Do you know how much I love you? Huh, Eric Bana? Do you know how much I love you?! I watched the Hulk. Again. On DVD. After I swore never to watch that parp, after I left the movie house.
You were the only silver lining in that movie. I mean, who do I rely on? Jennifer Connely? Nick? Nolte?! No. You. You and your Brooding Nerd schtick. Only you.
I don't know what the hell happened to Ang Lee in this one. I mean, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? My biggest beef with the Hulk? The transitions. Sure, it's different. He's trying to make the movie like a live comic book. But I think it's horrible.
Oh Eric Bana, did you know that there never was a consistently exciting scene in this movie? 'But what about the fight scene with the dogs?' you say? Well, have you seen how laughable those CG dogs looked like? Hulk Poodle my ass. Speaking of ass. I think that was one of the few exciting moments for me. When I saw your ass. I think that whole fight scene with the dogs, builds up to the climax that is the showing of your ass.
After that scene, I decided to go to bed. No use watching the rest of the movie when the best part was over. Oh, but you know what? My sister stuck with it. She finished the movie. So, yay for her for enduring the rest of it!
So there, Eric Bana. I didn't really finish the movie, but I think I've said a lot already. Oh, and now, with Troy, please don't make any more crap like the Hulk again. Please. How about following up with a nice intelligent comedy? Not romantic ones where you star opposite with Charlize Theron or Kate Hudson.
I went to see Shrek 2 with the family yesterday. It was my mother's birthday, and we went to the mall to eat and watch a movie. It was just like the good old days, when I was still in high school, and my sister, in grade school, and we had a lot of free time.
Let's get to the main point: Shrek 2? Is very, very funny. It's even funnier than the first one. In the second movie, there are more parodies, pop culture references, and musical performances.
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are still consistent as Shrek, Donkey, and Princess Fiona respectively. The new cast members are the ones that I am raving about, particularly Antonio Banderas and Jennifer Saunders.
Antonio Banderas is really, very funny as Puss in Boots. Or as he pronounces it Poos [dramatic pause] in Boooots. I laughed my ass off when Puss does that googly-eyed thing he does. Antonio Banderas is full of surprises, what with his successful stint in Nine, and now, comedy! Jennifer Saunders, popularly known as Edina in the British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (usually referred to as Ab Fab, plays Fairy Godmother really well. It's definitely a far cry as Edina. Also, she sings! Very well! Fantasia Barrino's rendition of I Need a Hero pales in comparison to Jennifer Saunders' version.
One thing that I worry about is if this movie is still for children. There's a lot of, as I said earlier, pop culture references that only those in the know can understand. I guess our only consolation is that when an 8-year old watches this again 10 years from now, he/she will get more laughs, and will consider this movie a gem. Aside from that, this movie is absolutely, well, fabulous!
Jersey Girl is a nice, well-rounded film. It has a nice cast (yes, even you Jennifer Lopez!), and nice dialogue, nice music, and nice camera work. It's nice.
I've enjoyed some of Kevin Smith's (popularly known as Silent Bob) work. Particularly Dogma, and there are some Dogma alumni in this one. Ben Affleck, George Carlin, Jason Lee and Matt Damon too. It's like Christopher Guest rounding up his ensemble for another film. Anyway, I like how he shot New York City. Lots of wide sweeping shots, and also that shot before Ollie enters the building where the Angelloti firm is. Anyway, you'll see.
I think Ben Affleck did a good job of exhibiting the personalities of Ollie Trinke as a prick of a publicist, and as a loving father. You can see these personalities switch seamlessly as the story runs. One nitpick, though, is that Ben still hasn't nailed that crying thing yet. Jennifer Lopez was surprisingly amusing in this one. Personally, I liked that scene when they were preparing for the Video Music Awards, and her character Gertrude, was having a little emotional breakdown because she's fat. She's just pregnant, though. Liv Tyler's (sans elf ears and low, droning voice) character, Maya, was a little bland, and I think Liv didn't even try to give her character some personality. Maya, well, she was just there. If you want a little philosophical spin on that: Maya is. Newcomer Raquel Castro is adorable as little Gertie. It's quite scary to think, though, how she managed to nail her scenes (with good comic timing, I might add) at that age. Oh, and the baby that plays Baby Gertie is the cutest baby in the world. George Carlin plays Bart, Ollie's father, but is mostly called 'Pop' in the film. This is the first time I've seen George Carlin act. I usually just listen to his spoken word comedy albums on Launch. Another character worth mentioning here is Greenie, played by character actor Stephen Root. Who? Exactly. He's famous for playing the mumbling, stuttering, employee, Milton Waddams, in Office Space. Eventhough his dialogue in every scene averages to about 3 lines, Stephen Root still has the ability to make each one count. Best line? I'm tired of being your little Geisha. See?
The laughs in this film consists of formulaic jokes about babies, poop, and the like, but there are also smart pop culture and theater references. The film had a lot of references to Cats, so that's a plus for me.
As much as I like this film, though, I'd have to say that I'd rather have this film end differently. Still, watch it, and watch out for the horribly funny musical number at the end.
The Pinoys over at FanForum had another EB to watch Troy.
It has been my ritual, for the past two EBs, to arrive at Megamall an hour earlier than the meeting time, and have coffee at Starbucks. It's just really, very nice to sit there and drink your coffee on a Sunday morning. This time, I invited Linds to join me. We talked about work, the boards, fellow posters, and of course, Elijah Wood.
So around 10:30 we headed over to Power Books to meet up with the rest of the group. I first saw Cam, with (and I was pleasantly surprised) Jam. The complete line up included: the aforementioned, May, Kitt, Teena, Gill, Abby, Andie, Jem, Gay, Gay's sister, and adopted FFer Lot. A lot of talking and human traffic-blocking ensued. I gave May this book for her birthday.
Before the movie, we at lunch, and some of us went to Sbarro, which I pronounce (correctly, but pretentiously) Suh-buhrrow. Anyway, Cam, Jam, Kitt, May, Linds, Teena, and Lot ate there, and the rest, at KFC. I had a slice of White Pizza, knowing that I would be eating cheese popcorn later on. Picture taking ensued before, during, and after eating. Sidebar: I bought my sister's camera with me, and clung on to my bag tightly througout the commute going to Megamall. She's 16, and only weighs 115 pounds, but she will definitely, in one way or another (i.e., use of a handheld weapon like a chair, or projectiles. Like chairs.), single-handedly kick my ass, if I lost the camera.
Anyway, we met up at the cinema and occupied one whole row. I sat beside Cam, and this would serve its purpose later on.
After the movie, we went to the Troy exhibit, and some of us did a little exhibition of their own. An exhibition of crazed fandom. We took group pictures, solo pictures, solo pictures pawing at Eric Bana, solo pictures licking Orlando Bloom. Okay. Not that last one. But I do believe, if circumstances permit, someone would.
So after proving that intelligent people do lose their fucking minds when it comes to fandom, some of us went to mass, some went to Starbucks (including me), and some never followed us to Starbucks. A lot more talking ensued. And picture taking. And ogling Cute But Obviously Gay Barista. There was also a special appearance by Meg, who has been MIA for a very long time.
All in all, another really fun EB! Can't wait for the next one.
I haven't read the Iliad yet, so no comparisons to the book would be made.
So here's the summary: Brad Pitt's Ass (capitalized, because it's a different entity in and of itself, it deserves a major credit). War. Hector and Paris. Helen stow-aways. Cable and Helen's husband united to wage war against the Trojans. Boromir asks Brad Pitt (who's sparring with his 'cousin') to ally with them. Blah blee bloo. Nearly Naked Bloom. Greeks launched ships, penetrated Troy's shores. Brad Pitt's Ass. Brad Pitt's Ass. War. War. Legolas not so good with a sword. War. Hector kills Achilles' 'cousin'. Eric Bana's pecs. Achilles exacts revenge on Hector. War. War. Paris practices his skills with a bow and arrow. Audience: 'Ala na, ayan na si Legolas, panalo na sila! Blah. Trojan horse. Troy's city, breached. Paris has a familiar recoil when he shoots arrows. Cable kills Priam. Briseis kills Cable. Achilles finds Briseis. Paris shoots Achilles! At the heel! Shocker! Shoots some more at the torso. Achilles love Briseis. Blah. The End.
This movie? Wasn't that great. Really. It was just okay. The plot is very, very thin. Pretty one dimensional. I'm not too amused by the dialogue either.
Achilles: Immortality! Take it! It's yours!
Pao & Cam: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
As for the acting, there were outstanding performances by Eric Bana, Sean Bean, and Peter O'Toole. But, where's Brad? and Orlando? ORLANDO?!
For Brad, see: Immortality.... For Orlando, see: brow-furrowing.
They're quite impressive with the action sequences, I'll give them that, but they really didn't give any impact to their characters. I'm not saying, their bad. Just, lacking. To give credit to Orlando, he's effective as the sissy pretty boy brother.
Eric Bana made us sympathize with Hector, and his love for his family and for Troy. He even made us empathize with his decision to stand by Paris, the little snot that started it all. I forgive him for The Hulk. Sean Bean and Brian Cox portrayed the good cop - bad cop personas really well. Peter O'Toole's best scene was with Brad Pitt. It's amazing how he carried that scene all by himself.
...Saturday. My Uncle got married (civil union), and I now have a new aunt! Who is also the same age as I am. I'm so glad I have a peer now in the family.
While waiting for the couple to arrive at the reception (I didn't attend the ceremony), some cars and big-ass SUVs arrived, and filled up most of the parking spaces. They have campaign paraphernalia of a certain senatoriable, whose name rhymes with Dar Bohas, stuck to them. Supporters piled in by groups. One mother said to her kid, "O, we go up na." So much for being in touch with the masa, 'Mr. P.' Anyway, I guess they were there for lunch.
As if that wasn't enough, we were surprised to find out that the press con set-up in the conference room next to us, wasn't for Dar Bohas, but for our mayor, who's trying to clean up a smear campaign against him. Another Uncle pretended that he was a member of the press and taped some bits. Heh.
...Sunday. Said Another Uncle's birthday. There was a lot of food, which always warms my heart. I chowed down on Paella and the grilled fish in butter and garlic. The seafood salad wasn't bad either. There was also cake. Lots of it. After the festivities I went back to the room that I was staying in (I slept over at their house), watched television, and fell asleep. Still full. At around dawn, I woke up and gave one big relief belch, and fell asleep again. Good times.
...Monday. Election Day. As a non-registered voter, it was a day off. Now before you all brand me as an 'irresponsible citizen' and condemn me to hell, I would like to let you know that I've already acknowledged that fact. I guess there was under temporary disillusionment and extreme apathy on my part, during voter registration time. That's why I didn't register.
Anyway, that's how my weekend went.
Oh yeah, and after watching the pilot episodes of One Tree Hill and The O.C., I am hooked. Big whoop to mediocre teenybopper dramas! Heh.
I was browsing through the DVDs at Tower Records yesterday, looking for 13 Ghosts for my cousin's birthday. Yes, he likes it. Yes, I still consider him as my cousin. Anyway, it's the one with Tony Shalhoub and Shannon Elizabeth. Also Matthew Lillard, I think. I know. Shalhoub. Miscast. Except for Shannon Elizabeth, who, you know, filled in the role for girl with big boobs.
Anyway, so I was browsing through the DVDs and I found a Special Edition: Cats DVD. Again, as with every discovery, I wanted to jump up and down like an idiot, and show the DVD to the person next to me.
It's Cats! What do you mean, 'Cats?' CATS! Memory? Jellicle cats? Andrew. Lloyd. Weber?!
I bought that one, and also the 13 Ghosts DVD, and now I'm poorer by a thousand plus pesos. After I vowed that I would save my money.
Oh, and there's more.
Just for curiosity's sake, I went downstairs, and browsed through the new releases. What did I find? The Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Soundtrack. Being the fanatic that I am, I bought the damn thing, and that set me back a few hundred pesos more.
It's expensive to live this pop culture loving lifestyle.
To my joy, as I browsed the DVD's below the P500.00 bracket at Astrovision, I found a copy of Best in Show. It really is a pleasant surprise, since distribution of independent films here is scarce.
Best in Show is the third 'fictional documentary' written by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy (I won't use the word 'mockumentary' anymore, since I learned that Guest doen't like the term.). Their first two 'fictional documentaries'--This is Spinal Tap, and Waiting for Guffman--have all been well-received quite well by audiences, and critics alike. And since I am beginning to sound like an actual critic, I'll stop using phrases such as 'well-received' and 'audiences, and critics alike'. Anyway, it's basically a fictional documentary that features participants of a dog show, from preparation, to the contest itself, and finally, what has happened to them after the contest.
Although I've summed up the plot in one sentence, it is not at all, thin on it. Each participant featured is a couple(usually owner/handler) that has a unique story line that builds up to the competition You have the bickering couple, the gay couple, the hard-up-and-trying-to-make-it-couple, the May half of a May-December couple and the handler, and a country bumpkin (the only 'single' participant). These characters are so well-played by the ensemble that is composed mainly of improv actors, save for Parker Posey. In Guest's films, it's fun to see who gets paired with whom. Since the dialogue is improvised, it's interesting to see how an actor bounces off another actor to produce the funny lines. It really is amazing how they manufactured humor from the dog show itself.
I really like this movie, and I'd recommend it to people who don't get easily bored by 'all talk films'. It really is an acquired taste to appreciate Guest's films.
You were the only silver lining in that movie. I mean, who do I rely on? Jennifer Connely? Nick? Nolte?! No. You. You and your Brooding Nerd schtick. Only you.
Let's get to the main point: Shrek 2? Is very, very funny. It's even funnier than the first one. In the second movie, there are more parodies, pop culture references, and musical performances.
I think I'm liking 
So here's the summary: Brad Pitt's Ass (capitalized, because it's a different entity in and of itself, it deserves a major credit). War. Hector and Paris. Helen stow-aways. Cable and Helen's husband united to wage war against the Trojans. Boromir asks Brad Pitt (who's sparring with his 'cousin') to ally with them. Blah blee bloo. Nearly Naked Bloom. Greeks launched ships, penetrated Troy's shores. Brad Pitt's Ass. Brad Pitt's Ass. War. War. Legolas not so good with a sword. War. Hector kills Achilles' 'cousin'. Eric Bana's pecs. Achilles exacts revenge on Hector. War. War. Paris practices his skills with a bow and arrow. Audience: 'Ala na, ayan na si Legolas, panalo na sila! Blah. Trojan horse. Troy's city, breached. Paris has a familiar recoil when he shoots arrows. Cable kills Priam. Briseis kills Cable. Achilles finds Briseis. Paris shoots Achilles! At the heel! Shocker! Shoots some more at the torso. Achilles love Briseis. Blah. The End.
Anyway, so I was browsing through the DVDs and I found a 
Just for curiosity's sake, I went downstairs, and browsed through the new releases. What did I find? The 
To my joy, as I browsed the DVD's below the P500.00 bracket at Astrovision, I found a copy of 
