Movie Review: Twilight

So it was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated movies of the year. The question now is: Is Twilight really worth the wait?

I've been reading the series for so long now so I'll try not to let any cloud of infatuation for the book cloud my judgments. First, the main disappointment in the movie is its lack of technical efficiency. The camera angles and movements were poor, snappy and shaky. The flashback scenes were horrible; very "TV quality". The special effects were not so special as well. It was so obviously low-budgeted I almost felt like I'm watching an indie flick.

Since this is just an adaptation, I expected a lot of "should be" moments. I just felt like the movie was too...rushed. Fast paced. I mean, the book was I think fast-paced itself but it appeared much faster when translated into film. Some scenes were not well-emphasized (especially in the earlier parts).

On the plus side, I don't think the movie was that disastrous. There were also scenes that I enjoyed so much, like how the Bella-Edward moments were developed. The modified scenes were not that off as well. I would be a lot harder if they strictly followed what's on the book and I guess the alternative scenes fit better.

Again, like what I've said in the last 2 Harry Potter films, you will fully appreciate the movie unless you read the book first. My friend May, who had not read a single line from the book at all loved the film so I guess it's not that bad for Twilight virgins. Or was she just too mesmerized by Robert Pattinson? LOL

If there's one thing that's redeeming about the film is when they played Leave Out All the Rest during the credits. Seriously love that song. And guess that made it all OK.

My final rating: 3.75 out of 5.

The Biggest Joke in the World

I’m a big fan of funny reads. From joke books to comic strips to humorous satires…everything that stimulates my funny bone. You name it, I’ve probably read it. Little did I know that the biggest joke of all will be featured on TV. And guess what, I found it on the news.

So I was watching the night news when I almost fell off my seat because of a particular headline. It read: 5-ANYOS NA BATANG NAIWAN SA TAXI, IDINULOG NG DRIVER SA GMA NEWS! Kewl. LOL

Now seriously, what are he chances that you’ll leave a sleeping child at the back of a taxi? My, were the people the child was with that tired. And can someone please explain this to me: Does the cab driver really have to bring the child to a TV station? Surely he’s not another case of temporary amnesia to forget that easily where he dropped his last passengers. So what for? A good 15 seconds of fame? To proclaim to the world about his good deed?

Welcome to the World of Absurdity.

Name Game

It’s been two years now since I last visited our departed loved ones. Aside from idleness, it’s probably because I like the idea of scaring myself out of my wits because I know I’ll be one of the few who will remain at home. Wonder why my parents tolerated this. He-he.

I do remember still, aside from scavenging semi-melted candle waxes and forming them into balls, one favorite activity my cousins and I usually do is rummaging through the entire cemetery, searching for the most ridiculous names there are.

It’s funny, looking back at those memories, but then again, I find myself guilt-stricken. I couldn’t believe I could make fun of people (dead people) because of the peculiarity of their names. Shame on me!

Perhaps the reason why I’ve acted like that is because, modesty aside, our family was blessed with a fine surname: Orleans (that’s French, btw he-he) But you know what’s funny? I’ve realized as I was writing that my family name is no less than unusual than the ones I make fun of. Search for it in the phone book and you will only find a handful.

Having a surname like ours (though not laughter provoking) also has its own downsides. One very common instance is when people moronically ask me whether I’ve got foreign roots or something. Duh. Do I look like I do? I don’t even have the fair skin to match. Half- Indian siguro pwede pa. besides, none of my family members knew where the hell we got that surname. LOL

Well, it just shows that, whenever you’re blessed with something, be it material things, looks or even a name, it is still best to keep your mouth shut.