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.

Shirts of Pride

I've been really wanting to buy either a 3 Stars &a Sun or a Team Manila t-shirt for months now but I guess I have to sacrifice a little bit more since I definitely need a serious prioritizing of my expenditures. For those who don't know, those two brands I've mentioned are the 'in' thing right now for they produce shirts and other clothing items whose designs showcase the national emblems of the Philippines and everything that is Pinoy.

It's very amusing and undoubtedly uplifting seeing youngsters like me sporting these patriotic shirts. It's like showing to the whole world how proud you are of your own race; that being a Filipino is something to be grateful of.

I just hope that it goes beyond being just a fad. I hope that every Filipino who wears these clothes live up to what their shirts say. I hope that nationalism doesn't end in fashion, but with passion. The kind of passion that will eventually lead to the transformation of the society where we all exist.

"I am a [Filipino]. I am a HERO."

Into The Twilight

I hate to admit it, but I am one of those who had never, as in NEVER, went trick-or-treating before. Apparently, it's rarely practiced her in the Philippines, except in some elite subdivisions but since I only dwell in a small, serene village, I bod goodbye to the thought a long time ago.

And because I'm quite old to engage in such (if there'll be a chance), I think I'll just settle for another favorite Halloween activity: Halloween parties!

I do admit, though that I am a virgin as well when it comes to Halloween parties. One reason is that, yep, it's seldom performed by typical Filipinos and second, modern Halloween parties are frequently held in bars and other 'nocturnal' establishments, making it more impossible for me to attend one. But my hopes are still high. Probably after graduation, I, together with some friends, would finally be able to wear our most splendid costumes and party the night away! Woohoo!

And speaking of costumes, I already have a fixed image of what I'm going to look like at the event: Edward Cullen of Twilight.

Alright! Alright! I know many ladies would react violently to this and I'm sure it would be a tall order for me. Edward's too perfect anyway so I'll just settle for Dracula then. LOL.

Good Ol' Days

A few days from now our high school batch will be celebrating it's second grand reunion (Yep, that's how badly we miss each other.). Sadly (and quite despairingly), I won't be able to attend the event due to some friggin' school agendas. Besides, the reunion will be held in a bar and hell no do I drink. Also, most of my close friends can't go as well; can't risk being out-of-place in a sea of hard partying people. It's still sad, though. Big time. I really miss those guys. We shared a lot of memories (good and bad) with each other and I can just imagine the overflowing nostalgia and...joy as we relive those memories together. :(

Fast forward to 2021. So what would it be like 15 years after graduation? Probably most of us have a stable job and have established a family by then. Some might even be comfortably enjoying their position as a high-ranking official in a prestigious company (I'm probably one of them. LOL.). Maybe our reunion will now be held in a grand hotel with us wearing ties and gowns. That only means we have to excel and be well-established for us to attend the event. Because by that time, the reunion is not intended to celebrate but to intimidate. Sad.

I hope that won't happen to us.

Baby Talks

So it was a boring Thursday night and I was scanning thru the channels of my newly fixed TV (Yey!) when I came across probably one of the most interesting episodes of Oprah. It was one of those replayed episodes shown on local TV here in the Philippines (I think it was originally aired November of last year). It features four incredible stories about life and science but what fascinated me most was their cover about this 'special baby language'.

The invited guest was Priscilla Dunstan, a woman who claims to have been blessed with a 'photographic memory' for sounds which she eventually used to develop her theory on baby language; that these angelic little creatures actually produce different sounds to relay various messages to people. Interesting.

My interest even went maximum when she discussed about the five general sounds that babies produce: the 'neh' sound which refers to hunger; the 'owh' sound which they make when they're tired and sleepy; the 'heh' sound which signals discomfort; the 'eair' sound for lower gas, &; the the 'eh' sound when they want to say, 'I wanna burp, Mom!'. They even showed super adorable babies making those actual sounds! I was soooo..amazed (it's an understatement)! My jaws were left hanging till the end of the entire segment. It was so unbelievable...but true.

I seriously want a baby now! LOL.