Where have I been?

How come I never knew?!!

They had made a remake of the 1978 Ice Castles movie. Only my most favorite. In between dreaming to be a ballerina and a doctor, came the impossible dream of being a champion ice skater. I say impossible because snow is definitely non-existent in the Philippines and I have whole-heartedly accepted that. Ahihihi...

Today was a slow day. The kids had no classes so I pushed everything back for the next few days just to be able to lounge with them the whole day. It was HBO marathon. And before Valentine's Day was Ice Castles, the 2010 remake!!! I never knew they did a remake! Where was I 2010???

Oh can you can still remember Lexie in her humble blue frock (it was her mother's). I followed Lynn-Holly Johnson (as lead character Alexis Winston) to her Candie's sandals days in fashion magazines. Watching her skate and act was just beautiful. Afterall she was a professional ice skater in real life. She nailed the blind acting right down.

(poster of the 2010 remake)

(Rob Mayes as Nick, Taylor Firth as Alexis, coach Beulah Smith, Henry Czerny as father Marcus Winston in the 2010 remake)

I like the 2010 remake. They stayed true to the original version. Although the 1978 really got my soul. Could be because of...

Tom Skeritt's grace (and roughness) in the role as Lexie's protective father.

Or the no nonsense acting of Colleen Dewhurst as the no nonsense coach...

Or Robby Benson's mesmerizing baby blue eyes and thick well groomed eyebrows. Or the believable chemistry between Nick (Benson) and Lexie (Johnson).

Even in today's standard, the movie still holds up to its own.

2010 remake. The routine is of course to the nine's...or should I say to the 2000's?

Although the romantic chemistry between Nick and Lexie is a little muddled here...

In terms of editing of Lexie's finale performance, the 1978 version steals my heart. The way the camera seems like the viewer, how it follows the skater in her figure 8's.

"What's pointless and cruel."

"Dont give me that. Not trying is pointless and cruel."

One thing lost in the 2010 v is the face of Deborah Machland, the world class coach played by Jennifer Warren during the finale scene of Lexie skating. Her teary knowing look, fleeting as it may have been carried a heavy weight in the movie ending.

The finale...

Trivia: Watched this movie with my mom, my boy cousin, 10, and his mom. Imagine what could have been going thru my boy cousin's mind while watching this romatic flick! Ahihihi...

First, can someone please tell Josh Duhamel to please stop standing that way. You see, last night was my first night out after being couped up in bed with a flu. So I need my blood pressure to be just right...ok? Thank you. Will talk about you later, ok?

When it comes to Michael Bay films it's good that I don't google before watching them. The Transformers franchise most especially. A really really good thing. It keeps me amused, surprised and, well, a satisfied customer.

If you haven't seen the latest installment yet and don't want the moment to be spoiled for you, I suggest maybe skip this blog entry for now.

Although I'm not really one to be giving a formal short sweet rotten tomatoes kinda of review here actually.

For fun, you can read on.

Award winner Frances McDormand is Secretary of Defense Charlotte Mearing: "Stop calling me ma'am. Do I look like a ma'am?"

I always love her!

(only new leading girl, Carly, played by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley inocently answers her point blank: "yes")

Hmm...just a little bit of make up thought and hair pins. Really, it doesn't hurt. I mean, you know, it's always good to have put together looking department heads. Oh, but mind you, she's the one with the bags. No, I mean, really, the bags. You know, those thingy you put some of your stuff and carry around? She has the 2nd and 3rd bag. Her assistant played by Keiko Agena (Asian, no surprise there, talk about typecasting...) carries them.

Mearing:"Give me the bag"

Assist: (struggles with bags on her arms)"Which bag?" (panting)

Mearing:"Greeeenn HERMES Birkin (breaths) Ostrich!" (sighs)

What she purposely lacks in the cosmetics department, she makes up in the accessory dept.

Her other bag is a Louis Vuitton. I kept trying to figure out her shoes after that. Was just wondering if they gave some preference on that department too. Hmmm...apparently not.

Oh well, she is afterall "...the director of National Intelligence (pauses) I'm a big fan of intelligent answers."

So. ...La di da di da...let's do our little girly hops now in the meadow of white daisies shall we?

Lt. Col. Wiliam Lennox a.k.a. Josh Duhamel:

No, no, no...it's illegal to pose like that. C'mon! Hahahaha! He's back. Suave, tough and handsome as ever. Yep, he goes into the battle zone of course.

Ohhh, Sam's first boss. The big gun in the mail room. Bruce Brazos. Being John Malkovich, he is so! Love him!

"It's all visual."

Transformers 3 is action! I was exhausted actually. With all them transforming, running, falling, flying...not dying...

Hehehe...how the world has changed ha? Used to be that when you go free sliding on the side of a tilting building with glass walls meant certain death. These days you can always count on your pistol (which you have miraculously been able to hold on to inspite of) to shoot thru and break the glass walls so you could jump right into them.

Not to mention base jumping out from choppers and flying in sync like some graceful seagulls along the Chicago skyline is weirdly beautiful...

That chopper scene, really had me going. I just want them young brave soldiers out of them burning flying thingys!!! Ahihihi...

Whew.

(pause)

Well, hello there Dr. McDreamy, sir. Or...former race car star with an awesome car collection Dylan Gould... there was really no more good guy role so you had to be the Mr McBad Guy... which worked fine for me actually. Rough!

Ok, moving on.

HEY! Who's the smarty pants who put this dreamy whammy photo of Patrick Dempsey on this blog?!!! You're fired!

I kid, I kid. Ahihii

Ron and Judy Witwicky are visiting dear son Sam in D.C. They're as perky as ever. Well, at least the mom is. The parents always provided the slapsticks. In some weird way, they got away with it, in my book at least. In this film, they only got to do some bits here and there. Even the mom's voice has become...jumpy, instead of the cute crazy nagging perky cheerful voice.

Rosie Huntington-Whitely.

Victoria Secret model.

Simply stunning.

Nothing spectacular or wrong with her acting either. I like her. She's beautiful...even without trying. I actually prefer the elegant beautiful. I'm pretty sure those little house robots wouldn't say she's mean.

Just too bad she had to be the one with the completely useless shot:

Although I get it now, she's supposed to be staring up to the bad robot with the injured face. You know, the scene where the lead character just stands, stares and breaths heavily, supposedly thinking about something... while cars and buildings are destroyed in the background...in slow mo. But this one I didn't get. After all those ruckus, they suddenly slide into this shot. It's quietness not 'quite' in sync with the whole picture. But lady, you are beautiful. Only you can pull thru a totally useless scene like that one. That's probably why it was your scene no?

Agent Seymour Simmons. Former, as emphasized by Charlotte Mearing (the lady with the very expensive green bag) agent Simmons. Still shaky, still shady. And yet, he actually ended up calling the shots in the HQ. Good for him!

You double gun slinger you! You almost had me there Dutch! The quiet assistant of Seymour Simmons. The computer hacking export saves the day.

"Good job, Dutch" --- Charlotte Mearing.

Of course, the mandatory slow mo walking of the heroes, in this case soldiers after the battle. You know, where they're looking like 'just doin' our job ma'am'

Hey...WHOA!

Wrong movie!

Ahihihi...I was just kidding. But you get the picture.

Oh there you are:

Whew, I'm glad you guys are ok. Hahahahahaha!

That teleportation of the Cybertron was really scary ha? That would have been really messy.

Well, verdict?

If for some reason you sat thru the two previous installments, what's 2 hours more ha?

Besides if you're looking for any "character development" (Im saying this with the quote and quote finger movements for emphasis), you'd have realized in the second movie, this isn't the franchise to expect it.

I mean hey, it's robots. Who transform from just about any vehicle or flat screen tv. The guy has graduated from college and has landed his first job. How lucky could this guy be, with 2 incredibly beautiful (and hot, I'm not comfortable saying 'hot') girlfriends. The first 3 minutes in the opening scene, you know a good storyline is somewhere else when the first conversation of their day begins with a big white rabbit doll.

That said, I like the movie. It's entertaining. I like Shia Labeouf's face. I'm friends with Megatron and Bumblebee. What's not to like?

Watch it by all means. In 3D.

Poor Chicago, it had to them. Almost being turned into Cybertron.

I wonder now: what was Oprah doing when all these were happening?

The King's Speech.

Take it anyway you would.

The movie actually circles in to King George VI effort to overcome his stammer. As you would guess it results from "something" during the early childhood.

Yezzzz, ladies and gentlemen, yet another movie review.

You know with the Oscars just around the corner, it's time for the annual movie marathon. The movie is based on the true story of Britain's King George VI, the present Queen Elizabeth's father, who became king when his brother was abdicated when he wished to marry the yet to be divorced Wallis Simpson. It is a must! Or you're bust! Seriously.

The movie took me on from the very first scene. Give me a film about royalty and I would watch it on a heartbeat. But, I had delayed watching this one. The king's speech. Being an avid royal family watcher, I have read years ago that Queen Elizabeth's mother did have problems with his stammering. Fast forward 2010...they made a movie about that? Honestly, if it weren't for Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and THE Helena Bonham Carter...I believe I'd have delayed viewing this till the last minute. And if you were or still are thinking of doing the same. Stop. MUST. WATCH. NOW.

A slow...sweet...beautiful harmony unfolding before my eyes.

I feel for Colin Firth.

I am confident as Geoffrey Rush.

I am willowy, graceful, strong and supportive as Helena Bonham Carter.

The perfect cast. The perfect movie.

I have gotten used to the formula of climactic scenes with soaring music and slo-mo action.

But this...this takes you on the sweet beautiful and unnerving ride during its climax. Never have I held my breath and yet felt uplifted by a movie's highlight. Even the dropping of my tears went slo-mo.

That is how beautiful the movie is.

Splendid.

This is a photograph of the real King George VI and wife Queen Elizabeth.

Shall it reap more awards during the Oscars?

It will. It will.

I have just watched "Tangled".

For the 6th time!!!

It is just so very very good...delicious actually.

What have they done to animation is beyond me! I love it I love it!

I couldn't wait to see the movie when the teasers came out. One of Disney's beloved classic, Rapunzel. When I heard about it I was giddy. I imagined...hmm (does the thinking pose) 'This would be a beautiful bonding movie with my girls'. So when the official trailer came out, I was blown away!!! My girls and I bundled up together and watched the whole movie in awe!

Too much for a review?

Hehehe...maybe, but maybe not.

Something about the rendering has given the whole animation a new smooth and more 3D-ish feel and look. I could almost touch it. The movements are smoother. The facial features more...more (creepily but beautiful) ...human-ish. The hair...look at the hair. I want to brush it.

Oh mother. You did that beautifully. Evil as you maybe. Hahahaha. Can you feel the flooooowww...?

I love the way my brain is accepting it as human and yet at the same time fully aware that it is in fact, still animation. Strange...beautiful strange.

Hmmm...let me pause for awhile and count how many times I have used the word 'beautiful' in this entry. Ahihihi...

The cast are very well voiced by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. I like it that I hear and recognize their voices (well, it's written all over the posters hahahaha) but I do not totally see them in the characters. That's refreshing for me actually. None of that 'I see Cameron Diaz doing kung fu!". ahihihi ok ok, no offense meant actually, you know the movie.

Yes, that's the word I would like to describe the movie: refreshing.

You simply must see!

When this teaser poster came out I flipped!!!

Finally the movie I have been waiting for like forever!

Lots of first reasons.

First, it's ballet (did 10 years of classes with the last 3 on pointe)

First, it's Natalie Portman (I've seen every single movie she did)

First, it's THE Black Swan of Swan Lake.

First, Darren Aronofsky's movie!!! (Can you say Requiem For A Dream, The Wrestler???)

Once again Aronofsky does NOT disappoint us.

With both the lead actresses, Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis taking ballet classes and rehearsing for the past year, it was bound to be perfect.

And perfect it was.

Portman as Nina, the veteran New York City ballet dancer in the role of the Swan Queen. Threats from a rival dancer, Lilly, and her own desire for perfection emotionally drives her to blindly embrance the blackness in her.

Did you see Winona Ryder? Not until she spoke her wrath on Nina.

Perfect addition to the cast are Barbara Hershey as the nurturing mother of Nina, creepy actually. How she does even the most basic task of unbuttoning a coat for Nina. And of course the company artistic director played by Vincent Cassel.

The Oscars are calling of course.

Portman would be hard to beat.

Love the movie! Watched it 3 times already. Splendid how the continuity editing flawlessly made me believe they were Portman's feet on pointe doing the slithering across the dance floor.

I felt the pain. Believe me, I covered my eyes during the wound scenes. The plucking of the feather from under the skin. It was magnificent. And haunting. Yes, I closed my eyes.

Pink ensemble was surely Portman's forte. hehehe...

I was into deep.

Haunting. Haunting how she flawlessly danced the Black Swan after supposedly killing Lilly and stashing her at the bath of her private dressing room. Haunting how the camera moved with her newly found strength and black soul. Haunting how she was depicted dancing with real black feathers.

And the musical score. No no no it's just not a musical score. It's the classical ballet. For those who have seen a full length Swan Lake ballet you would recognize their scores for even the rehearsals. I personally vaguely remembered. And then the jolt of a time warp as the all too familiar score of Tchaikovsky's ballet wherein the White Swan dances her last, dancing her agony of defeat by the Black Swan before jumping to her death. English composer Clint Mansell gave the original score some interestingly flowing, yet upbeat twist.

Can you say Last Song Syndrome?

Up to the last part of the credits a slower and even more haunting tempo of the score takes you on.

So ok, she killed someone. That was bad. She goes to prison for a few years. Oooohhh, the bitter taste in my mouth at the sorry twist Nina had gotten herself into.

I knew she was going to hurt herself unknowingly.

I cringed at her realization.

At my own realization that she stabbed herself. (And not Lilly).

She danced the dance of the life time. New York love her Swan Queen.

But what now?

My question:

Did Nina Sayers die in the end?

Someone tell me please!

HAHAHAHAHA!

I love it!

Did she or did she not?

One thing's for sure, if she did live (they must have rushed her to the hospital right?). She would have to go to rehab? Afterall she must have badly injured some vital organs inside there. Major rehab. 6months? A year? Ooooohhhh the agony. Arrrgggh!!!

HAHAHAHAHA!

But she did it.

She is the Swan Queen.

She gave them the Swan Queen.

Footloose!!!

Yep, the ultimate Kevin Bacon dance movie remake had been on the works for some months now. It will be released summer 2011.

Hmmm...remake.

So why look so much alike yo?

I hope it's just the theme of the prom.

It stars Kenny Wormald and Julienne Hough as the lead characters. No idea who they are? Nothing to worry much there. I'm just letting it pass. Too hurt to know it could have been THE Zac Efron dancing those crazy moves on the silver screen for me.

Well the original director Craig Brewer is still there. I'm not so sure if I'd take consolation on that fact though. Hey, it's my own opinion anyway. It's a free country.

But fear not, Dennis Quiad and Andie McDowell will be play the parents of little miss country girl.

Footloose was my ultimate dance movie. And yes they were not-so-well known actors if not unknown at all. I'm not so sure if it's a good idea for a remake though. But let's keep our fingers crossed. Everyone's got a chance in this world. Fingers crossed.

Dang!

Why did you ever quit?

This movie would have nailed that starpower down. It would have shoot you up to uber-stardom that you could make a gazillion B-movies and we'd still pay $$$ to watch them.

But hey, Hollywood must know something that I don't, right? hehehe...

Well...
I don't want to say disappointed but...
The whole movie was just about the Book of Water. Book One!!!
By the way they marketed the movie it seemed like we were about to see the great finale!
Well, we sure didn't see that. And my 6-year-old is disappointed.
Let's just say we enjoyed the animated series better.
Way better.
Although we give salute to the effects.
Guess we'll have to wait for the next 3 movies...

HAHAHAHA yes, it's another entry about a movie!
Animation and live action movies just got very interesting as of late.
You familiar with Aang? This is actually the very first tv film/series which introduced the word, "Avatar".
Say hello to Aang, the last airbender.
(He has the power to bend air and manipulate its movement, usually used for self defense in this movie.)
Unknown to all my friends and family (except Joel), I had watched every single episode of this series in Nickelodeon channel since 2005 (after Alyssa turned 1). It was just so amazing for me. Martial arts and fantasy, a little boy, a flying animal and his 2 best friends.
Finally!
A movie is coming out.
Every Thursdays and Fridays there are series marathons. I had been at it since Book 1 (they have split the whole story on tv into 3 chapters which they cleverly dubbed as Book 1, 2 and 3...respectively known as Book of Water, Book of Earth and Book of Fire...yep, the finale will be Book 3, Book of Air, where Aang will have finally learned to control his airbending powers.)
This will be the premier of the Book of Fire.
Well, you see, they have these powers to bend (and manipulate) the different elements: water, earth, fire and air. They have different nations.
And the different characters come from these nations which means they possess different powers. And of course with power come both peace and war.
See the poster above?
First Azula, the evil conniving lady from Fire Nation who has mastered her powers beyond being a fire bender (she is a princess by the way). The girls with her are her 'side-kicks'.
Sokka, the bro of Katara. Both from the Southern Water tribe. Sadly the love of his life, Princess Yue, (girl with white hair) gives up her life to save the world. Spoiler much? hehehe
On the 3rd pic is Aang himself. Let's skip him for a bit now shall we...
Katara...white and feisty sister of Sokka. Forever Aang's and Sokka's conscience. Waterbender.
There's Toph...a rebel girl, toughie, always getting into Katara's nerve. An earthbender.
Zuko...always hating on Aang. Prince Zuko, the bro of Azula. They are both after Aang, but they themselves are enemies.
And of course, Aang...the 12-year-old innocent Aang. Just as the title says, he is the last airbender. And the Fire Nation tribe is just dying (and turning the world upside down) to capture him so they could rule earth.
Interesting characters eh?
What's more interesting are the actors who play the roles!!!

Dev Patel! Of Slumdog Millionaire fame! (He plays Zuko, villain)
Nicola Peltz as Katara. She was in Miley Cyrus' "7 Things" video.
Jackson Rathbone of Twilight as Sokka.
Summer Bishill of Hannah Montana and Drake and Josh as Azula.

The reason why I stuck with the animated series is the use of different Chinese martial arts techniques. Each nation has its own unique fighting choreography patterned actual martial arts techniques. Ba Gua for Airbending... Tai Chi for Waterbending... Northern Shaolin for Firebending and Hung Gar for Earthbending.
It is a must-see indeed!

Well hello there Mr. Director M. Night Shyamalan...



YES!!! I'm tingly all over! Goosebumps alert!
Are you gonna watch??!!!

I stayed up after midnight last night. Trying to catch the last evening news. January 17, one day before my birthday. I will be a year older in less than 24 hours. hehehe. Not a scary truth. A most welcomed beginning of the year 2010. I am never afraid of birthdays. I always embrace my birthdays. At 12.15am I look around the room. Joel and the 2 girls are fast asleep now. How the kids have grown. The height of their shadows seem to be the same already. This month Ava turns 3 and days later Alyssa will be 6. They have grown. Beautiful girls. I see my camera bag in its special corner of the room. What a year it had been. Wasn't it yesterday that I had been lovingly putting away my D70. A year later a new D90 rests inside that camera bag. What a year it had been. A year of head-on education in life and growing up. A wonderful year.
I was about to turn the tv off when I stumbled upon an interesting face. Angelina Jolie. Under normal circumstances it would only have taken me 2 seconds to press the off button. But wait. Her costume. Interesting hat. I recognize the movie. But Ive never seen it. I just recognized the setting and costume. 1920's.
The Changeling.
That's right, the true story of a mother and her missing boy.
That alone stopped me from watching it in the first place. You know me, I don't like that stuff. Breaks my heart. Unnecessary heartache for me. And it's Angelina Jolie. Aside from my genuine admiration of her beautifully sculptured face, there is nothing else about her that interests me. We all know how it all went with her and her partner Brad Pitt. Their beginning was totally undesirable for me. It's always been "the means does not justify the end" for me. But then again they go about around the globe adopting helpless children and giving them the good life and education they deserve. I should admire that I know. And I do. Really. That is the most noble thing. I am just not a fan of her. But look at the hat she is wearing. The way she looks in this movie. Pure awesomeness. The next thing I knew I was stuck watching it. She is good.
The Changeling.



A film released in 2008. Brace yourself... directed and produced by the Mr. Clint Eastwood ( and Mr. Ron Howard)!!! Can it get any better? Yes, it does. It does indeed.
A true story that happened in Septemter 1928 in Los Angeles. A mother Christine Collins comes home one day to find her son, Walter missing. She desperately reports it to the LAPD. After 5 months the LAPD "finds" and returns her son. But the instant Christine lays eyes on the boy she she it was not her son. They had made a mistake. It was not her boy. And who else but Jefrrey Donovan plays the corrupt chief, Capt. J.J. Jones. From then on the cast of characters have kept my head spinning. Colin Feore as the chief of police, Chief James E. Davis, John Malkovich as Rev. Gustav Briegleb, who swore every breathing hour of his day in helping Christine. Michael Kelly, yes, Michael Kelly, the brooding and handsome face plays the concerned Detective Lester Ybarra (he practically solved the mystery). HEY HEY HEY HEY!!! Who is that cast as one of the jury??? DOMINICK DUNNE! He didnt have a speaking part. He just sat there as a member of the jury. The Dominick Dunne, a real-life crime story writer. COOL! hahahahaha. What can I say I love crime stories that's why I recognized him. The casting of the characters offered me simplicities. And yet they were perfect for their roles. The plastered smile of J.J. Jones, knowing he indeed found the wrong boy but yet breathed and lived the lie just to save the LAPD. The overwhelming yet subtle presence of John Malkovich.
Angelina Jolie. Daaannng! She is good! Last time I saw her in an asylum was in "Girl Interrupted". But she is matured here. She played the role very very well. Nominated in every award giving body in 2008. She won best actress in the Saturn Award. Along with the best director.
A compelling story. A sad sweet story of a mother who lost her son. She was solid in fighting the LPAD that they gave her the wrong boy. It was not her son. She was forced to live with and take care of the boy but she just couldnt take it. Her son was still out there missing. Investigation would stop if she condoned to the lie. She spent everyday searching for her son. My heart broke for her. She stood her grounds. Rev. Gustav Briegleb sits down with her after she was released from the asylum and says: "We cannot afford to hire the best and only lawyer who have sued the city four times in a row and won."
The man sitting beside him continues..."That is why I will do this pro-bono."
That gave me the chills.
Of course they won. The bad guys go down. The killer caught and hanged.
But does it give Christine her peace. Of course not. And that pushes the dagger deeper into everyone's souls.
But the ending of the movie is of hope. It is never known if Walter Collins was one of the murdered boys found in a ranch. The bodies were never identified. The boy who finally surfaces to be reunited with his mother did identify Walter as one of the 5 who escaped with him one night. But it is never fully known if Walter made it out or not as they were apprehended by the killer. But neither it is known if he was caught again. And this gives Christine (and me) what she never had before...HOPE.
A wonderful movie. If you have not seen it before, you must see it now.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A 2008 movie. And like always I get to see it one year later when it goes on cable. I surely have mixed feelings about it. Not about the movie though. The movie is perfect. Perfect. Uniquely strange and perfect. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett played their roles very well. In fact, every actor/actresses did their parts very well. Including the cast of children who played the different ages of Benjamin Button. I watched it by accident. Wait, I think I actually missed the movie on cable. We had the dvd. Last night was quite a restless one for me. The girls suddenly came down with high fever, both at the same hour. Sleep for us was impossible so Joel decided we'd watch a dvd.
Benjamin Button, of course. I have not seen Brad Pitt for the longest time and Cate Blanchett is simply my fave! Who could be more fitting to play the role of a ballerina. And then a part of me simply regretted that I watched. Until this moment I will never forget how Benjamin slowly grew younger and younger until he was an infant in Daisy's arms. That was a heart-wrenching scene. But I fell asleep just before the part where Benjamin's adoptive father died. I woke up at 3am when Ava started crying because of fever. Joel has fallen sleep too but the dvd was still going on. While trying to comfort Ava to get her back to sleep I took one look at the tv and was transfixed. Daisy has come home and had reunited with the younger Benjamin. She literally ran into his arms. Then came her taxi accident, the hospital, the recovery, Benjamin's travels, their 2nd reunion. The start of their wonderful lives together. The death of Queenie, sale of the big house, Daisy's self pity, recovery, her announcement of her pregnancy, Benjamin's dilemma. I surely started to shed a tear when he finally decided to give up all his possessions and leave the money to Daisy and their daughter and leave them on her 1st birthday. If I thought I would never see any heart-wrenching scene in the movie that would push the dagger deeper into my heart I was clearly wrong.
Benjamin Button's body was getting younger and younger but his mind was getting older and older.
Did you see the movie?
I cried when Daisy was called to look after a rebellious and forgetful adolescent Benjamin. I couldn't breath as I watched the scenes flashing before me. When Benjamin with an old mind of an old man was in a 5-year-old body. I clutched at my heart when Daisy was walking holding 2-year-old toddler Benjamin, stopped, leaned towards Benjamin who gave her a kiss. Watch the video above. Hold your hearts and tears at the 3:04 mark. That did my soul. Daisy on a rocking chair by the patio with baby Benjamin cradled snugly in her arms. Daisy with the newborn Benjamin by his crib...
"...for the last time he opened his eyes and looked at me. That was when I knew he knows who I am." --Daisy

...the last time the baby Benjamin stares at Daisy's eyes, closes his own and succumbs to death.
But we should not be sorry for Benjamin. He has, per se, lived his life to the fullest. He knew his daughter. He had left her a legacy in his diary. He sacrificed to give his daughter the kind of life and love that she deserves. He was taken in and loved unconditionally by Queenie. He traveled everywhere and saw everything. He died in the arms of the woman who loved and understood him deeply.
I know I should wish for a more happy ending, but that would have changed everything entirely. I'm still glad it went the way it did, strange as it already was. hehehe. I love the movie. It made me cry. I shouldn't have watched. Just should have turned the dvd off. I don't like movies that make me cry. But I love this one.

"...I hope you live a life you're proud of. And if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again."

--Benjamin, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 2008

Did you watch?
Perhaps I have not seen much Tagalog movies the past 5 years.
Perhaps Im just an over zealous Vilma Santos fan.
Or secretly love John Lloyd...or an over zealous Vilma S. fan.
Or maybe just drooling over their handbags. Perhaps I should go out more often.
OR maybe...
the movie REALLY IS THAT GREAT and ALL THAT!!!
This time I chose to snub them elite who chose to be critical (and cynical) about the whole movie. Duh. Well, I love it! The story may have revolved (at first) around gay son Luis and librarian mom, Vilma, who also happens to have been born as a natural American (did I say that right?) but was taken home to the Philippines while still an infant (explains the very easy breezy procedure of getting a plane ticket to the USA).
But clearly it a movie run by these two superstars:


John Lloyd (gay Noel) and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos (librarian Shirley)
I had to admit I was a bit wary with myself as I went into the movie theater with very high expectations. I have coerced my girlfriends to watch with me. What if it sucks? What if I dont like it? Would surely close shut the door for future local movies for me.
Hmmm...what surprised me was that the theater was just half full. Mature audiences perhaps? Gays were all over (can I say 'gay' or is there a more politically correct term?). hehehe.
It was a movie like no other local movie. No cheesy cutie-cutie leading lady! So ok, the storyline has been done before...well, part of it anyway. You know, the works, cranky mommy librarian goes to NYC, stays with her gay son and lover. Son is too busy, lover takes the mother around, mama mia not so crazy about lover, etc etc.
But whose got an all original storyline and script these days anyway? NONE. And whose got John Lloyd Cruz, Luis Manzano and Gov. Vilma Santos playing yet another predictable local movie, HA???
JUST THIS ONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
LM has got that busy-body annoying cellphone in the ear gay guy role to the core.
JLC got that mama's boy too mild, meek and sweet kinda gay thing nailed down easy!
Vilma Santos.
She was acting? I thought that was the real thing? WHOAAAA..! And that, world, is why I'm a true-blooded Vilmanian. She got the role injected into her veins! And she said what? Yep, while JLC was untying her headfull of cornrows...she wailed..."..and sakeeeeetttt! Sheeeeeettt!!!" (too painful, sheeet). That really got us off our seats laughing. Afterall Im not a snob. I do give credit where it's due. She doesnt even try to act. She is officially the Meryl Streep of Filipino movie in my book.
But ooohhh, LM died in an accident. That kinda grossed me out! Didnt expect that a bit. And the scene came about 5 minutes after the much awaited kissing (more like a smack on the lips) of JLC and LM on the bridge. Seriously. It got me and Ann jumping off our seats in horror! Maybe they could just have softened that part too much. It was too Brad Pitt in another movie. Hehehe...but whoaaa... check the next scene out. JLC and Miss V head to head, claw to claw! Distraught and angry mama still ranting about her views against cremation and bringing the body back home and distraught, somewhat, couldnt care less anymore gay lover throwing angry replies to angry mama without even looking at each other. That was so realistic. Wait! Wait till they go out...hehehe. That shouting scene in the trailer? That's not even half of what you will see in the movie. Mama shouts, lover shouts back and as we all expected... mama slaps lover...and what we did not expect, lover SLAPS mama back! Meeeoooowww! Claws out! It was way too cool when gay lover gets a strong hold of angry hitting mama and throws her down to the bench! HAHAHAHA! I swear... both of them's gonna have acting awards next year!
I have heard of John Lloyd Cruz being a very good actor, but not in this lifetime did I ever expect to see that. I didnt even cringe when he would lovingly stare into his lover's eyes and rub their cheeks together. We did give out girlish shreeks. And the sounds from the gay group around us? Theirs were more girlish! HAHAHAHA!
The movie has it all, humor, drama, sadness, some flaws even. But hey, I love it!!!

Now hand them those awards!!! hehehe

HALA! IT'S OUT!!!
Ahem...no pun intended. ahihihi
I'm giddy! The official movie poster and full trailer of the movie, "In My Life" is out!
I am so watching...
You know me, not much of a fan with the local movies (sorry but that's just me). Once in a blue moon I make an exception with a movie worth my while. This is surely it! Hay Im too hyped up I hope it's really good. But it should be. John Lloyd Cruz! VILMA SANTOS! Luis Manzano (her son)! Im not so crazy about the director though but I believe them actors can put it together (regardless of who directs them). This one is set in New York, USA, with JLC and Luis playing gay lovers and Vilma Santos, the pretty mom of Luis who comes to America, is thrown into the life of the two lovers, humor, sadness and all!
Saw the full trailer last night. Joel took one look at me and said, "I bet you're watching that."
Me:"Yes I am" hehehe.
I love the way Vilma Santos does humor, it's far from slapstick! Look at how her face contorts in anguish and the way her eyes sparkles as she breaks into a hearty smile! (love Luis' messenger bag! Where to get? hehehe) And there's no icky yucky feeling with the way the gay lovers connect.
Movie date night with the girlfriends!



Coolness I tell ya!