Mga Sumasampalataya
Jun 29, 2008
CHOICES...
Jun 27, 2008
MY TOP FILMS: BAKBAKAN NA!!!
I love mindless violence and physics defying stunts even if they totally don't follow proper logic. Those are the ingredients of big summer movies!!! And since Hollywood is officially starting the summer blockuster season, I'm going to pay tribute by listing my favorite action films!!!
And if you missed on my three previous lists, click on these links:
comics
animated/fantasy
horror
10. DIE HARD: WITH A VENGEANCE: John McClane (Bruce Willis) was at his best on his third outing. And this time he's joined by the equally astig Samuel Jackson. It follows John as he tries to uncover the man behind an explosion in New York, followed by a deadly game of Simon Says. I was a bit younger when this film came out so being able to watch all logic defying things that happened were just something you'd like to brag about when you go to school. Among all the four Die Hard films, this is the one that I truly enjoyed. A little less over-the-top, but still kept me at the edge of my seat.
9. HEAT: Al Pacino, Robert DeNiro, and Val Kilmer. This movie is so testosterone driven, my balls hurt just watching the film. This is your thinking man's action movie. There aren't alot of action scenes in this movie, but when it does happen it's long... painful... and gruesome!!! Michael Mann for me is the definitive action film director. I don't think everyone will like his movies because it's more talk, less action. But when the action comes, it's realistic, and it's loud and it's very believable. This is why I really like this film.
8. BAD BOYS: The first one... I thought the sequel was a bit dragging. I am a believer that the original is always the best. And it's true with this film. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence's tandem was fresh back then, and the film was really funny. I think this launched the movie career of Will Smith if I'm not mistaken.
7. SPEED: Our favorite movie to be played during field trips and excursions. Looking back, the films pretty stupid, but during it's time of release it was one of the most astonishing story ever made (for me, at least). "Pop quiz, hotshot!" Dennis Hopper was really great as the villain. And oh yeah, this film introduced us to both Keannu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. The ending was sort of anti-climactic, but you can't deny that this is flick got you holding on to the rails of the bus everytime the driver suddenly steps on the break.
6. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE: I was a fan of the original series back when I was a kid. And the soundtrack of the film was the monotone message alert of my first phone for a very long time. So to say, that this is a favorite is an understatement. Who could ever forget Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) hanging by the ceiling, sweat almost dripping, and tension mounting. Frickin' cool!!! But it ranks low on this list because my enjoyment of the original was ruined by the sequels. I hated the second and was disappointed by the third, so that took away some pogi points from this movie.
5. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL: Whew, that was hard to type!!! I know it should have been on the Fantasy film, but when I weighed the titles involved in that list, that was more geared towards the kids, while this was a solid action flick. Now similar to Mission Impossible, this film had two sort of sucky sequels, but this ranks higher because it has a more epic film than the latter. I remember after I saw the movie, for about a few hours, I talked like a pirate. Arrr!!! The film introduced the world to Captain Jack Sparrow, the funniest pirate evarrr!!! And that alone is enough to warrant this movie a position in my list.
4. TRANSFORMERS: My childhood favorite comes to life. And it was AWESOME!!! Bumblebee as a Camarro... cool!!! Megatron not just a gun... incredible!!! Megan Fox... sweet!!! Violence between robots... wicked!!! Shia Lebeouf... uh... hmm... I liked Disturbia. When I watched the movie, I almost wet my pants. This was so good, that I opted this movie over a job interview scheduled for me, the day it was first shown.
3. NATIONAL TREASURE: I know this isn't too much of an action flick, but what the heck. This is my list, if you don't like it go make your own. Nicholas Cage as Benjamin Thomas Gates is for me the best treasure hunter. Better than Lara Croft or even Indiana Jones. The movie is a little more grounded in reality, and isn't too over-the-top. The treasure may have been too much to be believable, but that's okay. I was more into solving the clues left by brotherhood.
2. THE ROCK: Honestly, I'm torn about my number two and my number one action flick of all time. This movie, again with Nic Cage (he's done some very good films in the past that it makes me wonder why alot of his latest films are such duds), is about a chemist and a former Alcatraz prisoner (Sean Connery) who needs to work together to stop a mad general (Ed Harris) from unleashing a deadly chemical weapon in San Francisco. I remember I was in first year high school when this film was first shown, and I was like so proud to have been able to watch it before classes started because it was like the ticket to coolness. All the cool kids watched it, and I fit in... yay!!! Just goes to show I wasn't a loser back then... Ha!
1. TRUE LIES: Honestly speaking, this is the ONLY Arnold Schwarzenegger film that I truly enjoyed. This one is funny... sexy... action packed... and it has a very young Eliza Dushku (my ultimate crush) in it's cast. What's not to love? Directed by James Cameron (of Titanic fame)... it's a spy story. It has one of the sexiest dance sequence I've ever seen (by Jamie Lee Curtis nonetheless... who would've thought). Oh yeah, and it has a Filipina actress in it as well (the sexy Tia Carrere). Arnie is a spy, but he can't tell his wife because that would put his family in danger, and that's where the story begins. This movie is crazy, I tell you... but a good kind of crazy.
Jun 25, 2008
MGA BABAE NGA NAMAN...
- Una: huwag na huwag kang magbibiro sa mga buntis! Sila ay hormonal... Muntik na akong ma demote dati sa aking pusisyon nang minsan akong magpasaring sa isa kong ahente noon na buntis. Hala, kalahating araw itong umiyak!!! Mabuti na lang lumiban ang boss ko nun at hindi nakarating sa kanya ang ginawa kong kabalbalan. Hindi na ako lumalapit sa mga buntis... paminsan na lang!!!
- Ikalawa: kung may kaibigan kang babae, at nag-aya siyang magmalling, eh tumanggi ka!!! Kung hindi ay limang oras kayong mag-iikot sa department store para maghanap ng invisible shoes o kaya non-existent na damit!!! Yun bang tipong sila ang nagdisenyo sa isip nila na akala mo'y makikita nila pag pumunta sila ng Maldita, Folded & Hung o kaya'y Zenco Footstep.
- Ikalawa-point-one: kung talagang close kayo ng kaibigan mong babae, para matigil kaagad ang misyon ninyong maghanap ng nawawalang kung anuman, ang ginagawa ko ay sa tuwing lalapit ang kaibigan ko sa isang saleslady, sinasabi ko agad, "ate, huwag niyong tulungan yan... di naman bibili yan! Walang pera yan. Matagal pa sweldo namin!" Sabay labas ng pearly whites sa kaibigan.
- Ikatlo: Masarap kumaibigan ng mga babaeng may pagka-liberated ang pag-iisip, dahil minsan sila pa ang magpapahipo ng kanilang dibdib. Kapag ginawa nila ito, wag kang mukhang tanga na parang nalilibugan... ginagawa nila ito dahil a) tipo ka nila o kaya'y b) ang tingin nila sa iyo'y di kayo talo.
- Ikaapat: Ang mga babae eh mahilig din magkuwento tungkol sa sex!!! Kung di ka marunong magpaligaya, makinig ka ng mabuti dahil minsa'y kinukuwento nila kung bakit hindi sila napasaya ng kaniig nila noong isang gabi. Sa madaling salita, maraming babae ang malilibog!!!
- Ikaapat-point-one: Ito ay napansin ko lang sa mga kaibigan ko... pero ang babae kapag isinuko na ang kanyang kalamnan eh matapos nang ilang araw eh gumaganda. Ewan ko. Nag-iiba ang taas ng kilay. Nagiging mas pino ang kilos. Natututong magtaray. May apat na akong kakilala na napansin ko na medyo nagbago matapos nilang makatikim ng karne ng kalalakihan. Dati rati'y ang babae ay iisa lang ang hitsura para sa akin, pero ngayon medyo nakikita ko ang kaibahan ng isang birhen sa isang may karanasan na.
- Ikalima: Dahil ako ay likas na tahimik na tao, gusto kong mga babae ang aking nakakasama. Hindi kami nauubusan ng pinagkukuwentuhan mula sa kanilang buhay-buhay hanggang sa buhay ng pusa ng pinsan ng kapitbahay ng lola nila. Lahat ikukuwento nila basta kalapit sa topic ng pinag-uusapan ninyo.
- Ikaanim: Hindi ko nilalahat ang mga babae dito, pero pansin ko lang maraming babae ang mahilig makipagkumpetisyon. Naaalala ko noong ako'y isang hamak na ahente pa lang at nagtatawag upang bumenta ng kung anu-ano. 2 babae ang pumapagitna sa akin, at hindi nila ako kinakausap hangga't hindi pa nila ako nalalamangan sa dami ng benta ko. As in, hindi talaga ako pinapansin o tinitingnan man lang kapag mas maraming marka sa board ang pangalan ko kesa sa kanila. Tapos may ilang araw sa isang buwan na sobrang lala nito, na kapag wala na silang pag-asang habulin ako eh magdadabog ang mga ito at mumurahin ako.
Hay, mga babae nga naman.
Jun 24, 2008
LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAY...
Jun 23, 2008
BALIKBAYAN
2 lang ang ibig sabihin sa akin ng salitang balikbayan: 1) maraming pasalubong at 2) tataba nanaman ako...
In a way, gusto ko na may balikbayan na bumibisita sa aming tahanan, kasi minsan ako ay nakakapag tour guide. Libreng biyahe patungong probinsya, o kaya naman ay raket sa iba't ibang mall. ANg punto ko eh, kahit papaano ay nabibiyayaan ako ng maliit na halaga sa pagiging likas na utu-uto ko. Tapos ibig sabihin din nito ay makakalibre nanaman ako ng either a) bagong t-shirt b) bagong pabango o kaya nama'y c) libreng toothbrush kit mula sa airline na sinakyan ng aming bisita. May isang beses pa nga, ako'y nabigyan ng headset na may tatak na Northwest (wala akong pagsusuksukan nun kasi tatlo yung panusuk dun sa adaptor).
Natutuwa din ako kasi nagiging maingay ang tahanan namin, lalo na kapag may batang kasama. Naaaliw akong panuorin ang nanay ko, pinsan, lola at kung sinu-sino pa na halos dumugo na ang ilong sa kakatry mag-inggles (have you been eaten already?). Kahit na minsan ang bisita nami'y mas magaling pa sakin magbisaya.
Nakakatuwa rin na may nakikilala akong mga kamag-anak na bago pa man dumating ang mga kapamilya namin eh hindi ko alam na nabubuhay pala. Kasi madalas eh may party sa bahay para sa mga bisita. Nakakatuwa siya kasi nga, minsan ang mga kamag-anak na iyon eh may kaya pala at pwede kang ipakilala sa mga taong dapat mong makilala. Pero minsan din eh nakakainis, kasi kahit ako na hindi balikbayan ay inaarboran ng mga taong ito. May mga ambisyoso pa na pati pabangong bigay sa akin eh hinihingi pa (pasensya na pero madamot talaga ako sa pabango).
Medyo nakakatakot lang kung ang bisita eh isang binata na kapareho ko ng hilig dahil ibig sabihin nito ay hindi ako makakatulog dahil sila'y nasa kuwarto ko at naglalaro ng video games buong magdamag. Noong Bagong Taon nga, ilang araw din ako lumiban sa trabaho ko dahil sa puyat dahil ang mga pinsan ko na ang goal sa pagbisita sa'min eh tapusin ang Gears Of War at Dead Rising... nang hindi nagpapahinga!!!
Pero di lahat ng tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng bisita mula sa ibang bansa ay nakakatuwa. Minsan kasi, ito ang dahilan na ako ay tumataba. Paano ba naman, kelangan araw-araw ay espesyal ang hinahain na pagkain sa mga ito. Kaldereta, beef with mushroom, grilled chicken, pork steak, pasta, cake, ice cream (mga pagkaing usually kapag Pasko lang hinahanda). Idagdag mo pa ng sandamakmak na tsokolate, cookies at kung anu-anong imported na palaman. Sabay kapag paalis na sila... sasabihan nila akong "papayat ka ha, tumataba ka na!" Eh kasalanan niyo to!!! Sanay akong adobo at minsa'y tinapay lang ang kinakain ko sa bawat araw!!! Tapos kayo nagbibigay ng ilang supot ng tsokolate na nakapangalan lang sa akin, na parang wala kayong ibang kamag-anak!!! Sino naman ang pagbibigyan ko nun?!
Tapos nandyan pa ang walang katapusang katanungan kung may girlfriend na ako at kung kelan ako mag-aasawa. Pakialam niyo ba?! Di ko naman kayo imbitado kapag nangyari yun. Atsaka para namang gagastusan niyo ang araw na yun, di ba? Pero di ko pwede sabihin yun, kasi baka sampalin ako ng nanay ko.
Hindi ako nagrereklamo... Gaya ng unang sinabi ko, maligaya ako na madalas tirhan ng mga balikbayan ang aming tahanan. Wala rin naman akong gustong baguhin sa ugali at pakikitungo sa akin ng mga taong ito. Sino ba naman ako para magreklamo eh ako na nga ang nabibiyayaan nga ming mga bisita. Napapansin ko lang yung mga pangyayari sa tuwing tumatanggap kami ng mga bisitang matagal nang di nakakarating sa ating bayan.
Jun 18, 2008
WHY I HATED HIGH SCHOOL!!!
It actually makes me wonder if the movies portray high school life accurately. Because for me, most of what I see in movies or tv shows, happened to me in college. Or probably I was too much of a loser back then.
- For one thing, I was placed in the best section where almost all of my classmates were smarter than I was. WHile it did help that I get to copy from some of the most intelligent people I know, it didn't do anything good to my ego because I wasn't an honor student anymore. And all of my classmates have very strong personalities, that my being introvert back then drowned among the sea of colorful kids.
- My friends from primary school and I grew apart during these four years. When our interests started veering away from comic books, cartoons and kid stuff, our friendship started to thaw as well. It's sad that I only get to speak with only a handful of my high school friends. Thanks YM and Friendster!!!
- I was in an all boys school!!! Sometimes I think high school would've been better if I went to a co-ed school. I wanted to go to CSA back then, but my parents wanted me to stay there because it was convenient. I did not know how to communicate with the other sex until after I graduated college.
- I hated doing my assignments!!! Imagine during my 3rd and 4th year college, for our Asian and World History classes, we have to rewrite what was on our book in our big-ass notebooks, and at the end of the year, we have to design it creatively because it will give us 10 freakin' additional points.
- Math!!! Four years of mathematics and all of it's different incarnations: geometry, trigonometry, business math and calculus. I seriously have no idea how I became a straight-A student having studied the subject.
But like I said, I don't totally hate high school. I had good friends back then. I was well-liked by my peers, and at times was handpicked to be a classmate's closest friend. I always had something to do all those four years (and not just rewriting the WOrld History books), I was active in the school paper and yearbook, and I was a member of a few orgs. So that was fun.
I loved listening to my classmates when they make fun of our teachers and a few classmates. Oh, and back then, the telephone was more useful in our household. And I got to tutor some kids. Yeah, they were huge pains in the backside, but it's for credits, so that's fine. And my bonding moments with my friends then were always worth remembering. I couldn't imagine 10 teen-agers fitting in my small room. On weekends we play Dance Dance Revolution at home with the then-popular Playstation.
I really liked college more, if only because I became smarter then. And I only had to deal with 3 Math subjects. Two of which I actually was exempted for final exams.
Jun 17, 2008
ON MEREDITH, MYSPACE AND MY FRIENDS
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I've been given permission by a few friends to feature them on my blog. This will be something new here. Probably, by the end of this week or early next week you'll be seeing my first featured friend.
She's pretty, and she's single... So there's something for the guys. As for my female readers, I've got a couple of guy friends already lined up... and hopefully, if he agrees, I'll have one of last year's 69 bachelors from Cosmo show up. So cross your fingers ladies!!!
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Last Sunday was a day spent with my former housemates in Marikina because it was my friend's birthday. A reunion of some sorts, and for the first time since March, we were complete. Of course there were singing and a lot of drinking. And because of the day's events, the next day gave me a major hang-over!!! I'm really not built up to drink more than a couple of bottles of any alcohol drink. Not even isoprophyl.
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These past few days I've been reacquainting myself with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I don't have a lot to do these days, and have no budget to do whatever, so I'm trying to learn how to read books again. While blogging have been good distractions, there's nothing bad about reading good stories every once in awhile.
It's either this or Love In the Time of Cholera, but I want to be able to rest my eyes after a few pages, which I can't do with the late great Gabriel Garcia Marquez's offering.
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My myspace site is fast becoming a fan site, where most of my contacts are comic book writers, and celebrities like Olivia Munn, Kevin Perreira, Colbie Calliat and Oli Pettigrew. I'm the one adding them, because I don't know a lot of my real friends who own a profile. So everytime I see a familiar face, I add them, and then there are others like Skottie Young (a phenomenal artist, by the way) who requested me to add them... so that's cool.
And I'm actually happy that these celebrities are really nice people who accept friend requests from regular folks such as myself. Unlike other people I know.
I'm just not sure if these sites are really owned by the real McCoy.
If you have one, don't hesitate to add me, by the way. I'm a nice guy in need of real people on my myspace page
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Ahh, last night I stayed up late to watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy. I was actually planning on watching the last episode on Studio 23, but the ending was so good that I can't wait another week to see what happened.
The finale was the best episode this season as there are a lot of good things that happened...
SPOILER WARNING!!!'
Meredith and Derek finally got back together. Izzy is the new head of the Denny Duquette memorial clinic. Erica Hahn and Callie (George's ex-wife) hooked up!!! Richard (Seattle Grace chief) got back together with his wife Adelle (one of the most touching scenes of the episode). And Christina finally got her groove back (the best scene was where she told Hahn to shut up and let her do the heart operation).
Jun 14, 2008
ONLY CHILD
I fall on the quiet type. I'm naturally an introvert because I grew up mostly alone at home. While I do know how to mingle with people, that's a trait I only learned outside school.
These are two extremes, I realized that, but it's true at least with the people I know (including myself). But I'm proud to say that a spoiled brat is very rare for people like us. I admit, we could be a bit difficult, and sometimes have our own world. But most of the time that's because there's already a notion attached that being an only child equals being a brat.
I really don't know where that belief originated. But some of the solo rich kids that I know are the most generous people I've met (me included). I guess it's our need to belong that drives us to be that way. Oftentimes to a fault.
I envy those who grew up to become extroverts even as only children. Those are kids lucky enough to have grown up with cousins or relatives of the same age. It's like they have real siblings. Unfortunately for me, there've been a few years gap between my birth year and those of my cousins. It's either I'm a few years younger or a few years older. So, when I'm with my cousins, we don't really mesh well together.
Don't get me wrong, I get along with my cousins, it's just that we're not as close as we should be.
Anyway, this entry supposedly is about getting to know an only child better. I'm no psychologist, I'm only saying this purely from my observations of kids like me.
- If we seem to be selfish, you have to understand we grew up not sharing our food, toys or whatever with other people. We aren't naturally selfish, it's just that we're not used to people grabbing our fries without permission. We are willing to share things, just ask first.
- If we don't talk alot, it's not because we're stupid. A number of the smartest kids I know are only children. But socially, a little bit handicapped. Growing up alone, it's either we only talk about what our parents want to talk about or we don't get to talk with anyone at all. We depend on you to steer conversations, but as long as we have the same interests, I don't think talking isn't going to be a problem.
- If we have a strong personality and seem like a brat, that may be because we're not really used to have someone challenge what we believe. It's not like we're never going to give in. You just need to be patient in explaining why some things need to be done another way.
- If we seem to be too competitive, it may be because we're used to having all attention given only to us. It may be our need to be on the spotlight that's why we strive to be number one. Whether you see it in a good way or a bad way depends on how open minded and truly mature you are.
So cut us some slack. The last thing we want is to be misunderstood. We may lack the maturity and level-headedness of first borns, or the natural sweetness of the youngest children. But inherently, we are very good listeners and very loyal friends.
I am not generalizing children without brothers or sisters, because in the end, how you grow up to be depends on how well you are raised. Like I said, have an open mind about us solo kids. Just think about this, we're the sole heir to our parent's wealth and fortune.
Jun 12, 2008
REQUIRED READING: WANTED
Jun 11, 2008
MY TOP FILMS: SCARIEST SHIT EVER
I don't actually think that ghosts are scary, but when executed properly they could be spine-tingling. Well, the supernatural is really frightening if you think about it, but what's more frightening is finding out what real live people can do. Obviously, you'll find slasher films here as well.
Now with the recent success of Asian horror films (which I personally don't find scary at all), there seemed to have been a rise to sucky horror/suspense movies. And unfortunately, I've seen alot of them. If you've browsed through the archives, you'll find I've written a few of it here in my blog.
I know some of you may not agree with what's on the list and say some of the old horror films like Carrie, Psycho, The Exorcist, or the Shining should be here. I've seen them all, and honestly I didn't get scared. I actually slept through all of these films, and I guess because of the lack of technology back then, the scary films aren't as scary as if done now.
Anyway, my introduction's gone long enough now, so let's go on with the list shall we...
10. FENG SHUI: Why this one and not Sukob or Ouija? I know this is Purefoods Chunkee the movie, but it's actually really scary if you look at it. Specially the scene where all the ghosts appeared to Jay Manalo and the kids. I remember everyone at the cinema screaming the entire time. Yeah I know alot of the killing scenes are silly (Lotlot and the red horse because she was born year of the horse), it's actually funny. I guess, I just like this one better than Sukob or Ouija (even if they're both far better storywise).
9. FATAL ATTRACTION: This is not a horror film, more of a psychological thriller kind of film. But for married guys (who has a mistress), this could possibly be the scariest shit they'll ever see. You see Michael Douglas got tempted to cheat on his wife by a sultry Glenn Close, only to find out that the woman is actually a psycho bitch. I like these kinds of films. Proof that sometimes you don't need ghosts to scare people.
8. HOUSE OF WAX: If only for the scene where Vincent pummels Paris Hilton's face with a huge stick. Yeah, alot of people cheered during the death scene of the overrated heiress. But that's not the only reason why this film is on the list. There are alot of gruesome scenes from this movie. Eliza Cuthbert's mouth being glued, the waxed Jared Padalecki, Vincent's face. The fact that a town full of wax figures is already eerie, add the fact that all those people were once alive makes this scary.
7. SIGNS: Yes, there's only about 2 or 3 scenes that are scary in this movie, but all those 2 or 3 are REALLY scary. While War of the Worlds focused on the alien invasion in a worldwide perspective, Signs actually focused only on one family and how they dealt with aliens who wanted to take over. Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin and a very young and very cute Abigail Breslin gave chilling performances that actually made me believe how truly frightening aliens could be.
6. THE SIXTH SENSE: "I see dead people... everywhere." This is the movie that made M. Night Shyamalan a household name. While his films so far are a hit and miss, this movie is definitely a huge hit. Just like with Signs, there really aren't a lot of scary scenes on this movie, but when the ghosts finallys show up, you can't do nothing but cover your eyes. What fascinated me with this film was the twist ending. I did not expect that. The way the film was done, is very VERY brilliant. It was done intelligently.
5. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE: The version with Jessica Biel is the one I'm talking about. I don't know how many times I've screamed at the cast to "run" or "look behind you!" when I first saw this film. I actually still do it when I catch in on cable. Leatherface is the scariest motherfucker I've ever seen. I loved the gore, and cheered at Biel for doing what she was pushed to do by the maniacs that's been trying to kill her and her friends. This is definitely one of the best slasher films I've seen.
4. SCREAM: But the best slasher film for me goes to Scream. This is the original whodunnit movie, and definitely the best among the trilogy. It is the mother of all slasher movies and even is the mother of spoof films (Scary Movie was based on Scream, as if you didn't know). This is the only movie by Wes Craven that I truly enjoyed. I was in high school when this film was first shown, and I was really shocked about who the killer turned out to be. This film is surprising in more ways than one. And I only watched the film because I was then a fan of Friends and Party of Five.
3. THE OTHERS: To be honest, this movie is not really as scary as The Sixth Sense, but what Sixth Sense originated, this film perfected. The plot twist at the end was definitely something I never expected. I only thought that this was originally just about Nicole Kidman's weirdo helpers, but by the end it's something different. It's actually a beautiful film, not overrated or overdone. Just enough to make you think if you're actually still alive.
2. WHAT LIES BENEATH: If it still isn't obvious to you, I am a huge fan of Michelle Pfeiffer. At first, it may seem to be just another ghost story. But as the story goes on, there really is something more about the house that she and her husband lives in. Like I said, ghosts aren't as scary as knowing what live people can do.
1. THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: So what's scarier than ghosts, Leatherface and serial killers? Hannibal freakin' Lecter!!! Thomas Harris' creation comes to the big screens and he went on to earn himself an Oscar. What other scary movie did that? The fact that in this film, he's not even the real killer is much more scarier. Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins' Lecter both gave chilling performances and the dialogues between the two are so good, that I never get tired of watching this film over and over again.
Jun 10, 2008
SOUNDTRACK
YAEL NAIM, NEW SOUL: So how did I find out about this song? From Pilipinas Game Ka Na Ba? They don't play this anymore, but I really liked the beat and it's a happy song. Who doesn't like happy songs?! I play this song every morning. It's a nice way to start a day.
SNOW PATROL, SIGNAL FIRE: Among all the songs released by Snow Patrol, this song I loved the most. It came from the soundtrack of Spider-man 3. It's about a guy whose life would be nothing without his signal fire. His hope. His love. Someone thought that this would make for a good wedding song... and I agree 100%. Great song, this one.
JOSS STONE, AT LAST: The opening with the violins, Joss Stone's very beautiful vocals, the lyrics. This is MY WEDDING SONG. Nuff said.
Jun 8, 2008
WHAT'S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
I have a lot of those, and as much as I don't want to write it down here, I really don't have anything much to put here. I have not forgotten about the rest of the films that I like. It will be posted soon, but I don't want to write it so close together because there's a lot, and it would seem like I'm a loser with nothing productive to do with my life.
So going back to the topic at hand, yeah this entry is dedicated to my guilty pleasures and I'll start with the obvious...
- DRAMEDY SHOWS: No, not the Philippine telenovelas... US Dramedy shows like Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and even Brothers & Sisters. I liked to be touched sometimes, and alot of the storyarcs being put out by these series actually tug some emotional strings in me. Plus, it doesn't hurt that all of these shows are also very funny. It's not dragging like most of the Filipino series, and you actually learn something by watching it. It also doesn't hurt that some of the quotes I forward came from lines uttered by some of these unforgettable characters.
- GOSSIP: Admit it, guys gossip alot. It's just not as obvious as when girls do it. What's funny, is that sometimes during our drinking sessions with my housemates and friends back then, I find myself hearing about the latest intrigues from local showbiz talk shows. It's been a year since I left the company, and until now I am updated with the people that I left. Honestly speaking though, I'm sort of happy in hearing that the program's not doing as well as when I was it's Supervisor. It's sort of mean, and I'm disappointed that there are issues that's much worse than the worst period during my term.
- PORN: By now, I've already outgrown the period of buying magazines and videos on a regular monthly basis, and I've actually thrown 99% of my collection. But hey, I'm single and I'm a guy. Enough should have been said already. I'm not going to be a hypocrite to say I don't enjoy these sites, videos or reading materials anymore because I do. But I realize that doing it with a live person is so much better than just using your imagination. Much better.
- VIOLENCE: Not the real thing, but the virtual kind of violence. My favorite game right now is Gran Theft Auto IV, and if you've seen how I kill bystanders, you'll never see me in the same light ever again. I love shooting people in the head. Stabbing them even if they're already dead. Running them over until cops catch me. I think I have anger management issues. I usually let my anger out on those virtual people. It's a good outlet. God knows what I'd do if I find out where my dad hides his gun. For now, I'm content with video games and torturing ants.
That's all that I can think of. I'm sure there are more, but my head's starting to ache looking at the monitor.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Jun 5, 2008
OH JOY!!! AT KUNG ANU-ANO PA...
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Ang titulong Oh Joy ay nagmula sa taong aking pinagnasa- mali... actually, may gusto ako sa kanya dati. Marahil noon ay naging matalik ko siyang kaibigan, at paminsa'y nakakasamang lumabas. Pero nung nagtapat ako nang pagtingin ko eh medyo nagbago na ang pakikisama niya sa akin. Parang kapatid lang talaga ang turing niya sa akin. Okay lang. Masakit, pero mas mabuti nang ganun kesa tuluyan pang masira yung pagkakaibigan namin kung ipilit ko pa ang sarili ko.
Hindi na kami ganoon kaclose ngayon kumpara noong mga araw na pilit kong itinatago ang tunay kong nararamdaman sa kanya. Pero ayos lang. Nagkaroon naman ako ng relasyon matapos sa kanya, so medyo naka move-on na ako. Gusto ko lang isulat ngayon kasi sa tingin ko nararapat lang na mailabas ko na ito. May ilang taon na yata mula nang mangyari yon. Nakakapanghinayang lang na medyo namantsahan yung pagkakaibigan namin, pero sa mga bagay na ganyan mo naman talaga makikilala ang mga tao na may dapat espesyal na kalalagyan sa puso mo.
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Ayoko magsulat nang isang buong entry na para lang sa mga nais kong ipangalan sa mga magiging anak ko. Kaya dito ko na lang isisingit. Ang mga pangalan ang frustration ko, kasi ako ay nabigyan ng isang mahaba at Pilipinong-pilipino na pangalan. Nainis lang ako sa nanay ko kasi daw dapat Jeffrey ang ipapangalan sakin. Pero sinunod daw niya ang lola ko.
So ngayon ayaw ko na ang mga supling ko eh magkaroon ng ganitong damdamin sakin paglaki nila. Kaya kung sakali man na magkaanak ako eh ito ang mga pangalang napili ko:
Sebastian Vincent
Nikki Marie
Etienne Alain
Claire Iain
Yung una, kahit simple eh dahil gusto ko nung nickname na maaaring makuha sa pangalan niya... Seven. Yung Nikki Marie naman, wala lang, maganda lang pakinggan. Etienne ay isang French na pangalan. At ang Iain ay pronounced na Ayen.
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Natapos ko na nga pala ang listahan ng mga paborito kong mga pelikula. Siguro mahigit 50 yung nagawa ko. Sa mga susunod na linggo eh ilalathala ko dito ang mga iyon. Nahati lahat sa iba't-ibang kategorya. Dadagdagan ko pa ng isa. Ang paborito kong klasikong pelikula.
Para lang masabik kayo (as ip), may pelikula doon sina Christopher Reeves, Will Smith, Sasha Baron Cohen, Steve Martin, Julia Roberts, Edward Norton kahit si Sharon Cuneta, Rico Yan at Vilma Santos ay nakatagpo ng lugar sa listahan ko.
Ganyan ako sobrang walang magawa sa buhay ngayong mga nagdaang araw.
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Mukha nga palang lumalabo na ang paningin ko. May mga oras kasi na sobrang nahihirapan na akong magbasa ng mga nakasulat sa computer ko. Minsan nga eh, tinatamad nakong magbasa ng blog ng ibang tao dahil medyo masakit sa ulo ang titigan ang mga ito.
Dahil siguro eh buong araw akong nakaharap sa monitor ng computer ko, sa bahay man ako o wala. Tapos kung di ako nasa harap ng computer, ang paglalaro naman ng Gran Theft Auto IV ang inaatupag ko. Napapagod na siguro ang mga mata ko. Kelangan pagpahingahin. Kung alam ko lang ang dapat gawin para mangyari yun, eh gagawin ko agad yun.
Pero okay lang, medyo ayos naman ang hitsura ko pag nakasalamin ako... lalo akong nagmimistulang isang matalinong bata. Na hindi nerd!!! Dati nagsasalamin ako... pamporma lang, kaya lang yung nabili kong salamin (sa i2i ata yun) eh parang may grado, kaya medyo sumasakit ulo ko pag suot ko yun. Siguro panahon na para totohanin yun (although dalangin ko na huwag naman sana). Sayang naman kung di na 20/20 vision ko.
Jun 4, 2008
MY TOP FILMS: ANIMATED/FANTASY
So to make mine different, I'd list down my favorites by genre. I've already done this before with comic book movies last month. And in keeping with my childish favorites, I'd list here my top animated/fantasy films. Somewhere down the road, I'd also list down my favorite action, comedy, thriller, drama, adaptation, guy and (gasp!) chick flicks.
Before you react with some of the choices here, it's animated/fantasy. So not all of the films here are drawn or computer generated. Okay? Just so you know. If you have a problem, make your own list.
11. ENCHANTED: Ahh the magic of Disney. This list is dominated by the children's company, as a lot of my fondest memory as a kid involved somehow a movie created by them. Although this one is really new, it still came from Walt Disney. This is the story of Giselle, a fairytale princess who was sent to the real world by an evil queen, only to find true love with a man who no longer believes in fairy tales. I like this film because it's funny, although a bit cliche but nevertheless it's interesting. I didn't get bored watching the movie. And it's the type that I can watch over and over and over... and over.
10. ELLA ENCHANTED: Two words: Anne Hathaway! This is a sort of modern version of another Cinderella story, the only twist is that Ella is cast under a spell of obedience. She has to do everything everyone tells her to do. It's not really a film that you can call a classic, but it's a cute film. I liked it because this is where I first heard the song Somebody To Love originally sung by Queen. Anne's version is so good, that everytime I watch this movie, I have to pause and rewind on that scene. Anne sang that beautifully.
9. CARS: While cars by itself is already interesting, Pixar brought them to life. Lightning McQueen is a brash race car until he gets stranded in a desolate town where he learned that life isn't just about racing. Definitely much more superior than Speed Racer by a mile. I admit, the scene on how Radiator Springs lost it's visitors got me teary-eyed. Before watching this, I was a firm believer that cartoons are made to make us laugh and not to make us cry.
8. RATATOUILLE: As with most of the people in the world, I hate rats!!! When I was a kid, when we see one we always try 101 ways of how to torture rats. I'm not saying that after watching this movie, my mind changed about these filthy critters. Nope. I still have 200 things in mind on ways of torturing them. But for about an hour and a half, it made me believe that rats can be cute and cuddly and charming. Remy is a rat who is a genius in the kitchen, who decides to help bumbling kitchen help Linguini.
7. FINAL FANTASY: ADVENT CHILDREN: If you're one of the five regular readers of my blog, you'd know that I'm a huge Role Playing Game fan. And one of the best rpg games ever made is Final Fantasy VII. Now when the people behind the game decided to create a movie about it, I literally fell from my seat. I never expected to hear from Cloud, Tifa, Cid and company after the ending of the game. But I'm very happy that I did. This is an action packed film, and my jaw dropped in every fight scene that was in this movie. Story-wise it's not that great, but if you're really a fan of the titles, this will give you goosebumps... and fond memories of high school.
6. THE LION KING: This was a traumatic film for me when I first saw it as a kid. At the beginning of the film, I witnessed the murder of Simba's father by his Uncle Scar. I think this is where animated films started to mature. And I'm happy to have been there when it happened. Who knew that children's films could also be dark, and at the same time perky. This was one of the last good 2d films made by Disney in my opinion, as after this, I didn't enjoy the movies they made as much.
5. ALADDIN: Who could ever forget about Aladdin, Genie and Princess Jasmine? I think I was in 5th grade when this movie came out. I remember that people wanted to watch this movie for the sole reason that Lea Salonga was the singing voice of Jasmine, only to find out that she only sang one song in the movie. But I wasn't really disappointed because the movie was very well done. I loved the comedy brought about by Robin William's Genie, and there were alot of Easter Eggs in the film. Who else screamed like a little girl when they saw Sebastian (the crab from The Little Mermaid) in one of the musical scenes of the film.
4. WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?: This was I believe the first movie where they fused animation and live action together. And it was brilliant!!! I loved this film, because it's the only movie where you'll see Disney and WB characters interact. I especially liked the scene where both Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse came out. This is the only place you'll see that happening. Until now, I'm still looking forward to the day that that happens again. Wishful thinking of a kid at heart, I know.
3. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Ahhh... For me, this is the best old school animated movie. I think as a kid, I saw this movie in the theater 5 times. I had to lie to my aunts and cousins about not having to see this to be able to watch it again. Admittedly, after watching it in the cinema, I've only seen this movie again about I think only twice. The reason is simple, I don't want to get tired of watching this film. Because for me it's special. I can't explain it, but there's something about my seeing this film that makes me happy.
2. SHREK 2: This is high in my list because there's no other movie in this list that made me laugh so hard that 2 days after I saw the film, I still can't stop laughing. Definitely the best among it's franchise, this film follows the life of Shrek and Fiona after they got married. I loved especially the soundtrack. The music definitely was chosen by people who grew up the same time I did. While the music is only a little part of what makes this a great movie, the story and the script and Puss In Boots made this a classic.
1. FINDING NEMO: As much as I wanted Shrek 2 to be my number one animated/fantasy movie of all time, I still love fishes. I'm allergic to seafood, but it didn't hinder me from loving this movie. Nemo got separated from his father and was sent to Australia, and it's up to his father and Dory to save and bring him back home. Like the prior movie, this is also laugh out loud funny. Most of the time when I watch the video at home, I skip to the scenes of Dory, as it's brilliantly depicted by the very funny Ellen Degeneres. The fact that this is heart-warming, funny and adorable all at the same time is what made me decide to put this film on the top of my list.
Jun 1, 2008
ME AND MY MAGIC 8-BALL
AM I GOING TO GET MARRIED?
-As I see it yes
WILL I MEET THE ONE THIS YEAR?
-Reply hazy try again
HAVE I ALREADY MET THE ONE?
-Yes (hmmm... interesting)
HAVE I LET GO OF A GOOD THING?
-As I see it yes (I'm not going to elaborate on this... but too bad)
AM I A GOOD GUY?
-Signs point to yes
AM I AN EXPERT IN RELATIONSHIPS?
-Very doubtful (from now on I'm not going to give relationship advise)
AM I GOING TO HAVE LOTS OF MONEY?
-Outlook not so good (uh-oh!)
WILL J AND I EVER GO OUT AGAIN?
-My sources say no (ahhh... crap... I really need to let this go)
This toy's nice to me today... so it's not that funny. When I bring this to work, this becomes a hit
with my colleagues. They'd even go as far as to kissing the thing before they ask their questions. It's funny because there are people who take the answers from it seriously. And some of the answers aren't that serious.
This is a good stress buster if you don't take it seriously. If you want to ask a question to my magic 8 ball, just let me know. I'm sure you know how.