Trailer's FINALLY out (two days ago)!

It's funny how it took me 2 days to finally calm down (a bit) to share this wonderful piece of a tease that is the first Captain America: Civil War trailer. 

I have watched this on loop more times than I cared to count. I am barely holding onto my sanity as it is.

I won't explain what is up with the hype, especially to those who are not fans of comic-based films, because I respect those people. However, I am more than happy to share the joy and excitement with my fellow fantards. Who wants to watch with me?

Four Sisters and A Wedding: Not Just Comedy

Four Sisters and A Wedding was unexpected. Although I was told beforehand that the movie was “dramedy” (mix of drama and comedy), I thought it would portray the family on a light note, cracking jokes and witty comments in every scene, like with any Filipino feature film. Boy, was I partially wrong.

I said “partially” because the witticisms are still intact but the story about the family dynamics and the relationship among siblings brought the heart-warming, tear-jerking and effective drama into the screens; it drove me, and the rest of the cinema audience for that matter, into tears. As I am writing, my eyes still burn from crying for half of the movie.

So what’s with the drama, really?

Now showing: Cargo

My sister showed me a short film, a finalist in this year's Tropfest. I have been itching to share it, but it keeps slipping off my mind.

Something about the film-- the paternal instinct, the helpless baby, or, maybe, the zombie-- made my chest tighten, eyes tear up and made me curl into fetal position in a corner of my dark room and rock myself to sleep.

It's amazing how something so short has the tendency to give you a gripping experience.

Check out all the other short films that might tickle your fancy in their website or their YouTube channel.

Modernizing Classics

Reading classic works such as those of Verne's and Alcott's is a tedious process, especially that I find their style and use of language far from what my tongue is used ti. Yes, I have enjoyed the stories but it takes me a long time to finish reading the book. Searching polysyllabic and mostly archaic words in the dictionary, many of which I have not even heard spoken by any of my friends or acquaintances fluent in English, or rather, has English as her first language, adds to the time I spend on a book. Complicated words makes it more difficult to understand the meaning of paragraphs, let alone a sentence. I keep losing my concentration when I read classics because I keep losing my interest, too.

To prove a point, I was able to finish a young adult novel by James Patterson in one afternoon. Simple language for the single minded me. And a book being about people my age is added interest. On the other hand, I haven't finished Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which I started last November. And before that, it took me more than a week to finish his Journey to the Center of the Earth. I blame the Icelandic names of places and things and scientific descriptions every or so paragraph.

Movie Marathon

I'm excited for 2013 because of all the films that are about to premiere. With that in mid, I have decided to compile the trailers of some of the movies that I would love to see with family, with friends, or maybe just by myself if no one else want to come with me. I didn't make an effort to check which of them gets released first.

Les Miserables

I want to watch this movie

Dreamworks Animation's Rise of the Guardians started showing today in cinemas across Metro Manila and probably across the country. I have never watched any movie on its premiere so not watching ROTG today is not such a bad thing.  However, surfing around Tumblr has proven me wrong because of the spoilers in photo sets, .gif files and video clips. Now, I can't wait for the weekend when I can actually go to one of the movie theaters and see the film.

New Trailer

Today, a new trailer for the movie The Hobbit was released and I am more excited than ever for December 14, 2012. I'm not quite sure if The Hobbit will be released on the same date in the Philippines though, but I shall watch the movie on its opening week in eye-popping 3D no matter what. (Friends, save the date, OK?)

For everyone, here's the new trailer of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Hello, July

Last night, I ended June by cooking pasta for dinner and watching an LOTR marathon in HBO

One does not simply walk into Mordor.
Life is not a computer which can be screen captured, so I just took a picture of the TV.

Sully said he loves college

Is it because those who grew up watching Monsters, Inc. are probably tertiary education students by now? Sounds like Toy Story 3, doesn't it?

Maybe. Or maybe Disney has ran out of ideas that producing sequels and film adaptions of old books and series and video games are the next big thing-- big money-making thing, that is. I find this loss of originality and creativity very depressing, especially since a big part of my childhood was all about Disney movies and shows. Before, life watching the TV was colorful, fantastic, thrilling, inspiring and, sometimes, romantic. Now, I find the thrill gone. Most, if not all, of the movies have become cliché.

And that's the Monsters University teaser. It will premiere around this time next year.

Mike as a disco ball was a nice touch-- predictable but cute. And Sully, I wish I could say the same thing about college. In my present situation, it would take a miracle for me to finish my homework and have time to fool around. Frankly, I still miss high school.

Back to School and Some Men In Black

Already harassed on the first week of school, I am. Not a good start for a post but it will do.

Yes, after only first three days of school I feel fatigued. I feel so weary since the first night that some unwinding this weekend should be on [top of] my to-do list. And what better way to relax on a weekend than to watch a movie in a cinema?

My sister and I watched Men In Black 3 earlier tonight. Seeing Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones way older than in the last MIB made me feel older, too.

Lez Miz on Christmas

You know what I want to see?

The musical Les Miserables performed in Broadway. Unfortunately for me, the Broadway run has already ended years ago. Now, it's all up to fate if I will ever experience Les Miz live on stage.

Dark Shadows + Jessica Sanchez

I'm not a fan of vampire movies, especially since Twilight, but I have found an exception.

A few months ago, a friend of mine tagged me to a link to a movie trailer. She said that upon seeing the protagonist, she thought of me. When I watched the video, I knew what she meant. Can you guess why?

Catching Up

I have a confession to make: I didn't continue with the jazz class. In fact, I never went back after my trial session. Even if I was 80% sure I was coming back, 20% still made a difference, plus my parents' unwanted but valid reasons against taking jazz lessons. Since the decision was finalized, it left me with no dancing but more time in my hands. What do I do?

Well, I caught up with my TV series. After all, I have been waiting the whole academic year to get up-to-date with my TV loves plus some new shows introduced by my sister and my cousin. On the line-up I have Smash, Revenge, Grimm, NCIS and The Big Bang Theory. And the list just keeps on growing. Having a cousin at home who follows thrice as many shows as I do is a blessing, except when surfing the internet.

Speaking of catching up, I have finally watched Step Up 3 in the idiot box. I just found out that the dance movie used the song Bust Your Windows in their tango routine. I was like, "Wow! We danced tango with that same song on senior year!" So nobody even cared to inform me about this coincidence? Or rather, destiny? I got goosebumps watching them tango.

Fantastic Flying Books

Here's a copy of this year's Academy Award winner for Animated Short Film The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Enjoy!

Ever since I heard it during the Awards night, I wanted to watch it so bad that I am becoming impatient for summer vacation to start. Fortunately, I have found this link in YouTube. A big thanks to Sheena Mae Amit for sharing it in Facebook. Air hugs and kisses to you, Sheena!

Now, about the film. I do not want to spoil it to everyone so I'll just say two things I got from the film. First, books give color to your life. Second, never give up on anything you do.

By the way, you might want to bring some tissue because there might be water works along the way. Trust me, I know.

A Taste of Chicken ala Carte

Chicken ala Carte presented a glimpse of the life of hunger- and poverty-stricken Filipinos in the face of globalization. It focused on the portion of society that was forsaken of the luxuries of life. It was based on the real life stories of thousands of Filipinos, especially those who are urban poor.

This independent short film was awarded as the Most Popular Short Film under the theme "Food, Taste and Hunger" during the 56th Berlin International Film Festival. The film was written, photographed and directed by Ferdinand Dimadura. He also composed, arranged and performed the original music in it.