Finding Forrester

 

"...why is it the words that we write for ourselves are always so much better than the words we write for others?..."

 

"...no thinking, that comes later."

 

"...you write your first draft with your heart, but you rewrite with your head"

 

"...the first key to writing... is to write, not to think"

 

"...writers write so readers could read..."

 

These are the words of William Forrester, a fictional Pulitzer prize winning author played by Sean Connery on the movie "Finding Forrester".

 

There are loads more inspirational quotes from this movie, and I'm sure there are way better quotes out there from some other movies. But these words, his words, are the words that gives me motivation to write. These are the ones that wakes the blood inside my vein and pushes me to write. These words are also the reason why most of the time, I do not read my posts but once, just for the rewrite of the draft, checking for spelling errors. Other than that, I dare not touch what I've written, because they are from the heart - my heart.

 

And lastly, is says that we should write so readers to could read, well, that's the hope, isn't it?

Overdue (Re)Introduction

Hello hello hello!

 

I've been planning on introducing myself, yet again, but there's been a lot of things that's going on recently that I had to prioritize. That being said, even though this post almost didn't make it to this blog today, I promised myself that today is the day that I put this here.

 

What is 'this' exactly? 'This' is a post containing information about yours truly, conducted in an interview fashion (by myself as well, such a loser!) in order to bring some semblance of order to this blog. So without further ado, here is my stunning, provocative, extremely overrated, self interview!

 

Hi, please tell us your name, age, location, occupation, and to those who believes in astrology, your star sign.

 

I'm JeKi, not my real name of course. 32 years old, not too old, not too young. Lives in the 'garbage city' part of the metro. Works as a callboy at night in one of the disputed areas between Makati and Taguig. I'm a Sagittarian.

 

Why JeKi?

 

JeKi is a word play, combining my name and my boyfie's name. That's also the name of our dog.

 

Tell us more about your boyfie.

 

Boyfie's hot. Obviously. You know me, I won't settle for anything less. But seriously though, in more than two years that we've been together, he's been the rock that anchored my boat to make sure that it survives the storm that I'm currently in. But enough about him. This post should be about me. I'll let him answer questions about himself in a post dedicated to him.

 

That's nice and sweet. If he's your rock, what are you to him?

 

His ass? Lelz, I kid. I would like to believe that I'm his partner, in all sense of the word. But you better ask him when you get the chance to interview him.

 

Alright, tell us something about yourself that you haven't shared to anyone, including this blog, that you think is interesting and worthwhile.

 

This one is tough. I pride myself as an open book, so all that I can think of right now are things that I've already shared with someone. So let me just share that very few people knows about me - I've been studying how to play a violin. It's both hard and expensive but whenever I see JunCurryAhn, I can't help but be inspired.

 

Violin huh? I thought you are not a musically inclined person?

 

I am not musically inclined but violin players are so hot. I mean, violins are so powerful and flexible that it seems all encompassing, it's transforming.

 

Wow. Alright. You like violins and violin players. Besides those two, what other things do you like?

 

Movies, TV series, Online games, Books, Board games, geeky stuff.

 

Describe your normal day.

 

I wake up, prep up, go to boyfie's house, if it's a workday, we'll go together since our offices are just near each other, if it's a rest day, we'll just hangout. Then go home, either play online games or read a book. Sleep. Repeat.

 

And since this post is already too long, this is the last question for now. Why write? Why blog? What do you get from doing it?

 

I write because I need to write. Writing is an outlet for me. Thoughts that I can't express or say, I write. It helps me cope. It allows me to be the person that I need to be. And I do it here because my handwriting sucks. As my grade school teacher once said "I don't write, I create art"

 

 

There we have it. Finally finished with a 'short' reintroduction. Until next time.

The Tarantino Phenomena

I was about to write a blog about the movie Reservoir Dogs by Quentin Tarantino and how it made me understand the true genius that Mr. Tarantino really is. But then I realized that nobody really cares so I just stopped typing.

I'll just say this though - If you haven't seen it, go watch it. There's a reason why it's called a cult hit, a classic, and classified by Empire Magazine as the greatest independent film of all time - a review I most certainly agree with.

Oh, and it will make you ask the question, why does other waiters deserve a tip when waiters in Mcdonald's and other fast food joint can't have any?

Talk Back Rurouni Guardians!

I've been trying to avoid writing about movies lately. I guess I'm just scared of being called "another movie blog" but what the heck, I already threw my pride away 10 years ago. I should be OK with what people has to say about my own personal damn space.

Alright, now that's it out there, let's begin. 

The Guardians of the Galaxy

Disclaimer - I never wanted to see this movie. I never liked the comics to begin with. However, since it's Marvel and my boyfriend wants to watch it, there's really nothing I can do. If this sound bias, pardon the author.

Movie is OK. I'd say 6 out of 10. Props for the special effects and the comedic script. I actually end up enjoying the film. The story though is a different matter. Execution was left to be desired, acting was alright, and the ending, that lame effin' credit scene was just offensive. There we are, sitting through the credits, hoping against hope that we will see something about the next Avenger or Captain America film, but what do we get? a lame fucking duck! Ahem, excuse the french.

For Marvel fans, this is an OK movie. For someone out for a good clean fun on a weekend, it's a must watch. But for those looking for something with quality and substance, there are other movies out there you can consider watching. Nuff said.

Rurouni Kenshin - The Kyoto Inferno

I'm a Samurai X fanboy. I grew up watching the anime, read the manga growing up, and dreamed of being Kenshin Himura whenever I can. 

The first movie was good. Not great, but good.The dialogue was lengthy. There's too much "cheesiness" where the writer/director tries to force the Kenshin/Kauro love team to the audience. The actors chemistry was already there, plus the "spark" between the two characters should be gradual, automatic, not forced. But those things I just mentioned, I can ignore. The fight scenes were awesome, the costumes and the character actors played their part to the heart. It was something worth every one of those seven (7) times I watched it on the big screen.

The second movie is awesome. I would say it's even better than the first. The action scenes were a bit rushed and there were those parts that was omitted but the details, effort, story, acting, actors, and everything else is just the right mix to make it work. To even put a movie like this as a real life action movie is just amazing. To see my beloved characters come to life is just beyond any fanboy can ask for. It was worth every effort to be out of the office on time just to be the first in line to watch the first screening of the movie on opening day. The last time I was this ecstatic about a movie was Avengers. And yes, it's that good!

Talk Back And Your Dead

Disclaimer - I have a huge school-girl-kind-of-crush on James Reid.

The movie was half good, half bad. Was it worth watching? Yes. For one specific reason and nope, not because James showed those sexy abs of his, but because of the on screen kiss. Yes, a freaking kiss! I waited for it the entire time I watched Ang Diary ng Panget but it never happened! Grawr!

The story was bad. Let's get it out and over with. Based from another Wattpad story, it was a combination of whatever was going on the author's head so it was just that, a collection of ideas with no apparent goal. Too much of twist, turns, and action. Yes, action. I really thought it shouldn't have been included in the final cut and the money used for it should have been better spent with closing more loose ends. But that's just me.

Kudos to the actors. They performed to the best of their abilities. Granted, there's definitely room for improvement. OK, maybe not a room but a gigantic mansion, but hey, their kids and they are doing what they can.If we actually compare their acting from the first movie to what they did here, there was actually some improvements. We also need to give credit to the writer and director who tried so hard to stay true to the source. Granted, the movie would have been better if they improved on the source or used their "artistic license" on it, but nowadays, people who stay true to the source is too rare that they deserve some appreciation.

Well, there you go. A very long post that composed mostly of drafts from those movies I wanted to write about but was too afraid to do so. But hey, I'm not afraid anymore. So until the next movie, see you in the cinemas indeed!

What's Your Number?

I saw a movie with the same title before. If you've seen the movie, I applaud you. It was actually nice and surprisingly fun. I say this because the only reason I even watched was to see the ultimate "crush ng bayan" Chris Evans in all his naked glory. If you haven't seen it, do try. Even if just to see our crush play basketball in just his undies.

Don't forget to breathe.

anyway, the movie was all about redemption which is cool. But for me, it was something different. It made me look back and check what I have done in my life, my sexual life that is, that now spells what's in my future.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I've been the cause of many a heartache in my younger years. As such, I began to wonder what is indeed my number when it comes to the number of people I had sexual relations with. The movie states that in our lives, we will have at most, twenty (20) sexual partners before we will know who is our "the one". I personally don't believe in the idea of having just one "the one" because we will love, will get hurt, and we will love again. But I digress, that's for a different topic.

Here's my question though, if my so called number is more than 20, what does that make me? A slut? Maybe. 

Want to know what's my number? I'm currently still counting but I'm at number 68 now. Who knows who else I would add to my list. Maybe, one day, it'll be yours.

Nerdgasm level 9000

maisip ko pa lang na pwede tong mangyari naiiyak na ko sa tuwa!

Oscar Fever

If it's not yet obvious, I like movies. I can relate, and most of the time, see myself in almost all of the films that interests me. That's why when it's February I get all excited with all the movies that I can get my hands on. Why? Because when award season kicks off in the US, the film companies usually give "Screener" copies of the movie to potential jurors to drum up some votes for the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. And you know what that means right? Torrent!!! Wohoo! Pirate mode on baby!

As early as the second week of January, I was able to download the movies slated for the Oscar season. I got the Tom Hanks films Saving Mr. Banks and Captain Phillips that got snub by the Academy (boo!). Then there's the front runners Gravity, 12 years a slave, American Hustle, and the dark horse The Dallas Buyers Club. I was also able to score the underrated The Wolf of Wall Street, Her, Philomena, and Nebraska.

With the exception of Gravity that I saw in the big screen, I will be watching all of the said films at the luxury of my own room. I would have preferred to catch them in the cinemas but budgets are tight so I must contend myself with what's available.

Of the motion pictures mentioned above, Gravity, Saving Mr. Banks, and the Wolf of Wall Street are the only movies that I was able to watch as of yet. Office workload is still heavy so I just have to find time during my off days to watch these beauties. I just hope I'll be able to see them before they are screened in our local cinemas.

I'll keep you guys posted on how these films rate soon. Ciao.

A Short Post About Puke And Death

We watched Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones yesterday. It was a so so film. I got bored halfway through it. The other half I spent inside the restroom puking my guts out. It was filmed "documentary" style so the camera wobbles and shakes all the time. It was hard to keep focus on one single point. I do have to give it to the actors. They were all natural, as if they're really just enjoying themselves while the producers and the director robbed the masses of their hard earned cash. Note to self: Never watch a movie trying to milk and already dried up cow.

PA: TMO rating is 1 star.

 

On other news, I was really surprised and disappointed to hear that Phillip Seymour Hoffman passed away. Yeah, it's drug related they say. And yes, we shouldn't celebrate someone who lived off drugs. But he is an actor of a very high caliber. Though I never liked him in most of his film, he is one actor that I know I can banked when it comes to choosing a great script and story. I will miss his acting chops. RIP PSH.

January is Movie Month

This month, I got to see 4 different movies in the cinema. The first one for the year was The Legend of Hercules. After reading and hearing bad reviews about the movie, I had set my bar a little lower than before. Yet I am joyfully disappointed and when I did enjoy the movie in some way. It is very educational. Though I would have preferred more "Rated R" scenes, the way the story was told was more of like those films that I grew up watching in school - more info less impact. Needless to say, if they had shown more of Hercules bulge, it would have garnered a higher rating among critics.

The Legend of Hercules - 3 Stars

The next movie I got to see was 47 Ronin. A tale of both of flight and tradition. I enjoyed this movie more than the first for one reason - Samurai. I fancy Japan and their culture. Plus I do love Samurai X and my dear mother always say that I was actually "pinaglihi" in a show titled "Samurai ng Shogun" back in the 80s. A lot of critics again bashed this movie. Maybe it does lack direction sometimes. But it stayed true to it's plot. That is of honor. Those who are actually not that familiar with the Samurai's honor will definitely get lost mid screening.

47 Ronin - 4 Stars

A couple of weeks passed, it was Bride for Rent that was being screened. Just like what I said in my previous post, I am not a big local movie fan. However, when I was asked to see it, I had no choice but to come along. And I tell you it was the best movie I've seen in the past 2 months, MMFF included. We laughed, we giggled, we cheered, and the entire movie house sounded like a flee market with all of use get swooned by the "kilig" moments the movie provided. Needless to say, that shower scene will be something I will not forget for a long time.

Bride for Rent - 5 Stars

Then it was Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Of all the movies that I saw this month, this is the most underrated. People are bashing the movie left and right. I mean, I'm with them that the change in the time line is not staying true to what the book is about. However, I also think that letting it be more "at present" made the movie more thrilling and exciting. Don't get me wrong, all the cliches are there. If not for the person holding my hand, I would have ended writing a different piece. The heart-stopping actions and the thrills provided by the spy scene are all too familiar. But this is when it all started to comeback to me. It is not about anticipating what the next scene will be nor about prediciting what the person will be doing next. Movies are all about being caught in the moment. To escape to the world that the scene is trying to convey. As cheesy at it may seem, by allowing myself to get swallowed up in every scene and every dialogue, I was able to enjoy every single minute of my stay in the cinema.

Nay sayers will bash. I agree with them sometimes. That's why I relegate myself to watching movies at home. I find it both economical and practical to just download and watch them in my leisure. I was so caught up with being a pirate that I lost sight and touch of the cinema magic. The feeling of excitement, the escapism it provides while in the dark cinema. The collective gasps of oohs and aahs and the "kilig" factor multiplied by ten when you know those around you are also feeling the same way you do. As of this writing, I'm smiling. Because for the first time in a long time, I feel that the magic is back. I can feel it coursing through my veins. And I can feel that tingling sensation of excitement for the next batch of movies on my list for the year.

I therefore declare that 2014 is the year to sit back, relax, and enjoy the movie.

See you in the cinemas!

Retro Post #1 MMFF

I don't like watching local movies. They seem to have lost the luster and the shine of the past. I still can't get over the feeling of being robbed after watching Mano Po and Tanging Ina. And if I would have my way, I will only watch these so called movies in the comfort of my own home, when there's nothing good on TV or DVD or in the absence of any remotely interesting games I could play with myself. But that was before. Oh how time has changed.

December 2013. I binge watched the entire Shake Rattle and Roll franchise after reading Kalansay's post about SRR. That's the first time in a long time that I sat through a local movie. I had to force feed myself in some of the franchise's version because they're just plain, uhm, pathetic.

The same month, I was happily dragged by my partner to watch the MMFF entries. I enjoyed it for the most part. Pagpag was a delight to watch. That opening scene was one of the best I've seen in a local movie in a long time. GBBT's saving grace came in the form of the Diamond Star herself. Naysayers are saying that someone else deserve the acting award that she won. They probably need to be hit in the head to knock the stupid out of them. Maricel Soriano acted with her eyes. The pain conveyed, not with words or shrieks that she popularized in the last decade, but with actions or lack there of. Not over the top but just exactly hitting the mark. She deserves the accolades indeed. On the other hand, Kimmydora and My Little Bossing were a complete waste of time and money in my opinion.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see 10,000 hours or Boy Golden. I heard good reviews for them but the budget and time constraints stopped us from watching both movies.

Even though it was evident that the Philippine movie industry has still a long way to go to compete in the global arena, these recent entries are proof that we are making baby steps toward quality. And now, I can't wait to see what will be the entries next year.