Monday, May 26, 2008

Old Becomes New, Original Becomes Imitative

It's just too bad. At the time the first three Indiana Jones movies came out, they were trailblazing.

Now with the latest installment, it just looked like they were derivative of National Treasure, The Mummy and, of all movies, X Files and The Rundown.

All the uniquely entertaining bits, such as the latest horde of creatures to make an appearance (after the snakes, spiders and rats in the previous movies), were too few to make it rank higher in my list.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Take That, Dress Code!


From yesterday's inquirer.net, various students talk about the dress code in their schools. Click on the image to enlarge it, look at the address box to get the url.

Best line for me: I believe that if one is truly stylish and a natural “fashionista,” a restrictive dress code would not be enough to stop her from standing out in a crowd. Uniform or no uniform, she will catch the eye.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Monopoly Jr. Shrek 2 Edition Again


It seems the store where I bought the game in the title practices the principle above, because when I returned to look for other stuff there, a new box of Monopoly Jr. Shrek 2 Edition was on the shelf again, at the same price of P250.
This is an P88 store on the second floor of Harrison Plaza by the way, near the chapel, in case anyone wants to get it.
Otherwise, since I go there once a week, tell me if you want your own set.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Cult Stoner Road Trip 2

I agreed to watch this because I liked the original. What I didn't like was the censorship - several key humor scenes clipped just because they assaulted the sensitivities of some people in positions of power even though they're obviously not the target audience of this movie.

The audience in the theater with me (typical Greenbelt 3 crowd) were actually cursing loudly as we all expected a punchline to a great set up scene that was never shown.

Wait for the DVD of any movie like this that will most likely be mutilated by local film authorities, my conscience still tells me.

Monday, May 12, 2008

54 Years Old and Still Raw

Another movie/anime watching post. Really making good use of the vacation.

Seven Samurai was great. Sure it was dated in that people were falling down dead from one slash or poke of the sword, and the characterization and acting of the supporting cast were laughable, but still, it was trailblazing for its time.

Not sure if I want to listen to the commentary of the "scholars" on the topic though.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Reality TV Before Reality TV

I remember watching the Jacques Costeau documentaries when I was young, and being completely fascinated.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is only marginally based on the wide sea explorer's life, and is entirely much funnier than The Royal Tannenbaums in my opinion.

I'd still like to look at his other works though.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Two Visits in Two Weeks

Just got back from the Red Ginger Farm and Garden again, this time without the hustle and the bustle of an administration mandated runaround supposedly to build "camaraderie". Just like in Oasis of Prayer though, the mealtimes still crept up upon us too soon, even though we were still full from the last one.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Two People with Two Views on One Situation

It's very sad when someone keeps saying "we miss you" on the blog of one of their married acquaintances. Especially if the feeling is not mutual.

The married couple who are getting the comments even say that during their last dinner together (before the commenters went overseas) was awkward, but apparently it was only from their side, because afterwards the commenters kept texting "it was a great dinner, hope we can do it again soon when we return!"

It's like being on one side of a two-way mirror where you see something the other person doesn't.

What's more pathetic is that the commenters are also married, so even with two brains, two pairs of eyes and two sets of ears working, they still don't see anything wrong with the situation.

Maybe they really are obliviously meant for each other!

Friday, May 2, 2008

Outside-the-Lawyers

The big corporate crime in the film Michael Clayton is straight out of Erin Brokovich. But that's not the main point. It's the personal sides of the attorneys who are engaged in this moral dilemma. It's not even an action movie; there's no glamour around the bad guys doing their jobs breaking into houses and cars and following people around.



These may be spoilers, but out of three Oscar-nominated films of last year that I've seen (all in the space of 3 days), this is the most satisfying for me, followed by There Will Be Blood then No Country For Old Men, although I have to admit, the third one was the most gripping to watch at the start.