MOVIE REVIEW: LES MISERABLES

For those who know me, they know that I am such a sucker for anything Broadway or Musical, so when I learned that the latest adaptation of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables on screen will be a musical, I said I have to watch this. (Not like the 'non-musical' 1998 adaptation starring Liam Neeson, Uma Thurman & Claire Danes. Yawwn! Yawwn!). Then I saw the trailer in Youtube, I said, 'No, I got to watch this!' (With matching stomping of fists on the table, haha!).

So finally, I got a chance to watch the movie.

As you could see, they got an amazing cast. And all of them will be singing live on-screen while filming rather than dubbing it & just miming the lyrics while performing. Hugh Jackman will play the lead role of Jean Valjean, the ex-convict turned Mayor who is being chased persistently by the prison guard Javert played by Russel Crowe. Anne Hathaway plays a worker named Fantine in one of Jean Valjean's factory who sends money to her illegitimate young daughter, Cosette but later her character Fantine was fired by the foreman and she resorted to prostitution just to send money to her daughter. She then got tuberculosis and died. When Jean Valjean learned about this, he tried to look for the Cosette who was under the care of the scroupolous couple, The Thenardiers played by Sascha Cohen (of Borat) and Helena Bonham Carter. Jan Valjean took Cosette as his own daughter when was all grown was played by Amanda Seyfried. Amanda Seyfried's love interest  in this film my crush from the movie, A Weekend with Marilyn, Eddie Redmayne plays a principled activist, Marius. One of the favourite characters, Eponine, the daughter of the Thenardiers who suffers from unrequited love from Marius was played by the theatre actress, Samantha Barker.

This film is produced by no other than the makers of the West End- "Les Miserables", "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Miss Saigon" headed by Sir Cameron Mackintosh. I was blown away with the production. The set and background of the movie was amazing. In the first few minutes, I was already in musical euphoria as they sang, "Look Down". I was transfixed on the screen, emotions swelled up on me and I was on high. 

I totally understand why they picked actors rather than singers to play the parts. They don't sound perfect pitched all the time but they can convey emotions so well and make the audience respond. Adam Lambert did dissed this movie of 'actors pretending to be singers'. Sour-graping maybe? The noteworthy scenes that tugged my heart and made my eyes flow with tears were Hugh Jackman's  'Jan Valjean's Soliloquy'  and Anne Hathaway's rendition of the famous "I Dreamed A Dream". You could hear Anne Hathway almost croaking on the high notes but it's her delivery that captures perfectly the despair and loneliness of Fantine. It is a heartbreaking scene. Hugh Jackman did a lot of singing here and I could tell this is such a hard role for him. He belted out a lot of good notes with his strong diaphragm. His voice did quiver in a few bits maybe from all the singing. As the movie progress and with all his singing & his hairstyle, I almost mistaken him for Barry Manilow. Russel Crowe was awkward during conversational singing parts but when he does his solo, his singing reminds me of a pop country singer, so, not bad, Gladiator. Also when he and Hugh Jackman had a scene of them fighting in sword, "I was thinking, Hey its Gladiator and Wolverine fighting! Cool!" 

I can't think of anyone better than Sacha Cohen and Helena Bonham-Carter playing The Thenardiers. They are perfect, colorful and funny. They are a delight to watch. I love them! They are even more delightful than those who played in the 10th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables in Concert.

I was excited to see how Samantha Barker would do as Eponine. The song, "On My Own" is the most popular song in the musical next to " I Dreamed A Dream". Sadly, I wasn't very impressed. I was hoping the scene when she sang the song, it would be one of the best scene but it wasn't. It didn't made me sympathize for her unlike her actor companions. Maybe that is why performing on the silver screen is different from performing on stage. Samantha Barker was in the 25th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables and I understand why she was picked to the role on screen. She was amazing as Eponine on stage. Her voice range was spectacular, she was gorgeous on stage and she conveyed a sadness in her voice that made my hair at the back of my neck stand. But sadly, she lacked charm on film. There were rumors before that Taylor Swift would play the part but I doubt she can pull it either. The better candidates would have been Lea Michele or Catherine McPhee who actually uncannily looks like a thinner version of Samantha Barker. Eponine should have been more adorable to the audience. Also I have seen Lea Salonga in the 10th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables on VHS (Yes, VHS pa yun!) and she was phenomenal. I am not saying that because she is Filipino but she is. She was adorable and cute and sang the song with so much heart. If only she was younger, the role could have been given to here. She also played Fantine on the 25th Anniversary of the play. There is even an ongoing debate who is the better Eponine on Youtube, Lea Salonga or Samantha Barker
. 

Amanda Seyfried, I believed, is the most skilled singer among the actors. Her soft falsetto reminds of young opera-singers like Charlotte Church. It was studied opera and trained by a Broadway church, the reason why she was great in the Musical, Mama Mia which is her breakthrough role. Her soprano voice was admirable but can be shrilly for others who is not used to opera music. I have also to mention that I look Amanda Seyfried's look on the film, her hair and her makeup. She look fresh and classy. She is like a daughter you wish you will have. Eddie Redmayne's voice was mediorce but he was fit for the part. When he sang his body shakes with his vibrato. His lovely freckles peeked in this film but were hardly seen in A Weekend with Marilyn.

I have to mention the little boy who played the streetwise urchin who helps in the revolution. He was such a scene-stealer. I was so heartbroken when he was killed.(SPOILER!) He also played the part in the West End production.

I have to commend the director of this film, the same director of The King's speech for a job well done. When credits rolled, I almost clapped totally forgetting that it was a film, not a theatrical production. Les Miserables is best conveyed with songs rather than talking parts. I have tried to read Victor Hugo book but I wasn't able to finish it. This is how I want to know the story--- with songs. The story is about second chances and hope. The story is about how God can always change our circumstance and make us see that life is beautiful. The story that everyone has a noble soul lurking within us. The story is about making use of blessings for the greater good.

For those who hasn't seen the movie, go watch! You'll love it!

I will leave you with the trailer of the movie with Anne Hathaway singing, this will definitely get you to watch it... 

For those who has already seen it. Let me know what you think of the movie by leaving a comment below.

   

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MOVIE REVIEW: A GIRL WITH A DRAGON TATTOO

I have been eyeing this book, THE GIRL WITH A DRAGON TATTOO by Stieg Larson in National Bookstore for quite some time. You could sense a book is good just by the look of it. Yes, as a matter-of-fact, some books can be judged by its cover. But unfortunately, I never got to read any of Stieg Larson's Millennium Trilogy: The Girl With A Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played Fire or The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.

Image from the web

But due to its literary success, it is without question that there will be movie versions of the book. In 2009, a movie version was done in Sweden played by Michael Nyqvist playing Michael Blomkvist, while Noomi Rapace played the protagonist Lisbeth Salander. And after which, a Hollywood remake was done  with Daniel Crag as  the disgraced journalist Michael Blomkvist and Rooney Mara as the spunky computer hacker Lisbeth Salander.

Image from the web

I watched the Hollywood version and I say, "This is such a kick-ass movie! I love it." Mysteries, forensic psychology and strong female figures are of great interests to me and all of which are address in this film. You get drawn in by the mystery that Blomkvist was employed to solve (that later he got help from computer hacker/brilliant research assistant Salander).


Rooney Mara was a revelation in the movie. She definitely deserves the Oscar nomination for her role in this movie. Several actresses were considered for this role namely, Carrey Mulligan and Scarlett Johanssen. But in the end Rooney Mara was picked for this role. But who is Rooney Mara? What were her other body of works? You will be surprised to know that she is the same girl who played Erica Albright, the girl who dumbed Mark Zuckenburg in the movie, The Social Network! What a big difference, right?!

FROM THIS
(Screen grabs from The Social Network)
Image from the web

TO THIS
(Screen grabs from The Girl with a dragon tattoo)
Image from the web

Most of the critics praised Rooney Mara for her fabulous acting and total commitment to the role. Variety described her performance as' hypnotic'. I couldn't agree more. She totally kicked seriously butt in the movie. How would you ever know that from playing a preppy college girl role, she can pull out a bisexual, angst-driven, smart and moody feminist. The producers of the film made the right call for packing her. Women with a lot of piercings, a constant sulking facial expression and a hard-core boyish demeanor before would pass off as weird to some people but now are portrayed in a different light as cool strong chicks.

I commend the director David Fincher for making a dark entertaining film version of the celebrated book. But this movie should come in a big bold warning. It is not one for the kids. They should stay away from this one. It has  a lot of nudity, violence, sex scenes, gore and brutality. As for me, I couldn't wait to see the next movie installment. Go go girl power, Lisbeth Salander!

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MOVIE REVIEW: THE HUNGER GAMES

I have been seen a lot of tweets about The Hunger Games the book for months. I wasn't the slightest bit interested in investigating on the hype. When the movie came out which got a lot of people so excited, it got me. I wanted to know more about The Hunger Games. Since it was too late (or I was too lazy) to pick up a copy of the book, watching the movie is the next best option.

The Hunger Games was written by Suzanne Collins and I was surprised to know that it is a young adult novel since even the people who got hook on the book was well, past their adolescent stage. I guess the book appeals not just to young adults but to everyone. The story is situated in a fictitious country called Panem. The leaders of Panem organizes Hunger Games, an annual event in where they choose 1 boy and 1 girl aged 12 to 18 from each of the 12 districts to be selected through draw-lots to take part in a televised battle  where one can survive and the rest must be dead either by being killed by another contestant or by another circumstance due to lack of survival skills.The heroine is the strong-willed 16 year old Katniss Everdeen who volunteered herself in exchange of her younger sister. She was  played by Jennifer  Lawrence. She is known for playing the young Mystique/Raven in X-men: First Class. She also passed on the role to play Bella in the movie Twilight. Well, I guess everone has their own time to shine.

I went to watch the film with no inkling what the story was about (except for the few hints from the previous movie trailers I have seen.)

Here is what I think?

I believe Suzanne Collins is a 'intense' lover of reality shows. It exhibited a lot of inspirations from reality tv. Grotesque Reality TV... Imagine children killing each other, brutally, in order to be the lone survivor.... But wait a minute, isn't that what most reality stars do to be winners in the show? Well, not kill each other literally but they do destroy each other in other forms & ways and sometimes themselves as they submit to the pressures of the game in order to reach the top. I believe if anyone who is interested in entering a reality show in the future should refer to The Hunger Games as their survival guide.

Here are the parallelisms of The Hunger Games & reality shows:

-  In order to insure your longevity in the game, you need to be strategic or you need to be remembered. Recall the other reality shows you have watched. A contestant becomes your instant favorite when he/she reveals a sob story, or tells off a judge with dignity & witty remark, or displayed awesome fashion instincts whenever he/she presents himself/herself to the panel.Watching American Idol, we all find Carrie Underwood adorable when the host, Ryan Seacrest asked her if she has seen an stars in Hollywood and replied that the sky has been quite downcast, she hardly saw some stars. She got us! We remembered her cute remark and became an instant favorite that led her to be the winner of American Idol Season 4. In The Hunger Games, the mentors of Katniss and her partner, Peeta emphasized them that they should be well-liked so they can get sponsors. Wow, sounds familiar contestants of reality shows? Hence, the grand entrance of the protagonist & her partner in flaming suits, Katniss' guts stunt to do aim in an apple in the feast of organizers of the show, and engineering love interest. These are ploys to win.

- Like in the reality show created by Tyra Banks, America's Next Top Model, they housed contestants in chic, posh and exquisitely interior-designed flats. In the movie, when Katniss and Peeta entered their new place, I couldn't help but reminded by the scene when the aspiring models in ANTM enter their new pad. It was so similar except for the shouting, hysterical, crying and running around of the girls from ANTM, Katniss and Peeta hid their enthusiasm pretty well (or maybe they are thinking of their impeding death so hardly anyone can be enthusiastic about that).

- The Hunger Games have a cheeky, overly-smiling host played by the brilliant actor, Stanley Tucci. He reminds me of Ryan Seacrest from American Idol. If Ryan Seacrest lived in Panem, in the Capitol, the metropolis of the nation, he would look like him: extremely tanned skin with blue hair with a giant puff.

- If the show gets boring or if the producers of the show wants some kind of drama or has others plans contrary to the contestants', they would create a diversion or twist so things would go their way. In The Hunger Games, they created forest fire & jungle animals with one wave of their hand and they would change rule as fast as a few seconds.

-If you are in a reality tv, you are away from other people for days, weeks , months and all you see is the same people who joined the contest. It is not uncommon that romantic connections are formed during the contest. We see it in Big Brother, Survivors, etc. Some are strategically ploy to stay longer in the game while some are out of loneliness and others could be the real deal like Amber and Rob in the Survivors.

-Tyra Banks tweeted a day ago that what she loved in the movie was the makeover which reminds her of the makeover in her show, america Next Top Model. The Hunger Games is a televised game so it is also a game of looking good. You die but you must look good dying. Hmmm....

Some other points of the movie:

Since I am completely without a clue with what happened in the book, (which most movie adaptation would fail to convey the book's intent), I was taken aback initially at the concept of the story. I applaud at the powerful statement the author released in this book and at the same, cringe at the weirdness of concept. Kids killing each other?! Powerful it may be,did the whole storytelling delivering an equal powerful follow through? Sadly no. We all got (surprisingly) excited when the game started. We expected action, sufferings and extreme dangers. But they wasn't enough of that. There was not enough conflict for us to get our spirits excited. They seem to me like young adults in a bad camping trip. I think James Franco's character in 127 Hrs has better battle scenes with the rock where is his hand was stuck than them. The game dragged on and when it ended, it was so anti-climatic.

 I did find Jennifer Lawrence as a refreshing Katniss. She was the right actor for the role. She glows from the screen. She is the typical "down-to-earth" pretty girl in the movie. After the movie, people would be asking, 'Who is Jennifer Lawrence?' and start googling her on the net.

 I don't know in the book, if Suzanne Collins created an atmosphere for her readers to get giddy on the Katniss-Peeta loveteam but in the movie, I didn't feel any chemistry from both of them. I would rather have Katniss end up with her bestfriend, gale Hawthorne played by Liam Hemsworth. Now, there I find some chemistry from that two. I think most of the characters in the film were purely developed and it was hard to decipher the real emotions of Katniss and Peeta in the movie and I would blame that partially for me not reading the book beforehand. Where they really in love with each other? Or its part of their strategy? One scene they were in each others throat. Next scene, they would have a heart-felt talk. Then next, one of them would find alliance with the other contestants and point the wherabouts of the other to survive. In another scene, they would kiss and cuddle each other. Now, I am confused. 

It was interesting to see the costumes and makeup and headdresses of they people living in the Capitol. It was so colorful and entertaining. Tessa Prieto-Valdez would fit right in  the Capitol and she would be one of the fashion trendsetters there. It was also nice to see Lenny Kravitz and his glittery eyelids in the movie. I wish he sang there. Haha! I think Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks were note=worthy and contributed well on the movie. I also find the little girl who played Rue very cute and adorable.

I was disappointed at how the director showed some action sequence that are mostly closed up. I didn't understand what was going on and it made my head ache.

I give the movie 2.5/5. Interesting plots. Good Actors in Lead Roles. Lacks Action & Climax. 

I will try to pick up the book so I can compare the two. And maybe just maybe my ratings would change. Just my opinion, no hard-feelings.  

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MOVIE REVIEW: A WEEK WITH MARILYN

I love old Hollywood movies, the black and white ones. I used to stay up waiting for the Cartoon Network to change its programming to TNT Movies by 12 midnight.(However, now, they don't show show TNT Movies and shows the Cartoon Network 24/7). So it is not surprising that my favorite actress is from that genre: Audrey Hepburn.

I don't particularly like Marilyn Monroe. I haven't seen any of her movies. I guess I gravitate more to brunette classy Hollywood actresses than to blonde bombshells. Marilyn Monroe is a sex symbol and has a flirtatious reputation that doesn't appeal to me.

But this week, I saw the movie, A Week With Marilyn, and that impression of mine toward Marilyn Monroe suddenly changed....

A Week With Marilyn is a biographical film based on based on two books by Colin Clark when he recounts his days as an assistant director at the  1957 film,The Prince and the Showgirl, how he got smitten by the 'most famous woman in the planet', Marilyn Monroe as well as their ' week' together and the 'special relationship' they shared.

In this film, I gotten to know a bit of Marilyn Monroe. She was indeed captivating. When she turns on her charm (or her power), she can make any man swoon and obey whatever her whisper-y voice would command. She has a 'little-girl-lost' act that makes her so adorable and all men would scramble to take care of her (only to know that they will be into something more than they bargained for). But along with this gift of irresistible charm and sex appeal,  Marilyn has demons-- dwelling inside of her. She was deeply insecure that she needs to be reassured of her worth, I presumed, every minute of everyday, which can be exhausting for a man, her partner or her husband to do. She must have some unresolved issues during her childhood that she wasn't told enough by her parents how beautiful or how amazing she is. In order to validate herself, she uses her sexuality and sweetness to charm any person to give her the love she has always wanted. Not knowing that it is a futile task, because not unless she can truly love herself, she will be hungry for love and validation, well, until she dies. It is so sad. That is why this sort-of pity for her made me endeared to her. Yes, she has got me too. I have seen Marilyn Monroe (through Michelle Williams) and yes, I will not question now why men get hook on her because even me, I am starting to have a girl-crush on Marilyn too. hehe

Michelle Williams was amazing in the film as Marilyn. She truly deserves the 2012 Golden Globe in Best Actress Award for Comedy or Musical. (Coincidentally, Marilyn Monroe also won the same award in 1960 in her movie, Some Like It Hot). I like the part when she said to Colin, "Can I be her?" then she struck a pose, wiggled her hip and threw  a kiss. Marilyn Monroe came alive. Some of you would still be skeptical and say that maybe I just found Marilyn adorable because Michelle Williams was adorable as Marilyn. But I saw the real Marilyn Monroe and not Michelle Williams. The essence  of Marilyn Monroe. There were talks that Scarlett Johanssen was approached for the role but she turned it down. Also Elaine Hendrix was also considered for the role. But the director, Simon Curtis, denies all these and said that Michelle Williams was the only actress they sought to play the part.

Ed Redmayne played the part of Colin Clark and he is exceptionally well. He is an English theater actor and model. I couldn't help but stare at his gorgeous kissable lips, hehe. He was lovely man. He made Colin's character believable that Marilyn would fancy him even if he is just a young assistant director. (Trivia: He has been link to Taylor Swift and Carey Mulligan).

For the rest of the casts: Judi Dench, as usual, was her splendid and magnificent self. Kenneth Branagh is notable but he wasn't Laurence Olivier for me. He was still Kenneth Branagh. Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh was so-so. Catherine Zeta-Jones was first approached for the part but she need to attend to her husband, Michael Douglas who was sick. Also Rachel Weiz was approached but she was busy with many projects.

Some people who read Colin Clark's book, A Week With Marilyn are skeptical of the memoirs. Some presumed that the accounts are embellished to cater to his  boyish fantasy or for some bit fame and probably fortune (which he did get both after writing the memoirs.) It was after-all a recount of a young man experiencing "first love' and his feelings would have made the account with the  silver screen goddess, a tad bit romantic and self-serving for some people but then again, he was 'in-love' ( or in-lust?) so give him a break. As Judi Dench said in the movie to Colin Clark:' First love is such a sweet despair...." How true... We have a great tendency for illusion and romanticism for what it actually is with our first loves...

In the end, I think the movie was wonderful. It was bittersweet and tugged my heartstrings. I have gained respect and affection for Marilyn Monroe. It may not be for those who want some action, some exciting plot & challenges or God-forbid, raunchy sex scenes because you will not find those in this film. It has a lot of talking parts... What it is trying to convey is this: a sad story of a  beautiful lonely girl who just wants to be loved. This is the vulnerability of Marilyn Monroe that has slowly destroyed her but it is also the same vulnerability that made us all fall in love with her.....

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MOVIE REVIEW: NO OTHER WOMAN

After seeing the trailer of the movie, No Other Woman, I was already convinced to watch the film. My friends unfortunately watched the movie without me because I was busy that time. So I asked my boyfie who is such a sweetheart to watch with me and he said ok right away.


The actors casted for the movie were perfect for their roles. Derek Ramsay definitely blossomed as a real leading man and not just a pretty face. He holds true to his character and conveys emotions through his eyes. Though at times, he would become a tad too overacting especially in the scene where his wife (Cristine Reyes) was trying to seduce and he excuse himself to take a shower and telling her he will be back to finish what they started. He looked so comical when he said it, it looked like a cheap comedy. But in other scenes, he was actually good.


Cristine Reyes is a surprising choice for the role. She usually played the "other woman" but in this movie, she is the demure wife of Derek Ramsay. I think she played the part really well. And being in a relationship now, I was silently cheering for her. Her albatross skin, silky straight hair and good choice of clothes by her stylist make her a typical woman a man wants to marry (but apparently a woman who get cheated on too). She held her own in the movie and you just can't help but feel sorry for her.

But the big revelation was no other than Ms. Anne Curtis herself. She stole the show completely and carried the entire movie. She looked magnificent on screen that you would be pretty convinced that a guy could never say no to that. Her clothes and accessories were so beautiful, especially her bikinis... Ayayay! Except that I was bothered by her pale nude lipstick in some of her scenes. Her tussled wavy hair and amazing body were enough ingredients to seduce a man like Derek's character. She played her role so well that she was charming and seductive one minute and became this helplessly crazy-in- love woman. Her transition was very convincing and there was a point that you feel a little sorry for her too in the end. 

Another noteworthy performance was Carmi Martin. Though she might look like she had a lot done in her face and body, she was soo funny especially when she delivered her infamous line:

What made this movie work is the screenplay. There were a lot of verbal swordfights in the movie that seem sharper than a regular knife. It was also to a point comedic but it worked anyway because the audience are entertained & engaged. The cinematography was not bad too.The furnitures used in the film was exquisite that I want to take it home. But then again it has to look exquisite because Derek's Character sells furniture for  a living. The flow of the movie was just right. No dragging moments, good transition, prefect climax and satisfying conclusion. 


Moral Lesson of this movie: Karma is a bitch (Sorry for the foul language.) This movie can be used to scare your spouse or boyfriend to cheat on you because if you will, you will be hit by  a steel bar while driving. Or if I was the director/ screenwriter, Derek should have been been hit by a steel bar on both his eyes rather than his shoulder, so he cant see (no) other woman. (Cue in: Devilish Laugh). Well, actually, him (Ram-Derek's character) cheating was an accident waiting to happen. He uses his sex appeal to sell his furnitures and he doesn't wear his wedding ring to get a sale. Now, come on! You are playing with fire, boy! Well, he did and eventually burnt down (figuratively) his career and his marriage. But good thing, this has a happy ending. Basta #1 ka, #1 ka. So don't settle being #2 because as this movie showed us, you are at the losing end.


I asked my boyfie opinion on the movie (which he surprisingly enjoyed too) to get a male perspective. He said cheating is a complete waste of energy because it only complicates your life and in turns destroy everything that truly matters. Why look somewhere else when you got everything right beside you....


Hehe, I guess men is now stirring away from steelbars just in case, hahaha!


Go watch this movie, guys! Now na!   

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CRAZY STUPID LOVE: A Movie Review

For those who haven't seen the movie yet, do not proceed. I repeat, do not proceed. There is a lot of movie spoilers ahead and I don't wan't to feel responsible for ruining your movie experience.


All clear? Here we go.


I heard so much hype about the movie, CRAZY STUPID LOVE from twitter and some of my friends who have seen it. So I feel the sudden itch to watch the movie. 


Yesterday was a local holiday. Charter Day here in Iloilo City. Happy Birthday Iloilo City! It was a perfect chance for me and my bf to watch the movie. Yey!

 This movie is an all-star cast. You have Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, Emma Stone, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon. My expectations are very high. But I guess that is the problem when you set up the bar too high, you expect too much that what it really is. So a great 30 to 45 minutes of the movie, I was waiting for it to blow me away. It didn't. IT also did't help that I came to the cinema with no scratchy clue of the storyline. I thought it was going to be a laugh-out loud-slap-on-my-knee comedy with a romantic theme because of course I expected a lot from Steve Carell and judging from the movie poster. It didn't come. But don't dismay, the good news is the blow-me-away parts happened after the 30 to 45 minutes or so.


The 1st scene of the movie have Steve Carell & Julianne Moore in it with Julianne bursting out in a restaurant that she wants a divorce. Next was with this scene of babysitter and Steve & Julianne's kids at home. I said, "I have seen this babysitter before". The whole time, my brain was racking out where I have seen her. She reminds me  a lot like Michelle Trachtenberg of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But she is definitely not Michelle Trachtenberg. Michelle is much prettier and sophisticated. But this new girl is way too tall and very skinny. But i am amazed how this unknown starlet fit right in with these seasoned actors. She played her part as a 17 year old babysitter who is the object of desire of Steve & Julianne's 13 year old son that is hopelessly in love with Steve Carell's character, perfectly. She shines on screen. She is not the typical pretty girl but she is infectiously charming. She played her part to a T. Towards the end of the movie, on our way out of the cinema, I realized, OMG, the new "ÏT" girl is Analeigh from the America's Next Top Model Cycle  I love her! She was one of my favorite. 

When she was In ANTM

In America's Next Model Cycle 11, she was introduced as the hippie Analeigh who used to be in competitive  skating competition and was almost sold as a bride in Saudi Arabia, thinking it was a modeling contract or something like that.

Analeigh in a photo still in the movie CRAZY STUPID LOVE

There are two twists in the movie that I liked:

•  The part when Steve Carell and Julianne Moore came in to a teacher-parents meeting. Steve was so shock to see Marisa Tomei as his son's teacher,  the very 1st person he slept with after the divorce and he didnt bother to call her back. Marisa Tomei was hilariously funny as the neurotic, recovering alcohol teacher. She was crazy! Hahaha!

• The part when all the things came to place and everyone found out that Emma Stone is Steve & Julianne's daughter who is dating the (former) playboy, Ryan Gosling's character, who helped Steve Carell during his divorce to be more slick and like him- a lady's man. So, Steve was very unhappy of this new love of his daugher and former friend. 

*For those who hasn't watch this movie, and still kept on reading even if I warned. You might say, what the heck am I talking about. I say, I told you so.....

Tearjerker moments:

• The part when Julianne called Steve while Steve was hiding behind a tree becuase he secretly takes care of the garden at night even if he doesn't anymore stays at their home. She calls him and pretend that she was in the basement when in fact she isn't and Steve knows she isn't. She was pretending to be asking him a domestic chore Steve always does at home. You could tell that she misses him. Those mundane things or people we take for granted, is magnified when it or they are gone. The things like just being there when the family are having evening ice cream cravings or being the reliable person in charge of turning on the furnace.

• The part when the class salutatorian, Steve's son was in his elementary graduation and Steve interrupted him and made a speech of his own. He said that he loves his soulmate (Julianne Moore) eversince their 1st date when they were 15, even the time she said that she cheated, even when they were away from each other, even when he hates her, he still loves him.He was quick to add that only married couples understand this- referring to his last statement.

* I was holding back tears but I want pretend I can be strong enough in tearjerker scenes like above comes up.  

NOTE-WORTHY SCENES:

• When Ryan Gosling was naked in front of Steve Carell and his crotch is in front of Steve. That was hilarious!

• When Ryan Gosling again was naked (yes, he gets naked a lot and I don't blame him) in front of Emma Stone and Emma screamed that his body is photoshop. Hahaha! Is it?

• The singer Josh Groban has a cameo here as Emma Stone's pompous lawyer boyfriend. He has been playing sleazebag roles lately (re. role in Glee).

• I like that Steve describe his wife in the movie as a combination of sexy and cute. (Which he strategically used with Marisa Tomei's character so he can sleep with her). It's funny because it is a nice description of a marry-able girl. It was also a perfect description of Emma Stone's character. Like mother, like daughter, right? No wonder the unforgiving lady's man, Ryan Gosling's character fell for her.

• Ok, ok. Everyone things Ryan Gosling was so hot in this movie. Don't throw your popcorn box towards me if I say, I don't. He is too Scott Disick-y in the movie. And he looks like he been using spraying tan way too much. 

• Kevin Bacon is hotter, hehe....

• The 13 year old son was adorable. He was wise beyond his years. And I bet if the movie has a sequel, he will definitely end up with his babysitter. hehe....

Moral Lesson of the Movie:

After every movie we watch when we were younger my mother would always discuss to us the moral lesson of the story.

The central them of the movie was simply never giving up on your soulmate. Or better yet, never give up on love. The 13 year old son is the principal advocate of fighting for your love. Once you find it, never let it go. Love has a lot of phases and seasons. But it will survive these storms and winds as long as you believe in your love for each other. It true what what Steve said that you love someone even if sometimes they get pisses off at each other at the same time. Love is funny like that. Yes,love could be crazy... And often times, we say love is stupid. But once you feel that love, the real love that is so beautiful it makes your heart ache, you know that will all its craziness and stupidity, it all worth it,  because love makes life worth living. And once you found it, you hold on to it and never ever let go.....

Love is crazy...stupid... undeniable beautiful.... 

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MOVIE REVIEW ON HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS BY A NON-HARRY POTTER FAN

Ok, shoot me ---for not being a Harry Potter fan. When the whole hype started  years ago, I can't bring myself to read any of the books. And actually that is a shocker, considering I devour any books that come my way! I love books! I love reading! I am such a booksnake, haha. (I made that up to prove my point, hehe). I heard about this Potter guy back when we were still residing in Saudi Arabia. Me & my siblings has an access to an up-to-date library in the company where my father is working and my sibs are into Ronald Dahl and this new discovery of series of books by J.K. Rowling. My siblings would gush about the adventure of this Harry Pothead and his friends. (Yes, I guess our love for books are genetic or probably contagious.) However, I didn't seem to bother in getting into the whole fascination because I was never into children's book.. Then later, it became a big thing!!! Talks about it becoming a movie made me think of getting a copy. However, it got bigger and soon its all Harry Potter this & Harry Potter that. It seems, without me reading it that I know the stories or I thought I knew it.  The hype was overwhelming, I gave up my ambition in attacking the books of the (genius) J.K. Rowling...

I'll clarify, I don't hate Harry but I am not an avid follower of the series. I watch some of the sequels and failed to see the others. But now, as all the Harry Potter fans and non-Harry Potter fans wave goodbye to this big franchise that plagued us all, I decided to watch the finale for the simple curiosity of how it will all end.    

Ok, I am not very familiar with all the jargons they use. Moguls? Smoguls? But here it is my review on the last Harry Potter movie. It's highlights and everything in between.....

• Hmmmm.... Since this is the last installment of the Harry Potter series, the gang has indeed grown old. Harry looks scruffy and is not that cute little boy anymore. Ron needs a haircut. I used to like him better than Harry. But now, he looks like he stop caring about his looks because everyone seem to only care about was Harry Harry Harry. On the upside, Hermione looks smoking hot. (Did I just sound like a hormone-charged adolescent boy?) She is definitely now a lady.

• I love the visual effects. How can they make that dragon comes alive like its really, uhm, alive? Oh, so many computer wizards nowadays... God bless them. They make a movie experience much more fun and exciting

• I am not sure if I like Ginny for Harry.  I don't see any chemistry. And Ginny is a tad bit taller than Harry. So there I said it, I am not a fan of their loveteam.

• If I am a Harry-Ginny loveteam hater, I am all for the Ron-Hermione loveteam. Weeee! I just love when they destroyed the cup or what you call it, horcrux, they were flooded with Valdemort rage and when it was over, they suddenly kissed. Hahaha! I started to hope I can find a horcrux and destroy it with someone too, wehehe.....

• Speaking of Hermione, I think she is amazing! Ron is so lucky. She may be a bit difficult and standoffish. But who wouldn't admire a girl who would jump into a dragon's back as an option of getting out of the mess they were in. And it worked!

• The man of the hour was not Harry Potter. It was Snapes! After watching the movie, I started to have a little bit of crush on him. I mean who wouldn't want a love like that. I too would want a man like Snapes who would be devoted and loyal to me; someone who would willingly sacrifice (his life) for me... Ohh, shucks, isn't he sweet? All for his love for Harry Potter's mom, Lily and her beautiful eyes. Love can really make you do crazy stuff...Awww!

• On a dream-like scene of Harry Potter and Dumbledore, me and my friends noted something which made us question: Is he gay? Is Daniel Radcliffe gay? I'm all for gay pride. So why not? hehe...

• I noticed that Valdemort's makeup in this movie is melting... Is it their way of portraying Valdermort stressed out or they has been a change of makeup artist since the last movie?

• By the end of the movie, we saw older version of Harry Potter and the gang together with their kids that are on to an new adventures of their own. So of course, Harry end up with Ginny and Ron with Hermione. Someone told me that Harry's son will end of with Ron and Hermione's daughter. Wait, Wait.... Isn't that incest? They happen to be related, duh! Ginny is Ron's sister!

There you have it, my review of the last Harry Potter movie. So long Harry and friends! Expecto Patronum! hehe

  

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YANGGAW

I am never a fan of horror movies... I get scared easily and my imagination go wild... But then I couldn't pass up a very good indie film..especially when I heard that it's done in Hiligaynon dialect and the actors got acting awards for their performance. So one afternoon, my coresidents & I huddled in our small office to watch the film.. We were all enthralled, transfixed and absorbed in the film... Our emotions were stirred with fear, frustrations, awe and disgust.... Ronnie Lazaro the lead actor of the film who played the father was very convincing and was really deserving for winning the Best Actor category at the latest Gawad Urian. Same goes to the newbie Aleera Montalla who played the daughter of Ronnie Lazaros character in the film and the unfortunate fate of turning an "áswang'', who also got an award in Gawad Urian for Best Supporting Actress category. Kudos to the director Richard Somes who made this beautiful art of a film... The beauty of the film doesn't relay on the shocker effects of the usual horror movies but it was more about the importance of family and the unconditional love of a father to his daughter. Your heart would bleed for Junior (Ronnie Lazaro's character) for his anguish & pain on their family's ordeal as well as for Amor (Aleera Montalla's character). It was a beautiful beautiful film....I encouraged my siblings & other friends to watch it. And after watching it, they loved it as well. But I admit I didn't sleep in my room for a week after watching it... I sleep near the windows.... Don't want ''ma-yanggaw''.......

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FAREWELL HEATH

Heat', an oil on canvas by artist Vincent Fantauzzo, is seen in this image provided by the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney May 8, 2008. The portrait of a brooding Heath Ledger, painted shortly before the Hollywood actor died in January, was voted the most popular painting in Australia's top art prize for portraiture on Thursday.

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