Pitch Perfect

For a trying-hard performer like me, it's a must see!

This movie isn't really Oscar-worthy. It doesn't claim to be

It doesn't have the memorable lines that you desperately wish you could utter to another human being. It doesn't have the interesting plot line, with all the twists and turns. It doesn't have the car chases and gun shots that you would want in action flick. It doesn't have the super duper kilig effect like all those romantic comedies. It doesn't really make you cry.

Pitch Perfect is out there for you to sit back, relax and enjoy - and sing through your heart's delight!

If it existed in my lifetime, I would have tried my luck with the Barden Bellas. Yes, I am a frustrated performer - the singer, dancer and actor all rolled into one. And I am not ashamed of it. I wonder why we don't have it here in this side of the world.

The mash-ups and riff-off were cool. The pop, rap, classic - nice talaga! Makasabay ako magkanta. Actually, I've been listening to its soundtrack a week after I watched the movie.

Anna Kendrick was really cool!

Basta nalingaw ko! Bow!

The Avengers

I know. We have all watched it! We all had a great time!

So, there we are on the 2nd day of showing and on the 2nd row.

I love the movie! It was fun and a true joy ride! I am not a comic book fan and all I did was watched the first few movies (except the Hulk ones).

I am a fan of ensembles, cameos and all-star cast. So, this was really great for me!

Let me just break it down for you:

IRON MAN - I'm pretty sure that no one will disagree with me that Robert Downey, Jr. fits this role to a T. I love his lines and how he says it - quick, funny and a lot of sense! In a normal world, he would probably one of the persons you'll hate for his ego. But in this movie, he is such a character. I'm not a big fan of Gwyneth Paltrow, but I have to give it to her for staying in the franchise and being part of all of these as Pepper Potts.

CAPTAIN AMERICA - He is a heartthrob! When I first found out that he was going to be Captain America, I was not totally sold out since he is already Johnny Storm / Human Torch in the Fantastic Four. Different characters! Anyway, I enjoyed Captain America. And I love his role, being the old one, in the Avengers!

THE HULK - I'm not a fan of the two previous Hulk movies. I haven't really watched those two. When I heard that Mark Ruffalo was going to play the Hulk, a number of people weren't really sold out. I can't really blame them since there were already two previous actors who played that part and Mark Ruffalo who? For many, he may not be familiar. But I adored him in Just Like Heaven and 13 Going on 30. And I continue to adore him the Avengers. I love his scenes!

THOR - I watched the Thor movie and it was okay, not really amazing. I just don't have the same emotions as some who go ga-ga over him. But you got to love the accent .. hehe. And Chris Hemsworth really has similarities with Brad Pitt. But I am not a fan of Brad Pitt.

HAWKEYE - Another character that I only knew because of this movie. I liked Jeremy Renner in Mission Impossible 4 : Ghost Protocol and I am so looking forward to his Bourne movie. And in the Avengers movie, he never runs out of arrows .. amazing! He must be an heir of Legolas!

BLACK WIDOW - I'm not a big fan of Scarlett Johansson, although I don't hate her. I like her role in the film, being the only girl in the Avengers. And she sure has the skills!

NICK FURY - Samuel L. Jackson fits the role. Enough said!

AGENT COULSON - Aside from Nick Fury, this was one of the ever present character. And I just love it that despite of being in a top secret agency, he is a fan of Captain America!

AGENT MARIA HILL - Robin, Robin, Robin! It was only while watching the movie when I learned that Robin is part of this cool flick. Robin as in Robin from How I Met My Mother! I try to catch some episodes every now and then. It is just so fun to see her in a different light. She's different but still the same Robin (the voice!)!

I can't wait for the Avengers 2!

Harry Potter

After watching the the last movie installment of the Harry Potter series, I made sure I will read all the books all over again. I actually got to read the first 6 books already before watching Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows. I finished Book 7 for the first time just the other night.

I love Harry Potter!

It's just amazing that I was still excited reading the first six books all over again. And I was still pretty excited in reading Book 7 although I have already watched all the movies.

I started reading around July and just finished the whole series the other night.

Of course, book lovers would totally agree that the books were way awesome than the movies and that there were a lot of things that were missed out in the films.

I love the books. I love how it made my imagination work. I love the thrill of turning each page even when I was sleepy so that I would just finish a chapter. I love reading the words themselves and just making my mind work.

But it doesn't mean I didn't appreciate the movies because I sure did. It's a different experience when you just sit back and relax and take everything in. I still get excited even though I already have an idea what is going to happen next.

There may have been a number of discrepancies, a number of scenes not in the movies and a number of scenes that were not present in the book.

Just the same - I love Harry Potter - the books and the movies!

My goal now is to watch the movies all over again. And it was just weird that HBO had a Harry Potter marathon yesterday of the first 6 movies. I missed the first 5 but I watched the 6th nevertheless.

My goal to watch the movies all over again remains.

Again - I just love Harry Potter .. brings out the child in me ;)

Sign Seeker

I used to say that I do not believe in signs.

I guess the proper thing to say is that I do not seek for signs. I think that is more appropriate.

What I mean is that I do not pray for signs in order for me to make a decision. I pray, not for signs, but for enlightenment so that I would be able to properly weigh the pros and cons of my decision.

It's not that I had a bad experience as to seeking signs. I can't remember any for now. But I do remember some persons who sought for signs so as to make a decision. And they did. Now, that I am thinking about it, I was wondering if they had regret asking for such sign in order to make a decision, which one could say was not really that much good of a choice. Charge to experience perhaps?

One thing that stops me from seeking signs is because I believe that signs are already everywhere. It is only when we "choose" to see and "seek" it would it show upon our face. But who can tell that such sign was never there before we sought for it?

On the other hand, I believe in signs when they are there to back-up the decisions we have made - an "after the fact" so to speak. You know that feeling that you made the right decision because all the signs are showing?

Anyway, this thought came to my mind when I watched this short film "Sign Seeker" from Nestle Philippines Kasambuhay Habambuhay Series starring John Lloyd Cruz and Solenn Heussaff. Watch out for the funny punchlines! A joy to watch! ;)

Salt

I am not an Angelina Jolie fan.

I know she's beautiful. I am aware that she is a great actress. I am aware of her endeavours.

But that does not make me a fan of hers.

Let's just say that I am Team Jennifer .. hehe. Ok, let me explain it further. I just did not like the timing when she entered into the picture of Brad and Jennifer. Yeah, sure .. Brad and Jennifer already had their problems by the time she came. Yeah, sure .. Brad and Angelina are in love. I won't take it away from them. It was not just the right timing. And it just so that it happened around that time when my friend was in the same situation, more or less ...

And while my friend has already moved on and even watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith, I still haven't.

The last flick I watched which starred Angelina was Shark Tale. And she was not even there on screen.

Yes, I haven't watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Kung Fu Panda, Alexander, etc.

But around 2 weeks ago, I took the guts to watch Salt. Why?

I love action movies. I got curious with its trailer. My sister told me it was cool. And I need to move on (haha ..)

Salt was cool. Angelina did amazing stunts. But I sort of had an inkling of what's going to happen. That stole a little excitement from me.

No regrets there, though.

Flashback

I was rummaging through my stuff this morning and I rediscovered my journals as early as 1995. It started as a requirement in school (Math Journals) until I decided to maintain a gratitude journal in college as inspired by Oprah. Its not that I write everyday. I just write whenever I can

And so, here are my July 31st entries ...

-oOo-

July 31, 2002
Thank you Lord for these two days, being able to talk with Maan, chat with Elaine, do and read codes for our project, read e-mail be touched with Mark Greene's last episode for ER, for a successful (?) and funny GP2W Bisaya presentation. Please continue to bless us and our family and friends.

-oOo-

July 31, 2005

Thank you dear Lord for hearing my prayers and just being there. I thank you for JJ having fun with Paolo and Diko (thanks to Tito Paul), for the mass we attended, for lunch last Saturday with Mom and Dad, for "Cheaper by the Dozen" and "Something's Gotta Give", for my not so bad recitation in Legal Research, for fun with the internet, for being able to speak with Maia and Jan. Without ... this is hard .. I just hope things would work out between (names omitted) ... It's just so hard to be caught in the middle :(

* caught in the middle

-oOo-

July 31, 2007

Thank you for today Lord, for the things I was able to do, digest cases for Lab Rel and Succession, for no class in Succession, for Dad fetching me since there was rain, for invitation from Felai for K1 (sayang, next time na lang), for people who paid for the transcription, for people who appreciate what I do, for Ate Cherry being back in law school, for no brownout (almost!). Thanks for everything Lord :)

*haircut - only a few noticed, hehe

-oOo-

I guess it's just nice to have that flashback and appreciate how time flies ;)

100 Movies to See Before You Die: The Modern Classics (1990-2009)

Actually, this only includes the 24 movies I watched out of the 100.
The list is from Yahoo and only includes movies from 1990-2009.
So, since I have only watched 24 out of the 100, I think I must not die yet .. hehe

1. Beauty and the Beast
2. Forrest Gump
3. Four Weddings and a Funeral
4. The Shawshank Redemption
5. Babe
6. Clueless
7. Sense and Sensibility
8. Scream
9. Titanic
10. Saving Private Ryan
11. There's Something About Mary
12. American Beauty
13. Election
14. The Matrix
15. The Sixth Sense
16. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
17. The Lord of the Rings
18. Finding Nemo
19. Sideways
20. The 40-Year Old Virgin
21. The Bourne Ultimatum
22. Michael Clayton
23. Slumdog Millionaire
24. Avatar

Valentine's Day

I was really looking forward watching this movie. And why not, it has an all-star cast! Not to mention that Julia Roberts is included.

I was hoping to watch it at the Red Carpet but it was the Percy Jackson film that was being shown. I was thinking that people will be lining up since this is Valentine's Day, a movie with big names that is shown during the Valentine season.

But it wasn't that much actually. Maybe because the reviews were lukewarm. I don't know.

Anyhow, the film was pretty simple and the plot lines were generally expected. Don't expect much, especially if you're a big fan of Love Actually (which I really like!)

But there is one story line that made it all worth it for me. But I won't tell for now so as not to be branded as a spoiler .. hehe ;)

In the end, the movie was indeed worth it considering that I was in good company on that pre-Valentine celebration ;)

Belated Valentine's Day everyone ;)

February 2009

I am doing these entries on a piece-meal basis to ensure that I will be able to finish blog entries and so that my avid readers (yeah right!) will find it easy to read .. hehe ...

Amidst the pressures of a 4th year law student, it was a surprise that I got giddy in this month of hearts.

I looked forward to watching "You Changed My Life" and I truly enjoyed watching the film. The chemistry on-screen between Sarah and John Lloyd was definitely something that made me giddy. I guess there are just persons in this world, celebrity or otherwise, without any romantic connections that have that kind of chemistry.

Roses! Yup, roses made me giddy this month since I got a number of it from different people. And indeed, I am truly grateful for receiving those, making me giddy and causing butterflies in my stomach.

You Changed My Life ...

At last! Nakapanood na talaga ako! Yey!

I watched this with my mom and siblings last Sunday. In fairness, na-insert ko pa sa sunod-sunod na exams .. hehe. Pero ngayon ko lang talaga na-blog kasi busy-busyhan nga .. hehe

Anyway, the movie did not fail to make me laugh.

Admittedly, it was cheesy. And that is not usually my cup of tea! However, I still enjoyed watching the film. Maybe because it was too cheesy that it became more fun to watch.

I really do not know what’s with Star Cinema and the wigs .. haha! Maganda naman buhok ni Sarah. Hindi ko magets bakit kelangan mag-wig .. pang-change image?

And I don’t really get it why their phones are not in silent mode tapos mag-sorry sa mga ka-meeting once may message or nagriring ang phone. Ah, tama .. para marining ng viewers and “Bebe ko!” haha

Anyhow, these are the favorite scenes as far as I can remember:

1. Power hug + power kiss = Chug! Chug! Chug! (the best!)

2. I’m not jealous. I can’t be jealous. I’ve never been jealous. NGAYON LANG!

(sabay imagine sa facial expression ni John Lloyd!)

3. Dance Showdown between Rayver and John Lloyd (yez!)

4. Ang haba ng hair ni Laida (hilarious officemates) along with the other hirits of Gio, Joross and the rest of the gang (lingaw!)

5. May ginagawa pa (o nga naman .. nag-solitaire pa si Rayver .. hehe)

6. John Lloyd singing Kailan (yihee!)

7. Seeing Mikee Cojuangco on-screen (still refreshing!)

8. John Lloyd doing the sundance with the shades and get-up (sakspan sa kuya!)

9. John Lloyd crying with his father at the bench (effective actor talaga!)

10.Outtakes! I love the scene na nagulat yung nag-open sa door kasi nag-good morning si Sarah .. (haha!)

O di ba! Nag-research talaga ako ng pics .. hehe .. Pictures are taken from starcinema.multiply.com

Yun lang!

When Harry Met Sally

I was channel-surfing around lunch time and saw a part of this movie.

It's not really one of my super favorites but I think this is a nice chick flick.

I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

- Harry

This scene sort of stuck with me because I really saw a little crinkle above Meg Ryan's nose when Billy Crystal was delivering these lines.

Yun lang!

The Watcher

While I admit that being a 4^th year law student eats a lot of my time, I think I did fairly well when it came to watching movies on the big screen for the past months.

With the holidays at hand, I felt privileged that I have already watched two movies in the big screen and two movies in the DVD.

The Day The Earth Stood Still

Eh kung makita ko naman talaga si Keanu in person, the world will really be at stand still for me .. haha!

Anyway, I’m happy that it has been a blockbuster movie. Admittedly, it was not that amazing for a sci-fi flick. I felt that things were not surprising and there was not much thrill. Yes, I know that it seems Keanu is forever associated with emotionless alien-like characters on the big screen. But what can I do? I do not have the money to produce a flick.

Back to the movie, I knew what was coming when we decided to watch the movie. I told my brother and sisters that it was a remake and it will tell us to avoid war – plain and simple .. hehe. O, di ba .. may moral lesson? Aside from that, I just enjoyed watching Keanu to make all the P 85 (paid by my mom) worthwhile .. hehe

The Chronicles of Narnia – Prince Caspian

One of those films that I have been longing to see for quite some time. At last, I already got the chance to watch it.

I looked forward to seeing again the 2 sons of Adam and the 2 daughters of Eve and meeting Prince Caspian. The film did not fail me. While I expected that this would be another “moral lesson” film, I enjoyed it nevertheless.

I enjoyed the flashlight brought by Edmund. I enjoyed Lucy’s new friend and the ever-lasting potion. I enjoyed Susan rescuing Prince Caspian. I enjoyed Peter’s courage. I enjoyed Aslan’s fur waving in the air na parang commercial sa buhok.

I think the film brings hope to the hopeless, courage to the fearsome and faith to the non-believers. That’s why I like it!

Eagle Eye

I already had an inkling where the film is going through the feedback I have heard and read.

Nevertheless, the Eagle Eye was still a thrill. I like the chase scenes and how things were worked out. However, it also made me wonder about a future such as that .. hmm ..

Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat

I have to admit that I was looking forward to watch this MMFF film. Why not? I enjoyed the first film which I watched in the big screen twice .. haha. No kidding!

While this film was still funny in some ways, the first film was funnier. I think I was looking forward to more dramatic scenes and just when you are about to get carried away, they make it funny. There’s not much to that in the second flick. Most were “kasabihans” which were funny but then I already heard most of it from the trailers.

Funny scenes? When the door was slammed “silent” by Tenten .. hehe .. I was still laughing when I got home and tried to close the door. Another funny scene was the “Isa kang salot!” – “I may be a slut but I am the best slut in town” exchange – hilarious! Yup, dramatic scene turned funny.

I guess I also find it confusing being a law student. I was thinking all the time that the President cannot do those PDs and RAs she has enacted in the movie because the President executes the law and does not legislate .. haha .. I know I think too much. I guess it is innate.

Yup, 4 films for less than 2 weeks. Not bad at all!