in black and white

I know I have been writing a lot about movies lately, and as a matter of fact, I have been writing only about movies, and nothing else. And I understand that it can sometimes, if not all the time, be tiring to read same old stuff all over again. But I also know that no one will be tired of reading my same old stuff, because I know very well that nobody reads this. So I'll go ahead and write more about movies then, without worrying about my readers, who don't exist.

As of this very moment, I am watching Good Night, and Good Luck (2005). The movie was directed by George Clooney (and he was also in the movie). I know Clooney as a actor; I'm not a fan, but I can say that he got that it factor in him. I never thought that he can direct such an intense and gripping film as this one. I'm a bit surprised that he also got the eyes of an artist. I won't go into the details of the movie. This is not a movie review anyway. I just feel like I have to write, and let everyone know how good this movie is. It is beautiful. It's colorful despite its being in black and white. Definitely worthy of its oscars nomination.

Another must-see, though it's kinda late already.

movie marathon

I have recently seen these movies (just this week) :

1. Gladiator (my new favorite) - great acting by Mr. Crowe and Phoenix. Touching at times.
2. American Beauty - This is how cinema should be, always.
3. Braveheart - Mr. Gibson's accent is a turn on.
4. The Godfather II - Al Pacino is reason enough.
5. The Godfather III - A lot have been disappointed with it. I'm not one of them.
6. The Departed - I don't like it but the story is great. And it's a Scorsese film, for crying out loud.

These are beautiful films; film-making at its best. Such a shame it took me years before seeing these beautiful pieces of art.

black space

This space is for a friend who lost his father just recently.

guns, blood and a skinhead

First time I've seen it (this is the first movie Ive seen this week; saw it on the 21st), I was disappointed. Maybe because I expected so much from it (plus the fact that I have waited for it since last month) .

After re-watching it yesterday, I found myself respecting it. Maybe because I didn't expect so much this time. hehehe

A second look can really make a difference.

I'll do some re-reading then.

enchanted

... is, indeed, enchanting. Another must-see. Amy Adams is such a sweetheart. Love it.

crash

"It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something. "

- opening scene, crash (2004)


I love Brokeback Mountain and it's still my favorite. But i won't argue anymore that Crash, after watching it last monday with my friend Angus, really deserves the Oscars. Written and directed beautifully by Paul Haggis, this movie is a must-see.

it's superbad

Superbad is super fun.

I didn't really plan to watch this movie, or any movie shown this week, for that matter. But while i was checking Zafra's site yesterday, I thought of giving the movie a chance. In her site, Zafra wrote that if you only have to see one movie this week, make it superbad.

This movie is worth your money and time. It's super fun. But it's also super touching at some point. This movie made me appreciate my friends and the beauty of friendship.

they own the night, big time! II

After seeing it for the third time, I can say that We Own the Night is one of the best movies this year. And as for me, it's one of the best I have seen in my entire life. If this will not get any Oscars nomination, then it would already be quite obvious that The Academy sucks!

atonement

I am waiting! I want it NOW!

they own the night, big time!

I love We Own the Night. And I am surprised to have read negative reviews about the movie, mostly by critics (see: rotten tomatoes' site). But then again, that's their job. They wouldn't be called 'critics' for nothing in the first place. Good thing I followed my instinct and watched the movie yesterday. It would/could have been a great loss on my part had I considered the not-so-good things written about this beautiful film, and not watch it.

Now Joaquin Phoenix has become one of my favorite actors because of this movie.

this is not a movie review

I am Sam.

This movie made me realized I can still cry like a baby, and that I'm actually still human.

I just happened to watch the movie yesterday, for the first time (shame on me). I think it was shown in 2001; that's six fucking years before I was able to laid eyes on this wonderful, heartwarming film. And if I remember it correctly, I actually planned of seeing it when it first came out. I don't know what happened though or what hinder me from seeing it (six years + memory gap, not suprising). Prior to watching last night, I have heard a lot of good things about it. And i didn't see anything but good in this movie.

I was watching ASAP yesterday. I was planning to do some reading after that but Dodong (housemate) asked me if I wanted to watch a movie (on dvd). I sure did, so I asked him if he has a copy of Crash (Brokeback Mountain should have won the Oscars! hehe) or Cassanova (it's solely for Heath Ledger - one of my favorite actors). It turned out that he doesnt have copy of both. So I thought of something else. He recommended a few, which he happened to have watched already but I heart I am Sam. So we settled with it.

I was literally crying while watching the movie, beginning to end. I don't see anything wrong with crying over a movie though. It's just that I was crying even while watching it with other people. I am an emotional bastard but I'm not the showy type. So it surprised me that I didn't mind crying that time; I didn't mind what Dodong and his sister Beng would think about it. I just wanted to cry so bad, I would die by just merely thinking of holding those tears.

The story is about a mentally-challenged (retarted - mental/intellectual capacity that of a 7 year old kid) father who, inspite his condition, fought for his daughter from being taken away by the Department of Child and Family Services. It's a story of a father who knew little about almost everything, but knows how to love his daughter big time. It pains me to see Sam being hurt, because you see not a man, but a 7 year-old kid being hurt. Sean Penn is such a good actor for having been able to portray the character of Sam beautifully. And I just love Dakota Fanning. She is so adorable. Michelle Pfeiffer did a wonderful job as well.

This is another story that shows the wonders of love. It tells us that love, most often than not, is all we need.

*******
Excerpt from the movie I am Sam (c/o http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0277027/quotes)

Lucy: Daddy, did God made for you to be like this or was it an accident?
Sam: Ok, what do you mean?
Lucy: I mean you're different.
Sam: But what do you mean?
Lucy: You're not like other daddies.
Sam: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Yeah, I'm sorry.
Lucy: It's ok, daddy. It's ok. Don't be sorry. I'm lucky. Nobody else's daddy ever comes to the park.
Sam: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah, we are lucky. Aren't we lucky? Yeah!

*******

Lucy: I won't read the word!
Sam: I'm your father and I'm telling you to read the word. Cause I can tell you to because I'm your father.
Lucy: I'm stupid.
Sam: You are not stupid!
Lucy: Yes, I am.
Sam: No, you are not stupid 'cause you can read that word.
Lucy: I don't wanna read it if you can't.
Sam: No, because it makes me happy! It makes me happy hearing you read. Yeah, it makes me happy when you're reading.
Lucy: [Lucy reads again]

*******

conversations II

Blogging wasn't on my plan for today, except that I don't really have any plans at all to begin with, and I am not the kind who plans things ahead. I would want this day to be peaceful, that I don't want the agony of writing (or thinking of what to write ) to spoil it. I kept myself busy browsing, reading other people's blogs, eating hotdog sandwiches and taking few calls (I work in a call center).

Today, I had my lunch with friends at the pantry (which I don't normally do). We were watching TV while eating (The tv was already on when we went there). The channel was set to ETC and Ambush Makeover was being shown.

While watching TV, a friend asked why is it that nobody's perfect (This had something to do with the program we were watching). I thought of it for awhile, only to realize that I don't exactly know why, and find the question rather difficult. So instead of answering, I asked her a question as well. I asked what perfection is for her (how she defines it). She didn't answer. I didn't know what to answer either if someone would ask me the same question.

I just ended the conversation uttering these exact words: "I think being perfect is imperfection itself."

I don't really know how to explain it (though i can try explaining it, if necessary) but it sounded really good, I admired myself for a second for having said it.

it's a holiday... so?

Today is a holiday but I am at the office working. What's new, right? This is one of the things I hate about working in a call center. You always work, even on holidays (even on Christmas and New Year). Last year I was very lucky to had been scheduled to report to work on Christmas and New Year's day. The former I have attended. I just pretended to have forgotten I had to report to work for the latter. For that, a memo had been served. I didn't really care. Atleast I enjoyed.