonishing, moving and inspirational. Definitely one of the best films this year. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘The Theory of Everything’ a total of 8.0.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)