Film Review: The ladies and 300...

300 (2007)

Directed by:

Zack Snyder (Dawn of the Dead)




It really has been an experience to be part of my new office - a coupled feeling of being part of a renowned mutlinational public relations firm and, for the lack of a better description, a lady's dormitory. For a time, I was the only man in a 14-person team office set-up and when I joined, they sort of forgot that I was there.

Occasionally, I would hear stuff like "Fuck, my boobs hurt!" or "Who has a napkin, ora mismo if you know what I mean!" And then they would pause and snicker the second they remember I was in the room. Eventually though, they just stopped caring and went about their dormitory ways. The highlight of it would be a certain Tuesday morning when I walked in the office and found everyone gathered around a monitor with jaws dropped and giggles in between. They were watching the Colin Farrell porn flick. (Jesus Christ...) That was the day I realized that girls DO watch porn...

So imagine the monday morning after the weekend the film 300 came out... It was a congressional hearing about abs, pecks, more abs and a little bit of facial hair. They made it clear though that after enjoying and drooling over the movie, they all went home separately to do god-knows-what. Again, I was simply amazed.

The film though was obviously more than just the male physique and sweating men for me. I believe it can easily be the epic war movie of this year and the years to come. From a classic mytchical story originating centuries back exaggerated and modified through time, Zack Snyder projected a very clever portrayal - he used typical actors with typical acting capabilities but elevated it through cinemtagrophy, fighting coreography and a kick-ass plot.

The film invokes fear, suspense, rage and passion to its audience. It's dialogue involves a plethora of speech techniques - from witty conversations to strong, threatening statements all in the spirit of the greatest glory a Spartan can get in the battlefield: a brutal death.

The story follows a predictable storyline - nations are at war, the hero goes to fight against the odds facing certain death and so on and so forth. But Snyder knew this was typical. He made it shine by taking the audience on a roller-coaster ride of violence, sex, betrayal, more violence and a hint of homophobia care of the Persian human-self-declared-God Xerces.

The Spartans battle an impossible confrontation of 300 versus a million and the filmmaker took advantage of this to wow the audience though tactical soldiery and organized fighting, which worked. This was done on a majority of the film and successfully made the nearly 2 hour length into the best 2 minute amusement park ride ever made.

After the film friends and strangers show the effect of the film on them in mostly any public place you can imagine through screams of "This is Sparta!!" or "What is your profession... Hooza!!!" which clearly shows the impact on the audience. I believe this also is a very good marketing tool for the film using word-of-mouth recommendation. I could be wrong but try and explain why it already made $130 million on its second week and I'll shut up.

Clearly a MUST SEE.

Rating: 8 out of 10

"How do you eat an elephant? Piece by piece..." - A wise mentor

H E A R T L E S S

This is for the thousands who applied...

For the hundreds who stated it was direly urgent...

And the few who had no deceit intended...

And didn't make it.

An old lady laced with age and experience wept as her husband who lived thousands of miles from her was reported to have two weeks to live suffering from numerous diseases, one of which was terminal. Watching over her grandchildren in this country and him taking the opportunity of living a better life in a farther place with two of their children, they made the conscious decision to be apart - only for the meantime and be reunited once things fell in better places. Clearly, a bold sacrifice for their loved ones.

Upon hearing the tragic news, she strove to get to him as soon as she can. There were limits, immigration issues and time to mention a few, but she would not stop and would do all she could to be with him, at least before it all ended upon the cold touch of death.

With the pressure of time on her back, she held her breath as she approached the American Embassy. After somewhat a couple of sleepless nights of worries and non-stop preparation of the right documents explaining the urgency, she was finally at what she believed was the biggest climax of her life - the moment that would determine her reunification and literally the last chance to be with the man she has loved for the past 50 years.

Sad to say, it was brutal and quick. The 72 hours of preparation and hoping was ended in a matter of 2 minutes, without even at the very least viewing the prepared documents.

"You have a husband there, what's gonna stop you from staying with him? My answer is no." said the officer playing God.

"Officer, please let me explain the situation..."

"Get out now before I call the guards." she interrupted.

She walked out feeling defeated and burned with despair. The thought of not seeing him again was unbearable. She was prepared to leave in six hours upon being granted the visa and now she didn't know what to do.

This didn't stop her from hoping though. With her son's help, she continued to strive and had made certain calls to schedule an appeal. Despite her sudden and sad encounter, she felt hopeful and she knew she would not give up.

The next night, her daughter from the U.S. called and said that he had already succumbed. Her grip on the telephone tightened as tears suddenly fell from her eyes. Despair filled her heart and all hope abandoned her. In all her right to scorn those who prevented her from seeing him again, she did otherwise. She simply wept and mourned the loss of her dear husband and let sadness, instead of anger and hatred, engulf her.

People would say stuff like "That's how things in the embassy goes..." or "Such is life." And to some extent, they're right. But, and I say this now with the simple intention to show how one's one-second choice can tragically change lives and lifetimes, on that day, let's not ignore what happened to that poor woman - what she lost, what she will never have again. And all because a system that rose from years of actual occurrences has corrupted the human spirit and prevented it from hearing out the true needs of a person.

What a disappointing day for anyone who has a heart.

Vaja con Dios, Cap. May you have a good landing there.

And sure, I'll try to stay away from drugs.

Good times with Tom!

Every Christmas season, ABS-CBN (apparently the company that gives a little too much benefits to its employees) hands out a Purefoods Holiday Ham to all its workers. What better benefit is there than to bring home a HAM to the dinner table and say: "I earned that!"

In Tom's enthusiasm, we have been talking about this in advance as he waits for his genuine, fat, sweet HAM package to be sitting on his desk, ready and waiting to be taken home.

Lo and behold, yesterday was the day it finally arrived and we exchange our thoughts via messenger as documented below:

barborifico: Chong! Makukuha ko na yung HAM ko!

(Bro/Dude! I'm gonna get my HAM today!)

pilato10: The best!
barborifico: HAM = destiny
pilato10: HAM = freedom
pilato10: They may take our lives, BUT THEY'LL NEVER TAKE OUR HAM!!!
barborifico: hahahahahaha!
barborifico: Do you know what's across that shore? HAM!!! Take it! IT'S YOURS!!!!
pilato10: hahahahhahaha!!!
pilato10: MAXIMUS: Are you not HAMMED????
barborifico: hahahahahaahaha!!!
pilato10: SHIHIRU-CHIYANA-SIHIYO-WAKANURA-HAM!!!! - The Last Samurai
barborifico: hahahahahahahhahahahahaha!!!!!!!
pilato10: bwaahahhahahahahahahahahah!!!!!

It's amazing what the toxic work can do to your comedy standards...

Good times, Tom!

"How do you write about women so well?" asked THE fan.
"I think of a man. Then I take out reason and accountability." said THE Melvin Udall
- Jack Nicholson, As Good as it Gets

Back after nearly a year...

What a comeback!

I'm sorry... I really just have to share this.

A good friend staying in Irvine who chose to remain anonymous had a movie-moment the other day and just had to share it with me. I, in turn, would like to share it as well. ("A" for impact.)

Typical TV commercial / Movie scene: My friend walks in the public laundry and does what people do there. He sits and waits as his clothes spin about...

Hot black girl walks in, (I'd like to emphasize: HOT) brings her laundry, puts it all in the wash, takes off her clothes, leaves her panties and a tank top on (Yes gentlemen, no bra) and sits and waits with my friend.

My friend palpitates, probably creating a hole in his sock as he scrapes his toes on the sole of his shoes during the awkward moment. He breathes and waits as his peripheral vision does him all but well. Then, he finally looks at the camera, and just smiles.

End of scene.

(Bravo to the amazing story, my friend!)

RATING: 8 out of 10

"The goddamn pen is blue!" - Fletcher Reed, Liar, Liar

A sad, sad day... (Not a review)

Wowowee Game Show 1st Year Anniversary

Today, as of February 4, 2006 8:00pm, 73 people died and over 350 were injured in the Philippines. The cause: a human stampede.

This death toll would rival that of an actual typhoon disaster or an earthquake. But early this morning at 7am where thousands of people flocked at the ULTRA stadium in Pasig City, senior citizens, women and children lay dead on the ground as hundreds more trample their bodies just to get a chance to enter the track oval (where the show was to be taped) to participate in the game show.

Stories from victims say that someone claimed there was a bomb, others simply believe that the Filipino mentality claimed the innocent lives of the poor victims. It's sad how the lack of discipline, organization and decency to actually be patient resulted in this violent rampage of unwanted death and injury. I was under the impression that only animals were involved in stampedes. I guess I was wrong.

73 people lost their lives today in the hope to win some money and prizes to make their lives a little better. How ironic. How tragic.

Once again my country hits the international headlines. I truly wait for the day when I can actually be proud that this happens.

RATING: (none)

"Give a mouse a cookie, and its gonna want a glass of milk." -Anonymous

Fight Review: HA!!!

The Battle: Morales vs. Pacquiao 2

Las Vegas
January 21, 2006

"Pacquiao cannot win. It's impossible." says Morales camp to Philippine Daily Inquirer

"He's around a 5 out of 10. He can hit hard, but anyone can take those hits." says Erik Morales, after being asked how Manny Pacquiao is as a fighter.

Downed twice at round 10 for the win

"Well kiss my Filipino ass."

RATING: 10 out of 10

"Hoo-ah!" -Lt. Col. Frank Slade (Al Pacino), The Scent of a Woman

Film Review: The Lion, the Witch, and the CLOSET

Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)

Starring:

Tilda Swilton as Jadis, the White Witch
Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan (1993 Best Actor Nominee in Schindler's List)
Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie
Skandar Kaynes as Edmund Pevensie
William Mosley as Peter Pevensie
Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie

Directed by:

Andrew Adamson

If they call their closets wardrobes, then what do they call their wardrobes? Hmm...

The film started off in a completely different mood for one who expects all the fantasy and fiction to immediately burst out. The children are sent off to the country side due to the war and live in a huge, vintage (well, maybe not at that time) mansion occupied by a mysterious professor and a typical grouchy housekeeper. I haven't read the books, so I don't know if this is accurate. But, nonetheless, I'm inclined to believe it was a good move to create a foundation of logic rather then start with the fireworks.

Then, that magic begins. The four children find themselves stumbling into a huge CLOSET and another world, beautiful with glistening snow from toe to horizon and mysterious as the tall, suspicious trees that initially surround them.

As they search this new world for inhabitants, they are struck with disbelief when they meet mythological creatures (satyrs, dwarves, centaurs, and more ) and talking animals from mice to lions. (or in this case, lion minus the "s") I find the touch of casting famous british actors to do the animals' voices quite fascinating as it fit the characters' personalities perfectly; from the sly Rupert Everett as the fox to the intimidating Liam Neeson as Aslan the lion king.

From there, the adventure begins and takes our four heroes and heroines with the audience to different depths of suspense, drama and action. Viewers will actually feel like siding with the heroic lion and despise the wicked witch. (Hands down to Swilton for a fantastic job. You are now somwhere in the line of the women I fear close to my Lola and *Sadako.)

*Sadako is Samari's equivalent in the Japanese (and original) version of The Ring that changed the way I look at Asian women forever and ever until the end of time. I still shudder at the mere mention of that freaky bitch...

From the time the movie was introduced to its rattling trailers until its credits, viewers will get everything they expected: the epic battles, the waves of spell and magic and, most importantly, the introducing of the land that is Narnia, which I believe is the core purpose of the film. The point of the film, besides its fantastic storyline, is to tell the viewers that, if they believe enough, there is a Narnia and this is all the glory you'll get once you find it.

To children, this would have been orgasmic (as inappropriate as this sounds) because of the effects, creatures and imagination. To adults, and I believe I speak for quite a few, this brought back the feeling of being like a child again; to be put in a world where the adult mind scoffs but the young mind sighs and gasps. And that, no matter how often it happens through other films, books and even video games, is still worth the feeling.

I invite everyone to Narnia and take the adventure of a lifetime, even for only 3 hours of your life. You won't regret it.

RATING: 8 out of 10

"CR mo and mundo!*" Alkohol, Ely Buendia of the Eraserheads

*roughly translates to "The world is your toilet"

Book Review: To believe or not to believe...

The Da Vinci Code

Written by:
Dan Brown

After reading this novel twice, once when it came out just to see what the fuss was all about and the other to imagine the cinematography of the upcoming movie (one of my proud habits), I realized that Dan Brown is a modern-day Houdini (if Houdini wrote that is), not in terms of escaping near-death experiences, but in terms of creating a very good illusion for his audience.

First and foremost, let's get one thing straight: This novel is fictional. It is fiction based on facts, no more, no less. With that absolutely and perfectly clear, let's move on.

Dan Brown's style of deception is quite fascinating, I'll say. If you pay attention to his method of narrating, you'll immediately detect his cunning tactic of making people believe that his story is true. This pattern is consistent all through the book: He mentions something fictional, he then surrounds it with facts, then viola!, the fiction becomes fact. Here's an example:

He mentions the location of a precious keystone that an ancient brotherhood is hiding. After doing so, he surrounds this location with historical facts(mind you, some of it is also made up): how the place was built, when it was built, who built it, which monarch funded its construction, which significant historical figure graced the construction and so on and so forth. Or let's say he mentions a significant painting and points out symbols that mean something. He then surrounds these symbols with more history and meanings and the pages go on. SO, instead of focusing on the fiction, the reader gets so enticed with learning the truth and facts, he is then fooled into believing that the foundation is actually true. Surrounding fiction with facts. Brilliant!

So that would pretty much untangle any confusion brought about by this intriguing novel: It's a story, no more no less. Opus Dei is not the new cult of Jesus, Mary Magdalene's involvement is still questionable to this day, and, yes, albinos bleed too. I hope that is, as Tom Cruise said, crystal clear.

But this doesn't take the thrill out of this amazing novel. Dan Brown constructs an adventure surrounded with excitement, drama, secrecy, and betrayal. His short-chapter-what's-gonna-happen-next method of writing makes the reader not want to put the book down. You can actually breeze through the book in a day without getting bored or tired.

I would recommend reading the book before the movie comes out. I believe the movie was constructed under the assumption that majority of its audience have read the novel, much like the Harry Potter series. In any case, you really have nothing to lose. The book, in my opinion, is completely worth it.

In the end, you ask yourself, if this is possible, then what other secrets could the world still be keeping?

RATING: 8 out of 10

"Too many secrets..." The Riddler, Batman Forever

Photo Review: What do you get when you cross Manny Pacquiao and 50 cent?

Photograph by Jason Tablante (http://takemondays.blogspot.com)

(I'm stunned and speechless)

RATING: 10 out 10

"If you think you've seen it all, think again." -Anonymous

A discreet shout-out... (Not a review)

This is to my beloved cousin who likes her socks red and her meat white (both in terms of food and the other carnal desire)...

Just wanted to know how you are...

I miss you.

I hope you're still there...

Film Review: Peter Jackson does it again!

King Kong (2005)

Starring:

Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow (2003 Best Actress Nominee in 21 Grams)
Jack Black as Carl Denham
Adrian Brody as Jack Driscoll (2002 Best Actor in The Pianist)

Directed by:

Peter Jackson (2003 Best Director in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)

Disclaimer: I don't remember seeing the original picture from 1933 or 1976, even if my parents insist that I did on betamax*. So when I saw this insane film, I had nothing to compare it to.

*this was the prehistoric, neanderthal, primitive version of home video

This film almost drove me off the edge of my seat in the theater. The film was so intense, I felt detached from the real world making me do things I wouldn't normally do. For example, I didn't feel my bladder almost exploding because everything from the waist up was fixed on the screen. I also didn't feel the person in front of me discreetly, yet clearly, complain that my foot was uncomfortably pushing his seat to a point wherein he just reached back and brushed my shoe away. (Apologies to that man.)

Peter Jackson created a film that would rival the madness that swept the land when Jurassic Park came out. A film that wasn't acting nor story driven, but driven by execution or in simpler words: perfect direction.

Facing facts, everyone knew what would happen in the end and how their faces would be like. The challenge was how to build the audience into that climax and make them feel the whole 3-hour ride was well worth it. Peter Jackson created an intense car ride/ boat ride/ safari/ Empire State Building tour that made his audience scream, cringe, laugh, cry and, which I believe is the most difficult, stare in complete silence giving away all their attention for a few moments in a story they believed they were actually part of.

Another highlight of King Kong is how Jackson made the relationship of Ann Darrow and the gorilla unique and, above all, realistic. Research show that during the past movies, a romantic love-type relationship was established between the 2 characters, (blech!) which if done today would create skepticism due to its simply being unrealistic.

But Jackson gave it a much better approach: he made it real. As shown in the film Fierce Creatures starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline, certain connections or bonds can actually exist between the animal kingdom and their human counterparts. Bonds that not necessarily involve romantic, or in some actual disgusting cases, sexual implications. But more of a coexisting type; one between pet and owner or companion to companion.

And Jackson channeled this idea quite well in the film eliminating any bad skepticism from his audience, all 5 billion of them!

Other than those observations, I leave the rest to be seen and experienced by you. King Kong is roller coaster ride truly worth being seen.

Congratulations to a fantastic job on remaking a legendary story.

Warning: You will never look at insects the same way again. Ever.

RATING: 8 out of 10

"It is our wits that make us men." - Randall Wallace, Braveheart

Event Review: Sweeter the Second Time Around...

Wine and Cheese II: The Return of Mr. R.

Date: December 10, 2005

Guess who wasn't there...

The first Wine and Cheese was a success and a memorable one at that. It happened last June of this year when blogging was not yet a habit and Rich was still my roommate. There were flowers, there was wine and, of course, there were the competing suits.

Now may I present the gentlemen of Wine and Cheese II:

War, Lac, Lauch, Tom and moi. (Sorry to RJ and Cry who didn't have solo pictures.)

And our loveley dates:

Tet, Jamilla, Janice (that's RJ over there) and Aine

(Sorry to Chrissie, Warren's date)

But of course, who said we can't improvise?

(Again, apologies to the camera-shy Cry)

The night was fun-filled and exciting. Even though this event wasn't as well planned as last time due to the lack of time and the fact that the location was only confirmed the NIGHT before, the over-all assessment was pretty good by its attendees.

A memorable compliment was from Jamilla who said, "Aren't you guys sweet?" as she walked in the rose-infested condominium, which is an expected reaction from the ladies as they percieve that guys of today are completely incapable of cheesy* stuff. Well, like I always say, if you can't give them enough cheese, put some wine with it to add some unexected flavor.

*do refer to my comments on cheesy stuff in my blog profile

18 bottles of wine were purchased for that night. Only 2 and a half survived. (With 11 people that should be considered good) So imagine the laughter, wholesome anecdotes, and various reactions (ranging from violent to just plain nothing) to the announcement of the Pinoy Big Brother winner that night! (Yes, we had to find out...)

Of course, how can we leave out the food? A whole shopping cart of cheese, sausages, hot dogs, ham, vegetables, fruits and chips joined us that night. To the rest, the most memorable part for the food would be the taste and how scrumptious it was. To Aine and I, (or maybe just me) it would be using a peeler to skin vegetables (my first time), the chopping board, the lesson of cutting sausages diagonally and not straight, how Quezo de Bola is the weirdest cheese on the planet (fantastic taste though) and various other tidbits about food I have never encountered in the 24 years of my life. The last time I was in the kitchen was to fix my maid's television set because they weren't getting a clear signal, so imagine my experience. But the food, (as approved by Tom's thumbs up) without any bias whatsoever, was great!

Yeah!

Kudos to Jason Tablante (http://www.jaytablante.com) for gracing us with his presence and taking the nice photographs in spite of his busy schedule. Better late than never!

Jason is the puckered-up guy with Tom and I

So this was Wine and Cheese II: The Return of Mr. R. Our close friend Ramon returned from his 2-month trip to Chicago 3 days before the event and this was to celebrate his being back. You might ask,"Why isn't he here?" The answer to that, as the saying goes, is for us to know and for the rest of the world to find out. Haha!

So in the end, after the intoxication of something other than the traditional San Miguel beers, the devouring of cheese and sausages rivaling that of a third world country and a crammed up preparation which was thought to fail, the ultimate question is: was it all worth it?

I think it was.

RATING: (none)

-"Tom! Wine and Cheese na 'to!"

-"Aba! Wine not?" -Tom and John on planning Wine and Cheese II

Basketball Game Review: Tsk...tsk...

Ateneo vs. La Salle Dream Game 2005

Date: December 8, 2005

Today marked a day of shame and utter disappointment for one of the most prestigious and respected schools in the country. And sadly, it was only because of the irresponsible and childish actions of one player to ruin this milestone event.

I am an Atenean, a proud one at that, and a basketball fan and what makes me remember the event is not the sweet victory of my school nor the close and fantastic game played by both teams. I remember the immaturity shown in a respectable, well-prepared exhibition game which people all over the country have stopped what they were doing just to watch.

I am sure that the committees and people responsible for Dream Game 2005 have gone through a great deal of work and have exerted much effort to make this immortal game happen. The relationship of two warring schools has been greatly reduced over the years and both have grown to respect each other. This respect is shown in the many ways, one of which is various interschool projects such as this monumental one.

The game starts perfectly and is played with sportsmanship and healthy competition. By healthy competition, I mean the typical competition found in all intense basketball games: your occasional discreet trash talking and a few light pushes and elbows when grabbing rebounds and the likes. This, through the evolution of basketball over 50 years, has undeniably become the norm. You get hit (no matter how hard), you get them back in the game through tougher offense or defense. That is how basketball is played.

But when you get hit during the game and you retaliate by deliberately attacking a player by striking him in the face knowing he just recovered from a nose injury during what will be the most memorable game of the year (at the very least), that is pure and simple stupidity. Not only did you bring shame to yourself which reflects from your harsh and uncalled for actions, you brought shame to your school. On top of that, our antagonist walks out of the court continuously taunting the player he hurt and his whole team causing more heat from both sides showing the true intentions of his actions.

Ok, I know what you’re thinking. This has happened before and it will happen again. Players will always hold grudges and have bad blood against rival teams. Players have deliberately hit players from other teams throughout the years both from Ateneo and La Salle. Fine. I acknowledge these facts of life. But THIS game is different. It's like walking out of a church to answer a cellphone call during a mass being said by the Pope. To some spectators, this is the game of the year, to be remembered for all time. This game not only shows a great exhibition of the sport, it also shows the celebration of the growing relationship of two prestigious schools. And thanks to Joseph Yeo of La Salle, this game will truly be remembered for all time in a bad light at that which is but an understatement.

What people will remember is not the exciting game played and the victory of one of the two sporting schools. It will be how one player chose to destroy what several people from two different and prestigious organizations carefully built and organized. And with that, sadly, brought his school down with him. This night was supposed to be about sportsmanship and unity. Instead, it became a display of unnecessary shame and immaturity. I feel bad for La Salle knowing that they had no liking whatsoever to be put in such a bad light.

What a way to go, Mr. Yeo. Good luck with getting a career in the league to be in after what you’ve done considering you won’t be playing any games in the years to come.

Lastly, I would like to say I’m not saying this because I’m an Atenean and I’m bashing on a rival school. No. I have gone out of my blue prep to high school cage a long time ago and have met great Lasallite friends whom I keep contact with to this very day. If this happened the other way around, I would feel ashamed not because of my sentiments to the opposition, but because one of my schoolmates destroyed the meaning of such a glorious event.

Truly a sad display of character on such a great day.

RATING: (none)

"Every man dies, not every man really lives." - William Wallace, Braveheart

DVD Review: Oh my God...

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Starring:
Laura Linney as Erin Bruner (2000 Best Actress Nominee in You Can Count on Me)
Tom Wilkinson as Father Richard Moore (2001 Best Actor Nominee in In the Bedroom)
Jennifer Carpenter as Emily Rose

Directed by:
Scott Derrickson

To start off, I have to say that this movie has one of the best trailers I have ever seen. I commend all the effort behind this trailer because it definitely did its job: It enticed the market to watch the movie. The formula of putting a realistic element into yet another horror-thriller is totally ingenious and makes you wonder what really happened, most especially in a case of an actual possession/ exorcism story.

The movie begins shrouding its story with mystery, fear and intensity all at the same time through the "deadness" of the setting and troubled faces of its actors. It then flash backs to the shocking story behind Emily Rose's tragic death through tight courtroom scenes, dark portrayals of Emily's experiences with the demons, and a very fascinating effect on the real people who went through her hardships.

But throughout these revelations, the director consistently maintains the darkness of this tragic story. In other words, there are no dull moments, just dark ones.

The progression of the story was palpatating scene after scene and climaxes to one point (no spoilers here) which decided the fact that I wasn't gonna be sleeping well that night.

The movie also ends teaching a valuable lesson which acts as an eye-opener to a good number of people, I'm sure. But I wouldn't put this movie in the same crowd with its predecessor icons.

Unlike other immortal thrillers like Exorcist or The Sixth Sense, the fear is easy to put aside by repeating to one's self while lying in bed alone in the dark, "It's only a movie... It's only a movie..." With this movie, that method will come with a reply, "No it's not... No it's not..." due to the fact that it simply happened giving the fearful a new challenge.

You think, that's hard? Wait until your bedroom clock hits 3 am...

RATING: 7 out of 10

"3 am is the mockery of a significant event in Christian history: 3 pm, the death of Christ. It is when this time when the demons will attack." -Father Richard Moore, The Exorcism of Emily Rose

Restaurant Review: Sarap!

Pixie's Grill

Cuisine Type: Grill / Filipino food
Address: Mother Ignacia St., Quezon City (near ABS-CBN)

This place is heavenly I have to say. Unlike most restaurants which are most likely affordable for a catch (like a significant reduction in quality), this restaurant maintains an impressive taste regardless.

I had lunch with Aine and Mark today and for 470 pesos (around $10), considering we were with Mark, we had an excellent meal. We had two orders of their inihaw na liempo (grilled pork ribs) which was sinful from the meat to the fat to the crispy skin marinated in a sweet concoction, which I dare not question, enhanced further with the blending sensation of a mixture of vinegar, soy sauce and siling labuyo. (the local spicy pepper)

Our next viand was their specialty boneless inihaw na bangus (grilled milk fish) which comes in not 1, not 2 but 5 different sizes, from small to jumbo! Being the fish-hater that I am, I completely loved this dish and not just because it was boneless. I would recommend this with calamansi (our local lemon) mixed with soy sauce and siling labuyo.

The other dish was dinuguan (a saucy dish made of pig meat stewed in its own blood) -- don't be too surprised this is quite a popular dish in this country which, by the way, my cousin Richard in States absolutely adores -- which was as plain as the bowl it was served with. And, of course, 4 cups of rice. (And you don't need to guess who had 2)

The ambiance was average but convenient because it had an airconditioned area for the non-smokers. Parking wasn't too bad either considering it was 12 noon.

I would definitely come back here, preferrably during the evening when, as they say, the drinking can commence.

Hail to Pixie's!

RATING: 9 out of 10

"Put pressure on it to stop the bleeding!" -probably all the action movies and some others in history

DVD Review: Candidate for what...?

The Manchurian Candidate (2004)

Starring:
Denzel Washington as Ben Marco (1989 Best Supporting Actor in Glory / 2001 Best Actor in Training Day)
Meryl Streep as Eleanor Shaw (1980 Best Supporting Actress in Kramer vs. Kramer / 1983 Best Actress in Sophie's Choice)
Liev Schreiber as Raymond Shaw

Directed by:
Jonathan Demme (1991 Best Director in Silence of the Lambs)

This remake of the 1962 Sinatra-starred film was... ok.

Elements of Jonathan Demme's direction was apparently present as shown in the suspense and thriller similar to the time he scared the world with his award winning piece back in 1991. But I feel a lack of strength from the story and execution.

The Manchurian Candidate is a conspiracy-driven story about a powerful and rich privately owned company slowly taking control of the American Government by putting a sleeper in the White House through advanced mind-controlling technology. The protagonist is played by the bold Washington, the antagonist by the conniving Streep and the victim by the naive Schreiber, all of which create a genuinely amazing fusion of roles as they batter upon each other throughout the movie. As you're probably thinking, we have a winner story here! Uh... not so much, actually.

This suspense-thriller will knock you out of your seat, or in my case, my queen-sized bed. Ok, I'm being too nice. It will make you occasionally scratch your back as you get tired of scratching your head from wondering what the hell's going on.

Like most excellent movies which require active thinking opposed to just passive viewing, The Manchurian Candidate requires a lot of analysis and figuring out as you move on. But, in my experience, instead of an "Oh, so that's what happened!", you get more like a: "Meh."

This type of film did not actually tickle the critical mind, but instead gave it an itch from all the scratching when it wasn't itchy in the first place.

Many elements and instances in the movie which you patiently wait for an explanation provide a dull one after the figuring out making your jaw drop with your eyelids.

The secrets behind the conspiracy, although disturbing, was shallow and would have been shown better through post-traumatic instances as shown only in the first scenes with one of the victims of the mind-control experiments. The rest, as said earlier, was meh.

In the end, the movie and its suspense build-up was just ok with its not-so-powerful ending.

So to sum up: Acting (Godly), Story (Weak), Execution (Weak), Over-all (Meh.)

RATING: 4 out of 10

"I am the Lord, your God. You shall not say My name in vain." - GOD, The Ten Commandments

Some kind of change....

I have decided to make my blog a movie/tv show/play/restaurant/anything-I-feel-like-reviewing review website.

Although it is not in my nature to seem boastful as I would consider myself capable of criticizing other people's pieces of work, I opted for this change for 2 reasons:

a. I love to criticize.
b. I CANNOT maintain a journal or diary in any form whatsoever. (I tried, I just can't.)

Until my next entry...

-"Vengeance."
-"Forgiveness."
-"A plump, juicy, pink nipple." -Athos, Aramis, and Porthos on what is the most important thing in the world, The Man in the Iron Mask

Lyrics to live for...

The best date I ever had:

"Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember, always remember the sound of the stereo, the dim of the soft lights, the scent of your hair that you twirl with your fingers. And the time on the clock, when we realize it's so late; and the walk that we shared together. And the streets were wet, the gate was locked so I jumped in, and I let you in. We stood at your door with your hands on my waist then you kissed me like you meant it. And I know, that you meant it. You meant it."

Then I whisper to the dead air - Thank you for making me feel a fraction of this, and putting that smile on my face for 3 days - in the hope that she'd hear me.

Goodbye.

(Till the next sunrise...)

"You've got the dreamer's disease!" The New Radicals, You Get What You Give

Knocking on my door...

Last night, I was drinking in Sabrina's billiards and bar place at Gutson's Tomas Morato. Present were Sab (my female version of Ramon), Gibby, Racky, Jakkar, Leona, RJ, and, of course, Bon and Richard. We feasted on their specialty Sisig and drinks like San Mig Light, Bailey's Irish Cream, Vodka Kurants, Long Islands and Weng-wengs (or as my cousin would refer to it, night-enders for obvious reasons.)

Amidst our fun, inappropriate dancing, screaming from the top of our lungs and story-telling, I got good news. Leona, who is one of Sab's closest friends, mentioned that she worked at J. Walter Thompson, one of the most promising advertising firms in the country and a place I've been dreaming to work at. I've come to a crossroads in my life wherein I asked myself whether it should be film school or advertising and here comes Leona mentioning that there's an opening at creatives. Dammit.

So now I contemplate and think.

I have until the end of July to decide, more specifically until my cousins (Richard, Patrick and Carl) leave. So it's either I go back with them and do work at Spielberg's backyard or finally put that 5-year old Coke commercial in my head into paper.

What should it be...?

"We're doing fine, we're doing nothing at all..." Dashboard Confessional, Hands Down

Sweet Revenge

Hats off to Chancellor Palpatine/ Darth Sidius for a grand and successful masterpiece of a plan. From pretending to "lose" to Mace Windu giving way to Anakin's arrival, to the subtle yet effective hints of temptation he has been giving to the young Jedi since Episode II till the last half hour of Episode III.

He truly had sweet revenge and for a minute or two there, I wanted to be more of a Sith Lord than a Jedi breaking my 20-year dream of becoming a the latter. I can only imagine his disappointment when his 6-episode masterplan, in its perfection and precision, was foiled through a sudden burst of conscience from his trusted apprentice as he threw him down a practically bottomless pit of iron and succumbing to his own death thus fulfilling the prophecy of bringing balance to the Force by destroying what's left of the Sith. It's funny how you can foresee everything from day one (the death of Darths Maul and Tyrannus, your election as Grand Chancellor of the Galactic Senate, even the tragic dreams of a complete stranger giving you opportunities to fuck things up for him more) and miss the tiny bit of a possibility that your apprentice will suddenly sweep you off your feet as you fry his son with "Force Lightning" and throw you to your death. Sigh...

But overall, it is a good movie and by far the best episode of the 6 with the heaviest impact. I walked out of the theater with my friends and cousin sulking in depression thinking is it because it sucked or something else. And then I figured out that the challenge of our old boy George is to actually make his audience saddened over something they already knew, which, I believe, is not an easy task. Hands down to direction and execution Mr. Lucas. That, as they say, is how you go out with a bang.

In conclusion, my sister Ms. Factiod told me that the cinematic twist of the century is from Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back when Darth Vader says the immortal words to Luke: "I am your Father." I believe that what is to be the cinematic scene for at least this year is the unforgettable and unfathomable part in this movie: The Massacre of the Jedi.

Bravo.

"Lord Vader, rise." -Darth Sidius, Episode III: Revenge of the Sith