Hello...
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Can't believe it's Christmas already! And every Christmas, I'm left amazed by how fast the time has gone but more importantly, I'm left very grateful for everything in my life. No seriously, no joke, not on Christmas at least :D
I mean come one, I'm studying in a great university, and although it's not my ideal course, I still get to do what I love. I may not have a high tech tablet, but my graphire has been faithful to me for years and I am loving my new MacBook Pro. I may not have been the most succesful in my love life, but I've got a life. And most importantly, I'm still living it.
So tonight, I just wanted to sir down and write just a tiny little bit of my soul, squeeze them into tiny little words that will last for the many Yuletide Seasons to come. Because, come on, one day I won't have one anymore.
This year may not have been the best of years, but it is by no means the worst, Komikon was the best, working with Jean on it has been no less than exhilarating and I am doing admirably well in La Salle considering I barely study, a fault I keep promising myself to correct.
Really, there are only a few points I have yet to get over this year. First would be a love that I can't forget. No I'm not being melodramatic, but dear God I wish I simply was. No, I know I'm so far away from the man she deserves, and that I should forget but come one, a whole year and not a day goes past that I don't think of her? And lets not forget that I barely saw her half a dozen times since Graduation, now that's a stinger! No, I really wish I could do something as simple as moving on, but no matter how hard I try, the pain really is there.
Secondly are my friends. Well, I'm not exactly the popular kind but I have friends that I cherish, and the closes of which of course hasn't been with us for two years now (Merry Christmas Jans). I just really miss them, and the good times. I hardly ever hang out much with the old guys much, and not being around them just reminds me again just how lucky I was to have had them in my life. I just hope they'll still be there for the rest of the road.
But hey, I'm not being all emotional here! Really, because I want to look at the best of Christmas offerings this year around. My family's in one piece, and although not perfect, I have to say that Christmas is the time of the year that I really realize just hoe much I appreciate them being around. And come on, Christmas eve I got the usual Christmas greetings from my friends. They were by no means plentiful, but they came from the people who mattered and that's what matters to me.
Well, I'd like to end in a happier note, a note of hope and cheer, a note that looks into the horizon and the next sunrise. A hope that sees visions of the future as well as nostalgic memories of time long gone. But that's a thing for the New Year, for another dawn. For now, it's simply the twilight hour, the day has finally ended, the sun has finally set. The star twinkles above the shambles and blazes with Heaven's beauty. Christmas is here, Jesus is born, and I couldn't love it more. It's by no means the perfect ending for the year, it was by no means the perfect year. But hey, it's Christmas, whatcoo gonna do, eh?
Thank you, Lord.
And Merry Christmas to everybody :D
God Bless you and your family.
I mean come one, I'm studying in a great university, and although it's not my ideal course, I still get to do what I love. I may not have a high tech tablet, but my graphire has been faithful to me for years and I am loving my new MacBook Pro. I may not have been the most succesful in my love life, but I've got a life. And most importantly, I'm still living it.
So tonight, I just wanted to sir down and write just a tiny little bit of my soul, squeeze them into tiny little words that will last for the many Yuletide Seasons to come. Because, come on, one day I won't have one anymore.
This year may not have been the best of years, but it is by no means the worst, Komikon was the best, working with Jean on it has been no less than exhilarating and I am doing admirably well in La Salle considering I barely study, a fault I keep promising myself to correct.
Really, there are only a few points I have yet to get over this year. First would be a love that I can't forget. No I'm not being melodramatic, but dear God I wish I simply was. No, I know I'm so far away from the man she deserves, and that I should forget but come one, a whole year and not a day goes past that I don't think of her? And lets not forget that I barely saw her half a dozen times since Graduation, now that's a stinger! No, I really wish I could do something as simple as moving on, but no matter how hard I try, the pain really is there.
Secondly are my friends. Well, I'm not exactly the popular kind but I have friends that I cherish, and the closes of which of course hasn't been with us for two years now (Merry Christmas Jans). I just really miss them, and the good times. I hardly ever hang out much with the old guys much, and not being around them just reminds me again just how lucky I was to have had them in my life. I just hope they'll still be there for the rest of the road.
But hey, I'm not being all emotional here! Really, because I want to look at the best of Christmas offerings this year around. My family's in one piece, and although not perfect, I have to say that Christmas is the time of the year that I really realize just hoe much I appreciate them being around. And come on, Christmas eve I got the usual Christmas greetings from my friends. They were by no means plentiful, but they came from the people who mattered and that's what matters to me.
Well, I'd like to end in a happier note, a note of hope and cheer, a note that looks into the horizon and the next sunrise. A hope that sees visions of the future as well as nostalgic memories of time long gone. But that's a thing for the New Year, for another dawn. For now, it's simply the twilight hour, the day has finally ended, the sun has finally set. The star twinkles above the shambles and blazes with Heaven's beauty. Christmas is here, Jesus is born, and I couldn't love it more. It's by no means the perfect ending for the year, it was by no means the perfect year. But hey, it's Christmas, whatcoo gonna do, eh?
Thank you, Lord.
And Merry Christmas to everybody :D
God Bless you and your family.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Review: Wicked, World War Hulk and The Kingdom
WICKED
by Gregory Maguire
Thing is I've read Wicked earlier this year, this summer in fact, but have only gotten the chance now to put up a review. Perhaps as a testament to it's strength, I'm still determined after all this time to still put the book into writing and so here it is.
I'll be the first to tell you honestly, it was the broadway that made me read the book. No I haven't watched it, though I wish I have, but the songs were interesting enough to be curious as to what's in the book. And when I did open the book, I saw a world built upon the wonderful imagination of L. Frank Baum and I saw it twisted into a new light, a light filled with deception, political tension, psychological complex characters and most importantly a world that dimmed the boundaries of good versus evil. In other words, morally speaking this is a very gray- or should I say- green book.
Gregory Maguire's protagonist is dear Elphaba, and the book chronicles her life by skipping between important timelines. It begins with her conception, jumps to her childhood, then to her school days and so on and so forth. At 406 pages this is a hefty length novel, and by the end it seems satisfying enough that these moments were chosen. Though I have to say that the skips between chapters sometimes becomes a bit dodgy, as the previous characteristics of Elphaba are mostly wiped clean. There is an excuse, of course. Take for example the leap from teenager to adult. I was thoroughly engrossed in the teenage Elphaba. She was misunderstood but was also a rebel, kind-hearted at the center but had the sharpest of wits and a kind of cold disposition that made you smile. Her interactions, her development brought more complexity of characters from a Magical School than anything else I've read (I'm looking at you, Potter). But come the section of adulthood, she seems partly broken, her words are not as sharp and her demeanor significantly changed. I understand that throughout the years in between a lot happened, but in a way I felt that it was throwing out great character framework from the previous chapter without much of a build-up at the very least.
But while I may have some problems with the framework and the pacing at some of the parts (some chapters were easily better than others) there is no denying the ingenuity of the book. While many magical worlds, including the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz relied on magical story-telling, whimsical characters and imaginative worlds, Wicked discards this importance like a tabby-cat choking on your used toilet paper. Not that there's any magic, or whimsical characters, but they are kept close only the most satisfactory of levels. No, the true magic comes in the story itself, and how Maguire captured perfectly the characters and the theme that surrounded them. Part political satire, part psychological analysis and a fully emotional tale, this book spins a yarn filled with so much stuffing you're brain will be amazed on how much it picks up and how much it has to work to fully appreciate this wonderful book.
I don't see the upbeat musical numbers or the catchy tunes within the pages of the Broadway's source material like I thought I would. Instead I found a world much more sobered up, a new light unto a great villain (or hero depending on your views) and a great book to look back to whenever one needs the inspiration for something of real value.
And yes, Elphaba kick's dumb ole Dorothy's ass anyday... and Toto too!
8.5 out of 10
WORLD WAR HULK
Story by Greg Pak
Art by John Romita Jr.
A friend of mine told me he loved the World War Hulk storyline because of how it turns the tables. I mean, here was the big green dude and he's smashing up just about every beloved Marvel hero without much of a fuss. And that brings us to the first, and most likely only good thing about this over-hyped mega event.
It's filled with lots and lots of Green-blooded, heart-pounding, building-smashing and face-punching action. If I can count the number of times someone gets punched in the face in this series alone I'd still be counting by the end of this review.
Don't get me wrong, everyone loves some good action in the comics. And this series does not fail to disappoint in that area, in fact it contains some of the best action sequences I've seen in comics for quite some time.
But the main reason I had been interested in this series in the first place was how it looked at a different side of Hulk. This wasn't just Hulk smashing out in anger, this was him in vengeance and that played a whole new ball game for the Marvel Universe. This line of vengeance and tragedy that haunts our protagonist is what kept his whole crusade interesting, not just how he bloodily humiliates The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, The U.S. ARMY, The X-Men and The Illuminati. But as each victim fell under the Hulk's wrath, there seemed to be nothing much portrayed but the continuing insistence that Hulk wants revenge and that this time he's really REALLY angry. That's two "really"s right there! Look, I understand he's really angry and all, but I want the story to develop on that. Instead I got a series that shows a definitive pattern.
1- Hulk defeats an Earth hero/Earth line of defense.
2- Book insists that Hulk did this because this time he's VERY angry.
3- Hulk whines about dead wife and kid.
4- Repeat step 1.
By the time the storyline was half way done, I had lost every sympathy or care for Hulk and his motives. By the last issue, the only one where actual story progression seemed to take place, the story tries to salvage some of its dignity by adding some inert twist or emotional epiphany withing the Geen Giant. It's a nice change, but four issues too late.
One would think that if Greg Pak faltered in this book, at least John Romita Jr. could give us a reason to stay with his art. But I don't know. Truth be told I wasn't always the biggest fan off his art but this time around, it seemed way off from the potential of this world-breaking tale. Many of the pages actually undergo lower, much more rshed quality than the others and I can't help but think that cover artist David Finch would fare better. Look at that cover I put up here, now that's a World-Breaker.
Overall, another disappointing and over hyped mega-event from the House of Ideas.
4 out of 10
THE KINGDOM
Directed by Peter Berg
Starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner and Chris Cooper
I enjoyed the movie, that much can be said outright before we say anything else I might regret. I'm neither American nor am I Arab so at the very least I can be as neutral as I can about the portrayal. And while I do commend the fact that this movie surprisingly strived to bring forth some of the Arab good guys to a better light, it is inevitable that this American film seems at times to be paying homage to American brilliance and ingenuity in the face of the generic Middle-Eastern terrorists.
But political sublime messages aside, this film is actually filled with more brain work as it is action. In fact, aside from the initial terrorist attack and the adrenaline-induced finale, this movie revolves around two things - the cultural interaction between the American investigators and the Arabian government; and a C.S.I. like investigation set against the Arabian city background.
None of the portayals were anything significant and each character seemed to fill out their role just good enough to serve a purpose in the film's over all plot. The only character that displayed any intrigue was Col. Al-Ghazi, the officer charged with the American's safety. And even that only got it so far.
The movie pacing however was convulsed and a bit of a mess. A lot could be fixed by a smoother story-telling.
Everything else aside, there is nothing horribly wrong with this movie. Some Arabians may find it distasteful and for valid reasons, I for one think that it does good in at least attempting not to make the movie's heroes all about the Americans, although it still does manage to partially do that. There is little, however, brilliant in this film as well. I enjoyed the high octane action in the end, and the terrorist attack at the beginning was chilling. But with the slight exception of the film's final lines, this movie was nothing memorable.
6 out of 10
by Gregory Maguire
Thing is I've read Wicked earlier this year, this summer in fact, but have only gotten the chance now to put up a review. Perhaps as a testament to it's strength, I'm still determined after all this time to still put the book into writing and so here it is.
I'll be the first to tell you honestly, it was the broadway that made me read the book. No I haven't watched it, though I wish I have, but the songs were interesting enough to be curious as to what's in the book. And when I did open the book, I saw a world built upon the wonderful imagination of L. Frank Baum and I saw it twisted into a new light, a light filled with deception, political tension, psychological complex characters and most importantly a world that dimmed the boundaries of good versus evil. In other words, morally speaking this is a very gray- or should I say- green book.
Gregory Maguire's protagonist is dear Elphaba, and the book chronicles her life by skipping between important timelines. It begins with her conception, jumps to her childhood, then to her school days and so on and so forth. At 406 pages this is a hefty length novel, and by the end it seems satisfying enough that these moments were chosen. Though I have to say that the skips between chapters sometimes becomes a bit dodgy, as the previous characteristics of Elphaba are mostly wiped clean. There is an excuse, of course. Take for example the leap from teenager to adult. I was thoroughly engrossed in the teenage Elphaba. She was misunderstood but was also a rebel, kind-hearted at the center but had the sharpest of wits and a kind of cold disposition that made you smile. Her interactions, her development brought more complexity of characters from a Magical School than anything else I've read (I'm looking at you, Potter). But come the section of adulthood, she seems partly broken, her words are not as sharp and her demeanor significantly changed. I understand that throughout the years in between a lot happened, but in a way I felt that it was throwing out great character framework from the previous chapter without much of a build-up at the very least.
But while I may have some problems with the framework and the pacing at some of the parts (some chapters were easily better than others) there is no denying the ingenuity of the book. While many magical worlds, including the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz relied on magical story-telling, whimsical characters and imaginative worlds, Wicked discards this importance like a tabby-cat choking on your used toilet paper. Not that there's any magic, or whimsical characters, but they are kept close only the most satisfactory of levels. No, the true magic comes in the story itself, and how Maguire captured perfectly the characters and the theme that surrounded them. Part political satire, part psychological analysis and a fully emotional tale, this book spins a yarn filled with so much stuffing you're brain will be amazed on how much it picks up and how much it has to work to fully appreciate this wonderful book.
I don't see the upbeat musical numbers or the catchy tunes within the pages of the Broadway's source material like I thought I would. Instead I found a world much more sobered up, a new light unto a great villain (or hero depending on your views) and a great book to look back to whenever one needs the inspiration for something of real value.
And yes, Elphaba kick's dumb ole Dorothy's ass anyday... and Toto too!
8.5 out of 10
WORLD WAR HULK
Story by Greg Pak
Art by John Romita Jr.
A friend of mine told me he loved the World War Hulk storyline because of how it turns the tables. I mean, here was the big green dude and he's smashing up just about every beloved Marvel hero without much of a fuss. And that brings us to the first, and most likely only good thing about this over-hyped mega event.
It's filled with lots and lots of Green-blooded, heart-pounding, building-smashing and face-punching action. If I can count the number of times someone gets punched in the face in this series alone I'd still be counting by the end of this review.
Don't get me wrong, everyone loves some good action in the comics. And this series does not fail to disappoint in that area, in fact it contains some of the best action sequences I've seen in comics for quite some time.
But the main reason I had been interested in this series in the first place was how it looked at a different side of Hulk. This wasn't just Hulk smashing out in anger, this was him in vengeance and that played a whole new ball game for the Marvel Universe. This line of vengeance and tragedy that haunts our protagonist is what kept his whole crusade interesting, not just how he bloodily humiliates The Avengers, The Fantastic Four, The U.S. ARMY, The X-Men and The Illuminati. But as each victim fell under the Hulk's wrath, there seemed to be nothing much portrayed but the continuing insistence that Hulk wants revenge and that this time he's really REALLY angry. That's two "really"s right there! Look, I understand he's really angry and all, but I want the story to develop on that. Instead I got a series that shows a definitive pattern.
1- Hulk defeats an Earth hero/Earth line of defense.
2- Book insists that Hulk did this because this time he's VERY angry.
3- Hulk whines about dead wife and kid.
4- Repeat step 1.
By the time the storyline was half way done, I had lost every sympathy or care for Hulk and his motives. By the last issue, the only one where actual story progression seemed to take place, the story tries to salvage some of its dignity by adding some inert twist or emotional epiphany withing the Geen Giant. It's a nice change, but four issues too late.
One would think that if Greg Pak faltered in this book, at least John Romita Jr. could give us a reason to stay with his art. But I don't know. Truth be told I wasn't always the biggest fan off his art but this time around, it seemed way off from the potential of this world-breaking tale. Many of the pages actually undergo lower, much more rshed quality than the others and I can't help but think that cover artist David Finch would fare better. Look at that cover I put up here, now that's a World-Breaker.
Overall, another disappointing and over hyped mega-event from the House of Ideas.
4 out of 10
THE KINGDOM
Directed by Peter Berg
Starring Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Garner and Chris Cooper
I enjoyed the movie, that much can be said outright before we say anything else I might regret. I'm neither American nor am I Arab so at the very least I can be as neutral as I can about the portrayal. And while I do commend the fact that this movie surprisingly strived to bring forth some of the Arab good guys to a better light, it is inevitable that this American film seems at times to be paying homage to American brilliance and ingenuity in the face of the generic Middle-Eastern terrorists.
But political sublime messages aside, this film is actually filled with more brain work as it is action. In fact, aside from the initial terrorist attack and the adrenaline-induced finale, this movie revolves around two things - the cultural interaction between the American investigators and the Arabian government; and a C.S.I. like investigation set against the Arabian city background.
None of the portayals were anything significant and each character seemed to fill out their role just good enough to serve a purpose in the film's over all plot. The only character that displayed any intrigue was Col. Al-Ghazi, the officer charged with the American's safety. And even that only got it so far.
The movie pacing however was convulsed and a bit of a mess. A lot could be fixed by a smoother story-telling.
Everything else aside, there is nothing horribly wrong with this movie. Some Arabians may find it distasteful and for valid reasons, I for one think that it does good in at least attempting not to make the movie's heroes all about the Americans, although it still does manage to partially do that. There is little, however, brilliant in this film as well. I enjoyed the high octane action in the end, and the terrorist attack at the beginning was chilling. But with the slight exception of the film's final lines, this movie was nothing memorable.
6 out of 10
Friday, November 30, 2007
My 10 MUST-WATCH Coming Soon Movies
Alright, in a movieworld this humongous, it's hard to make up my mind on what to put on this list and what not to. Fact of the matter is, there are a LOT of movies I am really looking forward to, but I do have standards and a cutting line. For example, as much as I'd love to see films such as Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones adaptation or Spielberg's new Lincoln biopic, they are way too far off to include in this list. As such, I decided to keep it as far off as summer this coming year, which seems fair enough. So here is a break-down of what I want to watch and what you should probably watch (or at least give a chance) come silver screen release.
10.) THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL
Directed by Justin Chadwick
Starring Eric Bana, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson
Let's face it, I'm a sucker for historical flicks, especially well made one. But not every piece concerning some dysfunctional historical bozo comes out classic, take for example the shiny-but-not-quite Elizabeth: The Golden Age. But this one is different. You've got Bana as King Henry VIII and the two incredibly sexy leads as Anne and Mary Boleyn, two girls vying for his affection. All three are more than competent actors, in fact they're all great and very easy on the eyes. Then add into the mix writer Peter Morgan who churned out both The Queen and The Last King of Scotland last year and you've got a historical movie that makes me drool just by thinking about it (I swear it's not the girls, I swear.)
9.) THE GOLDEN COMPASS
Directed by Paul Weitz
Starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Graig, Eva Green and Dakota Blue Richards
I'll be honest here, I'm still really skeptical on The Golden Compass. The first trailer managed to woo some magic into me, but the fact that they had to bank on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy's success for advertising did not seem to bode well, either that or New Line is really crummy. And while the footages do boast some excellent scenes, I still can't shake off the feeling that it might not go the distance still. Add the fact that this film is helmed by the director of American Pie and I've got myself a really confused opinion. Yet, I've managed to shake off my misgivings until I actually see the movie, and it even manages to get into my list. With a cast like Kidman, Craig, Green, Elliot, Lee and the voice of good old Ian Mckellen, there seemed to be no way this movie was going to pass by me unwatched. Oh, and the book's terrific. Cross your fingers that this one will be too.
8.) YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH
Directed by Francis Ford Coppolla
Starring Tim Roth, Alexandria Maria Lara
Do you really need a reason to see this film? Oh wait, I'll give you ten good reasons why this film has to be seen. NUMBER ONE : It's Francis Ford Copolla's first film in ten years. NUMBER TWO - TEN: See number one. Initial reviews may be skeptic, it isn't a new Godfather by any chance. But at the very least, I'm not passing up the chance to see the return of one of history's greatest directors of all time, whether it comes in with a large bang or the faintest, but sweetest, of a whisper.
7.) THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN
Directed by Andrew Adamson
Starring Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Willam Mosley
I may not have thought that the first film was a glorious film, but it was solid nonetheless. Now we've got the sequel coming up and the entire gang's returning for more. That means more lion fights, more earth-shaking battles, more warring teenagers and of course more talking beavers (don't ever forget the beavers!). And dare I say that this is the start of another trilogy? If this is not in your list, then it's your lost.
6.) IRON MAN
Directed by Jon Favreau
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard
Iron Man finally made it to the big screen, good for you, Stark. And while his comic counterpart is a tyrannic bastard these days, the good old classic Tony is still throbbing with life in this film. If you haven't seen the teaser then you don't know how much of the sleek cool you're missing. We've got the classic armor and the modern one, take into account a whole lot of awesome and this movie's just waiting the blow the scenes. Plus, Downey over Cruise any day. (sorry, Tom, you ain't Stark).
5.) AMERICAN GANGSTER
Directed by Ridley Scott
Starring Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe
We've got legendary Ridley Scott in the director's chair. We've got two great actors that just fit into their roles like Santa to his red jingle hat. And we've got gangsters, lots and lots of gangsters. Oh yeah... bring on the pain. Based on the true story of mob boss Frank Lucas, this film just screams silver screen magic. And while not everyone may be up to this kind of movie, it's definitely right up my deep, dark alley. Now hand me that shotgun, we've got work to do.
4.) THE BUCKET LIST
Directed by Rob Reiner
Starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman
We have good old Jackie and Morgan Freeman himself as two dying men looking for that last kick in life. The chance to see these two hit it off is worth the admission's price alone. And while Rob Reiner has been hitting misses recently, let's not forget When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and Misery. This guy's good, and this film looks to bring him back on his feet. After seeing the trailer, I've already forgotten Rumor Has It and Alex & Emma. This film is a must-see, and the heart-string puller of the year. Ready your tissues, gentleman, and let loose those tear ducts.
3.) SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Directed by Tim Burton
Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter
We've got Tim Burton and Depp in yet another twisted, macabre movie. So, what else is new? P.S. It's a musical. HOLY F***!!! Well, that was a twist. Based on the broadway musical about a man bent on revenge by slitting the throats of all his barber shop customers, this movie just screams to be watched... well, maybe it's screaming due to other reasons too. This film probably threatens to vie with The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford for longest title ever, plus, check out that funky hair Depp is sporting. If you've seen the trailer, rest assured this film yet again proves why Depp should be given an Oscar, and fast! And if you haven't seen it, well what the hell are you standing around for? Go, Bleeders, go!
2.) INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF CRYSTAL SKULLS
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett
Let me just say this one thing, Even Stevens dude has GOT to be the world's luckiest guy. After sharing a kiss with Megan Fox in Transformers, he's down with Steven himself in the long overdue chapter to the Indiana Jones series. Harrison's hair is now gray, he has a son, Sean Connery is nowhere to be seen, Russian troops are hunting them down instead of Nazis and Steven still insists on using old fashioned film. This movie may be old fashioned, but the Jones magic has always been classic, and I cannot express how much I've awaited the return of this movie and good old Dr. Jones. Welcome back, and lots and lots of snakes to all.
1.) THE DARK KNIGHT
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman
I admit this topping the list is partly out of bias. But can you blame me? Batman Begins was spot on the best incarnation of the character ever, and almost every cast was spot on. Now we bring everyone back, minus Katie Holmes (thank you, Lord!) for what seems to be a bigger, darker take on The Dark Knight. If the fact that the word Batman is nowhere near the title for once hasn't caught your attention, maybe the new Joker will. With the help of countless ingenious viral marketing campaign, Heath Ledger is more and more likely to becoming THE Joker adaptation to beat (yes, that includes Jack Nicholson and Mark Hamil). Just take a look at the picture here and dare tell me it doesn't shivers up your spine. And if that fails, just watch the teaser. I've always been waiting for this movie, but with what they've given us so far, it's apparent this is THE superhero movie to beat. And yes, Batman can kick the crap out of Superman anyday.... without kryptonite.
10.) THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL
Directed by Justin Chadwick
Starring Eric Bana, Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson
Let's face it, I'm a sucker for historical flicks, especially well made one. But not every piece concerning some dysfunctional historical bozo comes out classic, take for example the shiny-but-not-quite Elizabeth: The Golden Age. But this one is different. You've got Bana as King Henry VIII and the two incredibly sexy leads as Anne and Mary Boleyn, two girls vying for his affection. All three are more than competent actors, in fact they're all great and very easy on the eyes. Then add into the mix writer Peter Morgan who churned out both The Queen and The Last King of Scotland last year and you've got a historical movie that makes me drool just by thinking about it (I swear it's not the girls, I swear.)
9.) THE GOLDEN COMPASS
Directed by Paul Weitz
Starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Graig, Eva Green and Dakota Blue Richards
I'll be honest here, I'm still really skeptical on The Golden Compass. The first trailer managed to woo some magic into me, but the fact that they had to bank on The Lord of the Rings Trilogy's success for advertising did not seem to bode well, either that or New Line is really crummy. And while the footages do boast some excellent scenes, I still can't shake off the feeling that it might not go the distance still. Add the fact that this film is helmed by the director of American Pie and I've got myself a really confused opinion. Yet, I've managed to shake off my misgivings until I actually see the movie, and it even manages to get into my list. With a cast like Kidman, Craig, Green, Elliot, Lee and the voice of good old Ian Mckellen, there seemed to be no way this movie was going to pass by me unwatched. Oh, and the book's terrific. Cross your fingers that this one will be too.
8.) YOUTH WITHOUT YOUTH
Directed by Francis Ford Coppolla
Starring Tim Roth, Alexandria Maria Lara
Do you really need a reason to see this film? Oh wait, I'll give you ten good reasons why this film has to be seen. NUMBER ONE : It's Francis Ford Copolla's first film in ten years. NUMBER TWO - TEN: See number one. Initial reviews may be skeptic, it isn't a new Godfather by any chance. But at the very least, I'm not passing up the chance to see the return of one of history's greatest directors of all time, whether it comes in with a large bang or the faintest, but sweetest, of a whisper.
7.) THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN
Directed by Andrew Adamson
Starring Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, Willam Mosley
I may not have thought that the first film was a glorious film, but it was solid nonetheless. Now we've got the sequel coming up and the entire gang's returning for more. That means more lion fights, more earth-shaking battles, more warring teenagers and of course more talking beavers (don't ever forget the beavers!). And dare I say that this is the start of another trilogy? If this is not in your list, then it's your lost.
6.) IRON MAN
Directed by Jon Favreau
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard
Iron Man finally made it to the big screen, good for you, Stark. And while his comic counterpart is a tyrannic bastard these days, the good old classic Tony is still throbbing with life in this film. If you haven't seen the teaser then you don't know how much of the sleek cool you're missing. We've got the classic armor and the modern one, take into account a whole lot of awesome and this movie's just waiting the blow the scenes. Plus, Downey over Cruise any day. (sorry, Tom, you ain't Stark).
5.) AMERICAN GANGSTER
Directed by Ridley Scott
Starring Denzel Washington, Russel Crowe
We've got legendary Ridley Scott in the director's chair. We've got two great actors that just fit into their roles like Santa to his red jingle hat. And we've got gangsters, lots and lots of gangsters. Oh yeah... bring on the pain. Based on the true story of mob boss Frank Lucas, this film just screams silver screen magic. And while not everyone may be up to this kind of movie, it's definitely right up my deep, dark alley. Now hand me that shotgun, we've got work to do.
4.) THE BUCKET LIST
Directed by Rob Reiner
Starring Jack Nicholson, Morgan Freeman
We have good old Jackie and Morgan Freeman himself as two dying men looking for that last kick in life. The chance to see these two hit it off is worth the admission's price alone. And while Rob Reiner has been hitting misses recently, let's not forget When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and Misery. This guy's good, and this film looks to bring him back on his feet. After seeing the trailer, I've already forgotten Rumor Has It and Alex & Emma. This film is a must-see, and the heart-string puller of the year. Ready your tissues, gentleman, and let loose those tear ducts.
3.) SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET
Directed by Tim Burton
Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter
We've got Tim Burton and Depp in yet another twisted, macabre movie. So, what else is new? P.S. It's a musical. HOLY F***!!! Well, that was a twist. Based on the broadway musical about a man bent on revenge by slitting the throats of all his barber shop customers, this movie just screams to be watched... well, maybe it's screaming due to other reasons too. This film probably threatens to vie with The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford for longest title ever, plus, check out that funky hair Depp is sporting. If you've seen the trailer, rest assured this film yet again proves why Depp should be given an Oscar, and fast! And if you haven't seen it, well what the hell are you standing around for? Go, Bleeders, go!
2.) INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF CRYSTAL SKULLS
Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett
Let me just say this one thing, Even Stevens dude has GOT to be the world's luckiest guy. After sharing a kiss with Megan Fox in Transformers, he's down with Steven himself in the long overdue chapter to the Indiana Jones series. Harrison's hair is now gray, he has a son, Sean Connery is nowhere to be seen, Russian troops are hunting them down instead of Nazis and Steven still insists on using old fashioned film. This movie may be old fashioned, but the Jones magic has always been classic, and I cannot express how much I've awaited the return of this movie and good old Dr. Jones. Welcome back, and lots and lots of snakes to all.
1.) THE DARK KNIGHT
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman
I admit this topping the list is partly out of bias. But can you blame me? Batman Begins was spot on the best incarnation of the character ever, and almost every cast was spot on. Now we bring everyone back, minus Katie Holmes (thank you, Lord!) for what seems to be a bigger, darker take on The Dark Knight. If the fact that the word Batman is nowhere near the title for once hasn't caught your attention, maybe the new Joker will. With the help of countless ingenious viral marketing campaign, Heath Ledger is more and more likely to becoming THE Joker adaptation to beat (yes, that includes Jack Nicholson and Mark Hamil). Just take a look at the picture here and dare tell me it doesn't shivers up your spine. And if that fails, just watch the teaser. I've always been waiting for this movie, but with what they've given us so far, it's apparent this is THE superhero movie to beat. And yes, Batman can kick the crap out of Superman anyday.... without kryptonite.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Enchanted Review
Let's face the hard truth here in the world of Happily Ever Afters, Disney is has fallen a looong way since ol'e Walt was still around.
There used to be a time when Disney could do no wrong, and nowadays it seems that it's the only thing they're trying to do and beleive you me it's working. There are brief moments of glory such as Pirates of the Caribbean when it came out not so long ago, but even that they buried in the dirt. Sad to say, the only gems they ever give out these days aren't even theirs (well technically they are), credit would have to go to the geniuses in Pixar.
And here comes a new movie, Enchanted. When I watched the trailer, all I thought was, "Now here's an opportune chance for Disney to clean our pockets by showing us how bad they've become". Seriously, I cringed at the trailer.
And now I've seen the film, and I've had to put my judgement on hold for an hour and a half. Let me tell it to you this way.
The film was campy, over-the-top, confusing, laughable, cheesy.... and surprisingly enchanting.
Well, if you could get over the fact that this is somewhat a princess movie making fun of itself by making fun of everything it was built on, then here it is for you. It seems that the only time these days Disney seems to be striking home is when the steer in a brand new course. Oh forget the beloved classics of years past, forget how to make them. Instead, if you want to make a good movie, we have to poke fun at them.
In their defense, the fun here is light-hearted and charming, and no where below the belt as they're hitting themselves. In stark contrast to many recent fairytale movie jokes (I'm looking at you Shrek) this movie at the least retains the enchantment despite the many cliches it holds unto, mostly because not only does it mix it up with some really good new ones, it also gives the old ones a brand new way to look at it. In the end, well you still know what the end will be, but at the very least you'll be pleasantly surprised at how much you actually enjoyed the trip. I sure did. It's no Happily Ever After just yet for Disney, but at the very least it's nice to know that they can hit a curve ball at us here and there. And besides, it's hard not to fall in love with a movie this adorable.
7.5 out of 10
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Review : The Book Thief
One small fact: You are going to die.
This peek into the contents of the book, more than anything els (counting the mesmerizing cover) made me want to read this book. As much as I know what they say... don't judge a book by it's cover, sometimes it just can't be helped. Upon reading the synopsis, or what little of it is there at the back, I expected the contents to be lavished with unique writing and I expected a tale of beauty, tragedy and life. I am then lucky that this time around, my first impression wasn't debunked.
At first, the premise of Death being the narrator seemed as promising as it was enticing. And the initial human characterization seems spot on. He even delivers many of the memorable quote s throughout the book (though sadly it loses its magic halfway), including the haunting last line. While this seemed to me the initial short-sleeve trick the book had to offer, by a third way one could generally forget our unique narrator and it would do little to decrease the pleasure this book was.
Out heroine, Liesel, loses her family quite early and steals her first book almost just as early. The rest of the events however took their merry old time in coming in. This in a way contributed much to the book's charm. Unlike other books, most chapters did little to advance much of the book's plot but instead focused on many little events that did wonders for the characters. It's not often that I find a character so fleshed out by the first half of the story that no amount of further characterization on the part of the last half could enhance it any further. And while some characters seem more fleshed out than others, it is how they lived life in the small world of little Liesel that bore fruit. Markus Zusak has a narrative so enchanting and mesmerizing that every little detail seems hauntingly beautiful in its own way.
Perhaps one of the greatest flaw as well as strength of Markus' writing is how it uses Death to treat everything so blatantly. This shows us much of our narrator, he's death after all, and while his observations are disturbing and heart-breaking, her regards them with a sense of normality. This is effective, but as an added part of Death's disregard for his own part in the story, bits and parts of the ending is revealed all through out the book. While the ending did hold quite a punch, it was softened up quite a bit by these little hints. While it does characterization and narrative great, it does leave the ending quite wanting when it was already a bit flawed in the first place.
The ending, though anticipated, comes and go like a flash of emotions and blood. I know that is probably the point of the story, for something so evenly paced, it's inevitable that sch an ending, no matter how splendidly written, falters a bit in trying to hook us in mainly because it tried so hard to wrap everything up so fast. I sympathize with the characters, sure, my mind raced in the end, sure, but i could have been made to do so with much greater intensity.
Still, at the very least it doesn't linger too long because as much as the story was well written and paced, lingering on some aspects seemed to start giving off the "I've seen this, move on" feeling a few times. Not I said only a few. Even the lovely narration slightly gets on the nerve on the rarest instances.
The narration, however, is still topnotched. Where else can I get so excited on a basement imaginary boxing match with Adolf Hitler? This book is beautiful in every aspect, and I am completely grateful it caught my eye because it didn't disappoint one bit.
9 out of 10
This peek into the contents of the book, more than anything els (counting the mesmerizing cover) made me want to read this book. As much as I know what they say... don't judge a book by it's cover, sometimes it just can't be helped. Upon reading the synopsis, or what little of it is there at the back, I expected the contents to be lavished with unique writing and I expected a tale of beauty, tragedy and life. I am then lucky that this time around, my first impression wasn't debunked.
At first, the premise of Death being the narrator seemed as promising as it was enticing. And the initial human characterization seems spot on. He even delivers many of the memorable quote s throughout the book (though sadly it loses its magic halfway), including the haunting last line. While this seemed to me the initial short-sleeve trick the book had to offer, by a third way one could generally forget our unique narrator and it would do little to decrease the pleasure this book was.
Out heroine, Liesel, loses her family quite early and steals her first book almost just as early. The rest of the events however took their merry old time in coming in. This in a way contributed much to the book's charm. Unlike other books, most chapters did little to advance much of the book's plot but instead focused on many little events that did wonders for the characters. It's not often that I find a character so fleshed out by the first half of the story that no amount of further characterization on the part of the last half could enhance it any further. And while some characters seem more fleshed out than others, it is how they lived life in the small world of little Liesel that bore fruit. Markus Zusak has a narrative so enchanting and mesmerizing that every little detail seems hauntingly beautiful in its own way.
Perhaps one of the greatest flaw as well as strength of Markus' writing is how it uses Death to treat everything so blatantly. This shows us much of our narrator, he's death after all, and while his observations are disturbing and heart-breaking, her regards them with a sense of normality. This is effective, but as an added part of Death's disregard for his own part in the story, bits and parts of the ending is revealed all through out the book. While the ending did hold quite a punch, it was softened up quite a bit by these little hints. While it does characterization and narrative great, it does leave the ending quite wanting when it was already a bit flawed in the first place.
The ending, though anticipated, comes and go like a flash of emotions and blood. I know that is probably the point of the story, for something so evenly paced, it's inevitable that sch an ending, no matter how splendidly written, falters a bit in trying to hook us in mainly because it tried so hard to wrap everything up so fast. I sympathize with the characters, sure, my mind raced in the end, sure, but i could have been made to do so with much greater intensity.
Still, at the very least it doesn't linger too long because as much as the story was well written and paced, lingering on some aspects seemed to start giving off the "I've seen this, move on" feeling a few times. Not I said only a few. Even the lovely narration slightly gets on the nerve on the rarest instances.
The narration, however, is still topnotched. Where else can I get so excited on a basement imaginary boxing match with Adolf Hitler? This book is beautiful in every aspect, and I am completely grateful it caught my eye because it didn't disappoint one bit.
9 out of 10
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
High School Musical 2 Review
High School Musical 2 Review
Before I say anything in this review, let me just be allowed to point out that High School Musical is a phenomenon like no other. It has been quite some time since I've seen hordes of people fall in love with such overhyped films, and it isn't even released in theaters.
High School Musical 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the TV sensation High School Musical (who could have guessed eh?). and it picks off where the quality of the last film left off, and went completely downhill from there.
I have many friends who had adored the first film for its charming and funky music, its lovable characters and its simple, albeit overused, plot. Then again I have friends who absolutely despite it for just the same reasons. Me? I came in just in the middle. I liked thi first film for its songs, its moves. They weren't exactly broadway stuff but it was entertaining, and it was for a much younger audience orientation, so that was easily dismissed. The plot was a huge cliche... so? It was for kids, oting wrong with cliches. Besides it was Disney, if ever there was a king company of cliches it would be these guys. Sure the songs grew old after you hear it around every corner, but at the very least I respected High School Musical for what it at least attempted to do and what it actually managed to achieve with its young viewers.
I respect it no longer. In a large way, the sequel is a bigger bolder success compared to the first film, a lot more people watched it.
But then again I hated it.
The plot is still cliche ridden. But props have to be given to the writers for trying to spice up their cliches with slightly less cliche-ridden factors. What you end up with is still a cliche (no idea how many times I will be saying that in this review) of a story that is actually frustrating, confusing, mindless and just plain awful at the same time. The change of scenery to a counry club is a nice twist, and the summer theme is refreshing. Then again after a few scenes of mindless swimming at the middle of the night, frolicking in huge golf courses and dining luxurious meals, we start forgetting these is a "High School" musical, something that at least made the first film charming.
Then we move on to the numbers. I don't expect these guys to pull off Tony-award winning material, but at the very least keep us entertained, not groaning in pain. The first musical had several songs that I at least enjoyed and even the lowest, cheesiest of the songs was still bearable.
Now it's gone on to a whole new different place. It seems that the director has lost all abandon. there are barely any songs that get me going, about one or two that I actually felt the groove to. The rest was sloppy ad ill-conceived, their lyrics horrid and the acting sordid. I felt like I was watching two llamas attempting to stand on their two hind legs.
But hey, let's not be mean, right? This is High School Musical. Haaaaiiiii.... If this movie had gone first there was no way I'd see any of my batchmates attempt to pull this version off in the first batch of broadway kick-offs as they did with th first film.
And don't even let me go on about the acting. Zac Efron may have gotten points from me with his turn as Link in Hairspray, but his performance here lands him back where he started. Let's just hope that his puppy-don't-get-mad-at-met face doesn't grace the screens of his upcoming film Footloose or we are all seriously beggining to see the end of a short Muscial Revival era.
But to be fair, Zac was nowhere NEAR as horrible as Vanessa Hudgens (and I'm not talking about her recent nude fiasco as well). This half-Filipina (and she never ever really mentions that half thank god) is the prime epitome of clueless with just a hint of ditzy and a lot of I-wanna-strangle-you-to-end-this-movie-right-now. Seriousyl, get some acting lessons. Even the Harry Potter cast is better than you (cringing fake laughs and all).
But it wasn't all bad, thank god. Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel were adorable once again as Sharpay and Ryan Evans. One of these two had more entertainment value than the rest of the cast put together. Somewhere along the line I began wishing that these two were the main characters of the entire series instead of those two love-struck-dead birds. By the end of the movie, I was pleading for it.
God give me strength because now they plan the third move... onscreen! And as an avid movie fan I am forcing myself to go watch that too. I just hope beyond all travesties (though the chances are extremely slim) that they get it right that time.
4 out of 10
Before I say anything in this review, let me just be allowed to point out that High School Musical is a phenomenon like no other. It has been quite some time since I've seen hordes of people fall in love with such overhyped films, and it isn't even released in theaters.
High School Musical 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the TV sensation High School Musical (who could have guessed eh?). and it picks off where the quality of the last film left off, and went completely downhill from there.
I have many friends who had adored the first film for its charming and funky music, its lovable characters and its simple, albeit overused, plot. Then again I have friends who absolutely despite it for just the same reasons. Me? I came in just in the middle. I liked thi first film for its songs, its moves. They weren't exactly broadway stuff but it was entertaining, and it was for a much younger audience orientation, so that was easily dismissed. The plot was a huge cliche... so? It was for kids, oting wrong with cliches. Besides it was Disney, if ever there was a king company of cliches it would be these guys. Sure the songs grew old after you hear it around every corner, but at the very least I respected High School Musical for what it at least attempted to do and what it actually managed to achieve with its young viewers.
I respect it no longer. In a large way, the sequel is a bigger bolder success compared to the first film, a lot more people watched it.
But then again I hated it.
The plot is still cliche ridden. But props have to be given to the writers for trying to spice up their cliches with slightly less cliche-ridden factors. What you end up with is still a cliche (no idea how many times I will be saying that in this review) of a story that is actually frustrating, confusing, mindless and just plain awful at the same time. The change of scenery to a counry club is a nice twist, and the summer theme is refreshing. Then again after a few scenes of mindless swimming at the middle of the night, frolicking in huge golf courses and dining luxurious meals, we start forgetting these is a "High School" musical, something that at least made the first film charming.
Then we move on to the numbers. I don't expect these guys to pull off Tony-award winning material, but at the very least keep us entertained, not groaning in pain. The first musical had several songs that I at least enjoyed and even the lowest, cheesiest of the songs was still bearable.
Now it's gone on to a whole new different place. It seems that the director has lost all abandon. there are barely any songs that get me going, about one or two that I actually felt the groove to. The rest was sloppy ad ill-conceived, their lyrics horrid and the acting sordid. I felt like I was watching two llamas attempting to stand on their two hind legs.
But hey, let's not be mean, right? This is High School Musical. Haaaaiiiii.... If this movie had gone first there was no way I'd see any of my batchmates attempt to pull this version off in the first batch of broadway kick-offs as they did with th first film.
And don't even let me go on about the acting. Zac Efron may have gotten points from me with his turn as Link in Hairspray, but his performance here lands him back where he started. Let's just hope that his puppy-don't-get-mad-at-met face doesn't grace the screens of his upcoming film Footloose or we are all seriously beggining to see the end of a short Muscial Revival era.
But to be fair, Zac was nowhere NEAR as horrible as Vanessa Hudgens (and I'm not talking about her recent nude fiasco as well). This half-Filipina (and she never ever really mentions that half thank god) is the prime epitome of clueless with just a hint of ditzy and a lot of I-wanna-strangle-you-to-end-this-movie-right-now. Seriousyl, get some acting lessons. Even the Harry Potter cast is better than you (cringing fake laughs and all).
But it wasn't all bad, thank god. Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel were adorable once again as Sharpay and Ryan Evans. One of these two had more entertainment value than the rest of the cast put together. Somewhere along the line I began wishing that these two were the main characters of the entire series instead of those two love-struck-dead birds. By the end of the movie, I was pleading for it.
God give me strength because now they plan the third move... onscreen! And as an avid movie fan I am forcing myself to go watch that too. I just hope beyond all travesties (though the chances are extremely slim) that they get it right that time.
4 out of 10
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Review: Hairspray
HAIRSPRAY
When the year began, I must say with utmost sincerity that it was to be one of the most hyped up year for movies ever since The Lord of the Rings Trilogy ended. Very few years have thus for presented a platter of the most tantalizing dished of Hollywood goodies as this year had.
It is then in that view all the greater a tragedy that Hollywood has done nothing but leave behind it a trail of complete disappointments.
Not to say that the big names of Summer (Pirates of the Caribbean 3, Spiderman 3 and Shrek 3), a cornucopia of trilogies, was bad. I enjoyed Pirates; Shrek 3 made me laugh and Spiderman was a joy for the inner geek. That doesn't mean they were good either. Pirates was convoluted and trashed by Hollywood's desire for the big bucks, Spiderman was too flashy and over-the-top and Shrek... well it's getting too old too fast.
It is then with the greatest desire that I announce that one of the films I had been anticipating for this year redeems the farce of these films. Although I cannot say that it was the first film of the year to meet my expectations (that honor goes to the bloody joy that is 300) but it is also the first film to do so by appealing to my inner artist rather than showing me a lot of gleeful killing (Don't get me wrong though, I love the blood).
But before I go on I must first admit, Hairspray holds a deep place within my heart. Watching the trailer alone brings back memories and next to Chicago, it has the greatest hold on me in regard to me High School life experience. But do not regard that as bias, rather regard it as even higher standards set for this film. And I must say, upon learning that the same man directed The Pacifier I was all set for disappointment.
But that it did not do. The music was great, the dance moves terrific, the acting superb and it does this grand show while teaching us all an important lesson of prejudice, without becoming any notch above preachy.
I must admit however that the songs have become way too mainstream, it doesn't pack quite the ounch as I thought it would. Oh I assure you the songs are terrific, I found myself listening to the soundtrack for weeks. But despite its grandeur it feels off-beat to the sense that it does not bring the same edge as the original, though it does make for it by greater melody and adding a touch of gentle honey-sweet tenderness absent in the original.
So the music was superb, all well and good. But do the performers move to the same tune? The answer is an assured yes, but it's not the best. The dances are of course spectacular, any where short of that level would ruin the film for me. But the focus of the dance wasn't to amaze and wow but simple rather to entertain and before you scratch your heads on that I must say that yes there is a difference. One could make precise and complex choreography, intense and dramatic moves that could stun the audience. Hairspray nears that point but it abruptly stops shy of it, rather content at simple putting together dances that keeps the eyes dancing, the lips smiling and the toes tapping. But what may be one of their bigger flaws can also be one of the better assets.
You see, and I say this at the bottom of my heart, I was actually more delighted by the dance moves of HS 4-A (you guys still amaze me to this day I tell you that :D ) than the movie. Why? Their moves were simpler, relying more on pure energy than anything else. Which is why the dances were better, the fact that everyone was out there doing the same movements to such a powerful tune, add the fact that they really were possessed by some gleeful madness makes it all the more breath-taking. BUT!!! The fatal flaw was that I was totally oblivois of everything else in the play, even the props (I loved the costume and props guys... but Anna, keep yourselves away from black make-up hahah).
That is a mistake that the movie safely strayed far away from, giving much more attention to its heart-warming yet simple story and of course to what IS the film;s greatest asset--- the actors.
Nikki Blonsky is pure joy as Tracy Turnblad- the slightly over-weight yet spunky girl of 1962 Baltimore. She possesses every scen with innocent goodness that strayed form the rowdier original version of Tracy.
Michelle Pfeiffer is just tasty as the villain, she plays with such such poise and elegance and charming cruelty that she steals just about every scene.
Zac Efron makes a good Link, a much better role to the bland Troy Bolton of High School Musical. He is actually showing some potential here.
Christopher Walken is filled with childish mischief, James Marden acceptable as Corky, Amanda Bynes is a great perky Penny. Brittany Snow is a lovable mean dumb blonde. Queen Lattifah owns her character, I cannot imagine an actress more suited. and ELijah Kelly is very cool.
But the show stopper would be John Travolta in the drag as mother Edna Turnblad. While the original was hoarse, coarse and a complete man at first look, John Travolta instead tries to disappear under the wig and act as a real sweet, tender and sensitive mother should, a far cry from the original but it works like how a John Travolta charm should. Though his/her hip moves are no Grease dances, his acting alone while swinging those gayish legs and swaying those tender hands more than makes her quite the star.
Overall the movie was highly entertaining and add the fact that it actually had strong content, I would have to say that it is by far among the better films of the year. Sure enough it's not exactly Oscar material (the best modern reincarnatin of the musicals still belongs to Chicago) but it does pretty much beat the hell out of the recent pop-outs such as The Producers, High School Musical and Phantom of the Opera (Great value, still short of the magic). This little film packs a whopper.
9 out of 10
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Shrek The Third Review
Shitty, sucky and so-bad
I think that's a good enough 3 S's for this movie.
Hey, don't call me a kiddie-movie basher just yet. I have always prefered Disney and Pixar to Dreamworks' take on animation. But I have always enjoyes the somewhat less limited themes of Shrek. They aren't afraid to take any theme and bash it with all sorts of humor that Disney would be hesitant to use while retaining its kiddie format.
That would be one of the reasons I loved the 1st two Shrek movies, yes I liked the first two. See? I'm not a kiddie basher. Sure I still preferred Pixar's films to them any day, but the Shrek movies were originally entertaining nonetheless.
Well this right here is where the originality ends, boys and girls.
Sure, the first two Shrek movies borrowed lots of famous fairy tale icons and put a humorous twist to it so to see more of em taken in here is no big surprise. It's the excess of it that sort of gets old.
Sure there's Artie, then again there's also the whole cast of Lancelot, Guenevere and Merlin. Don't forger all those princesses, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel.Alright, I could forgive that, they are fun characters to play with sure. Then you add Captain Hook, the Wicked Witch, the Deadly Living Trees and just about all the villains you could think of.
See, there's nothing wrong with taking them and making them funny, but it gets repetetive and old, and at such a short film length, jumbling all of them is near impossible.
Then comes the Shrek babies, a concept very poorly handled. I didn't find them either cute or funny. And how it plays in the overall storyline is not only predictable but also flat.
The charm of some of the original characters such as Donkey and Puss is still vividly there, among the only saving grace of the film. But characters such Shrek himself seems a bit toned down, probably a result of the character jumbling.
Also, they seem to be running out of jokes. No, it's not that they repeat the same jokes, they just do so in a new way. Most of the jokes are simply recycled stuff presented in a new wrapper.Sure they elicit laughter, but they do make you think... "Wait a minute, haven't I seen this before?"
On another note, they seem to be takeing cheap shots at Disney, which I don't really mind much since they're play of the Disney princesses are one of the most hilarious part of the movie. But when making fun of rival company characters become one of the highlights of your movie, well then you have something to worry about.
Maybe I should make myself a bit clearer at this point. I was entertained by the movie. At some points I did laugh out loud and I found myself going with the characters. I enjoyed it, doesn't mean I liked it. It's a bit of a paradox actually. You find yourself laughing at the jokes but in the end still leave unfulfilled.
In a visual standpoint, Shrek is still pretty eye-catching. Sure it still stands no chance against the Pixar stuff, but it works well on its own. But that seems to be yet another problem. The first movie presented a new visually charming animation. The second seems to really flesh that out with clearly enhanced texturing. The third, well is just the same. It works, but it doesn't do anything new.
Overall, it is becoming clearly obvious that the franchise is looong overstaying its welcome. It was good while it lasted but I must say, with even more certainty than the somewhat disappointing Spiderman 3, adios to Shrek and his lovable pals.
I think that's a good enough 3 S's for this movie.
Hey, don't call me a kiddie-movie basher just yet. I have always prefered Disney and Pixar to Dreamworks' take on animation. But I have always enjoyes the somewhat less limited themes of Shrek. They aren't afraid to take any theme and bash it with all sorts of humor that Disney would be hesitant to use while retaining its kiddie format.
That would be one of the reasons I loved the 1st two Shrek movies, yes I liked the first two. See? I'm not a kiddie basher. Sure I still preferred Pixar's films to them any day, but the Shrek movies were originally entertaining nonetheless.
Well this right here is where the originality ends, boys and girls.
Sure, the first two Shrek movies borrowed lots of famous fairy tale icons and put a humorous twist to it so to see more of em taken in here is no big surprise. It's the excess of it that sort of gets old.
Sure there's Artie, then again there's also the whole cast of Lancelot, Guenevere and Merlin. Don't forger all those princesses, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel.Alright, I could forgive that, they are fun characters to play with sure. Then you add Captain Hook, the Wicked Witch, the Deadly Living Trees and just about all the villains you could think of.
See, there's nothing wrong with taking them and making them funny, but it gets repetetive and old, and at such a short film length, jumbling all of them is near impossible.
Then comes the Shrek babies, a concept very poorly handled. I didn't find them either cute or funny. And how it plays in the overall storyline is not only predictable but also flat.
The charm of some of the original characters such as Donkey and Puss is still vividly there, among the only saving grace of the film. But characters such Shrek himself seems a bit toned down, probably a result of the character jumbling.
Also, they seem to be running out of jokes. No, it's not that they repeat the same jokes, they just do so in a new way. Most of the jokes are simply recycled stuff presented in a new wrapper.Sure they elicit laughter, but they do make you think... "Wait a minute, haven't I seen this before?"
On another note, they seem to be takeing cheap shots at Disney, which I don't really mind much since they're play of the Disney princesses are one of the most hilarious part of the movie. But when making fun of rival company characters become one of the highlights of your movie, well then you have something to worry about.
Maybe I should make myself a bit clearer at this point. I was entertained by the movie. At some points I did laugh out loud and I found myself going with the characters. I enjoyed it, doesn't mean I liked it. It's a bit of a paradox actually. You find yourself laughing at the jokes but in the end still leave unfulfilled.
In a visual standpoint, Shrek is still pretty eye-catching. Sure it still stands no chance against the Pixar stuff, but it works well on its own. But that seems to be yet another problem. The first movie presented a new visually charming animation. The second seems to really flesh that out with clearly enhanced texturing. The third, well is just the same. It works, but it doesn't do anything new.
Overall, it is becoming clearly obvious that the franchise is looong overstaying its welcome. It was good while it lasted but I must say, with even more certainty than the somewhat disappointing Spiderman 3, adios to Shrek and his lovable pals.
5 out of 10
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Spiderman 3 Review
Truth be told I wasn't that impressed with the 1st Spiderman. Sure it was cool, sure Spidey rocked and kicked some Green Goblin butt, the movie however was filled with uncertainties that might have been hidden then, but very obivous when, let's say, a second sequel comes out.
Hey! What do you know...
So here's Spiderman 3. I was actually looking forward to this, just like everyone else on the face of the Earth. I loved the part 2, a great improvement from the 1st and the only time I really felt the Spiderman magic. The trailer for this film showed a lot of kick ass but alread I felt that it might be biting off mor ethan it could chew. Still I gave Sam Raimi the benefit of the doubt.
Maybe not.
It was a disappointment, that is clearly the most obvious point here. Not that I'm saying it's bad, Raimi has had enough experience to keep the movie from sinking anywhere below mediocrity. It's actually good, but filled with so much flaws that in the end, it pales in comparisson to its initial vision and to that of its predecessor.
First of all, the biggest problem... the screenplay. I have no idea how much of the creative team are comic book fanboys but, for chrissakes, enough is enough!
"Let's throw in the symbiote, it'd make an awesome storyline!"
"Sure man! Don't forget Eddie! You can't have symbiotes without Venom"
"Now that'd make a kickass finale! How bout the symbiote sticks to Peter first! Make him all evil and stuff"
"That's the idea dude! And! And! Let's break him up and MJ!!!"
"Oh yeah!!! And let's put Gwen Stacy between them!"
"Where'd she come from?"
"Dunno, just write her in. Make her Eddie's girlfriend or something..."
"How bout Peter goes really evil, kills off some dude..."
"Yah, now that's add up to the plot! Let's make him kill Sandman!!!"
"Jesus! Now that's one villain rock up baby!!! But why would Peter wanna kill Sandman?"
"Cuz Sandman killed Uncle Ben."
"What!? I thought that dude who died in part 1 killed Uncle Ben."
"Well just write it up that Sandman was the real one who did him in. Make him human too. Give him a dying kid or something."
"But man, if we do that, we'd be complicating things, setting back principles we originally defined from the 1st development!"
"So?"
"hmmm... Good point."
"Oh and add in Green Goblin II too. Harry is sooo gonna get creamed this time around."
"So... how many characters we got here again?"
The magic of the second was that it had a linear storyline, not one where everyone just throws in whatever they could think of. Yes, Petey got evil, we get it. We don't need more and more scenes and storylines to remind us!!!
As a result of the multiple storylines, characterization suffered. Despit the fact that this is by far the longest of the Spiderman flicks, it also is the weakest. Venom was a disappointment. Sure he looked cool, but he was damn rushed, didn't do him any justice. And no offense to Topher Grace but I still can't stand seeing the geek from That 70's Show play VENOM!!! Sandman is well defined, but his sympathetic storyline is waaay overplayed. His humanity overstays its welcome really fast and very soon we all actually WISH he was your typical guiltless baddie. The only villain done with justice here is Harry, his characterization is solid and we feel the vengeance and hatred from here as well as the confusion. But no surprise there guys, unlike the other two, Harry's has had two prior films to build up his character!
I do have to hand it to the special effects team though. The action scenes were intense, and the most wildly imaginative of the trilogy. I fell in love with the Sand scene for example. But as much as it totally kicked ass, especially in the grand finale, it may have been too good for its own good. The 1st couple of action scenes were very well played, Harry attacking Petey for example was pretty cool. But by the time it came to the finale where everyone was just about throwing every trick in the book, it fell flat despite the grand toss ups of rumbles.
Another thing I have against the film is the cast. Tobey Macguire has his good points, beleive me. He was adorable at many points in the three films as nerdy Peter Parker. And when he tried to be a baddie in this pic, we were all laughing out. I think Sam wanted him to look that ridiculous cuz if not, that was just waaay off the Cool-o-meter. Kirsten Dunst looked ravishing in the 1st movie, but as the movies went one she seemed to have been slowly belittled to girl-pawn, a crying face to show the crowd and the feisty MJ we all love is absent for the entire film. Dunst is also looking less and less pretty. I don't know if its the stress or what, or maybe she forgot her make-up... maybe....
Overall, I only wish that Sam could have come up with something better since a third part is usually the final one people would watch before finally getting pissed off and tired of the whole damn charade. Let's face it, how many Part 4's are there that were actually any good? Still, if Sam was crazy enough to attempt another one, well we wish him all the best because as far as I'm concerned this part 3 already embodies the spirit of that long-forgotten overhyped and overstayed 4th movie. Good Day.
6.5 out of 10
Monday, April 30, 2007
The Bashing of Inequity...er I mean Life
I have not been able, I must confess, to update regularly on my own blogspote partly, or largley, to my own stubornness and fault. To this, I apologize. But I cannot seem to grasp the nautre of why. Ahh the most important question. The question people should ask today but never really seem to get around to do so. Today we are so concerned with "now" and tomorrow we shall be concerned with "then", a most acrimonious sense of nausea is to instill as we long to regain our old life. Its seems more evident now, I must say, than it was yesterday. Although yesterday was no picnic either. How many times have I, in my ripe youth, lazed in the backseat of our van, the air condition heightening the chill of the moonlit night. Their is this sens of longing I would feel as I stare outside the window panes, at the passing people, their faces never having been so random yet so human. one day I would grow up. One day I shall face the trials of human life, one day I will feel pain unlike anyother and I shall cry in despair asking to end all agony. It seems almost natural of not so melancholic. It seemed almost right. And I was barely ten. And unbeknownst to me, life would hit me much harder and much faster than anyone could have anticipated. I now look at my life, with so much promise and yet so much regret. How in the world could two such opposite feelings ever mix? Mysteries of emotion aside, I knew there were so much screw-ups in my life I deserved every so much a fate of dropping down dead on the floor, but I didn't and I certainly do not wish to... not yet anyway. Life recently in the years have been so... mechanic, not in the sense that everything was routine. Oh no, nothing in my life recently can be anything called routine. Well unless recently at least, things have been calmed down a bit, the calm before the storm I suspect. There is always a storm. If not that a hurricane. So usually I pray for the storm instead. Rather life is mechanic in the sense that it no longer seems like life itself. Does life not feel the exhilleration of itself breathe into your soul, does life not feel good at youth, the exemption from adulthood's hardship and the bliss of youth, the company of friends. I have felt all these things for sure, but at small amounts, and at large intervals and most importantly at little effect. Is this what life should be like I must ask? What is life then if for some reason I have now felt it devoid of either love or passion. Oh and don't get me started with love. You expect such high sincerity in yourself, in the nature of your love. You feel almost holy with it. Yet in your many endeavors you are nothing more than a fool who splashes his own face with his own shit. What kind of crusade is that? I blame it not on love, but on myself, but the mere implications run amock and my mind, with it, goes afoul. I am a fool in love, and any girl who I ever loved in such a manner (I know of only one) should consider herself better off and do her best not to be associated with me in as much ways as possible (she had been doing quite a magnificent job so far. Whatever rare interactions with her I consider both a blessing and a great act of pity). And ANOTHER thing! Do not tell me, friend, that love is such greatness. How long have I told it to scram, get lose, go screw itself, it screwed millions of others. And it never does, not truly. Once you think it has you come across a picture, a name, anything in your twisted little imagination of yours that could, no matter how vaguely, remind you of her. Once more you are stricken with grief and more than that of embarassment, a reminder of your shortcomings and your foolishness. What is love but something that holds you back once you have failed in it. It will make me stronger, I am sure, but now I am too weak to even bother. Should life then truly be like this? I know, all to much, that I have not even tasted a drop of the bitterness that lies in the grimy undercroft of the lowest layer of dirt. I have not tasted hardship yet, but I know its coming. I know more than most how mush I will soon face, and I know I don't even come close in my speculation to the actual amount. Life is full of shit, and it throws more and more at you as you grow up. I already knew this. I have dreams you know. High dreams. And I know that as a temporary member of youth I am inclined, priveleged even, to have high dreams, great hopes. And I do. I wish a lot of things. But unlike others, I know somewhat, deep in my heart, that I only have hopes for the singular purpose of having life smash them into pieces the moment I take a foot out that door. I know this, yet I proceed anyway. What kind of crap is that? Worst part is that most of the time you go at this alone. Say all you want about friends, dear precious friends, and your beloved family. In my case, I very much doubt I'm that important to my friends and my family may care, but they will never actually understand, not completely at least. It's not teen angst, it's not I know it. My cellphone has been pretty much silent since graduation. Any interaction are those obliged, and my friends may ask me "How are you?" and to which I shall answer most respectably "Fine." I have grown to be such a good liar, I apologize to anyoen reading now that feels stricken but the years of being an actor has made it almost second nature to me. My family, it's all once again mechanic. I know ltrue love is in there, somewhere, but why the hell can't I feel it?! In the end this all just sums up to join my other fears once more. Not only will I have life bashing me all the way till I finally drop dead, it's going to do it at me alone- solo-- mano-e-mano. Crap, I better get my fricken gun then eh? I'm not usually this sober, usually I'm so drunk with the forces of life that I don't have TIME to feel sorry for myself. I just had to write it down before I forget that I also get miserable. And the sad part is that it really doesn't have to be. Not really. Well we all know who to balme a this... oneself. So with a roaring cheer and a gleeful yelp, let us raise our shit-stained glass in the misty air and cheer on the count of three for life, for crap, for stupidity and most of all for one's decree in suffering as is one's must soulful duty.
One...Two...
Three.
One...Two...
Three.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Dreamgirls Review
Well we had the director's outing last week. Me, Diana, Ansis, Jas, Charm and Anna (The last two however didn't make it until the latter part). We had fun, even without the two goodie-tooshoes who had to stay for practice (yah I'm talking to you guys!!! -_-) Hahaha! Anyway, the day ended with Dreamgirls which I review now, and while I'm sure Jas already has the song out of her head, I'm afraid I cannot say otherwise about myself. :D
Based on the 1960's Broadway of the same title, the movie accounts the lives of the rise and fall of several singers including James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy) and of course the main characters, The Dreams (Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson and Anika Noni Rose).
Well the first thing I have to say is that the visuals work really nicely. The sets are magnificent and flashy, half the time we were gawking at the stage than at the gals singing on it.
That's not to say the singing wasn't nice. It was actually very brilliant. I loved the soundtrack and the music really tugs at you. Well written and played, both new and old pieces. I was sent looking for all the songs the moment I got home. The thing is however, I've done the same thing with previous musicals so it doesn't really mean anything new.
One of the greatest points of the film is the acting. While everyone did a deccent job, Knowles doing a slightly better performance than what I thought her capable of, two people stole the limelight. Firs off is Eddie Murphy in a very serious role that presents a new side of Murphy's acting chops unlike any we've seen before. We see Eddie sad, melancholic, vulnerable and human. No disrespect to Mr Alan Arkin but I feel Murphy really should have gotten an Oscar for this.
The second got the oscar and deservingly so. Although I feel that part of her acting brilliance here is due to the song itself, Jennifer Hudson's pieces in the film were the only songs that nearly brought a tear to my eye and wrung my soul. Though some of the songs really touches the heart (like Patience and Listen) only Hudson makes you feel that much intensity of human emotions that brought life to this movie. Because otherwise, the movie would have been very lacking.
The movie is not however without its flaws. It is probably most compared to Chicago, which won the Best Picture award a few years ago and jumpstarted the return of the musicals in film. After watching the movie, it seems quite obvious that the darker and grittier Chicago is the superior and Rob Marshal the better at this round with Bill Condon.
What are the flaws? Well for one thing, Bill Condon has some seriously flawed pacing. While the movie seemed to go along smoothly in terms of story, it began to drag at the center. Not because of the writings, no, but because of the songs. The songs aren't bad, but unlike Chicago most of the songs here actually sound like each other. Thus there are many scenes in which Condon switches from one scene to another by directly connecting songs. At first it kind of flows smoothly, the rich music helps there. But after a while I actually started to wish they just say the lyrics than sing it. Again not because they were bad.
Also, although the screenplay included all the necessary parts, it seemed to me that it wasn't stretched to its greatest capabilities. Jimmy's part could have used some additional scenes for example, I would have loved to see more of Jimmy. Also, while emotional impacts was strong in the songs, it wasn't so in the script. They seemed to be thrown around frivolously as if trying to hit a random bullseye and hoping we shed a tear. Doesn't work that way. As I said, the only reason the movie managed to have some emotional content was on the songs and performances.
Also, I would have loved to see some nice choreography. True, many of the songs are more fitting for just singing performances without any dancing, but there were some songs such as Cadilac Car that just screamed for some flash of the arm or leg. There were a few, though not nearly enough and again I am reminded of the great choreography employed in Chicago. If it were not for the dazzling stage designs (which also began to get slightly old at one point) the songs would have gotten old despite their great quality. This is a movie, not a cd soundtrack for listening, I want a nice variety of visuals to go along with the audio!
But then again, most of those were just being picky. There is no doubt this movie was incredible and I am astounded it did not make the Best Picture Category. It was certainly entertainging yet filled with quality. Sure it wasn't a classical musical, it still is however a well made on.
My end point?
8.5 out of 10
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
300 Review
Alright, here's another review for my blog. This particular movie I've been waiting for two years now. and before I start my review, I just want to say this...
Madness? This. Is. SPARTA!!!!
Sorry, couldn't resist.
The movie was brilliant. A few months before I saw the film I went off and finally read a copy of Frank Miller's 300. It was a masterpiece, containg visual arts that spread through out and absolutely leaves you stunned.
The first point this movie probably garnered is the most obvious. The Visuals. It's cinematography is just beautiful. The sienna tint, the ancient epic feel and the highly stylized fight scenes. Jean Pe actually thought the actors were CGI themselves. It perfectly captured the essence of the comic book visual and I have to say, this is the first film that ever made skewered and decapitated bodies actually look gorgeous. The visuals alone is enough to garner the movie price.
Secondly the plot was actually pretty good. The screenplay of course was based on Miller's comic book script, which makes it awesome enough as it is. Miller is a master storyteller. But Zack Snyder masterfully strokes in enough additional content (the Queen Gorgo sublot for example) that actually enhances the story, making it superior even to the comic book's (which admittedly was quite simple). The story isn't going to win any oscars, but it has enough power to carry the weight of the visuals and acting which makes it very effective nonetheless.
If there was another start of the show that could probably top even the jaw-dropping cinematography, it's probably the heart-stopping fight scenes. Although I have to sya at times it felt awkward seeing so many slow-motions in a historical movie, one has to keep in mind it was based on a visual comic book medium, which explaines its highly stylized nature. I realize this may be one if the film's biggest flaw and strenghts as not everyone will agree to this. But the fight scenes are incredibly choreographed and with the help of the visuals, make one intensifying scene after another. Each cut, slice and stab makes you feel the ground shake. The blood splatters are amazingly 2-D, which helps enhance the feel that this indeed is a comic book brought to life. And Snyder's stroke of genius comes in the hand-to-hand fighting, where he slows down the frame-rate to a near stop as the Spartan is getting ready for a kill, before speeding it up again and then slowing it down again. this allows the viewers to absorb the viusal spectacle before them befroe they are brought forward again into the fray, very much like a comic book frame.
Then comes the acting. It was nothing marvelous, certainly not at the level o the technical side (which are the real stars of the show) but it is effective enough. Gerard Buthler (Phantom of the Opera) is the only one who gives a real note-worthy performance. This role will almost certainly get him fame and fortune at last. His Leonidas easily crosses the boundery of goodly king to fearless warrior. Let's just say every time he shouts out "Spartans!!!" you feel your seats shake.
In the end, it was one incredible, intense ride. There is no way it is getting into the Oscars, perhaps maybe for Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography. But it suceeds in what it aimed to do, be an intense enjoyable film that leaves a lasting impact and a hallmark for comic-book movies out there. It easily is the superior to Frank Miller's Sin City (which in itself was quite a good movie) and is certainly at level with some of the best comic book movies out there (Batman Begins for example)
9 out of 10
Summer Woes
f othAlright Summer has long begun. I'm pretty sorry I wasn't able to write about lots other major events that happened before. I didn't get to write about Valentine's, Prom, Passion Play and everything else. Those were all pretty big events. So big in fact, that I couldn't possibly write about them now. Anyway, Summer has begun. I found out recently I passed Hwa Wen, thank you Lord! I've been trying to complete the script for my 7 issue comic book miniseries but it is taking a lot longer than I expected. I had initially planned to have all 7 issues done by the end of the vacation, I now doubt that would ever happen. Me still being busy doesn't help at all. Take this week for example. I had to focus this week doing the Chimes pages, that was of course until I was bombarded by Anna on the Judenites Layout. I was pretty much haggard and spent after she was done with me -_- though I must say this wasn't the first time haha. Also, the graduation practices are all so boring and useless, the only highlights are the fact that I actually get to talk with some friends, which brings me to my biggest problem this summer. I am so friggin lonely at home... hahaha. Is this any indication of what my life in college would be like, if so I am SUCH a loser. Seriously, I never get any calls, text messages or even ym messages (with the slight exception recently of Anna but that's about Judenites). And I honestly believe that if I don't ever go back to practices I will never ever receiver another message again. I never realize just how easily I could be forgotten, just how shallow my mark goes. It's all really sad, I guess I can't do much about it. Probably my fault anyway. I jus thope the Summer will turn out better than my already below-than-average expectations.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Valentine's Eve
Alright it's friggin Valentine's Eve and I'm in a bad mood to start with. Well how the hell can I not? With the Passion Play going to hell, every drop of blood in my vein is burning at boiling point. It's @#ing fiasco! And now, we are talking major changes.. this late!? Hell no, we're all going to bury ourselves. My mood couldn't possibly had gone worse. That was until I realized it was frigging Valentine's Day Eve. Whoopde-#$^&$ing-doo!
You know, I never really liked the holiday all that much, but I never really hated it. That was until today. Now I'm loathing it. I just realized again how much I love her and how on this day of all days I'm powerless to do anything about it. I want to do so many things for her, just to make her smile or laugh, to help ease the problems that plague her to do anything for her. But I don't have that right, I don't deserve that right. I really want to send her flowers, even single simple rose, just to let out a touch of the fire inside killing me slowly from the heart. But I'm afraid dammit, last time I tried to show my feelings I failed miserably and nearly permenantly turned what was barely hangin of our friendly relationship into shreds, and now that I've managed to salvage what I can Iam in danger of falling for it again. But if I choose to be safe, would I regret it? The answer is yes. I'll hate myself for being a damn coward and chickening out of giving at least a bit of the love I want to give her. It twists me, turns me. It destroys me. It is the unconceivable, the irredeemable. It is a catastrophe, a plague. It is a blessing, a gift. It is love. I hate Valentine's Day.
.....
Tomorrow morning. I'll buy a rose. A single rose. And I'll keep it in my bag. I'll hold it as she sings. And if I find my courage, I'll give it to her, albeit anonymously. Although deep down, I know that she'll know who it would come from. And more than anything else, that's what scares me....
All this... in a tremendously busy Valentine's Day Eve.
#%^# you Cupid...
You know, I never really liked the holiday all that much, but I never really hated it. That was until today. Now I'm loathing it. I just realized again how much I love her and how on this day of all days I'm powerless to do anything about it. I want to do so many things for her, just to make her smile or laugh, to help ease the problems that plague her to do anything for her. But I don't have that right, I don't deserve that right. I really want to send her flowers, even single simple rose, just to let out a touch of the fire inside killing me slowly from the heart. But I'm afraid dammit, last time I tried to show my feelings I failed miserably and nearly permenantly turned what was barely hangin of our friendly relationship into shreds, and now that I've managed to salvage what I can Iam in danger of falling for it again. But if I choose to be safe, would I regret it? The answer is yes. I'll hate myself for being a damn coward and chickening out of giving at least a bit of the love I want to give her. It twists me, turns me. It destroys me. It is the unconceivable, the irredeemable. It is a catastrophe, a plague. It is a blessing, a gift. It is love. I hate Valentine's Day.
.....
Tomorrow morning. I'll buy a rose. A single rose. And I'll keep it in my bag. I'll hold it as she sings. And if I find my courage, I'll give it to her, albeit anonymously. Although deep down, I know that she'll know who it would come from. And more than anything else, that's what scares me....
All this... in a tremendously busy Valentine's Day Eve.
#%^# you Cupid...
Monday, January 29, 2007
OSCAR RACE
When I feel like it, in light of the Oscar Season, I'll be discussing some of the movies I'd like to see make it big this February. Here is a compilation of some of the movies in the race. PErsonally I'm rooting for Departed, but I'd rather not be biased just yet. Of all the ones here, I've only after all watched only a handfull including Little Miss Sunshine, Flags of Our Fathers, Babel and The Departed. Sunday, January 28, 2007
Babel Review
I watched Babel today. After doing so I decided to put up my very first Movie Review for this brand new blog of mine. So here it goes.
First of all about Babel. I actually am quite fond of the title, very significant in the overall plot. The movie is the third in a trilogy by Alejandro Innaritu, following both Ammore Perros and 21 Grams. The story is about miscommunication, as judged from the title, and revolves around three stories set in Morroco, Mexico and Japan. In Morroco, two boys play with a rifle and accidentally shoot a tourist bus, wounding a woman and enraging America in what is called a "terrorist attack". In Mexico a nanny, determined to attend her son's wedding, brings two children over the U.S. border. And finally in Japan a deaf-mute girl struggles with life and its deformities.
Now I can't help but compare this to last year's Crash, mostly because both use the same method of storytelling, individual storied coincidentally connected by some common link. One thing I found dissapointing in Babel was that, unlike Crash, it's stories were predictable and thus somewhat normal. Innaritu is charged with telling a stoy filled with meaning and a message, but it kind of loses its power if you already knew what was in a letter before it was handed to you, regardless of the content. That is to say, despite it's somewhat predictable storyline, Babel was good where it counts, on the themes of these stories. The use of a deaf-mute girl, the terrorist fear of America and the woes of immigrants and illegal foreign workers al help add to the main theme, miscommunication, and as tthe story moves along, it has a solid writing that keeps the film stuck to its original purpose.
Another problem of the story is this: while all three stories were excellent in their own way, no doubt, I found the Japan piece to be somewhat weakly linked, I hesitate to say unimportant as it IS important in developing the idea of miscommunication, but it seemes to have nearly no connection to the other two storylines. And when the link between them is revealed it stand only for a few minutes before it is completely forgotten. Unlike Crash, Babel seems more intent on speaking three different stories about the same thing rather than one whole story in three different things. I don't know about others but I find the latter more effective.
The directing by Innaritu was superb, the styles varied in each location and the methods he used to bring the message across where unique in their own ways. But it wasn't perfect. I found that Innaritu seemed to have shown a lot of diversity and richness in Mexico, somewhere I'm sure he is more familiar to, yet it is more weakened in Morroco and almost non-existent in Japan. That is to say that his pacing was nothing incredible as well. Although he manages to get points across, they do so without full impact. He underlies several hints and supporting accounts but the main characters themselves seem to contradict the theme with their own stupidity. Look I know about human nature and all, but at some parts I couln't help wondering how the characters seem at times to be so dumb. It kind of destroys the mood. Make no mistake, Innaritu packs a punch, but in this film, it's more like a whole lot of weak smaller punches than one powerful knock-out. And for a film that depends on the success of the combined strenght of three great stories, getting a knock-out should be the main goal.
The acting was great, emotions were everywhere and I was impressed even by Brad Pitt. Dakota Fanning's younger sister seems to be getting some of her sister's acting chops. Although there were only a few actors (Rinko Kikuichi and Adrian Brianza in particular) deserves to be noted for the big awards, the overall cast is solid competition for SAG's Best Ensemble Cast award. Their acting wasn't only good, it was very, very good, it's as simple as that.
The score was fitting, and great when it needed to be but wasn't and when it didn't have to be. There is a difference between not being great when there is no need to be and not being great when it shouldn't be. In that aspect, I found it solid but not fantastic, but of course that goes more on the techincal side. Editing seems to replay the same style as the previous films, although I have to say it was cleaner here thanit was in 21 Grams. At the very least I had no problems understanding the pace.
On a different note I founs something very infuriating about the entire ecpirience. It has nothing to do about the film but rather on the MTCRB. They rated the film as PG-13. I was surprised when I first heard that but thought that maybe the movie wasn't that explicit.
I was wrong.
The movie showed all kinds of stuff way not suitable for 13 year olds and under. A girl provokes sex by taking out her underpants and revealing her femal genitalia, they behead chickens that still walk despite the lack of a head, lots of blood, shooting of children, torture and police brutality, terrorism views, frontal nudity, drug and much much more. I personally don't fins any of them that disturbing, they were all used for the higher purpose and intent of the film, but for the MTCRB to allow little kids to see these in a film!? What were they thinking, an R-13 would have sufficed with me, but this shows just blatant ignorance on the part of the board. Oh yeah sure, "Da Vinci Code" was waaay too much for little kids but a movie with lots of nudity, drugs, killing and stuff are fine... right....
Overall I appreciated the movie and to an exctent enjoyed it as a film art. Emotionally I found it a bit depressing in mood with only a slight uplift at the end. But it isn't a classic, nor will it be. I see the reasone why it was nominated, maybe even for it's win in the golden globe Best Picture. It equally deserves its place in the Oscar Nomination. The win, however, I feel it still hasn't quite achieved.
8.3 Out of 10
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Random Poem
A Secret
By Evol
Eralced od i, redaer raed snoitalutargnoc!
Erab dial ev’ouy elddir elpmis siht ot rewsna eht
Terces a otni detsiwt niap a s’efil rof,
Terger ylerus evah ti dloheb ohw esoht.
Evlover sevil lla hcihw ot terces siht si tahw.
Evlos ot nam yna rof gnireffus hcum oot.
Od uoy wonk i dna rewsna eht wonk ot hsiw uoy fi,
Eulc lanif siht ot snoitcurtsni eht wollof tsuj.
Emag elttil ym rewsna ot desu ouy dohtem eht,
Eman s’rohtua elbmuh siht htiw oder uoy geb i.
By Evol
Eralced od i, redaer raed snoitalutargnoc!
Erab dial ev’ouy elddir elpmis siht ot rewsna eht
Terces a otni detsiwt niap a s’efil rof,
Terger ylerus evah ti dloheb ohw esoht.
Evlover sevil lla hcihw ot terces siht si tahw.
Evlos ot nam yna rof gnireffus hcum oot.
Od uoy wonk i dna rewsna eht wonk ot hsiw uoy fi,
Eulc lanif siht ot snoitcurtsni eht wollof tsuj.
Emag elttil ym rewsna ot desu ouy dohtem eht,
Eman s’rohtua elbmuh siht htiw oder uoy geb i.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
A Quick Jot
Had a shadow of a rest today. I had originally intended to sleep late, upto 9:00 (which is for me the equivalent of a normal person waking up at 1:00... I'm a morning person, so what, bite me.) But Anna texted me last night about this dubbing thing, which I groaned at initially. God when was the dubbing going to finish. This wasn't like the Everyman incident for sure, that time we had catastrophe as the entire dub was lost. This time we're a bit luckier as only a few bits were lost, but these are bits that just KEEP on getting lost. But what could I do, refuse to go? Of course I had to, so I woke at my usual time (7:00) instead. Hey, look at the birght side, I told myself, at least this wasn't like the 30+ times we had to dub for Chicago. For a few lines, we sure spent quite some time goign over it, hours at least. I then went to Dasma for the ball game, didn't do much, cept for the shots taken I'm going to use for the team site. By the time I got home, I was determined to get some rest to last me at least a week. Thank God for movies eh? Watched The Illusionist. It was great, I understand how it was nominated now for Best Cinematography. The acting was great, I always loved Edward Norton... but I feel Paul Giammati was brilliant, but true there was really no Oscar-worthy stuff, but it was devetn nonetheless. The ending was a bit predictable for my taste but oh well. After that was All the King's MEn. I had my a prehension, for a cast like that not o get into the Oscars, it might not be so good. But I was surprised, Sean Penn was brilliant as always and the movie was actually riveting, good enough to keep MY attention at least. Oh well until next time then :D
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Artistic Standstill
Yah, I've realized it quite some time now. I've been so busy with so many stuf this past year, I've barely touched my artworks. I got drwaings months old and my last Devart submission was ages ago. I can't even remember what was mylast complete work. I have got to get my artistic juices flowing if I'm to get back in the game, which I swear to you I will. I'm putting up some of my best artworks, the Superman/Batman thing is by far my most successful piece and I got this current untouched project, still I've barely improved at all for I don't know how long. It's kind of depressing, I've got lots to make up for, and I have to re-establish my Dev Art contacts soon... maybe in the summer...
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Is life really worth it?
Several events lead me to this question. The primary of which is me not passing UP. Yes, I ddin't pass UP, I passed La Salle and Ateneo bu no that one. I took Fine Arts, one of the more popular courses and despite my horrid grades I thought I'd give it a try. I was really hoping I'd make it, and the thing is I have absolutely no intention of ever studying there. Why would I care then? Maybe it's a matter of pride, but I think it's more to the case of proving to myself that I can beat the odds, no matter how great. But I couldn't, and that leads me wonder, "Will I ever?"
The second even to cause this realization was a tour to Enduran. Now that place was just... wow... If any school ever had both the audacity and the money to bribe their students while making it (seemingly) worth their while this is it. A 1.7 hectare campus made of Classic European architectual design, Millions of jobs available at graduation, a free P18,000 cellphone paid by the school, ability to study in either Switzerland or Spain, a great monthly Study-Now Pay-Later plan and the almost assured promise of getting rich, andI don't just mean rich- I mean fat, filthy, world-traveling, absolutely wealthy kind of rich. It was nearly impossible for me not to entertain the thought of actually going there. What would my life be if I did? I imagine my lifestyle and I have to say I ended up drooling, now that would have been a life I wouldn't mind. And the thing is, everyone will just have to admit it in this modern age, with enough money you could just about pursue any undertaking you wish, even your initial dream job.
So what's the point? The point is I'm now wondering if I made the right choice, If I indeed looked more to my heart than my mind. I chose mostly arts related courses, with the self-gratifying knowledge that once my skills arose to a certain level, I'll be able to attain a sustainable and satisfactory lifesyle. But maybe I'm just being a bit greedy, but for me, for my family, for my Chinese tradition, "satisfactory" just isn't enough. And even with the slight promise of a life of liesuire in the world of arts, it's slim compared to the booming 1.7 Trillion dollar industry of hotels or the millions produced in just about every business one thinks of. I sorely wish to be able to do what I love and make "a lot" of money at the same time, but I have to be realistic, and now I'm truly torn between the two as both seriously are things I really want. Call me idealistic, call me over-ambitious, call me greedy, call me anything you like. But I am more than everything else a confused teenager who doesn't know what to do in life.
In conclusion I guess it leads to that now. When I look at my life at school, all of a sudden a lot of things matter less, as if it finally dawned on me that in a few months nobody would give a damn in school about what I did and in a few years nobody would give a damn about me. So I'd be left where I started, alone, in a life so messed up at so late a period, I can no longer distinguish land from air. All these decisions, life-changing, life-breaking... all the fears, anxiety, all the clear pains and current ones... Is this really what life is gong to be like?
Because if it is, is it worth it?
The second even to cause this realization was a tour to Enduran. Now that place was just... wow... If any school ever had both the audacity and the money to bribe their students while making it (seemingly) worth their while this is it. A 1.7 hectare campus made of Classic European architectual design, Millions of jobs available at graduation, a free P18,000 cellphone paid by the school, ability to study in either Switzerland or Spain, a great monthly Study-Now Pay-Later plan and the almost assured promise of getting rich, andI don't just mean rich- I mean fat, filthy, world-traveling, absolutely wealthy kind of rich. It was nearly impossible for me not to entertain the thought of actually going there. What would my life be if I did? I imagine my lifestyle and I have to say I ended up drooling, now that would have been a life I wouldn't mind. And the thing is, everyone will just have to admit it in this modern age, with enough money you could just about pursue any undertaking you wish, even your initial dream job.
So what's the point? The point is I'm now wondering if I made the right choice, If I indeed looked more to my heart than my mind. I chose mostly arts related courses, with the self-gratifying knowledge that once my skills arose to a certain level, I'll be able to attain a sustainable and satisfactory lifesyle. But maybe I'm just being a bit greedy, but for me, for my family, for my Chinese tradition, "satisfactory" just isn't enough. And even with the slight promise of a life of liesuire in the world of arts, it's slim compared to the booming 1.7 Trillion dollar industry of hotels or the millions produced in just about every business one thinks of. I sorely wish to be able to do what I love and make "a lot" of money at the same time, but I have to be realistic, and now I'm truly torn between the two as both seriously are things I really want. Call me idealistic, call me over-ambitious, call me greedy, call me anything you like. But I am more than everything else a confused teenager who doesn't know what to do in life.
In conclusion I guess it leads to that now. When I look at my life at school, all of a sudden a lot of things matter less, as if it finally dawned on me that in a few months nobody would give a damn in school about what I did and in a few years nobody would give a damn about me. So I'd be left where I started, alone, in a life so messed up at so late a period, I can no longer distinguish land from air. All these decisions, life-changing, life-breaking... all the fears, anxiety, all the clear pains and current ones... Is this really what life is gong to be like?
Because if it is, is it worth it?
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Absurd
Around two years ago, a friend and I were walking past the school bus. It was hot and sticky, and sweat had easily made me wish to get out of the place as quick as possible. My friend then turned to me and asked me about this girl he really liked.
"You know what, Kev? I think I'm in love."
The guy was 15, younger than me by a few months, I almost laughed at the thought. I told him back.
"Of course not! That's completely absurd!"
He just smiled and we walked it off, escaping from the exhaust fumes and the burning steam.
Now I get it, I think.
I liked her for how many, 7 years? I loved her the next 3.
I can't seem to be able to explain it, my mind is wrenched just as much as my heart. There used to be a time when I could easily strike up a conversation with her, have a friendly walk down the entrance street of the school. There used to be a time when it was so easy to make her smile, and when she did it was so easy to make me smile as well. Now I half-heartedly avoid her, mostly because she's been ignoring me. I don't know, but God knows I've tried to set things right, but every time I see her my entire mind blows up and I'm left a drooling shell once containg a sensibility I used to be so proud of. So many things I want to say to her, but the moment I started was the moment all the problems began, and now where am, half-wishing that she wouldn't be so great and wonderful and that once in a while she would so something so mean, so terrible, that I may finally stop loving her because of it. But I know she won't do that, I wouldn't love her if I know she would. So now I go through the days in self-repair, still a wreck no better than the day before. I sorely wish I could just instantly piock up the pieces again but that would take time, and a time with the provision of her not being anywhere in sight. Bu of course she always is, not because I see her everyday at school, but because I see her everytime I close my eyes. They should really start teaching people at school how not to think instead of the other way around, I'm sure even that would come in really helpful.
So that's a bacis gist I guess. In the end of the day, I'm boroken like I always am, telling ymself with a smile that I'd get over it. I would go to the bathroom, open the faucet, brush my teeth.
I'd look at myself in the mirror, face haggard and eyes sunk with more than just simple fatigue. "Look at what love is doing to me, can this really be love?"
Then to my surprise my reflection opened its mouth and answered.
"Of course not! That's completely absurd!"
"You know what, Kev? I think I'm in love."
The guy was 15, younger than me by a few months, I almost laughed at the thought. I told him back.
"Of course not! That's completely absurd!"
He just smiled and we walked it off, escaping from the exhaust fumes and the burning steam.
Now I get it, I think.
I liked her for how many, 7 years? I loved her the next 3.
I can't seem to be able to explain it, my mind is wrenched just as much as my heart. There used to be a time when I could easily strike up a conversation with her, have a friendly walk down the entrance street of the school. There used to be a time when it was so easy to make her smile, and when she did it was so easy to make me smile as well. Now I half-heartedly avoid her, mostly because she's been ignoring me. I don't know, but God knows I've tried to set things right, but every time I see her my entire mind blows up and I'm left a drooling shell once containg a sensibility I used to be so proud of. So many things I want to say to her, but the moment I started was the moment all the problems began, and now where am, half-wishing that she wouldn't be so great and wonderful and that once in a while she would so something so mean, so terrible, that I may finally stop loving her because of it. But I know she won't do that, I wouldn't love her if I know she would. So now I go through the days in self-repair, still a wreck no better than the day before. I sorely wish I could just instantly piock up the pieces again but that would take time, and a time with the provision of her not being anywhere in sight. Bu of course she always is, not because I see her everyday at school, but because I see her everytime I close my eyes. They should really start teaching people at school how not to think instead of the other way around, I'm sure even that would come in really helpful.
So that's a bacis gist I guess. In the end of the day, I'm boroken like I always am, telling ymself with a smile that I'd get over it. I would go to the bathroom, open the faucet, brush my teeth.
I'd look at myself in the mirror, face haggard and eyes sunk with more than just simple fatigue. "Look at what love is doing to me, can this really be love?"
Then to my surprise my reflection opened its mouth and answered.
"Of course not! That's completely absurd!"
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